Kanoi Watanabe looked out over the Academy grounds, watching as groups of water, air, and earth ninja gathered on the outskirts of the forest. Since the Academy was destroyed over a year ago, he had wondered if he would ever see a day like this again. A day where the students didn�t have the shadow of destruction looming over their very existence.

Content, he sat down and closed his eyes. As he sank into a meditative state, the noise of daily activities disappeared entirely. All he could hear was the wind blowing through the trees. All he could feel was the air swirling around him, gracefully touching his skin. At times like this, when he was at one with his element, Kanoi felt free.

But today was different. The more he concentrated, the more he could feel the very atmosphere tighten around him. The air surrounding him grew colder as the breeze grew stronger, creating the feeling of daggers stabbing into his skin. What stood out the most was a feeling of pure darkness riding the wind, ready to blow everything within its path into oblivion.

Kanoi�s eyes darted open. Although he did not want to believe it, he could not deny the truth. He knew what this feeling meant. It was the same feeling he experienced over a year ago. If he was going to prevent history from repeating itself, he had to act quickly.

�Lothor��

Cy watched as Mei Lien approached. He was warmed when she smiled bashfully at him.

"Flesh-bro couldn't make it?"

"He's worried about his father. It seems he hasn't been able to locate him. He told me to tell Sensei Hiro to start class without him today."

"Bummer." Cy assumed his perplexed look.

"Cy, we're going to be late if we don't get going." She bumped into him and he play stumbled as if he was knocked off balance. His face broadened into a dizzy smile. She was playing with him... and if he was to be the mouse to Mei Lien's cat... his day was made. As she brushed past him, he fell into step behind her.

As they entered the Samurai Training Field, they saw a familiar sight. Sensei Hiro had a picnic basket. They were going off site again. He smiled at them as they approached.

"Where to today, G-pa... I mean, Grandfather."

"I thought we would learn the Art and Zen of Motion. Where is Cameron?"

"He's worried about his father. He can't seem to find him." Mei Lien bowed her head as she spoke. Cy smiled... she was quite graceful, but possibly too quiet sometimes. She really needs to let go and sound off once in awhile.

"Well, I'm sure Cameron will track him down. We'll proceed without him and I will introduce him to the concept at another time." Hiro nodded his head once... It was settled. He turned and headed west, off the Academy grounds.

After a sizeable walk, the threesome arrived at a set of cliffs overlooking the Pacific. Hiro inhaled deeply at the sight. Mei Lien glanced at Cy. She smiled when she found Cy looking at her.

"I am so glad I stumbled upon this place in my evening walks." Hiro's eyes brightened as if he had just introduced them to the answers to the universe.

"Wicked!" Cy looked over the scene, trying to find what he should be looking at.

"It is beautiful." Mei Lien whispered.

"So, let us begin. The Zen of Motion. Listen."

Both students stood and looked at him. Cy blinked. Mei Lien closed her eyes.

After some time, Hiro whispered, "Do you hear it?"

"What?" Cy whispered back.

"The lesson." Hiro whispered.

"Did you say something? And do we have to whisper, I mean... dude, the waves are making way too much noise."

Mei Lien giggled. "The waves are motion?"

"Precisely." Hiro's voice whispered.

Cy looked at Mei Lien and then at his grandfather. Being a Samurai is hard.

�Man, just call her.�

�I can�t.� Blake opened the door as Jesse walked through. After his last visit to Blue Bay Harbor, Blake had been keeping his conversations with Tori as short as possible. �You can�t just tell a girl that you love her for the first time over the phone.�

�Why not?� Jesse shot back. �At the rate you are going, it may be the only chance you are going to get.�

Blake knew he was right. Over the next several weeks, Factory Blue was heading to over 25 locations up and down the eastern seaboard alone. He had no idea when he would be able to see Tori again. But this was definitely something that he knew had to be special. He had already blown it once at the Abyss and he was determined not to blow it a second time.

�How about we table this discussion for now.� Jesse said, sensing how uncomfortable Blake was becoming with the topic. �We�re supposed to be having some fun, remember.�

�That�s right.� Blake said with a smile. The two of them had been working non-stop for the last week and were in desperate need of a break. One of the locals at the track suggested Hayley�s Cyberspace as a good place to go unwind, so Blake and Jesse decided to give it a try.

