Connecting the Dots (Iguana Issues 2)(Impossible Quartet 8)
Part 2

See Part 1 for notes.

Chapter 8
[Smallville Airport—8:27 PM Central Daylight Time]

The sun had just set on the western Kansas prairie as Kim and Rick watched the landing strip through the windows. During the five hour drive, they had been in contact with Wade and Dr. Director getting the 411 on Smallville, the missing ninja and the latter’s uncle.

“We really need to be careful with this guy, Kim,” Rick advised while considering the printout in front of himself.

“Wish we could’ve caught those two FBI agents in Denver,” she retorted flatly while glancing through her binoculars. “Anything, Wade?”

“They should be coming into view now, Kim,” Wade reported.

She nodded at seeing the aircraft’s lights descending towards and gliding just over the runway. “That’s them now! Thanks, Wade.” She signed off. “I really need some caffeine.”

He looked her in surprise. “You’re wired up as it is.”

“I don’t like threats to my friends,” she retorted as their teammates came through the door from the tarmac. “Kind of a weird place to be landing.”

“According to Sensei, the first set of answers we seek shall be here,” Yori declared after they’d exchanged greetings. “Meantime, we need to be getting into town.”

“Think we can stop for a cappuccino? That is if we can find a place out here?” Kim requested.

“In this place? Yeah right!” Ron doubted.

“Do not discount such things out of hand, my friends. Sensei says that such things can be found in the most surprising of places,” Yori reminded them. “I believe we shall find what you seek at our destination. Let us go. It is getting late.”


****


As the quartet headed for the parking lot, Heloise stepped into view from the mists. With Cybelle’s permission, she’d returned from Althanor in the nick of time, it seemed. <The children have no idea of the stakes involved!>

Moreover, she marveled at Ron’s inner power but frowned at how it might be perceived by a certain darker resident. <”The Talon.”> First, however, she needed to warn her descendant and husband of the impending visit from abroad.

Making sure she wasn’t being observed, she slipped away through the mists once more.



****
 

[Kent Farm]

Even as Kim drove the group into town, a medium-sized yellow farmhouse on its western edge settled down for the evening, transitioning from work and chores to relaxing. After a hearty dinner of roast beef and potatoes, the aroma of apple pie and fresh coffee hung in the air.

Jonathan Kent sat in his easy chair and read the paper, glancing at grain futures. As with most farmers in that area, he worried about the weather and wanted to see what the city folks thought as well. “Prices fell again.”

“They’re due to rebound,” a red haired woman concurred. Martha Kent had seen such ups and downs in their twenty year marriage. “It’ll be okay. Meantime, ready for your pie?”

“Never say I’d turn down your pie, Martha,” he concurred with a warm smile. “As she brought it over, he added, “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” she noted. “Wonder when the kids are going to be down?”

“The smell of the pie will bring them soon enough. Besides you remember what it was like when we first brought Clark home?” he reminded her while glancing back over his shoulder toward the stairs. “We couldn’t get enough of him.”

She nodded, recalling the first days following the meteor shower. Much of the surrounding county lay in ruins, smashed to bits by the green hail of death from above. And yet in its midst, their son, Clark, had been the sole ray of hope. Granted, his issues could be a challenge especially those related to his alien heritage but he’d been a lifesaver to them in addition to his newly married wife. “And Ryan is really cute.”

“That he is,” he concurred before hearing a knock at the door. “Who could that be?”

“I’ve got it,” she indicated before opening it. “Heloise? What is it?”

“Good evening, Martha and Jonathan. Forgive me for coming so late. I need to speak with Clark and Lana if I may,” Heloise apologized. “It is urgent.”

Hearing the word ‘urgent’ made his internal sense of paternal paranoia go into overdrive. “Now what?”

“A group heads for the Talon to see Miranda. They are from Japan,” Heloise reported. “One of them has great power but does not know it.”

“And if he uses it in there….” Martha winced, knowing how Miranda’s uncle—and the latter’s alter ego—would react to that. “But you can’t ask Clark and Lana to expose themselves!”

“I would ask no such thing. They would disguise themselves as they do on missions. I seek to prevent a complete breakdown. To force Miranda back to Japan now would provoke the Protector to harm these children. I have no wish to see that. We have enough to worry about with the Denver exhibit.” The priestess glanced up the stairs. “Might I go to see them and my grandson?”

