"Chrono, how far away are we from the fish lady?" Catherine asks, struggling to keep her head above water.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAUG773bErOe
"I'm not quite sure. We'll need a better strategy in order to get there faster and spare the people some casualties.." Chrono replies.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAnLn5VA8KH5
420Please respect copyright.PENANADQmHDfMPZ3
The rain poured down even more with every shriek Noelani made.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAeFY9utpbHT
At that moment, the both of them knew what they needed to do. They swapped their souls with their respective deities, and their almost invincible bodies made it possible for them to swim underwater without issues.
420Please respect copyright.PENANA3NvviORW4Q
420Please respect copyright.PENANA5mzmNInxJF
Approaching the siren, Piravit tries her best to cover the Time Beast while he prepares his attack.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAlwNfgoRwnl
With a hearty roar from Piravit, the waves of water split away from the two, as a rift to the Phasing Dimension creates a crater of protection around the entire city.
420Please respect copyright.PENANACQznhVN2E6
Time Beast had began his attack, starting with the Roar of Time, which stopped everything.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAYqaOCE1dxw
For the first time, Piravit and Chrono worked together to fight the Timebreaker Noelani.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAETuTlGB0kP
They landed hit after hit to damage the Timebreaker, and when the time returned, Noelani, in pain, screeched another horrid song.
420Please respect copyright.PENANA7zFYzZPNhY
More rain rushes to the ground. Chrono had to stop time once again to relieve the pressure of the rain.
420Please respect copyright.PENANA7XitkQqWKo
"This will not end well. We have to go back in time and try again...but..."
420Please respect copyright.PENANArcgUfBtI0B
"What?"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAiumE6En3ms
"We'll have to move even quicker to avoid repeating this."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAKk6yOPWUbN
420Please respect copyright.PENANAu3O0ip8xRY
"...I can do that."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAvT4UnPZBxs
420Please respect copyright.PENANAbIcUeZcfyD
"Good."
420Please respect copyright.PENANA49TofHu9Z4
With a similar roar, time itself began to slow, then repeat itself in reverse. Catherine had barely any time to blink before they were back at her dorm, but this time, she had no time to stall.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAntYrvzgS2r
She threw open the door, where Chrono appeared by her side. Catherine and Chrono sprinted towards the opening rift of time. Rain began to pour again.
420Please respect copyright.PENANADHT5QmKd6s
"At least it's not as bad as was before.."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAd8n20Qs5io
"We just have to stop Noelani before she manages to fully insert herself into the Human Realm.."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAgO9wTVlzYC
Chrono, in his normal form, stops time once again.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAu7LUZIJNW5
"Hurry Catherine! Run as quickly as possible! Get as close as you can!"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAxowbWJ1017
"What the hell? Why aren't you coming with me?!"
420Please respect copyright.PENANANAmi23bd35
"I'll tell you later! Just please, go!"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAalK3zijtVJ
Catherine, concerned and a bit afraid, pulled herself together and calls on the powers of the Phasing Dragon, letting the cyan flames envelope her hands.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAauGqJRe6Al
Within seconds, Catherine pulls punch after punch, kick after kick, getting in as much damage as possible.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAgXlma91X2b
Chrono's time stop began to fade away, as the strain was beginning to be too much. Chrono's next move was to run as fast as he can to Catherine to aid her.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAocuAaOpBYQ
Catherine had just been blown away with the small gust that the hurricane had brought.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAuoxwdWxANw
Catherine's face, arms and legs were covered in dirt and scrapes.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAqEMRgZI3fh
"Ow..." she stands up and turns to Chrono as a slight annoyed look flew across her face. "What the hell are you standing there for!?"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAkqmQ9OpPt6
Chrono fumbles with a secret satchel that he had stored for events like this. He then pulls out a dagger, the blade's shape zigzagged like the thunderbolts flickering among the sky.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAhZOyRx6la4
"Quick! Catch!" Chrono then slides the blade closer to her. "Infuse your energy into that blade! It's the only thing I have that could possibly stop her!"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAj8prxRUSsg
Catherine swipes it from the moist ground, as cyan energy began forming a longer blade around the original one.
