A/n: Alright folks, here is Chapter 6 with the School Rumble girls!
Chapter 6: The False Highlanders
The party were at the Lyris Highlanders' branch, still sad about what happened. "Chief Kyte… How could this happen…" Highlander Baucca pounded his fist on the table. "Forgive us. We were inches away, and all we could do was watch helplessly as he passed." Sousuke bowed in apology. "And the beast responsible?" Baucca asked. "Dead. The hospital is safe now, but… Well, there was this boy." Yuno stated her info. "…I see. So you say this stranger commanded magic… I wonder who it was. Well, endless grieving serves little purpose, so why not do as Chief Kyte would have wished and focus on reorganizing the branch?" Father Diamon suggested. "…You're quite right." Baucca nodded. Father Diamon turned to the party. "As for you, our newly appointed Highlanders: hurry on to Vahadina. Chief Meladee has been awaiting help for some time. I shall gather my faithful at the hospital and pray for Chief Kyte's soul. I assure you it will be a service to remember…" Father Diamon smiled, but Zel and Sousuke got a closer look and it looked like an evil smile as Father Diamon exited.
The party were leaving the branch. Yuno stands still in deep thought. "So this is what Travelers go through…" Yuno said sadly. "…You're surprised?" Sogreth asked. Yuno was silent for 5 seconds till she spoke. "I…I might've had the wrong idea…" Yuno looked down some more. "Yuno…" Tatsuya said quietly. "I thought all the sights and experiences of traveling would change me somehow, that I'd have the time of my life. I thought. But… it's not all fun and games, isn't it?" Yuno asked. "…Nope." Gourry told her. "Yuno… So you're gonna quit traveling with us?" Zoey asked in concern. Yuno looked up with determination. "Not a chance." She told her. Sogreth chuckled then spoke "Then ya may as well smile. Remember what the Elder said. You gotta be carefree!" Yuno then brightens up. "…You're right. No sulking! Otherwise, Tatsuya and Zoey might start moping too. Come on! Lancer Company Yuno, move out! Next stop, Vahadina!" Yuno struck a pose. "Since when did she became the leader?" Kaname sweat dropped.
The party began journeying to the Bog-Sasaya Border. After 2 hours of traveling, they arrived at the Border Crossline. "Once we cross this border, we'll be in Sasaya." Tatsuya looked at the map. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Lina cheered. The party approached the gate, a Border Guard approached the party. "Pass, please. Can't let you through without one." He asked. "Right here, see this?" Yuno closed her eyes and smiled as she showed him the firewyrm ring on her finger. The Border Guard took a look at her fingers. "Your claws are getting kind of long. Need a clipping, I wager." The Guard commented. Yuno twitched while Lina, Kaname and Tatsuya and Zoey snickered at the one liner. "Not my claws, you idiot… THIS!" Yuno shouted angrily as she pointed to the ring on her finger. "Do you not see the ring on her finger?" Zel muttered. "Huh?" The guard really took a closer look and saw the ring. "Ohh, you're the new Highlander recruits?" The guard raised an eyebrow. "The world is doomed if they're hiring half-pints like you." The guard motioned them through. "Go on, then. And be careful." He told them.
As the party got on the other side of the gate, Yuno placed her hands on her hips in annoynence. "That is rude of him, treating us like children! Can you believe him, Tatsuya?" Yuno fumed. "Uh…" Tatsuya smiled nervously and sweat dropped. "But… you are children." Sogreth sweat dropped. "Ugh, not you too, Sogreth!" Yuno twitched. Lina caught a glimpses of an ankha merchant talking to a waterkin merchant. "Hey, did you hear? They struck in the mountain pass." The ankha merchant told him. "Yeah. But how? The same bandits hit some mansion in Lyris at the same exact time." The waterkin merchant added. "Must be some amazing robbers, holding up two places at once!" The ankha merchant shook his head. "Man, bandits. I wish I was there to pulverize them and take their loot." Lina frowned. "Vision's becoming more dangerous by the day." Yuno commented. Sousuke then saw a man who wore blue armor, has goat horns and a blue helmet and wields a spear and shield along with two different colored knights walked up to the party.
