Disclaimer: After all this time, I still don't own any of the Rare/Nintendo characters, places, ect. I do, however, own Slither, Shadow, Traz, Francis, and Sanjy. Finally, this story line was my idea and belongs to me. That is all.

"LOVE AND HATE, MAGIC AND REVENGE"

Story Status: unfinished

PART 1: Just getting there... and the beginning of trouble

~Prelude~

Francis Vault the 7th stared off into space, his mind drifting from one troubling idea to another. He thought of his dead father, crushed to death in Spiral Mountain. He often wondered what else might have happened. What if he and his father had escaped with Kazooie, the young, loudmouthed breegull. Maybe he would have a father and a wife then, instead of being taken care of by paid servants. Francis felt even more anger toward Kazooie than before. daydreams ensured as a short lack of sanity overtook him. He had an army of one hundred, no... two hundred men. Marching to that birdhouse just a few blocks away from him they imprisoned Trazooie Jr., Kazooie's brother and the bird who had helped her escape. Then, he marched up to Spiral Mountain with his army.

It was 1:00 in the morning when he stormed into that small house which had played a home to Kazooie and those two bears for so long. They would be easily overtaken. As his minions chained them, he could just imagine Kazooie's look of defiance as he brought the charges against her. "You are charged with murder and defying the law," he would say coldly, "how do you plead?" Without waiting to hear the answer, he would grab her by a wing and immediately begin fighting. Because of his superior fighting skills, it would be a short fight. (Yeah right, he realized sadly, Kazooie always whups my butt in fights... ) Then he spread her wings and took out a scissors, doing the most terrible thing he could think of. He cut the long red flight feathers which let her ride the air. A bird who could not fly was a miserable, deprived bird. There she would stand, robbed both of the gift of flight and of her dignity in a single night. As he surveyed her shame in some realistic dream, he suddenly grabbed her wing, brought her to him and... kissed... her.

The shock awoke him out of his daydream. "No. That- that's imposible!!!" he shouted out loud, "She took away the only family I have- I hate her!!!" I DO hate her... don't I? A green-skinned, but beautiful woman suddenly appeared in the room, interrupting his thoughts.

A year had passed since his father's death. Francis was now fifteen, and had changed alot since his last encounter with Kazooie. He had toughened up slightly without anyone there to spoil him, and had grown in size and strength. But even more had changed. He had wanted Kazooie to feel the same pain he had, but now... he was having the faint shadow of doubt. And now, this woman was offering him a chance at revenge. "Join me," she said, "and you will get your revenge on that bird."

"Who are you?"

"Tildy. I am here for one purpose. If you join me, she will feel ten times the pain you did." Francis thought it over. The imagined kiss forced its way into his mind, but he pushed it away.

"I want revenge." As soon as he said that, a light came over him and transported him to a strange room in a castle. The walls were green, and a black, unhappy-looking cauldron sat in the middle of it. A picture of a fat child dressed in black wearing funny-looking stockings was on the wall. But there was one thing that drew his attention- she looked a little like Tildy, but was the ugliest child he had ever seen. The picture looked like it had been torn in half. "Whose-"

"None of your business!!!" she said, snatching the picture off of the wall and throwing it. It made a shattering sound as the picture-frame's glass broke. "Now... let's get down to business..."

~In Spiral Mountain~

It was a bright Sunday morning, and Banjo was on his way back from his mailbox. He was not looking forward to giving Kazooie her mail, for she had subscribed to "By Word Of Beak: The Bird's Monthly Gossip Magazine". It wasn't the terrible gossip which he dreaded, however. It was "BREEEE!!! MY MAGAZIIIINE!!!" Kazooie nearly ran over him to grab the mail from his paws. Letters and papers flew up into the air as she looked for her magazine. Suddenly, a small envelope caught her attention. It wasn't her magazine, but a letter from Traz.

Yo Kaz,

Howzit? Everything's kool here. Well... more more than cool. Machooie's returning to "Big City" to finish his doctor training at the university. Kleptooie has some kind of sickness (too bad Matchooie won't be here!). Don't worry, he's ok, but I have to admit, I'm getting kinda worried about him. None of my stuff has gone missing for days!!!

Your Bro,

Traz.

Kazooie couldn't help but crack a smile at Traz's last remark. Kleptooie was notorious for stealing, and he didn't try to hid it. Another letter dropped out. It was from her mother, Nansoo. Kazooie stared at the letter.

Dear Kazooie,

I hope you are living well. I have some news that I have yet to tell Traz. I would like you, your friends and Traz to go with Machooie to Big City. He might like the company and you might like the vacation. Maybe you might meet some friends! Traz and Matchooie will have your tickets, but they might have to spend some time by your house, since the bus doesn't leave until Friday. Expect them Wednesday night.

Your mother,

Nansoo

Kazooie held the letter in her wing. Friends, huh? It was no big secret that Nansoo was still seeking a good husband for her only daughter. She placed the letter in Banjo's backpack and told Banjo the news. "Big City?! Cool!"

"Yeah, but we need to clean up! Traz and Matchooie might come any day, now!"

Kazooie ran off and returned with her wings full of rags, scrubbing brushes and soap. She tied a rag around her head and threw one to Banjo. "It's cleaning time, Lazy!" cried Kazooie.

"I'm not lazy! Who's the one who spent yesterday reading By Word of Beak!" The bear just managed to duck a flying scrubbing brush. Tooty came out of her room and stared at Kazooie, who was holding a broom and sweeping furiously. "Kazooie's actually doing housework?!" she gasped.

"Put a sock in it before I come over there and put one for you, Tooty-Fruity!" growled Kazooie.

All morning and afternoon, Banjo was out buying birdseed, scrubbing walls and beating the dust out of mats. Kazooie was sweeping, cleaning windows and washing dishes. Tooty basically fetched things and helped Kazooie to wash (the dishes). By the time they were finished, it was getting dark. "Well, that's the last of it!" said Banjo, moving the last box of things everyone had one of but never really used. As soon as he was ready to throw a bag of trash into the garbage, Kazooie gave a shriek and opened the bag, yanking out something which vaguely resembled a stuffed parrot. "You were gonna throw away Mr Snuggles?!"

"But it's ancient! C'mon, Kazooie!!!"

"MR SNUGGLES?!" giggled Tooty.

"If you don't shut your yap, I'll shut it for you!!! Permanently!!!!" said Kazooie, holding a tube of crazy glue.

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me!" said Kazooie, coming towards Tooty.

"BANJO!!!!"

Banjo shook his head at Kazooie and began rummaging through the fridge for a sandwich. Finally, he found something which looked like honey. He lathered some on a piece of bread and took a huge bite, hoping to satisfy his hunger. But instead of a smooth mixture of money and bread in his mouth, he bit on some hard grains which caused him to spit it out immediately. He stared at the honey. In it were many seeds, birdseeds to be exact. "Kazooie!! What's in the honey?" Kazooie, who had given up chasing Tooty five minutes ago, looked at him.

