Cauda 22 - Parting of Minds
"I knew you had it in you."
Now Playing...
Artist: Maxodex
Song: Meadow Walk
The Carnival was a large group, consisting of people of all walks of life. In the days and weeks after Operation Teardown you learned what everyone intended to do with their money, plans for the future and where they were headed next.
This was a union unlike others and while some you would see again, others you knew you wouldn't. Regardless, everyone had their own paths to traverse. If you would ever cross paths again again...well only time could answer that.
Sitting in the airplane, Tabi next to you and the rest of Entity Records, you reflect on it. In no particular order you think on what happened to everyone.
Ace, RetroSpector and the Seven Deadly Sins
Ace and RetroSpector got back together. With the Seven Deadly Sins arrested and Psychic forcing them to reveal the heist it put them in a precarious position. Officially, Updike weaved it that they were a last minute addition to the Carnival and intended to rob the Family themselves.
In addition to the crimes committed during the fight with Psychic (property damage first and foremost), the police already had warrants for all the members. They were screwed.
The police were already down bad after being humiliated by the Carnival. They wanted a win and refused to let anyone from SDS walk.
Thanks to some negotiations between Ace, Retro, Updike, Displo and the interim police chief a deal was reached. In exchange for reduced sentences for all members, Retro gave up all of SDS hidden assets as well as other elements of the criminal underworld.
As part of the deal a promise was made that once out, they would not engage in such activities again.
Retro and the SDS members were given 2-year sentences and placed under TGG supervision for 1-year probation thereafter. Because of their unique abilities and intelligence they were sent to the TGG prison, though Updike stated they wouldn't get any special treatment.
Ace vowed to see Retro whenever he could, even going so far as to apply to TGG. Last you heard he was inducted as an archivist and looking into police corruption on the side. Pissed off at the cops for failing to find Retro and now targeting the gang he wanted his own revenge. You wished him the best of luck and, should he need any help to reach out.
Either way, SDS was done. You weren't as in touch with the criminal underworld anymore but with the Seven Deadly Sins eliminated too, massive changes would be coming. In SDS' place you learned a demon called Fever had shown up, forming his own crew in their place. From what you heard he was far more merciful and 'violent-avoidant' than the Family. Rosie vouched for him too.
The Andromedas & Entity Records
With the extra money and hype that Agoti was generating prior to the operation a tour was in order. Acting as their manager and parents, Solazar and Amora organized a worldwide tour, capitalizing on Agoti's music. Tabi was a big part of it too. After being out of the game for so long, Agoti announcing Tabi's return generated more excitement. Fans loved his new, dark appearance and together, with Agoti and Aldryx they formed a group. With one of the first stops in Apollo, Ayana and Dalia made an appearance, easily the most energetic people in the crowd.
With Entity Records now being a force to be reckoned with you knew others would soon join.
You stuck along for the ride, acting as security and occasionally working under Tabi's tutelage, learning the ins and outs of pyrotechnics.
Annie
Annie was in a dismal state. After all she'd gone through from possession by both eldritch and trollges to partially being revived to overdosing on that mysterious liquid she was in a coma. Feeling bad, you visited her a few times, though not able to say much. While on tour you heard from Tess that she finally woke up, though changed completely.
Tess wasn't sure exactly what happened but Annie apparently came out energized. Her whole perspective was changed. Annie mentioned that in her coma she'd seen Garcello. She didn't elaborate further to Tess but was content now. She moved on in a way. The next times you saw her she would always be wearing that same trucker hat.
Despite the trollge energy leaving her, Legion's energy remained as black scars across her arm. She decided that proof that she avenged Garcello.
Months later you ran into her working at Tess' new diner, amped up. The sadness that plagued her was replaced with a new one, righteous anger. She was pissed at beings like Legion and S for infecting her. She'd apparently started to become an expert in the topic, vowing to get strong enough to beat one should they ever arise again. You didn't ask further but she seemed much happier.
Carol and Whitty
As per the agreement all charges against Whitty by The Greater Good were dropped. Updike didn't like admitting it but he had to officially back off. He stated that should Whitty ever use his powers to harm others, he would bring the full force of TGG against him. Carol laughed at Updike and stated that there would be no need for such threats, that she'd keep him in check as she had been doing before.
