#after killing his nemesis finally he needs something else to cling to

[the-maladjustedjester]

I probably think this every time but legitimately season 7 is my favorite of all time now. I loved the stories they had, I loved the character development Rick’s been inching through, I could’ve had more Jerry but that’s my critique every season bc I have a fucking problem… the emotional connections and relationships were satisfying and felt real, and I love seeing Rick getting his ass handed to him every episode. It finally feels like he’s slowly clawing his way out of the hole he’s spent his entire life digging. And damn if the last scene didn’t make me tear up with an unexpectedness I hate to love.

[fantasyinvader]

I keep thinking about how people want the Agarthans to be victims. Not so much that people are saying they did nothing wrong, but a lesser evil compared to Rhea and the Nabateans. I'd ask myself why people would want such a thing, as even in the route where you side with them they're made out to be evil that will be exterminated, but I wouldn't have to think about why that as. The answer is simple, they validate Edelgard's killing of Rhea.

And, really, it fits with stuff I've seen since the game came out. The people claiming that despite Silver Snow and Verdant Wind being routes where big reveals to the lore are given to the player they, alongside Azure Moon, lie to the player and that Edelgard is the only one to tell them “the truth.” Or that said lore pops out of canon once the player decides to side with Edelgard. They want to ignore that the same route not only paints Edelgard as a liar often enough that a chapter titled “Lady of Deceit” begins and ends with her lying to her army, but also reveals that Edelgard herself knows that her source was an Agarthan puppet yet she is still clinging to that narrative. They'll claim it's all a matter of what the player believes to be true and tell people to disregard the game's creators saying that they built Fodlan to support the story of Silver Snow, and that while Flower is about believing something else, how that leads to not only mowing down everyone who stands in your way because of those beliefs but also ends up with tyranny and oppression under the path of supremacy.

Or we'll get people who ignore that Claude's route talks about how we need to let go of misconceptions we may have about others by getting to know them, and how Claude's misconceptions about the Church may have been caused by the Agarthans feeding him info to turn him against Rhea. No, instead Claude is a manipulative schemer who should have killed Rhea as his final boss after learning about her past and how his ancestors profited off the slaughter of her people, and that Golden Wildfire is who Claude really is and his good route.

Because people want to believe that Houses is this morally grey game, where everyone is a hero from their POV. But let's look at that. As mentioned, Claude's POV blaming the Church is ultimately framed as him having misconceptions, and once he got to know them he realized that Rhea didn't have to be his enemy in achieving his goals. Not only that, he realizes the Agarthans tried to manipulate him like he says they did to Edelgard, and ends up taking them out before finishing off Nemesis. Dimitri's POV is based on his survivor guilt and belief that he needs to live for the sake of avenging those who died. He grows out of this thanks to Byleth teaching him he needs to live for the sake of the living and for himself, all while taking the Agarthans out by complete accident while Edelgard's ideals are presented as demonic while Dimitri's beliefs make him a savior. Meanwhile, Edelgard's POV is based on what her father told her despite her knowing he was an Agarthan puppet. She can't be swayed her path as she tries to lie and manipulate those around her, and the world supports the route where Byleth leads the Black Eagles away from her influence (making it so that the Black Eagles are the only class who can get their story-related character development joining any other class). It's either that, or you ignore the world building to walk a path that is based around hadou, which has negative connotations especially when contrasted with oudou, which is what Dimitri's route is supposed to lead to.

You can ignore this growth if you play Hopes, but Hopes is supposed to show how much of an influence Byleth has on their class and is not supposed to replace that experience. Shez can't give Dimitri or Claude the character growth they would have gotten to see the problems with their POV, nor can they stop the Eagles from supporting Edelgard. Shez just seems to go with whatever the lord says, adapting to the route being played, and as such enables each lord's behavior. Not to mention that Shez is hinted to be from Agartha himself, and even then the Agarthan POV doesn't paint them in a positive light.

So, really, what are people saying when they want the Agarthans to be the sympathetic villains rather than the game wanting us to feel sorry for the Nabateans? That they feel the game not doing so is a flaw despite the Agarthans being so racist that they view everyone else as non-human animals and therefore it's okay to experiment on them? That we should support their genocide of the Nabateans because Edelgard said things used to be better despite the reveal that they're the ones who gave mankind Crests while making themselves out to be gods? We should still think that the Church are the bad guys when the Agarthans are the ones behind the experiments, Duscur, the death of Claude's uncle, and so much more? Or that Nemesis was a good king who was demonized by history rather than the power-hungry asshole he's depicted as, the only real misconceptiont here was that he ever was a hero in the first place rather than the tyrannical bandit he actually was.

In the end, it's just people not wanting to let go of their own misconceptions about Fodlan. They don't want to see Fodlan for how it really is. If anything, Houses can serve as a deconstruction of the idea of Death of the Author. It's a game with some very direct messages, but the routes where the player diverges away from those messages (Flower and the entirety of Three Hopes) it leads to bad endings because, at the end of the day, Fodlan was built around those messages. It was built about the need to see people for who they really are rather than who we think they are, as Edelgard being revealed not to be the heroine but rather the villain is the twist of the game who needs to be removed from power. Also that people supporting each other is a far better outcome than everyone being left to fend for themselves, especially when the people at the top use their power to benefit others. But it's up to people to do that themselves, to figure things out for themselves rather than fall into the trap.

Otherwise, we're left with people defending the likes of the Agarthans.

[sellyoursoulforagoodfic]

JKR 2: BRC 1

Joker x Reader

Word Count: 1921

Summary: You love him, that much is obvious, but now Wayne is being flirty suddenly.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Alas, the much awaited sequel to JKR. At some point I got an ask for a sequel, but I literally cannot find it, so … Here it is! There will be more posting randomly as I get it out. Unlike my other series, I’ve got nothing like an outline, so I have no idea how long this is gonna be or when I’m gonna be posting it.

One of your favorite parts of being a mercenary was the fact that it was extremely rare for you to have to be a functioning human on Monday mornings. It was a perk you hadn’t really expected, but you absolutely loved sleeping in while the rest of the world crawled out of bed to begin another shitty work week. That alone almost made it worth it to put up with all the nonsense you handled day to day. And since you’d gotten involved with the joker, you’d even gotten to enjoy the addition of a warm body next to yours seeing how he shared your philosophy on those mornings. 

So when you woke up naturally one Monday morning several months since agreeing to work with Joker, you were more than a little annoyed. The irritation was only slightly alleviated when you started to really observe your surroundings and realized that Joker was currently playing big spoon with you and clinging to you like a child with a beloved toy. That, at least, was a sweet bonus to waking this early. A little smile formed on your face despite yourself. You could feel his breath on your bare shoulder, softly puffing every now and then in his sleep; the rhythm of it could almost put you to sleep.

And then your bladder made itself known. 

The annoyance promptly came roaring back.

Getting out of bed was a whole little challenge in and of itself due to the way he was clinging to you, but you somehow managed to escape without waking him. When you glanced back at the bed and saw the fearsome Clown Prince of Crime cuddled up to your pillow and snuggled under your covers, your heart gave a hard thump. Try as you might, it was steadily becoming harder to deny that you’d somehow developed feelings–real, deep feelings–for the madman. Every day you tried not to think about it because of how unlikely it was for him to reciprocate, but seeing him so vulnerable–without makeup and with green hair so faded it was almost completely back to its normal dishwater blond–made some part of you swoon. He trusted you enough to be so unguarded, and that was enough for you … mostly. Part of you still craved someone to talk seriously with, but you were content enough even without it. Or so you told yourself.

Sighing, you shook off the emotions and picked up his grey, patterned shirt from the day before. Problems for another day, you supposed.

Once your bodily functions were taken care of, you quietly stalked your way into the kitchen. Clearly, you weren’t going back to sleep anytime soon, so you might as well make a coffee. Maybe that would somehow help you tame your unwelcome feelings.

Clearly the answer was a big, fat “No,” since, as you were returning to the bedroom, you got distracted with how cut he was while you were in the doorway, mug clasped between your hands. You allowed yourself a moment to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and pretend that the two of you were just normal people.

Then, true to Gotham’s nature, it all came shattering down when you heard the telltale scratching of someone picking a lock. Specifically the lock on your front door. The switch in your mindset to Business Mode was instantaneous. Your world seemed to sharpen as you slowly eased the bedroom door closed; it would be quite bad if your suspicion about the intruder was true and he saw your houseguest. Your hand tightened around the mug, ready to throw the scalding liquid in an instant if threatened.

An angry scoff left your lips when you recognized the head of brown hair that peaked inside your apartment once the door was unlocked. “You’re really making me regret my decision against getting a guard dog, Mr. Wayne.”

You absolutely hated how dashing his ensuing smirk made him. “As busy as you are? Probably not the best idea.” Unlike the last time he broke in, he wasn’t dressed like he came from a trust fund soiree; instead, he was in a more casual ensemble of dark jeans, a dark shirt, and a leather jacket with red trim.

“Any particular reason you’re breaking into my home today or were you just hoping I was still asleep so you could peep?”

“I have to say no. That’s not exactly my style.” A thump from the bedroom halted whatever excuse he had for this breaking and entering episode.

Your heart gave its second hard thump for the morning, this one out of fear instead of love. Leveling Wayne with a harsh glare, you ordered, “Stay put.”

“Of course.”

Mug still clenched in your hand, you quickly retreated back to the bedroom. Based off the sight that greeted you, you could only assume that the noise was Joker grabbing his pants off the chair and inadvertently throwing the knife from his pocket into the floor. “You good?” you asked the obviously-groggy man.

“I heard voices. What’s going on?”

“Don’t you normally hear voices?” you teased in an attempt to lighten the mood.

“No. And you know that,” he deadpanned. His tongue started flicking as his irritation aggravated the tick.

“I’ve got an unwelcome guest again,” you stated, deciding that blunt was probably better than finesse.”

“Wayne?”

“Yes, so you’re going to stay here while I deal with him.”

“Should I be … jealous?”

“Fuck no. Can’t stand the bastard.” Well that was a bit of a lie. As much as the richboy infuriated you, he also acted as a constant source of amusement. “But I don’t want him knowing anything else about me if I can avoid it. Be a good boy and stay here, and I’ll let you have your wicked way with me later.”

“You’ll let me do that anyway.” He was right and he knew it. There was a long pause as you stared each other down. You could practically see his brain working over his options until he finally exhaled heavily. “Fine. I’m too tired for this, anyway.”

For once, his exhaustion worked to your advantage instead of making him intolerable. “Thank you. I’ll be back in a few.”

“I await with bated breath.”

The Joker handled, you slunk back out to deal with the unmasked Batman; part of you realized that Gotham City Police would love to be in your position. Both men, vulnerable with identities out in the open? They’d probably kill for it. You, however, were just tired of today already.

When you returned to the living room, Bruce had once again made himself at home on your couch. “Boyfriend?” he questioned, eyebrow raised.

“Something like that.”

“He’s got interesting taste,” he commented with a little gesture towards your body.

You raised an eyebrow. Sure, it wasn’t exactly your style, but, “You’re one to talk. Enough of the questions, Mr. Wayne. Why are you here?”

“I need a date for a gala I have to go to tonight.”

Your eyebrows now shot up almost to your scalp. “And you came to me? First off, I don’t like you, so what the fuck? Second, you don’t like me, so what the fuck? Third, do you honestly expect me to believe that you couldn’t get a date? And for that matter–”

“Relax, Y/N. I’m hiring you for a job. I need a distraction, and I hear you’re the best.”

“Awfully short notice. What if I don’t have anything to wear?”

“Already have that handled. Come by my penthouse at six.”

“And payment?”

“Half now, half after. Check your bank account; money’s already there.”

“You’re damn sure that I’m gonna do this, aren’t you.”

“You’re curious, you want to know what I’m up to, and you always get the job done if you’re being paid for it.” He was smirking again and heading for the door as he said that. “See you tonight.”

“Bastard,” you spat at the door the second it was closed. Already, you wanted nothing more than to crawl in bed and stay there for the rest of the day and it was only …  8:13 according to the clock on the wall.

Resigned to your fate for the coming evening, you retreated back to the bedroom. This time, you didn’t even pause to admire your lover’s form splayed across the bed. You did notice that his eyes were staring at you as you approached, though, and gave him a small smile.

“Got a job tonight with the hunky rich boy, huh?” he teased while rolling onto his stomach and kicking his feet up like a girl in a movie about a slumber party. “Am I just not, uh, doin’ it for ya anymore, dollface?”

“Fucker didn’t exactly give me much of a choice, did he?” you sniped right back. “Scoot over; you’re in my spot.” 

His response was to flop back over onto his back and pat his lap. “You’re mine now, remember? I was a proper gentleman and hid away while you talked to your suitor.”

“He is not–” You were cut off by him tugging you down to straddle him. “My suitor,” you finished, doing your best to sit on him with some modicum of dignity.

“Oh, you don’t have to lie to me, sweetheart. He’s quite, uh, dreamy.” He cackled. “Any chance you could convince him to join us in here sometime?”

You couldn’t help but laugh. “Sorry, J. I don’t think he’d go for it.” Especially considering the whole nemesis thing … “You’re just stuck with me, I’m afraid.”

“Ah well, have fun for the both of us, my dear,” he shrugged. His fingers suddenly halted their attempts to unbutton your (his?) shirt; alarmingly, you hadn’t even noticed him doing that. “Why did Brucy know what it is you do for a living anyway?”

Fortunately, you knew that question was likely to come up months ago, so you’d long ago thought of an excuse. “Did a job cleaning up one of those trust fund brigade’s messes after a particularly nasty party–”

“Ooh!”

“–and that apparently got me on his radar.”

“Never a dull day for a mercenary.”

“Or a madman,” you teased right back. “But be that as it may, I’m gonna enjoy having you all to myself until I have to go to that stupid party.”

“Never a dull day, indeed!” he cheered. “But for real, you gotta get a video or somethin’ if you fuck him tonight.”

You rolled your eyes even as you tugged at his boxers. It was an interesting thought. While you had first priority on the Joker when he was off the clock and a serious case of feelings for the clown, you were under no illusions that this was an exclusive thing. Physically, you sated each other easily. Emotionally, you were all the Joker needed (or wanted, for that matter), but he wasn’t crazy enough to think that he satisfied all of your needs. The whole comforting thing specifically was a weakness of his. You’d discussed all this (excluding the whole love issue) months ago at your insistence since you had no desire to earn the Joker’s wrath by having an affair.

Shoving all that aside, you just scoffed. “That man is infuriating.”

“And he has a crush on you. I can tell. We madmen have a … sixth sense for these things. Besides, the flirting was painfully obvious even from in here.”

“I’m not fucking Bruce Wayne.”

“Right. You’re fucking me!” Another hysterical cackle.

“Well …” you grinned, “I’m about to be, anyway.”

[tender-vittles]

BAR SKULL: ORIGINS

It has been asked time and time again: Why is there a skull on one of the shelves in Kurogiri's bar? Is it real?

It's okay, no need to worry...

The answer is here.

Through this careful analysis, drawn from a minutes-long conversation in discord, I will prove that (1) the person responsible for the skull is Shigaraki Tomura and (2) the skull is fake.

First, let's examine the object in question. It's a darker brown than one might expect to see with human bone and there appears to be skin clinging to it. The darker color may be the result of flesh rotting away.

What does this have to do with anything?

Consider the people who had access to the bar prior to the creation of the League of Villains: All For One, Kurogiri, and Tomura.

Who is the most likely to put a rotting skull on a shelf in Kurogiri's bar? Let's consider our suspects...

All For One:

Definitely the biggest troll in all of BNHA. But would he leave something gross like that in Kurogiri's bar? Unlikely. What reason does he have to troll the man he's entrusted with Tomura's well-being?

The alternative is that he put it there as a trophy. We know AFO has killed people, but is he the type to bring home a souvenir? Doubtful. AFO isn't a serial killer. Excepting Tomura's hands, which was serving a different purpose than wanting to relive his own kills, we have no evidence that AFO have done anything like this before. If it was a trophy, he wouldn't be likely to keep it in a place where it would be difficult to see from the TV.

AFO is not the culprit here. Just look at the guy—the only time he's not wearing a suit is when he's locked up in Tartarus. If you're gonna go fight your nemesis, wouldn't you throw on something a little more casual? Or wear costume with a cape since you're going for the Darth Vader look? The guy likes order. Why would he leave something as gross as rotting flesh in Tomura's base of operations? Can't recruit allies if your headquarters smells super nasty.

And if it's a fake skull? No, that's tacky.

He's all fucked up, he's not making a special trip to the bar to leave any skulls, real or fake, even if he is the biggest troll.

Next we have Kurogiri:

Even less likely to have done it than AFO. How many times do we see him cleaning something? He takes good care of his bar. It's still clean and neat even after the League starts crowding in there.

Kurogiri is as much concerned about his appearance as AFO. He too is always formally dressed, even when he's about to throw down at USJ. There is no way this man would ever bring anything gross into his bar. And again, if it's fake—tacky. I don't even know why I bothered writing this, Kurogiri is not responsible.

And now our final suspect:

We all know Tomura is a crusty boy who's toes we all wish to suck on anyway, but would he bring a skull complete with rotting flesh into Kurogiri's bar?

Sure, Tomura has killed people but uhh... his quirk... is called... decay?

The only things he has that are connected to people he has killed are hands, not skulls.

He may be a crusty boy, but he wouldn't want to hang around a bar that smells disgusting anymore than anyone else would. He doesn't want anything overpowering his own musk. He knows he won't get allies that way and, if nothing else, Kurogiri would have thrown that fucking thing out by now.

But is the skull fake?

Consider: Tomura's starting to do this whole villain thing on his own. But how do you make a bar look like a villain hideout?

Decorations!

Such as a skull.

Which raises a different question—if it's fake and, as has already been mentioned, AFO and Kurogiri would have no reason to bring any skulls into the bar, why didn't one of them throw it away?

Well, no one wants to damage Tomura's confidence at this critical juncture, so clearly they conferred and decided that even though they aren't really feeling Tomura's taste in decorations, they're gonna let him have this one.

And that, dear readers, is the answer to the explanation you've been waiting for. Shigaraki Tomura put the skull in Kurogiri's bar, and the skull is a plastic Halloween decoration he got at Target for $7 (plus tax).

I hope you enjoyed this terrible analysis and terrible diagrams and I hope it answered all your burning questions.

[kittinoir]

Echoes of You ch. 24

Read on Ao3

Chat Noir watched silently as the battle began in the plaza below.

His heart ached to be down there with them, but his head knew he had to stay where he was and maintain the course. He froze when Marinette attacked Felix, but his cousin stayed the course, saving his one-time ability like they’d planned. 

“Nervous?” Red landed silently to his left, her gaze trained on the plaza as well.

“Angry,” Chat Noir answered, the words clipped. “Where is he?”

Red snorted. “He’s letting Marinette do as much damage as possible before he risks it. I have to say, I didn’t know it was possible for her to get akumatized. She always seemed so…level-headed. It used to drive me crazy, like she was somehow better than the rest of us, and it was worse because she didn’t even seem to notice. I thought one day it might happen and I’d feel smug about it, but all I feel is…sad.”

“Who’s the last person you’d ever expect to get akumatized, Chlo?” he asked, dropping into a crouch as a sent-monster burst into the plaza. He tensed, but the team responded quickly. “The last person who could afford it? The only person who could fix whatever an akuma did?”

A crease appeared between her brows. “Who could fix… Well, I guess…Ladybu - ” Understanding dawned on her face. “Marinette Dupain-Cheng?”

“I’m sure she had help,” Chat Noir said. He watched with amusement as a riot of emotions shot across Red’s face. Had he been so expressive? No, he’d been too stunned. “How many times has Tikki coached you to calm down or take it easy?”

Red scowled. “More times than I care to remember. No wonder she wouldn’t eat anything that wasn’t from her bakery.”

Chat Noir snorted. Loyalty went a long way with a kwami. He was about to say something else when she latched onto his arm, squeezing.

“He’s here.”

Chat Noir followed her gaze into the plaza. Hawkmoth had finally appeared.

“Let’s go.”

Adrenaline surged through his veins as the two of them scaled the Eiffel Tower down to the plaza. By the time they reached the ground, Tigress had stepped up to fight him, bagh nakh’s in her fists. Chat Noir and Ladybug split and surged towards Hawkmoth from opposite sides of the plaza.

Don’t look. Don’t look. Don’t look. Chat Noir chanted the words to himself as he leap-frogged over the senti-monster, giving it a whack with his baton as he passed by. He’d worried about letting Marinette distract him; it had never mattered more than it did now. And if he let himself look, he knew he’d change course. Now in the thick of it, he could hear Kele trying to reason with Marinette. He felt a twinge of guilt; it was a rookie’s mistake, and part of him wondered, not for the first time, if giving Miraculouses out to first-time users was an advantage or a needless risk when he knew he wouldn’t be able to provide the necessary training. At the time he’d reasoned that any one with a Miraculous and good intentions would be an advantage.

Of course, that was before the akuma he’d known Hawkmoth would bring with him would be his Lady and their former fearless leader.

It could have been anyone in all of Paris. Why did it have to be her?

But then he was clear of the senti-monster, and he found himself face to face with his nemesis just as Hawkmoth landed a blow that sent Tigress staggering back. They shared a brief look; she nodded once and leapt into the battle with the senti-monster.

“Ahhhh,” Hawkmoth sighed, smirking, “Of course you’re still alive.”

“Nine lives,” Chat Noir hissed, squaring up. “Remember?”

“Surely you must be down to the last three by now,” Hawkmoth said. “Although Lady-brat’s luck finally ran out, didn’t it?”

“Now that’s wishful thinking!” 

Hawkmoth staggered as Red’s yoyo struck him in the back of the knee, but he regained his composure in seconds. Worse, he didn’t look as surprised as Chat Noir had hoped he would, almost as though Chloe hadn’t been who he’d been talking about. But of course he wasn’t.

Instead of fear, Chat Noir leaned into the one emotion he’d been afraid of for over a year and a half, the one thing he’d never dared to fully realize: hope.

He let it straighten his spine, let it light up his face, let it make his eyes glow. He leaned into it, let it obliterate the pain and misery and rage of the past few weeks, and was rewarded when he saw a flicker of doubt in Hawkmoth’s eyes. “Did it?”

Hawkmoth snarled and lunged with his cane. Chat Noir blocked it as Red’s yoyo swung around the villain’s ankle, but Hawkmoth managed to avoid them both, sending them on a collision course into each other. Red barely managed to dodge him. Their shoulders jostled roughly but Chat Noir didn’t even feel it. 

This time he went low, baton first. He swung for Hawkmoth’s feet. The shaft whistled through the air, the momentum nearly toppling him when Hawkmoth managed to avoid the attack. Red lunged next. Pride burst in his chest as she landed a blow. Maybe she didn’t have Ladybug’s experience, but she made up for it in determination - or maybe that was plain spite. Either way, they were holding their own. It was a small victory. A good start to the only acceptable outcome of the night.

And then it was his turn to back-peddle as Hawkmoth’s elbow nearly caught his eye-socket. Chat Noir dropped to his knees and was rewarded by a kick to the chest that sent him flying and left him winded. The fall was hard, but the Miraculous absorbed the damage. He grit his teeth as he slid across the stone plaza, looking up just in time to see Hawkmoth seize Red by the throat and reach for an earring - his Lady’s earring.

In that moment, the plan turned to dust in the wind. “CATACLYSM.”

But even as he surged towards them, he could tell he wasn’t going to make it. A burst of pink sparkles exploded across Red’s body as one stud was removed. Desperate, Chat Noir flung his baton across the distance. Hawkmoth ducked at the last moment, throwing a glare over his shoulder that quickly evaporated when he, too, noticed the considerable distance between them. 

Chat Noir reeled as a concussive wave swept over him. The force of it threw him to his knees, but instead of dissipating, it seemed to suffuse his body and wrap a fist around his heart. He could swear he felt it stutter in response. Frustration seeped into his bones, and on its heels, despair. What had ever made him think he could win? What had ever made him think he could do any of this without Marinette? He hadn’t even been smart enough to see her when she’d been right there with him the entire time. He couldn’t save her. He’d never been able to, and he never would. Hawkmoth was going to win. 

But not without paying for it.

Chat Noir climbed to his feet, shaking from the effort. Hawkmoth was only a few feet away now, staring at Marinette vacantly as a single tear slipped down the side of his mask. Chat Noir risked a glance of his own and staggered to stop.

