"Actually, spacetime isn't easy to do, even with magic." Threed put in from across the room in the corner he found to segregate himself.

"Not to be rude," Kit began again, "but my colleague has a point. If Chong is capable of any kind of spacetime manipulation, simply using those powers is a massive violation of temporal law. I'm surprised he's lasted this long without the Chrononauts on his tail, to be honest."

Threed strode over to the dragon, looking straight into his eyes. "We need everything you have on Chong. Everything. I'll not suffer any more time being wasted when all of spacetime could hang in the balance."

"Is that so? Well then, you can suffer whatever fate Chong has in store for you."

"Threed."

"What? The big lizard started it."

Kit gave an exasperated sigh in response. "Look, let's just give him the lowdown and hear what he has to say."

"Better idea: you do that, while I find a corner to sit in. I'll involve myself once I detect a successful attitude adjustment." As the Triforian walked away from the professor, Tarrax and Kit, the foxgirl decided to be political and take over Threed's job for the time being. "I'm Kit. That there," she gestured behind her, "is Threed. Chong -- I take it you've heard of him since your colleague, Professor Stripetail, was on his tail for a while? Something like that. Well, he's broken out of prison and we're trying to apprehend him before he can cause more damage than he has already. A lead pointed us to Hogwarts, and we're just making sure he hasn't sundered your world, or is still here doing something nefarious. That about sums it up."

Threed shifted uncomfortably at Negos' name. Electing to change the subject, he inquired more about Professor Stripetail and his role in all this.

"A couple days? Is there not anyone else we can talk to in the interim? Also, what kind of family name is 'Stripetail'? I suppose you'll tell me the poor sod is half dinosaur or something."

"Threed."

"What? I'm just saying it sounds weird, but then this entire place is weird. Why have this big, scary castle instead of something, I don't know, with more 'pop!'--you understand? You understand I'm sure."

As the two took their seats, Threed decided to start before Kit could cut in. "It's not a case of how you can help us, Professor. It is a case of how we can help you avoid total destr--ow!" Kit pinched Threed's elbow before he could tank the meeting with Professor McGonagal before it even fully began.

"Real sutble, Threed. Just drop everything on her like that."

"Wha--but this is literally how I was instructed at the Academy."

"Okay, and? We're clearly not on Triforia, are we?" Before Professor McGonagal decided this was a pair of clowns and kicked them out, Kit got in there with some damage control. "Apologies, ma'am. My friend here is special. Anyway, we're detectives chasing some very bad--"

"And powerful," Threed cut in."Don't forget powerful."

"Very bad and powerful fugitives."

Seeing his chance, Threed shot to his feet. "This is where I come in!" He cleared his throat and began. "We tracked an anomalous disturbance that led here, to this very timeline, to this very place. At first, I had concerns, you see. Concerns that our big bads had gotten their mitts on you and your world. I am beyond relieved to learn such is not the case. But--ah, allow me to make this simple before I continue. Does the name Chong mean anything to you, Professor? Or perhaps Negos? Might be using the moniker Mr. Negativity."

Kit strode up the path, while Threed emerged from his hiding spot to follow. He fumbled with his coat, likely looking for another gadget. When he couldn't produce it, he sighed woefully. "Four-dimensional geospatial technology and I can never find the right thing when I need it."

Kit hummed in response. "So, here's the plan. I'll speak with Professor McGonagal and bring her up to speed on what's going on beyond Hogwarts and why we're here."

"Excellent, Kit! What's my role in this?"

"You're going to be less . . . you."

Threed blinked. "That's not nice. Not very nice at all."

That earned a tiny smirk from Kit. The two eventually reached the entrance to the main hall. A large, wooden door stood before them.

Kit put a hand on the door and paused, turning to Threed. "Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained."

"Come what may, we are ready my young protege!"

Threed's hand went on the other door half, and the two pushed them open. What greeted them was . . .

It's a reference to Metal Gear Solid 5. It's me saying you're based for having Digimon in your RP roster. You'll find that I make plenty of references, especially when posting for Threed, as that's the fourth wall breaking/reference character. The "Deadpool", if you will.

Nick22: What did Zero call it? A weapon to surpass Based Gear.

F-22 "Raptor" Ace: Ace Combat reference?

"Hmm." Threed mostly hummed to himself, but audibly enough for those in his party to spur him to share his thoughts.

With a sigh, Kit, as usual, took the bait. "Go on, Threed."

"This . . . place. It showed strong anomalous signatures when we first arrived in the Waverider, yet the signals are growing faint. Are we not closer to the source? This was where the waypoint lead us."

Kit could only shrug.

"Wait a second . . ." Just then, a waypoint pinged on Threed's scanner, pointing in the general direction of a large castle in the distance, looking almost ominous in this overcast weather. "There!" he exclaimed, dramatically jerking his finger toward it. Then, he noticed his scanner would show several pings, all in rapid succession, and then would go silent for a few moments. Then again pings, then again, silence.

Kit snatched Threed's arm when he took a step and nearly fell backwards onto her. "I'm all for trying to find the most important people and getting them to aid us, like we usually do, but maybe we should take it cautiously this time. We don't know if this is one of the timelines allied with Negos. We still don't even know if Chong's escape was orchestrated by Negos or if the two are working together." All fair points. Last Threed knew, the Chrononauts had taken over the monitoring of both Negos and Chong when they were defeated and captured. That they should break out at approximately the same time, with currently unknown whereabouts, spelled nothing good for the fate of spacetime, or at the very least several timelines. Intel was needed for these particular foes.

". . . Intel we'd only collect once we meet those in charge, reader."

"Huh? 'Reader'? Who are you talking to, Threed?"

"Wha-" Threed sputtered in disbelief. "The readers. The people who come across the forum and--"

"I don't care. Let's at least go stake out the castle and see what's what. If anything looks hostile or fishy, or any sign of collusion with Chong or Negos, and we let the Chrononauts handle it."

"B-But Kit. If they show up there won't be any fun for us."

The foxgirl folded her arms. "And?" But before Threed could reply, she was off, heading for the castle in distance that, to everyone but this intrepid duo, was known as Hogwarts, with her Triforian companion behind her.

Just saying. I don't want to get lit up because "you aren't letting other people post bro!!111 omg!!!"

Nick, you might have to let me know when it's my turn to post. I see different names that kind of dip in and out of regular activity, and I don't want to step on any toes.