-Next Day. June 30th. The Hub-

Sam groaned as he lay in the infirmary. He had spent the better part of two hours training. The first thing he learned was needing to stay on the course. The others were ahead of him, and he will not be left behind. Last night, his cousin canceled the Boot Camp, told him it was his fault, told the family not to find him and they may never see him again unless something came up, then left. Upsetting as that was, if it was like his other ideas, then the boot camp may have ended a different way.

"You're all set."

"Thanks." He replied after the bird woman checked on him. The Guardian members were interesting. Very interesting. She was attractive in her way, but he was embarrassed to tell her.

"You're the last Radiant to awaken." She spoke up. "The wind. I hope to see you grow."

He nodded. "Also, everybody was talking about my name when I am the Radiant of Wind. It's Aero."

"Oh good." She smiled warmly. "It seems everyone has picked simple names to remember. Welcome Aero."

He nodded, then proceeded to head out. Once he got there, he saw the others sitting around the room, along with a girl who sat next to Jake. Ah, that was Tina, his sister.

"Dude." Ryu waved. "You okay? You shot yourself in the air, then fell to the ground."

Sam groaned. "Brother, you stood there laughing while Christina and Amy helped me up. Glad you found that hilarious."

"Don't worry." Christina grinned at him. "Ryu had a fake tree fall on him during training."

"Yelled timber as it fell right?" The wind warrior smirked at him.

"Ha ha." The electric teen rolled his eyes.

"Now there are six of you." Tina looked between them. "Mistress M will stand no chance."

"Her monsters are getting very creative," Amy said. "There was that monster that juggled and the monster with rubber arms."

"Springs." said the Ice Radiant. "It was annoying how it could punch in every direction and not get tangled."

"Then there was the one with wings." The Lightning Radiant groaned. "Are we going to get ones that can fly some of the time? Can we fly?"

"Maybe I can find a way to use the wind to carry us." The Wind Radiant looked at his hand. "It would be tight."

"We can discuss it with Guardian." suggested the Fire Radiant. "Maybe they have some ideas."

"I have a question." asked the Ice Radiant. "Has anyone been in the other rooms?"

"Uh..." Christina frowned. "I've been to the Meeting Room, Med Hall, Training Room, the dining room, and the kitchen."

"They said we have access to them." Jake looked around. "We've been to a few."

"I asked," Tina spoke up. "The restricted areas are the bedrooms and a room above with the red bar." She pointed to a door on the second floor with a red bar. "They told me it was off limits."

"Don't enter the mysterious room." The redhead pondered. "Interesting."

"Don't think about it."

The group jumped up at the sudden appearance of the lavender shinobi, even Jake, who thought he would've gotten used to her by now.

"Ah!" Sam yelped, shocked by her sudden appearance. "Why?"

"I'm a shinobi." She said as a matter of fact.

"Ah!" Amy gasped. "We should be on high alert, right?"

"Oh!" Ryu's eyes twinkled. "Keep us on our toes."

The ninja shrugged. "Sure, why not."

"You just want to frighten us." Tanya eyed the woman. "You are a wily woman, Reinstar."

"That's just how she is." said Tina.

"Radiant." Pilot approached them. "Sometime in the coming months, we will have visitors from Galvania. The Head of Guardian and the Emperor's daughter."

"A princess?" gasped Amy with delight in her eyes. "We'll meet a princess from a foreign land."

"A real-life princess?" Tina's eyes sparkled in delight.

"A princess that will see our awesomeness." Ryu grinned as he felt pumped.

"A princess?" Tanya sounded interested as she smiled. "A refined woman of culture is gracing us."

"We're going to have to act a certain way." Sam frowned. "Are we going to walk on eggshells?"

"I need to gauge her." Christina hummed. "See what kind of person she really is."

"What do we need to do?" Jake asked.

"Don't be idiots." Pilot said. "When you are in Galvania, try to behave yourselves, especially around the noble class. You don't have to associate or like them, but try to refrain from your usual banter around them."

"Right, we will try not to be around them if we can help it." Jake said.

The group nodded.

The leader sighed. They were odd, yet they reminded him of a time when he and his friends used to behave. He pushed those thoughts back; those times were gone. Now, he needed to make sure these kids were ready.

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Meanwhile, on the outskirts of town. A Street Race was being held. Illegal it may be, nobody would let a little thing like the law get in the way. The two cars barreled down the abandoned road while the wild drivers felt the adrenaline. As the race was moving along, no one spotted a malevolent purple coin floating by before inserting itself into one of the vehicles. The woman in pink's chuckle echoed as the car glowed for a second. No one was bothered by it, as everyone was focusing on the race.

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-Next Day, Evening, Zeal Household-

The sound of the doorbell prompted Christina's father to stop what he was doing to answer the door. Seeing who it was made him frown. "It's you, Leonard."

"Hey!" The man in his late thirties waved. He wore shredded jeans, a black shirt, and a leather jacket. He had a small half-smile, narrowed eyes, and messy hair. His posture looked relaxed as he had his hands in his pockets.

