Chapter Eight - The Black Sapphire of Kalu

The cliffhanger escape introduces a whole new type of cheat, in that it shows footage of Dale and Happy that we didn't see in the previous episode. The comic strip recap says “Dale spots an unguarded Stratosled” and we cut to Happy heading off to warn Flash, while Dale approaches said Stratosled. Then she gets in it and takes off! When did Dale learn how to fly a Stratosled? No matter, this is the most awesome thing she's done in two serials.

Back to the actual cliffhanger and there's no real cheat this time. Flash still falls to the ground and his clothes still start smoking, but Happy arrives in the nick of time and shoots the heat ray gun, saving Flash. 

Flash heads for the Temple of Kalu, with Zarkov and Barin behind him. They're pursued by lots and lots of Fire People, who aren't happy with their imminent temple invasion. However, Dale bombs them from the Stratosled! She's clearly very pleased with herself, and no wonder – this is the most use she's ever been. At any rate, she smiles a huge smile.

In the temple, Flash, Zarkov and Barin find the sapphire and Flash pockets it. They find Happy, but -oh no!- Happy gets shot with a dart. Dale then lands the Stratosled, but Flash doesn't know it's Dale in the Stratosled, so he nearly shoots her!

Team Flash decide to take a quite seriously wounded Happy to the Clay people, using the Stratosled. Once they arrive, the Clay King says, “We must get him to the healing vapours at once.” Honestly, the Clay Kingdom never ceases to amaze – you wonder why they're all so anxious to leave it, really.

With Happy safely in the Healing Chamber, Flash says he’ll force Azura to remove the Clay Curse. “Dale will stay here, with you”, he announces. No-one was asking about Dale, but okay, Flash. It quickly becomes clear why Flash wanted Dale to stay behind, as he and Barin get pretty cosy in the old Vacuum Tube as they head back to Azura's kingdom.

Once they arrive, Flash and Barin sneak into Azura’s throne room via a secret Clay People listening post located directly behind the throne. Flash pulls a gun on Azura and she immediately tries magic on him, before realising he has Black Sapphire.

Possessed of the upper hand for once, Flash instructs Barin to take Azura to  the Clay Kingdom, while he sets out to destroy the Nitron Lamp once and for all. However, Ming has had a report from one of his men and is secretly preparing a trap, telling his loyal henchman Tarnak that he's well prepared for Flash.

Sure enough, Ming watches from a secret hiding place as Flash takes Tarnak prisoner and demands to be taken to the Nitron Lamp control centre. However, Tarnak tricks Flash and leads him into a specially prepared Chamber of Death, knocking him out and locking him in. Ming then throws a switch and the room starts sparking and crackling with electricity. Ming is delighted, crowing “Nothing can save Flash Gordon now!” He even does that thing with his hand.