Chapter 72 - Revelations, Part 1

It was only through considerable effort that Peach did not choke on her coffee in disbelief. "Bullshit," she coughed.

General James Ironwood rested his doorstep chin on his hands, his elbows on the table, and put on a smile so nonchalant that it actually made Peach feel disarmed. "I am being completely forward," he stated, "I assure you the council has deliberated extensively on the matter. They have reviewed evidence, spoken to witnesses, considered any and all contributing factors. Their decision was unanimous, in the end. For the crimes of national treason, criminal assassination of a high ranking government official, and a list of other complicated charges I won't waste your time recounting, the Hunters' Church has declared you, Victarine Peach, and all your associates including your nephew… not guilty."

It was the middle of the day. The sun and warm breeze was pouring through the open window, making the curtains sway. There was the distant sound of cars on the road and the tittering of playing children. But even this normally peaceful, reassuring atmosphere did nothing for Peach's nerves. Her home was silent as an abandoned school, as she met Ironwood's calm eyes with undisguised suspicion. The silence went on for a full three minutes, unbroken even by a breath.

Winter Schnee was sitting in her living room. Dressed like a typical agent, and sitting straight as a statue, waiting like a dog on her master's orders. The only reason she hadn't sat closer was specifically due to his orders when they'd first entered. Without prompt, Ironwood had even shown that they had no weapons on them, even allowing Peach to check. All while he wore that infuriating smile like this was simply a checkup on an old friend.

The odd thing was, he was very good at appearing genuine, so Peach had to remind herself constantly that he couldn't be trusted, no matter how sweet his words sounded.

She had known someone would come, so it wasn't as if this had been a surprise. The appearance of Ironwood himself had been what really caught her off guard. What she knew of the man wasn't much. He led the Atlas branch of Heart Hunters, though on the surface he was the military general. He hadn't been part of the organization's highest circle for very long. As she understood, he was still the latest addition. So him coming to her door had not crossed her mind even once.

Still, there were only so many outcomes to expect from such a visit. And she had anticipated them all. They wouldn't have just attacked her, for she knew too much. And Peach knew every assassination trick they used. If they tried to kill her or anyone she knew and failed, she could expose many important people. That was the advantage of being a Whisper for so long. Then, of course, she thought they might try to negotiate her surrender and imprisonment. Fair enough. She'd been prepared to argue her terms for such a proposal—namely Jaune, Cinder, and everyone else being granted immunity—but Ironwood surprised her there with this outrageous reveal.

A pardon for committing the ultimate crime against the organization? No, not even. They were outright proclaiming that they were not guilty, when any and all testimonies and evidence would prove otherwise. It wasn't even denial. These bastards knew they'd done it and yet were still choosing to let them go. It was such an unexpected and convenient outcome that it could only be a cruel joke. What else could it be?

Peach had to steady her voice before hissing with the least venom possible. "You're going to have to forgive me if I don't believe this horseshit."

Ironwood's iron smile did not waver in the slightest. He looked at her like she was some hard headed child that constantly needed reminding of the rules. "Being perfectly frank, the organization doesn't care what you believe," he said. "Provided you take this decision for what it is, and not what you interpret it to mean. It is within the organization's best interest that all of this be… well, swept under the rug. I urge you not to mistake it for mercy nor pity. Trust me, there was none. It is simply more beneficial that you and all your associates are left unbothered."

Peach gave a mirthless chuckle. "Why?"

"Their reasons are multifaceted. But one unifying factor that consistently came up was the various… disagreements many members of the council had with the Superior's command. He exerted an oftentimes unreasonable degree of control. I doubt it needs to be said that he stepped on many toes. Few forgot his transgressions, and even less were forgiving. Certainly you dont think your people were the only ones fastened to a leash?"

That made Peach think. Huh. Even when she had been a part of very important meetings of world leaders, though often as just a Whisper, she had never thought about how much control the Superior had asserted over everyone. Or rather, she hadn't considered how many people might not like being controlled like that. It made perfect sense, didn't it? If Hazel could hold a grudge against the Superior, why not anyone else in that secret circle? "Are you saying the council is glad we killed the Superior?"

Ironwood gave a sort of half shrug. "Yes and no. There are obvious consequences to his sudden vacancy, but empty chairs beckon new occupants and new opportunities. Even despite the situation this war has left us in. Most specifically, how roughly seventy million missing people spontaneously reappeared on the surface world."

