Episode 23 - The Rule of Cool

## Episode Synopsis

### Recap

The team was dealing with the aftermath of Zippy's death and Demon Norman's aftermath. The wizard guards stormed the throne room and were quick to blame the team about the stolen crystal. Norman, Randy and Dariun were able to convince them that someone stole it. The wizards began their hunt as they brought Zippy's body back to the airship and Norman had an apophony. He believed Zippy's body was within the crystal.

Meanwhile, Zippy was within the crystal. He found a crystal goat, giant worm and an extremely long table with all the souls trapped within sitting around it. Zippy was cast out to the unwanted part of the table, covered in snow where he met some interesting folk, the Dibs family. Zippy learnt they were previously wizard hunters and are also related to the Blongers. Norman and Dariun decide to work together to find a necromancer at Whimsy World in the aim to get Zippy out.

### Episode Summary

Norman and Dariun are crossing an ethereal bridge to reach a musical, cheerful and laughter filled festive land of Jadu. Streets are filled with entertainment and candy as they enter into Whimsy World. Dariun turns to Norman, wiping some blood from his face and brushing back his silk white hair. He tells Norman to avoid any combat considering he is in really rough shape still.

A very hefty gummy bear walks up to them and extends an arm out for them to eat. Norman and Dariun are extremely suspicious of this free treat offered. When Norman turns it down and asks for directions, the gummy bear becomes extremely angry, swears at them and walks off. Dariun looks around to find anything that will help them on their quest and he sees a sign to the Wheel of Whimsy; one turn and one opportunity to change your life. Fireworks go off in the distance as they make their way to the wheel. Dariun pulls out his rockie walkie and speaks to Randy, asking if he can escort Apophis and Bradley to Whimsy world to uphold appearances. Apophis replies but doesn't want to go. Norman adds in, encouraging him to come in and they manage to convince them to come to Whimsy World and celebrate their win. Dariun explains to Norman about the events at the Pyre Pitch grand finals and their opportunity to see the king.

They continue on, seeing the various, magical games of darts with flying brooms and whack-a-hydra with magic missiles. Norman and Dariun come up to the giant wheel where they are about the spin. On the ground is a line indicating a barrier for the wheel and they both hop in. joining a large crowd. The wheel is spun, air elementals are conjured to spin the wheel even faster. It slows and stops on a tiny sliver and an orb of magic flies out and dances in the sky above the crowd. People are yelling at the orb, hoping it comes to them. The ball of energy lands on Norman's chest and sinks in and the announcer says who ever got it will have hands that cannot be cut by a blade that if forged by a mortal for the rest of the day. Norman pulls out a rapier and lightly drags it across his hand and nothing happens. The crowd starts to disperse and people mutter, sad it wasn't the wish.

Norman stops a passer-by and asks for any directions to necromancers. The Jadu local tells them he doesn't know many necromancers, most are on the Jadu guard or at the school. Norman then asks if maybe there is any kind of underground fighting pit. The local becomes very flustered, poorly trying to pretend he doesn't know anything. Dariun tells him they have some gold but the local wants taffy. He then explains they will need to get life savers to trade for the taffy. Dariun sighs and tries to find any way out of this fetch quest. He looks down the alley way next to them and sees a bunch of people putting on gloves, getting ready for a fight and heading down some stairs.

Norman and Dariun head down the alleyway and down the stairs and are stopped by a blue bullywog who asks if they're cool. They both tell him they're cool, Dariun much more connivingly than Normans poor attempt. The bullywog points to Dariun and says he's cool then to Norman who is not cool and is not allowed in. They try to convince the door person to let Norman in but he is so uncool that he cannot physically go in. Dariun asks if there are any ways of healing him in there and the bullywog tells him they take care of their cool people. Dariun peace's out from Norman and heads into the fighting pit.

Dariun comes into the underground fighting pit where a pink bullywog approaches him and asks if he is the guy. Dariun says yes. She says he is so cool then holds to him a water bottle and instructs him to pour it on himself. He pours it on himself, through his white locks of hair that he whips back and forth. The pink bullywog and others are swooning over his coolness. He gets a better view of the pit and can see a minotaur fighting a green bullywog with a wide brimmed hat. Dariun recognises Alexandre Dumas, the mercenary dragon slayer. After pummeling the minator, Alexandre exits the pit and walks through the crowd.

Dariun approaches Alexandre, greeting his old friend. The coolness is unreal between them. The crowd are silently watching as Alexandre laughs and puts out his hand and Dariun meets it for a clasp. The crowd cheers and Dariun asks for them to head out to get a drink. While Norman was waiting, the Gummy bear cames by and starts yelling at Norman, telling him to leave. They start shooting gummy balls at Norman before Alexandre and Dariun come out and the Gummy Bear leaves upon seeing the bullywog. Alexandre greets Norman and asks where Zippy is. Dariun tells him they need to talk as asks to head to the Wild Whale bar. Upon arriving, Norman and Alexandre head to a booth as Dariun is waved over by the Basement Broohaha's coach. They quickly reunite and he promises Apophis and Bradley are on their way.

