Last time, Will used the Heart of Candracar to bring Martin Tubbs into Metamore. He agreed to help locate the missing children, but only if Irma would kiss him, which she did, reluctantly of course. And now, on with the show!

Chapter 18: The Legend of Pai-mey Matoya

Down in Chopper's lab, Martin was examining the remains of the Naz'riak and the biots. "This is incredible," said Martin, "The amount of energy required to make these creatures, let alone bring them to life must be astronomical." He turned to Chopper, "This is the work of an extremely powerful spell caster."

"Have you seen the biots yet?" asked Chopper. For some reason, Chopper seemed to get alone just fine with Martin, possibly due to the fact that the two are both students of science. "I have," said Martin, "And I have already hooked up my computer to one of their hard drives. It won't be long before we discover where the demons have taken the children." Thanks to some careful Folding on Will's part, Martin was able to retrieve his laptop and some other equipment of his from Heatherfield. Just then Matt and Nigel poked their heads into the lab. "There's a big meeting in the study upstairs," said Matt, "I doubt you brains would want to miss it."

Upstairs in the study, nearly everyone had assembled for the meeting. "What's going on?" asked Luffy. "Saske and Sakura said they have something to say," said Naruto, "They wouldn't tell me." "They wouldn't have asked all of us to be here if it wasn't important." Said Will. Finally after everyone was assembled in the study, Saske and Sakura stood up to speak:

"The reason why we're all meeting now," said Saske, "Is that I believe Sakura and I may have discovered the identity of the Empress." "That is," said Sakura, "We think we have, but I could be wrong." "Wouldn't be the first time." Muttered Ino. "Moving right along," said Sakura, but her inner ego raged, you'll pay for interrupting me Ino! You shall pay dearly! "Back home, there are several stories about the Great Ninja War which took place over 100 years ago."

"What this about a Great Ninja War?" asked Naruto, "This is the first I've ever heard of it." "Remember your history lesions Naruto!" said Saske, but then he corrected himself, "Okay, wrong person to ask." "I'll explain," said Shikamaru, "The Great Ninja War was stated when a simple land dispute between several nobles escalated out of control. This was just after the founding of our village, Konohamaru. Now, each noble had contracted his or her own private army of Shinobi. Thousands of ninjas were killed in battle, and civilians died by the tens of thousands, all just to further the greed of the nobility.

"Then came one Pai-mey Matoya, a female Jonin from my home village of Konohamaru. Pai-mey wasn't a great fighter. However, she excelled at infiltration and assassination. Pai-mey was so good at killing she began to enjoy it. Well one day the worst thing happened to Pai-mey, the war ended. With no more missions for killing, Pai-mey returned to studying ancient justus. It wasn't long before the first Hokage discovered that Pai-mey had delved into forbidden ninja arts."

"Like the 'Five Pronged Seal!" exclaimed Naruto. "Exactly," said Shikamaru, "So the first Hokage ordered Pai-mey to stop what she was doing. Pai-mey answered by running, so the first Hokage and several Jonin gave chase. Unfortunately for the Hokage, Pai-mey was also an expert at stealth and concealment. After months of searching, the first Hokage and his Jonin had Pai-mey cornered. As I said, while Pai-mey wasn't such a good fighter, she excelled in stealth and assassination, and she recently learned how to set up elaborate booby-traps. Many Jonin died capturing Pai-may, but she was finally returned to Konohamaru.

"I'm sure this is all interesting," said Zolo, "But what has the story have to do with the present situation?" "I'm getting to that," said Shikamaru, "So just sit and spin. After a lengthy trial, Pai-mey was sentenced to life imprisonment. However, she escaped from custody and disappeared again. For over a year, the first Hokage chased Pai-mey, she being one step ahead of him the whole time. Finally Pai-mey was cornered near a large swamp. She went into the swamp, but didn't come out. The swamp was dragged, but they never found her body."

"Great story," said Zolo, "But still, what does it have to do with the Empress and the Naz'riak?" "Just hold your swords and stroke them!" exclaimed Nami, "He's getting to it." "Thanks," said Shikamaru as he continued, "The point is, one of the forbidden jutsus Pai-mey was studying was one on who to create your own demon army."

There was a few moments of silence before Saske stated, "Here's the bombshell; All descriptions of Pai-mey during and after the war told that she always had a red stone around her neck. A red stone that had distorted facial features."

"You mean Pai-mey had a red Behelit?" exclaimed Elyon. "That's exactly what he meant," said Sakura, "There's a distinct chance that the Empress is Pai-mey." "No disrespect," said Kiba, "But the Great Ninja War was over a hundred years ago. Pai-mey would be at least 125 years old." "Assuming that she survived the swamp," said Hinata quietly, "How did she get to this dimension?"

"That I don't know," said Shikamaru, "I only know what was in the records of a hundred years ago." "Well let's look at the facts at hand," said Taranee, "Pai-mey studied forbidden ninja arts on sealing up powers and demon creation. The empress made the Naz'riak and taught them how to seal up powers. Pai-mey had a red Behelit. The Naz'riak all carry different color Behelits."

