The day of the king's funeral the sky cried and the winds hollered in pain. The clouds dressed in black as they dragged their feet over the kingdom.
In the middle of the royal garden, the king's casket stood tall on a bed or dried twigs and leaves. I front of the casket Queen Morbucks stood tall with a blank expression on her face and no life in her eyes. Beside her Princess rocked on her knees crying out for her father, Brick crouched beside her holding onto her in a comforting manner.
With puffy eyes, they watched as MJ walked closer to the wooden casket and began to mark strange symbols along the from of it. He cleared his throat and turned back to the royal family and gave them a firm nod.
"Arthur Million Morbucks was the kindest, strongest and bravest king this land has ever been gifted. Born and raised within our walls he always did what was best for his people." MJ spoke clearly. "He was a faithful husband to his wife and a loving father to not only his daughter but all of his people. Arthur… Arthur was a dear friend of mine…" MJ did what most could assume was a sniffle and looked towards the ground. "Although he has only been gone from this world for a mere few days, it feels as though my whole world has crumbled, for he was the one single handedly turning this world. But the gods needed him more than I. May he watch over us and may we do him proud as we continue to grow under the land he's given to us."
A quiet choir of flutes played softly in the background as everyone paused to ask the gods for Arthur's safe journey.
MJ pressed his hand firmly and whispered to himself. The symbols on the casket shook and began to glow a bright amber colour. The rain around him stopped mid air and the winds blew up from under his feet. Slowly the casket was set ablaze. As smoke and ash filled the air they twisted higher, clinging on to each other before hardening into a glossy black stone. The more that burned the more details came to light until a tall smooth statue of King Morbucks stood in place of his resting corps.
"My husband loved this garden." Queen Morbucks began, walking over to the statue. "Between the chaos of ruling this kingdom, he would always be sure to keep this place as full of life as it was when he was crowned. This was the first place we met, the place he proposed and the place I first told him he'd be a father. He spent most of his free time here. It's only fitting we leave you to rest her for eternity." She placed a gentle hand to the statues cheek and rested her forehead to his chest. "I miss you already, my love." She whispered before taking a step back.
With a snap of his fingers MJ summoned the king's crown in a bubble just in front of the queen. Carefully Queen Morbucks removed the crown and placed it on the top of the statue. Short stoned vines shot out of the statues head and wrapped around the golden crown, fusing itself to it.
She embraced the king one last time before marching past her daughter and into the castle, disappearing behind closed doors.
MJ turned to Brick and lowered himself to his ear. "Perhaps you should escort Princess back inside and out of the cold rain. Although I know this is troubling times, there is still much to do. Sir Boomer for one requires your assistance."
Brick rolled his eyes and shrugged MJ away. "Let's get you into a hot bath, and perhaps tucked away into bed for the day." Brick whispered into Princess's ear, and helping her up off the cold muddy ground.
"I don't want to leave him… What if something happens. What if the storm breaks him. What if I lose him again.." Princess mumbled, grabbing fists full of grass, struggling to stay in place.
"Your father wouldn't want you to get sick because of him. Once the skies clear up again, I'll take you back so we may have a private moment to say goodbye without the rush of other events."
MJ gave her a crooked smile, "Besides all of that, you have an important trip to make in a few days. We need you looking your best."
Princess's eyes fell to the floor. "Right…"
Brick shot MJ a death look before, holding Princess tight and helping her walk back towards the castle. "Don't worry about that at the moment. What's important is taking care of you." He smiled, wiping tears from her cheeks.
"Tell sir Boomer, I'll see him tonight. When I'm ready." Brick growled.
"Oh course. Sire." MJ grumbled back, watching as the last of the royal family vanished inside their home.
He turned back the statue and frowned. "You denied me so much, but that changes now. You shut me out of Utonium's chambers, refused to let me read the book of spells and only ever used me as a parlor trick." MJ clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. "In the end, I entered the room, learned his secrets and did things you couldn't even begin to imagine. I created life! Beings more powerful than your average man, all under my control."
MJ slapped his hands to his chest and growled. "I'm a better wizard than Utonium EVER was. But you never could see it. Look where that got you. The blind man dies foolishly." He smirked, swinging back and kicking the statute hard.
His body shuddered on impact. He grabbed his toes and cursed under his breath dancing on one foot for a moment. "Once the crowning ceremony is completed I'll have you torn down and smashed to pieces. For a second time…"
Thick dark grey smoke curled around the garden, slithering like a snake and winding around MJs feet. A cold chill shot through his spine and sparked through his blood. It felt as if something hot and moist pressed to his ear, but when he looked back nothing was there.
"You talk a mighty big game, for someone who was gifted everything. From me." A wavy high pitched voice purred. "Don't forget what you promised me."
MJ grumbled and swatted at the smoke. "How could I forget when I hear your nagging voice reminding me in every corner."
"Watch your tone with me. I'll find some other miserable soul to do my bidding. Someone who can't screw up as greatly as you."
A hot burning feeling covered his body, as if a million needles pricked into MJs skin and began to bleed his very soul from his body.
"All great things come in threes, MJ. So tell me where my son is…"
MJ rolled his eyes, and bite his lip to muffle the pain and exhaustion that left his body. "The red one is to be king. Giving us easy access to to each pointed pillar across this land. I have given the blue one freedom to roam the city, spreading a special potion of mine so that no one may work against us."
"And the last one?" The voice purred.
"Last one?..."
"THE GREEN ONE! BUTCH." It hissed, pushing MJ back with enough force to roll him away.
"Ah yes Butch… He is… He's…" MJ thought for a moment brushing his robes off. "Off on a secret mission, that I needed to send him off to." MJ nodded.
"Don't lie to me MJ. I truly do hate liars." The voice cooed. "I've spoken to him already, and apparently you've been keeping secrets from them MJ. I thought you had control."
"I do have control!" He yelled back.
"Than why are you so scared of telling them of the power they hold? The green one was simply amazed when he learned he is the father of stone. Does the red or blue ones know of what they can do?"
"In due time I'll tell them. But at the moment it can wait."
"MJ, you followed the recipe for a reason. If creating life was hard you mortals would have died off long ago. You chose to mold those boys from those stones for a reason. You gave them life, you can take it away. You're the boss, so start acting like it. Time is running dry, you can't afford to be late. Get things rolling by any means. That includes letting the boys work their magic."
MJ let out a quiet grumble as the smoke backed away the way it came from and disappeared out of sight.