Peach sighed. It was all she heard about over the last few days. And even after some time ruminating, it still didn't feel real. Every day there was something on the news related to the sudden reappearance of countless missing people. Lost children had returned to families that had mourned their disappearances for years, unaged parents returned to find their children grown up, perhaps even older than they were. Old lovers reunited, many years apart in age. Then, the stories they told. How they'd lived for years in a desolate wasteland, how they fought to survive incursions of terrifying monsters, how they'd awakened strange abilities which they could not prove. So much had happened as a result of what they'd done, what Jaune had done.

Peach nearly jumped when the front door opened, and her boy walked in far before she could warn him. He stopped, of course, the moment he saw Ironwood. Even glanced at Winter, who'd looked up with an expression that was a three-way cross between surprised, disgusted, and curious. Ironwood only seemed to smile wider at Jaune's appearance, like he was a brand new pup he planned on adopting. And with that eagerness, he addressed Jaune first. "Back from class already, Mister Arc?"

Jaune stared at him for a moment. "Half day. There was a lot going on."

'Doubtless. The world is quite topsy-turvy lately."

Peach tried to direct him to his room with her eyes, but either he didn't notice or didn't care. "Are you with the organization?"

Ironwood nodded. "We came to discuss the council's decision on the events of the Public Domain."

"Their decision?" Jaune looked at him, then Peach, then back to him. "What do you—"

"Jaune," Peach cut him off as gently as possible. "I need you to go to your room. Let me handle this. I'll tell you everything later."

Jaune didn't move immediately, but eventually he padded toward his room. He stopped just before crossing the hallway, looking at Winter and Ironwood. An ice-cold glare. A silent threat. Peach thought she might have imagined it, but she swore Winter swallowed under his glare. Jaune slinked away, the sound of the bookshelf door closing behind him.

"Well, very clearly he is your kin. He acts exactly like you."

Peach gave him no response to that, mostly because she didn't know how to without validating him. "So if you don't mean to punish us, what's going to become of the organization? Things can't be the same as before."

"You're right. Not completely the same," said Ironwood. "The rebels, as far as we know, have either gone into hiding or returned to normal lives. With Hazel imprisoned, he can no longer lead, so their forces are no longer a threat. There will be strays hoping to continue his efforts, but they will be easily cleaned up. Naturally, we lost many in the war, and even more agents have opted to retire after the war's extreme events. That leaves the organization weakened, and rather considerably."

"What about the Vicar? And the Thrones?"

"We called upon the Vicar to join the council, but they never appeared. The Thrones have vanished as well."

Peach's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Vanished? How?"

Now Ironwood's iron smile fell. A deep frown set in, heavy brows furrowing like he'd suddenly grown a headache. "We don't know. The Thrones were personally overseen by the Superior, and their identities are unknown by the council."

"No one knows them? How is that possible?"

"It isn't." said Winter suddenly, turning her ice-blue eyes onto Peach with poorly masked distrust. "I was once among the Thrones of the previous generation. Alongside your first apprentice. I was made an apprentice to General Ironwood."

Peach scoffed. "I knew every apprentice in the program. I personally recruited several, including Cinder. I don't remember you among them."

"So, simply because you did not see me must mean I was not there? Did you suppose the Organization simply rounds together a litter of exceptional children and puts them in a box? Cuts them off from the world?"

Peach was about to bite back at the girl's stupid question, before she realized her meaning. She turned to Ironwood, and upon seeing his stony stare, was certain that he knew exactly what she was thinking. "No…" she whispered. "I was literally one of the Superior's closest subordinates. I would know."

Ironwood offered a weak smile. Like he was looking at a child who believed herself to be wiser than she really was. "Tell me Peach… do you know how many generations of Thrones there were?"

"Well… no."

"Did you assume that your apprentice's generation was the first?"

Peach swallowed. "What the hell are you implying?"

"How old are you, Vick? May I call you Vick?"

Peach blinked. "Forty-three."

Ironwood's brows set in deeper, enhancing the creases in his forehead. "I am forty five. I believe Bartholomew is only a year younger than me. You've been in the organization since you were eighteen, correct?"

"Yes." Peach said, hesitantly. "Why? What are you getting at?"

"This is pure speculation. In fact, it veers into a ludicrous conspiracy but… I need you to consider how likely it was that you were inducted into the Thrones program, but simply didn't know it?"

Now Peach was quiet for a long, uncomfortable moment. Her mind flooded with memories, from fond to frightening, and dissecting them all with new scrutiny. Her first instinct was to deem Ironwood's theory impossible. She had never been put in any special type of training as far as she knew. Nothing that would mark her out as having more potential than her peers. What she understood about the Thrones was that they were usually children that had high potential as Heart Hunters, brought into the Organization, and given training under Hunters chosen by the Superior, ultimately to ensure their potential wasn't squandered or used nefariously. To turn these children into loyal, powerful agents that served society…

Then, she remembered the day the Superior had first approached her. Barely a year moved into Vale and still living with Joseph and her sister. Just a local waitress on her smoke break, thinking about how much she hated her job, and wanting desperately to feel important. And the Superior had seemingly come out of nowhere, materializing from the summer sun like an angel. He put on the warmest smile, looking down at her like a loving father might his most adores daughter, seeming like he could her mind. He held out his hand, so firm-looking, so inviting, as he said the most tantalizing, hypnotizing words Peach had ever heard.

