Meanwhile, Blaze's Family and the other racers had gone to the Great Forest to hide out, as suggested by Roarian before they left.
"Wow... this place is awesome!" Stripes said. "You know... even though it's under different circumstances."
"It is beautiful," AJ sighed. "But, I'm so worried about Blaze, Pickle and Roarian. What if something's happened to them?"
"I'm sure they're fine," Starla assured him.
"Yeah," Gabby agreed. "And if Blaze needs help, he's call us, right?"
"I hope you guys are right…" Sparkle let out a sigh.
Unbeknownst to them, a certain dark blue truck was hiding amongst the trees, spying on them icy blue and golden eyes.
"Let's finish them ALL off..."
He stomped his tire on the ground, and the black rocks appeared all over the group, surrounding them and trapping them within.
"Oh no!" Darington cried. "He found us!"
"That's right!" Crusher cackled as he appeared, eyes gleaming.
"Crusher, please! Let us go!" Starla begged.
"Give me a reason to," Crusher raised an eyebrow. "because even Blaze couldn't,"
"WHERE'S BLAZE?!" Phoenix roared out.
"What did you do to our son?!" Flame growled.
"Please tell me he didn't hurt him..." Darington internally begged.
"None of your concern," Crusher growled before smirking. "All that matters is that I can finish you all right here and now—"
Just as he approached the group, however, a familiar horn echoed through the forest, catching him off-guard.
"What...?!"
"Crusher, STOP!!"
"It's Blaze, Pickle and Roarian!" Stripes gasped as the trio appeared and jumped in front of the group.
"Blaze! You're safe!" AJ exclaimed in relief.
"But not for long!" Crusher cackled as he stomped his tires towards the red truck.
Blaze swiftly destroyed the rocks with his sword and drove forward to confront his rival once more.
"Crusher... we saw your encounter with Zhan Tiri."
"So what?" Crusher scoffed. "It's not like ANYTHING she showed me were lies."
"I know they weren't," Blaze sighed. "And I'm sorry you had to see that, but you have to listen to us. Zhan Tiri is a being of pure evil, and she won't stop until she has both stones for herself!"
"It's true! Roarian told us all about her!" Pickle nodded.
Crusher glanced at them, slightly hesitant as he took in all their words.
It was true. The ruins of the cave… it all marked out all of Zhan Tiri's crimes. Maybe… Just maybe… he SHOULD listen to them.
Maybe.
From nearby, Zhan Tiri could see him conflicting and snarled.
"Not on my watch…"
She swiftly moved to the group. She managed to get to Watts and activate one of her electric tires, shooting out electricity towards Crusher before slipping away.
The dark blue truck, on the other hand, yelled as he was suddenly electrocuted.
"Crusher! Are you okay?" Watts asked. "I'm so sorry! I have no idea how that happened!"
"Oh, is that so?" Zhan Tiri suddenly appeared by Crusher's side, her appearance now dark compared to her spirit form as she seemed to aid the dark blue truck. "I highly doubt that,"
"Zhan Tiri?!" AJ gasped.
"Crusher, you have to listen to us! You gotta give up those stones before Zhan Tiri gets her hands on them!" Blaze cried out.
"Would you really listen to them after what they did to you?" Zhan Tiri asked softly, aiming to sway Crusher from them. "They were planning to soften you then they will leave you be, just like your own 'best friend' did,"
"Crusher, don't listen to her!" Pickle pleaded.
"Crusher, don't listen to them," Zhan Tiri held his tire with a grin. "If you do, you will lose all your powers, and when you do, they will toss you over and abandon, just like your parents did,"
Crusher grimaced at the memory, shutting his eyes as he felt the memory return to him. When he opened his eyes, they gleamed golden and blue in rage.
"Try what you can, Blaze, but you're not going to sway me." he snarled. "I bet you WERE planning to soften me up and trying to get me to surrender, like your other enemies before! Well, I'm not like them! I'm NOT A FOOL!"
He stomped his tire on the ground, and more rocks emerged. It surrounded Roarian and Pickle and trapped them in rock cages, just like the others.
