Category: TV Show » Power Rangers

Author: Twix3780

Language: English

Rated: Fiction T

Genre: Fantasy/Family

Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers.

Author's Note: Welcome! This one-shot takes place after Ninja Storm and before Jungle Fury. It is a Part One and will get a sequel when Ninja Steel starts. But it's not part of a bigger piece. I hope you enjoy.

Warning: Mature themes ahead!

"Hey, how soon can you get Summer Cove?"

Kali blinked and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She was in her bed at Root core, snoring loudly beside her was Nick, and she had to roll her eyes as she flung back the blankets and kicked her legs over the side. "Good morning to you too, Maddie," she said.

"Sorry," Maddie apologised. She sounded tired, almost like she hadn't slept. "Things are hectic here."

"It's only 8am," said Kali. "How busy does the Elemental Academy get at that time of the morning?"

"You'd be surprised."

Maddie was silent for a second, and Kali could hear voices in the background. She recognised one has Chip, but the others were foreign.

"Maddie, what's the matter?" Kali asked.

"Something happened last night," said Maddie answered. "One of the Fire Ninja's - his name was Dane Romero - he's dead, at least, we think he's dead. His son, Brody, was taken, though, and there's something else."

Kali frowned. "What?" she asked.

"I can't say over the phone," said Maddie. "Sensei Yumi wants to know if you can come here. She's finding it hard to believe that what she is hearing is actually happening, and I think that maybe a meeting with the Hellhound will put her at ease."

Kali gnawed at her bottom lip. She had been retired from active duty for almost two months, and was only taking on jobs as a Mystic, every time someone in another state asked her for help, it usually led to a Ranger team, and she really didn't want that to happen again. Especially after the last one had left her ostracised by many of her former team mates.

"Kali, did you hear me?"

"Yeah. I heard you," said Kali, running a hand through her hair. "As long as Sensei Yumi understands that I don't plan on being a Ranger again, I'll come down."

"I don't think this is another Ranger gig, to be honest," said Maddie. "I think she just wants reassurance that Dane Romero isn't dead and that we're doing everything we can to get his son back."

"What if he is dead?" Kali asked.

"Have you seen anything?"

"No. But -"

"Then, maybe it'd be a good idea to keep that to ourselves for now," said Maddie. "So, how soon until you get here?"

Kali sighed. "Well, I can use the teleportation spell to get me halfway," she said. "As for getting too the actual academy. That'll be difficult. I've never been there, and isn't it protected?"

"It is. But either Chip or I can meet you in the surrounding area and bring you here," said Maddie. "Just let one of us know when you're close. Okay?"

"Okay. I'll see you soon," said Kali.

"Oh. Wait, there's one more thing," said Maddie. "There was a survivor."

"A survivor?"

"Yeah. His name's Aiden," said Maddie. "He is nine years old. He saw everything. So, when you get here…"

"Be careful what I say. Got it," said Kali. "I'll see you in a few."

"Bye."

There was a click and then silence. Kali sighed and lowered her phone.

"Everything okay?" Nick asked.

Kali turned and found him sitting up. "I don't know," she admitted. She showed him the phone. "It was Maddie. Something happened in Summer Cove, she wants me to come down and see if there is anything I can do."

"As a Ranger?" Nick asked, and it wasn't hard to pick up the disappointment in his tone.

Kali shook her head. "As the Hellhound," she replied. "You want to come?"

"I have a patrol in two hours," said Nick.

"So? I'm sure you could get someone to cover your shift. Maybe Xander or Vida?"

Nick shrugged. "I could. But Xander has a date with Lorna this afternoon, I can't see him being too thrilled at working a double and then going out, can you?" he asked.

"Then V," said Kali. "Tell her that you'll cover her next one, and I'll get the one after that as a thank you."

"You'd do that for me?"

Kali smiled and crawled back onto the bed. She leaned forward, pressing her lips to his. They broke away to breathe, and Kali smiled as Nick snaked his hands over her hips, to her waist and pulled her into his lap.