"What's it look like, bee brain?"

"Hey! Yuck! Whydya put birdseed in it, Kazooie?"

"It tastes better!"

"No, it doesn't!"

"Yes, it does!"

"No it doesn't!"

"Yes it does!!"

"No!"

"YES!"

"NO!"

"YES!!!"

"NO!!! Look, why don't you just buy a jar of honey and you can even put worms in it if you want!" suggested Banjo, angrily. Kazooie ruffled her feathers. "Firstly, I don't eat worms, I only eat caterpillars!! Secondly, I-" She was interrupted by a knock on the door. "I'll get it!" shouted Kazooie. She opened the door and gave a cry of shock."TRAZ?! MATCHOOIE?!"

Traz dropped his suitcase and ran towards his sister. "KAZ! SIS! Whoa, it's been....!!!" he cried. Matchooie came in and hugged Kazooie.

"Wassup, Doc Match?!"

"Hey, Kazooie!!!"

"What're you doin' here! Mom said...!" began Kazooie. Traz smiled.

"Some mix-up with tickets!!" He said.

"Well hi, Traz, and...." began Banjo.

"This," Kazooie stated, "is my other bro, Matchooie!"

"*ahem* that's DOCTOR Matchooie, now!" said Matchooie, proudly. "and you're Banjo! Cool!"

Tooty came towards them, smiling. "Hello, Traz! Who's your friend?"

"Hello, Toots! This's my bro, Match- Doctor Matchooie. Are ya packed?!"

"Packed?" asked Tooty, looking at Banjo.

"Uh huh, we're gonna go to Big City!"

"YES!! I have to pack my make-up, and-" Tooty ran off to pack her wide variety of "necessities".

Kazooie, Traz and Matchooie began to talk excitedly. Banjo got the temptation to cover his ears. Loud-mouthedness, it seemed, ran in the family.

At last, everything was ready for the vacation to Big City. Banjo settled down in his bed and Traz and Matchooie settled in the rafters of the house. There was something uncomforting about looking up at their posteriors. Kazooie stayed up and played Super Mario Bros. on Banjo's Gameboy. "Go to sleep, Kazooie." said Banjo.

"No!"

"But you gotta get some sleep!"

"NO!"

"Shhh...." said Banjo, pointing up at the two sleeping breegulls, "Fine. have it your way."

The next morning, Banjo was slowly awakened by several loud noises. At first, they sounded like screeching. Then, the screeching formed words: "BAAAAANJOOOOO!!!!! WAAAAKE UUUUUP!!!!" Several hard things came down on his noggin. "OUCH!! I'm awake!"

"At last! MAN, can you SLEEP!" cried Traz.

Banjo rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Aw, c'mon... It's sooo early..." He began to sink down into his bed, but a cascade of freezing cold water met him. "I'm awake!!!" Banjo took a bath and brushed his teeth. Then, he grabbed his backpack, where Kazooie waited impatiently.

At the bus station, they showed their tickets and took a seat on a bench and waited.... and waited..... and waited... and waited... and waited... Finally, at 7:30, Kazooie popped out of the backpack and left the others to talk to a fat policeman in a blue uniform. "When's bus 1735 get in, Blue Butt?"

"Don't call me Blue Butt. My name is Lenny Lart. My name is nice. I like my name."

"That is SOOO wonderful," said Kazooie sarcastically. "When does bus 1735 get in?"

"I know. I was named after my great grandfather. My dad said he liked 'Mike', but Mom said 'Lenny is cute'. And my granny said she agreed. My aunty said she liked 'Johnny' but my mom was stuck on 'Lenny'."

"Look, Lenny Lard, all I want to know is when bus 1735 gets in."

"...and the ship came in at eight PM and the whole crew was carrying WALNUTS!! So my uncle bought some and gave them to my aunty-in-law. And the cows went 'moo' and the cats went 'miaow' and the dogs went 'ruff ruff'."

"Wow. You don't say," said the breegull, dripping with sarcasm. "Now all I need is the bus time for 1735 and I'm outta here."

"...and my aunty-in-law said 'name him Ruffus!'. But a little bird told my mom to name me 'Lenny'.

"I couldn't care less if God Himself named you!!!! When does bus 1735 get in?!?!?!?!" The man ignored her and continued talking. Kazooie waited a few minutes.

"And that's how I was named Lenny," finished the man.

"NOW can you tell me when bus 1735 gets in?!"

"Be patient. You know, this reminds me of something that happened to me when I was in the police force. I got this terrible out break of Athlete's foot and my feet were all itchy, and..." Kazooie groaned as she realized that she now had to sit through a thorough explanation of foot fungus. Suddenly, a call boomed out. "May I have your attention please. Bus 1735 has arrived! I repeat, bus 1735 has arrived!"

"Listen," said Kazooie, "I'd love to hear all about what colour nail polish your mother wears, but I gotta split!"

"And it's all pink..." said Lenny, not noticing that he was now talking to himself. " Kazooie lugged her luggage into the luggage compartment and stepped on board with the others. "Jeez! What took you so long, Kazooie? asked Traz,

"Don't ask." Finally, they were on the bus. After five hours, Banjo was playing his Gameboy, Kazooie had her head hanging out of the backpack fast asleep (because of how late she had stayed up last night), Traz was sketching Banjo and Kazooie, and Matchooie was studying... something about guts.

Traz looked at his latest sketch. They were mostly sketches of old baby photos of his siblings and of scenery around his home, although lately, the teenage Kazooie and Banjo had found themselves the subjects, as well as anyone who had five bucks to spare and a love of portraits. Banjo jumped as something red rolled on top of the Gameboy. A little annoyed, he pushed Kazooie's head back, but it slid down again. The second time, King Koopa chomped down on Mario's last HP, declaring the game officially over. Banjo gave a small groan and laid it down for a while. Traz seemed to be looking at something in his sketchpad and grinning. "Whatcha doin', Traz?" asked Banjo.

"These're just some sk-" he snickered. "sketches of you and Kazooie."

Banjo looked at it. In pencil, there was a picture of Banjo staring at the Gameboy, with Kazooie's head hanging over his shoulder. Banjo gave a laugh, waking Kazooie. "What! What!"

Banjo curiously flipped to the first page. There, a painting of a sleeping, fluffy, baby Kazooie sucking her thumb(errr... wing?)and holding the newer "Mr Snuggles" was there in full colour with the caption underneath reading, "Don't wake the baby!" Banjo snickered. The other page caused him to burst out in laughter. Kazooie was smothered in baby food, and trying hard to fly at the same time. The walls around her were covered in "Caterpillar-flavour Bundles of Joy Baby Food". Underneath was written, "Feeding Frenzy!". Kazooie peeked over his shoulder and gave a cry, covering the next picture with her wings. "Just you wait, pain in the butt!"

