Notes: What a wild ride this has been! I can't decide if it takes place in my main verse or a branch-off verse. I feel a branch-off is more likely, but on the other hand, I had determined long ago that Lawton, being fairly intelligent most of the time, would not go after Kalin and company again and would instead try to rebuild his life. So this or something similar could be the result in the main timeline. Ironic that Lawton wasn't part of the dreams that initially inspired this fic and he wasn't going to be included, and somehow he ended up as one of the most important characters in the story. Thank you for your interest and support!

Epilogue

Radley watched the dancers and the parade floats in intrigued amazement. The Carnival had been fascinating in every way. Evangeline and Angelique had known all the best and most family-friendly events and had shown everyone a much-needed night of food and fun. Scotch was still going on excitedly about his own Mardi Gras Carnival and taking pictures of everything he hoped to imitate.

Kalin watched him deadpan for a moment. "Do you really think he's going to be able to pull off everything he wants to do?"

"Well . . . maybe not everything," Radley chuckled. "Scotch has big dreams that may not fit into a small town budget. But on the other hand, maybe it would be a worthy investment. Just imagine if a little Western town had a celebration that really was on par with New Orleans'. Think of all the people who would flock to it! That would really put us on the map!"

"Just as long as it didn't get raucous," Kalin grunted. "Mardi Gras has a reputation that isn't always glowing."

"Boy, do I know it," Radley said. "Even though it's actually a Catholic holiday in origin, Grandma never liked it and never approved of all the carousing around that tends to go on there." He brushed his hair out of his face. "I've been pleasantly surprised by how much family-friendly content is here, though. That's all Scotch wants to bring over."

"Scotch has an innocent mind," Kalin said. "But if we have too large a celebration, it will attract all kinds, including those who want the seedier side of the parties too."

"That's a good point," Radley admitted. "We definitely don't need that when we want Satisfaction Town's reputation to be, if not sparkly white, at least a pleasant ivory." He smirked a bit. "But I think we can swing it."

"We'll see," Kalin said.

Radley's phone dinged and he looked down at the incoming message. Then he could only blink in surprise.

"What is it?" Kalin asked.

Radley sighed. "Hans wonders if we'd be willing to testify in Lawton's behalf back home to see if they'll accept him into that program Yusei's helping with. He says he knows he's asking a lot and that's part of why he's sending a text instead of asking us in person, so that we're not put on the spot so much and we have more time to absorb it and think about it."

Kalin frowned a bit. "Does he really think Lawton would have a chance, especially after he's been a fugitive for over a year?"

"Apparently so," Radley said.

Yusei leaned over to glance at the text. "Given everything that happened, I'd vote in his behalf," he said. "But of course, I'm not the one who'd make the final decision."

"I'm willing to tell what happened," Radley said slowly, "if they'd really go for all the voodoo stuff. It'd be pretty hard to explain things without going into that."

"I've got the feeling that after what Lawton did at the hospital back home, they'll believe it," Yusei said. "Especially now that they have that taskforce to handle magical crimes."

"If we don't explain everything, all the damage Lawton caused would be yet another strike against him," Kalin said.

"Yeah," Radley said. He looked to Yusei. "Do you think Lawton has a chance of being accepted?"

"Maybe," Yusei said. "He has been trying to turn his life around this past year. From everything Hans has said, he's been completely aboveboard as his manager. And sacrificing himself for you guys as well as for Malcolm isn't a small thing. He really did die to protect you. That'll hold a lot of weight."

Radley nodded. It still seemed almost unreal after all the heartache and grief Lawton had caused for all of them. And yet it was real.

"And I guess you're feeling pretty great," Billy said to Scotch. "All of this mess unfolded just because you wanted to talk to Hans."

". . . Yeah, that's right!" Scotch realized.

Radley smiled. "And he really might have been seriously hurt or killed in that explosion if it hadn't been for that."

"Speaking of explosions, has there been any word on the creeps who caused it?" Tristan asked.

"They were poisoned, like Lawton was at the beginning of this mess," Yusei said. "But it looks like they're going to pull through."

"Good," Radley said. "I'd hate for even them to die, especially when their buddy was so upset."

"And so far, Dr. Raven and Amelia seem to be doing well in their magic-confinement cells," Evangeline smirked. "Démas sent me a text Mokuba sent him about how it's working out."

"That's good to hear, but I'll probably remain skeptical that they can't get free," Radley said. "Maybe they'll bide their time for a while until they think they've got the perfect solution."

"That's possible," Angelique sighed. "But I think I'd lose my mind to not believe it's over."

"I'm glad you all got to come visit while you were here, at least," Evangeline said. "And I hope we can do it again someday soon."

"Me too!" Scotch said. "Your house is epic!"

Biff looked like he would've chosen a different word, but he didn't comment.

"It is pretty fascinating," Radley said. "You must be proud to live in such a beautiful place."

"We are, most definitely," Evangeline beamed. "Even when we wish the ghosts would leave us alone."

"I wonder what Anna's going to do," Téa said. "It can't have been easy to be thrown into an illusion of marrying her ex-fiancé, especially now that she knows he's not a creep."

"I'm sure she will have a great deal to think about," Ishizu said. "And no matter who she chooses, hopefully she can remain friends with the other."

