"So many ways to tell a story, but that's what makes them so interesting! You can never predict how they're going to turn out." -Professor Paradox.
-David McCallum(1933-2023) Rest in Peace.
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All characters from Disney and other properties are owned by their respectful owners. The OCs made here are written entirely for the story. Enjoy the fic.
Chapter 119: The Alchemist's Mutant Mayhem
A while ago…
"There's more where that came from!"
Kitsuni glared at the Ninja Supreme, her hands drawing blue flames "I'm not going down that easily!" she shouted as she charged at him with a yell. She raised her paws up, prepared to slash at him with her blue flames. But the Ninja Supreme instantly vanished before she could touch him.
"You must be growing rusty for a thousands of years old fox!" he shouted as he threw kunai at Kitsuni. She vanished as well and the Ninja stood silent, listening to the background noise before he swung his sword around at Kitsuni, who barely dodged it. She felt another slash, this time on her left arm. "I've been able to cut you twice now!"
Kitsuni glared at him. "Just what are you up to? Why are you here in this Realm?"
"Simple, I'm looking for powerful warriors, and you're in the way!" he declared.
"Then I'll make sure you won't-" But before she could finish, she felt something pierce through her. Looking down, her eyes widened as she saw a sword stab through the side of her abdomen. She gasped and looked up at the Ninja Supreme, who disappeared into a cloud of smoke, revealing to be a log. "No…" she coughed up blood as the real Ninja Supreme was behind her.
"Get out of my way, fox," he told her before kicking her off from his sword. She held her abdomen and looked up at the Ninja Supreme, who gave her a pitiful look. "Such a shame you wasted your talents on the Order," he said as he held his blade up.
"Please… don't…" Kitsuni said while seeing the sword brought down.
"Goodbye, fox." the Ninja Supreme declared as he gave Kitsuni a slash… followed by a splatter of blood.
Kitsuni was staring at the Ninja in blurry vision. She had been slashed across her chest by the Ninja Supreme, an enemy that had fatally wounded her. 'No…' she thought as she fell to the ground. 'It… it can't end like this…'
The Ninja Supreme stared down at her as Kitsuni fell on her back. "You were once a great warrior, Kitsuni… but now, your time has come."
He then vanished, leaving Kitsuni to die. Kitsuni groaned and noticed her feet being burned away. She was starting to turn into blue flames. 'I'm sorry… Mai. I'm sorry… Luz. I'm sorry, Jack. I'm sorry, Julia…' Tears leaked from her eyes as the flames consumed her completely, leaving nothing behind…
"Dads!" Willow shouted before she turned to glare at the Ninja Supreme, her eyes glowing green.
The Ninja Supreme just chuckled. "Yes, get angry," he declared while bringing out his sickles. "Give me a real fight…"
He prepared himself as Willow launched her vines at him, unleashing her power. He began to jump around, dodging the vines with thorns aiming at him and slashing at them.
"You're gonna pay for what you did to my dads!" Willow declared while summoning much larger vines to send towards the Ninja Supreme. "Stand still!"
"I don't think so," he said as he jumped up in the air, Willow sending her vines after him. The vines collided into him, wrapping him up and tying him down.
"Gotcha!" she declared as she lowered the vines to see the Ninja Supreme at her mercy. However, as she brought him down, she noticed something off about him. "Wait," she said and upon getting a closer look, she saw that the Ninja Supreme had a scarecrow-like body. "Are you a-!"
Before she could say anything, she felt a hit to her head by the blunt of the real Ninja Supreme's helm of his sword. Before she could recover, the Ninja Supreme grabbed her and punched her in the stomach, knocking the air out of her.
"One down," he said, as he held Willow's unconscious body. "Four to go."
Later, in the bunker, Luz and Bria were met with the Ninja Supreme.
"Who the fuck are you?" Luz demanded to know.
The Ninja smiled behind his mask. "Call me… the Ninja Supreme."
"Seriously? With a name like that, you must believe in your own hype," Luz scoffed at him.
"Oh, you're full of jokes," the Ninja Supreme said before he suddenly sped forward and bashed Luz across the cheek to knock her down to the floor.
Bria looked shocked by this. "Hey, what-" Before she could answer, she felt a powerful punch to the stomach. The air was knocked out from her and she was thrown into the wall. As she fell to the floor, the Ninja threw a disk that bounced off her head, knocking her out.
"Bria…" Luz said while rubbing her bruised cheek and glaring at the masked ninja. "You bastard…!"
"I'm going to make this quick," he said as he swung his leg up, kicking Luz to the side instantly. Luz had a hard time following his movement as he began punching and kicking her. She kept up her transformed look as she pushed the Ninja Supreme back away from her. She flew up to deliver a kick to him, but he grabbed her ankle and threw her down to the floor.
"Oof!" Luz grunted as she saw the Ninja's boot about to stomp her. She rolled over, avoiding the hit. She shot fire magic at him, which he instantly dodge. She then shot an ice and light blast at him, but the Ninja was too fast for her to land a hit. "What are you, a speedster?!"
He didn't answer her, but instead, he got close enough to deliver a karate chop on her neck. Luz felt the hit and was about to fall… if not for Maya, who took over and turned around, showing her red eyes.
"Alright, pal," she said as she cracked her knuckles. "You asked for it!"
'Different voice?' the Ninja thought as Maya threw a punch at him. The Ninja Supreme dodged it and karate chopped her arm, making Maya wince in pain before getting kicked to the face.
"Oof!" Maya shouted as she was kicked around. She eventually hit the ground and looked up to see the Supreme Ninja hovering over her. "Are you here to kill me?"
"No… because you're too valuable for him," he declared, while raising his foot up and then knocking Maya out when he brought it down.
Maya and Luz were knocked out, landing next to Bria. The Ninja Supreme stood over them, smiling behind his mask. "Three to go…"
Donna and Cross continued to walk home as Cross picked up on something.
"Did you hear that?" Cross asked, taking a stop.
"Hear what?" Donna replied before an iron net suddenly entrapped Cross from behind. "Cross!"
"What the hell?!" Cross shouted from underneath the net. He tried to get out, but the net was magically bound to him "What is this?!"
"Hang on, I got-" Donna didn't finish since as she took a step, both of her feet were tied to her ankles, making her fall. "Kyah!" she screamed as she fell. Her hands were suddenly wrapped in ropes as well, pulled to her back. She was hogtied. "Not again!"
"Again?" asked the Ninja Supreme, who appeared at them both. "I'd ask, but I got a delivery to make."
"What the… who are you?!" Donna demanded to know.
"I am the Ninja Supreme!" he declared while holding up two taser-like rods. "And you two will be coming with me." He then shocked them both.
"AAAH!" Donna and Cross cried out in pain before they were knocked out from the electric shocks.
Once they were knocked out, the Ninja called for the Alchemist, who soon appeared through a portal.
"Alchemist," the Ninja said with a bow. "I have secured the final two targets."
"Excellent," the Alchemist said. "Now the real work can begin…"
Luz groaned loudly as she opened her eyes, her vision coming back to her. "What…?" she asked as she felt that she was clamped to something. Looking down, her eyes widened when she was strapped down to a table and hooked up to a bunch of wires that fed to a machine. "Ah… ah… AAAAAAHHH!"
"Luz?!" spoke up Willow, who just woke up and realized she was strapped down to a table as well. "Is that you?"
"WILLOW?!" Luz asked, turning to see Willow there as well.
"What's all that… racket?" Nina asked, groaning in pain as she found herself strapped to a table.
"AAAAAAAH!" Donna cried out, freaked out by being in the same situation. "WHERE ARE WE?!"
Cross had woken up as well and he looked around to see the other girls. "Oh shit…"
"WHERE THE FUCK ARE WE?!" Luz panicked as she shook around, freaking out over being in this situation again, the last time being at Glandus. "TITAN'S CRACK, GET ME OUT OF HERE, YOU ASSHOLES!"
Nina noticed Donna there. "Donna?!"
"Nina?!" Donna shouted as she turned to see Nina there while Luz continued to panic. "What are you doing here?"
"I want to ask the same thing and," Nina yelled as she noticed Cross. "What about him?"
"Same reason!" Cross yelled back. "We both got jumped by some ninja guy!"
"Ninja guy?!" Nina and Willow said in surprise while Luz kept muttering to herself.
"Oh my Titan, I'm going to get fucking dissected!" Luz cried out.
"Luz, calm down!" Willow shouted as she tried to calm her friend down. "Take deep breaths, we're here."
"Yeah, Luz," Maya spoke up, causing Luz to stop. "Calm down..."
Luz stopped screaming as she took a deep breath, looking around and seeing that they were all in some kind of lab with a tricked out machine. "Where are we, Willow?"
"I… I don't know, but everything's going to be fine, Luz," Willow reassured her.
"Yeah, we're fine, alright," Nina muttered. "We were all captured by some ninja guy and some big, blue dude who calls himself 'The Alchemist' beat me to a pulp. And now we are all strapped to tables for who knows what! That definitely sounds fine!"
"Nina, there's no reason to snap at Willow like that!" Donna scolded her.
"Oh, well I'm sorry. I'm just GOING THROUGH SOME DAMN EMOTIONS RIGHT NOW!" Nina shouted back.
"Hey," Cross told her off. "You're not the only one who's going through some stuff."
"Oh yes, the boyfriend coming to her defense," Nina scoffed.
"Guys, this isn't helping!" Willow pointed out as she yelled at them. "Whatever issues you have, can it wait? Cause right now, this isn't helping to stop Luz from not having a panic attack."
"Seriously, being sixteen must suck," Maya told Nina, Donna and Cross. "Just do us all a favor and fuck each other already."
Cross, Nina, and Donna gave a deadpan look before Cross spoke up. "Look, let's just recount what happened to us. How did we get here."
"I'll start," Willow spoke up. "I was with my dads, and then that ninja guy showed up and attacked them. I fought back, but he caught me by surprise. Last thing I remembered was getting hit in the head and punched in the stomach, then I blacked out."
Nina calmed down and turned to Donna. "What do you and Cross last remember?"
"Well, we were both on our way home after Lilith helped us out… long story," Donna said, while Luz looked curious by what she meant. "Me and Cross were suddenly ambushed by this Ninja guy. He shocked us with these sticks and next thing we know…"
"We woke up here," Cross said.
Luz then spoke up. "After fighting Sonya, and she died, me and Bria meet this Ninja guy as well," Luz explained. "He knocked Bria out, and he fought against me. I did my best to fight him, but he overpowered me, even Maya couldn't beat him."
"We were just low on energy after fighting chimeras!" Maya argued defensively.
"I went back to find you after saving Skara and Slasher from the Big Bad Wolf and making sure that my siblings and mom were okay," Nina said, surprising Donna with the mention of the Big Bad Wolf. "I saw you and Bria unconscious, and the Ninja. I actually saw that guy before, since he was at the Brawl before things went insane. But I didn't fight the Ninja… I fought this blue armored guy called the Alchemist who beat me into unconsciousness."
Donna looked relieved to hear about Nina's family being okay. "Well, at least your siblings and your mom are alright."
Nina couldn't help but agree with her. "Yeah, I didn't see them, but I know they're okay." She looked around. "And since I don't see Bria here, I assume that she was left back there."
"That's great and all, really, it is, but I do have one question though," Luz said. "Who the hell is the Alchemist?"
"That would be me," said a voice.
The five turned and saw the Alchemist entering the lab and making his appearance known to them. He stepped forward. "Nice of you all to finally wake up."
Flying over Latissa in secret were Eda, King, and Lilith. Wearing their cloaks, they stuck to the alleys while Lilith kept Blazer secure. Once they made it to the CATT base, Eda knocked on the door and an eye hole opened.
"Password?" Bunker asked.
"Raine's Rhapsody," Eda responded and the door opened to let them in. "Thank you," she said as they entered the headquarters.
Heading through the building, they saw that Gilbert and Sully were there as well, being treated by Hikari, Viney, and Emira. "Are you two alright?" Eda asked.
"We're fine, but…" Sully looked down, tears leaking from his eyes.
"This… ninja guy took our daughter away!" Gilbert cried out, Sully going to hug his husband. "Oh my little tulip… where did you go?!"
Eda looked saddened before she heard Amity's voice. "Eda." She, King, and Lilith turned around, seeing Amity along with Gus and Edric.
"Amity," Eda said as she rushed over to her, the two hugging. "How was rescuing your daddy?"
"Yeah, did it go well?" King asked her.
"It was a success," Amity confirmed while looking down. "But… Gus told me that Luz, Willow, and Nina went missing."
Eda sighed. "It's true," she confirmed.
Amity's eyes widened. "But… how?"
"Well, we don't know how they went missing. Skara said she last saw Nina run back to find Luz and, well, both of them are now gone. We searched the whole bunker and the only thing we found were Bria and some mutated kids. They're in the scouts' hands now."
"Luz…" Amity said as she looked down, worried. Acorn and Ghost comforted her. "Where could they have gone?"
"Don't worry, that's what we're trying to find out," Eda reassured her.
"Coming through," Lilith said as she carried Blazer toward the beds and the healers.
"Wait, isn't that…?" Gus asked as he looked at Blazer.
"Blazer?!" Edric exclaimed, surprised to see Blazer here.
"Yes, it is him," Lilith responded, while setting Blazer on the bed. "And he needs a healer right now."
Eberwolf walked up to sniff at Blazer while Emira, Hikari, and Viney also walked up.
"We'll help him," Viney said while Emira looked over to Edric. He gave her a nod of encouragement before Emira began to help Viney with her healing spells.
"There's a lot of bruises on him," Emira noticed while healing his chest.
"I sense great suffering from him," Hikari said while reading Blazer's aura. She frowned. "He… he's been through a lot."
While Blazer was healed, Eda confronted her sister. "So where's Vee and Star?" she asked.
"Star's with Vee and her siblings. I'm sure they are back at the Owl House by now," Lilith responded. "Oh, and we did encounter Donna and Cross earlier. We got into some trouble…"
"Really?" Eda asked as she pulled up her scroll. "I should text her to see if she's alright, especially since I didn't see her earlier…"
Emira then received a text and read it. "Hey, I got a text from Beocrow. He said that Donna's parents called him earlier and said that she hasn't come home… but her and Cross's Palismen did."
Eda looked concerned by this. "Just their Palismen…?"
"What could have happened to them?" Edric asked.
"Willow, Luz and Nina went missing, and around the same time Donna and Cross went missing," Gus pointed out. "Willow was said to be kidnapped by some ninja guy… could there be a connection?"
"Right on the money, Augustus," said a voice.
Everyone turned toward the new figure that had suddenly showed up in their safehouse. Bindell kept her guard up. "Alright, who are you?" she demanded.
