Earlier when assigning the teams, Tekashi gathered his heroes and told them their part of the mission.

“Yes! Finally, a job where my skills will be useful.” Sheet Shifter said.

“Aw c'mon, man. You're useful all the time.” Cruz said.

Sheet Shifter smiled as Hoodie Hipster and Cutter approached.

“Well look who we have here! Glad we've got some veterans on the team.” Tekashi said.

“Hey man, someone's got to look out for ya, Mr. Brightworlder.” Said Hoodie Hipster.

Later on in the present, Team Covert had just arrived at their destination. Sheet Shifter made everyone paper wings and flew up to the cloud that concealed the floating island. After soaring above it, they snuck onto the island and made sure they weren't spotted. The island wasn't very big but it had a somewhat large field in the middle of the large rocks on all sides and a building was located off to one side.

“Are we all clear on the plan?” Tekashi asked.

“Maybe you could explain it one more time?” Hoodie Hipster said.

“Alright. The idea is to split up and do a two-front attack while catching them off guard and hopefully taking the book before they have a chance to know what hit them. So, Beam and Hoodie Hipster will go together and move through the shadows while Cutter and Sheet Shifter will take the higher ground and you'll all wait for my signal.” Tekashi said.

They all nodded, split up, and went their different directions. Sheet Shifter made paper stairs up behind the building and he and Cutter stealthily made their way to the roof. Cruz slipped into a nearby shadow while Hoodie Hipster dissipated and reappeared near the building's entrance with Cruz right behind him.

“We're in position, Brightworlder.” Said Sheet Shifter.

“Same here.” Cruz said.

“On my cue, I want the low team to take out the guards in front of the entrance while the high team enters the building to clear out any enemies from the top down. Now, go!” Tekashi explained over his earpiece.

Just as Tekashi said, the heroes took out the guards and entered the building to take out the other sorcerers. Cruz and Hoodie Hipster made quick work of the guards since they didn't see them coming and they went inside as well. Upstairs, Sheet Shifter and Cutter took turns slitting enemies’ throats with Sheet Shifter's sharp paper edges and Cutter's swift blades that moved in the blink of an eye.

“Top floor is clear Brightworlder.” Cutter said.

“Understood. Meet up with the others on the main floor.” Tekashi said.

Cruz and Hoodie Hipster defeated their last sorcerer before Cutter and Sheet Shifter joined them as they proceeded to the last room. They pushed the doors open to find the book sitting on a display with no one else around.

“Well, that was easy.” Cutter said as he went up to the book.

“Wait!” Cruz exclaimed.

Cutter had reached out and touched the book. Before he could react, his body began to become ash starting with his fingers that touched the book and then slowly spreading over his body. Cutter let go and slowly turned around towards the others.

“G-guys. I’m…sorry.” Cutter said before his legs could no longer support him and he fell to the ground in a pile of ash.

Then, seemingly from all directions, maniacal laughter echoed through the mostly empty room.

“Fools. The whole lot of you.” Said a voice.

“Cutter!” Hoodie Hipster exclaimed as he knelt over the ash.

“What did you do?” Cruz said.

“It’s rude to take other people’s things.” Said the Magicate leader as he emerged from above.

“Yeah? Well, it’s not yours either!” Said Sheet Shifter.

“Nonsense. I acquired this fair and square. It was meant to be mine. This power was destined for my control and what great power it is. I’m sure you’re more aware of this than anyone, isn’t that right Brightworlder? You’re quite literally shaking in your boots.” The Magicate leader said.

Tekashi stared at him but couldn’t muster any words before Cruz stepped forward and took a fighting stance.

“Enough. What you’re doing is wrong. We’ve come for the book but if you don’t step aside now, we’ll have to take you down.” Cruz said.

“Ha! That is comical that you think you’re any match for me.” Said the Magicate leader.

Cruz gritted his teeth but just as he was about to lunge towards him, Tekashi put his arm in front of him.

“Don’t.” Said Tekashi in a low voice.

“Smart man. At least one of you knows when you’re outmatched.” Said the Magicate leader.

“But-” Cruz said before being cut off.

“C’mon, Beam. Mr. Brightworlder is right. There’s no way we can beat this guy by ourselves.” Sheet Shifter said.

“Answer this one question. What is your name?” Tekashi asked the leader.

“Hm. Very well. I am the Dominion Lord Draven. Remember it well. It will be the last thing you take to your grave.” Draven said.

