Just to inform my lovely readers this chapter is a part of Black Apple Poison, and could potentially, though it is not currently, part of the Another Chance for Disney Villain Recruiters. I am informing you all of this now so that you are not confused, this little tidbit needs to be here for future chapters.
Chapter Forty
MR. V
In the dark Anti-Realm where the rain seemed to only ever pour over Mr. V, he was making his way to the Evil Queen's Castle. It seemed as though everything had fallen into pieces as the Recruits were all scattered about in their Realms fulfilling their mission. He was still waiting to hear back from Ms. Scatter, and if he didn't hear something from her soon he'd have to go in after her himself. The Recruits were returning to the castle less and less, Adam specifically hadn't been since Ms. Scatter's disappearance. Mr. V had been genuinely concerned for all of his Recruits, but it was unlike Adam to be purposely missing for so long. He could not help but wonder if something had happened. Normally he would take a peek into the world to check on things, however, the door to the Apfel Realm has been sealed shut. Which meant one of two things. Either Adam broke his terms of agreement and told the Evil Queen of her past with the knowledge he held, or he was reaching the end of his story and there was no going back as his End was to be determined.
On top of being worried for his Recruits, their personal servants, or the indentured servants to the Original Villains, were getting sick, having memory lapses, or quite literally fading away from the Anti-Realm; depending on what the Recruits were doing would depend on the positive and negative outcomes of this. Frederick especially seemed to be in a daze. Ever since Adam left he's been cooped up in his room, rarely leaving unless he falls into place in his memory rather than the altered one. His eyes have given him away more than one account of his confusion to his situation. The oddest thing is that he has asked Mr. V about Adam more than the Queen. Before now he only ever asked about the Queen, but since Adam's confinement in Apfel, well things have changed to say the least. He had gotten younger by a year each passing day that Adam was gone, which was a good sign to Mr. V, though he wasn't sure how much he could actually speak up for the Evil Queen herself.
Since her last visit she hasn't called, hasn't gotten in touch with hardly anyone, and seems to have become a hermit just as bad as Frederick. As much as Mr. V really didn't want to, he was going to have to pay her a visit. Not because he wanted to, nor because of the contract that they had signed, but because the Magic Mirror made a call. After a rough month of dealing with things with Ms. Scatter, the last thing he truly wanted to deal with was a surprise call from the Magic Mirror. However, he had his duties and promises with the Magic Mirror to keep anyways so checking up on the Evil Queen was the least of his worries.
He turned the corner, jumped over a puddle, and stood in front of the castle. The dingy worn-down castle stood in its ruins, mostly held together by years of ivy. With a sigh and a forced smile Mr. V approached the giant doors that would be the entrance to the castle. The doors were obnoxiously tall and would only be useful if there were servants or knights on the other side to open them. He twirled his cane before knocking non the door. He stood there patiently waiting and just enjoyed the rain until a familiar, yet unfamiliar face appeared. A smaller more average size door opened within the larger one and a green-eyed Adam stood there. Mr. V blinked as he stared at him.
"What the hell are you doing here?" He asked sharply. "I thought you were supposed to be in Apfel -!"
Before he started to scold the look alike much more he saw a gold medallion around his neck with the name "Grünes" in scripted there. He stood there as still as a statue just looking at Mr. V.
"Oh, well that makes much more sense." He huffed out a laugh and tried to recover himself with a smile. "You certainly are the green-eyed one. Is the Queen in? I am here to pay her a visit as part of our contract."
Grünes nodded his head, stepped back and allowed Mr. V to enter. He looked around and got a good taste of the Anti-Apfel castle. There were holes in the ceilings that allowed rain to fall into overflowing buckets, moldy carpets, and a foggy chill coming from the stones within the castle.
"For my first visit here I must say that I'm impressed by how intact this place is." Mr. V chuckled as he closed his umbrella and hung it on his arm. Grünes said nothing but gave him a disapproving look before turning on his heel and walking down the foyer's halls.
"Not much of a talker, I see." Mr. V chuckled dryly. "Now, I wonder, is that because you can't or because you were cursed?"
Grünes stopped, turned to Mr. V, and opened his mouth to let out the terrible squealing of a pig.
"I'd go along the lines of being cursed." He rubbed his ear with a smirk. "Though, if you're an exact replica of Adam, I'd say you were made that way."
