It had been a few weeks since Morgan's attack and for Darren things had returned to normal. Or as normal as things could be for the Catalyst.
"So no sign of Morgan," Hannah asked as the group sat in study hall. "Nothing," Darren shrugged. "Yuriko can't find her and neither can Fukushu and it's not for lack of trying." Darren now explained the length ls the former adversaries had gone to uncover Morgan's location. Yuriko useing her powers as well as connections to locate Morgan. "She's even asked the ghost of her aunts and Morgan's mother to find her."
"Yeah I've never seen Granny Yuriko so angry," Misaki shuddered. "Morgan's mom Kellie says she found Morgan but she won't tell her where she's hiding. Auntie Aiko had to physically hold her back." Darren and his friends nodded, a sad expression crossing their faces.
After Akiras injuries his sister, Aiko, had immediately come to see her brother. Enraged and saddened, the matron of the Nakamoto clan had arrived with a contingent of her most trusted bodyguards. These bodyguards, which consisted of human and kitsune soldiers, now focused on two things. Caring for Akira and his family and seeking out revenge on Morgan Lefay. "How's Akira doing," Crystal asked softly.
"Okay I suppose," Darren sighed. "He's alive at least. Yuriko, Ayami, and I have offered to help restore his vision but he's refused to far."
"Any reason why," Robbie asked.
"He doesn't like the idea of cybernetic eyes," Darren blushed. "He's worried they wouldn't be as good as his natural eyes." Hannah frowned at this, the teenage Soul Drive about to say something before Darren cut her off. "Its nothing against Soul Drives Hannah,: he said. "He's just...kinda old fashioned okay. Ayami was telling me a story how it took him years to even use a cellphone. He would say that the technology was still unproven."
"Okay," Hannah sighed. "I mean...Akira has always been cool. I guess I can forgive him for being a bit of a technophobe." Darren and the others simply raised an eyebrow, casting the Soul Drive a curious look. "So what about Fukushu," Robbie asked.
Darren paused, remembering the nine tailed kitsunes brutality as well as his sudden disappearance. "He's been gone alot," he said. "I overheard Abolith stating he was planning something. Whatever it is, it won't bode well for Morgan."
"Or Rick," Hannah added.
"Speaking of Rick what's going on with him," Misaki asked. Almost on cue, the group watched as the older teen now entered the study hall. The popular Senior frowning as he noticed several Soul Drives in the room. Unnoticed by all, except Darren and his friends, Rick now focused on the Soul Drive teacher at the desk, a anthro owl known as Ms. Hoot. Ms Hoots robotic owl body twisting, shifting from steel to flesh. The Soul Drive now resembling an elderly woman with large glasses. "Hey," Darren exclaimed.
Rick turned, groaning in disgust as Darren and his friends now stood. "Ah damn it," he moaned. "What are you geeks doing here?"
"Change her back," Hannah growled.
"Or what," Rick scoffed. "What are you going to do about arty?"
"I wouldn't be worried about her," Darren said sternly. "I'd be worried about me!" Rick stopped, his eyes locking with the younger teen. Darren's eyes now began to glow a brilliant white, the younger boys body tensing as he glared at Rick. Although the older teen was still a novice when it came to magic, he could sense the amount of power the boy possessed. "Fine," he grumbled.
Rick now looked back at Ms. Hoot, his Ring of Change glowing as the changes reversed. Ms. Hoots head seemed to swell, rounding as her eyes became larger. The milky grey of those eyes began to clear, a brilliant amber hue coloring the artificial lenses. Hoots ears vanished, her thin lips and mouth protruding into a small beak. Finally the frail woman's body began to broaden, her flesh going from flesh to steel while her neck shrank leaving her large head connected to her shoulders. Finally a coating of mahogany colored feathers covered the Soul Drives body. As the changes completed Ms. Hoot blinked her large eyes as her head spun to gaze at Rick. "Excuse me Rick," she said. "But according to my files you are not in study hall at this time. Please return to your class."
Rick grumbled an apology, furrowing his brow as exited the room. "Rick will be a nuisance," Darren stated. "But I can handle him."
*************************
The Boss frowned, clutching his glass of whiskey tightly as he gazed down at the manufacturing floor. Ever since purchasing a share in the Normals operations, the kitsune had made it a point of being around the factory. It drove the Boss mad, the kitsune touring the area, talking with employees, even inspecting the Soul Drives that were produced. Fukushu made it a point in being involved in all of the Normals legitimate businesses.
Worse, Fukushu had access to the majority of the Normals business dealings and legitimate projects. Projects that could lead the kitsune to the Normals more secretive operations. The Boss now had few secrets that the kitsune didn't have access too. Pressing a button, the Boss now summoned Remy to his office. Thw goblin entering through a small side door he had installed. "Yes Boss?"
"How are our projects proceeding Remy?"
"Remy has carried out plans just as Boss asked," Remy stated. "But, kitsune Boss knows about those plans. Should Remy continue with those plans?"
"Scrap em," the Boss grumbled, watching as Fukushu now spoke with some of the floor managers. The kitsune having assumed human form and appearing as a rather intimidating Japanese businessman. "Fukushu may have said he wouldn't tell the Catalyst but I don't want to take the chance. Besides, where's the fun if you can't make it a surprise." Remy nodded, the goblin turning to leave before the Boss asked him to stop. "How can Remy help you Boss?"
The Boss rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he watched the kitsune. You're too late to stop him, that is what Fukushu had said. How was that even possible? This Catalyst had only been around for a little over a year. How could it already be too late. This had gotten the Boss thinking. What if he could stop the Catalyst before he got started.
"Remy," the Boss asked. "What can you tell me about time travel?"
"Time manipulation hard," Remy stated. "But gobbos have technology to do so. It just take time and forbidden by big bosses."
"But it can be done."
"Yes," Remy stammered. "But bad, bad, idea. Big bosses punish everyone that try build time machine."
"I can keep it quiet," the Boss stated. "And I can keep it off the books. You won't get in any trouble Remy. Now, can you build it?" Remy simply nodded. "Yes but it take long time."
"If it works we'll have all the time in the world," the Boss smirked. "Get started Remy and report only to me. We keep this little project off the books." Remy bowed, leaving the Boss with much to think about.