Mia yawned as she stretched and looked around the van. Emma and Sunnie were still asleep, Annie was on her phone, and Blackie was up and out, playing with the cubs.

Mia chuckled softly as she jumped out of the van. " Hey, Blackie." She called. " Nice weather, huh?"

Blackie looked up and nodded. " Yep!"

Mia heard a click, and she turned to see a sleepy Emma.

" Good morning to you." Mia said.

" Hi Mia." Emma yawned as she snapped more pics of the misty forest. " Sure is nice isn't it?"

Mia looked around and nodded. The air was fresh and crisp, birds were chirping, and the tall trees, stretching over their heads, provided them with shade.

" So, where to today?"

Mia shrugged. " Honestly, Emma, I don't know. We have to release the animals, pack up, and get back on the road."

" The ' releasing ' part will be a bit hard for those two." Emma said, pointing to Cookie and Sunnie.

Mia sighed. " I know. But the animals need to be in the wild. It's their home. And hey. When we're back in Ninjago, maybe we can find her a cat that looks like Spotty. she seems to like him the most."

Emma nodded. " Yeah. Maybe."

Mia smiled as she looked over at the cubs, their tiny paws playfully batting at Blackie, who was happily keeping them entertained. "It'll be tough, but we have to do what's best for them."

Emma lowered her camera and gave Mia a sympathetic look. "Yeah, I get it. It's just... Sunnie’s so attached to them, especially Spotty. She’s really grown fond of him."

"I know. It's hard," Mia agreed, her voice trailing off as she watched Sunnie sleep, her face peaceful but still holding that faint trace of concern. "But at least we gave them a safe place until they were strong enough to go back."

Emma smiled. "True. But Sunnie... I think she sees the animals as family now. It’s gonna be a tough goodbye."

Mia nodded, her eyes lingering on Sunnie, then glanced over at Annie, who was still glued to her phone. "Hey, Annie, are you ready to help with the release today?"

Annie looked up from her phone, blinking as if she'd just been reminded that the world was happening around her. "Huh? Oh, right! Yeah, totally. I’m just... checking something real quick."

Mia chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Okay, but don't get too distracted. We need to get this done."

As Mia and Emma began packing up their things, Blackie walked over, his paws light on the soft ground. "Mia, I think we should take some time and say goodbye properly. For Sunnie's sake. She needs closure with them."

Mia’s heart softened at Blackie’s words. “You’re right, Blackie. She deserves that.”

Sunnie stirred in her sleep and let out a soft sigh, her face scrunching as if she were dreaming. Mia walked over quietly, sitting beside her. "Hey, Sunnie. It’s time to wake up."

Sunnie blinked, rubbing her eyes as she sat up. "Mmm... what’s going on?" she asked, her voice still thick with sleep.

"We’re going to release the cubs today," Mia said gently, her voice steady. "We’ll give them a chance to go back to the wild."

Sunnie’s eyes widened, and for a brief moment, she looked as if she might protest. But then she took a deep breath and nodded, her face softening with understanding. "I know. They need to go. I just... I’ll miss them."

Mia gave her a small, reassuring smile. "I know. But this is what’s best for them."

Sunnie stood slowly and walked over to where Blackie and the cubs were playing. She crouched down next to them, reaching out to stroke Spotty’s back. "Goodbye, Spotty," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I hope you live a happy life out here, okay?"

Mia walked up to her side, giving her a comforting pat on the back. "You’ve done your part, Sunnie. They’ll always remember you."

Sunnie nodded, though a single tear slid down her cheek. "I’ll miss them," she said, her voice wavering.

"I know," Mia replied softly. "But you’ve done something amazing. You gave them a chance at life."

Sunnie sighed. " I know. It's hard."

" It's always gonna be hard." Mia replied. " But it's what has to be done."

The cubs wandered off into the forest, their small forms quickly disappearing into the underbrush.

Sunnie took one last look, her heart heavy, and then she turned to Mia. "Thank you for everything, Mia," she said softly. "For helping me through this."

Mia smiled, squeezing her cousin’s shoulder. "Anytime, Sunnie. We’re family."

Sunnie sighed and sat up. " Okay, that's done. I guess... Let's pack up."

Mia nodded. " Right."

Annie backed the van, then pulled forward.

Back, forward.

Back, forward.

" Uh.... Mia?" Annie squeaked. " We're.... Uh.... Stuck."

Mia's eyes widened. " STUCK?!"

Annie winced. " Easy, Mimi. But yes. We're stuck."

Mia sighed. " Okay. Let me at the wheel."

" Also another problem."

" What is it?" Mia groaned.

" Gas."

Mia stared at the van, feeling the weight of their predicament. They were stuck, with no gas, and now she was expected to solve both problems. She groaned internally but quickly steeled herself.

"Alright, alright," Mia said, her voice steadying as she approached the front of the van. "Let's see what we can do here."

Annie's eyes widened. "What are you going to do? You’re not going to set the whole place on fire, are you?"

Mia gave her a dry look. "Not exactly, Annie." She turned toward the back of the van. "Emma, do we have any charcoal left?"

Emma, still holding her camera, nodded enthusiastically. "Yep! There's a whole bag of it in the back! It’s been there for emergencies—" she cut herself off, realizing the irony of that. "Guess this is an emergency."

Mia smirked. "Perfect. Alright, give me a second."

She closed her eyes for a moment, tapping into her fire powers, feeling the familiar heat rise inside her. With a quick motion, she conjured a controlled flame, carefully guiding it to burn a few pieces of charcoal she grabbed from the back of the van. The flames flickered as the charcoal began to glow, releasing heat.