Traz just laughed. "What's wrong? Aren't these good?" Banjo had to make sure she didn't try to kill Traz in the bus. Tooty just stared for a while. "Is this Kazooie?" she asked. "You eat like a p-"

"Tooty," said Kazooie with a sarcastic nice voice, "what did I say?"

"That you still sleep with Mr Sn-!" Kazooie covered her mouth with her wing.

Traz ripped his sketchpad from Kazooie and revealed another baby pic, of her being watched by Kardle. Banjo grinned at the irony. She really WAS a cute, innocent-looking kid, but that was then, this was now. The tiny chick barely had any feathers. Rather, she had a soft coat of red fluff, decked delicately with gold. A young breegull stared at her, looking as if she was the most amazing thing that he had ever seen. Kazooie looked like she was about to explode. "I can't believe you, pencil-brains!"

"Aw, c'mon, Kaz. They're not bad, are they?"

"GRRRRR!!!!" said Kazooie, her feathers beginning to stand up.

"But you looked kinda cute, Kazooie," said Banjo. Kazooie didn't look quite as mad, but her feathers were still sticking up in the air.

"Shhh... I'm trying to study, you guys! Besides, we're not the only guys-err- and girls on the bus, so keep it down!"

Traz showed Banjo and Tooty (Kazooie was too busy cussing to look) the remaining pictures and began to draw again. This time, it was of Matchooie hunched over his open text book, reading even more about guts.

~Four hours later~

The bus came to a screeching halt. It was afternoon by then, and the sun was shining brightly in the sky. After collecting their luggage and calling a taxi, they were well on their way to a hotel. All except for Matchooie, for obvious reasons. Machooie accompanied his sister and brother to check into a hotel, then went to settle into the university. Banjo lay on the bed and drifted somewhere between sleep and consciousness for a few hours, suggesting that Kazooie do the same. Unfortunately, what Kazooie had in mind did not involve beds. Banjo had passed a pharmacy on the way in, and the first thing to catch his eye was a box of "Sleep EZ pills". He tried not to thing too much about slipping a few into Kazooie's food and enjoying the peace and quiet. But then again....

Finally, Banjo became completely dead to the world. Kazooie tried to wake him up with several loud squawks, but Banjo wasn't getting up for anything in this world. Traz immediately went to work, drawing the room in which he slept. It wasn't a bad hotel room, although Kazooie complained that it had no proper swimming pool, the room-service was terrible, and that the security guards couldn't take a joke. The last one came from the fact that Kazooie now sported some wonderfully singed feathers. It was supposed to have been an "accident", but the security guard was heard talking about how disappointed he had been to missed his target.

Neither Banjo, Kazooie, Traz, Tooty nor Matchooie had any idea of what awaited them.

~In a dark alley~

"THEY'RE HERE?!?!?!?!" shouted Frankie. Thanks(?) to Tildy, Francis had undergone an even bigger identity change. He now longer whined(much) and he was now referred to as "Frankie". He was the perfect(?) picture of a seasoned street boy. But gangster business wasn't the only thing that Tildy had planned for him... They had just found out that Banjo and Kazooie were in the city! And that bird, Traz. Frankie gave an evil smile. He would get his revenge soon enough...

~Back in the hotel~

Banjo did finally wake up.... just in time to eat dinner. Kazooie thought that the hotel food was "beneath her", and this time, Traz and Banjo agreed. Unlike what Kazooie was implying, the hotel food did look great. But it wasn't "City Food", and nobody could wait to catch some of that, having been raised in the jungles and forests most of the time. Besides, they wanted to take a view of Big City at night. Matchooie groaned when he heard that he couldn't join them. But he had to stay in to arrange his things. "Yeah.. I'll be there tomorrow, though..." said Matchooie, into the receiver of a phone.

"Aw, man!! I can't believe that you have to stay!" cried Traz.

"Sorry, but rules are rules. Maybe when I've been here awhile, I'll break my share!"

Traz gave a snicker. "You do that. Check ya later." With that, he hung up the phone. "Yeah, well, Matchooie ain't coming. Gotta go re-adjust his bug collection or somethin'."

"Banjo, can I go on the slides pleeeeease???? Pleeeeease???" begged Tooty as Banjo tried to remember what everyone had ordered.

"Yeah, sure..." said Banjo, distracted. "Just don't lose your boots."

"But I don't wear boots!"

"Yep."

Tooty decided to take that as a "yes". She ran into the slides and slid down for some time. She had just come out of her fifty-eighth slide when the sound of someone crying caught her attention. Tooty looked around and saw a male breegull around her age sobbing hard. Feeling sorry, she went to ask him what was wrong. "My mom's g-g-gooone!" he sobbed, "I c-c-can't f-find her anywhere!"

"I'll help you look for your mommy," said Tooty, "where did you last see her?"

"Right behind here..." said the bird, leading Tooty out into the street.

"Where? Well maybe she-!!!" a wing suddenly reached out from nowhere and grabbed her. Tooty struggled, but it was no use. The wings wheeled her around to face her captor. It was a male breegull who looked extremely mad, and yet happy at the same time. As Tooty looked at him, she got a weird feeling of deja vu, but she couldn't quite remember who it was... Tooty was dragged to a waiting car, but she managed one loud scream before she was stuffed into the car and driven away.

Banjo felt his blood run cold when he heard THAT scream. He could recognize it anywhere. It was Tooty. Kazooie poked her head out of the backpack and began squawking. "Banjo! Something's happened to Tooty! Let's go!!"

Traz came rushing out, followed by Banjo. Traz picked up a forlorn ribbon. "Have you seen a girl bear about so high with blond hair, pigtails and wearing a red shirt with a star on it and purple pants?" Banjo anxiously asked a child. Wordlessly, she pointed out into a dark street. The three of them immediately ran into the street to look for clues. But they had barely begun when a voice whispered, "Pssst! pssst! Me help bear and birds find little bear, if come. Pssst!"

Banjo stepped towards the voice. Traz followed, his talons, beak and wings ready for an attack. Banjo reached into his backpack for a flashlight and accidentally grabbed Kazooie by her neck and held her infront of him. "Hey, Food For Brains!!!" cried Kazooie, "Leggo!!"

"Oops!" said Banjo. He placed Kazooie into the backpack and took out a flashlight. Traz waited impatiently for Banjo as he fumbled clumsily with the switch.. But as the beam of light hit the mystery person, the sight made everyone gasp!

He had rough pink-purple skin, wore a brown loincloth and carried a broken wand. But both his face and the broken wand had one thing in common. He wore a mask in the shape of a skull. Traz looked at him for a while, then he stopped staring. "So who are you and what happened to Toots?" asked Traz. Banjo folded his arms and waited for an answer. The person waved his wand irritably and answered. "Me Mumbo Jumbo. Know where little bear is."

