Author's note: I don't own anything but what belongs to me XD. The title is a cartoon quote! The first person to guess wins a cookie!

Chapter 36- I Wanna Be a Mongoose!

Time/ About 10:00 am EST

Location/ Somewhere in the woods of NJ….

"Watch your step, this rock's a bit wobbly."

Ryou took hold of a nearby sapling and followed his step-sister, who was leading him down a steep hill somewhere in the woods. Up ahead, about 20 meters away was a mound of boulders, somewhat flat at the top.

"Is that where we're going?"

Ryou gestured towards the rocks. Nicole nodded.

"Yep. That's the Rocks."

"Vessel, I sense the others."

"And it looks like we have company!"

A group of people that had been sitting atop the rock stood up, waving.

"Nikki! Ryou! G'mornin'!"

"NIKKI! RY-RY!"

One of the smaller figures, Laura, seemed to waver and shift until in the small girl's place stood a wolf. The canine whined and bound head first down the rockface, towards the step-siblings. Nicole laughed and, Nessert hopping off her shoulder, shifted smoothly and became a clouded leopard. The two creatures bound about, playing.

Nessert shook her head.

"You'd think she wasn't born human."

Ryou gawked, amazed. Sure, he had seen her become a housecat a few days ago, but this was cool! She shape-shifted as if it were something she didn't even have to think about… Bakura caught the look on his face.

"I bet you'd just love to be able to do that."

Ryou nodded.

"And I bet you would, also."

Bakura nodded. The leopard finally calmed down and trotted back towards the white haired duo, shifting back into Nicole.

"Sorry, I just had to do that. Lets go!"

Ryou and Nicole took off running, chasing the wolf back up the rocks. When they finally reached the top, they were greeted by a laugh from Andro.

"Hey! It took you long enough!"

The giant was lounging on the rock, an oversized pair of headphones over his ears belting out bass-ridden, tinny renditions of what may have been music. Nessert blinked.

"Is that Rammstein?"

"Bueck Dich, baby!"

The plush-doll squealed.

"And they say you aren't anti-human!"

The monster-boy laughed, pointing a thumb at his chest.

"And look at me now."

The duo laughed and B, who was sitting at the other end of the pile, scowled and tossed a pebble at Andro. It missed. Heather stood up, dusting off her hands.

"Alright! We've got to get started! Nicole, would you?"

"Sure."

She unrolled the scroll and set it in the middle of the pile.

"Activate!"

The group was covered by a glowing white dome, about 20 feet round. Andro looked around, faintly interested.

"Now, is this one of those Barriers that I shouldn't try to walk through, or did you fix that?"

"I couldn't, you KNOW I have to be blunt in what can't come or go."

"Right, no imps, no spirits, no Archdemons, no nothing…"

B snickered.

"What, still sore about last time?"

"Yes… And you'd be also, if you were unexpectedly blasted backwards by a jolt of pure light…"

He waved a hand dismissively. Laura cheered.

"Are we gonna do this the easy way!"

"Well, yeah."

"YAY!"

Ryou blinked.

"What's the easy way?"

We teleport everyone into a spiritual plane and give you a portion of our powers to you."

"Ah. Is this dangerous?"

"Nope, are you ready?"

"I guess."

"Than, Heather?"

Heather raised a hand into the air and snapped, and the world went dark.