Vivian let out a gasp as Peasley flew past her, his sword drawn and at the ready. Yet, she was already too late to stop him – before she could scarcely even blink, the Beanish man had already approached Sir Grodus and was taking rapid stabs at him. His hands moved like lightning, striking in a precise arc even as Grodus desperately attempted to avoid the blows.
"G-GAH!?"
The X-Naut leader let out a shocked yell as the green-skinned warrior took yet another jab. The sound of clanging metal reverberated through the air as Peasley's rapier made direct contact, stabbing deep into the larger man's robe.
Undoubtedly due to the X-Naut leader's lack of experience with his new form, most of his attempts to dodge were in vain. Though each individual strike of Peasley's seemed to merely glance off Grodus's steel frame, and though Grodus's attempts to use his own arm as a guard were somewhat effective, the Beanish was rapidly turning his left sleeve into a pincushion.
The soldiers within the construction area stood stock-still as they attempted to process what in the world was happening before their eyes. After a moment of stunned silence, one of the PhDs called out to the others – "We're under attack!" – and then reached within his lab uniform to pull out an explosive potion. Vivian could hear footsteps pounding against the ground as the men within the building rushed hurriedly towards the entrance.
"Peasley!?" Vivian cried out. "W-what are you doing!? Stop, STOP THIS!"
Despite her panicked screams, the Beanish man's assault continued unabated. "Where are you keeping them!? What of the Beanstar!? Answer me, you absolute fiend!" She could hear Peasley yelling such things as Grodus reached out and frantically attempted to grab his attacker's arm. Thankfully, Grodus's sturdy body continued to hold up, though Vivian couldn't help but notice that Peasley was beginning to shift more of his blows towards the softer, more fragile joints of the large X-Naut's form…
"Who precisely are you!? The Beanstar!? I haven't the faintest idea what you're prattling on about! Are you mad!?" Grodus bellowed as he attempted to punch his assailant. Yet, Peasley dodged swiftly, instead moving in towards Grodus and burying the tip of his rapier into the X-Naut leader's right elbow joint. Grodus let out a growl as the sound of tearing wires ripped through the air.
"Stop it, STOP IT!" Though Vivian hadn't wanted to fight, she lifted a desperate finger to the air and began to cast Fiery Jinx. Flames burst from the space beside Peasley, and though he was able to dodge and escape most of the damage, a scorch mark stretched across the snow white fabric of his tunic.
The X-Nauts were the next to rush in. Though several of them leapt at Peasley and attempted to tackle him, he dodged each one in turn, weaving from side to side as they tumbled past him. He moved almost as though dancing, his blade glinting against the sun as he took stabs at each of the soldiers, their incapacitated bodies quickly piling up upon the ground.
"Vivian!?" Grodus called out to her. "What in the world is the meaning of this!? Explain! NOW!"
"I…!" Vivian started to speak, but…
Really, she wasn't sure either. So, instead of answering, she turned to Peasley and began to yell.
"Did you trick me!?" she screamed, clenching her fists. "Why are you doing this!? Stop attacking them, they haven't done anything this time!"
"I know that's a lie! You cannot fool me, you siren!" Peasley hollered over his shoulder as he batted yet another X-Naut away. "I've already been informed that these wretched men are holding the missing victims – and that they have imprisoned both Popple and the Beanstar! So, tell me! Where are they!?"
Vivian gasped, then looked to Grodus. Was… was that true? Surely, it wasn't… was it?
"You absolute FOOL!" Grodus hollered. "What possibly made you think that we're holding them!? I have no idea what this 'Beanstar' that you speak of is, but it most certainly isn't in my possession!"
"Don't play dumb!" Peasley shook his head as he took down the last X-Naut and then charged at Grodus again. He raised his weapon, this time aiming it towards Grodus's left shoulder…
…when Vivian held a finger to the air and cast Fiery Jinx once more.
This time, Peasley wasn't so lucky. Though he scarcely dodged the fire, jerking to the side at the last moment, he did so at a major cost. He had approached within Grodus's reach; not one to waste such an opportunity, the large X-Naut quickly snatched him out of the air and wrapped his remaining arm around Peasley's form, thus pinning the Beanish man's limbs to his side as he pulled him into a vice grip.
"L-let me go! Let me go, release me, you barbarian!" Peasley howled from Grodus's grasp. The large man's grip slowly tightened around him, gradually crushing him beneath the cold, hard metal of his arm. "Hrrghh…! Ghhh…..!"
