Researching and Quarks Problem

    "So, this entire adventure was to get me to understand that whatever is happening to Strange Quark might be for the better," Gerri pondered.  "That doesn't tell me about you, Futurina.  What do you play in this?"
    Futurina looked at her and smiled.  It was genuine and warm.  "I knew your namesake.  She was the only elf to call me friend.  My name is actually Theresoelae Jhandroelaeji, but most people call me Futurina.  That book you are so fond of calls me 'The Freak.'  I hate that."
    "You were banished from Alfheim," Gerri remembered.  "You were deposited here?"
    "No, Jareth is quite the host and I do enjoy his company, but I have been trapped on Earth for a very long time," Futurina nodded to Jareth with a smile.  "I come here to reminisce with Jareth.  Other than Kossuth, who only wants me to free him and allow him to wreak havoc with his fire spells, I've had no contact with the elves since Gerraxia Goldenstar's funeral."
    "Why?  You are said to be very powerful.  Why wouldn't they continue to adventure with you on Earth?" Gerri wondered.
    "Because, I have no magic," Futurina sighed.  "Your ancestor knew that and accepted me anyway.  It seems you see value in that as well, but most elves see that as a flaw and refuse to see me as an elf.  What I did to save the world and help the elves has been largely stricken from that book.  Not even my name is in there."  
    "That's wrong for them to do," Gerri was shocked.  "Why would they do that to one who traveled with great heroes?"
    "I'm one of those great heroes.  They don't see me as an elf, so I'm not in the book anymore.  I've asked Krystal to undo the enchantment on that book.  The reason you feel the answer is there is because I know where those ruby shards came from.  I know why Krampus wants them.  I'm even willing to work with Santa to fix this.  Don't go there, it is a long story as to the ill will between Santa and me," Futurina explained.
    "Thank you," Gerri stated.  "If Krystal can undo the enchantment then we may have some answers, maybe not all, but some that will help us against Krampus.  I'll even let Santa know you would be willing to work with him on this."
    "Wyldfyre, when this is over, have Starmaster see me in Toronto.  I'll give him some pointers on how to fix what Krampus did to Chase," Futurina said looking at the hero.  She gave him a quick look over and smiled.

The ornate clock appeared in mid-air behind Jareth's shoulder, it read 1 minute til 13 o'clock.

Jareth smiled, maybe a little sadly, and said, "You have my permission to depart my realm. When you return, should any of you decide to visit, it will be as honored guests, under no threat of transformation."

With that said a nearby doorway was strongly lit by a golden light so brilliant it could not be looked upon directly.

Jareth gestured towards this doorway, bowed slightly, and said, "Fare ye well..."

Wyldfyre grinned and began taking nearly running steps towards the doorway, saying, "Ya don't hafta tell me twice, Bowie... see'ya..."

Krystal made a gesture towards where Bunnie was standing, walked over to the side of the doorway, and said to Gerri, "After you..."

Gerri somewhat sadly stepped to the door, turned and waved, turned back, and stepped through.

Jareth got that devilish grin on his face as Krystal was turning to go, and rolling a crystal globe towards the door, said to no one in particular, "Won't she be surprised by my little present..."

Krystal shrugged and stepped through.

Krystal's astral form appeared in her lab, and she noticed a small crystal sphere rolling across the floor.

It lit up brightly in a flash, and Krystal's astral form vanished as it did so.

Krystal opened her physical eyes and looked at the chiming wrist comm she habitually wore.

"I'm supposed to be at the arena for my League Wars bout any second, good thing the 'bamf-sickness' has been settling out lately..."

She pictured the locker area entrance for her League clearly in her mind, and in her next heartbeat, she was there.

Epilogue 1
   After the League Wars, Gerri brought her book, The Tome of Elvish Lore, to Krystal's lab.  She was curious as to how much was removed when they removed Futurina from the book.  How much did that psionic elf do to save the world and the elves?
   She greeted Krystal, "Hello, Krystal, I brought the book that Futurina wanted you to remove that enchantment on.  Oh, and you put up quite the fight at League Wars.  Not to mention the Spirit of Halloween."
    "Thank you, Gerri," Krystal returned.  "Let's see that tome."  She took the already large book and set it on her desk.  "You did quite well in the League Wars, as well."  She began to cast an identify spell that would reveal which enchantment to remove.  Undoing all would be a disaster.
    "I lost more than I won, but I learned, that's the important part of the League Wars," Gerri claimed.  "Sure there are jerks who rub their victories in the face of everyone, but more often you find even those you lose against offer pointers and advice for the next time you meet.  I love the wars for that reason.  Sure, The 1st Battalion Space Marines may not be powerful, yet.  We have heart and drive."
    "I'm glad to hear you take the losses as a learning experience," Krystal stated.  "You've grown as a hero and I'm proud of you."  She cast the disenchantment spell and watched the book nearly double in size.  "Interesting," was all she could express at that.
    "Wow!  Futurina did that much?" Gerri was bewildered.  "Why take out so much?"
    "Let's take a look and find out, shall we?" Krystal opened the book.
***
   
    Futurina had scanned to find Wyldfyre and found him in college.  She teleported in a flash of silver blue energy as he set up an easel to illustrate the model the class was having today.  She smiled at him.

Epilog 2- (Who wears a Ball Gown to a Battlefield? )

Ace stood just outside of the locker area designated for Legacy. Her heaviest hitter, Krystal Fae, still hadn’t arrived and it was only minutes before the starting gun.

With an outrushing whoosh of air and a flash of brilliant light, Krys teleported in as if she’d been there invisibly waiting for the best moment to make an entrance. Ace sighed in relief, then, as she saw what Krystal was wearing, drew in a rapid gasp in confusion.

“Krystal,...”, said Ace, “... What are you wearing? You take the field... well... now, as a matter of fact...”. She could hear the other Legacy members moving towards the doorway.

Krystal looked down at her outfit, grinned, and replied, “Well... no time to explain, and no time to change, then... maybe it will confuse them.”

                                       

Krystal’s words were somewhat prophetic, as several of the AoS team members that usually beat her in sparring and Fight Clubs fell to attacks from this spectacle, and even the matches she lost were somehow easier on her than usual.

As soon as her matches were completed, Krystal headed for the locker area to change in more battle-appropriate attire in case she was needed again later in the bout. She was certain that some reporter or other would be commenting or speculating about her reasons for this choice.

Maybe, someday, she just might tell them...