Part 21

It was so surreal to sail home and knowing you were not welcomed there. Penny stood at the fore of the boat, watching her home getting closer. The Creighton-Ward Isles were made up by two islands connected by a temple to the Ocean Deity. Her mother had come from the Ward Isles and her father from the Creighton Isles. Her mother had been the Head Priestess and her father was the Head Priest. Which made her even more special in the eyes of her people. But her father never saw it like that. And now as she was returning she found herself turning her head to look at each isle in turn. Hoping to see someone watching her back, see someone welcoming her home. But all she saw were backs turned to her, people trying not to look. She looked at herself in the still waters and had to fight the tears.

"They're not worth it", a voice said behind her and she turned as Gordon approached and stood beside her. "If they don't love you for who you are they are not worth your tears."

"This is my home", she whispered. "My family."

"A family would never treat someone the way yours have treated you… true my brothers and I fight and I might not like everyone on our island but still. At the end of the day I know that my brothers will always have my back."

"It's different for me…"

"I understand. You never had anyone. My memories may have changed but now I know that someone was always watching over me. At first it was Scott, Virgil and recently I discovered John as well. Then it was just me and Alan for so long… we even found the others together and now we are still together."

"I don't understand…"

"Sorry I'm rambling… look. Family is about loving each other no matter what and doing what you can to protect your loved ones. If you need to understand it just remember what Kayo told us that my brother John has done so far."

Penny thought about it. What she had gathered a young John had left his home and had given his soul and body to the gods so that he could protect and guide his younger brothers. They had later been rewarded with his life for what they had done. Only for Fuse and Havoc to try and take it again. But even though he was in the midst of getting taken, spiritnapped, he had managed to send a message to his brothers. A way for them to find Volcano and a way for them to fight against the new evil that were threatening their family. John had given up everything that he was just to protect his family. Could she do that? She looked at her home again and knew in her heart that yes she would do that. She would give her life to protect this place and everyone that lived there. She was trembling all over, but she was not cold. She felt a warm hand around hers and looked at Gordon.

"Penny not telling us who Parker was… that was a mistake on your part", Gordon told her. "But I know that deep down… deep down you never wanted to do it. You only wanted to protect the ones you love. The place you call home. How can I fault you for something I am sure I would have done as well?"

"I don't think you would have kept it a secret. If our roles had been reversed and you used your brother to trap Parker and he got taken… You would have told me because you are a much better person than I am."

"How do you know that?"

"I don't… I don't remember how I know I just know. I don't remember what I did but somehow you and your brothers have been very angry with me."

"I can't remember why we were mad at you…"

"It is so strange… this whole adventure has been so strange. I feel as if I have been lost, drifting on a lonely sea."

"You don't have to. Penny I care about you… a lot. I know we haven't known each other for long but I still… I still care about you." He bit his lip. "Do… Do you care about me too?" She turned her head to look at him. She opened her mouth to reply but the words died on her lips and she blushed a little. She looked up at the temple they were approaching. She gripped Gordon's hand tighter, trembling. Gordon let go of her hand and put his arms around her. Penny leaned into him. Seeking comfort. They stood like that for what felt like ages before Penny finally spoke.

"All those days watching from the windows, all those years outside looking in. All that time never even knowing just how blind I've been. Now I'm here blinking in the starlight, now I'm here and suddenly I see... standing here it's all so clear I'm where I'm meant to be." She looked up at him. "And at last I see the light and it's like the fog has lifted and at last I see the light and it's like the sky is new. And it's warm and real and bright and the world has somehow shifted. All at once everything looks different… Now that I see you."

"All those days chasing down a daydream", Gordon spoke softly. "All those years living in a blur all that time never truly seeing things, the way they were. Now you're here shining in the starlight now you're here and suddenly I know. If you're here it's crystal clear I'm where I'm meant to go and at last I see the light and it's like the fog has lifted. And at last I see the light and it's like the sky is new."

"And it's warm and real and bright?"

"And the world has somehow shifted?"

"All at once everything is different now that I see you."

"Now that I see you." The pair smiled at each other and embraced.

