Hikari/Yami

Chapter 7: Awakening

by HA

Spinner's fingers came closer to the Shadowmyst. Kendra yelled to him again, but it sounded like she was far away. The stranger in white waited. Mr. Grime gurgled trumphantly as Kendra watched helplessly in his grip. The Darklings waited for the order to pounce.

Just as Spinner was about to grab the Shadowmyst, something hit it out of the stranger's hand. To be more accurate, something shot it out of the stranger's hand since both he and Spinner saw a burst of light zip by and hit the black statue. It landed on the ground a few feet from the two.

Spinner stared at where the Shadowmyst landed. The stranger in white snarled in frustration. "Oh great," he said.

"Whoa," Kendra said.

"Brack!" Mr. Grime shouted, pointing with his free hand at where the shot came from.

More shots struck some of the Darklings, and they vanished in a dark flash. The remaining Darklings turned from their prey and looked in the same direction. Standing there was a short-haired girl dressed in dark blue from her jacket to her slacks. Kendra noticed two things odd about her. One was she was wearing sunglasses at night. The other was the giant sword of light she was pointing at the stranger in white.

Spinner stared at the newcomer. "Okay, who are you?"

"A nuisance," the stranger in white commented dryly.

"Hope," Henrietta whispered.

The girl noticed Kendra in Mr. Grime's grip. "Get ready," she said to her, lowering her weapon.

"Huh?" Kendra said, and the girl vanished.

"Gurk?" Mr. Grime gurgled, looking around. Seconds later, he yelled out "Braaaaaakkkkkkkk!" as he felt something slash him from behind.

As the giant staggered, Kendra felt someone pull her from his grip. Seconds later, both Kendra and the girl were standing next to the fallen giant.

"You all right?" the girl asked as she readied her weapon for an attack.

"Yeah, you can say that," Kendra remarked. She noticed that the Darklings were creeping away from Henrietta and Jay and towards them.

"If you want to stay safe, I suggest you two go to your friends and get out of here," the girl said to Kendra and Spinner as the Darklings got closer.

Spinner ran to where Kendra was. "Come on," he said as he grabbed her hand.

"Hey!" she yelled as he dragged her to where Henrietta and Jay were.

Spinner looked over Jay. "He's still out?"

"Unfortunately," Henrietta said.

The girl glared at the stranger in white. "Still trying to corrupt people, Mr. Trick?"

The Darklings gathered in front of the girl. All of them hissed at her. Behind them, the stranger in white glared at her. "Of course," he replied. "Still trying to stop us?" he said, sneering internally.

"Of course," the girl said, keeping her weapon in front of her.

The Darklings got closer. "Well, kid, you've got guts, but it ends tonight," Mr. Trick said.

"Says you," the girl said.

"Is she kidding?" Spinner said as he and the others watched. "They've got her outnumbered."

"Numbers mean nothing," Henrietta said calmly.

Spinner stared at her. "What makes you think she can beat all those...things?"

"Because she uses the light," Henrietta answered matter-of-factly.

Spinner turned to Kendra. "Is she always like this?" he whispered.

"You get used to it," Kendra said.

"Darklings, attack!" Mr. Trick ordered, pointing at the girl.

Five Darklings leapt towards the girl with their claws outstretched. Seconds later, she swung her sword and slashed them in their midsections. Everyone watched as the five shadow creatures' halves floated in midair before vanishing in a flash of darkness. The rest of the Darklings started backing away just as the girl pointed her sword at them and unleashed a series of energy shots at them. Some hit their targets and caused them to vanish in a flash while others made the Darklings dance about to avoid being hit. Mr. Trick shook his fist as he danced around several shots and swerved to avoid others.

"Look out!" Kendra yelled.

The girl leapt away in time to avoid a slimy fist. She swung her sword at Mr. Grime's chest and slashed deep into the trenchcoat. The giant staggered back and fell to the ground. She swung again to dispatch a Darkling who tried to leap at her from behind and shot two other Darklings before they could charge her.

"Braaaack!"

Mr. Grime got to his feet and clutched the front of his slashed coat. Everyone watched as he tossed it and his hat aside. As the garment floated to the ground, Kendra saw why the giant was slimy. He was literally slime. To be more specific, he was a giant, muscular mound of walking slime wrapped in a body suit. Two dark eyes and a gaping mouth made up his face.

