"Almost...there!" Nya shouted as she tried to grab the flag at the highest point on the Bounty. Her fingertips were only inches away, before gravity pulled her down. The master of water fell through the air for a few seconds before Lilly caught her.

"You almost got it. Maybe if we just keep practicing a little more you might actually reach it," the blonde smiled, holding Nya for a few seconds before putting her down. I swore I saw Jay glaring at Lilly in jealousy from across the Bounty's deck. I guess he's still into Nya. I hope he notices that Zane just made a sneaky move on him in chess while we wasn't looking though.

"I think I might take a break from this. I need to kinda cool off," Nya said. Lilly raised an eyebrow.

"It's not really that hot out here, Nya," she informed her.

"I know. That's not the case. I'm still ticked at Dareth and those stupid talk show hosts!" the master of water kicked a nearby broom, accidentally kicking it off the deck. She paid no mind to it though. I couldn't blame her for still being mad though. Even though she blatantly stated she was a lesbian and not interested in either guy, the talk show host still questioned her on if she would choose: Jay or Cole. I found it a bit disrespectful if you ask me. Not to mention the makeup incident with Dareth. Didn't he know how to apply makeup himself anyway!? Besides, if I'm gonna teach this kind of thing, I don't want to teach it to just girls. I want to teach it to boys too. I believe boys should have the right to look just as elegant with cosmetics as girls do.

"Honestly, they're idjits," Cass commented, crossing her arms. I nodded.

"Yeah. Why aren't we treated like the others?" I asked. Lilly sighed.

"It's because most women in the media have to be in some kind of love triangle or damsels in distress. If they fight like us they have to be sexy and wear as less clothes as possible. There's no way I'm doing that. There's literally no protection or armor to save your organs from being stabbed," she answered, "The media doesn't like how we look anyway. They claim that Nya's too chubby, I'm too muscular, you look too much like a boy, they don't like Cass's hair, and claim that Sammie looks too bland. What a load of B. S."

I look too much like a boy!? Well, I'm sorry, but I can't help it that my body grows in a much different way than everyone else's! Oh wait, EVERYONE'S BODY GROWS IN DIFFERENT WAYS THAN EVERYONE ELSE'S! Ugh, I can now see why Lilly hates watching most TV shows...yet she still likes that minor god show.

"Gosh, if they want us to look sexy, then wait until my sick days! I'll definitely be 'sexy' then!" Lilly exclaimed. The three of us all laughed.

"They just can't handle how awesome we are anyway," Cass grinned confidently, to which we all nodded.

"Agreed," I smiled. Cass then gave a concerned expression, looking around.

"Um, where's Sammie at?" she asked. The three of us shrugged.

"I'm sure she's with her brother or something. Cole did say he was going to talk to her once he got the chance," Nya responded.

"Yeah, but Sensei called Cole into his room once we got back. Maybe she's in her room or something?" Lilly said. Nya shrugged.

"Either one could be it," she responded. Just then, Cole levitated over next to me.

"Hey, Karma, Sensei needs you. I don't really know why," he notified me. I raised an eyebrow. What does he need to tell me? More importantly, Sensei always plans his meetings with all of us. I don't recall this one being planned. It must be urgent.

"Hey, Cole, have you seen Sammie?" Cass asked, to which the master of earth shook his head.

"No. I last saw her when we boarded the bounty. She's probably hiding in her room or something...I don't know," he told us, scratching his head, "Nathan's probably already checked in on her anyway. The poor kid's always worried about her."

I nodded. That sounds like Nathan alright. I then got up, stretching my arms.

"Well, I'll go see what Sensei needs, then. I'll see you guys later then," I waved before walking down the hallway by where we all were hanging out. I walked down to the final door at the end of the hallway and entered, greeted by the scent of Sensei's favorite incense. The old man sat cross-legged on the floor, looking as though he were meditating. I waited until he looked up and acknowledged me before speaking.

"Hello Sensei, you needed me?" I said as I shut the door. The old man nodded.

"Please, sit down," he told me. I went ahead and sat across from him, cross-legged as well. Despite not seeing him as often, I didn't notice many changes about him. He was getting more wrinkles and dark circles were appearing under his eyes, but he didn't look as sick as Lloyd said he was. Looks can be deceiving though.

"Do you recall the day you and your brothers & sisters fought the master of psionics and his inventions? The day Lin, your mother, died?" Sensei Wu asked, his conical hat now hiding his eyes. I winced at the memory, remembering every blade tip that was sticking out of her body. The words that she said...

I clenched my fists. No, don't do this to yourself. I forced the memory out of my current thoughts and looked at Sensei.

