****


[Smallville—Kent Farm]

Even as his old adversary plotted Team Possible’s downfall, Dave looked through the open loft door out onto the darkened prairie. A freaking circus! That’s what we’re facing! He bit his lip considering the potential fiasco brewing in the mountains to the west. Fortunately, Miri talked to April and Karen about some of it. Wish she could tell more.

Then again, the Protector had learned what they all needed to know that morning. As Sensei had deduced, he found Yamanuchi and observed everything from the shadows. Needless to say, he was not amused by Sensei’s lecture to Kogimoto.

As if that guy’s going to cut me out of Miranda’s life. He snorted sarcastically, feeling the dark fingers of numbness gripping his scalp.

Control yourself, David Dubois, Jor-El advised as he appeared beside him.

[“I am in control,”] Dave retorted telepathically. [“I want a strategy for a change before we go charging in.”]

And where is Heloise?

[“She’s in Althanor watching as our eyes and ears along with Deirdre and Cybelle. If needed, they can pull us out,”] Dave explained.

Or perhaps bring in our other friends?

[“According to her, it’s our mission not theirs. Besides, we have decent firepower here. We can deal with this scenario,”] Dave presumed.

Do not get overconfident. As you yourself just said, we need a strategy. I will not risk my children on a fool’s errand.

[“Point taken,”] the professor agreed.

[“As if we didn’t learn enough from the Black Hand’s attack here?”] Miranda asked while coming up the stairs. “The others are right behind me.”

“What’s going on?” Lana inquired as she and Clark followed. She held Ryan in her arms and rocked him slowly.

“Plans for tomorrow, Lana. Just in case the kids and agents need help in Denver, we need to be ready,” Dave presumed.

In a poof of emerald mist, Alicia appeared with three other teens: a dark haired guy, a sandy brown haired girl and another girl with dark hair and glasses.

Jasmine flew in through the open Loft door on her flying carpet. As always, her scimitar was strapped to her back ready for use. “My apologies, friends. Am I late?”

“You’re right on time, Jasmine,” Miranda assured her. “I think this is everyone.” She stepped to her uncle’s side. “Mind if I take over, Uncle Dave?”

“Go for it since you’re our ninja rep.”

She rolled her eyes at her uncle but knew he wasn’t being irreverent. “You all know that I trained in Japan as long as I’ve been in Smallville. Other than that, I’ve had to keep everything secret about my boarding school over there. Do you promise to keep what you hear tonight a secret? It’s crucial.”

“This has to do with that Sensei guy from last night?” Alicia presumed.

“Exactly,” Miranda noted. “Byron, Sasha, Sam, what do you say?”

“If you trust him, so do we,” Byron agreed.

“Absolutely,” Samantha concurred.

“Count me in too,” Sasha piped in while fixing her glasses.

“Thanks, guys,” Miranda expressed in relief before focusing. [“Jor-El, I hate to ask again but….”]

It is my pleasure to assist, Miranda. The father spirit placed his ‘hands’ on hers, boosting her abilities with his own.

[“Thanks.”] Miranda focused, opening her mind beyond the prairie to the ocean and the Japanese archipelago on its other side. [<“Sensei Sama, my friends have agreed to keep our school’s secret. We seek your wisdom.”>]

[“I would never deny you, Miri Chan,”] Sensei’s voice replied over their link and by proxy through the others’ minds. His image floated in the air in front of them. “Once more, it is a pleasure, my friends, to meet openly with you.” He glanced at Dave sharply.

“What?” Miranda asked before looking at Dave. “What now?”

“Your mentor thinks he can keep me out of the loop where you’re concerned. The Protector took exception. He visited your school this morning just to show he could do it and gave me the field report,” her uncle recounted, glaring at the image in return. “Let’s get one thing straight. He may be your sensei, Miri. I respect that. But there’s no way he’s going to sneak you out of here behind my or anyone else’s back. And nobody talks about me like a pain in the ass to be taken out.” His eyes glowed yellow and the scar on his right hand flashed a shade of green.

