The monks had been working overtime since returning home from their vacation. With Hannibal determined to destroy them and Valonia's crew ready to move in at a moment's notice, it was time for the monks to get serious. Today Master Fung was instructing them in a new combo attack.
"Many times in the heat of battle you will find yourself either alone or nowhere near your complementary element. However, you might be near a source of your opposing element or even a warrior whose element is your opposite. It does not matter if natural or force opposite, by learning to work with you're opposite nature you increase your chances of surviving in battle."
"Master Fung, I don't get what your preaching dawg. How can an element such as fire, work beside water, its opposing element, or wind, its force opposite. That's just whack man," Jermaine told him.
"Remember Jermaine, all opposite originate from the same source. Cats and dogs are bitter enemies, but they do share a common ancestor. If you examine your own element closely enough you will the same true for all the elements. Lighting and Wood may be opposing elements to your gravity, but by trusting your instincts and going with the flow I'm sure you'll go far. Why don't we have a demonstration to illuminate my point? Omi, Clay, Kimiko will you please step forward," Master Fung beckoned.
The three warriors quickly took center stage. Master Fung positioned Clay and Kimiko next to each other and had Omi move back a few paces. The other monks watched intensely waiting to see what would happen. "Now remember when I say three Clay and Kimiko will attack Omi with their most powerful attacks. He will then have only a few seconds to counter by combining his own power with theirs. Shall we begin? One, two three!"
"Heads up Omi a huge boulder is coming your way. Wudai Crater Earth!" Clay shouted stomped the ground hard. The force was enough to send a boulder flying towards the little monk.
"Nice one Clay, but let me show you real power. Wudai Mars Fire!" Kimiko called out waving her arms about and sending a brilliant spinning column of fire towards their target.
Omi waited calmly never wavering for a moment. He watched the two attacks closely waiting for the right moment to strike. Seconds before they hit he made his move. Dodging to the right he unleashed his attack, "Wudai Neptune Water!" A jet of high-pressurized water struck the flames forcing them back until they became a steam cloud around Kimiko. While a wave of water eroded the boulder turning the rocks into mud and being whipped right into Clay's face. "Success! Victory is mine today. I've successfully split and dominated the two attacks and was able to spin the chairs on you!"
"What did you say Omi? I think it was suppose to be divide and conquer along with turn the tables, but with the mud in my ear I can't be sure," Clay replied wiping the mud off his face.
"It was pretty cool how you used your own power in sync with your opposite Omi. Still I would cut down on the bragging before your head swells," Kimiko advised.
"You all did very well my young Wudai Warriors. As Omi has cleverly demonstrated it is possible to work your opposite element to your advantage. This skill will come handy in the coming battles. Let us continue until you have all mastered this ability," Master Fung said.
The rest of the afternoon was spent with each of them learning to work with their opposites. It was a challenge; learning to overcome your opposite and then making it work for you. The results however, were fantastic. No one suspect they had this much power together.
Jermaine was waiting for Lu and Dagwood to attack him. Both of them had already turned his own powers against him and it was his turn. "Come on hommies, are you afraid of getting your butt whooped or are you to chicken to attack me?"
"Talk is cheap Jermaine. There's no way your going to be able to use a weak element like gravity, to overcome my lighting ball!" Lu shouted sending a ball of lighting at his head.
Dagwood was also ready. "Let's see how a city boy like you handles an overgrowth of plants!" Pressing his hands to the ground he caused a cherry blossom tree to grow and its roots went after Jermaine.
"You're going to have to do better then that dawgs if you want to beat me," Jermaine advised leaping up into the air. Focusing on his powers he produced his strongest Wudai Blackhole Gravity attack. The huge sucking blackhole changed the pressure gradient produced by the force of gravity redirecting the attacks at each other causing a rocking an explosion.
"Oh yeah, I win! Say my name, oh what the? I thought I put that on vibrate," he said flicking open his Xiaolin Phone. "Yo this is Jermaine speak to me. Oh hi Mom what's shaking? I'm doing fine Mom just calm down and tell me why you called. What are you serious? Is he okay? How did this happen. Why those punks I ought to I know Mom I know. Look I'm coming just make sure nothing else goes wrong. No don't try to talk me out of this Mom I'm coming. Master Fung will understand don't worry I'll be there and I'm bring my friends too. I love you bye."