"We know you're not!" AJ exclaimed. "Just do the right thing!"
"Oh, but isn't that the best part?" Crusher cackled. "The right thing always depends on a person's perspective…" He then took out a sword similar to Blaze's and smirked. "And this is MY perspective of it,"
"I don't want to fight you again, Crusher!" Blaze hissed. "If it was a race then it's fine, but this is a life-threatening situation! Don't make me do this!"
"You think you're better than me, Blaze?" Crusher grinned and held out the sword challengingly. "Prove it."
"I... I can't..." Blaze shook his head. "I won't fight you again!"
"He is making himself look weak to weaken you," Zhan Tiri spoke to the dark blue truck. "Don't be a fool. I have a plan that will take him down for good,"
"What is it?"
"Come," Zhan Tiri urges him to follow her. "Away from prying ears,"
Crusher nodded and stomped his tire. The glowing rocks rose from the ground to block Blaze's path before he and Zhan Tiri zoomed off and away. Blaze hissed.
"What's the use...?" He dropped his sword and turned to the others. "I… I don't know what to do anymore…"
"Don't give up, Blaze!" Darington encouraged him.
"You can still beat Crusher and Zhan Tiri!" Starla agreed.
"But how?" Blaze said. "Crusher isn't gonna give up, and I'm out of ideas!"
"He IS listening to you, Blaze!" Pickle told him. "Trust me, he is! I can see it! Zhan Tiri is just veering him off!"
"The real problem is Zhan Tiri," Roarian spoke. "You need to get rid of her before she does to us,"
"But how?"
"Hmm…" Roarian thought for a while. "If you are able to get Crusher to combine both stones together physically then a blast from it should be enough to kill Zhan Tiri!"
"But, how will I get Crusher to combine the stones?"
"Yeah. He's not the easiest person to convince when he's mad," Gabby shrugged.
"Maybe you can use that to your advantage," Roarian suggested. "Make him so mad that he will HAVE to use the stones. They are more powerful physically than internally, after all,"
"Right... of course!" Blaze beamed, picking up his sword. "Roarian, I'll need some flying magic if I'm gonna find them."
"As you wish, my friend," Roarian used his sunstone and sent purple magic towards the red truck. "Good luck,"
"Be careful, Blaze," AJ said.
"I will," Blaze nodded and flew off to find his rival.
Meanwhile, in another part of the forest, Crusher was with Zhan Tiri, who had yet to share her plan.
"Come on, Zhan Tiri, why did you drag me away?!" Crusher snarled. "I could have taken Blaze down!"
"In time. For now, listen to my plan." Zhan Tiri held his tires in front of him and smirked. "Your powers are internal, therefore your mortal form is shielding you from your true power… BUT I know a way for you to unlock it and defeat Blaze and his friends for good,"
"Okay..." Crusher sounded hesitant as he stared at the demoness. how do I unlock it?"
"Release the stones from your internal self," Zhan Tiri instructed. "I can help enhance your abilities once the stones are out,"
"Hmm…" Crusher was looking unsure as Roarian and Blaze's warnings echoed through his mind. "I'm… I'm not so sure that's a good idea…"
"Are you doubting me?" Zhan Tiri growled.
"Well, uh... maaaaybeee...?"
"How DARE you?!" Zhan Tiri snarled. "I SHOWED you the truth of your parents and helped you with your powers! And you start to doubt me?!"
"Sorry..." Crusher grimaced before taking a deep breath. "I'm ready now."
"Excellent…" Zhan Tiri smirked. "Now, focus and—"
Suddenly, a familiar horn echoed through the forest, and the duo looked up to see Blaze flying over at them.
"Crusher, no!"
"BLAZE?!" Crusher's jaw dropped as his rival landed in front of him. "How did you find us?!"
"Doesn't matter. Right now, I need you to listen to me," Blaze drove forward. "Zhan Tiri doesn't care about you, or your problems! She's using you to get both stones for herself! If you unleash your internal power, she could destroy us all!"
"He lies!" Zhan Tiri defended. "I only wish what is the best for you, Crusher. Besides, why would you listen to the red truck, who has done nothing but ruined your life, over me, who has helped you see the truth?"
