Pirate Quest Ch. 22

Nicol Bolas

The Opal Serpent soon reached the mouth of the cave, and the Krew began to prepare them to go in.

“All right, everyone.” Krocken said as chest and weapons were gathered. “Arm yourselves well. We have no idea what else is in that cave. We need to prepare accordingly.” He fingered Tasogare as his face hardened.

“Wow,” Lawrence said to Ibuki as he heaved up an empty chest. “He always makes sure to be prepared…then again, that’s quite reasonable, especially after all we dealt with today.”

“Yep. It’s how one survives in the wilderness.” Ibuki replied. “Drop your guard, and you can wind up dead.” Lawrence shuddered slightly but nodded.

As the small lifeboats were prepared, a groan could be heard form someone coming up. All eyes turned to see Korra, slightly dazed but otherwise looking quite all right.

“Oh, my head…” she groaned. “What did I miss?”

“Oh, nothing much.” Samus said from nearby. “Just a horde of angry animals, a very large Crawdaunt, and a Naval yandere.” She grinned as she ignored Ragna’s glare.

“…Wish I could have been part of that.” Korra muttered as she made her way to one of the boats, only to be halted by a scaly hand on her shoulder.

“Korra.” Krocken said. “You just got of bed after nearly killing yourself. Are you sure you are ready for this?”

“Duh.” Korra stated simply. “Once I’m up, it doesn’t take long for me at all to get back in the game.” She gave a small smirk.

“…Just…be careful.” Krocken ordered. “And don’t do something stupid like that again!”

“Sure!” Korra nodded as she boarded. “At least not today.”

Krocken then turned to the engineers nearby. “I want you all to stay here and watch out for trouble. We’ll signal you when we are ready.”

“Aye, sir.” Winry nodded as Berix, Rattrap, Chocolat, and Omega scattered about to keep watch (with Chocolat giving Klonoa small smile, which he blushed to). Krocken then boarded one last boat with Hakumen and Zero, then lowered himself down with the others, already in boats of their own.

“Let’s head out!” he called as everyone started rowing.

As everyone began sailing towards the cave, Krocken couldn’t help but feel…something was waiting for them in there. He scowled in anxiety.

“Everything all right, sir?” Hakumen asked stoically.

“…Just be ready.” Krocken said quietly, and Hakumen and Zero nodded as the ships entered the darkness.

They team traveled down the dark corridor, the light of the opening behind them still lighting the way. When it faded, Korra conjured a small fireball to light up the area. Silence and darkness was all about…

…until they turned a corner.

Krocken flinched, Noel gasped, Korra’s eyes widened, Sora looked ready to barf, Lawrence turned white…everyone (except Jake, who just stared) had horrified reactions.

Various rotted corpses were decorating the walls of the tunnel, nailed up by sharp rocks. They were all various species, wearing different types of clothes, showing all kinds of people tried and failed to take the treasure.

Momo broke the silence. “Oh…guess it’s someone’s idea of a welcome mat.” She joked nervously.

“More like Unwelcome mat.” Flynn muttered dryly as Rapunzel and Pascal blanched at the sight.

“I know it’s unnerving,” Krocken said, turning to reassure the others. “But we can take on whatever’s ahead. I believe in you all.” The Krew, reassured and happy with his words, smiled and kept on moving.

It was not longer before they noticed a slight gold light at the end of the tunnel.

“Is that…” Jake said in awe as that got closer, as the others shifted in their boats, as Krocken slightly drew his sword, ready for anything.

The boats soon turned the corner again…to reveal vast chamber, decorated by large stone pillars and platforms, and filled with piles and piles of gold…particularly the entire ground was covered in gold. Rayman’s eyes bulged.

“OH! Look at that gold!” He gushed as everyone in awe of the mass pile of treasures.

A closer look revealed not just gold, but all sorts of treasures and artifacts around the world, all piled together around the cavern…and in the very center of the cave was a large yet old ship, with several more chests and treasure on top.

“Whoa.” Lawrence muttered. “Look at this. Someone must have put a LOT of time into collecting this stuff.”

“And now it’s all ours.” Korra said with a grin as the Krew began to leave their boats and gaze around the large-treasure filled chamber.

