While everyone was adapting to the past, Darren was finding the experience quite frustrating. Training was difficult, Fukushu still MIA while his magic teacher Yuriko was only 3 years old. Akira also was busy, dealing with problems in the other timeline. The teenage Catalyst had tried training with the others in the past but the fact of the matter was they were either busy or his skills surpassed theirs. "Hey Darren what are you doing here tonight?"
Darren turned, watching as Katie now entered the living room. In the future he had heard stories of how impressive this woman was. From what Darren had seen so far, the stories appeared true. Katie's magical power rivaled his own, the seraphim form she assumed testing his own abilities when they sparred. She also tried to teach him what she had learned however, those lessons weren't as knowledgeable as Yurikos. Katie, for the most part, had learned through trial and error. She was the first, the original Catalyst. Everything she had learned she taught to every other wizard but that experience was less than a decade as opposed to 80 plus years for Yuriko. "Just thinking," he sighed. Katie nodded, taking a seat across from the teen.
"Care to talk about it," she asked. "Afterall, from what you told me I'm a Catalyst." Darren chuckled, appreciating Katie's over the top gesture, the woman throwing her arms out in a grandiose fashion. "I'm just worried that's all," he smiled. "We still haven't pinned down where the Normal are and the Boss still hasn't shown up yet. I just worry that by the time we figure things out it will be too late."
"I get it," she said softly. "I mean I haven't had to fight this Boss yet but I've had my fair share of world ending threats." Darren nodded, now listening as Katie listed off the enemies she and her friends had dealt with from Morgan Lefay to timeline merging titans. "Yeah that can be overwhelming," Darren said softly. "Were you ever scared?"
"Always," Katie chuckled. "And that was before you told me I was some magical linchpin that would determine the fate of the next century." Darren smiled, the two laughing softly for a moment before Katie continued. "Look Darren," she said. "Fear is something we all have to deal with. We just can't let it control us. Do the best that you can and have faith in the people around you. They might surprise you."
"Miss Yuriko used to say something similar."
"Huh guess i taught her well," Katie grinned. "Look, we'll get through this we have to. We have too many people counting on us." Darren nodded, thanking Katie as the young woman now heard Morgan call for her. "Hey I'm going to take a walk," he said. "Okay be safe," Katie replied, the woman now helping her wife and child as Darren exited the home.
Surprisingly the weather was warm, Darren not needing a jacket as he walked through the New England neighborhood. Maybe Katie was right? His friends were powerful in their own right, perhaps all they needed to do was have faith in eachother and work together.
"Darren McKenna?"
Darren paused, turning as he now gazed at the teenage girl who called his name. The girl was cute, possessing fair skin, blonde hair, and a trendy teenage outfit. Still, there was something about this girl that just didn't feel right. "Yes," he said cautiously. The girl paused, quickly glancing around before lowering her voice. "My name is TAJ 436. I am a Trandroid assassination unit from Normcorp."
"Normcorp?!"
"I was sent here by Director Miller," she stated. "The Normcorp board of directors have targeted you for termination however, Director Miller superceded that programming. She has a message."
Darren was confused, yet defensive. Already he had withdrawn the Dragons Tongue, preparing to battle whatever this was. Furrowing his brow, he watched as the teenage girls eyes glowed for a moment as a holographic image now appeared before him.
"Hello Darren long time no see."
Darren paused, the woman was ancient, looking at least 90 yet her voice sounded somewhat familiar. "Hannah?" The image nodded, a small chuckle escaping her lips as she grinned at her best friend.
"In the flesh," she laughed. "Well not really the flesh. More of a AI programmed scan of my mind, downloaded into this latest generation Trandroid."
"Trandroid," Darren exclaimed. "Hannah what's going on? Why are you so old? What's Normcorp? Are they connected to the Normal?"
"Quick answer yes," Hannah stated. "You see I'm from the future. Way, way, way in the future. Twenty Fourth century, the year 2323 to be exact."
"How!"
"I'm part Soul Drive you yutz," Hannah scoffed, in that moment Darren recognizing his best friend completely. "But also had to have some work done. Biotech implants, longevity treatments, the usual. I also happen to be the one pulling the strings within what you know as the Normal in my time."
"You're working for the Normal," Darren replied angrily. "Hannah! How could you?"
"Hey don't give me that look," Hannah replied defensively. "If you can't beat em join em. Or at least that's what I let them think. Believe me wasn't easy. I've spent the last hundred years working my way through the Normals ranks trying to do what im doing now. Help you!" Despite Darren's anger, he could see a pang of guilt wash over Hannah's holographic visage. "Tell me what happened Hannah?"
"He won," Hannah said softly. "The Boss won.