Nick's breath deepened as Kali drew her fingers up his chest, over his shoulders and neck, and left them on either side of his face as she deepened the kiss. He responded by curling his arms around her and pulling her closer.

"Mhm," Kali murmured, drawing away and resting her forehead against his. "If we don't stop then we're not going to make it anywhere."

"Call in sick," said Nick, kissing along her jaw to her neck and down to her collarbone.

Kali laughed and, as Nick fell backward, pulling her with him, propped herself up on the mattress, pulled her hair over her head and shoulders, as she gazed down at him. "The Hellhound doesn't get sick, remember?" she asked.

"Two months," Nick said, pouting. "I get you back for two months and something new happens. Starting to feel the universe is against us."

Kali rolled her eyes and leaned forward, capturing his lips in another kiss. "The sooner we sort out what the universe has thrown at us this time," she said, pulling back and climbing off him. "The sooner we can finish what you've started here. But first, duty calls."

Nick reached for her again, but Kali danced just out of his reach. She grabbed her clothes from the floor and left the room. Nick huffed and flopped backwards onto the pillows.

"Come on!" Kali called from the other side of the door. "The more you dawdle, the longer you have to wait."

"You're way to chipper for 8am," Nick called back. He stood and gathered his clothes, rolling them into a ball and tossing them into the corner of the room.

"8:05," Kali corrected.

Nick rolled his eyes. "My bad," he called. He smiled as she laughed. He took a fresh pair of denim jeans and a red shirt from his closet, looking up only as the door opened and Kali stuck her head inside.

"I'm going to take a quick shower.

"Want some company?"

Kali smirked. "Sure. But then you can be the one to explain to Udonna why we were both in there," she teased, withdrawing from the room.

"Uh, yeah, I think I'll pass," said Nick.

While he knew that his mother understood the extent of his and Kali's relationship, he also didn't feel comfortable flaunting it around where the others could see. They hadn't been together that long, and while some may argue that they had been in love for a whole lot longer, others would say they were rushing it.

Besides, his parents were old fashioned and customs in the human world didn't transition over perfectly in the Magical Realm. Only last week, Udonna and Leanbow had caught him and Kali in bed together, and the disapproving look and uncomfortable conversation that had occurred afterword was enough for them to reconsider being caught alone.

Especially when Kali's heritage was called into question. She was, much to her displeasure, the last remaining Woodland Elves princess, seeing as, despite her father's heritage, she was born to royalty. There had been some issues with the Woodland Royals that Kali marry a Prince of their choosing, and not a Mystic Defender, which was why both Kali and Eithne weren't talking to the Woodland Elves at the current time.

Once dressed, Nick grabbed his reliable leather jacket from behind the door and headed downstairs.

~X~

After much negotiating with Vida, Nick and Kali found themselves standing in the middle of nowhere in the woods surrounding Summer Cove. They had contacted Chip and Maddie upon their arrival and were now waiting for one of the other to pop up and escort them to the Elemental Academy.

"What do you think happened?" Nick asked Kali. "Do you think this kid Aiden saw what he says he did?"

"He seems to believe it," said Kali. "They've asked him to repeat his story several times, and he doesn't differ from the first."

"But he is just a kid," said Nick. "How are we not certain what he saw is just his imagination? He could've dreamt most of it and woke up to find his brother and father missing, in his panic, he believes a monster took them and just bolted for the academy."

Kali shrugged. "Maybe," she said. "Maybe not. I guess we won't know for sure until we see him for ourselves."

"What are you even going to say to him?"

"I don't know," Kali said with a sigh. "I mean, I'm not exactly good with kids. Ziva looked after Molly while we were growing up, and Rachel dealt with your young siblings. The only real thing I was good at was being a screw up."

Nick rolled his eyes and pulled her into his arms. "You're not a screw up," he defended. "You wandered down the wrong path for a while, but you're far from a screw up. Hell, when we saw them last, your parents said you had grown up since seeing you last."

