"Alright, is everyone ready?" Catherine asks.
"Yes. We are." Nathaniel says.
"...When we enter this place, there's a chance we won't come back out alive, you guys do know that, right?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iXfELPAqb
The group nods in confirmation.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrVtnRdeK6
"I'm taking that as a yes then." She turns to face the group and speaks softly to them.
They knew the last two pieces were in the Timebreaker's lair. They just had to fight the ones who took it. Silently, they walked through the gates.
...The first room was empty.
"Prodigies, lower your weapons." Nathaniel orders.
The group does so but keep their eyes peeled for any enemies. Catherine checks behind her. There doesn't seem to be anyone on her side.
As she steps into the next room, a big wave of water crashes against them all.
"Noelani..." Catherine mutters as she tries to shield herself from the incoming waves.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsexdNFakNV
A few more waves hit before Catherine is able to break free. When the wave subsides enough, they see the culprit standing there.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAEeiE05YH
"Hello again."
"Noelani! We have come to return the soul piece of Verna!" Nathaniel shouts as he readies his sword.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeI8RNYfXi
She raises an eyebrow at him.
"I am sorry, but I cannot give it to you. It helps you, doesn't it?"
Nathaniel grits his teeth, anger flaring up inside of him as he tries to remain calm.
A light drizzle begins to form. It reminds him of what happened to Verna, her valiant sacrifice to save her students.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVXkxzzuoI
He closes his eyes as he lets go of his frustration. He needs to stay calm if he wants this plan to work. He'll never forgive himself if anything happened to them.
After letting the rage fade away from him, he opens his eyes. "What do you need Verna for? What is your goal?" He asks.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApcTELhMXp
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Noelani's expression becomes hard.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtf21AWk5b
"My goal isn't something you would understand."
She starts walking towards them slowly while maintaining a distance between them. As her figure gets closer, the group feels another wave slam against them. This time however, no one is injured.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB9aHlX7Zw
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Their attention is brought back when Noelani stops several feet away from them.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7WO8fHxLn
"I have waited for the perfect moment to return here. And now is that opportunity."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTztK8UZwqb
"So you're going to kill us here?" Arsenio asks.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNWzrYcIGa
Noelani shakes her head. "It is not my intention to kill you... I'll let you have the piece. Only if you kill the one who turned me into... this...and set our souls free." She motions towards her body.
"...I was a Prodigy. All of us were. It was only when we fought him and failed that we became what we are now...Pierrot was just a Prodigy, too far gone from his original memories. I don't want that for you children."
The group exchange glances, unsure of what to say. If she's telling the truth then...the timeline will never be fixed.
"We'll do what we can.." Catherine says, nodding. "...just give us the soul piece."
"...You will meet her...in the next room. Be careful."
The group nods, and walks into the next room.
Inside, a room full of glowing orbs, maybe souls of the past, and inside... sitting on a throne..
"Prodigies! Hello!" a girl holding one of the pieces, greets them. "How have your travels been, good? Good!"
The other kids stare at the girl in shock.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BNnIWmGjL
"...Who are you...?" Catherine mumbles, still confused on how this Timebreaker was so cheery about their arrival.
"Oof, sorry, where are my manners?!" The Timebreaker giggles nervously and stands up. "My name is Zellabeth, but I'm also called the Reaper, Soulsnatcher, I have plenty of names, really!"
Her happy smile turns into am evil smirk. "And my job is to give birth to the new Timebreakers. And it seems my new shipment of souls came right on time.." she pulls out an orb, looking inside it. "Well then, why don't we go ahead and get this over with?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUUmentkL6
She throws an orb in the air and it begins to glow. Immediately, she throws it, hitting Catherine and slamming her against a wall. Catherine screams in pain.
"Well? Ready to call it quits?" Zellabeth laughs, walking toward the fallen Catherine. Before she could grab Catherine, Nathaniel pushes her out of the way.
"Leave Catherine alone!" Nathaniel yells, swinging his sword.
"Oooh, scary!"
Nathaniel sighs and kneels down besides Catherine, before picking her up. She stumbles, but manages to stand.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoGCWG7O3Z
She leans on him slightly and takes a step forward to catch her balance. He wraps an arm around her waist.
"Are you okay?" he whispers.
Catherine winces. "Yeah, just dizzy."
Zellabeth's laugh rings throughout the room. "Aw, you poor thing! Here, I'll switch to these two so you can catch your breath!"
She taunts, pointing towards Isabelle and Arsenio.
