Chapter 1
"Hold on Zatch we're almost there." Shade said holding tightly to Zatch, "Zero, how much further to Kiyo's?"
"It's just around the corner." Zero answered, leading the way, "Keep up. All this traveling can't be good for Zatch."
The rounded the corner and just as Zero said, they discovered Kiyo's house. "Wait here. I'll get Kiyo." Zero said opening the door.
"Shouldn't you knock?" Shade asked helping Zatch sit on the edge of the porch.
"No. This is important." Zero said throwing open the door. Just as he did, Kiyo tripped over him and landed face first in the grass.
"Hey, watch it." He said sitting up and turning around. Spotting Zatch, Kiyo jumped up and went to his side, "Zatch? What happened? How did you get here?"
"Get him inside." Shade said standing.
Kiyo lifted him up and took him upstairs into his room, "What happened?"
"He's been poisoned." Zero said, "Shade and I are here to find the antidote."
"Actually there are three more mamodos here to help find the antidote." Shade added to the story.
"We are about to go find our partners." Zero said standing, "You're going to America, right Shade?"
"You're partner's name is Alex. Right Shade?"
"That's right." Shade nodded.
"If you remember we met last summer. I can email her. Wait here." Kiyo said walking over to his computer.
Meanwhile, she already knew something big was going to happen. Maybe it was the way everything seemed so perfect or perhaps it was the way the dark July sky provided an ominous atmosphere. Either way, Alex wasn't going to let rain stop her summer fun. It had only been a few months since the battle for Mamodo king had ended and Shade returned to the mamodo world. She missed him terribly but she was glad to finally be free of the pressures of fighting.
Alex sighed happily as she stretched across her bed with her laptop. She began sifting through her email when one in particular caught her attention. After reading the contents she closed her laptop and ran down the steps. "Daddy, remember when you asked me what I wanted to do for the summer?" she asked when she found her father in the kitchen.
"Yeah? Have you decided?" He asked looking up at her.
"Yes sir. I want us to visit momma." She said sheepishly.
"She's all the way in Japan."
"I know. I haven't seen her since last year and I really miss her." Alex looked at her dad with pleading eyes, "Come on daddy please?"
"All right. I'll call your mother and book the plane tickets." He said.
Back in Japan, a black haired girl sat on the park bench and looked out at the families that were enjoying life in the park. She sighed heavily and rested her head in her hands. "Don't look so sad Marina." A voice said behind her. She whirled around and found her long time friend and mamodo, Amore.
"Amore!" She said happily standing up, "How is this possible? I mean the battle is over. How did you come back?"
"You remember Kiyo right? Well his mamodo is the king of my world and he needs our help. Come with me. I'll explain everything on the way."
"Rahkshi is on his way Zero." Kiyo said setting down the phone, "He sounded kinda of excited to see you."
Zero got up from the chair he was sitting in, "Who else came with us Shade?" Zero asked looking over at the other mamodo.
"Amore, Yume, and Tiko. They all have gone out to find their partners. I told them to meet back here."
"Hey I just got an email from Alex, Shade. She says she'll be here tomorrow. And she can't wait to see you." Kiyo looked over at him, "Does Zatch have any idea who did this to him?" he asked walking over to Zatch. He was resting on the bed with a cold cloth on his forehead.
"No idea but Kolulu says we've only got about three more days to find the antidote before he kicks the bucket….What? Don't look at me like that, Shade. He is going to kick the bucket."
Eoin Ranoa was a sidewalk café "studying". Gazing over at a table next to his, he could've sworn that he heard someone calling his name. He put down his college algebra book and looked up. Standing in front of him was his friend, Yume. "Yume?" he said excitedly.
"Hey Eoin!" Yume said smiling.
"What's going on? I thought you went back to the mamodo world."
"We need your help Eoin. Come on we're going to Kiyo's." She turned and began walking away with him following her.
Meanwhile, the lone mamodo paced the floor, his hands clasped behind his back. "Sit down, Dae. You're making me nervous." A man behind the desk said. He looked to be about thirty with short brown hair and blue eyes. He began flipping through the pages of the mamodo's spell book. The mamodo he called Dae was only a few inches shorter than the man was. He had dark red eyes and bright blond hair.
"I can't help but wonder." Dae said turning to his book owner, "If Zatch is dead yet or not." He walked up to the desk and snatched his book away, "You don't know what you are dealing with, Lawrence." He snapped, "Do not mess with my spell book until I tell you to read a spell." He walked back to the window and looked out. "I will be king of the mamodo world." He mumbled looking down at his black spell book,
