Chapter Text
On the Fishmonger District of the City of Hunters...
A newspaper boy was waving the paper in shouted, “Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Return of the Monsters, local Magistratta Valentine, famed slayer of the Traitor of Grimpumpkin, kidnapped! Her information on mystical objects was revealed to the returning Sinister Snickering Sovereigns! Now, she forms the next generation of the Guild of Prestigious Lords and Ladies of the Hunt! Will they be up to the challenge?"
Within the City of Hunters Days later...
The damage done was still being cleaned up, Monster Hunters, young and Old were still scouting the area, and the leaders of the human settlements were watching from the capital manner.
Count Caleb Spookspatter was shaking his head, trying to ease the headache.
“Have you got anything from the Parakeets?” The Count asked for his Master of Arms.
“They squawked that they made a deal with Boogie-Bag, not knowing it was him. They claim a compulsion but-.”
“What exactly did they say?”
The Master of Arms sighed, “They were just pawns for the monsters to breach our defenses, and gave them contraband in hopes of the boy being the top of his class.”
“They needed to get to the Magistratta so they could find the information needed. Have the Monster Hunters scour the land, leave no stone unturned.” He ordered him.
“Won’t make a difference, old friend.”
They all turned to the recovered vampire, drinking a goblet, “They planned for everything in advance, knowing them, they accounted for us to hunt them. They probably covered their tracks by now.”
She slunk about the lodge before finding rest on the Divan Couch, resting her hand on her cheek while the other held her drink.
“How do you fare?” Sir Richard asked the woman.
“I fair enough with these unfairest times. Should have known, my enemies would have conspired with those gluttonous swine.” She muttered with grump and irritation before taking a sip, “But other having my mind skewered like fiery pokers, the greatest kept secrets exposed, and the dreaded hour approaching, I am doing fair despite all that.”
“No need for such dramatics.” Doctor Screwloose chuckled.
“Believe me, there is none.” She answered before sipping.
“If things are as dire then shouldn’t we quickly guard those locations?” Viscount Prince questioned the woman.
“Fret not. We still have time.” Magistratta Valentine breathed before standing up, “As I said once before, I left nothing to chance. In the event my mind did get scanned and read, I made certain the crypts were locked by very special keys.”
“Ones that can’t be opened without them?”
“Precisely, the keys are scattered themselves. Not even I know their locations, for they were entrusted to the human and monster generals of that time who stood with us.” She explained, “We simply need to find them and thus have the bait to draw them out.”
She then looked at the portrait above and continued, “And say they do manage to gather the keys and locate two of the three, they still don’t know where the crown is or how they can possibly get it.”
“Ah, so that is how you hid the crown? Clever trap.”
“It is. But I can’t abide Sinister Snickering Sovereigns causing calamity on the land once again...”
“What are you suggesting, Vampire?” Warden Chum Basil questioned her with his arms crossed.
“We must go on the hunt, we will leave at dawn, three days and no more.”
“We?”
In Magistratta Valentine's office, days later...
Ichabod Albatross, Kane, Coraline Silverlight, Harry Thimble, and Bronz Billy Bow were called by the Magistratta herself to come to her office, a situation most dire.
“Sheesh, still can’t believe what happened yesterday.” Coraline sighed, rubbing her temples from the ache.
Kane was twiddling a necklace to bring some comfort.
“I’m happy the monsters are gone, and no one was harmed. Never would have pegged the Parakeets to be conspirators to the Sinister Snickering Sovereigns.” Harry added while tinkering with his latest invention, “Do you think they’ll be put in the dungeon for this?”
“It’s more than they deserved,” Bronz grumbled with anger in his voice.
“Best not to fixate on the traitors; our objective should be the return of the cultist group that once plagued Grimmpumpkin.” Ichabod shook his head while touching his eyepatch.
“The Magistratta will see you now.” One of the maids informed that while the group entered the office, the vampire was waiting for them.
In the Forest of Embody...
Boogie-Bag admired the map he cobbled for the search for his master’s items, admiring his work.
“Of course, that clever little imp dared to put up her defenses to keep my lord’s return and the destruction of the humans.” He grumbled while the map showed the required keys needed to unlock the first tomb.
“Hey! I didn’t do nothing!” An imp squealed while carrying his palanquin with thirteen others.
He was then slapped by one of the hooded warriors with a shield.
“Wasn’t talking to you.” Boogie-Bag sneered with spite.
“How do we find the keys, Head Sovereign?” Another one of the hooded figures questioned the necromancer.
“Simple, divide and conquer. Even though ol’ Valentine left out the details of where the keys are, I do know she handed them off to her constituents.” Boogie-Bag informed then summoned a projection of the thirteen generals who fought with her in the final battle, six monsters, seven humans, “Look Familiar?”
The thirteen sovereigns then looked at the projections and were in awe.
In Magistratta Valentine's office...
“...You must be surprised by the decision I have made, but you were chosen for a reason, all five of you.”
Ichabod Albatross, Kane, Coraline Silverlight, Harry Thimble, and Bronz Billy Bow were all standing in a row as they rebuilt everything after the sudden raid by the undead. They did more damage than just the arena, but there were no casualties on their side.
“My worst fear has come true; the Sinister Snickering Sovereigns have returned and planned on resurrecting their emperor once again. If the traitor is raised once more, then the nightmare will begin again, but much worse than before. I must train you myself, prepare you for the war on the horizon, and to protect all of Grimmpumpkin.”
She then turned around to the five.
“Children, forget what has brought you to this moment. All that matters now is to be true monster hunters, and to stop the Nightmare Monstroso.”
They saluted to her.
“Stand with me, and we will make it to the end.”
The group looked to each other and then to the vampire before kneeling before.
“We are ready when you are.” Ichabod declared with silent confidence.