Hunter and Blake touched down in front of a huge boulder covered by
moss. They were once again in the familiar forest outside the Thunder Ninja
Academy. "You ready?" Blake asked. Hunter nodded. They extended their hands
and passed through the stone that lead to their home. Everything was just
as they remembered. The main building standing proudly off in the distance-
the snow topped mountains surrounding the valley. Looking across the
garden, they saw a familiar face walking down the steps of the temple.
Sensei Omino made his way towards them. They threw their bags on the ground
and ran to him, meeting him in a tight embrace.
"Hunter, Blake- it's so good to have you home."
"It's good to be home Sensei," Blake said pulling away to look upon the man that had raised him after his parents passed away. Hunter pulled away and for the first time in a long time he had tears streaming down his face.
"I'm so happy to see you Sensei. Are you alright?"
"Yes Hunter I am fine. I have heard from Sensei Wantanabe that you have used your gifts well," he looked at their morphers. "I am so proud of you both,' he said as he put his arms around them again. "Now," he began walking them back to the main building, "I must hear all about the events that have transpired over the past year." Together they walked in the main building and sat in front of the blazing fireplace.
"The other students have returned to their homes until they feel they are ready to return, so we will have no interruptions."
"You sure you want to hear everything?"
"Yes Hunter- everything."
They talked long into the night. Sensei Omino didn't say anything- not even when he told them about what Lothor had done to them. He simply sat there looking at them as they spoke.
"Then Tori blasted him again, and that was the end of Lothor." Blake finished. Sensei noticed the gleam in Blake's eye every time he spoke her name, but didn't tell him. Sensei rose from his seated position and walked to the other side of the room, opening a small door and removing an octagonal box. Hunter looked over to Blake- they had seen the box before. Sensei returned opening the box revealing black foam padding with two openings.
"Blake- Hunter, you have proven without a doubt your worthiness of receiving these gifts. You have fulfilled your destiny. Your morphers will be kept in a place of great honor in the temple, and students now and forever will hear of how they were used by you to bring peace to the world."
Blake and Hunter knew this day would come- there was a time when they wanted to give their powers up forever. Now- they found it hard to part with them. Hunter unstrapped his first. He stood up, bowed to Sensei, and placed it inside the box. Blake followed his big brother's lead, placing his navy morpher alongside the crimson one. Sensei closed the box.
"Now I think you should get some rest. You will find your room as you left it. Goodnight."
They bowed and watched him leave. The brothers wandered the hallways of the academy; trying to take it all in- they were back where they had grown up- where they had overcome the odds- it was as if they never left.
Finding the hidden stairwell that lead to their room, the boys raced up the stairs like they had done so many times. Hunter, as usual, beat Blake to the door. He opened it and walked in. Everything was as they left it- even Hunter's bed was still unmade from the morning they had been captured.
"Holy shit" Hunter said in disbelief as he sat on his messy bed. "This is way weird dude."
"Yea it is," Blake said moving over to his dresser. He picked up a picture and held it in his hands. It was of their mother and father. Hunter walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "They're always going to be watching over us- they said so remember?" Blake smiled at that thought and placed the picture back. He fell onto his bed.
"Oh man- it's been a long day bro."
"Yea it has, and you know it's only going to get longer if we don't get to sleep," he said flinging a pillow at his head.
"Thank bro- I needed that," he said as he placed it behind hid head.
"Goodnight Blake."
"Night Hunter," he said as flipped the light switch next to his bed. He slowly drifted off into sleep, but woke up frequently during the night. The extra pillow Hunter threw at him was being clutched in his arms. 'Tori-- -'
'Blake' Tori thought as she tossed and turned in her bed. After they had left, the remaining rangers returned to Ops at the request of Sensei. When they entered, they saw a wooden box opened on the table with Sensei standing over it.
"Rangers- the time has come for you to return your morphers. Your quest is fulfilled, and now the time has come to place the power used to protect this world in a place of great honor in the temple. Please," he said motioning to the box. Shane was the first, bowing to Sensei and placing his morpher in its respective place. Dustin followed next, and finally Tori. Sensei looked at Cam, who reluctantly removed his samurai amulet and placed it in a small hole carved out for it. Sensei closed the box and bowed to them.
Tori, now fully awake touched her left wrist, now bare, with her right hand. She assumed that Blake and Hunter had suffered the same fate. Blake- her mind wandered back to him. He had only been gone one full day, but she missed him terribly. Him leaving was bad, but not knowing how long they would be separated was tearing her apart. She buried her face in the pillow between her arms- 'it still smells like him' she thought as she drifted back into slumber.
With Blake and Hunter gone, Kelly was short staffed at Storm Chargers. Tori offered her help, and was hired instantly. Kelly would occasionally ask her if she had heard from Blake, and every time she would respond with a soft 'No.' They had been gone for almost three months now. Sensei tried to contact Sensei Omino, but he never responded. With no other way to contact the guys, the wind ninjas were left constantly wondering what was happening at the thunder academy, and what was happening to their friends.
