The next morning in San Francisco, California, Flash was awake at 6:00 a.m. She kept silent as she showered and dressed in a pair of denim jeans and a white sleeveless turtleneck sweater. She made sure her gold cross was hanging over the shirt, and she put her thick white ankle socks on, then she looked for her shoes. “Blaze, have you seen my shoes?”

The large white wolf raised his head to look up at her from where he was laying next to her bed. ‘You took them off last night when you came through the front door,’ he reminded her.

“Oh right. Thanks.” She grabbed her backpack and checked to make sure all of her work was there, before slinging it over her shoulder and heading downstairs.

Blaze stood up and stretched and then followed her.

Flash had found her shoes, but she didn’t put them on. It was forbidden to wear shoes in the house. Keith Michaels, her father, didn’t want dirt and mud tracked all over the expensive carpets and wooden floors. She went into the kitchen and grabbed a box of Honey Nut Cheerios and set it on the counter, while grabbing a bowl, a glass of milk, and some toast.

Keith soon came downstairs with his briefcase in hand. “Morning, dear.”

“Morning, dad. Going on another business flight?”

“Yes, but I’ll be back tonight.”

“What time?” Flash asked as she took a bite of her cereal.

“Around 8:00 p.m. I’m just going to New York City. They want to talk about funding the Elateral.”

Flash raised one eyebrow up curiously. “What’s the Elateral?”

“The Elateral is the name of the plan we’re working on. They want to build a new building in the downtown square but they want to know the cost of it.”

“Oh.”

Keith got himself a bowl of cereal too. “I have to hurry though. My flight leaves in fifty minutes.”

“Oh,” Flash said, and kept on eating her cereal.

Blaze watched the two eat their breakfast, then got his own breakfast. Then he found himself trying to protect his food from his mistress’s father’s dogs. The two dogs, which were Vizsla and a Weimaraner, and both males. They were older than Blaze, but they were acting like puppies, trying to get his food. Blaze growled a warning at them, but it seemed the dogs didn’t hear it.

Flash frowned as she had heard him. Her father, however, was oblivious to it. “Dad, you need to do something about your dogs. They keep trying to get Blaze’s food.”

Keith looked up and sigh, then whistled. At once the two dogs bounded over to him, and he led them off outside to put them into their pens.

‘Finally,’ Blaze grumbled and went back to eating his breakfast in peace.

Chilie was up and eating breakfast with her Aunt Isobel and her cousin Mariet. Mariet as usual was silent and her nose was stuck in a book. Chilie and her aunt were chattering away though.

“Gymnastics is coming along great,” Chilie said as she ate her apple and cinnamon oatmeal. “My instructor says I might be going into the finals.”

“That’s wonderful,” Isobel said with a smile. “I know you’ll make it.” She looked over at her daughter. “Don’t you agree, Mariet?”

The girl looked up and nodded. “Uh huh.” Then she went back to her book while eating her food.

Isobel sighed, but Chilie only smiled. She finished eating her breakfast, then after putting her bowl and spoon in the sink, headed into the bathroom to brush her teeth. Once she had done so, she gathered up her school books, made sure her homework was in place, then grabbed her backpack and put everything into it and zipped it shut.

“Oh, I almost forgot to tell you two,” Isobel said as she stood up after she had finished breakfast. “I’ll be working a bit later than usual, so you’ll be on your own for a few.”

“Ok,” Mariet murmured without glancing up.

“What time do you expect to be back?” Chilie asked as she put her flats on.

“Around 6:00 p.m, most likely. So dinner will be late a bit. There are some things you two can snack on though if you get hungry.”

“Alright,” Chilie said.

Isobel headed into the kitchen, then to the bathroom. When she emerged, she grabbed her coat and her purse. “Well, I’m off. See you when I get home.”

“Bye, mom,” Mariet said as turned a page in her book, then finished up the last of her oatmeal.

“Bye, Aunt Isobel!” Chilie waved.

“Bye girls!” And Isobel went out the door.

Chilie turned and sat down on the couch. Her aunt’s cat jumped on her lap, and she stroked its chin, talking to it quietly. The cat purred in response and rubbed against her in return.

