Chapter 5: Old Score to Settle

Rayman looked around him. He had to blink first as the place they were bathed in bright light. When his eyes accustomed to the light he saw that he was in a stone padded glade surrounded by teensie-style iron fence. His attention was quickly drawn to Polokus who was standing on a stone pillar. But Polokus seemed to be in some time stasis as his actions were discontinuous and his lips moved even after he had stopped talking.

"Welcome to the newly shaped Hall of Doors," Polokus said. "Luckily the removal of the eye control of Nelegus also removed his ability to hear through your ears so this place still remains a secret."

"Polokus, great to see you finally," Rayman said amazed. "But...in the name of yourself what kind of magical stasis is that?"

"Oh, this is the one person time stasis. I cannot cast any spells because they would just freeze in the middle of casting and blow up in my hands."

Rayman looked his surroundings and noticed that Murfy was sitting next to the stone pillar, staring deliriously in front of him.

"I see you noticed Murfy," Polokus said. "I created him to be the ultimate world dictionary but he needs my presence in order to keep that massive information in order. When I disappeared...well you must have seen the results. Therefore he needs to stay here for a while so I can arrange his mind back in order."

Rayman was glad to hear this. Finally Murfy's latest actions made sense...in their own weird way.

"But now let us get back on the mission at hand, namely retrieving the second mask," Polokus said. "My colleague Vaharnos was able to get some important knowledge about the location of the masks. One of them is hidden in headquarter of Culture Cops but that is still too dangerous for you to try."

"So you suggest that we try to gather more forces?" Betilla asked.

"Let me finish," said Polokus. "Vaharnos tried to check the location of the other masks but he was surprised and couldn't investigate further. I want you to go to the main office of Culture Pages and find the file that is stored in there."

"Why that kind of important file would be stored in a newspaper print house?" asked Rayman.

"Very simple," answered one of the teensies. "Everyone assume that would be stored in the Culture Cops' headquarter and would try to infiltrate there. However we have an insider in Culture Pages who could tell the file's location to Vaharnos."

"Yes...I need to tell you about this insider, Rayman, and many other things as well," Polokus said, considering his words. "Rayman…this insider is your mother."

Every thought in Rayman's head stopped in their tracks when he tried to handle this sudden reveal. For a while he was silent as were everyone else.

"I…I have a mother?" Rayman managed to say.

"Yes and a father as well," Polokus answered. "They are both working with us against Nelegus."

Rayman just stared in front of him while having a faint smile of mixed confusion and disbelief. It was unbelievable that finally, after all these years, his past would make some sense. But he still felt hollow because he didn't remember any time he had spent with his parents.

"I still need more answers, Polokus," Rayman said after a while. "Why I was taken out of my world? Did I even have any normal life before that?"

"Actually you had pretty much normal childhood," Betilla answered. "Or so I've heard, I hadn't met you before your duty began."

"My 'duty'?" Rayman asked.

"That is that another thing I need to tell," Polokus said.

Rayman wanted more than anything to concentrate on Polokus' speech.

"Some time after me and Nelegus were born almost all gods of the universe, myself included, gathered together to choose a mortal champion for us. He could be summoned by the gods to protect their worlds against the threats from inside and outside. We decided the champion should be chosen from the newest of the worlds as its people would be the least corrupted. So the god of your world, the orb-shaped entity called the Great Proton, chose the child of Reond and Neila. The child was named Rayman because of him being chosen among raymanians."

Rayman was amused by hearing this. So it was the gods and not his parents who had poor imagination.

"But…there was something that we had not thought. Many of the gods actually found the offer of Nelegus about the universe where everyone would be a creative being quite tempting and joined in his cause. For them it was easy to imprison the rest of the gods before they had any time to summon you. And it of course became easier once he somehow obtained that mysterious dark force to increase his strength. When I saw in my dream state that Nelegus was on the rampage I summoned you to my world, the Glade of Dreams, before he managed to conquer yours."

