Alex Russo had seen many things in her young life. Things that many people would find hard, if not impossible, to believe.

As a result, she was not easily impressed.

Then again, 'impressed' was not the most accurate description of what she was feeling at the moment.

'Awed' might have been the more appropriate word.

Her plan had worked. She'd motivated Jack to push past all his mental and spiritual exhaustion. He'd found a new reserve of strength to battle Molach.

Well, more 'punish' than battle.

The thing was, though this conflict was inside Jack's mind, he was no wizard. Thus the fight took a form that the young man understood...appearing to be a physical battle. Punches and kicks instead of spells and energy bolts.

What struck Alex though as she watched it all, was the realization that everything she saw Jack doing...all the strikes and attacks...these were not images conjured from his imagination.

These were all things he could actually do...in the physical world.

He's unbelievable, she thought.

Indeed, the way that Jack was demolishing Molach did stagger the imagination. An ancient evil spirit that had preyed on humanity for eons...who had watched civilizations rise and fall...was being pummeled by a teenager.

The creature, despite being unable to defend against Jack's rage-fueled attacks still attempted to roar defiance. Not that it was easy, since Jack's fists and feet were smashing into Molach's face repeatedly.

As Alex observed the one-sided and much deserved beating, she couldn't help but think about various things she'd heard about Jack and his friends over the past month.

Kim has fought this guy to a draw in sparring matches? she thought. And Rudy beat him easily in a tournament? Geez, I've joined a dojo with three freaking superheroes!

As enjoyable as it was to watch Molach get his just desserts at Jack's hands, Alex did realize she needed to be more than a mere spectator. Her original plan had been to pull Molach out of Jack's body and then imprison him in some harmless object. However once the demon was removed from Jack, it might be able to jump into another nearby body, or perhaps even manifest physically. If it did so, it could distract or disrupt the meditation of the other Wasabi Warriors...which would rob Alex of her magic and leave her unable to do anything to Molach.

So defeating the creature outside of Jack's body was no longer an option. Molach needed to be dealt with here and now. It was no longer a matter of imprisonment. The beast had to be destroyed.

Alex steadied herself and began concentrating.

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

If there was one thing that Jack had been taught over the years, it was to keep his anger in check.

It was a testament to his character that he was able to do so, even now.

Oh, the rage he was feeling was far beyond anything he'd ever felt before. Far beyond what he'd ever imagined he could feel.

Yet he remained focused. His anger didn't control him, he controlled it. He focused it...and let it out with each and every strike against the monster that had tortured him.

Despite that, it was not vengeance driving him...though he desired vengeance. Nor was it justice, though he wished for that as well.

There was something else he wished for even more however. His greatest desire, despite all the pain he'd been subjected to, was not to hurt...but to protect.

To protect Kim.

So while rage was fueling his attacks, it was love that was driving them.

As a result, every blow he struck shook Molach to the monster's very core.

The beast was incapable of putting up even a token show of resistance as Jack drew back his fist for one final attack.

Alex could sense the moment was right.

Jack punched straight into the center of the monster's chest, ripping through the beast's hide as if it were tissue paper. His fist closed around the dark, black lump that served as Molach's heart and ripped it from his body.

Alex let loose with beam of blinding white light that enveloped Jacks hand even as he crushed the heart into powder.

The body of the beast dissolved into nothingness as a pitiful hissing wail sounded before fading into silence.

"Is ir over?" Jack asked as Alex came to his side.

"It is," she replied with a relieved smile. "You were awesome."

He was weary as he turned to her, but managed a smile of his own. "You're not Kim."

Alex gasped, forgetting she hadn't removed her illusionary disguise. "No, sorry." Her from shifted to her true appearance. "How did you know?"

"You screamed and ran when Molach came after you. Kim would have attacked." He paused. "Still, seeing him threatening Kim...even when I knew it wasn't her...it was what I needed. It was enough."

"I wouldn't have done it if I could have thought of something else," Alex explained.

