Chapter 34: Edge of Two Morrows
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. Sorry about the wait but this one was a head scratcher. I wanted to give something new but without going too overboard. Also I'm happy to say this story now has over 150 Followers and Favorites! Thanks for all the support. You guys rock! I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
We find ourselves in the middle of Drake City as an alarm warning echoes through the city.
"Drake City is at Shieldcom level 3. Please report suspicious undead! Curfew in 15 minutes!" An announcer said on repeat over and over again.
Down below we see Ryou hanging out with Malvaron, Lucas, Tersly, and Doug as they were drinking sodas and sharing a pizza.
"You know Malvaron when you suggested a guy's day out, I was a little skeptical but I needed this," Ryou said.
"Yeah me too. Good call buddy." Doug said eating a slice.
"Hey I figured with all the craziness going on us guys needed this," Malvaron said.
"Wow I've never had enough friends to do a guy's day. This is so cool." Tersly said.
"Why did you invite him?" Doug whispers.
"I felt bad for him. He said he had a rough day with Montehugh." Malvaron whispers.
"So what do you guys normally do?" Lucas asks.
"Well normally Doug and I have a marathon of video games. But we thought we'd use this chance to branch out and have some time to say what's on our minds." Malvaron said.
"Oh goblin, if this idiot thinks we're sharing what's going on in here, he's got another thing coming." Ryoga groans.
"Be nice. He's trying." Ryou mutters when the alarm blares nearby causing them all to cringe in pain.
"I miss the days when this city didn't have alarms," Doug whines.
"I haven't been to Drake City in a while, so I have no idea what it was like back before all this," Tersley said.
"Let's just say they prided themselves on being the most peaceful metropolis in the realm," Ryou said sipping his drink.
"No way they can call themselves that anymore," Lucas said.
"Back then Doug and I were just astromancers learning to master our powers," Malvaron said.
"I was stealing with Zarya, Piper, and Choko. No memories or anything." Ryou said.
"And no me." Ryoga chuckles.
'Boy do I miss those days.' Ryou rolls his eyes.
"Hey, kids." The restaurant owner calls out. "You might want to take it to go. We're closing up soon."
"Seriously? We just started eating?" Doug said.
"Hey don't blame me, blame the curfew." They said.
"We'll finish this at the base." Malvaron sighs as they got up.
"Come on, let's go find the girls. Knowing Piper she's probably hating this more than any of us." Ryou suggests.
And Ryou could not have been more right.
In another part of town, we see Zarya, Piper, Arkayna, and Em hearing the same message.
"Yeah, yeah we know. You've been blaring that like every 5 minutes." Piper whines. "I know we're on Necrafa alert 24/7, but come on. Can't an elf get a break? We got guards coming out the yin yang." Piper said pointing to a guard who was walking by on patrol.
However, the guard didn't notice Choko and ended up stepping on his tail pissing the little foz off.
"Hey back away from the yin yang." Piper threatened as they stopped in front of an elderly homeless gentleman.
"He's just doing his job." Em said.
"Better to be safe than sorry. And one day this will all be over." Arkayna said.
"When? All we do is fight, fight, fight. It's exhausting being a Mysticon all the time. Why is it always up to us to save the day?" Piper said before noticing a gold coin on the ground. "Ooh gold coin. So shiny."
"If your will is strong and your heart is bold. A wish will be granted on a coin of gold." Em recites.
"A wish huh? I wish—" Before Piper could finish the guard began acting weird and took out a Spectral Hand symbol. "Look out!" Piper shrieks.
"Long live Necrafa!" He declares as darkness surrounds him revealing a dark beast who throws the symbol and from it a dark portal opens revealing Tazma, Icy, Stormy, Darcy, and Necrafa.
"Grab the Princess!" Necrafa calls out before attacking them.
Panicking the girls ran for cover. "This way!"
"Oh great, just what we need. The Worst Mom in the Cosmoverse and her minions." Zarya mocks when Tazma recognizes them.
"It's you. The thieves who tricked me with that fake Dragon Disk." Tazma recalls.
"Yeah, that was pretty sweet," Zarya said as Choko waves his butt at her mocking them.
"I knew you were pathetic Tazma but to get fooled by pickpockets?" Icy mocks.
"That's sad even for you." Stormy laughs.
"Shut up just because you don't have Nick to make fun of doesn't mean I'm his substitute," Tazma said firing a blast and hitting Zarya.
"Why not? Everything about you is a joke." Dracy said firing darkness which grabbed Em and Zarya.
As Choko rolls across the ground in pain, Piper picks him up and leaps behind some crates.
"Come Princess. Face your destiny." Necrafa said blasting Arkayna and tying her up with her magic.
"Piper! Help us!" As Arkayna clawed across the ground she grabbed onto the crate Piper was hiding behind but the spell was too strong.
"Arkayna!" Piper gasps but the Trix fires magic at her forcing Piper to hide for cover. "There's too many! I can't take them all by myself!"
Reaching in Piper sent an SOS message to Ryou but once she clicked sent Tazma casts a spell grabbing Choko.
"Choko!" Piper panics seeing she was all by herself now and she had to deal with 5 of their worst enemies. Even if she summoned a titan there's no way she could take them all. "I wish we weren't Mysticons and Seekers, so we could all just be safe." Piper wishes and suddenly the coin began to glow.
Confused Piper opens her hands and the golden light envelops everything.
When the light dies down, Piper sees she is in the alley but she is all alone.