"I'd still like to know why can't I remember my past life," Rayman said.

"You were originally a being made of electoons but in my world beings are formed by lums. Our other mistake as the majority of the gods uses lums in creation. I had to change your atomic structure so you could live in the Glade of Dreams but that also erased your entire memory. I however still managed to encrypt it in your genetic code so it returns to you when you see familiar faces."

Rayman didn't fully understand Polokus' explanation but the thought about being re-created nearly from scratch made him to shiver. He still had more questions but before he could ask those Polokus said:

"I see you are troubled. I would like to answer your further questions but we must now focus on our mission at hand. First, now that I am able, I will give you back the power of extreme speed which you lost in the atom structure exchange."

Without any other word Polokus gave his bright blessing of energy on Rayman. After a passing feeling of euphoria Rayman tried to focus to his legs and there they were; two energy strings that connected his body and feet.

"Neat," Rayman said and stopped focusing. "So Culture Pages, huh? Well, who's coming with me?"

"If you don't mind," started Globox, "I'd like to go back to the rebels' hideout. I know I said I wanted to aid you, and I will, but…I'd just like spend some more time with Uglette and the kids."

"I understand, now even more than ever," Rayman replied with a sad smile.

"I'd like to go as well," said Moskito. "I don't like cities."

After short goodbyes Globox and Moskito walked to the portal behind an opened iron gate and disappeared.

"I'll stay here to guard my master," stated Jano.

"Now, now, Jano," Polokus said, "I prefer my own name but you may call me lord if you have to."

"As you wish, my lord," Jano replied.

"All seems to be settled," Polokus said to Rayman, Ly and Betilla. "A portal over there will send you to the back alley of their building where you will meet your contact."

"But the gate to that portal is locked," pointed Rayman.

"That's the reason why Polokus instructed you earlier to gather as many lums as possible," instructed one of the teensies. "Opening these portals require lots of energy."

Rayman remembered how he needed to gather enough lums in order to retrieve the four masks during the robopirate incident. He was glad the gate to the portal opened at the first try. It would have been incredibly annoying to return to those nasty places where he had to struggle really hard for his life. Polokus said his goodbyes:

"Be careful you all."

Determined to succeed the party of three stepped to the portal.

After series of swirling shapes Rayman, Ly and Betilla arrived to their destination. Even though they were at the back alley of Culture Pages it still looked really amazing to Rayman. He had seen grey apartment buildings during his trip to Earth but the sepia coloring these buildings had made them look ancient and modern at the same time. Farer he could see few skyscrapers and other high buildings, most notably the mountain-sized and grandeur-looking palace witch Rayman correctly presumed to be Culture Chateau. Then he heard someone talking:

"Yes, the landscape is impressive but I'd like to do some mission briefing, if you don't mind."

Rayman looked around and noticed a fine looking cylinder hat next to dumpsters. From the hat emerged a finely dressed raymanian whose hat and long, blond hair covered his eyes. Once again Rayman got another memory swarm. He remembered this mysterious man as a helper who gave him more constitution if he managed to win timed running contests and who also participated in some victory party.

"Seems that you remember my looks but not my name," the man said. "Neither do I but call me Magician, so does everyone else. Good to see you Rayman, and Betilla too."

"Likewise," said Betilla while giving Magician a brief hug. "How you've managed to run the rebellion here in city while I was gone?"

"To be honest, we have remained rather stationary since you were captured," Magician admitted. "How did you manage to escape from Razorbeard anyway?"

"Believe or not, I jumped from his ship."

"Just like that? You surely had guts to jump from that high."

"No worries, Rayman softened my landing." Betilla turned on Rayman. "I didn't apologize about it earlier, so sorry Rayman for landing on you."

"That's okay," said Rayman who however still had some pains from it.

"I hate to interrupt, but…" started Ly.

