"She can spit fire at us too!" Jupiter yelled as she dodged an attack from Chilla.
"We have to find a way to free Panthro, Snowman, and Snowmeow." Mercury announced. Behind Chilla, their comrades were frozen in individual ice blocks. The only motion they could muster was to move their eyes slightly. Tugging on her left earring, goggles appeared in front on her face in unison with her mini computer in her hand.
"I'll distract her while you figure out something." Jupiter said in a hushed tone to Mercury. Mercury in turn nodded her head in acknowledgement as the senshi of lightening took off. After dodging a few of Chilla's 'ice cycles', Mercury gave her the signal that she figured out something. "Tell me got something Mercury? I swear it seems like she's getting stronger!" Jupiter explained.
"She is." Mercury stated as her goggles retreated and she disposed of her mini computer. "From what I can tell, that symbol on her head serves as both a mind control device as well as power source."
"You're telling me she's a slave with added power?" Jupiter looked to her shocked.
"Yes, but it is also draining her life support away at the same time. The more power she uses, the more it takes away from her own existence." She said in a more somber tone. "For now our primary concern is to free our friends."
"And defeat her. You got a good plan?" Jupiter asked as Chilla stood in front of their friends again.
"I do. As I distract Chilla, you will use your attack to free our friends." Jupiter had objection written on her face, but Mercury explained before she had a chance to disapprove. "As Chilla can control cold and heat, my attacks are based on the manipulation of water and ice. Because of that fact, it would be an inconvenience to our friends who are trapped if I were attempting to save them. As of now, you are the only one of us qualified to free them. Do you understand?"
Jupiter sighed low. "I do, but that doesn't mean I have to like it." She went into a defensive stance as Mercury took her stance to begin her attack. "Ready when you are." Jupiter said to Mercury.
"Mercury Shabon Spray!"
Chilla looked around as a mist formed over the area. Behind her, she heard Jupiter's voice talking to the captured. As she turned around to locate Jupiter, she heard Mercury from behind her. "Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!" She turned forward again as a powerful burst of freezing water knocked her backwards a few feet.
Once again tugging on her earring, she produced her goggles. "The attack made contact with her, but I know she's not down for good. Our friends need to be freed first." She spoke to herself. Looking through her goggles, she saw Jupiter made to safely to the others. With a few hand movements, she lifted the mist around them, but kept it thick where she and Chilla were battling.
A hissing sound caused her to hit the ground. Chilla had just fired her ice cycles from her mouth and was shooting randomly at the 'fog'. I'd better lure her closely to me before she accidentally hits the others. She thought her herself as she got up. Through her goggles, she saw Chilla. Using her second attack again, she fired a few feet away from Chilla, to purposely give away her position. Now comes the hard part: counterattack. She stood her ground as Chilla again fired in her general direction.
I hope you know what you're doing Mercury? Jupiter thought to herself as she heard the attacks through the mist. "Okay you guys. I'm getting you out now." Jupiter stood back a few feet and began her attack. "Jupiter Oak Evolution!" She began spinning at a rapid speed. As she did, electrically charged leaves began slicing away at the ice. After hundreds of thousands hit the ice, it collapsed and their friends were free. "Are you all okay?" Jupiter ran up to her friends.
"Better thanks to you." Snowman stated as Snowmeow nugged her.
"We have to help Mercury! Chilla is dangerous!" Panthro announced as he struggled to stand up. Snowman helped the Thundercat stand up. "The mist is lifting." He announced. The first thing they saw was Chilla, a bit winded, but still standing her ground.
"I do not see your companion." Snowman pointed out.
"Mercury? Mercury! Are you okay? Answer us!" Jupiter called out but got no answer. "This is not good." Chilla had breathed in an enormous amount of air in preparation to her attack. "Get down! I'll protect you all!" She declared as she stood in front of them.
"No way! Jupiter, get out of here and find the others!" Panthro ordered.
"Yes young one. Do as Panthro says." Snowman agreed as Snowmeow went and stood beside Jupiter. She calmly shook her head 'no'.
"Not gonna happen. I refuse to desert my friends!" She stretched her hands out to her sides; as if protecting them from Chilla's attacks.
As Chilla's breath began to exhale, a familiar voice rang from the mist that had not completely disappeared. "Shine Aqua Illusion!" In a matter of seconds, Chilla was frozen where she stood in a block of ice.
The mist, now completely gone, showed Mercury; with a shaky thumbs up.
