Ninja Storm: Rise of the Guardians
Chapter 1: Fall of the Fire Academy
She had been training for war her entire life, but she never expected the battlefield to be her home. Diana Romero and her brother, Dane had spent their entire childhood inside the grounds of the Fire Ninja Academy, raised by their mother, who eventually became the leader of the fire ninjas. Sure, they attended the local high school in Summer Cove but the fact that they had powers prevented them from socialising with the other kids, lest their secrets get accidentally discovered. There were no slumber parties with other kids. Their closest friends were each other and this academy was their home…
Seeing it get obliterated by hideous alien foot soldiers who had somehow breached through their supposedly impenetrable defences was soul crunching!
"NO!" She clapped her hands together, sending a wave of fire that incinerated the kelzaks who had cornered her brother. She rushed to his side, helping him up.
"What's going on?" He asked groggily, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"I don't know. We were training with Sensei Ozai when these creatures attacked. We got separated." She said, eyeing the smoke and dust all around them. "Where's mother?"
Dane shook his head. Diana gulped fearfully. This wasn't supposed to happen.
"We can't stay here. We have to find the others and then leave." She said.
"Leave?" Dane looked at her preposterously. "This is our home, Diana!"
"We are no match for these things. I'll look for mother. Find the other students and get out of here." She said sternly, before turning around and heading towards the smoking building, that served as their living quarters.
There was a small group of ninjas fighting a single monster in bulky armour nearby. She stopped for a second analysing the situation. Sensei Ryu was with them and they were holding their own. She started running again.
"Where do you suppose you are going?" A girl with pink hair and armour based on a snake, appeared in front of her in a cloud of smoke.
"Move." She demanded, taking a fighting stance.
"I don't think so." She hissed, swinging her sword in a wide arc. Diana bent backwards, dodging the attack by few inches. She knocked the sword out of the girl's hand with a knife hand blow and with a well-placed heel kick, she sent her staggering back.
She ninja-streaked towards the building, avoiding any other distractions. She needed to find her mother fast.
She used her 'inner ninja', as Sensei Ozai preferred to call it, to hone in on her mother's energy signature. She snapped her eyes open as she landed on the rooftop of their home, where her mother was fighting a guy in black armour and a hideous mask, resembling the ancient dark ninjas in the ancient scrolls in the archives.
Her mother's hair was loose instead of the usual tight bun she sported and her red ceremonial kimono was shred and tattered, revealing the black battle suit underneath.
The man's hands were glowing with dark energy that ate through her mother's fire attacks.
"Get away from her, creep!" Diana shouted.
The dark ninja's eyes gleamed as he eyed her. His lips curved into a sinister smile. "Your daughter, I presume, Dahlia?"
"Don't look at her, monster!" Her mother snarled, her eyes flickering red as she extended her arms, letting loose a jet of lava that hit him, sending him toppling over the edge of the roof and falling down.
"Diana, thank god, you are safe!" Her mother said, running over to her and wrapping her arms around her.
"Who was that man?" She asked.
"A dark ninja called Lothor." Dahlia answered, releasing her from the hug. "Your brother, is he safe?"
"I think so. I told him to find others and get out of here."
"Good." Her mother sighed, reaching into her kimono and taking out a small ornate wooden box. "Lothor will be back soon. Take this and get out of here. Find Sensei Watanabe of the Wind Ninja Academy. Tell him Lothor is back. He'll know what to do."
"Mother, what about you?" She asked, even though she knew the answer.
"I have unfinished business with Lothor." She said, her eyes determined. "I will hold them off for as long as I can. You get out, find your brother and take care of this box. Don't let it fall to the wrong hands."
"Mom."
Dahlia's eyes watered as she kissed her daughter's forehead. "I am so proud of you and your brother."
"Isn't this sentimental?" Dahlia turned around to see Lothor hovering in the skies, his body suspended by strands of dark energy.
Dahlia let go of her daughter as she hurled a fireball at the dark ninja.
"Mom!"
"GO NOW! That's an order, Diana!" She shouted.
The young girl sniffled, before ninja-streaking out of there, heading for the woods outside the academy.
"I will find her." Lothor seethed.
"You'll be too late!" Dahlia warned. "Once the Guardians are alerted, you will stand no chance."
"Oh, my dear Dahlia, I have already destroyed the Thunder and Wind Academies. My brother is cursed and soon, this world will be mine!" He hissed, sending tendrils of dark energy that wrapped around the headmistress of the fire academy, unaffected by the blazing fire she tried to protect herself with.
He hoisted her to the air, her entire body wrapped in a cocoon of evil power.
"The girl, does she know?" He snarled, lifting her chin up.
She tried to shake his hand, but found herself unable to move a single part of her body.
"Answer me!"
She snorted. "Your darkness has no place in any of our lives. You are nothing but a disgraced former ninja."
He closed his fist and Dahlia choked.