“Sure,” he concurred albeit with some concern.

“Merci,” she expressed before climbing the staircase, leaving the two parents to wonder what was about to happen next.


****

[Ryan’s Room]

Even as Heloise shook the calm downstairs, Clark Kent held his two month old son up, admiring the latter. Despite the time which had passed, he still held some doubts about his abilities as a father. “Don’t worry, Guy, I’ll get it right yet.”

“That is if you can stop fretting for a minute to do so,” his wife teased with a smile. “You’re doing great, Clark. Don’t worry.”

“Thanks. I try,” he admitted.

“I know.” She kissed him, letting her lips brush lightly across his. “And I love you for it. See? You even got his diaper on right.”

He rolled his eyes.

“Knew that would get you,” she giggled.

He grinned at her. “When you say it, I believe it.”

“Well believe it, Mr. Kent. We’re partners for life. Better believe it,” she admonished.

Before he could respond, they both saw a bright light in the corner of the room materializing into the spirit of Jor-El, his birth father.

[“What going on?”] she asked telepathically.

My Children, a person of great power seeks to take Miranda from us. He and his companions approach the eating place as we speak. Heloise will tell you more, Jor-El advised. Stop them before the Protector erupts. With that, the spirit admired his grandson for a minute and then vanished.

“Now what?” he queried in disbelief.

“Let’s not upset Ryan, okay?” she reminded him while making sure that their son was all right.

“I agree,” Heloise interjected from the hallway. “I sensed Jor-El’s presence. He has advised you of the situation already?”

“He has,” Clark informed the visitor. “We’re going to take care of Ryan and then head in.”

“Speaking of Ryan, here he is,” Lana noted while handing the baby over to her. “This is your great, great, great grandmother, Ryan.”

For the first time in centuries, Heloise felt her eyes mist over as she accepted the precious bundle. “He is so perfect! Merci.” She placed a finger on his forehead and murmured a prayer. “May the goddess protect you always, my grandson.” She handed him back to his mother. “I hope you do not mind a blessing.”

“It’s appreciated. Thanks,” he accepted with a smile.

Lana put the baby in his carrier. “Meantime, let’s get him downstairs so Mom and Dad can watch him. Then we can back Miri up at the Talon.” As she said the words, she heard her best friend call, [“Lana, we could use some help here!”] She rubbed her forehead. “We just ran out of time. They’re there.” She zipped downstairs at super speed.

Go, my son, Jor-El added telepathically.

[“I’m on it,”] Clark agreed while grabbing a pair of ski masks from the desk drawer. He descended the stairs to see Lana and Martha going over things for Ryan hurriedly. “Here’s yours!”

“Thanks,” Lana accepted while taking a mask and putting it over her face.

“Be careful, you two. No telling what’s waiting for you there,” Jonathan urged.

“We will, Dad,” Clark assured them. With that, they hustled out the front door and ran toward town at super speed.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” Martha sighed.

“Pray we can stop it before it escalates,” Heloise noted while keeping an anxious eye on Ryan.




Chapter 9 [Talon—ten minutes earlier]

Meantime in downtown Smallville, the Talon café wound down toward its closing time. Most of the patrons had emptied out for the evening, taking their caffeinated goodies with them. Off to the side, a flower shop, Angie’s Floral Emporium, was doing about the same. Within twenty minutes time, the staff would clear out as well.

A lanky brunette woman wiped the counter down, adding a little extra flourish at the end. Miranda Arighatto wiped her brow off, still feeling the aftereffects of Sensei’s repeated contact attempts. While she had guessed it was him, she didn’t understand why he only called her name and never said anything else. What’s going on? Is he all right? She bit her lip. I should call him if this gets any worse! She glanced around the room, studying the remaining folks. Besides Alicia, the additional waitress, she saw Lex Luthor and his fiancée, Chloe Sullivan, sitting in a corner booth talking about things. I’m glad Uncle Dave and Lana insisted on having Alicia around! I really shouldn’t but maybe I can call once everyone else leaves. That way, nobody can overhear me and Yamanuchi’s secret will be safe!

Alicia walked over to the coffee bar and shook her manager’s shoulder. “Hey, Miranda, are you all right?”

