I'm just going to for-go the intro and jump right into the chapter, enjoy!

Chapter 6: On with the Show

Archie absent-mindly checked his watch, a habit he felt he was going to be doing more often as he impatiently tapped his foot. He was crammed between the door of Herry's truck and Odie. As much as he liked taking a break from school every so often, he didn't think cutting out after lunch and on the first day, no less, was such a good idea, even if it he was the one to come up with it and that their teachers knew where they lived and could simply pass on their homework to Athena, who could pass it on to them.

There was just too much on his mind for him right now for him to be really paying attention to what his new team was prattling on about, mostly about their new team-mate. As mean as it may sound, he just didn't have the time to worry or guess about another teen that would be joining their crazy club. His mind was just too preoccupied with recent events.

He just kept thinking about Mr. Vanitino practically being at death's door and Neil being their to see it. He couldn't stop fretting over his elderly neighbor. The man had just been in his life so long after he and Neil moved into that apartment it was hard for the older King not to be concerned. Whatever had attacked the Italian man had to be big and it had to be responsibly intelligent. He said big because it was able to make enough damage to make the doctors worry for brain damage, unless Mr. Vanitino simply fell and hit his head while fighting the thing off. And he said intelligent because it was able to get in and out unseen without leaving so much as a paw-print from what he gathered.

He was also worried about Neil. That he couldn't help no matter what he did frustrated the living hell out of him, only adding to the stress he was feeling. The kid was his little brother, who he had been more or less raising himself from the get-go for the last four years. He was worried by just how deeply seeing the attack had effected the blonde, mentally at least. He was also concerned about the drawings Neil kept making. The one with Odie in the river and him, Theresa and Jay looking up at the Tifus really unnerved him. It was almost as if Neil had been there or had somehow foreseen it was going to happen. But Archie quickly dismissed such thoughts as soon as he had them. Neil had been nowhere near the dam while they were fighting aforementioned monster and he highly doubted Neil had visions. But at the same time, he didn't think it was a hundred percent coincidence and if that were true, he was really nervous what his brother would draw next.

"...story tonight," A strange new voice suddenly struck through the purplette's thoughts, along with the faint screaming of people in the back-ground noise, making Archie look over in the direction of the source to find Odie had his laptop open and on his lap, playing a news story that was playing on a random station's site,Archie momentarily wondered how he missed the thing, what with its bright gold and purple coloring standing out insanely against Odie's red and black color scheme, "Those stunning rings around our planet."

Oh yeah, he had forgotten about those things. From his angle, he could easily spy them, their multi-colored tinges made them stand out against the bright, cloudless sky. Had the situation been different he could've called them beautiful, like an aurora that only appeared during the day and continued to linger at night. He was a little edgy about them though. Cronus wouldn't have gone to such lengths, risky ones now that he thought on it, just to make them if they didn't have some significance to his end game, whatever it maybe.

After listening to various people's comments about the phenomena, Odie typed away at his laptop as he said, "The rings are causing interference with radio and satellite signals all over the world!"

For a moment, the truck fell silent save for the clicking of Odie fingers against his keypad and sound of the engine. Archie wasn't entirely sure what to make of the statement. Sure, it would make most communications and tech a little useless, and set the world back a few decades, but he didn't see any overall damage. Maybe it was just a stepping stone in Cronus plan. After all, he was the Titan of Chaos, and this all pretty much fell into some short of definition of chaos.

Theresa was the first to speak up, most likely sharing a similar view, "Ugh...major kick in the planet's butt, Odie, but not exactly dooms day."

"But here's the kicker," Odie said un-deterred from the lackluster response, focus entirely on his screen as Jay turned in the seat up front to look back in curiosity, "According to atomic clock, sunrise was one point three-five seconds late this morning."

Archie looked over in surprise, but Jay was the one who reacted with a loud shout, "What? The rings are affecting time?"

"Not just that, Jay," Odie replied in a serious voice, turning his laptop around for everyone to see a satellite view picture of the earth and rings, "The rings are spinning counter to the earth, slowing the planet's rotation, the atmospheric disturbance will cause earthquakes, hurricanes; global disaster."

Archie felt himself get a little pale at these words. He had seen in on a site once what one of those disasters could do and he didn't like the idea of one hitting home.

Atlanta was the one who asked, "Okay...so what's the bad news?"

Odie rolled his eyes a little at this, pressing a button and the screen changed to a holographic image of the city by the shore, "I was getting to that, if the earth's rotation suddenly stops," He pressed another button and the entire city was flooded to the point the tallest building was completely submerged, "Everything will share from the surface of the earth due to the conservation of momentum."

Herry nearly hit another truck from shock as everyone else gasped in horror. Archie felt like he was going to be sick. So that was what Cronus was after, world-destruction or, at least, the threat of it until the gods yielded to him world-domination. Either one made him immensely worried and he hoped they found their seventh comrade soon, if anything to further help him protect his brother from witnessing such a thing.

He couldn't help snipping at Atlanta, "You had to ask."

The redhead gave him a sheepish look in response, despite the queasiness lingering in her eyes.

