CHAPTER 9: FINDING HUNTER.

(POV: Thomas)

The next morning, when I awoke from my slumber, I silently went to get all of my gear on. My plan was to scout all over Sodor for Hunter and defeat him so he wouldn't kill my friends and family as he did with my adoptive siblings. As I then slid my swords into my belt, I silently crept down the stairs, hoping that no-one of my family would notice, for I did not wish for them to be caught up in all of this. However, that wouldn't be the case right as I was just a few feet away from the door.

"Okay brother." said a familiar voice. "Where are you planning on going?"

As I then turned heel, I saw that I was caught by Timothy and the rest of my family, who all seemed to have stern expressions on their faces. As I then sighed, I knew that I had no choice but to give them the truth.

"I'm going to be searching for Hunter." I replied. "I'm planning on defeating him."

"What?!" My father exclaimed.

"Son, you can't be serious." My mother remarked

"I am." I said. "I mean every word."

"Don't!" Annie shrieked.

"He'll probably kill you!" Added Clarabel.

"Brother! Timothy pleaded. "Let us come with, to back you up!"

"I'm sorry." I replied. "But I can't risk anyone else's being killed. Besides, he's after me, and if I can at least drive him away for a time, then he'll leave the island alone."

As I then waited for a scolding or a grounding, I can tell by the looks on my parents' faces that they knew I was right, and they were indeed hesitant to admit it. Out of everyone in the family, Hunter hated me the most and wanted nothing more than to see my blood drain out of me. As my father then sighed, he had no choice but to give in.

"Son." He said. "If we can't help you in the fight against Hunter, then let us at least help you locate him."

"Thanks dad." I replied. "But, how can we without Hunter spotting us?"

"Well give me a few minutes." He answered. "I might be able to find just the spell."

(POV: Mysterious Narrator.)

As Thomas then nodded, Howard opened a hatch just before the stairs to reveal it had another flight or two heading downward. As the man then walked quickly down them, he eventually entered a massive library that had books on every shelf. This place was the Billintons personal library of spell-books. If they needed a spell of some kind, this was the place to find it.

"Now where could it be?" Howard said out aloud as he looked through book after book. "I'm quite sure it's on this shelf somewhere."

As Howard then continued to open the next book, his eyes widened as he saw one of the titles within the table of contents.

"Ah-ha!" He exclaimed. "I knew it was here!"

As Howard then climbed down the ladder excitedly, he checked for what he needed in order to do the ritual. Once he grabbed what he needed, he quickly ran up stairs with the book in hand.

"Howard." Tanya asked with a worried look. "Did you find it?"

"Yes I have, Tanya." Replied Howard. "And do we have Hunter's dagger?"

"Yes, father." Answered Timothy. "It's right here."

"Okay." Began Howard as he nodded at his family. "Now we can begin."

As Thomas and his siblings watched, Tanya and Howard made a circle out of some powder they brought up from the library, and placed a few sigils on the outside of it. Then after the sigils were placed, Tanya placed Hunter's crimson dagger in the center of the circle, and Howard began to chant the spell words.

"Finden, zurückkehren, suchen, lokalisieren. zurückverfolgen, suchen, führen, verfolgen!"

Then as Howard then finished, the dagger began to glow a bright light, before fading and turning into a crimson aura. As he then gave Thomas the dagger, Howard explained what he did.

"You see son." He began. "No matter the weapon, it always binds itself to one who uses magic with it. Since Hunter fired his dagger at you with great precision, he must be well accustomed to wielding spells with it, so it's bound with him. The spell I use reacts to Hunter's mana. So the closer you get to him, the more it will glow."

"I see." Thomas remarked. "Thanks dad."

"You're welcome son." Howard replied. "Now please be careful."

"I will." Thomas responded as he then made his way out the door.

(POV: Thomas.)

As I then returned to the present, I took a deep breath and sighed. It had been hours since I left home and I was worried because I still got no sign of Hunter and was unsure if he got to those who I cared about. Then without warning, the crimson dagger began to really glow brightly. As I then slid it onto my belt I knew what this meant.

"He's close." I thought. "Very close."

As I then drew my swords, I looked from side to side, and listened closely and deeply. Amongst the breeze and the usual night-time sounds, I could hear the steps of someone running in the cover of the trees. As I then got ready to do my ambush, I had no worries of needing to hold back because the forest that I was in was not Henry's favorite one. As the footsteps then became louder and louder I then darted forward and swung my blade and glared as I saw a familiar face dodging my attack.

"Hunter!" I cried out as he got back on his feet and drew his sword.

"What?!" Hunter remarked. "How did you find me?!"

"Ha." I smirked. "I guess that I'm not so pathetic as you call me out to be."

"Oh quit it with the cheek already!" Scowled Hunter as he then swung his sword at me.

"No chance you lazy tomato!" I answered back as I parried.

(POV: Hunter)

As Thomas then deflected my attack, I saw no hesitation from him whatsoever. No chance of him freezing up as he saw me.

"How is he so confident?!" I asked myself. "He's obviously got some fear but, he's drowning it with his cheeky remarks!"

As Thomas then parried and deflected my attacks again and again I felt my arm beginning to strain.

"I can't fight him." I Thought. "Not like this. I'm going to lose to him!"

As I then grew despite I then came to the final decision.

"I know!" I thought. "I'll increase my numbers!"

As I then pulled my portal opener from my pocket, I got ready to summon a scythe mantis to assist. However right when the portal began to open, it suddenly began to spark and then closed shut without any warning.

"What the heck?!" I remarked. "How is this possible?!"

As I then began to wonder the reason for my portal failing, I looked over to see my brother smirking cheekily at me.

"Sorry Hunter." Thomas said as he chuckled. "A friend of mine gave me a special power up spell that kind of makes your portals unable to open."

"What?!" I asked indignantly. "How is that even possible?!"

"Well, to put it simply." He began. "This friend I'm referring to is a magicborn, and well, she's quite knowable on magic."

As I then took in that blue bratt's words, I began to really hate him. Never before had I felt so frustrated in my life.

"Okay Thomas." I scowled. "Don't you dare get cocky you pathetic fiend. I'm now mad!"

"I know that, Hunter, and I don't care about how you feel." Thomas stated as he then positioned his swords to continue the fight. "Right now, all I care about right is protecting my home, and my family here from YOU."

(To be continued...)