“Huh? Oh sorry, Alicia, I spaced there. What can I get you?” Miranda apologized.

The blonde teenager eyed her cautiously, debating whether to relay the information to Lex about her friend’s ‘spaciness’. “Chloe wants another cappuccino. Mind if I make it for her?”

“Heaven help me if I come between her and her caffeine fix,” Miranda teased while eyeing her friends in the corner again. Then as her friend moved behind her, a sharp pain struck her between the eyes. “AHHH!”

“Miranda?” Alicia asked, forgetting about the drink. “Lex!”

Within a minute, Lex and Chloe had joined the others at the counter.

From Angie’s, Miranda’s aunt, Karen Singleton, ran over as well. “Miri! What is it?”

“It’s another headache, Auntie. Forget it,” Miranda tried to cover herself.

Miri Chan, can you hear me? Sensei’s voice requested.

“I heard that!” Karen noted.

“Nobody said anything!” Alicia disagreed.

Karen held a hand up, trying to get silence from the others. “Miri, relax, it’s okay. Just let me in.”

“Auntie, I can’t! Really!”

The former nurse sighed. “It’s either that or we’re going to the Med Center. And you really want to deal with your uncle then?” She focused, linking her mind with her niece’s. While she wasn’t as polished at these things as her twin brother, she had more patience than Dave did in that regard. [“Who are you? Why are you trying to contact Miranda? What’s going on?”]

She only heard silence.

[“Answer me. What do you want!”] Karen demanded. She recalled what Dave had told her about what Miranda said about a ‘master’. [“Are you her master sensei?”]

Still silence.

“It’s not just a headache,” Karen diagnosed. “Somebody’s bugging Miri and doesn’t want us to know. Worse, she knows and is covering for them. Miri, who is it?”

“I’m sworn not to,” Miranda pointed out while sitting in a corner booth and taking some aspirins for the pounding in her head.

“It’s okay, Miranda,” Lex assured her. “You know we can keep a secret.”

“Not this one. I’m sorry,” Miranda disagreed and took another sip of water. She wondered if the evening could get any worse.


*****


Kim parked the car in front of the Talon and set the brake. “This town is dead. This place doesn’t seem like much either.”

“Sensei says she will be here,” Yori noted while quickly climbing out of the back seat and taking a step toward the front door.

“Hey. Maybe we should be careful, guys,” Rick interjected, putting a hand on Yori’s shoulder. “Remember Dr. Director’s report on this place?”

I agree, Trouseau San. Sensei’s image appeared in front of the quartet. “Forgive my sudden appearance, my friends. My efforts to communicate with Miri Chan have been discovered.”

“Discovered? Hey! Maybe they can teach us to read minds too!” Ron suggested.

“You should focus on the real issue, Stoppable San. Our school’s secret is at risk,” Sensei admonished. “Get Miranda away from the others immediately and speak to her.” With that, his image faded.

Sensing his comrades’ anxiousness, Ron added, “What? It’s all good. Let’s get some coffee and scope the place out.” As he said that, he felt uneasy himself.

“What is it, Ron San?” Yori insisted, feeling uneasy about the situation.

“Nothing. Let’s get that good stuff,” Ron insisted while leading the others inside.

Kim eyed her long time partner and then exchanged glances with Rick. “I’d better get Wade.”

“Hey, KP, it’s no big! What’s the worst that can happen? We fight with some mutant cake?” Ron scoffed.

Yori’s eyes narrowed as they entered the café. “It seems normal.”

“Except for the walls and stuff,” Kim assessed with a frown.

“This is an old theater, Kim,” Rick reminded her. “Circa 1930 or so.”

“Time for an update then,” Ron remarked while feeling a charge in the air. “Whoa!”

“Sit, Ron San.” Yori indicated, not taking chances with him. Seeing Alicia hustle over, she asked, “My boyfriend needs a glass of water please.”

“Sure,” Alicia agreed. “Be right back with that.”

Seeing that the place was empty except for them and the few others, Kim guessed, “It must be pretty close to closing time.”

“You’ve still got a half hour so order what you want,” Lex interjected as he walked over. “Haven’t seen you four in town before. Welcome! Is your friend okay?”

“Just a bad headache,” Ron deflected. “Thanks, Dude.”

Rick eyed the bald billionaire. “You’re Lex Luthor, the industrialist, right?”

