…

Metropolitan Hospital Center

…

Gregor slowly came to, eyelids fluttering as his eyes rapidly adjusted to the piercing light. Where was he? His body was covered by a thick white blanket, and he looked down, seeing long wires sticking out of his arm. A computer monitor beeped quietly next to him, displaying his heart rate and blood pressure. Gregor slowly pushed himself up on his pillows and sighed. He was back in the Overland.

He scanned his surroundings. The room was small, but typical for that of a hospital. Gregor noted the blandness of the room. Nothing out of place. He was alone.

Noises outside the door, the stomping of boots. "The monitor notified me that he's awake," he heard a nurse say.

The door clicked and swung open, and in stepped a man in a crisp black suit. He was tall, and his dark hair was greased back over his head. As the man closed the door behind him, Gregor's ears caught the quiet click of the lock.

The man smiled as he sat down in the chair beside Gregor's bed. "It's good to see you awake," the man said. "My name is Darren Horace. I'm the new director of the FBI."

Gregor frowned, shifting slightly in his bed. The movement hurt, slightly. "What happened?" he asked.

Darren looked sympathetic as he leaned towards Gregor. "Well son, you had several minor cuts, four cracked ribs, internal bleeding, a dangerous amount of smoke inhalation, and on top of all that, sepsis. You've been in the hospital for six days."

Gregor jumped. Six days. "What's going on in the Underland?" he demanded, heart racing. "Is everyone okay?"

Darren smiled, raising a hand. "Steady. Don't strain yourself. Everyone you care about lives."

Gregor let out a deep sigh and collapsed back on the bed.

The FBI director looked pensive. "The hospital's been keeping you unconscious during your stay here. You're due to be released in a few hours."

"Good," Gregor said carefully, sensing a "but" coming.

Darren stood, walking over the window, leaning against the glass. "The American government has completely mishandled the Underland situation," he admitted suddenly. "We're still piping out the smoke down there, and the Underlanders are even more furious at us than before."

It dawned on Gregor what the FBI director's angle was. "If you think I'm going to help this blow over for you," Gregor said, "think again. The only way I'll help you is if the American government promises to leave the Underland and never return."

Darren gave Gregor a look of surprise. "Surely you realize that isn't going to happen," Darren said. "Even your Queen understands that. She'll be coming to the surface soon to sign a peace treaty with the President."

Gregor was starting to get angry. "Only because you're not giving her any alternatives," he barked. "The Underlanders want nothing to do with you and yours. Why can't you just leave them alone?"

Darren turned and walked over towards the bed, looming over him like a shadow. "Because people don't want that, Gregor," he said. "Not scientists, not educators, not politicians, not activists. We don't want to destroy the Underland, but there is so much we can all accomplish together as one society. The President is even prepared to grant them status as an autonomous territory of the United States."

"You don't understand," Gregor whispered. "You all will never understand. The Underland isn't a place to be observed, nor incorporated. All the creatures of the Underland simply wish to lead normal lives in the way that they please. Like Americans do."

Darren sighed. "Do you realize that if a society like the Underland was found deep underneath the likes of Russia or China, it would be blown to smithereens the very next day?" His vision narrowed. "The American people have spoken. They don't want that. They have compassion for the Underlanders. However, they must be brought into the fold. Our two worlds must overlap if we are to coexist."

Gregor shook his head furiously. "Then in ten years, the Underland will no longer exist. It will become a tourist attraction, a science laboratory, a police state. I won't have any part of that."

Darren said nothing for a long time. Finally, he grunted and opened his briefcase, pulling out a thick manila folder. Opening up the file, he began to read. "Carla DeJuan, 48… Kyle Brown, 43… Earl Ford, 21… Michael Vasquez, 32… Harry Sun, 38… Lee Crowninshield, 27… do you know who these people are, Gregor?" Gregor shook his head. "They are Americans you killed, Gregor."

Gregor's mouth opened slightly. "They were murderers, participating in an illegal operation under the direction of a convicted traitor," he hissed. "I have no regrets killing the Americans in the base camp, or for blowing up the Central Park entrance. I'd do it again."