"You've got nothing to apologize for." He took hold of her hands. "I owe you."

"Hey, I couldn't have done it without you...or your friends." She paused. "So, you ready to go back to the real world?"

"I can't wait to get back there."

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

It happened at almost the same moment, Alex and Jack's still bodies started to move again just as all the others in the room opened their eyes and ceased their chanting.

"Jack?" Kim asked hopefully as she looked toward him. He didn't have time to reply, for she could tell it was truly him just by looking at his eyes. "JACK!" she cried out as she ran forward and embraced him.

Alex found herself in a hug as well an instant later as Harper grabbed her from behind.

"Is Molach-" the redhead started to ask.

"He's history," Alex announced. "Everything's fine."

The rest of the group surrounded them, relief on their faces and grateful sentiments on their lips.

There were only two slight shadows on the happy mood. First, was the moment when Jack took a long look at the swollen black eye on Kim's face. He pulled back from her then, feeling heartsick at the thought that his hand had been the instrument that had caused such damage.

The next moment was when Alex called everyone to attention.

"Guys, you were amazing," she said. "But I need some more help. Can you meditate and gather your chi again?"

"Is something wrong?" Rudy asked.

"Nothing for you to worry about. You're all safe here," she explained. "I just need some magic for a few seconds more. I need to transport myself to the Wizard World and check on things."

"Can I come with you?" Harper asked.

Alex's answer came swiftly. "No." She paused and looked almost apologetic. "I can't bring you there unless I know it's safe first."

"Alex, if there's some trouble-" Jack began.

"We'll go with you," Kim finished. "If we can."

"Whatever you need," Rudy added.

The young wizard appreciated the offer, but she ready to tell them she had to go alone. Before she could get any words out however, an odd feeling of dizziness overtook her. She would have fallen over if Harper hadn't caught her.

"What's wrong?" the redhead asked in alarm.

The moment of disorientation passed quickly. Alex's eyes widened in understanding.

"The magic lockdown is over!" She said. "I just felt it lift."

Quickly she made her wand appear in her hand. She attempted a simple spell of communication to reach out to her brother...only to feel a sudden unexpected headache.

"Oh no!" she sputtered angrily. "Are you kidding me? NOW?!"

"What is it, Alex?" Harper asked.

"The magic is back," the brunette explained. "But I can't use it!"

Kim spoke up. "Why not?"

Alex's expression was flustered and angry. "I have a magic hangover! This hasn't happened since I was a kid! This can't happen now!"

The others, even Harper, looked at her in confusion. She calmed down enough to provide a further explanation.

"When wizards in training use too much power too quickly, they can get a magic hangover. They can't use anymore spells until they get few hours sleep. That never happens once a wizard comes into their full power though!" She paused, still fuming with anger. "The strain of pulling magic from your chi...and using so much of it to destroy Molach...it's left me helpless...AGAIN!"

"But only for a little while, right?" Harper replied.

"Yes...but what if Justin needs help right now?"

Before anyone else could respond, Alex's cellphone began ringing.

"Dad?" she said as she answered, having recognized the ringtone.

"Alex, the lockdown is over! Is Molach-"

"I took care of him already," she interrupted. "But what about Justin? What happened?"

Her father's tone became noticeably lighter as he answered. Now that he'd heard Molach was dealt with, a great deal of worry had vanished. "Justin is fine. The fighting's over."

More questions and explanations followed. The evil wizards had been rounded up to the last man. Justin and Juliet were being hailed as heroes, along with Felix and his Monster Hunters. There had been casualties of course, but thankfully few.

In turn, Alex detailed how Molach had been destroyed.

"I am so proud of you, sweetheart," Jerry Russo finally said. "And don't worry about your magic. A good night's sleep and everything will be back to normal."

After that, Alex's father asked her to put him on speaker phone so he could speak to Harper as well. After repeating how relieved he was that both girls were safe, he bid them goodbye.

