Nia slowly began to regain her vision, which slowly cleared as she found herself staring up at a blank ceiling. She glanced around and soon realized she was lying in a bed in the Vanguard's medical room. She let out a sigh. Waking up in a bed after being knocked out was starting to become just a bit too familiar to her…

"Did you have a nice nap?" She looked over and saw Alex sitting nearby, reading from a book. Her eyes widened and she got ready to get up, but he lifted his hand. "Please calm down. I realize you might be a bit unnerved to see me, but I thought it best I was in here just in case you still weren't in control when you woke up."

The princess still looked on edge, but then grew a confused look. "Not in control… what do you…" A pang of pain ran through her skull as suddenly images began flashing in her head. A plane, a storm, the Youngblood. She groaned and grabbed her head. "W-what happened?"

"Titania took control apparently."

"What?" she asked, looking even more confused. "What are you talking about?"

Alex flipped to the next page of his book. "That's what the boy said you called yourself when you're transformed," he explained. Nia gasp. She had transformed again? "I thought your magical power was high before. But once changed, well, your undoubtably a descendant of Oberon. That type of raw talent and power couldn't be anything else."

"What did I do?" Nia asked, panicking. The last time she had changed she had tried to kill her brother. She was terrified at what she might have done this time. The girl suddenly remembered that she had been with AJ. "Oh my gosh! AJ! Is he okay?! I didn't do anything to him did I?! Where is he?!"

Alexander set his book down and raised his hand once more. "Your friend is fine Nia. He's with Kingsley and the others explaining what happened. After transforming you took off after the members of the Youngblood. You battled them for a bit, and then I came and stopped you before you got too out of control."

She let out a relieved sigh, but then looked up again. "You said I changed. That somebody else had control? What do you mean?" she asked. The last time this happened nobody said anything about her calling herself Titania. She didn't even talk as far as she knew.

"Well, I'm not quite sure about the details, but it seems like the stress of the moment brought out… I wouldn't call it a split personality, more like a state of mind. I'm guessing you were feeling anxiety, anger, other emotions along those lines that you've been suppressing to make your friends and family think you're doing okay."

Nia blushed and looked down, embarrassed at having been read so easily. "Maybe…"

"For magic users like ourselves, our abilities are tied with our emotions. Trying to bottle them up like that was bound to have some form of negative backlash. Then again, with your specific heritage and abilities it might have very well happened anyway in that situation."

Nia groaned. On top of everything else, she had to be careful of becoming a raging magical nuke now. It seemed like she couldn't catch a break. The girl then thought of something else. "Wait, what about Sear?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't know about the dragon," Alex said, frowning. "My main focus was stopping you before you did something regrettable. I wasn't really concerned with trying to read the situation. If it makes you feel better, Kingsley has already sent a group out to try and pick up their trail."

Nia hung her head, balling his fist up. She had failed. She let the last piece of brother she had left get snatched away from her. Her tiny fist shook in anger. "Don't be too upset with yourself. No one expects you to have a hold on all of that power quite-"

"Stop! Just stop it!" She was tired of everyone talking about her powers. How much power she had. How powerful she was. If that was true, how come she had never felt so powerless in her whole life. Not just with Sear either. Ever since her fight with Astro, she had just felt… weak.

She couldn't keep her brother from leaving, she couldn't get a handle on her magic, she couldn't save Sear, or protect the wand, or her friends. What was the point of all this power if she couldn't do anything with it…

Alexander looked ready to move at a moment's notice. He wasn't quite sure if she was going to snap back into her other form again, and he had to be ready to knock her back out. She then let out a breath before turning towards him. "Could you find Sear?" she asked.

"I could put some people on it. I have quite some influence. But unless they're near another powerful source of magic it's unlikely I'll be able to seek them out myself," he explained. "Not that I think that'll be necessary."

Nia glared at him. "I can't wait for the others. It'll be too late. I need to find him now."

"Even if you did find him, you're in no shape to try and fight the Youngblood again. Your body is still adjusting to your powers. If you keep pushing yourself like this you'll burn out, and then you'll really have no control over them. Just sit back and let the others handle it."

"But they won't make it in-"

"I'm not talking about the Vanguard," Alexander clarified.

Now Nia looked confused again. "Wait, so who are you talking about then?"