Krocken kept his gaze focused upon the ship, sensing…something. “Everyone. begin gathering what you can.” He said quietly. “And keep the volume low.” Everyone nodded as they scattered, though Krocken began heading towards the ship.

Sora and Kairi worked together to pick out some nice jewels along with some gold.

“What do you think of this one?” Sora said as he picked up a large over-decorated sapphire. “Too gaudy too fetch a price?”

“In my eyes, yes.” Kairi replied flatly, giving the gem a dubious look. “But I’m sure some idiot would pay a good price for it. Take it, just in case.” Sora nodded as he tossed the gem into a chest.

“I just don’t understand it.” Samus muttered, as she and Kari filed up a chest of their own.

“Understand what?” Kari asked.

Samus sighed. “Why would anyone just…stockpile it all here? Why not spend it when you got it?”

“Maybe said person was saving for…I dunno, something big.” Kari replied.

“…Nothing could be worth this much.” Samus growled as she closed their chest, with it being full, and carried it off with Kari.

”Some things are very valuable…so much you can’t put a price of them…like comradeship.” Kari thought with a smile as they put the loaded chest with the others.

Ragna, Flynn, and Isaac worked together to fill up their own chest. “I tell ya, after all the shit we’ve been through, we are well rewarded for our efforts.” Ragna chuckled.

“Oh, sure.” Flynn muttered. “Now all we have to do is get past the bloodthirsty Skrall and your crazy brother.”

“I have to admit, getting out of here WILL be trouble.” Isaac admitted. “But we’ll figure something out. We always do.”

(Music: Ancient Machine; Halo 2)

As everyone began loading up the chests (and there was still a whole lot of gold about) Krocken, Zero, and Hakumen clambered onto the ship. Numerous chests were about the deck

After a moment of pondering, he spoke out. “Everyone... Up here please. We have the valuable things up here.”

Everyone (managing to be near the ship at the time) headed over and up onto deck. “The nice stuff that’s worth a fortune?” Garna asked.

“Yep,” Krocken confirmed. “And I want you all to help me carry them down.” He then noticed a large black chest, heavily secured with chains…and he knew at once what was in it. “Except that one. I get that by myself.” He headed towards it.

“Huh?” Rapunzel looked confused. “Why do you want that to you-“

A low growl across the chamber could be heard, causing all to pause and look about. “Oh…that doesn’t sound good.” King muttered.

The ship suddenly lurched as SOMETHING slammed against it, and everyone braced to keep balance.

“AH! W-w-what going on?!” Noel shrieked.

“Everyone get ready!” Krocken snapped as weapons were drawn and bodies were tensed. “We need-“

The gold beneath them exploded as something huge emerged from the riches and gripped the side of the ship, so it could get a good look at the Krew. All eyes turned too see what had confronted them.

It was a dragon.

A very large dragon with red scales, massive wings, and curved horns with gem in the middle. He word ornate armor on his torso, and a robe draped around his shoulders. He looked down at the shocked Krew with a dark smirk.

Under his breath, Krocken breathed a name. “Nicol Bolas…”

Nicol looked about again, and then spoke.

(Music: Spider Queen Appears; Ökami)

“Welcome to my den, thieves.” He hissed. “I could smell the salt drenched air of your lot from the mouth of the river that brought you here. I have not seen anyone make it past the cursed waters of my domain in so long that I was beginning to get bored.” He shifted a bit, making the boat creak as the others just listened. “You would have come here possessed either by great avarice for gold or great stupidity thinking you'd earn the honor of having slayed one of the last dragons in the world.” He scowled. “But I know better. I smell someone of dark kin amongst your numbers.”

Krocken stepped forward, irritated by the arrogance of the dragon. “Enough of your rambling you old worm! Age has only made your vanity worse than before!”

Nicola looked down…and Lawrence could have sworn a flash of recognition appeared in Nicol’s eye as huge grin spilt his face. “And only you would know this little black sheep. No one would know to make such banal criticisms of me without prior knowledge. “

Krocken glared as he snarled. “Legends of your selfish consumption of magic and the blessings of the Kaiju and Dragonflight to prolong your wretched life are known far and wide! You're speaking nonsense!”