"Would you like to change the world with me, Victarine Peach?"

Peach barely got the words out. Whispering, "You mean, all this time, I was…"

"I suspect so." said Ironwood, "You see, I was brought into the Organization as an apprentice at seventeen. I was given a proper master and training, just like you, just like Lieutenant Schnee. Though I never became a Whisper, for my skills didn't translate well in that field. Seems about average for a trainee. But then, look at the statistics, and you'll find most standard Hunters began their careers well after becoming adults. Apprentices, therefore, are actually quite rare." Ironwood sighed, "It is very likely that you and I, and even Bart, were members of a previous generation of Thrones, due to our high potential and unique abilities. Things the Superior clearly found valuable."

"Without us knowing? How?"

"How else? By hiding us in plain sight. Perhaps we didn't need specialized attention in the obvious sense. Perhaps it was enough to assign us to a trainer and simply keep an eye on our progress. If so, then there was no need for anyone else to know the full scope of the Superior's plans. Which I imagine suited him perfectly. It is ingenious, really. For all these years, the Superior has played us all like pieces on a chess board, moving us all into positions of his liking, and none of us the wiser. He created a system of loyal child soldiers whom he made to feel special and important, then had us carry out his work under pretenses of justice and glory. When Miss Schnee was given to me as an apprentice, and when you were given Miss Fall, we trained the next candidates of the Thrones, never the least suspicious of the Superior's intentions."

Which further explained why the Superior had allowed Jaune back into Peach's care. Even Jaune's age made him ripe for the Superior's interest. He had discovered his potential and wanted Jaune's body acclimated to using his powers. In fact, could the entire Thrones program be effectively a massive pyramid scheme meant to funnel potential vessels toward the Superior? It made such perfect sense that Peach didn't need to give it much thought beyond that.

"This is… unbelievable." Peach whispered.

"And yet, it couldn't be anything but the truth. I'm afraid there were things even the Whispers were not aware of. The Superior never played his cards in full. Well, not until your nephew. I suppose that was his only poor hand. How odd is it that one mistake cost him everything? I suppose that makes him quite unlucky."

"Or desperate." Peach added.

"Or insane." finished Winter.

Peach frowned, but nodded. "So what does all this mean? Even if all this is true, it still doesn't mean I should trust you."

"A reasonable point. However, this you can believe. The council will not attempt to kill you. They don't need to. They suspect the Vicar remains loyal to the Superior, which means we are all likely targets for her retaliation. Most especially you… and Mister Arc."

That certainly gave Peach something to stress about. Of course, she had already thought this might be the case, but after this deluge of information, it only enhanced her worries. "It can't be that hard to find one person, even despite their strength. You're telling me no one on the council knows the Vicar's identity?"

Ironwood shook his head. "In all my time, I have never seen the Vicar. I never knew of Hazel until he was already a rebel. That is what I'd hoped to ask you. You fought the Vicar. You didn't see their face at all?"

Peach gave a defeated huff. She hadn't seen the Vicar's face even once. She wasn't even sure if she had heard her voice. "It is very clearly a woman. I gleaned that much. I can't say for her age certainly. What about Hazel?"

"He has not spoken since his capture."

"Aren't you supposed to be good at making people talk?"

"I'm afraid there is little you can do to convince a man missing two limbs to cooperate. I managed to get the furthest with him, but that amounted only to him spitting at me. I doubt we'll get more than that. Could anyone else know?"

Unfortunately, someone did know. Jaune. Peach remembered he had seen the girl's face during the battle, and what's more, that it appeared he recognized her. Peach had been too focused on saving his life, but she knew that Jaune knew the Vicar's identity. But when she had asked him about it, he had refused to answer. There was no way to get it out of him. Ironic, really. She'd hoped to use the Vicar's identity as a sort of threat in case the organization came for them, but now knowing her identity would be key to saving their lives by protecting the people that might otherwise try to kill them. Twist after twist.

"I couldn't say, General." Peach lied.

