Chris, Greg, Andrew, and Victoria stood in front of the smoldering remains of their headquarters. "Okay… three guesses on who did this, and the first two don't count." Greg sighed.
Andrew frowned at him. "Was it you?"
"Huh? No, it was probably that… what's his face, the burny kid." Greg snapped his fingers, trying to remember the name.
"Damien Fiero." Chris supplied.
"That's the bitch!" Greg exclaimed.
"Who is this?" Victoria asked, looking between the two of them with a frown.
"One of the scions of the Fiero Family who tried to burn down a laser tag arena because my subordinates were beating him." Chris explained. "We stopped him, threw him in my world for a bit, then had to release him because the cops refused to arrest someone that high profile without definitive proof, and kidnapping him would have made the cops go after us, which would be counterproductive to our current goals."
Andrew blinked. "Where were we for all this?!?"
"You were at the water park, and Victoria was at the arcade." Chris replied.
Victoria grimaced. "I feel like I should have been told we might have a pissed off kid gunning for us."
Chris shrugged. "Eh, I left a portal point on him. If he was going to do anything relevant, I would have told you."
The other three froze, turning in unison to stare at Chris. "Chris… did you know he was going to burn down our headquarters?" Victoria asked, glaring at him.
Chris raised an eyebrow at her. "Obviously?"
"Then why didn't you stop him!?!" Victoria exclaimed.
"What good would that have done?" Chris replied, giving her a weird look.
"Our headquarters wouldn't have been burnt down!" Victoria retorted.
"Eh?" Chris wiggled his hand. "Greg can fix it."
"Kinda on Victoria's side on this one." Greg frowned. "Just because we aren't particularly affected by someone's actions doesn't mean we should allow them to harm us."
"I agree." Chris nodded.
"Then why did you let it happen!?!" Victoria roared.
"So I could get him doing it on video and anonymously deliver it to every news station in the City." Chris grinned.
"Ha!" Greg barked out a laugh, slapping Chris on the back. "Well done! Never should have doubted you!"
Chris shrugged. "I figured that if I stopped him, he'd just try to screw us over in some other way, so I'd have to deal with him over and over again. However, if I let him do it while collecting hard evidence that he was the culprit… Well, he still probably won't end up in jail, but the Fiero's will at least put a tighter leash on him. Probably. I think."
"I guess that's fair…" Victoria grumbled. "I still wish you would have told us before you let someone burn down our headquarters."
Chris paused. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Alright, any reason I shouldn't fix everything now?" Greg asked.
Chris shook his head. "Nope, go for it."
Smoke billowed out of Greg, flowing towards the wreckage and dissolving it before reforming into their headquarters. "Alright, done." Greg nodded. "You know, if you'd just let me turn the entire place into smoke in the first place, he couldn't have even burned it."
"Eh?" Chris shrugged. "Since we're sharing the building with the Doppelgangers and Elves, it didn't make sense to make everything ours. Now it's just the way it has to be."
"Yeah, yeah." Greg waved dismissively. "Do you want me to make the stage now, or should I make a presentation of it after everyone shows up?"
Chris cocked his head. "I- don't know? Up to you, I guess."
Greg rubbed his hands together with a grin. "Presentation it is!"
"Greg, no. This isn't about us, it's about the Doppelgangers." Victoria shook her head. "We should keep our involvement to a minimum for now."
Greg sighed. "Yeah, I guess." He waved, creating a small stage and podium in front of the building. "Do we need to set anything else up before people start coming?"
"Chairs?" Andrew offered. "Unless we want everyone to stand?"
"No, chairs are a good idea." Victoria agreed.
"Done." Greg nodded as he created rows of chairs.
"We'll also need some sound and video equipment." Chris added.
"Right, obviously." Greg agreed, creating that as well. "Anything else?"
"No, I think that's it…" Chris muttered.
"I can't think of anything." Victoria shrugged.
"Alright, then all we have to do is wait." Chris announced. "In a couple hours, the City will learn about the Doppelgangers and then… Well, we'll see what happens."
*
Reporters, politicians, military officials, including David and Belinda, and various other prominent individuals, such as Jo, filled the seats as Dichonius stepped up to the podium in his Salvador Perez form. It'd been decided that he should be the spokesman of the reveal since he was still technically a Mayoral candidate. Also, despite recent complications, he'd been a prominent leader in the ranks of the Doppelgangers for decades. As a respected figure in both spheres, they were hoping he could bridge the divide between the two groups. Chris sat behind him with various other prominent Doppelgangers.
Dichonius looked over the crowd, taking a deep breath. "Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished members of the press, welcome. I'm sure you're all wondering why I've called this press conference, far from my own campaign headquarters. The reason for this is that I'm not here to discuss my campaign, or anything related to the governance of this great city. No, today I am here to discuss its… composition. To talk of the people who make this city great. To talk of the men and women who have dedicated their lives to the benefit of everyone who lives here."