"…our mission, indeed," said Magician. "Thank you, Ly. Vaharnos informed that the file about the location of the second mask is located in the lower vaults of the building, more specifically basement floor 2's third file cabinet of the fifth row. The best route there is through the main entrance as the majority of the culture cops are in the higher floors. The resistance you face will be quite minimal but the basement floors are filled with traps and alarms so be extra careful there."

"We will," Betilla said. "What you're going to do?"

"Vaharnos wants me to do something I cannot yet share at this point. But I'd like to first to talk with Rayman in private."

Betilla and Ly both guessed what subject Magician would bring up and went farer. When they were out of hearing distance Magician said to Rayman:

"Polokus must have told you about Neila."

"Yes, I know she is my mother and that she works in Culture Pages."

"I just wanted to make sure that you are prepared. Meeting your long-lost family member can be very hard experience."

"I am fully prepared, thanks for asking."

"Forgive me."

Rayman was going to ask why Magician needed to be forgiven but the thought slipped from his mind as quickly as it came. Instantly he was starting to feel that he shouldn't go with Ly and Betilla through the main entrance. Instead he would take a different route by using the building's fire escape ladders – that for some reason were unguarded – go to the roof and from there go straight to the top floor where the main editor's office was. He had no idea how he knew this stuff or why it was necessary to go to the main editor's office but he felt it was the right thing to do and vital for their success.

"I have to go now," Magician said to the whole group. "Good luck to you all."

Without another word Magician teleported himself away.

"That power would've been really handy in my past adventures," Rayman said to himself.

"Okay, I visited here once so I know we will most likely face…" Ly started but Rayman interrupted her.

"You will face. I'm going to take a different route."

"Uh, what?" Ly said surprised. "Rayman, are you really sure it's wise to split our team?"

"I have handled some tough situations alone if that's what you mean."

"Did Magician give you new instructions?" Betilla asked. "Why can't you just tell us?"

"No!" Rayman said frustrated. "I just have a plan. Please, both of you, trust me on this."

Betilla and Ly couldn't think of any reason to doubt Rayman's judgment. He has always been worthy of everyone's trust.

"Of course," Betilla answered. "Let's go, Ly."

The fairies and Rayman went to their separate directions.

*****

Nelegus waited for Dirannah's response. It was surely a pleasant surprise to learn about Dirannah being a goddess, it was impressive how long she had being able to hide it. After learning that their tactical advantage wasn't lost after all Nelegus had permitted all the other members of Culture Council to leave to their daily duties and asked Dirannah to look for Rayman's next move. She had already told that Rayman, Ly and Betilla were at the back alley of Culture Pages with Magician but she had suddenly started to sadly stare in front of her.

"Well, what?" Nelegus asked.

"He…he asked for forgiveness," Dirannah said while still staring. "I know he meant that for me."

"He will not get any, at least not from me. Traitors do not deserve that."

"But he clearly wants a second change. Why else he has not told my godly identity for the rebels?"

Nelegus had to admit Dirannah's thought pattern was logical. But the cold fact was that Magician nearly was in Culture Council and betraying them was the heaviest crime of all.

"No wonder he asked forgiveness," said Dirannah disappointed. "He must have planted mental command in Rayman to take a different route so I cannot see what Betilla and Ly are doing at the main entrance."

"Regret is not going to help him much if he keeps aiding our enemies," said Nelegus who was slightly amused by Dirannah's naïve optimism. "I have already informed Mister Sax that he will receive unwanted visitors but now it seems we need additional help."

Nelegus took his cell phone and dialed a number.

"I need you to come back here this instant," he said and closed the phone. "It certainly wants revenge; the feeling of hatred is so powerful."

"You are about to send Mister Dark?" asked Dirannah surprised.

"Why not? I have denied its chance to face its old arch-nemesis for too long. Now I only need its way of transport…ah, you have arrived."

Mr. Dark II had arrived and waited quietly for his master's command. He had the same dark blue cape, gloves and hat that the original Mr. Dark had but the hat was so deep in his head his eyes couldn't be seen.

"Mister Dark the Second," Nelegus said. "I am aware that you have to run Burning Soul Game Studios but this is an urgent mission. I need you to take Mister Dark to Culture Pages."

