FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

HM-10 Hazardous Panic - 07/18/2009

Written By The Writing Team Of Darrel James Vanwinkle & Joanna Leigh Vanwinkle

Quote:

It's Hazardous Materials, Mediterranean style, as the mystery solving team is invited to Athens, Greece, to help Nicodemus celebrate a festive occasion. But when divine mayhem and a stolen statue bring out the Richfield Champions team, it becomes a wacky team-up that no god will forget!

Coming up next on Hazardous Materials!

It was a good three months after the adventures of The Unicorn Planet Mystery and Who Stole My Garm? before the those in the Hazardous team began to publicly filter back into the area. Even though Mikael had said thirty days to the next meeting, when anyone showed up at his home, neither he nor Lionel were there.

At the Hazard Mansion, Reginald Hazard was again having to deal with a major altercation within his mansion. This time it was a combined complicated mess of the Unikrons being seen publicly on the estate grounds, Vicky's father being on the property in a heated discussion about Vicky's mother while Zealot stood nearby watching and listening, and Alex's preparation with Kevin Seasons to head off to San Francisco although Alex was very obviously in his Unikron Prince body.

"I told you before, father..." explained Alexander Hazard. "I am not human. Even though you raised me, I am the son of the god, Unikron, himself and the Uni-Priestess Goddess, the latter I have met. She told me that I had to spend a majority of my life in Unikron form or I would fall ill again and have to be shipped back to Unikron for another cure. Now I and Kevin have had this outing to Mikael's planned for quite some time. I apologize if you don't like my being seen in my Unikron form in public, but we really have no choice in the matter now. It is out of your hands. Or would you rather see if Cryston's sword is sharp enough to carve dollar bills off of your flesh?"

Reginald growled, "Now don't take that attitude with me, young man! While you live with me, I am still your father and..." he stopped himself and stepped back, looking at the floor. Something that even he had been practicing hard at doing... was keeping a civil tongue to Alex even in an argument. "I apologize, Alexander. I am just worried that someone will take advantage of you in public, that's all. I have the right to worry about you. Anyway, don't stay too long at Mikael's place. I have a business arrangement for you and Kevin to attend to with Vicky, as soon as she is free, that is."

Alex arched an eye as he turned his head off toward one wall, the direction he knew Vicky and Drake Lane were in... off in one of the many back lawns of the estate. "Are they still arguing out there?"

At the Magic Mansion, Mark Merlin had been getting dressed for his outing with Trina Tracker to go see Mikael Hawthorne and Lionel Flavelle. Three months was a long time to not have a meeting and he wanted to make sure Lionel, at least, was still alive. He knew that Andrew Rook had moved aboard the HM Team Research Cruiser.

"Mark?" inquired his mother.

"Yes, mother?"

"I know you are getting ready to go up to see Mikael, but..."

Mark had been fixing his bow tie, when he stopped and peered outside of his changing partition where he had been getting dressed. He saw his mother and his sister standing there. And his sister Cynthia Gertrude Merlin the Second was being unusually quiet for a change. His immediate thought was, No! Not tonight! I don't want to babysit Cynthia tonight! I had to do that just last night! But he remained calm and said, "Mother... according to the Merlin rules of the household, I only have to babysit my sister when 24 hours prior notice from both you and father have been given. I performed that service last night. As you know fully well, I have earned this outing with my friends and I do not want to deal with Ms. Whiny tonight."

Mrs. Merlin didn't bother giving Mark that "look", as she knew it had no effect on him. Instead, she simply replied, "Cynthia came to me earlier and asked me what all you did on your outings that often resulted in your clothes being either ripped to shreds or caked as black as soot. Before you joined Mikael's little group, this sort of thing never happened. But now... it happens nearly every time you go to Mikael's place. Therefore... simply so I don't have to come with you and Trina tonight to see for myself... I want you to take Cynthia with you on a Hazardous Materials mission..."

Mark was about to object, but his mother was quick to stop him.

"...And let me warn you that if you turn me down, then this will be the LAST outing you will ever have because I will ship your ass back to Japan where you will have to help Zing deal with HIS sister for the rest of your days!" (See The Zodiac Mask Mystery for more details on that.)

Mark sighed. "So what is the reward for my doing this? You've only said what will happen if I refuse."

Mrs. Merlin smiled. "Your father and I have long since decided that you are actually old enough to live on your own, Mark. Therefore, if you do this one thing... we will help you find your own place to live and then... you won't have to do as we ask anymore concerning your sister's well being. Regardless of how you feel about her... you do set an excellent example of how she should be. So will you honor this one request tonight?"

Mark looked at Cynthia, then back at his mother. "I'll do it... under the condition that she promise you, with both hands in the open with no crossed fingers that she will NOT whine about anything during this outing. Otherwise, you and father will have to find another babysitter for your little dinner and a movie date that I know you both have planned."

Mrs. Merlin was a little taken aback by Mark's statement. He apparently knew full well what they had been planning. Yes, it was past time for Mark to move out. A Merlin with that level of expertise should not be in the same household with other Merlins. "Agreed." She looked to Cynthia. "Let's see your hands and fingers... and promise me you won't whine while with Mark during this outing. Otherwise... you may have to spend the night in Japan instead."

Cynthia certainly did NOT want to return to Japan while she was still a teenager. "I swear that I will not whine during my outing with Mark, providing that Mark is present. I am not stupid, mother... if Mark for some reason ends up off with some of his friends when the team splits up, I may choose to whine as much as I like... because he won't be there to hear it."

Mark then said, "If you whine around the women folk on the team... they won't tolerate it. They don't care who you are. If you whine around people like Erina Osborne or Vincent Cabriano... you will end up dead. Now if you two are quite finished interrupting me... I need to finish getting my suit and tie in order. I have to pick up Trina this time. I will hook up the side car to my motorcycle for Cynthia."

Mrs. Merlin said, "Your father already did that, Mark."

Ivan Kingsley and Reena Dalton were having a small meal with Erina Osborne and Vincent "Vinnie" Cabriano at that very moment.

Ivan smiled at the others, as he rolled the dice on the tabletop. "A four." He picked up his piece and moved it four spaces on the game board. "Thanks for inviting us to this fine dinner, Vinnie. But I was sure you would have had a lady friend for tonight. What happened with that?"

Reena was chatting with Erina. "So what is your latest movie about?"

Genie Hall and Hel Shadowspawn were sitting up at the Hollywood sign at the now claimed favorite spot for the Hazardous Materials team.

"Your sister was actually being civil for a change? Are you serious?" asked Genie in shock. "I guess having the real Garm back on duty really straightened her up."

At Warlock Hill in San Francisco, Lionel Flavelle was using the vacuum cleaner on the rugs in the meeting chamber of the main house. He and Mikael Hawthorne had just returned from a Salem Witch Cat Convention in another dimension, where time there was apparently slower than time in the real world. One day there was equal to one month on Earth.

"Mikael? Am I ever going to be anything other than your apprentice? Or am I just hopeless like that one Witch Cat at the convention said?"

Mikael was in the kitchen making the refreshments for the team. "Lionel... you are my friend and that will never change. But... what that Witch Cat said was completely uncalled for. Though at the same time, he had an important point... I have been holding you back. While Mark has been advancing day after day... I withhold the greatest of magics from you. And that needs to change if you are to ever be as great of a Warlock as I am."

Vicky's eyes flash as her father once again tried to skirt the issue. They'd been at this for hours, and still she hadn't been able to make any progress towards getting the truth from his villainous lips. If she thought she could, she'd have fried him some time ago and saved herself the massive headache that was forming.

"I know I'm not human," she tried again. "Alex's mother confirmed that. What I want to know is what, exactly, I am."

Drake Lane frowned deeply. That was precisely why he had never wanted his daughter to go into space. He knew that some one would open their mouth and reveal more than what his daughter needed to know. "I told you a hundred times, you are a human!"

Rolling her eyes, she cast a frustrated glance toward Zealot who stood silently nearby. "Sure I am. Fine, for argument's sake, let's say I am human. What about my mother? What about you?" she fired the questions at him. Then, before he could form an answer, she shot one more at him. "Better yet, what is Victor?"

Kevin shuddered and nodded, "Yep, she just played the Victor card."

He had been 'listening' in on both arguments that had been taking place. The one between Vicky and her father and the one between Xanel, as Kevin called him when he was in his Unikron form, and Mr. Hazard. It seemed to him that the parental units, his own included, were digging in their heels when it came to allowing the teens to grow.

In a way, he considered himself the most fortunate of the three. Both he and his mother knew, and acknowledged, that he was more powerful now than she had ever been. He also had given his mother an ultimatum; she had six months to decide whether or not she was going to willingly tell him about his father. If she decided to refuse, he'd just dive into her mind and find out for himself, no more mister nice Kevin. She had three months left to try to hide the information deep within her subconscious.

Trina looked herself over in the full-length mirror once more. In a way she was glad that Mikael had been out of touch for the past three months. Especially since her father had sent her to Teacher. That had been a pretty nasty surprise when she'd arrived home, just to be sent back out into space.

On the plus side, she'd managed to pass all of the exams that her father and the Teacher had agreed she needed to pass, and then some. Her formal education was now complete. She could easily pass any Earthly college entrance exam, and most Extra Terrestrial entrance exams.

She'd also got to do some shopping and pick up some new, kick-ass outfits, like the one she was currently wearing. Not only did the form-fitting material accentuate every toned curve on her body, but it breathed beautifully. It also accommodated her other form, when she chose to shift into it. Including her tail.

She couldn't wait to see the look on the guys' faces when they saw that she was not longer wearing her signature bikini. Sure she felt a bit over dressed, but she'd get used to it. After all, a lady didn't go around flaunting her skin for all the world to see.

She laughed as she snatched up her jacket and headed for the door.

Vinnie merely shrugged as he picked up the dice for his turn. "Sometimes it is good just to spend time with friends. One doesn't always need a female on one's arm to be complete," he answered vaguely as he rolled. "Hm. A six," he frowned as he moved his own piece.

Erina took a sip of wine before answering, "Oh, you know, the usual. Boy meets girl. Girl is secret agent. Girl falls for boy. Boy gets kidnapped by sinister forces. Girl has to reveal herself as an agent to rescue boy. Boy can't handle being showed up by a girl." She laughed.

"I'm actually getting tired of the same old roles. I'd like to do something else, or at least give something else a try. Maybe something a bit less action-packed," she sighed. "We get enough of that already. Don't you agree?"

Garm lifted his head from Hel's lap and grinned. "I think it is because she actually has more than one guard now."

Hel chuckled. "I'd agree. I've spent a lot of time training the pups. Though they don't have Garm's level of intelligence, they learn quickly. And since we can switch them out to give them all a chance, none of them get restless at their post. Plus, it gives Garm and I a chance to spend more quality time together."

Mr. Hazard grinned. "I will see you two later tonight. Perhaps sooner than you think. Take care of him, Kevin." And then he walked off toward his power study.

Xanel hummed. "I hate it when he plays mystery man. He acts more like someone with a secret identity than most heroes and villains ever did."

Mark and Cynthia were on the motorcycle and side car arriving at the Tracker mansion.

"You're doing a lot better, Cynthia," said Mark. "You must have been practicing when I wasn't looking."

Cynthia smiled a little at the praise. "Well, you can't be the only teleporter in the family, Mark. I'm just glad that little teleport through the closed gate actually worked this time."

Mark also smiled. "Spells tend to work best when your life depends upon it. Ah, we're here. I haven't seen Trina in 3 months and I'm engaged to her. Her father treats her like a slave sometimes."

"This is the woman with the skimpy bikini, right?"

"Yeah. Why do you ask?"

"I was just wondering who that was standing out front of the mansion. That is certainly no bikini."

Reena smiled. "Why don't you just bring a video camera along and tape one of our missions and make a movie out of that?" She smiled and winked slyly.

Ivan grinned as he rolled the die and moved his piece. "A two. You are so in trouble now.... Dagger Master." He the chuckled, as he drew a fate card. "YES! Send an opponent back ten spaces!" And he moved Vinnie's piece back ten spaces. "Be glad I didn't label you with the G-ray Vulture title."

Genie smiled at Garm and Hel. "So is this veteran of war going to be able to attend meetings with us now or is today a fluke?"

Kevin looked at Xanel and shrugged. And he thought dealing with his mom was frustrating. He definitely had it off a lot better than they did.

Meanwhile, outside, Vicky and Drake Lane continued to square off. With a simple glance at her watch, however, Zealot is able to bring this confrontation to an end. "I'll deal with you later," Vicky growled as she spun away from him.

The first thing Trina noticed was the sidecar. The second was who was sitting in it. Placing her hands on her hips, she tilted her head to one side as she waited for them to pull to a stop.

Trina's long russet hair, which had only been down to her waist three months ago, was now almost to the back of her knees. It lifted and flowed around her in the slight breeze.

That was the thing about being in space on another planet. Time moved differently, much like it does in other dimensions. If not for that, Trina wouldn't have been able to pass all of her exams.

And now, her she stood, looking forward to spending some much needed time with her fiancé, and here he came with his bratty little sister. The feral side of her was seething; the more humane side of her was waiting for the explanation.

She tapped the toe of her patent black leather boot against the cobbled drive as she waited for Mark to pull to a stop. A smile spread across her face as she took in the surprise on his face. Her legs were covered with the softest leather-like material in a muted tan, her white tank top tucked into the waistband which was accentuated with a wide silver belt. The bolero jacket she wore matched her boots and was adorned with silver accents that matched her belt.

She was sure that all of her friends would think her extremely over dressed. But she really liked her new clothes. They made her feel more powerful than ever her skimpiest bikini. Now to find out what the brat was doing here.

Vinnie frowned at Ivan. "I'll thank you to never call me that again," he said, picking up the dice once more.

"That's just it," Erina responded. "I'd like to take a break from all the action flicks. I can do more than that. I'd just like to be given a chance to do it.

Hel laughed as he scratched Garm behind an ear, "That depends on whether or not his shift falls during a meeting," was his answer.

Xanel and Kevin soon joined Zealot and Vicky in the red Replicar.

Xanel said, "I assume your mission with your father is still encountering that brick wall, huh Victoria?" He smiled at Zealot. "You look lovely tonight."

Mark stopped in front of the steps and at first didn't recognize Trina at all. "Excuse me, Mrs. Tracker... I'm Mark Merlin, Trina's boyfriend... would you happen to know if she is ready for our outing to Mikael's yet?"

Cynthia on the other hand... being female... realized very quickly just who this was close up. "Um, Mark... this isn't Trina's mother. It's actually Trina."

Mark BLUSHED when he realized what he just called Trina.

Ivan grinned. "Sorry, Vincent old buddy. But the way you were always going after Lancing Vixen... You could have caught her any time you wanted with your current powers. How come you didn't just nab her via teleport?"

Reena hummed. "If you want a romance roll, Erina, then you are going to have to swallow your pride and stop dressing like a Stunt Woman and put on one of those sexy alluring dresses."

Genie nodded her head. "Speaking of meetings, shouldn't we be getting over there? I mean, I was still surprised when Mikael actually contacted me via crystal ball to say he was back. He sounded upset over the crystal ball connection."

In an unmarked car at the bottom of Warlock Hill, two plainclothes detectives had their field glasses raised and were actually watching the Hawthorne house, last known location of Andrew Rooks.

"I don't understand how he can continue to deny the obvious," she growled, starting the car and ignoring the compliment he gave Zealot. "Who is he trying to fool? Besides me?"

Kevin just shook his head, "I think it is a super villain parenting technique. Maybe we should ask Ivan and Vinnie to clarify things. They were both villains and both worked with our parents."

Vicky considered that for a moment before answering, "That's actually a good idea."

"Hello, Cynthia," Trina greeted as she leaned over to kiss Mark on the cheek. "I forgive you for not recognizing me. I do look a lot different." She looked pointedly at Cynthia, "What is she doing here, anyway?"

Vinnie smiled and winked. "Now where would the sport have been in that?"

Erina frowned. "I'm not sure I have anything like that in my wardrobe. Maybe we can find one on our next adventure," she suggested.

"Yes, we should," Hel agreed, rising to his feet, his flap swaying suggestively.

"Let's go!" Garm cried, his head on his paws and his butt up in the air, tail wagging excitedly.

Cynthia spoke up first. "It is like this, Trina. I innocently asked a question about Mark's destroyed suits to mother and she dragged me into Mark's room and, in that weird way she is fond of getting her way in things, bartered Mark into taking me out on one of your team's missions so I could see first hand how his suits get so messed up. Mother was quite threatening about the whole affair, too. She told Mark to do it or else... be sent back to Japan to help Zing handle his sister... the cow... she tried to get Mark killed, if you will recall."

Mark smiled. "One of the few times that Trina has wanted to rip someone's throat out and said as much publicly. On the plus side, Trina... this outing is a rite of passage for me. If I can satisfy Cynthia's inquiry, my parents will let me move out of the Magic Mansion. I'll be on my own. And I already have guaranteed lodging offered, too. So mother's ultimatum actually saved me from having to ask her if I could move out."

Cynthia arched an eye. "You mean you were hoping mother would make that offer?"

Mark grinned, as he helped Trina on to the motorcycle with him. "Mother literally did what I wanted her to do. And all I have to do is take you with me on a Hazardous Materials mission. And Trina... Cynthia gave her word that she would not whine on this outing. And so far... she hasn't. Not once. I am beginning to think that a lot of Cynthia's whining has to do with the mansion; not her abilities nor need to study. It's that house."

Reena grinned. "I'll bet Trina has something of that nature. But you could just show up naked and say, 'Hi guys! I want to audition for a romance role!'"

Ivan laughed as he heard the ladies conversation. "Maybe Erina could do a Speedy Bikini movie and play the lead role!"

Out in front of the Hawthorne house, a heralded explosion in the front yard brought forth Grim from nowhere at the same time that Genie, Hel, Garm, and Andrew in his new Arvandorian Bard outfit had appeared from nowhere. And yes, the female teen aged death was with Grim again.

The two detectives remained in their car and just watched at a distance.

"Grim, sir. Why are we here again?" asked the teen death. "You told me once that these people are not due to die for years. I cannot see why you continue to come to this place."

Grim smiled. "Because Mikael makes the best martinis and this is the best time that I can check on Genie to make sure she is okay. True, I have given her some more freedom by not dragging her around with me all over the place. But she is still my responsibility until the higher ups iron out the details on their secret plan."

Genie said, "You mean they still haven't told you what they are planning? Gabriel better hope I don't go up to pester him about it."

Andrew grinned at Hel and Garm. "Good to see you both. Though it is good to see Garm."

Trina listened to their explanations and nodded her understanding. "I can see how that could be the case. I know I'm about to climb the walls when I'm trapped inside indefinitely." She looked over at Cynthia. "Just keep in mind, if one of us tells you to duck and cover, you'd better do it without question or argument. It is most likely going to save your life. I wonder if Reena is bringing Adam along this time? I guess that will depend on whether or not he is out of ideas for his art," she chuckled.

"Actually," Erina laughed, "I think I would rather do some period pieces. They require a bit more effort to make them believable."

Garm sniffed at Andrew, "Nice threads," he complimented.

"Greetings, Grim, I see you've brought your apprentice along this time," Hel commented. "Are you hoping for her to have some opportunity to practice this time around?"

Elsewhere, Vicky pulled the car to a sudden stop. "Who the hell is that?" she asked, indicating the nondescript sedan at the bottom of Warlock Hill.

They all knew that only people going to Mikael's house were ever this far out. Warlock Hill was the end of the line. So any vehicle besides one of theirs was glaringly out of place. Not to mention that anyone who had been invited would have gone all the way up to the house, not be sitting at the base of the hill.

"Maybe they had car trouble and didn't realize it was a dead end?" Zealot suggested.

"I'll find out," Kevin offered, then focused briefly on the car's occupants.

Mark sighed at the mention of Adam. "Trina... Reena told me that Adam was in the hospital for some kind of leg surgery recently. She didn't want to talk about it. I hope after all Adam has gotten to do with us that he isn't about to leave us..."

And then they were on their way up the highway.

Ivan hummed. "Victorian style then? That would make your mom have a heart attack if she saw you dressed up like a lady of the times."

Reena smiled at Vinnie, then whispered, "Were you aware that Ivan has had Fate cards up his sleeve while you two were sitting here?"

Andrew posed for Garm turning around in a slow circle. "Thank you, Garm. But you probably think I would look better without all this fancy stuff. I've been performing in an Arvandorian Tavern for the Elves and Greek patrons. And some of them wore less that you and Hel do."

Grim replied to Hel, "Only if the next mission is to Madagascar..." He winked knowingly.

The Teen Death had now noticed the Replicar some distance away and was also focusing in that direction.

Kevin heard mentally from the two detectives:

"Do you think we'll find our missing person subject at this place?"

"We were told that he was living out here after he ran away from home. His parents on the East Coast want him returned immediately. And quite frankly, I don't care about the $5000 reward on this boy's head. I just want our nice quite district to stay quiet."

Xanel smiled. "I see the planar crew up on the hill, guys. And Grim has his recruit with him, too. And... Garm is with Hel."

Erina chuckled, "There are other periods you know."

Vinnie just smiled, "Yes, I know, but this is how we've played this game for years. Why would we change now? But I believe it is time for us to go now. So," and with that he transported them outside of Mikael's, joining the others waiting outside.

Trina simply held tight to Mark as she thought of the implications of that. She hoped that being on another planet hadn't been too much strain on Adam. She was actually fond of the young artist.

Hel winked, "MMM vanilla!" Then he addressed Andrew's comment. "I don't wear anything when I'm at home either. I only wear this so I'm not mobbed by mortals."

Kevin frowned. "It's the detectives that Grim told us about. They're still looking for Andrew."

Vicky climbed out of the car. "Zealot, take the others on up to Mikael's. I'll be along shortly," she instructed, heading in the direction of the sedan.

"Sure thing," Zealot obeyed, sliding into the driver's seat and punching the gas, shooting past the sedan as they zoomed up the hill.

Vicky then walked to the opposite side of the sedan, leaned down, and lightly knocked on the window.