"Hello? Oh my goblin, where did everyone go?" Piper asks standing up to see there was no sign of anyone: no friends and no enemies either. "They're all gone."
Confused she felt around in her pockets and gasps. "Where are my amulets?" Looking around frantically she thought she dropped them somewhere.
"What is going on? No Em, no Zarya, no Arakyna. Wait where's Ryou and Choko?" Piper asks looking around before noticing a familiar bunny on a crate. "Binky? I thought I lost you."
"Piper!" A familiar voice calls out.
Turning around Piper saw Zarya running over. "There you are." Zarya smiled when a shadow approached her from behind.
"Get down!" Piper yells grabbing Zarya and yanking her behind some crates. "Binky go boom!"
"Binky go boom," Binky repeats initiating the bomb sequence.
"Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. It's just Ryou and Choko!" Zarya said stopping the bomb.
Emerging we see Ryou with his old long hairdo and Choko on his shoulder.
"Ryou!" Running over, Piper gave him a big hug confusing him and Choko.
"Whoa, Piper what's going on?" Ryou asks when Piper notices his hair is long again.
"When did you grow your hair out again?" Piper asks.
"Out again? Piper, why would I cut my hair? I like it this way." Ryou said.
"Where's Arkayna? Is she safe?" Piper asks.
"The princess? Yeah, she's safe and sound in the palace." Zarya mocks gesturing to said building above them.
"What about Necrafa?" Piper asks confusing them. "The Queen of the Undead? Ryou's mother? Who we were just fighting." Piper reminds.
"Necrafa? My mother?" Ryou tilted his head confused. "Well, that's a big jump from previous ideas. I think the last one was my mom was part of a traveling circus."
"Yeah, I sent you an SOS call as she, Tazma and the Trix had us trapped in her tentacles," Piper explains.
"Wow your imagination is out of control today," Zarya said.
"Seriously. I mean come on Piper you really think one of my parents is a dead demon? I mean seriously, do I look evil to you?" Ryou gestures to himself.
"It wasn't my imagination!" Piper snaps. "I was right behind here and it was up to me to save everyone but I was terrified and—" Gasping Piper feels around in her pocket and pulls out the gold coin. "Oh, my goblin. I wished I wasn't a hero anymore and it must have come true."
"Piper, are you okay?" Leaning in Ryou put a hand to her head to check to see if she had a fever.
"Like I said, imagination is out of control," Zarya said.
Up above them, an announcement went off.
"Welcome to Drake City, the most peaceful Metropolis in the realm." It said.
"Whoa. Whoa. Let me get this right. You're saying the realm is safe from Necrafa and none of us are Mysticons?" Piper asks.
"Mystica-who-now?" Zarya asks.
"Ryou are you still a Seeker?" Piper asks.
"Seeker? What's that? Piper the only thing I'm seeking is clues about who I am." Ryou said making Piper smile.
"Yeah! We're not Mysticons! We're not heroes!" Piper cheers.
"Of course, we're not heroes. We're thieves." Zarya reminds.
"Speaking of, our next target is on his way here." Ryou gestures leading them to the street.
"Huh?" Looking out Piper saw the same Fat Cat they had conned the day they went after the Dragon Disk.
"What's the plan Ryou?" Zarya asks.
"Piper will distract him with her cups, and then you and Choko will pick the key from his pocket. With our route, we should be able to make—" Before Ryou could finish explaining Piper walked away. "Piper?"
Confused Zarya turns around. "Piper, what are you doing?"
"There is no way I am going back down that road again," Piper said trying to run off but both cut her off.
"What do you think you're doing?" Zarya asks as both she and Ryou cross their arms.
"I told you. I made a wish to back to before I was a hero. If we rob that guy all the bad stuff happens all over again." Piper explains.
"That guy is a crook and if we don't steal from his ship people are gonna hungry Piper." Ryou reminds.
"Our people," Zarya adds as several street kids walk over to them. "You really want to say no to getting them food?"
"You want food? I'll get you food." Piper grins getting an idea.
Soon they were at Sky Pies, as Piper was in a pizza-eating contest against a Troll.
"Piper! Piper! Piper!" The street kids chanted while Ryou and Zarya were just enjoying the show.
"Ahh, this is the life. No responsibilities. Just a classic pie-eating contest between me and troll dude." Piper said spinning a slice so it pointed at her opponent. "You're up."
Growling the troll grabbed the slice and ate the whole thing in one bite. At first, Piper was nervous but Troll ended up getting indigestion and passed out.
"Sky Pies are on the lightweight." Piper declares as Mama Calamari gave the street kids a whole pizza.
"Well it's not a strategy I would have come up with but it works." Ryou chuckles.
"You guys want a slice?" Piper offers.
"No thanks. Check it out." Zarya said pointing to a table where Mathis was doing the cup game against Gawayne as a foz stole his key.
"Mathis is running our con." Ryou glares.
"Take your pick." Mathis insists.
"It's under that one for sure." Gawayne points but the cup is empty.
"Ooh so sorry, better luck next time." Mathis said taking the coin from under another cup.
"How about my coin back now or I toss you in the royal dungeon?" Gawayne threatens to make Mathis give it back.
"I miss seeing his mouth sewn shut," Piper mutters.
"Always a pleasure doing business with the royal family," Mathis said as Gawayne left and his foz gave Mathis a copy of the key. "Keep it Your Highness. You're gonna need it after I clean ya out."
Putting the key in his pocket, Mathis saw Ryou, Zarya, and Choko glaring at him.
