The Adventures of the SOL

 "Morning Charlie," she said nodding as he walked by, reading.

 "Hey Mina," Charlie nodded back and continued on his way.

 Mina sighed and stared at her watch again, finding it was still the same time.  She was getting a little restless.  How could they all be asleep?  Because they stayed up late again.  Well, how could they stay up so late?  Sighing again she stomped out of the hallway into her room.

"Who are they?" Creton murmured to himself, staring into a globe that flashed images at him.  "They have hidden power."

 In the globe pictures flashed of Donavan, Ran, and Omi, the boys that kept interfering with Creton's plans and allying the SOL.  They were becoming a nuisance and now his lady had sensed something from them.  There was something about them, she had said.

 "They are the messengers, of course," he heard and it was his lady's dark voice.  She was watching the scene from behind his shoulder.  She was merely a shadow now but when she returned to full strength…

 "Creton, I have a new goal for you," she whispered, "I want these boys.  Use the demons from now on.  I am running out of minions."

 "The demons?" Creton asked.

 "Yes, they are all different in certain ways but they are all the same species," she said, "I am tired of you misusing my minions.  Take the demons, they are stronger."

 "But more abundant," Creton finished, "I understand my lady.  But why do you want these boys?  They have no part in this, do they?"

 "I will see to it that they do," she said and pointed at the globe, "Observe."

 The image changed to one of the animist and Omi staring at each other, then looking away embarrassed.  It changed to Serena and Ran kissing out by a hidden lake.  It changed again to Lita and Donavon talking in the forest, then of Donavan saving Lita from a huge beast.

 "To capture these boys would surely bring the SOL straight to us," she explained, "they all have feelings for these boys in one way or another."

 "What about Rei?" Creton asked suddenly, "She has no attachment to any of them?  Does she carry feelings for them?"

 "Enough to bring her here," she said.

 "Good," Creton smiled.

 "It is time to enlist more help," she said, "You aren't capable of gaining me the child, and I have already explained to you how important he is."

 "Yes, my lady," Creton nodded.

 "I will enlist one more member to lead my demons," she said, "Set I you forth!"  A whirlwind of blackness filled the room.  Out of it appeared a tall dark haired man.   He appeared on one knee with his eyes closed.  He opened those eyes, which were a dull orange and stood up.  "My queen, you have called?"

 "I did," she replied, "You are to use my demons to capture the child.  He has fallen into the clutches of the gifted ones and must be removed immediately."

 "The child…?  So the prophecy has begun," the man called Set bowed his head.  "I will do as you ask my queen."  Creton stared.  Who was this young man?  Creton decided that he didn't like him at all.  Whoever he was, he was competition.  He did not seem excited or enthused at being given this assignment.

 "Now begin, and do not fail me, either of you," she said and was gone.  She disappeared along with the other man and Creton sat to work.

Mina sat up but found she wasn't in her room.  She had fallen back to sleep that morning and was dreaming, but she didn't know that.  She looked around herself.  Where was she?

 She saw tall white columns and a red carpet going down the middle of several long benches.  She turned around and saw a statue of a beautiful woman with long hair.

 She stood up and saw that she was in a temple of some kind.  She stared at the stained glass windows.  It was beautiful.  And it seemed strangely familiar.  She walked down the isle, staring around herself when she heard a loud crunch from the back.  She saw two tall double doors standing high above her and partially open.  She walked forward and pressed against a door, opening it so she could hear what was going on outside.

 Sitting outside the door was a woman with long blonde hair tied back and over the top of her head.  Two locks of hair in front of her ears fell loose and went to her waist.  She was in a tense fighting position.  Mina looked past her at the dark ragged landscape and saw a dark creature moving fast towards the woman.

 "You may not enter!" she shouted and held up a hand.  A strange symbol appeared in the middle and it turned into a transparent beam.  The black thing was disintegrated.

 The woman sighed and waited.

 "How long can you hold them off?" a voice asked.

 "You!" the woman cried and turned on the person, a black haired man.  She cast another spell and fired it at him, but he side stepped and it missed.  She smiled.

 "Istris, you can no longer hold off my army and myself," he did not seem smug.  He didn't seem to be anything for that matter, totally impassive. "Stop trying.  This temple will belong to us."

 "Never!" Istris hissed, "I vowed to protect this temple with my whole heart.  Now move or be moved.  Your army shall not pass."

 "We will," the man said.

 "Why have you done this Set?  Why have you turned against the forces of light?" Istris cried.  "Don’t you understand what will happen if this world is plunged into chaos?"

 "I don't care," Set wrapped his cape around him, "I have things I need to protect.  The others.  You know my first priority is my companions."