The fight was over. The outcome had been decided - Peasley's ultimate fate belonged to the ruler of the X-Nauts.
But Peasley wasn't the only one responsible for this transgression.
"X-Nauts! Any of you that can still move, get me a bundle of rope, now!" Sir Grodus commanded. "We're going to restrain this man and interrogate him! …And, Vivian! Don't you dare leave – you have much to answer for!"
Vivian gulped. "I... understand. I promise, I had no idea this was going to happen! I just hoped that maybe if I took him on a tour like he asked, then he'd tell us what he knew about Popple! I thought it might be related to what happened to Petuni and Doopliss, and I…"
"Hold there! That name again… Popple, you say?" Grodus snarled. "Tell me! Who, precisely, is this 'Popple' character that you both speak of!?"
Of course – it made sense that Grodus wouldn't have heard the name before. Grodus barely ever ventured outside, so this was probably the first time he and Peasley had even met. …Vivian really did have a lot of explaining to do.
And so, while they waited for the X-Nauts to acquire rope and fully secure Peasley, she told Grodus of what she'd learned during her investigations. About Ms. Mowz's suspicions, about how Peasley had been searching for a man, about how close together both disappearances had been… Grodus nodded slowly as she spilled her side to him, drinking it all in even as Peasley continued to yell and struggle at his side.
"I see. You're an incredible fool, bringing this imbecile directly into our base of operations…" Grodus grumbled, "Yet, I suppose I understand the line of logic. …Well, one way or another, I'll make certain we get the answers we seek. It's actually rather convenient that this man has fallen into our grasp, gaaaack ack ack…"
"W-what… what sort of wretched acts are you plotting!?" Peasley hollered as Grodus peered down at him. Though Grodus's expression was as masked as ever, Vivian could still swear that she saw a sadistic sparkle from just beyond his goggles.
"It really was quite rude of you to intrude upon my territory and assault me like this. This body of mine was highly expensive to craft, you know… Gaaaaack ack ack ack ack!" He chuckled darkly. "I do very much hope that you're willing to face the consequences of your misguided little tantrum, you pathetic worm. Though… perhaps I might lighten your punishment somewhat if you choose to cooperate? We really ought to have a proper discussion about all of this, wouldn't you agree…?"
Yet, even as Grodus's soldiers held him down and wrapped him in ropes, Peasley continued to squirm and fight against them. "Your threats won't work on me, you rapscallion!"
"Peasley, please!" Vivian begged. "If there's been a misunderstanding, I'm sure we can work things out! But… you have to talk to us. I've been really worried about my friends, and having them remain missing is honestly really bad for all of us… I legitimately don't think the X-Nauts have anything to do with it. We need to know if there's any reason for Popple to kidnap them! If we work together, we'll have an easier time finding them all!"
"I…" Peasley paused at her words. "But… no! I have a credible witness that told me he's sighted them here – an important town official, by all appearances! You won't trick me like this!"
Vivian and Grodus eyed each other. An important town official? Who, exactly…?
"Are you perhaps referring to that golden Bob-omb? Why in the world…?" Grodus questioned as he raised his working hand towards where his chin would've been. "I haven't seen that man in ages, though I do hear from him occasionally over mail. But, that aside, he certainly hasn't visited anytime recently… Those claims are verifiably false!"
"Golden Bob-omb?" Peasley squinted. "I… no? No, I do believe that we're talking about entirely different people. Does the town official not live within that magnificent building near the train station?"
Suddenly, the pieces formed together within Vivian's mind. …Pennington.
Apparently, Grodus was thinking much the same. He let out a long, resigned sigh as he seemingly figured out exactly what had happened. "Pennington sent you here? Uuuuurgh, you mean to say that dreadful 'detective' is responsible for this!? Of course he would be!"
Pennington did have a way of accusing the wrong people of crimes without any proper proof. Vivian… couldn't exactly say much in defense of him.
"Oh, gee whiz…" Vivian mumbled. "Mmmmm… Yes, that does sound about right, doesn't it?"
That much, she believed. If Pennington had told Peasley that the X-Nauts were responsible, with all of his usual unfounded confidence, then the Beanish man's actions made sense.
"How incredibly irritating… Fine, so be it! Know that we are getting to the bottom of this, right now!" Grodus commanded as he took the now-immobilized Peasley beneath his arm once more. "X-Nauts! Tend to those who have been wounded and contact Lord Crump to let him know what's occurred here. I'm headed to Poshley Heights with this one, immediately! …You two, over there! You're to come with me as well! Gag this fool and we'll be off!"