He snorted in response and just glared at Mr. V. "No need to be pissy." Mr. V held up his hands in innocence. "I'm merely makin' observations. Now if you like I could give you a little assistance in the field of speaking."
Grünes narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
"No need for the judgmental looks." Mr. V chided. "I know you have no idea who I am, but just as a small introduction, I'm Mr. V. I'm the founder of creating the Disney Villain Recruiters, catchin' your interest yet?" He smirked as Grünes did not look impressed. "Well, see, part of my job is to help the Recruits, such as your twin brother Adam."
Grünes let out a low growl and genuinely surprised Mr. V.
"All right, so brothers may be stretching things a bit." He gave a shrug and dug into his pocket to retrieve a small vial in the shape of a conch shell. "I don't normally go out of my way to help others, however, this will benefit me just as much as you." He held the vial up next to his eye and shook it lightly. Grünes's eyes widened at the vial.
"Now I have your attention." Mr. V chuckled. "See this is one of Ursula's little things that I've had the . . .opportunity of collecting in exchange for sea shadows over the years. But let's not bore you with the details. The point is, this little vial here has the Gift of Voice. Meaning, if you drink this you will be able to speak like a normal human being instead of squealing like a pig."
Grünes looked momentarily excited, as if it was the best thing he had ever heard, but then his eyes suddenly narrowed and he growled again.
"Why the hostility, friend?" Mr. V mused. "I know you think I'm not simply going to give this to you for free. No, nothing in life is ever truly free, there is always some sort of cost. But don't you worry, my friend, the exchange for this is very simple. You get the Gift of Voice so long as you provide me the information I need. I just need you to pop in every few days and tell me how the Queen is doing."
Grünes immediately shook his head and squared his shoulders back, his hands in fists, and his knees bent, as though he were ready for a fight.
"No?" He blinked in surprise. "Well, that's too bad. . . But since I'm such a nice guy I'll give you time to think about it until after my little visit with the Queen, what do you say?"
Grünes said nothing as he turned on his heel and stomped off in the direction he had originally started. Mr. V merely tucked the vail into his pocket and continued to follow him; he knew he would be interested in it later.
The walls were bare with no paintings or decorations to cover them; most of the windows were broken or completely gone and haphazardly covered with red moldy curtains; there were even rats running along the floors. Mr. V could not help but be disgusted by the sight; the Evil Queen would never have stood for rats to scurry about her castle. She must be in a worse state than he realized.
The smell of filth and mold soon ebbed away for strong rose and apple perfumes as the carpets became cleaner, windows were repaired or properly boarded up, and the air was warmer because of a fire in the hearth as they went to the East wing. It was in the East wing that some of the former glory and grandeur had been preserved and proved that there was some sort of life left in the place. The walls were still gray and thanks to the weather it was all very dank, but it was much more comfortable to breath and walk in the East wing rather than the foyer.
Grünes brought him to the end of the hall where a large door stood sealed shut. Grünes knocked three times before opening it and stepping in and even invited Mr. V to enter. He went from the freezer to the oven as he stood in the Queen's room. A blaring fire roasted the room to the point Mr. V had to take off his top hat and he even debated on removing his coat; he did not. He looked to the grand queen-sized bed where a woman he could hardly recognize lay there glaring at him. A mild aged woman with black and graying hair with fierce green eyes lay there.
"What are you doing here?" She hissed in a wince.
"Just poppin' in for a visit, your highness." He bowed his head politely and stood next to her bed.
"You're ghastly." Her nose wrinkled at the sight of him. "Did you not think that my lack of visits was a sign that I did not wish to be seen?"
"Oh, I thought about it, yes." He nodded his head with a smile. "But due to the contract and some things going on in the castle, I figured I'd check up on you."
"Well as you can see, I am struggling between the ages." She growled and balled her hand into a fist. "No thanks to you and that cursed Adam!"
"I don't think you should be spouting out curses with your current state, your highness." Mr. V teased gently. "How are you feeling?" He snapped his finger and a pair of skeleton hands appeared in midair with a pen and notebook, ready to take notes.
"Don't you dare ask me that you peasant." She snarled as she pushed herself up onto her pillows. "I have migraines every day to the point I have been confined to this bed in my room and can't even sit up without getting dizziness spells!"
