Resonators Chapter Two, a digimon fanfic

SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Henrika: Thank-you very much for reviewing again! It was very encouraging. And many of the questions in your first review are answered here. I think. . . .

littleweirdwriter: Thanks! I'm glad you like long chapters 'cause this one's kinda . . . big. Ha-ha. Just don't expect too many of these. Heh-heh.

MoonlightNIV: Thank you! I'm glad you liked Chapter 1 as it was. I did, too, once I went back and reviewed it. And yes, Jeri's married. Ha-ha. But she's also . . . not. I think if I gave you this time perspective it might make a bit of sense. Everything up until now has happened in one night and the early morning. Still confused? This chapter might clear things up.

Yay! Woohoo! Yipee! Finals. Are. Over! Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray! But then it's time for summer school!

. . . .

ugh.

. . . .

Am.

Such.

Fool.

. . . .

Well! On that note – please enjoy this chapter!

Resonators

Chapter 2

By squishybookworm

Henry pushed from his crouch. Rolled to the side. Came up on one knee, brow furrowing over his grey eyes just as the sword came whistling down from behind. It sliced through the air he'd just occupied and connected with a strange shadow that had launched at his face at the same moment. The sword flashed, appearing only as a brilliant blur as it passed through the small creature. It screeched like a dying bat and abruptly stilled.

"Hah! I knew you were good, boy!" Takato placed the tip of his sword into the ground and leaned on it, grinning widely at Henry.

Henry straightened up and prodded the dark shadow questioningly. Light reminiscent of predawn filtered across the sky like slim lady fingers, but the colors were strangely flat and cast no light on the corpse. The dark clearing was at once familiar and alien. There was no fire, no bedrolls, no lingering stench of ash or the aromatic herb his master loved to smoke. In fact, no evidence anyone had been here at all. But it was definitely the clearing they'd occupied the night before. Henry turned his questioning gaze to the tall swordsman.

Takato shook his head. "You've never heard of the Tunes, boy? Vibrations?"

Henry vaguely remembered stories of fantastical lands that existed outside the Kami-Tune, or the real world, that were similar and often strange. They were lands occupied by mysterious and horrendous beasts known as Mistakes and could only be accessed by a vibrating factor that only Echoes, and sometimes Mistakes, could achieve.

Henry swept the clearing with another glance. The ambiance . . . felt familiar.

Seeing that Henry was not going to respond, Takato glanced around the clearing and brought his sword up once again. "Hmph. You mean with your potential, you've never Vibrated before? Hell, that's how most Echoes discover their di-genes are active." Takato slanted an odd glance at Henry. "You know, I have just noticed. I can't sense your Vibrations."

Henry simply stared at him.

Takato sighed loudly. "Well I do not have time to explain what is happening. Do you have any weapons? You will need it soon."

Raising one brow, Henry flipped his outer robe and pulled his darn jian out with a sharp ring. The metallic sheen of the thin blade was visible and undulled even in the pseudo light. The hilt was wrapped with a deep blue leather that matched the shade of his hair. He remembered when he was younger, his father would allow him to run his fingers for countless hours along the intricate etchings, with silver inlay, at the base of the blade. It was an ancestral sword that let all know that he was of the Wong clan. He flicked it experimentally then grasped the sheath in the other hand so that he effectively had a sword and a club.

Henry pointed to the shadowed carcass with his blade and raised one eyebrow in question.

"No. I killed it too easy, see? There's at least another one. One that was strong enough to pull us through."

Why don't we run away? Henry pointed to Takato and himself then indicated with his fingers that they run.

Takato nodded. "We could do that, but if this Mistake was strong enough to pull us through once, it can do it again." He swept the clearing with another searching gaze. "Haven't heard of a Mistake strong enough to actually pull people to another Tune, for quite a while now." He paused reflectively, "Except for that one village. . . ." He shook his head, "Anyway, I think we should just take it out. Unless," Takato shot a teasing smile at Henry, "of course, you'd really rather not. Then I could return you and come back and finish this myself."

Henry shook his head adamantly. The problem would be dealt with right now. Master Long was always fond of reminding him that if left alone, problems would eventually come back to bite him in the ass then he'd have no one to blame but himself.

To convince the brown-eyed swordsman of his seriousness, Henry turned so he was back to back with him and took up a defensive stance. They waited.

