Tigra walked beside me as we ventured through the castle. I needed to gather those who would fight alongside me against Dumah’s so called specialised team. I was already making plans in my head for what might happen during the show down.

“Tigra. I want you to go get Dash and Zack, while I get Brendan and Ibiki.”

“Ibiki is Master Lance’s nephew, right?” wondered Tigra.

“Correct,” I nodded. “He is just as skilled as I am. I just hope whatever your father is under hasn’t affected him too.”

“You better find out then,” smiled Tigra heading off. “Meet you at the bakery.”

“Yeah.” I waved.

I went to Master Lance’s usual training spot, if anyone knew where Ibiki was it would be his uncle.

“Master Lance!” I called over; his back was to me talking to someone. As he turned around I realised it was Ibiki; he was the same as I remembered apart from the thick scar down the left side of his face, going across his eye. “Ibiki.”

“Fang,” he nodded acknowledging me.

“What happened?” I questioned.

“He was cruelly tested,” answered Master Lance. “Much like you have been.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I enquired.

“You were busy working hard to become Tigra’s Guardian,” responded Ibiki.

“You’re my friend,” I argued back. “Who did that to you?”

“That Aquila in Dumah’s group,” he snarled as he mentioned him. “I’d love nothing more than to return the favour.”

“You might just get your wish,” I grinned.

“Huh…” I’d caught his interest, but I had yet to tell him everything.

I spent the next twenty minutes catching him up on everything, luckily Master Lance had told him some of it.

“I’ll help,” nodded Ibiki.

“Awesome.” I was pleased. “Next Brendan.”

“You mean that Ursus you saved,” verified Ibiki.

“Yep.” It wasn’t hard to find Brendan as he did live with me at the bakery, along with Athena. “Brendan.”

“Alex.”

“Can I ask a favour?” I smiled.

“Not another one,” sighed Brendan, perhaps sometimes I did ask a little too much of him.

“Come on, you are my best friend,” I nagged.

“I told you I didn’t want to take part in your craziness again.” Brendan turned away. “I am here to protect Athena.”

“I know.” I put my hands together. “This time it is for me to be a leader of my own team.”

“No.” He shook his head.

“It doesn’t seem he will be willing to help,” commented Ibiki.

I grinned. “You know you can’t say no Brendan.” He glanced at me.

“It’ll be fun Brendan,” encouraged Athena. “And plus, you still have a life debt to repay.”

“I think he forgot,” I said.

“I didn’t forget,” snarled Brendan.

“Life debt?” wondered Ibiki.

“When you save an Ursus life, they are indebted to you until the favour is returned,” explained Athena. “Brendan.” He looked at her. “You cannot fight the fate that binds you both.”

“Not this again,” he shook his head.

“You should listen to me,” protested Athena. “There will come a time when he will need your help more than anyone else.”

“Fine.” Brendan looked at me. “I’ll help just to shut you both up.”

“Great. Tigra should be here any second with Zack and Dash.” Before Tigra came I explained everything to Brendan.

“Well, it was all I could do to respond, plus with the skills I’ve acquired in my team, this’ll be easy.” I had faith in my friend’s abilities. “It doesn’t matter the conditions, if I win I’ll be one step closer to becoming Tigra’s Guardian.”

“That’s the spirit,” smiled mum. “I recommend you prepare a battle plan before tomorrow, Dumah may try to stack things in his favour.”

“To my room!” I cheered.

“This came for you.” Mum handed me a large envelope; it had the symbol of the Rattus Warriors. “They said it was a gift.”

I opened the envelope while heading to my room, my friends following behind. I couldn’t help but smile I’d never had so many friends before. I sat on my bed before pulling out the contents. It was information files on all those who Dumah called his specialised unit.

I wondered why the Rattus would bring me something like this, but my question was answered by a signature at the bottom.

“Dad,” I mumbled. A little note slipped from between the papers. Tigra picked it up and handed it to me.

“Who’s it from?” asked Zack.

“My dad,” I answered, reading the note allowed. “If you’ve received this pack of information, the Rattus have completed the job I assigned them. Before my departure I heard rumours of Dumah putting together a team of Animalia. With Dumah set on destroying you I thought the information on those who followed him would help. I know you will be working hard, keep up the good work. Dad.” I felt a mixture of shock and sadness. I hadn’t seen him for years now, I missed him so much and even now dad did his best to help me.

Brendan patted me on the shoulder. “Even now he has your back.”

“He believes in you Fang,” said Zack. “As his son do him proud.”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “We have until tomorrow.” I handed out a sheet of each of Dumah’s unit to my friends.

Ibiki smiled as I gave him Valli. “He’s going down.”

“Oh, Cutter,” grinned Tigra. “Have you already thought about this?”

“A bit,” I answered. “I know for a fact Dumah will put us in a place which gives us the biggest disadvantage.” I began. “Most probably by a body of water as even I won’t be able to do anything about it, not without Mila’s power.”

I explained my plan. Tigra was the best one for combating our disadvantage as she held the natural ability of lightning. Zack would remain in the shadows ready for the rumoured wolf pack Dumah sometimes had accompanying him, why? No one really knew. I hoped his ability would allow him to wipe them out quite quickly.

Dash would do recon, best choice considering his speed as long as he didn’t get nervous, they’d never know he was coming, his speed would also make him a hard target for Scorlax.

Brendan was our brute strength team member, considering Dumah also had an Ursus, he would be needed to take down Seth.

I would leave Valli to Ibiki, a little revenge and with his recently mastered ice abilities it would make it too hard for him to fly.

I would of course take down Dumah, but I did wonder if he would use his talisman after giving me the rule not too, summoning his fire might give me some trouble. I would need to be extra careful, without Mila’s protection I would be at a disadvantage.

“So, everyone understand their roles?” I asked.

“Yeah.” They all responded as one, their strength and belief in me was infectious. I knew I could beat Dumah and keep my promise to Tigra.