The ship landed, and Drake took a deep breath as he rose to his feet. They had finally arrived at his father's lair. He began making his way to the bay, and the others followed after him. The rest of the Delta Auxiliary had returned to their base to earn a well-deserved rest. Though Delta had insisted on staying and seeing the mission through to the end.

Victor had come along and had been entertaining himself by irritating Sear. The dragon had glared at him, desperate to get loose and get revenge. Shen Mi had come along to see their father again, and Heath had wanted to meet Chase and see if he was really the badass everyone made him out to be.

Xiang, Warron, and Luthor had also been brought along as backup. Drake doubted they would have any more trouble, but he didn't want to take any chances.

As they approached the entrance to Chase's lair, Heath yawned and looked towards Shen Mi. "So how come your dad keeps his base out here where anyone could find it? The heroes could come knocking on his front door whenever they wanted."

Shen Mi scoffed. "And why do you think they haven't done that idiot? Even if they could get into his liar they'd still have to deal with him. Not worth it."

"Sounds like he's just over hyped if you ask me."

Shen Mi glared at him. "Shut it. If you tick him off he'll end you then and there, and as funny as I think that'd be I need someone to carry my bags when I go shopping."

Victor smirked as he walked alongside the kart Sear on being pulled out. The dragon and glaring at him with sharp eyes. Like a cat staring at prey he couldn't quite reach. "Angry little thing ain't you? I bet you want to have a go at me huh?" he asked, plucking Sear's horn.

The dragon let out an angry growl. "Stop antagonizing it Victor," Drake ordered.

"Oh c'mon. I'm just having a little fun. Not like he'll be around much longer anyway," Victor taunted poking at his snout. "You're gonna be soup soon my guy."

They came to a stop in front of the entrance, and soon the door began to open. Everyone tensed, especially Drake, as Chase slowly made his way out of the door and towards them. A few of his warriors, all in their cat forms, walked out with him. He looked as cold as ever as he approached his son.

"I must admit, I doubted you would complete this task as quickly as you did. But given that Delta was the one put in charge of the assignment, I shouldn't be surprised."

Drake hid the sting he felt at the backhanded compliment. "I knew this was important father…"

"Yes, you did. So I suppose I should give you some amount of credit for putting the right person on the job at least. As for you Delta, you performed as expected. Well done."

Delta nodded. "Thank you sir." Drake looked even more annoyed at the praise she was getting. One successful mission had granted her more praise from his father than a lifetime of work had from himself. But he knew better than to say or even what he was thinking right now.

Heath sneered towards the man. He didn't see the big deal about this guy. So he knew Kung-Fu and had a bunch of big cats. So what? "I don't get the hype…" he muttered.

Shen Mi lightly punched his side. "Shut up loser!"

In an instant, Chase was suddenly behind Heath. He pressed two fingers to the side of the boy's throat. None of them had even seen him move. Heath had grown stiff as Chase glared down at him. "Do you get it now, boy?" he asked. Heath didn't say anything, not really sure what the man wanted to hear. "I suggest you teach your underlings more respect."

He walked back over towards Sear and Heath let out a breath of relief. Shen Mi narrowed her eyes, giving him a scathing look. Drake was also looking at him with narrowed eyes. Great, he was going to get an earful from both of the Young siblings after this.

"Move the beast inside. I have no desire to waste anymore…"

Chase suddenly stopped and then looked up. He narrowed his eyes as he stared up at seemingly nothing. Drake looked confused, and was about to inquire as to what his father was looking for. But then he saw something from high up above them. It looked like… a black dot. The dot slowly began growing, and soon it expanded into a portal. Two objects suddenly shot out of the portal, speeding down and crashing right near Sear.

Chase and Drake both leapt back as the impact sent a cloud of dust up into the air. Chase growled angrily as he tried to spot who it was. He should have known they would have been followed. It would have been better to take care of this himself.

Drake on the other hand mentally cursed. Why now? It had been so close to being done. Was it the princess again? The Vanguard? But how? There was no way they could have tracked them. Between Shen Mi's magic and Charles operating from the base, they would have been completely cloaked. So who was this?

The dust began to clear up, and they could make out two new figures. Both of them Drake recognized all too well. Sear, who's restraints had been torn right off, licked Astro's face happily. The prince smiled as he rubbed and scratched Sear's head. He looked… different. Not much different. But still…

His hair looked like it had grown out a bit, and he looked just a tiny little bit more muscular than he had been before. His clothes had holes and tears all over them. But the most obvious change had been the two horns now sticking out of his head.