Ironwood sighed. Then pushed up to his feet. "That's unfortunate. In any case, that is our most pressing concern at the moment. The Whispers have sworn loyalty to the council, but they will still need monitoring, given how much they know, and how much we don't. For all the people that have returned to the surface, it can't be expected that they will keep quiet about their experiences in the Public Domain. Normally, such talk can be chalked up to mass hysteria, but on this scale… Well, the general public will start to have their suspicions. The stability of the organization is in an uncertain place right now."

Peach rose to meet him. "So what will we do?"

"Our jobs. Many of those rescued are distressed and in need of help. Our Hunters have endured long and hard battles, but I'm afraid there is no time for rest. We will start bringing in those who were saved from the Public Domain. we shall save their hearts and reintegrate them into society. Alternatively, we will introduce them to our world and have them become agents. Our numbers need replenishing after the Superior's war. It will be long and arduous work, but it is the only way to preserve the organization's interests."

Peach chuckled at the irony. "So the plan is we actually help people for once?"

"That was the dream the Superior sold us on. Perhaps it was fitting that he was our final obstacle. Make no mistake, the needs of the organization still come first," Ironwood offered an eager smile. One that, this time, seemed to be full of fire and drive. "But, perhaps now, we will have a bit more freedom to do the right thing."

Perhaps that was the best she'd get. PeachIwatched as Ironwood and Winter headed for the door, then called out to them. "I have a request."

Ironwood quirked a brow at her. "A request?"

"I want access to the Superior's private facilities. I suspect my nephew's Key is there somewhere. I want it."

Ironwood gave that some thought, then nodded. "Very well. His facilities would need inspecting regardless, and if this helps you realize we intend to be allies, I see no point withholding what rightfully belongs to you. I will escort you there tomorrow, how does that sound?" Ironwood stared at her for a moment. "I take it it's true, then? That it was your nephew that killed the Superior?"

Peach nodded grimly. "He did, yes."

"And Zulhetl as well. And he defeated Hazel."

"He did."

Ironwood shook his head like he couldn't believe it. Honestly, Peach still wasn't sure she believed it, either. "Well, that is quite overwhelming. Many fear Jaune now. Some even worship him. I can't say I've heard of someone so young having such influence, not even Tyrian Callows. He must be quite powerful. No doubt he was a valuable piece in the Superior's twisted game." A pause. "Then, why did he kill the Superior?"

Peach gave that a moment of thought as she wasn't entirely sure how to put it. The Superior had thought he could control Jaune. Then again, Peach had supposed she could too. That had been their mistake. A boy like that with such indescribable power and unwavering defiance against authority? The last thing anyone should have done was try to leash him. So Peach sighed and said, "My nephew doesn't like bullies."

Ironwood let out an unexpectedly hearty laugh. It even surprised Winter. "I suppose no one likes bullies. They can be difficult to stand up to. Well, I will see you tomorrow then. Have a pleasant night, Vick." And he left with his subordinate in tow, still chuckling.

Peach let out a breath once her door closed, dropping back in her seat and slumping a little. That had been a long and anxious meeting, but she was glad it was over. A total pardon. She should have been cheering. Crying with joy. What's more, it seemed that the organization would start actually doing some good now that the Superior was gone. Good news from end to end. None of it sounded real. Things couldn't be so simple as a happy ending, right?

Maybe those were thoughts best pondered on later.

"Ruby, are you sure?" asked Peach.

The surprises kept coming. Ruby now sat in her school office, having come to Peach about something important. Nothing had seemed wrong initially. It was usually easy to tell how a girl like her was feeling, since she wore her emotions so openly. This time though she looked resolute, even despite the soft look of her face, eternally apologetic. Ruby gave a nod. A single, resolute nod. One of finality. My mind won't be changed, it seemed to say.

"Did something happen?" Peach asked.

"No." she said, "I'm fine just… I've been thinking a lot and… I just can't do this anymore. I don't want to. It's too much for me."

Peach could hardly fault her for feeling that way. Peach remembered feeling like this herself. Few people were cut out for the truth of the world and it wasn't strange for people to want out. Ruby was a teenage girl. Perhaps she wanted to do other things. Ideally, things that wouldn't constantly put her or her loved ones in harm's way.

"What about you and Jaune? Is everything alright between you two?"

Ruby nodded. "Yeah…" she hesitated, "Yes, we're fine."

"Are you sure, honey?"

"Yes!" Ruby snapped, giving Peach a jolt. "I just don't want to be a Hunter anymore. I'm done, Miss Peach."

"Is there anything I can do to change your mind?" Peach implored, "You have a very special power, Ruby. One that could save people. You could really help Jaune, you know. He needs your help."

That gave Ruby a moment to think. Her bottom lip curled a moment later, as if Peach's words were ash in her mouth. A truth she couldn't swallow. "I don't think my power can help him. Nothing I do can help him."

