For Yuriko, her day went smoothly. Gloria and the others had no idea who she was and she was able to gather information on what exactly was going on with everyone. Yuriko’s magic, while nowhere near as powerful as Lynne or Morgan, was still quite powerful. She had used her spells to gather what she could and frowned at what she learned.
The other timeline appeared to be a bit of a mess. Between Lilith, Circe, Jack, and the anthros they certainly had their hands full. In this timeline thought Fukushu was still out there and Yuriko knew it was only a matter of time before he attacked again. Throw in the fact that Tatsu and Shizen were now also journeying between the worlds and Yuriko knew that it was the calm before the storm. As she now entered the Magic Shop she could see Merlin going over some inventory. “Merlin we need to talk.”
Merlin raised an eyebrow as the biracial teen now approached the register. The girl seemed familiar but he couldn’t quite place her face. “Can I help you with something?”
Yuriko sighed, time travel was always such a pain in the ass especially when dealing with inter dimensional beings. Reaching into her pocket the teen now produced a small coin, which gave off a slight glow. Merlin’s eyes flashed as he now understood who the girl was and why she was here. “My apologies Yuriko,” he stated. “Time travel magic. Always tricky.”
“So I’ve noticed,” she sighed. “Which begs the question, why in the hell did you and your doppelgänger pick me? Wouldn’t Lynne or Morgan or even Kari be better equipped to deal with this kind of thing.”
“Normally yes,” Merlin said. “Lynne and Morgan are indeed powerful, however they are also known in this timeline. Besides, you are well aware Lynne is not exactly known for her indiscretion.”
“Good point,” Yuriko said quietly. “But why not Kari then? I mean she can travel way easier between the timelines than I can.”
“Your cousin would indeed make a capable individual for this mission,” Merlin stated. “However myself and my doppelgänger believe that her parents may be part of the problem. We are still not quite sure who has been assisting the other side. Many of the recent attacks have left everyone suspicious of one another.”
“And you think it could be Aunt Mika and Claudia,” she gasped. “Or even Tatsu and Shizen! That’s ridiculous Merlin come on.”
“Unfortunately most everyone is a suspect,” Merlin said sadly. “Even My doppelgängers daughter has a cloud of suspicion surrounding her.”
“Because of her and Jack,” Yuriko groaned. “Ugh figures. Don’t even want to have to deal with that later. But I got to know then, if everyone is a suspect then how can you choose me for this job?”
“My dear Yuriko,” Merlin smiled. “Of all of the next generation of wizards and sorceress’s it is you that have the least amount of connection with Katie, Gloria, and the others.”
“Wow thanks for making me sound like a loser Merlin,” Yuriko grumbled.
“My apologies I did not mean it in that way,” he replied sheepishly. “What I meant to say is that of all your friends you and your brother have the least amount of familial connection with the possible suspects. To send them back would mean they could possibly have to face off against one of their parent. You do not have that problem as both of your parents have no magic to speak of.”
“So why not Tommy then,” Yuriko asked. “Isn’t he like the big hero we would usually use for these kind of things?”
Merlin grinned as he gazed at the teenage girl, he had a feeling she would ask about her brother. “As brave and heroic as your brother is their are problems,” he said. “He is dating Lynne and more importantly Yuriko whether you know it or not you are smarter and more cunning than he is.”
“Remind me to tell him that when I get back,” the teen smirked. Merlin chuckled as the teen now leaned on the counter. “So what do I need to do,” Yuriko asked.
“For now I need you to scout and learn as much information as possible from not only this timeline but the other one as well,” Merlin stated. “You need to get close to not only Gloria but the others as well. Someone has betrayed our trust and is now working towards helping merge the timelines. If that were to happen countless lives would be lost.”
“And we have to stop that from happening at all costs,” Yuriko said quietly to which Merlin nodded.
“Indeed Yuriko,” Merlin stated solemnly. “That is why it is of the utmost importance that your true identity remain a secret. If what we fear is true than the traitor would try to destroy you. No one from the future is aware of your journey save myself and my doppelgänger. There will be no one coming to assist you if you get in trouble.”
Yuriko nodded, taking a deep breath as she gazed out the the Magic Shop windows. To save both timelines she would have to do the unfathomable. Discover a traitor in a group of people she viewed as family and defeat them.