"So... What's happening?" Tony asks just as Jiho returns with a handful of new lightbulbs.

Percival sits down at the end of the bed. "Well, it's difficult to explain, but, the bottom line is, you are going through what every Phoenix goes through right now."

Jiho carefully picks up glass and throws it into a basket. He nods, listening along to the conversation. "But not quite," he adds. He continues to pick up glass. Tony watches him in bewilderment.

"Uh," Tony looks to Percival.

Percival sighs deeply. "All Phoenix's go through some trials in order to prove their worth as well as show to the supernatural race that they can truly be their leader. However, the issue here, is that part of the prophecy states that every one in a million Phoenix's is dark—evil basically."

"Oh," is all Tony can think to say.

"Yeah," Percival agrees.

Jiho carefully takes out a broken bulb and replaces it with a new one. "Your aura is struggling." His comment causes the other two men to look over at him. "It is unusual. Very unusual," he says to himself. "Well," he sighs and shrugs. "It is up to you Tony. Whatever you feed will grow and whatever you suppress will wither. Make sure to choose wisely in every action you do from here on out. Everything hangs in the balance." He pauses and finally turns to face the boy. "But don't worry, I'm sure it will all work out." He offers a genuine smile.

Tony isn't sure how to respond to any of what Jiho said. So, he sits there in silence for a good few minutes. No coherent thoughts enter his mind. "You think I'm the evil one then?"

Jiho sighs, "I cannot lie to you, Tony. I wish I didn't. But this struggle I see within you, is something that I have not seen before. I can only guess."

"I see." Tony nods. "Then I have one option. I have to go somewhere where I can't hurt anybody until this struggle is over. Percival," He looks over to him.

"Yes?" He asks.

"Do you know of a place?"

Percival nods. "I think I do, I can get us there by the end of the night."

"Good," Tony nods.

Jiho rubs his beard in thought. "Percival, you will have to keep a close eye on him. I cannot go as I have too many responsibilities here, but I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors. And Tony," He turns to the young man. "Have an alert mind and spirit. Do not let yourself fall into dark temptations. You must keep your guard at all times. I mean this with heavy caution. Do not take this lightly."

Tony nods, "Yes, I understand."

"Good," Jiho says.

<><><>

Percival drives them along a dark road somewhere deep in the mountains of South Korea, where Tony does not know. His face is stern, jaw set, and eyes strictly narrowed on the road before them. Then, he turns his head to the side slightly and glances at Tony, looking his straight in the eyes for a brief second. "A lot has happened. A lot will happen." He moves the steering wheel in sync with the road's curves. "See, Tony—" A long, heavy breath falls off his lips. "I've been around for a longtime. I'm old." He shrugs. "I've seen a lot of things. I've seen many people die, good people, bad people—and many Phoenixes have passed through my lifetime. I've seen great leaders and I've seen leaders fail. I can tell, trust me."

"But... I don't know," Tony trails off, looking out the window, eyes wandering the dark scenery of the mountainous drive. "I've just met you; how can I trust you? Like I just said, how can you really tell if I'm one of the good ones? You don't know me."

Percival nods. "You make a good point, Tony, I cannot deny that. But I sincerely hope you will believe me someday very soon. A lot depends on that."

Tony glances over at him, and notices Percival's intense certainty in him. Tony's whole life has been full of uncertainty. He wasn't sure he was part of his family—one of the werewolves. And for so long, he was so uncertain of his purpose. He thought maybe he was just always destined to be the "other." But yet, the answer to his purpose lies right before him. So why can't he just accept it?—Because... I'm afraid, Tony realizes. What if I can't? How can I do this?

Percival nods in thought and looks over to Tony once again. "You're a good one, Tony. I have no doubt. I have faith that you will find your way through this. See—I have no idea why the second prophecy chose you, and I don't know yet what that means for you, and for all of the Supernatural's. But what I do know, what I truly and surely believe, is that you are capable of great things. You will be a great king—and I have not believed so firmly in this sentiment since I served King Arthur Pendragon."

Tony, hear beating irradicably in his chest, stares straight ahead at the road before them. His eyes jumping from tree to tree, shadow to shadow, out of the front window of the car. His mind races and thought clash. He struggles to accept the fact that his is capable being this great king that Percival claims he can be. Or maybe will be.

"How do I be a leader for the Supernatural's; how does—what does that even look like? What is expected out of me, Percival? I'm struggling a lot right now to figure out where to start. I don't know what to think. What am I supposed to do?" Tony finally unravels the questions tangled in his mind.

Percival nods, knowing these questions were bound to come firing out. "It means protecting them and keeping order," he says.

"Making sure we stay hidden. Deciding what to do when someone tries to expose use. Whether that's a Supernatural or a human, regardless. Keeping out community intact. Fighting those who put us in danger. Giving those in need a place to call home. Looking after your own. Fighting for your own. Leading our species in the way of peace and harmony."

Tony nods slowly. "Okay... that's a lot."

"Yeah," Percival agrees. "That's why you're so important, Tony. No one else can do this job but you," he tells him. "But don't forget, you are not alone. You will never be alone in this."

"But what if I just can't do this? And—What if I turn out as one of the evil ones? Don't forget the prophecy, Percival."

"Then the fate of the Supernatural's falls into my hands," Percival retorts. "But I am not a leader... So, I will fail. It is not my role to be king. But I will always do my best, I can promise that."

Tony sits silently now. He sits for a few minutes, trying to process everything... "I'll give it a shot." He crosses his arms, deep set in thought. He's not sure exactly what to do or how to do it, but the least that he can do is give it a try before he makes up his mind about himself.

"I'm glad to hear it," Percival says with a ghost of a smile tracing his lips. "Now, step number one: let's figure out how to balance out your aura."