Absolutely criminal we never got any scenes of Fran interacting with the masters. We were robbed of a scene of Fran with Master Finn in his first episode where Finn vaguely hints at RJ being a disappointment and Fran, at this point not knowing about any of the magic stuff, forgets about being shy and nervous and pointedly says "Sir I know you're RJ's dad but You Are Absolutely Wrong, let me list all of the ways."
Summary: A what if AU in which AJ runs away from Master Finn and is first taken in by Master Phant.
When Lily, Theo, and Casey first journeyed to see Master Phant, he attempted to chase them away, but not for the reason one might think. He was, in fact, trying to protect his student. Master Phant hadn’t had a student in a long time, but this one had just shown up in the woods, tired, dirty, and afraid.
The shack they eventually reached was old and looked worse for wear, but it appeared as if someone had tried to pull weeds and clean up recently. Outside was a blond who appeared to be the team’s age, deep in meditation. Without opening her eyes, she said, “Master hasn’t had guests in a long time. I was his first one.”
“Are you Master Phant’s student?” Casey asked.
“That’s none of your business!” Master Phant himself came striding out, glaring at the group. “I told you to go away.”
“But we need your help,” Lily said. “There’s this monster, and the only weapon that can defeat it is-”
“And Dai Shi is back,” Theo said at the same time.
“Dai Shi is back?” Phant paused, and then frowned in thought. “Well, that’s not my problem. Go away!”
“If you’re a master, shouldn’t you help us?” Theo asked.
“Oh sure, now someone wants my help,” Phant grumped. “Until AJ here, I was cast aside and forgotten about. Now all of a sudden there’s something tromping around and you need my help. Then what?”
“I don’t think they mean any harm, Master,” AJ said. “What if you were to teach one of them?”
Phant peered at them for a moment, and then back at AJ. “Well...all right.” His tone was far gentler with her-something the team noticed right away, but didn’t comment on. “You then.” He pointed to Lily. “You stay, the others go.”
So that was how Lily learned. Eventually AJ was persuaded to go back with the team, but it took a visit from RJ himself for that to happen.