Siren's Song

1

Alisha Kade had always wanted to be like her father Jackson.

It was always obvious she was close to her father. They had Nerd Nights every Friday, where they would binge their favorite old movies and eat popcorn. Jackson Kade taught his daughter to ride a bike when she was five, and later he taught her how to skateboard when she was ten. When she was eight, he taught her to play cards and chess. 

Alisha taught her dad some things too. She taught him how to understand the complex conversations she had with her friends. She taught him how to organize things. She taught him how to raise a daughter right.

There were also things they learned and did together, like how to build a bookshelf or dresser. They learned how to beat Ryara (Jackson's wife/Alisha's mom), at Monopoly. They learned how to paint a bedroom wall together and play pretend. 

Alisha and her dad were always close. Until the day they weren't. 

She tried to tell herself it started as a normal Saturday evening. Her mom had left that morning for a work trip, so it was just her dad, his K-9 dog Nova, and her. They ate dinner together and made brownies for dessert (and a huge mess in the kitchen to clean up later. Or so she thought). 

Alisha could recall the exact moment her life turned upside down. She was sitting in her dad's car, a blue pickup truck about as old as she was. They had just gone to Walmart for some popcorn and snacks for a movie night. Her dad was driving, and they had just pulled out of the parking lot, about to turn into the road to drive home. There was no one coming their way, but just as they turned, a car plowed into the driver's side of the truck. 

Alisha came to and felt something sticky on her face. Licking her lips, she realized she could taste blood. Someone was asking her questions, but her head was a mess. "Dad," she mumbled, realizing what had just happened. "Where's my dad?"

The person questioning her froze, turning away for a moment. "Tell 911 that there are two people, a man and his daughter! I have the kid!"

The rest of the night was a blur, between Alisha's shock and later, the painkillers kicking in. Her next moment of awareness came with the sound of beeping machines and the strong smell of rubbing alcohol. Her mentor, Marin, sat by her side. "Alisha! Oh, thank goodness you're awake!"

The teen groaned, bringing her free hand to her face. "What happened?"

Marin winced. "You and your dad were in a hit-and-run. You came out of it with a mild concussion, a broken nose, bruised ribs, and a broken arm. Fortunately, you didn't need to go into surgery for any of those."

Alisha sighed, staring at the white cast. Scrawled across the plaster in black marker was "Marin" printed with a smiley face next to it. She cracked a grin at the little smiley face. "Thanks."

Marin laughed, grinning widely. "My mom used to do that whenever I had to get a cast. It tended to lift my spirits. I figured you could use that."

Alisha looked up. Tired brown eyes met stressed blue-gray ones. "Marin, what's going on? And where's my dad?"

The older woman winced. "Alisha, mi cantante... the other car hit the driver's side. Your dad... he didn't make it. I'm so sorry."

The funeral was a week later. Alisha and her mother maintained composure, surprisingly well. Family and friends gave condolences. A lot of good it did, at least in the grieving fifteen-year-old's eyes. No amount of "I'm sorry" could bring back her dad. Nor could "It's going to be okay" or the more uncommon, "Hold tight to the memories you made,". No simple words, no matter how well intended, could bring back Jackson Kade.

Alisha reflected on that hell of a week two years later. The now seventeen-year-old sat in a park inside Ninjago City, under the shade of a tall tree. With her blonde curls, honey-brown eyes, and dark blue work shirt, she looked just like her dad. Except she was alive, and he wasn't.

She got up, frustrated. Someone cleared their throat behind her, and she whirled around to see a strange-looking old man standing by the tree, with his head bowed. "Can I help you?"

He looked up at her, and young, angry eyes met wise, calm ones. The old man grinned. "Perhaps it is I who should ask you that question. Why are you so frustrated?"

Alisha sighed. This is going to go one of two ways. "I lost someone, two years ago. My mom... our relationship went from strained to downright broken. About a year and a half ago, I had enough. I left home and came here. My mother disowned me, and I have nothing left there to go back to."

The old man raised his eyebrows. "But?"

She groaned. "But, I still feel so conflicted! After a year and a half, can't I just be allowed to exist without guilt and grief from leaving?"

The old man nodded. "I see."

Alisha rubbed her forehead exhaustedly. "What about you? Why are you here? And why are you specifically looking for me?"

He grinned. "I guess you could say I have an eye for special talent. And I know a siren when I see one."

Alisha's jaw dropped. "You- but- how-" she sputtered, completely baffled. "No one here knows of my past, hell, I forget half the time!"

The old man chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. There was no doubt in Alisha's mind, this guy knew exactly what he was doing. He composed himself, looking up again at Alisha. "Well, sirena joven, how would you like to keep doing what you feel you're best at?"

The siren smiled upon hearing the language of her home and nodded. "You've got me intrigued. But I'm curious, why would you need a seventeen-year-old, ex-siren/force user on your side? More specifically, why do you want me to get involved?"

The old man nodded seriously. "Valid questions. An individual of your talent and skills, and your moral compass, would be willing to aid in the ever-lasting fight between good and evil, light and dark. I don't wish for anyone to have to get involved, but I have seen there is no other choice. At least I can choose the ones who are ready and willing to fight."

Alisha nodded. "I'll join your little ragtag team. How many others?"

The old man shook his head. "Patience. All good things come to those who wait."

She rolled her eyes. "Fine. What do I call you then, friend?"

The old man grinned. "My name is Wu. To you, however, I am Sensei Wu."

Alisha smiled. "Well then, Sensei. My name is Alisha Kade."