Chapter Six

Card start



"Cards?!" said flip removing his glasses "W-why yes of course."



Jazz, Spaz, Chuck, and Admael had finally reached Diamondus. Landing their ship and securing it in the secret valley known as Birdland, they hastily reach flip as fast as they can, knowing that there is still an army preparing to attack Carrotus. Admael had explained to Flip the very details of the kind of card they were looking for. Flip and his well-known memory recalled seeing the type of card and lead the bunch into his labratory.



Birdland was a peaceful valley far from the technoligies of space and galactic designs. They prefered a more common lifestyle, managing their nests, raising their young, harvesting fruits and crops to feed them all. Some however, were curious in advanced things, such as Flip was.



Flip continued to flap his wings leading Jazz and his friends deeper into a cave filled with gadgets and gizmos. Flip and his brother Chuck were highly interested in some of the remains of Devan's machines ever since they first met Jazz.



"Gee," said Spaz "Lots of BIGGER birds around here."

"Spaz..." began Jazz pulling Spaz away from a nest "SPAZ! NO! THOSE BIRDS ARE NOT FOR EATING!"



"Admael had visited us once before you know." said Flip "She was here before we ever knew you, Jazz. Which is why we are most friendly with your species."

"Uh huh..." said Jazz "But how did Admael ever get here? I thought she disliked space-travel."

"She probably still does." said Flip "We found her here teaching us many things. Told us stories when we were mere chicks in our nests. She's very kind."



Jazz and Flip were far ahead of Admael and the rest. Admael could still here the silent chat between them though. Some of her magic still seemed to exist.



When they all reached the bottom of the cave, Flip flew over to a chest and tried to open it.



"UNGH!" he groaned "It's stuck!"



No matter how hard Flip pecked at it, it wouldn't open. He looked around as if searching for something.



"That's what I forgot." said Flip "There's a special kind of key that opens this chest. I've been studying it all night but it's soooo small, I can't seem to keep track of it."



Flip constantly flew around the room in search of the key. Jazz and the others helped, but all failed to succeed. Chuck however, managed to stumble apon it while playing with one of Flips machines.



"There it is!" said Flip as he picked it up after it fell out "Where did you find it?"

"Oh..." said Chuck "Well, I just pressed this here button and... hey look. There's another one."

"Oh dear." said Flip "Now you've gone and activated it."



Several duplicates of the key continued to fall one by one out of the machine. Flip pointed his finger at Flip and began shouting at him. Jazz and the others watched.



"It's always the same thing!" shouted Flip "Everytime your here, I can never concentrate because THIS keeps happening?"

"Um..." began Chuck fidding with his feathers "Aw shucks. I'm sorry, Flip. I was only trying to help."

"WELL, DON'T!" shouted Flip "Just go stand over there for now until I find this card, AND DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING!"



Everyone was silent. Chuck's expression fell to a sad state. He began to walk away whimpering.



"Hey," said Jazz "He was just--"

"Just forget it." said Flip "He does this all the time. Now, let's go see this card your talking about."



Flip flapped his wings and flew over to the chest again. Holding the key near it, an invisible lock began to shine clear. It appeared in a slow fade. Flip inserted the key and unlocked the chest. It opened by itself.



"I've got two of them." said Flip "or at least, two that match your description. Along with it was a bunch of other stuff in this chest."



Flip pulled out two cards and Jazz took them. He stared at them for a while trying to identify them. Giving up, he handed them to Admael.



"This older-looking one is Roaster." said Admael "He's another 'luck' card, much like Bluez. Except this one is more on the 'lucky' side rather than a common soldier's luck."

"And the other?" asked Jazz.

"This one is..." began Admael "This one is of a blue rabbit named Paladin. There a story behind this one, would you like to hear it?"

"Count me out, Addie." said Flip "I'm not a child anymore."

"I can see inside that your interested." said Admael "But it's your choice. In fact, I think it would be nice if Chuck could listen as well."

"Oh, all right." said Flip "Chuck, get over here. Just don't touch anything."



Everyone sat down somewhere in the lab and listened closely to Admael.