I thought we settled this matter last night, Jor-El presumed.

“I did. Mr. High and Mighty over there apparently didn’t. No wonder Martin Kogimoto didn’t want to tell me anything,” Dave declared.

“Sensei, is this true?” Miranda asked.

“Miranda, your first duty is to the school. You swore that,” the mentor retorted. “As much as I value family connections, your priorities are clear.”

“Yeah they are,” Miranda agreed. “I value my connections with the school, Sensei Sama. However, this is my home now.” She hugged her uncle and Lana with an arm each. “This is my family. You all are as well. However, we all need to work together.”

“Umm, why can’t she have both?” Clark interjected. “We’re used to balancing the two cultures thing around here.”

“And we can continue to help the others after this mess is over,” Lana added.

“We’re used to keeping secrets,” Byron threw in.

“Bringing people back and forth isn’t a problem either,” Alicia chimed in.

“Domo for your assistance, Baker San,” Sensei expressed to Alicia.

“You’re welcome. I’m ready to bring us to Denver in the morning as well,” the teleporter assured him.

“Speaking of that,” Dave noted. “Everyone, we’re going up against accomplished ninja including the remnants of the Black Hand in addition to the main force of the Ming T’sai. We have to go on the presumption that not only will they be ready for Team Possible but us as well.”

“An excellent point, Dubois Sama,” Sensei assessed. “I will put the regional alumni on alert as well.”

Seeing the puzzled looks, Miranda jumped in again, “He means fellows alums like me. We appreciate the offer, Sensei Sama. Meantime did you speak with the team’s teacher about the bus ride?”

“Hai. You will serve as an American style chaperone for the class from Middleton. We can remain in telepathic contact,” Sensei proposed.

“I can stay in contact with you, Uncle Dave, Clark and Lana,” Miranda clarified. “That way everyone knows what’s going on. With how the Ming T’ sai can strike, we need to move like lightning.”

“You know how fast we can get there,” Lana indicated, getting nods of agreement from the other legion members.

“It is settled then. Miri Chan will accompany the class to Denver. There you and Team Possible will meet with your uncle and his partner at the museum. If there is any trouble, execute the plan. Be careful,” Sensei affirmed before vanishing from sight.

As he said, my children, be careful. There are many risks with the statuette, Jor-El advised.

“We’ll be ready,” Clark affirmed.

Still Lana had one of those feelings that something was about to go wrong. Now what can happen?

They’d have to wait until the following day to find out…..




Chapter 7 [Next Morning]
[Althanor]

Cybelle watched the developing scene through the mists with an anxious eye. Since she’d sensed the developing rift between her brother’s counterpart and Sensei, she’d kept an especially keen eye on the situation. Fortunately, that Miri is as strong as ours. Goddess knows, she saved the affair on two occasions.

“Dubois’ being a hothead,” Heloise grumbled. “His spying nearly cost them.”

“You didn’t go through Miranda’s kidnapping. Actually, he’s being remarkably composed given her sensei’s errors in judgment over the past two days,” the high priestess noted. “And we can thank Miranda for that.”

“She is a teacher in the making,” Heloise noted.

“She’s one now. Today is a day of surprises—both good and bad. May the goddess will that we survive the day,” Cybelle indicated. “I wish you to return there. Stay and observe within the mists. If needed and if it is safe to do so, intervene. But do so carefully. We wish to keep your new status a secret for now at least.”

Heloise bowed to her superior before disappearing in a poof of gray mist.

And so it begins!



****



[Middleton—Stoppable Household]

After waking up before Yori (for a change), Ron decided to surprise her with a special breakfast omelet. He put on his robe and hustled down the stairs. Then he collected his gear: a skillet, a frying pan, butter, five eggs, sausage, ham, bell pepper and onions. (Granted, he was going to make a salad but forgot to do it on the previous night.) He scrambled the eggs in a bowl and poured them onto the skillet where the sausage was browning. Then he mixed in the onions.