"Good day. We are with the Knights of Stengel. We have strong reason to believe some bandits have fled to this area, so please alert us at once if you see anyone suspicious" The man in blue armor stated. Suddenly, the silver Knight of Stengel eyed Yuno and Sogreth then shouted "Huh? Look! A kitkin girl and waterkin!" He and his fellow Knight charged at them and eyed them. "Oh, not again. Yeah, yeah, look at the poor little kitkin girl. Wouldn't want a CHILD wandering around on the road in case she got HURT, huh?" Yuno said sarcastically. "Well LOOK! I'm a Highlander. See? I've got proof." Yuno showed them her firewyrm ring. The two Knights were silent for 30 seconds then the Cyan Knight yelled "Seize them!" They pointed their spears at them. "H-Hey! What the hell is going on here!" Kaname gasped. "Yuno! What did you do!" Tatsuya yelled as he and Zoey got out their weapons. "Nothing! Take it easy!" Yuno panicked. "Shut up, bandit scum!" The Silver Knight growled. "B-B-But we're not bandits! We're defenders of justice!" Amelia panicked. "Amelia, now is not a good time." Zel told her. "Don't be ridiculous! I'm just a child! A CHILD!" Yuno panicked. "And I'm…uh, well, I'm not! But still!" Sogreth panicked as well. "Lieutenant Leynart, we've got them!" The Cyan Knight reported. The man in blue armor known as Leynart was silent. "See, they have firewyrm rings." The Cyan Knight stated. "We have 'em because we're children…I-I mean 'cause we're Highlanders!" Sogreth reasoned. "And therein lies the problem." Leynart pointed out. "The very fact you carry those rings makes you suspects." Leynart added. "B-But how?" Yuno stammered. "Zoey, Tatsuya, do something!" Lina panicked. "Uh… Right!" Zoey nodded as she and Tatsuya got ready. "Hmm?" Leynart eyed their Traveler weapons. 'Those weapons…' "These are your friends, I presume? Please remove your hands from your hilts." Leynart issued. "And if we refuse?" Tatsuya warned. Suddenly, a darbaba carriage came into view and stopped. "Now what in the heck are you all doin' here?" A familiar voice asked. The figure jumped out of the carriage to reveal… "Kee Keema!" Zoey gasped. "You know him?" Gourry asked. "Yeah, we met him before we met you guys." Yuno stated. Kee Keema walked up to the party. "Howdy! Didn't take too long for y'all to find trouble, did it? And I see you made some new friends." Kee Keema smiled. "Acquaintances of yours?" Leynart questioned. "Well, I'd hafta say they're a bit more than that." Kee Keema stated. "Yeah! Vouch for us, Kee Keema!" Yuno pleaded. "What's this ruckus about, anyway?" Kee Keema asked. "We suspect these two are the bandits terrorizing the land." Leynart told him. "Bandits?" Kee Keema laughed. "That's rich! Hey, come on out and hear this, Wataru! Meena!" Kee Keema called out. A boy who is exactly the same age as Tatsuya, wore a orange hat and armor, grey blue clothes and orange shoes and on his back is a silver sword. "What's up, Kee Keema?" The boy known as Wataru asked as he walked up. Then a young kitkin girl who wore a purple shirt, yellow pants and black shoes came out of the carriage as well. "Ho-hum… And I was having such a nice nap." The kitkin girl known as Meena yawned as she too walked up to the scene.