They both glare at Zellabeth, glaring daggers at her.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfPL4fFBkh
Zellabeth gives them an unamused look. "Just remember, the only reason you got this lucky is because I didn't see you coming... You may think182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAc3ilTfvC
you're smart, but this is my turf!"
Once again, she tosses another orb towards the two, causing Arsenio to instinctively block it with his holograms. Isabelle, being the weaker fighter, is knocked backwards.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2bndQKvzT
"Arsenio, watch out!" Catherine yells, attempting to push him out of the path of an attack.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTpppXOnJp
Instead, she sends him hurtling into a nearby pillar. His body slams against the floor, groaning in pain.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1GEQbbYsm
Before he can get back up, he notices Zellabeth charging another attack for Isabelle.
"Isabelle! M-Move!"
Isabelle starts to slowly crawl to safety. Before Isabelle can even get off the ground, Zellabeth fires the orb directly at her, causing more debris to fly.
No one moves until...the orb comes flying back at Zellabeth, and hits her, throwing her into the wall.
"Huh? But...how?"
Isabelle appears in a more calmed state. She's no longer afraid, but she isn't angry either.
"I caught it...well my threads did anyway."
Behind her, a large hand made completely of intertwining thread loomed.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH2rickQ3F
Her eyes narrow when the giant hand is aimed straight at Zellabeth, clenched into a fist. It takes a big swing, launching her into the air.
Isabelle, takes out her scissors, which, with the power of Verna's soul piece, turns into a long, thin sword, with the scissors' handles as the hilt. She runs to Zellabeth as she falls through the air. Isabelle slices with precision and strength. Once Zellabeth falls to the ground, Isabelle pushes the scissors back into her pocket.
"You little..." she growls out, trying her best to stand, instead, she collapses onto the ground once more. "I should kill you right now!"
Out of pure anger, Zellabeth uses her orbs to destroy the large hand. Isabelle shrieks in pain, then stops.
"...Isabelle?" Arsenio asks.
When she looks up, her eyes are hazy, a dead circle.
A few seconds pass, and Isabelle collapses to the ground.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePoMTGh2w0
Silence fills the room.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H3mxZpV2P
"I'm sorry, guys..." Zellabeth apologizes with a chuckle. "It looks like poor Isabelle..she got lost along the way.. and well, she ended up with a broken heart.. so..." she smiles sadly. "Let's continue without her..."
Zellabeth immediately throws an orb at Nathaniel who jumps away from it. When he lands, it explodes, sending fragments of glass into every direction.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAwYxm2TJY
She turns to face Catherine. Her eyes flash dangerously.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPliX98skTp
"Your turn..."
She charges towards Catherine. Catherine dodges and deflects each attempt. However, after one attack successfully hits Catherine, she has no choice but to move away.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIBuc38rLe
Nathaniel tries to stop Zellabeth, but she simply shoots a web at him and he crashes into the ground, unable to get up.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4cWn962Io
Zellabeth chuckles. "You should be glad I spared you the first time."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQhFGcB0jh
Nathan's expression remains stoic.
"I don't know what your deal is, but-"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBmj4VuvFb
Suddenly, Catherine lunges forwards, tackling Zellabeth to the ground. With all of their combined strength they pull their swords across each others neck.
Zellabeth lets out a gasp, dropping the orb. She quickly grabs it from the ground. Catherine spits out a quick flame, disorienting Zellabeth, making her drop the orb and it rolls away from them.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzbtJQM4aU
"Let m-me go!" Zellabeth demands, struggling under Catherine's grip. "Now!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Mh0hUY180
Catherine ignores the request, continuing to press down harder.
Zellabeth quickly bites Catherine's arm, and their positions are switched.
"You damn brat!" Catherine snarls, letting go and shooting another fireball at Zellabeth.
The attack catches her by surprise, but fortunately, she manages to jump away before the flames hit her.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IaAxu4AlN
"You're so annoying!" Zellabeth complains.
"Why won't you die yet?!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YZWqQ6OIL
In response, Catherine shoots more fireballs at Zellabeth while she dodges, creating distance between them.
As Zellabeth gets back on her feet, she summons several orbs in front of her, forming multiple blades. Using them to defend herself, she manages to push away Catherine's attacks.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2tFHInkBs
However, soon enough she gets overwhelmed.
"Hahaha...!" she laughs. "That'll teach you to mess with me.."
"Damn, you're tough," Catherine admits.
"I've only allowed a fraction of my power!"
After that, the fight continues. The two are able to dodge each blow, pushing closer and closer together, until they're pressed together against the same wall.
