Ch.61: The Hero's Legacy! A Storm Brews Within the Lightning Thief!

The team had to admit that, even though they weren't planning on sleeping indoors, the welcoming invitation into a temple for a free stay was an offer they couldn't refuse. After getting their campsite packed away, they were taken to the temple and shown to their rooms. Three rooms for two. Gwyn and Ella obviously shared one. Wes and Flint would have shared a room, but they weren't sure it was best for Tony and Griffin to be confined to the same space for more than ten minutes without getting on each other's nerves. Flint stayed with Tony while Wes bunked with Griffin.

They slept comfortably through the night until the morning…storms rolled in. Not much sun out in the Storm Zone, just more rain and lightning. It was either a cloudy day at best or hurricane season at worst.

Their caretaker, the Druddigon who revealed himself as Gunnar to them last night, promised a full breakfast so they could discuss objectives in peace. Again, who were they to refuse a free breakfast?

The team eventually found themselves out of bed and made their way down a spiral staircase and to the dining hall, which Wes had a vague recollection of its location after giving himself a brief tour. They were all still in their sleepwear, feeling more comfortable in them after rising from bed. The more gluttonous of their crew, that being Wes, Ella, and Gwyn, smelled the inviting aroma of a fully cooked breakfast and raced off to the dining hall, leaving the other three behind with exasperated faces.

Though, their excitement was not unwarranted. Upon entering their dining hall, they were greeted by a buffet style course presented on a long table. Stacks of pancakes with their choice of syrup, bacon, bowls filled with various fruit, their choice of drinks, a platter of hash browns, etc.

"WOOOW!" Wes, Ella, and Gwyn exclaimed, salivating from their dropped jaws while their eyes sparkled gleefully.

Gunnar the Druddigon, with his hood down and sitting at the end of the table, bowed his head to them. "Do not be strangers. Grab a plate and help yourselves."

"I feel so bad that you cooked all of this for us!" Gwyn expressed tearfully. "I'm not sure I can…" Her eyes widened when she spotted a particular tray sitting on the table. "Are those…lemon squares?"

Gunnar grinned. "When I asked you all about breakfast, you happened to mention your sweet tooth for them. I had the ingredients on hand, so…all for you."

"YAY!" Gwyn dove into her seat and grabbed the whole tray of lemon squares. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mr. Gunnar!" She grabbed one and threw it in her mouth, chewing energetically and savoring the taste that sent chills down her body. She squealed through her closed mouth.

Griffin pulled up a chair opposite of her and seated himself. "Still, this seems like a lot of food."

"Do not worry. I'm in charge of cooking in this temple. My fellow colleagues usually come by to grab their own meals before heading off to their private studies."

Flint sat next to Gwyn and grabbed some pancakes. "So, those other guys were apprentices to the Storm Mage, too?"

"That is correct. The work of the Ten Mages of Order is not an easy task that one can complete alone. You have to be incredibly skilled to earn the title yourself." He closed his eyes and grinned. "Still, you all must be highly skilled yourself if you've already defeated three of the mages. Not bad."

Wes sat down next to Griffin and smiled sheepishly. "Well, don't praise us too much. I've got by on dumb luck, admittedly. My best quality." He rubbed the back of his head and laughed. "To tell you the truth, I'm mostly self-taught. Avoiding temple traps and pirates for years helps, too."

Gunnar grinned wryly. "I figured as much from you. I've heard a lot about your father back when he was still alive. If you take after him closely, you must have overwhelming magical potential."

Wes chuckled and waved his compliments off. "Stop it!"

Gunnar looked all around the seated team. "To think, you six are still in your youth and you're already taking on real pros. You've either got guts or unwavering, stubborn attitudes."

Tony smirked and leaned back in his chair coolly. "Nah. We're just too awesome to be deterred by the big leagues. These mages got nothing on us."

"The optimism does you all well, but don't let it turn into cockiness. Randolph hasn't been in the game for as long as the others, and maybe it was your 'dumb luck' that won you victory against Seraphina and Calder. Everyone else is a different story." Gunnar rested his cheek in his hand. "As of now, you've got off easy. Those three were the more merciful of the order. I can't say the same about my master. He takes his job seriously."