"Easy, I'm a friend of Eda's," said the stranger.
Eda gave this stranger a look. "Wait a sec… Kitsuni, is that you?"
"Kitsuni?" King, Gus, Emira, Edric, and Viney responded simultaneously.
"If that's her… why does she look… different?" Emira pointed out.
Kitsuni now resembled an orange furred fox woman with golden tips on her ears. Her eyes were blue, while her hair was long and white. She wore a white decorative sleeveless kimono with a yellow sun and crescent moon on each side, with a purple gradient on her white kimono, white socks with metal grieves on, with black gauntlets and has nine tails. Hovering above her head was a golden flame.
"I look different now because of my attack by the very same Ninja that attacked the Parks," Kitsuni explained, her voice now sounding like two voices coming out of the same being.
"The Ninja?" Sully asked.
"You encountered him?" Gilbert asked.
"He wanted me out of the picture," she admitted. "I barely survived, which is why I'm like this now. But that's beside the point. The Ninja Supreme being here means that he is also here in the Isles… or at least, he was here to take the missing five."
"Who?" Amity asked her anxiously.
"The Alchemist," Kitsuni answered. "What we're dealing with is someone from the Yokai Realm. Both the Ninja Supreme and the Alchemist are very infamous in my Realm."
"What do you know about them?" Lilith asked her. "What are we dealing with, Kitsuni?"
"I can start with the Ninja Supreme," Kitsuni said as she began. "Before his infamy, he was the son of a Yokai leader… the Supreme Daimyo, the descendant of Momotarō."
"Momotarō… say, I think I've heard of that name before," Eda pointed out. "Name of a boy born from a peach."
"The very same peach boy who grew up to become a legendary warrior," Kitsuni explained. " Momotarō moved to the Yokai Realm, which eventually led his family clan becoming the main family in the realm. The Daimyo and his children, a son named Hibari and a daughter named Miwa are the current generation of the family line. While his daughter, Miwa, is known for her kind and gentle nature, Hibari wanted more than living a peaceful lifestyle. He wanted to prove himself the ultimate warrior, like his father's ancestor was. But he was too short-tempered, impatient, and he did not have the heart of a warrior. Because of his actions and dishonor in the pursuit of proving himself the ultimate warrior in all of the Realms and all of the Multiverse, he became a wanted Yokai."
"And what about this Alchemist bub?" Eda asked her.
Kitsuni looked down. "The Alchemist, for that is his only name, was once part of the Daimyo's Council. He's a Yokai alchemist that is obsessed with mutation and wants to create an army of warriors."
"An army…?" Lilith asked.
"Because of his illegal experiments, the Supreme Daimyo kicked him out of his council. The Alchemist swore revenge and that's when the Ninja Supreme decides to team up with him. Those two have been coming and going through different realms to take the best warriors they could find. Even ones from Human Realm and Mewni."
"Are you saying that Luz, Willow, and the others were captured by a crazy mad scientist who abducted them to who knows where to be a part of his experiments?!" Amity asked in shock. "We have to save them!"
"But we don't know where they are," King pointed out. "They may not even be in the Demon Realm anymore, so where could they be?"
"We… we have no leads to where they are," Lilith realized, while everyone looked grim at the fact.
"I wouldn't say that," Kitsuni said as everyone turned to her. "Thankfully, I think I have a lead that could help us find them and the Alchemist."
Back in the Alchemist's lair, the Alchemist had drawn the attention of the five witches.
"You… you're that guy that pummeled me!" Nina pointed out.
"Yes, which was regretfully necessary," the Alchemist said. "I am sure you all must be wondering why you're all here."
"Yeah, no shit, Sherlock!" Luz shouted at him. "You're with the Tarot Guild, aren't you?"
"Our interests aligned, nothing more," the Alchemist said while walking around the five. "You see, I struck a deal with the Tarot Guild. Their trafficking operation was mainly meant to provide me with test subjects to study. Out of all the Realms that I have been to, yours is one of the most unique. And the Boiling Isles is filled with so many wonderful opportunities…"
"Just what we need, a mad scientist," Cross muttered.
"Please don't interrupt while I explain," the Alchemist scolded him. "The Tarot Guild may be unruly, but they were a necessary evil. They provided me not just with witch and demon test subjects, but with animal test subjects as well, many of which were found underneath their base in the Scal-Mart. But when the Scal-Mart operation was busted, I decided to come to the Boiling Isles myself to look for young warriors to mutate for my army."
"Wait, you said you have been to other Realms and that you came to the Boiling Isles…" Luz realized. "Just where are you from… and where are we even right now?"
"You are in the Yokai Realm at the moment," the Alchemist confirmed, shocking Luz.
"Wait, that would mean-"
"That me and my associate are Yokai?" the Alchemist asked while the Ninja entered the room as well, silently watching the interaction. "Yes, it would mean that," he said before continuing his recounting. "I monitored the Bonesborough Brawl, but it was the IFWOT that really put you five on my radar. I see a lot of potential in each one of you. A human turned witch, a powerful plant user, a werecat, a keyblade wielder, and… a dragon."
"Dragon?" Nina asked, looking around. "Who's he talking about-" She looked over at Cross, who looked nervous, especially when Donna glanced at him. "Oh… I thought you smell like ash."
"Nina Fangs, was it?" the Alchemist asked her. "Dr. Sonya Mera has told me a lot about you and your kind."
"You knew that bitch?" Nina snarled at him.
"Of course, after all I did collaborate with her. I even helped her improve on her Adapter formula that made you Chimera-X. Too bad it didn't work on the other werecat…"
"You bastards have no right to mention Casey!" Nina shouted as she attempted to get out of her bonds, but with no luck.
"Casey…" Donna said as she realized. "Nina, don't tell me…"
"Though that was not the only help I offered the Tarot Guild in return for their services," the Alchemist continued while walking around them. "Me and my partner the Ninja Supreme offered the Yokai Realm as a fallback location for the Tarot Guild in case their doomsday plan failed."
"Doomsday?" Luz asked, thinking back to the bunker. "What, do you mean like, the Day of Unity or something?"
"It's not the Day of Unity we're referring to, little Clawthorne," the Alchemist told her. "Because the Tarot Guild intends to make sure that the Day of Unity won't come to pass."
This got Luz and Willow to wonder what the Alchemist meant. However, Nina began to shout. "So you're just going to keep us?! I am not going to allow myself to be experimented on again!"
"Oh, sorry, but you don't have-"
"-A choice!"
Floating down on their parachutes were two brown furred tanukis. One had blue eyes while the other had red eyes.
"Sorry we're late, boss," spoke the blue eyed one.
"Yeah, just locking up another one of our prisoners that tried to escape again," the red eyed tanuki responded.
"Thank you for that, Aoi, and Aka," the Alchemist told them as they crawled around to look at the five witches.
"Say, are these the new test subjects?" Aoi the blue eyed tanuki asked.
"Yes, they are," the Alchemist confirmed.
"I still don't understand why you are doing this," Willow said. "Why go through all this trouble?"
The Alchemist replied "Well, I'm-"
"Glad you asked!" Aoi interjected.
"We'll take it from here, boss," Aka told the Alchemist.
The Alchemist just sighed. "Very well."
Music started playing as Aoi began. "Oooh, he is a very model of a warring warrior scientist, he's mutated things from vegetable, animal, to cyclist."
"We want all those Yokais to crush them with our iron fist, from Akihabara to the bowery he'll grind them all into nothingness!?" Aka sang as well, both crawling around the machine and jumping from slab to slab on each of the teen witches.
"As a boss he is extremely caring and a touch quite passionate!" Aoi sang while next to Nina, Aka playing with her locks "But all they do is treat him as their classic villain antagonist."
"Our witchy friends here today, he has some exciting news…" the two tanukis sang while jumping down, appearing behind Donna and Cross's slabs. "Exciting news!"
"It was thirteen years ago today he discovered the secret of his ooze!(Sing a-long!)"
The other caged prisoners around the facility sang along. "It was thirteen years ago today he discovered the secret of his ooze! It was thirteen years ago today he discovered the secret of his ooze!"
The others looked confused before Luz was startled when Aoi and Aka sang in front of her. "One day at the Tournament, he found himself the perfect human fight-er!" Aoi sang.
"He was the deadliest champion, his abs were none the tight-er!?" Aka sang as the two jumped over to Willow's slab.
"Mutating him was going to be nothing short of masterful, with warriors made from him the Alchemist would be so powerful!?" they both sang as they levitated up next to their master.
"The Council cutting their ties from him is nothing short of blasphemous!" Aka sang while floating around the Alchemist while he took a drink.
"In several social circles he's unison with-" Aoi got punched by the Alchemist and knocked into the wall. "Fabulous…" he sang in pain.
The Alchemist smiled as he finished his drink. "Fine, I'll give them what they want."
Cross tried to speak. "Ah, no, I don't think we want to hear you si-"
"After I was rejected, my lab was set on fire and destroyed!" he sang while on top of his machine. "I then went rogue then I met this young boy, he offered to help me seek out with my experiments, in exchange I help him train and grow through his embitterment!" He referred to the Ninja Supreme. "Now you know my origins, it's time for me to enact my plan! And yes, I'll need the skills of my ninja handyman!"
"And yes, he'll need the skills of his Ninja Handyman!" Aoi and Aka sang while popping up behind the Ninja Supreme, who just stood still with his arms crossed.
The Alchemist continued to sing. "Now my subjects the time is here we warriors come together for a stand! Let's put a close on our first gathering of my little plan! So join me in my endgame, defeating my greatest foes, for I insist, I am the very model of a warring warrior scientist!?"
"So join him in the endgame, defeating our greatest foes, for he insists, he is the very model of a warring warrior scientist!?" Aoi and Aka sang together.
"Enough of this damn, accursed singing!" the Ninja Supreme interrupted. "By the gods, was that really necessary?"
"Come on, everyone loves a little villain song," Aoi pointed out.
"Yeah, they're the best songs!" Aka nodded.
"Um… one quick question," Cross said. "What is this… ooze you're talking about?"
"Good question, young dragon witch boy," the Alchemist said as his arms crossed behind his back. "You see, the 'ooze' that I'm referring to is my philosopher stone."
"Philosopher stone?" Luz questioned. "You mean the thing that grants a person immortality? One that can turn metal into gold?"
"Well yes, but mine is more metaphorical," the Alchemist explained. "As you said, my ooze can do something similar, but rather than turning rocks into jewels, my ooze can mutate a creature. I can turn a vegetable into a monster or a simple animal like my tanukis into talking creatures."
"And we're grateful for that!" Aoi declared while Aka huffs with a nod.
"And I can use my ooze to transform you witches into my own warriors!" the Alchemist declared. "Soon, I will have perfection! My perfect army! My perfect warriors!"
Nina began to panic. "No… nononononono! You can't do this!" she shouted as she struggled from her bonds. "I AM NOT GOING TO BE YOUR LAB RAT!"
"Oh? I thought you'd like to get experimented on, Ms. Fangs," the Alchemist told her.
"FUCK YOU!" Nina shouted at him. "YOU'RE JUST AS MUCH OF A PSYCHO AS SONYA!"
"Would you shut up, you damn cat!" the Ninja Supreme shouted as he shocked Nina with his prod, causing her to scream in pain.
"AAAAAH!" Nina screamed as she got shocked.
"NINA!" Donna cried out. "Stop! You're hurting her!"
"Enough," the Alchemist ordered, getting the Ninja to pull back as Nina stopped screaming. "We don't want her too damaged."
"Of course, sir," the Ninja Supreme replied.
"Nina, are you okay?" Willow asked.
Nina looked tired as tears leaked from her eyes. "I… I just… I want to go home," she admitted. "Fuck, I don't want to go through with this again…"
"Nina, it's going to be okay," Donna reassured her. "We're getting out of here."
"Please, none of you are getting out of here until the Alchemist is done with you," the Ninja declared as he started to walk away.
"Yo, Ninja-bitch," Luz called out, making him pause. "Once I regain my strength and get off of this table, I'm going to kick your ass."
The Ninja scoffed at her. "I'd like to see you try."
In the outskirts of town, Kitsuni led Eda, Amity, Lilith, and Gus to the entrance of a sewer pipe, where they spotted someone in the shadows.
"We're here," Kitsuni revealed.
"Why are we near a sewage pipe?" Amity asked.
"Amity, is that you?" someone asked. "You're back!"
Amity and Gus recognized the voice, turning to see the person stepping out of the shadows. "Felicia?!" they both exclaimed.
"Wait a second, aren't you that Felicity Fox's kid?" Eda asked her.
"Yes, I am," Felicia responded. "And seriously, great seeing you again Amity, but don't worry, I'm not saying a word about your return until you are ready, especially I really owe your girlfriend tons of favors."
"Well… that's reassuring," Amity responded. "But Kitsuni said that you have a lead that could help us find her, Willow, Nina, Donna, and Cross."
"Nina, Donna, and Cross kidnapped by the same individual? That could be interesting," Felicia said while tapping her chin. "But anyhow, my contacts should be here right about now."
"Your contacts?" Lilith asked before they heard some shouting from the sewage pipe.
"Ya-hoo!"
"Gang way!"
"I'm coming in first!"
Everyone turned to the sewage pipe as skateboarding out of it were four green, reptile-like beings. They were strange creatures not like anything in the Isles, but Eda recognized these creatures.
"Are those… KAPPAS?!" Eda asked as the four creatures made their landing.
"You better believe it," spoke a green-skinned kappa with black, swampy hair and a pond on top of his head. He wore a blue mask over his eyes, a blue samurai robe and black baggy pants, a navy-blue belt, elbow and knee pads, and two swords wrapped on his shell. He had a green bill with a gray underbelly. "Greetings, you all must be Felicia's friends."
"Don't mind our appearance, a'ight?" said a blond-haired, yellow-billed, mint-colored female kappa with a pond on her head. She was wearing a yellow mask with a yellow bill, an orange t-shirt and denim shorts, yellow elbow and knee-pads, and sickles around her yellow belt. She had been riding on a scooter. "We may look freakish to you witches, but we're all alike, right?"
"Um… I don't think our appearances would scare them that much," pointed out a tall, female brown kappa with short white hair, a pond on her head, and a pink bill. She was wearing a purple mask, a purple shirt with short-overalls, and purple elbow and knee-pads. She also appeared to have a cybernetic prosthetic arm and was holding a bo-staff. "Considering that we can pass off as the common demons here, for the most part at least."
