The group gathered inside the garage once again as Kuza laid down the plan.

"Be aware, the Beast is even stronger now," the kitsune advised. "It's not going to be easy to kill this version since it has absorbed the powers of the other Dereks and Elis it has killed on other worlds."

Chris Argent stepped up. "Then how do we kill it?"

Kuza stood emotionless. "You don't."

The sheriff scratched his head. "What do you mean we don't kill it? How do we get rid of something and rescue our Eli if we don't eradicate it?

"What I'm saying," Kuza continued. "Is that you won't be able to. The Beast is too powerful now. Mere mortal weapons, even supernatural ones, won't eradicate it, as you say. It has absorbed a piece of my tail to travel between worlds so it has absorbed a bit of my power so it won't die under any of your hands."

"Then we're screwed!" Scott frowned. "How can we stop something that we can't even kill, let alone die?"

Kuza raised her finger to speak. "I didn't say it can't die by mortal means at any of your hands but it can die by mine. When the Beast absorbed a bit of my kitsune abilities to portal travel, it changed him making him a deity. However, what it failed to realize is that it is now at the mercy of other gods and if you know your folklore…"

Allison jumped into the conversation. "A god can kill another god!" She turned to her friends with her correct answer. "I remember my mythology research! There is some weird omnipotence law that divine beings or gods can cause harm to each other but mortals can't do that to them! That's how we kill it. Kuza is the answer!"

Stiles nodded and connected an analogy to the information. "She's right. Think of her kitsune tail as a virus. A virus needs to adapt and mutate according to its new surroundings in order to spread but it also assimilates the weaknesses in order to host. The Beast took her powers but also her weaknesses giving it a vulnerability. That is the weak spot we have to hit in order to defeat it!"

Kuza laughed at all the theories presented. "Precisely. When the time comes, I will need my circle of soldiers to weaken the monster while I strike the final blow." She raised her katana. "Once the Beast is at our mercy, I will take its head, ending the terror that it caused on all our worlds!"

Melissa McCall raised her hand. "But if we are to weaken this Beast, how do we do that when regular weapons won't work on it?"

"Like every version of the Beast I've come across," Kuza started. "It also met its demise with the same magical weapon used when it first got killed. A sword. A spear. A dagger. An object made from wolfsbane, mountain ash, and forged with the blood of an Argent relative. Since this weapon is no longer in our possession, we must recreate the potion to lace our own arsenal to use in battle." She turned to Allison and Chris. "We just need a drop of your blood to add to the mixture if you're willing when ready. Can I count on you, my soldiers?"

Allison and Chris nodded.

"Wonderful," grinned Kuza. "As far as weaponry…"

"I have connections for bullets, guns…" Chris started.

"And bows and arrows," Allison reminded him.

Chris smiled proudly at his daughter. "And archery. I can get those."

Kuza turned to Melissa. "Get a First-Aid kit, medical supplies ready."

Melissa nodded. "Right."

Finally, turning to Scott, Stiles, and the sheriff. "Begin gathering the ingredients. I'm sure Deaton already has some in stock here and boil a pot. The Argents can contribute once they return."

The trio agreed and went off to complete their tasks as everyone became busy with their mission objectives. The only one unhappy was Mason Hewitt. Sensing his sadness, the kitsune approached him.

"It's not fair," Mason scowled. "I want to be a part of this."

Kuza smiled and gave him a friendly hug. "Be calm, my friend. You are important to the circle but, as I said before, the Beast corrupted you once before and you know the darkness of that power and had it almost destroyed you."

Sadly, the rookie FBI agent had to admit she was right. The darkness and evil did consume him once and he could not control it or the Beast that hosted him. He folded his arms.

"Your greatest gift is the love you have for your friends," she said with a sweet, comforting tone. Mason felt something shoved into his palm. He withdrew from her to see a shiny, polished stone now in his hand. He turned to Kuza.

"What's this?"

"A gift," she smiled. "A totem. A small piece of my tail. Should we fail this mission, the totem will turn black and crumble into dust. You, Mason, are that beacon of hope we need that will guide us to succeed. Can you keep it safe for me?"

Mason reluctantly nodded.

"Good," Kuza grinned. "I assure you. We won't fail."

Mason clucked his tongue. "How do you know that?"

Kuza giggled. "Because I have you. Hope. The faith that you will know we will succeed in ridding ourselves of the Beast and faith that we will rescue Eli." She leaned and gave Mason a peck on the cheek before retiring into the damaged kennel room.

Mason stood there dumbfounded, clutching the stone tightly.

Hope and faith are all they have.

In the employee break room, Stiles began grounding the mountain ash alongside Scott who started boiling a small pot of water on a hot plate. On the other side, the sheriff also began peeling and shredding the leaves of wolfsbane away from Scott as the fumes were a bit toxic to werewolves. Scott let out the vents to get some air in.