At this, Nicol only chuckled “What is wrong, little black sheep? Still afraid to accept your heritage and birthright?” He cocked his head “Or are you merely trying to hide a truth you've worked so hard to keep from the younglings around you about the Seed of Chaos?”

“The what now?” Garna looked utterly lost as he watched to two trade insults.

Krocken ignored Garna as he continued. “What my Krew does and does not know about me is none of your concern and there is nothing you would know about me!” He pointed Tasogare at Nicol “Now, face us and die or kill us fiend! But do not waste my time spotting lies about a petty myth of the Dark Lords having an offspring! “

“Oh, but I have all the time to kill you, Krocken.”  Nicol sated, until he took notice of the increasingly baffled looks of some of the Krew members (that is, Lawrence, Breezie, Garna, Cha-Cha, Noel, Mia, Rapunzel, and Pascal) and grinned. “You apparently do not when it comes to confronting the truths of your bloodline. Shall I inform you younglings of your dear captain?“

Krocken seem to sweat, but attempted to keep his voice even.” Do not listen to him! He's only trying to distract our thinking!”

But Mia was not to be deterred. “Um…what IS he talking about?”

“Yeah, what have you all been hiding from us newcomers?” Garna asked with crossed arms.

Krocken, however, remained silent, as did the others, who suddenly looked very nervous as Nicol snickered.

“Youths and lies do not fare well even if it is for their own protection.” Nicol stated as he turned to the newcomers. “Allow me to tell you the truth of your dear captain Krocken.” Clearly relishing the moment, he spoke. “By appearance he does look like a mere reptilian Beastkin with the heritage of a dinosaur line, but that is merely the result of Dragonflight blood mixing with that of a Kaiju's; the cold heart of angry Biollante manifested into his ice powers while Deathwing’s reptilian figure encasing that cold blooded hate on top of his own.” He gestured to Krocken. ”He is the result of a birth through black magic from the times of the world's beginnings.” He looked down at Krocken mockingly. “Pity it was your mother's lack of wings that caused for you to not have them, I'm sure they'd be majestic and filled with the shadow of death.”

His secret out, Krocken bristled in rage. “I AM NOT THE SAME PERSON AS THEM! I NEVER WILL BE!!” He screamed

Nicol smirked. “And with that he admits to his origins, still denying what he is and what he shall become.”

“You know nothing of me!” Krocken stated, his glanced behind back to see the reactions.

Garna looked like he was about a stroke, Cha-Cha jaw had dropped, Breezie clutched onto Wing’s head with bristled fur, Lawrence had gone solid white, Noel trembled in terror, Mia looked completely lost, and Rapunzel and Pascal stared incredulously.

Nicol spoke up again with scowl. “We cannot fight nature Krocken. The way you have tried has so horrendously underdeveloped your powers that it's insulting to your kind as a whole. The fact that you have allowed yourself to remain the form of a sort of Beastkin even after birth is sign enough of that.” He spat in disgust.

“What is that suppose to mean!?” Krocken growled, getting angrier by the second.

Nicol shrugged his massive wings. “It does not matter for your fate is inevitable. Unlike you, I have basked in what I really am, even when the Kaiju and Dragonflight sealed me away all those eons ago. In the darkness of my seal, I multiplied the malice of my air a thousand fold so that when the day of the Kaiju’s' eternal slumber and the Dragonflight’s departing came, I broke free, spreading it by the mere ground I touched until I could create these cursed islands you've braved through!” He laughed.  “I was naive and in my youth when the Kaiju sealed me but now I am old and bathed in evil making me strong, strong, strong!”

Krocken had heard enough. He host Nicol a nasty glare. “You're reign of terror ends now, Nicol Bolas! I will end your miserable life here and now for what you have said!”

