Chapter 1

The First Encounter

Hi, it's the authors. We just wanted to give you a few warnings about one of the symbols we used.

... Symbolizes that someone is thinking this. No one else knows what is thought.

Okay, thanks. We hope you enjoy this. M and M.

"Where have you all been," Jaya's mom, Mrs. Maxwell, asked in an irritated tone. "You were supposed to be here 20 min. ago."

"Sorry mom, we got caught in traffic on the way here. Some strange guy in armor caused this big wreck and we had to go around," Jaya answered truthfully.

"That has to be the biggest load of bull I have heard since....forever," her mother replied in a disbelieving tone.

"But it's true, coach Maxwell," Penny said earnestly.

"I don't want to hear it right now, girls. We don't have time for this right now, anyways," Mrs. Maxwell said, frowning heavily. "Just go get dressed, then do your stretching."

"Yes, coach," the five girls chorused obediently.

"I told you not to tell her the truth, Jaya," Sara said in an exasperated tone.

"I wasn't planning on it, but for some reason I just couldn't tell her a lie," Jaya stated in a half confused and half rueful tone. Matter of fact, I don't remember a time that I was ever able to.

"Forget your mom for now. What I want to know is what the deal was with that weird guy, anyway," asked Munchkin. For some reason I kept getting this strange, evil vibe from it.

"I don't know, but he really crept me out," Sara told her, shuddering at the memory.

"Maybe he escaped from the mental hospital," Penny suggested with a strangely hopeful look.

Her friends knew all too well her interest in strange and out-of-the-ordinary things, so they weren't surprised. All of them groaned silently, not wanting to encourage her.

"Funny, Penny," Jaya retorted sarcastically.

"Just a thought." Penny shrugged, giving the others an innocent look. She couldn't hide the gleam in her eyes, though.

"Time to go girls," Munchkin announced, walking to the door. I hope there aren't any more freaks here. I never liked moving to a new place and Japan is totally new to me. At least I have my friends here.

After the competition was over the girls went to the car and started to drive back to Jaya's mom's house. On the way home they were all talking about their performances and what could be changed. The team got first in everything, like usual. But they all still thought they could do better.

"Munchkin, I thought your balance beam routine tonight was really good," Midget remarked, keeping her eyes on the road.

"Thank you, but I needed more height on my dismount," Munchkin replied modestly. "I thought your floor routine was awesome, though."

"Thanks, but I needed more momentum on that last flip," Midget said almost absently, most of her attention on the area they were driving through.

Sensing Midget's preoccupation, Munchkin also started looking around. Both were beginning to feel very uneasy.

"Jaya you did good on your rings today, and Penny you did good on your vaults," Sara told them, her tone satisfied.

"Thanks, Sara, but I needed more control on my spins," Jaya replied, knowing Sara wouldn't have missed that little point herself. She was just too kind to mention it to her. "Your uneven bars were cool, though."

"Yeah, they were," Penny added enthusiastically, a little hyper-active from her elation. "I need to speed up for my first flip, but I think I did pretty good, also."

"Thank you both, but I could do better on my dismount," Sara informed them in a mild tone, not wanting them to think she thought she was better than them.

"I think you all were pathetic," a voice yelled out.

"Oh yeah, what would you know," Penny yelled automatically, her first reaction causing her to take the defensive.

Midget, at this time, was slowing down. She couldn't see anyone, but obviously they were there.

"He should know a lot seeing as how we have been watching you since your arrival two weeks ago," another voice called out.

Midget slammed on the breaks. The mention of them being watched had startled her.

When she suddenly stopped everyone was flung forward. Even though they were all wearing their seat belts, Munchkin still hit the dashboard pretty hard.

"Sorry, are you OK," asked Midget, looking over at Munchkin worriedly.

"I'm OK," Munchkin laughed weakly. "What the heck was that about?"

"Look in front of you," Midget answered, quietly.

When Munchkin looked ahead, she saw two figures in armor floating to the ground. One of them looked very familiar.

"Hey, that's the guy from earlier, at the crash," Jaya exclaimed, her face turning white.

"Yeah it is," Sara agreed, eyes wide, "but who is that other one?"

All of a sudden they saw three other guys and a women appear in similar armor. The girls looked at each other in shock and fear.

"Great! As if two weren't bad enough now there are six," Penny exclaimed disgustedly.

"Shut up, Penny," Sara snapped. "You aren't helping anything."

"Settle down and think," Munchkin said sternly, staying calm. "We have to figure a way out of this. Midget, you're the brains of the group. Help." "Midget... Midget!"

"Well, girls, I can understand not wanting to get in the middle of their fight, but how are we going to get around him?" asked Midget.

Midget, who had been watching the six armored people while the others argued, pointed out to them that the new comers were against the other two. Then she gestured to the huge head with an armor mask that had popped up to stare at them.

"What on earth is that," they all exclaimed, stunned.

The Head then started to laugh like he was some psycho. "Why don't you five come with me," he asked in a tone only slightly short of commanding.

