"It is done," Sorceress said. "The spells and curses have been reversed. Cobra has been banished and the balance restored."

"Well then, why is she still here?" Dree Elle asked glaring at Vypra who had not vanished but was still standing nearby with a smug look on her face.

Sorceress shrugged. "Well, perhaps I spoke a little too soon when I said done. The invocation is finished, and all of Cobra is in the process of being banished. More specifically, the spells which brought them here are being undone."

"So since they didn't all arrive at the same time," Jinx said, catching on, "they don't all leave at the same time either."

"Exactly," said The Sorceress. "Give it a few minutes and she too will vanish. The only ones who won't go back are those who died, since their souls cannot be locked on to by the magic."

"Well before I go," Vypra said, "there's one question I want answered. If Hiss' magic was designed to bring Cobra here, why did Jinx get pulled to Eternia with me?"

"Because she had a firm grip on you," Orko said, as though it should have been obvious. "It's the same basic principle as to why your clothes and weapons were brought along."

"So what you're saying," Vypra pondered, crossing her arms, "is that if I wanted to take a little souvenir back with me, all I'd have to do is be holding it when the spell hits me."

Jinx instantly knew exactly what Vypra was thinking. "Don't even try it Vypra! If you take one step towards the crest…"

Vypra threw her head back and laughed. "You know me so well Jinx. Pity you didn't realize it sooner though!" With lightning fast ninja reflexes Vypra pulled out a concealed remote and pressed it. Without warning the Fright Fighter suddenly lifted up and opened fire on its own. Jinx, Sorceress, and the Trollans were forced to dive out of the way to avoid the deadly fire. The two guards were not so lucky, and with them out of the way Vypra had a clear path. Snatching the crest off the pedestal, she blew a mock kiss to her foes and jumped up onto the Fright Fighter as it passed over her.

"No," Jinx shouted. "You're not getting away again! Never again!" Before anyone could stop her Jinx had leaped up, used the pedestal as a stepping-stone for extra lift, and grabbed onto the Fright Fighter's landing gear. Vypra pointed the crest at her and it began glowing with energy.

Jinx saw the blast coming in time and swung herself up, kicking Vypra and sending the energy into the vehicle's cockpit instead. The flight controls exploded and sent the ship into a spiraling nose-dive to the ground below. Both combatants managed to jump clear at the last moment and the Fright Fighter smashed into the jaw bridge then tumbled over itself into the bottomless abyss below. Jinx and Vypra turned to each other, hate glaring in their eyes, and prepared to face off for what they were certain would be the absolute last time.

"Come on let's give Jinx a hand!" Orko shouted.

"No, wait Orko I need you here," said The Sorceress pointing skyward. Looking up Orko saw that the blue sky was once again starting to fill with dark ominous clouds, which appeared from nowhere.

"Without the Crest in proper alignment," Sorceress explained, firing her magic towards the cloud, "the incantation has become unstable. I can't do this alone, I need you to help me hold the magic in check until the spell can complete itself."

"Right," Orko said and added his magic to The Sorceress'. "Dree Elle, you too! Dree Elle? Dree Elle where are you?"


Down below Jinx threw herself at Vypra in an attack that left no time for counter. Vypra tried to fire the crest again, but Jinx had grabbed her arm and pointed it away before the energy could be expelled.

"You're out of you're league Vypra," she snarled. "You don't know how to work that thing properly. It'll do you no good."

Vypra tilted her wrist and caused a sonic wave to blow Jinx back, freeing herself. Then, concentrating hard, she made a large glowing sword appear in her hand.

"I seem to know enough for now," Vypra laughed. "And once I'm back home, I'll have all the time in the world to learn the rest of its secrets. Besides, with even a fraction of this thing's power, no one on Earth can stand a chance against me. I'll be queen of the world. No, more than that! I'll be a GOD!"

"You'll be DEAD!"

Before Vypra knew what hit her, an energy ball slammed into her chest pushing her back dangerously close to the edge overlooking the abyss. Only by planting her sword into the ground and holding on did she keep from being swept over. Looking up, she saw Dree Elle float down beside Jinx. Dree Elle chanted something in the Trollan language and instantly swords appeared in each of her and each of Jinx's hands.

When Dree Elle had made Jinx a sword before by turning wood into metal, she had been in a panicked state. Transfiguration is much easier magic to perform then conjuration, as it involves turning one object into another rather then creating one from nothing. Now however, thanks to the ninja training she had received, her mind was much clearer and more focused, allowing her to concentrate and perform the more difficult task of summoning the weapons out of thin air.

"Thanks Dree Elle," Jinx said.