"That's hardly much to go one considering the last time they saw me I was being carted off to Juvie Hall," said Kali. She shook her head and turned in his arms, linking her hands together behind his neck.

Nick smiled and rested his forehead against her own. "You haven't seen this Dane Romero's spirit, have you?" he asked.

Kali shook her head. Since sealing the Abyss, she had blocked off all access to the spirit world for any crossing spirits. Their only way of gaining access to the gate was to through her and the Hellhound, but there hadn't been any since she had dealt with Lothor two months ago.

"Then, maybe, he's not dead, after all," said Nick.

"Yeah, but I can't tell that to Aiden."

"Why not?"

"Because, like you said, he's a kid. Kid's don't understand the concept of death like we do. He may understand that his father is gone, but dead or not? That's not something I want to have to explain to him, do you?"

Nick shook his head.

"Besides, you saw what happened to me when I was told Joe was missing," said Kali. "Telling Aiden his father may or may not be gone could push him over the rails. He's already traumatised, the last thing we want to do is making him worse."

Nick sighed. "What about his brother?" he asked. "He said that a monster took him."

"Well, we both know that monsters exist."

"True. But, how are we going to combat that with him?" Nick asked. "Our monsters were always Earth bound. What if Brody isn't on Earth anymore? We don't have the capacity to search outer space, and before he was sealed away, Lothor didn't give any indication to living in space."

Kali heaved a heavy sigh. "If Brody was taken by an alien then I think it's safe to say that he may not even be in our solar system anymore," she said. "Lothor's exile and return proved to us that there is more than just us out there, not to mention Vexacus and Skyla."

"Who else is out there?" Nick wondered.

"I don't know," said Kali, withdrawing her arms from around his neck. "And, if I am honest, that scares me. We barely know on Earth is a threat to us, much less out there." She turned her gaze skyward.

Nick nodded. He checked his watch. "Where the hell are they?" he asked. "We've been waiting twenty minutes already?"

Kali shook her head and withdrew her phone. She searched for Maddie's number and hit 'call'. The sound of a familiar ring tone echoed through the trees, and turning on the spot, Kali hit 'end call' as Maddie stepped out of the thicket, closely followed by two Ninjas, each one in various different colour clothing.

"Kali, Nick," said Maddie, grinning. She hurried across the clearing and threw her arms around the pair. "Sorry for taking so long. This is our escort," she added, drawing out of the hug and turning to the two Ninjas at her rear. "This is Gaia Hernandez, she's a Snow Ninja at the academy," she nodded at the Ninja in all white clothing, "and this is Fredrick Scripts. He's a Fire Ninja."

Kali and Nick both bowed. Hands pressed together in front of their chests.

The Ninjas returned the gesture.

"Come on," said Maddie, looping her arm through theirs. "The Academy is this way. Sensei Yumi is waiting for you."

As they walked, Kali turned to Maddie. "On the phone you said there was something you couldn't tell me about until you saw me in person," she said. "What is it?"

"I think it's better if Sensei Yumi tells you," said Maddie. "She understands it better than I do."

Kali furrowed her brow but kept silent as she allowed Maddie and the two Elemental Ninjas to lead her through the trees.

~X~

The Elemental Academy was hidden behind a mountain. From the minute she was passed through the invisible veil, Kali could tell that strong magic had been used to erect the passage, the opening was concealed, not only behind spells and enchantments, but behind a rather large dial etched into the cliffside, in order to get through, one had decipher the riddle presented to them and answer correctly.

If they answered incorrectly, they were charmed to forget why they were there and sent on their way.

"What if the individual is a part of the Academy?" Nick had asked once they had passed through.

"Students don't leave the grounds unless absolutely needed," said Maddie. "Students are only accepted for patrol duty after their fourth year, and all are aware of the answer before they leave the school."

"And new students?" Kali asked.

