The Conclusion: The Extreme Showdown
In the training
room of the Magic Express, Darlena noticed a huge trunk. "Hmm, must
be a part of Cooper's act next Wednesday. Maybe I could give this
thing a try and see if I can get out of it. Only problem is, I can't
find any volunteers to help me, and Cooper's busy on the comp. I
still can't understand why he called me Angela Jacobs when he arrived
home. And what's with the computer? He needs to be practicing
for the show. Nah, maybe it's nothing."
The imposter
Ace was in the main computer room finishing the reprogramming of Angel.
"Now I'm in total control of Angel, and no one will be able to get
past the defenses, period. At last, I'll be famous." Giving
a rather evil grin, he let out a small snicker of victory. Just then,
he realized the one other person who could learn about him. "Darlena,"
he whispered angrily. "I have to get her out of the Express.
Fame and fortune are to be mine and mine alone. I will not
share the wealth with anyone. The problem is how to get rid of her."
Meanwhile,
Victor Raven and Angela Jacobs were on the way to the Magician's home to
stop the imposter, hopefully with help from Darlena, who still did not
have any idea about the phoney Ace.
Victor
drove his car with Angie in the passenger seat. "Angie, you okay
right now?" he asked.
The female
magician answered, "Yeah…as okay as I could be. I wish I had an easier
answer."
"I know.
Something like this is risky, but like you said, we've got to take it,
or Ace loses his life."
"That's
the one thing I don't want happening. I'll risk my life to
save his if need be."
"I understand.
You'll do anything for those closest to you."
"Sorry
if I've dragged you into this mess." Angie put her face down.
Victor
held her hand. "Angie, don't blame yourself for what's happening.
No one would have easily known the double and Darlena both escaping from
prison. Thanks to the news, though, we've got a lot of information
on both of them. We'll stop them both and save Ace. Just have
confidence."
Victor's
right, Angie, said the darker voice. You did get the info
you needed about them, and you know they have invaded the Magic Express.
Now it's entirely up to you to stop Darlena Lowland and the imposter posing
as Ace Cooper. The nerve of that man, impersonating the best magician
in the world just for the purpose of being rich.
No kidding,
Angie responded. How dare he do something this low. I'll
see to it he doesn't try this stupid stunt ever again.
You're
very clever right now, trying so hard to keep your cool and remain focused
on the situation. You will slip soon enough, though. And when
that happens—
Please,
don't remind me, okay? We are still under a truce right now, remember?
Okay,
okay. No more pushing it.
I appreciate
that.
Just
one thing, though. How are you going to convince Darlena that Ace
isn't Ace at all?
Simple…I
tell her the truth.
If she
doesn't believe you?
We'll
just have to wait and see. There's not much more I can do at the
moment.
Hmm,
true. Very true. We'll have to play this by ear and let things
fall as they may. How much longer before reaching the Magic Express?
About
10 minutes. Vega and the others will leave at that moment from the
Raven home and get over to the Express. I just hope he can make the
captain understand the gist of this wild situation.
If we
both know Friedrichs, he'll be furious with the lieutenant. Typically
stupid as usual.
Can't
expect too much help from him, anyway.
At the Raven
estate, Cosmo started growing very impatient. "Why does time have
to go so slow right now? Angie and Victor may be in serious trouble
right now, and there isn't a thing we can do!"
Miss LeSage
tried to calm him down. "Take it easy, Cosmo. We're all losing
patience over this, but it's Angie's plan. I think it will work.
We just have to time it exactly right."
"Ten more
minutes," said a nervous Mona. "I'm going to head to Vega's car to
check on Ace."
"Sure thing,
Mona, go ahead."
She went
to see Ace, still asleep in the back of Vega's car and ready to go when
it was time. Taking hold of his hand, she spoke sadly. "Ace,
I know we've had ups and downs in our relationship, but…please…please don't
die. My father may not be able to stand you, and I did shut you out
for a long time after that horrible battle. What I want to say is…my
heart is yours, and I truly love you, Ace Cooper. I…don't want to
lose you now, not after all the struggles we've been through together.
Most of us have had fractured family lives, but you never knew your parents
at all. It's not fair to you. You are the one who has been
there for me all these years. Please, you must pull through
this. I have faith in you, and I love you." She then started
shedding tears.
Inside
the home, Vega found the nearest telephone and contacted his superior.
"Captain, both fugitives are at the Magic Express. The real Ace Cooper
is here and very sick."
"Are you
certain about that, Vega?" asked Friedrichs. "How do you know the
Ace with you isn't the imposter, and what about this Darlena Lowland character?"
