The royal siblings become privy to two sinister plots. One might just become the catalyst to the other.

It more resembles a lab than a witches lair. In the belly of an ancient temple, however, with stone walls and furniture, it's not your typical chemist's workshop. Medieval torches line the exterior, building on the eerie atmosphere. Beakers and test tubes, pestles and burners have been transported in. A microscope and slides sit on one of the shelves along with jars and vessels of various chemicals and equipment. Of course there also are classic witch's tools such as the stereotypical cauldron. But for the most part, the room is stocked with more modern apparatus.

"Are you meeting her again today?" A fairly tall, brunette with straight hair halfway down her back and electric blue eyes and full lips is propped over a concrete slab mixing various compounds.

"That's the plan." A shorter blonde with curls waving down to her waist and tighter facial features with kohl lined eyes, assists.

"Good. It's time I meet her, Morgause. The first dose has to start no later than the end of the week. Otherwise we'll face issues that may hinder our goals. You've been seeing her, what? five weeks now?" The blonde nods in response. "She should have enough in her system to start making adjustments."

"I know, Nimueh. It's just... if she finds out, it may ruin our relationship."

"She's not going to find out. Hopefully, when her memories return it won't even be necessary. The slight amount you've been giving her was only to get her body used to the intrusion. It should welcome the small increase without recourse. Now, the prince has not had any as of yet, and were starting him immediately on a more aggressive dose. Are we sure he has had an adequate amount of natural inflictions to make our objective even feasible?"

"Morgana says he's completely besotted and somewhat obsessed."

"Good. It certainly helps she's already engaged, especially to a teenager. Triggered that jealousy right up."

"Mmm hm." Well, I guess I better get going."

"Do you think you'll bring her back here today?"

"If I can."

--

"Morgana? What are you doing here?"

"Had to come for one of my routine princessy appointments. Just finished. What about you?"

He sighs with irritation. "Another summons."

"Again?" He shrugs. "Damn, you'd think after the last one you'd get a bit of a breather."

"No rest for the weary, that's me."

"I think it's phrased 'no rest for the wicked'."

"No, that's him." He gestures to the office down the hall. "Anyway, so where are you off to now?"

"Out."

"You're not gonna tell me where? How suspiciously clandestine of you," he ribs.

"I don't have to tell you everywhere I go, Arrthurr. You know me. Just because you want to know, I'm not telling you."

"Fine. Keep your secrets. I have to go to the lion's den, now, so while you're off gallivanting about, know I'm here, taming the beast."

"Yeah, good luck with that."

"Tell me about it."

They go their separate ways, her to the exit, him to the king's office.

Morgana wonders what Uther wants from Arthur this time. It's never good. The man used to be somewhat reasonable, but he's deteriorated the older he gets. His obsession with magic has made him flat out vicious. Arthur truly is probably the only one keeping him mildly tamed.

Well, he will have to deal with his majesty. She has her own person to meet. She doesn't think Arthur's picked up on her weekly 'clandestine' outings... yet. Fortunately he's been so preoccupied with Merlynn ever since they met last week, he's none the wiser. She doesn't understand why Morgause wants the meetings kept secret, particularly against Arthur, because she's his sister too. Maybe it's a surprise? Who knows? She still doesn't have an answer by the time she reaches the car.

"Hey Henry, can you take me to Sunrise Coffee, instead? I got a text while I was in there."

"Again?! Your Highness, you're going to get me in trouble going on all these unscheduled outings. You know you aren't supposed to go anywhere without security," he pleads for her to understand.

"I know, but I promise I go incognito. I've got wigs stashed in the car, and I'm wearing retail." He's definitely not pleased. "I'll be forever grateful... I'll owe you one?"

He finally yields. "Fine, all right, I'll take you, but I better not recognize you!"

"You won't pick me out of a crowd, I promise." She gives him a chaste kiss and slips into the seat.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever," and shuts the door.

