Chapter 13: The Taken

One night, in the San Campion Park, Nadia, Rusulka, Sakura and Grove Protector were chasing a Darkness Creature known as a Marrow Ooze. "Do not let that beast escape!" Nadia exclaimed. "Nothing personal, Master, but I'd wish you'd consider our methods on referring these creatures as beasts." Sakura said. Rusulka fired ice spears from his mouth while Grove Protector fired thorns from his arms. But Marrow Ooze opened his gelatinous body to dodge the attacks and swatted the 2 creatures with its extra mouths, knocking them down. As it turned its attacks on Nadia and Sakura, they blocked them with their mana shields, but were knocked down too. As Marrow Ooze was about to finish them, Rusulka and Grove Protector jumped in the way and took the attack before disappearing. "No!" Nadia cried. Marrow Ooze oozed off, leaving the 2 duelists to recover. Nadia activated her earpiece.

Kimora was positioned at the edge of the park where he saw some explosions caused by Marrow Ooze. "Master Kimora, it's heading your way. It must not reach the city." Nadia called through the earpiece. "I see it. Preparing to engage." Kimora said. "Mighty Shouter!" But as the door opened, as Marrow Ooze burst through the foliage, Shouter didn't come through. "Where is my creature?" Kimora asked in shock. Just then, a falling tree caused him to trip and fall down. As he recovered, he gasped as Marrow Ooze prepared to attack him.


(Intro)


Marrow Ooze attacked with its several oozy mouths, but Kimora blocked them with his mana shield. "MIGHTY SHOUTER, I SUMMON YOU NOW!" He shouted, trying to summon Mighty Shouter again. But nothing. Marrow Ooze fired 2 skulls from its body. Kimora dodged one and blocked the second one with his mana shield. Suddenly, as Marrow Ooze prepared to attack again, Gillaflame sped past it, blocking it with a wall of fire. Nadia summoned him to aid Kimora. Marrow Ooze fired more skulls from its body, but Gillaflame dodged them all. "Gillaflame, speed assault!" Nadia called, motioning her arms. Gillaflame sped towards Marrow Ooze, slashing it with his blades. The attack was so powerful, both creatures disappeared back to their own Civilizations. "I hope Hector won't mind me summoning Gillaflame." Nadia said as she recovered from the blast created from the creatures. "Somehow, I don't think he'll mind." Sakura said, hiding a sly smile as she and Kimora helped Nadia on her feet. "Strange. We found no tear in the Veil. So, where did this creature come from?" Nadia asked. "Call it a hunch, but I think it might've escaped from somewhere. But from where it escaped from is the question." Sakura said. Just then, the 2 girls noticed Kimora looking at his gauntlet with confusion. "Are you alright? Why didn't you summon your creature?" Nadia asked. "Yeah, Master Kimora, what happened?" Sakura asked. "My creature did not respond. This has never happened to me before." Kimora said, folding his arms.

Meanwhile, Ray and Jen were buried in their homework on ancient Egyptian Gods and were growing tired. "Great. Only 286 more pages to read by tomorrow." Ray said. "No big deal, Ray. We can finish this in time." Jen assured. About 5 hours later, they were nearly finished. "You old guys must've known all about the Kaiju Realm." Ray said as he flipped through the pages. "It's possible. The creatures have been around for so many centuries." Jen said. Not being able to keep their eyes open anymore, they fell asleep and started to have a simultaneous dream.

[Dream]

In the Nature Civilization, Mighty Shouter was snatched by a giant claw and dragged through a portal, trumpeting for help.

[Dream End]

Ray and Jen jolted awake in shock and looked over at their sketchbook. It was turned to a drawing of Shouter, realizing what the first meant.

Later, at the temple, Kimora continued trying to summon Mighty Shouter. "Mighty Shouter!" He called. But the result was the same. The door opened, but Shouter did not come through. "Why can I not summon him?" He asked. "Because something bad is going on in the Creature Realm, right?" Ray asked as he, Jen, Allie, Gabe, Terry, Greta, Portia, Maribel and the Kazamas walked in. "Ray and I had a dream about the Nature Civilization. We think Shouter, his home might be in trouble." Jen explained. "Everyone has dreams. But that does not make them real." Kimora said. "I'm a man of logic, but I've seen Ray and Jen do things that defy logic." Gabe said. "Yeah. They've tamed, purified and befriended very powerful creatures." Terry said. "And they have the use of 2 very powerful Guardian Spirits." Greta said. "Yeah, hello? They're the naturals. Maybe you should listen to them." Allie said. "It would make sense to, Master Kimora." Miku said. "Regardless, what happens to a creature on the other side of the Veil is not my concern. Mighty Shouter is just a…creature." Kimora said. "Yeah, you think we're going to buy that?" Portia asked. "We've seen you, Master Kimora. We know you care about him." Ray said. "Yes. And the same can be said for Master Chavez and Master Nadia with their creatures." Jen said. "Even if I did, what can I do? The Nature Civilization is vast. I don't even know how to find him." Kimora said. "We know someone who can help." Ray said. "And we can use our K-Tectors to help track him too." Jen said. "Okay, we go. But only to make sure that my…the creature is well. And we go without telling the others." Kimora said.

