Looking around the expansive workshop, Daniel couldn't help but feel a little nervous. He could see ray guns, a hoverbike, bits of iconic armor, and even a set of limited edition Topps Trading cards in a glass case, signed by all four members of the Protectorate Elite. He went over to examine them, noting they were all graded by VGA as Mint 10s. That had to be insanely rare.

"I see you went straight for the good stuff, Longshoreman!"

Jumping slightly, Daniel stood up and grinned sheepishly at Hero. "Uh, yeah, I used to collect cards myself when I was a kid. I had a Garman/Cooper/Fisk triple card that was mint, along with some other stuff."

"Oh? Your mom threw yours out too?" Hero laughed, coming over to admire his own card.

"Uh, no, actually. Sold 'em to pay for my honeymoon," Daniel admitted.

"Ha! Well, I bet that was worth it. I've seen the pictures of your wife and daughter. Cute kid, she's what, five?"

"As of this June," Daniel confirmed, smiling and pulling out his wallet. He showed Hero a picture of Taylor before he even realized what he was doing. "She's my baby girl. I do all this for her, you know?"

"Not a family man myself," Hero admitted, grinning ruefully. "I was sort of out of the dating scene when I was younger, and now, well…"

"Yeah," Daniel said, feeling a lump in his throat, and fingering the mask he had around his neck. He wasn't wearing it now, not in Hero's very own workshop at the PRT New York headquarters, but, well…

"The good news is, most people play by the rules. There's some who don't, but, well, if that happens…you let us know, OK?" Hero said, sounding serious. He took off his own mask, causing Daniel to blink. The greatest Tinker in the world extended his hand. "And when we're here, call me Wyatt. Mind if I call you Danny?"

"Uh, no, not at all," Daniel said, smiling and taking the hand. Hero didn't try to crush Daniel's hand, and he made sure not to crush Hero's. He'd screwed up a few times, and why he could usually control how much juice he pumped, he definitely had made a few mistakes.

"So, to business then," Hero said, turning to a very organized workbench. There were a few contraptions that looked like a motor and some sensors there, and he gestured to them. "Would you do the honors? Your device first. I want to see if it's tinkertech myself."

"All the other tests say it isn't, and honest to God I didn't make it myself. It just showed up one day," Daniel said, taking out his Vision and placing it on the perfectly designed holder.

"Hmm. Interesting," Hero mused, taking out a PDA of some sort and tapping on it. "There's energy in there, but…I can't really tap it. Or do much other than say it holds a faint charge."

"Here, I can pump something into it," Daniel said, taking the Vision back and putting a hand on the device. He channeled a bit of power, and purple sparks flew as the machine hummed to life.

"Yeah, that does it. Keep it up for a bit, don't go too hard. I'll take you over to the rig over there to see how much you can really do," Hero said, nodding over to what looked like a glass box with two copper poles to act as an anode and a cathode.

"No problem, I can do this for a while, though it does make me hungry and sore if I go too long," Daniel said.

"Interesting. So, Colin tells me you started heroing about nine months ago?" Hero said, making polite conversation as he continued the test.

"You mean Armsmaster? Yeah, I triggered back in November of last year when Oni Lee, small time villain in Brockton Bay, came and interrupted a Union Meeting. We, uh, we'd been smuggling some drugs to make ends meet…I wasn't directly involved, but, well, I knew and I turned a blind eye. With the way things were when Leviathan was around…guys needed to feed their families, you know?"

"You're the Longshoremen, right? Don't worry, I don't judge. You came clean and you joined the side of the angels, that's what counts," Hero told him. "Can you increase the output just a bit, then lower it? I want to see some spikes."

Daniel complied, grunting slightly as he did so, sweat forming on his brow.

"You can do quite a bit more than just make lightning, right? You've got quite the gamut of powers from what I've heard," Hero observed.

"Well, I'm no Eidolon, and I'm still figuring things out, but yeah I guess? I can shock people of course, I usually use a lance that Armsmaster made for me to channel the juice. I figured out how to use it to make myself stronger, faster, and even teleport short distances. Not very far, really, just a few feet and I have to be able to see where I'm going, but I can get through a chainlink fence or something."

"And you can heal too, right?" Hero asked. "Sounds handy."

"Yeah, it hurts like hell though whether I do it to myself or others, but it beats dying I guess."

"I heard you had an incident with a Master who could control plants too. From the sound of it, it was pretty funny," Hero chuckled. "Come on, let's put you in the cage and see what you can really do."

"Yeah, uh, I didn't realize it, but when my electricity touches plants, instead of just frying, they go wild. Like I'm feeding them turbo-Miracle Gro or something," Daniel said, stepping towards the cage. "There was a bit of an accident, and Fly Trap was killed by his own-"

An alarm went off, and Hero looked up, snapping his visor into place. A moment later, a man materialized out of nowhere, and Daniel swore and jumped back before he recognized him. Eidolon. The most powerful cape in the world. Or, well, he had been until Raiden showed up. Now it was debatable, even if Daniel liked to root for the home team.