"What are you doing this time?"

"Ouch!" He hissed. "Look, I'm just here visiting my brother and his wonderful family." He walked through the doorway, much to his older brother's dismay.

"Wait."

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He poked through the living room and spotted Christina reading a book. "My niece! Trying to stop the polar ice caps?"

Christina smiled lightly. "Hey, uncle. No, can't do that."

"What are you doing here?" The father asked.

"Just wanting to spend time with family, where is your wife?"

"Book club, now what are you doing here?"

The man smiled, "Something life-changing."

The decent brother narrowed his eyes. "As life-changing as being a stunt double? Let's not forget you tried to start your own company that went under quickly."

"Y-yeah." He chuckled nervously. "I am trying to get into drag racing."

"There are none here." The young girl spoke up. "I checked. There is only Street Racing activity."

"It does not matter what it is called. It's a race."

She held her tongue, not wanting to explain how wrong he was."

"What are you getting yourself into?" The decent brother groaned. "You wanted money for this?"

"Ah... well..." He rubbed the back of his head. "Yes? Please?"

Mr. Zeal glared and spoke with authority. "Leave."

The younger brother sighed. "Alright, fine. I'm leaving." Without another word, the man left the house. Mr. Zeal walked up to the door and locked it. "Idiot." He growled.

"Dad..."

"I don't care if he is my brother. He stopped being family when he sold our mother's house for his investment. I tolerated him up to that point, but I am done. Do what you want, but know he will disappoint you."

"Right..." Christina nodded solemnly.

"Street Racing will get you killed. Imagine getting angry during a race."

Christina's eyes widen at the mention of anger. "Like Road Rage."

"Exactly, you don't ever get involved with that type of delinquency."

"I'm not going to do illegal street racing, dad, or any kind of racing.

He nodded and walked away.

The warrior of water mentally frowned. Driving while angry happens and is common. She wondered if Mistress M poked her nose into Street Racing or driving in general.

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-Guyver Household-

Sam sat in his room on the phone. "Street Racing, this Wednesday? I thought blaming me meant you did not want to involve me in any of your ideas, and when did you have time to get a car worked on?"

"It does not matter. I planned this months ago. Listen, I want you to help me out."

"No."

"Er... fine, but I would like to tell you I am going all in on this. Racing these fine streets and the dirt roads of this city."

The teen narrowed his eyes. "I'm not helping you with anything illegal, especially Street Racing. What about mom and aunt? They will worry."

"Our moms do not need to know, don't snitch."

"I got involved with the boxing camp because I thought you would change. Nope, you decided to be the fool trying to make money in the shortest time possible to make up for your lost dream."

"Be a coward. I am texting you the location of the next race if you change your noggin. These races are happening in different parts of the city. The first one already happened last night, and the next one.. well. I am participating in the third race on Wednesday. That's where it is happening."

The wind warrior scoffed as the coordinates came up. He thought about deleting it, but kept it. Perhaps he can go there and try to convince him not to participate... or show it to mom, and she would go down there.

"Why are you like this, man?"

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-Next Day, July 2, Saturday. The Hub, Meeting Room-

The leader of the Team Sword grimaced. "Both relatives are participating in this illegal racing. Sam, you have the location."

The wind turned to Christina. "When you mentioned the possibility of the mistress, I figured I had to tell."

"Now I know where he is." The water warrior turned to them. "I barely know him or have any decent memories. He comes and goes. Real shady guy."

"Such an ill-use way to spend your time." The ice user spoke. "Wasting gas on this frivolous so-called sport, legal or illegal."

"And this might be another plot by Mistress M?" questioned the fire user.

"It could be. Sam's cousin mentioned one already occurred, another will happen around this time, and the other will happen Wednesday." The Light user pointed out.

"We can wait until that day or try to find it before then." the lightning user pointed out. "Check the outskirts or locations that are abandoned. Dudes like that love going into forbidden areas."

"We'll keep an eye on Street Racing." said the red-headed canokian. "Two of you can patrol for the remainder of the nights until Wednesday. We will know if she will use this to draw in rage energy."

"You want two of us to patrol the city at night?" Jake asked with a smile. The other two male Radiant had varying degrees of interest. Something the canokian noticed.

"Yes."

"Our first stakeout!" Ryu pumped his fist.

"Patrolling the streets of this mean city." Sam grinned.

The leader of Sword sighed at the excitement, suddenly remembering his days of youth when a friend got excited over something that seemed less exciting like. He shook his head. "No." He glanced at the water warrior. "Christina will be going with Sam tonight."

"Wait, what?" Ryu dropped his jaw. "Why?

"Because pairing the three of you together at this juncture might be a bad idea." He grimaced. "Any other time, I would, but for tonight, you need to not jump at the chance for a covert mission and be eccentric at the slightest sound. Each night, patrol the city as Radiant for four hours."

