Torika's Dimensional Encounter

A dark and dimly lit room surrounded Torika when she appeared before it. The odd thing about this room was that wherever Torika made a step a portion of the floor would light up but where her foot was before the light dissipated or faded with little color to it.

"Where am I?" Torika spoke.

The floor started to shake and a card shaped form started to fly towards a bright green glow. Torika looked at it in confusion. Suddenly a figure in armor similar to a knight flashed before Torika with a gust of wind behind him. The knight had an unusual golden mask with what appeared to be a star for the face and a smaller star emblem embedded at the tip of the mask's star.

"Who are you? Where am I?" Torika asked the knight.

The knight raised his hand towards Torika and let out a breath.

"WELCOME MS. TORIKA TO A WORLD YOU'LL NEVER FORGET!" The knight shouted in a very unpredictably squeaky voice.

"MA!" Torika jumped back.

"Aw, don't be frightened. I don't want to hurt you. Let's just talk for a while." The knight again reached his hand to Torika and the color of the star began to change to the green that resembled the light she had seen earlier.

"Stop! Don't be fooled Torika!" A deep voice that echoed throughout the room shouted.

"Huh?" Torika looked to her side and was grabbed by her right side and carried off by a flying knight that had a similar mask only the mask shape had a lightning bolt with a swirl in the middle that looked like a sketch of wind and three spiked horns on top.

Torika stared to bang her hands on his back.

"Let me go! You'll be sorry!" Torika kept hitting him.

"I would appreciate it if you'd stop doing that now. Besides we're not off the ground anymore."

Torika opened her eyes and blushed with embarrassment.

"Well…. You could've told me earlier."

"I did. You were too busy wailing your arms around and screaming like a baby."

"Well you didn't have to…" Torika blinked and her expression went from angry to confused.

"Who are you again? Not to mention, where am I?"

"You'll find out soon enough. Now go, I'll deal with him."

A blinding white light flashed in front of Torika but before she could do anything she fell into a dark hole in the ground.

"No!" Torika opened her eyes to find herself in her room. "What the? That was all just a dream? But I thought that he was right…MA! 7:00! Oh no I'll be late again!" Torika rushed out of her room bumping into her mother who seemed to have been standing there for a while. "Sorry mom are you ok?"

"I'm fine Torika but what were you screaming about?" Sakura asked with a concerned look.

"Oh, that was well… a bad dream. Sorry if I scared you at all."

"Not at all, I'm very glad you told me. Now let's go have some breakfast. I made you eggs and pancakes for your big day today."

"Yay! Thank you so much mom. You'll pick me up to bring me over there today right?"

"Sure will. Now hurry up or else you'll be late again."

"Do you have to remind me of the again part?" Torika's face drooped but Sakura smiled and placed her hand on her daughter's head.

"I was the same way when I was your age."

"Same way, ha! Try exactly the same. I remember the hardest part of the day was getting you up for school and that's on top of getting the cards." Kero zoomed in front of the two. Sakura smiled and walked eerily over to Kero. With that Kero ended up running away faster than Torika came out.

"Now that's power." Torika said exchanging grins with Sakura.

Torika quickly finished breakfast and ran out to get her scooter waving good buy to her mother.

"Don't forget, I'm picking you up right at three."

"I won't. Buy mom." Torika waved and saw her mom wave back. Torika arrived at her school just as the bell rang with an exhausted look.

"What happened Torika?" Maddy asked as Torika dragged her feet.

"Almost… fell into… the hole outside. Then I bumped into Jeri when I came in." Torika's expression of deep breathing changed seamlessly as the name Jeri was said.

"Speaking of which." Maddy pointed behind Torika.

"Ma!" Torika shot a stare of angry embarrassment to Jeri who smiled as he appeared behind her.

"Alright class let's start with attendance now. I had a real rough night last night and I… oops, wasn't supposed to say that, oh well." Torika's oddly cheerful homeroom teacher Ruby Moon entered the class with a funny look as always.

As the day past Torika seemed more and more anxious to get out of school more than anyone. Torika awaited the final bell so anxiously to rush out as quickly as possible so she could get to the car. At long last the sweet ringing past through Torika's ears and excused herself for running out so fast that she ended up tripping as she turned around. Torika ran past the doors and straight towards the curb where her mother was parked. Torika huffed and swiped her hand across her forehead.

"All ready I see." Sakura smiled.

"Yay! Now onward to the most holy of places!" Kero sprang up from Torika's backpack shocking her.

"Geez, I told you that you could come but did you have to hide in my bag?"

"Well I can see my superior skills of hiding have left you a little awe stricken have they not?"

"KERO!" Torika yelled and leaped at him although he just floated to the top.

"Well I can help it if I'm exited to go to the company that makes my favorite games of all time." Kero said with a gleaming in his eyes.

