It didn't take Alex long to realize something wasn't right.

Her spell was supposed to pull Molach's spirit out of Jack's body, but instead she found herself being pulled in.

She tried to keep herself anchored, only to grow frustrated. Molach had regained enough of his power to put up quite a resistance. Under normal circumstances Alex was confident she could have overwhelmed him, but now her access to her magic was far more tenuous. The link to the Wizard World that her friends had created with their chi was delicate. If something went wrong, not only could the link collapse, but there might even be a backlash that could harm her friends.

Foolish child, Molach mocked her. You are no match for me!

The arrogance in his tone actually worked to Alex's advantage. From middle school bullies to world-threatening megalomaniacs, everytime she had faced someone with a superiority complex, she had the same reaction.

"Pssht." The noise that came out of her mouth was as dismissive and sarcastic as the words that followed. "Please...you don't know me."

With that, the young wizard stopped trying to fight the pull...and let her spirit dive right into Jack's body.

******'******

Rudy was still staring in confusion as Jack and Alex stood motionless before him. Then, Harper came and took him by the arm.

"No time to explain," she said as she pulled him over to where Kim, Jerry, and Milton stood meditating. "Alex needs everyone to focus their chi. As much chi as possible."

While the sensei had numerous questions in mind, it was clear that Alex was doing something magical. If chi was what she needed to save Jack, then chi was what she was going to get. He stood besides his students and started meditating.

A moment later, Harper closed her eyes and did the same.

******'******

The inside of Jack's mind, or at least the part of it that Alex found herself in, was not what she'd expected.

"I know this place," she said in a surprised tone. "How do I know this place?"

The landscape was an impressive though ominous looking arena. The sky was an unnatural mix of dark red and purple.

"Wait," Alex said as recognition finally dawned. "This is the final level of Immortal Slayer!" She paused and called out to the sky. "Jack! This is not a video game!"

She received no response.

"Okay...okay...how did this level go?" she asked herself. "There was a princess to rescue."

Looking around, Alex saw a raised platform at the far end of the arena.

"Yes, she should be there."

Running toward the platform, Alex saw that it was not a princess in chains atop it...but Jack himself.

"Alex," he called out. "Don't come up here!"

"But I'm here to rescue you!"

"If you step on the platform, that causes the final boss to arrive!"

"I know how the game works," she answered. Nonetheless she did stay in place for the moment. "Can you free yourself?"

He strained against the chains binding him. "It's no good! I'm not strong enough!"

"Jack, we're inside your mind," Alex explained. "You can be as strong as you want to be."

"I've tried," he answered back. "I'm still trying! But Molach...it's so hard. I'm exhausted."

Alex could see his anguished expression. "You've been fighting him for so long." Her tone was was equal parts sympathy and admiration. "Well, relax for the moment."

With a thought, the wizard levitated herself from the ground to the top of the platform. "It's my turn to take a shot at him."

Then, with a thunderous explosion, the inhuman from of Molach materialized in the center of the arena.

******'******

Milton was not happy.

He was doing his best to meditate, but his mind was far from focused or serene.

The young man had always enjoyed the martial arts, but the more metaphysical aspects of it were not his strength. Oh, he knew from first hand experience that the supernatural existed, but still he was more far more comfortable in the realms of science and reason.

Focusing chi to help him break a board with his hand was one thing...he could do that.

This however...whatever Alex was doing. It was beyond him.

He felt useless.

Yet even if he was useless, he wouldn't abandon his friends. He might not be able to help Jack, but he would stand there to the end, whatever happened.

He tired again to meditate, but focus still eluded him.

At a loss, he turned to the one, simple thing he'd learned the very first day he'd stepped into the dojo.

The Wasabi Code.

"I swear by the light of the dragon's eye," he said softly. "To be loyal and honest and never say die. I swear by the light of the-"

He paused when he felt a hand take hold of his. He looked to see that it was Kim. Her eyes were still closed in meditation, but not only had she taken his hand, she had begun speaking as well.

