Encounters

Zatch and Zeno are now 4 years old and stronger and faster than before.

News spread of a mamodo going by the name of Brago had personally train himself in the wild, and is coming to be one of the strongest mamodos of his generation.

"Hey Zeno, I want to try something," Zatch said.

"What is it this time Zatch?" Zeno asked.

"Well I was thinking of how this Brago is moving up to our level by training by himself in the wild, why don't we try to train in the wild," Zatch said.

"Zatch are you crazy?" Zeno asked, "Do you really think that father and our trainer will allow us to do such training?"

"It just be for one night camp out and I'm sure they will agree that this might help us," Zatch said, "Besides since when you cared what father says."

"Fine," Zeno responded.


They talked to their trainer about the training.

"Sorry boys, as attempting as it is, even though I'm in charge of your training, everything goes by your father first," the trainer said.

"But come on, it's only one night," Zatch said.

"Sorry boys but the answer is no," the trainer said.

"But…" Zatch responded.

"No!" the trainer said.

"It's not fair, why can't we?" Zatch asked.

"Zatch," Zeno responded.

"Actually I want to hear Zatch's opinion," a voice echoed.

"King Bell sir," the trainer responded.

"Father," Zatch and Zeno responded.

"Well boys, explain to me why you think training out in the wilderness will help you?" King Bell asked.

"Well, um, I thought since this Brago guy trained hard in the wilderness and got stronger, maybe if we spend some time out there, we could get stronger," Zatch explained.

"Zatch, it's true that Brago has train out in the wilderness, but he also grew up on his own and learn how to survive by himself," King Bell said, "You two grew up together, and was trained to fight to survive."

"But…" Zatch paused unable to responded.

"What about during the battle?" Zeno asked.

"Huh?" Zatch responded.

"What if we have to camp out in the wilderness in the human world while looking for our partners?" Zeno asked, "What's a better way to prepare for that than gaining some experience here?"

"Very well, if you boys are persistence, tomorrow you will camp out in the woods far from the palace walls, you're not allowed to ask for food by travelers, and only survive from the land," King Bell said, "But only for one night, do you understand?"

"Yes father," Zatch and Zeno responded.


The next day Zatch and Zeno were packed for camping.

"You have everything?" their mother asked.

"Yes mother," Zeno responded.

"Good you'll be escorted to the designated spot, but after that you're on your own," their mother said, "Be safe you two."

"We will," Zatch responded.

The guard escorted them to the camping grounds a mile from the palace.


Once there Zatch and Zeno were amaze by the area.

"Now listen, there's a privately own beach south from here, we already warned the owners that you two would probably be fishing there," the guard said, "I'll pick you up tomorrow after noon."

"Okay," Zatch and Zeno responded.

The guard left as Zatch and Zeno settled in their grounds.

"What should we do first?" Zatch asked.

"Maybe set up a tent," Zeno responded.

"Do you know how?" Zatch asked.

"No," Zeno responded and went through their supplies which was mostly tent parts, first aid, blankets and clothes, "But it doesn't matter because they didn't give us much for a tent."

"I know we can use our mantles," Zatch responded.

"Alright, I guess we can use our mantles when we go to bed," Zeno said, "Until then, how about you go catch us a couple of fishes, while I gather some berries."

"Yes sir," Zatch responded and rushed off.


Zatch found the beach the guard told him about and took off his clothes and dived in.


A light blue hair mamodo wearing a dress and balerna shoes and her hair styled in a two ponytails sticking upwards was enjoying herself at her family beach.

"Penny, remember, one of the princes might be here fishing?" her mother shouted.

"Alright," Penny responded.


Penny watch the beach until Zatch came jump out of the water with a fish in his arms.

Penny was in a daze watching Zatch bring the fish a shore.

"Alright, now one for Zeno," Zatch said and dived back in.


Zatch came out with the second fish.

Zatch got dressed and used his mantle to carry the fishes.

"Now to find Zeno," Zatch said and left unaware that he had a stalker.


Zeno came to the camp grounds with berries.

"Zeno, I got us a couple of fishes!" Zatch shouted.

"Did you had any trouble with the land owners?" Zeno asked.

"I think I saw one of them, but she didn't seem to care," Zatch said, "Come on let's eat!"


Zatch and Zeno ate their fish and berries as Penny watch the twins in hiding.

However Penny wasn't able to hide from Zeno.

"Zatch are you sure you didn't cause any trouble?" Zeno asked.

"Of course Zeno, I just caught a couple of fish and that was it," Zatch explained.

"I wander if she's stalking Zatch," Zeno thought.


After dinner Zatch and Zeno cleaned themselves up.

"Now what?" Zatch asked.

"We haven't train once since coming here," Zeno said, "How about we start off with a race?"

"Alright," Zatch responded.

Zeno look around and found a cliff a good distance away.

"Alright Zatch, we'll race to the base of the cliff and back, looser has to use their mantle for a tent," Zeno explained.