The girl killed ten more Darklings with a circular slash before facing the recovered Mr. Grime. The slimy giant snarled and brought his fist down hard onto the ground. Kendra felt the ground shake as a shockwave sped towards the girl, who leapt into the air at the last second and opened fire on Mr. Grime, who blocked her shots with his arms. Slime splattered from them as the girl landed and slashed at the advancing Darklings.

"What are you waiting for?" the girl asked Kendra. "Get out of here!"

Spinner knelt next to Jay and shook him by his shoulders. "Come on, man! Wake up!"

"I don't think that's helping," Henrietta commented as Jay responded with a soft moan, but didn't open his eyes.

Kendra pointed behind the girl, but it was too late. A swarm of Darklings leapt on her from there, and the would-be savior was covered in moving darkness.

"Hold her down!" Mr. Trick yelled to the squirming pile of darkness as it tried to contain its captive. He stepped forward with the Shadowmyst in hand and looked at Spinner. "Okay, Gavin, now where were we?"

Light shot out between the Darklings, and everyone watched as the pile exploded in a bright burst. The light subsided to reveal the girl on one knee while propping herself up with her sword. She took a few deep breaths before standing up and facing Mr. Trick. "Gee, was that your best?" she said.

"Nope," Mr. Trick answered as he snapped his fingers. More Darklings sprang out of the ground and marched towards the girl.

Kendra watched as the girl and Darklings did battle again. Then, she felt something moist grab her by the shoulder and left her off the ground. Behind her, she heard gurgling, and she turned her head to see Mr. Grime's face. His mouth looked like it was forming a smile.

"Let her go!" Spinner yelled as he walked up to Mr. Grime with his fists clenched.

"Gavin, Gavin, Gavin." Mr. Trick appeared in front of Spinner. "You have too many connections with your old life," he said, holding up the Shadowmyst. "Tell you what. We'll help you simplify things." He looked at Mr. Grime. "Break her neck. Do it slowly."

Mr. Grime nodded and seized Kendra's neck. He began to apply pressure slowly to it. Kendra felt the slimy fingers tighten, and her mouth released gasps.

"No!" Spinner screamed as the sound of a sword slashing through darkness filled the night air.

"Oh come on, Gavin!" Mr. Trick paced in front of Kendra and her captor. "It's not like she's your real sister!" He looked over Kendra. "I don't see a family resemblence. Do you see one, Mr. Grime?"

Mr. Grime shook his head as he kept his grip on Kendra. She didn't feel any more pressure. Meanwhile, the Darklings continued to fall before the girl and her sword.

Spinner glared at Mr. Trick and Mr. Grime and raised his fist. "Let her go, or I'll..."

"You'll what?" Mr. Trick laughed, and Mr. Grime joined in with a few loud gurgles. "Beat up Mr. Grime? Hear that, Mr. Grime? He wants to fight you!"

Mr. Grime gurgled louder. Kendra felt his grip on her neck weaken, and seconds later, she hit the ground hard. The slimy behemoth faced down Spinner and beckoned him over with a wave of his hand.

"He's all yours, tough guy." Mr. Trick stepped aside as Mr. Grime stepped out in front of Kendra, who was trying to catch her breath and get up.

All logical thought left Spinner's mind as he charged Mr. Grime. He swung wildly at the giant, but felt something slimy engulf his hand. He gasped as he was yanked skyward to face what passed for a grin on Mr. Grime's face. Seconds later, he felt something wet punch his stomach, and he yelled out in pain as he fell to the ground.

"Gee, that was quick," Mr. Trick said, standing behind Spinner as he clutched his stomach while trying to get up. "You see, Gavin, you need this," he said, and he dangled the Shadowmyst in front of his face. "Come on, you know you enjoyed having the power of darkness at your disposal. Didn't it feel great?"

"Leave him alone!" Kendra took a swing at Mr. Grime, but her fist got stuck in his back.

Mr. Trick watched as Kendra tried to free herself. "Hey, no interrupting me, kid!"

