Tarakudo floated between realms, pondering. He had suffered setback after setback in his quest to recover the masks of his generals, and now five of the masks rested in Section 13's vault, beyond his reach. While this was merely a bump in the road, so to speak, one thing bothered him. He could account for almost every element in this game, knowing where they stood and what would happen, and see the outcome a few steps ahead. It was the almost that bothered him. There were two elements that caused him problems. One was expected: he had always known Jade would be the wild card in this game.
It was the other that drove him to distraction and frustration. Cielo Torres. While not playing a very major role, what role he did play was enough to heavily tip the balance in the Chan's favor. He could read Japanese, which aided Tohru in translations and preperations. He had powerful magic, but so did Tohru and Uncle, and even Jade for that matter. Still, there were matters regarding the boy that were concerning.
For one, that chi spell he had: a beam of pure white light. While not harmful to Tarakudo's quazi-astral form, it did cause pain, as well as stun him breifly. Also, it had proven effective at dispelling every variety of Shadow Kahn that had been summoned before. For some reason, however, Uncle and Tohru were unable to duplicate the spell. This was a relief, if somewhat confusing.
The worst part was how frustratingly determined he was to thwart anything Tarakudo attempted to do. He hadn't done all that much in Japan, when Ratso had summoned his Shadow Kahn, although he had been very determined when it came to protecting Jade. He also seemed far too wise for his years.
His actions when the dog had worn the mask and summoned the winged Shadow Kahn, though, had been more effective.
"Relax Missy," Tarakudo said, as Jade was bound by shadow magic at the top of the tower. "Strength is no match for the power of Shadow."
"That's true," said a voice from behind him, and he turned. Cielo stood there at one of the windows, with a shadowy presence near him. "So let's shine some light on the situation." He pointed his wishbone forward, and Tarakudo saw a talisman braced at the points. "SUNFIRE BEAM!"
The dragon talisman's magic mixed with the light based chi spell, and a beam of yellow-white fire erupted, searing through the shadow kahn, and even setting Tarakudo's moustache on fire. That combined spell actually hurt!
"RAH!" Tarakudo cried out, flying off to extinguish his moustache. He could only watch as the shadow leapt out and dealt with the mask wearing dog. The shadow turned out to be...a white furred catwoman with red eyes?
"Ruby?" Jade said disbelievingly, staring at the feline creature.
Smiling, the creature held up another of the blasted Talismans, this one the monkey. It wasn't long before Jade was free and only the dog was left fighting. The potion on Jade's hands made short work of that, and the force arrayed against him compelled Tarakudo to withdraw without a counterstrike.
As he left, though, he heard Jade say something that intuiged him. "Seems the Talismans are stronger now. Wonder how Shendu would feel about us using them like this?"
Cielo had laughed. "Believe me Jade, he would throw a fit!"
How could Cielo claim to know Shendu's mind so well?
Cielo hadn't done all that much while Captain Black wore the fourth mask. He had merely stayed close to Jade and assisted. However, his sense of things seemed more and more acute as events went on. He was becoming more and more a thorn in Tarakudo's side.
Ikazuki's rather brief report regarding the boy, however, had been most enlightening.
"Lord Tarakudo," Ikazuki said, while having his Shadow Kahn try to get the removal potion from Tohru, so he could be placed on a better form, "while I am not busy, there is something I need to inform you of."
"Yes, Ikazuki?" Tarakudo asked from the astral plain, where he had retreated to recover from onion exposure. "I trust your judgement. If you feel this is important, I would gladly listen."
"Be wary of the child. He draws power from BOTH sides of the shadow." About to say more, Ikazuki was distracted by the arrival of the Chans come to rescue Tohru, as well as Cielo assisting. Before long, Ikazuki could report no more.
Tarakudo hated mysteries, and now he had a huge one in his metaphorical lap. The boy was trouble, and because of him, the latest Oni Mask had been recovered and returned to Section 13 before Tarakudo could even dispatch the enforcers.
Deciding to go with a different strategy, he summoned the enforcers to quiz them regarding this thorn in his side.
"Yo, Tarakudo," Fin said as he and the others dropped in. "Rather aggresive summons. What's this all about? New mask?"
"No. Not this time. This time I wish to pick your brains." Tarakudo grinned inwardly at how they backed up, covering their heads. "Tell me everything you know...about Cielo Torres."
"You mean Jade's boyfriend?" Ratso asked. "Aren't they such a cute couple?"
"Hmm," Tarakudo mused. "Is that what she meant when she said she was taken? But they are so young. How can they be so serious? And where did this boy come from?"
"Don't know," Chow said. "He just showed up out of nowhere a couple weeks before we went after the Talismans, only to have Jackie destroy them. Then Daolon Wong turned us into Dark Chi Warriors, and we weren't really in a position to research."
"He has demon blood," Hak Fu spoke up. "He was also able to summon a demon servant creature. His chi is aligned with the element of sky, which has led the old wizard to the conclusion that he is descended from Hsi Wu, Demon Sorcerer of Sky."
"Hmm..." Tarakudo pondered all of this. "That would explain a few things...but the strength of his power means there can not be too wide a generation gap...but he has no demon features. He also has good chi magic. None of this adds up correctly. All I know now is that things would be much easier if he was dead." Tarakudo suddenly shuddered. "And perhaps I have an opportunity. Someone now wears the sixth mask." Tarakudo faded out, to seek this new puppet.
Tarakudo manifested himself as Paco was wondering about his 'competition' for scariest. "Believe me, you have no competition."
Paco gasped. "Are you...the Great Pumpkin?"
"Uh...yes." Tarakudo had no idea what this Great Pumpkin was, but he sensed great untapped darkness inside this boy, and he was going to take advantage of it. "And I am here to teach YOU to be as scary as you can be."
"Teach me, oh great one."
"You must feel the darkness within. The power of the darkness is the oldest of fears, and you must become one with it. Your rage, jealousy, fears, destructive and competitive impulses...let these FILL you...let them CONSUME you...until the darkness has nowhere to go but out!"
Paco grew quiet. "Jade..." he whispered, his voice filled with a dark yearning. "Cielo..." This was said with a dark rage, one that set his eyes glowing. The shadow kahn flared forth.
Tarakudo smiled to himself. "That's it. And now, with the power of darkness, let your enemies taste true fear..." Tarakudo's eyes glowed. "...and then destroy them!"
To be Continued...