"Yeah, can't really blame you for that. Uncle Tori does some of the best stuff there. I haven't visited in years. I can't wait to get there. Hey mom are we there yet?"

"Almost but you two are going to have to behave or else I'm pulling over and you'll have to wait a while."

Almost immediately, both Torika and Kero zipped their mouths shut and sat perfectly still. Torika had been looking forward to visiting her uncle for weeks now and as she rarely visits him at work she's even more excited.

"We're here." Sakura said unlocking the doors only to have them nearly torn down, by either Kero or Torika she could tell since they were equally eager to head to the door. A tall male figure was there to greet them at the gate. Kero quickly retreated into Torika's bag again.

"Welcome Miss Torika, your uncle is expecting you in the lobby. Please follow me. Mrs. Showron you may follow as well if you wish. Our staff will make sure that your car is parked." But as the man spoke, Sakura wore a spacious look as she looked towards the roof of the large building. "Is there something wrong Mrs. Showron?" Sakura looked away, and blushed with an embarrassed face. "Uh… nothing. Sorry about that. Let's get going shall we." Sakura held one leg up high then the next with a crooked smile.

"That was weird. Hey mom, wait up." Torika shouted to her mother who seemed to have zoomed past them all. They all arrived at a long hallway with silver doors at the end. Torika rushed towards the doors to find her uncle waiting on a couch in the lobby.

"Uncle Tori!" Torika jumped up to hug her uncle.

"Hi Torika. How's my favorite nice doing?"

"How many times do we have to go through this uncle Tori? I'm your only niece."

"As many times as I've seen you I guess. So are you guys ready to take a look at what we've been working on?"

"Yay!" Torika cheerfully yelled and heard the same enthusiasm come from her backpack. The tall man who escorted them looked at her in confusion.

"What was that?"

"Oh nothing. Just my toy I brought to school today. Don't worry about it." Torika laughed to conceal her nervousness. They were both led into a small room about the size of Torika's bedroom with a few computers and a man wearing a visor, gloves and boots standing in the middle of a blue lit circle. Kero tried to sneak a peek at what was happening trying to avoid any contact with security cameras.

"What's he doing?" Torika stared.

"Just wait. We came just in time." Tori replied and Torika stared very intently waiting for something to happen. As a beeping sound rang throughout the room the man spread his arms and legs apart as if he was getting ready for a fight. He began to start a series of punches and kicks and the same movements appeared on the computer screens.

"Wow. Are they doing research for a fighting game?" Torika asked.

"Not quite. Your missing the point of what he's doing and what's happening on the screen. Torika tried to focus harder on what was happening.

"He's doing what the computers doing I guess." Torika sounded unsure.

"Actually it's the opposite. The devices he has on his body are recording the movements. They'll also make it so that for whatever game we use them for they will act as a controller for the player." Tori replied as Torika gave a shocked expression that was as close to Kero's look of complete excitement.

"It's incredible. I can't wait to see what else it can do."

"Well why don't you give it a try. It's already out of the basic testing stages. Hey Tom I have a new player that wants to join the game." Tori directed to the black haired man on the left managing what seemed to be a computer with game backgrounds on the screen.

"Oh Mr. Avalon, I'm sorry we didn't hear you come in. What was that about a new player?" Tom asked in a deep voice.

"My niece here would like to try out the game if you guys are done testing."

"We were just finishing up. We'd be delighted to have her try the game. Your Torika am I right? I've heard a lot about you from your uncle. Never stops talking about you."

"Ye...Yes, I am sir. It's nice to meet you." Torika replied blushing. Tori laughed.

"Come on then, let's get you set up." Tom said grabbing a set of what the man was wearing.

"Tori, have you felt anything strange around this place at all?" Sakura whispered.

"About a day ago. That's why I wanted you to come with her. I didn't want her to be alone in case anything happened." Tori responded.

"Well what am I going to do? I don't have the cards anymore."

"You know you still have all your magic."

"Yes but…" Sakura was cut off by Torika who was running up to them.

"That was incredible! It was like I was actually fighting on a real waterfall. Thank you so much for letting me play uncle Tori."

"Sure thing. After all, who else can give such an honest review."

"Oh so you're the one who tore down galaxy monsters three." Tom said.

"Yup, the game really didn't need another sequel so I pretty much trashed it when uncle Tori was there."

"And that had to be my worst idea." Tori said with his hand on his face.

"The game or giving it to her?" Tom asked.

"The game, what do you think?" Tori said.

"Alright then what's next on the tour?" Torika asked.

"Well we can stop by office for some snacks if you want. I know it must've been a hard trip for you both."

"Aw, I was hoping to see more new stuff." Torika could feel a kicking in her bag from Kero.