Mr. Grime gurgled angrily and swung one fist at her, striking her in the face. Kendra fell to the ground hard. Her head lying on its side, she didn't move.

"Kendra!" Spinner yelled.

"Kendra!" Henrietta yelled.

"Okay, not that she's out of the way..." Mr. Trick leapt back in time to avoid a weak swing from Spinner, who fell on his face from the effort. "Whoa, now I see the resemblence. You two are both idiots," he commented with a laugh.

Mr. Grime gurgled loudly as he stood over Kendra's unconscious form. The girl finished dispatching the Darklings and glared at him and Mr. Trick. "You never change," she said as she stepped forward with her weapon drawn.

"Better make your choice fast, Gavin." Mr. Trick looked at Kendra. "Your sister don't look too good," he added with a snap. More Darklings came out of the ground and threw themselves at the girl, who found herself in another fight. "Sweetheart, you're fighting a losing battle. Can't you just leave us alone so we can conclude our little deal?"

Bracing herself, Henrietta left Jay and ran to Kendra's side. Fortunately, the Darklings were busy occupying the girl, who was putting up quite a fight. "Kendra?" Henrietta said as she knelt next to her. "Kendra?"

"Braaaaacccckkk!" Mr. Grime reached for the frizzy-haired girl.

"Hold it!" Mr. Trick yelled.

Mr. Grime stopped and looked at Mr. Trick. "Blarg?"

"Like she can do anything to stop us right now," Mr. Trick said, and he turned to Spinner. "Well, what will it be, Gavin? Ready to give in to the darkness, or do I have to tell my friends to kill everyone here, including your poor baby sister? That is," he said with an inward smirk, "if Mr. Grime didn't kill her already."

Still on his knees, Spinner glared at Mr. Trick. "Shut...up..."

"Oh, aren't we touchy?" Mr. Trick said, dangling the Shadowmyst in front of Spinner's face. "You know everyone hates you, so why refuse our generous offer? Face it, kid, your friends hate you, your family hates you, and I'm sure total strangers would hate you if they knew what you did." The Shadowmyst stared at Spinner. "You know you want to hurt them back. Make them pay for rejecting you. For abandoning you." The Shadowmyst stayed in Spinner's face. "All you have to do is take it, Gavin. Take it, and I guarantee your pain will go away, not to mention you'll get to inflict some of your own." He waved the Shadowmyst. "If you don't want to do it for yourself, do it for the nice people we're gonna kill if you don't take it."

Spinner looked at Henrietta kneeling next to Kendra and Jay laying unconscious against the wall. Behind him, the girl continued to fight off the Darklings. Mr. Grime appeared next to him. Spinner made his decision. His hand shaking, he reached out for the Shadowmyst.

"No!" she yelled as she dispatched two Darklings trying to leap on her from behind.

"Don't!" Henrietta yelled as Spinner's hand got closer to the Shadowmyst.

Mr. Trick chuckled. "That's it, Gavin. Time to join the darkness."

Then, the area exploded into light. The Darklings screeched as they covered their eyes. Spinner fell back, and Mr. Trick and Mr. Grime shielded their eyes from the intense light.

"Hey! What's going on?" Mr. Trick yelled.

Mr. Grime gurgled his lack of understanding loudly.

The girl focused on the source of the light and gasped.

His eyes narrowed, Spinner couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Blocking most of the light with her hand, Henrietta watched as it continued to shoot out from Kendra's body. Then, it began to fade, and she watched as a glowing orb came out of Kendra's chest. A groan escaped Kendra's lips. "Mmmmm..." Her eyes flickered.

"Kendra?" Henrietta whispered.

Slowly, Kendra moved as the light vanished, leaving only the small orb hovering over her. Feeling light-headed, she rubbed her head and rose carefully When she saw the orb floating before her, she exclaimed "What the...?" She saw Henrietta kneeling next to her. "What happened?"

"The light..." Henrietta pointed to the orb, her eyes wide with awe.

"I don't believe it," the girl whispered.

Spinner stood up and blinked. "Kendra, what's going on?" he asked as he stared at the orb of light.

"I...I...don't know," Kendra said as she looked at the light.

The Darklings snarled in Kendra's direction. Mr. Trick and Mr. Grime glared at the light.

