Everyone in the temple felt it. Although there really weren't that many people in the temple. It was a holiday weekend, and so many people were out of town that the Masters had called a day off and sent those who were around back home. Michaela had stayed around because Gracie was out of town visiting obnoxious relatives she had no wish to see, and her friends were all in the next city over for a concert she couldn't go to in case she started singing along.

She was fine until lunch. That was when her friends started posting pictures of their day out. She had given them her blessing to go without her—it was fine, they'd get together next weekend, she'd be due for a day off then, just go already—but actually seeing what she had given up put her in a bad mood. Nadia noticed it as soon as they continued their work in the library, and after Michaela dropped three tablets in a row, sent her out to cool off. This, of course, only made Michaela's bad mood that much worse.

Why am I even here? she thought as she stormed out of the library. It's a day off, I should be at home reading or watching Netflix or something. Or, better yet, at the concert with my friends! And why aren't I? Because of this thing nobody understands! Nobody knows what it is, we don't even have a name for it, but this damn thing is RUINING my life! She was exaggerating, of course. Most of the time she barely remembered her weirdness, but those times it surfaced it did tend to mess with her plans.

She stormed into the arena, hoping it would be empty. It was. I can't even summon a stupid creature to get my anger out. What's the point of being a duelist WHEN I CAN'T EVEN DUEL? She walked over to the arena wall and leaned against it, planning to slide down and sit and let her frustration fade. But then she felt something press against her hip. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her little wooden flute.

There it was. The symbol of every problem she'd ever had. Or, at least, that she remembered. She stared at it for a moment or two, until her rage built up around it. Then she threw the offending flute as hard as she could, hoping it would shatter and she would never have to see it again.

Then it landed.

And a crack snaked its way around the middle.

Michaela felt tears start to form in her eyes. Her anger had left her when the flute left her hand, and now, staring at the symbol of all her problems, she found herself staring at the symbol of all of her past. Along with her bracelet, it was the only thing she had. And now it was broken.

Maybe it's not too broken. She thought. It could just be a crack…

Walking over to it, she saw that it wasn't just a crack. The flute had broken in two, with just a few thin fibers of wood keeping it together. Now Michaela was really crying. She bent down to pick up the flute.

Chavez was the closest, and felt it first. He was in the training space, working with Kenina the Igniter. Suddenly an unseen force blasted him off his feet and banished Kenina. He was pushed against the wall for a moment, then the force faded and he slid to his feet. He powered up his gauntlet again and went to find the source.

Master Jaha was down in her caves. She had decided to give herself a day off as well, and was sitting with a few of her favorite tablets and a cup of tea. All of a sudden, her tea was knocked out of her hand and the cup shattered on the floor. A moment later, she found herself on the floor. She powered up her gauntlet, searching for some unseen Darkness creature, but once she was sure it was not a creature's doing, she ran to find whose it was.

Master Kimora was in his garden, trying to coax a stubborn Kaiju realm plant to blossom. He looked up. Why were the trees blowing? They were inside, there wasn't any wind to move them about. He braced himself and powered up his gauntlet. Then he felt the wind. It was a wave of energy, and only his mass and his braced stance kept him on his feet. As soon as it passed, he left the obstinate plant to do as it wished and followed the power surge.

Nadia and Brightmore were both up in the War room going over Stalker Sphere footage of a possible veil breach when they felt it. They were the furthest away, so it was weaker, but still strong enough to make both of them stumble. Nadia grabbed Brightmore's arm to keep him from falling. Once they were stable again, he turned to her. "That came from the arena." They both ran off.

When Nadia and Brightmore reached the arena, they found the other three Masters huddled around something on the floor. It was Michaela. Chavez looked up when they came in and gave Nadia a thumbs up, meaning she was okay. Nadia nodded and started to look around the arena for the cause of the energy wave, while Brightmore joined the other Masters around Michaela.

Looking around, Nadia spotted something on the floor a few yards away. Walking over to it, she saw that it was Michaela's flute, cracked cleanly in half. She reached down to pick it up, but when her hand touched it, it shocked her. Pulling back, she noticed that her gauntlet was shining brighter than usual. She touched the flute again, more carefully this time, and was able to pick it up without being shocked. She heard a gasp from behind her, and walked back over to Michaela.

"What… who…" Michaela was sitting up now, but she looked scared, frantically looking from one Master to the next. Her breathing was short and fast. She was panicking.

Nadia sighed. She couldn't deal with more than she had to today. "Do you really not remember us, Michaela?"

The girl looked up at her, and after a moment, her panic faded and she slumped. "No… it's okay. I—" Suddenly she sat straight up again, but now she looked more shocked than scared.

"What? What's wrong?" Nadia knelt next to her student.

A moment later Michaela turned to her, amazement and confusion on her face. "I remember."

Nadia nodded. "Yes, you said—"

"No, Nadia… I remember. Before." Nadia couldn't breathe for a moment. None of the Masters could. Michaela turned away from Nadia, deeply in thought. Then she started crying. "Nadia… It's awful."