Chapter 8: An All Girls' Thrilling Hangout!

On Sunday, a crowd gathered around as before them, Emma displayed her dance moves amazing them as some recorded her performance. Her smartphone is also playing some music to get her groove on.

And from a distance on top of a building, "So this is the Ninja Dancer. To think she's popular and in my class..." That's Vega. One of the students of Class 1-A and she's watching Emma do her breakdancing while eating a burrito.

Some time later, "Thank you everyone and see you in my next performance!" Emma thanked the crowd as they applauded her. She then kept her phone when her extreme hearing took effect.

"Be a good girl and hand us your goods."

"I won't say that if I were you because you guys want to rob me."

"You're pathetic. You attend that ninja high school and yet you won't fight us? So be it."

Picking up the conversation, Emma dashed off as, "Now what is she up to?" Vega wondered as she too dashed off to track her down ninja style.

At some alleyway...

"I can't believe that this has to happen..." The girl which is Maeve was surrounded by a trio of thugs. They wore black sleeveless shirts, ripped jeans and the most notable feature is the 2 white capital letters, E and X on the front of their shirts.

"Since you won't do as we say, we're gonna crush you!" The first one conjured a Fireball, the second one energized his fist and the third one transformed his left hand into a blade. As they got ready, "HEY! Leave her alone!"

From behind, Emma has arrived in time as she got ready to fight them. "How unusual. You guys have awakened powers but you don't attend ninja high school?"

"Used to!" The one with the fireball answered and threw it. Emma dodged by sliding down and forward delivering a sliding kick onto the thug with the blade tripping him. The fireball hit the wall leaving a small fire burning on it.

"How dare you!" The one with the energy fist exclaimed as he charged at her when suddenly, a mouse landed right on his face and poked him on the eye! "OW! WHAT THE PRICK?!"

The mouse then jumped off morphing back to human form as Vega threw a punch on the other thug before he could conjure a fireball. The blade one then got up and jumped up to slash Emma but Maeve took action as she grabbed Emma and created an illusion by pulling her away leaving the mirror image intact and the slash ended up ineffective. Vega then delivered a face kick and with that, "This ain't over yet!" The 3 thugs then retreated.

By the time they fled from the girls, "Who are those people? They have awakened powers but they behave like a bunch of rowdy hooligans. They don't even go to the high school despite having the power of the shinobi." Emma brought up.

"Those guys are the Expelled." Maeve answered her question. "A senior told me all about them. They were once students but they used their powers dishonourably by defying school rules and causing misery to other students."

"Sheesh. No wonder they're not ninjas anymore. They're all gangsters." said Vega.

"Call them whatever you like but those guys are not to be messed with. From what I've heard, they target those attending the ninja high school and do their worst on them without compassion and mercy." Maeve warned them. "Especially when they can still use their awakened powers."

"Then we better get outta here, I have a gut feeling those 3 might be the tip of the iceberg. Who knows what they'll do next..." said Vega as the 3 girls left the alleyway.

"By the way, what are you doing here Maeve?" Emma asked as they walked together on the streets.

"I was only my way to Malishido Megamall when those thugs nabbed and dragged me here to extort me forcefully." Maeve answered. "All those that are expelled ended up in poverty so they resort to mugging, stealing, extortion or any other petty crime just to survive. They target civilians and us ninja students."

"I wonder if there's a leader leading them?" Emma asked.

"I wish I knew, the Expelled aren't united. They operate in small or large groups at their own choosing." Maeve replied.

"Looks like leadership is off the book for them. Everyone does what is pleasing." said Vega.

"Well for now we don't have to worry about them. Say, how about we hang out together since you 2 unexpectedly joined in?" Maeve suggested.

"Sure! We can hang out at the mall since you're heading there!" Emma replied in excitement.

"Ah since you insist. I got nothing to do today and I'm close to feeling bored." Vega also agreed as the 3 girls walked together.

Soon enough...

The 3 girls had a great time hanging out at the mall as first, they sang karaoke in one of the rooms in the karaoke centre. "Damn Emma! You're quite the singer!" Maeve complimented.

"Yeah! Why not you try singing and breakdancing like a celebrity performer?" Vega suggested.

