All right, been putting this off for a while. I was really bummed, I got so much going on but Christmas can do wonders for a soul. This is for all my wonderful reviewers, thank you all so much. Last chapter, hopefully.

Cleya: we don't own Tak, or *sob* or..We just don't. No cleverness here today *sob*

Me; Cleya, why are you crying?

Cleya; it's just so sad

Me; I'm sorry. But I blame Tak, read on and try not to cry!

"Well? What is your choice?" boomed Lucida. "Or shall I make it for you?"

Then she touched the circular orb, which entrapped Jeera and sent a burst of lightning through her body causing her to scream out in pain.

"Jeera!" cried Tak. "Lucida stop, this is crazy!"

"Is it? Well, it's lucky I don't I care!" she responded sending another bolt of pain to Jeera.

"Tak! Don't fall for it! She's trying to trick you!"

"No, she's not Jeera."

"What do you mean?"

"This is the easiest choice I've ever had to make." He said as he set his staff at Lucida's feet. "I pick Jeera."

A collected gasp and chatter came from the surrounding crowd.

"Well of course you do, " sneered Lucida, releasing Jeera and pushing her into Tak. "Now, take your little girlfriend and leave my sight at once!"
"I am not his-I object!" said Jeera. "I won't allow him to do this!"

"What do you mean? You can't object!" sneered Lucida. "Now I-."

Just then a voice from the crowd stopped her, it was judge juju.

"Wait!" said the corn-like juju. "She can!"

"What?! What are you talking about you cornel headed freak?!"

"I'm saying page 145 section 78 paragraph 85 of juju law states that victims directly involved in a transfer of juju or juju related properties may determine the all-over outcome of the final decision if he/she has a good reason and is involved it the outcome' and even you have to follow the rules of the juju book, Lucida."

"Okay, so there's no rule against a hostile take-over?" asked Jeera.
"Well, it was either that or j-walking." Said Judge juju walking over to Jeera. "Now, sweet pea, why exactly do you object?"

"Be-because, um, Tak has no reason to chose me over his powers. Lucida obviously put some spell on him to influence his choice!" said Jeera.

"Well, actually Jeera-." Began Tak quietly.

"Not now, Tak!" Jeera whispered back. " Judge juju, let Tak chose again."

"Well, child, I can't really do that. I'm afraid that, while evil and manipulative, according to juju guidelines Lucida's' actions are justified."

Then Lucida got a devilish grin on her face.

"Oh, no worries," she said. "I'm a fair villain! I'll give it another shot. Now, I'll ask Tak why he made the choice he did, and then I'll ask Jeera a question. If they can both respond honestly, I'll let everything slide, no strings attached."

"Well, alright then. Sounds fair." Said judge juju.

"Psychic juju, may I have you down here to assist me?" asked Lucida, and the juju came down.

The entire pupununu tribe and jujus alike were on the edge of their seats, waiting to hear what Lucida had in store. Her eyes looked to both sides of her and knowing she had them in the palm of her hand, she began.

"Now, this shall be a rather easy question, and to make sure you're telling the truth, psychic juju shall assist me." Said Lucia. "Are you ready?"

"I'm not afraid of you, you witch!" said Jeera.

"You should be," said Lucida. "My first question is for Tak. Tak, why did you pick Jeera over the gift from the jujus?"

'Well, she's my best friend."

"Well, DUH! Be more pacific please."

"Well, because i..I don't know where'd I'd be without her."

"Oh, how sweet," said Lucida sarcastically." but it's not the answer I'm looking for."

"Well, because.."

"Yes?"

"Because.."

"Hot dogs! Get your hot dogs here! Fresh off the grill!" said Cleya from the stands.

"SHUT IT FOOL!" screamed Lucida. "OR I'LL SHUT IT FOR YOU!"

"Hey man, don't talk to her like that!" said Keeko.

"Oh, and who's going to stop me?" said Lucida. Keeko just looked scared beyond belief and didn't move. "Yeah, that's what I thought."

"Cleya, what are you doing?" asked the chief.

"I know what she's trying to do. She's gonna make Jeera do something she'd never do."