As a bonus, Updike even destroyed Whitty's police file, erasing his criminal record. Despite his freedom Carol noticed that Whitty sometimes spoke about Updike, sometimes thinking out loud about how he should attack TGG or at least surprise Updike. She guessed Updike felt the same, the two occasionally running into each other after. She guessed Whitty and Updike would eventually turn into rivals or even a friendship. After all, despite their past history the two knew more about each other than most of Whitty’s friends. Apparently Updike even offered Whitty agent training, though he refused.
With both The Family and TGG gone from Whitty's life he sought to return to normal, the bomb resuming his music career and continuing his path as a musician.
Through Kapi, he said that Whitty still came to the arcade regularly, that he felt much better. Whitty was apparently getting ready to go on tour himself, planning on taking Carol and some other friends with him.
Displo
Much as Displo was a shoe-in to take over IRIS he didn't want to. Running the restaurant was what he enjoyed the most and, with IRIS' resources at his disposal rebuilt his restaurant.
He wished to just resume his place as occasional agent and full-time restaurateur. This only partially worked. Displo had inadvertently become the foremost expert on operations and considered one of the best planners in both IRIS and TGG. He eventually accepted it, agents from both organizations regularly coming to him with operational questions.
Due to their partnership the restaurant became open to TGG agents as well, Updike, Sterling and Abbott as regular customers there. Despite rejecting his leadership nomination, Displo was still forced into becoming the permanent liaison between TGG and IRIS. He agreed to it, so long as he was allowed to keep the restaurant.
Upon hearing of his exploits, Static became even more enamoured with Displo. His career path was chosen. He fully intended to become an IRIS agent, Displo agreeing to take him under his wing when the time came.
Huggy Wuggy
Even though Huggy had been permanently living on the farm for some time now, Pompom felt you should officially say goodbye. They lived out of town, and with no reason to constantly visit anymore, decided to throw Huggy one last party in the city.
Nobody knew when his birthday was so it was decided to be that same day. A small gathering was held in Rosie's cafe as presents were given to the monster. He loved it, even understanding it was for him. When they all said goodbye and readied the teleport back, Huggy gave a farewell wave.
He smiled without bearing his mouth, a happy smile and a silent thank you for freeing him. You waved back, a sudden sadness welling up. You realized that among all the good the Carnival did, Huggy won. He made it out. It wasn't like you would never see him again, but if that was the last time; it felt like an appropriate end. You couldn't imagine what he had been through prior. He was in heaven right now.
Huggy won.
Pompom, Amelia, Ronan and Zardy
Much as Pompom wanted to spend the money as soon as she got it, Amelia didn't let her. That money was to be put towards college and placed into a fund for her to access upon her 18th birthday.
She became a legend in her school, telling all the kids the insane exploits and things she did during her time in the Carnival. Though she couldn't prove it most knew she had some kind of hand in that earthquake and strange events that night. Amelia was worried it would get to her head and after a stern talking to, Pompom agreed to keep it more secret.
That ended up getting to her head and she started to relish in the fact she was a 'secret agent'. With her own group of friends they started to plan mock-heists at the school.
Zardy participated too, using the fake robberies to sharpen his maze-skills as Pompom and her friends tried to outwit the demon. Huggy joined in too, chasing them around and occasionally acting as the villain.
And as Pompom enjoyed it, she saw it as training. She had her eyes set on something else and vowed when ready she'd get the truth. She wanted to know more about Huggy's origin. She decided that when the time came, her, Huggy, Zardy, Static and her mother would venture forth into that factory and uncover the truth.
She told Displo who ultimately agreed to fund the expedition, even adding IRIS tools to their inventory. He told her not to think about it until Christmas or March break of next year. She needed to at least finish this semester. She still needed her mom's permission too, planning to ask her...eventually.
Kapi, Connor, Loki
With the contract destroyed and Family gone, Connor saw fit to return to the city. When he heard of Kapi's accomplishments he was floored, in awe Kapi was capable of such things. They re-united and returned to the arcade to conquer it again.
