Hello y'all. This is a new chapter for Max and Shartok. It takes place during the episode Sense and Insensitivity.
The Mysterious Cave
At Eda's Human Collectibles stand, Eda and King were trying to sell some stuff.
"Partake of my free snack samples! Take them; I demand it as your ruler, the King of Demons!" King demanded as he was holding a tray of junk
But no one was interested as they just walk by without a glance. King threw the tray down in frustration
"Nyeh! Why isn't anyone paying attention to me? I'm their rightful overlord. Intellectually and such." he ranted
"Yeah... hey!" Eda said as she grabbed someone and smells him "It reeks more of nerd than money today."
Luz, Max, and Shartok came in. Luz slammed on the deck causing Eda to drop the person.
"Guys!" Luz yelled "You will not believe what's going on!"
Luz then went under a banner
"It's a book fair! Where books come to life!" she said
Just then, a book leaped off from a stand and came to life
"Hello" it said
Startled, Luz kicked the book
"Now that's what I call literal-ture" Shartok quipped
"At the least the books back home never did that" Max said
"A fair without rides?" King asked
A small witch with a backpack full of books came up
"Who needs rides when this can take you anywhere?" he said as he showed a book to King
Annoyed, King throws a strip of bacon on the witch. This caused a flying demon to swoop in and carry him away
"Was that really necessary?" Max asked
"I'm sure he'll be fine" Shartok replied "I hope"
"A, ew." Eda said as she throws a book to the ground "B, I'm bored. C, I feel like pickpocketing some dork while they browse."
The Owl Lady then walked away
"No, wait!" Luz said
"Let her go" Shartok said "If she's not interested. That's her loss"
"Will you give it a chance? I'll let you ride in my hoodie!" Luz asked King as she opened her hood
"Ooohoohoohoo!" King said as he climbed
"Are you two coming?" Luz asked Max and Shartok
"You guys go on ahead. Me and Shartok are going to check out other parts of the fair" Max answered
"Catch you later" Shartok said as they walked away
"Okay. See you soon" Luz said as she waves at them
After splitting off from Luz and King, Max and Shartok
"Wow. Look at all these books" Max said as he pass through different stands
"You got that right, Max" Shartok said "I've seen books like these while flying by here. Each author was famous for writing them in their time"
Just as Max continued walking until he notice a book at a nearby stand
"Hello. What's this?" he said as they go over to the stand
He picked up a book that has a picture of a ring and look through the pages
"Interesting. This book shows details about a ring that can make the wearer invisible" Max said before flipping through the pages some more
"According to this page, the ring was forged by some demons many years ago. But they fear that it would someday fall into the wrong hands" Shartok said "So they hid it underground where it was preserve in a glass case. And it has remain there ever since"
"Can I help you?"
Max and Shartok look to see a person at the stand at the book
"Oh. Hello" Max said "I was just taking a look at this book"
"Ah. I see you and your pet have taken a liking to the book about the Ring of Concealment. One of the hidden artifacts in the Boiling Isles" the person said
"The Ring of Concealment?" Max asked
"Hidden?" Shartok asked
"Yep. The legend says that the ring is hidden in a cave that is not too far from here" the seller said
"Is there a map to this?" Max asked as he put the book back
"You're in luck, kid. I am actually selling some maps right here" the seller replied as he took out one and place it on the counter "But it's going to cost you"
"How much?" Max asked
"How about. 20 snails" the seller said
Max fishes inside his pocket and takes out some coins. He was fortunate that Eda let him keep half of the money when they were selling stuff at her stand. He then placed the money on the counter
"Will this do?" he asked
The seller hands him the map
"Pleasure doing business with you" the seller said
"No problem" Max said as he and Shartok walked off
"Oh and if you're going to find this ring. I would advise you to be careful" the seller called out "There's a lot of creatures guarding it. Not to mention some traps there as well"
Unbeknownst to the seller, some coven scouts were hiding behind a nearby stand. They have somehow eavesdrop on their conversation. Max and Shartok were walking through the fair
"You thinking what I'm thinking, buddy?" Shartok asked
"Oh yeah. We got ourselves another quest" Max replied "Or as that talking donkey from the movie would say: another whirlwind adventure"
They then met up with Luz and King
"Hey guys. Anything exciting happening?" Max asked
"Me and King are going to enter a writing contest together" Luz said
"Good for you both" Shartok said
"Yeah. You did once told me that you wanted to be a writer aside from being a witch" Max said
"Uh huh. We're gonna write an awesome story and win that contest!" Luz said "We are the best team!"
