
Catherine was just finishing unpacking her old stuff from her parents' home to a fresh apartment. She was finally going to that university she and her parents were waiting for her to go to.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA19Fjb2ao6i
She moves things through her "living room", adjusting the dresser to be against the wall and placing her dusty family photos on it. After a bit more shuffling and placing, she sits down on her puffy couch and turns on the TV to her favorite show.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAcGd6Yqr8nV
"Finally done..." she sighed.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA0lr1ffoqmk
Then she remembers the gift her grandparents had left her for the graduation party. Catherine told herself not to open it until she got to her apartment, but now that she was here, her curiosity finally broke her, causing her to snatch the box from the table beside her and rip open the wrapping paper.
501Please respect copyright.PENANALEAKdzgygM
She slowly opened the box, and the only thing that was inside, was a brilliantly golden watch that sparkled when she rocked the box from side to side. There was also a note, written in her grandmother's handwriting.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAQVExySZVBE
You have been selected as a Prodigy. Use that watch well, and have a wonderful time at university.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAHnAl9T7TKe
"Prodigy?" She read the note over and over, trying to make sense of it. What was a Prodigy?
501Please respect copyright.PENANAlgXFHdRQwD
She turned the card to the other side. More writing, it's seemed like directions.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAJD2RlkIyAN
In the dead of night
Tap on the inside
Drag forward or back
Close your eyes and hold your breath
501Please respect copyright.PENANA8TotkAa1di
Her cellphone started to vibrate. She picks up the phone, and holds it up against her ear.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAFoPdSFWDwH
"Hello?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANANFVF92kFhT
"Cathie!" It was Talia, her friend from high school. Her eyes lit up when she heard her voice.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAVaVGpUtztS
"Tal? It's been a while. How's everything doing on your end?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAjtFAlTctOr
"Good. Still working on getting my stuff ready to move out, how about you?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAfrCMvGHzWg
"Traffic was slow as hell, but I have most of my stuff in the apartment. I have to go to the storage place tomorrow and get the rest.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAitURyiS1nV
"I could help you. We can meet up tomorrow and go together."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAXkdFI6B0Oe
"Awe, thanks," she said, twirling the golden streak of her hair. "I can go after I finish class for the day, show you this pretty watch my grandparents bought me."
501Please respect copyright.PENANATk9a9aLe39
"Ooh, a watch?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAx8oj5G9EpT
"Yeah. Also came with this weird note. Something like directions?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAtmn4n2dWf8
"Weird. Your grandparents didn't say anything about it?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAkB3op057sU
"No, I'm just opening the box, and you're the first person to call me.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAfsiqSKspTz
"I dunno, maybe follow the directions and see what happens. Maybe it's how to get it set or something?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA7Khb4gQL8O
Catherine looked back down at the clock, realizing it hadn't moved an inch since she'd open the box.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAtXoDiCplgI
"You actually might be right, it's not moving...like at all."
501Please respect copyright.PENANA0PEn2ZWOY8
"I thought so. I'll let you concentrate on that and I'll call you back, okay?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAaDUEVoeW1p
"... Okay. See you later."
501Please respect copyright.PENANASaN6bMaV8h
"Bye!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAxNoal9P09r
...She looked out the window. The sky was bleeding orange through her curtains. Now was the perfect time to see what she what these instructions really did.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAlFdGpd2xh9
She tapped the middle of the clock as instructed. She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and slides her fingertip counterclockwise.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA5olXfrI4ye
A wave of wind blew past her hair and almost knocked her down.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA3U7uA1gDIO
"What the-"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAvBZvjHHkFx
She reaches for the window to shut it from this hurricane blowing the papers in her room, until she realized. There was no way wind could be blowing past her. The window was closed.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAjYXuuLNDUM
Catherine was even more confused now, frantically looking around to figure out what was happening. She could see the air around her warp into faces and memories of the past. Her living room shimmered a dim and faded blue. There was a blinding light, calling her to come closer.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAHrq3lPKxsB
"Holy crap..." she said underneath her breath. "I guess I'm supposed to...go in?"
She takes a step towards it, the sound of the now shattered floor crackling beneath her feet. Then, she carefully walked towards the light.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAOwdNSOcksA
It felt as if she walked past a doorframe.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAxSxiUenKSm
"Grandma, Grandad, what the hell did you get me into..?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA7ul5vRyzfL
Catherine was outside, a large wall in the distance and music playing. Swaying next to her was a thin tree bearing large apples on almost every branch.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAiejC5D1xYk
"...Well, if I'm gonna stay here forever, I might as well get a snack..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAen5nhwNZif
Forcefully, she started to kick and ram into the tree, causing something larger than a couple apples fall out. At least a big one fell right beside her.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAlsyZ1NYaQz
"I hope that wasn't a dead body..." she half jokes, taking a bite of her newly obtained snack.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA3UVMu2TqoE
It was a body, but he was very much alive.