"Okay, now we're cooking!" Mia said, grinning slightly at the absurdity of the situation. "Annie, hop back in the driver's seat. We’ll give this a shot."

Annie, looking more than a little confused, climbed back into the van and shifted into gear. "Uh, how is this supposed to help?"

"Watch," Mia said, concentrating. She held the glowing charcoal in her hands, the fire's heat intensifying as she carefully placed it under the engine compartment. The flames were contained, just enough to warm the engine without causing it to ignite.

"Alright, let’s give it a try," Mia said, backing away. "Annie, start it up."

Annie looked nervous but started the engine. At first, nothing happened. Then, with a loud roar, the engine sputtered and hummed to life.

"Whoa!" Annie gasped, her eyes wide. "It worked!"

Mia grinned. "Of course it did. We’re not amateurs here."

Emma laughed, taking a quick shot of Mia standing next to the van, the flames from the charcoal giving her an almost mythical glow. "I think I need a picture of this."

Mia waved her off playfully. "Focus, Emma. We’re still stuck in the middle of nowhere. Let’s get moving before something else goes wrong."

Annie, now feeling more confident, shifted the van into gear, and with a little rev of the engine, they were on their way, the forest around them quiet and still once more.

Sunnie glanced out the window, her expression thoughtful. "Well, at least today’s been an adventure. Let’s hope the road ahead’s a bit smoother."

"Let’s hope," Emma said, snapping one last photo of the moment then turning to Mia. "But with you around, Mia, I have no doubt we’ll manage just fine."

Annie drove.

Mia pointed directions out.

Blackie played with Cookie.

And Emma showed Sunnie Spotty's pictures.

" See?" Emma said as she pointed to the cheetah. " He'll be fine. Besides, you'll see him again soon, I'm sure."

Sunnie managed a smile. " Thanks."

Suddenly Blackie's ears perked. He walked down the long aisle and stood on his hind legs, checking the back glass

" Or maybe now! Annie, slam the brakes!"

" What?!" Annie exclaimed.

" SLAM THE BRAKES!"

Annie obeyed, and there was a loud screeching sound. Blackie hopped out.

" What is it?!" Mia exclaimed.

Blackie jumped back into the window, holding a certain cheetah in his teeth. " This."

Sunnie unbuckled and grabbed the Cheetah as it ran to her. " Spotty!"

The cheetah purred happily, rubbing his cheek on Sunnie's.

Annie turned. " What?!"

Mia grabbed the Cheetah. " But.... How?!"

" Wait!" Emma exclaimed as she unbuckled and joined Sunnie and Mia. " See?"

She showed them a picture of Sunnie and Mia and Spotty.

" Yeah, so?* Mia asked.

" This picture is when Spotty opened his eyes. He looked at Sunnie before anyone!"

" So....?" Sunnie prompted.

Blackie gasped. " I see!"

Emma nodded proudly.

" What is it?!" Mia demanded.

" This little one thinks Sunnie's his mom!"

Sunnie blinked. " But... Why?"

" Because when he opened his eyes, I think he opened them for the first time! So when he saw Sunnie first, I think he thought Sunnie was his mom!"

" But where's his real mom?" Mia asked.

Emma sighed darkly. " You don't want to know."

" No, we do want to know." Mia replied.

" In a lab, probably. Or sold to someone."

Mia stared at Spotty, who was now nestled comfortably in Sunnie’s lap, purring softly. The realization was starting to sink in, and a wave of determination washed over her. She had always known the wild was unpredictable, but this... this was unexpected.

“Well, Sunnie,” Mia said with a sigh, looking down at Spotty, “looks like you’re a mom to a cheetah now.”

Sunnie chuckled softly, brushing a hand through Spotty’s fur as he nuzzled against her. “Well, I never thought this would be my path to parenthood, but... ah well,” she said with a smile that was part resignation, part amusement.

Emma raised a brow at Sunnie. "You’re taking this surprisingly well."

Sunnie shrugged, her fingers still gently petting Spotty’s head. “I guess when you’re surrounded by weirdness all the time, this kind of thing starts to feel normal."

Blackie, who had been watching the whole exchange from the front of the van, jumped up and landed on the seat next to Mia, his fur ruffled. "This is the thing," he said, his tone serious. "We can’t release him. Not anymore."

Mia’s eyes widened in surprise. “What do you mean, Blackie?”

Blackie nodded toward Spotty, who was still curled up in Sunnie’s lap, content and oblivious to the conversation happening around him. "He’s bonded to her now. He doesn’t see you as his owner, Sunnie," Blackie explained, "he sees you as his mother. The bond’s too strong to undo. Releasing him into the wild now would only confuse him and probably leave him vulnerable. He’ll never survive on his own."

Sunnie’s hand froze over Spotty’s fur, and she looked down at him, guilt flickering across her expression. "But... we can’t keep him, can we? It’s not safe for him to be in a van all the time."

Mia shook her head, feeling the weight of the decision settling heavily on her. "It’s not ideal. But he’s part of the family now. And we’ll make sure he’s okay. We’ll find a place where he’s safe. A sanctuary, maybe."

Emma’s expression softened. "We’ll figure something out. We always do."

Sunnie let out a soft sigh, her fingers gently scratching behind Spotty’s ears as he purred in contentment. "I never wanted this," she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. "But I guess I’ll just have to do my best."

Mia smiled at her cousin, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You’ve got this, Sunnie. You’re going to be an amazing mom, even if you didn’t expect it."

Sunnie gave a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Mia."

Blackie meowed in agreement, his usual sass now replaced by something closer to pride. "You’re not alone in this, Sunnie. We’re all here to help."

