(Author's Notes: Hey guys, here is chapter 20 of the story and I hope you enjoy it. Tommy continues to rebuild old relationships under certain terms and conditions. Meanwhile, the aftermath of the events in Boston slowly starts resurfacing on the west coast.)
Chapter 20: Into the New Normal
September 5th, 2008
Lennox Hill Hospital
Manhattan, NY
A fancy town car pulled up to the front building of the Lennox Hill Hospital as the driver opened the door for a high society woman of Asian ethnicity. The young woman saw one of her associates waiting by the entrance to escort her to the 7th floor of the hospital. Having her travel expenses covered including her hotel at the Carlyle Hotel, Thea found it suspicious as to why Dalia requested her presence in New York City and to a hospital of all places.
As Dalia was preparing for an MRI scan, she saw that Balor has honored her request to summon Thea as her associate said Dalia needed her support. Thea was not aware of what was happening with her sister, Dalia and suspected that the limited supply of any Resurrection Elixir was the reason behind these hospital visits. Under Balor's advisement, she waited in the waiting room while Dalia undergone some tests.
Meanwhile, Dalia was led to a room ready for her MRI scan, being requested to remove all of her clothing, including her jewellery. Doing as instructed by the doctor, Dalia briefly lost her balance and held onto the window, fearing what the results of the tests would be for her and what this meant for the future.
An hour after her examination was complete, Dalia was eventually joined by the doctor who informed that indeed her red blood cell count had dropped and therefore her vital organs were likely to shut down. Dalia remanded to know what treatment was available to her, planning on using the Emissary's resources and money to save herself, however the doctor informed her even this would not be enough to provide a cure. When Dalia questioned her prognosis, she was informed it would be months or weeks until she eventually died. Dalia agreed to undergo more tests while she contemplated how she would survive this illness and that she needed to have immediate family tested.
Dalia finished her discussion with the doctor as she walked back out to the waiting room to meet Balor and Thea. She looked at the young woman and as the older sibling had to take it upon herself to share the news in private with her sister. Balor excused himself to give the sisters their moment alone.
"The doctors advise that you should have yourself tested as well," Dalia said with a sigh. "I know this is a lot to ask for and you must be confused, little sister."
"What's the prognosis?" Thea asked reluctantly. "What are we looking at here?"
"They believe it's terminal and given the result of my red blood cell count, it is not good. There is a fifty-fifty chance this disease is genetic so you need to be tested so you're able to combat this and I'll set up some treatment options for you."
"Well what about you? Surely there is some way to prolong your survival for at least another year or two." Thea said worried as she hugged her sister. "Do...do the others know? Have they been informed of your condition?"
"We must keep this under discretion between the two of us so we don't distract the others from the mission at hand." Dalia said hugging back. "Thea I know you been through a lot and I'm sorry for put you in this situation. We have been through a lot together and no matter what happens in this life or the next, you will always be my sister and I will protect you."
"I know you will and I will comply to your wishes but this organization needs you at the helm." Thea replied. "Tell me what I need to do Dalia and I'll look to see if we can get another consult for your treatments. We have been through too much just for it to be squandered away by the threat of mortality."
"I understand but I'm afraid even mortality itself runs on borrowed time. For your sake, maybe we can defy the laws of nature once again." Dalia said. "However, take my advice little sister to slow down first. I can...I can arrange an appointment for you next week for an examination. I do pray that you do not succumb to the same fate that may await me. What matters right now is the work we have invested all of our resources in. I will like to live to see the Emissary accomplish all their desires."
"And you will see to it Dalia you must believe it. This organization will has flourish under your leadership and guidance for many years. We are the pillars of the Emissary that hold the foundation. It is by your hand you have procured us The Scarlet Sovereign." Thea reassured her. "This is the masterpiece you have envisioned for all of us...and you will live to see our group's desires fulfilled. I will guarantee it dear sister...that I will promise you."
September 8th, 2008
3:45 pm
Reefside, CA
Tommy looked at his watch and realized what time it was as he made his way to his jeep. Amelia did inherit her mother's attitude when it came to being lectured about his forgetfulness and tardiness. He was expecting a ear full once he picked up his daughter from her first day of school after Amelia's school called him and told him she was waiting for her father to pick her up.
