"Dude, what's a Dragon?" Dustin asked with a quizzical look.
All five teenagers stared at him in disbelief. "You did not just ask me that question," said Tori. "Don't you pay any attention in Ninja History?"
"Jade is from the Shadow Ninja Academy, opened by Eeyghon," explained Sensei. "You are a direct descendant, are you not?"
The girl nodded. "On my father's side," she added.
"How come we've never heard of it?" queried Shane. "The Shadow Ninja Academy was barely mentioned in classes."
"Shadow Ninjas are reclusive," Cam replied. "There's a strict policy on accepting students; they have to be the best. Plus, the Shadow Arts are...darker than the fighting styles of Wind and Thunder."
"That is correct," Sensei agreed. "There was a prophecy made long ago, foretelling the coming of the one descendant of Eeyghon who will possess power greater than his. That descendant is you, Jade."
She nodded again. "I know," she said. She held her head high, proud yet humble. "Three years ago, a woman named Medusa came to the Academy and demanded that the Dragon Orb--a great power source," she added, "be handed over to her. Mom and Dad refused and so she killed them. Right in front of me."
There was silence. Hunter and Blake cast their eyes down, remembering what had happened to their own parents. They didn't see it when Lothor killed them, but Jade bore witness to the horrible event and was forced to speak of it.
"Medusa destroyed the entire Academy," she continued, a hollow look in her blue-and-green eyes. "There was nothing left. I managed to escape, but everyone...Mom and Dad...Peter and Tenma." She tightened her fists as she remembered her best friends. "Medusa will pay."
An alarm sounded. Cam turned to his computer, staring frantically at the monitor. "Lothor's sent another monster," he noted. "Damn, this one looks ugly..."
The teenagers gathered around the computer and watched as Serpentra wreaked havoc on the city. "Let's go, guys," said Shane.
"I'll come too," added Jade.
"No," Tori snapped. "It's too dangerous."
"Well, what am I supposed to do?" Jade demanded. "I'm not gonna sit around on my ass eating bonbons while you guys fight. I'm part of this too, just in case you forgot."
"No." This time it was Sensei who spoke. "Jade, you will stay here and act as backup just in case the Rangers need help. We'll watch the monitors."
She narrowed her eyes, but otherwise made no sign that she disliked this plan. Cam took the Samurai Amulet from his neck and glared distrustfully at the girl. "Don't touch anything," he muttered.
"Ready?" Shane asked. "Ninja storm!"
"Thunder storm!"
"Samurai storm!"
"Ranger form!"
a/n: Hm..I think this is a really short chapter...