--

Morgause is already there when she arrives. She's secured a table in a far back corner to help keep Morgana's identity hidden. The princess casually plonks down across from her, keeping the royal's supposedly unrefined persona activated. She faces to the inside away from the crowd.

"Hi, it's good to see you again."

"You say that like you're afraid I'll stop."

"Well no. I guess it's just still a little surreal for me. I've wanted to meet you for a long time, Morgana."

"Why didn't you? And why don't you want to meet Arthur?" A thought occurs to her. "Is it the magic? Because you know he supports me. In fact he..." She's not sure she should tell Morgause about Arthur's initiative. "...he's helped me connect... you know, with others."

"I'm glad he's helped you and that you've had support. It is related to magic, but I can't tell you more yet." The blonde sees the frustration written all over her sister's face. She snatches Morgana's hand from the table and holds it in both of hers. "Look, I promise you'll understand when I explain. Will you come meet Nimueh? With her you'll get any answers you want, full disclosure." Except that Morgause has been drugging her since they met. "Please." She hates to beg, but it's vital they move forward.

"I would. You know I would, but I'm already risking a lot with these secret meetings. I don't think my driver will do a new location. You said we have to go to her, correct?"

"Yes, but we haven't been here long. Can we maybe go now? He won't even have to know."

"That's only if he doesn't come in and see I'm gone."

Morgause considers the dilemma. "Oh! How about a sleeping spell? As long as I can see him I should be able to from the entrance. It's close enough."

"Hmm. I think that might work. Is it far?"

Morgause gives her a smug grin. "Teleportation sweetie. Only way to travel." She winks as she simultaneously scoots herself out of the booth. "Let's go."

--

Nimueh has finished merging chemical composites and is currently taking a break. She's lounging on a comfortable chaise she summoned, when her sister witches appear.

"Nimueh, this is Morgana. Morgana..." she gestures to the High Priestess. "Nimueh."

Morgana can't help but look around and think they might be taking the idea of 'witch's lair' a little too seriously. She decides not to comment. To each her own, right?

"Nice to meet you, princess." Nimueh stands to welcome the newcomer.

"Likewise. Who wouldn't want to meet the all powerful, Nimueh? You have quite the reputation."

"Yes, well, I don't even hold a candle to Emrys so..." says with a sprinkle of bitterness?

"Not a fair comparison. You can't compete with magic itself. You're still above all the mortal magics and highly respected."

"Good to know. Here, have a seat." She summons chairs for all of them. "Tea?"

"Yes please. Cream, no sugar."

"Morgause?" Nimueh silently messages her with her eyes.

A tight nod assures the brunette her message was understood. "I'm fine, thank you."

Morgause small talks Morgana while Nimueh brews the tea. Once it is finished, a quick peek verifies their guest is distracted. The brunette pours two cups and dribbles a drop from four different vials in one, then walks both of them over to the table.

"Mmmmm, this is delicious."

"I'm glad you like it. It's my own special blend." She gives a swift glance to her co-conspirator before returning her eyes to the princess.

Morgana is starting to get restless as she sips her tea. "I don't mean to be rude, but my time is limited. Morgause said you would explain why we've been so secretive and why we can't involve Arthur."

"You're absolutely right, so let's not waste time with pleasantries..." Nimueh straightens from her previous relaxed position. "You are a reincarnation of the Morgana from the legendary story of King Arthur."

"I know." This surprises the other two high priestesses, but Nimueh doesn't pause for long.

"Good, that saves us at least that explanation. You are due to have your memories returned to you the day of the prince's and Emrys' birthday." The princess dips her head acknowledging she knows this as well. "Okay, moving on. Before I can tell you anything, I will have to restore your memories. You need to decide if you want only your first lifetime or all of your reincarnations'."

"Wait, so you are both reincarnations, too? And you can give me all of them? I thought only Emrys and Arthur would get all."