"I see." Mr. V nodded his head. "How have your memories been?"
"Spotty at best." She snapped and put a hand to her head as if she needed to hold it up because of how heavy it was. "They keep changing! One minute I finally have Snow White in my clutches ready for the kill, others she's in a glass box with Adam as her knight and protector, and others. . ." She winced and covered her eyes.
"And other times?" He pressed, urging her to continue.
"Other times people who I have never met appear and for whatever strange reason I had actual contact with Prince Florian." She grimaced with a groan and glared at Mr. V. "Even he appeared!" She pointed to Grünes who looked at her with great concern. "I vaguely remember creating him and he's been a loyal dog to me since I've been this way, but I hardly know myself anymore."
"And when did he appear?" He pointed to Grünes.
"Earlier this week? Perhaps a week ago?" Her other hand went to her head. "Oh, I don't know! He's been here taking care of me and there's nothing I can say or do to get rid of him!"
"I see." He glanced at Grünes then back to the Queen. "Very interesting. . ."
"Why are you asking so many questions?" She rubbed her temples.
"For information on how to make things better." He replied with a smile. "And maybe move things along a little faster. . ."
"What was that?" She cracked one eye open at him.
"Just trying to get the progress of things moving along a little faster." He responded with a smile. "Nothin' to worry about. I just have to see where I need to make improvements."
"Is Frederick suffering as much as I am?" She asked with both of her eyes open and something well hidden in her eyes.
"I don't know if suffering would be the right term . . ." He raised an eyebrow in surprise that she asked about him. Up until now she hardly recalled him or chose not to speak of him. "He's lethargic and seems to be having memory lapses just as bad as you, but he doesn't complain. He either sits in his bed staring out the window or just sleeps it off."
"Typical." She rolled her eyes and let her hands drop in her lap. "If he ever got sick or injured he would just sleep it off until he was fine again. . ."
"Sometimes sleep is the best thing to be done." Mr. V offered gently. "Have you been sleeping well, your highness?"
She had heavy circles under her eyes and he could not tell if it were from her constant back and forth aging or if it were truly from lack of sleep.
"What is sleep?" She scoffed and sunk deeper into the pillows. "Every chance I try to sleep it alludes to headaches and migraines and assaults me with memories I hardly know."
"And these are frequent?"
"Very." She closed her eyes and waved her hand at him to dismiss him. "I tire of these questions. I want you to leave."
"I will in just a moment, your highness." He snapped his fingers and the skeleton hands disappeared. "I just have one final question."
"Out with it."
"Would you like medicine for your headaches and migraines?" He pulled out an apple shaped vial. She opened her eyes and eyed it suspiciously.
She pointed at the vial. "What is in it?"
"Quite a few things." He chuckled as he allowed her eyes to examine it. "It's nothing toxic, I swear. Just think of it as a heavy dosage of melatonin. . ."
"Are you trying to kill me?" She raised her eyebrow at him. "That would set an imbalance to this world if you did."
"No, no." He waggled his finger at her. "I never seek out to help others with the intent to kill. No, this would be an offer in the smallest amount of being able to help you because of the contract."
"A heavy dosage of melatonin, eh?" She raised her eyebrow and sat up. Her arms shook as she did so.
"It is just a little something to help you sleep while we all wait for this Recruit thing to finish up." He assured her and summoned a teacup of tea with the wave of his hand. "What do you say, your highness, would you like to dream instead of remember things?"
"There's no curse or spell that goes behind this?" She narrowed her eyes at him.
"None whatsoever." He allowed three drops of the clear liquid to fall into the tea. "It is absolutely harmless and will only allow you to sleep until the end of the Recruit program for Adam."
He held the teacup out to her, but she merely stared at it, trying to dissect it before digesting it.
"And if I don't wake up?"
"Oh, you'll wake up." He reassured her. "You just may not wake up here, you'll wake up in whatever Ending Adam has provided."
"And am I the first to try this?"
"No, actually." He chuckled seeing her suspicion. "It was actually Frederick. That's really the only thing keeping him down right now. It doesn't allow pain to come to you and just allows you to sleep."
"If this were truly a plot to kill you Grünes would have run his sword through you by now." She assessed as she glanced at Grünes. Her eyes lingered on his for a moment for she loved those eyes, those deep green eyes, just like her Frederick.
