This story has been on my mind for a bit and robotman25 helped me out with it. :) Thank you, Amigo. :)

Skylanders belongs to Activision. Blaze and Flare belong to robotman25. I only own Rachel, Speedlight, Autumn, and Crystal.

Face The Future With An Open Mind

Rachel had just finished dropping off her children at Bouncer's home as the giant had offered to watch over Speedlight and Autumn while the Tech Portal Master went to speak with Tae Kwon Crow, who had summoned her to come to the Sensei Fire Realm, when she suddenly got a feeling in her gut telling her that the Fire Ninja Sensei was about to 'drop the A-bomb', as the saying went. And as much as she tired, she couldn't shake the feeling as it got worse when she entered the realm, meeting up with Avril and Eruptor.

"Oh, hi, Tech Portal Master!" Avril said in greeting.

"Hello, Avril. Hello, Eruptor," Rachel said, smiling. "Have you guys seen Tae Kwon Crow by chance? He summoned me to meet him here."

"Oh, yeah. He's over there," Eruptor said, pointing to a ledge where they saw the Sensei standing there and it looked like he was either meditating or waiting for someone.

"Thanks," the girl said. "Well, I better not keep him waiting."

Moments later, she had scaled the ledge with her telekinesis and stood behind the Sensei, being careful not to make any sudden moves. She gently cleared her throat. "Crow? You wished to see me?" She asked.

The Fire Ninja opened his eyes and turned, smiling at her. "Yes," he said. "I have good news."

She looked at him. "Yes?" She asked.

His smile grew. "Rachel, you have passed your training in the Fire Element," he said. "I spoke with Ember and Flare Wolf, who have been watching you train under me and they agree that you are more than ready."

Rachel felt fear fill her. "Ready for what?" She asked, managing to keep her voice steady.

Tae Kwon Crow stood up straighter, his smile still on his face. "To be the Tech/Fire Portal Master," he said, pride in his voice. "I'm going to let Master Eon know so that we can make it an official ceremony."

The girl looked at him. "What?" She asked.

The Sensei looked excited. "And we're going to do one for Blaze too, seeing as we didn't when he gained the Water Element," he said. "I'll see you at the Academy later on."

With that, he jumped down lithely, but Rachel didn't follow. She recalled when she had gone into the future and had seen that she had taken Master Eon's place after he retired. She then realized something. "I've been working with all of them in the elements," she said to herself as fear filled her. "Oh, no."

Fearing that the future she saw was happening too fast, Rachel raced out of the Fire Sensei Realm, looking around before seeing Blaze's house nearby and she ran for it, hoping to talk to him. She knocked on the door and he came out. "Hi, Rach," he said in greeting before closing the door behind him. "Sorry, Roller's napping as are Viola, Azula, and Astrid."

"No worries," she said before taking a deep breath. "Blaze...if Master Eon decided to retire, do you think you would take his place as the guardian of Skylands?"

He blinked at her. "Why? Is everything okay?" He asked in concern.

She swallowed. "Remember that time I went to the future?" She asked.

"Yes?" He replied.

She took a deep breath. "Master Eon retired and had chosen someone to take his place," she said, being careful not to reveal too much. "And...,"

She trailed off, but he seemed to realize it. "He chose the leader of us," he said. "You."

Rachel looked up at him, but saw no jealousy in Blaze's face. "But what about you, Blaze?" She asked. "You've been here longer and been a Portal Master longer than I have and you've mastered three elements."

The Fire/Undead/Water Portal Master cocked an eyebrow before it hit him. "Tae Kwon Crow told you that you had passed, didn't he?" He asked. "He had told me that you had done so."

"Yes," she said. "But...I don't know if...I can accept." She looked at him. "You're also a leader of our group as I am."

"Yes, but I've got my hands full with four girls and two on the way," he said. "And with my training and all, I'm afraid I'm too busy."

Rachel bit her lip, seeing his point. "You're right," she said. "And you've dedicated yourself to your family and your training. You're a good Portal Master, Blaze."

"You are too, Rach," he said before they heard crying. "Whoops, sounds like Azula woke up. I better go see to her."

Nodding, the Tech Portal Master left, but she still felt unsure and doubtful of herself. Could she be a Tech and Fire Portal Master? She then lifted her head and saw Mags' lab, recalling how the time machine had thrown her into the future. She then perked up and ran into Mags' lab, finding Luminous nearby and he smiled. "Hey, Tech Portal Master," he said. "Mags is out for a bit, but I can help you."

She nodded. "Luminous, I need to go see a friend in the future," she said. "Like maybe about fifteen years into the future."

He cocked his head. "Are you sure?" He asked.

She nodded again. "Just for a little bit," she said. "Please, Luminous?"

