Episode 4: "A new adventure begins…"

Episode 4: "A new adventure begins…"

What happened in the last episode: Two new people appeared at the time bureau, with no memory whatsoever. Dr. Goodman didn't think it was a good idea to tell Tony and Sara that these two people were their parent's when he himself didn't believe it. Then at school, two new kids came to school. We last left off when Dr. Goodman received word that Kurai Okosan sent all the time shifters to the time's where they came from. Only problem is they're in their con form.

At lunch, Sara sat alone, but only for a little while. She was waiting for Tony and Flint to join her.

"Hi," someone on the right of her said.

Sara was just about to take a bite from her sandwich when the voice spoke. She looked up and peered into the bluest of eyes she had ever seen. His sleek black hair hang loosely at the side. "I'm Derek Johnson. Nice to meet you." He stuck out his hand for her to grasp.

Sara put down her peanut butter and jelly sandwich to shack his hand. "My name is Sara Goodman." She peered more closely at him. "You're the new student."

Derek nodded as he sat down. Sara raised an eyebrow because she hadn't even asked him if he wanted to sit down. "Where's your sister?" Sara asked.

Derek pointed off towards the girl's bathroom. "I know she's in there with some girls who she just met. She makes friends fast."

Sara was about to say something else when Tony and Flint finally arrived. "Sorry we took so long," Tony said, "but you should have seen the line. It was so long." He looked over at Derek and frowned. "What are you doing here?"

"Tony, this is Derek. Derek, this is my twin brother Tony," Sara introduced.

Derek grinned. "Oh, so he's just your brother. I was already thinking that you had a boyfriend."

That caused Sara to blush.

Meanwhile, Flint kept jumping up and down in his seat. He was always eager to make a new friend. "My name is Flint Derek. Pleases to meet ya!"

Derek laughed. "Well, aren't you the hyper type."

While they talked, none were aware of the mysterious shadow lurking around in the trees, watching them.

After lunch, Tony decided to walk alone to class since Sara and Flint were too busy talking with Derek. He couldn't believe that someone had invaded their privacy. It wasn't that he hated Derek; it was just that he was about to talk with Sara and Flint about Kurai Okosan. But because of Derek's sudden appearance, that talk was delayed until later.

As Tony walked, he suddenly had the feeling to turn his head to the left. When he did, he saw Derek's sister. Only that this time he saw her in a totally different perspective. All time seemed to stand still as his heart beat fast. She had her sandy brown hair bouncing all around her shoulders as she walked. Her brown skin was glowing into a hue of gold by the rays of the sun. All that mattered to him was this moment.

But his happiness was short lived as she disappeared into the girl's bathroom. Time went back to normal, but his heartbeat didn't. It still felt like it was going a thousand miles and hour. Tony took a deep breath, and continued onward to class, vowing to himself that soon, he would be able to talk to Derek's sister and get to know her.

Later on after school, Sara, Tony, and Flint walked home from school; unaware of the news they were about to receive.

"We're home Uncle Bernie!" Sara yelled as they walked through the door. But no one answered. She puzzled as she looked around the room, only to discover silence. 'Where is everybody?'

Flint ran off to play while Tony plopped himself on the couch, ready to play a video game. Sara frowned at this. "Tony! You're supposed to be doing your homework before you do anything else!"

Tony threw his backpack across the room where it neatly landed next to his schoolbooks. "I'll do it later. I don't have to do it if I don't want to."

Sara glared at him but said nothing. Why fight with him when there were more important things to worry about? Like where Dr. Goodman is. With her backpack still on her back, she walked through the house, looking through every room and checking practically everywhere.

She stopped her search when she heard the door open. She immediately ran into the living room where Tony was to see if it was Dr. Goodman. It was, and with Tom and Julie not too far behind.

Dr. Goodman had a worried expression on his face. Sara noticed it and asked about it.

"Where's Flint?" he asked.

Sara pointed to Flint's room. "What's wrong Uncle Bernie?"

He said nothing as he headed for Flint's room. Sara followed him wondering the whole way what was wrong.

"Flint! I have something I need to tell you!"

In that moment, Flint came running down the hallway in his happy way. He stopped short and his face fell as he looked at Dr. Goodman. "What's wrong?"

"Flint, I've just received word from Jillia that Kurai Okosan has sent all the time shifters back into their original places in time," he said as everyone gasped. But he wasn't finished yet. He had more about the topic to say. "Not only that but he's left them their in their con forms. Now they're wrecking havoc everywhere." Dr. Goodman plopped himself down on a chair and buried his face in his hands. "All the work you did to get them back has now been for nothing. This is all so terrible."

Flint got a look of determination. He smiled wide and said, "Don't worry Dr. Goodman. I'll get all of them back, I'm sure of it. They'll all remember how much we were friends, and then they'll turn back to their normal sweet selves."