"Yes, I do," I answered. The old man paused and took a sip from his tea cup.

"Sammie told me you had an overload of your powers while confronting the master of psionics. Is this true?" he questioned. I nodded, beginning to feel slightly nervous. Am I in trouble?

"Judging by her description of it, I do not believe this was an overload," he said. I raised an eyebrow.

"But how do you know?" I questioned.

"Your mother had one before when she was younger. Yours would have been identical to hers," the old man told me, taking another sip of his tea.

"I don't understand," I said. Sensei sighed.

"If Morro's mother and Morro had the exact same overload, Cassidy and Hunter should have the exact same as his," he explained. He paused to take another sip of tea, then looked up at me, his expression serious. "So, Seiko, what I'm asking is...have you been using the Dark Arts lately?"

I froze, my brain in panic mode. Crap, I really did screw up, didn't I!? Sensei had told me before that the Dark Arts were forbidden and evil, yet I masked them with my powers. They were much more useful than my powers though! They extended my abilities!

"I..." I had started to prepare a lie, but seeing how serious the old man was, I knew he'd see right through me. It's just best to be honest. "...yes."

The old man gave a disappointed sigh. "Seiko, I know your family has a history in being involved with the Dark Arts, but this does not mean you should follow their path."

"I know, but it makes me so much more powerful. I've really helped the team out a lot with the Dark Arts!" I argued. Sensei Wu set his tea cup down.

"You do not understand how bad this magic is, Seiko. It can take over your mind. Give you hallucinations. Drive you to do things you never desire to do. It takes all your anger and sadness and uses it as a weapon," he told me. I didn't believe him.

"Okay, if this is true, then why didn't it happen to my uncle!?" I asked Sensei. He sighed.

"Because, he is one of the lucky few who can fight it and keep himself sane. Others cannot," the old man answered. I still didn't believe him. It just seemed too farfetched. What kind of magic takes over your state of mind anyway!?

"I'm sorry Sensei, but I still don't believe it," I said. The old man looked down at his legs. He was silent for a long time.

"You may go. We are finished here," Sensei Wu said, pouring himself another cup of tea. I nodded, getting up and exiting the room. Though, as I walked to my room, a thought appeared in my mind. Lilly and Kai had to restrain me from Alex in that fight last year, and anger had taken over my state of mind then. Could that have possibly been the Dark Arts? I shook my head. No, what Sensei was saying is way too farfetched. You're just starting to believe the lies...

I opened my door and entered, sighing at the familiar sight of my mother's chestplate sitting on it's holder. I took it when my father sold off Li Zhao in July of last year. He couldn't take care of or run the shop anymore, so he sold it to one of our neighbors and moved all our stuff (plus himself) to my uncle Bruce's house in Jamanikai Village. My father let me keep my mom's chestplate with me though, insisting that I wear it in battle and keep it remember my mother by. I picked it up off its stand, admiring the metallic hawk symbol that shined in the sunlight that came through my window. My thumbs brushed over the scratches and dents at the bottom of it, giving a grim reminder of my mother's sacrifice. The memory still stung like a open wound. A wound that hasn't closed for a long time.

I went over to my bed and laid down, still holding the chestplate as I looked up at the ceiling. Would my mother approve of what I've done? I know Dark Arts is forbidden...but there must be some kind of exception. Especially if I'm using it for the greater good. I think she would find it okay. She was okay with uncle Clouse anyway...

I heard a quiet knock on my door before Cole's head phased through the door. I honestly forgot he could do that.

"Hey, Karma. We're at the hospital now," he notified me. I sighed.

"Is it for that Make-A-Wish kid?" I asked. The ghostly ninja nodded.

"It's the second to last thing we're doing today. I'll catch you up on the last thing as we get off the ship," he told me. I nodded and got up, putting the chestplate on under my gi and hiding it with my scarf. Might as well use this as a good luck charm too.

As we walked off the Bounty, Cole caught me up on our last but sudden errand. Evidently we have to go to Stiix to retrieve some sort of artifact before someone else does. I don't know if I can stand returning to Stiix though. After learning about what actually happened to Myung after I saw her the night The Preeminent was released...I just can't...

"I guess I should tell you who we're trying to keep this artifact from," Cole said as he opened the doors to the hospital. I looked at him, waiting for the reveal. Why is he reluctant to tell me?

"Karma...your uncle isn't dead. He's the one we're trying to beat to the artifact," the revelation froze me in place, leaving me wide-eyed. Uncle Clouse...is alive!? How!? I was told he was killed while the Ninja were at Chen's Island! Could he perhaps be a ghost?