"They're recruited from the Mystic Realm," said Maddie. "No human has set foot in the Elemental Academy in over a thousand years. That's why Lothor never attacked here."

"Sounds logical," said Kali.

On either side of her were two drops, disappearing into nothing as far as she could see. The sound of rushing water echoed, and she glanced sideways to see a waterfall descending in to the depths.

"How high up are we?" Nick asked.

"Pretty high," said Maddie. "No one knows for sure. But, Chip reckons we're about 10,000 feet above sea level."

Kali raised an eyebrow. "That's as high as the Highlands. Nepal, Tajikistan, and Bhutan," she said. "Are you sure he's right?"

"It's an estimation," said Maddie. "No one knows for sure."

Kali shared a look with Nick and then shrugged. She turned her attention back to the surrounding area, aside from the waterfall and immense drop on either side, the school courtyard had two blossom trees growing opposite one another, they were in bloom, and the petals were fluttering down from the treetops, covering the floor in light pink colours.

"Wow," said Kali.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Maddie asked.

"I'll say. What's with the silk flags?" Kali asked, noting the different colours flags hanging from short poles around the trees.

"They represent the elements," said Maddie. "Red - Fire. Blue - Water. Green - Earth. Pink - Air. Yellow - Lightning. White - Snow. Black - Darkness. Gold - Light. Silver - Celestial."

"So, they follow the Mystic Realm power scheme," said Kali.

Maddie nodded. "The Elemental Academy was created by the Mystic Force," she said. "So, yeah, it makes sense they would follow our power scheme. Most students here are training to be the next Defenders, not all of them were thrilled when they found out me and Chip were Mystic Force Rangers, they expected to be chosen, to be fair."

"You were chosen," said Kali, hotly.

"Not everyone sees it that way," said Maddie, shaking her head. "Also, you should know, you and Nick are well known here. At least, the Light and Hellhound is. Be prepared for stares and whispers."

Kali and Nick shared a second look. They still weren't used to being recognised by people outside of their social circles, so when they entered an environment where people, mainly children, had been raised on stories of them, it was hard to ignore the stares.

"Hopefully we won't be here that long," said Nick.

Maddie nodded and followed Gaia and Frederick up the stone steps to the temple. "This is the main temple of the Academy," she explained. "This is where the Great Hall is located, and the indoor classes. Sensei Yumi is the headmistress here, and her office is also located inside, as are the other Sensei's rooms."

"It's like being back at the Wind Academy," said Kali, following Maddie through the oak doors. She looked around, taking in the high ornate ceiling, the many oak doors running along the walls, and listening to the sounds of their footsteps echoing off the marble floors.

Nick reached for Kali's hand as they walked. "Are classes not in session?" he asked, noting the silence behind each door.

"There is a silencing charm on the classes," said Maddie. "Some lessons can get pretty loud. The charms are there so others aren't distracted from their studies."

Kali pursed her lips. So far, the Elemental Academy was turning out to be pretty efficient.

At the end of the hall, Gaia and Frederick stopped and stood, at attention, on either side of a wooden door. Maddie knocked three times and then opened it, turning to Kali and Nick. "Sensei Yumi has asked to see just you two," she said. "I'll catch up with you before you leave. Good luck."

Nick and Kali watched her leave before exchanging a look and passing through into the room.

~X~

The first thing Kali noticed were the white silk veils hanging across the ceiling; the next was the pale blue painted walls. The room was a lot larger than Kali had expected it to be, definitely bigger than Sensei's at the Wind Ninja, and even Hunter's at the Thunder Ninja Academies.

A mahogany desk was pushed directly under the tall window on the left hand side of the room, and two large bookcases stood either side of it. The bookcases, Nick noted, were stretched from floor to ceiling, and every shelf was tightly packed with books. He glanced at Kali, knowing full well that she would've been in heaven here if she was having a bad day.

