~The Next Morning~

The airport outside the city was fairly quiet as the group sat on small chairs by the large glass wall that overlooked the runways. Felix and Lyra were side by side as Victor paced, Bridgette hummed, and Ben read a magazine. After a few moments of silence Lyra took his hand. "How did you sleep?"

They had just gotten to sleep around two in the morning, knowing the jet would arrive to pick them and their luggage up by ten. Felix had finally been able to shut his eyes and dream, if only for what felt like a few seconds. He had seen his mother again upon her bed, brushing back his hair and smiling without words.

He shrugged. "I got enough to survive the next few days."

Bridgette stood to stretch and twirl in her black tunic and tights that glittered with red. "I hope the jet will get here soon. I want to move out and do something!" She turned to Ben in his white turtleneck and jeans. "Something like checking inventory again."

Ben pat the five black backpacks on the seat beside him. You checked a dozen times before we left and ten times while we've been waiting. I think we have everything.

Victor ceased his pacing and checked over his blue jersey and navy track pants. "Good thing I chose pants with pockets for the Quantic and Damma, right, guys?"

The Quantic poked their heads out and waved. Damma hovered into sight and sighed. "I do hope there will be time to stretch my own limbs."

Lyra flipped her braid over her yellow wrap neck and smoothed the wrinkles of her white pants. It made the brown polo shirt and beige denims seem bland he wore…just like his mood. "Felix and you will have time to sleep and stretch the limbs once on the jet."

No sooner had she said it that Victor pointed over their shoulders. "And the time has come…ooh, I love what Mr. Leva did with the paint!"

The group watched as a silver jet with flames painted along the wings and side landing on the runway closest to the windows. "Come on," Victor was first to race towards the entrance, "we'll meet them as they exit!"

It was comfortably cool outside as Felix followed the others onto the runway. The door flipped open and released a metal staircase by their feet. Ben and Victor dropped their backpacks. "Oh, man," the latter whistled, "talk about an entrance."

The Quantic and Damme poked their heads out of Victor's pockets again and smiled. "I can see someone," Hushh said, "coming out now!"

Sure enough, down the stairs came Larisse Athens, orange hair in its regularly messy bun and bag hanging off her cheery-tangerine stripped boat neck shirt. She bounced down the steps in a pair of bellbottoms and sneakers with Sunne floating close behind. "Hey, everybody," she said in as cheery a tone as she could muster, "how you been?"

Bridgette ran over and hugged her tight. "Way better now that you guys are here!"

Next out of the jet came Neo Leva in a dark grey long-sleeve and black jeans, shaggy brown hair touching the back of his neck. Luunar waved as Felix stepped up to greet him. "Thank you for coming," he murmured.

Neo gave a nod. "We would have come sooner but my uncle had to fill up the ride on snacks, so we wouldn't starve."

Ah, yes. Eating. Have to remember to do that once in a while.

Behind Neo came Isra in similar shades, hair hung over the shoulders of her grey sweater, which hung over black tights. She stepped down and beside Ben as Beaak and Hushh high-fived. "Did you get any sleep?"

A bit, Ben admitted, though it took long enough coming.

Tani Jones and Stephan Barbas walked down hand in hand, she in a pearly white cowl shirt and blue bootcut pants, he in an artic camo tank and cargos. As Gemme and Snowyy flew down by their necks Lyra cocked an eyebrow. "You look ready for combat, Stephan."

Tani tossed her thick braid back and ran a hand through his curly mohawk. "He spent more time choosing an outfit than me."

Victor snorted. "Guess your fashionable tastes are rubbing off on him."

"So, tell us," Bridgette got straight to the point, "now that your uncle has chosen to give back the troll miraculous, who are you going to choose to be the new heroes of Greece?"

Mythic shared a knowing smile and moved away from the stairs. The Kwami grinned ear to ear. "You guys can come down now and greet the Quantic Squad."

The first new face to exit the jet was a young woman no more than a year or two older than them. She had fluffy blonde hair with dark roots, deep green eyes, and a green turtleneck beneath her beige trench coat. She walked down the stairs in polished black boots and jean tights with an air of sophistication, though Felix could see the way she was biting her lower lip with nerves. At her side was the Chimera Kwami, Chimma, a tiny brown figure with a scaled tail, horns, and golden eyes.

Tani stepped up beside her and faced the group. "Everyone, I am happy to introduce our new and stylish Chimera heroine – Dawn Kotas, my neighbour and a gifted pianist."

Dawn gave a shy wave and rubbed her arm. "It is such an honour to meet you heroes face to face and…," she glanced at Tani, "why did you tell them I play the piano?"

"Because you and Lyra have to play a duet before we head home."

Lyra gave Dawn a warm smile. "I would love that."

Before Dawn could reply, Gorry the Troll Kwami flew down beside Chimma, dark green skin and black eyes glowing despite the sun being hidden behind the clouds. "My partner is having a hard time with his seatbelt."

"I am not!"

Felix and the others gasped as another stranger stepped onto the stairs.

...Didn't see that coming.