"Roger that, sir!" One of the X-Nauts saluted as he reached for his communicator.
"I'm coming, too!" Vivian called after Grodus as he began to single-mindedly hobble towards the path to town. "I'll help talk with Pennington!"
Even if Pennington was in the wrong, she still wanted to avoid any unnecessary bloodshed. …If she was there, the Bumpty would at least stand a chance of surviving the encounter.
"You? …Fine, so be it," the X-Naut leader responded, "But, absolutely do not get in my way! I will have that idiotic penguin pay for this violation as I see fit!"
Though his tone frightened Vivian, she nodded in agreement – she knew better than to argue with him at this point. And so, tagging along behind the thoroughly enraged Sir Grodus, the group rapidly made their way towards the Poshley Heights pipe.
Somebody was in huge trouble.
As Vivian and the X-Nauts traveled towards the sanctum's entrance, the town's residents practically fled in terror. Between Grodus's clearly broken arm, the bound-and-gagged Peasley, and the battered state of the other two X-Nauts, nobody seemed to want to witness what would happen next. Vivian couldn't help but think that this wasn't the best for their public image… and yet, that didn't seem to deter Grodus in the least.
A large, imposing padlock still hung upon the door to the grand building - however, the X-Nauts quickly shuffled towards it and began to pick at its insides. It wasn't long before the device let out a light 'click!' and then tumbled towards the ground, its protection having been rendered completely ineffective.
"Now, then… Gaaaack ack ack ack ack!" Grodus cackled as he motioned towards the door. "Vivian? As you played no small part in causing this mess, I'm giving you the honor of leading us in. I'll allow you and that idiotic penguin a single chance to convince me not to have him roasted upon a spit."
Though Vivian cringed at his words, she moved forward. …He was at least correct that they needed to get to the bottom of things. And so, she opened the door and entered first.
The Bumpty appeared within her line of sight almost immediately; Pennington was staring listlessly out of one of the nearby windows as he idly played with his magnifying glass. As she and her rather hostile entourage approached, he turned to them and let out a gasp.
"W-what!?" He stuttered. His eyes drifted from Vivian, to Grodus, then to Peasley. "Hey, you're not supposed to be in here! I even locked the front door, and…" Then, with a start, he flinched. "…I-I mean! How treacherous of you to barge into my abode like this! There ought to have been a sign out there, informing you not to enter… And, beyond that, you dare to bring such violence to this illustrious establishment!? Have you no shame at all, you brutes!?"
"Pennington!" Vivian called out. "Peasley told us that you think the X-Nauts kidnapped Petuni and Doopliss… Where did you get that idea from!? Did you really tell him such a thing?"
The Bumpty hesitated. Meanwhile, Grodus reached over and pulled the gag from Peasley's mouth, finally letting him speak once more.
"Run for your life, dear Pennington!" The Beanish gasped from beneath Grodus's grasp. "They're aware that we know! I tried to best this man and pry the remaining information from him, but he and his allies were stronger than I anticipated! You need to get out of here, NOW!"
"Ah! I…" The Bumpty's beady little eyes darted from person to person once again. "…T-that's… I mean! I… I don't know this man."
"You what!?" Peasley gaped. "But, your injury! I took you inside and treated you when I found you that night, and… the X-Nauts were the ones that attacked you, yes? Your wound… wait, what!? Where… Where is your wound!?"
Though Peasley's eyes searched all across Pennington's body, there wasn't a single thing wrong with the Bumpty. No scrapes, no scratches, no bandages – nothing. Vivian tilted her head as she wondered what he could possibly be referring to.
But, something else also bothered Vivian. …No. Pennington was hiding something.
"What do you mean you don't know this man…?" Vivian squinted as she questioned him. "He's been here before, remember? You told him he couldn't come inside. You didn't forget somehow, right…?"
No, Pennington had definitely met Peasley before. It was true that Pennington was scatterbrained, but it wasn't like him to completely forget such an encounter, especially since it'd riled him up so thoroughly. Rather, she would've expected him to go on and on about how Peasley was a scoundrel, about how he'd always known he was up to no good, and then possibly even praise them for apprehending him…
Something about this stunk.