"We have
to go…on hunches right now."
"Hunches?
Give me a break, Vega! I want you and LeSage back here at headquarters
immediately!"
"Captain…if
Ace doesn't get that antidote, he's a dead man!"
"He's always
been trouble, so maybe it's better off."
Why
you— Vega angrily thought. "You know, Friedrichs, if Cooper dies,
you may get faced with a lawsuit from Sensa-News, since he is under contract
with them."
That made
the captain gulp with nerves. "A…a lawsuit? Oh, um, well, in
that case, um, what do you want to do?"
"Send four
police cars over to the Magic Express within one hour. By then, we
hope both fugitives will be under control."
"Very well,
Vega. I'll get the four sets of units over there in an hour.
You'd…you'd better be right about this."
"Look,
I'm leaving this in the hands of some capable individuals. Just relax."
"All right.
It's your collar." Friedrichs turned on his intercom. "Attention.
I want four units to be at the Magic Express in one hour. It is believed
the two escaped prisoners are hiding out there."
"We'll
be there in an hour," said one of the officers.
"It's done,
Vega. Just, don't let them sue me."
"Don't
worry, Captain. I'll make sure your reputation is safe." After
hanging up the phone, he said to himself, "I can't believe he fell for
that 'lawsuit' gag. He's so gullible."
Michael
could not help in hearing about it. "Guess you pulled a fast one
on ol' Friedrichs, huh?"
"Had to.
With Ace's life on the line, you know how he is."
"Not the
smartest, I know. I think it may be best for me to stay here at home
for now. Just try to keep things under control around here."
"Good idea,
Mike. After all, we don't need to be accompanied by constant jokes."
"Ha ha,
very funny." Michael then left and went up to the balcony. Angie,
Victor, please be careful. I don't want to lose two people I care
about so much.
Vega then
went out to the car and saw Mona holding Ace's hand. "Poor Mona.
She still trusts him and loves him, even after everything they've been
through together."
He calmly
walked up to her. "You all right?"
"Trying,
Vega, just trying right now."
"I just
hope Angie's plan will work."
"It must
work," Mona said with concern. "If it doesn't…"
Vega put
his hand on her shoulder. "We've got to have faith," he said in reassurance.
"Angie's a bright young woman. Her plan will work." I hope.
Back at
the Express, Darlena started growing impatient with Ace spending too much
time on the computer. She then left the practice room and stormed
into the computer room. "Cooper? What are you still doing here?
We need to get our practice in!"
He turned
and faced her angrily. "You listen to me, Darlena. I am in
charge of the Magic Express, and I won't have you telling me what to do
in my own home! Go practice outside now!"
"No way,
Cooper! If I'm going to be your apprentice, I need you to
be helping me."
"Then you
do as your told! Do I make myself clear!?" He then rubbed his
nose and sniffled again.
"Yeah,
whatever."
"Now, why
don't you go get some fresh air outside, around the area of the Express?"
"Fine with
me." Darlena left the room and eventually got out the door of the
Magician's home to practice in the comfortable air. "Ahhh, it feels
so good not to breathe the stench of prison air." She then started
working on her magic.
Inside,
though, the imposter watched her very closely. "I was hoping she'd
finally get out of this place. Now to lock her out completely."
He started programming the computer to make certain Darlena would not
have access to the Magic Express ever again.
Minutes
later, Victor parked his car four blocks away from the tunnel leading to
the Express and quickly exited the vehicle with Angie.
"Okay,"
said the female magician, "now we just have to walk through the tunnel,
and we'll get there."
"Right.
You sure the defenses won't work when we're just walking around?"
"Well,
according to Cosmo, Angel's supposed to have a failsafe system where she
won't
fire on unarmed individuals. If that double's fooled around with
the system, though, it may be a different story." She then turned
to Victor. "Listen, this is your last chance to turn back.
If you decide to come with me, it's basically the point of no return."
"I'm willing
to risk it. I'm going with you. Let's move because every second
counts."
"Vega and
the others should be leaving in the next four minutes. We'd better
get things under way now, or the plan's going to fail."
"It won't
fail. I know it'll work." I have to believe in the plan.
I know she's trying to keep that darkness at bay, but…I just hope she'll
be okay.
Angie continued
walking forward with eyes of determination when she heard that darker voice
again. You sure you're ready to face this?
I have
to be. I'll do anything to save my friend.
Very
well, but it won't be in easy waters.
Getting
what is needed can be more of a challenge than some think at times.
Now we have to be ready for anything.