501Please respect copyright.PENANApGe9DtUI4g
"A very comical jester thou are..." He says with clenched teeth as he gets up.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAeESvrJBF2A
She almost choked on the bite she was chewing on.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAhihcEaTSOG
"Jesus Christ!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAaO8ydjmtYh
"...Art thou okay?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAfgKd0be9iu
"You could've told me you were in that stupid tree!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA5VLUuom0Do
"I was asleep..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAksBXQnMVK9
"...Who the hell sleeps in a tree?!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAUEg4qvQ470
"...I shall ask again..art thou okay?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAsm8Oo7waz7
"I don't even know where I am!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAK5L5R0JHHX
"...I see.." The boy takes a look at Catherine's watch, which was swinging around her neck, only to for Catherine to jump to conclusions and slap him as hard as hard as she could.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAa45BxhgKw4
"What's your problem?!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAGXfFopSsWQ
"I was admiring your clock. I have no interest in you."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAtwcx81hAAW
He pulls a golden chain from his garments and revealing another sparkling golden watch, identical to her own.
501Please respect copyright.PENANApraoud5VqF
"My name is Nathaniel. It seems thou art also a Prodigy..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANANEles9vyft
"Prodigy?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAaiXgxuPxQP
"A Prodigy is a time traveler and protector of Time itself. This ability is gifted to one of Prodigious blood before them."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAi6vtuPLtBm
This was so unbelievable to her, but to be honest, so had everything else.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA55julLcjlF
"Well, if I'm freely able to time travel, I should be able to get back home, right?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAmZU1YZtOxJ
"...No, not necessarily. If thou go to a time too far, thou won't have enough Tempural Energy to go back to thine own. Thou will need to travel to a closer time.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAqg6uJuRJnu
"Does that mean I'm stuck with you?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA0OrXmCwJQj
"If thou wants to survive, thou might want to stay with me."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAsKafmFcdgM
"I can't tell if you're being sincere or a damn creep.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAl3h1zUJYFO
He creates a sword from nowhere and places it's deathly sharp edge close to her throat.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA7DxKTS8efh
"Does thou want to die here from starvation?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA0RbmwFGxVZ
"Are you seriously going to kill me if I don't go with you?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANARRjHJOh27c
"No, that was for attempting to insult me.."
He lets it go, where it fades away into metallic dust, pulling her up.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAOJZk4e1AU1
"Now, if thou wants to survive, I would suggest you follow me.." he says walking away.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAJgPV6MsUmX
"Fine. But do something weird and I'll beat the hell out of you."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAhH1PSCbvfh
"We must be far aroint from the commoners. We mustn't expose ourself."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAGmgf4jVL1Q
"Yeah yeah, secret organization and whatnot. Just hurry up so I can go home,"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA7i405hQZnM
Nathaniel, with his own watch, does the same movements. The time warp appears, brilliantly blue and whispering just as before.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAjW0JwFVjUG
"Ladies first..." He leads Catherine inside.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAJibavYkNqE
"Ugh.." she stomps into the warp, dragging him by the cravat with her.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAF3PE78jiEH
This new time period. It was definitely more industrial, and in the front of them was an worn, abandoned mansion, the windows covered by wooden planks.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAPPWSgIRxfH
"...Maybe it's better looking indoors?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAQs1pGKFyWs
Catherine walks up to the menacing house, but as soon as she knocked on the splintered door, it creaked open.
501Please respect copyright.PENANALt6xeaXxar
"...Come on Nate, door's open."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAagARUtD7rk
"Nate?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAMKbk7qbiJ8
"It's a nickname. Just hurry up."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAOhlSmykzAG
"Why don't thou go by thyself?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA9dihDRGvQA
"Because. You have weapon powers. What if this place is full of gangsters or something?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANADgIgnugdFZ
"Fine...however, I shan't be responsible for thou."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAKp0PHkhSCf
"Just shut up and come in."
501Please respect copyright.PENANA8LcUtNt7w1
The walk across the wooden floor,9 screeching every step they took.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA1NKWSIaPaL
"What does thou plan to find?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANArJqFWauq0t
"We can stay here for the night, and we get out the next morning."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAZoV21ipDXV
"In this rodent infested place?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANArQ6cFzl0sr
"It's better than outside, isn't it?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAWUPtCBVgy0
They hear another creaking door from somewhere from above the crooked stairs.
Suddenly realizing someone was here, they hid behind a dusty, dingy, couch.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAjSrTSBJvX6
Shaky footsteps follow.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAtdF3OCmZe4
"E-Ezra?" A girl's soft voice echoed. She flicks on the barely functioning lights, only slightly brightening the room enough to see.