"Paladin was a strong and noble warrior." began Admael "Learning ancient writings that tought him about honor. He even stumbled apon an ancient place that no one in this period of time has ever seen since centuries ago. Learning much from the ancient writings in the place, he realized the meaning of honor, and stood by it at all costs. Unfortunately, he remained very lonely since he was to go where he was needed most. Eventually, during his travels he met Kiro. A magical being that held a source of magic. Kiro fell in love with Paladin and she taught him how to read the rest of the ancient writings he found. In the end, Paladin traveled with Kiro and promised to protect her from any harm. And even thought they no longer exist today, he still does."



Chuck began crying on Flip's shoulder. Flip handed him a tissue to blow his nose in.



"T-that was..." Chuck sniffed and snorted "T-that was the best story I ever heard."

"Oh grow up!" grunted Flip "Your not a little baby anymore. Act your age."

"What?!" said Chuck "You can't tell me that you never felt anything inside when you heard that story."



"Actually," began Jazz "I did feel something inside. I felt we were wasting a valuable amount of precious time here."

"Yah!" said Spaz "We gotta go stop that turtle army on Medivo!"

"Addie!" said Chuck "Tell us another one... Pleeeease!"

"ENOUGH!" shouted Flip "I can't stand anymore! Do you KNOW how annoying you really are! GO AWAY!"



Chuck backed away from Flip.



"Excuse me, Flip." said a voice from the stairs leading up. A bunch of birds were standing at the bottom, "Some stranger just broke into our valley. He's going nuts out there!"

"Who?" asked Admael.

"We dunno." said the bird "Definitely not one of us. He's all black and stuff and wears a funny-looking costume. Looks alot like you, Chuck."

"He's got black feathers?" asked Spaz "Is he small, because I can get rid of him."

"Black feathers?" asked Admael "*Could it be...?"



Admael was silent. She looked up and began running up the stairway to the surface. Jazz and the others followed.



"Huh?" asked Jazz "Hey, Addie! Where are you going?!"



---------------------------------------------

*Black Feathers, wears funny-looking cloathing, resembles a raven -- It's not who you think it is.

---------------------------------------------



Chapter Seven

Quote the Raven



Rushing up the steps, Admael had finally reached the exit out of the labratory. Walking out into the beutiful valley again with the bright blue sky lighting it up, Admael could see only the colorful birds of birdland. She looked around, searching for what the messanger described. Jazz and the others soon arrived.



"Addie!" asked Jazz "What was the big hurry for?"



Admael turned around and faced messanger bird. The bird pointed towards one of the trees where a nest-house was located. It was a chief's nest. The chief would constantly keep track of all entering and leaving of Birdland. Since that was the only important thing that bothers her, she rarely worried about it, until now.



Admael began to walk towards the tree and started climbing.



Meanwhile, inside the hut was a black raven rummaging around for tools.



"I told you." said the chief "There are no 'parts' here for your 'space-ship'"

"I believe you, mite." said the raven in an australian accent "But when you see a ship landing approximately 3 miles from this valley, there's definitely someone here who knows about it."

"That ship belongs to a friend of a great mage." said the chief "And if you don't leave here immediately before scaring my children, she will fry your wings."

"Fry my wings?!" exclaimed the raven "Look, sister! I've seen strangeness of the like, but there's only one mage I've ever heard of and she's a no-good lying cheat."

"Well our Admael is not a cheat!" shouted the chief.



Suddenly, the raven dropped everything and gulped loudly. His eyes were wide with astonishment and fear. He turned around and looked at the chief straight in the eye.



"E-excuse me..." began the Raven "But... D-did you just say--"



Suddenly the door bursted open and there was Admael and the others standing outside behind her.



"AAAAAAAACK!" squaked the raven as he began flapping his wings dropping dozens of diamonds into the twigs of the nest below.

"Rick?!" exclaimed Admael.



The raven began to shiver, but then started flapping his wings wildly attempting to fly out of the opening in the roof. He was very clumsey crashing into the sides of the wall and into twigs sticking out. When he finally got out, he smashed his head hard on a branch just above the roof.



After falling back in the nest, he lay concious rubbing his head.



"OooOOOooOOOh..." he moaned "My h-head..."



Admael frowned.



"A lying cheat huh?" she said.



Rick, who had finally recovered from his dizziness, stood up and pointed his wing at her.



"Yah!" he stated "That's right! You are a lying cheat. Ruining my life at the same time."



Admael's mouth was wide open. She was almost tempted to zap Rick with a spell but couldn't because of her magic gone. She looked away but noticed the diamonds that had fell from Rick's pouch.



