Chapter Twenty-two

MR. V

"Are we not waiting for the other two mortals to join?" Chernabog rolled his eyes and propped his chin in his clawed hand as he looked to Mr. V, clearly far from the mood to talk about his intentions of seeking out his daughter. All this time Mr. V assumed Maleficent or Grimhilde to be difficult to work with for their insane selfish and narcissistic way of working, but Chernabog was very quickly changing his mind about this. The headache he was going to have would be enough to put him out for the rest of the year.

Doing his best to not scream and summon the shadows to drag the demon king back to whence he came, Mr. V held his hands out to show that the offer was out on the table. "How would you like to proceed?"

"We will wait for the other two mortals to arrive. I will not repeat myself." He huffed and his tail flicked irritably as he rolled his eyes as he looked askance to the fire. "Besides Fantasia is nothing that can be explained without confusing you, mortal."

"Very well, we can wait for my fellow Hosts to arrive. And my name is Valentino," His smile was quickly becoming strained, "but Mr. V will do just fine."

"Your name does not matter to me, mortal." He growled, his long claws digging into the wood of his armrests. "Finding my daughter is the only reason why I am here. I will not have my time wasted by answering unnecessary questions."

"Chernabog, sir." The veins in his neck tensed as his irritation was becoming more difficult to control. This was an ancient Villain all right, and he was going to be even more difficult that the Evil Queen or Jafar ever hoped to be. Chernabog was very quickly forcing his hand to never work with a Villain that hasn't been around for less than a century. If all ancient Villains were as proud, arrogant, and self-righteous as Chernabog, then they had no reason to do business with him. Mr. V ran his hand through his dreadlocks. "The best way to find your daughter is to answer my questions so I can answer yours. If you don't answer mine, I won't know how else to help you."

A growl passed through Chernabog's lips as he turned his face away from him and glared at the fire. Mr. V was far too ready to summon the shadows if it truly came down to a fight against the demon king. A knock came from the door and Ischer came in pushing a cart loaded down with meats, a barrel, and a tea pot of coffee with a scowling Ms. Villa and discontented Mr. Po following behind him. Ms. Villa had changed into a mauve dress and wore a white blazer with padded shoulders that showed off her determination to do business and get her answers. Mr. Po mirrored her business attire by wearing a mauve suit with white shoes, however he was far underdressed compared to his usual attire. The determined looks on their faces was enough to make Mr. V shrivel in his seat. Tensions simmered between them as they took their seats beside his own and the hairs on his arm stood on end.

Ischer left the cart beside Chernabog and took off the small tray of coffee and tea for the Hosts. Hopefully the food would put Chernabog in a better mood and would make him a touch more sociable and cooperative; though he wished he had as much to make his Hosts compliant as well. Chernabog picked up a whole pork shoulder and took a large ravenous bite from it that made Mr. V reconsider how he should be approaching this. Ischer looked to Mr. V and made a quick glance to Chernabog who was very preoccupied devouring his pork shoulder. Ms. Villa's nose wrinkled in disgust at the carnivorous display of eating, but said nothing as Mr. Po poured her cup of tea.

Now that his fellow Hosts were here, he had no idea where to start. He knew too much and they too little, and by the way Chernabog devoured his food, he highly doubted he'd sit long enough for Mr. V to properly share his information with everyone. Neither Ms. Villa or Mr. Po looked at him and deigned themselves proper by drinking tea in silence as they waited for Chernabog to catch a break in his meal. Ischar, standing at the right-hand side of Mr. V's desk, glanced around the awkward silent party once before rolling his eyes with a groan and looking to Mr. V. "Is there anything else I can assist you in?"

Mr. V looked to Ischer and caught the knowing glint in those magic filled green eyes, "Perhaps you can answer my question."

"I will do my best, sir." Ischer put his hands behind his back and rolled his shoulders back. "What would you like to know?"

"Since the great and fearsome Chernabog here believes my mind to be too little to properly comprehend his realm," Chernabog froze in his seat but did not stop eating at Mr. V's blunt question. If the great demon king wasn't going to tell his story, Mr. V had no choice but to rely on someone who would. "Would you be able to explain to me what is the Fantasia Realm?"