The pair
soon came up to the tunnel and were about to walk through when they suddenly
found themselves being blasted by something.
"What's
going on!?" Victor yelled.
Angie looked
ahead and discovered someone was using magic against her and Victor.
"She can do magic, too?"
When the
smoke cleared, a rather angry young lady stared at them. "I don't
know what you're doing here, Jacobs, but you're not going to take your
job back! It's mine!" She then threw a fireball at the pair.
The fireball
exploding in front of them, Angie and Victor suddenly found themselves
flying backwards.
"Victor,
take my hand!"
After doing
so, Angie closed her eyes and concentrated to create a haze of blue light
around her and Victor. She was able to land herself and him safely
on the ground.
When the
light disappeared, she noticed Victor breathing heavily. "Are you
all right?"
"Yeah…just
a little winded and shook up, but nothing's broken. How about you?"
"I'm in
one piece."
Then, the
pair found themselves facing the angry young lady.
"Smart,
Jacobs, very smart. Using your powers to save yourself and—ooh, who
is this handsome gentleman with you? Your boyfriend?"
"Like that's
any of your business!" Angie responded angrily.
Using a
more alluring voice, she said, "Why don't you go with a real magician
instead of her?"
Victor
was displeased with the idea. "Let's see…you're selfish, self-centered,
way out of my age range, and most of all…completely immature!"
The young
lady responded with rage. "I'll show you, jerk!" She then tried
to direct another fireball directly at them.
Focusing
on her own power, Angie created another barrier of light around the pair
and shouted, "Not likely!"
The fireball
disintegrated once it hit the light barrier.
"Hmm,"
said the young lady, "your powers seem to be getting stronger. However,
you're now the former assistant to the greatest magician in the
world."
Angie dropped
the barrier and looked at this younger and more dangerous rival.
"You seem to know a lot about me, but who are you?"
"Me?
I am Darlena Lowland, the new right-hand girl to the Magician!"
Well,
well, Angie thought, I get to face the person who almost killed
us all in the Express two years ago. "So, Darlena, we finally
meet face-to-face. Ace told me a lot about you, and what a jerk you
were."
"I'd watch
that mouth of yours, Jacobs! After all, you're no longer associated
with Ace Cooper!" Darlena then started laughing uncontrollably.
Angie did
not find this very amusing in the least. "Um, Darlena, are you sure
that's really the Magician you're working with?"
The rival
suddenly stopped laughing. "What do you mean by that?
Of course that's Ace Cooper!"
"Do you
honestly think it's him?"
"What is
this, some sorta trick or something?"
Angie just
crossed her arms. "If this is a trick, I'm not the
person who's pulling it."
"What's
going on, Jacobs!? You'd better tell me before I use magic on you!"
"Would
you like the answer now, or would you rather have a duel here and maybe
never get the truth?"
"The…truth?
What is the truth?"
"I'll give
it to you straight. That man in the Magic Express right now is not
Ace Cooper."
"That's
a lie, Jacobs! I know that's Cooper in there!"
"Really?
Just think about it, Darlena, I—"
"No!
I won't believe anything you say!"
Angie suddenly
snapped at her. "If you want the truth about that guy, just shut
up and listen!"
Darlena
was surprised by her own tone of anger. "Okay, okay," she responded
with slight fear. "I don't understand. Why do you think it's
not Cooper in there?"
"Let me
ask you a few questions. First, how often has Ace been talking about
me?"
The rival
thought for a few seconds before answering. "To tell you the truth…not
very often. I mentioned your name and saw the photo of you and obviously
your parents, but when I asked him about you, he acted like he didn't really
know who you were. In fact, he thought I was you when I first
confronted him."
"Okay.
Second question: Did he ever recall anything about the confrontation
you had with him before, like maybe where you fought him?"
"I did
bring that up when I attacked him, but he never did say anything.
I figured his first reaction was going to be anger, but he actually invited
me to join him…this is getting really weird now."
"Seems
that way. Now, next question: Has he been using any
magic at all?"
"No…he
hasn't. Even though I've only been with him for a few hours now,
he's concentrating more on the computer than practicing for the show next
Wednesday."
"Uh, Darlena,
Ace's performance is next Thursday, not Wednesday."
"It is?"
"That's
right."
"Hmm…there's
something else, too. When I got upset with him for spending so long
on the computer, he got really angry with me."
"I see.
One more question: Does he appear to have a chronic case of the sniffles?"
"Yes, he
does. He always seems to rub his nose. How come?"
"A side
effect of the nose job. The man in the Express now is not
Ace Cooper, but an exact look-a-like. He allowed you to stay in the
Express for a little while, but it wouldn't surprise me if he's changing
the entrance code again to have you locked out."