"Sounds good to me!" Zatch shouted.

"We might shake off that girl while we're at it," Zeno thought and said, "Ready Go!"

Zatch and Zeno started racing to the cliff as fast as they can.


A bear like monster size mamodo was being chased through out the village and off the cliff.

The mamodo's name was Rein, and he took big damage from the fall.

Rein regain conscious to find himself badly hurt.

"I'm going to win!" someone shouted.

Rein look to see Zatch and Zeno rushing to the cliff.

"Don't forget we need to race back as well," Zeno shouted.


Zatch manage to catch up and gain a lead by few feet.

"I can see the cliff!" Zatch shouted.

Suddenly Zatch saw Rein on the ground badly injured and stopped.

"Zatch why did you stop? We still need to race back," Zeno responded.

"Zeno look!" Zatch responded.

Zeno look to see Rein on the ground badly injured.

Zatch walked up to Rein.

"Zatch don't," Zeno responded.

"But he's injured," Zatch said, "We got to do something."

Zatch walked up to Rein as Zeno watch.

"Mister are you okay?" Zatch asked.

Rein groan trying to move.

"Zeno help me out, he's badly injured," Zatch shouted, "It's alright Mister, we'll help you out."

"Get away," Rein said, "Anyone who underestimates me end up in my claws so run!"

Rein puked out blood.

"Don't talk you're in bad shape," Zatch said.

Zatch and Zeno manage to carry Rein back to the camp out.


Zatch and Zeno tried to bandage up Rein's injuries.

"Zatch, we might have to end our training camping trip early to get Rein to a hospital," Zeno responded.

"But how do we tell them?" Zatch asked, "We have no way to contact the palace until tomorrow."

"Thanks for the offer but I can take care of myself now," Rein said.

"No way, we need to get you to the hospital," Zatch responded.

"Um," someone said.

Zatch and Zeno turned to see Penny standing there with a box.

"Hello there," Zatch responded.

"I have some medical herbs that might help," Penny responded handing it out.

"Zatch," Zeno said.

"Thanks," Zatch responded taking the herbs.

He used them on Rein's injuries.

"Thanks agai…" Zatch said turning to see Penny was missing.

"That girl is going to be trouble," Zeno said.

Zatch and Zeno decided to just spar since they couldn't do much with Rein.


Soon it was dinner time and Zatch and Zeno stopped for the night.

"Okay, let's go gather food," Zeno said.

"Alright," Zatch responded and turned to Rein, "You will stay here until we get back, would you?"

"Might as well, I got no where else to go to," Rein said.

"Everyone has a place to go to," Zatch said, "Just wait here, we'll be back."

Rein smiled as Zatch and Zeno left to gather food.

"Maybe I was wrong about those two," Rein thought.


Zatch and Zeno gathered berries and split up to cover more ground.

"Look who I got here," someone said.

Zeno turned to see a mamodo about 7 years older than them, wearing a black fur clothes, with grayish skin.

"Get out of here before I decide to use you as a punching bag!" the mamodo shouted.

"No way, I was here first," Zeno responded.

"Do you know who I am? I'm the most feared mamodo in this area, Brago!" the mamodo name Brago shouted.

"You're Brago!" Zeno responded.

"So you heard of me, now run!" Brago shouted and aim with his hand.

"We're not going anywhere," Zeno shouted.

'Reis' Brago shouted.

A ball of gravity fired from Brago's hand.

'Zaker' Zeno shouted and fired Zaker from his hand.

The two spells collided in an explosion.


Zatch heard the spells collided and rushed to his brother.


Zatch arrived to see that Brago and Zeno were staring each other off.

'Zaker' Zatch shouted.

Zaker fired from Zatch's mouth at Brago.

Brago dodge the attack barely.

"Leave my brother alone!" Zatch shouted.

"What's your name kiddos," Brago said.

"Zeno Bell," Zeno responded.

"Zatch Bell," Zatch responded.

"Bell, as in the twin Bell brothers," Brago said.

"Let's continue this," Zeno said.

"Oh we will, but not here," Brago said, "When we fight for the crown for king, that's when I'll take you two down."

"See you then," Zeno responded.

Brago left leaving the two standing there.

"Zeno," Zatch said.

"Looks like the battle is going to be fun," Zeno responded.


That night Zatch used his mantle as a tent for the three of them.

"Tomorrow we go back to the palace," Zeno said.

"And then it's back to the same training," Zatch said and turned to Rein, "We also get you healed.

"Thanks," Rein said.


They went to sleep except for Rein.

Rein found himself able to move and wrote a letter and left it at his corner.


Zatch and Zeno woke up the next morning and found Rein missing but found a note.

"Boys thanks for all your help, but I decided I don't want to be a burden, if we ever meet again, I hope it's in better conditions. Your friend Rein," Zeno read.

"Why did he leave?" Zatch asked.

"Maybe it was best," Zeno said, "But something tells me this isn't the last we see of Rein."