(Music: Wrath of the Spider Queen; Ökami)

Nicol laughed madly. “You, a half-breed, kill me?! HA! I am Nicol Bolas, the oldest of the Elder Dragons!” He sent a pulse of magic as he spread his wings, causing the gold to be split into two waves as they rushed against the walls of the cavern and merged with it as everyone looked around in alarm as he boasted. ”My wings summon hurricanes! Lightning strikes where my tail strikes! My claws are venomous with black magic to command the dead and sharper than The Reaper's Scythe!” His tail slammed against the ship, snapping it in half as it merged with the walls as well, along with the dead still around the area. The Krew tumbled to the ground. “My teeth part and stir the seas men tread! My breath burns hotter than the spirit of Ajani and bakes even the tops of great mountains! “

Nicol howled as he unleashed a mighty spell, and the very chamber itself seemed to distort. The walls expanded and tunnels branched out, enlarging the chamber. The very floor shifted, causing numerous ledges to rise, separating the Krew from each other. The ledge Krocken was standing on happen to be raised right in front of Nicol himself.

Nicol’s eyes blazed as he flapped his wings, creating a cyclone that picked up the remaining debris of the lair.. “I am the elements, I am…” Fire began to leak from his mouth. “DEATH!!”

“Oh, shit.”

(Music: Serpent Boss Theme; Child of Light)

Nicol blasted out a torrent of fire, enveloping the platform Krocken stood upon. Krocken managed to use Tasogare to block the worst of it…but he was becoming severely weakened in the heat.

Nicol finished his flame, and Krocken staggered. Nicol moved to finish him, but noticed something out of the corner of his eye. Turning, he saw Korra using her air-bending powers to try and redirect some of the debris in the cyclone right at Nicol’s face.

“Insolent wretch!” he spat. “Allow me to show you a true windstorm!” Flapping his wings, he regained control of the cyclone and sent rocks right at the startled Korra, including a large crushing boulder. But before the boulder could hit, Zero jumped in and sliced it into pieces…but the other rocks pelted him, sending him crashing painfully into the ground.

“…Ow…” He muttered, seconds before the ledge they were on collapsed and sent both of them down a crevice to another part of the cave. However, while this happened, Hakumen managed to reach his captain and pull him to safety.

Meanwhile, Rapunzel, Pascal, and Flynn were on ground level, looking around for a good vantage point during the chaos. “Damn! This is intense!” Flynn cursed over the storm.

“We just need a plan to attack.” Rapunzel replied, her gaze intense.

But time would not be on their side, for a tidal wave suddenly appeared and headed right for them.

“Uh, yeah, we could use one real fast.” Flynn said quickly.

Rapunzel looked around rapidly, trying to formulate a plan…before she thought of something. “Flynn! Hold on to me!” she ordered.

Flynn, though baffled, did as he was told. “All right, but I-“ Rapunzel unfurled some of her hair and hurled it to one of the boulders, lassoing it. “Huh, RapunZEEEEELLLL???!!” Flynn screamed as he, Rapunzel, and Pascal were yanked up by the cyclone, riding the storm as Flynn held on for dear life.

“Just hang on!” Rapunzel called as they managed to avoid the tidal wave…but her hair soon began to loosen its grip. “Oh no…no no no no NO!” Her hair slipped off and they all went sent flying towards one of the cave walls.

Flynn gritted his teeth and braced for impact as they slammed against the wall. Ignoring the pain, he drew his sword and jammed into the wall, making sure they did not fall down after that.

“Nice one.” Rapunzel groaned in pain.

“Yet it was.” Flynn grunted…right before a large rock came down and broke his sword.

“…Oh no…” They all screamed as they fell down, while being washed over by a torrent of treasure and corpses from the fight.
---------
Winry ran up to the top of the deck when she thought she heard something. Looking at the large cavern, she was shocked to see wisps of magic come shooting out of the entrance. She rushed back down below deck to the others.

“Well, what was it?” Rattrap asked.

“We’re going in.” Winry said. “I can tell they need your help”’

No one questioned her as they began to move in.
--------------
“Damn! I can’t even faze him.” Samus growled as she began to pelt the raging Nicol with charged shots.

“Just keep shooting! He has to go down eventually!” Jake snapped as he fired off rounds.

Nicol growled in as he thrashed his claws and tail about, preventing anyone from getting to close to take him directly.

“If we just had an opening, we could take him!” Momo glared at Nicol as she, Sora, Kairi, Garna, Wing, Breezie, and Cha-Cha observed from a distance.

“And it looks like we may get that opening soon.” Kairi said, noticing Ragna and Noel running up a set of step-like crevices.

