Chapter Four-

The boys were now walking through part of Kelina Village, noting all the houses and E-Mon that walked about. Kelina was a much bigger village than Tulunk.

"Look, T Midew! A shop!", Kuribu pointed out.

E-Mon shops were VERY popular among T Midews, as they sold all sorts of items for E-Mon gifts and even for E-Mon evolution.

"Want to go, Kuribute?", Ash asked, knowing that his mother packed him a fair amount of BL for his trip.

"Yeah!"

"You want to go as well, Shigeru?"

"I don't really want to buy anything, but I'll go."

The boys ran ahead to the shop... but were halted by a distressed Mierths, an elephant like E-Mon.

"Are you T Midew?", he asked, snorting.

"Yeah, we are. Is there a problem?"

"Come with me!", the Mierths said, and raced off toward a house across from the shop.

Ash and Shigeru just looked at eachother, then their E-Mon. Then the followed the Mierths.

"Pindopon! More T Midew have come from Tulunk!", the Mierths cried to the door on the house.

"They can come in.", a voice from behind the door said.

The door opened, and from behind it stepped a Gumi type monster, purple and gooey and definitely odd.

"I am Pindopon, keeper of Kelina Village. I'm no Supernal E-Mon like Tulunk's Musa—but my family has guarded Kelina for years, so we're still guarding it now. I hear from my Mierths friend that you two are T Midew."

"Yes. We are. What do you need T Midew for?"

Pindopon sighed. "Recently, a gang of thieves has made their home in Kelina. They call themselves the Kakuzato. When we'd heard they stole something from Tulunk, my family of Gumi and I sealed up the cave they hid in. But they're digging their way out. It is only a matter of time before they break through the rock and overrun our tiny village. And although my family has effectively guarded this village for over 10 years, we fear that the Kakuzato will overpower us... To make matters worse, before they hid in the cave—they stole Kelina's antenna key right from my own house! It is now sealed up inside the cave with them. None of us E-Mon or any of the humans have the Power of the Sea, so none of us could cross the water around us. We depended on that key for travel, and without it we cannot call for help. We were hoping that travelers from Tulunk would come along and aid us!"

"So—you want us to fight the Kakuzato?"

"That's right, brave T Midew."

"We don't need your flattery. But—there IS something I want to know. How do you know the Kakuzato have stolen something from Tulunk?" asked Shigeru, suspicious.

The Gumi grew silent, looking nervously from side to side.

"That's none of your business. Will you aid us or not?"

"Tell me who told you that information, and we'll help you."

Pindopon looked at the ground, he had no choice.

"It was The Stranger who told me."

"The Stranger?"

"He's been Kelina's informant of evil activity ever since he arrived here. He's a good human, and he easily gains the trust of E-Mon. But he's always alone, and no one ever gets to know him. No humans at least. That's why he's called The Stranger."

"Where is this Stranger?"

"Across Kelina Bridge, just south from my house. But I warn you..."

"Warn us of what?"

"There's an E-Mon.. Sukori is her name. She's Stranger's strongest E-Mon, and she doesn't trust humans whatsoever. She's been known to attack any and all humans who venture across the bridge. She's vicious, but nice if you get to know her."

"We can handle it, right Kuribu?" Ash said, smiling to the E-Mon.

"I'll show that Sukori not to mess with us, T Midew!"

"This is no joke, human. Sukori is a dangerous E-Mon. Be careful. But The Stranger is friendly to humans, at least I think so, since he's a human himself, and I'm sure he'll tell you anything you need to know about the Kakuzato. He's been tracking them for quite a while, trying to figure out and put an end to their evil activities."

"Wait—if Sukori is so strong, why hasn't Stranger taken down the Kakuzato himself?"

"They're even stronger, and there's quite a few of them. It's also rumored that their leader has a rare E-Mon, one that can't be found anywhere but the deserts of Palan."

"Interesting. I think it's time we paid the Stranger a visit.", Shigeru said, floating in a circle toward the door. Anjiosi followed.

"Come on Kuribu, we're going.", said Ash.

"Good luck T Midew, and beware that Sukori! You might be able to calm her if you tell her I sent you. Sukori and I have been friends for a long time.", said Pindopon.

"Thanks, I think that'll come in handy."

"Yeah."

So the T Midew pair left the house of Pindopon, and headed for Kelina Bridge. They were soon right in front of it, a small, dark blue wooden bridge that blended in with the very shade of the water. The entire area was calm, and it lulled both boys into false security.

"This doesn't seem so dangerous!", Ash said, grinning. "I was expecting a monster to come flying out at us the second we got here!

"Maybe Sukori's not home, T Midew!", Kuribu chuckled along with him.

But Shigeru was dead silent, and Anjiosi was turning his head in all directions.

"You see anything, Shigeru?"

"No, but keep your guard up as we cross the bridge."

The boys walked/floated over the bridge, wondering if what Pindopon said was really true.

Meanwhile, in the bushes, still as a rock, a blue/white E-Mon sat.

"Sukori not home, eh? That what they think, filthy humans.."

"Did you just hear something, Anjiosi?", Shigeru asked.

"Yes, T Midew.", the quiet E-Mon responded.

"So you hear me, humans! But is too late! Make the call!!!", Sukori screamed, as she leapt from her hiding place.

"You won't survive! EYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!"

End Chapter Four