An hour later, with the sun setting and a light yet refreshing rain falling, two aircraft land next to where the Five Scarves are resting wearing the Inhibitor Headbands, Tsubaki Moto and Kaede Himura securely bound with thick steel bands in a deep pit where their protective dome used to stand.
Hideyoshi Takenaka and Chika Ueno disembark from the first aircraft. "Greetings, Protectors," they bow in unison.
"Glad to see you're alive and well," Danny greets, bowing in return.
"I understand the battle didn't go quite to plan," Hideyoshi continues.
"Understatement of the year," Danny confirms. "Thankfully, everyone survived."
Danny leads Hideyoshi and Chika over to where the others are resting. Hanna and Rob are sleeping in each other's arms, and Maria is curled up and snoozing on top of Xander, who is also curled up and snoozing. Chika jogs over to Maria and Xander, and sits next to the lupine's head, gently stroking his hair.
"Glad you're safe," Xander murmurs contentedly.
"Likewise," Chika agrees. "Also, glad this whole sorry mess is over."
"Not as glad as me," Xander replies.
"I'm not mad, I'm sleepy," Maria mumbles.
"Then I'll keep quiet," Chika whispers.
Hideyoshi and Danny move off to one side. "Where are they?" Hideyoshi asks, referring to Tsubaki and Kaede.
Danny leads Hideyoshi to the pit. "Down there."
"The reason for the pit?" Hideyoshi inquires.
"They're infected with a strain of the Shade Virus that caused them to undergo severe mutations‑" Danny begins.
"Say no more," Hideyoshi interrupts. "We saw them run past the dojo earlier, followed by five creatures that I always thought existed only in legend."
"That was us," Danny admits. "We had to transform into the Elemental Spirits to defeat them."
"I can imagine," Hideyoshi accepts. "One benefit though: the site of those… beasts utterly destroyed the morale of the invaders, and they retreated completely. The Yamakasai general received an offer of truce soon after, signed by Senators Nishimura, Nakahara, and Maki. The general and Senator Kita accepted, which means the war is officially over."
"Thank the Ancients," Danny sighs in relief.
The sound of a throat being cleared causes Danny to turn around. "Hi," Sally greets.
Danny embraces Sally with a warm hug. "Thank the Ancients you're OK! Run into any trouble?"
"Neera turned me into an ice cube," Sally informs, returning the hug.
"She was in the bunker with us, as was General Gong," Hideyoshi explains.
"I guess she was uncompromising," Danny ventures.
"I'd barely stepped through the door, and she attacked me," Sally continues. "Thankfully, General Gong was far more reasonable."
"Having seen those beasts, I now understand why you needed the Crystals," Neera admits, she and General Gong joining the group by the pit, the priestess still in handcuffs. "This does not excuse your traitorous actions, however."
"Would the Magister have agreed to loan them if asked?" Danny inquires.
"Yes," Neera lies.
"Really?" Danny presses.
"…no," Neera reluctantly admits.
"We've agreed not to take you in," Gong reveals. "Of course, the Magister will want an explanation. How do you feel about being legally dead for a while?"
"If it keeps us out of gaol and off the executioner's block, I'm all for it," Danny agrees.
"Then we're all in agreement," Gong accepts. "Bear in mind though, that if you resume your regular activities, the Magister will eventually learn you're alive. So, I'll probably see you in the dungeon in about six months," he ends with a cheeky grin.
"Only six?" Danny jests.
"Don't push your luck," Neera warns. "Now, can someone take these handcuffs off?"
"Gong‑san has the key," Hideyoshi reminds.
"Which means I'll need to find some bolt cutters when we get back," Neera sighs.
"We have more pressing needs right now," Hideyoshi interrupts. "We need to organise the return of the Elemental Crystals and the Inhibitor Headbands to Shang Tu, and figure out how to hold Tsubaki and Kaede securely so they may never again threaten the future of the Gotoshi. Brock‑san, do you know if they're likely to mutate again?"