PART2: Drama in the city.

"Where?!"

"Bear and birds can't rescue little bear without magic. Mumbo best shaman in city. Mumbo help if fix wand."

"First take off that stupid mask, Skirt Boy!"

"Mask not come off, Filthy Feathered One!"

"Look who's talking, Masked Midget!"

"Kazooie!!! Where's Tooty, Mr Mumbo?" asked Banjo.

"C'mon, how do we fix your wand, Mumbo?" asked Traz. Mumbo Jumbo shook his wand again. "See head? Three pieces missing. Find pieces. Bring back."

"Well... Tell us where they are, Skull Brains!!" shouted Kazooie.

"Mumbo not know,"

"WHAT!!!!! So where are we to look, the North Pole?!?!?!" shouted Kazooie.

"Chill out, Sis! Who has them?"

"Powerful witch have pieces. Name Tildy. Mumbo know where witch is. Witch in alley house."

"And where's that, Mr Mumbo?" asked Banjo, fidgeting.

"Birds and bear meet Mumbo at Critchet Alley." said Mumbo. Then, he ran off into the dark street. Banjo looked after him. "Critchet Alley, huh? C'mon, you guys, let's go."

"But suppose it's a trap, Banjo?" asked Traz.

"But Tooty could be there! Let's risk it."

"I only hope Skull Head's telling the truth..."

"I guess we'll find out tomorrow, Kaz."

The next night, Banjo, Kazooie and Traz were at the reception desk. "Excuse me, Mamn, where's Critchet Alley?"

"Go five blocks down, turn right and go three blocks down. But why do you want to go to such a terrible place? It's dark, spooky, ridden with the filth and lowdowns of Big City and it's dangerous!"

"Err... Thanks for the warning, Mam," said Banjo, running out of the hotel. Traz ran ahead of them into the sidewalk. "Wait up, Traz!" panted Banjo. Kazooie poked her head out of the backpack and gave a laugh. "I'm doing the walkin', Fatty!"

"I'm not THAT fat!" cried Banjo. Kazooie poked her long legs out through the bottom of the backpack and Banjo was suddenly hoisted off his feet. He had his feet up in the air as Kazooie ran off at a top speed to catch up with Traz. "Jeez, Banjo, you gotta lay off the honey cakes."

Banjo muttered something about "big-mouthed breegulls".

Traz stopped suddenly and was pushed forward as his sister plowed into him. "Kazooie, watch it!"

"Ugh, You try carrying this glob of dead weight!!!" strained Kazooie.

"I'm not fat!!!"

Kazooie pulled her feet in and Banjo took over the job of walking. A street sign read, "Critchet Alley". Banjo looked around and walked slowly into the dark alley. A hand grabbed his shoulder, causing him to jump. "Mumbo here, get pieces. Do magic."

"Kazooie think Mumbo stuff pieces up-"

"Sis! Chill!"

"For your sake, Bro," muttered Kazooie.

Mumbo looked up at a tall building. At the top, a broken window seemed a good entry. Traz and Banjo followed his gaze up to the top. "Whaddya think, Kaz? Think we can make it?" asked Traz. Kazooie looked up.

"Not without some help! Fat Face here'll slow me down and I won't be able to clear those sharp broken parts!"

"Well, how about we team up and do it together, then?"

"I have a better idea!" said Banjo.

"For once," muttered Kazooie.

"Just stay as straight as possible, Kazooie," said Banjo, picking her up by her thin body and taking aim at the window. "*gulp*Banjo... What are you going to do?"

"Stay still." said Banjo. Kazooie looked up at the jagged edges of the broken glass. "No, Banjo! Bad idea, bad idea, bad i-DEEEEEAAAAAA!!!!!!" screamed Kazooie as Banjo threw her like a pole through the window. She just barely missed being sliced by the sharp edges of the broken window and landed (reasonably) safely on the floor of the room. Unlocking the window, Kazooie opened the window and flew down to help to bring up Banjo. He was HEAVY!!! She somehow managed to reach the open window with the help of Traz, who then returned to fetch Mumbo. After the group was assembled in the dark room, Mumbo waved his wand infront of him. When he swung it in a certain direction, it began to glow with purple and gold light. "Pieces this way. Come." As he went in one direction, the wand glowed brighter and brighter. Finally, the light was blinding. Everyone shaded their eyes as a piece on a table came into view. "Has it occurred to anyone how EASY this is?" asked Traz, "I mean if this witch is so powerful, then why is it just LYING there?" As soon as Traz had spoken, a smooth voice filled with evil broke the silence. "Oh, Mumbo, you're SO predictable!" A hole appeared beneath him, and Mumbo fell through. But Banjo grabbed him just in time. The hole was getting bigger and Banjo shouted and tried to get away from the edges. He wasn't successful

Then Kazooie grabbed Banjo's wrist and struggled to pull him up. Traz grabbed onto her and pulled as hard as he could. Mumbo looked down at the red, hot, bubbling lava below him. Traz looked around him desperately as Kazooie flapped below him. Then the floor disappeared completely and Traz let out a cry. Tildy watched from her hidden place at the large space below her. "It seems like that miserable shaman is gone." she said to herself. But just above the lava, Traz and Kazooie were struggling to keep Banjo and Mumbo Jumbo from taking a VERY hot bath. "C'mon... Just a little bit...there!" Traz grabbed the edge of a surrounding window pane. "WHAT?! You were always a pain in the butt, Mumbo! Fine. Have your piece. Eeeee, ha ha ha HAAAA!" A yellow piece dropped down towards the lava.

Mumbo bent his wand like a boomerang and threw it. The pieces connected together before returning safely to his hand. "But I still have two pieces, Mumbo! And you shall never have them! When we meet again! Eeee, ha, ha, ha HAAAA!!!" As Tildy vanished, the floor appeared again. Traz let go of the window and fell, exhausted to the ground. "Ok, that was... interesting," said Traz, rubbing his aching wings. "Witch vanish, must get other pieces."

"But Mumbo, now where did she vanish TO?" asked Banjo. Mumbo watched his wand glow slightly when he brought it in a certain direction. "Mumbo think Mumbo know."

Traz followed Kazooie, who was in Banjo's backpack, which was bouncing on its owner, who was following Mumbo. Mumbo stopped suddenly. His wand was beginning to glow brightly. "Mumbo not only one who's predictable, witch," said Mumbo. The wand was glowing brighter and brighter as it got closer and closer. But there was a certain part where two different streets came together. Mumbo waved his wand down one dark street, then down another. The same glow. "One piece here, one piece there. I suggest we split up- Sis, you go with Banjo, I'm coming with Mumbo."

"Mumbo agree, go with bird, meet bear and stupid bird here."