"Hey, there's the restaurant Hera mentioned," Theresa said pointing, making Archie stiffen.

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Meanwhile, the elementary school was a buzz with its usual activity of students and staff going about their routine. The only difference aside from gossip about the strange rings in the sky were the increased presence of parents and family parking in the school lot and mingling in the hall outside the auditorium, waiting for the signal to start filing in so they can attend the talent show.

Cronus smirked from behind a corner at the end of the hall before disguising himself in a simple glamour. His business suit was replaced with a white dress shirt under a beige-tawny-colored button-up vest and washed out jeans that weren't too clingy or too loose. His skin gained enough color to become an olive-tanned tone and his hair bled root-to-tip into a distinctive chestnut brown, flopping down a bit to frame his face, which smoothed out, loosing its sharp features as his scar and beard vanished. His final changed show itself when he opened his eyes, revealing them to be a cold shade of icy blue.

He smirked to himself before turning the corner, mouth curving into a calm, friendly smile as he approached the group of parents. "Excuse me," He said in a smooth, friendly voice to two of the mothers, "Is this where the show will be?"

Both of them immediately stopped talking to look at him, their brows furrowing with mild suspicion. Naturally spying this, Cronus mentally applauded himself as he gave a nervous grin and rubbed the back of his head with one hand and gave a little wave with the other to reassure them as he added, "I'm only asking because I have a son who's suppose to be taking part and I'd hate to have ended up at the wrong end of the building!"

Again, he was mentally grinning with victory as well as laughing at his foolish children for how naive and trusting their beloved creations have become as the two women's faces relaxed. "Well, you're at the right place, thankfully," The one with red hair chuckled with a wide smile. "Do you know which artist your son's dedicating his performance on?" The other woman, who had simple brown hair, asked.

Any other stranger attempting to get in without problem probably would've froze and panicked, but Cronus had years worth of practice in keeping his cool and coming up with clever excuses and pretty lies to keep up his act without being caught. He exchanged his nervous posture for a more saddened one as he said with a perfect tone of regret, "I'm afraid I don't know all that much about the show, my...my job..." He tilted his head down in a classic sign of guilt, but he didn't miss the looks of sympathy growing on their faces, "I at least wanted to be here so he at least knows I care."

But on the inside, he couldn't have been laughing harder at how easy it was for him to pull their strings. If he played his cards right, he would be able to walk out with the last of the seven without so much as a question.

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Archie was doing his best not to sweat as Herry pulled into the restaurant's parking lot. He just didn't know what to do. It was bad enough he was trusting these guys so much with a matter as personal as his brother's possible nightmare-trama being brought into art-form, which could also possibility be some sort of unique power. But this was his work place, a place of peace that he was able to keep so separate from his school life and, to a point, his home life, even from before Neil's arrival into his life; it was just, a safe place for him.

He wasn't sure if he was ready for it to be touched by all of this crazy either. Much less, he wasn't quite sure how these five were going to react once they learned he also worked, even if Eddie did give him a two week off to get adjusted to the new school and house. Heck, he still had to go check and visit Mr. Vanitino. He just had too much to think about...

"Hey, do you think we can grab a quick burger or something while we're here?" Herry's innocent question snapped out of him out of his stressing, making him realize everyone was unbuckling, "I mean, just the burger, and maybe a cup of soda."

"We just had lunch!" Theresa jibbed not at all fond of the idea of greasy food. "Hey, he probably needs all the food he can get to maintain all those...rippling pectorals," Odie smirked with humor though it made Herry nearly honk the truck horn and he wasn't the only one who blink in surprise, but he was the only one blushing. 'Did Odie just...flirt or quote a Disney movie?' Archie momentarily wondered before his brain caught up with the situation and he quickly yelled, "WAIT!"

Jay had been opening the door when he yelled and abruptly slammed it back closed loud enough to Herry jump and stop from opening his own door and the girls looked at him with wide, surprised eyes and Odie just looked at him and arched an eyebrow. Archie mentally cursed himself for that.

"Look...I...I know a lot of the people who work here," Archie admited, "Old schoolmates," Now that was a half-truth, so he didn't feel as nervous as before, "And...they're pretty close with most of their costumers, community and all," When he saw them nodding with a shine of understanding in their eyes, but otherwise still looking confused, he continued, "I just don't think they're going to take well to you guys, strangers, asking about what sounds to be a regular and a little old man at that."

Now comprehension and complete understanding filled their faces. Jay face-palmed at that. He, Atlanta and Herry, and at best Odie and Theresa were also, strangers to this city and its different communities and neighborhoods. Of course people weren't going to be so quick to talk to them, especially if they actually valued the whole idea of 'love-thy-neighbor'. Herry seemed to be having similar thoughts when the dual-brunette glanced over and when he looked back, the girls and Odie seemed to be sharing similar sentiments.

Archie, however, was a part of this community. A familiar and friendly face, apparently. They'd be more willing to talk to him, especially if he was alone. "In and out in five minutes, Archie," The group leader said in a serious voice, which he seemed to be using more lately, "Who knows what Cronus might have lurking around the Oracle on the chance we show up."