Emma nodded, her camera already ready for the next moment. "We’re all in this together, and I’m sure we’ll make it work."

Sunnie looked around at all of them, her eyes brightening just a little. "Thanks, everyone. I think I’m starting to understand. Even if this wasn’t what I expected... maybe it’s the right thing after all."

Mia grinned, her heart warming. "You’ll be just fine, Sunnie. We’ve got your back. And Spotty’s too."

As the van rumbled to life again, Mia glanced at Sunnie, Emma, and Blackie. For the first time in a long while, everything felt just a little more right. They were a team, and no matter what challenges came their way, they’d face them together.

Suddenly, something on Mia's pocket buzzed.  She  pulled her phone out of her pocket, seeing Jay’s name flash across the screen. She smiled before answering. “Hey, Jay!”

“Mia!” Jay’s voice sounded relieved, though there was a hint of frustration. “When are you coming back again? We miss you guys here.”

Mia leaned back in her seat, her eyes scanning the road ahead as the van bounced along. “Well,” she started, “we’re still out here working with the animals. It’ll be a couple of weeks before we head back. So... early August.”

“Two weeks?” Jay sighed dramatically. “That’s forever! I swear, it’s just not the same without you around. Especially with Zane and his endless experiments.”

Mia chuckled, picturing Zane in the lab, probably surrounded by a dozen different gadgets. “I’m sure he’s managing. But, hey, don’t worry. It’s only a little while longer.”

“I guess,” Jay muttered, sounding unconvinced. “But it feels like forever.”

Mia grinned, her heart lightening at the thought of her brother. “I’ll be back before you know it, Jay. Just hold down the fort until then.”

“Alright, alright,” Jay said with a sigh. “I’ll try not to let Kai set the house on fire in the meantime.” He chuckled softly. “Take care of yourself, Mia. And, uh... tell Sunnie, Emma, and the others I said hi.”

Mia glanced at Sunnie, who was still petting Spotty, and then back at her phone. “Will do. We’ll be back before you know it, okay?”

“Can’t wait,” Jay replied, his tone softening. “I’ll see you soon, Mia. Stay safe out there.”

“You too, Jay,” Mia said, hanging up with a smile.

She looked out the window again, a sense of excitement building in her chest. Two weeks. It felt like a long time, but it would fly by. She had a feeling that when she got home, there would be plenty to catch up on.

" This is booooring." Emma groaned

" We're almost there." Sunnie replied as she pet her cheetah.

" But to wheeeeere?"

Mia shrugged. " Dunno. Someplace good, I hope."

Annie nodded. " We're coming up at a little town.

Mia’s eyes lit up as she spotted a small, cozy building nestled in the trees ahead. A hand-painted sign swayed gently in the breeze with the words “Pie Place” written in cheerful lettering. She immediately turned to Sunnie, who was sitting behind her.

“OoOoOoOoOh, look!” Mia exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. “A pie place! Wonder if they have chocolate pies!!”

Sunnie, who had been staring out the window with a distant look, blinked and turned her head. “Chocolate pies? That sounds amazing. But... aren’t we supposed to be on our way to Lake Arsinil?”

Mia grinned mischievously. “Yeah, well, we were supposed to be on vacation. But we’re lost again. So, why not enjoy the ride and grab a pie?” She pointed at the sign with an eager finger. “I’m craving something sweet.”

Emma, sitting in the back, glanced over Mia's shoulder. “Wait, it’s eleven fifty-three in the morning. Are we really stopping for pie now?” Her eyebrow raised in amusement, but her voice held no judgment. “You know, this is a vacation... I guess a pie detour is acceptable.”

Blackie, who had been curled up in the back of the van with the cubs, stretched out lazily. "I think we’ve all earned a little snack. Who knows when we’ll find a pie place again?"

Mia laughed, rolling her eyes. "See? Blackie gets it. We definitely deserve a pie."

Annie, who was driving, sighed and glanced in the rearview mirror. “Alright, alright. But we’re only stopping for five minutes. Just enough time to grab some pie and stretch our legs. After that, we’re back on track. Lake Arsinil, here we come!”

The van pulled into the gravel parking lot, and Mia hopped out, practically skipping toward the pie place with Sunnie right behind her. Emma, shaking her head but smiling, followed, with Blackie trotting along beside them.

As they entered the small, rustic building, the scent of freshly baked pies hit them. Mia inhaled deeply, her eyes sparkling. “Oh yeah, this was definitely worth it. Chocolate pie, here I come!”

The elderly woman behind the counter smiled warmly. “Well, we’ve got a few chocolate pies in the back, dear. Fresh out of the oven, too.”

Mia grinned. “Perfect. I’ll take two slices!”

The others ordered their pies as well, and as they sat down with their desserts, they forgot about being lost for a moment, savoring the sweet, warm chocolate filling and flaky crust.

Mia took a bite, closed her eyes, and sighed in bliss. “Best. Detour. Ever.”

Annie rolled her eyes. " Yeah. Right."

" Anyway, where to next?"
Mia  mused as she took her nap out.

" Well, we could go to Obtinal Beach?" Sunnie suggested as she gave Spotty a piece of fruit.

Mia stretched, taking another bite of her pie before leaning back in her chair with a satisfied sigh. "Obtinal Beach, huh? That sounds nice. We could go for a swim and just relax by the water. Could be a good way to get back on track after our little detour."

Sunnie nodded, carefully feeding Spotty another piece of fruit as the cheetah happily chomped away. "Yeah, and maybe we could even set up a little picnic there. It’d be a good break before we try to find Lake Arsinil."

Emma leaned back in her chair, now finishing her slice of pie. "You know, this wasn’t a bad idea. A beach stop might just be what we need to recharge. Plus, who doesn’t love a good beach day?"

