"WHAT?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" Atlanta exclaimed in shock.
Ryu nodded seriously.
"Think about it Atlanta, we can't learn anything from the dragons we presently wield. If I have the Fire Saint, I can learn fire techniques and you can learn crystal techniques…" Ryu was saying when Atlanta suddenly hugged him.
"You are serious" she said softly. "Sure, let's do it."
"Mm-mm!" they heard someone clearing his throat.
They turned around and saw Michael and Nadia staring at them.
"What's going on between the two of you?" Michael asked.
"Uh-nothing Michael, we were just talking of the Saints" Ryu pretended to be ignorant of the situation.
"Then can you explain the…" Michael lifted his left and right forefingers and brought them together.
"Uh-um, group hug! Michael, Nadia, let's have another group hug" Ryu purposely tried to evade the subject.
"Don't dodge the question!" Michael roared.
"Okay, fine, I'll tell you" Ryu sighed sadly.
Atlanta stared at him in surprise.
"I woke up still feeling depressed and Atlanta thought a hug would help" Ryu said with a serious expression.
"Ryu, it's not your fault" Michael said.
"Yeah, Atlanta made me understand that. Actually, she forced me to understand" Ryu lied.
"What are you…?!" Atlanta was beginning to get angry when Ryu winked at her.
Luckily, Michael and Nadia did not notice.
"Yeah, that's what happened" Atlanta said.
Michael examined their faces carefully and laughed.
"Come on guys, you're so tensed up. I was just joking" Michael laughed.
"YOU…JOKING?!" Ryu exclaimed in shock as he lost consciousness.
"Somebody get some water!" Michael said worriedly.
"Never mind, Water Element! Wake up call!" Nadia called as a stream of water fell on Ryu's body.
Ryu jumped up and shook his head.
"Your jokes stink Michael! That was not funny! You actually scared me!" Ryu roared.
Michael laughed hilariously.
"Nadia, I've got a surprise for you. Would you mind following me?" Michael asked.
"As if I'd let you two go off alone!" Ryu roared.
"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN YOU IDIOT?!" Michael yelled.
"Just joking!" Ryu laughed.
"JOKE THIS!" Michael roared as he punched Ryu in the face.
Ryu fell down dazed. He could see stars floating around his head.
"I hate surprises Michael" Nadia said.
"You'll like this one" Michael assured her.
"Fine" Nadia reluctantly agreed.
"Close your eyes, I'll lead you" Michael said, taking Nadia's hand and guiding her.
Ryu stood up and shook his head. "Now!" he whispered sharply and swapped rings with Atlanta. "Let's go to different spots and see what we can learn from the Dragons" he suggested.
Atlanta nodded and they split up.
Ryu found a lonely clearing.
"This will do" he said as he raised his hand.
There was a lightning strike from the ring and Molten appeared.
"Ryu, I see, so you and Atlanta swapped rings, a wise thing to do, now I can teach you Fire Element Techniques" Molten said.
"Neat!" Ryu exclaimed excitedly.
Atlanta had also found an ideal spot. She raised her hand. In a flash of blinding light, Crystal appeared with her wings widely spread.
"Finally, a Crystal element ninja to teach" Crystal said.
"Wow! You're the Crystal Saint right? Amazing!" Atlanta exclaimed in awe.
Crystal narrowed her eyes as she peered into Atlanta's soul.
"You're going to teach me right?" Atlanta asked.
"No, you're not ready" Crystal said.
"You mean I'm not strong enough?" Atlanta asked.
Crystal remained silent for a while.
"You are strong enough for some of the techniques I will be teaching you but first, you must get rid of the darkness in your heart" Crystal said.
"Darkness?" Atlanta asked.
"Until you rid yourself of that darkness, do not summon me!" Crystal said sharply and disappeared in a flash of light.
The area around Atlanta began to grow dark.
"Atlanta" an evil voice called.
"Lord Nemesis" Atlanta responded.