"Yes, I assure you of that, your highness." He smirked. "Now, would you like a cup of dreams?"
"Yes." She conceded and took the tea. With shaky hands she took it from him and sipped it at first, testing it for poison before drinking the rest deeply. She tipped it all the way back to get every last drop before handing the cup and saucer back to Mr. V. "Quite the flavor. . ." She yawned and tried to focus her eyes on him.
"Yes, it is quite strong." He snapped his fingers and the teacup disappeared.
"Hmmmmm. . ." Within a few seconds her eyes shut and she fell back against the pillows into a deep sleep. Tucking the vial away into his inside breast pocket he turned to see Grünes glaring at him.
"Now, now." He placed his hat back on his head. "Don't be glaring at me. I gave her the choice and she took it. She will more than likely sleep for a few days at best, so you shouldn't worry. I assure you that it is entirely harmless and it is only a sleeping potion."
He readjusted his coat and umbrella and looked at Grünes. "If she does wake up before the end of the week, you must come and get me, squealing or screaming, you must come and get me."
Grünes raised an angry eyebrow at him.
"If she wakes up before the story is finished she will be in immense pain and her brain will likely explode from the pressure and the constant changing of memories." Mr. V explained. "Unless something happens in the story that Adam has been creating to heavily disturb her, she will sleep until the Ending has finally been reached."
Mr. V could see Grünes's fists shaking at his sides.
"You need not worry, my friend." He placed a hand on Grünes's shoulder and gave him a gentle pat. "She will wake up and everyone should finally get their Happy Endings; even you, Grünes."
Grünes blinked in surprise at him before shaking his head and shaking Mr. V's hand from his shoulder too. Grünes went to the door, opened it and with his whole arm gestured to Mr. V to leave. With a sigh and a heavy heart Mr. V did as he was told and exited the room alone, the door being slammed behind him. As he walked through the East wing and down the stairs, he noticed that the area that would make up the West wing had changed drastically. Instead of the other side of the castle there was a field of giant flowers with a humble and simple cottage off in the distance with forests behind it.
"How odd. . ." He noted as he took in the sudden beautiful scenery. "It looks as though Adam has been moving along faster than I thought. . ." He looked all around him and could see the tiny invisible white Web Weavers eating away at the moldy castle and repairing it with the greenery. They were like tiny spiders, changing the webs of Villain history.
"Keep up the good work." He tipped his hat to them. "Let's continue to give our Villains a better ending than what they had, shall we?"
He turned left at the stairs and felt the chill return to him and the terrible scent of mold returning as he exited the foyer doors. He made sure to shut the door tightly behind him before stepping off of her property and noticed that the Web Weavers had already worked on creating their boundary lines for the Anti-Apfel castle. He could just faintly see the crystals beginning to shape and form and grow as the rain helped them grow taller and taller.
Mr. V smiled as he left the Evil Queen's premises and returned to the Anti-Castle. He would have much to record and still had much to do. "So much to do, and so little time." He sighed as he exited a portal to his office.
"Yes, I agree with Mr. Valentino." The droning voice of the Mirror greeted him as he entered his office. The giant Mirror in his office which he normally used to assess his clothes to make sure he was presentable for clients had been occupied by the biggest fathead he had ever seen, the Magic Mirror.
"You are a ghastly sight to see." Mr. V frowned and set his umbrella in its rack. "To what do I owe this displeasure?"
"Business, Valentino, business." The Mirror chuckled with a sneer. "We can be civil to discuss the things we want to hear."
He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "What news do you bring, then?"
"In Apfel Adam has gone rogue against the Queen and has successfully tucked Princess Snow White away with the Seven Dwarves in the Dark Forest." He chuckled. "Oh, how the Queen has gone mad."
"Carefully in your laughter there, Mirror." Mr. V pointed. "You're showing emotion."
"All in good time, Valentino." He continued. "She has created a new being from the spell in which she was supposed to create my body."
"Grünes?" Mr. V asked with a hand to his chin.
"You knew?"
"Time flows differently here." He gave a shrug. "Met the pig squealer this afternoon."
"I see." His nose wrinkled in distaste. "I should also inform you that the Queen has had Grünes kill Prince Florian."