Mia glanced over at Annie, who had been quiet for a moment, her eyes on the road outside as she sipped her drink. "What do you think, Annie? You’ve been driving this whole time. Could you use a break?"

Annie raised an eyebrow at the suggestion. "A beach... Yeah, I could definitely use a break. Plus, it’s not too far off from here, right? Sounds like a good plan to me."

Blackie, who had finished observing the cars who were passing by with a rude face, trotted over to the table and jumped into Mia’s lap. "I think Spotty will enjoy a nice run along the beach," he added with a purr. "And maybe I’ll find a nice patch of sand to nap in."

Mia scratched Blackie behind the ears as she thought about it. "Alright, beach it is then! We’ll head to Obtinal Beach, spend some time there, and then figure out where to go next. I’m feeling pretty good about this detour now."

Sunnie smiled, handing Spotty the last of the fruit. "You know, this is the most relaxed I've felt in a while. Maybe getting lost isn’t so bad after all."

Mia stood up and stretched her arms overhead. "Well, sometimes the best adventures are the ones that happen when we least expect them. Let's hit the road and make the most of this trip!"

Annie’s voice suddenly broke through the conversation, and she glanced around the van, her eyes widening. "Wait... Emma, where’s your niece?"

Emma froze for a moment, looking up from her phone. "What do you mean, where’s Cookie?" She turned to scan the van, but her eyes immediately filled with concern. "She was just with us, right?"

Mia’s heart skipped a beat as she quickly glanced around too. "Cookie? Where are you, sweetie?"

Blackie’s ears perked up at the mention of Cookie, and he padded over to the door, peering out the window. “She was with you guys earlier,” Blackie said, his tail flicking nervously. "Maybe she wandered off?”

Emma shot up from her seat. "Oh no, not again!" She muttered to herself, panic starting to rise. "She couldn’t have gone far... she’s two! Where could she—?"

"Don't worry, we'll find her," Mia said, quickly standing up and moving to the door. "Let’s check around the pie place. She’s probably exploring."

Annie was already out of the van and starting to look around. "Let’s not panic just yet. We’ll check the building first."

Emma followed closely behind, her eyes scanning the small parking lot, the path leading toward the back of the pie place, and the woods just beyond. "Cookie loves wandering off sometimes, but she doesn’t go far. We just need to—"

"Emma!" Annie called, suddenly spotting something near the edge of the lot. "Over here!"

Emma's heart raced as she followed Annie’s voice, both of them hurrying toward the trees. Then she saw it—little Cookie, sitting happily on a fallen log, completely oblivious to the worried voices calling her name.

"Cookie!" Emma cried, rushing over to scoop her up. "Where were you, little one? You scared me!"

Cookie giggled, her innocent brown eyes shining up at Emma as she hugged her tightly. She didn’t speak, but her smile was enough to let Emma know she was perfectly content.

Mia let out a relieved breath as she crouched beside them. "You’re lucky you didn’t get lost, sweetie."

Annie shook her head, grinning. "She’s a curious one, isn’t she?"

Emma smiled softly, holding Cookie a little tighter. "She’s fine, though. She’s a little adventurer at heart. Just like her aunt."

Mia stood up and stretched. "Well, now that that’s sorted, how about we get back on the road? Obtinal Beach is waiting for us!"

Sunnie, who had been quietly watching the whole scene, nodded. "Yeah, let’s get going before anyone else decides to wander off!"

Blackie meowed, his sassy side showing again. " Let's go before you lose your way to the van. Sheesh, amateurs."

" Ahhhh, this is the life." Mia sighed as she put her sunglasses on and collapsed on the beach mat

Emma was sketching the waves, and Sunnie was helping Cookie build a sandcastle.

And making sure the toddler didn't actually eat any.

Annie was on her phone looking at her GPS.

And Blackie.... Well he was the picture of sass and a cat.

On a beach.

Sunglasses, lounging on a beach mat sipping a coconut ( seriously where did he find these things?!) and a magazine.

" Hmm.... What's the latest gossip?" Blackie muttered as he flipped through the catalog.

" ORCA IN TROUBLE!" someone yelled.

Mia jumped, and Sunnie turned to the water. " What?!"

Then someone yelled, " LOOK! IT'S THE ANIMAL WHISPERER MIA ELIZABETH WALKER, THE WIND FIRE WATER AND LIGHTING NINJA!"

Annie turned to Mia, raising a brow. " I never knew that called you ' animal whisperer'."

Sunnie grinned. " Well, she does have four elemental powers. So the animals must trust her a lot."

Emma nodded and flipped through her camera. " Uh huh. Look, this is her riding a dolphin, this is her with a giraffe....."

As Emma informed Sunnie about all the animals she had rescued, Mia had already grabbed her vet kit and ran to the pier, jumping off the bridge and swimming to the killer whale.

Mia's heart sank as she swam closer, recognizing the sleek black-and-white form struggling in the water. "Orky!" she called, her voice carrying over the waves. The orca let out a distressed cry, tilting its massive head toward her as if it knew help had arrived.

By the time Mia reached Orky, she saw what was wrong: a tangled mess of fishing net was wrapped around his tail and dorsal fin, restricting his movement. His normally graceful figure was hindered, and Mia could feel his panic.

“It’s okay, big guy, I’ve got you,” Mia murmured, reaching into her waterproof vet kit strapped to her back. She pulled out a specialized cutting tool designed for situations just like this.

Back on the beach, Sunnie and Emma were watching with wide eyes. "She’s incredible," Sunnie whispered, holding Cookie close. "She just jumped in like it’s no big deal."