"So you were stealing diamonds from here, weren't you?"

"Huh?" said Rick just noticing his pouch was empty "Oh my god! MY GEMS!!!"



Rick began reaching down between the twigs and sticks that had assembled the nest for his gems. He managed to grab 3 to 5 of them.



"So you lied to me as well." said Admael.

"So what if I did?!" shouted Rick "These diamonds are rare on any other planet. And what's wrong with snatching a few for myself?"

"Diamondus is own by the birds on this planet!" said Admael "And you shouldn't steal from them."

"Yah," said Rick sarcasticly "Well at least I don't PRETEND to be in love with someone. Last time I trust a rabbit like you again, you rotten back-stabbing ol'--"

"Please, Rick." interrupted the Chief standing around the little chicks "Be polite around the children."

"Bah!" shouted Rick "Anyway, I got what I came for. This uh... wrench will do just nicely."



Admael covered her mouth to hide her laughter.



"That's just a twig, Rick." said Admael.

"Close enough!" stated Rick "At least it uh... helps with the... uh... loose bolts for my generator."



Rick frowned and went back to his stubborn mood.



"Well, I'm going now." he said taking a step forward readying to fly out of the roof again.

"Pfft." stated Admael "Fine."

"yah, Fine." said Rick.

"Bye." stated Admael.

"Yah, Bye." said Rick rudely.

"Well...?" asked Admael.

"What?" asked Rick still standing uncertainly.

"Aren't you leaving?" asked Admael.



Rick stood still looking up. He looked behind him to noticed his empty backpack was still lying in the corner. He walked over to it looking for an excuse to stay.



"Oh... uh..." he began "Forgot my pack."

"Uh huh..." said Admael facing away from Rick.

"Okay then." began Rick "Off I go."

"Uh huh." said Admael.



Rick stayed still. He looked up to noticed the branch was still there above him.



"On second thought!" said Rick "I'll just go out the front door."

"Fine." said Admael.

"Right," said Rick "Fine."

"Goodbye." said Admael.

"yah," said Rick walking out the door "Bye."



Rick immediately slammed the door shut loudly and walked past Jazz and Spaz. He looked at them and replied rudely.



"What are you staring at, mite?" he asked "Haven't ya seen a raven before?"



Rick jumped up on the branch and began flapping his wings for takeoff. He flew up into the sky and out of the valley in a hurry. Jazz and Spaz entered the chief's hut to look around.



"Addie..." began Jazz "Who was THAT?"

"No one..." she replied "At least no one we should worry about. He's just a stubborn raven. Just like all the others."

"He looked pretty angry." said Spaz "Can I eat him?"

"Better not." said Admael laughing inside "You might be infected with the same kind of stubbornness."



* * * * *



"Uh..." began Devan standing before the great wizard "Um... Sir, what are you thinking?"



It was back in the wizard's prison lair again as he began thinking and focusing his concentration on Admael. The cards disrupted his connection to see what was going on, but he could see one thing. A black bird flying towards his ship and taking off.



"Ah..." said the wizard opening his eyes and standing up "She's on Diamondus."

"So?" asked Devan "What now?"

"I see an old friend of hers." said the wizard "He goes by the name 'Rick' and he's quite a skilled pilot. He's sly and very tricky, stealing 'gems' from various sources."

"How does that help us?" askd Devan.

"Don't you see?!" shouted the wizard creating another image in the sky "This so-called 'Rick' is angry and irritated. If I could get his attention and draw him to join me, he could become a valuable asset to defeating that pathetic little band of rodents who are trying to stop me. I can convince him that Jazz is his real enemy. And after Jazz is defeated when he will be of no more use to me... he will 'DIE'."



---------------------------------------------



Chapter Eight

The previous replacement



Dawn arrived with the sun glaring through the windows of the dark battleship of which was piloted by Mark. He awoke to hear the sounds of fighting in the corridors. He hurried to the hanger as the sound lead him there. He stood shocked to see several turts lunged around the room by a huge half-robotic turtle with a flail. He looked at Mark with devilish eyes and pointed at him.



"You!" said the large turtle "You are who they call Mark?"

"Yes." said Mark standing bravely and walking towards the huge turtle "I am, and who are you?"

"I am Devan's strongest warrior." He said raising his robotic fists "I am Schwartzenguard!"