Tony narrowed his eyes. His fingers curled against the table, but he kept the anger out of his expression. "You don't say?"

Gunnar sat back in his chair. "The order takes their jobs seriously. Don't expect things to get easier from here on out." He grinned. "Even so…my master has mentioned the other mages are interested in meeting the rest of you. They want to see if you have what it takes to defeat the Shadow King."

Wes bit into his pancake and chewed softly. "Yeah…we're still having a little difficulty wrapping that around our heads."

"I'm not surprised. It's a tall order for anyone to fill." The Druddigon sighed and scratched his cheek. "With the Shadow Kings' return and the looming threat of war, things have been stressful around here. We may as well prepare for the likely event of battle, yet there's still no sign of the malevolent king. We just don't know what he has been doing all these years."

Griffin snatched a Yache berry from the fruit bowl and bit into it. "Does no one seriously know where those things came from?"

"It's a mystery for everyone, even the order. Lost in history, or never fully discovered. No beginning to start from, I'm afraid." The Druddigon folded his hands together. "The best anyone can do is be prepared."

Ella folded her forelegs onto the table and leaned forward while facing him. "Well, if you can't answer that, can you at least tell us more about the order? If we're going to face them, might as well get to know the enemy."

Gunnar smirked amusingly. "I warn you, I don't know a whole lot. I'm merely working to become the next Storm Mage myself, as are the rest of my colleagues. We know a bit, but…well, it'd be a shame to ruin a surprise."

Ella smirked back. "We can handle a minor spoiler."

Gunnar shook his head. "Well, you've made it this far. You've seen what the likes of Randolph, Seraphina, and Calder are capable of." He narrowed his eyes. "The others are different, however. If you do manage to defeat my master, I recommend you go to the Snow Zone next, since that's along the way with the zones."

Wes remembered something and pulled out the map. He checked the locations in the Snow Zone and saw there were two keys in there, the Key of Metal and Power. "Two keys in one zone?"

Flint leaned over the table to look. "Odd…I don't remember the Key of Power being out in the Snow Zone. Has it been-?"

"-jumping around?" Gunnar finished, surprising the Flareon. "That one will be trickier to get your hands on, though not for the reasons you may be thinking. You'll see what I mean when you come across it." Gunnar closed his eyes. "Both keys are held by powerful mages, though the Metal Mage is one of the newer members. A bit of a fireball and a hotshot. Contrasting, honestly, given her status."

"Status?" Ella asked.

Gunnar waved it off. "Again, you'll see. Also…be careful when you meet the Power Mage. Trust me, you have to be really qualified to protect that one. That's the mage that comes close to the Top 3."

"Top 3?" Gwyn questioned with a lemon square in her mouth.

"Darkness, Time, and Space. Those three hold great magical power, with Master Cielo standing at the top. He's the oldest living member of the order."

"How old are we talking?" Tony asked.

"Let's see…he was an apprentice back when he was twenty-five, so…I say he's been in the game for eighty years."

The team nearly spat their food out in shock. Griffin slammed his hand down. "That'd make him a hundred and five! And he's the strongest?!"

Gunnar smirked. "And he still gave Garret Ravenfield a tough time. What he lacks in youth, he makes up for in overwhelming power. He's the one you need to worry about the most." Gunnar closed his eyes. "Protecting those keys is a team effort. A collaboration between the mages to keep the Idol of Origin secret. Garret Ravenfield had the skill and requirements to become a mage of the order. He was incredibly gifted in his abilities."

Wes tilted his head. "What exactly would protecting the keys be like?"

"It's a lot of dedication. If he did accept, he would have to take up the responsibility of guarding it with his life. That's not an easy task for anyone. It's dangerous to be away from the key for so long without protecting it. It's unlikely, but you all proved that anyone can find the resources of locating them. Keeping them on hand is equally dangerous, at least if you're always around company. That's why the Power Mage travels alone most of the time, why the key keeps hopping around so much. It makes him harder to follow."

