After the incident in the Choten's lair and Michaela's unexpected trip to the Water realm, things in the temple were oddly normal. Everyday Michaela would meet Allie, Ray, and Gabe outside the middle school and they would walk to the temple together. They would train, or research creatures, or sometimes just do homework and talk. Michaela split her time either training or helping Nadia in the library. She had stopped being late as often now that she walked with the others, though there was still the occasional accidental creature-summoning.
Despite Master Brightmore's misgivings, Michaela's training had improved considerably since she had started working with Athena. The two had begun to communicate telepathically, and could now make simple attacks without giving any indication of their plan to their opponent. Even with this sudden improvement, however, the other acolytes were still lightyears ahead of her. Michaela still couldn't consistently summon basic creatures, and more often than not even Athena would refuse to come through the veil on her first try.
Nothing had come of Michaela's renewed memories. Sometimes the kids would catch her staring into space, looking worried and more than a little sad, but if they questioned her about it she just brushed them off. Even the Masters didn't seem to know what had happened. None of them wanted to press her about it, though all of them were worried.
After a full afternoon of training, they would all go upstairs, where Michaela would lock up the studio and they would each go their separate ways home. Gracie was just as concerned about Michaela as any of the Duel Masters, but, like them, she understood that Michaela was trying to create as normal a life as possible right now. Every so often Gracie would gently push her adoptive daughter to tell her something, but Michaela would usually ignore it, or sometimes even go up to her room and lock the door behind her.
But despite her best efforts to get things back to normal, there was nothing Michaela could do about the increase in creature incidents. And they weren't just getting more frequent; they were getting more dangerous. The attack on the bank for the Helm of Ultimate Technology had required four Masters to get involved, and even then, they had very nearly been defeated. The last few attacks had required the use of Cyber Viruses on bystanders, and Master Brightmore had added a massive number of new Stalker Spheres to his surveillance system in an attempt to get duelists to a situation before it could get out of hand. But even as prepared as they were, they all knew that whatever happened next was going to shake the very foundations of the order.
Michaela appreciated everyone trying to give her space. For the moment, all she could think about was how nice it would be to go back to normalcy. She knew she was being a bit childish by ignoring her problems, but whenever she sat down to try and think through everything, it felt like her mind shut down. It was all just too unthinkable.
It didn't help that there was still a huge gap in her memory. The first part of her timeline was still a massive hole she couldn't even begin to fill in, and there was a defensive part of her that kept saying she shouldn't start to figure things out until she had the whole picture. This was also childish, she knew, but she couldn't get past it. Sometimes she wanted to talk to Gracie about it. Being a psychologist, she would probably understand what was going on in her head, but Michaela still wasn't sure she wanted to talk about the things she had remembered until she understood it herself. She had thought confronting August about it might help, but it just made her angry as well as sad and confused. At this point, she didn't know what was happening to her, or what to do about it. So she was ignoring it. It was the best she could do just then.
During the episodes Darkness of Heart Parts 1 and 2:
"It goes without saying that locating Allison's father is our top priority," Master Chavez said. Ray, Allie, and Gabe were waiting in Master Jaha's lair with Masters Chavez, Nadia, and Jaha. They had just returned from the attack on the bank, and were preparing to go to the Darkness realm to find Allie's dad.
"So why aren't Masters Kimora and Brightmore coming?" Ray asked.
Master Jaha answered. "Their creatures of Nature and Light will be at a disadvantage in the Darkness realm. And, they are natural enemies to the Darkness creatures we will encounter."
"They will remain in reserve to prepare our escape, if necessary." Master Nadia added.
"Sounds like Duel Master business as usual," Gabe commented, making Ray chuckle. But he stopped laughing when he heard Allie sniffling, doing her best not to cry. "Did I say something wrong?" Gabe asked, worried.
Ray replied, "She's just worried about her dad." He turned to Allie. "We're gonna find him, Allie. And we will bring him home safe. I swear."
Just then Michaela ran down the steps, her gauntlet powered up and ready. "Careful," Nadia said as her student nearly slipped.
"Are you coming, too?" Gabe asked as she reached them.
"Yeah," Michaela said. "Athena grew up in the Darkness realm, so she should be able to help us."
They started down the long, winding series of steps that led to a place where the Darkness realm could be reached. "That's something I've been meaning to ask about," Gabe said to Michaela. "Athena's a three-realm hybrid, right? How does that happen?"
"Well," Michaela said, getting into teacher mode. "Usually a tri-hybrid is second generation, so, say if Bob had a kid with a Darkness creature, you'd get a Nature-Fire-Darkness creature."