"Team! Yes!" King exclaimed
Luz, Max, Shartok, and King then walk off
"My name goes first on the cover." King said
Back in the Owl House, Max and Shartok were getting some stuff ready for their latest quest in their room.
"Okay. Map, check. Water, check." Max said as he puts some stuff in his bag "What am I missing?"
"The Sword of Pyro?" Shartok suggested as he flew over with the sword in his talon
"Oh yeah. I could really use that to light our way in the cave and to fight off enemies" Max said as he took the sword "Thanks, Shartok"
"No problem, Max" Shartok said as he got his shoulder
"Now we just need Eda to give us a lift to the location that is on the map" Max said
"Apprentices! Living room!" Eda called
"That's our cue" Max said as they went out of the room
Luz, Max, and Shartok met with Eda in the living room
"Hey! What's up, boss lady?" Luz asked
"I am popping out for a few days to an undisclosed place to do undisclosed things. Max, you're in charge." Eda said
"Sorry, Eda, I can't. Me and Shartok made our own plans today" Max said before taking out his map "I was wondering if you can take us to this place on the map"
"Hmmm" Eda said as she looked at the map "It's not too far from where I'm going. I can drop you off no problem. But not directly"
"Thank you" Max said
"Luz, you're in charge" Eda said to her
"Great" Luz said
"No questions!" Eda barked "Come on you two"
"Right behind ya" Shartok said
"Later, Luz" Max said as they went out
"Bye guys" Luz said with a wave
"As I said: no questions" Eda said as she closed the door
The Owl Lady, Max, and Shartok flew through the air. Eda then lands the staff so that Max and Shartok can get off
"Well. This is as far as I can take you. You two are on your own from here" Eda said
"No problem, Eda. We appreciate this" Max said
"Good luck with whatever you're doing" Shartok added
Eda nods her head and proceed to fly off. Once she was gone, Max unfolds the map and looks at it as he and his bat companion set off through the forest.
After walking through the forest for at least two hours, Shartok flew off to scout the area from the sky while Max stops for a water break.
"It's gotta be here somewhere" he said as he looks at the map again
Just then, Shartok flew back to him
"Shartok, did you find anything?" he asked
"Well, after scouring the area a few times, I saw a large cave somewhere at least northwest from over here" the bat reported
"That's great, buddy. Would you mind showing me please?" Max asked
"Sure thing" Shartok said before flying off
Max runs after Shartok. What he didn't know was that a few coven scouts were watching them from behind some trees. After eavesdropping on them back in the fair, they plan to get the hidden artifact once the duo finds it.
Max and Shartok were now standing in front of a large cave.
"So this is the cave?" Max asked
"It sure is" Shartok replied "Is it like in the map?"
Max checks the map. The cave was exactly identical to what was in the map
"Yep. It sure is" Max said with a smile "Time for a little spelunking"
The duo walked through the dark cave. Max took out his fire sword to ignite the area.
"Do you have any night vision, Shartok?" Max asked
"Actually, I don't" Shartok answered "Why do you ask?"
