A million thoughts were also racing through Tegryn's head, and none of them were particularly good. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead, and his ribs and stomach throbbed from the beating he had just received. He was heavily outnumbered with little hope of victory - he would have enough trouble facing just one of them, but all four of them together?
Together? A small smile crept onto his face - he had just had an idea. It wasn't much of an idea, but his options were pretty thin on the ground right now.
Kaiser stepped forward, with the Trix lurking behind him in their typically sinister manner.
"So... still fancy your chances? You know, you really should've let us walk away when you had the chance - at least then you'd live to spend some more time with your darling girlfriend before I conquered this realm... but no, you had to be all brave and heroic, didn't you? Your stupidity has sealed your doom."
"I'm not afraid of you." Tegryn bravely replied, doing his best to look unimpressed by Kaiser's words.
Kaiser was astounded by this response. "You're not afraid of me? YOU'RE not afraid of ME? Is your memory really that bad? Have you forgotten what happened last time we met?"
Tegryn gave a little shudder.
"Oh, so you do remember then. Well, just in case your memory's gone a little hazy, let me refresh it for you." A eerie blue glow suddenly surrounded Kaiser's hands. "And just to make sure you don't forget, have a double helping from me! FEAR FACTOR!"
The dark blue flash erupted from his hands and streaked towards Tegryn, who made no attempt to dodge it. Instead, he raised his hands together in front of him and slowly drew them apart, revealing a large shimmering white disc. The Fear Factor spell slammed into Tegryn's Magic Mirror, which bounced it straight back in Kaiser's direction. His look of malice quickly gave way to a look of horror as he saw what was happening, and he desperately flung himself onto the ground to avoid it. The dark magic shot over his head and straight towards the witches. Darcy tried her best to avoid it but the spell glanced off her. Icy and Stormy weren't so lucky, and Kaiser's magic hit them head on.
The three girls looked at each other, bewildered. Then, they erupted into a frenzy of fright and panic as their worst fears slowly materialised in front of them.
"No! NOOO! Get 'em off me!" Icy screamed.
"There's too many! They're all around us!" Stormy shouted.
"Quick - let's get out of here!"
Kaiser looked on in disgust as the three of them sprinted away out of Alfea's main gate, cowering in the face of some unseen enemy. Mirta clapped her hands in delight.
"Yes, that's it! Teggy, you did it! Now finish this creep off!"
Kaiser looked up at her. "You! Shut the hell up NOW!"
"You gonna make me?"
"Yes." The surface of the bubble holding Mirta captive suddenly crackled with energy, and Mirta screamed in pain as that energy was sent jolting through her body.
"Kaiser!" Tegryn bellowed as loud as his injured ribs would allow him. "You really enjoy picking on girls, don't you?"
"Why, yes I do! The reaction I get from them is most enjoyable."
"You're nothing but a stinking coward!"
Kaiser's face darkened at these words.
"What did you call me?"
"A coward. A lousy, stinking, pathetic little coward - that's all you are, with or without that sceptre."
"Really?" Kaiser replied, barely able to contain the ball of rage that was welling up inside him. "I'm surprised you still have the energy to insult me like this after the pummelling I've been giving you. No matter - you'll soon grow weary of it."
"I doubt it."
"I beg to differ." Kaiser raised the Celestial Sceptre and pointed it at Tegryn. "You haven't even begun to see the power I now hold. I can do much, much more than just batter you into submission. I'll soon have you bowing before me."
"Oh yeah? And how are gonna do that?"
An evil smile broke out across Kaiser's face. "You just had to ask, didn't you? Allow me to demonstrate!" A faint, sinister glow suddenly appeared from the Celestial Sceptre. "It's time for you to experience the Soul Drain!"
A narrow beam shot out from the sceptre and engulfed Tegryn. He gasped at this wierd sensation - it felt as though it was pulling at him gently but forcefully. He tried to get away, but he powerless to move, as slowly but surely he felt his body becoming more and more tired. He soon realised what was happening - Kaiser was sucking the of energy out of his body, feasting on his spirit like some bloodthirsty vampire. Tegryn struggled to fight it, but it was no use. Exhausted, he slumped to his knees, barely able to stay conscious.
"Goodnight Tegryn... UNpleasant dreams!"
Tegryn collapsed to the ground, the whole world around him crashing in and out of darkness as he tried desperately to stay awake. Almost all the energy had been stripped away from him, and he lay defeated and helpless in front of Kaiser. He raised the sceptre, which glowed brighter and brighter as he prepared to land the final blow.