Crusher glanced down at his tires before looking up at each of them. His mind was in a conflict.
Who will he listen to?
"I…"
Zhan Tiri growled but her eyes widened when she noticed that the rocks were slowly appearing at his side at his distress.
Maybe… just maybe she could use it to her advantage. To release the stones.
To get what she wants.
"Crusher, listen to me," Zhan Tiri spoke. "Blaze only helped you whenever necessary. You are nothing but a damsel to him. Someone to save. Not one who he cares for. No one cares for you, not even him, not even Pickle!"
"You're... right..." Crusher snarled and glared up towards the red truck. AND THEY'RE ALL GONNA PAY!!!"
His rage fueled all over his body, and the rocks all surrounded them at his rage. Zhan Tiri smirked as his rage caused him to let the stones rise from his tires little by little until they appeared and were hovering over his tires. Blaze gasped but he knew he needed to take advantage of this quickly.
"Alright, Crusher," he said, riding his sword. "if you really are so powerful, show me. Put those stones together, and show me how you handle it," He then smirked. "Well, IF you can handle it,"
"You think I can't? Watch me!"
Crusher was jut about to smash the two stones together when he felt the Sunstone weigh down on him all of a sudden and weaken.
"W-What's wrong?" Blaze asked.
"I… I don't know!" Crusher hissed, trying to raise the Sunstone.
"But I DO!" Zhan Tiri cackled before she swiftly grabbed both stones and jumped away from the two trucks.
"Oh no!" Blaze gasped. "We have to stop her!"
"Too late!" Zhan Tiri let out an evil laugh, both stones right in her hands as she forced them into her palms. "The stones are MINE! MINE!"
Suddenly, her body began to shift, and the two trucks gasped as she grew larger and larger, into a being with horns while her whole skin darkened. Her eyes glowed the same as the stones as she grinned wickedly down at the trucks.
"Well... this is... unexpected..." Crusher gulped.
"Truly?" Zhan Tiri snorted. "I am surprised. After all, this goody-hero had been warning you the whole time! Too bad your pride and self always came first!" She then smirked and raised the stones up. "And now, you will face your own consequences."
Suddenly, rocks rose all around the two trucks, causing them to yelp as they were surrounded in a cage. One rock broke Blaze's sword, causing it to shatter as they were trapped.
"Oh no!"
"Oh, how pitiful." Zhan Tiri mocked. "On the plus side, now you will be able to see the destruction of everything you have all ever loved! MWUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"You'll never get away with this!" Crusher snarled.
"Oh, I think I will now that YOU are also powerless!" Zhan Tiri cackled before she turned to leave the duo alone.
Meanwhile, the others trapped in the rock cages grew worried for the red truck.
"Where's Blaze...?" AJ wondered.
"I don't know…" Roarian sighed and glanced up at the sky. "But the eclipse has occurred. The Sunstone should at least be weakened by it, and so would Crusher, so it would be easier to defeat him and take the stones back,"
"Um... guys?! Look!" Darington shrieked.
The group turned to see Zhan Tiri emerge from the trees in her new form, eyes glowing and teeth sharp as she approached them.
"Is that... Zhan Tiri?" Starla gulped.
"The one and only!" Zhan Tiri let out an evil laugh.
"Where's Blaze?!" Phoenix demanded. "What have you done with him?!"
"And Crusher!" Pickle added, his usually-enthusiastic and calm eyes now filled with anger. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO THEM?!"
"Only trapped them and left them powerless. Nothing special," Zhan Tiri shrugged before raising both stones up. "And definitely nothing compared to what I'm about to do to you all…"
"What demoness mean by that?" Zeg gulped.
Zhan Tiri smirked as her eyes glowed with the stones.
"Wither and decay
End this destiny
Break these earthly chains
And set the spirit free!"
At once, the greyness of the ground began to spread towards the group.
"Oh no!" Watts gasped.
Roarian attempted you use his sunstone, but the greyness reached them quickly. Before they knew it, they all fell, coughing and wheezing as they felt their lives being taken by the incantation…