"Look alive love-birds", Kayo said and pushed between them. "Save the hugs and kisses for later. We are here." She was right. The boat drifted into port. Scott and Virgil jumped off to tie the ropes and then Alan followed, Fischler was still in his bag, sleeping. Kayo jumped off as well. As did Gordon. He then turned and along with Parker helped Penelope off. They heard the gates of the temple open and saw a man dressed in white walk out. On his head was a golden crown and in his hand a golden staff that reminded them of the one Fuse had. After him came an older woman dressed in white and with gold earrings, bracelets and necklaces. She smiled when she saw them. The man only looked angry.

"Who're they?" Gordon whispered.

"My great aunt Sylvia", Penny whispered. "And… my father."

"Penelope", the man said when they had walked up the steps to meet him. "You have returned… without the staff."

"I did my best father but I could not get it. The enemy was too strong."

"I see… well I am not surprised you have failed this task too. Though I see that Darkness still accompany you. Now tell me who are these people you bring along with you?"

"These are the saviors of Te Fiti", Penny said loudly and heard murmurs spread around them at once. She smirked and noticed a few people starting to turn around to look. "And this young woman here is Kayo the demigoddess." Excited murmurs started spreading and Kayo smirked and crossed her arms.

"I see", Penny's father said. "You bring rabble to my islands and claim them to be a fabled hero of legend and the saviors of Te Fiti?"

"I am not lying father. They are who I say they are."

"And why should I believe you? You have always let me down only to come with excuses that would make you look better? Who's to say this is any different?"

"I am", Kayo said and stepped forward. She removed her crown from her head and in a flash transformed into a giant hawk. The people gasped and even Penny's father looked a little taken aback by all this. Kayo transformed back. "You're welcome."

"I see now that I was… mistaken", Lord Creighton-Ward said. "Forgive me Lady Kayo." He bowed. "But we are hesitant of visitors since the staff was stolen."

"Understandable. But your treatment of your daughter is not."

"My daughter is my business My Lady."

"Maybe but she is a friend of a friend and that makes it my business. Now do you want us all to stand out here and declare what is about to go down or should we take it somewhere private?"

"We shall enter the temple. You and your male friends. My daughter is not welcome."

"She goes where I go", Gordon said and stepped forward.

"And you are?"

"I am Gordon of Tracy Island", Gordon said and took Penny's hand. She squeezed it lightly. "Across the ocean I sailed, with my brothers beside me and together we restored the Heart of Te Fiti." He glared at the man and after a bit Lord Creighton-Ward caved. He sighed and headed inside the temple and motioned for all of them to follow him. Penny smiled in appreciation and took Gordon's hand as they walked inside the temple. The doors slammed shut behind them.

He sat up with a gasp and looked around himself. He was lying on a bed, sunshine came streaming in through a window. He got up and looked around. He saw his clothes and hurriedly put them on. He then walked into the other room. It was weird.

"Familiar", he whispered as he ran his hand over a tapestry. "Why is this so familiar?" He looked around the room and saw five plates on a wall. He walked up to them and looked at them. He could see that each held a letter. One said S, the second said V, the third said J, the fourth said G and the last one said A. He reached out and picked up the middle one. The one with the J.

"Familiar", he whispered. "Like something I used to know." He put it back and looked around the room again. There was no one else there. He looked at the ceiling. "Familiar… staring up at the ceiling." He walked out into the sunlight and saw a village. It was empty of people or animals but all houses were standing. He walked into the center.

"Familiar, I swear that I know this feeling", he said as he walked. "Familiar, why is this so familiar?" He asked the sun. "Familiar, like something I used to do." He stopped and picked up a coconut. He heard giggling around and turned his head. He saw two little boys run giggling past him towards the tree and vanish into thin air.

"Familiar, like he used to throw a tantrum", he said and watched a really small ginger haired boy yell at two taller boys. "Insisting that, 'Hey, I'm a big boy too'." He walked over to the well and looked into the water and saw a face looking back at him. He met a pair of green-blue eyes.

"I bet he drove them crazy all the time", he said as he looked into the water. "They love him but they're leaving him behind." He looked at the ginger haired boy again and saw the bigger boys leave him. The ginger haired boy turned to him and looked at him with green-blue eyes. The boy then turned and walked towards the ocean. He hurriedly followed.