Bad headache? There seems to be a rash of them! “That’s me. I also have a stake in this café. And you are?” Lex asked while offering the teen agent his hand.

“Rick Trouseau. The red head’s name is Kim and these are our friends, Ron and Yori. We’re looking for a friend of ours,” Rick introduced.

“Maybe we can help,” Chloe added as she joined them. “Meantime, enjoy the best coffee in Lowell County.”

“And she would know too,” Lex declared with a wry smirk.

Chloe shrugged before continuing, “You better believe it, Lex. Anyhow there are other drinks besides coffee up there. Feel free to see what’s there.”

Yori continued to survey the room until her eyes caught Miranda and Karen. “There she is! Miri Chan!”

“Where?” Ron wondered.

“What?” Karen asked, knowing that Miranda only allowed certain people to call her by the nickname.

“Yori? What are you doing here?” Miranda asked while pulling herself to her feet. She rubbed her forehead. “Sorry, I must really be out of it.”

“I am here. Our teacher needs to speak to you about an urgent matter. You must come with us,” Yori noted, trying to keep a balance between a warm smile and the seriousness of the situation in her approach.

“Sorry, she’s not going anywhere except home at the moment,” Karen disagreed. “Maybe you can tell us who this master is?”

“Umm, guys, maybe we should like back off?” Kim supposed. “She really doesn’t look well. Sensei can probably wait until morning.”

“I can’t really take off anyway,” Miranda chimed in. “Too much going on here right now. Trust me. You don’t want me taking off without letting my uncle know first.’

Yori stared incredulously at Miranda. <”You are refusing Sensei’s summons?”>

Miranda nodded. “Hai.” She bit her lip. “He understands about obligations. I have mine around here.”

“Hey, umm…how about that order now?” Alicia tried to cut in.

“In a minute,” Karen interjected. “Who the Hell is this guy? Why is it so important that you just march in here and try to take her now?”

“I’d like to hear that too,” Lex concurred.

“Our teacher doesn’t take no too well,” Ron agreed while feeling pin pricks running up and down his spine. “What’s the sitch?” He looked about the room trying to find the energy source.

“I think we’d best find help for your friend first,” Chloe supposed.

“I’m cool. Just need for Miranda to come with us and….” Ron declined.

Karen raised an eyebrow. “What part of no don’t you kids get? She said it. Either have your coffee or go.” She was feeling the same tremors that Ron was. Unlike the blonde ninja student, she knew their source. Great. Now Dave knows.

“You heard the lady. I…uh…think that coffee’s a great idea,” Rick agreed anxiously while recalling other details about this place’s file.

<“It is your main duty to respond to him!”> Yori snapped.

I really don’t want to bring the Boss or Clark into this but…Sensei, you provoked this. Miranda eyed her friend. “And I told you why not.” Knowing how loyal and stubborn her dear friend was on those matters, she decided to call in reinforcements. [“Lana, we could use some help here!”]

“I don’t understand Japanese but that sounded like an ultimatum,” Chloe assumed.

“It was,” Lex clarified. “Guys, I really think you should leave.” He pulled out a cell phone. “Don’t make me use this.”

Then they all heard a low growl in the dimly lit corner by the plaque. Turning they found the Protector glaring at them; his open left eye glowing yellow. “Who’s buggin’ Miri-Ma? Ain’t takin’ her NOWHERE!”

“Now you’ve done it.” Karen rolled her eyes, wincing at the thought of dealing with her brother’s alter ego on top of everything else.

“That’s the dark dude? Her evil uncle or…?” Ron supposed.

“AIN’T EVIL!” the Dark One spat. “Ya hurt mah friends! Ah’ll whup yer ass!” He raised his hands; the energy making them glow jet-black.

Lex stepped between them. “Look, Ron, right? Watch the mouth.”

“Yer w’ Painty Face, ain’cha?” the Protector spat. “Ah ain’t lettin’ Miri go nowhere! Git lost!”

“How dare you suggest…?” Yori countered indignantly. “I would never!” She went for her fighting fans.

“Umm, Yori, I wouldn’t…..” Rick disagreed while trying to stop her.

Yori shook herself loose and stepped toward the Protector. “You seek to bar Sensei from communicating with Miranda!”