Later, Kimora, the kids and the Kazamas entered the Nature Civilization through the Veil. After Kimora closed the portal, the kids got a good look at the surrounding environment. Just then, Gabe became fascinated by a plant creature known as a Spore Siren. "Incredible, isn't it? Spore Sirens are very incredible creatures. When you summon one, they can attack with big spore attacks." Sakura explained. "Whoa. I bet I could win the noble prize for trans-dimensional discover discovery, biology, probably even ecology. This place is awe inspiring." Gabe said. "Says you. Why didn't I bring like 30 cans of bug spray?" Allie asked as she was being swarmed by insects. "Oh, I don't know, Allie. These guys are kinda cute. That is, assuming they're not the type of bugs that bite." Portia said as one of the bugs landed on her shoulder for a bit before flying off again. "Okay, happy fun joke time is over. Now we focus on finding Shouter." Kimora said. "How do we do that?" Terry asked. "I'm gonna summon Bob. He's a better tracker than a bloodhound." Ray said. "I'm gonna summon Weave too. He's got excellent senses that can be helpful." Jen said. "Tatsurion the Unchained!" Ray called. "Skarvos the Assassin!" Jen called. The doors opened and their 2 best creatures came through. "The Nature Civilization? Who're we fighting?" Bob asked. "No one, Bob. We need you and Weave to find Kimora's creature." Ray said. "Mighty Shouter's in trouble? You have a good idea where to start?" Weave asked. "The Beast Kin. His territory is nearby. But you should know, I'm not really welcome there." Bob said. "No, you? Hard to believe." Allie said with sarcasm. "Well then, it's time to start making friends." Jen said. Weave chuckled. "How'd we know you were gonna say that?" He asked as he and Bob led the way.

During their journey, they walked past a forest with a watery roof. The kids and Kazamas dragged their hands through the water walls as they passed by a Steam Star and a school of Buoyant Blowfish. Just then, Bob motioned for them to stop. "Creatures coming. Lots of them." He said. "From where?" Ray asked. "Everywhere." Bob said. Just then, a group of humanoid horses ambushed them, wielding big spears. "You are not from this realm." A voice said. Just then, a Megabug known as Copper Locust landed in front of the group, carrying a tiki creature known as a Spirit Totem. "What sort of creatures are you?" The Totem asked. "We are human beings, great Totem." Kimora said. "Humans are a myth. You are the beings who take our tribe away." The Totem accused. The Beast Kin readied their spears as Kimora summoned his gauntlet. "Master Kimora, wait. We're on a peaceful mission to find a friend." Ray said. "He's right. We seek to find the one called Mighty Shouter." Jen said. The Totem remained silent. "Um, sir?" Ray asked. "Do you have a name?" Jen asked. "I am Thorn-Bringer, Chieftain of the Bronze-Arm Tribe. And you must be…creatures of Darkness." The Totem, Thorn-Bringer, accused. "No, they speak the truth. They are humans from the lost realm." Bob said. "Yes. They are noble creatures. And good friends to all of our kind." Weave said. "I know of you 2. Even here we have heard stories of the half-breed Fire Dragon and the half-breed Water stalker. You both are free to go. But those things are my prisoners." Thorn-Bringer declared. "Anyone who threatens these humans must face Tatsurion the Unchained!" Bob exclaimed. "And Skarvos the Assassin!" Weave exclaimed. "So be it, brave ones. Just know, your memories will be honored. Your bones will be made into our arrows, your horns into our spears, your-" Thorn-Bringer tried to say. "Can we just fight, Mask Mouth?" Bob asked, growing impatient. "As you wish." Thorn-Bringer said as he leapt down from Copper Locust's back. He motioned his hand as it started to glow. Just then, a giant Venus plant creature called Carnivorous Dahlia burst out from the ground and prepared to attack the group.


