You could almost hear the entire academy fast asleep. It would be a few hours before the early birds would begin to stir. Billy lay wide awake on his bed staring at the plain white ceiling. The moonlight made patterns on the walls as it passed through the blinds. After a few more minutes he gave up on the sleep and headed up to the main floor of Ninja Ops.
"Cam what are you doing up so late?" asked Billy as he entered the young man's workspace.
The screens were filled with scrolling text as the computer scanned each individual word separately. Billy stood there as he watched the screens trying to figure out what Cam was up to.
"I've been wracking my brain on why there is no mention of the Ninjetti in any of the scrolls. I swear I read about them somewhere in here before," said Cam as he continued to sift through the files on his computer.
"Well why don't we change the parameters of our search. Instead of the actual word Ninjetti we look for Spirit Animals and cross-reference that with ninja training," said Billy as he moved closer to the computer and changed Cam's search requests.
The screens began to change the way they were searching. Suddenly it began to highlight new scrolls that fit the search criteria. Images of animals and ninjas fighting filled a few new screens.
"Damn, why didn't I think of that. It was so simple," said Cam as he watched the images on the screen.
By the time the search was done there were more than a hundred scrolls with at least a mention of spirit animals and Ninjetti. Cam took the liberty to transfer all the files over to a portable device as he himself began to read them.
Billy made his way down the hallway to where Robert was sleeping, as he slid the door open he noticed that the room was empty. He quickly made sure that there wasn't any forced entry or other reason for him to be gone. Billy then ran passed Cam as he made his way through the open filed in front of the castle.
The moon was finally setting and the small glimpse of moonlight still illuminated the top of the trees. There in the center of the open field stood a motionless Robert. He appeared to be staring at the setting moon. Billy tried a nudge Robert but he got no response.
"Robert, what are you staring at?" asked Billy concerned.
"Can't you hear it?" said Robert without taking his eyes off the moon.
"Hear what?" asked Billy as he tried to understand what Robert was talking about.
"The howling wolf," said Robert.
That's when a piercing howl ripped through Billy's ears. The howl was mixed with emotions. It sounded hurt, angry, scared and bitter. It filled every part of their bodies. As the moon slipped past the horizon the howling fell silent.
"What was that?" asked Robert as he finally regained control.
"I don't know, but I need to find out. I am heading to the mountain top to meditate," said Billy as he began to move away from Robert.
"I'll come with you," said Robert.
"No," said Billy forcefully. "I mean, I need you to continue your training here. There are some reading materials in your room that I would like for you to have finished by the time I return. Don't follow me."
Billy then streaked away into the thick forest, leaving behind a dark blue wave of energy in his wake. Robert looked back at the castle and then to the hidden door to Ninja Ops, with a single motion he streaked right behind Billy in a purple blaze.
As Billy neared the top of the mountain he could make out the boundaries of the academy. A thin curtain like structure of white light surrounded the school and separated it from the rest of the world. He made his way to an open space near the edge of the peak. There he sat down and began to meditate. Robert wasn't too far behind. He watched from a distance as Billy readied the space for his meditation. He could see the blue wolf known as Rogan appear out of thin air. For a second Robert thought that Rogan had spotted him, but quickly dismissed it as he saw the wolf lay next to Billy.
The aura around Billy and Rogan began to expand and envelop their surroundings. Everything it touched appeared to almost stand still in the pitch black night. Even the night animals fell silent. Robert stood a few feet away from the aura. He debated if he should cross it's threshold and enter Billy's meditative state. He had done it before, but now it would be without his permission. Something inside of him however urged him to know where the wolf howl was coming from. It urged him to join Billy's meditation. Without another thought he cross the barrier and stood frozen in place.
His mind felt as if it was forcefully being pulled from his body. Everything around him appeared warped, as if the air itself was on fire, rippling in and out of existence. This was not the same place he had been before. There were no stars in the sky. The place resembled the mountain top, except it was all in shades of blue. Robert attempted to fight through the shearing pain his mind was feeling as he continued to move closer to Billy. He contemplated calling on Geki's assistance, but knew that any more effort on his part would be easily detected by his Master.
Robert stopped a few feet away and hid behind a fallen tree. There he was close enough to hear Billy's conversation but still out of sight of anyone around. Suddenly the shade of colors around him began to change. A new yellow hue began to permeate the blue. Robert looked over the log and saw the magnificent yellow wolf known as Verick enter. As the wolf broke through the blue energy a woman followed quickly behind. Her olive skin and brown hair shimmered in the dancing blue and yellow lights. Verick then encircled her slowly as if protecting her from the blue energy that surrounded them.
"It's been a while Maya," said Billy as he rose to great her with a bow. Maya returned the bow and began to pat Verick's head. She smiled as Verick pushed her head up to meet Maya's hand.
"I'm guessing you sensed it too," said Maya as her demeanor changed.
"Actually it was Robert who sensed it before I did," said Billy as he moved around the mountain top."I wouldn't have called upon you if I didn't think it was important."
"I know," said Maya. Do you think it can be another one of us?"
"I'm beginning to question my abilities. It was so much easier to sense you across galaxies, than it was to sense Robert. Whom I should add was on the other side of a door," said Billy frustrated. Rogan stirred from his slumber and trotted to Billy's side.
"Maybe he was hidden from you for a reason. When you sensed me I instantly sensed you because I was already empathic to the thoughts of Verick. It was easy for me to reach across space to commune with you. Just like we're doing now. Robert doesn't sound like he even knew he carried a wolf spirit within him," said Maya as she attempted to comfort him.
"That might play a role in his exclusion of my senses, but this new person, it doesn't make sense that I was the only one out of the three of us that did not hear it," said Billy frustrated.