"I knew you had it in you. You are a certified badass!" Connor said. He asked Kapi if he would do it again, or even consider joining him, to which Kapi replied.
"Nope! Not happening! I'm good here."
Later on, Rosie asked Kapi the same thing, if he would consider joining the donnas. He declined, very much happy in his current position. After the sheer amount of crap he went through he felt perfectly fine in just chilling for a bit. With S gone the scores in the arcade needed updating and with his best friends, Kapi did just that.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
Blackjack
You never saw Blackjack again. The rumours were true and he decided to resign from the arcade, putting Mr. Sys in charge. Blackjack was known in the courts of hell now and was given the option to move up in the hierarchy. He declined though did take up one offer. Last you heard, he was apparently working on a new casino in hell, built into some hotel, run by the apparent daughter of Lucifer(?). You didn't get the full details.
TGG wanted Blackjack, the demon charged with various crimes from currency manipulation to possible murder via his gold ability. Either way, with him back in Hell for the time being he was untouchable.
Nikusa
It occurred to you later that if S was able to get out then surely he could have taken Nikusa with him. She was always hard to predict and while Tabi believed she was gone you didn't think she'd go that easily. Aldryx was convinced she was still out there somewhere. Updike and Solazar shared the same opinion though spoke to you privately about it.
The only piece of news that came out that was apparently a TGG agent saw someone who might have been her lurking the outskirts of the city. According to their testimony they saw her at night, standing atop a cliff overlooking the city. She took one look and teleported away. The testimony was unconfirmed and the agent had no proof.
Tabi kept the tiara safe, wearing it under his hat. To him he wore it as remembrance. While S and Selever did their own thing it was Nikusa he saw as the one who sacrificed herself to save them all.
You hoped that wherever Nikusa was, that she was okay and doing good.
Radi and Lofie
It took longer than he thought but Radi's powers finally went away...partially. Updike suggested that Radi keep some of them just in case. Radi agreed. Better understanding his powers, Radi learned to control them being able to change them at all. His radioactivity was gone too, finally allowing him to take that mask off.
With Nikusa gone you heard he and his sister were staying a friends place, working on a way to get back to their home. You weren't present for that first reunion but from what Rosie told you, Lofie wouldn't let go of him, not even for a second.
Whatever the case, Radi was indebted to Updike and vowed that while he looked for a way back he would help TGG in whatever they needed.
Rosie, the Belladonnas and the Fae
With the Family gone, Rosie reclaimed the forest. Per the inheritance, Sister Searest obtained the deed which she gladly handed over to Rosie. Peacefully they moved back in, reclaiming the mystic forest and bringing in a new age for the Fae. When they first left a few of the Donnas were annoyed about abandoning their criminal roots with the forest back and business could they couldn't complain.
The first thing Rosie and the fae did was blow up all the construction equipment around the joint.
With her gang entering a renaissance she thought all was good...until she found a new enemy.
Industrial produced baked goods and chain bakeries. Once in a while you'd hear of some big brand getting attacked or vandalized and knew it to be the work of Rosie. Thanks to the lessons she learned with the Carnival she became a pro at hiding her crimes. For her, a new war was brewing with local business was her side. Last you heard she was working with Displo and Tess on a 'small-business union'.
Now Playing...
Artist: Maxodex
Song: Leaf Sunrays
S
S claimed he would get out, that much he was sure of. With the finality of his goodbye and the scar left on your hand you didn't think he'd show up again. And he didn't. He said goodbye. That was it.
At least, you thought so until one day a delivery arrived at your door. It was one of those meal boxes one could order. It contained two packs of frozen sausages, buns, a can of chilli and onions. No origin address you knew who it was from. At first you were confused but when you looked back in your room all the hard drives S ordered were gone.
You guess this was his way of repaying you back.
In the days after you saw a news piece on Mobius. That all contact with the planet had been severed, a dead zone. Phone lines, radio lines and satellite signals were all lost. The planet went radio-silent. Observers in space and from Earth saw Mobius covered in darkness, stretching across the planet.
Curious, you tried reaching out to Nikku only to find from Updike she had left for Mobius the prior week.
