Chapter 13
The First Keys To The Past
After the battle Midget and Munchkin decided to spend the night together. Munchkin had asked permission from the Capt. to stay the night over at Midget's. At around midnight the two girls had finally fallen asleep. Since the two of them were together Anubis had told Cale to go ahead and go home. Star and Flame were there also, so they had enough protection for now. They seemed to sleep peacefully for three hours, but then they both began to stir.
"What is this?" Munchkin asked Midget.
"I don't know. I have never shared a dream with anyone before," Midget replied.
"Me either," Munchkin agreed.
The two girls were together under a tree. Behind them was a little clearing in the woods. In the distance they could see a small village.
"What," Midget exclaimed. "This is where my dream is always at. But I'm usually seeing it as a child. And you are never here."
"This is where your dream is? That is strange because I always dream of this place. This is where that family death dream is that I have. I have never dreamed you before though," Munchkin said shakily.
"You dream of this place and the death of a family. This is my families death," Midget replied quietly. "Does it always look like this to you?"
"No. I usually see a woman, man, little girl, and I suppose another child's arm," Munchkin answered.
"That woman is my mom, the man my dad, the little girl is me, and the hand is probably my little sisters," Midget explained almost in tears. "I didn't know you dreamt about my family. How can you know about it?"
Just then the two girls heard a woman say, "Settle down honey. We will be home in a minute."
A little girls voice said, "Momma, something is wrong. I can feel someone. They hate us."
The two girls turned and saw a woman, man, and two little girls walking towards them. The woman was holding the youngest girls hand, while the man was holding the hand of the little girl who had just spoken. Midget gasped at the sight of her family, while Munchkin was just horrified at what she knew was going to happen next.
The woman stopped and yelled to the man, "Honey what is that?"
The man looked at the girl holding his hand and shoved her to the left and yelled, "Run sweetie. Run and don't look back. Now go." The little girl started to run.
The woman had done the same to the other girl, but shoved her the other way. The two girls ran for a moment, but simultaneously turned around. Right before their eyes they see their parents killed by a guy in armor. In a matter of seconds another soldier is gently landing on the ground. It must have been in the trees watching.
"Finally. Now we must get the two brats," the new soldier said disgustedly.
"I'll get that one. You get the other one," the first one said pointing first to the older girls then to the younger one.
"Fine," the new one replied.
They both went after the two girls. Midget and Munchkin couldn't stand it any longer, so they ran after the two soldiers. Just before they were to tackle them the dream disappeared and was replaced with a temple scene. In the middle of the temple was the Ancient One holding the golden staff.
"What was that all about Ancient," Munchkin snapped just a little pissed.
"Settle down, Munchkin," Midget sighed.
"This is stupid. I am tired of watching the death of a family and not be able to do anything about it. Not to mention it isn't even my family," Munchkin stated trying not to scream.
"That is where you are wrong," the Ancient said.
The two girls looked at him speechless. It took them several minutes to be able to respond to that remark.
"What do you mean? Are you talking about being able to help them or the fact that it isn't her family?" Midget asked still shocked.
"The fact that it isn't her family. You two are sisters. And those were your parents, Munchkin," the Ancient said quietly. It almost seemed as if he was sad to even say it.
"W-W-WHAT," Munchkin barely got out. "We a-are s-sisters."
Midget and Munchkin looked at each other for a moment. A look of disbelief comes across their faces, but a little voice inside tells them try to believe. They just weren't ready to, though.
"It is all right that you don't believe it right now. You will know it is the truth when the time is right," stated the Ancient.
"Who killed them?" Midget asked coming out of her daze. "They looked a little familiar."
"I noticed that too. And why would they kill her parents?" Munchkin added.
"You aren't ready to hear the truth about who it was just yet. As for why, they were after the two of you," the Ancient answered.
"Why did they kill them then? Why didn't they just come after us?" Midget asked, frustrated.
"They had tried that before, but your parents were able to keep them back for a while with their own powers. The last time they just didn't have the time to prepare and get you out of harms way," he replied sadly. "I must go now. Together you two are strong enough to get through this. Take care." With that he disappeared.
Normally the girls would wake up by now, but this time they were brought to a clearing in the middle of nowhere. As far as the eye could see there was just dirt and rocks. There weren't even any hills or dirt mounds, just flat lands. Right in the middle were five armored warriors. Two were the girls they had already seen in their dreams, and two were the ones that had attacked them before. The last one was new. The new one was in front while the two other guys were to his left and behind and the two girls were to his right and a little behind.
"Just who on earth are you five geeks?" Munchkin asked still a bit ticked from earlier.
"We are the Dynasty's Demon Generals, Madam Tara's finest warriors, child," the leader said.
"I am soo impressed," Munchkin said sarcastically.
