Chapter Text
Rupert stopped the car just a bit outside of Baker Forest. Thanks to a couple of other witch hunters, he got the information he needed to find out where exactly they were going.
He looked out to the forest past the now abandoned van, hearing the sound of crows cawing in the distance as he felt his hands shaking. He slapped himself; that’s just fear. It’s normal. You’re normal. But you have to stay strong. This is not just for your sake. He grabbed his pitchfork and stepped out of the car.
“Dave? Please tell me you chickened out and didn’t go too far…” Rupert muttered. He gulped as he started to step towards the forest, every step making him feel more and more nervous as he glanced around.
“Dave!?” Rupert dared to shout. He knew he would be alerting anyone who happened to be nearby, but he needed to at least find him.
Rupert…
“Dave?” Rupert’s head whipped up as he looked around the wind blowing around him.
Rupert… don’t worry… I’m fine. We’re all fine…
“Dave? What are you talking about? Where are you?”
I’m here Rupert… just follow my voice and you’ll find me…
“Dave?” Rupert suddenly noticed the scenery around him had changed drastically. He was no longer in the forest but what looked to be an elaborate world. He glanced around, trying to make sense of what was happening as he suddenly found himself surrounded by these strange creatures.
“Wait, you’re not-!” Rupert shouted as he swung his pitch fork at them, activating the magic in it to blast them away.
I’ve gotta get out of here!
Rupert started to run the way he came only to find more of the labyrinth that he was trapped in. He ran up some stairs, blasting and stabbing at the creatures that surrounded him as he tried desperately to find an exit.
“Where the heck is this place? What the heck is going on!?” Rupert shouted as he felt something slash at his shoulder. He clutched it as he winced, trying to figure out where to go next.
Is this what Johnny was warning me about?
He found himself perched high above the labyrinth below him, balancing on what seemed to be a tight rope as he tried to bat away enemies that were not only flying at him, but also enemies from all sides. Suddenly one of the strange creatures grabbed his pitchfork and Rupert tried to wrestle it away only to be knocked over the side.
He gasped as he grasped the ledge, looking down below to see that the floor had now become several miles away. He felt his grip slipping as he looked up to see the strange creatures mocking him.
No… no… it can’t… IT CAN’T END LIKE THIS!
Rupert suddenly felt a strange sensation coursing through his veins as he began to float in mid air, a strange shield of light surrounding him. His eyes started to glow as light blasts came out of the shield, causing a bunch of the strange creatures to run away.
- - - - -
Charles and his friends, Henry and Ellie had pulled up to the edge of Baker Forest, ready to fight another Wicked. The sight of a witch hunter’s van did concern them a bit, but they were happy to see that it was completely empty and devoid of anything that could actually hurt them.
They managed to locate the Wicked quickly. Despite Burt’s best efforts, he felt the need to retreat after the Wicked came to close the forest’s edge and the last thing they needed was it getting into town.
Henry didn’t hesitate in opening a portal into the labyrinth and they entered ready to take care of this problem.
“Who wants to bet that this is a newborn Wicked?” Ellie said, “I’m secretly hoping so. If we can save this person, than that would be great!”
“I don’t know. I heard this has been an issue for a while. The fact that they think you guys are behind the disappearances in Baker Forest is kinda cringe if I’m gonna be honest,” Charles said.
Please don’t ever say that ever again, he heard Henry project into their heads.
“Sorry just calling it as I see it dude!” Charles said, “Anyway, as long as we can reach the core and destroy it, it should be fine.”
They fought through out the labyrinth, following the strong magical signature as they continued down the halls, trying to keep their spirits up as they carefully fought the familiars.
It’s a possession type… no wonder people keep disappearing. They either get eaten or their souls are slowly chipped away, Henry said as they fought them back.
“Don’t worry. As long as we destroy the core, they can be saved,” Ellie said, “Well some of them anyway…”
After about a few minutes of fighting, they finally managed to reach the main element of the labyrinth, a huge monster with many limbs rotating on what seemed to be a wheel. Many eyes protruded from the wheel as Henry started to cut at the limbs.
“What kind of witch was this?” Charles shouted.
“Who cares? If we’re lucky we’ll find out!” Ellie shouted as she used her magic to wrap a couple of familiars in vines and send them on their way.
Henry cast a few gem themed spells to help Ellie and Charles along the way when he suddenly felt a chill down his spine. He looked to the outer lengths of the labyrinth and suddenly felt something was off.
Hey, sorry to do this but do you guys think you could take this on without me? I’m detecting another magic signature in the labyrinth.
Another Wicked?
No… this is different.
Don’t worry! Me and Charles have got this! Just make sure you come back if it’s a false alarm alright? Or else.
Henry smirked as he headed out of the core, making his way towards the magic signature as quickly as he could.
“How are we going to take this thing down without Henry?” Charles shouted.
