Chapter 1: New Encounter
Morty: [Yoh and the guys just finished the first round of the Shaman tournament and a few days from now, they'll be flying off to Dobie village. Just in case you don't know, that's where the second rounds going to be and sadly for me… There's an only Shaman rule and I won't be able to go with the guys.]
Morty: *Sigh*…
Ryu: What is the problem, little man? *places elbow on the table and leans forward a bit*
Morty: It's just that… You guys are leaving and I can't go with you… *head hungs low*
Trey: Hey… It's not like we're gonna set up shop there. We'll be right back once the second round's over. Right, Ryu?
Ryu: That is correct. We will be coming back as soon as we are victorious. Isn't that right boss? …. Boss?
Yoh: … *dozes off and almost falls out of balance* Huh…? What…?
Trey: *slams foot on the table* would you pay attention!? We're trying to cheer up Morty here!
Yoh: Oh… *laughs awkwardly* Sorry guys, I guess I dozed off there.
Trey: *calms down and sits* Dude, you really have to stop sleeping with your eyes open. It's… Creepy.
Morty: *Smiles a bit and sighs* It's going to be real lonely here when you guys aren't around… I guess I should really find a new hobby…
*Everyone looks at Morty with concern*
Yoh: Hey, cheer up Morty. We've still got a few days to go… Let's make the most out if. *grins*
*Ryu and Trey nods in agreement*
Morty: Mm… *laughs a bit* you're right. There's no use in mopping around.
Yoh: That's the spirit! Hehehe.
Morty: [We were all hanging out in a café and after we were done with our shakes and deserts… We walked out and started to talk about where we'd hang out and kill some time before going home. Instead of actually going to a certain place, we agreed to just walk around the neighbourhood. We joked around, talked about our past experiences… It was fun! Well… Until we walked near the park.]
*Everybody stops in their tracks*
Morty: *walks a bit farther than the others and stopped in his tracks shortly after* what's the matter, guys?
Trey: Did you guys feel that? *turns head to look at the park*
Yoh: Yeah, you bet it did. *follows Treys line of sight*
Ryu: I can sense a strong power coming from the Shadows…
Morty: Shadows…? *blinks and then panics a bit* you don't think we're being followed, do you?
Yoh: No. It's something else. Let's check it out. *Grins and walks towards the park and into the forest*
*Ryu and Trey follow*
Morty: Ah! Hey guys! Wait up! *runs to catch up with them*
Morty: [As we approached the far end of the forest, someone was having a fight. More specifically… A Shaman fight.]
Morty: Woah! Would you look at that… *eyes widen in amazement*
Trey: Wow… That dudes got style. Hm? *notices something* Check it out Yoh, he's using a Katana same as you.
Yoh: Yeah, you're right. *pays more attention and eyes widen* Hey… Aren't those… *Finally realizes what the dude was up against* Aren't those the Tao Zombie Dolls?
Trey and Ryu: Huh? *looks closer… As soon as they realized, they panicked* You're right! And there are Eight of them!
Morty: But I thought they already hand an agreement with Len?
Yoh: I think this time it's not Len… It's… Him.
Morty: [Watching the match closely, every one of us could tell that the guy was running out of Furyoku.]
?: …! *tumbles down on the ground, wounded and almost out of energy*
Trey, Ryu, Morty and Yoh: *Gasps!*
Trey: We have to help, him! Cory!
Cory: rrrruuuu~
Trey: Into the snow board!
Ryu: Trey is right! Tokageroh! Into the Wooden sword!
Yoh: Eight against one isn't fair. Amidamaru! Into the sword!
Morty: [Before the zombie dolls could land their last blow on him, Trey, Yoh and Ryu were able to knock them all back. I ran to the guys side and placed my hand on his shoulder]
Morty: It's okay, we're here to help. *I looked closely at his face and then realized something* Huh…? Wait… You're a…
Yoh: Phew! *laughs* that was some work out!
Trey: You can say that again! Feels good to kick some butt before bed time!
Ryu: Hmm… *chuckles* Yes it feels quite nice to get some exercise in the evening.
Yoh: *laughs and then sheathes sword*
Amidamaru: Yoh, looks like he's really injured.
Yoh: Hey buddy, you okay? *walks towards him*
Morty: Uh… Yoh… I don't think… He's a he…
Yoh: Hm?
Trey: What're you talking about, Morty?
Morty: [The person who we thought was a he… Turned out to be…]
Morty: *Pulls back the hair covering the persons face* He's a… She…
Yoh, Trey and Ryu: WHAT!?
Morty: And looks like she's out cold… She really took a beating with those guys… I wonder how long she'd been fighting…
Yoh: We should take her home. *grins*
Trey: Are you serious, dude? I mean… She might be trouble.
Ryu: *Already has the girl in his arms, carrying her with heart shaped eyes* we can't just leave a lady here, injured and defenceless. I am sure that she is harmless.
Morty: *sweatdrop*… Oh, Ryu… *laughs awkwardly* But, he does have a point.