"Jermaine, what's up buddy? You look like you heard your best friend was on his deathbed," Jack said.
"He is, my best friend from my hood was shot accidentally by gangbangers fires. He's in Manhattan General in a coma. Doctors don't know if he'll live or if he'll walk again. Master Fung I have to go home and see if Jamul will be fine. Please, I couldn't live with myself if I wasn't there in his time of need."
"Even the mightiest warrior knows where his heart must be in a time of need. Dojo, you will take the monks to Manhattan. Bring your weapons, guards, and some Shen Gong Wu. You don't know what the situation is like in Manhattan. I will activate the crystals to protect the Temple. Be careful Jermaine and don't try anything rash. Good luck my young Dragons."
A few hours later they were flying over the Atlantic Ocean nearing the East Coast of America. Everyone was pretty quite knowing this trip would be different then there last two to the Big Apple. In an attempt to break the silence Stacey blurted out, "So I guess we're finally going to meet your Mom and Dad. I mean, we've all heard about your mom and some of us have met her, but we know nothing about your dad. What's he like?"
"Actually you'll meet my Mom and my stepdad. My mom, Taranee Marie Grey Cook-Dawson is a councilor at a local psychiatric clinic. My stepdad Amul Dawson is a history teacher. He's pretty cool and we get along great, but he's not my dad."
"So your parents are divorce? Its no big deal I mean lots of people have divorce parents. Some members of my clan are divorced to and boy are dragons divorce's messy!" Dojo injected into the conversation.
"No, my parents are divorced, my Dad, Peter Cook, he… He was part of NYFD. He was a wonderful person who taught me to play basketball, introduced me to rap music and helped me with a lot of things in life. Anyways he was on call on 911 and he didn't make it. He died saving people from the smoking ruins of the Twin Towers," Jermaine explained heavily.
"Oh Jermaine, I'm so sorry for your lost. My loss must pale in comparison to losing your father, especially on that particular day. I know how much it must have effected you."
"Why didn't you ever tell us this before? Did you think we wouldn't understand or be able to comfort you? If you thought we pity you I assure you that wouldn't be us. We know how much you would hate that," Auara insisted.
"Yeah as your friends we always have your back. No matter what the problem is. You already lost your dad, will make sure you don't lose your best friend," Dagwood assured him. The others added their own agreements and promised to help no matter what. Only one monk was silent.
"Excuse me, I don't me to be rude or disrespectful, but what is this 9-11 you speak of? What does a number have to do with a pair of twins?" Omi asked confused.
"Your joking little buddy, how can you not know about 9-11? I'm from Brazil for crying out loud and even I know what 9-11 is," Raimundo said stunned.
"Omi, do you truly not know about one of the worst days in American history?" Kimiko asked gently. The monk shook his head still confused. "Dojo, can you fly over Ground Zero? I think we better show Omi what were talking about. He needs to know."
"Roger will do. Hang on kiddies were heading for Ground Zero," Dojo informed them solemnly. They had just reached the coast as Dojo turned towards the site of where the Twin Towers once stood. Soon they were circling over Ground Zero. There were still many scars after all this time.
"Alright Omi take a good luck, because this place was once the site where two towers called the Twin Towers stood. Over a hundred floors filled with different business inside them. On September 11th 2001, four planes were hijacked by a group of terrorists. One plane crashed into the Pentagon, the center of defense for America, another aiming for Camp David was prevented from crashing into its target when the passengers forced it to crash in Pennsylvania. The last two planes crashed into the towers causing them to collapse and send a dust cloud of toxic dust throughout the streets. Hundreds of people responded trying to save as many as they could. In the end it was enough. Thousands of people lost their lives, including the ones who came to help. It was the most devastating attack on American soil by a foreign power. Now do you see why all of us, even us not from America are horrified by this? Why it means so much to us to know that while the loss of Jermaine's father is awful, his sacrifice will not be forgotten?" Crystal explained gently as they left the area heading towards the hospital.