He was so obsessed with the project that he failed to notice the visitor sitting in the living room until she cleared her throat and said, “That’s some breakfast you’ve got there.”

He turned to find Miranda watching him from the couch as she sipped from a Styrofoam cup. “Hey! What’s the sitch with you being here?”

She shrugged. “Alicia teleported me in here. Sorry about the break in but I figured Yori would beat you out of bed.” She held up a bag. “I brought some cinnamon rolls but I think you have matters under control.” She walked into the kitchen and admired the simmering concoction. “You know she loves art, don’t you?”

“Yeah. I love to cook. I can’t believe she likes it as much as she does,” he admitted, doubting himself in the process.

“Why don’t you believe it?” she asked incredulously. “Ron, you have talent. Neither she nor Sensei mess around in that regard. Do you realize what it takes for gaijin like us to make it there?”

“A lot.”

“We’re the only two ever,” she informed him before grinning wryly. “No wonder she loves you.” She held up a bag of ground coffee beans. “I’ll set up coffee. It’s fresh from the Talon this morning.”

He glanced at her while checking the breakfast. “It’s really cool that you’re here, Miranda.” He winced. “But we have that trip…..”

“I know. I’m going with you,” she indicated.

“You are? Barkin’s letting you?”

“Sensei convinced him to let me play chaperone. I’m that and Sensei’s rep. Besides I can let my uncle and the others know what’s going on in a hurry,” she explained while starting the hot drink brewing and the aroma wafting through the room and the rest of the house. “There!” She glanced up the stairs toward where her sister in spirit lay sleeping. “That’ll get her up.”

As predicted, Yori descended the staircase three minutes later. “Ron San, what are you doing? We do not have time.”

“As your chaperone and sister, Yori Chan, I say you do. Now as Great Grandma Alvaro used to say—manga!” Miri insisted with a very smart alecky smirk on her face.

“Miri Chan! When did you arrive, Sister?” Yori queried.

“About twenty minutes ago. The chef’s cooking brought me running from Smallville. Now eat up. We have a big day ahead of us,” Miranda directed them both while biting into one of the cinnamon roll.

Her comment only made the two students more anxious. What wasn’t she telling them?


****


[Middleton HS]

Kim checked her watch for the seventh time. With only five minutes to go before Barkin went into commander-in-chief mode and ordered them onto the busses. “Where are they?”

“Your Mom said she’d drop them off here. Chill,” Rick advised.

“This is Ron. She should worry. The boy probably slept through his alarm again,” Monique suggested.

“Yori will get him here,” Kim noted tersely.

“Or maybe not? Maybe Stoppable finally figured some things out?” Bonnie jabbed.

Despite the fact that she and Ron had their own relationships, Kim’s face turned red.

“Okay. Chill out now!” Monique interceded, getting between them. “Bonnie, get lost. Kim, quit with the jealing already!”

“I am not jealing!” Kim snapped.

“Sure you aren’t, Ms. Green Eyes,” Monique supposed cynically.

Rick shook his head. “Let me.” He looked at his GF and asked, “Are you okay?”

“Sorry, Rick. I just don’t want Ron getting hurt….”

He hugged her. “Yori won’t do that. Besides there are certain things that Ron needs to experience. Just like I hope some day we can too.”

“Some day?” she asked.

He shrugged. “When we’ve cleared the black hole threat. Kim, I love you. That’s what matters, right?”

She nodded and smiled warmly at him. “I guess I should trust in us more. Sorry, I worry.”

“Ron and you are always going to be close. Hey, Yori and I understand that.” He did a quick check for Barkin before kissing her on the forehead. “Meantime I’m here.”

“Yeah. I dig that,” she agreed as they walked back over to the group. There Ron and Yori waited for them. “You made it!”

“Ron San surprised me with an American style breakfast,” Yori revealed with an anxious giggle.

“Oh really? Do tell,” Kim pressed with a smile.

“No big, KP. I cracked a few eggs and made some omelets.” He squeezed his GF’s hand gently.