"Certainly." The corners of his mouth twitched like he wanted to smirk, but he managed to keep his mouth in a tight line. "The Fantasia Realm is a realm of eight ongoing stories that almost always have music going on that help move the seasons along. Not a single one can proceed without the other, and the moment one story stops, so do all the others." Ischer explained and looked to Chernabog who had paused his eating to glare at the speaker. "Is that a dumbed down enough summary for the mortals, Lord Chernbog?"

"Good enough." He shrugged and returned to eating the pork shoulder. "However, it is I and the Sprite of Spring and the other residents that create the music as we change the seasons that keeps the flow of time moving throughout the Realm."

Mr. V looked to Chernabog as he poured himself his cup of coffee. He wished that Ischer would have brought him a mug instead of the teacup, but it will do for the most part. "Is there a particular ruler of the Realm?"

"Ruler is too relative a term. The eight stories are divided equally and maintained by the strongest of their tellings." Chernabog slurped off the last of the meat from the bone. "There is, however, a Keeper of the stories and the maintainer of the Realm, a Sorcerer who manages the Realm to ensure everything flows the way it should. . ."

"Must be quite the sorcerer to maintain such a task." Mr. Po quipped up, slightly relieving some of the tension.

Chernabog nodded and reached over to grasp a tankard to drink. "Quite."

"And who is this Sorcerer?" Ms. Villa prodded as she grew more intrigued by his story.

"He calls himself Yen Sid." The growl returned to his voice and his clawed hand gripped the bone tightly. "In a way he is an Author of the Realm."

Mr. V took notice of the way those yellow orbs flicked in his direction as he added whiskey to his coffee before taking a sip. "What makes him the Author of the Fantasia Realm?"

"In terms that you mortals will understand, he fixes things when we break them . . ." Chernabog trailed off before dropping his bone back on the plate. Even without saying it, Mr. V knew that had something to do with Ms. Scatter. His fellow Hosts must have picked up on this as well because their cups sat on their saucers and their eyes were much more focused on him now. The fire crackled, the storm outside drizzled, and the answers were finally ready to be shone. Ms. Villa was the first to speak up, "What sort of things could you break?"

"If we were to go too far out of our borders and into another's borders in the Realm." Chernabog shifted in his chair and reached again for a tankard and dunked it into the barrel of ale. "There are boundaries to our Realm, and every now and again my minions and I get a little carried away in our warpath," he threw his head back as he took a long gulp of the ale before moving it from his lips, "amongst other things, of course."

"Would those other things be part of the reason Ashe was banned from your Realm?" Ms. Villa asked unabashedly. Chernabog stopped mid-sip and glared at her over his tankard.

"Ms. Villa." Ischer cleared his throat as he glanced at the impatient woman. "I would recommend treading lightly. . ."

She did not remove her eyes from Chernabog's to heed Ischer's warning. Stubborn and determined as she was, she would not back down from the fight for her answers unless Mr. Po said something. Showing his approval and his support to his partner, Mr. Po mirrored her actions by staring down Chernabog as well. Letting out an amused snort to their antics, Chernabog resumed his drinking and took it back in one shot. "It would be that very reason that she was banished from the Realm."

Though no one did, there was a gasp that took their breath away as they stared at the demon king before him. A chill ran down Mr. V's spine, his kidneys burned, whether from the coffee or the adrenaline of finally getting answers he didn't care. Again, it was Ms. Villa who cleared her throat and offered the question, "How did she get banished?"

Chernabog completely stopped his movements, setting the tankard on the cart and his other hand on the armrest as he stared at the front of Mr. V's desk. For as intimidating as this being was before him, he was certainly at a loss for words at the moment. The crackle of the fire seemed to grow louder as Chernabog took his time in answering. "She not only broke the order of the Realm but also the actual flow of time in a heat of anger while defending herself . . ." Chernabog spoke lowly and slowly as if he were rehearsing it to himself. "She destroyed everything within our borders to the point nothing could repair itself."

If Chernabog would have started this conversation off with that explanation to the Fantasia Realm, Mr. V hated to admit that he would not have been able to comprehend the meaning of his words. It was considerably impossible to stop the order and flow of things let alone break them. The world was not a television with a universal remote that could simply pause whatever was playing to be picked up at a later time. Though Ms. Scatter was capable of many seemingly impossible things, freezing time or breaking it all together was just too improbable. Mr. V set his cup down and stared intently at the large demon in front of him to ask the question burning in his mind. "How?"

