The Red Phoenix stood fuming at Littlefoot's counterattack which, even Littlefoot himself, could not explain how it came about. In some form or another, his tears had some strange, magical property which burned the Red Phoenix as he sapped the life out of him. Despite his miraculous evasion of death, he and his friends stood fearfully in front of the enraged woman as she gritted her teeth and glared at them still very stunned but the event.
"How did he conjure up the power to do that? His tears were like acid searing on my skin," she thought anxiously, "by the look on his face, it doesn't look like he has the slightest clue as to how he did it either. He must have done it all subconsciously; fear of his looming fate must have triggered something inside him." Suddenly, the Red Phoenix felt something click in her head. After contemplating the idea for a while, she then stood up straight and her trademark, sinister smile returned to her face.
"So…the Guardian has finally come out of hiding and discovered the source of his power even without possession of his Stone of Essence," she said to Littlefoot smugly. She chuckled as she read the awestruck expression on his face.
"Wh-what? My power?" he choked.
"Yep. The power bestowed upon you as a chosen one for holding the Guardian's Tear Sapphire. You must know of the legend of each of the stones," she continued but Littlefoot just blinked vacantly at her.
"So naïve…" the Red Phoenix sighed, "the power sealed in each of the stones is available only to the holder of the stone. It is an untold, unimaginably potent power that is capable of anything. Each of the three stones has it and it is those three powers which must purify the final formation that is it Heaven's Eternity Crystal. But the crystal has a certain amount of power stored within it as well; that is how I obtained my share. Unlike you, Jason and Ms. Fielding up there, I have studied these stones for long enough in my previous life to know how to manipulate the power. Yours still remain dormant."
"So, what you're saying is that Littlefoot has magic powers?" Ali asked.
"In simplistic terms, yes," she replied.
"And the stone is what gave them to him…" Ducky developed.
"Very good. Just goes to show that girls are much more clued up on things than boys. The more intellectual of the species…" the Red Phoenix drawled. Petrie and Spike screwed up their faces insulted but Littlefoot was much too entranced in the Red Phoenix's explanation on his sapphire to care.
"The power sealed in the stones is distributed to the holder and it is then their duty to use that ability to help complete their merged form. Only then can the true power of the cosmos be unleashed."
"But wait…you say holders of stones must help. You not stone holder so why you doing it?" Petrie questioned.
"Ah ha! All part of my plan. Somehow, I don't think the three current holders would help me in my cleansing of the Earth. Am I right?" the Red Phoenix said unfurling a hand to Littlefoot's face for him to take it. Littlefoot took a step backwards and just glared at her solemnly, "I thought so. In light of that fact, I have decided to forcefully remove that power dormant within them so I can purify the crystal myself. You see, as I used to be the owner of the Warrior's Heart Ruby before I passed it onto my son. But that is not all I gain from sapping the chosen one's of their power."
"There's more?" Littlefoot breathed a little bewildered. The Red Phoenix smiled malevolently and spread her arms apart revealing the glowing red triangle in the centre of her chest. It was radiating a warm, red light which was beginning to pulsate rhythmically. The gang marvelled at it as she continued.
"By absorbing the energy of each chosen one, I gain their unique abilities to add to my own."
Looking closer, all six of them could see the glowing, red triangle growing brighter and pulsing faster, lighting up her entire body. The light radiated outwards forcing them to take a nervous step away, unsure whether the light would cause them any harm. With the size of the light stretching all the way around her like a glowing bubble, the Red Phoenix then raised her right hand up to the sky and clenched it tightly. Instantly, the red bubble suddenly flickered white and then shrunk into the Red Phoenix's raised hand. Once all of it had disappeared from view, the Red Phoenix slowly lowered her hand to eye level and flicked her fingers out from the fist. Reacting to her movement, the ball of light suddenly erupted and burst with a blinding flash. The gang shielded their eyes as the glare slowly dissipated revealing the Red Phoenix with her right hand engulfed in a pale, red and white flame.
"Kids. Behold the immense power and might bestowed upon the Warrior and his ruby!" she announced waving her flaming hand around causing it to roar as it passed through the air. Littlefoot and his friends stood flabbergasted as the magic fire licked and burned fiercely.
"Let's turn up the heat a little," the Red Phoenix smirked as she lifted her hand threateningly. Everyone stood poised as she swung her hand across her, sending fireballs in their direction.
"Scatter!" Littlefoot shouted as the fireballs shot hazardously close to their heads. Despite warning his friends, he failed to move himself as one stray fireball struck him head-on. The force of the attack threw him into the back wall, knocking him out.
"Littlefoot!!!" Ali cried as she turned back to him.
"One down…five to go!" the Red Phoenix cackled evilly as she watched the rest of them scramble for cover like frightened rabbits.
Flicking around, the Red Phoenix saw Petrie, Spike and Ducky fleeing to a side door. Smiling, she launched three fireballs at them which struck the bookcase to the left of the door. As the oak shelving ignited, the entire bookcase burst into flames and toppled towards the door.
"Spike! Look out!" Petrie cried dodging the fiery books that were raining down on him. Gasping, Spike dug his heels into the ground as deep as he could trying desperately to stop. Still sliding towards the engulfed barricade as it crashed ahead of him, Spike turned swinging his back end around to try and run in the opposite direction. In his spin, Ducky was thrown from her seat atop him and she shot headlong towards the roaring fire. Screaming, Ducky slammed her hands over her eyes unable to watch but she suddenly felt her body lurch at a funny angle and something clamp around her tail. Slowly removing her hands from her face, she was extremely shocked to see the floor hovering below her. Looking up, she smiled widely as she watched Petrie carry her away from the hungry flames.
"You okay Ducky?" Petrie puffed breathlessly as he set her down out of harm's way.
"Oh yes! Thanks to you Petrie," Ducky sighed hugging him closely. A moment later, Spike came galloping over to check over his sister for any damage.
"I am alright Spike! I am," she assured him patting him on the nose. Spike hummed and smiled but quickly became concerned on hearing terrified screams at the other end of the office.
"Uh oh! Cera and Ali in trouble!" Petrie cawed pointing to them.
"Quick Spike!" Ducky cried. Without another word, the stegosaurus scooped up his sister, flicked her back onto his neck and sprinted for the others.
Across the way, Cera and Ali stood with their backs against the wall. The Red Phoenix was closing in on them with her flaming hand held high, ready to strike.
"What now?!" Ali squeaked glancing at Cera quickly.
