Chapter 14: The Deception
Upon hitting the bottom of the pit, Stanley groaned, "You know what? I think we fell into a trap."
Henry, rubbing his head, deadpanned, "And what was your first clue, Stanley?"
The Clan heard evil laughter coming from above them. Gazing up, they saw two of the masked men looking down on them.
"You goons won't be laughing when we find a way out of here," the eager Flip shook his fist.
"You tell them, Flip!" cheered Scooter.
"Uh, but, Flip," Nancy asked as a frightened Mimi clanged to her, "how are we going to get out?"
The Chan Clan suddenly heard an old voice. "You'll get out of the pit, alright. But you won't get out this factory!" A familiar figure approached the pit from above. To their great shock, with the masked hoodlums…was Madam Lava!
The Chan Clan gasped, "Madam Lava!"
"You set us up!" Flip exclaimed.
"Correct, little boy," the wicked woman cackled. "However, I was planning on all of you spending the night at the inn after baiting you with your father's tie. That way, I could've snuck into your rooms and used my hypnotic dragon necklace here to turn you all into my new slaves later. Unfortunately, you young snoopers somehow got lucky and found my little hideout instead. But fortunately, for me, I have a thug working at every inn and hotel in the city to tip me off about my targets."
"What have you done with our pop?" Henry demanded to know.
The ruthless gypsy snapped her fingers, signaling her men. One of the masked men pressed a button on the wall to lower a monitor screen down into the pit. On the screen, the children saw their father among the brainwashed Chinese people working in the factory, much to their horror.
"You won't get away with this!" Flip hissed.
"Yeah," Scooter repeated, "you won't get away with this!"
"Is that a boy or a parrot?" Madam Lava mocked the youngest Chan. "Anyway, don't feel neglected, children. You'll soon be joining your father and all my other slaves."
As the monitor rose back up out of the pit, Suzie asked the evil gypsy, "Why are you doing this?"
"Well, a good, obedient worker is so hard to find these days," Madam Lava explained her motive. "And I know countless people all over the world who'd pay great money for soldiers and workers who would do what they're told without question. Now, I got some deals to close and when I return, you lucky kids will become my newest employees."
The cold-hearted woman left the room with her two henchmen, laughing cruelly at the trapped Chan children.
"I hate to say it," said Stanley, "but, wham bam! We're in a jam."