Mr. Trick's hands curled into fists. "What are you waiting for?" he said to the Darklings. "Get the boy. Kill the others!"

The Darklings surged forward. Spinner watched as some of the shadow creatures ran en masse towards the light with hopes of snuffing it out. Then he felt the rest of their claws seizing him by his arms and legs. "Hey!" he yelled as he felt their cold touch yanking him away.

"Spinner!" Kendra yelled as the Darklings charged at her.

With a shout, the girl leapt in front of the Darklings and swung her sword. Some of them shrieked as they flew back into the air and disappeared in a dark flash. She looked at Kendra. "Since you're new at this, I'll go through the quick lesson," she told her. "Use that to stop them," she instructed, pointing to the orb first and then to the incoming Darklings.

"How?" Kendra said.

"Just focus!" the girl said while firing shots at the Darklings. "You'd better hurry, or they'll make him touch that statue," she added, looking towards a group of Darklings dragging Spinner to Mr. Trick, who was still holding the Shadowmyst.

"What will happen if he does?" Kendra asked.

The girl cut down another row of Darklings. "He'll become one of them," she stated grimly.

Kendra watched as the orb floated to her hand and stared at it as it shone brightly in her flat palm. "So how do I...?"

"Kendra!" Henrietta yelled as two Darklings seized her by her arms.

Kendra rushed to her. "Let go of her!" she yelled, and without a second thought, she balled the hand holding the orb into a fist and swung it at the Darklings. Her eyes widened as a blade of light cut through the creatures. "Huh?" she said, and she gasped at the long blade she held in her hand. Her curiosity was interupted by two more Darklings, and with another swing of her weapon, they vanished in a flash.

"I'll protect these two!" the girl said to Kendra. "You save your brother!"

Kendra nodded, and trusting her instincts, she ran past the Darklings and towards her brother and Misters Trick and Grime. Along the way, she hacked and slashed any Darkling that got in her way. Spinner was now being held down by Darklings, and Mr. Trick was hovering over him with the Shadowmyst.

"No!" Spinner yelled as the black statue was being lowered to his arm, which was being forced to stretch upward by a grinning Darkling. The poor teen tried to keep his fingers out of reach from the sinister object.

"Sorry, Gavin, but it's time to join the Dark Side," Mr. Trick said as the Shadowmyst got closer to Spinner's fingers.

"Let him go!" Kendra yelled.

The Darklings holding Spinner hissed at her. Mr. Trick looked up and saw her. Mr. Grime let out a surprised gurgle as he noticed the light sword in her hand.

"Ooooo, someone's got a new toy," Mr. Trick said.

Kendra held out her sword. "Let him go," she repeated, glaring at the two strange men.

"Ya know, Gavin, your sister's got guts," Mr. Trick said, staring down at Spinner. "Wanna see them?" he said as he snapped his fingers.

The Darklings released Spinner and rushed at Kendra with their teeth and claws bared. Kendra steeled herself and swung at the Darklings as they got closer. Her sword cut through them, and she moved smoothly as she dodged and counterattacked. At one point, she turned around in time to slash at a Darkling as it lunged at her from behind. It shrieked as it vanished. Soon, she had dispatched all of the Darklings, and she pointed her sword at Mr. Trick. "You're next," she said.

"I don't think so, kid," Mr. Trick said. "Grimy, crush her."

Mr. Grime charged at Kendra, who sidestepped him in time. Snarling, he punched at her, but his fist only hit the ground since she leapt out of the way. As she landed, she took a swing and nicked his arm. A little slime fell to the ground.

"Come on! Is that the best you can do?" Kendra taunted.

Mr. Grime roared, and he raised his arms. As he swung them down, they elongated towards Kendra and morphed into giant hammers. Kendra leapt out of the way before they crashed into the ground, but the force of the impact threw her to the ground.

"Guess not," she muttered as she picked herself up.

"Braaaaacccckkkkk!" Mr. Grime raised his hammer arms again and swung at Kendra with them. She dodged the first swing, but the second one knocked her to the ground. Before she could recover, one hand morphed into a pincher claw and grabbed her. Mr. Grime gurgled triumphantly as he squeezed her tightly. Her sword vanished into her orb. He turned to Mr. Trick and gurgled.