"Be that as it may," Darren said, slamming the folder shut, "their families don't feel that way. A few planted stories about how they didn't know what they were signing up for, or about how not all participated in the massacre in Regalia… you get my drift."

Gregor laughed. "Do you really think that blackmail will get me to sell out the Underland? I'd gladly trade my life and freedom for theirs."

Darren's expression darkened. "If you think you and your family are untouchable, think again. As the years pass, people will start to care less and less about the Underland. It'll become normal. If you do not cooperate with me, I will not hesitate to come after you and your family," he said.

"You're desperate," Gregor realized aloud. "You can't keep me here. You can't throw my family behind bars. My family is too much in the public eye. You can't imprison me either. You need me to keep the Underlanders on your side. Don't make threats you can't keep."

Darren smiled, standing. "You said it yourself. Ten year's time, Gregor. Our worlds will grow closer and closer. It is inevitable: the Underland will be absorbed into our great Bureaucracy. You're right that you're untouchable now. But one day, you won't be."

Gregor said nothing. What did he mean by "great Bureaucracy?"

Darren stood. "Think about it. Your actions over the next few days will chart the course of the rest of your life, and the fates of your loved ones." He walked out the door without another word, the door quietly locking behind him.

Gregor remained sitting on the bed for a long time after, speechless. He remained speechless even as the nurses came in and began unhooking him from their beeping machines. Even as they helped him stand and slowly walk out the door, out of the hospital and into the blinding light. Gregor raised a hand to shield his sensitive eyes, struggling to keep his feet from falling out from underneath him. Not out of physical weakness—that was fading, now—but out of devastation.

What was he going to do?

…

The Fount

…

For the first time in six days, Helena walked around without her gas mask. The air was still slightly ashy, but at least it was breathable. Many of the creatures in the Fount had fallen seriously ill in the beginning, but luckily, the Americans had been able to distribute gas masks fast enough to prevent any deaths.

In the aftermath of the battle, the city had roared back to life. The ships set in the Waterway had quickly returned to port, and the weary soldiers had been able to reunite with their families. Working together, the creatures of the Underland had quickly been able to rid the city of cutter corpses. Now, the city was overflowing with life. Every street corner was jam packed. It was possible to walk fifteen feet and pass a spinner clothing shop, a human refugee tent, and a gnawer patrol station. Somehow, all of these worlds managed to coexist. Ever since Luxa's speech, there'd yet to be an outbreak of violence.

Helena rounded a corner, entering into a small area set aside for human soldiers. There, Mareth waited for her on Araxes. The handsome, grizzled soldier looked down on her with affection, extending a hand. Grinning, she took it, allowing herself to be pulled up onto the great reddish bat. Araxes immediately took flight.

Helena wrapped her arms around him to steady herself as Araxes rapidly gained altitude. "Any news?" she asked.

Mareth nodded. "The Overlanders have told us that Gregor has awoken, so they've moved up the time table. The Queen will be visiting New York City tomorrow," he said.

Helena grinned. "That's fantastic!" she said. She'd been worried about Gregor. After he'd received his gas mask, he'd collapsed on the ground and hadn't woken. She hadn't felt like she'd had a choice but to let the Americans take him away to a hospital. She'd been relieved when Luxa had found her some days later and told her she'd done the right thing.

Mareth shook his head. "They surprised Luxa with the change of plans," he said. "I am not sure what their game is."

Her smile dropped. "Maybe some effort to show control," she said softly.

Mareth grunted, but didn't respond. Araxes pulled his wings close as he landed on the balcony of the palace. Helena ran a hand on his soft fur as she slid off. "Thank you," she said.

"My pleasure, Helena," Araxes purred, and took off.

Helena gasped, turning to Mareth. "That's the first time he didn't call me Overlander!"

Mareth laughed. "He likes you, even if he doesn't want to admit it." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, let's get to the meeting." Helena blushed and followed him into the great palace's meeting room.

