Dusk. Kai yawns as he positions the scope, scanning right and left as the Dieselnaut chugs bumpily along the desert terrain. For six days now they have searched, heading into Oni lands after day two for signs of the kidnapped tribe. But as of yet, not a speck of cloth or shaving of bone could be found.
"How'd I drag myself into this mess," Kai wondered aloud. "First I clean up dragon poop and now I'm by myself in this wasteland. Master Wu sure has peculiar ways of punishing people."
"Don't sweat it too much," Faith interrupted.
"Wait, you heard me," Kai asked.
"Every word, fire ninja," Faith laughed. "Your sister told me your tongue is as hot as your temper, and you prove her right."
"Very funny, Faith," Kai scowled. "She told me that you were as stubborn as the desert, and you prove her right."
"Score one for the fire ninja," Daddy No-Legs yelled from the driver's seat.
"You stay out of this," Faith ordered.
"Ok, so we're even, but let's cut to the chase," Kai suggested. "You and I aren't here to jab each other to death."
"Right," Faith nodded. "Have you found anything?"
"Nothing except sand and parched ground and rocks," Kai reported.
"Man, they sure don't want to be found," Faith sighed. "Whoever they are, those thieves sure aren't taking any chances."
Suddenly, the Dieselnaut screeched to a halt. Faith fell onto the ground, while Kai tumbled out of his seat and down on top of her. They squirmed and crawled away from each other, then scowled at Daddy No-Legs.
"Do you know how to drive," Kai yelled.
"You watch tongue," Daddy No-Legs winked. "It spit fire as fast as fist, and it anger me fast too."
"Well, why'd you stop," Faith asked.
"Out there," Daddy No-Legs pointed.
Faith and Kai glanced out the front window. They immediately spotted a body lying on the ground in front, one which resembled a Dragon Hunter. Faith raced over to the doors, then flew down the stairs. Kai and Daddy No-Legs followed behind them, grabbing some water and bandages from the emergency kit. They reached the body right after Faith, then bent down for closer examination. Sure enough, it was a Dragon Hunter, a young lady who looked similar to Faith except in age.
"Is she alright," Kai asked.
"She's fine," Faith nodded, "but she's dehydrated. Help me wake her up, Kai."
Kai nodded, then gently shook the girl's arms. The girl's eyes popped opened, then she immediately sat straight up and glanced around. At the sight of Kai, she screamed.
"Land snakes! By the dragon's horn, who are ya?"
"Calm down," Faith soothed. "You're alright. Kai won't hurt you."
The girl turned toward Faith, glancing into Faith's calm, gentle eyes. She immediately blinked, then rubbed her eyes.
"Why, Faith, is…is that you," she stammered.
"Yes, I'm Faith," Faith nodded, a bit confused.
"By snakes, don't ya recall me a bit," the girl exclaimed. "Have that mean old baron rubbed your skull too hard? I'm Betsy Dangerbuff, recall?"
"Betsy the Rascal," Faith laughed aloud.
They embraced, squeezing each other like long-lost sisters.
"You think what I think," Daddy No-Legs whispered to Kai.
"For once, yes," Kai agreed.
"Oh, yea, sorry," Faith blushed. "Betsy, this is Kai and Daddy No-Legs. Guys, this here is Betsy."
"I recall ya, ol' daddy," Betsy smiled. "You still waddlin' on those high heels of yours? By snakes get a real pair someday. And what are ya supposed to be, Red?"
"I'm Kai," Kai grumbled. "I'm the Master of Fire."
"Fire, eh," Betsy shrugged. "You ain't one of them cold-blood sorcerers, are ya? If ya are, I'd be glad to knock you dead."
"Betsy, please," Faith interrupted. "Kai is friendly. If I can trust him, you can trust him. Now come on inside and we'll exchange stories."
"Fine with me," Betsy puffed. "Just don't be lettin' this red fella concoct a spell on me. I tell you that my aunt still ain't over that dizzy spell she got drinkin' from a wishin' well."
Later that night, Faith, Kai, and Betsy gathered round a table, trading stories and yarns about themselves. Faith explained how the ninja arrived and freed them from Iron Barron. Then Kai summarized how he and his friends defeated the Oni invaders in their world.
"Alright, your turn," Faith told Betsy.
"Sure," Betsy shrugged. "I ain't gonna grasp half of what y'all said, but I mighty glad your tribe's free."
"It was," Faith shrugged, "until they were kidnapped again."
"Dear me," Betsy sighed. "Any luck findin' them thieves?"
"None," Kai sighed.
"You found me," Betsy shrugged. "I mighty glad you saved my skin. Those rascals left me for dead."
"What rascals," Faith asked.
"Oh, some good-for-nothings from way down south," Betsy shrugged. "Father knows them better than I, given they cut off his leg."
"And where is your father," Faith asked.
"Down with the tribe in the Oni city," Betsy pointed. "And believe me, I'd be the first to leave if we move out. The place gives me the creeps."
"Take us there," Faith requested. "Your father might know something we don't concerning the thieves."
"Then leave now," Betsy nodded. "Sooner the better."
"I'll go wake Daddy No-Legs," Kai offered.
Kai walked away, leaving Faith and Betsy to themselves.
"You ain't told a soul your secret, right," Betsy asked.
"Not a word to anyone," Faith nodded. "I mean, can't you trust a Dangerbuff's word?"
"Faith Dangerbuff," Betsy scowled. "You ain't gonna evoke no family creed on me, sister. You know our mamma would of slapped you round if she were still livin'."
"Alright, alright, chill," Faith hushed. "How's father?"
"Old and grumpy as ever," Betsy shrugged. "He don't give a care to much now except the family and his rust bucket of a catapult. Mighty proud of that rusted thing too. Built by the first Dangerbuff, he says, and I swear I hold his word as gospel. Never could shoot the thing straight, though."
"Neither could anyone else," Faith laughed. "It runs in the family bloodline."
"Not in yours, child. You the odd one out. You'd shoot a flea on a rock with spit. Never could fire a stray arrow in your life."
"Boy I miss those days. Everything was simple and easy, till you packed up and split away."
"I despised them guts of Baron. So did father. He'd spit on baron if it saved his soul. Couldn't help but start fresh. Dragon tasted like soap anyway."
"Well, father was right as usual. That baron only cared for himself, not for us. But I'll set things right again."
"Hope so for your sake. Reunion's tomorrow at first light, and you showin' up gonna cause a ruckus larger than when blind Jonah killed a snake with his slingshot."