Genie smiled at the others. "Hey guys! Welcome to the best night for the rest of your lives! That is... unless someone is due to die tonight that Grim isn't telling us about."

Grim grinned. "No one in the current group that I am aware of..." Then he resumed his grim visage as he thought about the fight that Adam Dalton was undergoing in the hospital.

Ivan gave Garm a head noogie. "Hey Hero! I've been good! Sold some more security systems lately! Is the one in Hela still operating properly?"

Mark and company topped the crest on one of the hills leading to Mikael's place and he saw Vicky about to talk to some people at a parked car. But rather than stop, he simply sped right on by with his two female passengers.

They were soon parking in his designated parking spot in front of the house of witch cats.

Mark smiled. "Here we are, Cynthia. And yes, that is really the Grim Reaper over there. I guess he has a few brief moments off tonight. He comes and goes as he pleases. He is an honorary member of our team."

Cynthia nodded her head as she got out of the sidecar and made sure her black cape was in proper order. "So many... um... I would say people, but I think you and I are the only ones who qualify as humans... I think."

Mark chuckled. "Kevin is human. I know for a fact on that. And so is Andrew. A lot of the females, with the exception of Reena, are definitely NOT human. But they are still ladies of respect... unlike some of the girls you and I both know from home."

Reena looked at Mark and crew thinking, What is SHE doing here? I thought Mark hated her guts!

Xanel got out of the Replicar once they parked next to the house and walked over and gave Garm a hug. "Hi soldier. I'm Alex, just in my species form. Since my cure, I can only be human for an hour now. I have to spend all of the rest of my time in this form."

Andrew wanted to ask how Xanel and Vicky would have sex later, but he had heard what Vicky had done to Mark at the college during the Uni-versity Fright Night mystery.

At the nondescript car, the detective rolled down the window and flashed his badge at Vicky. "Detective Faraday Winston, San Francisco Police Department, Runaways Division. And you are...?"

Garm nodded, "It sure is, Ivan. Along with our new rotating shifts," he added with a wink. "Please, excuse me," he said, seeing Xanel. He rushed over and sat beside him.

"Don't forget Ivan," Trina added. "I'm pretty sure he's human also."

Hel smiled at Xanel, "All extra-planar beings have always seen you thus," he explained, indicating his form. "It is only one of your many attributes that drew Garm to you from the very beginning."

'That's not your concern, Andrew,' was Kevin's unspoken response. He didn't mean to overhear Andrew's thoughts, but since their visit to Xanel's home world his powers have been increasing exponentially.

Vicky smiled, her eyes gleaming, "I'm Victoria Lane and this is a private party. Perhaps you can direct your questions to Mr. Hazard," she suggested, handing the detectives one of Hazard Corporation's business cards. "Thank you and have a good evening," she finished, clearly dismissing them as she straightened and made her way up the hill to the house.

Mark laughed. "Ivan is Notorious You-Know-Who, retired! I hardly call that human! But he is one of the gang."

Just as Vicky arrived on the grounds of Warlock Hill, a complex magical illusion went up around the perimeter of the property that depicted an evil looking flying saucer swooping in beaming a light down on the entire hill top, and beaming everyone, including vehicles and house, into the saucer itself, then the UFO shot off over the detectives car at faster than light speed. The illusion afterward simply showed a barren hill top. It looked as if someone with a giant knife had sliced off the top of the hill.

The detectives blinked their eyes and departed the area, unsure of what they just saw.

At that moment, Mikael poked his head outside of the house and said, "Okay guys, the fuzz is gone. Let's get this party inside the house. We're doing something really important tonight." Then he withdrew inside again.

Trina chuckled as she slipped her arm around Mark's elbow and led him toward the house. "You do make an interesting point."

Hel and Garm fazed through the wall since the door wouldn't accommodate Garm's massive head, much less the rest of his large body.

Erina eyed Cynthia also as she followed the others inside.

Vinnie was already inside, a glass of wine in one hand.

Vicky looked up at Xanel, a wave of calm and peace washing over her. She was getting used to those feelings whenever she was in close proximity to him. What she wasn't used to was how quickly and thoroughly it took place. She simply smiled at him and made to follow the others inside.

Kevin, however, was focused on the detectives. He did a deeper delve into their minds to get more information about who had set them on Andrew's trail. Then he placed some creative ideas into their heads of other leads they needed to check out. That should keep them pretty busy for awhile, or at least until someone else comes snooping around. Finished with that little redirection, he transported quickly into the house.

Once everyone were inside the house, Mikael stepped up to his usual speaking spot and said, "Before we start, would anyone like to make any statements?"

Xanel remarked, "Some parents need a spanking." Said with a straight and serious face.

Mark said, "Cynthia is coming with us on whatever mission we have this time. But on the plus side, if I satisfy her curiosity, I will be permitted to move out of the Magic Mansion finally. So there is a much desired reward in this for me."

Ivan smiled. "I cheat at board games."

Genie said rather coldly, "The upper powers are still up to something."

Cynthia said, "I made a promise not to whine nor be annoying to the rest of you during your mission."

Andrew grinned. "I got to try my first goblet of elven wine this week. Although it didn't taste like what I thought alcohol would taste like. I was almost disappointed. But it was good."

Lionel stepped forward. "Mikael is going to progress my training."

The Teen Death commented, "I am still trying to figure out what your group has to do with my training."

Grim said nothing as he sipped his Martini with a smug smile.

Reena also said nothing as she was sitting by herself, appearing to be worried, and trying to be casual about checking her cell phone for any text messages from home.

"My father thinks I'm an idiot," Vicky said, smiling.

"My mother has three months left before I take what I want. And I can now because I keep getting stronger," Kevin explained. "Sometimes I pick up stray thoughts from people around me without meaning to."

"I opened another restaurant," Vinnie mentioned off-handed.

"I want to play a romantic heroine in a period piece." Erina announced.

"Mark thinks I look like my mom," Trina laughed.

"Garm will be coming and going as he shares his shift with his pups," was Hel's contribution.

Mikael looked over at Reena. "Ms. Dalton? Usually the meetings get boring after the opening statements."

Reena glanced up sharply. "I... um..." Then she sighed. "...Adam is in the hospital undergoing extensive and complicated leg surgery. The doctors said that his chances of making it through were... were..." She buried her face in her hands and quietly wept.

Mikael went silent. He was thinking, Way to go, dumb cat! What an insensitive lout I must have sounded like!

Grim stood up at that moment and said, "His time is soon, unless... something changes. That is all I have the liberty to say, unfortunately... I too like the boy. I think everyone here who knows of him feels in some way for him."

The Teen Death looked to Grim. "So that is why we are here. I swear... your tactics continue to surprise me. None of this was in the training manual."

Xanel then said rather unexpectedly, "I need to go see Adam. Right now. Grim... please stay away from him. I have never asked something like this of you before... but this time, I ask."

Grim said, "He has less than 72 hours, Xanel. Whatever you are going to do needs to be done before the sands run out. Otherwise, I will have to go there. I have my orders."

Xanel looked to Mikael. "What is the meeting about? Then I have to go."

Mikael nodded his muzzle. "Your father has a mission for Hazardous Materials. A client contacted him and we were to have teleported back to your mansion to receive the mission. I don't know the details of the mission this time. Your father wouldn't tell me over the phone."

Xanel looked to Kevin. "I knew he was up to something. Now I have to go see Adam. Who is coming with me?"

Very nice, Mikael. While you're at it you wanna give her a paper cut and rub some salt in it? Kevin shook his head, disgusted, as he reached over and held Reena's hand supportively.

"I'll go with you," Garm piped up. "I just met this boy, and I'd like to spend some time with him. If that's ok?" he asked Reena, doing his best puppy dog eyes.

Vicky sat silently through all the commotion, Vinnie noticed. He wondered if it was possible that she could have known about Mr. Hazard's job. She was working for him now. Three months inside Hazard's business, and she acted like all was right with the world. Of course, that could be Xanel's influence on her, he thought with a smile.

"Zealot will go with you also, Xanel," Vicky offered.

Zealot smiled and nodded.

Kevin was torn. He looked from Xanel to Reena. "Normally, I'd go with you in a heartbeat, but I believe I'm needed more here at the moment," he said, aloud. To Xanel only, I have to give Reena emotional support. She tries to keep too much inside. Right now, she needs me more than you do.

Reena looked at Garm. "...when he first learned of you, Garm... he spent almost his entire life savings to get you some exotic doggy treats. Then he never got to give them to you. I think he would love to see you."

Xanel said, "You never mentioned that he spent all his money on Garm, Reena."

Reena sighed. "Mom and dad about pitched a fit over it when they found out about it. But you can't show anger to a crippled boy. They just let it go at the time."

Cynthia then stood up and said, "I'll come along."

Mark blinked his eyes. "Cynthia? But why? I won't even be there."

Cynthia replied, "But this boy is a part of your team and your hearts. Any other time, he would join your missions and such. I'd like to meet him, at least. Maybe... maybe there is something I can do for him that I can't do for the team."

Xanel was glaring at Grim again. "You stay... away... from him. I mean it, Grim. I mean it. Or else."

Grim grinned. "Or else what? I'm already dead."

Xanel didn't smile. "I'll resurrect you."

Grim would have paled if he could, but he chose to withdraw. "Er, Um, I have to pop over to Red China. One of the soldiers is about to get caught in an explosion." He vanished, leaving Teen Death there.

The female Teen Death placed her bony hands on her non-existent hips. "He left me here. This is definitely going on the report I make later."

Andrew said, "I think the rest of us should go see what Mr. Hazard wants."

Garm whined when he heard that, a tear welled up in one of his big eyes. "Then I definitely must go to him."

Trina placed a hand on Mark's shoulder, "She wants to learn about our honorary members. I think that's a very mature attitude, on her part. She wants to learn what it takes to be welcomed into our fold. She'll be fine."

Xanel gathered Zealot, Cynthia, and Garm close to himself and then... they teleported. Apparently Xanel had been practicing his long range teleportation power with Cryston.

In the Salt Lake City Children's Hospital...

The rather odd group appeared just inside Adam's room. And they saw the Oriental Japanese Mahjongg-playing Dragon standing bedside with Adam.

Xanel said, "Konnichi wa, honored dragon." He bowed. "We came to see Adam."

The dragon slowly looked to the group. "Ah good. Hazardous Materials. He was asking for you. The doctors thought he was asking for toxic waste in his delirium."

Cynthia glided over and gently felt Adam's forehead. "He feels so cold, dragon. This is not normal for a human, is it?"

The dragon replied, "The doctors are baffled. They can't figure out what is causing his rapid deterioration. They tried everything."

Zealot checked the hallway to make sure they wouldn't be interrupted.

Garm moved over close to the bed. "Hello, Adam. I wish I could have met you under more pleasant circumstances."

Adam weakly smiled, his eyes barely open. "...hey, garm... xanel, too... don't know the ladies though... did you fire some old h.m. members recently?"

Xanel gently rubbed on Adam's forehead with his silky Unikron hand. "Zealot is Vicky's right hand woman. And Cynthia Merlin is Mark's sister. The others are dealing with my father. How did this happen to you, Adam?"

Adam coughed a little, then quietly replied, "...when we got back from space... i felt so... energized and excited... and then... i was working on my painting of the unikron versions of romeo and juliet... and... i blacked out... my dad said he found me on the floor coughing up blood... i've been here ever since... the doctors found an infection of some sort in my body tissue, especially around my legs... they had to do an emergency surgery to remove it... but... it keeps coming back... and worse... it's spreading throughout my body... the doctors say... that i have a few days left... mom and dad... were asked to consider... taking me off of life support... but my best dreams... are here now... it's not so bad..."

Cynthia hummed. "I could possibly turn back time on Adam every hour on the hour, but that isn't a permanent solution, Xanel. But it would keep him alive. Any other suggestions?"

Xanel hummed. The infection did sound familiar to him, but he couldn't place it at the moment.

Garm sniffed around Adams legs. "Smell odd," he muttered.

"Are you sure he didn't pick up something on your home world," Zealot suggested. "Vicky said that he had been off alone for awhile."

Xanel replied to Zealot, "Adam was exposed to not only my home world, but to Rudolph's home world, too. The reindeer actually helped the team to reach my home world and I know that Rudolph actually petted Adam's head several times. I know that Cryston and Aurora never touched Adam, but Skyspirit did when he carried Adam via flight to see the Painted Canyon for an aerial sketching. I recall Adam mentioning getting to see that canyon from the air."

He then examined the boy's legs and tissue reports... and then he said, "I think I know how to help Adam, but I need to get started now. And if any doctor tries to stop me, I wouldn't be upset if they ended up in Disney World Japan... hint hint." And then he got to work immediately on Adam's legs and body.

Cynthia turned to Zealot and Garm, mainly because watching anyone work medically made her squeamish. "I really hope Xanel is able to help Adam."

Garm looked at Xanel, "It kinda smells a bit like you did when I first met you, except stronger. I'll stand guard at the door while you work on him. Hang in there Adam," he added, pressing his cold nose to Adam's cheek briefly.

The remainder of the team were soon at the Hazard Mansion in the ready room where everything was being provided for them. A fine dinner, good clean drink, and tasty sweets.

Reginald Hazard upon hearing where his son went said, "I have heard of the Dalton boy's condition. The doctors can't figure out what's causing it. But I have an idea on the matter. It is good that Alex went to see Adam. I am sure he will figure out what it is."

Genie arched an eye. Mr. Hazard knows what is causing Adam's medical problem? But how?

Reena ate quietly not paying any attention to anyone else. She was hungry.

Teen Death hummed quietly, evaluating what she could possibly do with the team or the situation with Adam. There were unmentioned alternatives, but as a death in training, the instructional manual was vague on the exact rules concerning helping the living for any reason.

Mark spoke with Kevin, Vinnie, and Hel. "I am still surprised that Cynthia offered to go with Xanel and the others. But what I am more wondering about is this... what Adam's condition is that Mr. Hazard thinks he knows about especially when the doctors are clueless."

Vicky sat quietly, enjoying her meal. The others were suspicious, as was par for the course when someone claimed to know more than they did. She smiled and waited for the parameters of their newest adventure.

Erina sat near Reena, offering her unspoken support. She watched Mr. Hazard closely. This whole thing felt off to her. First, he has a mission for them, and then he knows about Adam's affliction. She was definitely not trusting the whole scenario.

"I can find out, if you'd like," Kevin offered.

Vinnie shrugged, "Let's focus on one thing at a time. Right now, we need to figure out what this mission is and see if we can't get it wrapped up quickly so we can all be with Adam. I find it a bit odd that we find out about both things at the same time."

Hel agreed, "Yes, but perhaps Xanel can handle things with Adam."

Ivan said, "This place needs a Carrington Security System! There, I've said my key phrase at least once. Life can continue as normal."

Reginald Hazard stepped up to one wall and pulled down a viewing screen. "I wanted my son to be here to hear this, but I can understand his dedication to a friend. He will be informed later. Now for the low-down on why you are here... I determined that the best way to get your team here was to use the word "mission" and you people would jump at the chance to come find out what is being presented."

Genie growled, "There had better be a mission, Mr. Hazard, or I won't be the only one who is displaced after tonight!"

Reginald smiled. "Patience, Genie Hall. Patience. Now, mission or not, you could choose to tell my client yourselves that you won't help him. But he naturally figured that you would all love a Mediterranean vacation..." And as he stepped out of the way, the room's light's dimmed and Nicodemus appeared "live" on the view screen. In full color.

Mark exclaimed, "Hey! It's Nicodemus!"

"????????????, ???? ?????? ???!" Nicodemus beamed. "Oops, sorry. Greetings, my friends! I apologize for the subterfuge, but I know how hard it is to get you all to convene. And I'm so sorry about your friend."

Erina perked up. "Nic! You sexy stud. What the heck is happening?"

Reginald Hazard smiled. "Nicodemus is hosting a Mediterranean celebration at his tavern in a few days and the original plan was to have both Alexander and Victoria go attend this function as an official date. Victoria has more than earned it with all of the high class work that she has done for Hazard Corp. But then Nicodemus contacted me weeks ago and asked me to make the arrangements to get all of you together. It is unfortunate that Adam Dalton's illness falls during this time, as I am sure he would have enjoyed the outing himself."

Mikael then said, "About his illness... you seem to know something about it. Care to share with the rest of us?"

Reginald replied, "It's like this, Mikael... the boy is suffering from Tissue Metamorphosis Syndrome or TMS. A condition that is normal among those in Xanel's home star system. I only know about it because I watched Alexander undergo this process when he was just turning eight years old. His Unikron form has extra extremities that are not normal for humans to have. Normally, this condition is not contagious. BUT..." he then paused.

"...Adam's immune system was very fragile during his visit to that star system. He could have contracted this from any world's citizen of the star system who had physically touched him. After the TMS was in his system, it began to work on his body. But to an Earth doctor, the condition and growth would not be able to be identified. When this first occurred with Alexander, I wisely called in a favor with a super person who originated from off-world to get an alien doctor to come look Alexander over. And that's when I learned about this condition. TMS among certain races is as common as breathing. But when the Earth doctors examined Adam and saw an alien growth that they weren't familiar with, they tried to remove it. In doing so, they nearly killed him themselves. Remember: TMS is as natural to the body as breathing is. It wouldn't have killed him. But Mr. Dalton wasn't aware of what the symptom was, so he took his son to Earth doctors."

Reginald then looked to Reena again. "Xanel should be able to use the ability that is common to his people to repair the damages that the Earth doctors did to the boy. But once TMS is within someone, it cannot be removed. It would be like removing a crippled boy's heart and expecting the patient to live afterward."

Reena blinked her eyes. "So the doctors... thinking that they were helping... actually made it worse for Adam. Oh god..."

Reginald nodded his head. "I am afraid so, Reena. Therefore, Adam's only chance to pull through now is Xanel."

Lionel said, "That explains Grim's comment about Xanel doing something with Adam earlier... Grim said that unless something gets changed about Adam, then he would die in less than 72 hours."

Reginald replied, "TMS causes body and tissue metamorphosis. Therefore... if Xanel gets to work on Adam right now, he very well could save Adam from the harm the Earth doctors caused to Adam's body. However... Adam won't be the same as before. What's started is started. Removing TMS now would kill him. On the plus side, he could end up with super powers... or a form other than a human form."

Kevin scowled at Mr. Hazard. So you've known all this time what the problem is and you've remained silent? he demanded. Kevin had gotten to the point that he often didn't realize when he was speaking out loud and mentally communicating. We could have saved Reena and her family a lot of heartache if we had known this weeks ago! His hands were clenched on the table, his eyes bored into Mr. Hazard.

Vicky looked from Kevin to Mr. Hazard, then back again. Assessing what was happening; she reached over and singed Kevin's shoulder with one fingertip.

"OUCH!!" he yelled, turning his attention to Vicky. "What the hell was that for?"

"The rest of us would like to know what the conversation you're having with Mr. Hazard is all about," she said calmly.

Kevin actually blushed. "Oh. Sorry, I forgot. I was only saying that his withholding of this information has wasted valuable time that we could have been healing Adam," he gave an abridged version of his message.

Vinnie agreed, "He has a valid point. Adam and his family have been suffering needlessly because you withheld information, Mr. Hazard. That, as the younger crowd would say, is not cool."

"I'll let Xanel know what he's dealing with and maybe he can get Adam patched up quickly," Kevin said aloud, then concentrated on relaying what they had just learned to Xanel.

"Erina, beautiful ???????? Princess I'm having a celebration," Nicodemus explained. "And I'd like all of you to come."

"What's the occasion?" Erina asked, smiling, knowing full well that Nicodemus seldom needed a reason to have a party.

"It is the anniversary of my marriage to my beautiful bride," he announced proudly. "It's also my birthday, which is the official cause for the celebration," he added with a wink.

Erina laughed. "Of course. Because you can't have anyone knowing that you're married. Especially since no one has ever seen your wife. And I take it she won't be attending the festivities?" she asked needlessly.

Nicodemus flashed a brilliant smile. "No she will not. She and I will celebrate privately on our island. This party is for my friends and anyone else who wants to drop in and have good food, good wine, and good company."

Reginald Hazard said, "Unfortunately, Vincent Cabriano... I didn't know about the boy's condition until you people arrived here tonight and I overheard you talking about it. When I heard that there was a growth involved, I quickly put two and two together. Had you told me the moment you returned from space, I might have been able to help the family sooner. For now, Kevin Seasons... Xanel is Adam's best hope to pull through this."

Reena said, "I see. So you were familiar with the condition, but you didn't know in advance about Adam having it. Mikael is good about jumping to conclusions..."

Mikael blushed. "Sue me, okay? I just got back from a Witch Cat convention and I have a lot on my mind. Namely Lionel and his training."

Mark smiled at Nicodemus' image. "We'll be glad to come over and help-" Then he stopped. "Oh wait a minute... Greece is in Olivia Crane's territory. I know we haven't been in London for a year, but... we did promise to warn her of the next time we were in her part of the world."

Reginald glanced over at Mark. "I already called her and told her about Nicodemus' request. And she contacted him to confirm it. Hazardous Materials has her permission to be in Greece and the Mediterranean as long as that's the only place you go."

Genie grinned. "You mean Ms. Crane is still on edge about our sinking the British Isles?"

Xanel very busily worked on Adam's body and legs. The Japanese Dragon was lending a helpful claw, though Xanel was doing all of the work.

Cynthia said, "Will Adam be well enough to take on your mission this time? I don't think I like the idea of leaving him unprotected where Grim can try to get at him just because he's all too happy over collecting someone frail like Adam."

"I will not leave his side," Garm affirmed from his place by the door. "When Xanel has completed his care of Adam, I will stand guard to make sure the silly mortals don't screw up anything else. Even if I have to take him to my room at Hel's estate."

Xanel hummed. "I think Grim could get to Adam in Hel's residence, Garm. Plus... I don't want you to miss out on Nicodemus' party this weekend. Kevin mentally told me that was what was going on. The old satyr is having a birthday party." He winked with a naughty grin. "However, I think your idea of taking Adam with us is a very good idea. I don't trust the doctors here. Gods... now I sound like my father. We will transport Adam and the rest of you to the Hazardous Materials Research Cruiser where you can keep an eye on him there. I will return and rejoin Vicky and the others and see what the actual travel plan is. Sound good?"