Standing beside him, tall and intimidating as ever, was Typhon. The king of monsters yawned and spread his wings, clearing away the rest of the dust cloud as he took a look around.

"Aw! I missed you too boy!" Astro said as Sear nuzzled his face. "I'm so sorry I didn't say goodbye before I left! You must have been so worried! But I promise next time you can come with us! We're going to go hunting, and you can try all types of new prey!"

Typhon grunted. "Stop babying that dragon."

"I haven't seen him in a while and he always gets restless when I'm gone for too long. I can't believe I forgot to see him before I left. I'm so foolish."

"Really? The dragon? You're sorry about not seeing the dragon? Not your sister or your girlfriend? But the dragon?"

"I left them a note!"

"That Waterfolk girl is going to murder you."

Chase grit his teeth at the bickering father and son. He turned towards Drake who looked just as furious. It was bad enough one Butterfly sibling had gotten in their way! Now the other had to show up at the worst possible time! He wanted to bark out to the others to destroy them, but knew what would happen.

Astro was one thing. But he had seen how dangerous Typhon was. It'd be like sending them to their deaths. Before Chase could bark at him or the others to destroy them, Typhon seemed to notice their presence. He flashed an evil smile as he looked around as everyone. "Oh, look at that Astro. Lunch…"

Everyone immediately put up their guard, while Chase grit his teeth. "I already told you you're not allowed to kill anyone," Astro said sternly, still trying to pry Sear off of him. He then glanced over and noticed Chase. "…except him. You're allowed to kill him."

"Alright, I've entertained this foolishness long enough," Chase said as he began walking towards them. He wasn't going to tolerate this any longer. "Step away from my dragon or die where you stand. This is the first and land warning you will be given."

Typhon hummed and walked back towards him. He towered over Chase, who didn't look at all intimidated. "Hmm, now that's very odd…" Typhon said, rubbing his chin. He then lifted his fist and swung at Chase. The Kung-Fu master blocked it, but was sent sliding back.

Chase growled and looked like he was about to walk towards him, but then suddenly looked a bit dazed. He fell down to one knee, and the member of the Youngblood looked shocked.

Drake in particular looked stunned. In all the years he had known his father, he had never seen him show a single sign of weakness. But to see him down on one knee, from a punch that he blocked… it was unthinkable.

"There, now that's better. Kneeling is far more fitting for an arrogant bastard like you," Typhon said cracking his knuckles. "My son and I had many interesting conversations while we were on our little training trip. He told me the humans have a great fear of you and your son. But seeing you in person… well, I can't imagine why."

Chase stood up and looked absolutely livid. He was pretty sure his entire arm was bruised right now, and he had clearly pulled his punch. "Who are you…?" Chase said hissed out through gritted teeth.

Typhon couldn't have looked more smug if he tried. "It's been a while since I've been here on Earth, but I don't suppose you recognize the name Typhon, do you?" he asked. Chase's eyes widened. "Oh! You do! Well then you know how this is bound to end don't you?"

Chase glared up at him. He thought this had been some overgrown monster he had simply never heard off. Not a creature that had been rumored to clash with the gods. "You're not allowed to be here…" Chase stated simply. "You made a pact with the Greeks."

"Do you really think whoever is running their pantheon now will risk another war with me over the likes of a lowly little worm like you?"

For a few moments, Chase seemed like he was trying to burn a hole through him with his stare. But then he took a breath and waved his hand. "Take the dragon. We'll make no further moves against it." Everyone there, save Astro, looked shocked. Was he really just giving the beast up, just like that?

Astro smirked. He knew coming here alone would end up like last time. He was stronger, but not that strong. His father on the other hand was a different story. Typhon grunted. He had honestly kind of been hoping for a fight. "You'd better not. If I hear word of you attempting to take him again, I will return, I will kill you, and I will eat you."

He turned around and opened a portal before making his way through. Astro turned towards Drake and gave him a smug look. "Hey Drake… my father beat up your father." Both Drake and Chase gave him a dirty look before the prince turned and walked through the portal, Sear following after him.

When it closed, everyone stood in an awkward silence. Drake turned towards his father, who simply waved his hand. "Leave." The tone of his voice made it clear that there was no room for discussion. Drake simply nodded before heading back to the ship. He signaled for the others to follow.

Chase began making his way back inside his liar. Right now he needed nothing more than to blow off some steam…