Chapter Three: The Traitor and the Chosen
In the Moon Temple…
High Shaman Jibolba searched high and low in the temple to find his Shaman brothers and sister but found none.
The temple was left in shambles as it was badly ransacked and damaged. But there was no sign of life anywhere. Broken pots and potion bottles were everywhere as it looked like a battlefield in the once peaceful Shaman's place of sanctuary.
"High Shaman Jibolba… Is that you?" Said a small voice as the elder shaman turned around to see the apprentices and two young Jujus.
"Stumphermit, Aka'Aka, what is going on here?" He asked as the Jujus did the honors.
"We got a traitor in our midst and he decided to wreck things." The yellow Juju crudely answered as the green Juju bumped her elbow roughly.
"Fauna!"
"What, just answering the question!"
Stumphermit then stepped forward as he kneeled to the head Shaman.
"Forgive us for we were no match for the dark forces at play here. We did not see the seeds of evil planted." The Stump-wearing druid apologized to his superior.
"Please tell me what happen after I left." Jibolba pleaded to the apprentice.
He hesitated for a moment, as the memory was fresh in his mind.
"Tlaloc wanted to speak to all of us of his recent adventure to the spirit realm…"
Hours ago…
The Shamans were gathered as the apprentices kneeled behind them and listened to the Spirit Shaman's words.
"…As I have discovered, there is a new way for us to live, away rather than hiding in the shadows." He began as the fire was burning.
"What on in the name of Juju are you talking about, Brother. I thought you wishsh to tell ush of what happened in the shpirit." Xox spoke up but Tlaloc continued.
"The People of the Pupununu Tribe have been in hiding for too long and our culture is dwindling away with each passing year." He continued as another Shaman spoke.
"We are preserving the Tribe, Brother. You may see it as a cowardly move. But it is our duty to protect the tribe from the dark forces." Viyyite argued as thorny vines appeared from her arms.
"But what if I were to say that we did not need to hide anymore? What if I were to say that I would obtain the power to not only protect our tribe but rebuild it. Of course, there would be some sacrifices." Tlaloc smirked as the Shamans did not like how he was talking.
"What nonsense do you speak of, Brother?" Rozz'jobo sneered at his fellow Shaman.
"Brothers, sisters, I will soon obtain the power of a Juju, become a Juju myself."
This caused an uproar with the Shamans!
"How dare you even suggest claiming the gift of the Juju for yourself, Tlaloc! So much as suggesting such of thing is worthy of punishment by Moon Juju!" Viyyite gasped with rage.
"Dude, I am the Shaman of Magic, you know eccentric and nutty. But even I think it's crazy." Castongo deadpanned as the Spirit Shaman was irritated.
"Moon Juju… She is nothing but a weak-minded fool. We were once a great tribe and she did nothing but watch our destruction! But now, now we can free ourselves from her rule by a more favorable Juju." Tlaloc smirked, "In exchange for my transformation, the Pupununu Tribe must fall. But if you and some of the tribe were to join me. We can build a new tribe, a better one. All you have to do is hand over your Moonstones. What do you say?"
The other Shamans looked to each other and nodded.
Then they made their stance as they showed their great Shaman power!
The apprentices ran and hid behind the other Shamans!
"So, that is how it's going to be…?" Tlaloc coldly questioned.
"That is how it must be." Said the only female Shaman as they began their battle!
But the other Shamans were no match for the newly darkened power of the traitor and the corrupted Moonstone! The apprentice watched in horror of what happened next!
"If you will not help me as willing humans, then you will do so as my unwilling mindless monsters!" He proclaimed as he corrupted the other moonstones!
Then the corrupted Moonstones used their dark magic to change the other Shaman! The moonstones attached themselves to the Shamans as they become horrible monsters!
"Excellent. Excellent! Who's the small and insecure Shaman now, Moon Juju!" Tlaloc laughed as he heard a bottle break.
They all turned to the two cowering apprentices!
"Blast them to bits!"
The monsters attacked with their power, but Stumphermit and Aka'Aka were teleported by two young Jujus!
Present Time…
"We were thankfully saved by Flora and Fauna. But we couldn't save the other villagers from turning into sheep. Forgive us, High Shaman." Stumphermit apologized.
"It is okay, you two. Not even the strength of the Shamans was matched for the dark powers at work. But fear not, for we still have hope." Jibolba assured them as he showed him his uncorrupted Moonstone.
"Thank the Moon Juju." Aka'Aka gasped with joy.
"The prophecy…" Stumphermit grinned.
"Yes, today, the mighty Warrior Lok shall defeat the traitor, recover the Moonstones, save the other Shaman, and restore the Moonstone! As soon as Tak and his friends find him… Tak, where is Warrior Lok?" The High Shaman shouted for his nephew.
"We're coming! We found Lok! Kinda…!" Tak shouted back as he and his friends entered the temple with a sheep.
"Thank the Jujus you three were able to survive the spell unscathed. But why do you have a sheep?" Stumphermit asked with a confused look.
"Tak, we need Lok, not a sheep!" Jibolba scolded his nephew.
"But that is Lok, Man," Keeko explained.
"No, that is a dirty animal we use for wool." Jibolba shook his head.
"Uncle J, that is Lok! Look, he's wearing Lok's amulet!" Tak shouted as he showed the green magical item.
"What? No, no, no, no! This cannot be!" Jibolba gasped.
"Maybe Tlaloc turned him into a sheep when we were gone!" Jeera assumed as she laughed a bit.
She kind of found it funny that the blowhard and her snooty sister were turned into sheep. If they survive this and win, she wasn't going to let them live it down.
"Oh, this is horrible! The prophecy said that the mighty warrior was to stop the evil! The mighty warrior isn't supposed to be turned into a sheep! …The mighty warrior isn't supposed to lick my foot." Jibolba sighed as he swatted the sheep away and Aka'Aka grabbed the creature.
"…Well, can't we change Lok back?" Tak suggested as his uncle hummed and paced the floor.
"With the Moonstones taking, my powers are severely drained. The only way to change Lok back is to rescue Castongo and get a Moonstone back." The High Shaman hummed as he looked to his nephew and his two friends.
He didn't want to suggest this. Lok should be the one to do this but-."
"Tak…" Jibolba began but hesitated for a moment, "You will need to go. The rest of us will need to defend the village."
"What? No! Jibolba, he'll get creamed on his own!" The princess gasped.
"Jeez, Jeera, thanks for the words of confidence." Tak sarcastically spoke.
"But you will not be alone, Tak. Fauna and Flora will help you. Listen and follow them and they will show you how to face Castongo. Take the Amulet and follow their instructions." The High Shaman told his nephew as the Jujus floated to Tak.
"I won't let you down, Uncle J!" Tak smiled as he followed the Jujus.
"Good Luck Take and may the Jujus be with you! You must stop Tlaloc from destroying the Moon Goddess!"