501Please respect copyright.PENANApBT24gs8oq
Just before the girl could come towards them, Nathaniel jumps up and chokeholds her. The girl appropriately screams, struggling to break free.
501Please respect copyright.PENANARwFUfsis6i
"Nathaniel, what the hell?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA9mb22pBfd6
"If she wants to survive, she'll stop screaming."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAvSOHP5f0jP
Catherine sees the girl reaching for something from her back pocket...
501Please respect copyright.PENANAGZf2VpmRTL
The girl takes her object and jams it into his arm, allowing herself to escape. Nathaniel pulls the object, a pair of scissors, out of his arm.
501Please respect copyright.PENANALwLm1Jt1sK
"H-How did you get here? Who are you?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAoRy38juYju
Catherine slowly gets up from her kneeling position. "The door was open when we knocked. We didn't break-...well, we did, but we thought it was abandoned..."
The front door swings open. An older woman runs in and throws Nathaniel and Catherine out of the way.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAwZlWBkmSCY
"E-Ezra!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAaxXL1UROpF
"Isabelle! Are you alright?!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAS1JAfCD8Lf
"I'm o-okay,"
501Please respect copyright.PENANASE1pUIbqNu
"Good, good.." The woman, supposedly named Ezra, lets her go. She turns to the two, her expression changes from a caring mother figure to a ball of rage.
501Please respect copyright.PENANALX7APqw366
"What...are you doing here?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAaF3mbiIx5a
"We just wanted a place to stay for the night.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAQrqA5kVVwz
"And you think attacking my sister is a reason why I should let you stay?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANADHGWFs6lHY
"We thought the place was-"
501Please respect copyright.PENANApQkgMfRPYp
Ezra pulls out a knife and points it towards Catherine's neck.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA9DyouPvR17
"... Isabelle?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAHBxatrfILi
"Mhm?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANANhrRKYaRWp
"What should we do?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAB8qKuVbBkL
"...If t-they need a p-place to stay...I don't mind letting them stay in my room.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANARMmC52YfsN
"...You're too sweet." She removes the knife and slips it back into her bag. "Show them upstairs. Scream if anything happens."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAfd12LWlUVa
Isabelle nods carefully hops up the stairs and disappears into the shadows of the dimmed house.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAHbHH8PqhrB
The duo carefully follows her. Isabelle grabs the stairs to the attic.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAWwUVIj4TEa
"Damn, you live in the attic?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA8Jyu0wy6XU
"It's very spacious up here..." she responds, carefully climbing up.
501Please respect copyright.PENANApgygMys552
Isabelle was right, the attic was extremely spacious, but that space was filled row to row with porcelain dolls.
501Please respect copyright.PENANApaJH5OHkSn
Catherine hated the things, their uncanny faces and glassy eyes intimidated her. She carefully walked up, the attic emitting a stuffy, but aromatic mist upon her face. That didn't stop her from cringing at the collection, though.
501Please respect copyright.PENANACR20uD8ugt
"I found them when we moved here..." Isabelle stated, her voice a slight echo. "My little sister loved them, so I fixed them for her to play with.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAB3cTBMjXHZ
"If you don't mind me asking..." Catherine started. "Where is she now?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA87VUNQidLj
Isabelle went silent. "I d-don't want to t-think about it..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAt4q6kIBmZD
Isabelle then sits in her lofty bed, in the more immense part of the attic. Dolls and stuffed animals decorated the
501Please respect copyright.PENANAqQLZxgUDB4
The two Prodigies sit down on the wooden floor next to it.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAGF7TJSVhPL
"You d-don't have to sit on the floor."
501Please respect copyright.PENANApwVgCEXok4
"I mean, this guy sleeps in trees like a goddamn sloth, so maybe the floor is an improvement.." Catherine quipped. Nathaniel angrily stares in response.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAaN4yf0ej5F
"A-anyways..." Isabelle interrupts. "How did you two get here?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAokcNv4Vdrh
"If the Tempural Energy brought us here..." Nathaniel thinks aloud.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAzHRrZeJ9Ic
"That means one of them is a Prodigy, right?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAe6AkAplKUN
"Most likely..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAH3T1PgFX2F
"P-Prodigy?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAPwutGqJV3g
They both pull out their golden watches. "You haven't seen a clock like these have you?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAlw5v5GMmpQ
"It seems...familiar..." Isabelle instantly gets up and rummages through a desk full of needles, thread, and fabric, when she stops and pulls out another identical watch from the drawer.