"Oh, I, erm…" Pennington stepped back, nearly tripping over his own feet. "W-well, I've been feeling quite ill lately, you see! That's why I've been so firm in refusing visitors. My genius brain simply has not been working at full capacity, it's quite sad… A tragedy, truly! So, if you could just leave now, that would be most wonderful…"
"Hmmmm? Are you quite certain that's all it is…?" Grodus eyed him suspiciously.
The gears in Vivian's brain continued to turn. Something about the Bumpty detective before them really was strange… Even if Pennington was ill, was it normal for him to shut himself away like this? He honestly didn't look all that sick to her…
…Wait. Vivian tilted her head as an incredibly odd idea emerged from the depths of her mind. …Could it really be? If so, why?
But, honestly, the more that she looked at him, the more that she observed the way that he was fidgeting and flexing the tips of his flippers, almost as though he weren't comfortable within his own skin… the more the idea solidified.
And so, she voiced the thought aloud.
"Doopliss… is that you?"
Time seemed to stop for a moment as all fell silent.
Vivian stared straight ahead at the Bumpty as his bill fell open. But then, quietly, he looked towards the ground, almost shrinking in his shame, and then…
Poof! A creature, clad in white, suddenly appeared before them.
"WHAT!?" Peasley, Grodus, and the X-Nauts all simultaneously let loose a shocked yell.
Yet, the truth had been revealed. Doopliss, in all his undisguised glory, stood meekly within the confines of the Poshley Sanctum. Each and every one of them gave the Duplighost a dumbfounded stare as he let out a quiet cough.
"Ugh… yeah. Yeah, it's me… You got me," he groaned, his face twisted in a grimace. "Bingo…"
It was absurd. After all that searching, after combing the land day after day… it turned out that Doopliss had been right there, directly beneath their noses.
"…Why? Why are you here? What's going on…?" Vivian began to question. Though she couldn't fathom why in the world Doopliss would've been hiding in the sanctum, he didn't look aggressive at all.
Rather, he actually looked like he was about to gag.
"It's… it's Petuni, guys. They kept telling me that if I didn't help them, if I didn't keep you all away from the festival in Toad Town…" He struggled as he spoke. "…that they'd kill her. They've got Pennington now, too! If you go after these weirdos, they'll put the hostages out of commission for sure! They mean business, and… I just didn't know what else to do!" He frantically shook his head. "They told me to throw that Peasley guy over there off their trail and to make sure you all were too distracted to even think about leaving, but… but, I…"
So Petuni really wasn't with him? Vivian's stomach sank. And… and then, was it true that Pennington had also been kidnapped…!?
"'They'? Be precise – who's 'they'? And what's all this about the festival?" Grodus interrogated him with a grave aura. "Tell us all you know, right now! Your fate will depend upon your answers!"
"I seriously don't know!" Doopliss hollered. "Some weird green guy – Popple, I think? – and this crazy creepy clown thing that he calls Rookie! They've got some freaky sleeping star that grants wishes, and they need Princess Peach's voice to wake it up or something. They kidnapped me and Petuni 'cause they wanted me to try talking to it, but apparently I wasn't good enough!"
"That's what was going on!?" Peasley gasped. Apparently all of this was news to him, too.
But, that sounded bad. They wanted to keep them all away from the celebrations in Toad Town? Away from the crowds, where Princess Peach would be…
Oh, no. Vivian fidgeted as she realized exactly what that meant.
"And you chose to hide in here for this long without telling anybody, why!?" Grodus roared in a rage. "Complete idiocy! That festival starts today! We've expended countless resources searching for you when we could've been doing legitimately anything else – like, say, planning to stop them! If anything, it's your reluctance to spill the truth that may end up getting that weak little Puni killed!"
Doopliss's whole body cringed at Grodus's words. …Vivian knew that what Grodus was saying was probably entirely correct, but…
"Grodus, stop!" Vivian interjected at his tone. "Doopliss has been through a lot! He's already upset, and this is just too much…"
It was almost too much for her, too. …Popple and his "rookie" were going to use Princess Peach for their plans? And they might've already lost their chance to do anything about it!? The mainland was hours of travel away! It'd be difficult for Vivian's allies to make it in time, even if they acted immediately…
What… were they even supposed to do? Vivian gulped.
She thought of Goombella's Mailbox SP. They could've used that to message Mario, but Goombella wasn't there, either… and Vivian had no idea what Mario's contact information was. And, even if they did go to the festival, would they actually be able to find Popple in that massive crowd of people?