"We've got a Class S threat just north of Boston. Legend's on the scene already, but he's calling for backup. Alexandria's on her way, but I think we should go as well. It sounds bad. Brute who's already killed three capes and a few dozen police and civilians."

"North of Boston?" Daniel said, stepping forward, a sense of horror filling his stomach. "Not in Brockton?"

"It's south of Brockton," Eidolon answered, glancing at Daniel. "Longshoreman, right? You're still a greenhorn. This might be too much for you."

"Ah, he's fought a few pretty serious threats, been cleaning up Brockton with Colin. I was just about to test him, see what he can really do," Hero laughed. He turned to Daniel. "How about it? Want to skip the lab and go right to a field test?"

"That's my backyard," Daniel said firmly. "No way in hell I'm letting an S Class threat near my home. The Union's just finished rebuilding, and that's where my family is."

Eidolon shrugged. "I'm not going to say no, but this is dangerous."

"Cut the crap, I knew that when I put on the mask," Daniel snapped. His uniform wasn't too gaudy: He was dressed like, well, a Longshoreman, wearing blue overalls, sturdy work boots, gloves, and a long sleeve shirt. His mask was basically the hood of a jacket pulled down and with eyeholes, but it worked. He was still a Longshoreman. Even had lifetime honorary membership in the ILA.

"Fair enough," Eidolon agreed. "Just don't get in the way, and try not to get yourself killed."

"He's always so nice," Hero said in a stage whisper. "Real people person."

"So's Armsmaster," Daniel said wryly. "It's easy to see why they're both so popular."

"If you two are done making jokes, people are dying. Grab your gear, I can take two with me while I'm using this power," Eidolon ordered.

"Ready to go," Hero said, grabbing a raygun and a pack of tools and devices. Daniel nodded, picking up his lance, and Eidolon put a hand on their shoulders.

A moment later, Daniel's ears popped, and he appeared in the middle of what looked and smelled like a warzone. Smoke from burning cars and buildings filled the air, the sound of explosions and violent crashes could be heard nearby, and the screams of the wounded.

"Shit!" Daniel ran towards a cop who'd had one arm ripped off and half his guts torn out. He stuffed as much of the organs back in as he could as the man screamed bloody murder, then put a hand on the cops sternum. "Sorry pal, this'll hurt, but not as much as you do already probably."

He drew upon his Vision, and lightning arced and crackled as the main howled in renewed pain. When he was done, the cop had passed out, but a finger to his jugular showed he had a steady pulse.

"He'll live," Daniel said, standing. Eidolon was gone, but Hero had crouched next to a wounded woman in a green leotard that had a leg ripped off, and was spraying some kind of gel on her wound.

"That was fast work. You OK, Leapfrog?"

"I am now," the other cape said, gritting her teeth. "Thanks. Glad you guys showed up. I don't know who that crazy naked bitch is, but she went through me like it was nothing. I can normally get out of the way, but she was fast. Too fast."

Daniel looked towards the sound of fighting and shook his head. "Whatever that thing is, it's still going with Eidolon and Legend tangling with it."

"Let's keep moving, in a situation like this I try to provide support," Hero said. "I've got a few tricks that can help against a Brute though. Come on."

They moved forward at a jog, Daniel with his lance at the ready, Hero with his raygun drawn. Daniel was pretty sure he'd seen Hero dissolve steel with that thing on the news, so he had a healthy respect for it. They'd just rounded a corner when a wall not too far from them exploded, and two forms blasted through. One was a large woman, her entire body stripped head to foot in black and white. She was also buck naked, and laughing hysterically as she pounded her opponent, who was pinned down and struggling as she was savaged by the naked monster.

When Daniel saw who was on the receiving end of the beating, his blood ran cold. Alexandria's visor had been ripped away, and her face was bloodied, her nose looked broken and there was a gash on her forehead. Daniel hadn't realized that was even possible. She was punching furiously at her opponent, but for the effect she was having, she might as well have been a kindergartener slapping at a tiger.

The monster laughed, a mad, high sound, completely inhuman. She leaned down as if to bite Alexandria, and Daniel reacted without thinking.

"HEY, YOU!" he cried, which sounded lame even to his ears. Then he pointed his lance at the black and white woman and channeled every bit of power he could through it. A purple bolt of lightning snapped out and crashed into her. It didn't seem to do much other than make the creature's long black and white hair puff out, but it did get her attention.

"ALEXANDRIA!" Hero cried, and fired with his raygun, even as he took off into the air. His shot took the striped woman right in the solar plexus, but to no effect whatsoever.