"How is something that is too difficult to explain," Chernabog grunted as he dunked his tankard in the barrel.

"Surely not."

"I cannot explain it because I was not there to witness it." Chernabog seethed. "I was regrettably forced into my hibernation period very early when it happened. I was only informed of things after the aftermath and I found the Realm in chaos."

"Then how do you expect us to trust your word?" Ms. Villa narrowed her eyes at the demon king.

"Because the Sorcerer Yen Sid explained what happened and sent me here to bring my daughter back." He growled lowly in his throat. "In summary, both she and her fiancé were not to exist in the Fantasia Realm, at all."

"Fiancé?" Ms. Villa gasped, eyes wide and pure shock falling out of her gaping mouth as she reached for Mr. Po's hand.

Mr. V felt his smile drop at the mention of a fiancé. "That's a touch rude, isn't it?"

"This is where things get more difficult to comprehend for the mind of mortals." Chernabog took a quick gulp before setting the tankard on the armrest. "It's the truth, Yen Sid told both she and the current spawn causing trouble in the Realm were not to exist in our Realm; my daughter was a literal accident of my own creation."

"A happy accident, I'm sure." Mr. Po joked lightly, but the firm line and permanent glare on the demon king's face said otherwise.

"No accidents are happy in Fantasia." Chernabog was not bothered in the least and did not seem to care about the growing frowns on the faces of the mortals listening to his story. "She was an outsider that was allowed to exist in the Realm of Fantasia so long as she served under me and sought nothing out for herself; until she broke it."

"What do you mean by outsider?" Ms. Villa's voice cracked at the question. It was a common term that Mr. V was used to because both he and all of his Recruits were outsiders to both the Realms they reside in as well as the Anti-Realm.

"What more should I say about it?" He raised a brow at him. "It should be self-explanatory. Both she and her fiancé were outsiders and should not have been allowed in my borders or in Fantasia at all; both of which I allowed and both of which I had to suffer for."

"Are you both just going to ignore the fact she has a fiancé?" Ms. Villa snapped as she looked from Mr. V to the growling demon king.

"Hardly anything worth mentioning, and nothing I agreed to for her. Would a selfish betrothed appease your ears?" He rephrased as he finally addressed the matter. "That demon tricked her into their marriage, outside of my approval, because she tried to save the very being that I constantly cause problems for. The result was her breaking the Realm to stop him."

Of course it would be a demon. Mr. V's chest tightened, like a rock weighing there as he kept his face as neutral as he could. That at least explained some things about her, though Mr. V still felt very trapped in the dark; and he hated being in the dark on these sorts of things. Now he knew how his fellow Hosts felt. It was good to know that technically she no longer had a fiancé, though the demon king has yet to say if the engagement was ever nullified.

"Nonetheless she was still my daughter. She proved her worth and loyalty to me for her entire existence while she was in the Fantasia Realm." Chernabog continued, breaking Mr. V from his rapid thoughts. "When I was informed of what she had done to our Realm, well, I never anticipated to see her again."

"Then why are you here?" Mr. V slapped his hands on the desk causing both Ms. Villa and Mr. Po to jump in their seats.

"Because she has received a very rare chance to return to the Fantasia Realm if it will have her or the curse that follows her." Chernabog set the tankard back on the cart. "Yen Sid has sent me here to collect her; her running away has only limited the time that she should be allowed in the Fantasia Realm."

"What would happen to her if she could not return to the Fantasia Realm?" Ischer spoke up looking genuinely confused. "I've not heard of a Realm rejecting a residence before."

"Then she will have no choice but to return here and never be allowed into Fantasia again." Chernabog shrugged and pointed to Mr. V. "Given your reaction you almost seem to want her to be rejected from her Realm again."

"I only wish for her happiness." Mr. V felt the judgmental eyes from his fellow Hosts and Ischer, but he was not ashamed of whatever his face displayed. If she were to be accepted back into her Realm, fine, however, if she wanted to come back to the Anti-Realm, he would definitely welcome her back. He picked up his cup of coffee and supped on it; it was cold. "She has wanted to return to her Realm for a while now, so if that is what she chooses, and she can stay there then I only wish for her happiness."