"I just want to say that I find it hard to believe," said Sanji, "That the one who's giving us all the cold soup, is a 125 year old ninja assassin." "Same here." Agreed Nami. "Why Nami!" exclaimed Sanji, "I didn't know you cared!" "I don't chrome dome!" exclaimed Nami, "I just agree with your opinion!" "Ancient ninja or not," said Luffy, "She's still gotta go down!"

"My point exactly!" said Shikamaru. "They're right," said Naruto, "Weather or not the Empress is in fact Pai-mey Matoya, this has to stop before any more children are taken." "Let's not forget," said Will, "We still need to find where they're keeping the ones they've already taken."

Just then, Martin's PDA beeped, he had it linked to his laptop. "My computer's done searching the biot's hard drive!" exclaimed Martin, "I know exactly where the children have been taken, as well as the base of the demons!" "Where!" exclaimed Elyon, who had grabbed hold of Martin's hand in earnest, "For the love of God, where are they?"

"The base of the Naz'riak is in an abandoned mineshaft 70 miles to the south-east, the base is exactly 1,701 feet down the mine. The children are in a side chamber 20 feet further down the mine." "Then the Empress and the Naz'riak had better look out," said Naruto, "Because we're coming to rescue the children and to kick demon ass! Believe it!"

Arrangements for the strike on the mine was made within the hour. Elyon had teleported our heroes to the location specified by Martin. Set in to side of a shadowy mountain was the mineshaft. "This is it," said Will, "The children are our priority. Securing their safety is the most important part. Once the children are secure, then we take out the demons."

As our heroes prepared to enter the mine, Irma pulled Martin away to talk. "Any chance for a good luck kiss before we descend into the darkness?" asked Martin hopefully. "Don't hold your breath," said Irma flatly, "Besides, you're not going down there." "Why not?" asked Martin. "Well," said Irma, "For starters, you don't have any powers that can help in a fight."

"I may not have warrior skills like Caleb and Matt," said Martin, "Nor do I have super-strength like Nigel. But I have my intelligence, and that's got to count for something." "It does," said Irma, "You're one of the smartest people I know. I just don't what to see you get hurt. Besides, someone got to stay up here and stay with Elyon."

Meanwhile, Elyon was arguing with Cornelia, "But I've got to go with you!" protested Elyon, "It's my responsibility as Queen to see to the safety of the children!" "And what happens if some demon kills you?" asked Cornelia, "Who will lead the people if you die?" "I'd be a lousy queen if I didn't risk my life for the people every now and then," said Elyon, "My place is with you guys."

Cornelia sighed before saying, "Look, trust me here. We'll save the children, all of them. I promise you." At that point tears began to fall from Elyon's eyes as she embraced her friend. "I trust you more than anyone else," said Elyon, "Just don't get yourself killed in the process." "Who me?" asked Cornelia, "The thought never crossed my mind."

Elsewhere, Rock Lee was finally gathering the nerve for what he so desperately wanted to say. Okay Lee, he thought, This is it, so don't choke out now. He walked over to Hay Lin and asked, "Miss Hay Lin? If it's not too much trouble…" he froze in mid sentence. "What is it Lee?" asked Hay Lin. "What I want to say," said Rock Lee, sweat poring down his forehead, "Is that, when this is all over, and we're still here, would you do the honor of attending a social event with me?"

Oh my god! Thought hay Lin excitedly, He's finally asking me out oh a date! "I'd be more than honored Lee." Answered Hay Lin. Rock Lee smiled his teeth 'pinning' smile before turning around. He sighed with relief as he walked over to where Naruto, Saske and Sakura were preparing. "Naruto," said Rock Lee, "I just want to thank you for allowing me the honor of accompanying you on this mission."

He then faced Saske, "Saske, it's been a privilege working with you." Rock Lee then faced Sakura, "Sakura, it would have never worked out between us." He then turned around and walked away. "What would have never worked out?" asked Sakura. "Gee Sakura," said Ino slyly, "For someone so smart, you sure don't know anything about how the mind of a boy works." "I know plenty about the male psyche!" exclaimed Sakura, "I just don't like to talk about it!" "Women!" sighed both Naruto and Saske.

Back with Martin and Irma, Martin finally conceded to stay aboveground. "It's better this way," said Irma, "Like I said, I don't want you to get hurt." Irma then went back towards the entrance of the mine. It may be better for now, thought Martin, but someday my love, someday I'll prove to you that I'm more than a turbo-nerd.

Thanks to some handy stretching on Luffy's part, the argument between Sakura and Ino had calmed down. "If you to can't keep your rivalry quiet," said Will, "Then you're staying up here. Is that clear?" "I'll stop if she stops." Said Sakura. "Then I'll stop," said Ino as she held out her hand to shake, "Truce?" "Truce." Said Sakura as she shook Ino's hand, "But only until the end of the mission." "Agreed."

"Now that that out of the way," said Caleb, "Let's finish this." With one last look at the bright blue sky, Will entered the mineshaft, followed by the rest of our heroes.

The end of chapter 18. Next chapter, out heroes set out to save the children and to stop the Empress from doing whatever she's gonna do. See you next time!