(Prologue: Lucas)

Giant's Mine's reputation precedes it.

'Hell's Mouth'. 'The Chokehold.' ''Death's Chasm'. All names given to it through the years. It was originally named after Giant's Step, the footprint-shaped imprint by its edge, but the pit is said to have developed a certain menace over time. The darkness is like a doorway, they say, full of swirling mists and hidden voices. It's the oldest and deepest of the coal mines, known for its twisting nooks and sheer descents, for exploitative corporations and tragic accidents. Many have died there. People say it's haunted by ghosts, benign spirits, that the skeletons of the fallen still litter the ground.

Of course, most of these rumours were drummed up by Porky's tourism company, which predictably reaps enormous profits from keen, English tourists who want to 'understand the world'. But some of these rumours are rooted in truth, or at least, in traditional ways of thinking. Before it was taken over by the miners, the cavern was a site for a lot of religious and spiritual practices. It was believed that a god lived at the bottom, and fanatics would throw down silver, gold, whatever sacrifices the priests claimed were required on that day. Of course, the priests hungrily descended to gather the profits after such events, fleecing the spiritual of their money. Serve them right for being stupid, I say.

I remember seeing it myself for the first time. It was in the dead of night, while the city slept and the rats came out to play. Father took me up there on a trip, a kind of bring-your-child-to-work-day, except it was after hours and at the worst time possible. He showed me what was what, and then he took me to look over the edge.

I remember the screaming. Looking back, it was probably the wind rushing through the passages below, but young me was terrified. Ness had dared me once before to run past the mines, and I'd flat out refused. I was only brave enough this time because Father was there. Father was stronger back then.

The cavern was huge, much bigger than I'd imagined. To me, it looked like a great mouth, leading into a dark throat of stone and mist. Falling down there would result in almost certain death, as Father so kindly told me, if one were to go down without the proper safety equipment. But I wouldn't go down there regardless, I thought to myself. Never in a million years.

So when Father held up a harness and rope, I was horrified.

"You're a man," he persisted. "Just go down, Lucas. It's fun, it's safe, I swear on my life."

I curled up in a ball. "I don't want to!"

"Your mind is just playing tricks on you, Lucas," he said, stepping forward. "Just put on the harness, tie the rope, and I'll be at the other end. There's nothing to be afraid of."

I looked again into the unholy hole. "It's scary!"

"I go down there every day," Father said sternly. "It's not scary. You're just being a baby about it."

"B-But I wanna go home!"

"I'm trying to do something nice for you, Lucas." His voice became harsher, and he came forward. "We're not going home until you've gone down there, touched the bottom with your feet, and come back up again."

"I don't want to!" I cried, but Father gave a short, humourless laugh.

"Claus would've done it."

I looked up at him, my eyes watering. But I'm not Claus, I wanted to shout. I could never be Claus.

"He would've gone down in an instant," Father scorned. "He'd have loved it. He'd have thought this was great fun. Why can't you just be more like him?"

I whimpered, miserable. Father took the opportunity to strap the harness around my shoulders, clipping the straps, tying the rope. Looking back, I should've just run. I should've fled, stayed the night at Ness's, but I was too afraid. The Claus comment had gotten to me. Father was right.

Claus wouldn't have been scared.

Before I knew it, I was standing over the edge. No matter how I begged, Father persisted. The stories of ghosts rushed back to me, of beasts, of the miners who'd fallen and died. I whimpered, terrified out of my mind.

"I'm holding onto the other end," Father promised. "Just go down, Lucas. Keep your feet to the wall, and don't let go of the rope."

"Ness said monsters live down there," I whimpered.

"Ness is a bad influence," Father said. "You know why? He lets you hide behind him. He lets you be a coward."

"B-But-"

"It's time to grow up," he said.

And then, he pushed me.

I remember the rushing feeling, the slam of cold air against my face. I remember how my stomach flew up into my chest, how black and infinitely far away the bottom had seemed. I remember how I yelled, how the darkness swallowed me whole, and how all of a sudden, the rope had tensed. My body jerked, and in an instant, I was swinging, flying headfirst towards the stone. I screamed, throwing my arms forward, and suddenly, my hands were shreds, and I was clinging to a ledge for dear life.

"Come on!" Father called. "You've only gone twenty feet. Quit whining and start climbing!"

But I couldn't do it, bursting into tears. The emptiness loomed, horrible and dark. There'd be nobody to save me if I fell. I'd never see my friends again.

"Hold onto the rope!" Father said again. "You're not going to fall, Lucas. You'll be fine!"

I looked up at his remorseless face, clinging to the rock like a child to a stuffed animal. If I let go, that'd be it. There'd be more Ness. No more painting. No more omelettes. I cried that night, cried like I haven't cried since, begging, pleading to be pulled back up. I started hearing monsters, screams, ghosts. I felt them tug on my sleeve, like hands reaching up from Hell itself.

Father left me there all night.

By morning, I was a wreck. He appeared over the mine, and he didn't say a word as he hauled me up. I collapsed in a heap on the grass, filthy and miserable.

Father was disappointed, I knew it. I'd failed him.

He's barely spoken to me since.

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~~o00o~~

Chapter 41 - The Smiling Man (Part 2)

(Lucas)

~~o00o~~

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CONTENT WARNING: This chapter contains scenes of a distressing nature. Reader discretion is advised.

"You definitely said something," Ness insists. "Something like I did it to save you. What did you mean?"

"I didn't say anything," I sigh, my head throbbing. "Really, I didn't. I don't know what you're talking about."

Following my major panic attack at hearing Geldegarde's name, Ness propped me up against a tree, sitting with me until I calmed down. Now, the others watch, looking at me as if I might explode again, while a resourceful Tessie sets and binds my ankle.

She wraps around the last loop of bandages. "Is that all better, love?"

"Yeah," I say gratefully. "Thanks."

At least I can walk again. With makeshift crutches, admittedly, but still.

Geledegarde. The name flashes back through my mind. I thought I'd blocked everything out. I made myself forget everything that happened in the red alleyway. But now the thoughts are returning, all those horrible memories, the ones I tried so hard to forget…

"Tell me where he is."

"No!"

"Tell me or I'll hurt you."

"I won't!"

"I need him. I want him."

"But why? What do you want with Ness!?"

I stand, dizzy.

I never understood his obsession with my best friend. I didn't understand why he wanted Ness. I only knew one thing: I wasn't going to let him have him.

No matter what he did to me.

When I opened up about the street life, I didn't tell the full truth. I couldn't bring myself to tell the full truth, because I knew what Ness would say. Sure, I told him that Geldegarde had me under his control, that he had his customers who came and did as they pleased. But in a way, I lied. I implied that Geldegarde was doing it of his own free will, for kicks, for money. Blackmailing me with my own death.

In reality, it was blackmail of a different sort. Geldegarde did what he did to make me break. To make me give Ness up.

I never gave in. Through the weeks of hurt, I never gave in.