"What?" asked Jilbolba?
"Admit she was wrong."

"Now, Tak," continued Lucida. "You were saying?"

"I.. I picked Jeera because.. I love her."

"What was that?"

"I love her."

This was responded to by a collected gasp from the crowd.
"This cannot end well." Said Cleya.

"Thank you." Said Lucida. "Now Jeera, do you feel the same?"

"What seriously? I, you, and we I mean, us? Tak?"

"Oh no, she's babbling." Said Cleya.

"I mean no, no. Or no, no."

"Now she's in denial." Said Keeko.

"All that's left is.."

"No."

"Okay, that's not right." Said Cleya. "She's lying, she has to be unless.."

"Well well well, physic juju? The judgment please." Said Lucida.

"She's telling..The truth." Said Physic juju.

Jeera turned and saw a disappointed look on Tak's face, a face that showed far worse pain than she could ever cause him by hitting him. He was heartbroken.

"So, Tak. You still pick Jeera?"

Everyone leaned in to hear his answer.

"Tak, say no." whispered Jeera to herself. "Please say no."

"Yes." Said Tak.

Lucida looked surprised. "What? Really? You pick her even after she just said she doesn't return your feelings? She doesn't care? Are you crazy?"

"What do you care?" asked Tak. "You got what you wanted."

"No, no. This isn't right. You can't pick her. She just broke your heart!"

"You got what you wanted!" yelled Tak. "Just take the staff and leave me alone!"

"Tak, please change your mind!" pleaded Jeera. "I'm asking you as a friend."

"Some friend you are." He said and walked away.

All eyes were on Lucida. The staff was at her feet, anger in her eyes. She picked it up, breathing heavily, and screamed in disgust. The staff rose into the air.

"What's going on Jilbolba?" asked Cleya.

"I-I don't know Cleya, " he said. "But it can't be good."

The staff rose higher in the air and a ray of bright purple light surrounded it. It rose to the center of the arena above Lucida's' head, she still screaming manically. Then a vision of Tak's mother came from within it, her expression kind and stern

"No!" screamed Lucida. "It can't be!"

"But it is Lucida, " came Aurora's gentle voice. "You've lost. As long as Tak realizes power isn't everything and respects human nature, his power cannot be taken or even give up. He was willing to leave it all for a friend, this girl. Who was willing to separate herself from the one she loves.."

"I wouldn't say 'love' exactly.," said Jeera faintly.

"..For his own sake. Don't you see, Lucida? You can't win. As long as there is love, you can never win."

"Well, thank you for that uplifting speech, my dear." Said Lucida sarcastically, backing away slowly. "But I really must go, you know things to do, lives to ruin, that sort of thing."

"Oh, no you don't. I hereby strip you of your powers and banish you to the Pleasant juju realm for all eternity."

"How exactly is a pleasant realm a punishment?" asked Lok.

"She's evil, it's like you in a world without mirrors." Said Cleya.

"Oh," he said, the added worried. "That couldn't really happen, right?"

"You can't do this!" exclaimed Lucida.
"Well, if I can't I know someone who can." Said Aurora. "Jeera dear, will you get Tak?"

"Um, sure. Mrs. Tak's mom." Said Jeera uncertainly. Then she went to the doorway where Tak was sulking and got him off the ground and led him to where his mom was.

"What is it?" he asked, a little ticked. Then he looked and saw the spectrum of his mother. "Mom?"

"Yes Tak, it's me." She responded smiling. "Now I need you to take your staff back and banish Lucida. Can you do that sweetie?"

"Well, sure mom." But before he could even lift his hand Lucida began flicking her wrists in a circular motion, forming a small dark purple cloud. When Tak had his staff in hand, she began laughing crazily and threw her hands down and was gone, her laughter only an echo now.

"Where'd she go?" asked Tak.

"Don't worry, she won't get far without her full power. That dramatic exit will certainly be her last." Said Aurora. "Now, I'm afraid I must be going now."

"Wait, you're just gonna leave me again?" asked Tak.

"No, of course not!" she replied. "I'll always be with you, and besides you've got all you need right here. I can't take you away from all this. But when you're ready, you'll be done with your training and all, you can come to the juju realm. Or not. I love you son."

