Diamond in the Rough

**Diamond in the Rough** is the third episode of *Tenko and the Guardians of the Magic*. The episode was written by Rich Fogel and Mark Seidenberg.

## Synopsis

In the jungles of Africa, Travis Cage hunts a rare silverback gorilla. As he corners the gorilla, he falls into the ground. He finds himself in a cave, with the Diamond Gem at his feet. At the Tenko Mansion, Princess Tenko finds that Ninjara had destroyed her favorite pair of shoes. Animal trainer Shonti, hired by Hikita at an unspecified time, grabs Ninjara. Steel mentions a news report about a hunter finding a priceless diamond in Africa, and Bolt guesses that it's one of the Starfire Gems. Tenko agrees and the Guardians set off for Africa.

Meanwhile, Jana and Jason have already met with Cage. They are aware it's a Starfire Gem and try to buy it from the hunter. Cage refuses until Jana mentions Tenko's pet snow leopard, giving Cage the opportunity to hunt the rare animal. Jana and Jason leave, plotting to steal Tenko's gems as soon as she arrives in Africa.

When the plane lands, Travis Cage and his son Colin spy on Ninjara. Colin doesn't want any part of the hunt as he finds it morally wrong. His father scolds him for being weak. Meanwhile, the Customs Officer tells Bolt and Hawk that they must fill out a stack of forms on Tenko's behalf. Nearing Ninjara's dinner time, Shonti decides to drive her back to the hotel.

Shonti takes the jeep and drives Ninjara across the African plains. Suddenly, the jeep hits a trap laid by Travis Cage and the jeep spins out of control. Shonti and Ninjara crawl out of the jeep unharmed, but are ambushed by Cage. Cage uses a knockout gas on Shonti and chases after Ninjara. Colin, meanwhile, gets Tenko's help at the hotel. Tenko, Ali, Steel, and Colin drive off in search of Shonti.

The Guardians quickly find the unconscious Shonti. She wakes up to tell them of Travis Cage chasing after Ninjara. Ali turns to find Colin Cage missing. Tenko is soon cornered by a pack of hyenas. She stumbles backward into one of Travis Cage's traps and drops her Starfire Gem. She nimbly makes her way out of the trap just in time for the others to appear. Steel transforms and uses his magical bands to scare the hyenas off.

As dawn approaches, Travis Cage continues his hunt against Ninjara, who eventually falls into a pit trap. Colin finds his father and begs him to let Ninjara go. Cage refuses, and decides to back out of his deal with the Dark Twins. He's soon confronted by Jana and Jason, who take the gem by force. They decide to use the Cages and Ninjara as bait for Tenko, tying the father and son to a tree and chain Ninjara to an abandoned temple. Tenko and the Guardians arrive, and Jana uses the Diamond Gem on a Cobra to greatly enhance its size. Steel, Ali, and Shonti try to help Tenko, but are hypnotized by Jason's Mesmer-Disk. Tenko transforms and uses the Rose Eagle to batter the giant cobra until it is incapacitated. Tenko then threw the snake against the temple, knocking the Diamond Gem off its forehead.

However, Jason reveals his plan to take the hypnotized Steel's gem, so Tenko uses the Diamond Gem on Ninjara to make her grow large. Ninjara attacks Jason, causing Jana to come to his aid. Steel then uses his rings to destroy the rocks near a waterfall, dissipating the fire around them. After the battle, Travis Cage apologizes to his son after having felt the danger of being trapped like an animal. Tenko keeps the Diamond Starfire Gem in a box in case she ever needs to use it again. Bolt and Hawk finally arrive at the hotel, having just finished the paperwork needed by customs.

## Appearances

**Featured Characters:**

* Princess Tenko
* Shonti
* Ali
* Bolt
* Hawk
* Steel

**Supporting Characters:**

* Ninjara
* Colin Cage

**Antagonists:**

* Jana
* Jason
* Travis Cage
* Cobra

**Other Characters:**

* Customs Officer