"…Zoinks! Look, Lieutenant!" The Knights gasped. "Heh." Leynart smiled. Meena looked confused as she saw the Knights staring at her. "Remember how I told you about Tatsuya, Zoey and their friends? Well, this is them!" Kee Keema smiled. Wataru gasped in shock. "Really! Nice to meet you! I'm Wataru." Wataru introduced himself. "Nice to meet you, Wataru." Tatsuya smiled. Then he eyed Lina and her friends. "No way! It's Lina Inverse from Slayers!" Wataru gasped again. "Am I really famous in your world?" Lina rubbed the back of her head nervously. "Kee Keema told us so much. I was hoping we'd cross paths." Wataru shook Tatsuya's head. "And next to him…" Meena rushed up to her. "That must be Yuno! How do you do?" Meena smiled. "I do pretty bad at the moment. But nice to meet you." Yuno smiled nervously. "Now! Mister… uh, Leynart of the Knights of Stengel… why don't you explain what this is all about?" Kee Keema asked. "As of late, bandits have been striking frequently in this neck of the woods. And outrageously enough, these particularly bandits have been posing as Highlanders in hopes of catching their pray off guard. We also know they are a duo: One kitkin girl and a waterkin." Leynart reported. "So you assumed Yuno and Sogreth must be the bandits?" Meena asked. "Hah! In that case, why don't you arrest Meena and Kee Keema for the same reason?" Wataru joked. "Yeah! Why don't you!" Kee Keema glared. "Indeed, why don't I?" Leynart nodded. Meena panicked. "Eep…Wataru! I don't want to be arrested!" Meena waved her arms up and down in panic. "Relax, the three of you are wearing firewyrm bands. But the bandits wear firewyrm rings, like those 8." Leynart assured. "You got a keen eye." Kee Keema commented. "Whew! Wonderful!" Meena sighed in relief. "No! Not wonderful!" Yuno panicked. "Definitely not wonderful!" Sogreth added. "S-sorry." Meena bowed in apology. "Well, at least we heard the whole story now. And it ain't like the lieutenant believes you are the bandits." Kee Keema stated. "You're right, I do not." Leynart nodded in agreement. "Then can you let us go?" Zoey asked hopefully, she and Tatsuya already put away their weapons. "Not without evidence. Until we resolve this matter, I'm afraid I have to detain your friends here." Leynart shook his head. "Then we'll go and clear their names!" Tatsuya volunteered. "Yeah. Let's find the real bandits!" Wataru nodded. "And clear Yuno and Sogreth's names!" Meena beamed. "There ya have it. Tatsuya and Zoey, you go with Wataru and Meena." Kee Keema suggested. "You're not coming, Kee Keema?" Wataru blinked. "I can't just leave Sogreth and Yuno by their lonesome. Somebody's gotta stick around and vouch for them. You don't mind, right?" Kee Keema asked Leynart. "Not in the slightest." Leynart nodded in agreement. "All right, come on, Zoey and Tatsuya!" Wataru smiled. "You guys wait here, we'll be back!" Zoey told them. The four of them headed north. "Go get 'em, Tatsuya! Don't leave me hanging, literally!" Yuno cheered. As they left, Leynart turned to Kee Keema.
"Thank you for handling that situation. I didn't want to fight them." Leynart said gratefully. "Whatever." Kee Keema snorted. "That boy and girl…" Leynart started then continued. "I was going to send my men to search for the bandits, but perhaps that won't be needed." Kee Keema turned to the direction Tatsuya and Zoey, Wataru and Meena went. "Heck no! Not when Travelers are on the job!" Kee Keema boasted. "Three Travelers." Yuno gasped. Everyone turned to Yuno. "Wataru's one too, isn't he? Him, Tatsuya and Zoey." Yuno asked. "Three?" Kee Keema raised an eyebrow. "That's…astonishing." Leynart said in awe. "I hope Tatsuya and Zoey catch those bandits." Kaname prayed.
The three Travelers and Meena were talking. "Wow, incredible! I thought me and Mitsuru were the only Travelers." Wataru said. "Mitsuru?" Zoey asked. "Someone I know, you'll meet him someday. But anyway, I'm happy I met two more Travelers." Wataru grinned. "So Wataru, how are we going to find the bandits?" Meena asked. "Well, I watched detective shows back in the real world, detectives asked people questions about the identities of the culprits or where their hideout is. So let's ask around " Wataru suggested. The party asked around, they got a tip of a group of girls being attacked in the eastern mountain pass in Bog. Not only that, they wore strange clothing too. The party looked at one another. "Otherworlders…" Tatsuya gasped. "Maybe they're trying to find a way back home to their world?" Meena guessed. "Maybe." Zoey nodded. "And I bet that's where we'll find those bandits. Come on."
They went to the area the people asked. Soon, they came across… The School Rumble girls and they seemed pretty upset. "Oooh. Now what are we gonna do?" Tenma Tsukamoto frowned. Eri Sawachika looked down in sadness. "My… charm that Harima gave me…" Eri muttered. "Eri, relax! All we have to do is find some help." Mikoto Suou assured her master. "If we find some in this strange world." Akira Takano muttered. "Hey! Excuse us!" Tatsuya called out as the party walked up to them. "W-Who are you?" Karen Ichijou asked uneasily. "You better not rob us like that lizard freak and catgril did!" Lala Gonzalez warned as she got into a battle stance. "Aw don't worry, Lala, they won't do a thing a like that. They're normal like us, well except for the clothes they're wearing and that looked like a catgirl." Sarah Adiemus said cheerfully. "We need to explain some things to them." Wataru rubbed his head nervously.