"RARRGH!" the woman leaped right for Daniel, and with a cry he turned into a bolt of lighting for a heart beat, teleporting past the woman to Alexandria's side, even as Legend and Eidolon appeared and rained down earth shattering laser beams and fireballs from above.

Keeping an eye on the woman as she picked up several cars and threw them at her attackers, Daniel knelt by Alexandria. "This is gonna smart."

"Do it," she hissed at him, baring her teeth in a bloody rictus of a grin.

Feeling a bit worn out, Daniel put all the juice he could into the healing, and Alexandria grunted, getting back to her feet, her nose set in a fashion that didn't look quite right.

"Thanks. Stay back. She's tough." Then Alexandria hurtled forward like a linebacker shot out of a cannon, slamming into the other woman and piledriving her through a bus and into a building behind them, collapsing the structure on top of them.

"Holy shit," Daniel gasped, grunting and using his lance to stand up. This was way, way outside of the level of brawls he'd been in. Sure, fighting Oni Lee was hard, with the two of them teleporting around and having to fight off the clones, but the damage they inflicted in their fights was never like this. Even when he'd fought Fly Trap the worst thing had been the villain strangling himself in the jewelry store they'd been in as Daniel was pushed through a window by exploding vines.

This was definitely beyond his power level, but he wasn't going to throw in the towel yet. His healing Alexandria could have turned the tide here, and if he could give the PRT Elite just a slight edge…

He circled around, watching as Hero hovered in the air. He'd taken out some sort of grenade launcher, and seemed to be looking for an opening. He was keeping his distance though, he clearly had a healthy respect for the danger that monster represented.

Suddenly, Alexandria went flying out the side of the building and careened off the wall of another, landing with a thud on a roof. The black and white monster exploded out of the rubble, flying in an arch towards Hero, her wild mane streaming behind her, arms raised to strike, a gleeful expression on her face. Eidolon and Legend were out of position to cover Hero, and even as he fired his grenade launcher, Daniel knew it wouldn't be enough.

He teleported in front of Hero, leveling his lance just in time. The woman impacted on the lance, and Daniel flew backwards into Hero, knocking the other man aside as he and the madwoman fell from the sky. He hit the ground hard, but he put everything he had into a blast, hoping to knock the creature off of himself. She shuddered a bit, but wasn't moved. She snapped Daniel's lance in half, and then a bloody hand descended towards Daniel's face.

Annette, Taylor I love you!

Throwing open the door, Kenta burst into the room, scattering several empty cans of soda. "Ei! Endbringer attack! Behemoth just attacked Mexico, the city of Guadalajara!"

The Shogun looked up from what she was doing, which for once was not playing video games or reading light novels. Instead, she was…was that a human body? Kenta shook his head, no time. "I've prepped the sentai to mobilize, we'll take our strongest. I've got the Five Stars, myself, and-"

"Does Behemoth threaten Japan?" Raiden inquired, not looking up from her manipulation of electricity, almost like she was sewing lightning into this body.

Kenta paused. "Well…no. Not during this attack, at least."

"Then there is no need to muster our forces. The reports you have given me say that there are several months between attacks. This is the first since my arrival in Japan, is it not? And another should not be for five months."

"Yes, but…don't you want to fight it?" Kenta asked, feeling puzzled. "It's what the PRT does."

"Do we have a treaty with Mexico? I do not recall signing one. Is it a tributary state?" Raiden asked, and closed the top of the skull on her project, turning her attention to Kenta.

"No, we have a trade agreement with them, but they don't send us tribute," Kenta said, frowning.

"Then let Mexico's own gods defend it. Or, failing that, let their own capes fight. To call themselves a nation, they must be able to weather the storms of the world and stand upon their own two feet," Raiden said with a shrug, turning back to her project.

"Don't you care, though? You're…you're the only god on the planet, as far as I know," Kenta asked, feeling puzzled.

"Perhaps. But I have seen the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles. It would be unwise to risk the Wrath of Heaven by interfering in foreign lands. Besides, I am the god of Japan. Not Mexico."

"You've mentioned that before, but…isn't Scion, you know, benevolent?" Kenta asked, confused.

"Hmm." Raiden twitched a finger, and the door closed. She conjured up a violet shield around her project, and motioned to the floor. "Sit, Kenta. There is something I would speak with you about."

Slowly, Kenta sat. "So, we're not going to Mexico."

"No," Raiden said. "I cannot leave these lands, save in the direst of circumstances. That is what the Shogun shall be for."

"Aren't you the Shogun?" Kenta asked, now very confused.

"Yes, I am. But the Shogun is my…double? A robot. Yes. A robot, to extend my will. I have studied much, and it seems I will be expected to travel abroad for conferences and speeches. This is unacceptable. I cannot leave Japan."