 "You would destroy life as you know it, all life, just to protect these so called companions?" Istris cried, "Set, how could you?"

 "You have been recruited as a Sacred Warrior I hear," Set said, "And a talented one.  Sharondia and that prince have done well in recruitment, but you don't stand a chance against My Ladies fleet.  Istris, join me and put an end to the destruction and pain."

 "I'm not like you Set," Istris said.

 Set stared at her and Mina could see pain in his eyes.  He held up a hand and disappeared.  Istris and Mina both looked towards the mountains.

 Istris made a symbol between two hands and fired a huge blast as several of the dark things ran towards the white temple.  The first in line were cut down, but more charged.  Istris took a step back and fired again, blasting down several more but still they came.

 They ran to the temple and in Istris's hurry to get back inside the safe haven of the temple, she fell.  She covered her head as the army of darkness ran towards her when Mina saw a shape blur down and stand in front of her.  It was a person.  He wore a hood and a piece of cloth over his mouth.  She could only see his eyes and some of his hair.

 He held up a large blade and cut down several of the things.

 "Who are you?!" Istris cried.

 "A friend," the man said, "Get into the temple."  He fought off more soldiers and Istris ran for the temple.  Mina ran in behind her and, still fighting off the soldiers, the stranger followed.  They shut the door and Mina just watched.

 "Can we hold them off from in here?" the man asked.

 "Yes, if we're careful," Istris explained.

 The man was about to speak when they heard a voice.

 "Istris your time has come," Set said from the platform behind them.  Istris gasped as Set fired a huge blast and…
 Mina sat up with a gasp.  Her heart was pounding in her chest.  She pressed her hair back out of her eyes and stared forward.

 "Are you okay?" TK asked.

 "I'm fine," Mina smiled halfheartedly at him, "Just a bad dream."

 "Okay," TK said.  He was laying down in the corner and put his head down.  Mina checked the time.  She had been asleep for about fifteen minutes and it didn't sound like anyone was awake yet.  She didn't mean to fall asleep.  She got up and slipped on a pair of sandals.

 "Where are you going?" TK asked.

 "For a walk," Mina smiled at TK, "Just sleep, I'll be fine. Come get me when everyone else is awake."  TK just went back to sleep and Mina walked out the door, thinking about the dream.  What did it mean?

 She walked the short way to the forest, the way with a wilder path.  She made her way to the broken down church in the clearing nearby.  She walked in and stared at its broken walls and charred pews.  She sat down on one of the pews and stared around herself.  She imagined the temple she had been in and saw they were nothing alike.  The church was quaint and small, the other was huge.  But where was it?  All those dark mountains were around it and the dark army…

 Mina shivered.  Those things were scary.  They had no shape or form.  They were just like black with two piercing red eyes.

 And Istris, what was it about that woman?  Was it just a dream?  If so, then where did she come up with Istris?  Her head began aching as she asked question after question.

 She stood up and walked with a quick pace into the forest.  She looked around for an animal to talk to.  They always had good advice when you were confused, especially old birds and carnivores, but to her surprise she didn't even hear any animals.  Not a chirp, a rustle or a growl.  It was as if everything had left.  Where was everything?

 She paused and listened for any sound at all.

 She turned a little and thought she saw two red eyes staring back at her.  She gasped and took a step back, but they were gone.  It must have been the dream.  She was thinking of those things in the dream.

 Another question she had to ask was who was that masked man?  He had protected Istris.  There was something familiar about him.  Of course, there was something familiar about the whole dream.

 She thought she heard a rustle to her right and looked but there was nothing there.  She began to wonder how safe she was in this forest and the dream was momentarily pressed aside.

 Then a voice rang from beneath the trees, singing.

 It was in some language she couldn't understand and she found herself backing away.  Where exactly was it coming from, it seemed to surround her.  She gripped the stone around her neck.

 Maybe it was nothing.  Perhaps a strange bird or another animal.  She dropped her hand from the necklace that would summon TK.

 "Little animist," the voice whispered, "Where are you, my friend?  Come and see me, and we'll have fun."

 "Where are you?" she asked fiercely, still hearing the voice from all sides.

 "Right here," the voice said and a shape came floating from above.  She saw a woman with blonde hair come down and land in front of her.  She had long blonde hair and blue markings around her eyes.  She smiled.

 "What are you?" Mina asked, forgetting the necklace.

 "It doesn't matter," she said in a sweet voice.  Mina knew she was the one who had been singing.  "What matters is pleasing my master."

 That was all Mina had to hear.  She was working for Creton.  She reached up for her necklace, but like lightning, the demon's hand stretched farther forward than Mina knew was at all possible.  Mina choked as the hand gripped her around the throat.  The woman's other hand flew forward and snapped the necklace from her neck.