420Please respect copyright.PENANArMZqN6CHPo
Catherine's face became stern with determination.
420Please respect copyright.PENANA9kb2iljA8W
"Now Noelani...get the hell out of here!"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAWLYudRlhOI
She runs as fast as she can with hilt in hand and begins to throw the sword, but as soon as she let it go.
420Please respect copyright.PENANA1wWFRq5MOz
It pierced flesh, but not from who she was hitting.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAM5DaBpacCk
Nathaniel immediately staggers while the others began to roll up to his side.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAGL3W60jSAJ
"Nathaniel! A-Are you okay?" Isabelle cries.
420Please respect copyright.PENANArslTLhriKF
"I am fine, Isabelle." Nathaniel slowly begins to pull the blade from his shoulder.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAxa3u0iXkbc
"Nate, don't! You'll bleed out!"
420Please respect copyright.PENANALymTN2HnKr
"I will survive until that happens..."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAxli8rHCh3w
The dagger was torn out as Nathaniel drops to his knees. When the other Prodigies tried to get him back to his feet, he refused their attempt to help.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAgvsfe93LbH
"Sorry for being late. We didn't realize something was wrong until just now..."
Kenzo said, using his chains to protect himself from the rain.
420Please respect copyright.PENANA3qrMwYGg2o
Catherine takes the now bloodied blade from the ground in front of Nathaniel, reactivating the cyan blade.
420Please respect copyright.PENANASGlq8Z97Ig
The Prodigies, now reunited, take a fighting stance.
420Please respect copyright.PENANASAzv5VD2fl
Noelani cocks her head in curiosity, then with a song, the pouring rain became a light drizzle.
420Please respect copyright.PENANA6DfGeMfliA
"...She's giving us a fair fight." Arsenio says, pushing his hands into his pocket.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAkPQLCibykB
"Like she had a chance. She's still outnumbered, one to five!" Kenzo states, pulling out his chained scythes.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAeJRmiKztQc
That's when Verna's voice yelled from behind.
420Please respect copyright.PENANA9iKHwOsyp1
"Don't lower your guard!"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAuVUoQbwkC5
"V-Verna?"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAOUiZwu88Js
"T-Tempus: Cessatio!"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAXkD31K1TAE
That's when time stops, including the Prodigies.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAMgFmSIzMDE
The Timekeeper floats closer to the group, pushing them aside, but too focused on her students to notice, she accidentally returns time to normal..
420Please respect copyright.PENANAdfTPEwP3Kz
Suddenly, a strong barrage of thunderbolts began stomping down towards Verna, each bolt becoming even more stronger and painful than the last.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAAEB5J1YWRd
With each strike, Verna gets more hurt until her golden white hair is completely disheveled.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAOjMwCJHJRy
Verna ends up on her knees, staring into space.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAOkHLrt8rFi
"No...no...you can't...be serious..." Catherine whispered in disbelief.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAalarBrilxy
The rain had completely stopped. As her body struggled to breathe, Verna looked to the sky with tears welling in her eyes.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAnMfrOLw2Pw
"Prodigies..thank you..."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAZTvYBLFpx0
Verna gave them a small smile, knowing that her life wouldn't be the same.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAqX2vuHalB8
"I've done the last thing I wanted to do for myself...dying protecting the Prodigies I tried tirelessly to train and grow fond of."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAYWNRYaYqhu
Verna's face turns to sadness as she begins to look at the darkness in front of her.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAqQyWePFZaS
"...I wish we could've stayed together a little longer...I never really got to know you five...personally.."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAmUJcxCWJSD
She blinks her tears away.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAB2D4u8n3Go
Noticing the golden white cracks in her skin, Verna calls out a name to atmosphere above.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAuf80gHP1yS
"...Eran..."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAlvTHbXpo7o
The Prodigies were extremely confused, but stood frozen in place.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAz10OjsZki7
"... I'm coming back...don't worry...I'll be there, I promise..."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAjCnGLJWJdd
Catherine couldn't stay quiet any longer.
420Please respect copyright.PENANA4BykyqlhbC
"Who the hell is-"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAOAWHeN8hoc
Nathaniel holds her back.