"Morgana, yes, we are reincarnations, furthermore also from the original story. Nimueh created a spell centuries ago to keep all of her memories. With every rebirth she maintains all the memories from her previous lives. But the spell can be modified. As a child I don't want to have centuries of memories. So, when I make my choice each lifetime I always choose all of them, but only from that moment. You can choose to have them always like Nimueh. You can choose to accept all of them as an adult like I do, or you can choose only the first lifetime, which you will be receiving in a few months, anyway. The choice is yours.

"Why would you want all of them? Merlynn says it's painful. Post Traumatic Stress and all that."

"I want the truth. My memories are mine and I have a right to them. I could choose to forget all but that first lifetime. I can reverse the spell. I never have, though, and I've never regretted it. But already having them gives me that choice." Nimueh resented that only magic and the savior inherited their memories.

"That's why you both already have your memories and don't have to wait for their birthday."

"That is correct. Because I have them always, I can search out Morgause and restore her memories early."

"I will warn you, it is difficult to remember all of your past suffering, but that's not all there is. You will also remember the positive. I want the full truth like Nimueh said. I hate knowing that there's information out there that I don't have access to, especially when it's my information."

Morgana has to weigh her options. "Now, you can't tell me anything until I have my memories back, right?"

"That's right. And by then it will be too late. You'll understand after you have your memories back," says the brunette.

Morgana hates not knowing. They've built up the anticipation so much, she can barely resist accepting the entire flood. But Morgause did confirm Merlynn's own warnings. She's going to get back the first lifetime on Arthur and Merlynn's birthday anyway. But Nimueh said that would be too late. What the hell does that mean?! Argh! "Question? If I were to only accept the first lifetime, could I change my mind later? And you would still tell me everything, right?"

"Yes, as long as you have at least the first lifetime we can tell you. Another thought to consider is that with that first lifetime will come all of your former knowledge. You were a very powerful witch, Morgana. You could leave today capable of the same magic as Morgause. I believe you even reached further heights your first life. You could be second to me, equal to Mordred. His power is the same level as yours, but his knowledge is quite lacking. He was young when he died the first lifetime, so even when his memories return, he won't be nearly as studied as you."

"Mordred? Merlynn's fiance? He's that powerful?"

"Strong with power but weak without knowledge. A jet is worthless if the owner can't pilot it. Your sister is a strong witch because she's been educated for years."

There's silence as Morgana ponders what she just heard. "But, how is Merlynn so powerful if she doesn't have her memories back?"

"Emrys' magic is instinctual. She doesn't have to use spells. She's immortal and has fifteen hundred years of knowledge poured into her that her magic naturally activates when necessary." Nimueh has tried for centuries to train her magic to be instinctual, but it was not meant to be. She will always only have magic, never be magic.

Okay, so if Morgana accepts at least her first lifetime now, then they will finally divulge all the mystery, and she will become an exceptionally powerful witch. Which is all going to happen in three months anyway, but that will be too late? Too late for what? She can't stand it, she has to know. Decision made. "I'll take the first lifetime and go from there."

"Excellent. Are you ready?" The ancient high priestess does not waste time.

The princess takes a deep breath. "I guess so."

"Now, remember even just your first lifetime will be jarring psychologically. I can hold your hand for support, while Nimueh performs the spell I mean."

Morgana looks between them and grasps her sister's hand.

"All right, I have to touch your head." Her fingers brush the royal's scalp. "This might be slightly painful. It varies from person to person. I can tell you, for you, it normally stings a little."

"Hold it! You've done this before? On me?"

"Of course. We always gravitate to each other, every lifetime." Nimueh resumes her position.

"What do I normally choose?" She wonders if her past self would be disappointed in her.

"All of them." And the high priestess starts chanting.

Immediately Morgana is inundated with thoughts and pictures of medieval times. She sees horrific images of death after death after death. She squeezes Morgause as the images keep getting worse. Finally, the man she recognizes from the get-together at her flat plunges a sword through her gut. When she opens her eyes she's staring at the two high priestesses. Her long lost sister she sacrificed at the Isle of the Blessed and the woman who started it all. "Sister!" She embraces the blonde with tears in her eyes. They share a few moments before they are interrupted by the third witch.