"How, how could anyone think of doing something so evil? It's so inhuman! Jermaine I'm so sorry for what you had to go through. I wish I could do something to help you," Omi said humbly.
"It's okay little dude, it's been a few years now. The pain is still there, but I've learned to deal with it. Besides, my stepdad is pretty cool and I know with you and the others helping my homme Jamul won't die. Ah we've arrived. Come on guys my Mom said she meet us in the waiting area outside the intensive care unit," Jermaine told them trying to lighten the mood, but failing miserably.
The monks walked through the hospital with reprehension. It wasn't easy being in such a busy hospital with so many sick people. They had to move quickly to get out of the way of emergencies and screaming doctors. Finally they reached the lobby were Jermaine's folks were waiting along with Jamul's parents.
"Jermaine! I'm so glad you were able to come!" his mother said. Taranee Cook-Dawson was wearing an African print dress with braids. Her husband, Amul was wearing a polo shirt, jacket, and pants.
"Jermaine, these must be your friends the monks. I wasn't sure you would bring them to see your old friend," Amul told him giving him a hug.
"Of course I did, my friends can help! Mr. and Mrs. Johansson I'm sorry to hear that Jamul was hurt. Could you tell me what happened?"
"Oh Jermaine, it's good to see you again. I know that once Jamul wakes up he'll be pleased to see you. It happened so fast. Jamul was just walking home from the subway when the shooting started! It was so horrible we could hear it all the way from the apartment. By the time it was over Jamul was on the ground bleeding from his back and his head! The ambulance rushed him to the hospital, but by then he had slipped into a coma. By the time he came out of surgery Jamul was on a ventilator. They had to remove two bullets from him, one from the middle of his spine and the other from the base of his brain! I'm not sure if my baby will ever wake up let alone walk again!" Mrs. Johansson cried into her husband's shoulder.
"It was those stupid punk kids! Why in the world did their stupid turf war have to spill into our neighborhood? I know our hood isn't the best place to live in Manhattan, but it's never been an area of gang activity before! I wish I knew the who shot my kid, because so help me if Jamul dies there will be hell to pay!" Mr. Johansson threatened.
"Please Jeffery threats are going to help our son! All we can do is trust the doctors and pray to God he'll be okay. I'm sorry you had to come home to this Jermaine. I know Jamul would have loved to see you again. He is quite enthusiastic to hear about your life at that Temple. Would you like to see him? I'm sure the doctors won't mind if you spend a few minutes with your brother," Mrs. Johansson told him. After speaking to the doctors they allowed Jermaine to visit for a few minutes.
Jermaine enter the hospital room and was instantly flooded by a strange smell. The room had no decorations on the walls and everywhere the eye could see there were machines and tubes inside his buddy Jamul's body. The African American boy looked like he was asleep except for the ventilator in his mouth. "Hey Jamul its good to see you although I was hoping it wouldn't be here. I can't believe that you got shot! Here I am the mighty Xiaolin Dragon of Gravity and I can't even prevent my best buddy from getting hurt. Don't worry homme, you keep on fighting and I'll get the punks who did this to you. I swear to you I will."
Later the group left the hospital and headed for Jermaine's hood to investigate the scene of the crime. He was seething and the others could tell he was taking this personally. "Jermaine, please slow down. What do you hope to accomplish by going to the scene of the crime? The police have already been over it and they couldn't find any clues. What makes you think you'll do any better?" Stacey asked insistently as they huffed it from the subway station.
"Yeah, even with my genius and robots, not to mention our Shen Gong Wu and elements, I doubt will turn up anything useful. What's really going on Jermaine, why does this mean so much to you," Jack asked narrowly avoiding being run over.
"My best friend was shot! That shouldn't have happen, not in this neighborhood. Look I know you all think every street in the Big Apple has gang activity, but not my streets. We haven't had an incident in years and then all out shootout! How do I know some evil force is behind it? If it is it's going to get a butt whooping so bad it's going to wish it never met me," Jermaine snarled shoving them out of the way as they reached his home block.
"How do you know things haven't changed since you left? I mean come off it Jermaine and wake up and smell the pollution! You live in a run down neighborhood that's bound to have some trouble happening. I mean take a look at my home for crying out loud. You would never have guessed there were biker gangs cruising the streets of Madrid at night," Lu pointed out.