Tekashi furrowed his brows and motioned for everyone to leave. Just as they were walking out, Cruz stopped and clenched his fists before turning around and dipping his hand in a shadow. It came out of another shadow nearby Draven and he swung at him from behind. Without looking, Draven waved his hand and shined light over the shadow where Cruz’s hand came out. The shadow disappeared and Cruz’s hand was forcibly retracted and he winced in pain as he held it.

Draven chuckled to himself as Tekashi turned and said “Beam, move. Now.”

They all left and made their way back to the Hero Society with their spirits shot and one member less. As they slowly walked inside Shawn, Snowglobe Gorilla, Jeff noticed them. Theo, who was talking to them, stopped and walked up to them with a concerned look.

“What happened? Did you get the book?” Theo asked.

Hoodie Hipster fell to his knees and cried as he held a small container of dust that used to be Cutter.

“We…failed.” Tekashi said without taking his eyes off the floor.

“Where’s Cutter?” Theo said, now more concerned.

Sheet Shifter pointed to the dust and in a low voice said “He’s gone.”

No one said a word until Theo broke the silence and said “I’ll have his things collected and we’ll have a funeral for him. Once we stop these sorcerers, we will mourn.”

“I told you before, we can’t stop him. I know this was a good effort but there’s nothing we can do.” Tekashi said.

“Look. I have faced many challenges throughout my life. A seemingly unstoppable wizard is nothing we cannot handle. Tekashi, do you believe in me?” Said Theo.

Tekashi looked him in the eyes, nodded, and said “I do.”

“Then we will defeat him. For you. For this city. For this world.” Said Theo.

All of the heroes gathered around were reinvigorated by Theo’s words.

“Director Hip is right. We are Salty City heroes! We will take this guy down because we are the Hero Society!” Said a hero amidst the group.

“Yeah! Let’s kick some sorcerer butt!” Said another hero.

Theo smiled as he heard the excitement of the heroes and looked across the lobby. His gaze met two statues that looked over the room with sharp, stone eyes. 

The statues of Slinky and Laughing Matter looked back at him and under his breath Theo said “Thanks for keeping an eye on us.”

Later on, Theo sat in his office with Shawn, Tekashi, Snowglobe Gorilla, and Jeff as he formulated their next move.

“If what Tekashi said is true, then what can we do realistically?” Shawn asked.

“Hoo! I am at a loss for ideas as well.” Said Snowglobe Gorilla.

Jeff scoffed and said “The director already has an idea, don’t you? I can tell, being a former director and all.”

“Indeed I do, Jeff. It is a bit time sensitive but I trust that it’ll work.” Theo said.

Rhys walked into the office and caught everyone’s attention. He flicked his wrist as a rift opened.

“Well, I thought you were practically long gone, old man.” Said Jeff.

Tekashi looked at Theo and said “How?”

“It’s a special type of medication that I only had one of. It’ll only last for a few days but during that time, he is like his more youthful self.” Theo explained.

“You sly dog.” Shawn said.

“These magical marauders are going down for sure now!” Snowglobe Gorilla said.

“You are all dismissed for now. I’ll let you know when we are ready to move forward.” Theo said.

Later that evening, Cruz made his way to Calibre Sanctum and found Kim making dinner. He took off his costume as he smelled something delicious coming from the kitchen.

“Kim? What is that good smell?” Cruz asked.

“It’s my special chicken.” Kim said.

“Oh, yes! You’re the best sis!” Cruz said happily.

Kim laughed as they ate dinner and their bellies were stuffed.

Meanwhile…

Kate was sitting on the couch when Theo walked into the house and sat next to her.

“Hey, how was your day?” He asked.

“It was alright. I mean, I wish I was with you.” She said.

Theo sighed and said “I’m not sure you’d like it right now.”

“Why?” Asked Kate.

“We are still no closer to stopping these sorcerers and our only hope now is Rhys.” Theo said.

“If my brain wasn’t all screwy and I didn’t lose energy so quickly I’d be out there with you guys. I could be a great asset if I was still my younger self.” Kate said as tears began to well up in her eyes.

“Hey. You know we’ve already done our part as heroes. It’s up to the next generation now.” Said Theo as he held her.

“Yeah. You’re right.” She said.

“Wanna just chill her for tonight and snuggle?” He asked.

She smiled and said “Yeah. Love you.”

He smiled back and said “Love you too.”