Ok I'll just let you people who've watched the show know that this Chap contains when we enter the Tome and then come out...yada yada yada. You dun have to read that part I guess. But read the end bit coz I get in a fight with the X-Laws.

Chapter 19

We all followed Anna and made our way to a tunnel in between two cliffs.

"When it comes to training and gaining new power," Anna said, "There's always a tunnel involved. Its standard."

Then she took this really long set of beads and it made a shape in mid-air, the inside looking like a portal.

"What is that?" Trey said.

"When I said you were going to experience the Tome's power," Anna answered, "I meant it. Through this portal lies another dimension where the book's contents come to life. But like I said earlier, I can't guarantee the safety of anyone who crosses through."

"You still up for it?" Trey asked me.

"Of course." I said, "We're all in this together."

"H-Hey…why don't you go in there first buddy?" Yoh said to Len.

"There's no need to be so polite." Len replied, "You can go in first Yoh."

"Yeh?…Oh."

"Are you going too?" Morty asked Jacko.

"Yeh." He replied, "I was first a chicken. Now I'm seasoned!"

"I had to ask." Morty said, sweatdropping.

"Hahahaha!" I started laughing, "T-That was f-funny! Hahaha!" "Hey is that Faust? What's he doing here?" Yoh said noticing the necromancer with Eliza for the first time.

"You just noticed them now!" Morty said.

"Stop stalling!" Len said kicking Yoh in, "Go!"

"Wa-hey!" Yoh exclaimed flying in as Len went in after him.

"Hey! No pushing!" Ryo said as he and Jacko went in.

"Come on." Trey said taking my hand and dragging me in.

"I can't believe they're all going in there." Anna said to Yolei.

"I don't think it matters to them," Yolei said, "that it's an Asakura issue. And I don't think it's about power either. It's just that they're friends."

"They're in this together and want to be strong enough to protect one another." Jun added.

"Let's hope they are strong enough." Anna said.

Yolei, Jun and Anna then moved to sit on a rock. Jun noticed something was up with Anna.

"Anna what's wrong?" Jun asked.

"The Tome of the Shaman… doesn't just contain Hao's techniques. It also contains his philosophies and his innermost thoughts. In a way, these are the most dangerous forces of all. Yoh and the others will absorb the whole essence of the book without even realizing they've done so. It'll be like…downloading an upgrade."

"But why is that dangerous?" Morty asked, joining them.

"Hao's power is so seductive, they may not be able to separate their spirits from his. When they return, they could be under his influence."

"You mean like…" Morty said.

"Yes. Forever. On his side. It's not just a question of seeing Hao's vision. They will feel what he feels, and they may not be able to separate their feelings from his."

"That's why you didn't want the others to go."

"Yes. But I couldn't say anything because they all have to experience it first-hand. If Yoh and the others were to enter the portal, ready to close off their minds, they might not learn what they have to learn."

"This sounds bad." Tamera said.

"And this book is the only place to get this info?" Morty said annoyed. Then he went to sit behind a rock, opened his laptop and searched the web. After a while he closed it and sighed.

"Aw it wouldn't have been online anyway. This is all shaman stuff. All I have to do is just sit back and wait. But what if they don't come back? I hate feeling so helpless."

"That's no reason to get discouraged," a voice said.

Morty looked and was shocked to see it was Hao!

He was sitting on a rock a little way away from him.

"I understand you feel powerless," Hao continued, "But that's just a part of being human. Trust me, Yoh will come back stronger than ever."

Meanwhile in the Tome, we were all floating in mid-air looking on a scene that happened over a thousand years ago with the original Hao Asakura. He had just destroyed two shikigamis, showing his amazing power and skill.

"We cannot thank you enough for defeating those ogres," a man smiled, "You powers have grown tremendously. You truly are the great one."

But we all heard what he was really thinking: 'We must find a way to get rid of him.' And another guy thought: 'He's a demon disguised as a human.'

And yet another was thinking: 'If his power cannot be harnessed we must destroy him.'

'What a bunch of hypocrites!' I thought.

"You heard their thoughts didn't you," the original Hao said appearing behind us. We all swiveled round, "Humans only want to destroy that which they do not understand. Their minds are so small and limited. Their hearts are weak for they are plagued with anger and greed and a never ending thirst for more power. Follow me. I will show you a path unpaved by doubt and fear."