It had been an awkward and tense moment between the pair as the revelation of Stiles's and Derek's relationship finally came to light. Scott decided to bite the bullet and address the elephant in the room.

"You know, Stiles," he said to his bestie. "I don't care if you and Derek were…" He paused. "I just want you to know I'm proud of you…"

Stiles sighed. "I know, Scott. It's not you. It's me. I'm dealing with it but thanks." He felt something rubbing against his trouser leg. Harry the pug whimpered for attention. Stiles stopped what he was doing, picked him up and handed the pooch to Scott. "Can you take Harry out? I think he needs to potty."

"Sure," Scott agreed awkwardly and took Harry outside of the break room, leaving Noah Stilinksi to talk to his son.

"You know, son," the sheriff started. "Scott is right. I don't care how you self-identify or who you're attracted to, I just want you to be happy and I'm proud of that man you've become."

"I know, Dad," exhaled Stiles. "It's this thing with Derek. I keep replaying this idea that maybe we could have had a chance but we both let our stubbornness and insecurities get in the way. Plus, there was Eli. Derek stepped up to raise him."

"And he did," Sheriff Stilinksi pointed out. "I think what annoys me about Eli is that he's too much like you. The same rebellious, rambunctious streak…"

"My sarcastic wit," Stiles laughed.

The sheriff laughed too. "Bingo! Look, Derek, made his choice and he's a brave man for it. You shouldn't blame yourself for what happened."

Stiles sighed again. "I should've been there, Dad. I could've…I would've…" Instantly, the tears flowed. His father pulled him in and held him as he allowed his only son to sob into his shirt.

"It's okay, son," Noah said, patting his back. "It's times like these that I wish your mother was here. She always had all the answers to these things. I sometimes feel that I'm failing you as a father."

Stiles quickly pulled away and wiped his face. "Don't say that, Dad! You didn't fail me! You did what you could with an ADHD, now queer kid who's brilliant but can be an asshole sometimes!"

Sheriff Stilinksi had to admit that his comment made him laugh. Suddenly, the two of them were laughing. They released their frustrations and guilt and just let it out.

It felt great!

"Okay, I needed that!" Stiles smiled. He returned to mashing his ingredients.

"Son," said the sheriff. "You can always call me…"

Stiles looked at his father and nodded. "I know, Dad. Thanks."

Nothing more was said as they included the ingredients in the pot.

Inside the garage, Melissa took inventory of what she needed for her medical bag.

"Got everything?" Kuza asked the medical professional.

Melissa nodded her head. "Yeah. Gauze, bandaids, anesthesia, syringes, needle, thread. I'm a one woman ER team here!"

Kuza grinned. "Hopefully, we don't have to use it." She began to walk away before Melissa stopped her.

"Can I ask you something?"

The kitsune turned around. "Yes?"

Melissa nervously gulped. "What's it like? You know, to be immortal. You mentioned a husband and children."

Kuza's eyes looked down in sadness. "Lonely. I have lived for centuries while I watched all whom I love die in front of me. I've buried relatives and loved ones and it never gets any easier. That is why I envy humanity. When you pass, you're finally free to feel such burdens of pain while an immortal, like myself, must go through an endless cycle of living and starting over."

"But you're a deity, a goddess," Melissa pointed out. "Surely, you're ascended above human emotions, feelings and connections."

Kuza shrugged. "In theory, yes. However, with the all folly and fickleness of being a godlike being, it doesn't alleviate the boredom, the longing of belonging, or the human experience of both the good and the bad. That is why I allow myself to mingle among humankind, to allow myself love, have a family and experience what you as humanity get to have. That to me is a true gift."

Scratching her chin, Melissa was awed by the supernatural creature's words. Never had someone point out humanity's experience so eloquently.

"You mentioned your husband and family. What were they like?"

The kitsune threw her head back and giggled. "You asked about my experience as a mother and wife." She closed her hands in front of her. "Well, very normal. You see, I'm a warrior. I fought in human wars and loved humans enough to settle down in domestic life. My last family was a simple farmer in Japan and bore my husband two children, a boy and a girl. We were very happy."

Melissa grew interested. "Then what happened?"

"The Beast." Kuza said seriously. "It believed my husband was my universe's version of Derek Hale but it was wrong. I was able to fight it off but at the casualties of my husband and children. The Beast murdered them to spite me. I've been tracking it ever since."

The kitsune story moved Scott's mother. She could not imagine the pain of losing a husband and family. She tried to approach Kuza who stepped back.

"Thank you for your sympathy, Miss McCall," Kuza told the Alpha's mother. "I'm much stronger in my reserve to kill this creature and once my vengeance is satisfied, I can finally rest and continue with my journeys."

She began to march off before Melissa interrupted her again.

"One more question," she asked the kitsune. "If Derek Hale wasn't your husband in your world, who was?"

