DreamWorld-Inferno Bar
Tobias awakens as he jumps up from the table as Esmeray grabs him and shushes him to calm him down as he looks about as he sees the others are all in various stages as Vade seemed to be the most coherent as Tobias notices someone he hasn't seen before as the Blonde Haired Woman was sitting on a stool next to Kami as she was giggling and rubbing Lucifer's chin as Tobias still couldn't make her out.
Tobias: Valencia…?
Esmeray: Sorry, sugar. Still no sign of her yet.
Tobias points at the Woman and Esmeray smirks.
Esmeray: No, that's Kelsey Monroe. An old friend of my Brother and Kami.
Kelsey: Which I attest, still weird to see you Blayde.
Blayde: understandable. But it's good to see you, Kelsey.
She sticks her tongue at him as she laughs as Charles rubs his head and temples.
Charles: Kelsey was a Dreamer instructor with Kami, and was part of the transition team between Kami's program and Ian's.
Kelsey: I've been tied up with work so hadn't had a chance to get on till a bit. I'm sorry for my delay but the real world still turns.
Vade: We understand.
Kelsey: So uh, any of you feel different?
Vade: Very much so.
Hazel: Me too.
Alex: Yes.
Tobias: Esmeray?
Esmeray smirks and nods.
Esmeray: Yes.
Tobias looks about as Charles grimaces and shakes his head.
Charles: A little groggy but aside from that...nothing.
Tobias: Same.
Kami: Nothing Tobias?
Tobias shakes his head as Kami looks at Lucifer.
Lucifer: I never said it had a 100% success rate.
Charles: Perhaps it is for the best…
Kelsey: Sometimes the power lays dormant until needed. Or it takes more than simple concoction to draw something that powerful out of you. Don't fret. You could still possess something.
Charles smirks as he nods as Hazel looks at her arms and smiles as she snaps her fingers and watches as she glitches before she stabilizes a few more moments later.
Hazel: Cool.
Blayde: What was that?
Hazel: Oh. Well. Hmm how do I explain it...umm I essentially made a copy of myself.
Kami: You did?
Hazel: Yep.
She grins and snaps her fingers again, glitching before she stabilizes again.
Hazel: And there's a second.
Esmeray: How is that a power?
Hazel: It's like giving myself an extra life. I essentially can create copies of myself and store them, so should something happen to me, I will "switch" to a saved part of me.
Esmeray: Alright them. Very useful.
Hazel: Yeah! And I can do this now too..
Hazel creates a bow and arrow and fires it at the Dart Board that was sixty feet away, hitting the bullseye.
Hazel: I'm a bow master! Who knew!?
Hazel dematerializes the bow and arrow as Vade pushes his glasses up.
Vade: Alex?
Alex: Well...there's this.
Alex creates a Crusader Sword, swinging it about expertly.
Alex: Never swung or used a sword before in my life.
Kelsey: Inside of us is manifestation of a weapon that is deemed to be the true source of one's inner strength. Hazel's was a bow and arrow. Yours is that sword.
Alex: Interesting.
Vade: And your Awakened ability?
Alex: It's hard to explain. I guess I'd call it temporary immunity. I can use this pocket reserve of energy to withstand any attacks. Giving me my chance to finish the fight then and there.
Kami: But there are drawbacks. Without proper training and limit testing you'll only be able to hold it for a short amount of time and you will weaken. Same goes for you Hazel.
Hazel sits down as she seems dizzy.
Hazel: Yeah...I snapped about six more copies and just got really light headed.
Kelsey: You can only push your abilities so far. They're essentially in their infant stages. They themselves grow and mature much as you. Take it easy.
Kami: Vade?
Vade looks at Kami as he nods.
Vade: Well... there's this.
Vade appears with a Bayonet Knife as he spins the blade using the attachment ring before he grabs the handle and then dissipates it.
Vade: And I can stop time.
Tobias: Get the fuck out.
Hazel: That's so..c…
Vade watches as everything begins to slow down as everyone darts their eyes about as they can feel themselves unable to move as suddenly time speeds back up and Vade is sitting next to Kelsey, a drink in hand.
Vade: Can't hold it for long. But definitely useful.
Kelsey grins as she nods impressed.
Blayde: Last but not least. Ray?
Esmeray holds her hand out and begins forming a circling spiral of Fire, Ice, Watery, Earth and Wind.
Esmeray: Elemental powers.
Tobias: Yeah... apparently all of them
Esmeray dissipates the power as she smirks.
Esmeray: You'd be right. All of them.
Kami: Charles, you still have value to us. Don't be discouraged. We'll need you.
Charles nods as Kami looks at Tobias.
Kami: Toby, you're a Dreamer. That alone makes you formidable. Kelsey is right. You may still have it in you. This just wasn't what was going to bring that out.