"I'm afraid the tearful reunion will have to wait. We are still in a time crunch."

"Right. So, is someone going to start telling me what's going on?"

Morgause hasn't let go of her sister from their last contact. She tugs her wrist to gain her attention. With a broad smile, the blonde begins. "She did it, Morgana." The princess follows her gaze to the brunette relaxing reclined in her chair, with a self-satisfied grin across her face. "She did it, after all these years."

"Did what, sister?" She's a little annoyed at the constant stalling. Will you say it already!?

"She's devised a plan. A plan to finally get what we always wanted, you on the throne." Morgause's smile is blinding.

Morgana's face drops. Is she serious? We're going to go down that road... again? A road that always ends in failure and Morgana alone. She pitches off her seat and spins to look at her sister. For a moment she can't find words and Morgause seems confused by her actions. "I hate to break it to you, Morgause, but I like my life. I actually love my brother, OUR BROTHER, this lifetime. I have amazing friends, and I'm respected as a princess, not a ward. I'm not killing anyone. I'm not hurting anyone."

Morgause glances at Nimueh, who is clearly agitated at the princess' declaration.

"First off, no one dies in my plan. There's no long term suffering of any kind for anyone. By the end everyone is happy, and I do mean everyone. Second, you may have this wonderful life now, Morgana, but your people are suffering. You say you're respected as a princess, then act like it and save us."

"You're acting like things aren't going to change. Arthur is pro-magic this time. Fuck, he's in love with Magic, herself. He just told us yesterday that he wants to start a campaign to change public opinion of magic users. We're all a part of it. Maybe you can be too. And when Arthur is king he'll reverse everything."

"That's all well and good, Morgana, but how long is that going to take? With my plan it will all reverse in three months. Can you say the same for yours?"

"No, but you can't change things that fast. The public won't allow it, even if the laws and policies are abolished. In fact, persecution will get worse. Is that what you want?"

Morgause watches as Nimueh stomps out of the room. With a huff Morgana falls back into her chair. She stares at the princess, who has come so far. She does understand. The newly made high priestess has a lot to lose. The blonde just needs to lay her heart out there. No more trying to be strong or save face or demand respect. No. Only the truth and a beared soul will reach where it needs to. Beyond that is up to the Goddess.

"We just want one lifetime, sister. One where magic reigns superior. Every century passes, and we always lose whatever ground we've gained from Arthur's intervention. Yes, he does make things better, but then he dies, and the suffering begins again. It keeps fluctuating. We're always either inferior or tolerated, and Arthur's reign is momentary compared to the time he's either dead or not in power. Remember he always dies young. We just want one, one lifetime. We aren't talking about flipping the persecution to the common public. This isn't like that first life. We aren't out to turn anyone into slaves." Morgause's gaze now stares at nothing as she reflects on the past. "You chose not to remember all those centuries, but I do. I'm tired, Morgana, just so tired of fighting. Even when we're equal in the eyes of the government, which Arthur does give us, I'll grant you that, but we're still always fighting to maintain it, walking on egg shells to make sure we don't lose it again. I just want one lifetime of no fighting, no egg shells. We do want to dominate Morgana, but not in a bad way. People will be automatically healed. Streets cleaned up. Buildings restored. Instead of having to get permission for everything we do, if a magic user can help, they will with no red tape. If a magic user lives next door to an old woman who's too feeble to clean her house, he can do it for her. If she needs groceries he can summon them as long as he pays for it, without consequences or judgment. We aren't talking about a free for all. Evil magic or magic that causes harm will still not be tolerated and prosecuted by the law. If we're sitting at the coffee shop and their machine breaks down and I can fix it with just a wave of my hand, I want to do it without someone charging me with unlawful magic or consequences for not getting permission. With magic in power we will have full rights to help wherever, whenever we want with no recourse. And if common people are unhappy with a world where people are healthy, food is plentiful, machines work, streets are clean, no more homeless, no more poverty, if they don't like that... then wait a lifetime and you can have it all back. That's freedom, Morgana, true freedom. And Arthur can't give us that. I'm not the same Morgause I was all those years ago. I've seen all of Arthur's reigns and he is a good man and he has earned the title of 'greatest king there ever was.' I don't want to hurt him. I will be honest, it is necessary for Emrys and Arthur to suffer some, but only for three months. Afterwards, I promise you he will be happy and so will Emrys." Morgause rises to her feet and turns to her sister. "Look, it's getting late. You can teleport back. You remember how?" The princess bows in assent. "All right. Take some time to think about it. Whether this happens at all is up to you." The blonde hugs her sister, then leaves to find Nimueh.

