Hi everyone!  SK here.

So basically this chapter is gonna be a giant recount of various events that take place over the course of a little less than a week.  So enjoy, this is going to be the last chapter where things are like they were after TFC's ending. :'>

There will be a total of five POVs in this chapter... I know that's a lot but it's necessary.  I don't think things will get confusing (the events line up with each other) but if they do, leave a comment and I can try and help :)

VERY LONG CHAPTER ALERT, around 7K words.  Don't read this all at once if you don't have time, I get it.

Red

"What's up?"

Turning to Leaf, I find her with a curious expression on her face.  "What?" I ask her, leaving my headspace.

She gives me a faint but patient smile.  "You just looked like you were thinking about something really hard.  Is everything okay?"  

I offer her a faint smile of my own; ever since we've left the fairies' home, Leaf started to return to her usual chipper self.  Maybe it's because she now knows her friend isn't dead, maybe it's because we have a mission to accomplish, maybe it's a combination of both; all I know is that I'm glad to see her finally coming back.

"Apart from the fact that I'm about to call a Council and no one will be able to focus because of the spell in their heads, I'm not sure," I say sarcastically.  We passed a fair chunk of people when we started walking toward the Indigo Plateau, and all of them looked fatally ill, deranged, or a sick combination of the two.  There were hoards approaching Leaf and I, clearly sensing that we were different an unaffected; people don't normally swarm around me, even though I am the Champion, so this experience was very odd.  It became a point where safety was a matter of concern, so we both just mounted Charizard and flew the remainder of the way there.

"Come on, don't think like that," she tries protesting.

I glance at her.  "Is there any other way to think?"

"Fair."

After a slight pause, I continue.  "There's a lot of responsibility I have here, Leaf.  The fairies' entire society and state of being is dependent on what I can accomplish here, which is going to be hard when all of the other Champions are going to be convinced that they hate fairies and are slowly going insane themselves."

Leaf's eyes grow wide.  "Do you think they would come at you, just like those passerby did earlier?"  She shivers slightly, but I'm quick to reassure her.

"I doubt it, but even if it does happen, we have the bracelets that the fairies gave us," I remind her, placing a hand against the stone-cold door that leads to the Council room.  

Earlier today, in the morning, the Leaders announced to the rest of the fairies the truth about what the situation is and what me and Leaf were doing there.  We could tell that many were unhappy about us going back into the human world with knowledge of fairies, but eventually they understood.  One of the higher-class fairies- I forget his name, but he was a man with a long blue suitcoat- gave Leaf and I bracelets that would teleport us back to the Colony.  The bracelets have a large, silver circle attached to them that spins to make the spell work.  Normally I would protest to wearing jewelry, but now it is supremely important.  

Even knowing this, I can tell that Leaf is still worried.  "I won't keep you any longer," she whispers, wrapping her arms around my neck in some form of a hug.  "But please, be safe, and- how long will you be?"

"A couple hours at most," I promise her, reciprocating her hug.  

"Then I'll just wait here for you," she states matter-of-factly.  

"You'll wait?" I repeat.  "You have school, Leafy."

She scoffs at me, a hint of laughter in her tone.  "School is least important on my radar right now, not with this stuff going on."

I grin at her; that's my Leaf.  "Alright then.  I'll see you when I'm done- oh, you should probably let your friends know that you're alright if you're not going, they are probably going to worry."

"On it," she says, stepping away from me and throwing me a mock salute.  "Now get in there Mr. Champion and get a peace agreement going!"

I roll my eyes fondly at her.  "I'll certainly try," I say, then push open the doors.  Everyone else is already seated, and the only empty chair is my own.  I walk around the circular table, doing a mental role-call as I do.  Victria, the Galar Champion, is sitting closest to the door right next to Hirosate, the Unova Champion.  Senelio, the Alola Champion is sitting in his spot to my right while Dawnas, the Sinnoh Champion, sits to my left.  Maydan- she's the new Hoenn Champion- sits beside Dawnas and Carena, the Kalos Champion sits next to her.  Lance, my backup- he fills in my spot as Champion when I'm away- is also here.  He's a bit... intense at times, but he's a good man.  They've all came, thank goodness, but I can tell that they are not feeling well... maybe that's an understatement, I don't know.

"Good mo-"

"Red, stop with the formalities and just get on with this already!" shouts the Unova Champion, clutching his hands around his head.  "I do not know why you're not suffering like the rest of us, but in Arceus's name just get started with the war formalities already."

