Thanks guys for your reviews! They are helping me post faster and add more as I go. This is, admittedly, not much longer. Keep R&R!---Loo


The light around them expanded slowly until it had a circumference of about 10 feet. A boy of about 8 years old stepped forward and nodded to them with a soft smile. His long black hair was pulled back in a ponytail, his startling blue eyes looking at them easily. He wore a long black robe that trailed behind him and his arms were folded and tucked into the long sleeves. He reminded Daniel of Shifu somehow.

"My name is Lacol." He nodded. "What is your reason for your presence?"

"We did not intend to come here." Daniel tried to explain.

"You touched the Orb of Light. You must have a reason." Lacol said with a frown of confusion.

"Look, we touched a glowing basketball, it turned blue, shocked us, and we found ourselves here. Now, if you don't mind, we would like to go back" Jack said, stepping forward.

"You do not know of your reason, yet. Perhaps you should have some time to think on it." Lacol suggested, turning to leave.

"Wait! Please!" Daniel cried and Lacol turned back. "We have no reason to be here. Our arrival was an accident."

"You could not have arrived here without a reason." Lacol stated gently and smiled. "But, as you seem to be confused, I shall explain." He moved to stand closer to them. "There is a reason for all who come here. An incident, or lack of, that has passed in one's life. This incident has caused you great pain. You must decide what that incident is."

"And then what?" Jack asked.

"And then you will choose." Lacol smiled even wider.

"Choose what?" he growled, wanting some straight-forward answers on how to leave this place.

"You choose whether to correct it or not." Lacol answered.

"Ok, what's the catch?" Jack asked warily.

"First, you must determine your reason. Then I will explain further." The boy said, once again turning to leave. Daniel and Jack looked at each other, trying to discern the best course of action.

"Jack, this could be our chance to get them back." Daniel said quietly and Jack frowned.

"Daniel, you don't know the other end of the bargain. Who knows what the catch is." He pointed out.

"So, we ask Lacol. If the price is too high, then we wont choose to correct it." Daniel shrugged. "Come on, Jack. You said if there was any way…"

"I know what I said, Daniel." Jack snapped, then sighed and lowered his voice again. "But I don't know if this is the way to do it. There just isn't enough information."

"Well, we will ask Lacol for some more details. Maybe he can explain it to us in more detail." Daniel said and turned toward the darkness that the boy disappeared into. "Lacol! We are ready for you to explain the rest."

"Indeed. It is time." Lacol said, stepping back into the light. He moved to stand in front of the men and bowed his head. "You are ready to choose your reason?"

"Yes." Daniel said, bowing his head back. Jack just watched from behind his friend, not happy about the change of events at all. He knew it could only get worse from here.