"You're asking me?!" Cera wailed as she awaited the incoming attack.
"Better run!" the Red Phoenix warned stretching her hand up an extra inch before bringing it down throwing a vertical wall of fire at the two of them.
"Eeeeyyyyaaaa!!!" Cera and Ali both squealed in unison diving opposite ways to avoid the flames as it crashed between them. The Red Phoenix growled as her attack missed. She quickly looked around to her right to see Ali dart behind the massive desk and was about to give chase when she then saw Cera running in the opposite direction passed the shattered stained-glass window. Smirking darkly, she took a leap towards her landing a few metres ahead of her. Cera screeched to a halt as she stared into the Red Phoenix's evil eyes.
"Hey Cera! Catch!" she called before swinging her arm upwards and flashing a wave of heat and flames at the horrified triceratops. With no time to react, the force of the fiery wall threw Cera backwards towards the broken window. Cera groaned and hissed as she bounced along the carpeted floor. She felt her back legs slide out over the edge as she grinded her front feet into the floor stopping her from plummeting to her doom.
"Help! Somebody help me!" Cera wailed as she wriggled and writhed to get back up. The Red Phoenix was approaching her slowly.
Whilst Cera clung for dear life, Ali sat down for a brief second to recover and was quickly joined by Ducky, Petrie and Spike.
"Ali! Are you okay?" Petrie asked landing next to her.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she wheezed but she jumped as she heard a voice shout down on them from overhead.
"Guys!" Jill bellowed to them urgently, "Guys look! Cera's in trouble! You gotta help her out!" Snapping their heads around, they watched as the Red Phoenix continued to advance on Cera. Panic-stricken, they all searched around for something to help but Spike broke the silence with a happy squeal. Following his line of sight, the rest of them turned to see Littlefoot slowly getting to his feet. He looked disorientated as he shook his head gingerly.
"Littlefoot!" Ali exclaimed feeling her heart give an excited little leap.
"Huh? Uuuuuurrggghhh…where…where am I?" Littlefoot babbled unsteadily as his senses gradually returned. Glad to see him relatively unharmed, Ali, Petrie, Ducky and Spike were sharply reminded of Cera's perilous situation as she let out another ear-splitting scream.
"Oh no, Cera!" Ducky said turning back to her.
"Littlefoot! Cera needs help!" Ali yelled across to him.
"What?" Littlefoot asked a little confused but another screech from Cera instantly caught his attention.
"Cera!" he called.
"Help me! Hurry!" she shrieked weakly as she floundered on the edge.
"I'm coming Cera!" he announced running to her. Picking up on their nervous cries, the Red Phoenix turned to see Littlefoot bounding towards Cera.
"You again! How many times do I have to kill you?!" she spat angrily. As Littlefoot got close her, the Red Phoenix batted Littlefoot away with the back of her flaming hand. Littlefoot flinched and rolled back the way he came, coming to an uncomfortable rest a few metres away. As the pain of the strike slowly subsided, Littlefoot got to his feet again to see the Red Phoenix smirk with a devilish twinkle in her eye.
"You're a tough bunch to crack I'll admit but you are all doomed to die right here! Starting with this one," she hissed malevolently turning back to Cera.
"Nooo!" Littlefoot cried and leapt at the Red Phoenix again but she turned and caught him by his throat. Littlefoot squirmed and choked as he dangled in her hand listening to her laughing.
"So willing to throw your life away. Fine. I'll steal you're life-force from your dead carcass!" she cackled.
"No Littlefoot!" Cera cried feeling her grip weakening.
"What we gonna do!" Petrie squawked panicking.
"Get in there kids! Kick her butt and save your friends!" Jill shouted down on them
"But we can't! She's too strong for us!" Ali complained.
"Maybe for each of you but take her on together. Fight as a team rather than individually," Jill said trying to boost their confidence. When she saw them shuffling and remaining indecisive under her, Jill roared.
"C'mon you guys! Get it together! You have to snap out of it! Nail her altogether as one unit. Stand as one! Stand as a herd! Stand side-by-side…as friends and use your combined strength and wisdom to overcome her! You've got to save Littlefoot and Cera or they'll perish!"
"Jill, right!" Petrie cawed puffing himself up.
"Oh yes! We must stand together and save them!" Ducky said valiantly.
"That's it gang! Well done!" Jill cheered as they quickly huddled together to formulate a plan. After a few seconds, they broke out and charged in separate directions. Jill smiled as she watched them carry out their idea.
"Go get her…" she said quietly.
Meanwhile, Littlefoot was still struggling to free himself from the Red Phoenix's grasp but she wasn't letting go. His chest began to ache from lack of air and his eyesight was becoming blurred.
"No escape for you this time…" the Red Phoenix hissed but Littlefoot was not looking directly at her. His vision was fixed on something past her burning eyes. Turning to see what he was focused on, the Red Phoenix was startled to see a stampede of dinosaurs heading straight for her. Petrie led the assault by dive-bombing at her head and, with her hands full, she couldn't defend herself effectively.
"Get out of here! Miserable bird!" the Red Phoenix snapped dodging the darting flyer as best she could.
"You let go of Littlefoot!" Petrie demanded diving at her again. As he circled back around for another attack, the Red Phoenix swung her hand up and caught Petrie in mid-air. Petrie spun uncontrollably towards the wall but he was caught by Ducky who jumped to catch him and landed perfectly back on top of Spike as he rampaged his way through the office directly at the Red Phoenix.
"Thanks Ducky," he smiled.
"It is alright. Now let us get her!" Ducky replied slapping Spike on the base of his neck, "GO SPIKE!!!" Kicking off to get an extra burst of speed, Spike galloped for his target who turned to him smiling.
"Want me? C'mon! Come at me!" she laughed charging up her flaming hand again. With a lessened grip on his neck, Littlefoot racked his brain for a way to help.
"If Spike takes the Red Phoenix head-on…he won't stand a chance!" Littlefoot thought horrified. Suddenly, a quick idea leapt to mind. Squinting and blinking rapidly, Littlefoot began trying to make his eyes water. If what the Red Phoenix had said before was true, then his tears should harm her again. As Spike careered onwards, Littlefoot felt a few tears well up in his eyes and begin to roll down his cheeks.
"That will have to do," Littlefoot thought giving his head a flick. The tears dripped from his face and onto the Red Phoenix's flaming hand. Alarmed by the tears making contact, the Red Phoenix hissed as the burning that suddenly started on her hand. Littlefoot felt a leap of excitement spring up in him but he was shocked to see that she had recovered a lot quicker than last time. Still with him in her hand, the Red Phoenix glowered at him.