Mariet finally put her book down and took her bowl out to the sink, then brushed her teeth. She put her sneakers on, then grabbed her backpack, then picked up her book and marked it. She stared at her cousin. Why can’t I be like Chilie? she wondered. She’s got tons of friends, is able to wear anything and it looks good on her, can get a boyfriend easier than I can. It doesn’t seem fair. But yet, she realized, there was no sense in hoping to be someone else. She was stuck being the way she was, or was she?

Thunder was already dressed and ready for school and was now meditating in the backyard high up in the tree. Below him waiting was his dog. A purebred black and tan German Shepherd, named Disani. Thunder had been meditating for about fifteen minutes now, while his friend Scorpio was busy feeding his fish inside the house, and while his grandmother was washing the breakfast dishes. As for his grandfather, he was reading the German Newspaper. It was a newspaper all within the German language, something one of Mr. Copiel’s friends was able to get for him once a week.

Thunder finally opened his eyes and flipped down off the tree, landing gracefully beside Disani. The dog stood up and stretched and wagged his tail. “Come on, Disani,” Thunder said to him, petting his head. “Let’s go in.”

They went inside together. By now Scorpio had finished feeding his fish and was now on the phone. “Yes, mom. Everything is going fine here. No, not yet. How’s Lex and Lita? That’s good. And dad? Oh? I see. Well, I hope he gets better. Give him my best. Sorry, mom. I have to go. I have to leave in fifteen minutes for school. Alright, mom. I love you. Good-bye.” He hung up and sighed.

“You okay?” Thunder asked with concern.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” the Scandinavian replied softly. “My dad’s heart seems to be bad.”

Thunder frowned. “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, me too. I’m going to see about going home to visit them this weekend..”

Thunder nodded, frowning. He hoped nothing would happen to his friend’s father.

The two begin to finish getting ready for school, something which didn’t take either of them long. But as they waited to leave for school, Thunder worried about his small friend.

Shades was taking care of the customers in the baker’s shop while he was in the kitchen mixing new ingredients. Her backpack laid on the stool beside her, an easy reach for when she had to leave for school. She had been taking care of customers for the last fifteen minutes, ringing up their orders, jotting down orders, and selling cookies, cakes, pies, donuts, croissants, and different candies. Usually the baker made about $400.00 in sales weekly, and for Shades’ help he gave her a little apartment efficiency above the shop, and paid her about $35 a week.

Though it might not have seemed like much money, Shades was able to buy clothes and school supplies when she needed them, and sometimes her own food. Though occasionally she sometimes ate with the Warriors when they were all together at Chinook’s, or when she had been invited to one of their houses for lunch or dinner.

She looked at the clock. She would have to leave in ten minutes. She heard the baker humming and knew he was just about finished. Soon he would be out front and would take over the sales.

Indeed he did come out with a tray of freshly baked glazed donuts. He put them in the correct shelf and smiled at her. “Business is going good as usual.”

“Yes,” Shades agreed, nodding her head. “Fourteen people have been here so far. She showed him the sales report which included what each customer bought, how many were sold, and what they had made from the sales. The sales from just that bit of time had come to $20.00

“Good!” He smiled and nodded his head. He looked up at the clock. “You’ll be leaving soon.”

“Yes, in five minutes.”

“What time will you be back?”

Shades picked up her backpack and shrugged. “I don’t know. Around 4 maybe?”

He nodded. “I’ll expect you then.”

“Right,” Shades nodded.

Ice and Snow had been ready for school for the last fifteen minutes, but Ice decided to spend his time playing a video game on his PS 2 until it was time to leave, while Snow studied for his physics test. Though they were the same age, Snow was in Junior College. Reason being he was a genius with an IQ of 245. The college was actually right across the street from the Warriors school, which made it easier on all of the Warriors in case anything should happen.

“Come on you stupid monster!” Ice cried as he pounded away at the controller. “Die already!”

Snow let out a small sigh of exasperation as he looked toward at his twin. “You know, your grades would be up more if you’d spend more time on your studying then on those video games.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Ice said and just kept on playing.