"With more important places they should be", he whispered and watched the boy grow older as he walked. The boy then jumped onto a boat and sailed out at sea and he gasped. "Than hanging out with someone just like me! Familiar, that's why it's so familiar." He looked around. "Familiar, like someone I used to be. Familiar, but this time I've had some practice at helping a struggling family." He ran out onto the waves and looked around. "Oh, I'll get them all together in one place and once we're all together face to face I'll show them all the error they have heard and together we can save the world." He dove into the ocean and started swimming towards the bottom. It grew darker and colder, but that did not bother him. He punched his hands into the sand and felt them go through something that felt like shattered glass. He ignored the slight sting and pushed through. He landed hard on what looked like black glass. He shook his head and sat up. Above him water dripped from a broken blue gem. He smirked and looked at his arms. On his left arm were five wave-like swirls and on the other arm there were four. That's right he gave part of his Soul to Virgil. He got up on shaky legs and brushed off the remains of that gem which had trapped him. He looked above him and saw that five other gems were glowing. He could see shadows of someone trapped in each.

"I have work to do then", he said and cracked his knuckles. "Let's start with… you." He jumped up and punched an orange gem with all his might. "Ow!" he was pushed back by lightning. He landed on the black glass again and glared up at the gem. It was crackling.

"Fine", he said. "Two can play at that game!" He focused his powers on the blue gem and pulled parts of the ocean through. He then unleashed a water-whip at the orange gem. He hit it as hard as he could and this time… there was a crack. He grinned and hurried closer.

"Hey!" he shouted. "Hey can you hear me!? Snap out of it! What you see isn't real!" At first there was nothing but then… the orange gem exploded and he was pushed back. When he sat up again he noticed that someone was standing in front of him. The man's skin and hair were rather dark. He was dressed in black, orange and brown. His dark hair was shaved on the sides but the hair on the middle of his head was standing up, like a rooster's comb. His arms were bare and lightning crackle up all over them. The other man got up and brushed off his shoulders.

"I see", the newcomer said. "You are the Ocean Spirit then?"

"I am", the Ocean Spirit replied. "My name is John of Tracy Island."

"I am the Mechanic."

"Is that your real name?"

"No."

"Well whatever floats your boat", John got up. "Can you help me free the others?"

"Sure, you handle Earth and I'll handle Fire. Can't have you snuffing him out."

"Or you getting canceled out."

They stood back to back and with a nod to each other attacked the red and green gems. It didn't take much for them to crack and once they did John and the Mechanic could easily reach the other two. The first man was dressed in a long green robe with nature decorations such as vines and leaves. His feet were bare. He wore green chest plate and pauldrons and green arm protectors on his forearms. He wore a green cloak with the hood up. He had dark hair and amber eyes. He had a dark beard as well. He looked kind and gentle though.

The other man smiled brightly and his eyes danced with happy flames. He had ginger hair and a ginger beard. He was dressed in black, red and brown. His arms were bare and they could see flame tattoos all over his arms.

"Well hello there lads", he said and grinned. "You", he pointed at the man in green. "Have nothing to fear from me."

"That is nice to know", the man in green said and bowed.

"And you", he pointed at John. "You won't try to drown me will you lad?"

"As long as you keep your flames away from my face I will keep my water away from yours", John said. The man laughed.

"Good man", he said. "I am Quentin, but most people call me Questa."

"And I am Kyrano", the man in green said. "You must be John."

"That's right", John said.

"I met your brothers."

"How are they?!" John hurried forward, worry in his eyes.

"They are fine for now", the Mechanic said and looked at the indigo gem. "Allow me." He unleashed his powers and the indigo gem cracked. Nothing happened.

"What the…" Questa said. "Hey little girl can you hear us?" No reply. The gem didn't even move. John hurried forward.

"Eos!" he called. "Eos please listen to me! What you see is not real! Follow my voice! I am here!" Still no reply. So he started singing softly:

Remember me
Though I have to say goodbye
Remember me
Don't let it make you cry
For ever if I'm far away
I hold you in my heart
I sing a secret song to you
Each night we are apart

Still nothing happened and John glared at the gem slightly and sent a small stream of water at it, shaking it. He sang:

Remember me
Though I have to travel far
Remember me
Each time you see a shining star
Know that I'm with you
The only way that I can be
Until you're in my arms again

"Remember me", a small voice said as Eos left her prison an joined them. When John saw the little girl he ran over and fell on his knees in front of her. As soon as he did her arms were around his neck. He hugged her close and rocked her as she cried into his shoulder.