"Whatever," grumbled a larger, dark-green male kappa with scars on his body. He was the bulkiest out of the four, with his red mask looking roughened. He also had a gray beak, short red hair, and a pond like his siblings. His shell was roughened up and he was shirtless with red knee and elbow-pads, bandages wrapped around his arms, black pants, and a red belt. He carried a large hammer and gave the witches a look. "What are you all looking at?"
"These are some… interesting friends you have, Felicia," Gus commented.
"Everyone, meet the Teenage Demon Reptile Ninjas, or T.D.R.N for short," Felicia introduced. "Blue one is Kose, the big red guy is Jocho, tall, purple and slim is Fuyuko, and the yellow masked one's Koun. They're like the secret Boiling Isles heroes that no one has ever heard of, mainly because they prefer to live in the shadows. They think they know where to find the missing five who were captured by the Alchemist."
"Still not a fan of the name you gave us," Jocho muttered.
"Wait, so you guys have met this Alchemist before?" Amity asked them.
"More like escaped from him," Fuyuko revealed. "He captured us and experimented on us to try to turn us into his warriors, but we eventually escaped and ended up in the Boiling Isles."
"These guys ended up saving me from a mugging from those Glandus students a while back," Felicia explained. "Since then, I've been in contact with them and they lead me to some good stories. They've been my helpful info-brokers in exchange for keeping their presence a secret from the Emperor's Coven."
"Yeah, we got it good, crashing in our lair in the sewer," Koun explained. "It's like, got the best ramps around, plus we keep it clean."
"Other than that, we can help you find your friends," Kose declared. "Because we know where the Alchemist's base is…"
Meanwhile, the Alchemist was looking through some of his data on his captured subjects.
"Dr. Mera did a good number on Ms. Fang's DNA," he said while analyzing Nina's DNA with his Yokai computer, also checking her X-rays and magic aura readings. "Her genetic structure is constantly changing. Reptile and primal… her magical energy levels are also beyond that of a common werecat."
Then he tapped on the keyboard, checking on Luz's DNA. "Luz Clawthorne… a human turned witch. Her adaptations to the magical elements of the Boiling Isles are fascinating. The Cambion Theory may be wrong about her, for she is not a cambion… but something else," he said while looking at a sample of Luz's blood, which showed a strange color. "I will have to test her blood to learn its full properties. There is also the other soul in her body…"
He then checked Cross's magical readings, seeing magical projections of his witch form and his dragon form. "Cross of the Drakescale Clan, an old dragon clan that hides among these witches. He has shown great potential with his dragon genes… but I wonder if he's like the dragons in the Human Realm."
He then moved onto Willow's tests and he looked surprised at how off the charts her aura readings are. "The young Willow Park… she has the potential to be even more powerful than Terra Snapdragon," he commented while looking at Willow's x-ray of her bile sac. "I wonder what secrets you have, Ms. Park…"
It was then he heard his computer beep. Turning around, he saw the test results coming out of the printers and he ripped it out. He read Donna's test results about her DNA and her brainwaves. His eyes widened. "This is… interesting," he said. "I have never seen anything like this before…" He then looked at Donna's x-rays of her skeleton, checking up on them. "Her bones… her bile sac, at first glance it all looks fine enough and yet," he said as he looked at her bile sac photo. "Does the Emperor's Coven know what kind of witch she is?"
The Alchemist marched down to the lab where the kids were being kept. "Ms. Donna Masterskull!" he declared as everyone turned to him. "I wish to have a word with you."
"Me?" Donna asked him while the Alchemist brought out the readings he had on her.
"Your tests are unlike anything I've ever seen!" he revealed. "I have seen and met many different kinds of witches before. But you, Ms. Masterskull, are more different than anyone else!"
"What… what are you talking about?" Nina asked.
"Donna, what's he saying about you?" Willow asked.
"I… I don't know what he means," Donna admitted.
"I wasn't sure at first, but then I saw your brain scans and I realized what you were," he declared. "You were not born… you were engineered!" he revealed, which made Donna even more confused. "You are less of a witch and more like… a bioweapon of some sorts. Designed to look like a witch," he said while walking close to her.
"Wait, you mean like a homunculi or a Grimwalker?" Luz asked.
"No, she is something more elaborate," the Alchemist said before turning to Donna. "Tell me where you were manufactured?!"
"I… I don't know!" Donna told him. "And have you ever heard of personal space?!"
"Well, if you don't know, then perhaps I should get my answers through your memory files," the Alchemist said. "Which means… looking into your brain."
"Um… you mean, like with a brain helmet thing?" Donna asked nervously.
"Oh actually, I do have one of those," the Alchemist said. "But my tanukis forgot to update it for bugs, so we'll just have to use alternative means." He raised his hand up and his fingers transformed into tentacles, going towards Donna's face.
"W-Wait, what are you doing?!" Donna asked as she felt the tentacles going through her ears and her nostrils. "AAAAH!" she screamed before her eyes turned blank, causing her to stop screaming.
"DONNA!" the others cried out, seeing what the Alchemist was doing to her.
Donna opened her eyes and found herself back in her old childhood cabin. "What the…?!" she asked as she felt her face and looked around the cabin. "This is… my old cabin home…"
"Protect the kids!"
Hearing her birth mother's voice and then scream, Donna turned around. She gasped in shock as she saw that Lupe had killed her mother in front of her and her father.
"Astronema!" Ulysses's voice shouted.
"MOM!" Donna shouted in horror, covering her mouth as she watched Lupe and his partner mutilating and torturing her birth parents. "No… NO!" she shouted as she tried to stop this, but all she did was run through them. "No…" she said, realizing she can't do anything to stop the event.
"Interesting," the Alchemist said, walking and looking around the cabin. He spotted the baby Donna. "You are able to vividly remember memories from even when you were a baby… were they your parents?"
"Y-Yeah," Donna confirmed, while looking away from the grizzly site. "How… how do I stop this?!"
"They're your memories," the Alchemist said before the cabin changed to what it currently was now.
Donna looked around. "I...I've only remembered this recently."
"Really?" the Alchemist asked, curious. "How so?"
"Let's just say, someone from my past jogged those memories," Donna admitted before she was suddenly jumped and pushed forward. "AAH!" she cried out while crashing to the floor. Turning around, she saw it was Lupe who had her pinned down. "NO!" she shouted while punching him in the nose and crawling out from him.
Donna backed away before she bumped into someone else. Looking up, she saw that it was, much to her shock, Draco.
"Hello, niece," he said as he struck Donna across the face and then kicked her to the side.
"Oof!" she shouted while holding her sides. She looked up and found herself surrounded by Lupe and Draco. "Even here, I'm haunted by those two…"
"Interesting," the Alchemist said. "Perhaps these two are the representations of the memory blocks that are suppressing your memories. Like guardians keeping a lock and protecting any memories that you could have stored into your memory bank."
Donna looked to the Alchemist. "A little help would be appreciated!" she told him.
"I'm sorry, young witchling," the Alchemist calmly said. "But this is something that you have to overcome yourself. Your memories, your battle."
Donna turned to face off against Lupe and Draco. "Fine," she said as she summoned her keyblade, which caught the Alchemist's attention. She charged at the two. She drew her keyblade at Draco, who dodged her attack and used his staff to zap her off her feet. "Kyah!" she cried as she bumped into Lupe. He grabbed her by the leg as he raised her up and slammed her to the floor multiple times. "Oof! AH! Ow!" she cried before Lupe dropped her down.
Donna groaned as she got up, but then Draco swung his staff to hit her in the stomach. "Oof!" she cried out as she was launched back. She then used her ice magic to try to freeze the two, but Lupe and Draco just jumped out of the way as they both delivered a punch to her face, knocking her back.
"Titan, how can I beat them?" she asked while holding up her keyblade to block an attack from Lupe.
"This is your mind, so approach it that way," the Alchemist advised her. "If you wish to learn more about your origins, you have to defeat them. Getting rid of those mental blocks will open further to your hidden memories…"
Donna looked down, the back up at Draco and Lupe. She held up her keyblade and charged her ice magic through it, aiming it at Draco.
Draco dodged the ice blasts like last time while Lupe charged forward. However, Donna was prepared for that and she redirected the keyblade at him, knocking the werewolf back. She then jumped towards Draco, who held up his staff to blast her. But Donna predicted his move, stepping to the side to dodge before she drew a spell circle to flash a bright light spell that caused Draco to be blinded. She slashed at him with her keyblade.
"Since you're not really real," Donna said as she turned around and slashed Draco across the back, disintegrating him. Draco screamed before he disappeared into burning particles. "I don't have to hold back," she declared while her keyblade darkens.
She then noticed Lupe running towards her. She held her keyblade up just as Lupe opened his jaws at her. She shot a beam of ice through Lupe's jaw, freezing his insides and disintegrating him.
"You are quite skilled with the keyblade, Ms. Masterskull," the Alchemist commented while Donna aimed it at him.. "And what do you think you're doing?"
"Wondering if I could knock you out of my mind," Donna responded.
"Not a good idea," the Alchemist advised her. "Try to kill me, and you may die as well. And if we both die, my associate the Ninja Supreme will dispose of your friends without mercy."
Realizing he was right, Donna lowered her weapon. "Fine, but once we're done and find whatever it is you're looking for, get your slimy tentacle fingers out of my face!"
"Very well," the Alchemist said as he moved forward, Donna glaring at him before following him. "You're not taking the lead? This is your memory core."
"I'd rather watch you than let you get behind me," Donna said. "I don't want you to double-cross me or anything."
"A wise decision," he replied as the two walked forward and out of the cabin as they found themselves somewhere else.
Donna looked surprised when she saw she was in a large, blue interior that resembled some sort of cave. Hovering around were video-like images of Donna's memories; from her childhood at the orphanage to her time at St. Epiderm. She looked shocked to see all her memories while she and the Alchemist walked between them.
"This place…" Donna said. "Is this what my mindscape looks like?"
"You know, I am familiar with the concept of one's inner-self existing within the witch's minds in your realm," the Alchemist said while walking forward. "Perhaps we could find your inner-self."
"My Inner-Self… but, where could she be?" Donna asked.
"Hello, Karona," said a faint female voice that caused Donna to pause.
"…what?" she asked while looking around. When she saw nobody and didn't hear anything else, she continued to follow the Alchemist, who didn't seem to have heard anything at all.
Meanwhile, the others were looking at the unresponsive Donna in worry.
"What is he even doing to her?" Luz questioned.
"Relax, he's done this before when he meets warriors of interest," the Ninja Supreme explained. "She'll be perfectly fine."
Luz spotted something hanging from the Ninja Supreme's side… Donna's key. Her eyes widened and she looked over to Nina, who had seen it as well. The two shared a nod before Luz looked back to the Ninja. "So you, like, have worked with this Alchemist guy for years, right?"
"Of course," the Ninja Supreme said. "What's it to you?"
"Well, from where I'm laying, I think I know your type," Luz said with a grin. "Let me guess, you seek the approval of this deranged, maniac mad scientist straight out of sci-fi B-movie, and aim to be what, his greatest bitch there is? I can definitely tell that someone would have to have major daddy issues to go through all of this for some, what, validation?"
The Ninja Supreme glared at Luz. "I am one of the greatest warriors in all the Realms! You should show some respect to me!"
"Respect? Not with that weird mask you have," Luz pointed out.
"This mask is supposed to resemble the Oni, the most feared demons of the Yokai Realm!" he declared.
"Guess that explains why you wear it, so you can hide that butt-ugly face of yours," Luz commented. "What are you, a butt-baby?"
"What's a butt-baby?" Willow asked her.
"A baby born out of the butt," Luz replied, which only made the Ninja Supreme angry. "I bet his mother had to take laxative pills to get him out of there."
"Don't you talk to my mother that way!" the Ninja told her off while drawing his dagger at her. "I am this close to removing that vulgar tongue of yours!"
"Whoa, pal, easy on the knives," Luz replied, glancing at Nina who was trying to use her tail to grab the key from the Ninja while he was distracted. "Look, even though you're some kind of Naruto-wannabe who thinks he's so great, why call yourself 'Supreme'? Like, was 'Ultimate' already taken? Or why not call yourself the Nefarious Ninja since, you know, you're doing some nefarious things right now."
"Are you done talking?!" he shouted in annoyance.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm good," Luz replied with a grin. "Just had to get some things off of my chest. But one more question though… how easy it is for you to fail?"
The Ninja Supreme looked confused. "What?" he asked as he glanced around until he noticed one person was missing. "Wait… where did that cat go?!"
"YEOW!" Nina cried out as she fell on top of the Ninja, kicking him down on the floor. She did a flip to one panel and landed on the floor before she looked back at the Ninja, who got up and glared at her.
"You… you will pay for your insolence!" the Ninja Supreme declared as he held his sword up.
"Careful with that sword," she said while showing her claws. "Don't want to cut something important."
The Ninja charged and swung his sword at Nina, who jumped up to the ceiling. She grabbed one of the hanging lights while the Ninja Supreme jumped up to chase her. She went on top of one of the machines, dashing around it with her paws while the Ninja followed her, shooting darts at her. Nina dodged the darts and jumped on a wall. The Ninja did the same, drawing his sword at her while Nina extended her claws, his sword clashing with her claws.
Nina pushed the Ninja back, making him step to the side of the machine. She jumped forward, forming her arms into gorilla arms as she punched the machine down with her fist while the Ninja dodged her. He brought out his electric sticks and tried to shock her but she grabbed him by the arms and threw him across the room. She looked back at the others and ran to Cross first, using Donna's key to unlock his straps and free him.
"Thanks," Cross told her.
"Just help free Luz and Willow, and try to get that Alchemist guy away from Donna," Nina responded as she gave him the key before the two dodged a shuriken thrown at the wall. They turned to the Ninja Supreme, who glared at the two.
"Both of you shall sit down!" the Ninja Supreme shouted as he charged at them, holding up some rope to bind them.
Nina and Cross split up as they dodged the Ninja Supreme. While keeping the Ninja Supreme busy, Cross used Donna's key to free Willow before he tossed the key back over to Nina, who used it to free Luz.
"Aw yeah, time to freeze your ass," Luz said with a grin as she cast an ice spell at him.
The Ninja Supreme jumped over the ice beam as he formed a jiu jitsu. "Shadow clones!" he shouted before popping out of thin air were seven clones of the Ninja Supreme. They split off around the lab, trying to get the witch teens. Luz flew up in her changed form, using her claws to slash at one clone. Cross in his dragon form flew up with Nina, who rode on his back. She jumped off to kick another clone while it tried to target Willow.
"Know any spells other than plants?" Nina asked after slashing at a clone.
"Not really," Willow said as she swung her fist and punched a Ninja clone who was about to bound her. The clone poofed away. "But I don't need to."
