"You okay there?" Jinx shouted.
Because she was clinging tightly to her shoulders, Jinx could tell that Dree Elle had responded but her soft voice, even at shouting volume, was drowned out by the roar of the wind. Her eyes were clenched shut against the stinging air. Her blonde hair whipped back wildly, and it was a mystery how her hood was staying on her head. Jinx herself was wearing pilot's goggles to protect her eyes, though the wind was stinging her face red. Since she was flying the sky sled, she needed to keep her eyes open. Even though she could fight blind, flying blind was not a good idea.
But then neither was slowing down. The disturbing urgency of Man-At-Arms' message prompted the utmost haste. Still, Jinx wanted to be sure Dree Elle was all right since it was, in a way, her fault the young Trollan had come along. Which in part was why she had chosen this mission over the others despite Duke's attempts to talk her out of it.
"You've done enough already!" Duke protested. "You don't have to go on every mission!"
"Sorry Duke," Jinx had said, "but you know it's never been my style to just sit around and do nothing."
"Well then why this mission?" he asked. "With your skills, we could use you more in the high combat areas."
Jinx jerked her head back to where Dree Elle was practicing her swordsmanship. "She'll insist on going wherever I do."
Duke watched the little Trollan for a moment. "She's made incredible progress. You've really taught her well. Storm Shadow will be proud."
Jinx nodded but frowned. "She's great. She can really handle herself in a fight now, but she's not fully ready yet. So naturally I'm going to keep her away from a platoon of B.A.T.s."
"And Snake Mountain?"
"The proverbial lion's den. And the most likely place we'd run into Vypra." Jinx turned and watched Dree Elle closely.
"Above all else she hasn't learned to master her emotions yet. Her brother's death is too fresh on her mind. It's driving her forward in her training, but in a battle with someone like Vypra…" Jinx shook her head. "No it's better for both of us to keep her away from that until she's ready."
Jinx watched Dree Elle in silence. She had only known the tiny alien for a few days but loved her like her own flesh and blood.
"If something were to happen to her, I'd never forgive myself."
So it was that they were now racing out to the Harmony Sea at speeds not normally recommended for jet sleds. Jinx could begin to smell the engines overheating. There was a possibility the sled was not going to be in any condition to make the return trip. Jinx just hoped it would have enough left in it to get them there. They'd worry about how to get back later. There would probably be room in one of the Wind Raiders that were following them.
"We're just about at their last known location," Jinx said, though she wasn't sure if Dree Elle could hear her. Though her vision was slightly blurred due to the speed, she should have been able to make out the craft by its size. However, she couldn't see any vessel below. Slowing down the sled finally she gasped in shock as the reason became clear. Where there should have been Man-At-Arms' boat there was only a strewn floating debris field.
"What could've happened here?" Dree Elle gasped.
"More importantly," Jinx said, "are there any survivors?"
A fair question and one that was not looking as though it was about to yield a positive answer. As they slowly hovered over the wreckage the only bodies they found were the corpses of several dead royal guards.
"More innocents lost," Dree Elle sniffed mournfully.
Jinx bowed her head. "We didn't make it in time."
"Ahoy you landlubbers!" a voice called out.
"Shipwreck?"
Both ninja and Trollan breathed a sigh of relief as they spotted the Joe sailor clinging to a piece of floating debris. Man-At-Arms was lying on the wreckage next to him. He was unconscious and his armor had some new dents and scrapes in it but he seemed all right otherwise.
"What happened?" Jinx asked bringing the sled to a full stop. "Are there any more survivors?"
"Sy-Klone flew off to find help," Shipwreck said as he wiped away some blood from his cut lip. "Wet Suit's down there trying to get the crest. The radar thingy said we were directly over it and he went down, but then out of nowhere this blue scaly fish faced creep shows up."
Dree Elle nodded. "Mer Man."
Shipwreck went on, "He came aboard and demanded the crest piece. Apparently he thought we had already found it. Naturally we figured we could take him on cause he was alone. At least we thought he was."
"Hydro Vipers?" Jinx asked.
