12
Ianto landed with a roll to his shoulders then back once he was on the other side. Using the momentum from the roll he got to his feet immediately, hands raised, dagger out, ready for an attack that never came.
The cavern he leapt into was empty.
No Portal Police, no Royal Guards, no anyone. It was unexpected and disconcerting.
"About time."
Ianto spun, his muscles tensing as he raised his dagger, but there was no one there. "Down here."
Dropping his gaze, he searched the dark cave floor for the source of the voice. As his eyes adjusted, he saw an inky form with a streak of gray on its head and two, emerald-green circles for eyes blinking at him. It was another cat, and Ianto looked around the area of the cavern, unsure that he'd even left the earthly realm. Yet, no Portal Police were there ready to take him into custody.
He had definitely gone through.
With a few muttered words, he put a delay spell on the portal so that no one could follow him for a little while. It wouldn't last long, but it would give him time to getaway. Then, he turned his attention to the unexpected greeter. "Do we know each other?"
"No, but I was told you would need my assistance once you arrived. I've been waiting all day, and my back is killing me."
"Wait. Someone told you to be here when I came through? Who did they tell you I was?"
The cat edged a little closer, finally visible in the swirling blue of the portal. "Ianto Pendragon, Prince of Torchwood. That is who you are, right?"
Ianto nodded slowly.
"Good. My name is Doc." He said his name in a high-pitch, sped up version. He said it in such a way that it reminded him of a movie he'd once seen about two young cops who went undercover as high school students. The immensely attractive actor, Charming or Channing or something, who delivered the line created a social media movement that many of the kids of the earthly realm at onetime used to promote a bit of comedy.
"Look, I appreciate the offer, but I really don't need a partner. I'm more of a lone wolf. I've got a job to do and I can't have anything slowing me down."
"I'm not just a partner, Ianto. I would be your familiar."
"You seem like a fine candidate, but I didn't ask for a familiar and I'm not going to any time soon. My life is too messed up to bring anybody else into it. I've got to straighten things out before I can even consider making permanent connections to others. To be honest, I don't even have time for this conversation. I need to get moving, and I need to do it now." Ianto started for the exit, but the cat sprinted in front of him. He stopped short, sheathed his knife and planted his hands on his hips. "Now what?"
When the cat started to talk, he wheezed a few times before he was able to say, "I can't believe you made me run at my age. But you should know that when you walk out of here, you will see a world completely changed from the Torchwood you most likely remember. You need me to help you navigate this place."
"Don't be ridiculous. I've only been gone for five years. How much could possibly have changed in such a short amount of time?"
"Most of the changes have happened since your father's death."
"I don't have time for a long list of problems. Those Portal Police will be here soon. Can you just get to the point?"
"Your generation never listens. It's downright frustrating." Seeming to ignore his concerns, he began licking his paws, infuriating Ianto to no end. Without conscious thought, Ianto wrapped his hand around the handle of his dagger.
"They won't follow. The portal destination was scrambled, and we've kind of dropped off their radar. We could stay here all night, but, like you mentioned, we kind of need to move quickly. We're not getting any younger, and for me, that's an understatement." The cat sighed.
"There you go again with all the we's. I told you, I am not we material. Now, get out of my way. I'm out of here." He stepped over Doc and didn't look back as he walked across the cavern and climbed up and out into the darkness.
He breathed in deeply, expecting the fragrant floral scents of the hanging gardens that surrounded the palace. Though the palace was miles away from the cave, the smell usually hung in the air and carried throughout the kingdom.
Yet, it was missing.
Instead, he smelled heavy, acrid smoke. As he looked toward the town that surrounded the palace, he expected to see the gold, silver and blue lights that sparkled day and night to allow the citizens to feel safe and secure always.
Yet, all he saw was darkness where the lights should be. And beyond the palace, the sky glowed orange, a haze floating through the scene. he realized this was the source of the choking smoke in the air.
The forest was on fire.
Doc circled his legs and he dropped his gaze to meet his. "What is going on?"
"Well, your brother is kind of a dick."
"What? My brother did this?"
"Not exactly. After all, he's a preschooler, like six-years-old or something. It's really the Protectorate, and specifically, the High Priestess, his advisor, who are the assholes. But you will see the damage they've done in the few months of rule since your father's death."