"Not on your life buddy," Penny retorted immediately, knowing instinctively that he meant trouble.

"What do you want and who the heck are you," Munchkin demanded, responding to the almost commanding tone with one of her own.

"I am Talpa, and what I want is you five," he stated calmly.

"Kiss my butt," Penny snapped, his tone frightening her.

"Shut up, Penny, before you get us in trouble," Sara hissed, nudging her arm.

"What do you think this is," Jaya in an almost hysterical tone. "There is a huge head talking to us while six armored freaks are out there fighting!"

"Guys, we are in more trouble than you know," Midget whispered gravely. She turned to look at them and said, "If I am right, that is the leader of the Dynasty."

The three girls in the back looked at her, then at each other and had one thought. What on earth is she talking about?

Only Munchkin had a vague idea of what she was talking about, because they grew up close together. Uneasiness swept through her as she remembered tales of Demon soldiers and their terrible leader, the soulless Talpa.

"What I am talking about is a legend that just happens to be true, and this Talpa 'Head' is very strong and evil," Midget said through clenched teeth. "We have got to get out of here!"

"Hit it, Midget," Munchkin screamed, sensing that something was about to happen.

Just as they were about to pull away, the car was surrounded by a light and lifted off the ground. They felt a numbing pain in their heads and blacked out.

Later

"Ouch, what was that," Munchkin asked when she awoke. No one else was awake, so she got no answer. She started to look around and discovered that she was in a dungeon. The ground was damp and muddy while the walls were made of stone. There weren't any windows so it was very dark, but she could still make out her friends. They were all still sleeping. She was about to wake them up when the door flew open and the big guy in brown armor she had seen twice earlier walked in. He grabbed her and started to haul her over to the door. Munchkin screamed, startled, then began to fight back.

At the sound of Munchkin's startled scream Midget woke up. She saw her best friend fighting with one of the armored freaks from earlier. Jumping up, she ran to help her friend. They were doing pretty good until he got them with a cheap shot and knocked both down. Midget was thrown to the wall, where she slumped unconsciously for a moment, while Munchkin was picked back up and squeezed.

Munchkin was worried about Midget but could do nothing to help her in her situation so she tried again to get free. This time the soldier squeezed harder and harder until she couldn't take it anymore and screamed in pain.

When Midget regained consciousness, she looked to the right. She was worried when she saw Munchkin in the big guy's hands again, but she couldn't move at the moment. For a few moments she tried to move, but none of her muscles responded. Then she heard Munchkin scream and just couldn't take it anymore. A rush of energy shot through her that allowed her to jump up and go after the soldier.

The scream that came from Munchkin woke up the other girls in record time. All of them were a little disoriented at first, but when they saw their friend in pain they ran to help. They joined Midget in trying to get Munchkin away from that freak. Two of the girls grabbed his legs while the other two grabbed his arms, freeing Munchkin. Munchkin then turned around and hit him full force in the stomach with her head, sending him crashing to the ground.

"Let's get out of here before anything else happens," yelled Penny.

The girls got up and ran out the door, only to run into a woman with dark blue hair and a golden staff. Behind her were three men in some kind of armor that was similar, but not quite like the other two. It was thinner, had less ornaments, and was in different colors.

Munchkin stopped at the sight of them sending the other four straight into her back. She stared at them in shock.

"Why on earth did you st-o-p," Penny demanded urgently, her voice fading at the sight of the four new people.

"We found them, good. Let's get them out of here," the lady said to the other three.

"Wait a second, just who are you," asked Sara.

"Yeah, and what do you mean by lets get them out of here," asked Jaya.

"It's all right, we know them," Midget replied reassuringly.

Before the other three could ask, Munchkin told them urgently, "Look, we'll explain later, but right now we need to get going!"

Just then there was a noise behind them when they turned to see the soldier get up to go after them. Kayura then said again, "We have to get them out of here, lets go!"

Meanwhile at the Koji house

"Kento, share some food with us," Sage shouted, trying to wrestle a plate of food away from the bigger boy.

"Yeah, I cooked it and I haven't got any yet," Cye stated, moving to help Sage.

"You don't need all of it," Rowen said, just a little ticked.

"Hey, I am a growing boy, I have a growing appetite," Kento replied with his mouth full. Just then Sage dived for the food while Rowen grabbed his hands.

Rowen, Cye, Kento, and Sage were all sitting at the table eating. It was their last day of summer so they all came over to Mia's to have a barbecue.

"Guys, keep it down, will ya? I'm trying to think," Ryo yelled from the living room. He was sitting with White Blaze in front of the fire. Lately he has lost his appetite and keeps having these feelings that Talpa would be coming back soon.

"Yeah, and I'm trying to pack for my expedition for the school," Mia shouted from the top of the stairs.

All of a sudden White Blaze gets up and growls at the door. Ryo walks over to White Blaze and looks at him funny then looks at the door and yells over his shoulder, "Guys, someone is here."

To be continued....