Darlena
became very shocked. "What!?" she screamed. "Why would he do
this to me?"
"He probably
considers you as a threat to him. This man wants Ace's popularity,
fame, and fortune all to himself. I've heard stories about what that
double tried to do to him and Cosmo before, poisoning Ace and then almost
sending Cosmo to a watery grave when he discovered the truth."
"Why that
miserable jerk!" exclaimed Darlena. "How dare he do this to me!
I'm gonna wring his neck!"
"Wait,
Darlena. I have a better idea. I suggest for now we call a
truce and confront the imposter in the Express itself."
The dangerous
rogue still had bitter feelings for Angie but was even more infuriated
that the man she thought was the Magician really was not.
"Okay, we'll have the truce until the matter of the phoney's been resolved."
The two
female magicians reluctantly shook hands.
When
this is over, thought Darlena, I'm gonna get rid of Angela Jacobs,
Cosmo, and the real Ace Cooper. Then, I'll be the big star from now
on!
Angie thought
to herself, This isn't going to be an easy alliance, but I must get
the Express back in working order, since the rest of the group will be
here in less than 20 minutes. Ace's life is depending on this plan.
Meanwhile,
Vega and the others had left 10 minutes earlier, with Ace still in the
back seat of Vega's car.
Despite
his weakened condition, he could still hear his kindred sister's thoughts.
I…have faith in you, Angie. You must have faith in yourself right
now. Just be on your guard with Darlena, though.
I am,
kindred brother. I'll watch my back. First things first, though.
We have a double to stop.
Angie then
looked at Victor. "Wait here for the others. They'll be here
soon."
"I will.
Just be careful."
"Count
on it." She then gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
Angie and
Darlena walked together towards the door of the Magic Express.
Upon reaching
the front door, the computer said, "Please identify yourself by voice and
fingerprint."
Angie said,
"Give it a try, Darlena."
Placing
her right hand on the fingerprint pad, she said, "I'm Darlena Lowland.
Let me in."
"Access
denied."
Darlena
could not believe her ears. "What!? Denied!? I
don't believe it, that guy double-crossed me!"
"May I
try?"
"Probably
won't let you in, either, Jacobs, but…go ahead."
Angel again
said, "Please identify yourself."
Angie put
her hand on the pad and said, "Angela Jacobs."
"Access
granted. You may enter, Angie."
The door
opened, much to Darlena's surprise. "How did you do that? Magic?"
"Nope.
Thank Cosmo for setting up a failsafe system for myself. In case
someone tampered with the Express's control center, he developed a system
where I can get in by voice and fingerprint. No one can change
that part of the system except Cosmo himself."
"Very clever,
Jacobs. Now, let's take care of that imposter."
Both ladies
entered the train.
"The imposter's
still in the computer room?" Angie asked.
"Yeah.
He's been there all afternoon."
"Good.
Now to implement the next part of my plan."
Both of
then went to the computer room and immediately found "Ace."
Angie started
the conversation. "Hi, Ace, I'm back early."
He turned
around suddenly and noticed. "What the—who the hell are you, and
how did you get in here!?"
"I'm Angela
Jacobs. Don't you know me, Ace? You allowed me to make the
Magic Express my home over three years ago after Black Jack took my apartment.
Now, don't we have a show to rehearse? Our show's at the Ring next
Thursday, and we haven't practiced at all."
"Ace" shook
his head. "No, we…don't have a performance coming up."
Darlena
said, "I thought you said the show was next Wednesday, until she said it
was on Thursday."
"She's
right. Now, come on, Ace, we need to practice!" She grabbed
his arm and then dragged him to the training room.
Darlena
was a little mystified by Angie's strange actions. "Why is she trying
to get him there? Maybe she knows something I don't." She then
followed the two into the room.
"Ace" soon
became very flustered. "Look, I don't know what kinda trick you're
trying to pull, but—"
"We don't
have time for games, Ace. We need to get prepared for the show next
Thursday. Now, let's start with something simple." Angie soon
created fireballs and started juggling them. "C'mon, Ace, the juggling
part's in the act. Get with it!"
He suddenly
became very nervous. "I, um, can't." He then rubbed his nose.
"I have a bad cold."
"Oh," she
said as the fireballs vanished, "you can't do it because you have a cold
or because…you're not really Ace Cooper at all?"
He became
extremely embittered. "How dare you say I'm not Ace Cooper!"
"If you
are Ace, then answer this for me. You and Darlena Lowland here confronted
each other before, but do you remember exactly where it took place?"
