"I'm terribly sorry, Young Cub," Master Talon said, standing before Michelle as he delivered the news of her parents' death. "It seems the Beast got to them before they could find the Great Master."

Michelle lowered her head and took a deep breath, trying to keep her tears from falling over. She had to stand strong in the presence of the Pai Zhuq master.

However, Talon knelt down before her and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"The loss of a loved one is never easy," he told her, "Feel free to express yourself."

Michelle shook her head and grabbed her bags, "I can't. I need to tell my sister. I have to stay strong for her."

Master Talon nodded, getting back to his feet. He watched as Michelle walked out of his hut sadly.

Taking a deep breath himself to keep calm, he walked over to the scroll in the corner. He picked them up and analysed them carefully.

The Great Master was around these parts somewhere. He could sense the energy. It frustrated him that no one had yet to find the powerful being. However, with Michelle's parents officially passed, the Pai Zhuq no longer had anyone to search for the Great Master.

A grey falcon soared into the hut and landed on Master Talon's arm. The master looked at the Falcon and nodded.

"I see... It seems the Great Master has been right under our nose all along."

-----Afterlife-----

Master Guinn woke with a start, sitting up from her sweat coated mat. She looked around, seeing the fire that had been burning through the night finally died out. Over under the large willow tree, Kayleigh slept soundly with Engel curled up in her arms.

It had been centuries since Guinn had thought of Master Talon. After he had passed, there was really no reason to let his memory linger uselessly. All students were taught to never attach themselves to their Masters, but to the lessons and values their masters taught them. Master Guinn had felt something special for her first master, but respected his wishes and moved on when he left this realm.

However, it seemed he was reaching out to her.

Master Guinn through off the thin blanket and walked over to the river. She knelt down before it and splashed the water on her face.

As the water dripped off slowly, Master Guinn stood back up and looked out at the horizon. There was a dark light coming from the Dark Forest.

"He's coming..."

-----Afterlife-----

"Okay," Flynn started pacing the room, "The lass is two. She can't just disappear into thin air without someone knowing where she is."

Samantha glared at her brother in-law, "Then where is she?"

"I don't know," Flynn shrugged, "I didn't say I knew where she was."

"Guys, calm down," Dawn sighed, "We'll never figure this out if you two eat each other."

"Well, where do strange portals lead?" Daniela suggested, turning to Samantha.

"I don't know," Samantha sighed, "Mesogog's lair?"

Greg looked over to Dani, "Doesn't Heather travel via portal?"

Dani had to think about it for a moment. She frowned, "What do you mean?"

"To get to the Pai Zhuq for her lessons... doesn't she like... walk through a portal or something?"

"She does!" Hayden shouted, hopping off the couch and letting go of her sister's hand. "To get to the Wind Ninja Academy Mike and I have to walk through a portal in a waterfall! So long as you know the password, anyone can go through. Heather would have to do the same thing to get the Academy."

"Great, but Heather's not here, is she?" Samantha frowned, "She's all the way in NewTech! By the time we call her and she gets here, something might have happened to my daughter."

Everyone sighed deeply, realising this was a problem.

"Can't you go up to the Spirit World on your own?" Dawn asked her cousin.

"I could, but the Spirit World is a big place. I know my way around, but I have no idea where Engel would be. Heather and Aunt Lily have a better sense of direction."

Dawn frowned and leaned in closer to Hayden, "And by that she means?"

"My Aunt's got a sixth sense," Hayden nodded, "She passed some of it onto Heather. If they were around, they would be able to find Engel long before any of us could."

Dani suddenly started bouncing and smiling, "OH! OH! I already called Heather!"

"You did?" Flynn frowned, "How so?"

"Greg and I were planning our wedding. I needed my maid of honour to help with my half of the plans so I called Heather! She's coming down with my Aunt and Uncle today!"

Samantha jumped up and ran into her little cousin's arms.

"Thank you!" she shouted happily. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"You're welcome," Dani laughed, "I'll just go home and wait for them there."

"Met us in the Pai Zhuq gardens," Samantha said, "We'll check the Academy before we do go up and disturb the peace."

-----Afterlife----

Master Guinn sat silently on the grass, deep in meditation as she tried to reach Master Talon from the beyond.

There was nothing to disturb her peace. Her sister and niece were still sleeping soundly back at the resting grounds. Master Guinn should have easily been able to find her inner spirit and reach out to her late Master.

However, there was something trying to break her concentration. It was beating loudly in her head, thumping painfully on her skull. Master Guinn's eyes were screwed tight as she tried to focus.

Suddenly the throbbing turned into a deep, booming voice that sent fear running through her soul. Master Guinn whimpered in pain, trying to pull away, but the voice pulled back.

"Release me!" it shouted, "Release me and spare the lives of those near you."

Master Guinn shook her head to try and clear her mind.

"Never," she whispered.

The voice chuckled, "You can't resist me, Cub."