“Some omelets? I have had others but that was delicious! Even Miri Chan enjoyed it and she is very picky,” Yori countered.

“Miranda’s here?” Rick queried.

Yori pointed over to where Barkin talked with her former classmate. “She is our American-style chaperone. It is at Mr. Sensei’s suggestion.”

“Great. Another chaperone on top of Barkin,” Monique sighed.

“It’s actually good for us. At least it’s not the librarian or something,” Rick indicated. Plus if the Ming T ‘sai attack, she’s another ally. “Let’s get toward the bus. All right?”

Kim nodded while heading in that direction.

“You will all see. Miri Chan is a fine leader,” Yori asserted.

“If she’s a friend of yours then that’s cool,” Monique indicated as they headed for the bus.

Fifteen minutes later, Barkin had completed his roll call and introduced Miranda to the other students. With that, the busses headed out of the driveway heading for the interstate and the exhibit.




Chapter 8 [An Hour Later—National Museum]

Steve and Garth continued their patrols as they had for much of the previous week. While they appreciated GJ’s assistance, they also anticipated a possible attack as well. Call it intuition or a nasty feeling but they recognized when all of the factors made an attack likely.

“Not long now,” Steve indicated while checking his watch.

“I’ll be glad when she and the other kids get here,” Garth noted. Just then his cell buzzed. “Singleton.”

“Agent Singleton, this is Edwards at the main entrance. The Middleton group you and Agent Petersen asked about is here.”

“Thanks, Edwards. Let them know we’ll be right there,” Garth noted while signing off. “That’s our cue.” He signaled to the two GJ agents. “We’ll be back soon.”

The two agents headed for the entrance. There they found the class waiting for them.

“Good morning, everyone. Sorry about the delay. We’re having security difficulties. If you could start through the security sensors please?” Steve noted.

“Miranda, can you guide Agent Trouseau, Kim, Yori and Ron over here please?” Garth requested.

“Of course, Uncle Garth,” Miranda agreed as she and Team Possible headed through the side gate.

“Security? What’s going on?” Barkin demanded.

“Just a precaution, sir. Pass through security please,” Steve requested.

“Why do they get a free pass and we have to do this?” Bonnie whined.

“I have government clearance, Bonnie,” Rick explained while revealing his credentials. “Miranda and I are vouching for Kim, Ron and Yori.”

“Just do it, Rockwaller,” one of their classmates groused.

“Fine!” Bonnie surrendered her purse and watched the guard dump its contents into a plastic bowl. “AUGH!”

Kim had to look away before she started laughing. However, she was enjoying the way her rival was being treated.

“Okay, Kids,” Steve indicated. “I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your eyes open today. Enjoy the exhibit. But I want you ready for anything.” He unlocked a side door and pulled out a duffel bag. “As per instructions from Dr. Dubois, here’s your stuff. He had it brought up here.”

“Thanks,” Miranda expressed while unzipping the bag and pulling out her gear. “Can’t say I’d ever thought I’d be on a field trip and with my gear.”

“It’s a special case, Miri,” Steve noted while handing Kim her cable gun and Kimmunicator. “You’ve got your side arm, Agent Trouseau.”

“I’m locked and loaded. Thanks,” Rick agreed while revealing his underarm holster under his jacket.

“I don’t have anything for you two,” Steve indicated to Yori and Ron.

“My fans and boomerang are here, Agent Petersen,” Yori assured him while opening her backpack and revealing the implements in question.

“Fine. If we’re set, let’s get back to the party. Remember, act normally. Don’t get the others stirred up,” Steve advised before opening the door again.

Even if Uncle Dave isn’t here, this feels like one of his scenarios, Miranda mused to herself.

The teens followed their lead, wondering how such an attack could be kept under wraps.




Conclusion [Forty-five minutes later]

For the first part of the tour, everything seemed perfectly normal. The guide, a thirty-something man, led the class through the museum’s Asian wing. As he stopped by each exhibit, he said a little something about the art and its history before moving on.