The sky slowly lightened in an imitation dawn. However, the colors were muted and there were no accompaniment of bird song and rodent chatter that usually greeted the rising sun. The earth underfoot was an even ash-grey tone and vegetation was limp with a faded yellow-green cast. Henry sniffed and could barely discern the subtle odor of dew-soaked woodlands or rotting leaves. The wind blew, but felt strange. Like sand brushing lightly across his skin.

He tensed.

Feeling his partner's mood, Takato became even more wary. "What is it?" he whispered.

For a moment, just as the wind had shifted slightly, Henry had heard a faint rustling that was apart from the swaying blanket of dying leaves above. He stood absolutely still, barely breathing. The wind paused as if teasing his stretched senses. In the stillness, Henry could hear only the pounding of his heart in his ears and the soft inhalations and exhalations of his older comrade. Then the wind picked up again, scratching softly against his cheek.

He jerked. Twisted around suddenly. Takato's rigid back filled his view and he peeked around the taller man. A breeze swept past again. It brought with it a faint smell of . . . something. It seemed musky like a furred animal, and yet, like the strange distortions of color and light, the stench was somehow diluted with something that was almost . . . chemical. This scent was familiar.

His eyes narrowed. He shot forward. A faint shout sounded behind him, but he pressed on. 'This stench,' his mind growled. The stench of those . . . those things! Those putrid, horribly deformed monstrosities. He'd kill them! This time . . . for sure, he'd kill them all!

A stray branch slapped his face, bringing with it a spray of water droplets that tasted like copper. He stopped. His harsh breathing scratched his ears and the limp vegetation around him shook as if silently mocking him. He listened. Tried to catch the same scent again. But now, in the denseness of the forest flora, no wind could blow freely, and if it did, all he'd be able to detect was the diluted stench of ashes.

Copper and ash.

Henry gagged slighty. His chest tight as if the death that permeated the air was physically clawing down his throat for his warm, beating heart.

Like ash.

Henry stared at his trembling hands and clenched them, the knuckles turning white against the dark blue sheath.

Like copper.

He took a shuddering breath and closed his misty grey eyes.

Like blood.

The fire crackled. Sparks flew up into the cold air, floated down lazily to sear his arms. Shrieks and cries of pain filled the air and he just wanted to cover his ears. But when he looked at his hands, blood speckled his palms like sprinkled red rain. The screams crescendoed.

"He is here! Just look!"

Henry turned back, panting slightly, as Takato's voice carried loudly to his position.

He straightened up and worked to bring his breathing under control. The scent was lost. What ever had pulled him through was gone. He slipped his darn jian into its sheath and ran a trembling hand through his short blue-black hair, causing it to rise up in spikes.

"We can only sense your Vibrations! There is no one else here!"

Henry frowned. It was a woman who'd spoken. Where had she come from? And the faint accent was familiar.

"He wouldn't have gone back yet!" Takato exclaimed, "He does not even know what a Tune is!"

"It is still possible. Even if he is new, if he really wanted to go back, he could possibly pull it off."

"He is not like that."

"You have known him for less than a night . . ."

"He is not that kind of person."

"And what kind of person would that–oh!"

The branches parted before Henry and he came face to face with a dark-haired woman. Her wine red eyes flashed in surprise and she leapt back. The bushes to Henry's right rustled and a moment later, Takato's unruly brown locks appeared above before his face poked through the foliage. He grinned widely at Henry then turned to the woman, who had one hand held over her heart.

"See?" he said. "I told you so."

She glared at Takato before tossing one of her long, dark pigtail behind one shoulder. "Hmph. Unmannered brute," she muttered. Then she transferred her glare onto Henry.

Henry blinked. She was an exceptionally beautiful woman a few years older than he. She wore dark and thick robes that were similar to Henry's except instead of trousers, she wore long skirts. He saw one pantalon-covered leg peek through a slit up the side of the skirt and revised his opinion of the practicality of her clothes. Her long dark-red hair were pulled up into to pigtails on either side of her head framing her almond-shaped eyes, which blinked at him, curiosity and anger battling for dominance in the deep red orbs.

"Why can't I sense your Vibrations?" she demanded. Apparently, curiosity won.

When he didn't answer, she frowned. With a high-pitched ring, she pulled her sword from the sheath. Henry idly noted that it was a darn jian and had some red and gold etchings at the base of the blade, indicating that she was of the Clan of Li. What was a Northerner doing here?

"Hey!" Takato shouted. "Put that thing away! I thought you were here to save us!"

She ignored the mercenary. "Answer me," she barked. "Or are you mute?"

"He is mute," Takato said quietly.