Alexandre orders them each a Blerrie. A lavender drink with a deep red colour at the bottom sits before them in shot glasses. They all drink and Norman sees the nails on his fingers grows, creating claws. Dariun feels his neck contracting and when the pressure releases, he finds he has gills. After finishing their drinks, Dariun tells him about what's been happening recently and that they are pretty much at rock bottom. He informs Alexandre that Zippy died today and they are currently trying to find a way to bring him back and were hoping for his help.

Alexandre asks why they did not just bring Zippy to a wizard guard as they can revive people but Norman informs him he died very close to the crystal and they believe his soul is in there. Alexandre tells him that he doesn’t fully agree with his father's ideals and the crystal but he won't be able to help them. Dariun asks if he can help them find someone who could. Dumas has a guy but there is no way he can get them into the castle to get to the crystal. Dariun asks if they can get this person within proximity of the crystal could they do it and Dumas tells them he can.

Dumas takes a slight tangent, admitting he has not killed any dragons. He needs to kill a dragon to be noticed by his father and no one but powerful wizards can be allowed in the crystal. He wants to get the crystal away from his father to save him. Dariun asks what would happen to someone who was not invited into the crystal made their way in. Alexandre does not know, only believing that people will be trapped within forever and not complete the true cycle of life. Dariun tells Dumas he has a way to get his guy within proximity of the crystal and he decides to take Norman and Dariun to his guy. Before they head off, they have another round of Blerries. All three of them sprout wings out of their backs, only small but wings nonetheless that allow them to fly.

The team head down another alley coming to a drain pipe that is large enough to fit a rat. Alexandre gives them each a pellet, instructing them to throw it at the ground. They each do, casting gaseous form and they travel down the pipe into a chaotically organised basement. The rotten, corpse, death smell hits them as they see dead bodies scattered around. Dariun asks for the name of his contact and Alexandre tells then his name is Smiles. They call out for him as they slowly start walking in. The floor boards creak and there is a strange dripping in the distance. Alexandre informs them there is a barrier here, preventing any magic getting in or out. Norman waves his wand of detect magic and he senses many magical items.

Norman turns as he senses a large amount of magic behind him. An arachne person with long greasy hair and a half mask covering their eyes drops down from the ceiling on a web. Smiles towers above him with a large grin on his face. Smiles asks what Dumas is doing here and he tells them about what Dariun and Norman discussed earlier. Smiles grins larger, rows of sharp teeth showing, excited about the proposition. Dariun tells him they want to strike a deal, they need Smiles to extract a soul. Smiles starts circling around them slowly and explains taking only one of many souls out may be tough but he should be able to do it.

Smiles explains he would make a brief hole between the crystal and material plane, allowing them to look in and take the soul out. Norman asks what Smiles wants out of the deal. Smile's grin widens and he tells them he wants the crystal. Dariun agrees to his terms so long as he can take out that specific soul and he shakes one of the Arachne person's hands. Norman shakes another. The deal is made. Dariun confirms that the magic is blocked off from the outside world and Smiles explains he has gone to great lengths to ensure he is hidden. Norman and Dariun leave to get Zippy's body and on their way, Dariun tells Norman that he is fully prepared to give Smiles the crystal. Norman tells Dariun he feels he bears the souls of the crystals, but when it comes to this, he is only here for Zippy's.

They enter back into the lair, Zippy in Dariun's arms. Smiles clears a table that has a corpse on it and Dariun lies Zippy's body down. Smiles looks him over, saying how brutal it is and asks if they want a soul in his body. Dariun and Norman ask for him to fix the body first and Smiles works on setting the spine, brushing the fur off a burned area of his chest and using webbing to make him whole. Dariun glances at Norman and makes sure he is watching.

Dariun brings out the crystal from his bag of holding. Alexandre looks at it, not believing it could the crystal. Dariun explains Zippy was able to shrink the crystal down and Smiles laugh, knowing this is the real thing. Smiles moves Zippy's body and begins to ritual a circle on the ground with chalk. Smiles asks if they're ready and Dariun looks to Alexandre, ensuring he is not getting cold feet. Norman readies his spell modify memory and Dariun very carefully sets the crystal in the chalk pattern on the ground.