501Please respect copyright.PENANADWrnnXjzYp
"At first, I t-thought it was just a normal pocket watch my father had forgotten..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAQGmi1DEwUG
"Huh. Well, I guess that answers our question.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAujsds6VpAC
"S-so does that m-mean I can go with you two?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAo023iwq945
"Considering that your sister isn't too keen on letting us stay here in the first place, I don't think asking her is a good idea."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAxuWi1oiB6y
"D-do have to ask Ezra?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA3yQEejbKlM
"Ask me what?" the sound of the older sister's voice boomed throughout the attic.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAXH0t6qDiZd
Isabelle finally spoke up. "I-I want to go with them!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAS6uuun5Gyc
"...If that's what you're going to do.." she fully stands up from the opening. "then I'm going with you. Prodigious or not."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAD6rTJE0Kx1
"Would that even work?" Nathaniel asks.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAWlxxYqAXAQ
"It wouldn't h-hurt to t-try..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAgH5XeSh6F4
"...If thou insists.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAGj36PpwTNj
"But seriously, you three head to bed. I want sleep too."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAxAfpbRkK0O
"Okay..." Isabelle calls out. "Goodnight."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAHcoxbTtTEh
"Goodnight.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANA56M5Q9EdwZ
And with that, Ezra left the attic, sliding down the ladder with fading footsteps. Isabelle throws a couple blankets and pillows their way.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA8V3Yu6r8hs
Lights leak through the planks of the roof the mansion the next morning. The stuffy perfume was instantly overpowered by the smell of warm breakfast cooking downstairs. That was enough to wake the three of them.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAA3qPHYgOIx
"Good morning you two..." Catherine says, stretching the tired out her body.
501Please respect copyright.PENANApXgeqaBXD9
Nathaniel was already sipping a cup of coffee. "This drink is surprisingly...bitter.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAhY4VTa2A3x
"Well, you're supposed to drink with milk or sugar if you don't like it bitter."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAeskfoTGF5T
"I think w-we have some downstairs.." Isabelle informed, head slightly poking from out of her thick comforter and quilt. She then pulls the blankets off and steps out, stretching herself and stepping down to the floor. Catherine had seen something peek out from the opening behind Isabelle, just out of the corner of her eye.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAeJvY7Gs4zv
"Hey, Isabelle. I think one of your dolls is caught on your clothes.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAeeSCffVs28
"O-Oh? That's never h-happened before..." she reaches behind her. "I c-can't reach it.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAGWCpUlOSHl
Catherine sighs, walks over to the girl, and attempts to pull the plush cat, adorned with a creepy stitched grin, off of her back. But when she tugged, the thing angrily screamed and gripped tighter.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAC182PmcXOI
"What the hell?!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAZTGidgaZQR
"Hey hey hey!" the thing said with an angry tone. "Don't pull on me! You'll rip my fabric, you idiot!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAYuCG8sus4P
Catherine stepped back in astonishment.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAQRwEeFdFlF
"D-Dawlly?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANApTK8oejgVS
"Heya Izzy!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAYzsgLJN5Jv
"B-But..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAL1HFtxaNUi
"What? You think my memory died with your sister?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAiVlvf9823M
Isabelle starts to go slowly down the rest of the stairs, continuously asking the talking and asking the doll questions. Catherine followed behind, eavesdropping on their conversation.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAqZf5wSYF4E
"What are...you doing here?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAgKeGNERnId
"Apparently, I'm your new Gift! Look look!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAnV0AYicelX
Thin black thread ran between Isabelle's fingers, wrapping around her arms and up her neck.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAmOcc4aeHWW
"Pretty cool right?" the doll asked, smiling from ear to ear.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAbLT9PrYEq1
"...I need to wash the sleep from my face.." Isabelle runs like a bolt of lightning to another part of the hall. Catherine hears water running, a splash, whispering, another splash, whispering again.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAG7PKptx15X
"Isabelle, are you alright over there?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAaR1oQV0Yrz
"I-I'm fine!" she calls back.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA7JKWgdzE56
"Do you want me to come in?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA7CshixhODi
"N-No!"
Catherine shakes her head and walks towards the smell baked into the air.
