Chapter 07: Villains' Interlude
Wings spread out to their full extent, the crow set off from the cemetery, leaving the behind the two monks and their growing feelings for one another. But as it glided above the trees of a neighboring forest, a translucent beam snatched it from the air and dragged it below the trees. The bird fought to no avail until thin fingers wrapped around its body. From his abode, Chase Young saw through the crow's eyes the figure of his ex-partner in evil, the stolen 'Ruby of Ramses' in her other hand, and on her shoulder, the one who brought him to the Heylin side.
"Now, Chase," Hannibal began, sounding as if his black heart had been touched, "I had no idea you were a fan of this Raimundo/Kimiko story."
Chase Young spoke into the monitoring eye ingrained into his floor, and his voice resonated from the bird in Wuya's hand. "Just about a big a fan as you, Hannibal. What do you want?"
"Chase, that hurts. I am, after all, the one that made you what you are…" he reminded Chase, who flinched at these words. "Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but you've allowed the monks to obtain the 'Voice of Tao Tsueng', did you not?"
"Well, seeing as to how you just witness one of them using the Shen Gong Wu, I'd have to say 'Yes'. But why so much interest, Hannibal? Don't tell me you're afraid of some spirit from 1500 years ago."
"Of course not. If anyone's at the mercy of the Shen Gong Wu it's you and Wuya. You know what will happen if they call THAT spirit."
"I do, which is why I left it under their protection. Only you and possibly the powerless hag you're using as a pack mule would know the whereabouts of that soul. And I trust that after you stole half their Shen Gong Wu, the monks will be more cautious over their toys, especially one as powerful as the 'Voice of Tao Tsueng'."
"Aw, ain't that sweet? You're putting all your faith into those gullible runts. Well, that explains the 'Voice', but I still can't help but wonder why you revealed to Raimundo we knew his weakness? Seems to me like you're leaning back toward your old self…"
"But that would require a mirror or a yo-yo. It's like you said, Hannibal, I put my faith in them. I will let the monks prepare and crush you into oblivion. And when you and you lamentable excuse for a partner are wiped off this planet, it will be my turn to seize control."
"Well, Chase, I hate to tear your dreams down, but I don't plan on losing to a talking bobble-head and his posse. But if you want to change your plans, you'd better do it quick. Because soon, both Kimiko and Raimundo will be out of the picture."
Chase Young's connection to his surveying bird was suddenly severed. The last things he heard from the other end were "Moby Morpher!" and a laugh that shook the world.