They were still in the process of settling back into their old house down at 1492 Valencia Drive after the family had ran into some minor problems with the move a week prior, the main one being the moving company and the final sale of the houseboat in Boston. After spending all of last week tracking down their personal boxes due to a mix up with the moving company, Tommy and Amelia resettled in their old house as if nothing changed.
Getting the transfer papers for Amelia to go to school at Reefside Elementary was easy since his daughter was starting first grade and school only started last week. At least his daughter didn't have to worry about falling behind the other students. Tommy took up his old position at Reefside High teaching science thanks to Randall who was reinstated as principal after the end of the Mesogog incident four years ago.
He retook his old teaching position and finished his first day of work after Randall decided to rehire Tommy full-time. The circumstances were explained to Tommy after Randall informed him that the previous science teacher was put on an indefinite sabbatical leave by the administration. From what Tommy heard the official story was that his predecessor had a full blown meltdown during fourth period last week after he decided to air out his personal grievances and frustrations that resulted in him punching a hole in the wall. The result included mandated anger management & indefinite sabbatical to deal with "personal issues" according to the staff.
Although the house he left behind four years ago hasn't changed much, he knew life moved on during his absence. It was going to take time to rebuild the bridges of his relationships with his friends and promise to actively keep in touch with his parents instead of the once a year discretion visits.
The decision to return to Reefside came with certain terms and conditions he specified a month ago after the unannounced reunion with his friends. Jason playing mediator between his best friend and the others agreed to give Tommy his space and in return he promise to keep in touch with the others. One other term Tommy requested was that his friends kept their distance from further digging into any activity involving the Garrison and the Emissary.
After sending the Ninja Storm team into hiding and gaining a hold of Andrew Hartford's research from fifteen years ago, Tommy came up with the solution to divide the objects among the group for safe keeping. Since last month, the others assumed that Tommy was still in Boston unaware that their old leader has moved back home to California two weeks ago. The sudden relocation back home was the reason why he came back. It is the looming threat that the Emissary is still active and it only be a matter of time before Quinn and the Garrison would drag him back to seek his help to battle their adversary.
Driving through Reefside with Amelia, Tommy pulled up to Hayley's Cyberspace knowing he'll be expecting a confrontation with the redheaded tech. It was fortunate that Hayley hasn't come by his place the last two weeks but as part of the rebuilding process, he knew it was more than his relationship with his friends he had to repair. He got out of the car with Amelia and walked into the shop feeling anxious and slightly nervous. He spotted his old friend serving drinks to the customers and Hayley stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of her missing friend.
"Huh hey Robin can you service terminal 3 and put in table 15's order for drinks?" Hayley asked her assistant manager who nodded taking Hayley's tray. Tommy stood for a moment before leading Amelia to sit at a nearby table. "So...I guess Tommy Oliver is no longer living life as a ghost anymore? Is this for real or are you going to set sail into the unknown sunset again without any word?"
"I guess I deserved that after what I put everyone through these last four years." Tommy said uncertain. "I pretty much burned a lot of bridges while I was away."
"You have no idea how long we been praying you somehow make it home someday." Hayley said as the two shared a quick embrace as they took a seat at the table. "I had this feeling Boston was the place you laid low since it's one of those special settings of the infamous love story of Tommy Oliver and Kimberly Hart."
"I suspected you were trying to track me down, but you know I learned from the best on how to cover my tracks." Tommy said although he regretted that statement.
"Well despite you living like a ghost these past four years, it was a consolation to know you were still alive wherever you are." Hayley said focusing her attention on Amelia silently sitting at the table. Amelia looked up to see the redheaded lady staring at her. "I see that your little girl has grown up these last four years."
"My name is Amelia Hope Oliver." Amelia smiled introducing herself. "What's your name? Are also a friend of mommy and daddy's too?"