"Why don't you shut your mouth rich girl, you think your so tough because you broke a couple rules and hung out with some dumb bikers. Well here in the NYC we deal with real bad so why don't you bud out. I'm going to solve this case even if I have to beat up every single gangbangers to accomplish my task!"
"A warrior must never strike out in anger, especially not one who isn't in control of his darker emotions and irrational impulses. Jermaine, you mustn't let what happen to Jamul effect your judgment. If you continue on this path you will only end up defeating yourself and then you'll never be able to help your friend," Omi warned.
"He's right Jermaine, you should listen to him. You know that we have your back no matter what. So why don't we take a look around and see what we can find okay?" Dagwood whispered to him.
"You kids really need to learn to work out your issues beforehand. We could have been done here ten minutes ago if you weren't so busy arguing," Dojo informed them as they began their search.
"This is pointless, the police have already been over this area with a fine tooth comb. Why don't we use the Denshi Bunny to hack into their database and find out what they know?" Kimiko suggested after they looked through another dumpster.
"Like what good would that do? Even if we hacked their system it wouldn't help us find out why the gang activity has spilled into this neighborhood. We need to look at this rational get down!" Auara shrieked as they dove behind a car as bullets started flying through the air.
"Looks like we're stuck in the middle of the okay corral! Any ideas how not to end up with chest full of lead?" Clay voiced as they rolled under the car for more protection.
"Maybe we could use some of our Shen Gong Wu to end this. Anyone brave enough to see if the Two Ton Tunic and Hosho Helmet are bullet proof?" Jack hissed from his position under the trunk.
"Oh that's a great plan, while you're at it why don't we use the Glove of Justaquo to attract all the bullets to us!" Lu snapped. "I have a better idea. Why don't we use the Mosaic Scales and the Reversing Mirror to end their brand of dangerous mischief? I'm sure with the Monarch Wings boosting their power we can rap up this shoot out no problem!"
"We've never even used those Wu before home girl. Besides I want to see who is firing the shots and why now? I mean ain't it a bit strange the whole mess of things starts the second we arrive on the scene? Girl if that ain't suspicious activity I don't know what is," Jermaine replied.
"Both of you have good ideas so why not compromise? Two of us will slip out with the Wu and get in position to use them. Meanwhile Jermaine and Stacey will see whose behind this activity. The rest of you call Nine One One and see if you can get the boys in blue down here before someone else gets hurt," Crystal suggested wincing as a bullet hit the glass of the car window.
"We might have more success if more then two people attempt to end this violence. Omi, you start dialing the cops and give them the info on our location. Crystal, watch his back. Kimiko, Jack, take the Monkey Staff and Tangle Web Comb and take our friends on the left side, while Dagwood and Auara deal with the jerks on the right. Lu, Stacey, cover Jermaine. Clay, Callie and I will get the stranglers. Dojo, be ready to get us out of here. Everyone knows what to do? Then let's do it!" Raimundo said rolling out from under the car and using a Heylin barrier to defend his friends.
Crystal and Omi were out like a shot. They raced down the street diving behind stoops desperately searching for a signal. The found one halfway down the block. They only had to use the Serpents Tail once to avoid being shot. "Hurry up and call the cavalry already! I don't want to land in a hospital! Watch out! Oh Wudai Pluto Ice!" she shouted sending an icy jet stream down the road freezing some of the speeding cars.
"Success! I have alerted the authorities to our plot. They shall arrive within the next ten minutes!" Omi proclaimed happily. The look on Crystal's face told him that might not be soon enough
All across the streets the monks were using their Wu to defend themselves against trouble. Monkey Jack carried Kimiko in his arms as the two lovers tied up a bunch of Put Rican thugs. They noticed something strange, the shooters weren't speaking Spanish, and they were speaking Italian.
Auara and Dagwood had come across the same problem when they used the Woozy Shooter and Sphere of Yun against some Italians who seemed confused by their surroundings. Raimundo, Clay and Callie were at a lost for what they were saying. Using the Ruby of Ramses, Golden Finger, and Lasso Boa Boa they got most, but not all of the troublemakers.