Morgana has a lot to think about.

--

He can't believe his father sent for him for yet another meeting. After Friday's humiliation he would have thought he'd withdraw from public view for a while. Not that his son is public, but still.

When Arthur arrives at his father's office the first thing he notices is they are not alone. There are a couple gentleman who he's never met before and one of his cronies from the 'fantastic four.' The second thing he notices is that they are happy. That can't be good. "Father, you sent for me?"

"Ah, Arthur. I didn't hear you come in."

"I apologize. I knocked, but there was no answer, so I let myself in."

The king is eyeing his friend with a knowing grin. "Yes, well we have been celebrating somewhat."

"I noticed. Can I ask what has everyone so... jovial?"

"See for yourself." What appears to be a report from Essetir Pharmaceuticals is passed to him. "Liberty?"

"We've done it, son. Or I should say Lot has." The king squeezes the shoulder of his associate like a 'proud papa,' who grins in appreciation for the praise. "Lot finished the formula for weakening the powers of magic users. It depletes the magic, and with enough of it, can render them powerless."

What?! His father's now trying to eradicate magic? How heinous can this man get?

"We've already been mass producing it for months, and we're finally ready to launch. The first ads will be playing tomorrow night streaming on the more popular channels and social media. We want maximum exposure. We're expecting a twenty-five percent decrease in magic by Christmas! Isn't it exciting!?"

Stay calm, Arthur. He coughs to prevent himself from choking. "I see. Aren't you concerned about Emrys?" The king's countenance mutates in seconds at the name. However, the transformation from a genuine, broad smile to a sordid smirk is not reassuring at all. Along with his new position entrenched in his office 'throne,' elbows on his desk and fingers steepled. Can you say evil mastermind, anyone?

"That's the beauty of it. She can't stop it. Rather, she won't. This isn't being forced on anyone. We're providing a service, a CHOICE." He smugly grins at the word, knowing it was favored by Merlynn. "They will have the option to take it or not. They will determine the level of potency. They can choose to reduce their powers or rid themselves of them all together. The choice is theirs. If Emrys tries to stop this, she would be in effect robbing them of their free will, wouldn't you say, son?"

He knows he's got him. Arthur hates how he knows he's got him. By god he really is the devil's prodigy, isn't he? "Yes, I suppose so."

With a single clap, Uther's back to his feet. "Good! The ads run tomorrow, and the product will be launched on Wednesday. I'm sure this is going to be big. George, contact Aredian. We need to make sure there's plenty of security down at Magical Registration."

"Ahem... father? How much will this product cost?"

"Why, son, it's free of charge. I'm a humanitarian, don't you know, providing a service for the greater good." With a cocky grin he waves him away. "Dismissed." Arthur customarily bows, but he could not get out of there faster.

On his way back to Kensington, he calls Morgana.

"Now why would you be calling me? Is it another 'woe is me' Merlynn crisis, or do you need paparazzi rescue?"

"If that were the case, I'd call Leon, not you."

"I beg to differ, brother. Remember New Years?"

"That was one time! And I could hardly let anyone else know, could I?"

"All right, all right. So to what do I owe the pleasure of your pleasant voice?"

"I need to get everyone together asap. I was hoping we could all come to your flat again, has less security than mine."

