Chapter Text
Sampo has been enjoying his new life in Belobog. It has been what, 9 years now? Maybe longer? He wasn't exactly keeping track anymore because of the fun.
At this very moment he was running through the alleyways of Belobog, with a bag full of medicine under his arm. This was the life, maybe it would keep him entertained for another 10 years but he did not see himself leaving anytime soon.
He liked helping Miss Natasha out, for the right price of course.
Because of his Emanator status, he could easily use his power for what others could not.
He could get to the overworld and get the supplies the people of the underworld needed so desperately. He found being a hero on stage was not his thing, he would let Natasha do the doctor work and be the hero in the patients eyes. He helped from the sidelines and that was enough.
And as per his usual routine, he was chased down by the Silvermane Guards. More specifically, Captain Gepard Landau. Now he absolutely adored their cat and mouse games. Gepard could never catch him even on his best days. Not to discredit the man of course, but in a chase against an Emanator of Elation, well you can predict the outcome.
"Stop right there Koski!" Classic line.
Sampo turned around and ran backwards at the exact same speed.
"No can do Geppie! I would love to stay and play this game," He patted the bag that hang over his shoulders with a grin. "But this needs to go somewhere very important."
Luckily for him, a side alleyway was coming right up on his left. As he slipped into the alleyway, he had already planned an escape route for himself and the supplies.
By using the trashcans as a mini teleporter. He would drop the supplies in it and with a little Elation power they would end up at his base. Of course his would only occur if he wanted it to, wouldn't want his base to end up like a complete junkyard.
As stated he dropped the bag in the trashcan and with a pop it was gone, back to base. When he did so however, he noticed a quiet but noticeable sound of ringing bells in the distance.
A sound that no one else would notice unless you heard it before.
A feeling of dread washed over Sampo.
It couldn't be. Not THEM. Not here! If this was what he thought it was, he was beyond fucked.
In that moment of distraction, Gepard caught up to him. He stood at the beginning of the alleyway, reaching for his handcuffs. In any normal situation, Sampo would be cornered.
"In the name of the Supreme Guardian, you are hereby under arrest Sampo Koski!"
Sampo turned to him with genuine fear on his face. Gepard had to do a double take if he was seeing things correctly. "Geppie," He nervously chuckled "I highly suggest you turn around before you see something you don't want to see." Now the bells were accompanied by laughter.
The sound was getting louder that even Gepard seemed to hear it now. "Koski, what are you planning!" He looked up and down to find the source of the sound. It only became louder without a direction to pin point it to.
"Captain, I wish you didn't have to see what's about to happen."
Gepard raised his eyebrows slightly, Koski seemed genuinely scared, or rather remorseful of something. Of the noise? Was it a trap he triggered on accident?
Sampo closed his eyes with a deep breath. He still held that face that screamed 'I know what's going to happen and it's not fun'.
Gepard lowered the handcuffs in confusion. "Sampo what in Qipl-"
Pop goes the weasel~
With a loud bang, Sampo Koski exploded into a thousand pieces of confetti on the spot. Pieces floating down slowing until they hit the ground, nothing left of the man just standing there.
"Koski?!" Gepard stumbled back in pure horror, falling backwards onto the concrete.
The first thing Sampo did when he came to was take in a very deep breath. The air filling his lungs felt sweet, like he was inhaling a cotton candy cloud with his lungs without choking. Okay maybe not the best description but hey it gave you an example right?
Next he opened his eyes.
Classic, he was floating in a void.
He coughed. "A notice in advance would've been real nice you know." A hint of annoyance was found in his voice. He knew damn well who summoned him here.
A giant mask faded into vision before him. A very familiar red mask. "Hehe, we did give notice. Were the bells and laughter not enough?"
"Nevermind that." Sampo muttered before regaining composure. Putting on his best costumer service performance. "What can Sampo Koski help you with today?" He bowed a little as well.
His heartbeat was in his throat. The only time Sampo actually came in contact with Aha was many many years ago, and he didn't even realize it at the time.