"I cannot say," Danny admits. "If they do however, you'll need an extremely strong prison to contain them."
"There's a facility being built in Parusa in the Southern Islands that may prove suitable," Gong informs. "It's intended that we'll move Aquila Kawaguchi there when it's completed, which should be within the next few months."
"That's a long time to wait," Hideyoshi concludes. "But it is less time than if we built the facility ourselves."
"Unless we use the Elemental Crystals," Sally suggests.
"I'm vetoing that idea on two grounds," Danny decides. "Firstly, there's no guarantee anything we build using them would last long enough: if the Crystal moves too far away, or if enough time passes, the construction could just disappear. And secondly, I never want to use those things again: they're too dangerous."
"Not even with the Headbands?" Sally asks.
"Not even with the Headbands," Danny confirms.
"Until the facility in Parusa in complete, we'll use this pit," Hideyoshi decides. "I'll let Senator Kita know what we intend to do, and oversee construction personally."
"Surely that should be a role for Senator Kita?" Danny asks.
"Tsubaki and Kaede are Grand Masters in the Jade Alliance, which makes them our responsibility," Hideyoshi informs. "That's why I brought a squad of my own," he adds, waving the squad of guards over. "They'll keep watch overnight, and in the morning, construction of the roof will start. But right now, I insist you all return to the dojo for a debrief and medical exam," he finishes, signalling to Chika that it's time to head back.
"We're all fit and well," Danny assures.
"I know," Hideyoshi assures. "I just want to be sure."
Chika notices Hideyoshi's signal. "We have to go back to the dojo now, sweetie," she whispers.
Xander lifts his head from under his tail, and yawns deeply. "Let me guess: debrief and medical."
"In one," Chika confirms.
"He needn't worry," Xander smiles. "Maria? Time to get back to the dojo."
"I already have a yoyo," Maria mumbles.
"Not 'yoyo', 'dojo'," Chika corrects.
Maria lazily opens her eyes. "I know," she admits. "I'm just being cute."
"What else is new?" Xander teases.
"Shush, you big silly," Maria giggles, playfully batting Xander's ear. She then jumps off Xander, lands on all fours, and stretches to loosen her limbs. Now fully alert, she jogs over to where Hanna and Rob are sleeping. "Wake up, sleepyheads!"
Rob is the first to wake. "What's up?" he yawns.
"We're going back to the dojo," Maria explains.
"Of course," Rob acknowledges. "Give us a moment?"
"OK." Maria jogs over to join the rest of the group.
"Yoshi's gonna lock me up," Hanna guesses. "Don't let him do that."
"He won't lock you up," Rob assures.
"He will," Hanna insists, opening her eyes. "Once he hears about Blaze Kitsune‑"
"You tried to kill me, yet here we are, resting in each other's arms," Rob comforts. "If I can forgive your actions as Blaze, Yoshi can too."
"I hope so." Hanna unwraps herself from Rob and gets to her feet. "Erm… Why are Neera and Gong here?"
"They must have come for Sally, Danny, and Maria," Rob concludes as he gets to his feet.
"Fuck that!" Hanna stalks over to the group, Rob following. "If you even think about arresting my friends, you'll have to answer to me!" she challenges Neera and Gong.
"How dare you address‑" Neera begins.
"Enough!" Gong declares; Neera falls silent. "Don't worry Hanna, we have no intention of arresting your friends. In fact, we've reached an agreement."
Hanna narrows her eyes in suspicion. "What sort of agreement?"
"We'll be considered legally dead," Danny explains.
"I didn't agree to that!" Maria protests.
"The alternative is to be imprisoned and possibly executed," Danny informs.
"Did I say I didn't agree to it?" Maria asks rhetorically. "I meant I totally agree."
"Wow, what a shit choice," Hanna comments dismissively.
"I'm just thankful we have a choice," Sally counters.
Hanna pauses a moment. "Fair enough. Let's get this shit done so I can go back to sleep."