Hi everyone. I'm have returned.
This chapter is not up to my usual standards. I admit that I'm a bit rusty as it's been a while since I was in full writing mode and I was struggling the whole time. I can only hope I don't disappoint my loyal readers to badly.
Anyway, here is the new chapter. It's not too exciting, but I've done my best. I hope the following chapters will be much better!
There's no warnings for this chapter, so I'll just let you get to it.
Serenity Cove
"Daddy!" Kayla's excited yell caught everyone off guard and brought a smile to Tommy's face. They'd just been checked in at the desk by very owner of the hotel and their bags were being brought up to their rooms.
Tommy could barely wait to see his little girl and only nodded when Kimberly told him she'd accompany the bellhop with the bags.
He knelt down and caught his little girl, not even caring that she was still wearing her wet swimsuit or that she'd barely toweled off before running to him. The minute she was in his arms, he held her in the best bear hug ever.
"Daddy, I can't breathe!" She giggled as she hugged his neck.
"I'm sorry, Little Ninja. I just missed you so much! Do you have that kiss you promised me?"
"Yes, Daddy!" she giggled as she left a sloppy kiss on his cheek.
"There we go. That's better!"
"Daddy, you've got to see the pool and the koi pond! It's all so epic!"
"Well, sweetie, that's the plan! We're going to be here all week; there will be plenty of time to experience everything!"
He looked over her shoulder seeing Andros waiting for him patiently and grinning at the interaction.
What made him look twice was that his space friend wasn't dressed in earth clothes. He didn't look conspicuous, but his clothes we're definitely from his home planet.
"Hey, why don't you go back in the pool before you get a cold. I'll be there as soon as I change into some swim trunks."
Kayla kissed his cheek again and then ran off to join her cousins again.
"So, what brings you here? I can tell you're not sticking around."
Andros shook his head. "My kids are doing their best to assimilate to Terran culture, but I can tell they need a break. Thankfully, I'm only exiled from KO-35. I'm taking them on a vacation."
"You have money for that?"
Andros gave him a secretive look. 'I still have allies in this galaxy and the next, far from the eyes of my political rivals. Not to mention that we're taking advantage of a chance to spend more time with the extended family."
Tommy gave him a nod sensing there was more to it than that but letting his friend of the hook.
"Okay, then. Let me know if you need anything."
"Thank you, but this time, it's about what I can do for you. I looked into that sleepy town you told me about and I reached out to the local leaders. We have some things to discuss before you go there."
Tommy nodded and walked towards the elevators. "Let discuss this in our suite."
Kimberly met them at the door and let her husband and friend inside.
"So, what can you tell me about the town?" Tommy asked as Andros sat at the desk.
"Like I said, it's a good place to take Kayla for a weekend or whatever. But you were right in thinking there was something more to that place. It's a settlement that was established more than a century ago by refugees from my home planet."
"What kind of refugees?" Kim asked as she sat down next to Tommy.
"It's no shock to you that KO-35 was not a shiny happy place even before the Alliance of Evil invaded. When the planet was first settled, everyone lived in peace with each other, and it was idyllic as it could be for a planet of mixed cultures and values."
"But then the council that had been running for years without a problem tried to consolidate power and form a governing body. Many of the groups of people protested the change. One of these groups of people included some Elterians; magically abled beings like Zordon and even Dulcea. They are naturally peaceful and won't fight unless provoked. They took oaths much like you did when you first got your powers."
The powers that be tried to force them to use their powers to the point that they were drained and became very weak. A couple of them even died from the drain. That's when a bunch of citizens that were already malcontents decided to rebel against the government. They were overpowered eventually and were given an ultimatum; to submit or leave the planet and never return."
"They left." Tommy supplied.
Andros nodded. "From what my allies in the senate told me, they sought refuge many places along the way but all of them encountered problems much like what they found on KO-35."
"Earth was the last place they tried and decided then and there to never reveal they have powers and assimilate into the earth customs and set up their own town. Over the years the place prospered and some more refugees showed up during the war."