"I thought I'd never see you again!" Eos sniffled and John smiled and held her close.

"I told you once that I would never fully leave you and I stand by that", he said.

"Hey you can hug each other later", the Mechanic said and hauled them to their feet. "Look alive!" They all looked up at the yellow gem. It was glowing brightly.

"Why have you left your places", a voice said all around them. A voice John knew well. He held Eos closer to him and glared at the gem.

"Because we are not satisfied with being pawns!" He spat. "I don't speak for the others of course but I can't see them liking it anymore than I do!"

"Well said lad", Questa said and patted his shoulder. He looked at the yellow gem. "Light come out here and talk like an adult!"

"She's lost it", the Mechanic said. "Let her stay there and rot."

"I have not lost it Inisinia", she replied and John and Eos jumped out of the way when the Mechanic started crackling with lightning in anger.

"I gave you no right to use my name!" he yelled. The yellow gem just kept shining.

"I have not lost anything", she continued, ignoring the Mechanic. "I know what needs to happen. I have foreseen it."

"The future is not set in stone", Kyrano spoke calmly. "The smallest things can affect the future. You are lost in your own head Light."

"I am not lost, I know exactly where I am and where I am supposed to be."

"You are making it difficult for everyone else."

"No I am stopping you from making a mistake. I am just making sure that everything goes the way I saw it."

"Like when you made sure I understood my life was worthless", John said calmly. "Right, mother?"

The other spirits stared at him in shock or confusion. This was unheard of! Two Souls in the same family? It had never happened before! John ignored them and walked closer to the gem his mother was hiding within. He used his powers to create a wave that lifted him up to the gem. He glared at it.

"You put a very heavy burden on my shoulders mother", he said. "And I think you don't even regret it."

"I do not", she replied and John sighed.

"Why me then? Why not Scott or Virgil? They are older than me. Stronger."

"It has nothing to do with physical strength my heart", she replied. "Your heart is what makes you stronger than your brothers. Made you more suitable for the part destiny had dealt you. I knew, I saw, that one of my sons would be given the chance to claim the title of Ocean Spirit. Being a Soul is to be alone. I knew you were the one best suited to handle a life of solitude. I knew you would be able to carry the burden of being alone. I knew you would make the sacrifice it would take. I knew that you would give your life freely. Scott or Virgil would fight and try to find a different path. Gordon and Alan were to young to understand. But you, my heart, was at a perfect age. Still young enough to do what your parents asked but old enough to understand that the well-being of others is just as important as your own, but in your case more important."

"My brothers' lives mattered more than mine."

"Yes. I saw them travelling the world to find the Souls and free them. You were not there. Which meant they had to survive. No matter the cost."

"I see."

"Yes. You do and that is the difference between you and your brothers. They could not and did not see. You saw. You saw it all along. There are two of them and two of them and one of you. You did not belong. Things were flawed. I made sure to remove the flaws and by doing so created the perfect solution. Now there is nothing to hinder their potential. Now the impurities you and your father encouraged in them are gone. Now they will be brilliant, now they will be perfect. Now they shall be me!" The light gem bathed the whole area in light. Eos squeaked and covered her eyes. Kyrano and Questa closed their eyes as well. The Mechanic pulled Eos close to protect her while he closed his eyes as well. John met the light head on.

"You're wrong", he said. "My brothers have always been perfect the way they are. Flaws and all. Sure Scott has a temper, Virgil doubts himself, Gordon is too impatient and Alan can be very naïve but those flaws also give them strength!"

"And there you go again John, defending their flaws. Do you know why? You like surrounding yourself with flaws. Just look at the group you have here with you." The light fell on Kyrano. "A father consumed by guilt and anger." Her light fell on Questa. "A man who saw himself as the most important person on his island." Her light fell on the Mechanic. "A rage filled demigod with nothing left to live for." Her light fell on Eos. "A little girl who knows nothing of the world." And lastly her light fell on John. "And you, the worst of the worst. A young man living a lie. You know you were never meant to come back alive. Everything that lives needs to die and your death was perfect. You should not have changed it."

"Take it up with the gods", John spat.

"You see yourself as a guide and a protector but you have not guided or protected anyone lately."

"Yes I have. I brought my brothers to Ahtohallan."

"Where Fuse could take Eos and Kyrano for himself."