Dr. Goodman looked up and Flint and smiled. 'I know he can do it. He has a heart of pure gold. I have all the faith and confidence in Flint.'

Sara and Tony stood nearby. "And we'll help Flint," Tony announced. "You didn't think you could do this alone could you?"

"Of course not. So let's go!"

Flint ran over to the time cycle and sat down, waiting for everyone else to join him. He looked over at them, frowning. "Are you guys coming or what?" Sara and Tony exchanged glances before finally jumping on the time cycle with Flint.

Dr. Goodman walked over to them, a shiny gold card in his hands. "Here Flint. This will be your first assignment. Go and get shadow back from Musashi. You already know what to do I'm sure."

Flint took the time card and inserted it into the time cycle. In only a matter of seconds, they were off, ready to stop Kurai Okosan.

'Be careful Flint.' Dr. Goodman prayed that their journey was to be a safe one.

Water from the streams nearby could be heard not to far away from a lonely little cottage. Butterflies flew from flower to flower, taking in the sweet nectar of the flowers. All this beauty and silence was interrupted by the cries and pleas from someone running through the grass; yelling and screaming as birds chirped up in the trees. Then there was silence once again.

The birds seem to quiet, as if waiting for the yells to start again. They did, totally unexpected by the birds as they flew away in fear. Silence.

A shallow laugh took the place of the yells. A laugh that could send chills down the spine of even the most courageous of men.

A black shadow with someone on top of it could be seen slowly walking through the lush forests all around. Blood red eyes shined from the eyes of both of the shadows as two white grins stretched from ear to ear.

A warp hole in the sky suddenly appeared, showing the time cycle with Flint, Sara, Tony, Terri, and get-a-long riding on it. Flint scanned the area, trying to see any signs of shadow or Musashi. A sudden movement caught his eye.

Flint pointed so everyone could see. "Look down there. Look at all those people running away in fear. Maybe they're running from Shadow."

"Yeah," Sara agreed. "I say we head down there and ask someone what's going on."

Flint made the time cycle lower down until it lay softly on the ground. Luckily, Flint lowered it away from the stampede of people running like a bunch of cattle.

Sara walked over to a homeless man by the side of the road. "Excuse me sir, but what's going on here?"

The man, with his thick beard from lack of shaving, looked up at Sara. "There's been a blasted monster wrecking havoc everywhere. It comes and attacks the town, being controlled by some man who rides on his shoulders. I tell you, that monster needs to be stopped. It's destroying our crops and killing our people."

Sara bowed. "Thank you." She ran back to Flint and Tony and explained the situation.

"Must be shadow and Kurai," Tony suggested.

Everyone nodded. "Well," Flint said, "let's go to that town that people are running away from." He ran off towards the town with Tony, get-a-long, and Terri following.

Sara stayed behind and pulled out her mother's ribbon. She forgot to give it to her uncle and to Ms. Grey the day she found it. She examined it and remembered all the times she had with her mom and dad. Her face saddened as she thought. But she was also puzzling as well. How could this ribbon have gotten into the headquarters of the time police? Were her parent's there? But how can that be when they're dead? She sighed and tied the ribbon around her hair, tying her hair nice and tight.

"Aren't you coming Sara?" Tony asked as he waited for her. Flint stood not to far away, waiting as well.

"I'm coming." She ran off to catch up with them.

In the city, many people were running out of the town, yelling for their lives. They kept screaming "Monster!" and waving their arms around as though their life depended on it. Flint, Tony, Sara, get-a-long, and Terri ran off into the town, knowing that Shadow was in there.

They stopped suddenly when they finally saw him. Half of their suspicions were correct. It was Shadow, who was terrorizing the town, but it wasn't Kurai Okosan who was on his shoulders; it was Musashi himself.

Musashi looked totally different from the Musashi that everyone knew. His eyes, like Shadow's, were blood red and had a crazy gleam to them. He wore a black ninja suit with a red sash tied around his waist. He had his long sword in his hands, ready to fight against anything that stood in his way.

"I can't believe it!" Sara yelled as she stood in fear. "They even have Musashi under their control!"

Flint took out his "Dad". "Hey dad! It seems we've got double the trouble!"

Two eyes appeared on Flint's "mallet". "Okay son! Let's get to work!"

From on top of Shadow, Musashi got up from his sitting position and began to laugh mockingly. "You can't beat me you fools! I am invincible!" He charged at Flint with his sword.

Meanwhile, at the darkest parts of the universe, Kurai stood near a mirror of black stone with Bindi floating nearby. Kurai grinned as he watched the battle. He felt so proud that he was able to make such a weak man into a powerful one. Musashi didn't have the strength to beat Flint before. But now that he has been "updated", he is invisible.