Darlena
knew the answer right away yet discovered why Angie used that question.
Of course, the real Ace Cooper could answer that in under two seconds.
We confronted each other on that cliff about 10 miles away from the Party
Carnival. I have to admit, Jacobs, that was a smart call.
He hesitated
greatly in trying to come up with an answer to the question.
Angie started
becoming impatient. "Well, I'm waiting, Ace. Do you remember
or not?"
"I…don't
remember," he said nervously. "I must have hit my head and got amnesia
or something."
"Amnesia,
huh? Okay, Mr. Magician, I guess you don't recall what the imposter
Ace poisoned you with before."
"Sulfating
acid and oxygenated arsenic," he quickly responded. He then realized
he had blown his own cover. "Uh-oh."
"Gotcha,
imposter! That's what you used to poison the real Ace before!
He told me all about you and what you did to him. Besides, there's
one thing he can do I know you can't."
Darlena
smiled wickedly at the success of Angie's plan. She's more clever
than I made her out to be. She tricked him into exposing himself.
"Oh," said
the imposter, "and what's that?"
"This!"
She went into a spin and shimmered in her light-blue aura. "Magic
Force, reveal the power within!"
Both Darlena
and the imposter were shocked. "She has the Magic Force, too!?" they
shouted in unison.
In mere
seconds Angie emerged in her special costume, one with the same colors
as Ace's but with a dark-grey miniskirt and red tights for a more feminine
look. The remainder of the outfit, though, was the same, right down
to the insignia.
Angie then
stared angrily at the imposter. "Now, creep, you'd better tell me
what ingredients you used to poison Ace this time."
"We'll
see about that, brat!" He then tried to throw one of his poison darts
at Angie!
She quickly
intercepted it with a stare of pure power and allowed it to float safely
into her hand. "Nice try, pal, but Ace has taught me a lot in three
years, including how magic can be a good defense mechanism. Now,
are you going to tell me what you did, or am I going to have to force it
out of you?"
"How can
this be?" the imposter asked nervously. "How can two people possess
this Magic Force?"
"I learned
of my power when I was only seven years old, when I used it to save my
father's life!"
Darlena
was appalled. She…she's known about her power since she was a
kid? Wait a sec, now it makes sense. She was probably scared
of her powers because she was just a kid. Most people would have
thought of her as a freak, so she kept her power hidden from everyone.
"For over
15 years I was frightened because I put other people's opinions over my
own feelings. Ace was the one to help me understand my gift, and
I am now proud I have this power! Now tell me what you've done to
him, or you'll be sorry you messed with me!"
"Over my
dead body, little girl!" He then tried to charge at Angie with his
version of the Magic Cane. "You're going down!"
Angie then
created four sharp metallic playing cards and threw them to pin his arms
and legs against the wall. After making him stuck, she quickly approached
him. "You'd better tell me right now what the composition of that
poison." She suddenly made another sharp card appear in her right
hand. "Otherwise, this card will be slashing your throat!"
His eyes
widened in fear. Oh, God, she means it! "Okay, I'll
tell you! It's sulfuric chloride and an arsenic compound mixed with
sodium bicarbonate! Now, please, let me go!"
"Not before
I do this!" She grabbed the imposter's tuft of white hair
at the top of his head and slashed it off with the card! "Now you
won't look like Ace Cooper ever again…which reminds me, just who are you
anyway, and how do you know so much about Ace?"
"Like I'm
telling you!"
"Oh, no?"
She then put her hands into a circular motion and quickly hypnotized the
double. "Now tell me, who are you?"
In a monotonous
tone he answered, "My name is…Mark…Mark Willoughby."
"Okay,
Mark. How do you know about Ace Cooper himself?"
"He and
I grew up at the St. Johns Orphanage. We were both crooks as teenagers,
but he got the chance to hit the big time with Mona Malone's father—"
"Black
Jack," she interrupted. "I take it you were also jealous of him because
Mona wanted him and not you."
"Yes, I
was. Then, he became the superstar magician while I was stuck at
a dead-end minimum wage job."
"I see.
When did you get the plastic surgery done?"
"A few
years ago, seeing this was my chance to get rid of him and take his place."
"And…if
Ace died?"
"I would
give up magic and keep the money all for myself."
"That's
all I needed to know. Thank you very much, Mr. Willoughby."
Darlena
was not surprised by his intentions yet felt surprised she had fallen for
this trick. "I believed this nutcase was Ace Cooper?"
Instead
of answering the question, Angie went up to the computer controls.
