Disclaimer: I do not own Redakai, nor do I own the cover picture.
Chapter 1
''Good morning students'' master Boddai greeted Team Stax, as he walked into the X-caper, supporting his weight on a cane. ''Morning master B'' Boomer replied, as he put his breakfast-plate in the dishwasher, a newly installed accessory. Ky and Maya were still eating. ''I am here to inform you that a new kairu deposit has been detected somewhere in Iceland'' the old master said. ''You are to depart at once.''
Ky stood up, an empty plate in front of him. ''Then what are we waiting for, lets get questing''. He swiped the plate up with one hand, and threw it, as one would throw a Frisbee, into the dishwasher. He meant for it to land there in one piece, but that did not prove to be the case. The dish shattered on impact, with an accompanying noise. Mookee rushed into the room, a club in hand. ''Are we under attack?'' the little alien asked nervously, then his gaze turned towards the dishwasher and the broken plate. ''Oh boy'' he said in a resigned tone. He took a roll of duct tape from a kitchen drawer. ''Don't worry, there's no problem that duct tape can't solve''. He began puzzling the plate together.
Master Boddai just shook his head and walked out of the X-caper. Maya put her plate in the dishwasher, and then walked to the navigation map. Boomer sat in the pilot seat and Ky beside him. ''Next destination, Iceland'' Boomer exclaimed, as they took off.
xxxxx
Vexus, Hexus and Nexus, the three almost identical looking members of Team Hiverax, made their way along a winding hallway in Lokar's new lair. They had been summoned by their master, and were on their way to the throne room. They rounded a corner, and came to a large door, on the other side of which was the throne room. The door opened and they walked through it.
''What is thy bidding master?'' the three brothers asked in unison, as they dropped into a low bow before Lokar, who sat on his throne. ''I am sensing kairu energy somewhere in Iceland, and if I have found it, then Team Stax has surely detected it as well. Retrieve it for me''. ''Your wish is our command'' the Hiverax said; then, after exchanging nods, they left the room.
xxxxx
The X-caper soared through the sky, over the Atlantic Ocean, its large exhaust pipes leaving a white contrail. Aboard the vessel, Maya was looking out the side window, when something caught her eye; three shapes, soaring through the air, little more than half a mile away. ''Guys, we've got e-teens'' she said. Ky joined her at the window. He shaded his eyes with his hand, and peered through the window, at the three distant shapes. Maya was right. He could not see which e-teens these were, the distance was simply too great, but he had a feeling that he would find out soon enough.
''I don't think they've spotted us yet'' Ky said, not tearing his gaze from the e-teens. ''Then let's keep it that way'' Boomer said. He brought the ship down to a nice cruising speed, minimizing the noise from the thrusters, then he turned a large, round knob, pressed a few buttons, and the ship became completely invisible from the outside. ''Good job Boom'' Maya complemented, giving Boomer a thumbs up.
Ky peered at the e-teens again, and saw to his dismay that they had veered in their direction and were getting closer. ''I don't think it worked'' he said, pointing at the approaching e-teens. The shapes were becoming more substantial, and he could soon discern their identities. ''Great, the Hiverax'' he muttered to himself, ''how long is it until we reach land Boomer?'' Boomer looked at his instruments. ''About ten minutes'' he replied. ''Easy Ky'' Maya said, ''just because they veered in our direction doesn't mean they've spotted us. Besides, even if they knew we were in the area, it would be impossible for them to pinpoint our exact location. We are cloaked after all.'' Ky smiled. He liked Maya, and always felt more at ease with her around. ''Let's hope you're right'' he said.
xxxxx
Mookee, who had given up on trying to glue the pieces of the shattered plate together, sat discouraged at the dining table, his faith in duct tape severely wounded. He had been oblivious to what was going on around him, until he thought he heard the word: Hiverax. Mookee shuddered. Of all the e-teens, he feared the Hiverax the most. They were ruthless, even by e-teen standards, and would go to great lengths to get what they wanted.
Mookee stood up and walked over to Ky and Maya, who were still standing at the window, watching intently the Hiverax's approach. They were close now, barely thirty yards away; and closing. They suddenly stopped in mid air. ''This is not good'' Ky said in a worried tone.
xxxxx
Vexus, Hexus and Nexus came to a halt in mid air. They had seen the X-caper, and had initially planned to sabotage the craft; but the ship's unexpected disappearance had foiled their plan. ''It would appear that Team Stax is in possession of a cloaking device'' Vexus communicated telepathically. ''Little good it will do them'' Hexus continued. ''Let us put an end to their games'' Nexus concluded. Their eyes began emitting a feint glow.
xxxxx
Ky jumped from the window as the X-caper began to tremble. ''What's happening Boomer?'' he asked, though he thought he already knew the answer. ''The Hiverax must be messing with the ship's systems'' Boomer replied, trying frantically to keep the ship from taking a nosedive into the Atlantic ocean. Sweat was beading on his brow. He had mostly gotten over his fear of deep, dark water, but the thought of crash-landing in the middle of the ocean was not appealing to him. Smoke rose from the X-caper's controls and it sounded like the ship was going to shake itself apart.
Maya fell back a step. ''We're losing altitude'' she said, casting a worried glance Ky's way. ''We'd better strap down'' Ky said. Maya nodded. The two proceeded to strap down. Mookee had already strapped down in the seat beside Boomer, and was trying to activate the backup system, but nothing was working. ''Brace for impact!'' Boomer shouted, pulling at the wheel with all his might. Ky and Maya held each other, as the X-caper crashed into the ocean, going under as it did.