"You are mistaken. You and my brother, all of you will pay, just like poor Miko did. Soon, very soon, everything that you have taken from me will be mine again!" He ranted, releasing his hold and the fire ninja gasped for air, looking at him defiantly.
"There's still time to stop this madness, Kiya."
"That's not my name anymore!" He yelled, slapping her with the back of his hand. "I don't have a name, remember!"
"Did I touch a nerve?" She looked at him disgusted. "I pity you. This time, you won't get any mercy. You'll get obliterated by the Guardians."
"I don't need your pity or mercy." He scoffed. "You are the one at my mercy now."
He looked down, seeing Zurgane and the kelzaks rounding up the ninjas.
"It's time to join your students." He said, snapping his fingers and her body slammed to the ground with full force. She felt her bones snap and muscles sprain, but she didn't cry. She wouldn't give Lothor the satisfaction of knowing she was hurt. If it weren't for her powers, she'd have certainly perished.
"Mom!" It was Dane. He rushed to her side, glaring at Lothor and the other villains leering at them. The other ninjas formed a protective circle around them. Sensei Ozai punched the ground, creating a ring of fire separating them from the henchmen.
"Mom? This is interesting…" Lothor mused.
"What are you doing here?" She winced, forcing herself to a fighting stance.
"I couldn't leave. This is our home." He protested.
"We have to leave now. We are outmatched." She said urgently.
The other ninjas nodded, preparing to ninja-streak and she gripped Dane's arm tightly. They might make it through the day after all.
"Too late for that now." Lothor smirked just as they took to the air, only to collide with white orbs that coalesced around them, entrapping them.
"NO!" Dahlia shouted as she was forcibly separated from her son, both of them captured in different orbs. She felt her body become numb, preventing her from doing anything but watch as they all floated up, crossing the atmosphere as they gravitated towards Lothor's spaceship.
Diana reached the woods and waited for her brother and the other students to arrive.
Moments later, she saw from the distance as the academy building crumbled to dust and silvery white bubbles started floating in the air, gradually ascending till they disappeared. What were those? And where was Dane and the others? She couldn't even think where her mom was.
With a sigh, she sat down on the grass Indian style and meditated, trying to sense where her brother was. Her eyes snapped open as she got bombarded of a vision of her brother and mother trapped in an energy orb. No! Stupid Dane didn't listen to her and stayed in the academy!
She tried to scan for the other students, to see if any of them escaped the invasion. They were giving life signatures but all of them were trapped.
She was the last fire ninja.
And she had no idea what to do.
"You do know what to do"
She jumped around at the familiar voice, smiling as she saw her mother, but something was different. She was pale and light filtered through her as if she was transparent. Diana could see the trees behind her, through her. Astral projection, she deduced. "Mom?"
"I am not actually here. We do not have much time. Open the box. I hoped that you wouldn't have to use it and someone else can take the mantle but I guess the more you try to fight destiny, it fights back."
"What are you saying?" She asked, opening the box and finding a device with the fire emblem on it, mounted on a bracelet. Her eyes widened. They had all heard about the rumours of the academies having their own rangers but never fully believed them. "It's a morpher?"
"I mean you were destined to be the fire ninja ranger. To activate your powers, say "Fire Storm, Ranger Form." Not only were you the best in the academy but also, it was foreseen by the ancients that you would be the one-"
"Me a ranger?"
"I know it's overwhelming but you'll understand everything soon."
"All I care about is saving you, Dane and the others from Lothor." She said, her eyes watering. "Just tell me where you are. I can use these powers to rescue you."
"All in due time. Go to Sensei Watanabe in Blue Bay Harbor. Help him protect the world from Lothor."
"Mom, I can't do this without you or Dane. Please-" She reached out to hug her mom only for her hands to pass right through her. Dahlia smiled sadly before looking her in the eyes.
"You are stronger than what you give yourself credit for, dear. My powers are waning. I love you. Diana and remember you are never alone." Dahlia vanished, leaving her daughter alone in the middle of the woods.
Diana inhaled deeply, wiped her tears away with the back of her hand and strapped on the morpher on her wrist. She had no time to feel sorry for herself. The lives of her family were on the line. She needed to save them no matter what.
She ninja-streaked towards Blue Bay Harbor. She had accompanied her mother and Sensei Ozai to the Wind Ninja Academy a couple of times whenever there was a conference between the ninja leaders. She hoped Sensei Watanabe had the answers she desperately needed.
As she sprinted over hilltops, she noticed the kelzaks and a monster on a deserted area…which was exactly where the Wind Ninja Academy was supposed to be.
What was she supposed to do now? She had half a mind to retreat and reach out to some former students and teachers who had left the academy. She was just about to take off in the opposite direction when three people in ninja garb appeared on a nearby cliff and called out the monster. She landed in the woods and crouched behind a tree to watch what happened next. If these things were here, it wasn't anything good.
"Ninja Storm, Ranger Form!"