They still had their training everyday, but were away from the other students. Sensei knew they worked well together and after seeing the way they responded to the thunders parting, he knew they would want to be there for one another. Cam was now out in the open with them as a student. The other students would sneak off to watch them as they trained- awestruck by their perfection in techniques they were just learning. Sensei also noticed this and one day he called a special gathering of the wind ninja academy.
He stood on a raised platform facing his students; a small table was set up next to him with three scrolls on it, as well as a small box. "Shane, Dustin, Tori, and Cam- would you please join me?"
Giving each other strange looks, they walked up together.
"You four have shown extreme bravery in the face of the greatest danger. You have used your ninja skills well, and have proven to me that you have mastered your elements, and have used these skills to save us all. So it is with great pride that I present you with your diplomas- signifying that you have completed your training here at The Wind Ninja Academy. Congratulations." The crowd of students cheered and clapped as Sensei called their names and handed them their scroll.
"Shane Clarke," Shane took it and bowed.
"Dustin Brooks," Dustin took his and bowed.
"Victoria Hanson," Tori took hers and hugged Sensei.
"Cameron Wantanabe," Cam was handed the box. Opening it he found a green charm on a leather strap with his Samurai insignia on it. He looked back up and hugged his father. "Your mother would be proud."
A week turned into two, which turned into four, that suddenly turned into twelve. They had been at the Thunder academy for three months and were having a great time. Sensei Omino had presented them with their diplomas in a similar ceremony to the one the wind rangers had. The students had returned with several new recruits, having heard that "the rangers" had returned. Hunter and Blake were asked to stay and help get the new students settled, but as the days progressed Sensei had them teaching and doing demonstrations for them. Blake had been very quiet and distant- it seemed that the longer he stayed the more he began to close to those around him. One day Sensei approached Hunter.
"Hunter, I must speak with you about Blake. I know there is something troubling him greatly-and I sense you are troubled as well."
"Yes Sensei. I know exactly what's wrong."
"Tell me what's on your mind."
"To be completely honest, we miss our friends- our teammates. I know that we're not rangers anymore, but the bond is still there. Over time we became a family. You've been like a father to us Sensei, and I don't want to sound ungrateful for everything you've given us."
"Hunter- you both have exemplified what it takes to be a great ninja- you have been trained since the day you came here to me to fight evil. Now you have extinguished that evil and fulfilled your purpose." He paused for a moment before continuing. "I sense there is something more that plagues your brother?" he asked.
Hunter let out a small laugh. "Yes Sensei- he misses something at home, or maybe I should saw someone."
"I saw the light in his eyes when he spoke of her."
"He loves her."
Sensei closed his eyes and thought for a minute. "I relieve you from your duties. You and Blake have been living the life of a fighter for far too long- it is now time for you to experience the world you have saved."
Hunter's face lit up in brilliant smile. "Thank you Sensei!" He took off to find Blake. He was watching his students practice when Hunter knocked into him, pinning him to he ground.
"Dude! What's the deal!"
"We're going home!" The look on Blake's face was priceless- his face was frozen in a state of shock. Getting off him, Hunter helped him to his feet.
"Home? You mean like Blue Bay Harbor home?!" Hunter nodded his head with a idiotic grin plastered on his face. Blake grabbed him by the arm, "C'mon! Let's get packed!"
In less than an hour, they had all the belongings that remained in there room shoved into their bags. Sensei called them to the main room for a special going away gift. He motioned for them to enter and take a seat. He was sitting on the floor on a pillow with a small chest in front of him. Blake and Hunter sat opposite him.
"This was left for me to keep for the two of you," he said passing it to Hunter. Opening it, he and Blake stared at its contents, unable to speak.
"When your parents went off in search of Lothor and left you here with me, they left these items for you, should anything happen to them."
Blake's head shot up- "They went looking for Lothor?!"
"Yes Blake. They knew that he would resurface someday and wanted to destroy him before he could attack. That is why after they passed away, I began to train you so you could continue their battle and defeat him."
He slowly turned his head back down to the chest. Hunter reached inside and began to remove the items. Their adoption certificates, their parents' marriage license, and several pictures- of the first day they brought Hunter home, when Blake arrived, and various candids of them with their mother and father. There was a small ball of cloth hidden deep under the papers. Blake picked it up and turned over the folds revealing their mother's engagement ring, and their wedding bands. He ran his fingers along the cool silver bands. He handed them to Hunter with trembling hands. Hunter stared at the items around him and brought his gaze to Sensei.
"Thank you Sensei-for keeping these safe- for keeping us safe."
"You will always have a home here boys- remember that."