"You're wrong, Ruby. You've already been a big help. Look, how about you rest on this? Give it some more thought. Maybe we'll dial back your training and—"

"I don't want to do it anymore!" Ruby yelled this time. Her voice trembled, hands curled into fists. Her silver eyes flared with fury. "I didn't choose to have special powers! I didn't want to risk my life! I just wanted my uncle. I just didn't want him to die. I wanted my family! That's it! Everything else is…" and she lowered her head, breathing heavily. "It's not my goddamn problem."

Peach watched her, absolutely stunned. For a moment, she thought Ruby might be done, but a second wave came quick enough to shut her down.

"You push me so hard, every day for hours. I hate it! But I did it because I wanted to help. I thought I owed you for saving my family. But how much am I supposed to give? Just because you think some magic will fix what's wrong with Jaune, but it won't! How can it?"

Peach swallowed, all at once feeling a rush of shock and shame. Ruby had been holding onto this all this time, no doubt. So Peach simply listened, knowing she owed her that.

"I don't like fighting. I don't like hurting things. I don't want to see all the messed up stuff inside people I love. Maybe you guys can handle it, but… I can't." Ruby looked up with pleading eyes. And for a strange instant, she reminded her of Cinder. Of the timid little teenager in her care, wanting for love, receiving none. "I've had enough. Please, Miss Peach. I just want to be normal again. I want a normal life. Please, don't ask me to keep doing this."

Peach pursed her lips. She had asked too much of her, expected too much. Wasn't she supposed to have learned this lesson from Cinder's training? That was the main reason why she didn't bite back at Cinder's insults. For all of her surrogate daughter's bad traits, her hatred for Peach was the least questionable. Peach knew she deserved every word.

So Peach leaned toward Ruby, trying to be as sincere as possible. "I'm so sorry, Ruby. I had no idea you felt this way. I'm sorry I never took your feelings into account. You're right. All of this is a lot to deal with. Too much to deal with, even for me. And none of it is your responsibility."

Ruby let out a whimper. "Are you disappointed in me?"

Peach shook her head. "No, not at all. I'm glad you told me and I respect your decision. No one would fault you for your choice."

"I just… feel so selfish."

Peach got up, approached the girl, and pulled her into a hug. "There's nothing wrong with caring about yourself, Ruby. There's nothing wrong with wanting a normal life. Don't ever feel selfish for that. Thank you for everything you've done for us. I'm sorry I haven't said so, but I mean it. Truly."

Peach felt the girl hug her back, and so held her until she chose to pull away, wiping her face.

"Have you told Jaune yet?" Peach asked.

"No," Ruby answered, looking nervous. "Do you think he'd be upset?"

"No, of course not." Peach tried to reassure Ruby with a smile. "I'm sure he wouldn't blame you at all. It wouldn't change a thing between you two."

Unfortunately, Ruby didn't look relieved. There was a strange melancholy in her aura. Like months ago before Jaune had taken her as his mark. That abyss of misery.

Peach put a hand on Ruby's cheek. "Are you sure everything's okay?"

Ruby didn't look at her as she said. "No. I'm not." Then she turned and walked out of her office without another word.

Once she'd gone, Peach sat at her chair and pressed her palms against her forehead. Perhaps this was inevitable. Honestly, she was less upset than she thought she'd be. For months now, she'd been banking on her Silver Eyes being the key to saving Jaune, and now, even though little had changed, it now seemed inconsequential. If Ruby was harboring hesitations all this time, then no matter what power she wielded, she would never be able to help Jaune. Perhaps it was just as well. Couldn't fault the girl.

Of course, now this left Peach with time to think. Time to think about everything. All these events had given her some long needed perspective. Made her consider things she hadn't before. Jaune's trip was coming up, and despite a new workload, she would likely still have some free time. She thought about what she'd seen in the Public Domain. All this time, she'd ignored many other aspects of her life. Forty-three years old. And so much of it had been given to a secret society which had only seen her as a tool. Even her career as a school counselor was merely a front for her life as an agent. But when all that was stripped away, what else did Peach have? She had no future goals, no husband, no family.

Then, a daring thought entered Peach's mind. One that instantly got her heart pounding, though it didn't stop her from picking up the phone and dialing a number she never thought she'd use.

"Hello?" a young woman answered.

"Hi, Saphron." Peach greeted a little ungracefully, "Er, it's me, your aunt Peach."

Saphron let out a shocked gasp. "Oh! Well, hi, um… how are you?"

"I'm doing well." Peach answered, still feeling a little awkward but pressing on. "How about you?"

"I'm hanging on," A pause. "Is this about Jaune? Did something happen?"

