Voyagers Saga
Null Chi
Chapter 2: Loot and Thunder
Down in the subterranean city, Ghoulwyrm was informing Drago of his new enemies. The slideshow projector was rather effective, even if it had to be plugged into one of Ghoulwyrm's bolts.
"And this is my personal favorite: what they did to a colony they could not reclaim. It was called Sy-Yong. Note the molten lava pool that makes up the aftermath," said Ghoulwyrm in a scholar-like voice.
"Hmm, major firepower," said Drago, "They're not bringing that ammo here, are they?"
"Only if we're stupid, I'm kinda a public enemy," said Ghoulwyrm, before pointing at a stone chest, "...and that's why I got the novelty mask from Section 13," he said evilly, "The NSC has a bad track record vs. magic."
"So why not put it on your face? Or better yet, my face?" asked Drago.
"Because there are 10 demons trapped inside and they could probably easily overpower either of us," said Ghoulwyrm, "This chest is like the one your father used to control the Ninja tribe of Shadowkhan. But with the Mask of Tarakudo in it, we can control all 9 tribes."
Drago smirked. "Nice, maybe these guys'll do a better job than my last lackeys," he said.
"Undeniably," said Ghoulwyrm, "For one thing, they have no free will and won't rise up against us. Second, they're completely dispensable and unlimited. Third, they can move about very easily."
"So...what do you want? I don't believe that people give out free armies," said Drago suspiciously.
"Well, I believe I can devise a way for you to get your family out of limbo in a way that circumvents the portals, so that the chi spells won't send that back," said Ghoulwyrm.
Drago grinned. "And how would you do that?"
Ghoulwyrm smirked. "As your enemy says, I do research. I found out how your dear father pulled his original escape. Shadows are everywhere after all."
"He used the Shadowkhan to escape?" asked Drago.
"He did like collecting various magical items," said Ghoulwyrm, "Of course, it took some trial and error to get out the first time and he got trapped as a statue afterwards, but you get the idea. We must also be in range of the demon door for each demon. But as long as nobody uses a chi spell before sunrise, they're out...permanent."
"I don't know," said Drago, "My dad was sprung without a door and he's back in the netherworld too."
"Different circumstances," said Ghoulwyrm, "Besides, wasn't that banishing spell meant for you?"
Drago glared. "Yes," he said before saying, "I know where the closest door is. We might as well make a start."
Captain Black and Jackie watched as the dropship slowly hovered down onto the landing pad at Section 13. "So, you said that these guys were from outer space?" asked Black.
"Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but they have very good proof they are," said Jackie.
The hatch lowered and an ominous shadow appeared...the suspense was spoiled when it was Morph that wandered down the ramp, followed by some of the gang.
"That's one of the aliens?" asked Black.
"Yes," said Jackie.
"I thought they'd be taller."
Captain Black was not disappointed when the next alien was Xander, in his splitter form.
"Whoa nelly!" he said.
"I did not expect that," said Jackie.
Matt wandered down behind them and said something to the alien who shimmered into the form of an African American.
"Ok, I'm convinced," said Captain Black, "So why bring them here?"
"Well, uh, isn't Section 13 supposed to keep aliens under watch?" asked Jackie.
"Like Area 51?" asked Jade.
"First off, I don't have the authority to discuss such highly classified information. Second, shouldn't you be in training?" asked Captain Black.
"I thought it was cause Jackie's uncle doesn't trust us fully?" said Morph till Matt put his hand over his mouth.
"These mutant blobs, they always say silly stuff," said Matt innocently.
Captain Black raised an eyebrow and said, "Well, Section 13 isn't meant to be an intergalactic motel, but I think we can put you somewhere."
"Cool, I got a few things. Is it ok if we bring them?" said Matt.
"You're gonna need to give a full description," said Black, "No illegal merchandise under my roof."
Matt nodded. "Fine; about 3 crates of various plasma, particle, ballistic and explosive weaponry," he said before seeing Black's face, "Hey, you asked."
"Er, the safety's on all that stuff, right?" asked Black.
"DNA encoded, only my crew can use em safely and most of them are just for show," said Matt as Xander walked back onto the ship and walked back, holding two crates, one in each hand with apparent ease
"Ok, as long as things are under control," said Black.
"We get coffee here, right?" asked Morph.
"Hide the coffee," muttered Matt in a serious voice.
"So, how many can I expect?" asked Black.
Matt counted on his fingers. "Lilo and Stitch are back home, just 4 more...and one half one," said Matt.
"Half one?" asked Black.
"Mhm, we got one who's a human /alien hybrid," said Matt, "Er, not through breeding or experimentation. It was a bit of an...accident. I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT!"
Draco, Contrinus, and Chip had wandered down. "Don't let him get started..." said Draco and whispered to Black, "And don't mention undead."
"Uh, stressful job?" asked Black.
"More than you can imagine," said Chip, "Say, where'd Matt go?"
Matt had wandered further into Section 13, looking for the canteen. One door looked hopeful and he peered into the darkened room. "Hello? Does anyone know where to get the food around here? All that's been left on the ship has been meatloaf."
Matt walked in and found himself inside a dojo. "Oops, wrong room," said Matt.
He turned to leave but found himself face to face with a very muscular man with spiky red hair. "You here to train?" he said.
"Uh, actually, I was looking for-"
"Let's get started. Assume position!"
"I beg your pardon?" said Matt, looking around for another door or a thin wall where he could make his own door. Seeing none he said, "Erm...put em up?"
Suddenly, the man jumped up into the air and shouted, "ANGRY CROW TAKES FLIGHT!"
"Angry crow takes what?" said Matt before the man literally landed on him. "Ow...my precious bones," he moaned.
"Hello? Matt?" The door opened and Jackie and Jade were there. "Ah, I see you have met Hak Fu," said Jackie.
"My world is full of pain," squeaked Matt.
Chloe wandered in behind Jackie and Jade. "Ok...what happened?" she said, putting her hand over her eyes.
"Apparently our martial arts trainer mistook Matt for a new recruit," said Jade.
"My apologies," said Hak Fu.
"Ok, madam...I'll have the cheese quiche, thank you," gibbered Matt, currently residing on the planet Concussion.
"Can't I take my eyes off you for one minute without you getting into trouble?" asked Chloe as she picked Matt up.
Just then, Matt's communicator beeped. Since Matt was too out of it to answer, Chloe did it for him. "Sir, er madam, I've intercepted some security footage that you may want to see," said WARDEN.
Chloe unclipped Matt's communicator and ran the footage. It showed Ghoulwyrm and Drago in a deserted Hollywood studio. "Great, it's those two again," she said.
"They are attacking a movie studio?" said Jackie.
"Not just any movie studio," said Jade, pointing at the sign, "That's Megagalactic Studios!"
Chloe said, "So? As long as it isn't Universal, I don't care."
Jade said, "That's where one of the demon doors are."
"Wait? Demon doors? As in where those Demon Sorcerers were banished through and they could get out from?" asked Chloe.
"It is where Tchang Zu the Thunder Demon's door is," said Hak Fu.