"We'll take her together," Dree Elle said. "Don't argue with me. This is my fight now too."

"Yes you're right," Jinx nodded. "We do this together. But our first priority is to get that crest out of her hand. She could get pulled back to Earth at any moment, and she must not be holding it at that point."

"Gotcha," Dree Elle said. "Don't worry though, even with the crest, she can't beat both of us."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that peck," Vypra laughed. "Besides, I don't have to beat you. I just have to stall until I get yanked out of here. I'm going home and there's nothing you can do to stop me."

"Wrong," Jinx said. "We can kill you. Remember what The Sorceress said. You die, you stay here."

Vypra answered by using the crest to suddenly cause a hole to appear underneath Jinx, dropping her into the abyss. The only thing that kept her from plummeting into the void was her quick reflexes. Jinx quickly stabbed both her swords upwards, embedding them into the bridge and holding on tight.

Dree Elle looked down in a panic. "Jinx!"

"I'm all right!" she called back. "Kill her!"

Dree Elle didn't hesitate, but immediately attacked, using her swords with the skill Jinx had taught her. Vypra mocked her by using only one sword to effectively block every blow.

"Give it up half pint," Vypra cackled. "If your sensei couldn't beat me after years of trying, what hope do you possibly have?"

"You forget, I'm also a sorceress!" Dree Elle let go of one sword and it continued to swing at Vypra of its own accord. As the evil ninja deflected the blows of the enchanted blade, Dree Elle flipped over her head and slashed down across Vypra's back. Added to the gash Jinx had dealt her earlier, Vypra now had a large red X scared into her back.

"Not bad for a half pint is it?" Dree Elle mocked.

"Not bad," Vypra admitted. "For a half pint, but how about an ounce?"

Again the Crest of Infinity glowed. As it did Vypra's body suddenly began to grow larger and larger until she had turned into a twenty-foot giantess.

By now Jinx had managed to pull herself back up through the hole, though she had been forced to abandon one of her swords in the process. As she beheld Vypra's size she swallowed hard nervously, but then took a deep breath and charged her enormous foe. Determination outweighing fear.

"All you've done is make yourself a bigger target!" Jinx shouted and plunged her sword into Vypra's shin. Vypra cried in pain, dropped her sword and staggered a bit, but then kicked Jinx away violently. Dree Elle flew towards Vypra's face, ready to stab out her eyes. Vypra saw her coming however and with quick reflexes, snatched her out of the air and held her clenched inside her fist.

"Insolent worm! I'll snap your bones like I did your brother!" Vypra began squeezing her fist intent on crushing Dree Elle's body into pulp. However she suddenly found herself struggling against her own body. Her hand began to glow and then, before she knew what happened, Vypra punched herself right in the face. Unable to control herself against Dree Elle's magic, Vypra hit herself over and over, finally delivering a powerful uppercut that sent her gigantic body crashing to the ground.

Momentarily stunned, Vypra lost her grip on both Dree Elle and the crest. As the artifact fell from her hand its power faded, returning the assassin to her normal size. Dree Elle too laid on the ground panting hard. It had taken a tremendous amount of her magic to overpower Vypra and she was exhausted.

Jinx pulled herself up from Vypra's kick, wincing at the pain in her ribs. She ran her hand over her chest and was amazed to find nothing broken. She could tell her muscles were going to be aching for a while though. Spotting Vypra down, she began heading towards her, ready for the kill.

Vypra sat up slowly and saw Jinx moving in. Then she spotted the crest lying nearby. Jinx caught sight of this and the two enemies dove for the artifact at the same time. The combatants collided with each other, sending the crest skidding away, and sending them tumbling over the edge. At the last moment Jinx managed to grab hold of the edge, but almost immediately felt her grip slipping as Vypra was holding onto her tightly.

"Struggle all you like Jinx," Vypra growled. "But if I fall you're coming with me!"

Jinx laughed out loud. "That's fine with me! As long as you die, I win!"

Dree Elle gasped and tried to reach Jinx. She was so exhausted however, she could barely even levitate. "Jinx no don't!"

"Sorry sweetie," Jinx sighed, "but it has to end. Promise me you'll keep up your training. Become a full-fledged ninja. Make me proud."

Vypra looked up at Jinx, and for the first time actual deep terror showed on her face. "You… you wouldn't!"

Again Jinx laughed. "Come now old friend. After all we've been through, you know damn well I would. And will!" And with that Jinx released her grip and let them both fall.

"NOOOO!"