6 minutes later…
"So in this world, you three are Travelers, seeking five magical gemstones to see this almighty Goddess of Destiny who can grant your wishes and we are Otherworlders, visitors from other worlds?" Tenma pieced it together. "Yeah. You said you saw the bandits right? Which way did they go?" Zoey asked. "Well, after they robbed us, they were heading towards some mountains east of here." Mikoto stated. Eri looked up. "Then take us with you! I got to get the charm a special someone gave to me back!" She pleaded. "So what do you think, guys?" Meena asked. They thought about it for 20 seconds then they nodded. "Well alright… But if you try anything funny…" Lala warned. "Don't worry. We have hearts of gold." Tatsuya smiled.
The party with the School Rumble girls made it to the Bandit's Hideout.
"So this is where the true bandits are…" Meena said as the party looked around. "Hey uh, Zoey, quick question. Do you heard about the Mew Mews back in the real world?" Wataru asked. "You heard of them?" Zoey asked surprised. "Yeah! They're fighting those monsters called predicites, right? One time, my mom and dad were attacked by a huge whale like predicite and the Mew Mews came in there and destroyed that thing without breaking a sweat! Man, they were awesome, especially the leader, even if she has a corny catchphrase." Wataru smiled. "Uh… Yeah. I met them too and they are always there to protect us." Zoey meekly smiled. 'I can't just tell them I'm one of the Mew Mews…' Zoey thought to herself. "Let's go get back the items stolen by those dirty bandits!" Tenma cheered.
After 30 minutes of exploring the hideout, they made it to the end and hid behind a bush. They saw a waterkin and kitkin that looked like Sogreth and Yuno, only they were blue and brown. "That must be them… They looked like two of my friends who are being detained back at the border pass…" Tatsuya whispered. "Heh heh, play the Highlander and folks get dumb as bricks. What a load of chumps!" The waterkin bandit known as Dusty laughed sinisterly. "Feel free to thank me anytime… Pretty good idea I had, eh, swiping the rings from those new recruits from Lyris?" The kitkin bandit named Mari grinned greedily. "Heh, you said it. And robbing those strangely dressed girls was clever too! Especially that blond pigtailed one, she was crying when we stole her valuable item! After all, they had no other way to get to Vahadina 'cept through us. Once again I salute your foul and villainous mind. Hehah!" Dusty smirked. "How dare they… pretending to be defenders of justice and robbed people blind…" Eri clutched her fists angrily. "So this is your hideout." Wataru frowned as the party jumped out of the bush and ran towards them. Tatsuya, Zoey, Wataru and Meena got out their weapons. "Don't you realized how much trouble you've caused to Yuno and Sogreth?" Meena frowned. "Return what you stole, now!" Tatsuya yelled. "And return Eri's charm!" Mikoto shouted. "Wh-who the heck're you!" Dusty gawked. "You don't looked lost…which means you followed us. Humph!" Mari frowned as she got out her bow. "Now that you knows where our lair is, we can't let you leave in one piece!" Dusty growled as he got out his axe. "So long suckers!" Mari yelled. "You think you can scare us with hackneyed TV dialogue? Tenma, you and the others stand back!" Wataru yelled. "Humph! No way! I'm gonna make those punks pay for robbing us!" Lala got into a fighter's stance.
Boss 3: Dusty and Mari
Dusty charged at Tatsuya swinging his axe at him, Tatsuya leaped out of the way and yelled "Lightspark!" He fired a shot at Dusty, giving him moderate damage. "Sniper's Eye!" Mari yelled as she fired a shot at Zoey, hitting her for some low damage. "Thunderspark!" "Drill Blade!" Zoey fired a thunder shot at Mari while Wataru hit Mari like a drill, giving her large damage. Lala yelled as she punched Dusty really hard, giving him medium damage, Dusty punched her away. "Spectacle Spin!" Meena yelled as she spins like a tornado and hit Mari with her weapon 5 times. Mari fired 3 arrows at Wataru, but he dodged them. "We're the Heroes!" Tatsuya and Wataru yelled as they powered up. "Cat's Fury!" Zoey and Meena yelled as they hold hands and spin like a tornado, hitting both Dusty and Mari for some large damage. "Darned punks! Roundhouse!" Dusty yelled as he spins like a tornado and hit Lala 5 times. "D-Darn it…!" Lala growled. "Don't give up, Lala! You can beat that chump!" Sarah cheered. "Y-Yeah! I can! Lion's Roar!" Lala's fist charged with energy as she gave Dusty a uppercut. "W-Whoa!" Zoey gawked. "It's a blessing from the Goddess of Destiny! She must have given Lala bravura skills!" Meena gasped in awe and shock. "Wh-Whoa…" Lala gasped in awe as she stared at her fist still in energy. "Batting Practice!" Wataru yelled as he swung his sword like a bat and hit Dusty real hard! "A-Avenge me… Mari…" Dusty groaned as he fell to the ground and is knocked out. "Dusty! Now you done it, you brats! Wild Volley!" Mari yelled as she fired multiple shots at the fighting party, they dodged it. "Zoey! Wataru!" Tatsuya yelled, they both nodded and the three of them charged at Mari and slashed her, defeating her!