"You're brave to lie, even half-heartedly, mortal." Chernabog rolled his eyes. "Do you have any more questions, or are you going to finally tell me where my daughter is?"

"We've already told you," Ms. Villa frowned, and dared a glance at Mr. V. "We don't know where she is."

"I know you're lying mortal." Chernabog growled, stood, and slammed his claws on the desk. "Now tell me, where is my daughter?"

Mr. V narrowed his eyes, not liking the tone and dismissiveness of the demon king before him. Though his fellow Hosts were not aware of Ms. Scatter's whereabouts, it was obvious to Chernabog that he knew that the ringleader of all of this did know where his daughter was. However, Mr. V was not sure what the best course of action would be. What was to become of her if he told Chernabog she had already returned? Would it make a difference? Would he punish her?

"She's already returned to the Fantasia Realm, Lord Chernabog." Ischer answered beside him, pushing his glasses back onto his face as he removed the coffee tray from Mr. V's desk and set it back on the cart.

"What?" Chernabog stood, smoke puffing from his nostrils. Both Ms. Villa and Mr. Po scrambled after Ischer while the demon king set his sights on Mr. V.

"Ischer!" Mr. V stood to go after him but Chernabog blocked his view of the retreating Hosts.

"You have wasted my time!" A deep roar escaped Chernabog as he flipped the desk over. "You foolish mortal! Do you know what could have happened in all this time?" The desk went over Mr. V's head, papers went everywhere, the skeleton hands continued to write everything down, and Ischer just made his way to the door, the cart squeaking as it rolled. He roared unrestrained to release his frustration as he flicked his tail at Mr. V and nailed him in the stomach as he turned away. Mr. V hit the wall hard and rattled the drywalls beneath the wallpaper. His stomach ached, his skin prickled intensely, and there was the terrible taste of iron in his mouth. He held his hand over his stomach, willing the pain to subside. "She could die because of you!"

"What?" Ms. Villa turned on her heel and stared at the demon king. Chernabog, growling and nearly frothing at the mouth picked Mr. V up by the front of his shirt and held him in the air.

"She could be fighting for her right to stay in Fantasia!" he roared, causing the windows to rattle in their panes and even the rain to soften it's noise. "She could be dying because you've wasted my time!"

"Shall I show you the way out, Lord Chernabog?" Ischer looked over his shoulder as if this were a normal occurrence while Mr. Po and Ms. Villa gaped at the scene, unsure whether or not to intervene with the enraged demon king.

"Take me to my daughter!" He snarled as he threw Mr. V onto the ground. A gasp of pain as the air was stolen from his lungs again and a terrible crack rippled through him from the impact. Ischer's eyes went wide, Ms. Villa gasped and Mr. Po bolted into the room. Mr. Po helped Mr. V to sit up while Chernabog stormed up to Ischer. "Take me to her now!"

"Alas, sir," Ischer said looking undisturbed by what had just happened, "until you calm down and Mr. Valentino regains his breath, I will be taking you nowhere."

"You imbecile!" Chernabog raked his claws through the air, the intent to slash Ischer's face, but a series of purple threads sliced through the air and latched onto his wrists, and ankles and prevented the demon king from moving. Those glaring yellow orbs followed the purple threads that led Ms. Villa's fingers, her shoulders rising and falling as she panted and held her ground. "Release me you wench."

"You heard him, you brute" she huffed and blew her magenta hair out of her face. "You need to calm down."

"Release me at once!" Chernabog fought against the restraints, and though Ms. Villa faltered, she did not release her hold on him. Mr. Po managed to get Mr. V up on his feet, gasping and clutching his chest as he did so.

"Lord Chernabog." Ischer tutted as he walked forward and looked up at the demon king. "I certainly expected more from you. As an ancient Villain, I hadn't expected you to be so brash."

"You're wasting my time!" He fought against the restraints as hard as he could, but Ms. Villa leaned back on her weight to hold him there. "She could die in battle if I linger here any longer!"

"Who could she be battling?" Ms. Villa roared back as she pulled back on the restraints.

"The damned demon that tricked her into the engagement." Chernabog's tail slapped against the floor with so much force the whole floor shook.