Lu was firing round after round of lighting blast from the Eye of Dashi blowing up bullets and sending shrapnel everywhere. "Would you two hurry up and use our Wu already? Incase you haven't notice I'm not getting any younger!"
"Okay, don't get your panties in a twist! Reversing Mirror!" Stacey called out.
"Mosaic Scales! Monarch WI hey come back with those you thieving pigeon!" Jermaine yelled as huge pigeon swooped down and snatched up the three Wu in its claws. "That disgusting bird is getting away with our stuff!"
"Don't just stand there city boy, do something with that magic slingshot of yours," Lu called out.
"Right. Grava Guard! Goliath Slingshot Gravity!" Three pebble size balls super sized into a small rock. They burst open and created mini black holes. The gravimetric force tugged at the bird until it dropped the Monarch Wings and the Reversing Mirror, but it still flew away with the Mosaic Scales.
"Rats! That flying messenger got away with our Wu. I don't know how were going to report this theft to the police. Not like they cover missing magical devices yo!"
"We can worry about the missing Wu later. If necessary I'll track it down. We think we caught the punks who shot your friend, but something freaky is going on. Come see for yourself," Dojo said as they slithered off towards the group.
They had all piled the two groups in the middle of the street and they were arguing up a storm. The police arrived then and took their statements. After a lengthy conversation and Kimiko sneaking a peak at the policeman's patrol car computer they were left alone with their own devices.
"Anyone else think that was really strange dudes? I mean aside from the fact that the trouble started the minute we showed up and our Wu got jacked by a flying bird, did anyone notice something odd about those gang members?" Raimundo asked the group.
"Well according the police database gang activity has been up, but in the wrong areas. The entire grid of gang-controlled territory has been screwed up. Your home is not the only place to experience weird stuff has occurred."
"Not to mention they were speaking the wrong tongue. I don't know about you, but I understood what they were saying. What they said makes no sense. They kept saying they were in the wrong body and they were trying to get back in the right one. I don't think they were loco and we've seen plenty of strange things in our lifetime. I have half a mind to believe what they're saying," Crystal mused out loud.
"What is this Invasion of the Body Snatchers? Your telling me someone used some sort of hocus pocus to switch the bodies of all major gangs in New York with what exactly? Not to mention what would be the purpose of something so stupid?" Jack asked the group.
"Dojo is there a Shen Gong Wu that switches bodies that hasn't gone active yet?" Callie asked the little dragon. Everyone looked at her confused. "Oh come on we just had a recent experience with this! Hannibal was able to use the Spirit Tiara against the Heylin forces when it wasn't active. It's entirely possible the same thing is happening now."
"I think Callie may be right. Take a look kiddies the Scroll has something for us. It's a rare almost unheard of Shen Gong Wu known as the Soul Swapper: It allows a person to trade souls with someone for short periods of time. I recall Dashi creating this one. He said it was to be used to gain inside information against one's enemies, but it's dangerous if used to often. I know I hid in near the banks of the Hudson, but it seems like someone dug it up and is test driving it by using the gangs as lab subjects."
"So whoever has it must know what they have. The only evil dude we know who likes to mess with us and hangs around with a bird is Hannibal Bean. Still why is all this testing for? What's that Bean dude's ultimatum?" Auara wondered.
"Man, how dense can you Xiaolin hommes be? I would think that even lamebrains could see what Hannibal's ultimate goal is," Heylin Jermaine said turning visible a few feet from the group. He raised his hands to show he was unarmed. "Chill homegirls and boys I bear you no ill will. I'm here on official Heylin business and just noticed your gathering is all."
"So your not here to be your normal evil I'm going to reabsorb you and rule the world jerky self? Hmph and pigs will fly. The only business a Heylin Dragon has is trying to ruin the life of a Xiaolin Dragon. Why don't you go back to your mistress before you do something that makes 911 look like a little fire!" Stacey snapped.
"You think Valonia approves of that? Despite her evil ways my Empress is nothing short of honorable. She's meticulous, manipulative, deadly, and never does anything without want or reason. I was sent here to recruit some new members for our city, but even I wouldn't invite terrorist or gangbangers. Not after what happen to Dad and Jamul so don't give me the third degree girl," he retorted.