I'm proud of that, I think.

I was so afraid that Geldegarde would hurt Ness, would do things to him like he did to me. Fear was what got me through, what gave me the courage to withstand it all. Every day, I reminded myself that Ness was in danger, that I was the only one who could keep him safe. As Ness's worried letters came through the mail, I clung to them, using them for courage.

But that mixed with guilt. The things being done to me, I'd been told they were sinful. That I had broken rules, written rules in Onett's high codes. Geldegarde's words made that even worse. He was a master of words, twisting everything to be my fault, my choice, my decision. As far as I was concerned, so long as I chose to keep Ness safe, everything else that happened was completely and utterly my fault. Nobody else's. Just mine.

That's why I couldn't answer Ness's letters.

It was torture.

..It still is.

"Come on, Lucas," Ness pleads. "Is there anything you're not saying? I'll listen. I..." He looks from side to side. "I love you, Lucas."

"I can't," I murmur, my head throbbing. "I'm sorry, Ness. One day, but not now."

Ness looks crestfallen, and I ball in on myself.

Ollie and Angie are out solving the gunpowder case. Heaven knows who or what Geldegarde plans to blow up, but Headmaster Hand wheedled permission from Ike for the pair to leave the prisoner zone, and now they're working on it, I suppose. Claus, meanwhile, is sitting with us, but he looks confused more than anything. I wonder if he's getting tired. I wouldn't blame him.

"Lucas, I promise I won't laugh," Ness says again. "I won't judge you, I won't do anything. I'll just listen."

I grit my teeth. "Ness, I don't want to talk about it, okay? It's in the past, and that's the end of it. Please, leave it alone."

"But are you sure? You know I'm always here for you…"

I fold my arms. "Yes, Ness. I'm sure."

Ness leans back, evidently not satisfied, but he still knows better than to press further. "Do you reckon Ollie and Angie are having any luck?" he asks instead.

"No idea," I say, shrugging.

There's an uncomfortable pause.

"Lucas..." Ness rubs his hands together, tense. "I'm really worried about you, you're not acting like yourself, are you completely sure that you're-"

"Yes!" I exclaim, hurt. "I'm fine! Just stop going on about it, okay?"

"I'm sorry," he mumbles. Thankfully, Ollie and Angie choose that moment to appear, haggard and out of breath.

"We couldn't find the gunpowder anywhere!" Angie exclaims, panting. "Not with Geldegarde's horse, not by the fire, nowhere!"

"We can help," Ness says, keen for a distraction. "If that's okay with you, Lucas?"

"Is he better now?" Ollie asks.

"Please, everyone stop worrying about me," I groan. "I'm fine. If I'd be of any use, I can come and search."

"Hmm, I'd prefer you to stay here," Tessie says. I jump, having forgotten she was still with us. "Your ankle needs time to adapt to the bandage, Lucas. Walking too soon might make it worse."

"In that case, what can I do from here?" I ask, trying to not be a complete misery. "Let's think, gunpowder. It's a black powder. It must be hidden somewhere, but somewhere accessible to fire because it has to be lit? I'm not sure how gunpowder works, honestly."

"Luckily, I know exactly how gunpowder works," Ollie says, turning quickly to a page in his notebook. "Here we go. To summarise, gunpowder consists of fuel, oxidiser, and sulfur, which allows for a stable reaction. Upon being lit, the carbon from the fuel plus the oxygen in the atmosphere forms carbon dioxide, and the energy in the gunpowder is converted from chemical to thermal and kinetic. The expanding gases, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, provide the propelling action."

"So what?" Ness asks, sounding blunter than he probably intended.

"So, Lucas is right," Ollie says. "The gunpowder has to be lit for combustion to take place."

"What's does combustion mean?"

"For it to light on fire," Ollie says, looking at Ness as if he's five years old.

"Is that helpful?" Ness asks uncertainly. "Everyone knows that gunpowder explodes. What are we supposed to do about it?"

"Hmm, let's see," Ollie says, shutting his notebook with a bang. He stands, Angie following suit. "How about you two... scan this area for anything suspicious, while Angie and I do some proper investigating?"

He stalks off, Angie in tow, and Ness sticks out his bottom lip. "Ooh, proper investigating! God, could they be any more up their own-"

I give him a look.

"Sorry," Ness says miserably. "Tired and hungry. And cold. And sad."

"I think Ollie is just… very self-assured," I reason. "But that's alright. We can let them do the job. It's nice not to be burdened with every single problem."

"Yeah," Ness agrees, though he doesn't sound enthusiastic, his shoulders hunched. "We can stay here and talk, I guess."

"About what?"

"Well, we are boyfriends now. We can talk about… uh, romance stuff?"

"Boyfriends?" Claus comes slowly around the tree, wearing a puzzled frown. "Who are boyfriends?"

"Uh, nobody!" Ness says. "Nice to see you Claus, how are you doing?"

"I am very, very good," he says, giving us a toothy smile from opposite us. "I am very happy!" He counts on his fingers. "There is no more Porky. I found my twin brother, and I found Duster. Today has been… a very good day!"

"Really?" I say, a little buoyed by his optimism. It's certainly been an interesting day. A lot has happened, and it's certainly been unimaginable, there's no doubt about that.

"Yes," Claus says happily. "We may be kid - kidnapped, but we will do escaping! Big brother Lucas will save us. Hooray!"

Lucas will save us. I force a smile, that buoyant feeling vanishing at once. Of course. "I'll save us all," I say, though it sounds hollow. "Just you wait and see."

Claus smiles again, giving a little clap. The way he looks at me... it's like he believes it, like he believes I'm a hero or something. It's hard enough to look into his eyes and remember that it's him, that it's Claus, my twin brother. The one I idolised, who now idolises me.

Maybe that's why this still doesn't feel real. He doesn't feel like the role model who left me behind on that summer night. I don't know if he ever will, because this is not Claus, or at least, not what Claus should be. And, I know, I have had that thought, I have mulled this over so many times already, but it still rings true. I need to connect this face to the other face, the young, happy one. This is my brother, my twin brother. I can't forget that.

This is one of those times when I wish I could run away from it all. I've always wanted to leave the world, to leave everything as it is, to ride with Ness into the sunset. I've always prayed that someone else will fight the big battles, that I may one day live in a blissful, apathetic state. But that's not how life is for people like me. People like me have responsibilities; only a few people are brave enough to be heroes, and those are the people who have to save the rest. There's no escaping it.

I never liked heroes when I read books about them. They always seemed too perfect, too idealised, too bold. I defy that stereotype in every possible way. I'm not perfect, not ideal, not by any stretch of the imagination. In theory, that makes me a pretty rubbish hero, but at least Claus has faith in me.

Maybe that should give me hope.

"I wonder how they're getting on?" Ness asks, shifting about like a firecracker. "I feel like we should be doing something — what if they're too slow?"