"Nice try but not good enough," she spat turning back to Spike who was nearly on top of them. Extremely worried that his plan hadn't worked as he had hoped and with no time to repeat it, Littlefoot began to panic.
"Hurry guys! I'm about to drop!" Cera cried. Suddenly, something snapped in his head. Taking a quick glance at Spike and back to the Red Phoenix, he noticed she wasn't paying attention to him. As Spike was a bound away and the Red Phoenix stood primed to attack, Littlefoot swung his body up and hooked himself onto the Red Phoenix anyway he could. With his legs and tail wrapped around her, he then tried hard to pull himself down to drop his weight and pull her off-balance. Bewildered by his sudden move, the Red Phoenix was lurched to the floor and stumbled.
"Now Spike! Hit her!" Littlefoot yelled as loud as he could. Still with his great speed behind him, Spike leapt up and launched himself straight into the Red Phoenix. The force of the blow sent her reeling backwards dropping Littlefoot in the process. Still stumbling backwards, the Red Phoenix remained on her feet.
"Quick Ali! Do it now!" Ducky called. From out of the corner of her eye, the Red Phoenix saw Ali dash out and swing her tail at her legs. Unable to shift in time, the Red Phoenix was swept off her feet and tumbled over Cera and out of the open window where she disappeared from view screaming.
Everyone cheered and yelled overjoyed at the Red Phoenix's defeat as they helped haul Cera back up into the office. Relieved to have her feet on solid ground again, Cera joined in the dancing and jovial cries with the others. Jill looked down on them all beaming widely.
"Well played kids! You slayed that that she-devil!" she congratulated.
"We did it! We beat her! We did!" Ducky exclaimed as spun Petrie in circles.
"Yeah! Nobody mess with us!" Petrie shouted as Ducky threw him into the air allowing him to somersault and loop in the air victoriously.
That was great!" Littlefoot smiled looking from one happy-go-lucky face to the next finally coming to a rest on Ali's. Without saying a single word, Littlefoot nodded and Ali blushed.
Suddenly, Ali's expression immediately switched as she slowly backed up with a hanging jaw.
"What is it Ali?" Littlefoot asked just as Ducky let out a terrified scream shattering the joyous atmosphere. Whirling around, Littlefoot's mouth dropped open with disbelief.
"It…it can't be…!" he cried exasperatedly.
"Oh but it is…" a voice said over them as they all backed further into the room all completely thunderstruck. Right where she had fallen, the Red Phoenix was floating just outside the shattered window with her arms folded across her. Her eyes were burning with rage as she drifted into the office.
"No way! How…could…?!" Cera stammered.
"No one has ever gained the upper-hand over me before…EVER!" she growled lividly, "Consider this a triumph because it will be you're final." The gang huddled together as the Red Phoenix raised her flaming hand which was glowing a deeper shade of red.
"Since you value your friendship so much, I will now eradicate you all with the power of the Warrior. The power your human friend, Jason, was due to possess! Prepare to meet your maker! Now…DIE!!!"
Chapter 64: A Voice from BeyondThe atmosphere was tense and on the verge of shattering as Littlefoot and his friends stoop powerless against the enraged Red Phoenix. Her trademark smile had been drained from her face as she stepped closer to them with her magical, flaming hand growing deeper and deeper red. She was enjoying watching the six of them cower beneath her mighty stature but the humiliation of being hurtled out of the open window to freefall to the pavement below, just like Westwood, filled her with a burning fury.
"Time to end this…I will not give you another chance to shame me the way you all did just now." Slowly, the Red Phoenix raised her flaming hand and began spinning it around like a torch as she chanted some words none of them could understand.
"What now?!" Petrie cawed, but before he could receive an answer, a great flash erupted in the room. Terrified, they all shuffled backwards as a wall of fire suddenly shot all around them.
"Oh no! We are trapped!" Ducky wailed helplessly.
"Quick Littlefoot! Use your magic power she was always going on about!" Cera yelled above the crackling of the flames.
"I…I can't! I don't know how!" Littlefoot whined watching the Red Phoenix as she continued to chant.
"Petrie, quick! Fly over the fire!" Cera then ordered turning to him.
"Me can't!" Petrie complained as he took a hop away from the flames as they suddenly leapt up to the ceiling as he approached them,
"There's no way out!" Ai shrieked.
"That's right! No escape this time!" the Red Phoenix hissed as she clenched her fist and opened it again sharply. In response, the Red Phoenix's hand began to flicker with an evil, unnatural flame of black and red. The magic fire seemed to be constantly changing its shades sometimes becoming more red and other times becoming more black.
"It is done," the Red Phoenix said finally examining her hand, "with this dark magic combined with the essence and life-force of the Warrior's Heart Ruby, I shall incinerate you all, burning you alive! And the sad part is…no one is coming to save you this time!"
"Jill! Help us please!" Ali begged becoming teary.
"Damn you Phoenix! How can you terminate the lives of these innocent children?" Jill screamed but the Red Phoenix looked up at her unphased by her words.
"I will destroy any creature who opposes me, regardless of age. This could have been resolved quickly and efficiently but all of you, every single one of you, had to create complications. And to all those who wish to meddle in my eradication of the humans who plague this Earth, they will die alongside them."
"Damn you, bitch! You'll never succeed! Never in…" Jill's voice was suddenly lost as she struggled with a force that appeared to be smothering her.
"SILENCE!!! You have no reason to intervene…not just yet anyway…Despite what you blabber on about…I will fulfil my task!" the Red Phoenix shouted angrily as she lowered her hand from Jill's direction. Feeling incredibly weak, Jill suddenly fell limp in her shackles.
"No! Jill!" Littlefoot cried as the Red Phoenix cackled.
"Despite all the brave words, this silly little girl is a fool to believe that my ambitions can be stopped now." She slowly turned to face the gang as she raised her flaming hand high.
"Well…goodbye my prehistoric friends. Time to give you a head start on your extinction!"
The gang all gasped as the fire on her hand suddenly exploded and a meteor shower of flames was launched high above them. With no where to run, all six of them screamed as the flames came crashing down on them, engulfing them in a living bonfire. Littlefoot could see his entire life flashing before his eyes as he sat in the heart of the fire. Just as his memory reached the end of his lifeline, he suddenly heard a voice scream out his name.
"LITTLEFOOT!!!" it cried. Littlefoot snapped his eyes open on hearing it.
