Chapter Text
“You’re harboring the biggest threat our world has ever known in your village and you didn’t think that any of us should know about it?” The time had come for all the mayors of the Creator’s Alliance to meet again. Mari had created the alliance only a decade prior, including Watersong, Lavasteam, and Galactic Jungle, alongside her homeland, Rapoville.
“Miles, I don’t know what else I can say! Wilfre changed, and there are multiple people I can call as witnesses to back me up on that!” Recently, the news that Wilfre had returned spread around to the villages, and most of the mayors were upset that Mari had not informed them.
“Mari, I appreciate that you did what you thought was right, but you should’ve told us first, and we could’ve decided on what to do as a group. Just because he’s reformed doesn’t change the fact that he’s a criminal and needs to be punished for his actions.” Kamalah had been elected as the mayor of Galactic Jungle when Click gave up his position. She was considered one of the most revolutionary minds at the table, as she completely reformed the government of the D.O.T.R.O.T.P.O.T.U.S.F. and was one of the smartest inventors of her time.
“Mari, listen. We all understand that Wilfre is your citizen now, and you feel a duty to protect him, but you can’t do this again. If Aldark were to get to our realm, reformed, we have no reason to believe that you wouldn’t harbor him too, and that would be worse than harboring Wilfre!” After Eeny and Meeny both refused to return to the Lavasteam throne, Miney declared that Russet would take over his position. Russet had worked closely with the royal family as they grew up, and worked alongside Key as an engineer, helping them effectively run the industrial village.
“Monkey King not understand Uk! Mari have criminal but not punish Uk?”
“Yes, you nitwit! Although frankly I wouldn’t call Wilfre a criminal. It was the Shadow that made him act up.” The reigning Monkey King and the new head of the Ink Factory, Metis, were new additions to the alliance, only being sworn in at the previous meeting. They were both new to diplomacy, but Mari figured that with more voices in their meetings, they would come to better decisions for their entire realm.
“Guys, I’m sorry about not telling you about this, but I still think you’re all overreacting a bit. He doesn’t have any shadow powers anymore - they were banished to Mike’s realm, remember?”
“He may not have shadow powers, but he does have color powers! Don’t forget that all of us at the Wasteland saw his fight too. My son may not be a villain anymore, but he is still a threat!” Mari had been reluctant to allow the ghosts at The Wasteland on the council, but eventually Steven had convinced her to let them call into each meeting using Nyoom, a video conference service Kamalah had created. Steven had relatively good ideas as mayor of The Wasteland, which had boosted Mari’s confidence in their village.
“My mother died because of Wilfre’s influence,” Miles said. “Lavasteam was almost reduced to rubble, Galactic Jungle was turned into a military state, and that’s not to mention all the terrible things he did to Rapoville. I frankly don’t understand why you won’t even consider punishing him.”
“He has to be locked away Mari. I’m sorry but it’s the only way the rest of us will feel safe,” Russet added. “Make sure you don’t keep him with that earring either. I don’t want him breaking out and causing a third apocalypse.”
“I’m sorry but no. Look, Wilfre was a valuable asset in the fight against Aldark, and he’s been helping us recover around the village. He does an absurd amount of community service, and those who were here before he vandalized the Book of Life tell me that he’s back to his normal self.”
“Mari, do you even know where Aldark is?” Metis asked. “Last we heard, he disappeared after fighting the Hero, vowed to come back, and then never did.”
“I have nothing to report about Aldark.” As the group continued to argue with Mari, Miles decided to consult with his father and advisor, Meeny. Per the rules the alliance had agreed on, one deputy mayor or advisor was allowed into the meeting room, but not allowed to speak up unless called by their leader.
“Dad, this is getting out of hand. I think it’s time to play the atomic card.”
“Miles, I hope you know what you’re getting into with this. If we leave the alliance, not only will that cut down our imports from Rapoville, it also means we won’t be able to rejoin for at least another year.”
“I know, but don’t worry about trade. We have independent treaties with most of the people at this table.”