"Yeah kiddo, my name is Hayley Ziktor and I remember you Amelia." Hayley said. "I'm a friend of your mommy and daddy that lived in Boston a very long time ago. I used to go to school with your dad. The last time I seen you was when you were two years old."
"You knew me as a baby?!" Amelia asked happily. "Are you the one that helped daddy build all the fancy computer stuff in daddy's special office downstairs in the basement?"
"Is that what your daddy told you?" Hayley asked offering the little girl something to drink. Amelia ordered a strawberry smoothie as Hayley had one of her employees take down Amelia's order. Her and Tommy looked at each other knowing the young girl had her mother's love for strawberry smoothies. Hayley offered to pay for Amelia's drink since her and Tommy had a lot to discuss.
"I'm guess nothing much has changed with the business while I was away." Tommy said, trying to start up a conversation.
"Still the same concept, same location if you want to put it." Hayley said. "However, thing have changed in the last four years while you were away. Look, I get it why you left the way you did without a word, without saying goodbye. We were already spending three months dealing with Kimberly's death and you deciding to skip town on your wife's third month death anniversary was another thing we had to deal with. Yeah, that September four years ago must have been the low point. I didn't expect that you run into your friends in Boston last month after the whole fiasco with the Ninja Storm Rangers."
"It was bound to happen one way or another and I couldn't outrun my past any longer." Tommy replied deep in thought. "I somehow found myself tangled up with whatever situation the guys were dealing with in Boston. My friends had four years of grievances they needed to air out with me, especially Jason. I admit I was a mess and losing Kim messed things up even more. Apart of me felt broken and spent after everything that happened with Mesogog and that everything I knew and believe in was shattered in one foul swoop. This life...it got the best of me which was why I wanted to give Amelia the out that her mother and I were dreaming about four years ago."
"The one you and Kim talked about...a life outside the one you both lived since you were sixteen years old." Hayley said. "Part of me understands you skipped town for the sake of your daughter. You probably spent the last four years trying to find yourself or go on some grand adventure to make sure Kim was living with you both in spirit."
"Well you guessed some parts as to why I skipped town," Tommy said sighing pointing to the side of head and to his chest. "I wanted to fulfill my promise to Kim by staying alive inside in here for my daughter's sake. I'm not going to lie to you and say the pain only gets easier, but it still hurts everyday Hayley. It's a pain that stays with you for the rest of your life because it's someone you love with all your body, mind, heart and soul. However, Amelia is the only salvation I have that wills me to wake up everyday because my little girl needs a white knight to guide her in this world. That's a vow...I can't break and one I intend to uphold."
"It's good to know that you still have something to keep your focus Tommy," Hayley said. "I got to say that if Kimberly was still here with us, she be proud of her falcon for a job well done raising their little defender. You're...not the only one who still misses her. A lot has changed in four years but we can't ever forget the pink crane."
"You know it amazes me how calm and collective you are." Tommy replied. "I kept myself intentionally hidden from everyone for four years and yet you all held out this hope I someday would come back. Heck, you kept my house as it was when I left four years ago and well preserved like a shrine. I know it's going to take time."
"Well you do have to make up for lost time with your friends. You basically inadvertently left Jason to hold your group together these last four years. He showed me the letter you left him the night you skipped town and he purposely left it at your place for a keepsake." Hayley said pointedly.
"Yeah, Jase got hit the hardest trying to deal with Kimberly's death and me bailing out." Tommy said. "We basically aired out all the laundry last month after our unexpected reunion. I gave him the opportunity to air out all his grievances since I owed him that much for what I put my best friend and brother through."
"So the question begs is are you going to rebuild your roots back home in California?" Hayley asked. "Or does life for Tommy Oliver lie somewhere beyond this state?"
"Well I need to rebuild roots and bridges first for the sake of redeeming myself for any grievances I caused these last four years." Tommy said. "Home is where the heart is as they say right? Besides, one thing I know for sure is that some things never change while you're away."
"What do you mean by that? Unless you have another reason why you decided to come back unannounced." Hayley said.
"Let's just say...there is some unfinished business that is about to start up again. This time, I know what to expect coming to hit home." Tommy said discreetly. "Sometimes the road home comes with many twists and turns along the way."