"Quiet, Munchkin," Midget said sternly. "What are your names? And what are you doing in our dreams?"
"I am Mase, the warrior of Pain," said the leader. He was in dark purple. He had a flail in his hand.
"I am Sheeva, the warrior of Mountains," said the girl in tan armor. She had a chain mace in her hand.
"I am Katrina, the warrior of Tornados," said the girl in dark gray. She had num chucks as weapons.
"I am Blade, the warrior of Plagues," said the guy in dark brown armor. He had a pair of daggers.
"I am Bear, the warrior of Death," the huge guy in black armor said. He had a scythe as a weapon.
"We are here to tell you about your friends. Do you want to know who killed your parents? I can tell you who it was," Mase said with a sinister grin.
"Why should we believe you?" Midget asked suspiciously.
"Yeah. Why would you tell us the truth?" Munchkin agreed.
"Because, there would be no reason for me to lie," he said reasonably.
"Yes there would be. You could say it was one of our friends and have us upset. It won't work we know it wasn't one of them," Munchkin said.
"How do you know? You thought something seemed familiar didn't you?" he asked.
"How did you know that?" Midget asked.
"Madam Tara can see into people's dreams. I could tell you who killed them. Master Talpa was the one that sent them to do it. There were only two there that night, but five had made several attempts," Mase said.
"Just tell me who it is," Munchkin said angrily.
"But the Ancient said we weren't ready to hear it," Midget said responsibly.
"Shut up, Midget. I have to know," Munchkin snapped. "Tell me now!"
"All right. It was Anubis who killed them and Dais who watched," Mase said laughing.
"NOOO!" they yelled in unison.
They woke up still screaming no. Both were shaking and drenched in sweat. Star and Flame ran to the girls to comfort them. The two animals were mentally trying to find out what they were so scared about, but all they found was chaos.
Flame what is wrong? I have never seen them like this before. Star said.
I don't know. I have never seen them like this either. Maybe we can ask White Blaze. Flame suggested.
That's right. He is a lot more experienced than we are. Star said. White Blaze help us!
Please. We need your help. Flame added.
What? What is wrong? a startled White Blaze asked.
There is something wrong with the girls and we can't understand what it is. Star explained.
Their emotions are in chaos. We can't tell exactly what they are feeling. Flame added.
Calm down or you will make it worse. How did they get in such a state? White Blaze replied.
They woke up screaming from a bad dream. Star answered.
They have had nightmares before, but never this bad. Flame added.
Ok. Settle down. Just go to them and snuggle up to them. They need to know they aren't alone. Don't push them either. Matter of fact don't ask them anything. Just let them know you love them. I will get the guys and bring them to you. White Blaze commented.
They are over at my house. Star told him.
Please hurry. Flame put in.
Meanwhile at Ryo's house
Rowen had been left home alone again by his dad so Ryo asked his grandma if he could stay with them. They were sleeping in his room. Ryo in his bed and Rowen in a cot. They had gone to sleep around ten that night. Their dreams were about the girls at first, then turned strange around four in the morning.
"Oh, great. We are sharing another dream. What could it be this time?" Ryo said tiredly. "I was having the best dream."
"I was too. It was so cool," Rowen agreed.
Just then the Ancient One appeared. "We have to talk."
"What's wrong? Is it the girls?" Rowen asked quickly.
"Yes and No," the Ancient replied.
"What do you mean yes and no?" Ryo asked getting nervous.
"I mean the Dynasty is close to attacking. I don't know when. And Midget and Munchkin have just found out a secret from their pasts," he answered.
"What secret?" Rowen asked.
"Is it a bad or good secret?" Ryo added.
"I can't tell you what it is. And I can't say right now if it is good or bad. It should be good, but that just depends on how long it takes them to believe and accept it," he explained.
"Is there anything we can do?" Rowen asked.
"Or can you tell us that?" Ryo asked getting upset.
The Ancient and Rowen looked at Ryo who had a look of worry and anger on his face. "All you can do is be there for them. They will tell you when they are ready," he said sadly.
"When will the Dynasty attack? And how strong are they?" Rowen asked sensibly.
"I can't say when, just that it will be soon so be ready and careful. They are stronger than before. There are five of them and it will take all of you to defeat them and their two masters, Talpa and Tara," the Ancient answered.
Just then Anubis showed up with a worried, almost frightened, look on his face. "Ancient One, they found out!" He said quickly.
"Oh great. How did it happen?" the Ancient asked.
"The new Warlords told them in their dreams," Anubis replied.
"Do they believe them? Do you know if they would?" the Ancient asked.
"I don't know about Midget, but Munchkin was really worked up. She might just believe them," Anubis answered. "What are we going to do? They can't handle this. WE can't handle it."
