Dominion (Futuristic Four)

"That's a Relief."

"Someone," Hiro repeated. "Who?"

"Not important," Penny said at the same moment that Wilbur answered, "Kyuubi."

That was the second time they had said Kyuubi as if it was a real person.  But that couldn't be right.  A Kyuubi was a malicious spirit in the shape of a fox with nine tails.  There was no way those were real.

Penny smacked Wilbur's arm and he yelped.

"What?  I didn't give anything away! Tell me how that gave something away!"

"Hiro, just ignore Wilbur, ok?"  Penny turned her pleading eyes on him, which Hiro didn't entirely think was fair.  Girls who were that cute shouldn't be allowed to use that to their advantage!

"Ok, I won't ask about Kyuubi," Hiro pledged.  Penny smiled.

"That's the Hiro we know and love."

A bright flash split the air as a low hum descended on Hiro's ears.  He shaded his eyes and looked up.  Another ship had appeared, but while the one Wilbur and Penny had was red this one was blue.  The top slid off and someone stepped onto the hood. The glare of the sun made it difficult to make out details.

"Funny I'd find you here," a deep voice said. It was clear it had been tampered with electronically. "I've got a bot to pick with the two of you."

"Let me guess," Hiro said, "that's Kyuubi."

"Run!" Penny shouted as something shapeless, black, and clicking started to rise from Kyuubi's ship.

"And he's got my microbots?"

Penny grabbed his sleeve and pulled him away from the imminent battle. A quick glance over his shoulder showed that Wilbur had vaulted into the red ship and was sealing the hatch just as a swarm of microbots reached for it. The whole thing rocked dangerously.

"Where's he going?" Hiro demanded.

"He's keeping the other time machine out of Kyuubi's hands," Penny replied. "He'll come back for us when the coast is clear, probably with Violet."

Hiro had a sudden fleeting realization of how grateful he was that he'd been in the park when all of the craziness happened. Luckily nobody was around for Kyuubi to use the microbots.

Except for Hiro and Penny.

The burst through the park boundaries and continued running. People dodged out of the way as they passed, some shooting dark looks.

"Where are we going?" Hiro demanded.

"To get equipment," was Penny's short reply.

"Not that I'm doubting you or anything, but what good are we against a crazy super-villain like that guy?"

"You fought a super-villain before, and you won! We're going to be fine."

"I'm a hero?"  He could learn to live with that.  Especially if it included saving the life of Penny.  Maybe he already had!

If I'm a hero, I better start acting like one.

"Come on, we can hide out in my garage until Kyuubi is gone," he suggested, taking the lead.  Now he was the one pulling Penny.

"But won't that be the first place Kyuubi . . ." Penny trailed off, seeming to thing better of it.  "I think it's safe to slow down now."

They slowed to a walk.  Hiro let go of Penny's hand as she glanced over her shoulder.  She laughed.  "You're a lot more assertive than you were when we met as kids."

"So we really have met before?"

"Yeah.  A couple of years ago.  Well, in a different history or something.  Apparently time is all messed up now."

"So how old are you?"

"Depends on how old you are."

"No it doesn't!"

She laughed again.  "You're right, it doesn't.  I'm seventeen.  You're turn."

"Eighteen."

"So at least we went back the right amount of time.  That's a relief."

"At least one thing is."  Hiro paused to pull open the door to his aunt's cafe.  "After you."

As soon as Penny stepped inside, all chaos broke loose.