This is already going so well... "Actually, I'm here today to discuss the opposite," I announce tentatively.  "I want to forge peace with these fairies, not war-"

I stop when the entire table looks at me like I've grown an extra head.  "Peace," repeats Victria in a shocked tone.  "Peace?  You want peace with those creatures, after they poisoned us all!?"

"It's not what it-"

"Red, war is scary, but it's absolutely necessary," states Maydan, looking at me squarely.  I resist the urge to strangle everyone for not letting me be able to finish a sentence.  

I pinch the bridge of my nose.  "If I can please finish my sentences, I can tell you that I spent last night with the fairies.  Leaf came with me, she can confirm if you would like me to fetch her.  Fairies are not violent in the slightest; they're fun-loving creatures and some of the kindest beings you'd ever meet.  In addition-"

The rest of the Council start shouting profanities against the fairies again, not letting me explain how they are essential just like any Legendary Pokemon when it comes to keeping our universe running smoothly.  As I look around at their wild eyes and their expressions that make them look like they haven't slept in days, I just sigh.  I thought this could be settled in a day, but I have a feeling this is going to take a long while.

Leaf

Brendan: Online
Calem: Offline
Ethan: Online
Hilbert: Online
Hilda: Online
Kris: Online
Leaf: Online
Nate: Online
Rosa: Online
Valerie: Offline

Leaf
Hey guys, just letting you all know I'm not coming to school today again.. so don't worry about me K?

Kris
I don't think any of us are...

Hilbert
Between Valerie and this weird mind-pandemic thing I don't wanna leave my house.

Rosa
House?  Try room.  My parents are acting crazy, like legit crazy, and I'm too scared to leave my room...

Leaf
Rosa are you ok?  Do you need us to come over?

Rosa
No no I don't want you guys involved.  Besides you guys are dealing with your own problems anyway... I still can't believe... well, you know

Nate
Yeah... 

Ethan
Ik she's gone... even seeing her name offline hurts.. :(

Brendan
Wait, I just realized somethin'

Leaf
???

Hilda
Spill

Kris
Brendan what is it????

Brendan
None of you have gone... crazy... right?

Leaf
Well seeing as we're all here and texting, I'm assuming no.. but why?

Brendan
Is Red acting up?

Leaf
Red's the same as always.

Brendan
There must be a reason why the ten of us were spared... assuming Calem's ok too.  Like guys just think about it, in something that affected every single person on the planet and we are still fine and well?  Something's not right

Kris
The thing that's not right is that our friend just literally died and you're here talking like things are normal.

Brendan
.. sorry.. it's just a thought I had is all..

Leaf
Brendan's allowed to do that stuff Kris.  We're all suffering, no need to make it worse.  We all need to be here for each other and not fighting, K?

Hilda
DEFINITELY.

Hilbert
Of course.

Ethan
WAIT

Rosa
... what now

Ethan
The only thing I can think of as to why we were spared is that WE ALL KNOW VALERIE.  That's what links us.  DID VALERIE HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS SOMEHOW???????

Nate
Calm down man no need for all caps

Kris
CAPS ARE NEEDED OUR FRIEND MIGHT BE ALIVE?????

Rosa
The only way that'd be possible is... oh my Arceus what if this mind-pandemic was a spell

Hilda
You mean a fairy spell?

Kris
What other kind of spell would she mean???

Hilda
Fair

Brendan
You mean fair-y

Hilda
Brendan not the time- but that was good.

Hilbert
So this could mean that Valerie for whatever reason could have put a spell on humanity.. something's not right here we aren't even sure fairies are real

Nate
They're real, everyone around town is mumbling about them.  And did you see the video of the fairies in the forest, the murder one?  Here... I'll attach it
<Nate uploaded fairy_murder_video.mp4>

Hilbert
... holy crap

Brendan
Wait- didn't Valerie say something before she died about meeting her birth parents because that is clearly her dad dying in that video...

Ethan
Wait you think those two fairies are her parents and they're killing her other parent??????  

Nate
Damn I never thought of it like that

Rosa
So our friend just died and now fairies are real and there's some crazy spell on humanity except us and now our friend is alive again??? -.-

Kris
.. pretty much ig

Hilda
Ok I have an idea- well I was already thinking of it but I think it's better if we all go to one person's house or something, you know with our parents acting weird it's probably safer right?  And also we can compare notes and find Valerie!!!!!!