"Can't, or…won't? Is this something about you being a god?" Kenta asked.

Raiden considered this for a few moments. "There is a connection between Archon and land. To be upon foreign soil is to sever this bond, however temporarily. I could not hear the prayers of my people, nor maintain certain protections I have created. The Shogun shall be my vessel to the outside world. To all appearances, she shall be me, in form and power. But only a double. She shall be my kagemusha, the third of my creations. The first two were defective. I shall remedy this."

"So…you're making a robot double to do your work so you can spend more time playing video games," Kenta asked, deadpan, frowning at the stacks of manga, more empty soda bottles, and leftovers from convenience store meals. While Ei could get the kitchen to prepare whatever she wanted, she mostly sent for instant noodles, fried chicken, and endless varieties of sweets.

"No. Not as such," Raiden said, coloring faintly in the way Kenta had learned meant she wasn't lying exactly, but she wasn't telling the whole truth either. "I shall still attend to my duties in Japan. But in most ways, the Shogun shall be my hand and voice."

"I thought that was me," Kenta said, trying not to sound as hurt as he was.

"Do not fear: the Shogun shall not supplant you, Mushu. Your role will be the same. But when I need a servant to travel abroad, or to perform certain tasks, I shall have the Shogun carry them out."

"Won't people notice you're a robot?" Kenta demanded. "That could be a problem."

"It is of no consequence. Few foreigners have met me, and those that have lack perception," Raiden said with a flick of her fingers. "Besides, she shall have a heart that beats, and blood that pumps. Enough to fool most of the machines that are made these days."

"If you say so. And what about Scion? Why do you call him the 'Sustainer?'" Kenta demanded.

Raiden hesitated, looking off into the distance, her gaze unfocused for several long seconds. "Habit, I suppose. He is not like the guardian of Celestia. But he is…not a god. Not a man. He is a parasite."

"A parasite? I think he earns his keep, if he took any, helping out around the world," Kenta said, frowning. "I was going to ask why he doesn't visit Japan anymore. His visits were infrequent, sure, but he did come by and help with disasters and such."

"I am grateful he has not," Raiden said, shivering, and Kenta began to worry. Raiden wasn't afraid of anything. Not powerful capes, not militaries, not Endbringers. But she was clearly afraid of Scion.

"Why? You say he's a parasite, what do you mean?" Kenta asked.

"He…feeds. Upon this world. And…upon you." Raiden reached out, touching Kenta on the head. "Here. I have reduced his influence upon you, put my mark where his was to make you my own. But the thing he has planted within you…it grows. Feeds. Upon your soul."

"What!? Well, get it off! Or, wait…does it give me my powers?"

"Yes. They are like the visions of Celestia, in some ways. They grant you mortals great powers, and come upon you in times of great duress. But they are…different. Warped. Twisted. There are different kinds, I have not fully worked out what. But…they are a threat. To Japan. To my people. And I will puzzle out a way to stop them. This is something you discuss nowhere else, with no one else. Here, in the Plane of Euthymia, I can hide us. But upon the mortal plane, it is not so easy."

"We're…in a different realm?" Kenta asked, looking around. It looked like Raiden's workshop, but…the shadows stretched too far. Shapes lurked in the distance. Holy hell. He was in a different dimension.

"Yes. I keep my workshop here. You and Ami are allowed to enter through the gateway I placed upon the threshold. No others."

No wonder no one could find Raiden when she was working, aside from him and Ami.

"So…Scion's a bad guy then," Kenta said slowly. "Why don't you fight him?"

"Because I would be destroyed. Utterly."

Kenta gasped, and real fear stabbed his heart. "You? Impossible! You killed Leviathan! You…you can do anything!"

"The demon beasts are connected to the Sustainer somehow. I am uncertain as to exactly how, but their essence is similar. But they are as gnats before a mighty dragon compared to him. While I am strong, I have seen what happens to those that fight Celestia directly. They are destroyed. Utterly. For now, the Sustainer respects my borders, and for that, I am grateful. I will do nought to draw his attention."

"Including going out and killing more Endbringers," Kenta reasoned. He frowned. "What do I tell the Sentai?"

"That they are the guardians of Japan. And no other land. We see to the security and safety of our realm and people. And no others."

"There are probably Japanese citizens in Guadalajara. They could be hurt, killed."

"A risk they took when they left my realm. My people are free to leave to do commerce in other lands, or even depart my realm. But in doing so, they leave the shelter of my storm. I will defend these islands with my blade and soul. For other realms, I shall lift not a finger."

"Us against the world," Kenta mused. He grinned viciously. "I like those odds."

He stood, eyeing the opaque barrier that surrounded the body of the Shogun. "What about her? Is she going to fight Scion?"

