I expected Inori to complain, but she did the opposite.

“You're right, Jimmy. It's just that I thought that part would come after you defeat the Stompers, not before. Every second we delay, their hold upon the minds of all those people grows stronger.”

“But think about it,” I countered. “The Black Coma is caused by the Shadow Ka. If we release people from the Stompers, who's to say the Ka won't just put them right back in the coma, and then invite their masters to return?”

Hood knelt to the wooden floor and wrote two words.

“I AGREE.”

Inori thought for a moment. “Okay.” She nodded. “But your plan has to work, and it has to work quickly. We can't waste any more time.”

“All right then, let's get moving.” A thought popped in my head. “Inori, is there any way you can help find the Dream Warden while we deal with the Shadow Ka?”

She laughed. “Oh, you don't need to worry about that part.”

“What do you mean?”

“You've already found the Warden of Dreams.”

“What?”

“You'll see, you'll see. Let's go.”

Confused but knowing we were crunched for time, I forced myself to put that aside until later. I trusted Inori, and it was a relief to see that she wasn't worried about that piece of the puzzle.

And so it was that I found myself scrunched together with a hooded ghost and a lady who made good sandwiches and liked to float around in the air occasionally.

I reread the words “THEY HAVE JIMMY'S FAMILY …” as Hood lifted the Bender Ring over our heads and let it drop.

Seconds later we were in the living room of my uncle's house.

We had barely stepped away from the Ring before Miyoko and Rayna smothered me with hugs. I was so glad to see them, I squeezed right back. Then Joseph smothered me as well.

“Fill me in,” I said after we let go. Tanaka was also there, as was Justin, the Half.

“They have your family,” said Miyoko, “but left the rest of us to make sure you got their message nice and clear.”

“Where are they?”

“They're out in the fields,” said Joseph. “There are probably a hundred of those suckers, closely guarding your family. We considered attempting a rescue but thought better of it. We didn't want to take any chances until you got here.”

“Thanks. By the way, this is Inori.” I pointed to her. “She won't really tell me where she came from, but I think she's an outcast member of the Alliance.”

“I'm on your side, that's all that matters,” she said.

“Tanaka,” I said, and gave him a hug, too. For once, his smell didn't make my nose beg for relief. “Jeez, did you shower or something?”

“Rayna made me.” His frown showed he didn't like it too much.

“Wow, I can actually see the separate hairs of your hanging eyebrows. I thought they were sealed together forever with grease.”

“You very hilarious,” he said.

“Hey, did the okisaru ever come back?”

“Yes, Jimmy-san. They are here, ready to fight for you.”

“Good, we'll need them. You know, Tanaka, I think I liked you better before you got so serious. Make a joke once in a while, would ya?”

“I not so funny looking after you get here,” he replied.

“I have no idea what you meant by that,” I said, “but at least you tried.”

Half came up, holding the Braves hat he'd left for us earlier.

“I'm offended, Jimmy. I go through all that trouble to get this back to you, and you haven't even put it on your head yet.”

“The water shrunk it. Sorry.”

“I think your head's just gotten bigger with all your fancy Gifts.” He flipped the hat over onto the couch. “So did you ever figure out the Red Disk?”

“Yeah, I'll show it to you guys later, but let's get my family back first.”

“I can tell you've already got something up your sleeve,” said Rayna.

“You're right, I do. All I need are three things to get started.”

“What's that?” asked Miyoko.

“The Anything, the okisaru, and a whole lot of courage.”