Catching Nick's eye, Kali wrinkled her nose at him and turned away. Her gaze skipped over the makeshift cot at the far end of the room, hidden behind a slightly parted white veil. It wasn't like er bed at Root core, rather than a frame and a mattress, it was just a thick mattress with several pillows on the floor, and a blanket draped over the side.

On the wall behind the door was a long table, upon which were several plates of fruit and jugs of liquids. Kali could only guess they were water or even juices. Maybe Sensei Yumi had set them up for Aiden to have breakfast away from the rest of the school, or maybe she preferred to eat alone in her office, as opposed to in the Great Hall with the rest of the teachers.

"Welcome."

Nick and Kali jumped around. Behind them stood an elder woman with greying hair, soft honeycomb eyes, and a slender frame. Despite her age, she looked fit and still held herself with a sense of composure that Kali only seen in Sensei's.

"Sensei Yumi?" Kali asked.

The woman smiled. "Yes, dear," she confirmed.

"I'm -"

"Kali Briar," Sensei Yumi interrupted. "Yes, child, I know who you are. I know who your friend is, too - Nick Russell. Or, if you prefer, Maeve and Bowen of the Mystic Realm."

"Kali and Nick," said Nick.

Sensei Yumi nodded. "Of course. Thank you for coming on such short notice," she said. "I can only imagine it was such a strange request, especially for such a time in the morning."

Kali shrugged. "I've had worse," she admitted.

"I'm sure you have." Sensei Yumi smiled and stepped around the pair, she approached her desk and held up a scroll, furling it up in her hands and tying a ribbon around it. "I'm sure Madison explained why I asked for you to come?"

Nick turned to Kali.

"She explained some of it, yes," said Kali. "Although, she did say there were some things that only you could explain."

Sensei Yumi nodded. She tapped the side of desk once, twice, three times, and the door behind then opened again. Kali glanced back to see Gaia step inside. She bowed to them, and then took the scroll silently before turning to leave.

"Oh, Gaia, before you go," said Sensei Yumi, "could you kindly ask Fredrick to bring the box to me, please?"

"Yes, Sensei," said Gaia, stepping out and closing the door.

Kali glanced at Nick, raised an eyebrow, which in turn got her a small shrug, and then turned her attention to Sensei Yumi. "Maddie tells me that there was a survivor. A young boy called Aiden," she said.

"Yes. He's freshening up," said Sensei Yumi. "Do you need to see him?"

"Yes, please."

Sensei Yumi nodded, and when Frederick arrived with the box she had requested, she sent him to fetch Aiden from the Great Hall.

So maybe Aiden isn't dining alone? Kali thought.

"What's that?" Nick asked. "The thing Maddie couldn't tell us about?"

Sensei Yumi nodded. "What do you know about Ninja Steel?" she asked.

"Nothing?" Nick and Kali asked, confused.

Sensei Yumi took a book from one of her bookcases and flipped it open to a marked page, she handed it across the desk to the two Defenders. "The Ninja Steel is a metallic shell that protected, what we call, the Ninja Nexus Prism. It is a substance that can only be found in the deepest regions of space, and it has properties that individuals would kill for."

Kali stared at the book in front of her. The Ninja Steel that Sensei Yumi was referring to reminded her a lot of Obsidian rocks, but with a purple glittering hue to it. A small inscription was written alongside the image, but there wasn't much there, at least not enough to tell her exactly what it was she was being shown.

"So, you've asked us here to do what?" Nick asked. "Protect metal rocks?"

"Everyone assumes it is the Nexus Prism that is highly valuable, and while they would be correct, without the Ninja Steel to protect it, it will not work in the way they want it too," said Sensei Yumi.

"What's inside this Nexus Prism?" Kali asked, turning a page in the book.

"Ninja Power Stars. According to legend, the Ninja Nexus houses six stars that, once chosen by individuals, will make them into the Galaxy's greatest defenders, giving them powers and weapons to defeat any adversary."

"So, this thing makes Power Rangers?" Nick asked. "It's a change, I suppose."