She looked stunned. Her sword hung limply from her fingers and her mouth hung agape. Her cheeks slowly reddened. "W-well, I guess-I guess . . . Oh." She rammed her sword back into the sheath and sniffed, glaring once again at Takato. "You oaf. Why didn't you say anything sooner?"

Takato shrugged. Then grinned impishly. "You never asked."

"Hmph! Well." She paused, almost glaring at Henry again.

He lifted one brow. What was she so angry about? It wasn't like this scene hadn't happened to him thousands of times before.

She huffed. "Well! Let's go! We are wasting time. Trowa? Come on."

Henry started in surprise as a tall, slim man he hadn't noticed seemed to materialize from his left. His leather tunic and faded green vest had blended so well with the vegetation that he'd nearly been invisible. A long bow rested in comfortably in his hand. He was either very confident of his skill with the weapon or unskilled with the more common crossbow, which took longer to load, but was often more deadly and more accurate.

Auburn hair fell over Trowa's fore head, partially hiding one of his startling green eyes as he glanced at Henry.

". . ." Trowa greeted.

". . ." Henry replied.

". . ."

PAP!

"Good grief, Trowa!" Mei Ling exclaimed. "You do not have his excuse! Say something!"

Trowa rubbed the back of his head where the shorter woman had smacked him. "That . . . hurt . . . Mei Ling."

Mei Ling rolled her eyes. "Good. The purpose has been served." Then she rushed over to Takato's side. "Now, come on. Let us go."

"Wait!" Takato spread his hands as if warding off an attack from Mei Ling. "What about the Mistake?"

"You two are going back," Mei Ling said grimly. "I will not have bystanders getting involved in something they know nothing about."

"You?" Takato raised his brows. "So you're saying you are going to protect me?" He folded his arms and straightened to his full height. He presented an imposing figure with his battle-scarred chainmail, muscled arms, and fierce scowl. Mei Ling took an involuntary step back. Even then, she had to crane her neck to glare defiantly up at the mercenary.

"If you haven't noticed," Takato rumbled, "I am twice your age and I have thirty years of training and combat. Tell me, missy, you two," he indicated Trowa with a nod of his head, "look awfully young. What makes you think you can defeat this thing by yourself?"

"I-Well I–" Mei Ling averted her eyes. She coughed. "Well . . . We have been trained. Besides," she turned back to scowl at Takato, "Mistakes aren't like people. One can't kill them with conventional weapons. Have you ever fought one before?"

He shook his head, "Nope. Can't say that I have, but then, you kids have not done so either, I wager."

"We are not infants," Mei Ling sniffed, "and if you think–"

"Mei Ling."

At Trowa's quiet voice, Mei Ling bit her lip and glanced back. Trowa didn't even bat an eyelid, but Mei Ling must have read something in those green orbs because she nodded tersely to Takato. "Okay." She tipped her head at Henry. "What about you?" She added stiffly, "We have little time, so be quick about your decision."

He wondered how his master would fare. Master Long was spry and often stronger than he looked, but . . . There were many other dangers besides Mistakes and he might worry if Henry was gone too long.

Where is Master Long? Henry tried to ask Takato.

Unfortunately, after several tries of expansive hand gestures, Takato shook his head and said, "I am sorry. I don't know what you want."

"Is it about that older gentleman we met back at the clearing?"

Surprised, Henry turned at Trowa's low voice. He nodded.

"He says he knows you'll be able to take care of yourself. He'll wait for you there."

Then there was no more to be said. Apparently, Master Long expected him to aid these two newcomers. Unexpectedly, a feeling of apprehension washed over him. He'd practiced for many years with his weapon, but he'd never used it in actual combat, and against a Mistake, no less! He swallowed thickly.

"Well?" Mei Ling prodded.

Henry nodded slowly.

"Alright. Let us hurry. My head is beginning to hurt."

Takato blinked in surprise. He followed the petite woman, as they all forded through the bushes single file with Trowa bringing up the rear. "Should we not Vibrate back to the Kami Tune first? Take a rest?" Takato asked.

Mei Ling waved a hand without looking back. "No. We have to find the Mistake soon or it might pull others through. I will be fine." She turned her head slightly to peer at Takato and Henry from the corner of her eyes. "Why are you two not fatigued? You have been here longer."

Takato shook his head. "No," he paused to duck under a low hanging branch, "I am beginning to feel it."