501Please respect copyright.PENANASCc9FVMeTE
"Took you long enough." She places a plate next to an empty chair. "Where's Isabelle?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAovxVdaGpM1
"In the bathroom.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAgSZKENbMyy
Ezra leaves another plate and speedwalks to the bathroom door.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA9fjzWxMny2
"Isabelle-"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAlw2B18nbTY
"J-Just a minute.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAhAUgGHaGVA
The door opens, and Isabelle scrambles to pull down her sleeves.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAstLQs6ZmAV
"...Did something happen?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAUkOZmcKxdM
Isabelle softly shakes her head no.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAH4pyqnj50W
The doll's piercing, scraping voice suddenly entered the room.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAZkBGud79xN
"She's lying. She's trying to hide me!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAhmUywnQfez
"N-no! G-go a-away!" Isabelle was holding her head inside her hands as more thread spilled from her sleeves.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAQ26tbazItC
"Don't get too frustrated. Don't want you to go insane and start stabbing people again, right?" the toy chuckled.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAiOuOkNdoAj
"W-what?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAiuxUn0eQYE
"I don't know what you are, but stop messing with her." Ezra said sternly.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAxneENZM4LY
"You don't want to attack me either. I'm attached to her soul now, and you won't like her when I make her angry~!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAPdDcRFGysJ
"Let her go, asshole!" Catherine yelled.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA3JOXvdwlkj
"Wow, such vulgar language! I wonder how many words you can say after she sews your damn mouth shut!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAsbxNUQ3oa0
"Try it, prick!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA6JUyZFUJus
"Oooh, okay!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANApC2EY28cxy
Isabelle's expression changed from fear to anger in seconds, her scared mumbling to angered growls.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAlKymB4il68
"Isabelle?" Ezra slowly tries to approach.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAOBl3fk2drN
Isabelle reaches for her back pocket once again.
501Please respect copyright.PENANASX9xLR67jA
"Move! She's got a-" Catherine pushes Ezra out of the way, taking the jab from Isabelle's scissors.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAxwpUgzcDwN
"See? I told you!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANArcJsukA6dF
"Shut up.." Catherine says, holding the shoulder wound.
501Please respect copyright.PENANASYr1hwa2NA
"Isabelle, that's enough." Nathaniel says, approaching her. "Or... maybe she's in the doll's control?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA0Kfh0qIhHp
"Damn straight! And that's only a portion of what I can do!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAVKtLmQ8BpG
"I see.." Nathaniel states, showing his own Gift. A large, metal, thorn shaped shield adorned his right arm, sharp enough to cut the air around it.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAMlk6ysL2Ku
"Catherine, I would like it if thou take her dearest sister to safety."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAkFuXQxFUL2
"Alright, but I'm coming back. Ezra, let's go."
501Please respect copyright.PENANASAFBSlhCK0
"...Be careful with her, Nathaniel."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAW6MzHpV2Sw
"...I shall try."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAhFsfIFlv9B
The two run out of the mansion, only barely able to hear the sounds of things clattering to the floor.
501Please respect copyright.PENANATL8vmvLKQP
"I'll be back, hopefully with your sister."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAMebxpNzfdN
"Please..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANANFoJtILpSs
Catherine runs back into the now destroyed house.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAT5UWG5JJQY
"Awe, Cathie's back!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA3D8V9i8KQX
Catherine takes a glance at Nathaniel, scratches from the scissor jabs and slashes all over him and his shield-spear.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAZCBOTGuIhJ
"Isabelle is very formidable when angered.." he says in-between shallow breaths.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAixXDVewuIF
"Finally giving up, Nate?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAJrY6vCt7nx
"...Yes."
501Please respect copyright.PENANALeox3Y9ovS
"Good! Now..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAvMhxAi2lzM
Isabelle snaps back to her normal self, dropping the scissors.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA6iliC7YkiY
"Dawlly...never do that again..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAlzA1pxafqF
"How about this? I only do it when you need me to. I'll even ask, okay?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAQIIUyYrNMe
"...Only w-when I need to."
501Please respect copyright.PENANACndGZS8d0p
"You got it boss!" the doll disappears, slipping itself inside her pocket.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAcxDwHsVN5d
The three of them go outside, where Ezra makes sure Isabelle is okay. Isabelle assures her she's just fine.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA8xncd9wgWr
Catherine tapped her clock, pulled the hands forward, and the time warp opens.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA8OOOx1CtyG
"Well, let's see where this takes us. Hopefully, I can finally go home."
501Please respect copyright.PENANA2W7VUUTKES
"I-I've never d-done this before.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAdqoKL8kPeP
"It's like walking through the door. Nothing bad's gonna happen, alright?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA3ub25x9Osl
"O-okay.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAyIyf55mkTN
And with that small exchange of words, the four of them went through the time warp, but instead of a different Time Period like they were expecting, it was a small pocket dimension. And inside...was a giggly, eccentric white-faced jester, covered in makeup and vibrant colored clothing.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA5yHUeuDpGy
"Oho! Visitors visitors!" it said, jumping up and down.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAxEv929BCu3
"Oh great.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAZDM5k7NIb6
"U-uhm..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANA6hl1y3IKJi
"What's the matter? Afraid of lil' old me?" it's crescent moon like smile only got wider. "I know plenty of games that'll get you nice and warmed up to me!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAZI5Wfvm5cL
"Games like what?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAR9QNEdJO9s
"Dodgeball perhaps?" he pulls out bells, three times as small as his spindly hands.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAWcIzZc0NkZ
"Those are...easily avoidable." Nathaniel says, taking a better look at them.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAQnchYS2C7p
Ohohoho! No, no, these are everything but avoidable!" the jester proclaimed. "Take a look and see!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAo0hSuA1OGd
The jester threw them behind himself. Then, a loud boom emanated from every corner. A burning ball of orange and red roared behind. "So, let's get playin', shall we?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAFsVfartpAq
"I'm afraid not.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAbjWqMYJOdV
"Yeah, you can't really play dodgeball with high grade explosives."