"Darlena, keep an eye on him while I fix the computer. The real Ace
will be here shortly."
"How do
you know that?"
"It's how
I planned this. The only thing that worried me was whether the imposter
would get you out of the Express."
"Oh, I
see. Anyway, will he still be hypnotized?"
"Yes, at
least for an hour. Now, let me see if I can remember what Cosmo showed
me to do to fix Angel." She went slowly, one button at a time, until
she finally recalled the exact sequence. She then started hitting
the buttons more furiously than before. "Angel, it's me, Angie.
I know you would still recognize me, but do you recognize that man over
there?"
"No," the
AI answered. "That man is an intruder, as well as the young lady,
Darlena Lowland."
Darlena
snapped, "Why you miserable—"
"For now,
Angel," Angie interrupted, "Darlena is not an intruder. No
security measures on her please."
The rival
was surprised. "You're actually…protecting me?"
"Only until
this whole thing is over. Angel, give me Ace's current position."
"The way
Vega is driving now, Ace and the others should be through the tunnel in
less than three minutes."
"Very well."
Angie then looked at the dart. "Angel, could you use this dart to
create the antidote?"
"Yes, I
can. Place it on my scanner, and I will calculate an antidote."
Angel then noted something else. "My sensors are picking up Zina
in Cosmo's workshop. She has also been poisoned."
"Probably
by the same ingredients. Angel, make two samples of the antidote:
One in a vial for Ace and one in a hypodermic needle for Zina. We'll
have to inject her with it."
"Understood."
In less
than 45 seconds, Angel created the antidote for both Ace and Zina.
Angie took
both the needle and the vial. "Darlena, stay with the prisoner for
the time being. I have to do Zina first and fast." She then
turned her attention to the computer. "Angel, get the garage ready.
I'm going to give Ace the antidote vial there as soon as they get in."
Angie then
raced to Cosmo's workshop and found Zina very ill. "Oh, Zina," she
said in horror as she ran up to the panther. "Don't worry, girl.
I'll get you fixed up. This may hurt a little, though, okay?"
Zina moaned
but in approval.
The female
magician injected Zina at the upper part of her front right arm.
"There you go. It needs about 30 seconds to start taking effect,
but I don't want you leaving this room yet, okay?"
The panther,
already beginning to feel better, nodded in agreement.
"Okay.
Now to help Ace."
On her
way to the garage, she checked on Darlena one last time. "How's he
doing?"
"Still
hypnotized."
"Good.
Stay with him while I meet Ace and the others in the garage."
"Right."
As soon as Angie was out of sight, Darlena made certain the imposter would
get what he deserved by starting to kick him in the stomach. "You
two-timing jerk! You pretend to be Ace Cooper and then double-cross
me!"
Angie quickly
entered the garage area, where Vega's car had just arrived with him, Ms.
LeSage, and a very ill Ace.
Mona's
car came just behind it, with her, and Cosmo coming out. Victor ran
in right behind them.
Vega and
Cosmo took Ace from the car and gently lay him on the ground.
Angie made
sure he was comfortable. "Ace," she said calmly, "are you all right?"
"Not…really,"
he answered weakly.
"Don't
worry, kindred brother. Angel made the antidote for you in vial form.
I'm going to administer it now, but I should warn you it may not taste
so good."
"That's…okay,
Angie. Not all treatments are supposed…to taste good anyway."
Angie fed
him the antidote through the mouth and allowed him to take it in one big
gulp. She knew it would not work that quickly. "Give it about
a minute, and he should start to recover, albeit not completely."
The serum
started taking effect on the Magician within about 30 seconds, and when
the full minute passed, he breathed easier and felt better. "Whew,"
he said in relief while slowly sitting up, "I didn't think I could get
through that. Thanks, everyone, and especially you, Angie.
Thanks for not giving up hope."
She hugged
her mentor tightly. "I'll never lose hope when it comes to caring
for my friends. They mean everything to me."
Mona then
remembered, "What about the imposter?"
"Pinned
to the wall with Darlena watching over him now. In fact, she's probably
beating his butt for lying to her about not being Ace."
"Can't
say I blame her," said Victor. "She wanted to be an apprentice so
badly she blinded herself by thinking the imposter was really Ace.
We'd better check on them before Darlena kills him."
Angie and
Mona helped Ace to his feet, and all quickly went to the training room,
where they noticed blood coming from the double's nose.
"That'll
teach you…you will not do something like that ever again!"
She then noticed all the others. "Oh, um, prisoner's secure, Jacobs."