Shipwreck shook his head. "I wish. Them I could've dealt with. No, he just put his hand to his head like he was some kind of psychic and before we knew what was going on, this gianormous sea creature surfaces and… well you can see what happened. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself. Had a snakelike head, humanoid body. 'Bout a dozen clawed arms and tentacles…"
"A kraken," Jinx said. Shipwreck and Dree Elle both looked at her, puzzled at how she could know that.
"I've studied mythology," she said.
"Well this was no myth Jinxie," Shipwreck sighed. "Tore us apart. Only then did old gill face decide we didn't have the crest after all. Took his pet and swam off."
"Than the crest is still down below?" Dree Elle said.
Shipwreck shrugged. "I guess so. I'd be down there helping to look, but I couldn't leave Duncan alone is his state. Besides, we don't have any more scuba equipment left."
About now the Wind Raider came down to meet them. Jinx had gotten farther ahead than she had thought. After carefully loading the unconscious Man-At-Arms aboard, Jinx glanced skyward. The affects of the universal imbalance were becoming more apparent by the minute. They had to reassemble the crest and fast, or there wouldn't be a universe left to save.
"We have to go down there now," she stated firmly.
"But how?" Shipwreck protested. "It's too deep to dive. We have no more scuba gear, and it would take too long to go get it and come back."
Jinx looked to Dree Elle. "I don't suppose you have any magic that can help out here do you?"
Dree Elle thought hard for a moment then spoke slowly. "I do know an aqualung charm, but there's a few problems with it."
"How big of problems are we talking about?" Jinx asked warily.
"Well, first I can't be sure how long it'll last. I'd say about an hour, give or take, depending on the conditions. For example, if you overexert yourself it will use up the air supply faster. And I doubt I could manage to cast it on more than myself and one other." She shrugged in apology. "Sorry, I'm not the most powerful sorceress to begin with, and Trollan magic doesn't always work properly on Eternia."
"It'll have to due," Jinx said. "You and I will head down and secure the crest. The rest of you head back. We'll catch up with you." Everyone hesitated in silence. "Unless someone has a better idea."
"Just because I can't get a better idea doesn't make this a good one," Shipwreck grumbled.
"I'll take that as a no then," Jinx said.
"No, Jinx it's too risky. I can't let you do this."
"Damn it Hector!" Jinx shouted. "We don't have time to argue. Danger's part of the job. Dree Elle, I'm ready when you are."
Dree Elle took a deep breath and chanted,
"Magical forces listen to me
We must travel now beneath the sea.
But should our lungs take in the waves
We'll find ourselves in early graves.
So cosmic powers, hear my prayer
And let us now breathe water like air!"
As she finished, a burst of golden energy flowed from her fingertips and into her and Jinx's chests, which glowed briefly then appeared normal once again.
"That's it?" Shipwreck asked bewildered.
"Standard rule of wizardry," Dree Elle shrugged. "The dumber the rhyme the more powerful the spell." With that she dove into the water and vanished.
Shipwreck caught Jinx's arm. "Are you sure you trust this hocus pocus?"
"I'd trust Dree Elle with my life," Jinx declared and dove down after the young Trollan.
"That's exactly what you're doing," Shipwreck muttered.
Jinx had been scuba diving before, but that was nothing compared with the sensation she now felt. To actually be able to breathe under the water as naturally as on land gave a whole new dimension to the world. Add in the fact that she was on an alien world and Jinx could feel her heart breaking that she didn't have time to do some exploring.
"We've got to remember to come back here for some sightseeing," she said to Dree Elle. It suddenly struck Jinx that she had spoken without even thinking whether it would be possible. Fortunately, it seemed the aqualung charm allowed them to speak as well as breathe.
"If we're still alive," Dree Elle said cryptically.
"Right," Jinx nodded, getting back to business. "Let's try and find Wet Suit. Boy is he in for a surprise."
Dree Elle looked over at Jinx as they continued to descend into the depths. "Hey Jinx, what was that you called Shipwreck back there?"
"What, you mean Hector? That's his real name."