 Mina gasped and tried to pull away.

 "My master will be pleased," she said and dropped Mina.  "Fight me animist.  Call forth your creatures."

 Mina stared at the necklace that was held in the hand of the woman.  The woman stared at it and smiled.  She tossed it backwards and it landed somewhere deeper into the forest.  Mina sat helpless against the demon.

She smiled and with a tearing sound two large black bat-like wings sprouted from her back.  "Are you ready for the end, animist?"

 "Stop!" a voice commanded and Mina turned to see Omi standing there.

 "Omi!" she cried and ran towards him.

 The demon was fast and Mina felt herself fly backwards.  Her head hit a tree trunk with huge impact and she slipped to the ground.  She heard Omi call her name and lost consciousness.

"Mina!" Omi cried, then turned on the demon, "How dare you!"  Omi jumped forward and held a hand backwards.  The demon dodged and Omi fired from behind.  It hit her and she turned on Omi in anger.

 "Not bad for a child," she said and built up an attack in her hands.  She let go of it with a blast.  Omi barely dodged it and landed in the dirt face down.  He watched it tear apart forest behind him and stood up.

 Omi had been walking in the forest when he heard singing.  The singing was beautiful so he went to see who is was, curiosity filling him.  What he found did not please him and he held up a hand and closed it around a beam of light.  He tossed forward and four spiraling dark blue pieces of energy flew towards the demon.  She flew to one side and appeared right next to him.

 Omi jumped backwards and she swung again at him.  He jumped back and cast an eye over to Mina.  She was still unconscious.  Omi kicked forward and the woman drew back. She flew into the air and fired at him.  He rolled aside.

 "Give up, foolish boy," she said, "I have no concern for you right now."

 "You should," Omi replied and pulled three blades from his pocket, tossing them at her.  One sliced her down her cheek and she held a hand up to the burning wound.

 "My face!" she cried and flew at him.  Omi jumped and turned, firing at her from behind.  She let out a screech and turned.

 "What is your concern with this girl?" she asked him, suddenly taking on an over sweet tone.  Omi felt himself grow dizzy.

 "Your mind tricks won’t work," Omi shook the feeling off, "I concerned myself with her for my own reasons.  Now leave or be destroyed."

 "What is it you do exactly?  Are you a defender of the weak, boy?" she asked, looking amused.

 "I am a messenger," Omi replied, "Leave.  Now, or you will regret it."  He fired a warning blast at her.

 "I understand now," she said, landing, and Omi started.  He didn't actually expect her to listen to him.  Her wings shrunk into her back and she began to walk away.  Omi relaxed a little and ran over to where Mina was sitting.

 "Mina?  Mina, are you okay?" he asked, shaking her a bit, but she was out.  He sighed and picked her up.  She was limp in his arms.  "I'll have to take you to HQ."

 He began to walk through the forest with Mina dangling in his arms.

 And demon eyes followed his path.

Rei looked inside the lounge to see Amy, Serena, and Hotaru all sitting around.

 "Have you guys seen Mina?" Rei asked them, "I've been all over the castle and she's no where to be found.  It's unusual for her not to be pestering me with today's to-do list."

 "I haven't seen her," Amy said not looking up from her book.  Rei saw Koty sitting in her lap, looking at the book with puzzlement on his face.

 "Amy," he said, poking the book, "What's wrong with this book?  Why doesn't it have pictures?  Is there something wrong with it?  Did it lose its pictures?"

 "I wonder the same thing," Serena muttered dryly and Hotaru laughed.  Koty laughed too but didn't really understand.  He wiggled under Amy's arm and walked over to Rei.

 "Rei, Amy's reading a weird book," he told her.

 "Well, Koty," Rei told him, "Amy's a weird person who needs to be ignored when she's doing her weird grown up stuff."

 "Rei, are you being a bad influence?" Hotaru asked, playing with a string by wrapping it around her fingers and making different shapes.  She was actually pretty good at it.

 "Me?  Of course not," Rei put a hand over her heart, "I am incapable of such atrocity, right Koty?  Now let me show you how to play a proper prank."

 Amy gave her a look over her book and Rei winked.  "Well, if you guys see Mina tell me.  She may have gone walking."

 She walked out and down the hall, where she met up with Rais.

 "Have you seen Mina?" they both asked at the same time.  Rei laughed.  "I guess that answers my question."

 "Yeah," Rais nodded, "What's up Koty?"

 "Rei says that Amy is weird because she's reading a book without pictures," Koty explained, "But I think Amy's book is sick."

 Rais laughed.  "Let me tell you a secret," Rais knelt down next to him, "All girls are weird.  They look good and they're nice to have around sometimes, but they don’t actually do anything."