"You sure
did a number on him," Angie laughed. "When that hypnosis wears off,
he'll wonder how he got that bloody nose. I wish you had saved some
for me, though, 'cause I wanted to get him, too."
"You won't
have to worry about that, Jacobs," Darlena said in a wicked tone, "because
now it's your turn."
"I guess
the truce is over," Angie said, her tone quickly turning serious.
"If it's a duel you want, fine, but not in here. Let's settle this
outside."
"Yeah,
more room to duke it out with magic outdoors." Darlena then pushed
and shoved her way through the crowd.
"Why that
little brat!" Cosmo said angrily. "I oughtta—"
"Forget
it, Cosmo," intervened Angie. "This is between Darlena and me.
We've both faced Ace one-on-one before, but now we've got to deal with
each other. Oh, and Ace…don't transfer any power to me this time.
I have to try defeating her on my own."
"I understand,
Angie. You want a fair fight. Get out there and show her what
I've taught you."
Vega said,
"I'll notify the four sets of units to get over here within 15 minutes."
Victor
then came up to her and held her hands. "Angie, please be careful
against her."
"I will,
Victor, I promise." She then looked at Cosmo. "Zina's resting
comfortably in your workshop room. She's been cured of the poison
as well."
"Thanks,
Ang. I owe you one."
"Nah, it's
okay. Nothing is owed when done out of friendship."
She then
walked outside the Express, where Darlena became impatient.
"What took
you so long, Jacobs?"
"Had to
make sure Ace was okay, let the authorities know about the imposter and—"
"And me?
You were going to turn me in, too!? Well, I'm not heading back to
prison, you lucky excuse of a magician!" She quickly created a serious
of fireballs and threw them all at Angie.
The female
apprentice closed her eyes and concentrated with her heart to create a
barrier around herself, deflecting the fireballs away. May the
power of my mother and father's love guide me through this battle,
she thought calmly.
In her
heart, she could feel her parents' unconditional love for her.
Use
what Ace has taught you, her mother said to her. And, think
of this quote: "The best offense is a good defense."
Thanks
for the tip, Mom. I'll definitely keep that in mind.
Returning
to the battle, she looked at Darlena with determination.
Darlena,
however, was not impressed. "What's the matter, Jacobs? Don't
want to fight me? Gonna stay in that little barrier all day?"
"No, I'm
not staying all day." With a wave of her hand, the barrier vanished.
"I'm wide open now, Darlena."
"Let's
see you get away from a little tornado, loser!" The female rival
conjured a small whirlwind and directed it towards Angie.
As Angie
jumped skyward, the tornado followed her closely. Fortunately, she
was able to channel her power to create a light blue ball. She then
threw the ball at the tornado, entrapping the miniature cyclone within
the ball. Another wave of her hands caused both to disappear.
Darlena
growled in rage. "You've learned well, Jacobs, but I'll finish you
now!" She then created more fireballs and threw them again.
Angie quickly
summoned some steel playing cards and threw them at the fireballs, causing
them to explode and create smoke around the area.
The rival
let out a hacking cough and was unable to see anything. "Come out
and fight, Jacobs! I'll get you!"
Angie suddenly
appeared 10 feet in front of her. "I'm right here, Darlena.
Catch me…if you can."
Creating
sharp shards of ice, Darlena threw them at her, only for them to go right
through her body without leaving a scratch! "What the—?"
"Come on,
Darlena, you can do better than that."
Inside
the Express, Ace was telepathically keeping an eye on his kindred sister.
"She's doing very well, using her magic as a means of defense. I
heard her mother speaking to her about the best offense being a good defense."
"Popular
quote from sports," said Victor. "It can also apply to life itself
and this situation."
"Angie's
using everything I've taught her so far, which is helping against that
jealous girl."
Outside,
the smoke was still evident. "So, Jacobs, what did your father do
when you saved him with your magic? Send you to the circus?"
That remark
caused an inner rage from Angie. Why that little—! She
quickly came up from behind her enemy. "Excuse me, Darlena," she
said wickedly.
When Darlena
turned around, Angie landed a right-hook punch on her face, forcing her
to fall to the ground.
Knowing
that punch would temporarily not allow Darlena to concentrate enough to
use magic, Angie then grabbed her by the throat and started strangling
her. "Don't you ever talk that way about my father again,
jerk! I loved my father and my mother, and I won't allow anyone
to put them down!" Her eyes started glowing in blue once more.
That's
it, Angie! the dark voice stated fiendishly. Teach that witch
a lesson. Kill her if you must so she will stop picking on
you and your family!
She suddenly
straightened and gasped at the mention of the word "kill." No…what
am I doing? She let go of Darlena and let her fall to her knees.
