Tama of Tomeowrrow

The Eggplant, the witch and the wardrobe

"Come on, Ava, open up," Sara pleaded, knocking softly on the door. "Ya hayati, we just want to talk," Nyssa added, her voice gentle but firm.

Sara took a deep breath and leaned closer to the door. "Look, we miss you. I'm sorry things ended the way they did, but please, just open the door."

With a sigh, Sara glanced at Nyssa, then reluctantly turned the knob. "Well, technically, this is still our apartment," she murmured as the door swung open. A wave of foul air hit them both, and Sara recoiled at the pungent odor of spoiled milk and rotting food that filled the small space.

"Something is definitely wrong," I meowed anxiously, covering my snout as the smell overwhelmed my senses. My gaze darted around the room, taking in the chaos—furniture overturned, mirrors shattered, and the entire place looking as if it had been ransacked.

"Ava," Nyssa gasped, eyes widening with alarm as she and Sara quickly began searching the apartment for any sign of her. Drawers were yanked open, closets thrown wide, but it was clear—Ava wasn't there.

"She's not here," I meowed softly, ears flat against my head. "I don't smell her anywhere."

Sara exchanged a worried glance with Nyssa and nodded resolutely. "We need to go back to the Waverider. We have to find Ava," she said, the urgency clear in her voice as they turned and left the empty apartment behind.

___________

"Sara! Nyssa! Great news—Hank was killed by a demon," Ray announced cheerfully as we stepped into the parlor.

"'Great' was definitely not the word he was looking for," Nora quickly corrected, shooting him a reproachful look.

"Poor Nate," Zari murmured, a hint of sadness clouding her eyes.

Sara let out a long sigh, "Look, Ava's missing."

"Missing?" Nora repeated, her face paling with concern.

"We— we should have checked on her sooner," Nyssa said, her voice breaking slightly under the strain.

"It's Neron," John interrupted, stepping forward with a grim expression. "He's targeting the Time Bureau and those creatures. If he got to Hank, then dingdongs to donuts, Ava was next."

"Hey! She's not dead," Sara snapped, glaring at the warlock as if daring him to say otherwise.

"Listen, when Neron was at the Bureau, he and I shared a connection. If you take me to Ava's place, I might be able to sense where he's taken her," Nora suggested earnestly, her gaze fixed on Sara.

John shook his head. "Demons communicate. He'll know your past, how susceptible you are. You're a liability."

"She's not a liability. She's a survivor," Ray interjected firmly. "Unlike you, she's turned her dark experiences into a source of strength—not an excuse for alcoholism or chain smoking. Oh, and she saved your life, by the way." He hesitated, glancing at Nora apologetically. "Sorry. Would you like to add anything?"

Nora shrugged lightly. "No, that about covers it."

"I don't care if she's a liability," Sara stated resolutely, her gaze steady and unwavering. "If Neron has Ava, then I need all the magical firepower we've got. Tama, stay on the ship, you're back up. You two, come with us." She turned on her heel, leading the way out of the parlor with Nyssa close behind, leaving Zari in charge of the Waverider.

______

"Gideon! Prepare the lab!" Sara shouted urgently as Nyssa rushed into the ship, cradling an unconscious Ava in her arms.

"What did he do to her?" Nyssa hissed, her voice laced with fear and anger as she gently laid Ava down on the bed.

John stepped forward, his face set in a grim frown. "He's preparing her. Neron must be looking for a new vessel. It only makes sense that he'd go after Ava, especially if he wants control over the Time Bureau."