Saturday morning arrived with crisp air and blue skies.

Jin, Lynn, Luna, Maya, and Minou stood in the driveway, packs strapped tight.

"Well, Jin," Mrs. Yi hugged him. "I’m leaving my daughter's safety in your hands. Yet again."

"I will put my life on the line to make sure to bring her back safely," Jin promised.

"Don’t worry, Ms. Yi," Lynn stepped up, adjusting her own backpack. "I’ve got his back."

"Yeah, and me too!" Maya chirped.

Maya sidled up to Lynn as they prepared to walk. "Pssst. Hey, Lynn. How did you get Jin to change his mind anyway?"

Lynn smirked. "What, that? Oh, no big deal. I just sat him down and showed him how much of an asset to this team I am."

"Rrrrriiiiggghhht," Maya raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure that is all you showed him?"

"Well, I’m positive I have no idea what you are talking about," Lynn winked.

Maya took a big step back, looking up at the clear blue sky.

"Now, what is that all about?" Lynn asked.

"Oh nothing," Maya grinned. "Just watching out for lightning. Never can be too careful around liars, Lynn."

"Oh, shut up."

"Alright ladies," Jin called out. "Are we all ready to go?"

"Yup."

"Yes sir."

"Let's get to it."

"Alright everyone," Jin shouldered his pack. "Let’s head on out."

They started down the street, waving one last time to Kit and Mrs. Yi.

"WAIT! HEY GUYS! WAIT FOR ME!"

Jin stopped and groaned. "Oh god no."

Noah came sprinting down the street, his grandfather’s staff in hand and a massive duffel bag on his back.

"Hey guys!" Noah skidded to a halt, panting but beaming. "Wait up! It’s me!"

"Thank goodness," he gasped. "I was almost too late."

"No, no, you weren’t," Jin said flatly. "Because you weren't invited. Remember?"

"Blah blah blah," Noah waved him off. "All I know, Motozawa, is... I’m going."

"Says who?"

"Says me. Trust me, I’m not the same man I was the other day."

"Oh really?" Jin crossed his arms. "And what is so different about you?"

"I’m glad you asked," Noah held up his staff. "First of all, I have my grandfather's staff."

"So you got an old stick," Jin deadpanned. "Big deal."

"Ha ha ha," Noah shook his finger. "This isn’t just some stick. This is a Bo staff carved from a Sacred Tree. Its Ki properties rival guardian weapons."

"Well, okay," Jin admitted. "That is pretty cool. But what it sounds like to me is, we should just take the staff and leave your ass behind."

"Oh no no no," Noah grinned. "Prepare to be amazed, Motozawa."

Noah raised his free hand. He closed his eyes for a split second.

Fwoom.

His hand was instantly engulfed in stable, red Ki energy. No sparks. No explosion. Just controlled power.

"Ya see, Motozawa?" Noah opened his eyes. "I told you I’ve changed. I wasn't about to just sit on my butt and let you leave without me."

Jin stared at the Ki for a moment, impressed despite himself. He sighed.

"Okay. Fine. Whatever. But stay out of my way. And if you die, that's on you."

"Deal!"

"Let's go."

And with that, Luna and her ragtag collection of friends, guardians, and lovers walked out of the suburbs and into the unknown.