Hilbert
This is assuming she's alive.. I want to believe it but come on guys, we have to be realistic about this

Nate
We have to take the chance man.

Rosa
How about we use Leaf's house, she lives by herself

Brendan
Speaking of Leaf, you've been pretty quiet- you ok?

Leaf
I'm here, I'm fine, hi

Brendan
Pretty odd time you choose to be quiet, given what we're discussing

Hilda
No secrets, right Leaf?

Leaf
Of course not!  I was just thinking about where the hell Calem is.

Rosa
He's not online either.. crap

Ethan
Do you guys think something happened?

Leaf
I haven't heard from him since the time Valerie... you know...

Nate
He's been offline since then, he hasn't come on once

Hilda
I hope he's ok

Hilbert
Does anyone even know where he is..?

Leaf
If we knew we wouldn't be worrying silly

Hilbert
Okkkkkk >.<

Brendan
Okay, first mission get to Leaf's house and away from our potentially insane parents

Leaf
I'm not home rn tho... I'm with Red waiting for him to finish his Council about uh...

Ethan
Leaf about what?

Kris
LEAF
LEAF
LEAF
LEAF
LEAF

Hilda
LEAF!!!!!!

Kris
LEAF
LEAF
LEAF
LEAF

Nate
Leaf, come on.. 

Leaf
It's about something important that I think you know but I'm not allowed to confirm it..

Brendan
Okay, it's fine Leaf no worries..

Ethan
So first mission Leaf TEXT US WHEN YOU ARE HOEM
*HOME
Shut up guys

Kris
:P

Brendan
Step two we figure out what the heck is going on with the world

Rosa
Also uh.. step three should be figuring out if our friend is alive

Leaf
Shouldn't that be step 1?  Or 2?  Or 1.5?

Ethan
OKAY WE ARE BACKTRACKING HERE PEOPLE STEP NUMBERS ARE NOT IMPORTANT

Nate
Ethan calm down!

Ethan
You calm down!!

Hilda
OKAY Okay for now let's just get to Leaf's house and try and figure out where Calem and Valerie are and then Leaf if that Council is what I think you're talking about then we'd like to help

Brendan
Absolutely

Hilbert
YES

Nate
We can help, right Leaf?

Leaf
Idk yet, but probably.  I'll check with Red when he's done.

Kris
Ok- operation uh... names?  Ideas guys

Rosa
Operation Figure Stuff Out?  Operation Find Our Friends?  Operation Save The World?

Kris
OPERATION FIGURE STUFF OUT AND FIND OUR FRIENDS AND SAVE THE WORLD IS A GO

Leaf
XDDD

Nate
Perfect. LMAO

Brendan
I'm kinda glad we can come together again, even without her.. it's kinda nice :')

Kris
Brendan don't you dare go emotional on us now did you here that we have to figure stuff out, find our friends, and save the world???  

Hilda
We do not have time for emotional stuff Brendan :P

Brendan
Ok ok ok!!!  

Leaf
Just stay safe guys, I'll let Red know about this when he finishes.. but there's a lot of yelling coming from there lol

