After Nick and Smurfette got what they needed, they flew off to the mountain, going separately to avoid any detection.
"Nick," Smurfette asked, "Why does he want us to meet him at the Mountain of Mists?"
"It's the perfect spot for him," Nick explained, "it's connected to all the realms' magic and it's where all the champions are made. Plus, only a champion can access its temple, which is why I thought it would be safe when I left. Guess not."
"Let's hope it'll be alright," she said, as they flew to the side of the mountain, to a hidden entrance Nick used for desperate measures.
Their plan was simple: get in, free the Smurfs, defeat Ignotus, and get out.
"How are you gonna beat Ignotus, exactly?" She asked, looking at him.
"I'll deal with that. Just stick to the plan and free the others," Nick told her.
"Alright, good luck!" she said, hopeful.
"Before I go in, there's one more thing I need to give you."
He pulled out some clothing with a knight's armor attached to it.
"What's this?" she asked, confused.
"It's the armor of Sir Benedict the Brave, a knight that Mallorca encountered who saved his life. He was a brave and noble warrior, just like you. I give this to you now for protection and as a token of gratitude for all you've done for me."
With a simple switching spell, it appeared on Smurfette, covering her from head to toe. The armor had a rose colored tunic, a silver chest plate and shin guards, and a gleaming sword and sheath at her side.
"I reforged it for you, thought you'd like it."
"I love it!" Smurfette said, admiring her new armor, "It fits like a glove, plus the shade of pink's a nice touch."
"Thought it would show your enemies what kind of knight they're dealing with," Nick said, "and not just any kind."
"Thanks," she said, moving towards a hidden entrance to the temple, "good luck."
"You too," Nick said, turning to the doorway. He floated over, opening it to a horrifying sight.
The temple was filled with cages of Smurfs, imprisoned by the former man who was meant to protect them, who stood in front of Nick now.
"Well," Ignotus said, slow clapping, "so glad you could join us, Nicholas."
"Nick!" Papa called from one of the cages, "Get out of here, now!"
"Silence, old fool!" Ignotus motioned to him, hushing him up.
He turned to Nick, his purple skin and red eyes giving off the presence of a living phantom.
"Arrogance is indeed a human trait," he said, peering at him, "and among all of us here, you possess it best."
Nick stood determined, his hands ready.
"All of this, and for what?" Nick asked him, "to enslave free worlds? To become a god?"
"You truly wish to know?" Ignotus said, giving a look of malice.
As he began explaining to Nick, Smurfette started freeing the cages, releasing the others.
"I was once like you," Ignotus explained, "a nobody with ideas, and because of them, I was thrown away, discarded. But even then, I survived, and as I was made a champion out of my persistence, yet I became confined by the corruption of this realm. And so I vowed to break free and take control for myself, reforming it all under my control."
He looked at Nick, the last thing standing in his path.
"As you see, my path had an effect on my condition," he said, gesturing towards his purple skin, a result of his corruption.
Nick glared at him, determination in his eyes.
"You'll fail," he said, sternly, "your overconfidence blinds you."
"Just like your mother," he said, snickering, "I see her spirit in you, relentless till the end."
Suddenly, Ignotus reared back stabbing Nick with his blade. Nick looked up, fear in his eyes.
"And just like her, you die at my hand," he said coldly as Nick fell to the ground, lifeless.
"NO!" Smurfette yelled, leaping from the cages, and towards Ignotus. She clashed with him, blade against blade, before Ignotus knocked her back.
"Why must you defend him?" Ignotus said, mockingly, "he's not one of you, he's only a human."
Smurfette looked at Nick's body, sadness in her eyes, but she refused to give up. She got back up, glaring at Ignotus.
"He may have been a human," she told him, "but he was more human than you are. Nick was the real Sorcerer Smurf, not because he was chosen by the wizard, but because he never gave up on those he loved. Not even on me."
Suddenly, a bright light emerged, engulfing the entire room.
YOU ARE READING
Smurfs: Secret Of The Sorcerer
FantasiaThe Smurfs once thought the legend of The Sorcerer Smurf was a trick. The thing about legends, however, is that sometimes they're true. Now, Smurfette and her friends are about to discover a secret that will change everything as they know it.