His team had surrounded her, but all of them had sagged under her destructive power. Even the senti-monster had ground to a halt and was whining quietly. She knelt in the middle of the ring of heroes, eyes closed, arms wide, back arched, her hair a dark banner behind her. 

Go to her.

The words tore through him, and he took one unsteady step towards her. His Lady. After all this time. So close, in so much pain. He could help her. He could save her. He could shoulder the burden for her. He could be her light. She’d always been his.

Go to her.

The weeks of wondering. Of searching. Of feeling angry, of feeling betrayed, desperate, afraid, guilty. All over. He’d found her. He’d accomplished the impossible. He didn’t want to look away, as though she’d slip away like the remnants of a nightmare if he risked it. He could free her. 

Go to her.

He’d never wanted anything more.

“Ironic.”

Chat Noir jerked to a halt, twisting to face Hawkmoth. He wasn’t sure where Red had disappeared to, but neither she nor her earring were in sight.

The villain smirked. “Without you and your little plan, I never would have been able to twist that girl. My akumas never seemed to be able to find purchase within her heart, until you opened the door for them, little hero. I guess I should thank you.”

Him? Had their fight really been so bad?  Had he really hurt her so - 

No. No, no, no. Felix’s plan. His alleged demise. He’d been so focused on this fight, on strategizing and recruiting. He hadn’t realized it could hurt her this badly. He suddenly understood what he was feeling, this draining misery. It was her misery, too much for any one person to bear. She was drowning in it, clinging to any lifeboat she could find, only to discover none of them could withstand the storm.

“All this time,” Chat Noir snarled as he stalked towards Hawkmoth, “All these months, all these defeats, all these poor people, and you still don’t get it. Without you, none of this would have happened. And now I think it’s time to make good on the promise my Lady made you on day one.”

Chat Noir channeled all the rage and pain from Marinette’s spell into his attack. Hawkmoth managed to block his attack and tried to land a kick. He dodged it and swung up through Hawkmoth’s guard, his claws headed straight for the man’s chest - and stopping at the last second, hesitating as the memory of being hit with his own power washed over him. It hadn’t killed him, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t.

It was all the time Hawkmoth needed. he landed a blow that made Chat Noir’s head spin. He landed on his side, his vision blurry. He heard Hawkmoth coming towards him, his steps echoing in the plaza, interspersed with the agonized moans of his team. He felt Marinette’s pull, felt her tugging the strength from him. He was powerless to stop it. Worse, he didn’t want to. A small voice was screaming at him to get back up, but it was growing quieter and quieter with every passing second.

He felt more than he saw Hawkmoth come to a stop beside him. “Paris’s heroes.” He laughed. “Pathetic. If only your Lady could see you now. She should have just given you up when she had the chance.”

“You know what your problem is? You talk to much.”

Chat Noir flinched as his cousin lunged out of a shadow, stinger in his fist. It was a good attack. Sharp. Clean. Efficient. Impressive. It would have worked if Hawkmoth had been standing just a little bit closer.

But he wasn’t, and his Miraculous-born reflexes enabled the villain to stagger just far enough away that the stinger only grazed his shoulder. It was enough. Chat Noir shoved himself to his feet one last time. This time he didn’t stop. 

His palm made contact with Hawkmoth’s chest. The villains eyes went wide as the Cataclysm exploded through his chest. He grunted, teeth grit, jaw locked as he absorbed the damage, his gaze locked with Chat Noir’s. Hate burned there. Maybe it had started out as a simple quest for the Miraculous, but he could see it had become personal for the villain a long, long time ago. 

Hawkmoth stumbled back, clutching the still-flickering wound over his chest. He swung his cane in a  wide arc, just enough to keep Chat Noir and Vespa at bay. “Save your precious friend if you can, you mangy fleabag. She’s beyond even my reach now.”

Before Chat Noir could rip the Miraculous from Hawkmoth’s throat, the senti-monster lurched between them and he stumbled back. It let out a pained roar and reared as Hawkmoth leapt on its back and let it carry him off. Chat Noir snatched up his baton, but Vespa’s hand on his shoulder kept him from hunting the man down - barely.

“You’ll get another chance,” Vespa said shortly. “Red needs your help now.”

“Red?”

The sounds of fighting finally broke through the fog in his head, and he turned to see Marinette was no longer in the centre of the ring of prone heroes, but battling it out with Red. Marinette reached for his partner again and again, but Red managed to dodge, slipping out of her grasp each time, but he could see she was slowing down. Her yoyo was no where to be found.

“Marinette.” The name slipped off his lips, unbidden. He was afraid, he realized. Afraid to face her like this. Afraid to look into the black pools of her eyes and discover she was gone, finally, truly beyond his reach. “Marinette!”

Marinette staggered to a stop, turning to face him. As she did, Red dropped to her knees, exhausted. “Chat…Noir…”

He made himself take a step. And then another. And then another. She knew him. Even now, she knew him. Maybe…she wasn’t all gone. Not yet.

He was barely aware of his cousin keeping pace with him as he crossed the plaza to where she waited. He wasn’t sure if she was surprised to see him or failed to really recognize him beyond his name. He found he didn’t care. He could fix this.

“I’m sorry,” he said as he drew closer. “I…I’m sorry for all of it. I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner. I’m sorry we fought. I’m sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean it. You were never a distraction; you were my destiny, Marinette, and I was too blind to see it. But I’m here now. I won’t lose you again. Not to Hawkmoth. Not to this sorrow. Not to anything.”

“Chat…Noir…” She took one staggering step towards him, her head tilting as though trying to puzzle through his apology.

“Got a plan here?” Vespa muttered, his eyes darting between the two of them.

“Get the akuma,” Chat Noir instructed. He glanced at his ring; the pad on it flashed slowly. He had seconds left. “I’ll distract her.”

“Distract her?” Vespa repeated. “Adrien - ”

A bright green flash erupted as Adrien’s transformation dissolved. Before Plagg could scold him, he slipped the ring from his finger and pressed it into his cousin’s palm. “For safe keeping. Just in case.”

“Dammit, Adrien , you - ”

“Chat…Noir… Adrien…?” Marinette interrupted, blinking. “Adrien…”

“It’s me, Marinette,” he said. He continued toward her, reaching out, one palm upturned. 

“He calls me…Zouyu…” she breathed, her eyes drifting down to his hand. “Marinette…is gone.”

“No,” Adrien said firmly. “She’s not. Let me help you. Take my hand.”

“Still alive…” A crease appeared between her brows as her expression twisted. “Then why does it…still hurt…? I can’t…make it stop… I can’t…. I can’t…

He took another step. “Take my hand, Marinette.”

“Yes…” she murmured, stretching out her own hand. “Yes. There is…so much light in you…so much.”

“Take it,” he offered. “You don’t have to bear this alone. You’ve never had to. I’ve always been here. I always will be. You and me against the world.”

Her gaze snapped to his as her hand finally slid into his upturned palm. Adrien gasped at the direct contact, his knees buckling under the force of it. She came with him, maintaining the contact. She was pulling from him. He’d felt it before, but this…it was a riptide and he was a piece of driftwood against the jagged rocks of her grief. He’d known that Hawkmoth’s powers amplified the victim’s emotions, giving him control, but this… 

She’s beyond even my reach now. Hawkmoth had known he’d do this. He’d tossed him the warning, knowing he’d miss it altogether, that he’d never realize that Marinette was stronger than anything he’d ever faced before, that she would eat him alive without meaning to, and that he would let her.

His vision blurred as her face drew closer to his. He could feel her breath on his face, ice cold. She smelled wrong, like lilies. Her free hand cupped the side of his face as she leaned in. Her lips were only a breath away, but he couldn’t help but lean in, even knowing his own destruction was seconds away. He wouldn’t survive it. He didn’t care. He wouldn’t leave her like this. If he couldn’t save her, then…then…

The acute agony of Marinette’s infectious despair evaporated as quickly as it had come. Adrien felt her jerk and heard her gasp, his own vision clearing as Red snagged the akuma from Marinette’s broken hair ornament. She shuddered as Hawkmoth’s magic dissolved, bleeding from her gown into the plaza stones. 

“Adrien…” Marinette murmured, drinking in his face. “Chat Noir…? You’re alive. I’m so relieved. Thank…goodness…” 

Adrien wrapped an arm around her shoulders as she collapsed, pulling her close. Vanilla and cinnamon. Relief flooded his entire being. A small laugh escaped, followed by another that caught in his chest. He tucked her head gently under his chin, threading his fingers through her loose hair. “It’s all ok now,” he murmured, pressing his cheek to the top of her head. “I found you, my Lady. I know I took…I took too long. But I’m here now. I’m here. It’s ok.”

“Adrien.”

He looked up at Red and found the entire team staring at them, some with wide eyes, other with blank stares, and one particular fox with a knowing smile. He glanced back to Red, and it was only then he noticed what she was wearing.

“…thanks, Chlo,” Adrien said slowly, tightening his grip on Marinette as whispers raced through the assembled heroes. “But I can take my ring back now.”

It was her smile that terrified him. It wasn’t malicious, but instead sad. 

“I have one last thing to do,” she said. “One last task to set things right. I’m not exactly sure what the price will be, but I know I’m willing to pay it.”

Chills raced down Adrien’s spine. “What are you talking about?”

“Thank you for giving me another chance,” Chloe said, “Even when I didn’t deserve it. You’ll always be my best friend. Tikki, Plagg, unify!”

Adrien had to shield his eyes from the bright white light that erupted from Chloe. He heard her wish in his head as much as he heard her say it out loud, felt it zip along his skin like a thousand little miracles: ‘I ask that Marinette’s memories of the Miraculous and her life as Ladybug, the protector of Paris, to be restored to her. This is my wish. I choose it of my own free will, and willingly pay the price.’

[captainstrekkinlog]

Star Trek: Picard - 1x01 “Remembrance” In-Depth Analysis

Let me start this off by saying, I think this is the strongest series premiere of any of the live-action Star Trek shows to date. 

There is a confidence in this episode that none of the other shows had. It’s no secret that every single Trek show has sometimes struggled in finding its footing in the beginning, it’s not easy to make these shows after all. But it seems that from the onset Star Trek: Picard was a show that knew what it wanted to be and what it needed to be. What struck me the most watching this episode is how very deliberate each action is taken. This story was crafted with meaning and intention, they knew what they wanted to convey and they’re going to take their time walking down the path they set. 

If the rest of this season are at the level of this premiere, then this might just become one of the best first seasons of any Trek show.

Now with that out of the way, let’s get to breaking down the episode in all its delicious details. This will be a long one as I break down scene by scene.

SPOILERS AHEAD

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So we begin with a dream sequence as Blue Skies (sung by Bing Crosby, grandfather of Tasha Yar’s actress Denise Crosby) plays. A wonderful shot of the Enterprise D with Picard and Data playing poker. Picard looks to be in civilian attire, while Data is seemingly in his Nemesis era uniform. The way this scene is set up immediately feels dream-like, especially with the song, which we heard Data last singing it at Riker and Troi’s wedding.

There is a feeling of melancholy in the scene, almost as if Picard’s own consciousness knows this is not real but he wants to keep pretending that it is. As he even says, he doesn’t want the game to end. He much rather wanting to cling onto the past than be awake in a present-day that he isn’t enjoying. As he even says later, it’s the waking up that he’s beginning to resent, and as we find out later on in the story, this dream world is probably a happier place for him than what life is like for him in the years since Data died. 

Here in Picard’s dream, he gets to keep holding onto the past - more time with Data, more time playing the poker game that he never got to enjoy until the end, more time for all the things he was in many ways, robbed of doing.

One funny note, Picard offers Data milk, but we did see in one of the TNG episodes where Data comments that he hates milk.

Data is also holding 5 Queen of Hearts, which Picard frowns at. I’m not sure exactly yet what this may represent, it is possible that this could be a foreshadowing to something else down the line. As I said before, the writers and director were very deliberate with every single detail, so I would imagine this Queen of Hearts thing to have a meaning, we just may not know it yet.

This scene ends with the Mars attack that we saw in the Children of Mars Short Trek and leads to Picard awaking rather violently from his dream. Now if this is how all his dreams end, I can definitely see why he wouldn’t want to wake up because that’s rather horrifying.

Now one thing I have to mention, simply because it’s being made such a big fuss over, the whole thing with how Ten Forward isn’t in the right location. First of all, it’s a dream. Dreams never make sense. I dreamed once that my house had wings and was full of plants and my bathroom was outside. Dreams are weird because they are suppose to be. Secondly, this sort of fuss over technicalities, and rather pointless ones at that, are what I would like to call “missing the forest for the trees”, because what is mattering in this scene isn’t the location of Ten Forward, but rather the scene of Picard and Data and what this means for Picard’s state of mind. THAT is the story, THAT is the substance. The location of a place in a dream sequence really is not what should be the take away of the scene, nor should it somehow ruin a scene. Honestly, people need to realize that the STORY is what is important, any small technical things are not the point. We don’t watch Star Trek because we want to point out all the inconsistent and illogical and wrong continuity details. We watch Star Trek because of the stories and the characters. If I was to let every single of those technical details bother me so much that it ruined the story, I would never be able to watch any Star Trek because quite frankly, there’s a whole lot of it in Star Trek, and acting like that one detail is what ruins a perfectly written and acted scene that sets up Picard’s state of mind for his character development is quite frankly very disingenuous. 

Now, moving onto the rest of our story. We have Picard waking up to Number One running to him. I imagine Number One is in many ways a service dog, especially given how he was immediately there noticing Picard’s disturbance. The most interesting part of this scene with Picard waking up and looking out into the vineyard where people are working is that he keeps saying to Number One “it’s alright”, but really, he’s not saying it to the dog, I think he’s trying to convince himself that everything is alright, even though he knows it isn’t, and we know he certainly doesn’t feel it.

Then we move locations to Greater Boston, where in the night time skyline, we notice some glowing light ads with the Federation News Network symbol, some Ferengi Alliance and ad products, a London Kings banner, and it looks like Kasidy Yates is still somewhere in the galaxy with a booming interstellar freights business. Good for her!

We finally meet Dahj with her boyfriend who is a Xahean, a nice link to our beloved Queen Po, whom we met in Discovery. I am now curious who is the ruler on Xahea at this time, after all, we don’t really know how Xaheans age. But it looks like Xahea is a part of the Federation, which also makes me curious if Po did eventually reveal her innovation for recrystalizing dilithium crystals. Oh and the eagle eyed folks at Trekcore noted from Dahj’s call logs later that her boyfriend’s name looks to be “Caler”.

So they’re having a great time, Dahj reveals she got into the Daystrom Institute and that she’s a fellow in Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Consciousness, which is an interesting field for her to go into given how she reacts later on to Picard calling them “soulless murder machines”, which seems to reveal her bias. Which also makes me wonder why she wanted to study something that would only be theoretical and she already had judgement against.

Oh and we also see in Dahj’s apartment is the flower, Orchidaceae Dahj Oncidium, that her father made.

This nice moment with the couple gets ruined, as usual, by Romulans. Always out there spoiling people’s fun. They immediately kill Dahj’s boyfriend and capture her. They put some devices on her head, likely to scan her and commenting on the fact that she’s not been activated yet. Somewhat hilariously, one of them gets admonished for speaking in their native alien language and to speak English. I guess it’s still called English? Or is it Federation Standard? Or is it both? 

They ask her “where’s the rest of you” and where she’s from. She says Seattle. I guess if you’re from Seattle these days, you should check if you’re either an Android or a Klingon spy. 

And just as she put a bag over her head and try to knock her out, she finally “activates” and kills them all. This was a very well choreographed fight scene where we got to see a good amount of the action. Now I’ve heard some people out there complaining about shaky cam, but that’s not what we have here. The camera didn’t shake, and it only does a minor tilt in one scene. Otherwise, this is one of the calmest camera movements in a fight scene. In fact, the directing for this whole episode is very steady and calm. Honestly, it’s a bad faith take to say this show is just all action crazy shaky cam, because it’s not true. In both of the fight scenes we get, there is considerable restraint on the camera work to make sure that we as the audience can still see what is going on and know what’s happening in the scenes at all times. The rest of the show is all steady cam work. I know that people often like to label “New Trek” to be all action and weird camera angles and “not real Star Trek”, but Picard’s camera work is much more in tune with TNG’s steady cam work than it is to anything else. Other than the two big fight scenes with Dahj, every scene is very steady.

So as Dahj is leaning over her boyfriend and mourning him (note that he is bleeding the same orange color that Po did in the Runaway Short Trek), and then she gets a vision of Picard. The interesting thing about this vision is that it looks to be the same shot from one of the very early teasers. I am curious why she keeps seeing this specific scene and if there is any meaning to it.

Now there is one issue I’ve seen pointed out that the first character to be killed on Picard is a character played by a black man. And this is a very valid thing to be concerned about considering the treatment of characters of color, particularly TV’s issues with black men that both Agents of SHIELD and The Walking Dead had gotten flack for before (the rotating door of black characters), and certainly horror movie tropes have been criticized extensively. So I definitely understand if someone saw this and was worried about this sort of thing becoming an issue. I can’t speak for how black people may feel about this, as I am not black and I do not know all the nuances of this problem, but I wanted to bring to attention what director Hanelle Culpepper commented on in a twitter conversation with someone who had brought up this very concern.

I think this is the thing that could sometimes feel like a double-edged sword. In our current entertainment and media, we are still not there in terms of fair and equal representation, and thus when female characters, characters of color, or LGBTQ+, and other minority group characters die or are treated badly in a story, we pick up on it. But I think with the Star Trek shows, both Discovery and Picard, they are trying to show vast array of characters and treating characters from various minority groups in a normalized way. They can be heroes, they can be villains, they can live and they can die. This kind of normalization in treatment of characters is what we hope for, but I just think the rest of TV have not caught up yet, so when characters of color in this case, do die, we notice.

But hopefully, as Hanelle Culpepper states, we will see more characters of color show up. And as we do know, we will be having more characters of color in lead roles joining us soon.

Now, onto this opening credit sequence. There is a lot of unravel here and I could probably talk for hours about what this opening makes me feel. Let’s first talk about the music. Jeff Russo deserves an award. Seriously. He does. If you guys have not seen the Ready Room aftershow where Jeff Russo talks about the choices made for this theme, you really need to. Because you see the care and attention to detail that he brings into even just choosing what instruments to add to the music and what chords used to call back to the past. The flute at the beginning alluding to Picard’s time in The Inner Light, representing his past. And then the cello and the occasional chords of the TNG theme, just slowed down and slightly in a different tone, all building up to what feels like a triumphant rebirth. The flute sneaks back in showing the past and present coming together for Picard. The use of the cello and strings is just perfect. It really gives a melodic and somber feel to it. And as a violin player myself, any time I hear the strings, it’s like coming home. I’ll be very excited to get back on my violin at some point and play this.

The imagery of the opening credit sequence also tells a story. We see a piece of the sky breaks off like glass, it floats down to the vines in the vineyard, then to the quantum archive, which forms into a borg cube, and the broken piece falls through the cube and forms into fractals, and the pieces float around seemingly becoming like a neuro-pathways which becomes like the iris of an eye, and then it becomes a borg eye maybe, and then the planet Romulus, and finally the cracks form back into Picard’s face. It’s all very beautiful imagery and clearly very deliberate as no doubt all these elements will somehow come into the story that we are seeing. 

And also interesting to note that only Patrick Stewart, Allison Pill, Isa Briones, Harry Treadaway from the main cast are credited, with Brent Spiner as “special guest star”, which means that I guess actors will only appear in the credits if they actually appear in the episode, much like how Discovery season 2 did the same with Shazad Latif and Wilson Cruz, and how Game of Thrones used to do this with their cast members too. So this should make it easy for us to notice which characters will appear in an episode or not.

Now back to the Chateau in France, Picard is walking through the vineyard with Number One and joking with him in French. I’m pretty sure this scene existed to poke fun at the people always saying why is Picard so British if he’s French. So LOL, now he speaks French finally!

We get to meet Laris and Zhaban, two Romulans who seem to live with Picard and basically be his attendants. Some people may not know, but Laris and Zhaban both appear in the Picard Countdown Comics, the three issue comic series shows us their relationship to Picard. Long story short, they are former Tal Shiar agents who broke the rules falling in love and wanted to leave because they wanted to help people instead. They feel indebted to Picard for helping them and sees him as their rescuer/savior. I also thought it was funny that Laris jokes about Number One being “our little assassin”, given what she and Zhaban used to do for a living with the Tal Shiar. 

It is also interesting to note that Laris doesn’t have ridges on her forehead but we do see a slight bit of ridges on Zhaban, making this the first time we see both types of Romulans on screen together. Usually, it’s either one or the other. But it’s nice to see finally some variety even within one species.

Zhaban comments that Laris heard Picard talking in his sleep, Laris notes that he’s not sleeping and wonders if it’s bad dreams, which leads Picard to comment that his dreams are lovely but it’s the waking up that he’s beginning to resent, connecting back to the moment at the beginning of the episode with Data where he says he doesn’t want the game to end. His dreams are happier than his present.

So it seems that Picard has to get ready for an interview, and as he enters, Zhaban says that Number One still won’t take breakfast from him with Picard joking “old dogs”, to which Zhaban replies “which one?” 

The relationship between Laris, Zhaban, and Picard is very well established even in these early scenes. There is an unspoken bond, camaraderie, and care. Even if Picard says sometimes Zhaban treats him as if he was “a benign old codger”. They act like a family, a family that’s found each other since Picard no longer has his old Enterprise crew family anymore. Also Picard is drinking decaf Earl Grey tea.

Now as all three of them are talking though, the news report plays on in the background. I couldn’t make out all the words because of the dialogue on top of it, but it looks like something about disturbances continue across the Alpha and Beta Quadrant due to the commemoration of the destruction of Romulus, so there seems to be some unrest still even to this day about what’s happened. And there is also something about a new Romulan capital, and maybe some three state council or something like it that declared it an interplanetary day of mourning for all citizens. I thought this interesting because we do not really know yet what the state of the rest of the galaxy is feeling about all of this, or how Romulan politics may have changed since then, so this news report is giving a tiny glimpse of the status of the galaxy. It’s good background world building, which is always a good thing, and sometimes Star Trek tends to falter at doing things like this beyond just details about Starfleet and its ships. It’s nice to get a look at the civilian part of life, which is the majority of the galaxy after all.

As the first of the visiting news crew arrives, Laris reminds Picard to not forget to wash his hands, and that ten years and she still has to remind him. She also jokingly calls him “your highness”, which I think it’s a funny nod to both the Romulan culture and also her being aware of herself being a “butler/housekeeper” for Picard as if this was a royalty sort of thing. The ten years mention though seems to point to Laris and Zhaban having stayed with Picard from at least 2389 to current day 2399.

Among the news crew doing set ups is a Tellarite, the first we see on screen in the 24th century outside of just archival footage. There is also a Trill among them as well. It also looks like there is some screen projection thing that does make up touch-ups? Oh man I would love to use one of those instead of having to put on real make-up. I really hate make-up, well, I should clarify that my skin hates make-up, SO MUCH. Someone please invent these screen projection make up things! I need it!

Picard is all dressed up and insisting that he’s not nervous, and asks Zhaban if he went over the terms with the news people and Zhaban says “three times, sir” that they wouldn’t inquire about his separation from Starfleet. Laris says that she thinks sometime he’s forgotten who he is and what he did but they haven’t, and Zhaban reminds him to “be the captain they remember.” These two clearly care about Picard a lot, genuinely. And it’s a really lovely moment as they send him off to this interview. 

It’s kinda of fun to see the intro to his interview is showing off a bunch of TNG promo photos and episode screencaps. I always find this funny because I’m like, wait, there were no cameras there in those moments, how did they get those pictures! 

So we learn in this scene that Picard has never agreed to an interview before until now, and that he’s been writing books on various historical analysis, and that he’s very passionate about working on raising awareness of the lingering impacts of the supernova. It’s clear from the beginning of this scene that the interviewer is looking for something else, that all this stuff they agreed to talk about is not what she actually wants to hear, she very deliberately steers the conversation to things about the Mars attack and why Picard left Starfleet.

Through her, we also start to see the view point of perhaps people who aren’t a part of Starfleet, the civilian side of the galaxy, which she noted that many felt there were better uses for their resources than aiding the Federation’s oldest enemy. And I have no doubt that there were people who did think that. This plays to exactly the sort of sentiment we saw in ENT, when after the Xindi attack, humanity shrank back and started to be xenophobic towards all alien life, not just Xindi. Terra Prime and that whole “Earth First” mentality are all playing again with what we see from this interviewer and her implications. She deliberately pokes at Picard calling for the massive relocation of Romulans. She points to Romulans as an enemy, and she points to the mass number of 900 million Romulan citizens they had to relocate, and how 10,000 warp-capable ferries had to be constructed for the rescue fleet. All of this is clearly a roundabout way of saying that it was a waste of resources, that those resources shouldn’t have been used, and the implication that if they hadn’t build the rescue fleet, then maybe Mars wouldn’t have been targeted and thousands of people wouldn’t have died.

