A Rock and a Hard Place
This Talisman Recovery Mission had been simple enough. The Dark hand thugs had been tied up and hung from the roof and Jackie was holding the Horse Talisman. This time Aqua was with him as she was the one who had subdued the Enforcers.
"I still don't see why we didn't bring Shasta up here?" Aqua retorted to Jackie as they prepared to leave in the snow mobile that they brought.
"Because Shasta's element of Fire would've caused an avalanche," Jackie replied, "Besides we're here for the talisman and we got it. Now let's get back to Uncle's shop before more problems show up."
"I think they just did," said the Aquatic Arkeyan Mage as Malefor arrived on cue and began chasing them. "Hang on this could get dangerous."
Jackie hung on knowing better than to question Aqua as the Aquatic Arkeyan Sorceress avoided and evaded the attacks of the Dark Master as he used Ice Breath to try and slow them down.
"Aqua can't you go any faster?" Jackie asked.
"I'm giving it all she's got," Aqua said, "Techno designed the snowmobile for tundra terrain not to outrun a full grown purple Dragon. He didn't expect Malefor himself to show up."
"Then we gotta improvise," The Archeologist suggested as he grabbed a shovel and used it to toss snow at The Dark Master in an attempt to blind him, "Aqua please tell me Techno created a generator to help us escape."
"No but I did bring this," The Aquatic Mage said holding the Rabbit Talisman, "Shasta and I agreed that it would help us if it's used correctly."
Aqua placed the Talisman on the Snowmobile before activating it causing the vehicle to rocket away at warp speed from the Dark Master who tried to keep up.
Aqua drove the snowmobile carefully before activating the teleportation feature to escape with Jackie and the Talismans.
Later that evening at Uncle's shop Flora and Shasta had whipped up some Tea while Tohru was doing some dusting for Uncle and Jade was chatting with Lamorak and Luna about some adventures as usual when Jackie and Aqua arrived.
"You brought the Talisman I presume?" Shasta asked.
"Yep. That Locator spell you whipped up really got the job done," said Aqua, "Though we ran into trouble in the form of Malefor."
"You mean that Malefor personally went to collect the Talisman?" Terrador replied.
"I'm afraid so," The Aquatic Mage spoke, "If I didn't have the Rabbit Talisman with me who knows where Jackie and I would be right now."
"Good point but for now let's figure out what this talisman does," Shasta said, "Uncle do you have the book ready?"
"Uncle has book ready," Uncle spoke as he opened the book to the Talisman.
"What have you got this time?" Jackie asked.
"This talisman comes with a riddle," Uncle said, "According to the riddle it says that this noble horse shall expel from the knight any and all aliens from within."
"What does that mean?" Luna asked.
"Sounds like Alien invaders from within the Talisman itself," Jade spoke.
"I was kinda expecting another offensive power like Strength, Speed, or Combustion," Kira said.
"Not every talisman power is going to grant fire power," said Shasta.
"Either way we better get this talisman to the Vault," Jackie said, "Even with the new Barrier spell that the Arkeyans created it's only a matter of time before Malefor finds a way to break in."
"But for now let us enjoy the Calm before the Storm," Ventus suggested as the Governors planned to leave.
Over in the Dark Hand's office Malefor was standing before the Statue that was Shendu explaining what happened.
"So let me get this right Malefor," Shendu spoke, "You're telling me that Valmont's men failed to get the Talisman and that you yourself tried to get the Talisman but failed as well?"
"Pretty much but remember I'm working on a plan here," Malefor retorted, "The Arkeyans have advanced knowledge of various spells that were rumored to be lost in the mists of time and they're using those spells to beat us to the Talismans."
"Sounds like we should just wait for them to find the Talismans and steal them," said Kaos.
"The Talismans could empower the Arkeyans even further," Valmont spoke, "Then again the way Malefor described the Arkeyan Weapon Masters they don't even need help from the Talismans."
"Either way those mages are causing big problems for us," The Dark Portal Master Spoke, "Which means we need to go to plan B. An all-out invasion of their base!"
"Except we don't know where the base is," said Malefor, "Which means I'm sending in the Apes."
"Malefor the Apes are terribly unreliable," Red retorted.
"We have no choice," Kaos said, "Besides they're mercenaries and usually I'm the one whose talking to them in the first place. They don't know I've teamed up with you guys."
"Which is currently how I want it until I know for sure what it is that they're planning," Malefor said, "In the meantime how is that new locator spell going?"