Dahlia spat out a liquid venom from its mouth, but the kids blocked it with their mana shields. "What is that thing?" Allie asked. "The Dionaea Muscipula. Some variation of the Venus Flytrap." Gabe said. "Now that's what I call a very big plant." Maribel said. "If it's a weed, we can pull it." Ray said as he climbed onto Bob's back while Weave picked up Jen and placed her on his shoulder. Bob lashed his chain at Dahlia, wrapping around her stem-like neck. Weave charged in to attack, but Thorn-Bringer motioned his hand and Dahlia broke free of Bob's chains, swatting Weave aside. "Scaradorable of Gloom Hollow!" Allie called, summoning Squeaky. "Aha! They're all from the Darkness Civilization." Thorn-Bringer accused. "Show them what you're made of, Squeaky." Allie said. Squeaky let loose her scream attack, disorienting the horse-men. But they quickly recovered and started throwing their spears. Allie quickly got on Squeaky's back and took off, dodging the spears. "Twin-Cannon Sky-" Kimora tried to call and summon a creature, but Thorn-Bringer summoned thorny roots from the ground and restrained him. "Master Kimora!" Gabe cried. "Reef Prince Glu-urg-" He tried to summon Gargle, but Thorn-Bringer's thorn roots restrained him too. "Hey! Not cool!" Greta exclaimed. "I got them!" Terry called. "Jetflame Liz-" He tried to summon Jetflame Lizard, but Thorn-Bringer's roots restrained him and Greta too. Allie and Squeaky climbed up Dahlia's neck, but Dahlia grabbed them in her mouth and spat them out. As they landed, Squeaky disappeared. "Allie, are you okay?" Portia asked as she and Maribel helped Allie up. "I'm fine. Stupid talking mask." Allie said. But then, Thorn-Bringer's vines ensnared the 3 girls too.

Ray and Jen saw what happened. "They're in trouble!" Jen exclaimed. "Bob, Weave, they need us!" Ray called. "Now, great poisonous Dahlia, you may consume them." Thorn-Bringer said. As Ray, Bob, Jen and Weave ran over to help, they got caught in Thorn-Bringer's roots too. Dahlia prepared to eat them as they were lifted up. Kimora managed to perform another summon while ensnared. "MIGHTY SHOUTER!" He called attempting to summon Shouter. "Not so loud. Shouter right here." A voice said from behind him. Kimora turned around to see Shouter, but was shocked to hear Shouter speaking. "Mighty Shouter, you…speak?" He asked. "Only here, Shouter talk. Only here, Beast Kin listen to." Shouter said. "He's not the only one." Another voice said as Grove Protector leapt out and landed in the middle of the group. "Grove Protector? You can talk too?" Sakura asked in shock. "Surprise, surprise, Sakura." Grove Protector said as he tore the roots off Sakura, freeing her. "What do you think you're doing?!" Thorn-Bringer demanded. "These Shouter and Grove's friends. Let friends go." Shouter said. "Don't be a fool. These are the Darkness Lords that take our tribe." Thorn-Bringer said. "Chief wrong! Let friends go or Shouter not protect village anymore." Shouter said as he freed Kimora and Ray from their root restraints. Grove Protector helped by freeing Jen, Kaito and Miku. "Hmph! Very well." Thorn-Bringer said, releasing everyone from his restraints. "Come." Shouter said, gesturing them to follow him.

"Gretchen." A voice called from the air. Greta felt startled when she heard it. "G, you alright?" Terry asked. "I thought I heard something." Greta said. "Gretchen." The voice called again. "I heard it again, calling my name." Greta said. "I didn't hear anything." Gabe said. "Neither did I." Portia said. "She must be hearing a Guardian Spirit's voice." Jen guessed. "She's right. Each of us with a Guardian Spirit heard their voice whenever we were chosen." Allie said. "Gretchen." The voice called again. "It sounds like it's nearby." Greta said, walking off. "Whoa, wait up, G." Terry said as he and the others followed. They entered a big part of the forest. "You are getting closer." The voice said. "We're getting closer." Greta said. Just then, they came across the very thing they were looking for. Standing right in front of a giant tree was a Spirit Guardian Shrine with an hourglass symbol. "Look at that." Portia said. "A Guardian Spirit shrine." Jen said. Just then, Greta noticed a glow in her hand. She looked and saw a K-Tector, colored brilliant blue and light grey. Just then, the hourglass symbol started glowing brightly before it shattered and released a spirit in the form of a humanoid bird made entirely of sand. "Greetings. I am Thozotz, Guardian Spirit of Oracles, the Time Walker." The spirit, Thozotz, greeted. "Hi. It's an honor to meet you." Greta said. "I know. I've been waiting for you, the ones who would be destined to reunite my fellow Guardian Spirits and remerge our worlds." Thozotz said. "But how can we?" Greta asked. "Just hold out your K-Tector and the answers will be revealed in the near future." Thozotz said. Greta held out her K-Tector and Thozotz was transferred into it, powering up. "Whoa. My own Guardian Spirit." She said in awe. "Come. We waste time." Shouter said. The team followed him as he walked away.