"That makes sense."
"You said usually," Ray joined the conversation. "What about the rest of the time?"
"Sometimes a normal hybrid creature is raised in another realm," Michaela said. "So they're not a true tri-hybrid, but they usually pick up enough traits and abilities from their adoptive realm to be considered one."
"And that's what Athena is, right?"
"Yep. There was a Fire attack on the Water realm just after she was born, and while they were trying to escape she fell into a pit that led to the Darkness civilization."
"Jeez," Gabe said. "I mean that's a pretty harsh origin story."
"The creature realm is harsh. That's why we're not supposed to go there."
"But wait," Ray added, thinking back to training. "When Athena gets defeated, she fades out purple, like a Darkness creature. Shouldn't she fade blue or yellow, if those are the civilizations she really is?"
Michaela shook her head. "Darkness is the civilization she chose. That makes it more real than any realm she was born into."
As she finished her explanation, they reached the bottom of the steps.
"I have arranged to meet a… contact, in the Darkness realm," Master Jaha said. "Its information is reliable, if not its character." She did the kata to open the veil, and the seven of them walked through into darkness.
"Ugh," Gabe groaned as he stepped on something gross and alive. "This place is just as charming as I remembered."
Out of nowhere a ghostly, purplish figure appeared. "Dear Master Jaha," it said in a voice like icy wind. "It's been ages. Literally."
"You have information, Slyth?"
"Rumors, mostly. Whispers, of an adult human male, sighted in the territory of Megaria."
Jaha sighed. "Why did it have to be her?"
Allie ran up to the shade, completely unafraid. "So can you take us to this Megaria or not?"
"The journey is quite far," Slyth murmured. "You will require transportation."
"I will not ride a Darkness creature," Nadia cut in.
Chavez agreed. "I can't think of one we could ride."
"Way ahead of you," Allie said, pulling a tablet from her backpack. "Locomotivator of Bleak Trestle!" she called, as she performed the Darkness kata. A veil breach opened, but the creature did not immediately appear.
"Allison! No!" Chavez shouted.
"You have neither the strength nor the experience to summon such a creature!" Nadia warned.
Jaha thought differently. "She won't know unless she tries."
"I can do it," Allie said, yelling to be heard over the creature's train whistle. "I will do it!" Despite her determination, though, the creature kept pulling back into the breach. Seeing that Allie was struggling, Ray went over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder, lending her the mana she needed. With that help, Allie yanked her gauntlet a final time, and Locomotivator came through the breach and halted just in front of them. While everyone else looked on in shock, Allie looked unimpressed and climbed onto the train-like creature. "All aboard," she said darkly.
"Mhm," Jaha said in a wordless I-told-you-so.
Once the other six members of the group had climbed onboard Locomotivator, Allie directed it to start forward.
As they moved through the cave network making up the Darkness realm, Jaha went up to Allie. "You and I are kindred, Allison," she said. "Your mana grows strong in the Darkness."
"This isn't Darkness," Allie replied. "It's focus. Nothing will stop me from finding my father."
Suddenly the earth all around them shook, and Locomotivator almost jumped its tracks. Looming in front of them was a colossal creature made of white rock streaked with red.
Michaela looked up in awe. "Is that a—"
"Earthstomp Giant!" Chavez finished.
"What's he doing here?" Ray wondered aloud.
"He seeks the Shield of Unity," Slyth whispered behind them. "Those Nature creatures have attacked our realm ever since they lost their most valuable artifact down here."
"Return to the Nature realm, Giant," Chavez yelled to the Nature creature. "We do not have your shield."
"That's not going to work," Michaela said. "Those things have completely one-track minds."
"Yeah," Gabe added. "It's like talking to a statue. Actually, it's a lot like talking to a statue."
"Enough talk," Allie decided. "Locomotivator, full steam ahead." And with that she moved the train-like creature forward, hoping to rush the mountain in front of them.
It didn't quite work.
When Earthstomp Giant noticed the train coming towards it, it did what any four year old child would: it picked it up. All of the humans aboard the train fell to all fours to avoid falling off the ever increasing slope of the train, but their spectral guide had no need to do so.
"Hey," Ray said as Slyth floated serenely away from the battle. "Where are you going?"
Slyth replied while gliding through the wall of the cave. "I prefer not to get involved with these inter-civilization disputes."
Allie, meanwhile, had continued to force Locomotivator forward, ignoring the dangers around them. "Allison!" Master Jaha called. "The Darkness within you cannot overcome every obstacle!"