"Well, I read in one of my books that bats have some photoreceptors to allow them to see in the dark really good" Max said "I just thought that might be true about you"
"Even if it were true, I can't see clearly at night with only one eye" Shartok pointed out "That's why I sometimes prefer to sleep at night"
"That figures" Max said as he shrug his shoulders
"By the way, how far have we gone through this cave?" Shartok asked
"In all honesty, I have no idea" Max answered "But if I were to guess, I would say we might have gone a little deeper"
Seeing some running water ahead, Max leaps onto some rocks before continuing on their way
They then see some train tracks ahead
"What's with these tracks?" Max asked as he puts his sword away
"Guess it's not just a cave, but it's also a mine too" Shartok said
"I don't see any carts anywhere, but these tracks give me an idea" Max said with a smirk
He then changes into his electric form and leaps onto one. He then grinds on the rails with his electric power
"Whoo-hoo!" he yelled
Shartok can only look on in surprise
Max continue to grind through the rails until the reach the end. He then powers down as he and Shartok are in a room with some strange eggs. There are also some torches somewhere
"Whoa! How did you do that?" Shartok asked
"Just a little trick that I learn from one of my video games" Max answered "I guess playing those really paid off"
"You're really gonna have to show me what those video games look like someday" Shartok said
The one eyes bat then look ahead to see some giant spiders hatching from the eggs.
"Um. Max" Shartok said as he tapped his friend
"What?" Max asked
Shartok points ahead. Max gasped as he saw a bunch of spiders surrounding them
"Are those spiders?" he asked
"Oh yeah" Shartok replied
One of them hissed and leaped at him. Luckily, Max dodged to the right. He then takes out his fire sword which ignites as he drew it. Just then, another spider leaps at him, only for Max to slice it up. He then kicked another spider that leaps at him. Suddenly, some spiders spit web at them. Max and Shartok dodged the webs. Max then continues to slice up the spiders with his sword while Shartok attempts to alert him to where the spiders are going to attack. Suddenly, the spiders then shot webs that tied Max up. Annoyed, Max changed into his fire form and broke out of the webs.
"Enough of this!" he shouted
He then shoot a stream of fire that burned some of the spiders and then sliced the spiders that came at him.
"Shartok, you're gonna have to fly up. I'm about to try something" Max said to his friend
"Okay" the bat said as he flew up into the air
Max then held up his sword and begins to spin around to form a fire tornado. He then goes around the room while burning and slicing the spiders all at the same time. Shartok flew from the tornado to avoid getting burned. Once all the spiders were dealt with, Max stops spinning and powers down while panting. Shartok then flew back down
"Nice work, Max. You got all of them" Shartok said
"Yeah, I guess we can proceed now" Max panted "Right after I catch my breath"
The duo continued walking deeper into the cave. They have leaped on several ledges and even saw different kinds of colored stones along the way. Continuing onward, Max and Shartok were walking in one room. Suddenly, part of the ground fell down to reveal a bottomless hole.
"That must be one of the traps that seller warned us about" Shartok said "You might want to watch your step, Max"
"Thanks for the tip" Max said as he carefully stepped through the room "At least you have a good sense of hearing like other bats"
Cautiously, he made sure that part of the ground didn't crack. Once he reached the end, Max immediately leaped to the exit.
Going into another room, they can see that it is flooded with water. Fortunately, there was some raft platforms there. As they hopped on, some frog like creatures came up to the surface. They both have spears in their hands.
"More creatures?" Max asked "And they're demon frogs?"
"This cave has a lot of guards for just one ring" Shartok commented
One frog demon leaped at Max with his spear out but he quickly took out fire sword and blocked it. Max then proceeds to kick the frog into the water.
"Max, behind you!" Shartok said as he looked behind them
Max look to see a frog leaping out to attack
"Yow!" he yelled as he leaped to another platform. Once he leaped on it, another frog leaped up, but Max quickly punches him knocking back into the water. The frog from the last platform shoots it's tongue and hits Max in the back of his head.
"Ah! Ew!" Max said in disgust
As the frog shot it's tongue again, Max grabbed it and swung it causing the frog to hit the wall and slid into the water. Then several more frogs leaped out, Max took two down while leaping onto another platform. More frogs leap out with their spears, causing Max to slash them with his sword. Then one frog attempts to shoot it's tongue at Shartok, but he leaps out of the way. Max then kicks him in the water.
