The Hellhound's Secret

Return of Thunder, Part III

"Portico Island."

Kali blinked and looked up at Vida. "Huh?" she asked.

"Portico Island," Vida repeated, sliding her book across the table. "It's a volcanic formation in the South Pacific. It rises from the sea every two hundred years and when it sinks back into the ocean the climate on the mainland drops substantially, causing cold temperature and snow."

Kali trailed her gaze from word to word and then sat back, allowing the lore of the island to sink in.

"It says here that it draws power from the Snow Prince's dimension," said Xander, leaning over Kali's shoulder. "But it's found in our world."

"That's got to be where they are," said Kali. She looked around at her friends. "Right?"

"It's worth a shot," said Nick. "Mom and Dad are there now. We can call ahead to see if they can see?"

Kali shook her head. "I'm going," she said. "I got a score to settle with Hunter, and if he and Blake are back on Lothor's side the others are going to need all the help they can get."

"Then we're coming, too," said Vida.

"Why?"

"Because the last time you went up against the Thunders, you almost died," said Xander. "Do you think we're going to let something like that happen again?"

Kali rolled her eyes but still smiled. At least her friends cared.

"We should take our morphers," said Vida. "Just to be sure."

Nick nodded and turned to Kali as Xander and Vida left the table. "We're going to find them," he said, reaching for her hand. "This island is a good starting point, especially since most of the other dimensions have been a bust."

"I know," Kali murmured. She took a deep breath and sighed. "I gotta call Cam. Fill him in and let him know what we're doing. If I suddenly go dark and unreachable, he'll panic."

Nick nodded and leaned forward, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. "I'll go grab my Morpher and meet you back here," he said.

As Nick left the room, Kali run a hand through her hair and then hit the intercom button on her Morpher. "Hey, Cam, I may have found something," she said, walking out of Root Core.

~X~

"I found it," said Cam. "I think you might be right, Kali. According to this, the island is sinking at the same rate as the fall in temperature here. Hang on, I'm getting something. Wait, yes! It's them."

"How did you manage to find them?" Kali asked.

"I tracked the heat signatures from the satellite photos," said Cam.

"This is good news," said Sensei.

"Not entirely, Sensei," said Kali, glancing over her shoulder as Nick, Vida, and Xander joined her outside. "The island is only above sea level for a few hours ever two hundred years, if the temperature here on the mainland is dropping at the rate Cam says it is, then the island is sinking and fast."

"She's right," Cam confirmed. "The others are also not alone on the island. I can't say for certain who is with them, but they're bad news either way."

"Well, they're about to have more company," said Kali. "This time it's all good."

"Kali, you must be very careful," Sensei warned. "This could be a part of an elaborate plan to isolate and capture you."

Kali looked up at her friends. "Don't worry, Sensei, this time I have a backup," she said, smiling.

Xander grinned.