Kris
I think Red'll need our help now just based off of that

Leaf
XD Probably

- Scroll up to see older messages -

~~~~~~~~~~

Verity

Last Thursday was the moment when Red told the fairies that he'd fight for us and for peace.  Last Thursday was when he promised that we would not going to war with the entire human race.

Today is Tuesday.  Almost a week later, and there's nothing.  Every day he and Leaf come (Leaf is amazing, I love her) but it's always the same, he's always giving us the same news of "no one is ready to concede yet".  I get this takes time, and I understand that the spell is under effect, but still.  The longer they take to organize this, the more the humans will suffer from Valerie's spell, and the Colony will only continue to further tear itself apart from the inside.

Everyone here has just been very... tense.  A lot of the fairies were alive when there was a war going on between the Light and Dark fairies so they know that war is no thing to scoff at, and a war against every single human on this planet would be much worse than that other war, even if we would all fight together.  We've been still going about our daily lives as best as we can, but it's not the same.  

Plus, since the news came out that Valerie was the one who performed the spell (even though our parents nor the Ministers blamed her for this), she's been having a little bit of a hard time around here.  Of course yeah, fairies are understanding and generally kind, but when something happens that is going to potentially cause a war, that kindness instantly goes away.  I guess it's a good thing that she's with the Queen most of the day anyway with her training, despite the fact that her boyfriend and parents are here, I know she would rather be at the Castle.

Right now I'm heading out to the Route's end, basically the spot where Legendaries dump new Elementals for us to find.  Heliux gave Red and Leaf these teleporting bracelets and that's the spot where they teleport the humans to.  They're supposed to come here for 6 PM for their daily update with my parents.

I always come early, maybe ten, fifteen minutes before, and they usually always come just on time.  However this time when I arrive there I spot both Red and Leaf already standing in the middle of the flower patch.  "Hi," I say, announcing my presence as I approach them.  I put a small smile on my face and continue.  "You guys are early."

"The Council finished early today," Leaf tells me, although I can sense some urgency in her tone.  

I glance at them warily.  "Is everything okay?"

Red falters for a minute.  "Well... a conclusion was reached."

My eyes widen.  "Good news I hope?" I ask hopefully.

The Champion pauses for a bit, then nods.  "Good news."

I let out an audible sigh of relief which in turn causes the two humans to smile back at me.  "Lead the way," prompts Red, clearly itching to share this supposedly conceivably hopefully good news with my parents and maybe the rest of the Colony.

"Yes sir!" I throw the Champion a mock salute and lead the two through the forest.  As we walk, Leaf pops me a question.

"Hey Verity, do you know if Valerie'll be here today?  I know she wasn't the last few times we came because of her training, but there's something important I really need to tell her about."

"When I left she was still gone," I tell her apologetically.  "But if it's not too personal you can tell me, and I can give her a message... well, if she's not there when we arrive that is."

The human girl looks hesitant, but once I remind her that I'm trustworthy, she nods.  "Okay... so you know how our- well, mine and Valerie's- group of friends was all a part of the fairy club?"

I instantly know where this is going.  "They know she's alive now, don't they."

To my right Leaf nods again, this time looking a little woeful.  "Red and I needed their help with this whole situation, and they found out a few days ago.  I've been trying to tell her but she's never here when we are, and this is probably the last meeting we'll have-"

"Shush," Red says, interrupting his girlfriend.  "Don't spoil it."

"Sorry," says a clearly exasperated Leaf.  Turning back to me, she continues.  "They're not mad at her for leaving when she had to.  Honestly, they were relieved to find out that she was alive in the first place.  I know it's not possible, but they just really want to see her one last time."

My heart breaks for them; I can't imagine what they're going through right now.  "I'll be sure to tell her as soon as I get the chance to," I say earnestly as soon as we arrive in the Colony.  The Ministers are quick to spot the three of us and promptly take Red and Leaf away, presumably to have a chat with my parents.  To pass the time, I start to go on an idle walk around the Colony.

I'm about fifteen minutes in when I become aware of a hand on my shoulder; I turn around to find myself face to face with my brother.  "Hey," I say.  "Did Val come back yet?"

August shakes his head.  "No, why?"

"Leaf just said that there was something important I need to tell her," I tell him.  

"What is it?" he asks, curious.  

I shrug; he's her boyfriend, and she's probably going to tell him anyway.  "The rest of her friends know that she's alive and presumably that she's a fairy."

His eyes widen.  "Wow.  That's big.  Were they okay with it?"

"Leaf said that they weren't mad at her for basically abandoning them," I tell him, "so I'm going to assume so."

August begins to look excited.  "Maybe Valerie can use her once-a-year trip to the human world to see them, that would be nice for all of them."

I smile back at him.  I'm about to say something when I hear my parents calling everyone from their balcony.  Oh Zagan, they're doing an announcement- so Red did bring some big news with him.  I hope I can take his word and assume that it's good news.

"Come on," August says, pulling my arm.  I don't see what need there was to have him pull my arm, but okay, fine.  "Let's go hear what they have to say."