Kali, however, was staring at the book in front of her. The page she had turned to had the information that Sensei Yumi had just told her.

The door opened for a third time and Frederick entered. He was followed by a small boy with dark hair, eyes, and tanned skin. If Kali didn't know any better, she would've said they were related.

"Aiden Romero, Sensei," said Frederick.

"Thank you. You may leave," said Sensei Yumi, dismissively.

Frederick nodded and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Awkwardly, Aiden shuffled his feet and looked down, twiddling his thumbs.

"Hi, Aiden," said Kali, squatting down in front of the boy. "My name's Kali. I come from the Mystic Realm; do you know where that is?"

"It's a place of magic in Briarwood," said Aiden.

Kali smiled. "It is. Do you want sit down?" she asked, pulling out a chair.

Aiden shook his head.

"Okay. Well, I'm going to sit here," said Kali, crossing her legs and sitting on the ground. "Aiden, when you're ready, could you tell me what happened to your brother and dad?"

Aiden looked up, alarmed. He then turned to Sensei Yumi. "Can't you ask her?" he asked Kali. "I've already told them everything."

"I know you have, but it'll help me get a better understanding of what happened if I get a recount from a first-hand perspective," said Kali. "Take your time, I'm not here to rush you."

Aiden looked back down at his hands, sighed, and then nodded. "My dad woke me and Brody up for training," he said, speaking in a low voice. "Our lesson was interrupted by something falling out of the sky. Dad told me to take it into the barn, and after instructing Brody to continue with his sword technique, he followed me. It was the Ninja Nexus Prism, at least that is what Dad told me it was. I watched as he chipped off the outer shell, revealing a Spirit Crystal underneath. It was amazing! Then, the monsters came."

Kali glanced up at Nick.

"What kind of monster, Aiden?" Nick asked, softly. "Can you describe him?"

Aiden shook his head.

"It's okay," said Kali, reassuringly. "What happened after that. What did your dad tell you to do next?"

Aiden took another deep breath, and started to recount his story, once more.

~*Flashback*~

"…Take the Ninja Steel and hide it," said Dane, breathlessly. He could hear his youngest son, Brody, calling for him in the backyard, and while he wanted to do everything he could to help him, he knew he had to make sure that the reason the monsters had come was safely hidden.

"Dad!" Brody echoed.

Dane took a deep breath and turned to his eldest son. "Aiden, until I come back you stay hidden too. Like a Ninja. Do you remember the way to the Elemental Academy?" he asked.

Aiden nodded.

"Good. Go there, Sensei Yumi will protect you," said Dane.

"Okay, dad," Aiden nodded.

Dane smiled, grasped his son's shoulder and pulled him into a hug. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you, too," Aiden replied.

Releasing his son, Dane stood and rushed out of the barn, cutting across the monster's path. He spotted Brody, his youngest child, in the hands of a second demon-like monster, whilst a kitsune stood at the very end of the yard.

"Release my son," Dane demanded.

"Once you have given me that," said the monster, indicating to the star in Dane's hands.

Dane shook his head.

The monster roared and struck down with his sword. It crashed against the star as Dane held it up, protecting his head and face from the blow. There was a flush of power, and next thing Dane knew, he was looking out into his yard through a tinted shield covering his face.

From behind the monster, he noted Brody's stunned expression and looked down, realising all to soon why his youngest was so surprised. His entire body was covered in stretch, yet skin tight red spandex, and a helmet, he guessed, was surrounding his head. That would explain the tinted vision. It was a visor.

He was a Power Ranger. Just like the legendary Mystic Defenders of Briarwood. But his suit wasn't that of magical descent, it was, if he had a chance to glimpse it properly, he would say a Ninja theme. Maybe it emphasised his Ninja abilities, rather than his magical descent.

With an angry roar, the monster shoved Dane back, swinging his sword again. This time, Dane raised his own blade and blocked. The fight was short, but well matched, at least until the monster gained the upper hand and blasted Dane through the air with a powerful attack.