Tony glared. "Out of curiosity, is the position of being in the order mandatory?"

"It is if that's what you trained for. Garret Ravenfield was asked if he wanted to be the Space Key's successor, ever since he found out in his normal apprenticeship."

"And…how come he didn't?" Flint asked. "It seems like such a huge honor."

Gunnar smirked. "Well…it seemed he was more interested in raising a family than guarding a key for the rest of his life." That made the brothers smile and wag their tails happily. "He loved you two very much, from what I've heard."

While that made the Eeveelutions happy, it made Tony dig his fingers into the table, but he still kept a cool composure on the outside. "Well…you two are lucky to have such a devoted dad," he praised through his teeth, giving a normal smile for the most part. He meant no sarcasm and hate to them or their father. Rather, it was his own family relations that ate him up.

Griffin shot the Dewott some suspicious glares. It was unwise to bottle up spiteful emotions without the Grovyle noticing. He saw the Dewott was keeping a surprisingly cool composure, making the bounty hunter wonder what was going on in his mind. Hmm…

Gunnar grabbed an Oran berry and threw it into his mouth. "Protecting these keys is a sacred duty that only the most steadfast can handle. It's a big responsibility."

"Seems a little crummy that it basically puts you in isolation," Ella pointed out.

Gunnar smiled. "It's not that bad. The mages aren't completely isolated. They just can pry themselves away from their mission for too long. Randolph stationed his key in that dimension with the living cave so it could help protect it while he continued his personal life running his museum. It's more of a matter of staying stationed with your work."

Tony glared down. "So, communication isn't impossible?"

"Not at all." That caused Tony to scoff under his breath, keeping it mostly to himself. Gunnar went on. "That's actually why my master has taken a habit of becoming the local hero around these parts. Storm Magic is all about controlling the forces of weather and even to do with speed and skill. It's not hard for us to help others in need."

"Why is that exactly?" Wes asked. "Why's the Storm Mage taking up the role of a hero in these parts?"

"Partially to do with crime. Not that uncommon, given all the zones have their equal share of crimes, though the Storm Zone can attract more ambitious characters. As I'm sure most of you know, this zone is heavily charged with magic. The storms here are unnatural to that of the other regions in our world. Then again, Mysto isn't like Kanto, Johto, etc. The minerals you can find underground here are highly charged with magic from the storms. All kinds of unnaturally growing minerals that can be found by anyone, but used in dangerous ways if used by the wrong people."

Gwyn swallowed her lemon squares and picked up another. "So, like, electrically charge crystals and stuff?"

"Correct. The minerals themselves are mined for basic uses, either for certain equipment or devices. In the hands of pirates or bandits, they can be used for dangerous weaponry." Gunnar folded his hands together and looked up. "We see the criminals, we put an end to their crime sprees. A simple task to get by between our training and days."

Ella grinned. "Huh…guess key-sitting isn't that bad a job. And here I thought you guys just meditated all day or…sit in the dark like a bunch of creeps."

Gunnar laughed. "That would be quite ridiculous."

Griffin folded his arms on the table and glared at him. "Well, since you clearly have the superior knowledge on our objective, maybe you can tell us what to expect against the Storm Mage. Or at least how we get into his realm." Gunnar raised his brow. "I've been sensing the magic through this temple. I know the key isn't here. I've sensed the three keys we own, I know what their presence feels like."

Wes nodded in agreement. "Yeah, and we don't sense anything of the sort right now."

Gunnar grinned. "Sharp kids." He jabbed his claw into a berry and picked it up. "I'm not going to give you any tips about fighting my master. It'd be a sacred dishonor against him. But, just to make your trip easier, the access point into his realm is located in our basement. A magic tunnel to an alternate point in space-time. That's where you find the key and that's where you fight him. Leroy the Storm Mage."

