This Chapter is dedicated to my dear departed grandfather, deceased on the night of September 16, 2022.  May he rest in peace.  🤗💗

Acronix awkwardly leads his former enemies through the trees, occasionally stopping to look around and test the air, or check the moss on the sides of tree trunks.

"You seem to know what you're doing."  Morro states.

"Well, uh..  That is to say, um..."

"-He hasn't got a clue in the Sixteen Realms."  Rhea interrupts, giggling.

"Why am I not surprised?'  Lloyd sighs.

"RHEA!!!"

"ACRONIX!!!"

"Yes, what is it?"

"It's nothing, I just thought that we were saying each other's names accusingly, that's all."

"Rhea, will you stop acting like an idiot for two seconds?"  Lloyd grumbles, then screeches as the illusionist gives him a firm noogie.

"How'd ye like that, leprechaun?!!"

"Owowowowow!  STOP IT!!!"

"Aye!  It hurts a wee bit, doesn't it?!!"

"LET ME GO!!!"

Ava's leopard jumps between them and growls grumpily.  "Lay off of the kid, Rhea.  Otherwise you're going to find out what the inside of Shira's mouth feels like.  Here's a hint: There's teeth.  Lots and lots of sharp, pointy teeth.  Don't push your luck."

"I'm not a kid anymore, though."  Lloyd points out.

"You are to me.  I've lived for a lot longer than you.  Now be quiet, I'm dealing with this terror."

Rhea tries to sneak away, but Shira snarls and sinks her teeth into the teen's sleeve, dragging her back.  "Good kitty, good kitty."  She mutters, then screams as the wildcat bares its fangs at her and emits a low, threatening rumble.  "Okay, I'll stay!!!"

"You'd better, or else she'll maul you to pieces."

Rhea seems to consider arguing with Ava, then obviously thinks better of it.

"See, Emily?  Violence isn't the answer.  It's the question.  And the answer is yes."

"Just what are you teaching her?!!"  Jay shrieks.

"How to fend for herself.  Survival tactics.  Ultra instinct.  Little stuff like that."

"Ooh, can you teach me ultra instinct?"

"It would be a waste of my time.  Don't take this the wrong way, but you don't look like you'd be any good in a serious situation."

"You're right, he's not."  Kai nods his head in agreement.

Nya glares at him and grabs her trident, forcing him back.  He bumps into Morro, who fumbles with something, nearly dropping it.

"Watch it, Kai!"  The Master of Wind snaps.

"Sorry, dude."

Lloyd peers over.  "Hey, is that a compass?  We could use it to-"

Morro snatches it away from him before he can take it.  "IT'S NOT A COMPASS LLOYD!!!  PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE!!!"  He exhales slowly.  "Just...  Forget about it, okay?"

Lloyd looks confused.  "Okay..?"

"Good.  Now, like I said, please leave me alone."

Lloyd snorts.  "I hope I don't get that cranky when I'm old."

The wind picks up ominously, and Morro's voice becomes dangerously soft.  "What did you just say?"

"Uh, nothing."

"Oh, no.  It was definitely something.  Why don't you repeat it, Green Ninja?"

"I'm not stupid enough to do that."

"You were stupid enough to say it once already, though."

"What can I say?  You're just an old soul, I guess-  GURK!"

Morro locks his arm around Lloyd's neck in a merciless stranglehold.

"YN-  Control...  Your.  Boyfriend."  Lloyd gasps, futilely attempting to throw the elder off.  

"Hmm..  If you die, Lloyd, Morro will most likely become the next Green Ninja.  And I won't lie to you, I kind of like the sound of that."

"SOMEBODY HELP ME ALREADY!!!"  Lloyd wails.

"Boys, boys."  Rhea intervenes.  "If you want a real fight, use weapons."

"Somebody other than her, preferably."  Lloyd mutters.

Acronix steps towards them, falters, then steels himself and separates them.  "Shouldn't we focus our energy on finding the Time Stream, not on fighting?"

"We can do both."

"LLOYD!!!"  Nya barks.

"Yes, Nya."

"Well said, Acronix."  Ava says.  Acronix stares triumphantly at a confused Lloyd as she continues.  "..Do you have any idea where we might begin?"

"Well, I was thinking with a date or maybe a kiss?"

"I MEANT IN REGARDS TO ASCERTAINING THE LOCATION OF THE TIME STREAM!!!"

They both blush.

"Um.."  Acronix begins bashfully.  "Please feel free to call me 'Nix, if you'd like."

"Rest assured, I'll keep that in mind, Acronix."

Acronix visibly deflates as Ava walks away, and Rhea pats him on the back.  "Don't worry, I'll be your wingman-  Er, woman!  You're defo making progress!"

He perks up.  "How can you tell?"

"I know her."  Seeing his blank expression, she rolls her eyes.  "Tell me, how often have you seen her blush?"

"Just now, really...  Oh!  Ohh..!"  They both sneak surreptitious glances at the Master of Night and continue whispering to each other.

Ava glances uneasily about her.  "Why do I have a sense of impending doom?"

735 words.