Later, they arrived at the tribe's village, seeing several horse-men recovering. "What happened to your tribe?" Ray asked. "Many are taken to a dark place of iron bindings where Darkness Lords steal their mana." Thorn-Bringer explained. "Shouter too was taken. But came back. All mana gone. Too weak to come when you called, Great Kimora." Shouter said. "That's why my summons failed." Kimora said. "Makes sense. You can't summon a creature if it has no mana." Miku said. "How'd you get involved in this, Grove Protector?" Sakura asked. "I was nearby when I saw Shouter reappear in the forest. He looked weak. I helped him make it back to his village." Grove Protector explained. "You should rest, regain strength. Soon we will duel together again." Kimora said. "NO! Shouter fight beside Kimora no more. Others think Shouter's stories about duels with Kimora are dreams of madness. Make Shouter live over there. Alone." Shouter explained, gesturing to a lone cottage. "Shouter's stories true!" He exclaimed. "I never thought how my summons would affect you. My apologies." Kimora apologized, feeling guilty. "Come, children. We shall go. I will find another creature to duel with." He said, preparing to leave. "No. We're not leaving." Ray said. "Yeah. You can't just abandon your partner like that." Jen said. "If Shouter does not wish to fight beside me anymore, then I will respect his wishes." Kimora said. "So, that's it? You're just gonna toss him aside like a dishrag and replace him with something else?" Jen asked. "That's cruel, even for a well respectful Master like you." Ray accused. Kimora was stunned to hear that, being called cruel.

Suddenly, a portal opened in the village. A giant claw came through, making the tribesmen run for their lives. As the claw prepared to grab Thorn-Bringer, Ray and Jen hopped onto Bob and Weave, and pushed him out of the way, but got grabbed themselves. "Ray! Jen!" The kids and Kazamas cried. Ray, Jen, Bob and Weave shouted as the claw dragged them through the portal. The kids and Kazamas were shocked from what happened.

As they were pulled through into the Choten's lair, Bob and Weave each landed on a restraining table. Ray and Jen fell off them unseen. "Look at the size of these ones. Better break out the heavy tethers." A minion said. Energy tethers restrained Bob and Weave as they lay unconscious. "Where are we?" Ray asked as he and Jen recovered. "Uh, Ray?" Jen said, pointing to Bob and Weave with worry. "Okay. This is bad." Ray said. "Very bad." Jen agreed. "Ah, Tatsurion the Unchained and Skarvos the Assassin. Truly unique hybrid beasts ripe with mana." Aqua Seneschal said as he oversaw the operation. "Seneschal, how's our first catch of the day?" Choten asked as he called through a computer. "We have secured 2 excellent doners, Master. I am prepping them for the cutting chamber now." Seneschal said. "Just make sure these ones don't escape like that Marrow Ooze." Choten said, ending the call. "You heard the Master. Get moving." Seneschal ordered. One of the minions flipped a switch, and the door to the next room opened. The tables started being moved into it as Bob and Weave came to. "Where are we?" Bob asked. "What's going on?" Weave asked. "Sedate the brutes if they resist." Seneschal ordered. "Seneschal?! What is the meaning of this?!" Weave demanded. "What creature would betray his own kind?!" Bob demanded. "You 2 are not my kind. Do enjoy your stay, stupid beasts." Seneschal said. The door closed as Bob and Weave were brought through.

Ray and Jen deactivated their gauntlets and started to sneak around Seneschal over to a nearby door. But then, Seneschal sensed movement behind him and turned around to see. But Ray and Jen hid by the wall. Seneschal floated down the stairs, but Raya and Jen made it through the door and proceeded into the Choten's lair. As they walked, they heard voices coming their way. They hid behind another wall as they saw Alakshmi, Saanvi and Glasses walking towards them. "You should've seen it, Glasses. During a training session, in an attempt to impress me, your brother summoned a Wandering Brain-Eater, just because he felt like it." Saanvi's explained. "A Wandering Brain-Eater?! That's insane!" Glasses exclaimed. "I know. But I actually was impressed. He really showed his dedication to the Choten back then." Saanvi said. As they were getting closer, Ray and Jen noticed a hatch next to them. "Don't be so encouraging, sister. And for the record, Glasses, your brother wouldn't know a Wandering Brain-Eater if it bit him on the frontal lobe." Alakshmi said. Just then, they noticed the hatch was opened. "Close that hatch." Alakshmi said. Saanvi and Glasses walked over and closed the hatch.

Ray and Jen fell down the hatch and landed in a food trough filled with gruel. "Ew! What is this stuff?" Jen asked in disgust. "Bacon gruel? Gross!" Ray exclaimed in disgust. "Oh, this is actually worse than Fumes!" Jen exclaimed. Just then, they heard a screech. "Uh oh." Ray said when they realized where they were. The Choten's holding cells. As they stood up, they turned around to see a Fear Fang in the cell with them, snarling at them. "Easy there, fella. Good dog." Ray said nervously. "Easy, boy. Roll over? Play fetch?" Jen said, nervously throwing a bone. But Fear Fang roared at them and bit off Ray's glove, throwing it away. "Hey! Bad dog!" Jen exclaimed. But Fear Fang snapped at her too, biting off her glove and throwing it away. The twins quickly ran slipped through the bars and into the next cell as Fear Fang tried to grab them. "Whew! No Ray and Jen meat snacks for you today." Ray said. "Yeah. Okamoto Twins are off the menu, pup." Jen said. Suddenly, there was another growl behind them. "Not again." Ray said with worry. They turned around to see a big creature in the shadows. They embraced each other as the creature prepared to attack.


