It had just been a simple transporting mission. The Hyper Inzecter was developed in Smart Brain Tokyo and based on the reports Shadow had received it had the power to travel through space and time. With power like that, anyone could make themselves a god. This was why Shadow had volunteered the Z-Titans to guard the hummer while they transported the Inzecter to Smart Brain JC where it would be further tested and then locked in the vault so no one could get to it. Pluto and Gizmo designed the vault and there were a lot of security measures. Both Pluto and Gizmo explained what exactly did what but Shadow merely nodded his head. He had more to think about than techno-babble.
In any case, the Z-Titans (Shadowcobra, Draco, Pluto, Terra, Jinx, Blackfire, Mortuary and Renia) were traveling alongside the hummer when suddenly the Knights of Tartarus (formerly known as Team Tartarus) ambushed them. Copycat had demanded they give them the Hyper Inzecter and she snapped her fingers to reveal an army of Slade's androids ready to attack on her command.
To put it simply, it had been chaotic.
When the suitcase carrying the Hyper Inzecter was knocked open, nobody noticed it right away. Well, almost no one.
"IT'S MINE!" Copycat yelled out as she lunged for it.
"NOT THIS TIME, ONEECHAN!" Draco protested as he too made a grab for it.
The twins grabbed the Inzecter at the same time, fighting over it as they pulled on it hard. Somehow, while they were fighting, one of them touched the switched.
"HYPER CLOCK UP!" the Hyper Inzecter cried out in a robotic voice.
Suddenly, there was a green flash, the scream of the twins and then…silence.
Draco and Copycat were gone as well as the Hyper Inzecter.
This was VERY bad.
The Knights of Tartaurs then retreated, ARMS dragging Aqua away as she went hysterical at Copycat's disappearance. They disappeared when the Slade Bots distracted the Titans
The Z-Titans quickly dealt with the robots but returned to the Tower, feeling lost. Jinx, of course, was feeling the worse. She was not in a good mood. Who would be after witnessing her brother getting vaporized by an Inzecter?
Pluto was in his lab, trying to figure out what had happened at a scientific perspective. The Inzecter had activated, meaning Ryuki was lost in time somewhere but alive. This brought some hope to their currently hopeless situation. However, Pluto had no idea where Ryuki could be right now and that was what worried them. Jinx was going through some spell books she had gotten from her room and Renia was doing the same. They were looking for either a tracking spell, or a retrieval spell or even a time traveling spell. No such luck, however, since most of the spells required a blood sacrifice or the use of ingredients that had disappeared off the face of the Earth.
They were nearly at the end of their rope when Shadow came into the room with Pluto. The Snake Knight had been doing some thinking and research and, reluctantly, he made a decision.
"I'm going to call a certain dimension hopper," he said to them, "Antonitis Fenton McCrown."
"Already here," said Ant, shocking the heck out of everyone.
"Where did you come from?" Renia cried.
"Ant…" Shadow hissed.
"Oh, hello, Desmond," Ant smiled as he walked over to his once comrade in arms. "I heard what happened and quickly rushed over as soon as I could."
"Under different circumstances, I wouldn't even be asking for your help," Shadow glared at the man but then sighed, "But we have an emergency. One of our teammates…friends was caught in the activation of an experimental device."
"The Hyper Inzecter," Ant stated, nodding. "You know, this reminds me of another similar device from another universe."
"Whatever," Shadow said, cutting him off. "Just go."
"Mr. McCrown?" Jinx asked, timidly. Her eyes were still a little wet from the tears she had wept. "Can you find him, please?" Jinx really loved Ryuki, as a matter of fact, and he gave her the strength to live while she did the same for him.
"I'll do my best, Miss Wilcox," Ant grinned. "There ain't no universe I can't go!" Then, a swirling portal formed behind him and with a salute he jumped in.
"He seems nice," Terra observed. "I wonder why you don't like him, Shadow."
"I have my reasons," Shadow hissed and then he gave Pluto a glare that meant, 'Tell them or you're toast!' before he stalked out of the Common Room.
"What was that about?" Mortuary questioned.
"He looks like he has something up his butt," Blackfire joked.
"Ant and Shadow have…history," Pluto told them, choosing his words carefully. "Let's just say that, well, those two didn't get along well when they first met."
"I think that was pretty obvious," Renia replied.
"Still, if he can help find Ryuki for us…" Jinx said hopefully.
"I hope so too, Jinx," Pluto said with a sigh. "I hope so too."
Slade's mansion…
Rose had demanded that her father get the best scientists to find Kat. She was becoming increasingly hysterical as she yelled at her father. He had seen all that had happened.
"Katherine's disappearance because of her own recklessness and failure," he said firmly.