"You going to lecture us or are you going to give us an assist already? Spill it clone boy what do you know about Hannibal's plan for the Soul Swapper?" Jermaine demanded angrily.
"If you must know it was Wuya who conjured up this theory, but it makes the most sense. Hannibal Bean would only test the Shen Gong Wu out to make certain his true desire would blossom. As in swapping all your souls into the wrong bodies. Wrong soul, wrong element, and a big mess. I can see why Wuya was so concerned. You guys fail and Hannibal eliminates you making it next to impossible for Valonia's plan to flower. Well I've given you all the help I can offer, I'll see you later. Chow!" Heylin Jermaine said turning invisible once more and leaving the gang to think about his words.
"We can't allow Mr. Bean to succeed in his plan. If we do we will allow the world to plunge into ten thousands years of darkness. We must retrieve the Soul Swapper at once!" Omi proclaimed.
"Great idea, just one little problem buddy. How do we find a Shen Gong Wu shaped like two puzzles pieces stuck together with a picture of a body on both sides in such a big city? It's going to be like trying to find a needle in haystack while blindfolded," Clay surmised.
"Clay raises an excellent point. We are at a serious disadvantage not being able to detect the Soul Swapper until it activates. Also we must remember that Hannibal now posses the Mosaic Scale and can cause untold mischief if we get near him. We need to think carefully before acting at all," Dagwood pointed out.
"To bad we left the Compass of Erised back at home. With it we could have found Hannibal easily," Crystal stated.
"You guys are idiots aren't? Why do we need a supernatural low jack when we already have the best tool to finding anybody right here with us?" Lu told the group who looked at her strangely. Sighing she pointed to Kimiko who was holding her PDA. "Kimiko still has the Mind Reader Couch in her PDA. All we have to do is shrink the Eye of Dashi and she can hook up with the satellite and find Hannibal no problem. Am I a genius or what?"
"Yeah I guess a bit of mine must have rubbed off on you. So who has the Changing Chopsticks?" Jack asked eagerly. Everyone looked at him and hit himself on the forehead. Fishing the Chopsticks out of his pockets he pointed them at the Eye of Dashi shrinking. They quickly installed it into the PDA and stepped back.
"Okay, here's hoping. Eye of Dashi, Mind Reader Conch!" Kimiko whispered. A bright bluish white light engulfed the Dragon of Fire. Everyone watched in silence waiting to see if she made contact. Ten minutes later she came out of it. "He's on Coney Island waiting for us to show up. He has the Mosaic Scales and plans to use them against us. Once the Scales trip us up he'll activate the Soul Swapper and then its game over. We need a plan in order to win back both our Wu."
"Not to mention if we don't make it back with both Wu we might not be able to reverse the damage that's been done and save your friend Jamul. So listen up everyone I have a plan. Here's what were going to do," Raimundo said motioning the group into a group huddle. Quickly he whispered the outline of his plan.
Hannibal was getting annoyed waiting for the monks to track him down to Coney Island. The park was closed for repairs. Ying Ying had long since returned with the Mosaic Scales. He'd been disappointed he hadn't return with its sister Wu. He had planned to use their combined powers to aid him in destroying the world, but it was still good catch. "Soon I will eliminate the Xiaolin monks forever. Once they're out of the picture I'll be able to rid myself of Chase Young and his girlfriend Valonia. Once I destroy what means the most to them killing them will be an cinch. I shall regain my former powers and rule the world!"
"You might want to rethink that if I were you. Wudai Planet Wood!" Dagwood shouted. Unleashing his powers he caused all the plant life in the park to grow until it chocked all the rides and went after Hannibal. The evil bean jumped onto Ying Ying and went after him. "I hope you like being the Xiaolin Dragon of Lighting!"
"Why don't you ask her then? Wudai Jupiter Lighting!" Lu called out as she repelled down the side of the Ferris Wheel. Her ball lighting traveled along the stems of the plant causing it to explode. The force of the explosion started the rides and sent the plants into the air.
