Sitting in a dark room, the eerie sense of dread washing over her as she looks around. The only light coming from under a small door. The keyhole shining through as she drew closer. Quiet, gentle voices pour through. Whispers of promises dancing across into her ears. Reaching out, the knob turns with ease.

     The voices become more than a dying silence as she took a step into the room. Squinting Lucy continues to walk into the room.

     “I know you’re here… Show me.” Her voice quivers as a set of arms drop around her shoulders.

     ‘Do you truly wish to see again my dear sestra?’

     The voice asks, she nods, and the figure pulls its arms away. Striding passed her a young boy no older then eleven snaps his fingers. Two empty chairs appear, and they motion towards them.

     ‘Then come sit this will be bumpy ride…’

---

     ‘What in the world is she doing?’ Rico runs his hands through his matted hair as everyone else tries to distract the creature. From Lilith’s soft song to Henry’s coiled dodging and snarky words. They could only do so much to keep this thing down as it tried to drag itself upright.

     Morris and Lucy hadn’t moved from their spot in the last ten minutes, soft mumbling coming from Lucy that even the most acute of hearing could barely catch as Morris’ eyes lay close.

     “Please let me know something my dear…” Rico mumbles as he takes a seat in front of them his own shadow dancing over him as the suns rays hung above the tree line. A sudden gasp for air makes him jump, turning his head to find Lucy bent over with tears in her eyes and Morris sitting on the wet grass with a look of shock.

     “How did you do that?” Morris questions, almost frantic as she waves him off.

     “Younger brother… now is not the time to explain. I know what to do and it won’t be easy.” She stands up rubbing the tears from her eyes as she turns to the creature. “My love could you be so kind as to keep its mouth open.” Confused he nods, standing as his shadow moves through the grass towards the creature.

     “What are you planning?” He questions her, and with a smile she lays a kiss on his lips.

     “Something fairly stupid to say the least.” Releasing him, he staggers before coughing his face a bright shade of red as Lucy turns and shouts. “Katie you still have the bombs?!”

     “Yeah, what about them?!” She shouts back, jumping off the creatures back as it tries to take a bite out of her. Yukiko’s webbing digging into its socket.

     “Give them to me! I have an idea!” Lucy responds, Katie rushes over digging through her long pockets to remove three small orbs. Each with a dull red button on the top.

     “What you got planned and how do we get in on it?” She questions a smirk on her lips.

     “Let Milo know to help keep its jaw open! Going to blow this creatures body to kingdom come!” Lucy checks each one, before taking a deep breath. Katie shouts to Milo who quickly pry’s the creatures bottom jaw open.

     “Like this!” They shout back, giving them a thumbs up Lucy takes one last look at the creatures’ wide eyes before running across the lawn. The closer she got the more the creature tried to pull its jaw closed struggling against the dark string and clawed hands that held it open.

     ‘STOP! OBEY MY WILL! STOP!’

     The creature pleads as Lucy activated each bomb shoving them deep into the creature’s maw before pulling back. The mitch matched skin of the creature pulsing, trying in an attempt to push the bombs out.

     “Close it!” Lucy shouts, and they do. Milo wrapping his form around the creature’s maw as dull explosions sound off from within. Louder matching ones coming from the mountain, the noise so loud as the it screeches in pain.

     ‘NO! NO! NO!’

     The creature repeats into the air as its body begins to fall away. Hand yank Milo away as flesh seems to turn to ash upon the ground, smoke pouring into the sky until all that is left is a small crystal. Now dull as it pulses softly. Plucking it off the ground Rico’s shadow removes a small jar from within.

     ‘Interesting…’

     “Indeed, old friend. Indeed…” He mumbles as they crowd to get a better look.

     “So that big thing was that all along?” Katie asks, confused as her eyes go from the crystal to the mountain that smokes draw high into the air.

     “What happened?” Came a familiar voice, turning around the mayor stands with his hand in his hands. “I- I can’t remember anything… But-“ He freezes eyes wide in shock as he places a hand over his mouth. “Oh my god… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Tears roll down his face as he takes a seat on the ground.

     “Looks like that things influence is wearing off pretty quick…” Morris mumbles, “What was that thing made out of… it looked like-“

     “As sickening as it was child… those who didn’t listen to it became a part of it sadly.” Lucy quickly cuts him off, pulling him into a hug as shakes his head.

     “I shouldn’t have been messing around in that stupid mine to begin with. I should have listened to the old mayor when I had the chance…” The mayor gets up whipping away the tears as he looks to them. “I would like to thank you all, but I believe rest is in order for all of us…” With that said, most of them can’t help the yawns that pop up.

     “Long night…” Rico turns to everyone holding an arm out. “Alright everyone to the fair grounds time to put things straight!” He yells, they all nod making their way slowly outside the city.

     Reaching the fairgrounds, Rico throws her hands out. The destroyed carts and big top no longer in flames, ash and soot cover the grounds.

     “My dear if you will be so kind.” Rico takes a deep breath; Alex being taken down from one of the nearby trees. Remy holds him on his shoulders as Lucy places her hands on either side of Rico’s. “My body is going to be sore when this is over…” He mumbles as he snaps his fingers.

     His shadow moving over the field, repairing as much as he could before falling forward eyes rolling back in his skull as he blacks out.

     “Years ago, he made our homes with a flick of his wrist, and now he can barely keep himself upright. It’ll be your turn soon my dear.” Lucy smiles at Alex throwing Rico over her shoulder as they enter the fairgrounds three carts are dusty and upright.

     The day moved slow after that, each finding comfort within their other halves as sleep overtook them.

     Hours passed when a knock sounded from Rico’s door, awaking him from his slumber as a pain shot through his head. Cursing lowly, he throws his legs over the edge of his bed. Slowly moving to the door, he finds the mayor with his head down.

     “Afternoon mayor, is there a problem?” He questions, rubbing his eyes as the mayor shakes his head.

     “I would like to thank you all again for breaking whatever curse laid upon my town. For this I would like to help you all rebuild your homes.”

     “There is no need.” Rico pulled his hands away, revealing the usual two dark eyes he was so used to wearing. “I must teach my son to make use of his power and what happened will help…” He taps a finger to his chin in thought before a smile crosses his face. “But I do have an idea as to what you can share.”

     The night came quickly as they all moved around, moving the old to make way for the new as Rico piles a new collection of books onto his cart. Getting into the driver’s seat once more he lets out an exhausted sigh.

     “Shall I drive this time?” Lucy questions with a sleeping Alex curled into her lap.

     “I believe so my dear. A lot of repairs today.”

     “A lot of teaching.” She smiles running her hands through Alex’s hair, moving his bangs from his eyes. “Perhaps he is ready for his first show… What do you say?” Rico smiles planting a kiss on her cheek.

     “A wonderful idea as always.”