Now, I’ve seen many bad faith takes saying “oh they are making the Federation behave like Nazis!!” or “they are making the Federation into xenophobic racists!!!!” but all of that is disingenuous and ignores what the story actually says. Picard was able to persuade the Federation to help the Romulans, and we know clearly that Spock was also working on the matter to help. The Federation intended to help but only stopped after the rescue fleet was destroyed and thousands upon thousands of people died. There is a HUGE DIFFERENCE between outright refusing to aid and stopping aid after you’re attacked and your rescue fleet got destroyed. There is a HUGE DIFFERENCE between maliciously deciding you don’t want to help someone and just watch them drown, and trying to help but you got injured and you are tired and you gave up.

Of course we all want the Federation to keep going and never give up. Of course we want the Federation to always stand up to its ideals of hope and justice. But giving up when you’re hurt is not the same as outright xenophobia, and it certainly doesn’t make you a Nazi. We KNOW from previous Trek shows AND films that the Federation isn’t perfect, that sometimes the Federation makes mistakes, and even has a hard time letting go of grudges and prejudices. I’ve said it many times before, utopias are pretty to look like but they don’t just magically grow out of a vacuum, a perfect world needs work. The moment you become complacent and you don’t put in the effort, a utopia can easily fail. Hell, in this very moment, we are seeing exactly how democracy CAN fail if we don’t work hard to maintain it. And I get it, some people are mad about political allegories, some people are mad that the perfect utopia of escapism isn’t happening. But Star Trek has always held up a mirror to our own world, it has always pointed out our own failings and how we can be better. And THIS is no different. The Federation gave up and shrunk from its duties, yes. They gave into grief, pain, and fear. But it does not mean they are evil. It is telling us that very same thing. We are not evil if we give into fear, but we can also be better, and do better. The world isn’t just magically built, democracy didn’t just happen one day out of the blue, we worked at it, even if it’s sometimes one step forward and two steps back. 

Anyways, as we go on with this interview, there’s the bit where the interviewer says it’s only “Romulan lives” at stake and Picard counters her with “No. Lives.” Picard’s very powerful statement that we are all lives, doesn’t matter Romulan or not, is something that is necessary to say not just in the context of the plot, but also in the context of our current society. Right now in this very world we live in, people of color, people from minority groups, are all being dehumanized and otherized, and a populace is basically being fed propaganda hating on people not like them, dismissing people not like them, and somehow forgetting that we are all living breathing beings. So what if our skin pigmentation are different? So what if we speak different languages or have different cultures or beliefs or love different people? We are all still breathing, still living. And this continued otherization has only caused more harm to not only the groups being oppressed, but also to all of us as a species. And yes, I know some people don’t want to hear it, they don’t want “leftist politics” in their Star Trek, but this message has been the same message that Star Trek has been sending out for over half a century. You understood it as kids, you took all that in, so where along the way in your growth did you forget that message?

As Picard stated, lives were at stake and the Federation and Starfleet understood that, they had all those ships out there in the shipyards because they had every intention to help. And if not for the attack on Mars, it would have happened. If 92,143 lives weren’t lost, and 10,000 warp capable ferries weren’t gone, they would have been ready to help. Instead the galaxy mourned, and Starfleet and the Federation withdrew because they too were licking their wounds. 

The interviewer compared this logistical feat to the Pyramids, which Picard calls vanity. He points out Dunkirk, the rescue of 400,000 troops on the beaches done through calling in civilian boats. And it’s a more than apt comparison. 

We learn that the planetary defense shields were dropped, and Mars’ defense net was hacked, all of this indicates that I think something more than just the synths themselves were involved. Picard says they still don’t know why the synths went rogue. So I think that the synths were nothing more than someone’s means to an end. Either someone in the Federation wanted a reason for the Federation to pull back from helping Romulus, or Romulans from the Tal Shiar wanted to prevent the Federation from helping because they didn’t want to be indebted to Starfleet and the Federation. Whatever it is, it’s covert, and the synths were just the scapegoats for the attack. 

And as if the 9/11 analogy isn’t more complete, we know the Mars attack was the reason that synthetic life-forms are now banned. And just to give it some sort of scale that we can understand, it is said that 2,977 victims died from 9/11, the attack on Mars had casualties at least 30 times that of 9/11. Not to mention the shipyard and all the vessels. It would have shaken the Federation, and especially those on Earth, to their core. The fact that the interviewer points out that Mars is still on fire to this day is another thing to note of the effect that is still lingering, much like how 9/11 still is a collective trauma for those who lived through it, even to this day.

Now we see the interview becoming more and more heated, in many ways, the interviewer bringing up Data and asking if Picard lost faith in him, to which Picard says “never”. And we also know that Picard thinks that banning synthetic life-forms was a mistake. The interviewer finally gets to what she clearly wants to ask, why he left Starfleet and what was it that he lost faith in. And Picard answers that he left because “it was no longer Starfleet”, he angrily states that Starfleet had slunk from its duties, and that the decision to call off the rescue was not just dishonorable because they had sworn to help, but also downright criminal, and he wasn’t going to be a spectator about it. 

Now, there is something interesting in this moment that I don’t see mentioned much, and it’s that you see Zhaban and Laris watching the interview, and they hold hands. This is clearly something that hurts them too. You can see the emotions on their faces. And while this interview is focused on Picard, we should not forget that this matters to them too. This was Laris and Zhaban’s home that was destroyed, probably people they knew too that died, their families and friends. They are watching an interview that is not just disparaging their race but also discounting the meaning of their lives. And this moment will speak to anyone who has been part of any oppressed groups seeing themselves dehumanized by their lives being an “other”. Picard is standing up not just for Romulans or synthetics, but he is also standing up directly for the two of them, two refugees who have lost everything except each other. It’s a small moment, but it really meant a lot to me watching it, because I understood those feelings. And it made me connect to Laris and Zhaban so much more as characters.

Picard at this point is ready to tear into the interviewer, stating that she has no idea what Dunkirk is, because she’s a stranger to history and stranger to war. And how it isn’t easy for those who died and those who were left behind. Now this moment is very powerful, and clearly the meaning of this scene is meant to be also calling us as viewers to realize how much of our own history that we are a stranger to, and how forgetting that history is the reason we get into the sort of messes that we have today. And I am sure that the writers and director didn’t intend for this to be viewed as anything other than Picard giving all of us a lesson. However, as is with the case of the Xahean boyfriend who died, it is noticeable that it is a white man lecturing a black woman about history. Of course, in universe this isn’t an issue, and as with the issue from before, this is no doubt them wanting to cast actors of color in as many roles as possible, and this is a big scene to have with Picard so of course they cast a brilliant actress for it. But nonetheless it is something noticed, and I think if people make a criticism of that, I would understand, even if I understand also that this is clearly not the intention of the writers or the director.

By the way, the interviewer’s name is credited as Richter, which is a german word meaning “judge”, though I was reminded of the richter scale for earthquakes, and giving she looked to be causing her own little earthquakes during this interview, and being a judge in many ways, both meanings are appropriate.

Finally, Picard walks away from the interview, and this interview is going down, we see Dahj walking in the rain, seeing Picard on the screens nearby doing the interview and recognizing him. 

There is also a sign in that scene that says “behold the future, preview next year’s padd tech today” so I guess even in the future, we still get new tech updates like those Apple iPhone conferences and whatnot.

We get a “commercial break” and we’re back at the Chateau. Picard is sitting with Number One quoting "there is no legacy as rich as honesty” from Shakespeare's All’s Well That Ends Well. Number One barks at Dahj approaching, runs over, but seems okay with her. Picard wants to know what she’s doing here and Dahj says she saw his interview and wants to know if he knows her. He does a “what????” expression that kind of made me chuckle because I can just see the question marks in his head. He’s just so confused.

Now there is an interesting thing to note here, Dahj immediately comments “you’re not sure, how do I know that?”, as if she is reading his mind somehow. So could this mean she has some sort of mind reading abilities too? Or is it just that she can read people really well?

Dahj describes all the things that’s happened, saying that her abilities came to her like “lightning seeking the ground” and she’s clearly very upset. Picard, who has every reason to turn away someone who could be rather alarming, instead takes her hands and tries to calm her down. I’ll expand on this later in another scene, but the kindness that he immediately has towards Dahj’s situation is just such a good thing. Compassion is something so lacking right now in the world, and having him being kind to her and not push her away even though he doesn’t know her, is so important. And when Dahj says “everything inside of me says that I’m safe with you”, we the audience certainly believes that.

We cut to Laris healing up Dahj’s cut, and Zhaban puts a blanket on her. Again, showing how kind these two people are, and the caring and kindness that surrounds Picard. No wonder Dahj feels safe. Picard gives her Earl Grey tea and says it “never fails”. The whole scene that follows is just a really sweet and lovely scene of two people connecting. Picard never treating her as if she isn’t to be believed. She asks him if he’s been a stranger to himself, and he answers “many, many times”, which we have seen throughout TNG. If anyone knows how Dahj is feeling, it is Picard. And I love that he connects with her, never dismissing her feelings.

Picard also comments on Dahj’s necklace, saying it was unusual. Dahj said that her father gave it to her. Now some have wondered why it would be an unusual necklace as it doesn’t look unusual, but I don’t know, I guess it looked kinda strange to me. Or maybe Picard recognized the symbol from somewhere and thought it was strange. Dahj says she doesn’t just know Picard because he’s famous, but she knows him from something older and deeper, and Picard says she may be right, clearly feeling like maybe he does know her from somewhere. He again reiterates that he believes her, joking that if she were dangerous, Number One would let him know.

Laris takes Dahj to her room, and she thanks Picard before she goes, clearly very grateful for someone believing in her. Dahj does leave the necklace behind on the table, which Picard looks at.

Next day, he opens up the window and nobody is working. I realized at this point immediately it must be another dream sequence and sure enough Data is in the fields painting. Both him and Picard are in their TNG era uniforms, and Data asks if Picard wants to finish the painting which has no face and is a hooded figure standing overlooking an ocean. Picard says he doesn’t know how, but Data says that’s not true. The moment Picard takes the brush, he’s awoken by the clock, and he immediately turns around to look at the painting behind him hanging up on the wall, which is almost exactly the painting from the dream, only the head is turned away. Obviously his dreams are a way for him to work out things he’s busy thinking about when he’s awake. God if only my dreams work out life’s problems for me. It would be so useful!

Laris comes in to say that Dahj is gone. Now this scene is logistically a little bit oddly placed. I don’t know when Picard wakes up from his dream, but it doesn’t look like 5am. And Laris comes in rather calmly to tell Picard that Dahj is gone, so did Laris just get up at 5am, saw Dahj gone, and went about her day until Picard woke up? Now Picard could have woken up just minutes before too. They just didn’t exactly make it explicitly clear. She did note that Dahj’s door was open, Number One was on her bed but she was gone, and they checked the feeds and she’s not on the property.

Picard, who now has an idea of what to look for, says he has to go but for them to contact him if Dahj returns.

We then change locations to Starfleet Archives, which uses the same museum symbol that the Star Trek Tour folks have. So that’s a nice little touch, nodding to the fans. It’s really sweet. Star Trek Tour is canon now! :D

Now at this moment when we see Picard approaching the archives, the Jerry Goldsmith theme from the Motion Picture plays a little in the background. Again, a beautiful addition from Jeff Russo knowing exactly where to add in the music to make everything feel perfect.

Picard is with a program called Index, who seems to keep an eye on the quantum archive. Picard wants to be sure that his archive is locked in stasis and no one has access, Index makes a joke about selling tickets with Picard noting the humor and saying “don’t give up your day job”. I love funny snarky holograms. 

We then see Picard going into his archive and this is certainly a room full of easter eggs, so I’ll just note the items I saw and double checked with Memory Alpha to make sure I had the correct names:

USS Stargazer model

USS Enterprise D and E models

Captain’s yacht from Enterprise E model

Kurlan naiskos – ceramic figurine statue made by Kurlan civilization – gift from former mentor Richard Galen?

TNG era Bat’leth and D’k tahg

Captain Picard Day banner

Picard’s edition of The Globe Illustrated Shakespeare: The Complete Works, usually seen in his ready room/quarters – book is opened to first two pages of Act III of All’s Well That Ends Well – quote from earlier

It was noted from the Ready Room aftershow with Hanelle Culpepper and Michael Chabon (the showrunner), that the Captain Picard Day banner is an interesting way to tell the story of Picard’s change. He used to not like that day at all, and now he keeps that memento as if to remind himself that he maybe should have had more of those moments, showing a bit of his regret.

We get some updated LCARS, which the Picard production crew did give a shoutout to Mike Okuda on twitter. It’s always great to see these original designs get a little update with the times. It’s got more muted colors, which I quite like. And also, the object that covers the painting and retracts back is similar to the mechanical hood device that they used in the Ask Not Short Trek that Pike wore.

Index notes that this painting, which we see has Dahj’s face, is item 227.67, painted by Data in 2369, one of a set of two, gifted to Picard on the Enterprise, and the other is hanging on the wall at the Chateau. And the title of the painting is called Daughter. This confirming that Dahj somehow is Data’s daughter, which makes sense given her resemblance to Lal.

Picard asks Index to be sure that no one has been in the archive, not even for servicing. This means that no one else could have known Dahj’s face unless they were someone who actually knew Data or somehow had access to Data.

Back in France, Dahj seems to be hiding in an alleyway. She contacts her mom who tells her to get somewhere safe. Dahj notes that she did tried but she couldn’t stay because she didn’t want to put anyone else in danger. Her mom says she has to go back to Picard, Dahj frowns because her mom couldn’t have known. We see the image of the Mom glitching somehow? At this moment we don’t know if she’s a hologram or a memory or maybe a person who is being used or coerced? Her mom insists for her to find Picard and that he can and will help her. I can’t be sure if the mom is good or not, but her insisting that she goes to Picard does seem like she wants Dahj to be safe. So maybe the mom is also Dahj’s own defense mechanism? A program that makes sure she stays on course and doesn’t stray? The mom tells Dahj to close her eyes and focus, as if giving her directions on what to do. Next we see that the transmission has terminated and Dahj pulls up new information to find Picard’s location.

We also note that in her call list of favorites, there’s Soji’s name too, which connects to the later scene we see.

Back at the Starfleet Archives again, Picard sees Dahj and is clearly relieved that she’s okay. Dahj points out that she knew how to track him here, “I know stuff now, I can hear conversations a block away.” She then tries to insist that she did research and that she must have schizophrenia or something. Picard says she doesn’t have that and tries to assure her that she isn’t a freak, and instead that she may be very special. He starts telling her about Data, and you can hear the emotions in his voice about what Data meant. Dahj doesn’t know why Picard is telling her that and Picard gently tries to let Dahj know that she may be like Data and that the attack may have acted like a positronic alarm bell. But Dahj doesn’t react well to that, comparing synthetics to the ones who attacked Mars, even at one point calling synths “soulless murder machines”. We can see from Dahj’s comments that resent and fear still exists in the Federation towards android/synthetic life-forms, which from what we know, the attack was only about 10 years ago, so it would still be rather fresh on everyone’s minds.

Picard tells Dahj that Data painted her over 30 years ago, she still tries to resist, stating that she’s from Seattle and that her dad was a xenobotanist who spliced two genuses and named the offspring after her. Dahj clearly feels like she’s losing her sense of self if she is not real, but Picard tells her that her beautiful memories are hers and that no one can touch it or take it away. Picard’s insistent kindness and compassion are just SO VERY IMPORTANT. It is not always in entertainment media that we get these unabashedly kind characters, especially with male characters. And sometimes I think Star Trek is the only kind of show where truly kind and loving male characters are allowed to thrive because that’s the world we expect it to be. But even so, having characters like Picard, an older white male in a place of authority, still being so kind and caring and willing to help people instead of judging them, is important. Because this allows younger generations watching this to have someone good to be their role model, to teach and instill in them that kindness is what you need to have more of in this world. I am especially thankful that new Trek has been able to bring forth these kinds of kind characters, and especially white male characters. We see it with Picard, and we saw it with Christopher Pike in Discovery season 2. Both of these characters’ kindness is what allows others to not only feel safe, but allow people a place to grow and learn, and to have people standing in their corner even when they feel alone. That sense of safety and love, like having a safety blanket over you, is so essential to characters that are eschewing the toxic masculinity that is often very prevalent in entertainment media these days. In many ways, Star Trek, through Picard and Pike, are pointedly stating that men, especially white men, being kind and understanding, is not something to be belittled or dismissed, but rather important things because kindness is its own super power, and it’s with that kindness and love that they can stand up to institutions’ whose ideals have gone astray. Picard standing up to Starfleet is really no different than the scene of Pike calling out Starfleet’s use of drones and stating that “giving up our values in the name of security is to lose the battle in advance.” 

Principled and kind lead white male characters are what we need more of these days. 

Picard insists to Dahj that she was “lovingly and deliberately created” and that “You are dear to me in ways that you can’t understand, I will never leave you.” And adding that they will go to Okinawa to the Daystrom Institute and get this all figured out. He brightens up when Dahj mentions her having been accepted into the institute, happy for her even if Dahj is no longer happy anymore after all that’s happened. Picard reminds her “You are the daughter of a man who was all meaning, all courage, be like him”

This whole thing of him talking about Data to Dahj is just really emotional, you can see how much he wants to protect her, and how he genuinely means it that he will not leave her. And you can sense the guilt that still clings to him about Data dying for him.

Of course, nice moment again gets interrupted by Romulan assassins, because Romulans just love to ruin your nice moments. Dahj notices someone coming after them and runs with Picard, who can’t really keep up with her. They get to the roof and the assassins start shooting. Dahj tells Picard to stay down and gets on with some serious ass kicking. Again, as I said earlier, this whole fight scene is just so well done. The action is steady that you know exactly what is happening at all time and what she is doing and who she is fighting. You’re not lost, it’s not shaky and blurry. 

One of the assassins gets his helmet taken off and as he falls down the stairs, Picard notices that they are Romulan. Another assassin gets knocked over a railing but seems to beam away. Dahj is about to shoot another one when this assassin bites down on a capsule and spews out some kind of liquid acid which gets on the gun and on Dahj’s face and her clothing. She and Picard exchanged a horrified look, she screams and Picard tries to reach for her as the energy gun blows up and Picard is knocked back and blacks out.

Now this moment was certainly a surprise. Through all the marketing, they kept talking about Dahj being the mysterious girl, they never mentioned someone else, so we just always thought it was one character. And I remember looking at the trailers and thinking, did Dahj get out of the cube and run to Picard and then gets taken back to the cube somehow and Picard has to go get her again? But it looks like they were just hiding the surprise of the twins in plain sight and we just didn’t have the information to realize it until now. Dahj’s death is certainly very tragic. Though I don’t know you could call it fridging a female character given that she was always meant to be a catalyst role so they could get to saving her sister? I’m not sure, simply because the story is set up in this way and I’m not sure it would work as well if they told it another way simply just to avoid character death. But perhaps someone would disagree.

But we get back to the Chateau where Picard wakes up after having numerous flashes of previous scenes that’s happened. We see Laris and Zhaban worriedly leaning over him as he’s laid up on the couch. He’s got a bad knock but other than that he’s okay. Picard reveals that Dahj is dead and Zhaban and Laris are surprised because the police didn’t mention her. They only said that Picard was alone when they found him on the roof. There was no one else on the security but him running. Zhaban suggests Dahj could have had a cloaking device and that’s why she wasn’t seen on their property feed either, and Picard thinks it may have activated automatically. So this explains why Dahj couldn’t be seen. But this doesn’t necessarily explain why even the Romulan assassins weren’t seen either or why the police said he was found alone. Which means that between the time the police found him, someone, possibly Romulans, could have wiped all the traces of what happened, and maybe even administered some healing stuff on Picard. OR as some have suggested, it could be that the Federation police could be involved in it, maybe it is some massive cover up. Maybe the Federation is infiltrated somehow by Romulan agents. This certainly wouldn’t be unusual tactics for the Tal Shiar, and we know even back in Discovery, the Klingons made one of them look like a human just so he could be a sleeper agent. So there’s no reason to not think that Romulans couldn’t do the same. 

Picard tells Zhaban and Laris that Dahj was a synthetic and that the assassins were Romulans, which surprises both of them, given that they are Romulans, can’t be easy to hear their people are up to something shady. Of course Laris and Zhaban wants him to rest and that he’s done a lot for everyone. But Picard delivers a really powerful and brilliant line that really explains a lot of things.

He says: “Sitting here, after all these years, nursing my offended dignity, writing books of history people prefer to forget, I never asked anything of myself at all. I haven’t been living, I’ve been waiting to die.”

If you look back to the interview when the interviewer asks him why he left Starfleet, that he left in protest, and how angry he got. I think Picard left Starfleet to try to force their hand to help, essentially doing a last desperate bid of if you want me then you better go help these people. And Starfleet basically called his bluff and let him go. That is the “offended dignity” that he’s been nursing. That he tried to do something, using his reputation and importance, and Starfleet basically said, yeah okay, you can go then. I think, more than just Starfleet and the Federation deciding to withdraw, he felt a personal betrayal. The organization that he had given everything to didn’t even bother to fight for its ideals or fight to hold onto him, they gave up on their ideals and they gave up on him, so therefore, he lost faith in them as well. And all this time he’s been wallowing in anger, guilt, and essentially being the spectator that he said he didn’t want to be. He’s been wallowing in self pity, and in that moment, he’s realized that’s not what he wants to do, he’s not going to just slink away from his duties like Starfleet did, he’s now going to do something about it.

We then go to a new location, finally the Daystrom Institute on screen for the first time, in Okinawa. There is this little orbital station in the sky, it looked like one of those stations from The Girl Who Made The Stars Short Trek that young Michael and her dad were on.

Picard meets up with Dr. Agnes Jurati, and asks if it’s possible to make a sentient android out of flesh and blood, she laughs. I find her to be very adorable, a quirky scientist type but not entirely socially awkward, so it’s not the full on nerd girl trope. Once she realizes that he’s serious, she tells him that “even before the ban, a flesh and blood android was in our sights, but a sentient one, not for a thousand years”. She also notes that a sentient synthetic inside and out was the grand slam they were hoping for.

She leads Picard into the Federation’s Division of Advanced Synthetic Research – now a ghost town - because the Androids that attacked Mars came from this very lab - so now they can only operate theoretically – study, publish, run simulations, but they can’t make anything because it would be a violation of galactic treaty.

Jurati shows the drawer containing B-4 to Picard, says he was an inferior copy of Data, but noting that Data tried to download the contents of his neural net into B-4 before his death, almost all of it was lost. Note that she said ALMOST all of it. Which means that they did have some pieces of Data to create things from him. She also brings up Bruce Maddox, whom we saw in the TNG episode “The Measure of a Man”, and despite him trying to get Data to be declared property, we know that he and Data did keep in contact afterwards. Jurati says that Maddox recruited her out of Starfleet, and apparently they came close to create other synths like Data before Data died, and then when they got shut down, it crushed Maddox and he disappeared after the ban.

Now, I suspect that someone may have taken Maddox, and maybe used him to somehow get the synths to go rogue and attack Mars. Maybe even got him to somehow bring down the defense nets. And maybe Maddox could have even created Dahj and her sister Soji for whoever is controlling him as well? Agnes does say that if they had Data’s neural net, then making a flesh and blood body is relative simple, but Picard says Data’s neurons died with him, and thus Jurati says that’s why she kept telling Picard it wasn’t possible to create any other synths. Picard then shows Jurati the necklace from Dahj, and Jurati recognizes that the symbol is for fractal neuronic cloning, an idea of Maddox’s where the theory was that Data’s entire code, even his memories, could be reconstituted from a single positronic neuron. 

So given that Jurati said they almost lost all of Data, I assume Maddox took that bit of Data they still had from B-4 and somehow got his theory to work to make Dahj and her sister, modeled from Data’s painting. 

Picard learns that the cloning would be created in pairs, twins, realizing that there is another one. And showing us who were surprised at Dahj’s death that the rest of the season must be with the sister instead.