"Huh? Who is that?" he replied but the voice seemed to being ignoring him as it began to scream out his name again along with his friends.
"Huh?! What was that?" Ali gasped.
"What's going on? Are we dead?" Cera whispered shivering with fear behind Spike.
"N-no. We're not," Littlefoot said slowly looking around. From where he was standing, he could see the world as a flickering wall of red. Whirling around, he quickly discovered that he was still in the office and it was exactly the way it was a few moments ago.
"I do not understand. We are standing in the fire, but we are okay…" Ducky said nudging Spike for him to remove his feet from his eyes.
"Hey! The fire not burn. It not even hot!" Petrie squawked taking flight.
"You're right Petrie. I'm perfectly fine!" Ali announced bewildered.
From the outside, the Red Phoenix stood gaping at the sight of Littlefoot and his friends still moving around inside the blazing fire completely unharmed.
"What! How is that possible? Littlefoot couldn't possibly conjure up something to protect himself that fast," she mumbled. Grinding her teeth lividly, she yelled to the entire room.
"HOW CAN YOU STILL BE ALIVE! You all should have been reduced to a pile of smoking ash by now!"
"Hey! Do you think we have a clue?" Cera shouted back, "Looks like your little magic trick didn't work after all."
"Is it you Littlefoot?" Ali asked him softly seeing him very distressed and confused.
"No…it's not me. I haven't done anything…" he replied blandly. Suddenly, something jumped to mind, "That voice…"
"Voice? What voice?" the Red Phoenix asked urgently, eager to know more.
"A voice spoke to me. It called my name…and then all my friends but…it's strange…" Littlefoot said pondering.
"What's strange Littlefoot?" Cera asked as everyone leaned in closer.
"It sounded familiar…almost like…I've heard it before…" he said slowly.
"Could it have been the same voice you heard when we nearly got squished by that boulder?" Ali suggested. Littlefoot leapt up excitedly.
"YES! Yes, that's it! It IS the same voice from back then! That's where I had heard it before," Littlefoot said jovially.
"And that voice saved you did it?" the Red Phoenix said flatly, "well, let's see if this saviour can repeat the heroic deed." She smiled evilly and raised her hand to attack again but she was horrified to find that the magic flame had disappeared.
"What?! How the…?" she gasped clutching her right hand trying to find it.
"Look! She has lost her magic fire!" Ducky squeaked pointing to her. Just as they turned to look, the fiery barrier around them suddenly melted away and evaporated into thin air.
"Hey! The fire's gone!" Cera exclaimed as she walked out from the spot as the wall of flames that held them in suddenly died down and burned out like a spent match.
"What the?! Why has the magic stopped? Has the channel of magic stopped flowing?" the Red Phoenix said as she frantically searched herself over. To her horror, the glowing, red triangle had stopped pulsing and the radiating light slowly faded out.
"AH! No! Something's blocking the energy flow! The stones must need to be recharged," she said touching the red triangle on her chest. The gang watched as the Red Phoenix examined her body but they jumped at the sound of groaning noises overhead. Turning to look up at the super-sized, phoenix medallion, they were relieved to see Jill and Stone starting to stir. Their joy was short-lived however as they suddenly saw a bright flash from out of the corner of their eyes.
Reverting their view back to the Red Phoenix, they were alarmed to see that she as on her knees and appeared to be in pain. She was writhing like some sort of demon was about to leap out of her body. After a few seconds, the gang gasped as they saw the three triangles on her body suddenly light up and shine with a brilliant, glistening light. One of deep-sea blue, the second of blood red and the last of forest green.
"What's happening to her?" Ducky asked breathlessly.
"I don't know!" Littlefoot replied thunderstruck as he watched the beams of light quickly detach themselves from the three triangles on the Red Phoenix's body and swirl around each other like star-dusted ribbons. The three trails then wrapped around one another and span around at light speed emitting a blinding ball of white light. All six of them backed away as the ball suddenly collapsed on itself and exploded throwing golden stars everywhere like glistening confetti. In place of the white ball of light, a small, flat pyramid comprised of three golden triangles floated in the air as it dripped stars like water droplets.
"Heaven's Eternity Crystal…" Littlefoot gasped.
"It's back!" Jill exclaimed as she watched the Red Phoenix slowly stand up and approach it.
"Obviously, the power I took from Jason didn't favour being separated from it's complete form for too long," she said standing next to the spinning pyramid, "but even in this form I can absorb your life-force and complete the crystal." Her eyes lit up as she raised her nearest hand to the floating pyramid. Inching it closer, the lower right-hand, golden triangle flashed red.
"Thankfully, the power I have already removed from Jason is still available to me and it is still going to be the power that will end your meaningless existence."
Everyone took a nervous step backwards as the Red Phoenix thrust her approaching hand onto the gold triangle that flickered red repeatedly and it suddenly started glowing. The room seemed to grow darker and thunderclaps from outside rang out deafeningly. As the chaos continued around them, they looked on awestruck as a red, triple spiralling beam twisted and twirled its way up the Red Phoenix's arm. The spiral then widened and smothered her entire body before erupting, covering her in a glowing, red aura. The sight was blinding as they all watched the Red Phoenix immersed in what appeared to be a red flame.
"The fire of the Warrior and your dear friend will destroy you at long last!" she cackled to them as she began to launch another attack. Fearfully, Littlefoot and his friends stood their ground awaiting her assault but for some reason, the Red Phoenix appeared to be struggling.
"What? What's wrong now?" she bellowed flinging her arms around pathetically trying to launch any kind of magic attack.
"What's happening? Why can't she use her magic?" Ali asked curiously but greatly relieved at the same time.
"She can't…" Littlefoot said slightly entranced.
"Huh? Why not Littlefoot?" Cera asked.
"Something is stopping her from using her magic…it's not letting her use that new power…" he continued monotonically.
"How can you tell?" Ducky asked inquisitively.
"I can sense it…it's being done on purpose…"
But what? What could it be?" Petrie cawed. Littlefoot then heard something. It was a weak, struggling voice saying something to him.
"What is it Littlefoot? What is doing it to her?" Ali asked anxiously. She was reading the shocked look on his face.
"I don't think 'what' is the right word…I think it's a 'who'…" he announced airily.
"A 'who'?" they all said together extremely confused. Suddenly, a voice rang out over the whole office.
"N-n…N-nooo… You…you can't…" it groaned. It sounded as if it was carrying something heavy and was fighting to keep it up.
"What was that?!" Cera called out worryingly.
