Darren studied the living room, still trying to wrap his mind around what he was seeing. Morgan in chains, Evan alive, and two divided camps ready to tear eachother to pieces over the two of them. "Can everyone stop for just a minute," he pleaded.
All stopped, turn to Darren as he now found himself the center of attention. He had wanted quiet to think, now everyone was staring at him. It made the teen blushing slightly, he hated being the center of attention. "Okay," he sighed. "I really need some questions answered and I have way too many."
"Go ahead Darren," Yuriko replied warmly. "Ask the first thing that comes to your mind." Darren nodded, his gaze now resting on the dark wizard who only a few months ago had tries to kill him and his friends. "How are you still alive?"
"No clue," Evan shrugged. "I remember dying, traveling to the afterlife, and then boom. Dee here pulled me out of a snow bank."
"Dee?"
"Dhirti," she said softly. "Evan calls me Dee for short. He's really bad at pronouncing my name."
"Yeah that sounds like my son," Lynne grumbled, the ghost now floating in between Evan and Dee. "So are you two dating?"
"Mom!"
"Its a fair question Evan," Lynne stated. "And where do you get off not telling me you were alive. Your father and I have been worried sick since your spirit vanished."
"Um yes," Dee replied meekly, the two twenty somethings now taking eachothers hands. "I've been taking care of Evan since I found him. He showed me so many incredible things."
"So why appear now," Darren asked. Evan glanced around the room taking a breath before speaking. "I've been healing myself magically," he said. "Its taken alot of time but I needed to try and find Morgan. Something felt off, I thought she was in trouble. Looks like I was right." Morgan hung her head, a look of sorrow on her face as she gazed at the floor. "Aunt Morgan what did you do?"
"I saw you die Evan," she said softly. "It broke me. I...I lost it, embraced the darkness on me."
"And blinded my brother," Aiko hissed. Darren and the others now glanced at the angry vixen. Aiko tailsswished behind her angrily, the kitsune and her Yakuza guards glaring at the kycan sorceress with murderous intent. Most heartbreaking of all in this group for Darren was Misaki. The Asian teen standing side by side with her great grandmother as they glared at Morgan. "Misaki?"
"Darren this is a family matter," he said firmly. "Don't tell me your going to protect her after what she did." Darren was flummoxed, he didn't want to choose a side in this battle. Akira wanted Morgan to face justice but wanted her unharmed where Aiko wanted Morgan's head. Picking a side would anger the other, leaving him in a no win situation.
"Fukushu you promised Morgan would be safe," Kellie exclaimed, the ghost now floating in front of her daughter. The kitsune furrowed his brow, gazing at the ghostly wizard before nodding. "I did," he stated. "She will face the kitaune for her crimes, even if I want vengeance for what she did to my wife."
Morgan winced, glancing over at Abolith. Attacking the elf had put her in dire straits, leaving her open to attack by not only the Yakuza but Fukushu as well. Apologizing probably wouldn't help the situation as neither one was known for forgiveness.
"May I speak."
Everyone paused as Akira now slowly stood. Despite his injuries, the kitsune still maintained a intimidating presence. Darren felt as if the six tailed kitaune could somehow still see him, despite the bandages covering his missing eyes. "I have listened to all arguements on my behalf," he stated. "And, while I have asked that Morgan's life be spared I realize far too many seek vengeance." The kitsune now paused, his ears twitching as he now continued. "Yuriko what time is it?"
"Almost noon why?"
Akira smirked, the others confused until they heard a knock at the door. "If someone could answer the door please, my guest has arrived."
"Guest," Yuriko asked. Akira smirked, nodding before he spoke again. "Yes an old student of mine," he said. "I realized that despite my best efforts there are some who would not heed my calls for leniency. That is why I've been in contact with the lunar colony Apollo."
Darren gawked, the lunar colony Apollo had been established 30 years ago. Since then it had transformed into a thriving city, rivaling some of the largest cities on Earth. Apollo was a hub for research, business, and tourism in the way the Great cities of the early 21st century were. Still, traveling there took time and could be quite expensive. Darren had heard his parents talk about vacationing their for their anniversary. "I'll get it," Darren answered.
Opening the front door, Darren now beheld a middle aged woman with auburn hair. Adorned in a business suit, she now gave the teen a warm smile before talking. "Hello can you tell me does Akira live here?"
"Nat?!?"
Darren turned quickly, noticing the Harris siblings gasp before sprinting towards the woman. Nat now chuckled as the siblings hugged her tightly. "Hi guys wasn't expecting to see you here."
"Um who is this," Darren asked, still puzzled by Nats appearance.
"Darren," Akira stated proudly. "Allow me to introduce you to one of my finest students Natalia MacGregor."
"She was also our babysitter," Kari added.
"And a dhamphir," Haley finished.
Darren gawked as he gazed at the woman, he had so many questions as yet another ally from the past entered into his life.