420Please respect copyright.PENANATOWZvjrcjk
"...Now is not the time for your remarks, Catherine..."
420Please respect copyright.PENANADLS2iRQ3RX
"You know what, I'm sick and damn tired of you, Nathaniel!"
420Please respect copyright.PENANA7x9M6qcD61
"Me?"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAJITYZWDCtU
"Ever since we've met, you've been the sharpest thorn in my side!"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAz3fMqkd5fO
"P-P-Prodigies..." Verna interrupted her rant. "There's n-no need to fight...I know you're confused and scared, but don't put that on your peers..."
420Please respect copyright.PENANA7s5VK5p3kU
Her face continues to shatter like glass.
420Please respect copyright.PENANADpZSr8mbTp
"I know someone who can help... you'll have to trek a dangerous path, but I know you five together will make it to him..."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAZh22IkAQ9P
She pulls the watch shakily, pulling out a folded sheet of paper, handing it to Catherine. Shattered pieces clattered to the ground as she knelt down even more.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAWfhFk8DgnX
"A-And Prodigies...one more thing..."
420Please respect copyright.PENANA4gikVEvRSZ
A dazzling light began to envelope Verna as the Prodigies reach out to her. The last of her tears trickle down her cheeks as she muttered out her last words.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAhJtftlI3oX
"...Don't give up. Fix the Fabric of Time, even if it takes a lifetime.."
420Please respect copyright.PENANABMqQNoXapK
She takes the watch from her neck and hands it to Nathaniel, who took it with hesitation.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAe4yytutMEz
"I'm leaving the power of stopping time to you Nathaniel..."
420Please respect copyright.PENANADfFCIuAFuw
Catherine and the others stood back as fear and solemn struck their hearts.
420Please respect copyright.PENANA0a1TiqJVHp
Her skin...became that of porcelain, the final word she spoke forever plastered into a cold statue of death.
420Please respect copyright.PENANA0huSn4Ua0j
A warm light floated above it, but as soon as hope seemed to fill the Prodigies, Noelani swiped it from the air, before looking at the five with a stern look.
420Please respect copyright.PENANARM4Qprb7y2
"N-No! Wait!" Catherine attempted to stop her.
420Please respect copyright.PENANA4xT6WnyjDS
The siren ignored her attempt though, and returned to the warp she came from, leaving the street a flooded mess, and the Prodigies with Verna's soulless statue.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAYldgLYomHS
Catherine could see Nathaniel grip the watch that Verna had gifted him. It's rims reflected the now shining sun's light, but no matter how bright the sun was, it wouldn't stop the somber shadow that cast upon the spirits of the Prodigies.
420Please respect copyright.PENANANWHghojMhi
***
420Please respect copyright.PENANAHM9IxwFNr0
It was days after, and the Prodigies, still stricken with grief, split up to their own Time Periods.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAeVw7G0LegD
Catherine was back at home, helping Talia with her studies and hanging out with her.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAVsshvHPjWC
That's when a time warp opens with the other four Prodigies returning to her side.
420Please respect copyright.PENANARnOGAF9y9x
Nathaniel wore the Timekeeper watch around his neck, holding his original watch in his hand.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAgS0D1AmLWN
Arsenio was carrying Isabelle as she slept, with Ezra watching him like a hawk.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAH3doXtgCSb
"Hey guys..." Catherine says, slumping back in the cushion of her couch.
420Please respect copyright.PENANABk700XfA1H
"...It is time to leave."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAGaJXNc4iau
Nathaniel says this while placing his watch on the table, motioning her to return to the Sanctuary with them.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAdFgSyP0IEW
"Talia, if you ever want to join us, just put on the watch, alright?" Kenzo states with a small smile.
420Please respect copyright.PENANA2V8I7O0Fn0
Talia glances at the watch, then the group.
420Please respect copyright.PENANA1Qxk7ebbVl
"I'll think about it.."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAAjlUBDPLJW
Catherine stands up from her seat, placing a hand on Talia's shoulder.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAdE2IihNz6A
"Think about it before you decide on this. Don't come along just because. Things are bound to happen where we're going."