"No, no. He's fine. I… I suppose… I just wanted to talk to you. I realize I haven't called you in a while. A long while." Or at all, really.

"It's alright. I understand, you're really busy and—"

"There's no such thing as too busy." Peach cut in, regretted it almost immediately, then pressed on anyway. "I could have done better, keeping up with you, and the rest of the girls. I should have done better."

"I could have called too. I think I almost did sometimes, only to put it off. I kind of assumed you… wanted nothing to do with us."

Peach didn't want to admit that was true. Especially now that she was confronted with the result of her selfishness all these years. Seven nieces she knew absolutely nothing about. If she meant to connect with her nieces, the last thing she wanted to do was make them feel unimportant. "I was… scared, I suppose." It started as a lie, only for Peach to wonder if there was some truth to it. "Maybe that sounds strange. My sister, your mother, was all I ever had. I was afraid to make other connections. How old are you now? Nineteen?"

Saphron giggled. My god, she sounded exactly like Joy. "Twenty-seven."

At first, Peach sat there, stunned. Then she leaned all the way back in her seat. "No. Really?"

Saphron chuckled. "Yes, really. And married, too. Two years now. My wife's pregnant. Just confirmed it a week ago."

"Wow… oh god. That's… a lot." A lot of things she'd missed. The last she'd ever heard about Saphron was in a passing conversation with Joseph's brother, who'd mentioned off-handedly that she'd just graduated high school. She remembered the conversation. Remembered distinctly not giving a damn. But had that really been eight years ago?

"I guess that gives us a lot to talk about then, huh? Oh, how about you come down to the house on the school break weekend? Dad and his buddies are having a barbeque and all the girls will be there. I know Jaune can't go because of the trip, but I bet he'd be happy you came. What do you think? Can you make it?"

A burst of joy swelled up in Peach's chest. A butterfly explosion. To see Joseph again. The thought made her happier than she'd felt in years. It didn't feel deserved. She shouldn't be happy to see her sister's husband, not again.

Still, maybe this was a good chance to connect with the family she'd ignored all this time. So focused on wanting her son back, when there'd been plenty more children she could have helped and loved, especially after the loss of their mother. Peach found herself triply scared and excited and hopefully. Did she deserve this, though? Did it even matter if she deserved it?

"Auntie Peach?"

Peach tuned back in, dispelling her doubts and simply going with her most immediate desire. To see Joseph. To see her nieces. And to have a family again. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Saphron made a little squeal and Peach couldn't help but feel a little giddy about it. "Great! I'll let Dad know. It's gonna be so fun. I can't wait for you to experience board game night. They're unforgettable, I'm telling you! We'll see you then, okay? I gotta go but I love you!"

Again, Peach was stunned. She bumbled for a response. "Oh. Yeah, I love—" but her niece had already hung up, in her excited haste. Peach sat there in silence, empty for a moment, but felt the return of that joyous swelling in her heart. Maybe this was exactly what she needed.

The universe decided to balance out this rare moment of happiness for her with a phone call to ruin the moment. She thought it might be Saphron calling back or maybe even Joseph, but perhaps that was hoping for too much. Instead, the man seeking her attention on the other end of the call invoked the very opposite of joy.

"Does the day find you well, Vick?" said Ironwood in a perplexingly chummy manner.

Peach frowned. "Are you outside?"

"I am. Not to interrupt you on the job, but we will have to make haste. If your nephew's Key is in the Superior's private facility, then you must get it before the council discovers it first. I trust you won't keep us waiting?"

Peach got up from her chair. "On my way."

The fluorescent lights in the elevator ceiling understandably did little to ward off the darkness of the long hallway that preceded it. In doing so, it produced a strange double dynamic where it was the only beacon of clarity in this mysterious space, yet also an unsettling forewarning. To step inside was to invite undesirable knowledge. To venture forth was to invite oneself to a mad revelation. That was the feeling Peach got.

It seemed Ironwood didn't think too hard about this, for he, along with their guide—one of the Whispers, headed into the elevator without a backwards glance. Peach had to force herself to keep up, despite feeling cold and especially nervous. The dark of the hallway stared back at them for a long moment before the elevator doors began to struggle shut. Then another stretched out moment before the elevator started to descend, groaning and rattling like an old washing machine.

Peach looked across at the Whisper. A new face. Relatively young, but looking as cold and empty in the eyes as any loyal servant of the Organization. She wondered if she'd had that look. That look of misery and self-hatred. "What is this place? Or what was it?"

The man shrugged. "Does it matter? It was an old building no one cared about. Could be a warehouse or a lab. Hard to say when the place is clean of everything but dust."