 Koty stared at Rais and Rei gave Rais a very dirty look.  "What are you trying to teach the boy?" she asked indignantly.

 "That girls are weird," Rais said, and guided Koty away, "Another thing about girls is that you never ever want to insult their wardrobe.  Most likely they spent hours on it."

 "Oh," Koty said, not really understanding, "I see."

 Rei shook her head as they walked away.  They passed that kid around like a puppy.  He was so darn cute and cuddly.

She continued looking for Mina.  Maybe she would try the forest.

"Omi, what have you done?!"  Donavan's voice could be heard throughout a large portion of the forest.  Unfortunately this yelling was almost directly in Omi's ear and he winced.

 "What was I suppose to do?" Omi asked, "I couldn't leave her there.  She was hurt.  Besides, what's the big deal anyway?"

 "There's a reason secret head quarters are called secret," Donavan continued to shout, "Would you like to know why?  Because, and it's really quite simple when you think about it, but, they're secret.  That means no one is supposed to know about them!"

 "What was I supposed to do?" Omi asked again, "Did you want me to leave her there?  Because that was the only other option."

 "You should have taken her to the castle where her friends are," Donavan said, "What else?  Heck, you were probably closer anyway."

 "How would it have looked had I been carrying her unconscious into the castle?" Omi asked, "They don't fully trust us and from their point of view that would look really bad."

 "I don't care, she has to leave before she figures out where she is," Donavan growled, thrusting a finger at the door, "You're an idiot Omi.  You could have done anything but bring her here."

 "I'm not an idiot, you're heartless," Omi replied, "And she stays until she regains consciousness."

 "You're an idiot," Donavan repeated, "Ran tell him he's an idiot."  Ran looked up from his newspaper.

 "Don't get me in the middle of this," he replied, "this is between you two."

 "This is your secret hide out too," Donavan called, "Or actually a not so secret hide out now that Omi's had his say."

 "Still not getting into it," Ran said and continued to read.  Donavan heaved a sigh and walked out the door.  Omi watched him and turned to Ran.

 "What was I supposed to do?" Omi asked.

 "I probably would have done the same," Ran said after checking to make sure Donavan was really gone, "We are trying to gain their trust aren't we?"

 "Exactly," Omi nodded.

 "But," Ran added, "That doesn't make it smart.  There is a reason we have a secret hide out.  We don't want to be targeted."

 "That won't happen," Omi shook his head, "We are safe."

 "We're never safe," Ran said and began to read again.  Omi sighed and went into his room where Mina was laying on his bed.  He stared at her for a moment.  Where was TK when that demon attacked?

 She turned her head a little.  He picked up a damp cloth and ran it over her forehead.  She wasn't hurt too badly; she just had a bump on the head.  Omi stared harder at her face.  What was it about this girl that drew him to her?  He carefully pushed her hair away from her forehead.

 She gave a soft groan.

 "Mina?" he asked and she opened her eyes.

 "Omi?" she mumbled and looked up.

 "You're fine," he smiled as she sat up still drowsy, "How do you feel?"  She stared at him and leaned forward.
 "I'm fine," she replied, staring right into his eyes.

 "I'm glad," he said, staring back.  The stared at each other for the longest time.  All at once, they both leaned in at the same time, Mina tilting her head to one side.

 "Hey Omi!" Omi heard and started, moving away.  Mina leaned back quickly, a blush filling her face.  What had she been doing?

 "Is she awake?" Ran asked, poking his head in.

"Yes," Omi replied and Ran shook his head.

 "Donavan's not gonna like this…"

"Mina!" Amy called, "Rei wants to have a chat with you!  Where are you?"  Amy was walking through the forest in search of the animist.  Where did that girl go?  It certainly wasn't like her to be gone a long time without letting someone know first.  She was supposed to be the responsible one.

 Amy felt like she had seen every inch of the forest just looking for Mina.  Her feet hurt, she was hot, and she was tired, and she was also wondering where in the heck Mina could have gone off to.

 She was getting a little worried.

 "Anything?" Amy heard and saw Hotaru coming through the forest.

 "Not yet," Amy sighed, "Did anyone else find anything?  I can't believe she would just leave without telling anyone…"

 "No one found anything," Hotaru shook her head, "I think Rei's getting a little worried.  And you know what that means…"

 "That everyone needs to be worried," Amy nodded her head, "Gotcha.  She is a Psychic after all, I guess we should trust it when she has a hunch."

 "And TK seems a little worried, but if she was in trouble she would have contacted him, wouldn't she have?" Hotaru asked.

 "Well, I dunno, maybe… Hey, what is that?" Amy looked over Hotaru's shoulder and Hotaru turned around.

