Author's note: Before we begin this chapter, I wish to let you guys know that I've started a spinoff story called 'The Epic Journey of Alex' that follows the adventures of Logan's Epic Universe counterpart.
It wasn't every day that a storm would hit the Magical World and force people to stay inside. But today was one of these days. Since there wasn't much to do indoors at Animal Kingdom, Logan convinced his two friends, Aline and Toren, to go make a little turn by Epcot's Imagination! pavilion so that they could see the gadgets and gizmos of the day. Gabriel actually told Logan about an accident that occurred in this pavilion, where his friend, Berry, got split in two personalities because of a device built by Phineas and Ferb. He had always wanted to go visit the pavilion since, so now seemed like the perfect time.
"Would you look at that!" Logan exclaimed as he stared at a model of a laser blade from the Lightyear movie. "Not as cool as a lightsaber, obviously, but I still think I should buy one of these and add it to my weapon collection."
Aline chuckled hearing that. "That's not a good idea at all, and you know it, Logan. You will just swing it around and make noises with your mouth while trying to replicate moments of the film. Destiny and Gabriel told me about what you sometimes do with your broomstick when no one's watching."
"Shh! Don't say it that loud!" Logan quickly said with a blush on his face.
"Yeah, forget about this," Toren agreed with his feline friend. "Come with me and let's go see Iron Heart's armors instead!"
The three friends spent the next two hours admiring every new invention at the center, even taking a detour to the theater so they could watch the Disney and Pixar Short Festival, at Logan's insistence. Once it ended, they all went to sit near the center's entrance so that they could enjoy the lunch they had brought. Whilst eating, they chatted about various topics, eventually turning to Toren's recent adventure in Vallestrella.
"So you really met alternate versions of Logan and me from the future?" Aline questioned.
"Yup!" Toren confirmed before taking a bite of his sandwich and continuing. "Jameson was also there. They tried to eliminate me because of a potential chaos I could've caused in the future. See, in these guys' future, Gabriel died in a car accident. Because of this, us, Dream Defenders, fell out with each other, our group disbanding within a few weeks. However, my future me was the one who took it worse: I was reminded that my immortality meant I would outlive everybody I cared about and would be forced to end up alone. Since I couldn't accept this reality, I trained under Jaguar, the Mayan god of fire and war, who taught me how to steal people's magic with Fantasia. That's how the future Magical World turned into a destructed wasteland."
Logan and Aline fell silent, looking at their Jaquin friend with wide eyes. "That sounds...horrible," Aline mumbled. "To think that everything we built could've crumbled because of one bad day..."
"Yeah. We're so sure of ourselves and attached to what we like that it's easy to forget how fragile things can be in life," Logan agreed, sweat on his forehead. "And you're absolutely certain that there's no chance for this future to happen?"
"Nope; Master Yen Sid has been clear on that," Toren shook his head. "I was technically supposed to become like my future-self, but since we changed history by saving Gabriel and allowed me to see how evil I could've become, my path diverged from his. I have an outsider's perspective on the future and ultimately decided to reject what I could've been. So we should be cool for the time being." A smile formed on the Jaquin's face as he placed a paw on his scarf. "On a more positive note, I managed to briefly tap into my Fantasia's real power to defeat Future Toren. Master Yen Sid told me I'm about to complete my Fantasia's true form!"
"Really?! That's amazing!" Logan and Aline beamed together.
"I've also made a lot of progress with my own Fantasia. Maybe I'll find its true potential soon," Aline said.
"You guys are lucky; I struggle to keep my Fantasia out of its Harmony Pin for more than a few seconds," Logan pointed out with envy.
"Don't worry; you'll get the hang of it with time and practice," Toren assured with a chuckle. He then gave a sorry expression and looked at the ground. "Guys, I'm really sorry for not telling you about my immortality. It's just... I was afraid to confront the fact that I was going to lose you..."
At this, Aline and Logan both wrapped their arms around their Jaquin friend. "Toren, we already told you; it's okay," Aline softly said. "We all have parts of our past we're afraid to bring up around others. You're not any different. In my case, it was the way I behaved around you guys because of how my parents raised me."
"As for me, it was the fact that I dishonored Disney Animation by stealing my friend's work and cheating at a competition," Logan added. "We all have our secrets and hurtful past, but they don't define who we are. Secrets or not, we're the Shifter Trio and will be even long after we're dead." The Champion of the Magical World reached a fist forward, which Aline happily connected with her own, before Toren placed his paw on them both.
"Thanks, guys," the Jaquin gratefully said.
"Anytime!" Aline beamed. Before she could say more, her eyes widened as she heard loud growling in the distance - yes, even above the rain's noise. "What was that?!"
"I think we've got company," Logan said, getting up and pointing at the main street before the Imagination! pavilion and right between the United Kingdom and Canada showcases. The place was getting invaded by a pack of Minotaur, and big ones at that!