"Now let me do something special!" Zellabeth grins darkly. She pulls out a small orb from her pocket.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6rK07MjTl
"This is your last warning..!" she states.
"What are you gonna do with it? Throw it at me?"
"I'm gonna up my power a bit! Now prepare yourself!" Zellabeth says as she opens her palm.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMjQuoPpwX
She throws it at the ground in front of her, and she starts to change form.
Her eyes suddenly become red, her skin becomes a shade lighter and her hair starts to curl upwards. Soon enough, there's six long legs growing out from Zellabeth's stomach and arms.
Finally, a pair of large wings sprout from her back.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMUULWtYbw
"This is going to be fun!" Zellabeth exclaims excitedly.
Zellabeth flies towards Catherine, throwing multiple punches with her arms, then picking her up, flying off with her, and throwing her hard onto the ground.
Catherine, despite taking large amounts of damage, is still able to stand up.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iyDNnsT7y
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"I guess that'll teach you.." Zellabeth says, raising her hand and summoning an orb, throwing it at Catherine. This time, the attack hits her right in the middle of her chest.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1U0brw38i
She falls to the ground once more.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSVQDwpQJS
Catherine gasps for breath. Her chest tightens. Her body starts burning, like a candle that's been dipped too close to the flame. And yet she still walks.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisrjoff1qS
She staggers, but still manages to keep walking.
... Catherine makes a portal to the Phasing Dimension, right under her feet.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsENTMnWgY
Once in, she collapses.
"Catherine? Catherine!" Chrono calls, Catherine barely able to make it out. "Catherine, say something!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lmOVJhTqt
He rushes over to her. He crouches down beside her. "Can you hear me?"
She doesn't respond. He tries shaking her shoulder.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55tCBO0GWh
Chrono sighs, getting worried. He picks her up, cradling her gently.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZxcTKJBaO
Kronox appears behind him. "Well, this is interesting. The Dragon hasn't suffered through this182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LcRiJbdOm
much since our fights."
"...The Prodigies are in trouble." Chrono whispers.
Kronox looks at Catherine. Her skin is covered in bruises, cuts, and blood. He places a finger underneath her chin and tilts it up.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH6RmkzcfJ
"Catherine...?"
"Mm..?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06W9a2i90f
"Are you okay? Can you walk?"
"Yes..." she replies, her voice weak.
She stands up, leaning against Chrono for support, and tries to climb up. Unfortunately, she trips over, and falls to the ground.
"D-Damnit..." she mutters. "I have to... g-go back up there..."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLZoi8cpic
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"No, you need help!" Chrono states.
"No... I don't... I can't...." she responds, struggling to get up. "They're gonna get killed..." she whimpers. "If I don't help them, they're gonna die..."
Catherine tries her hardest to stand up again, failing several times.
"Catherine, stop." Chrono says firmly. "You'll just get hurt worse."
"...Please..." she begs, "Just take me back..."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcsmvolmop
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Chrono glances around, then nods slowly. "Fine," he agrees. "We'll go together."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXqCTOwS3V
He helps Catherine get on her feet and together, they both begin to climb up.
"Ah, Catherine, just in time... you made it." Zellabeth speaks up. "Just in time to watch the others meet their gruesome end."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1CR1bawlI
Catherine clenches her fists. She doesn't reply.
Zellabeth's laugh echoes throughout the room. They see Nathaniel, Isabelle, and Arsenio. Each of them are bleeding badly, and they look exhausted. But none the less, they remain standing. They all glare at Zellabeth.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRAUlV1yVA
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"...You know, you're not as scary when your little friends aren't here anymore."
"How... dare you..!?" Nathaniel shouts at Zellabeth, pointing his sword at her threateningly. "I will make sure that you suffer for everything you've done!"
Zellabeth giggles. "Come on, Nathaniel! You're the one who's dying here!" she scoffs. "Look at yourselves!"she adds as she observes everyone else's wounds. "Do you really want to die here?"
A second later, Nathaniel swings his blade, ready to plunge it into Zellabeth's neck. Before he could do so, Zellabeth stops his sword with her fists.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcBvZ6152A
She twists it around, causing it to fall to the ground.
"Now now, Nathaniel. Don't get carried away.." she glares mockingly.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOWJkiE7Eb
Arsenio runs over to him. "Don't listen to her. She's just trying to bait you.." he tells him.
