A/n: Hello, everyone! Ready for the next chapter? I loved reading all of your reviews! They made me so happy! The title of this chapter probably gave away the entire plot, but whatever! Ready to find out whom The Magician is?
"'Intelligence.'" Lloyd read. Everyone instantly turned to PIXAL.
"You're next." Jay told her. At this, Zane wrapped an arm around her.
"No, really, Jay?" Lloyd said sarcastically, "I thought it meant you were next."
"Hey!" Jay exclaimed.
"I'm sorry for what I said earlier." Kai said.
"Yeah, me, too." Jay agreed.
"I won't let them take you." Zane said to PIXAL, ignoring them. PIXAL, however, seemed uninterested. She was thinking of a plan, and Zane knew he wasn't going to like it.
"I have an idea." PIXAL told them.
"I guess that's why you represent Intelligence." Jay said, trying to make a joke. But no one was laughing.
"Because I am next, what if we used me to help catch The Magician?" PIXAL suggested.
"What do you mean?" Lloyd asked.
"I could act as bait, draw him over, and then you could catch him and gather Intel on where Nya, Skylar, and Rumi are." PIXAL told him.
"No." Zane said, "I am NOT letting you do that."
"Hmm, it could work." Kai said.
"So, what?" Zane asked.
"It's a good plan." Jay said, ignoring him.
"But we're not doing it." Zane said.
"It's the only plan we've got." Lloyd stated.
"I don't care. We'll find another way. One that doesn't involve putting PIXAL in danger." Zane said.
"Zane, it will be fine." PIXAL reassured him, "I trust that you will protect me."
The tension built as Zane went silent, considering what she had said. For a second, Lloyd thought he might agree, but then Zane spoke again.
"No." He said.
"Oh, come on, Zane!" Kai said, "I know you don't like it, but it's the only plan we've got right now!"
"It's the only way for us to find Rumi, Nya, and Skylar." Lloyd said.
"Fine." Zane grumbled, and turned to PIXAL, "But, I am going to be right beside you the entire time."
"Alright." Lloyd said, "I think we can work that out."
That night, they were preparing to put the plan into action. All PIXAL had to do was act like she was alone in the Samurai X Cave, and repair her vehicles. If something went wrong, she would signal for backup, and the elemental masters would come running. Meanwhile, Jay and Kai would watch outside the cave, Zane would be right by the entrance, and Lloyd would hide under a table and catch The Magician when he came. Zane, however, still wasn't thrilled with his job.
"This is not right beside PIXAL." He grumbled into his communicator, "You said you could work it out, Lloyd!"
"I know, I know. I lied." Lloyd said, "Sorry, but I don't want to risk anymore lives."
"You're risking HER life." Zane growled.
"She volunteered!" Lloyd exclaimed.
"But you're the one that let her do it!" Zane said.
"Um, I can hear you, you know." PIXAL said.
"Sorry." Lloyd whispered.
"I think he's here." Jay said, "But he doesn't have his invisibility on. He's just wearing a black cloak."
"Good." Kai whispered. The Magician somehow knew exactly how to get into the Samurai Cave, and walked right in like he owned the place.
PIXAL made sure to face away from him while working on her vehicles, and act surprised when he spoke to her.
"Hello, PIXAL." The Magician said. She turned, and saw him. "Oh, come out, Lloyd, Zane. I know you're here." The Magician said.
Lloyd stood up, and Zane stepped out of the shadows.
"There." The Magician said, "Now, are you going to give me my symbol of Intelligence, or will I have to take her?"
"She's not yours to take." Zane snapped.
"I am standing right here." PIXAL said, "I can hear everything you are saying."
"You know, Zane, I never did approve of your relationship with her." The Magician said.
"And who are you to judge?" Zane asked.
"A former friend." The Magician answered, "And PIXAL does not belong to you. She belongs to my boss."
"Again, I am right here." PIXAL said, annoyed.
"So, what'll it be, Zane? The easy way, or the hard one?" The Magician asked.
Zane pulled out his bow and arrow, and Lloyd drew his sword. PIXAL also took out her Katana, to which, The Magician laughed.
"You have GOT to be joking." He said.
"What?" PIXAL asked, "I can fight, too."
Suddenly, Zane ran toward The Magician, but he just took out his vial, and opened it. Zane smelled it, and collapsed to the floor.
"Zane!" PIXAL shouted.
Lloyd attempted to fight next, meeting the same results. The Magician slammed the doors to the X Cave shut, so Jay and Kai couldn't get in, and walked toward PIXAL.
"Just you and me now." The Magician said, "I'm guessing you're going to try and fight?"
"No." PIXAL said, opening a drawer behind her, taking out a microchip, and putting it in her pocket, "Fighting would be pointless."
"And that's why you're the intelligent one." The Magician said.
He opened his vial, and PIXAL let the liquid sink in. She didn't fight it, saving her strength for when she'd need it later.
"Who knew you'd become the new Samurai X?" The Magician asked.
PIXAL could feel her eyes turning blood red, but she didn't care.
"I can see why my boss wants you." The Magician smirked.
"Who is your master?" PIXAL asked, now interested.
"My masters are dead." The Magician answered.
"That did not answer my question." PIXAL told him.
She was getting more and more tired by the minute. She knew that, soon, she would black out.
"No," The Magician said, "But, you'll see them soon enough."
"What do you want with my friends and I?" PIXAL managed to ask.
"I don't know. Whatever my masters decide." The Magician said, pulling off his hood to reveal his familiar face.
"Cole?!" PIXAL said, "Why are you doing this?!"
"Hey, I'm just doing what I was told." Cole answered, "And they told me to take you to their graveyard."
"Since when do you take orders from dead people?" PIXAL told him.
"Since Cryptor wants to see his little sister again." Cole said.
"Technically, I'm older." PIXAL said matter-of-factly.
"Whatever." Cole replied.
With that, he grabbed PIXAL, pulled out a leaf, and took her through the portal with him. PIXAL didn't try to fight, or even escape. It was over. She had failed.
A/n: So, did you expect Cole to be the Magician? Next chapter coming Monday. Bye!