"They'll be fine," I say. Ness, on the other hand, he's undoubtedly a hero. He's always stood up for what he believes in, always looking toward the light, alert and ready. He's unbelievably selfish, willing to throw anything away to help the people he loves.

...Those types of heroes die at the end.

I shudder, hastily banishing that awful thought. Ollie and Angie's silhouettes move around the campfire, and I catch a couple of soldiers giving them strange looks.

"Will they find the gunpowder?" Claus asks plaintively. "Will we all die in big explosion?"

"I'm not sure," I say. "It depends what Geldegarde is planning..."

Claus bursts into tears.

Huh!?

I curse, jolting upright, but my ankle catches the ground and I let out a yelp. Ness rushes over to the sobbing Claus, hugging him, trying to console him that no, we aren't all going to die, and Lucas was only being sarcastic, he didn't really mean it. ("What does sarcastic mean?") I drag myself over, but my head is spinning.

I'm in complete disarray. That came out of nowhere. He was happy, smiling! Curse my big mouth, causing him to cry? What kind of hero is that? One small mention of death gives him a meltdown. Okay.

"We're not going to die," I promise. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I wasn't thinking."

"I-It's okay, L-Lucas," Claus croaks, sniffling. "I-I'm really sorry — don't hurt me!"

"What? I'm not going to hurt you," I say, disturbed. "Why would I do that?"

Claus only sniffles.

"Perhaps you should get some sleep," Ness says, patting him on the back. "Ollie and Angie are sorting out the gunpowder, and everything will be okay in the morning. Does that sound good?"

"Y-Yeah," Claus mumbles. He inhales, seemingly trying to take deep breaths. "C-Can you read me a story?"

"A story?" Ness repeats.

"Mother always read to us before bed," I say quickly. "Uh, let's see… Ness, are you good at telling stories?"

"No."

"Fantastic. Looks like I'll have to come up with one… Erm, how about the story of…" I wildly look around, picking out anything I can. "The Fox and the Rabbit. Does that sound good?"

Claus gives a shaky nod. Ness sets about letting him lie down, making him comfortable among the undergrowth.

The story ends up being a rather epic tale concerning Todd the Rabbit and Fred the Fox, both of whom undergo several moral developments throughout. By the end of it, Claus is snoring, his arms folded over his filthy chest, and I step back, looking down at him. He's seventeen years old, but he acts like he's eight. That will never feel normal.

"We're back," Ollie says from behind me.

"Ollie!" Ness jumps up at once. "How's the gunpowder? Did you find it?"

"Yes, it was quite obvious," Ollie says pragmatically. "It was in a bag among the storage crates. Ready to be picked up and used, I suppose."

"Did you soak it with water?" I ask.

"Not yet," Ollie admits. "I wanted to find out what's going on first. I just don't understand why Geldegarde has it, or what he's planning to do."

"Assassination?" I suggest, gulping. I glance at Geldegarde, whose shadowy figure remains partially hidden behind a tree. I think he's watching us.

Angie nods. "That's what I said, but Ollie's not convinced."

"Assassination would require no more than a simple knife," Ollie grumbles. "Yet, this can't be a group killing, because he said we don't need to get hurt."

"I don't think it matters," Ness says. "Just splash a load of water over it, and then we don't have to worry."

"But what if it's for a good cause?" Ollie furrows his brow. "It could help us. It could be a distraction, even, through which we can escape."

I fall quiet, considering this. But Geldegarde isn't known for good causes. He's known for ruthlessness, for evil.

"Ness is right," Angie decides. She looks nervously toward Geldegarde, who appears to be back on the move. "It's not worth the risk of innocent people getting hurt."

"We're still yet to discover who Geldegarde's accomplice is," Ollie reminds us. "If we can find him, we might find some answers."

"No," Angie says firmly. "Let's just soak the gunpowder and be done with it. Then, it's all over, and we can finally sleep."

I yawn, looking at the restful Claus. Yeah, sleep sounds good.

"Alright," Ollie resigns. "Let's go. Ness, Lucas, keep watch for us. Get help if we need it — you'll be able to see us from here."

"Okay," I say. The pair give a small nod before disappearing back into the night.

Ness sits down beside me, slinging an arm around my shoulder. I want to sleep right away, but I know we have to wait. I hope the Brigade doesn't rise too early, but I can just imagine them waking up at the crack of dawn.

I spot Headmaster Hand's silhouette poking around a hedge. Doing some investigations of his own, I presume. Headmaster Hand strikes me as an independent sort of person, one who has difficulty expecting people to follow his plans. From what Ollie and Angie told us, he likes to lead, but he isn't very good at it. Moral, but not very wise.

I yawn again, leaning against Ness's chest. I hope I'm not like that. I like to think I'm wise, but I feel like I don't often show it, especially not at school. I think fast, but I act slow.

"Sleepy?" Ness whispers.

"Yeah," I mumble, my eyes starting to close. "Wake me when they're back..."

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Geldegarde had grown steadily more angry as time went on. I refused to give him Ness, so the clients continued to visit, and the punishments continued to mount. It was just how it was.

"Are we going to have to move to more serious things?" Gelgedarde asked.

I pleaded that no, we did not. I said that if he wanted Ness's address, he could look it up in the telephone directory. But it wasn't Ness's address that he wanted.

"You do not understand, foolish child."

"W-What don't I understand?"

"Ness is leverage. If I have leverage, I have everything. I can take what I'm owed."

I didn't know what he was talking about, and as my face collided with the pavement again, I didn't think I knew much of anything anymore.

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"Lucas!" Ness exclaims. I surface, jolted to attention.

"What?"

Ness only points. To my alarm, in the firelight, I spot Geldegarde dragging Ollie and Angie behind a birch tree.

"Quick!" I cry. I grab my makeshift crutches — two long sticks — and then I'm off, Ness rushing to get Ike. Ollie and Angie don't reappear from behind the tree, but Geldegarde does, and he looks over. He's seen me.

"Strong's orders!" Ike exclaims, barrelling past our guard. I follow him through the campsite, the crutches working a treat. Geledgarde bolts, but we're fast, and Ness breaks into a run.

"The gunpowder is gone!" Ness exclaims as we pass the storage. We overtake a miserable-looking soldier, speeding past the tied-up horses. Geldegarde disappears into the forest, and I accelerate, but Ness has to slow down to keep pace with me. Come on! I curse these crutches, feeling splinters digging into my palms. We're painfullly slow to enter the forest, but we aim straight for the birch, and there they are.

"Don't lose Geldegarde," Ness commands. Ike nods, running. I duck down, quickly checking for a pulse — Ollie and Angie are alive, but they're unconscious, tied to the birch by several coils of rope.

"PK Fire?" I suggest, but Ness quickly shakes his head.

"Too dangerous. We need to untie them by hand."

But before he can, two figures run past, Ike giving chase. The figures screech to a halt, and I jump up, alarmed.

"Stay here," I say. "Guard Ollie and Angie. I'll sort this out."