"I don't know...it's gonna take me some time to get in sync and I'm more adept at the dancing." Emma replied.

"We understand. Now it's your turn to sing Vega!" Maeve handed the mike to her as the girls continued their karaoke session.

An hour later, they're at a cafe eating cake for snack. Emma is eating a slice of cheesecake, Vega is eating a slice of chocolate ice cream cake with wafer sticks and Maeve is eating a slice of strawberry shortcake. All 3 girls also have glasses of water as their drink.

"So you're into breakdancing and music is it Emma?" Maeve asked. She nodded as Vega ate a portion of her cake. "Well it's my turn. I grew up in Las Vegas and did a lot of scouting. I sort of learned many things through observation and mastered some tricks up my sleeve. I also like to watch horror movies in the dark, listen to rock music and sometimes, I practice gymnastics."

"Nice one Vega." Emma exclaimed.

"I'm the last then. I'm from Switzerland and I like to practice cooking and skiing. I even learned the ninja arts from my dad." Maeve talked about herself.

"Switzerland? Sounds cold and frosty enough for some hot chocolate to keep yourself warm." Vega joked with Emma giggling about it.

"In fact, both of my parents run a ski resort." Maeve revealed amazing both girls now. "So you're rich is it? Cool." said Vega.

"Amazing! I hope one day I can get the chance to visit this place and enjoy winter season!" said Emma as the girls chat on with other random topics.

After their cake, the 3 girls spent the rest of their time window shopping and a bit of arcade gaming.

Around evening...

"That was fun!" Emma exclaimed.

"We should do this more often!" Maeve suggested.

"Works for me. Hanging out with you 2 was a blast!" Vega exclaimed. "I mean, I've always been a lone wolf doing things on my own just for some fun and learning until today, I sort of felt the real fun."

"That's nice." said Maeve as the girls continued walking when, "CHT!"

"Did a spear just shot through in front of us?!" A stunned Vega asked and already, Emma's hearing is active and, "Over there! It's where the spear was shot from!" They ran to another alleyway as Maeve realized something when they entered through. "Deja Vu."

"What?" They asked her when, "So those chicks are the ones that kicked your asses?"

"Yeah Pike! We still remember their faces!" From behind, the 3 Expelled thugs from just now showed and in front of the girls are 4 more including the one called Pike who's large and buff. "Yeah that's me! Now witness the Spear Summon!"

"Awakened power..." Emma thought as Pike summoned 7 spears one by one arming his lackeys. After that, the 3 thugs from just now prepped their powers. The 3 other 3 did the same thing as one morphed his arms into octopus tentacles, the next one created an energy shield and the last one spawned 2 extra arms on his body.

"Crap...looks like a revenge party or a retaliation move." Vega thought as the girls prepared to fight them. "GET THEM!" Pike ordered as the Expelled charged to attack.

"Together!" Emma called out as she did some dance moves while fighting off the thug with the Energy Shield and was able to kick off hi spear. The one with Tentacle Arms used one to capture Vega. "Bad move punk." Vega morphed into her mouse form and bit onto his tentacle. "YEEOWCH!" He shrieked from the bite as the Energy Fist and Blade Arm thugs charged to Maeve but she created herself 3 illusions while strafing to dodge their attacks. She then kicked them on the nuts.

"OWWWW! THE PAIN! THE PAIN!" The 2 thugs fell onto the ground easily defeated as Vega still in her mouse form climbed onto the face of the thug she's fighting and punched both eyes. He stumbled down defeated as she morphed back when, "Gotcha!"

The expelled thug with Four Arms bind her as Pike smirked and summoned another spear. With 2 on his hands, he took aim and shot them. However from behind, Maeve swiftly bent down and touched the thug on his legs creating 2 illusions from him and even made him phase to one of them as the spears went past them. "Are you kidding me?!" Pike thought when Emma jumped up and landed a power kick on his head knocking him out. Vega then morphed into her mouse form escaping from the 4 armed thug's grasp, and once on ground, she morphed back and kicked his legs. Maeve then chopped him on the neck.