Hannibal let out a scream as he was buried under smoking plant life. Ying Ying was pinned under the foliage unable to flap his wings. Hannibal struggled to get out and retrieve the Soul Swapper. He stretched the root until it touched the Soul Swapper, but at the same time Jermaine also slapped a hand down on it causing it to glow.
"Yo Hannibal Bean! I challenge you to a Xiaolin Showdown! My Monarch Wings vs. your Mosaic Scales."
"Very well I accept. This should be very interesting. What's your game?"
"We play Chutes and Ladders! First person to reach the end of the board wins. Let's go Xiaolin Showdown!" The ground rose and the rides morphed into a giant game board. The chutes and ladders resembled things you find in a firehouse. Jermaine's battle armor fell into place and Hannibal grew. Both opponents faced each other and shouted, "Gong Ye Tempi!"
"Monarch Wings! Wudai Black Hole Gravity!" Jermaine's attack power was increased by tenfold. The power propelled him forward across the game board. Out of the corner of his eye he spied a ladder. He reached out snagged the ladder and started climbing upward.
"Now we can't have that can we? Time to make this game a bit more interesting. Mosaic Scales!" The Shen Gong Wu glowed and suddenly the ladder Jermaine was on started to tremble. With a yelp he managed to snag a hold on the next level before the ladder collapsed under him.
"Dang, that Scale sure knows how to change the balance in a game."
"Jermaine keep your focus! Hannibal is two levels away from winning! Get your head into the game already!" Stacey shouted from the sidelines.
Jermaine hauled butt after that. Using every trick in the book he avoided the chutes and climbed up any ladder he could find. Whenever Hannibal used his Shen Gong Wu, he would counter with his own. Finally they were both two squares away from the end.
"It's been a pleasure to play against you, but I must insist you leave now. Mosaic Scales!"
"I don't thing so. Monarch Wings Gravity!" The increased gravity forced Hannibal to the ground sending the scales flying. Jermaine caught them and leaped over the finish line ending the Showdown. "All right I won!"
"Congratulations Jermaine! Your performance in the Showdown was superb. I bet your father would be proud of you," Omi told him. As the rest of the group congratulated him Hannibal flew off angered he lost again. At least he could be satisfied that he had caused the death of an innocent.
They undid all the damage Hannibal had caused by using Kimiko's PDA with the Reversing Mirror and the Soul Swapper. They broadcasted the reverse signal all over Manhattan helping the police out greatly. They hurried to the hospital to check on Jamul's progress.
When the group entered the hospital room they got a big shock. Jamul had woken up and was off the respirator! Once more all his injuries had magically disappeared! "Jermaine bro, look at me! The docs can't explain why I'm suddenly alive and kicking! It's a miracle!"
"I'm just glad that my baby boy is going to be just fine. I was so worried that he'd never wake up!" Mrs. Johansson wailed.
"Jamul was always a fighter dear. I'm sure that's the answer to our mysterious recovery," Mr. Johansson told them.
"Still this rapid almost instantaneous recovery is unheard of. I still think that doctor that was here a while ago had something to do with it. After all after she left Jamul woke up," Taranee Cook-Dawson said.
"What doctor Amul? What's mom talking about?" Jermaine questioned suspicious.
"A Dr. Chakra Long. She was most unusual person. She spoke with a strange accent and I swear her eyes reminded me of a lizards. She walked into Jamul's room and gave him some strange purple liquid. The instant the IV delivered he recovered. Truly remarkable," Amul said.
The others were stunned to save the least. Dojo had told them much about Chakra, but never her last name although they were pretty sure it wasn't Long. Why she had intervened to save a life of someone she'd never met was a mystery. After a few more days and making sure that Jamul was okay they left on Dojo for home.
Chakra watched them fly off from Ellis Island smiling. She was waiting for her pickup. Removing a decorative locket from her pocket she activated it and was staring at her contact Mira from the order. "I was successful in my mission Mira. The potion you gave me cured the boy and the monks were successful in reversing the damage that was done by Hannibal."
"Good work Chakra. Keep this up and your mission to defeat Hannibal will be a success. Lou Shi Long would have been proud of you. Mira out," the contact said leaving Chakra alone with her thoughts.