"Her fiancé?" Ms. Villa shook her head in disbelief and almost lost her footing.

"The demon only proposed such a foolish plan to infiltrate the Realm!" Chernabog fought harder against the restraints and Ms. Villa was losing her footing. Mr. Po and Mr. V couldn't seem to move fast enough to get to her as they watched Chernabog pull her slightly closer.

"Well, whether or not she survives does not matter to me, Lord Chernabog." Ischer shrugged his shoulders as he looked nonchalantly at the frothing demon before him. "However, unless you calm down and wait for Mr. Valentino to regain his own strength, I am afraid you are going to continue to waste your time."

Chernabog's teeth almost seemed to grow sharper as more smoke puffed from his nose. "You –"

"Alas, Chernabog, your threats mean nothing to me." Ischer frowned at the demon king. "For although I can take you to the Door that leads to the Fantasia Realm, I cannot allow admittance to the door."

"What?" The smoke stopped and his massive body froze.

"What?" Mr. V groaned as Mr. Po helped him come closer. Since Ischer came to the Anti-Realm, he has had his own control over portals with mirrors and entrances to Realms. Ischer could technically allow anyone to pass between his portals. They had to do so to check in on Adam Apple Poison once his Realm had finally sealed itself away and to check in on Jack Heart. Ischer threw Mr. V a quick glance and there was a certain glint in his eyes that Mr. V had no choice but to follow his directions.

"Though you hate to hear this, Lord Chernabog, you are going to have to take Mr. Valentino with you if you desire to return to the Fantasia Realm to assist your daughter." Ischer said coolly and calmly. "For although I hold the power to show you the door, it is Mr. Valentino that holds the key to the admittance therein."

"What?" Ms. Villa turned her sharp gaze on Mr. V and he felt Mr. Po's hold on him tighten painfully. The very fury in her eyes, quaking at the idea of him holding more information from them was evident there, and though he wanted to somehow convince her otherwise, he knew it would do him no good until Chernabog agreed to work with them. As dangerous as this situation was growing between them all, Ischer had a plan and Mr. V knew better than to work against him.

"Y-Yes." He groaned as he pushed himself from Mr. Po and leaned heavily on his cane. "Why else do you think I've been so determined to work with you, Chernabog."

Though he kept his eyes on the demon king, Mr. V caught the strange glances passed between Ms. Villa and Mr. Po. The demon king said nothing as he inhaled and exhaled his anger loudly from his nostrils, puff of smoke dissipating with each exhale.

"Do not lie to me, mortal." Chernabog growled in a warning tone. "I have already spent too much time away from Fantasia and if my daughter is already there, then I must go there now."

Though the situation was dire and definitely something to be concerned about, Mr. V looked to Ischer for some sort of confirmation to move forward. When Ischer merely tilted his head with a raised brow, giving him a curious look, he realized Ischer had helped as much as he wanted to and no longer intended to do so in this situation. Mr. V snapped his fingers so the skeleton hands that had been writing every detail of this down would stop writing and file away the thrown away filing cabinet. His entire office was a wreck just like the rest of his life and now Chernabog knew where Ashe was. He felt like he had betrayed her, and there was no way he could warn her of what was to come.

"Ms. Villa, if you would so kindly release our guest." Mr. V coughed and cleared his throat.

"What?"

"Please release our guest." He repeated slowly, trying to convey that there was a plan afoot and he only needed her to temporarily work with him to achieve it. "Given the circumstances, I need to escort our guest to the Doors."

Her eyes widened, and for a split second he feared she would not pick up on his intentions. When she stood straight and the purple threads loosened their hold on Chernabog and slowly swiveled and swirled and returned to her, he almost breathed out a sigh of relief. Now that Ms. Villa no longer held Chernabog back, Mr. Po left Mr. V's side to return to his lady's side. Ischer stood, his face growing more irritable as they delayed moving and instead stared at the mess he would have to clean. His hands clenched into fists and his arms shook with the remnants of anger within him, Mr. V threw on a smile. "Let's go see Fantasia then, shall we?"

