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THE THREE KEYS
Part One: The Key of Spirit

Chapter Two: A Cold Arrival

          A few hours later, a small plane flew over Antarctica.  Inside the plane, GWB was smiling.  "So, we're gonna parachute out of this plane and onto the ground below?"  Awsome 1 looked out the door.  "Yep.  I hope you guys are ready for this."  Fury looked sick.  "I'm not," he said, trying not to look out the opening.  Suddenly, Fury felt a migraine coming on.  "Damn it, not again!"  G64 patted Fury's back.  "Those headaches of yours keep getting worse.  You okay?"

          "I'm... ¦I'm fine," Fury answered.  "Let's just get this over with!"  The agents jumped from the plane in a single file.  After reaching the recommended altitude, their parachutes opened, and they gently glided down to the ground.  Fury struggled to rid himself of the parachute as though it were a parasite on his back.  Awsome 1 began to laugh out loud.  "What are you laughing at?  I don't see why you're even here!" said Fury angrily.  A1 immediately shut up, but then he replied, "You guys need my brainpower to deal with my advanced technology.  This laptop," he said as he pointed to a briefcase in his hand, "Is not for a big goof like yourself.  And, I can help if you run into any problems."  A1 showed his reptilian arm.

          "All right ladies, enough with the chit-chat.  Where's the temple, Deathwing?" said Drag.  Deathwing pointed to the north.  "I saw it over that snow bank.  Be careful.  I can sense a storm brewing."  The agents moved forward cautiously.  The wind began to pick up as snow fell from the sky.  Fudge looked up.  "We're not gonna be able to see anything in this storm.  I'm glad I brought her with me."  Fudge opened up his palm and swirling dust flew into the sky.  The dust formed Fairy Mothra, who chirped excitedly at the agents.  "Yes, we're happy to see you too," said Fudge.  "Can you find the ice temple for us?"  Fairy chirped a response and flew off ahead of the group.  GWB tried to light a cigarette, but his lighter wouldn't start up.  "I was wondering when you'd find a use for her, Fudge."

          Unbeknownst to the agents, however, a group of Gray Ninjas watched their every move.  One radioed their findings to their superiors.  Dracatron answered the call.  "So, they've finally arrived... Yes, you can be the welcome wagon.  But don't kill them, especially Dragitron!  He's mine."  The conversation ended, and the Ninjas spread out.

Three Ninjas slowly crept up behind GWB.  He was too busy trying to light his cigarette to notice his foes approach.  Without warning, GWB was thrown to the ground.  The rest of the group turned to help him, but they too were overrun by Gray Ninjas.  "What the hell is going on?!" yelled Fury.  "Are these guys working for the Garai Tai?"  Drag ducked a swift kick from one of the Ninjas as he answered Fury's query.  "It looks that way, Fury.  Let's kick some ass!"

Awsome 1 sat down in the snow and turned on his laptop.  "Let's see if I can keep track of Fairy Mothra with my computer."  A Ninja aimed a jump kick at A1's head, but G64 tackled the Ninja before his foot could reach the scientist.  "Could you guys keep it quiet?  I'm trying to work here!" A1 said without ever noticing his former dilemma.

Meanwhile, Drag was surrounded by five Ninjas.  The assailants pulled out katanas, which gleamed in the moonlight.  Drag smiled as he pulled out his own swords.  "These swords were given to me by my father.  It's time you met them."  One of the Ninjas swiped at Drag.  He ducked and kicked the assassin in the face.  A second Ninja brought his sword down upon Drag, who effortlessly blocked with one sword and jabbed the other into the enemy's stomach.  Two others charged at Drag, and he flipped out of the way, pulling out his pistol and firing at them.  The bullets pierced the backs of the Ninjas and they dropped to the snow.  The last Ninja turned to run but his face met Fury's fist and he crumpled to the ground in a heap.

Drag looked around.  GWB, Fudge, Deathwing, G64, and Fury had taken care of the rest.  A1 jumped up from his computer.  "Eureka!" he exclaimed.  "Fairy has found the temple!"  He pointed to the north.  "It's about a mile away from our current position."  GWB dusted the snow off of his clothes.  "What are we waiting for?  Let's get there already!  It's too god damn cold out here, anyway."  The troupe made their way north, unaware that a lone figure watched their every move.