“AH! What are we going to do?!” Noel cried. “He just took out Krocken so fast!” She suddenly frowned as she followed Ragna. “Speaking of him, what is the deal about his-“

“We can discuss that later!” Ragna said hastily. “Right now we need to bring ol’ Nicol down! Start by shooting at his eyes!”

“Wha-“ Noel’s train of thought was derailed. “I-I can’t just-“

“You have to, or we’re all screwed!” Ragna said as he ran up ahead.

Noel, steeling herself, aimed Bolverk at Nicol’s head and attempted to hit his eyes with blasts.

All it really did was get his attention, and he turned and smirked darkly. “Ah, stupid little girl. Your toys are nothing to me.” Noel trembled as he began to approach. “Let me show what it takes to ki-“

Nicol failed to notice Ragna above him, jumping among the flying debris, before landing on Nicol’s head, ready to smash his face in. Nicol howled as he thrashed his head about, attempting to dislodge him. Ragna kept his grip and mange dot bring his sword down on Nicol’s head…

…just for it to do no damage whatsoever. “Wha-?!”

Nicol shook Ragna off and swatted him across the carven with his tail as Noel screamed. “Worms! All of you are worms! You cannot harm me!” Nicol bellowed. “I AM ALL POWERFUL!!”
-----------
Elsewhere in the cavern…

“All right, that always sucks real bad” Krocken groaned as he recovered from the fiery blast in an area where Hakumen had taken him.

“We can’t wait here forever.” Hakumen noted. “The others need us.”

“I know that!” Krocken coughed in irritation. “But I can’t fight him like this…” He paused. “Hakumen, go and aid them. I need time for ‘that’ power.”

Realizing what he was planning to do, Hakumen nodded.” I understand.” He leapt away to take on Nicol.

Krocken, taking a deep breath, began to lower his own body temperature…
-------------
Ibuki and Lawrence, meanwhile, were riding up the debris in the cyclone to get to Nicol. The two also hide behind large rock chunks and ship parts so the dragon wouldn’t see them.

“Well,” Lawrence couldn’t help but joke as they hid a large ship piece. “This isn’t my idea of a date on a carousel ride, but whatever rocks your boat.”

Ibuki frowned. “Now’s not the time for that.” She scolded. “We need to figure this out!”

“Er, y-yes.” Lawrence pulled himself together.

Ibuki observed Nicol from the distance, and took note of all his body parts, noting all were very deadly. The she noticed the enlarged chest plate. “Funny… was it always that big…?” she muttered to herself, then she looked about the area, and noticed… “The black chest…it’s gone!”

“You mean the one the captain wanted?” Lawrence asked, deep down still reeling from the heritage of his leader.

“Yeah, and I think I know where it is.” Ibuki glared at the chest plate.

“What was in it, anyways?” Lawrence had to ask.

“…What we came for.” Ibuki said quietly, and Lawrence knew it would not be good to press right now.

Ibuki looked around the ship pieces they were in, and noticed a lantern, a lighter, and some gunpowder. Lawrence followed her gaze, initially confused.

“Say, Lawrence, I just had an idea.” Ibuki smiled.

“Uh…” Lawrence began to sweat nervously as he looked at the flammable material. “Why am I afraid of where this might be going?”

Ibuki didn’t answer as she used the lighter to ignite the lamp, tied the lamp on the end of one of her kunai. “Lawrence, grab some gunpowder.” She ordered.

“I’m assuming this all part of a plan.” Lawrence asked as he scooped up some powder.

“Yes, and here’s how it’s going to work: I’m going to jam this kunai and lantern into his chest plate, and then we use that gunpowder to blow it off.”

“T-That’s insane!” Lawrence yelped. “There has to bo-“

“We don’t have time to think of anything else.” Ibuki replied. “This is our only chance!”

“But-“ Lawrence stammered. “You could get yourself killed and-“

“Lawrence,” Ibuki began. “The first rule of being a ninja-or a pirate, for that matter- is to take any law of probability on something not being possible and blatantly contradict it. Now are you going to man up and ninja this with me, or are you going to wait for us to become appetizers for that thing? She finally asked.