Cynthia said, "I will stay with Garm to watch over Adam during the trip. That way if Grim does show up, maybe my magic can do things to the old death to protect Adam."

"As soon as you're done I think we should go," Garm mentioned, his ears perked toward the door. "I can hear the doctors coming down the hall."

Xanel then finished up what he had been doing at that moment. "Honorable dragon... would you assist me in transporting Adam to the Research Cruiser's Infirmary. It is a lot better equipped than this hospital is."

And then the group, with the dragon, Adam, Xanel, Cynthia, Garm, and Zealot... vanished out of the hospital room just as the doctors were arriving at the door to come inside.

The group appeared aboard the Research Cruiser in the Infirmary where Adam was laid gently on one of the available beds.

Xanel then said, "Hel has an access door aboard the cruiser leading to his residence, Garm. So if you feel you need to fetch anything for Adam, you will have far easier access for doing so. I need to go check in with the others now. I am lucky my long range teleport works so well for the places that I have been before."

Cynthia added, "Zealot and I will call Mr. Dalton so he doesn't freak out about his son being stolen from the hospital."

Xanel said, "Thank you. I was going to suggest that." And then he teleported back home to the mansion.

"I'll make the call," Zealot said, flipping open her phone. "Yes, Mr. Dalton, please," she said into it. "Mr. Dalton, you don't know me, my name is Zealot, I'm affiliated with Hazardous Materials, specifically Victoria Lane. Xanel, you may know him as Alex, has performed some healing ministrations to Adam. To facilitate a calm healing environment, and to prevent the doctors from killing him, we have removed Adam from the hospital. He will be under the care of Cynthia Merlin, Garm, and myself. I assure you that he is in better care now that he would have been should he have remained in the hospital. I shall contact you periodically with updates."

Nicodemus chuckled on the screen. "The ????????? ?????????? has little influence here in Greece," he said smugly. "Too many of the old gods still wander the streets. Not to mention other mythological beasts and beings that she is ill equipped to deal with."

"Now that we have all that cleared up," Vicky interjected, indicating Mr. Hazard, "perhaps we can get down to business and start making arrangements for our little vacation. Of course, now that Xanel is preoccupied with Adam, Mr. Hazard, will it still be necessary for me to go? Unless, he finishes fairly quickly."

"Oh there is little reason to rush," Nicodemus smiled. "The actual party isn't until this weekend, so you have a few days to prepare. I've already made arrangements for you to all stay at my cliff side villa. There is plenty of room, and privacy, for all of you to be au natural," he added with a wink.

Reginald Hazard replied to Vicky, "Actually, my plan was for having your team go over in groups. You, Xanel, Mark, and Trina in one group. Kevin, Reena, Mikael, and Lionel in another group. And the powerhouse members of your team taking the shuttle with the honorary members so they can load, transport, and deliver the gifts and supplies to the party itself. And there are to be a LOT of supplies. Namely fine wines and exotic foods that I don't think some of you should be sticking your fingers into until you are given permission by Nicodemus. As for Adam and his recovery... if Xanel has indeed finished healing the boy, I really do not think he should be left in that hospital or those doctors will try to reverse whatever work Xanel did and inadvertently assist Grim in his task. And no offense to you, Teen Death... but I know how much this team cares about their own. There is no way in the Outer Planes that they would simply let Grim have the boy."

He chuckled. "Victoria and I have discussions about the team when we are not conducting other business. That's how I know a bit more than I would normally know."

Mark smiled at Trina. "We get to be part of the romantic couples group."

Vicky simply nodded, choosing not to comment on his 'powerhouse' comment. The balance of power within Hazardous Materials was fluid. They all knew it. Outsiders usually assumed that only a few of them ranked high among them in terms of power. She acknowledged that most people jumped to that conclusion because of the age of some of the members, Vinnie, Mikael, and Ivan for example.

And while she has shared much about the team with Mr. Hazard, she had been very careful to keep the individual members backgrounds and powers to herself. Some things are just better off not known. Like Hel's very violent other side that Trina and Mark had told everyone about secretly. She wished she could have seen that side of him.

Trina laid her head on Mark's shoulder. "AW! How sweet!"

Xanel suddenly appeared in Kevin's lap! "Hi sexy!" He then SMOOOCHED Kevin on the lips before hopping off and walking over to Victoria. "Hi Vicky. Everything is squared away with Adam. We have him aboard the HM Research Cruiser. I just didn't trust the doctors to let him heal after the work I did for him. Garm and Cynthia are standing guard over Adam with that Japanese Dragon friend of his. Zealot stayed with them, too. So what's the plan here?"

Mikael giggled. "Xanel and Kevin... om..."

Xanel commented toward Mikael. "He has good lips!"

Reena smirked, though actually happy that Xanel helped her brother.

Kevin just smiled, "What can I say? I was blessed with soft lips."

"It seems you're just in time," Vicky informed him, "it seems we'll be transporting to Greece in waves. Not even The 300 Spartans could stand up to our assault."

Vinnie cast a smirk at Ivan, "Who does that remind you of?"

"Behave you two," Erina warned.

Hel laughed boisterously.

"I'm jealous," Trina joked, nudging Mark.

Xanel grinned and he gathered Mark and Trina close to himself and Vicky... and then, he initiated his Unikron teleport power. It had been evening in L.A., but in the Mediterranean, it was nearly 6 A.M.

Unfortunately, because Xanel had never been to Athens, Greece before, their arrival location was not what he was expecting.

Previously on Arcadia Zoe: Episode Three - The School Dance

On Circe's Island, a young sorcerer was making his way through a forested part of the island, when all of a sudden, there came a sudden clap of thunder just ahead of him, followed by an explosion, and a strong gust of air from an arrival. But the part that came next was not what he was expecting to hear on an island in the Mediterranean...

"Way to go, Xanel," said an annoyed female voice. "You dropped us in the middle of a forest."

The one called Xanel replied, "I'm sorry, Vicky. You know I haven't been the same with my teleporting since we returned from my home world." Then there was a pause. "Are you two OK?"

"I have been through better teleport landings, you know," said a second male voice. "What about you, Trina?"

The one called Trina said, "If I hadn't instinctively shifted into my jaguar form, that landing might have hurt me a lot, Mark. Just where are we, anyway? This doesn't look like Nicodemus' Tavern."

The one known as Mark said, "Xanel got us lost. That's a first."

Xanel replied, "I said I was sorry, guys." He sighed. "My dad is not too thrilled about my being stuck 95% of the time in my Unikron body. And he is especially not pleased that I have two bodyguards living in the mansion with me. Cryston Warhorn and Aurora Firebane. I still can't believe that they agreed to come back to Earth with us."

The young sorcerer chose that moment to make his presence known as he stepped forward out of the forest. And when he did, he instantly recognized the people for who they were. It was four of the primary members of Hazardous Materials. "Hey! What are you guys doing in the Mediterranean? I thought Hazardous Materials prowled California!"

Mark smiled when he heard and saw the newcomer. "Roger Rogers! You're supposed to be in Richfield, Virginia!"

Trina stood, in all her feline grace and tossed her hair back over her shoulder. "Roger! Fancy meeting you here," she said with a wink.

"I apologize, Xanel," Vicky said, rubbing her bottom, "but I don't recall you ever dropping us on our butts before." She placed her hand lightly on his forearm. "I know it's not your fault."

Roger smiled. "Nice feline body, Trina. It is most amazing how it doesn't tear your new clothes. That must be a real benefit."

Mark grinned. "I was wondering how that was going to work. Anyway Roger... what are you doing here? We were on our way to Nicodemus' Tavern in Athens... and someone miscalculated..."

Xanel stood up and brushed himself off. "I said I was sorry, Mark. I've never been to Athens before and I really wanted to try to make the trip under my power."

Roger stopped smiling at that point and said, "You guys may not be too thrilled when you find out where you are... You see, about a week ago, I became the apprentice to a real live centaur sorcerer named Gavin Whitelaw, the son of Circe and Ren of the Northern Herd. He was in Richfield to educate Arcadia Zoe on her true heritage. Anyway... Gavin teleported me here on a magical assignment. I have to find three animals who were once human and talk to all three of them. Therefore... we're on Circe's hidden island in the Aegean Sea. The rest of the guys are due to show up in an hour or so."

Mark irked. "Circe? Oh boy... I better really behave myself then. I don't want to be a pig."

Roger laughed. "Gavin told me that his mom stopped doing pigs around the time of Christ."

"Thanks, Roger. I spent some time in space finishing up my studies and I was rewarded with some shopping. I love my new wardrobe of clothes that are malleable," she smiled.

Vicky looked around. "Circe's island, huh? We only have a few humans in the team. Mark, you may be the only one of us in danger here," she suggested.

Roger smiled. "Circe and Ren are both asleep at this hour, but will awaken at 6 A.M. It was a 7-hour difference between Richfield and here, so it's a 10-hour difference between L.A. and here. So you are all safe as long as you don't make any noise. You guys must have left the west coast around 8 P.M." He then sighed. "However, I still have to find those three animal victims and I don't know how I am going to do it."

"You're right, Roger. It was 8 P.M. when we teleported." Then Mark asked, "So what are you looking for?"

Roger smiled again. "I have to find and talk to an otter, a rat, and a donkey, in that order. I will not have to use magic to speak to them because they are transformed victims. I just have to find them and talk to them. That is my assignment. Unfortunately, like you guys... when Gavin teleported me... I landed here in this forest on the island. I don't know where my quarry is."

"An otter?" Trina confirmed. "Then we need to find some water, preferably a river. If you'd like we could help you find the ones you're supposed to talk to," she offered. "I can always track them by scent."

Roger smiled. "I would appreciate the help a LOT, Trina. I've been trying to find these animals for the past 6 hours."

Xanel hummed. "We'll do that then and when we're done, Mark can teleport us over to Athens so my next attempt doesn't smack our asses on the marble streets."

Mark grinned. "You said you were sorry."

Trina lifted her face and inhaled deeply through her nose. "Hm, that's odd," she muttered. "The scent of all three of the animals you are looking for are all coming from the same direction," she said, indicating. "Shall we go?" she asked, leading the way.

"Well, we knew the risks," Vicky laughed, hugging Xanel. "Let's follow the huntress."

Back in Los Angeles, the others were preparing for their journeys. Mikael _had_ been to Athens before therefore he was handling his group's teleportation. The others were loading the Research Cruiser for the trip to Nicodemus' Tavern.

"Ok, guys," Erina announced, looking over the clipboard in her hand, "everything is packed up in the HM cruiser. We really need to give her a name at some point," she muttered in an aside. "Everyone got all their personal stuff gathered together?"

Mikael said to Erina, "I think so, Erina. While it is virtually possible for all of us to simply return to my house and then have you guys fly the shuttle over and then we could simply step through the magical portals we have installed inside the cruiser in place of the bedrooms... I get the feeling that someone didn't explain the Cruiser's altered capabilities very well. Anyway, I can still teleport my group over to the Tavern, if need be. Might even be a good idea for making sure that our sleeping quarters are actually in order."

"I realize that we're staying in Nicodemus' villa," Vinnie said, "but it is still good to make sure that all we need is in our 'rooms' on the cruiser."

Kevin agreed, "Plus, it will allow us to check on Adam regularly." Of course he was thinking of Reena.

"I'm sure that now Xanel has worked on him, he should recover quickly," Hel speculated. "And Garm won't let anyone 'unauthorized' near him. If Grim tries anything, he might end up being a chew toy. I wonder if he'll squeak?" Hel joked.

Richfield, Virginia; Uncle Remus' estate...

Jason smiled. "This was a most excellent dinner, Remus. Are you sure one of us can't help you wash the dishes?"

Remus growled a little, then winked with a grin. "Guests don't do that and it would be improper to make a potential Greek goddess have dishpan hands."

Irene giggled, then glanced over at the Richards and McVanns. "I am certainly looking forward toward this trip. It's not often that we get to see other parts of the world."

Arcadia hummed, still concerned over Hades' threat during the school dance of Arcadia staying out of the Mediterranean that weekend and here they were preparing to go there regardless.

"It might teach her some humility," Michelle suggested.

Karen rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. If that's the case, perhaps you should do the dishes."

Michelle just glared at her twin.

"I think Arcadia has beautiful hands," Kevin offered.

"Of course he does," Linda whispered to Jason.

Arcadia said, "Michelle... I used to be the poorest girl in Richfield. I have probably washed more dishes than you have ever washed yourself in your entire life. The problem here on the estate is that Remus won't let anyone touch his dishes except Gavin. Therefore, I am forbidden from washing dishes here. Remus thinks I am this lady of the finest quality." She winked with a grin.

Gavin then opened his eyes. "It is nearly time to make the transport over to mom's island. I hope all of you got in some rest because when we arrive there, it will be 6 A.M. The 7 hour difference, remember? It's almost 11 P.M. here."

Jason stood up. "I think we are ready to make the trip. Though like Kevin, I am worried about Roger being by himself. He is a good person and what you know to be not dangerous could be very dangerous for him. Unlike you, he can't teleport out of harm's way."

Michelle shrugged. "Whatever."

Irene said to Michelle, "I thought you and Arcadia were getting along fairly well after the school dance, but now you sound cranky. Anyway..." she looked to Gavin. "...we're ready for the group teleport. And if you require me to lend you some power for the teleport, I am willing to give it."

Gavin nodded his head and began preparing the teleport spell for moving the group and their suitcases over to Circe's Island in the Mediterranean for the weekend. The rest and meditation that Gavin had gotten helped greatly for the magic arose around their group, and as Remus' mansion faded from view, Circe's and Ren's inner courtyard on her hidden island in the main villa of houses, though there was a workshop and a barn and stables clearly within view to the back.

Gavin smiled as he closed his spell book. "Welcome to my parent's island. And we have arrived about ten minutes after 6 A.M. My parents should be waking up any minute. I am sure they will love to meet all of you."

Jason was glancing around. "Um, I don't see Roger, Gavin. Where is he?"

Gavin replied, "Probably out in the cursed victims barn and stables where my mother houses those who she has changed for reasons of one or another. I did give Roger an assignment, so let us give him the time he needs to complete that assignment."

Arcadia was busy checking out the surroundings with her Focus and Aura abilities, and she could clearly see that Roger was not in the villa, nor had he been. "Gavin? I think you made a mistake about Roger. There is no trace of his Aura ever being in the villa. And I have been practicing my basic abilities you taught me. Are you sure you teleported him here to the villa? Carefully think back to when you sent him to the island..."

Gavin closed his eyes and went back over the details of the teleport. Then he opened his eyes and sighed. "Oh my. You are correct, Arcadia. I made a slight error. I teleported Roger to an old campsite in the forest on this island where Ren and I went camping at once when father was teaching me on how to do centaur things. And that would mean that he has spent the last six to seven hours wandering around that forest in the dark looking for the animals I meant for him to talk to. I hope he is okay."

Michelle sighed, "Sorry. The whole dance was a fiasco. No one even asked me to dance. It was a waste of time. And that dress," she shuddered, "I don't know how I let you guys talk me into even going."

"I hope we don't get magical jet lag," Linda laughed.

Some moments later...

Roger said, "Hey, I see Gavin and the others just ahead. Are you sure the three animals I need are over here, Trina?"

Gavin smiled. "There's Roger..." then he frowned a little. "...and he's not alone. I wonder where they came from?"

Irene grinned. "I know who they are! I recognize Victoria Lane! It's the Hazardous Materials team! And that must be Mark Merlin! He only wears white magicians clothes!"

Arcadia was of course in the dark about the new people. "Who?"

Just then, Circe and Ren of the Northern Herd emerged from the main house. "Did I hear an owl just now?" inquired Circe. "Gavin! You're home!" And she hugged the young centaur fondly.

Xanel smiled when he saw Ren. "Now that is a big stud. Probably bigger than I am underneath..." He winked with a grin as he said that.

Trina took another deep sniff of the air and replied, "Yes, definitely."

Michelle laughed. "Victoria Lane, probably the only girl in the world to get into more trouble than I do."

"Hazardous Materials is a team of mystery solving super people that travel all over the world and, well, solve mysteries," Kevin informed Arcadia. "That is just a few of their members."

Roger stepped up to Gavin and said, "I'm sorry, Master Gavin, but you teleported me literally to the other side of the island. And not long after I was there, these guys accidentally overshot Athens via teleport and crash landed on the island nearby. Trina Tracker was helping me to track down the animals you told me to come talk to."

Gavin said, "It is my fault, Roger. I made a mistake when I teleported you. I was tired, as you surely recall. Just complete your assignment and you can meet with my mother and father later. The animals you seek are within that building over there." He pointed the way for his apprentice.

As Roger the Sorcerer in training headed off on his assignment, the other HM teens stepped up into the inner courtyard.

Xanel said, "I apologize for crashing us on your island, Ms. Circe. We were heading to Athens for Nicodemus' birthday party."

Circe smiled. "That's tonight, actually. Well, I can forgive you teenagers for that, then. I'll just call Nicodemus up on my magic mirror and tell him that you four accidentally arrived here instead of at his place. And then, I can give you precise directions to his tavern in Athens."

Xanel smiled, too. "Thank you for understanding, Ms. Circe."

Circe headed inside to make the mirror-call.

Merlin released a sigh of relief. "She wasn't upset at our being here. I was really worried."

Irene grinned. "She wasn't upset because she knew the Richfield Champions and Arcadia Zoe were on our way to see her this weekend. She was expecting teenagers on the island. Otherwise... there is no telling how she might have taken your arrival."

Jason giggled, then turned his head away and pivoted his head skyward and belched, releasing a gout of dragon flame. "Ugh... Please excuse me. At least I had some warning that time... No one turned into a crispy critter."

Arcadia Zoe smiled and shook hands with Xanel the Unikron, Mark, Victoria, and Trina the Were-Jaguar. "I'm Arcadia Zoe... the potential Greek goddess in training whom Hades is trying to kill. You know how it is... don't you?"

Trina smiled triumphantly. "The nose knows," she said, placing her hands on her hips and throwing her hair over her shoulder with a toss of her head.

Vicky laughed. "Yes, Arcadia, we're pretty familiar with that. Someone is always trying to kill one of us at one time or another."

"Circe is actually pretty understanding," Karen explained to Mark. "She has really mellowed over the centuries also."

At Nicodemus' Villa, Mikael and the second team had arrived at the Tavern. "What do you mean Xanel and the others aren't here?" asked Mikael. "They left a whole hour before we did."

"Like I said, Mikael," Nicodemus repeated, "they never arrived. I'm sure there's no reason to worry."

When Circe returned, she said, "The second team already arrived at the villa and were asking what had happened to you guys. Nicodemus was laughing when he heard you landed on the hidden islands. There are far worse islands to crash land on. You could have accidentally found his wife, you know." She winked. "Nicodemus didn't laugh at my joke, that time. Anyway, I have been authorized to open a portal to his villa courtyard to send you people through so you don't mis-teleport again. If you missed Athens a second time, you could landed in northern Europe."

Mark commented. "I don't think Olivia Crane would want to know that we were popping in and out of European countries behind her back. We have her permission to be in Greece; nowhere else. We thank you for the portal."

Ren of the Northern Herd grinned. "Isn't her niece the one who wrote in the Mysteries Inc Newsletter that your team sunk the British Isles?"

Xanel sighed. "Katherine did that? Now we know who is responsible for that rumor. There are people in space who BELIEVED that story."

Circe was already opening the portal to Athens and Nicodemus' Villa.

Arcadia said, "Sinking a collection of islands would take divine power, unless I am wrong. I know Poseidon could do it, being the god of the sea. But I doubt your team could or would do it."

Jason grinned. "That sexy Hel, brother to Hela, is a member of their team, Arcadia. He has divine power. But you're right... I also don't think he would sink their islands."

Mark muttered, "...unless someone sang the My Little Pony theme song and implied him directly..."

Irene's hearing was top-notch, but she decided not to ask what that song and a Norse deity had in common.

Gavin said, "I am sure my mother won't mind serving breakfast to the teenagers I brought with me. Then after a necessary sleep for all, we can openly discuss Hades' attempts on Arcadia's life. Oh, and mom... Hades said you were an old cow. And I know better."

With the Portal open, Circe said, "My breast milk isn't THAT old!"

Xanel stepped up to the portal and stepped through it. A few seconds later, his head emerged from the portal. "The others are waiting for us, guys." Then he was gone again.

Mark smiled and bowed to Circe in the standard Magician's flair, then he strode through the portal in an impressive, though staged, manner.

Irene giggled. "He likes to make a show, I think." She would ask what the song and deity could be about AFTER the HM team leaves the island. She didn't think the visiting teenagers would actually volunteer any information on it.

"Of course!" Vicky laughed, "we should have known that Katherine would be the culprit behind that. Anything she can do to make her aunt's life harder."

Trina's keen ears picked it up and she shuddered. "Hush!" she admonished Mark. "The less said on that the better."

"Are you sure about that?" Nicodemus said, stepping through the portal.

"Mark always has an overblown flair for the dramatic," Trina explained. "That's why I love him so much. His is the only flair that can match mine," she winked as she performed a front tuck, into a handstand, then a back walkover, finally executing a Straddle Split, Somi-and-a- Half, full frontal layout through the portal.

Vicky just shook her head as she walked toward the portal. "She's a show off. It used to be much more impressive when all she wore was the bikini," she finished disappearing through the portal.

"Thank you again, Circe, for arranging the portal," Nicodemus said again. "I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of each other over the weekend," he winked following the others.

In Athens at Nicodemus' Villa...

Xanel gave Nicodemus a nice hug and smiled. "You don't look a day over 14!" He then headed off to check on his villa bedroom, chuckling.

Mark giggled. "I was thinking 15 myself. We know how satyrs are."

Genie said, "I know he's not over 400 like me..."

Ivan grinned as he emerged from the villa. "This place needs a Carrington Security System! It's appalling! There isn't even a MacDowell Security System in place and they are the best brand in Europe! I am completely shocked!"

Mikael rolled his eyes. "Will you get over yourself, Ivan? You're always complaining about the lack of security in people's homes."