Ness nods, and I hurry toward the two men. Ike folds his arms.

"Let them go!" Ike says. "They may be prisoners, but protocol applies. Section 57B: Prisoners are to be kept under guard if they are useful. Only if they have no purpose may they be freely taken."

But the shorter man gives a bark of laughter, looking Ike up and down. "Protocol? You silly man. Isn't he a silly man, Frederic?"

"Yes, Bungle," the other man guffaws. "Very, very silly."

I look between them, my eyes narrowed. Ike glances at Ness, who's working on Ollie and Angie's rope. Ness gives a sharp nod, indicating he'll be ready to fight if necessary.

"Come on. What is this?" Ike spreads his arms. "The game is up. You've been busted. Now, if you don't want to be reported, end it here. I won't tell Captain Strong."

"Silly man! Silly man! Silly man!" Frederic chants.

"Oh dear!" Bungle says. "I think you need to sit on the naughty step!"

The pair break into laughter, and Ike raises his spear.

"They're mad," I say, advancing toward them, feeling quite unnerved. If need be, I can whack them around the head with a crutch.

"We're not mad!" Frederic exclaims. "Well, maybe we're a little naughty. But our boss likes us, doesn't he? He thinks we're... oh, what's that word?"

"Funny," Bungle says, grinning stupidly. "He says - he says we're like jesters, don't he, Frederic? Strong jesters!"

"Who's your boss?" I demand. "Geldegarde?"

The pair applaud, and my eyebrows shoot up. Why would Geldegarde appoint anyone this stupid? A sour taste hits the back of my throat. Unlike Porky, Geldegarde works with innumerable employees.

He must be planning something.

"Look," Ike sighs. "Consider this a verbal warning. If you untie Ollie and Angie, and you tell us what's going on with the gunpowder, then I'll let you off."

But the men keep chanting. "Silly man! Silly man! Silly man!"

"You leave me no choice." Ike wields his spear. "I didn't want to resort to this, but you have committed treason. This is your final chance."

The men cackle.

"Tell us what's happening, or I'll turn you into a block of ice," I warn. I can't use PK Fire, I've had too many nightmares about burning forests, but PK Freeze is still fair game.

"A block of ice?" Bungle laughs. He cracks his knuckles, him and Frederic drawing blades of their own. "Good luck. Geldegarde doesn't call us the Strong Jesters for nothing!"

Of course.

There's a blur of action — Ness quickens his untying while Ike spins, his spear outstretched. Bungle parries Ike's attack with his sword, and Frederic takes the opportunity to run behind him. But before Frederic can do anything, I slam a crutch into his head, sending him spinning. He growls, waving his blade, nearly impaling Bungle, but he nearly impales Ike as well... Ike jolts away just in time, but Bungle makes a low slice, driving him toward Frederic-

"PK FREEZE!" I yell. The ice misses, but Frederic loses balance, tumbling to the floor. "Ness, now!" I cry.

"On it!" Ness instantly rises, catching the crutch I throw at him. He whacks Frederic's knife with it, sending it spinning to the ground. Bungle charges toward me, but I parry, keeping balance and sending him into Ike, who's waiting with a spear. Frederic cries out, snatching Ness's crutch and whacking the spear out the way, but Bungle topples to the floor in a sea of limbs. I duck to the floor, dodging him.

"Surrender!" I command, hitting him with my crutch. Bungle laughs, springing up again.

"I don't think so, silly boy!"

His boot slams into my head, and I cry out, seeing stars. But Ike appears, engaging Frederic with his spear, and Ness shoots a PK Freeze. It misses, and Bungle turns away, giving Ness time to snatch Frederic's blade.

"Now!" Ike shouts, slamming into Frederic with the hilt of his spear. Frederic collapses, winded, and I shove him against a tree, knocking him out cold. Ness and Bungle move fast, both men fighting with blades, stabbing and parrying like true swordsmen. I toss Ike my last crutch, and he rushes over, splintering it against Bungle's back. Bungle staggers, and Ness quickly kicks him in the stomach, sending him down.

I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Easy," Ness says, dusting off his hands. "Another win for us."

"The odds were probably stacked in our favour," I say, catching my non-splintered crutch. "One of them was called Bungle."

"Still, you fought well," Ike says. "Right, go and untie Ollie and Angie, while I fetch Captain Strong to arrest these two. How their documentation was accepted by the Brigade, I do not know…"

Ike moves away, just as Ollie stirs. Upon seeing where he is, he begins to struggle, frantically trying to say something, but there's a sock in his mouth. Ness hurries over to remove it, but he's interrupted by another arrival.

Geldegarde Monotoli.

Ness's eyes flash red.

"PK FREEZE!" he screams. For a second, I think his shot will land, but Geldegarde laughs, pulling out what looks like a mirror. Ness's shot is diverted to the sky, and a rook cries out, falling to the ground in a block of ice.

"Porky Minch's great weakness," Geldegarde says, "Is the tendency to brag about his foes. While my great strength? Ears on every street corner. Nice magic, boys, but it's not going to work on me."

"Won't it?" I say, but I sound hoarse. Geldegarde whips around to face me, his mouth contorting into a sneer. He's wearing his signature dark jacket, those pressed trousers, a bowler hat covering thinning silver hair. I stare into his bloodshot eyes, that sharp jaw, those clean-shaven cheeks. He looks just the same as he did on the streets.

"I see you took down my henchmen?" Geldegarde scans Bungle and Frederic's fallen bodies. "Congratulations. They were idiots, but they were good fighters, I'll give you that. It's especially impressive considering the cripple in our midst..." He turns to face me again. "How's that ankle, Lucas?"

"Don't talk to him like that," Ness snarls, his eyes flashing with anger that would send me packing to Australia. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Ooh, haven't you got spirit?" Geldegarde laughs, staring Ness down. "Impressive, for someone so young, for someone whose Father beat him to within an inch of his precious, little life."

"Wh-What? How do you - how do you know-"

"And you, Ike!" Geldegarde says, causing Ike to stop short. "So far from home, aren't you? How are your mum and dad, heard from them recently? Or did they forget you, just as you feared?"

"Say what you like," Ike says, though his expression darkens. "I'll get Captain Strong. Then we'll see who's fearful."

"You're very welcome to," Geldegarde says, waving him off. "Now, boys, impressed though I am by your fighting skills… I do recall telling you to stay the fuck out of my business. So, do you have hearing difficulties? Or are you just incredibly dense? Which is it?"

"What are you doing here?" Ness demands, ignoring the question. "You're a politician. I read it in the newspaper."

"Once again, none of your business," Geldegarde says. "But, Lucas, why are you here? Wasn't I clear enough? I hurt the people who get in my way."

"You can threaten me all you like," I say fiercely. "I'll never do what you want. You should know that by now."

But Geldegarde only smiles, stepping forward. "If I should know that, then you should know I always carry out my threats."

I fall short with a gulp. He's right. But we're stronger now, and I'm not alone.