"Had you not heard." said Mark "I am Devan's Replacement, and I'm here to put an end to Carrotus."

"Turts don't want fight." he said stupidly "Turts want peace!"

"Well," said Mark taking the glove off from his robotic hand "They don't have a choice."

"They will have choice." said Schwartzenguard "After I pound you little head to bits!!!"



Schwartzenguard suddenly lunged towards Mark readying his fist for a deadly blow. As ready, Mark dodged and dived out of the strike. The fist left a huge dent in the hanger floor.



Mark laughed and taunted the huge turt. Angered with even more rage, he lunged again uncontrollably sending his fist slamming into a crate full of explosives as Mark dodged again. His eyes were hurt due to the brightning light, but he was still not scratched.



"If your really wanted peace." said Mark "Your doing a dirty job by toasting all these other turts."

"They don't listen." said Schwartzenguard "They just do dirty work from you."



Mark took the oportunity to fire his weapon. Several Blue-bullet-bouncers took off out of his weapon and exploded when they hit the huge turtle. Schwartzenguard stood still practicly untouched. Taking his turn, he picked up a small shuttle inside the ship and threw it at Mark. It hit.



Mark flew back from the blow and struck the wall of the hanger. Shook his head to regain more conciousness. He noticed again the Schwartzen was carrying his flail again and swinging it around and around to prepare his attack. Mark took the opportunity to dive out of the way and take cover behind a crate filled with rations.



"Your pretty tough." said Mark "You'd make a valuable addition to my army if you were to join."

"Schwartzen don't want fight." he said stupidly "Schwartzen just want kill."

"Have it your way, then." said Mark jumping up on the crate.



Mark took action and fired his weapon again. A special type of ammunition fired this time. A lazer of some sort bolted out of his weapon and created a huge electic-style explosion as it hit Schwartzenguard, sending him flying backwards and into the hanger wall. In the end, smoke was rising from Mark's weapon. Schwartzenguard remained injured badly against the wall.



"Schwartzen hurt bad." said Schwartzenguard "Schwartzen need help."

"Too bad." said Mark reloading his gun "I gave you a chance to make your decision and you rejected it. Finish what you started right to the very end."



Mark aimed his arm at Schwartzenguard again. As it began to powerup for another blast, his grin changed into a chaotic mad laughter. Schwartzenguard shivered in fear watching as his fate was soon near. And at the last second...



* * * * *



"Addie." said Jazz "What's wrong?"



Back on the Jazz-01, Admael was lying back against the wall daydreaming. She was thinking about Rick during all that time. Jazz was concerned and distracted her, bringing her out from deep in thought.



"Oh." said Admael waking up "It's nothing."

"Why won't you explain who that raven was?" asked Jazz.

"Because..." began Admael "He's just trying to distract us from our primary mission. Just don't worry about it."

"Admael's got a point guys." said Chuck from up front "Take a look! We've got more important things to worry about."



Jazz looked out the front windshield of the cockpit. There he could see a huge largely built battleship much like Devan's when he first kidnapped Eva. He could tell that this was the army Admael was talking about.



"WOAH!" exclaimed Jazz "That's a big one!"

"I'm scanning." said Chuck "We have about 6 minutes before they realize we're here."

"What is it?" asked Admael.

"Magus 12." said Chuck "Armed with over fourty missile launchers and I approximately one-hundred gun-turrets, probably more. The shielding is stable, but not strong. The hull would take years to penetrate with our ship. There is some recent internal damage though."



Jazz loaded his weapon and pointed at the ship.



"Bring us in, closer!" he said "I'm gonna try and hijack it."

"Are you crazy?" asked Chuck "We can't even get within a kilometer of it."

"Well..." began Spaz "What do we do?"

"They're course is set towards Tubelectric." said Chuck "We can get there before them with our speed then get on their ship when they orbit it."

"If only we had Admael's magic." said Jazz "We'd have no trouble getting on that giant oversized weapon."

"I'm sorry." said Admael.

"Don't be." said Jazz "It's not your fault."

"Yah." said Spaz "We'll just get on when they reach Tubelectric."

"We're gonna be found any moment now." said Chuck "I suggest we leave now."

"Okay, Chuck." said Jazz "Head for Tubelectric. Full speed!"

"Yessir!" said Chuck cranking up the speed of the Jazz-01.