"It sounded like someone is hurt…but who?" Ducky said nervously.
"Look! Look what happened to her!" Petrie exclaimed pointing to the Red Phoenix. The gang turned towards her and she was acting very erratically. It looked as though she was battling with something and it appeared to be getting the better of her.
"What is wrong with her?!" Ducky cried terrified.
"It's that voice! It is fighting with her!" Littlefoot said excitedly yet fretfully. Ali then gasped as she saw a strange flickering just in front of the Red Phoenix as she knelt down still battling with the invisible force. All eyes fixed on her as the voice rang out again.
"N…nooooo…" it moaned but much louder.
"You're…too late now!" the Red Phoenix mumbled back.
"No…I…I won't…I won't let you harm them!" the voice argued. The gang all looked at each other greatly shocked and perplexed.
"It's trying to protect us?" Cera blabbered astonished.
"Everyone! Look there!" Ali hollered as a formation slowly started to fade into the room. A body and its features gradually materialised part by part like clearing static from a television. As more of the figure became distinguishable, the gang became more and more alarmed.
"It…it a…human!" Petrie squawked in shock as the final few details of its structure became clear.
"I…I don't believe it!" Cera gaped open-mouthed.
"You?! But how did you…?!" the Red Phoenix called to the figure breathlessly who had now fully formed.
"N…no! You won't…use me for this!" it said throwing its arms out to the sides, blocking the Red Phoenix off from the rest of them. As the figure looked up, the gang instantly recognised the face.
"…JASON!!!" Littlefoot cried taking a bound forwards.
"It is Jason!" Ducky shouted as Spike leapt alongside Littlefoot ecstatically.
"Jason!" the rest of them yelled extremely shocked but overjoyed.
"But you died!" I killed you myself! It's impossible!" the Red Phoenix hollered exasperatedly.
"You may have destroyed my body…but you can't destroy my spirit!" Jason baked back. He then turned to her and shouted,
"You will never use my power to harm my friends!" With that, he held his hand up to her face and a bright flash shot from his palm and struck her in the eyes. Screaming, the Red Phoenix lurched up and stumbled around the room clutching her eyes.
Lowering his hand again, Jason sighed exhausted. He then heard galloping footsteps from behind him. He turned slowly to see Littlefoot charging towards him.
"Jason!" he cried happily.
"No Littlefoot! Don't!" Jason warned but he had already leapt up to pounce on him. To Littlefoot's amazement, Littlefoot didn't feel his front feet hit anything solid. He sailed on and landed in a heap behind Jason.
"Littlefoot!" the others cried running to help him.
"Huh? Jason?" Littlefoot gasped horrified as he turned back to face him but Jason simply shook his head.
"I tried to tell you. I am of no physical form Littlefoot…I do not exist in the realm on the living anymore," he explained sorrowfully.
"So…you are just…like a ghost?" Littlefoot said getting on all fours again and wandering back around to his front.
"That about sums it up. I am a prisoner; held captive by my own power. The Red Phoenix drained me of my life-force and sapped my power to purify the Heaven's Eternity Crystal." Littlefoot strolled up to him cautiously and tried to place a nervous on his stomach. He gasped as his foot passed straight through him and he promptly snatched it out again.
"You see…I only exist in spirit. I am trapped inside my own Stone of Essence. It was only because the Red Phoenix was overusing the power of the Warrior that I could snatch a chance at preventing another attack."
So you saved us? When the fire came down on us?" Ali asked airily.
"Yes…and when the building almost fell you and Littlefoot. I deflected it purely because I did not wish for you to perish at the hands of my mother utilizing my power for evil. She carelessly left the magic channel between her and the boulder open so I had a chance to deflect it.
"Jason," Jill called to him, "what did you do to her?" Jill asked nodding towards the Red Phoenix as she continued to writhe in pain with her hands over her smarting eyes.
"I have merely blinded. It is all the power I have since she constantly uses my power instead of her own. The effects are temporary and she will recover soon but it will given me enough time to talk to you about all this."
Littlefoot could see the serious expression spread on Jason's face and he felt his heart sink. Although the real person stood only a few inches from him, he was greatly saddened that he was nothing more than a spectre caged within his own power source; a mere fraction of the boy he had grown to respect as a true friend.
"Littlefoot…what is it?" Ali asked watching him closely.
"Huh? Oh nothing," he said shaking his head, "go on Jason. You wanted to tell us something."
"Yeah. The Red Phoenix wants nothing but total power over all living things and she plans to…" he started but Cera butted in.
"Yeah, yeah! She wants to put all the power into that shiny rock over there so that she can get rid of all the humans in one go," she said all in one breath, "we know that much already!"
"Okay then…but there is a way to stop her," Jason said.
"There is?! How?" Petrie chirped anxiously.
"The three Stones of Essence must be reverted back into their original forms. From there, she will not have enough power to do any long term damage but she will still dangerous."
"Oh great! So she will still have her magic," Cera groaned disdainfully.
"Yes, but she won't be as powerful as she is now. With all three stones as single structures, she will be easy match for either Jill or Littlefoot."
"But why just them kid? Why not any one of us?" Stone asked feeling left out.
"Sorry serge, but only those who have been chosen to hold the stones can take her on. To fight her without magic is almost suicide…I learned that lesson the hard way."
"So how do we do it?" Ducky asked as a crash was heard on the other side of the room. The Red Phoenix was still thrashing about and knocked over the last standing bookcase.
"One of you have to get either Littlefoot or Jill to touch their specific stone as it lies in the crystal and command your stone back into your possession. If your will is strong enough and you've awakened your dormant power…the stone will instantly pull out of its formation and return to its original form. Since all three stones are required to make the crystal complete, if one has been removed, the other two stones will revert back to their first forms too."
"…Erm…you get all that?" Petrie whispered to Ducky. She simply shrugged her shoulders and continued listening.
"But how do we know if our powers have been awakened?" Jill asked feeling slightly concerned.
"I can't answer that…Only you will know. All I can say is that it will arrive if you truly desire your power for a purpose. A purpose that burns in your very soul to fulfil. Littlefoot, remember the time when I played my piccolo and your eyes started burning?"
"…Yeah. I remember that."
"It's just like that. That melody proves that the power is inside you. The melody is an indicator to show that the power is still there but it's dormant. You're burning desire to accomplish something will spark that energy to become active but be warned. Your stone will know if you are being truthful. Make sure it's not just something off the top of your head."
Jason stopped expecting them to understand all but Littlefoot came forward again.