As for Emma, she swiftly dodged fireballs and even grabbed a nearby trash lid and hurled it at the fireball thug hitting his face. The Blade Arm thug and the energy fist thug charged at her but Vega and Maeve stepped in and, "KSH! KSH!"

"Ah! I'll never be a dad!"

"OW! I'll sue you if I can't take a piss!"

"Gosh. The Expelled sure are lightweights. Even a kick in their nuts is an instant KO for them." Vega described as they passed out. "They lack the training and even abandoned them for their own violent actions." said Vega. "Well since they're down for the count. Let's head back to the dorm before they wake up." Emma suggested and the girls hurried off.

However, a hooded figure was seen on top of a building observing the entire scene. "Hmpf! The Expelled are truly divided making them weak and useless. No matter, things are gonna change once I make my move..." The hooded figure then departed.

That night...

Dorm sweet dorm. Yes Emma is in her room chilling out by watching dance videos in Ninjatube when she received a video call. "Oh...who could that be." She answered it and, "Ms Warren?!"

"Hello Emma! It's been a long time since we last talked to each other."

"It's so good to see you Ms Warren!"

"Thanks you. Say, how are you doing in high school?"

"It was amazing! I made new friends, learnt new martial arts and even joined the breakdance club!"

"I'm glad you're enjoying the high school life. Say, did you meet anyone from the WNA Academy that also attends here as well?"

Emma was silent as she sheepishly tried to hide her face that is starting to fluster up but Laura noticed it. "Oh my...it's boy is it?"

"Okay you got me. Yes, I did meet a boy also from the academy."

"And you like him is it?"

"Wh-What?! N-No! Y-Yes! W-Wait! I said no! Yes I said no!" Emma was so flustered that she went to grab her pillow and hide her face on it. Laura chuckled from this as she spoke this. "So tell, what's the name of the boy you met?"

Emma perked up and looked to her left and right. "Just promise you'll keep this to yourself?" Laura knew what she's talking about and nodded. "Okay...I met Kappei."

"Kappei? Oh...Oh! Yes I remember now! That's the boy that saved you during that Ninjala Tournament 3 years ago right?!" Laura never felt excited as, "To think his heroic action is the reason for your liking of him! How adorable! How sweet! How romantic-"

"Okay! Okay! Enough already Ms Warren!" Emma then hid her face on her pillow again and a muffled scream took effect. After that, she tossed her pillow back on her bed. "I wonder how I can tell him of my growing feelings? We've known each other ever since we first entered the academy though we rarely hang out together in which it's just the 2 of us. Only now when we met again, we really can't stop sticking together."

"I can clearly see that but for now, just focus on your studies and training. That time will come and I know for sure, you 2 are really perfect for each other." Laura advised her. "Feel free to contact me if you need anything like tips to survive high school or some advice on the high school life."

"It appears you also attended this high school?" Emma asked.

"5 years ago." Laura replied and looked at the time. "I have to go. Do your best out there and be a friend to everyone. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Ms Warren." The video call ended as Emma stifled a yawn. "Gotta survive another week of school..." She then changed into her nightgown and turned in for the night as she switched off her PC first followed by the lights and lay on her bed fast asleep. What an awesome weekend she had.

Inspired from Episode 9 of the anime, a trio of girls had fun and learnt of some outside threat that is dangerous but disorganized. But is there more to it? How many are there and is money the only thing they care about now?

Well on the bright side, they had fun, ate cake and are careful not to shop till they drop. But best part is fighting bad guys!

Character of the Chapter

Name: Vega

Profile

A student of Class 1-A, Vega is laid-back, snarky and interestingly street smart and crafty. She came from Las Vegas and spent most of her free time on the streets and alleyways scouting and spying. Also, she's known to be a skilled gymnast, watch horror movies in the dark, listens to rock music and knows every trick in gambling and betting. In USK, there are around 5 WNA Academies with Las Vegas having one so yes, she attended the academy there and after 3 years, was enrolled to the high school in her own country.

Awakened Power: Rodent

Vega's awakened power enables her to morph into a brown mouse. Small and cute, the mouse can enter small cracks, holes and anything small enough to squeeze through in order to enter any territory. Useful for infiltration and sabotage. Only thing to be wary of are cats.