The statement, initially, had Archie thinking the brunette was being paranoid, but then had him tensing with immense worry, seeing the valid point. Even if the Oracle was a perfectly neutral party in the long run, no rule stated Cronus couldn't post some kind of spy to at least let him know they were seeking the Oracle's guidance or to intercept them from it. What made him so concerned was, if the latter was the case, was the location. This was a very popular place, particular among the younger generations, heck, one of his most busiest days was when the place was stacked packed with young families or groups of students, both high school and college. If a creature were to attack and in an enclosed space like that, there would be no way to avoid casualties...

He nodded and stepped out, swallowing as he took a moment to compose himself. All his co-workers knew him from the moment he started working at thirteen to now, well after he started caring for Neil by himself. They all knew, especially his boss, when something was bothering or frightening him, all the social worker visits ensured that. If they got so much as a hint to potential danger of any kind of magnitude, there was no way he could stop any of them from panicking and inadvertently making things worse.

He shivered as the familiar jingle of the door's bell rang as he opened it, followed all too shortly by the equally familiar smell of cooking oil, fries and cooking meat, and the sound of boisterous, yet joyful laughter and chatting of both patrons and staff a-like. That was one of the reasons he loved the place so much, it was a familiarity that had yet to change at all.

He kept up his small smile, nerves frayed as he walked among the tables towards the counter, waving when those who noticed and recognized him called out, but also pointedly ignoring the whistles and cat-calls from a few of his...more uninhibited admirers...but he didn't dare linger. He neither had the time, the patience nor the frame of mind at the moment. He didn't know just how long he could stay in the building with the impending chances and the knowledge of a supernatural attack and stay calm.

When he reached the counter, he was immediately greeted with a bright and cheery, "Archie!"

Elise Joanson was easily five years his senior with the height to match, though, she didn't come close to towering over him like Herry. Archie had always liked her with her playful and outgoing personality and kind-heart, always having the time to lend him an ear when he was particularly stressed out about anything. And she wasn't hard on the eyes either, despite her height, she had a lean, toned-figure from all the effort she put in her college sports, with olive tanned skin and long earthy-brown hair that she just couldn't tame and simply kept in a ponytail and her lime-colored eyes always had a kind thought in time. She could easily blend into a crowd if she really wanted to.

"It's great to see you!" Elise continued as she leaned over the counter with a grin, "I thought Eddie gave you the new two weeks off so you could get adjusted to school," She then narrowed her eyes, glancing at the nearby clock, "Shouldn't you be in class right now?"

"About that..." Archie chuckled keeping himself from rubbing the back of his neck out of habit, he quickly thought up a cover, "The hospital couldn't find Mr. Vanitino's brother..." He cringed a little at the cruel reminder and his equally cruel usage of his neighbor's condition and mentally sent him a prayer for forgiveness.

Thankfully, Elise mistook his cringe as one of sadness and remorse rather than that of wrongful guilt, and gave him an apologetic frown, "I heard about that...is it really that bad?"

"To be honest I haven't checked in on him yet," Archie admitted, "I have no clue if what the officer said was just bull shit to get me to talk or genuine."

Elise made a face in response, "Wouldn't surprise me if it were the former." They both burst into a fit of chuckles and Archie felt a good portion of his tension ease away.

"Anyways, I was told that Mr. Vanitino's brother happens to come here pretty often," Archie continued, "So I was wondering if you've seen him," He did his best to measure out the Oracle's supposed height as he tried to recall the Gods' description, "About yeah-tall, red sweater, possibly a hoodie, always wears a pair of shades, even on a cloudy or rainy day, bald."

"Huh...that actually sounds a lot like this homeless old man that always comes in around this time," Elise commented thoughtfully, much to Archie's relief, "But I'm afraid you just missed him," Archie groaned, letting his head fall in disappointment, which made her chuckle, "But oddly, he did mention that if anyone came looking for him to tell them he'd be at his-"

"Ah, what's wrong, Arch?" A voice cooed sarcastically, making Archie and Elise cringe, "Baby brother get another owie?" Laughter; loud, obnoxious, familiar laughter followed suit as Elise shot him a sympathetic look.

Logan Anderson could be described with a simple stereotype category; the jock who is a jerk to everyone, Archie included. Almost brain-dead with the worst academic grades that didn't mostly involve hands on work or physical activity in general, a horribly morbid sense of humor, intimidates to get what he wants and goes by the idea that you can only be a real man by being on a sports team of some kind. What made it so ironic was that he was Archie's biggest admirers, yet he was cruelest to Neil, which Archie wouldn't stand for.

"What do you want now, Anderson?" Archie frowned as he turned to face the, unfortunately, taller student, "Got tired of bullying 7th graders out of their lunch money?" Elise covered up her snort by pretending to cough.

"Just wanted to know what happened to ya," Logan said feigning friendly-innocence, but it was ruined by the wicked smile on his face, "You didn't show up for school this morning."

Now it was Archie's turn to feign innocence complete with an 'apologetic' smile as he replied with slight cheek, "Got transferred to a new school on the other side of the city," Logan's smile fell at this, but Archie's only grew, "Even got moved in with a bunch of other transfers close to the school to save the bus-line a lot of trouble."