As the creature charged towards them, it stopped in front of them. Ray and Jen opened their eyes to see that it was a Rumbling Terrasaur. But it was staring at them, like it knew them. "Wait. Are you…?" Ray asked before he and Jen realized. "Yes! He's that Terrasaur we accidentally summoned that day." Jen said. "Wow! I never thought I'd seen you again, big guy." Ray said. The Terrasaur nuzzled them, being careful with its enormous body. "Okay, okay. Easy, easy, easy." Jen said as the nuzzling Nature creature accidentally knocked her and Ray down. "We're so sorry we let them take you that day." Ray said. Just then, they heard a neigh. They looked and saw 4 Bronze-Arm warriors in the cell across from them. "We don't know what the Choten's done to you, but we're gonna free you. All of you." Ray said. "Yeah. Just as soon as we get out." Jen said. They slipped through the bars and ran over to the warriors. One of them tossed them their gloves. "Thanks. I think I have a plan." Ray said as he and Jen put on their gloves and activated their gauntlets. "Then let's put it to work, bro." Jen said.

Meanwhile, back in the Bronze-Arm village, Kimora performed a Spell of Healing on one of the warriors, healing its strength. "This human…gives and does not take from us?" Thorn-Bringer asked in shock. "Not all humans bad." Shouter said. The kids and Kazamas used the same spells to heal the other villagers. The one Gabe was healing giggled at the feel of the spell. "Uh, I think I'm kinda tickling him or something." Gabe said. "That's a bit of a side effect of the spell. It tickles creatures as they're being healed." Sakura said. "Guys, I'm all for helping out here, but what if Ray and Jen are lost forever? We need to go find them." Allie said. "You heard Master Kimora. We have no idea where they were taken. We just have to wait. Patiently." Gabe said. "No. I don't do patiently." Allie said. "That's you're problem, Allie. You're always in a hurry to get something out of the way and start something else." Maribel said. "Terrance." A voice called. Terry heard the voice as the kids continued to argue with the Kazamas trying hopelessly to break it up. "Terrance." The voice called again. Terry stood up and started following the voice. Thorn-Bringer noticed him leaving and decided to follow out of his curiosity for human kind.

Terry followed the voice to an old cave near the village. "What is this place?" He asked. "It is an old cave that used to be called home to one of our beloved Guardian Spirits." Thorn-Bringer said as he caught up with Terry. "What're you doing here?" Terry asked. "Following you. You humans continued to strike my curiosity. For example, why have you come here?" Thorn-Bringer asked. "I believe that a Guardian Spirit's voice called me here." Terry said. "Indeed, I have. Please, enter my home." The voice said. "The Guardian Spirit. He calls me inside." Terry said, walking inside the cave. Thorn-Bringer grew even more curious as he followed Terry inside. There, inside the cave, they found another Guardian Spirit Shrine with a mountain symbol. "This is it. The shrine of the Guardian Spirit." Terry said. "Yes, indeed." The voice said. Just then, Terry noticed a glow in his hand, looked and saw a K-Tector, colored dark brown and moss green, in it. Just then, the symbol glowed brightly and shattered, releasing the Guardian Spirit in the form of a giant troll with the mark of the Bronze-Arm Tribe on his chest. "Greetings, Terrence. I am Segmos, the Earth Titan." The spirit, Segmos, introduced. "Segmos?" Terry asked. "The first of the Bronze-Arm Tribe before he joined the Guardian Spirits. His power can control the very earth itself." Thorn-Bringer said. "Well spoken, Chieftain. And together, Terrance, we can use my power, as well as those of my comrades your friends have found, to reunite our 2 worlds once more." Segmos explained. Terry held up his K-Tector and Segmos transferred himself into it, powering it up. Thorn-Bringer was fascinated by this.

Later, back at the village, the kids had finally stopped arguing as Terry and Thorn-Bringer returned. "Where have you 2 been?" Allie asked. "Just another Guardian Spirit's resting place." Terry said, holding up his K-Tector. "You too, T?" Greta asked happily. "You know it, sis." Terry said. "I must admit. You humans continue to feed my curiosity. Especially if you were chosen by our oldest protectors." Thorn-Bringer said. "Oh, you have no idea of the things we're capable of." Allie said. "So, any idea on where Ray and Jen could've gone?" Terry asked. "Mighty Shouter!" Ray's voice called as a door opened in the village. "That's Ray!" Allie cheered. The kids, Kazamas and Grove Protector all grabbed onto Shouter as he went through the door. Suddenly, Thorn-Bringer grabbed Terry's leg as they went through the portal. "Not again!" Gabe cried as the door closed, leaving Kimora completely shocked.