Carefully they placed the precious items back in the chest. They rose and bowed to Sensei, who hugged them. "Safe journey my sons." He turned and exited leaving them still stunned by the great gift they were given. Picking up their gear, they took one last look around.
"You ready bro?"
"You know it." They headed for Blue Bay.
"Hunter, Blake- it's so good to have you home."
"It's good to be home Sensei," Blake said pulling away to look upon the man that had raised him after his parents passed away. Hunter pulled away and for the first time in a long time he had tears streaming down his face.
"I'm so happy to see you Sensei. Are you alright?"
"Yes Hunter I am fine. I have heard from Sensei Wantanabe that you have used your gifts well," he looked at their morphers. "I am so proud of you both,' he said as he put his arms around them again. "Now," he began walking them back to the main building, "I must hear all about the events that have transpired over the past year." Together they walked in the main building and sat in front of the blazing fireplace.
"The other students have returned to their homes until they feel they are ready to return, so we will have no interruptions."
"You sure you want to hear everything?"
"Yes Hunter- everything."
They talked long into the night. Sensei Omino didn't say anything- not even when he told them about what Lothor had done to them. He simply sat there looking at them as they spoke.
"Then Tori blasted him again, and that was the end of Lothor." Blake finished. Sensei noticed the gleam in Blake's eye every time he spoke her name, but didn't tell him. Sensei rose from his seated position and walked to the other side of the room, opening a small door and removing an octagonal box. Hunter looked over to Blake- they had seen the box before. Sensei returned opening the box revealing black foam padding with two openings.
"Blake- Hunter, you have proven without a doubt your worthiness of receiving these gifts. You have fulfilled your destiny. Your morphers will be kept in a place of great honor in the temple, and students now and forever will hear of how they were used by you to bring peace to the world."
Blake and Hunter knew this day would come- there was a time when they wanted to give their powers up forever. Now- they found it hard to part with them. Hunter unstrapped his first. He stood up, bowed to Sensei, and placed it inside the box. Blake followed his big brother's lead, placing his navy morpher alongside the crimson one. Sensei closed the box.
"Now I think you should get some rest. You will find your room as you left it. Goodnight."
They bowed and watched him leave. The brothers wandered the hallways of the academy; trying to take it all in- they were back where they had grown up- where they had overcome the odds- it was as if they never left.
Finding the hidden stairwell that lead to their room, the boys raced up the stairs like they had done so many times. Hunter, as usual, beat Blake to the door. He opened it and walked in. Everything was as they left it- even Hunter's bed was still unmade from the morning they had been captured.
"Holy shit" Hunter said in disbelief as he sat on his messy bed. "This is way weird dude."
"Yea it is," Blake said moving over to his dresser. He picked up a picture and held it in his hands. It was of their mother and father. Hunter walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "They're always going to be watching over us- they said so remember?" Blake smiled at that thought and placed the picture back. He fell onto his bed.
"Oh man- it's been a long day bro."
"Yea it has, and you know it's only going to get longer if we don't get to sleep," he said flinging a pillow at his head.
"Thank bro- I needed that," he said as he placed it behind hid head.
"Goodnight Blake."
"Night Hunter," he said as flipped the light switch next to his bed. He slowly drifted off into sleep, but woke up frequently during the night. The extra pillow Hunter threw at him was being clutched in his arms. 'Tori-- -'
'Blake' Tori thought as she tossed and turned in her bed. After they had left, the remaining rangers returned to Ops at the request of Sensei. When they entered, they saw a wooden box opened on the table with Sensei standing over it.
"Rangers- the time has come for you to return your morphers. Your quest is fulfilled, and now the time has come to place the power used to protect this world in a place of great honor in the temple. Please," he said motioning to the box. Shane was the first, bowing to Sensei and placing his morpher in its respective place. Dustin followed next, and finally Tori. Sensei looked at Cam, who reluctantly removed his samurai amulet and placed it in a small hole carved out for it. Sensei closed the box and bowed to them.
Tori, now fully awake touched her left wrist, now bare, with her right hand. She assumed that Blake and Hunter had suffered the same fate. Blake- her mind wandered back to him. He had only been gone one full day, but she missed him terribly. Him leaving was bad, but not knowing how long they would be separated was tearing her apart. She buried her face in the pillow between her arms- 'it still smells like him' she thought as she drifted back into slumber.
With Blake and Hunter gone, Kelly was short staffed at Storm Chargers. Tori offered her help, and was hired instantly. Kelly would occasionally ask her if she had heard from Blake, and every time she would respond with a soft 'No.' They had been gone for almost three months now. Sensei tried to contact Sensei Omino, but he never responded. With no other way to contact the guys, the wind ninjas were left constantly wondering what was happening at the thunder academy, and what was happening to their friends.