Finally, she summoned a whirlwind of her own to clear the smoke.
Just as
the air around the area was cleaned up, the four police units arrived.
"Miss Jacobs,"
said one of the officers. "Where are they?"
"Here's
Darlena Lowland. The other prisoner is pinned in the practice room.
You'll be able to tell who's who this time."
"Thanks."
Soon, the
police had both prisoners in handcuffs.
Amazingly,
the hypnosis on Willoughby wore off just as he was handcuffed. "What…what
happened? Hey, what's this!?"
"You're
under arrest, pal," said Vega.
"But…I'm
Ace Cooper!"
Angie said,
"Not after what I did to your hair…Mark Willoughby."
Everyone
gasped at the identity of the look-a-like.
"How did
you know my real name?" he desperately wanted to know.
"Mark Willoughby,"
said Vega curiously. "I remember him from a long time ago.
He was a small-time crook, just like Ace was as a teenager."
"Yes…I
hypnotized him into revealing everything. He was extremely jealous
of Ace's popularity, so he thought the way to quickly get rich was to take
him out and steal the fame and fortune for himself. And now, without
that little white tuft at the top, he doesn't look like Ace anymore."
"Good work,
Angie."
Darlena
was specially cuffed and injected with the special drug. She then
looked at the group of friends. "That girl…is dangerous. She
almost killed me!"
"Yeah,
right," said another officer. "You're heading back to Ashland Prison,
Miss Lowland. You won't be causing anymore trouble."
As she
was escorted to the police car, she looked Angie and her friends.
"I wouldn't hang around sweet little Jacobs if I were you. She is
becoming very dangerous, and you may regret it later."
Everyone
was puzzled by that comment…everyone but Ace. You're right about
Angie becoming dangerous right now, but as long as she is my friend, I
will not leave her side, and neither will those close to her.
Soon, the
two escapees were escorted away from the Magic Express, and the chaos was
finally over.
"Miss LeSage,"
said Vega, "we'll have to get back to headquarters to file the report."
"Of course,
Lieutenant. We'll see you all later."
"I need
to head home myself," Mona noted. "I'm just relieved the real Ace
is all right now."
"I'm glad
to be all right again. Now, go home and get some rest."
Victor
then came up to Angie. "I'd better get home and check on Mike.
Knowing him, he's probably worried sick about both of us right now."
"I agree.
I'd better let him know by thought." Mike?
^Angie,
I've been—^
I know,
worried. Everything's fine, and Vic's on the way home.
^Thanks,
Angie. I did feel something bad from you, though.^
Don't
be surprised if Ace did, too. "Okay, Mike knows now."
"Thanks,
Angie. Well, I'll see you later." He then kissed her on the
cheek.
"Bye."
As soon
as everyone left, only the four regular occupants of the Magic Express
remained.
Ace said,
"Angie, we need to talk alone…in the living room."
"Yeah,"
she said with her face going down. "I already know why, too."
Cosmo and
Zina went to the workshop while Ace and Angie went in the living room.
Ace went
straight to the point. "You were strangling Darlena but suddenly
stopped when that darker voice said 'kill.' Did you even notice you
were strangling her?"
"I didn't
realize it until I heard that word. I just…lost it when she made
fun of my father."
"That's
understandable. You do love your family and friends, but what about
yourself? Somehow, I still don't think you completely love yourself,
especially the darker self."
"Marshall's
been telling me I fear love, but how can that be? I do love myself,
or…have I been lying to myself all this time?"
"I think
that's what you've been doing to yourself without even realizing it.
You want to believe you do love yourself, but you're going at it by trying
to forget about those darker feelings of pain and anger. Those buried
feelings are finally beginning to catch up with you."
"I don't
know what to do!" she said in confusion. "I just…don't know."
"I'm afraid
even I can't help you. Your fate lies in your own hands. You
must be the one to face these darker feelings you've buried away.
Not even magic will be of any help. I'm sorry, Angie."
"I just
want this nightmare to end!" She tearfully ran to her room and locked
the door.
Ace's face
went down in sadness. "I'm trying so hard to help her," he said to
himself. "It's like she's carrying the weight of the world on her
shoulders and won't let go."
Sitting
on her bed and still in tears, she shook her head. Why me?
Why now?
Because
it's time you accepted me, answered the darker voice. I'm
a very important part of you, and you know it! I will have my way
and get the recognition I deserve!
Her eyes
glowing in angered blue again, she said, "Never…absolutely never.
I'll keep fighting you, even if it means my own death."
THE END