"Why is the forest burning?"
"Your brother, or those who advise him, ordered the fire in order to oust the rebels hiding there."
Ianto's heart sank in his chest. This was all his fault. His father had told him that this would happen if he didn't step up and become the leader he was supposed to be. Of course, he hadn't quite said it, more like shouted it as he cursed the seer who first put forth such a damning prophecy.
They were both so obstinate, he hadn't shared the prophecy, and Ianto hadn't asked. As a result, he hadn't stepped up. He'd run instead. He'd run far, and he'd run fast. With the day his mother had shown him how to use the portal spinning around his brain, that night he'd gone to the cave and leaped through without a thought beyond getting as far away as possible as quickly as he could.
Now, Torchwood was paying for his decision.
The only thing he could do now was locate the book and find a way to set the world back in balance.
"Now that you understand what you're walking into, I still want to offer my services though I'm not as young as I once was. I can be an extra pair of eyes, and I'm not bad company."
"How old are you, Doc?"
"Five hundred, thirty years, eight months, and four days...give or take."
Ianto hung his head as he pulled air in through her nose and blew it out his mouth with force. Lying arsehole. he did it a few more times before asking, "Is the Assassin's Academy still standing?"
"It is, but there's an issue. The Academy has, more or less, rebelled against the royal authority. They probably won't be happy to see you."
"I'm not expecting the red-carpet treatment or anything. I just want to get in and out without being detected at all. Can you help me do that?"
Doc went back to licking his fur, stretching his head around to get his shoulder area. He paused long enough to say, "I might have a plan."
Ianto followed Doc down the hill toward the Academy.
.
.
"What do you mean you let him go? I thought you were on my side, Janet."
Janet opened his eyes just so he could roll them. "I am on the side of Janet. Pretty sure when we established our relationship years ago, I made that clear. Where's the confusion?"
Jackson ran a hand down his face. "Well, now we have no way to get through the portal to follow her."
"I can help. I'll distract the Portal Police and let you get through."
Jack thought he might actually have to consider Toshiko's offer. Could he sacrifice her for the mission?
"It won't matter. You'll never make it to Torchwood."
"What do you mean, Janet?"
"The portal is no longer a destination."
Jack tried to understand what his lazy familiar was trying to say. "Now, you're just making things up. Are you telling me the portal is closed?"
"Not closed. Just hidden."
So many questions, but all he really needed to know was how to find Ianto. He still couldn't believe he'd managed to get past him last night. He didn't normally sleep so heavily. Strange as that was, now he didn't even know how to get back to Torchwood.
Toshiko gave a sudden intake of breath and shouted, "Baba Duke!"
Jack looked at her, wondering if she'd ever truly been sane, but he asked anyway, "What are you talking about?"
Janet explained, "The Baba Duke is the HWIC, Head Mage in Charge, and Toshiko is hoping she's available to un-fuck this fucked situation. Am I close, Toshiko?"
"Yes! Baba Duke could help us, but I'm not quite sure how to find her."
Jack was sure things couldn't get worse. He had found Ianto and then let him get away. His familiar was a lazy smartass who was no help to him at all, and now, he was stuck with a Shifter who's mind jumped from idea to idea like a drunken frogaroo…a four-foot high creature that had thin green skin, a large mouth with a sticky tongue, and springy legs that lived in the swamps of Torchwood.
He really needed to get out of this realm right the fuck now. Realizing he'd spoken too soon, he jerked his head back as a blue bubble floated in front of his face. As he looked around the cavern, he glimpsed multiple, sparkly blue bubbles filling the space. A wind began to whip around them, making it near to impossible to stay on their feet.
Jack grabbed the nearest bolder and held on as the wind whooshed through like a tornado. Yet, almost as quickly as it started, it eased to a light breeze and the tornado of bubbles floated upward and popped one by one, making a sound like someone talking under water.
In front of them was a beautiful blonde who looked like someone important. Her hair billowed lightly in the breeze and settled on her shoulders as she posed with her long, shapely fingernails of her right hand framing her cheek, leaving the pinky to rest on her lip.