"Are you sure you don't want me to take your bag miss?" The tall man asked once more.

"Yes I'm sure. Well guess we gotta go get those snacks now huh? Let's go!" Torika yelled as she raced off obviously not knowing where she was going.

"She seems energetic today." Tori noted to Sakura.

"She's been looking forward to this for a while now." Sakura responded.

"Better not disappoint her then. Come on, we can't let her go off alone like that now." They both began running

"Don't worry, Kero's with her."

"Oh great, I get to put my faith in the talking bean bag."

"He's not gonna like that if he here's you."

"Think I care. Come on she's headed for the research room."

Tori and Sakura headed around the corner into the room Torika went into but when they arrived she was gone.

"Where did she go?" Sakura said with a panicked look in her eyes.

"I don't know. Did you feel anything like a magical presence?" Tori asked.

"Yes but we need to look around. There aren't any door or anything here so she had to have gotten out by magic." Sakura concluded.

"Uhh, my head. Huh? Where am I." Torika woke up as she realized she was surrounded by nothing but a black room. "Ouch. Well at least I know I'm not dead or anything." Torika said pinching herself.

"Nope but your gonna wish you were kiddo." A figure in the shadows spoke with a deep maniacal tone. He stepped out to reveal himself as the one after Torika in the dream she had earlier today.

"You again? What do you want with me?"

"I just need a little help getting out of this dimension that's all. Why don't you come over here so I can explain to you how I got trapped here in the first place. I can see you're a very intelligent person much like myself. Why don't you help me find a way out of here." The masked man said.

"If you're so smart, you figure it out." Torika looked at him cautiously to see if he was going to attack.

"Very well then, I guess I'm going to have to do this the HARD WAY. HAHAHA" The man's tone changed completely into the eerie loud voice Torika remembered from the dream. Suddenly a slash of a sword came down in front of the man.

"Oh Orion I didn't see you there for a second. Come to leave with me." This masked figure that Torika identified as the second person from her dreams appeared before her with a long sword in one hand and a gold shield embedded on the wrist of the other.

"Why don't you just give up. She may have the magic to do it but I'll make sure you don't get to her ever!" Orion said.

"You've been trapped here as long as I have and you don't want to get out. Then you'll just have to be out of the way." The masked warrior said taking his hand to the sheath on his back to reveal a long blade.

"Um excuse me but could you tell me what's going on?" Torika interrupted but was quickly grabbed by Orion who clashed swords with equal force and dashing away on foot with surprising speed. "Ok masked guy or whoever you are just put me down and I'll handle him ok. Besides, you haven't told me a single thing yet." Torika told Orion with an impatient tone.

"All you need to know is that this is a dimension created by my people thousands of years ago to trap Strad so he couldn't destroy the world. I elected to stand guard in this realm to assure he wouldn't escape. He's been looking for someone to use as a conduit with enough magic to open a gateway large enough to accommodate his enormous power so he can regain his full power and destroy all of humanity." Torika's eyes went small from trying to process everything she just heard.

"Ok then, how about you let me down so I can help you?"

"You don't believe me do you?"

"Hey I got magic cards and the power this guy needs to escape and your saying I have a hard time believing you?"

"Point taken. Very well then I'll let you down here. Just be careful when attacking. He's very strong."

"I got that part covered." Torika winked and took her key out. "Key of my heart! With the power of love and light unveil the scepter and unleash my might!!" Torika recited the incantation and the heart shaped key became the magic staff and as Strad approached rapidly Torika took out a card. "Power card give me the strength I need to defeat my opponent." Torika raised her staff and the aura surrounded her. She lowered her staff and prepared for the fight. Strad rammed right into the staff not moving an inch after the collision. Torika stood her ground expecting another attack but instead Strad lied there on the ground.

"Ow you hurt me you meanie. You stink you know that." Strad's voice and tone changed to that of an adult sounding like he was talking like a bratty child. Torika was very puzzled at this behavior but still didn't let her guard down. "Very good kid, now let's see if you can follow up on that. Strad appeared behind Torika reach a claw-like weapon to her arm.

"Dash!!" Torika shouted as tiny wings shone on her shoes. She evaded the attack just before it reached the arm. She looked back to fight but when she turned around he was gone. Orion appeared again with his powerful sword to assist Torika as Strad tried to attack her from above.

"Sword!! Fly!! Firey!!" Torika shouted and then a blaze of fire radiated from Torika staff, which had transformed into a sword. Wings had also taken place on Torika's back and with Dash's power ran as quickly as she could and flew into the air taking a mighty swing at where Strad had been pushed back by Orion. The sword indeed made direct contact with Strad's body but it disappeared when Torika's sword was down. "There's no way. He couldn't have gotten away." Torika said in disbelief.

"No, you weakened him greatly. Hurry we have to get you back before he heals himself." Orion said.