September 12th, 2008
4:00 p.m
Angel Grove, CA
Billy stopped by his house for a quick change from his work suit to a more casual outfit and looked at his clock. It was already a frustrating day at work after he had another dispute with the senior partners over a class action lawsuit case in the Troika district. However, Billy was at his wit's end with the senior partners questioning why their law firm is disregarding any cases involving tenants living in that area of Angel Grove.
He glanced the park and spotted Jason and Kat playing with their kids as he stared at the portfolio briefcase he was holding. The recent conflicts in his professional career were affecting his performance and making his second guess his current employment status. For Billy, his career journey to becoming a lawyer started with completing a Bachelor's Degree in Law at Stanford University for pre-law followed by taking the LSATs in order to apply for Law School at Yale University to obtain his Juris Doctor Degree and his Masters of Law.
On the contrary, the process of being in school studying law is usually a 7-8 year process. However, being a genius and processing an eidetic memory Billy made quick work of both his undergrad program and Law School in 6 years. Billy felt great accomplishment back then when he passed the Bar Exam in order to become a licensed attorney and was offered a job opportunity at the law offices of "Reid, Harris, Gideon and Associates" who he been employed with for the last five years. It was only a year ago he was officially named a Junior Partner at the law firm due to his hard work and dedication.
What attracted him five years ago to work for the Law Offices Reid, Harris, Gideon and Associates was they were the one law firm in Angel Grove that the public deemed as the "voice of community justice." In addition, the law firm held a reputation to represent the less fortunate clients as pro bono cases as part of a community outreach program. The highlight of his employment with the law firm was the legal disputes he was part of against Weyland Co. over the redevelopment project in Troika. It was a four year legal battle in order to protect the tenants and businesses of that community for being evicted by this commercial development company.
Unfortunately, Billy noticed a sudden change in the senior partners eight months ago and any cases involving Weyland Co. were disregarded for discretional reasons. It puzzled Billy as to what caused the sudden change in the firm's senior partners and anyone working cases involving legal disputes against Weyland Co. were either reassigned to other cases and departments or their employment was terminated.
"Thanks for meeting me on such short notice," Billy replied sitting on a bench with Jason and Kat.
"Another rough day at the office Billy?" Kat asked. "Trini has been filling me in about the war going on between the junior partners and senior partners at the law firm."
"Yeah and I didn't realize that my one year anniversary as Junior Partner was celebrated with another meeting with the senior partners." Billy said sighing. "Also, I found out that Laura from accounting was fired this morning. It seems like the crusaders against the Weyland Corporation is dwindling. However, Laura pulled through for me."
"What did she find out?" Jason asked watching his children play. "Hey Henry, ease up on your kicks. You know your brother and sisters don't bend like Beckham yet!" The three looked up to see Henry playing soccer with his younger siblings before resuming their meeting. "Okay Billy, as you were saying?"
"Laura obtained the firm's copies they had of records from Weyland's construction investment." Billy explained. "Seems there's only a small number of projects in Angel Grove capable of moving or transporting materials for these development projects. I'm considering paying the sites a visit, to find out what they're hiding."
"What are these sites?" Kat asked.
"According to the records they are The Conservatory Hotel, the Midtown Tunnel project, and some big building site in the Troika district by Rosebank and 12th." Billy said. "It was the case we lost after we filed a second appeal for the tenement on that site eight months ago."
"Rosebank and 12th?" Jason replied. "Weyland Corporation obtained that tenement for a third party company as their new head offices they're setting up in Angel Grove. My cousin works as part of the construction crew on that site."
"Do you know the company Weyland Corp is developing this head office for?" Billy asked.
"Yeah, Rideau Circle, the financial company." Jason explained. "It was one of your high profiled cases two years ago against the local hedge fund investor Vincent Vitale. I remember there was a tenement on that block before Vitale swallowed it up in his Better Tomorrow initiative during his campaign for mayor."