Despite the airs the threw on his face, his whole body screamed in pain as he forced himself to walk and relief heavily on his cane as he led the way to the elevators. Ischer was his perfect shadow while Chernabog stalked angrily behind him and his other Hosts merely stood in the doorway of his nearly destroyed office. Ischer walked ahead of him to get the elevator and Chernabog walked ahead of him to get away from the mortals that enraged him while Mr. V paused and looked to his Hosts.

Mouth drawn into tight lines, scowls in their twitching noses, and anger in their eyes warned Mr. V enough that he would probably be losing them by the time he returned. He only hoped they would stay long enough for him to somehow convince Ms. Scatter to return here. While the elevator took its sweet time climbing the shaft, Mr. V took his chance to turn to his fellow Hosts to somehow explain this whole thing to them. Ms. Villa crossed her arms and looked down her nose at him the moment he turned back, Mr. Po's expression did not change, but he knew they were far from pleased with him.

"Was any of that true?" She hissed quietly before he could speak. He shook his head and glanced over his shoulder.

"I can't go without Ischer." He whispered to them as the elevator doors dinged open. "He's got some sort of plan, I have no idea what is about to happen."

"You're about to bring Ashe back." Ms. Villa poked him hard in the chest. "You've left us out of this for too long and made a mess of things, and now you're going to bring her back." Mr. V laughed lightly and held his hand over his shoulder where she had poked him, genuinely in pain from being thrown about his room earlier.

"So help me," Mr. Po stepped forward, his tone completely serious, "if you don't bring her back I'll kill you myself. You've caused us enough strife as it is we won't forgive you if you come back empty handed."

"If I forgive him at all." Ms. Villa scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"I am more than regretful of my actions and do not expect your forgiveness." Mr. V stated clearly. "I also understand if when I come back you both plan to leave. However, I only ask that you keep an eye on things until I get back."

"You think I'm that petty?" Ms. Villa's nose wrinkled in disgust at him.

"We haven't decided how long we'll stay." Mr. Po corrected politely.

"If we stay at all now." She chimed rather pettily.

"But until you return, we swear to keep an eye on things."

"You better return," there was venom in her words and a warning dagger in her eyes as she looked at him. "So help me, I will hunt you down and string you up by your toenails if you don't."

"If I am at all alive, I will." Mr. V swore and turned to the impatient demon waiting for him in the elevator. His fellow Hosts did not bid him farewell as he went to his fate to join Ischer and Chernabog in the elevator to go to the Door Between Realms to somehow enter Fantasia.

None of the males said a word as they followed behind Mr. V to the Door Between Realms. His wooden cane taps echoed against the marble floors while Chernabog's weight could be heard with every step as he stalked behind him. Mr. V desperately wanted to yell at Ischer for volunteering him for such a thing but had no choice but to trust his judgement on the matter. As the Magic Mirror, Ischer was able to see different outcomes of the future and could help guide others to take the best path so long as he did not predict and tell them how it should happen, lest the happy endings be robbed from them. Still it was most unnerving to be thrust into such a wild plan so blindly. Down the halls, through the Wardrobe, and entered the blank space the Door Between Realms provided for them to walk upon as they approached the locked rectangular door that would open to the Fantasia Realm.

"This is it?" Chernabog snarled down at Mr. V as he glared at the door. "This is what will take us to Fantasia?"

"I could still leave you here." Mr. V hoped his threat held more confidence than what he felt. "There is no reason to get more ill, Chernabog."

"I have had enough, mortal." Chernabog spat. "Take me to Fantasia, now."

Mr. V hoped his fear did not show on his face and that Ischer's plan would somehow come to light as they were now forced to miraculously bring Chernabog to his own Realm.

"Now, now, gentlemen." Ischer spoke calmly as he passed between them and placed his hand on the door. "If you fight here, you'll lose the chance to beat the demon engaged to your daughter."

Chernabog snapped his teeth at Ischer. "I will kill him before that happens."

"Wonderful." He smiled, completely unphased by the teeth bared at him and turned his attention to Mr. V. "Are you ready, Mr. Valentino?"

"As I'll ever be." He laughed lightly and his hand clenched the handle of his cane.

"Then allow me to get the door for you, sir." There was a mischievous twinkle in his eyes as his hand grasped the handle. "Please, give my regards to Yen Sid and make sure he sends you home again."