"Out my way Egghead," Mathis said.
"What's the rush?" Zarya asks as Choko climbs off her shoulder.
"The job of a lifetime. Some shadow creep hired me to rob the Royal Treasury. All they want is two things. A disk and one amulet. The rest is all for me. Come on, clocks ticking on this copy." Mathis said before leaving.
"Let him go, that job is way more trouble than it's worth." Piper insists knowing what will happen to them.
"Are you kidding? We hit that job and we could feed all the kids in the Undercity. Ryou please tell me you have a plan." Zarya said.
"Way ahead of you," Ryou said holding out a copy of Mathis' key.
"You made a copy of his copy?" Piper asks.
"Well, technically Choko did." Ryou smirks as Choko chatters with joy.
"I could kiss you," Zarya said before blushing realizing what she said. "Sorry, I mean good job." She said playfully punching his shoulder.
"Think you can dive into your zone on the way to the castle?" Zarya asks.
"I can try." Ryou said as they made their way to the door. "Come on Piper. Let's go."
"No way I'm staying here," Piper said sitting down on the floor. "And…making a pizza fort."
"What is with you today? You bail on the con and now this?" Zarya gestures and we see Piper make a whole house out of pizza slices.
"Ooh Pepperoni windows," Piper said.
"Piper seriously what's going on? You can tell us if something is bothering you. We're a team, right?" Ryou asks but Piper just took a bite of some pizza. "Well if you ever change your mind you know where we'll be. Come on Zarya."
As the two left, Choko looked at Piper and chirped asking why she wouldn't go.
"Nu-uh. If I do that job my whole life starts over. And climbing that tower is dangerous, that windowsill is gonna break and—" Gasping Piper remembers what happened and gets up. "Oh no! Zarya and Ryou are in danger!"
As Piper ran out, Choko grabbed a few slices of pizza for the road before following.
"Come on Choko! We have to save them and stop Ryou from touching the Vigilante amulet." Piper said unaware that someone overheard.
"Vigilante? Necrafa's titan?" A male voice mutters interested.
At the Royal Palace, we see Zarya and Ryou scaling the tower.
"Time for a bit more camo," Zarya said as Ryou dropped a smoke bomb to cover their tracks.
"We should be almost there! Look for an open window!" Ryou calls out.
Looking up, Zarya grins spotting it. Leaping out she grabbed onto the windowsill but it broke causing her to fall.
"Zarya!" Ryou gasps when Piper appears and grabs her arm saving her.
"Thanks. Glad you decided to come." Zarya smiles grateful.
"Just get your human butts in there," Piper said as they jumped through the window.
Making their way into the treasury, Choko ran through the pile of gold before trying to dive in but fell face-first into the coins.
"You thought that was gonna be more fun didn't you?" Zarya jokes.
"Hurry up you guys," Piper said stuffing some coins into her bag.
Walking around Ryou notices Vigilante's amulet on a pedestal.
"Whoa. Cool amulet. Must pretty valuable to have its own pedestal." Ryou said about to touch it when suddenly Piper grabbed his arm.
"Oh, you don't want that lame amulet Ryou. The one around your neck is way cooler." Piper gestures before grabbing a diamond necklace. "Here I bet we can get way more for this."
"I guess you got a point, Piper." Ryou shrugs when Zarya approaches the Dragon Disk.
"Hey, this looks valuable," Zarya said about to grab it but Piper stopped her.
"This is a grab-and-go. So let's go." Piper urged.
However, before they could they heard the lift moving.
"Someone's coming. Quick hide." Ryou said as they ran for cover just before the lift arrived holding Arkayna, Em, Gawayne, Queen Goodfey, and a guard.
"The Dragon Disk." Em said in awe.
"That's right Emerald, the Dragon Disk is our most important artifact. As the royal family—" Queen Goodfey explains while the three of them watch from behind a statue.
"What a princess." Zarya mocks.
"Just be quiet. We'll sneak out after they leave." Piper whispers when Gawayne gets a message.
"Wow I'd love to stay for this important history lesson but I got a life and a date with a pixie. Or is it a harpy? I can never tell." Gawayne said leaving.
"Every time that guy opens his mouth, I just want to punch him, rob him blind, and a million other things." Ryou pinches his nose.
"Get in line," Zarya said as they briefly high-fived.
Suddenly the Dragon Disk began to glow.
"Mom, what's happening?" Arkayna asks.
"The Disk has been activated." Queen Goodfey gasps.
"Whoa, it's magic," Zarya said in awe.
"Wait that's one of the things Mathis was told to steal. If that thing is magic, then what's so special about that amulet?" Ryou wonders.
"Forget about them. They're probably cursed." Piper said coming up with an excuse.
Hiding from view, Queen Goodfey, Arkayna, and Em turned to leave.
"I must summon the Astromancers, they'll know what to do." Queen Goodfey said before turning to the guard. "No one is to enter the vault, understand?"
Not noticing Ryou, Zarya, and Piper slowly sneaking around they dropped down the lift after the Queen left.
Once everyone was gone, the guard removed his helmet revealing him to be Mathis.
"This place is swag-a-licious." Mathis grins ready to rob them blind.
Running down the hallway, Piper led Ryou and Zarya to the window they climbed through.
"Quick. Out the window." Piper gestures.
"This is serious Nova Terron." Queen Goodfey said.
Seeing she was coming their way they ran for cover.