Annie, still glued to her phone, chimed in. "I just called the marine rescue team. They’re on their way, but knowing Mia, she’ll probably have Orky freed before they even get here."

Meanwhile, Blackie rolled onto his back, his sunglasses slightly askew. "Of course, she’s saving an orca. It’s a Tuesday," he said, sipping his coconut.

In the water, Mia worked quickly and carefully. “Hold still, Orky,” she said soothingly, running her hand gently along his side to calm him. Orky’s intelligent eyes followed her every movement, and he gave a soft whistle of trust.

One by one, Mia cut through the thick ropes, her Wind power subtly creating a gentle current to keep her steady in the water. When she finally freed the last piece of netting, Orky let out a triumphant whistle and nudged her with his nose in gratitude.

“You’re free now, buddy!” Mia laughed, throwing her arms around Orky’s massive head in a relieved hug.

The crowd on the beach erupted into cheers as Mia swam back to shore, Orky swimming alongside her, his movements now fluid and full of joy. He leaped out of the water once in a grand display, spraying the crowd and earning even more applause.

As Mia waded onto the sand, dripping wet and grinning, Sunnie handed her a towel. "You’re incredible, you know that?"

Mia shrugged, wiping her face. "It’s just Orky. He’s an old friend."

Annie raised a brow. "Old friend or not, you just saved a killer whale without even flinching."

Blackie, lounging in the shade now, set his magazine down dramatically. "Can someone get me a fish smoothie? I feel inspired to do something extraordinary now."

Mia rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. "Come on, Blackie. Let’s just enjoy the beach for five minutes before the next emergency."

As Mia dried off, Emma suddenly gasped, her camera still in hand. "Wait, Mia! Look! I think Orky wants you to hop on!" 

Mia turned toward the water, where Orky was bobbing close to the shore, playfully splashing with his tail and giving an unmistakable whistle. He tilted his head toward Mia, his body language practically screaming, Hop on!

Mia’s eyes lit up. “You think so?” 

Emma grinned, already adjusting her camera lens. “Oh, I know so. This is going to be epic.” 

Without hesitation, Mia tossed the towel aside and ran back into the water. Orky lowered himself just enough for her to climb onto his back. “Alright, big guy,” Mia said, laughing as she held on to his dorsal fin. “Let’s see what you’ve got!” 

With a powerful flick of his tail, Orky surged forward, sending a spray of water into the air. Mia whooped as they sped across the waves, the wind whipping through her hair. Orky leapt into the air with her on his back, twisting mid-jump before crashing back into the water, earning cheers from the crowd still gathered on the beach. 

"She's riding an orca like it's the most normal thing in the world," Sunnie said, shaking her head in disbelief as she helped Cookie build a second sandcastle. 

“Just wait—this is gold,” Emma muttered, snapping picture after picture. She caught every moment: Mia laughing as Orky sped through the surf, the two of them silhouetted against the sun as Orky breached the water in a graceful arc, and Mia waving triumphantly as they passed close to shore. 

Orky seemed to enjoy the ride just as much as Mia did, his whistles and clicks echoing through the waves. After a few more wild loops, he brought Mia back to the shallow water, lowering himself so she could slide off. 

Mia waded to shore, absolutely drenched but beaming. “That was amazing!” she said, her voice filled with exhilaration. 

Emma held up her camera, grinning ear to ear. “You’re not going to believe how incredible these pictures turned out. You and Orky look like something out of a movie!” 

Blackie, still lounging on his beach mat, adjusted his sunglasses and muttered, “Great. Now she’s a mermaid ninja. What’s next, Mia? Taming dragons?” 

Mia just laughed, plopping down on the sand beside her friends. “Hey, I’d give it a shot if I ever met one!” 

Still buzzing with excitement, Mia stood in the sand and raised her hands. “Time to dry off!” she announced. 

With a quick motion, she summoned her wind power, creating a gust around her that instantly began evaporating the seawater from her clothes and hair. 

Unfortunately, the "quick motion" turned into something a little more... intense.

A sudden whoosh filled the beach as the wind whipped through the area, scattering sand everywhere. Emma let out a yelp as her sketchbook flew out of her hands, pages flapping wildly before landing in the surf. 

“Whoa, Mia! Tone it down!” Sunnie shouted, shielding Cookie from the gusts as their sandcastle crumbled into a pile of nothingness. 

Annie, who had been peacefully texting, had to wrestle with her phone as her sunhat went soaring into the air. “Mia!” she yelled, her voice nearly drowned out by the howling wind. 

Even Blackie’s lounging session wasn’t spared. His magazine went flying, the coconut he’d been sipping from tipped over, and his beach mat flapped like a banner caught in a storm. The sassy cat sat up with an annoyed glare, his fur ruffled. “Seriously? Can’t a cat chill in peace?” 

Completely oblivious to the chaos, Mia stood there with a big grin, her clothes now dry and her hair bouncing lightly in the breeze she’d created. “Ah, much better!” 

Emma marched over, sand stuck to her legs and camera, and pointed accusingly at Mia. “You do realize you just turned the beach into a tornado zone, right?” 

Mia blinked, looking around at the carnage—the ruined sandcastles, the scattered beach gear, and the thoroughly annoyed expressions of her friends. She let out a nervous laugh. “Oops. I might’ve overdone it a little.” 

“A little?” Sunnie said, brushing sand out of Cookie’s curls. 

Mia rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. “Uh... Sorry?” 

Blackie, now licking his paw disdainfully, muttered, “Sorry won’t bring back my coconut water or my quiet afternoon. Just saying.” 

“Alright, alright!” Mia said, holding her hands up in surrender. “I owe you all one. Next round of ice cream is on me?” 

