The Last Drop was now more popular than ever before. Customers flocked to the pub, wanting to know more about the new Arcane TV series. All except one. Hat Kid walked at a controlled and measured pace as she entered the pub. The speakers were blasting Enemy by ImagineDragons. The decor was covered in sprayed painted monkey faces with crossed-out eyes. Hat Kid scanned the pub and spotted Jinx at the counter serving drinks. Hat Kid positioned herself just outside Jinx's peripheral vision and waited for her to notice Hat Kid. Eventually, she did. Jinx gave Hat Kid a wink and walked up the stairs that lead to her office. Hat Kid followed, pushing past the Reddit users and Twitch streamers all dressed up in Jinx or Vi cosplay. Hat Kid eventually entered the office and found Jinx lounging on a luxurious chair behind a cluttered desk. She looked slightly different. Aside from the fact that she swapped her shorts for baggy knee-length pants, she looked younger. Probably a side effect of how popular her TV show has gotten. She lighted a cigarette and popped it in her mouth and offered another to the child. Hat Kid declined as she sat in the chair on the other side of the desk. They looked at each other for a few seconds. The seconds felt too long.

"So how's the newfound fame?" asked Hat Kid.

"Oh it's brilliant!" said Jinx cheerfully, "People are actually enjoying my franchise now!"

Hat Kid smiled to herself. But it came off as pained and forced.

"I watched the first act," continued Hat Kid, not wanting silence to take over the conversation, "And I loved the style... It suits you..."

"Aww," cooed Jinx in a babyish voice, "I've already got that compliment a dozen times today..."

Jinx stopped for a moment before she realized her comment didn't come off as nice.

"I'm sorry..." apologized Jinx, "It's just that I received that compliment from internet users but... They all sound so surprised... You mean it as if you didn't find me toxic beforehand."

There it was. The elephant in the room was mentioned. Although it was a passing comment, it was enough. Hat Kid shifted uncomfortably. A look of recognition came over Jinx's face. She now knew why Hat Kid came here.

"We haven't spoken," said Jinx slowly, "Ever since that day... Two months... You didn't call to check up on me. I'm not mad... I just want to know why..."

Hat Kid hung her head like a child being told off.

"I thought you hated me... After we left you in YouTube."

"Oh, that? How could I be pissed off at you about that? That bird thing was the one that took me. There was nothing more you could have done," said Jinx cheerfully, "But I was right about that boy wasn't I?"

"Jinx, you know as well as I do that those accusations are blatantly wrong," said Hat Kid sternly, "Mono did not detonate those bombs."

"People believe what they want to believe," Jinx reminded, "Besides, you are the only one in charge of finding him."

"How did you know that?" asked Hat Kid suspiciously.

"Jeez Hat Girl Junior," chuckled Jinx, "Ever heard of deductive reasoning? You're probably the only person he'll be willing to talk to."

Hat Kid pressed her lips together. Since that day, Mono has gone missing, probably scared out of his mind about the possible repercussions of showing his face ever again. Hat Kid would have wanted to find him so she can get him to a safer place, but he knew what happened to Kyle and Susie. Banhammer told her that it was of utmost importance that the two gods be found as soon as possible. Hat Kid knew part of the reason.

There were other gods. Others that were not as vital or important as Susie or Kyle. But their disappearance had left a huge power vacuum. And with the internet now in a permanent state of chaos as a result of Kyle's bombs, the potential power grabs were going to get violent. The justice department was not going to let that happen. And when the time comes that Susie returns, Hat Kid was going to give them a piece of her mind about not stopping Kyle's detonation. Despite everything that Susie had done, Hat Kid knew she would never forgive them. That made her sad. But all that was left was cold determination.

"Thank you for letting me talk to you," said Hat Kid as she stood up, "I presume you'll be staying around here?"

"That depends," said Jinx with a smirk, "I just started going freelance and I have been offered a job. Should pay nicely."

"Something tells me I don't want to know what that is," chuckled Hat Kid.

"Oh don't worry Hat Girl Junior. Fishbones and I have agreed that this job is perfectly legal."

Hat Kid grinned and began to walk to the door.

"You really need to change that hat."

Hat Kid looked behind and made a face of mock indignation.

"I like it. Why should I change it?"

"I've always seen you with it. I mean, you always have to be open to a little criticism..."

Jinx grabbed a blue tophat with golden highlights and threw it at Hat Kid. The child caught it with her umbrella. She studied it for a moment and smiled.

Then she walked out the door, mentally preparing to face the real monsters of the internet.