"Then what are you doing all the way back here?" Logan tried to save face with a smirk, "Miss someone?"

"Defiantly not you," Archie smirked back as the dark-haired teen growled in slight frustration, "As much as I fail to see how it's any of your business, but seeing as you 'need' to know, my neighbor was attacked and the police and hospital are having difficulty locating a relative of his, so I offered to help."

"And as I was saying," Elise rebutted herself back into the conversation, "He said to tell whoever comes asking for him that he'd be at his usual coffee shop by the Moonscar Theatre," She then smirked a little, "On the other side of town."

Archie groaned at this, face-planting, "Who travels across an entire metropolis of a city for separate fast food and coffee?" Elise just shrugged in response as Logan got more and more ticked with being ignored.

"Arch-" Logan began. "Thanks anyways, Elise," Archie cut him off with a sincere smile directed at the employee, much to Logan's furthered annoyance. She smiled brightly in response, "Anytime, Arch, start bringing Neil around more and I'll call it even."

Archie chuckled, "I'll tr-"

"Don't ignore me, King!" Logan snapped grabbing Archie by the fore-arm roughly. "I don't answer to you anymore, Anderson, so grow up!" Archie snapped back turning to punch the jock in the face only for his wrist to be caught in his other hand.

"No need to get testy," Logan smirked as Archie tried to pull free, knowing his teammates were keeping any nosy bystanders from interfering, while Elise, seeing trouble, rushed into the back, "What's wrong with old friends catching up?"

"We're not friends and you know it!" Archie snapped with a glare, "Now let go of me, Anderson!"

But then another familiar, strangely icy voice, "What's going on here?" Archie had to look around Logan to see who talked and was surprised to see Jay, who was glaring at Logan with enough coldness to start a new ice age.

Archie opened his mouth to get some help, only to yelp in surprised instead when he was pulled suddenly into a friendly one-armed hug with Logan's arm around his mid-section to pin him there, allowing Logan to answer instead, "Just a private chat between old friends."

"Not so private when its happening in a fast food restaurant," Jay started bluntly with a cold tone, arms crossed, "Archie, I thought you were going to be in and out?"

As Archie quickly craned his neck to catch the time on a nearby clock, Logan sneered, "Aren't you going to introduce us, Arch?" Archie frowned in response and elbowed Logan in the ribs, allowing him to slip away.

"This happens to be one of my new roommates, for your information," Archie replied bitterly before trying to smile apologetically at Jay, "Sorry about that someone got..." He frowned again at Logan, "Persistent." Jay grunted in response, eyes fixed on Logan, who wasn't the least bit happy as his friends began to crowd the two.

"What's going on here?" The question was repeated by the manager, who arrived at this point with Elise, who watched on worriedly and all fell silent.

Finally, it was Logan who respond, face eerily calm and stoic, "Nothing." He then walked away, motioning for his slightly confused lackeys to follow, which they did.

Jay opened his mouth to protest, but Archie tugged on his sleeve, gaining the slightly taller boy's attention. The older King shook his head and motioned for them to leave. He really didn't want to pull his work place into all this on top of everything and he really didn't want to get anyone into trouble no matter how much he didn't like Anderson, it just wasn't worth the headache. Jay narrowed his eyes, but nodded and willingly walked out the door with Archie.

No sooner were they out the door did the silently elected leader ask, "So what was that really about?" Making Archie cringe at his bluntness.

"When are you suddenly so forward?" Archie joked hoping to steer him off the topic with a goofy grin, but it fell easily at the point gaze being aimed at him in response. "I've always believed in being as direct when it comes to situations like that," Jay answered simply, crossing his arms as they moved aside so they weren't blocking the door, "Who was that, anyways?"

"Logan Anderson, just a jock from my old school who just can't take a hint," Archie shrugged much to Jay's perplexity at how he worded it, at seeing the brunette's confusion, he elaborated, "I picked the wrong person to experiment with and lets leave it at that." Jay mouth formed a small 'o' as realization set in.

"On a somewhat brighter note," Archie decided to properly change the subject as they walked back to the truck and as they climbed in, he informed, "The Oracle's not here," Everyone else groaned, Herry actually let his head hit the wheel, narrowly missing the horn and giving everyone heart-attacks, "We just missed him."

"How much is 'just' missed him?" Atlanta asked half-curious and half-dreading the answer. Archie actually tapped his chin as he thought on it, before shrugging simply, "Didn't ask." Again, they groaned, Odie actually face-palming.

"Guess this means we have to go all the way to the other side of the city then," Theresa mused rhetorically, but Jay nodded anyway, this time, it was just Archie who groaned, wondering what else could wrong.