"Jeez Mercury. You really had me..." Jupiter's eyes went wide as she made a closer inspection of her friend. Her clothes were tattered and she was nursing her left shoulder. There were small scratches on her face and all over her body (from trying to dodge Chilla's ice cycles). Finally, when she attempted to take one step, she stumbled forward. That was all it took for Jupiter. With a speed that would rival Neptune, she was by her comrade's side in an instant. As Mercury was about to fall forward, Jupiter caught her with strong arms and gently eased her to the cold ground. "Are you okay?"
"A bit sore and tired, but I'll manage." Mercury reassured her friend. "How are the others?" She referred their now freed friends.
"Panthro is a little tired like you, but other than that everyone is fine." Jupiter looked up to make sure Chilla was still frozen. "She was one heck of an opponent huh?"
"I agree she was a formidable adversary. I wonder how the battle would have gone had she not been under the influence of another." Mercury responded as she attempted sit up.
"Here. I'll help you up." Jupiter steadied Mercury and helped her to her feet. "Can you walk?"
"Yes. I'll rest once we return to the Lair." Jupiter assisted Mercury to the Thundertank where Panthro was seated- with the help of Snowman none-the-less. Panthro had a confused look on his face. "Is everything alright Panthro?" Mercury asked.
"I hope so. When we first began battling Chilla, Kitara tried to radio in via the Thundertank. I'm attempting to get in contact with her again, but neither she nor the twins are answering. To make matters worse, no one else is picking up either."
"What about the Lair?" Jupiter asked.
"I spoke with Venus and Snarfer. Everything is good back home, but they have yet to hear from anyone else." Panthro said in a worried tone. "I wonder why Chilla was ordered to attack us?" Panthro finally asked.
"Whatever the reason, it can't be any good." Jupiter responded. A mighty roar from the great snow cat caused everyone to look at him. "What's the matter boy?" Jupiter went into ready stance in front of Mercury.
"Chilla?!" Snowman pointed at the frozen captive. They all observed as a black and purple cloud shrouded the ice impound. "Impossible!" He shouted, as Chilla was now nowhere to be seen. All that was left was the frozen ice.
"I believe it is safe to assume Ti'ria or Ti'shina have come to claim their servant." Mercury deduced.
"Snowmeow? Bring me the relic from the treasure room." Snowman ordered the great cat. In a flash, he was inside the castle. "I do not know of these 'Ti'ria or Ti'shina', but I have seen the symbol they bear. Snowmeow will be back momentarily." As quick as he left, Snowmeow returned with a boxed item in his mouth. "Thank you Snowmeow." He patted his companion on the head. "What do you make of this my friends?" He gave the item to Mercury.
"What is that? An old book?" Jupiter asked over Mercury's shoulder.
"It appears to be some form of one. A journal or diary perhaps?" She observed the outside. The cover was hard; as if it were a soft metal. The cover was also a tan sort of color, but it was tarnished after so many years. As like a diary, the book was clasped together. Above the clasp, a symbol was branded on it. "This symbol…" Mercury traced her finger over it.
"Is that not the same symbol Chilla wore?" Snowman asked.
"The symbol Chilla wore was black; this one is gold." Mercury announced. She attempted to open it, but the clasp made that task impossible. "We'll require a key to open it. Snowman? Do you by chance know of a key that would open the book?"
"I'm sorry but that is all I possess with the symbol on it." He said regrettably.
"It's more than what we started out with. We may be able to find out more when we get it back to her L…" Panthro abruptly stopped as he turned his head around.
Everyone also turned around as a distance roar was heard in the distance. "What's that?" Mercury pointed to the sign in the sky.
"Panthro?" Jupiter asked uneasily as they watched his eyes glow golden. He quickly readjusted his position in the Thundertank before starting it up.
"That's the Thundercat symbol! It means Lion-O is in trouble and we have to go now!" He reached his hand down to help Mercury get into the Tank. Jupiter followed suit and sat in the back with her.
"Your wounds…?" Jupiter questioned Panthro.
"Are better. Don't worry about it." He reassured her before directing himself to Snowman and Snowmeow. "I'm sorry we have to leave you now Snowman but thanks for all your help."
"I only with I could do more. Be careful my friends." He said as he mounted Snowmeow. With one final nod, the Thundertank took off toward the cat symbol. "Come Snowmeow. Let's scour the kingdom for any damage Chilla may have done."