That was a hint he had bestowed to Mr. V, but he did not have the time to process it as a strong wind like a hurricane pulled both he and Chernabog into the door and into the smoke-filled clouds of Fantasia.

MR. PO

After all that had transpired, he almost hadn't wanted to believe what had happened. Both Eito and Eva stood quietly staring at the back of Mr. V as he walked with his cane to the elevator. Though everyone, including himself, always thought that the man sat on his rear all day doing nothing in his office, Eito could not help but wonder what it was that Mr. V truly did. Sure the man wrote the stories down, used the shadows to do some of his lazy work, but after the beating the man just took, he couldn't help but worry that the man was on his last leg and wasn't afraid to be a stump. Before he and Eva came to the Anti-Castle they just assumed that Mr. V was Dr. Facilier's understudy or prodigy, it was evident after nearly being kill twice by the large demon king that the leader of the Recruiter Program was not as simple as he made himself out to be. His doing away with his predecessor should have reflected more of that in him, but he made no show or boasting of putting away his Villain.

Mr. V was just as good at bringing people together as he was tearing them apart, that much was evident with the Recruits, the Villains, and even the Hosts, and despite his efforts he did not appear to want to be a part of his efforts. It was strange watching the mysterious and elusive Shadowman disappear behind the elevator doors and the worry of the man's fate as those doors closed behind him. Neither he nor Eva said a word as they listened to the old elevator clatter and groan as the elevator descended with extra weight in its cargo. Eito knew that Eva was still processing everything and that she was far from satisfied with the few answers they were given tonight. To make matters worse, they were down another Host and that meant that there would be even more work to pick up and to maintain.

"How did we even get into this mess?" Eva sighed as she turned on her heel and looked at the monstrous mess of remains that was Mr. V's office.

"We needed something different to do." Eito reminded her as he turned and looked at the gruesome scene of the ruined office and grimaced.

"And this was what we needed?" She scoffed as she rested her weight on her hip and leaned into his shoulder. "A mess bigger than our own?"

"It could be worse." He shrugged and threw an arm over her shoulders, drawing her petite frame closer to him.

"And it could be way better." She countered as she pushed her glasses back onto her mess.

"Well, thankfully you two won't have to worry about much while I'm around." They both jumped as they turned to see Ischer standing behind them adjusting the gloves on his hands. "I suggest you both retire to your room." He walked past them and picked up pieces of paper that lay there. "You looked haggard and needed rest. Your charisma isn't the only thing you're going to need if you plan to continue to expand this Recruit program. I will clean up this mess in the meantime."

Not even giving them much of a chance to question how he had gotten here so quickly or what was to happen to Mr. V, Ischer strode past them and stood in the center of the office. He gently and far too elegantly clapped his hands twice and the furniture, the splinters, and everything that had been damaged and moved wobbled and shifted as it all fit itself back together in its original state. Satisfied with the room in proper order again, Ischer walked back to them and put a hand on both doors to the office and closed them behind him as they took a few steps back.

"Ischer, was it?" Eito cleared his throat and threw on a smile. "I take it you'll be working with us until Mr. V gets back?"

"That is partially correct." Ischer gave a curt nod. "While both Mr. V and Ms. Scatter are absent from the office, I will be taking over their affairs so that you two can continue your own tasks uninterrupted."

"And just how long will you be here with us?" Eva cocked a suspicious brow at him.

He chuckled softly as he peered down at her. "As long as it takes Mr. V to retrieve Ms. Scatter and bring her back to set things right again."

Author's Note:

Thanks so much for reading, I hope you're enjoying the story so far!

Yes, I have finally updated this story, the Story and I have had a long battle of what would happen next and simply had to have Ms. Scatter's backstory written before I could continue. If you haven't read The Firebird, Ashe Scatter, you really should because that will help give a little more insight of what exactly happened to the Fantasia Realm and her relations to the residents there.

Thank you for being patient with me, I promise that I haven't abandoned this story, I have had quite a few things I had to work out for this story, the other stories, as well as some things going on in my private life. Please remember to leave a comment or a review and share your thoughts with me. I like reading the opinions of my readers and being able to correct the errors of my way.

Thanks for coming along the journey with me, stay tuned for more!

Ko-fi/SarahtheWriter