"If we die here," Nathaniel starts. "...our bodies will be used for evil!" He points his sword at Zellabeth. "And I am willing to sacrifice myself for the good of us all.. because I believe that we are meant to defeat her."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCehuozZoq
Zellabeth chuckles. "Yeah, I bet you're gonna regret those words when we're done with you." She smiles coldly at him. "Because, I promise you, you won't survive."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtwf0khiDk
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Without giving Nathaniel any chance to react, Zellabeth kicks his abdomen, sending him flying backwards, crashing into another wall. He groans, clutching his stomach.
"Oh, he'll live," Zellabeth smirks. She turns to face Arsenio, who still has a broken Isabelle in his arms. "Let's try this again, shall we?"
"Don't!" Chrono says, stopping her. "If there's anyone you want to go after, it's me. Leave the Prodigies alone."
"Father Time! You did decide to come along after all!" Zellabeth exclaims happily, smiling at him.
"I don't have time for games, Zellabeth. You and your father both know that."
"Oh? Do tell me, what makes you think you can stop us, Father Time? You and I both know how much power I hold, right, Chrono?"
Chrono stays quiet, looking uncomfortable.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydj7unGX6W
"See? Even Chrono can't deny it!" she gloats.
As Catherine helps Nathaniel up, she notices that Chrono and Zellabeth are exchanging death stares. Both of them clearly have some rivalry between them.
She can tell by the way they keep glaring at each other.
"It seems you haven't forgotten who's boss around here..." Chrono growls, a golden plating appearing on his arm.
"...And you still haven't learned anything about how to stay calm and collected."
Chrono steps forward, his hands forming into claws. He begins to charge at her. Zellabeth dodges him and quickly attacks him with a series of blows, forcing Chrono to retreat and attempt to counterattack. Chrono jumps up, grabbing Zellabeth by her throat, holding her up in the air, squeezing hard.
Zellabeth squirms underneath Chrono's grip. She begins struggling, kicking her feet and punching him.
"Let me go!" she screams.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUamYqyZTpI
Chrono drops her to the floor and she falls, landing on her left side.
She grunts, getting on her knees.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDvDSB1uLQ
She lifts herself up, staring at Chrono and Zellabeth.
The two of them continue attacking each other, striking fast and heavy with every punch, kick, and hit they throw at each other. Their speed and strength are unmatched. Their powers are beyond compare. Every single move is perfect, calculated, and executed perfectly. Their fight is intense, fierce. It's almost as if they're fighting for dominance. But, they still don't win. They can't win. Neither of them is strong enough to break free of the other's grasp.
"This must be a strong rivalry..." Catherine says.
Nathaniel nods. "One that has lasted for millennia.." he mumbles softly.
As they continue fighting, more of the exterior starts to crumble. Cracks are growing larger and wider across the walls.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72tGEyKzXK
The sound of crumbling stone fills the room.
Catherine gasps, noticing that the roof was starting to cave.
The ceiling is only seconds away from collapsing.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8Ba5EJ1Cl
Her eyes widen as she realizes what's going to happen.
"Arsenio! Get Isabelle out of here!" she yells desperately.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0jbMyh5FQ
... Arsenio looks up and immediately recognizes the danger they're facing. His expression drops and he sprints towards Isabelle.
Arsenio wraps his arms around her and grabs onto her legs, lifting her up. He ducks into the entrance in order to escape with both himself and Isabelle.
They were just able to escape before the ceiling fell apart and collapsed. Arsenio sighs heavily, looking at Isabelle's unmoving eyes as they continued to look forward.
"You alright, Belle?" he asks her worriedly.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaT3fuLct6a
Isabelle doesn't answer him. Tears run down her face as she continues to stare ahead.
Dawlly appears. "...Those threads were the only thing connecting me to her emotions...that attack severed that connection.." with a stitched paw, it lightly rubs Isabelle's face. "Izzy... I'll give you my emotions if it means you're safe. Please.. say something... I can't stand seeing you like this..."
Isabelle doesn't say anything. She keeps staring forward.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcfTimyOif
Suddenly, something snaps. Her head jerks up slightly, revealing her tear stained eyes. Her gaze meets Arsenio's.
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"Hey... Arsenio..?" she whispers softly, her voice breaking. "Thank... thank you..." she sniffles. "For saving my life.."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8WjhtRb2G
"...You don't have to thank me for that, Belle," he shakes his head. "I'm only doing a favor. You saved mine too once... And now... I'm taking care of yours."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokCLN2xlC9
"...I guess that means we have an equal number of debts then, huh?" Isabelle smiles weakly. She lets out another soft whimper.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96Vu92irw8
Arsenio gently strokes her cheek. "Don't worry, Belle. We'll be okay. Trust me."
