Jacquie was running from the wizard's wrath. Jacquie ran toward Zorn Mountain with the spell that would stop Zorn from disappearing forever. Erik was close, nearly breathing down her neck when the bell rang for recess to be over.

"Awww," the group said. The group—Jacquie, Maize, Kirna, Robin, Daniel, and Erik— headed for the door and entered their school.

"So," Kirna said, "who's telling Johnathan and Riordan what happened today?"

"Not me," everyone said in unison.

Jacquie said, "Well, we wouldn't have to tell them at all if someone hadn't told them about the Sladefest of Doom last week!"

Maize said, "You guys know they love Slade. I'll tell them what happened today."

Everyone nodded and headed back to their classes. Little did they know what was to happen on the school rooftop that very night.

On the roof glowed an orange portal, slowly swirling. Shoes began to emerge from the portal. Then a body. A face. The figure leaped from the building and dashed toward the neighborhood.

//////////////////////

"Sladefest was AWESOME!" Johnathan said as he pumped his fist into the cold, morning air.

Riordan shivered. "Yeah, it was great, but don't you think it's a bit cold for November?"

Johnathan shrugged. "I don't mind it. Plus, if it gets colder soon, we might get snow. Or even better,"

"A SNOW DAY!" the boys said simultaneously.

A figure rushed passed them, heading for the school.

"Wonder where that guy was going in such a hurry," Johnathan said.

In the schoolyard ahead, the group was waiting for Johnathan and Riordan.

"WHERE ARE THEY? MY FINGERS ARE ABOUT TO FALL OFF!" Robin shouted.

"Don't worry," Maize said. "They'll be here soon."

"Umm, hello? Is this Deer Valley Middle School?" a voice said.

Everyone turned to look at the person. He (she, it?) was hidden by both the shadows and the cloudy sky.

"Could you step forward see we can see you?" Jacquie asked.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry," it said.

A leather boot first emerged from the shadows, then his body and face. It was a boy, about their age wearing a snow cap, hiding most of his dark, curly hair. He wore a dark blue hoodie and even darker jeans. Emblemed on his boots were emerald snakes with piercing copper eyes. He looked up at them and spoke.

"My name is Kyran. What are your names?"

Everyone was at a sudden loss for words.

Maize managed to speak up for everyone. "This is Jacquie, Erik, Kirna, Daniel, and Robin. My name is Maize. Nice to meet you, Kyran." She put her hand out for him to shake.

Before he could, Kirna shouted, "Look! There are Johnathan and Riordan!" The boys caught up with the group and they began to head to the school.

"See ya, Kyran!" Jacquie waved as the group walked on.

Kyran followed in line behind them, rolling his eyes. He knew he had a lot of work to be done if they were ever going to work together.