"They just keep coming" Shartok said as Max continue to fend off the frogs
"No kidding" Max said before looking at the water.
Max gets an idea. He puts away his sword and changed into his electric form. He then shoots electricity at the water which electrocutes all the frogs in the water. Some frogs were knocked out or drowned.
"Real clever, buddy" Shartok said as Max powers down
"Thanks. Lucky thing I remembered that water conducts electricity" Max replied while leaping to another platform he then notices a lever
Max pulls it and a door open. They go through it
Max and Shartok continue going through another trap with spikes in the ground and a shooting darts, the duo had stopped for a little break. They then resume their journey through the cave.
"Are we near the ring yet?" Shartok asked
"Something tells me we're getting close" Max answered
They then came across a large door
"I have a hunch it's through those doors" Max said
Just as they got near, a large rock golem leaped in front of them. He roared at them
"Oh come on! A stone golem!?" Shartok said in exasperation
"Looks like we got one more obstacle to get pass" Max said as he took out his pyro sword and ignites it
He then charges at the golem. The golem attempts to pound him. But Max leaps onto the fist and attempts to slash it, but it did not affect the golem. The golem used it's other fist to pound Max which sends him and Shartok flying backwards and hit the ground. This also caused Max to drop his sword
"Oooh. Man. That golem hits hard" Max said as he rubbed his face
"Here it comes!" Shartok said as he points at the golem coming at them
Seeing the golem about to have another go at them, Max and Shartok got out of the way. Max turns into his fire form and attempts to shoot fireballs at the golem, but to no avail. Seeing it didn't work, Max powers down and dodges another attack. He then changes into his electric form and attempts to zap it, but it also didn't affect the golem. The stone golem then kicked Max sending him skidding on the ground. He then powers down
"Max!" Shartok yelled as he hid behind a rock
Max got up and rubbed his head
"You're fire and electric powers are not working!" Shartok called "Try your earth power!"
"Of course!" Max said "Time to fight rock with rock!"
Max then transforms into his earth form. The rock golem stopped for a moment and then continues to attack him. Just as it throws a punch, Max changes his right arm into a rock arm and connected it with the golem's fist causing a shockwave.
"Oh yeah" Max said as he formed his other fist into another rock fist and delivered another punch in the stone golem's torso.
"Let's see what else I can do" Max said as his hands go back to normal
He then stomps the ground and a large rock came out. He then kicks the rock which hits the golem. He then closed his eyes and focused as his body turns into a large rock body save for his head
"Whoa!" Shartok said as he saw this
"Wow" Max said as he look at himself.
Showing a determine look, Max let out a battle cry and run at the rock golem. He then delivers two punches at it. When the rock golem attempts to hit him, Max grabbed the golem's fist. He then delivers a final blow which sends the golem flying and hitting the door causing it to scatter into pieces. With that done, Max went back to his normal size.
"You did it, Max. You beat it" Shartok said as he flew back onto his shoulder
"Yeah. And I think I might've fractured the door too" Max replied
As he said that, he looks toward the door to see a medium hole in it.
After recovering his sword, Max, still in his earth form, turns his arms into rock arms to push the door open. Once that was done, he powers down as he an Shartok enter the room.
"That sure took a lot out of me" Max said "Using all three elements is really tiring"
"Max. Look" Shartok said as he points ahead
Max looks to where his bat friend is pointing. He gasps to see a glass containing a platinum ring
"I don't believe it" he said as he and Shartok walk up to it "The Ring of Concealment. It's real"
"Our quest is finally done" Shartok added
Max grabs the glass, lifts it up and places it down. He then takes the ring and looks at it.