"Hey hey hey! I know you're glad to see her at least at little back to normal, but don't even think about making a move!" Dawlly yells. "Keep your perverted hands off of her, you creep!"
Arsenio smugly looks at the doll, raising an eyebrow as if challenging it.
Dawlly narrows its eyes in response. "Don't test me." it warns.
Arsenio continues to taunt Dawlly by inching his face closer to Isabelle's.
"I wouldn't mind a little kiss." he smirks.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJBcOzoxKf
He then leans in closer and presses a light kiss against Isabelle's lips. A second later, he pulls back and smirks. "There."
Dawlly remains quiet for a moment, looking at Isabelle with a puzzled expression before it slowly changes to anger.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW67uTpmkCA
"You-"
Arsenio cuts it off with a smile. "That's what I thought." he teases. "Come on... let's get out of here. Before the entire building falls apart with us in it." he jokes as he gets up.
Dawlly huffs, annoyed by Arsenio's antics. "Ezra won't like this either, Arsenio!"
Isabelle slowly makes it up to Arsenio as they walk. "Arsenio...why did you do that?"
"Simple, to piss off Dawlly. If you tell me not to do something, that's definitely the one thing I will do."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkR93sUGsY
A small smile spreads across Isabelle's lips as she giggles. "You're a very odd man, Arsenio."
His grin gets bigger. "Oh, I know."
She chuckles as they make their way outside. She walks beside him, their shoulders brushing together as they walk.
***
Catherine wakes up, drowning in pieces of the ceiling. She struggles to breathe as she tries to pull herself out of the debris.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjprzCdxHhw
She coughs, feeling like she can't get enough air into her lungs.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGeCU9ISMd
When she finally manages to pull herself completely out of the rubble, she collapses on her back, coughing violently.
"Nate..." she whispers weakly. "Nate... where are you?"
No response. She slowly stands up, trying to find any trace of him. However, she cannot see through the dust cloud that covers the whole area. She can barely make out any shapes or colours anywhere around her. The only way she could see him is through the thick cloud.
"Nate?" She asks, still coughing harshly, throwing pieces of the pile around. "Chrono, what about you?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tJYBsQQ3o
Nothing but silence. There's no sign of anyone, except her.
She hears light shuffling. She slowly turns to the direction of the noise, before running to it, and throwing pieces of debris aside.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2qzaFpk2a
As she reaches to the source of the sound, her heart stops.
Nathaniel lies motionless on the ground, with blood seeping out of multiple injuries on his body, and crimson running down his face to the bridge of his nose.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89s8s3SlgF
"Nathaniel!" she runs over to him, calling out his name. She kneels beside his body.
"Hey, wake up, you asshole!" she hits his cheeks repeatedly, trying to bring him back to consciousness. "Wake up, dammit!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhRFcICA7M
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However, Nathaniel does not respond. He lays there, unmoving and unresponsive.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugjCpyJeWw
"Dammit! Wake up, you bastard! Don't die on me!" she yells at him.
She starts pounding her fists on the debris in a fit of frustration, until she hears a light snort.
"...Nate?" she asks, cautiously turning her gaze over to him, his light giggle turned into a chuckle.
"Nate, you asshole! You did that to screw with me!"
"It was you who fell for it." he replied. "You should have known I would used my armor to protect myself."
"Be lucky I even got you out of there, Nathaniel." she scoffs in exasperation, shaking her head in disapproval. She grabs him by the cravat, and he staggers to his feet.
"... C'mon, we gotta look for Chrono." she tells him as she throws more chunks of the ceiling.'m right here."
"... Is she dead?" Catherine asked, referring to Zellabeth.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1kmB6dJhK
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"No. She's alive, though unconscious."
"That should be enough." Catherine replies. "Let's go."
"No!" Zellabeth roared, pulling herself out of the debris. "I want Chrono dead, and-"
Without a second to lose, familiar chains came out and wrapped themselves around her body.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9GO8OKDsy
"What now?!" She cried.
"Sorry, I'm late guys.." Kenzo apologized. "I take it you got the last soul piece?"
Kenzo got sick at the last moment, and had to stay at the cabin and rest. He had a mask over his face.
"I'm glad I got here on time, I saw Isabelle and Arsenio on my way in."
He slips off his mask, revealing bright yellow lines along his face.
"...I guess that means my time's running out.."
"What are you talking about, Kenzo?"