Tobias: I know... I'm good.
Esmeray looks concerned as Lucifer begins making drinks.
Lucifer: While we wait for my brother and Valencia...let's have some drinks. Celebrate our new found Awakened.
Tobias smiles and goes outside as Kami and Esmeray look at each other before Kami nods as Esmeray follows him out as Hazel grabs Charles and forces him up and goes to the bar with the others who shade a toast and a drink.
Tobias lights a cigarette as Esmeray comes up and folds her arms as she looks about as the dream share being so barren was such a foreign sight.
Esmeray: This quiet is really weird.
Tobias: Yeah. Yeah it is.
Esmeray takes his cigarette from his hand after he takes a drag and she takes one herself as she then hands it back.
Esmeray: Are you okay?
Tobias: Why shouldn't I be.
Esmeray: Cut the shit, Tobias. I know we don't know each that well but we've been through a lot today and I think I can say pretty confidently that you're not okay.
Tobias: All day I've thought hey, I'm this special guy. Even this damn guy we're trying to stop says as much. And yet here I am, surrounded by other Dreamers and people who have Awakened powers and now all of a sudden I don't feel that special at all.
Esmeray: I think you're just trying to figure things out because you're used to being the hero and now you're part of something bigger than yourself.
Tobias: I'm no hero. And I guess that little potion of Lucy's proved as much.
Esmeray: None of us are. You heard Kelsey and Kami. You still may have it big shooter, just gotta prove it to yourself. We all believe in you. So maybe start believing in yourself for a change. So finish that cigarette, and get your ass back in there, and let's get ready to do this.
Esmeray nods and heads back inside as Tobias smirks and nods as he takes a drag and then flicks the butt as he heads back inside.
Elsewhere
Xander looks at Artur and Leon who seem hardened and determined as Tegan smiles at Leon as Xander places a hand on them both.
Xander: Cosette awaits for us. You two have done well, and have obtained what I hope you feel are adequate amounts of strength.
Artur: I will not fail you again.
Leon: We can't be stopped now. Guaranteed.
Xander: I never had doubts. Place your hand on mine.
Xander extends a hand as the three lay their hands onto Xander's as Xander's eyes flashes with different colors of code and the four disappear from the shore of the Rim.
Elsewhere
Michael and Valencia appear outside of a home as Valencia looks about as she can see a sun and a moon in the sky.
Valencia: Where are we?
Michael: A pocket of the Dream Share outside the reach of the A.N.N
Valencia: Is that possible?
Michael: For the Paragon. Yes.
Michael goes to the steps and knocks as he stands back next to Valencia and puts his arms behind his back as he waits as Valencia watched a beautiful middle aged woman comes out of the Home, looking the two over as her piercing eyes scan between the two and she smiles, her smile so warm and comforting that Valencia seemed to be able to feel the warmth from it.
Michael: Valencia, I want you to meet the Paragon, Allison Hoyt.
Allison Hoyt smiles at Valencia.
Allison: Hello.
Valencia: Hi.
Allison: Is she the one, Michael?
Michael: Yes. I bring her here to you so you may judge her as you see fit.
Michael stands aside as Allison comes down and examines Valencia as she then reaches her hands out to her.
Allison: Please. Take my hands.
Valencia places her hands into Allison's as Allison closes her eyes and Valencia watches as green and white energy swirl and begins to transfer from her to Allison whose eyes flicker and shutter behind her eyelids.
Allison: I sense your resolve...your passion and your grace...your fears...doubts.
Valencia: I'm scared I won't be able to stop him…
Allison: Xander…
Valencia: Yes.
Allison: I see…
Allison let's go as she looks at Valencia and then at Michael, nodding as Michael comes to Valencia and touches her forehead. Valencia screaming as she suddenly levitates a few feet into the air as Blue and Gold light shoot out of her orifices as she drops once to her knees as she falls back to the ground and begins panting as she tries to process what had just happened.
Michael: By the grace of the Paragon...I have been allowed to bestow the ethereal light of heaven to you. This power, while it will assist you in battle...is not solely meant for that alone. It will become clear when the time comes what you must do…
Allison: But it will have to be your choice.
Valencia: We need you...we need the Paragon…
Allison: I have sworn to stay out of these affairs. But know that I am a part of you now. I will see what you see. And I will come...when needed. For now. You will act as the Paragon on my behalf. Michael. Valencia. Be well.
She turns and heads back inside as Michael comes to Valencia as she stands and looks about determined.
Michael: You will be the light that guides the others through the darkness. Give my brother my wishes. I shall see him again soon. But you needed elsewhere.
Valencia nods as Michael touches her forehead again and she begins to disperse before disappearing as Michael watches her go before he too disappears and the pocket reality collapses into the void.
End of chapter.