"Why? What's wrong?"

He doesn't want to get into it all now. He has to prepare first. "I'm not going to say yet. But... It's bad Morgana. Tell the group I don't care what their plans are, cancel them or reschedule, but be at your flat tomorrow no later than half six."

"Okay, I will. What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to try and assemble as much information as possible, get as many details and statistics we might need." The line is quiet a few moments. He can hear her breathing. It's atypical for her not to be talking. "Morgana?"

"Yeah, I'm here. Okay, I'll get ahold of everyone."

"Thank you." He's about to hang up when he hears her once more.

"Arthur? It's really bad isn't it?"

He could try to make light of it, but he's already said it was bad, plus the urgency he's pushing this speaks to its severity. No point in lying. To put it bluntly, 'Liberty' has the potential to be catastrophic to the magical community. "Yeah, it's bad."

"You're scaring me."

"Me too, Morgs. Me too."

--

Morgana doesn't have a clue what could have her brother so shaken. But she's done what she was told. The knights and ladies have all been collected and are gathered in her living room. The fact that he wanted all of them tells her this is somehow connected to his project, which means magic.

She's been thinking a lot about what her sister said. She understands where she's coming from, but she can't willingly hurt her brother and Merlynn even for only three months. If they wanted to sacrifice themselves that's one thing, but that's their choice. Anything else is underhanded, and she gave up those ways a long time ago. She's already had to hide her new magic knowledge. How can she explain how before she only knew telekinesis, but now she can control the elements. Not as much as Merlynn, of course, but she went from a fairly newborn, somewhat dormant platinum witch to a fully realized platinum high priestess, third in power. Merlynn, Nimueh, and her. She's surprised that just this one lifetime seemingly has wiped out any animosity or resentment towards her counterparts. She loves them. She loves them dearly. And outside of Merlynn, she's Arthur's greatest protector and supporter.

"'Bout time, princess. You had your sister get us all together, what's this about?"

She hears Gwaine in her foyer. Apparently her brother has finally shown up, and it's time to find out what's going on.

Arthur's holding a messenger bag with a dozen folders. "What'd you got there? Do we have homework now?" Mithian jokes.

But in all seriousness Arthur responds. "You might."

Mithian's smile vanishes at the sober temperament of her friend.

"What time is it?"

"Almost seven."

"Then we're nearly there. Everyone come on in here and get settled! We only have a few minutes left!"

"A few minutes for what, Arthur?"

And there she is. The woman that sets his heart aflame with a single look. God, she's beautiful. She's wearing a lace dress that she probably magicked to be longer and less transparent. She doesn't need to be revealing to be striking. She's exotic and ethereal at once. Erotic and angelic simultaneously. An odd combination, but for her, the question in it, the intrigue, just makes her all the more alluring. God, he really needs to talk to Gwen and find out what the hell is going on! Why all the mixed signals? First things first, though. "You'll see." He gives a soft smile and brief touch of her forearm, then centers himself between everyone.

"All right, please all have a seat. It's almost time, and you can't miss it. "I'll explain everything when it's over." He snatches Morgana's remote from the couch and scrolls for one of the channels his father mentioned. The ad is supposed to play at the exact same time on all the selected channels and media sites. Anyone online won't be able to escape it unless they turn it off or switch to lesser known stations. "An ad is going to play in..." He takes a quick peek at his mobile. "... two minutes. Once you see it, you'll understand why we all needed to meet and the urgency."

They all settle in around the room. The mood is somber. People are starting to realize how serious this is.

