Making his way to school, Darren mulled over everything he had learned over the last few days.
Morgan wasn't working with the Normal, the sorceress having severed ties with the organization. Fukushu and Abolith had provided him with the information, much to their discomfort. The information though was a double edged sword. Darren learned Morgan was essentially a rogue agent while also learning the Normal were constructing Soul Drives of their own. Darren had shuddered at that bit of information, the idea of his own creations used against him made him uneasy. That and the pair had been caught, Fukushu not going into the details, however, Darren could tell the experience wasn't pleasant.
While the Normal would be looming threat, they for the moment could be placed on the backburner. Morgan and whoever she was working with came first. Someone was targeting Soul Drives and Darren needed to stop them.
The problem though was whoever was useing the ring. Due to its reality altering powers Darren and his friends were having difficulty decerning how many Soul Drives their were. The only place a record could be accurately kept was at Yurikos. This was frustrating though, Darren thinking he was protecting the Soul Drives only to discover each day when checking with Yuriko that the number was growing smaller.
Looking at Hannah, Darren felt an incredible sadness wash over him. The teenage Soul Drive was anxious, fearing for her very existence each day. Darren now approached her, trying to put his best friends anxiety at ease. "You doing okay?"
"Not really," Hannah grumbled. "I mean what happens if this creep changes me! I love being a Soul Drive."
"I won't let that happen," Darren said firmly. Hannah sighed, the monkey gynoids eyebrows falling as her shoulders slumped. "But he's already changed a bunch of Soul Drives and we haven't noticed," she said. "I mean how would we even know unless we checked with Ms. Yuriko after-school."
Darren came to a stop, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Hannah. He had to keep her safe, no matter what. Closing his eyes, Hannah now watched his rings begin glow. "What are you doing?"
"Placing some extra enchantments on you," he said softly. "Plus, if this creep tries to change you I'll know and I can come to your rescue."
"You're rescuing me," Hannah chuckled. "Geez you let this whole Catalyst thing go to your head. Aren't I the one that usually has to bail you out?"
"Guess its my turn."
Hannah now gave her best friend a soft smile, hugging the teenager. "Thanks," she said softly. "Just don't get to used to this."
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Rick groaned as he made his way through the halls. Yes he was finally making the school resemble what he thought a high school should be, but it was proving to be alot of work.
If the teen was being honest, he was growing a little bored. Theist few Soul Drives he had changed, he didn't even know. They had been walking through the halls when he struck, changing them into a group of regular students. Things were more interesting when he transformed a Soul Drive be knew. Turning the corner, he paused before scowling.
Hannah, the monkey Soul Drive was putting books into her locker. Of all the Soul Drives he had met, she was the one who irritated him the most. Only a Freshman, Hannah had a habit if speaking her mind and not holding back. The gynoid monkey cared little for the hierarchy of high school and had little to no respect for athletes. Rick recalled how she had stuck up for some skinny math geek that was doing the homework for the teams star defensive player. When Rick told her to get lost, that it wasn't her business, she refused. The Soul Drive wouldn't stand idly by and let people be bullied. Worse, she evn narced on a couple of players who had been smoking weed. Not even Coach Buck could get them out of trouble as the two players found themselves facing a week suspension.
"Fucking Arty," Rick grumbled, staring daggers at the monkey Soul Drive. An malicious smile now spread across his face as his ring began to glow. "Lets see what your like as a human."
Rick gazed intently at Hannah, anxiously anticipating her transformation. He could almost picture it, watching her green fur vanish, her features going from simian to human, he even looked forward to watching her skin go from plastic to flesh. After a moment though, he frowned. Why wasn't she changing yet?
A brilliant flash of light now illuminated the hall. Rick stumbled backwards, falling onto his rear as he rubbed his eyes. As his vision began to clear he found himself gazing at a Freshman boy. "Who the hell are you?"
Darren had felt something happening to Hannah. The wards he had cast protecting the Soul Drive from transforming and drawing him to her. As he angrily glared down at the Senior, he realized he had just found this so called Anti Catalyst.