I’m still not entirely sure if Jurati knows something more about what’s going or not. I also don’t know if maybe she helped Maddox create the twins? It’s possible but maybe she is also just a good person and I’m being way too suspicious. But who knows. Anything is possible. TV is making it hard for me to trust people.

Then we get this beautiful transition shot from Dahj’s necklace symbol to a similar shaped rings of light in space as a new looking Romulan warbird flies through space and reaches the Romulan Reclamation Site.

We get the first shot of Narek walking through some smoke with purpose as the Romulan theme from TOS episode “Balance of Terror” plays on in the background like the Imperial March every time with Darth Vader. I LOVE this newly updated rendition. Honestly, someone please give Jeff Russo some awards because his music in this episode is just SO SPOT ON!

Narek is clearly the president of the Romulan division of the Emo Spock Fashion Fan Club? I’m just waiting for him to actually be Spock’s secret son with some Romulan, I mean, we know Spock was on Romulus for a time. And Narek sound close to Sarek. (I’m secretly hoping for this because it would just be hilarious to me!)

He meets with Doctor Soji Asha, Dahj’s twin. I noted that Dahj sounds like an Indian name perhaps? And Soji is a Japanese name. Which seem to be appropriate given that actress Isa Briones is also Asian, being part Filipino, and having spoken about Asian representation in entertainment. 

Narek comments on her necklace, which Soji says her father made it, one for her and one for her sister. There was some confusion as to if only Soji knew about her having a sister, but as the earlier call list from Dahj shows, she knew about Soji too. They clearly just held it back from showing it for this reveal. Narek says he had a brother and they were really close but that he lost him last year very unexpectedly. I have a feeling we will get to see what went on with that, or maybe we even know who his brother may be? I originally thought it was Elnor, but I don’t think it works with what we know about both characters, as Elnor was said to have been raised by female warrior monks? So the “last year” comment wouldn’t work for timeline purposes. So the brother is likely someone else who died in 2398, again I don’t know this may be a character we know from any other of the older Trek shows.

He’s clearly trying to flirt with her and get close to her. He also notes that she spends her day fixing “broken people”, so is she fixing Borg survivors or androids or maybe both? We do see in the this season promo of her with Hugh somehow, and other people who look like they got implants, so are the Romulans kidnapping Borg survivors and trying to use them to make androids or something?

Anyways, Narek seem to succeed in ingratiating himself to Soji, looking like they’ll be spending some time together. And the camera then pulls back to reveal the site is in a Borg cube. Meanwhile, that beautiful Romulan theme comes back and plays til the end of the episode.

There’s a “this season on” promo that I’ll probably talk about maybe in a separate post. But YAY we have reached the end of this LONG analysis. If you’ve managed to get through all of it. I commend you and thank you for reading my ramblings.

This episode was a really solid start, setting up great characters and mystery, and reminding us why we love Jean-Luc Picard.

I can’t wait to see where the story will take us next and meet the rest of the cast!!!!!!!!

[scratchface]

Ryoken and Playmaker’s Identity

Anon asked: “Hope it’s okay to ask. I find your analysis very interesting. How do you think Ryoken felt when he learned about Playmaker’s identity? What of his feelings when Yusaku told him they lived in the same world? And the recent development between him and Yusaku. Despite being rivals, Yusaku still sees him as his special person. How do you think Ryoken copes with that?”

Sorry this took so long! Let’s right down to it!

So at first, Revolver really didn’t care who Playmaker is, whether he managed to do what they couldn’t or not. He thought Playmaker was just another person that had a grudge against the Knights of Hanoi, because there are apparently quite a lot. And considering that most of the organization was just a means to an end, Ryoken felt like Playmaker and whatever he held against them was unimportant. Ryoken is always keeping the bigger picture in mind at this point; he’ll do whatever it takes to destroy the Ignis, no matter who gets hurt. The grievances of other people can’t compare with the big bad threat against humanity!

But as the duels go on, he gets more interested. Right up until Yusaku says “three things”.

Rev gasps then. As far as I know, this is the first moment we see Revolver have such a genuine reaction to anything since closing the Cyberse. Before this, it was all smirks and mocking and disregard. He’s caught off-guard, and you can see it on his face. He goes through a lot of emotions: surprise, disbelief, dismay, and then anger.

He seems betrayed. Even jumps to the assumption that Playmaker is helping SOL, even when he has evidence to the contrary. He’s angry and irrational in this moment, like he’s been hurt. More than his loss, this is what seems to hurt him most. Playmaker “choosing” SOL over him. Revolver perceives this as a sort of rejection, and feels wronged by it. Playmaker, as some nobody, hating Hanoi and “helping” SOL didn’t bother him in the slightest. But Playmaker, as the child he saved, hating Hanoi hits Ryoken hard. 

When Kogami interferes, he snaps out of it. He recollects himself, and gets back into character as “Revolver”. Here we see Ryoken’s faith in “fate” kicking back in, and he retreats, knowing that this isn’t the end of the matter.

Upon his return, we see Ryoken scowling in the hall. He’s failed, lost an arm, and someone important to him has turned against him. This is the first time we’ve ever seen Revolver look so frustrated outside of the duel with Playmaker. He didn’t even make this kind of troubled expression when the Ignis they’d been hunting for ten years was captured by an enemy.

Kogami is right about Ryoken being shaken by the mention of the incident, but he seems to think that it is just because Yusaku is one of the victims, not a particular victim. It doesn’t seem like Kogami knows about his son talking with Yusaku during the incident. This may seem like a small detail, but it does suggest that Ryoken has been hiding everything in regards to his relationship with one of the test subjects from his father since the beginning. For someone who admires is father as much as Ryoken, who even compares his father to the gods, that Ryoken feels he needs to hide this tells us a lot about its relevance to his “mistake”: ending the Hanoi Project. Ryoken doesn’t want to bring up the victims, or at least one particular victim, around his father. We’ll get back to that later. 

Meanwhile, Ryoken still seems to be in shock. His initial anger and betrayal givens way to doubt and disbelief. It seems rather like he doesn’t want to just accept it, but the evidence is right there and he can’t ignore it. He stands there processing it, taken aback by this turn of events. It’s pretty clear that Ryoken never saw this coming. Maybe because he reached out to Yusaku, or because Spectre came back, but either way, it doesn’t look like Ryoken was prepared for Yusaku to ever come back and challenge them. Who knows what he thought and hoped Yusaku was doing instead, but is seems he never even once considered the possibility. 

But once he does process it and accept, Ryoken almost seems…okay with it? Not exactly resigned, not exactly glad, but he accepts it thoroughly. I believe what he feels from then on is a sort of kinship with Yusaku. Yusaku hasn’t been able to move on from what happened in their childhood either, Yusaku is still fighting, Yusaku can’t and won’t forget what happened—all those things seem very important to Ryoken. 

Ryoken maybe even appreciates it, is grateful Yusaku hasn’t moved on. I think for Ryoken, Yusaku is proof that he’s not alone either. The two of them share a destiny. Ryoken clings to his father’s expectations of him, to be the savior of humanity, but every “hero” needs a “villain”, and I think part of Ryoken was relieved to find one in Yusaku. No doubt, this emotion intersected with Yusaku’s confession about living in the same world, because Ryoken knows all about feeling like you can only walk one path forward, about feeling isolated and trapped. 

He uses his faith in destiny to cope with Yusaku being Playmaker, his “arch nemesis”, and he uses Playmaker to cope with what he sees as his “destiny”. The two feed into each other as Ryoken tries to keep himself together in the face of what the future holds, resulting in the obsession we see for the rest of the series.

The Knights of Hanoi have two plans to save humanity:

Plan A: Find Playmaker, take back the Dark Ignis, locate the Cyberse, and destroy it. Vyra makes the Another Virus to lure Playmaker out, the Generals all get comatized and trapped in the network (and they actually do uncover Playmaker’s identity, but we’ll get to that.)

Plan B: Nuke the Internet with the Tower, destroying the Cyberse and everything else. 

They only need one plan to work, and Ryoken favors Plan A for all the wrong reasons.

If the program activated, Kogami would be a dead man all over again. But it seems like Ryoken was already resigned to this, as his main concern is not the impending death of his father or the thousands of others being placed in the line of fire, but finding Playmaker, the child from all the way back then. That in and of itself reveals a lot of the depth behind Ryoken’s feelings about Playmaker. However you chose to interpret the nature of those feelings, I think a good word for them is: all-consuming. Revolver is right when he pegs it as an obsession. He’s desperate to find the one from ten years ago again, just like Yusaku is.

Ryoken wants to settle things with Playmaker, but that doesn’t require knowing his identity. In fact, those two things never intersect in the first season at all: even after learning Yusaku’s identity, it’s not like Ryoken uses it to get him to duel him. He doesn’t do anything with it at all. They seem to be entirely separate goals that just regard the same person. He wants to know who the child from back then is. He wants to defeat Playmaker. 

Moving on to the final identity reveal, we have the Smile.

I made a post ages back about this scene and the implications it had both on its original airing and in hindsight post S1. And I think the conclusion I came to then is still on point: Ryoken doesn’t smile because he intends to use Yusaku’s identity to defeat the Ignis, he smiles because he final knows who Playmaker, the sixth test subject, really is. His curiosity is satisfied.

Is he happy to see that the child he saved had a chance to grow up? I think so. The smile above seems to say “Well damn, it really is you” or something along those lines. Triumphant, I suppose.

He goes down to Kusanagi’s truck and looks at them, monitors his enemies even though it nets him no information on them, or at least, no information he ever uses against them.

Did Ryoken go all the way down, just to see them? Based on the evidence, that’s the only assumption that can be made.  

At this time, Plan A could have been a complete success, and the Tower would never have needed to activate at all, if Ryoken just used Yusaku’s identity like everyone intended for him to. His family could be saved, and no one else would have to get hurt, except for Yusaku. 

Problem being, after his initial reaction of dismay, Ryoken almost seems pleased that Yusaku has come back. And they still haven’t settled things. Once more, we have to acknowledge that Ryoken’s desire to duel Playmaker was completely separate from his desire to know his identity, even if he never verbally drew a distinction between the two. The two goals never intersected at all, but all the others (and us the viewers) just assumed they did.

Ryoken even acknowledges how messed up his priorities have become, but he still can’t overcome it. 

But with the identity loose end finally tied up, Ryoken can focus on the Tower of Hanoi. Before he found out Playmaker was one of the victims, his father was the one asking for more time.

Afterwards, its Ryoken asking to delay. 

Going with Plan B, they ditched Plan A, even though they had everything they needed to make it a success. But of course, Ryoken hides this from his father, blatantly lying to his face about knowing Playmaker’s identity. At this moment, whether he understood it or not, Ryoken essentially chose Yusaku over his father. Between Yusaku and Kogami, Ryoken pretty much decided which one of them was going to live and which one was going to die with this lie. Had he told the truth, Kogami would not need to sacrifice himself for their plan, no matter how accepting of his own impending death he was. 

Just like ten years before, when Ryoken unwittingly chose the six children over his father, he makes the same decision all over again, but for drastically different reasons. And once more, he regrets it when his father is killed all over again, as he finally comes to understand that his actions once more have consequences on his family. 

He despairs, and decides to make it right by killing Yusaku, Ai, and himself. 

The Tower of Hanoi duel is Ryoken’s lowest moment. He’s going to kill everyone he cares about for his father’s mission and as his “punishment” for once more betraying his father’s expectations of him. 

And then Yusaku saves his life. His father is dead, the Tower failed, and there’s nothing he or anyone else can do about it. Ryoken takes months, seemingly, to pull himself back together from this blow, and at the end of it, his feelings about Yusaku are even more complicated. Ryoken has always had the tendency to blame himself before he blames others, so it’s not surprising he doesn’t seem to blame Yusaku for Kogami’s death. 

Their relationship changes a lot in the wake of Ryoken’s return. As the only remaining leader of Hanoi and the one entrusted with stopping the actually very dangerous Ignis, he’s finally managed to fix his priorities. Instead of living like his life is on a timer and he has to duel Playmaker now, he is able to focus on the matter at hand and wait for a better time to take on his “fated enemy”. And even more so, he seems to have no intentions of putting either of their lives on the line over a conflict between them again. Rather than struggle further to prove to himself that he doesn’t care about the six victims, Ryoken seems to have finally accepted that their lives matter to him, and that there’s nothing wrong with that. He’s no longer trying to deny that he cares, and instead trying to navigate the best way to show it (as opposed to denying it and denying it until his whole family is “dead” and things have spiraled massively out of control). He doesn’t alway succeed, nor does he always show it gracefully, as the “duel” with Takeru showed, but he’s trying. Those aren’t easy emotions to navigate, and it’s not always easy to say the right thing to people that are hurting or do right by them, but Ryoken isn’t just taking responsibility for his mistakes anymore. He’s trying to take responsibility for his own emotions and the role he played, good or bad, in the six victim’s lives. He found out about Windy’s Origin, he was apparently monitoring Jin’s facility, he created a program to protect Yusaku. Ryoken knows he’s invested in the victims.

Ryoken is really bad at Emotions, as the first season made abundantly clear, and caring about people. His father really messed him up, and the repercussions of that still linger in his behavior. But he’s taking care not to put others at risk anymore, he’s trying to navigate complex priorities better.

Of course, he’s not going to let others know that so easily. Ryoken is proud, and still very much intends to defeat Playmaker, and he’s taken steps to make sure Yusaku understands that. Instead of giving Yusaku false hope that he’s given up on destroying Ai by, Ryoken is up front about what comes after. 

To Yusaku’s face Ryoken acts rather condescending and disdainful, but behind Yusaku’s back he acts like this what talking about Yusaku:

He still holds Yusaku in the highest regard: he talks about Yusaku with more respect and admiration than he does with anyone, even his father. He believes in Yusaku, and seemingly, in their destiny. 

Ryoken does care, and he has changed, but he’s not done changing yet. He’s far from the desperate teenager that almost got thousands of people killed he was in the season 1 finale. He’s not trying to hurt anyone anymore, and knows it. He has resolved the conflict of interest that drove everything off the rails before and sent him to the brink: having to defeat Playmaker but so obviously not wanting to endanger Yusaku further.

Don’t get me wrong, he very much still regards Yusaku as his final obstacle. I think what Ryoken really seeks in regards to Yusaku is closure on everything that happened with his father and the Hanoi Project. Yusaku/Playmaker is the result of his mistakes, a representation and embodiment of everything he regrets. Both a dangerous enemy and a powerful ally of his own making, which is why Ryoken thinks he’s the one that must fight Playmaker. Only by either accepting Yusaku or defeating him will Ryoken ever really be able to move past his guilt and regrets.

...This got so long I don’t even know if I answered the question anymore...my head is swimming with screenshots of alien cyber terrorist boy...

[thecomicsnexus]

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #196-200 SEPTEMBER 1979 - JANUARY 1980 BY MARV WOLFMAN, STAN LEE, AL MILGROM, JIM MOONEY, FRANK GIACOIA, BOB SHAREN, KEITH POLLARD, BEN SEAN, SAL BUSCEMA, GLYNIS WEIN AND GEORGE ROUSSOS

SYNOPSIS (FROM MARVEL DATABASE)

Peter Parker has received a telegram from the Restwell Retirement home informing him that his Aunt May had passed away. Racing there as Spider-Man and changing back into Peter, Parker confronts the administrator Dr. Reinhardt thinking it is all a mistake. Peter's heart sinks when he finds out there was no mistake at all when Reinhardt shows Peter a casket with a seemingly dead Aunt May inside. Leaving and walking the streets of New York, Peter thinks back to all the tragedy that has struck his loved ones, and how many have died since he became Spider-Man.

Meanwhile, at the Daily Bugle, the increasingly irrational J. Jonah Jameson listens to a story about how Spider-Man ignored a mugger and intends to print it. Fed up with Jonah's constant biased journalism about Spider-Man, he quits his job at the Bugle and walks out on a shocked Jonah. In Westchester, the secret new employer of Boris Korpse and Bruno Grainger demands that the two use their skills to bring Spider-Man to him.

The next day at Empire State University, Peter is confronted by Flash, Sha-Shan and Harry Osborn about his current attitudes. Peter tells them that his Aunt May just died and then goes to tell Debra Whitman to excuse him from classes. After a brief visit with Anna Watson of Aunt May's body, Peter finds it suspicious that Dr. Reinhardt sets off his Spider-Sense.

Later, Peter goes to the docks to reflect on things and is surprised to find Joe Robertson there as well. Joe tells Peter about his own personal grief and how his first born son had died as a young boy, and how he learned to move on with his life by remembering the good times. Peter takes this advice to heart, and decides to go check out his old home in Forest Hills where he grew up under the care of Aunt May and Uncle Ben. To his horror he finds that the entire home had been trashed from the inside like someone was looking for something. Furious, Spider-Man finally puts together where he heard the name Reindhardt before and realizes that the man is one of his old foes.

Changing into Spider-Man, Peter tries to make it to the Restwell Funeral home, however he is captured and subdued by Kropse and Boris and taken to their employer: The Kingpin.

The Kingpin tells Spider-Man how he survived his plunge into the river after their previous battle. Spider-Man did not find him in the murky water, because the Kingpin swam to a drainage pipe, hauled himself out of the water, and collapsed. When he awoke and crawled out of the pipe to the surface, his memory was gone.

For months he wandered the streets not knowing who he was, but then Sllvermane learned what had happened to him. Silvermane sent a hired killer to try to run him down with a car. But when the car slammed head-on into the Kingpin, his muscular, bulky frame survived the impact. The assassin died in the collision.

Hospitalized for many more months, the Kingpin regained his memory, and a mere 18 hours ago he returned home to his beloved wife, Vanessa. When he told her his plan to gain revenge on Silvermane, she told him he had 24 hours to finish his criminal career or she would leave him. After divesting himself of his criminal empire, he found he had six hours left. He intends to use those six hours to finally get rid of Spider-Man.

Spider-Man suddenly leaps from the floor and slams into the master criminal. He lands several blows before the Kingpin pulls the rug out from under him. Spider-Man is hampered considerably by his broken arm, but he still manages to hold his own. The combatants pummel each other and smash one another into walls as the battle drifts into the Kingpin's private gym. The Kingpin tries to strike Spider-Man with a barbell weighing several hundred pounds, but Spider-Man easily evades the barbell and smashes the Kingpin into a shelf of gym equipment. Then he bounds out of the gym.

Meanwhile, at the Restwell Nursing Home, Ludwig Rinehart tells the burglar that Peter Parker will not be bothering them again. Now, continues Rinehart, the burglar can tell him what he was looking for in the Parker house. The burglar replies that since he plans soon to dispose of Rinehart, he will tell him. But Rinehart has plans of his own for the burglar.

Momentarily stunned after being smashed into the shelf, the Kingpin comes to before Spider-Man can find an exit from the mansion. The Kingpin pushes a button to electrify the ceiling Spider-Man is clinging to, and when Spider-Man drops to the floor, the Kingpin overtakes him and presses his attack.

At the same time, at the Daily Bugle, the door to J. Jonah Jameson's office opens and Joe Robertson strides out, briefcase in hand, wearing his hat and coat. Jameson appears totally dejected as his city editor bids him farewell. He has chased Robertson away for good, he says to himself, just as he had lost his wife, his son, and everyone else close to him. He has built a wall around himself, he continues, and he cannot bring himself to tear it down.

The Kingpin pursues Spider-Man through his mansion. Spider-Man hides in a room, and then he finds an electrified lance that is disguised as a pole lamp. Suddenly attacking the Kingpin with it, he briefly knocks him unconscious. But before Spider-Man can leave the room, the Kingpin starts to shoot at him with his obliterator cane. Spider-Man snatches the cane with his webbing and the combatants pummel each other, exchanging blow after blow.

At last, the Kingpin has Spider-Man by the throat. Groggy from the punishment, Spider-Man manages, with his webbing, to pull a shelf down onto the Kingpin's head. Then the master criminal throws the shelf at Spider-Man, breaking a hole in the floor. Spider-Man exits through it. Spider-Man finds himself in the basement of the mansion, but before he can discover a way out, the relentless master criminal is hot on his trail. Spider-Man hides in the darkness, but the Kingpin slams a support beam with all his might, which collapses part of the building onto Spider-Man and leaves him helpless. The pain from his broken arm renders Spider-Man unable to move. The Kingpin declares himself the winner of their battle and drags Spider-Man upstairs. As the Kingpin gloats, Spider-Man tries to gather what remains of his strength. The Kingpin aims his obliterator cane directly at Spider-Man, who desperately tries to keep the Kingpin boasting to give himself time to recover. Suddenly, the clock strikes twelve, and Vanessa enters. The Kingpin tells her that he needs just a moment more, but she tells him that he must decide now between continuing his life of crime or leaving it forever and starting a new life with her.

After an agonized minute, the Kingpin decides that he loves his wife more than he enjoys his success at crime and more than he hates Spider-Man. He puts his arms around her, and they walk together out of the room, leaving Spider-Man on the floor, defeated.

Spider-Man has just been senselessly beaten by the Kingpin, who has left Spider-Man to his fate, having given up his life of crime for his wife Vanessa. The police find Spider-Man and bring him to a hospital, where a doctor treats him and makes sure that nobody unmasks the wall-crawler.

While at the Restwell Retirement home, Dr. Reinhardt reveals himself as the original Mysterio and reveals to the Burglar that he faked his own death to operate in more subtle fraudulent ways, and that his role as administrator of Restwell allowed him to swindle the elderly that he cared for out of their valuables. Hoping to get this treasure the Burglar has been trying to find, Mystery turns his illusion casting powers on the man, knocking him out and tying him up in the boiler room of the retirement home.

While back at the hospital, Spider-Man revives and leaves in spite of the doctor's orders to stay and get more treatment for his now-broken arm he speeds off for the Restwell Retirement Home, and soon finds himself victim to Mysterio's illusions which now appear more elaborate than ever. While at the Daily Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson has become even more irrational. When Marla Madison tries to talk sense into Jonah. Jameson then enters the boardroom where an investors meeting is happening. When the other shareholders of the Bugle question Jameson's recent decisions as editor, Jameson loses his temper and his fury causes a total nervous breakdown and he faints to the floor.

Back at the Restwell Retirement Home, Spider-Man finally tackles Mysterio one-on-one, however, he finds that his foe's new hypnosis based illusions and is easily knocked out by his longtime foe. Reviving, Spider-Man has found that Mysterio has chained him to the bottom of the facilities wading pool. Mysterio then begins to fill the pool with water, gloating over how his old nemesis will helplessly drown.

Spider-Man has uncovered Mysterio's operation running out of the same nursing home where his Aunt May had supposedly died. After a battle against his old foe, Spider-Man is left to drown in a massive in-ground pool. Leaving Spider-Man to his fate, Mysterio then ventures to the basement of the Restwell facility where he has a man tied up. This man is the same Burglar who shot Uncle Ben years earlier and sought to learn of some secret treasure that was hidden in the old Parker house from Aunt May. Mysterio informs the Burglar that he no longer needs him to learn the secret and leaves him tied up in the basement. The Burglar swears that when he gets free, he will find the illusionist and kill him. Looking around the room, he spots a mirror close enough to kick and begins dragging a broken piece close enough so he can cut loose his bonds.

Meanwhile, the pool appears to be filled with water, but Spider-Man has bought himself some time by spinning an air bubble around his head. However, no matter how hard he strains to break free, he cannot bust the chains that keep him locked down. Soon, the web sack bursts and Spider-Man is about to give up all hope of escape when he spies a drain plug not far from him. Using his web shooter and all of his strength, he manages to pull the plug, draining the pool and saving himself from drowning. After resting for a moment, the wall-crawler realizes that he is completely dry and realizes that he fell for another one of Mysterio's illusions. With the illusion shattered, Spider-Man breaks free from his bonds and rushes away to get some rest. After sleeping for a full day, Peter wakes up in his apartment feeling refreshed. The sleep was all he needed for his enhanced healing to fix his broken arm and so he breaks the cast on his right arm.

Preparing himself a meal, Peter is suddenly intruded upon by his friends Flash Thompson, Sha Shan, Harry Osborn and Liz Allan. Realizing that he is still wearing part of his costume and the rest out in the open, Peter has to be incredibly sneaky to hide them from plain view. They have come to express their condolences for Peter over the loss of his Aunt, as well as find out why he snapped at Betty Brant. Peter tells them that he only did it to try and get her and her husband, Ned Leeds, to sort out their marital problems. Liz informs him that Betty has moved in with Liz until she sorts out what she wants to do with her marriage. With everyone caught up to date, Peter ushers them out, telling them that he needs time alone to process everything that has happened recently. With his friends gone, Peter changes back into Spider-Man and heads for his Aunt May's old home, the only clue he has to find out what Mysterio was trying to uncover.