Then Hao turned and a bright light surrounded us.

Meanwhile, Hao continued talking to Morty.

"Yoh will come back stronger than ever once he learns the real nature of being a shaman and awakens the larger furiyoku that has been sleeping inside of him up till now."

"You're…pretty confident." Morty said, What makes you think Yoh won't use that power against you?"

"Huh. Of course, a human wouldn't understand."

Back in the portal, we entered a great garden lined with green trees, beautiful grass and flowers, the odd bunny rabbit and a mighty river. There, Hao was walking against the current with ease.

"He's walking against the current." Trey said.

"How is it that he is able to do such a thing?" Ryo asked.

"I do not move against the water," came Hao's voice, " because I am the water. As I am all the elements. A shaman with true enlightenment can see the real flow of nature and time and can walk his own path. Humans cannot. They are slaves to their own short comings. They see nothing of what is right in front of them. They destroy everything they hold dear and cannot even get along with their own race. I intend to create a new world. A world where both shaman and nature work together as one. Where everyone can fulfill their hearts desire. Come. Join me."

He said to Trey, "You will be able to create a place where the Minushen can live in safety and happiness."

He said to Len, "The Tao family will be restored to their former glory."

He said to Ryo, "The whole world can be a sacred hang for all."

He said to Jacko, "You will be able to make everyone laugh."

He said to me, "You will find the one you truly love."

And he said to Yoh, "Your power and greatness will be limitless."

Then everything went dark and we all ended up outside. Everyone was silent. The images were still fresh on my mind. Hao's world…it seemed so perfect, so carefree.

But…I thought, all humans weren't like that. Not everyone was greedy and power-hungry. He was going to sacrifice the whole human population for his shaman-only kingdom. Destroy innocent people along the way…

"Yoh!" Morty said approaching us. But he didn't answer.

"Yoh?" Morty repeated, "What's going on Anna?"

"I don't know," she said.

"So…beautiful," Trey whispered.

"Wow." I said.

"Hm." Yoh said.

"Oh no." said, "Don't tell me you're-! Yoh are you ok?"

"I don't know about these guys but I feel great!" Yoh said, a big grin on his face.

"Yes!" Morty sighed, relieved.

"I feel awesome!" Trey said, throwing his arms in the air.

Even I had to admit I felt different. A tingly sensation as this new power pulsed through my body.

"Hm. Nothing to it really." Len said as if the whole thing was a piece of cake.

"Whoo!" Ryo said.

"I definitely feel stronger." Trey said.

"WHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Ryo shouted again.

"That's right Ryo!" Tokageroh, now his guardian ghost, encouraged, "You rock! Let the whole world know!"

"I feel I've reached a whole new level." Callisto said appearing beside me, "That was amazing."

"Totally." I agreed.

"I can't wait to test it out. Let's go and see what we can do."

"Ok." I said and went to reach for my shuriken as I had left it before I entered the Tome. I also took a few other weapons.

"Yoh?" Anna said. I stopped to listen.

"I…" she said.

"I know what you're going to say." Yoh said, "And I'm glad you're here too."

"Hm. Thanks."

I pouted.

"Let's go!" I said to Callisto, "Guys I'm gonna test out my power." I shouted as I left.

"Hurry back!" Trey shouted after me..

We found a place lined with tall rocks and I performed spirit control.

"What should we call this attack C?" I said.

"Kyouretsu."

"What's that mean?"

"Intensity."

I smiled.

"Kyouretsu!"

I flung the huge shuriken at a rock face. It sliced it cleanly, flew a huge circle, slicing all the others. I caught it as it came back to me."

"Nice." I grinned, "I've never been able to go straight through a rock before."

Then simultaneously, all the top halves of the rocks slid off, sending dust and sand everywhere.

"At this rate, Hao will soon fall at my hands." Callisto smiled.

"Our hands." I corrected.

"Oh. Yes. Of course." She blushed. Then Callisto straightened and took a sharp intake of breath, "There are other shaman here."

I turned around and spotted a small group of people in white coats at the top of a huge rock.

And were my eyes deceiving me? Was that…Lyserg with them? It must be the X-Laws. I gulped. I sensed they weren't here for a friendly chat.

"Follower of Hao," the one named Marco said, stepping forward, "We are here to warn you. If you do not change your ways, you will be destroyed."