Traz and Kazooie spoke at the same time: "My sister's not stupid!"

"Just wait 'till we get Tooty, I'll-". Banjo decided to go before Mumbo got pecked to death.

Mumbo went down one street, followed by Traz. Suddenly, Mumbo disappeared! He simply vanished into thin air! "Mumbo? Mumbo!!!" shouted Traz and stepped back into a wall. "I don't remember this being here..." He turned around and realized that he was surrounded by a clear wall that looked as if it were made of glass. "HEY!!" cried Traz. He took to the air, only to be thrown to the ground by a strong jolt of electricity. Traz looked up and saw a another clear wall. The soft woman's voice sounded in his mind. "Well, well, well, we have a little, little bird in a little, little cage."

"Who ARE you, ya loon?!?!?!"

Tildy gave a laugh. "I don't think you should be too concerned about me, but about you and your friends!" she laughed again. Traz looked around wildly. Tildy took this as a signal to continue. "That bear and bird have a surprise waiting for them, too! Eeee, ha, ha, ha, HAAA!!!" Traz growled in anger and attacked the wall again, but again, he was tossed to ground from a strong shock. "You NEVER learn! I think I'll take my prize, now!" said Tildy. Traz watched as his surroundings gradually disappeared, his heart pounding at what might be happening to Banjo and Kazooie.

**************************************

Banjo walked cautiously down the dark street and turned as he saw a shadow pass behind him. "Hello? Anyone out there?!"

"Nobody here but us breegulls, Banjo."

"But I thought I saw..."

"Yes, yes, and I saw the little pixies from Pixie Land," said Kazooie, waving her wing around her head.

"I'M NOT CRAZY..... am I?"

"Let's just say that you're best nutty fat guy I know."

"Thanks, Kazooie, I.... HEY!!"

Banjo continued walking down the street. Of all the times Kazooie had chosen to be quiet- in a dark, spooky street! Banjo prayed hard that anything would happen to break the unnerving silence. Something rammed into a nearby trashcan, causing both Banjo and Kazooie to jump in fright. "S-still think I'm c-crazy, Kazooie?" Kazooie only scoffed in response.

Banjo crept towards the trashcan, peeked behind it and raised his claws.... only to spot a jinjo hiding behind it. "Yikes! Sorry, little jinjo, didn't mean to scare you. Say... have you seen any wand pieces around here?"

"Come with me." said the jinjo in a strangely deep voice.

"Banjo, I've never heard a jinjo speak like that!!!" said Kazooie, concerned.

"Kazooie's right- Is something wrong?"

"You will come with me!!!" said the jinjo, staring into his eyes. "Come with me or DIE!!!!"

"Ok, that is DEFINITELY NOT a jinjo!!!!!" trilled Kazooie.

"No, I'm not as stupid as a jinjo, either, dumb do-gooders! Say hello to the MINJOS!!!" said the minjo, flying up and getting ready to pound Banjo and Kazooie into the ground. "But you're just one little minjo, what can you do?" asked Kazooie. But out of every corner came a little minjo until the entire street was smothered with the jnijos' evil twins.

"RUN!!!"

"I'm running, Kazooie!!!"

"And I'm taking over!!!" Kazooie pushed her feet out of the backpack and ran off. "Uh, oh... It's a dead-end!" Banjo cried.

"And so are we!!! We'll have to fight!!!"

One minjo flew off the ground and attacked. But he was hit with Banjo's backpack as he swung it hard at the flying pest. "Fool! We have to bring them alive!" cried another minjo. Then, ten of the minjos exposed a piece of rope and flew towards Banjo, while the others tried to hold him down. But Banjo and Kazooie were kicking and screaming so much that the minjos had their own job to do. All those minjos were piled on top of them.... Banjo struggled to break the minjo-net which had formed. Kazooie was hanging out of the backpack, pecking at the ropes which were holding Banjo down. At last, a few snapped- it was fighting time!!! As the last rope snapped, Banjo and Kazooie pushed up in a burst of strength, throwing minjos everywhere including into the walls! Some minjos broke into flight before they hit, but some hit the walls of the two surrounding buildings at one-hundred miles per hour and were killed instantly. A few were able to slow themselves and were only knocked unconscious for a while. The able survivors began to hammer Banjo one by one and it was becoming obvious that they were sorely outnumbered.

Two minjos tried to hammer him from the front, but Banjo swung the backpack in front of him. The minjos, however, grabbed his backpack and tried to pull it from him. Another minjo was preparing for a hard hit behind of him. Kazooie flew out of the backpack. "Take this, Rainbow Runts!!" she cried, flying forward like a missile at one of the minjos. Banjo was blasted from the back by the minjo behind him, but he still managed to kill him by slicing him with his claws. Kazooie was flying about crazily in her attempt to shake off a minjo which was holding her wings. But another minjo rammed into her. Kazooie pecked the minjo and tried to shake off the unwelcome passenger again. But all she managed to do was get hit again by two little minjos at once. Kazooie fell to the ground and lay still.

**************************************

A black breegull listened to the commotion going on just above him. He scrambled out of the inside of a huge metal pipe which had been broken off at each end. It obviously had held something like maybe water, but it had been abandoned after it had been broken. Exactly what could break such a huge pipe like that, he didn't know, but after a few adjustments, it had become his home. An abandoned man hole which had been sealed off was his only way of exit and entry. It was obvious that it was to have been sealed permanently, but it had been broken somehow. Anyway, the breegull was watching the fight take place when a red-crested breegull who had been in the fight fell from the air, just within reach of his viewing spot. The black breegull focused his eyes on her for a while. While she wasn't the prettiest breegull in the world, she was more than good enough for.... The Trade.

He assumed it was just another raid for young people to sell as slaves. It was illegal, of course, but it was VERY profitable. But it really was a pity that she had to be sold like this. She was a lively little thing who would never accept slavery. But he couldn't get involved again. The boss would kill him if he got involved again... Ah what the heck? He reached out and grabbed her foot, pulling her in. He had officially gotten involved. Now he had to get out of sight, before he was seen.

*************************************

Finally, the last minjo fell to the ground. Banjo rubbed his battered body and looked around. Kazooie was not there. "Kazooie? Where are you?" There was no answer. He limped over to an open man-hole. Wait a minute. He hadn't noticed this before. A red feather belonging to Kazooie hung near the edge of the hole. Maybe she fell in- but that was ridiculous; she would have flown back out. Banjo noticed a red streak, as if something had been dipped in something red, like blood, and dragged. Maybe she didn't go in willingly... Banjo pulled out his flashlight and shone it down the hole. It was dark... and it went a LONG way down... but he had to try. He slipped into the hole and made his way down a metal ladder of some sort. But it ended suddenly and Banjo fell, hanging onto the last rung. His flashlight dropped from his teeth and fell into the darkness below. The rung was rusty, and falling apart... with him still holding unto it!!! The last bit of the rung fell out, dropping him into the darkness. "Uh... Oh... YAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!"

