The Second Archon War: Animula Choragi 23

Animula Choragi 23: Reflections

A classical three-tiered fountain with a wide bottom basin with goldfish splashed amidst a green garden. Music began to play, and holding hands, Furina and Diane appeared, both wearing conservative one-piece bathing suits, both in light blue. Furina knelt in front of Diane to help her remove her shoes, and began to sing, 

As I was walking by the clear fountain,

I found the water so lovely I had to bathe.

Furina lifted Diane up, who puffed up her chest, and together they sang, 

I've loved you for so long, I will never forget you

The music continued as they splashed and played for a few moments, then Yennifer stepped out, holding a pair of towels. Furina picked up Diane and handed her to Yennifer, who lovingly embraced Diane and wrapped her in the towel before setting her down under the shade of a wide oak next to the fountain. 

Now, Yennifer began to sing. Her voice wasn’t as sweet and pure as Furina’s, but there was a raw emotion to it, even tears at the corners of her eyes as she lay Diane down in the grass.

Under the oak's leaves, I lay and dried.

On the highest bough, a nightingale sang.

Now, the whole family sang together, 

I've loved you for so long, I will never forget you

The camera panned up to the tree, and as it did so, night fell. The scene showed a bright apartment window, though this was a stage and not the real bedroom, where Furina and Yennifer were dressing Diane in her night gown. Diane looked hungrily out the window, her tail lashing as Furina and Yennifer sang together, 

Sing, nightingale, sing, you who has a joyous heart.

Your heart is made for laughing... mine can only cry.

They picked Diane up and carried her to a small children’s bed, where together they sang the refrain: 

I've loved you for so long, I will never forget you

They were all smiles and laughter, until the music suddenly stopped. The door was kicked in, and men in USIP uniforms with black face masks armed with guns stormed in. They seized Diane, who screamed and cried, even as Yennifer and Furina were thrown to the ground and handcuffed. Both desperately tried to reach out for Diane, but the much larger men restrained them. Diane was placed in a pet carrier, tears streaming down her face as she reached pleadingly for her mothers. The USIP officer’s badges were clearly visible as they hauled the carrier between them. 

Now the scene changed again, this time showing Diane dressed in rags, huddled in a cage meant for animals. Sniffling, she sang alone, 

I lost my love without deserving it,

Because of a bouquet of roses I refused…

There were wanted posters for Furina and Yennifer on the wall, and Diane reached through the bars of her cage, her small hand reaching for her mothers as she sang,

I've loved you for so long, I will never forget you

The wanted posters morphed into the faces of Furina and Yennifer, who were holding one another in the torn apart bedroom, clutching at a picture of Diane. They sang together, 

I wish the rose were still on the bush,

And my sweetheart loved me still. 

The screen split in half, now showing Diane locked away in her cage on the left, while Furina and Yennifer sang together on the right. 

I've loved you for so long, I will never forget you

An iron mask appeared, exactly like the one the leader of France’s capes wore, splitting the family apart and filling the screen. Words filled the screen:

“Movables by their nature are bodies which can be transported from one place to another, either that they move by themselves, as animals do, or that they can only change place through an external force, as inanimate things do.”

The words and music faded, and now Furina, Yennifer, and Diane appeared, sitting together on a couch. 

“Hello, I’m Furina de Fontaine, the owner of this channel,” Furina said, smiling at the camera. “And this is my daughter, Diane.”

“Hello!” Diane said, waving excitedly at the screen. 

“And, this, um, this is my girlfriend, Yennifer Lustria,” Furina said, blushing as Yennifer took her hand and squeezed it. 

“We’ve been together for only a few months, and in that time, we adopted a kitten that Furina rescued from a dumpster at her job as a dishwasher, before she landed her first leading role,” Yennifer said. 

Pictures of Diane as a younger, bedraggled kitten in Furina’s arms as she was nursed from a glove appeared, a grinning Ling cooing over the pair. More pictures appeared, showing Yennifer playing with kitten form Diane and some yarn, Furina putting a ribbon around Diane’s neck, Diane and Yennifer napping together on the couch.

“To our shock,” Furina said as the focus shifted back to the family on the couch, “One morning, Diane woke us up not as a kitten, but as a little girl!” 

“I was hungry!” Diane huffed, and Yennifer smiled and mussed her hair while Furina laughed. 

“Yes you were! As many of you many know, some animals have begun absorbing elemental energy, and becoming people,” Furina explained.

Yennifer nodded. “This began in Japan with Yae Miko-”

“I have her shoes!” Diane interrupted, and kicked her legs up to show her Hello Kitty Special Edition Yae Miko sneakers off. 