Mom sends a burst of pink magic from her right hand, causing the floating platforms to move from their original positions to align themselves in a semi-circle around the balcony.  By the time August and I get there there's no space on the platforms, so we just stand on the ground like most of the other fairies.

"Please let this be good for Lita's sake," August mutters to himself.  "We deserve some good news."

We do.

"Everyone, I know the past week has been very tense for all of us," Mom begins, "but today is different.  Red and Leaf have given us exciting news."  That's an understatement; it's not just the Colony that's been tense, but our relationship with our parents has also been extremely... awkward.  They still haven't talked about our argument last week about us having more power within the Colony, and we've just been avoiding each other.  I still can't believe it's lasted this long.

Excited murmurs echo across the crowd and I spot Red and Leaf on the edge of it, listening in.  For a brief moment I wonder why Red isn't the one up there telling us what news he has, but he just has a quiet aura about him.  Maybe he doesn't want to.  I mean, I wouldn't mind addressing the whole Colony but that's because I know everyone.  When you're strangers, it just makes things more awkward.

"We will not be going to war against the humans," Dad announces, strong and loud.  "Serena and I as well as the Ministers will be travelling tomorrow morning to the Indigo Plateau to sign a peace agreement."

August and I clap our hands together as the rest of the fairies cheer loudly.  Instantly, the tension and stress have gone away and the sky is clear again.  I really wish that Valerie was here to hear this herself; it won't be the same getting it second-hand.

"We're not out of the woods yet, not until the peace agreement has been signed," warns Mom.  Smiling, she continues, "but it is safe to say that these times of trouble are over."

"There are things that we have to uphold now because of this new agreement," Dad adds before the crowd can get noisy again.  "There are also things that the humans have to uphold."

"The humans are not going to be allowed to be within a kilometer our forest; there is a town that is within that distance, a place called Pallet Town," she squeezes Dad's hand, "that will be demolished if the peace agreement is signed.  The humans will also not be allowed to maintain any contact with fairies.  In terms of what we have to do, we are not allowed to put any spells on the humans nor are we allowed to maintain contact with any humans.  We are also not allowed to leave our forest and go into the human world, just as it was a couple centuries ago.  So for us, that means no more yearly visits to the human world; these are stopping immediately."  I catch Dad's expression shift for a fraction of a second and return to normal; vaguely I recall Dad telling us that that was the town he grew up in, it must be hard to hear that it's being torn down.

"That sucks," I murmur to myself, just loud enough for August to hear.  He nods at me, clearly agreeing.  It does suck, but I'd take being stuck in a forest for all eternity instead of a fairy genocide... because that's what would happen if war were to actually happen.

A lot of the fairies verbally echo our views; of course they do.  Most of us look forward to those yearly visits, it helps to rid the feeling of being trapped in this forest forever and ever.  Mom and Dad, however, look prepared for this.

"I know it's sad news, but-" Mom gets interrupted by Heliux.

"Yes, not being able to visit the human world will be hard," says the Minister, "but Layra and I managed for billions of years to get by without that pleasure.  You all can live without it for the next millennium."  

So basically: "Shut up, if Layra and I can do it, then you sorry lot can do it for a fraction of the time."

We love you too, Heliux.

"Heliux has a point," says Dad, clearly flustered from Heliux's unexpected words but trying to bring attention back to him and Mom anyway.  I mean, Heliux isn't really known for speaking up during these things.  "This is the much better option compared to a full scale war.  As Serena said, the peace agreement will be signed tomorrow provided that all humans and fairies agree to the terms."  

"We agree," Misty shouts up to the Leaders.  "If all we have to do is not leave our home to avoid a war then what is there to debate about in the first place?"

More and more fairies echo Misty's words, and it's clear that a choice has been made.  Mom smiles and, taking Dad's hand, holds her arm high in the air.  "Peace prevails today!" she shouts, and I cheer alongside the rest of the fairies.  It's hard not to- we're not going to war.  We're not going to war.  This is amazing news!  

I'd hate doing I'd regret if the situation called for it- of course I would, but like I said, I'm just glad I can avoid it.

I instantly turn to August and we engulf each other in a hug.  "Thank Zagan, right?" I say to him, joy escaping into my voice.  He doesn't say anything but he nods, and that's enough.  Thank Zagan, thank Zagan, thank Zagan.  I won't be losing him any time soon.  I can't get by without my brother.

We let go after a few seconds, and the crowd begins to disperse with a clear aura of joy and excitement fizzing around.  It doesn't take long for music to start up, and all of a sudden we're having another party.  This one's warranted though.  We deserve this.

"Come on, let's go have a Mist battle while we wait for Val," I say to August, pulling his arm.  "If we get there now we can avoid the line!"

August's about to respond, but we both spot our parents approaching us.  I instantly let go of his arm and we both stand straight and face them.  

"That was good news, wasn't it?" Dad asks, trying to initiate some sort of conversation.

"Yes," I say after a few seconds, my voice curt.  I don't give him anymore than that.

"Come have dinner with us," says Mom, clasping her hands together.  The blue ribbon tied around her neck shifts slightly as she does this.  "Just the four of us, a family dinner.  Please?"

August and I exchange looks.  "Alright," he says tentatively, and I know instantly this dinner isn't a family dinner, but rather an apology dinner.