Peeking out Ryou saw Queen Goodfey talking with Nova Terron over her glyph.
"I have sent two of my most talented Astromancers." Nova Terron assures.
"Well, they better hurry." Queen Goodfey said when the alarm went off startling her. "Someone is attacking the palace!"
"Protect the Dragon Disk!" Nova Terron insists as she hangs up.
"Oh no. I have to save the Queen!" Piper gasps running out from hiding.
"Piper, what are you doing?" Zarya asks.
Running out in front of Queen Goodfey, Piper was holding a blue flower.
"Who are you? What are you doing in the palace?" Queen Goodfey asks demanding an answer but Piper just shushes her.
"Nighty, night your highness." Blowing against the flower, a blue mist blew into Queen Goodfey's face causing her to fall asleep.
"Yes! Now Dreadbane can't turn her to bone. I saved her! Oh yeah." Piper celebrates as Ryou and Zarya walk over.
"Okay, this is weird even for you, Piper," Zarya said but Piper just smiled.
Down the hall, they heard the sounds of clashing blades.
"Hold the line!" Arkayna's voice calls out.
"Arkayna!" Piper gasps running to her.
"Piper!" Ryou gasps.
In the throne room, we see Arkayna fighting alongside King Darius against the skeleton knights.
Swinging a staff, she knocks a knight away but as she swings in for a kick Dreadbane appears and takes a kick to the face but stood strong.
"Who are you?" Arkayna gasped when three skeleton knights grabbed her and the King.
"I am your doom," Dreadbane said approaching them. "Unlock the treasury."
"You'll never get the Dragon Disk!" King Darius snaps.
Not in the mood for games, Dreadbane grabs him by the head turning the King into a statue just like before.
"No!" Screaming in horror, Arkayna broke from their hold and ran to her father.
"Princess! I heard a noise and—" Running in Em saw the situation and instantly regretted coming in.
Before she could escape Dreadbane grabbed her in his arm.
"The Disk now or the dwarf gets it." Dreadbane threatens.
"Get your claws off her!" Arkayna yells charging at them.
"Very well, princess." Tossing Em aside, Dreadbane grabs Arkayna just as Piper runs in and both she and Em look in horror to see Arkayna turned into a statue.
"Arkayna!" Piper gasps.
"Arkayna! No!" Em said as Zarya and Ryou caught up with them.
"What the heck is that?!" Ryou flinches.
"Scary bone dude," Zarya said before turning to Piper. "We gotta get outta here now."
"No wait." Running to Em, Piper helps her up. "Come with us."
"Going somewhere?" Dreadbane asks pointing his sword at them.
"Now you see us. Now you don't!" Releasing a smoke cloud, Zarya and Ryou grabbed the two of them, and when the smoke cleared the 4 of them had fled.
"After them!" Dreadbane orders as several soldiers charge after them.
As they ran down the hall, they saw Mathis coming down from the opposite end with the Dragon Disk and Vigilante amulet in his hands.
"Out of the way Snork Nose!" Zarya threatens.
"Who are you calling Snork Nose?!" Mathis glares when Em notices the relics.
"The Amulet! The Dragon Disk! He's with Dreadbane!" Em accuses.
"What's a Dreadbane?" Mathis asks confused.
"That would be me." Coming out from behind them, Dreadbane flung his sword and the blast knocked the artifacts out of Mathis' hands while they fell out onto the outdoor balcony.
"Where's the Dragon Disk? And the amulet?!" Mathis gasps realizing he doesn't have them anymore.
Cackling Dreadbane picks up the Dragon Disk first.
"The Disk is mine." He grins before noticing the amulet. "The titan, Vigilante" Dreadbane was about to grab it when someone dropped in from above.
"Hyperstride!" Dropping down on top of Dreadbane, Piper's eyes widen seeing their old foe Nick Highwind.
"Nick?" Piper gasps.
"Hand over that titan or else." Nick threatens but Dreadbane pushes him off.
"No one orders me around! Destroy him, Breaker!" Dreadbane orders calling out his 4-armed bear titan.
"Attack, Fireblade!" Nick pulls out an amulet and his flame warrior appears.
"What the heck? Monsters came out of their amulets?" Ryou gasps unconsciously reaching for the one around his neck.
"By the Hammer of Harmon! What do we do?!" Em panics.
Charging in, Breaker swats his paws at Fireblade who leaps up and grabs onto Breaker's back.
Growling in frustration, Nick hurls a Boltflare at Dreadbane who deflects it with his sword.
"Is this guy some kind of hero?" Zarya asks.
"Definitely not! We gotta go!" Piper said leading them to the edge.
"Piper, what are we doing?" Ryou asks.
"We jump!" Piper declares grabbing Em and pushing her over the edge.
"Piper you better have a plan!" Ryou said as he grabbed Mathis.
"Because this is crazy!" Zarya agrees.
"Are you nuts?! There is no way in he—" Before he could finish Zarya pushed Mathis over the balcony.
"Wow, that actually felt good." Zarya grinned before she and Ryou jumped off.
Whistling Piper, calls Ms. Paisely, Topaz, Arrow, and Izzy down allowing the 5 of them to land on the griffins and fly away.
Back on the balcony, Breaker smashes Fireblade forcing it to go back into the amulet.
Nick however was not ready to lose his prize.
"Dragonfist!" Lunging forward Nick punches the bear titan hard in the gut causing it to fly backwards and crash into the skeleton knights.
"Hmm quite the fighter this one," Dreadbane said as the Skeleton Knights charged at Nick.