There were far, far too many obstacles in their path. An almost insurmountable number.
"This is bad," Peasley shook his head. "Release me - I must make haste to Toad Town at once! If they're able to awaken the Beanstar and use it, we're all in horrible trouble! It truly can grant any desire… Who knows what it might be used for!?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I know…" Doopliss looked to the ground. "It… sounds like all they've got to do is get Peach to talk to it. If they grab her attention during the festival and shove it in her face, then…"
Then, everyone would be in danger.
Princess Peach was a wonderfully sweet woman, willing to befriend almost anyone. She actively cared for her subjects and was well-known for walking amongst them during large events. If they were able to approach her, to get her to speak to it there, amongst the hustle and bustle of the crowds… what would happen? And, even then, where was Petuni and what would they do with her afterwards…?
Vivian didn't know what to do. Even if they could stop them from awakening the Beanstar, doing so might still cost them Petuni and Pennington's lives. Was that really the price they were going to have to pay…?
The shadow bit her lip in frustration. If only Mario were there… if only Mario…
But, he wasn't.
Vivian's powerlessness weighed upon her chest like an anchor. …It was over. She really, truly couldn't do anything by herself…
"M-Mario… help…" she choked. This was far too much. …Once again, she proved to be worthless. Once again, she'd let down the people she cared about… She sank down to the ground, tugging upon her hair as she began to sniffle.
Petuni and Pennington might actually die. Beldam was to be disappointed in her yet again. Mario and Goombella weren't there, Grodus looked ready to kill, Doopliss was completely drained of his normal confidence… and there she was, crying upon the floor. Really, how useless was she? …Beldam had been right about her. She was useless, useless, useless…
Nothing would ever turn out right for her.
Doopliss continued to stare at his feet. Peasley clenched his teeth, clearly frustrated. And, Grodus…
"Vivian, cease your pointless dramatics! Are you truly giving up that easily!? …Pathetic, absolutely pathetic! "
Grodus was yelling at her.
"I know… I know…!" Vivian broke out into full sobs as she ran her hands across her face. "You don't have to tell me!"
She really was pathetic. It was true. She really was…
"Just shut up and listen to me!" Grodus bellowed. "Come, now - you most certainly can do better than this! Where is the Vivian that stood tall against even her creator, deep within the Palace of Shadow!? You cannot possibly tell me that strength was only because that abhorrent plumber was present!"
But… it was. Without Mario there, Vivian never would've had the courage to fight back. She would've followed along after Beldam the entire time, even if it meant destroying the world…
Yet, Grodus was undeterred - he glared down upon her as he spoke. "No!" he hollered as he shook his head. "You were the one who made that choice! Don't fall to the ground and give up just because your 'hero' or what have you isn't present – stand up! Do it, NOW!"
"But, I…" Vivian barely whispered, just scarcely holding back her despair. "What… am I supposed to do? No matter what, there's no way to win this, is there? We don't even know where Petuni is! And then, Beldam… ooohhh, Beldam was right. I really am useless, no matter how hard I try, I'll never do anything right…"
She sniffled. The tears threatened to spill out once more as her thoughts swirled… Beldam was almost certainly going to get caught up in all of this too, with her being at the festival. And then, whenever she found out that Vivian was partially responsible, whenever she found out that Vivian had failed them all…
"Beldam? …What in the world does Beldam have to do with your ability to get up and act!?" Grodus questioned, "Whatever Beldam has to say doesn't matter! Seeking the approval of one such as her is a waste of time! Even if you worked your entire life, even if you did all she asked of you and took the world by storm, she may never truly change her tone. You don't need her, so cease worrying about what she thinks and worry about yourself! And, as for that Puni…"
He leaned down to Vivian's level, staring directly into her face.
"It may be true that we don't know where she is, but nothing will get done by lying on the floor and crying like a child! Honestly…" he chided, "You've weathered much in the past – you fought and won against both I and your very own queen! Is this all it takes to break you? Don't insult me! Crushing my ambitions only to fall to something like this… It's completely absurd! I won't accept it!"
Vivian looked up at him, meeting his gaze. …He continued to speak.
"Look - I'm aware that this is difficult for you. But, there truly is no other way to grasp happiness except to continue to try, even in the face of insurmountable odds. Even if failure is all that awaits, even if the stars themselves tell you that you can't reach your goals, you absolutely must keep moving forward. Even if it takes everything that you have, even if it destroys you in the end… at least then, you have a chance. Beldam and Mario are both completely irrelevant – gather your strength and seize your own future, by your own power!"