Arriving in Forest Hills, Spider-Man searches the house again but finds nothing. It's then that he is attacked by Mysterio and his illusions once more. Spider-Man fights off these illusions, forcing Mysterio to flee back to the Restwell Nursing Home with Spider-Man in hot pursuit. When, Spider-Man comes crashing in, he is shot with a powerful tranquilizer that Mysterio believes is strong enough to kill Spider-Man. The wall-crawler still tries to stop his foe even though his strength is ebbing. Despite his best efforts, Spider-Man eventually slumps to the floor, leading Mysterio to believe that his old foe is finally dead.

Spider-Man has been injected with a large dose of anti-depressants and left to die by Mysterio. Spider-Man survives the injection however it has left him without his spider-powers. In spite of this, Spider-Man is determined to learn why Mysterio rigged his Aunt May's death and returns home, once more lamenting his lot in life since becoming the Amazing Spider-Man. Unknown to Spidey, the Burglar who shot his Uncle Ben manages to free himself in from the boiler room in the Restwell Retirement home and decides that maybe May Parker's nephew will know the secret of the hidden loot.

Meanwhile, Peter has begun trying to track down who it was that rented and trashed his Aunt May's old home in Forrest Hills. After meeting with Anna Watson and the rental company that rented out his aunts home, Peter is shocked to learn that it was rented by the man who shot and killed his Uncle Ben. Returning to his apartment and changing back into Spider-Man, Peter vows to track the Burglar down and stop him once and for all, considering even killing the man responsible for his uncle's death.

Peter decides to do some more research on the man who killed Uncle Ben when he finds a lead to follow by checking the Daily Globe's morgue files, he decides to check the video archives of a television station that ran news stories about the case. When Peter Parker is denied admittance because he has no appointment, he risks his life climbing a web-line into the building as Spider-Man despite the fact that he has no spider-powers. Inside, he finds the tape he is looking for and reviews it. On his way out he hears a commotion and sees a security guard chasing a man. Unlike the first time he found himself in such a situation, Peter stops the man being chased and realizes that ironically enough the security guard he just helped was the same man who he refused to help all those years ago when he first became Spider-Man.

After Peter returns to his apartment to find that Burglar is there waiting for him, Peter instantly pounces on the man and the two are locked in a brutal fight. During the scuffle, the Burglar drops his gun, but recovers it in the struggle and strikes Peter on the head with its butt, knocking him out. When Peter revives, he finds himself in the very warehouse that the Burglar holed up after he shot Uncle Ben. The Burglar then starts grilling Peter about hidden loot and explains that Aunt May's house used to be owned by a Prohibition-era crime boss named Dutch Mallone. He explains that Mallone -- among other criminal enterprises -- had a successful bootlegging operation during the 30's until he was busted by Elliot Ness for tax evasion. It was being incarcerated with Mallone that the Burglar learned that he had a large sum of money stashed in the home that would eventually be bought and owned by Ben and May Parker. He explains that's why he went to the Parker home that fateful night. When Peter refuses to tell the Burglar anything because he killed Aunt May, the crook reveals that anything that happened to his dear aunt was all the doings of Mysterio. Getting a moment of inspiration, the Burglar decides to leave Peter to do one last thing and will come back to kill Parker later.

The whole time trying to break free, Peter finally manages to bust loose and decides to go after the Burglar not as Peter Parker, but as Spider-Man. Secretly following the Burglar, Spider-Man is led right back to the Restwell Retirement home. When the Burglar goes into the basement, Spider-Man attempts to confront him there and is shot and left for dead. The Burglar returns to the warehouse shortly thereafter to shock Peter Parker by showing him his Aunt May alive and well. Apparently, Mysterio had faked her death to get Mallone's loot for himself and the Burglar would hope that threatening Parker's aunt in front of him would loosen the boy's tongue.

Realizing Peter isn't there, the Burglar is shocked when Spider-Man -- only winged by the bullets and is alive and well -- is waiting there for him. Spidey attacks the Burglar head-on attacking him with an unbridled fury. When Spider-Man proves to be too much for the Burglar to handle, he tries to flee. However, Spider-Man continues to chase after him, using his spider-signal to intimidate and further strike fear into the Burglar. When Spider-Man finally has him cornered, the frightened Burglar suffers a heart attack and dies of fright. Spider-Man then sets off a fire alarm to get the authorities to show up and convinces Aunt May that he came to her rescue for her nephew Peter.

Later, with Aunt May once more in the hospital, Peter goes to visit her and she tells her nephew that she no longer thinks of Spider-Man as a menace. She also ends up solving the mystery of what happened to Mallone's loot: When she and Ben had first moved into the home and did renovations they found a box inside one of the walls. Inside they found the remains of Mallone's money all right, however, it had long since been destroyed by silverfish. Later, after the anti-depressants that Mysterio injected him with have been flushed out of his system, Peter changes into Spider-Man and finds that his powers have returned to full strength and decides that after this whole experience he will continue being Spider-Man.

REVIEW

I’ll be blunt... this story is too complicated, and sometimes too convenient. However...

The character moments are spot on and in the end, everything that happens is true to the character and his world.

Issue 200 in particular is the best one. The Kingpin fight was just too long (and inconsequential, as he would soon appear in Daredevil). The Mysterio thing went nowhere. But the burglar story is the one that counts.

The moment Peter took off his mask, I realized the burglar was going to die (I am not sure how obvious this would have been in 1979, but by now, we all know that whenever an antagonist discovers the hero’s secret identity, he has to die, unless that antagonist is Kinpin).

And I think the finest moment in this story is when all is over and Peter asks for the “treasure box”. Sure, it would have been nice if all of a sudden, May and Peter become rich. But that wouldn’t be the May and Peter we know, they are hard working middle class people, that manage to move on with love, no matter what life has in store for them.

So as usual with anniversary issues, we got a retelling of Spidey’s origin and re-evaluated his principles and motivations. This time, however, it was really effective.

The art gets pretty good on issue 200 as well. With the Kinpin issues being the less interesting ones (couldn’t engage much with the action).

I give this story a score of 7

[hovercraft79]

Shadows of the Night

7th in the Hecate’s Summer Playlist series

Chapters: 1

Word Count: 18,005

Fandom: The Worst Witch (TV 2017)

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Some violence, panic attacks, Hecate channels her dark side

 Summary:

The Great Wizard is missing, and Mildred’s father is not. Hecate and Julie must face the fallout from the disaster at the Pentangle’s garden party. Meanwhile, Mildred has to deal with a familiar nemesis who’s trying to drive a wedge between her and Miss Hardbroom.

Notes:

This is the penultimate installment of my take on the Summer Trope Challenge. It will make much more sense if you’ve read the earlier ones. They are slowly being added to AO3 under Hovercraft79.

The title this week comes from the classic Pat Benatar song. You know you’re singing it in your head already.

Thanks to everyone for all of your kind comments – they really keep me motivated.

I truly thought Sparky would kill me this week when the word count topped out at over 18,000. She’s still correcting me like a champion, though. I’m gonna have to buy her a freakin’ car as a thank you gift for all this.

Mildred pressed herself against the wall, trying to make herself as small as possible. If she could make herself inconspicuous, then maybe she would be able to overhear something important. She shivered. It was cold where she was. Wherever that was. Everything had happened so quickly. One minute, Mr. Pentangle was showing her how to play magical boules and the next…everyone was shouting, and casting spells and HB seemed to be dueling the Great Wizard. Tears burned her eyes whenever she thought about Miss Hardbroom on the ground, strangers grabbing at her, pushing Miss Pentangle away.

Then she was here. Sitting on a stone bench in some underground room. Her mum and Miss Mould had been spirited away almost immediately, unmagicals, they’d called them. Miss Cackle, Miss Pentangle and her brother had been summoned into an office behind heavy doors. Wizards and witches rushed by in every direction – but no one went in or out of the room with the heavy doors. Every now and then, Mildred was sure she could hear Miss Pentangle shouting. Once, she even thought she heard Miss Cackle. She wished she knew what happened to Miss Drill, but no one thought to tell her anything.

She didn’t think anyone thought about her at all.

Suddenly, Mr. Rowan-Webb appeared in front of her, giving a little hop as he settled back into his form. “Ah! There you are, Tadpole! I’ve been looking all over this place for you.” He took up a seat next to her. “This has been quite the night, hasn’t it?” He leaned over and whispered conspiratorially, “If you ask me, it was a lot more exciting than the parties those toffs usually get up to!”

Mildred tried to smile, but she couldn’t quite pull it off. “Do you know where my mum is? Or Miss Hardbroom?”

Algie leaned back, stroking his beard as he deliberated how much to tell the girl. Remembering her uncanny ability to find things out for herself, he decided to just come clean. “Well, I believe your mother and Miss Mould are above ground in the Council chambers.”

“Is that where we are? The Magic Council? But it has all plants and glass, like a greenhouse.”

He nodded. “That’s the top part – the part that’s for show. The real power gets wielded down here, underneath the public building. This is the hub of the magical government, Tadpole. It’s almost like a city, but, instead of a skyscraper going up, it’s a skyscraper going down.” Miss Cackle’s voice could be heard through the doors again, but not her words. Lucky for that, Algie thought. “We’re on the Magisterial floor, where criminal prosecutions begin.” He fussed with his beard again. “It’s where they’ve got Miss Hardbroom – but I know it’s only temporary!” He tried to sound confident but couldn’t quite manage it. “Oh! Miss Drill is being looked after in the infirmary; Miss Bat is with her now.” He left out the bit about Dimity being under guard, reckoning Mildred didn’t really need to know about that. “I suspect you know where Miss Cackle is, as is Miss Pen…”

The heavy doors flew open, and Pippa Pentangle stormed out so fast that the guard wizard who was supposed to be escorting her struggled to keep up.  Mildred leaned over just in time to catch a glimpse of Miss Cackle before the door swung shut again. Red-faced and scowling, Miss Cackle was leaning over the desk of a nervous-looking wizard. If Mildred didn’t know better, she would have sworn she was staring at Agatha.

  Pippa waited as patiently as possible while the Great Wizard’s guard snapped the lead cuffs around her wrist. Magic Binders, she thought, nose wrinkling in distaste, the price of entry into Hecate’s cell. Observing Hecate through the window, she guessed the glass was one-way since Hecate made no move to indicate she was aware of anyone on the other side.

Hecate sat on the edge of one of the cots, elbows on her knees, head resting against her clasped hands. Binding cuffs glinted dully from Hecate’s wrists as well. Her blouse was torn at the shoulder and her hair was a mess, but Hecate seemed otherwise unharmed. Pippa noticed, with no small about of anger, that Hecate’s white trousers were certainly ruined.

Pippa stepped up to the cell door, pausing to settle herself, trying to work out which Hecate she would find inside. Would it be the one she hoped for? Her Hiccup that was scared and soft and needed her Pipsqueak? Or would it be the angry, obstinate Hecate Hardbroom, furious with the fools who had locked her in another cage.

Hecate looked up at the window then, shame and guilt etched into every line of her face. Pippa sighed. This one, then, she thought. The Hecate she feared the most – the one that blamed herself for every mistake, every disappointment. The one that never could believe she deserved to be happy or to have Pippa’s love. Pippa nodded at the guard, glancing down at the lead cuffs at her own wrists as he opened the door.  She stepped gingerly into the cell, approaching Hecate like one would a wounded animal. Which, Pippa supposed, she was.

“Hello, darling. How are you doing?”

Hecate looked at her, relief and happiness washing over her features before she forced the feelings away, schooling her expression back into a stony mask. She turned away from Pippa, staring at her own hands instead. “You shouldn’t have come here, Pip. Even you have to admit that any association with me now would ruin you. Ruin Pentangle’s.” She choked out something between a laugh and a sob. “I’m the mad witch that attacked the Great Wizard. No one would ever want their children around me or anyone associated with me.”

“I don’t have to admit any such thing, Hiccup,” Pippa said, edging closer. “You’re the brilliant witch who figured out someone was impersonating the Great Wizard. The rest of us are just now catching on. Just like our school days, right? You were always steps ahead of the rest of us.” She eased herself onto the cot next to Hecate, careful not to touch her, but close enough she could feel the warmth radiating from her skin.  “We’ll get it all sorted soon enough.”

“Sorted? I heard what they were saying, Pippa. Your own mother said it. How long until parents start pulling their children out of Pentangle’s? You can’t have a school without students, and you won’t have students if you’re linked to me.”

Pippa linked their hands, ignoring the slight buzzing that happened when the Binding cuffs touched. “Please listen to me carefully, darling, because I need you to understand me.” She used her free hand to pull Hecate’s chin up until she could look her in the eyes. “I will destroy Pentangle’s Founding Stone myself and turn the entire place into a magical black spot before I’ll give you up again, Hiccup. Let’s get out the truth potion or an honesty spell or whatever you need so you will believe me, because I am tired of having this conversation. You have all of me, Hecate, and the only thing I ask in return is that you stop running as soon as things get hard. I will scrub pots for Miss Tapioca – and gladly – if it means being with you. So please, please, darling, work with me to get us out of this mess instead of against me.”

It was enough – for now, at least. The dam holding back Hecate’s emotions failed spectacularly as she burst into tears, clinging to Pippa as sobs wracked her body. Pippa let her cry, rocking her back and forth like a baby in her arms, whispering the calming words of a lullaby into her hair. Eventually, the sobs eased into tears and finally just sniffly, hitching breaths.

“I’m sorry, Pip. I should have handled it another way.”

“How? Let him hit you with a fireball? I’ve talked to Dimity and Marigold. He threw first. All you did was defend yourself.  Dimity is fine, by the way; she’s in the Council’s infirmary, being looked after by Gwen.” She pulled up the hem of her sundress and used it to wipe Hecate’s face. “Don’t take blame that isn’t yours, Hiccup. You’ve always done that.”

“I should have…covered better…when I knew…”

“Hecate. Stop. Looking back, it’s always easy to see how we might have done things differently, but differently doesn’t mean better. If you hadn’t reacted the way you did, he would have left. Poof!” She fluttered a hand in the air. “As it is, he’s also sitting in one of these infernal cells in a pair of lead bracelets being questioned, and there’s practically an army of people trying to find the Great Wizard. That’s because of you, darling.”

“It still makes me an awful lot of trouble,” Hecate said, pulling herself upright. “I don’t know why you put up with me.” She smiled to take the sting out of the words.

“Because you love me. More than anyone else ever has.” Pippa grinned as she watched Hecate try and figure out how to argue with that. “It’s a foolish witch indeed that would give that up,” she booped Hecate on the nose. “And I am not a fool.”

“Not even when it comes to me?”

“Especially when it comes to you, Hiccup. I know full well the woman I’m getting. In fact,” she reached into the pocket of her sundress and held out a circle of silver. “I had this made after I got yours. It was only just ready today…or yesterday? I don’t know what time it is now.” She placed the ring on Hecate’s palm. It looked just like the one she wore on her own finger, but silver instead of rose gold. “You said mine was meant to be a promise. You deserve a promise as well. I’d planned to give it to you after the party, or during maybe, in some romantic little spot…but…” She spread her hands wide, indicating the cell they were in. “Maybe this is even better. I promise I’m not just here for the good bits, Hiccup, but for all the parts. Even sitting in a jail cell because everyone thinks you’ve gone bat-drool crazy and attacked the Great Wizard.” She laughed gently at Hecate, who was still staring at the ring in her palm as if it was the most precious thing in the universe. “May I?” she took it back and showed her the inscription. Just like hers, it had Pipsqueak and Hiccup inscribed on one side. “I changed the words just a little.”

Hecate brushed the tears out of her eyes so she could see more clearly. “Someday is Here,” she whispered. “Are you sure?” She looked at Pippa, then back at the ring, trying to decide if she was meant to take it back, or put it on or even which finger to wear it on.

“I’ve never been surer of anything.” Pippa could tell that Hecate wasn’t sure where to wear it. She pulled Hecate’s left hand into her own. “I meant what I told Mother. I intend to marry you, as soon as you’re ready for that. In the meantime,” she slipped the ring on Hecate’s hand, pleased it fit without any magical resizing, “this will hold that spot nicely – a reminder that the best is still to come.”

Speechless, Hecate lifted a shaking hand to Pippa’s cheek, mindful of the Binder cuff. She pulled Pippa in for a kiss –”

“You’re wanted upstairs!” the guard shouted. “Both of you.”

They both jumped so much that, instead of their lips meeting, they crashed their foreheads together.

“Right this second?” Pippa said, exasperatedly rubbing her forehead. She stood up and pulled Hecate to her feet as well. “I swear, Hiccup, when all this is over, you and I are going somewhere – just the two of us.”

The guard banged on the door, motioning for them to get moving. Pippa pulled Hecate out of the cell. Pippa held her wrists out to have the guard remove the Binding cuffs, but he refused. “But you just put them on!” She tried to make a rude gesture to his back as he led them down the hallway, but the cuff prevented the sudden movement of her hand. Disappointing. Truly.

As they made their way to higher floors, the rough stone floors gave way to smooth tile, then marble. The lighting improved as the walls grew more ornate. Finally, they reached the floor with the Magistrate’s office.

“Miss Hardbroom!” Mildred shouted as they entered the hallway. Mildred threw herself against Hecate hard enough that the older witch nearly lost her balance; still, she managed to keep her feet and hug Mildred tightly. The guard started to pull them apart but backed off as soon as Pippa and Algie interfered. “I knew you’d be okay, HB. I just knew it!”

“Of course, I am, you wretched girl.” She said, smiling into the girl’s hair. When did she get so tall? Gently, she pushed Mildred away, holding her at arm’s length, inspecting her carefully for any damage before pulling her back in for another hug. “I’m glad you’re uninjured as well.”

The guard cleared his throat, and Hecate handed Mildred over to Mr. Rowan-Webb. “I’ll be all right, Mildred. No worries.”

“Yes, Miss Hardbroom, I know you will.” She edged closer to the wizard, looking up to him for reassurance.

“It’ll all come out in the end, Tadpole. Just you wait.” He clapped a large hand on Hecate’s shoulder. “Chin up, Miss Hardbroom.” She nodded before following the guard into the room behind the heavy doors, Pippa hot on her heels.

  Benjamin Gullet was not accustomed to failures – or being duped. He poured another glass of Bruichladdich Black Art scotch. He gulped half the glass of the twenty-four-year-old whisky in one go, savoring the burn. If they were going to be driven out of Gullet Manor by a bunch of…schoolteachers…well, there were worse places to land than the home of the Great Wizard.

Especially since the Great Wizard was currently being such an…indulgent host. Benjy raised his tumbler to the striped frog glaring at him from inside a bell jar.  “To your continued health, Egbert, you bloody sod.” He gulped the rest of the glass.

“We aren’t here for you to drink your way through the Great Wizard’s cupboards, Benjamin.” Petronilla Gullet scowled up at her eldest son, yet somehow managed to give the impression that she was looking down on him. “It’s your failure that’s put us here. If you’d done as instructed, your sister would be free and no one would be the wiser.”

“Me? If I’d done?” He threw the tumbler into the fireplace, scattering glass shards across the carpeting. “Maybe you should have a go at Samuel – he was the bloody spanner in the works! He was supposed to keep those bloody witches at that beach house; instead he sent them racing back to Cackle’s! We were lucky to get away with as little damage as we did!”

“You’ll watch your tone with me, wizard! Or you’ll find yourself in the jar with His Greatness!” She raised her hand, and a tiny spritzer bottle appeared in her palm. “I’ve no qualms trading you out for your sister. Cassandra should never have been locked into that painting. There wasn’t even a trial.”

“A trial? What would a trial accomplish beyond dragging our name even further into disrepute? As if turning a wizard into a frog wasn’t bad enough…”

“WHAT DID I SAY?” Petronilla swung her arm forward, spraying her potion into Benjamin’s face. With a puff of purple smoke, the wizard disappeared, and a large frog sat amongst the pieces of glass on the floor. “Your sister –”

“WHAT IN MERLIN’S BEARD HAVE YOU DONE?” Rolando Birdsong exploded into existence in the middle of the room. “What was that fool son of yours doing impersonating the Great Wizard?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

As Rolando stormed across the room, Petronilla waved a hand and changed Benjamin back just before he was crushed by Rolando’s boot. “The other one, you stupid witch. He went to a bloody garden party as the Great Wizard! Then the idiot decided to have a conversation with Hecate Hardbroom. I’ve told you and told you to steer clear of that woman!”

“The bloody fool is going to ruin everything! As soon as we can extract the Great Wizard’s power, then we can release Cassandra,” Petronilla hissed.

“Will you forget about Cassandra, Mother, for five minutes? You have three other children you know.” Benjamin grabbed Rolando’s cloak. “Where’s Samuel now?”

“The Magical Council has him.” He looked back and forth between the Gullets. “I don’t know what game he’s playing at, but you need to get out of here. Now.” He waved his hand and disappeared.

  “Have a seat, Miss Hardbroom,” the Magistrate, a tired-looking wizard in rumpled robes gestured to the wooden chair in front of his desk. One glance at the still furious Pippa Pentangle and he sighed, conjuring up another chair.

“Why is Hecate still in Binding cuffs? Why is Miss Pentangle in the cuffs at all?” Ada demanded.

“Please, Miss Cackle, you must understand…”

“What I understand, Mr. Thistle, is that, by all accounts, Hec – Miss Hardbroom simply defended herself and, in the process, exposed a rogue wizard impersonating Egbert Hellibore.”

Gavin Thistle closed his eyes and rubbed his temples; today had been a Very Bad Day. If he kept his post after today, it would be nothing short of a miracle. “Please, Miss Cackle, look around you. The entire Council is in disarray. The Great Wizard is missing, and no one has any idea how long he’s even been gone.”

“Then, Mr. Thistle, I suggest you avail yourself of two of the finest resources,” she clapped a hand each on Hecate’s and Pippa’s shoulders, “the Council has at its disposal.”

“Thank you, Ada,” Hecate mumbled, eyes darting every where but at the Magistrate.

Mr. Thistle opened his desk drawer, when a sudden commotion outside drew everyone’s attention.

“Gavin!” A young witch wearing the emerald robes of the Magistrate’s Office burst into the office. “Sorry, Mr. Thistle, well met, Sisters. They’ve just come back from the Great Wizard’s estate. There was no sign of the Gullets, but they think they’ve recovered the Great Wizard.” The young witch smiled brightly, oblivious to the tension in the room. “They’re bringing him here now.”

The Magistrate slammed the drawer closed and raced into the hallway. He returned a moment later cradling a glass jar. He placed it carefully in the center of his desk. “Is it?” He looked up at the three witches in puzzlement.

In spite of herself, Hecate leaned forward and examined the frog. “It certainly fits the modus operandi of a Gullet. May I?” She reached for the jar. Mr. Thistle nodded in approval, and Hecate gently removed the frog, holding him up so she could see him better. After a moment she brought it to her nose, inhaling deeply. “I can smell a Transformation potion.” She handed the frog to Ada. “I don’t know if it’s the Great Wizard, but it’s someone.”

“Quite right, Hecate. If you don’t mind, Mr. Thistle?” He waved at her to go ahead. Ada placed the frog on the floor in front of her, settled herself and began to chant. “Tale of rat and leg of lizard, turn this frog back into a wizard.” In a puff of purple smoke, the frog disappeared, and a very disheveled, very angry Great Wizard stood in its place.

“What in the name of Merlin and Morgana is going on in this place?” He glared at Mr. Thistle. “How many days have I been in that jar?”

“Your Greatness,” the Magistrate bowed as low as he could from behind the desk.  “We, uh, we aren’t sure, sir.”

“You have managed to capture the lot of them?” the Great Wizard asked, exasperated.

Thistle’s face flushed red, “Ah…no, Your Greatness. We did manage to capture the wizard impersonating you, though, sir.”

“You captured?” Pippa leapt to her feet, “You haven’t managed to do anything but transport a frog in a jar! Hecate’s who sussed out Samuel Gullet and spelled him into submission.” She grabbed Hecate’s wrist and held their hands up to the Great Wizard’s face. “And this is what she got for it, Egbert! A night in a cell and Binder cuffs – not to mention that you lot at the Council are letting talk run wild and ruining her reputation!”

With every word Pippa shouted, the Great Wizard’s face grew redder and redder. “Do you mean to tell me, that of all the people I see every day, the people charged with my security and well-being…not a one of them could tell that was an imposter? It took Hecate Hardbroom to figure out that…that…Gullet boy wasn’t me?” He glared at Thistle.