A loud thud kicked against the table. The team immediately snapped their focus onto Tony, who had his head down and his teeth grit. He pushed himself out of his chair and walked away. "I need some fresh air…thanks for the breakfast…" He stepped out of the dining hall.

His teammates blinked, then looked around at each other in confusion. "The…heck was that about?" Ella asked.

"I'm not sure, honestly," Flint admitted. "Did we say anything wrong?"

"Guess it proves Sparks knows how to hide his emotions." The team turned to Griffin, who had his eyes closed as he ate another Yache berry. "As a member of the Grim Ash Clan, born with the Hatred Anima, I can sense rage. Sparks has a lot of rage bubbling inside him. It's like a thundercloud gathering positive and negative particles, like how any lightning bolt is formed. Now imagine that lightning being forced to stay where it is, not allowed to be released or fired. It's a never-ending charge up until something breaks through that thundercloud."

"Really?" Gwyn asked. She looked at the hallway worriedly. "Then…what's wrong with him?"

"Your guess is about the same as mine. He pretty much embodies everything about storms, from the calm winds to their fiercest storms." Griffin glared at them. "Something's clearly bugging him."

Wes narrowed his eyes, then scooched his chair back. "I should go talk to him." He bowed his head apologetically to Gunnar. "Sorry about the trouble."

Gunnar waved it off. "No harm. Go see to your friend." Wes nodded and ran off in search of Tony. The Druddigon looked at the remaining four. "Might I ask…is he normally like this?"

Flint shook his head. "Not really. He's either acting cool or flirting with every girl we meet. I haven't seen him this angry since back in Fuego Village. A…lot of complicated matters that set a fire in him."

Gunnar closed his eyes. "A trouble young man, I see. Hmm…" He rubbed his chin. He's a strong looking Dewott…proficient in Storm Magic, too. Quite a contrasting pair. Perhaps…I see. "Well…best we hope he keeps a cool head."

Ella narrowed her eyes dejectedly. "Hope so…"

Gunnar stood up. "I suppose you four would like to focus on challenging my master. My private quarters has enough space for training."

Griffin nodded. "A bit odd to accept the help of our technical enemy, but it's well appreciated."

"I'll escort you over once you've finished with breakfast." Gunnar looked out the high windows and saw the lightning shooting from the clouds. Perhaps it's best if I speak with Leroy, too.

"Tony!" Wes called out as he wandered the large temple. Nothing but stone walls and red carpet. He knew the Dewott was fast, but he didn't expect him to disappear so quickly. "God dammit, Tony, where the heck did you go?"

He wished he paid better attention to Tony, but how would he have known Tony was acting up like this? He was all cheery and laughs the other night, now he seemed to devolve to anger and bitterness. He felt like he could have done something to prevent it if he just known about it sooner. Couldn't be helped, now.

Giving up on doing things the hard way, Wes closed his eyes and extended his ears. Everything around him vanished, leaving behind the essence of magic that swirled around in the temple. Focusing on this magic made his fur stand on end. He could feel the wild nature of the storm integrated into the air, a subtle feeling only those highly sensitive to magic could detect.

He felt the magic auras of his friends, as they stood out among the Storm Magic, and even a few other presences in the temple. Strength wise, they were about the same magical potency as Gunnar, likely pointing to them as the other apprentices.

Then he found the aura he was most familiar with. The mass of Storm Magic was high up on the temple. In fact, it didn't even feel like Tony was still in the building.

Wes opened his eyes and held his chin. "Tony did say he was getting some fresh air, I guess."

The Umbreon, after quickly changing into his usual gear, eventually found his way to a suitable exit point upstairs. He climbed out a window and pulled himself out into the rain. The droplets pounded against his hat's rim with muffled thuds. He took a moment to admire the lightning shooting across the sky. It was odd to see the weird climates of the different zones.

He focused back onto his prior objective and climbed onto the roof. He suffered a few close calls, losing his grip on the roof from the rain and such. He flopped onto the roof, stood up, and shook the rainwater off, for as pointless as it was. He readjusted his hat and walked around before acknowledging the wall tower at the front corner of the temple. He narrowed his eyes, spotting the Dewott in question.