That earned a collective groan, but also some reluctant smiles. “Deal,” Emma said, picking up her sketchbook. “But no more violent drying techniques, okay?” 

“Scout’s honor!” Mia said with a cheeky grin.

As everyone gathered their belongings and prepared to leave the beach, Blackie stretched dramatically, his tail flicking with determination. "Alright, amateurs," he announced, hopping down from the beach chair. "It's clear none of you know how to handle a vehicle properly. This time, I drive." 

Mia blinked. "Wait, what? Blackie, you’re a cat.” 

Blackie ignored her, strutting toward the van like he owned it. “Exactly. Which means I’m smarter, more coordinated, and far more cautious than all of you combined. Now, hand over the keys.” 

Annie, holding the keys, looked uncertain. “This feels like a bad idea…” 

“It can’t be worse than Mia’s tornado drying session,” Blackie shot back, flicking his whiskers smugly. 

With a collective shrug (and mostly out of curiosity), they decided to humor him. Blackie climbed into the driver’s seat with surprising grace, his paws expertly gripping the steering wheel. Somehow, he even managed to adjust the rearview mirror with his tail. 

“Everyone buckled up?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder with an air of authority. 

“Uh… yeah?” Sunnie replied hesitantly, securing Cookie in her car seat. 

Blackie nodded. “Good. Let’s roll.” 

The van started smoothly, and for a moment, everyone was impressed. But then... the van moved. Barely. 

And by barely, it was more like a snail’s crawl. 

“Blackie!” Mia groaned, her forehead smacking against the dashboard. “We’re going one mile per hour!” 

“Safety first,” Blackie replied coolly, eyes focused on the road. “No need to rush.” 

Emma, snapping pictures of the ridiculous scene, was trying not to laugh. “Blackie, at this rate, we won’t even leave the parking lot before sunset!” 

“Patience is a virtue,” Blackie said, adjusting the steering wheel ever so slightly. 

Cars began honking as they crawled down the road, and a cyclist even overtook them, waving sarcastically. Annie, clearly regretting her decision, groaned. “This is painful. Painful.” 

Cookie, however, seemed to enjoy the slow pace, clapping her hands and giggling. “Go, kitty!” 

“See? At least someone appreciates my skill,” Blackie said smugly. 

Finally, after what felt like an eternity (but was probably only five minutes), Mia had had enough. “That’s it. Pull over, Blackie. I’m taking the wheel.” 

Blackie sniffed, offended. “Fine. If you insist. But when you inevitably mess up, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” 

As Mia took the driver’s seat and the van sped up to a more reasonable speed, Blackie settled back into his spot with a satisfied smirk. “Humans. Always in such a hurry. No appreciation for the art of true driving.” 

The group burst into laughter, and the road trip continued—this time, at a much faster pace.

"HOW DID THIS MOMENT COME TO BEEEE?!" The cat screamed, his voice cracking.

Mia grinned, swerving around a tree like it was just another obstacle in a video game. “Relax, Blackie! I’ve got this under control!”

“CONTROL?! THIS IS THE OPPOSITE OF CONTROL!” Blackie howled as the van narrowly avoided a truck.

Annie was pressed against the window, her knuckles white as she clutched her seatbelt. “WHY ARE WE DRIVING AT 4,739,374 MILES PER HOUR?!”

“It's not that fast,” Mia replied casually, yanking the wheel hard to avoid a car, which sent them careening off the road and into the woods.

Emma, surprisingly calm amidst the chaos, gazed out the window as the scenery blurred by. “This is kind of peaceful,” she mused, sketchbook in hand.

“Agreed,” Sunnie added, nonchalantly catching Cookie’s sippy cup before it flew out of her hands. Even Cookie was giggling, completely unfazed by the vehicular mayhem.

The van launched off the edge of a cliff, hurtling through the air like a scene from an action movie. Blackie screamed louder than a siren. “WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE!”

They landed with a bone-jarring thud on a rocky path, the tires somehow intact. Mia whooped in delight. “See? Perfect landing!”

“PERFECT?! WE JUST JUMPED OFF A CLIFF!” Annie yelled, her voice an octave higher than usual.

“That was just the first cliff,” Mia corrected as she spotted another one up ahead.

“ANOTHER CLIFF?!” Blackie screeched, trying to bury himself under a pile of seat cushions.

The van soared over the second cliff, this time flipping once in mid-air before landing on the roof of a building.

“Nice flip!” Sunnie said, holding up a scorecard she had somehow acquired.

“Thanks!” Mia replied, grinning as she revved the engine and sped across the rooftops of ten skyscrapers, scaling them with ridiculous ease.

“Is anyone else questioning how this van is doing this?” Annie asked, gripping her seat for dear life.

“I stopped questioning things after the first cliff,” Emma replied serenely, still sketching.

They crashed through a public bathroom on the ground level, sending tiles and stalls flying. Blackie peeked out from his makeshift cushion fort. “Was that a—was that a bathroom?”

“Yep!” Mia confirmed cheerfully as they plowed through another one moments later. “Two for two!”

“WHY DO PUBLIC RESTROOMS KEEP GETTING IN OUR WAY?!” Blackie yelled, his tail twitching furiously.

The van tore through a bustling market, knocking over fruit stands and weaving through panicked pedestrians. Mia leaned out the window. “SORRY, EVERYONE!”

“You’re not sorry at all!” Annie snapped.

“Okay, fine, I’m not!” Mia admitted with a laugh.

By the time they blasted through the tenth town, leaving a trail of overturned carts and startled bystanders in their wake, Blackie had gone completely silent, his eyes wide and unblinking.

