The night air was cool as Angelo, Buck, Maxine, and Maggie sat comfortably in chairs on the back porch of Angelo’s house. Their eyes occasionally drifted towards Stefon and Steven, who were some distance away, struggling to ignite a small fire in a fire pit nestled in the middle of the yard. Their efforts, though earnest, were far from successful, and a light-hearted mood settled over the porch as the group observed the pair’s antics.

The porch door creaked open, and Garan and Elle stepped outside to join the gathering. Garan found a seat next to Angelo, while Elle settled beside Buck. She carried two glasses and a small bottle of brandy in her hands, her movements calm and deliberate.

“Well, the kids are in bed, and Katherine is doing whatever Katherine does,” Elle said with a hint of humor as she offered one of the glasses to Buck.

Buck’s eyes lit up with a teasing smile as he accepted the glass. “You remembered. You really did miss me.”

Elle rolled her eyes, pouring brandy into both glasses. “Why do you have to make this weird?”

Buck’s smile widened, but he didn’t push further, savoring the drink instead. Maxine and Maggie, meanwhile, were entertained by Steven’s latest mishap. They watched as he fumbled with a piece of wood, dropping it onto his toe. His face contorted in pain as he hopped around, muttering curses that were too jumbled to make out. Their soft laughter added a layer of warmth to the evening.

Maggie shook her head, a fond smile on her lips. “Poor Steven, he would be absolutely lost without Stefon.”

Angelo, too, was smiling as he observed the scene before turning his attention to Garan. “How are you processing everything, Garan?”

Garan sighed, his expression one of disbelief. “I don’t really think I am. It feels like I stepped into a fantasy world where everyone has magical powers.”

Angelo nodded thoughtfully. “Not magic—science. Avery warps spacetime, Buck’s shield is an overactive normal force, and Maxine’s charm is just basic chemistry. Even my ability to see the future is merely an enhanced understanding of cause and effect, tempered by quantum uncertainties.”

Garan’s brow furrowed as he tried to wrap his mind around it all. “So, is it too much to ask for you to help us get back home?”

“I am not Time’s master, merely its messenger,” Angelo explained. “Plus, it’s likely the timeline you’re from is no longer accessible to us. The instant you jumped back, you created a brand-new timeline.”

Garan’s attention was momentarily drawn to Stefon, who was now carrying a massive pile of wood over to the fire pit. The logs dropped with a heavy thud as Stefon began placing them meticulously inside the pit.

“What about Steven and Stefon?” Garan asked, his curiosity provoked.

“They share the same ability,” Angelo replied. “The atoms in their bodies vibrate at higher frequencies than they should, creating extra energy that has to escape somehow. They work out constantly to keep their bodies from overheating.”

Garan’s eyes widened slightly. “Sounds like thermodynamics.”

“Exactly,” Angelo confirmed. His gaze followed Garan’s toward the fire pit. “Steven’s ability is actually more advanced than Stefon’s, but his body is too small to handle that much energy. Stefon, on the other hand, is large enough to siphon off the excess heat coming from Steven. If they’re separated for too long, Steven would overheat and die. Stefon keeps Steven alive, and in return, Steven makes Stefon stronger.”

The intricacies of their abilities fascinated Garan. “Elle mentioned something about cooperating with Maggie.”

“Yes,” Angelo said, leaning back in his chair. “Elle can pull electricity from the air, and Maggie can manipulate magnetic materials. Together, they can control the entire electromagnetic spectrum.”

“And Katherine’s abilities—those come from biology, right?” Garan asked, piecing things together.

Angelo smiled, a glint of approval in his eyes. “Now you’re starting to understand. A wrinkle in time saves two in the bush.”

Garan looked momentarily puzzled. “So, Evelyn must have these powers as well?”

Angelo’s expression turned thoughtful. “I don’t know yet. I’m giving her some time to get comfortable with all of us and also giving myself some time to prepare for her. With your permission, I’d like to speak with Evelyn alone at some point tomorrow.”

Garan nodded, though a hint of uncertainty lingered in his eyes. “Yes, of course. I just wish there was more I could do. You all have such extraordinary abilities, and I’m just some guy that was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Angelo’s gaze softened. “Oh, your role in this is much more important than you realize. You’ve kept Evelyn safe, and from what I hear, you resisted Maxine’s charm.”

At this, Maxine, who had been half-listening, looked over at Garan with renewed interest, as if trying to figure out what made him immune to her abilities.

Angelo continued, “I’m guessing Avery gave you two some type of protection that keeps you from being affected by meta-humans. That would also explain why I never saw you two coming. If Avery keeps training, it makes sense that he would be able to warp the spacetime around someone sufficiently to accomplish that. Avery represents the next generation of humanity and will eventually surpass us all.”

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Garan smiled, a sense of pride swelling within him. “So Evelyn must be amazing.”

“Exactly,” Angelo said, his voice carrying a note of reverence.

At that moment, a massive flash of light flooded the entire backyard as the bonfire suddenly roared to life. Steven yelped and leaped backward, dropping the small can of gasoline he had just used to jumpstart the fire. The explosion of flames sent a wave of heat across the yard, casting long shadows and drawing everyone’s attention to the blazing fire pit.

Garan noticed that Maggie had dozed off, her head resting gently on Maxine's shoulder. Yet, Maxine’s focus remained fixed on him, her eyes still trying to decipher the mystery he posed. When Garan turned to meet her gaze, she didn’t shy away. Instead, she held his stare, allowing him to peer into the depths of her eyes for a few silent moments.

The brief pause in conversation gave Angelo the opportunity to reach into his pocket. He pulled out a large, ornately carved pipe and lit it with ease. The familiar, pungent scent of marijuana wafted through the air, catching Elle’s attention.

