Mid‑morning the following day, Hanna and Rob arrive outside the riverside house of Hanna's parents, parking their ATVs outside the garage.
"And why didn't you call me like you promised?" Kathy Skarlett asks teasingly, poking her head out the front door.
"Sorry, but I really wasn't able to spare the time," Hanna replies, dismounting and retrieving her suitcase from the luggage rack.
"At least you're back safe, and in one piece," Kathy smiles. "Come, I want to hear all about it," she requests, disappearing back into the house.
"Is it bad I'm scared to tell her I had to cut off my tail, and was paralysed from the waist down?" Hanna asks Rob quietly as they enter the house.
"Let's just say I'm glad you're here to tell the story," Rob replies.
Six hours later, and Hanna is almost at the story's end.
"…and the crate was thrown out of the ship. Then, the ship took off, leaving us trapped. Four hours later, Rob and Sally arrived and rescued us, then once we'd returned to Kasai‑dojo and informed Yoshi, we were flown home," Hanna finishes. "Have I missed anything out, babe?"
"No, you've covered pretty much everything," Rob confirms.
"Good," Hanna replies. "So, that's what happened in the Gotoshi."
For several moments, neither Mike nor Kathy say a word, their brains working overtime to comprehend the sheer volume of information recited.
"That was… wow," Mike eventually breathes. "It's quite a story."
"I can't believe how insane Tsubaki and Kaede are," Kathy thinks aloud. "I thought I was angry with Hideyoshi, but what he did to you was nothing compared to the shit those two bitches put you and your friends through, pardon my language."
"The important thing is, we're alive and well," Hanna reminds.
"Of course," Kathy agrees. "It's just… Words cannot describe how much I want to kill those two right now."
"They'll face justice, of that we can be sure," Rob assures.
Kathy takes a deep breath. "I should be setting a better example for my daughter," she admits.
"I had plenty of opportunity to kill them, yet I didn't," Hanna reminds.
"Only because I stopped you," Rob explains.
"Well… yeah," Hanna admits, hanging her head a little in shame.
"I think I'll be having some stern words with that Hideyoshi fellow," Kathy decides. "Also, a chat with Maria, to assure her I bear her no ill will."
"I would stop you, but I want to have a serious talk with Hideyoshi too," Mike agrees.
"You really don't have to," Hanna assures.
"Yes, we do," Mike corrects. "After all, you're our daughter and son‑in‑law."
Hanna can't help but blush in embarrassment. "Thanks."
"I want to talk about happier things now," Kathy decides. "Like your honeymoon, and these dresses you've bought."
"Shall I put one on now?" Hanna asks.
"Sure," Mike agrees.
"Back in a minute." Hanna heads to the guest bedroom to change, returning dressed in her backless midnight blue skater dress with matching high heels. "What do you think?" she asks, twirling to show off the whole ensemble.
"I remember when I used to have a figure as gorgeous as yours," Kathy sighs. "That dress looks perfect on you," she adds with a smile.
"She is your daughter after all," Mike reminds Kathy with a flirtatious smile. "Did you get any new outfits, Rob?"
Transfixed by Hanna's beauty, it takes Rob a moment to realise Mike's talking to him. "Huh? Oh, just a couple of formal shirts," he replies. "Sorry, was kinda distracted for a moment."
"Don't worry about it," Mike assures. "I was the same when I first married Kathy."
"Was?" Kathy asks teasingly.
"So, tell us about your honeymoon," Mike requests, electing not to respond to his wife's tease.
"It was beautiful," Hanna begins, taking her seat next to Rob. "Checking in was a bit of a chore, but it was worth it: the honeymoon suite was gorgeous, with a sea‑view balcony where we had dinner, then got‑ Anyway, the next day, we decided to do a bit of shopping…"
Midday in Mizutani, Chika Ueno and Xander Lykos stand amidst the rubble of the former dojo.
"I can't believe it's gone," Chika whispers, shedding silent tears.
"We'll rebuild it," Xander assures, holding Chika close to him in comfort.
"I know," Chika replies. "It's just… with the war over… it's only now hitting home just how much I've lost."
