Episode Seventy-Eight

"Who Are The Ancient Ones?"

The Ancient Ones kneel across from each other in the circular chamber, each in their respective cardinal direction. In the center the Great One continues to form.

"Hallowed is the Great One," The North says clearly as red eyes begin to shine in the darkness.

This statement of obedience and loyalty does not have the expected result. A screeching roar echoes in the chamber and the Ancient Ones fall back in pain and sudden fear.

"You have failed me," The Voice of the Great One speaks. "You were meant to bring about my glory and instead you fell asleep and the world was conquered by small minded imbeciles who want to believe they are more than they are. This is unacceptable!"

"We had no way of knowing," the South replies. Her voice is pleading and desperate. "We only wish to serve you."

The Great One scoffs at this. "Your continued failure offends me," The Great One replies, somewhat off hand. "I demand rectification." The chamber begins to quake. "And that begins with sacrifice."

"Please understand," the West begs, inching closer. "There is a power that is new to us. We had not anticipated..."

"No, it is too late," The Great One cuts him off. "You are no longer making me happy." Some of the wispy smoke swirls over and surrounds the West. "You are inexperienced and annoying." Another waft of smoke surrounds the North. "You are slow and arrogant." The Great One swells in rage. "Be gone from me! Be gone from my future! Just be Gone!"

There is a sickening noise and unearthly shrieking as the chamber shakes. The glowing light of the North and West goes out. They are gone.

"Now," The Great One speaks in a cheerful tone. "You and you." The East and the South exchange worried looks. "Go to Japan." A mirthful and highly devious laugh fills the room. "I desire a Woman."

Meanwhile, in the Archive

Ashlee looks up at one of the display walls as the Archive begins to pull up information. "So, who are the Ancient Ones?"

Ma'at looks at the streaming words in front of her face. "Hmm."

"Hmm?" Ashlee looks back over her shoulder. "What Hmm?"

"Well it does not actually tell us much," Ma'at replies. She sounds surprised and disappointed. "There are Four, associated with the Cardinal directions."

Thoth looks over his sister-wife's shoulder. "One female, three male."

Ashlee arches an eyebrow. "That's not very balanced, is it?" She says to Reese, who shrugs.

"Pestilence, Famine, Death, War," Ma'at continues to read off.

Reese frowns. "The Four Horsemen?"

"And more," Thoth confirms. "They have been many things."

"They're a paradox," Ma'at says in a voice of amazement. "They came from the future, went into the past. They've created themselves, albeit inadvertently."

Thoth looks up at Neah and Taylor. "They aren't of this Earth."

"But in some ways they are?" Ma'at reads questioningly. "This doesn't make sense."

Thoth looks confused at what he's reading. "They're Harbingers."

Pizoku and his father jump when the other five react to the word. "Harbingers," Neah repeats. She moves to look over Ma'at's other shoulder.

"Bringers of the First One," Thoth reads slowly, as if something familiar is creeping over him.

"You have Got to be kidding me," Ashlee says. Her whole body seems to have tensed.

"You know," Pizoku observes as he looks from Reese to Taylor to Neah to Jilan to Ashlee and back to Taylor. "You know who they are."

"Who they are doesn't matter," Taylor says with a grave tone. "Whom they serve, does."

Mr. Takenouchi looks down at his son. "What does that mean?" Pizoku shrugs.

"It means that It's back," Taylor replies. He faces away from the others and looks at the image of a smoky demonic visage on one of the holographic displays. "The First Evil has returned."

To Be Continued in Season Four...