The empty black eye holes were staring into his soul. "We are really enjoying your performance Sampo! The con man persona? The Robin Hoot of the underworld! Brilliant!"
He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. With a cough he clapped his hands together, turning the attention back to him. "Ah you are too kind! However I believe that is not all you have to say to me?"
The mask shifted. It turned smaller. The confetti, toys and other masks now became visible to him. "Guess! Guess! Guess!" The main mask giggled.
Sampo chuckled back. "You want to give me a raise?" The masked laughed louder at his response.
"No silly!" A pile of paper popped up infront of him. Floating there until he took it. "We got a script made especially for you!"
Sampo raised his eyebrows as even he couldn't deny his own curiosity. He flipped the first page and read the title. "In The Withering Wintry Night?" He said out loud. "What is this?"
"That's only act one! It's getting real good at act two! You can read it when you're back on that planet." Oh thank Aha, literally, THEY actually planned on letting him go back.
The mask drifted real close to his face. The nose of the mask basically touched his own nose, It made him uncomfortable. He could only look into the black void behind those eye holes as Aha continued, without THEIR joyful tone.
"You are going to bring the Astral Express to Jarilo-VI. Akivili's journey is starting anew soon."
Oh Akivili, yes that Akivili.
The Akivili that's supposed to be dead?!
Had Aha lost it? Oh who was he kidding, THEY lost it at the moment of their ascension.
Aha giggled again. "We know your mask is currently not on the planet but we will give you enough power to change the course that day."
Sampo could actually breathe again as the mask floated backwards. He really felt like he was walking on eggshells here, and he is currently floating mind you.
"Say, hypothetically of course," He unnervingly smiled. "what if I were to refuse?"
The masks mouth turned around to resemble a sad face. "Then you shall die along with the rest of the ice planet in a year time." THEIR voice ice old.
Now that made Sampo drop his facade.
He always knew the Stellaron was on the planet, he did his research. He knew he wouldn't be able to be there forever. He had hoped for a few more years before he eventually had to return to his Joker persona in Epsilon.
Jarilo-VI had grown on him, after so many years how could it not. If it was as boring as Sparkle suggested he would've left ages ago.
He wanted more time in Belobog.
And he could get it.
He cleared his throat. "Well it would be rude of me to refuse such a direct request. I shall read and memorize the script, and play accordingly." He elegantly bowed.
The masks mouth spinned around again to a wicked smile. "If you play your role perfectly like you have done so far, we shall give you a special reward."
"Wha-"
With that Sampo plunged into the darkness once more.
With a loud gasp he woke up. He was laying on something soft. With a grunt, he sat up straight and took a look around. Back at the base and in his bed, and not in a thousand pieces from what he could gather.
Sampo stood up quickly and made his way to the next room. He needed to see if the supplies were intact or Natasha might have his head by noon.
To his relief, the supplies he send away earlier lay neatly on the table in his kitchen.
Along with a stack of papers.
And as he was suspecting upon closer look, it was the script Aha gave him in that void.
A sticky note was placed ontop that read: 'We took care of that guard, it's not fun if he's traumatized before the big show has even begun!'
Well that takes care of that, but he would definitely be checking in on Gepard later today. Just in case of course.
With a heavy sigh he sat down at the table, his hands went through his hair. One year. If he did not comply to this, everyone on this planet would have one year left.
It made him think. He could just leave.
He paused.
The supplies he got for Natasha time and time again because the overworld abandoned the people.
A future that was taken away from the people of the underworld.
A planet that had been frozen for over 700 years.
And he could change it.
The Elation had to power to change the course of fate, of the original script.
The solution was resting in his hands.
All this planet needed was a nudge in the right direction.
He realized Jarilo-VI meant more to him than he was willing to admit. Sure he was disliked by nearly everyone. Untrustworthy? Sure. But he was willing to fight for the safety of everyone here, even if it went under appreciated. That was the role he wanted.
Sampo let out an amusing chuckle.
"Fine Aha, I'll play along." As he opened the script and started reading act 1.