"Good thing Hollywood's not that far from San Fran," said Chloe.
"Which is why they probably hit that place first," said Jade.
"We'll need to get there fast though. We can take the dropship," said Chloe, before helping her brother up. "C'mon, bro, it's time to go chop Ghoulwyrm up...again."
Matt smiled aimlessly. "That sounds like fuuun."
Ooh, can I come with?" asked Jade.
"No, Jade, it's too dangerous," said Jackie.
"I don't see why not. I was 15 on my first mission," said Matt, his brain passing through sanity on its way elsewhere.
Chloe muttered, "...and you blew up a space station by accident too."
"Jade, do you really think you could handle two dragons?" said Jackie.
"No problem," said Jade, "I'll just go into the vault and grab the... Oh wait, the Talismans are in Demonville. This sucks."
"Your uncle's right, it'll be safer here," said Chloe.
"Aw, you guys get all the excitement," said Jade.
"Trust me, Jade, too much excitement's bad for you," said Chloe, "Look at Matt."
Matt was giggling aimlessly at the wall. Jade said, "Good point."
A few minutes later and the dropship was ready to leave. It was good that none of the kit had been taken off it yet. Jackie had come along but Uncle had apparently refused to come judging from how Jackie's phone call went. "It's perfectly safe. Why won't he come?" said Matt, happily back in the land of the sane.
"Apparently, Uncle doesn't trust your vehicle," said Jackie.
"What? This thing's totally reliable," said Matt, "Easily gets up to 2000 mph."
Jackie stared. "You're joking," he said numbly.
Matt laughed. "Yeah, of course..." he said and Jackie sighed.
"Phew. For a minute..." and was stopped as Matt carried on
"...it's actually 3000."
"Uh, maybe I can take a cab," said Jackie.
"Nonsense," said Matt, "This thing will get there much quicker. Better get in before we take off."
Jackie looked naturally worried as the dropship took off and began to move off as a sedate pace. "It's not that faaaaaaaarrrgh!" said Jackie as the land suddenly blurred and he was thrown back against the back of the ship for a second before the speed stabilized.
Matt peeled him off the back. "Ok...told you it was fast," he said happily.
"When we stop, can we have something to eat?" asked Jackie.
"You didn't have supper?" said Chloe.
"Yes, but I'm about to un-have it," said Jackie before his cheeks bulged.
A few minutes later and the gang were at the studio. "Ok, should be simple: we go in, blast Ghoulwyrm into a greasy smear, drop-kick this Drago guy, and be home for breakfast," said Matt.
"Uh, what about security?" asked Jackie, "Won't someone notice us all being here?"
Matt shrugged. "Not if we're fast, plus WARDEN's jammed the local radios," said Matt.
"Yes, I don't know what Drago and Ghoulwyrm want here, but it can't be good," said Chloe.
"So we kick both evil dragons' butt." The group turned to see Jade.
"Jade? What are you doing here? How did you get here?" asked Jackie.
Matt clapped. "Brilliant, I haven't seen an infiltration like that in years..." he said before seeing everyone's glares, "I mean...bad Jade?"
"Erm, I kinda stowed away inside the baggage compartment," said Jade, "By the way, it's really icky in there now."
"Fine, someone pass her a blaster and let's get on with it," said Techo and was nearly deafened as everyone yelled "NO BLASTER!"
"So, which studio's Megagalactic?" asked Matt.
"Uh, probably the one with the samurais guarding the gate," said Jade, pointing. Matt looked to see a pair of samurai with black armor and red eyes standing in front of the gate to a studio.
"Shadowkhan? But they can only be summoned by..." Jackie trailed off and said, "Using the Mask of Tarakudo. Oh."
"So? Let's blast em," said Matt, pulling out two pulse pistols and firing at the Shadowkhan.
The Shadowkhan had barely any time to look before they were hit and reduced to fragments of shadows. "Wow, that was easy," said Jade.
Techo was about to agree till he looked up to see several dozen more Shadowkhan on the surrounding roofs. "Erm...maybe not..." he said, pointing up.
Three Shadowkhan leapt off the roofs, drawing their shadow swords as they fell towards the group. Matt tossed a plasma ball at one who cut it in half with its blade and he barely got his ion blade out in time to block the cut. Surprising to Matt, the ion blade didn't go straight through the sword. "Guess shadow magic's stronger than I thought," said Matt. The Shadowkhan aimed a cut at Matt's head. If Matt had not had draconic DNA, he would not have even come close to dodging. "Ok, these guys are definitely not lightweights," said Matt.
"Why couldn't it be the more basic kind?" said Jackie.
"WHO CARES?" yelled Techo, backing away from another Shadowkhan, barely keeping out of cutting range.
"Please tell me you guys have some spell that can deal with these guys," said Chloe.
"Jackie can't cast magic," said Jade.
Matt tossed a plasma ball into another Shadowkhan. "These guys are really annoying me," he said, locking blades with a Shadowkhan before kicking him.
"They're just a distraction," said Jackie, "They're here to keep us occupied while Drago and Ghoulwyrm do whatever they're going to do with the demon portal."
"Chloe? Would you be so kind as to go blow Ghoulwyrm up please?" said Matt. Chloe nodded, blasting her Shadowkhan opponent before heading for the Megagalactic studio building.
Meanwhile, Ghoulwyrm was setting up the ritual. He had several Shadowkhan holding candles with black flames and dark incense burners. In front of Ghoulwyrm was the movie prop door that stood where Tchang Zu's portal was and both it and the floor before him were covered with runes.
Drago was standing to the side, leaning against the wall. "This had better work." he said.
"I am being very thorough," said Ghoulwyrm, "I've pinpointed my research, triplechecked for possible flaws, and have run a brief test. The Shadowkhan can indeed travel to the Demon Realm and brought back a rock. But a demon will be more difficult to bring through than a rock."
"Great, just get it done. Knowing Chan, he'll be here any second," said Drago.
"Possible, but they'll never be in time to cast a counterspell. Now if you please, this requires absolute focus." Ghoulwyrm began chanting in a dark language that a few Chinese words mixed in.
The Shadowkhan holding the candles melted into shadows and the shadows headed for the fake door before hitting an invisible object and melting into it. Drago held his breath with anticipation for several seconds. Suddenly, a large black swirl of darkness appeared in front of the fake door. It quickly formed into a solid oval. Then something came out of the shadowy portal. It was a large demon with blue reptilian skin wearing black armor with yellow lightning bolt designs on it.
Tchang Zu didn't seem pleased to have been dragged along to who knows where by Shadowkhan and was ready to blast the nearest person until he realized where he was. "The human world? This is impossible. The old man sealed the door," he said, looking around.
"Hey Uncle Tchang, welcome to Earth," said Drago.
Tchang Zu glared at him and said, "Shendu's mongrel son, I might have expected you'd worm your way back here." Then he looked at Ghoulwyrm and said, "And what is this?"
"I am a creature of darkness, the one who allowed an egress from your eternal prison," said Ghoulwyrm, bowing his head respectfully.
"It is pleasant to see a creature who knows its place," said Tchang Zu.