"N-No way…" Mari gawked as she fell on her butt. "Little punks…" Dusty growled angrily. "All right, give it up! Return what you have stole and maybe we'll let you off easy." Wataru warned. "Aw for cryin' out loud, whadja bring this brat pack home for?" A voice growled, the party turned to see two more Sogreth and Yuno lookalikes. They were dark green and yellow. "How you gonna sell off brats like them?" The kitkin known as Cait growled. "I toldja once, Mari, and I'll say it again! The North don't peddle in ankha!" She yelled. "I'm seeing double…" Karen blinked. "What's going on here?" Meena asked. "You d-dummies! Stop talkin' smart and get them!" Dusty growled. "These brats came here to take us away to jail or worse!" Mari yelled. "W-Whaaaaat!" The waterkin bandit known as Lucky gasped in shock and anger. "Not if we got somethin' to say about it!" Cait got out her bow while Lucky got out his axe. "You're welcome to try!" Sarah and Eri yelled as they charged in to help Tatsuya and the others.
Boss 4: Lucky and Cait
"Heartbreaker!" Cait yelled as she blows a kiss at Wataru, hitting him for some small damage. "Let me try something! Bear Somersault!" Sarah leaped in the air and grabbed Lucky by the head with her legs and throws him down, giving him somewhat large damage. "You… brats!" Lucky yelled as he got up and knocked Sarah away. Tatsuya leaped in the air and slashed Lucky three times. "Spinning Bird Kick!" Eri yelled as she did a move similar to Chun-Li of Street Fighter did and gave Cait medium damage. "Love Song!" Meena singed as she healed Sarah's wounds. "Helmspliter!" Lucky yelled as he swung his axe at Wataru, he ducked and slashed Lucky three times. "Take this!" Cait yelled as she fired three arrows at the party, they dodged it. "Headstart!" Tatsuya yelled as he rushed at Cait in super speed and slashed her three times, defeating her. "N-No way!" Cait was knocked to the ground unconscious. "Bird's Eagle!" Zoey leaped into the air and launched a energy slash at Lucky, hitting him for massive damage, thus defeating him as well.
Lucky tried to pick himself up the ground, but failed. "T-They're tough…" Lucky muttered. "Snotty little brats…" Cait growled. "I get it now! So that's how you pulled off those heists!" Zoey figured it out. "Time to turn yourselves in!" Wataru proclaimed. "Time for Plan C…" Dusty growled. "Plan C…?" The party wondered. "Ned! Ashlee! Now!"
Boss 5: Ned and Ashlee
A light blue Sogreth lookalike and purple haired Yuno lookalike charged at Tenma and Mikoto, Tenma panicked and the first thing she has said is "Flame!" She held out her hand and it emitted a fire ball and hit Ned, damaging him. "Knee Palm Kick!" Mikoto jabbed her knee into Ashlee's face, knocking her back a little. "Bird's Eagle!" Zoey launched her attack at the two, damaging them. "Half-Pint Express!" Tatsuya, Wataru and Meena yelled as they charged together and emitted a powerful aura. "Uh oh!" Ned and Ashlee gawked as the trio hit them and knocked out Ned and Ashlee.