She seemed like a piece of art at that moment. But as he looked at her clothing, he began to rethink his initial reaction. She wore what looked like animal pelts and sacking, strange shiny material and other things all sort of sewn together. The dress fit her torso perfectly and then belled out to fall at her knees. On her feet were a pair of plastic-type, pink shoes that covered her entire foot and ankle too. There were strings that laced on top and pink socks peeking over the tops of the shoes. Her arms were covered in metallic circles that made a low clinking noise with every movement. The feathers in her hair and such made her look like she had been dragged through a craft room.
He was pretty sure she had to be insane, which meant she'd fit right in with this little party. "Well, why are you still sitting here? You need to find Ianto and help him straighten this mess out."
Jackson held his breath for a moment as her words became clear. "Who are you? And where did you come from?"
Toshiko squeaked and began pointing at the strange woman. "It's...it's her! You're the Baba Duke!"
"Of course, I am. No time for lengthy introductions, though. You need to get back to your realm, and you need to do it before they even know Ianto is there."
"And just how do you propose we get past the Portal Police? Even more have arrived and it won't be long before they search every inch of this cave system. We're sitting ducks here."
The wind picked up again and blew harder than before, nearly knocking them all to the floor, but it died as quickly as it started. "Do you dare question me?"
Toshiko shouted, "Of course, he's not questioning you, Baba Duke."
Jackson wasn't so acquiescent in his reply. "Look, I don't know who the hell you are, so I need to know that I can trust what you're saying. I don't see a way through. Enlighten me."
The woman lifted her chin and sniffed the air."I'll forgive you...this time...mostly because you have a job to do and time in the pokey would only slow you down."
She lowered her gaze and stared at him intensely as she continued, "Right now, Ianto is planning something that will tear the very fabric of time and space. Now, I don't really care one way or the other if he destroys your world. Torchwood really isn't my favourite spot to vacay, but if he doesn't do the job just right, it will decimate all the worlds. I can't have that."
"Information overload. Are you telling me that Ianto is planning to destroy the universe? He seemed a little dangerous, but I didn't see maniacal villain as his thing."
"He doesn't even know the strength of the powers he's playing with. You...you need to go with him and help him."
"Sounds like you're skipping ahead a bit. I can't even get through the portal."
She waved her hand dismissively. "Just leave that part to me. I'll make sure the portal is clear. What I need you to do, and to do very well, is to help Ianto do the damn spell the right way."
"What spell? How will I know the right way to do a spell I don't even know?" Jack sputtered.
"In the moment, all will be revealed."
He hated when people did that! Tease with information and then essentially say, "You'll figure it out." What the fuck? Before he could demand clarification, though, she clapped her hands and out of nowhere, a group of bobble-headed warlocks, who just looked like douches, popped into the cave with them.
She turned to the eight or so warlocks and gave them orders to distract the police guarding the portal. They obviously were her minions and didn't even blink with the task she'd given them. They nodded and quickly disappeared, assumingly to be the bait for her master plan.
While they waited, she pulled out a nail file and began working on her long-ass fingernails, ignoring Jack and the others. It only took about five minutes, though, until she raised her free hand and snapped her fingers.
Jack blinked his eyes a few times and shook his head to clear the disorientation. Yet, when everything came into focus, he saw that they were standing before the swirling blue portal without a guard in sight.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Zuul the gatekeeper? Get through the damn portal. I've got a hair appointment in like two minutes."
"Will this take us to Torchwood?"
She rolled her eyes. "Where else would it take you, genius?"
He spoke through his teeth."I just meant that there was some question as to whether Torchwood was still a possible destination or not."
Her expression turned thoughtful for a moment before she nodded and said, "Okay, maybe you were right this time. Bound to happen occasionally but don't make a habit of correcting me, warlock. The good news is that it's fixed now, so stop your blabbering and get through that portal."
Without hesitating any longer, Toshiko and Janet stepped through the bright blue mass of glowing air.
"Oh, and Jack, before you go, you should know one thing."
He stared at her expectantly, and when she didn't immediately explain, he asked, "What?"
Her eyes filled with humour as she said, "It's futile to resist Ianto. Just let it happen. Sometimes that wibbly wobbly piece of string has no end."
Jack had so many more questions, but he felt a hard shove at his back, propelling him toward the portal. Unable to stop, he held his breath and dove headfirst through, unsure what new insanity to expect on the other side.