They still had their training everyday, but were away from the other students. Sensei knew they worked well together and after seeing the way they responded to the thunders parting, he knew they would want to be there for one another. Cam was now out in the open with them as a student. The other students would sneak off to watch them as they trained- awestruck by their perfection in techniques they were just learning. Sensei also noticed this and one day he called a special gathering of the wind ninja academy.
He stood on a raised platform facing his students; a small table was set up next to him with three scrolls on it, as well as a small box. "Shane, Dustin, Tori, and Cam- would you please join me?"
Giving each other strange looks, they walked up together.
"You four have shown extreme bravery in the face of the greatest danger. You have used your ninja skills well, and have proven to me that you have mastered your elements, and have used these skills to save us all. So it is with great pride that I present you with your diplomas- signifying that you have completed your training here at The Wind Ninja Academy. Congratulations." The crowd of students cheered and clapped as Sensei called their names and handed them their scroll.
"Shane Clarke," Shane took it and bowed.
"Dustin Brooks," Dustin took his and bowed.
"Victoria Hanson," Tori took hers and hugged Sensei.
"Cameron Wantanabe," Cam was handed the box. Opening it he found a green charm on a leather strap with his Samurai insignia on it. He looked back up and hugged his father. "Your mother would be proud."
A week turned into two, which turned into four, that suddenly turned into twelve. They had been at the Thunder academy for three months and were having a great time. Sensei Omino had presented them with their diplomas in a similar ceremony to the one the wind rangers had. The students had returned with several new recruits, having heard that "the rangers" had returned. Hunter and Blake were asked to stay and help get the new students settled, but as the days progressed Sensei had them teaching and doing demonstrations for them. Blake had been very quiet and distant- it seemed that the longer he stayed the more he began to close to those around him. One day Sensei approached Hunter.
"Hunter, I must speak with you about Blake. I know there is something troubling him greatly-and I sense you are troubled as well."
"Yes Sensei. I know exactly what's wrong."
"Tell me what's on your mind."
"To be completely honest, we miss our friends- our teammates. I know that we're not rangers anymore, but the bond is still there. Over time we became a family. You've been like a father to us Sensei, and I don't want to sound ungrateful for everything you've given us."
"Hunter- you both have exemplified what it takes to be a great ninja- you have been trained since the day you came here to me to fight evil. Now you have extinguished that evil and fulfilled your purpose." He paused for a moment before continuing. "I sense there is something more that plagues your brother?" he asked.
Hunter let out a small laugh. "Yes Sensei- he misses something at home, or maybe I should saw someone."
"I saw the light in his eyes when he spoke of her."
"He loves her."
Sensei closed his eyes and thought for a minute. "I relieve you from your duties. You and Blake have been living the life of a fighter for far too long- it is now time for you to experience the world you have saved."
Hunter's face lit up in brilliant smile. "Thank you Sensei!" He took off to find Blake. He was watching his students practice when Hunter knocked into him, pinning him to he ground.
"Dude! What's the deal!"
"We're going home!" The look on Blake's face was priceless- his face was frozen in a state of shock. Getting off him, Hunter helped him to his feet.
"Home? You mean like Blue Bay Harbor home?!" Hunter nodded his head with a idiotic grin plastered on his face. Blake grabbed him by the arm, "C'mon! Let's get packed!"
In less than an hour, they had all the belongings that remained in there room shoved into their bags. Sensei called them to the main room for a special going away gift. He motioned for them to enter and take a seat. He was sitting on the floor on a pillow with a small chest in front of him. Blake and Hunter sat opposite him.
"This was left for me to keep for the two of you," he said passing it to Hunter. Opening it, he and Blake stared at its contents, unable to speak.
"When your parents went off in search of Lothor and left you here with me, they left these items for you, should anything happen to them."
Blake's head shot up- "They went looking for Lothor?!"
"Yes Blake. They knew that he would resurface someday and wanted to destroy him before he could attack. That is why after they passed away, I began to train you so you could continue their battle and defeat him."
He slowly turned his head back down to the chest. Hunter reached inside and began to remove the items. Their adoption certificates, their parents' marriage license, and several pictures- of the first day they brought Hunter home, when Blake arrived, and various candids of them with their mother and father. There was a small ball of cloth hidden deep under the papers. Blake picked it up and turned over the folds revealing their mother's engagement ring, and their wedding bands. He ran his fingers along the cool silver bands. He handed them to Hunter with trembling hands. Hunter stared at the items around him and brought his gaze to Sensei.
"Thank you Sensei-for keeping these safe- for keeping us safe."
"You will always have a home here boys- remember that."
Carefully they placed the precious items back in the chest. They rose and bowed to Sensei, who hugged them. "Safe journey my sons." He turned and exited leaving them still stunned by the great gift they were given. Picking up their gear, they took one last look around.
"You ready bro?"
"You know it." They headed for Blue Bay.