"I know what you did," Ness growls, stepping forward with Bungle's blade. "I know everything. You're a pedophile."

"Oh, Ness," Geldegarde says, giving him a sympathetic smile. "Come on, I'm not that bad. I did it all for a reason, you know. Or did Lucas not tell you the truth?"

"He told me what he needed to tell me," Ness snarls. "I know enough to know you're fucked in the head."

"Oh, on that note," Geldgegarde says, smiling. "I told Lucas not to tell anyone about us. On pain of death, even! It was our little secret." He turns to me, wearing a sickening grin. "Did what we have mean so little to you?"

"We had nothing," I say, my skin crawling. "And you wouldn't kill me. You didn't then, and you won't now."

"But you were useful then," Geldegarde sneers. "Now you're just a toy, my little plaything. I can do as I please. I could sell you into the brothels — they pay big money for blonde boys, you know. I could give you to Porky Minch, even. I'm sure he'd pay a hefty sum to have you to himself."

"You're working for Porky?" Ness says, sounding nauseous.

"Working for Porky?" For the first time, Geldegarde looks disgusted. "I would sooner die than work for that slob. He's rich, but he's greedy, just like everyone else. I'm better than him. I'll be the most powerful man in Onett, just you wait and see."

"Then what are you doing in the Onett First Brigade?" I demand, but Geldegarde looks away, waving at something over my shoulder. I turn, and at once, my heart sinks.

It's Claus.

"Hello!" Geldegarde says cheerily. "Who are you, then?"

"I'm Claus," he says, looking nervously between us. "What - What is happening?"

"Nothing to worry about," I say sharply, hating the simpering look on Geldegarde's face. "I thought you were asleep, Claus. How did you know where we were?"

"The nice man told me," Claus says, looking worriedly at Geldegarde again. "He said you were looking for me."

"Which man?"

"R-Reggie..." Claus frowns. "Lucas, who is this?" He points at Geldegarde, his lower lip shaking.

"My name's Mr. Monotoli," Geldegarde says sweetly. Claus looks at him with uncertain eyes, and I feel a sharp hit of foreboding. "Your brother and I were just having a nice chat, isn't that right, Lucas?"

"Yes," I say, still uneasy. "Why don't you go back to the tree? We'll be back shortly, you don't need to worry about us."

But Geldegarde pouts. "Sending your own brother away, Lucas? Come on, Claus. Stay with us. How about I tell you a story?"

"A story?" Claus looks keen, and Ness gives me a fearful glance. "Yay!"

"Claus," I begin, but Claus suddenly lets out a miniature shriek, pointing to Ollie and Angie.

"Why are those people attached to the tree!?"

"Oh, we're playing a game," Geldegarde says happily, but I cut him off.

"Claus, this man, his name is Geldegarde. We're not having a nice chat, he's bad, and we think he's dangerous. We're going to sort him out, so please, go back to the tree where it's safe. Headmaster Hand will look after you."

"H-He's bad?" Claus's mouth forms an 'o' in comprehension, and he turns to point at Geldegarde. "You're bad! My big brother is gonna sort you out!"

"Claus, seriously, go back to the tree," Ness says quietly. "We don't want you to get hurt. We'll be back soon-"

"But I can help!" Claus says, and I feel my stomach sinking another few inches.

"Yes, let him help!" Geldegarde chides. "Don't be mean, Ness. Don't exclude him from our game."

"It's not a game!" Ness protests.

"Is it a game?" Claus asks me, looking confused now.

"Claus was your name, wasn't it?" Geldegarde asks before I can reply. "You're Lucas's brother, aren't you?"

"Y-Yeah?" Claus says, sounding uncertain.

"Ah… Claus." Geldegarde smiles. "Did Lucas ever tell you what happened to dear old Boney?"

My heart stops.

A million images flash through my mind.

"Shut up," I whisper. "Shut up, now."

"Come on... don't you wanna know?" Geldegarde says enticingly, stepping a little closer to us. "It's a great story, Claus..."

"Claus, go back to the tree," I command. "It's not safe here. He's lying, he's going to trick you-"

But Claus doesn't move. "A - A story?" he stammers. He looks from me to Geldegarde, and I can see the curiosity in his eyes. "A - About Boney?"

"Yes," Geldegarde says heartily. "You see, Claus, I know what happened to him. I know where he went..."

"Stop it," I say, pointing at Geldegarde's hideous face. "Stop this - stop this now!"

"Come on, Claus," Geldegarde croons. "Don't you wanna know the truth?"

"The... truth?" Claus echoes.

"Stop it!" I cover my ears. "STOP!"

"Listen to your brother," Geldegarde whispers. "He doesn't want you to know the truth, does he? You see, he's a big, fat liar, Claus. He's always had trouble being honest..."

"No," I moan. "No more, please. Don't do this-"

"L-Lucas isn't a liar," Claus says, but he doesn't sound sure.

"Poor Boney," Geldegarde says, his voice now barely audible. "All alone, in the dark... the cold..."

"L-Lucas?" Claus looks at me in fright. "What's he saying, Lucas? Wh-Where's Boney?!"

"I-I'm sorry," I choke. "It's my fault — It's all my fault-"

"It is," Geldegarde says earnestly. "Do you want to know what he did to Boney, Claus?"

"What did he do?" Claus mumbles.

I cover my ears. My thoughts reach a crescendo, scraping into the highest octaves of terror. This can't be happening. They're coming back — it's all coming back.

"You may want to take a seat," Geldegarde whispers. "Now, shall we go from the start?"

.

.

.

~~o00o~~

(Three years earlier)

~~o00o~~

.

.

.

I was only a boy.

Each day had become a new wave of torture. Every morning, I'd wake to another onslaught of horrors, name-calls and cycles. I was broken, but I was the strongest I've ever been, refusing to give up Ness. Nobody would hurt my friend, I pledged. Nobody in the world.

I'm shoved to the floor.

"Give it up, Lucas. Be honest, and all of this ends."

I stiffen my jaw, feeling my chin shatter beneath me. I don't speak. I refuse to speak.

"You're selfish, you know." I can't see his face, but I can hear his breath on my neck. "You underperformed today."

No more. I close my eyes, trying to force the faces from my mind. Each one leaves a scar, ugly and raw.

"You realise it's your fault, don't you?" His footsteps come closer, and I brace for impact. "You're the only one keeping yourself here." I'm tossed to the side like an animal, his face invading mine. "You've chosen to be treated like this. Touched like this. You like it, don't you? You dirty whore — you like it!"

I tremble at the accusation, but I hold firm. I stare at him through unblinking eyes.

"All you have to do is hand him over!" He's getting frustrated now. That's when he gets violent. "It's as simple as that, Lucas! You would — or do you love him? How unbearably pathetic. You disgusting boy!"

I shake, spitting out dirt. Something grabs me by the shirt.

"I think you need more motivation."

My head spins as I'm lifted from the pavement. Two men appear, taking me in their arms. I struggle, but one holds a knife to my neck.