Lionel smiled. "Maybe complaining is the only way he can find new ways to improve his product by."

Nearly everyone laughed including the narrator.

Teen Death said, "Grim has to show up. It is against regulations for him to leave me behind at any location. And I will be reporting this."

Genie commented, "Good. You should report it. He's done this to me on more than one occasion."

Nicodemus returned Xanel's hug then turned his attention to the others. "Now you know I'm not a satyr, Mark," he chuckled, and then he surprised everyone by actually hugging Genie. "And I'm much older than you are, sweet one." After releasing her, he led the others into the courtyard, "As for my security," he went on, "I've never had need of one. My home is open to all. And there is nothing worth stealing here."

Vicky just laughed. "I can't get over how open it is. No doors, open windows, gauzy curtains. Someone might think we're on vacation or something," she joked.

Vinnie came out of the room he had been given wearing loose pants much like the ones Nicodemus wore. The only difference was Vinnie's pants were a fluid silver material where Nicodemus' were white. "I'm going to take a stroll down by the beach before breakfast," he said. "Anyone want to join me?"

Trina stretched and shifted back into her human form. "Wouldn't you know it? I wear actual clothing for the first time in I don't know how long, and there is a beautiful stretch of beach down there just calling our names. Good thing I went ahead and packed my bikini," she winked.

"I'm going to go check on Garm," Hel said, heading to the ship. He was still dressed in his signature flap, the only change to his costume was that he had removed his leather boots and replaced them with strappy sandals. "He's probably getting hungry."

Erina entered the courtyard from another room wearing a flowing soft green gown. "I love the clothes here!" she exclaimed, doing a small pirouette, causing the gauzy material to flare out around her calves. "The joy of living on the Mediterranean is that you don't have to worry about all the misty rain that we get up north in the Isles."

"I think it's great," Kevin agreed. "It will be nice to actually get a chance to be a tourist. Just think of all the places we've been and didn't get a chance to really enjoy ourselves. Thanks a lot, Nicodemus."

"Always a pleasure, Kevin," Nicodemus said, leading the way into the dining area. It couldn't be called a room because the long tables were only enclosed by walls with open archways. There was no ceiling, and the rising sun provided light and warmth around them.

While Xanel and Andrew stayed in their shared bedroom... the others followed Nicodemus out to the dining area.

Teen Death remarked, "Even in life, I don't think I've ever been in Athens. This is quite the place."

Mark said with grin, "Another lady impressed, Nicodemus."

Genie said, "I've been here before when Grim dragged me over here one time to collect some dead rioters. And I didn't even get to go see the sights and sites that time."

Ivan sat down at a table. "Always a pleasure to get a meal from a good friend."

Lionel and Mikael sat at a table together and conducted a private magic lesson together.

Hazardous Materials Research Cruiser; Infirmary

Adam smiled weakly as he saw his sister looking worried nearby, though his hand was resting on Garm's head, while the Japanese Dragon was making fresh soup for him.

Cynthia and Zealot were standing over away from the bed, though both on watch.

"I have been trying to devise magic to use on Grim," said Cynthia. "I've never targeted a Death before. Is it even possible?"

Reena commented. "He hates Ding Dong jokes. I think Genie still uses them on him occasionally. And Genie also still has that Bad-Mouthed Bunny stashed away somewhere. She loves that thing that she got when we were solving The Haunted Toy Factory mystery with the Glack Phantom. Maybe someone should transform it into it's real counterpart and we'll see how long Genie still loves it."

Adam quietly chuckled. "That is funny, sis. Thanks for coming to see me."

Zealot shrugged. "I don't really know anything about it, but if I had to guess, I would suggest something that might affect the undead. After all, isn't that kinda what he is?"

Garm snuffed against Adam. "I don't think we'll have to worry about Grim now," he affirmed as Hel entered.

"We're getting ready to have breakfast with Nicodemus," Hel announced. "I know Garm will want something to eat. How about you ladies?" he asked.

"Yes, please," Zealot responded.

Cynthia said, "That sounds fine by me. Thanks."

Reena petted on Adam's head. "I'll see about getting you some Greek myths to add to your sketchbook. You deserve it."

Adam nodded his head tiredly. "I know you'll do your best, sis. I'm just really tired, that's all."

Reena said, "Don't you dare die on me or I'll spank for your ghost so hard that the Angels and Devils both can see your butt glowing across the Outer Planes." She winked, then she departed.

"Just sit tight," Hel said, scratching Garm behind the ears. "I'll bring you back plenty of food. If I know Nicodemus, he has enough food laid out for an army. He is nothing if not generous to his friends. You get some rest, Adam." Then Hel followed in Reena's steps.

As they entered the dining courtyard, they were amazed by the tables that were covered by all sorts of fruits, meats, and breads. One table had steaming plates of ham, bacon, sausage links, and even small cuts of steak, all cooked to perfection. Another table bore bowls of pomegranates, grapes, figs, and olives, along with some fruits they had never seen before. The last table was covered with fresh baked rolls, flatbreads, and loaves of sweet bread. The aromatic mixture was enough to cause mouths to water.

Nicodemus just shrugged, "I can't help it if I have that effect of the ladies. I don't even try. Please, everyone, sit and enjoy, I have to go on to the bar and take care of business, you're all welcome to explore to your hearts content. I will see you all this evening," he finished, giving a wave as he turned and walked away.

While Xanel and Andrew sat on one bed within their shared bedroom, Grim suddenly appeared with a birthday present all wrapped up with a black ribbon and gloomy mist swirled silver wrapping paper.

"Oh good! It's just you two!" exclaimed Grim. "I got Nicodemus a birthday present. I hope he likes it. One of his old deceased rivals from ages ago was on the verge of losing his skeletal remains, so... I had Randal Richmonds entomb the remains within a very realistic full-color fountain statue so I could give it to the birthday boy."

Xanel looked at Grim. "You don't fool me for a second, Grim. You're still after Adam. What are you really up to?"

Grim placed the present on an end table and then said, "Oh yes, Adam Dalton. Let me give you another hint, Xanel... I gave you one hint already and apparently that thick head of yours didn't figure it out. Are you listening carefully this time? As long as Adam is a son of Adam he will die tonight when the moon rises over the Mediterranean. And Poseidon is arranging for clear skies tonight in Nicodemus' honor, so you see... I have nothing to do with the moon nor the weather. When the moon reflects over the waters... if Adam is still of Adam... he dies."

Then Grim growled as his head pivoted off toward the North Pole. "Hold that thought... an Eskimo is about to drown." POOF! He was gone.

Andrew looked at Xanel and hummed. "You know, Xanel... for someone who is just doing their job by being forced to collect Adam... he sure is giving you a lot of hints on how to save Adam from dying. Could it be that he actually _likes_ the boy?"

Xanel hummed as well. "I think you're right, Andrew. And Grim said that I missed the first hint when I went to heal Adam. Now he gives this new hint and I don't have a clue as to what he means."

Andrew played a few notes on his flute, then he said, "Grim said, As long as Adam is a son of Adam, then he will die tonight. And I think I am starting to figure this out. I mean, I am not a senior member of the team like you and the others are... but... I seem to recall that the only place I know of for the phrase "son of Adam" is used is in the Chronicles of Narnia. Remember when the faun says to Lucy that he was ordered to watch out for sons of Adam and daughters of Eve? He was referring to human kind. Adam Dalton is a son of Adam, ergo, a human. And according to Grim, as long as Adam is a human, then he dies tonight. Grim is just obeying the collection rules. His personal feelings aside... he doesn't want to collect Adam, but the upper powers are telling him to do it or else. And you don't ask the Heavens... Or else what?" He winked with a grin.

Xanel hummed again. "Then I know how to save Adam. But... I can't do it myself. I can't shape change people's species."

Andrew grinned. "I'll bet a Merlin could! And Cynthia is watching over Adam right now with Garm!"

Xanel smiled. "I bet your right! Let's go!" And the two headed out toward the Research Cruiser at a run.

Mark ate little, as he noticed the Greek studs on the beach with their handsome looks and muscular bodies. (Oh brother... When Trina sees that, she'll be right down there among them and I don't want to see that. Witnessing things like that always tears me up. So if I don't see it, I won't be upset.) He slowly stood up from his table, wiping his mouth with a napkin, and headed out of the villa and toward the shopping district of Athens... maybe he could find something nice to give Nicodemus on his birthday tonight.

Ivan also saw the studs and whispered toward Vinnie, "Beefcake magnet that attracts Jaguars alert."

Reena was actually just eating quietly for a change. She was worried about her brother and Grim lurking where ever he was.

Mikael and Lionel continued their magic lesson oblivious to the others.

Genie and Teen Death had also taken a walk, though they were walking down the beach, discussing things about Grim's obvious behavior and sharing the doorbell joke.

Cynthia noticed Xanel and Andrew coming into Adam's recovery room. "Isn't the breakfast good enough, guys?"

Xanel said, "We wouldn't know, Cynthia. But we had another encounter with Grim and he dropped another hint on us about how I can save Adam. You might want to listen to this, Garm... Grim said, As long as Adam was a son of Adam, then he would die tonight when the moon reflected over the Mediterranean. Andrew thinks he has it figured out, but I want a second opinion. What do you guys think?"

Garm looked up from his position beside Adam's bed. "Sounds like he's trying to say that Adam should be changed into something non-human," he said, then looked at Adam. "Would you want to be something other than human?"

Zealot looked up from the magazine she was reading, "I'd have to agree with Garm, that is exactly what it sounds like, but why would you have to change him into something else if you've already healed the damage the doctors had done?" she pondered.

Just then, Hel appeared with several heavily laden platters of food. "I wasn't sure what you all would want so I just brought a little bit of everything. Nicodemus put out enough food to feed a small country, and I thought maybe Adam could try to eat something," he suggested. "Have to keep your strength up."

Vinnie stood on the beach looking out across the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean. He wasn't too happy about Grim leaving Teen Death around while he was flitting off. Running his fingers through his hair, he sighed and looked back up toward the villa. He noticed Genie and Teen Death down the beach a ways and smiled. Now why didn't he think of that? He chuckled and made his way back to the villa, he might be able to eat something after all.

Trina looked around, "Uh, Ivan, Vinnie isn't here," she mentioned, her ears having picked up his comment. "And I have no interest in those Greek guys," she added, making to place her hand on Mark's leg, only to notice that he was gone. "Now where did he slip off to?" she asked, looking over at Kevin and Reena.

Kevin shrugged. "Don't know, I'm actually trying NOT to pick up everyone's thoughts. It's proving to be more work than when I had to concentrate on listening in."

Vicky had eaten her fill and was looking toward the beach. "I think I'm going to go for a swim," she announced, standing up. "Come on Trina, I'm sure Mark probably is just exploring, maybe he's looking to buy Nicodemus a present. None of us really came prepared, after all."

"I supposed you're right," Trina agreed. "I'll go down to the beach with you, but I think I'll just do some sun bathing."

"I'll go too," Erina offered. "Those guys down there are pretty hunky," she said lustily.

Adam smiled at Garm and the others as he replied tiredly, "I'll be okay with whatever you wanted to do to me to make me better. But..." He paused, looking weaker and more tired than usual.

Xanel arched an eye. "But what, Adam? Are you okay?"

Adam released a slow breath of air beginning to look pale again. "...i think that if Grim was actually after me... nothing you did to me would save me from him... i think..." his eyes were starting to close. "...that... that... i am... a decoy..." and then, Adam was unconscious as his monitors began sounding an alarm.

Xanel rapidly began working on Adam again to revive him. Apparently, Adam, being a cripple, was in need of a medication that he had been taking before the space trip and... he needed it quickly. And Xanel had no idea what that medication was. And he was getting upset over his lack of knowledge over Adam's condition and health. "Dammit! I am not giving up now!" And his spiraled horn began glowing brightly. It was something he rarely ever did. Something that always left him extremely weak afterward.

But Adam needed this miracle right now.

Cynthia hummed. "Zealot! Call Mr. Dalton and ask him what medicines Adam is taking!"

Ivan blinked his eyes then blushed a little. "Oh. Sorry. I thought he came back." After that, he quietly looked down into his food.

Mikael glanced over at Ivan's table and frowned a little. He had a suspicion on what was going on with Ivan and he hoped he was wrong.

Lionel noticed the glance, but he said nothing as he focused on his advanced lesson.

Reena said to Kevin, "I saw Mark head out of the Villa toward Athen's shopping district. He had... that one look... on his face. The same kind of look he had in Mexico when Trina went Ga-Ga."

Mark smiled as he purchased a flower from a nice looking girl. "My fiance will appreciate this as long as cat men stay away from her while we're here in Athens."

The flower girl said, "You could go to a nearby sculptor and get your friend a statue done for her. She might be very interested in receiving such a gift." And she gave Mark directions to the supposed sculptor's shop.

Mark smiled. "Thank you, miss. I should find Medea's Stone Works easily now." And he headed off following the directions.

The flower girl grinned slyly as her form shimmered and... in her place stood Hades. (Take that, Roger Rogers... now to strike the others.) And he strode off toward Nicodemus' Tavern.

Zealot had already pressed the speed dial and was just waiting for someone to answer. She hardly waited for them to say hello before she was demanding, "I need to know exactly what medications and what doses Adam needs NOW!"

Garm had stepped away to allow Xanel closer access to Adam. "He might have a point," he pondered aloud, "Grim could just be using him as a decoy. But why would he need to? Who else would he possibly be after?"

Hel thought about it for a moment. "Good question, G. There aren't that many humans in HM." He counted off on his fingers, "Reena, Kevin, Ivan, and Mark."

"Oh, well, he should be fine," Kevin said. "He couldn't possibly get into any trouble in Athens on Nicodemus' birthday."

Narrator Two laughs her ass off because this is the second jinx that Kevin has uttered. That's right, it's all his fault.

Just then, Vinnie entered the courtyard. "Wow! What a spread," he said, sitting beside Ivan.

Vicky, Trina, and Erina were soon down on the beach spreading blankets out on the white sand. Trina stretched out on her stomach on her blanket, and opened a bridal magazine. Erina flitted off down the beach to where the studs were frolicking in the sand. Vicky made her way slowly into the water, enjoying the way the waves lapped up against her.

Hades walked into the tavern and approached the counter. When he got there, he said, "I have something for Nicodemus. Where is he?"

"Hades!" Nicodemus greeted. "You're a bit early. The party isn't scheduled to begin until later. My guests are enjoying my hospitality and the sights beforehand. What do you have there?"

Hades smiled at Nicodemus and hugged him. "I wanted to drop off my presents a little early. I have irons in the fire currently so I may be coming and going from your party periodically. Although my wife Persephone will be attending the party. She's been looking forward to it."

He then handed Nicodemus a statue of a beautiful teen aged human female, though in truth... it looked just like Arcadia Zoe wearing a Greek toga and sandals with a wreath in her hair. A very striking though younger resemblance to Artemis when the goddess was younger.

Nicodemus accepted the statuette. "Interesting. Thanks. I haven't seen Persephone in ages, it'll be good to see her again. Too bad that you have to work," he emphasized. "I'll make sure and save you some cake and wine."

Hades grinned. "There is never rest for the wicked when the piper has not been paid. If I finish early, old friend... I'll hope to arrive during the fireworks display they are arranging in your honor. Until later, drink well." And he headed off to complete more deeds of infamous doings.

"Until later then, Hades," Nicodemus said, waving him on his way.

Mrs. Dalton informed Zealot of Adam's medicine and dosage that he required once a day and had been good about taking since he was six years old. They had a supply of the medicine at home, but didn't know how to get it to him because the HM crew had carted undressed Adam off to Timbuktu or where ever they had gone.

Cynthia said, "If Adam is simply a decoy, in my opinion... then judging from the list of the others you just gave, I would have to veto my own brother, Mark, from the list because he had just been given a clean bill of health at the doctor's office not more than a week before this mission/outing to Athens came up. As for Reena and Kevin... Reena literally has to deal with the threat of a spanking that will make her butt glow across massive distances and Kevin's mom has access to the FDA through her ties in Washington D.C. Both Reena and Kevin have parents who were once super villains. So I can't see them as targets for Grim, unless enemies of their parents are going to strike them during Nicodemus' birthday party, which would be the dumbest move of the century. There will be gods there who can intervene at a moment's notice. And I think, from what Mark told me about what you guys told him of the Space adventure recently, that Xanel is the actual son of two Unikron gods which would make Xanel a god himself, hence why Grim told Xanel that he was Adam's only hope for making it through this period of time. It could be that Xanel's involvement in Adam's care taking was pre-written and Grim was simply revealing indirectly what he had read in the volumes of history. He couldn't just tell you directly what he knew, but he could drop hints."

Xanel muttered while feverishly working, "...which is exactly what Grim's been doing..."

Andrew then said while rubbing on Garm's head with his hand, "If I follow your logic, Cynthia, then Adam's transformation during this time in his life and Xanel's interaction in saving his life is pre-recorded in the official records of time, which would indicate that Adam lives through this experience. And given if that is true, then Grim knew that Adam was not a target. But for him to lie about the real target... would indicate that whoever it is... is not as healthy as he or she has been portraying to the team. Therefore, in my opinion... the target is a Senior team member of Hazardous Materials. It must be Ivan."

Cynthia nodded her head. "Exactly what I was leading up to. I mean, how old is Ivan anyway? I thought I read in Victoria's Villain Codex that she had at Mark's one time that Ivan was a super villain in the 1940s long before he came to the United States in the 1950s. Therefore, if Ivan was in his 20s or 30s in 1940-ish... and this is nearly 2010... then Ivan is now 70 years older than he was in his prime. He is literally 90 to 100 years old or older and now we have Grim lurking around the team." Then she paused... "Wait a minute... Grim hasn't been here the whole time, but his ability to take Ivan has been here the whole time. Teen Death was left with the team when Grim jaunted off to handle other dead cases."

Andrew's eyes went wide. "And Teen Death has been almost point blank with Ivan and the others at the Villa. Oh my god... it has to be Ivan."

Ivan muttered to Vinnie, "I made a blunder earlier, old friend. I... thought you returned earlier and I... spoke in a whisper to... no one... and Trina and some of the others heard me. I think I may have to go lay down after breakfast."

Reena playfully slapped Kevin up side the head with her hand. "Dummy! This is Danger Prone Mark Merlin we're talking about! Or have you forgotten what all he has gotten into during the team's past when alone? Let's see... he fell down a coal chute in The Mystery of the Old Lighthouse; he was the first to see the Glack Phantom with Andrew in The Haunted Toy Factory; he got the Hell beat out of him by Vicky in Hazardous Learning Ghouls; he was captured and held prisoner during The Zodiac Mask Mystery in Japan; his clothing was ripped to shreds in Hazardous Magical Mystery Tour in London; he was in a duel against that magic-using robot in Viva La Fiesta Del Hazardo in Mexico; but since then, I don't know what he did in Asgard this last time, aside from his and Trina's whisperings about Hel and My Little Ponies."

Hel was not present, so Reena was able to say that without worrying about it.

Mikael said, "We aren't supposed to talk about that, Reena. Not even in jest."

Genie and Teen Death walked up near Trina. Genie said, "A bridal magazine, Trina? That isn't what you normally read, as I recall. You are normally into weapons and hunting adventures. What has your attention in this magazine? A Mexican Jaguar God?"

Teen Death was likely going to see some growling because of that statement. Though her actual mind wasn't on the current situation; it was on the Villa and Ivan, for she was remembering when Grim had told her when all of the team members were going to die way back when she had asked about it the first time (see HM-08 Viva La Fiesta Del Hazardo! for more details.) She was actually pondering the honest route rather than doing what Grim was apparently doing around his so-called friends.

Zealot looked at Hel, "You need to go get his meds from his mother," she informed, hanging up the phone. "He needs them now!"

Hel disappeared immediately but was back almost instantaneously. He quickly began administering the proper doses of the medications that he had brought back from the Dalton household. "If Ivan is indeed the target, then why all this subterfuge?" Hel wondered aloud, giving Adam the drug cocktail. "There, that should stabilize him," he said, stepping back.

"Well, I think that's pretty underhanded of Death," Garm growled. "I thought he was supposed to be a friend of the team?"

"That's why he brought Teen Death along," Zealot supposed. "She gets the chance to collect someone and since Grim is helping with Adam, he doesn't come off as being the bad guy. Though, if Ivan is that old, I'm surprised he survived a lot of your adventures up to this point."

"I can't see Grim reading up on history," Hel said. "He is like the Gods; he exists in all time simultaneously. He is in the past, present and future at all times." He thought about it for a moment. "Wait a minute! Remember when Mikael was spilling the beans about each of us on a few of our last adventures? He had said that Ivan had been a villain in the 50's. That obviously isn't correct. So I wonder what else he thought he knew isn't correct? I thought he had gained all that information from Space Master's? How is it possible that the information could be wrong? Unless, he purposely gave misleading information," he suggested.

Vinnie frowned and looked at Ivan carefully. "Yes, I think that would be best. Come on," he said, standing and using his magic to help Ivan to his feet. There were times, not many, but there were times, when Vinnie cursed the frailty of the human body. He and Ivan and been friends for a very long time, and there wasn't much he could do for his old friend except keep him comfortable.

"Oh, crap! I forgot!" Kevin exclaimed. "And now he's off alone in Athens. I'm sorry, I was just so distracted trying not to hear everybody that I wasn't even thinking about Murphy's Law Mark. Do you think we should go and try to find him?" he asked. "Although, I could probably find him from right here if I just let my guard drop. Of course, I'd find everyone else in Greece at the same time."

Vinnie ignored the others as he led Ivan to the room they had chosen to share. Once inside, he erected a magical barrier that would block the room from even Kevin's probing. "Lie down, old friend," he instructed. "I'll get you some water and your pills."

Trina bared her teeth at Genie. "That's not funny," she growled. "Actually, Mark and I have been making plans for our wedding. I'm just trying to decide between wedding gowns. I just can't seem to find anything that I really like. Everything I've looked at has either been too princessy, or just way too plain. Of course, we still have to pick out China patterns, place settings, a color scheme, and our venue. Who would have thought there'd be so much planning involved in a wedding. I voted for eloping to Vegas, but my mother and father vetoed that idea," she said with a giggle.