"I feel like I want to say something, but I don't know what to say," Xander admits.
"You don't have to say anything: just being here is enough for me."
For several minutes, the couple stand in silence, Chika weeping for her former dojo, Xander holding her close.
"Well, we have to start rebuilding at some point." Chika decides. "It may as well be now."
"Are you sure?" Xander asks.
"Yeah," Chika confirms, drying her eyes. "I know it's the wrong metaphor, but Mizu‑dojo will rise from the ashes, and be born again."
"I think it's a perfect metaphor," Xander opines.
Just outside Yamakasai, Hideyoshi Takenaka is overseeing construction of the roof that will contain Tsubaki Moto and Kaede Himura until the facility in Parusa is complete.
"Are you sure this will contain them?" Senator Jiro Kita asks.
"If they mutate again, I cannot guarantee it," Hideyoshi answers honestly.
"Good thing I approved a new military base here this morning then," Jiro informs. "To keep my city safe, you understand."
"I understand completely," Hideyoshi accepts.
"Understand I'm also holding you partially responsible for the damage inflicted upon my city," Jiro adds.
"You are right to do so," Hideyoshi agrees.
"Who's taking over the Kinzoku and Tsuchi dojos?" Jira asks.
"New leaders have not yet been selected, so command of the dojos has been handed over to the respective senators' chosen representatives until new leaders have been chosen," Hideyoshi informs.
"Will you be taking safeguards to prevent people like Tsubaki and Kaede taking control?"
"We'll do our best."
In the botanical gardens in Red Scarves HQ, Maria is wandering aimlessly amongst the flowers and foliage, simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings after the chaos of the last two weeks. After half an hour, her attention is diverted by the sight of a small rose bush that's slowly dying. Curious, she walks up to the bush, and starts to analyse it.
"We've tried everything, but it just won't recover," a groundskeeper explains, startling Maria and causing her to fall on her tail.
"What's wrong with it?" Maria asks, picking herself up and acting like she wasn't surprised.
"No idea, I'm afraid," the groundskeeper admits. "Luckily, whatever it is, it's only affecting this bush."
"Shame," Maria sighs. "Rose bushes are so pretty, even if they are a bit icky spiky."
"True," the groundskeeper agrees. "Anyway, if you'll excuse me, I have to get my tools."
Maria waits until the groundskeeper is out of sight, then crouches in front of the bush again. "Why do pretty things have to die?" she thinks aloud, reaching out to touch the bush. The moment her fingers touch it, she feels a brief unexpected energy surge that reminds her of the Wood Crystal. Startled, Maria falls backwards onto her tail. What on Avalice was that? Looking around, Maria is relieved to see no‑one saw her fall, so she turns her attention back to the sickly rose bush.
Except the rose bush isn't sickly anymore: it's healthy.
"A minute ago, you were dying," Maria asks the bush. "But now you're all better. Why? Is it because I touched you?" Curious, Maria touches the bush again: she feels the same surge of energy as flowers bloom across the bush.
Maria pulls her hand back in surprise, then stands and backs away from the bush. That shouldn't happen: I don't have the Wood Crystal. And yet… I need to speak to someone about this. But who?
Maria's ears prick as she hears the groundskeeper returning, fleeing before he appears.
The groundskeeper stops in front of the rose bush, and sees it's now not just healthy, it's thriving. "What on Avalice?" he asks himself. "Well, at least I won't have to remove it now. I wonder if that girl did something…"
Elsewhere on Avalice, Brevon is once again sat in the cockpit of the Absolution, reviewing the security footage of the two incursions into his ship. "Have we got identification on these creatures?"
++Kaede Himura you already know,++ Syntax informs. ++The others however appear to be known locally as three of the five Elemental Protectors.++
"Their scarves though, they look familiar." Brevon pauses to think a moment. "That prince's brother, he wore a scarf like theirs, as did that foolish dragon's feline friend."
++Just a moment.++ Syntax pauses briefly. ++Their neckwear is the symbolic garment of a guild of ninja assassins known as the Red Scarves, the guild that stole the Kingdom Stone for us.++
"Interesting. Find out everything you can about them: I want to be prepared."