 "You mean that tree or the one next to it because that's all there is, Amy," Hotaru said dryly.  Amy ignored her and pressed past, going towards the forest.

 "No, look, don't you see something glittering?" Amy asked and Hotaru shifted positions.  Yes, she saw it, there was something glittering in the grass.

 "What is it?" Hotaru asked, following her.

 Amy reached down and slowly picked up the object.  She held it up with a look of realization dawning on her face.  She and Hotaru stared at each other and hurried back to the castle.

 It was Mina's necklace which she used to summon TK.  The one she wouldn't remove for her life.  They both hoped that her life wasn't the cost of losing it.

She watched the small cottage with beady eyes.  It was discreet and small, a perfect hiding place.  She had found what Creton had asked of her.  She knew where to find the prophets.  And that was what, not only Creton, but the queen had asked for.

 Now she had to work on her approach.  How to get them without them getting her?  That was a problem.  She knew that at least two of them had strong magical powers and the last had amazing martial arts talent and amazing aim with a gun.  She needed a plan.  She needed to surprise them.  Not just the way she could by walking through their front door but in a way that they had absolutely no chance to react.

 She was surprised to see the older one storm out of the cottage.  Yes of course, he was angry with the one named Omi because of his incompetent choice of bringing the girl to the hide out.  And he was right, Omi had made a big mistake, for was she not at their front door?  Now she would choose her moment, and now was not that moment.  She wanted them all together so she could bring them in all together, as requested.

 And she needed them alive.  They were going to be used as bait.

But better yet, she could destroy the animist during her attack and take care of one of the problems her queen was facing.

And still she had to wait for that moment.

 So she did.

"Her necklace?" Rei asked, holding the necklace in front of herself.  Her face was very serious.  "This can't be good.  Where did you guys find it?"

 "In the forest," Hotaru said, "The only reason we noticed it was because it was glittering under the sun.  Otherwise…"

 "This is a magical necklace," Serena took it, "When an object of power wants to be found, it'll be found.  That was from scout school too."  Everyone was constantly amazed at how much Serena knew about magic because of that little school.

 Charlie nodded.  "That's true, it wanted to be found, and a good thing.  So where is Mina?  Rei can't you check?"

 "Yeah," Rei replied, troubled, "And I have, but something is disrupting my powers.  I mean, it's not like she's not there, it's like she's under a shield or something."

 "So she's not dead?" Lita said and everyone glared at her for suggesting something of that nature.  "Sorry."

 "No, I guarantee she isn't dead," Rei replied, "If I couldn't sense her at all, then I would be worried."

 "So what are we going to do?" Rais asked, "I mean, we don't know where she is so all we have to go off is instinct."

 "You forget that Psychics thrive off of instinct," Rei smirked, "I'll find her.  And you guys come too.  We'll split up and search for her."

 They all agreed and separated.

"Where am I?" Mina asked and Ran and Omi exchanged a glance.  She looked at each of them and then down at the bed she was in.  "Whose bed am I in?"

 Omi slowly raised his hand and Mina blushed even more.  "Oh."

 Ran stared at both Omi and Mina.  He thought he understood why Omi had brought Mina to their hide out now.  "This is our house," Ran said, "Where we live.  Omi brought you here when you were hurt.  Looks like you're much better now."

 "Yes, thanks," Mina said, then gasped, reaching for her necklace.  It wasn't there.  She threw the covers off of herself and started out the door.

 "Whoa!" Omi cried, "Where are you going?  Are you sure you're okay?"

 "I'm fine, but Rei's going to have a worry fit if I'm gone much longer, and I need to find my necklace," Mina explained.

 "I can't let you leave until I know that you are 100% okay," Omi said pushing her gently onto the bed.  Mina stared up at him.

 "I'm fine," Mina said but without much resistance.  Omi just sat down next to her and placed a hand on the bump of her head.  She winced and pulled away.

 "That hurts," she said.

 "Sorry," he said, "You got hit pretty hard.  You're tough for a little animist.  I'm surprised about that much."

 "I wouldn't be surprised if I were you," Mina pointed out, "I believe you've met TK, or do you need to be reintroduced?"  She folded her arms.

 "No, quite alright," Omi smiled.

 Ran cleared his throat.  They stared at him and he was frowning.  "I do exist over here, you know," he retorted and both of them blushed.

 "Well, you seem okay," Omi said to Mina hastily, "If you want to leave, you can."  Ran's ear flicked in agitation.  That's not what he meant.

 "This is your house?" Mina said, looking around instead of leaving, "You guys just live out here in the forest alone?"

 "Well, we have each other," Ran added, "Not that that's much company.  Donavan's no fun to talk to and lover boy over here never leaves his journal."

