"It is coming to a head," said Gone.

         "Indeed," agreed the Toymaker.  "The end is near."
         
         The Doctor's party came to a great pool. It was wide, and 
sharklike monsters swam in it.  

         "I don' wanna go in there, Professor." said Ace.

         "Blow em up with one of your bombs," suggested Joel.

         "I've run out, and besides there's too many of 'em."

         The Doctor had been scanning the sides of the pool during this 
debate.  There were very narrow pathways around it, but singile file 
would be mandatory, and they would have to inch along with their backs 
to the wall.  But more importantly, the Maxx wouldn't be able to cross 
that way.

          The Maxx must've seen this too, for without a word he leaped 
into the pool.

          "No!" Ace and Joel cried as one, and made to leap after him, 
but Mike and the Doctor restrained them.

          "He could not go rrrround," said the Doctor.  "He may buy us 
time."

          "And he may get killed!  Like Kalador..." said Ace.

          The Doctor saw the look in Ace's eyes, and knew what it meant.  
"He chose to jump, Ace, I didn't make him do it."

          She nodded, and shrugged, then turned to watch the Maxx. He 
was fighting off the monsters fairly well, and so the others followed 
the Doctor around the left side of the pool.  It was dangerous going, 
and Ace and Mike each almost lost their balance once.  The monsters in 
the water would've come for them, but they were preoccupied with the 
Maxx.

          The Maxx was doing well, too well for the Toymaker's liking.  
He looked at Gone, who undersood.  Together, they summoned Orcs and Isz 
to the pool.  Most jumped into the water and attacked the Maxx, but a 
few came around the side of the pool.  The Doctor, in front, had to face 
them alone...