In the Choten's lair, Shouter appeared before Ray and Jen. "Glad you had enough mana to make the trip, big guy." Ray said. "Shouter not come alone." Shouter said, revealing that the kids, Kazamas, Grove Protector and Thorn-Bringer came along too. "Allie? Guys?" Ray asked in surprise. "Thank goodness, you guys are okay." Allie said as she hugged Ray in relief. "Oh no! What kind of mess have you 2 got yourselves into this time?" Gabe asked, knowing Ray and Jen's habit of getting in trouble. "Hey! This was not on us this time, Gabriel." Jen said. "My Beast Kin." Shouter said as he walked up to his tribesmen's cell. He gave a loud trumpet as he raised his club. "Shouter! Wait! You might-" Ray tried to say. But Shouter smashed the lock, opening the cells and setting off an alarm. "-set off an alarm. Great. So much for subtlety." Ray finished.

"Sir, we have intruders and 3 rogue creatures in Cell Sector G." A minion reported through a vid-call to the Choten in his office. The Choten activated his security cameras and saw what was happening. "Those children look familiar. Lock down the perimeter. I'm sending someone to 'take care' of it." He ordered before contacting Alakshmi and Saanvi. "My dears, it appears we have visitors."

Meanwhile, the kids unlocked the cells of the Rumbling Terrasaur and Fear Fang. "Whoa! Gabe, do not let that rabid werewolf thing out!" Allie exclaimed. Gabe was about to shut the cage door, but Ray stopped him and brought out the Azurite as Fear Fang got out. "Easy there. It's gonna be fine." Ray said as he held out the Azurite. Fear Fang stared at it as it started to glow brightly. Just then, as the light subsided, Fear Fang walked up to Ray and licked his face. "You're welcome." Ray chuckled. Allie stared at Rumbling Terrasaur as it walked out of its cell. "Yeah, it's the one we summoned by accident that day." Jen said. "Sorry to cut the reunion short, but we don't have much time. You guys have to get these creatures home." Ray said. "Um, how are we supposed to do that?" Allie asked. "On the other side of that big armored door is a machine that makes portals through the Veil." Jen explained. "And how do we get through said huge armored door?" Gabe asked. "I don't think Rumbling Terrasaur's strong enough to bash through said door on his own." Miku said. "Leave that to me." Terry said, holding out his K-Tector. "Terry, you have a K-Tector too?" Jen asked. "Got my own Guardian Spirit before we got here." Terry said. "Good. You use whatever Guardian Spirit you have and use your imagination. We're gonna get Bob and Weave." Ray said as he and Jen walked away to find Bob and Weave. "Shouter join you." Shouter said as he joined them.

"They're ditching us…again." Allie said. "Does this always happen with those 2?" Thorn-Bringer asked. "Pretty much. But we're used to it." Terry said. "So, you guys ready to do this?" Gabe asked. "Nope, but come on, horse-head guys. This way." Allie said as she and the others started leading the captured creatures towards the door. But then, a group of minions blocked their way. "Take them down!" The leader ordered. "Oh no, you don't. You ready, Greta?" Terry asked. "You know it, Terry." Greta said. Execute! Guardian Spirit Evolution!" They called. Their mana powered up their K-Tectors as they transformed into Segmos and Thozotz for the first time. As the minions prepared to summon creatures, Thozotz clapped her four fingered hands together and the time surrounding them stopped, freezing them in place. Then Segmos raised his giant club and swung it at the minions, knocking them away. "These humans, they know how to use their Guardian Spirits' powers to their advantage." Thorn-Bringer said, surprised. Segmos burst through the door, surprising Seneschal. "Segmos and Thozotz?! It can't be!" He said in shock. "Excuse me, Mr. Water Creature, we need you to send our friends home." Gabe said. "And if I refuse?" Seneschal asked, obviously not going to help. "Soggy, you're gonna make it happen or our friends here will drink you like a bottle of soda pop." Allie said. Segmos and Thozotz glared at Seneschal, making him nervous. "Of course. As you wish." Seneschal said.