Kuza turned her head slightly to look at her. "I think you know the answer to that question."

Melissa fell silent as she watched the supernatural creature walk off. She knew exactly which version of the pack she had married.

Returning from their artillery gathering, Chris and Allison Argent began stacking their arsenal on a vacant counter in the garage as they started organizing their duffel bag of weapons.

"Why is it that our father-bonding moment always involves preparing for war?" Allison asked her father.

Chris sighed. "You know I didn't want this for you but it's hard to escape our family legacy."

Allison frowned. "I know, Daddy." She kissed his cheek. "Sooner or later, it was going to catch up to me. I'm proud I was trained as a hunter. It's in my blood."

"Let's change the subject," Chris offered. "How are things going with Scott?"

Allison smiled. "You know we were meant to be together. Despite everything, we've always loved each other. Just be happy for us."

Chris exhaled. "I know you both fought to be together but I just got you for a short time before you know…"

"I died?" Allison replied honestly. "Look, I chose this life and my resurrection was a blessing. I wish you would stop beating yourself for it and forgive yourself.. We can't dwell on the past."

Chris shook his head. "I'm your dad. It's my job to worry."

"And I'm here now," his daughter stated. "Let it go, Daddy. It's time to move on." She grinned at him. "I see you and Scott's mom are getting serious. Ever thought of going official?"

Chris rubbed his cheek. "Um…uh. It's complicated. We're taking things slow and it's better for us. Ever since her divorce from Scott's dad and me losing your mother, we've learned to be in a good place with each other.."

"You know, Dad," said Allison. "If ever you two decide to take the next step, I'll be there for you. I want you to be happy."

"Me too," Chris smiled. "Me too."

They called a truce and continued with organizing their weaponry.

With the potion ready, the pack gathered once again in the garage as the Argents each pricked their fingers and dropped a tiny drop of their blood into the liquid. Kuza blew into the pot as a weird, glowing mist drifted from the container.

Kuza then gave her next set of instructions. "Now each of you take a small amount of the liquid and brush it on the bullets, knives, arrow tips, and other weapons." The group began filling vials as they went to their own work stations and began dipping their artillery with the solution. The kitsune then addressed the Alpha. "Scott, I need you to retract your claws and dip the tips of your nails into the mixture." Scott followed her instructions and let the liquid touch the edge of his talons. Each member of the pack continued to brush, dip, and paint their personal weapons until the pot was emptied out of the magical mixture.

The team was now ready.

"One question," said Mason clutching the totem in his hand. "The Butterfly Effect, paradoxes? With all this portal traveling, won't it cause a rift in reality."

"Not if we change time," Kuza informed him. "Each of the threads of linear time is set in this modern era but with a different twist in each. As long as we don't tamper with it, none of the timelines should be affected. Hence, no Butterfly Effect."

"And paradoxes?" Stiles wondered.

"Not if we're careful." Kuza explained. "Many of these worlds are missing a member of this pack and if any of us are in coexistence with our alternative selves, we have a small window of opportunity to coexist before jumping into the next world. The Beast wants to make sure there is a Derek and Eli living in that particular universe in order to steal their powers."

"But how do we know where to find the Beast?" The sheriff inquired. "We don't know where to begin."

The kitsune nodded. "The Beast leaves a shadowy trail that only I can sense. I may not know which world we're entering but I can track where it is going. Once we corner the monster and kill it, everything will be set right. Are we all ready?"

The group had suited up. The sheriff, Scott, and Melissa wore their casual clothes as did Stiles while the Argents opted for their military gear. Each had their arsenal ready. Only Kuza had on her traditional robes. She unsheathed her blade and struck the ground revealing a series of transparent fox tails behind her. Light and electrical pulses emanated from the tales as they rotated quickly until a huge ball of light appeared behind her.

"Walk into the light!" Kuza instructed.

Scott and Allison went in first and disappeared into the bright illumination. Chris nodded to Melissa, grabbed her hand and darted in after them. Next came the sheriff who slowly walked in and vanished. Finally, it was Stiles's turn.

"Brief Agent McCall on everything!' Stiles told Mason, who sadly had to stay behind. "And check on Deaton. Make sure he's okay!"

Mason nodded as Kuza gestured to the rookie. "Remember, Mason," she said. "Have faith!" She looked down at the totem she gave him, clutched tightly in his hand.

"Have hope!"

It was the last words she said as she stepped into the light, leaving Stiles to enter last. A small bark came from Harry the pug who whimpered at the FBI agent.

"Sorry, Harry," he said softly. "You have to stay here with Mason."

The pooch refused to listen, darted at Stiles and jumped into his arms, shoving him into the light. The pair disappeared into the portal.

Mason watched as his friends left without him. Saddened, he did his part.

He gripped his totem and prayed for hope.