501Please respect copyright.PENANA0o8pDFPJEe
"Oho! I don't think you understood! That was an order..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANALjbcVJOs2o
"You, a jester, order me?" Nathaniel revealed his Gift.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAKbUIAIUFdE
"That's the rule of the game!" the jester throws the bomb from every angle it can with such agility, leaving the four to barely escape the explosions.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAxyfPVEqXVS
"This piece of crap isn't kidding!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA3e7icwa9IX
"I-I'll try to hold his arms b-back! Dawlly!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAeywuhauIfT
"Yeah yeah, I've got it." Dawlly took Isabelle's Gift, wrapping the thread around the jester's body.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAXwi6fMZqP7
"Oooooh, not fair, not fair!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAv5EaWcVS3X
"Shut the hell up, you almost killed us, you better believe it's fair." Catherine snapped, dusting the ash and gunpowder from her clothing.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAt42bkR9yok
"You rulebreakers must be punished!" A loud roar came from the jester's voice. They braced themselves.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAwOYbUu3sxm
"Tempus: Cessatio!" another voice called out. Suddenly, it felt as if time itself had stopped. Catherine and the others couldn't move. In their frozen state, they saw a woman, floating there in front of them. Going in front of their assailant, the woman tears a warm, brilliant light from the jester's chest, and slips it into her bag. She snaps her fingers, and suddenly...
501Please respect copyright.PENANA37bkilHv7r
The four of them grab ahold of their chest and faces, frantically trying to understand what happened.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAHQRkWzWuTd
"Hey hey hey, don't worry, I didn't do anything to you.." the woman states. "I just took Pierrot's Tempural Spirit."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAhSKDdSp0RQ
"Is that w-what that...warm light was?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA1dfgISwJmL
"Mhm. I'm glad I came at the right time, too. Can't be a teacher without students, right?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAdPzwKLh9AH
"Teacher? You mean to tell me I have to go to school here too?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANADQkpcvslRa
"Eh, somewhat. My name's Verna, by the way. I keep watch of the Time Realm while Father Time is away. Now, for your next mission..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANArXsD5CRYYN
"Mission? We literally almost got blown to smithereens by clown boy over there, don't you think we need a little bit of a break?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAN6GrKtDmDd
"Well, you still need one more Prodigy in order to reach your 'breakroom', so find him and come back, okay?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAPEEk53Cw29
"Uuugh, fine. We'll find the stupid boy and bring him back. Where are we headed? Past? Future?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANACtbKXyMYmG
"Future, now hop to it."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAx01mdmlBrG
"Alright, alright, but after this, I'm going home."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAg7Irjeqfmj
"If you so desire.." Verna gladly drags Pierrot to the time warp and chucks him in. "I'll see you guys later. Don't die."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAZQiaY1oWAY
Catherine hoped this was the last time she had to travel around. The after affects of it was starting to hit her, but nonetheless, she did the thing threw herself in, and...
501Please respect copyright.PENANAPpsvXRIjP9
Suddenly, she was surrounded my metal bars, and a dingy atmosphere.
501Please respect copyright.PENANALuvi3d3miB
"Ah, crap..." she grumbled. "...We're in prison.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAK1FLR0GRgd
"We shall split up. I go west, Isabelle and Ezra go east, and Catherine, thou go north."
Nathaniel states, pointing them in the right direction.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAheoHfPC83d
"Okay, splitting up inside a place like this is not a good idea.." Ezra returns.
501Please respect copyright.PENANATi1PqOszHL
"It is the only way we can cover ground. I'm sure you understand we're looking for someone in such a large facility."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAWYZ343zMsF
"If this was a horror movie, we'd be dead. If we split up, we get lost and can't get to the others if we need them." Catherine adds. "The best way is to go down to every four way, and try your plan. We go down each of the halls, if we don't find the guy, we come back, go down to the next four way, repeat."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAW4bfXgHgSa
"That's a b-bit complicated..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAGXxG23Xlth
"It's not as complicated as you think."