Raiden hesitated, standing and walking over to the table. She laid a hand on the shield, running it down the length slowly. "Perhaps. Should the darkest of days come. Pray that it does not."

Kenta stood slowly, nodding. "Right. Well, I guess that makes a kind of sense."

"Do you regret not flying to the aid of these outlanders?" Raiden asked, looking Kenta dead in the eyes.

He met her gaze unflinchingly. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't itching for a fight. But what you said makes sense enough. We see to our own. I'm still your man, Ei. To the end."

"Good."

Kenta turned to go, but when he reached the door, Kenta called to him. "Do you find Keiga attractive?"

Kenta paused, slowly turning on his heel. Was this some sort of trap? Was Raiden jealous? "She is…pretty. Why?"

"You are young, and male. Ami tells me Keiga finds you suitable as a mate. You should take her to bed, or wed her if that is your preference."

"Uh, Ei, I, er…you know, you're my number one…" Kenta stammered, completely flummoxed by this. He did have the hots for Raiden, though he had to admit that Keiga, or rather, Seina Sugimoto, was a pretty woman a couple years younger than he was. Nothing compared to Raiden, of course.

"Naturally. I am your god, and you are my familiar. But one of your duties as a noble lord is to sire heirs, those who will one day carry on your duties, to Japan, and as my familiar. You are young yet, but you should set about acquiring a mate. I am not well versed in courting rituals of any land, but if you require instruction, I am certain we could find a tutor for you."

"Wait, so you…" Kenta blinked, fighting back tears and frustration.

Sighing, Raiden crossed the space between them, and put a hand on his cheek. "Kenta. I am a god. Gods do not take lovers. Nor do we procreate as mortals do. I would not deny you a woman to meet your needs. I am not jealous in that way. You must have no other gods before me. But I expect to share your heart with others. Your bed, however, I will never share."

Then Raiden stepped back, frowning. "I think that is what Makoto would say to young men. I had the speech memorized at one time. Tell me, do you feel adequately rebuffed, but not insulted?"

"I…yes?" Kenta managed.

"Good. Go, attend to your duties, I have work to do. If the Behemoth visits Japan, I shall slay it."

"Yes, your Excellency," Kenta said, and bowed. He left feeling incredibly frustrated on multiple levels, as well as very confused. He wasn't really watching where he was going, and bumped into someone not far from the Shogun's door.

"Oh! Kenta! I was just looking for you! Where were you?" Keiga asked, smiling up at him. "Will the shogun accompany us to Mexico to slay another Endbringer?"

"No," Kenta said, looking down at Kaiga. She was cute. Really cute. And he hadn't gotten laid in…he didn't even remember. Before Raiden came, that was for sure.

"Oh? Why are you smiling then?" Kaiga asked, frowning. "Will we face an Endbringer on our own?"

"Oh, you're just cute, that's all," Kenta said with a shrug. To his delight, Keiga's face went beet red.

"I, t-thank you, but…this is not the time! Do we not go to battle?"

"No, we don't. I was coming to tell you and the others we're standing down. Raiden is the god of Japan. Not Mexico. If Behemoth comes here, she'll do the same thing to him she did to Leviathan. But she's not picking fights in other countries."

"Oh. I…see…" Kaiga frowned, looking up at Kenta and studying his face. "You're sure?"

"From her lips to your ears. Those are the words of the Narukami Oshogo," Kenta said seriously. Then, he did something he hadn't done since before he dropped out of high school. He felt kinda stupid for doing it, but he'd been watching a lot of anime with Raiden.

He did the kabedon, slamming the wall above Kaiga's head. She wasn't short by Japanese standards, but compared to Kenta she was tiny. He grinned down at her, while she looked up at him, blushing and flustered. "Hey, since we're off work early, how about we go out for drinks?"

"Well, um, I don't know that an Endbringer attack is something to celebrate, but, um…" Keiga grinned, and put a hand on Kenta's chest. "I had been hoping you'd ask. And, well, if her Excellency says to stand down…who am I to argue?"

Kenta grinned like an idiot. Maybe there were better things than fighting.

Murasaki-san

For Ami, school had always been fun. Sure, you had to work and learn and sometimes it was tough, especially learning all the characters of the various writing systems of Japan and what they all meant, but she was good at math and she could read pretty good in hiragana now. But what really made school fun was hanging out with all her friends and getting to play with them on the playground.

When she'd finally gone back to school in April, she'd thought things would be like they would have always been. She still missed her original mommy and daddy, but she had a new mom now, and Uncle Mushu did OK when Ami needed a dad, even if he wasn't as good at math as her old one.

Now, though…Ami looked around the lunchroom, and sighed heavily. She knew that the janitor mopping the floor was actually a low ranking sentai, as were two of the lunch ladies, and that her homeroom teacher was really an intelligence officer with decades of combat training and a gun in a shoulder holster. There was no one at her lunch table but her and Murasaki, who was a good friend, but also not the same thing as an actual friend.