"Eh, squeeze her, cut her open...whatever works for you, big guy," Mr. Trick said with a shrug.

Mr. Grime gurgled happily and morphed his free arm into a giant buzzsaw. He lowered it towards Kendra and wondered where to cut first. Kendra feebily wriggled in his tight grip as the blade began to spin rapidly.

"No!" Spinner leapt to his feet.

"So you still wanna save her although she hates you?" Mr. Trick asked him. "How sweet." He held out the Shadowmyst. "This will give you the power to save her, kid. Take it, and you can save her." He chuckled as Mr. Grime tightened his grip, causing Kendra to cry out in pain. "Better hurry, or your poor little sister's guts and bits will be this place's new decorations."

"Spinner, don't..." Kendra's pleas became muffled by a thick layer of slime that enclosed her within seconds.

"Awwww, Mr. Grime wants to suffocate her before he cuts her up. Isn't he being nice and all. She won't feel a thing," Mr. Trick said, looking at Spinner's horrified face. "Better make your decision quick, Gavin," he said, holding out the Shadowmyst.

Spinner watched as his sister tried to break out of her slime cocoon. He could barely hear her muffled screams as the buzzsaw hummed louder. Then, he looked at the Shadowmyst sitting on Mr. Trick's open palm. Its eyes seemed to be pleading with him. Save your sister. Take me, they seemed to be saying. Take me.

He looked at Kendra in Mr. Grime's grip and at the Shadowmyst. He reached for it.

"Don't even think about it."

The girl appeared before Mr. Grime and swung her blade. Seconds later, the arm holding Kendra fell to the ground with a loud splat as it burst open. Mr. Grime roared in pain as he staggered back, and the girl found Kendra lying in slime.

"You all right?" she asked.

Kendra coughed out slime. "Considering what just happened to me, yeah."

"Talk later," the girl said.

Mr. Grime roared and swung his buzzsaw arm at them. Both girls rolled out of the way, and the girl took aim and fired. Her shot struck Mr. Grime in the chest, causing him to lose his balance. Focusing again, Kendra reactivated her sword and ran at the walking slime mountain.

"Take this!" she yelled as she slashed him in the chest.

Mr. Grime gurgled loudly and swung at Kendra with his buzzsaw arm, but she had gotten out of the way in time. The girl took aim with her blade and unleashed a powerful shot that hit its mark, sending Mr. Grime into a nearby wall. He slammed hard against it and slid off it unconscious.

"Good move," the girl said to Kendra.

"Same to you," Kendra said with a grin, and she looked at her brother. "Spinner, better get out of there."

Spinner ran to where Henrietta was standing next to the unconscious Jay, leaving Mr. Trick to face Kendra and the girl. The white-clad man still held the Shadowmyst. Behind him, Mr. Grime gurgled weakly.

"Okay, you freak," Kendra said, keeping her sword at the ready. "You can leave now, or we can do what we did to your slimy friend."

Mr. Trick snickered. "You know what they say, kids." He raised the Shadowmyst. "When the going gets tough, call in reinforcements."

The Shadowmyst began to emit a dark glow. "Okay, what's going on?" Kendra asked.

The girl frowned. "Trouble." She steeled herself, for she knew what was next.

"This isn't good," Henrietta said as the Shadowmyst's glow increased.

"I have to agree," Spinner said.

Then, a bright black beam shot out of Mr. Trick's hand accompanied by thick purple mist. Kendra could see the outline of something huge within it. It roared loudly as the mist disappated, and Kendra couldn't believe her eyes. Floating above them all was a giant version of the Shadowmyst. It resembed a sinister genie from an ancient story. She looked at Mr. Trick and saw that the little statue was gone.

"Oh my God," Spinner said, staring at the giant shadow creature.

"He may not be complete, but he's got enough power to take care of you two!" Mr. Trick declared. He pointed to the girls. "Get them!"

The Shadowmyst roared and swung its fist at Kendra and the girl. Both leapt out of the way in time, and the giant fist smashed into the ground before them.

"Okay, what is that?" Kendra said as she stared at the giant shadow creature.