Watching from above, Chloe swore to herself. "Now that is BIG!" she muttered, before looking down at her rifle, shaking her head and switching the ammo to high explosives.
"How was it that you were able to free me?" asked Tchang Zu.
"Through the power of these Shadowkhan, which are yours to command," said Ghoulwyrm. Tchang Zu glanced at the Samurai Khan which kowtowed before him.
Chloe was taking a look at the runes and at the demon more closely with her rifle scope. "Guys, we have a family-sized problem," she muttered into her comm.
Ghoulwyrm said in a warning tone, "The spell that released you will not be fully complete until dawn, until then the door can still reclaim you."
"Then this time, I shall not make any mistakes," said Tchang Zu, "If I lay eyes on Jackie Chan or his uncle, they shall feel the wrath of my storm." Electricity crackled all over his body, lighting up the room.
Drago shielded his eyes for a second before seeing Chloe up on the catwalk. "YOU!" he yelled, remembering her from Section 13 and threw a fireball in her direction.
"Uh oh," said Chloe before she leaned back to avoid the fireball. Unfortunately, it also put her off her balance. She flailed wildly before falling off the catwalk. She was able to grab the bottom of with one hand and hung precariously.
Tchang Zu however was more or less at eye level and grabbed her. "Who?" he began and sniffed "...or WHAT is this?" he said. Chloe stuck her tongue out at the demon.
"A large pain in the neck that you would do well to dispose of," said Ghoulwyrm.
"That will be no problem at all," said Tchang Zu and a huge amount of electricity coursed through the arm holding Chloe. Chloe surprised him by being unharmed.
To add insult, she yawned and said, "Ok, still waiting for the pain."
"What kind of magic is this?" demanded Tchang Zu.
Chloe said in a sing-song voice, "I'm not telling," before firing an explosive round into Tchang's face. Unfortunately for Ghoulwyrm, it bounced off and hit him. However, it was enough for Tchang Zu to drop Chloe. As soon as she landed, the Samurai Khan drew their shadow swords and charged her.
Chloe dodged the first slash and instinctively used her rifle to block the second, resulting in it being sliced in half. She changed her hands to dragon form to slash the Shadowkhan into nothingness. "Still hiring jokes as minions, wormy?" she taunted.
"Then I guess you're the punch line," said Drago before running over and punching her in the face.
Chloe fell back and was knocked over again as Tchang caused an explosion behind her using a lightning bolt. "This one has spirit," he said, partially impressed.
"You have no idea," said Ghoulwyrm.
Then a line of Shadowkhan formed and charged Chloe. Chloe responded with a lightning bolt that went through all of them, blasting them to wisps. "Lightning never strikes the same place twice, because that place doesn't exist after the strike," she said.
More Khan appeared, more than Chloe would be able to handle. She readied a lightning ball in each hand when Tchang said, "Halt." The khan obeyed instantly, though their stance said they would defend themselves with pleasure.
"Uh, why did you tell them to stop?" asked Ghoulwyrm.
"My brother Shendu is a two-faced worm, but he does provide useful ideas," said Tchang Zu, "I believe I shall take a page out of his book and have an apprentice of my own. She would do just fine."
"Kiss my ass, demon features," said Chloe.
"I think it would be a great mistake to pick her," said Ghoulwyrm, "She is headstrong, short-tempered, and has little qualms about causing pain to others."
"Very fine qualities for a demon's apprentice," said Tchang Zu, "Mortal, I offer you the opportunity to rise above your kind and to wield power beyond fathoming. Join me and reap heavy rewards."
"I'm already rich, so I repeat my previous comment of 'kiss my ass'," said Chloe, giving Chang the finger.
"Hmm, perhaps a sample will change your mind," said Tchang as purple lightning started crackling around his fingertips.
Matt blasted the last Shadowkhan down and tried to get through to Chloe again. The last he'd heard had been her saying there 'was a big problem'. "No time for the door," he said, igniting a plasma ball between his hands and throwing it overarm into the doors.
The doors were blown apart the explosion. "I hope Larry's got good enough insurance," said Jade.
"Jade, stay here," said Jackie as he and the mercs went inside.
"You know she won't listen...right?" said Matt, igniting another plasma orb to act as a light. "Chloe? C'mon...you there?" he called before a flash of lightning illuminated the demons, Ghoulwyrm, and the dozen or so Samurai Khan.
"I'm sorry, I think we're in the wrong place. This isn't Madonna's house," said Techo.
"Jackie Chan," snarled Tchang Zu, "I've been waiting a long time to do this." A lightning bolt formed in his hand before he threw it at him.
The group scattered just in time. "THAT'S A DEMON? You never mentioned they were the size of a ghost mech!" yelled Matt, peering out from behind the boxes he'd taken cover behind.
"What's a ghost mech?" asked Jackie before ducking under another lightning bolt. "Never mind, find something that insulates electricity."
"I'm sorry, we left the rubber at home!" screamed Techo, dodging another blast.
Matt tossed a plasma blast at Tchang, only for it to bounce off and hit Ghoulwyrm. "Oh, come on!" yelled the dracolich.
"These maggots shall fry by my power," said Tchang Zu as he continued hurling lightning bolts.
"Can't let him have all the fun," said Ghoulwyrm as the lightning rods on his back charged up and began releasing purple electricity.
"CHLOE, GET YOUR BUTT OUT HERE!" yelled Matt, putting some dragon roar behind it. There was a rather long pause after that. " Uh, Chloe? We could use some help here!" called Matt.
Tchang Zu laughed and said, "Chloe will no longer heed your calls."
"What have you done to her?" demanded Matt.
"Let us say that I redirected her polarity," said Tchang Zu.
Matt's eyes glowed red for a second. "If she's hurt, demon or not, I'll tear out your spine and floss with it," he snarled.
"Actually, dear brother, I've never felt better," said a female voice. Matt glanced towards the door to see a female silhouette standing there.
"Chloe, what took you?" asked Matt. He probably should have noted the glowing red eyes and the echoing voice, but that wasn't uncommon for Chloe.
"Oh, nothing much, let me show you," she said and sent a lightning bolt into Matt, which he just blocked in time.
"What the hell?" he said, backing up and pulling his ion blade out. "Silvia? Play nice," he said.
"No, not quite," said Chloe as she stepped forward. The light revealed that not only was her eyes were red, but her skin was covered in blue scales, her teeth and nails have sharpened into fangs and claws, and she had spines growing from her head.
"Oh my lord," said Matt, backing up further. "Now then, you don't really want to flash fry me," he said, putting his hands behind his back and checking his wrist-comp's storage buffer. It had to be there...
"What's the matter, Matt? Doesn't blue look good on me?" said Chloe before a ball of lightning appeared in her hand. "I tell you, I thought my lightning powers were powerful before, but this is on a completely new scale."
"Look out! It's Van Helsing!" said Matt, pointing.
Chloe instinctively looked before looking back to see a significant lack of Matt. "I can't believe I fell for that. OH BROTHER!" she called walking down the only avenue Matt could have gone. "Oh Maaaatt... don't you wanna play some lightning tag?" said Chloe.
