Chapter Text
The fallout at Night Raven college was mixed. All those who went to Playful Land weren’t given consequences for skipping school as they had enough evidence from the police that due to Fellow’s Unique Magic, their actions weren’t entirely their own. So any punishments were left to the dorms themselves.
Riddle absolutely read the riot act to those who went. Collars (which, again, didn’t work on Judai), lectures, punishment detail, essays, the works. Trey, Cater, and Judai just accepted their punishment Ace, however, complained the whole time.
“We went through a traumatic experience!” Ace whined as they worked on feeding the flamingos, week one of five of their punishment, “Can’t he give us some slack!?”
“You were the only one who went with the intention of skipping school.” Trey pointed out, “The rest of us went to keep an eye on you.”
“And we could have tried leaving much earlier than we tried…” Cater sighed, “‘Could have realized something was wrong sooner.”
“It’s in the past…” Judai shrugged, “We’ll just deal with the consequences. Hopefully Riddle’s calmed down after a few days.”
“Hate to break it to you, but…” Yubel looked off into the distance, “He is watching us with binoculars to ensure we’re not slacking off…”
Ace let out a huge wail of despair.
………………………
“SHISHISHISHISHSISHISHISHISHISHI!!!!”
“STOP LAUGHING!!!!” Leona demanded.
“I can’t help it!!!” Ruggie was rolling on the floor laughing, “To think you of all people got tricked!!!!”
“It wasn’t ‘tricked,’ as you so put it…I was trying to get these two back!” Leona pointed to Yuma and Jack, who were sitting in a corner with signs around their necks. Both read, ‘I skipped school to go to a theme park that turned out to be a trap.’
“Then why did you stay?” Ruggie snickered.
“He’s got you there…” Jack pointed out.
“You shut up! Bad dogs don’t get speaking privileges!” Leona scolded him.
“But I’m not a dog…” Yuma spoke up.
Leona gave a harsh parental glare, Yuma wisely kept his mouth shut.
“Shame it turned out to be a sham…” Ruggie shook his head, “If it was legit, I would have sold those tickets for a huge markup…”
Leona groaned into his hands, “Of course you would…”
………………………
Azul stood tall, glaring over Jade and Floyd, who were trying their best to look innocent.
“What did I tell you the other day?” He asked the twins.
“That this was a fantastic opportunity.” Jade said.
“And we should check it out for ourselves.” Floyd added.
“He said this was too good to be true and there was bound to be a catch.” Yusei corrected them.
“Thank you, Yusei…and what exactly happened when you went?” Azul again asked the twins.
“We had a fantastic time.”
“And you wept over how much fun you didn’t have and the business opportunity you missed.”
“WRONG!” Azul smacked the twins with his cane, “You nearly got kidnapped and shipped off to Seven-knows-where!!!!!”
“Owwww….” Floyd rubbed his head, “Why aren’t you getting mad at Nudibranch?”
“Because, unlike you two…he knew exactly what he was getting into.” Azul scolded, “And his intention was to keep an eye on or retrieve you two. Unlike your complete disregard of all warning signs.”
“It was still worth it.” Jade said.
“That’s it…triple shifts for the both of you in the Monstro Lounge!” Azul declared, “We lost so much business over the panic regarding the disappearances and investigations, so you’ll be working hard to make up the lost profits!”
The twins groaned.
……………………………
“Here, Yuya! Have some more lamb rolls!” Kalim happily cheered.
“I’m fine…really, I am…” Even after being released from the hospital, Yuya was ordered to remain on bed rest to allow his energy and magic to return naturally. An order that Kalim and Jamil were determined to follow to the letter.
“He’s already had a big meal…” Jamil pointed out, “I’ll refill his water jug so that he remains hydrated. Remember, Yuya…do not try to go to the bathroom by yourself…”
“I only fell on my face one time!” Yuya protested, “It wasn’t that bad!”
“Regardless…you are in no shape to be left unattended for long periods of time…” Jamil countered, “Just ask for help next time…”
Yuya pouted, “Fine…”
“We’ll take good care of you, so you just get some rest.” Kalim reassured Yuya, “How about a movie marathon?”
Yuya smiled, “I’d like that.”
…………………………..
“I still can’t believe that all happened…” Epel said as Vil finished recounting his tale.
“It did happen…and I’m ashamed of myself for nor realizing how much of a charlatan Fellow was…” Vil sighed, “Perhaps we could have avoided the whole mess if I was more vigilant.”
“I think we all have that wish…” Yugi nodded in agreement, “I’ll just avoid theme parks for the rest of my life just to be safe.”
“Do not fret, Roi du Poison…” Rook was flipping through the pictures on Vil’s phone, “We have you back safe and sound. Though I have to say…you did look exquisite in your costume! Shame you were unable to keep it.”
“After nearly being turned into a wooden puppet, I would have burned that thing if the police didn’t confiscate it.” Vil admitted
“Oh, if only I was there….” Rook sighed, “To witness Vil’s transformation into a wooden doll…”
Epel shivered at Rook’s…bizzare…wish.
“Why does he want stuff like that?” Epel asked Vil.
“The true mystery for the ages…” Was the only thing Vil could say as a response.