Admittedly, the students were underwhelmed, still wishing they were elsewhere for the most part.

Ron surprised some of his peers by showing a great deal of interest in the Japanese pieces. Of course he wanted to know more about his adopted second culture.

“Many of them are bored, Ron San,” Yori complained low.

“Aw, let ‘em be. That’s their problem,” he countered while giving her hand a brief squeeze so as to stay off of Barkin’s PDA radar.

She blushed, feeling a surge of warmth flowing through herself. “Domo.”

“It’s all good in your hood,” he quipped with a sappy smile. “Come on. Let’s get back.”

“Having fun, Stoppable?” the hulking vice-principal inquired suspiciously as they approached the group.

“Sure thing. Just reassuring my GF that her culture’s important.” Ron shrugged.

“It is as he says, Barkin Sama. Ron San has developed an interest in such items while he has been back with us. Forgive us if it seemed more than that,” Yori apologized.

Despite not tolerating the usual teenage displays, Barkin did like the fact that Ron was still playing the cultural ambassador. In addition, the kid was actually trying to think of someone else. Besides, he liked how Yori influenced Ron. “Just keep the hand holding to a minimum, Stoppable. Otherwise, you’re fine. We’re about to see the iguana. Follow me.”

“Can’t wait to see it again,” Ron declared.

“Again?” Barkin asked in surprise.

“We saw it on display in Tokyo, Barkin Sama,” she informed him.

“You did? Wish Mr. Sensei had told me that. I could’ve had you both report on it,” Barkin lamented as he led them back into the chamber.

Yori and Miranda exchanged knowing glances, each understanding the significance of the statuette in front of them.

In addition, the American ninja smirked and winked at her sister-in-arms to approve of the interaction back in the other hallway. Then she returned her attention to the front podium and listened to the guide’s account of the statuette’s nature, history and its home region not to mention its relationship to the other historical face masks and burial shrouds surrounding it.

Ron stayed toward the back of the room, keeping as much space between him and the iguana as possible. On the ride over, Sensei had telepathically reminded him of the previous encounter with it and how it had clashed with his monkey powers.

The distance however mattered little.

He felt the buzzing in his head. His hands burned. Every couple of minutes, he twitched ever so slightly. He kept it to himself trying to let the other enjoy the exhibit. [“Master Sensei?”]

[“Hai, Stoppable San. The reaction starts once more. I will let Miri Chan know so she can get you out of there. Keep your composure,”] Sensei observed.

Miranda made her way over to his side. “I know. Let’s get some air.” She helped him from the chamber. “It’s the iguana?”

“Yeah,” he admitted before slumping onto the carpet. “Sorry. That thing can’t deal with me.”

“Sensei mentioned something about that,” she agreed. “Catch your breath.”

Then the sound of shattering glass echoed to them.

“Aw man!” He forced himself back to his feet.

“Stay here, Ron.” Miranda took out her kitana and rushed back toward the fray. As she went, she called, [“Uncle Dave, it’s starting!”] When she received no answer, she called again, [“Where are you? Uncle Dave!”]

As with her attempts to contact Sensei, she only heard static.

Not that interference again! Now that she heard fighting, she hustled into the next room. Until her family and friends could back them up, she and Team Possible would have to hold down the fort.

If they could do it that long…..



****



[Minutes earlier]

Despite Miranda’s attempt to ease Ron’s exit from the room, everyone noticed the departure. While they knew he was weird, the others figured he was giving into his boredom as they were doing.

Yori knew that her BF’s departure was due to the iguana’s aura clashing with his abilities. Seeing some of their classmates’ amusement at his pain, she scowled at them. <If they knew what that thing really is, they would not be so amused!>

Kim tapped her on the arm. “Everything okay?”

“Ron San cannot be around the statuette, Kim. His abilities,” Yori whispered.

“He’ll be okay,” Kim reassured her friend even as she worried herself.

“You worry too,” Yori pointed out.

“Sorry to be pressing on your space.” Kim blushed in embarrassment.