Annie glanced at him. “Uh… is he okay?”

“Probably processing his life choices,” Sunnie guessed, casually brushing some debris off Cookie’s hair.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of vehicular acrobatics, Mia screeched the van to a halt in front of a gas station.

“See? Told you I’d get us here in one piece!” Mia declared proudly, hopping out of the van.

The others stared at her in stunned silence, the van creaking ominously as bits of it fell off.

Blackie, emerging from the pile of cushions with a wild look in his eyes, muttered, “Never. Again.”

But Cookie clapped her hands and giggled, her voice ringing out cheerfully. “More ride!”

Sunnie chuckled. “Looks like someone enjoyed it.”

Emma nodded, holding up her sketch of the entire ordeal. “Same here. Totally worth it.”

Mia stretched, grinning from ear to ear. “So, who’s ready for round two?”

“NO ONE!” everyone except Cookie shouted in unison.

" That'll be fine dollars, please." The cashier said as Annie handed her a ten dollar bill. The cashier gave her a five back.

" Thank you." She said as she took her chips and Gatorade.

Emma and Sunnie walked up, holding two Gatorade bottles, chips, M&M's, and some goldfish for the baby.

" That'll be ten dollars please."  The cashier said as Sunnie handed her a ten dollar bill and took their stuff, while Emma, holding her niece, said, " thank you."

Then Mia came up, holding five Hershey bars ( milk chocolate, ovi), Gatorade, gummy snakes, and a haagen dazs chocolate bar.

Then the cat came, holding gummy bears and Gatorade.

" Eight dollars."

Mia handed her a ten, and the cashier handed her a two.

" Thanks." Mia said as she grabbed her stuff and ran out to the van, where the others were eating. She slid into the front ( her area) and turned to gaze at the others.

Emma, Sunnie and Cookie were in the second row, the third row was all Annie, and the fourth and trunk were full of their stuff.

But their row was also filled with their stuff.

Mia had her travel pillow, blanket, stuffed orca, cat bed, two cat toys, three mystery books, her phone and charger, pictures of her family and a small mirror and first aid kit.

Second row, there was Emma's Camera, Sunnie and Emma's phone and charger, books, stuffed animals, pillows, blankets and art supplies everywhere.

With Cookie's stuff, of course.

Baby snacks, games, toys and sleeping stuff.

And then Annie's row.

Blanket, phone, charger, pillow, books, magazine, and....

Well a bunch of stuff which they might need for survival.

As Annie said, " it's better to have and not need than need and not have!"

So there was two extra tires clothes a toolbox food water has a shovel first aid a mirror beauty supplies tents and an air mattress.

Yeah you read that right.

An air mattress.

Oh yeah and a heater.

And a 3D printer.

.... Yeah.

And an actual printer and an air fryer and an iron and a sublimation printer.

Yeah I know.

Anyway, Annie stored most of her snacks for later, except for one chip bag

The middle occupents stashed their candy away and each took one chip, except for Cookie.

She had her goldfish.

And Mia ate her chocolate bar and stashed the other things for away

Crazy, right?

Her, saving CHOCOLATE.

And Blackie just stashed all of it for later

And drank his boba

Which he somehow got.

Mia turned to the girls. " So, where now?"

Annie looked up. " There's an Elk sighting -"

" LET'S GO SEE THE ELKS!" Sunnie yelled.

Mia slammed the van’s engine into life, revving it as if it were a rally car. “Elks it is!” she said, grinning from ear to ear.

“Wait, wait, WAIT!” Blackie protested, still sipping his boba from a tiny straw. He held onto the dashboard with his paws as the van lurched forward. “Why do I feel like this is going to end in disaster?”

Emma gently patted Cookie’s head, the baby now snug in her car seat, nibbling on a goldfish. “Relax, Blackie. It’s just elks. What could go wrong?”

“Have you met Mia?” Blackie muttered.

Sunnie, already leaning forward excitedly from her seat, pointed ahead. “According to the GPS, the sighting’s just 15 miles away!”

Mia smirked and cranked the music. “Fifteen miles? We’ll be there in five minutes!” 

Blackie groaned, burying his face in his paws. “Not this again.”

True to her word, Mia somehow managed to cover the distance in less than six minutes, with Annie clinging to her seatbelt like it was a lifeline. “Are speed limits just suggestions to you?!”

Mia shrugged as they rolled into a gravel parking area by a forest trail. “Speed limits are for people without my ninja reflexes.”

Blackie leaped out of the van the moment it stopped, his fur still puffed up from the harrowing drive. “Ninja reflexes, my tail!” He sighed. “At least we’re in one piece. Mostly.”

The group spilled out of the van, snacks and gear in tow. Sunnie handed Cookie her tiny explorer’s hat. “You ready to see some elks, Cookie?”

The toddler clapped her hands. “Elks!”

Mia adjusted her travel backpack and looked toward the trail. “Alright, gang. Let’s find these majestic creatures.”

The trail led them through a picturesque forest, sunlight streaming through the canopy. Birds chirped above, and the air smelled fresh and earthy. Sunnie and Emma were taking pictures of everything, from colorful mushrooms to tree bark, while Cookie toddled along between them, holding Sunnie’s hand.

“This is kind of peaceful,” Annie admitted, glancing around.

“That’s because Mia isn’t driving,” Blackie grumbled, perched on Mia’s backpack like a feline lookout. He had somehow acquired a pair of binoculars, scanning the horizon dramatically.

Suddenly, Sunnie froze. “Shhh! Look!” She pointed ahead. 

Through a break in the trees, a herd of elks stood grazing in a meadow, their massive antlers silhouetted against the golden sunlight. The group collectively gasped, even Mia pausing to take in the sight.