"Hold it!" Dreabane calls out holding the Vigilante amulet out. "You want this titan? Then let's make a deal."
Slowly Nick stood down. "What kind of deal?"
"A deal where we both get what we want." Dreadbane grins.
As Dreadbane's forces fled the palace, Em looked in fear and confusion.
"What do we do now?" Ryou asks.
"There's nothing we can do. We're not heroes." Piper admits.
"The only ones who can save her is…the Mysticons," Em said before flying off in a different direction.
"Hey, where are you going?" Piper calls out.
"Home." Em declares leaving them behind.
Looking at her griffin, Piper knew she had messed up. "This is sad-tacular Ms. Paisely. My wish just made everything worse."
"Tell me about it. I got nothing out of this heist." Mathis whines.
"That's enough out of you." Narrowing his eyes, Ryou pushes him off the griffin and onto a rooftop.
As the sun was setting, we saw the trio back in the Undercity.
"Nico check out this score," Ryou said as Zarya opened the bag revealing all the treasure they stole.
"Alright!" Nico grins.
"Now don't spend too much too quickly or the wrong people might get ideas," Zarya warns.
Behind them, Piper took out the coin she made the wish on.
"Your wishes are supposed to help me not ruin my life," Piper said closing her hand. "I wish I could just go back and be with my friends. I wish I was home. I wish I could undo my wish." Piper begs but nothing happens. "Oh sad face emoji."
Little did she know, the homeless man from before Necrafa had attacked was sitting nearby.
"If you wish to undo this, be the hero you were meant to be." He said getting Piper's attention.
"What did you say? What did you mean by be the hero you were meant to be?" Piper asks trying to mimic his voice.
"Hey leave Snorey dude alone," Zarya said as she and Ryou walked over.
"No, he said be the hero I was meant to be. Which means…" Gasping Piper grabs them. "The Dragon Disk, Vigilante's amulet. If we touch them we become Mysticons again and Ryou will be a Seeker."
"Piper, what are you talking about?" Ryou asks confused.
"Seriously knock it off with the hero stuff," Zarya said pushing her off.
"No! Please, I'm stuck in this weird version of my life; this is the only way home. You guys have to believe me." Piper begs.
"Have you cracked your crystal ball?" Zarya asks bonking Piper on the head to emphasize her point.
"Piper, look at us. We're not heroes. We're thieves. We steal, lie, and con our way to get what we need to survive. And all day you have been acting crazy and not telling us anything. We're not going anywhere that mess." Ryou emphasized.
"Now I'm angry!" Piper snaps. "If only you two could see everything I see." Gasping Piper realized something. "That's it. I'll prove it to you."
"And how do you plan on doing that?" Ryou crosses his arms.
Before he could react Piper wraps her arms around Ryou and Zarya's necks and leads them away.
"Where are we going?" Zarya asks.
"To a cute little town called Rudick's Hollow." Piper declares confusing them.
That night in Rudick's Hollow, Em was in the basement banging away at a machine.
"By the Hammer of Harmon! Work you blasted piece of junk!" Em yells throwing a wrench in frustration.
"Whoa!" Turning around Em saw, that Piper narrowly dodged that.
"See I told you guys I knew where she lived," Piper said.
"Okay this is weird," Zarya said amused.
"What are you doing here and who are you?" Em asks demanding an explanation.
"My name is Piper and this gonna sound SUPER crazy but I'm from a different timeline where—"
"If this is some kind of joke." Em interrupts.
"This is for realsies. I think I can save Arkayna." Piper said.
"That's it! Get out! All three of you!" Em orders.
"Just listen! I don't know you right?" Piper asks.
"Right." Em nods
"And how would I know you love Questica Nightly? Or that you love hunky pirates? Or that you would have won a battle fair if the power coupler hadn't failed on this!" Running to a tarp, Piper yanks it off revealing her mecha.
"How did you know all that stuff?" Em asks.
"Like she said. She's from a different timeline." Zarya said believing her.
"And Ryou. The amulet around your neck. It holds a titan. One that you can use to help against Dreadbane and Nick." Piper said.
"Wait? You mean I can summon something like what those two did?" Ryou asks looking at his amulet.
"Yes. But yours is different. I know its name and how to summon it but please I know I haven't been acting honest but if you trust me I can show you." Piper insists.
Looking at her, Ryou could tell for the first time all day she meant it.
"Just tell me, if I ever became a Seeker do I learn more about who I was?" Ryou asks.
"More than you could ever imagine. Ryou…you'll find your father." Piper said making his eyes widen.
"I have a dad? What's his name?" Ryou asks.
"Dante Vale. Your real name is Ryou Vale." Piper said blowing his mind.
"Well then, if we're gonna get you back home to your timeline. You're gonna need a strategy." Ryou smiles making Piper grin.
Soon all of them were flying on the Griffins towards Drake Central Station.
"I don't know about this Piper." Em agrees.
"It's easy. We grab the Dragon Disk, free Akrayna, turn into Mysticons, and I get to go home." Piper said.
"And while you guys grab the Dragon Disk, I need to get the Vigilante Amulet?" Ryou asks.
"Exactly." Piper nods.
"How do we know Deadbane will be at Drake Central Station?" Ryou asks.
"The first piece of the Codex is hidden in the statue there. The Disk will lead him to it." Piper explains.
"And then we jump him." Zarya grins.
"What?!" Em said horrified. "Jump Dreadbane? I've never been in a fight before. I've never been in an argument before. Let alone with a giant skeleton knight before.