She was slightly intimidated to see the great array of prominent faces present. Queen Luxa sat at the head of the long table, her shoulders radiating strength. Helena doubted her body had completely healed from being trampled by a rioting crowd less than a week ago, but the queen showed no sign of weakness. On her left sat Hazard, Howard, and her uncle York. On her right sat Wevox the spinner queen, Lapblood, and a nibbler whose name Helena could never remember. Off in one corner, flier queen Athena watched her carefully. Helena gulped nervously as Mareth led her to the two empty seats that had been left for them.

"Good, you are here," Luxa said fondly to Helena and Mareth. "Let us begin." She stood. "I think I can speak for the room when I say that I do not trust this Overlander government."

Nods came from all around the table. Helena even found herself nodding along. Who would trust them after the duplicity of Carla and Kyle, the slaughter outside Regalia's walls, and Captain Johnston's bombing?

Luxa pointed with a quill at a map of New York City, pointed in front of her. "This city alone has a population more than a hundredfold that of the Underland, and this city is one of hundreds in this nation called America," she said. "We cannot fight them, and we cannot pretend to be equals through a treaty. They dwarf us."

"So what do we do?" Lapblood said, gnawing on a bone.

"It's obvious," Helena said suddenly before she could stop herself.

The whole table turned to look at her, and gulped nervously. "Go on," Luxa said to her. "What is your idea?"

"We do what we already did in Central Park," she said quickly. "I've talked to some of the Overlanders. The Central Park entrance is buried under miles of dirt now. No one's ever going to use that entrance again. We need to blow up the laundry grate entrance and cut ourselves off from the Overland entirely."

Instantly, the entire table began arguing.

"It won't be that easy a second time, they'll be expecting it—"

"Do you realize there's many entrances to the Overland, and probably more we don't know about—"

"Silence!" Luxa said, and everyone fell quiet. The queen was still staring at Helena. "Are you sure the Americans are unaware of any of the other entrances?" she demanded.

Helena played with her hair nervously. "I mean, I don't know for sure, but if they had, wouldn't they have a base camp there already? Since the Overlanders currently only have a presence by the laundry grate entrance, they're probably only aware of that one."

Queen Athena hummed. "The Overlander is right. If we can seal this entrance as well, they won't be able to reach us. We can start closing the other entrances and any others we find as well," she said.

"I hate to say this, but the Overlanders won't go quietly," Lapblood said. "Many of us will die." Everyone looked to Luxa.

The human queen let out a sigh. "I think it may be unavoidable. The Overlander base camp is small now, but it's growing with every passing day. A time will come soon when we will no longer be able to hope of dislodging them. We'll be at their mercy." No one disagreed with her.

Finally, the nibbler representative spoke up. "We need the diggers," she said, her voice faint.

Luxa leaned towards the nibbler. "What do you have in mind, Euclidean?"

"We don't need to attack them like Gregor and Ripred did," the nibbler said. "If the moles can dig structural weaknesses into the shaft, and underneath the entire Overlander camp, one well-placed blow could bring the entire shaft down."

Lapblood snorted. "Spoken like a nibbler."

Luxa shot Lapblood a glare. "This is an excellent idea, Euclidean," she said earnestly. "Does anyone see any problems with this plan?"

"Diggers are loud," Lapblood said immediately. "The Overlanders will hear them working."

"I don't think it matters," Helena said, jumping in, feeling more and more confident about the idea. "Time and time again, the American government has underestimated us. On top of that, they are not familiar with the diggers. They will write the noises off as an earthquake or geological instability, as long as the diggers dig in a way that sounds like those things," she said.

Wevox looked at her in curiosity. "You will kill your own people, Overlander?"

Helena shook her head. "Those are not my people." She thought about her family back home in Montana. They were nothing like the soldiers who seeked to occupy the Underland. "I want to defend your peace."

Luxa was smiling at her, and asked a question she'd asked Helena before, just for the sake of the room. "You were an explorer before, yes?"

Helena surveyed the room, making sure she caught all their attention. "Yes. The purpose of an explorer is to discover, to admire, and to record. It is certainly not to occupy, corrupt, and kill."

"I vouch for Helena and Euclidean's plan," Mareth said suddenly, resting a hand on her shoulder. "She has proven she can be trusted." Helena felt her cheeks go red, and was suddenly grateful she didn't have the translucent skin of the Underlanders.

