Late one evening, Inazuma Japan was still practicing under the floodlights, the sound of cleats thudding against the grass filling the cool night air. The rest of the team was running drills on the field, but Liv, the captain of the team, was sitting on the bench with her youngest daughter, Gabby, cradled in her arms. Liv was breastfeeding her 2-month-old baby, rocking her gently to keep her calm as she kept an eye on her teammates.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed in her pocket. With one hand, she carefully fished it out, glancing at the screen. It was a message from Legolas.

Legolas: "Liv, meet me at the back of the cinema."

Frowning slightly, she typed back quickly.

Liv: "Why? What happened?"

His response was immediate.

Legolas: "I'll tell you everything when you get here. Come alone."

Liv's heart skipped a beat. She and Legolas shared a bond that went beyond the ordinary – not only was he her brother, but they had fought side by side through many battles. Still, something about the urgency in his message made her uneasy. She glanced up to see David, her boyfriend, jogging towards her from the field. His sharp eyes caught her worried expression instantly.

"You okay, babe?" he asked, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his forearm.

Liv hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. Legolas just texted me. He wants to talk, says it's important."

David looked concerned. "Do you want me to go with you?"

Liv shook her head. "He said to come alone. It's probably nothing serious. I'll be quick."

David gave her a reassuring smile and reached out to take Gabby from her arms. "You go. I've got her." He cradled the baby close, bouncing her gently when she started to fuss. "Don't worry, little one. Mommy will be back soon."

Liv smiled softly, grateful for David's support. She pulled her hood over her head to conceal her face from any wandering eyes and slipped off into the night, the streetlights casting long shadows as she made her way towards the cinema. Her mind raced with a thousand possibilities – what could Legolas need? Why was it so urgent?

When she reached the back of the cinema, she felt a familiar presence before a hand gently landed on her shoulder. Startled, she spun around, coming face to face with Legolas. His piercing blue eyes met hers with a calm intensity, but she could see the tension behind them.

"Is this just an excuse for us to hang out?" Liv teased, though she couldn't shake the unease building inside her.

Legolas chuckled softly. "Are you telling me I can't see my sister?" He pulled her into a tight embrace, and for a moment, Liv forgot about her worries, feeling safe in the familiar warmth of her brother's arms.

Pulling away, Liv searched his face. "What's going on, Legolas?"

His expression grew serious. "Saruman is growing stronger. His power is spreading, and the Eye of Sauron is turning its gaze toward Frodo. The One Ring is at risk. We need your help again."

Liv blinked, taking a step back. "But I just helped you guys eight months ago, before Gabby was born. I... I have a family now. Two kids, Legolas." Her voice softened, eyes pleading with her brother to understand. "Do you really expect me to leave them?"

Legolas frowned, clearly troubled, but resolute. "I wouldn't ask if it weren't necessary. Can't you find someone to look after them?"

"Not on such short notice," Liv replied, crossing her arms. "And even if I could, I can't just leave them behind, especially not Gabby. She's only two months old. Legolas, I can't put them in danger."

"I understand your concern," Legolas said, his voice gentle but firm. "But you have no other choice. The fate of Middle-earth is at stake, Liv. If Sauron regains the Ring..." He trailed off, letting the unspoken threat linger between them.

Liv sighed heavily, her heart torn between her responsibilities as a mother and her duty to help. "Okay, fine. But if I'm coming, David's coming too."

Legolas smiled. "Of course. He's your partner; I wouldn't expect anything less. I'll send you the details of the location soon. We need to move quickly." He hugged her again, tighter this time, before stepping back. "I'll see you soon, sister."

Liv nodded, already feeling the weight of the decision she'd just made. "I have to go. My coach is going to kill me if she realizes I've been gone this long." She gave her brother one last look before hurrying back toward the field.

When she returned, she found David sitting on the bench, holding Gabby, who was fussing but had calmed down slightly.

"How is she? Was she fussy?" Liv asked, reaching for their daughter.

"No, she's good now," David replied with a soft smile as he handed Gabby back to Liv. His smile faded as he looked at her more closely. "What did Legolas want to talk to you about?"

"Saruman and Sauron... they're getting more powerful, and they need our help again," Liv said quietly, bouncing Gabby in her arms to keep her calm.

David's brow furrowed. "What about the kids?"

Liv sighed. "We'll have to bring them with us. There's no time to find someone to watch them."

David looked conflicted. "It's dangerous."