"Be still."

A blindfold is forced over my eyes, the murky red alley replaced with darkness. Some sort of gag covers my mouth, one that makes me cough and splutter. Then, we're moving, the sounds of the city rising in an ominous wave. We pass market stalls, bustling with shoppers. We pass the central square, thick with tourists. We even move through Fortune Alley, where the clattering of dice is the only sound for miles.

No one pays any heed. Nobody calls my name. No hero rushes to save me.

Whatever this is, whatever's happening now, it's new. Never have Geldegarde's motivations ventured beyond the red alley before. We're not seeing more clients, and it's not going to be more pain. It's something else, something awful. I feel it in the way he walks.

It scares me half to death.

Eventually, a horrible noise reaches my ears. It's terrible, mechanical, baying like the grinding of bones, the gnashing of teeth, the repetitive chewing of a thousand enormous mouths. It mixes with the wind to create an ungodly howl.

I'm roughly put down. I feel the ground with my hands, there are stings of grass interspersed among rocks, bone-dry dust. The wind is shrill, I can feel it tearing at my tattered shirt, pulling at my trousers, an invisible maelstrom around me.

Suddenly, the blindfold is ripped from my face, and it's apparent where we are.

Giant's Mine.

The pit looms mercilessly before me, the great chasm bringing back my worst memories. Father. Terror. Swinging through the darkness, scared out of my mind. I push myself away from it, crying out, but there's a kick to my chest and I fall pitifully onto my back.

"I've got him, Master," comes an unfamiliar voice. My mind swims. Him? Master?

"Excellent." Geldegarde's voice comes out a pleasured vibrato. "That's him alright."

"W-Who's there?" I stammer, trying to regain my balance. Geldegarde only laughs.

"Motivation, Lucas. My assistants have travelled far and wide for this. Rest assured, Lucio, you will be paid handsomely."

"Thank you, Master." Lucio bows, casting a shadow over my body. "Always a pleasure."

I tremble, not daring to turn around. Seizing the last of my strength, I try to force myself up, but there's another kick to my side. I topple into the grass.

"Tell me how to find Ness," Geldegarde says. I grit my teeth, looking up at him.

"Never."

Geldegarde gives a simple nod. He moves forward, standing between me and the great precipice. The wind billows as he smiles, so pleased, so confident.

"Where is he, Lucas? I know you know."

"I don't," I spit.

In an instant, Geldegarde's expression turns stony, his eyes flaring with malice. A feeling like fire trickles down the back of my neck, and I fall back, gasping.

"I don't know!"

Geldegarde sighs, snapping his fingers. "Lucio, bring forth the motivation."

My head turns like a whip. Lucio carries some sort of bundle, some sort of writhing mass, and he hands it over. Geldegarde slowly begins to unwrap it, revealing matted brown fur, warm, dark eyes. A dog.

But not just any dog.

Boney.

I scream.

Geldegarde lifts him up, and Boney lets out a bark of panic, his ears billowing in the wind. Geldegarde grins at him, then looks at me.

"Don't," I whisper. "Please don't."

Geldegarde smiles. "Ah, Boney," he says, patting him on the head. "That old Duster was a fool to leave you unattended, wasn't he?"

Boney barks again, struggling, but Geldegarde grips him tighter.

"You see, Boney... Your friend Lucas has been naughty. Very naughty."

"No!" I exclaim. The wind intensifies, dust burning my eyes. "Don't hurt him!"

"Tell me, Boney," Geldegarde says, his smile widening. "Do you think Lucas should be honest? Do you think he should tell me where Ness is?" He brings Boney's mouth to his ear, like a child talking to a stuffed toy.

I scramble to my feet, desperately running for him, but Lucio grips me by the throat. I gasp for air, and I'm thrown to the floor, panting.

"Exactly, Boney." Geldegarde says, bringing him down. "It's important, isn't it? Can you think of a way to show Lucas just how important it is?" He raises Boney to his ear again.

"Let him go," I beg, reaching out again. "Please, he's done nothing wrong-"

"Really, Boney?" Geldegarde says, his face a mask of surprise. He stares Boney in the face, taking in his sad, brown eyes. "Well, only if you're sure..."

"No!" I cry, the words searing my throat. "Stop!"

But with a wicked smile, Geldegarde lifts Boney up, stepping toward the chasm. "You know," he says calmly. "Dogs can sometimes survive falls of up to a hundred feet. Of course, they break their legs at the bottom, and are left to die in agony, but…"

"The Twoson Track!" I cry. "Ness lives down the Twoson Track!"

"That's a lie," Geldegarde snarls, his voice hardening like concrete. He holds Boney out, the poor animal letting out a terrified whine. "You have a choice, Lucas. Tell me the truth, tell me how to find Ness, or I'll do it. Or you'll do it. You let him fall."

"No!" I plead, unable to say anything else. The wind intensifies, billowing the dust into a storm. Tears flow down my face, the chasm's howls joining Boney's panicked whimpers.

"Last chance," Geldegarde hisses. "Three..."

I make a last-ditch attempt to grab him, but Lucio grips me tight. Boney wails. Geldegarde smiles.

"Two..."

I shake my head, clamping my mouth shut. It's for Ness, all this is for Ness. He can't ever know. Nobody can ever know.

"One..."

I shut my eyes, weeping. I can't bear to look. It's my fault. It's all my fault.

"...Zero."

And just like that, he drops him.

It happens in slow motion. The wind shrieks, Boney giving a last, terrified bark. I thrust my hand forward, desperately out of reach, and then Boney is falling. Gravity takes its hold, sending him plummeting into the darkness, sinking, diving into the black abyss.

It's over so quickly.

He's gone.

I lean desperately over the edge, screaming for all I'm worth, but nothing can change it. Boney is gone.

Something grips me by the shirt, dragging me away from the mine. The wind dies down, my vision fading in and out. It's all my fault.

"I'll break you eventually," Geldegarde says. "It's only a matter of time."

.

.

.

~~o00o~~

.

.

.

Claus stares at me, completely hollow. He looks inhuman, like he's moved to another planet. I can't stand it.

I can't stand the betrayal in his eyes.

"Boney…" he mumbles. "You let Boney fall!"

"I'm sorry," I say hopelessly. "Claus, I had no choice, I-"

"You murdered him!"

"Claus, please-"

"You murdered him!"

"Claus!"

Just like that, he turns and runs.

"CLAUS!" I shout, but he's gone, hurtling back toward the campsite. I let out a dry sob, just watching him go, the guilt beginning to eat me alive. It's my fault. It's all my fault.

"Family drama," Geldegarde says, sighing. "Such a shame, Lucas. If only you'd done the right thing..."

"Fuck you," Ness snarls. "If you wanted me so bad, why didn't you come and get me?"

"Oh, I would've loved to," Geldegarde says sweetly. "Unfortunately, your dear father knew what I was after. He protected you well, Ness."