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He'll give his children one thing, they certainly let the arts become...loud. Perhaps he was just overseeing the simple fact the performers were all around the age of five or he had been imprisoned in absolute isolation too long (it could be both). But while he couldn't recall the last time he heard music...he was pretty sure he didn't remember it being so...energetic...or loud. Sitting in the farthest row possible, his giants hidden with dark magic, Cronus honestly wondered what his grandson Apollo was thinking, letting such an invaluable affinity like music become as wild as it has, as he watched one act after another of small children, groups ranging from classic duos to as large as four or five at a time, along with the occasional solo acts, more or less shout scream rather than sing to the most strange melodies he had ever heard, prancing about the stage with little to no coordination whatsoever dressed up like miniature adults.

He was defiantly going to strangle the Oracle later. This was a musical showcase for small children, not the pre-adult age the other six were or even close to it. How was he suppose to find the final hero if he was stuck here? The gods would surely find him first at this rate. And here he thought the Oracle was a neutral force.

Cronus forced himself to calm down in favor of keeping his disguise, pinching his nose, 'Maybe I'm overthinking this, perhaps he is a stage-hand, wouldn't be the first time older students volunteer to help with the younger generation.'

"And now with a slightly more modern song," The teacher who was MC for the event continued to announce after thanking the girls who were leaving the stage as the parents all clapped, "We have...Neil!"

Cronus paused when he started to rub his forehead at this announcement, feeling an odd place in the farthest reaches of his mind click slightly at the name, feeling his eyes widen a little in surprise. 'Did he just say...Neil?' Cronus thought confused, 'Isn't that the name of the...? But I thought they were all suppose to be...'

"Neil?" He snapped out of it as the teacher leaned back, looking confused when no child walked out to continue the show, the teacher looked at his colleague, who also looked perplexed, "Is he coming out?"

Cronus couldn't believe this turn of events. The seventh and final hero, member of the troupe of teenagers destined to defeat him, was just a child not even in his double digits yet. It took every shard of his self-control not to burst out laughing at the sheer irony and ludicrousy of it all. But suppressed the smile that threatened to break his face in half. Despite past indiscretions, he tried to avoid harming incredibly young ones, but in a them or him situation, which qualified in his particular situation, he felt capable of making yet another exception and this just made his plans all the easier.

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"Neil?" Miss Meghan asked, all of the kids pointed where the blonde was huddled up trying to hide with the purple child's guitar Archie had given him under a table, but you could see his feet, she lifted the cloth to look at him properly, concern on her face, "Neil, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Crybaby doesn't want to go on anymore!" One of the boys, who was dressed as a member of the Ratpack huffed. "Andrew!" The girl dressed as Marilyn Monroe hissed puffing her cheeks unimpressed. "What, it's the truth!" Andrew rebuffed.

"Neil?" Miss Meghan asked again. Neil finally looked up at her, eyes near puffy from crying, clear baby blues filled with hurt and sorrow, it broke Meghan's heart as he said sadly, "He...he's n-n-not he-he-hewe!" He rubbed furiously at his eyes, but new tears would just take their place.

"Who isn't here, sweetie?" Meghan asked gently pulling the tiny blonde out from his hiding spot, but had an idea who he was talking about, after all, there was only one seat empty in the entire crowd. "Archee!" Neil cried, "Archee's not hewe, he pommised!"

"I know, Neil, I know," Meghan said rubbing soothing circles on his back, searching his mind for something to calm him down. "So? My mom's not here, I'm not crying," One of the boys dressed up like the Isley Brothers, white tux and all, piped up, "But my sister's here and she's recording everything for her to see later."

The girl dressed up like Monroe was about to snap at him when one of the girls in the showgirl-costume pipped up, "Yeah, so's my daddy, I'm sure if we asked he could make a copy for your brother to watch later." A few others pipped in, in agreement, making Miss Meghan smile as Neil seemed to calm down at his classmates efforts.

"I don't know if I wanna play anywoar..." Neil admitted once again trying to get rid of his tears. "You mean you did all of those weeks and almost months of practice to sing all these words right and play all the chords for nothing," The Monroe girl said skeptically as Neil leaned against their teacher, "Just to back out because your brother didn't show up and even though one of our parents will give him a copy."

Now it was Miss Meghan's turn to reprimand sternly, "Luna..."

But Neil shook his head as he answered her, "No..."

"Then get out there," Luna said picking up the guitar with one hand and helping Neil to his feet with the other, "And play like Archie is there!" She gave him the guitar and despite looking unsure, Neil nodded in response and walked out as Mr. Wu announced again, "Neil King, ladies and gentleman!" The parents once again applauded as Neil stepped up to the microphone as Mr. Wu lowered it to be at proper level.

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Cronus' eyes widened a little, a strange familiarity creeping into his consciousness at the sight of the blonde boy, who wore a simple pale blue button up under a black best and black dress pants, a simple pair of black shoes on his feet. In his hands, a small purple guitar, sized for a child his rather remarkable size (or lack thereof, in some's opinion), fingers poised in preparation for a song. In Cronus' mind eye, the ghostly figure of a woman with long hair holding a proper guitar appeared behind him for a split moment before vanishing as the feeling disappear before he had the chance to grasp it, leaving him with a headache.