Little Cathy was peaking from behind the door as she watched her Auntie Rose and Papa Slade arguing. Grant came down and saw her. Even if he didn't show it as much, he still cared for Kat.
"Daddy, please!" Rose pleaded. She was still in armor but without the helmet. "Kat, she could be…" Slade placed a comforting hand on his youngest daughter's shoulder.
"Even though Katherine failed to retrieve the Inzecter, she might've just found out its function. I will do my best to gather the resources to bring her back," he said. Rose looked up and then jumped, flinging her arms around her father. Slade was still not used to this show of affection. Heck he was a super villain for crying out loud. Katherine was still his apprentice and he had an obligation to retrieve and then reprimand her for her failure. He just hoped for Rose and Cathy's sake that she was alright.
"What's wrong with the way I dress?" Kat asked.
"Well your brand of clothing would gather…a lot of unwanted attention," Azula chose her words carefully. Kat was wearing the uniform Slade had given her and a tight black full bodysuit that accentuated her curves was not something she should be wearing in the presence of the fire princess. "Tomorrow we'll be going to a town already taken over by the Fire Nation. We can find you some new clothes there."
"Don't bother," Kat said with a gleam. She took a careful look at Azula, Mai and Ty Lee's clothing and then snapped her fingers. A black ring of light floated up from under her feet and as it swept over her body, her clothes changed. Ty Lee clapped and Mai quirked an eyebrow.
"Cool trick!" Ty Lee complimented, applauding.
"I agree," Mai added in monotone. "Do you do kids' parties?"
Kat scowled at Mai. Her clothing was a combination of all three girl's clothing. It was blood red color with wide hakama pants and black sandals with black socks. Her top was a midriff bearing and held her symbol (the Cat) on the. It also had black sleeves that ended at the wrists with red cuffs. Her hair was in a ponytail and she still had her bow on. Her goggles were worn around her neck. She wore a pair of gloves with retractable claws and a whip around her waist. She looked both stylish and deadly.
"Impressive," Azula complimented. It was not precisely what she would have chosen for Copycat, and that did somewhat irk her… But she was astute enough to conceal her annoyance and not make a point of it. Time enough for such things at a later date.
"It was something I picked up. I have the ability to assume anyone's form so why not their clothes?" The hakama gave her freedom to move and the sandals were comfortable, she noted.
"Anyone?" Azula inquired, her interest piqued. Kat's appearance then shimmered to look exactly like…Azula!
"Anyone," 'Azula' grinned.
"Woah, seeing double!" Ty Lee shouted out.
"Okay, I have to admit that is impressive," Mai blurted out.
Azula stepped around Kat who was disguised as her and closely inspected the illusion, looking for any flaws or errors in detail. As far as she could tell, there were none. And that by itself, spoke volumes not only in this 'copying' ability of hers, but also her own ability to observe."Very nice," Azula said, allowing a hint of admiration to seep into her voice. It did no harm to flatter their ally until Azula could be certain of a firmer hold on her.
"Arigatou, Azula-ojousama," Kat bowed after reassuming her own form.
"Time to make camp, ladies." Azula ordered. "I want you all fresh for tomorrow." She added, getting up. "We'll get new clothes for Copycat, later."
"Welcome to the team!" Ty Lee exclaimed as she glomped Kat. Kat felt herself blushing as the girl's body was pressed against hers. She chanted mentally to keep herself faithful to Rose.
Sokka, Katara, Aang and Toph laughed at another one of Ryuki's stories. He was chuckling lightly.
"Aw, man! That Pluto guy's a riot!" Sokka exclaimed.
"He actually shrank you all?" Katara said in the midst of giggles.
"Boy, he sounds like a lot of fun," Aang added.
"He sounds like a disaster waiting to happen," Toph finished.
Ryuki and his new friends had exchanged stories. He felt sorry for Katara and Sokka who had lost their mother because of the Fire Nation. It reminded him of how he lost his own father even if he remembered little about him. He also empathized with Aang who had been given a huge responsibility at a young age. He couldn't blame the young Airbender for running away. He himself had done it a lot. Toph's story reminded him of another friend of his, an old classmate who led a sheltered life because of her parents. He wondered how she was doing.
When he heard about Aang's mission, he immediately jumped to his feet and said, without hesitation, "I'll help!" Since he just might be stuck in this world, he might as well make new friends and help save this world from the Fire Nation.