Dree Elle nodded. "That's what I thought. I've been wondering Jinx, what's your real name?"
"I'm afraid I can't tell you," Jinx sighed. "Not that I don't trust you, it's just the rules. Some of the Joes' real names, like mine, have been deemed classified info."
"So you can't tell anyone who you really are?" she asked.
"Nope. But then we all have our little secrets don't we?" Jinx smiled and pointed to Dree Elle's veil.
"I told you why I can't show you my face," Dree Elle said defensively.
"Doesn't stop me from being curious," Jinx said. "Kind of increases it actually."
Dree Elle nodded. "I guess so. Same with me."
"Well, I tell you what," Jinx said. "If you let me see your face then I promise I'll tell you my real name."
Dree Elle wasn't sure whether or not she should agree to Jinx's deal. Would that mean that if Jinx let her real name slip she'd be obligated to break tradition and take off her mask? Before she could say anything Jinx spotted Wet Suit and swam towards him. Dree Elle struggled to catch up, her small legs working double time to maintain pace with Jinx's.
Despite the seriousness of the situation they were in, Jinx couldn't help sneaking up behind Wet Suit and surprising him. This turned out to be a bad idea however as he not only went into a near panic, but he instinctively trained his spear gun on her and barely stopped before shooting her in the head.
"What the? How? Huh?" he stuttered.
"Magic," Jinx said simply. "So have you found it yet?"
Unlike Jinx, Wet Suit had not seen enough of Eternia to take this in stride so it was a moment before he calmed down, put the pieces together, and figured out what she was talking about.
"Afraid not," he said "but you can see why." Wet Suit gestured to the sea floor, which was littered with sunken relics and artifacts. Finding the crest shard in all of that mess would be no easy task.
"For a place called the Harmony Sea, it sure seems to have caused a lot of chaos," Jinx muttered tossing aside a small bust of some ancient Eternian lord.
"Hey guys," Dree Elle called. Jinx and Wet Suit both turned to see her holding up the crest shard, which she had found in no time at all.
"Showoff," Jinx said, but with a smile.
"How did you do that?" Wet Suit demanded.
"I'm a sorceress," she said simply. "Magic is drawn to magic."
"And evil is drawn to power," said a garbled voice. "So handy to have you heroic fools do my work for me."
Spinning around as quickly as they could under water, the three heroic warriors saw Mer Man emerging from an underwater trench laughing. The evil ocean warlord's voice sounded as though he was both talking and gargling at the same time. All in all though, he looked rather scrawny and weak. Jinx's instincts however told her that here, in his terrain, he was much tougher than he appeared.
"So you're the great Mer Man I've heard about," Jinx said hiding her thoughts. "Frankly, I'm not impressed. You look like something I'd throw back."
"You're sense of humor does not amuse me, surface dweller," Mer Man snarled.
"I hope you don't expect us to simply surrender the crest to you," Wet Suit laughed. "You may have the home field advantage, but we still have you outnumbered and overpowered."
Mer Man grinned showing off a mouthful of shark like teeth. "Well now, I wouldn't say that." As Mer Man began to rise up further from the trench everyone's eyes grew wide in shock. They had thought that he had been floating in the water, but instead found he was actually standing on the head of his massive kraken. The sea monster glared down at them with a threatening look in its enormous eyes. Many animals can appear nasty or frightening but not actually be good or evil. However there was no doubt that this creature was not simply a mindless beast. It clearly had as dark a heart as its master.
"Please tell me we had a plan B," Jinx whispered.
Catching everyone by surprise, it was Dree Elle who took action. Scooping up an old urn off the sea floor she smashed it against a rock. Quickly she grabbed two broken shards and began juggling them along with the crest piece.
"Just what do you hope to accomplish with that?" Mer Man scoffed.
"Take a closer look," she shot back. Sure enough on second glance the two shards had changed color and shape. Now all three shards looked exactly alike and it was impossible to tell which was the all-important crest and which was mere junk.
"I'll admit that was creative," said Mer Man, "but surely you realize I can just take all three from you."