“-yes, Schatzi, listen,” Yennifer said gently, and Diane lowered her legs as her mother continued, “but there are other examples. Other countries have begun to pass legislation recognizing what is obvious: these uplifted animals are people, not simple property.”

“We love Diane very much…and we want to adopt her as our daughter. She’s not a pet, she’s our child,” Furina said, her voice becoming raw with emotion. She had to wipe away a tear, and Yennifer squeezed her hand. When Furina opened her eyes, barely suppressed rage was obvious in her tone. “But our government, at the behest of Iron Mask, has rejected our attempts.”

“Indeed. Iron Mask threatened us, and told us if we didn’t leave France, Diane would be seized by DDPP and potentially even euthanized,” Yennifer snarled. Diane whimpered and buried her face in Furina’s chest.

“Please, we cannot allow this!” Furina pleaded, clutching Diane close as Yennifer put her arm around both of them and squeezed. “We, the people of France, cannot allow this little girl to be put in prison! It would be monstrous even if she were a simple cat, but she’s a child! My child! Please, as a mother, I beg all of you: Join us for the Bastille Day Protests this week! I know this isn’t much notice, but we need everyone who can to come out and stand against this monstrous tyranny!”

“If the Law says that our daughter has no rights…when will it come for yours?” Yennifer demanded. 

More text appeared on screen, giving directions to protests in various French cities and especially Paris, then showed a picture of a grinning Diane in her chef’s hat with her chakalaka, holding the food up to the camera. The words underneath read, “A person, not property.”

Then the video ended. 

Charlotte leaned over Lepine-Pauline. “That’s the final video?”

“I stayed up all night editing it, boss!” Lepine gasped. There were dark circles under her eyes, but she grinned triumphantly. “How’s it look?”

“Perfect. Upload it right away,” Charlotte ordered. “We don’t have much time.”

“You got it, boss,” Lepine agreed, and pressed the button. She sagged in her seat as the progress bar ticked up, but Charlotte held her breath. At last, it finished, and a pop-up appeared saying the video was now live.

Quickly, Charlotte and Lepine shared the video with as many people as they could, and all their contacts in the French Networks, who had been notified by Charlotte that they were making a video. The more traditional and conservative networks that were in Iron Mask’s pocket refused them, but others began showing it with the morning broadcasts. 

“Is there anything else we can do?” Lepine asked. 

“Get some rest,” Charlotte ordered. “Barbs is finishing the editing on my piece on Iron Mask’s confronting us at Disneyland. According to Fortuna, we’ve got a short window to act for maximum success.”

“Do you really think she’s a fortune teller? I mean, she’s using palm reading, tarot cards, and a magic eight ball. That…well, that seems more like a grifter, you know?” Lepine yawned as she stood and stretched. They were in her ‘apartment’, which was a basement she rented out, and it was absolutely overflowing with various half-finished projects, dirty clothes scattered about, and every inch of wallspace was covered in cheesy motivational posters. 

“I think she’s the real deal. Get with the times, Lepine! Magic started being real six years ago when the gods returned,” Charlotte said, and held up her own Vision.

“Um, I guess? Anyway, nap time,” Lepine yawned, then collapsed on her bed, which was half covered in clean clothes Lepine was going to put away ‘later’ and began to snore. 

Charlotte headed up the stairs, but paused, looking back at the computer screen. “Who do I pray to?” she muttered to herself. Then she shrugged. “Well, gods and archons…let this work. And if not…at least let me kick Iron Mask’s ass before we get deported.”

Then she ran back into the sunlight, ready to continue her crusade. 

An Iron Mask with a crown upon its brow dripped blood. Three gears ground down the throne the mask was seated upon, the mask fell, revealing three more masks beneath it. The shattered mask fell onto a set of silver scales, where it was weighed against a golden antler. The antler rose, and the mask crumbled to dust. 

Gasping for breath and covered in sweat, Fortuna jerked upright in bed, fumbling around herself for something to write with, causing the alarm clock to clatter to the floor. 

“Fortuna! Fortuna, what’s wrong?!” Dehya’s voice came, and a hand rested on Fortuna’s shoulder before she whirled and grabbed at Dehya. 

“Get, get pen! Paper! You, you have to write this down!” Fortuna gasped, her heart still pounding. 

“Uh, alright.” There was a bit of rustling, and Fortuna sat back on the bed, closing her eyes and trying to collect her thoughts. Not that closing her eyes did much, it was just a reflex. 