“I believe that is correct, Your Greatness,” Ada said. “Well, I think Miss Pentangle has things well in hand here.” She placed a hand on her forehead and bowed. “Delighted to have you back, Your Greatness. I think I’ll go check on Ms. Hubble and Miss Mould. I expect I’ll see you two back at Cackle’s shortly?” Ada eyed him over the top of her glasses.

“Yes, yes, Ada, they’ll be there shortly.” He waved his hand and the Binder cuffs dropped to the floor. “Tell me what you know…” he sighed.

  “Miss Cackle!” Julie Hubble waved the headmistress over as soon as she appeared in the greenhouse. “What’s going on? Where’s Millie? Is Hecate all right?”

Ada spotted Julie and Marigold sitting on a bench beneath a cluster of palms. She wasn’t surprised to see Peter Pentangle hovering nearby as well. “Everything is being sorted. Mr. Rowan-Webb is with Mildred, they’re outside the Magistrate’s office, the Magistrate is interviewing Hecate, but they’ve just returned with the Great Wizard – the real Great Wizard. They found him changed into a frog. If there was any sort of calling card for Petronilla Gullet, frog transformations is it.” She placed a hand on Julie’s arm. “The imposter is also in custody. I imagine he will be for quite some time.”

Julie pulled Ada away from the others. “You mean Millie’s…dad.”

“Are you sure that’s him, dear? Everything was happening rather all at once.” Ada could see the doubt creeping into Julie’s eyes. “Why don’t we go and have a look, shall we? You won’t have to speak to him unless you wish.” Julie’s head barely moved. If Ada hadn’t been watching for her response, she would have missed it altogether. “Come along, then.” She hooked an arm through Julie’s and led her down into the building.

“Will you stay with me, Miss Cackle? I’m…well…I guess I’m a bit nervous.”

“I certainly will, dear. And I think we are well past the point that you should be calling me Ada.” They made their way down to the lower floors of the Council unmolested – the return of the Great Wizard caused too much of a commotion for anyone to be bothered with them. The lone guard outside Samuel’s cell scarcely bothered to look at them once he saw they weren’t anyone important.

Julie stepped up to the glass, taking in the man on the other side. “He’s hardly changed.” She looked at Ada. “How is that possible? It’s been almost fourteen years since I’ve seen him.”

“The extraction spell, I suppose.” Ada could see that Julie didn’t understand. “It’s a nasty bit of magic. I…I almost performed one myself once, and Agatha did. It’s a way of stealing another witch or wizard’s power.”

“But he didn’t have power! He was a plumber! You can’t tell me any wizard would decide to…join the ordinary world and be a plumber.”

“He didn’t have powers when you knew him, but…” Ada thought a moment about how best to explain what she’d learned from the Magistrate. “You’ve been watching the Harry Potter movies with Hecate, correct?” Julie nodded. “I believe there are a few characters who, even though they’re born to the wizarding world, don’t have magic themselves?”

“The squibs? Like Filch the caretaker?” She regarded the wizard in the cell. “You’re saying he was a squib. And that he stole someone’s magic, so he could be a proper wizard.”

“It’s still a bit of conjecture, but that’s the gist of it. Birth records show a youngest son, but he doesn’t show up anywhere past the age of five or so, about the time latent powers would start showing up.” She looked away, embarrassed, before continuing. “Unfortunately, there are some wizarding – or witching – families that…hide away what they see as defective offspring. Or, like the Gullets seem to have done, banished them to the ordinary world. It doesn’t paint a very good picture of our kind, I’m afraid.”

A sad, half-smile pulled at Julie’s lips. “Don’t worry…Ada…the ordinary world is full of parents who disown their children for things they can’t control.” She patted the older woman’s shoulder. “What happened to the wizard who lost his powers? Can he get them back now?”

“I don’t think so.” Ada frowned. “When they found Mr. Birdsong’s body…the paper said it wasn’t…new…do you remember?” Julie nodded. “That was a bit misleading, I’m afraid. The reason they had such trouble identifying it was because it was years old – more than ten.”

“Fourteen, you mean,” Julie turned away from the window, certain she was about to be sick. She bent over, hands on her knees, willing the contents of her stomach to stay where they were.  A bag of lemon drops appeared in her peripheral vision. Millie had told her all about Ada and her bottomless supply of lemon drops. She breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth until she was reasonably sure she wouldn’t chuck up all over the floor. Out of the corner of her eye she could see the guard watching her, his foot ready to kick the wastebasket her way. She nodded at him, hopefully reassuringly. What the hell, she thought, and took one of the lemon drops. Bloody thing actually helped. “You’re telling me that Millie’s father might be a – a murderer.”

“I don’t know, dear. I wish I did.”

Julie spun around to the guard. “I need to talk to him. What do I need to do for that to happen?”

The guard summoned a pair of Binding cuffs. “You’ll need to wear these. No one with access to their magic is allowed in the cells.”

“I don’t have magic,” Julie spat. “Haven’t you been listening.”

He shrugged. “Those are the rules, ma’am. No cuffs, no entry.”

Julie held her hands out. “Fine then, it won’t matter anyway.” She looked at Ada, “you’ll be here when I come out?”

“Of course,” she said, smiling sadly.

“Right then.” Julie nodded, squaring her shoulders and facing the door. She almost lost her nerve when the door opened but stepped through before she could back out. “Dave.”

He lifted his head, “Julie?” He leapt to his feet, but the cuffs reacted to the sudden movement, driving him back onto the cot. “I was right then, wasn’t I? Mildred Hubble is my daughter.”

“No. She’s my daughter. You lost any right to her when you disappeared. You traded her away for your magic.” She sniffed. “Well, you traded me for it. You didn’t know about her. You just didn’t want to be a squib anymore.”

“Skip!” he said, slapping at the cot. “I hate those bloody movies. You see how my kind were portrayed. That hideous Filch – it’s discrimination, I tell…” He trailed off, raking his fingers through his hair. “I never asked for any of this. I was…fine…in the ordinary world. I was happy.”

Julie wasn’t having any of it. “Right. So happy that you stole another man’s magic? Killed him?”

“I swear, I didn’t do either of those things.” Samuel pushed off the cot, freezing in place when he realized Julie had taken a frightened step back. “That was all my mother…and my sister, I guess.”

“The same sister that turned a man into a frog for over thirty years? That tried to boil Mildred after another girl turned her into a frog?”

“I didn’t know about any of that. All I know is that Cassandra went to work at that school. I didn’t know what she did to that wizard. That’s where she got mixed up with Agatha Cackle. She heard about that extraction spell and got into Agatha’s good books to learn how to do it. It was Agatha who talked Rolando into getting his brother’s power. I didn’t know why he did it.”

“You bloody well didn’t think much about it, though, did you?”

“Nobody thought about it,” he spat. “Mother wanted me to be normal, so I wouldn’t be the white cat at the family gatherings. Cassandra found a way and I was summoned home. That was that. And you’re right, I didn’t think too much about it.” He slumped back down on the cot. “If we had, maybe it would have occurred to someone that I couldn’t just suddenly appear with magic. I still had to be a skip.”

“That’s where that Birdsong bloke comes in, isn’t it? Just magic yourself into somebody else.” She shook her head, lip curled in disgust. “A man died, Dave. Or Samuel. Whatever you call yourself.”

“I know, but I didn’t kill him, Jules. You know me. You know I wouldn’t do that.”

“Don’t call me that. I don’t know you at all. I knew someone who never existed.” Samuel started to speak, but she cut him off. “You kidnapped my daughter. She was hurt because of you.”

“No one meant to kidnap the girl. She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. If she hadn’t been with that Hardbroom woman…That’s who they wanted.”

“Mildred was just…what? Collateral damage?” Julie stepped forward, jabbing him in the shoulder with a finger. “Don’t act like I’m some…muggle fool.”

“It’s true! Don’t act like I’m an idiot either. I didn’t know who she was before she showed up in that wizard’s Keep. But Hubble isn’t exactly Smith or Jones now, is it? Some girl with your last name who looks to be about thirteen? I can do the maths. That’s why I went to the Pentangle’s party. I wanted to see her.” Samuel leaned forward on the cot, spreading his hands in front of him in supplication. “I’d like to meet her.”

“You must be barking mad if you think I’d ever let you near her. She thinks her father was a lovely, decent man. She’d be gutted to find out he was you. You can bet your last pound that I will never let that happen.”

“I can give her a name, Jules – Julie. A proper magic name.”

“She has a proper magic name! The Hubbles are a witching family – even if we’ve got no magic.”

“Mildred deserves to know the magical side of her family. She deserves to have someone in the magical world, not just an ordinary mother who can’t understand what her life is like.”

“She has that! She has someone she loves and someone who loves her. Don’t you dare tell me what she deserves. She doesn’t deserve to have a thief and a murderer for a father. You talk about wanting her to have a proper name, but what is that? The Gullets gave up people they cared about for magic. We Hubbles gave up magic for the people we cared about. I think Millie will stay a Hubble, thank you very much.”

“But I’m her father,” he whispered.

“No. You’re the bloke that got me up the duff.” She headed for the door, turning before she grabbed the handle. “A father would be thinking about what’s best for Mildred – not what’s best for him.” She banged on the door, pushing her way past the guard. “Come on, Ada,” she said, marching down the hallway. “I need to talk to Hecate.”

  “Great Merlin, I hate being transferred,” Pippa gasped, leaning into Hecate.                “I know, Pip,” Hecate steadied the blonde witch until she found her feet. “I just had too much magic after having it bound up all night.” Her skin had been crackling with it, ever since the Great Wizard removed the cuffs. Her inability to vent it, or her anger, had reached almost unbearable proportions.

“I’m all right, darling.” Pippa straightened, hand still wrapped around Hecate’s arm. “But, let’s walk to the infirmary, if you don’t mind.”

“You don’t think it’s too late?” Hecate checked her pocket watch. It was nearly four in the morning. She just didn’t know if it was Sunday or Monday morning.

“Not at all, she’ll either be awake or asleep.”

Hecate nodded. “I need to pick something up. I’ll meet you at the infirmary.”

By the time Pippa walked to the infirmary, Hecate was already there, waiting at the door, holding Mr. Monkey. “I thought she might like…” She shrugged, looking slightly embarrassed.

“That’s very thoughtful of you, Hiccup.” She pushed open the door and peeked inside. Dimity looked up, smiling gratefully at Pippa.

“Pentangle! You’re here! Does that mean you’ve sprung Hecate from the gaol?” She hoisted herself up, sitting cross-legged on the bed. “Get over here, I’m about ‘round the bend from boredom!”

Pippa pulled Hecate in behind her. “Miss Drill,” she waved the stuffed animal in Dimity’s direction. “A friend wanted to come visit.” She settled herself on the edge of Dimity’s cot, wiggling Mr. Monkey in front of her face. “I’m glad to see that you’re well, Dimity.”

“Hah! I knew you loved me, deep down in that dark heart of yours, Hecate.” Winking, she snatched Mr. Monkey away, bapping his little paws on Hecate’s shoulder.  “So, what’s been going on? I feel like I’ve been locked in the cupboard while everyone else is having a bleedin’ holiday.”

“If you call being in a cell wearing Binding cuffs a holiday.” Hecate held up her hands, showing Dimity the bruises on her wrists.

“I don’t think I can bear to hear it one more time, darling.” Pippa smoothed her hand down Hecate’s spine. “Will you mind terribly if I meet you back in your room?” She kissed Hecate’s cheek before leaning over and kissing Dimity’s as well. “Thank you for protecting her, Dimity. I hate to think what would have happened without your shield.”

“Anytime, Pentangle. Every time.” Dimity watched as Pippa left the infirmary.

“The Gullets turned the Great Wizard into a frog,” Hecate said, lips twitching until she couldn’t hold back a giggle.

“NOOO! And I missed it?” She threw herself back against the pillows. “It really was like a bloody holiday without me.”

“At least you weren’t in a jail cell.” Hecate deadpanned. “I missed a bit myself,” she said, rubbing her wrists again.

Dimity caught hold of Hecate’s left hand. “I think a bit more happened than you’re letting on, HB. Did you manage to get engaged during all this madness?”

Hecate looked at her hand, warmth spreading through her chest as well as across her skin. “I…I don’t really know. I don’t think so…Maybe?” It felt like too much to hope for.

“Now that’s the sort of thing you really ought to know.” Dimity grinned. “Next you’ll be coming back from a honeymoon not sure if you’re married.” She had Mr. Monkey make a couple of suggestive moves. “I hope you pay attention when you’re shagging – you’ll hurt a girl’s ego!”

“For god’s sake, Miss Drill,” Hecate snatched Mr. Monkey away, cheeks flaming. “I don’t…we haven’t…I don’t know what it means, Dimity.” She looked away. “I know it’s stupid. I feel like a fool.”

Relenting, Dimity leaned forward and placed a hand on Hecate’s knee. “Love can make us all feel foolish, Hecate – even when you’re as suave as me. Just ask her, HB. If you aren’t sure what it means, ask her. If you just want to make sure it means the same thing to you both…Ask her.”

“I’m afraid it’s going to mean more to me than it does to her.”

“Oh, Hecate, for the smartest witch at Cackle’s you can be so thick sometimes.”

  Hecate transferred to the kitchens, the potions lab, the roof and the dining hall before finally transferring into her rooms. She hoped she’d burned off enough magic to be able to sleep, but she still felt prickly and out of sorts. Probably not just from too much magic, she thought. A sleepy blonde peered up at her from her sofa.

“Pippa! I didn’t expect you to wait up.” She took two steps further into the room before she found her arms full of one very pink witch. “I’m glad you did, though.” They held each other, neither one wanting to be the first to let go.

Finally, Pippa patted Hecate on the back and pulled away. “Let’s go to bed, Hiccup. I don’t know about you but I’m ready for this day to be over.” She nodded towards the door to Hecate’s study. “Mildred and Julie are already asleep.”

“I’m not sure I can sleep…” she started but allowed Pippa to lead her into the bedroom.

“That all right. I’ll fetch you a glass of wine and sort out that hair of yours,” she batted her eyes at Hecate, “get you out of those terribly sexy trousers and into something more comfortable.”

She giggled when she felt Hecate stumble a bit behind her, but they’d no sooner entered the bedroom when Hecate launched herself at Pippa, devouring her lips, hands racing to touch every part of her at once.

Pippa gave as good as she got, deepening the kiss and grinding their bodies together. In the part of her brain that was still functioning, she knew this was mostly a reaction to everything that had happened in the last thirty-six hours: the dancing, the attack, getting arrested. The ring. She just wasn’t sure she cared why they were wrapped around each other, only that they were. She groaned as Hecate’s teeth bit her lower lip – too hard but somehow, not hard enough. She jerked her head back, banging it into the door frame. “Ouch,” she said, giggling.

Hecate stiffened, eyes flying wide. “I’m sorry! Oh, Pip, I’m so…this isn’t…I can’t…” Hecate’s knees buckled. Pippa grabbed her waist and slid them both down the wall until they were on the floor, Hecate huddled against her, hitching breaths shaking her shoulders.

“Hiccup? Talk to me, darling.” She brushed the hair out of Hecate’s face. “You’re all right; I’ve got you.”

“I’m sorry…It was too much…” her breath caught in her throat. “The wrong reasons…” She pushed herself away, eyes looking everywhere but at Pippa, blinking back tears. “All at once it felt too much like…before.”

“Shhh…Hecate…come back here.” Pippa pulled Hecate back against her chest. “What do you mean that it felt like before, my love?”

She let herself relax against Pippa. “That. Love.” She cleared her throat. “That wasn’t about love, Pipsqueak. It was just about…forgetting everything that happened…It’s like it didn’t even matter that it was you. I’m so sorry, Pip.” She steeled herself against the hurt or recriminations that she knew were coming. Instead, Pippa laughed and hugged her tighter.

“So, you’re saying that if you’d happened to walk in here with Julie or Peter or Dimity the same thing would have happened?”

“What? No – good grief…of course not!” Hecate sputtered.

“Then it matters that it was me after all.” She traced calming patterns on Hecate’s knee. “I knew this was as much about everything that happened today as it was about us. I didn’t care. I don’t care. If I can bring you some tiny bit of comfort, that’s enough for me.”

“It isn’t for me. We’ve waited too long…I don’t want it to be some…desperate go at each other on the floor.”

Pippa shifted Hecate around until she was sitting between her legs, leaning back against her. She wrapped her arms around her from behind. “True, it wouldn’t exactly be wine and roses, but,” she giggled, “it’d get the job done.”

Hecate yawned so hard her whole body shook. “You’re incorrigible, Pippa Pentangle.”

“Only as far as you’re concerned.” Pippa squeezed Hecate tighter and transferred them onto the bed. “There you go, darling. Give us a quick shower spell and let’s get you into your night things. It’s been a frightfully long day.” A few minutes later Hecate was curled on her side, Pippa snuggled up behind her with one arm draped around her waist. “Go to sleep, darling.” She felt Hecate nestle closer, breathing out a soft sigh as she relaxed completely. And this, Pippa thought, is what makes everything else worthwhile.

  The afternoon sunlight streamed into Hecate’s bedroom, dragging her awake. She could hear Pippa snoring softly behind her. She stretched, slow and lazy, smiling at the ring on her finger as it glittered in the sunlight. I could wake up this way every day, she thought, should have been for the last thirty years. She twirled the ring around with her thumb. The pang of regret for all the missing time was still there, but the crushing weight of it had eased into something manageable. She spotted a folded paper on the bedside table, her name written in Julie’s tidy handwriting.

Hecate pulled the paper off the table, fluffing her pillow under her head so she could read it more comfortably.

Hecate,

Your great git of a wizard has sent Millie and me back to the flat. I need to talk to you as soon as you’re able. Transfer to my bedroom. Millie can’t know what we’re talking about. I’m glad those wankers had the good sense to let you go.

Love,

Julie

PS- you and Pentangle are cute as a couple of kittens having a cuddle

 Hecate snorted, causing Pippa to stir. Rolling over and resting her head on her arm, Hecate gently tucked a strand of hair behind Pippa’s ear, delicately tracing her jawline. Pippa’s eyes fluttered open.

“Hello, you.” She pulled Hecate’s hand against her heart. “We’ve had a good sleep, haven’t we?”

“Good morning, Pipsqueak. You look beautiful.”

“I look like I spent all night in jail. You’re sweet, though.”

“That not a word usually used to describe me,” Hecate said, chuckling. “Julie wants me to go see her.” She handed Pippa the note, hoping she’d summon her reading glasses. Hecate wasn’t disappointed.

“She was in here? While we were asleep? Why aren’t you spitting toads?” Pippa felt Hecate’s forehead and cheeks with the back of her hand. “Who are you and what have you done with my Hiccup?”

“Stop,” Hecate said, grabbing her hand and kissing it before tucking it against her. “She’s the first person that really rooted for us, you know? Did you know she’s who encouraged me to invite you to movie nights?”

“I’m glad she’s your friend, Hiccup. She’s good for you.” Pippa leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Hecate’s lips. “Go get ready, sweetheart. I’ll go get us some breakfast.

  Hecate materialized into Julie’s bedroom, barking her shins on a basket of washing. “Ffff-festering frog spawn,” she hissed, rubbing her shin. She flicked her wrist and the basket shifted over to the wall. She limped to the bedroom door, opening it just a crack. Julie leaned against the counter, fidgeting, bouncing one foot and staring into a mug of tea. Hecate didn’t see Mildred, so she opened the door a little wider and flicked a tiny prickle of magic to tap against Julie’s shoulder.

Julie’s head whipped up and she spotted Hecate in the bedroom. Dropping the mug to the counter with a clatter, Julie raced into the bedroom, wrapping Hecate in a relieved hug. “I’m so chuffed you’re all right, love.” She squeezed Hecate harder then pushed her back, hands on her head, then her shoulders examining her for any injuries. “They didn’t hurt you, did they?”

Hecate shook her head. “I’m fine, Julie.” She held both of the blonde’s hands, if only to make her stop checking over her. “Really. I don’t think you are, though. Tell me what’s wrong?”

“Oh, Hecate, everything is wrong.” She double-checked the door, making sure it was closed. “The man you caught, the one impersonating the Great Wizard? That was Mildred’s father. He wants Mildred.”

The color drained from Hecate’s face. “That throws quite the spanner in the works.” She nudged Julie over to the bed. “Start from the beginning; tell me everything that happened.”

  Mildred heard the chime of an incoming message on her maglet. From Ethel Hallow, it said. Nose wrinkling in disgust, she opened the message.

No surprise to hear you’re in the middle of the Great Wizard’s kidnapping and the debacle at the Pentangle’s. No wonder Hardbroom’s filed papers to take you into her custody. Probably the first step to Wormwood’s – and good riddance!

Mildred threw the maglet down, ignoring it as it bounced off her bed and onto the floor. What happened at the party wasn’t her fault, she thought, even if her first time going was the first time anything bad had ever happened. She scooped up her maglet and read the message again. HB filed papers? About her? Ethel had to be wrong about that. HB had been glad to see her at the council; she’d hugged her, even. Though, Mildred realized, that was before she’d been called in to meet with the Magistrate and the Great Wizard.

She thought back to the party, remembering looking up a couple of times to find the Great Wizard looking at her, or who she thought was the Great Wizard. She shook her head, trying to clear away the confusion. She remembered one time during the party it looked like he was walking towards her, but some grownup pulled him off in another direction.

Was the fake wizard interested in her? Did Miss Hardbroom think he was? A pinpoint of queasiness blossomed in Mildred’s stomach. She tried to squash it back down. This was all just Ethel being…Ethel. “Not this time, Ethel, mum would never let HB take me away.” Even as she said it, memories of the party flashed in her mind: Mr. Pentangle greeting her mum with a kiss to the hand and a deep bow, Mr. Pentangle bringing Mum and Mildred drinks, laughing at every stupid joke her mum made, Mum and Mr. Pentangle dancing…

Did her mum want to spend more time with him? Was she in the way? Her mum would tell her, wouldn’t she? If she were dating Mr. Pentangle? Suddenly being sent to live with HB didn’t seem quite so farfetched. Still, HB wouldn’t send her to Wormwood’s, would she? Mildred read through Ethel’s message a third and fourth time, finding it a little more believable with every go. Well, she thought, I’m not just going to take Ethel Hallow’s word for anything; I’ll just ask Mum.

She walked down the short hallway to her mum’s bedroom, pausing with her hand on the knob. She heard voices. Was that HB? What was she doing here? Why wouldn’t she say hello when she arrived? Mildred pressed ear against the door, straining to hear the conversation. When that didn’t work she eased the door open the tiniest sliver. It was a risk, but, luckily, both her mum and HB were focused on each other and didn’t notice. Now Mildred could hear and see.

“She’s my daughter, Hecate! Magic or no, the Council would have no right to take her!”

“The Magic Council always has the right, Julie! I know that’s hard for you to understand, but it’s the way things work for witches and wizards.” Hecate paced back and forth in the narrow space between Julie’s bed and the wall. “If the Great Wizard decides it would be better for her to be raised by someone with magic, he will simply make it so.”  She pinched the bridge of her nose. “He owes me a favor…”

“A favor! It’s going to take more than a favor…” Julie got off the bed and went to stand toe to toe with Hecate. For a second Mildred thought she might hit her. “You listen to me, Hecate. No one and I mean no one is going to take my daughter from me. I will call the ordinary police, the newspapers and tv stations…everyone will know some nutter claiming to have magic made off with my daughter.” Her voice dropped so low that Mildred could barely hear her. “I will violate every section of your precious Witches’ Code to keep her.”

Hecate pushed past her and stalked to the other side of the room. “And what good will that do? The ordinary authorities will just think you’ve lost your mind.” She turned her back to the door, blocking Mildred’s view of her mother as well. “You promised to look after her, Hecate.”

“You are out of your mind if you think I’m going to let Mildred go without a fight. As long as there is even a whisper of magic in my blood or a breath of air in my lungs, I will fight for her. As far as the magical world is concerned, she will stay with me.”

When Hecate spoke again, Mildred couldn’t see the tears shining in Hecate’s eyes, or the look of utter relief and faith on her mother’s face. She was already scrambling away when Julie crushed Hecate in a bear-like hug. All she had were HB’s words, which sounded more and more menacing each time she replayed them in her head.

Back in her room, Mildred tried to work out what she’d heard. It didn’t make any sense. Miss Hardbroom wouldn’t…She’s Mum’s friend, Mildred thought. She was concentrating so hard she didn’t hear the mirror chime. It wasn’t until Enid knocked on the glass that she finally heard her.