"Is he really?" I questioned, feeling bits of disbelief. It can't be. Cole nodded.

"Yes. I'd show you the actual footage of him that was found, but we gotta catch up with the others. Don't wanna disappoint the little kid, right?" he said. I nodded, despite being extremely curious about my uncle. What's he getting himself into this time? Does he know that Mom's gone? What is he going after?

"In honor of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, we dub thee an honorary ninja for the day!" Lloyd smiled cheerily, tying a headband around the kid's head. The poor child was wheelchair-bound, his legs left paralyzed from a recent car accident, but it didn't stop him from smiling. His makeshift gi (that looked similar to Cass's) and his cast, which was covered with various names and tiny ninja doodles brought a smile to my face, warming my heart in a sense. It made me happy to see that we've made this kind of impact on a kid's life. He keeps going because we keep going. We're like...role models to him. Though, it stressed me out. Just one wrong move by us and we could crush this kid's view of us forever. In fact, that's how it was for most of our fans. One mess up and our image will be ruined forever. How can celebrities deal with this!?

"Are you alright? You look a little worried," Lloyd's voice startled me, snapping me out of my thoughts. He looked concerned. He's been this way ever since my mother died, asking me if I'm alright every time I looked worried, nervous, sad, or angry. Is that normal? I mean, I guess I was kind of the same way when he looked this way. I nodded.

"Yeah. Just a random thought intruded my mind," I smiled, showing that I was okay. Lloyd's concerned expression lasted for a few seconds before a smiled formed.

"Okay, I just wanted to make sure you were alright," he said, giving my hand a tiny squeeze before walking back over to the boy. I sighed, trying to slow my speeding heartbeat. Gosh, I guess I should have shut up when talking to Lilly today, because I'm the exact same way. Even after a year with him I still can't slow my heartbeat when around him. Is this normal too?

"Uh guys, I think we have some company," Cole informed us all, catching our attention as he inched away from the window. Jay walked over and peeked out the window, immediately being greeted by the screeches and squeals that I believed to be from fans. Jay immediately recoiled from the window, looking at Cole.

"How did they find us here!?" he asked, looking back at the window with a frightened expression. It was then that we heard tapping and someone say "At the hospital. My hair is siiiiick!"

Our heads all immediately turned to look at Kai, who was running a hand through his hair while tapping on his phone. Of course...what did I freakin' expect. There's no way anyone else would screw up like this.

"Kai! Are you serious!?" Lilly exclaimed, catching his attention. He blinked as though he didn't know what was going on.

"You gave away our location!?" Nya questioned her brother, looking frustrated. He shrugged.

"Hey, my followers have needs too!" he replied. Lilly stomped up to him.

"The only thing your followers need is to know that I'm about to kick you into the sun," she grumbled, crossing her arms.

"Well, I said we could get to Stiix in time if we did not run into any big problems," Zane spoke up as he walked to the window, peeking outside. The sudden squeals made him move away from the window as fast as he could though, looking scared. "But this is a big problem!"

"Er...well...maybe Clouse ran into a problem too and maybe he won't get to the artifact in time!" Sammie said from behind me, startling me. She looked to be okay now.

"I hope you're right," Hunter said, peeking out the window. He lingered by it for a few seconds before sliding behind Cole.

"Well, we can't really fly outta here with these birds in the sky," Cole observed, noticing a couple helicopters flying over the hospital.

"God, they got here fast," Cass commented, staring out the window with wide eyes. Cole quickly grabbed her shoulders and moved her over his side.

"Kai already gave away our location, we don't need the exact room given away too," he began to move the curtain over the window, blocking out the sunlight and view of helicopters. Cass narrowed her eyes.

"But Zane and Jay walked in front of the window earlier. And besides, wouldn't moving a curtain over the window after showing a few of our faces be enough of a giveaway? They're probably already on their way up here," she said. The ghostly ninja froze.

"This is just like the zombie apocalypse, except instead of zombies it's...girls," Nathan stared at the half covered window with a frightened look, "I never thought I'd die by being mauled by teenage girls."

Cole took another peek out the window before his eyes widened, a scared look on his face.

"They're in..." he announced, shrinking away from the window. A determined look appeared on the little kids face as he adjusted himself in his wheelchair.

"You say I'm an honorary ninja for the day? Just call me the Purple Ninja Part Two!" he exclaimed, smiling at Cass. The kid then pulled his ninja mask over his head and spun his wheelchair around, rolling it towards the door at speeds I've never seen a wheelchair make before. He busted the door open and wheeled down the hall, all of us following him.