 Omi blushed and Mina stared at him a moment, then continued to look around.  "I kind of like it, it must be nice out here."

 "Yeah, kinda is," Omi replied, "No one to bother you except the birds."

 "Birds do talk a lot," she said absently.  Omi and Ran exchanged amused glances and watched her as she looked through the entire cottage.  "Where are you guys from?" Mina asked, "I don't see pictures of your families or anything.  I don't see much of anything in the way of decoration."

 Omi and Ran didn't reply and she didn't continue to ask.

 "I guess I should go," Mina sighed, "It was nice visiting your house."

 "Nice… um… having you I suppose," Ran said awkwardly then grinned, "Anytime, Doll.  Say goodbye, Gov'ner."

 "Don't call me that," Omi blushed deeper.

 "See you around, Doll," Ran waved, elbowing Omi, "If you come back, just ignore the tall blonde man and you should be fine."

 "I heard that!"  Donavan shut the door behind him as he walked in and sneered down at Mina.  Mina was very short and Donavan was extremely tall.  She felt very small.

 "I think I'll go," Mina said and started away.

 Then the wall exploded.

 "Prepare to be destroyed, prophets," a voice said, "I am Alandria, order of Mistrals, highest order of all demons.  By the will of Creton of Evilopolis and the Queen's third in command, and by the will of the queen herself, I will -- AGH!"

 Donavan had whipped out a gun and waited for the smoke to clear.  Then he had waited for the demon to finish her speech.  Then her got tired of waiting and fired at her and she stopped talking abruptly.

 "How dare you?" she snarled.

 "Easy, you just pull this little trigger right here," as if to demonstrate he fired again and she dodged.
 "Quit that!" she snapped.

 He stuck his tongue out at her.  With an angry cry she flew at him and he dodged.  She knocked into a few things on the other side but quickly turned back around.  "Hey, you're screwing up the house!" he cried, "I hope you plan on paying for that wall."

 Mina watched what was going on with apprehension.  Without her necklace she had no power to protect herself.  She gasped as Omi kept himself between her and the demon.  He turned back to her and winked.

 "I don't care about your house," the woman, Alandria, sniffed, "I am here to capture all three of you.  And to destroy the animist."

 "That would be against our policy, Doll" Ran replied calmly, "Maybe if you asked nicely we'd go, but you went and ruined it now."

 "Silence!' she cried, "I don't think you quite realize who you're dealing with here."

 "No," Donavan said and Mina saw that he was a very temperamental fellow, "You don't understand.  You come bursting into my home and make threats… well, let's just say that's an excellent way to get shot."  He held up a gun.  She smiled.

 Donavan fired and Mina covered her ears.  The sound of the gun was growing to be too much for her ears.  The woman moved out of the way with ease and grace.  The bullet whizzed by.

 "Donavan," Ran growled, "You're trying to shoot the wind, don't you know anything about demons?"  He cracked his knuckles.  "Okay, Doll, let's just…"

 Suddenly she was right in front of him and kicked him in the chin.  He flew back into Omi and nearly into Mina.
 "Who doesn't know anything about demons?" Donavan rolled his eyes.

 Ran just stood up.  "That's how you wanna play, then fine," he said, "I dare you to try that again, Doll."

 So she did, but this time he moved his head to one side.  He grabbed her ankle and threw her out of the house.  They all followed her.  She growled and ran back at the cat boy.  He jumped aside and buffed him fingernails.

 "You'll have to be faster than that," he said, then as an afterthought, "Doll."

 She came back around, but this time disappeared just before she reached him and came up behind him.  She threw a punch but he ducked just in time and threw her over his head.  She landed on her back, but was up immediately.

 "Getting better," Ran nodded.  She didn't try again. Instead she created an attack and threw it at him.  He back flipped and it hit the ground in front of him.  Then there was another.  And another.  He jumped back but they kept coming faster.  Then one came from behind and he was hit.  She had switched places and he hadn't seen it.  Before he could hit the ground she was in front of him.  She hit him backwards then whirled around and kicked him.  He rolled across the ground, landing on his stomach and didn't get up.

 "Ran!" Omi cried, but before he could do anything, Donavan ran forward.  He pulled out a gun and fired up at her.  She dove down and he ducked.  Unlike Ran, when directly challenged there was no dodging.

 So when she flew at him as if to hit him he blocked.

 She tried again and he blocked.  She went faster than Mina knew was possible and he, with some effort, blocked every move.

 Finally there was a pause and Donavan's fist lashed out and punched her across the face.  She flew back and landed on the ground.

 "So you'd hit a lady?" she asked, trying to look pitiful and he nodded, smirking.  Her mind tricks wouldn't work.