"Em believe me, you are a hero. I've seen you kick some serious bad guy butt." Piper assures.
"No, it's like you said. There's nothing we can do for her. I'm sorry, I'm out." Em said flying away.
"Em no!" Piper pleads wanting her to stay but it is too late.
"Don't worry girl. I got your back. We'll get the artifacts." Zarya assures.
"I'm with you too," Ryou assures.
At Drake Central Station, we see Dreadbane approaching the statue with Nick waiting nearby.
"Alright, I got you to the first place. Now give me the amulet." Nick bargains as Dreadbane flies in on his vulture.
"You'll get it after I get the Codex Piece," Dreadbane said revealing it was dangling around his left arm and the Dragon Disk in his right arm. "Delivery me to the first piece of the Codex. Deliver to me power!"
As the statue glowed green, Dreadbane reached his arm in but to his confusion, he didn't pull out a piece of the Codex but rather Binky. "What's this?"
"A doll?" Nick paused confused.
"Binky go boom in 3…2…1." Binky counts down.
"Howling Horrors!" Dreadbane gasps as Binky explodes at super close range sending him, the Dragon Disk, and the Vigilante Amulet flying in different directions.
"The amulet!" Gasping Nick was about to leap after it.
"Oh no you don't!" Flying in on Kipperin, Ryou delivers a kick to the face sending Nick crashing to the ground allowing Ryou to grab the amulet while Choko grabbed the Dragon Disk. "Mine." Ryou declares flying to a floating train where Zarya and Piper are.
Looking up, Nick growls. He wasn't about to give up that easily.
"Later haters!" Zarya calls out as they make their escape.
"I did not see that coming." Dreadbane groans.
"I can't believe I had this little fella around my neck this whole time." Ryou smiles looking at Kipperin. "Good work." Reaching around Ryou patted the titan on the forehead which it seemed to enjoy.
"Did you get it?" Piper asks as Ryou holds out the amulet.
"Right here," Ryou said proudly.
"Don't worry Disky. You and your amulet friend are safe at last." Piper assures.
"I think Disky and his friend will be a lot safer with us." A familiar voice calls out.
Turning around they saw Malvaron, 3 Astromancers, and Tazma still in her Astromancer robes with glowing palms ready to attack.
Suddenly dropping in from behind them, we see Nick with Marauder and Fireblade at his side.
"Give me that amulet!" Nick orders.
"She's not giving it to you, because she's giving it to us! Hand the artifacts over!" Malvaron orders as the trio is surrounded on both sides.
"Astromancers? Nothing but a bunch of ancient, useless, morons." Zarya mocks.
"Beat it. I stole this amulet fair and square." Ryou said glaring at Nick.
"You'll never get the disk, Tazma!" Piper declares surprising the siblings.
"You know my sister?" Malvaron asks glancing at Tazma if she knows her but Tazma is equally confused.
"More like do you know your sister?" Piper counters.
Having enough of this, Tazma fires a blast but the trio jumps off resulting in the blast hitting Maruder causing it to skid back.
"Hey!" Nick snaps.
"After them!" Malvaron said as they chased after them.
"We can lose them in the Undercity," Piper said.
"You two deal with the Astromancers. I'll deal with this guy." Ryou said flying in a different direction.
As Ryou fled, Nick spotted him.
"Stop him!" Nick orders as Maruder races in first.
Flying through the streets, Ryou noticed Maruder hot on his tail.
Looking around he noticed several homes up ahead.
Dropping down, Ryou pounded furiously on two doors before flying away. Just as Marauder came in the doors swung open hitting it in the face.
Smirking Ryou turned back only to narrowly avoid a flaming blade.
"Whoa! Hey, I'm flying here!" Ryou yells as Fireblade runs through the streets hurling fireballs at him.
Dropping down, Ryou leaned to the left dodging it, and noticed several clotheslines up ahead above the fountain.
Grinning Ryou turns around. "Hey Hothead! Over here!"
Annoyed by the remark, Fireblade drew its sword and leaped at him but Ryou grabbed a clothesline and swung out of the way causing Fireblade to smash into the Fountain before dropping into the water.
Before Fireblade could respond, Ryou dropped down on top of it forcing the titan to go back into its amulet.
"One down," Ryou said before looking at the amulet. "Man, I'm kinda curious what's so great about you."
He was about to reach out and touch the amulet when he was hit with a Boltflare causing him to fall to the ground in pain.
Groaning Ryou looks to see the amulet across the floor near the bonfire.
But to his shock, Nick and Marauder were still there.
"Too bad you're never going to get it." Nick glares.
"What is your problem? It's one amulet and you're willing to go through all this for it?" Ryou asks.
"You're one to talk. Why do you want it so badly?" Nick counters.
"My friend needs it," Ryou said.
"Well, then she's going to be disappointed because she's never going to get it," Nick said before draping it around his neck. "I dealt with an annoying girl myself and I hated every second of working with her. Being the only guy in a group of girls. It was pure hell. And with this. No one will boss me around anymore."
Growling in anger, Ryou saw Nick as not only someone who was against him, he was against everything Ryou held dear.
"You and I couldn't be more different. Zarya and Piper. Being in their group was the best thing to happen to me. I owe everything to them. So you had a bad experience with one group? Big deal. Maybe you weren't the best companion either. I've hardly known you for 5 minutes and I already want to punch you in the face." Ryou said in an almost demonic tone.