"So you don't know? Or you don't feel like answering?"

"Don't know. Won't tell."

The elevator continued to go down. Not moving very fast, though that was actually a relief for Peach. Exploding in an elevator was not the way Peach planned to leave the world. She kept her guard up just in case, fiddling with her watch to keep her backup plan in mind. Then she looked at Ironwood, who met her gaze and shrugged one gloved hand like he was just some bystander along for the ride. Peach couldn't get a read on him, and it was getting annoying.

"What do you want?" Peach demanded.

Ironwood returned a half-smile. "Well, that is quite direct. Have you been resisting the urge to ask all this time?"

"Maybe. What's it matter?"

Ironwood gave that some thought, rubbing his chin. "Well, in the interest of matching your forwardness… I want to earn your trust, so that you will become my ally, so that we can dismantle the evil corporations protected by the organization, destroy the powerful corrupt, and pull the twisted foundations out from the roots. I want your help in destroying the organization, so that we can build a better, greater, kinder one which truly serves the little people. I want you to help me change the world. The way the Superior promised us we would. But this time for certain."

Peach stared at him. At first she thought to accuse him of telling a joke, or making fun of her, or not taking the situation seriously. Then she realized his face had been hard with serious conviction throughout that entire spiel. That forward look in his eyes like that of an athlete seeing the gold ahead and rushing toward it with desperate hunger. Ironwood was actually fucking serious.

"Are you a goddamn lunatic?"

Ironwood shrugged again. "I've considered that. But I like to believe I'm just a man with a dream."

"Or a delusion."

"That too. But you asked. Let me assure you I'm not trying to do what Hazel or the Superior did. Neither tyranny nor rebellion. The organization can be changed from within. Simply by shattering its pillars, the ceiling will come down, and from it a new foundation can be built. I have your nephew to thank for bringing down the toughest obstacle. The rest should be easy and above all bloodless."

"I didn't realize changing the world would be easy after the death of one man."

"Nor did I. But I was enlightened. Listen Vick, there is more to this corrupt system than you know. So much of it goes unnoticed, simply because the system works itself without much need for correction. It has gone on for so long that most of us don't truly know how deep the rabbit hole goes. You know of Jacques Schnee, of course?"

Peach tried not to give that man much thought. It was well known even in the public eye how corrupt Jacques was, and much of that dirt was completely surface level. He had dealings in every dirty business imaginable, and the Organization was no exception. It was how he'd become such a dominant corporate power. By using his connections in the Organization to destroy his enemies and gain a monopoly on his trade. "Everyone knows about him. What of it?"

"How about Madam Tremaine?"

Peach paused. Thought. Then gasped. "That's… Cinder's stepmother."

"Indeed. You said you brought her into the Thrones program. What I'm told, was that you rescued her from a horrific family environment."

Peach didn't like phrasing it that way, but there was no point in denying it. "So what?"

Ironwood looked ahead. "Very clearly, young Cinder was a victim of a cruel life. One which turned her into the maverick she is today. It's nothing new, of course. Great power tends to correlate with unstable individuals." He paused. The elevator lights flickered for a moment. "But what if I told you that everything that happened to her, what happened to many children in the Organization's eye, was all a part of something more? What if I told you there was a grand design? What if—"

The elevator came to a jerking, screeching halt. The doors pulled open to reveal a short, but thankfully lit hallway, even the corners were still bathed I'm shadows. There was a set of double doors at the end, so bright red that it looked like a stop sign. The last warning to turn back.

Peach was still looking at Ironwood, shaken up by his words, wanting to know what he was about to say. Before she could demand answers, he put a hand on her shoulder. "Well, let's talk about me and my theories on a later day. I do believe you came here for something."

And suddenly, Peach had a signal. The unmistakable signature of a Heart World Key nearby. The feeling was enough to nearly make her sprint down the hall, but she managed to control herself enough to step out calmly. She looked back at Ironwood and the Whisper and raised an eyebrow.

"There's only one thing beyond those doors," said the Whisper, "Trust me, that will be the Key you're looking for. I'll wait here. Don't worry, I don't plan to trap you down here."

Even if it had been his plan, it wouldn't have worked since Peach could simply dive into her Heart World. In any case, that didn't make her less suspicious of him. She turned to Ironwood. "Can we trust him, after everything he heard?"

Ironwood grinned. "Oh his desires line up rather fittingly with mine. Do you think I simply give out blind faith?"

That seemed reasonable enough. Nothing else was stopping her, right? Peach turned to face the bright red doors, then headed right for it, pushing down her nerves all the while.

"For what it's worth," said the Whisper, "I suggest you prepare yourself for what you're about to see."