Cross blew a blue flame at another duplicate of the Ninja Supreme before with his dragon senses he was able to spot the real Ninja through a hidden blanket. He flew down as he raised his fist, punching through the blanket and at the real Ninja.
"Oof!" he shouted while he fell to the floor. "Impossible! How could you tell?!"
"Decided to use my keen eyesight," Cross pointed out.
The Ninja Supreme got up and threw a bag in front of Cross, which spread a powder around. Cross coughed while using his wings to blow the smoke away. The Ninja Supreme ran from him until he felt a kick to the back of his head by Luz's talon, knocking him down to the floor.
"Told ya I can kick your ass, bitch!" Luz declared with a smirk.
The Ninja Supreme snarled as he got back up to face Luz. He was about to reach his swords, only to find them missing. "My swords…"
"Looking for these, nerd?" Nina asked, holding the Ninja's swords with her tail.
"Give them back!" the Ninja Supreme shouted before feeling another kick delivered from Luz across the side of his face. He was knocked back to the wall.
"Too distracted," Luz said while the Ninja got up. He backed away, seeing Nina, Cross and Willow surrounding him. "Give up, asswipe."
"I don't think so," the Ninja Supreme declared as he summoned a chain from his sleeve, shooting the chains at Willow, bounding her.
"Willow!" Cross and Nina shouted with worry.
"You really shouldn't have done that," Luz told him.
"Why? It's not like there's any plants around for her to use," he retorted.
It was then Willow shut her eyes and opened them as they turned green. Everything in the lab started to shake. The Ninja Supreme noticed the ground cracking and he saw roots sprouting out. The Ninja Supreme looked shocked to see trees growing out of the ground, causing him to lose the chains as Willow broke free. Nina and Cross got out of the way while Luz and Willow stood on the large root.
"How'd you like that, son?!" Luz declared, flipping off the Ninja Supreme.
"You wanted me angry, didn't you?" Willow asked, her eyes still glowing. "Well, here's me angry!"
Meanwhile in Donna's mindscape, she and the Alchemist felt shaking.
"What was that?" the Alchemist asked.
"A… headache? Or a headquake?" Donna indicated. "Perhaps I had the hiccups?"
"No," the Alchemist told her as his eyes narrowed. "Something's going on outside your mind."
After he said this, the Alchemist then disappears from Donna's mind, leaving Donna alone.
"Hey, wait!" Donna called out, but he was gone. "Now what?"
She looked around her mindscape, seeing all the footage of her memories played on repeat. She saw herself making a declaration to her friends with her heroic speech.
"We may be teenagers, but we're not helpless! Like, we all have our own unique talents and magical abilities that we can draw from! If the scouts aren't able to help, who will? It's up to us to not just help ourselves but others as well." Donna raised her fist up. "We literally have the power to defend those who can't fend for themselves. We can't just wait until we grow older, for we have the power to help those in need right now!"
"Okay, I know that one," Donna commented while walking past it and seeing another memory, one that caught Donna off guard.
"So… tell me again why we're doing this?" Veronica asked in concern while seeing Donna in her Wonder Witch outfit tied to a chair. Veronica tied her wrists from behind while Tina was tying her ankles up.
"It's practice, Veronica," Donna claimed. "In case one of us gets captured, we have to learn how to escape from our bondage so we can surprise our enemies."
"This kinda feels like we're participating in some kind of weird game," Tina said in concern.
"It's part of training, Tina. Don't worry about it," Donna reassured her. "Now grab that ball-gag and-"
"Okay, maybe not that one," Donna said as she moved along and saw a memory of her shadowing Dr. Pox.
"Dr. Pox, sir," Donna said while walking up to him. "I need your help with-"
"Hang on, D.A.," Dr. Pox replied while looking at his scroll. "I'm in the middle of waiting until they call me up for surgical performances."
"So you're waiting by playing a Penstagram game?" Donna asked him. "Don't you think that's a little irresponsible? What if there's a patient that needs you or-"
"D.A, look, you've been a worm-stripe girl for like, what, weeks now?" Dr. Pox told her. "I've been playing this game for years since joining the Healing Coven. I'm one of the best ones they have out here, and I should be Coven Head by now."
Donna frowned at him. "Well, if you just show that you're Coven Head material by taking your job seriously."
"It's never easy in this job, Donna," Dr. Pox pointed out, turning to her. "You see all the patients around you? Someday, their lives will be in your hands once you're in the Healing Coven. Youngsters like you have no idea. So when you have a moment to just slow down and relieve some stress, you take it."
"Dr. Pox, the patient's ready," spoke one nurse.
"Well then, see you around, D.A.," Dr. Pox said while putting his scroll away, slapping on his gloves, and leaving Donna to her thoughts on what Dr. Pox once said to her.
Donna remembered that day during her time as a worm-stripe. "I really hated that nickname he gave me," she said while looking down, thinking about what Dr. Pox said to her. She then came across another memory, this one of her and Nina when they were kids.
Donna just created a circle with her finger, performing a healing spell that made some of Nina's scratch marks fade away. The werecat looked at the results in surprise.
"Huh," she said before looking at Donna. "Thanks."
"No problem," Donna said. "My name is Donna, by the way."
Nina hesitated before giving her name. "Nina."
Donna smiled, remembering first meeting with Nina. But then she noticed another memory, one that made Donna frown with shame…
"Because of all the awful things you've done over the years, all the people you've hurt. The assaults, the beatings, the clawings, which includes hurting your own sister, not to mention how you kidnapped Gus Porter and enabled Emily's tyranny at Glandus! Please tell me that I'm wrong! Please tell me that all of these terrible things that I have heard about you aren't true!"
Nina looked down. "They're not…"
Donna shook her head. "I had no idea you were this bad… you are not the girl that I was friends with and I just don't feel that way for you!"
Donna looked at her expression when telling Nina all of that from that day. It shook her, seeing just how mean she looked to Nina. Despite not knowing Nina was infertile at the time, she still felt guilty. "Please, I don't want to see more of that," she said as she continued to walk forward, but then footage of another memory played out in front of her.
"When you rejected Nina last week while she was going through a hard time, without even giving her a chance to give her side, you made it very clear that you did not feel the same way she did. But suddenly when you are no longer the subject of her attention and starts to spend time with someone else instead, you show an interest in her," she pointed out while Donna noticed Skara's fangs were showing. "You couldn't stand it that Nina took an interest in someone that wasn't you!"
"What? No! It's… it's not it…" Donna looked away as Skara continued.
"Oh, so you didn't just show up to insert yourself into her date while dressed like a floozy witch showing off in front of her?!" Skara demanded while Donna was silent. "And this is after you broke her heart in a very harsh way and ditched her when she needed you the most. What is wrong with you?!" she shouted as she gave a little snarl.
"I… I'm sorry," Donna said, feeling guilt washing over her. "I was just… trying to make Nina want me."
"Want you?" Skara asked. "There was a time when Nina needed you! Where were you when she learned she was infertile? Where were you when she learned her parents didn't even want her? You weren't there for her then. But here you are now, trying to distract her during her date with Lambi. If you ask me, Nina has had enough toxic friends in her life!"
Donna's ears dropped after hearing what Skara said to her. She couldn't help but feel like what Skara said was right about her…
GAH!" Donna shouted in frustration, kicking the floor. "This is not getting me anywhere!" she shouted. "I know these memories already! I don't want to go through a clip show, I just wanted some answers about myself! I want to learn about the truth! My truth!" she declared, tears running from her eyes. "Just… where did I come from…?"
It was then that a door appeared behind her. Looking at the light glowing behind her, she turned around and saw the bright white door in front of her.
"W-What?" Donna asked. With a look of determination, she walked toward the door and reached out for it. Grabbing the knob, she opened the door… and was met with a bright flash of light.
Donna blinked, finding herself surrounded by stars. She looked shocked. "What… where am I? Is this… where the stars live?" she asked as she looked around and saw a star twinkle in front of her. Curious, she flew up to the star and tried to reach it. But the star flashes in front of her, making her close her eyes.
When she opened her eyes back up, she saw a large blue bat symbol.
Then, she saw soldiers in black and silver armor with large guns shooting energy beams at enemy soldiers who wore blue armor with bat-like helmets.
Large banners with the same bay symbol hovered overheard. She saw people trying to flee, only to be shot down by the soldiers.
Flames were blazing as she looked around, seeing dead bodies and fallen debris. A lot of destruction laid in the wake of the soldiers.
Then she saw people in chains being led by the bat-like soldiers. However, one kid decided to get out of the line, going after a bat soldier. He picked up a stick to try to fight back, but the bat soldier knocked the boy from behind. The boy turned as the soldier with the bat armor held up his saber sword and suddenly brought it down.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!"
Donna couldn't stand seeing this anymore, her visions ending. "Please… enough of all of this! Just… what was that? I… is that where I came from?"
"You should not be here. Not yet."
Donna heard the female voice, recognizing it as the voice she had heard earlier. "W… What?" she asked. "Who's there?"
"It's time for you to wake up."
Before Donna could say anything else, she was suddenly engulfed in light…
Donna opened her eyes and gasped. She found herself still on the slab and spotted everyone fighting against the Ninja Supreme, and the Alchemist who had just joined the fight.
"All of you get back to your slabs!" the Alchemist shouted while grabbing Nina by the throat, but he was then hit by a moving branch away from her. He glared at Willow, who was the one controlling the branch.
"Leave her alone!" Willow shouted while Nina stood up holding her neck. "Are you alright, Nina?"
"I'm good," Nina responded while Luz and Cross flew around to face off the Ninja Supreme.
"Hold still, Ninja-bitch!" Luz shouted while casting her spells at the Ninja, who avoided them.
"Like I'll make it easy for you!" the Ninja shouted as he threw his kunais at her, but Cross froze them with his icy flames.
Nina slashed at the Alchemist, who blocked her attack with his arms. He knocked her away, but Nina managed to land on her feet before she noticed Donna was awake.
"Hey, Sleeping Beauty," Nina told her. "Glad that you're awake."
"How did you guys free yourselves?" Donna asked before she saw Nina pull out her key and use it to free her.
"I used my tail to swipe this from the Ninja, since I remember someone telling me it can be used to unlock any lock," she said she handed Donna back her key. She then used her tail to grab Donna by the waist and move her aside just as the Alchemist's tendril slammed down between them. "Are you able to still fight?"
Donna drew a spell circle and aimed at the Ninja. She then shoots a beam of ice at the Ninja Supreme's foot, freezing him in place.
"GAH!" the Ninja Supreme cried out before Cross delivered a punch to his masked face.
"Perfect shot, Donna," Cross said, giving a thumbs up to her.
"Thanks," Donna replied while Nina helped her up with her arm around her shoulder.
Luz spotted a prob stick dropped on the floor. A mischievous grin formed. "Hehehe…" she said as she grabbed it.
"What do you think you're doing?!" the Ninja Supreme demanded, hopping on one foot as his other foot was in an ice block. "I will not let you all escape!"
"With what?" Luz asked, holding the probe behind her. "You don't have any weapons left!"
"Yeah, you're right," he said as he had his hand behind his back. "I don't…" He then threw a secret shuriken at Luz, whose wing turned sharp, knocking the shuriken away. Luz then drew a spell circle to shoot a ball of light at him, blinding him. "GAH!"
"Made ya look," Luz said as she flew behind the Ninja and used the probe stick on his rear end. "TEN-THOUSAND VOLTAGE OF DEATH!" she declared, shocking the Ninja.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" the Ninja Supreme screamed as he was being shocked. Once Luz removed the taser probe, the Ninja just stood there with a groan. "Ugh…" he said before faling to the floor.
"Boom! Toldya I'd kick your ass!" Luz gloated.
"You may have beaten him," the Alchemist declared as he jumped down. "But will you be able to beat me?"
"Five against one is not a good odds against you, pal," Luz said as Cross, Nina, Donna, and Willow stood alongside her.
"We'll see about that!" the Alchemist declared.
Cross flew in first, shooting his ice flames at the Alchemist. He dodged the flames and kicked Cross in the stomach before dodging the thorns summoned by Willow, who sprouted more vines from the floor to aim at the Alchemist.
"So much power for someone so young," the Alchemist admired while dodging her attacks. It was then he sensed upcoming light beams coming at him, which the Alchemist dodged those as well. He raised his hands up and the tables and slabs were lifted as he aimed them at Luz and Willow. The two were pushed back by the tables and slabs before he turned to Donna and Nina.
Donna kept shooting her ice beams at him, which the Alchemist dodged with his own speed. He then summoned a fire shield to melt the ice beams being shot at him. Nina snarled as she lifted Donna over her shoulders and jumped up in the air to deliver a kick to the Alchemist's face. He grabbed Nina's paw-foot and swung them to the wall. Nina landed on the wall with her feet, while securing Donna on her shoulders. The Alchemist threw a slab at them, but Nina jumped away before it could hit them.
"You all dare to oppose me? Someone who could give you great power?!" the Alchemist declared while Cross launched himself at him from behind. Cross grabbed him and slammed the Alchemist's head to the floor. His face mask cracked.
"Take that, you bastard," Cross declared while stepping back from him.
The Alchemist got back up, his mask having a crack. "You will pay for your rebellion! All of you will!" he declared while feeling his mask. His eyes widened when he felt his mask was cracked. "No… nononono!"
"What's the matter with you?" Luz asked.
"Don't look at me!" he shouted suddenly as the Alchemist turned himself invisible. The others looked around as they heard a table knocked over, followed by the sound of a door opening.
"Hey, come back here!" Nina shouted at him.
"Looks like he doesn't want to fight us right now," Donna said.
"Yeah, lucky us," Cross said.
"Aw man, I want to kick his ass more," Luz complained.
"Don't worry Luz, maybe next time," Willow said, patting her shoulder. "Though, hopefully not."
"We should make a tactical retreat as well," Donna suggested. "Get out of here before the ninja wakes up."
"Wait a sec," Cross realized while looking out in a corridor containing cells. "There are other prisoners here. We can't just leave them,"
"You're right," Nina agreed.
"Come on Nina, we should- wait, did you say he's right?" Donna asked her.
"Yeah, we can't just leave them," Nina told her while setting Donna down. "Nobody deserves to be experimented on like a lab rat. I am not gonna give that Alchemist guy any more beings to experiment on."
Luz gave an understanding nod, as did Willow. "Well then, let's go cause a jail break then."
"Agreed," Willow replied as the five went to free the prisoners.
They found the prisoners in their cellblocks, Luz using ice magic to freeze and shatter the bars of a cell containing a humanoid toad in armor.
"What is this?" the toad prisoner asked.