"However, he was deemed ineligible to run after Vitale was indicted for insider trading and fraud." Billy added. "Vitale faced 22 charges of insider trading, defrauding investors and money laundering by the Federal prosecutors and SEC. Bastard is currently serving a seven year sentence in a state prison. According to our records, any of his remaining assets were transferred to Rideau Circle after his investment company was shut down and his trade license revoked."
"How did your law firm get hold of those transactions?" Kat asked.
"I don't know, but according to Laura our law firm has life insurance plans and RRSPs for the employees through Rideau Circle." Billy replied. "But before my meeting with one of the senior partners of the firm Sasha Gideon, I found the copies of the blueprints for Rideau Circle in her office from the Vitale case. Now, after Vitale's indictment we looked into his records of assets he had liquidated and wondered if he had interests tied up in the building, but maybe he didn't want it at all."
"Do you think he only obtained the tenement so Weyland can use the property to develop it for Rideau Circle?" Jason asked. "Billy...what do you want me to do?"
"I need you and Justin to tail the senior partners of the law firm and find out if any of Vitale's funds from his company were transferred itno Rideau Circle." Billy said. "Laura suspected that some of our investments from the law firm are being transferred into this company. I got this funny feeling that my law firm is making some devil deals with companies who only care about the bottom line. Everything you need to know about the Vitale case two years ago is all in there along with Weyland's construction investment portfolio. They're somehow linked to Rideau Circle and I need to know what the senior partners know about the activity going on in the Troika district."
September 14th, 2008
Jim's Seafood Bucket
Reefside, CA
During his four years away from home, Tommy wondered if Reefside was safe after the defeat of Mesogog four years ago? Did the city change during his time away and questioned if they were changes that benefited the good or if there was trouble on the horizon. However, he was glad to know that after Mesogog's defeat, the Dino Thunder Rangers continued to keep tabs on Reefside in their former mentor's absence.
For the former students of Dr. Tommy Oliver, they were startled and surprise to find out that their former mentor made an unannounced return to Reefside after his sudden departure four years ago. The word spread during their respective weekend visits to their families when Ethan informed his friends he saw his former science teacher at the grocery store a few days ago with a now six year old Amelia.
The news of Tommy's return hit like wildfire and one thing that hasn't changed during his time away was how fast word travelled around the Ranger community. It was true he upheld his promise since Boston to keep in touch with his friends in an attempt to rebuild bridges with his teammates and best friends. Tommy wanted to tell his friends personally about his return to Reefside until he heard from Hayley that Kira inadvertently let it slip since his former student was working at Zack and Tanya's record label.
The previous night was all about Tommy getting reacquainted and resettled back into Reefside and playing reluctant host to his visiting friends. There wasn't much discussed about the events last month in Boston except receiving updates from the Ninja Storm team reassuring the veterans of their safety while in hiding. It was one of those topics Jason and the others kept to a minimum knowing how sensitive the topic of the Emissary or the Garrison is to Tommy.
Part of him hoped that the events of Boston would be put behind them, but Tommy knows better that this period of temporary calm would only last until something unexpected happens. Upon taking the suggestion of his friends to reach out to his former students, Tommy contacted his four former students inviting them out for lunch in attempt to rebuild bridges with them as well.
Tommy extended the invitation to Hayley but she was currently busy at her store leaving Tommy and Amelia to have lunch with Tommy's former students. His former team were startled seeing Amelia remembering the little toddler each of them used to take turns babysitting and they dubbed their honorary little sister. Tommy listened as the group ate lunch together and hearing from each of them what they been up to the last four years.
The former Dino Thunder Rangers cleared the air about the events of last month and Tommy reassured them that he didn't blame them for being put in the position of explaining to his friends the accounts of their final battle with Mesogog four years ago. As Tommy pointed out it was one of those situations they had no control over.
"Look Dr. Oliver about what happened, I know we made a pact to keep this amongst ourselves." Kira spoke up. "It was for your benefit and Kimberly's."
"They were bound to find out eventually about the Emissary's involvement with Mesogog four years ago." Tommy replied. "I didn't expect that somehow their war with the Garrison expanded into the territory of the Ninja Storm team. Quinn always said that there were others joining the Garrison's cause over the years to fight this war."
