Another thing I can't avoid anymore: Declaration of Interdependence signing scenes. It...went places.


The Chief Consul's Diary

By Bilbo-sama

Entry 26 - Burying the Hatchet


Day 317/February 2, 20XX

Captain Buck: Chancellor Vermine is currently under arrest for conspiracy and treason against the Crown. He will face trial when he recovers.

Xander: 'When he recovers?' What happened?

Captain Buck: According to eyewitnesses, he was betrayed by his co-conspirator who used magic to disable him after attempting to interfere with negotiations between King Mausinger and King Evan.

Gene: ...They were doing what now?

Tabbias: sklsrhdjk WHAT


The two Kings had agreed to wait on signing the Declaration of Interdependence. Leonhard's final message had emotionally drained them.

Surprisingly, Mausinger allowed Evan to hold on to the Mark of Kings and also offered to host the Evermore delegation in the castle. Evan's room has been left untouched except for resetting the trap door after Roland's escape a couple of weeks prior.

The room Roland had stayed in prior turned out to be located close to the barracks. Fitting for a man who suspiciously betrayed a nation he had helped build. If he had tried anything before the 'test,' he would've been captured quickly and used as target practice.

"...That's fair," shrugged Roland as he was lead to a suite reserved for ambassadors.

Maids lead by Ratja descended upon Evan the moment they heard he was planning to stay until the Declaration was signed.

"Goodness, you've grown," said one holding a measuring tape.

"Um, yes," agreed Evan as he tried to inch away.

"We had an outfit ready for your coronation months ago," said another maid, a young mouse girl, "shame you never got to wear it."

Evan blinked, "You did?"

"Of course, King Evan," confirmed Ratja, "we saved it in case you came back."

"O-oh."

"Melinda," said the maid with the measuring tape to another maid, "track down that pirate girl. She's not getting out of this either."


To Melinda's surprise (and relief), the pirate child turned out to have a dress stored in her arms band 'just in case.' Its work suspiciously reminded her of Lady Penelope and she told the girl so.

"Oh yeah, I made it with her months ago. Finally, a chance to wear this thing other than to break laws in."

"W-what?"


[Private message from Jared to Batu]

Jared: Mr. Batu, sir! There's rumors of you guys staying in Dell until the Declaration is signed.

Batu: Aye, it's true.

Jared: Sounds like the perfect time to try out this stupid fancy court outfit some of the guys and I made for you.

Batu: Ye what now


"Are people trying to make a fancy outfit for you too?" asked Bracken as she watched Leander carefully climb into the crate next to her.

"Indeed," confirmed Leander.

"I mean, you look fancy enough already. Why change it?"

"...Thank you."

"And you have magic, right?" Bracken pointed out, "You can just change your clothes in an instant."

Leander peered into Bracken's crate, "Are you asking me to use magic to create a ball gown for you?"

"...Maybe. Well, not a ball gown. You can't work on stuff in that."


"Ah, Mr. Crane." Roland did a double take as a mouse soldier dressed in armor similar to the Black Knight approached him. Yet his armor was more polished and his voice less sinister. He was also holding a pair of white boots and a bag of cloth. "Just the man I was looking for."

"You were looking for me?" asked Roland.

"Indeed, sir," confirmed the mouse, "there's talk about fancying up the signing ceremony to make it more...official."

"Official," parroted Roland as he raised an eyebrow.

"As in making this an event for the ages. One that everyone would be talking about for years to come."

"Is this a warning?" Hmmm...would his suit do? Or the robes from Goldpaw...?

"Not...exactly..." the soldier looked down at the boots, "Er, well...yes. Some of us have noticed you seem to wear that coat all the time. I understand you must miss Ding Dong Dell a lot but there are limits to what you can get away with. So we went and tracked down some materials and in a day or so we'll have something ready for you."

"Er...thank you...er..."

"It's Grimm, sir. And you're welcome," satisfied, Grimm continued on his way. He internally debated whether or not he should tell the man that he also meant it as a way to redeem himself for his role in the coup. But...that isn't enough, isn't it? No, it's best to leave the kingdom and look for...a challenge. Until then, he'll have to make do by helping Fred work up the nerve to actually do something about his crush.


"Is this really needed?" asked Mausinger as a small army of seamstresses and outfitters descended upon him.

"But sire, we need you to make an impression," said one mouse, "we've heard that servants still loyal to the House of Tildrum already have made a magnificent outfit for King Evan. It'll make you look drab!"

"But we're just signing a treaty!"

"But this treaty will have historic significance to your reign, Your Majesty."

Mausinger sighed, "Alright, just...don't overdue it."


[Private message from Chingis to Batu]

Chingis: Hey chief, can ye pass this on to Evan?

Batu: What is it?

