After hanging around Darren's house for the afternoon, Yuriko finally decided it was time to head on home. Deciding it was best the escort the regressed wizard home, Darren, Hannah, and Steph now happily talked amongst themselves.
As they approached Yurikos home, Yuriko stopped dead in her tracks. "Oh no!"
"What," Darren asked.
Yuriko now gestured to an Auburn haired woman who appeared around the same age as Kari and Tricia. "Its Lynne," Yuriko sighed. "Just stay behind me." Darren nodded, unsure of why Yuriko seemed so apprehensive. As they drew closer Darren could see that Lynne did not look happy.
"You know," Lynne called. "When Tricia accidentally let this slip out I was hoping it was a bad joke. I spent a out an hour telling myself, no way would Yuki have let the rings fall into someone's hands. No way would she ever think of training a Catalyst. Not my sister in law!"
"Good to see you too Lynne," Yuriko replied warmly.
"Stop," Lynne grunted, shaking her head. "No pleasantries. Especially when you look like a damn kid!"
Lynne now waved her hand, Yuriko gasping as she began to change. Darren was shocked as Yuriko began to older once more. From Darren's perspective it appeared he was watching a sped up timelapse video of Yuriko's life. The 13 year old teen rapidly raced into adulthood, the wrinkles and grey hair rapidly returning. In seconds Yuriko had returned to her 80 year old self.
Yuriko stumbled, Darren and Hannah helping the elderly wizard steady herself. "What the hell" Hannah exclaimed. "You could of killed her!"
"Not likely kid," Lynne grumbled. "Now quiet down the grown ups are talking." Hannah seethed turning a violent shade of red as she now glared at Lynne.
"I cant believe you let someone get the Rings Yuki," Lynne exclaimed. "I thought everybody agreed it was best to let magic die out in this timeline."
"You know as well as I do Lynne," Yuriko stated. "Magic is something that can not be restrained. It was only a matter of time before the Rings choose another."
"And how did that turn out last time," Lynne scowled. "Our families, my sisters, Tom."
"I know Lynne," Yuriko said sadly. "I miss Tom too. He was your husband but he was my brother. No one could have foreseen what Evan would do."
"Dont," Lynne cried, her eyes beginning to dampen. "Dont mention him. Do you have ANY idea the guilt, the anger I've felt? We all came to an understanding. We failed miserably, we won but we lost. Magic needed to die in this timeline!"
"I know Lynne," Yuriko said quietly. "Which is why with Darren I will not fail. I need you to trust me with him. This will not be a repeat of that tragedy."
Lynne narrowed her brow, her eyes seeming to burn their way into Darren's soul. "Look kid I'll be watching closely," she growled. "You start going dark your going to find out I am not the kind of wizard you play with." Without another word, Lynne vanished leaving Darren and his friends stunned.
"Who was that," Darren asked.
"My sister in law Lynne Harris," Yuriko sighed. "And probably the strongest wizard in existence."
"Is she going to hurt us," Steph asked, fearing she would be wiped from existence.
"No," Yuriko stated. "Lynne wont interfere in what that Catalyst does. Shes angry right now. After everything that happened with the last Catalyst she was waiting for magic to finally vanish."
"Why does she care about the Catalyat," Hannah asked. "She seems like some bitter old woman to me."
"Lynne," Yuriko sighed. "Was the younger sister of Katie the last Catalyst."
"So what," Hannah asked. "Does she feel entitled to the position or something?"
"No," Yuriko said sadly. "But her son Evan did. Evan was corrupted by the darkness. He killed Katie and her husband, my brother Tom. It was, Lynne, who finally had to put him down."
Darren and his friends felt themselves go pale as they took this information in. While some were excited at the arrival of a new Catalyst others were not. Darren would need to be careful in how he shaped the world.