Henry's brow creased in confusion. What were they talking about? He glanced back at Trowa and found that the ginger-haired man seemed to be panting slightly. He also looked slightly paler and there were lines of strain around his green eyes. Henry turned back. It was then he realized his companions' breathing were becoming heavier and they were constantly wiping runnels of sweat from their brow although they hadn't been walking long and the air was fairly cool. Henry's frown became deeper. Something was affecting them, but he, himself, felt nothing.

Wherever this "Mistake" was, they'd better find it. . . .

Behind him, Trowa stumbled slightly and paused to regulate his breathing carefully.

. . . And find it soon.

She had watched countless generations pass. The memories of faces, laughter, and tears were all swirled into one muddy kaleidoscope of images that flew swiftly through her mind's eye. Tired of life. Unbearably alone, yet unable to depart permanently, she took the only refuge she could find. She'd slept. For thousands of years . . . a millennium . . .two seconds . . . she didn't know how long. But she'd slept.

And when she'd awoken, there had been six faces peering down at her. For a moment her breath caught as tears sprang to her eyes. For a moment she'd imagined it had all been a dream. A very bad dream. But as she'd peered at the tense faces, she'd realized there was one missing. One very important one. One who'd never come back. And with that, she'd known it was all too real and they were not the ones in her memories of that time so long ago.

No. These were the first Resonators.

Wark! Wark! Wark!

Shuichon slowly cracked her eyes open. She let out a soft sigh as her heart picked up its pace from the verge of death. White mist wafted from her mouth and pooled onto the glass surface before her, momentarily obscuring the room beyond. She shivered violently as a hiss echoed throughout the tiny chamber, flushing the freezing air that had kept her asleep for who knew how long.

There was a final whoosh and a metallic clink. Then the door thrust open slightly. Trembling, gasping, and aching, she flattened her blue-tinged hands against the door and pushed. It moved slowly and she had to stop to gasp for air before continuing again.

Once she'd slid out, she lay there, panting and trying to gather her thoughts.

She rolled over and almost cried. Above her, they stood, staring down at her as if they'd only just gone for a walk. But as she scanned the faces, she realized that one was missing. He was not there. And she wanted to cry all over again.

"Are you alright?" the brown-eyed girl asked. Her face was Jeri's. It was amazing. The process had never been this perfect before.

"Of course, she isn't! Did you feel the air coming out of that . . . that thing! It felt like snow!" The boy had dark blue eyes and he waved his arms wildly to prove his point. Only Kazu. . . .

"Shut up, idiot," Rika snapped from her place behind the group. "We don't have time to fool around."

"No," Ryo said, "but you don't need to snap either, Princess."

"How about I just smash your teeth?" Rika replied sweetly.

"H-hey. Let's not fight, okay?" Kenta ventured timidly.

They glared at him, but did not continue.

"Mistress Shuichon?"

Shuichon turned her head to look up at Takato. He seemed so real. So naVve. So earnest. And he seemed awestruck, speaking in hushed, reverent tones.

"Mistress Shuichon? We really, really need your help. Please help us. . . ."

Wark! Wark! Wark!

Shuichon rose from the floor slowly, wincing as cramped muscles screamed in protest. Sleep beckoned so strongly, like a heavy blanket that weighed her limbs down and promised her escape from the bitter cold that nipped her skin raw.

Wark! Wark! Wark!

She needed to get warm. She needed to hurry. That alarm only meant one thing.

She sat up and listened to their story. And became quickly alarmed.

It had arisen again. She'd thought it had been defeated so long ago and with a pang, she remembered the last sacrifice that had finally driven it off. Looking at the determined expressions on the faces of these six, she could only see six others who'd worn the same expressions so, so long ago. Biting back a wave of tears and despair, she worked feverishly to help them. She'd been helpless the first time. This time, she would make a difference. This time, she would not let them die!

She wanted to cry, but it seemed her tears had run out after their deaths. She'd tried her hardest. She'd done everything she could! She couldn't have done better.

It had only been enough to drive it back and keep it out of the Kami-Tune.

And now . . . it was back.

The continent of Midgar was the largest on the world known as Eden. It was comprised of the Clow Empire in the north; the Duchy of Raleigh in the west; the Aav, a matriarchically religious state in the east; and the chains of islands in the south, ruled by ships of pirates. Located almost in the center was the independent city-state of Inepril, where many major roads converged making it a prime trading spot.