"What do you think, Murasaki. Am I weird? Do I have cooties? Is that why I can't make friends?"

"I think it's the fact that you're the Himo no Inazuma, and everyone's more than a little scared and nervous. It probably doesn't help that you carry around that katana, and have me flying around with you," Murasaki said, looking up from his bowl of rice and meat. The little dragon was still the same size as he'd always been, but he had a ravenous appetite, preferring meat based dishes, or ramen so spicy it would make you breath flame. Which, incidentally, the little dragon couldn't do, instead spitting out lightning.

"I don't wanna be the lightning princess," Ami grumbled, looking down at her bento and frowning. Her mother did not make her bentos. In fact, Ami would have called the police and had them dispose of anything Raiden cooked where they put toxic waste. Instead, one of the servants made her lunch. They currently lived at the Imperial Residence in Tokyo, though Raiden's new palace was being made in the mountains elsewhere.

Ami felt a little bad about taking the Emperor's house, but Raiden was basically the new Emperor, only cooler. The old Emperor was nice, and they had dinner together sometimes, but he couldn't fly or shoot lightning like Ami's mother could.

"Maybe I should have just kept getting private tutoring instead of coming back to school," Ami sighed, feeling crestfallen. She was about to throw her lunch away, when someone coughed behind her.

"Hi! I just started school today, is it OK if I sit here?"

Ami turned and saw a girl her own age, with curly blonde hair and hazel eyes. She was wearing the same school uniform that all the students at their elite private school did, but she was clearly not Japanese. There were a few foreign students at the school, but not many. Ami had heard Uncle Mushu say it was because they feared 'retribution for their countries' sins,' which Ami was pretty sure meant they were scared Raiden would zap them.

That was silly of course, because Raiden only zapped bad guys, so they only needed to worry if they were bad. Ami knew that Raiden had fought Alexandria and beaten her, though she wasn't supposed to tell people that. But the Americans weren't trying to kill her mom anymore, so that meant they could be friends again. Except for some tariffs to remind them to be nice.

Ami was very proud she knew what a tariff was, and had even talked to Raiden about them.

"Yes!" Ami hastily scooted over, and the other girl sat down at the table, looking at Murasaki curiously.

"This is Murasaki! He's my familiar. He's a dragon! And I'm Ami. What's your name?"

"My name is Clara. I just moved here from Germany. My dad says that Japan is really safe now 'cause the Raiden Shogun protects Japan, and also it's cheaper to make stuff here because the electricity is free."

"Really? Your Japanese is pretty good," Ami said, feeling giddy at finally making a friend.

"Yeah, my mom was Japanese, her name was Arisu," Clara suddenly looked down, sniffing as tears welled up in her eyes. "The…the bad guys killed her. She's dead."

"My…my parents died too. A man broke into our house and…" Ami felt sick, thinking of that day, and quite sad. She found herself sniffing as well, and Murasaki came over and nuzzled her gently. "B-but it's OK. I'm adopted now, and my new mom is super cool."

Ami deliberately did not mention exactly who her new mom was, as that tended to intimidate people.

"I like your dragon. Are you a sentai?" Clara asked, reaching a hesitant hand towards Murasaki. "Can I pet him?"

"I will allow it," Murasaki said, floating up in front of Clara. She giggled and petted him, while Murasaki purred almost like a cat.

"I like your plushie," Ami said, pointing to a spherical white rabbit attached to a keychain on Clara's lunch box.

"That's Jumpty Dumpty! I made him myself!" Clara said, holding it up. Ami reached out to touch it, but Clara blushed and pulled it back. "Um, m-maybe it's best if you don't touch it…daddy said I need to be careful after last time…"

"Oh, OK," Ami agreed. The two girls sat together and ate, both laughing and enjoying themselves.

As they did, Murasaki floated up by her ear and whispered, "My lady, I would not touch that thing. It smells of magic and flame."

Ami nodded, frowning, and squinted her eyes. She'd found that if she looked at things just right, she could see if something was special, such as a tinkertech device that one of the sentai made, or if someone was a sentai themselves. She gasped as she did so. Jumpty Dumpty was definitely tinkertech, and as for Clara…

"You're a sentai!" Ami gasped, sitting up straight.

Clara's eyes went wide, and she flinched back. "Um, I uh, I gotta go…"

"No, it's OK, I'm a sentai too! Only, everyone knows." She made a face, looking around at the other kids who were sitting far away. "If you being one is a secret, don't worry, you can trust me."

Clara still looked nervous, but she nodded, biting her lip. "Um, I know who you are…I didn't realize you went to this school, but I saw Murasaki and I know you're Raiden's ward."

