"So let me get this straight," Spark exclaimed in exasperation. "You went shopping, got shrunk by a mad scientist, and then freed his victims?!" Miranda and Rei looked at one another, shrugging before answering. "Pretty much."
"So what happened to this guy," Connor asked.
"Well," Nat stated. "After he got over the nightmare Amara gave him."
"And his victims finished kicking his ass," Amara added.
"Right," Nat said. "They called the police and pressed charges. Turns out this guy had ALOT of victims. He's facing like, 40 counts of kidnapping now."
"They just left out the part about being shrunk down to doll size," Miranda finished. Connor, Miles, and Spark sat dumbfounded. A mad scientist with shrinking tech was the llast thing they needed, on top of the Ezekiel Kane situation. "At least it's over," Miles said. "But I'm curious. Did they save any of his tech."
"We smashed everything," Nat stated.
"Why do you ask Miles," Miranda smirked. "Thinking of shrinking someone down to doll size?" Miles scowled at his sister, the others releasing a relieved chuckle as they sat in study hall. While Rei and Miranda's incredible shrinking adventure had ended well, there was still the problem of Ezekiel Kane. "Any word from Sylvia or Tanya," Rei asked.
"They're still in between spots," Spark said. "Jacob has been helping them relocate."
"What about Kane," Amara asked.
"Still on the other side of the state, " Connor added. "We've been able to track him. We think he might be eliminating other threats. But we're worried he could be working with someone else." The teens shuddered at that idea. Dealing with a sociopathic demon hunter was one thing, dealing with anything more was a bit much. "Lets hope he's just going on a killing spree," Spark sighed.
"So Nat," Amara asked. "How's Lancelot?"
"Okay I suppose," Nat shrugged. "He and my mom try to avoid eachother. She really doesn't like vampires. But, I'm worried about facing Kane."
"Why," Rei asked. "You think Lancelot won't be ready?"
"No I'm afraid I won't be ready!"
Nat sighed, lowering her head. "I've been training with Akira for almost two months now and I'm still clueless," she groaned. "Yeah I've gotten better but Kane literally makes a living fighting. How am I going to beat a guy who's been fighting longer than I've been alive?!" Nats friends now looked to one another, unable to come up with a good answer. It was finally Amara who came up with an idea. "I think I can help."
As the school day ended, Nat and her friends now found themselves standing in Ms. McKinnons condo. After talking with Amara, the teens were convinced to come there with Akira. As Nat now studied the home, she paused as she gazed at the rather large framed comic poster. "Is that Dr. Fate?"
"Sebastián is a huge fan," Mary Elise replied sheepishly. "And it was the only thing he insisted on when he moved in. I swear, looking at it makes me feel like I'm still a freaking teenager." Nat stifled a laugh as she gazed at her embarrassed teacher. Mary Elise's home was tastefully decorated, if not a bit bland. Nat felt like her teacher was trying to portray someone who was independent and adult. Still, Nat noticed a few comic related items her teacher now tried to hide, such as the figurines of the Xmen and a photo of Mary Elise in cosplay. "So what did you want to show us Ms. McKinnon?"
"Amara tells me your still nervous about facing Kane," she said. "That you feel you don't have the skill to defeat him."
"Natalia has improved by leaps and bounds in her training," Akira stated. "I have full confidence in her abilities."
"At least one of us does," Nat grumbled, causing a frown to form on Akiras vulpine face. Mary Elise nodded, looking between the kitsune and his dhamphir pupil. "I have a feeling it's your confidence Nat," she stated. "But, you do have a point. In comparison to Kane you're kind of a novice. That's why I want to help."
Mary Elise now beckoned her student and the kitsune towards the living room, asking the pair to take a seat on the couch. "When Amara told me about Akira training you I started thinking," she said. "Yes he's an excellent teacher but we're on a bit of a time crunch. It's going to take awhile to get Nat into a position where she can confidently take on Kane."
"So what are you thinking," Nat asked.
"I want to use my magic to copy Akiras skills and place them in your mind." Nat and Akira cast the teacher a curious look as she now explained her plan.
Mary Elise theorized that because Akira has learned to fight, she could copy that skill and place it within Nat. "Think of it like making a photocopy," she smiled. "All I would be doing would be making a copy of Akiras martial arts experience and placing it inside Nats mind."
"Like downloading a save file from another computer," Rei exclaimed. Mary Elise nodded, turning towards Nat and Akira. "All I need is your permission," she said. "And considering I'll be useing my psionic abilities it should be easy and quick."
"Are there any drawbacks?"
"It could possibly switch your brains," Mary Elise blushed. "But that's a very rare occurrence. Less than 1 percent." Nat and Akira frowned, the pair looking to one another. "Well what do you think," Nat asked.
"I trust Mary Elise," Akira smiled. "And the plan is sound. You will still need training though. Channeling your vampiric abilities into your fighting is key." Nat nodded, turning towards her teacher with a determined look. "Lets do this."
Nats friends now watched as Mary Elise began to concentrate. The kitsune and dhamphir having closed their eyes as their teacher cast her spell. From the teens perspective they could see the duo furrow their brows as the spell took hold. The teens gasping as what appeared to be wisps of smoke travel from Akira to Nat. As the spell completed, Mary Elise now cautiously looked between Akira and Nat. "How you two doing?"
"I feel fine," Akira stated.
"Can you still remember how to fight?"
"Yes," Akira said. The kitsune now turning to Nat, studying the teen carefully. "Nat how are you feeling?"
Nat gasped, her memories forming around the knowledge her teacher had given her. It was odd, she could remember lessons Akira had taken throughout his centuries of life. The teens body twitching reflexively, Akiras fighting style, his experience, all of it. Nat felt as if she too had lived through those grueling lessons. Turning to her friends the teen smiled as she now answered.
"I know Kung Fu."