"...Well, I'm not exactly... alive." he states simply. "My name is Kenziel, and I'm a Guardian..my job is to protect you Prodigies from immediate danger."
"You're dead?!"
"The body that I borrowed is, yes. My Gift isn't a Gift, but...some of my abilities, so to speak."
"Wait...how come we didn't know about this?"
"Well, Isabelle did. I told her about everything, but told her not to tell a soul."
"Why?"
"It would cause more confusion. Plus, I knew it would come down to a matter of time before someone figured it out..."
"You're saying...you're an Angel?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lr6pkY22B
"Sort of..it's complicated."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiL0c6CMo5
Kenziel sighs. "I just wanna finish this and go home...so...goodbye, Zellabeth. For now."
With a tight pull, she erupts into light, and only the soul piece remains.
"So...what happens now?"
"We leave before these walls fall even more." Chrono states with a serious expression. "And hope to never come back here."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVf9LAJwCNS
They all nod, knowing full well how dangerous it could be inside. They run out of the lair, where they watch the lost souls finally become free.
Arsenio stands as he cradles Isabelle, who had fallen asleep due to exhaustion. "Well, that's it. The world should be saved."
Verna's soul, which had finally, once again been put back together, appeared before them. "Yes, I can feel the Fabric rebuilding itself. The universe is at ease once again." she speaks calmly. "Thank you so much, Prodigies. This was an honor serving you."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyw0VptRs2
Verna disappears into thin air, causing everyone else to stare blankly at the spot.
"She's gone back to rest..." Catherine whispered, staring blankly ahead. "...we really did it...." she adds in shock.
"What should we do n-now?" Isabelle asks, now awake.
"We'll figure something out later. Right now..." Arsenio pauses, thinking over everything that has happened. "Let's just go home. I'm sure we have a lot of people who's dying to see us."
Catherine starts to create a Time Warp, back to her home time. "Alright then..." she says softly. "Take care of yourself, you guys."
They all nod in agreement, making their way towards the warp.
***
After a quick trip to the store, Catherine runs to her home late that night.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7LHQawq48
As soon as she steps through the door, she sees decorations for a birthday party, still hung up and scattered around the living room and kitchen.
She heads upstairs. Opening the door to her brother's bedroom, she sees he's fast asleep. With a quiet smile, she reaches into the bag she got from the store, and taps her brother on the shoulder.
"Gabriel..." she says quietly.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN8joNho2y
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vBC7pwvza
He blinks groggily, rubbing his eyes sleepily. When he opens his eyes properly, they widen slightly when he takes in Catherine's appearance.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnuYqq9DZ7
"Catherine...?" he asked, confused.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2f47MgxCE
Catherine smiles softly and nods her head. "Happy Birthday, Gabriel."
His eyes sparkle in happiness as he wraps his sister in a tight hug, squeezing her as tight as possible. Catherine laughs as she hugs him tightly back.
"...Why do you look like that?" Gabriel asks as he pulls away from her embrace.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSFwQVzfne
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EIKYYmWPW
"Like what?"
He pokes at the horns that still adorned her head. "What's with the horns?"
Catherine lifts a hand to her head, touching the top of each horn. She looks back up at him, smiling sheepishly.
"Oh..this? It's from a...party earlier today." she lied.
Gabriel narrows his eyes slightly in suspicion.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SyKVfsFOz
"Uh huh..."
"Anyway, I got you a present." she said, digging into the bag and pulling out a wrapped present. She hands one to Gabriel.
"Wow, Catherine, thanks.." Gabriel smiled shyly.
He unwraps the gift quickly, excited to open it. His eyes instantly went wide in surprise when he saw what was inside.
It was a locket, with a very small picture of the two when they were younger. Gabriel immediately puts the locket around his neck, admiring it.
"You remembered!" He exclaimed happily.
"Of course I did."
"You're the best big sister ever!"
"I try my best." she grinned teasingly.
They sit silently in comfortable silence. After a while, Gabriel's yawn brings a grin to Catherine's face.
"Well, goodnight, Gabe.." Catherine said, tucking her brother into bed.
"Goodnight, Catherine. I'll see you later!"
He waved, closing his eyes.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb8L6GteyR
Catherine turns around and leaves the room, walking downstairs. As soon as she leaves the home, locking the doors behind her.
Once gone, she disappears to the Phasing Dimension, never to be seen again.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSnh55ieyy
Gabriel was looking out of the window as she disappeared...182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnbRYjw5Ph
To be continued in Prodigy: Remnants of Forever
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