420Please respect copyright.PENANA23RKq7vVim
"Things like?"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAaYLzftScdu
"I don't even know if we'll all survive. Verna said it's a dangerous place.."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAKpbSmd9qTw
Talia nods. "Alright..."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAfPD7FT9nqB
Catherine looks behind her as the other Prodigies slowly push their way back to the Time Realm, then follows behind. The warp closes behind her.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAxMNfE3U1EL
Back at the Sanctuary, the stuffy air of tension kept them from speaking to one another, so when Kenzo stood up, looking quite annoyed, it startled the rest.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAFVIuW2z0yr
"We shouldn't stay quiet like this! We need to prepare for our journey!"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAPCIVZEUwsI
"W-what?" Isabelle said, more tired than ever.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAmyrROHQATQ
"If we just sit here without doing anything to avenge Verna or fixing the Fabric of Time, what are we Prodigies for?"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAotGrlssOVJ
"I don't think you've noticed, but-" Arsenio began to say.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAdUIiipsSdT
"I know what I've noticed, Arsenio. We need to get up. Right now."
420Please respect copyright.PENANABf3Y2aZRAW
Slowly but surely, every Prodigy stood up.
420Please respect copyright.PENANA5m2vNtbsiN
"Nathaniel, you're the leader. You tell us what we need to do next."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAeXigOUPaQw
Nathaniel calmly dusts himself off and clears his throat, before directing the other Prodigies.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAHBRNL7YZpd
"We leave at dawn." He says with his back turned, before perching on the ceiling beam to read a book. The other Prodigies left to their own hobbies, Isabelle, Arsenio, and Ezra all taking a time warp to another place, and Kenzo silently leaving the Sanctuary.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAXyPolW0QIQ
Catherine decided this was the perfect time to mess with Nathaniel. She tries to jump up as similarly to him as possible, only to slip when she stepped higher.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAsEFZ2b2Y3u
Nathaniel was just about to flip to the next page when he noticed Catherine's struggle. He rolls his eyes and pulls her up, before leading her to the other nook which was similar to his.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAKVxFMnmPYc
Before she climbed to the other end, she snatched the book from his hands and began flipping through the pages.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAynyhunaQdk
"Whatcha reading Nathaniel?"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAtBpoAwgAzh
"Return that book to me, Catherine."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAje8Te10nTl
She mischievously giggled and continued to suspend herself by her legs while she continues to scan the book.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAw2NN1geTir
"Catherine.."
420Please respect copyright.PENANADPAYNkw2bC
"It doesn't seem that interesting."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAZf7GoQ2XQG
"Everyone has their tastes..."
420Please respect copyright.PENANALU5SzMTVTZ
"Well, I can't understand it. I think it's in French."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAEoTZikAC50
"It is. That is my first language."
420Please respect copyright.PENANA3lXpyFVdTd
She hands him back the book. "That's cool, I guess.."
420Please respect copyright.PENANA8PRrv5VUwm
She climbs to the other ceiling beam, uncomfortably sitting in it's corner.
420Please respect copyright.PENANA1tlMji7sNV
"How the hell do you sit like this? This is super uncomfortable..."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAydxWpQ4FZX
"Thou does not have to keep thine feet on the perch as well. If thou happens to fall-"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAIlzRt8jJVN
"I've got it. While we're here, let's teach you some modern English so you can stop speaking in Shakespeare."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAwWtMLwC49Y
Her change of subject changed so quickly, Nathaniel couldn't keep track of what she was saying.
420Please respect copyright.PENANA1Zay3jjidb
"Pardon?"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0eLlyo7FA
She sits horizontally to the perch, facing towards Nathaniel.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAqCOeot5ie1
"It's really easy, we just have to change a couple words. Instead of thou, you'd say you, and thine would be yours."
420Please respect copyright.PENANA61VlwtNl7i
"...Why change my dialect if you-"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAjsnZ0FI3Wr
Nathaniel stops. He realized Catherine had already brainwashed him into speaking modern English.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAU2qtTOvjR4
"See? You'll be speaking like us in no time!"