"Right." They nodded.

The water warrior nodded to the wind warrior. "Bring snacks. Okay?"

"A long stakeout has to have food." He smiled. "No grub at night equals lost mojo."

"Oh, make sure there is no licorice." The light warrior spoke out. "Girl is a maniac."

"Licorice war three years ago. Epic." The lightning warrior grinned widely.

"DON'T TELL PEOPLE THAT!"

"Oh." The ice warrior giggled. "Something embarrassing?"

The fire warrior rubbed the back of his head. "Man, you learn something new."

"Yeah, I'm not bringing licorice." The wind warrior mumbled after witnessing the girl's freakout.

The leader of the unit facepalmed at getting this bunch of kids. Getting used to their antics was taking time.

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-Tonight-

Parkerville at night can be peaceful, vibrant, dangerous, and confusing. Rumors of people in multicolored costumes have emerged, but many have dismissed them as false tales or upcoming so-called vigilantes trying to make a name for themselves. Currently, blue and gray were on the roof of an abandoned building overlooking a deserted part of town.

"I brought snacks."

The water warrior looked at the snacks and plucked the veggie chips. "Thank you." She opened the bag and took a bite. "For the moment, I thought you were going to bring licorice.

"Sorry, sis. I can't add getting someone addicted to my conscience, or I will feel salty."

"Ugh, I was not an addict. Sure, I got addicted to it, and a food fight broke out, but that was because that licorice was stolen by some idiots. Dad got it shipped from overseas personally. It was the last one too, and I wanted to enjoy it, but no, those morons decided to play keep away."

"Did..." He sounded apprehensive about the situation. "You eat it?"

"It got lost during the food war." she whimpered dramatically. "And my dignity."

"Eh, food wars are where dignity dies." He chuckled.

She chuckled for a bit. "Yeah... so... has your cousin been doing these kinds of things often?"

Aero sighed. "As far as I have been told. Since he was a kid, he had been trying to make a name for himself. I looked up to him... until I showed mom one of his ideas." He closed his eyes. "The look on his face was terrifying. If dad were not around, I'm sure he would have delivered a beating."

"But you helped with the Boxing Camp."

"Even if it was illegal... I felt guilty outing him." He sighed. "When I heard he wanted to go straight and invest in a boot camp from his time in college, I thought it would be great... but then that night and him blaming me again." He grimaced. "I do not want to be near him."

Aqua frowned. "But... did you know it was illegal?"

"Yeah, I thought I was helping him by telling mom... but."

"Listen." The water user sighed. "My Grandpa told me this. People, like our relatives, go down a hole so deep they can't get out. They need help to get away, but the hole is too deep for others to help them. They're lost after digging deep." She closed her eyes. "My uncle got involved with a bunch of failed ventures, illegal or not, and dad always bailed him out. After selling grandma's house, dad told him never to visit again."

"But then he decided to visit and restart the same thing."

"Yep, similar to your cousin. Don't think it's your fault."

"I know that now, but I need to make sure Mistress M does not use him."

"What do we have here?"

Both Radiant jumped while looking around, spotting the woman in pink behind them.

"Ah, water and wi-."

"YOU!" Aqua quickly fired her adroit while Aero gathered power for support. The shot went through her as if she was not there. The warrior's eyes widened in shock."

"Well, honey?" The parasol woman turned to the wind warrior. "Are you going to attack?"

"Um... are you a ghost?" He asked.

"No, this is merely astral projection." She giggled. "All those times you and your friends have met me, I have been using this technique. Unfortunately," She disappeared, then reappeared between them, which made them jump away. "I can't attack you, only transport."

"Your real body is elsewhere, huh?"

"Yes, why would I walk around having to lift my finger against those long-eared freaks." She smiled cheekily and then faced the wind warrior. "Do you like, handsome?"

"Ah." He blushed for a bit, then shook his head. "No, dad always says not to be with crazy women. You, ma'am, have a screw loose."

"Yahahaha!" She laughed out loud. "Oh, wise decision. You're too young and not my type. I prefer... submissive men. Wait a few years into my rule, and maybe I can bend you."

"Okay, stop!" The Water Radiant growled, feeling offended by the woman's attitude. "What are you up to? Are you involved in car racing?"

"Sweet child, anything can give people rage." She smirked. "I'm just picky about what I can nurture." She curtsied. "Bye, bye."

She vanished from their eyes. The two of them remained on guard for the next five minutes, observing from all sides. They relented and looked at each other.

"So that was Mistress M." He sighed. "Pretty and dangerous."

"Don't fall for her charms."

"I'm not." He snorted in her direction. "Did you see her eyes? Those were crazy eyes."

"Her entire posture reeks of something dangerous. What do you think? We should call them, right?"

"Um... five more minutes." He walked toward the edge of the building and looked on at the city. "I like the view."

Aqua raised her brow before walking to the edge. She looked on and smiled at how the city looked at night, serene and majestic. "Mmm hmm, nice view."