Not What I Thought

Hide and Seek

Hello my lovely Lightning Bolts! I took a small break to cry in my pillow, but I got over it like I got over it the first time I wrote it down. Anyways, this next scene is like a prequel to the Final Battle, for those of you who have seen Scott's ending to Empires. If you got this far and you HAVEN'T seen it, what are you still doing here? Go watch it! 

TW: not gonna lie, Xornoth in my story kinda creeps me out 

(Scott POV)

My ears ring when I sit up. Jimmy looks dead, but I can hear him breathing. I stand, wobbly at first, then strong. I still have rockets in my jacket pocket, so I grab them and take off. Jimmy will be safe, I know it. 

Rivendell is in pieces. There are large bricks falling, and snow covering everything. I fly to spawn, where I see Gem. 

"Hey-Scott." She says, her breathing coming fast and in short spurts. "I-I saw Xornoth in Oceana earlier. H-he was destroying the pier. I think he caused the explosion. Here." She hands me a pair of boots. "You're an elf possessed by Aeor, the boots should help harness Aeor's power. You'll be able to capture Xornoth in this crystal." 

She hands me a necklace. "GO!" She shoves me away, collapsing. I notice a white streak in her auburn hair that isn't normally there. I fall to my knees beside her. 

"Gem, what-" "I said, GO!" She shoves me one last time. I don't want to leave her, but she glares at me like she knows what I'm thinking. "If you don't go, Scott Major, I will personally see to it that Wilbur and I beat the crap out of you! GO!" 

I run. My brain isn't processing, so I'm out of breath by the time I realize I can use my rockets to get to Oceana. And then I see it. I gasp, my breath fogging in the cold, thin air so high up. Oceana, a kingdom so usually dominated by blues and greens, is now up in flames and covered in corruption. 

Jesus, Xornoth worked quickly. Jimmy and I couldn't have been out for very long, could we? I try to find a place to land that isn't covered in corruption. I finally land on the roof of a house. I can't see anyone, which gives me hope that all the villagers had escaped. 

My eyes dart around as I sprint through the town. I don't see Xornoth anywhere, so I keep looking. The boots on my feet make me feel stronger, and when I see a large fire engulfing a house, I wish for the fire to be put out, and ice springs from my hands. "The hell?" I say. 

I look around again and spot a flash of purple among the red and orange. I run after the flash, weaving in between piles of burning rubble and falling debris. Finally, I catch up to Xornoth. His hands are in the air. Red particles appear just above his hands, slowly collecting in his palms. 

"Xornoth, what are you doing?" He turns to me, and I recoil. His skin has been totally corrupted, and the whites of his eyes are gone, completely covered with red. I can see his veins, purple now, thrumming and weaving across his entire body. 

"Ah, dear brother. I was hoping to see you again. Look at this amazing creation I have made!" I stare at him in horror. "You haven't created anything! Your corruption is spreading, even to Rivendell. Your corruption is breaking buildings and killing all the plants and animals. In your home! Don't you care?" 

"No, dear brother. You see, that's where you're wrong. Rivendell is not and never was my home. And this," he gestures to the destruction him. "This ridiculous empire with the ruler you've gotten so soft on. I really hope you enjoyed being with him. Now, though, you'll have to learn how to live without him."

I'm sorry for the cliffhanger my lovely Lightning Bolts, but I really had to do this so you would be excited for the next chapter! This chapter might have been a little short, but the next chapter is. *deep sigh* Amazing and you will not be disappointed. (I hope.) Get some rest and make sure you eat and drink. Goodbye my beautiful Bolts! Stay sparky. Ly! 😘❤️