Little Lost Ninja

The little doorbell to the dojo jingled as Tetsuo walked in. A young man sitting at a common plastic table looked up from the dojo brochure he was reading, a smile coming to his face as he got up to greet him. The room itself was rather plain, with hardly anything other than a few potted ferns, as well as some cheap paintings.

"Good evening sir, welcome to the Yuudai Dojo lobby! How may I help you?" The man said in a cheery customer service voice. He was wearing a red T-shirt with the dojo logo on it and some jeans and sneakers.

"That's great news! We're always looking for new students to the dojo. You'll want to speak with Sensei Yuudai in the dojo." The young man said, his cheery demeanor never faltering. The young man stepped towards the center of the room before suddenly committing a series of martial movements, golden energy radiating from his arms. After a few moments, a portal opened in the room's center.

"Go ahead and step through, the dojo is on the other side, a greeter will guide you once you are through." The young man said, motioning towards the portal. Once Tetsuo was through, he would find himself in a forest, the trees filled with amber and green and amber leaves. Sitting on a nearby bench was a man with a wooden carved pole wearing red and gold robes. He was older than the guy from earlier, but not by too much though. His hair was tied in a braided ponytail in the back.

"Ah, a newcomer. Seeking the council of Master Yuudai? Right this way." The man said, walking along a beaten path. After a few minutes walking along the path, they would come upon the sight of a large oriental style compound, located on a hill accessible by bridges. The surrounding landscape appeared as endless forests dotted by large hills poking out of the foliage.

"Welcome to Yuudai Dojo." The man spoke, as he descended a flight of stairs to the nearest bridge, he gestured to the surrounding landscape, "Let it be known that this world constantly shifts geographically, and the wilderness is filled with unsafe conditions. This compound is kept in one place and safely secured by us, if you wander outside the walls without a guide, we cannot garuntee your safety. Just a cautionary warning is all, I assure you this place is quite safe otherwise."

As they passed by the open gates they would come to an enclosed walkway with windows showing courtyards with students, many younger but a few older, training with various teachers, in varying martial arts styles.

"Oh, that is a good question, with a good answer. You see, on top of the usual martial art classes, we also offer special chi classes. Sensei Yuudai, many many years ago on his travels, discovered chi energy. A form of magic relying more on physical might and skill, than years of study and mental fortitude. Yuudai wanted to teach everyone this wonderous gift. The dojo was built here because this world is where chi magic originates from." The guide explained. They reached the end of the walkway, to climb another flight of stairs, leading to a more open upper courtyard.

Here students could be seen practicing chi magic, as golden energy danced around them as they performed martial arts of various styles, some with training weapons. They then entered one of the buildings, the interior matching the exterior in traditional oriental styles. Just ahead was a wooden elevator, once they were in the elevator would ascend up near the top of the building, revealing a long hallway to an inner chamber. The guide led the way to the center of the chamber. The place was large, with black marble flooring, red banners and tapestries, and carved golden pillars depicting oriental style dragons and lions. At the front of the room sat a simple wooden chest.

"Master Yuudai, we have a visitor." The guide said, seemingly to no one at all. Suddenly the chests lid opened.

"Oh? And what kind of visitor is are they?" A voice from the chest spoke, it sounded old, yet spry.

"The kind that may consider your teachings." The guide elaborated. With that two rows of teeth sprung from the edges of the lid of the chest. Then a large tongue lolled out the side as two arms unfolded from the interior. A torso and pair of legs suddenly appeared and lifted the rest of its body upwards revealing how tall the creature actually was. The torso was wearing a loincloth wrapping as it's only form of clothing.

"Hmmmmm, is that so? What is your name boy? What skill do you currently possess? And what do you wish to learn?" Yuudai asked Tetsuo.

"Unique talents, as many here have." Yuudai said as he stepped closer to Tetsuo. "We do not always know what knowledge we seek when we first start. When that is so, sometimes the best place to start, is with that which we do not know. Darrel, bring some of the trainers here." He said. The guide, Darrel, stepped out of the room and two reports of a gong sounded. A few minutes later several trainers arrived, some in robes, others in more utility gear.

"We shall start with a test in your skills, Jevo, if you would." One of the younger of the trainers stepped forward towards Tetsuo. Jevo gave a bow before taking a defensive stance a small distance from Tetsuo. Yuudai reached into his mouth and pulled out what seemed like an old 80's radio and a mixtape. He slid the mixtape into the radio and pressed play as Eye of the Tiger started playing.

"Try your best Tetsuo, begin." With that Jevo charged forward and began by launching a fist towards Tetsu