"That was not my fault. I did it to give them a fighting chance. I gave Virgil my powers."

"And Eos gave hers to Kayo and Kyrano his to Penny. But you know that if you had not done it things would turn out fine."

"No they would not. My brothers would never leave their new island because they would not have the longing to know what called for Virgil. You are so busy with seeing everyone's flaws except your own."

"I have no faults."

"Yes you do. Pride."

"Excuse me?"

"It's all about you, your visions, your decision to save the world, your 'sacrifices', your guidance, your help. It's not all about you!"

"But it is. Remember sweetheart. Mother knows best."

"Actually mom. No."

"No?!" she sounded outraged but then she laughed. "Oh, I see how it is. John knows best little John is so mature now. Such a clever grown-up boy." Her light turned to the others. "The Ocean Spirit knows best well then go ahead and show him this!" They all looked up when they saw her light move to the roof and up there they saw it. A small crack.

"A way out", John said and looked at the others. "Come we need to focus on making the crack wider."

"Don't let him deceive you!" Lucy interrupted when the others started moving towards the center of the area.

"Deceive us?" Eos asked. "We want to leave too. We're looking for a way out. A way for us all to escape."

"Fine give it to him, watch, you'll see! Trust me, my dear that's how fast he'll leave you. I won't say I told you so!"

"I will not abandoned my new friends!" John growled.

"Of course not because John knows best. Well then why don't you all put him put him to the test? If he's lying don't come crying. Light knows best."

"The only one we do not trust around here is you lass", Questa said and put his hand on John's shoulder again. That in itself was proof of how much he trusted the Ocean Spirit. Fire and water do not mix but Questa still allowed himself to touch John and John allowed Questa to touch him.

"You are a nasty piece of work Light", the Mechanic said and turned his back on her.

"I admit that in the past I've been a nasty", she replied. "They weren't kidding when they called me, well, a witch. But you'll find that nowadays I've mended all my ways repented, seen the light, and made a switch. And I fortunately know a foresight it's a talent that I always have possessed. And dearies, please don't laugh I use it on behalf of the miserable, the lonely, and depressed… like you. Poor unfortunate souls in pain, in need." Her light ended up on Eos.

"This one longing to be loved." Her light switched to Kyrano. "That one wants to get his girl and do I help them? Yes, indeed. Those poor unfortunate souls", her light fell on Questa and the Mechanic. "So sad, so true. They come flocking to my light crying, 'Guidance, Light please!' And I help them yes, I do."

"Ignore her", John said and turned his back on her. "If we unite our powers we should be able to fight Fuse's control over us when he tries to summon us again." He held both his hands out. Eos hurriedly gripped onto one. Kyrano took the other. The Mechanic gripped Eos' hand and then Questa gripped his. Then Questa and Kyrano looked at each other. There was battle in their eyes. John sighed.

"Trust each other or this will never work", he said.

"It's impossible", Questa said. "He can't trust me to not destroy him by accident."

"He is correct", Kyrano said. "We need a buffer between us."

"Then I'll stand between you", John said and let go of Eos and Kyrano. Eos looked up at him pleadingly. "Just for a bit." Eos nodded and gripped Kyrano's hand. John stood between Kyrano and Questa and gripped their hands. All five closed their eyes.

"Focus on the ones we did this for", the Mechanic said.

"Let our hearts fly and reach their ears", John added.

"Let us shatter our shackles", Questa added.

"Let us break out of this cold", Eos whispered.

"And let us all unite", Kyrano added. "Focus on your most primal feelings, your strongest feelings. What gives you strength?"

"My family", John replied and he started glowing blue.

"My Fritzy", Questa added and he started glowing red.

"John", Eos said and indigo enveloped her body.

"My daughter", Kyrano proclaimed and was enveloped in green.

"My hope", the Mechanic finished and he started glowing orange. Their powers united above them and headed for the crack. Nothing happened but they were not giving up. They kept focus and closed their eyes. They were not just staying here to die. They were not going to give up. They were going to prove to Light that the future could be altered. They needed to prove to the world that they were not gone. That they had not forsaken their duty to protect the innocent. They. Were. Not. Giving. Up.

TBC Wow Lucy is turning out way more wicked than I expected.

Oh and the Mechanics "real name" (which was never revealed in the show) is Engineer in Samoan (according to Google translate so I trust it... like one trusts wasps.)