"Oh." Ami slumped in her seat, feeling dejected. "Then…then you don't want to be my friend either…"

"N-no! I do, it's just…um…me being a sentai…uh…it's kinda a big secret…daddy says in Japan, I can't make any more Jumpty Dumpties. Not even to go fishing. If I do…it's Solitary Confinement."

"Don't worry! I won't tell. I think it's cute, you should make more," Ami said, smiling.

Clara giggled, smiling back. "If you think Jumpty Dumpty is cute now, you should see 'em when I get to use them!"

"Maybe we can after school! I know, you should come over to my house! There's lots of good places to hide and test stuff. Uh, I'll have to ask if you can get a security clearance…"

"OK! That sounds like fun!" Clara agreed happily.

They parted ways after lunch, but met up together after school. Ami met Clara's nanny, who was a pleasant Japanese woman who bowed too much and acted like Ami was the boss of her. It was annoying when grownups did that. Ami wasn't even nine yet, and she was only sort of a princess. As they were talking, Ami sensed a familiar person, and turned around, smiling. "Uncle Mushu!"

"Hey squirt," Mushu said, walking over. He wasn't in his important people clothes, instead wearing pants and an aloha shirt with sunglasses on. "Who's this?'

"This is my new friend, Clara! Clara, this is my Uncle Mushu!"

"I have your toys!" Clara said excitedly. "Mulan is my favorite!"

"Me too!" Ami squealed, and both girls hugged and giggled happily.

"Wonderful," Mushu sighed. "The boss sent me to get you from school again today. You ready to head home?"

"Um, yes, but I want to invite Clara over! She just moved to Japan, and needs some friends," Ami explained, not mentioning that she strongly believed she needed some friends too.

Uncle Mushu regarded the two girls over his glasses, then glanced at Clara's nanny. "That's probably fine."

"Oh, Lord Mushu, I would not dream of imposing, Clara is a good girl, but she and her father- well, they are newly come to Japan and-"

"So? She looks like a hafu like me. She speaks the lingo anyway. She can come over to play. Be good for the squirt to have a friend. You got homework, kid?"

"Yes," Ami said, making a face.

"Great. You two squirts can do that together, if it's alright with Clara's mom."

"H-honored Lord, I am not Clara's mother, merely her-"

"Can the kid come over or not?" Mushu interrupted. He didn't like it when people were too polite with him. Ami could understand, she got pretty tired of it too.

"Ah, yes! Of course. We serve at the pleasure of her Excellency," the nanny said, bowing deeply.

"Super." Mushu suddenly grinned, showing fangs that didn't belong in a human mouth. "How'd you like to fly there?"

And so, that was how Ami and her new friend got to ride Uncle Mushu through the sky back to the palace, where they landed in the main courtyard. There were some concerns from some sentai and other people about "security" and "intelligence risks" which Ami was pretty sure meant they thought Clara was a spy.

"Hey! I'm super strong, and I can take care of myself! And Murasaki will be there too!" Ami interrupted. "Now stop being mean to my friend!"

"They're two kids, and Ami's a powerhouse. She spars with Raiden basically every day, and me too. If I say she's tough, she's tough. She can handle another six year old girl."

"Hey! I'm eight!" Clara protested, puffing out her cheeks and pouting at the grievous insult.

"Same difference. You two have fun, I got work to do, OK? When you're ready to go home, we'll get you a car or something," Uncle Mushu said, then went off to do whatever important things he had to.

The two girls giggled, then went to Ami's room, where they had snacks brought to them by the servants, and did their homework together. Ami hadn't had a friend over in ages, but it was nice to have one. After their work was done, Ami had a brilliant idea.

"You like to make Jumpty Dumpties, right? Come on, I'll show you my mom's workshop!"

"Ok! Um, I don't want to get in trouble though," Clara said, looking slightly worried.

"It's OK, mom has lots of stuff to use. She's probably just playing video games in her room right now though," Ami said with a shrug.

They headed through the twisting corridors to the workshop, where Ami found Raiden actually working on something, the robot she had been creating for several weeks.

"Ah, Ami. I take it your education is continuing apace?" Raiden said, looking up from her efforts.

"Yep! This is my new friend, Clara! Clara, this is my mom, Ei! Um, people call her Raiden though."

"Y-your Excellency!" Clara bowed very low. "It's an honor to meet you!"

"I am pleased to meet one of Ami's friends. It is good for a young lady to have companions," Raiden said, nodding seriously.

"Can we build something, please?" Ami asked.

"I have shown you how to forge a blade, you are free to do so," Raiden said with a nod.

In fact, Ami had to work on making swords with her mother every week. It was kinda fun, though she wasn't very good at it yet.

"We're gonna make Jumpty Dumpties!" Ami said, and the two girls went over to a workbench. Clara got together various materials, her eyes glowing.