With a slight frown, she looked at her father. “You’re just never going to give that up, are you?”

Angelo grinned, an unruly twinkle in his eye. “Birds named Heather always flock together,” he replied cryptically, the smoke curling around his words.

He extended the pipe toward Buck, who quickly raised a hand and shook his head in refusal. “I never understood why you smoke that stuff,” Buck remarked.

Angelo took a slow drag from the pipe, the ember glowing brightly. “It dulls my senses,” he explained. “It’s exhausting seeing so many things so clearly all the time.”

Without another word, Angelo turned and offered the pipe to Garan, nodding as if encouraging him to take it. Garan hesitated for a moment, then accepted the pipe. He examined it briefly before lighting it and taking a deep inhale. The smoke filled his lungs, and he held it in for a second before exhaling a thick cloud of white smog.

Garan passed the pipe to Maxine, who accepted it with a smile, seemingly impressed by his willingness to partake and his lung capacity. He returned the smile and their hands touched briefly before he turned his attention back to the fire.

The flames had settled into a steady, mesmerizing burn, their tongues of fire licking at the logs and radiating warmth. The colors shifted in the night air—yellow to orange, orange to red, and finally to near-invisible waves of heat that shimmered as they rose toward the stars. The fire seemed alive, its energy drawing everyone into its dance.

Other smaller flames swirled around the fire pit, swaying rhythmically as if entranced by the music of the night. Smoke streamed upward, only to bend toward Stefon as he sat silently, his large frame barely moving. His eyes, reflecting the flickering firelight, were locked on the dancing flames, lost in deep thought.

The little bits of fire struggled upwards, trying to break free from the main blaze, wiggling in the air before they vanished into the darkness. Some of the larger flames twisted and twirled, moving toward smaller ones. They danced together for a moment before merging, growing stronger and larger as they continued to sway and flicker around the glowing wood.

The crackling of the fire and the occasional pop of the logs filled the air, a symphony of nature that accompanied the hypnotic dance of the flames. The group, entranced by the fire's beauty, sat quietly, each lost in their own thoughts, yet somehow connected by the warmth and light of the fire.

As the flames danced and flickered, casting long shadows across Angelo’s backyard, a sudden rustling sound broke the tranquil night. Steven, ever alert, paused mid-conversation with Stefon, his sharp eyes narrowing as he scanned the edge of the woods behind the house.

“Stefon,” Steven muttered, his voice low and tense. Stefon, already on edge, followed his brother’s gaze, his large frame tensing as he caught sight of movement in the underbrush.

“Trees got eyes now?” The big man asked rhetorically as he strained to see what caused the disturbance.

Without warning, a group of grotesque figures emerged from the treeline. They were human, but not entirely—raccoon-like features distorted their faces, and patches of coarse fur covered their bodies. Their eyes glowed with a feral hunger, and their sharp claws glinted in the light of the fire.

“Incoming!” Steven shouted, his voice carrying across the yard as he charged toward the hybrids without hesitation. Stefon was right behind him, his massive fists clenched, ready for battle.

The hybrids let out shrill cries as they lunged at Steven and Stefon, but the two men were more than prepared. Steven ducked under the first swipe of claws, his enhanced reflexes allowing him to deliver a powerful uppercut that sent one of the hybrids flying backward. Stefon roared as he grabbed another hybrid by the waist and tossed it into the air like a wet sock.

“Help! We’ve got company!” Steven yelled over his shoulder as he continued to fight off the attackers.

Hearing the commotion, Elle was the first to leap into action. She bolted off the porch, her hands crackling with electricity as she joined the fray. “Stay back!” she shouted to the others, her voice strained with urgency.

She raised her hands, and bolts of electricity shot forth, arcing through the air and striking several hybrids. They convulsed violently before crumpling to the ground, the electrical current overwhelming their systems.

Buck was right behind her, his expression grim as he barreled into the group of hybrids. Claws scraped uselessly against his impenetrable shield as he knocked them aside with brute force.

Maggie, a bit slower to react, hurried down the steps of the porch, her eyes already focusing on the metal objects scattered around the yard. With a flick of her wrist, she manipulated the metal tools and scraps, sending them hurtling through the air toward the hybrids. They struck with deadly precision, impaling several of the attackers and sending the rest scrambling.

Katherine, cloaked in her dark garb, appeared from nowhere and moved like a shadow through the chaos. Her feline DNA granted her enhanced agility and speed, allowing her to dart between the hybrids with ease. Her sharp claws flashed as she tore through the enemy ranks, her movements graceful yet deadly.

Garan watched from the porch, his fists clenched in frustration. He wanted to help, but he knew he was no match for the others in terms of raw power. Angelo, standing beside him, seemed eerily calm, his eyes focused on the unfolding battle. Maxine, too, remained on the porch, her eyes locked on Garan.

The battle was fierce but brief. The hybrids, despite their numbers, were no match for the combined abilities of the group. As the last of the attackers fell or fled back into the woods, the yard fell silent once more, the only sound the crackling of the bonfire.

Elle wiped the sweat from her brow, her eyes scanning the area for any remaining threats. “Is everyone okay?” she called out.

“Yeah, we’re good,” Steven replied, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. Stefon nodded in agreement, his massive form relaxing now that the danger had passed.

Katherine, her eyes still glowing faintly in the dark, glanced around warily before retracting her claws. Maggie, visibly shaken but unharmed, walked back to the porch, her shoulders slumping in relief.

Buck wondered aloud as he joined the others. “What the hell were those things?” he muttered, glancing toward the woods.

“Third generation hybrids,” Katherine answered, her voice low and cautious.

From the porch, Angelo’s eyes gleamed with an unsettling knowledge, but he said nothing, his thoughts his own.