"It seems that Flint will finally be stopped Master," Bindi whispered into Kurai's ear.

"Yes. I am very pleased and I know my master will be pleased as well." He turned his head to look at Bindi. "Servant, I want you to do a little job for me."

"I shall do anything you ask me to do."

Meanwhile back at the headquarters of the time police, while Tom and Julie talked with Ms. Grey, Dr. Goodman was investigating the files that contained all the information of time. He had investigated before but he didn't have enough time find the right file before Ms. Grey called him up and told him about what Kurai Okosan was doing. He clicked on the file with the year that Olivia and Richard died and scrolled down until he found the article he was looking for:

"Two people killed yesterday due to car accident"

On X month, X day, X year, two of Tokyo's finest citizens were killed today due to an accident involving their car and an oil truck. Olivia and Richard Goodman, the couple voted "Citizens of the year", were two fine people. Sadly, they left two children, Sara and Tony Goodman, no older than 5. The two children are now in the care of their uncle, a renowned scientist named Dr. Bernard Goodman who shall…"

Dr. Goodman looked away from the reports and turned his head towards the two people who appeared at his door not to long ago. He turned his attention back to the picture included in the article that Dr. Goodman sent the newspaper so they could print it out in their story. Richard DID look like Tom, only that the Richard in the picture had some graying hair while Tom's hair was still completely brown. Then there was Julie who looked exactly like Olivia. There was no change there. So how could it be that they were here now, and looking so much younger than they did the day they died? Could it be that somehow they managed to travel through time and end up here? Coming from the past where they haven't perished yet? Dr. Goodman had the feeling that he was 99% sure. Now the question was why. Why did they come into the past? For what purpose? IS there something the matter that the present time should know about? In order to get that information; Richard and Olivia would have to get their memories back. There were a couple of problems to that. In making them remember who they are, they are in danger of knowing their future, which is a bad idea because if the past were to be changed, then the present would change as well. Dr. Goodman placed a hand to his head. He was beginning to get a headache from all this thinking. He would need to think this through though. But how?

While that was going on in the headquarters, Flint and Musashi were engaged in battle. Flint was trying his best to make Musashi remember how they were all friends. But Musashi paid no attention to Flint. All Musashi was controlled to do was destroy anyone who stood in his way.

"This is crazy!" Terri exclaimed. "We need help!" He flew off towards the time cycle while Tony and Sara stayed behind.

While Flint was distracted, Shadow came up from behind Tony and Sara. They both turned and screamed, realizing that they were about to be knocked away unless they didn't move. Luckily, Tony was saved by a mechanical hand that suddenly appeared, while Sara was saved by Merlock who appeared out of the blue.

Merlock set Sara down safely while Tony was set down not to far away. "Thank you Merlock," Sara said.

Merlock smiled at her in his charming way. "Think nothing of it my dear. I'll always be here to protect you." He turned his attention to Flint. "But right now I need to help Flint."

Sara nodded as Merlock ran off. Tony walked over to her. "What's up with him anyway? Why is he always saving you?"

Sara shrugged. "I have no clue. But I'm glad that he does. I probably wouldn't be here today if it weren't for him."

Tony frowned but turned his attention to the battle while Shadow lay unconscious nearby from hitting the floor.

Terri finally reached the time cycle and turned it on. "Dr. Goodman! We need-" He stopped short when he saw that Dr. Goodman wasn't there. "Oh great! We need a time shifter and Dr. Goodman isn't even at his post! Flint can't do this alone!"

Back at the battle, things weren't going to well for Flint and Merlock. Flint was tired and growing hungry while Merlock already had many bruises and deep cuts. He groaned as he clutched his wounds.

"Flint!" Merlock yelled. "I don't think we have a chance against this guy. What are we going to do?"

Flint lay on the ground and clutched his stomach. "I don't know. All I know is that I'm hungry."

Musashi walked over to them slowly and cast a shadow over them. He looked down at them and grinned. "You two are pathetic. I would have thought you would be a little bit more formidable." He sighed. Raising his sword, he said, "Oh well. But at least I get to destroy you. My master will be most pleased."

Just as Musashi was going to strike, another sword blocked it and caused Musashi to go off balance.

Merlock and Flint turned their attention to the one who saved them. In slow motion, they gasped. Petrafina, along with Dino and Mite, were there. Petra had her sword out in front of her while Dino and Mite stood protectively in front of her.

"Petra!" Everyone yelled in surprise.

"Are you okay Flint?" she asked without taking her eyes off of Musashi.

"Yeah, thanks for helping." He was way beyond surprised that his once great enemy, was now the one who saved him.

Musashi got back up. "Fool! You may have distracted me but you won't beat me!"

"Dino! Mite! Give Flint some food and get Merlock out of here!" Petra ordered.