"I won't know unless I try," Allie countered, and summoned Squeaky. As the train rocked and shook, Allie's partner creature leaped happily through the veil. "No time for hugs, Squeaky. I need you to speak to Stonezilla in a language he can understand." With that, she directed Squeaky towards the monster. Morphing into her more beastly form, the Darkness creature blasted one of the Giant's arms apart with a sonic blast, effectively freeing Locomotivator. The train fell, jarring everyone aboard. They barely had time to reorient themselves before Allie yelled for them to hold on tightly and pushed Locomotivator forward at full speed.
Unfortunately, Locomotivator's full speed was still not as fast as Earthstomp Giant's, and the Nature creature quickly caught up. Nadia had knocked her head during the fall, and was just standing up as the Giant made a swing at the train.
"Nadia!" Michaela cried, but she was too far away at the other end of the train to do anything.
"Get down!" Chavez yelled, and tackled her. They hit the ground just as Earthstomp swung its arm overhead. Once the danger had passed, Chavez blushed. "Low bridge," he said.
"Uh, guys?" Gabe interjected from across the train. "Low bridge is on the move!" Sure enough, Earthstomp Giant was closing in again. Just as it looked like it was about to slow down, it opened its cavernous mouth and started spewing rock. Locomotivator narrowly dodged the new assault, but the fight now called for more offense.
"Tatsurion the Unchained!" Ray summoned.
Upon arriving, Bob turned to see why he had been called. "Earthstomp Giant, eh?"
"Long story."
"Tell it to me later." Bob then unfolded the rocket launchers from the armor on his shoulders and started firing at the Nature creature. That slowed it down, but it wouldn't be enough.
"We need reinforcements," Chavez decided, and he, Master Nadia, and Michaela all summoned their respective creatures. But Gilaflame's fire did nothing to stop the lumbering mountain, and Rusalka and Athena's telepathic attacks did little more.
"How do we stop this thing," Ray wondered, "drop a house on it?"
Michaela's face suddenly lit up. "Not a house," she said.
"A cave!" Gabe finished, the same eureka look on his face.
"Aim for the ceiling!" Michaela yelled as she directed Athena to do just that. Nadia and Ray did the same.
"I know we're in trouble," Allie was saying to Squeaky. "Just get out there and fight the Giant." With help from all four creatures, they managed to create a localized collapse of the tunnel, crushing Earthstomp Giant. Unfortunately, the collapsing roof forced Locomotivator to move faster, and before Allie noticed the danger, they were rushing down a steep cliff.
No one was too badly hurt in the crash, but Michaela sprained her ankle and Locomotivator was critically damaged. When Allie tried to move it, it shook and rumbled for a moment before falling still again. Allie kicked it in frustration.
Jaha was more composed. "This creature is part machine. It won't require just a healer, it will require a mechanic."
"I happen to know a good one." Gabe summoned Gargle, but the little Water creature's analysis of the damage wasn't good. It would take a while before Locomotivator would move again.
Searching for ideas, Ray made a suggestion. "Could we ride Athena?" he asked, thinking the hawk-like creature would be able to carry at least two of them.
The tri-hybrid scowled around her beak. "No," Michaela said, not needing to hear her partner's response.
"Sorry," Allie said. "I'm not waiting." With that, she started walking off into the Darkness.
"How will you find your father now that our guide has abandoned us?" Jaha called.
"I never abandon my charges." The icy murmur was followed through the cave wall by its owner. "I merely possess an elevated sense of self-preservation."
"Then take me to my father," Allie ordered. "Now."
Slyth suddenly turned a darker purple, hissing.
"You cannot enter Darkness," Jaha cautioned softly, "without darkness entering you. You need not make this journey alone."
"We're going, too," Ray said, motioning to Gabe and himself.
"We'll stay here with Gargle," Michaela said. She had wrapped her injured ankle in an ace bandage and was now able to move without too much trouble. "We'll try to catch up with you once Locomotivator's back up and operational."
So the mixed group of humans and creatures split up, one to continue on, the other to wait.
Fixing up Locomotivator didn't take nearly as long as Gargle had thought it would. With the help of three simultaneous healing spells, they were back on the move in short order. It didn't take much longer for them to catch up to the others and continue on their way.
They were moving along quickly when the next attack came. This time, their attackers were on all sides: Skeleton Soldiers on the ground, Skull Cutters in the air, and a Venom Worm slithering wildly all around. Allie pushed Locomotivator to move faster, plowing through the Skeleton Soldiers, but then the Skull Cutters began attacking from above.
