PROLOGUE
The Deeps Maximum Security Prison, Atlantis; Now
Opal Koboi sat alone in her isolation cube, chanting under her breath as she attempted to reclaim the levitation skills she had mastered years ago. The incantations she uttered swirled and spasmed with dark magic, and her brow was creased in a hard line.
She sneered inwardly at the elf - at Captain Holly Short of the LEP - who, along with a small group of fairies and humans had put her in here to rot. When Queen Opal - no, when Empress Opal broke out of her prison cell, Captain Short would be the first to die.
The pixie smiled. Complex equations ran through her head - the solution to half a decade's worth of plotting. If and when her plan worked, she would be the most powerful being to walk the Earth; she would no longer be pixie, but a being of pure-
She turned in surprise at the sound of her isolation cube opening - a sound she had not heard in years. The surprise turned to anger and rage when she saw who it was that walked in the door.
"Captain Short," she hissed, eyes narrowing and lips curling. "Why are you here? Is it to torment me further with visions and news of the outside world? Is it to finally seek revenge for Commander Root? Is it-"
"Nope," said Holly, a big grin on her face. "Colf's given us a day off."
Opal's face lit up at that as she dropped her act. "Really?" she squealed.
Holly stepped forward to hug her friend. "Really. Now come on - the others are waiting."