“Alright then. Good luck, Mr. Mayor Miles Rose,” Meeny joked. The two of them giggled as Miles turned back around to face the table and rejoined the conversation.
“If you can’t pinpoint the remaining Shadow, punish the criminal you’re harboring, or promise that you’ll remove his powers, then what can we expect you to do?” Russet asked angrily.
“Russet, I understand your frustration, but you have to understand that this is bigger than just the alliance. Wilfre needs to stay just how he is.”
“You keep saying that but you refuse to tell us why!”
“Because the Creator told me to!” The room went silent. Although the group was called the Creator’s Alliance, the group had promised to never use the Creator as reasoning for a decision. Russet and Miles locked eyes, and they both knew what the other was about to do.
“Mari, I would like to formally announce Lavasteam’s withdrawal from the Creator’s Alliance, effective immediately.”
“Russet please. I know this goes against what we established but this is larger than us! This is about Mike and his realm as well!” Miles sighed, trying his best to ignore the genuine sorrow in Mari’s face and voice.
“Mari, I would like to formally announce Watersong’s withdrawal from the Creator’s Alliance, effective immediately.”
“As advisor to Mayor Rose, I would like to certify Watersong’s withdrawal.”
“Miles, Meeny, please. We need both of your villages here with us!” Ignoring her pleas, Russet continued with formalities, reading off the page in front of him.
“I, King Russet, Ninth King of the Independent Village of Lavasteam, hereby remove myself from the duties obligated of members of the Creator’s Alliance.” Mari’s mouth hung open, stuttering at Russet, silently begging him to not leave the room.
“I, Mayor Miles Rose,” Miles began as Russet gathered his belongings and stepped through the World Gate built into the courtroom.
“And I, Advisor Meeny,”
“Hereby remove myself from the duties obligated of members of the Creator’s Alliance.” Miles and Meeny began to collect their belongings and stepped through the World Gate, when Miles turned around to face the courtroom. “I’m sorry Mari, but I can’t stay here in good faith. Kamalah, I would also like to meet with you in your lab after you finish this meeting.” Miles turned back around and walked through the World Gate, appearing back home in Watersong.
“It was a tough call, but you did the right thing,” Meeny said, resting his hand on Miles’ shoulder.
“I hope so.” The two walked from the World Gate back to Miles’ Mansion in silence. Suddenly, a thought crossed Meeny’s mind.
“Hey son, I’ve always wondered, where did that World Gate come from? If memory serves me right, it wasn’t here when I first showed up.” Miles lit up with excitement. Although he rarely showed it, Miles had a deep curiosity in the magic of his realm.
“Well, it all started when I was in Rapoville on business and read this book by an old scholar named Bavel. It talked all about the magic of World Gates and the ability to travel to another realm!” Miles babbled on and on about transportation magic until the two of them arrived at the mansion, Meeny eagerly listening the whole time.
“That was a wonderful story Miles, but it didn’t answer my question at all.”
“Oh, uh, sorry. I helped set up the World Gates with Mari when the Alliance was first formed. Now there’s one in every village that didn’t have one already.” Meeny laughed and sat down in his rocker, facing over the balcony and into the city.
“Thank you, Miles. Now if I were you, I would probably announce to the people that we’re no longer a part of the Alliance. Then don’t forget your meeting with Kamalah!”
“What would I ever do without you?”
“Buy a planner probably!” The two of them laughed as Miles left to go tell his people what had happened.
“Love you dad!”
“Love you too!” Meeny smiled as Miles disappeared from view. He sighed and leaned back in his chair, wincing in pain as he lifted up his shirt to look at the inflamed spider veins on his stomach. They were right above his lungs, the exact same location they were on his late wife, Mayor Rose.
15 years ago
“Meeny, Butler, it’s getting worse.” Rose lifted up her shirt to expose her scar to her husband and her Butler. “This has never happened to any mayor before, what is this going to do to me?”
“Well, as much as I hate to say it, this will probably kill you,” Butler stated as Meeny looked on with concern. “This is likely the result of what happened during Wilfre’s visit, so Meeny, I wouldn’t be surprised if this ends up affecting you as well.”