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

Roughly twenty minutes had passed since Molach's destruction and the end of the magic lockdown. Everyone was still in the dojo, trying to recover from all the drama of the evening.

Jack had taken the opportunity to shower and change into some clean clothes, but he was still uncomfortable as he sat with his friends. A fact that was not lost on Kim.

"Stop that," the young blonde said after Jack had avoided eye contact with her yet again.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "It's just that..." His words trailed off as he looked at her black eye once more.

"You did not do this," she said forcefully. "It's not your fault."

"It was my hand," he countered.

Kim repeated that Jack was not responsible. The rest of the group voiced their agreement.

Rudy moved to sit next to his star student. Jack was the only one present who had not heard the tragic story of the sensei's late sister, so Rudy gave his an abbreviated recounting of the tale.

"God...Rudy," Jack said after hearing the details. "I had no idea."

"It's okay," the older man replied. "I told you so you'll understand that if you were in any way responsible for attacking Kim, I would not stand for it." He paused. "But you aren't. You're blameless in this. You understand me?"

"Molach is the one who hit Kim," Alex chimed in. "And you saw to it that he'll never hurt her or anyone else again."

"You had something to do with that," he responded.

Alex rolled her eyes. "Let's not argue over credit again. This was a group effort."

"So stop feeling guilty," Kim said as she put her arms around Jack. He remained tense for a second but then relaxed in the embrace.

"That's more like it," the blonde said before kissing Jack's cheek.

"Get a room already," Jerry joked.

Milton clucked his tongue, adding to the levity.

"You two shut up," Kim warned, though she smiled as she did so.

"Now come on guys," Alex said. "We just defeated an ancient evil. Let's get some pizza."

"Sounds good," an unexpected voice sounded. "Room for one more?"

Alex turned in surprise to see...her boyfriend.

"MASON?!"

Alex ran to the handsome young Englishman as everyone else looked on in total confusion, save Harper who was only partially confused.

"How did you get here?" Alex asked after a brief but passionate kiss.

"I had just stopped by your parents' and got the news about the crisis being over. Your father let me use the I.P.P. to teleport here to see you."

"I.P.P.?" Milton asked.

"It's a magic device that even non-wizards can use," Harper offered. "The Inter-Wizard People Porter." She shrugged before adding, "Don't look at me. I didn't name it."

Alex and Harper then took time to make proper introductions between Mason and their new friends. Once that was taken care of, they all made ready to head out and get some food. As they were leaving however, Rudy's office phone rang.

"I'll see who that is," the sensei said. "You guys go on and I'll catch up in a minute."

They rest of the group headed out. Harper walked next to Alex, who was arm in arm with Mason. As a result, she overheard a brief bit of conversation between the lovebirds.

"I've been going out of my mind not being able to see you," Mason confessed to the beautiful wizard.

"Aw, I've missed you too," Alex replied. "Oh, but don't get too excitable tonight, okay? I can't use any magic right now...so you have to stay on your best behavior."

"No problem, Luv."

Harper slowed her pace then. For despite Mason's words, suddenly all the redhead could think about was a potentially serious problem.

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

Rudy only needed a few minutes to take care of the phone call. It was merely Joan, the mall security officer asking about reports of loud noises that had been coming from the dojo earlier. As Joan was a longtime friend of both Rudy and his students, he was able to smooth things over with minimal difficulty. However, after the call ended and he made his exit, he was surprised to find Harper waiting for him.

"What are you doing here by yourself?" he asked.

"I told the others I'd come back so you didn't have walk to the restaurant alone."

"You didn't have to do that," Rudy replied.

"That's what I told them," she explained in a slightly troubled tone. "The truth is, I wanted to talk to you alone."

He studied her expression. "Is something wrong?"

Harper hesitated. "I don't know. Maybe. It's...complicated."

Rudy turned back towards his dojo and invited the young woman inside.

To be continued...

author's note: What's this? A complication? Oh no! Please review.