"Athena, cover us!" Michaela called, and the massive birdlike creature began swooping about above them, knocking Skull Cutters out of the sky. Bob soon joined in with his missiles, and Nadia and Chavez directed Rusalka and Gilaflame to help as well. Meanwhile Squeaky and the newly summoned Black Feather focused on the Skeleton Soldiers swarming up Locomotivator's sides, while Gabe and Gargle used one of the train's upgrades to attack the Venom Worm.
"We must protect Allison," Jaha called to the others. "If she is defeated, Locomotivator will be banished, and we with it!"
Black Feather did its best to keep the Skeleton Soldiers from getting to Allie, but was soon overwhelmed. Just as it seemed that the Skull Cutters were dropping in numbers, a handful of Boom Skulls joined the fray. One caught Gilaflame right in the chest, banishing him. "Rusalka, go to his defense!" Nadia called, sending her creature to help the now defenseless Chavez. But the blow banished her, while back at the front of the train Allie had been pulled from her place onto the cavern floor. Squeaky and Ray jumped off of Locomotivator to help her, but before anyone else could do anything, the Venom Worm caught hold of the train in its jaws. A moment later Locomotivator was defeated, and the train vanished along with Gabe, Michaela, the Masters, and their remaining creatures. The only ones left were Allie, Ray, Squeaky, and Athena, who had been mid-flight. But as the three on the ground shook off their attackers, Athena was still struggling with a remaining Boom Skull, and after a moment was defeated herself, leaving Allie, Ray, and Squeaky to fend for themselves in the Darkness realm.
Left with only Tatsurion for protection, and no one to fight with even him, Gabe, Michaela, and the Masters were just doing their best to get away from the Venom Worm without getting lost.
"It's too well armored in the front!" Jaha yelled to Bob. "Aim for the soft spot, just behind the head plate!"
But Bob couldn't get past the head without the Worm snapping at him. Despite being blind, the creature had incredibly fine-tuned hearing, and it could tell exactly where Bob was going to be a moment before he got there.
Just then, Ray, Squeaky, and Mr. Underhill were led by Slyth out onto a rocky path high up on the cave's wall. Ray couldn't see the group of humans from so far up, but he could see the Venom Worm perfectly clearly. But when he geared up his gauntlet for a fight, the Venom Worm heard, and it turned to attack. This gave Bob the perfect opportunity to go for the back of the creature's head, as Jaha had advised. His direct hit convinced the Worm that this group was not worth chasing anymore, but not before it slammed Bob against the cave wall, banishing him. It was only then that Ray saw Bob, and, assuming the others must be nearby, he hurried after Slyth.
"Ray!" Gabe called, seeing his friend walking towards them. "Glad to have you back!" The boys did an exasperatingly complicated handshake while the rest of the group walked over.
"Where's Allie?" Michaela asked, voicing the question on everyone's mind.
"She banished us," Ray explained. "And stayed behind with Megaria to save us. Now we have to go save her."
"Every moment Allison spends with Megaria increases the risk she'll be consumed by Darkness." Jaha said ominously.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Everyone turned toward Mr. Underhill to find that he had picked up an old sword and shield and was waving them around. Michaela went over to keep him from hurting himself with the old weapon while the Masters discussed the situation.
"If he thinks Megaria is his wife, it is because she is using his most heartfelt desire against him."
"Even if he wasn't in his current, ah, condition, Mr. Underhill would need to be watched every moment."
"Best not to have a distraction." Master Nadia walked over to where Michaela had just convinced Allie's dad to give her the sword. Nadia summoned a Cyber Virus to clear his memories of the past few days, saying that she and Michaela would take him home. Michaela, usually a little nervous around Cyber Viruses, was particularly so now, not letting it out of her sight until Nadia had dismissed it.
Ray went over to Squeaky, who had been standing patiently to one side. "Squeaky, we need you to help lead Master Nadia and Allie's dad out of here." Squeaky shook her head fervently, not wanting to leave without Allie again. "I know you want to help Allie," Ray said understandingly, "but she needs you to save her dad." Reluctantly, Squeaky agreed.
Meanwhile, Chavez was speaking to Master Nadia. "Stay safe, Nad—er, Master Lobachevski." Nadia only nodded, and began to lead Mr. Underhill out of the cave, but Jaha noticed Chavez's near slip. "Mhm," she muttered knowingly. Blushing, Chavez looked away, only to see Michaela still standing there, looking at him with a questioning smirk. This only made his blush worse, until Master Nadia called to her student. Michaela gave him a knowing grin, then turned and walked as fast as she could on her injured ankle to catch up with the others. Chavez sighed. He had thought he'd been doing pretty well at keeping his crush under wraps. Apparently not.