Peach didn't answer him, but couldn't help swallowing hard. Closer and closer the door came, and stronger and stronger the signal became. Strange. It almost seemed to produce a sound of some kind. A distant whine. A steady wail. An infant's wail straight from the womb. And when Peach put her hands on the doors, the sound felt both at its loudest and quietest, urging her to go forward, pleading her not to.

With one more swallow, Peach pushed the door open, stepped inside…

And the sight of it sent such a devastating wave through her body that she threw a hand over her mouth and fell to her knees.

The room was huge. Unnecessarily so, given what lay at the center didn't take up even a fifth of the space. In a way, it was the object that demanded the room, like an object of great worship before a shrine. It was a clearview glass case, laid longways atop two stands, looking like an altar upon which sacrifices were made. However, that couldn't have been its purpose. Not even close. What was inside this case, this coffin, was dead. Long dead. Almost ten years dead. How did Peach know?

Because it was the almost entirely decomposed corpse of her big sister, Joy Arc.

Peach struggled to her feet and only just managed to reach the case, hands atop the cold glass, and staring into it like she had to be certain of what it was. Yet, how could it be anyone else? There was nothing recognizable left of her body, but the clothes she was buried in Peach remembered. There was the necklace too, with the moon-shaped locket. It was her sister, undeniably. Undeniably. Undeni—

And Peach noticed a strange sprawling. Marks in the left wall. So entirely out of place that they almost didn't look real. Lettering that was carved into the wall so savagely it was like the messy handwriting of a five-year-old. A greatly disturbed five-year-old. It was not a message which would give clarity to a world of confusion. No. Instead, it only made Peach's soul freeze. In twisted, cursed, slash wound like script, were seven lines.

My Lady, is the work complete?

My Mistress, have I done well?

My Goddess, have I pleased you?

No, no, no, no. no, the work is not done

I will not disappoint

Rest assured, my Queen

You will be avenged

Peach could only look down at the remains again. Eyes welling and heart pounding in her chest. There was a hurricane in her mind, and its violent winds shredded every rational thought as it came. A barrage of who, what, why, when. A few of which she probably had answers for, but couldn't muster the self-control to figure them out.

All she could see before her was her dead sister. And all she could think of was how the Superior had dug up Joy's corpse, knowing it was Jaune's key, and using it in his disgusting plan to take his body. All this time, the Superior had pardoned her transgressions and kept her close. No doubt laughing behind her back as he abused Joy's corpse over and over again. And Peach never the wiser.

But… the Superior was gone now. His manipulation and abuse was over with. And rather fittingly by the son of the woman whose corpse he'd stolen. Now Peach could rebury her and all would be right.

Except, this was Jaune's key. The way to access Jaune's heart. The only way.

"Oh God…" Peach whimpered. A thousand dilemmas warring in her mind. Telling her to do it and to not. It was immoral but so what? It's for your son, but a violation of her sister. It was the right thing to do, yet abhorrently wrong. No way to fully justify or condemn. A crossroads that's had her entirely body shaking with indecision.

But in the end…

"I'm so sorry…" Peach wept with her eyes closed. "God, I'm so sorry."

She reached her hand out. It hovered over Joy's neck. Over the moon locket. The one Peach had bought for her. The last true act of love she had done for her sister.

"Forgive me," Peach begged, as she called upon her power, and reached for the gate that would finally allow—

Nothing.

Peach opened her eyes. Her cheeks were cold and wet, her hand was shaking violently, and her breath came in deep, slow heaves. She noticed two very immediately concerning things. First, that the dive had failed.

Second, the signal was gone.

Peach tried again to make the dive, but again, nothing. Tried a third time, a fourth, a fifth, a sixth, on and on. The number of attempts got higher, and the number of successes didn't change. By the time she'd stopped trying, she had hurt her fist pounding on the coffin, and now cradled her hand as she slumped to her knees. Peach had no more reservations. Her sobs wracked her body to the very core. Every bone trembled. Every wave of despair shot her through the heart so deep that the pain felt tangible. Like she was being continually stabbed in the chest, punishing her over and over and over.

She had finally done it. She'd found Jaune's Key. Could have entered his Heart World and accomplished the dream she had doggedly chased for years. This day, this moment, was the closest she had ever been. But at the last possible moment, barely a second before Peach could reach his heart…

Jaune's Key had changed.

Well this took me a while. Sorry about that. I got another job recently so my free time is becoming more scarce. But I am still working to finish this arc as soon as possible.

On that, I actually think there will be three or four more chapters. There's more things to wrap up than I thought and I want to give all of it their due.

Well, that's all for now. See you next time.

ISA