"Gro… dus…?" The shadow looked upon him with awe. …To fight for your future. To stand up and keep going, even when it felt impossible...
That's what Mario would've done too, wasn't it?
Shockingly, Grodus was actually right. …She was being childish. Always buckling under pressure, always calling out for someone else when things became difficult… Even now, she'd still been doing that. She'd wanted to become someone who could stand on her own, who others could rely on, but she'd completely lost sight of how to actually do that.
No, this was no good. …But, it was high time she changed. For real, this time. And so, wiping her tears away, she finally rose from the ground.
"You… you're right."
She clenched her fists before her chest as she gave him a resolute nod.
"You're right! I… I need to do more than this," Vivian spoke the words with conviction.
She could do it. She could do better.
Yes - this time, she would be the one to save the land. …She would still ask her friends for help, of course. There was no shame in that… but, she wouldn't completely depend upon them, either. She was her own person, with her own will, and she had the ability to grasp what she wanted with her own hands.
"…Thank you, Grodus. Thank you…" she whispered.
It may have taken one of the most self-centered and bullheaded men in the universe to help her realize it, but, regardless… She was thankful for his words.
"I… a-ah?" At the sincerity of her tone, Grodus turned away. "C-cease that! It's the obvious conclusion, the fact that you weren't able to come to it on your own is ridiculous! Don't thank me for something like that!"
The X-Nauts to his sides snickered at his reaction.
But, still, it was all true - she had to do something. Even if she failed, even if she wasn't able to save anyone… at least she would've tried.
She had work to do.
"Well, then! It sounds like we need to get moving, hmm hmm hmm!" Vivian giggled. "There's only one answer... Let's tell the others to gather all the boats we can! We're all going to Toad Town – and we will find Petuni, no matter what it takes! Let's stop those crooks!"
"That's the spirit!" Peasley nodded from beneath Grodus's arm. "Now, then… could you please release me? We must make haste!"
Though Grodus hesitated, he eventually lowered Peasley to the ground and ordered the X-Nauts to untie him. The Beanish man stretched and rubbed at his arms as he was allowed to go free, little marks from the too-tight ropes still decorating his skin… but, after a few moments of recovery, he, too, was ready to go.
With her mind made up, Vivian started making some very urgent calls to her allies.
Grodus watched from beyond as the shadow spoke rapidly into her communicator. "Yes, that's right! They're definitely somewhere in Toad Town, Doopliss is here, and… what!? You don't want to go? No, you have to! We won't cooperate with you anymore if you don't help! …Right! Yes, we need everyone you can get! Thank you!"
Vivian was making call after call to all sorts of powerful people – to Bow, to Crump, to Flurrie, to Flavio, even to Jolene, as she rallied each of them to provide whatever help they could spare. Flavio was to prepare ships, Jolene and Bow were both sending people…
With all of them amassed, they would have enough people to form a full army. It was an absurd force – and almost certainly enough to comb the entirety of Toad Town within hours. One way or another, they would produce results.
And yet, Grodus was conflicted. …Why in the world had he even bothered to cheer her up? In the end, it didn't really matter to him what happened – even if Bow's business went under, he had gained enough ground to where he could operate without her. The fates of that Puni and that Bumpty wouldn't affect his plans, and whatever disasters were to occur with that 'Beanstar' or what have you weren't guaranteed to even expand past the shores of the Mushroom Kingdom mainland, but…
Watching Vivian simply give up like that really had triggered something deep within his core. …The way she had just started weeping while her life fell apart, all while doing nothing substantial to stop it… Just the thought made him horribly angry. After she and Crump had pulled him nearly kicking and screaming from the depths of his own depression, for her to simply give up so easily… Ridiculous! Absolutely, completely ridiculous!
It was a bizarre feeling. After saying all that to Vivian, his mind truly felt clearer than it had in ages. There still was much about his life that repulsed him, and there was plenty that he wished he could turn back the clock on and redo, but… somehow, for once, he felt like that was all right. That he could finally accept how things had turned out, even if he would've chosen a different future had he been dealt a better hand.
He hated this world. He really, truly hated it. …At least, most of the time. But… maybe there were still a few things to find hope in, here and there.
Perhaps even he could eventually find some semblance of happiness.
Chapter image: www tumblr com/thegroduschronicles/774781707224317952
(Author's note: three chapters left after this! Almost there!)