Tony stood at the very top of the tower's roof, arms crossed and posture straight as he glared at the dark clouds, unfazed by the rain slapping across his face and eyes. His body glowed periodically, with the addition of sparks coursing from his feet and traveling against the wet surface of the roof.

Wes got as close as he could from below while keeping the Dewott in view. He tilted his head. "So, is this some training exercise you came up with or are you trying to intimidate the clouds?" he jokingly asked, hoping to lighten the Dewott's dreary mood.

Tony spared a glance at the Umbreon before looking back at the clouds. Lightning crackled in a bright flash, illuminating the ground. "…not a lot of people would find the Storm Zone to be paradise."

Wes chuckled lightly. "Yeah…I think the bonus of random lightning bolts would be a deal killer."

Tony closed his eyes, then spread his arms out. "And yet, I still feel gravitated to its destructive nature. It's like this land speaks to me on a personal level. Like it understands my feelings. Not everything is all laughs and fun, yet I make it my goal to banish the gloom. Some see the rain as a gloomy day. I see it as it's supposed to be: wild nature of the sky." He scoffed. "Doesn't sound any better, does it?"

"Not really."

"Heh…guess it's just my thing. It's like everyone in my family loves the storms…" The mood turned somber again, annoying Wes a bit.

The Umbreon sighed, then crossed his forelegs. "What was that all about back at breakfast? You have the others worried about you. It's not like you to flip out…at least when your sister isn't performing death defying stunts."

Tony glared through his closed eyes. "Oh, that? It was nothing."

"Griffin would say otherwise," Wes retorted. "He saw right through your act, clear as day. Then again, you didn't put much effort of hiding it near the end. What's eating you up?"

Tony opened his eyes and looked down at the Umbreon again. He recognized the fixed stare in his eyes, making him sigh. No getting out of it. He waved him up silently, giving the Umbreon permission to jump up with his Warp Pad. Tony sat down and pulled his knees up against his chest while Wes sat next to him and tucked his Star Amulet away.

"…Wes, I need to ask you something. I want you to answer honestly."

"Um, sure, I guess," Wes complied.

Tony glared at the roof under them, then closed his eyes as he heaved a sigh. "What was your relationship with your father like?"

Wes raised his brow. "What for?"

"Just answer the damn question," he ordered as politely he could through his grit teeth.

Wes took no offense to his strained tone and shrugged it off. He looked up at the sky, eyes shielded by the rainwater thanks to his hat, and hummed in thought. "Hmm…where to start? I suppose I could talk about how flippin' COOL he was!" he exclaimed aloud with booming optimism.

Tony flinched a bit, then grinned awkwardly. "That good, huh?"

"He was so awesome! My mom took a lot of different jobs, even eventually landing a decent job at a pharmacy. She's pretty good at managing medicine. Dad, however, was totally different! Treasure hunters get the big rewards at the greatest risks! Fighting to get that speck of gold, whether from an abandon temple or stealing it off pirate ships! He risked his days fighting the toughest of the tough!"

Tony nodded. "Yes, I'm aware of the risks being a treasure hunter. He was the breadwinner of your home?"

"Pretty much. You'd think going days on end looking for valuables would be difficult, but Mysto's known for its surprises. Even from childhood to when I turned fourteen, he still amazed me with his abilities. And now I'm learning this new side of him I wasn't even told. Seriously, I knew my dad had friends back in the day, but I didn't think HE also had the same team name! Not to mention all this crazy stuff with him and the idol!" He held his head. "It's a real rush, if you ask me."

Tony blinked a couple time before glancing at him. "What kind of guy was he?"

"Really nice, really goofy, devoted to his family, and, overall, incredibly friendly to all he meets." He tapped his chin. "Though, from the stories he told me, he can be super serious if he wants to. Never get on the man's bad side. You know the typical kids' stuff where you get picked on for reading books like a loner? Flint was one of those kids…minus the loner part, I guess."

"Flint got bullied, huh?"