"What the heck are these guys doing here?! Aren't they supposed to be caught in a labyrinth or something?" Toren asked, also jumping to his four paws.
"I don't know how they got here, but it seems like they didn't come to play!" Aline shouted, watching the Greek creatures roaring and destroying everything in their path. "Quick, let's stop them before they can cause too much damage!" The Shifter Trio exchanged nods and then jumped into action.
Logan summoned his Fenrir Keyblade and cast a Firaga spell that made one of the Minotaur more angry than hurt. The Champion of the Magical World found himself ducking a swing from the beast before delivering an uppercut Little Mac-style to its jaw, sending it flying off.
As soon as the Minotaur charged at her, Aline grinned and turned into her cat form, making them comically bump into each other's head. "My, you're not the smartest beasts in Greek mythology, are ya?" she mused. Going back into her human form, she used a Mist Glyph to confuse the Minotaur before knocking them out one by one with a good smack on the back of the head.
Of the three, Toren had the least trouble, as he simply flew out of the beasts' reach and used his Anger Magic to lift and throw them away. "These guys aren't too tough for us, I'd say! But there's still a lot of them; no way we can stop them all before they destroy everything!"
"In that case, allow me to help!" called a loud voice. The Shifter Trio turned around to see a figure floating in the air, seemingly not bothered by the heavy rain. A woman of a delicate beauty whose reddish hair fell in a cascade over her back. She was wearing a Greek robe that was of a leaf-green, helping her pale skin to stand out more. She slowly floated to reach the ground between the heroes and monsters. "Minotaur! Go back to the Labyrinth at this moment!" she commanded.
Seeing the newcomer, Logan tilted his head curiously. "Who is this? Is she-"
"P-Persephone?!" Aline suddenly exclaimed.
This exclamation caught the attention of the Feline Lady's two friends. "Did you just say Persephone? As in the Greek Goddess of Spring and Nature and also Queen of the Underworld?" Toren asked.
The woman turned to look at the trio and nodded. "Indeed, young ones. I came here on behalf of the Underworld after Theseus informed my husband, Hades, that many Minotaur escaped the Labyrinth and ventured out into the Magical World. I apologize on the Greek Gods' behalf for this inconvenience." She turned to face the beasts. "You will return to the Labyrinth with me, willingly or not!" In response, the beasts roared and charged at her. Big mistake. "So be it." The goddess used her Chlorokinesis powers to summon plants from the ground to trap the creatures. However, there were still too many for her to handle on her own. "Mind helping me out, Dream Defenders?"
"Yes, ma'am!" the Shifter Trio replied and got back into action. They used their respective powers to neutralize the endless swarm of beasts, Persephone calling on all the plants in the area to help them as well.
Despite their combined efforts, it was still difficult for the group to prevent the Minotaur from destroying everything across Epcot. Then, at one point, the rain suddenly stopped falling, the clouds moving apart to let the sun shine over Epcot once again. And from this sun came down another figure. A man with messy brown hair wearing red and golden Hindi garments. This man's strangest features were no doubt his four arms and the fact he was floating on a golden cloud.
"I hope you don't mind my interference, but I noticed you seemed to have problems down here," the man said.
"Are you Shiva? From the Hindu Mythology?" Logan asked.
The mysterious deity let out a little sigh at this. "Why does everyone always think that I am Shiva? I am not Shiva, mortal, but Mitra, the Hindu God of Friendship, Oaths, and the Morning Sun."
"Another god comes to our help? We're lucky today, aren't we?" Toren beamed. "But to answer your question, any help is welcome, Mitra!"
Mitra nodded before jumping on a white horse he summoned out of nowhere and began riding around whilst shooting solar beams that knocked the Minotaur unconscious. Combined with Persephone and the Shifter Trio, the beasts were ultimately unable to destroy anything in Epcot. At one point, Logan even decided to grab his Khopesh and summon Anubis' Sacred Fire to take out his enemies.
"I have been meaning to see the mortal student of Anubis for a while now," Persephone remarked. The fight lasted a few minutes longer before all the Minotaurs were defeated. Persephone opened a crack in the ground leading to the Underworld and used her plants to toss the incapacitated beasts into it. "There, it's over now. It will take a while to send those creatures back to the Labyrinth, but they can stay in the Underworld until then." She turned to face the Shifter Trio and bowed respectfully. "Once again, sorry for this inconvenience. I will ask Hephaestus to come and fix all the destruction caused by the Minotaur."
"Eh, we faced worse," Logan nonchalantly said and pulled his Khopesh back to his hip. "Thanks for your help, guys. Aline, Toren and I probably would've stopped them, but not before they would have caused a lot of damage."
"It was our pleasure," Mitra kindly said. He then looked at Logan's khopesh and hip tattoo. "I take it Anubis took you as his disciple?"