“They’re beautiful,” Emma whispered, snapping pictures rapidly. 

Cookie pointed and giggled. “Big deer!”

Mia crouched down to whisper to Blackie, “Think I can ride one?”

Blackie’s eyes went wide. “Don’t even think about it!”

Sunnie, overhearing, laughed. “I mean, you’ve ridden dolphins, orcas, and who knows what else…”

“Exactly!” Mia said, already creeping forward. 

“MIA, NO!” Annie hissed.

But it was too late. Mia had grabbed a handful of gummy snakes from her pocket and was slowly approaching one of the larger elks, her hand outstretched like she was taming a wild stallion.

The elk paused, tilting its head to consider her offering. Then, to everyone’s astonishment, it took a gummy snake from her hand and chewed it thoughtfully.

“See? Animal whisperer!” Mia whispered triumphantly.

“Yeah, until it whispers with its antlers,” Blackie muttered, watching nervously.

The elk, apparently unbothered, allowed Mia to gently touch its side. Sunnie took rapid-fire pictures while Emma filmed the entire scene. 

“Okay, this is actually kind of cool,” Annie admitted, crossing her arms.

Cookie waved excitedly. “Mia deer!”

Just then, the elk snorted and began to trot off, leading the herd deeper into the woods. Mia stood, watching them go with a big grin. “Mission accomplished.”

Blackie groaned. “Every time you do something like this, I lose a year off my life.”

“Good thing you have nine of them,” Mia quipped, walking back to the group. “Now, who’s ready for lunch?” 

The others laughed, and together they headed back down the trail, with Cookie giggling about the “big deer” all the way.

As the group arrived at the restaurant, they were met with an unexpected sight—closed signs hanging on the door. Annie, ever resourceful, immediately whipped out her phone. “Alright, I’ll find us another place. We’re not letting a little closure stop us from eating.” She tapped away furiously at the screen, mumbling about finding “the best restaurant in a five-mile radius.”

Meanwhile, Mia, her adventurous spirit never waning, was already eyeing a nearby river. She scanned the waters for a moment before her grin stretched across her face. “You guys go ahead. I’m going on my own little journey.”

Before anyone could stop her, Mia was off—running toward the edge of the river, her eyes fixed on a waterfall in the distance. Sunnie and Emma turned to look, wide-eyed, as Mia launched herself into a canoe that was conveniently tied up on the shore.

“Wait—what?” Sunnie exclaimed. “She’s canoeing down a waterfall?!”

Emma squinted, trying to make sense of it. “I… I don’t think this is a good idea.”

Cookie clapped her hands, watching Mia row the canoe with a focus that only someone with four elemental powers could achieve. “Water!” she giggled, her tiny voice filled with excitement.

“Don’t worry,” Emma said, though her voice wavered slightly. “Mia’s done stuff like this before… mostly.”

Meanwhile, Annie, still absorbed in her search for food, didn't notice at first. She glanced up and saw the others staring off into the distance. She followed their gaze, eyes narrowing. “Is that Mia? Wait… where is she—”

But it was too late. Mia had already reached the waterfall, paddling toward the brink.

“Is she crazy?!” Blackie shouted, standing on the ground, fur bristling. “She’s going straight for that waterfall! She can’t possibly—”

Before anyone could react, Mia’s canoe hit the top of the waterfall and suddenly plummeted downward, twisting and flipping through the air like an acrobat. Emma, Sunnie, and Cookie gasped, their eyes wide, hands flying to their mouths in shock.

Annie’s phone dropped from her hands as she saw the chaos unfold. “This is insane! How is she doing that?”

Down below, Mia’s canoe hit the water with a massive splash, and for a terrifying second, it seemed like the current might carry her away. But Mia popped up from the water with a grin, her hair soaked but her spirit undeterred. She waved at the others, who had now gathered at the edge of the river.

“WOOOOO!” Mia yelled over the sound of the rushing water, a wild laugh escaping her lips. “I’ll meet you guys downstream!”

“Are you seriously going to do that?!” Blackie shouted, his tail twitching with disbelief. “How is this normal for you?!”

Sunnie, on the other hand, stood, her mouth slightly agape. “That was… incredible.”

Emma, equally stunned, whispered to Sunnie, “I thought she was just going to take a stroll or something. She’s insane.”

Annie finally regained her composure, muttering under her breath, “I knew I should’ve come with her…”

“Yeah, I think we all should’ve,” Blackie muttered, his tail swishing. “Maybe not next time, but for the love of all things sane… WHAT KIND OF PERSON CANOEING DOWN A WATERFALL WITHOUT A PLAN?”

Annie Shrugged. " Mia."

" WILL WE EVEN BE FINE AFTER SEEING THIS?!"

Annie shot him a glance, eyes narrowed. “Oh, we’ll be fine.”

The sound of Mia's whoops and laughter echoed back to them from the river, where she was now speeding down the rapids, clearly enjoying herself. Her silhouette was small against the massive waterfall behind her, but she looked like she was in complete control.

“Let’s just hope she doesn’t come back with a broken bone or something,” Blackie sighed. “I swear, this girl…”

But Annie grinned, shaking her head as she finally looked up from her phone. “She’s a ninja. I think we’ll be fine.”

Emma, still staring after Mia, grinned. “I guess she’s making her own adventure now.”

Sunnie laughed. “And she just dragged us all along for the ride.”

At that moment, Mia’s voice carried over the water once again. “Hey! Who’s up for trying it next time?!”

And though no one in the group immediately answered, they all shared the same thought: There was no way they were going near a waterfall anytime soon.
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