Chapter Four; Panic.
"Sensei!" All six ninjas burst into Opts, trying not to step on anything or disturb any of the fragile pieces of equipment which leant against the walls. Although they'd managed to clear up most of the main room, it was nowhere near its normal tidy state.
"Wait here. I'll fetch my father." Cam said, trying to calm the others down, although he was just as panicked as they. As he disappeared into one of the side rooms, the rest tried to compose themselves.
Eventually, looking around at his friends, Hunter could keep it in no longer.
"Damn!" He sank onto the floor, arms resting on his knees. Even as they glanced up at his sudden outburst, he took in their expressions. Tori was pale and chewing on her lip, Blake was sitting next to her, their sides touching and he was staring at his hands. Dustin looked slightly bemused, waiting for everything to settle in. Shane simply looked grim.
"I don't know dude." Dustin, ever the optimist, weakly tried to convince them all, himself included that this could turn out alright. "It could be nice getting thanks for everything we've done y'know?"
"We're not just going to be thanked." Shane replied tightly. "You know how all the press chased you when they thought you were going solo. It's only going to be worse now they know who we really are. Can you imagine the headlines – 'teenage super heroes'. We won't get a moment's peace."
"Hey, ease up man." Blake said from his position on the floor. "We're all freaking out here."
For a moment it looked as though the air ninja wanted to say something else, but Dustin's hurt face stopped him.
"I know." He turned to Dustin. "I'm sorry man, I'm just tense."
"No sweat bro." The two clasped forearms for a long moment, before falling into silence again.
Tori was the next one to speak, and when she did it was with a hard laugh that was so unlike her usual one that they all moved closer in worry for their friend.
"I'm okay." She waved off their concern, but not, Hunter noticed, Blake's hand on her shoulder. "It's just… at least we won't have to explain to our parents now. All those times we ran out on them… I guess they know why now." She shook her head. "Sorry, it's not really funny, but it just came to me."
"That's true." Hunter said. "You guys are going to have to explain everything to them."
Tori began to get to her feet.
"We should do that now. My mom must be going crazy."
"Rangers." They all scrambled to their feet, instinctively looking towards their mentor to help them fight through this new battle. "I am so sorry."
"What are we going to do Sensei?" Blake asked hesitantly. "What's going to happen next?"
"I fear it will be as Shane predicted." Their teacher sat in the super computer's chair, indicting that they should sit around the low table. Reluctantly they sank down onto their colour's cushion. "The secret is out. I can only imagine what will happen next, but you must all make decisions together on what you are to do. Although you are no longer Power Rangers, you are still a team and must act like one." He paused, looking each of them in the eye. "This won't be easy. My only counsel is this; be true to yourselves and the spirit of ninja. Tori, Dustin, Shane, your parents must be frantic with worry, you must see them first."
"One of us can come with each of you." Cam said, indicating himself and the Thunder Ninjas, who of course didn't have the same problem. "For moral support."
The Winds nodded, obviously grateful that they wouldn't have to do this without a friend. As expected Tori and Blake paired up, then Cam moved to Dustin's side, knowing that the earth ninja would need someone with a cool head to keep him focussed, and Hunter nodded at Shane.
As they began to leave, Tori turned back to Kanoi.
"How much should we tell them?" She asked quietly. The others, hearing her question also stopped, until Blake waved them on, waiting at the foot of the stairs.
"How ever much you feel is necessary." Was all Sensei could offer. Standing, he walked over to the water ninja, and took both her hands in his, reassuring her. "I trust you in this Tori. And remember, you are not alone."
Taking that as his cue, Blake came to her side, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"I'll be there."
She flashed a weak smile at him, taking one of her hands back from Sensei and resting it on top of his.
"Thanks."
"And hey," The younger thunder brother tried to lighten the mood, "If it gets to hairy we can streak out of any situation right?"
"That is true." Kanoi nodded. "I know we spoke of not using your ninja powers, but I think that extreme circumstances call for extreme measures, so you have my permission to use your powers when you feel they are needed."
The two blue ninjas bowed to Kanoi and then hurried up the stone steps to pass on the message to the others.
Kanoi sat back down heavily, watching them go with a heavy heart. He had no idea how to help his rangers when they needed that help most.
He sighed, standing and bowing towards a computer screen, on which he saw the six, all walking closely together, drawing strength from the others' presence, towards Tori's van.
"May the Power protect you."