"Can you now?" With quicker than the eye movement she tossed one shard to Jinx and another to Wet Suit, then darted away through the water. Jinx picked up on her plan immediately and shouted to Wet Suit.
"Split up! He can't follow all three of us!"
Mer Man roared with rage as he quickly tried to decide who to chase. Finally he took off after Dree Elle and motioned the kraken to follow Jinx.
"Why do I get the monster?" Jinx moaned to herself. The kraken lashed a tentacle in her direction but she managed to kick it away. Nevertheless, her moves were severely slowed down by being underwater. Jinx was a good swimmer, but she was still bound by laws of physics. This was not going to be an easy escape.
Still, she found herself feeling a sense of pride at Dree Elle's ruse. It was a great plan as even she and Wet Suit didn't know who was carrying the real crest. Jinx began to wonder if Dree Elle herself knew. Her mind was dragged back to the present however when the kraken's tentacle seized hold of her foot and began pulling her towards its gaping jaws.
Jinx struggled with all her might, but the kraken was too strong and tough. She was mere inches from its sharp fangs when suddenly the creature released her and reared back. As Jinx kicked frantically to distance herself she heard the kraken screech in pain and the water began to fill with blood. As the kraken trashed about she suddenly saw what troubled it. Wet Suit had fired his spear gun directly into the monster's eye. The pain was too distracting for the animal to continue its pursuit and the size of its multiple arms made extracting the relatively small object a difficult task. It descended into the depths writhing and bleeding.
With her enemy distracted Jinx swam up to Wet Suit. "I owe you one buddy."
"I can't believe this but I'm actually missing some good old tiger sharks about now," Wet Suit sighed. Suddenly his gear began emitting a high-pitched beep. "Damn, I'm low on air!"
Jinx snatched the spear gun out of his hands and began issuing orders before Wet Suit had a chance to argue. "Head for the surface. We'll cover you. I left a jet sled up there. The engines should have cooled by now," she said, praying she was right. "Take it and get that shard to Grayskull. Don't wait for us."
"I can't leave you alone with that!" Wet Suit shouted. "And how do you know I have the real crest?"
"Gut feeling," Jinx said. "Besides there's no time to argue, we'll have to chance it. Don't worry about us. Between my ninjitsu and Dree Elle's magic, we can handle an overgrown guppy. Now go or I'll use this on you!"
Wet Suit hesitated a moment, then thrust his two remaining spears into Jinx's hand and took off. Jinx turned her attention back to Mer Man who was still chasing Dree Elle. Though he was swift and agile in the water, Dree Elle's small size still gave her an advantage. Jinx couldn't help but smile. The Trollan had paid heed to her teachings. She was going to be a great ninja.
Mer Man had grown angry and sick of the chase. He stopped pursuing and pointed the trident he was carrying in Dree Elle's direction. Suddenly bursts of energy flew from the three prongs towards the Trollan girl.
"No!" Jinx shouted and fired the spear gun at Mer Man. Though she was trained in the use of firearms, Jinx hadn't had much experience shooting a spear gun let alone underwater. Still the projectile managed to strike Mer Man's hand causing the trident's fire to go awkward.
Unfortunately the blasts collided with the rocky formations above them causing debris to rain down in Dree Elle's direction. She managed to dodge several, but was then struck upside the head and went limp. Muttering a steam of obscenities Jinx swam toward her little friend as fast as she could. Foolishly Mer Man attempted to block her path and was met with the butt of her gun to his jaw.
Jinx grabbed hold of Dree Elle and was relieved to see she was merely knocked out. Quickly she started for the surface but a new stream of energy blasts came her way. Struggling to hold on to Dree Elle and dodge the fire, Jinx somehow managed to load her final spear and fired at Mer Man. This time her aim was truer and Mer Man was struck in the chest. The ocean warlord dropped his trident and clutched the projectile sticking out of his scaly flesh.
"So long tuna brain," Jinx spat.
Coughing out blood Mer Man made a burbling noise and waved his arm. Suddenly Jinx heard a loud screech behind her. She had just enough time to turn her head and see a flash of white before everything went black.
