Familiar Faces

"-What do you mean you don't know?" Sasha snarled as she poked Mr. X in the chest.

"As surprising as it may sound Mama Bear, we aren't tracking your children's every move." Mr. X said, gently pushing her hand away.

"So you don't know where they are?" Anne said, furrowing her brow and crossing her arms. "Then why are you at this camp?" Sasha nodded and stood next to Anne.

"Because," Mr. X said patiently as he pinched the bridge of his nose, "we picked up an anomaly we haven't seen in quite some years." He looked at them meaningfully. "To be honest we're surprised Mrs. Boonchuy here wasn't the cause for the brief tear between time and space."

"What?" Anne asked, confused.

"Your guardian powers, sweetie." Mr. X said, waving a hand.

"I'm not supposed to get those until after I die…" Anne said slowly.

"I wouldn't be so sure." Mr. X said, straightening his glasses. "But anyway!" He clapped his hands together. "Lucky for you three, we have some idea where your children are."

"They're in Amphibia." Marcy whispered quietly. Mr. X opened and closed his mouth. He shook his head and tried to refocus.

"Well, I suppose the cat's out of the bag then." He said, putting his hands on his hips. "Why bother demanding answers from me when Immortal Mama already knows?" He said, gesturing. Marcy hugged herself and looked at the ground. Sasha glared at Mr. X and Anne tried to catch Marcy's eye as she put an arm around her.

"Great. So we all know where they are but what are you going to do about it?" Sasha said, narrowing her eyes.

"I would tell you to calm down so I can explain but I feel like I'd be wasting my breath." Mr. X said, looking Sasha up and down. A vein in Sasha's temple started to throb. "And you're supposed to be a psychologist…" He said under his breath. "I think it'd be easier just to show you. Follow me." He said turning his back on them and walking away. Sasha ground her teeth.

"Sash." Anne said, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"He's not taking this seriously!" Sasha spat.

"I know Sash." Anne said softly.

"He thinks that just because they're in Amphibia they must be safe. Does he not know how dangerous it can be?" Sasha said as her voice broke. Anne took her hand. She could see the fear behind Sasha's eyes.

"Let's follow him." Anne said bracingly as she led the way.

"Anne-" Sasha said, while wiping her eyes with her other hand.

"I know." Anne whispered back. Marcy hugged herself tighter. They followed Mr. X back to a large military-looking tent. He held one of the flaps open and they stepped inside. "Terri? Dr. Jan?" Anne said in surprise as she spotted the two familiar faces working what looked like a portal.

"Anne!" They both exclaimed as they dropped what they were doing to head over. Marcy moved over to stand by Sasha as Anne hugged Terri and Dr. Jan.

"It's been forever!" Anne said, looking between them.

"Too long." Dr. Jan nodded seriously. "I just wish we were reuniting under better circumstances." She said sympathetically as she looked past her to Sasha and Marcy.

"But we might have some good news." Terri said as she patted the portal in-progress. "We still have the coordinates and a steady lock on Amphibia." She said moving to a computer beside the portal. "However-"

"You don't have a strong enough power source?" Anne guessed with a heavy sigh. Terri and Dr. Jan nodded.

"But, that's where you come in." Mr. X said, gliding over.

"How does he still have heelies?" Sasha whispered to Marcy. Marcy didn't respond. "Mars?" Sasha asked, frowning slightly. Marcy shook her head.

"I don't have my calamity powers anymore, none of us do." Anne said, gesturing to herself, Sasha, and Marcy. "We can't power it like I did before."

"Yes but like I said earlier, you have something more powerful than that, Boonchuy." Mr. X said, and glanced back at the empty portal.

"And I told you, I don't have access to those powers yet. Plus I haven't even agreed to become the new guardian." Anne said scowling. Mr. X rolled his eyes.

"I'm sure the guardian is still keeping a close eye on you, seeing as you're the only qualified applicant for their replacement." He said patiently. "I'm sure if you asked-"

"How am I supposed to contact them?" Anne argued. "I haven't seen or heard from them in years."

"Well, have you tried reaching out?" Mr. X said, crossing his arms.

"You don't think I haven't tried?" Anne half shouted.

"Sasha…" Marcy said in a barely audible whisper as she tugged on her sleeve.

"What's up?" Sasha asked as she tore her eyes away from Anne and Mr. X's argument. Marcy looked extremely pale and anxious.

"Something bad is happening." She whispered as her eyes watered. She looked up at Sasha full of guilt and remorse. "Something really bad."

"What do you mean?" Sasha asked seriously as she put her hands on her shoulders.

"I'm so sorry." Marcy sniffed as tears started to roll down her face.

"Marcy?" Sasha said as she cupped her face. Marcy closed her eyes and shook her head. "Marcy!" Mr. X and Anne stopped arguing to look over at them.

"Sash?" Anne asked.

"I can hear them." Marcy breathed. Sasha felt her heart freeze for half a second. "I can hear them." Marcy repeated as she opened her eyes again. Sasha withdrew involuntarily as she saw a flicker of flaming orange and yellow behind Marcy's fearful brown eyes. "Sash?" Marcy asked, covering her mouth. She didn't like the look Sasha had given her. Sasha swallowed and furrowed her brow as she pulled Marcy into a sudden tight hug. "Sash?" Marcy nearly choked as she squeezed her eyes and hugged her back fiercely.

"What's going on?" Terri asked, feeling lost. Anne ran a hand through her hair as her stress continued to grow.

"I won't let them take you again." Sasha growled quietly. She was trying to keep her voice calm and steady but her heart was racing madly as she entered fight or flight. The thought of facing Darcy again was terrifying. She tightened her grip. She couldn't look Marcy in the eye right now. She could either hold her or run.

"Sash." Marcy said shakily. She could feel Sasha's heart pounding against her chest. She buried her face in Sasha's shoulder. She felt a cruel conflict of emotions. On one hand she trusted Sasha to save her again but on the other hand she knew last time had almost cost Sasha her life. She felt disgusted with herself for being so selfish.

"Mars?" Anne said cautiously as she walked back over to them. She glanced at Sasha and recognized her vaccant wide-eyed stare. "Sash." Anne said gently but firmly as she placed a hand on her shoulder. "Go take a walk." Sasha let go of Marcy at once. "Mars." Anne said, as she noticed Marcy's continued grip on Sasha. Marcy begrudgingly let go and Sasha immediately turned on the spot and left the tent without looking back at her.

"Anne." Marcy sobbed. Anne held her arms open and wrapped them around Marcy. She stroked her hair soothingly as Marcy cried into her shoulder. "They're back." Terri and Dr. Jan shared a confused and worried look before turning away to give them some privacy.

"I've got you Mars…" Anne reassured her. After a moment or two Mr. X cleared his throat. Anne glared at him.

"I'm sorry to interrupt." Mr. X said, as he strode over. "But I believe you may have something important to share?" Marcy tried to collect herself enough to respond but Anne took over. She pulled away from Marcy but held her hand.

"The Core." Anne said, frowning. She looked over to Marcy who nodded. "It's back." Mr. X crossed his arm.

"The hive mind that was working with the newt king?" He asked to confirm.

"Yeah, that one." Anne said, as she looked at Marcy with deep concern.

"How does she know?" Mr. X asked as he pointed to Marcy.

"It doesn't matter." Anne cut across. "What matters is that it's back and we need to stop it and get our kids back." Mr. X raised his eyebrows and gave her a look. Anne scowled. "I don't know how to access those powers even if I had them."

"Well, good thing you're not alone." Mr. X said, waving a hand. "I have some ideas and luckily I came prepared."