Alright everybody, I think this story is just about done…almost. There are probably 2 more chapters in the future for this one, then it's off to the 4th episode, which I know you're all waiting for!
chyp: That's right, the tuba. Such a huge instrument. Props to you for being able to be in a marching band with that. And thanx for reviewing.
Derrick held his hands out, guarding his wife and son as Xernevod slowly approached them, wielding the Gem of Legend in his hands. It shone a bright yet eerie green color, giving it a somewhat "evil" aura. As he drew closer, smiling the entire time, Derrick waved his hands in an attempt to create more space between himself and his enemy. As he tapped into his power, though, the Gem briefly glowed green and Derrick's power rebounded back at him at such a force that it threw not only him, but Charity and George into the wall behind them, as well as created an enormous imprint. The three exhausted Millers slumped to the ground, knowing that all hope was lost. George cried softly while Charity held him close. All the while, Derrick stood his ground, determined to fight for his family at any cost.
"You stupid witches," Xernevod spat. "You mistake altruism and bravery for foolishness. I shall show you the difference between the two."
He held his hands in front of him and the Gem hovered slightly above them, growing brighter by the second. Charity hid George from the sight while Derrick continued to pant heavily, preparing for the worst. Suddenly, Xernevod unleashed a gigantic blast of green energy through the Gem. A high-pitched whistle accompanied it as it shot through the air like a missile. Derrick let out a resounding "NO!" as the greenness penetrated his body. Charity screamed out as she witnessed her husband writhe in unimaginable pain and agony. Although it seemed to last for hours, the green blast stopped and Derrick collapsed to the ground in a heap.
"Is Dad…" George asked his mother, peeking around her.
Charity didn't reply. Tears flowed down her now expressionless face, but she found that she no longer had the ability to speak. All of her feelings, all of her emotions, converged upon each other, rendering her unable to say a word. George looked into her eyes and instantly understood what had happened. He let go of her and stood up, staring Xernevod down.
"You killed my father," he announced in an angry tone.
"How very observant of you," Xernevod replied, "but do not worry. You will see him again very soon."
George extended his hands and flicked them at Xernevod, who only smiled as he held out one hand. He closed it as if he had just caught something, and then opened it up again, revealing a sphere of blue smoke. George's eyes widened, only adding to Xernevod's amusement.
"I believe that this belongs to you," he said.
He waved the Gem over it and the smoke immediately took on a greenish hue. He threw it back at George, who had no idea what to do, and it hit him directly. George's face became strained as his body froze from head to toe. Charity still had not mustered the ability to move; all she could do was helplessly watch her son become encased in solid ice. Xernevod, now chuckling, waved his hand and an invisible force suddenly shattered the ice statue, sending shards of ice flying across the entire room. Completely overwhelmed, Charity fainted and fell to the floor.
Just then, three swirling lights flickered into existence and James, Matthew, and Wesley rematerialized into the room.
"It's about damn time," Wesley complained to Matthew.
"Shut up," Matthew responded.
"Uh oh," James said, pointing to Derrick and Charity's limp bodies, "I think we're too late."
"Where's George?" Wesley asked his brothers.
"What are you asking me for?" James snapped. "We all got here at the same time."
"Looks like we snuck in," Matthew said to Wesley. "Try to freeze him from here."
"If it never worked in the first place," Wesley reasoned, "it won't work now. Why don't we just throw these potions?"
"Because we have to get it into his mouth," James answered. "Any ideas?"
"Try to freeze him," Matthew repeated to Wesley.
Wesley hesitantly threw his hands out in Xernevod's general direction. As he guessed, nothing happened to their enemy, although the Gem of Legend briefly glowed white before returning to its green state. Xernevod turned his attention to the three brothers; the Gem apparently signaled their presence.
"Welcome back," he said to them.
"What did you do?" Matthew asked, gripping his potion tightly in his hand. "If they're dead…"
"It does not concern you," Xernevod countered, slowly advancing upon the three brothers. "You will soon join them."
"I don't think so," James said.
He threw his potion at Xernevod. The bottle arced through the air, filled with a bright purple liquid. Xernevod pointed at the bottle with one finger and it suddenly burst into pieces as the precious liquid spilled onto the ground.
"Is that the best you could do?" he taunted the brothers. "I thought you were much more powerful than that."
"He broke the bottle," Wesley whispered to his brothers. "What do we do now?"
"Distract him," James suggested as he took Wesley's bottle.
James separated from himself using his cloning power and reappeared behind Xernevod. The clone kicked Xernevod in the back, knocking him backwards a couple of feet. Xernevod turned and backhanded the clone in the face, throwing him to the ground. He turned back to his original three targets, but James took the small opportunity and immediately threw the second bottle just as Xernevod turned around. It sailed toward its target and was mere millimeters from reaching Xernevod when it suddenly stopped.
"You froze it?" James asked Wesley angrily, pushing him roughly.
"No," Wesley claimed, pushing James back.
"The Gem of Legend," Xernevod explained as he grabbed the bottle from its state of suspended animation, "has the ability to copy any power used against it. Now, you have one bottle left. I trust you will use it wisely."
"Maybe we won't need it," James said as Xernevod held his head back and laughed evilly.
