Chapter 68: Settling the Score: Part I

Eddy and Kevin managed to make their way back to the courtyard room again.

"So, we never worked together?" Kevin asked.

"Yep. The others don't have to know about the dragon." Eddy said.

"Then how are we supposed to explain these cuts and scratches?" Kevin asked.

"Make somethin' up!" Eddy shouted. "They will never know."

"Maybe they won't but don't you think Double D or Goombella, the two geeks, won't catch on?" Kevin asked.

"Hey, Goombella's not a geek!" Eddy shouted back defensively.

"Hm… oh yeah." Kevin said with a smirk. "Now I've got something on you."

"Don't you ever tell them what I said!" Eddy said. "If you do, I'll tell them how you feel about Nazz!"

"You punk!" Kevin shouted, grabbing Eddy by the collar.

"Bring it." Eddy said defensively. "If I could beat a dragon, I won't have a problem taking you on."

Kevin sighed. "You know, this isn't the best time." He released Eddy and placed him on the ground. "We have to go meet up with the others, maybe they've found something."

"Coward." Eddy said. "Well, if you honestly insist. Remember, I'll deal with you later!"

"Yeah, yeah." Kevin said as he walked.

"…uh…" Eddy sighed, his walking turned into sprinting in order to catch up to Kevin. "Hey, wait for me!"

"Hm…?" Double D asked. The entrance doors opened as Kevin and Eddy walked into the coliseum chamber. The others were all waiting in the room, grouped together.

"Eddy?" Goombella asked as they walked on. "What the heck happened to you? You're so beaten up!"

"Yeah, you too Kevin." Nazz added in.

Kevin and Eddy both gave each other glances. Eddy walked over to Double D, because he was closest.

"That's… that last time I ever work with him!" Eddy shouted.

Double D looked at Eddy. His shirt tattered and ripped in several spots, some cuts on his face. His hands were black and blue.

"My word…" Double D gasped and turned angrily to Kevin. "How could you?"

"What?" Kevin asked.

"I knew you hated each other, but this was uncalled for!" Double D said.

"What are you talking about?" Kevin asked.

"I can't believe it. The world's in great danger, and you two beat each other up?" Nazz asked. "I can't believe you're both so selfish!"

"You got to believe me." Kevin said. "I didn't beat him up."

"I wanted to, but I didn't." Eddy said.

"I believe Eddy." Goombella said. "He's not that stupid, to choose such a wrong time to fight."

"Those are nasty." Jimmy said, staring at the bruises. "I can't stand this anymore."

"We must. We must continue." Rolf said. "The fate of a world rests upon our victory. Rolf shall be victorious!"

"Then it's imperative that we should hurry." Double D said.

"So… why are you guys just standing here?" Eddy asked.

"I'm having a difficult time solving this puzzle." Double D said. "We have found eight keys, and no keyholes. Nowhere, in all of this building."

"Oh, I guess we should show you what we found." Eddy held the gem they found outwards,

"It looks like a miniature Crystal Star." Double D said. "May I see this?"

Eddy shrugged and handed Double D the star.

"…judging by the size and shape… I think it's a key as well." Double D said.

"How the heck could that thing be a key?" Kevin asked.

"Like a puzzle. This is a very vital object you found." Double D said.

"Wait! Maybe It'd fit in that large thing we found earlier!" Goombella said.

Eddy and Kevin raised eyebrows. "Okay, you got me confused here. What?"

"Oh, you're gonna flip when you see this!" Eduardo Jr. said.

"…sweet." Eddy simply said.

They were all standing at a large, sphere-shaped device. The entire thing, towering over them must have been two stories tall. Small stars and orbs held together by bars and strings.

"What the heck is it?" Kevin asked.

"It's an ancient, 3-dimensional star chart. Its design is above any ancient society I have ever seen. They must have been a rather advanced civilization. For their time, anyway." Double D said.

"It's… quite Titanic." Bobbery said. "Must have taken them ages to construct this."

"You think Earth's in there?" Jimmy asked.

"I doubt it. We come from a different dimension, so no one here likely knew of our existence." Double D said.

"Rolf disagrees." Rolf said, pointing up to the chart.

Double D gasped. Rolf was pointing to a very small orb, among a series of others, on a track around a star. This orb was third from the star, on the edge of a familiar galaxy.

"Earth. They did know we existed." Double D said with an astonished look.

"We can talk about this later, but now we have to save this world from a shadow demon thingy." Eduardo Jr. said.

"I want my sisters back. I'm not going to wait and listen here anymore." Lee said.

Double D snapped back into the situation. "I can't let myself be distracted by all of this newfound knowledge. I must press on."

"There." Goombella pointed at her feet where a podium, with an engraved star shaped hole could be seen. "This looks like the place."