"Hmmm. Let's see if it works" he said
Max places the ring on his finger and in an instant he became invisible. Shartok became shocked and flew into the air
"Max? Max, where are you!?" he asked
"I'm right here" Max answered
"Where?" Shartok asked as he looked around
"In front of you" Max said
Shartok looked to his front. Max then removes the ring to make himself visible. Shartok sighed in relief as he flew back onto his friend's shoulder
"Wow. This ring really does works" Max said
"Yes. Now you can do the easy part"
The duo turn to see four coven scouts entering the room
"Hand it over" a coven scout said
"You guys?" Shartok asked "Why are you here?"
"We followed you two all the way down to this cave. We have watched you brave all these traps and take out the creatures" one of the scouts said
"Yes. And now that you've acquired the Ring of Concealment. We can deliver it to Emperor Belos" another scout said as he held his hand out "Give it to us"
"In your dreams, pal" Max said as he places the ring on his finger again and turns invisible much to the scouts' shock
Only Shartok remained
"Hey!" he yelled as he flew up
"Oops" Max said in embarrassment "I forgot, the ring can only make the wearer invisible"
Shartok laughs nervously as he faced the guards
"Get that bat!" a scout yelled
The coven scouts cast fire magic at Shartok, but he dodges each them. He then flew on top of a scout
"Hey get off me!" he yelled
"I got it" another scout said as he attempts to hit him with his staff
But Shartok quickly flew out of the way, making the scout hit the other on head. As Shartok dodges the other scouts magic attack, the invisible Max punches one of the coven scouts.
"Ow!" he said as he got punched again "It's the experiment. He's invisible"
Max knocks him down with a punch and then delivers an uppercut to another scout. He then does a sweeping kick to knock him over and deliver a finishing punch on the scout. Just as the final scout had Shartok trapped with plant magic. Max picks up a scout's staff and whacked the scout hard on the head. Once that was done, Max drops the staff and removes the ring to become visible again. He then frees Shartok from the vines.
"Phew." he said as he flew onto Max's shoulder "Thanks. But you know I could've gotten out of there myself."
"Yeah. Sure" Max said in disbelief
They both looked at the unconscious scouts.
"Let's get out of here. Before they wake up" Max said
"Good idea" Shartok replied
The duo then raced out as fast they can
Having gotten out of the cave, Max and Shartok made their way back to the Owl House.
"Phew. What a day." Max said exhausted
"You said it. I don't think I feel like doing anything right now" Shartok said
Heading inside, the duo see Luz and King resting on the couch
"Hey guys" Luz greeted "How did your quest go?"
"Great actually" Max answered "Me and Shartok went into this mysterious cave. We fought a lot of creatures and some got past some traps. And we got out of there unscathed"
"Plus we got an artifact from there also" Shartok added
"That's great" Luz said "What is it?"
"It's called the Ring of Concealment. It makes the wearer invisible" Max answered as he sat on anothr couch while Shartok rest on the arm of the couch
"Interesting" Luz said
Eda then came through the door
"Hey, kids" Eda said as she straightened out her back. "Woof. That was a rough couple days"
"You can say that again" Shartok said
"I'll say" Luz added
Eda sat in the couch that Luz and King were on
"Ah. Well, nothing a bit of apple blood and a good book can't mend." she said
The word book caused Luz and King to grow nervous
"Books?" Luz asked
"Nope, I don't know nothing about that" King said
"We hate books. Wow, look at the time!" Luz said
"What's a book? Good night!" King added
Luz cartwheeled away while King runs in the other direction. Eda, Max and Shartok were confused
"What just happened?" Max asked
"No clue" Shartok said as he flew onto his friend's shoulder "But right now. I don't care. Let's get some shuteye"
"Agreed" Max said as he got up "We're gonna turn in for today. Night, Eda"
"Night" Eda said as the duo head to the stairs
Once they head up, Eda noticed the Ruler's Reach book
"Huh? What the" she said
"Girl, you do not want to know." a typewriter said
And that was the latest chapter of Max and Shartok. Max had just acquired a new treasure for his use. The Ring of Concealment is based on the Ring of Power from the Lord of the Rings but without the evil part. Hope you enjoy.