Snow shook his head and returned to his studying. Trying to get through to his brother was like trying to dig through cement with a shovel.

Ice groaned a few minutes later when it flashed Game Over on the TV screen. He sighed and shut the game off. “Man, I was this close to beating it!”

“Yeah, sure,” Snow said as he closed his physics book.

Ice ignored him and grabbed his backpack and set it on the table. “I’m hungry,” he said and went into the kitchen.

“There’s a surprise,” Snow muttered.

“I heard that!”

Snow just smiled and grabbed his shoes.

T-boz was cleaning the kitchen up after she had cooked breakfast for her hosts and herself. She had ten minutes to leave for school. She quickly braided her hair into the two usual braids. She placed her headband around her head, then grabbed her backpack. She made sure all of her homework was in there, then she sat down and turned the TV on. Her hosts were already at work, and she alone in the house. She could watch TV for a minutes before she left for school.

“This just in,” the news reporter spoke, “King Thaitus and Queen Lila of the German Empire have found the lost heir who was dwelling somewhere in San Francisco, California. At this present moment they are on their way to the country to pick him up.”

T-boz blinked. She had no idea there was a long lost heir living in the city. She wondered who it was. The news changed to something else, a robbery at one of the little minim arts, a man who had won the lottery, and the weather, and sports. She shut the TV off and stood up and stretched. It was time to leave. She grabbed her backpack, made sure her key was in her pocket, and went out the door, making sure to lock the door when she was leaving.

Rekino had been the first one to get up that morning, as usual. She took her morning jog at five that morning and sat down to watch some television. She had caught glimpse of the news briefing on the king and queen’s finding of the German heir. So, it all starts here. I wonder what's going to happen to Thunder? He most likely doesn't want to go back to Germany. Since Rekino was only running on a couple hours of sleep, she wasn't in a thinking mood. She laid her back down on the couch.

The grandfather clocked chimed. She screamed. Her eyes opened and she saw it was 11:30 A.M. She hoped that her scream didn't wake anyone up. Since the run woke her up, Rekino decided to get some coffee. She got up off the soft couch and made her way into the kitchen. She turned on the coffee pot and grabbed a cup. Sitting down at the table, she thought while the coffee was making.

I want to see Flash and Thunder again, but with what's going on, I don't know if I could. The German king and queen will be arriving soon and we couldn't get there fast enough. Dammit, I wish we could just teleport there! She stopped for a moment. She had to get there. Rekino felt that something wasn’t right. She knew that the German king and queen just wouldn't appear out of nowhere to take their son without a good reason. She stood up and her eyes narrowed. What can I do? I have to do something! I promised him three months ago that I would protect him! She was startled when the coffee dinged. Quickly, she poured herself and cup, added cream and sugar, and walked into the computer room. She logged onto the Internet to see if she could find something interest. Dammit, why do the bad things always happen to the nicest people? Her eyes caught something.

"Well well, what do we have here?" Rekino smiled evilly and began to read the article. She skimmed over Germany's history and such until she came across something. She read it aloud, "'Today marks the seventeenth year Germany has been at war with Rome. The Romans had declared war on the Germans over territory issues. The ruling king of Germany, Thaitus, and his wife, Lila, had decided on giving up their son, whose name is unknown, for personal reasons. To this day, the heir is now where to be found, but the authorities of the German empire will keep searching until he is found," Rekino looked at the date, "The was posted two days ago, but now he's been found. What reasons do they have for doing this? They should just leave Thunder be! He doesn't want to go back to Germany!"

"Rekino?" A voice came from the door.

"Hey Jo. Whatcha doing up?" Rekino asked. She turned around and saw the Hardrock Guardian propped up against the doorframe. She could tell Josephine was concocting something, "You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?"

Josephine smiled, "Well, if it involves hot coffee and food, then yeah," she ducked an object, "Kidding. Yeah, I am. Thunder's parents going to get him?"

Rekino sighed, "I'm afraid so. We can't do anything though. They're already on their way there"

Josephine walked over to Rekino, "I know you better than this. You're giving up just like that. What happened to the Rekino I knew? She just wouldn't sit back and call it quits. You know better than I do that someone's going to do something, and we better be the first ones to make a move."