Matt landed on her back and jumped back off, knocking her forward before legging it. "Tag, you're it!" he called cheekily.
As Matt ran, he muttered to himself, "She's not really trying to kill me. Thunderhead must have put some of himself into her and made her nasty. But her lightning power has ganged a major boost, so I better watch my- YEOW!" Matt leapt high into the air as a lightning bolt hit him straight on the butt.
Matt turned on reflex and fired a blast from his plasma magnum. Luckily he had finally fixed the reflex dampener but he realized he'd just fired at his sister. "Ah! Chloe, oh no, I didn't know it was you, I didn't mean to..." His voice trailed off when the smoke revealed a perfectly-fine demon Chloe. "Uh, shouldn't you at least be in a crater?" asked Matt.
Chloe glared, her eyes glowing redder. "Shouldn't you be DEAD?" she yelled before tossing another bolt at him.
"Well, you keep blasting me, so I got kinda natural insulation now," said Matt, dodging the bolt.
"Fair point," said Chloe, "Of course, I wasn't charged up with thunder demon power before." A very large ball of electricity appeared in her hands.
Matt winced as the energy ball shot at him before he heard a voice say, "Hi Matt." Matt looked in time to see the lightning ball hit Morph, who'd wandered into its path. Both demoness and merc watched as Morph went flying. "Nice shot," said Matt.
"Thanks, wanna see it again?" said Chloe as she started charging up again.
"No thanks," said Matt, finally finding the device he'd wanted. The device was a modification of the riot foam used by NSC forces. It would set like concrete a second after emerging and stay like it for hours, keeping its victim alive even if they were covered. It exploded all over Chloe, setting like rock in seconds. "Nothing personal, sis," said Matt, "We'll get you out of there once we get the demon influence out of you."
Matt however had never taken into account that riot foam was not designed for demons. Matt turned and stopped as he heard cracking. "Oh smeg," he said, turning in time for Chloe to break out.
"Would you like another shot?" she said.
However, a yellow lightning bolt and an indigo lightning bolt hit the ground in front of Chloe. Matt glanced over his shoulder to see Draco carrying Chip and Uncle over. "I should have expected as much," said Matt.
"Aiya! Thunder Demon is free," said Uncle and slapped Matt, "You make very bad demon hunter."
"Um, my sister?" said Matt, pointing at Chloe.
"Yeah, I thought something was amiss," said Draco, "Mostly that she has blue scales instead of yellow."
Chloe got up unsteadily and glared at Uncle. "Chi wizard," she said angrily and readied an electrical bolt.
"Erm...Mr. Chan..." said Matt.
Uncle watched the lightning bolt coming and sidestepped it seconds before it could have hit it. "Chloe has been infected with Tchang Zu's chi," said Uncle, "We must remove it to return her to normal."
"Great, get cracking," said Matt.
"I cannot remove it," said Uncle.
"What? Why not?"
"Chi-o-matic back at shop, Uncle did not know it would be needed."
Matt stared. "Oh for heaven's sake..." he said.
"Um, talk later?" said Chip before ducking under another lightning blast from. But the next one hit him, overloading his systems and causing him to go into stasis mode.
Matt looked at Chip. "Sorry, dude," he said, picking Chip up and belting the charging Chloe round the head with him, knocking her senseless. "Problem solved. There'll be problems later, but for now, solved," said Matt, before hearing Ghoulwyrm's voice come out his sister's wristcomp.
"The spell that released you will not be fully complete until dawn, until then the door can still reclaim you," said Ghoulwyrm's voice.
Matt looked at Uncle. "Tell me you brought the spell to make the door do the claiming," he said desperately.
Drago landed on the box behind them. "Nobody's casting anything, kid."
"You gotta be kidding me," said Matt. Matt looked up at Drago. "You know, you've caught me on a really bad night. Can't we skip to where I blast you?" he said.
"Funny, I was thinking the same thing," said Drago as fire materialized in his hand, "Just hand over my...cousin and I may give you half the blasting I want to do."
"What cou...Oh, I know you didn't refer to who I thought you did, you little gecko," said Matt.
"Frankly, I don't like the arrangement any better than you," said Drago, "But Uncle Tchang would probably barbeque me if I don't bring back his apprentice. So are we going to do this the easy way or the hot way?"
Matt looked up. "How about the third way?" he said and threw a plasma blast into the roof over Drago, burying him under rubble. "Bringing down the house," said Matt to Uncle with a smirk.
"Pubescent dragon not important," said Uncle, "Banishing Tchang Zu is. If we do not do it before sunrise, he will remain in our world."
"Point taken. Lead the way, boss man," said Matt.
"We better find Jackie and the others," said Draco, "I'm pretty sure Tchang Zu wouldn't have been lenient with them."
"Should be easy, just follow the screams," said Matt.
"I shoulda stayed in bed, this morning!" screamed Techo, dodging a Shadowkhan before blasting it. Tchang Zu, luckily for Techo, was focused on Jackie. The mercs were trying to help but the demon didn't even feel the blast sent his way.
"Bad day! Bad day! Bad day!" shouted Jackie as he ran from Tchang Zu's continuous lightning blasts.
"Your luck shall not hold out forever," said Tchang Zu as he threw another lightning bolt.
Lao ducked behind a container and looked up to see a water tower. "Hmm...should be an interesting reaction," he said, shooting a hole in the side as the Thunder Demon went by. A spout of water came out of the water tower and fell down on Tchang Zu. The moment it touched him, electrical sparks started flying around his body. He roared with pain as his own electricity was being turned back on him.
"I vote we run before Sparky pulls himself together," said Techo.
"But we can't just let him stay," said Jackie.
"We'll come back and deal with him," said Chris, "We need time to recuperate."
"...and get bigger weapons...like a nuclear warhead for preference," gibbered Techo. The two mercs turned and almost ran over Uncle who whacked them.
"First off, magic must defeat magic. Second, we must send the Thunder Demon back through his portal before dawn or he will remain in our world," snapped the elderly Chinese man.
Chris and Techo stared. Matt came into view behind him. "I don't think we have a counter-argument," he said. A roar got their attention. The Thunder Demon appeared to have gotten over his 'shower'.
"Ok, I still think a temporary retreat so we can organize a..." Then Chris noticed what Matt was carrying. "Is that Chloe?"
"Mostly," said Matt, leaning Chloe against the wall.
Techo wandered round to see Chip. "Is that a face print in Chip's side?" he said.
"Erm, yes, it is, uh, let's not bring it up when he comes back online," said Matt.
"Did his system crash?" asked Jade.
"No, he just got overloaded and- Wait, what are you doing here?"
"I got bored," said Jade.
"Does the word 'warzone' mean anything to you?" said Techo in a 'close to snapping' voice.
Just then, Chloe's body began to stir. "Uh oh, she's waking up," said Draco.
"Maybe I should hit her with Chip again," said Matt.