Neil breathed deeply through his nose as he waited for his cue, eyes closed. 'I told you, I warned you he wouldn't show,' A voice eerily similar, yet different to his own taunted in his head, snickering at his misfortune as he rose his guitar pick. The teachers held their breath, along with the other kids, watching. Neil then smiled as he began to sing and play:

Why you standing over there,

Acting like you just don't care,

We can make our own kind of music

The teachers and Neil's classmates were a little surprised at the properly pronounced words, but then smiled, remembering he had been practicing this for a while. Whatever made Neil feel better was a godsend, because he didn't look the least bit upset nor did he sound it. While the mood swing concerned the teachers, they let it be for now.

We might come from different sides,

I might not be your kind of guy,

But I just want to let go and lose it

A few of classmates actually began to dance a little in their spots, wide smiles on their faces. Neil glanced over at them as he continued to play and sing. his smile became mischievous as he winked and a few of them, namely Luna and the two girls dressed as showgirls, smiled back and shared a look, which their teachers noticed and became wary of.

We are lost and found,

So let's go and turn the beat around,

And maybe find a brand new sound,

Let's turn it up right now, now, now

The beat picked up as Neil's grin to full blown playful as he strummed to his song. Before the teachers could grab them, the three girls rushed from the group and the parents were surprised when three girls who already performed stepped rhythmically onto the stage, pumping their little fists in the air, before striking a pose with the other arm up, finger pointing up and the other on their hip, while making circular motions with the lifted finger to the beat.

Because the night is young!

Ooh oh whoa-oh!

And it's just begun!

Ooh oh whoa-oh!

The girls brought their arm down to have both fists on their hips and began leaning back and forth, shimming their shoulders to the song, before dancing in sync to Neil's song.

Let's get it started!

Get it started!

And grove till the sun comes up! Up!

The night is young!

Then, the three boys from the group of boys who were dressed as the Ratpack slid onto the stage dramatically, before quickly getting up to join the girls in dancing.

Ooh oh whoa-oh!

The night is young!

The night is young!

His new backup broke into group of pairs of two; a boy and girl each. Each boy stood slightly behind each girl and held her wrists as they began to step the same foot side-to-side to the beat, then the other and back again, then repeat. Neil looked over his shoulder to them with a grateful smile as he continued to sing with practiced ease.

Dance together, dance alone,

Let it out and let it show,

Changing colors under the strobe-lights

The boys got adventurous and began leading the girls into different dance poses, making them giggle, then squeal a little, trying not to ruin the song when they playfully dipped them, then brought them back up with a twirl.

I just wanna have some fun,

Let my worries come undone,

Right here, right now it feels so right

Now the boys were fully behind the girls, they began dance, the boys swaying to one side and snapping their fingers, while the girls swayed the other way, keeping in rhythm to the beat. Mr. Wright and Mr. Wu were about to intervene when Miss Meghan stopped them and motioned to the parents, who were all bobbing their heads along, a few in the back even standing up to clap along, everyone was smiling, save Cronus, who was trying to keep a neutral expression.

We are lost and found,

So let's go and turn the beat around,

The boys twirled the girls again, but this time held their partner's hand as they all, in sync began to step forward rhythmically. What no one, not even Neil noticed, was a strange, pearl-pink mist floating from the parents and kids, slowly floating up to gather into Neil's chest, but Cronus noticed and it made him smirk. Behind the teachers, which no one saw, was a small child's shadow that didn't belong to anyone was glaring at the stage with insidious and malicious red eyes, arms clearly crossed, as if pouting as it watched.

And maybe find a brand new sound,

The final boy of the Ratpack group and Andrew both ran out onto the stage as the six back-ups struck poses with one arm up and one arm down, Andrew stood on one side of Neil and the other boy on the other, quickly mimicking the pose the other kids were making, everyone smiling with excitement.

Let's turn it up right now, now, now!

With a jump, the now eight kids began to dance to the beat, while Neil began to sway a little to his own song unable to help himself as a feeling of excitement and joy filled him to his very core. He just kept singing expressing his new feelings as he did.

Because the night is young!

Ooh oh whoa-oh!

And it's just begun!

Ooh oh whoa-oh!

Cronus blinked as he finally noticed his giants were also dancing within the safety of his shadow magic, keeping them invisible to the human eye and discreetly glared at them until they finally stopped. Once they had, Cronus leaned forward in his seat a little, resting his chin on his now folded hands. This was defiantly the boy, now all he had to do was wait for the right moment.

Let's get it started!

Get it started!

And grove till the sun comes up! Up!

The night is young!

Ooh oh whoa-oh!

The night is young!

The night is young!

Neil spun around his grin faltered a little and his voice softened a bit as his eyes laid on the sole empty seat in the audience. The reserved sign he made sitting there, his brother's name written in the neatest purple hand-writing a four-year-old could manage, staring almost mockingly at him in reminder that his song was almost over and his brother hadn't seen any of it. And it hurt...

And I wish that it could never end,

I wish this song could play and play,

Be who you are and then,

Let the rhythm take you there...

As Neil sang this, the kid's got closer and at the end they all rose their arms up as Neil rose up his arm above his head in what seemed to be a finishing pose, as if thinking it was over. Just the crowd was about to applause, Neil smirked and then resumed strumming, startling everyone as he went for one last verse:

Because the night is young!

