Zoe, Synan, and Elsie walk down the

fuchsia pathway that leads away from the

cave’s exit.

“So, Synan, what really went on in

that room?”

“Some invisible guy pulverized me.”

“Was it Syrus?” Zoe laughs.

“No. I don’t know who it was.”

Elsie is riding on Synan’s back again.

Skyber is back in its ideya.

So far, Zoe’s monsters are Clawz,

Prisem, and Skyber, and Synan’s are

Monk, Crystal, and Emerald.

Elsie looks back. “Look!”

Zoe and Synan look back. On top

of the cave is the mist-like monster they

saw in the cave.

Zoe looks forward. “Synan, look!”

Synan looks forward. Ahead of them

is a large castle surrounded by a lava moat.

Elsie gasps and jumps off Synan’s

back. Elsie runs toward the side of the volcano,

to a small camp site. There are two people

already there, a man and a woman. They must

be Elsie’s parents.

“Thank you, Synan and Zoe, for

bringing me back to my parents.”

Elsie’s parents walk over to meet

Synan and Zoe.

“Hi. My name is Logan, and my wife’s

name is Alisha.” The father says.

“We’re Synan and--” Synan says. Zoe

interrupts, “And Zoe.”

“Nice to meet you.” The mother says.

“Here, Elsie. Take this book. If you

touch its picture, it will bring us to you, whenever

you want.” Zoe says.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Well, its been nice meeting all of you,

but we gotta go now.” Synan says.

Synan and Zoe get back on the path

and continue toward the castle. When they arrive,

they see a familiar face sitting on a nearby rock

playing GameBoy.

“Syrus!” Zoe says.

“It’s about time you got here, Synan.”

“What?” Synan says.

“I’ve been waiting for quite some time

for you to arrive.”

“Yeah, well, we had to help Elsie get

un-lost.” Zoe says.

“Zoe. I’m not talking to you, am I?”

“...”

“So anyway, Synan. What monsters

do you got?”

Synan releases all his monsters. Monk,

Crystal, and Emerald.

“Ha, ha, ha. Those have to be the

weakest monsters!”

Zoe releases her Clawz, Prisem, and

Skyber.

“Oh, so you got a Clawz. That’s a

rare one-of-a-kind monster.” Syrus mocks.

“But look at MY monsters!”

Syrus throws TEN Ideya Marbles.

Out of each one comes a monster. Ten

monsters: Monk, Blue Orb, Wizeman,

Jr. Ico, Emerald, Mr. I, Skyber, Octa,

Octo, and Jelly-Fly.

Synan’s mouth drops open.

“And look. Ever seen one of

these?” Syrus holds out what appears

to be an Ideya but its blue instead of red.

“These things will capture any monster

without fail!”

“Whoa!”

“So, Synan. Ready to battle? You

can use Zoe’s monsters too, if you think it

will help. All my monster are level 58/100.”

“Forget it, Syrus.”

“Why, are your monsters at level

3. Oh, no, that was too harsh. I meant to

say negative 3.”

“Hey Syrus! Close your eyes and

press this little square down.” Zoe holds

open a linking book. Syrus falls for it and

links all the way back to the guard towers.

“Sucker.” Zoe says.

“So, this must be the castle of Lord

Wizeman.” Synan says.

“Yep. Must be.”

Zoe releases Skyber and it

carries Synan and Zoe over the wall of

Wizeman’s Fortress. Inside the courtyard,

they hear a linking sound from outside. Syrus’

voice yells “Where did you go you brats?!”

Zoe and Synan try to stop laughing.

“Looks like he also had some linking

books.” Zoe says.

“That’s odd. Syrus has been to every

place on the island, but we never saw him anywhere.”

Synan says.

“Yeah. It is weird, isn’t it.”

Zoe and Synan walk to the center tower.

They walk up the winding staircase to the top floor:

Wizeman’s Keep. Zoe slightly opens the door to peek

in. She hears a conversation going on so closes the door

so that it is just open enough to hear what they are saying.

The voices inside sound like Ico, Sarah, James, and the

last one must be Wizeman himself.

“What is Sarah doing all the way here?” Zoe asks.

“I don’t know, but it looks like we’re going to find

out.” Synan says.