Mr. Dark II didn't like this command and it made him to take few steps back.

"But Nelegus, you promised…" he started but Nelegus interrupted him.

"I know what I promised. That is why cast a protection spell on you that I just recently got developed."

The spell was cast on Mr. Dark II with purple red light effect. After that Nelegus commanded:

"Mister Dark, embrace him."

Dark matter left from Nelegus turning him back to his original, equally frightening form. The matter poured into the mortal being in front of him who screamed in agony. Seconds later he lifted his hat revealing pitch black head with two yellow eyes.

"Its presence is still unpleasant," said Mr. Dark II, "but at least this time the thoughts are my own. My sincerest thanks."

"You are welcome," Nelegus said and commanded him to teleportation chambers. Then he turned on Dirannah. "I will go now to transport Razorbeard back here and after that finish the playing of Betrayal at Krondor. I will however try to find someone to aid you in focusing."

"Thank you but I can manage for a while longer than you could. You can do all the important things before that."

"All correct," said Nelegus and left while Dirannah was focusing on Rayman's feet.

*****

Why all the places I visit have to have long gaps and other nasty traps? I know the rooms I just passed aren't regularly used by those who work here but seriously, how many casualties just coming to get some files out of here must have caused? Not to mention those rooms had anti-toons, some creatures looking like some horn-shaped instrument, raymanian culture cops – who I have some blurry memories about meeting them before as hunters or clowns – and prisoners of all things. Culture Pages were probably designed by the same maniac who put Razorbeard's old Prison Ship together. It wasn't meant that anyone could walk in that place.

I think I'm close to the main editor's office. What I was supposed to do in here anyway? Wait, it comes…of course! The basement security override switch hidden there! I just need switch it off and Ly and Betilla don't need to worry about any traps. But how do I even know that? Oh well, have to admit it is kind a clever choice, anyone with logical thinking wouldn't look from there.

Darn, it sounds the main editor is still there. His voice sounds really familiar but I don't remember who he is. I may have to charge…it's…I remember…it's my mother's voice. She is the main editor's secretary. Amazing she has gained that position without him realizing she works against Nelegus. Should I talk to her first? I should but on the other hand Ly and Betilla could use me help.

Wait, why are my feet tickling so much?

*****

"That won't do!" yelled Mr. Sax to his phone. "That headline will make him seem too much like a liberator! Neila, doesn't the headline 'Rayman Is Back' make him look too much like a liberator?"

An old and fragile looking raymanian felt very uncomfortable by this conversation but still answered to her superior's question:

"Y-yes."

"Even my secretary agreed. I have the perfect headline which is provocative and simple: 'Rayman Is on Loose'. The readers will think him as a threat and not only they more probably buy our news paper because of the provocative headline but also makes them do their civil duties and report about Rayman's actions."

Mr. Sax listened for a while and what he heard didn't please him.

"What do you mean 'public opinion'?! Culture Council's opinion is the only opinion everyone is ever going to need! Now do your job and put that printing machine on or you're fired!"

He smashed the phone back to its place so hard it crushed under his gigantic hand.

"It's so hard to find employees who do exactly what they should do."

"I-I agree," Neila said and pretended to do something.

"This conversation bothers you," said Mr. Sax stating the obvious. "But the cold fact is that your long-lost son is the most major threat to the society. Notably soon you have to make the ultimate choice."

"And how soon should I do that, Mr. Sax?"

"Earlier I got a phone call from Nelegus himself who told that Rayman is coming to the top floors. Perhaps we may even see him walking past that door…oh, there he is."

Rayman didn't understand what in the name of Polokus just happened. Suddenly his feet had started to move against his own will and walked straight to the main editor's office. Swarm of memories filled his head when he saw the gigantic saxophone-shaped, limbless creature whose desk revealed him to be the main editor Mr. Sax. Rayman remembered he had fought against him before and, like with Moskito, they had parted as friends. But there he was, serving Rayman's most powerful enemy.