"I've had enough of this. Once I'm done with you, I'm going for your little friends." Nick said causing something to snap in Ryou.
As Marauder was about to swing its arm blade Ryou stopped it with his bare hands.
"You're not laying a finger on them!" Ryou roars as his mark begins to glow and darkness engulfs him and Kipperin.
Ryou's eyes glowed bright red, his long hair had hints of white, and Kipperin turned dark black with red eyes and his wings began to change.
Roaring in anger, Ryou shatters the blade in his hand and punches Marauder hard in the face with his other sending it flying back against a wall.
Slowly standing up, Ryou lunged forward grabbed Marauder by the head, and smashed it against the wall multiple times until it went back into its amulet.
"And then there was one," Ryou said turning to Nick.
"What are you?" Nick asks in disbelief.
"Your worst nightmare." Ryou declares with his wings extended out revealing black bat-like wings.
Growling Nick's feet glowed because of Hyperstride and the two charged at each other.
With Piper and Zarya, they were running through the streets with the Astromancers on their tails.
Looking ahead, they noticed they were running towards Schnechatus and his Snork Ball stands.
"I'm hungrier than a Diamond Back Cave Crawler. You know what I'm saying?" One dwarf asks as he and his friend get an order.
"Nope." The other dwarf said.
They were about to eat when Choko leaped in and took their snack.
"Is it Foz Season already?" The first dwarf asks.
"Nope." The other dwarf repeats.
"Hey Snecks! All you can eat for the robes!" Zarya called out as they ran past him.
Seeing the Astromancers race after Snecks fired several Snork balls from his nose which landed right in their mouths. While Tazma and the others were beyond grossed out Malvaron wasn't.
"It's an acquired taste." Malvaron shrugs looking at his sister.
"Split up! Find them!" Tazma orders as they ran in different directions.
Slowly coming out of hiding, we see Piper and Zarya peek out.
"Phew, we lost them." Piper smiles when darkness wraps around them and they are yanked out of hiding by Tazma. "Let us go Creeper!"
"I don't think so." As darkness surrounded her, Tazma changed from her Astromancer robes to her Necrafa worshiping outfit.
"Yeah, that's not so surprising the second time." Piper deadpans as Tazma takes the Dragon Disk.
"Once I use it to assemble the Codex. The realm will tremble in fear." Tazma said when they suddenly heard a loud noise.
Turning around, they saw Em inside her mecha armor looking down at Tazma.
"Tremble in fear? Like the way you are now?" Em smirks.
"What?!" Gasping before Tazma could even react Em took the Dragon Disk from her and knocks her into a garbage creature.
"Em you came back." Piper smiles.
"Let's go save our girl." Em grins.
"Now just we gotta find Ryou," Zarya said when Em noticed something in the air.
"When did your friend grow wings?" Em asks pointing up.
"Oh, that's just his titan Em—" Piper looks up and instantly her eyes widen in horror. "Oh my goblin. I forgot he doesn't have control over it anymore!"
"Control? Control of what?" Zarya asks looking up.
On the rooftops, Nick was releasing a barrage of spells but Ryou flew through them with ease and punched Nick in the gut knocking the wind out of him.
Swinging up, Ryou nails an uppercut knocking him high into the sky.
Shooting up like a rocket Ryou appears above Nick. "It's time you understood where scum like you belong!"
Cupping his hands together, Ryou slams them both down on Nick sending him crashing into a pile of garbage.
Groaning in pain, Nick had a black eye and several bruises when Ryou approached him.
"Time to end this," Ryou said when suddenly he was hugged from behind.
"Ryou stop!" Behind him we see Piper hugging him tightly.
"Let me go! He doesn't deserve to live!" Ryou snaps trying to break free.
"Ryou don't do this. This isn't you." Piper chokes.
Seeing the scared and teary look in her eyes, Ryou blinked and his eyes returned to normal.
"Piper?" Ryou pauses before groaning as the darkness began to disappear and he and Kipperin slowly begins to return to normal.
But the poor Titan had been through enough and went back into his amulet.
Walking over to Nick, Ryou pulls the Vigilante titan off his neck.
"For your sake, I hope I never see you again," Ryou said before Nick passed out unconscious.
As they made their way to the palace, Malvaron ran down from a different alley.
"Tazma? Tazma?" Malvaron calls out looking for her when the garbage creatures spit her out right in front of him. "T-Tazma?" Malvaron said having no idea what to make of this.
"Don't say a word," Tazma mutters.
As it began to rain, we found ourselves at the Royal Palace. Making our way into the throne room, Ryou watches as Piper, Zarya, and Em surround the statue of Arakyna.
"I'm here. You're gonna be okay." Em assures.
"Everyone ready?" Piper asks as Ryou takes out the amulet.
Pressing the dragon disk to Arkayna, the others touched it.
"Born of magic and of light. Mysticon Dragon Mage, Striker, Ranger, and Knight." Piper chants as a light engulfs all of them including Arkayna.
Putting the amulet around his neck, Ryou touches the gem and instantly his eyes glowed.
"You've returned." A voice said as Vigilante appeared in front of Ryou before merging with him.
When the light died down, the 5 of them had regained their Mysticon forms.
"By the Hammer of Harmon! It worked!" Em gasps.
"We're Mysticons," Arkayna said looking at herself.
"Arkayna!" Lunging at her, Em tackles her into a big hug which causes a blast to shoot out of her staff and hit Piper.