“An’ ya pull yer crap in ‘ere!” the Protector snapped while raising her and the rest of Team Possible into the air telekinetically into the air. “Wha’s yer pr’blem?”

The problem, Creature, is with me, not them. At that moment, Sensei appeared in his image form. “Release them!”

The Protector screamed at the image, making everyone’s ears hurt in the process. “Ya sent ‘em, didn’cha?” He motioned with his hand, dropping the teenaged quartet like so many sacks of potatoes before advancing on Sensei. “Yer really pissin’ me off!” Once again, he started channeling energy into his hands. “Yer na’ takin’ ‘er ‘GAIN!” He fired two dark fire blasts.

As the bursts hit him, Sensei spasmed and the image disappeared.

“Damn!” Rick gasped.

“How…What did he…?” Kim asked while pressing the Kimmunicator’s send button. Oh snap! I can’t get a signal in here!

“Sensei! What did you do?” Yori demanded.

“Not now, Yori,” Miranda advised while stepping between her and the enraged man in front of them. “Look, umm, let’s cool off. I called the others in. We don’t need the Sheriff here too, right?”

The Protector curled his lip. “Wha’ver! She w’ Painty Face!”

“No she isn’t. Yori just goes a little overboard like I do some times,” Miranda argued. “She’s a friend. So are the others.” She took a deep breath while seeing Clark and Lana come out of the back room at a normal human pace. “Hey, guys, want a coffee?”

“Miri, what’s going on?” Lana wondered while seeing how out of sorts everyone seemed.

“Crisis has been averted although I owe Sensei an apology,” Miranda noted while shaking her head.

“Owe him what?” Karen demanded. “The guy’s been giving you headaches. They try to pull you out of here against your will. Then that guy’s image starts telling us what to do here. And you owe him an apology?”

“I told you guys that we should be cautious,” Rick pointed out sheepishly while accepting a cup.

“So whatever happened is over?” Clark asked feeling very confused.

“Be grateful we didn’t get a bigger incident,” Lex pointed out. “Think you all can just sit here without doing anything else?”

“That’s the plan,” Kim concurred while starting into a cup of coffee. As soon as we get out of here, I’m calling Wade to get the 411 on Mr. Dark and Scary!

Yori inspected Ron, noting his continued spasms. “Is there somewhere we can bring him? This place causes him discomfort.”

“We can go back to my place,” Lex agreed, not wanting to send a potential problem back to the Kent Farm or keep the issue brewing there. He eyed the Protector. “Think you can let Dave out?”

“Wha’ver. Gonna check on Little Woman an’ Kiddies!” the Dark One disappeared in a flash.

“Little Woman?” Kim asked.

“His wife and kids,” Miranda clarified while helping Yori with Ron. “Come on. The sooner we get everyone back to the mansion, the better I’ll feel.” She winced, knowing that some space between Team Possible and the Protector was a good idea overall.

“Alicia, can you finish cleaning?” Lana suggested before she and Clark followed the others out the door.

Now what? The blonde waitress watched as the others left. Then she shook her head wondering what could happen next.




Chapter 10 [Luthor Mansion—An Hour Later]

Kim sat in the corner of the study watching her host and his companions carefully. She had to admit that Lex’s place was spanking. After all how many guys have a mansion to entertain with? Still she worried about Ron who was upstairs with Yori tending to him. What’s the sitch with that theater? Why did it whack Ron out like that?

“Are you okay?” Lana queried while setting a glass of water down.

“I’m good. Just concerned about my friends,” Kim admitted. “I hope they’re okay up there.”

“We’ll have to wait and see. Meantime, what happened tonight?” Lana queried while sitting down next to her.

“We need to talk with Yori’s classmate, Miranda. We need her help with something,” Kim replied cryptically.

“You could have waited until morning to ask.” Lana offered her hand. “I’m Lana by the way.”

“Kim Possible. You and your friend showed up pretty quickly.”

Lana shrugged. “Trade secret. Miranda’s been my best friend since she first showed up here. I heard about that Sensei guy from the others. He should have known better than to send you four in here like that.”

“Yeah I guess. So what’s the 411 about the maniac guy?” Kim asked.

“Maniac?” Lana queried before realizing who she was referring to. “You mean the Protector? Yeah, he’s extremely scary. He has his reasons though.”