"Jailbreak," Luz explained. "You can run or help out freeing the others." She pointed to Willow, Cross, Donna and Nina as they worked together up the cells, freeing the prisoners with their magic, abilities, or magic key. Amongst the prisoners were an umbrella with an eye and tongue with one foot, a poodle with a human face, a three-headed cat, a long-neck woman in a kimoto, and a four-eyed green monster with a handlebar mustache and buck teeth, dressed like a biker.
"Who… who are you?!" asked one of the prisoners as Cross freed them. They had a female voice and they seemed to be made entirely out of aquamarine hair with only her eyes visible behind the hair.
"Don't worry, we're freeing you," Donna reassured her, holding her hand up. "We're friends."
"And definitely not with that Alchemist creep," Nina said while using her gorilla arms to bend some more bars, freeing another prisoner… who jumped on top of her.
"Whoo-hoo! Freedom!" cheered a young woman with wild red hair with red horns sticking out of them. She had pink skin, green eyes, and green lips. She wore only a green top with a green loincloth. "Wow, I didn't think we'd be freed this soon! I did try to escape earlier and I would have made it too if those raccoons hadn't shown up!" She then got a good look at the five teens. "Hey, you guys wouldn't happen to be from the Demon Realm like me, would you?"
"Yeah, we are," Nina responded after the woman got her off. "Are there others from the Demon Realm who were also kidnapped by the Alchemist?"
"I think there are some, though not as much as there used to be!" she admitted. "But since I'm part-Leprechaun, I'm at your service!"
"And your name…?" Nina asked her.
"O'Darby's the name!" she answered. "And what shall I do for your service, oh master?"
"Uh… help free the other prisoners?" Nina asked her.
"That I can!" Darby shouted as she rushed over to help free the other prisoners.
Luz looked at the toad warrior who joined them freeing the others. "Say, you wouldn't happen to be from Amphibia, would you?" she asked him, curious.
"Yeah," he responded. "How did you know about Amphibia?"
"Let's just say, I knew some folks from there," Luz replied. "What's your name, by the way?"
"Name's Mitch," he answered while helping to free a humanoid dog man. "I am one of the more recent prisoners. Got taken while fighting against my traitorous king's robot army!"
"Traitorous king?" Luz questioned while busting out more prisoners.
Meanwhile, Nina and Donna helped break out the prisoners while the prisoners did the same for the others, returning the favor. Willow joined them.
"Donna, that Alchemist guy didn't do anything to your brain, did he?" Willow asked, worried.
"No, he didn't," Donna said while looking at Nina, who was silent. "Nina, how are you feeling?"
"I'm… fine," Nina responded while Donna and Willow looked at her in concern.
"Nina… about Casey…" Donna told her.
"He's dead," Nina told her, which shocked Donna and Willow while Nina looked at the ground. "He's dead and I was too late to save him. Sonya… she killed him. Those bastards killed him…"
"Nina… Nina, I'm so sorry," Donna told her while Willow patted her shoulder.
"You have our condolences," Willow told her.
"Thanks, I…" Nina wiped her tears. "This is my fault… he got roped into my own mess."
"It's not your fault, Nina," Donna tried to reassure her.
"Then how come he's not alive while I am?" Nina questioned while looking at her own hands. "Sonya… she tried to make him like me. And he wasn't the only one! I… I feel so sick about letting Sonya use me."
"Nina, what Sonya did to you and Casey wasn't your fault," Willow told her.
"She's right," Luz said as she flew down next to them. "Nina, you can't blame yourself for what happened. You were manipulated by someone older than you that knew what they were doing was wrong. The Tarot Guild ruins lives for their own personal gain, and Sonya is an example of that. But at least Casey was avenged."
"You… have a point right there," Nina replied with a sigh. "I just… wish I could see Casey again."
As Donna looked at Nina, she thought about what she learned about her brother from Draco. "Nina… do you remember me mentioning a brother?"
"…yeah," Nina said while turning to her. "I remember you mentioning that you think you have a brother. What about him?"
Donna took a deep breath. "Before me and Cross were ambushed by that Ninja, we ended up at some kind of island with a tower. It's where we ended up meeting Lilith along with a girl named Star, and a few Basilisks," Donna explained, surprising Luz "I also ended up meeting this guy named Draco who said he was my uncle."
"Your uncle?" Nina asked.
"Yeah, a really evil uncle," Donna said while looking down. "He's the one who got the Big Bad Wolf to kill my parents. He took my brother, and… he said he killed him," she said, shocking the others.
"…did he have evidence to back it up?" Nina asked after a moment.
Donna looked up to Nina. "W-What?"
"Evidence," Nina replied. "Like, did he have your brother's skull or something?"
"That's a bit morbid, don't you think, Nina?" Luz asked her.
"My point is that Donna claims to have an evil uncle who told her that her brother's dead," Nina pointed out. "As someone who's been to Glandus, I know not to take people at face value. It is possible that this guy was just telling you this to be an asshole."
Donna thought about what Nina said. "But… but what if he says it's true?"
"Do you want it to be true?" Nina asked her. "The truth is that you can't know for sure and you should take his word with a grain of salt, Donna. Guys like him tend to mess around with people, they'll say anything to you to make you feel inadequate. I can't promise that your brother's really alive, but don't fall for someone's bluff unless you're sure if that's true."
"Yeah, You really shouldn't trust anything from an evil uncle." Luz points out "I know someone who used to have that problem."
Donna was reminded of some advice Veronica told her about Felicia's bluff. "Yeah… I really need to learn that lesson."
"So what happened to this Draco guy?" Luz asked. "And are Lilith, Star, and Vee alright?"
"They're fine," Donna reassured her. "As for my uncle… I lost him. I don't know if he's dead or not."
"There's one thing that I am curious about," Willow said. "What the heck did the Alchemist mean by you becoming a bio-weapon?"
"Oh, that um…" Donna looked down. "I… don't know what he meant. He tries to look into my memories…"
"What did he find?" Nina asked.
"Oh, just… embarrassing moments and um… good memories, bad memories, and some in-between," Donna said, not wanting to talk about what she had seen.
"Hmm, if I were to guess," Luz said as she stroked her chin. "What he meant by a bio-weapon, or a magical equivalent of it, is that you're either from the future sent to the past or maybe a techno-organic lifeform from another realm."
"Interesting theories…" Donna said. "Honestly, this day has been full of revelations for me. I even learned my birth name."
"Really?" Nina asked her. "What is it?"
"My birth name… is Karona," Donna revealed. "My uncle called me that and it triggered some memories I had suppressed. I… I actually saw my brother, whose name is Andros, and… I think my parents are from another Titan." She looked down, thinking about her recent behavior, as she admits. "I guess I wasn't who I thought I was. Honestly, I'm not even sure what I am anymore…"
Was she Karona? Wonder Witch? Party Donna? Was she even a witch? Or was the Alchemist right and she was some kind of bio-weapon? Just who was Donna Masterskull?
The girls looked at Donna with sympathy, Nina included. They realized just how much Donna was going through today.
"Hey, guys," Cross said as he flew up to land in front of them, changing into his witch form. "I looked around to see if there were more prisoners to free, but some of the cells were opened." He gave a worried look. "They're a lot more different than the others."
"How different?" Luz asked as Cross pointed forward and everyone saw what he meant. "OH SHIT!"
Marching up to them were mutated monsters. One looked like a buffed koala with spikes on its shoulders. Another was a lobster with four arms. Another was a walking creature made out of cat-heads. Another was basically a blue octopus on the upper-half, with the lower half being a black abdomen and humanoid legs. One was a large shark with robotic arms and legs. Another was a beady-eyed humanoid zebra with long flowing hair wearing hot-pants and carrying a mace.
"RAAEEEEE!" screeched a mutated gopher man.
"It's never easy…" Luz groaned while they prepared to fight.
The Alchemist laid back in a chair while his tanukis tended to their master.
"Hang on, sir, we'll get your mask all fixed up!" Aoi declared.
"Are the mutants released?" the Alchemist asked.
"Yup, those escapees will soon be back in your grasp," Aka reassured him while holding up the super glue for the mask.
"Good," the Alchemist declared. "As soon as my mask is repaired, I will find the Ninja and we will deal with these rowdy teens ourselves…"
Luz threw a punch to knock the gopher demon down while she drew a spell circle to burn at another mutant. Joining her was Mitch, who jumped in and tackled the koala mutant. Luz took note to talk to Mitch about Amphibia, but right now they had some mutants to take care of.
"What's with these guys?" Nina asked while kicking at a dog mutant.
"They're the results of the Alchemist's mutant warrior projects," Mitch explained. "These guys were here longer than us and this is what he turned them into!"
Donna froze up one mutant eel before she then got her wrapped up by the octopus mutant. "Hey! Get off of me!" she shouted while feeling a tentacle wrapped around her leg. She shot an ice spell on the tentacles and kicked them off of her. She saw the lobster mutant about to join her, but it was kicked back by the aquamarine furry creature with her boot out.
"Thanks, whoever you are," Donna said as the creature revealed her full appearance.
"Call me Kelly," she declared, moving her hair to reveal her brown skin but no apparent nose. Her long, bushy hair went down to her ankles. She wore an oversized pink-and-white-striped sweater, black shorts, pink boots with aquamarine tassels that matched her overgrown hair, and big round-black-rimmed glasses. "Just your humble Woolett warrior ready to kick ass!" she declared while kicking another mutant.
Cross, meanwhile, had gone dragon mode again as he flew against the mutant army. He punched at a rhinoceros mutant while drop kicking a warthog mutant. But then the two mutants double-teamed, taking on Cross together. After taking a few hits, the dragon-witch blew his flames at the two mutants, sending them running.
Darby jumped over as she grabbed onto the horns of the bison mutant, lifting him up and slamming him on the bars of an empty cell. "Oh yeah! Take that, bison guy!" Darby shouted while a giraffe mutant with a serpent's tail tackled her. The serpent tried to bite her, but she dodged the bites as Darby grabbed the serpent. "Hey, hey, watch the face!" she said as Willow helped out by punching the giraffe mutant's face.
After that, Willow saw coming at her was a mutated broccoli monster. It screamed at her while Willow used her magic to sprout roots to bound the monster. "Huh, I didn't think that would work," she said while entangling some of the other mutants with her vines.
Nina jumped back while dealing with the zebra mutant who slammed his weapon at her. Nina dodged as she threw a kick up at the jaw of the zebra monster. She then saw a badger mutant and the shark cyborg coming at her. The shark cyborg opened his jaws to try to bite her, but Nina dodged the teeth and grabbed the fin of the mutant and swung him towards the badger mutant trying to attack her.
It seemed like the teens and their fellow prisoners were winning… until back-up arrived.
"My mutant soldiers!" the Alchemist declared while with him were the tanukis and the Ninja Supreme. "Do not let them escape!"
"Oh, so you're back with another ass-whupping?" Luz asked, punching her own fist.
"You won't get lucky this time!" the Ninja Supreme declared while turning to the mutant soldiers. "Attack them!"
The mutant army went after the heroes and the escapees. Luz and Willow prepared their spells, but they were tackled by a mutant rock monster. Nina tried to slash at some tree mutants but got swatted by an elephant mutant's trunk. Donna and Kelly tried to help her, but they were immediately grabbed by the tendrils of a chicken-reptile mutant, who slammed them to the walls.
While some of the escaped prisoners just tried to run, Cross, Mitch, and Darby tried to fight back. Mitch punched one mutant, but then a bunch of mutant squirrels, rats, and gophers dogpiled on him. Cross flew up to shoot fireballs at the mutants, but was then pinned down by the hawk and falcon mutants. He kicked them off of him, but was then grabbed by more mutant henchmen.
Darby went to help him. "Don't worry, I-" But she was then struck in the back of her head by the large fist of a gorilla mutant. Luz flew up to punch the gorilla mutant, but was then wrapped around by a boa constrictor mutant.
"Hang on, Luz!" Willow shouted as she went to Luz's rescue, only to be met with more mutants in her way that she tried to clear out of the way with her vines.
Nina got up, holding her arm as she saw Donna and Kelly underwhelmed by the mutants. When she tried to help, a large, bat mutant showed up to tackle her down. It screeched at her as Nina tried to get it off of her.
Donna and Kelly managed to free themselves, but Donna came face to face with the Alchemist. "You!" she shouted as she activated her keyblade and swung it at him, but the Alchemist managed to catch it between her hands before pushing her back. Kelly tried to fight back, but the Ninja Supreme kicked her aside from his master.
"You bastard!" Nina shouted while she managed to get the bat mutant off of her. She jumped up to unleash her claws at him, but the Alchemist merely grabbed her with his tendrils and pinned her down to the floor.
"You ungrateful children," the Alchemist told them as Luz tried to fly up in the air before the Supreme Ninja wrapped chains around her neck, making her struggle. "I offered to help you all overcome your limitations! But instead, you want to remain as weak as you are!"
"Ungrateful? You're the one who kidnapped us like cattle!" Luz shouted.
"You never… even bothered… to ask!" Nina shouted while still pinned down. "None of us wanted this!"
"What makes you think you have the right to experiment on us? Like we're some kind of toys you could play with?" Donna called him out while she used her keyblade to blast the Alchemist, knocking him away from Nina.
"Don't you see? I saved you!" the Alchemist claimed. "Out of everyone in the Isles, I chose to save you!"
"Save us?" Cross shouted after getting himself free from the bird mutants.
"Yes, because soon there will be no Boiling Isles for you all to return to!" the Alchemist revealed. "But before that happens, I decided you were worth preserving."
"No Boiling Isles… what are you talking about?" Luz questioned him.
"There will be no Day of Unity," he explained. "Be grateful that I am sparing you from what the Producer and the Tarot Guild have planned."
This concerned the Boiling Isles teens, wondering what the Alchemist meant while fighting their way through the mutants.
But it was at that moment that portals began to suddenly pop up everywhere. This caused the Alchemist and the Ninja to stop when they saw dozens of ninjas coming out of the portal, all wearing cop-hats and ties. This was followed by the sound of police sirens.
"It's the cops!" Aka cried out.
"We should make a run for it!" Aoi replied as the two tanukis tried to run, but one portal blocked their escape. "Aw crud…" the two said, backing away when they saw who came out of the portal.
When the Ninja Supreme saw who it was, his eyes widened. "No…"
"We finally located you, Alchemist," spoke the larger man in blue shogun armor. He wore a blue kabuto helmet with golden horns and a bell in the middle. He had a golden face mask with his crimson eyes showing, the mask having large teeth sticking out from the side. He also had long bushy white hair that reached his back. He also wore blue and black armor with orange gauntlets, blue pants with a grilled-armored chest plate, loincloth plates, and black armored boots. He carried a large, blue war-staff. "By the order of myself and the Yokai Council, I am placing you all under arrest for treason, kidnapping, conspiracy and trafficking!"