"That mask looks pretty authentic. Did you make it yourself?" I heard Nya ask the little boy as we ran down the hallway after him. I thought I could see him nod.

"You have a lot of time on your hands when you have to stay in bed for a month," he informed us as we turned a corner, avoiding an incoming mob of girls. The small Purple Ninja wheeled us into the stairway, barricading the door with his wheelchair as many bangs and knocks were heard from behind it.

"This is as far as I can go! All you guys need to do is take the door up those stairs! It's on your right! Good luck!" he shouted over the various noises from behind the door. Lloyd stepped forward though.

"Well Nelson...I mean, Purple Ninja, thanks," Lloyd smiled. I could tell just by Nelson's eyes that he was smiling too.

"No, thank you! You made my wish come true," the boy's voice was cheery, despite our current situation. He gave a small wave before Lloyd rejoined us and we ran up the steps and out the door to the rooftop. I crossed my fingers and hoped that Nelson could hold them off without getting hurt. Those girls would trample anyone. They wouldn't even stop for a boy in a wheelchair.

Lilly, Hunter, Cass, Sammie, Nathan, and I all hid behind a billboard as our friends stayed down below. They didn't hear the oncoming sound of helicopters, but they would hear it eventually. We all quickly pulled on our masks, flattening our backs against the wall. Hopefully they'll hear it.

After a minute, the guys joined us, but Nya stayed below. She looked angry.

"Nya! You need to hide too!" Jay shouted over the whirr of a helicopter. The female master of water looked away from him. What exactly happened? Jay sighed then held out his hand "Ugh, just forget what I said! Take my hand!"

Nya turned back around, glaring at the dark blue ninja. "No, what did you mean when you said 'we'!? I'm a ninja and I'm nobody's girl!" I honestly didn't know what to think. I knew she was turning down Jay again, but was she also making a statement about how she's been treated?

"Just take his hand, Nya! Or else we'll be spotted!" Cole shouted, sounding panicked. The whirr of a helicopter was getting louder. I had to put in my input.

"Please, Nya! Just take someone's hand! We can settle all of this later!" I shouted over the whirr. She seemed unphased. Then, a helicopter flew overhead and I lost the hope that we could get out of here in time to stop my uncle.

Kai sighed. "Too late. They've already found us. So much for stopping Clouse..."

"Ugh, let's just hope he missed his train," Lloyd was audibly frustrated, and I guess I would be, too. I mean, if I had some sort of beef with someone on the team I'd address it when we're in a safe place. Not during an urgent time! Nya's a good person and all...but I think she's too stubborn sometimes.

"Wait...I have an idea," Sammie announced, turning to the rest of us, "You guys just have to close your eyes when I tell you to!"

"What's the idea exactly?" Kai questioned, but Sammie was already turned towards Nya.

"You have to close your eyes too!" she shouted to Nya, who hesitated before nodding. The yellow ninja then jumped off the billboard, running to the center of the rooftop.

"Close your eyes!" she turned to shout at us. I closed mine immediately and a few minutes passed before I could see a flash of light through my eyelids.

"Open them!" I heard Sammie shout a few seconds after. I opened my eyes to see the helicopters spinning out of control and Sammie standing below, a determined look in her eyes.

"Now, go and summon your dragons! I'll make sure they don't follow!" she commanded us. We all started moving off the billboard quickly, but Cole just levitated there.

"Sammie, don't you think that move is risky!? Those helicopters could crash!" her brother looked worried, but the master of light wasn't phased.

"They'll live. Just get going!" she commanded. Her brother complied and moved with the rest of us, jumping off the building and summoning our dragons. We started following Zane in the direction of Stiix as the hospital building began to grow smaller in my view. Then, one more flash of light erupted from the rooftop before Sammie joined us a few moments later, looking proud of herself.

"We should be okay now. They won't be following us," she told us before a loud boom was heard in the background. The master of light turned to look behind her before looking back at all of us, a nervous smile on her face. "They'll be okay..."

Our eyes lingered on her for a moment before turning back to Zane, who was leading us. His chrome plating shined in the sunlight, some of that light reflecting into my face. God, I hate the sun sometimes.

"We should reach Stiix in a few hours. You may want to cushion your mounts," the nindroid told us. Jay made a distressed noise.

"Why didn't you tell us this earlier!? Dang it, my butt's gonna hurt worse than that time I took a cinderblock to the ass!" the master of lightning exclaimed. Some of the guys snickered.

"Let's just focus on stopping Clouse, Jay," Zane said, concealing his own laughter. I felt excitement as we flew towards Stiix. I was happy that I was going to see my uncle, but I was scared because I was going to see my uncle.