Then she looked up at Genie and Teen Death and narrowed her eyes. "So just what are you two doing anyway?" she asked.

Erina, who was down the beach flirting with the studs, was getting no where with them. For some reason they all seemed to be focused on Trina, who had been ignoring all of them. She found it very strange. They didn't even seem to be paying any attention to Vicky, who was just coming out of the water. Something very strange was happening on this beach, she thought.

Andrew said, "You're right, Hel. I remember when Mikael revealed all of that stuff. Although Lionel admitted to me in private one day after that... that when he and Mikael were at Space Master's place, something didn't look right about the Lane, Seasons, Kingsley, Dalton, and Cabriano records."

Cynthia hummed. "Suppose that the Super Villains, who had as much permission to visit the Space Master Satellite as anyone, found a way to alter their records as they viewed them. And from listening to my father talk in the past, he told us that Space Master only does Video Disc Inventory once per 100 years. I think Space Master would have noticed changes during the turn of the century, so perhaps the villains made the changes sometime after the last records inventory."

Xanel didn't reply because he was focusing on Adam alone; he couldn't be interrupted now or bad things could happen.

Reena said, "I think you better do it, Kevin. And if you just happen to read one of your mother's old cronies minds at the same time... all the better. Accidents happen."

Mikael hummed, then stood up with Lionel and the two teleported off somewhere.

Ivan lay there on his bed with a smile at Vincent. "I haven't installed a Security System on the Moon yet..." then he sighed with a frown. "I'm not doing well, am I?"

Genie smiled. "Teen Death was telling me where all Grim has been dragging her lately and I was giving her some advice on how to make those trips more fun. For her; not Grim." She winked.

Teen Death said, "Forgive me for making a wedding suggestion, Trina, but suppose you chose to do a tribal theme for your wedding. Choose a tribe where Jaguars roam free, find out what the groom and bride wear for that, then hire Lion's Den to come in and play tribal wedding music, and maybe... have a sacrifice to consummate the joining." She then glanced away again. "If you both will forgive me now... I need to go talk to Vincent Cabriano." And she walked off toward the Villa.

Genie hummed. "She... acts so... distracted... but that tribal theme sounds like a great idea for a wedding."

"That would require a lot of power to alter Space Master's videos," Hel surmised. "Which probably means that no one of them could have done it alone."

"So who do we know that would have been a key part of altering those videos?" Zealot asked.

Garm had moved to the other side of Adam's bed and once again, placed his large muzzle next to Adam's hand. "Vinnie has that much power," he muttered, pressing his nose against Adam's flesh.

"Ok. Here it goes," Kevin said, sighing. "Keep in mind, I'll be able to read your mind also, Reena. I'll try not to, but I can't promise anything." Then he focused on a spot on the far wall and dropped the restraints that he had worked to put in place to keep out of his friends' minds.

Reena, of course, was right beside him, he tried to skip over her and look beyond her. The guys in the HM Research Craft were effectively blocked by Xanel's power as he worked over Adam. Vinnie and Ivan's room was blocked from him somehow, he didn't dwell on it. Trina was on the beach thinking of wedding plans, Vicky was still fuming over her father's duplicity, and Erina was wondering what was up with the studs around there.

The studs all seemed to be of a same mentality. Something to do with taking the beautiful woman back to Poseidon's temple.

He wasn't sure he wanted to know what all that was about so he moved on, extending his scan on into town. Several vendors setting up for the day, wondering if they would have good sales that day. Other citizens preparing for the grand party that would be taking place at Nicodemus' Tavern that night. Several fisherman were taking advantage of the good weather by getting in extra hours of fishing before the party, and the following few days of bad weather. Kevin thought that was odd that they seemed to know what the weather had in store.

Now, where was Mark? Kevin focused harder, something was trying to interfere, something divine. He should have expected that, they were in the land of the Gods, after all.

Trina looked up as Teen Death walked away. "What's up with her?" she asked. "We're doing a tribal theme for the reception, but the actual ceremony needs to be a bit tamer."

Just then the studs made their way toward Trina and Genie. "What the heck?" Erina demanded.

Vicky, who was now sitting on her blanket, looked at the men. "Uh oh, Trina. I think you have some admirers," she laughed.

Trina barely glanced at them. "I think they're after you," she responded, sitting up. "What was that about any way? Why does she need to talk to Vinnie?" she asked, suddenly curious.

Andrew said, "Garm is right. Vinnie does have that much power. But then again... so does the Arranger. Do we report what we suspect to Space Master?"

Cynthia remarked, "He video tapes everyone at the same time with automatic equipment. But that doesn't mean that he has the time to review everything that is going on. He should be told."

At that moment, Adam's body glowed with the same brilliance that was emitting from Xanel's spiraled horn and... Adam's form transformed into that of a young though very handsome Syhhra (a mythical Oriental phoenix/fox hybrid species), although with Xanel's help, he only stayed in that form for a few minutes... before he was assisted back into his human form. Once the trauma had passed, Adam's complexion looked healthy.

Although Xanel himself slowly slumped down into the floor beside Garm, leaning against him weakly. "...finally... the danger has passed..."

Reena's mind humorously had a picture of Kevin in the nude standing with a naked Xanel. Yes, Reena's mind was dirty.

Aside from that, Mark's whereabouts seemed to be coming from a Sculptor's Shop in a side alleyway. But something was definitely blocking Kevin from seeing into that shop.

Teen Death passed through the Villa presenting no mind to read, being a Death, there was nothing to read save dying. Enter at your own risk, in other words. She soon located where Vinnie had gone and knocked on the door. "Vincent Cabriano? It is I, Teen Death. Could I please speak to you both in private and honestly?"

Genie grinned as she leaned up against a post in the sand. "There are times I like being the Ghost Toastie." She was watching Trina and the studs while the chase music was playing. Then to Erina and Vicky, she said, "Don't ask me why a Death wants to talk to a Surge. I don't dwell in that profession."

She then pulled Bad-Mouthed Bunny out of nowhere and pulled the string. "Life stinks!" it said. Genie giggled hugging her favorite toy.

Garm sniffed Adam. "He smells better," he commented.

"We should definitely let Space Master know that alterations have been made to some of his videos," Hel agreed. "But not right now. That is something that can wait."

Zealot helped Xanel onto one of the other beds. "There you go. Do you need anything?" she asked.

Kevin completed his scan then looked over at Reena. "That was terrible," he grinned. "You should be ashamed. As for Mark, I got a general idea of where he was but something divine was blocking me. Way too many Gods and dead people around here," he explained, "it throws me off. But Mark is in a sculptor's shop. Don't ask me why."

Vinnie merely smiled at Ivan as he handed him the pills and water. "That's to be expected at this point, friend." Then he looked at the door at Teen Death's beckoning. "I'll be right back."

Vinnie went to the doorway. "By all means, do come in," he invited. "Just stay away from Ivan," he warned.

The studs leaped at Trina, but she was able to easily evade them. Her jaguar reflexes were more than they could compete with. "I'm spoken for!" she yelled, making for the villa, shifting into her jaguar form for an extra boost of speed. She even somehow managed to hang on to her bridal magazine as she raced to the villa.

"Never thought we'd see that," Erina commented, disappointed that the studs were attempting to give chase.

Vicky laughed. "I'd say her time with The Teacher made a huge difference," she suggested.

Genie grinned at Erina and Vicky. "Trina has changed a lot, I think. She may be different in other ways too. But why do they all want Trina anyway?"

Teen Death entered and glanced over at Ivan, then she looked at Vinnie. "I have decided that if I want you and your team to see me as a real friend, then I should be honest with your group. I wanted to let you know first though. As you may or may not be aware of, non-humans do not register in the Earthly mortals death records. Grim chose to lay a false story about who was going to die tonight during Nicodemus' party. Adam Dalton is not the true target; your friend Ivan Kingsley is. Grim dropped me off with the team so I could be there when Ivan's hourglass runs out. But the more I got to know your team and the more I spoke with Genie, the more I realized that you guys would respect the honest approach over a sneaky one. That, and I don't want you guys to think I am as bad as Grim is. The official record says that Ivan's heart simply stops tonight and he doesn't make it through the night to see the morning. Because you are his closest friend... I wanted you to know, at least... prior to the event."

Reena grinned. "I'm a Dalton. I'm allowed to have a dirty mind. Now let's go find Mark and make sure he survives this outing. You know how Trina can get if Mark gets hurt. Do you think Athens would survive Trina's rage over Mark being hurt?"

Xanel smiled weakly at Zealot and... he placed a hand over the back of her neck and pulled her closer to his face and... he did something that Vicky better not learn about: He gave Zealot a very DEEP kiss on the mouth!

Cynthia blinked her eyes, then quickly looked to Hel. "What should we do in the meantime, Hel?"

Adam opened his eyes and began scratching Garm's head fur. "Do you think the bed would hold your weight, Garm?"

Erina shrugged. "I don't know. I was flirting with them and then they all focused on her at the same time. It was like they were entranced by her or something."

Vicky scoffed. "Well, we all know she doesn't have that power. At least she didn't."

Vinnie sighed and looked over at Ivan. "Well, it doesn't look like you'll be installing that system on the moon after all," he said to his friend. To Teen Death he said, "I thank you for your candor. I'm going to have to assemble the team. I was hoping to put it off but I see now that that isn't possible."

Kevin cringed. "Oh yea, I forgot. Let's go, I know where the shop is."

"We must take you to the temple!" the studs chanted.

"I don't do temples!" Trina shouted, disappearing into the villa.

The studs stood at the outskirts of the villa, some invisible barrier preventing them from entering. Apparently, there was more to Nicodemus' villa that met the eye.

Zealot patted Xanel on the muzzle. "Well, that answered that question," she grinned.

"Now that Adam is out of danger, we should rest up for the party tonight. And you guys can actually eat the food I brought," Hel reminded, indicating the platters he brought.

Garm chuckled. "The bed might hold me, but I don't think you could," he responded.

Genie grinned. "Darn it! Trina got away!" She thought it was funny.

Reena was carrying Kevin as she flew through the streets of Athens, letting her friend steer her direction to the sculptor's shop. They soon landed in front of the shop in literally no time at all. And they both saw the name on the shop at that point. Medea.

"That name sounds so familiar, Kevin."

Teen Death said, "In respect of Ivan's desire to rest, I will now return to the open area of the Villa while you call the team together." And she headed out of the bedroom.

Xanel smiled. "I didn't get to kiss you on our very first date. Remember how that night went?" He winked and giggled. ROAD RAGE!

Cynthia sat down and ate her Greek breakfast. "I must say, this is really good."

Andrew ate some, too. "I agree. Although I should be practicing with my flute some more. I have another recording session when we get back."

Adam grinned at Garm. "When I'm rested enough to be out of bed, could I get a Garmy ride around the region? You would like that, wouldn't you Garm?"

Erina and Vicky both laughed with Genie.

The chase music subsided.

"Medea? Isn't that Medusa's sister?" he wondered, looking at Reena for confirmation. He attempted to scan the shop, but was again blocked by the divine. "There is definitely a block up around this shop," he said.

Zealot laughed. "Oh, yes, I remember. That night could have gone better."

"Of course," Garm agreed. "I can show you all sorts of sites around Athens."

Just then Vinnie's visage appeared before every member of the team. "Emergency meeting. Please assemble in the courtyard." Then his visage was gone.

Reena called out into the shop rather loudly, "MEDEA! IF YOU DON'T SEND OUT THE BOY IN WHITE UNSTATUED... WE WILL SEND IN THE DAUGHTER OF THE HEAD OF THE TRACKER CORPORATION! YOU HAVE HER FIANCE IN THERE!"

Medea quickly pushed Mark out into Reena's and Kevin's arms really fast! "Take him! I know better than to mess with the Tracker Corporation! I don't care how much Hades was paying me for this!" And then she quickly shut the door and locked it behind her.

Mark looked as if he was coming out of a trance. "Whu--- what? Huh? What happened?"

Reena said, "Danger Prone Mark almost did it again! But we learned something here, Kevin. Hades is up to something underhanded here in Greece. This looks like a job for Hazardous Materials!" She paused. "Right after we find out what Vinnie wants."

Mark teleported the three of them back to the Villa...

...just as Genie was coming inside with Vicky and Erina. Genie threw the studs AWAY FROM the Villa's entrance and into the ocean.

Mikael and Lionel then appeared from where ever they had gone.

And the others, along with Adam riding on Garm, arrived from the Research Cruiser.

Xanel said, "This better be good, Vinnie. I expended a lot of energy saving Adam's life, not once, but thrice..."

Cynthia said, "I haven't whined once. I swear."

Vinnie stood before them all dressed in a deep silver suit with a long flowing sparkling silver trench coat over it. He waited for everyone to be seated before he began speaking. Expelling a deep breath he began...

"As I'm sure some of you may have determined," he looked pointedly at the guys that had been in the research cruiser, "Adam was not the intended target of Grim. The true target, much to my dismay, is Ivan."

"Say what?" Vicky demanded.

Vinnie simply held his hand up for silence before continuing. "Ivan is only human, after all, and he has been having several health issues for some time. I'm sure some of you may have noticed that he sometimes says things that have no bearing at all to anything." He looked at all of them and sighed. "Ivan has led a long and very full life. This will be his last adventure with the Hazardous Materials team. He will get to enjoy Nicodemus' party, and after that I will take him home to his final resting place."

Erina sniffed and wiped away a tear that had ran down her cheek.

"Also," he continued, "it was Teen Death who came to me and told the truth of her presence among us this trip. Apparently Grim was attempting to be sneaky and underhanded for some reason. Teen Death wants to be considered a true friend of the team, hence her decision to be forthcoming. Now, Ivan will be resting until the party tonight, and I will be staying by his side. Please, go on and have a good time without us. That is all," he finished, turning away and going back to the room he shared with Ivan.

Trina, who was once again fully dressed, wiped her eyes and laid her head upon Mark's shoulder.

"As disturbing as that news is, guys," Kevin interrupted, "Reena and I found out something. Hades is up to no good."

Vicky fumed, "Well, that just sucks! Ivan is going to die and Hades is up to something? And just where the hell is Grim? He's got some explaining to do."

"If Hades is up to something, I think we should probably focus on that," Hel said quietly. "What exactly did you two discover?" he asked Reena.

Reena said, "While I am worried about Ivan, here is the low down on what little we found out. Kevin and I went to rescue Danger Prone Mark from what he almost got himself stoned into with Medusa's sister, Medea. One of the Gorgon sisters. When I mentioned that she had the fiance of the daughter to the Tracker Corporation... she quickly had Mark out of the shop and in our arms and just before she shut and locked her door, she said that she didn't care how much Hades was paying her to do what she had been about to do. And that is literally all we know. Medea let something important slip out about Hades, which indicates to me that Hades is after some magic user and he accidentally thought Mark was that magic user."

Xanel said, "If I recall correctly... the only other American magic using boy in the Mediterranean is Roger Rogers. And he almost looks like Mark. I'd bet that if he were to wear one of Mark's suits, a dimwit wouldn't know Mark from Roger."

Mark remarked, "The Richfield Champions told us that Hades was trying to kill Arcadia Zoe. Arcadia told us that herself when we accidentally arrived on Circe's island before Nicodemus made sure we got back here."

Genie hummed. "It is too big of a coincidence for him to strike at Mark at the same time the Champions are in the Mediterranean. This must be another plot to get at Arcadia."

Mikael looked at everyone then said, "If Hades is after one of the Champions, then we Teen Force members should help them. I mean, we're all part of the same world-wide club, you know. However... I don't think the back-up members of our team should come with us. This could get messy. Plus someone needs to track down the other mystery that is present. Earlier, every stud on the beach totally ignored a star like Erina and tried to capture Trina to cart her off to a Temple someplace. That sounds to me like the interference of another god. I think the back-up team should go to the temple and find out what is going on there."

Trina growled, "You mean Hades tried to get MY fiancé stoned? I'll rip his throat out!"

"Maybe Trina and Mark should go back out to Circe's island and let the Champions know what we found out," Erina suggested. "That will get Trina away from the studs down on the beach also."

"We're supposed to be on vacation," Vicky muttered.

Kevin blushed, "I may have jinxed our vacation, guys. Sorry about that."

"So Hades is a dimwit," Hel laughed. "What else is new?"

"I'm all for getting as far away from those crazies as possible," Trina agreed. "What do you think, Mark?"

"I have no problem with checking out the temple," Zealot volunteered. "The only problem is, which temple? Any ideas?"

Garm thought about it for a moment. "I'd say probably Poseidon's temple. The studs were down on the beach, after all."

Adam grinned. "Maybe if Poseidon has a horse there, Andrew can ride it. He seems to be fond of riding people's mounts without permission."

Andrew blinked his eyes. "OH no...! I learned my lesson after the last Cervine ride that was Aegir's fault! I have yet to apologize to Goldenrod, you know! So I know not to get on a hoofers back!"

Cynthia said, "Um, how will I know if Mark gets his suit messed up or not?"

Mark grinned. "Come with us, of course. You're not a back-up member of the team." He looked to Trina. "That's okay with you, isn't it?"

Xanel asked, "If the back-up members are going to be checking the temples and Mark and Trina are going to the island, what are the rest of us going to be doing?"

Genie replied, "Someone has to tell Nicodemus what's going on. And the rest... as Vicky said, the core team deserves some vacation time. Unlike Mark and Trina and I... everyone else was off in space on a really difficult mission. They had to fight monsters and an evil priestess wannabe."

Mikael hummed. "There is something I want to go do myself. Lionel will be fine with the back-up team. Though if anyone wants to come with me, they can."

Reena said, "Kevin and I will go with you. And before you complain, Mr. loves to dig in our past... Kevin is having problems blocking out all of the minds in Athens and it would be better if where ever you are going has next to no people. And if you say no, I'll burn your house down."

Mikael shrugged his shoulders. "Would you like to come with us, Hel? Or is there something you want to go sniff out?"

Mark can't help but to have the stray thought of, ...like looking for My Little Ponies?

Garm's big body shook as his chest rumbled with laughter. "I heard about that fiasco. Andrew seems almost as talented as Mark when it comes to getting into trouble," he chuckled.

Trina smiled, "I don't mind at all, after all, she's like a totally different person. You may be right about THAT HOUSE."

Kevin smirked at Reena's threat to burn down Mikael's house. "That's another house that may have an adverse effect on the unsuspecting."

"I, personally, would love to do some sight seeing," Vicky agreed. "We can always go by Nicodemus' tavern and let him know what we discovered and what we suspect. Though, I find it hard to believe that Hades would be up to something and Nic not even suspect anything, especially since he knows that Arcadia is on Circe's island."

"Me too," Erina chimed in. "I'm loving this weather! And I'm still looking for some poor unsuspecting Greek hunk to take to my bed," she said in an echoing voice.

Hel considered it for a moment, then shrugged. "I'll go with Mikael also. I try not to dwell in other pantheon's temples or God issues. As you know, the Norse Gods have enough issues to keep us busy until Ragnarok."

Team 1 - Xanel, Vicky, Erina, Genie Nicodemus' Tavern & Sightseeing

The four stood before Nicodemus and was laying it on the line for him. "...and that's what we found out about Hades," explained Xanel who was still in his Unikron body for all to see. "Because we know that the Champions are in the Mediterranean, he made a mistake by going after Mark who he mistook for Roger Rogers. We just wanted to let you know before the three of us headed off to do some sightseeing."

Genie was looking at the other patrons, trying to see if there were any other gods and goddesses present.

Team 2 - Mark, Trina, Cynthia Circe's Island & the Champions

When the three appeared on Circe's Hidden Island, they saw Pan and Hermes standing there with Roger, Circe, Ren of the Northern Herd, Gavin, and the other Champions. In fact, it looked as if they were preparing to head off to Athens for some sightseeing and Nicodemus' party.

Mark called out, "Hey there, guys! Hold up for a moment!"

Arcadia smiled when she saw Mark and Trina. "What brings you two back out here? Did Vicky drop something out in the woods?"

Circe chuckled. "If she did, then tough luck for her. We'll find it later."

Irene looked at Jason and said, "Somehow I don't think Vicky lost something."

Jason nodded in agreement. "I think you are right, Irene. In fact, I'll bet they came out here because a mystery popped up in Athens and they found out something about Hades."

Cynthia commented, "Funny you should say that."

Team 3 - Mikael, Reena, Kevin, Hel Spacemaster's Satellite

Spacemaster personally greeted the four as they appeared on the arrival platform. "Welcome to the satellite, Teen Force. What sections of my archives bring you here today?"

Mikael placed his hands on his hips, much like Vicky would do when she was annoyed. "Remember the last time I was up here with my apprentice? Well the information that I gained from your archives turned out to be false. This was verified when Vinnie disclosed verification about the data that I recited to the team and because I gained this knowledge from your archives, it is your fault that I got the information wrong. We are here now to find out what the HELL, not our resident Norse stud with the flap, is going on."

Reena whispered to Hel and Kevin, "So that's why we're here this time. I have been wondering myself. And this is obviously the place to get the answers that you've been after, Kevin."

Spacemaster remarked, "My archives cannot be wrong, Mikael. I have recorded data on everyone's lives since the beginning of time. However, and this is not public knowledge... while I keep a video and audio record of everyone's lives on Earth, the Scribe, an entity who works for Thoth, keeps a personal written record of what occurs in Thoth's library in Heliopolis. Therefore, if my video archives are incorrect, then his written records would be incorrect, too. Be that as it may, I will give you all permission to investigate my satellite. Just PLEASE don't break anything."

Team 4 - Vinnie and Ivan Ivan's Villa Bedroom

Ivan lay in his bed solving a Rubic's Cube for the umpteenth time. "If my official time to die is tonight at the party, then where is there a rule that says that I cannot go out and have the best damn time I want before the party?"

Team 5 - Garm, Adam, Zealot, Andrew, Lionel Poseidon's Temple

Lionel said to the others, "I scouted the temple with Zealot and it's all rather open. And Andrew... he has a BUNCH of horses in a corral in the back of the temple. I know you want to avoid going there." He looked to the others. "What's the plan?"