Then his attention focused to the old woman next to Mr. Sax. He remembered everything from his mother Neila; all the warmness, all the comfort, all the safety he had received from her as a child.

"Mom," Rayman whispered faintly and approached her.

"Rayman," said his mother and embraced him.

Both the mother and son just hugged each other without saying a word or making a gesture. Neither of them was needed at that moment.

"Sorry to I break this teary reunion," interrupted Mr. Sax, "but I have to remind my secretary that she's hugging our most powerful enemy."

Rayman suddenly remembered that the security override switch was hidden behind the plum juice cabinet that was right from Mr. Sax's desk.

"Push down that plum juice cabinet when I give the signal," Rayman said to Neila, parted from her and turned to Mr. Sax. "Enemy? My memories are still little hazy but I think we were friends when I last time saw you."

"Things are different now," Mr. Sax said. "I happened to choose the right side. But it's still not too late for you."

"I don't want to join Nelegus' forces so I guess we'll fight once more."

"Heh, you're welcome to try. Your feet seem to be somewhat…stiff."

Both of them stared each other silently, waiting for the other one to do the first move.

"NOW!" Rayman yelled.

For such a fragile looking woman Neila managed quite effortlessly push down Mr. Sax's plum juice cabinet and take cover. As the cabinet fell Rayman could see a quite large switch that was in on position. One energy shot from his fist was enough to turn it off and cause electrical malfunction to keep it in that position. Rayman tried to make his feet move in high speed but it was very hard to make them move.

"How in the name of art did you know that switch was there?!" wondered Mr. Sax still shocked by Rayman's sudden move.

Rayman managed to get his feet back in control by adding their speed and crashed himself to the wall in front of him. That hurt but he quickly recovered.

"Jump on my back!" Rayman said to Neila.

"So that was your choice," Mr. Sax said to Neila while she and Rayman were leaving. "But it's only a minor setback. At least someone in your family knows which one is the right side."

Rayman had already started running when he heard Mr. Sax's last sentence but it certainly left cold feeling inside of him. Could his father…no, Rayman didn't want to believe it.

*****

Mr. Dark II was glad that he had finally arrived to the Culture Pages.

"We have arrived. Now leave my body and do what you wanted to do."

Dark matter poured from him and took unclear form. It looked like liquid smoke with two yellow eyes.

"Such a wimp," it said to its host when it left.

*****

There just seemed to be traps and guards in every place. Now it was even more absurd because people were actually working in these rooms. Most of them didn't even see who or what the two fast moving objects were. Those who noticed just stared in amazement or jumped out of their way.

Rayman stopped running at Culture Pages' gigantic printing machine when he saw pitch black liquid smoke in front of him that stared coldly with its yellow eyes. He started to remember even though this wasn't the form he had encountered this being before. Rayman remembered how that dark matter had kidnapped Betilla. He remembered how it had tried to stop him by making a dark copy of him, reversed his feet, made him constantly run and removed his power to hit. He also remembered the epic battle where it tried to burn him with its fire magic but was saved by electoons and after that it shape shifted into mixtures of its most dangerous underlings. It was the source of evil during his very first adventure but Rayman had managed to defeat it and save the world.

"Mr. Dark!" Rayman yelled the name he hated.

"Yes, Rayman, after all these years we finally meet," Mr. Dark said.

"Stay behind me," said Rayman to his mother.

"You can let the woman go," Mr. Dark said. "I want to have my revenge only on you."

"The other employees haven't yet learned about my betrayal so I can easily get out of here," said Neila to her son.

"Try to find Ly and Betilla first, they should be somewhere in the basement," Rayman instructed.

Neila left and Rayman stayed to face his old arch-nemesis.

"Why you don't show your true self?" Rayman asked.