Chingis: It's from Tyran. He claims he's been thrown out by his men and he's currently living near the Forest of Niall.

Batu: Ye do realize what's goin' to happen if I tell the lad, right?

Batu: But then again, he must be itchin' fer an escape...

Chingis: Ye've been captured?

Batu: Nay but we're bein' swarmed by dressmakers over here.

Chingis: ...That explains the questions that Broadleaf landlubber's been asking.


Day 318/February 3, 20XX

"Evan, lad," said Batu as he spotted the young king peeking around a corner. The lad jumped, startled.

"Oh, Batu!" said the boy nervously, "Is there something you need?"

"Tyran is askin' fer ye. He's giving up on takin' Evermore," Batu declared.

"That is good news," Evan was relieved by this. Now he has less things to worry about.

"He's also been overthrown and he's hidin' in a cave near Niall's woods."

"That's terrible!" yelped Evan just as Batu predicted, "We should go help him!"

He quickly looked around to see if he accidentally attracted attention. The dressmakers have been relentless about the whole thing.

"See if you can gather up the others," Evan ordered, "I'll try to gain audience with Mausinger about this errand. Good luck."

"We're really goin' to do this, lad?" Batu sighed, "After all that trouble?"

"Of course! He...he has no one now." His tail and ears drooped as he frowned. Batu sighed at the obvious guilt trip tactic.

"He wasn't exactly friendly with us in the past, lad," Batu pointed out.

"I know," Evan admitted, "but...I can't help but get the feeling he doesn't dislike us as much as he pretends to claim."

Ah hell, he's not going to win this argument, isn't he? Batu pinched the bridge of his nose in resignation.

"Alright. It's your funeral, lad, if he betrays us all in our sleep."

"I understand."


Tracking down Tani and Roland was easy. What wasn't easy was finding out where Bracken and Leander squirreled themselves away. Luckily Roland had the presence of mind to send a private message through Leafbook to Bracken, who he assumed would definitely answer immediately.

The five of them met up in Roland's previous room.

"Alright," started Bracken, "we're all here except Evan. What's going on?"

"Tyran," said Batu simply.

"Again?" Bracken ran her fingers through her hair, "Didn't we beat him up a month ago?"

"His men staged a coup and kicked him out. Evan wants to try to help him," explained Batu.

"I'm not surprised," sighed Leander, "that His Majesty would seek out someone who attempted him harm in the past."

"Not all of us can go with him," Roland pointed out, "Some of us will have to stay here."

"I'll go," said Bracken suddenly, "No offense but fancy dresses don't suit me and I don't want to spend hours getting fitted into one."

"Understandable," Roland nodded.

"I'll go too," decided Leander, "who else is coming?"

"I already have something picked out," Tani revealed, "I'll go."

"I have a fitting in an hour," sighed Roland, resigned, "and I doubt I can sneak my way out this time."

"I suppose you'll need back up, lad," Batu realized.

"Two out of four officials remaining in Ding Dong Dell," mused Leander.

"That does sound suspicious, doesn't it?" said Bracken, "but what can you do?"


Unfortunately, all attempts to leave the castle failed. The moment the group finalized their decision, a group of outfitters burst into the room. Bracken quickly grabbed onto Leander the moment she noticed he started to glow with an activated teleportation spell. They wouldn't be seen again until two days later.

Evan also wasn't lucky. He was halfway to Mausinger's quarters when Gregory stopped him, unaware of Melinda and Ratja's nearby presence. The mage watched, bemused, as the maids dragged him away.

"...I wonder what that was about," said Gregory.


Day 320/February 5, 20XX

At last the day had arrived. It was time to complete Evan's goal.

They all met in the throne room once more. Evan was dressed in a dark blue tunic that had a purple and teal pattern on the front, a darker red cape that had a brooch shaped like a cat's paw holding it together, and teal calf-length pants. A circlet with Evermore's crest rested on his head. He approached Mausinger and lightly bowed.

"King Mausinger," he initiated, "I humbly propose that a pact be made between our realms. Will you sign the Declaration of Interdependence?"

Mausinger, meanwhile had put his foot down during the downtime and demanded a less intricate outfit than the more...extravagant ideas the outfitters had been drawing up. He managed to get away with dark green robes of fine silk that had Dellian mouse script on the front lining that, if translated, said 'unity and prosperity for all.' A crown with a mouse shaped foot print adorned his head.

He too bowed, "I accept your proposal. Our kingdoms shall stand as one and so shall it be."

"It would be what Leonhard had wanted," he added softly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Let us work together to make a brighter world," replied Evan.

"Are they winging it?" whispered a noble.

"Who knows," replied another, "now shush."

"...You have come far, King Evan of the House of Tildrum," Mausinger was saying, "Ding Dong Dell will gladly stand beside Evermore. The enmity of generations will no longer stand in our way."