Dane demorphed as he hit the ground, losing his grip on the Ninja Star.

The monster laughed and picked up his prize. "Yes! The Ninja Nexus Star is mine!" he gloated, laughing darkly as the stars magic started to make its way down his arm, empowering him with its power.

"That star came to me," said Dane, rising to one knee, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword firmly in his hand. "So that I could protect it from evil like you!" He pushed himself up and lunged forward, swinging his sword around and slamming the blade down onto the star, shattering it into pieces.

~*Flashback*~

"… then he was gone," Aiden finished. "The monster left soon after, taking Brody with him. I wish I could've done something to help him, he was my little brother, and I can still hear him calling my name was they take him away."

Rolling on her knees, Kali drew Aiden into her arms and hugged him. "Shh, it's okay," she murmured, rubbing his back. Once he had calmed down, she pulled back and looked in him the eye. "Listen to me, what happened isn't your fault. You couldn't have saved Brody without risking being caught too."

"But he was my brother!"

"I know, and I understand you feel like it was your responsibility to protect him because you're the older brother, but your father gave you a job to do," said Kali. "If you had tried to help Brody, you could've lost the Ninja Steel, or worse, being taken yourself, and then no one would be here to warn us about what had happened."

Aiden sniffled.

"It sucks," said Kali, nodding. "But you did the right thing, Aiden. We'll get Brody back. I don't know how, and I don't know when, but we will. I promise."

Aiden rubbed his eyes and nodded.

Kali smiled. "So, after your dad told you to hide the Ninja Steel, you came here?" she asked.

Aiden nodded. "I left a message for Brody at the barn, in case he managed to escape and make is way back there," he answered. "I hid it in our secret spot. If he finds it, he'll know to come here."

"Can you show us where that secret spot is?" Nick asked.

"Why?" Aiden asked.

"Because we need to leave a different message for your brother," said Kali. "It is okay if she comes here, Sensei Yumi will redirect him."

"Redirect him?" Aiden echoed, confusion settling on his face. "Redirect him where?"

"To the Mystic Realm," said Kali. She took a deep breath. "We're going to take the Ninja Steel and hide it deep within the Mystic Realm, where no one will be able to find it, but us. You're welcome to come with us."

Aiden looked stunned. He had heard stories of the Mystic Realm, but never once had his father told him that you could just go there. "You can do that?" he asked, eyes wide.

Kali and Nick chuckled.

"I'm the Hellhound, kid," said Kali. "I can pretty much do what I want. The choice is yours, though. You're welcome to come with us, or you can stay here with Sensei Yumi and follow in your dad's footsteps."

Aiden looked torn. All he had ever wanted was to be just like his dad, but now he had the chance to visit a place that he had only ever dreamed of.

"If I may," said Sensei Yumi.

Kali, Nick, and Aiden looked up at her.

"Aiden, if you choose to go to the Mystic Realm, you will be welcomed back here once you're of age to attend," said Sensei Yumi. "You're father joined us when he was thirteen and stayed until he was twenty-one. You and your brother are listed as starting when you come of age, thirteen in our case."

Aiden beamed. It was a contagious, happy grin that Kali could feel radiating from his little body. "Thank you, thank you so much!" he said, excitedly.

Nick chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Okay. First stop, secret hiding spot," said Kali, straightening up and offering Aiden one of her hands. "Then, home."

Aiden grinned and grasped her hand tightly. "Home," he echoed, liking the sound already.

Note to self: Always write/post stories in some form of chronological order to save oneself from stress of unexpected plot holes!

This one-shot has brought a few changes to my Jungle Fury story. Chapter One has been edited to fit the new ideas, and I shall let you all know via Twitter if any other occur in the other ten that are posted.

My apologies in advance.

That being said, did you enjoy this one-shot? Please let me know what you thought by leaving me a review. You're the best!

~Twix