"Just in grade school, to be fair, so nothing physically violent. Just…picked on him like some kids do. As Flint got older, a lot of people looked up to him…mostly for tutoring purposes. When my dad found out Flint was getting bullied, no one dared to pick on him again when he showed up at school."

Tony raised his brow. "I'm almost afraid to ask."

"Oh, he didn't do anything to the kids. He just invited himself into the school to tag along with Flint and me. He scolded Flint's bullies and got them to leave him alone. Best thing he said to those kids: 'Pick on my son again…well, let's just say I'm letting you off easy. My wife is less merciful.'"

"Do I even want to know what your mother is like?"

Wes grinned cheekily. "Oh, she's the sweetest woman in the world…so long as you don't cross her." He shivered uncomfortable as a repressed memory resurfaced. "I swore never to break curfew again…"

Tony wasn't even going to ask. He sighed and looked ahead. "Sounds nice…but I did ask what your relationship with your father was like."

Wes shrugged. "Well, for the most part, my dad and I were pretty chill with each other. He always came home with stories to tell Flint and me and we would just have these big, dumb grins on our faces. We soaked up every bit of his words and fanaticized being just like him. He was a hero in our eyes." He pressed his paw against his chest and smiled proudly. "I even wrote one hell of an essay about him for my English class: name someone in your family you look up to and why.

"We did a lot of cool stuff together. Picnics, field trips through the Earth Zone, sneaking into tournament arenas…" He snickered impishly. "Good fun. I even got into fighting when some bandits tried to rob us. Dad gave them a good beating before they ran away with their tails between their legs." He chuckled and crossed his forelegs. "And he's pretty good at making friends with his worst of enemies."

"Who?"

"The infamous Captain Specter, scourge of the skies and captain of the Undying Apparitions. He was known back then as a menace and sworn enemy of my father. Now…we just call him Hal!"

"The pawn shop guy back in your village?" the Dewott questioned.

"I think I was three or four when it happened, but my dad and he were locked in battle when the Hal's ship took some heavy damage and crashed into a mountain. Hal's arm got messed up and he would've got crushed under the ship debris, but Dad saved him and helped him replace his arm. Hal…ashamed, yet grateful for his heroism, disbanded the Undying Apparitions and started up shop in Quartz Plain. He was practically with us my whole life."

Tony smiled a bit. "Your father had a heart of gold."

"Probably would've sold it if he did!" Wes slapped his legs and laughed mirthfully. He reigned in his laughs and grinned. "He was just one of those nice guys who didn't ask for much and wanted to be a good person. I am, and forever will be, happy to call him my father."

Tony looked back at the ground and narrowed his eyes once more. "But…did you ever feel…angry that he leaves so often? Leaving for months without seeing you guys?"

Wes shook his head. "Not really. Why would I feel angry?" He smiled a bit. "Sure, it was hard to watch him go off on adventures for some months before I get to see him again, but I never got angry with him. I'd wait in anticipation for his return, wanting to learn more about his adventures. Even then, he'd always find time to spend quality time with the ones he cares about. I love him for that."

The lightning thief closed his eyes into a glare. "Huh…makes my father look like an even bigger jerk in comparison…"

"Is that what this is about?" Wes asked curiously. "Still thinking about him?"

"It's hard not to when I hear about other people's relationships with their fathers." His shoulders tensed up. "Mine always turned out shitty…the bastard never gave me the time of day…much less any love for his family."

"What set this off at breakfast?" his team leader asked, setting his paw on his shoulder. "If all the talk about my dad drove you crazy, I'm sor-"

"It has nothing to do with him," he corrected quietly. He hid his face in his knees and sighed. "…it's nothing. Nothing you should concern yourself over. I can handle my issues on my own."

Wes blinked, then looked out into the trees, through the thick curtain of rain. Both their fur and clothes were getting soaking wet, but the Dewott clearly didn't care. Wes closed his eyes and breathed in deeply.

"…you know, if you ever have the chance in the future, you should find your father and talk things out with him."