501Please respect copyright.PENANA29YasKy4PZ
"Yeah, let's try this one and see.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAHkGbakzM0V
They try it on the first four-way they come across, but all the cages in the halls were empty. They try the second one, same thing there. The third time, but to no avail.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAf3TexXKZH8
It was only after the fifth time when someone was found within these brick walls and metal bars.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAC0RVKxVLYH
"God, I hate this place. Why are we in prison, damnit?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAZLhGDmutHG
"Correction..." a boy's voice echoed. "I'm in prison. You're in a prison."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAdD92JCU81D
"Oh shut up, smarta-"
501Please respect copyright.PENANALGSzD8ixwm
For once she could finally feel the Tempural Energy reaching out to her, pointing her to the person they were looking for.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAlyqMb899Qz
"You. You're a Prodigy."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAsDya4D6uOd
"A what now?" He begins slinging around a golden blur.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAnEDLnrpRxi
"Whatcha got there?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAURSDhOwYyw
He stops twirling the thing around his finger. "It's a watch or something. I just liked the way it looked. I'm a bit of a kleptomaniac."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAeqAyrg80Z1
"So you stole it."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAltzn6xeeKl
"I'll take what I can get. Now, what's a wonderful looking lady such as yourself doing here?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAVds5yiV5wy
"Oi, d-don't flirt with me!" Catherine sputtered. "I'm here to get you, and then I'm going home, that's it, alright?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA4YO7MMQVTm
"I'd love to take you."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAKYiGr3dzL6
"...I hate that you'd love to take me. Now get up."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAjBic9H2PS2
"If I move any further than that doorframe, it shocks me. Unless you have a better idea, I'm staying right here."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAlEavNuAIO3
"If the problem is the doorframe, then I can just destroy it, right?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAo657wIze9u
"...If that's what you want to do."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAdPbEjLb8kM
"Do you have a stick or a bat or something?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA5jGqEnZPMG
"Nope, they confiscated my stuff before they threw me in here."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAk3LM34azbA
"Then I'll just break it by hand." Catherine states. She walks up to the bars, starts kicking at the bars to, at least, loosen them, but suddenly... she's on the other side.
501Please respect copyright.PENANANe8ksfBk4k
"What the hell?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA5ohuYI9B33
"Got anymore good plans, Einstein?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA1nkOaOQZze
"You shut up." She sternly commanded. "I'm trying to figure out how I got in here in the first place."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAZgQcRtbd9A
"From what I've seen, you just clipped right through. The bars didn't move a bit."
501Please respect copyright.PENANA6kks9IuA6n
"...Let me try-"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAhsi4XTuU3C
As if on cue, she falls through the floor, unaware of her newly obtained Gift. It was like swimming through water, as she gracefully glided through the solid rock floor. She peeks out from the floor, finally discovering her ability, Phasing.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAiT3r4SnML3
"Holy crap." she snickers. "I'm definitely pissing off Nate with this."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAOsiLKTtkT5
"Hey, you're not helping me out by plotting whatever you're planning."
501Please respect copyright.PENANA5i0ia2XerA
"Yeah yeah, give me a second."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAVP8dnLayUe
She slips back through the floor and back behind bars.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAxy7xdLj5ji
"I'm gonna be honest, I don't think this is going to work."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAE9ZYpmERkY
"Can't hurt to try though, right?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAKx4rBIpqDf
Catherine sighs. "Come on...try not to breathe."
501Please respect copyright.PENANA3aKrJw92Dl
She unwillingly grabs the guy's hand, and activates her ability. On the other side, she throws him out first, then climbs up after him.
501Please respect copyright.PENANApxT6D5WfhL
"Nice...I guess."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAwyiy9Ajihh
"Now, let's go. Please."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAZugKsmvEfV
"Finally."
501Please respect copyright.PENANA1wl2a308NQ
"Hey Nate! Isabelle! I found him!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAnxkZ5RzwiL
Catherine turns to the boy. "Put the stupid watch on...what's your name again?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANA1uhRyDt433
"Arsenio..." he letting the watch drop around his neck.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAUKvuriUN5s
"Alright, we just have to wait for the others."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAvfwdvfKcQO
"N-no need Catherine..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAkYN0iNU324
"Speak of the devil. Here they are."
501Please respect copyright.PENANATjcdMdnt0A
"H-Hello...my name is...Isabelle..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAA2aMA7JfqK
"Arsenio..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAMhOvQCG6ai
"N-Nice to meet you.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANA31UC03kgvr
"I haven't seen anyone for the last...five years. And two beautiful young ladies at that."