"I wonder who really did mind-control Hans in Arendelle," Scotch said. "That wasn't resolved at all!"

"I guess the answers are back in Arendelle," Radley said. "If there's any to find. And I'm sure they'll be looking when they go back."

"Can we visit Arendelle sometime?!" Scotch exclaimed with hopeful eyes.

Radley laughed. "I'm sure we'll end up doing that sometime."

"If we do, we'll probably get pulled into that mystery too," Tristan sighed.

"It'd be nice to resolve it, though," Yugi said. "They'll always be worrying who could have done it and if that person will come back to hurt them again."

"Yeah!" Scotch said. "So we should try to help them figure it out!"

Radley chuckled and drew an arm around his shoulders. "We'll see," he said. He glanced to Kalin, who shrugged. "We'll see."

xxxx

The next days were a whirlwind of activity. Everyone flew back to New Domino City the following day and Hans, Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf prepared for their various racing engagements. Anna, despite much pondering, still wasn't fully sure what to do about Kristoff and Hans, although for the time being she was happy just to be friends with them both. Hans, who really felt she was still leaning towards Kristoff, was trying to be happy with that.

Radley and Kalin ended up testifying for both Lawton and Malcolm in front of the board organizing Yusei's program. Hans and Yusei vouched for both of them as well. And while it wasn't so much of a surprise when they agreed to accept Malcolm, it was a surprise when they agreed on Lawton as well—with some additional conditions.

"You will be allowed to continue as Hans Westergaard's manager," Mina told him, "but for the next two years you must report in by video call every week. When you need to leave the country for racing engagements, we have to be told in advance and kept informed on everywhere you're going. After two years we will meet again to determine how well this experiment is working."

"And if it checks out, maybe we'll ease up after that," Trudge said. "Of course, if it turns out it's not working, either then or before then, things'll just end cold turkey and it'll be back to the Facility for you."

Lawton nodded. "I understand."

"Then for now we remand you to Mr. Westergaard's custody," Mina said. "We wish you success."

Hans smiled, joyous as they left the room and started down the corridor. "I was sure they would accept you when they had all the facts," he said.

"It's still hard to believe," Lawton said. "I know I don't deserve another chance."

"Well, that sounds familiar," Radley remarked.

"Knowing you don't deserve it is a step towards turning your life around," Kalin said. "Taking the chance anyway is the next step. Don't waste it."

"I think he's gonna be fine," Malcolm said. "We both will be, thanks to all of you." His gaze lingered especially on Radley, who smiled.

"I'm glad we could help," he said. "But remember, it was a two-way street. If you hadn't been willing to change, even kindness wouldn't have worked."

"Yeah, I guess," Malcolm said. "You had no call to be kind, though, especially to me when I hadn't done anything kind to you."

"So what are you planning to try doing?" Yusei asked. "You didn't say you had anything lined up already."

"I don't," Malcolm said. "I don't know what to do, really; mining's all I really know. Managing mines, anyway. There's none around here. I'm not going back to Crash Town, I promise you that. I guess I'll just see what Sector Security comes up with that's available."

"Maybe opening a ranch?" Radley suggested. "Or looking for a management position on an existing one?"

"Maybe," Malcolm mused. "I feel like I'd do better as top dog somewhere, but maybe I'm wrong. I made such a big mess out of Crash Town."

"You've learned a lot since then," Radley said. "And I think you'll be more careful who you hire next time."

"I will be," Malcolm said. "Those bullies all turned on me when they could." Bitterness dripped from his voice.

"People like that usually do," Kalin said.

"How's Barbara doing?" Yusei suddenly asked. "Is there any chance she might turn over a new leaf too?"

"I dunno," Malcolm said. "I've been avoiding her."

"Honestly, if Lawton can change, I think anything's possible for anyone," Radley smiled, "including Barbara."

"Maybe," Lawton grunted.

They stepped outside, where everyone else was waiting. Scotch waved. "Hey!"

Lawton hesitated. It was a big thing for Scotch to come; he had been aware Scotch had been avoiding him. Finally he went over, but stopped far enough away from Scotch so that he hopefully wouldn't feel boxed in or threatened.

". . . Malcolm told me you prayed for me," he said awkwardly.

Scotch shifted. "Yeah. . . ."

"Well . . . I don't know how you felt like doing it, but . . . thanks," Lawton said. "I'm . . . I'm sorry for what I did to you. What I did to all of you." He looked around to everyone in the group. Aside from Hans and the Arendelle group, he had hurt everyone who was here. And they had all come anyway.

"Cool," Scotch said. "I mean, that's . . . that's awesome you're sorry! I never thought you would be."

"I didn't either, so we're even," Lawton said.

"We should celebrate how well everything's turned out," Anna smiled. "Why don't we go to a buffet restaurant? I love those! Or a sandwich shop?!"

"Either sounds good to me," Hans smiled back.

"Yes! Food!" Scotch exclaimed.

Radley laughed. "That's great with me, if everyone wants to do that."

There were many choruses of agreement and some shrugs and nods of consent.

And so everyone set out for the nearest eating establishment, all united as allies and friends. What had once seemed impossible had now come to pass.