In his wild grapping, he managed to hold onto the edge of a metal pipe. But he was slipping, and it STILL looked a LONG way down. Banjo tried to climb up, but all he did was slip down further. As he slipped down completely, a hand grabbed his. "I got ya!" The person struggled to pull him up. With this person's help, he clambered up onto a huge pipe. "Thanks!" he cried gratefully. His eyes had since gotten used to the dark, and he took a good look at his rescuer. At first, he couldn't believe it... but it was another bear like him! A girl! "What're you doing down here?" he wondered.

"I have my own business here," she replied, fidgeting with a pure steel bracelet around her wrist.

Banjo thought for a second. "Have you seen any breegulls or bears or shamen around here?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about. Listen, if you like, I can show you a way up to the surface-"

"I have to find my friends! I KNOW one of them is down here... somewhere."

The bear sighed. "If you find your friends, do you promise never to come down here again?" Banjo nodded solemnly.

"Fine. I'll help you in the morning." She walked away, while Banjo stayed and stared. "Well, are you gonna spend the whole night here?" she asked. Banjo ran after her.

*********************************

The black breegull laid Kazooie down on a pile of scrap cloth a.k.a his bed and pushed aside the discarded pizza boxes. The inside of the pipe was marked of with some cloth for privacy, so he wasn't really worried about anyone seeing them. Not that anyone ever came down here in the first place. Hastily, he wet a cloth and placed it on her cut forehead. "What the heck's a kid like you doin' in a dump like this?" he wondered. Her breathing was slow and quiet. The breegull sighed and wiped the mixture of blood and dirt from her face. When he was done, he simply watched her. He could never keep out of other peoples' business, could he? In front of him, the breegull groaned and stirred. Her eyes fluttered open and stared before coming into focus on his face.

Kazooie's eyes focused on the black breegull's face. "Ugh... Where am I? What happened?"

"Just relax, kiddo. You're safe, now."

Kazooie stared at him. "Traz?"

"I don't know anybody named Traz. Look, you're pretty beat up, so just relax."

"Where's Banjo?" she asked.

"I don't know who you're talkin' about! Look. Chill."

Kazooie sat up, groggy from her beating. Slowly, she came to her feet, swaying from side to side as she did so. The black breegull watched her warily and held her by her shoulders. Kazooie tried to walk straight, but the world was spinning so much... She held onto the other bird for support. "C'mon. You can't do anything in this state."

"I have to find Traz and Banjo... They might need me. Where is Banjo? We were fighting the minjos... Uuuuhhh..." Kazooie slumped down and was held by the dark breegull. Kazooie sat down and leaned against the breegull for a while. Finally, the world stopped spinning and the feelings of dizziness went away, somewhat. Kazooie looked up at his face. "Who are you and where's Banjo?!" The breegull's face changed to a look of realization. "You mean that bear who was fighting with you? Dead, I guess." Kazooie couldn't believe him... Banjo couldn't be dead!!!

"Why didn't you help him?!?!?!" she screeched.

"I couldn't risk being seen."

"Why?!"

"Don't get so worried... He probably got away, anyway." He didn't believe it, but that wasn't the point. "I have to see if he's ok!"

"And what if I decide not to let you go?" asked the breegull. Kazooie just stared at him and tried to clear her mind. So far, she hadn't even thought of a good insult yet... Her mind was still so foggy that any fight between him and her would be hopeless. Maybe she could escape later in the night... Or when she was stronger. The breegull dragged her to a metal ring in the wall and handcuffed her thin foot to it. "Sorry, but you aren't goin' anywhere." Kazooie just looked up at him with a hateful expression. A few minutes passed. "Well, as long as I have to look at your ugly mug, what's ya name?"

"I'm Shadow."

"Shadow? What a weird name. Why would anybody with half a mind name their kid Shadow?"

"You just said you wanted to know." Kazooie stared at him for a few more minutes. Even she had to admit, 'ugly' was not exactly how she would describe him. He was pure black, with silver around the tips of his wings and tail. He had a few black and silver feathers that hung down over his face, making him look so mysterious... He really did deserve the name 'Shadow'. It looked as if she would spend the night here, so she tried to make conversation (or knowing Kazooie, a fight). "Why didn't you try to help Banjo, Blackie?!"

"I told you, I couldn't."

"You were just a coward!!! I don't believe in all this hocus pocus, anyway!!! You're just worthless!!!" Kazooie expected his face to turn with anger, but he was still calm. "Or maybe you wanted this to happen... I bet you're on the same side with those minjos!!!!" Her words seemed to hit home. Shadow stared into her eyes until she felt uncomfortable looking at them. He had eyes that were so dark blue, they were almost black... like the sky, just as the last of the sunset disappears. His voice was soft but dark in her ear. "Have you ever been beaten so badly that your entire body feels like it's on fire? Have you ever been tortured until you nearly died?" His last words were harsher, like he was reliving it as he talked. "Have you ever been forced to watch as your best friend is beaten to death?" Kazooie tried to look away from his eyes, but found herself unable to. "That's why I couldn't help your friend." For the first time in years, Kazooie found herself speechless...

*****************************

Banjo looked around the little, underground, makeshift home. "This is where you live?" he asked. The bear didn't respond. "Um... thanks for rescuing me. If it weren't for you, I would've been a goner!" The bear just stared off into space. "Well... err... what's your name?"

"My name is Sanjy," she replied without looking at him.

"I'm Banjo. What's troubling you?"

"What makes you think that anything is troubling me?" she asked.

"You look so sad." said Banjo, fidgeting. She made a noise like a half laugh and half sob. "You just met me, and you're digging into my business. Mind your own." Banjo was still looking at her when his eyes were closing. But despite the fact that his eyes were closed, he wasn't sleeping. He couldn't sleep. Tooty, Kazooie, Traz and Mumbo were all missing... some friend and brother he was. He opened his eyes and looked at Sanjy. She was still, but he could tell that she wasn't sleeping. He heard her making a soft noise... and realized that it was crying.

**********************************

The next morning, Matchooie made a phone call to the front desk at the hotel where his siblings were staying. "They didn't come back last night?" he asked, concerned. "No," said the receptionist, "And they were headed to a bad part of town! I told them not to but-"

"WHAT?!?! Uh...thanks." Matchooie hung up and rushed out of his room. Running, he ran into Buddy, a shaggy white dog who was trying to "show Matchooie around" and who had also seemed to have caught a bad cold. "Hey! Whad's up, where ya goid?"

"No time ta talk! Something's up!!!" cried Machooie.