* * * * *



"Huh?" said one of the turts piloting the battleship "Did you just see that on the radar?"

"It's probably nothing." said the other turt.

"But we're suppose to report everything to Mark." said the pilot.

"Don't worry about it." said the other pilot "What he doesn't know can't hurt him."

"What?!" exclaimed Mark.



The two pilots looked back to realize Mark was standing behind them. They studdered and shivered in fear knowing that Mark knew what they said.



"Um... uh..." began the first pilot "It was nothing sir. Really."

"Yah." said the other "We were just scanning space-dust."

"I'd hate to be both of you if you were lying." said Mark grinning "Because what happened to Schwartzenguard, might just happen to you both as well."



---------------------------------------------



Chapter Nine

Electic jump



Tubelectric. The planet of pipes assorted around generating large amounds of electricity. This very planet was a giant battery. The electricity in this planet had the ability to power an entire galaxy of lights.



Jazz, Spaz, Chuck, and Admael had landed their ship saftely on an abandoned docking platform on the planet surface. Gravity was still weak outside but once they entered one of the entrances into the planet, gravity grew strong enough to hold them down. An elevator activated and began bringing them down.



"Okay, Chuck." said Jazz "What must we do to reach that battleship when it comes into orbit."

"Well, an airboard is out of the question." said Chuck "It can fly that high, but it's not fast enough to get you inside the ship while it moves."

"Then how do I get in?" asked Jazz.

"Deep inside the planet is a fan that cools off some of the superheating electronic systems around the tubes. That fan blows straight upwards through several 'charge' tubes. These tubes will amplify the speed of anything, thus slowing down outside the planet."

"What's this called again?" asked Jazz.

"I call it," said Chuck "The electric jump. If you let go of the fan at the right time, you'll be shot straight through three tubes which sends you faster and faster towards the surface. When you reach the top, you'll be shot out towards the ship and if strong enough, you can break through the hull."

"Uh..." began Jazz "More like the hull with break through me."

"That's why I'm going with you." said chuck "With my wings, I can manouver you outside the planet and into the refueling pipes of the battleship. Once inside, I can fly you up towards the main control room without any trouble."

"You won't abandon me if I get hurt, will you?" asked Jazz.

"Hey," said Chuck "I said I wouldn't, didn't I?"



The elevator came to a stop. Jazz and chuck walked out on top of one of the red pipes. They looked back at the others.



"Spaz, Addie." said Jazz "You take care of the Jazz-01. Be ready to pick us up once we've cleaned out that band of shells.



"Okay, Jazz." said Admael.

"Yah," said Spaz "You can count on us, bro!"



The elevator began moving upwards with Spaz and Admael on it. Jazz continued down the corridor with Chuck following close behind.



As they continued walking, Jazz could feel a slight breeze blowing against him. Obviously they were near the fan that Chuck was talking about. Chuck strapped the small gun on his beak and held on tight to the rails beside him.



"My wings slow me down." said Chuck "We better do this quickly. I can't hold on very long."



Jazz and Chuck had finally reached the fan. The wind was really strong now. Jazz looked down to see a grate covering the spinning blades below. The current was flowing strongly upwards. Chuck was grasping onto the metal polls as tight as he can. Jazz had to as well, since the current was even too strong for him.



"Hurry, Jazz!" shouted Chuck "Grab ahold of the railing and stand in the center of the grate."

"Okay," said Jazz doing exactly as Chuck said "When do I jump."

"Not yet." said Chuck "Wait until my radar picks up the signal."



Chuck pulled out a hand-held radar scanner and looked at it. The current was so strong it stole it out of his hand and flew upward out of sight. Chuck almost let go but quickly jumped back and latched himself onto the railing. He looked at his hand to notice the radar was gone.



"What was that?" asked Jazz uncertainly.

"Um..." studdered Chuck grasping for an excuse "N-nothing. That was just... a rock. Anyway, that's besides the point."

"Can I jump now?" asked Jazz.



Chuck began thinking. Without the radar, everything depended on a guess.



"Okay!" said Chuck "Jump now!"



Immediately, Jazz let go of the railing, and as Chuck described, Jazz began flying at an alarming speed upwards throughout the tube. The first smaller tube was in sight. If he went through it before Chuck had reached him, he will be sent straight into the hull of the battleship. Luckily, Chuck was nearby behind and held onto Jazz's pack.