Tony replied with a muffled scoff, then said, "That's a laugh…"

"I'm serious. I can't speak highly about his actions nor his shaky responsibilities as a parent, but you did say before your mother saw something in him. You said it yourself, he wasn't abusive, just…cold and neglectful." Wes smiled kindly. "Maybe it would be best for everyone if you sat down and talked it out with him. You look like you want answers."

"…he wouldn't give me that choice."

"That hasn't stopped you before, right?" Tony removed his face from his knees and tilted his head up to look at the Umbreon. "You're you, after all. If anyone gives you 'no,' you follow it up with 'My mistake, by the way, thanks for your wallet.' If he pushes you away…I don't know, get his attention the only way you know how."

Tony straightened back up and gave a questioning gaze. "You really think I should just talk things over with my old man?"

"What other choice do you have? You're not getting anywhere pouting and kicking tables."

"Fair point…" Tony looked out into the rain, resting his folded arms on his knees. "The idea of speaking to him again after eight years is…baffling. What do I even say?"

Wes shrugged. "I don't know." He grinned and patted him in the back. "But hey, that's a long way's away from now! We need to focus on fighting the Storm Mage first!"

Tony shot him a raised, very perplexed brow. "Wait, don't you know what I'm…?" He blinked, then shook it off. "N-Never mind."

"Huh?"

"It's…nothing. Just a stupid hunch of mine. Crazy ol' Tony and stuff!" He chuckled dryly and looked ahead. "You just…carry on with things. I'll join you guys in an hour. Just want to watch the rain a little longer."

Wes narrowed his eyes suspiciously. He knew something he didn't. He glanced over his shoulder. Something about this seems odd. With everything that happened at breakfast…and his questions…I wonder.

Regardless, the Umbreon didn't want to intrude any longer than he should. He stood up and gave one last, friendly pat on the Dewott's shoulder. "Just take it easy, Tony. We've got important business in the morning." He carefully maneuvered off the tower and landed on the main roof before heading towards the window he came through.

Tony glared softly, then looked up at the lightning. "Yeah…important business…real important…" A lightning bolt struck down behind him in a bright flash. He didn't flinch, his mind focused deeply on his leader's suggestion. "…I'll play your game, Wes. I just hope my suspicions are wrong…"

Aeternus picked up a vial from his work station and shook the liquid substance inside, studying in with a careful eye. "Hmm…Callista, would this batch do the trick?"

Callistia, who was drawing on the floor with colored chalk, took a glance at the vial. "Have you mixed the ingredients thoroughly?"

Aeternus held a hand to his chest and laughed haughtily, earning a predictable scowl from the Ariados. "My dear, dear partner, I am a man of the utmost genius. I know it's complete."

"So, why did you ask?"

"I wanted to see if I could irk you. Once again, I was right. Kehehehehehe!" he snickered gleefully.

The witch facepalmed, about as well as a spider could, and slid her foreleg down in annoyance. The things she did to put up with the madman astounded her. She resumed with her ritual circle, getting the details on it just right from the book she had lying propped up near her. Candles sat around the circle, newly lit with a calm flame. "Whatever. The formula better do the trick. We can't keep our king waiting any longer."

"Patience, my dear. We'll reunite with him in due time." Aeternus shook the vial until it turned green. He smiled in awe at the vial. "Mixing magic of the above world with the hellish forces of the Underworld? A revitalization potion unlike anything that's ever been tested. The perfect cure to our master's self-imprisonment."

Callista finished with the ritual circle and tossed the chalk away. "A combination of witchcraft and magic. It will take time for the potion to be perfected, but it should be ready by the time we find the king." Callista glared at the Mr. Mime. "You are positive we'll find his host?"

Aeternus chuckled. "What was formerly known as Alex Ghostwind won't be anything but our master's new body. I can assure you, his host is good as found. And he doesn't even know it." He set the vial in the center of the circle. "I've been planning for his revival, ever since he returned five-years ago. Alex Ghostwind, or whatever is left of his existence, doesn't know what's coming for him."