It was also home to the famous Ohtori Academy, which was known for producing many of the finest scholars and, in recent times, where children of noble families were expected to attend before inheriting their titles. The lack of Mistake attacks and the relatively few who had active di-genes and could afford to travel contributed to the low awareness of Ohtori Academy's other purpose: training and deploying Echoes to contain Mistakes when they arose.

But often times, many Echoes were just Tuners, those only powerful enough to sense the Vibrations of others. Consequently, the few councilmen still knowledgeable about Ohtori's true purpose were quick to recruit the rare individual who managed to Vibrate to an outside Tune.

Finding two Vibrations within three feet of each other was an event they were not willing to let go at all. So, they sent out their best two Echoes to find and return with the individuals.

After changing into a standard uniform that the Academy insisted all students wear when leaving the campus grounds, Rika, Ryo, and Kenta had Vibrated through several Tunes to find their charge.

Their destination was just past the Raleigh border. There were two ways to travel. One was by physically traveling over land, which could take weeks or they could transgress the Tunes and use the strange paths there, which connected to other parts of the land that wouldn't exist in the Kami-Tune. The latter option was faster, but also more dangerous. But they were headed into the Tunes anyway, so the three had opted for travel through the Tunes.

A little over an hour later, they'd found themselves in a quaint neighborhood with a cobblestone street and tall stone buildings like sentinels lining either side. A strip of bright blue with streaks of white swirled crazily above, but provided light in the shadowed street.

They stood before what seemed to be a baker's shop. This was where the Tuners had sensed the Vibrations.

Rika shook her head. She wished the colors and grain pattern on the wooden door would stop swirling. They were like hundred of snakes wriggling around madly, making her dizzy. And the sounds! The barest rustle of their skin-tight pantalons or stiff grey jackets echoed hollowly in her head as if someone was using her skull as his forge. Their soft, dark leather boots scraping at loose gravel seemed like the squeals of dying rats and made her teeth ache.

And not that Rika wasn't pleased with the Council's obvious high regard for her skills, but honestly, did they have to pair her with him? The object of her ire was currently inspecting the area before the wooden door of the bakery as if he could force the dusty ground to give him a full account of what had transpired. Puh! The dolt.

Throughout the whole journey, he'd done nothing but aggravate her by explaining anything and everything, from what a Tune was exactly to why they were wearing the uniform of the Ohtori Academy. Rika snorted. Granted, this was her first time on a hunt, but she wasn't a complete simpleton. She remembered everything her mentor had taught her. She didn't need to be lectured by this . . . this boy, who had never fought a Mistake either.

"Echo Akiyama?" Kenta asked tentatively. "Do you know where they went?"

Rika clenched her teeth at the obvious awe in the student's voice. He'd been like that, deferring to Ryo ever since Ryo had come back from changing into his uniform and carrying a huge sword that was half as wide as he was and slightly shorter than himself. Kenta's eyes had gone wide and he'd wasted no time in questioning the blue-eyed Echo about his sword.

What a dolt. A large sword like that only required strength to wield it. There was no skill involved with bludgeoning the opponent to death. Rika's hand tightened on the hilt of her katana. It had been a parting gift her mother had had made especially for her. The balance, the length of the gleaming blue blade, and the leather wrapped hilt felt perfect in her hands. It deserved nothing less than real combat. Today, it would finally feel the wet kiss of the blood of an opponent. She would imagine her mother's proud smile, as she stood triumphant over the dead carcass of the Mistake. Nothing less than the best.

Ryo straightened from his crouch and smiled at the student. "They went that way." He pointed down the street, which was quickly bisected by another cobbled street. His demeanor was confident, although she was sure he did not have any tracking skills.

She followed them. It wasn't like she was an expert tracker herself and she was anxious to get started. A bubble of excitement and nervousness was slowly expanding in her stomach and her fingers twitched every time their boots scratched along the ground or their clothes shifted over their skin.

Then, just as they reached the crossroad, a loud crash resounded from a building. She tensed, hoping to hear it again.

"It came from down there!" Ryo ran down the new street. Paused at the second house to listen.

Scowling at his rash action, Rika followed, drawing her katana carefully. Ryo already had his Buster blade held out before him seeming too large and heavy for his teenage frame. But his arms were steady and his blue eyes scanned the area alertly.