“Do not be, Kim. You and Ron San are close friends. I understand,” Yori assured her low before motioning toward Barkin and the guide.

Seconds later, all Hell broke loose. The skylight shattered. Alarms blared throughout the wing.

The Ming T’ sai ninjas flipped to the floor, forming a circle around the middle of the room and the statuette. Four of their number moved toward the statuette, placing their hands on it and muttering a low chant.

“What is this?” the guide demanded.

“Uninvited guests,” Garth answered as he and Steve drew their guns. “Hands up, guys. You’re under arrest.”

Several of the ninja snorted in spite of the vow of silence at the Americans’ bravado.

“Fine,” Steve huffed before hitting a button on his cell phone. “That’s the reinforcements. Give up or else.”

One of the ninja lashed out cobra quick and kicked him in the midsection.

In response, Yori drew her fans and attacked that ninja. “RUN!”

“Cheese and crackers! What’s going on?” Barkin demanded.

“Mr. B, you heard her!” Kim growled before she and Rick launched into the fray. “Miranda!”

“Right here, Kim!” Miranda replied while crossing kitana against an attacker’s dagger. As she did so, she dealt several devastating kicks to the other adversaries trying to sneak up on her. “I’m being blocked again! I can’t get a message out!” She hit another enemy in the face, hearing the crunch of his teeth behind the mask.

“Steve did. Watch your back, Miri!” Garth directed while firing a shot and killing another attacker behind her. Seeing the group still huddled against the far wall behind him and the four teens, he reiterated, “HIT THE ROAD NOW!”

As one, a wave of Ming T ‘sai charged on the quintet of defenders, sweeping over them.

As they did, the room took on an emerald glow.

“What the Hell?” Garth asked while struggling with his share of the ninja attackers.

They all saw the four ninjas touching the statuette gaining an almost reptilian complexion.

“NO!” Yori protested as she kicked away an attacker.

The reptilian head ninja stalked toward the defenders. <”You have nothing to say, Brat. Our master awaits you!”>

Then the orange sheen turned dark black. The floor shook. Exhibits quaked.

“We ain’t interested,” Ron challenged as he floated into the room. His eyes glowed yellow. The cobalt glow surrounded him. “Take that to yer Mama!”

“The so-called Promised One,” another of the reptile attackers scoffed and charged him.

“Promised One?” Barkin asked, not getting Ron’s cheesy light show.

“RON SAN!” Yori yelled in fear.

Ron smirked wickedly and delivered a hefty blow. As he did so, everyone saw the monkey outline and heard the screech. “BOO YEAH!”

The lizard-ninja hit the wall hard but got back up. “There is something to it after all, Gaijin!” He signaled to his counterparts. “ATTACK!” He led the charge against Ron.

Ron managed to knock two of them backward with two more well placed blows. However, he felt the power fading. He glanced over at Yori before the orange tide swept over his dimming cobalt space.

“Ron!” Kim protested wide-eyed from where the other ninja held her down.

“RON SAN!” Yori screamed.

The lizard men eyed her sarcastically. <”Fool girls!”> The leader knocked Ron to the floor unconscious. <”Collect them and the agents. Supreme Leader wants them.”>

As the normal ninja did so, the enhanced ones twitched as if recognizing several new energy signatures.

From the air vents, a large swarm of angry bees descended on the ninjas.

Right behind them, a masked woman on a flying carpet swooped through the broken skylight and dealing further punishment to those fleeing the deadly stings.

Another woman floated in midair on wind current, knocking more off balance with a focused microburst.

“They’re here as the Supreme One predicted!” the head lizard-ninja spat.

On cue, the Scream shattered the sounds of battle, signaling that the next phase was about to begin.

The lizard ninja turned to find the Protector standing there with a terse frown on his face. His hands glowed with the dark energy. “Dubois.”

Flanking him, the remaining legion members stood ready to fight.

The Dark One sized up the opposition; his open left eye narrowing to a slit. Then he growled, “GIT ‘EM!”

The fight was back on…..


THE END (for now)
 

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