Choruses of agreement rose from around the table. Lapblood sighed, flicking the bone out of her mouth. "The gnawers will support this plan," she said. "We will gather a force near the entrance in case the Overlanders become wise to the actions of the diggers."

"I will speak to the diggers," Hazard said. "I know they will support this plan, as long as they are given a land of their own after this."

"It would be given to them regardless," Luxa said gently to the boy, who had become quite close with the diggers. "Make sure they understand that, as well as the importance of this mission." The boy nodded.

Luxa turned back towards the table. "Once again, the creatures of the Underland have come together in unity and rallied behind common cause. Let us move quickly. We don't have long before the meeting."

As the assembled creatures began to disperse, Helena remained in her seat, suddenly realizing she would have to make a decision. Would she return home to Montana, or stay in the Underland for good? She glanced at Mareth briefly, who was chatting with Howard.

Luxa came up behind her, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Make the decision for yourself, not him," she said quietly. Helena nodded.

"We still need your input," Luxa said, gesturing towards where the humans were gathering at the end of the hall. "We are devising a plan to rescue Gregor from the Overland."

Helena smiled, standing up and following her queen, several ideas already bouncing in her head.

…

New York City

…

When Gregor came through the door of their penthouse, Grace instantly burst into tears and enveloped him in a hug. Lizzie and Margaret weren't far behind their mother. James stood back a bit, watching the reunion unfold in front of him, a tear in his eye, absorbing the sight. Was this the last time his family would all be together again?

Grace helped Gregor to the couch and began to mother over him, forcing a cup of wellness tea into his hands, and a plate of cookies appeared on the table next to him. Gregor was half-smiling as his sisters bombarded him with questions about what had happened. The mood suddenly grew somber when Lizzie asked how Ripred had died.

"He was the bravest of us all," Gregor told her simply. "He sacrificed his life so that the civilians of Regalia might escape and live another day. His last words were of you." Lizzie began to sob quietly. Gregor wrapped an arm around her.

James caught a long look from Grace. What remained unspoken were Gregor's plans for the future. As Lizzie sniffled and pulled away from her brother, Gregor noticed his parents' glance. "I'm going back to stay," he said quietly.

To James's surprise, Grace didn't immediately start screaming at him. Instead, she sat down gently across from her son, her face devastated but her words measured. "Why?" she asked.

"It's where I belong," Gregor said. "I grew up there, Mom. I took one bond, and I will soon take another, if he'll have me. I'm understood and accepted there. My scars, my wounds, my issues… they're accepted, and more than that, I'm loved. I will never be able to lead a normal life up here, and I don't want to. All my friends are down there. And Mom… I love her. Luxa is the one for me." He took a deep breath. "I'm going to marry her."

Grace's eyes watered. "Okay," she said simply, and then began to sob.

Gregor stood up, sat back down next to Grace, and wrapped his arms around her. "You won't lose me," he said. "You're all my family. I'll visit whenever I can, and you all will always be welcome in the Underland."

Margaret, seemingly unsure of what was going on, watched with wide eyes. Lizzie was smiling. "Go, Gregor," she told him. "It's where you've always belonged."

James placed a hand on his son's shoulder, hoping Gregor didn't notice his hand shaking ever so slightly. "You're your own man now, son," he said. "I support you, now and always. I want you to know that."

Gregor smiled. "Thanks dad." He paused. "For everything."

Tears welled in James's eyes. Everything from the last month came rushing back to him. Gregor's departure, being kidnapped by the FBI, the escape and the interviews, the war against the cutters. "I'd do it all over again for you," James said fiercely. "Anything. From now until the day I die."

…

Author's Note

Wow, these recent chapters have gotten pretty long. A lot still to cover, but things are ramping up now towards the end. I can't say exactly how many chapters are left, but I don't think there'll be more than five or six (including an epilogue).

Including this chapter, I've now written eleven chapters in nine days. This is a crazy pace for me—I've truly felt inspired. Hopefully, that inspiration has translated well in terms of chapter quality. Let me know any positive feedback or constructive criticism you may have.

Enjoy the final stretch!

- Gyltig