Lawrence had no comeback for that, so he numbly nodded instead. Ibuki smiled as she readied herself, as did Lawrence.

As they got in close, they noticed Nicol had cornered Isaac, Mia, Tao, Klonoa, King, Rayman, and Sly against a wall, ready to roast them all.

“Oh, this doesn’t look too good.” Sly chuckled nervously.

Mia grimaced as readied her staff, hoping her water-based abilities could shield him off. Isaac did the same with his sword, ready to create and earthen barrier if needed.

“Now, insects.” Nicol grinned. “Prepare to-“

However, Ibuki then got close, and leapt of the ship piece, with Lawrence batting her with his tail to propel her forward, going right at Nicol’s chest plate. The dragon had no time to react the kunai/lantern was jabbed into a crack in the plate.

Nicol stared in shock at this act as Ibuki looked up. “NOW!” she cried up to Lawrence, who hurled down the barrel of gunpowder as Ibuki leapt away.

KA-BOOM

Nicol howled as the explosion enveloped his chest as Ibuki was caught in the shockwave of the blast, knocking her off balance

“IBUKI!” Lawrence dove down and managed to catch her and they landed on a rock that was beginning the fall after the cyclone was disrupted.

“Wow…the blast was a bit bigger than I thought.” Ibuki shook her head as she stood up and turned to survey what had happened.

“Holy crap, that was awesome!” Rayman grinned as the others just stared.

Nicol, snarling in pain, clutched as his chest, and Lawrence could make out a black and red gleam from underneath. “What is that?” he asked, feeling a sort of dread.

“That,” Ibuki paused. “is an artifact of pure evil that we hope to one day to destroy.”

Lawrence shivered, but said nothing as he stared.
--------------
Meanwhile, elsewhere…

“Oh, my head.” Flynn groaned as he, Rapunzel, and Pascal picked themselves up out of the pile of treasure that had buried them.

Rapunzel, very disoriented, was not very aware when a skeleton dropped on her, and…something from the bones dropped down with a slight hiss and melted into her hair. All she noticed was a sudden woozy feeling as she swayed.

Flynn reached for his sword…then remembered what happened when he saw only a hilt. He growled slightly and tossed it aside. “Great…so much for that.”

The cave suddenly trembled as Nicol slammed his fist against the wall in fury. “DAMN YOU, LOWLY WORMS!!” he roared. “IT’S MINE! THE POWER IS ALL MINE! NO ONE ELSE MAY HAVE IT!!”

In his raging, a large rock from the ceiling was dislodged and was sent plummeting down towards the two. In panic, Flynn quickly reached for what appeared to be a sword hilt and pulled the blade up and in front of them, bracing himself for the worse…

…and when the boulder made contact with the blade, it was sliced in half, the two parts falling harmlessly to the sides of Rapunzel, Pascal, and Flynn.

The three looked stupefied at the sword, until Flynn took a closer look. “Wait…is this Adamantium?”

“What now?” Rapunzel asked.

“It’s one of the hardest known metals in existence.” Flynn muttered as he ran his hand across it carefully. “Not sign of denting or even rust…amazing.”

But before they had any more time to debate or celebrate as sudden cry of alarm caught their attention. Looking up, the saw Ragna and Noel, caught off-guard by the quake. Noel screamed in terror as she fell.

Seeing her friend and comrade in danger, Rapunzel instinctively reached out with her hands in a futile gesture…

…at least, it would have been futile had something completely unexpected not happened: Rapunzel own long hair shot out at a fast speed and caught the two in mid-air.

Flynn and Pascal stared stupefied, as did Rapunzel and nearby observers.

“R-Rapunzel!” Noel called. “How did you do that?!”

“I d-don’t know!” Rapunzel admitted as she reeled them in. “It just happened!”

“Well, whatever it is, it will be of use.” Flynn said as they readied themselves for battle again.

An absolutely furious Nicol whirled to them and raised his claw to crush them. He thrust it forward, And Noel and Rapunzel leapt away. Flynn and Ragna leapt upon his arm and began running up to his chest plate.

Nicol began to thrash, knocking Flynn off, but he landed safely into the water. Rapunzel was quick to fish him out (still struggling, though, with her new power) as Ragna continued up and rammed his scythe into the crack on the chest plate….but soon found it stuck fast. “Aw, crap.”