"So…what happens after that?" he asked.
"You escape…" Jason said chirpily.
"Escape?…Just like that?" Cera argued bluntly.
"Well…yeah. Pretty much…" he replied matter-of-factly.
"How?" Petrie asked.
"The Chronos Doorway. Use that to get back to your own time. Jill or Stone will have to reprogram it and the one of you will have to use your power to supply it with enough energy to run."
"Great plan!" Jill commended.
"How'd you know all this stuff?" Cera asked curiously.
"Tapped it pretty much straight from the Red Phoenix. When she summons my power, part of my subconscious travels with it," he answered but he noticed that something was not right. Jason turned to see that Littlefoot looked very downfallen and depressed.
"Littlefoot? What's wrong buddy?" he asked, "I've told you all I can, what's the matter?"
"You've told us everything but…what about…you?" Littlefoot said mournfully.
"Me? Littlefoot…I…" Jason stuttered. He looked at Littlefoot as he lowered his head regretfully forcing him to do the same. Everyone remained silent. Jason sighed and looked Littlefoot in the eye.
"I…I doubt it is possible you can save me. My fate has already been dealt out. You and your friends have yet to receive yours and I'd never forgive myself if it was my power that delivered it to you…to any of you." Everyone locked eyes with Jason as he looked away feeling greatly ashamed.
"This insane woman has caused nothing but destruction since she obtained my power," he sighed, "if that power was to claim the lives of those I cared about the most…it would torture me forever…even in the state I am in now." No one could say a word as Jason then looked at them all with a smile.
"I could never harm…my truest friends…I just…I just hope you can see me…as the same…" he said softly. They all seemed shocked to begin with but they all beamed at his words.
"You always were…" Littlefoot said smiling widely. Jason snapped his head around awestruck.
"You were then…you are now…and you always will be…" Littlefoot continued, his smile ceasing to fade.
"Littlefoot…I…err…I…" Jason stammered with a hanging jaw, "you…you really mean that?"
"Every word…" Ali said stepping towards him.
"Yep, yep, yep! A true friend through and through!" Ducky chirped merrily.
"Uhh-huh!" Spike hummed agreeingly.
"Like you say Jason…friends forever…" Petrie said hovering above him.
"You may not be a dinosaur…and you'll always be weird to me…" Cera started, watching and smiling as Jason wrinkle up his face, "but…you still make a good friend."
"You too Cera?! Wow! I'm…I'm speechless…" Jason spluttered, "I didn't know you felt that way…thanks you guys…" All six of them beamed at him.
Suddenly, there was a bright flash that filled the room. As it dissipated, the gang all looked at Jason who had straightened upright and had gone completely rigid. He looked like he was having difficulty breathing. They then saw a glowing hand had passed through him ad it appeared to be causing him pain.
"Touching…very touching but you're greatest fear will undoubtedly be carried out…by me!" a malicious voice cackled from behind Jason. The hand was then snatched out of his abdomen and he fell to his knees clutching the impact point which was rippling with a white light. Standing over him was the Red Phoenix.
"JASON!" Littlefoot cried dashing to him.
"Lit…Littlefoot…all of you…please…stop her…" Jason said weakly as the light started radiating upwards, making his features increasingly indistinguishable.
"I'll banish your spirit to the nether-regions of hell boy!" the Red Phoenix hissed.
"No! Don't!" the gang all cried helplessly.
"My friends………………" Jason choked as the light fade taking his body with it," ……………farewell…" With that, the light died completely and Jason's ghostly form disappeared.
"Jason………no……don't go…" Littlefoot sighed defeated.
"Foolish child. How dare he pull a stunt like that over me!" the Red Phoenix spat angrily, "No matter. He has returned to his gem-stone prison to serve my wishes once more."
The gang, all still very distort at Jason's disbanding, looked at each other. Each one of them then tightened their expressions each remembering what Jason had just told them. Without saying a single word, they all lined up side by side and glared at the Red Phoenix who looked back relatively shocked.
"What's this? You're all falling in line for me to destroy you?" she sniggered sardonically.
"Wrong! We are all here to stop you!" Littlefoot boasted taking a valiant step forward. The Red Phoenix laughed at him as he stood up to her.
"Cute…very cute! You are going to stand up to me? All by your sorry lonesome?" she cackled but she was alarmed to see Ali then step out of line.
"No…not alone…" she said boldly.
"Yeah! You mess with one of us, you mess with the whole gang!" Cera snorted stepping up alongside Littlefoot.
"Together as one! Right Spike?" Ducky announced as she and Spike took their places in between Cera and Ali.
"We no scared of you anymore! We gonna beat you!" Petrie bellowed perching beside Ducky.
"Yes…we will beat you…for all the bad things you have done…and for Jason…" Littlefoot said potently narrowing his eyes.
"You all seem compelled to meet destruction at my hand…so be it," the Red Phoenix muttered bitterly extremely irritated by their stand against her. The gang stood poised as the Red Phoenix started to create a ball of energy in her hand.
"This is it then, as you wish. It's time for you to sleep…permanently!" she threatened.
"No way! We'll never give up! We can't lose!" Jill shouted. She could feel a burning wave flowing through her. Littlefoot and his friends readied themselves for the attack as the Red Phoenix powered up.
"This is it…no mercy!" she bellowed. In response, the six of them launched themselves directly at her at full speed yelling and screaming. The Red Phoenix stood her ground awaiting the oncoming onslaught.
Chapter 65: Military TacticsThe rampage of dinosaurs roared forwards at their target. The Red Phoenix remained on the spot, primed for the first attack. The four quadrupeds charged headlong straight at her with Ducky mounting Spike like a soldier on horseback and Petrie sliced the air with graceful acrobatics like a fighter jet. Their enemy stood motionless as they approached striking distance. The Red Phoenix smirked and threw a hand up causing a wall of fire to sprout up from the carpet. The flames rippled along the floor towards them.
"Look out!" Ducky screeched as Ali, Spike and Littlefoot forced their momentum to shift sideways so they could dive out of harm's way. The Red Phoenix chortled as she watched them roll clumsily to the sides but she quickly became shocked when she saw Cera had vaulted over the low wall of flames and was continuing towards her. Alarmed, the Red Phoenix flicked large, vertical blades of energy at the rampaging triceratops but she dodged them all effortlessly.
"HA! You'll have to do better than that!" she grunted lowering her head to attack with her nose horn. Cera braced herself for an impact but she didn't feel her attack hit anything solid.
