Colors streaming across the air, a few feet in the air, Vardinn and Zero One appear outside the massive Machine Man. The colors grow and multiply, leaving the pair and surrounding the city. Eyes sparking to life, the colors now growing and spinning with intense speed and blinding lights, the massive Machine Man vanishes with a chunk of the mountain it laid upon.

In a moment or so, the power source appears with a note attached. “See you soon Zero One.”

“What. the. Absolute. Hell.” Zero one exclaims as he falls onto his back.

“That was not what I expected to happen if I am honest.” Vardinn says with a puzzled look on his face.

“What am I supposed to do now!?!”

After a few moments of silence, “You could come with me? It isn’t ideal but the castle is rather empty and if you explain yourself to Porter. I’m sure he will understand.”

“Like hell I will!”

“Ah! My god, where did you come from?” Suddenly, an angry looking small ferret man in a nice hand sewn suit stands beside Vardinn.

“A massive energy spike and the entire city of Machine Men vanishes. Of course I’m here. Did you scan the device?” he says as he points to the power source. 

“I meant literally and no, give me a second.” Vardinn kneels down and pulls the coin out of his pocket, spins the wheel for a moment and then manually stops it. He pushes it into the necklace. The light in the coin leaves the center, following the groove and disappearing into the necklace. “Huh. neat.”

“Very good. Also, I have more than one of the portable tsuin gates.” he says as he holds up his identical necklace with his thumb. “With that done, we are not bringing him with us. He betrayed The Wanderer. He betrayed me.”

“Oh come on! He had a very good reason. He was saving his people.”

“Yes. very noble. How did that turn out for you? Oh right!” he gestures to the missing city, “not well! The Wanderer warned you time and time again that only bad things would come of it!”

“I get it! I screwed up! I will atone for that. I will fix it and return my people to their former glory but I can’t do that alone. I’m sorry and I need your help Porter.” Zero One says as he gets up, walks to Porter. And offers his hand.

Ignoring his hand, “mm, fine. You get one chance. Only because Vardinn seems to believe you and we have the device back.”

“Vardinn, if you would.” Porter gestures in front of them.

“Oh! Right. So how do i..” He takes the necklace and examines it, trying different things until he presses his finger into the center and says, “take me to the bloody castle!” 

Wind whirls around them, settling into a swirling window into Porters’ room. Without moving a muscle, the window enlarges and passes over them and closes on the other side.

“Finally got those to work. Pretty cool actually.” Zero One says as he examines Vardinns necklace.

“Your room is where you left it. I am sure you remember the way.” Porter says as he waves him off and grabs Vardinns arm. “As for you, I did some digging and such while you were away. I was able to find an informant that will tell you everything you need to know about the next devices’ location.”

“They are in Jacksville. Formally hikisville. Now the gate won’t work in the frozen plains there so you’ll have to gate in as close as you can but an old friend of yours is waiting for you.” Porter explains as he leads him back to the throne room. “But first..” 

Porter takes the Power Cell from Vardinn and places it back into the device. The rings shine bright like a newborn star followed by the whole castle. As if the universe breathed life into the walls themselves, it all comes back online. Suddenly, a voice from the throne speaks. 

“he..hello? Is this on? Ah good. Porter! If you are seeing this, that means I am gone but the castle has power. That is good! It means I am alive because I linked my life to the castle. Cheeky I know! Hahaha! I knew this day may come but I believe in you. I showed you how to maintain the device and the castle. I will return to you!”

With tears in his eyes and a smile on his face, “that bastard.”

“That’s good news! Right?”

“Yes. Yes, it is. We need to finish repairing the device. Off you go now!” Porter says as he practically shoos him through the portal as he activates the way to the realm of Candy Canes.

A chill breeze passes through, chilling Vardinn to his bones as he finds himself back on the edges of the Hikis’ land. Candy canes the size of buildings lining the roads and forests.

“Why hello stranger!”

Whirling his head to his left, Vardinn finds none other than hiki themself. “Not who I thought he meant but a welcomed surprise indeed hiki! Or is it jack? I heard about the name change to the town.”

“Yes! I am officially Jack! Or was? Always am? Anyway, come along, the person Porter is so dearly interested in is inside one of the inns in my town.” Jack says as he leads Vardinn to one of the canes. He presses his hand to the cane. It begins to shimmer and flow in waves. “Come along darling.” he says as he pulls Vardinn through the cane. It is cold and thick like walking through mud. After what felt like ages, they emerge on the other side.

Bright and sunny, a beautiful town of color and sweet smelling air. The buildings are all made from the same candy cane like material but after rubbing his hands on the ground and plants, they feel as if they were ordinary. 

“Is it magic? The way it all feels, like real.”

“Oh sweet darling, yes. It is obviously magic. Hehe. I took my earliest memory of a human town and the cane did the rest.”

They walk for a moment until, “here it is! ‘The Swooning Swan’. Fan favorite. The person you are looking for is in there, at the bar. Oh and come see me at my home at the top of the road there when you are done here. We are holding a party to honor the new town name. It will be fun!” Jack says as they walk away. “Will do! Sounds like fun!” Vardinn calls after them.

Now to find this mystery informant.