Ten years. Ten years since she and her sisters had aided Master Geryon in their initial attempt to seize the Chemies from Kudo Fuga. But they hadn't been prepared either for the fact Fuga had somehow managed to dominate the Level Number 10 Chemies, nor for the interference of that brat. Now, Clotho and her younger (both physically, mentally and in terms of who was created first) sister Lachesis had been tasked by the eldest (physically youngest) sister Atropos with finding Kudo again, now that the Level 10s wouldn't be there to save him.

Sure enough, the three had managed to corner the old man, but he gave his Driver to someone else heading off in another direction. But that didn't stop the three sisters from overwhelming and seemingly killing the fool. "Aw, the silver fox has had his time.", Lachesis pouted. "I wanted to play with him some more."

"It doesn't matter.", Atropos stated. "We didn't need Kudo Fuga anymore. We just need his Driver and the Chemies. And then, Master Geryon's new world can be created."

As if on cue, the 100 Chemies sealed in the cards broke free, flying all around, before making for a portal. "Hey, it looks like one half of our prize is getting away.", Clotho thought to point out.

"No, this is all working according to plan.", Atropos insisted. "We can recover the Chemies at our discretion. For now, focus on recovering the Driver." Clotho tutted at this. Atropos was making it sound like grabbing a fancy belt buckle would be a challenge.

Soon enough, the three Sisters found the boy who had run off with the Driver back in the regular Earth, along side Kudo's daughter. "The world has taken another Great Leap Forward.", Atropos stated.

"You guys from earlier!", the boy declared. It was that point that Clotho got a good look at his face. The same meddler from 10 years ago, somehow unchanged in that time. Could he have been an alchemical doll, like they were? Kudo and Master Geryon were equals, after all. It was why the Alchemy Academy was made to believe in the treachery of one of their greatest.

Atropos didn't seem to be considering the same notion. She merely got to the point with her next statement. "That driver does not belong in your hands."

Clotho could tell that this brat, whoever or whatever he was, wouldn't hand over the Driver willingly. Nor would he run away with it. So she took things into her own hands. "Atropos, I'll take him out.", she said, before throwing back her veil to emphasise her determination behind the sewn face.

Atropos didn't seem to react. At least, any more than her normal range of expressions. "Very well, Clotho." Taking the hint, Clotho leapt through the portal, attempting to pin both of them down. Thought the process required she push them back very far away, that was simple enough.

Clotho was fortunate enough to find one of the Chemies nearby. The Level Number 9 Insect Chemy Kamantis. If that brat had been granted the power of the Chemies, then there was nothing wrong with her taking it to even the score. "I will use you." She then pulled down her veil, so she could channel her alchemical powers to take control of the creature. "Become stained in darkness!" The Chemy tried to escape, but Clotho was able to suck it into her body, which assumed the form of a Malgam, with the Mantis becoming the head and arms. Now empowered, Clotho turned towards the brat who'd thwarted her Master 10 years prior, and his little girlfriend from the Alchemist Academy, intending to end their interference once and for all. They were both scared. That was good. When a prey gets scared, the predator can feast.

"Malice!", the brat gasped, presumably in response to what had been discussed. "I definitely feel that. The vilest, deepest black!"

"That's right," Clotho responded, "and you're about to get a taste of it!"

Sometime later, Clotho stumbled back to the laboratory the Sisters had set up for themselves. Despite having the edge in combat experience, the brat had somehow figured out how to work the Driver and weapons like he'd been using it forever and recapture the Mantis Chemy. "Not bad.", had been Clotho's initial comment on his fighting style. But then she decided to show she meant business. "I'll drag you through Hell before I kill you."

But before that happy day could come, Clotho pulled herself into the room, using all of her effort. "Clotho!", Lachesis gasped, her voice as typically emotional as ever. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine.", Clotho insisted. "I didn't lose against that brat, he just got lucky."

"Sure he did.", Atropos commented. "But the loss of one Chemy is nothing as of now. We can secure the rest in the future, and if that child thinks to interfere again, then he will be dealt with."

"I hope he does at least try.", Lachesis nodded, smiling. "It'll be good to have someone interesting to fight a few times. It'll make it all the more satisfying when we finally beat him."

"Indeed.", Atropos nodded. "We have waited 10 years for our revenge already. This boy may have thwarted us before, but this time, we have had the time necessary to ensure Master Geryon's victory."

Time! Lachesis and Clotho were hit with a realisation. Back when that boy had first appeared, they had seen he had a Chemy of his own, that didn't seem to match the colours of the others. Given that these creatures spoke a language composed of their own names, this one seemed to be named "Time". There was a Chemy like that already, but it couldn't be… Could it?