Chapter Eighteen. Rick's Rescue within the Balance and New Plan in Motion

The heroes found themselves face to face with Astra, some of her claymen as well as some ice soldiers.

"You are going to pay for all of the damage you have done to Rick!" Flash exclaimed.

"We shall see about that." Astra replied. Her words were contradicted as the heroes worked their hardest to get their way out of the castle and to safely get Rick to safety.

LJ used his martial arts skills to defeat his opponents. Lothar used his super strength to defeat his opponents. Kendra was able to use a pole to help her uncle against some of his opponents after taking down her opponents. Kisa defeated her opponents with conviction that a panther could bring. Jedda used her telepathic powers to help Kisa and then used her pendant of mystery and bracelet to defeat her opponents and even knocked Astra to the ground, the young Defender was surprise that her massive attack was able to knock the evil princess out.

"Thank you, Jedda." Flash replied, "You saved me the trouble of beating down Astra myself."

Baylin managed to kick down the last remaining clay person as well as two ice soldiers.

"This has become a bit more easier than I expected." Baylin stated.

Shanna used the power of her staff to help the Defenders defeat their opponents as the heroes made their way to the exit. Thun and Tavrok used their respective strengths and abilities to defeat their opponents. Mandrake used some illusions to trick two of the clay people into defeating each other.

By chance, the Defenders and their allies managed to exit the castle and headed to the ship to meet up with the others, who were waiting in the ship.

"This is not over." Astra declared to herself as she laid on the ground in defeat.

Flash carrying Rick, Baylin, the Phantom, Jedda, Kisa, Lothar, LJ, Mandrake, Kendra, Tavrok and Thun reunited with Castra, Kshin, Zuffy, Norah, Lawrence, Barin and Vultan. They were surely surprised to see the heroes, especially with Rick's condition. Tavrok and Castra held each other in a loving embrace, sharing a reunion of their own.

"Steven!" Norah exclaimed, "You guys are alright!"

"Rick!" Lawrence noticed his grandson unconscious as Flash laid him down at the ship's bed.

"Is he going to be alright?" Kshin asked in worry. Zuffy cooed in worry. Kendra cried as tears were down her face and she was worried about her cousin.

"Do not despair." Mandrake assured his teammates, "Rick is going to be alright."

"Rick. I am so sorry Astra did this to you." Jedda walked over to her friend/lover's side and grasped his hand as he remained unconscious.

"Everything will be fine, Jedda. Rick Gordon is still alive."

"Who said that?" Thun asked. The heroes were startled as a bright white light appeared in the ship. Moments later, the light vanished, revealing a beautiful young woman, she rather looked familiar to the Defenders, Mandrake in particular.

"Mara?" Mandrake was surprised to see her again, especially considering last time the Defenders saw Mara, she became Shadow Master, chosen to protect the Orb of Konos. Mara walked over to Rick's side.

"Do not worry, Rick." Mara told the sleeping boy, "You are going to be fine now."

Mara lifted the orb which was glowing gold. Then some of the gold energy went into Rick, restoring his energy. Within the minute, Rick started to regain consciousness.

"Look! She did it! Mara saved Rick!" LJ exclaimed.

"He is alright!" Kendra added, wiping tears away.

Rick opened his eyes in confusion, "What...what happened?"

"Son," Flash walked over to his son in concern, "Are you alright?"

"I think so." Rick answered. He looked to see Jedda with tears down her face, "What is the matter? I am okay."

"Good." Jedda sighed with relief, wiping tears from her face.

"Thank goodness." Mara smiled, "I am so glad I was able to help."

Rick was startled to see Mara appear inside the ship, "Mara?"

Mara smiled and greeted her friend, "Hello Rick. Good to see you again."

Rick looked down sadly.

"What is the matter?" Mandrake asked in concern.

"It was awful." Rick answered, "I was made to believe that you guys were all killed by Ming's forces, trying to rescue me."

What has Ming done to him now? Flash thought to himself before speaking to his son, "But he did not kill us. Ming and his forces did not kill us. We are alright as you can see."

Shanna looked away in guilt, showing remorse of her actions.

"You should not feel guilty for your actions Shanna Wylee." Mara told the young woman, "You were merely a pawn of Ming, just as I was a pawn of evil myself before I decided to turn my back on Mandrake's nemesis Doctor Dark."

"Thank you." Shanna replied, "I do not deserve any kindness for what I have done. Especially to Rick."

"The important thing is that you are on our side, yeah?" Kendra stated, "So, you got nothing to worry about."

Shanna shared a small smile and nodded.

"What brings you here, Mara?" Mandrake asked.

"The Balance has allowed me to help you guys on occasion," Mara explained, "It is because I decided to work on the side of good before my days as a mortal ended. As I cooperated with the light side of the Balance being Twilight."

"You are here to explain to us Ming's next move?" Kshin asked.

"That is precisely why I am here." Mara answered, "Ming is in progress of creating a solar bomb that will bring the planet Earth to ruin if the bomb goes off. He plans to set it at the Stanford museum in New York City where there are plenty of fusion power where in a matter of three hours at most the solar bomb will go off."

"That is Ming's plan." Baylin stated, "it seems to him like the perfect plan to set that bomb off in an area where fusion power is present."

"Then we have no time to lose." Flash replied, "We will have to head to Earth at once to take care of Ming's plan to destroy Earth."

"And we wish you the best of luck." Barin told his ally.

"You are not helping us?" Kendra asked.

"We must remain at our respective cities of Mongo to protect our people." Tavrok replied.

"Defeat my father." Castra added, "Save your home planet."

"Wait." Kendra wanted to make a convincing statement, "I think the media would freak seeing the hawkmen helping out my uncle and the rest of the Defenders!"

"That will not be necessary, Kendra." Flash replied, "Good offer though. Besides, Barin and the others are right. Vultan has to defend his hawkmen in Sky city here on Mongo, Barin has to Arboria to defend as well as the rebel forces here on Mongo and Tavrok and Castra have to defend their people as well."

"Hang on a second." Tavrok told Flash, "I am sure you will be able to take us back to Mongo after we defeat Ming. Castra and I will join as well."

"Are you sure about that?" Flash asked.

"You helped us, so we owe you that much." Castra answered.

"Well then." Flash smiled and nodded, "Let's get to Planet Earth!"

"Good luck, Defenders of the Earth." Mara told the heroes before vanishing, "I know that you will succeed in defeating Ming."

Vultan, Thun and Barin left to return to their respective cities to defend their people from Ming's forces that may come their way. While Tavrok, Castra and Baylin remained on board with Zarkov and the Defenders of the Earth to head to Planet Earth to defeat Ming and stop his plan to conquer Earth.