Walking in, Blake could see why people liked this place. It had a little bit of everything, from TV, to computers. Even live music. �OK, I am definitely impressed.�

�Looks like you�re not the only one.� Jesse commented as they walked towards the counter. �That girl is totally checking you out.�

Trying not to be obvious, Blake looked around the room. He noticed a brunette in yellow staring back at them. �She is not checking me out.�

�Whatever, dude.�

�I mean it.� Blake told him, glancing back at the girl by the window. �I mean, her boyfriend is right there.�

Jesse couldn�t help but laugh. �I don�t think that�s her boyfriend.�

�Why not?� Blake asked, turning toward Jesse.

�Because she�s headed this way.�

Blake couldn�t help but laugh. Given his situation with Tori, this was the last thing he needed.

�Hey.� The girl approached him from behind. �Do we know each other?�

�I don�t think so.� Blake replied, taking the girl�s hand. �I�m Blake. This is Jesse.� He pointed back at his friend.

�Blake.� The girl continued. �You just look so familiar to me.�

His interest peaked, Blake removed his hat. �Do you follow motocross?�

�No.� the girl answered. �Why? Is that what you do?�

Her question was answered when a guy, holding an autograph book, interrupted their conversation. Smiling, Blake took his pen and, instead of signing the book, autographed his hat and gave it to the star-struck fan.

�Okay,� the girl said, impressed. �So you�re famous for riding a motorcycle?�

Blake couldn�t help but laugh as he motioned to Jesse, pointing him towards the foosball table. �Don�t be so surprised.�

�Oh no,� the girl explained. �It�s just that I didn�t know you could be famous for that.�

�Why don�t you come see for yourself?� Blake turned toward the girl. �The Nationals are this week at Reefside MX Park. Bring some friends. I�ll get you passes.�

�You asking me out?� the girl asked, with a glint of interest in her eyes.

Blake laughed nervously. He so hated it when Jesse was right. �No, it�s nothing like that.� He reassured her. �Look, part of being a rider is spreading the word of our sport. You know, get people to come up who never would on their own. I promise you. You�ll be totally into it.�

�Okay.� The girl agreed, as a grinning Jesse handed her a set of passes for the next race.

�Unbelievable, dude.� Jesse smirked as Blake watched the girl head back to her friend on the couch.

�What?� Blake said.

�A total hottie just came over here, practically throwing herself at you, and you didn�t make a single move.� Jesse just laughed. �You are definitely a man in love.�

Kanoi slowly opened his eyes, straining to focus, dimly aware of the bonds tying his hands and feet. The pain throbbing in his head soon brought him back to his senses and he began to examine his surroundings. The last thing he could remember before he lost consciousness was the man who was once his brother looking down at him. He did not know what Lothor was planning but, whatever his intentions were, Kanoi needed to be taken out of the picture.

In the distance, he could hear Tori�s voice approaching. �Sensei. Is everything alright?�

Immediately, Kanoi knew where he was. Earlier, he had gone into the woods where Tori, Dustin and Shane were testing the first year students. Typically, he would have met them after the class to receive a progress report, but with the current situation, he felt it best to do what was necessary to prevent a panic. He had left a message in the woods for his former students to meet him at the highest point in Blue Bay Harbor. Kanoi had been waiting there when he was attacked. If Tori and the others were here, then Lothor couldn�t have taken him far. But why take that risk?

The sound of his own voice chilled Kanoi to the bone. �No, Tori. I�m afraid it�s not.�

Fear began to build inside Kanoi as he listened to Lothor tell the three Wind Ninja of his own return. His students were completely unaware that the man standing in front of them was the very enemy they had fought against over a year ago.

�Tori, Shane, Dustin. It is with a heavy heart that I must give you your new Wind Morphers. A dark cloud has descended upon us, and it is time for you to resume your duties as Power Rangers.�

Lothor�s intentions suddenly became all too clear. Somehow, Kanoi had to help his former students before it was too late. Closing his eyes, Kanoi tried to reach out to Shane, Tori and Dustin with his telepathic abilities. While he could feel their presence, he could not speak to them. Lothor had forseen this possibility, he thought to himself.

Kanoi�s concentration was broken when the screams of Tori, Shane and Dustin echoed in his ears. Fighting against his bonds, he could feel their pain, their suffering.

Then, there was nothing. No matter how hard he tried, he could no longer feel the presence of the three ninja.

The sound of their voices told Kanoi that they were still alive. But what they said filled Kanoi with dread.

�Like Blue Bay Harbor must be destroyed.� Shane coldly stated.

�Why stop there? I want the whole country.� Tori added evilly.

�And then the world.� Dustin finished with a dark tone in his voice.

As Lothor�s evil laughter echoed once more in his ears, Kanoi continued to struggle against his bonds, desperate to get free.

Lothor�s plan was coming together. The Wind Rangers were his willing mercenaries.

The dark wind was raging in and there was nothing he could do to stop it.