"Antonio?" Flameheart asked, his voice small and childlike. "Why are you sad?"

Antonio looked down at Flameheart, his heart aching at the sight of his friend.

"I...I'm just missing an old friend," he replied, his voice choked with emotion.

Flameheart looked at Antonio, his eyes filled with understanding. "I may not not know this person, but I can tell that you care a lot about this friend. I'm sure he is very grateful to have someone like you looking out for him."

Antonio smiled through his tears, brushing them away. "Thanks, Flameheart."

***

As the group reached the Shiba house, they found Mentor Ji in his usual place, meditating.

He looked up as they entered, his eyes landing on the tiny creature in Antonio's hand.

"What brings you here in such a haste and why are you all sad?" Mentor Ji asked as Antonio put his hands out as he revealed the small creature in his hands.

"While we were battling the nighlok, some kind of spell was cast on jayden" Antonio informed as Mentor Ji's eyes widened in surprise.

"Greetings, I am Flame Heart." The Kwami flew from Antonio's hand as he bowed in mid air "a Kwami of fire."

"No...Jayden," he whispered, his voice heavy with emotion and sadness.

Flameheart looked up at Mentor Ji, his eyes filled with curiosity. "You know me?"

Mentor Ji nodded, his eyes filled with a deep sadness. "Yes, Flameheart, I do, we've been close since you were very young."

"I wish I could’ve done something help him Mentor, but I don't have the knowledge to reverse the transformation." Antonio said as Flame Heart saw tears well up in his friends eyes “I only know how to use my symbol power on technology but not this kind of thing.”

"Interestingly he’s a Kwami... I have read about these creatures in ancient texts. They are beings of pure magical energy, each representing a particular element or concept."

"But how do we change him back, Ji?" Antonio asked, anxiety clear in his eyes "we need him back to his human form if we're going to defeat that nighlok."

Ji sighed. "I'm not sure, Antonio. This is a magic beyond my knowledge. But there may be a way. I will just require time to find the right scroll."