501Please respect copyright.PENANA0O29YKYekH
"Let's skip the pickup lines and get out of this place, please?" Catherine rushed. " I have classes tomorrow, and you people are wasting precious time."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAFDrF5nruVR
"Actually, you guys won't be staying home for long." Verna's voice echoed through the dingy halls. "I'm sure you'll miss your friends and family, but the Time Realm really needs your help.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAlSKnjnMiIb
Catherine groans. "I don't want to keep moving around different points in time! I'm getting sick just walking through the stupid portals and whatnot!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAHIIZzuliQs
"I understand, you want to go back to your normal lives, but without you, we basically have no concept of time at all."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAkog9vLGGoq
"...What else could you possibly need?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAcpmkvjzeuc
"I need you five to come with me.." Verna's usual bubbly tone grew stern and serious in a heartbeat as she opened another time warp, guiding them inside. They walk out the other side, to an almost heaven-like place.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAc9FxeIbYqC
"This...is the Time Realm. And over there...is the home of Father Time."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAnzvXTlA9uR
"What are we doing here, exactly?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAtPrh7rQzTa
"It's the Fabric of Time..." she almost mumbled. "It's ripping apart as we speak. Quickly, we mustn't waste time."
501Please respect copyright.PENANA2KDYDFUqGm
The Prodigies ran as fast as they could, following Verna to a secret room, and when she opened the door, the mess of what seemed to be the Fabric of Time floated within.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAQUfSfzegS6
"This is where we keep logs of events of the past and future, and without them, the events that helped become you will disappear and..."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAacJrf0SKyk
"So what can we do to fix it?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANASue7u14jMA
"The Timebreakers are probably a cause, pocket dimensions do tend to warp the timeline quite a bit. Stop them, and we might be able to mend it enough to solve the other part and heal it completely.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAduVXbODYbh
"And what happens if we don't?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAnCxeMkhU6w
"I'm afraid the concept of time would be lost. No night, no day, no anything, the world...no, the universe would be destroyed if there's space but no time."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAVfUaIac9S0
"So, mend the Fabric, and we can go home?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAuSXx0yVjaK
"Yes. If I could do this alone, I would."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAggCfqY5IHl
Before Catherine could speak her mind, Nathaniel comes up with an answer.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAhcMWzh6RXk
"Thou may rely on us."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAU1AOIs4rFr
"Nate!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAhXqZZuHhkn
"Would thou rather us die without trying?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANADs7tzcPPZV
"No, but have you seen what the stupid jester did? We almost died back th-"
501Please respect copyright.PENANASMHb6nuzBN
"Dying is not something I am afraid of. If thy cowardice is what is holding thou back," he turns his back towards her. "Then maybe thou should not be a Prodigy after all."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAwLUTQDFVfZ
Walking towards the door, he looks back towards the Timekeeper. "Does thou have any rooms for us to stay in?"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAJ03eQlDJWP
"...Ah, yes. This way.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAknJ3rHocvJ
Verna gracefully leads them out, closing the door as she peeked inside. She approaches another door, places her own, slightly larger watch into the divot in it's center.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAgIC1fU1K4y
As the door slowly opened, Catherine heard the clicking of the gears as the two parts glided from each other.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAvwdxj1woji
The room was strangely comfortable to the five when they finally dropped where they were standing.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAvq5D2ErmY5
"Finally!" Catherine exclaimed. "I can finally sit the hell down!"
501Please respect copyright.PENANAb1JeSHWNKl
"Get comfortable, because this is where you're going to sleep every night until the Fabric of Time is fixed."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAbPMfD8w8TP
"I can deal with that." Arsenio states, lounging on one of the beds. "Now, how about some snacks? I'm starving.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANA3GWi9MCmfI
"Yeah yeah, I'll get you teens something to snack on. Just...don't destroy anything, alright?" Verna replies.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA3NeMrJ80B8
"O-okay.."
501Please respect copyright.PENANAJrBDgnJNai
Verna leaves them in the spacious room.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAc3DUJ8OAbG
Isabelle gets to sewing and knitting with Ezra helping her, Nathaniel starts to read a book, and Arsenio tinkers with his handcuffs. Catherine watches as they do their own hobbies and starts to do her own, writing short paragraphs in her notebook. She enjoyed as her slightly cursive handwriting inked on the paper as she wrote about some ideas she had rattling in her head.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAP0wxKXIuy1
She looked at the others. The paragraph's words entered her head as she saw what each were doing.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAbtVhJ3wgQe
Catherine wrote and erased, thinking of other ways she could rephrase it. It took forever for her concentrated mind to slow down and fall asleep, and just before she gave up, she noticed everyone else, items in hand, asleep comfortably in beds.
501Please respect copyright.PENANAFXjQGzgyiQ
"Heh." she chuckled. "I can finish this later." Catherine slips the now dull pencil into the book's crease before shutting it closed, pulling the blanket over herself, and finally closing her eyes.
501Please respect copyright.PENANA0K4O1xkwQR
To be continued in Prodigy: Casters of Time: Chapter 2
501Please respect copyright.PENANA4evrOmemSJ