"Good morning, Arcadia Oaks!" The radio beamed out. Jim Lake blearily opened his eyes and stared at his alarm clock, which was beeping furiously by his nightstand.

…Did it work? Jim shot out of his bed and grabbed his phone, reading the date on the home screen.

"It worked!" He said exuberantly. "...And I need to make breakfast!" He bolted down the stairs of his house as fast as he could and whipped up a load of food. One for his mom, and one for Toby.

Toby, who's alive… Jim grinned, and a single happy tear slowly slid down his cheek.

Should we take the canals today? Jim thought, his joy fading slightly. We have to, right? Or else Draal will get it and die in a few weeks.

But… should Jim be the one to take it? He patted his pocket and felt something circular and coldly metallic inside. His enthusiasm completely gone by now, he pulled out the reforged Daylight Amulet sitting snugly in his jeans.

FOR THE GOOD OF ALL, DAYLIGHT IS MINE TO COMMAND, the amulet read, scrawled on the rim.

Before Jim could think of anything else, someone rapped on the door.

"Come on Jimbo, we'll be late to school!" Toby's voice echoed from outside.

Oops, I forgot about school. Wincing, Jim quickly went upstairs to drop off lunch to his mom and hurried outside, grabbing his bike from where it was parked.

"Here's your lunch," Jim said, holding out the bag.

Toby curiously opened the bag, whistling with awe. "Nice, Jimbo!" He said appreciatively. He didn't notice how large Jim's smile was, nor that Jim's eyes were slightly wet.

"Hurry up, Tobes!" Jim called out as he biked past a struggling Toby.

"We're going to be suspended on account of meatloaf!" Toby panted from exertion, attempting–and failing–to out-bike Jim.

Jim laughed and slowed down a little bit. "Go through the canals today," He said. Jim smiled faintly. "I have a feeling you won't regret it."

"I regretted it very much, thank you." Toby said, groaning. Despite the fact Jim had taken the long route, he still arrived at Arcadia Oaks High five minutes before Toby, and the pair were walking as quietly as they could in Professor Strickler's class.

The class had already started, but Jim noticed at least three other seats than his and Toby's were unoccupied.

At least we aren't last to attend, even if school started fifteen minutes ago… Despite the fact he and Toby were incredibly late, Strickler said nothing, and merely raised an eyebrow.

"Favorite." Toby whispered from right next to him.

"Now, Young Atlas, would you agree?" Strickler said, smiling innocently.

I bet he was waiting for Toby to say that. Not that Toby could be blamed, since Strickler had inhuman hearing, being a changeling.

"Sir?"

"With Herodotus' opinion on his tactics of war, as I've described."

Darn, I really should look up the answer to this question if I ever go back in time again. "Absolutely," He said.

"Excellent. Which tactics, specifically?"

"Uh, the winning ones?" He said jokingly. The class chuckled from all around him.

Jim liked Strickler, but he told himself this wasn't the Strickler from his timeline.

Remember: Jim, Strickler is evil right now, simply playing a part. For now. He'd have to work on getting Strickler to defect.

As the bell rang and the students started to leave, Strickler called out, "Young Atlas, I would like a word."

"I'll catch you in gym class," Jim whispered to Toby, who had looked back.

"Yes, sir?" Jim turned over to see that Strickler was already next to him.

I think I already know where this is going… Jim thought wryly as Strickler opened his mouth.

Yo, Jim–I nearly reached the bell!" Toby said excitedly. They were alone in the changing room and Toby was trying to take off his socks.

I swear, some things never change. "I was there, you only got half way up," Jim laughed.

"That's–like, a-thousand-percent higher than I usually get!" Toby said, undaunted. He looked around inconspicuously to make sure Jim and him were alone.

"Jimbo, I found something down in the canals." Toby said, a touch quieter than before.

That was a quick change in subject. Jim leaned forward, serious. I'm glad he's going to tell me about the amulet. It'd make things pretty awkward otherwise.