"Including attempted murder," spoke Kitsuni, who stood next to him.
The Ninja looked shocked to see her. "You… I thought I struck you down! How are you alive?!"
"I've got my ways," she said as she and the Yokai P.D. charged to arrest the mutants.
"So glad to see you, Kitsuni," Luz commented while noticing her appearance. "Though, you do look different…"
"You can thank the Ninja for that!" Kitsuni said while using her blue flames to create rope, wrapping them around a mutant. The Yokai P.D. used their own abilities to arrest the mutants.
"Who is she?" Donna asked while helping up Nina.
"I think that's our teacher from Hexside," Nina replied. "She looks a little foxier than before…"
As Kitsuni fought her way through the mutants, she heard the Ninja Supreme calling out to her. "Fox Yokai!" She turned around and summoned a blue sword to clash against the Ninja's sword. "You should have died!"
"I'm not that easy to be killed by the likes of you," Kitsuni said as she summoned a blue ball of energy that she shoved against the Ninja's stomach, causing him to feel a burst of pressure that pushed him away from her.
He glared at her while charging back to attack her again, clashing their swords together. The Ninja brought out his claw gauntlet and tried to slash at her in the stomach, but Kitsuni flipped over him and kicked him in the back. The Ninja Supreme did not take it well, throwing his shurikens and kunai at her, but Kitsuni's sword incinerated them.
"I'm stronger than I was before, little kit," Kitsuni said as her nine tails spread out, shooting flames at him. The Ninja Supreme swung his sword and managed to block most of the fireballs, but he still got hit by some of her attacks. One fireball managed to hit his mask.
"Gah!" he shouted as he felt his mask while shutting his eyes. This was Kitsuni's opportunity as she jumped up and did a side kick. By the time he opened his eyes, he was met with a kick to the face, causing his oni mask to fall to the floor, revealing his unmasked face. He had red sideburns, blue eyes, and he looked unshaven.
"He really is a butt-baby," Luz pointed out while the shogun looked at the young man.
"Hibari…" the Shogun said with a sad tone. But then he saw one of the Yokai P.D. members being knocked around by the Alchemist, who punched and kicked the Yokai lawmen away from him.
"You dare try to stop my good work!" the Alchemist shouted while stomping on one Yokai, crushing him. He then noticed the Shogun drawing his war staff at him.
"Stop resisting arrest, Alchemist," the Shogun told him. "Just turn yourself in. You know you can't beat me."
The Alchemist knew that the Shogun was right and he looked at the Ninja Supreme, as well as the remaining mutants fighting off against the Yokai. "Ninja Supreme, we need to make a tactical retreat!"
"What?! But I want to stay and fight!" the Ninja Supreme argued after fighting off Kitsuni.
"We don't have the advantage anymore!" the Alchemist said as he opened up his own portal. "We must save as much as we can!"
"Right behind ya, boss!" Aoi said and he and Aka followed the Alchemist through the portal.
The Ninja looked at the portal before deciding to follow the Alchemist's lead. As he went to enter, the Shogun shouted at him.
"Hibari!" he shouted, causing the Ninja to pause. "Please, don't go with him! Please come home! Miwa misses you!"
The Ninja looked down, a fist forming. "I will not until I become supreme!" he shouted as he went through the portal, closing it.
The Shogun's eyes looked sad, but then he shook his head and turned to his troops. "Yokai P.D., forget the mutants, focus on searching this base for the Alchemist and the Ninja Supreme!"
"Oi!" the Yokai P.D. declared as they rush around through the base, after capturing the mutants.
In another room of the base, the Alchemist managed to collect the blood samples.
"These would be of good use," the Alchemist said as he turned to the Ninja and the Tanukis. "Do you all have everything?"
"Got your data in this drive," the Ninja Supreme said while holding up a flash drive.
"We also saved the memories!" Aoi declared, lifting a PC.
"We should hurry, I hear the cops coming," Aka mentioned.
The Alchemist agreed and the four quickly made their escape before they could be caught…
After everything was cleared out, the Yokai P.D. managed to evacuate the Alchemist's prisoners. As the Boiling Isles teens left the base of the Alchemist, they managed to get a look at the Yokai Realm.
"Whoa…" Luz said in amazement. "So this is the Yokai Realm…"
The sky was red with blue clouds and the environment around them was decorated with golden trees and flourished land. The buildings and architecture resembled that of ancient Japan, but some buildings resembled that of animal heads. They see flying dragons and demons up in the sky and in the town they were in was a large dragon fountain while nearby Yokai noticed them. They saw Yokais that resembled animals, objects, plants, and demons. The Yokai P.D. had some security tape to not let civilians go through.
"So, this must be where you're from, Kitsuni," Luz commented while being offered a blanket and hot cocoa along with the others.
"It's been a while since I've been back here, in my home realm," Kitsuni said, feeling nostalgic. "I forgot how long it has been."
"I'll admit, this place does have a similar vibe as the Boiling Isles," Willow commented while turning to look at the Alchemist's base. "You gotta be kidding me." To her disbelief, it was in the shape of a rabbit's head.
"Well, that must be the last place you would look for a mad scientist in," Luz replied
"Is everyone alright? All accounted for?" Kitsuni asked them.
"We're here," Cross said as he raised his hand up while hanging with Donna, Nina, Kelly, Mitch, and Darby.
"Is she going to help take us home?" Donna asked.
"Yeah, she did before," Cross reassured her.
"Attention all!" spoke a duck servant who showed up. "Our majesty, the Supreme Daimyo, the Yokai Shogun himself, has something to say to you all!"
"That would be all, Giichi," the Supreme Daimyo responded as he turned to the others. "It is with my great regret that the Alchemist was able to take you from your dimensions and homes." He gave an apologetic bow. "I am gratefully sorry that this happened to you all."
"Um, wow, never thought of getting bowed to by… sorry, who are you again?" Luz asked.
"Are you deaf?" Giichi told Luz. "He is the great Supreme Daimyo, the leader of this realm! Champion of the-"
"Giichi, that's enough," the Supreme Daimyo told his advisor. "It is no surprise that you have never heard of me. Few mortals have. But I have heard about you, Luz the Hellish Baseball Girl. You've made quite the name of yourself. Slayer of the Coachman and conqueror of the Underdome."
"Eh, it's no big, honestly," Luz responded with a dismissive wave, "I mean, not to brag but I did meet Hercules, Zeus, and Hades, and that Neptune guy. I wonder if I'll end up meeting Odin some day. But you must be a bigger deal around here."
"Well, I'm just a daimyo doing his best," the Supreme Daimyo said. "But it is still an honor to meet you. My daughter is a fan of you and the Hellcat."
"Well, if you have something I can sign for her," Luz said while turning to Kitsuni. "So… did you get a haircut?" she asked, referring to her new appearance.
"It's a long story, but this is the result of my… close shave of death," Kitsuni said.
"That butt-face mentioned that he thought you died," Luz said. "Did he fight you?"
"Yes, while I was looking for Nina's family," Kitsuni answered. "He didn't want me in the way when he went after you and the others."
"And I promise you that I'll make it my personal mission to hunt down the Alchemist and the Ninja Supreme and make sure they pay for their crimes," the Supreme Daimyo reassured them. "For now, you will all be taken back to your home realms."
Everyone smiled while Kelly spoke up. "Finally, I can't wait to go home and see my family!"
"I should return to Amphibia, Captain Beatrix may need me," Mitch said while Luz turned to him.
"Excuse me," Luz said to Mitch. "But I wish to know… what's going on with Amphibia? Do you know or have heard of some human girls who live there? Their names are Anne, Sasha and Marcy."
"Sasha… you mean, Captain Sasha?" Mitch asked her. "I have heard of Grime's protege. She is a legendary and skillful warrior. I don't know what became of them, but I have heard that our King Andrias has gone mad and has begun to enslave his own people. I was on a mission to stop one of his machines… but then the Alchemist showed up and took me away from my team."
This concerned Luz. "But what about Sasha? Oh, and Marcy, she's a princess there."
"I don't know anything else. Just rumors that Captain Sasha disappeared along with another human girl. There's also rumors about Princess Marcy being kept imprisoned…"
"This is concerning," Willow said with a worried look.
"If Marcy needs help, then we better head down to Amphibia," Luz declared, but Kitsuni patted her shoulder.
"Maybe another time, Luz," Kitsuni told her. "I think you've done enough realm-hopping for today."
"But what about-"
"Your mother's worried sick about you, as is your girlfriend," Kitsuni reminded her. "Do you want to make them worry for you more?"
"She's right, Luz," Willow told her. "We can figure out what is happening in Amphibia later, but right now the Boiling Isles may be in danger from what the Alchemist implied."
Luz knew that Willow was right. Despite wanting to see Amphibia and save her friends, the Boiling Isles was also at stake. She sighed. "Of course, one thing at a time."
Luz, Willow, Donna, Nina, Cross all lined up, along with O'Darby who was just caught by Kitsuni. "Oh come on! I wanna look around more!" Darby said with a pout.
"Later, dudes," Kelly said as she entered her own portal.
"Yo, Mitch," Luz spoke to him. "If you see any of those human girls, tell them you met Luz Clawthorne."
Mitch gave a nod. "I will make sure to remember that name," Mitch responded before entering the portal to Amphibia.
Luz turned around and she, along with the others, entered their portal, Kitsuni going in after them.
"Hmm, I wonder…" the Daimyo said with a thought.
"What is it, your majesty?" Giichi asked him.
"I was just wondering if I should invite them back to our Realm for the Tournament," the Supreme Daimyo said. "Perhaps when that time comes, remind me to send them an invite…"
After returning to the Boiling Isles, Kitsuni led the five teenagers to the Pore-Ta-Geist. Upon entering, Amity teleported in front of Luz to hug her.
"LUZ!" Amity shouted as she hugged Luz, wrapping her arms and legs around her. "You're okay!"
"Ow, ow, Ams, you're hugging me too tight," Luz said while keeping herself up. She looked around the bar and saw that also there were Gus, the Parks, Eda, King, Lilith, Skara, Slasher, Lambi, the werecats including Nina's mother and younger siblings, Donna's moms, and Cross's family.
"Amity," Willow said as Amity turned to her. "Welcome back."
Amity let go of Luz and hugged Willow. "I am so happy to see you again."
"Us too!" Gilbert and Sully said as they rushed forward to hug their daughter.
"Welcome back, little tulip!" Gilbert said.
"Thanks, dads," Willow responded, hugging her fathers while her Palisman buzzed around her. "I'm so glad you're okay."
"Donna!" Gladys shouted as she ran up to hug Donna. "We're so glad that you're alright!"
"Mom!" Donna shouted as she hugged her back. "I'm surprised that you're here with everyone else…"
"Yes, Eda and Kitsuni explained everything to us," Diana replied as she also hugged Donna while Cross's family went over to Cross, Zee punching him in the arm.
"Ow! Zee!" Cross said while rubbing his arm.
"That's for making us worry," Zee told him as she hugged him. "But we're glad that you're okay."
Cross nodded as Clair hugged him as well. "I'm just glad to be back," he said while returning their hug.
"Luz," Eda said as she and King went over to hug Luz. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, Kitsuni explained to us that you guys were captured by this Alchemist guy," King explained. "We wanted to come rescue you guys ourselves after we learned where the Alchemist was, but Kitsuni suggested that we just call the authorities instead."
"Yeah, I'm alright and I'm glad that we're all home now," Luz said as she hugged her mom and brother. When Lilith walked up to her, Luz went to hug her aunt as well.
"Glad that you're safe, Luz," Lilith said, hugging Luz back.
"Nina, we were so worried for you!" Winter said as she and West hugged their older sister.
"West, Winter, I'm just relieved that you guys are safe," Nina said as she looked up to Slasher and went to hug him as well.
"Nina…" Skara said before she and Lambi was pulled into the hug by Nina.
"I'm just glad to see you guys again," Nina said with a sniff. She felt someone rubbing against her feet and she looked down to see Tugs, who she had left at home that morning. She smiled down at him. "All of you."
"Nina."
The young werecat turned and saw her mother with Chelsea, Anthony, and Banjo. Pam gave an awkward look. "Nina… I… they told me how you came down to save me and the twins, and… I just want to say… thank you, for saving our lives."
Nina looked at Pam before shifting her gaze down. "Y-Yeah, it… it's no problem," she said as Pam tried to reach out to her, but Nina moved aside.
"Man, I gotta tell ya, the whole 'being kidnapped thing' feels like it's been overdone," Luz commented while taking a seat. "Last week, it was Edric, King, and Donna being kidnapped. Before that, it was Amity, Gus, Willow, and Eve. This better be the last time."
"Yeah, I think we deserve a break," Gus said in agreement.
"Yeah, especially since I was kidnapped twice in one day," Donna mentioned, which her moms overheard.
"WHAT?!" Diana and Gladys exclaimed.
"What was the first time?" Gladys asked her.
"Um… I can explain it to you guys later…" Donna said. "But don't worry, Cross was with me and kept me safe."
"Well, then after today, I believe that you are in need of a bodyguard from now on, young lady." Diana said.
"What? Come on, mom, I don't need Auggie to watch over me," Donna told her. "What if school's opened back up? He's a very, bloodthirsty koala."
"We'll talk about it later," Diana told her, crossing her arms.
"Hmm… what if Cross was your bodyguard?" Gladys suggested, surprising Donna. "We were just getting to know his family and his folks have told us a lot about him and how responsible he is. And as you said, he kept you safe… perhaps he'd be perfect to be your bodyguard."
"Wait, what?" Cross asked while Zee patted his back.
"Yeah, we got to know your girlfriend's folks, and we told him how much of a boy scout you are," she told him with a wink.
"Alright, everyone," Geist spoke up while Edric and Emira came in with food "Food's ready!"
"Finally, something to eat," Luz said, seeing some burgers on the counter. She grabbed one and everyone followed suit, finding different tables to sit and mingle at while they ate. Luz sat beside Amity.
"So you actually went to the Yokai Realm?" Amity asked her. "Mai once told me about it, what's it like?"
"Well, it's similar to the Boiling Isles, but with a Feudal Japan feel to it," Luz explained. "I even met the Supreme Daimyo who is apparently the ruler of the realm. But enough about me, how was your mission? Did you see your dad?"
"Yes, and we finally managed to rescue dad from his parents, who died by accident," Amity explained while looking down. "But… we also learned something mom kept from us."
"Oh?" Luz asked in concern. "What was it…?"