~~~~~~~~~~

August

For the past half hour the four of us have been eating in silence.  Well, not really silence; our parents talk to each other and I talk to Verity, but our parents don't converse with us and the opposite doesn't occur either.  To be honest I don't even know how to start a conversation with them, mostly because I'm still mad at them but also because I don't know what to say or how to say it.

Luckily, Verity does, and like me, she's tired of this awkward half-silence.  "Mom, did you make this?"  Of course she knows that Mom made this food; we can both easily tell the difference between our mother's cooking and other fairies' cooking, like Mallow for instance.  But Verity's a smart fairy, she easily saw her conversation opening... I would never be able to do that.

Surprised at Verity's impromptu question, Mom and Dad exchange a quick glance with each other.  "We both did," the former answers tentatively.  

I eye Dad.  "You cooked?" I ask him, because since when does Dad cook?

He rubs his pointer finger under his nose, something I know by now he does when he's flustered or embarrassed at something.  "Well, technically your mom cooked, I just read the recipe to her and gave her the ingredients."

Verity rolls her eyes.  "I'd hardly call that cooking."

Dad shrugs.  "Well, I tried to at least."  A few seconds pass, and just like that, silence is back again.  However, now Mom puts her fork down.  I guess the time has come for them to try and talk things out with us.

"So your Dad and I, as well as the Ministers, are going to be gone tomorrow to sign the peace agreement with the humans," Mom begins softly.  

"We know," Verity says.  "We watched you guys announce it today."

"Good," laments Dad.  "Since I'm sure many fairies are going to want to watch the event, we were thinking of putting up a mirror-window spell so that you all in the Colony can watch it- and we thought that it was a good idea to have you two facilitate it."

Verity and I exchange glances.  "You guys want us to be in charge of something?" questions my sister in a snarky tone.  I'm surprised that my parents aren't going to yell at her for that; it's like their fire has vanished.

"Yes, we want you to be in charge of that spell as well as the Colony for the day," Mom tells her calmly, ignoring Verity's attitude.  "And if all goes well, you two can be in charge of the inevitable party that is going to happen after."

"You want us to do all of that?" I repeat hesitantly, looking at the two Leaders squarely.

"I thought you only wanted us to take care of minor things," points out Verity.  I elbow her and when she tosses me a confused look, I simply shake my head.  If they're trying to apologize, we should at least give them a chance to do so, I mentally reason with myself.

Mom sighs.  "Look, both of you are old enough to know that everyone makes mistakes.  In hindsight, telling you both that was a mistake; your Dad and I are the Leaders, and as long as we are both alive that won't change, but that doesn't mean that you two can't have more responsibility."

"Trust me, we've made plenty of mistakes before," Dad says in a joking manner.  "There was a time during the war that I ran away from the Light fairies into the waiting hands of Drago-"

"And why exactly did you do that?" questions Verity incredulously.

"That's... complicated, it's complicated," he answers, looking at Mom for a split second before casting his gaze to the floor once again.  "There was also the many mistakes your Mom and I made while trying to reason with Drago, we could have ended things a lot sooner if we'd acted smarter.  You both could have met Pikachu and Sylveon if we went to Her Majesty instead of using the Balance Ritual- but in our defence, we didn't know we cou-"

"I think they get the idea," Mom interrupts, stopping Dad's rambling.  "The point is, it's time that you both get to start acting like real Leaders around the Colony.  Eventually, our time will be up-"

"Don't say that," I protest.  "You have a long time to live, both of you," I add to Dad as well.

Mom looks at me with eyes that hold a lot more emotion than they should.  "August, be realistic.  At any time, something could go wrong- even tomorrow at the peace signing.  Lita and Zagan forbid it, but when something happens to us in the future, I don't want either of you taking our positions unprepared."

How is one exactly supposed to respond to that?