Behind her, she could hear Kenta's breath hitch slightly as he drew closer to her. She turned back, a snarl ready on her lips, but another crash sounded from the house Ryo stood before. Behind her, she could hear Kenta's breath hitch slightly as he drew closer to her. She turned back, a snarl ready on her lips, but another crash sounded from the house Ryo stood before. tc " Behind her, she could hear Kenta's breath hitch slightly as he drew closer to her. She turned back, a snarl ready on her lips, but another crash sounded from the house Ryo stood before. Behind her, she could hear Kenta's breath hitch slightly as he drew closer to her. She turned back, a snarl ready on her lips, but another crash sounded from the house Ryo stood before. "

Ryo raised his sword and brought it down onto the door. The door exploded inwards, unable to withstand the heavy sword. A loud shriek sounded, and Ryo bounded in before the splinters had settled around him.

"Ryo!" Rika shouted. Dammit! The cursed idiot could be running into a trap! "You!" she said over her shoulder, "Stay out here and watch the door! And don't go running off, dammit!"

"O-okay—"

She'd already leapt through the door. Tucked her body into a roll and came up into a crouch her bared sword at ready. The room she'd leapt into was empty. Many trestle tables were scattered around the room and a large fireplace dominated the far wall. To the left of that was a stairway that went up into darkness. A bar to her left led to a curtained doorway, which she assumed led to the kitchen.

She only had time to tell Kenta to enter before a sound like a frying pan hitting a thick skull and a feminine wail echoed through the doorway. She pushed the curtain aside. Then leapt back as Ryo stumbled through.

"What is happening?" she demanded.

In answer, a strange . . . animal came through the door. She bit her tongue as a small scream burbled suddenly into her throat. It seemed like a quiltwork of fur and skin. Even the fur varied. There were patches of short green that gradually faded into long yellow tufts and reds that ended abruptly, where curly black would begin. The thing stood on four legs, but one leg was clawed like a chicken's foot. What was strangest was the head, which rested on a long graceful neck like a swan's, and was nothing but a cloud of smoke. Large eyes peered at the two Echoes malevolently.

A Mistake.

It opened its mouth, which was shaped eerily like a human's and spoke, "Uuuurrrooouuu . . . huroo . . . hur . . . hur . . . huroooot . . . meeehhhh. . . ." It bobbed its hazy head rapidly and the eyes glowed almost obsidian. "Urrraaarrrrgghh!"

Rika had to force herself to stop trembling as it gurgled. The strange echo in the place did not soften the gutteral sounds. Indeed, it enhanced the almost liquid rumble low in the monster's throat that accompanied the Mistake's voice.

She brought her sword closer as if it would force the creature back.

With shocking speed, its head snapped at Ryo's legs. The brown-haired boy brought his sword down to deflect the blow. But instead of connecting, in a whip-like motion, it brought its head back up. It opened its mouth.

"Ryo!" Rika warned.

He rolled to the side just as a large puff of glowing smoke exited the Mistake's mouth and struck the ground where he'd been. It sizzled and clouded briefly. Then dissipated to reveal a charred area on the wooden floor.

Just as the short-haired Echo was about to gain his feet, the Mistake cuffed him with his chicken claw. It connected with Ryo's chest and left behind two bleeding, jagged lines.

Ssshwipp! Rika brought her katana down in a clear arc across the creature's back.

"Rreeeaaaggghhh!"

She never saw the attack. The horrible amalgamation kicked back like a donkey would. Caught her in the stomach. All the air whooshed out of her as she flew back. She heard a dull thud. Pain blossomed from the back of her skull and she fell to the ground in a boneless heap.

Gasping desperately to feed her oxygen starved lungs she glanced up with blurry eyes to see Kenta fending off the monster with his tonfas. The idiot!

She struggled to her knees, but the world kept spinning as if whatever was swirling the colors felt things would be interesting if the rest of the damn world spun, too!

Leaning onto her sword, she finally managed to stand; although, her legs wobbled noticeably. The ugly knot of fear sat in her stomach like a packed ball of snow. She swallowed thickly. This was combat. This was the real thing. She had to be strong. Her eyes blurred as hot liquid threatened to fall.

Dammit! She didn't have time for this! She forced herself to ignore the battle briefly, ignore the tremors in her hands, and the small scream making her throat ache as she held it in. She stood absolutely still, breathing shallowly. The small weight in her stomach was cold. But now, it was like the blue of her gleaming blade, and it slowly spread throughout her body. Paralyzing. Almost.

The fine hairs along her arms rose. Everything seemed to slow. Ryo's powerful swipes seemed heavy as if they were being dragged through a lake of dough. Kenta, maneuvering himself into a sitting position after plowing into a table, took mind-numbing seconds to complete his movement. The Mistake's lightning fast strikes slowed to a crawl.