"Such as shame." Mr. V tutted. "He was making quite the challenge for Adam, but the story must go on."
"I do think that Grünes will prove to be quite the match for him." The Mirror commented. "He is an exact replica of Adam, the only difference is that his blood and body has not been laced with poison as Adam's has."
"Interesting." Mr. V noted. "Do tell me, oh Magic Mirror on the wall, is there a way to actually remove the poisons from his body?"
"Of course." The Mirror nodded his head.
He grimaced, "Would it be in that ghastly grimoire?"
"No, Valentine." The Mirror frowned at him. "No, there are certain spells that are not written down; specifically, that cure for that curse."
"So, it is a curse. . ." He mused. "And how might one remove this curse of poison?"
"There are two ways, Valentino." He explained. "The first would be abstaining from poison intake and usage and simply wading in a bath of Holy Water for three months."
"Bathing in Holy Water for three months." He put his hand to his chin and shook his head. "Sorry, but we don't have time to actually stretch Adam's story for three months. Besides neither he nor I are really religious where we wouldn't mind the holy Water. Though with how sinful and villainous we are it may very well burn us like bleach."'
"How astute of you." He rolled his eye sockets. "The second would be to transfer the poisonous ailments over to a body of exact measure."
"Why exact measure?"
"If the measurement is too small part of the poison will linger in the blood." The Mirror explained. "And a measurement too much could be twice as fatal and result in losing the soul."
"How does that work?" The measurement was very intriguing to him.
"The exact measurement, Valentino." The Mirror spoke firmly and refocused the conversation. "It is a complete and whole transfer of poison without the loss of soul or resulting in death for the transferer."
"And the recipient?"
"Depends on their pain tolerance." He smiled darkly.
"So lemme get this straight." Mr. V tucked his hands under his armpits as he thought this aloud. "The only way for him to really be free of his poisonous life would be to transfer it all to Grünes – which is what I'm getting at with the exact measurement thing – then what happens?"
"Adam will be purified."
"And what happens to Grünes?"
"Depending on his own strength he will either live or die." If the Mirror had shoulders he would have shrugged by the bobbing and tilting of his head.
"And if it fails?"
"If what fails?"
"If Adam should fail to complete the transfer, what happens?" He rolled his wrist for him to go on.
"He would either retain it or die from it." The Mirror blinked thoughtfully. "He's had years of tolerance and has literally had it in his system practically since his beginnings. So, he would survive then perhaps be miserable for the rest of his life."
"And Grünes?" He asked.
"He'll either go mentally insane or will survive the account." The Mirror answered.
"That would be an interesting sight." Mr. V snorted. "Seeing the body of the Magic Mirror running around like a lunatic."
"Amusing, Valentino." The Mirror said flatly. "Simply amusing."
"How peculiar . . ." He frowned thoughtfully. "Are all curses this ridiculously difficult to break?"
"Nothing in life is ever simple, Valentino." The Mirror snorted at him.
"Fair enough." He bobbed his head from left to right in thought.
"Are you really going to help the boy, Valentino?" The Mirror asked curiously.
"I'm helping you get a body, aren't I?"
"So was the Queen, at one point." He growled. "But even she found a way out of it."
"We both know that they all work in their best interests." Mr. V raised an eyebrow at him.
"And I expect you to be included in that." He gruffed.
"Well, not quite." He chuckled dryly. "Shadowman deals work a little differently. Where the Evil Queen will just get her Dark Arts and black magic taken away from her, mine is a little bit more. . . deadly. And we both know nothing in life comes free; there's always a price."
"Then what do you propose to do?"
"We will have to go through with the transfer idea." He scratched his chin. "I don't see another way. . but I need to see Adam in action before I make any choices."
"What?"
"Despite the fact that I have no attachment to Grünes, he is still a living breathing. . . thing." He shrugged his shoulders. "I have to make sure he doesn't have a soul before we can offer up his body and so you can use it; though making you a being that could only squeal like a pig would be terribly amusing."
"Valentino, I would like to remind you that I also have information about your precious Ms. Scatter that I will withhold should you interfere with my body."
"Funny choice of words there." Mr. V snorted. "I won't mess with Grünes like that. I just need to inspect it from afar. He seemed to be functional enough and just lacked the ability of speech, but if there's anything out of place or peculiar, I need to know before we go through with this."