"Hang on a sec." I said, "I'm not a follower of Hao."

Marco smiled and pushed his glasses up, "Your look of innocence cannot fool us. We have seen you associating with Hao and the one named Yoh, Karuri."

"Yeh but...you got it all wrong. I'm not his follower. I only have to be his… ok wrong choice of words. I-"

"Don't try to distract us with your excuses. Are you willing to change your ways and fight for our cause?"

"Look, I don't follow Hao, but I don't wanna join you guys either. You don't exactly look like happy bunnies."

"Very well then. You have made your decision. Strike with the Sword of Light!"

Then this huge armor clad guardian ghost appeared with this big-ass sword and prepared to strike.

"Karuri! Fuse me into your kunai! Use giant spirit control!" Callisto urged.

I did as she instructed and what happened next was way too cool to fully express in words. Callisto rose to this mega size and looked like one of those Amazon Warriors. Only prettier. The Fuuma Shuriken also enlarged and morphed into a sort of shuriken shield. All this happened as Marco's guardian ghost attacked and Callisto using the shuriken shield to block it.

"Look at the hideous form of your giant spirit control. You are obviously tainted by Hao's teachings." Marco said.

Callisto brought me unto her shoulder while using the other to hold the shield. But how dare he call my guardian ghost hideous! I thought, standing up.

"Shut up Marco! For your information, you'll never look as beautiful as my guardian ghost! Just cause you don't have girlfriend! And probably never will!" I shouted, "Get him Callisto!"

Then Callisto took out this giant sword in the shape of a kunai, only longer.

Callisto pushed her shield, sending her opponent back then drove the giant kunai at Marco.

You could see the shock on Marco's face as the kunai came towards him. I bet he could see his whole life flash before his eyes.

Then I shouted, "Stop!"

The tip of the sword stopped inches from Marco's face.

"What is it?" Callisto asked impatiently.

"We can't kill him… he's a human b-" I was cut off as Marco's guardian ghost rammed into Callisto, throwing both of us to the ground. I hit the floor painfully. It took several seconds to find the strength to sit up.

"Sword of Light!" I heard Marco call. I opened my eyes and saw this big ass sword hurtling towards me.

"Your hesitation was your undoing." Marco said. It would have been too late for Callisto to save me.

A giant red claw, recognizably the Spirit of Fire, grabbed the sword and flung it away.

"I suggest you take your leave Marco." Hao said, standing in the other claw.

"You were fortunate this time Karuri." Marco said as he and the other X-Laws left.

I saw Lyserg hesitate for a second, then he too turned and left.

'So Lyserg was just gonna watch me die!' I thought.

Then Hao came off the claw and approached me.

"I trust you are undamaged," he said, taking my arm, helping me up.

I was too shaken up to think of a sarcastic reply so I just nodded.

Hao just…saved my life.

Then he held me close to him. Held me in his arms. I could feel his breath in my hair. I didn't know if I should have hugged him back. I was so confused. I heard distant shouting. Was it me they were calling? Whoever they were? Hao then turned my face to his and his lips to mine. His mouth on mine filled me with longing despite myself. Was I falling him? But he was evil. The enemy. Yet now, kissing him, my heart melted like a honeycomb held near a fire. I felt a tinge of guilt.

The shouting became clearer as the people came nearer. I could recognize Trey's and Lenny's voices.

"I'll let you stay with your friends a little while longer. Tell them congratulations on learning my Tome. And congratulations to you as well. Farewell." Hao said and with that he flew off into the air on the Spirit of Fire.

Meanwhile, Trey and Len had reached me, breathless.

"What…happened?" Trey gasped.

"Nothing." I said quickly. Maybe too quickly, "Really. We just…talked. He said to tell you congratulations on learning his Tome."

"Whatever." Trey breathed, "He can keep his stupid…congratulations."

"So why didn't he take you with him?" Len asked.

"I…don't know." I said honestly.

"Are you ok though?" Trey asked, "We could see your giant spirit control. Figured you might need a little help."

"It was the X-Laws." I said as we started to walk back.

"Wow you took them on all by yourself? What happened?"

"Hao saved my life."

Dum dum duuummmm! Hao saved her life! What does this mean? Just what is Hao up to? You just might find out in the next exciting Chapter of... First Encounter!