Her eyes widened as she saw them transform into red, blue and yellow rangers and start fighting against the aliens. They didn't seem serious and were even joking around and calling out cheesy catchphrases. Seriously, did they not understand the severity of the situation.
After a short battle, they combined their weapons and destroyed the monster. They stood for a moment, relishing their victory before ninja-streaking away.
Diana narrowed her eyes before following them. It was her chance to reach Sensei Watanabe, if he was still there.
She followed them through a secret passage, hidden within the ruins of the academy and reached what appeared to be the base of their operations, a small but cosy hall fitted with computers and training gear.
The yellow ranger was rambling excitedly and the red one couldn't stop grinning ear to ear. The girl in blue was reasonably calmer but still smiling. Just what were they so happy about? Their academies were destroyed and they were gallivanting about being rangers? What kind of self-obsessed jerks were these kids?
She saw Cam rub his forehead, exasperated and was that a guinea pig in ninja robes sitting on the table?
"You did well this time, rangers but understand there will be battles in the future. Lothor will not rest until Earth is completely under his command or until he is destroyed. The future is in your hands, power rangers."
And for the first time, the three of them looked serious and before the moment passed, she stepped out of the shadows.
"Wind Ninjas." She said calmly. The yellow one yelped while the others assumed battle stances. Cam relaxed on recognising her.
"Who are you?" The red one demanded.
"A friend." The guinea pig said calmly. "Diana, I'm glad to see you are unscathed. I feared the worst when I couldn't contact the other ninja academies."
"Sensei Watanabe?" She asked hesitantly.
"Yes, my dear. Lothor's dark energies trapped me in this form. Is your mother and brother-"
"Captured along with rest of the academy in energy orbs. I assume the same thing happened here. My mom gave me this." She showed the morpher on her wrist. "She told me you'll know what to do next."
"Whoa dude, you're a ranger too! What colour are you?" The yellow one whooped in joy. "That's so dope!"
She blatantly ignored the hyperactive boy and stared pointedly at the sensei.
"For now, we must devote all our resources to stop Lothor's attempts to conquer the planet. You can stay here with Cam and me." He said serenely.
"What about the captured ninjas? We must save my mom and Dane."
"We will." Sensei assured. "For now, your efforts would be well utilised if you joined Tori, Shane and Dustin in thwarting Lothor's plans."
"Why can't we save them now?" She asked angrily.
"Can four students stand up to his entire army when Lothor bested three ninja academies full of ninja masters and students?" He questioned him.
Diana reeled in her anger. He did make a good point.
"She's joining our team! Great!" Dustin exclaimed while Shane narrowed his eyes.
"How did you even know to find us?"
"I followed you. For ninjas, you three are pretty sloppy. Imagine if Lothor had followed you."
The three of them looked down abashed while Cam shrugged. "There's a barrier spell allowing only me, dad and those with ranger signatures to pass through. It's good to see you, Diana. I'm sorry to hear about Dahlia and Dane. We'll save them, don't worry."
She gave a small smile. "You too, Cam."
She turned towards Sensei. "Have you reached out to the other academies?"
The sensei nodded. "They have been alerted. They remain safe since Lothor was only privy to the location of the three ninja academies."
"Then why can't we ask for their help to retrieve the captured students?" She asked desperately.
He sighed and relented. "The other Guardian Academies have their own missions. If Lothor captured them, Earth would be left defenceless to all sorts of extradimensional threats. It is a risk we cannot afford."
"So, they are abandoning us when we need them." She muttered grimly.
"Hey, don't worry. We'll get them back." Tori reassured, placing her hand on her shoulder.
She resisted the urge to snap at these three nincompoops who were more excited at being superheroes than realising that while they goofed around, her family and so many others were captured. Instead, she just nodded.
"It's been a long day. You should rest. Cam will show you to your room." Sensei said gently. "I promise you dear, you will be reunited with your family and friends."
She followed the ninja master's son through one of the tunnels on the other side of the hall to her new room, leaving the rangers and sensei behind. It wasn't anything elaborate and quite plain. A single bed, table with an adjacent bathroom and built-in air conditioning. Cam gave her a fresh pair of clothes.
She gave Cam a nod before shutting the door and heading for a quick shower. As she let the water wash away the dirt and grime, she tried to think of something else but couldn't. Her mind refused to do anything but worry about her mom and brother.
She left the bathroom, mopped her shoulder length brown hair with the towel and put on the red pyjamas left by Cam.
She slumped on her bed and tried to sleep. It wasn't all bad! She knew that for some reason, Lothor was keeping the ninja students and masters alive. And that meant all was not lost. Sure, she would have to work with a group of annoying idiots to get the job done but she would make Lothor pay for this and save her family.
Thank you for the reviews, 'favourite's and follows on the last chapter.
Yes, the Dane Romero we briefly saw is the same one from Ninja Steel though that was just a fun cameo. Next chapter, Diana will morph for the first time and we'll get to know her ranger colour. Any guesses? 😉
Hope you like this and please review. 😊