Making his way towards Yurikos after-school, Darren found himself chatting with Steph and Hannah. While he was happy with how his vision was unfolding, something felt off.
Darren couldn't quite put his finger on it. Their were more Soul Drives than ever before, yet he had begun to notice an intolerance slowly creeping its way into the mainstream. The first instance he had seen was when an older girl had referred to Hannah as an Arty. Darren was well aware of the newest intolerant and hateful word, it angered him immensely. Darren was attempting to mold a better world, yet it appeared some were not as willing to move forward as others. As much as he wanted to lash out and correct this, Yuriko had taught him patience. Building a better world took time, he needed to be level headed. Still, he felt transforming the girl into a sweet natured Soul Drive named Sunshine was warranted.
Approaching Yurikos he now thought of several questions to ask his mentor. Hopefully she could give him some guidance on how to proceed. As he entered the home, he now began to call for the elderly wizard. "Ms. Yuriko are you home?"
"I'm in the kitchen Darren," she called. Darren and his friends now made their way towards the kitchen, surprised by Yurikos guests.
"Darren," Yuriko smiled, gesturing to the two companions at the table. "You remember Jack and Kellie?" Darren nodded, offering a polite wave as he stood before the trio. "Is everything okay Ms. Yuriko," Darren asked. "Where is everybody else?"
"Busy at the moment," Yuriko stated. "Akira, Ayami, and Rexie are away while the kits are visiting friends."
"What about Fukushu and Abolith?"
"They are investigating something," Yuriko replied coyly. "Which is why Jack and Kellie have arrived." Yuriko now paused, studying her student carefully. "Tell me Darren has everything been okay?"
"I guess," Darren shrugged. "I don't know its weird. I've been having this odd feeling all day. Like something feels wrong but I just can't put my finger on it." Yuriko nodded, a grim expression on her face as she looked towards Darren and his friends. "I was afraid of this," she said softly. "Kellie, Jack, perhaps you should inform Darren of whats happened?"
Darren looked towards the two immortal guardians, his face contortions in confusion. Jack now sighed, an irritated look on his face. "Unfortunately we have a problem," he grumbled. "Recently I was attacked by Morgan. She stole a Ring of Change under my protection."
"Wait you lost," Hannah exclaimed. "How?!"
"I had no choice," Jack yelled, Hannah, Darren, and Steph shuddering at his outburst. The trio felt a wave of dark emotions wash over them, Jacks power flaring out and permeating the room with negativity. "No one was blaming you," Kellie soothed. "She threatened those under your protection. You had to protect them."
"So what happened," Darren asked.
"Morgan infiltrated the park," Kellie sighed. "Attacked Amanda, Jack and Vixi. She would have killed them if Jack didn't relinquish the Ring of Change."
"So Morgan is useing the ring," Steph asked. "Does that mean the Normal have a ring now?"
"We're not entirely sure," Yuriko stated. "Its possible but what we worry about is Morgan finding an apprentice of her own. An Anti Catalyst if you will."
"An Anto Catalyst?"
"Yes Darren," Kellie stated. "I've seen something similar in the past. Years ago Morgan chose a girl named Mary Elise to hold that ring. At the time Morgan was in conflict with me, choosing my polar opposite to stop me."
"Ultimately it failed," Jack added. "Mary, despite her darker tendencies, cared about others. She would go on to be a powerful allie. After she passed, I took the ring and have kept it safe."
"The ring though," Yuriko stated. "Was quite powerful. Ultimately, it took on some of Mary Elise's darker tendencies. Eventually developing a personality of its own. We fear that whoever has it now may be unable to control it. That they will let their hatred and anger fuel whatever spells they may cast."
"So Morgan gave an evil ring to someone," Hannah groaned. "Oh thats just perfect!"
"Is that why I've been feeling off," Darren asked.
"We believe so," Yuriko stated. "We think whoever has the ring maybe targeting the Soul Drives and considering the reality altering properties of the ring, it has proven difficult to pin the changes down."
"Hes targeting Soul Drives," Steph said nervously. "Why?"
"The Soul Drives are Darren's creation," Yuriko stated. "By eliminating them it would in essence stop the Catalyst from achieving his goal." Steph and Hannah now nervously looked to Darren. The two Soul Drives had never been directly on the line of fire. Now, they feared for their very existence.
"I won't let that happen," Darren said sternly. Slowly the teen now stood, a determined look on his face as he looked first to the Soul Drives then his teacher. "We're going to find this Anti Catalyst, Darren said. "And then I'm going to stop him before he can hurt my friends."