"But those guys didn't know their ninja school has been used as a recruitment center for six centuries to train warriors for the Garrison." Connor replied.
"I know how your experiences with the Emissary affected each of you." Tommy explained. "I didn't anticipate their involvement with our fight against Mesogog or the mess they brought to Reefside with all the shit they did four years ago. Heck, I didn't expect Quinn's methods of fighting to rub off on all of us as well. For eighteen years that guy has been this enigma in my life and also Kimberly's."
"Still, he was an important person in your lives for eighteen years." Trent said. "You knew him since you were eleven years old."
"And during those eighteen years Quinn manages to find a way to bring a battlefield on my front doorsteps." Tommy said sarcastically. "Also, he has this tendency of spontaneously disappearing and reappearing in my life like it is a hobby to him. There were parts of my past I should have revealed to my friends a long time ago and I wasn't around to tell them the truth. I didn't want you guys to be burden with the task of revealing some home truths to my friends."
"Even if we didn't tell them the full details about the events of four years ago Dr. O, somehow the truth will still come out." Ethan added.
"It's true but they don't...know the full story." Tommy said with discretion. It wasn't his best friends he was hiding certain secrets from, but also his former Rangers. There were certain truths that his former students discovered about the Emissary and the Garrison, and some revelations that his friends learned.
However, Tommy couldn't fully reveal the truth as to how personally this war between the Emissary and the Garrison has somehow linked Tommy and Kimberly's fates years ago. It was the burden that he alone had to endure in order to keep this ongoing war at bay and the battleground away from the home front.
"Dr. Oliver...should we be worried about the possible threat of the Emissary reemerging?" Kira asked. "We know what they were doing behind the scenes four years ago while Mesogog was terrorizing Reefside. Given what happened last month to the Wind Ninja Academy is it possible?"
"Yeah Kira has a point Dr. O, what if they're targeting allies or secret cell groups associated with the Garrison?" Trent asked. "Heck, my dad made it clear after what happened four years ago to even keep a close watch on the business activities of Mercer Industries."
"Well according to Quinn, the main mission of both factions is to eliminate one another." Tommy replied. "They already took out the Wind Ninja Academy and I may have suspected they took out a sleeper cell of Garrison warriors in Boston. Plus, they attempted to kill Andrew Hartford because of his paper he wrote fifteen years ago. However, I do have this suspicion something doesn't feel right and things will only get hectic before the truth emerges."
"Still we halted their plans four years ago when your sword happy former camp counsellor put down the Emissary's weapon." Ethan replied. "It was that weapon they called the Scarlet Sovereign."
"You do remember dude that it was a kid he put an arrow through right?" Connor asked. "And yeah let's not forget he shot Dr. O in the shoulder with an arrow."
"Thanks for that trip down memory lane Connor and yeah...we did destroy the Scarlet Sovereign." Tommy replied pausing for a moment. "Yeah, I pretty much still have a scar from that arrow Quinn shot at me for that. I know it wasn't one of our fondest memory as a team after that stunt he pulled out."
"The best part was seeing that dude get his ass kicked by Dr. O and Mrs. Oliver." Connor replied as Amelia looked up surprised by Connor's language. "Oh...sorry my bad."
"Okay seriously pal do keep the language PG in front of my six year old daughter." Tommy slightly smirked. "Quinn still lurks behind the scenes keeping tabs on me over the years since I was eleven years old. Just because we foiled one plan, it doesn't mean they'll retreat into hiding. Remember, those guys hide behind many visages and charades to hide their malicious activity. On the surface, they may appear to be legitimate businesses but remember, it's only a cover."
"So...what do you need us to do Dr. O?" Kira asked.
"Keep an eye out for any signs and clues because something tells me the Emissary didn't disappear after Mesogog's defeat four years ago." Tommy warned. "Maybe the events of Boston is a prelude of things to come. We don't know where they'll strike and where exactly ground zero will be for their epic showdown. Something tells me we're going to get caught in the crossfire again and which ever faction gets decimated, we're...going to be the last line of defense whether we like it or not. I already lost the one thing that matters to me because of them, I'll be damned if anymore people I care about get caught in this war again."