"You're impossible."
"That's probably." He chuckled. "But, let's get on with it. . . I'll need you to open a portal to Apfel."
"What?" The Mirror blinked at him in surprise. "What about the information regarding Ms. Scatter?"
"I'll allow you to withhold it from me momentarily." Mr. V shrugged, seeming uninterested. "I need to validate this body candidate for you and check in on Adam. . . If you tell me anything about Scatter now, I won't have the focus to deal with my Recruits. . . So, you need to hold onto that little tidbit of information until I assess things in Apfel."
"As you wish." The Mirror began to spiral and left a green glowing spiral in its place. "Remember to stay on the green path, or you'll end up in another Realm."
"Not a novice, Spiegel." Mr. V snapped as he entered the Mirror.
"You may not call me that until I have a body!" The Mirror shook the magical Door Between Realms.
"Touchy." Mr. V tisked his teeth and walked along the green stain glass path.
Even though he had walked the many rainbow-colored paths that led to other worlds it never stopped surprising him every time he entered. Each color was different, each shade led to a different world, each minute difference made up everything. The smallest slip off the path could be detrimental and exciting. Outside of the regular Doors Between Realms there are hidden passages all throughout the Realms that allow those who do not have the amulets to pass through. Such a strange and fascinating world.
The Mirror's face reappeared at the end of the road, much quicker than Mr. V anticipated; he glanced over his shoulder and saw that he had actually walked much farther than he thought.
"This way, Valentino." The Mirror spiraled again, and the clear image of a luxurious bedroom of cream and blue appeared.
He stepped through and he was greeted by the strange and unfamiliar fresh air of Apfel. He currently stood in the lighter version of Adam's room. "How quaint." He looked around unimpressedly. This room had as little objects and personality as Adam's room in the Anti-Realm was. "Where's Grünes?"
"Probably out in the small courtyard with the apple tree." The Mirror supplied.
"Right then." Mr. V tapped his cane and set off. "I'll see you in a bit."
He left the fancy blue room, descended down the stairs and wandered the halls until he found the small courtyard. In the sunniest spot in the courtyard Grünes was sitting under the apple tree eating an apple and watching the river water flow downstream. Mr. V merely stood in the shadows of the doorway and studied him. He seemed normal, very normal, in fact, but there was something unnerving about him; something was off on him. Perhaps it was because he was too still, didn't seem to breath, or even seemed to not have a pulse, but regardless Mr. V did not like this Grünes, and as his other form in the Anti-Realm showed he did not like Mr. V. As much as he hated to take the lives of those who don't deserve it, but this Grünes was going to have to be an exception in this. His essence was dark, darker than Adam's even, and Mr. V couldn't quite place why. Perhaps it had to do with the matter of the heart; Adam had Frederick's heart and Grünes had the heart of a pig. Perhaps, perhaps.
He stepped back into the shadows and tapped his cane to take him to the mountains. He remembered most of the little places that Adam had gone into great detail to explain in his Mission Journal and found it very easy to venture to most of these places. He stood at the edge of the Dark Forest where he could look out and see the Dwarves' cottage. He stood in the shadows and watched as the tiny little Snow White went about humming and whistling while she worked with Adam following after her helping her. They were doing laundry, hanging up several pairs of socks. He could not resist the smile that came on his face as he watched Adam succumb to the tiny princess's charm. Even being several yards away Mr. V knew that Adam made the right choice. He only hoped that this would lead to his Happy Ending.
"I hope you know what you're doin', Adam Apple Poison." He chuckled as he propped his hands on his cane and just watched. As if he heard his name, Adam's head turned to the Dark Forest in the general direction of where Mr. V stood. He actually raised his hand, just in case Adam was looking for him, and waved slightly. Adam's eyes locked on the movement, said something to Snow White, she skipped inside the cottage and soon Adam was approaching the tree line.
"Ah, Mr. Adam Apple Poison." Mr. V smiled broadly at him. Adam did not smile in return but frowned deeply with his hands balled into fists at his sides.
"What are you doing here?" He spoke in a low growl.
"At ease, my friend." He put his hand over his chest in mock hurt. "I'm not here to do anythin', I'm just here to check on you."
"Yeah, fat chance of that." Adam's face grew very dark and Mr. V could smell the faintest scent of sweet poison.