Verity apparently knows that answer.  "Come on, don't think like that.  Everything will go fine tomorrow, I know it, and thinking negatively about it won't do a single thing.  So yes, Auggs and I will take care of that stuff tomorrow, just do your thing and come back alright o-okay?"  She stutters that last part and I cast her a sympathetic glance.  I mean, I'm worried too, I just don't know how to voice it.

"We'll be fine," Mom reiterates, clearly sensing that Verity is on the verge of having a panic attack.  "But just know that in the future, we'll be giving both of you more responsibility around here."

I smile at her.  "Thanks, Mom."

"I know we haven't talked much this past week," she laments, "but just know that we love you both okay?  We love you both so much, and we're so sorry that we put you out like that."

"Mom, stop," I tell her, putting my hand on hers.  "It's okay."

"I want some of your Pokepuffs for the party tomorrow, and since we're organizing it, you have to make them," promptly announces Verity.  We all laugh, the four of us, this family.  

It feels nice to be able to have dinner like this, just the four of us all together.  I know that there will be a lot more in the future, but right now, this dinner, it feels... different.

I don't know how to explain it, but it feels like tomorrow, past the peace treaty, is going to be different, and this dinner is going to be a relic of a past that is going to be eventually forgotten.  

... or maybe I'm overthinking things.