 "You'd hit a guy with goggles on," Donavan nodded up to his forehead.  They continued to fight and Omi took the chance to check on Ran.  Ran was out cold but he was still alive.  Omi sighed with relief.

 "He's okay?" Mina asked.

 Omi turned to her.  "Yes, he has a bad habit of knocking himself out.  Why haven't you called TK?" he asked, not accusingly, but urgently.

 "I can't," Mina shook her head, "I need my necklace.  There's nothing I can do without the necklace.  That's how we're connected."

 "So what should we do?" Omi asked, looking up helplessly at Donavan and then Alandria fighting.  Just then Alandria got a hit and Donavan flew backwards until his back hit a tree.  She tossed a spell forward and three golden bands of light secured him against the tree.

 Then she turned on Omi.

 "Omi!" Donavan said, sounding angry, "Hey, you ugly wench, pick on someone your own size!"  She ignored him and continued to stare at Omi.

 "Take cover," Omi said and went forward.

 "Omi wait!" Mina reached out to stop him but too late.  He was running towards Alandria, ready to fight.  He looked up at her in the air.

Alandria smiled.  "So you'll fight me?  You better hope that your skills are as good as those two.  Better actually."

 "I'm no good at physically fighting," Omi shook his head.

 Alandria stared for a minute.  Then she started laughing, a light pretty sound but with so much menace Mina winced from it.  She watched anxiously as Omi's expression never altered.

 "Why do you want to fight me?" she asked, "Tell me, what would you rather do?  Go willingly and not risk this girl's life, or go against me and risk that she might be hurt?  Either way I'm here for you three, not her just yet."

 Omi was surprised that she was after them but managed to mask it.  "I have a feeling no matter which I chose she will be hurt," Omi shook his head, "I'll fight you.  Right now if you don't mind."

 "Omi what are you doing?" Donavan shouted, unable to break free from his bonds, "Your magic isn't strong enough!"

 "Shut up, Donavan," Omi murmured.

 "So you want to take on my magic?" she asked, "You stand about as much chance as a worm does fighting a bird."

 "It's a chance I'll take," Omi replied, giving her a cheerful smile, "So unless you're frightened of a little guy like me…"

 "Me?" she asked, "Never.  I was just giving you a chance to go out a little less painfully.  Prepare yourself then."

 "Okay, but we'll see about who feels the pain," he replied.

 He raised his hands and spread them apart.  Mina could see tiny bolts of energy radiating off of them and between them.  He brought his hands closer together and fired.  The lightning blast went toward the woman.  She smiled until it got close.  She suddenly put up and hand, but the attack was stronger than she had predicted.

 She flew backwards and was only able to stop herself with those demonic wings.  She let out a maniacal growl and fired at Omi, but it was mis-aimed and not very strong.  Omi easily got out of the way.

 "How do you dare to pull such a trick on me?" she growled and held up a hand of her own.  There was a flash of light as a black sword appeared from nowhere.  She held it forward and smiled.  "We shall see who will come out as the winner in this little battle," she said, "And maybe you will think twice about attacking me with such a cheap shot."

 "Omi get out of there!" Donavan shouted, but Omi was frozen in place.  Alandria laughed and fired a blast at Omi's feet.  Omi jumped back and lost his balance.

 "Yes, run," she smiled, "It only makes the chase more fun."  But even as she said it, she flew down, not giving Omi a chance to get back up.

 Omi covered his head with an arm and Mina started to run forward, but too late.  Alandria was too close and Mina was too far away.

 Instead, from nowhere, a shape hit Alandria from the side and Mina was shocked to see it was a person.

 "Eat Psychic wrath bat girl!" she heard and realized that it was Rei, and she had just drop kicked a very powerful demon.

 "Rei!" Mina called, smiling, and Rei turned her attention to Mina.

 "Hey!" Rei flashed Mina a peace sign, "You think I'd leave you guys to have all the fun?  Uh uh."  She then turned back at the demon. Alandria was up and flying towards Rei.

 "Twilight technique!" Rei called and a bright yellow flash went between them.  Mina saw that Rei was flying back, but because she had jumped, not been hit.  Alandria flew into the air, but seemed unhurt.

 She spread her wings and held the black sword with both hands.  She brought it up and down on an invisible target it seemed, but suddenly a bright flash and a piece of black energy came out of it.  Rei jumped aside and tossed a red attack at the demon.

 "Omi, are you okay?" Mina asked him but he was focused on the battle between Rei and the demon.  Mina wasn't too worried; Rei had the strongest magical energy of anyone she knew.

 "She isn't strong enough," Omi said and Mina stared at him.