He bit his lip, but nodded. "Alright," he said, knowing she wouldn't ask for something so serious if the situation wasn't serious. He turned on the machine and set the coordinates. "Good luck," he said. "I'll open the portal for your return home in about two hours."

Nodding, she jumped into the time machine, finding herself into a forest as she landed. Taking a deep breath, she began walking, soon finding a path and coming to a hill. Using her telekinesis, she flew up and felt relief as she saw the Academy in the distance. She was about to continue when she felt an attack coming her way and she turned fast, her telekinesis catching a fireball aimed for her. She then saw someone standing near the hill, hands up and more fireballs forming. "You won't sneak past me," the figure said, revealing herself to be a female. "And you can tell Kaos that."

Rachel realized that the girl had mistaken her for one of Kaos' minions and she was about to correct her when she noticed the girl's hair and eyes, both looking familiar and then it hit her. "Flare?" She asked gently. "Is that you, hon?"

The ninja seemed to jump back in shock, taking a step back. "How do you know my name?" She asked.

The Tech Portal Master smiled. "I know your name because I'm your aunt Rachel," she said gently. "But I'm from the past." She then looked curious. "How old are you?"

Flare stood up. "Eighteen," she said.

"So that means I'm thirteen years into the future," Rachel said. "You're five years old in my time."

Flare wasn't so sure. "If you're really Aunt Rachel, then tell me something only she would know about me."

The young woman gave it some thought before smiling. "When your father had been turned against us by Hydrana, you were worried and snuck away with your mother and the others to go rescue him. It was your voice calling out to him that helped him focus and break Hydrana's spell over him," she said. "And when we had faced Nebulous, the Darkness, and thought we had lost your dad and aunt, we were devastated, but when they came back, revealing they were alright, you squirmed free of your mother's arms and ran towards your father, happy that he was alive. It was then that your uncle Solaceon revealed that your mother was pregnant with your sister Viola."

Flare looked at her. "When I faced Kaos long ago, I hit him in the face with a fireball," she said. "Right?"

Rachel saw what the girl was doing and was proud of her for being so cautious. "You tried, but the fireball missed and hit the chain connecting to the chandelier, which fell onto Kaos," she said. "Glumshanks had freed you and Viola before that."

The girl stood up. "It really is you, Auntie," she said, relaxing. "Are you okay?"

The young woman sighed. "Honestly, not really," she said. "I need to speak with my future self. Do you know where I can find her?"

Flare nodded. "Follow me," she said.

As she led the way, Rachel smiled. "You have both your parents' personalities, but you are more cautious than you used to be," she said.

"With Kaos attacking and trying to kidnap my family, I learned to be careful," the girl said. "He actually tried to kidnap Mom recently and Dad went to rescue her along with Grandpa and boy were they mad. I was too." She turned to her aunt. "You can bet Grandpa and I bit Kaos hard enough to make him cry for his mommy."

Rachel laughed. "I don't doubt that," she said.

They soon arrived and Flare took her over to a large door, knocking on it. "Come in," came a familiar voice and they entered, seeing Future Rachel sitting at a desk with Magna Charge next to her. Seeing them, the guardian of Skylands stood up with a smile. "I've been expecting you, my past self."

"You have?" The time-misplaced girl asked in surprise.

Future Rachel nodded. "You are worried the future is happening too fast," she said gently. "Roller and Blaze have six children now and we ourselves have two children, a son and daughter."

Past Rachel nodded. "I came here seeking advice," she said. "As you might know, I've been training with not only the Senseis, but with my own partners too to better understand the other elements and to perhaps use them." She took a deep breath. "Tae Kwon Crow met with me today and told me that I had finished my training with the Fire Element."

The guardian smiled. "No doubt rightfully earned," she said gently.

"But I feel I am not ready," the young woman admitted. "I feel Blaze would be a better guardian, but he has six children and he not only trains but teaches too. It would be difficult for him to be a guardian too, though I have no doubt he could do it."

Future Rachel smiled. "My past self, Blaze had spoken to Master Eon about this long ago," she said. "He offered Blaze the position, but Blaze turned it down gently, saying that you were the one best suited for taking Master Eon's place."

"He did?"

The shock in the younger woman's voice made the guardian smile and Magna Charge smiled too, coming forward. "You have led the others to many battles and come out on top," he said. "You even let the others lead when needed and you value their opinions, just as Master Eon does."

Past Rachel bit her lip. "But...how do I know that I'll be half the guardian that Master Eon is?" She asked. "There's still so much to learn."

The guardian chuckled. "And there's your answer, my past self," she said gently. "I too am still learning, though I have been the guardian for a while now."

"Really?"