"I'm not going until he's defeated. You'll stay trapped here forever if I go right?" Torika said with concern glazing her eyes.

"Thank you for helping me but what happens to me is of no consequence. You have to return to your world or else he'll destroy it." Torika quickly dashed behind Orion to slash her sword at Strad.

"Wow, didn't know that dash was that fast. Must be Fly's power helping him. In any case I'm not the one to leave a dept unsettled. You saved my life and now it's my turn to save yours ok." Torika smiled.

"Very well, as it seems I have little choice in the matter. You hold him and I'll begin the spell."

"Sure thing, but could you maybe make it fast. Kind of having a little trouble holding him off, even with the Power card."

"I'm already working on it. Just give me a minute." Orion said concentration. A gold circle lit up underneath Orion and he began to chant in a language Torika couldn't understand.

"Don't you get it yet girl, I'm far more powerful than you'll ever hope to be. Don't be a fool and throw your life away trying to save that trash behind you." Strad struggled to move from the sword's grip as he was attempting to push it away with the armored gloves on his hands.

"Don't you dare call him that! The only trash I see around here is you, you monster! You've kept Orion here for thousands of years so he could make sure you didn't hurt anyone and you have the nerve to call him trash! Well I got news for you Strad, you're not going anywhere ever again. Give it to him Orion." Torika said courageously jumping back and flying into the air. Strad tried to jump after her but noticed that Orion had completed the spell and was glowing in a memorizing white aura.

"Thank you for the assistance Torika. Now as for you Strad, it finally ends today. Good bye." Orion lifted his right hand and a bright stream of magical energy shot towards Strad rending him motionless as Orion took his sword out. As he did this, the sword emitted and strange shape and then in the mist of the aura a large dragon of pure white energy appeared from the tip of Orion's sword. "Dragon's judgment." Spoke Orion in a clam voice. The sword sliced across Strad disintegrating his body into nothingness. He cried out in a last attempt to use his strength to capture Torika but the mist of the white aura prevented him from going near her. After that he disappeared without a trace.

"Thank you again Torika. You've saved my life and set me free. Now my spirit can finally move on in peace and I can rest easy again. How can I ever thank you?" Orion said kneeling before her.

"For one you can try and stop talking like you're in a medieval festival but I'd settle for just going back home." Torika replied.

"Consider it done. Goodbye Torika, I will miss you very much."

"Don't worry, if you're ever in my neighborhood look me up or ask my uncle. He can see ghosts." Torika gently smiled as a tear went down her cheek.

"I most certainly will." Orion said wiping the tear away assuring Torika that he took her quite seriously and as the white aura gathered up and changed to blue, he raised both arms to open a gateway for them to exit. They both stepped through but Orion disappeared. Sakura and Tori both rushed to Torika to give her a big hug in relief.

"Torika are you alright?" Her mother said squeezing so tight that Torika seemed like she was about to pop.

"I'm ok mom. You know what? Today was a pretty fun day. Thanks a lot for the great visit uncle Tori."

"Anytime Torika."

"Fun day! What are you talking about! I didn't get to play any games at all!" Kero shouted emerging from Torika's backpack. Torika looked at Kero in question.

"Just where were you this whole time? I had my backpack on me during that whole fight?" Torika asked.

"Well, I was… taking a nap." Kero said rubbing his paw behind his head. Torika glared angrily at him.

"What! I had had to fight that guy all that time and you were just sleeping! Get over here now!" Torika began chasing Kero around the room. Tori and Sakura started laughing. Just then Tori noticed something behind him. Orion's spirit body materialized behind Tori.

"Would you mind if I stuck around for a while? I want to keep my promise to Torika." Orion said.

"You're the one that helped her out in that thing then right?" Tori asked.

"Yes I am. My names Orion." Orion replied.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to kick you out. If you need to say anything to her let me know."

"There is one thing." Orion started to whisper to Tori.

"Ok, hey Torika! I have a message from Orion." Tori called her over. Torika already was grabbing Kero by the ears but let go.

"Really? What is it?" Torika asked with cheerful excitement.

"Take care." Tori said putting his hand on her shoulder. Sakura smiled at her daughter proudly.

"Thank you uncle Tori. Tell him I will."

"Man you're worse than your mother with that temper." Kero said trying to catch his breath. Both Torika's and Sakura's shadow covered Kero as he gulped and ran away. They both laughed together in taking a little revenge for the comment.

"Do you have to be so mean about it." Kero said weeping.

"Oh here take this. We were only joking." Torika handed Kero a headset much like the one's she wore earlier. "Uncle Tori made those especially for you Kero."

"Oh my god this is so awesome. Thank you much. You know I've always thought you were very cool Tori." Kero said as he put the headset with the gloves and boots next to them.