"Ryo!" she shouted, "Outta the way!"

She rushed forward. Ryo glanced over his shoulder and only had enough time to stumble back, a look of shock on his face, as Rika blew past him.

The creature shot another of its glowing smoke. But Rika was too fast! Too fast!

She grunted and sliced.

"Eeeeaaaaagggghhhhh!"

It stumbled as one of its legs went flying. Then tried to catch Rika with its clawed foot. But the red-haired Echo had already spun around on the balls of her feet and managed to get behind the monster. With one blurred swipe, she lopped off the creature's head.

There was no sound. Just the soft thump as the Mistake's head thunked against the wall and the face dissolved.

Kenta turned large, almost fearful, eyes onto her, "E-echo Nonaka?"

She felt cold. Her chest was tight. And she couldn't stop shivering.

"W-wow . . ." Kenta breathed. "You were . . . you were great, Echo Nonaka!"

A wave of exhaustion washed over her and she dropped to her knees, the sword clanging loudly against the floor. Kenta flinched.

Panting, Rika regarded the bleeding carcass and couldn't help but feel nauseated. She'd won, right? She'd beaten it. Her mother would be happy.

But she was only glad she hadn't had a chance to eat that morning or everything would be on the floor then.

"I-is she alright?"

Rika turned her head at the feminine voice. A boy and girl about her age stood in the doorway of the kitchen. The boy's large maroon eyes flicked quickly from her to the body of the Mistake behind her and he tugged uncertainly at the hem of his rough tunic. He ran a hand through his mess of brown hair and turned to Ryo.

"Can we just get out of here?"

"Let's make sure she's alright first." The girl approached Rika, her long heavy skirts swishing against the floorboards. She carried a dented frying pan in one hand and Rika managed to catch her breathe long enough to raise one eyebrow questioningly at it.

The girl blinked doe-like eyes and glanced at her apparatus. "Oh? This?" She laughed nervously, toying with the tips of her brown hair with her free hand. "That," she glanced at the Mistake, shuddered then kept her gaze firmly fixed on Rika's, "that thing was . . . and we couldn't just . . . so . . . so Takato and I . . . well . . ." She waved the pan vaguely as if that would explain her whole distorted narration.

Well, they had guts, Rika could give them that. But they wouldn't have lasted much longer if she and the others hadn't arrived. She grunted and struggled to her feet.

"Hey! You really shouldn't move now!" the girl tried to push Rika back down, but she shrugged off the well-meaning gesture and glared. The girl took a faltering step back. She looked down. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you."

The boy, Takato, swiftly crossed to her side and placed a comforting arm across her shoulder. He frowned at the violet-eyed Echo. . . . Or tried to. Unfortunately, his nervousness was evident as he swallowed and stuttered, "H-hey . . . ! Ap-pologize t-to Jeri!"

Rika merely hardened her gaze.

"Eep—!" Takato strangled his outcry and dug his fingers into Jeri's shoulder.

"Ow! Stop that, Takato!" She pushed the brunette away and rubbed her sore shoulder.

"Oh! Sorry! Sorry!"

"Don't worry about Rika," Ryo said. "She is always like that. Just leave her alone and she won't hate you too much."

Rika transferred her glower to the cocky Echo, but he merely smirked in return. She was too tired to retort anything.

"Let's go," Ryo continued. "Can you make it, Rika? Or do you want me to carry you?"

Her limbs felt like they would fall off her body, they felt so heavy, and her head felt like someone had strapped a one hundred kilogram weight to her forehead. She wanted to just curl up and let oblivion claim her. Lie on the blood-slicked floor and close her eyes.

No way.
She'd been victorious. She was strong. She'd make her mother proud.

"Touch me and I'll break your fingers," she managed through clenched teeth.

Ryo shrugged. "Whatever you say."

They all filed towards the door quickly. Kenta opened the door and Takato and Jeri gasped when they were greeted not with the familiar cobble-stoned street, but a forest instead. The vegetation was strangely faded and no odor wafted in with the dry breeze that blew through the door.

Kenta looked uncertainly over his shoulder at Ryo, who quickly made his way up to the front of the group. He swept the area with a cursory glance before stepping through. Nodding to the others, he kept a careful hold on his weapon.

"W-what? How . . . ?"

"The Tunes are often like this. Many paths exist and they are fairly easy to follow, once you've learned the pattern. But sometimes," he moved forward as the others followed past the portal, "Sometimes some appear where there wasn't one before and sometimes they disappear." He paused, inspecting a trunk intently. "I recognize the trees. They look like the trees that grow in Veda forest."

