Previously:

The impact of the fireball causes Pizoku to stumble and topple backwards. A wave of fire and sand rises up over them and blocks out the starlight. Naoki Takenouchi leans over to shield his son from the onslaught. There is a roar and rush of noise and air. Then there is quiet.

--

The center of the large glass wall begins to crack and split in two. A great chasm appears in the center and it slides apart. The group watches as two figures appear on the other side of the wall.

It is the gasp of Pizoku that startles the group most. "Mom?"

--

"What are you up to?" Naomi sighs and walks over to the cat.

"Just want to try a little light reading," Ally says. She reaches up and pulls a spell book off the shelf. Naomi has an ominous chill and knows this can't be a good thing.

Episode Eighty-Nine

"For All the Tea in China"

It fascinates her. It truly does. Veronica can't quite explain what the draw to it is, but something about fire just entrances her. She finds that she stops for a moment just to watch the flames flicker about.

A passion within her kindles and ignites as she watches the blazing inferno leap and broil and curl about the landscape around her. She longs to dance among the conflagration. To swirl and and rejoice in frenetic movements as torrid tendrils of fire wrap around her limbs and caress her like a lover's touch. To delight as little eruptions of smoldering life shoot up like rockets, filling the air with little golden embers that spiral up on currents of heat and dance like little fiery birds.

She doesn't quite understand what the people of Rio are screaming about. A new better world will rise from the ashes of the one that burns. Though she supposes it matters not what these people think. They are the Unclean. Pestilent heathens. They will not live to see paradise reborn.

And the city of Rio de Janeiro burns to char and ashes.

Meanwhile, in the Desert

"So," Marisol of Nine speaks. "What will you give me for all the tea in China?" She smiles at them. "Or maybe just for this one woman?" She thrusts Izanami Takenouchi forward with more strength than a girl her age should have.

"Mom!" Pizoku cries out. He starts to move but Reese's hand is immediately there to stop him.

Jilan turns to look at the boy. "Mom?"

Naoki Takenouchi is quite taken by surprise. "Izanami?"

"Naoki?" Mrs. Takenouchi replies. She is quite bewildered to suddenly find herself in a desert.

Ashlee looks at the various family members. "In another time and place this could be touching." She glances at Marisol uncertainly.

"What exactly do you think we have to trade?" Jilan asks, stepping forward to stand between Neah and Taylor.

Marisol tilts her head. "Would you prefer I kill her?" Izanami gasps as her arm is wrenched back. She falls to her knees on the sand.

Neah looks back at the child in horror. "How did you even get that implication?"

"It appears to me you have much of value," Marisol says as she looks each person over. "Great containers of information."

Ashlee frowns at the girl. "You are a creepy little child."

Marisol tilts her head. "Who is she?" She asks as she peers around Jilan.

Jilan moves to block Ma'at more fully from view. "Not up for trade." Her voice is firm and slightly threatening. The look that Marisol gives her makes Pizoku wonder if that's wise.

"Sorry," Reese says. He moves in front of Pizoku. "We don't deal in human trafficking."

"Well," Marisol sighs. "That is unfortunate."

Izanami cries out again as she is thrust bodily down upon the sand. Marisol raises he hand towards her and the glass wall seems to crack some more. There is a rumble.

"Take me!" Pizoku jumps and turns to watch his father push pass Ashlee. "Don't hurt her, you can take me!"

"Dad!" Pizoku cries as Naoki walks forward. Ashlee's hold is the only thing that keeps him back.

Marisol considers him a second then smiles. "Deal."

The wind gusts up suddenly and the wall of glass dissolves into sand once again. Everyone shields their eyes from the sudden rush and when they lift their heads, Marisol and Naoki have vanished.

Ma'at looks around the desert darkness. "What just happened?"

"We need to go," Taylor replies firmly. "Now."

Meanwhile, in the Headmaster's Office

Naomi drums her fingers on the step she is seated upon. She hums quietly to herself and taps her foot to the the rhythm.

She glances over to where Ally is curled up, purring quietly as she reads from the large book in front of her. Glittering purple letters remain ingrained in Naomi's mind from when she watched Ally yank it off the shelf: The Japanese Compendium of Incantations

She feels a bit of concern, but as long as Ally is only reading, Naomi supposes it can't be too bad. So she hums the song "Our Lips Are Sealed" and taps her fingers and finds it quite thrilling when Fawkes coos along from his perch by the door.

"Ooh, ooh," Ally squeals. Her tail twitches frenetically. "Listen to this one Naomi! Doutai Jika!"

Naomi tenses. "Um, what does it do?" She looked around the room to see if anything has happened.

"I have no idea, but doesn't it just sound cool?" Ally replies. "The way the words come out!" She leans back into the book and reads further.

Naomi is less than comforted. She glances up at Fawkes who also seems to be at unease with Ally reading from the book. Especially out loud.

"Ooh," Ally squeals again. "I like this one too. Jinkoujishin!"

"I don't think you should be reading them out loud," Naomi warns, then is knocked forward. She reaches up to the back of her head to see what has hit her and finds a metal spoon is quite stuck on her hat. She pulls it off with great difficulty, but then finds she can't get it off her hand. It's like it's magnetically stuck there. "Ally!"

Ally blinks at her in surprise as she turns the page in her book. A bit of dust wafts up and wisps up Ally's nose. Her sneeze is violent. The room seems to shake. Ally flies back about three feet. "Oh my," She says, her eyes wide. Fawkes flaps his wings.

Naomi sighs. What has the cat done? She falls forward as a fork hits her back.

To Be Continued...