“Millie!” Enid waved from her room. “Why didn’t you tell us?” She adjusted a table mirror sitting next to her so Mildred could see Maud waving from it.

“Hello, Maud, Enid. Tell you what?”

“Only the most exciting thing to happen in the whole witching world and you were there! Millie! The Pentangle’s party!” Enid couldn’t contain her curiosity. “You saw the Great Wizard’s imposter!”

“Is it true that Miss Hardbroom took him out with a single spell! It must have been so exciting!” Maud held up her maglet. “Felicity’s had three different write-ups about it on her blog. I can’t believe she hasn’t interviewed you yet.”

Mildred shook her head. “It wasn’t exciting at all, Maud. It was really scary. Miss Drill got hurt, and they arrested HB.”

“Millie?” Maud frowned. “Are you okay?”

She opened her mouth to tell them about Ethel’s message and what she’d heard Miss Hardbroom say, then snapped it closed, shaking her head. “I don’t want to do this anymore.”

“But they caught the imposter. He’s in jail,” Enid said.

“But they still haven’t found the picture, have they? That means the rest of the Gullets are still trying to get Agatha and Miss Gullet out.” Mildred fiddled with some drawing pencils on her desk.

“What are HB and Miss Cackle doing to find it?” Maud asked.

“Nothing. The Great Wizard told them not to.”

Enid frowned into the mirror. “When has HB ever listened to him?”

“You know she won’t go against the Code, Enid. I heard Miss Cackle tell mum that he ordered everyone to stay out of it. If they didn’t this time, there would be some sort of cen…cen…”

“Censure?” Maud supplied. Mildred nodded. “That’s serious, then. A witch could have her powers confiscated for a certain length of time or have property confiscated. Miss Hardbroom could have her teaching license suspended or revoked.” She shook her head. “If the Great Wizard’s threatened that, they’d be battier than a belfry to keep looking.”

“Well, then,” Enid grinned, “I guess we’ll just have to do it.”

“What?”

“Have you boiled your cauldron dry, Enid?” Mildred shook her head. “I just told you – “

“You just told me that the Great Wizard told the teachers they couldn’t. Did he actually tell you not to try and find the picture?”

“No, but…”

“There you go! Tell her, Maud, it’s up to us!” When Maud didn’t respond, Enid flipped the little mirror around. “Come on, Millie! It’s been so boring…Mum and Dad won’t let me go anywhere since you got snatched at Miss Mould’s.”

Mildred thought about it. Technically, Enid wasn’t wrong. The Great Wizard didn’t tell her not to look for anything. Nobody had talked to her at all. Maybe if she could find this picture, everything would go back to how it was before. Maybe… “Let’s do it. Mr. Rowan-Webb didn’t think the Council would get anything done.” She straightened her shoulders. “We can do it. We’ve saved the school before.”

“Excellent!” Enid turned the mirror back around, revealing a hopping mad Maud. “It’s two to one now, Maud. We’re going to save the day!”

“You’re going to make a boil and bubble of things and get us expelled!” Maud shoved her glasses up her nose. “Millie! You can’t let her talk you in to this.”

“Come on, Maud,” Enid taunted her. “We’ve bested Agatha before. Besides, I’ve got a whole bundle of pirated magic we can use: invisibility potions, forgetting powder, disguise potions, even some hiccupping juice.”

“That’s okay, Maud, you don’t have to help. Enid and I can do it ourselves.” Mildred blinked innocently at her. “It’s just…well…it’s just like in the Harry Potter movies, isn’t it? Enid and I…we’ll be like Harry and Hermione hunting the Horcruxes. If you don’t want to, though…”

“No…” Maud twisted one of her bunches, thinking. “It wouldn’t be right not to have all three of us. After all, Ron helped, didn’t he? It takes three people.”

“That settles it then, hey?” Enid grinned in triumph. “We’ll have it sorted in no time!”

  “I can’t believe we’ve been reduced to this dump,” Malina Gullet whispered. “We never should have started this. I knew there was no way it would turn out to be as simple as steal a picture, brew a potion and say a spell. Not after that cock up with Samuel at the beach house.” She washed another cup and handed it across. “Not using magic is ridiculous!”

“Belt up, Mallie, before she hears you!” Benjamin Gullet’s eyes darted to the woman reading in the sitting room, looking like she hadn’t a care in the world. He dried the cup and stacked it in the cabinet. “If you’d done your part, we wouldn’t be in this mess,” he hissed.

“MY PART!” Benjy elbowed her in the ribs, she dropped her voice to a whisper. “My part! My job was to snatch that flighty artist. We got her. You’re the one that got so distracted by that skinny witch that you let them get away.” She slapped a dinner plate into his chest. “Like she’d ever be interested in you.”

“I didn’t get distracted. And if you’d snatched Hardbroom when you were meant to, she wouldn’t have been in the Keep with the others.” Shoving the plate in the cabinet, he slammed the door so hard it bounced back open. “You’re doing the washing in the wrong order, Mallie. Finish the cups first.” Benjy rotated his shoulders, trying to ease the ache between his shoulder blades that hunching over the sink always brought. “This whole thing keeps spiraling out of control.”  Behind him a cracked mirror chimed. “Rolando,” he grimaced. “He’s as obsessed as Mother.”

“More,” Malina agreed, throwing the scrub brush into the sink, splashing soapy water on her clothes as well as the counters. “I still don’t see why we can’t use magic if no one suspects we’re here.”

“Because Darkwood Cottage is already spelled for Agatha Cackle and she had no magic. As soon as we cast so much as a shower spell, it’ll be as good as sending up a flare straight to the Great Wizard.”

  “Buckingham Palace?”

“No, Enid.” Maud sighed.

“The London Eye?”

Mildred flopped back onto her bed. “No. Nobody’s hiding the picture in a Ferris wheel.”

“That’s too bad, isn’t it then? I quite fancy a trip to that. I’ve never been. Euro Disney?”

“Stop picking places you want to go, and think about where it might actually be, Enid.” Mildred sat back up. They’d been at the mirror chat for over an hour and it didn’t seem they were any closer to figuring out where the Gullets might have the picture than the Great Wizard. “We need to be clever.”

“How are we supposed to be clever if HB and Miss Cackle can’t figure it out? The Great Wizard has the whole Council trying to find them and they can’t. What makes you think we can do it?” Maud crossed her arms and glared at her friends. “This is worse than double chanting.”

“You are like Ron,” Enid said, “quit whinging about it and think. You’d never find a Horcrux.”

“Enid!” Mildred hated to admit it, but Maud might be right. “I can’t believe we can’t work it out. Grownups are such rubbish at hiding things. They can’t be better at hiding themselves, can they. I mean, my mum’s so obvious with my birthday present. It’s always in the top of the wardrobe, and when it’s not my birthday, there’s an empty spot where it’ll go.”

“And when Agatha tried to take over the school? She hid Miss Cackle in the picture, but then she just hung it on the wall in front of everybody. You could see her moving!” Maud shook her head. “At least when Ethel hid the Founding Stone, she put it in a box in a storeroom at the top of a tower.”

Enid jumped up and down, “That’s it, Millie! You’re brilliant!” She ripped a piece of paper out of her notebook and grabbed a pen. “What’s the most obvious place to hide it?”

“Cackle’s!” “The Great Wizard’s!” “The Gullet Mansion!” Soon they had a list of half a dozen or so obvious locations.

“I don’t think it would be at the Great Wizard’s.” Mildred said. “They would have found it when they found him.” Enid crossed it off her list. “Same with Gullet Manor.”

“Millie…you’ve been at Cackle’s this summer. Did anyone look for the picture there?”

“I don’t think so…I never heard anybody say anything about it.” Frowning in concentration, Mildred thought about all the things she’d overheard, but that just made her think about what she heard HB and her mum talking about. That queasy feeling crept in to her stomach again. “No, they didn’t. But HB and Miss Cackle did add new wards to the castle, so I don’t think they could get back inside.”

“But Cackle’s isn’t just the castle, is it?” Maud asked. “What about Darkwood Cottage? That’s where Agatha and Miss Gullet were last time. The castle wards didn’t have any effect there, did they?”

A slow smile spread across Mildred’s face. “I think we need to visit Darkwood Cottage. What do you say, Maud? Are you going to get me expelled for investigating this time?”

“You know that was just to keep you safe.” Maud looked back and forth between Mildred and Enid. “I think we should check it out. If only to tick it off the list.”

They planned to meet just before dusk. Enid would tell her nanny that she was staying the night with Maud, while Maud would tell her parents she was at Enid’s. “My mum’s on lates for the next few days. I’ll just wait until she goes to work.”

  Mildred touched down at the edge of the woods. Enid and Maud were already there, wrapped in their cloaks. Enid carried a satchel filled with her bottles of pirated magic. “Sorry, it took me longer to get out of the flat. Mum didn’t work tonight. I waited until she fell asleep, then left her a note that HB was helping me with my summer potions project.”

“That’s not fair!” Maud cried. “The rest of us don’t get help!” Mildred just stared at her, mouth gawping in disbelief.

“Wait for it…” Enid smirked.

“What? It isn’t fair…oh. Well. Never mind, then.” She shoved her glasses off her nose and marched off into the woods. Mildred and Maud shared a knowing look and followed.

Light from the setting sun barely filtered through the trees when they finally reached the clearing. The cottage looked abandoned, but, Mildred thought, it had looked abandoned before.

“Here,” Enid handed them each a stoppered bottle filled with green liquid, “cheers!” She downed her own bottle and waited for the others to do the same. She watched their feet disappear, then their shins and bodies. “Grab hands!” The girls managed to clasp hands just as they faded entirely from view.

“Remember,” Maud whispered, “we’re only invisible. If anybody is in the cottage they’ll be able to hear us.”

Mildred nodded before she remembered they couldn’t see her. “Right, then. Let’s go.”

Stepping carefully, Mildred led them across the clearing and up to the windows. Pulling herself up, she started to peek over the ledge when a light flipped on inside. Gasping, Mildred dropped back down to the ground. “Someone’s inside,” she whispered. Light streamed into the garden from the window.

“You think so?” Enid whispered. “Here, stand on my back and see if it’s the same ones from before.” She got down on her hands and knees, gritting her teeth as Mildred clumsily tried to stand on something she couldn’t see.

Mildred clutched the window ledge tightly, Enid was really wobbly. She felt Maud’s hands trying to steady her. “That’s my bum, Maud.”

“Sorry,” she said, shifting her hands up. “Sorry, Enid!” She felt something squishy under her boot and heard Enid’s muffled yelp.

“Shhh! They’ll hear us!” Mildred squinted against the glass. How are you supposed to block the glare when you’re invisible? If she leaned all the way over to the left, she could just make out the shabby living room. An older witch, wearing clothes that looked even more old-fashioned than HB’s sat reading on the purple sofa. She’d never seen her before.

Shifting her feet a little, Mildred leaned to the right. There! Mildred spotted the corner of the picture, Agatha’s shocked face stared out at the room. “They’ve got the picture hanging over the fireplace! We found it!”

“So you did. But I’ve found you!”

“Oh, no!” Mildred felt the revealing spell slam into her back, knocking her into a jumbled heap on the ground with Enid and Maud. She tried to scramble away but couldn’t break away from the magic holding her down. She looked over her shoulder and came face to face with the wizard from Gullet Manor. “I know you,” she said, “you’re Miss Gullet’s brother.”

“And you’re the meddling little witch that keeps turning up, like a rotten apple at the bottom of the bin. You’ve brought friends, I see.” Benjamin reached into his pocket and pulled out the ball.

“Stop it, Benjy!” Malina grabbed his arm. “It’ll be a miracle if no one noticed that revealing spell. You know vanishing them into the globe will make an even bigger magical resonance.” She bent down and snatched Mildred up by one of her plaits. “Grab the other two and get them inside. Mother will know what to do with them.”

  Hecate closed her book and tossed it onto the coffee table. Flipping open her pocket watch, she realized it had only been fifteen minutes since she’d last checked the time – not quite six o’clock. Glancing at the sitting room mirror, she thought about mirroring Pippa, but changed her mind. Pippa was coming to Cackle’s as soon as she wrapped up her duties at Pentangle’s for the day. Any time Hecate spent talking to her now would just delay her arrival in person.

“What’s happened to you, Hecate?” she asked her reflection. “You used to relish the time you spent alone in your rooms.” That was true, wasn’t it? Cocking her head, she thought about it. Certainly, the solitude of her quarters had always been a welcome respite of the hurly-burly of life at the academy. Her rooms were one of the few places silence could prevail – even the library echoed its share of sighs, whispers and the endless fidgeting of little girls. As a child her hutch had been a welcome sanctuary, a safe place protected from the cruelty of her classmates.

But even then, you had Pippa, a quiet voice in her head reminded her - exuberant, sometimes naughty, always hungry, always touching her, always so very present. Even when she was gone. “There’s a thin line between a sanctuary and a hiding place,” she told her reflection. “You’ve been hiding.”

Hecate took a hard look at her quarters. Pippa’s influence was everywhere: vases filled with flowers, the nubby throw Hecate loved to cuddle under when she marked essays, framed photographs lining her walls. It was more than that, though, she thought. Pippa herself was ever-present, having planted her flag in Hecate’s rooms the first night she stayed over. In the bathroom, a pink toothbrush shared the cup with Hecate’s black one, and a fluffy pink robe hung on the hook next to hers. A book about modern magic sat on the night table on the far side of her bed, pink reading glasses resting on top. And a violently pink coffee mug sporting a glittering unicorn with a rainbow flying out of his bum sat next to her simple monogrammed one in the cupboard. Though, since she seemed to be in a mood to be honest with herself, the unicorn mug’s days were numbered.

It wasn’t just Pippa, though, she realized. The Hubbles had also made their mark in her quarters. On her mantel sat a framed drawing that Mildred had done of Morgana. Her sketchbook and some colored pencils lay scattered across the coffee table. Next to the sofa Julie had a tidy stack of ordinary and witching newspapers. Hecate had never imagined the woman read so much. No wonder she was able to throw out sections of the Witches’ Code with almost as much authority as Hecate herself. “Face it, Hardbroom,” she said aloud, lips quirking into a wry half-smile, “you miss your family.”

She stepped across the room and tapped the mirror. So far, it had always been Julie or Pippa making arrangements, she thought. My turn. “Julie!” she grinned when the blonde picked up. “I thought I’d see if you and Mildred would care to join Pippa and me for dinner? We could maybe play Pandemic again?” Hecate didn’t understand why Julie was frowning at her.

“What do you mean, ‘me and Mildred?’ Mildred’s already there.” She stepped out of the frame a second and returned holding up a piece of paper. “Mildred said she was working on a potions project with you.”

“I haven’t talked to her all day.” Hecate’s eyebrows nearly flew off her forehead when Julie spat a series of one particular short, sharp, Germanic swear word.

“It’s that bastard wizard, isn’t it? He said he wanted her.”

Hecate held her hands up to the mirror. “We don’t know that. It’s her handwriting on the note?” Julie nodded. “Perhaps she…wanted to visit Maud or Enid?” Even as she said it, Hecate knew that wasn’t right. Mildred knew all she had to do was ask and a visit could be arranged. “Most likely, Mildred has taken it upon herself to investigate the whereabouts of that damnable picture.” She rubbed her fingers across her forehead. “I swear by Merlin’s beard, Ada’s going to need a petrification spell to keep me from incinerating the damn thing if I ever get my hands on it.” She looked at Julie, wide-eyed and panicked in the mirror, and raised her hand. “I’m transferring you now.”

  “This plan turned out to be an epic fail,” Enid grumbled. They were sitting on the floor in the cellar, back to back with their hands and feet tied. A lantern sputtered on a table across the room, making the whole place feel gloomy and bleak.

“Just be glad we aren’t in the giant hamster ball this time.” Mildred snapped, working at the curtain ties that Benjy Gullet had used to bind their hands and feet. It wasn’t working. Her shoulders hurt from having her hands pulled behind her back and part of one of her feet was numb.

Enid snapped back, “Sounds more fun than this.”

“HB broke her nose, and I got a concussion. I keep telling you that none of this has been fun.”

“Both of you be quiet,” Maud hissed. “Someone’s coming!”

“Well, well, well…three little tadpoles out of their pond.” Petronilla leaned down until her face was only inches away from Mildred’s. “I remember you. You’re the one that Hardbroom woman keeps dragging along behind her.”

Mildred tried to shrink back, her face twisted in disgust. Mrs. Gullet’s breath stank like Miss Bat’s socks. She heard Maud whimper behind her. “That’s right. And she’ll find me and then you’ll be sorry.” Mildred hoped the doubt didn’t show on her face. Not only did HB not know where they were, she didn’t even know they were missing. No one would until tomorrow.

Mrs. Gullet laughed then, dry and cold. “Find you? What’s one more tadpole in a pond? You’ll be long gone by the time they figure out we’ve been right under their noses the whole time. I hope you know how to swim.”

“You don’t scare me,” Mildred said, forcing her voice steady. “I’ve been a frog before. Broke the spell then, I’ll break the spell now.”

“Think so, do you? You’ve got a lot of bottle, I’ll give you that.” Petronilla Gullet smiled down at them, revealing a mouth full of stained, uneven teeth. “But it’s awfully hard to break a spell when you don’t have any magic.” She spun on her heel and stalked up the narrow staircase. “Benjy! Gather what we need for an extraction spell – three extraction spells.” The door slammed closed behind her.

“What are you doing, Millie? Don’t make her mad!”

“Lay off, Maud. It’s not like it can get any worse.” Enid tried jerking her hands apart, but it only jabbed Mildred and Maud in the sides.

“Ow! Be still, Enid!” Maud shoved her with her shoulder. “Your stupid satchel is jabbing me in the back!”

“Maud! You’re a genius!” Millie tried to twist around so she could see the satchel, but only managed to nearly tip them over. “I can’t believe they didn’t take the bag. What all is in the bag, Enid? Is there anything that will cut the ropes?”

“I don’t think so, but I’ve got all sorts of pirated magic, some tuck, and a few other bits and bobs.” Enid rubbed her shoulder against Maud until she was finally able wriggle out of the strap. A few more twists and turns and the satchel was loose on the floor in the open space behind their backs. “Hang on…I think…that loosened the rope that goes around all three of us!”

“Quick! Everybody push as hard against each other as you can,” Mildred said. “When I count to three, try to stand up. One, two, three!” The girls pushed and grunted, nearly falling over twice, but eventually, staggering to their feet. Mildred’s foot was all pins and needles.

“We did it,” Maud panted. “I can’t believe it.”

“All right then, everybody press together and suck in!” The girls did as Enid instructed, and, in a few seconds, she’d shimmied the rope down far enough to push it past her hips. In a moment, they were free. Well, at least they weren’t tied to each other anymore. “Hurry,” Enid stepped in front of Maud, “untie me.” A few grunts and a little rope burn later, all three girls were free.

Mildred looked around the windowless room. Other than the ropes and the lantern, there didn’t seem to be anything useful. “We need to get out of here.”

“Build that girl a gingerbread house,” Enid said, rolling her eyes. She rummaged around in her satchel. “Since we can’t exactly trek out through the parlor, let’s just make them think we did!” She handed out three more bottles of invisibility potion.

“How much of that do you have in there?” Maud asked as she tried to look inside the bag herself. “Where did you even get it?”

“Amazon. I used my mum’s Prime account. They sell everything.  This is the last of it, though.”

“Wh-what? Amazon? Dot-com?” Mildred looked back and forth between her friends. “Amazon sells witching supplies?”

“Oh, yeah. You’ve got to click through a cauldron’s worth of drop down menus to find it, but it’s there.” She unstoppered her bottle. “Bottoms up.” Once again, they faded out of view.

Mildred arranged the ropes in the center of the room. “Maybe they’ll think we’ve escaped,” she whispered. “As soon as someone comes in, try to make your way up the stairs – quietly.” She pushed her friends towards the staircase. Hopefully, whoever came in would see the empty room and leave the door open. “When we get out of here, make your way back to where we landed. Since we can’t see each other…”

“Everybody’s on their own,” Maud finished. “Good luck then,” she said, as they awkwardly tried a three-way hug.

  “That’s it then, they’re all three gone.” Pippa closed Ada’s office door behind her. “Maud told her parents she was staying with Enid, and Enid did the same.”

“And Millie told me she was with Hecate,” Julie rubbed the back of her neck.

“I’m so sorry, Julie.” Hecate raised a hand to comfort her, then thought better of it. “I should have…”

“Should have what, Hecate?” Julie smiled sympathetically. “You would have had to know she was up to something.”

“She’s always up to something, Ms. Hubble.” Hecate said.

“That’s as may be,” Ada interjected, “I think it’s safe to assume the girls are together. If we must assign blame, I suggest we lay it on the Great Wizard’s broomstick.” She took in the shocked faces staring back at her. “Well, he is the one who did not specifically tell Mildred that she couldn’t continue the hunt for the picture.”

Pippa had also mirrored the Great Wizard while she was out. “Egbert says that Samuel Gullet is still in the holding cell and still refusing to say anything, but I think it’s safe to say that Mildred hasn’t been taken. I’m sure they’ve gone looking for the rest of the Gullets.”

Julie dropped into one of Ada’s wingback chairs, elbows leaned on her knees. “This is what she’s like at school, isn’t it? One scrape after another?”

Hecate’s face scrunched into nervous agreement. “A bit?”

“All right,” Pippa clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “I think we can make a fair assumption that the girls are together. Julie? No luck with the cell phone?”

“Oh, I found the bloody phone all right, right there in the flat.”

“Then we find them the old-fashioned way: magic.” Pippa looked around the room. The entire staff from Cackle’s was there, ready to help. Peter was on his way. Even the Great Wizard had marshalled his forces again. “I know I don’t need to tell you that, the faster we find these girls the better. If they actually do stumble into the Gullet’s hideout…”

Hecate shook her head. “If? This is Mildred we’re talking about – the girl who thwarted Agatha…three times already? Who found our missing Founding Stone, learned how to reignite one and saved us all from being frozen in blocks of ice? I think it’s safe to assume they’ve already ascertained the location of the Gullet’s…lair. We’re the ones that are slow on the uptake.” She paced around the room, thinking, trying to think like Mildred Hubble.

“Hiccup?” Pippa pulled her aside. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking that we aren’t going to figure this out in time,” Hecate muttered. “She was too out of it to remember what happened when we were at their manor. I don’t think she knows how dangerous these people are.”

“Perhaps so. It’s also possible that events of the last two years have skewed her judgment when it comes to evaluating dangerous things. After all, she’s taken quite the shine to you, darling.” Pippa took Hecate’s hand in hers, brushing her thumb across the ring on Hecate’s finger. “As have I.”

“I feel the same way, Pip.” She laced their fingers together. “I don’t know what to do. We’re firmly in magic mum territory here and I haven’t a clue where to even begin. How are we supposed to figure out where the Gullets are now? Or Mildred? We’re just assuming the girls are looking in the right place.”

“Take a breath, Hiccup. No one expects you to solve this on your own.” Pippa jerked her head towards the others. “That’s why we’re all here, working together. It’s just hard because no one knows where the Gullets might have gone.”

Hecate’s eyes narrowed. “One person knows. One slimy, lying, sack of… Samuel Gullet knows where they would go.” She dropped Pippa’s hand and stepped back. “Mirror the Great Wizard, Ada. Tell him I’m on my way to talk to Samuel Gullet.” She flicked her wrist and disappeared.

No one moved in the silence following her transference, then everything happened at once.

“Call, Ada!” Pippa spun around, “call, call, call!” Merlin’s balls, Pippa thought, please don’t let Hecate kill him!

“Oh dear,” Ada raced to the mirror, tapping frantically.

“Let’s gather the brooms, Algie, she’ll have a target for us as soon as she gets back.” Dimity ran out the door, Algernon right on her heels.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes, Ada,” Miss Bat said as she stood up from her seat on the sofa. “I’m going to need my good baton.”

“He’s on his way to the Council!” Ada called from the mirror.

Julie clutched at Pippa’s dress. “I’m coming with you. Wherever she says we’re going, I’m coming with you.”

“All right. You’ll ride with me.”

  Hecate Hardbroom’s boots echoed down the corridor as she made her way down to the cells. It’s the same sound they made a few days ago, when she was the one about to be questioned, about to be locked away. Raised voices of frightened guards faded behind her.

For once, Hecate Hardbroom enjoyed her reputation. She knew what they whispered about her in the Council halls – that it was she that brewed the potions no one else could. That it was she the Great Wizard spoke of in hushed, respectful tones. And that it was she who had refused the Great Wizard’s request to be named Grand Potions Master for all of magic kind.