Dichonius gestured to a large screen, where a picture of a man in a military uniform appeared. "People such as General McArthur, who sacrificed himself to slay the great Earthwyrm, or Dr. Ellen Holmes, who pioneered the development of biological recombination technology. I could go on for hours listing the accomplishments of people such as Benson Madero, Gretchen Jenkins, or Samuel Cross." More images appeared with each person Dichonius listed, filling the screen. "However, there is one aspect all these people share, the aspect I have come to discuss with all of you today." Dichonius paused, taking another deep breath to prepare for the definitive statement. "None of these people were human." The crowd went utterly silent, everyone watching Dichonius with a mix of confusion and skepticism.
"For centuries there have been others living among us, another race blending with humanity, working together for the benefit of the City." Dichonius continued. "A people driven into hiding for fear of reprisal, unwilling to risk the ire of humanity. It was believed that the reveal of these hidden people would only cause conflict and strife. That recognition of their separate nature was unnecessary, because what would the truth actually change? It wouldn't affect how they interacted with humanity.
"However, this status quo is coming to an end, for multiple reasons. Thanks to the rising power of the City, we are coming closer and closer to conquering the Maze and reaching the surface, reconnecting with the world at large. Unfortunately, thanks to the increasing development of the City, the world at large is getting closer to reconnecting with us as well. It will soon become necessary for the full breadth of these hidden peoples' capabilities to be at the disposal of the City, to ensure its survival in the face of the trials that we shall face. It will become important that the City be truly one all too soon. It is time for humanity to learn of the Doppelgangers." Dichonius declared as his form rippled, growing scales and horns as the crowd gasped.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Behind him, all the Doppelgangers did the same, each growing distinctive features, though they retained largely human appearances. No need to disgust humanity in the process. "We have provided a full list of every Doppelganger that has ever lived in the City online, both good and bad. You will quickly see that we are, and always have been, a significant part of the City. We are your coworkers, your neighbors, your friends, and even your family. Please, study this list and consider the people on it and what they've done for the City and humanity. See that we are the furthest thing from your enemy. We have always been on your side, your ever present allies, even if you didn't know it." He took one last deep breath. "I will now be taking questions."
The reports immediately began clamoring for attention, and Dichonius gestured for one of them to go. "How do we know you're the real Salvador Perez!?!" They yelled.
"I'm not. My real name is Dichonius. The real Salvador Perez died from injuries sustained in a mugging four decades ago. Since he was unmarried, with few friends and family, I assumed his identity, faking partial amnesia related to the injuries that killed him. This is one of the common tactics we use to establish official identities for ourselves." Salvador explained. "I assure you that no Doppelganger has officially killed a human to assume their identity, though like humanity, we have our own share of criminals who have committed such crimes, which we do our best to prevent."
"How do we know any of this is the truth?" The next reporter asked.
"We have provided all the evidence we can on our website, which independent investigators can corroborate, but ultimately, you can't." Dichonius answered. "We understand that our nature lends itself to suspicion. It is one of the factors that has kept us from revealing ourselves up to this point. All we can ask is that you trust us when we say we have never and will never seek to harm humanity or the City. If we did, then we wouldn't be here, telling you about us."
Dichonius moved to the next reporter. "You spoke of the surface coming to meet us. Do you have access to the surface?"
Dichonius nodded. "We do. The Doppelgangers that live in the City are a subset of the Doppelganger race, only loosely affiliated with the whole. If you consider the Doppelgangers a Family, we would be a branch of that Family, and a relatively minor one, but we maintain enough connection with them to keep abreast of the general situation on the surface."
"And what do you mean by the surface reconnecting with us?" The reporter continued.
Dichonius sighed. "The surface is very much aware of the existence of the City. Up until recently, the City has been largely ignored due to the weakness of humanity and disinterest in the Cities resources. The difficulty of getting an army through the Maze would be more trouble than anything anyone would gain would be worth. However… as the City grows this becomes less and less the case. No one would be comfortable letting a threat grow unchecked beneath their feet. They will either seek to chain you, or to eradicate you."
"Are the Doppelgangers any different?" The reporter retorted.
"Of course not." Dichonius replied. "The difference is in our methods. The Doppelgangers will chain you with bonds of family and fellowship. Our nature lends itself to… interconnectedness, allowing us to easily fit into other cultures, such as we have been doing with humanity for centuries. Others on the surface would not be so kind and slave races are far from uncommon."
"So, let me get this straight. The Doppelgangers have been living secretly in the City for centuries, supposedly acting for our benefit, but in no way that can actually be proven. And now, as humanity is growing stronger and more capable, more useful, you suddenly reveal yourselves to warn of the dangers of the surface and call for us to ally with you against what I assume are your enemies. Do you honestly expect us to believe you have no ulterior motives in this?" Another reporter asked skeptically.
"I think you misunderstand the breadth of what is possible on the surface." Dichonius frowned. "We are absolutely not asking you to fight our battles. You would be crushed unquestionably. We're revealing ourselves because we want to protect you from our enemies, to prevent them from taking advantage of you. You are our friends and family. The last thing we want is to see humanity fall in a futile war against an enemy they cannot resist."
"If that's the case, then why would the surface be interested in us at all?" The reporter countered. "You're contradicting yourself."