Chloe's eyes opened and seemed a bit unfocussed (well, she had been hit in the face by a cyborg, literally, that kind of thing unfocussed your brain). "Uh...where...MASTER...THEY ARE...oooph," she screamed till Chris and Matt jumped on her and tied a helmet over her face.
"Uh, I should mention this now than later," said Matt, "Her makeover's supercharged her lightning powers so be very careful around her."
Techo poked her. "I don't see any Gnnnnnzzzt!" he said before falling sideways, smoking gently.
Chloe's struggles began to get more violent. "Chloe, hold still, this is for your own good," said Matt.
"Not to mention ours," said Chris.
"Hit her with Chip again!" said Techo.
Just then, a lightning bolt struck nearby and blasted everyone in different directions. Tchang Zu walked over and said, "There is no shelter from this storm."
"Erm, if anyone has a plan, I'm happy to hear it...anyone?" said Matt.
Ghoulwyrm floated up behind Tchang Zu. "Well done, Lord of Lightning. You've have these fools completely under your thumb."
"Good lord, why don't you lick his feet while you're at it, you crawler?" yelled Matt.
Ghoulwyrm growled at Matt and said, "I am so tempted to just tear your neck open right now."
"I'd love to see you try. Maybe you'll succeed this time?" taunted Matt.
Ghoulwyrm's lightning rods began to charge up before Tchang Zu said, "Enough. We shall dispose of these meddlers once and for all."
"Oh, on a short leash are we, Ghouly? Strict boss?" carried on Matt.
Jackie muttered, "What is he doing?"
Techo said, "Rule one, angry villains make mistakes."
Ghoulwyrm growled and purple embers started flickering in his mouth. "You should watch your tongue before someone removes it," he growled.
"Drop dead...oh, too late," said Matt.
Ghoulwyrm's eyes started burning purple and he said, "I'm warning you. You're getting me too angry for your own safety."
Matt grinned and muttered, "Get ready for a good distraction," before saying "Man, you're almost as ugly as when you were Zyvar."
Ghoulwrym's eyes widened as realization hit him. Then his eyes became purple balls of flames. "YOU! YOU'RE THE BASTARD THAT KILLED ME!" shrieked Ghoulwyrm.
"Bingo, what have we got for the winner?" said Matt and threw a plasma ball in Ghoulwyrm's face, knocking him off Tchang's shoulder.
Ghoulwryrm roared loudly and angrily as purple flames started popping up all over his body. "Uh, you think you might have pushed him too far?" asked Draco.
"Not really...I'm not closest," said Matt.
Draco stopped, then shared Matt's evil grin. "Oh, this'll be good."
Suddenly, Ghoulwyrm seemed to explode into purple flames. When the brief flash of light faded, it revealed that Ghoulwyrm had transformed into a demonic werewolf like creature with bat wings, ears, snout, and dragon features covered in purple flames.
Tchang seemed impressed. "It seems this minion is not so useless after ARRGH! Get off!" he said as feral Ghoulwyrm bit him.
"Well, that should keep them busy long enough for us to..." Matt was thrown back by a bolt of lightning from Chloe.
"Nice trick," said Chloe, "But you just made more trouble for yourself." Matt backed up from Chloe as Tchang fought to try and get Ghoulwyrm off him, not realizing the creature only wanted him out the way.
"Uh, Chloe, you don't really want to fight, do you? And you couldn't really be happy with what Tchang's done with your skin, right?" asked Matt.
"What? Giving me power? Giving me the chance to rule once he takes this world?" she said.
Matt gulped. "Well...you look freaky. Nobody'll take you serious and you can never take a shower again."
"Oh, I think I'll be taken serious," said Chloe as a lightning bolt appeared in her hand, "But I'll have to think about the shower part."
"Oh come on, sis. You're gonna let some essence of demon tell you what to do?" said Matt and gulped as he backed up against a wall.
Chloe considered this for a moment and said, "Well, it's not so much that it's telling me what to do, but giving me pointers."
"What? Wait a minute, you are Silvia, aren't you?" said Matt.
"Not quite," said Chloe, "The mind is Chloe, but the demon chi has brought out her evil. But it's working good so far for me."
"So...you're gonna kill me?" said Matt, playing a desperate trump card. Silvia had never been able to take him out proper, hopefully it would be the same here. And if it didn't work, he could see Uncle preparing something behind Chloe.
Chloe hesitated for a minute and said, "Well..."
Just then Tchang Zu yelled, "Apprentice! Help with this savage mongrel!"
Chloe turned away before seeing Ghoulwyrm trying to get past Tchang to get to Matt. "Master, just let him pass," said Chloe, "His rage is meant for the mortals."
"You realize he'll want you too, sis?" said Matt.
Chloe stopped. "Oh smeg," she muttered as Ghoulwyrm's gaze went between the two. He may have been feral, but even through Chloe's Chi makeover he could spot her. Ghoulwyrm roared loudly and released a torrent of flame towards them.
The two scattered and Matt was knocked back as Ghoulwyrm decided on him...and stopped, a green glow around him. Matt glanced back at Uncle who was chanting, "Yu Mo Gwai Gui Fai Di Zao, Yu Mo Gwai Gui Fai Di Zao..." The green glow seemed to intensify around Ghoulwyrm as the purple flames started to diminish. A second later, Ghoulwyrm, in his normal form was spat out of the green glow...at a considerable speed judging from the crash he made as he hit the wall.
"...Ow...I hate chi magic," he said weakly.
"Nice spell," said Matt.
"Uncle has been looking for opportunity to try rampage-calming spell," said Uncle.
Chloe got back up and pulled out her ion blade, on reflex. "You won't get another chance...HEY!" she said as Matt blocked it with his own.
"Do the banishing on Tchang. I'll have a word with my sister," said Matt.
"Ai ya! Uncle needs more time to prepare spell!" said Uncle.
"Just do it, please," said Matt, dodging a slash from his sister. "Chloe, I don't want to hurt you and you don't really want to hurt me," he said, trying to reason with her.
"Maybe not kill you," said Chloe, "But blasting's always fun."
Matt gulped then sighed. If this didn't work, he'd join Ghoulwyrm in the wall. He put his ion blade away and simply stood there. "Ok...off you go..." he said, not even bothering to raise a plasma shield.
Chloe seemed to hesitate for a minute before a voice said, "Don't mind if I do." Suddenly, a fireball hit Matt and threw him backwards. Matt went flying before hitting the wall with a crack and sliding down it.
Chloe turned angrily, her eyes blazing. "You fool!" she said.
"What? You weren't going to do anything so I just did it for you," said Drago as he jumped from the building roof he was on to the ground.
Chloe glared angrily. "Allow me to do it anyway," she said and blasted Drago at full power.
Drago was thrown backwards and landed at Tchang Zu's feet. "Uh, hey uncle," said Drago. Tchang Zu glared down at his nephew before back up at his apprentice who was kneeling down at her blood relation.
"Forget your mortal ties, apprentice," said Tchang Zu, "You have a grander destiny ahead."
Chloe was shaking her brother. "Wake up, you stupid fool," she said, on the verge of tears.