“Ok, go,” Dehya ordered, and Fortuna described her dream in as much detail as she could. When she finished, Dehya grunted. “Alright, don’t take this the wrong way…but what the fuck? Did you keep a dream journal or something before this?”

“I’m an oracle! I used to be a Thinker 12, but now I just have prophetic dreams. Just like I can read palms and tarot cards. You saw me do that!” Fortuna said.

“Yeah, that was…weird. I couldn’t even feel any bumps or marks on them, but you were still doing a full tarot reading,” Dehya said, still sounding sceptical. 

“They weren’t marked! I can just see, no, FEEL, them!” Fortuna said, hands scrambling at her short curly hair. Actually, it wasn’t so short anymore. She’d had it cut in a pixie cut before, but now it was down past her ears. Well, it wasn’t like she could see it. 

“The really weird part was that they were Disney Villains ones,” Dehya mused. “Not really what I expected.”

“The cards themselves don’t matter! They’re just a tool!” Fortuna said, throwing her hands in the air. Then she hesitated. “Well, actually, if I could get someone to bless them with elemental energy…” Hmm, if she could get Furina to bless Eighty^2, and a deck of tarot cards, oh, and a crystal ball- wait, no, not that. Eighty was basically the same thing.

“Whatever you say, Fortuna. You know I’m going to have to report this, right?” Dehya said. “The Big Boss back at base was pretty firm if you said anything weird, we had to tell on you.”

“That’s fine, I’m not entirely sure what this dream means, but…” Fortuna bit her lip. “We need to go find Furina, before the protest starts! I think this shows that Iron Mask will try something, and Yennifer will fight him. Probably defeat him? But there was so much blood, and those gears, the other masks…perhaps Iron Mask has a hidden third trigger?”

“I think we’ll have to wait. It’s one o’clock in the morning,” Dehya said dryly. 

“No,” Fortuna said, standing up. Her sense of urgency wouldn’t let her stay seated. “We go, now. Call ahead. This is important enough that they have to know.” 

“Ok, but you’re showering first and then going in not your birthday suit. Sheesh. Like taking care of a little kid…”

“I’m thousands of years old, you know,” Fortuna grumbled, but she was blushing as she did so. She did end up taking a quick shower and then dressing in whatever it was Dehya handed her. 

Geoff had a car ready for them, though he let out an ostentatious yawn as Fortuna climbed into the back seat with Dehya. “Awful early for a joy ride, Miss Fortuna.”

“I had a dream,” Fortuna said firmly. 

“Is it that one day, little cat girls, and little dog boys will join hands with little French girls and boys?” Geoff asked as he started the engine and Fortuna felt the car accelerate at a gentle pace. 

It sounded like a reference, but it went over Fortuna’s head. “No, it was of blood, death, and masks. I think today is going to be dangerous.”

“Well, I could have told you that, and I’m not even a Thinker 1,” Geoff chuckled, but he kept driving, and that was all that mattered to Fortuna. 

Since it was the middle of the night, it only took forty-five minutes to drive from the resort to Furina’s apartment, where Yennifer met them at the entrance. 

“Not here, come inside,” Yennifer said quietly, and Fortuna let Dehya guide her to the elevator, where they rode up in silence. Once inside the apartment, Fortuna was led to the couch, and Furina pressed a hot cup into her hands. 

“It’s coffee, with plenty of cream and sugar,” Furina whispered. “Please, keep your voices down. Diane is sleeping.”

Fortuna took a sip, and found that even for her tastes, the coffee was shockingly sweet. It seemed Furina didn’t like coffee, so much as she liked hot milk with sugar. A lot of sugar. Still, it wasn’t like Fortuna lacked a sweet tooth, so she took another quick gulp before speaking. 

She quickly laid out her dream, then waited somewhat breathlessly. What would the Hydro Archon have to say about it?

“I’m not the best at interpreting dreams,” Furina said slowly. Fortuna had no doubt, but that was only because Nahida Saeed was the God of Wisdom. “But it sounds to me as though there will be a bloody confrontation with Iron Mask. We…we need to be prepared.”

“If that’s the case, we’re getting Miss Fortuna out of here,” Geoff said grimly. “She’s too valuable to risk.”

“I refuse,” Fortuna said instantly. “I need to be here! This is important!”

“It’s one little girl, no offense,” Geoff said, and Fortuna thought she heard someone growl. Probably Yennifer. “You’re the asset I’m charged with protecting. And the French government are our employer’s allies.”

“You can go back, I’m staying,” Dehya snapped. “And so is she. Fuck, Geoff, how can you say it’s just one little girl!? This is fucking evil and you know it!” 