"You're godda ged in twouble for leavid so early-"

"Ain't got time!!" cried Matchooie. Buddy ran behind him. Matchooie broke into flight down the stairs and landed at the bottom. Buddy was trying to keep up with him, but it was hard, even for him. "Waid up,

Badch!!"

Finally, Machooie stopped infront of the police station. "The bolice, Batch'tick? Whad's up?"

"Something's happened to Kaz 'n' Traz!!!"

"Is dat s'pposed da be a kiddie show?" he asked with a pitying look.

"That's not even funny. They're my brother and sister."

"Ooookaaaay."

Matchooie ran into the police station and stopped at the desk, where a fat policeman was sleeping. "Hey! I wanna report two missing people!!!!" shouted Matchooie.

"Huh?! What?! Oh, could you please repeat?"

"Dammit, I wanna report missing people!!!!"

"When was the last time you saw these indi-?"

"Night before last, but the receptionist said they left last night!"

The police man gave him a funny stare. "What rec- hold on... last night? I can't get on the case until the parties in question have been missing for a full twenty-four hours. Sorry."

Matchooie pounded his fist on the desk and walked out.

"Whadya expect de cops da do, help? Sorry, bud all dey ever do's sid on deir asses and ead do- Hey!! Where ya goid?"

"If they're not gonna help, I'll just find them myself!"

"Hey...!!! Did id ever occur to ya dat dey've gone for a nighd on de town?! I

mean-!"

"All night?!"

"Well... yeah! I mean, id's nod a crazy idea, Batdch'tick." Matchooie stopped his quick walk and stared at him. "They're only fifteen, Buddy!!!" He started his half run again."

"Exacdly!!"

Matchooie glared at him.

"Bud if you wanna make sure deir safe, y'know..."

Matchooie ran into the hotel where his friends were supposed to be staying. "I'm that guy who called earlier- where did they say they were going?!"

"Slow down... who? Those bears and birds?"

"YES!!!"

"Ok, Ok!! They said they were going to Critchet Alley. It's a bad place and-"

"Where's that?!"

"Five blocks down, go right, then go three blocks."

"Thanks!" said Matchooie, running out the door with Buddy just behind him.

"You know, dis remi'ds be of dat TV show where dis kid lost *pant* 'is sister and dey found 'er body in a garb-"

" BUDDY!!!!"

"Sorry." Finally, they saw the rusty green sign reading, "Critchet Alley". Matchooie looked around, staring at the buildings. "Kazooie? Traz? Are you here?" He began looking around for clues. "Well, ya gonna help?!"

"Sure." A few minutes later, Buddy held up a large, red feather that had been caught on a piece of wood. "'ey, Badtch'tick? This look familiar?"

"This is one of Traz's!"

"'ow cad you be sure?"

"It has paint on it." Matchooie walked towards the place where Buddy had found the feather. "Id was right 'ere..." said Buddy. Matchooie looked up at an open window. "Why don't we look up here?" Matchooie flew through the window. "Yeah, dus' forged aboud dose of us who weren't born wid arial abilidies..." muttered Buddy.

"I'm coming!"

*************************************

Kazooie opened her eyes and stared around. Was it still night? Why was it still dark? Then everything that had happened last night came back to her. "Sleep well?" asked Shadow, his body leaning against the walls of the huge pipe. Kazooie rubbed her eyes and looked at him. "What're you gonna do to me, Dark guy?"

"Don't talk about that so early, kiddo."

"Stop calling me that! My name's Kazooie!" Kazooie looked at her foot and realized that it was no longer chained to the wall. "You mean-?"

"Yeah. Go now and don't come back."

"I'm looking for a bear named Banjo, ya seen him?"

"I already told you that."

"Well I'll just look around myself, Blackie!" Kazooie got up and ran out of the pipe. "Hold a sec! You don't know your way around here!!! Oh, $*%$, man!!!" shouted Shadow.

Banjo looked up at Sanjy. She was so beautiful... with her long, dark hair, her soft brown fur and beautiful dark eyes.... but he couldn't stay with her. He had to find Kazooie. Sanjy fidgeted and looked around. "C'mon. I'll check a guy I know." Half way across the pipe, Banjo thought he saw a familiar red thing. Was it...? "HEY!!! KAZOOIE!!!!"

Kazooie stopped, She could have sworn she had heard someone calling her...

She saw a brown thing below her... Banjo? Shadow had caught up with her a long time ago, but she suddenly dive bombed down, followed by Shadow. Banjo stared at her. "What happened?!"

"I thought you were dead, Banjo!!!"

Shadow and Sanjy looked at each other. "Hey, Shadow." said Sanjy.

"Hey." Banjo and Kazooie looked at each other. Kazooie, after taking her place inside Banjo's backpack looked around. "You guys sure are dull... think it's the setting?" she asked. Banjo shrugged. "You find anyone?"

"No, you?"

"Nope. Have you seen our friends, Night Boy?" asked Kazooie.

"I already told you that... again."

"Well what about some one called... Tildy?" asked Banjo. Both Shadow's and Sanjy's faces turned dark. The answer was obvious. "What do you want with her?" growled Shadow. Banjo and Kazooie looked at each other, thinking the same thing.

"....so you think Tildy has this girl named Tooty and your friend?" asked Sanjy.

"That's what I said, fuzzy face!" cried Kazooie.

"I will ignore that. Listen... if you want to tango with Tildy, you'll have to wait until tonight."

"You're not thinking..." interrupted Shadow.

"Yes I am. I want to help them find their friends. Tildy and Frankie usually auction them off on a night like tonight... if she's there, then..."

"Yeah."

"Hold a second!!! Tonight?! Why do we have to wait AGAIN?!" cried Kazooie.

Shadow smirked. "Would you rather rush in and get killed?"

"Tonight sounds good, actually."

Banjo shook his head at her again. "C'mon, Kazooie. Let's wait 'till tonight, then we'll rescue everyone!"

That night, Banjo got ready for the rescue attempt. "You can't go anywhere looking like that, you know." said Sanjy.

"Why not?" asked Banjo.

"Nobody goes to the club in yellow hiking shorts, trust me."

"Well what DO they go in?" Banjo followed her into her room. Sanjy gave him some clothes. "Here. Change into these." She then left to give him his privacy. At the other end, Shadow handed Kazooie a bag with clothes in it. "I'm a BREEGULL!!! I don't wear clothes!!!"

"Now you do."

"The things I do for him, he better buy that fancy new birdseed, AND my own bird house." muttered Kazooie. Shadow grinned and turned his back. When Kazooie was finished, she gave a cry. "I look TERRIBLE!!!"

"Depends on what you call terrible." wise cracked Shadow. Kazooie was wearing a long, white dress with light blue sequins down the front. The dress's arm were wide enough for the fact that Kazooie had wings, not arms. Her feet were not seen beneath the long dress. Kazooie held up her wings and complained. "C'mon, you look fine. And I have something for you."

