Future Mysticons

Morning

           Kitty's eyes flickered open. Sunlight streamed through the window and revealed a very familiar city sky-line. She smiled as she stretched, rising out of her hammock and heading to the deck. Kaddy was chattering to Kyle about her experience flying through the night for the first time.

          "Good morning." Kitty greeted her children.

          "Morning, Mom." Kyle suppressed a yawn.

          "Hey!" Kaddy enthusiastically waved.

          "Did you secretly switch places with Kyle after I went to bed?" Kitty asked her.

          "Nope!" Kaddy bounced away as they docked. Kitty looked over at Kyle who just gave a helpless shrug. They left the ship and crew and headed through the city towards Kasey's home. Kitty was about to knock on the door when it was yanked open and Em literally threw herself into Kitty's arms.

          "Whoa!" Kitty took a step backwards, unused to that much of that kind of affection. "Easy girl, I've got bones!"

          "Sorry." Em breathed, releasing her sister-in-law and stepping back. Kitty let out a quiet gasp as she took in Em's appearance. The normally cheerful dwarf had been crying a lot, her eyes were red and puffy and she looked worried.

          "What happened?" Kitty gripped the dwarf's shoulders.

          "It's... it's..." Em looked like she was on the verge of tears again.

          "It's Pyrite." Copper finished from where he leaned in the doorway.

          "What happened?" Kyle asked, sharply.

          "He's disappeared!" Em sobbed, wringing her hands.

          "Disappeared?!" Kaddy exclaimed. "What's that mean?"

          "It means that suddenly there was a lot of screaming from his room and when we got there, there was no one there." Chrysy flatly explained, coming out from the shed. She had also been crying recently, but not as much as her mother and she was better at hiding it. Kyle went over and slipped an arm around her shoulders.

          "Who have you told?" Kitty asked.

          "No one yet." Em hesitantly replied. "Kasey's gone to the police to see if they can do anything. He told us to stay here in case Pyrite comes back."

          "My first stop would've been the Palace." Kitty told her.

          "We didn't want to wake anyone up when we don't know what's going on; besides, someone's got to stay here." Chrysy said, leaning against Kyle.

          "Who cares." Kaddy waved it off.

          "Kaddy's... slightly right." Kitty remarked. Kaddy beamed, no one had ever told her that before. "They're not going to care if you wake them up for this. Part of the problem is that we don't know what's going on. Also, just leave Copper here."

           "That... could work." Em slowly responded. "I'll glyph Kasey, meanwhile, let's go. Copper, stay here."

          "You don't have to tell me twice." Copper replied, disappearing inside as the others made their way to the palace. They entered and made their way into the living room where Zarya, Everyn and the twins were sitting around, laughing and talking.

          "Hey everyone." Kitty greeted.

          "Kitty! I didn't know you were coming to visit!" Zarya exclaimed.

          "No one did." Em commented. Zarya took one look at her and immediately knew something was wrong.

          "What's up?" She asked.

          "Pyrite's missing." Kitty told her.

          "Oh no!" Everyn's hands flew to her mouth.

          "With Mystica boosting me, I might be able to find Pyrite with my telepathy." Vivyan offered.

          "Don't wear your sister out." Zarya told her as the twins left to find somewhere quieter.

          "Isn't that what Queen Goodfey used to tell you?" Kitty asked.

          "I don't know what you're talking about." Zarya replied, false innocence dripping off her every word.