Nicol snarled and thrashed, only causing the crack to widen further. Ragna began to slide down as he did, eventually break loose and landing into the water as well, also being fished out.

“ENOUGH OF THIS!” Nicol howled as he change the dimension again, expanding it so he had enough room to freely move his entire body. He began to thrash wildly in hopes of burying them all in mountains of gold and treasure.

“TAKE COVER!” Mia screamed, having been separated from most others. In response, Rapunzel managed to use her hair to grab her and pull her close, along with Noel, and hardened her hair to cover them, along with Pascal.

“Rapunzel…seriously, how are you doing this?” Mia asked.

“Wish I knew.” Rapunzel replied. “I just…know how.”

“Well, don’t stop!” Noel said as treasure fell down all around them.

Ibuki and Lawrence, meanwhile, were in the water, treading as they held to the shipwreck they were hiding in. “Gah! This is intense!”

“Just…hang on!” Ibuki encouraged,

At the same time the other Krew members tired to attack, but Nicol quickly swiped them aside with a swing of his tail carving up rock and water it went

“GAH! What is this bastard made of?!” Garna snarled.

“He’s a dragon, what did you expect?” Momo replied, bearing her sword in a tired fashion.

“Crap, where’s the captain?!” Jake hissed, looking about.

Isaac grimaced. “We just have to wait for him.” He and Korra summoned massive pillars of rock to crush Nicol. They sent them toppling towards the beasts…

…just for him to catch them with his bare claws and crush them with a sneer.

“Oh crap.” Korra muttered as Nicol unleashed a burst of electricity…
---------
Krocken sighed as he felt his body temperature reached a very low point. Then, focusing, he began to crystalize…
---------
The bolts had scatted everyone about, with the nobles still shielded.

Nicol began to rant in rage. “YOU LITTLE SHITS!!” he roared in fury. “You’ll be just like all the others that came before: Mounted and rotted on the walls and-“

He was cut off when Hakumen and Zero (having regained their stamina quickly) leapt up and slashed as his face in an x-formation. “GAH!”

“You are a boastful worm,” Hakumen growled. “and you overate yourself.”

“To the point you never figured out we were buying for time.” Zero added.

Before Nicol could even compose himself, there was a burst of white from a crevice nearby, causing all to shield their eyes as sudden chill spread through the area…right until something sped out and stuck Nicol in the gut, sending him toppling backwards.

(End Music)

Lawrence looked over to see what happened, and saw his captain land on the ground…but his appearance had been modified. “Wha-“

(Music: Wind Fang; Asura’s Wrath)

“That” Ibuki began, “is the form the Captain take when he goes all out…his Blizzard state.” Lawrence just stared in awe.

Numerous icicles had sprouted from Krocken’s back, tail, under his arms, and the back of his legs. His very claws themselves had taken on an icicle like appearance. Mist floated around him as he glared at Nicol, before he let out a pulse of power to show his strength. “Ready yourself, worm!” he bellowed.

“I both hate it and love it when he does that form.“ Jake muttered. (being a reptile and all.)

Nicol picked himself, growling in rage. “Insolent dog! You’re little power boost is nothing to my might!”

“Let’s put that to test, shall we.” Krocken snarled as he charged forwards, as the others took cover for the fierce battle.

Nicol spat of a horde of fireballs, but Krocken dodged them all with swift jumps and twists. He countered by shooting out a barrage of icicles, striking Nicol in several places, causing numerous gashes along the dragon’s body.

“GARRRGHH! YOU LITTLE BASTARD!” Nicol snarled as he used his massive tail to generate a massive tidal wave towards Krocken and any nearby Krew members...only for Krocken to extend his arm and shoot out a blast of ice that quickly froze the tidal wave solid, which he leapt up and ran up on, reaching right up to Nicol, who he quickly kicked in the face.

“…Holy shit…” Garna muttered

“He’s tough-tough!” Cha-Cha chirped.

Nicol howled as he spread his wings and took flight in the massive dimension, kicking up a whirlwind while he smashed the huge block of ice into chucks with his tail, the wind carrying them up as well. Krocken simply growled as he leapt quickly from piece to piece, trying to reach the dragon.