"Get in!" said Jazz. Chuck couldn't hear since the sound was too slow and was trailing miles behind them. Chuck still knew what to do and jumped inside the blue back and kept his wings in.



The first tube sent them even faster through the electronic caves. Sparks could be seen firing off of Jazz's feet. Jazz covered his eyes but attempted to look forward again. The second smaller tube was in sight, but they were going off from it. Chuck quickly opened his wings and turned left towards their target. Again, the second tube sent them racing even faster. A blue stream of electicity was flowing from Jazz's forehead to his feet.



Jazz closed his eyes. The speed was so strong he couldn't see where he was going. There was no heat but only cold air. It was as thought Jazz was freezing from so much speed. Thus, he felt himself moving faster and could only guess it was the third tube they reached. Moving faster and realizing it was harder to breath, Jazz guessed he was near outer space.



Suddenly, Chuck's wings opened fully and began to fly manouverably about. Jazz looked up to see endless tunnels of intertwined tubes all around the main tunnel they were flying through. Stars could be seen at the end of the tunnel.



"Chuck?" said Jazz as he could hear his voice again "What's happening?"

"We're moving so fast that everything is normalizing at our rate." said Chuck "This is awsome though. I feel as though the air is helping me fly better."

"Look!" said Jazz pointing straight ahead.



The stars were more correctly seen as lights from a space-craft. It was the battleship and Chuck began taking action. He manouvered and had aimed directly towards the loading pipe connected to the ship.



"Alright." said Chuck "Now the REAL ride begins."



---------------------------------------------



Chapter Ten

Facing your opponent



After the long flight through the pipes of the refueling tank, Jazz had to dodge many other obstacles. Diving over boiling tanks of oil, running accross chains on the roof, and defeating Mark's minions of who Jazz was unaware of still. He continued to climb ladders, open doors and avoid dangers that stood in his path. With Chuck's weapon firmly attached to his beak, he helped Jazz by offering additional firepower. Soon, the exit was there, and Jazz was on his way up the elevator towards the mystery of who was behind all of this. Finally reaching the top, the door slid open and into the control room they went.



It was empty. Several consoles were scattered around the walls of the room. The main screen in front of them displayed space outside with the Jazz-01 still flying about. Jazz examined the console to see how to hinder the battleship in some way.



"Comon!" said Jazz out loud "There's gotta be a self-destruct button here. Every space-station, ship, even planet has one."



Jazz randomly pressed buttons, as did Chuck. However, all of them seemed to be inactive and inoperable. Jazz couldn't understand, yet he still kept trying. Soon, he could sense something was wrong by the light strands of fur standing up on the back of his neck. He looked around quickly to see a bolt of some sort heading straight for him. Diving for cover, he successfully dodge the chaos.



Jazz looked up and Chuck stood still beside him. Standing before them was a shadowed figure.



"So..." he said "Your the rodent who defeated Devan Shell no doubt..."

"Who are you?" asked Jazz.

"It won't matter." said Mark stepping out of the shadows "You won't be alive to hear it."



Mark sent another shot from his arm directly at Jazz. As by instinct, Jazz dived for cover again. Getting up, he pulled his blue weapon out and started firing quickly and accurately. Mark took a few hits, but managed to stay on his feet. He aimed and fired several blue-bullet-bouncers bouncing towards Jazz.



In reaction, Jazz jumped up and began running on top of the controls around the room. Fustrated, Mark unleashed flame from his arm. Jazz was unable to keep running at this point and decided to take action again. Setting his gun to heat-seekers, Jazz fired several missiles towards Mark. Dodged again, Mark backed up and they both waited.



"Your very good." said Mark "Looks like my weapons match yours in such situations."

"Just wait and see." said Jazz "I've got more packed into this 'ere gun!"



Jazz aimed and fired RF-missiles towards Mark. The two missiles missed completely as Mark jumped between them and fired another type of ammo. A strange glob of slime hit Jazz and he was stuck to the ground. The slime was burning Jazz's skin.



"Interesting, is it not?" asked Mark "I call it Slime, Weapon #12. Much like the ice-cannon except this slows your opponent down, AND injures him at the same time."

"Chuck!" shouted out Jazz "Help! AUGH! It's like acid or something."