"She… killed her own parents," Amity replied, shocking Luz. "From what I've been told, they were… very abusive to her and Uncle Geist while they were growing up."
"How… do you feel about this?" Luz asked her.
"I… I'm still processing it," Amity admitted while looking down. "But I do know that if word gets out, mom will be imprisoned or even petrified and I don't want that to happen to her."
Luz looked down awkwardly, knowing how Amity felt. She sighed. "Amity, I… might know what you're going through. I mean, my mom has killed and hurt a lot of people. Some of them deserved it, and some… didn't. But it's just… something that I had to accept," she said while glancing at Eda, who along with Lilith was conversing with the Masterskulls and Drakescales.
"Hey Luz, Amity," Donna said as she walked towards their table. "Amity, I'm surprised that you're back."
"Yeah, just came back to… settle some things," Amity admitted.
"Well, I'm glad that you're back." Donna told her. "I never got the chance to speak to you after the Mel thing…"
"Yeah, and I'm glad that you're alright, Donna," Amity said.
"So, now that all things are settled… care to tell us what went down between you and Nina?" Luz asked her. "King mentioned that you crashed into her and Lambi's date yesterday."
"Oh, that um…" Donna looked down awkwardly. "I… I did that."
"Why did you do that?" Amity asked her.
"Yeah, I thought you went to date Cross so you don't feel left out on the dating game," Luz questioned.
"I did, but then Felicia suggested that if I wanted Nina back…" Donna admitted.
"Yeah, that's your first mistake," Luz pointed out. "Never take advice from Felicia Fox."
"I know that now…" Donna replied, looking down in shame.
"Well you fucked up big time," Luz told her bluntly. "Like, wow you have screwed things up big time with her. That's something a stalker or a needy-ex would pull."
"I know," Donna said while glancing at Nina, who had her Palisman in her lap as she sat at a counter with Lambi, the Brookes, and werecats. "I want to make it up to her."
"Right now, I don't think that's a good idea," Luz advised her. "Just… give her some space. Especially because of what she's going through right now."
Donna thought of Luz's words and nodded. "Yeah, you're right. I should just… give her some space. I don't want to hurt her for a third time."
Luz just shook her head and sighed. "You older teens and your relationship drama…"
"Yeah…" Donna agreed.
Meanwhile, Eda and Lilith were conversing with Clair, Damien, and Drayden.
"We never got to say this before," Clair said. "But thank you for watching over our son last week. He told us that you two were a big help to him."
"Oh, it was nothing," Eda responded, though she looked oddly at Clair. "But you do have a good kid. You should be proud of him."
"Oh, believe me we are," Damien commented. "But if you ever need anything-"
"Right, I'll think about it," Eda said while turning to Lilith. "Excuse us for a moment, but I just remembered something," she said while taking Lilith aside.
"What is it, Eda?" Lilith asked her.
"Hey, call me nuts but, um, does Clair seem kind of familiar to you?" Eda asked as she pointed to Clair, who was now talking with her husband. "I can't help but feel like I've seen her before…"
While Eda tried to figure it out, Lilith just gave a little smile. "Oh, I'm sure you'll figure it out, Edalyn…"
Meanwhile, Nina was just looking blankly down on her own drink while Skara, Lambi, Slasher, Tugs, and the teen werecats tended to her, Pam watching over West and Winter at another table. Nina had just told them what had happened to Casey.
"Dear Titan…" Chelsea said, feeling both shocked and disgusted. "Nina… I'm so sorry."
"Everything I did to try to find him," Nina said while looking down. "It was all for nothing. I failed him…"
"I wouldn't say you failed him, Nina," Slasher told her. "You helped find out what happened to him and you saved a lot of other witches, including that Bria girl."
"Yeah, but… if only I had done something sooner," Nina said, looking depressed. "If I had done more for him…"
"Hey, you did what you could, Nina," Skara told her while gently touching her arm. "And at least the witches who hurt Casey won't hurt anyone else."
"She's right," Lambi added, patting Nina's hand. "I may not have known Casey, but I'm sure he wouldn't hold you on for not saving him. You still found him and you never gave up on him."
"I… I know…" Nina sniffed, tears starting to stream from her eyes as she let herself cry. "I-I just… wish I could see him again." She covered her face as she cried while Skara patted her back.
"I know," Skara said softly. "I am sorry, Nina. I really am."
"T-thanks, kitkat," Nina sniffed while laying face down on the counter.
When Chelsea heard Nina call Skara 'kitkat', she gave a surprised reaction. She waited a few minutes while Nina cried onto the counter, her friends and family comforting her. After Nina had gotten most of it out, she tapped Skara on the shoulder. "Hey, Skara, got a minute?"
"Oh, uh yeah," Skara responded while turning to Nina. "Be right back," she promised as Chelsea pulled her aside. "What is it, Chelsea?"
"Nina just called you kitkat," Chelsea pointed out.
"Yeah, just something she's been calling me recently," Skara admitted with a shrug. "It's a nickname, right?"
"Actually, it's more than that," Chelsea explained. "In our species, 'kitkat' is a phrase that werecats use to refer to someone they have a sisterly bond with. In this case, Nina has been calling you her 'sister' all this time."
Skara was surprised by this new information. "R-Really?"
"Yeah, I'm guessing that after all the time she spent with you and your family, she's begun to see you as a sister," Chelsea revealed.
Skara was surprised by this and she turned back to Nina, who was still sobbing while Slasher and Lambi comforted her.
"Hey, Nina," Banjo spoke up. "The rest of your siblings are here."
Nina looked up and turned, seeing the rest of her siblings enter the restaurant.
"Mom!" Cally cried out upon seeing their mom and the twins. "You and the twins are alright!"
"Kids!" Pam shouted as she got up and was hugged by Cally and Ralph.
"Are you two alright?" Ralph asked the twins.
"We were scared and a bit beaten up, but thanks to Nina and her friends, we're alright!" West exclaimed as Nina walked up to them.
"Wait, how did you guys get here?" she asked them. "Calypso is still being treated, so does anyone know you left the reservation?"
"Yeah, after we were told that you were here, Jageera made a deal with some coven scouts who agreed to let us see mom and the twins and bring them back," Ralph said as Jageera came in.
"Yes, fortunately there are some scouts that like us," Jageera mentioned.
Nina then noticed someone was missing. "Where's… dad?"
"Oh he decided to stay behind," Buttons said, crossing her arms. "He's too cowardly to leave the reservation, even if it is to see mom again. Though, I doubt mom even wants to see her again."
This surprised Nina. "Wait, really? What happened?"
"He pushed mom in front of himself when that werewolf attacked us," Itchy revealed, shocking Nina.
"Fuck," Nina swore. "That is… that is really not okay."
"Yes, and I think Itchy is right," Pam agreed. "I think I am done with Leo and he won't be seeing the triplets when they're born," she said before turning to Nina. "And Nina, I've been thinking and… I'm sorry for what Leo and I said last week. If I could take it back, I would." She looked down, quiet for a moment. "When the triplets are born, I would like you to see them. Because their big sister should be in their lives and… you are welcome back home, if you ever want to come back."
Nina was surprised to hear Pam say this. She was quiet at first, not sure how to respond. "Um… thanks, mom," she said before looking down. "Though, there is… something I want to talk to guys about."
Donna looked over at Nina's siblings, noticing Cally who was looking at Nina with a smile on her face. This got Donna to think about what she heard about Cally and how she still hadn't heard Nina's side of the story about the incident with her sister…
"Hey, everyone! How ya doing?" Felicia asked as she came through the door. "Kitsuni told me you would all be here!"
"Oh Titan…" Luz groaned.
"Luz, Donna, glad that you're alright," Felicia said as she came over. "Glad that my tip helped to find you guys. Donna, how's my girl doing?"
Donna didn't look at Felicia. "I'm… not in the mood to talk."
"What? Why the long face?" Felicia asked her.
"Felicia… were you lying about dating before?" Donna asked her.
"Oh that?" Felicia asked before she shrugged. "Oh yeah, but you know me. Sometimes I like to over exaggerate to hype myself up, you know? Did you manage to get Nina to notice you?"
"Felicia, I ended up hurting Nina and Cross's feelings," Donna told her. "Your advice made my relationship with her worse."
"Oh… sorry about that," Felicia said, feeling bad. "But hey, it was just a mistake."
"I think the mistake I made was listening to you," Donna said sternly while turning around.
Felicia's ears dropped. "Donna…"
"You know, despite what everyone says about you, I did consider you a friend," Donna said. "But I don't know if we should continue being friends after that."
"Oh… oh come, Donna, don't be like that," Felicia said to her. "I did help find you and the others with my tip. Just ask Kitsuni."
"As I am grateful for that, but I think I need space from you," Donna told her with a stern tone. "Just… leave me alone, Felicia."
"Donna…" Felicia said before she felt Kitsuni pat her shoulder, making her look up to her.
"Come on, let's just go," Kitsuni told her and though Felicia wanted to stay and talk to Donna, she saw Donna wasn't in a talking mood.
"O...okay," Felicia said while looking back at Donna and Luz. "I'm glad that you are all safe, by the way," she said before leaving with Kitsuni.
"That was… harsh," Luz said while turning to Donna.
"I'm just… really frustrated with her right now," Donna admitted, looking down. "I'll talk to her later, just not right now."
"Got it," Luz said with a nod.
Meanwhile, Nina was talking to her siblings about living with the Brookes.
"In the month that I've stayed with them," Nina said with them. "The Brookes have really helped me out and let me into their lives. Even Calypso, who isn't all that bad when you get to know her."
"Really?" Ralph asked her.
"What are you saying, Nina?" Cally asked her.
Nina looked at her siblings and sighed. "Two days ago, Calypso said that she… wanted me to be part of the family. Like officially becoming a Brooke. And I have been thinking of taking her up on her offer."
"You mean… leaving the tribe?" Max asked in shock.
Nina nodded. "Look, I… I know that I wasn't a good kitty, that I didn't really fit in at the reservation. You guys are my family and can still be even if I'm no longer in the tribe, but the reservation wasn't my home. I… hope you guys understand."
Everyone was silent for a moment until Cally spoke up.
"Nina, of course we understand," Cally said while patting Nina's hand. "We know that you were not happy living on the reservation."
"Yeah, I mean, none of us were really that happy," Ralph admitted, looking down. "But you were the least happy. That much was clear. And if the Brookes have made you happy, then we won't hold it against you, especially after how mom and dad treated you. That… wasn't right."
Nina looked around at her other siblings and saw them nodding in agreement. "Thanks, guys. And for that matter, despite everything… I still care about you guys. You are still my family and that is something that's not going to change. But the Brookes have also become important to me."
"Then if they are important to you," West said.
"Then they're important to us as well!" Winter declared.
Nina chuckled as she patted her younger siblings' heads. "Thanks."
"Oh… oh Titan, this is just… beautiful," Banjo said as she wiped away her tears while she and her friends watched the scene between Nina and her siblings.
"Yeah, I'm happy for them too," Anthony said while Chelsea nodded in agreement.
"Well, you keep on surprising us, Little Thunder," Chelsea said to Nina.
"Little Thunder? You haven't called me that for a while," Nina said, while turning to her.
"Yeah, well… I think you've earned it this time," Chelsea said with a smile.
"Yeah, I think I know what you mean," Nina said while walking up to her. "I do want to thank you, and Anthony and Banjo, for helping me find my mom and siblings. And I am sorry for the things I said to you guys…"
"Hey, bygones be bygones," Banjo reassured her. "And us outcasts should stick together. I should know, I'm considered an outcast with these," she said as she raised her pincers.
"I'll admit, we misjudged you and… I don't think any of us would mind hanging out with you in the future if you want," Anthony said.
"Yeah, I would like us to be friends… if that is something you want," Chelsea mentioned.
Nina looked at the three in surprise. "Well, you guys don't need my permission to be friends with me. I… I wouldn't mind it if we were friends. And sure, we can stay in touch and hang out in the future, especially since you are able to leave the reservation. Just… promise me that you will tell Casey's mom what happened to her son."
Chelsea gave her a nod. "I promise."
"Thank you," Nina said as she gave Chelsea a hug, much to Chelsea's surprise.
"Nina, are you-" Chelsea started to say.
"I am just feeling very emotional right now so please don't ruin the moment," Nina said. As she hugged Chelsea, she thought of Casey… and remembered something. "I just remembered… Casey showed me something before he vanished."
"What was it?" Chelsea asked.
"A new song," Nina replied. "I think he only shared it with me. I remember the lyrics, but he never got to play it for anyone."
"Ooh, can we hear the song?" Winter asked.
"Yeah, can we hear it?" Banjo asked her.
"Yeah, I'd like to hear his song as well," Cally replied as the others agreed.
"You do?" Nina asked while Anthony spoke up.
"It could be a tribute to him," Anthony suggested.
"Come on, Nina, do it for Casey," Chelsea encouraged her.
"Yeah… I should," Nina said with a nod, feeling convinced that she should do it to honor Casey's memory. "His song does deserve to be heard."
Nina turned to Luz and Skara. "Yo, Luz, Skara!" she shouted, getting their attention. "Gonna need your help up on stage."
Luz and Skara looked confused as they walked up towards her. "What's up, Nina? Are we performing something?" Skara asked.
"Yeah, a song written by Casey," Nina told them, which they immediately understood. "You two wanted us to be the Beast Bard Girls? Well this is your debut," she said while holding the mic.
Skara and Luz summoned their instruments, Skara summoning a keyboard guitar while Luz summoned Rocky.
"I've been summoned!" Rocky declared. "Are we playing a song?"
"Yup," Luz replied to her talking guitar.
"So how does the song go?" Skara asked Nina.
""Just follow my lead," Nina told her before turning to the mic. "Hey," she spoke through the mic, getting the attention of everyone else. "This song was written by a dear friend of mine, Casey Whiskabee, who is not here with us anymore," she said while all fell into silence. "Me and my kitkat Skara, and the hellraiser, Luz, here, are going to play his song in his memory."
"This is the debut of the Beast Bard Girls!" Skara declared while Nina went to the drum set.
After tapping on the drums, the trio started to play the music. Nina began to sing. "Dust on this tired old street…" She shut her eyes as she sang. "Mark corners where we used to play!"
Donna stepped up to stand with the others, watching Nina performing.
"Dust trace our tired old feet, in circles as we pace our time away!"
It was then both Nina and Skara sang into their microphones. "I just want to diiie anywhere else~ if only I could diiiie anywhere else!"
Luz sang as well while playing the guitar. "So come with me, let's diiiiie anywhere else!"
Eda heard the lyrics and looked down while thinking back to her younger years, feeling like she could relate to this song.