The necromancer starts double checking his work, making sure the pattern in correct. Then, he looks at the crystal and starts to laugh. He instructs them to step in the circle and hold hands. Sparkles of arcane magic start flashing off the sigils that are drawn into the floor. Magic is coursing in streaks all around the area, circling in on the crystal. The crystal starts to levitate then suddenly, lightning starts flashing off it as they all duck, dodging the bolts. Smiles tells them they're on the timer now and need somatic, material and verbal components to make the spell work. Smiles does the somatic components and Dariun throws in the materials and Norman brings his bardic skills to good use.

Zippy, within the crystal, stands in the snow with the Dibs family members. Mr. Dibs tells him they weren't always mage hunters, they were amoung some of the founding members of Jadu bringing in evocation magic. They were some of the most powerful wizards in Jadu. Zippy tells Mr. Dibs he doesn't even want to hear his story considering Lou is descended from them. Mr. Dibs continues, telling him he was cursed and he believes Lou is wanting to end the rein of power the magicians have. The Dibs once had power but have lost it and believe at any moment, the god like power the wizards have could bring everyone down at a drop of the hat.

Zippy can understand what he's saying but says people are different from what he thinks and they should not be so hateful. Mr. Dib's body starts to shake, fury rising in him as he asks why they should be cursed and suffer. Zippy believes the curse he speaks of is only one they brought upon themselves and those who have descended from them, suggesting he reflects on that fact. Mr. dibs has done enough thinking, eight life cycles of it. Zippy doesn't fully agree with the Jadu people but thinks Dibs people are not any better. Mr. Dibs tells him they will get out the crystal but they will be at the bottom, just like Zippy. He would probably be used for druid meat as he is below the power of the wizards. Zippy believes even though this is a chance, they still don't have any right to hurt the wizards. He tells Mr. Dibs about his fight against the wizards to help the druids but he only went for the top person.

Mr. Dibs tells him he is explaining a power vacuum, when the top is taken out, someone just as powerful will take over. Zippy doesn't believe this is always the case. Mr. Dibs doesn't have much care to what Zippy says, breaking the news that he could be in this crystal forever now and no matter his thoughts or ideals, they will never leave here. Zippy takes it on the chin and tells him if he is stuck here, he has a lot of opportunity to convince them how wrong they are. His friends are going to be able to defeat Lou. Mr. Dibs shoots up and goes to grab for his leg but Zippy hops out of the way.

The other Dibs family members come out from the snow and both of Zippy's legs get grabbed and he falls over. He kicks off the hands, snapping them away as he claws forwards and hops away. More Dibs come out of the snow, Zippy is dodging and weaving, hopping over the people along the table. Zippy hops, as high as he can, soaring above the sea of hands below. He reaches to the pink clouds, remembering his mom and dad and Hibippy. As he falls back, he closes his eyes. Suddenly, a hole comes through the clouds and a rain of light shins upon him. He looks up and a crack forms in the crystal sky above him. Glass rains down when he falls and lands on the table. All the Dibs are looking up in the sky. Electric energy is flying off and the Dibs look in awe, the time has come.

Norman sees Smiles continuing the dance and he sees a little hole on the surface of the crystal. Smiles gets to work on finding the soul and a bubble starts to come out of the crystal. It forms into a bullywog, translucent and white eyed. They look at them and scream. Norman draws his rapier, slashing across the neck and the spirit is decapitated then disintegrates away. Two more bubbles start to form in front of him. Zippy can see people are clawing, trying anything they can to get to the hole in the sky. Zippy has a thought, maybe all the crystals within here are interconnected so he rushes to the closest crystal he can find and screams out for Jeremy to help. It glows and Zippy hears a grinding of crystal and Jeremy is behind him. Zippy rushes over and asks for him to help Zippy get out if the crystal. Jeremy heads his call for help and climbs up the side of the mountain with Zippy on his back.

Dariun sees two spirits, a human and a tiefling, appear in front of them. Dariun dashes forwards, slicing through both spirits with his katana. Smiles is still going, telling them to keep it up as he continues his search. Three more spirits come out of the crystal holding wands and cast ghostly flame blades. Norman uses his wand to absorb a flame blade that come down at him. Dariun is also attacked, feeling a cold touch as it brushes past him. Despite Norman absorbing the spell, he feels the cold touch. He uses hellish rebuke on the ghost that attacked him and a flame erupts around it. Norman then once again uses his psychic blades to cut through one then another ghost. Alexandre joins the fray, not allowing his friends to fight alone. He uses a large buster blade on the two remaining ghosts, slicing them both.

Zippy has been moving up the mountain quickly, breaking through the clouds. He sees people trying to make a human tower up and others are flying to the exit. Knowing Jeremy has power within him, he tells Jeremy to jump to the closest person flying up. Jeremy makes a noise and start glowing. They jump off the mountain, leaving a crater on the mountain face. They land on a wizard and he tells Jeremy to keep going. They hop between the wizards like stepping stones.