“Reasons? That guy needs some serious help!”

“He’s been through a lot, Kim. Miranda was kidnapped away from him and rest of their family. You can’t blame him or Mrs. Singleton for not wanting it to happen again,” Lana countered. “Think this master of theirs will open up and let us in on what’s going on?”

“That would be great,” Rick agreed while planting himself next to Kim on the couch. “If he’ll do it. I’m Rick Trouseau by the way.”

“Lana Lang-Kent,” Lana replied while shaking his hand. “Is there any way you can talk with them to do that?”

“There’s stuff we aren’t allowed to talk about,” Kim indicated with a frown.

“Communication is important, guys,” Lex pointed out while joining them. “We could’ve avoided that scene if you all would let us know what’s going on.”

“Hope Sensei will let us,” Rick noted while looking up the stairs.



****


[Guest Bed Room]

Yori wiped down Ron’s forehead with a cold rag and studied him intensely. <Why is he like this? What did that place do to him?>

“I keep telling you I’m good,” Ron muttered while opening his eyes.

“And I keep telling you to rest, Ron San. Barkin Sama will have to understand,” she asserted firmly. “I hope Sensei is all right.”

“Yeah that was pretty wild.” He grimaced while sitting up. Seeing her reaction, he put his hands up defensively. “I’m staying put. Just tired of lying down.” He rubbed his forehead. “Wow. Any word from Sensei?”

“No. I worry for him as well,” she admitted.

“What’s the deal with Miranda? Ain’t never heard of anyone refusing Sensei before,” he wondered.

“I do not know either,” she indicated.

“If you’d be patient, I’d talk to you both you know,” Miranda added from the doorway as she brought in a bowl of ice. With her, a girl of Middle Eastern coloring held some towels as well. “I’ve asked Lex to turn off the surveillance so we can talk privately.”

“Let me know if I can help,” the girl offered.

“Thanks, Jasmine,” she expressed before shutting the door. “You both doing better?”

“Hai,” Yori agreed, not hiding her anger.

“Hey, wait a minute! I’m not the one who picked that fight. Yori, what’s going on? Sensei usually isn’t like that,” Miranda assessed while confronting the other female.

“We have an emergency to deal with. You refused his summons!”

“All he does is call my name. Besides the static is giving me migranes. How can I talk with him if he’s not getting through, Yori? He tried again just before you all got in there. That’s what had everyone on edge,” Miranda clarified. Then she realized what was going on. “Something’s blocking him. Terrific.”

“Your uncle?”

“Uncle Dave doesn’t know who Sensei is. Even if he or the Protector did, they couldn’t block me from talking to him. What’s the emergency?” Miranda pointed out.

“It involves the Ming T’sai, Miri Chan,” Yori revealed.

“It figures. Ever since Martin Kogimoto showed up at my uncle’s office, I knew those creeps were behind it.” She took two of the stylized lion cards from her pocket. “Martin had one. The Protector brought the other one back from Denver. “They were stalking the exhibit two days ago.”

“You know and yet you do nothing?” Yori asked.

“My Uncle Garth is one of the two FBI agents assigned to the iguana, Yori. He’s really good at what he does. Besides you’ve seen the other part of the security force. And we have a few surprises around here too if there’s trouble,” Miranda explained. “If needed, we can get to Denver in a hurry. Meantime, I’m trying to keep everything going here too.”

Yori nodded, seeing the other woman’s point. “I am sorry for assuming you did not care, Miri Chan.”

“You should know me better than that. Even though it’s been a few years, I’m still me. And what’s the deal with him?” Miranda pointed out.

“With me?” Ron asked.

“Yeah with you, Chief. You aren’t exactly ninja material, you know,” Miranda noted wryly.

“Hey!” Rufus protested from the nightstand.

“A talking mole rat?” Miranda quirked her eyebrow in surprise.

“As I was about to say, both Ron San and Rufus San are, as you Americans say, more than the book’s cover. They have defeated Monkey Fist on two occasions,” Yori reported, betraying a proud smile as she said it.

Miranda chuckled. “And you two are serious? Never thought I’d see that.” She looked at Ron. “You must be something else if she’s praising you like that. Yori’s not into throwing compliments around like bouquets.”

“She can’t resist the Ron Man,” he retorted, jabbing at his GF.