The girl frowned. "That could've been your brother." She watched as the Shadowmyst's red eyes glowed brightly. "In fact, if we don't do anything, it could still be your brother."

"Huh?"

"Just stop it from getting him!" the girl shouted as she took aim with her weapon and fired. The shots of light exploded on the Shadowmyst's chest, causing the creature to roar, but if it had been injured, it didn't show any signs of it.

"I don't think that's hurting him," Spinner remarked, his knees shaking. He looked at Jay. "C'mon, man, wake up."

The Shadowmyst raised its open hand skyward, and blue fire sprang up around Spinner, Henrietta, and the unconscious Jay. Spinner barely had time to leap out of the way to avoid the flames. "Aaah!" he yelled as the blue fire licked dangerously near his arm.

The Shadowmyst roared and raised both its arms. Kendra and the girl saw both its hands become engulfed in blue flame. The giant monster swung its fist down at them, and both girls barely dodged the impact. As its fist hit the ground, blue fire sprang out of the spot.

"Aaaaa!" Kendra yelled as she jumped away from the fire.

The girl jumped over the blue fire and fired again. Her shots hit the monster's arm with no signs of damage. Wincing slightly, the Shadowmyst let out a cruel laugh and looked towards the blue fire enclosure where the other teens were trapped. It floated towards there and reached for Spinner.

"No!" Kendra ran forward while avoiding the blue fire and swung her weapon at the dark hand, slashing its wrist.

The Shadowmyst withdrew its hand, made it into a fist, and raised it over Kendra. "Take this!" the girl yelled as she aimed her massive blade at the creature. The weapon's tip glowed brightly, and seconds later, unleashed a powerful blast aimed at the Shadowmyst's face. The attack struck its target, and the monster staggered back with a loud roar.

"Good shot," Kendra remarked.

"It's not over yet," the girl warned her sternly. "Look."

The Shadowmyst glared at the two girls with its red eyes and roared. It clapped its hands together and slowly pulled them apart. Kendra and the girl saw the blue flame that was slowly growing between its hands. Once the blue flame had expanded into a giant fireball, the Shadowmyst threw it at them.

Kendra didn't need an order to run. She and the girl split up, and the massive fireball missed its targets. However, the explosion threw them to the ground, and they used their arms to protect themselves from the falling flames.

"Kendra, look out!"

Spinner's warning came too late as the Shadowmyst swatted Kendra aside with its massive palm. She rolled towards a flickering blue flame, and fortunately for her, she arrived at the spot just as the fire vanished. Despite the pain she felt, she held her weapon tightly as she tried to stand up.

"Yeah, you are tough, kid!" Mr. Trick yelled. "Looks like we'll have to soften you up more!"

The Shadowmyst reached for Kendra, but it withdrew its hand as a shot of light struck it. "No you don't!" the girl yelled, her large light blade ready to strike.

The Shadowmyst raised its hand, and blue flames fell from the sky. "Burn baby burn!" Mr. Trick yelled.

"Any ideas?" Kendra yelled as she alternated between swatting and dodging flame after flame.

"I'd go for the face again," the girl answered as she extinguished some of the falling fire with one swing of her blade. "It roared when it got hit there."

Kendra glared at the Shadowmyst as it resumed floating towards the fiery enclosure holding her brother, her friend, and Jay. "Gonna be hard for me to do that."

"It's hard for me to get a good shot with all this fire," the girl stated. "Hey, come back here!"

Kendra had ran towards where the others are. The Shadowmyst floated in front of the fiery prison with its eyes fixed on Spinner. It stretched its giant hand towards him.

"Keep your hands off my brother!" Kendra yelled as she charged at the Shadowmyst.

The Shadowmyst spotted her and roared. A pillar of blue fire exploded beneath her, and everyone watched helplessly as the flames engulfed her.

"No!" he yelled. "Kendra!"

Mr. Trick's cruel laughter echoed throughout the night. "Awwww, one girl getting barbecued, and one more to go."

The Shadowmyst turned its attention to the mysterious girl, who raised her weapon and opened fire. The giant shadow creature waved its hand, and fire pillars shot up to intercept the shots. The girl leapt back in time to avoid fire shooting out of the ground, but some of the fire got her in the sword arm. Wincing, she clutched her hurt arm, and she could barely keep a grip on her sword.