"As if," Ness scoffs. "He'd have loved it if I was kidnapped."

"He kept you inside," Geldegarde says. "He made you study because he knew I was waiting in the streets. He kept your house off the grid. He sent you to a far away Boarding School."

Ness looks lost, processing this new information.

"Don't worry, you can still hate him," Geldegarde assures. "He was being selfish in the long run. It was all for his own interests."

"But what did you want from me?" Ness asks, sounding fearful. "What was the point?"

Geldegarde smiles unpleasantly. "Leverage, Ness. Your father is a powerful man, the third richest in Onett, even. If I was to be powerful, his assets had to be eliminated. Now, if I had his son… oh, yes. Imagine the prices they'd pay? Lucas made me rich. You'd have made me a god."

Ness looks dizzily from me to Geldegarde. Don't say it, I want to shout. Don't say I should've let you go. Because I know what he's thinking, I know how he operates.

He's a hero. That means nobody can suffer in his name.

"Lucas," Ness mumbles. "You could've — you should've-"

"Don't," I say.

"I'm sorry," he mutters. "I'm so sorry." His voice sounds so hollow. I hate it. I want to punch his stupid face in.

"This is why you should've told the truth," Geldedarde says, looking down at my broken form. "See what you've done? Your actions have consequences, Lucas. You've ruined everything."

"Says you," Ness snaps, surging forward with Frederic's blade. "You're a pedophile, and you're in contact with slave traders. Who are you to be so high and mighty?"

"Oh, Ness," Geledegarde laughs, dodging Ness's swing. "In Onett, nobody gets rich through honest work. When there's money to be made, there can be no time for ethics. The wisest businessmen know what their clients want, what they crave — not coal, not clothes, but people! The rich give their fortunes for sex, for slaves, for pretty faces. It's a necessary evil. Someday, you'll learn that."

"My father was honest," Ness growls. "He built his business up from the ground. He did it all himself."

"Are you sure?" Geldegarde laughs. "Is that what he told you?"

Ness opens his mouth, but no sound comes out.

I stand, drawing the last of my courage. "This ends now, Geldegarde. I'm not going to let you hurt anyone else."

"You don't even know what I'm doing!" Geldegarde says, but I've heard enough. I pick up Bungle's blade, gripping my crutch like a vice.

"You've got gunpowder. You're going to blow people up. That's enough for me."

"How do you know?" Geldegarde laughs. "Did Ollie think he was clever for working that out? Has it occurred to you that I may be on your side?"

But Ness grips the other blade, marching forward. Geldegarde shrinks back, looking nervous for the first time.

"Boys, I'm unarmed," Geldegarde says, looking between us. "Be reasonable. There's no need to be hasty-"

"Isn't there?" Ness snarls, looking downright scary. "You hurt my best friend, Geldegarde. You ruined him, all for my sake. Well, here I am. What are you waiting for?"

But Geldegarde smiles, looking over my shoulder. "What am I waiting for? Funny you should ask, Ness, because what have we here...?"

"Geldegarde!" Ike exclaims, marching into our midst, Captain Strong in tow. I drop my blade, silently cursing.

"Yes?" Geldegarde says.

"Drop your weapons in the name of the Onett First Brigade and the Onetian Council. You have committed the highest treason against Mayor B.H Pirkle, and you will surrender yourself at once!"

"Of course," Geldegarde says sweetly, holding up his hands. "Are you sure it's me, though? I believe these boys are the ones with blades."

"Nice try," Ike says, barely containing his excitement. "I caught you in the act!"

But Captain Strong remains in place, looking between them as if he can't believe his eyes. "What is the meaning of this, Ike? You said you caught someone committing treason."

"Yes, him!" Ike says, as though it's blindingly obvious. "Geldegarde Monotoli, the game is up. You've been found out. Surrender at once, or we'll be forced to impale you."

"Impale him?" Captain Strong actually laughs, and I feel a sick twist of dread. He moves to Geldegarde, clapping him on the shoulder like an old friend. "Ike, this man wouldn't hurt a fly. He's one of my best men — I'm surprised at you."

"Surprised?" Ike's eyes flare with injustice. "Captain, look!" He points to Ollie and Angie, the former still struggling against his bonds. "He tied them up, he kidnapped them! Who else could it have been?"

"These prisoners? Or worse, you?" Strong turns on Ike, his hand rested over his blade. "I like you, Ike. You're young, enthusiastic. But need I remind you that falsely accusing loyal members of the Onett Council is treason?"

"It's true," Ness says, finally speaking. He's had the sense to hide his blade, too. "These are his henchmen. We took them out."

"What, two kids?" Captain Strong looks at my broken ankle. "You took down two, large men? A likely story. Geldegarde, please tell me the truth. What's really going on here?"

"I am telling the truth!" Ness protests, but I elbow him in the side. We have to stay calm.

Geldegarde nods, his frog-like smile wide. "Absolutely, Captain. You see, Ike got the prisoners in on it. He promised he'd help them escape again. He tied those two up to make it look more realistic." He nods toward Ollie and Angie who are now struggling in earnest. "You see, he's after a promotion, Captain."

"That's nonsense!" Ike splutters. "Look, he's grinning!"

But Captain Strong turns on Ike. "A clever ploy, but not clever enough to fool me. I expected better, Ike. As you have comitted treason, I must sentence you to-

"Geldegarde is lying!" Ness interrupts. "He's messing with your mind, don't listen!"

"Hold your tongue!" Strong barks. "Ike, I sentence you to-"

"No!" Ness bellows. "He's evil! He's a pedophile, he trades slaves!"

"Really?" Captain Strong says, but there's a glint in his eyes. He's in on it, I realise with a sick twist of horror. And that's when I recognise his face, his body, his mannerisms.

Captain Strong was a regular client.

"See the kinds of people Ike employs?" Geldegarde croons. "Shouting like a wild beast. Pauper children…" He spits on the ground. "There's no helping some of them."

Ness shakes with anger. "PK Freeze!"

"Nice try," Geldegarde says, waving Ness's attack away with his mirror. "Captain, these boys undermined your authority. They sought to exploit your goodness for personal gain. Ike even promised them escape, betraying our great Brigade."

"Liar!" Ike cries, but Captain Strong draws his spear.

"Ike, you have committed treason against Onett," he says, stepping forward. "It's for this reason, and for framing an innocent man, that you are sentenced to death."

"No!" I shout, my heart pounding, but nobody listens. Geldegarde moves like clockwork, Ike protesting as he's pushed against the tree. Geldegarde ties him tight, Captain Strong readying his spear. Ollie and Angie are almost screaming now, struggling against their bonds. I draw my blade, Ness gives me a look, and we know there's no other option.

It's time to be heroes.

I throw myself at Captain Strong, bashing his spear away with my knife. Captain Strong grunts in surprise, kicking at my broken ankle, but I grip my crutch tight. Ness flies past, duelling Geldegarde. I turn, throwing myself at them, certain that I'll hurt that man if it's the last thing I do.