Morty: [We were about to leave when a big black wolf spirit with a fire mane and flaming tail appeared in front of us, growling]
Trey: Woah! Is this her guardian ghost? It's huge! *steps back a bit*
Morty: M-maybe we should just leave her here… *laughs nervously*
Yoh: Hey, come on guys. This little guy here…
Trey, Ryu, Morty: LITTLE!?
Yoh: *grins* must be really scared. I'm sure it's just trying to protect its friend. *walks up to the spirit*
Morty: Ooh… Be careful, Yoh…
Yoh: Hey, little guy. *raises hand to greet the wolf*
Trey: *sweatdrops* Uh, dude… It's bigger than you…
Morty: Shush, Trey!
Yoh: We're just trying to help. So you really don't have to worry about you friend here.
Wolf Ghost: *growls*…
Amidamaru: It doesn't sound convinced, Yoh.
Yoh: Mm… Well, it's worth a try. *grins*
Amidamaru: What are you going to do?
Yoh: Hey… Take it easy. *walks closer to the wolf.*
Wolf Ghost: *Growls and stands its ground*
Yoh: *reaches out for the ghost and pats it*
Wolf Ghost: …! *by reflex bites Yoh's arm*
Trey, Ryo, Morty, Amidamaru: YOH!
Yoh: *winces in pain* It's okay guys… It's okay… *looks back at the Wolf* See…? I promise we won't do anything to hurt her…
Wolf Ghost: …?...
Yoh: *grins* Trust me.
Wolf Ghost: … *hesitantly let's go of Yoh's arm and slowly turns into a small fluffy little wolf*
Morty: *runs to Yoh's side* Are you okay, Yoh? *voice filled with concern*
Yoh: I'm fine. *grins and picks up the little ghost Wolf* let's bring them home. She needs to be treated.
Morty: Wh… What about Anna? Are you sure she wouldn't mind?
Yoh: Hehehe, Don't worry. I'm sure she's willing to help out.
Morty: [A few minutes later we finally arrived home and as predicted…]
Anna: No, means no.
Yoh: But Anna…
Anna: Yoh, I can't have you bringing every lost soul into this house. She could be trouble. She could even sabotage your chances of getting into Dobie Village and look at what happened to your arm.
Yoh: We still have a few days before leaving; can't she rest here for a while?
Trey: Yeah, Anna. She's seriously injured and if we leave her out in the cold, who knows what could happen.
Anna: … *looks at the girl over her shoulder who was still being carried by Ryu… She then turns around and crosses her arms.* Fine.
*Everyone's face lit up*
Anna: But she's your responsibility. *walks inside the house*
Trey: Your… Responsibility? *points at himself* Does that mean we're the ones who's going to take care of her?
Yoh: Seems that way. *scratches his head while laughing a bit*
Ryu: We better get her inside. She is starting to turn pale.
Morty: There's an extra room beside Yoh's room. We can bring her there!
Yoh: Let's go!
Morty: [Anna was in the dining room as usual, watching her soaps. When a small fluffy visitor came in.]
Anna: …Hm? *looks at the small wolf ghost*
Wolf ghost: *Looks at her with puppy eyes as if thanking her*
Anna: You must be that girls guardian ghost. *She then pats it gently*
Wolf ghost: … *sits beside her and whine apologetically*
Anna: …? You bit Yoh?
Wolf ghost: … *ears down and nods*
Anna: Well… I guess it couldn't be helped. *Picks it up and places it on her lap as she continued to pat it.* You were just afraid, weren't you?
Wolf ghost: … *nods*
Anna: You'll be safe here… So, don't worry.
Wolf ghost: … *Whines again as if thanking her and the cuddles her*
Morty: [The Girl was now resting and lying down on the softest futon we could find. We had Tammy clean her injuries since… None of us could touch her since you know… It's inappropriate.]
Ryu: I hope she will be alright when the sun rises tomorrow morning.
Trey: Yeah. Do you think she'll be okay, Yoh? She's pretty beaten up.
Yoh: Well… We'll just have to wait and see. *The door to her room was open so he was able to look at the girl with concern*
Tammy: *As she was cleaning her wounds, something caught her attention and she yelps in surprise*
*Everyone was startled and went inside the room*
Morty: *was able to see what caught Tamera by surprise and was shocked himself*
Yoh: What's wrong, Tammy?
Tammy: U-uhm… Well… *She gently turns the girl to her side and pointed at her arm*
Morty: Isn't… Isn't that the same mark that was on Len's back?
*Everyone was startled and confused*
Yoh: Yeah… It is… *Eyes softened*
Trey: Do you think she's related to them?
Yoh: I don't know. But I think we should call Len over… Maybe he has some answers.
Trey: *scratches his head in frustration* Looks like we're in for another ride if those zombie dolls find her here…
Yoh: We're not sure of that yet. Let's just wait until tomorrow and see what Len has to say. *walks towards the door along with everyone else*
Morty: Let's just hope she wakes up tomorrow. *takes one last look at the girl*
Yoh: Yeah, me too. *as soon as everyone was out, he looks at the girl one last time before finally closing the door.