“Ron San, please,” Yori requested, letting him know that was enough.

“It’s okay, Yori.” Miranda rubbed her longtime friend’s arm. “I think it’s great that you’ve found someone. But on a serious note, I know we need to keep Yamanuchi’s secret. The folks here are good about that stuff. Sensei can trust them.”

“If he’ll listen after Mr. Dark blasted him,” Ron pointed out.

“Uncle Dave doesn’t want to lose me again. He’ll never forget that day at the mall,” Miranda pointed out. She bowed her head, recalling the death and pain of that long ago day. “The Protector saw your ninja outfit, Yori, and assumed you were with Arighatto. You can’t blame him or my Aunt Karen.” She sighed. “I think we’re going to need some help if I’m going to contact Sensei. Keep a secret even from him for now?”

“I do not like this, Miri Chan,” Yori disapproved. “But it is to contact Sensei.”

“Yeah sure,” Ron concurred, wanting to put the mess behind them.

Rufus nodded.

“All right then. Thank you both,” Miranda took a deep breath and called, [“Jor-El?”]

The father spirit appeared in front of them. Is everything resolved, Miranda Arighatto? We cannot allow a threat to my children.

“WHOA!” Ron jumped.

“Miri Chan?” Yori asked feeling as nervous as he was.

“Relax, you two. This is Jor-El. He’s an older friend, guide and teacher much as Sensei is.” Miranda turned back to the spirit. [“Something caused that. It has blocked me from speaking with my old teacher. He sent the others. I wish to clear up the misunderstanding so that we might all work together to keep the iguana statuette safe.”]

Very well. There is wisdom in your words, Miranda. Jor-El looked the trio over. And the animal?

[“He’s with them. Can you boost my abilities so I can contact my sensei?”] Miranda requested.

I am willing to do that. Focus with me, Jor-El laid his “hands” on hers.

Miranda spasmed slightly before steadying herself. Then she sat down in a lotus meditative position. “Keep an eye out, guys. I’ll be right back.” She closed her eyes and let her consciousness go.

“Is it working?” Yori wondered.

Her attention is elsewhere, Young One, Jor-El noted to them all. Yes, I am speaking to you telepathically much as this Sensei does. Miranda allowed me to see a memory of him just now.

Ron nodded anxiously, holding Yori closely against himself. This sitch just kept getting weirder and weirder…..





Conclusion
[Yamanuchi Training Yard—7:22 AM]

Despite the previous night’s failure and the subsequent exam by Dr. Kogimoto, Sensei made it to the morning workout. While a few students knew the truth, they would say nothing. Besides the master was always supposed to serve as an example to the students.

Pain was a distraction. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Just before he started things, he felt a telepathic contact brush his mind.

<”Master Sensei!”> Hirotaka interjected. <”What is it?”>

<”A sending. Stay back,”> Sensei cautioned. After the previous evening’s encounter, he wasn’t going to take any chances. Then he relaxed. “Miri Chan.”

Miranda’s telepathic image appeared in front of her mentor and classmates. “Hai, Master Sensei.” She bowed to them. Seeing their surprise at this manifestation, she informed them, <”A friend is helping me to speak with you right now. He agrees with me that both sets of secrets have caused enough issues for us.”>

<”And your uncle?”> Sensei insisted.

<”He’s fine. With due respect, Master, we all, as we Americans put it, jumped the gun. The Protector hates the Ming T’ sai as much as we do. In fact, he’s faced their new leader supposedly in battle and defeated him! As much as I respect you and the others, I’ve learned not to underestimate my friends here in America either. They will keep our secret if we keep theirs. Would you be willing to speak with them as concerning the Karoshi Iguana and the Ming T ‘sai?”>

<”We are in need of such allies,”> Sensei conceded, realizing how hasty he’d been in sending Team Possible in the manner he had.

<”You’ll like them. Just as with all of you, they are my family.”> Miranda pointed out.

<”And Stoppable San? Yori? How are they?”> Nyoki wondered.

