Jackson stood with his two target right in front of him. His plan was to decimate them the moment the new bubble was activated. Annabelle took the two next to Jackson’s. His older self took four of the snipers for himself. Charles took two. That left three. They spaced themselves out so that old Jackson, Annabelle and Charles could easily reach at least one of the remainders with ease. Catherine looked like she was bracing herself.

“Okay, three, two,” old Jackson counted loudly. “One! Go!”

Right as the party started to move again everything froze once more.

“Shatter!” Jackson roared, focusing on the skulls of the two men before him. Their heads fractured like glass, and they fell to the floor. Annabelle decapitated her two in one swing. Charles baked his targets before they realized something was amiss. Young Jackson didn’t even see what his older self had done. There were simply four corpses at his feet.

The remaining three assassins fired their weapons, then looked confused when the poisoned bolts bounced off their targets. They then realized they were under attack and drew their swords.

Jackson noticed Catherine, who was behind him, was breathing rather heavily. She started to wobble. He doubted they had three minutes. He doubted they had thirty seconds.

Annabelle was on top of her third target. With one powerful blow she nocked his defense to the side before running him through. Old Jackson was in the process of dismembering his target. His younger self felt the other Jackson losing control. The seed inside him told him the older was not as stable as he appeared. Even now he was wasting time while savaging the target. This served no purpose but wasting the dwindling time.

Charles had attacked his target, but the assassin managed to dodge. Charles was keeping his distance while the attacker tried to close the distance. Annabelle sprinted, trying to get to her friend. Jackson snapped his fingers, causing an explosion inches from the assassin. He couldn’t go too big, as Charles was nearby. Catherine grabbed the wall. Trying to balance herself. Jackson felt some guilt using her earlier. Perhaps, if he had not abused her powers before the party, they would have more time now. Annabelle ran the last guy through the stomach while Jackson’s older self jumped into the ballroom.

Confused at first, Jackson realized he was racing for the poison bolts. He picked up each then jumped back to the balcony. Meanwhile, Charles, Annabelle and young Jackson started to drag the assassins away from the overhang. No one could know what had just happened. No evidence could remain, or the war would start.

“I sorry,” Catherine said as her eyes closed. Young Jackson managed to grab her. He held his breath as his older self once more paused time.

Now there was no time crunch, the bodies were disposed of, and Catherine was put in the wagon’s crow’s nest to allow her to rest.

“Why can’t she be in my room?” Annabelle snapped. “She’s my little sister!”

“And she’s my daughter!” Old Jackson snapped.

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“Whatever,” Annabelle said with a pout. “Father.” She added.

“I don’t understand what just happened,” young Jackson said.

““I do,”” both old Jackson and Charles said together.

“You’ll learn eventually,” old Jackson said.

With the war adverted, the group returned to the party. Old Jackson un-paused time then found a corner to sit in. He looked so out of place. He was a monster forced into a social setting. Jackson couldn’t help but watch him. There was a part that hated him. There was a part that understood him. Then there was a part that pitied him. Jackson then turned to see Annabelle dancing with Ms. Jinx while Charles watched with the most jealous expression Jackson had ever seen. Ms. Jinx might get murdered if she, or Annabelle, weren’t careful.

Luna was being force by the queen to dance with Edward while the whole room glared at her. It seemed that many thought this was a suitable punishment. The high and mighty princess forced to marry a weakling like Edward. Jackson didn’t see his cousins, he guested either they were still injured, or their pride wouldn’t let them be seen in defeat.

Joseph looked awkward on the dance floor with Princess Lili. Carley and Alice watched from the side with glares that could give Charles a run for his money. Franklin had failed to find a dance partner and was currently looking for a nice corner to fill. Barbara was trying the various snacks, dragging Angela with her. Jackson smiled at this. He found it sweet to see them getting along.

Then he found the girl he was looking for. Gypsy.

She was seated to one side, wobbling almost as bad as Catherine had been. But, unlike Catherine, Gypsy had simply drunk too much, again.

“I owe you a dance,” Jackson said sneaking up on her. She jumped then gave him a dangerous look.

“I should kill you,” she spat. Then she took his offered hands.

“But if you kill me who would complement those amazing eyes of yours?” Jackson joked.

“If there wasn’t three of you,” Gypsy snapped.

“If there’s what?” Jackson asked.

“I’d beat you into a puddle.”

Jackson just laughed. They began to dance. Jackson let himself get lost in Gypsy’s eyes. She really did have amazing cat like eyes. She was beautiful to. So, earnest to. Always levelheaded and was on his side. What would he have done if he’d lost her tonight?

He didn’t want to think of it.

‘She’d… make… a… great… mother…” death’s voice said. Jackson nearly froze, he felt the color drain from him. That genderless voice spoke to him outside of the dream. And it said something weird. It was like it was trying mask itself as his thoughts.

His future self smiled at him, a knowing smile.

“What’s wrong?” Gypsy asked with a pout.

Jackson didn’t what to say. How does he explain what had just happened?

“Brother, my sword?” Annabelle snapped as she appeared next to him.

“What?” Jackson stammered. He hadn’t even seen her walk up to him.

“Brother?” Gypsy repeated. Jackson had to hold onto her to keep her on her feet.

“He’s my brother now, and he still has my sword.”

“I left it with Catherine,” Jackson said, regaining his composer.

“With little sister?” She perked up, giving Jackson a bright smile. “That’s fine then, I can get it later then. I can’t wait to see my little sister again. I could just hug her all day long, never letting her go.”

“She’d probably die,” Jackson said flatly.

“Never, my little sister can never die. Oh, and thank you for helping me save Charles earlier.”

“You’re welcome, thank you for helping me save my friends.”

They both nodded to each other an understanding.

“I’m confused and too drunk to ask. Also, Barb and Angela have noticed us, so we need to get back to dancing before they steal you.” Jackson just laughed, taking Gypsy’s hip.

‘Children… perfect… children…’ the genderless voice said again. Jackson ignored it. He’d need to interrogate his future self later. He needed to know what it meant to be a seed. Like Gypsy said, Angela dragged Barbara over to him and Gypsy and demanded that he danced with her while Gypsy babysat. Gypsy refused, throwing herself onto Jackson as if to shield him.

In all the confusion, he did not see his future self leave the party.