"An-y-where… just not here…"
"Stuck on this dead end street," Nina continued to sing. "Where all the new kids come to play."
Luz's guitar spread a blue, green, and yellow hue around the restaurant. It caused everyone to hear the words more clearly and connect with them. Donna saw that she was standing next to Cally, who shed tears from the song.
"Stuck – where the past and future meet~ Watching all our autumns drift away~!"
Nina, Skara, and Luz sang together. "I just want to diiiie anywhere else – If only I could diiiie anywhere else! So come with me, let's die anywhere else~!"
"An-Y-Where… just not here!"
As Slasher listened to the song, he wiped away his own tears, wondering if his wife was going to pull through.
Emira looked down sadly before she felt Edric pats her back and Amity went over to join her siblings while listening to the song.
"And if you ever hear my name, will they know I walked alone?" they sang. "Around these dusty streets-My tired old home(Rocky: Tired old home)…"
Eda couldn't help but silently cry while Lilith and King comforted her.
"And will they ever stop to think, what was here before? No, they won't remember that I'm gone~!"
"I just want to diiiie anywhere else – If only I could diiiie anywhere else! So come with me, let's die anywhere else~!?" the trio sang while playing their instruments.
"An-Y-Where… just not here… oh no!" Nina sang, finishing the song.
Lambi was the first to clap, followed by Gus, Amity, Willow, and eventually, everyone in the bar started clapping. Luz and Skara took a bow as Nina did the same.
Donna clapped along with Cally before she turned to Nina's sister. "Cally, right?"
"Yeah," Cally replied, turning to Donna. "Hey, I remember you, aren't you Nina's friend?"
"Yeah," Donna nodded. "Um… you know, I don't think we've formally met. I'm Donna.."
"Cally Fangs," Cally responded, shaking Donna's hand. "Oh, um, I hope you don't mind the eye…"
"I don't," Donna reassured her. "Though I did hear that… your sister did it to you."
"Oh, you did," Cally replied with a sigh. "Well, to be honest, she didn't intend to do this to me."
"She… didn't?" Donna asked.
"I know what others say happened between us, but I don't think she intentionally attacked me," Cally said. "When she attacked me, her eyes were… empty. Then when she looked at me afterward, it was like she had just come to and realized what had happened. And she was horrified. She did call for help, but after I got treated, word got out and despite saying that it was an accident or unintentional, nobody would listen to me," she complained while looking down. "I'm saying this because I don't want you to get the wrong idea about Nina, she's a good kitty, even though she has made a lot of mistakes. But everyone makes mistakes, so why should my sister have to be vilified for hers? But… no one wants to listen to what I think."
"Well… I'm listening," Donna pointed out. "And for what it's worth, your sister saved me and, well… I do owe a lot to her. She is a good witch, regardless of what anyone else says."
"I'm glad that you're her friend, Donna," Cally responded with a smile. "Cause you seem to be a nice girl."
"Yeah, I guess…" Donna said while looking away. "Say, um, why don't you talk to Nina? Because what happened to you is something she still feels very guilty about and I think a talk between you two would help."
"Yeah, maybe it would," Cally said while looking over to Nina, who was talking to Luz and Skara.
"I'll admit, I never thought the Beast Bard Girls would end up being a trio," Luz commented.
"Well, we are some pretty beastly girls who know some bard music," Skara replied.
"I'll admit, it felt right to be part of a band with you two," Nina admitted. "We could be like, what's that human band, the Talking Heads group, or Fleetwood."
"Maybe we can make a record together," Luz suggested, getting the girls to think it over.
"Nina," Cally said, getting her sister to turn to her as she came up. "Might I borrow you for the moment?"
Nina looked at Cally and nodded to her. "Of course," she said as she stepped off stage to talk to her sister while Amity and Willow went over to their girlfriends.
"Great performance, la batata," Amity said as she hugged Luz, followed by a kiss which made Luz smile.
"You were great out there," Willow said while also kissing Skara, making her blush.
Once they were alone, Nina and Cally began to talk.
"That was a great performance and wonderful song, Nina," Cally commented.
"Yeah, thanks," Nina responded. "I think Casey would have loved to have heard how it turned out."
"Yes, I think he would," Cally agreed. "But… I also wanted to talk to you about us. Are we… okay?"
"Okay? Why would you ask that?" Nina asked her.
"Things have been… awkward between us ever since the accident," Cally admitted while looking down sadly. "I know you started avoiding me after that. And the favoritism didn't help, with mom and dad favoring me over you, and our siblings. I hated how they mistreated you, but I should have done more to defend you. I tried to tell people that it wasn't your fault, but I should have also been telling you that. Maybe if I tried harder to reach out to you, you wouldn't have felt as alienated. I am your older sister and I let you down… and honestly, I don't want to be that golden child. I… I want to do stuff that I want to do, you know?"
Nina gave her a nod and patted her sister's shoulder. "I understand you all too well, Cally," she reassured her. "And if you're asking me, you can't let mom and dad hold you back in your life. You need to stand up to them and determine what you want to do with your life yourself."
"I… I think I can," Cally admitted. "But what if they said no?"
"Then you let them know that they can't control your life," Nina said. "And look… I'm sorry that we don't talk anymore. Maybe… maybe we should catch up sometime. You could even take up Slash's offer in getting a single."
Cally smiled. "Yes, I would like that."
Sometime later, after Nina finished saying goodbye to her werecat family and friends, exchanging hugs with them, Jageera led the werecats to the rented airship with Carter and Bowen piloting. The Fangs siblings helped their mother into the ship.
"Bye guys," Nina said as she waved to them along with Skara and Slasher.
"Just be careful!" Skara told them.
"And stay safe!" Slasher added.
"We will/Thanks for having us!" West and Winter replied while sitting on Banjo's shoulders as they went onto the airship.
Jageera turned to Nina. "You know, little cub, Mao was pretty impressed with you winning that blue ribbon."
"Really?" Nina asked, her ears perking up.
"Yeah, and after hearing about your actions from today, Mao will be even more impressed," Jageera said with a proud smile. "And I think she will tell you that herself when you two meet again."
"I… I would like that," Nina replied with a nod. "Thanks, Jageera."
"Anytime, little cub," he responded as he got back on the airship, which prepared to set off back to the Torsa Villa.
"Are you alright, Felicia?" Kitsuni asked her as they walked down to Felicia's home.
"I'm fine, Kitsuni," Felicia claimed. "I know that Donna's mad at me, but she'll get over it… right?"
"Of course," Kitsuni told her as they stopped in front of the entrance to Felicia's home. "Well, we're here."
"Thanks for walking me home, Kitsuni," Felicia said as she entered her house. "Take care of yourself."
"Will do," Kitsuni promised as Felicia closed the door. She then turned and began to walk away, eventually ending up in the forest.
Once she was alone, Kitsuni shut her eyes… and was engulfed in a flash of blue light. She started to transform and in her place… was Todd Tweed.
"Titan!" Todd gasped, finally back to normal. "Boy, this will definitely take some time getting used to," he admitted, his eyes now similar to Kitsuni's…
Back at the Pore-Ta-Geist, everyone was still eating and drinking.
"Well, today was certainly eventful," Luz said as she sat at a counter with the other teens. She turned to Cross. "You know, I think this is the third time we've teamed up. First was back in the Underworld, then at the IFWOT, and now fighting the Alchemist. I guess this is becoming a regular thing, isn't it?"
"Yeah, regular thing…" Cross grumbled unhappily.
"You'll get used to it, new guy," Willow whispered to Cross, smiling.
"At least we don't have to worry about some of our enemies anymore," Gus said. "Like those Tarot Guild members."
"Not to mention the Chimeras," Amity admitted. "Two of them being my muggers…"
"Oh man, really?" Luz asked in shock, turning to Amity, who nodded. "Coincidentally enough, I met Bangles, who also got turned into a Chimera. How did you handle them?"
"With my mom and brother's help," Amity admitted. "Seeing them again, even with their new mutated forms… I'm not afraid of them anymore, and I showed them."
"Way to go, mi hermosa," Luz commented with a smile. "Wait, what happened to those Chimeras? And Bria?"
"Don't worry, the ones at that bunker are in custody now," King reassured her. "The Emperor's Coven showed up and arrested the Tarot Guild members and took in the Chimeras, bringing them to the Conformatorium. Hopefully they will be able to find a cure and reunite those kids with their families."
"And the ones from Blight Industries are in custody with the CATTs," Amity admitted.
"The CATTs?" Luz asked her.
"Ams, I thought that was supposed to be a secret?" Gus pointed out.
"Eh, I don't see why we should all keep it from her. She's gonna know anyway," Amity pointed out. "Besides, no more secrets between us."
"I don't know what the CATTs are…" Donna pointed out, having no clue.
"Oh," Amity said, remembering something. "Along with those Chimeras, the CATTs are also watching over Blazer."
"Blazer?!" Luz shouted in shock. "You mean Mel's Hellhound?"
Amity nodded. "He was apparently being held in that bunker you were in," she explained. "He was in really bad shape and still hasn't woken up. He is back at CATTs headquarters right now and when he wakes up, they'll decide what to do with him."
"Everyone, look at the CB!" Geist shouted as he used the remote to turn the volume up. All looked up to see the news.
"And as our story develops, we have an important announcement by the Emperor's Aid, Abel Reisender!"
On screen was Abel. "Attention children of the Isles, Abel, I am speaking on behalf of the Emperor," Abel started. "Earlier today, there was a terrorist attack on Blight Industries by members of the Tarot Guild, who made off with one of the company's inventions. I am sorry to relay that Arthur and Destiny Blight are also reported to have died during the attack. But today also saw a huge blow being dealt to the Tarot Guild when a bunker under their control was discovered at the old zoo. Many witches were recovered from imprisonment, and many members were arrested and will be petrified for their actions."
"Hey, they've mentioned our achievements," Edric commented.
"Yeah, well, at least we got everyone's attention," Eda replied while sipping her drink.
"And now, due to these events and being so close to the Day of Unity, the Emperor has decided to reveal the identity of the Golden Guard, who will be personally overseeing the takedown of the last remnants of the Tarot Guild, and his new partner, the Silver Sentry."
This made Luz, Eda, Amity, Willow, Gus, Cross, Edric, Emira, and Skara confused.
"New partner?" Luz and Amity said in unison.
"Silver Sentry?" Edric, Gus, and Willow commented.
They saw the Golden Guard on the crystal ball with another armored partner. They were donned in silver armor with a mask and gray hood. Their gray cowl had a silver triangle with a silver pad on their right shoulder, with a silver chest-plate, gray pants and silver gloves and boots.
"You two may remove your masks now," Abel told them.
The Golden Guard removed his mask, revealing the face of Hunter. The Silver Sentry also grabbed their mask, removing it. When they did, everyone watching was left in shock.
Luz's irises shrank as she gasped. "You gotta… be kidding me…"
"I can't believe-!" Gus exclaimed, almost falling back.
Eda looked concerned. "What the…?"
Donna looked shocked as well and she turned to Nina, seeing the werecat's hands shaking.
"Nononononono…" Nina said.
"Shit," Cross said as he looked down. "Why… is she back there?"
Standing in the Silver Sentry armor with a serious and stoic look… was Emily Tricks.
Nina stood up, furious. "MOTHER-"
For what it's worth, I'm sure some of you guys don't see it coming.
We have conceived this chapter a long time ago, as we wanted to bring in the Alchemist to be another antagonist along with giving a glimpse of the Yokai Realm. Originally, we would have just had Luz be captured by the Alchemist, who wanted to experiment on her. But at the time, we didn't know where in the story to take place. Could have been a lot later but now we've managed to get it here. And to include Willow, Nina, Donna and Cross to be captured.
Also among the prisoners, Kelly from Star Vs The Forces of Evil has been captured as a recent prisoners. We got some OCs introduced like Mitch, a toad warrior who's from Amphibia, who gives some info about what happened. And we got O'Darby, a new OC who's also from the Isles, and an expy of Izzy from Total Drama, a witch who's also part Leprechaun. We have meant to place her in the "Brooken Home" chapter as one of the prisoners of the bunker, but then we ended up placing her in the Yokai Realm. Also Quirky Guy makes a cameo, and is still alive!
We got a lot of TMNT expies around and it's not just the Alchemist and Ninja Supreme(as Draxum and Ue-expies) but we're finally introduced to the Ninja Turtles-expies. All named after famous Japanese artists in the form of Kappas. Kose(Blue) the Leonardo and leader of the team, Jocho(Red) the Raphael and the rebel of the group, Fuyuko(Purple) the Donatello and smart girl of the team, and Koun(Orange) the Michelangelo who's a party girl. We had the idea a while ago and it was even hinted at in the "A Very Special Donna" chapter, but it was something else we didn't know where to put at the time.
Another would be the Supreme Daiymo, who's an expy of TMNT 2003's Ultimate Daiymo. His sadviser, Giichi, is basically his personal Zazu but as an advisor duck Yokai.
And Chelsea calling Nina "Little Thunder" does hint at what Nina's also an expy of...
Songs used:
"Warring Warrior Scientist" from the Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
"Die Anywhere Else" is a song from Night in the Woods.
Nothing much to say now, so on to the reviews:
Krypton Writes: Yes, we're still working on Hollow Mind. It's just that as we've stated before, that the timeline in Hollow Mind to King's Tide doesn't really feel like a week has passed. Yes, the Grim Goblin is committing homicide in which Terry doesn't have control over. Which is how having a split-personality does.
BlueKnight-X2: Well, it's more of a short-lived fight.
Crash X Fusion: It's not odd to hear the TMNT music at the end. Though to me, I hear a Joker's laugh. Hook is still in league with Grimhilde, he's just doing his business.
Matteso585: 1) Well they got out, but it was Kitsuni who helps get the tip from Felicia. 2) It's intentional. 4) Well that's your opinion. An opinion that you keep repeating so much, it loses it's meaning. And what makes you think he should've done in "Understanding Odalia" other than scared straight to get her to change her ways? It sounds like you're ignoring everything shown in the Underworld Arc that he's actually doing an effort to help out his own daughter, rather than do some villainous stuff(which we've decided that out of the Disney villains, Hades at least deserves a face-heel turn).
Richardo Alfredo Almiron: I wouldn't say Gibson is a Tarot Guild member, more like a pawn. Also for PS: 1) Donna and Cross were also taken. 2) About a week away, but there's a lot more before "Hollow's Mind".
Shuffollower: Yup.
Spantidem7: As much as Azura, Amity starts taking a liking to Spider-Man comics. And oh yeah, Arthur is going to be something else.
Ultimate-drax: Thanks for the review.
Next chapter, the 120th chapter. Just what do we have in stored for this one...