Future Rachel nodded. "There is the old saying that in learning you will teach and in teaching you will learn," she said. "Don't fear that just because you do take Master Eon's place that you will stop learning."

"A good teacher not only teaches their students, but learns from them too," said Magna Charge. "You will do the same."

"You will teach so many as Master Eon has taught you, and you will learn from them too, as Master Eon is learning from you."

Past Rachel blinked. "Master Eon is learning from us?" She asked.

Her future self nodded. "He did not know that we could become Imaginators until our dear friend, the Water Portal Master, revealed that we could," she said. "And then when we gained our Skyelmental, Master Eon didn't know that could be achieved."

It was quiet for a moment. "So...just as he's been teaching us, we've been inadvertently teaching him," the younger woman said.

"That's right, my past self," the guardian said. "Do not doubt yourself. You have your family and friends to help you in the future. Don't be afraid to ask them for help. They are not only your friends, but your council and your family."

Hearing that, Past Rachel felt her earlier doubts vanish and she nodded. "Thank you," she said, taking a deep breath.

"Oh, one more thing," Magna Charge said with a smile, making her look at him. "Face the future with an open mind and you will never fail."

She smiled. "I will," she promised as the portal appeared again and she took a deep breath.

"Are you ready?" Future Rachel asked gently, smiling.

Past Rachel nodded. "I'm ready," she said before jumping into the portal, landing in Mags' lab and she stood up, smiling as Luminous powered down the machine.

"How did it go?" He asked.

She looked at him. "I learned that I shouldn't worry so much and that I shouldn't doubt myself," she said. "I'm not alone in whatever the future will bring."

He nodded. "You know your friends and family will help you in any way," he said.

Crystal came in then. "Sis!" She said excitedly, running up to her. "There you are! Master Eon's looking for you!"

Rachel smiled. "Then let's not keep him waiting," she said as they walked to the Main Hall where everyone was gathered and Master Eon smiled as he saw them.

"Rachel, please come stand by Blaze," he said.

As she did so, the guardian smiled. "Blaze, I'm afraid we didn't have a ceremony to make it official that you had mastered a new element, so today, we are doing so."

He raised his staff. "Kneel before me, Blaze," he requested gently.

The young man did so and Master Eon gently touched the top of his staff to the young man's right shoulder. "Blaze, it is my pleasure to say that you have mastered the Water Element and are officially the Fire/Undead/Water Portal Master," he said. "Do you swear to make sure your new powers are used for what is right?"

"I swear, Master Eon," he said.

"Good, then rise."

Blaze did so and a blue light washed over him, along with a red light, and a grey light. All three melded together and Master Eon nodded before turning to Rachel.

"I have been informed that you have mastered the Fire Element, Rachel," he said.

She swallowed hard. "Yes, sir," she said.

He nodded. "Kneel before me."

She did and felt his staff touch her right shoulder. "Rachel, it is my pleasure to say that you are now the Tech/Fire Portal Master," he said. "Do you swear to make sure your new powers are used for what is right?"

"I swear, Master Eon," she promised.

"Good, then rise."

She did and a red light washed over her, along with a golden light. The two melded together and Master Eon nodded. "Portal Masters, Skylanders, and all of Skylands!" He said in a mighty voice. "I give you the Fire/Undead/Water and the Tech/Fire Portal Masters!"

Cheering filled the Main Hall and a party kicked off. Rachel sat to the side as she gazed at the fountain beside her. A hand touched her shoulder and she turned to find her Sensei partner Ambush beside her. "How do you feel?" He asked her.

"Honestly, it's still trying to sink in," she admitted, to which he chuckled. She then took a deep breath. "I know Master Eon's not going to be the guardian forever, but I don't want to lose him so soon because there's so much for me to still learn."

"And with that attitude, that is how you are ready to be the Tech/Fire Portal Master," Ambush said. "You are still willing to learn and that is what someone who is dedicated to learning and leading well does."

She smiled. "I just hope I can do it," she said.

"You can," he said as Magna Charge came up, taking his lover's hands.

"My love, don't be afraid of the future," he said, pulling her closer. "Face it with an open mind and you'll be ready for anything."

Rachel blinked before smiling as she looked at him. "I knew I made the right choice when you asked me to be yours," she said, kissing him and he kissed her back.

Ambush chuckled and let them be while Blaze and Master Eon saw the two and smiled. "I think she'll do good, Master Eon," the Fire/Undead/Water Portal Master said.

"I agree," he said with a smile. "Especially when she'll have her friends and family to help her."

"You can count on it."

Master Eon nodded, knowing that all would be well in the future.

But for now, he would teach his Portal Masters as much as he could.

So Rachel is now the Tech/Fire Portal Master. :)

Please leave a review, but no flames!

GoldGuardian2418