Chapter 4

"Hey Cam, so could you clue us in on what just happened?" Shane asked the moment he stepped into Ninja Ops. Dustin and Tori both grabbed a chair and sat down.

"I'm not too sure myself, but obviously Lothor's behind it with the Kelzaks appearance. From what I could see on the monitors, the monster was looking for something. And the fact that it disappeared like that would seem that it had found what it was looking for," Cam explained.

"Ok. So how do we defeat this monster without our Ranger powers?" Tori asked.

Cam looked at his dad, who nodded. He went inside and came out carrying a medium-sized octagonal box.

"Wait, is that our morphers? But dude, aren't they like out of juice?" Dustin asked, his face showing confusion.

"Technically, yes. The morphers no longer self-recharge as they use to do, but I've been recharging them manually all this while. Similar to what I did when Madtropolis drained your morphers. It's very slow, and I think it'll be many years when, or if, I could recharge them to their full power."

"So how much power do they have now?" Shane asked cautiously.

"One or two morphs. Maybe three tops. But that depends on how long the battle is. Which is why I was hoping that we didn't need to use the morphers just now."

"I have a feeling that whatever Lothor's planning, we would need all the power we could have," Sensei added.

"What about the Thunder morphers? I don't think they have all this equipment to recharge their morphers at the Thunder academy," Tori suddenly spoke up.

Cam smiled. "I've made a small recharger for their morphers and handed it to Sensei Omino before this."

"Great. So what do we do now?"

"All we could do now is to stay alert if Lothor tries anything." Sensei answered. All of them nodded.

At the Thunder Academy…

"Sensei, there is something urgent I need to discuss with you." Hunter spoke as he entered Sensei Omino's chamber.

"Yes, Hunter?"

"Cam just contacted me. Lothor's back. I think we'll be needing our morphers again."

"Ah, I see. I have been sensing something dire is about to happen for the past few days. Very well Hunter, I will retrieve them from the Academy's vault. What about Blake?"

"Cam said he has contacted Blake already. Blake will be taking the next flight out and will be arriving tonight," Hunter answered.

"Good. Both of you come to my chambers tomorrow morning, and I will pass the morphers to you then."

"Ahem." Both Sensei and Hunter turned their heads questioningly to the door, at the sound of someone clearing his throat.

"Come in." Sensei Omino commanded. The doors slid open, and Lexton bowed slightly before entering. Recently graduated, he had just started his duties as a teacher a week ago.

"Greetings Sensei, Master Bradley. Pardon me for intruding, but I couldn't help overhear your conversation."

Hunter snorted slightly. He was pretty sure Lexton wasn't making much effort in trying not to.

"What is it, Lexton?" Sensei asked.

"Well, the Thunder morphers our academy's most prized possession. And certainly only the most deserving ones should be given the privilege to wield them," Lexton spoke slowly.

"Indeed. Our prophecy was not written in scroll as does the Wind academy, but it is quite clear as it was passed down to me. 'Bound not by blood, but fate". Hunter and Blake had proven themselves to be the chosen ones and they have fulfilled their roles admirably." Sensei replied, his eyes narrowing. Hunter too, was getting suspicious – Lexton's up to something.

"Of course. But well, the urgent threat has passed. And now a new threat has emerged. In the meantime, our academy has also progressed. Perhaps it's time… for others to take on the mantle." Lexton replied, speaking cautiously.

"Perhaps, but the prophecy has proven correct in the past. I see no need to doubt the accuracy of the prophecy this time."

"Sensei, you've always teach us that our destiny is what we make of it, and prophecies can only tell us so much. A ninja's skills need to be sharp, and we train hard everyday to maintain it. Master Bradley has been Head Teacher here for more than a year now and his skills are commendable. But his brother left the academy a year ago and we do not know the state of his skills now."

"You are referring to Master Blake Bradley?" Sensei Omino asked, though he knew perfectly well.

"Mister Blake Bradley, Sensei. Pardon me, Sensei, but he merely graduated and he had never been a teacher at the academy. His interest in …motocross has drawn his attention from the academy." Lexton spoke slowly and carefully.

Hunter couldn't stand it anymore. "Are you bagging on my bro?" Hunter asked angrily.

"With all due respect, Master Bradley, just because he is your brother does not mean he deserve the respect accorded to the teachers of the academy."

"It doesn't matter whether Blake's a teacher or not. Blake's a good ninja and you know it!" Hunter replied angrily.

"Yes, in the past. But we're not certain about his condition now. It is not impossible that there may be others who can prove themselves more worthy of the Thunder morphers," Lexton continued.

"Why you…" Hunter's tempers were flaring. Sensei Omino raised a hand at Hunter, and he bit his lip angrily.

"Very well. Lexton do have a point. I will conduct a trial then. Those who passed the trial accordingly will be given the Thunder morphers. Hunter, Blake and Lexton or perhaps anyone else who wants to participate, shall gather at the woods outside the academy at 9.00 a.m. tomorrow. " Sensei Omino instructed in a tone of finality.

"Thank you, Sensei." Lexton grinned, and bowed before excusing himself

Hunter nodded but he remained in the room. After Lexton left, he turned and asked, "Sensei, do you… doubt Blake's abilities?"

Sensei Omino smiled warmly. "Of course not Hunter. I've never had any doubt in both of you. All those years where I trained and watched over you two, you have always made me proud. It's not important that Blake is not at the academy, for I'm confident he continues to train on his own. Each ninja must seek his own path in the world, and for Blake it's not here."

"Then why do you propose the trial?"

"Sometimes Hunter, a single strike is better than a hundred dodges. Even if not Lexton, there will be others who think themselves superior. I have full confidence in you and Blake, and the trial will reaffirm both of your abilities to the others."

Hunter nodded.

At Lothor's secret lair.

"Well, did you find them?" Lothor asked impatiently.

"It's like finding a bone in the junkyard. I found 1 more piece." Dogidor handed over the fragment.

"That's only 3 pieces. It's still less than half of the whole gem! Continue searching!" Lothor commanded.

"Grr… Alright, alright!" With that, Dogidor teleported away.