"Hey, hold still so you can join your friend!" Mr. Trick yelled, pointing at the pillar of fire Kendra was in. The blue flames faded away slowly. "Ah...huh?" he exclaimed, and if his eyes were able to widen in surprise, they would have.

"What...?" Spinner stared at the sight before him.

"I don't believe it," the girl said.

Kendra was all right. She was also glowing. To be more precise, the light barrier around her glowed. Everyone else stared at her in amazement. They weren't the only ones.

"Whoa," Kendra said, looking around at what had protected her from the flames.

The Shadowmyst brought its fist down onto the barrier. Although it shook under its power, it didn't break. Roaring in frustration, the Shadowmyst punched the light barrier again and got the same result.

Okay, not going to do much if I stay here, Kendra thought as she watched the Shadowmyst alternate between punching the barrier and shooting fire at it. I need to hit its face, but my sword's gone, and... Then, she spotted the orb hovering over her. It glowed brightly as it maintained the light barrier against the Shadowmyst's attacks. Wait, maybe...

"Forget about her for now!" Mr. Trick yelled. "Get Gavin first, and you'll be complete!"

The Shadowmyst looked at Spinner in the enclosure of flames and reached for him. Henrietta shoved him back. "Leave him alone!" she yelled.

The Shadowmyst roared and flicked Henrietta into the wall. Spinner leapt back to avoid the monster's grasping hand, but he found himself leaning against the wall with Jay and Henrietta. He leaned closer to the wall as the dark fingers edged closer.

Then, something shot out from nowhere and slashed the Shadowmyst's face. It roared and withdrew as its wound sizzled. It glared at who had attacked it as the weapon flew back into its owner's hand.

Kendra glared back. "Listen up, you big bad monster," she said, holding her weapon tightly. "There's no way in hell you're getting my brother."

The girl stared at the object in Kendra's hand. Instead of a sword, she held a giant, sharp-edged boomerang. The orb glowed in the weapon's center. "How could she...?" she whispered.

The Shadowmyst roared and threw a flaming fist at Kendra, who moved in time to avoid it. She threw the boomerang again, and it cut through the monster's hand. As it pulled back its arm, its severed hand landed on the ground and vanished in a puff of dark smoke with a PFFFFT.

The Shadowmyst prepared to counterattack, but then the boomerang slashed its face again. It staggered back, and blue fire fell from the sky. The boomerang moved in the air and destroyed the flames before they could hit the ground.

"How are you doing that?" the girl asked as she watched Kendra move her arm. As she did, the boomerang struck the Shadowmyst in the face again.

"I'm really not sure," Kendra answered as she continued slashing the Shadowmyst in the face. She was telling the truth. She really didn't know how she was controlling her weapon. She didn't know why it kept changing shape. However, now wasn't the time to think about it. Doing was preferable to thinking right now.

After a few facial slashes, the Shadowmyst appeared dazed as it hovered above the ground. Kendra caught the boomerang as if she had done it before. The monster roared weakly.

"It's badly hurt," the girl said, appearing at Kendra's side. "Better finish it off."

"How?" Kendra asked.

"All up to you." The girl glared at the Shadowmyst. "Better hurry."

"Why can't you do it?" Kendra asked.

The girl winced as she kept her grip on her sword. "Damn thing got my good arm. Looks like I have to sit this one out." The giant sword vanished.

"Someone do something!" Spinner yelled.

Kendra faced the Shadowmyst and saw it was recovering. It began to raise its arms. Without thinking, she threw the light boomerang again towards the monster. Before the Shadowmyst could bring down blue fire on all, the boomerang struck its face as it curved downward, leaving a long gash down the middle. As Kendra caught the weapon, the giant shadow creature let out one final roar before it exploded into a dark cloud of smoke. After the smoke disappeared, something fell to the ground, and Kendra ran to see what it was.

Lying on the ground before her was the Shadowmyst statue. Its lifeless eyes stared upward. The impact had cracked it in two, and both halves sported cracks that resembled branches of lightning bolts. Kendra gasped as the statue's remains crumbled into black powder and blew away in the wind.