And it's just begun!

Let's get it started!

Get it started!

And grove till the sun comes up! Up!

Shrugging, the kids all began to jump up and down with silly grins, pumping their fists in the air as Neil began to jump up and down as well, making all the adults laugh at their silliness, even Cronus just chuckled.

Because the night is young!

Ooh oh whoa-oh!

And it's just begun!

Ooh oh whoa-oh!

Let's get it started!

Get it started!

And grove till the sun comes up!

UP!

The night is young!

Ooh oh whoa-oh!

The night is young!

The night is young!

With that, Neil let his arm fall to his side, signalling he was done and the parents were all on their feet, cheering and clapping, even Cronus was on his feet and clapped, but didn't cheer, keeping his charade up as a parent. The nine kids stood in a line and held hands before bowing as Mr. Wright walked out, also clapping, "Let's hear it for Neil!"

Neil's face was a deep red, be it from the performance itself or the praise and cheers he was receiving, was left to be seen. But as he glanced at the empty seat again, his smile dropped a little more as he was led backstage. "Neil that was amazing!" Miss Meghan praised as she hugged him. Neil's smile renewed but it fell completely into a look of surprise when Luna hugged him, "I didn't know you had it in you!" She continued to babble praise even after Neil eventually managed to pry her off him, which had been a comical sight for Miss Meghan, watching a smaller than average four-year-old boy trying to push away a perfectly normal five-year-old girl, who was oblivious to his discomfort.

Once things resumed and the next performance began, Neil breathed a sigh sliding down the wall he had been leaning against. The strange shadow smirked as it slid to the floor, becoming Neil's shadow, which had been missing up until this point. Instantly, Neil's eyes flashed red for a brief second as his flood-gates once again opened and tears ran down his face. It wasn't that he didn't like his teachers or classmates' praise, he just wanted his brother's, didn't send all those hours practicing the song until his throat hurt and he had the words right just to make his teachers proud, he did it to make Archie proud.

But he didn't show up. Archie never showed.

'Big brother...' Neil thought miserably, eyes flashing back and forth from blue to red, then settled into an amethyst purple, 'I miss you...'

0000000000000000000000

Archie growled when he saw no old man in a red sweater sitting on any of the benches in sight, tapping his foot impatiently as his hands twitched. What he wouldn't give to have his pad and pencil right now, or his tablet and its pen. He did notfeel any better when Theresa and Atlanta regrouped with the rest of them, Odie still looking as the redhead informed them, "We can't find him anywhere."

"Are you sure we're on the right street?" Jay asked Herry as he and Archie leaned against the truck, "Or even the right part of the city, who knows how many theatres and coffee shops there are here."

"Pretty sure," Herry replied, "Odie even looked it up on Google Map, this is the place."

"Then where the hell is he!" Archie asked impatiently, "I'm going to miss Neil's show at this rate!"

"Relax, its at what three-thirty?" Theresa said optimistically, "It's only..." However, when she looked at her phone, she blinked then cringed, "Ten after four."

"WHAT?" Archie exploded making the group cringe and a few bypassers to stop and stare as the purple-haired teen started to kick at Herry's tires out of frustration and at the same time pull at his hair, Jay wisely moved away quickly, "DAMMIT IT ALL, I PROMISED I'D BE THERE! OF ALL THE STUPID TIMES TO BE LOOKING FOR A GREASY-FOOD-LOVING, HOMELESS, CAFFEINE AD-!"

He would've continued and the teens would've worried for their current mode of transportation, had Odie not come out of the coffee shop, followed by the very man they were looking for, whilst giving a loud cheery chirp of, "I found him!"

Archie whirled around to see them and threw up his arms in response, "FINALLY!" Before calming down.

All the Oracle did was chuckle in response as Herry stage-whispered to Odie, "Nice timing."

"I figured you lot would be looking for me sooner or later," The Oracle commented casually.

This made Archie frown again, but he didn't yell or shout this time as he asked, "Then why not wait for us at the restaurant?"

"I figured a discussion like this would warrant a more private setting, don't you think?" The Oracle replied simply, sipping a new steaming cup of coffee. All the teens shared questioning glances at the reply, but all shrugged before Atlanta said, "Then you know why we're here, we need to know the identity of the seventh hero so we can beat Cronus."

"You didn't think to ask the boy's tutors?" The Oracle asked, "Apollo and Thalia and her sisters, they didn't know where he is?"

This made them all blink. Jay was the one to respond, "Apollo? The god of the sun, light and prophecy?"

Archie blinked as well, adding, "And Thalia, as if one of the Nine Muses?"

"Apollo is also the god of healing, archery, knowledge, order, agriculture and beauty," Odie added perplexed as well. "As well as music and poetry," The Oracle nodded in response and addition, "Due to how...unique...Narcissus' descendant has turned out...I suggested to Hera to recruit additional tutors to the boy's more mission-related lessons."

Atlanta scrunched up her face in confusion, "Who was his original tutor?"