"All of this information is of course classified, and that town is only safe from the rest of the galaxy because no one knows what I just told you."
"Got it, the secret stays with us." Kimberly replied.
Tommy was quiet for a moment more before he looked back at Andros. "Do you think they would be able to tell us anything about the Ninjetti powers?"
Andros shrugged. "Anything is possible. I sent a message to one of the elders, they already know to expect you at some point this week."
"So, are we just supposed to show up?"
Andros nodded. "Yep. They'll know what you are the moment you show up and will take care of whatever you need to the best of their ability."
"That's kind of vague." Kimberly pointed out. "How do we know something bad won't happen to them?"
"Santa and his wife, Mrs. Clause is one of the earliest settlers and magic similar to what runs through the veins of the north pole, runs through this settlement. If there was even a little bit of darkness in these people, the settlement would fall apart. I can guarantee that you'll be safe there."
Meanwhile, in the hotel's lagoon….
Diesel sat in quiet thought a little way away from the water in a relaxed position. He was still keeping a watchful eye on his grandkids, but was also taking everything else in.
When the newest arrivals walked in, there was something different about them. Tommy carried himself differently as did the Miscreants. It was good, and yet different. Something more…
"Dad, are you ok?" David asked as he walked up quietly.
Diesel nodded slowly. "Something has changed in Tommy and the other Miscreants. I can't put my finger on it."
"Are your shaman senses tingling?" David asked looking mischievous.
Diesel raised an eyebrow at his son's comment. "No, not exactly, I just need to take a walk, I think. Something in the spirit world is… different than what I'm used to."
David's face changed sensing the seriousness of the situation. "Ok Dad, I'll look after the kids. Do what you need to do."
Diesel squeezed his son's shoulder and then got up, walking out of the room.
The Lobby
Diesel took a moment to refocus his senses as he walked into the quieter room. Most of the people in their group were in the pool area or eating food somewhere.
As he headed towards the elevator, his senses alerted him to that 'something else…an otherworldly something' that he'd sensed earlier.
Turning he scanned the room with his shaman senses and a moment later, he picked up on the ethereal being that was walked around looking at the walls in interest.
"I can sense you, Spirit. Wherever you are. You can't hide from a shaman." He said quietly and waited for the spirit to respond.
Momentarily, the air stirred, and a mystical curtain parted. The air seemed to shimmer as a young man appeared to him. He wore native clothes, and his dark hair was braided down his back. He looked nervous as he looked into the other's eyes.
"Forgive me Shaman. It's been a long time since I walked on this plane. I'm not sure how to blend in with the mortals."
"Are you following the teenagers that just showed up?"
The spirit nodded. "Yes. I know its creepy, but I've been asked by the ancestors to help that tribe in the battle with the monster in Angel Grove. It's spewing filth everywhere and it's power is only growing."
Diesel nodded. "I can sense it's been building for years. It's only in the last couple of years that I could really feel it." Diesel paused remembering the kids in the pool area. "This isn't the place to bring that up right now. We're here to celebrate love and new beginnings. I wouldn't for the world disturb that."
The spirit nodded and then paused with a confused look over the shaman's shoulder. When Diesel followed his gaze, he saw Trent and Katsume walking together towards the lagoon.
"Is something wrong?" He asked.
"I thought I'd already marked the whole tribe back on the train…but I think I missed someone."
Trent wasn't on the train with the teens. He went ahead of them to make arrangements for the reception." At the spirits confused look, Diesel added. "It's a party for the happy couple."
"The mother and her mate."
"Yes."
The spirit nodded in understanding and then furrowed his brow. But he's part of the tribe. Right?"
Diesel paused searching for the right words. "He's been looking after Paladin ever since we brought him to Angel Grove. In a couple weeks there will be a ceremony and then they will be a family. I don't know if that makes him part of the tribe. I thought he would be the obvious choice."
"He's part of the tribe." The spirit affirmed. "I can see the mark on him."