“If you need to leave, we understand,” Furina said gently. 

“So a Scheiß mach ma ned,” Yennifer muttered. 

“It’s not about understanding, it’s about-” Geoff cut off at a soft sound, and Fortuna turned her head back and forth, trying to hear what was happening. 

“Maman, Mutti…j'ai fait de mauvais rêves,” the sleepy voice of Diane said. 

“It’s alright, dear, here, maman will kiss them away,” Furina said, and Fortuna heard the sound of soft footsteps. 

There was quiet for a moment, then Dehya whispered, “Still think we can turn our backs on this, Geoff?” 

“Fine,” Geoff said with a heavy sigh. “But we’re getting Fortuna out of there the second it turns bloody.”

“You can take her, I’ve got Tinkertech and I know how to fight capes,” Dehya growled. “That’s how Saint Security bills itself, right? The anti-cape security firm?”

“Look, we can take on Delusion holders and low-level parahumans, but Iron Mask? He’s way above our paygrade,” Geoff sighed. “Calvaire! He can copy Vision holders now! He’s one of the strongest capes in Europe, as good as anyone the Knights of Favonius have! Well, aside from Ziz.”

“Esti de câlice de tabarnak! I would fight a Harbinger and have my guts at my feet again before I abandoned that sweet little girl and her mothers!” Dehya responded hotly. 

“You’re letting your blood get the better of your professionalism again,” Geoff groaned. 

“And you’re letting your wallet get in the way of some actual maudites morals!” Dehya shot back. 

“We’ll take whatever help we can get, and be grateful. I, for one, am going to die on this hill if I have to,” Yennifer said, her tone grim. “I’ll do anything to protect Furina and our daughter. Anything.”

For a moment, Fortuna could see. She saw Yennifer, sitting in a chair, her own grave above her head. There was a hole ripped in her chest, and blood flowed out of it like water. It was so vivid and graphic that Fortuna cried in horror, then vomited messily all over herself. 

“Your…your life…will be required,” Fortuna gasped, staggering over to Yennifer and whispering in her ear. “I hope…I hope you do not have to pay, but…”

Fortuna couldn’t see Yennifer anymore, but she felt a firm hand take hers. “If that is the price, then I will pay it. Just don’t tell Furina. She would want to flee to Germany. But I never will.”

“Chalise! What is- Fortuna, we’re taking you to the hospital!” Geoff spluttered.

“No, I’m fine,” Fortuna mumbled, then was taken to the bathroom and hosed off. She had to borrow a dress from Furina. Thankfully, they were close enough that it fit well enough, even if it was somewhat tight across the chest. Apparently, Fortuna had a larger bust than the Hydro Archon. That gave her a ridiculous sense of womanly pride for a moment. 

In the few hours that remained before the protest, Fortuna wracked her brain for what she could do. When she’d followed the False Path, she’d thought she could change the future, and fight fate itself. Now? Now she really could see the future…but felt helpless to change it.

There has to be a way…has to be a way to change Fate, so that the right thing can happen! So I can protect those I love! Even if I have to die, give up everything, there has to be a way to save the world, save Doctor Mother, save Alex and Wyatt, save everyone! Especially Diane and Furina, and poor Yennifer! But how…how can I do it?

She came up with no answers, but Fortuna consulted Eighty a hundred times, never liking the answers she got. At last, she threw down the magic eight-ball in disgust. “I’ll change fate, even if I have to fight it!” 

Lost and alone, you dance upon the stage of the world, refusing to let Fate's strings bind you.

“Who’s there?” Fortuna said, looking around, but she was sitting at a table alone while the others planned. Even Geoff and Dehya were talking with Jeanne’s bodyguards as they went over security. 

Your Ambition is for Salvation, and your dream of the past only you remember; yet your eyes look forward.

Wait…that voice…it was like Furina’s, only…no. “Focalors?”

Though Heaven smites you, you will not bow your head: You meet your doom with laughter.

Wait, was this…? Fortuna barked out a laugh, and stretched out her hand.

Let your Vision Guide you, Daughter of Prophecy. 

Even as it fell into her hands, Fortuna couldn’t see her Vision. Apparently, no one else had noticed her receiving it. She quickly pried Eighty open, pulled out the insides, then sealed the Vision inside the magic eight-ball case. 

“Alright,” she whispered. “Now, we’re going to find a way to keep Yennifer alive…and save the world. This time, I make my own path.”

Author’s Note:

Saving Cat Girls should be everyone’s Justice.