Nicol scoffed. “So much power, yet you still retain your crippling weakness for the fire.” He began to draw in breath…before spouting out a huge ball of fire, heading right for Krocken.

Forgetting for a moment of his parentage. Mia screamed. “AH! LOOK OU-“

Krocken spat out a gust of icy mist, actually managing to freeze the huge fireball solid, before leaping up and punching through it, shattering it into small pieces as he continued to land his blow on a shocked Nicol’s face.

“D-Did he just…do what I think he did?” Lawrence asked, incredulous of the scene.

“Yeah, he runs COLD like that.” Ibuki grinned.

Nicol began to roar. “FOOL! Submit to my infinite power!”

“You need to shut up and die!” Krocken snapped back, firing off a round of icicles at Nicol, who swatted them aside and swung his tail at Krocken, who was riding a piece of ice on the storm. Krocken drew his blade and blocked the strike, then used his free hand to grab the tail and swing Nicol against the wall of the dimension, knocking Nicol breath away.

“W-WHAT?!” Nicol looked shocked. “How can you have so much power?! You’re a reject! A vagabond! NOTHING!”

“No…I am me.” Krocken replied darkly. “I am Krocken, son of Krocul and Lindabra, master of the cold and the eternal traveler. Survivor of many battles and the wielder of the beetle spirits...and you are nothing more than lowly, shit-faced WORM!” As Nicol’s face contorted in anger, Krocken let out a shout. “LET ME SHOW YOU MY TRUE POWER!” He thrust Tasogare forward. “Bītorudoreiku Hyōga!”

Icy mist focused across the blade, forming the icy heads of a stag beetle and a rhinoceros beetle. The two slammed together to form a four-eyed draconic head, which roared in fury. Krocken began to speak. “Even the lowly of creatures can rise to become a dragon.” He said as he shot ice balls at Nicol, pinning him in place in the air. “And they shall rise to dispose of the arrogant tyrants who oppress those below them.” The dragon head extended, snapping as it flew to Nicol. “NOW, FACE THE BITE OF THE DRAGON!!”

The head rammed into Nicol’s chest, drilling into him as he roared in pain…until he plate shattered and something was ripped free, destabilizing Nicol’s power, rupturing the dimension partially… allowing the ship to come in as Nicol plummeted in pain.

“Well, that was-HOLY SLAG!” Rattrap started as she saw the falling dragon.

“Guy! Finish him off!” Krocken shouted as he began to descend with…something clutched in the ice.

“With what?!”Berix cried, gripping his head

“With THIS!” Winry said, slamming down on the Dragonator button at the right moment. The large drill erupted form the front of the ship…and impaled Nicol.

“GU-ACK!” Nicol gargled as received the fatal wound, before he was net flying across the cave, the dimension breaking completely. As Nicol slammed to the ground in great pain, gold and treasure began to fall down to the Krew.

(Music: A Wonderful Victory; The Wonderful 101)

“YES!” Berix cried. “My fantasy has come true! It’s raining treasure!” He ran around, gathering as much treasure as he could.

“THAT’S your fantasy?” Chocolat asked flatly. “I was thinking something more…mechanical.”

“It’s my hobby, sure.” Brix explained. “But so is electing things, especially shiny treasure!”

Winry sighed at her partner’s antics…until a large sack fell next to her. She looked at it, thinking she could put some treasure in it. She picked up the sack and began putting some nearby jewels and gold in it…and began to notice it never seemed to fill up. Puzzled, she made sure the treasure actually made it in. She saw them all right, glittering, but the bottom of the bag seemed to extend, without the bag itself changing size on the outside.

“HEY!” she called excitedly to her comrades who were excitedly gathering loot. “Bottomless bag!” She grinned as she threw it down to her excited teammates. “Pass it along!”

As the Krew filled up the bag, Rattrap looked around. ‘Say, uh, where’s-

A jet of water caught everyone’s attention, and all turned to see Krocken, back in his default state, looking somewhat work out, yet triumphant at the same time. He was dragging something behind him, encased in ice for safety.

Krocken, once again, had emerged triumphant in battle, and won his prize.