"Huh?" she said sliding to a stop.
"Didn't like that? Then how about this?" a voice bellowed beside her. Cera snapped around to see a glowing hand right in front of her face. Cera then felt an invisible force starting to pick her up.
"Uh…hey! Cut that out!" she whined as the force left her hovering off the ground as the Red Phoenix smiled at her, "Get offa me! Put me down!"
"As you wish," the Red Phoenix shrugged moving her round to her front psychically.
"Cera!" Littlefoot called seeing see was in trouble.
"I think your friends are calling you!" the Red Phoenix said smirking. Cera's eyes widened fearfully as she felt her body somersault in the air before being thrown back the way she came.
"Whoa! Watch out!" Petrie warned as a screaming Cera shot through the air, landing directly on top of Littlefoot, Spike and Ali. The Red Phoenix laughed aloud as the three of them tried to untangle themselves from each other. Whilst she chuckled, she failed to notice Petrie soaring at her with Ducky latched onto his legs like a hang-glider.
"You ready?" Petrie pre-empted.
"Yes! I am ready!" Ducky verified. With that Petrie swung back and threw her with all his might. Flying through the air, Ducky landed on the Red Phoenix's face.
"I have got you now!" she said scrambling all over her head blinding her with her hands.
"Get off you little, green gnat!" the Red Phoenix snapped flapping around trying to grab her.
Meanwhile, Littlefoot, Cera, Spike and Ali had finally detangled themselves.
"Gee Cera! You're heavy!" Littlefoot puffed breathlessly as he stood upright.
"Hey! It's not my fault!" Cera argued but she was interrupted by a frightened scream. They turned to find that the Red Phoenix had managed to grab Ducky and was holding her in one hand.
"Oh no! She's got Ducky!" Ali yelped urgently but she felt something barge past her.
"Hey Spike! Watch it!" Cera moaned as he galloped towards the Red Phoenix to help his sister. Ducky squirmed and struggled in the Red Phoenix's clutches as she squeezed tighter.
"I'm going to grind you into dust," she hissed malevolently.
"Oh no you not!" Petrie cawed boldly diving on her.
"Back for more punishment you miserable excuse for a bird?" the Red Phoenix taunted attempting to swat him with a free hand but Petrie ducked and swooped majestically around her feebly swipes.
"Ha ha! Me too fast for you!" he said triumphantly.
"Oh yeah? Let's see how you like this then…" the Red Phoenix said raising a hand as he approached again, "BLACK OUT!" Petrie stopped on hearing the chant and suddenly found himself completely smothered by an inky, black cloud that blotted out every single drop of light. Petrie coughed and spluttered as the abnormal gas filled his nostrils and airways.
"Hey! Me can no see!" he choked.
"Try dodging this!" he then heard from somewhere around him. Petrie then felt something strike him from behind, knocking him out of the air. Wailing, he careered across the room coming to a painful rest as he hit the wall and slid down it onto the carpet behind the large, oak desk. The Red Phoenix continued to laugh mockingly at the gang's foolhardy attempts.
"Any more for anymore?" she announced openly.
"Just one…" Cera called to her with a sly grin. Intrigued, the Red Phoenix turned to look in her direction and was dumbfounded to see a massive, green blur heading straight for her.
"What the?!" she gaped just as Spike let out and almighty roar and leapt up onto her. Unable to counter the attack, the Red Phoenix was tackled and flew backwards releasing Ducky as she stumbled. Fearing that she would crash headfirst into the wall, she let out a scream of fright. Reacting to her cry, Spike quickly sprinted as fast as he could to her aid. Positioning himself between her and the wall, Spike jumped up and caught Ducky on his head before landing and colliding sideways with the wall in a skid.
"Ohhhh…Thank you Spike! You have rescued me again!" she sighed greatly relieved. Spike beamed and hummed happily. Just then, they both turned to see the rest of the gang had already followed up and were attacking her again whilst she was subdued. With a quick glance at each other, Ducky and Spike sped off to re-join the fray.
From their spectator seats suspended above the office floor, Sergeant Stone and Lieutenant Fielding could do nothing but watch as the young dinosaurs fought with the insane woman.
"Grrrr…These stupid, bloody shackles!" Stone cursed fidgeting in the metal bracelets, "We should be the ones taking her on…not the kids."
"I know. They're a brave bunch of troopers I'll give 'em that but they're gonna need our help to escape at least," Jill muttered back.
"Hey Jill…wasn't there six of them? One's missing isn't there? I only count five," Stone said. Jill looked over to the chaos on the other side of the office to find that the sergeant was right. Only five out of the six were tussling with the Red Phoenix.
"The pteranodon! Where's Petrie?" Jill then said realising who was missing. Just then, a low-pitched moaning was heard below them.
"Petrie, there you are!" Jill said glad to see him unharmed. Petrie shook his aching head and puffed himself up infuriated.
"Me gonna show her good!" Petrie growled starting to march towards her again.
"No Petrie, wait! Com'mere a sec. I have a better idea," Jill called signalling to him. Petrie did as he was told and flapped up to her.
"You have plan?" he cawed inquisitively.
"Yeah but I'll need your help," she said waving him closer.
"Okay, me listening…" Petrie hovered close enough so Jill could whisper in his ear.
"You see the crystal over there? I need you to bring it to me. If what Jason said was true then I'll need to get my hands on it to break it apart and seal off her new power."
"But…me no know if me can touch it…" Petrie said nervously.
"You can touch it, it won't affect you. Just bring it to me whilst your pals are keeping her occupied."
"Okay…"
"Go! Quickly!" Jill hissed lowly. Obeying, Petrie turned and took off towards the unguarded Heaven's Eternity Crystal.
On the other side, the Red Phoenix had her hands full repelling every attack thrown at her from every angle. Tail swipes came from one way and flying feet came from another but she managed to duck around them all as they came relentlessly at her again and again.
"Take this!" Cera shouted attempting to ram her from one side.
"No thank you," the Red Phoenix smirked blocking another tail swing from Spike before cartwheeling over her.
"Oooooooo!" Cera scowled as she slid having missed her chance. Landing a few feet further back, the Red Phoenix waved them on.
"C'mon kids…not getting tired are we?" she taunted. Following her up, the five of them charged again while Petrie, unknown to the Red Phoenix, had now reached the Heaven's Eternity Crystal. Nervously hovering next to it, Petrie looked up at the Red Phoenix but she was still busy with his friends.