Tchang Zu studied the two of them for a minute and said, "Should he expire, it would distraught you too much and possibly turn you against me. Very well." He held a hand over Matt and a small bolt of lightning came out and entered Matt. Matt's body twitched for a minute before he started breathing normally.
"You can do that?" asked Chloe.
"Electricity is life," said Chang Tzu, "It can be used to give and take. But now we must retire for the moment. I shall conjure a large army of Shadowkhan so I may rule this land again."
Matt grabbed her foot as she turned to go. "I am not waiting another three years to find you again," he said, getting up unsteadily.
"Get your own life," said Chloe before giving him a slight zap. Ghoulwyrm had pried himself out of the wall and was floating back to the studio after Tchang Zu.
Matt staggered back, a blinding headache in his head. "Tchang...for a demon...you're really dumb...Nobody...messes...with my sister's...head…" he said.
"She is no longer your concern, mortal. Be thankful I have given you the opportunity to live on your sister's behalf. If you wish to continue living, you will leave now," said the Thunder Demon before going inside.
Matt sent a blast into the wall, demolishing it. "I didn't say you could leave," he said in a colder voice.
"Matt, calm down," said Draco, "We will return Chloe to normal as soon as we have the Chi-o-matic."
Just then, a cab stopped in front of the studio and Tohru got out. "Sensei, I have brought the spell ingredients and the Chi-o-matic," he said.
Matt winced before glaring at Draco before back at Tchang. He needed to stall the demon a minute more or he could kiss Chloe goodbye.
"Excellent, Tohru," said Uncle, "We will need the Chi-o-matic to remove the demon chi from Chloe."
"Also, I did some research," said Tohru, "I believe that Tchang Zu escaped the demon realm in a similar way to how Shendu escaped before he was turned to stone. A slight variation on the banishing spell will be needed to send him back, but we would need to know which Shadowkhan brought him here." One said Shadowkhan was blasted back into a wall by Chris's blaster, slumping down before vanishing. "Never mind," said Tohru.
"Uh, what kind of variation would the spell need?" asked Jackie.
"Not too much," said Tohru, "but the key ingredient is Japanese cherry blossoms and I have not been able to find any. I do not know where to find any at this time of night."
"Oh, I've got something like that," said Draco. He extended an extra arm and held up a bag of pink powder. The others gave him an odd look. "What? It's used to make to make tea."
"Hmm, that could work," said Tohru.
"Well, we better do something," said Jackie, looking at his watch, "It is an hour until sunrise. Jade, stay here."
"Oh..." moaned Jade.
The gang and the Khan were going at it big time, the marines firing at any Khan in range. Xander was the only one not having too much trouble. The Shadowkhan may have been demonic but they knew trouble when it electrocuted and then hit them with what felt like the moon.
One noticeable incident occurred when Chris ended up grabbing the arm of one to throw him into a wall and its gauntlet came off. "Ha! Who's the ninja master now?" said Chris. The gauntlet wasn't quite willing to leave for a new master and poked Chris in the eyes with two fingers. "Ouch...dammit...where'd it go?" he said, seeing the glove scuttling away across the battlefield. "Dammit...and I thought the spiderbots were bad," he said.
Chris dove for the gauntlet and grabbed it again. "You're not going anywhere this time," said Chris. The gauntlet tried to poke Chris in the eyes again, but Chris held up his other hand to block it. "Ha!" said Chris before the gauntlet started slapping his face.
Jackie came into view to see this. "What are you doing?" he asked and jumped as the gauntlet lunged at him next.
Jackie tried to pull the glove off his face, with very little success. Uncle walked over to him and squeezed the sides of the glove, causing it to go limp. "Quit playing around," said Uncle as he took the glove and walked away.
Chris wandered over. "How?..." he said weakly.
"Um, pressure points?" said Jackie.
"But it's a glove," said Chris.
"Do not question Uncle!" snapped Uncle.
"Yes sir," whimpered Chris. Uncle's temper reminded him of his mercenary trainer the time someone let a spiderbot loose in his room.
"Ok, now all we have to do is get to Tchang Zu through all these..." Jackie's voice fell when several new Samurai Khan appeared. "Shadowkhan."
Chris looked at the Khan. "Aw, man...I told Matt to buy the extended clips."
Techo said simply, "Right, we're dead, can I have time off now?"
Tohru however began chanting "Nukeru, He Men Jaaku." over and over. The Shadowkhan seemed to turn to white steam and fade away.
"Now that...that's cool," said Chris.
"Quickly," said Uncle, "we must find demon sorcerer and apprentice before portal becomes sealed and demon chi bonds to Chloe permanently."
There was an explosion not too far away. "Oh, why don't we find Lynch? He has a habit of finding things like ravenous demons or killer chainsaw necromancers," said Techo.
"Good idea," said Jackie, "I think the studio has enough damage to deal with already."
Techo had walked around the side of the studio and had found that Matt's plasma ball had not stopped at one wall, going into the studio parking lot and blowing a white Mercedes apart. "Yeah, this place's insurance ratings are going to go through the roof," said Techo.
A second later, Matt came out the hole, on the front of a lightning bolt. He landed, rolled and was back on his feet in one move, in dragon form. "I am NOT IN A GOOD MOOD!" he yelled before seeing the others, "Oh, Hi...found the walking power plant."
"Lead way, Uncle will prepare chi spell," said Uncle as she started pouring some green liquid into another flask.
"In there...being weird..." said Matt.
"What do you mean?" asked Draco.
"Well, he's set things up like a court. And I don't mean like for a trial, but like a royal court," said Matt.
Chris said, "Guess he wants to move in. Let's go evict him."
Matt grinned evilly. "Good. Who brought the nuke? OW!"
"Magic must defeat magic," said Uncle.
"Ok, ok, fine," said Matt, "How is this spell supposed to work anyway?"
"When Uncle has finished making the basic formula," said Uncle, "Now someone must play castanets near Tchang Zu."
"Castanets? I thought this guy was Chinese," said Chris.
There was a humming behind them and the gang turned to see Chip waking up, his eye optic spinning. "WOWWHATTARUSH!" he said.
Draco said, "Erm...Chip? Are you ok?"
Chip spun to look at him, "IFEELFINENEVERFELTTHISBETTER!"
"Ai ya! One-eyed squid has become possessed by dark forces!" cried Uncle.
"Hold your horses," said Techo, "I think he's just overcharged. It's pretty much like a sugar rush."
"WOOHOO!" yelled Chip before seeing his reflection. "Ok...why am I dented?" he said, struggling to keep his speech at normal speed.
"Er, that's not a problem right now..." said Matt hesitatingly.
"ITWASBECAUSEOFHIMWASN'TIT?" said Chip, going back into hyperspeed.
At the same time, Matt spotted Drago stagger into view, having gotten over his blast from Chloe. "No...he did it," said Matt innocently, pointing at Drago.
"OOHI'MGONNAHAVETOPAYHIMBACKFORTHAT!" said Chip before going at Drago so fast he looked like a metallic dust devil.
The group watched as Drago barely had time to know what hit him. "That was mean," said Jackie.