The ad begins with a child with silver gauntlets playing hide-and-seek with his friends, when suddenly a dog startles him and he unintentionally magics a fireball in a random direction. He watches horrified as a tree is set ablaze. The neighbors are coming to collect their children while a few men work to extinguish it. The scene ends watching the mother walk the remorseful child home. A spokesperson comes into vision as she observes the boy sympathetically. "This kind of incident is more prevalent than you think. More and more children are being faced with uncontrolled power. Even adults have struggles." The scene fades to him sitting in his room staring out the window as other kids play outside. "It's isolating..." Transitions to him walking to school and students noticing him, running in the opposite direction. "It's shaming..." Finally, a scene of him being pulled from class, waving goodbye to his friends and placed in a special class with a teacher with gold gauntlets, one able to protect everyone from... mishaps. "It cuts their world in half. Well, no more! Now magic users have a choice... with Liberty. Then the scene cuts to the boy sitting in a doctor's office. Three choices are laid out before him, an injection, a capsule, or a liquid. He selects the liquid. Then it cuts to him sitting at the gauntlet generator, which reports he's free of magic. With a broad smile you basically see a reversal of all the previous scenes. Once he lifts his wrists verifying no more gauntlets, he's welcomed openly back in class, laughs with a group of friends as they walk to school, and is back to playing schoolyard games with the neighborhood children. "Liberty is not age restricted." Then there are several scene shifts of random people of all ages, accepting the injection, liquid, or capsule. "It can be used to limit magic capability, opening the door to more opportunities." It shows a man interviewing for a job being rejected as soon as the employer sees golden gauntlets. But then he returns with copper and is hired. "Liberty is freedom. You can choose to use it. You can choose it's strength. You can choose how long you take it. With Liberty the CHOICE is yours." The scene cuts to a crowd of magic users cheering, arms raised, a mix of copper and steel gauntlets or none. "Liberty is our choice!" they roar. "And we choose... FREEDOM!" The scene cuts a final time to the spokesperson. "What will you choose?" and it's over.

With a solemn atmosphere, silence permeates the room. It didn't escape anyone's attention the slogan for the new drug. The whole ad was a stab against Merlynn, Magic herself.

Arthur lets the implications of this sink in, until he jumps to his feet to retrieve his own reports from his bag. He passes each person a folder. "My father informed me of this egregious development only yesterday. It's been in production for months already, which tells me he's well aware I would not support it. Ever since I heard about this I've been researching anything we might need. I have statistics of the magic population. I hacked Magic Registration and I know how many users there are for each level of gauntlets. I also have their contact information if we want to go door-to-door. I know employment information or lack there of. I even have a list of people they are watching for magic potentiality. This is imminent, people. It launches tomorrow. They're estimating a quarter decrease in the magical population by Christmas. That does not include ones that choose to drop their gauntlet level. This could be the most devastating attack against the magical people since the purge fifteen hundred years ago, apparently our first lifetime. The worst of it, is that it's their choice. We need ideas to fight this. I will be there tomorrow. I want to get an idea of what we're really facing. Merlynn and Morgana, I think it would be a good idea for you to be there. It could go a long way to help."

"Of course."

"Absolutely."

"Arthur, you are set to travel tomorrow. Do I need to contact the Swiss Ambassador?"

"Yes please. I'm sorry, I've been so focused on this, I forgot. Please reschedule for next week."

"That should work. I don't believe you have anything planned. I'll instruct your assigned Guard to prepare for a delayed detail, and they can handle any further logistics."

"Thank you, Leon. I'm sorry this is so last minute, but this has to take priority over a routine diplomatic meeting."

"I understand and fully agree. I will be there as well, by the way."

One by one each confirm their own participation. The rest of the evening they discuss ideas from making individual contact to expanding their influence. Preventing radical intervention is also a priority. They agreed to all meet at Morgana's flat no later than seven thirty am, as they want to arrive at the same time and present a united front with the prince, princess, and Magic at the helm.

After everyone's gone home Morgana places a call to her sister.

"Did you see it?"

"I think everyone saw it. Nimueh is beside herself. We did not expect this. It's an approach we've never dealt with before. They are virtually having each of us battle ourselves with a 'choice.' I don't know if we can come back from this, Morgana. If people have no magic, they can't beget magic. If magic stops being born. This could be the end of magic's future all together. No more lifetimes. This truly could be the end."