"Because there is one, significant exception." Dichonius replied. "An exception that we- I am partially to blame for. My son, Chris." Chris gave everyone a little wave. "I'm sure many of you are aware of his abilities, which were revealed during the most recent Scout graduation ceremony. If not, a detailed report is also on our website. Suffice to say, what Chris is capable of is not normal, even by the standards of the surface, enough for certain parties to take interest in him. We Doppelgangers aren't willing to simply give up one of our own to placate a tyrant. I hope humanity agrees."
A large portion of the crowd had pulled out their phones to look up Chris once Dichonius mentioned him, finding the outline of his abilities. Belinda, on the other hand, was glaring at Dichonius suspiciously, wondering if he was the one who had impersonated Isabel, before shaking her head. "The Vanguard would never condone capitulating to threats such as this." She announced.
"Neither would the Scouts." David added immediately.
"Or the Defense Force." Samuel agreed somewhat hesitantly, glancing at the other two. He knew why David would support Chris, but why was Belinda so eager? They must know something he didn't, and he wouldn't let the Defense Force be left out.
Dichonius smiled at them. "Your support is appreciated."
"Is this type of ability common among Doppelgangers?" A reporter asked tentatively after she finished reading, glancing nervously at Chris.
"No, it is not." Dichonius shook his head. "Chris's ability is uncommon by any standard. How such an ability came about is a complete mystery to all of us."
"So… this isn't a result of interbreeding with Doppelgangers?" Another reporter asked.
"No, the only difference children of Doppelgangers exhibit is a slight increase in transformation type abilities." Dichonius explained.
"How did this surface force find out about him?" The next reporter asked.
"The Doppelgangers aren't the only race with members in the City, though our natural abilities do make us the most prevalent. Even humans are capable of nigh undetectable shapeshifting with certain abilities, and the surface races are no different." Dichonius sighed.
"How can we address this threat?" Another reporter asked.
"The biggest advantage we have is the Maze, the teleportation network, and Chris." Dichonius replied. "Using hit and run tactics, we can fend off all but the most overwhelming of invaders while Chris grows in power, until no one can face him. We're not guaranteed victory, but as long as we work together, we at least have a chance."
"So our only hope is that we can delay for long enough that Chris can become powerful enough to save us?" The reporter asked skeptically.
"As a last resort, we can evacuate the City into my world, but since my world doesn't have ability energy, at least not enough for all of humanity, that would put us on a severe back foot developmentally." Chris answered.
"Your world doesn't have ability energy?" The reporter blinked. "How- how does that work?"
Chris cocked his head. "It- isn't there? There's ability energy here, there isn't ability energy there."
"But- don't people produce ability energy?" The reporter elaborated.
"Oh. No. At least mostly no." Chris shook his head. "You absorb ability energy while you're developing as a baby. So the more ability energy in your environment, the stronger you'll be. Hence, no ability energy, no abilities."
"How- how do you know that?" The reporter asked.
"Doppelgangers told me." Chris shrugged.
Dichonius coughed. "He is correct. Genetics determine ability type, but ability strength is determined by environment."
"Then… the Trial is pointless?" Another reporter interjected.
Dichonius shook his head. "No, the Trial is still… I hesitate to say beneficial, but productive. The lower the population in an area, the more ability energy there is for each individual to absorb. Using the Trial to cull the least capable members of your society is an effective way of increasing the power of the average individual, which lets you bring in more cores from the Maze, increasing the level of ability energy in the City, and so on. The reason your average level of power had been decreasing was because your population was increasing faster than you could bring in cores. The Trial solved that."
"Why wouldn't the surface run into similar problems?" The reporter asked.
"Dragons." Chris commented. "Big ass, hyper violent lizards are great for population control."
"Also war." Dichonius added. "The surface is far from peaceful."
"If the Doppelgangers knew the truth of ability energy, why haven't you told us before now!?!" A scientist asked angrily.
"Because any way of telling you would have involved revealing ourselves, and… we were scared." Dichonius grimaced. "We still are. We know that we're walking a thin line here, and if we misstep, humanity could turn on us. There are many of you who probably feel betrayed that we've hid ourselves for so long, that we've lied to you for so long. There will be anger, suspicion, fear, disgust… so many emotions that incline a person towards violence. The last thing we want to do is fight humanity, win or lose, and our reveal makes that a very real possibility." The scientist huffed, crossing his arms, but didn't press the issue.
"I thank you all for your time, but I shall end things here." Dichonius declared. "I know I could stand here all day answering question after question, but I believe I've addressed the most important issues already, and more besides. For further questions, the building behind me will serve as the headquarters of Doppelganger diplomacy in the City. Anyone can come at any time to ask questions about who we are, what we've done, and the threat we're facing. Additionally, for those who wish to help defend the City by joining Chris's Eternal Tribe may apply here, the details of which are on our website. Finally, if anyone is a victim of or fears they might become a victim of violence related to this revelation, this building will also act as a safe house for you to stay until you feel safe. Please, don't hesitate to seek our assistance." Dichonius finished, bowing to the crowd before walking off stage. And like that, the Doppelgangers were revealed to the City.