The scroll containing the Declaration of Interdependence materialized from Evan's arms band. It instantly flew upwards until it hovered between them. It unraveled itself until it revealed the full details of the document which was text stating the treaty's terms and encircled emblems resembling the Kingmakers of Evermore, Goldpaw, Hydropolis, and Broadleaf adorning the Declaration. One circle remained empty. It was awaiting for Ding Dong Dell to sign.

Mausinger summoned his unlit sword and watched as Evan retrieved an old stick that was adorned with runes not seen in centuries. Mausinger raised an eyebrow at him and the boy smiled sheepishly. He wondered how much convincing was needed for Evermore's prideful Kingmaker to accept an ancient wand.

Evan started first. He raised the wand and said loudly, "Let our nations be joined, for the sake of the world."

Mausinger followed suit and raised his sword, surprised to find the words instantly coming to him, "Let the banner of war ne'er again be unfurled."

They clashed the symbols of their kingdoms together in front of the scroll as it glowed in response of the ritual, "United we stand, as one single land!" The wheel containing emblems of the Five Kingdoms moved counterclockwise until one resembling Oakenhart joined them. The wheel spun until it returned to its original position. It stayed like that for a few moments until the Scroll furled and slowly hovered to Evan, who caught it and stored it into his arms band.

"It is done," said Evan, "the world stands united."

He achieved what no one thought was possible.


[Later on Leafbook]

Gene: Is it true? Are we allied with Ding Dong Dell now?

Xander: What a weird dream I'm having.

Yu Sei: All five Kingdoms have been united in about nine months. What an achievement for King Evan.

Merv: I wonder what's next on his to-do list...

Trey: Wow, have you guys seen the pictures coming out? Everyone looks great. Even the guards look shiny.

Tabbias: To be honest, I'm not sure why Lord Summerlands included that neck cone thing. That's been out of style for ages.

Gene: Tradition, most likely.

[Meanwhile]

Fred: YOU GUYS CHECK THIS OUT.

Fred: (Picture of Roland in the Chief Consul Coat)

Di Di: Oh my gods, he looks amazing.

Fred: I know, right? Some of my fellow guards helped our captain make it for him.

Bracken: I was wondering where he got that. I thought he was going for the jacket and pants thing.

Fred: I know he's kinda married but...I want to talk to him.

Tiffany: !

Bracken: Want me to run interference?

Linda: You can do it Fred!

Arty: We believe in you!

Fred: HERE I GO

[15 minutes later]

Arty: How did it go?

Fred: AAAAAAAAA-

Bracken: He complimented Roland's hair and fled.

Fred: HE'S TOO HANDSOME IN PERSON. I WANNA DIE.

Ah Chu: Please don't. It'll make things awkward.

Fred: Okay...


[Meanwhile]

Doloran laughed in triumph as he held the orb containing the final Kingsbond he needed to release the Horned One.

"At last, after all these years," he said giddily, "I can finally set you free, my love."

He was aware that a holiday celebrating love which Roland's nation observed was approaching in less than a fortnight. He could release her on that day. Make it symbolic, even if Roland is the only one who gets it. What's nine more days in the face of two thousand years of loneliness?

Doloran needed Roland to understand. They were similar. They'll do anything to see their loved ones happy. To see their nation rise once more. Doloran never lost sight of his goal, like Roland has. He'd never use substitutions for the real thing.

"Soon, Alisandra, we shall see Allegoria rise once more..."


The outfit Evan's wearing at the ceremony is similar to the one he wears in one scene during the ending. I just changed the color and pattern of the shorts because the original shorts just clashed with the whole thing.

This was originally going to be a simpler chapter but then I really wanted to include the post game outfits but I kinda ignored the dream doors so...let's just ignore the quest requirements shall we? For reference look up quests 171-175 to see the results of going through the 10th dream door a bajillion times.

Tani gets to wear the dress she last wore in Hydropolis because it was made for fancy formal events such as the one covered here. No Queen's Gown for her considering she's like 10, Batu would kill everyone in the room and then himself if you ever suggest her getting married in his presence, and she and Evan never really did anything ship-tastic during the game anyway so I'm pretty neutral on the ship side of things. Give them 5-10 years and maybe they'll consider each other. Just let them be kids for now. :|

Mausinger gets a stupid fancy outfit as well because it would be weird if he didn't.

I'm not sure where Fred and his subplot came from but I feel so proud of him for trying.

I went back to the early chapters to see when Goldpaw signed the Declaration but since it was off screen between chapters 4 and 5, I'm going to say...Sometime in late June? That's about nine-ish months, right?

I also tried inserting Tyran into the mix but Ratja and her posse said no. We're covering him next chapter. Its probably best that way. *shrugs*