“Simple, just follow my lead!”
A dozen thorny rose vines began to climb all over Charles’ body as he suddenly powered up his fire magic. The roses that popped up from the vines became engulfed in flame as he began to shoot flamed rose petals at the monster. It started to shriek as it weakened, the pupils of it’s eyes spinning rapidly as Charles started to charge up another attack.
Meanwhile, Henry had finally managed to locate the magic signature. It luckily wasn’t too far from the core and he looked to see what looked like a witch hunter using… magic? That’s odd.
As far as he knew the only witch hunters he knew that knew magic were some old, traitorous wizards who gave them charmed weapons. But while he was indeed using the charmed weapon he was given, it also seemed like he was using his own magic. That explained the strange magical signature.
“Very interesting,” Henry muttered to himself as he drove a pitchfork in the arm of one of the captured human familiars. The labyrinth suddenly began to fade away as Henry gasped, seeing Ellie and Charles land right next to him. Charles was carrying the body of what appeared to be a young man as some more humans began to appear, laying on the ground unconscious from being possessed.
The witch hunter eventually calmed down, slumping over as he breathed in and out rapidly. He pulled himself up as he looked up, his eyes filled with horror.
“D… Dave?” Rupert said softly. Dave collapsed to the ground, grasping his arm as it bled heavily.
“It’s OK, Rupert… you… you didn’t-” he passed out Rupert started to shake. He looked up to see the trio staring as he started to sob.
At this moment in time he didn’t care if they were his enemy. He had to do something and he already knew he wouldn’t make it to a hospital in time to save Dave, no matter how fast he drove.
I have no other choice.
“I… I won’t say anything… if you promise you’ll help him. Please! Please!” Rupert shouted. They exchanged glances as Ellie reluctantly approached Dave, taking a look at his arm as she began to cast some healing spells on him.
“You really banged him up good. Other than the other minor injuries, he’ll be lucky if he can use this arm again,” Ellie said softly.
“I… I didn’t mean to. I was… it was the heat of the moment. I…” Rupert began to feel dizzy.
“Oh dear,” Charles said as he rushed over to Rupert, feeling his weight against him as he sighed.
“Alright, I have an idea, but I highly doubt you both are going to like it,” Charles said.
“What… what do you-” Suddenly Rupert felt a wave of heat rush over him and just like that he was out cold.
“What are you doing?” Ellie said as she intertwined some flowers in Dave’s wounds.
“They’re not gonna be able to go back after what happened,” Charles said, “The best thing we can do is take them into protective custody for now and just deliver them back in secret…”
What about all the bodies? Henry asked.
“I’ll get in contact with dad and let him know that the area is secure. If Burt is still around…”
“I’M HERE!” Burt popped out of the forest, a couple of crows following him as he beamed at the group.
“Good to see you finally showed your face,” Charles said.
“What were you up to?” Ellie asked, a little accusatory.
“Well, I’m sorry I couldn’t help you fight the Wicked. Another witch hunter showed up and I thought I’d bide my time until I could find a way to take care of him. But lo and behold he ended up getting sucked into the Wicked’s labyrinth anyway. Not that it matters, because you seem to be taking him back… where exactly?”
“That’s a good question,” Ellie said, “Where should we take them?”
“Well, Burt how about you keep watch here and wait for the wizards to show up. We can take him back to the manor for now,” Charles said.
The manor? Are you sure? On such short notice? Henry said.
“Not so much,” Burt said as he tapped his headset.
“R-right…” Ellie said, “Just let them know we’re on our way.”
The trio began to run off as Charles tapped his headset and turned a now visible dial to contact his dad about the situation. Meanwhile, Burt stayed put, doing the same as he gazed out at the scene.
“Mr. Curtis?”
“Hey, chief. We’ve got a bit of a situation here…”
- - - - -
Rupert stirred, opening his eyes slowly as he saw himself staring up that the ceiling of an unfamiliar place, in an unfamiliar bed. He tried to pull himself up, feeling a sharp pain in his arms as he did, wincing slightly as he collapsed back into the pillows, feeling lucky he was at least somewhere comfortable. He looked around and had to take a sharp breath to keep himself from screaming.
On his left side, there was a young woman who… didn’t look quite human. She was almost like a doll, with sharp artificial blue eyes and dark porcelain skin, wearing a cute blue blouse with a flowing skirt and a tiara adorned on top of her fluffy black hair, curled up and tied up into a ponytail with a ribbon.
“Hello,” she said.
“O-oh… you’re alive…” Rupert breathed out, trying to focus. He needed to get in contact with someone… where’s his phone?
Rupert shot up as he suddenly searched his body and turned bright red and covered his crotch on instinct, suddenly realizing he was naked. This caused the doll to roll her eyes at him.
“Geez, you act I’ve never seen a dick before,” she muttered, crossing her arms.