Matt replied, "But worth it..." with a happy grin.
"Whoa, he was as fast as someone with the Rabbit Talisman," said Jade.
"Yes, I know- BWAH! Jade, I told you to stay out," said Jackie.
"She's definitely merc material. We never listen to the boss either," said Techo.
Then Chip rushed back and said, "THATWASFUNWHATELSECANWEDO?"
"Erm...stay here?" tried Matt.
"You want to keep sister from becoming demon, yes?" said Uncle, "THEN YOU GO IN THERE AND OCCUPY SHADOWKHAN SO UNCLE CAN CAST CHI SPEEELL!"
Matt grabbed Chip and yelled, "MORE NINJA ROBOT DENTERS IN THERE! KILL!"
"!" yelled Chip before zipping inside so fast there was a slight pop in the air from the displaced air.
"You think we're using too much force here?" asked Chris.
"You do remember the Doom Weapons, right?" said Matt sweetly.
Chris paled and yelled, "CHARGE!"
Inside, Tchang Zu was sitting on a throne made of various movie props. Chloe was kneeling on one knee in front of him. "Apprentice, you have proven very useful to me," said Tchang Zu, "You will become a favored member of my court. However, there is one slight alteration that must be made." He pointed his finger and blue electricity surrounded Chloe.
Her armor and clothing disassembled itself. Fortunately, no one could see her total form. The enchanted electricity altered the armor and reattached itself to Chloe. When the light faded, Chloe was wearing a feminine version of Tchang Zu's armor. "Now, rise up, my daughter," said the Thunder Demon.
Matt had been first through the hole in time to see this. "Nnn…" he said, numbly. Matt's eyes slowly went red. "I warned him. No one can say I didn't warned him," said Matt, icily, an orb of black plasma forming in his hand. "Oh, TCHAAAANG...HERE'S A HOUSE-WARMING GIFT!" he yelled and threw the orb at Tchang. Tchang Zu saw it coming and erected a shield of electricity in front of him. The orb hit it and exploded violently. It still was enough to knock Tchang over.
The orb had been augmented with all the anger and fury that had been in Matt's head. Two Shadowkhan tried to stop Matt, a mistake given what he did to them Matt's claws quickly tore their heads open and went down all the way to where their pelvis would be. Fortunately they were made of shadow and just dissipated, otherwise there would been a very nasty mess.
"I'm baaaack," said 'Matt' in an amused tone, "Where has Lynch brought us? He gets into all the best violence," apparently un-worried when Shadowkhan surrounded him.
Ghoulwyrm peered in. "Oh great. With luck, Draconus'll kill the Chans too," he said, looking at Matt...or rather Draconus.
"This could be trouble," said Chris. Just then, Chloe jumped from where she was and landed in front of Chris. "Oh, hey Chloe, uh, nice new armor?" he said.
Chloe 'answered' by blasting Chris in the chest. "You won't cast anything, chi wizard," she said to Uncle.
Then Chip got in front of her and said, "YOU''!" He raised his six arms up in a boxing form.
Chloe blinked. She may have been nearly full demon at that moment but Chip's reaction had even made Draconus and the Shadowkhan pause. "Er, I don't, uh, I can't understand, um... what?" she said.
"TOOSLOW!" yelled Chip before grabbing her arm and slamming on the ground several times.
Normally this would have been it, but Chloe wasn't exactly human at the moment, well, as human as she had been before the demon chi. She got up a little unsteadily. "Little tin…" she muttered.
"YOUBETTERQUITWHILEYOU'REAHEADCAUSEWE'!" said Chip.
Chloe glared and, when she was confident she had full attentions, effortlessly sliced through a steel girder with her claws.
"Er, Uncle, how soon can you use the chi-o-matic?" asked Jackie.
"Demon chi cannot be removed until demon sorcerer is removed," said Uncle, "Have patience."
Draconus however was strolling towards Tchang. "You know, I know what it's like to deal with do-gooders. Hell, I live with one. But I share his thought that you don't mess with family. So now I'm going to tear your head off, ok?" he said conversationally, blasting Khan without even thinking.
"You presume much if you think you can slay me," said Tchang Zu.
"I nearly got through your shield...and I wasn't even firing that. Mine...are worse," said Draconus, igniting a much larger void plasma orb.
"Uh, Uncle, you think you can spare enough time for that rampage-calming spell?" asked Draco.
Both Tchang and Draconus fired at the same time, their blasts meeting with a huge explosion. "Oooh...you can fight," taunted Draconus.
"It's been a long time since I've had a proper opponent," said Tchang Zu as a lightning bolt appeared in both hands.
"And I've been itching to get some blood on my hands," said Draconus, pulling out Matt's ion staff.
The two of them charged at each other, lightning bolt colliding with the blade on Matt's ion staff.
Techo said, "I dunno who to root for," as the two fought. Draconus was taking advantage of Tchang's size to keep under his feet...literally.
Then Uncle poured some of the potion on a pair of castanets. "There, now someone must play these," said Uncle.
"LETMEDOITIKNOWHOWTOPLAY!" said Chip before swiping the castanets.
Uncle stared, "Metal squid needs sleep potion."
Matt and Tchang Zu were fighting when a voice called, "Amgios!" They both looked up to see Chip on a beam, dressed as a flamenco dancer. "El trueno puntos aquí!" He then pulled out the enchanted castanets and started playing them, accompanied with matched dancing.
"What is he doing?" asked Chris.
"If I had to guess, the Spanish Dance from the Nutcracker Suite," said Jackie.
Tchang roared angrily. "CASTANETS?" he yelled and readied a thunderbolt.
Draconus stared and said, "I know he's dancing rubbishly but that's extreme criticism."
Meanwhile, Uncle was chanting his incantation. "Forget the cyborg, stop the old man!" shouted Ghoulwyrm. The Shadowkhan immediately started advancing towards Uncle.
"Uh, Draconus, you can't let the Shadowkhan get Uncle!" shouted Draco.
"Why shouldn't I?" said Draconus.
"Because, uh, you won't get to do it yourself," said Chris. He quickly whispered to Jackie, "We're not actually gonna let him do that."
Draconus's eyes glowed red. "NOBODY SPOILS MY FUN! EAT HOT PLASMA NINJA DUDES!" he yelled.
Meanwhile, Tchang Zu had been trying to blast Chip down with his lightning bolts. However, the cyborg experiment was far too nimble for him, especially since he was still running on that overcharge. "Stay still! DAUGHTER, I HAVE NEED OF YOUR AID!" he roared after yet another miss.
Chloe sighed and said, "I have to take care of all the difficult stuff." She leaped up onto a beam and said to Chip, "Ok, fork over the clappers, caballero."
Chris had climbed up on the other side. "Sorry, Chloe, can't let you do that," he said, holding a stun rod.
Chloe glanced at the stun rod and said, "Really? That oversized tazer? I have the power of lightning on my side. You think that zapper would work against me?"
"No, but it distracted you long enough for Chip to finish," said Chris, pointing at where the castanets were glowing green.