And then she was also gone.

"Goodbye mom." Said Tak sadly.

After a moment of silence, the crowd realized they wee no longer in danger and cheered. They rushed down and lifted Tak onto their shoulders, celebrating. As they left the arena, Tak gave Jeera a blank, hurt look as she became farther and farther away.

That night, the tribe had a huge festival for Tak, but he was the only one not having a good time, besides Jeera. Keeko tried talking to him, and Cleya spoke to Jeera. But the two possibly former friends refused to see each other. Slowly, the party began to calm down and the chief proposed a toast to Tak.

"To our tribes' hero. To his bravery, his true of heart and his …well managed hair. To Tak." Said the chief.

"To Tak." Repeated the tribe.

"To Tak." Said a single voice. Tak looked up and saw Jeera walking toward where he sat by himself, he turned away.

"Tak, don't be cross at me, I had to say what I said," said Jeera. "I couldn't let you make such a sacrifice for me. I knew that as soon as you were powerless, she'd. Hurt you. And we both know that's my job." Then she gave him a gentle tap on the arm.

He gave a chuckle, and turned around.
"Friends?" asked Jeera.

"Friends."

There was a moment of silence.

"Um, ya know Tak…" began Jeera. " it was, kind of…. kinda brave, ya know what you did."

"Really?"

"Yeah." She said, and then punched in the arm. " But never do it again!"

"Ow, fine. Gosh" he said, rubbing his arm. "I think you bruised it."

Jeera laughed.

"So…did you mean it?"

"Yeah, I really think you bruised it."

"No, I mean what you said before, to Lucida," said Jeera. 'When you, chose me."

"Oh, that. Um, yeah..I uh,"

He was interrupted by a high-pitched giggle from behind a bush.
"Cleya!" exclaimed Jeera.

"That was Keeko!"

"Cleya!"

"Yeah, that was me." She said, coming out.

"Were you spying on us?" asked Tak.

"No." said Keeko. "Should we be?"

"No, just-. Ugh, let's just go back to the village." Said Tak.

Keeko and Cleya ran ahead, and Jeera and Tak wallowed behind.

"So, um Tak? What were you gonna say?" asked Jeera. "Not that I care."

"Just that-." Then he was once again interrupted, this time by Jilbolba and The Chief calling for them." 'Nothing. Race ya."

"Once they were back at the village, Jeera headed for her hut.

"Well, good night." Said Jeera. "See you tomorrow." Then she noticed Tak looking at her oddly. "What?"

"Nothing." He said.

The next day Cleya was to leave, an escort had arrived from her tribe and she was about ready to leave. She just had to lose some unwanted luggage.
"Keeko, let go of my leg!" pleaded Cleya.

"No! No! Don't leave!" cried Keeko.

Finally Cleya shook him off and got into her coach.

"Well, see ya later gotta go, good luck!"

"No! No! Don't go!" cried Cleya. "Well, she's gone. I'll wait for you, Cleya! Cleya!"

"Well that's it." Said Jeera. "Everything's said and done. No more crazy witches, or kidnappings. Just normal pupununu days."

"You said it!" said Tak. "But I can't help but think we're forgetting something."

"LUCIDA! WHERE'D YOU GO?" screamed Zaria, still in Lucida's realm.

"Got any 3's?" asked Kobo.

"Go fish."

"Well, it's probably nothing." said Jeera. "Well, everything seems fine now, it's a clear day, and the sun is shining, and-."

Then it began raining frogs again.

"-And it's raining frogs?" Said Jeera looking at Tak, his staff behind his back, him smiling.

"So Tak, what were you gonna say?"

"Nothing." He responded. Then he quickly leaned in and gently kissed her on the check. She slightly blushed and then punched him in the arm again.

"Yep, another average day in the pupununu tribe." Said Tak

Me; and they all lived happily ever after. Last chapter. That wasn't that sad, Cleya.

Cleya: it was for me, i..I kind of started to like Keeko. And know it's over!

Me; it might not be, if the nice readers review. Review!