"Whatever you think of me, Adam, I reassure you that I am only here to check up on you." He spoke seriously to Adam. He still didn't relax. "You haven't been back to the Anti-Realm for practically a month, closer to month and a half really, but I don't exactly know how time works here –"
"I'm not going back." Adam said flatly. "If you are here to demand that I do, you're wasting your time."
"Testy testy." He tutted with a smirk. "It looks as though someone has gotten very infatuated with the little princess." He chuckled, but Adam didn't deny it. "Well, well, well, no denyin' it?"
"There's no point in denying things when they're true." His hands clenched tighter and Mr. V noted that he had deep circle under his eyes and he looked angrier than he had in the Anti-Realm.
"Nothin' wrong with that, my friend." He looked Adam up and down. "No judgment here, if you knew anything with my background, you'd know I was in the same boat once upon a time. . . but there was a prince to interfere. . ."
"I'm just trying to protect her." Adam answered weakly. "Because of what I am I can never be with her."
"What you are?" He leaned his head back and studied Adam.
"All the poison." He looked down and his fists released. "She's suffered her own amount of poison damage over the years, but she would never be able to handle mine. . . I couldn't bear it if something were to happen. . ."
"The tragedy of love has greatly stricken you, my friend." Mr. V sighed and rested his arms over his cane. "But you shouldn't worry about it too much."
"And why is that?" He stood straighter.
"Because unlike me who had no one to provide a helping hand." He straightened himself out and dusted his coat off. "I can help you."
"And why would you do that?" His eyes narrowed.
"I gotta get this story movin' along, Adam. I know you're pretty detail oriented and stuff, but you're really dragging this out." He explained.
"What are you –"
"Look, my friend, all is not lost in your tragic romance." He smirked. "There is a way to get rid of your poison." He looked Adam in the eyes and waited for a smart remark; there was none. He was listening intently. "There should be a book that you borrowed from my library at one point in time that has a unique series of spells that are equally helpful as well as harmful."
"The one with the Transfer spell. . ."
"Ah, so you are aware of it." He smiled proudly. "Good, that'll save me a little bit of explanation. How much have you read? Do you understand how it works?"
"I've read it." He nodded his head and crossed his arms. "But I have to have something of 'exact measurement' for this to work."
"Oh, well you won't have to worry about that for too long." Mr. V chuckled. "You'll probably be meeting him soon."
"Him?" Adam glared.
"Hey, Adam, have you ever wondered what you'd look like with green eyes?"
"No." His brow furrowed in confusion.
"Good." Mr. V shrugged and snatched up his cane. "You'd look good with green eyes."
"What is that –"
"Be on the watch for unfamiliar familiar things within the forest, my friend." Mr. V offered. "I can't offer more help than that, but just be careful when you go into the forest."
Due to his own limitations in how he could and could not interfere with the stories, Mr. V could not give away any information that would drastically alter the Endings. "What are you planning?"
"Absolutely nothing." He tapped his cane and a portal swirled behind him. "Just be sure you don't wander too far from your cottage or else you might regret it. . ."
Before Adam could question him further, Mr. V stepped back into the portal and reappeared in the blue room in the castle. The Mirror floated listlessly in the glass as he waited for Mr. V to return.
"I assume you found him?" The Mirror inquired.
"Yes." Mr. V nodded. "It would appear as though I do not have to worry too much about this story as I thought I would."
"What do you mean?"
"Since you have been a key player in all this, I can't tell you, Mirror." He patted the glass in a mock attempt to pat the mask's face. "But you'll find out about a few things in due time."
"You are absolutely infuriating!" The Mirror growled.
"It happens." He smirked with a shrug. "Now, open up a portal to the Anti-Realm. I have work to do, and you need to tell me more about Scatter."
Author's Note:
Thank you for reading! I hope you've been enjoying it so far!
I know this was a different sort of chapter, and it was rather necessary for me to stitch the stories all together. I know I've not written much, but Mr. V's role as the leader of the Recruit Program is rather important.
Please leave me a review and tell me what you think. The reviews for my first three stories are really necessary because they will help me plan out my next stories that are to come. ^_^
Thanks for coming along the journey with me, stay tuned for more!
Ko-fi/SarahtheWriter.