Rogan again attempted to catch up with his master. Each time being ignored.
"Billy, when was the last time you and Rogan were one?" asked Maya as she noticed the blue wolf being ignored.
"I don't know. Since I've taken Robert as a student it has become difficult to find the time to meld with Rogan. I have to constantly make sure he doesn't over extend himself. If a power like Geki should ever be unleashed I worry what kind of monster he would become," said Billy quietly.
Maya understood the dangers of having a wolf as a spirit animal. She had heard stories from Verick of other wolf spirits who had strayed away from the light. Of how easily it was to hunt in the shadows of the moon. The temptations to forgo the call of protection and instead take up the mantel of destruction. The wolf spirit was strong in that sense, when it was right it was virtuous, but when it felt betrayed it was vengeful. Maintaining a balance between the two was the work of the person the wolf spirit had chosen.
"Billy you can't help Robert if you allow yourself to be pulled in so many directions. Meld with Rogan, find your balance, and then things will fall into place. I'll continue with Verick to see what else we can discover about our new friend," said Maya as she stopped petting Verick.
"Thank you Maya, I'll try that," said Billy as he bowed his head to her.
"Alright, I'll talk to you again if I hear anything," she said as she bent down and whispered something into Verick's ear. Then quickly the yellow wolf dashed into the blue aura around them and made a hole where Maya could walk through. "Oh, one more thing. It was nice to meet you Robert!" she yelled at the log.
Robert stood there stunned. How did she know he was there? He hadn't done anything to give himself away except breathe. He quickly stood up and bowed to her, while avoiding Billy's vengeful gaze. Maya nodded back in recognition and stepped through the hole behind Verick. Robert again began to feel weak. The edges of his vision became fuzzy as things appeared to go in and out of focus.
"Summon Geki! You won't survive in here much longer without him!" yelled Billy as he and Rogan rushed to his side.
With a small exhale of breath Robert relaxed and his body went limp. As he fell to the ground he could feel an intense heat erupting from his body. Suddenly Geki took form beneath him and broke his fall. The purple aura wrapper him in a cocoon of energy. Billy released the aura around them and clear sunlight filled the mountain top once more. Rogan vanished thereafter and Geki soon followed.
Robert regained his consciousness a few minutes later. He looked around to find his surroundings appearing normal.
"What do you think you were doing?" asked Billy angrily.
"I needed to know where that howling came from. It seemed that you knew more than you were telling me," said Robert as he caught his breath.
"Don't you think I did that for a reason. You need to learn how to follow orders. How am I supposed to train you if you can't follow simple instructions Robert?" asked Billy as he checked his students heartbeat and temperature. "How did you even get through without Geki's help?"
"I don't know. I guessed I willed my way through," said Robert. "Is it true you think I can become a monster if I don't learn to control my wolf spirit?"
Billy hesitated for a moment. Robert wasn't supposed to have heard that. He was supposed to be prepared before the real training began.
"It's not just you Robert. That fear comes with anyone who takes on a wolf spirit. The volatile-ness of their personality forces us to be constantly vigilant. If we allow ourselves to slip in any way we could lose control and hurt someone we love" said Billy quietly. "Alright let's get you back down to Ninja Ops. I'm sure Cam's found out more since I left."
Billy extended his hand and helped Robert down the mountainside.
"Wait you're saying that Cam actually found what you were looking for?" asked Robert as he leaned on to Billy for support.
"Yeah, so on top of your training, you'll now have reading homework," said Billy with a smile.
By the time they reached the Academy the students were already in the middle of their morning training sessions. Robert had recovered enough to walk on his own. As they crossed the open field they were met by Sensei Watanabe. Billy whispered to Robert to continue walking and rest in Ninja Ops.
"Sensei Cranston, I heard from Cameron this morning that you and Robert left to train on the mountain top. I hope you found it peaceful," asked the sensei.
"Of course Sensei, actually I have a favor to ask of you," began Billy as he looked around him to make sure no one over heard them.
"I need time to meditate and commune with my animal spirit, I was wondering if you could take Robert under your study in my absence. I am sure he can learn a great deal from you as I did," said Billy as he bowed.
"Will you be gone long?" asked Sensei Watanabe.
"No, just a few days. I must be at full strength if I am to complete Robert's training," said Billy as he watched Robert slip into the secret door.
"Of course Billy, but I must warn you, I will not train him any less rigorously than I trained you," said Sensei Watanabe.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," said Billy with a smile.
Billy found Robert in the training room sparing against Cam's new holographic projections. He stopped the program as Robert vaulted off the ground, which caused him to collide with a wall. The laugh that emanated from Billy was almost inhuman.
"Sorry, I didn't mean for that to happen," said Billy as he helped Robert off the floor. "I'm leaving for a few days."
"What!" yelled Robert as he stood straight up. "Is this because I disobeyed your orders? I promise not to do it again. Please don't give up on me." All Robert could do was just stare at the floor.
"It's not because you disobeyed, well maybe it is. I just know that if I'm to be your master I must be the strongest I've ever been. You deserve nothing less, and for me to do that I have to find a new balance. I need to make sure that when the time comes for you to take the next step I'll be ready," said Billy as he grabbed Robert's shoulder and forced him to look up. "Plus I'm not leaving you to train yourself. I've asked Sensei Watanabe to continue in my absence."
There was just a hint of fear in Robert's eyes. "But you specifically told me never to talk to Sensei," said Robert.
"I know, but we have no other choice, and I don't want you to regress in your training. Sensei trained me when I arrived here a few years ago. If you just follow his order and don't give him any reason to punish you, you'll be fine," said Billy with a smile. "Come on show him that a Pai Zhuq student is just as strong, or even better than his ninjas."