Double D took the star and placed it into the podium. At once, the entire chamber started to shake.

"Earthquake!" Jimmy shouted.

"We'll be fine." Sarah said.

A dark substance began to fill the room. The group huddled together and watched as it the chamber was becoming filled with darkness.

"What's going on?" Nazz asked.

More pillars began to arise from the darkness. Each once spiraling as they appeared. They were not that tall, perhaps a little over Jimmy's height.

"What in the world is this?" Flurrie asked.

The shaking came to a stop, as the darkness ceased.

"I understand." Double D said. "Look."

All of the pillars had keyholes in them.

"…why do they have those?" Eddy asked.

"Rolf figured it out. This was all a test." Rolf said.

"Hm?" Goombella asked.

"This entire building was filled with keys. All for this chamber. In order to get these keys, we've had to use our brains, brawns, and determination to get them. The true challenge starts when we unlock the prize of this test." Rolf explained.

"I'm scared." Koops said. "How do we know it's not a trap?"

"We don't have any more time." Ms. Mowz said. "If we are to hurry up, we should make haste and unlock these pillars, yes?"

Sarah, Mario, Double D, Rolf, Nazz, Vivian, Lee, and Flurrie stood at the eight pillars, each with keys. At the same time, they all turned the keys.

The pillars began to spin, and a clicking sound could be heard, like a lock being opened.

Suddenly, the star chart began to shake. They all turned towards it.

It was slow at first, but it began to twist and turn. The mechanics and machinery twisting and turning.

"What's going on?" Kevin asked.

"Maybe something happened outside." Double D said. "Come."

The group found themselves in the courtyard chamber. The lake within it was moving very slightly. It was a very serene spot, as opposed to the rest of the dreaded palace.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"

Or so they thought. There was a loud cackling sound the echoed in the chamber. All of them gasped, some reaching for their weapons.

"Wait… I recognize that laugh…" Double D said as his eyes widened. "…oh no, not now!"

"Surprise." Beldam's voice said as she started to rise from the shadows.

"Beldam… no." Vivian said, shivering.

"Fancy meeting you here." Beldam said. "Not many would have gotten as far as you have. I commend you for your efforts."

"No more tricks! Where's-a the princess?" Mario asked.

"…hm. How should I know? My goal is to end this, here and now." Beldam stated.

"Don't be stupid!" Lee shouted. "We have you outnumbered, 18 to 1!"

"…do you think I'm foolish enough to enter a battle alone? Allow me to show you my team."

From behind her, Marilynn arose from the shadows. Marilynn tilter her hat, as a tiny raven flew out. The raven landed on the floor and transformed into Doopliss.

"We can still beat you!" Eduardo jr said.

"I'm not finished yet. I have an addition." Beldam said.

"Uh oh." Double D said. "Everyone, stay on your guard!"

"Why?" Eddy asked. "Whoever it is, we can take-"

But suddenly, a new figure arose from the shadows. Her eyes were concealed by a green striped hat and long, blonde hair, but her identity was unmistakable.

Lee gasped. She looked to the point of tears. "…May?"

May's head tilted up to the group. "Hello. Long time, no see."

"May! C'mon!" Lee shouted.

"…come where, sister?" May asked.

"With us." Lee said.

May gave an evil chuckle. "…why would I ever want to go with you?"

Lee gasped. Double D stood in front of her. "May… what has happened to you?"

May's contorted, evil smile grew as her hand rose up. It began to glow blue as it turned into a fist.

Double D gasped. "What?"

"Ice Sphere!" She shouted.

Suddenly, the blue light around her hand twisted and changed, forming into solid matter.

The group's eyes widened.

A ball of ice was now hovering in the air aside from May. She gave an evil laugh and held out both hands. The ball responded to her movements, moving where she pointed. She quickly turned and pointed directly into the middle of the group. The ball was suddenly flying right at them.

Double D gasped and rushed ahead of the group. Seconds before the ball hit, he held out his hand and shouted.

"Flame Shield!"

The ice ball hit the flaming shield and exploded. Like dry ice, steam shot everywhere, clouding the chamber.

The others began to cough. The mist was quickly clouding up everywhere.

'May.' Double D thought. 'What happened? And those powers…' His eyes widened. 'Those are the powers I'd expect from the Shadow Sirens! Of course, she's wearing the Medallion of Life! They gave her their powers? Uh, but why?

'And Why does May want to attack us? It doesn't make sense.'

"Snap out of it!" Eddy shouted.

Double D gasped.

Rolf's eyes narrowed. "Beldam! COME HERE, YOU COWARD!"

His angry voice echoed vibrantly. Rolf was panting. His hands were balled up into fists. He never looked so angry.

"Has someone called for me?" Beldam asked evilly, stepping out of the mist.

"YOU ARE GOING TO DIE!" Rolf shouted, rushing her as fast as he could.