"Me hope this thing friendly…" he chattered unnervingly as he slowly clamped his feet around the top golden triangle. It felt strangely warm in his clutches as he hauled it back off to Jill who was signalling for him to hurry.
"That's it Petrie…just keep coming…" she whispered to him as he inched closer.
As Petrie made his getaway with the crystal in his possession, the Red Phoenix was still knocking the rest of them back but they all bounced right back.
"Phew…I am starting to feel tired…" Ducky complained as she rolled back from being hit away after she attempted to bite the Red Phoenix's shin.
"Where is Petrie? What's he doing?" Cera whined after another ramming attack missed.
"Hmm…good question. Where is that pesky ptera…" the Red Phoenix started but she felt a cold wave travel down her body as she deflected another assault from Littlefoot and Ali.
"The crystal's been shifted," she babbled awestruck. She gazed up to look where the crystal had been before bit it had disappeared. Seeing she was no longer concentrating on the fight, the gang withheld their attacks and looked back to where the Red Phoenix was focused.
"Hey look. That shiny, yellow stone is gone," Ducky announced but Cera jumped in with a gasp.
"What the?!" What is Petrie doing with that stone thing?!" she hollered at the top of her lungs.
"What?!" Petrie?!" the Red Phoenix shrieked in horror. She then looked up and saw him heading towards Jill. Panicking, Littlefoot turned back to the Red Phoenix who was raising a head to fire on Petrie.
"Ali quick! Help me out!" Littlefoot called. Ali whirled around to Littlefoot who had his tail up high. Copying him, Ali lifted her tail up, ready to strike.
"Go!" Littlefoot ordered spinning around, sweeping his tail low. Ali followed suit a split second afterwards dropping her tail in her spin. Just as the Red Phoenix lined up her shot to snipe Petrie out of the air, Littlefoot and Ali's attack made contact with her legs wiping her clean off her feet. The shot fired off at a harmless tangent and dissolved. Hearing the commotion behind him, Petrie panicked and began to flap harder to speed up.
"Hurry Petrie!" She's spotted you! Hurry!" Jill urged.
"Me……me coming…" he panted forcing himself to fly faster.
"No you don't!" the Red Phoenix yelled springing to her feet.
"Quick! Get her!" Littlefoot shouted to everyone. The gang, shocked at first, all tried to pounce on her but she magically dashed around them leaving them all in a messy heap.
"Quick! After her!" Littlefoot yelped trying to kick Spike off him to give chase.
"Uuuugghhh…OW! You are on my tail!" Ducky squealed leaping up.
"Sorry," Ali apologized.
"She's…uuurrrgggghhh…she's getting away!" Cera shouted as she stood up but she ran headfirst into a magic barrier which bounced her back.
"You and your big mouth Cera! You couldn't have said that any louder could you!" Littlefoot scorned walking up to her. Cera threw him a dirty look but he ignored it as he watched Petrie drawing closer to Jill.
"He's giving it to Jill," Ali exclaimed.
"She is going to try to break it apart," Ducky said excitedly. The gang began to cheer Petrie on from behind the barrier as he drew level with Jill.
"Here……it is…" Petrie wheezed.
"Great job! Quick! Drop it in my hand," Jill requested. Petrie floated over to her nearest hand but shrieked as an energy ball blazed past him.
"Give that back!" the Red Phoenix bellowed firing again.
"Hurry Petrie!" Jill edged. Dodging more shots at him, Petrie dropped the Heaven's Eternity Crystal in her right hand.
"Great! Now…which stone is mine I wonder?" she mumbled to herself. As if to answer her question, the golden triangle to the left of the one she was holding flickered green.
"Ah ha! That one!" With a quick flick of her wrist, Jill threw the crystal upwards. It spun slowly as the crystal reached the peak of the throw and started to fall again. Just as it was about to reach Jill's hand again, a ball of energy suddenly struck the crystal and it bounced off the wall and tumbled away.
"Oh no!" Jill squeaked as he golden pyramid fell out of reach. She flailed her legs trying to hook it with her foot but it bounced off her foot and fell to the floor, "Damn it!"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Silly little girls shouldn't play with things they don't understand," the Red Phoenix tutted waving a finger from side to side as the crystal levitated up and hovered in mid-air again.
"Damn you Phoenix! If I had my power, I'd happily kick your ass right now! You wouldn't stand a chance!" Jill screamed lividly.
"Is that so?" the Red Phoenix smirked charging a ball of energy in one hand, "Well, here's a consolation prize. I'll let you sample my power instead." With that, the Red Phoenix threw the ball of energy which hit Jill directly. She squirmed and flopped down in her shackles as the energy crackled over her body. The Red Phoenix cackled and turned to walk off but she stopped on hearing Jill laughing.
"Jill? Are you alright?" Stone asked slightly concerned.
"I'm fine Stone. Perfect actually," she replied slowly looking up, "thanks for that Phoenix. That was just what the doctor ordered."
"What are you blabbering about?" the Red Phoenix snapped indignantly.
"That energy ball was just the boost I needed to awaken my dormant power. Again, I thank you for it."
"You're lying! How? You haven't even attempted it yet! Besides, you were just trying to break the crystal like that bratty kid of mine told you to."
"Au contraire. That was just one idea I had in mind. Every good soldier knows to have a back-up plan should the first fail."
"You're still lying! I can read your power level like a book and it's no greater than that of an ant's. You can't fool me!"
"Really?" Jill then said smiling slyly. She then began to struggle and strain with her shackles. They clicked noisily and started to glow white. The gang looked on in awe as the shackled shattered allowing Jill to drop to the ground. She looked up from her crouched position at the Red Phoenix who stood open-mouthed.
"But…how?" You're power level was non-existent!" she stammered.
"How? According to the legend foretold in my dreams, I am the Summoner and protector of the Summoner's Soul Emerald. I have the ability to summon my power when I wish. It was dormant up until your little shock treatment gave me a jump start to initiate my magic flow I extracted from my stone."
"But you never touched your stone! You dropped it!"
"That doesn't mean to say I didn't touch it. My power transferred in secret as I so wished it to as I kicked it when it fell." Everyone gasped with delight, all apart from the Red Phoenix who stood with stray electricity snapping and crackling around her clenched fist.
"Bitch! You will pay for that!" the Red Phoenix spat.
"Ho ho! I am soooo gonna enjoy this…" Jill said psyching herself up. She circled her arms, feeling her magic energy flowing through every inch of her.
"Alright…let's get this over with," she said as her hands glowed with a piercing, green light and sparked lividly.