"This is the fun part! Now, to make a Jumpty Dumpty, you just have to-AH!"

Clara jumped, as Raiden appeared behind her, frowning. "A moment. I sense you are a Vision Holder."

"Ummm," Clara shifted nervously, and looked at Ami.

"She means you're a Sentai. It's OK."

Raiden extended a hand, touching Clara's head. Her fingers traced a design on the skin, and Clara gasped, shuddering.

"There. It is done. You may continue." Then Raiden just went back to what she was doing with the robot, apparently unconcerned.

"I feel…funny," Clara said, blinking and touching her head.

"Do you need to take a break?" Ami asked, concerned. She didn't want to lose her only friend!

"No, it's ok. In fact…in fact I have even BETTER ideas for Jumpty Dumpties now!" Clara squealed, and got to work. Ami wasn't much help, with Clara working with a frenetic glee and passion, her eyes glowing slightly red as she did so. In fact, now that Ami looked at her friend, it looked like her eyes were changing color slightly. That was OK, her eyes had gotten a little purple after she'd gotten Murasaki, so that was probably normal.

After a couple of hours, Clara had made an impressive collection of Jumpty Dumpties of varying shapes and sizes. She held up a palm sized one triumphantly. "Ta-da! The new and improved Jumpty Dumpty 3000! Now even better at taking out bad guys, or for going fishing!"

"Oh, we should go fishing right now! There's a pond with fish here!" Ami said excitedly.

"Yeah, yeah! I need to test out the new Jumpty Dumpty!" Clara agreed, clutching the small rabbit-like creation to her chest. She followed Ami through the palace to one of the larger gardens, where the big koi pond was.

"Ok, how do you use it to go fishing?" Ami asked.

"Well, first, you stand back, and make sure no one's nearby," Clara explained. They looked around, but they were alone in the garden, save for Murasaki, who was curling up on a mossy rock.

"Then, you count to three, and throw it in! One!"

"Two!"

"THREE!" Clara gleefully tossed the Jumpty Dumpty into the pond as Ami watched, and-

The next thing Ami knew, she was flat on her back, her ears ringing loudly, Murasaki at her side.

"My lady! My lady! Are you injured?" Murasaki asked frantically.

"Ugh," Ami said, groaning as she sat up. The pond was gone, nothing but a muddy crater, and the garden was just a little bit on fire. The bridge over the pond was also erased, and the carefully arranged rocks had been blown completely into disarray. "I'm fine. Where's-CLARA!"

"He he he he," Clara giggled, laying on the ground not far from Ami, who ran over with Murasaki. "That was the best Jumpty Dumpty yet! We-"

There was a crack, and a portal opened, Raiden charging forth, sword in hand. "WHO DARES ENDANGER MY DAUGHTER!?"

Ami and Clara were just about to explain, when there was a bellow, and Mushu crashed down out of the sky, his massive form filling the entire garden. "WHERE'S THE ATTACK?"

It took some time to explain that Ami and Clara had just gone fishing with the Jumpty Dumpty and there was no danger. But by the crowd of Sentai, soldiers, and servants that gathered by the time they were done, both little girls realized something.

"Um, we're in trouble, aren't we?" Ami asked dejectedly.

"Nooooo! Not solitary confinement again!" Clara wailed.

"Kid, what, exactly, are you not telling us? How'd you make a bomb?" Mushu demanded, having shrunk back down to mostly his normal size, though his arms and face were still scaly, and he had the long whiskers and horns sticking out of his head.

Clara looked down, and started crying. "I didn't mean to! It just happens! I-I like making Jumpty Dumpties! I NEED to make Jumpty Dumpties! Daddy says I'm a Tinker, but…"

"She is a vision holder. She crafted the item with Amy," Raiden said. "It is fine."

"No, it is NOT fine!" Mushu said, whirling. "She blew up half the garden!"

"We were just going fishing," Ami said defensively. She pointed to a very dead koi that was rapidly starting to stink on the blackened grass. "See?"

Mushu let out a groan. "We're going to have to call the kid's dad. And enroll this kid in the Sentai…"

Clara gasped, looking up. "I can be a superhero!?"

"I want to be a sentai too!" Ami agreed, nodding vigorously.

"That would be wise," Raiden agreed. "As a vision holder, you have a duty to the realm."

"Great. Fantastic. I'll just get started on the paperwork," Mushu moaned. He pointed a finger at Clara. "And no more jumpy-whatevers in the palace!"

"Yes sir," Clara agreed, looking miserable.

"It's OK, we have places to practice our powers," Ami told her.

"Yeah, I guess…" Clara brightened. "Do we get to have super hero names!? I want a superhero name!"

And that was how The Spark Knight and the Prinzessin des Blitzes were born.

Along with Mushu's biggest pair of headaches.