Meanwhile, Ray, Jen and Shouter found Bob and Weave inside a glass cage, hooked onto a machine that was draining their mana. "Bob!" Ray cried. "Weave!" Jen cried. "No strength…left." Bob groaned weakly. "Me too. I'm…depleted." Weave said weakly. "Shouter, get them out of there!" Ray exclaimed. "Quickly!" Jen cried. Shouter slammed his club against the glass door, but it wouldn't break or even crack. The machine finished the drainage and unhooked the 2 hybrids as they dropped to the floor. Bob and Weave gave one last look at the worried faces of their partners before they disappeared back to the Creature Realm. "Why humans do this?" Shouter asked in horror. "I don't know how anyone could do this to innocent creatures." Ray said in disgust. "Innocent creatures?" Alakshmi's voice asked out of mockery. Ray, Jen and Shouter turned around to see her, Saanvi and Glasses standing in front of the door. "They're monsters, idiots." Alakshmi said. "Yeah. They're nothing, but mindless beasts for humans to control." Saanvi said. "Yeah. Like this one. Swampstench Worm!" Glasses called, summoning a big grey Rotworm called Swampstench Worm. "Jackalax!" Saanvi called, summoning Jackalax. "Razorkinder Puppet!" Alakshmi called, summoning Razorkinder. "Mighty Shouter, time to duel." Ray said as he and Jen motioned their arms. Shouter charged towards their enemies, bashed Swampstench Worm with his club and knocked it back towards Glasses. "Razorkinder, Fear Gaze!" Alakshmi ordered. Razorkinder fired his attack, but Shouter wasn't even phased by it. "Our big guy's not afraid of your little toy, Alakshmi." Jen said. "Then try this! Jackalax, Wing Slash!" Saanvi ordered. Jackalax leapt at Shouter, preparing to slash at him with its wings. But Shouter blocked it and knocked Jackalax back. As Shouter prepared to swing his club again, Razorkinder ran up, spun his blade hands and sliced the club. As Razorkinder and Jackalax prepared to attack again, Shouter picked up Swampstench Worm and tossed it at the 2, causing all 3 of them to disappear. "No!" Alakshmi said with worry. Ray and Jen motioned their hands as Shouter let out a loud trumpet attack. Alakshmi, Saanvi and Glasses blocked it with their mana shields, but got blown back into the door, knocking them out. "Shouter knock down bad humans." Shouter said with pride. "Yes, you did." Ray said. "Couldn't have happened to anyone nicer." Jen said.

Suddenly, the door opened and revealed the Choten himself. "You 2 break into my home, damage my belongings and free my creatures?! Who do you think you 2 are, children?" He asked. "We're friends to every creature." Jen said. "Who do you think you are hurting them?" Ray asked. "You 2 need to see these monsters for what they are. Batteries." Choten said. "So, that's it. You abduct them, drain their energy and keep them prisoner until they recover." Ray said. "And when you drain too much and they disappear back across the Veil, you use your machine to hunt them down and bring them back here." Jen added. "They are the only natural resource that self-recharges. Yes, sometimes we drain too much and they go back. But we can always hunt them down again." Choten said. "Real noble, stealing their lives." Ray said. "Their lives are nothing. They are good for one other thing. Warfare." Choten said, using his tech gauntlet to rip open a portal. "TROX, GENERAL OF DESTRUCTION!" He called, forcing Trox, a Darkness Shadow Champion, a giant brown demon with 4 arms, a snake tail and 2 big horns, wielding a sword and an axe, through the portal. Ray and Jen stared at the giant creature in fear. "Now I'll show you what mana can do." Choten said. Trox slithered up to Shouter and prepared to swing his sword. But Ray and Jen motioned their arms as Shouter caught the sword's blade in his hands. But his knees started trembling. Trox tried to strike with his axe, but Shouter blocked it too. But then, Trox struck Shouter with his tail, knocking him back. "Your Masters see these as simple dueling beasts. Our outlooks are not so different." Choten said. "Well, we're different." Ray said. "In more ways than one." Jen added. Together, they pulled out their K-Tectors. "Execute! Guardian Spirit Evolution!" They called simultaneously, powering up their K-Tectors and transforming into Heatfroster and Lunaressa. Together, they stood beside Shouter. "Children who are capable of transforming into Guardian Spirits? You must give Nigel conniptions." Choten said without a single shock. Lunaressa charged forward and whacked Trox hard in the head with her spear. Heatfroster blasted him back with his icy flamethrower. Together, Heatfroster, Lunaressa and Shouter fired their attacks at the Choten. But he blocked them with his mana shield. "Impressive…for children." He said. Trox swung his axe at them, but Heatfroster blocked it with his sword. Lunaressa and Shouter moved around them and headed for the door to the portal. Heatfroster pulled back and leapt over Trox to rejoin his friends.

Meanwhile, the kids and Kazamas managed to get the last of the creatures through the portal. "That's the last of them." Gabe said. "Yes, your little friends are gone." Seneschal said, morphing his hands into blades. But then, Segmos, Thozotz, Thorn-Bringer and Grove Protector got between him and their friends. "You will not touch our friends, Seneschal." Thorn-Bringer warned. Suddenly, Heatfroster, Lunaressa and Shouter burst through the door and hit Seneschal, making him disappear. "Ray, Jen, quit messing around! Let's go!" Allie exclaimed. "Go! Get out of here! We're right behind you!" Heatfroster exclaimed as Choten and Trox walked in. "Oh, you are such a bad liar!" Allie exclaimed. "Come on! We have to trust them!" Gabe exclaimed. The kids, Kazamas, Segmos, Thozotz, Grove Protector and Thorn-Bringer crossed through the portal.

