Chapter 7
Rescue
James reappeared in the very bottom of the Dark Tower. He knew where the prison was; at the very top. His shape shifting would serve him well here, for he knew that Triden was at a disadvantage. Triden had used a very large portion of his powers getting Theodore though the TV, and he had to rest before he could use his powers again, thus would have a harder time sensing him. He knew that Flame Bane would be fully awake, and Flame Bane was no fool, nor was he weak.
James refocused and started his trek. The sources of light in the tower were few and far between, but he could change his eyes into those of a cat, thus granting him night vision. As he continued his sneak, he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. It was Triden! James quickly morphed into a rat. Triden came from around the corner.
"It won't be long now," he said, and it was all James could do not to laugh; the evil and all powerful wizard talked to himself. He tried to scurry past him, but the wizard heard the sound of tiny scuffling feet and shot his head to that direction.
"Oh," he said, and sighed, "it was only a rat. I'd thought our prisoner escaped." Triden then paused,
"I feel some sort of aura," he took another look, but the rat was gone. "I cannot rest until I know what that is." He turned and walked in the direction he thought the rat had gone. James mentally smirked, he'd gone in the opposite direction that Triden was following.
…
Flame Bane stood in a fiery field, his furry foes surrounding him with swords, bows, and the like. They drew closer, yet he smirked,
"You're going down, grandpa!" yelled one of them, clad in red.
"Not before you," he cried, and shot a fireball at him. Before the chipmunk could react, he was engulfed in the flames, and was resorted to a pile of ashes, a melty sword lying on it. The others gasped.
"He's so strong," said one of the females, "how could we ever beat him?"
"He's not that strong," said the blue clad male, and charged. Flame Bane smirked again, raising his hands like he was lifting a heavy object. A huge flame overtook the chipmunk. He laughed evilly, when suddenly there stood his master,
"FLAME BANE!" He yelled. Suddenly, the field and everything in it began to melt around them, like ice that had been exposed to him. Soon they were back in the Dark Tower, and Flame Bane knew that he had been meditating too hard again.
"What is thy bidding?" asked the fire mage.
"I sense an intruder in the tower," said Triden, "and I also sense that it is of Zenkradian origin. If you see anything out of place, destroy it."
"Yes, sire." Said Flame Bane, standing and bowing to his master, "I shall start my search immediately."
"Good," said Triden, "but don't destroy the prisoner." Triden took his leave, and the fire mage ran out soon after, beginning to look for out of place things.
James knew that they would be looking for things out of place, so he disguised himself as rats, bats, and other animals that inhabited the tower. Such animals were so common in the tower, there was no way that Flame Bane or Triden would suspect a Rat, Spider, or Bat, especially ones they could hear but not see.
…
Meanwhile, in Gunther's shop, the five heroes had their weapons equipped. Simon could see visions of his new powers as he held the staff in his paws. He not only could cast spells to duplicate himself and allies to confuse the enemies, but he could also confuse the enemies themselves, making them hurt themselves or other bad guys, and those were just basic spells.
Alvin's sword felt like it was custom made for him (because...well it was). He could see visions of himself being an expert swordsman, he sword guiding itself, so all he had to do was hold the sword.
Eleanor's bow felt good in her paws. She could just see the arrows, which were dark brown, with beautiful red feathers, planting themselves in whatever got in the way.
Though Jeanette was no fighter, she liked the staff she'd been granted. Just holding it made her feel at ease, like she could take on anything.
Brittany wasn't sure about being the leader. Keeping calm and collected didn't exactly come easy for her, unlike her sisters. But she knew that she had to figure it out, as both this world and her home depended on it.
"You will start your journey bright and early tomorrow," said Gunther, "We will grant you a portable feast, so you may eat as you travel. Take time to spar, so you can get used to your weapons."
"But wouldn't we get hurt doing that?" asked Brittany.
"No," said Gunther, trying to smile again, a task not so easily performed when you have a beak instead of lips. "Your weapons have been enchanted with a spell that does not allow them to hurt their owners, their allies, and other innocents. James will bring Theodore to use as soon as he can."
…
James was finally at the top of the tower, and couldn't help but smirk about how easy it had been. He knew he was getting cocky, but he didn't care. He was in Triden's study, and the prison cell was in the corner.
…
It was a rotten time for Theodore. He sat in his cell, the stinky food's odor growing ever stronger, and his hunger as well. He was scared and lonely, and the food wasn't making it better. All of a sudden, a voice sounded, but it wasn't that of Triden or Flame Bane,
"Hey, psst." said the voice. Theodore dared to look at what was making the noise, and what should he see but a rat. Theo backed away, afraid.
"Relax buddy," he said, "I ain't gonna hurt cha. You do want to see your brothers and friends again, don't you?" Theo's ears perked up at this. "Yeah, I can take you to them, but we have to leave now."
"How?" asked Theodore.
"Trust me," said the Rat with a smirk, and suddenly, he changed. What was standing in the cell now as a full on man. He held his hand out to the munk.
When suddenly the door was thrown open, and Flame Bane stormed in,
"AHA!" he yelled, and threw a fireball. The man was hit dead on, and flew against the wall. Anyone could see it did a number on him. The man morphed into a huge elephant, and a huge spray of water shot from his trunk. Flame Bane, who was too busy taunting him, was not prepared for the liquid and was hit full on. He fell to the floor in agony.
The elephant morphed back into a man, and grabbed Theodore. The next thing he knew, Theodore was in a shop of some kind. The man was beside him, writhing in pain. He heard scurrying, and looked. Joy overtook him, it was his brothers and friends.
"Theodore," Cried Simon, and all glomped him in a group hug. Gunther wanted to see the happy moment, but his eyes were averted to James. James lay in a heap on the floor, blood coating his black suit. The chipmunks paused their festivities to observe him.
"James," cried Gunther, "are you alright?"
"Flame Bane," said James, strain in his voice, "laid a critical blow to me. I returned the favor, but I don't think I'm going to make it." There was a gasp among the munks.
"Oh no," cried Theodore, running to the man, "I'm so sorry!"
"It is well," said the man, "for I would much rather die in the service of the heroes than of Triden. If you see my wife," he coughed harshly, "tell her that I love her, and will see her in Past Realm." The man breathed his final breath, and shut his eyes, never to open them again. All of them wept over him. The munks, though they'd only known him for a few minutes, had been done a major favor by him; saving Theodore from Triden.
"This isn't about getting home anymore," said Simon, "we need to save these people from more injustices like this. James did something invaluable for us, we can't let his death be in vain." The munks all agreed.
…
Flame Bane lay on the tower floor in agony. Water to him was like fire to anyone else. It burned him, and he could not use his fire again until he was one hundred percent dry. The door opened, and Triden walked in.
"I-I-I'm sorry, your majesty," said Flame Bane, strained and agonized in his tone, "I was unable to stop the Zenkradian from saving the prisoner. This is all my fault."
"Don't take all of the blame," said Triden, cooly, which caught the fire man off guard. "I will have to alter my plan a bit, but it will work in my favor to allow the chosen ones to think they have the upper hand. They may have saved their brother, but that pathetic titanic won't do a thing to me, as I have the larger half of the stone. Once they find this out, they will find him, and bring him and his half of the stone right to me." Triden allowed a loud and sinister laugh, and Flame Bane tried to join him, only to hurt himself more.