Rekino smiled up at her friend, "I needed a pep talk, thanks Jo. Now, I feel the need for a meeting. You with me?"

"Yeah!"

"All right, let's go wake everyone up."

"We're already up," Ryo said. He was standing behind Jo with all the other Ronins and Guardians, "We couldn't help but over hear what's happening. I say we go to San Francisco right now!"

"I'm with ya buddy!" Rowen stated.

"It's time to rock that joint!" Kento said and punched his fist into his palm

Amaya stepped forward, "As a warriors, we are all needed for this!"

"Hey, hold on a second! We can't all go!" Rekino stated. She stood up from her chair and walked into the living room. She put a hand on her hip, "I know we all want to go, but we can't. Mia's pregnant remember! The people wouldn't let her on the plane!"

"That's right. I wouldn't be able to get on. The airport would be afraid I'd go into labor," Mia said sadly.

"Then, who's all going?" Cye asked, "We can't leave Mia here by herself. It won't be safe."

The whole room fell silent. They all knew what was going to happen. If they didn't go, Thunder could be taken away. If they did go, not every would be allowed to go. It took about five minutes before someone broke the silence. It was Hana, "How about we spilt up then? Five go and five stay."

"Well it's a miracle!" Kento said, "Hana actually thought of something logically."

"Stuff it lard face! I'm not in the mood!" The Halo Guardian looked a little distressed, "That way, it'll be evened out. Mia's staying, no questions asked. Now, four others will have to stay, but who?"

No one spoke. Everyone wanted to go, but no one wanted to stay. Rekino stepped forward, "This is bull guys. I know y'all all want to go, but if no one's going to choose, I'll choose for you."

"That's not fair, Rekino!" Hana whined.

"Too bad, so sad," Rekino exclaimed, "Ryo and I are going. Josephine, I want you to stay here and help Mia. She's going to need support from someone. Hana, you're going. Since you're closer to Thunder than anyone of us, I'll allow it. Cye and Amaya, y'all are staying also. Kento, you're the big muscle man, so you'll protect the house. Rowen and Sage, you're coming with us too."

"HEY! I wanna go too!" Josephine exclaimed, "I don't wanna sit around here and follow Mia's orders!"

Ryo placed a hand in front of Josephine, "I think that she made a good choice. Are we all agreed?" Ryo saw them all nod, "Good. Kento, call the airport and see when the next flight to San Francisco is. Get the one that's closest to us. We can't afford to waste time. Then, see how much the tickets are. The rest of us that are going, start packing your things. We leave as soon as we can!"

"Right!" Everyone assigned to something set out to perform their duties while the others started to make breakfast.

"King Thaitus, we'll be arriving in San Francisco within the next couple of hours," the guard reported.

"Good, once we've arrived, I want you to search the whole area! Restaurants, high schools, shopping centers, search them all. You will not rest until the heir is found! Got that?" Thaitus bellowed.

"Yes sir," the guard saluted and left the quarters.

"My leach, please reconsider. Our son seemed happy with the people he was with. Thaitus, I love you, but what you're doing is outlandish!" Lila said, "I know I have no right as the queen, but please hear me out…"

"Stop your foolish banter, woman. I will not tolerate that from you. As my queen, you are to support me in whatever I do!" Thaitus turned away from his wife, "My son will become the rightful German King! He will not stay in this filthy place any longer!"

Lila placed a hand on her husband's shoulders, "Thaitus, you know that the Americans have been financially supporting us all these years. We can't just barge in there and take one of their citizens. It'll ruin the bond with them!"

Thaitus turned around and slapped his wife hard, "Do you not think I know that? The Americans have been kind to us, yes, but they have no right to keep my son in their homeland. He may be a citizen, but his blood is that of the Germans. He is no American, dammit!"

"So you say, but the American government may not tolerate it. Thaitus, please…" Lila stopped.

"I said to SHUT UP! You are not to say another word? Got it?" Thaitus saw his wife nod, "Now, you stay here. I'm going to go and aid the guards in the search," Thaitus took another look at his wife. The red mark was visible, but he paid no mind to it. He snorted and left while Lila softly cried on the ground.