Somewhere in San Angeles, CA
Up on the rooftops overlooking the downtown area of the city of San Angeles, California, a group of mystical ninjas were listening to the commotion taking place below on the city streets. At the helm of the group were two women: one of them wearing bronze colored fighting robes and another woman who stared blankly out into the night sky in scarlet colored battle robes. However, the bronze wearing robed woman looked at the other woman in dissatisfaction knowing the capacity and power her ally held.
The group was joined by a man wearing black and gold colored fighting robes and removed his mask as the other woman did the same. However, the scarlet wearing woman kept her cloak hood up and just continued to stare out in the distance while the other two allies talked.
"So Ashei, care to explain about the little mishap down below on the streets?" the man replied to the bronze wearing robed woman.
"What do you want me to say, Pan? I wasn't required to take on supervision duties of what "she" does." Ashei argued as they heard the sounds and sirens of local law enforcement vehicles and medical personnel arriving at the scene. "Are you going to hold me accountable that I couldn't be stealth while our valuable asset went all hack and slash all over the place? It's not my responsibility to take notice of her actions."
"It was a simple task Ashei to keep a watchful eye on the Scarlet Sovereign." Pan replied back. "You were suppose to keep the situation contained."
"This was just a simple hit to eliminate an unnecessary distraction." Ashei stated. "Besides, local law enforcement in this city will regard the crime as a robbery gone wrong."
"Except the intended target was not within the vicinity of this city, but count your blessings at least the Scarlet Sovereign disposed of the local Garrison cell mobilizing. It's only a matter of time before The Garrison discovers our plans." Pan replied. "Make sure Malo eliminates any traces of our involvement or of the Garrison's forces we neutralized in this city."
"Guess we're on clean up duty once again." Ashei replied staring at the Scarlet Sovereign. "And I suppose you're relieving me of babysitting duty?"
"I thought you were looking forward to being relieved of babysitting duty Ashei," Pan sneered wickedly. "Consider yourself lucky. Besides, I will take over the handling duties of our valuable asset. We still have a lot of work to do with her and we must prepare once Dalia gives us the word to proceed with our plans."
"Be careful Pan, you wouldn't want to damage our sovereign with another rigorous workout session." Ashei cryptically warned. "Besides, Dalia wouldn't like it if we have been overusing our resources knowing we only have a limited supply left. The last thing we need is a...defection in our weapon. You been warned Pan about pushing the limit."
"At least she hasn't disposed of my forces unlike what she did to Salazar's forces in Tortuga." Pan said gazing at the Scarlet Sovereign curiously. "However, she is not quite ready yet to make her debut and when she does, I'm sure she'll gain a following. In particular, I do hope a familiar adversary of mine will get her attention soon enough..."
Later that Night
The Oliver Residence
Reefside, CA
Following an eventful day catching up with his former Ranger team, Tommy had settled into another quiet and relaxing evening with his daughter. He finished working on his lesson plans for his class this week while Amelia was sitting at the table drawing. He made his routine call to his friends back in Angel Grove to hear the latest news of what was going happening back in his old hometown.
The latest news Tommy heard was that Billy hired Jason and Justin to get some information about the senior partners at his law firm since his friend was facing some issues with management at work. Tommy was kept up to date about the latest happenings in the Troika District of Angel Grove. He found it hilarious from Jason's end of their phone conversation the Scott Residence was active and running late at night while Jason and Kat jokingly told their old friend his place had dead air in the background.
"Based on the information Billy provided Justin and me, it looks like I got to paid Justin overtime for this." Jason said while Tommy listened to the side conservations his best friend was having with Kat and hearing the kids in the background. "Henry don't change the channel! I told you that you can't watch that movie because it's too violent! Hey Kitty-Kat, the girls are arguing again over Liv's doll." It was no wonder why the others dubbed Jason as the breeder of the group. "Sorry bro, it's another Sunday at our place."
"Don't worry about it bro. That's parenthood for you." Tommy said. "And it's good to know that you guys have Billy's back dealing with his problems at work."
