~ Feeling Down ~

Maybe it was all those years of open skies, but being underground didn't sit well with Finn. Even as their guides lead them to a massive cavern, an impressive city carved into the walls and stalagmites, it didn't matter. They were still goodness knows how many miles below the surface. It put the sharp-shooter on edge.

His nerves weren't settled much by Piper's cryptic answers. Junko was taken away to the infirmary, and their guides had put them into a grand hallway. Now, the remaining Storm Hawks were waiting for something. Finn could tell that Piper knew what, or who, they were waiting for. It pissed Finn off that she wasn't sharing. She wouldn't have kept it secret from Aerrow. Hell, Aerrow probably didn't need to be told. The Sky Knight had been with Piper the last time the Storm Hawks has met with disaster on Circini. Piper and Aerrow had gotten separated from the main group when the Condor had crashed from the messed up magnet field the stupid mountain gave off. They had popped back, saving the rest of the crew from freezing to death. They didn't explain what had happened or where they had disappeared to; just they had some new allies.

Finn had been willing to let the secret lie then, but he was regretting it now.

But the weird thing was - Piper looked excited, like a kid at Christmas. Finn had only ever seen her like when she was drooling over a new crystal, or over Aerrow's usual heroics. He never remembered her getting excited over him. And the thought stung a little.

"Will you quit sulking," Piper whispered, clearly not impressed.

The blond opened his mouth for a smart retort, but someone, (a guard?) arrived and ushered them into another room.

"Greetings, Storm Hawks."

~ Falling Behind ~

Finn heard Stork squeak behind him. Finn didn't blame him, the sharpshooter was sure he had squeaked too. The woman that greeted them wasn't human. Or a Merb, or Blizzarian. He didn't know what she was. Or if she was truly even female. The only good indicator was that it was wearing a dress and it's voice sounded feminine. It possessed a long neck, and an extended oblong, hairless skull. Its body looked delicate and wraith-like. It had too many fingers and its skin seemed translucent with a soft lavender cast. The strangest part was the eyes; they were lavender as well, but bright and vivid with a glow emanating from them. It reminded Finn vaguely of an insect; some giant purple bug.

Piper darted forward, gushing. "Oh, it's so good to see you again, Agate."

Agate graciously accepted Piper's hug. "And it is good to have you return, child."

Agate looked around, blinking languidly. "Two of your party is absent, where are Aerrow and Radarr?"

Piper bit her lip, her eyes starting to fill with unshed tears. "We don't know. They went missing months ago."

Agate tilted her head, scrutinizing Piper's face. "But you have an idea who might be the cause of their disappearance, do you not?"

"We do," Piper agreed, an edge to her tone. "And I think I'm ready now."

Agate sagely nodded her head. "You are."

Finn suddenly felt two steps behind everyone. "Okay, hold on," Finn interrupted loudly, "What's going on, what are we missing here? And who are you?"

"You have questions," Agate commented, "How rude of me. Please sit, and I shall answer them."

Finn and Stork seated themselves on the throw pillows on the floor, Piper sighed in aggravation as she plunked down.

"I shall answer you're first question. I am Agate."

~ Agate ~

"Agate is merely what I am called though. I have another name, from my language. But the human tongue has difficulty pronouncing it, so I haven't been called it in many years. The name of my people also doesn't also translate well into the human language, but for as long as my people remember we have been called the Masters."

Stork raised his hands up, calling for the conversation to stop. "Wait, the Masters? Like the Masters on the Council?"

"Not quite, they actually took their title from us. We were their teachers; we were the first crystal mages."

"What?" Finn yelped, "You guys are teaching those psychos?"

"Finn!" Piper hissed in embarrassment.

"No, he is correct, Piper. But he is also wrong. Yes, we taught the first mages, the ones you now call 'Masters.' We were the ones to help build their great cities and their impressive technology. But, it has been nearly a hundred years since the last of my people taught anyone the Ways. The Council has corrupted and corroded the values they were taught. We do not condone this."

"They why aren't you doing anything? Like, if you're the original Masters why don't you whoop their butts?" Finn argued, getting another glare from Piper.

Agate sighed. "I am only one, young Storm Hawk, and they are many."

"Well, what about the rest of your people?" Stork asked cautious.

"We were an old and dying race when we began our teachings. There were only a handful of us left when the Council formed and abandoned the Ways. We realized they planned to create a tyrannical empire, so we created the Gate. We trapped them to the Farside, making their dreams of an empire dashed. They then slaughtered us at any opportunity with the very tools we had given them as vengeance. I am now the last."

~ Ready ~

Silence hung heavy in the chamber.

What could one say at the revelation of genocide? Finn knew he was at a loss for words. Thankfully, Stork seemed to come to the rescue.

"You said Piper was ready, ready for what?"he asked, clearly suspicious.

Agate just sagely nodded her head. "I am the last: when I die all my knowledge shall disappear with me. It is time that the Ways were once again taught. When Piper first arrived, she was not ready for the sacrifices that the Ways demand of oneself."

Agate dropped her shoulder, an elegant and fluid motion, "Now, I believe she understands that sacrifices are necessary for the greater good, before we lose something truly important."

Piper looked subjugated as Agate spoke, her shoulders dropping and her eyes focused on the floor. "I'm sorry," she mumbled.

Agate just wore a soft smile. "It's alright, child, we each have our own time and pace. It was not meant to be when you first arrived, but now it is.

"What do you mean by sacrifices?" Finn asked, nervous. His mind was going in the worst kind of directions.

"The personal kind; have you never heard 'with great power comes great responsibility'?"

"Whatever, it just better not hurt Piper," Finn warned aggressively. The thought of losing Piper... it just sent his entire world spinning into the dark at the thought.

Agate looked saddened at the accusation, Piper was furious. The 'Master' spoke before Piper was able to let her tongue lash out. "Of course, not. Never."

Agate looked at the young cinnamon-skinned woman before her with a motherly fondness. "Piper is dear to me. And I am sure she will carry all our hopes for the future. I would rather die than see harm come to her."

A/N: Shame on me, I should really stop introducing new characters. Though its understandable seeing as how all the canon allies are across interdimensional gate. And oh, look, backstory!