"I know," Liv replied, her voice heavy with the weight of responsibility. "But we don't have another option."

Before David could say more, their coach, Lina, called out from across the field. "Samford, get back on the field! Uchiha, back on the bench!" she barked, clearly irritated by their absence.

David shot her an annoyed look. "Coach, can't you see we're dealing with family stuff?"

"You can deal with your family after practice," Lina snapped back, folding her arms.

Gabby started to fuss again, her tiny cries filling the air. Liv gently rocked her, whispering soothing words. "Shh, Gabby. Daddy's right here, and we'll be home soon."

After practice ended, Liv and David packed up and made their way home, pushing Gabby in her stroller. The streets were quiet, and the distant sound of crickets filled the night air. David broke the silence first. "So, when do we leave?"

"As soon as possible," Liv replied, her mind already racing through the logistics.

"Are we bringing reinforcements?" David asked, his voice thoughtful.

Liv shrugged. "We will if we need to. I'm sure Legolas will have more people joining us once we're there."

"What about Saya?" David asked, referring to Liv's cousin and trusted ally.

"She's on a mission, but she'll catch up with us later. I'll send her a message to let her know what's going on."

When they got home, they were greeted by their four-year-old daughter, Lily, who was waiting for them at the door, wide-eyed and full of questions. "Mommy, are we going somewhere?" Lily asked, clutching her favorite stuffed toy.

Liv knelt down, brushing a strand of hair from Lily's face. "Yes, sweetheart. We need to help your uncle with something important."

Lily's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Are we going on an adventure?"

"Something like that," Liv said with a soft smile. "Go pack a bag, okay? I'll come up in a minute to help you after I put your sister to sleep."

David gently took Gabby from Liv's arms. "I'll handle Gabby. You help Lily."

Liv kissed his cheek gratefully. "Thanks, hon."

Liv carried Lily upstairs to her room, where she helped her pack a small bag with clothes and a few toys. Once Lily was settled into bed, Liv kissed her goodnight and headed into her own room to pack. David was already there, packing his own gear.

Liv moved quickly, gathering her mission gear, which included her Anbu uniform – a black crop top, black shorts, black sandals, her Leaf headband, and her weapons: a katana, kunai knives, shuriken, and the elven knives Legolas had gifted her long ago. Once she was packed, she slid into bed beside David.

"Did you have any trouble putting Gabby to sleep?" Liv asked, glancing over at her boyfriend.

"No, she fell asleep right away," David replied with a smile, closing his bag.

"We need to let Coach know we'll be away for a while," Liv said, resting her head on the pillow.

"I'll text her in the morning before we leave," David promised, pulling Liv close.

As they lay together, the weight of what was to come pressed down on both of them. They knew the road ahead would be dangerous, but they were in it together, as a family. No matter what challenges awaited them, Liv knew they could face it as long as they were side by side.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window, casting warm rays on the sleeping faces of the children. Liv and David were bustling around the house, finishing up the last of the packing. Liv glanced at the clock, her brow furrowing slightly.

"Lily, sweetie, it's time to get up!" Liv called softly, moving towards the door of her daughter's room.

"Mommy, why so early?" came the groggy response from Lily, her face buried in the pillows.

"Do you want your uncle to shoot us for being late?" Liv teased, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

"No!" Lily exclaimed, sitting up suddenly, her eyes wide with alarm.

"Babe, is Gabby up?" David asked, glancing over at Liv with an expectant look.

"Can you actually wake her up?" Liv replied, rolling her eyes playfully.

"Yeah, I got it," David said, striding over to the crib. He gently picked up their youngest daughter, Gabby, who began to fuss as soon as she was lifted. "Hey there, little one. No need to fuss, Daddy's got you."

"I haven't checked my phone yet," Liv admitted, rummaging through their bags for her phone.

David returned, cradling Gabby, who was still squirming. "Legolas just texted me," he said, holding out the phone for Liv to see.

"What did he say?" she asked, quickly scanning the message.

"To meet near the borders of Fangorn Forest," Liv replied, excitement and a hint of nervousness bubbling up inside her.

"Then let's finish getting ready and head out," David said, shifting Gabby to his other arm.

"Did you message the coach?" Liv asked, looking for the last of her supplies.

"Yeah, I did," David confirmed, pulling on his gear.

"Are we riding there?" he added, looking at her with curiosity.

"Horseback, and we'll use my Rinnegan to teleport," Liv explained, already imagining the journey ahead.

"Did you pack any Pokémon?" David asked, a grin spreading across his face.