Yes, if people wanted to fear her, she was going to make it work for her today.

Finally, she reached Samuel Gullet’s cell block. The sound of her boots had provided ample warning for the guard stationed outside. Scrambling to his feet, the young man waved a pair of Binding cuffs feebly in her direction. Her eyes slid past him as though he were nothing but a stain on the floor.

Hecate shoved both arms out ahead of her, hurling a wave of magic at the cell door and causing it to burst inward. Oops, she thought, I think those are supposed to open out.

Without slowing her pace, she stomped past the guard and into the cell. “Samuel Gullet,” she drawled, spitting the last ‘t’ of his name. “You have information I want.”

Samuel scuttled into the back corner of the cell, cuffed hands held out in front of him. As if that would help. “I don’t have to tell you anything. I have rights. It’s a violation of the Code for Council employees to assault a prisoner.”

“I. Am. Not. A. Council. Employee.” Hecate crossed the room, pleased when he cowered even more. “Your wretched family has taken something from me. Something I value a great deal. I intend to get it back, and you will help me do it. Where is your family hiding?”

“Why should I tell you that? You can’t threaten me!” Magic crackled in the air around them causing the lights to flicker. Samuel’s mouth filled with the taste of metal and, for the first time, he realized that the woman in front of him wasn’t wearing Binding cuffs. Beads of sweat popped out along his forehead.

“Stupid wizard. I’m not threatening you. I’m promising you.”

“I know who you are,” Samuel blustered, “you’re nothing but a schoolteacher at some second-class, no-fee witching school.”

“Oh, Samuel,” Hecate’s voice dropped until it was almost sultry. “How I’m going to enjoy disabusing you of these foolish notions.” She could see his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “Do you know what it feels like to be skinned alive? You will. I’m the woman who will brew the potion that makes you feel that every day for the rest of your life. How will it feel when every last happy memory has been taken and twisted until it’s the stuff of your nightmares? I’m the one who’ll brew that potion, too.”

“You can’t do that,” he whispered.

“I’m a Hardbroom, Samuel, the last of my line. You’ve heard of my family, everyone has. Powerful? Ruthless? Dark, even? What sort of books do think are in the Hardbroom family library? What sort of bedtime stories do you think lulled me to sleep as a child?”

“You’re mad! Stark, raving, mad!” Samuel felt his feet heating up. He looked down and saw the spiderweb of cracks in the stone beneath them. This witch’s magic was heating up the foundations of the building. “What do you want?”

“Your family has taken Mildred Hubble. I want her back. You can either help me find her and be left to face the Council’s consequences, or you can refuse to help me and face my consequences. Woe to you should something happen to her.”

“Why do you even care about the girl?” He flinched as a fresh crack opened in the floor. Since he’d taken Wilbur Birdsong’s powers, Samuel Gullet had never been afraid of a witch. He was absolutely terrified now.

“I know Julie Hubble has spoken to you and that you threatened to remove Mildred from her care.” The blanket on Samuel’s cot began to smolder where it touched the floor. “You argued that Mildred should have someone from the magical world looking out for her.”

“I stand by that.”

“Julie Hubble told you that Mildred already had someone like that.” Hecate stepped forward until she had Samuel’s back against the wall. “I’m that witch, and I take my obligation to Mildred very seriously.”

Samuel felt the blood draining from his face. “There’s a cottage. I don’t know who it belongs to and I don’t know where it is.” The pitcher on the table shattered, splashing water everywhere. The drops that hit the floor sizzled and evaporated almost at once. “It’s true! I’ve never been there! I just know that it’s somewhere near that school and that Cassandra stayed there with Agatha Cackle before she wound up in that picture.”

Darkwood, Hecate thought, he must be talking about Darkwood Cottage. Without another word she spun on her heel and stalked out of the room. She waved a hand and the temperature inside the cell dropped at least forty degrees, and a thin layer of frost covered everything.

The Great Wizard waited for her in the hallway, moving to keep pace as she sped towards the exits. “That was quite impressive, Miss Hardbroom. Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

“Thank you, Your Greatness, perhaps more people would do well to remember that, when it comes to threatening my family, I don’t really have a good side.”

“I don’t suppose it will do me any good to order you to stand down and let the professionals retrieve Mildred Hubble and her friends?”

“None at all, Your Greatness.” As soon as she felt the wards forbidding transference fall behind her, Hecate waved her hands and disappeared, leaving Egbert Hellibore shaking his head. He would need to be mindful of who he called a ‘mere witch’ in the future.

“Thistle!” He shouted. “Here’s your chance to redeem yourself!”

  Mildred’s plan worked perfectly – for all of about thirty seconds. As soon as Benjy had opened the cellar door, Enid or Maud had tried to run past him. Whichever one it was had made too much noise on the stairs and Benjy had managed to grab her and hand her off to his sister. The muffled shouting had sounded a lot like Enid as she was being dragged out of the cellar.

Mildred hadn’t moved. She’d hardly even breathed, even when Benjy had clomped down the stairs waving his hands around and around like some weird version of Pin the Hat on the Wizard. At last he gave up, trudging up the stairs. Mildred scrambled to follow him, moving as silently as possible. She was about halfway up the stairs when he crashed back through the doorway, carrying a sack of something. Mildred barely avoided him by swinging under the stair rail and leaning out over the outside of the stairs.

Benjy ripped open the sack, reaching in and pulling out a handful of flour. He flung it into the room, repeating it several times until he’d covered the entire floor with flour and a white mist hung in the air. Mildred hung on to the rail with one hand and covered her mouth and nose with the other. She hoped she wouldn’t cough or sneeze. Benjy threw the remains of the flour against the far wall, exploding flour everywhere before he left again. This time, he didn’t bother to close the door.

Mildred cautiously worked her way up the outside of the staircase, careful not to disturb any of the flour. Luckily, Benjy had already been halfway down the stairs before he started flinging the flour around and the top steps were clear. Listening to make sure no one was around, Mildred swung under the railing and crept into the kitchen.

A cauldron sat in the middle of the stove. The ingredients for a triple batch of an extraction spell were carefully arranged on the table. Mildred tried to remember what Alma Cackle’s spellbook had said about extraction spells. She studied the ingredients on the table. She remembered something about lion’s whiskers. Quickly opening cupboard doors, Mildred finally found a collection of spice jars. She chose some thyme and rosemary and added a pinch here and there to the prepared ingredients. She didn’t know what it would do, but hopefully it was enough to sabotage the extraction spell. She slipped the spices back in the cupboard and tiptoed into the sitting room.

Enid sat tied to a chair, no longer invisible. Her satchel tossed onto the credenza, out of reach. She doesn’t look hurt, Mildred thought, mostly she looks mad. Mildred crossed to the coffee table, checking to make sure no one was around before she reached in and pulled out whatever vials Enid had inside. Enid’s eyes widened, but she didn’t say anything.

Mildred nearly jumped out of her skin when Enid started coughing. She turned around in time to see Enid jerking her head towards the coffee table. At first, all Mildred saw was the tea service. Then she spotted it: a small red book laying face down, open to the middle. Mrs. Cackle’s spellbook! Mildred snatched it up and slipped it into a pocket of her coveralls. Hopefully, whoever was brewing the potion for the extraction spell still needed to read the instructions.

The bottles of pirated magic clinked as she pulled them out to look at them. There wasn’t much to choose from. The duplicating potion she’d use on the picture, of course. The hiccupping one? Well, she shrugged, dumping it into the teapot. Anything for a distraction. She heard voices coming towards her and pressed herself against the wall.

“Finish the potion, Mallie. I don’t want this one around any longer necessary. The sooner she’s a tadpole the better. What’s the matter? Why aren’t you going?”

“The spellbook, Mother…I left it right here.” Mallie pointed at the empty space next to the teapot. “Did you pick it up?”

“Certainly not!” Petronilla pulled Enid’s head around by her hair bunch. “What did you do with it, girl? And don’t lie to me!”

Enid jerked her head away. “I didn’t touch it! I couldn’t have, could I?”

The smack of Petronilla’s hand across Enid’s face startled Mildred so much that she bumped the credenza, jostling a candlestick enough to cause the flame to sputter. Petronilla whipped around, eyes raking across the wall.

Mildred held her breath. It felt like Mrs. Gullet was staring right at her. A sudden realization filled her with dread, and she looked down to see her feet gradually fading into view.

  Hecate pointed her broomstick at the edge of the woods, intending to skim the tree tops until they reached Darkwood Cottage. Movement near the road caught her eye. Maud Spellbody.

She signaled to the group to land, pulling her broom to a stop just before the girl buried her face in Hecate’s middle. Hecate couldn’t understand a word the girl said, she was rambling on so quickly. “Maud Spellbody!” Hecate shouted, shifting her voice to its most Hardbroomish. The girl quieted immediately, straightening her shoulders and staring at the ground in front of her.

“Hecate?” Ada placed a calming hand on her deputy’s forearm. “Let me, perhaps?” She cupped Maud’s chin in her hand, forcing her to look up. “Now is not the time to worry about being in trouble, Miss Spellbody. Where are Mildred and Enid?”

“I – I don’t know. We were all at the cottage – we found the picture! But, the Gullets found us. They tied us up in the cellar, Miss Cackle!” She started to cry.

“It’s okay, love. You’re safe now.” Julie knelt beside the girl, gave her something to lean on. “You escaped. Did Millie and Enid?”                “I don’t know. We took another dose of invisibility potion. We were supposed to meet here – only they didn’t show up! And just now I quit being invisible!”

Ada looked up at Hecate. “I’ll wager the other girls are visible now as well. Not so easy to hide.” She focused on Maude. “If you girls thought you’d found the picture, or the Gullets, why didn’t you tell anyone? Retrieving that picture is a job for adults.”

Wringing her hands, Maud whispered, “I know Miss Cackle. We didn’t think anyone would believe us.”

“Perhaps you should have tried to convince us, nonetheless?”

“Forgive me, Ada, but we are running out of time.” Hecate said, dismounting from her broom. “Miss Bat!” Hecate hustled Maud over to Gwen. “Will you see to Miss Spellbody? Get her back to the castle if things seem to go kettles to cauldrons.”

“Come with me, child.”

Hecate jerked her chin down once before remounting her broom. She raised an eyebrow as Julie scrambled up behind her instead of rejoining Pippa.

“We both know you’re going to get there first,” she said, patting Hecate’s side.

“That would be correct.” Just as Hecate was about to push off, Pippa grabbed her wrist.

“Wait!” Pippa held her cell phone out so Hecate and Julie could see the screen. “Samuel Gullet’s managed to break free of the Magistrates. He physically overpowered his guard when he was being moved to a different cell.”

Hecate closed her eyes, sighing. “Nothing is ever easy.”

  Petronilla grabbed Mildred by one of her plaits and dragged her into the middle of the room. “I’ll have no more interference from you, girl!” Throwing Mildred to the floor, Petronilla held her in a binding spell with one hand and used the other to summon everything out of her pockets. She sent the potions bottles crashing into the fireplace. The spellbook flew into her hand. “Disgusting little thief!”

“Thief? You’re going on about me being a thief?” Mildred glared back at her. “You murdered people!”

“Something you should have remembered before you interfered.” She magicked the book into a startled Mallie’s hands. “Finish the potion while I take care of these two.” She held up her hand and a trio of oily dark fireballs danced over her palm.

“Mum…what are you going to do? They’re just children.”

“THE POTION!” Petronilla watched her youngest daughter flee into the kitchen before turning back to the girls huddled together on the floor. “I hope you two have a high threshold for pain. It’s not nearly as much fun if you pass out too quickly.” She reared her arm back to throw, then froze, head snapping up to look at the ceiling.

Benjy materialized beside her. “Flyers, Mother, coming from Cackle’s…” He too looked up at the ceiling.

Mildred and Enid looked at each other, then up, then back at each other. “I don’t know what –” She felt it then. The magic of the wards surrounding the cottage was…changing. Like an engine revving faster and faster. Mildred could feel the spells unraveling, ends whipping free like a hose under too much pressure.  With a deafening crack the magic surrounding the cottage ripped itself apart. She tore her eyes away from the ceiling and saw the most wonderful sight: Her mum, standing next to Miss Hardbroom, both looking windblown and furious.

Miss Hardbroom’s crystal staff appeared out of nowhere, and she used it to scatter the dark magic Petronilla hurled towards them.

“You brought an Ordinary to a witch’s fight?” Petronilla sneered. “Standards have dropped at Cackle’s since my poor Cassandra was forced out.”

Mallie rushed out of the kitchen, too focused on Hecate to notice that she got too close to Julie. In a flash, Julie snatched up a table lamp and brought it crashing down on the woman’s head, knocking her cold. “Ordinary or no, I can still do that.”

“Way to go, Mum!” Mildred shouted.

Petronilla slashed her arm down, knocking the air from Mildred’s lungs, effectively silencing her. Julie surged forward, but Hecate blocked her path. “Stay back,” she hissed.

Benjy called up his own spells, readying them just as Pippa, Ada and Dimity popped into view. Peter and Algernon appeared behind him an instant later.

Peter rubbed his hands together until a bright blue disk of magic formed, growing steadily larger until it was the size of a bedsheet. “Give it up, mate. Surrender to us and you get to spend the rest of your days in a nice quiet cell. Keep fighting and I leave you to the witches.” He narrowed his eyes. “Believe me, you don’t stand a witch’s chance in Salem against my sister and her girlfriend.”

Benjy lifted his hand to transfer, but Algernon was ready. “Nope. I don’t think so,” he said, yanking his hands toward the floor. Benjy dropped heavily to his knees. “I looked that spell up after Dimity described it to me. Hee! Right handy, I think.”

Peter flung the blue magic over Benjy like a blanket, smiling in satisfaction as it swaddled him like a baby until he couldn’t move. Behind him, Dimity did the same thing to a sluggishly stirring Malina.

“You’ve lost your allies, now, Petronilla.” Ada stepped forward. “It’s time for this foolishness to end.”

“You’re quite right.” She squared her shoulders and shouted, “I demand a Section Seven…against Hecate Hardbroom.”

Hecate sucked in a breath of surprise but recovered quickly. “Are you mad? You must know you can’t win.”

“I know nothing of the sort,” Petronilla sneered. “A witch’s power grows stronger every year. You are the one who’ll be ceding your power to me.”

“Hiccup?”

“Look out, HB,” Dimity called. “She’s the type that’ll fight dirty.”

Hecate ignored them all. “What are your terms?”

“If I win, I get your powers. Cassandra is released from that vile photograph. I also get the girl.” She gestured at Mildred. “Oh, yes. I know very well who she is. I’ve always known.”

Hecate tried to squash the roiling fear that erupted in her stomach like a volcano. “And if I win?”

“Simple. You keep your powers, you keep the girl, Cassandra stays where she is…and I don’t unleash the Firetrap spell I’ve embedded into the walls of this cottage. Which do you think is faster? Your ability to transfer everyone out? Or blackfire magic?”

“It seems you’ve left me no choice.” She smoothed her skirt and vanished the furniture. Peter and Algernon moved the bound Gullets out of the way. “A moment, please.” Hecate stepped up to Pippa, smiling sadly. “Don’t worry, Pipsqueak. I intend to win.”

Pippa smiled, though it never quite reached her eyes. “I know you will.” She pulled Hecate down for a long, thorough kiss, utterly mindless of all their friends watching. Finally, she pulled away. “Go get her, Hiccup.”

“How tender.” Petronilla shoved her hands forward and a gust of magic sent Pippa slamming into the wall. She dropped to the floor, her golden staff clattering to the floor beside her.

“Pippa!” Hecate let herself be distracted and a blast of power hit her between her shoulder blades. She stumbled forward, sprawling on her hands and knees.

“I’m fine, darling. Take care of yourself!”

Hecate rolled to her feet, only partially dodging the next strike. At least they aren’t dark magic, she thought, wincing in pain.

“Why isn’t anybody helping her?” Julie demanded. “There’s only one old lady and half a dozen of us!”

“The Code doesn’t allow it, dear,” Ada explained. “Mrs. Gullet has called for a duel. No witch can interfere during the course of another witch’s duel.”

“And this bloody code of yours doesn’t prohibit her from taking potshots at bystanders?” Julie looked over to see Peter propping his sister against the wall. Pippa kept pushing his hands away and trying to get up.

“Spectator beware, I’m afraid. For the adults, anyway. The girls would be off-limits.” Ada stepped back as another ball of magic flew past them. “I’d pay attention to the duel, if I were you, Ms. Hubble.”

Julie turned around in time to see Hecate land a solid hit on the older woman, lighting her up with an orange glow and knocking her back a couple of steps. “Is that all you’ve got?” she wheezed. “You do have everyone fooled, don’t you? Resting on the family name while your own powers atrophy?” She muttered an incantation, but Hecate hexed her with a sneezing spell before she could finish it. “Really, Hecate? A children’s prank? Is that why you stayed in that second-rate school? You could only feel powerful amongst the schoolgirls?” Petronilla edged around the room while Hecate kept pace, keeping herself between the older witch and the rest. “I’ll never understand how you managed to trap poor Cassandra in that photo. Obviously, you needed the Great Wizard’s help.” She threw a fireball at Ada, who neatly redirected into the kitchen. “I’ve prayed every day for a year that you suffer the same way my poor Cassandra has.”

“Your poor Cassandra? Miss Gullet chose her fate. Over and over again she chose to misuse magic, to violate the Code. She aligned herself with Agatha Cackle. She tried to kill three students. She helped Agatha cast an annihilation spell over the school while the students were inside. While I don’t need or want your prayers, you need the practice.”

Peter finally gave in and helped Pippa to her feet. She squeezed past Ada and Algernon to get a better look. Julie picked up Pippa’s staff and circled her way around the room.

Everyone tensed when Samuel Gullet flickered into the room, appearing a few feet from Mildred and Enid. “Mother!” He held out his hands in supplication. “Mother you have to stop.”

“I don’t have to do any such thing, Samuel.” She smiled coldly, never taking her eyes off Hecate. “Everything is going exactly to plan.”

“Look around you, Mother. You can’t win.”

“That very much depends on one’s definition of winning, Samuel.” She flicked a few spells into the watching crowd. “You’ve always been an ungrateful child, even after all the lengths your sister went to, so you could have powers.”

“I never asked for that. I was happier in the ordinary world, Mother. Why couldn’t you understand that? Now, please, it’s time to stop.”

“There’s no shame in surrendering a duel you can’t win,” Hecate called.

“But there’s no vengeance in it, either!” Petronilla hurled handfuls of dark magic at Mildred and Enid. Hecate howled a gut-wrenching scream, desperately trying to fling any sort of spell that might redirect Petronilla’s.

Samuel flung himself in front of the girls, taking the full effect of both orbs to the chest. He flew into he air, screaming in agony as his body twisted into itself, shrinking and curling until it hit the floor with a wet cracking sound.

Hecate scrambled across the room, shoving the girls behind her as she brought her hands up to defend against Petronilla’s next blow. It never came. Instead, Hecate looked up to see Julie Hubble standing over Petronilla’s unconscious body holding Pippa’s staff in her hands like a club.

“Call me bloody ordinary again,” she gasped. “Your witching rules don’t apply to me.”

“Mum!” Mildred clambered to her feet and raced into her mother’s arms.

Hecate knelt beside Enid. As soon as she magicked away her ropes, the girl buried herself against Hecate’s neck, sobbing furiously. Hecate dropped onto her seat and pulled Enid into her lap, rocking her as she cried. She sent a tiny flicker of healing across the girl’s swollen lip. “You’re all right, Enid Nightshade. Do you hear me? You are all right.” She rubbed soothing circles across the girls back. “You’re going to be in detention until you graduate Cackle’s, but you’re all right.” She felt, rather than heard, Enid’s slight chuckle. On the floor in front of her, Samuel Gullet, now a snail, tried valiantly to crawl away despite his terribly cracked shell.

  “What will happen to the Gullets?” Mildred asked, swallowing a yawn. She didn’t want to get sent to bed, not without her mum. They were back in Miss Hardbroom’s rooms for the night, and Mildred couldn’t get Ethel’s message, or the things she’d heard HB tell her mother, out of her head.

Pippa refilled Mildred’s mug of cocoa before settling on the floor in front of Hecate. “Rub just under my right shoulder blade, darling. I know it’s been healed but it still feels…sticky. Like something is catching on something else.” She leaned forward as Hecate obliged her. “Well, Benjy and Mallie are in custody, as is their mother.  Samuel’s been sent to a sort of magical veterinarian. Only his mother can change him back and she’s not willing to do that just now. They’re getting a specialist to repair his shell. I imagine he’ll forfeit his powers. They weren’t really his anyway.” Pippa craned her head to the side, sighing contentedly as Hecate’s fingers began working the muscles of her neck. “How did you get him to tell you where they were, anyway.”

Chuckling softly, Hecate said, “I took advantage of the Hardbroom family reputation – and my own. I may have suggested that the Hardbroom family library was full of all sorts of dark tomes and that my parents may have used them for bedtime stories, so I might be a bit…”

Pippa turned around until she could look Hecate in the eye. “Hecate Hardbroom! Your favorite bedtime stories were all Paddington Bear. You still have them.”

“I know.” She shifted her hands back to Pippa’s shoulder blade. “But people are much likelier to believe it’s the former when it comes to me and my family.”

“Only foolish witches that don’t know any better, isn’t that right, Mildred?”

Mildred startled awake. “If you say so, Miss Pentangle.”

“Of course, I do. She’s just like that t-shirt she’s wearing.” Everyone looked at the image of the hedgehog on her shirt. “All prickly on the outside, but squishy fluffy underneath!” She darted tickling fingers towards Hecate’s stomach.

“Oy! Hardbroom! How many of my t-shirts do you have?” Julie chucked a pillow at them as Mildred yawned spectacularly. “All right, you. Go to bed.” She pulled her daughter into a hug. “We’ll talk tomorrow about what kind of trouble you’re in.”

“Sweet dreams, darling,” Pippa held her arms out for a hug, kissing Mildred on the head when she leaned over and obliged.

“Good night, Mildred,” Hecate reached out to squeeze her shoulder, but Mildred scampered backwards, just out of reach. She dropped her hand back in her lap, puzzled. “Sleep well.”

“You’re coming soon, right Mum?”

“I’m right behind you, love.” She flicked Mildred’s braid and sent her along.

“She’s afraid of me now,” Hecate whispered, “after the duel she hasn’t come anywhere near me.” Tears pooled in her eyes. “What am I supposed to do?”

“I don’t think she’s afraid of you, Hecate, at least, not the way you think.” She pushed herself off the sofa and fetched her purse from the table by the door. “Come sit by me a minute. You’ll have to put your massage on hold a bit, Pip.”

“The sacrifices I have to make.” She held a hand out so Hecate could give her a pull up and they both sat down on either side of Julie.

“I know, as an adult woman, I shouldn’t hate a little girl…” She pulled Mildred’s maglet out of her purse. “But Ethel Hallow is about to do me in. I found this when I was going through her things, trying to suss out where they were.” She tapped the screen and Ethel’s message popped up.

No surprise to hear you’re in the middle of the Great Wizard’s kidnapping and the debacle at the Pentangle’s. No wonder Hardbroom’s filed papers to take you into her custody. Probably the first step to Wormwood’s – and good riddance!

Hecate closed her eyes and let her head drop back on the sofa. “You think she believes this…nonsense? That she thinks I would…take her? To Wormwoods? I thought we were…better now.”

“You listen to me, Hecate Hardbroom. Millie loves you. This,” she tapped the screen with her fingernail, “this has nothing to do with you, love.” Julie threaded her arm through Hecate’s. “It doesn’t matter if Millie believes any of this is true. All it takes is for her to be afraid that it’s true. That little demon said just the right things to push Millie’s buttons.”

Hecate nodded, but she didn’t really feel convinced. “What should we do? I can revoke the papers if you want—”

“Don’t you dare! That is the exact opposite of what I want – or what Millie would want if she was thinking straight. We should have told her about magic mum already. If she knew about it before she got this message, she would have just hit delete and gone on with her day.” She unhooked her arm and stood up, stretching. “We’ll do it tomorrow. Head to the flat a bit after lunch. We’ll have a talk and then we’ll all go out for a nice supper, just like we planned.” She caught Pippa’s eyes. “Make sure what I said sinks in, will you?”

“I will,” she followed Julie’s lead, pulling Hecate up behind her. “Come on, Hiccup, I’m dead on my feet. Let’s get some sleep.” She led Hecate to her bedroom door. “Goodnight, Julie. We’ll see you tomorrow.”