"The new locator spell is going well," Red said, "I managed to locate the Rat Talisman. The bad news is that one of the Arkeyans already has found it."
"If I recall that's the one that grants reanimation," said Glumshanks, "Which means if we give it to Shendu we can restore him to his full power."
"Shendu will still need the rest of the talismans to get all his other powers back," said Malefor, "But that does give me an idea. If we give him the Rat Talisman we can set him loose upon the city and launch an all out attack."
"Then let's do it," Said Kaos, "By the way which Arkeyan has the talisman power?"
"The Junior Mage," Red said, "Luna."
"Then it shouldn't' be a problem taking the talisman from her," Kaos replied.
"Perhaps but just in case I have a backup plan," Red said as he told the others his plan.
"Are you sure this will work?" Shendu asked.
"To be honest I can't be entirely sure this will work but if it does then we'll have acquired the talismans," Red replied. "Personally I'm the type to not risk losing one talisman in an exchange."
"But given that Shendu only has two we may have no choice," Kaos pointed out much to the Red Dragon's annoyance.
Meanwhile over with Luna she was currently in San Fran with the Rat Talisman in hand and this time Tohru was with her.
"I cannot believe you were able to acquire the Talisman that quickly Miss Luna," Tohru said.
"Believe me Tohru it wasn't easy," said the Junior Cosmic Arkeyan Sorceress, "Shasta's gonna want to know that I have the Rat Talisman."
"There is no need for that," Tohru replied to Luna's confusion, "While we were in the airport I dialed up Shasta to let her know that we already found the Rat Talisman."
"Then this assignment is complete right?" Tohru asked as they were heading back.
Unfortunately as soon as those words left his mouth the duo were surrounded by Shadowkhan.
"You were saying Tohru?" Luna asked as the Shadowkhan attacked.
Luna and Tohru used their magic and their skills to fend off the Shadowkhan to the best of their abilities. They had a few speed bumps along the way but they continued to fight off the ninjas.
Unfortunately one snuck up behind Luna and fired a dart that hit her on the leg causing her to yelp.
"Luna!" Tohru yelled getting to Luna as fast as he could.
"I'm okay Tohru," said Luna, "It's just a scratch. We gotta get moving."
"I'm afraid it won't be that easy," Malefor's voice rang out as the Dragon himself appeared before them via magical projection, "You've just been poisoned."
"Poisoned?" the Junior Arkeyan Mage asked stunned, "With what?"
"A toxin that'll turn any organic matter into stone," Malefor said as a fly appeared before Malefor grabbed it and used a toxin to turn it to stone, "Of course It takes about 15 hours give or take to take effect on humans or in your case Arkeyans."
"What do you want from us?" Tohru demanded.
"All the Talismans you gathered in exchange for the antidote," said Malefor, "And if you refuse then your friend will remain a statue forever."
Malefor vanished as Tohru and Luna looked worried.
Later on at Uncle's shop the duo explained what happened as everyone else was gathered there. Shasta had taken the newly acquired Rat Talisman to study the power it held.
"Poisoned?" Jackie asked, "Are you kidding?"
"I'm afraid not," Luna said, "And Malefor wants the Talismans for the antidote."
"I'll make my own antidote," Uncle said stepping up to the plate, "Luna follow Uncle."
"Go with him Luna," Shasta said, "I'll keep trying to figure out the riddle of the Horse Talisman."
"But what about the Rat Talisman?" Aqua asked.
"Take the Talisman to the vault then guard the other talismans," said the Volcanic Arkeyan, "If Uncle cannot find an antidote in time or if I cannot find the riddle of the horse talisman then we may have to make one of the toughest decisions yet."
Aqua sighed as she went thought with her task knowing that Celestia was away on other business and she'd be gone for at least 10 days.
Later that night Jackie was in the park when Jade came to see him.
"You okay Jackie?" Jade asked.
"No I'm not," said Jackie, "You heard what Shasta said. We may have to make one of the toughest decisions yet."
"I'm sure they'll think of something," Jade said. "From what Uncle said they look out for each other and they act like a team."
"Yes but what if they actually consider giving the talismans to save Luna?" Jackie asked, "Do they not realize that one talisman is nothing compared to all twelve combined?"
"They know that," Jade retorted, "I think. Still we have to do something?"
"Shasta's working on solving the riddle of the horse talisman and Uncle is trying to find an antidote."
Jade sighed before leaving knowing that she may have to take matters into her own hands to save Luna.
Late at night Jade snuck into Section 13. She had a piece of string to grab Captain Black's key card to use it to open the first level of the vault. After clearing the first level she got to the second level of the vault.