"That's a long story, but yes, he did," Logan confirmed. "Anubis always lend me his strength when I need it and teaches me new ways to understand his divine powers every night, and I am very grateful for it."
Strangely, Aline stared alternately at Logan and the two deities before looking down and taking a step forward. "Persephone? Ma'am? I wanted to say that the way you helped us today was very impressive! And... I was wondering if...you would consider sharing some of your experience and wisdom with me."
This demand caused Logan and Toren to widen their eyes, whilst Persephone simply stared at the young girl. "You wish to become my disciple? Like this young man here is to Anubis?"
"Yes. I have no doubt with my magic talents, but ever since he formed a pact with Anubis, my friend has been a lot more useful in his role as a Dream Defender. And, truth to be told, you, Persephone, have always been one of my favorite deities, all mythology confused. That's why I was hoping that becoming your student would make me better as a Dream Defender, like my friend."
Persephone stared at Aline for a moment. "That's an interesting scenario. I, myself, was once mortal prior to becoming Queen of the Underworld." She smiled and placed a hand on Aline's shoulder. "I've actually heard some of your story during the first Sorcerer's Arena Tournament. And you know what? I also have a troubled past with my parents, Zeus and Demeter. It would be my pleasure to offer you guidance, young woman." Aline suddenly felt a strange sensation and lifted her dress' sleeve to see the tattoo of a pomegranate tree with flowers appearing on her right arm. "From his day on, Aline, you are my disciple. I will teach you how to use my powers and my wisdom in the Underworld. Oh, and one more thing." She summoned plants and made them create a spear made of vines and flowers that she handed to Aline. "Here's a gift; it will allow you to channel my powers, like Anubis' Khopesh allows your friend to do so with his own powers."
Aline excitedly took the spear, looking at it from every angle before bowing down in respect. "Thank you so much! I won't disappoint you, ma'am!"
Toren watched the scene unfold with a bright smile before noticing Mitra looking at him at an uncomfortably close distance. "Hmm... I can also sense something very special in you, little cat. A sincere heart and a lot of compassion... Am I wrong to assume you value your friends and family before anything else?"
"Not at all; my friends are the most precious thing in my life!" Toren affirmed.
Mitra chuckled. "Yes, I can sense it. To be honest with you, the bond between a god and a mortal is a prospect that always picked my curiosity. I have an offer for you: how about you become my student, like that young girl just became with Persephone? I will teach you everything I know about friendship and also allow you to find more strength within your bonds."
The young Jaquin's tail wiggled in excitation at this offer. "Yes! Yes! That's not everyday you get the chance to be taught by a god of friendship! Plus, if my two friends are to make a pact with a god, so am I!"
"Very well, Prince of Vallestrella," Mitra said with a chuckle. He reached a finger to give him a little bop on the forehead, where the golden tattoo of a sun appeared. "We are now friends in teaching and learning! I also have a gift for you." He summoned a golden coin necklace pendant that he pulled around Toren's neck and beneath his scarf. "With this, you'll be able to channel my powers. It will grant you the ability to summon magical constructs of those you're close to."
"It's kinda like Sora's summons, then!" Toren said in excitation as he stared at the golden coin. "Alright! I can't wait to begin my new training!"
Mitra nodded and patted the prince on the head before summoning his white horse again and then flew in the skies. At the same time, Persephone, opened a fissure to return to the Underworld. As Toren and Aline looked at their new item, Logan approached them with a bright smile. "So we all have a god or goddess as a teacher now, huh?"
"Guess that makes one more thing we have in common!" Aline mused, passing her Flower Spear over her shoulder.
"Let's do our best and become even more amazing Dream Defenders than we already are! Shifter Trio!" Toren beamed, reaching a paw upwards. Logan and Aline touched it at the same time for a high-five.
"Great! But you guys know we're gonna have to help clean the Minotaur's mess, right?" Aline said, pointing at the damaged World Showcase.
"Way to ruin the moment...," Toren groaned.
Author's note: It was about time Logan hung out with his Shifter Trio friends, don't you think? Not only that, but they now all serve a god: Aline with Persephone, the Greek Goddess of Spring and Queen of the Underworld, and Toren with Mitra, a lesser known Hindu God of Friendship and the Morning Sun! Alexc1209 and AvalorianJaquin have actually requested for me to make them servants to their respective god for a while now, so I thought it was about time I made it happen.
That little conversation our three friends had during their lunch was about something that happened in AvalorianJaquin's story on AO3, 'Magical World: Jaquin Style'. I won't spoil everything in detail, but to sum it up, after settling in Vallestrella, Toren and his brothers met a future version of him that turned bad because Gabriel died, causing the Dream Defenders to fall apart. With the help of his Jaquin family, Toren managed to defeat his evil future self, discovering the true form of his Fantasia power in the process. After that, he revealed to everyone that he's actually immortal from having his original human form's memory planted into a clone made from the DNA of Skylar, making him a creation of the Magical World. At least, that's what I understood.