“Me? Why would this affect me?” Meeny asked, jumping up and rushing to Butler’s side. Butler locked eyes with Rose who hung her head.
“You haven’t told him yet?”
“I’m sorry Meeny. I should’ve let you know sooner, but I didn’t know what this was and I didn’t want to worry you!”
“Let me know what sooner? Rose, if this is related to your powers, then why would it affect me?” Butler guided Meeny back to his bed and sat down next to him.
“When you and Rose got married, do you remember when you kissed her?”
“Of course I do, it was one of the best moments in my life.”
“Well, as a part of all marriages, that kiss bonds your magic pools together. Now, normally this is just something done for show, but since Rose has special powers, you technically have those powers too.”
“So, because I married Rose, and because this is a disease related to her magic, I have it too?”
“I’m afraid so.” Meeny held his face in his hands as Rose sat down on the other side of her husband. She began to rub his back when he asked her a question.
“Is there any way we can undo the bond?” Rose recoiled at his question and took a sharp breath.
“The only way to do that would be a divorce, but not only would that ruin your relationship and destroy your love, it wouldn’t change the fact that you’ve already been exposed to the disease. I’m sorry you two, but I’m afraid this will be the death of both of you.”
Present Day
Kamalah walked through her World Gate and appeared in her lab. After the meeting, only four villages remained in the Creator’s Alliance, as Metis had withdrawn Shadow City only moments after Miles had left. Kamalah sighed as she flipped on the lights, revealing her many half-completed and half-baked inventions. She nudged her incomplete time machine out of the way and sat down, noticing that Miles had just arrived at her door.
“Come on in, it’s open!” she yelled into the hallway. Miles stepped into the room and walked over to her desk. “Oh hey, for the record, what you pulled back there was not okay. Mari was in shambles after the three of you walked out.”
“She should’ve told us earlier.”
“I agree, but I’m not going to get into this debate again. What did you need to talk about?”
“How good are you with diseases?” Kamalah turned around in her chair.
“That depends, do you need to create a disease or cure a disease?”
“Cure.” She turned back around and opened a drawer that was in front of her.
“I already have cures for all sorts of physical diseases ready to go, but I assume you’re here about your dad, right?” Miles looked up in shock.
“How did you know?”
“Word about your mom got around, so I assumed the same thing was happening to your dad. Lucky for you, I’m working on a cure right now.”
“Kamalah, I can’t express how grateful I am to hear that.”
“Well, don’t get your hopes up yet. This is a magic based disease, and it involves not only bond-related transmission, but also a gift from the Creator. It’s possible that this can’t be cured at all.”
“We don’t know that yet.”
“But we can hypothesize. I promise you Miles, I’ll do everything in my power to make this work out.”
“Thank you Kamalah.” She stood up and put both her hands on Miles’ shoulders.
“Of course. Now get out of here before you make a bigger mess of the Alliance.” Kamalah joked.
“Ha ha, very funny. You’re lucky I have other stuff to get done today.” The two waved goodbye and Miles left the Galactic Jungle, returning home.
Volcanic Core
The lava was quiet. No one had been inside the cavern in 35 years, not since Key tried to salvage parts from his Giant Robosa. Not even wind filled the cavern anymore, as the entrance had been covered with rocks years ago. As the silence echoed throughout the cave system, a single, furless hand shot out of the lava. It grabbed onto a rock platform nearby as their hair began to grow back, shining a brilliant rust color. The Raposa clawed themselves out of the lava with scraps of battery connectors piercing their skin from almost every angle. The rust furred Raposa began to pull each connector out of her body, the pain almost being too much for her to bear. Just as quickly as the wounds were opened, they were closed and completely healed. The now completely healed Raposa looked around the cave and found the exit, so she began to walk towards it. As she neared the cascade of rocks covering the hole, she felt a surge of heat rush through her veins and into her hand. She extended her arm towards the rocks and blasted a stream of lava at them, freeing her from the prison she had been trapped in.
“Alright Salem you son of a bitch. I’m coming for you, and I’m gonna show you why you never mess with Robigo fucking Towe.”