"Hang on!" shouted Chuck as he raced towards Jazz. Digging his beak into the strands of guu stuck onto Jazz, he managed to free Jazz completely.



"Get lost, Parrot!"



Mark reset his weapon to something powerful and fired the deadly lazer projectile towards Chuck. The explosion not only sent Chuck flying backwards towards the screen, but it also completely dissolved the slime.



"That's it!" said Jazz "Slime's weakness!"

"Die!" shouted Mark.



Mark aimed his gun again, but Jazz took a more tactical measure Jumping out of the way of blast, Jazz used the explosion from behind him to send him at rapid speed towards Mark. His fist aiming straight ahead, it was a deadly hit that sent Mark crashing into the boxes behind him.



"Augh!" shouted Mark "That's impossible."



Jazz stood standing above Mark as he lay on the ground. Mark grinned and jumped up shoving Jazz out of the way.



"I'm not finished yet." shouted Mark "Just watch as I finish you off with an even better weapon."



Mark fired another strange type of weapon. Scattering mini-missiles shot out and spread randomly around and heading straight towards Jazz. Jazz dived out of danger but Mark continued firing. The weapon was scattering so randomly that Jazz couldn't tell where to move. Finally stuck in a corner, Mark's weapon stopped firing. It had seemed to be out of that type of ammunition. Mark continued to grin as he set his weapon to something else.



Again, the beam shot out from his gun and an explosion hit the target. Jazz was struck hard but still barely alive. He climbed up from the crater in the corner and coughed.



"What?!" exclaimed Mark "Your still alive I see."



Jazz stood up bravely and put his gun away. Running relentlessly towards Mark he dived and sent a kick streaming towards him. Mark couldn't dodge but instead he counterattacked by grabbing Jazz's leg and swinging him into a wall.



"Ouch!" said Jazz.

"Hang on, Jazz!" crowed Chuck diving downwards towards Mark. Mark was caught off-guard and Chuck's sharp beak struck him down. Jazz pulled out his gun and stood over Mark aiming his gun down at him. Mark stood still.

"Very well faught." said Mark.

"Who are you?" asked Jazz.

"I am the 2nd General of Shellion, sent here by the Emporer himself." said Mark.



Jazz backed away and scratched his head.

"Emporer?" asked Jazz "I thought he wasen't responsible for Devan's attack and he wanted nothing to do with Carrotus."



Mark took this opportunity to attack. He sent Chuck crasing into the console and kicked Jazz back away into the wall. The computer voice began speaking.



"Warning." said Mark "Now approaching Medivo..."

"WHAT?!" exclaimed Mark "Who changed our course!"

"Probably me!" laughed Jazz "I was toying with your controls while you weren't here."



Mark grabbed Jazz by the neck and faced him.



"You idiot!" shouted Mark "Those controls are fake! Who else is on board?! TELL ME!"



Chuck sent several blue-bullet-bouncers toward Mark and was a successful hit. Mark let go of Jazz and looked back at Chuck. Jazz took this chance to fired his default weapon at him, sending Mark crashing into the console.



"Warning!" said the computer voice "Impact immanent."



Jazz looked around noticing the ship was tilting. Gravity became strong and sent jazz sliding into the wall.



"NO!" shouted Mark grabbing ahold of a communication device in his hand "All troops, report to Shell-fighters now. We'll continue our journey to Carrotus through there."



Mark stumbled over to the elevator door and entered it. He looked out at Jazz who was trying to climb up to it.



"Sorry." said Mark "But I'm going up... And aparently, your going DOWN!"



The doors slid closed and Jazz didn't know what to do. He was falling back into the fake controls and smashing his head hard against objects with no meaning. He looked out at the main screen to notice the surface of medivo getting closer and closer.



"Warning..." said the computer "Impact estimated 15 seconds."



Jazz climbed with all his might to the emergancy ladder beside the elevator.



"Warning..." said the computer again "10 seconds till impact."



Jazz quickly began Climbing. Chuck took cover in his pack during the time to avoid hurts.



"8... 7... 6..."



Jazz climbing became harder as the ship continued to shake. Holding on with all his might he saw debris falling down from above.



"5... 4... 3..."



Looking up, the timer could be seen on a screen. The computer's voice became more lower in pitch.



"2..."



Jazz closed his eyes and held onto the ladder. Grasping with all his might, he knew what was about to happen.



"1..."



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