The ship remained submerged for several long seconds, but then it shot up to the surface. ''You alive back there?'' Boomer asked in a worried tone. ''We're still breathing'' came Maya's reply. Boomer and Mookee unstrapped themselves and walked to Ky and Maya, who were still unknowingly holding each other. A wide smile found its way onto Boomer's face. He had always had a hunch that Ky and Maya had feelings for each other, though he had had no way of proving it – until now.
That is when Ky and Maya realized that they were still holding each other. They recoiled; blushing fiercely. ''We'd better see the extent of the damage'' Ky said, resuming his role as leader. ''Good point'' Maya added, as she stood up. ''That may have to wait'' Boomer said suddenly, motioning the other two to be quiet. Footfalls could be heard above them. ''The Hiverax'' all three said in unison. ''Mookee see if you can repair the ship'' Ky said, ''we'll take care of the Hiverax''. ''Aye aye sir'' Mookee said, saluting Ky, as a sailor would salute a captain. He was brought back to reality as a thin crack appeared on the ship's windshield. He got himself a roll of duct tape, and began sealing the crack.
Ky, Maya and Boomer went through the hatch, and up onto the X-caper's deck. There they were met by three e-teens. ''Hello Team Stax'' Hexus said, ''Sorry for the inconvenience'' Nexus concluded. ''I'm guessing you guys are responsible for our little nosedive'' Boomer asked accusingly. The Hiverax's reply came in the form of a chuckle. ''I'll take that as a yes'' Boomer said, dropping into a bow, ''kairu challenge!'' Vexus, Hexus and Nexus exchanged nods. ''We shall accept!'' they said in unison, dropping into a similar bow. The clouds began swirling above them, and lightning streaked the sky. Waves smashed against the dented hull of the X-caper, rocking the ship to and fro.
The two teams stacked up, calling upon the power of their signature monsters. They did not transform into their monsters though, for there was simply not enough room. ''FANGRAX!... WRENDAX!... NEURAX!'' the Hiverax shouted in unison. ''METANOID!... HARRIER!... FROZTOK!'' Ky, Maya and Boomer shouted, taking up battle stances.
With everyone stacked up, the battle began in earnest. Nexus seized the initiative. ''CONFUSION SPIRAL!'' he shouted, reaching out with his hands, and a column of blue energy burst from his palms. Ky managed to jump over the incoming attack, but Boomer and Maya did not. The attack hit them, enveloping them in the blue energy. The world seemed to spin around them, making them fall to their knees, holding their churning stomachs, their discomfort only heightened by the constantly rocking X-caper.
''BLACK HOLE!'' Ky shouted, and a mass of spinning red energy appeared next to his teammates, sucking away the blue energy enveloping them. The two of them quickly got back on their feet and joined Ky. ''Sweet move Ky'' Boomer said, patting Ky on the shoulder, ''thanks a ton''. ''Don't thank me yet'' Ky said, ''we still have three Hiverax to deal with''. ''Not for long'' Maya said. ''SNIPER SIGHT!'' she shouted, reaching out with one arm, and a thin ray of green energy burst from it, smiting Hexus in the chest. The e-teen was thrown back and nearly fell off the edge and into the sea. He clutched his chest, and a low groan escaped his mouth. There was a small burn mark where the attack had hit him. ''Your turn now Vexus!'' Boomer said, ''BOREALIS BLAST!'' A ball of multicolored energy appeared in his hands, and he threw it. The attack took Vexus off his feet, and tossed him through the air. He landed beside Hexus, who had gotten up, a wisp of smoke coming from his mouth and nose. ''SHADOW FIRE!'' he shouted, and a gout of roaring flame left his now open mouth. Boomer, who did not manage to evade, found himself hit by the attack and thrown backwards through the air. He landed at the edge of the X-caper's deck. His fear of water assaulted him, his heart beating furiously in his chest, and sweat glistening on his brow.
Ky went to help Boomer, but Maya stayed behind to keep the Hiverax away. ''Don't come any closer'' she warned, taking up a defensive posture. Vexus, Hexus and Nexus chuckled in unison, wicked grins on their faces. ''I think it is time to end this battle'' Hexus said. ''I agree, we have much to do'' Nexus continued. ''SHADOW CLAW!'' Vexus shouted, and a red claw, shot from his outstretched hand. Maya jumped to the side, but wasn't quick enough. The attack brushed against her arm, bloodying it, and sending a painful jolt through her body. She looked at her arm, and saw to her relief that it was only a minor wound.
Ky and Boomer walked up to her and saw that she was bleeding. ''Maya are you okay?'' Ky asked, concerned. ''Its just a scratch'' Maya said, ''we've got more important things to worry about''. Ky took a look at Maya's wounded arm, and then at the Hiverax. He nodded grimly. ''Let's take these guys down'' he said.
Maya ran towards the e-teens, a grimace of determination on her face. ''INFERNAL STRIKE!'' Hexus shouted, and a ball of red energy, somewhat resembling a human skull, shot from his outstretched hand. Maya jumped over the attack, covering the remaining distance to Hexus, and then she performed a circle kick. Hexus brought his arm up just in time to block the attack, but realized too late that Boomer was closing in. The blonde warrior launched a kick at Hexus' knee, causing him to fall off the edge. He did not go alone though, for he managed to grab Maya's unwounded arm, and pull her with him. The pair fell into the sea, with an accompanying splash.
To be continued...