Callista closed her eyes. "There is still the issue regarding those pesky treasure hunters. I say we go after them."

The Mr. Mime wagged his finger. "No, no, no, we'll do no such thing. Let them gather the keys if they so wish. We'll take them for ourselves in due time. Once our king is revived, a new war will be waged, and this region will once again know fear at the hands of darkness."

Callista shook her head. "You've been putting a lot of preparation into this."

"I had a lot of time on my hands. I knew there would be the day where the king himself returns from the grave and exacts his revenge. Now I'm finishing the job."

The Ariados hissed in agreement, then held her forelegs over the circle. "Well then, perhaps it's time to prepare the ritual."

The symbols that outlined the ritual circle glowed individually. The candles rapidly melted into the chalk, the red wax merging with the white and spreading out into the center. It oozed like a stream of blood. The wax melted into the center of the circle, filling in the last of the chalk.

Callista glared at the circle as a dark energy swirled around the vial. "Dlrowrednu eht fo Stirips, htrof emoc! Noitop laviver etamitlu eht otni cigam dna tfarchctiw fo noitcocnoc siht mrofsnart dna rewop ruoy em dnel!"

Dark energy shot from the symbols like lightning and infused into the bottle, crackling the glass and bubbling the liquid. The dark energy flew across the laboratory without restraint, while the madman rubbed his hands together and cackled, enjoying the fireworks show.

Callista narrowed her eyes at the potion, which was completely obscured in the dark veil, then tapped her forelegs together. The ritual lightning dispersed and the darkness faded away. All that remained was a pillar of smoke around the vial.

Aeternus reached through and took it between his index finger and thumb, then held it up to eye level to admire the witch's handiwork. He grinned in approval, taking note of the liquid now having turned black with purplish, maybe violet, electricity crackling in the liquid.

"Beautiful…" was all he could say about it.

Aeternus wiped her brow, then shot him a warning glare. "Don't get too excited. It'll need some time to rest before it can be used on the king."

"Yes, yes." He walked over to a wall safe, turned in the combination, then stashed the vial inside. He slammed the safe shut, spun the dial to reset the lock, then leaned against the wall on his elbow. "Now all that's left are my experiments. The master requires the perfect army upon his return."

"I'm glad you agree, sir."

Aeternus smirked as a black fog billowed from behind. "Nightmare. You've finally returned from your little trip. How was it?"

Nightmare took on his normal form and bowed to his superior. "A success. We've gathered new henchmen who'll serve of us well. I've already assigned them to retrieve your supplies."

Aeternus tapped his fingers together rhythmically. "Kehehehe…excellent. With the treasure hunters handling the keys and these pirates managing our dirty work, everything's going according to plan." Aeternus looked down at Callista. "Which reminds me, how is Reuben progressing in the king's surgery?"

"He's still gathering pieces and components," Callista answered. "He wants to make sure this becomes his ultimate masterpiece. Any dream of a Puppet Master, of course."

Aeternus floated in the air, legs crossed and seated, and held his chin. "That better be more than just hot air he's spewing." He grinned wickedly. "Regarding the treasure hunters…we may need to start keeping closer tabs on them. We can't wait too long, but keeping track of their whereabouts is essential."

"Already on it, sir," Nightmare stated. "Shadows are scouting the lands and tracking the treasure hunters by your request."

"You work fast, my friend." Aeternus snickered through his villainous smirk. "In that case, we'll need to prep for my next experiment! Once the pirates retrieve my items, we can get started on the fun stuff!"

Callista clicked her mandibles gleefully. "You have your fun, then. I must return to my own matters." She scuttled out of the lab.

Aeternus set his feet back on the ground and walked to his workstation. "Necessary testing needs to be done…oh, and Nightmare?"

"What?" the Boss Shadow asked.

Aeternus grinned wickedly. "Make sure those pirates don't try anything fishy. I've been around the region for centuries." He glared seriously. "I know how dangerous the untrustworthy can be."

Nightmare looked silently before grinning and replying, "Trust me…they have nothing on us."