It didn't take them long to reach the roof, only to find Xeros, Zeris, Ryoko, Washu, and Valgarv waiting for them. Lina blinked in surprise, her tail giving a startled swish behind her. Zel didn't show any surprise on his face, but his wings gave a brief flip before settling back tight against his back. Valgarv didn't look all that much different from when they had last seen him, albeit his hair was far more blue than green now, and his eyes were of an even more brilliant yellow. His horn was gone completely. The yellow sweater he was wearing looked quite nice on him, as did the blue jeans.
"Before you ask, yes, he is supposed to be here." Washu gestured towards the sulking Valgarv, who glowered at her. "All right, I called this meeting together to explain some of the abilities you might gain from the Masses. Ryoko, please, sit down. Don't hover over Zeris's head. Zeris, put away the giant fly swatter."
As Ryoko and Zeris reluctantly obeyed Washu, Lina and Zel picked a spot on the roof near enough to hear what was going on, but not too close to Xeros or Valgarv.
"Ok, children. You have all been altered by, or in Ryoko and Zeris's cases, made from the DNA of a creature called the Mass." Washu stood, placing a hand upon Xeros and Valgarv's shoulders. "In their case, I had to use the DNA to stabilize their forms, and in Xeros's, my own DNA." Xeros stuck out his tongue at Val, who just gave him a disgusted look. Zeris began scooching around, gradually getting behind Val. She began attempting to braid his hair without his noticing.
<< This is an ability all of us should have, though only a few of us can communicate to Washu directly with this way. >> Ryoko's mental voice was calm, controlled, both like and unlike her normal speaking patterns. << The reason why I sound differently this way is that emotions are far more intertwined into the words this way. Less is left to intuition in guessing the other's moods. >>
<< Interesting. >>
<< I like it! >>
<< Hush, let her finish, squirt. >> In reply, Zeris stuck her tongue out at her brother, somehow looking utterly cute.
"All of you, however are going to have varying abilities. I'm guessing these," A short dagger of light appeared in Washu's hand. "are all something you are capable of. Ryoko, m'darlin daughter, also has teleportation, but her first sister, Minagi, does not have the ability. Where is Xeros?"
"Behind you." Xeros grinned, hanging upside down in the air.
"All right, so you have the teleportative ability, with flight as well."
"I had it before."
"I see. In any case, all of you are changed by what I've done. Not all of you may have the ability to 'walk through walls' as my Ryoko does it."
<< Can all of you hear me clearly? >> Washu's unspoken voice was soothing, and ancient. They nodded in confirmation, Zeris adding a giggle as well.
<< Good. I'll leave you children to discuss and find out just what you can do. >>
Deep, deep within Washu's lab, in the medic lab, someone woke up. He was not happy.
Sixteen explosions later, He found himself in a quandry. The other three who had been trapped in pillars were quite strong-willed, and had broken free soon after he did. It had also been quite annoying that two of them had taken one look at him and started throwing spells at him, as well as whatever came to hand. The fact those specific two of them were also insulting him and calling him 'gramps' was even more annoying. The third other had immediately left, muttering something about a 'Washu'.
He had to find out where he was, what had brought him here, and why he felt so hollow, where before there had only been power. But first he had to find a way to deal with the two annoyances.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU MORONS DOING TO MY LAB?!?!!"
He turned around slowly, keeping one eye on the two annoyances, to see the third with a tall, gorgeous woman with spikey pink hair standing at the doorway.