"You do have talent, children. You 2 could be great duelists. If you only stop caring for those…monsters." Choten said. "The only monster here is you, Choten." Heatfroster said venomously. "Yes. You're the only one who stopped caring for creatures because you obsess for power." Lunaressa added, glaring at him. "Is that so wrong?" Choten asked without even caring. Shouter picked up a generator and charged towards Trox with it. But Trox sliced the generator in half and knocked Shouter back. "All together now! Hit the portal with everything we got!" Heatfroster exclaimed, firing his icy fire attack while Lunaressa fired her moon beam and Shouter let out his trumpet attack. "NO!" Choten cried as the combined attacks destroyed the portal. "Let that be a warning to you, Choten. If you continue to treat our kind as nothing but monsters and mana batteries, it will lead you to a very unpleasant downfall." Heatfroster warned. The Choten, without even caring for what Heatfroster said, motioned his hand. Trox tossed his sword at Shouter. But instead of trying to catch it, Shouter let the sword hit him, to the Choten's shock. As Shouter started to disappear, Heatfroster and Lunaressa touched him, glared at the Choten for a second, and disappeared back across the Veil. "Those 2 meant to lose." Choten realized as Alakshmi, Saanvi and Glasses rejoined him after recovering. "Heh! Guess you showed them, Master." Glasses said. "Showed them what?! It will take weeks to rebuild the portal. Now clean up this mess." Choten ordered as he walked away.

Later, back in the Bronze-Arm village, after Ray, Jen, Terry and Greta transformed back, everyone gathered around Kimora as he used the Spell of Healing to heal Shouter. "The key to a Spell of Healing is to release your ego and become one with the creature you wish to help." Kimora explained as he healed Shouter. After being fully healed, Shouter sat up. "Shouter sees Choten's evil on both worlds. Shouter will be there for Kimora." He said. "Humans, my thanks to you for your great courage." Thorn-Bringer said, thanking them with a bow, which they bowed back. Thorn-Bringer walked up to Ray and Jen, and gestured to their arms. The twins rolled up their right sleeves and Thorn-Bringer marked them with the Bronze-Arm insignia. "You both are Bronze-Arm Tribe now. The tribe will be ready to help if you need them." Thorn-Bringer then turned to Terry. "Young Terrance, after witnessing how well you and your sister were able to handle the power of your Guardian Spirits, I have decided that if you should ever need me, all you have to do…is call my name." He said, holding out his hand. "Glad to have you on board, Thorn." Terry said, shaking Thorn-Bringer's hand. "And Mighty Shouter, you are more than mere warrior. You are a mystic who walks in 2 worlds. I name you Shaman of the Bronze-Arm Tribe. Hail Mighty Shouter!" Thorn-Bringer declared. "Shouter! Shouter! Shouter!" The tribe all chanted as Shouter let out a triumphant trumpet.

Later, as the group returned to the temple, Ray and Jen gave their report about the Choten's lair to the Masters before rejoining their friends in Kimora's garden. "So, we told the Masters everything we know about the Choten's lair." Ray said. "We only wish we had seen it from the outside." Jen said. "Master K, I thought we were going to keep our mission a secret." Ray said. "Yeah, why the sudden change of mind?" Jen asked. "The Choten is too terrible and evil. We must prepare for him. Because of you 2, we learned much to help us. Just as I learned, or finally accepted, that you and Jen were right, Ray. The creatures we duel with are intelligent, feeling beings, valued allies, and yes, friends." Kimora explained, handing Ray his watering can. Ray and Jen felt happy to hear that. Suddenly, Allie noticed that there were little pod creatures in her hair. "ARGH! Gabe, why didn't you tell me I was being eaten alive?!" She exclaimed. "Oh. I was going to, but then I was intrigued if they might lay eggs…on your…back." Gabe said. That made Allie glare at him. "Okay, just hold still." Ray said. "Yeah. Stay still and we'll pop these things off." Jen said. The kids each grabbed a pod and ripped it out of Allie's hair, causing her to scream. "I HATE GARDENING!" She shouted.

Well, how was that? Kimora was unable to summon Shouter for some reason. As the kids and Kazamas go with Kimora to investigate, they came into conflict with Shouter's tribe, the Bronze-Arm Tribe. But after Shouter smoothed things over, they learned that someone's been capturing the tribe and draining them of their mana. Suddenly, a giant claw snatched Ray, Jen, Bob and Weave, bringing them into the Choten's lair. Ray and Jen managed to sneak away and found their way into the holding cells where Choten were holding his kidnapped creatures. Together with Shouter and their friends, and 2 new Guardian Spirits, they managed to rescue the creatures and escape back across the Veil. But what's next for the team? Will the Choten seek payback for what Ray and Jen did? Leave a review if you want.