The castanets glowed green before shooting out two beams that hit Tchang Zu. "Looks like Zeus here is heading back to Mount Olympus," said Draco.
"NOOOOOOO!" yelled Tchang Zu before a shadowy portal and he was flung through.
Chloe yelled, "FATHER!" before jumping down to glare at Uncle. "Now you die...OOF!" she said as Chip jumped down on her head.
"Ole!" called Chip.
The Samurai Khan immediately faded away. Ghoulwyrm growled and said, "This is not over." He then became invisible and disappeared through a wall.
Drago peered out dizzily. "Who won...uh oh," he said as the gang turned to look.
"Who wants some snakeskin boots?" said Techo, pulling out a laser knife. Luckily, Ghoulwyrm popped out a portal to grab Drago just in time.
"Ok, now what do we do about the Lynch siblings?" asked Draco, pointing at Chloe, who still had blue scales and red eyes, and Draconus, who was giving them a rather predatory look.
Chloe leaned up unsteadily, "What hit me?"
Draconus however looked amused. "I like your makeover, though I don't think Matt approves."
Suddenly, Chloe's blue scales, claws, and spines faded away, leaving a human Chloe, although her armor remained in its altered form.
"Uncle, how did that happen?" asked Jackie.
"The same way that Drago's henchmen lost their demon powers," said Uncle, "The demon who gave them their powers has been removed from the Earth."
Draconus clapped, "Nice, what's the next trick?" he said
"This is, Yu Mo Gwai Gui Fai Di Zao, Yu Mo Gwai Gui Fai Di Zao," as Uncle chanted, a green glow came out of his dried lizard and covered Draconus.
"Hey...I was just...starting to have...fuuuu…" said Draconus, the red glow fading back to Matt's usual look. "Erm, does everyone have all their limbs in the correct place?" he asked
"Don't worry, everything's back to normal," said Techo, "As normal as it can get, anyways."
"Guys, what is this thing I'm wearing?" asked Chloe, looking at her new Chinese lightning-motif armor.
"Erm, demon armor I think," said Chris, poking it, "It looks good on you, if that helps."
"You really think so?" asked Chloe, "It doesn't look silly or anything?"
"Not at all," said Chris, "It suits you very well." Chris turned to see Matt glaring suspiciously. "Er...in a totally professional way," he said innocently.
"Um, the armor isn't cursed or anything, is it?" asked Jackie.
"Armor was created through goodwill of demon sorcerer. Not as evil as it could be," said Uncle, "But armor should not be worn until Uncle has cleansed it."
"If you even suggest I strip, I'm going to turn you into a lightning rod," said Chloe levelly.
"Not here, obviously," said Matt, "Especially since you're wearing nothing underneath of that."
"Exactly...hence the threat of third degree electrical burns," said Chloe.
Techo said cheerfully, "Well...least this demon rubbish is over, eh, Jackie?"
"I'm afraid not," said Jackie, "There are seven more demon doors that Drago and Ghoulwyrm will most likely try to open."
Matt stared. "Oh...fine...7 more demons...I can handle that. Excuse me a moment," he said and wandered out of the studio.
Jade said, "Is he ok?" before every non-merc jumped at a cry of 'OH GOD, NOOOOO!'.
Matt wandered back in. "All done."
"We better leave before anyone comes here and sees this," said Jackie, eyeing the damage the battle had done to the area.
"Agreed," said Uncle, "Jackie, leave credit card to pay for damages."
Jackie opened his mouth to protest when Matt said, "Oh, this should cover it," pulling out a handful of 50 NSC credits, solid gold credits.
"Uh, yes, that should work," said Jackie.
Just then, Chip walked over, holding an icebag to his head. "By the way, nice footwork back there," said Techo.
Chip winced and said, "Not so loud..."
"Voltage hangover," said Chris.
"Say, has anyone seen Morph?" asked Matt.
"Here I am," said a familiar voice. The group turned to see Morph walking towards them, glowing bright yellow and electricity crackling all over his body.
"Ah, was wondering where he landed. Like I said, Chloe, nice shot," said Matt.
"Hey guys, check out what I can do," said Morph and began shuffling in a circle. Very quickly, an electromagnetic field started to build up and started drawing the gang towards him.
"MORPH! STOP IT!" yelled Matt.
"Like this, Matt?" asked Morph, holding one glowing finger towards Matt. Matt's face paled as the electricity danced around the fingertip. "Zappity zap-zap!" said Morph.
The others and the Chans, who had been around the mercs to pick up on the sixth sense the gang had for imminent explosions, dived for cover. The explosion was quite large, more or less flattening the last of the studio. Morph, the only one not hurt by the zap, said, "Tag, you're it!"
Matt looked at the ruins and sighed, throwing another 100 credits on the pile. "I hate you, Morph...sooooo much," he coughed
Jade looked at a broken piece of glass and saw her hair was a static puffball. "Oh man, this is going to take forever to get back down."
Xander was the only one without static hair. "Being a reptile has its perks," he said to Jade.
"You're telling me," said Draco.
"Ooooh...my head..." moaned Chip.
Meanwhile, back in the subterranean area of San Fran, Drago was not a happy dragon. "You fool! You're worse than the Enforcers!" he yelled at Ghoulwyrm.
"Me? How could have I caused this?" said Ghoulwyrm.
"Your stupid spell was too slow. The Chans had time to send Uncle Zu back to the netherworld," said Drago, advancing on Ghoulwyrm with a fireball.
"Perhaps if you had participated more in the fight, they wouldn't have been able to get the upperhand," said Ghoulwyrm, "Besides, we both know your uncle made a mistake with choosing Chloe to be her apprentice."
"I was shot by my uncle's choice of apprentice...and then AGAIN by the robo-squid you failed to mention," said Drago.
"How was I supposed to know he'd go hyperactive after getting too much juice?" said Ghoulwyrm.
Drago grabbed Ghoulwyrm. "The next spell better work," he snarled.
"I'm sure it will," said Ghoulwyrm, "We'll just to have to find more ways to inhibit the Chans."
"Like what? Between all the times they've interfered, their damn uncle's accounted for every magic artifact on the planet," said Drago.
Ghoulwyrm thought for a minute and said, "Fortunately, I know of several sources of dark magic, several of which are outside his bailiwick. Chi magic is good, but only so powerful when it's put against something that's a completely different magic." He then remembered something. "And...I know some...leftover technology that will help. If it's still around," he said.
There's another chapter up. As you can see, it's a bit of a new quest for the Chans involving the Demon Sorcerers. Plus, they'll have the Shadowkhan to deal with too. Fortunately, the mercs are here to help them out. By the way, Hak Fu's presence is not a glitch, I'm pretty sure he switched sides during the series finale. Of course, you know that the Samurai Shadowkhan first appeared in the episode where the Ikazuki mask got attached to Finn's, ahem, posterior. I know it didn't actually mention the key ingredient for the mask removal potion in that episode, but I heard somewhere it was Japanese cherry blossoms. And of course Megagalactic Studio is where Tchang Zu's door was found. The next chapter will be up in a week, this is most likely to be a weekly thing. So keep an eye out for it and please review.