"Hey, who's this?" Said Conner, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.
The spirit looked at him and shook his head. "How many shamans are here anyway?"
"There's a couple of us." Connor answered crossing his arms over his chest. "Who are you?"
"Call me Ghost Wings." The spirit answered. "I'm here to help, not harm."
Conner looked at his grandfather for confirmation and he nodded, he relaxed. When he looked at Ghost wing, the spirit was giving him a strange look.
"What is it?"
"I thought shamans were taught so much more by the time they reached manhood."
"It's not his fault." Diesel answered solemnly. "Had he grown up with the tribe, he'd have been taught from a young age. Now we're training him as we go; making up for lost time."
"My twin and I were kept from the tribe by the courts in Reef Side. Not to mention by my mother's grandfather…a racist bigot." Anger was slowly building in his chest and his eyes were starting to flash.
"Hey, son." Diesel said soothingly. "Now's not the time to unleash your anger. The man who caused the trouble is long gone."
"Be at peace." Ghost said calmingly. "There's no evil here."
"No there's not." Connor nodded. "And that's how it's going to stay."
The finality of his voice seemed to settle things; Ghost only added. "I'm here to help with that, but you're right. "I can sense a lightheartedness here. I've not been to a celebration in centuries. I have much to learn!"
30 minutes later at the lagoon
Kimberly walked off the elevator in her modest bathing suit and coverup. Maverick was with his grandparents which left her some time to relax.
As she walked into seating area, she saw that the other women waving at her. She gave them a smile as she laid out her beach towel that had been provided and laid back in the chair and took a deep breath.
"This has been a hell of a week." Ariel commented.
Kimberly nodded. "You're not kidding. Things have gone to Hell in Angel Grove and I'm not even sure how to handle things."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm not even completely sure, but a whole different kind of evil is stirring, and it's got nothing to do with evil aliens." Kimberly paused biting her lip. "At least I hope not."
"Aunt Kim? I think I have something to share with you." Autumn said as they all looked up at her.
Kimberly immediately sat up and patted the spot next to her. "What happened?"
Autumn shared in full detail what happened in her dream and when it was done, Kimberly held her close. "That was a crazy dream."
"Aunt Kim, there's something nasty building back home and we think it has something to do with Jezebel. She's got a nasty personality and she already gone after Joy and Rook."
"Okay, you're going to have to read me into this." Ariel broke in. "I've been out of touch the last couple of days."
Kimberly blew out a breath. "The simplified version is that Jezebel is the school bully, and she's much worse than any bully we've ever known. It's more than just picking on weaker students and knocking books out of hands or tripping up the school nerd. This is…" Kimberly paused feeling like the wind was knocked out of her.
Instantly, the Crane roared to life and pink lightening began sparking in her eyes.
"Not here, Kimberly." Annabeth said softly.
Her mother's voice was all she needed, and she took a deep breath, gently quieting the warrior inside. When she opened her eyes again, she saw everyone looking at her in concern.
"I'm okay. This just brought up the ugly memories." When she looked back at Autumn. "From what you said, I'm willing to bet the Plastics from my past is making a comeback and influencing this new generation."
"What can we do?" Ariel asked
"A lot more than we could back then; we're the adults now." Kimberly said with a grin. When she looked back at Autumn, she saw a look of worry on her face.
"I meant what I said on the train, all you should worry about is having fun. Let the adults handle this."
Seeing she'd been dismissed, Autumn walked back to the pool and to her friends. Immediately Kayla swam to her and said something to make her laugh.
When she was gone, Kim's exhaled again.
"So, what is the plan?" Ariel asked.
"Joy and her family will be here tomorrow. We're going to see what is happening. I have a feeling we're about take a trip down the rabbit hole."
Annabeth took another look at the teenagers. "Am I the only one who noticed they are sporting arm band tattoos?"
Kimberly squinted. "Okay, so we're going further down the rabbit hole."
So, what does everyone think will happen next? Leave me your thoughts in the review section!