Catherine laughed.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAi4rI3YkqVo
Nathaniel scowled at her half- jokingly. "You witch... you have tricked me."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAMVBeVHjGTF
He noticed how easily the words easily slipped from his tongue. Nathaniel tries to keep himself from speaking any further.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAnIX9MlLt5Y
"I knew you could do it. Good job Nate."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAKVLTruAwy1
Nathaniel couldn't choose if he wanted to be angry with Catherine, frustrated with himself, or astonished at how easily he learned.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAJyAUa0ckTJ
He succumbed to the dilemma, silently sticking his nose back into his book. Catherine jumps from the height of the near ceiling, bouncing onto her bed.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAx2S6mkhUKF
"Time well spent, eh Nathaniel?"
420Please respect copyright.PENANATEzzuyM0vp
He stays silent.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAEya4kosjEn
She lays back, taking a deep sigh of relief.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAYDNtJgngB1
"Y'know, you're not too bad after all. To think you were some pompous prick.."
420Please respect copyright.PENANA2ycQPZWif7
"I am glad you think that way.." He says, flipping again to another page.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAwZZhWPXs0C
The tension started to pile again.
"... About the thing I said...that day..."
420Please respect copyright.PENANATukWhUokVe
"What about it?"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAy6Tcnyav7g
"I don't feel like I really meant that. When I'm angry, I lash out at other people...it helps me calm down, I guess?"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAsiEkWL7mbf
She leans up to look Nathaniel in the face.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm sorry..."
420Please respect copyright.PENANA4DIAVeMBtH
Nathaniel darts his eyes towards her.
"It is...fine. It was a stressful situation, after all."
420Please respect copyright.PENANACSJUTieUvR
That's when a time warp appeared. Arsenio, Isabelle, and Ezra all walked through it, all holding a drink in hand.
420Please respect copyright.PENANALTOYgtQDQ4
"You two are still here?" Ezra asks, head turned to one side in confusion. "I thought you and Kenzo would be out there together..."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAGnvgFbO6NS
"A-Are you two alright?"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAhXzPNKrHSE
"Uhh...yeah. We're just having small talk, I guess.." Catherine looks at the bubble tea the three had in their grip.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAQf5LF6VQi6
"Whatcha got there?"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAlodZSuonra
Arsenio takes a drink before answering.
"Just bubble tea. They said they wanted one of their own, so I went to buy them one.."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAdpXLNvp5L8
Isabelle nods, proving what Arsenio said was fact.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAQShYm4dPax
"I-It's very delicious..."
420Please respect copyright.PENANA9C4V6fdLfZ
Arsenio drinks again from his own beverage.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAVDuUHCFMol
"Where's Kenzo?"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAGYMiP49JEW
"I dunno, he left at the same time as you three."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAY59fbJWBRz
"He'll be b-back, I'm sure of it.."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAxMSfzaYD8y
"Yeah, that goofball always comes back somehow.."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAmNevuBVbzF
As if on cue, Kenzo slowly opens the door to the Sanctuary.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAUWxWmQAYOh
"Are we ready to leave?" Kenzo asks. "Why are you guys standing?"
420Please respect copyright.PENANAvHThqpMgpH
"No, neither mentally nor physically. We were just talking." Nathaniel states.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAUqWavdh8D6
"Oh..."
420Please respect copyright.PENANA4d8txza2Jp
"But we should sleep either way. If we want to be well rested, that is." Ezra says.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAGR5GIe5c8T
"Then it's settled." Kenzo states. "Let's head to bed."
420Please respect copyright.PENANAxL0V2fH4Pp
All five Prodigies prepare for bed. Only the day had things to bring to them.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAyonDx31HkS
Sleep consumed the Prodigies almost as much as their fear and nervousness. Were they all going to survive by the time they get to the top? Who was this friend of Verna and how will they help them bring back her soul?
420Please respect copyright.PENANAiJw28I9ouJ
These were questions scrambling around in the Prodigies head as they held their eyes shut.
420Please respect copyright.PENANAQF1FLF6EVs
To be continued in Prodigy: Casters of Time Chapter 6
420Please respect copyright.PENANAeyVZ5QUTe2
420Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3gj7JhZk9
420Please respect copyright.PENANAq0rQ82BTNA