The ghosts have evaporated and Smiles continues. A small bubble comes out and a bullywog appears with a large brimmed hat and flowing gown. Dariun dashes at them and slices the ghost with two attacks. The ghost turns and stares up at Dariun with dead eyes. One of the wizards hands holds a wand to Norman, creating a mage hand in front of him but Norman absorbs it with his wand. The other hand reaches out and goes through Dariun's chest. Dariun feels like a hand around his heart and a necrotic cold courses through his veins. Smiles tells them he is almost there, not long to go. Norman shouts to the crystal, singing Zippy's song, hoping to give him a bardic inspiration. He then looks at the wizard and casts vicious mockery. Alexandre steps up and chops down at the ghost but it remains standing.

Zippy is hopping from wizard to wizard and sees one turn on their chest and grabs Jeremy's legs. They start spinning and Zippy slips, falling away and down back to the clouds. As he falls, he hears Norman's voice. Jeremy kicks off the wizard and falls back to Zippy. Zippy tells Jeremy to call out to his other friend, the crystal worm. Jeremy starts to glow, cry echoing into the mountain range. He falls through the clouds when he suddenly hears crystal grinding from behind him and he lands on solid ground. He latches onto the worm as they fly upwards. Flying wizards try to grab onto him and stop Zippy from reaching the exit.

Dariun casts protection from evil and good and the ghost starts flying around the room, trying get free. The ghost lets out a wailing scream attack and they all cover their ears. Norman casts hold person on the ghost and Alexandre comes in for the kill, slashing his sword that goes through clean. The ghost disperses when Smiles tells them he has found him. Smiles gets Dariun to use a bag to suck out the soul and asks Norman and Alexandre to keep a barrier around the crystal. Norman's tattoos glow as barrier is created and Dariun tries to get Zippy out.

Zippy stands strong to the wizard before he turns to Jeremy asking for help. Jeremy tries to kick the wizard but he isn't strong enough and Zippy is straddled off the worm. He shouts to the closest wizard, telling him he knows Veroulias and the will be rewards for him. That wizard ignores him and flies away. Zippy just tries to just call out to anyone about the riches he is deserved from the king. One wizard calls out and swoops down to Zippy, raising him up next to the worm. The hole is crackling with energy. The energy of the barrier is wavering but Dariun is working as hard as he can and is able to keep bring Zippy out. Wind blows away all the other spirits are blown away and Zippy jumps over to the worm again. Jeremy looks at Zippy, bowing his head to ride.

Zippy gets on Jeremy for the final ride to the exit. He sees Dariun and Norman waiting for him. Jeremy looks to Zippy and he understands. He gives Jeremy a pat and thanks him. He jumps and his soul body collapses as he is pulled from the crystal. One bubble comes from the crystal and it forms two ears. The energy bursts and Smiles pops a cork in the hole as the ritual ends. Zippy's ghostly form darts around the room and naturally gravitates to his own body. They all look over to Zippy's body, seeing if it works. Zippy feels as if he is coming out of a dream. His eyes flutter and he is awake, in his body. Zippy sits up and he looks around and all he says is "I'm back!"

## Quotations

* Dariun "*For some god forsaken reason this has been one of the hardest days of my life.*"

* Connor "*I hate fetch quests!*"
* Seth "*And I hate YOU! I hate those who don’t take them!!*"

* Bullywog doorman "*Hey… you cool?*"
* Dariun \*very cool\* "*We're cool.*"
* Norman \*not cool \* "*Yes we're very cool!*"

* Alexandre "*It's like taking away alcohol away from a baby me, I would be sad*"

* Zippy "L*ou has got a thing coming for him if I know Norman and Dariun*."

* Zippy "*You know what Westborroughs do? We hop! Cause we're Lapines, and that’s what we do…cause we're stereotypical rabbits!*"

* Zippy "*Mom… dad I miss you. And Hibippy, that was pretty fun.*"

* Seth "*We're all Jeremy down here*."

* Zippy "*You can't underestimate Zippy Westborrough! Not ever!*"

* Zippy "*Thank you Jeremy, I'll never forget you and even though our time was short… OH SH\*T I'M MISSING THE JUMP! BYE!*"

* Zippy "*I'm back!*"

## Featured Characters

### Main Cast

* Norman D
* Dariun Branch
* Zippy Westborrough

### Returning Characters

* Randy
* Alexandre Dumas
* Apophis
* Bradley
* Bullywog Coach
* Mr Dibs
* Jeremy

### New Characters

* Gummy Bear
* Jadu local
* Bullywog Doorman
* Smiles

## Locations

* Jadu
* Beyond Crystal

## Trivia

* Alexandre Dumas is a level 13 fighter and level 2 wizard