"Drat! Foiled again!" Ned growled. "I think I bent my tail…" Ashlee whined. Dusty got up to Lucky's face and yelled "Geez louise! Can't any of yous do anything right?" "You two are useless!" Mari snapped. "Us two!" Lucky growled. "You two lost before we did!" Cait countered. "Aww, shaddap! Like you two can talk!" Ned yelled angrily. "Yeah! I'll had you know—" The bandit siblings got into a huge fight cloud. 50 seconds, they were covered in bruises. "T-Triplets .." Wataru gawked. "I'm getting dizzy…" Meena has swirly eyes. "Again, that's how they pulled off the robberies." Zoey stated. "Agreed." Tatsuya nodded. "Freeze, all of you!" Leynart's voice yelled. The bandits turned and saw in shock the Knights of Stengel walking up to them. :My men have their crossbows trained on you from the ridge. I suggest you refrain from doing anything otherwise." Leynart ordered. "Leynart! Boy are we glad to see you!" Tatsuya smiled.
"Splendid work, everyone." Leynart congratulated them. You may return to the border. We'll handle the rest from here." "Commander Leynart." Eri began. "May I look for something before we head to the border?" She asked politely. "Why of course." Leynart nodded. Eri checked the things the bandits stole and after 1 minute she was wearing a necklace with a face of a pig around her neck. "Is that what you're looking for, Eri?" Tatsuya asked. She nodded. "Yes. A special someone made it for me back in my world. I'm glad the bandits haven't sold it yet." Eri sighed in relief. After that, the Knights took the bandits away and the party with Leynart head on back to the border.
1 hour later.
"I am truly sorry I detained your friends." Leynart bowed in apology. "I hope you forgive me for doing my job, Tatsuya and Zoey. You two must be furious." "Not at all." Zoey assured him. "Yeah. You were just doing your job." Tatsuya nodded. "Those two understand where you were comin' from. You knights must have it rough. " Kee Keema said. Yuno and Lina burped "My stomach has it rough…" Yuno rubbed her tummy. "Yeah, thanks for the feast, Leynart, it was delicious!" Lina rubbed her stomach as well. "Now see, if I was Tatsuya and Zoey, THAT would make me mad." Sogreth scolded. Meena leaned over to Wataru. "Hey Wataru, Yuno's just as I imagined." She told him. That caught Yuno's attention. "Yeah! I can see how she ate up all of Sakawa's fish supply!" Wataru nodded. "How I what!" Yuno yelled in anger. "And she's like Lina." Gourry nodded. "Who ask you, jellyfish brains!" Lina growled. "Kee Keema! What kind of stories have you been telling those two!" Yuno demanded. "What? I can't hear you… Suddenly, there's a ringin' in my ear!" Kee Keema smirked. "Astonishing! I'm lucky I have some food left in the barracks to feed my men." Leynart said in amazement. "Not you too!" Yuno has tears falling out of her eyes in a funny way. Zoey and Tatsuya hold their mouths to avoid being caught snickering. Sogreth laughed heartily. "What kinda insult is that! What kind of brute makes fun of a lady?" Yuno burped. Kaname burped too and blushed in embarrassment. "Hee hee, well, looks like we're getting along well!" Tenma closed her eyes and smiled.
30 minutes later, the party were saying their goodbyes to Wataru and his party.
"Well…good luck to ya." Kee Keema said. "I'll return the favor someday, Kee Keema. Just as soon you get arrested." Both of them laughed heartily. "Watch your eating habits, Yuno." Meena smiled. "I didn't eat that much…" Yuno glared. "Bye, Tatsuya and Zoey. I hope your wishes come true." Wataru smiled. "Yours too!" Tatsuya smiled. "Thanks!" Wataru waved goodbye as he and Meena boarded Kee Keema's carriage. "Safe travels!" Kaname waved. "Godspeed." Sousuke saluted as the carriage left. Leynart walked up to them. "They got their own journeys to go through…" Lina folded her arms in thought. "And that journey is the true test of a Traveler and his friends, I supposed." Leynart nodded. "I would offer to join you, but I have other matters to attend to." "And what would that be?" Karen asked. Leynart was silent, then he got out a bag. "I hope you'll accept this in place of my help." He gave the bag to Yuno. "You sure about this?" Zoey asked. "This is a gift from the people who were robbed by the bandits as thanks for helping them get their stuff back for travel money." Leynart smiled. Yuno peaked inside and gasped. "Hey! I see gemstones! And one of them is shining!" "Could they be…!" Amelia gasped. "Yuno, what color was it?" Tatsuya asked. "Umm… Yeouch! It emits quite a shocker! Is that the one you want!" Yuno got out a purple gemstone. "Yes! That's the one!" Tatsuya nodded. Yuno lifted it up in the air. "Tada!" Yuno proclaimed. "At last, we meet Traveler. I am the bearer of one portion of the Goddess's power. And I opened the way for the Travelers whom the Goddess has summoned. Thank you for freeing me from the clutches of the wicked." The Gemstone of the Spirits said gratefully. "Incredible…" Leynart said in awe. "Is that one of the gemstones you and Zoey are looking for?" Eri asked. "Yeah! Never thought we ran into one here." Tatsuya nodded. "Tatsuya, you have shown how much you cared for your friends. I believe you will use my power for what is right. Young Traveler, hold your sword aloft!" Tatsuya lifted his Traveler's Sword up and the gemstone flew into it. "I am the spirit of lightning, servant of nature. To you, I grant the blessing of the spirits!" Tatsuya's Traveler's Sword now looks like a energy sword.