Flash walked into the lunchroom. School had been okay so far, but she was ready to eat. She immediately spotted Thunder, "Hey Thunder!"

The Storm warrior turned around to see his leader walking towards him, "Hey Flash. What's up?"

"Oh nothing, just the usual. Rekino called me last night. She told me that Ryo and Mia were having a baby! I couldn't believe it!" Flash exclaimed.

Thunder nodded and grabbed a tray, "Yeah, I talked to Hana last night through our elemental link. She told me."

Flash looked shocked, "You actually talked to her? I don't believe it! When?"

"Last night while I was getting ready for bed. She told me to tell her you said hey," Thunder replied and grabbed a sandwich.

Before Flash could answer, someone else did for her, "Okay, what are you two talking about? Hana? Rekino? What's going on?" It was Chilie.

"You heard the whole thing?" Flash asked.

"Yeah! What's this about links?" Chilie asked.

Thunder sighed, "We've got a lot of explaining to do."

All five other Warriors stared at her, awaiting. It was then that Flash and Thunder told them about their mission and of the five Lady Guardians, and the Ronin Warriors. The Warriors listened, not even eating their food. They heard about the war with Mesu and how it had been a struggle. They even learned how Thunder was a prince, and their mouths dropped.

“You.. you’re the lost Prince?” T-boz stammered. “I saw a news report on TV about him, but I didn’t think it was you!” the Indian exclaimed.

“Yes, it’s true… I’m him..”

“Wow! We got royalty with us!” Ice exclaimed. “Wait till Snow learns of this!”

“I’ll say!” Chilie said enthusiastically, then stared at Thunder almost dreamily which made him sweatdrop.

“Do your grandparents know?” Scorpio asked his friend.

“Not yet. I haven’t told them.”

“You should,” Shades said.

“Um, guys, there’s a slight problem though,” T-boz said with a frown.

Everyone looked at her in concern.

“What’s that, T-boz?” Flash said.

“When I was watching the news.. Thunder’s real parents were on their way here to get him.”

And the table suddenly grew quiet with frowns on all faces.

At the same time three German soldiers came into the school, searching each classroom, asking information, and looking for the lost heir.

Outside King Thaitus and Queen Lila waited. So far they had checked the others schools, libraries, parks, homes, and other places without success. Now the king could only hope their son would be in this high school building.

Back inside, the warriors were startled when German soldiers barged into the lunchroom and started to search the kids.

"Oh great, not now..." Flash said under her breath.

All of them could see the guards searching the kids.. The officials in the school did nothing, but made sure not a student was harmed.

Thunder frowned deeply and kept his head low under the table. He didn’t want to be seen.

Unfortunately, one of the guards did see him and started to walk towards him. The warriors started to panic, except Flash.

"Thunder, get outta here. We'll try to hold them off," she whispered quietly.

"I don't think I can. They've got this place surrounded," Thunder said back to her.

The guard that had spotted him spoke with authority, "German Prince, you are to come with us. If you cooperate, you will not be harmed."

The Warriors frowned deeply as every single student turned and gazed at Thunder. Most of the girls were shocked and elated. “He’s a prince?!” a girl screamed. Others were fanning themselves and some were getting up.

“Please stay in your seats!” a guard ordered. A school official waved his hand and shouted for the students to sit down. The girls, who had been wanting to mad rush Thunder, unwillingly sat down, all staring at Thunder dreamily.

“Young prince, you must come with us now,” another guard spoke. “His majesty and her highness are waiting for you outside.”
“He doesn’t want to go,” Flash told the guard.

“That is not his choice,” another guard said.

“This is America!” Flash snapped. “He can have a choice.”

“He is not of American blood!” another guard said. He went to grab Thunder, but the Warrior of Storm, suddenly grabbed him and threw him over his shoulder, then jumped to his feet, and somersaulted over the guards.

“Go, Thunder!” Scorpio shouted.

“We’ll try to hold them off!” Chilie said.

And Thunder ran for it as the Warriors tried to hold the guards off.