Andrew muttered, "...right, avoid the horses..."

Adam hummed. "If it's wide open, then anyone can walk in and out at any time. And as long as we mean no harm to the temple, what's stopping us from going in there and talking to Poseidon or his priest or priestess?"

And the like... - Teen Death and Grim Reaper An undisclosed location...

"Did they buy your story?"

"Hook, line, and sinker. Just like you said they would. When are you going to tell me who the target really is?"

"And let you blab it to Vinnie, and the others, and ruin all of my fun? Not a chance. This way is far more interesting."

"Can you at least verify that it will be a core member?"

"Connected to a Core Member, yes. Who exactly? Let's wait and see. I think you will be surprised."

"Genie was right about you! The doorbell has something you don't!"

"SHE WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAVE TOLD ANYONE ABOUT THAT!"

Team 1

Nicodemus listened to their story and frowned. "I should have known that he was up to something when he brought my "gift" by earlier. He said he was working, now I know what he was working on. I'm sorry you guys got caught in the middle of his idiocy," he said, serving them meals and drinks.

Genie noticed that there were a few other gods and goddesses sitting around the bar, each talking quietly, and minding their own business. They seemed to be waiting patiently for the upcoming party. Some were speaking Greek, some Egyptian, Phoenician, and some language that even Genie couldn't identify.

"He'd better be glad nothing happened to Mark," Vicky said. "God or no god, Trina would have been very displeased with him and would have been more than happy to show her displeasure to Hades."

Erina giggled. "More than happy," she giggled again. "I'd be more than happy to find a hot Greek lover for the duration."

Team 2

"Yes," Trina began, "apparently Hades is a complete idiot. He mistook Mark for Roger and sent him to a gorgon," she growled.

Michelle laughed. "We all knew that Hades wasn't the brightest bulb in the box that just confirms it."

"Oh my," Karen gasped, looking over at Roger. "So he knows we're here in the Mediterranean and assumed that we were already in Athens." She looked back at Mark, Trina, and Cynthia. "Sorry that you guys got dragged into this mess."

"But why go after Roger and not Arcadia?" Kevin wondered aloud. "It doesn't make much sense. It isn't like Roger has done any powerful spell that would make Hades wary of his presence."

Linda thought about it for a moment. "Unless his plan is to try to pick us off one at a time so that Arcadia is left completely alone. If he can get us all out of the way, Arcadia would have to defend herself against Hades and his horde of whatever he feels like throwing at her. But how did he know that we were here already? I thought being on Circe's island would give us a little bit of a shield against him."

Team 3

Kevin grinned wickedly. "Oh yes," he whispered back, "I cannot wait to get my hands on Mother's tapes. Of course, if they are altered, it won't help us much, will it?"

"Well, seeing as how there is no way for us to access the Scribe's parchments to compare them to your videos, it would be difficult for us to prove or disprove that," Hel pointed out. "The Egyptian mythos is very protective of their archives and do not like anyone snooping around them. Especially gods from another mythos."

"Wouldn't it be possible for someone to alter your records and his records still be accurate?" Kevin spoke up.

Team 4

Vinnie smiled, "You are correct, my friend. But keep in mind, we are talking about Death and his apprentice. Can we really trust the word of either of them? But if the information she gave us is true, then we shall make sure that your last day upon this Earth is the best it can possibly be. What do you want to do first?"

Team 5

"Stay close to me, Andrew," Zealot suggested. "Don't want you being carried off by one of Poseidon's horses."

Garm sniffed the air. "Well, I can tell you that there is no divine presence inside the temple, which means that Poseidon isn't home at the moment. We can, however, see if his high priest might know what the aquatic god wants with our resident jungle cat," he suggested.

Team 1

As the four friends were walking through the streets of Athens, a boom camera and producer caught Xanel's eye. "Erina, there's a filming crew here in Athens. Looks like they are stalled for some reason."

Genie hummed with a happy sound. "Wait a minute... I recognize a few of the actors. It's Luke Pfeiffer, Jack Starr, Royale Richards, and Kanga Karlson, the sister to Rock Karlson of the Uncle Rocky Show."

What the four were to overhear was an argument between a Director and an Actress.

"Priscilla Baby! Don't walk off the set! Come on...!"

Priscilla growled, "My agent warned me what a stupid gig this was! I am not going to wear one of those stupid dresses for your series! My contract says fast action and bikinis! You can just find yourself another actress! Goodbye!"

"Aw man! We're ruined if we can't get an actress to fill this role today! Who can we get?!"

Xanel nudged Erina. "This could be your big break. Go on over there and offer to play the role. You were saying earlier that you wanted to play a role where the leading women wore period clothing. And those type of women wore dresses. Go on."

Team 2

Roger said, "How could he make such a stupid mistake? Mark and I look nothing alike. And I would never wear an all white suit... no offense, Mark. It's not my style. Do I look like Mr. Roarke? Welcome to Fantasy Island! Smiles, everyone! Smiles!

Arcadia laughed out loud.

Circe said, "If this is Fantasy Island, then I get first crack at all the muscled studs, and don't you forget it!"

Gavin remarked, "MOM?!"

Cynthia whispered to Mark and Trina, "They don't seem all that worried."

Mark quietly replied back, "They probably deal with his incessant stupidity so much that they don't think he's a threat."

Team 3

Spacemaster replied, "It is very possible. Would you like for me to see about calling the Scribe to make a special trip here to compare our records just to make sure?"

Mikael growled, "YES!" Then he blushed. "I mean, your records were apparently tampered with concerning the villains and they might have gotten tamper happy and changed more records than just their own, because some of the info I gave on the non-villain team members was also incorrect."

Spacemaster picked up a padded mallet and struck a gong with it. "Scribe. I need you aboard my satellite. This is a records tampering emergency."

It wasn't even the blink of an eye later when both Amon Thoth, the Scribe, and Helga had appeared on board the satellite.

The Scribe calmly remarked, "As you know, I only record the truth of what I personally see. There are a good number of superheroes who have stated that they would like to do me bodily harm and I am trusting that you will not allow that to happen while I am here. Do I look like Doctor Weazel?"

Spacemaster said, "You are to accompany Hazardous Materials to the records department here on my satellite and verify that the records on the video discs are either correct or altered. If they are altered, then you are to tell the Hazardous Materials team whatever they wish to know."

The Scribe replied, "As long as they mean me no harm, I will comply."

Team 4

Before Ivan could reply, Teen Death entered the room again and this time, she looked upset.

"Vincent..." started Teen Death, "I just learned that Grim LIED to me about who was going to die. He is purposely playing a game to keep everyone guessing but he let it slip that someone connected to one of the core members was going to die. Unfortunately... that could be anyone. I am sick and tired of Grim's games. What am I supposed to do?"

Ivan blinked his eyes. "You mean I am off the hook for now?"

Teen Death replied, "Seems that way. But you should take it easy anyway. You are older than most of the mortal team members."

Ivan sighed. "Aw..."

Team 5

Soon, the back-up team had strode into the temple where the priest greeted them.

"Welcome to the temple of Poseidon. How can I serve you today?"

Lionel replied, "We are the friends to the Hazardous Materials team. Earlier today, one of the most dangerous Hazardous Materials team members had a whole flock of beach hunks chase after her. We immediately assumed that Poseidon may have accidentally caused the daughter to the famed Tracker Corporation to became divine bait. Could you tell us if Poseidon is looking for a woman?"

The Priest paled at the mention of Hazardous Materials and paled even more at the mention of the Tracker Corporation. "If he has, then I swear that I have nothing to do with it. I will contact him right now and ask him if he is innocent. And if he is not, then to warn him of what he almost became involved with." He turned to a large pool of water and began chanting.

Andrew whispered to Zealot, "The priest looks scared out of his mind."

Adam scratched on Garm's ears slowly. "I wonder why the priest paled like that?"

Team 1

Royale, who was standing off camera waiting for his cue, threw up his hands and turned away from the set. It was then that he saw the group watching them. A wide smile lit up his face and his blue eyes sparkled.

"Erina!" he called, jogging over to them and giving Erina a hug. "I didn't know you were shooting anything."

Erina laughed and hugged the tall blonde hunk back. "I'm not. Yet," she added with a wink. "It looks like you need a new leading lady."

He shot a glace over his shoulder back toward the set and grimaced. "She has been a pain in the ass since this whole thing started," he confided. Then he looked at Erina closely. "Are you sure you'd be up for it? It's not really a fast paced show."

She slipped her arm through his and steered him toward the set explaining, "I've been looking for a change of pace, and I have a feeling that this could be just what I'm looking for. I'll catch up with you guys later," she called over her shoulder

Vicky laughed. "She works fast, that's for sure. Hey, wait a minute. Royale Richards? As in Michelle and Karen Richards? I wonder if they're related? Ah, that's silly, I'm sure Richards is a pretty common name."

Team 2

Even Trina had to laugh at Roger's joke. "That's one of the things that attracted me to Mark, Roger," she informed him, hugging Mark.

"On the plus side," Linda commented, "if he thinks that Roger is out of the way, Hades won't be expecting him."

"That doesn't explain why he would want Roger out of the way to start with," Karen argued. "It's not like he's powerful enough to take out a god. Is he?" she asked, turning to Gavin.

Michelle rolled her eyes. "He's paranoid, maybe?" she suggested. "Seriously, Hades is obsessed, does he really need a reason?"

Team 3

"I will guarantee your safety," Hel vowed, "especially with Helga standing by," he added in an aside. "What is important now is that we discover just what information was altered."

"If I can find out what I want here, I won't have to probe Mom's mind and find out stuff that I don't want to know. Of course, she'll still be taking who knows what kind of precautions in a feeble attempt to keep me out," Kevin laughed. "She'll be looking over her shoulder from now on."

Team 4

"That's because he's one of the few mortal members," Vinnie pointed out. He sighed as he continued, "I still think we should err on the side of caution, Ivan. After all, we know that Grim is a liar, he always has been. Now he has his apprentice," he indicated Teen Death, "who may or may not have a conscious. Which I find highly unlikely. I believe that goes away when one dies. Either way, I will leave it up to you, my friend, to make the decision whether or not to trust what she is imparting to us. It is your life, and possible death, that we are dealing with. Keep in mind, even if you are off Grim's collection list for tonight, it won't be long before you will be."

Team 5

Garm shuddered with pleasure as Adam scratched his ears. "It could be that they know just how dangerous the Tracker Corporation is. They are a multi-system bounty hunting group that has taken down countless entities throughout the universe."

"Makes sense," Zealot agreed. "And everyone in the universe has heard of Hazardous Materials, obviously, from what I was told about the team's foray into space."

"But Poseidon should know of both teams, he is a god after all," Garm continued. "Though it is obvious that the Greek Gods are not quite as omnipotent as the Norse, as proved by Hades' botched attempt to eliminate a member of the Champions."

Team 1

Xanel said, "Actually, Karen told me once that she does have a brother named Royale who was an actor. So if that wasn't him, then there are two in the world."

Genie hummed. "And then there were three... shall we continue sightseeing?"

Team 2

Jason said, "We thank you for giving us the heads up, guys... but as you were just whispering, thanks to my dragon hearing, we are so used to Hades' incessant stupidity that we really don't take him seriously. We were about to head into Athens for some sightseeing, under Circe's guiding hand, then later, dinner at Nicodemus' Tavern, and after that, his butt-day party."

Mark hummed. "Just be careful when you wander around Athens. Not only are our team there, but most of the gods are too." He turned and looked to Cynthia and Trina. "I guess we can go back and see about digging up some other form of trouble."

Circe smiled. "I have a suggestion for your return trip... why don't the three of you head over to Chiron's Island and visit his college? He doesn't advertise it openly, but he has educated great minds such as Jason and Perseus in the olden days."

Cynthia hummed. "That's an idea that we could check out for Xanel. His father was trying to get him off to a college someplace."

Mark smiled. "Yeah, you're right. And Vicky would be happy if Xanel wasn't schooling on the opposite side of the dimensions, too. See you Champions at the party!" And Mark gathered his two females and teleported for Chiron's island, a place he HAD been before.

Chiron the Centaur Scholar's Hidden College

..."And here we are!" exclaimed Mark. "Don't bother looking for buildings; there aren't any. We actually teleported directly to the center of what they consider to be their cafeteria."

It was a fruit orchard, grape vineyard, and vegetable garden with marble pathways.

Team 3

The Scribe led the four into the records archive and said, "Which file would you like for me to verify first?"

Before anyone else could answer, Reena popped off, "Hannah Seasons alias Psi-Khan! Do hers first!"

The Scribe loaded up the video disc on Hannah Seasons, then opened his personal written archives and began narrating verbally as the history video on Hannah played. It was interesting because in the beginning, the records matched exactly, until... the mention of Kevin's father came to light... and that's when Keven learned...

Team 4

Ivan hummed. "Teen Death... can you confirm the date you were told originally while we were in Mexico of when I was to die? Not what Grim told you recently."

Teen Death thought back, then nodded her head. "I have that date from memory. And you were right to ask about that. You have about 8 more years, unless... something alters your lifespan."

Ivan grinned. "Can you confirm that I die here in the 21st century and no where else?"

Teen Death brought up her mental records and soon replied, "Yes, the event occurs here in the 21st Century." She paused. "Oh no, what are you up to?"

Ivan was grinning with his famous Notorious Crook smile. "Believe it or not... I've always wanted to do some Hazardous Materials missions in other time periods."

Team 5

Soon, Poseidon was in the temple apologizing profusely to the group gathered before him. "When I saw your friend Katrina Tracker from the waters... I didn't know who she was. I am so sorry I targeted her at all. I've met her mother and we have a understanding... best leave it at that. I promise that no one will bother her on our fair beaches again. And I will give the region fair weather for a week as an additional favor. Just please PLEASE do NOT bring a Hazardous Materials mission to Atlantis! I live there and I do NOT want you people traipsing around down there."

Andrew smiled. "Allow our team to ride your horses one time tomorrow, and we'll make sure the team never goes to Atlantis."

Poseidon shook Andrew's hand. "It's a DEAL! You can come for the horses tomorrow morning!" And with that, Poseidon vanished! POOF!

Andrew grinned at the others. "Hey, at least this time I got us permission!"

Team 1

"I wonder what his power is?" Vicky whispered with a grin as they walked on down the cobbled street.

Erina Filming on location

"Did you know that your sisters are in the area?" Erina asked after Royale introduced her to the director, who was thrilled to have her. They had joined Luke, Jack, and Kanga, and were going over the lines with her.

Royale grimaced. "Really? Damn. Well, I hope I don't have to get involved in anything. I left Richfield for a reason, you know."

Erina just smiled. "Oh, I'm sure it's nothing. Just Hades being an idiot, which, apparently, they are used to dealing with."

He groaned then, "Oh, God! You mean the whole crew is here?"

"Isn't that what I said?" she asked innocently.

Team 2

"This is beautiful!" Trina exclaimed, looking around the orchard. "I have to say, the food is definitely plentiful around here. First, Nicodemus gives us a breakfast feast, and now this," she finished, indicating the 'cafeteria' they were standing in. "I wonder where Chiron is?"

Team 3

Psi-Khan's History Disk

19 Years Ago...

"Hannah, allow me to introduce, Henri Burke. He'll be helping us square away our new security protocols. Henri, this is Hannah Seasons, she keeps everything in order and in its proper place. If you need anything just call on her," the general finished the introductions and led Henri Burke into his office.

When Henri left the general's office some time later, Hannah appeared to be deep in thought as she typed up some forms that had been left on her desk earlier that day. He stood in front of her desk patiently until she finally looked up at him. A deep smile slowly spread across his face causing his deep green eyes to crinkle at the corners.

"Can I help you with something, Mr. Burke?" Hannah asked politely.

"I was hoping that you could point me in the direction of the coffee pot. General Sterling didn't include that in the tour," he responded.

Hannah stood and returned his smile. "That's probably because he doesn't know where it is," she joked, leading him down the hall a short distance to the break room. "Here you are," she indicated. "Cups are in the cupboard. Just rinse it out and leave it in the sink when you're done and I'll take care of it."

"Thank you, Mrs. Seasons," he responded.

"It's Miss, but you can just call me Hannah. There's no need to be so formal," she rebutted gently.

He nodded in understanding, "Then, please, call me Henri. Mr. Burke makes me sound so old."

She smiled. "Of course," she responded, then quietly left the room to return to her desk.

A few weeks later...

Henri and Hannah lay in her bed, looking deeply into each others eyes. Hannah was hiding the frustration she was feeling, but Henri was smiling that soft content smile that he seemed to always have when they were together.

"Hannah?" he said, getting her attention.

"Hm?" she responded.

His smile deepened. "Will you marry me?" he asked, which succeeded in gaining her full and undivided attention.

"WHAT?!?" she shouted.

Henri's smile faded just a bit. "I asked you to marry me, but perhaps I should ask you in French. Vous m'épouserez ?" he asked again.

"I'm sorry. You surprised me. I...I didn't expect you to ask me that," she stammered. "I mean, you don't really know me that well."

"I think I know you better than you think I do," Henri disagreed. "For instance, I know that you've been trying to read my mind since the day General Sterling introduced us. I also know that you are not quite the loyal patriot that you appear to be."

Hannah gasped. "What do you mean by that?"

Henri sighed and sat up against the headboard. "You know that I'm from Canada, oui?" he asked.

"Of course. Your company won the contract for updating the protocols."

"What you don't know is that I'm a member of a special unit of the RCMP," he went on. "You haven't been able to read my mind because I'm able to block all outside forces from entering my conscious or subconscious. But while you've been focusing on me, I've been able to 'see' every thought that has passed through your mind."

She was suddenly very serious. "Then why ask me to marry you?"

Again, that smile spread across his face. "I thought that would be obvious," he replied. "Je vous aime."

"But...why?" she was truly confused.

"Because the heart wants what the heart wants and I will not deny myself my heart's desire, which is you," he answered matter-of-factly.

Hannah sat quietly, stunned for the first time in her life. She didn't know how to respond to that. Henri just sat and watched her for a moment before he added, "Oh, and you're pregnant."

Hannah reeled back like she'd been hit, but Henri was quick and snagged her wrist before she could fall off the bed. "Easy there, mon cher. We don't want you to hurt yourself."

"If we get married," she began, trying to compose herself, "I am not changing my name," she finished adamantly.

Henri chuckled. "That is quite alright."

"And there is no way in HELL that I'm moving to Canada. I won't run the risk of running into MacKenzie," she added.

Henri actually laughed fully at that. "She's really not that bad," he argued softly.

"Maybe not to you, since you're Canadian and a...superhero," she almost choked on the word.

He sobered then. "I know what you are, mon cher, and still I love you anyway. I will not interfere with your 'work'. You have my word," he finished.

A few weeks later in a very small, extremely private, ceremony, Hannah Autumn Seasons was married to Henri D'Avignon Burke. She continued her life of villainy and he pretended he knew nothing about it. Until about seven months later...

"I want you to quit," he said calmly, watching Hannah closely.

Her eyes narrowed and she growled, "I will not quit just because I'm pregnant. You knew full well what I was when we got married, and you said that you would never interfere with my work. Now here we are, and you're breaking your word."

He simply lifted one brow and looked pointedly at her protruding stomach. "How much longer do you think you'll be able to perform your extra-curricular activities? You can barely walk now," he pointed out. "And I'm not saying that you have to quit forever. Just, at least, until Kevin is born."

"And stop that!" she shouted. "How do you even know it is a boy? I can't even see in there," she finished softer, placing her hands on her huge belly.

Henri stood and walked over to where Hannah sat and knelt before her, covering her hands with his. "He blocks you so easily," he murmured. "Perhaps because you are so close to him? Even I had to push a little harder than usual to see in there. But, trust me, you are going to have a very strong, baby boy."

He wiped a tear from Hannah's cheek as she whispered, "Ok. But why Kevin?"

"Why not? I feel certain that he will embody all that the name means and more," he shrugged. "And it goes well with Seasons."

She smiled slightly, "Kevin Seasons. I like it. Kevin Burke Seasons," she sighed. "See? I can be flexible. But I'm not quitting."

Henri stood and threw his hands up in defeat. "Je renonce !"

A few days later, Henri had indeed given up trying to talk Hannah into retiring Psi-Khan temporarily. He hadn't mentioned it again, but he kept a close 'eye' on her when she went out to 'work'. And it was a good thing he did because...

At first, she attributed the pain with the battle that she was participating in. Then, when it rippled across her stomach and down her back and brought her to her knees, she knew that it was something entirely different.

~HENRI~ she called, unable to form any other thought.

He was instantly by her side. "Come, mon cher, we must get you to the hospital," he said, lifting her carefully in his arms.

What happened in the next few hours was excruciating to watch. Hannah, in the throes of the worst pain she had ever felt in her life, let Henri take complete control. The doctor was running late, the was something wrong with the baby, and Kevin was lashing out because he was in pain.

Henri, in an effort to shield Hannah from the mental beating, took the full brunt of Kevin's powerful lashings. By the time the doctor had arrived and did the cesarean procedure to remove the baby, Hannah was exhausted, and Henri, beaten beyond recovery mentally, collapsed onto the floor...dead.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!!" Kevin screamed, transporting himself away from Spacemaster's satellite, and away from his friends.

Hel stood silently, looking at the monitor. He wondered if Kevin would be able to process what he had learned. If learning about his father was worth the pain he would now put himself through.

Team 4

Vinnie couldn't help but laugh at Ivan's cunning. "I think I know what you're up to. But keep in mind she did say, 'barring something alters your lifespan'. Travelling through time could be that something that would alter your lifespan. Use caution, my friend."

Team 5

Zealot couldn't help but laugh at Poseidon's apologies. "Doesn't he know that the team usually only goes where someone calls them?" she continued to laugh.

"Well, I won't be riding his horses," Garm chuckled. "Especially since I'm bigger than most of them, I'm sure."

Team 1

Xanel replied, "All I know is that the twins said that the boys powers were... different. That's the best way to describe it. Certainly leaves the door wide-" he then paused in speaking as he held his head in pain for a brief moment... then the moment was over with. "...I just heard Kevin scream... and now, I can't sense him anymore. He is blocking everyone. I'm worried about him."