"Alright! Two down, three to go!" Yuno cheered. "Don't forget, we need to find a second one for Zoey." Sogreth reminded. "Then there should be a Star Sigil nearby somewhere." Zel stated. "Is that perchance a pattern of a star on the walls over there? I thought it was vandalism so I ordered my men to try to clear it off." Leynart pointed to a star sigil and the Knights were ready to clear if off. "Tatsuya!" Zoey shouted. "Way ahead of ya!" He nodded as he and the party rushed towards the star sigil. "Hold it hold it! Don't touch that pattern!" Lina yelled as they got near it. Yuno's good luck charm began glowing. "There's no doubt about it! It's a star sigil!" Yuno gasped. 'I'm coming Miki!' Tatsuya thought to himself as he lifted his Traveler's Sword up and vanished. "That… That was…" The Cyan Knight gasped. "Remarkable? Yes, I know." Leynart smiled.
Back in the real world…
Miki was turning in her sleep. "Tatsuya… Don't you leave me hanging…" She mumbled. "Miki…" Tatsuya said softly. Suddenly, a voice was heard outside. "…ei! Where on earth have you been?" The Goinayla Hospital director gasped. "You haven't been home for days! Your mother hasn't even slept, she's been so worried!" He said. "She doesn't have to worry. I promised…I promised this'll all be over soon. Just… look after her, OK?" A familiar voice said, Tatsuya's eyes widen in shock as he heard that voice. "It… can't be…!" He muttered. "…I have to go…" The voice said. "W-Where are you going! Get back here!" The Goinayla Hospital director demanded. The bells began ringing. "Tatsuya…" The female voice began. "Shall I tell you the one responsible for putting both Miki and Bridget in a coma?" "Y-Yeah!" Tatsuya meekly nodded. "His name… was Rei… A Traveler like you and Zoey, only with a black heart…" Tatsuya gasped in shock. "So… he did do it! He's the reason Bridget and Miki are in a coma!" Tatsuya clutched his fists in anger. "You and Zoey must find the five gemstones to free them from Rei's spell! Promised me you would…" Tatsuya went back to Vision.
After arriving back in Vision, Tatsuya told them everything.
"Wait! The guy who killed Chief Kyte is the guy responsible for Miki and Bridget's condition!" Yuno gasped in shock and anger. "How unjust! Pulling a cruel plan on poor Miki and Bridget!" Amelia frowned. "He… Will pay for this…" Zoey gritted her teeth in anger as she clutched her fists. "That creep, Rei won't get away with this!" Lala growled as well. "I get it now. The Elder said Zoey and Tatsuya's paths will cross path with someone and that someone is Rei!" Sogreth figured it out. "The Goddess was trying to warn you through the Elder!" Yuno snapped her fingers. Sogreth was silent. "Well, it seems you have your own troubles." Leynart said. "Our own?" Karen asked confusedly. "…You must be in a hurry. On your way then. I will pray to the Goddess your wishes will come true." Leynart saluted as he and his men left. "He's not telling us something." Sousuke figured. "But he's a pretty nice guy." Yuno added. "We better hurry and not keep Chief Meladee waiting." Zel stated. "To Vahadina!" Lina cheered.
Rei is responsible for Bridget and Miki's condition! Can Zoey and Tatsuya find the other gemstones and saved them?
To be continued…
Next time: The Boy Who is Alleged to Girls.
A/n: Next time, Girls Bravo will appear and Zoey will gain her second gemstone, so see you next time! Also, after the third gemstones are in Tatsuya and Zoey's processions, there won't be anymore gemstones till the party reached the land of the firewyrms. See ya next time!