Everything is going to be fine, stop worrying.

~~~~~~~~~~

Valerie

I was hoping to catch Red and Leaf today, but seeing as it's almost eight o'clock and basically night time now that I'm arriving back at the Colony, I don't think that's going to happen.  Training was hard today, but it is my second last day of it after all.

Tomorrow is my last day, and the day after is the day I'm going to take my first test to become the new Queen.

However, things look different when I come into the Colony today- there's a party going on.  Why?  I wonder.  I didn't think today was a party date.

We didn't do dinner at the castle today, so I'm starving- but I still want to figure out what's going on before I eat.  I easily spot some fairies outside under the dying sunlight and make my way to them.  "Hey Bonnie," I say as I approach them.  "What's going on?"

"You didn't hear?" the Day fairy asks, sounding surprised.  I shake my head no.

"Ash and Serena announced that they're going into the human world tomorrow to sign a peace agreement," Lana tells me happily.  "Isn't it great?  All of this tension will finally be over!"

That means I missed my last chance to see Red and Leaf... "That's great," I reiterate to them, a smile on my face.  "I can't believe it happened so fast."

"I can," says Ren.  He and his sister were standing nearby, and come to join our conversation.  "That Red guy knows how to get things done.  And Leaf was pretty good too- you have a good taste in friends, Valerie."

I roll my eyes at the fairy.  "Thanks, Ren."

Lin gazes at me.  "You look like a fairy who skipped dinner," she tells me playfully.  "You wanna eat with us?"

However tempted I am, I have to decline her offer.  "I would, but I have to speak with Heliux and Layra.  Do you know where they are?"

Lin looks slightly disappointed- I hate disappointing Verity's friend, but there's something important I have to do.  "The last time I saw them, Layra was having drinks by the dance floor and Heliux was eating crackers with her."

Crackers?  That's random.  "Thanks," I tell the Dark fairy, waving the group goodbye as I go look for the Ministers.  Walking around the spiraling pathways of the Colony, searching for the Ministers as I glance around at the fairies around me.  They all look so happy, so full of hope for a peace-filled future.  While that will happen in the future...

... it won't happen tomorrow.

My first action as a Queen.  I spent a lot of time looking at the Globe of Time today with Her Majesty's instruction.  Tomorrow, something bad might happen or it won't.  I saw both timelines and the one where it happens is considerably better for us all.  

The Queen told me that when I'm trying to control events, you only tell people who are directly involved with causing an event to happen or not happen, no one else.  

I don't know how I'm going to face August or Verity, but luckily I don't see them and for now, I'm going to keep it that way.  I need to compose myself first.

No, right now I need to find Heliux and Layra, the two people who will be present tomorrow that would actually sense something happening.  I need to tell them to ignore it, to not stop it, and let it happen.

I don't even want to think about what I saw, it's horrible... but it needs to happen.  

Thankfully for me, I spot the two sitting at a table at the edge of the main plaza.  Layra appears to be drinking red wine from a tall, thin wine glass while Heliux has apparently moved on from crackers and is just eating assorted forms of sushi.  I run up to them, I need to tell them right now.

"Hi," I say breathlessly when I arrive at their table.

"Hello," Heliux says, returning my greeting in a relaxed voice- not something I'd ever imagine coming from him.  "How was your training today?" he asks, fiddling with a pair of chopsticks.

"It was relatively good," I tell him.  "Tomorrow's my last day, I'm supposed to take the first test on Thursday.  We spent all day training, we didn't do anything else."

Layra realizes something.  "If you're hungry, you can eat with us if you'd like," she offers kindly, gesturing to the empty chairs that are sitting at the table.  As much as I'd like to eat with the pair, there's something important I have to do.

"Actually... there's something important I need to tell you both.  Is there somewhere a little more... private, we can go?"

The two exchange a glance, probably catching on to the fact that it's probably something serious.  "Let's go to our quarters, we can be uninterrupted there," says Heliux in a notably more serious tone.  Layra nods and gets up, and I follow them back to their pair of connecting rooms.  We enter Heliux's- there is a lot of gold in here- and he shuts the door firmly.  

"What is it?" he asks.

I take a deep breath.  "Have any Queens or Kings asked you guys to do something bad?"

Layra shrugs.  "It depends what that thing is, and what the reasoning is."

I turn to look at her.  "What if that thing was ignoring something bad happening to someone important in order to ensure a better future for everyone?"

"Is something going to happen tomorrow?" asks Heliux, sounding more worried than serious now.

Hesitantly, I nod.  "Not to either of you, but... argh, I can't say!  But you two are the ones who would sense the event happening.  You would see it before anyone else," I say to Heliux, "and you would sense the person's negative intentions through soul power," I add to Layra.  "I need you guys to ignore them both and I know you both have the capacity to stop it as soon as you realize what it is, but please, please listen to me and let it happen."

"Peace isn't being given tomorrow, is it," Layra realizes in a small voice.  

I shake my head, feeling like the most horrible person on the planet.  I'm telling them to let someone die.  "Not tomorrow, but if the bad thing happens tomorrow, there's a good chance of it happening in the future," I tell her with what I'm hoping is a somewhat enthusiastic tone.  

"I think I have an inkling on what is going to take place tomorrow," says Heliux after a small period of silence from the two Ministers.  "And if this will really affect the future for the better, then Layra and I will not stop it, and let it play out until the bloody end."

I grimace when I think about that word- bloody.  He didn't mean it as a swear word either, he meant it literally.  Heliux is smart.  "I feel really horrible for asking this from both of you," I say mournfully, "but-"

"No, it's okay," Layra says.  They both seem pretty unfazed by what I'm asking of them, does living for more than a billion years really make you okay with this stuff?  "We'll comply.  There's not anyone else who can interfere with the event, right?"

I shake my head.  "No, I checked so many times.  It's just you two."

"Then we'll listen- and chin up," Heliux says to me when he notices my frown.  "If something unfortunate is going to happen tomorrow, then we still have tonight.  The last night where things are the same.  So come, let's finish that night by joining the others in their celebration.  Let's enjoy it while it lasts, shall we?"

Layra notices my uncertainty.  "Valerie, you'll learn both by being Queen and by living for a very long time that sometimes bad things will happen and bad things will need to happen- often there won't be anything you can do to fix it.  All you can do is accept it and move on as best you can."

I nod.  "I guess I'll still need some time to get used to it," I admit to her.

The Dark Minister shrugs.  "These things take time- but luckily for you it's your Element so you'll be naturally gifted with it."  She grins at me and I roll my eyes at her.

"In the meantime, you should get some dinner," Heliux tells me.  "You can stay with us if you'd like, you can come with me to order a noodle bowl."

NOODLES?  HELL YES.  "Heliux Lithius you are not allowed to have noodles so late into the night, you know what happens when you do that.  You stay up late unable to fall asleep so you end up drawing until three in the morning and you don't get enough sleep.  You need to be well-rested for tomorrow mister."  Layra puts her hands on her hips.

Okay, I'll admit that I'm growing closer to these two.  "I'm going to order noodles, you can have some of mine," I tell him, mild amusement washing over me as he perks up and as Layra lets out a deep sigh.  

Maybe they're right.

If tomorrow is bad, then we have tonight.

Right?

Okay, I did warn you didn't I?  7148 words.

I'm not gonna lament much on what Val said about tomorrow's peace treaty signing because this chapter is long enough already... so instead I'm gonna sign off here.  

See you guys next week for a very intense chapter... and it'll come on a Sunday like normal.