"I can try," Master Guinn replied. The voice faded as the pain returned. Master Guinn tried to hold in her screams, so as not to wake her sister or niece, but it was too much.

Just before a scream escaped her lips, Master Guinn felt a small hand touch her leg. The pain subsided and the voice disappeared completely.

On the eve of her tenth birthday, Michelle stood over the Pai Zhuq village. Her feet were planted firmly on the rocky edge where she was standing. Right behind her stood a large, shadowy beast. Its hand brushed Michelle's hair gently.

"You can't resist me," it whispered in her ear.

"Yes I can," Michelle growled. She couldn't turn around. He was controlling her. With a wave of his hand, he could send her tumbling over the mountain side to fall to her death. "I'm the Great Master. Master Talon said she was near!"

The Beast chuckled, wrapping his arm around Michelle's waist, "If you were, then I would be dead by now."

"I'm not fully trained," Michelle whispered, trying to pull away. The Beast held her tight, pulled her into him.

"Even an untrained Great would pose a larger threat than you," The Beast laughed. Michelle used his momentary distraction to break free of his control and pull away. She went to run down the rocky path, but the Beast held out his hand. Michelle felt something wrap around her ankles and wrists as she fell roughly to the ground.

She whimpered in pain, squirming to break free of his hold. The Beast slowly approached her.

Suddenly, a rock fell from the sky, hitting the Beast in the head. Growling, he looked up to find a little girl standing on a large boulder.

"That's my sister!"

Michelle looked up, feeling a sense of dread as her little sister tried to take on the Beast.

"Evangeline, get out of here!" she shouted, pulling harder to break free of the invisible bonds.

Evangeline shook her head, "No."

Michelle rolled over, "Evangeline, get out!"

"NO!" Evangeline shouted. The Beast didn't bother wait until the two sisters could agree. He let out a savage roar and charged at the boulder. He ran into it and pushed it over. Evangeline screamed; she was losing her balance. Michelle could only watch as her sister tumbled into the arms of the Great Beast.

Evangeline looked up in horror; finally realising she was in over her head.

"Let my sister go!" Michelle shouted, getting to her knees, "She's not a part of this."

A malicious smirk appeared on the Beast's lips, "Alright... If she's not a part of this..."

He grabbed Evangeline by the back of the neck and turned around, holding her over the edge of the cliff. Evangeline screamed in terror.

Michelle watched in horror before remembering what she had to do.

"Bring out the Penguin!" she cried as a small, yellow penguin spirit emerged from her chest and charged towards the Beast. He turned for a moment and slammed his hand down on the penguin spirit, causing it to disappear instantly and Michelle screamed in pain, dropping forward.

She looked up painfully. Evangeline was screaming desperately for someone to save her. Michelle could no longer move.

As Evangeline let out another terrified scream, a green figure emerged from her chest, barrelling into the Beast and forcing him to fall on his back and let go of Evangeline. She landed on the edge of the cliff and rolled. Just before she was about to be thrown off, she grabbed to a rock sticking out of the ground and held on tight.

The green spirit began to take on a shape as it continued its attack on the Beast. He roared, striking the spirit, but to no avail.

Michelle looked over at her sister, "Evangeline, summon it!"

"Um..." Evangeline hesitated. She was still a young child, without any knowledge on control of animal spirits. This was the first time hers had ever come through. She decided to mimic her older sister's first attempt.

"Reveal the inner Spirit!" she shouted. The green spirit finally took the shape of a leopard and grabbed The Beast's large arm in its mouth. It was small, but it seemed to do enough damage as the Beast howled in pain. He tossed the leopard into the air and turned to retreat. The leopard faded before hitting the ground to return to her master.

Evangeline got to her feet and ran over to her older sister.

"Are you okay?" she asked as Michelle's invisible bonds failed and she was able to stand.

Michelle glared at her little sister, "What the hell do you think you were doing?"

"I'm sorry," Evangeline said, lowering her head in shame and bowing before her sister.

Michelle continued her screaming, "You could have been killed! You had no idea what you were doing!"

"I just wanted to help," Evangeline whispered, "You're my only family."

"I told you to stay back in the village," Michelle growled. She picked up her bags and grabbed her little sister's arm, "If mother and father were still alive..."

"I was worried," Evangeline said, "You were supposed to be home before sunrise."

Michelle stopped in her tracks and turned back to her little sister. Evangeline looked up at her sadly, obviously upset that she had disappointed her sister.

"I'm sorry," she whispered again, "I'll stay home next time."

Michelle shook her head, "You can't, Evangeline. I was wrong. I'm not the Great Master."

Evangeline finally looked up, "You're not?"

Master Guinn opened her eyes and smiled as Engel climbed onto her lap.

"Frightmare?" Engel asked. Master Guinn wrapped her arms around the toddler, holding her close.

"Thank you, Evangeline," she nodded. Engel responded by looking up and smiling. She wrapped her small arms around Master Guinn's neck.

"I protect you," she whispered.

"You always have," Master Guinn nodded, kissing her little sister on the forehead.