"Aphrodite," The Oracle replied with an amused expression. "The goddess of beauty?" Archie asked skeptically, "What kind of warrior is this kid to need eleven different gods that have less then useful attributes to teach him about?" The Oracle shrugged in response.

"Can't you tell us where he is?" Herry asked politely with a hopeful smile.

"Unfortunately, certain...rules...forbid me from disclosing the exact location," The Oracle replied much to their disappointed-frustrations, "But I can tell you, that the one you seek is much, much closer than you might think and I sincerely hope that you find the lad soon," After taking a longer than necessary sip, he asked, "Now, how about asking me something I can actually answer."

"Cronus is already looking for him," Jay spoke up after getting an idea, "Do you know where we can find him?"

The Oracle smirked knowingly in response, "Clever, lad," He then answered, "You'll find him atop a warehouse near the train yard."

"Thank you, now can we please-" Archie began turning to open the trunk door, only to be cut off when, with a surprising speed, the Oracle shot past the other teens and grabbed the purple-haired boy's arm with a startling grip that Archie had to physically stop himself from punching the man as he looked at him.

"I'd suggest keeping a close eye on your younger brother, Mr. King, a familial bond is a very precious thing," The old man advised him a mild warning tone in his voice that was mixed with a knowing one as well as a distant one, before he lowered his shades to look into Archie's widening brown eyes with his swirling pools of light, "Especially with one who's powers will only get more powerful and dangerous as time moves onward," Archie's eyes glazed a little as his mind was assulted with the image of his little brother with glowing, demonic red eyes and a frightening grin that wasn't his own, "Keeping people at a distance will only cripple the both of you."

Startled, Archie quickly wrenched his arm away, nearly it the ground had Jay and Odie not caught him. The girls and Herry got between them and the Oracle, stances tense with warning expressions on their faces. All the Oracle did after that was take out a single newspaper page from an old worn-looking red book-bag and held it out to them. After a moment, Theresa took it.

"I'm afraid that this is the only clue I can give you," The Oracle explained before picking up his bag and walked back into the coffee shop.

"Weird guy," Jay commented dryly after a few tense seconds as he and Odie helped Archie up, "You okay Archie?"

"Y-Y-Yeah," Archie said clearly shaken by whatever the Oracle had done to him, "I-I...I need my brother...I...I got to see my little brother..."

All five of the teens looked at him with sympathy and understanding, but also looked a bit conflicted. "But what about Cronus?" Atlanta regrettably asked causing Archie to whine in distress, unable to help the desperation of needing to see Neil was alright and to apologize to the little blonde for most likely missing the entire show.

"The school's on the way to the train yard," Odie spoke up softly, "We can pick him up on the way and drop him off with the Gods." Archie gave Jay a pleading look, getting ready to fall to his knees and beg. After such a horrifying vision of what his brother could become, he just had to see him.

Jay took one look at the expression on Archie's face and his resolve melted and he nodded, "But we have to be quick-" He grunted when Archie hugged him in gratitude, before the purplette scrambled to get into the truck.

"What did he give you?" Jay asked Theresa softly as everyone else piled in after Archie. Theresa silently handed him the page and Jay rose a brow. It was the same article of their comrade's mother's demise that Hera had shown them. The more he looked at the smiling woman's face, the more he kept finding certain features about her eerily familiar. He wasn't sure what it was, but there was just something oddly ringing a bell in the back of his mind about her pale gold hair and bright blue eyes.

Shrugging it off as Herry honked the horn, Jay stuffed the article into his pants pocket and quickly climbed in. He'll have more time to ponder it later.

0000000000000000000000000000000000

Neil sighed as he sat on the school steps, waiting patiently for his brother to come pick him up. He was really, really hurt that Archie had broken his promise and at the same time it made him nervous and worried. Archie never broke a promise. Family was everything. So something must've been keeping him from coming and that was what worried the little blonde.

In his head a smug voice practically sung, "See? I told you. Good boys get promises kept and bad ones don't get their brothers' showing up! He cares more about those other big kids than he does about you!" Neil could only grint his teeth and bare it, hugging his guitar close as a fresh pair of tears ran down his cheeks.

"Hello, Neil," A deep, bone-chilling voice greeted in something of an attempt to mimick a warm, friendly tone and it made Neil shiver, before he looked up into startling blood-red eyes, "I've been looking for you." The grin that stretched across the man's face was anything less than good and it made Neil's heart-stop and his back tense.

A presence behind him made him close his mouth when he opened it to shout and looked behind him to see two giants standing behind him, menacing grins on their faces.

Neil gulped, eyes slowly returning to the man before him, drawing his knees up nervously as the man continued to grin down at him. "How'd you like to take a little trip?" Cronus asked with a dark chuckle, Neil didn't reply as the voice remained awfully quiet.

AND DONE! That took a little bit longer than I thought it would, but what can I say.

Let me know what you guys think and I apologize again for how long these updates can take, can only work on them once or twice a week so, what can a girl do?

Anyways, for those who are interested, the song Neil worked so hard for his show is 'The Night is Young' from the Descendants series, if maybe a tiny bit changed. Just a little, like a few words.

Anyways, enjoy the chapter and give me an honest review! Till next time!