"We swear by the dragon's eye," she said. "To be loyal and honest and never say die. We swear..."

She kept repeating the mantra even as Jerry took Milton's other hand. At the same moment, Rudy took hold of Kim's free hand and reached out to Harper as well.

Soon all five were linked together, and all chanting the code.

"We swear by the light of the dragon's eye, to be loyal and honest and never say die."

The amount of chi in the room increased a thousandfold.

******'******

In the arena, Molach appeared as a hulking, muscular demon. A terrifying sight with green skin, horns and fangs.

So it was understandable that he was annoyed when Alex didn't show even the slightest bit of fear.

What the monster didn't know was that Alex was currently distracted by the almost unbelievable rush of power she was feeling. She didn't know why, but suddenly her link to her magic felt much stronger.

Thus as Molach roared and charged towards her, her only reaction was to smirk and think about how perfect the timing was.

Then she let loose with magical bolt of pure destructive force.

"ARRGHH!" the creature screamed as he was sent flying to the other side of the arena.

Alex than cracked her knuckles before calmly jumping off the platform and began walking towards Molach.

"This is going to be fun," she said.

******'******

Fun was certainly not the word Molach would have used to describe the battle that followed. Alex had gone nearly a month without being able to use magic and she was now more than happy to take out her frustrations on a deserving target.

Yet, even after she'd battered Molach into near helplessness and immobilized him inside a cage of mystic energy, the evil one remained defiant. Despite having the upper hand, Alex couldn't remove the beast from Jack's body.

"Release your hold on him," Alex demanded. "Or I'll kick your ugly carcass across this arena...again!"

"Fool!" he spat back at her. "You can't save him no matter how strong you are! I've been here too long!"

While Alex knew that Molach was a natural liar, these words seemed unfortunately true. Jack still remained chained atop the platform after all.

Turning away from the defeated demon, Alex returned to Jack's side and tried to encourage him.

"Listen to me, I've overpowered Molach but you have to be the one who defeats him. Come on, I've softened him up for you."

"Alex...I...can't." Despair filled his eyes. "I'm so...weak."

"Jack, you have to. You can do it. The fact that you lasted this long with him inside you shows how strong you are!"

"No...strength...left."

Alex felt her heart go out to the young man. How much torture had he endured already? Yet he was the only one who could save himself now. She tried to think of some way to encourage him further.

The answer she came up with was not to her liking.

I hate to do this to you, she thought. Hopefully you'll forgive me later.

With a simple thought she cast a spell of illusion...one that only Jack's eyes would see. Another simple spell changed the sound of her voice as well.

"Jack," she said softly. "I've been looking all over for you!"

The young man looked up and saw a beautiful brown-eyed blonde.

"Kim!"

"Yes, it's me," Alex lied. At the same time she mentally dissolved the energy cage holding Molach. The creature didn't know why he'd regained his freedom, but he immediately began charging towards the young wizard.

Jack cried out a warning. "Kim! Behind you!"

Alex turned and feigned terror before trying to run, only to deliberately trip and fall at just the right moment. She did her best to look helpless as Molach loomed over her.

It took some effort for her not to smile when she heard the sounds of chains breaking behind her.

Molach was too focused on vengeance to notice anything but his intended target. He sent a fist flying down towards Alex. In response she formed an invisible shield around her body to block the blow.

It was an unnecessary precaution.

For Molach's fist was caught in mid-air by Jack's hand. He tightened his fingers around the fist and squeezed with phenomenal strength...causing the demon to wince in pain.

Then Jack spoke six words. Six words he'd said many times before. Six words that countless bullies and thugs in Seaford had learned to fear.

Yet for all the times he'd said them, never before had he uttered these six words with such cold and murderous menace in his tone.

"You...probably...shouldn't have done that!"

To be continued...

author's notes: Things are looking up for our heroes, but the story isn't over. Are you enjoying it so far? Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Please review.