"Veda forest?" Takato queried.

"Yes. It's just north of Inepril."

"Inepril?! How did we get so far?"

"That's just how the Tunes work. Traveling through, one can go very far or very close depending on the path one takes. Anyways, I think this is good."

"Good?" Jeri tilted her head questioningly. "For what?"

"Oh yes. I should introduce us, shouldn't I? My name is Ryo Akiyama. That very unpleasant lady you've just met is Rika Nonaka."

Rika snorted and turned away from the conversation, pretending to be absorbed in guarding the clearing.

"And this is Kenta Kitagawa."

Kenta bobbed his head and chirped, "Nice to meet you."

"We were the Echoes sent, by the Ohtori Academy, to fetch you."

"You're ECHOES?!"

If he widened his eyes any further, Rika thought his eyeballs would fall out.

"WOW! Jeri!" The brunette turned to the girl. "Did you hear that?! They're . . . They're . . ."

"Echoes. Yes, I know, Takato," Jeri replied gently.

At this point, Rika felt it was prudent to interrupt the conversation, especially since Takato was turning an alarming shade of red as he panted shallowly. After all, the Councilmen did want them alive.

"Great, we're all introduced. Should I pull out some tea and cookies while we're at it? This isn't some picnic, Ryo. We're still in danger."

"I know that, Princess, but that doesn't prohibit common courtesy."

"Common courtesy can just kiss my a—"

"There! It is over there!"

"Where?"

"There!"

What? There were other people?

Everyone in the clearing immediately tensed as the sounds of bodies rushing through the undergrowth drew near.

Rika brought her katana up trying to still the slight tremors in her hands. She still felt so tired. The sword was incredibly heavy and it was all she could do to keep it up in the neutral position.

A low whoosh flattened the bushes to her right, and a long, dark-skinned and clawed hand reached for her face. A familiar cold knot formed low in her stomach. Her breath hitched. Her heart sped up.

'Why me?' she thought as she brought her sword up to block. It was coming. She braced herself. Knew she wouldn't be able to stop it at the speed it was coming. She sucked in a breath. Squeezed her eyes shut. And waited.

And then she was weightless.

'Oh,' she thought, 'It must have hit me so hard I'm flying . . . again.' But wait. There was no pain. Nothing but the faint throbbing of bruises from her earlier fight. In fact, there was something warm pressed against her cheek. 'I must be so delirious with pain, I'm hallucinating!'

She opened one eye carefully to peer up at the profile of a youth who was clearly a Northerner. He flicked gray eyes down at her briefly before gazing up again.

She felt a slight jolt and realized they had landed. Then noticing her position relative to the youth (plus her proximity) and the fact that she'd been staring, she flushed slightly and began struggling.

"Oof! Let go of me, you pervert!"

[Pervert? Who're you calling a pervert, you ungrateful twit!]

Rika managed to push out of his arms. She landed ungracefully onto the ground and clambered to her feet quickly. Or she tried to. But her legs chose that moment to finally give in to exhaustion and they collapsed underneath her. So, she settled for glaring up at the boy instead.

"I'm calling you a pervert, you juvenile delinquent! And I never asked you to save me!"

The boy looked shocked. His misty eyes widened and his mouth fell open slightly. [Y-you can hear me?]

Rika frowned, turning back to a battle currently being waged behind her. "Of course I can hear you, dolt. I'm not deaf." Then her eyes widened as she realized something. She whipped her head back to stare at he boy in disbelief. "You . . . your mouth never moved!"

[Yes, I know that. What I want to know is: how can you hear what I'm saying?]

A/N: I am sooooo sorry for the delay. But hey, that means longer chapters, ne? Whew! But the real reason this chapter took so long was because there was an important scene that I kept re-editing. The first time I wrote it, too much of the plot was revealed and then, when I edited it, there was too little information. And so on from there. I'm still not happy with the scene, but . . . (sigh) oh well.

I've made references to six, possibly seven, other animes and one RPG. If you can guess the six, only the six! animes, then if you tell me about a scene you'd like to see in this fic, I'll try to write it in during a future chapter. (If you can guess the seventh anime-very ambiguous!- and the RPG, then I'll think of something better. I don't know what it is yet. Aheh-heh-heh. Suggestions?)

As always, comments and criticisms are greatly appreciated. Thanks!