 "Now way that woman is stronger than Rei," Mina shook her head, "Magically speaking I mean.  There's only one person we know of who can destroy Rei with magic and that's Creton himself."  But even as she watched, Rei was falling behind.

 "She's so powerful!" Rei remarked as she landed next to Omi and Mina, "You two try to see if you can get Donavan off of that tree, I might need your help."  Mina started towards Donavan.  "Oh wait Mina.  Here."  She tossed Mina the necklace and with a smile Mina caught it.  Meanwhile Omi was still going towards Donavan.

 Rei went back to the battle.  Mina started to call forth TK but saw Omi and joined him.  There wasn't much TK could do right this second anyway.  Omi wasn't sure exactly how to release Donavan.

 "Just do something you fool," Donavan growled, obviously very annoyed at being tied to a tree while Rei fought.

 "You know," Omi chided while conjuring a spell, "With that attitude I should just leave you here.  You have no gratitude for anything."

 "Just hurry up!" Donavan yelled and Omi struck the bonds with the attack. They flickered and faded, leaving Donavan free.

 Then they all turned to Rei.  Just then Rei put a pretty good kick onto Alandria's face.  Alandria stumbled backwards, paused and looked down.  She saw the three standing, just watching the battle and appeared in front of them, firing at Mina.  Omi gasped and stepped in front of her.  Everyone was surprised when he transported right in front of her.  It had been a transport spell.

 Alandria put out a hand and grabbed him by the front of his shirt.  They were pretty high off the ground and Omi stared precariously down.

 "Omi!" Mina cried.

 "I will take at least one of you to my master!" Alandria claimed.

 "Stop!" Rei called, "None of these boys has anything to do with me.  Leave them out of this.  It's me and my people you want!"

 "You know better Princess," Alandria smiled, never taking her eyes off of Omi, "And we know you do.  The capture of these boys could bring us a lot of help.  Now stand down or I'll kill him right now."  Omi realized he could have dropped and Rei wouldn't let him fall, but he found he couldn't move.  She had some sot of spell around him.

 "No!" Mina cried, suddenly angry, "Stop it now!"

 "Or you'll what?" Alandria said and looked amused.  Her smile faded as a yellow aura surrounded Mina and her necklace lifted a little from her neck.  She spread her arms and her eyes glowed a bright white.  A sphere appeared around her necklace and glowed brightly.  Her eyes were a mix of orange and yellow, glittering brightly.  She exploded into light and suddenly Omi was transported behind Mina.  He stared up in awe.

 "Mina?"

Suddenly, TK came from the necklace and stood in front of her, his eyes glowing orange.  Mina's orb grew larger and shot forward.  The gem on TK's forehead glowed and made a sphere around Alandria.

 "What's happening?" Alandria cried.

 Mina's attack joined the sphere turning it orange.  They could no longer see inside of it anymore.  They heard Alandria shriek out.  The attack seemed to explode, then fade.  Mina turned back to normal and stumbled backwards, falling into Omi's arms.  TK was gone.

 "Mina, are you okay?" Rei asked, running over.

 "I'm fine," she mumbled, laying in Omi's lap but not realizing it.  Rei just shook her head, kneeling down next to her.

 "Where have I heard that before?" Omi muttered.  Just then Donavan approached supporting Ran.

 "How about you two?" Rei asked them.

 "We're fine, but I wish I was the one to mangle that little…" Ran grumbled, "I'm just fine, Gov'ness."

 "Governess?" Rei asked and he shrugged, managing to stand up on his own.

 "Man, look at our house," Donavan turned around and grumbled at the house with it's exploded wall and ruined interior.

 "Let me help," Rei said and before he could say anything she jumped forward, chanted a spell and it surrounded the house.  It was suddenly good as new.

 "How did you…?" Ran asked, amazed.

 "Easy," Rei smiled, "A time reversal spell.  It doesn't work much for anything except for small areas of damage and as an occasional healing spell.  But it's best not to use it on people, they forget that they were ever hurt."

 "I could stand that," Ran muttered.

"Yes, and one never wants to mess around with time anyway," Rei reminded him, "I fixed your house, be happy.  I think Mina and I should be going home before everyone worries."

 Mina stood up with the help of Omi and Rei kept an eye to make sure she didn't fall.  She seemed a little out of it.

 "Uh, Rei?" Donavan said.  He looked as though he was struggling with something.  He was glaring at the ground.  Finally, in a small grumble he said, "Thanks."

 "Your welcome," Rei waved, "See you."

 They walked away and as soon as they were out of ear shot Rei turned to Mina.  "So what's the deal with you and Omi huh?"

 Mina stared at her.

 "What?"

Mina didn't reply as they walked back to the castle.

Chapter 21