"Arthur, and all of us are going down there tomorrow. We're making plans."

There's a brief lull. "Arthur cannot fix this, Morgana. All he can achieve is equality, and he's done it every lifetime. He really is an amazing man and I have no desire to cause him any harm. I regret this plan does require some suffering, but it gives me peace to know it is only temporary. My hope is that we can have a relationship when this is over. He's never been my brother before. I think I will enjoy it. I have admired him for centuries. He really has been our greatest ambassador of the non-magical population. But the only thing that can stop this is magic in power. Not to sound redundant, but the choice is yours, Morgana. But hey, if this really is the end, let's go out with a bang, yeah? We can make a magic bucket list." She tries to lighten the mood. "You're more powerful than me and who knows what we could do together."

"Yeah, maybe. Look, I have to be up early to go to this thing. It's going to be all right, Mogause. We'll fix this one way or another."

"I hope so... Hey, good luck tomorrow and may the Triple Goddess be with you." Click.

"Yeah, luck and divine intervention... we're gonna need both."

--

When they arrive, it is absolute mayhem. There must be at least fifty protesters with signs. The noise is thunderous, reverberating to be heard a kilometer away. News crews and police are lined along the street. What is most disheartening is the trail of people to receive Liberty. It's more than twice the amount of protesters. The group immediately starts to work the line, trying to persuade them to reject it, but to no avail. Their reasons are too valid. Some can't find work. Some children are being bullied. Some have dreams they can't pursue because they're refused the education. Family and friends are pushing them to take it. The pressure seems insurmountable. The team tries to convince them it's temporary, that Arthur supports them and is fighting for them, that he will change everything when he is king. But they all have the same question, a question they cannot answer... When? That seems to be the Achilles heel of it all. The three leaders give interviews, hoping maybe to reach viewers at home. By the end of the day the group is beyond despondent.

More tears flow from Merlynn's eyes as each sorcerer or sorceress exit the building with a smile on their face. Hardly any choose to keep any power at all. Their mission seems to be more and more impossible. Morgana watches Arthur embrace Merlynn trying to comfort her before they all go their separate ways. Off in the distance she sees Nimueh and her sister make an appearance. Even from that far away she can read their grave expressions. Everyone goes home dispirited and dejected, especially Arthur.

"I have never felt so helpless, Morgana. I cannot help people who won't help themselves. They need change now, and I can't..."

Morgana doesn't think she's ever seen her brother so low. Are those tears?

"I can't help them. My people are suffering, and there's nothing I can do about it. We need a miracle. But how is that gonna work if even a fucking Goddess can't help!" The pregnant pause is so full of meaning. It's like they've already lost. "He's done it. He's finally done it... and legally, not forcefully. He's gotten them to turn on themselves... and that is a war I cannot win."

He leans into her and she holds him as he cries, cries like she never seen before. Her own eyes fill but remain unshed.

"I need to fix this, Morgana. I have to fix this. I have to save these people from themselves. I will do whatever I have to do, but these people will not fall. Not on my watch. If I have to lose the throne, if I have to..." he gulps and holds back a sob. "...lose Merlynn, I will."

This is what truly shocks her. He really is desperate, isn't he? "Do you mean that? Would you really go that far?"

He lifts his head from where he was resting in her arms, then he turns and looks dead set in her eyes. "I'd walk through fire to save my people, Morgana. Will you help me?"

God, what is he saying? Is this a sign? Is the Triple Goddess trying to tell her something? Is she really going to do this?

"Morgana, will you help me?"

His gaze into her eyes is piercing all the way to her heart. "I will." When she gets back to her flat she makes a call.

"Hello Morgana."

"So tell me about this plan."

6. I wanted bad good characters, or good bad characters, however you want to look at it. Characters that do bad things for good reasons and have the best intentions.

7. I liked the idea of people being their own enemies by the choices they make. Arthur's real battle is with the people he's trying to save. Interesting concept I haven't read, or if I have, it's rare.