Dino and mite soluted and ran off to do what they were told. One came back with food and gave it to Flint, while the other dragged Merlock off for Sara to take care of.

Sara ripped her pants till they became shorts and tied the pieces around Merlock's cuts. "This should do until we get you some real bandages."

She suddenly stopped wrapping when she saw Merlock's hand overlap hers. She looked at Merlock, a puzzled expression on her face. "Thank you Sara. You don't know how much it means to me."

Sara went back to wrapping up his bandages, blushing furiously. "D-Don't worry about it."

Merlock only smiled as he let Sara tend to him.

Once Flint refueled, he stood up fast and got his "mallet" ready. "Alright! I'm pumped up and ready to go!" He charged at Musashi and tried to hit him but he missed. Using acrobatic skills, Musashi did a back flip and landed softly on the ground. Flint used his "brakes" and turned around immediately. While Musashi was distracted charging at Flint, Petra came up from behind him and struck him with the hilt of her sword. Musashi went flying.

Meanwhile, Kurai was still watching the fight and he grew very upset that Musashi was hit and weakened. He banged his fist on the glass, causing it to break and the image of the battle to disappear. "Curse those two! Because of their teamwork, Musashi was hurt! I guess I'll have to deal with this little matter." He turned to another mirror. "Bindi!"

Out of one of the mirrors, Bindi came out and floated to Kurai. "Yes master?"

"Forget what I ordered you to do. I want you to come with me so that we may deal with a thorn in my side."

Bindi floated with her eyes as hollow and as back as Kurai. "Yes master."

Musashi slowly got up and faced his opponents. "Insolent fools! I will destroy you!"

Flint began to get tears in his eyes. "Please Musashi! Remember who you really are! We're your friends!"

Charging at Flint, Musashi yelled, "I have no friends!"

Suddenly, he stopped, and electricity went all over his body. He fell to the floor and lay there, motionless. Flint ran over to him and shook him. "Wake up Musashi! Please wake up!"

Laughter was suddenly heard coming from the sky. A dark vortex appeared and Kurai, along with Bindi, went through it. "It seems that he is no longer of use to me. It seems that I'll have to deal with you myself."

"Bindi…" Merlock barely managed to say. But he couldn't help her now.

Flint cried out. "No! He's alive! He's alive!"

Kurai chuckled at Flint for his weakness. "I'm afraid not you fool. His life now belongs to death. But you shouldn't worry. That isn't even the real Musashi. The real Musashi is back at my master's lab. We shall be requiring him so that we can be able to make many duplicates of him. With all those copies, which are stronger than the original, we will finally be able to beat you. But that's what I'm here for. I think it would be better if I beat you myself."

Flint turned to look at the fake Musashi and what Kurai said was right. All that was left was a black ooze puddle and fake Musashi's black clothes. Flint turned back to look at Kurai. He wiped hi tears and got his "Dad" out. He was ready.

But Kurai never moved. He just stood there with Bindi floating around him. Kurai was getting a message from his master. 'Don't fight them know Kurai Okosan. You aren't strong enough. That boy's kindness and compassion surpasses your strength. Both of those elements are more powerful than your strength. Return immediately.'

'Yes master.' He turned to look at Flint and Petra, who were ready, should he start to attack. "It seems that I don't get to do battle with you now. But some day you will all feel my wrath." Before leaving, he remembered something. "Silly me. I almost forgot to take Shadow-con." He teleported out of there along with Bindi and an unconscious Shadow.

Flint looked at where Kurai had disappeared to before turning to Petra. He smiled wide and held out his hand for her to shake. "I guess this means you're no longer a time criminal."

Petra smiled as well and shook his hand. "No. I've given up my life of crime. But I'm sure that you'll want to arrest me."

Flint shook his head. "We kinda have a rule that states that some criminals are forgiven for their crimes when they save the life of a time detective. Especially if they've been manipulated like you."

"Thank you Flint. I'll never forget your kindness."

As the sun set over the horizon, it set the town to a beautiful hue of pink. One successful mission, who knows how many to go…

I'm going to stop know. Well how is the story so far? Good? Bad? Both? Tell me. I need reviews!!! So, what will happen know that Dr. Goodman knows what is going on with Tony and Sara's parents' sudden appearance? Well, not really. He's still clueless as to why they're there. But he will find out soon enough. Can Flint get all the time shifters back to their regular selves? Can he save Musashi who is now in possesion of Kurai? Find out the answers in upcoming stories. But for right now I'll send Episode 5: "Secrets revealed". What could the title mean? You'll have to wait in order to find out! Please review!!

© 2001 Jessica Hernandez-Loera E-mail: sailormoon2050@hotmail.com

© 2000 "Flint the time detective" and characters (except for Kurai Okosan, his master, and Tony and Sara's parents) belong to Saban Inc.