Beldam laughed and sunk into the shadows. Rolf stopped and screamed, panting even harder.

Double D and Vivian gasped. They both knew he wanted revenge.

"STOP RUNNING!" Rolf roared. "FIGHT NOW! ROLF WON'T LEAVE UNTIL MURDER-WITCH IS GONE!"

His screaming echoed in the chamber.

"Murder?" Nazz asked.

"Rolf, what's going on?" Jimmy asked.

'Ah, so that's why he's angry.' Ed thought.

Suddenly, Beldam's form appeared again, with both hands pointed in separate directions.

"I-"

Beldam's spell was canceled when Rolf jumped at her violently. She fell on the ground with a grunt. Rolf's eyes were practically glowing with rage. He reached down and punched her, right in the face. Beldam shouted again and vanished into the shadows.

Rolf shouted again. As he remained in his rage, he failed to notice another figure rushing him from the mist.

"Rolf!" Kevin shouted. "Heads up!"

"Eletri-spear!" Marilynn's voice said.

A glowing yellow spear formed in her hand. She took it and swiped at Rolf. He screamed and fell down.

"No!" Double D shouted.

He held his own rod and threw it at Marilynn. It struck her hand, the glowing spear fell out and landed on the ground aside her.

Suddenly, Beldam's figure formed right in the group. She was inches from Sarah.

"Beldam!" Sarah shouted.

"Remember me?" Beldam asked.

"You manipulated me, fooled me." Sarah said. "Now I can get my revenge! No one messes with me and gets away with it!"

Beldam threw a punch at Sarah. However, Sarah was well prepared, and blocked the punch. Sarah jumped into the air and kicked. Beldam dodged the kick with a swift movement.

"Sarah, I'm coming!" Jimmy shouted, rushing towards her.

Sarah looked over at Jimmy.

"Got ya!" Beldam reached and grabbed Sarah by her neck.

"SARAH!" Jimmy shouted. "Let… her… go."

Beldam chuckled. "And to think I once considered you a great apprentice. Solidify!"

Sarah gasped, as her feet began to turn to stone.

"NO!" Jimmy shouted, rushing at her.

Sarah looked very desperate. "Jimmy, help! Please!"

Every second that passed, more and more of her turned to stone. Jimmy rushed towards her and grabbed her. He was able to release Sarah from Beldam's grasp.

"Sarah. Stay with me!" Jimmy shouted.

"I'm… sorry." Sarah struggled to say, as she continued in her transformation. "I… lo-"

But she stopped as her face solidified. She was frozen in mid-sentence.

Jimmy looked like he was ready to cry.

"Sarah?" He shook her statue. "SARAH?"

Beldam laughed evilly. "What a fitting end for such a loser."

Jimmy's face turned very serious. "You will regret ever hurting her, you blasted-"

Beldam laughed. "I'd fight you, but it'd be too easy."

She turned towards the rest of the group. Kevin ran ahead next, holding out his wrench. She and Kevin began to fight.

Lee looked up and saw May rushing at her rapidly. Lee dodged as May careened on past and screeched to a stop nearby.

"Stop it." Lee said.

"Lee… quite a surprise. I thought Grodus said you were taken care of."

"What the heck are you doing on that side!" Lee shouted. "You're making a big mistake!"

"I have power, now. Before, I couldn't measure up to you and Marie. You beat me up, laughed at me, made fun of me… now I have the powers, and no one can ever hurt me again." May said.

"May." Lee said. "We're sisters. Don't do this, I'm saying it for the last time."

"You dare command me?" May asked, her hand pointed to Lee.

"Magnetize!"

The Medallion began to glow yellow, as did her finger.

Lee growled. Sparks flew from May's hand and landed on Lee. Lee began to shake. She gave a scream and lifted into the air.

Her body flew across the room. It struck a metallic pole, where she remained stuck to. Pinned down and ready for the strike.

"Transform: Wings!"

May suddenly shook. Large, demonic looking wings sprouted from her back. As she transformed, yellowish glowing encircled her. She lifted into the air and flew right at Lee.

"Pathi-flare!"

Suddenly, May flew off in another direction. She hurled through the air and into the mist that surrounded them.

Beldam growled. "I didn't wish to have to do this."

He held out both arms, and pointed them towards the two exits of the room.

"Barri-dea-ice!" She called out.

The doors abruptly shut, ice forming on them.

Double D looked at her. "What did you do?"

"I put a curse on the doorways. They will never open until someone is defeated." Beldam gave a contorted laugh. "Do you realize the extremity of the situation?"

Double D gasped, with a face of horror. "…you mean… we can't leave… until someone is… killed in battle."

"You dirty freak!" Eddy shouted.

Beldam gave an evil laugh. "Now, we can truly end this once and for all!"