<”They’re all right. As for your concerns, Yori Chan is my sister in spirit. As for Ron, he’s dealing with some aura issues of his own,”> Miranda explained. <”Meantime, I am looking over them personally. As I said, we are all a family. If we fight amongst ourselves, the Ming T ‘sai win. Just as Yori and the others have done with Team Possible, I am asking respectfully, Master, that we forge another such alliance. We help not threaten each other.”>

Sensei rubbed his forehead considering his student’s message. <”There is much wisdom in your words, Miri Chan. I will speak with those from the eatery.”>

“Domo arighato, Sensei Sama,” Miranda concurred. <”After drills perhaps?”>

“Hai.” Sensei agreed. <”Tell them as much. I will determine how much more than that to say.”>

<”As you wish, Master,”> Miranda agreed before turning back to the group. <”Make him and us all proud.”> She bowed to them again before vanishing like a will-o-wisp on the morning breeze.

<”As Miri Chan said, your best effort. Dragon formation! Begin!”> Sensei instructed, sending the students off on the morning’s tasks. As he watched them, he mused over what to say to Miranda and her companions later.

It would take a lot of thought and trust to come up with the words…and he only had a short time in which to do so. A short time indeed.


****


[Luthor Mansion—Midnight CDT, very early Friday morning]

Kim hung up the phone in Lex’s sitting room while considering the mission’s implications. After calming the parents down for almost a half an hour, she assured them that she and the other team members would be back in Middleton in time for school (even if she didn’t know how that would happen). “We’re so dead.”

“At least I’m not black hole bound,” Rick commented.

“You may still be,” she countered.

“Sensei will explain everything that he can,” Yori assured them both from where she sat with Ron and Rufus.

“He will?” Ron asked, wondering how much Sensei would open up.

“He’s practical in that way, Ron,” Miranda agreed as she entered the room with Jasmine, Clark and Lana. “Besides, nothing happened and we’ll have you right back in Middleton before you know it.”

“As long as we get some things understood first,” Lana interjected. “First of all, guys, it’s okay to ask for help instead of demanding it.”

“Amen to that, Lana,” Lex concurred as he, Chloe, Alicia, Dave and Karen followed them in. “That should be everyone.” He shut the doors behind them to insure privacy. Then he pointed to the table where a coffee pot sat waiting along with some pastries. “Help yourself, guys.”

“Cool! Food!” Ron interjected while rushing over toward the snacks.

“Domo, Luthor San. Pardon Ron San’s display,” Yori apologized even if she had to smile at her BF’s antics.

“That’s our Ron,” Kim explained while rolling her eyes.

“Hey! Food’s for eatin’, right?” the blonde teen shot back from the table.

“Just not that fast,” Chloe noted wryly while helping herself to the coffee.

“We should get going,” Dave told them while checking his watch.

I quite agree. At that moment, Sensei appeared in his astral form. “Thank you for your hospitality especially given what happened earlier.”

“My pleasure. I hope this will help resolve some of our earlier communication barriers,” Lex assured Sensei. “Miranda thinks we can all help each other. I agree if we work together.”

“I’d like nothing better than to see both of my families in cahoots,” Miranda noted while hugging both Lana and Yori. “My two sisters.”

“I say the same, Miri Chan,” Yori agreed enthusiastically.

“What about him though?” Rick asked while motioning to Dave.

“What about me?” Dave asked. “I can handle whatever those guys throw at us.”

Sensei cut in, “Do not doubt Dubois Sama’s abilities, Trouseau San. I agree with Miri Chan. The Ming T ‘sai will test our capabilities. We wish to keep the statuette safe. Let us join forces in that regard.”

“And that we trust each other,” Clark jumped in with a shrug.

Team Possible looked at each other and then at Sensei considering the offer on the table. The Ming T ‘sai had proven formidable in the past despite the unusually easy raid in Shanghai. Given that the Supreme Leader would have prepared more thoroughly on this occasion, extra help would be good.

“Then we shall work together. Domo, Miri Chan, for arranging this,” Sensei concurred before vanishing from the scene.

“In addition, GJ can collaborate with the FBI on security detail. We’ll be at the display on Saturday for a class field trip,” Rick proposed.

“And if you need help, we can back you up,” Miranda concurred.

Ron moved back for seconds. “Now that we’re all cool, let’s eat!”

With that invitation, the group moved in for a quick bite and conversation. Now that the misunderstandings were behind them, the two sides could cement their ties for their mutual best interests.

Given what Dijon had planned, that would indeed work to the best of all concerned…..


THE END (for now)


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