Later, Ron and Ava returned home. Ron's eyes found hers. She looked hesitant, like she had a question she wasn't sure she should ask.
"Ask me anything," he said softly.
A beat of silence. Then Ava's voice, small but insistent:
"Your powers."
Ron exhaled slowly. "I… I don't know exactly where they came from. Someone helped me learn them. The skill I used back there—it was the first time I ever tried it." A curious expression on Ron's face.
"Who helped you?" Ava pressed, leaning closer.
"A man named Dr. Thomas," Ron replied.
Ava froze. Her eyes widened. "Dr. Thomas… I've heard that name."
"Where?" he asked, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
"Carter mentioned it on the phone. Do you know him?" Ava said.
Ron nodded. "He's Dream's father… my father-in-law."
Her breath hitched slightly. "Dream… she also had powers?"
Ron's gaze softened, almost distant. "Much stronger than mine."
Ava stared at him, the surprise clear on her face. For a moment, no one spoke.
Finally, Ron broke the silence. "It's late. You should get some rest."
"You're going somewhere?" Ava asked, her tone cautious.
He reached out and patted her head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Just a walk outside… clear my head."
"You could… sleep in my room, if you want," Ron offered quietly.
Ron froze, realizing the implication. "No, I… I didn't mean—" He sighed, frustrated with himself.
Ava looked down, a faint tension in her shoulders.
"I just meant… if your room isn't comfortable. I didn't mean anything wrong. I'm… sorry."
Without another word, he turned and stepped outside.
Ava exhaled sharply, relief washing over her as the quiet of the room settled around her.
Ron stepped outside.
Why did I say that? he wondered.
He looked up at the sky. The moon was red.
"Why is the moon red?" Ron muttered.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated in his pocket. A message notification flashed across the screen—it was from Jake Jacobs.
Ron opened it.
I'm in Hero Town. Whenever you're free, come visit me. I'll send you the location.
Ron typed back:
Can I come now?
The reply came instantly.
Yes.
Jake Jacobs replied:
"Come to Dragon's Stay Hotel. I'm in the penthouse between number 49 and 51."
Ron teleported the very next second.
A towering building loomed before him. Its glass walls reflected the night like a blade. He walked inside. At the reception, three figures stood silently, watching him pass.
Ron stepped into the elevator and headed straight to Jake's room.
He knocked.
The door opened.
Jake Jacobs stood there.
They sat and talked for a long time.
Finally, Jake broke the silence.
"The purple dot… it's reacting to your blood."
Ron looked up.
"You remember the fight with Dracula," Jake continued. "Your blood acted as a cure. That's why I thought of the magnifying glass—you were the one using it. My butler suggested we test it."
Jake exhaled slowly.
"When I did… the reaction was stronger than anything we expected. The lightning intensified. Every piece of equipment in the room was destroyed just by the presence of that purple dot."
Ron stood up.
"I'll take care of it," he said, clearly exhausted by everything.
[Your Supporter "???" is looking at you with a curious smile.]
Ron ignored the message.
"Ron, you don't have to—" Jake started.
"The magnifying glass is mine," Ron interrupted. "And whatever it caused in your base… I'll handle it."
Before Jake could say another word, Ron vanished.
He reappeared directly in front of the Purple Dot.
It pulsed violently, warping the air around it.
Ron stepped forward and extended his finger.
The moment he touched it—
His heartbeat thundered in his ears.
Every sound vanished.
The world disappeared.
All that remained… was him.
Then pain surged.
He felt every drop of blood racing through his veins, screaming through his body all at once.
Ron screamed—
—and opened his eyes.
He was lying in a garden.
"…Where am I?"
He slowly stood up and looked around.
Hero Town?
"It was night just now…" he muttered.
Confused, Ron walked into a nearby café and ordered tea. His head felt heavy, his thoughts blurred.
He lifted the cup and gazed out the window.
Then his eyes widened.
Someone familiar stood outside.
Someone too familiar.
"…Dream?"
She was there.
And her belly was rounded.
Ron's breath caught in his throat.
He turned his gaze to the television mounted on the café wall.
The date and time flashed on the screen.
His face went pale.
"No… that's impossible."
His voice trembled.
"…I came to the past?"