Genie hummed. "Kevin is a big boy. Don't worry about it. We can try to find him after Nicodemus' party. If he is blocking everyone at the moment, then it would be best to wait until he sleeps before you try to sense his location again. And you can be sure that if you sensed Kevin screaming... then his mother certainly sensed it."

Xanel remarked, "She is why I am worried about Kevin."

Team 2

Cynthia replied, "Maybe in one of his classes on a beach? He is an instructor."

Mark smiled. "Along with young humans, there are satyrs, centaurs, and Minotaurs attending classes, too. As long as they obey the no-fighting rule, they can learn here."

Team 3

The Scribe simply continued repairing the video disc in question. Now that tampering had been proven, he aimed to repair all of them.

Mikael sighed. "Poor Kevin. I sure hope he doesn't do something rash."

Reena said, "It's all my fault for having his mom's disc be first. But he was desperate to know the truth. If anyone is to blame for his hurt feelings, it's me. So whose disc should be next?"

Mikael replied, "I would suggest Drake Lane alias Laundry Man. I wonder if he is called that because Mrs. Lane was always having him wash diapers?"

Team 4

Ivan grinned. "My dear Vincent... I am originally FROM Europe, remember? That means I know some secrets about this region that I did NOT share with Madame Borva. I found out by accident the first time. But I am planning on going there again deliberately this time. But I won't do it until after Nicodemus' party. Then I go to the secret place, spend one night there, and by morning, I'll be like a new Ivan... with all that I know intact."

Teen Death frowned. "Oh no... what are you up to now?"

Ivan grinned. "I would suggest you try to find out who is really going to die and let Vincent know the moment you know. Don't be worrying about me."

Team 5

The group had departed Poseidon's Temple and were walking along the Marina now, when suddenly someone's voice was heard... a voice that Zealot had heard before, several years ago before Hazardous Materials ever formed.

"I never thought I would see Zealot away from Los Angeles. But unless she behaves herself while she is here, then I will have to do things... the Tanner way."

Standing on the docks with his three sisters, their husbands, children, and both Wayne brothers (and their probable others?), was Jansen Tanner. And Sallee's two favorite camera men, Casey Maddock and Emilion Arden.

Lionel remarked, "I'll bet they are here for Nicodemus' Birthday Bash, same as everyone else. And I saw the Vulcan helicopter parked on top of an industrial building, so that would explain why Jo has a night off from the farm. And Leia likely closed the bank earlier than usual so she could be here."

Emilion replied, "You are pretty sharp, kitty boy. And very cute, too. Reminds me of my little Fluffy-kins back home."

Lionel BLUSHED from the compliment.

Jansen said to Zealot, "Are you here alone, fat chance, or is your employer and her team around someplace, too?"

Team 1

Vicky frowned. "Do you think she did something to him? Or are you afraid he'll do something to her?" she asked pointedly.

Erina On Location

Erina twirled in the gauzy gown that she wore for the scene she was about to shoot. She was excited, in more ways than one, to be given the chance to finally play a new role. And if it turned out that she didn't like it, well, at least she'd know.

Team 2

"While I think this would be a pretty cool place to learn, do you think that Mr. Hazard would let Alex come here? I'm really beginning to trust him less and less," Trina stated, smelling one of the flowers. "I just can't shake the bad feeling I've had since we had our meeting at his place."

Team 3

Laundry Man's History Disk

A lone humanoid male stood silently within an energy field before the raised dias. Behind the dias sat three large, imposing figures. In the middle sat a Maritimusian (polar bear) female. To her left sat a male Probosciadean (elephant). On her right, looking furious, Caballusian (Shire horse) female. Standing near the entrance to the chamber was the Altaican (Siberian tiger) Galactic Patrol officer that had brought the prisoner before the judges.

"Draklane, you have been charged with the attempted eradication of the Visalans. How do you plead," the large Maritimusian female demanded.

Draklane smirked up at the judges that loomed menacingly over him. He'd be out before they knew it, and he'd finish the job he started. The Visalans were more dangerous than these judges, and he was determined to see to their extinction. He would not rest until he had succeeded.

"You should be thanking me," was his retort. "The Galactic Council should be bestowing me with a medal for eliminating a viable threat."

"A VIABLE THREAT?!" the Caballusian judge roared, her nostrils flared wide and her eyes looking wild.

The Proboscidean judge spoke calmly before the Caballusian could continue, "You murdered unhatched children in addition to children and adults. Please elaborate on how unhatched children can be deemed a viable threat."

"I thought that was obvious," was his comeback. "Obviously they become a threat as soon as they draw their first breath. Any exterminator will tell you that it is easier to stop a threat before it has a chance to grow into something bigger and more dangerous."

The Caballusian judge audibly gritted her teeth as he spoke so flippantly about his deeds. Even the GPO had his claws clenched to keep from ripping Draklane apart. But the Maritimusian judge again spoke, but her words upset everyone except the prisoner.

"Very well. You will be given a choice of sentences," she said. "You may either be banished to Terra Firma or you may receive punishment from the Grand Judge." Those words silenced her fellow judges but succeeded in making Draklane pale noticeably.

"Well, that's not really much of a choice," he remarked. "I think I can force myself to endure the torture of being on Terra Firma," he finished.

He doubted his choice, however, when he saw her smile, a frightening smile that revealed all her very sharp, white teeth. "Bring them in," she ordered.

The GPO left the room, but soon returned with a small humanoid boy and 4 pods of decreasing size. The boy followed him to the front of the chamber and stood silently before the dais looking at Draklane fiercely. The GPO placed the pods beside the boy, then retook his position beside the entrance.

"What is this?!" Draklane demanded. He would have made an attempt to move if he hadn't been trapped within the energy field.

"Since you have chosen exile on Terra Firma, which I'm sure you were planning on just using as a vacation, the rest of your punishment will be thus: You will be responsible for raising these last surviving Visalans. You will make sure that no harm comes to any of them. You will be responsible for raising them as if they are your own children. To ensure that you carry out your punishment as ordered. I will personally check on you upon the emergence of each child."

"I've changed my mind, I'd rather go before the Grand Judge," he retorted.

All three judges merely chuckled. "As you know, the first born is always male, to protect the rest of the nest. Until the next child emerges, you will protect him and the others with your life. If any of them are harmed in any way, you will be sent before the Grand Judge. You are now responsible for the continuation of the Visalans. You must make sure that they not only survive, but they must all, at some time, begin families of their own."

"I won't do it!" he protested.

"Oh, I think you will. Or you will be this boy's most satisfying meal," she threatened, her black gaze piercing Draklane.

It was then that the Proboscidean judge addressed the GPO, "GPO Khills, is the prisoner's transport ready?"

"Yes, sir," he answered.

"Very good," he continued. "GPO Khills will take you and the children to Terra Firma and make sure that you are set up in your new home. The rest is up to you. Just remember, you will be being checked up on regularly."

Draklane continued to protest as he, the boy, and the pods, were removed from the chamber and placed on the transport. GPO Khills ignored him as he made sure that the pods were secured and the boy was comfortably resting. Draklane received less of his attention, Khills merely placed him in the cell, leaving the energy field on.

Once on Terra Firma (Earth) GPO Khills set him up in a small quaint house in a large city on the Western coast of a large land mass. "This is where you will raise these children," he informed Draklane. "You'll have to change your name to fit in with the natives, and you'll have to find a proper job. Remember, you will be being watched, and not even I know by who or what. Now I will be leaving this dirt ball."

Draklane didn't even have time to protest before Khills disappeared. Now here he was, stuck with the children of a race he despised, on a planet that everyone despised. Taking a deep breath, determined to make the best of the situation, he turned to face the boy.

"Do you have a name?" he demanded.

The boy merely shook his head. Of course he didn't, Draklane thought, he had destroyed the boys parents before they could name him. That was something else that he'd have to do with these children. Draklane hated kids, and now he was stuck with children of a race he had tried so very hard to destroy.

"Very well, I suppose since I have to rename myself, I can name you," he muttered unhappily. "Most of the people on this dirtball use two names. I suppose I can change my name into two. Drake Lane," he thought aloud. "Doesn't sound too bad," he looked at the boy, "and you will be Victor Lane. You can name your siblings when they emerge. I'll make sure you all have food and shelter, but don't think for a moment that I'm going to be a father to any of you."

"Well, I didn't even see that coming," Hel said, surprised.

Team 4

Vinnie smiled Knowingly, "Very well, Ivan." He then turned to Teen Death, "If you want to earn my trust then I suggest you go and see for yourself. You do have access to the records, do you not? Why continue to take Grim's word for it?"

He then turned back to Ivan, "If you don't need me for a while, I need to check on something quickly while we're here. I'll be back shortly," he finished, then disappeared.

Team 5

Zealot smiled brightly at the family gathered on the docks. "I assure you, Mr. Tanner, that I am not doing anything that would cause you to use certain things that are best kept put away. And she's not my employer, I don't get paid."

"Behave yourself, Emilion. We're working, remember?" Sallee chastised playfully.

Leia smiled and winked, "I reinstituted a little known 'holiday' to justify having the bank closed."

Shane, who had his arm wrapped protectively around a very pregnant, petite Asian woman, turned to say over his shoulder, "Even Vulcan knows not to pull anything during Nicodemus' birthday. You could say we're under a temporary cease fire." He then turned back to the children that he and his wife were watching.

"Did you just come from Poseidon's temple?" Jo asked. "I'm supposed to be picking up a stud and a couple of mares from there."

Gideon, the big bald, biker dude standing at Jo's side rolled his eyes. "We're supposed to be on a vacation. Remember?"

Jo just smiled up at him innocently, "I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about."

"To answer your question, Jansen," Zealot continued, "yes. The team is here. Of course they've all split up again to pursue multiple avenues. But, officially, we're here on vacation. Of course, Grim and Teen Death are hanging around so you may want to be on your guard."

Richard laughed. "The Savages will be here later. Brittany had a time talking Jordan into coming back to Greece, especially since we all found out that Vulcan is his father. Josh is finishing up a job in Germany. But it is Sylver that Grim and Teen Death need to watch out for, she'll drive them nuts with her mannerisms."

"Maybe that is just what they need," Garm suggested, snickering.

Team 1

Xanel gave a serious glance at Vicky. "Both."

Genie said, "Look, Kevin is our friend, so if he needs some privacy, we give it to him. Remember when Mark needed some privacy after the College Fright Night mystery and his parents kidnapped him for a trip to Japan?"

Team 2

"I strongly think the answer would be no," replied Mark. "Mr. Hazard has already prepared the plans made for Xanel on where to send him for his college years. And it is the place that Xanel had him check out. So Xanel is stuck with that choice now."

Team 3

Reena clasped a hand over her mouth. "Vicky will come unglued when she learns about this!"

Mikael said, "The Scribe is activating Ivan's disc now."

Notorious Crook's History Disk

Siberia (Circa 1837 A.D.)

A small snow covered farm was the site of an important event. After a long and ardorously painful time of labor... a tired woman with the aid of a midwife gave birth to a healthy male son. The father was seated in the next room very worried indeed because he had been told that his wife was not expected to live through this pregnancy.

As the tired aging mother lay there nearly unmoving, out of the corner of her eye she saw Grim standing in the corner of the room. Unheard to the midwife, she said, "please... allow me to name my child before you take me."

Grim nodded his head gently. "I don't normally give last requests, woman, but this time... I will permit it. What will your son be called?"

Then the midwife actually heard the last four words emerged from the dying woman's lips. "my son... Ivanovinski Kingslokov..." and then, she fell still. Though in the spiritual realm, Grim was helping the spirit of the woman to stand up out of her now lifeless shell.

"That was a fine name, woman. He will lived a long life and make people both happy and upset with his exploits. I may even be one of the ones he upsets. He will have a very fulfilling life... if I don't kill him on purpose first."

Ten years later... (Circa 1847 A.D.)

Mr. Kingslokov was leading the family livestock through the yard and toward the barn when he saw his son on his knees near the shed that was supposed to be locked. The shed contained all of his wife's belongings. "Ivanovinski! What are you doing?!"

The boy smiled as the lock popped open in his hand, as he turned to look at his father. "I saw that the lock was open, father. I had just knelt to examine it when you came around the corner."

Naturally believing his son to be telling the truth, the father believed his son's story. "That shed contains your mothers most prized treasures. Help me get the livestock put away and then we will make certain that none of her belongings are missing."

Fifteen years after that... (Circa 1862 A.D.)

Ivanovinski and another young man he was running around with were in the midst of cleaning out a government depot of it's monetary wealth and commodities.

"It is amazing how you just opened the back door like that. How did you do it?"

Ivanovinski grinned. "They simply forgot to lock up. That's all. We got lucky. Now let's get this stuff back to our hideout. We hit the jackpot this time."

Unfortunately as the two young men were exiting the rear of the building, floating in mid air before them was four individuals. Commander Leo (Leorik Dawn's-Mane), Arch-Magus (Royal Prince Wilbur Maus), White Tigress (Lady Maria Lochmond), and Pentacle (Andrea Taget; obviously not the same Pentacle as Erina's mom, but born around the same time.)

It was none other than The Victorians, a European superhero team of the 1800s.

"Do the authorities know you're stealing from them, boys?" said the floating German arch mage.

Pentacle was glowing with a magical Celtic light. "I would have to say that they don't know about this. Why else would they hire us to lay a trap and see who took the bait?"

The White Tigress growled. "I do hope they try to resist. It was cold sitting up on top of the building all night."

Commander Leo had his magical white sword drawn and pointed at the boys. "Give up or else. And please... choose 'or else.' We function better when the bad guys choose the latter choice."

The one young man whispered to Ivanovinski, "I'll distract them; you get away. Don't worry about me. The Victorians never take live prisoners. One of us should live through this. You can seek revenge for me later." And with that, he threw up his hand and arms flinging all of the goods he had been carrying into the air, and during that moment of confusion, Ivanovinski did indeed bolt back into the building and rushed to reach the opposite exit.

But his run was cut short when he saw the remaining Victorians blocking the only other escape route. Thunder-Demon (Moollsley Heartstorn), Zularr the Zebra God (Xorax ZeBranx), Snake Queen (Sssleth-Khhaaa), and Dark Whip (Carla Diego.)

"Nice try, kiddo," remarked Dark Whip with a grin, her black whip at the ready. "Just give up so I don't have to torture you in front of your friend."

The other three didn't say much. They really didn't need to. They HATED cold weather.

Ivanovinski sighed and raised his hands slowly. "I surrender. Just don't kill us."

Many decades later (Circa 1931 A.D.)

After having served so many years in a forgotten Siberian prison in the worst possible conditions, an aging Ivanovinski Kingslokov was released due to health and old age issues. Figuring he was too old to be a threat now, they released him from prison and turned their backs on him for good, they hoped. But being in prison did not reform the now aging wreck of a man from a small Siberian farm. Now 94 years old, Ivanovinski was relaxing in the Mediterranean on a small boat. Little did he know what fate would have in store for him through Greek-related divine intervention.

Poseidon was angered because of what some evil humans had done to a few locals on one of the hidden islands in the Aegean Sea. He knew he couldn't interfere directly, so... he wanted to find a human to send to the island who could intervene on his behalf. And then he saw Ivanovinski in that small boat. "Perfect!" And what followed was a sudden storm from nowhere that slammed the small boat on the shores of the hidden island.

It didn't take Ivanovinski long to figure out that underhanded criminal things were occurring on the island, when he encountered a young female centaur and a young male satyr, both of whom were chained and locked in a makeshift cell with a crude lock. He grinned when he saw the lock and with a flick of his wrist... the locks simply fell off of the makeshift cage, then he helped to free the two mythical beings. Once free, the three of them worked to round up the remaining humans on the island and threw them back on their boat and sent them adrift toward a huge whirlpool with a gigantic trident sticking out of it.

Ivanovinski and his two friends retired to the young mythic's cave home on the island where they shared a special wine and fresh food with him. Within a few minutes, as if by magic, Ivanovinski age-regressed to a vigorous 14 year-old young man once again. "Wow! I feel great all of sudden! What happened?"

Yuthran, the young male satyr, replied, "It is a special wine that keeps us healthy and young."

Dynamus, the young centaur female, said, "We didn't know what effect it would have on a human, but you really do look great now. I am pleased that you get a second chance in life."

Ivanovinski hummed with a grin. "Because I saved your lives today, would you both give your word to help me the very next time I come to visit by allowing me to drink more of this special wine?"

Both centaur and satyr nodded their heads happily. "We would gladly do that for you!" and "You saved our lives!"

They then gave him a magical device that he could use to return to the island whenever he liked.

Eleven years later (Circa 1942 A.D.)

At the age of 25, for the second time in his life, Ivanovinski had been practicing his lock opening mutant power quite extensively for many months and with a solid black costume and a black mask over his eyes, he slipped into a Russian Bank in Moscow totally undetected. Or at least he thought that he was undetected. He had entered many time prior, only taking small amounts each time so as to not raise suspicions. But apparently someone had noticed. And now, for the second time in his life, he was about to be confronted by a few superheroes.

As he was exiting the vault with his black backpack filled with stolen loot, he saw the two British superheroes, Captain Leo (Lord John Lochmond) and Captain Lea (Lady Lea Lochmond), as well as the new Russian superhero, Captain Detona (Nadezhda Vallejo). All three were blocking his only exit.

Captain Detona exclaimed, "Nice costume, crook. And just who are you supposed to be dressed like that?"

Ivanovinski grinned. "Why everyone knows me!" And he struck his now worldly famous pose as his theme music began to play. "I am... the Notorious Crook!"

Captain Leo whispered to Captain Lea, "Where is that music coming from?"

Captain Lea replied back just as quietly, "I have no idea. It's coming from... everywhere."

Captain Detona growled, "I am Captain Detona. I can blow things up!" And with that, a side wall exploded making a nice sized new exit. "See? And what is your power?"

Ivanovinski smiled with a giggle. "I am elusive and..." he ran out through the hole, calling back, "...and no longer here! Thanks for the exit, sucker!" And he was gone into the night.

Of course the heroes gave chase, but they did not catch up with him that night. Or the next. And on the third night, Ivanovinski decided that it was time to migrate to a new hunting ground, leaving the heroes in their search of the city for him.

Eight years later (Circa 1950 A.D.)

Ivanovinski, 33 now, grinned as he read over an invitation from an associate in the United States. The letter was from someone named 'Vincent Cabriano' of whom he had met briefly during a robbery in France and his enjoyment of besting the female Super Star known as Catmandu. "So... my old chum is in the states now, is he? And he is inviting me to come over and show the Yankees how a real crook operates. I shouldn't disappoint him... and it is about time I gave Europe a break from me. But I will need an American sounding name. Ah, I know! I'll just shorten my real name and become... Ivan Kingsley!"

Mikael and Reena both blinked their eyes, as Mikael exclaimed, "He's HOW old?!"

Team 4

Teen Death hummed. "I am going to personally check the records. I'll be back before the party. Don't do anything stupid, Ivan." And she too disappeared.

Ivan slyly grinned. "I never thought that they would leave!" He then pulled a very old device out of his duffel bag and activated it. And in a flash, Ivan was teleported off to some nearby island location.

One of the hidden islands in the Aegean Sea

A young centaur and a young satyr were just finishing nailing the lid on a crate of wine when a sudden rush of air nearby made them both look toward the arriving person.

"Dynamus! Yuthran!" exclaimed Ivan with a smile. "It's time! And I need to get this done before the others return to Nicodemus' Villa!"

The young centaur female, Dynamus, replied, "Ivan... I really don't think this is a good idea. I know the last time was an accident. But deliberately imbibing the special vintage... makes me worry about you."

Yuthran, the young male satyr, added, "It might not have the same effect the second time. Please reconsider."

Ivan folded his arms over his chest. "I saved your lives before... and you gave your words that you would help me the very next time I appeared. And that time is now. I even went out of my way to give up the life of villainy and have been helping a mystery solving team in another country. Honor what you promised."

Both centaur and satyr sighed, but they would keep their word. They did promise to help Ivan when he saved their lives.

Team 5

After parting company with the Tanners and friends, the Back-up Team made their way to the Parthenon where they admired the grand ruins in all of their glory.

Adam smiled. "Have you left any puppies in Greece, Garm?"

Lionel smiled at Zealot, "Hey, I think I can see Xanel, Vicky, and Genie down the hill by that marketplace. Well, it's definitely Xanel. Hard to misplace a Unikron, you know."

Andrew was practicing with his moon dog flute to the delight of other visitors.

Team 1

"Yes, and we had to go and rescue him from his psychotic cousin," Vicky reminded them.

Team 2

Trina looked around again. "You know," she began, "it's really quiet here. Unnaturally quiet. We should be able to hear something from somewhere if Chiron had students training in various ways. Let's do some exploring and see what's going on."

Las Vegas, Nevada

"What's up?" he asked after he had appeared in the ornate office overlooking the strip.

The young looking man behind the desk looked up and smiled. "How's your vacation going?" he asked.

Vinnie laughed. "Well, I've successfully made everyone think that I'm someone and something I'm not, even Ivan. That may have to do with his advanced age."

"Well, just watch yourself, Vin," he laughed, "that could all come to a screeching halt, real fast."

"Erina hasn't said anything to anyone," he shrugged.

"And she won't," the man agreed, "she's a woman of her word."

Vinnie sat in one of the plush leather chairs across the desk. "So what do you need me to do?"

"I have a package that needs to be delivered to New York. You're the only one I trust to do it so I'd appreciate it if you could just drop it off on your way back to Athens. Also, I have a gift for Nicodemus. Unfortunately, I can't make it to the celebration."

Vincent smiled as he stood. "Of course, I can deliver both. Do I need to bring back a reply from the first delivery?"

The man's laughter filled the room. "It would be best if you just drop it off and leave. You know how she gets when she doesn't get exactly what she wants."

"Oh yes," Vinnie laughed taking the packages, one in plain brown paper, and the other in festive blue and white, "I know."

Team 3

Hel was laughing heartily. "I bet Admiral Ka-Boom is just waiting for Ivan to make an appearance in Russia so she can rectify that major blunder," he chortled. "It looks like Vinnie is next."