"I'm pretty sure I did," Liv replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Are you bringing Absol?" he pressed, knowing it would be a useful ally.

"Just in case! What about you? Are you bringing Lucario?" she challenged, her tone playful.

"You know it!" David said with a wink.

"Are we ready?" he asked, glancing around the room for any forgotten items.

"I think so, but we need our samurai morphers," Liv reminded him, her expression determined.

David walked over to a drawer and pulled out two shimmering samurai morphers. "I have them," he said, handing one to Liv.

Once outside, they stood in the morning light, and Liv held up her morpher. "Symbol power, horse!" they shouted in unison, summoning their majestic steeds. Snowflake, Liv's white horse, pranced proudly, while Lucky, David's chestnut stallion, nickered softly.

"Alright, here we go," Liv said, activating her Rinnegan. A shimmering portal opened before them, swirling with energy. "Let's go!"

"Mommy, I'm scared," Lily whispered, her small voice barely breaking through the excitement.

"Everything will be okay, sweetie. Just stay close to your father," Liv reassured her, gently lifting Lily and settling her on Lucky. David climbed on behind her, wrapping an arm around their daughter. Liv mounted Snowflake, holding Gabby securely against her chest.

As they rode through the portal, a sense of adventure filled the air, carrying them closer to Fangorn Forest.

Not far from where Liv and David were, a group of familiar figures waited on horseback: Gandalf, Éomer, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Théoden, and Haldir. The early morning breeze rustled through the trees as they exchanged worried glances.

"What's taking her so long?" Gimli grumbled, impatience etched on his face.

Legolas shot him a sharp look, irritation flaring. "That's my sister you're talking about, Gimli. Show some respect."

"Yeah, you might want to be careful, Gimli," came a familiar voice from behind them. Liv approached with David and the children, a playful smirk on her face.

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" Legolas exclaimed, his relief evident as he dismounted to greet her.

"Liv, it's been a while," Haldir said warmly, dismounting to embrace her.

"It has! How's your arm?" Liv asked, concern flickering in her eyes.

"Better now, thanks to your healing" Haldir replied, smiling appreciatively.

"You never did tell me how you learned to heal," he added, curiosity brightening his gaze.

"The Fifth Hokage taught me," Liv explained, a hint of pride in her voice.

"It's good to see you, Liv," Aragorn said, stepping forward with a warm smile.

"You too, Aragorn," she replied, returning his embrace.

"Where is your cousin?" Gimli asked, scanning the group.

"Sayā is on an A-rank mission. She said she would meet up with us when she can," Liv explained, checking on the kids as they settled on Lucky.

"So, what's the plan?" she asked, looking around at the assembled group.

"Well, first, we find those two troublesome Hobbits—Merry and Pippin," Gandalf said, a wry smile on his face.

"Those two are always getting into trouble," Liv remarked, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Should I send out Talonflame?" she asked, glancing at her Pokéballs.

"You mean that bird?" Gimli scoffed, eyebrows raised in disbelief.

"First, how dare you!" Liv retorted, hands on her hips, "and second, Talonflame is incredibly fast."

With a swift motion, she reached for Talonflame's Pokéball. "Let's go, Talonflame!" she called, releasing the fiery bird.

"Talonflame!" the Pokémon chirped excitedly as it landed on Liv's shoulder.

"Go find Merry and Pippin!" Liv commanded, and Talonflame took to the skies, soaring into the depths of the forest.

"Did that bird just fly out of a ball?" Haldir asked, incredulity written all over his face.

"It's Talonflame, The Scorching Pokémon," Liv explained, her voice laced with pride.

"I'm not setting foot in that forest again," Gimli grumbled, crossing his arms.

"What, you scared, Gimli?" Liv teased, a playful glint in her eyes.

"Me? Scared? Never!" Gimli huffed, although his expression suggested otherwise.

"That's up for debate, Gimli," Legolas chimed in, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Whose side are you on, elf?" Gimli shot back, narrowing his eyes at Legolas.

"I'm on my sister's side," Legolas replied without hesitation, his loyalty evident.

"Adopted sister," Liv reminded him, arching an eyebrow.

"What's the difference?" Legolas countered, a smile breaking across his face.

Liv laughed, feeling the familiar warmth of camaraderie. "Let's just find those Hobbits before they get themselves into even more trouble!" she urged, leading the way with a determined glint in her eyes. The group followed her lead, ready for the adventure that lay ahead.