"What?" In response, Shadow held up a pendant with an opal surrounded by a golden frame. "It's not real... is it?"

"Yes. All of it." Kazooie simply stared at it. Shadow stood behind her and put it around her neck, closing the clasp at the back. "You look.... great, kiddo. I think it's your birth stone, by the way."

"You're right! How did you know, Night Boy?"

"You're a Scorpio, then. They like to argue... that's how I guessed...." Shadow moved his face closer to hers "You know, for a loon, you're not so bad..." said Kazooie, softly.

"I'm Pisces. We're two water signs... weird, huh?"

"Weird..." Their faces were almost touching as they got ready to kiss.

Suddenly, Banjo walked in on them. "Are you guys coming?" Kazooie and Shadow stepped away from each other. "Yeah, Banjo!" said Kazooie, walking off after him. Shadow watched the red breegull walk off as she tried not to trip over her long, flowing dress. All that time as he walked behind her, all he could think about was how close they had come to.... kissing. It felt so great and so bad all at once... And he tried not to remember how close their faces were, and how it felt to have her leaning against him... He snapped to attention again. It would never happen. He took to the air with the guess that Kazooie would need some help flying. It turned out she did, and she wasn't too pleased about wearing the dress and not being able to fly. And as usual, she spent her time complaining about the laws of nature... "Breegulls don't wear clothes!!!! It's a dumb idea!!!! Why don't we just bust our way in and kick their a-"

"Oh, SHUT UP, Kazooie!!! I don't like it any more than you do!!!!" Banjo looked at himself and groaned inwardly. He was dressed in baggy jeans, a black T-shirt and a backward cap. It looked... weird to see him dressed like that, but you had to admit, it didn't look all THAT bad.

Sanjy looked at Banjo again. There was something about him that attracted her, something sexy, but still.... gentle, innocent... and unfortunately naive. He and his loud-mouthed friend didn't know what they were getting into when they decided to face off with Tildy. But of all the things it was, it was no piece of cake. She still had several scars from her contacts with Tildy, and she remembered how close to death Shadow had come because he had helped a girl who had gotten involved with The Trade. He had just barely survived the beatings. If these new-comers failed... Kazooie would almost certainly be taken into The Trade, and Banjo would be just like Shadow- a slave of The Trade.

**********************************

Matchooie looked around from his search. It was officially twenty-fours hours, but he felt too close to finding out what was going on to back off now. Buddy stared around. It was obvious that the missing people had been there, but where were they now? "Ok. Let's think this out. This is a road. There are only two place to go- that way, back to the hotel, or that way, over to God-knows-where. And we're talking about Traz and Kazooie, here," said Matchooie as-a-matter-of-factly.

"You know them better than I do, Matchstick." Matchooie flew out of the window, leaving Buddy stranded at the top. "Matchooie!!! What'm I s'posed to do, take the elevator?"

"If I carry you one more time, I'll have to get a back brace!" cried Machooie. But he went up and carried Buddy down. "Hey, hey!!! I'm doin' ya a favour here!!!" said Buddy.

"As a bone specialist, your first patient will be me," muttered Matchooie, "although I wouldn't want to trust a dog with any of mine."

"HEY!!! I heard that!!!"

"I know," said Matchooie.

They walked down the now dark alley and talked, if only for the sake of breaking the uncomfortable darkness. "Hey! It's another one!!! They've been here, Matchstick! But how did you know...?"

"Elementary, Buddy, Elementary." But the street ended in a fork separated by a huge, looming building. Matchooie looked both down both streets and sighed. "NOW, where did they go?" he wondered, looking down both streets. Suddenly, he realized something. "Hey, Buddy!!! Your nose isn't stuffy anymore!!!"

"Hey, you're right!!! So?"

"You're a dog, right?"

"So?"

"And your grandfather was a bloodhound, right?"

Buddy thought about what Matchooie was saying. "Oh, NO!!! I will not!!!!!"

"But you're the only one who can sniff them out!!! C'mon, it's an emergency!!!!"

Buddy looked at him and tried to avoid his glance. But Matchooie was giving him a cold stare out of his gray-blue eyes... "OK!!!! I'll do it, but only if you get your artist of a brother to paint me something!!!!"

"Deal!!" cried Matchooie. Buddy closed his eyes and sniffed the air.

"D'ya have anything for me to smell?"

"Huh?"

"I need a scent to follow, Matches!'

"Oh... uh... here, smell this," said Matchooie, handing Buddy a paint-covered feather.

"Okay..." Buddy sniffed the air delicately, and looked confused. "There's a scent on both streets!!! It's a young... female.... breegull!!! And.... someone else... a bear? Then there's some kinda.... WHAT THE?!?!"

"WHAT?!"

"I've never smelled anything like THAT before!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"What about the other street?"

"Ok... another breegull..." said Buddy, still sniffing, "young like the other one... male, this time... and... is it? Yes... dried paint!"

"Done?"

"No... I smell.... something WEIRD!!!! I Have no idea WHAT it is!!!! All I know is that three people went down here, and they just... disappeared!!!!"

"Who're the other two?!?!"

"Ya got me!!"

Matchooie sighed... As if under a spell, he suddenly had a flashback from years ago..."It had been a sunny afternoon....

"Kazooie! Traz! C'mon, you guys! Where are you?!" cried a nine-year old Matchooie. He had just gone to get a snack, and the siblings he thought he had left sitting peacefully on a couch had disappeared. Why? All he had had to do was watch them until Nansoo got back, and they had disappeared. He could almost hear her chewing him out. "You'll be ten in two months now, Matchooie! You have to learn to look after your brother and sister properly!" He had spent all day looking for them, only to return to exactly where he had begun his search and see them there, sitting down innocently as if nothing had happened. "What were you doing?" he asked, nervously.

"We were just drawing."

"On what?!"

"This!" And right after they held up his math homework, he-

"MATCHES!!!! Snap outta it!!! You were outta it... I thought I'd lost ya!"

"Huh? Right... looks like I've got babysitting again..."

"What?"

"Nothing.. let's just go," muttered Matchooie.

Sanjy and Shadow led the small rescue team down to a huge pipe which was covered by a red curtain. Shadow stopped just infront of it and faced them. "Whatever ya do, don't eat anything they give ya inside there." With that, he opened the curtain and led them inside.

~Back at Enemy HQ....~

"WHAT!!!! They got away?!?!" cried Tildy. She put her head in her hands. Sometimes those minjos could be such IDIOTS. "Give you a simple job, and you have to mess it up!!! Frankie!!!!" Frankie looked up. "Go down to the pub and do some... spying." Then Tildy turned to the badly injured and quivering minjo who had sent her the message. Without a second thought, she sent a fireball in his direction. Then, after reducing her target to a pile of ashes, she blew her smoking finger and laughed.