Silver Surge's History Disk

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

"Focus, you must, on the outcome you desire, Vincent," the elder said to the young boy dressed in shimmering silver.

"But, Master, what if my opponent desires a different outcome?" he asked, trying to perform the task that his master had set before him.

The elder smiled as he replied, "Then you must want it more."

Several celestial orbits later...

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!?" a teenage Vincent shouted at another teen dressed in flat black.

The other teen sneered at him as he answered, "I have completed my training, my final task is now complete. You will never match my power," he taunted.

Vincent took a deep breath and straightened, his eyes narrowing. "That is where you are wrong," he said in a disjointed voice. "I've been finished with my training for some time, I merely chose to stay with my master to gain the wisdom to go along with my new power. You have seriously underestimated me if you think that you will leave here alive."

The black-clad teen looked nervous. "How is that possible?" he demanded. "You can't kill me, it is against the Silver Surge code to kill."

"You're correct, I cannot kill you," he conceded, "but that doesn't mean that I can't make you wish you were dead!"

And then the bright shimmering blast that erupted from Vincent blinded his opponent and knocked him back several feet. He then went to stand over him, raising him off the ground with a wave of his hand. Vincent sighed as his enemy rubbed his eyes.

"I'm sorry to have to do this to you," Vincent continued, "but you are too dangerous to be allowed to continue on your course."

"NO!" he shouted, seeming to know what was coming.

A shimmering orb appeared around him, shrinking until it was about the size of a snow globe. The person inside looked like a miniature inside the orb, suspended in the nothingness inside the orb. Vincent took the orb and placed it carefully within an ornate silver box.

"I'm sorry, brother," he said again, locking the box with a flash.

Earth, Italian peninsula, pre-Christ

The phalanx retreated as swiftly as they could with their armor weighing them down. Behind them Vincent stood tall and powerful in his full sparkling silver glory, the pulsating aura around him burning brightly. Behind him, on the ground, lay a wounded male Feli-sapian.

After assuring that the phalanx was far enough away, Vincent turned to kneel next to the cat man. "Easy, let me help you," he said after completing an internal translator. "I'm Vincent."

"I am Mickey," he moaned as Vincent began to heal the wound he had sustained. "You are not native," he stated.

Vincent smiled, "No, I'm not. There," he stepped away and helped Mickey to his feet, "good as new."

"Thank you, Vincent. May I suggest that we vacate this area before they return with reinforcements?" he said, and with a wave of his hand, they were no longer standing in the open field.

The small villa sat upon a small hill over looking a rich vineyard. Mickey and Vincent appeared within the courtyard, a small fountain bubbling in the center.

"Welcome to my home," Mickey said, leading Vincent inside. "Tell me, what brings you to the Roman Empire?"

Vincent smiled wearily, "I got tired of the constant battle to keep balance in the universe."

Mickey looked at him carefully. Then he smiled, "Well, you're welcome to stay here for as long as you want."

"Thank you, Mickey."

New York

"Mikky K," the tall elegant woman addressed the sharply dressed male feline. "You have encroached on my territory for the last time!"

He merely smiled a very smug feline grin as he picked an invisible speck of lint from his sleeve and shrugged. "It isn't my fault that you cannot keep your business running smoothly."

She slammed her open hand down on the desk in frustration. "It very well is your fault when you send your flunky to interfere in my business!" she shrieked.

"Flunky?" Vinnie asked. "Is she referring to me?" he asked the cat, chuckling.

"I think she is," Mikky K responded.

Vinnie looked back at the woman and place his right hand over his heart. "How insulting! I'm hurt, Madam, that you would categorize me so."

Her eyes narrowed and she glared at Vinnie. "I don't know where you come from, or how you manage to be seemingly everywhere at once. But I do know that you have been sabotaging my people and I'll have no more of it."

"How do you purpose to stop him?" Mikky K asked.

It was then that she smiled and leaned back in her chair. "I have a proposal to make, Mikky K," she dangled.

Mikky K and Vinnie looked at each other and smiled. It was almost as if they both knew what was coming. They both turned then to face her then, giving her their, seemingly, undivided attention.

"And just what would that be?" Mikky K asked.

"If you both leave New York, and promise not to encroach on my territory again, I'm sure we can come to a mutually beneficial arrangement," she offered.

Vinnie laughed again, "I believe she just promised something without actually promising anything."

Mikky K nodded his agreement even as she glared at them. "Very well, Madam Borva, we'll leave New York to you. I hear that some of the lesser mobsters are building a city in Nevada. Perhaps we'll go check that out," he said flippantly. "We'll be in touch."

Madam Borva watched them leave her office sighing in relief.

Once they were well away from Borva's Vinnie turned to Mikky K and said with a chuckle, "For a moment I thought you were going to tell her we were planning on leaving anyway."

"If I'd have done that, we wouldn't be able to get something from her at a later date," Mikky K answered with a wink.

Las Vegas

Mikky K and Vinnie were looking over some designs. "I still can't believe that you came up with this," Mikky K was saying.

Vinnie lifted one shoulder in a nonchalant shrug, "Well, the role-playing genre needs something different and I thought this would be a good idea. The classes are based on where I come from and the races are just the standard races found across the galaxy."

"Simple yet engaging," Mikky K responded. "I think you did well."

"And it will be legitimate income," Vinnie added with a wink.

Mikky K laughed. "Of course."

"He made up a role playing game? I wonder if he'll teach us how to play it? Hey, he never met Ivan," Hel pointed out.

Team 1 & 5

Garm chuckled, "I might have, Cerberus and I did some running around back in the day."

"Let's go join them, we can fill them in on the situation with Poseidon," Zealot suggested.

Genie smiled. "Hey look, love-birds... Here comes Zealot with the other back-up members."

And soon, Team 1 and Team 4 had merged as they took turns explaining the mistake that Poseidon almost made and the deal that Andrew got Poseidon to agree to afterward.

"...and so," explained Andrew, "tomorrow morning, after Nicodemus' party, we all get to go horseback riding on Poseidon's prized horses. Think about it... it will be romantic."

Xanel grinned. "Even more romantic if I do it au natural!" He then laughed.

Adam giggled, too. "Someone might die if they do that tomorrow. And it won't be Grim's idea."

Team 2

The three soon found where the majority of the students and Chiron, along with a few gods, were gathered. They were creating unique gifts for Nicodemus' birthday party.

Chiron smiled when he saw the three. "Ah, the Merlin siblings and the Tracker huntress! Welcome to my island! Surely you didn't come here for more magic training!"

Cynthia smiled back. "Actually, Circe suggested that we tour your college. Trina thought it was too quiet around here to be a college, so we started looking for you people in case Hades was up to no good out here, too."

Chiron frowned with a sigh. "Is he still being stupid? We just got over Ares being an idiot. Now Hades is on his period?"

Team 3

Reena said, "Wait a minute, Hel. In Ivan's history, he mentions that he met Vinnie in France in the 1940s. If he never met Vinnie, then who was pretending to be Vinnie in France?"

Mikael smiled. "Sounds like we have a mystery on our hands, guys. We better find Scooby Garm and the Dare Demon and jump in the Witch Van and rush right over there!" He winked with a giggle.

Reena growled. "You are NOT Freddy!

The Scribe replied, "I am sure Erina is not Danger-Prone Dare Demon either. Or is she? I will have my work cut out for me here. I would suggest that you three head back to Earth and commission my assistance in history another time, pardon the pun."

Mikael hummed. "He's right, guys. We should head back to Earth. We need to regroup with the guys, enjoy Nicodemus' party, then spank Ivan for being naughty, and then... resurrect Grim for lying his ass off to us."

Reena said, "Wait a minute! Just wait!" She looked to the Ibis. "Scribe... Spacemaster said that you had to tell us whatever we wanted to know IF it turned out that his records were indeed altered. They have been proven to have been altered. I need to know three things. And later, the team has the right to call on you when we need to know other things. And you agreed to this arrangement in advance."

The Scribe simply nodded his beak. "As long as your team does not try to kill me, I will be at your disposal for anything that you wish to know."

Reena smiled. "First... Who was it that Ivan met in France who claimed to be Vincent Cabriano?"

The Scribe replied, "It was the father of Code "H" Girl, Changer Girl, and Code "V" Boy. He is a villain with absolute shape changing powers. He needed to be someone else while in France, so he took on Vincent's form and claimed to be him, but only while he was there."

Mikael hummed. "So Code "V" and Code "H" are actually siblings. That sure throws a monkey wrench in what we knew before..."

Reena ahemed, then continued. "Second, was Adam Dalton, my brother, ever in danger of dying?"

The Scribe replied, "Yes and No. Dying before his recorded time, no. It has always been recorded in The Father of Time's records that it was Xanel who saved Adam's life during Adam's puberty where he was developing his mutant powers. Like you, Reena... Adam is a mutant."

Mikael hummed again. "Another unforeseen bit of knowledge that none of us knew nothing about. But we should have figured that out in advance."

Reena punched Mikael. "Can it, Cat!" She looked to the Scribe. "Third... who exactly is the Grim Reaper targeting? We deserve to know, Scribe. He originally told our team that it was Adam who was going to die, then he told Teen Death that Ivan was going to die. And then he indicated that it was going to be someone related to a core member. What is the truth?"

The Scribe actually stopped what he was doing at this point and physically looked at the three. This was definitely a first. The Scribe NEVER simply stopped in the middle of doing anything. "The event occurred this morning."

Mikael blinked his eyes. "Wait a minute! We were all present and accounted for this morning! All of us! No one died at the Villa!"

The Scribe turned to Hel. "This event did not occur in Greece at all. It occurred in Los Angeles. Who all originates from Los Angeles and pair down your list. Who all has the risk of being related to your core team members? Grim told the truth the last time he was heard from. It's over with. Teen Death was left with your team, unbeknown to even her, to simply make you suspect that Grim was indeed targeting someone of your team who was present. That is all." And he then resumed his work quietly, though a tear was leaking from one eye... mainly because he knew how the person involved would feel in reaction.

Mikael and Reena silently looked at Hel, as Mikael said, "It has to be either Xanel, Vicky, Mark, or Trina. The rest of us either don't live in Los Angeles or only work there sometimes. Oh no... Grim targeted one of the parents."

Reena said, "That leaves Vicky out then. Laundry Man lives in New York. And I don't think it would be Trina either...Mr. Tracker isn't even human. He's a spacer humanoid bounty hunter. So that leaves Xanel and Mark."

Mikael hummed. "The Merlin's are too careful..." Then he fell silent as he realized who was left... and he too was worried about how the orphaned Unikron would feel and react.

Reena said to Hel, "Let's get back to Greece. We need to regroup."

Team 1

Victoria laughed, "That might be something to see, a Unikron riding a horse."

"Oh, that's something else," Zealot added, "the Tanners are in Greece for the party, and the Savages will be here also."

Team 2

Trina admired some of the gifts that Chiron's students were making. "He tried to get Mark turned to stone by one of the Gorgon sisters," she remarked. "What is it with the male gods? Can't they just be satisfied with the wives they already have?"

Team 3

"Mr. Tracker actually live in Nevada. Drake Lane isn't really Vicky's father so that wouldn't be a possibility anyway. And Mark's parents live in the Magic Mansion in Hollywood. That leaves Mr. Hazard who, again, isn't Xanel's actual father. Plus, Cryston and Aurora are at his estate, and I doubt they would let someone just walk in and kill him," Hel pointed out. "There must be something we're missing."

And with that, Hel transported them back to Nicodemus' villa, appearing in the empty courtyard.

Nicodemus' Villa

The teams had regrouped before the party...

Teen Death was growling at Ivan who was now back among them and looking 14 years old again. "I TOLD YOU NOT TO DO SOMETHING STUPID! NOW YOU'RE A YOUNG MAN AGAIN! GRIM AND THE OVERLORDS ARE GOING TO HAVE A COW!"

Ivan was sitting at his table rather smugly, sipping on a drink, saying nothing. But grinning.

Genie grinned, too. "I'd pay to see a cow emerge from Grim's rear end."

Xanel was telling Mikael and the others, "...and she went and found a filming crew on location here in Athens and she joined the cast because the other actress quit and the role called for someone wearing period clothing."

Reena said, "I can't believe Erina's luck sometimes, but if you'll excuse me... I need to kidnap Vicky for a moment." And she walked over and grabbed Vicky by the arm and led her OUTSIDE of the Villa and down on to the beach AWAY FROM the Villa (mainly to protect the others when the explosion came.)

Once there... Reena told Vicky what they learned from The Scribe and Spacemaster about the Lanes... yes, the whole truth.

Back in the Villa, Mikael said, "Kevin learned what happened to his father and he left to meditate on that knowledge. The information was... painful... and that is why he screamed like he did and you sensed him, Xanel." Mikael didn't want to be the one to tell his Unikron friend what they suspected about Grim and Alex's earth father.

Cynthia was telling Zealot, "...and Chiron said that Hades was on his period. That's why he's acting like an idiot recently."

Mark was off with Garm and Adam helping the boy with a sketch picture that he didn't have yet... a pic of Garm and Adam together, arm around the big hound, both smiling.

Andrew's cellphone rang and he walked away from the others to answer it. During that time, his complexion went pale... and this did not go unnoticed because Lionel who was more than ever on alert noticed the occurrence and was concerned for their friend.

Hel was laughing so hard that his words came out in short gasps, "I...think...it...was...pretty...smart."

Vicky's jaw dropped as she listened to Reena tell her all they had learned. "You mean to tell me that that BASTARD isn't even my real father? I'm a...a pod person?" she demanded, pacing back and forth. "What the H-E-double hockey sticks does that mean anyway? He was trying to exterminate my race, whatever they are, and as a punishment got stuck raising us instead? What were they thinking? I mean, obviously he didn't kill us off," she said to herself, then she look at Reena, "but what if he had? Of course, that would have meant being around more than he was. Well, damn!"

She looked out over the water as she considered it all. Vicky was livid, but she was also confounded. It was too much for her to process. The more she learned about herself, the less she wanted to know.

She looked over at Reena again and said, "I don't suppose there's much to be done about it here and now. Let's go party."

It was then that Vinnie spoke, having arrived without anyone noticing. "Uh, guys. We have a problem. We need to return to L.A. as soon as the party is over. There's been an," he paused, "incident, and we've been hired to look into it." he explained as vaguely as possible. He then looked at Mikael and said, "I suggest you not say a word until we get back home." His eyes gleamed brightly for a moment, letting Mikael know how dangerous it would be for him to do otherwise.

Washington, D.C. 7 time zones earlier

Hannah Seasons poured another cup of coffee as she looked through the morning paper. There wasn't anything in there that she didn't already know about, she just enjoyed looking at the pictures and classifieds. She found it amusing, some of the things that people actually advertised for.

She had just sat at the table and spread out the comic section on the table when she felt a presence. Not raising her head, she attempted to do a scan of the house, but she couldn't get a lock on the presence. Frowning, she slowly raised her head.

Across the table from her, Kevin stood. His face was pale and his eyes were filled with anguish. He knew, she thought instantly.

"Yes, I know," he answered aloud, afraid that if he answered mental he might crush his mother's mind.

Taking a deep breath, Hannah stood and went to her son, but he shrugged away from her when she tried to embrace him. So, instead, she wrapped her arms around herself.

"How did you find out?" she asked.

"Scribe," he choked out. "Why didn't you just tell me?" he sobbed.

A tear ran down her cheek as she answered, "Because I knew that it would have this affect on you. It wasn't your fault."

"He died protecting you from ME!" Kevin shouted. "How can that not be my fault?"

Hannah flinched. "Because he knew exactly what he was doing. His last thought to me was to tell me how much he loved us both," she explained quietly.

Kevin sank to the floor, exhausted. He'd held himself together for as long as he could. Hannah followed him down, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulder as they shook with the sobs wracking his body.

"If it's anyone's fault, it's mine," she said, smoothing his black hair and rubbing his back like she did when he'd been a small child. "I should have stayed home and not gone out doing the villain stuff. But I was stubborn, foolish and pigheaded." She sighed then, wondering how much he had actually found out.

Kevin looked up at her, "What else is there?" he asked.

Her face registered her shock. "You are indeed more powerful than I could have ever imagined," she whispered, and then she sighed, resigned to tell him the rest.

"You have a half-sister. Henri had been married before in Canada, but his wife had died of cancer. They'd married young, right out of high school, because she was pregnant. Your sister's name is Marilyn. She was fifteen when you were born. I met her briefly at Henri's wake, and it was evident that she was every bit as powerful as he was."

He considered that for a moment. Then, meeting his mother's eyes, he said very clearly, "I want to meet her."

Hannah sighed, but she didn't argue. "Just let me get dressed and we'll go. I just hope we don't run into Mackenzie, she muttered as she went to her room.

That night, in Greece...

Anyone who was anyone was at Nicodemus' party. Fireworks filled the sky. There were drinks, mythical personages, mythical creatures, and of course multiple heroes, villains, and of course, law enforcement on hand to make sure everything stayed civil.

Hades was indeed there, too, although he didn't look like he was in any condition to party because his wife, Persephone, was also present and she had the God of the Underworld in CHAINS. Someone finally told her about Hades going after a young flit of a girl. And now you know what happens when Persephone gets angry. Move over, Hulk!

When the Hazardous Materials decided that they had their fill of the festivities, they boarded the HM Research Cruiser and lifted off en route toward dropping off the Richfield Champions in their home town... and then, they flew westward toward Los Angeles, making stops here and there along the way to drop off people who's homes were along the way.

Finally, with few HM personnel still on board... the Cruiser slowly came in for a landing in the Hazard property's back yard... and though it was late... Xanel could tell something was wrong. Cryston was waiting on him in his full battle armor and there were police cruisers, a black limo with government plates, and an ambulance parked in front of the mansion.

Mark, who was piloting the Cruiser this time, said, "I wonder what's going on?"

Genie said, "An ambulance usually means that someone got hurt or..."

Xanel grimly finished the statement for Genie. "...got...killed... Open the hatch, Mark."

Mark immediately did as he was asked, and Xanel was out of the Cruiser and in front of Cryston that fast. However... no words passed between the two as their eyes were locked together. Yes, it was that method that Unikrons used for speaking telepathically. And worse, this time it was entirely in their own language. No English here.

Mikael quietly told Mark and Trina what he suspected was up.

Mark's next few choice muttered words were nearly identical to what he had said at the end of the College Mystery when he cussed Vicky out. Only this time... it was aimed entirely at Grim, who wasn't present.

Teen Death WAS with them, however. "So this is what he was up to? That rotten pile of..." And the rest of her statement was just as vulgar.

Aurora, also in full battle armor, stood slightly behind Cryston. She was hyper-vigilant, her eyes moving restlessly and her horn shimmering as she kept constantly scanning the area.

Vicky followed Xanel off the cruiser, wanting to be near him in case he needed her. She would have to deal with her family issues another time, right now she wanted to give all her attention and support to Xanel.

Vinnie hadn't said anything on their return trip, sitting quietly contemplating their upcoming job. He hadn't filled them in, choosing to wait until they arrived before taking them to meet their employer for this mission.

Hel was still laughing at the teenage Ivan. Gods just didn't see things the same was as mortals. "You're in mid-puberty again!" he chortled.

Trina, who had set next to Mark on the return trip, reached over and took his hand. "I'm going to call Dad and see what he knows," she murmered.

"I told you before," Vinnie said, having overheard her, "we've already been hired to look into it. We'll be briefed as soon as Xanel is finished here. Providing, of course, that he wishes to join us."

Trina glared at Vinnie. "I'm going to call my father and there is nothing you can do to stop me," she growled, leaving the cruiser to have some privacy.

At that moment, Xanel, Cryston, Aurora, and Vicky all went *POOF* And they were gone!

Mark remarked, "Xanel's long rang teleports leave a lot to be desired. I hope he didn't pull another long range teleport or someone could be in a LOT of trouble."

Cynthia said, "Why don't we use this time to get moved OUT of the Magic Mansion, oh brother of mine? You did say the Gray Unicorn had that apartment set up for you."

Mark nodded his head. "Okay, we'll go do that and then after you're settled in, Cynthia, I'll return and see if I can lend Xanel my help. That is... if we can find him later." And the Merlin siblings departed.

Ivan was now on his own phone in a conversation with Mr. Carrington. The whole talk sounded hilarious.

Genie said to Teen Death, "Where do you think Grim is?"

Teen Death replied, "He's in deep ice when we find him. Let's go, Genie."

And they departed together.

Andrew looked at Zealot. "This is zany. I'm heading back to my Cruiser Cabin to get my coat. Then I have to go back to SF for another recording contract session. What will you be doing? Your boss vanished with the other hornies."

Mikael looked to Lionel and smiled. "I think you did a good job on your first solo outing."

Lionel smiled back. "Thank you, Mikael."

Mikael then said, "Therefore, I am going to release you from my apprenticeship to do more outings whenever you like. You're proven that you can handle it. When we get home later... you'll be getting your own room or even... your own place. Shared bedrooms are for masters and apprentices only and I may want to get another apprentice."

Lionel fell quiet at that. Sure he wanted Mikael to advance him... but this was rather sudden. He was scared now.

Dalton Ranch, Utah

Mr. Dalton was overjoyed to see Adam walking under his own power, as his daughter Reena explained to him about the mutant power puberty and how the growth was part of that and how the doctors themselves about killed Adam trying to remove it.

"Daddy... I'm sorry I am so wild. But I promise... you will soon get to see me looking prim proper and well-behaved. Two of my friends are going to get married soon. And if I want to go to the wedding... I have to look right."

Mr. Dalton hugged Reena as the two walked off together slowly.

Adam smiled, as he turned and looked up at the sky. "Okay Credits Producer... start rolling those words. But remember... we'll be back in less than a week for another episode. Until then..."

To be continued...

And then Adam turned and gave Garm a big hug, as he led the big watch dog off inside to his bedroom where he kept the special treats for Garm and Garm alone.

And then the Credits began to scroll up the screen...

**End of HM-10 Hazardous Panic

Stay tuned for HM-11 The Mob Rules**