“S-sorry… it’s just… a bit embarrassing,” Rupert said as he pulled the blankets over him.
Why are you talking to it Rupert?
“I’m Amelia by the way,” she said, “Who are you?”
“Um… Rupert. Rupert Price. Are you going to like… ask me questions and try to get some information out of me?” Rupert asked.
“Hm? I mean if you want me to. What do you want to tell me?” Amelia said.
“Are you guarding me?” Rupert asked.
“Papa said to keep an eye on you. Although he didn’t seem too happy when he said it. Hmm… maybe I am supposed to question you…” Amelia glanced at him with a thoughtful look as Rupert began to feel a bit nervous. If he actually felt like getting up and looking around (albeit the slight embarrassment) he would see if he could find a way out of here.
“Oh good you’re awake.” Rupert suddenly looked to the door to see a new face, a man with dark brown curly hair and an even curlier mustache was at the door. He was definitely human, especially in comparison to his guard, who trotted over to him with a big smile on her face.
“Dad, see? I took care of him and made sure he didn’t move at all!”
“That’s very good, Amelia,” he said, patting her head and planting a soft kiss on her cheek. She smiled gently as he walked over to Rupert, who gulped as he sat down next to him where Amelia was sitting.
“Well, witch hunter? Are you feeling alright now? Considering you had the gall to actually plead to a magic user to aid you, you must have been truly desperate,” he said, a bit of coldness in his voice.
Rupert gulped, suddenly remembering his pleas for help to the witches who had inadvertently saved his life. Come to think of it, one of them looked strangely familiar.
“I… I was desperate, yes, but… I wasn’t trying to capture them or anything,” Rupert said, “I just… I just needed help because… something happened to me.”
“Henry said as such,” the man muttered as he gazed at Amelia, who suddenly had a worried look on her face, “Don’t worry, he can’t hurt us. We took the liberty, upon taking you in, of removing your clothes and any charms that those old wizards had put on you.”
“Charms? What-”
“Mostly protective charms, but a small tracking charm. So they can’t find that you were here. I have Burtrum working with some of the other witches to get some records straight. You’ll be here under protective custody until we can completely heal your friend. However, as far as those witch hunters are concerned, you will have spent a majority of your time healing in a hospital not too far from Stickburg.”
“Protective custody?”
“Yes. While we’re happy that you seem to have put aside your own bias and prejudice aside for the sake of someone close to you, we still cannot be sure if we can trust you or not. Therefore, while you will be safe here, you are still, by all accounts, a prisoner.”
Rupert gulped as he heard this. Great, this is exactly what he needed to hear. He put his head in his hands as he tried to process this information.
“Fine… fine, I guess.. I guess I had it coming. But do you know what happened to me?”
“From what Henry described, he said that you were using magic of your own to beat familiars. This unfortunately lead to you injuring your fellow witch hunter friend, who’s fine by the way. A few minor injuries from the fight with his group, plus the major injury from you with that pitchfork of yours. Ellie and Annie are both watching over him now to make sure he stays stable,” the man finished.
“Wait Henry. As in…”
No… it can’t be.
“Henry Stickmin of course.”
It is…
Rupert let out an exasperated sigh as he plunged backwards back into the bed, pulling the covers over him, his face hot with embarrassment and rage.
If there was one person that he didn’t want to be saved by… it was Henry Stickmin himself. The bane of his existence, the annoying thorn in his side, the one witch that no matter how much he tried to fight him and take him down, he just kept getting away.
The last he heard from him, he had stolen the Tunisian Diamond from an exhibit not too far from the town where he’s based. And that was a few months ago.
“Fine… FINE, I CAN ACCEPT THAT I GUESS!” Rupert shouted as he pulled the covers off, up to his chest.
“Doesn’t really sound like you can,” Amelia said quietly as Rupert sat up.
“I’ll accept this for what it’s worth. What’s your name anyway? I need to at least know the name of my warden at least.”
With a small nyeh, the man chuckled as he got up.
“Well, under normal circumstances you’d be wrong, but in all honesty, seeing as your leaving this place hopefully not disclosing any information you gather to any of your little witch hunter buddies…” he took a small bow and looked Rupert directly in the eyes.
“You can call me, for the time being, Mr. Copperbottom. And I don’t expect you to address me any other way as long as you’re here.” He turned around to leave before turning back.
“We’ll have a change of clothes for you ready shortly. Do not attempt to leave this room. Do you understand?”
“Y-yes Mr. Copperbottom.” Mr. Copperbottom nodded his head as he headed out the door.
“Um… you can keep calling me Amelia if you want,” Amelia said awkwardly before dashing out to follow her dad.
Rupert tried to relax a little as he stared at the ceiling once again, feeling a wave of dread go over him.
Of all the people to save my life…
Chapter 2: Of All the Witches, It Had to be Him