Peerin: Kasek does not own Zatch Bell or anything related to Zatch Bell besides his OCs. If he did own Zatch Bell, I'd be in the series, too.

Chapter 2: Exploring Mochinoki

It was pretty busy in the Mochinoki Shopping District, people going from store to store, trying to use up as much money as they possibly could on things they didn't need. It is here that we find Zatch's newest rival and his partner…

"What are we going to do, Nathan?" Peerin asked, "We came all this way to find a worthy opponent, and we're stuck with Zatch Bell as our foe. This isn't even going to be a challenge…"

"You never know, Peerin, Zatch could've gotten strong, just like you did." Peerin remembered the days when he, too, was picked on for being a weakling…

Nathan noticed the sad look in his partner's eyes, but before he could say anything, he walked into someone else, knocking the both of them over. Nathan's quick reflexes prevented him from being hurt, but he wasn't so sure about the other guy.

"Are you al…right?" Nathan looked at who he had walked into. That wasn't a guy; that was a girl, a pretty girl. Nathan dropped down to his hands and knees, begging for her forgiveness. "I am SOOO sorry. I should've been looking where I was going. I…"

The girl stopped him there. "Don't worry about it; I wasn't really looking where I was going either." A look of relief came over Nathan's face. However, before he could respond, a certain little red-head ran up to them.

"Megumi, are you alright? This guy didn't hurt you, did he? If he did, I'll punch his lights out!"

"Whoa, Tia, it was just a little accident. Don't worry about it."

Peerin's face went white when he realized who the "little red-head" was. He decided the best approach would be to just turn around, walk away, and hope she didn't notice him…

"HEY YOU!" …Too late. Tia had grabbed Peerin by the quiver. A quick thought came over him before he responded. Maybe he should stop wearing the quiver everywhere he went.

"Y-yes?" he responded in a voice not his own, hoping to throw her off his trail.

"Don't I… know you from somewhere?" Peerin still did not turn around, trying to keep his face hidden from view.

"W-who, m-me? N-no, n-never s-seen you in my l-life." Darn, I stuttered.

"You're sureeee?"

"Y-yes, p-positive." Tia let go of his quiver. Phew, I'm off the hook. Tia then immediately grabbed his neck.

"Peerin, you jerk! I'll get you for what you did to me!"

"Tia! Let go of him right now!" Megumi grabbed Tia and tried to yank her away, only magnifying Peerin's pain. Nathan grabbed on to Peerin and yanked on him, further magnifying his suffering. After what seemed like an eternity to poor Peerin (but was only really an extra ten seconds), they managed to release Tia's grasp on Peerin's neck.

The two humans stared at each other for a second, and then they both spoke at the same time.

"So, you have a Mamodo too, huh?" They stared at each other again, both with serious looks in their eyes. It was Tia who broke the silence.

"Peerin, I challenge you to a battle!" Megumi looked at her partner in surprise.

"Tia, you actually want to fight a battle? Why?"

Tia looked up at Megumi. "We can take this guy, no problem! His spells don't even work!" Peerin eyes narrowed at this comment.

"If you want to battle us, you'll have to get in line. I already have to battle with Zatch tomorrow."

Tia just stared at him for a minute before breaking into a laughing fit. "You? Fight Zatch? You couldn't beat him, even if you trained every day until the next battle for the crown!"

Peerin was getting very annoyed. "Oh yeah? Well, why don't you come watch us fight, then? We'll be at the river by the train station, tomorrow at three O'clock!"

"Like I would miss out on a chance to see you get humiliated for once! We'll be there, right Megumi?"

Megumi looked like she was thinking. "Hmm… I have an opening tomorrow. I'll be able to come and watch, too. This should be interesting. We never get to watch a Mamodo battle."

Nathan's face said he didn't like the idea of another Mamodo hanging around. However, he said "Well, I guess I'll be seeing you guys there. See ya." And with that he just walked off, Peerin rushing after him. I wonder where a souvenir shop is, he thought to himself.

Tia looked really steamed. "Well that's rude. They just walk off, just like that. I can't wait to see Peerin's face after Zatch pummels him into oblivion."

"Hey, Tia, how do you know that Mamodo?"

"It's … a long story. I'll tell you some other time. Come on, let's go get some ice cream, Megumi!"

There, I'm done with this chapter. Next chapter: Kiyo and Megumi discuss this new foe…