"Still we feel bad for Billy," Kat interjected. "He's one of the only few people left at his law firm who has sympathy the people in the Troika community."
"Five years his law firm have been going head to head in legal disputes against the Weyland Corporation over the tenements in the community." Tommy said. "Still, it doesn't give them the right to relocate and displace the local citizens' livelihood in that community."
"But still, our blue boy genius suspects some internal dealings going on in his firm." Jason said. "Which is why we're going to help Billy with whatever he needs."
"I don't know anything about P.I work, but still watch your back out there bro. The last thing you need is to dig into something beyond your control." Tommy said.
"Don't worry Tommy, your best friend makes sure he only takes cases that are less rigorous and high stake." Kat said. "He'll be safe I'll reassure it."
"Good night guys and keep me posted on what's happening and do stay safe, all of you." Tommy said as the phone clicked dead. He looked up at clock and realize it was getting late and that his daughter needed to get ready for bed. "Hey kiddo, it's getting late and a little lady needs to get ready for bed."
"In a few minutes daddy I just want to finish my drawing." Amelia said coloring the final details of her drawings. "Daddy, can you hang my pictures in my bedroom?"
"No problem little lady," Tommy replied fixing up his stuff at the table. "Looks like I'm going to be hanging up an art gallery in your bedroom sweetie."
"But at least I'll have lots of pretty pictures and colors in my bedroom." Amelia smiled as she signed her name on her final drawing she finished. "Okay I'm all finished."
"Alright then kiddo why don't you go upstairs, brush your teeth and change into your pajamas." Tommy instructed. "I'll be upstairs shortly to tuck you in and read you a bedtime story. I'll fix all your crayons and coloring material on the table. Any requests for a bedtime story tonight?"
"We still need to finish reading Alice in Wonderland tonight." Amelia replied. "Can we continue reading it tonight?"
"Anything for my little princess." Tommy replied giving his daughter a hug as she headed upstairs.
"Don't forget to bring up my drawings daddy!" Amelia said reminding her dad. "I'll get ready for bedtime now!"
Tommy smiled watching his daughter head upstairs to get to go to bed. He began to put away all of Amelia's arts and crafts materials and storing them away in the cabinets along with any unused coloring paper. He saw the drawings Amelia did on the table and glanced through the drawings.
He smiled at his daughter's work which was work for a typical six year old child. Tommy saw drawings of animals, rainbows, and flowers and even pictures of boats in the water probably assuming Amelia was drawing about their time in Boston. As Tommy continued to admire his daughter's work, there were a few pictures that attracted his attention and interest.
One of Amelia's picture showed what looked like a big house by the lake and a figure she colored dressed in red clothing. Tommy examined the picture more carefully and looking at the details of Amelia's drawing, Tommy saw that the house and lake his daughter drew looked like the one from his dreams. He then saw another drawing that looked like a stone urn with ancient symbols on it and he was surprised to see he knew what the next picture depicted, the stone sarcophagus of the Emissary.
The more he examined his daughter's drawings, the more suspicious Tommy became wondering how his little girl knew this. There was one drawing that looked like ancient symbols, another drawing of what looked like ninjas fighting Tommy would assume was the Emissary and Garrison. One picture Tommy saw looked like a wall that had a lock on it and something that depicted a key shape. It may seem these drawings look innocent and it was nothing but scribbles and a not so perfect color job.
Amelia's pictures started raising alarms in Tommy and drew great worry for the single father. How is it possible Amelia knew this stuff without him telling his young daughter about any of it? Tommy believed that subconsciously something compelled Amelia to draw those pictures and it was an unseen mysterious force working behind the scenes.
Was it possible Amelia has been drawing these pictures without knowing the truth behind them? One thing Tommy promised himself was that he was going to protect his daughter from whatever threat was waiting on the horizon. He was going to do everything in his power to keep his little defender safe from "the life" that left him spent four years ago. Tommy lost his pink crane to this life four years ago because of it. He be damned if he was going to stand by and let this life take away the last one treasure from his one true love: his beloved daughter.