……………………………
“Thank goodness we have backup bodies for you…” Idia said as he worked on remaking Ortho’s college gear.
Ortho pouted while residing in his standard gear, “Not my fault we couldn't figure out how to undo the transfiguration done on my original gear.”
“And it was confiscated as evidence…” Yusaku shook his head, “This whole thing turned out to be a big mess….”
“And add an Overblot on top of that…” Idia muttered, “Mom and Dad are going nuts over the data Ortho managed to collect. What Yuya-shi did has never happened before according to recorded history.”
“Don’t tell me that’s going to be your hyperfocus for next week…” Yusaku groaned.
“And miss out on my daily login rewards? I don’t think so.” Idia continued to work.
………………..
The air at Diasomnia was a bit…tense. Not helped by the series of scorch marks left by the lighting Mallues generated when he had heard that Lilia and Yuu had gone missing. It had taken the combined efforts of Silver and Sebek, the headmage, and a message from Malleus’ grandmother to prevent him from flying off and hunting down Playful Land himself and let the authorities do their work. Once everyone had been rescued, Mallues had entered an often joked about dragon habit…
“This is weird…” Grim admitted.
“Hey…we're surrounded by blankets and pillows with lots of snacks and drinks…can’t complain.” Yuu said.
“But…” Grim gave a side glance, “It’s Tsunataro who set the whole thing up…”
“Oh, don’t mind him…” Lilia said as he too was smothered in blankets and pillows, “He’s done this a few times when he was younger when he felt like I was gone for too long…nice to see I’m not the only one in the hoard anymore.”
“I’m glad you’re safe, Fa-Lilia…” Silver stumbled over his words, “When we heard Yusaku’s message…we feared the worst.”
“I SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE!!!!” Sebek wailed, “I HAVE FAILED IN MY DUTY!!!”
“Awwww, don’t worry Sebek…” Lilia reassured him, “I was the one who went without letting you know…”
“You know…if Tsunataro was with us…the whole thing would have ended in a minute…” Yuu pointed out.
Malleus bristled a bit, “This Fellow individual should consider himself lucky that our paths never crossed.”
“He might have ended up a stain on the pavement if he did…” Grim muttered, “Tsuno is scary when he’s mad….”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way…” Yuu smiled.
Malleus was just grateful that his found family was back together and safe once more…he would do anything to keep it that way.
…………………………
Juvenile court was considerably faster paced than its adult counterpart, mainly due to the fact that most of the cases plead out rather than go to trial.
Especially in the case for Gidel.
The judge gave him three years probation under supervision, a requirement to enroll in some form of school, and to remain in custody of a foster family until the age of 18. A considerably light sentence for his charges, but what counted in his favor was the fact that he was only the accomplice, and the main perpetrator also took a plea deal in exchange for the light sentence.
The judge banged his gavel to mark the end of proceedings as Gidel tried not to cry. The cat beastman had just lost the only life he knew and the only person he considered to be family. He wished Fellow didn’t give himself up like that…they could have made some sort of escape.
The officers began to lead Gidel away, no doubt a police transport to his new home.
“Excuse me, officers…a moment…”
They paused in their parade, and Gidel looked up in shock.
Fellow was there. True, he was in a prison jumpsuit and handcuffed flanked by several officers, but he was there.
“My client would like a few words with the defendant before they part ways….” A man with a briefcase, no doubt Fellow’s lawyer, spoke up.
The officers gave a curt nod, allowing Fellow to step forward.
“Well…I guess this is it…for now…” Fellow said with a sad smile, “Not how I pictured the two of us going out…But we sure stuck it to the big man. And you get a fresh start. I can’t believe I’m saying this but…do well in school. Don’t end up like me.”
Gidel felt tears pouring from his eyes.
“I don’t know if or when I’ll be getting out…but I would appreciate a visit when you can. Or a letter once you learn how to spell.” Fellow said with a smile as he was led away.
The officers continued to lead Gidel out. At least he got to say goodbye…for now.
…………………………
Captain Amara drank her fifth cup of coffee as she braced herself for another all nighter. Her techs were still compiling the information from Fellow’s interrogation, but the names he’d dropped were extremely concerning.
The owner of the operation supposedly was a billionaire CEO that operated in many countries, so they would need cooperation to issue an arrest warrant to prevent him from fleeing to a country where they didn’t have jurisdiction. But the list of the buyers was even more concerning.
Several high ranked politicians.
2 well known recording artists.
Several old money families.
And countless businesses that had accusations of human rights violations.
They were going to have to raid all of them at the same time to reduce the risk of one of them getting spooked and disappearing off the map…possibly along with their victims.
The victims…
Amara rubbed her eyes and looked at the missing persons list that had been compiled based on the dates and now-confirmed ports of call Playful Land had visited.
There were at least 248 victims.
The list had been shown to Fellow, who admitted that he didn’t remember everyone he’d lured into the park. He could only positively identify roughly 50 victims from the list.
The only miracle they had was that all the missing persons from Sage’s Island were recovered due to them locating Playful Land before the buyer boat docked. Had they been thirty minutes later, the story might have been different.
“Whatever it takes…” Amara muttered as she got back to work, “Whatever it takes, we’ll get everyone home…even if it’s the only case I work on for the rest of my career…we’re getting them home…”