'I saw a seven at the end of the three digit code,' Jade thought before she punched in the numbers 007 which in turn opened the vault, 'Captain Black. I got your number.'
Jade then continued her trek into the vault before spotting the level 3 security. She was expecting Aqua to pop up at any minute but she didn't. What she didn't know was that Aqua had been called away on an emergency task and wouldn't be back till morning and entrusted Kira of the Phantom Arkeyans to guard the vault. Either way Jade managed to swing her way over to where the talismans were being kept and saw that the Rat Talisman was among them.
She grabbed a sharp cutting tool to slice a hole in the glass before she collected the talismans one by one. What she didn't know was that all this didn't go unnoticed by Kira who set the security cameras to the vault.
"Seems Jade's better at this than we thought," said Kira to Captain Black, "Shame that it took a crisis like this for us to see that. Anyway call Jackie up while I go do some damage control."
At uncle's shop Jackie was awoken by a phone call.
"Hello," Jackie yawned.
"Jackie it's captain black," Black said, "Jade's in Section 13. She can be an agent when she grows up. Now tell her to return the goods and take Kira with you."
"Understood," Jackie said.
Early next morning the Enforcers were at the top of a tower and they were shivering and so was Kaos.
"I can't believe Red had to set the exchange in the draftiest place in town," Finn groaned.
"Just deal with it," said Kaos, "The sooner we get this over with the sooner we can get the other talismans."
The enforcers groaned as Jade arrived.
"You're kidding me," Ratso said, "Where are Shasta or Celestia?"
"Busy now let's talk business," Jade said, "I have the Talismans now where's the antidote."
"Right here," Chow said presenting the antiodote.
"What proof do I have that the antidote isn't a fake?"
Chow grabbed the stone fly and dropped the antitode on it restoring it to normal.
"Okay you've made your point," Jade said but before the exchange could be Jackie and Kira showed up on point.
"Jade wait," Jackie yelled.
"It's Chan and one of those Mages," Kaos said, "Get them!"
The enforcers went to go get them. As usual the Enforcers were clumsy and Jackie beat them back. Fortunately Kira was able to get to Jade.
"Jade what were you thinking?" Kira asked.
"I was just trying to help get the antidote," said Jade.
"Well it turns out we may not need it anyway," said Kira, "Shasta's figured out the riddle of the Horse Talisman."
Before Kira could say anymore Ratso had crept up to take the bag from Jade only to be kicked away by Kira.
"Watch it," Kira snapped to Ratso.
"What were you saying Kira?" Jade asked.
"Turns out the Horse Talisman does what the riddle says," Kira spoke, "Shasta has confirmed that the Horse Talisman can cure any disease or heal any injury."
"Does that mean Luna's alright?" Jade asked hopefully.
"She is now but we must hurry," said Kira as the enforcers were knocked out.
"Going somewhere?" Kaos asked as his trolls appeared.
"Yeah out of here," Kira said brandishing a staff before tossing it to Jackie, "Jackie. Use this staff to defend yourself."
Jackie got the message as he began defending himself from the Trolls while Kira used her magic to protect Jade and the Talismans. The trolls were vast but not organized but even so the battle was tough and Kira managed to get a hit on Kaos knocking him out.
"I think we're done here," Kira said as she teleported Jackie, Jade and herself back to Section 13.
At Section 13 a fully recovered Luna was with the team as Shasta brought them up to speed on the Horse Talisman.
"Well it's good to see you figured out what the horse talisman did," said Jackie.
"Good for us and the planet," Shasta replied, "I don't even want to think about what could've happened if Celestia found her sister turned to stone."
"Well we don't have to worry about that," Jade said before speaking, "So am I in trouble for breaking into the vault?"
"Well let's just say that your heart was in the right place and you were caught between a rock and a very hard place," said Jackie as the group all agreed to that.
"We dodged the bullet today but something tells me that the Dark hand is going to step up their game real soon," said Captain Black as the group all looked serious at that note.
"By the way did anyone figure out what the Rat Talisman does?" asked Kira.
"It grants motion to the motionless," said Shasta, "Turns out the Rat wanted the power to animate statues to defend it from the numerous creatures that want to eat it. At least that's what the legends say."
"Sounds useless in a fight," Jade replied.
"Remember Jade," Tohru spoke, "Something that seems useless may turn out to be the most useful."
"Wise words Tohru," Aqua replied, "Wise words indeed."
The group nodded at that comment as they geared up to wait for the next talisman to appear.