The cry came from both Vypra and Dree Elle at once, but Jinx shut both of them out as she closed her eyes and mentally prepared herself to enter the afterlife. She had only fallen about four feet however when her body jerked to a stop. Jinx's eyes shot open in shock to see herself and Vypra caught in a web of energy. Looking up, she saw Dree Elle leaning over the edge her hand outstretched as she began pulling them back up with all the magic she could muster.

"Dree Elle, don't!" Jinx shouted. "You're too weakened! You'll kill yourself."

Dree Elle shook her head as sweat rolled down her hidden face. "I've already lost my brother to that woman Jinx! I'm not going to loose my best friend! Even if it kills me, I won't let you die!"

Jinx's mind raced. She knew Dree Elle meant what she said and would die before letting her go, but in her exhausted state her magic could not support the weight of both ninjas. And, because of their positions, she couldn't let Vypra fall without loosing Jinx as well.

Frantically Jinx punched and kicked at Vypra, trying to knock her out of the magical grip, but to no avail. Jinx had been prepared to sacrifice her own life to kill Vypra, but she could not let anyone else die. No matter the cost, she would not give Vypra that victory of causing another death. Much as Jinx could never have imagined herself doing so, there was only one way to save Dree Elle now.

"What are you doing?" Vypra gasped as Jinx pulled her up and began boosting her over her head.

"Saving Dree Elle's life the only way I can," Jinx seethed. "By saving you!"

Giving one final shove and toss, Jinx flung Vypra back up onto the jaw bridge and safety. Vypra laid still panting for breath, weak from battle, and shocked beyond belief. With her weight removed Dree Elle was able to pull Jinx back up as well.

"You should have let me go Dree Elle," Jinx sighed.

Dree Elle turned away and floated over to pick up the Crest of Infinity. "I couldn't. I couldn't let you die, especially when I could save you." She looked down at the all-powerful artifact in her tiny hands. The crest they had fought so hard to obtain. "To just give up now would make everything we went through worthless."

"Dree Elle…" Jinx started, but was unable to finish.

"Jinx is right you know," Vypra said. "Allow me to give you a lesson in ninja training. Never give your opponent a second chance!"

Before either of them could stop her, Vypra lashed out and tried to snatch the crest from Dree Elle's hand. The young Trollan held fast, despite her weakened condition. Vypra managed to grip the crest, but could not wrench it free. Suddenly a beam of energy fired out and struck the ground under Vypra's feet.

As the stone gave out beneath her Vypra staggered and grasped frantically at Dree Elle, as though holding on to her would keep the dark ninja from falling. Jinx dove towards them and grabbed hold of Dree Elle pulling her away. At the same time Vypra caught hold of the Trollan's hood.

The result was inevitable. As Vypra slipped away into the emptiness she pulled Dree Elle's mask right off her head. Vypra caught only a glimpse of Dree Elle's golden blonde hair before she plummeted into the abyss.

Jinx watched as Vypra fell screaming into the eternal void. Down and down she went until she faded from sight and her screams were too far away to be heard. Part of Jinx wanted to smile, part of her wanted to laugh, but there was that part of her that was still in denial. Unable to believe that it was over. That her hated foe was finally gone.

So great was the shock that it only now suddenly sunk in to Jinx that when Vypra had fallen she had pulled off Dree Elle's mask. The evil assassin had been behind her, and thus would have only seen the back of Dree Elle's head. But Jinx herself had been facing the Trollan. She had seen everything.

Even if she had not, Dree Elle was there before her now, completely unmasked. Jinx tried to look away but they both knew it was too late.

"Jinx, it's okay," Dree Elle said softly. "You can look."

Jinx looked up and studied the face before her. Dree Elle was even more beautiful than she had imagined. She had a childlike appearance to her, with high cheekbones and a petite, almost button-like nose. Added to her large viridian green eyes and pointed ears, she carried an elf-like look of eternal youth. Jinx couldn't help but smile.

"Don't worry," Jinx said. "I won't tell anyone I saw."

Dree Elle smiled back, adding an adorable set of dimples to her face. "I know. I trust you completely." Dree Elle reached up her sleeve and produced a new hood and veil, which she slipped on.

"You're the most honorable person I've ever known. And the best friend I've ever had. No, more than that. You're like family to me." She embraced the Joe ninja in the deepest and longest hug yet. "I love you Jinx."

"I love you too Dree Elle," Jinx said returning the hug of her alien friend; the little sister she never had. The two slowly parted then stared at each other in silence for a moment before Jinx spoke again.

"It's Kimi."

Dree Elle blinked confused. "What?

Jinx grinned. "Kimi Arashikage. That's my real name."

The two best friends gave each other another hug than together headed up towards the castle.