"So there was glowing watch-thingy-"

Jim cringed. "Maybe you're thinking of the word, 'Amulet'?"

Toby scratched his cheek. "Hmm… No, I was definitely thinking of a watch. Here–lemme show you."

He reached into his backpack and pulled out the Amulet of Daylight, which glimmered softly in the light.

"You might wanna stand–oh wait, you already backed up." Toby said. He shrugged and held the amulet to the ceiling and took a deep breath. Jim turned around to make sure Strickler wasn't creeping up on them–though he should have no reason to…

In my timeline, I had already met Blinky and AAARRRGGHH! When I showed off my armor to Toby. Either he had an unwanted visit on his way to school, or things are progressing a little faster than usual.

Jim would bet Excalibur that Toby would meet Blinky and AAARRRGGHH! After school.

"For the glory of Merlin-" Jim flinched at the incantation as old memories surfaced in his head.

"-Daylight is mine to command!" Jim swore he heard multiple of himselfs speaking in overlap with Toby as hundreds of battles flashed through him.

Blue spheres of light circled around Toby as he was lifted in the air. Pieces of armor locked into place as Toby fell to the ground with a metallic thunk.

Toby looked at him for a second, and Jim remembered he was supposed to be surprised.

"Uh–Holy Fuzzbuckets!" Jim said in the worst possible tone of surprise that fooled no one. In an attempt to make his surprise look more genuine, he backpedaled quickly and 'accidentally' fell over a bench. "Dude!" Jim said, "Where did you get that from?"

Toby still looked suspicious for a little bit, but Daylight appearing in his hands and falling backwards into the cement distracted him a little.

"Oh, we're going to get fined a million dollars!" Toby said, trying and failing to tug it out of the stone.

Exactly like me, Jim cracked a smile and stepped over to assist. They both set their hands around it and with a grunt, Jim and Toby pulled it out of the cement. As soon as it was out, Jim dropped his grip on it and stepped away.

I think Blinky and AAARRRGGHH! Are somewhere in the building right now… Great Gronka Morka, I hope they didn't see me holding the sword. Besides, there was a perfectly logical reason why it didn't vanish. Toby was also holding the sword!

That worked, right?

"Whaddo you think it's for?" Toby said curiously, trying and failing to spin the sword around.

"Cuz I'm pretty sure it's not for beating up Steve Palchuck at dodgeball."

"Erm…" Jim pretended to think. "Maaaaybe you're supposed to use it for the good of humanity or something like that?"

"Oh–then I should absolutely stomp Steve with this–for the good of humanity!" Toby said dramatically.

Jim rolled his eyes. "I think you'll just do more harm to yourself without proper training."

"I agree, but who is going to teach me the fine art of swordsmanship?" Toby said, "Miss Janeth?"

Jim scratched his head. "Y'know, that actually isn't a bad idea…" He joked.

Toby shook his head vehemently. "Even if I want to–which I don't, by the way–I think we both agree this should be kept secret. Like–top secret, secret."

"Oh yeah. That goes without saying." Jim said. "Uh… Maybe you should just wait? Perhaps a teacher will show up one day to teach you."

Toby snickered. "'Perhaps'? You sound like an old man."

"Oh, come on!" Jim playfully shoved Toby's fully armoured form, which didn't move an inch. "I'm sure other teens say that." Like Aja and Krel. Or–more Krel.

Toby glowed briefly, and his armor vanished. "Huh, guess it just comes and goes…?"

"Did you expect to master it the second you used it?" Jim said, amused.

"It's glowing armor Jimbo. I don't think it can turn into a beam of death at will."

"You've got a point there." Jim reluctantly admitted. "I think it'll surprise you, though." He said with a quick grin.

"You seem very chipper today." Toby noted curiously. "Did christmas come early while I was asleep?"

"No. Something much better."