"Oh my goblin! I'm so sorry!" Arkayna apologizes as Piper wobbles.
"Look at the cute little griffins," Piper said dizzy.
"Are you okay? Also, who are you?" Arkayna asks.
"My name's Piper." She answers.
"Who?" Arkayna asks having no idea who she is.
"You're pretty," Piper said and everyone exchanged glances.
"Uhm thank you," Arkayna said when Piper's coin began to glow.
"I can go back to my timeline! I can go home!" Piper said excitedly as she floated into the air.
"Wait. You were right. I am a hero." Em smiles.
"Now get back out there and show Necrafa that you are too," Zarya said.
"Good luck Piper, we're rooting for you," Ryou said.
"Aww. I love you guys." Piper said.
"Uhm still unsure what's happening here," Arkayna said still confused.
"Ooh! Wait before I go!" Floating back down to Ryou, Piper grabs him and kisses him on the lips surprising him and Zarya.
"Piper?!" Zarya gasped while Ryou had a blush on his face.
"Ha! This time I got the first kiss!" Piper cheers in victory before floating into the air. "Ready or not? Here I come."
As the light engulfs her, Piper is back in the alley but in her Mysticon form.
"I'm home. I'm home." Piper said excitedly before hearing a blast of energy reminding her of her situation. "Oh right, I'm home."
"Come princess." Turning around Piper saw Necrafa, Tazma, and the Trix trying to kidnap Arkayna and Ryou was nowhere to be seen at the moment.
"It's hero time!" Summoning her hoops, Piper jumps out and throws them freeing Em and Zarya from their holds.
"What do we have here? One Mysticon all on her own?" Darcy mocks.
As she, Stormy, and Icy released their magic, Piper aimed her bracer.
"Fly Phoenix Fly!" Piper yells as the phoenix shoots out and when collides with the spells creates an explosion that frees Arkayna from Necrafa's hold.
"You think you can defeat us? Rise Lilith the Queen!" Tazma yells summoning her titan.
Seeing Necrafa and the Trix get up Piper found herself surrounded.
"Alright, buddy. I've been through quite a bit to get back here. I know the odds are against us but I'm willing to give it my all if you are too." Piper said as she grabbed one of her amulets and it reacted to her. "Let's change the game! Ariel!"
Raising it up high the titan began to glow but to everyone's surprise, Ariel began to change.
Ariel had a larger cape, vines, and branches extending out of its body, and a glowing green jewel in the middle.
"It can't be…a Powerbond?" Tazma gasps.
"Oh yeah! Now that's fabtacular." Piper grins. "Let'em have it!"
Releasing a powerful gust of wind, Ariel blasts Tazma and sends Lilith through the building and comes out the other end defeated.
However, before Piper can react Necrafa blasts her with her magic and yanks her in close sending fear down Piper's body.
"Your heroics don't impress me, Mysticon Striker." Necrafa glares about to strike Piper down.
"I don't know. I thought she was pretty impressive." A familiar voice said.
Leaping in, we see Ryou in his Mysticon form with Imani who now has a body both give a double kick to Necrafa's face.
From the rooftops, Malvaron and Lucas fired magic while Doug and Tersley were on support.
Raising her arms, Darcy tried to deflect it when Ryou summons the Willblade and slashes through it knocking her back.
"So did we." Having gotten time to transform Zarya, Em, and Arkayna were ready to fight.
Charging in, Arkayna swings her staff firing multiple blasts and Zarya fires her arrows hitting Icy.
Swinging her sword, Em knocks Stormy sending her tumbling back so they are all behind the portal.
"Unleash the Dragon!" Arkayna said.
"Battle Unicorn Charge!" Em said.
"Time to Howl!" Zarya said.
"Unleash the Dragon!" Imani said.
"Hear me Roar!" Ryou said as they all unleashed their bracers.
"No! No!" As the 5 attacks smashed into them, they were knocked back into the portal Necrafa made and sent away from Drake City.
"We got your message and hurried over as fast as we could," Ryou said as they all made their way over.
"Piper you did it. You saved us." Arkayna said.
"You fought like a true Mysticon today Striker." Imani praises as the ghost of Rosa floats out.
"Seriously. You were amazing." Rosa claps.
"That was pretty intense. I mean you power bonded with your titan." Em said gesturing to Ariel.
"Yeah, it was. I wished we weren't Mysticons and I got sent back to a timeline before we had magic powers and then I had to find the Dragon Disk so we could all become heroes all over again." Piper explains quickly.
"Uh…did anyone catch that?" Lucas asks.
"Piper, your imagination is out of control," Zarya said.
"It wasn't my imagination!" Piper snaps before realizing something. "Oh, my goblin." Running over to the homeless man, Piper points at him. "He sent me back so I could be the hero I was meant to be."
"Like I said, out of control," Zarya said Choko had a crazy expression on his face and Ryou shook his head.
"Piper he's asleep. Leave him alone." Lucas said.
"Yeah whether he did or didn't help you, you should let him sleep," Ryou said as they headed out.
"Thanks Snorey dude," Piper said putting the coin in his cup before leaving.
As they did Imani glanced at him one more time with a curious expression.
"Everything alright Imani?" Arkayna asks.
"I don't know. Something about that man feels familiar." Imani said before turning back into a ghost.
"May the Star of Gaigax guide you on your quest, Mysticons." Slowly opening his eyes, the homeless man had green eyes showing he was actually awake the whole time.
Piper saved one timeline, but now they had to save their own timeline.