"This is my true form," Mr. Dark replied. "I'm nothing but dark matter. I have to take a host body so I can survive. I used to have a very good one that I intended to keep but you ruined my changes to become the absolute ruler. Now I have to live in a being stronger than myself which controls me instead other way around. Do you have any idea how frustrating that is, limbless champion? Not being able to use your full potential?! Just for that you deserve to be destroyed!"

Rayman didn't care about Mr. Dark's pain because he realized how much information Mr. Dark happened to reveal during its rambling. So Mr. Dark was the dark force that gave Nelegus extra power and his menacing look. Rayman smiled at Mr. Dark's over confidence; usually his enemies didn't reveal this kind of delicate information, not even when they were absolutely sure about their victory.

"My torment seems to amuse you," said Mr. Dark. Rayman wanted to take advantage of Mr. Dark's blind villainy and didn't correct its misunderstanding. "But I have to go to my host body now; I can feel myself fading away already. I won't however leave without first ensuring your DOOM!"

Rayman was surprised about Mr. Dark's sudden burst of yell so it gave enough time to it to put a spell on him and hover out of his reach. Rayman suddenly remembered witch spell it was and started running. A moment later where Rayman was materialized his exact copy, only its skin was grayer, hair was red, its eyes were yellow like Mr. Dark's and it was generally darker colored. Instantly it started to mimic Rayman's movements and had the same frustrated expression on its face as Rayman had. Rayman wasn't sure did that creature have any kind of free will or was it even aware of its existence. But Rayman was sure that if it would touch him they both would be goners.

Rayman ran all around the printing hall, trying to find an exit somewhere. No matter where he ran his dark copy was always on his trails. Rayman was getting tired when he saw a delightful sight: Betilla was levitating towards him.

"Betilla, I could use your help," Rayman said exhausted.

"Betilla, I could use your help," his copy repeated a moment later equally exhausted.

Betilla took hold from Rayman's hands and lifted him up. The dark Rayman couldn't mimic this move because there was nothing to lift it. It screamed when it fell and shattered into couple of anti-toons who ran away. That scream made Rayman to shiver.

"Glad you showed up," Rayman said relieved. "You probably met my mother."

"Yes, she told you were here," Betilla answered. "I asked Ly to take her out of here and came as fast as I could. It's unbelievable that Mr. Dark was here, I haven't heard anything about him since his defeat."

"I'd still consider Mr. Dark 'it' rather than 'him' as it seemed to be non-organic material."

"So you mean Mr. Dark doesn't have a gender?"

"It sounded male but since it's a symbiotic being…"

"Mr. Dark is symbiotic? How do you know that?"

"It revealed it to me when it complained about being used by Nelegus…"

"It was used by…"Betilla said amazed. "This will surely help us. But we have to get the second mask first. Let's go to your parents' home and discuss this more about there."

"My parents' home?" Rayman asked.

"Sure, you can meet your father as well," Betilla answered and smiled.

Rayman smiled faintly back and they levitated off the building. Mr. Sax's ominous words were still hanging in Rayman's head.

*****

Otmeozo rushed to Culture Council's meeting room and met Dirannah on his way.

"Nelegus said you needed help in something," Otmeozo said nervously. "Am I late?"

"It is all correct," Dirannah replied. "I was trying to focus on the feet of Rayman and control them but I changed my mind at one point."

"Indeed? Why?"

"Mister Dark tried to destroy him," said Dirannah frustrated. "I and Nelegus will have to talk with it about that – and because it revealed vital information – and possibly punish it. We want Rayman captured, not destroyed."

"I see. Put I also had something to announce."

"Hopefully good news," Dirannah said.

"Yes," Otmeozo replied cheerfully. "We at the Teensie Council have started the rituals Nelegus requested. It should be ready at tomorrow night."

"Magnificent!" said Dirannah pleased.

"I have also talked with Razorbeard about the take-over of the rebels' jungle hideout. He wanted to know when they will attack."

"I can have Nelegus to inform that. But thank you for your dedication to your tasks. I am sure you will be a valuable member to the government."

"I'm grateful, Dirannah," said Otmeozo modestly and left.