Chapter 1 - Zane's POV

I opened my eyes and inhaled the refreshing frigid air into my artificial lungs. I sat up, realizing I was in The Birchwood Forest. Snow was falling as the sun was rising. Gentle snowflakes fell onto my blond hair. I blinked and arose from the snow.

How did I get here? I thought to myself and then called out.

"Hello?! Anyone?! Kai! Jay! What am I doing here?!"

At first the only response was the wind that blew against my auditory sensors harshly. But then out of the silence came a sound.

A falcon's shrill cry.

My attention was raised. That cry belonged to my mysterious friend. The robotic falcon created by my father. I could sense it.

But something was wrong.

It almost sounded like it was in pain.

Suddenly I heard a voice.

"Zane! Find me!"

I looked around, seeing no one in sight.

But it occurred to me that this wasn't a person. It was the falcon!

"Where are you!" I asked loudly.

"Find me!"

I suddenly opened my eyes to the ceiling with a gasp. I sat up in my bed and looked around. No snow or the sound of the bitter wind, only the sound of some of the others snoring in their bunks.

I was surprised but thankful that they hadn't woke up. I got out of bed and got dressed into my white ninja gi.

Just as I was leaving the room I heard a yawn and a tired voice.

"Zane?" Lloyd said in confusion, rubbing his eyes. "What time is it?"

I turned and answered. "4:00 AM."

Lloyd's eyes widened and he yawned again. "What? Ugh, why are you up so early?"

The others stirred with exhausted mumbles.

"It's the falcon. I heard it in a vision. It needs help! It's in The Birchwood Forest!" I said anxiously.

Jay sighed but got out of bed. "We'll come with you."

"But it's so early!" Kai complained.

"We would just be up in an hour anyway," Cole said as he got up.

Kai groaned in annoyance, then got up and got ready to leave as well.