Notes: This is set in the aftermath of SPM as told by Yelinna in her SPM comic The Ultimate Show. If you hadn't read it read it! But make sure you have plenty of time.

This is a prelude to Innocent Traitor

I look towards the hill past the tree which Dimentio pointed out to me. I realise now I have no real choice; a life in stasis here until my soul ages and dies if it does not die with my body that is, or to trust them.

The familiar feeling of fear and anxiety makes my insides form the iron walnut in my stomach, which has been sitting there for what seems like weeks. It even felt strange when it wasn't there, like when I awoke under that tree.

I don't know what to think. What would they gain by lying to me? But what would they gain by telling me the truth. Is my absolution that important? But when I saw Dimentio's eyes I saw a young boy who has enough knowledge and far too much ignorance, someone fearful of me, both of what he had done and of what I could do. I didn't have it in me to punch the youth in the face - too much like high school when too many times I was the youth on the recieving end of it.

Blumiere! Does this life-in-death pass for happiness? Was it really worth corrupting Dimentio and damn near destroying my life not to mention all the worlds! But I have to let it go now although it nags at me that even now Dimentio managed to use me as a tool for vengence against Blumiere! A taste of the pain and helplessness was enough and it is now done. I have lost my taste for vengence. I have no wish to carry on this sad tale of twisted grief and a lust for power.

And of Luvbi. I understand now. After all who isn't a jerk when they are a teenager but with Luvbi her entire existence was false. Her parents had lied to her but it was for the best of intentions. It seems that pure hearts are alive in that if you talk to them and play with them they respond - they can sense their surroundings and with a body, interact with them. So she became the adopted daughter of the Queen of Hell and the Lord of Olympus. I will never forget the look on Grambi's face for as long as I still live when Luvbi returned to her true form. I can understand her rudeness as she was also used even if by accident.

I walk up the hill, resisting the urge to look back. I know they are watching though, I do not need to look. The sun feels warm, its golden light slanting as the afternoon fades into evening. I can see the grass heads moving in the breeze and they feel real to the touch, lit by the golden sunlight

Then I come to a stop. The hill has no back just a sheer cliff. This is where they all said I should jump if I am ever to see my loved ones again. I look down and a wave of vertigo comes over me as the cliff is so tall the bottom is hidden by mist. But vertigo for me is not a fear of falling, more a compulsion as if the body forgets about consequences. But right now my body is not here, so I have nothing to lose in this place.

For once I keep my eyes open as I step out into the void with one foot and kick off with the other. For an instant I hang motionless but then I feel acceleration and the breeze start to pluck at my clothes and hair. The iron walnut melts away and I feel free. The view gets darker the further I descend and I feel I am turning from feet- to head-first. A final glimpse of the rapidly dwindling circle of light then blackness.

A timeless space then a sudden jolt and then peace, as if one has accomplished a difficult landing.

The sound of birds through an open window - bit early for swifts? Smells of cooking, cut flowers and pine needles. A feeling of weight in one's limbs. Left leg, right leg, then arms. A growing discomfort and a dull ache in them, particularly the arms. A feeling of gravity, of mass. Try to move them, they are heavy and they hurt.

A line of heart-stopping brilliance shocking to the core. Shut eyes then try again. Now can see shafts of morning sunlight with the shadows of trees on the walls. The lightshade on the ceiling, pale yellow like a flower shimmering in the brilliance of the sun. The sight of sunlit trees in leaf in the window against a blue sky with small clouds moving in the wind. The colours pulse and dance as if I have never seen them before.

A surge of anticipation (or anxiety?) grows within - could this be real? Nothing in that strange place where Blumiere and Tippi now exist was as vivid as this. I don't remember it hurting so much. I try lifting one arm - I feel resistance but I feel no strength in my movement.

Someone by my bed on the other side of the room who looks like he is drifting off to sleep. It comes to me who this is and who I am. Red shirt, red hat, curly dark moustache and bulbous nose - face is a bit thinner than when I last saw it.

Has he seen me yet? Must get his attention! This is real and not a dream, a dream could not be so intense - the light and colours overwhelm me and I close my eyes.

My Brother! I must tell him! My lips are heavy as is my tongue. I look straight at him-

"Mario?"

But it is no more than a croak.

He sits bolt upright and his eyes flick open. He doesn't say anything but I see tears in his eyes and he reaches over and embraces me. I feel his sobs and everything comes to the surface and I join him in weeping. I find the strength in my arms to embrace him.

Eventually he says something

"Weege"

his special name for me that no-one else knows.

I do not know how long for he holds me. I hear the door go a couple of times but no-one else comes in. I feel tired and note that it is dark outside the window then drift off to a sleep with no need for dreams.

I wake a little later and find he is still with me - he's taken off his footwear and is lying on the bed and holding me - face to face, knee to knee with our arms around each other's shoulders. I don't think we did that since we were little boys after something bad had happened. I smile and drift back off to sleep. Perhaps it will be alright and this is real, not a dream.