Fire Nation…Firebenders…Sokka didn't like them. He didn't reveal his own fire powers because he was afraid that they might turn on his because of them. He did, however, tell them about his armor, cards and other powers with a bit of a demonstration. Katara was impressed as he generated ice from his hands. Toph was impressed by his earth manipulation powers and Sokka…well, when he told them he could see the future…he laughed and was very skeptical. He reminded him a bit of Pluto who was mainly scientific in mind. However, when he predicted that Sokka would trip over the same rock, twice, they had to believe him…well, Sokka was still a bit skeptical…even after Ryuki predicted that he was going to find food if he threw his boomerang in the right direction. Ryuki did feel a little sorry for having to kill the animal to be cooked but they didn't have any other choice. Sokka was getting very hungry and well…his drooling was a little unsettling to look at. It reminded him a bit of Cyborg. Katara and Aang had gone to collect fruits from the forest. For some reason, Ryuki thought that Aang might have a crush on Katara.
He began to think about his friends back home in his world. What were they doing now and how were they holding up? Did they think he just died or working on how to bring him back?
Thinking of his friends made him think about Jinx…the love of his life. He sighed sadly. He hoped she would remain strong in his absence on not do anything crazy. They were each other's pillar, the person they leaned on for support. He sighed deeply again, catching Sokka's attention.
"What's wrong with you?" the young Water Tribesman asked the Dragon Knight.
"I miss them, everyone," Ryuki replied.
"I see what you mean. The way you were talking about them, they sound like a bunch of people you can't help but miss."
"Sokka-san, have you ever been in love?" Ryuki asked. Sokka looked up at the moon.
"Yes, I have."
"Who was it?"
"Princess Yue from the North Water Tribe. She was the most beautiful girl I ever met."
Ryuki then heard Sokka's tone turn to sadness and when he heard 'was' he asked, "What happened to her?" He had no right to ask. It was something private.
"She died to protect the Tribe," Sokka answered. "Became the spirit of the moon." He looked up into the sky.
"She must've been very amazing," Ryuki emphasized.
"She was," Sokka admitted. "Every time I look at the moon I swear that she's watching over us."
"Maybe she is," Ryuki said. He added, "Someone once told me that the people you care about are not really gone as long as you hold them in your heart." Ryuki placed a hand to his chest.
"Good advice. Who gave it to you?"
"Tazuka," Ryuki said and then he looked at the river. "A friend of mine."
"How is he?"
"Dead," was Ryuki's abrupt answer. Sokka was stunned.
"I'm sorry," it was Sokka's turn to be sympathetic.
"He was my best friend and he died to protect me while I did nothing. I felt useless and well…" Ryuki sighed. "Why are we talking about such depressing things?"
"Hey, you started it!" Sokka pointed in mock accusation.
"Hai, hai," Ryuki waved his hand. "I know. So, where are we going after this?"
"We'll be flying around until we find another town to restock for supplies. Until then we need to rest. I'm just not sure how we're going to get any supplies. It's not like we have enough money."
"You told me Toph-san was quite wealthy, correct?"
"Yeah, she is, but even her money won't last us that long. We need to stop the Fire Lord and help Aang master all the elements before Sozin's Comet comes which is by the end of the summer. If we don't, the Fire Lord will end the war in the Fire Nation's favor, and then no one will be safe."
Ryuki contemplated on telling them that he could manipulate fire but how could he tell them? However, Aang already had both a Waterbending and Earthbending teacher. Okay, Ryuki didn't know any of the Firebending moves in this world but he assumed that the basics were the same.
"Sokka-san…there's something I need to tell you," Ryuki said.
"Later, right now I'm tired," Sokka said with a yawn.
"I will stand guard then," Ryuki volunteered. "It is the least I can do."
Zuko and Iroh were still traveling together, disguised as refugees. They were also camping out in the forest, the same one that Aang and Azula's groups were camping out.
"Uncle, let's stop here for the night," Zuko said firmly as he laid down a sleeping mat.
"But we haven't had dinner yet," Iroh complained.
"Uncle, the next town is just a few miles away. Just try to hold up until then."
"Okay, but if I pass out you'll have to carry me," Iroh said with a hint of mischief in his wizened voice. Zuko rolled his eyes. He loved his uncle dearly but the man was just too eccentric for his taste. He then noticed something in the bushes. Narrowing his eyes he went over and looked for whatever was inside.
"What are you looking for, nephew?" Iroh questioned.
"I thought I saw something in here. I'm trying to check it out," Zuko replied.
"Just don't get bitten by anything strange," Iroh advised. Zuko smiled. His uncle was more of father to him than his own father. His hand reached deeper into the bush and then his fingers brushed against something metallic.
A/N: What exactly did Zuko find? When will Ryuki tell his new friends about his fire controlling powers? Will Kat become a threat to Aang and an ally to the Fire Nation? Will Ant arrive in this story again? Where is the Hyper Inzecter?
Antonitis Fenton McCrown is an OC created by Ant Crown. His fics are good despite bad grammar.