"Settle down Anubis. We have to go to them," said the Ancient.
Anubis and the Ancient then disappeared without another word to Ryo and Rowen.
"What was that all about?" Rowen asked.
"I don't know," Ryo answered. All of a sudden they heard White Blaze growl.
The two boys woke up to White Blaze staring at them with an urgent look on his face, which is a big feat for a tiger.
What is it White Blaze? Ryo asked.
Star and Flame need help from the two of you. The girls are worked up over something and they can't get them to calm down and talk to them. White Blaze answered.
"Rowen, we got to go," Ryo told Rowen as he got up to get dressed.
"I know. I heard," Rowen replied. He had also gotten up to get dressed. A minute later they were dressed and running to Midget's house, White Blaze was leading the way.
A few minutes later they were pounding on Midget's door. They became more and more concerned as the minutes passed. In their minds both were wondering what was going on here. Then the door opened, and they found themselves staring at an unexpected face.
Inside
Midget was curled up on the end of one couch. Beside her was Star, who was following White Blaze's advice and was telling Midget over and over again that she loved her. The girl had one arm wrapped around her companion, hugging her tightly.
On the floor was Munchkin, curled against the front of the couch. She was leaning against Flame, who was also following White Blaze's advice. The tiger purred reassuringly, trying to keep her worry hidden and her impatience in check.
Both girls were so distraught that they failed to immediately notice the arrival of the Ancient and Anubis. Nor did they take note of the pounding on the door. It was the sound of Dais' voice, almost like it had been in the first dream, that caught their attention.
"It's probably a good thing you two are here," Dais told Ryo and Rowen, stepping back to let them in.
Munchkin looked up at this. Then she rose from the floor and stalked over to him with haunted eyes blazing. When she was right in front of him she drew back her arm and punched him as hard as she could. "How could you just stand there? Answer me!" Then she turned around and cast her eyes about. "WHERE ARE YOU, ANUBIS?!"
Ryo ran over to her, remembering just in time to refrain from hugging her in this state. "Munchkin, what's wrong?"
"What's wrong? Did you just ask me what's wrong," Munchkin asked in a near scream. "I'll tell you what's wrong..."
"No, you won't," Midget said in a quiet, but stern voice.
Munchkin whirled on her and stared at her in disbelief. "What do you mean, I'm not going to tell them? Why shouldn't I?"
"Because I said no," Midget returned. "We don't even know if it's true yet, so we don't want to make false accusations."
"I can't believe your being so cool headed about this when it was your family that he..." Munchkin began furiously.
"Quiet," Midget said emphatically. Munchkin stared at her, stunned into silence. "If for no other reason than that it was my family you should respect my wishes on this matter and wait. I want some answers, too, but now is not the time. Our emotions are running too high, and we could easily end up saying or doing something we'll regret later."
"I won't regret what I want to do to them," Munchkin muttered. She had calmed slightly, but her emotions were simmering beneath the surface.
"They've been our friends for years," Midget pointed out reasonably. "Are you just going to take the word of a stranger, without asking them about it?"
"Don't you remember what the Ancient told us earlier about our past," Munchkin retorted. "All this time, and they never said anything."
"Munchkin, we've got enough to deal with right there," sighed Midget. She rubbed her head wearily, leaning against Rowen when he walked to her side. "Why don't we try taking things one step at a time. The Ancient said we could get through this together."
Ryo and Rowen had been watching this exchange interestedly, their expressions worried and confused. Ryo now walked over to Munchkin and wrapped his arms around her.
"I think Midget has a good idea," the Ancient said softly.
Dais, who was peeking around the door of the kitchen, nodded his head in silent agreement. Anubis, standing in the corner where Munchkin couldn't see him, also nodded in agreement. The two boys would have laughed at how pathetic they looked if they hadn't been so worried about the girls.
"Well, it's about 6:00 in the morning. Why don't we see if we can get something to eat and get ready for practice," Midget said tiredly.
Rowen looked around the room. "Where is the Doc," he asked quietly, sensing that the subject was closed for now.
"He's down at the lab," Munchkin responded, her tone strained. She was still fighting her anger, which simmered inside of her"Your dad sent him the key. It arrived earlier and he couldn't take off fast enough."
"Well, then, why don't we go to Kento's family's restaurant," Rowen suggested softly. "They should be open by now, and they have great breakfast food."
"Yeah," Ryo agreed, relieved to be able to get them out of the tense atmosphere. "We can all relax to a good breakfast and talk about today's lesson."
With that the two girls went and got dressed. Then the four teenagers headed for the restaurant, three rather anxious animals trailing behind them. The Warlords and Anubis decided to return to their part of the Dynasty for now. They would meet up with them at Mia's house later.
To be continued....