THE MOMENT
The entrance vanished as soon as Dana Sharp entered the white room. The door she entered through disappeared and left only a smooth, glowing white wall behind; it was the same as every other surface in the room including the floor and ceiling. In the center of the room, a red-furred kitty stretched on its cat bed before laying down again with her eyes on Ms. Sharp.
"There's been an unexpected complication," Dana said. "It's more or less handled already; but, I still need you available just in case. Call it a generous precaution." The red cat, Janet, continued to stare at the woman without moving.
"In exchange, you'll earn your freedom again," Ms. Sharp made the offer and the cat blinked.
"What was the complication," the cat asked. She had a soft, feminine voice.
"Oren has returned," Ms. Sharp answered. Janet snickered and finally saw fit to stand up properly.
"Complication? Isn't that already a loss?"
"I did not arrange his return, and he did not come back using his own powers. Oren had outside help, which is beyond my control and therefore I did not forfeit the wager. That part of the situation is already dealt with and Ballisea has agreed to let it slide for now. Still, I don't know if Oren might try anything during the finals tomorrow, which is why I need you."
"I can't do anything to Oren with this form...," Janet replied.
"Your soul and magic will be returned to you; but, I'm not asking you to stop Oren. Tomorrow is just a formality. The winners have been decided and the next timeline is already planned out. I'll give you the new timeline to safeguard it until after tomorrow; no matter what happens in the finals, you will engage the new timeline on Saturday."
"Yes, I accept," Janet nodded. She would have agreed much earlier if Ms. Sharp mentioned returning her full abilities sooner. Janet had a lot of time to consider her punishment. She knew she deserved it, and aside from the punishment, she’d had a long history with Ms. Sharp. She would never refer to the woman as a ‘friend’; but, she knew shhe could count on Ms. Sharp’s word.
"Take this," Ms. Sharp knelt to offer the red cat a translucent red glass card. Janet put her paw on it and the card disintegrated.
"The first year of Toku-high again?" Janet asked. Ms. Sharp nodded, then turned to approach the wall. A red door appeared on the white wall, and it opened for her.
"An updated version," Ms. Sharp said as she motioned for Janet to follow her out of the room. "Chroma insisted that Minerva and Ruin be allowed to finish their wedding. And, since Chroma and Regal are going to win the Pineapple Cup, that's the prize she chose."
"Oh, okay," Janet nodded as she followed Ms. Sharp through a maze of narrow white hallways. "What did Regal want for winning?" she asked out of curiosity. Ms. Sharp giggled.
"Same thing he always wants. To be the principal at Toku-high."