Captain Strong gives chase. I smash my crutch into his groin and he howls, crunching to the floor. Geldegarde is fast, weaving around the trees, circling Ike and his knocked out henchmen. But Ness is faster, and his eyes almost glow with fury. For the first time, I wonder if Ness is going for the kill.

"PK FREEZE!" he screams. Geldegarde swings the mirror just in time. "PK FREEZE!" he screams again, but Geldegarde sends the beam toward me, and I duck, feeling cold rush over my head.

I hobble after him, trying to block his path, but Captain Strong is there first, grabbing my leg. I stumble, Strong raising his fist, but I kick it away before he can hit. Geldegarde speeds behind a tree, and Ness rushes to me, trying to help me up.

"Careful!" I cry, and Ness ducks just in time to avoid Geldegarde's fist. But Strong grabs me again, and this time I'm not so lucky; I slip, falling face-first in the dirt. I try to wriggle away, but Strong draws his truncheon, smashing it against my broken ankle. I scream, crumpling. Ike yells, Ollie shouting something in the distance, but I can barely hear through the agony. The world swims before me and I flounder, trying to drag myself away, and suddenly Geldegarde's there, snatching the truncheon from Strong's grasp.

"SILENCE!"

The world falls still.

I look up through the clouds of dust. Geldegarde stands over us, a box in one hand, the truncheon in the other.

"Very good," he murmurs. "At long last, Lucas, you've learnt to obey orders."

"What are you doing?" I demand, spitting out powder. Geldegarde laughs, pulling something out of a box.

A match.

"G-Geldegarde?" Captain Strong says, struggling to his feet. "What's happening? What is the meaning of this?"

"My good friend..." Geldegarde hums. He helps Strong up, looking him up and down. I spot Ness hurrying toward Ollie and Angie, and I try to crawl towards Ike, ignoring the pain in my ankle.

"What's happening?" Strong demands. "Why did you stop fighting?"

"Good question," Geldegarde says. "Now, what do you remember of your old job?"

"My old job?" Strong's eyebrows flare. "Why is this relevant?"

Ike cries out when I reach him, but I quickly shush him, forcing myself to a standing position. His ropes are tied tight, but I can untie them, I think.

"You were a different sort of Captain, once," Geldegarde continues, flicking his match against its box. It sets ablaze, the fire casting his face in an orange glow. "You were a good man back then, before you discovered sex, women, profits. You were the Captain of a ship, do you remember?"

The knot is firmer than I thought. My fingers shake, the darkness making things considerably worse. Ike writhes, and I grit my teeth.

"Of course I remember," Captain Strong says, taken aback. "What of it? That was long ago."

"I wonder what your father would think of you?" Geldegarde asks, smiling sweetly. "You built that ship together, after all. And yet, you abandoned it all, just because money called your name. Just for the sake of leading the police force, leading the Onett armies. An impressive run you've had, Captain." He smiles wider. "Unfortunately, every run must end."

Ness frees Angie, who sprints away at once. I work harder on Ike, but more knots appear and I curse.

"Betayal," Captain Strong realises, his mouth opening with shock. "After all this time?"

Geldegarde raises his match. "I always carry out my threats."

Ollie struggles harder, almost kicking Ness as he unties his ropes. Panic rises within me, that mounting weight of dread. Ike struggles. Ness tears away Ollie's gag.

"I don't understand," Captain Strong says. "What's your plan? What are you going to do?"

"The gunpowder!" Ollie exclaims, gasping for air. "It's everywhere! It's all over the ground, he covered the floor with it!"

My stomach jolts, my hands fumbling. Geldegarde smiles wider, lifting the blazing match.

"But - But you'll kill yourself!" Strong blusters. "You'll kill us all!"

"Will I?" Geldegarde whispers. "Kill the leader, take over the Brigade. It's quite simple, don't you think?"

"You - You won't!" Captain Strong begins running, but Geldegarde grabs his arm.

"Lucas!" Ness cries, running over slashing through Ike's bonds. "PK FREEZE!" he bellows, aiming for the match, but Geldegarde holds out his mirror. Captain Strong cries out, the ray flying into his chest.

He freezes into a block of ice.

Ike bolts. I cling to my crutch, my heart pounding. Ness tries to help me away, but we're too slow, gunpowder billowing around us.

There's nothing we can do.

Geldegarde's eyes meet mine, and suddenly, I know exactly what's going to happen.

The ground hisses. Ness pushes me with a cry, throwing me to the floor, throwing his body over mine.

Geldegarde throws the match.

And everything erupts.

.

.

~~o00o~~

Epilogue - Ike

~~o00o~~

.

.

When the smoke dissipates, there isn't much left.

The trees are sticks, blackened and ruined. Branches hang limp from boughs, shatterred and charred by the heat. It's all gone, the grass, Captain Strong, Bungle, Frederic, everything.

A great crater scars the ground. It's meters deep. Acres wide. Cracks emerge from the centre, slicing up the soil, scarring it forever.

It's a dismal sight.

The two boys, Ness and Lucas, have been lain side by side. Their eyes are closed, faces black, flesh torn and butchered. I don't even know if they're alive, only that they're wounded, being looked after by others. Ness, the heroic one, is the worst off. Half of his face has been seared, burnt to an angry red. There's nothing I can do, nothing I can do about any of this, only a list of things I did wrong.

I've failed so many people.

The walk back to the prisoners feels hollow. Geldegarde is nowhere to be seen, not his body, not his flesh, not even a finger. It would be logical to assume he perished, but men like him are strong, good at surviving. It's bitter, knowing that I let him get away, that I brought Captain Strong to him myself.

Leaving the mess behind, I reach the others. Headmaster Hand hails me, and for once, I'm not annoyed to see his face. Reggie comes around the back, looking sheepish, Ollie and Angie at his tail.

"It was Reggie," Ollie says. "He was the one signalling to Geldegarde."

"I had no choice," Reggie mutters.

"Reggie sent Claus over," Ollie states, as if he's reading from a list of crimes. "He signalled to him with morse code. He told him what we were doing. But Geldegarde used him as a tool, because all he wanted was to get rid of Captain Strong, the third most powerful man in Onett. He wanted power, Reggie. You've given it to him."

"But I got my side of the deal," Reggie says, looking around at our broken faces. "The explosion created chaos. Every soldier has deserted their post. Order is lost."

"So what?" Headmaster Hand says.

"So," Reggie says. "We can finally escape."

His words fill me with some hope as I look back at the desolation behind me. It's no good staying here, looking at the mistakes we've made. In fact, I think I'll do what I've always done, and run away from it. It won't make me feel better, it never does, but at least I don't have to face it.

Facing problems is for stronger people, people who aren't like me. That's for Ness, for Lucas, for Angie and Ollie. And as I follow the others away from the campsite, I erase it all from my mind, grateful that I'll never be a hero.

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~ReadyForTeddy