You didn't need any confirmation as to what happened. You unleashed hell on Mobius and put them at the mercy of an eldritch god. S would reshape that planet into his own design. Feeling guilty about it as you snacked on the chilli dogs, Tabi had just one thing to say.
"Not our problem."
Nikku
The last time you saw Nikku she mentioned about wanting to learn more of her origins. She was done with Earth and wished to find herself. Though her mind was back the whiplash of what she had become versus what she remembered herself as was jarring. She needed to do some soul searching. She said she would wait for S and when he came back, would journey with him to Mobius and then to the outer cosmos to learn of her past.
Solazar mentioned something Nikku during the tour, they he was glad she was gone. He refused to explain further. Whatever she was capable of, and whoever her parents were worried Solazar.
Regardless, Nikku gained her freedom and was free to explore space.
The Lightbringers
Even though their efforts helped save the city they still wished to serve their time. Their only request was that they be allowed to stay with each other together. Updike agreed. It was the least he could do. After all, Ruv fighting Psychic helped the operation immensely.
Last you heard, Sarventes had begun to evangelize the other inmates, even reforming the Lightbringers church. Springheel was apparently working close with them and even became friends with Ruv...somehow.
You still felt bad for Selever though after learning Sarventes had become pregnant with twins, guessed he made it out. It would be years before you would see the Selever that worked with you but Tabi didn't mind, remarking the boy a nuisance.
Tess
With the money and freedom from the Family, Tess rebuilt her diner. With recipes saved from Rosie's and more experience from Displo's, it re-opened to much fanfare.
Last you heard, Tess, Rosie and Displo were considering forming a company to go against the big chains moving into the City. It was starting to turn into a political, and knowing Rosie, a territorial issue.
Whatever the case you made a note to visit the cafe after the tour.
Theodore
Theodore had gotten the taste of spy-work and 'abominations'. He wanted more. Even in his age he proved himself more than capable. Starting from scratch he applied to TGG's Junior Corps. When Updike got wind of the application he brought Theo in and personally hired him. Still your neighbour, Theo visited from time to time, talking about the grande adventures he was going on and the 'toys' he built. He was ecstatic but still slightly sombre he didn't start sooner.
He found his calling.
Updike, Sterling and Abbott
Through Nikku's words, Earthquake, the IRIS partnership, and Whitty's freedom Updike had a lot to consider going forward. TGG already became much less martial. With Whitty absolved, Updike started focusing more on the company, dealing with abominations, rehabilitating and learning more of their origins. Not having to command a Carnival he returned to a sense of normalcy, realizing how much he missed his work.
He became friendlier and much more of a 'dad-like' figure. How much of that was because of Theo you weren't sure but he was far different from the threatening, walking cloud you first met.
There was some new being Updike was tracking now too.
Enndamo.
The Family
Blackjack personally informed everyone about the fate of the Family. They were found guilty on most counts. They apparently weren't found guilty of kidnapping Sarvente or Blackjack though the Tricky event alone was too far.
They were ordered not to leave hell and sentenced to 1000-years. The tribe they worked with too was tried for complicity. Blackjack explained that trial was still ongoing but regardless, he was adamant you would never see Mommy or Daddy ever again. Apparently you were requested to testify though weren't contacted.
"The demons tried to reach you but found you have some kind of dark aura around you. I believe it the work of that hedgehog." Blackjack said.
The spell did work and Mommy and Daddy didn't know the full story. To them, and to the court's knowledge they tried to revive Tricky, weren't able to control him and stopped by IRIS/TGG/Cops. They remembered you but still thought the Carnival was destroyed in the Night of Fire.
Botan
Botan returned to Japan sometime after the operation. She vowed a rematch with the Carnival though said it would happen far in the future. For now, she wanted a break.
Hex
You never learned the full story of who that robot was. Displo explained to you later he was a former member of IRIS and that a lot of bad blood existed between him and the organization. Whatever IRIS did to him, Displo claimed couldn't be reconciled yet.
Displo spoke sombrely of Hex but wouldn't elaborate what exactly happened between them, just that he was sympathetic and happy that Hex had friends now.
Whether or not inspired by the Carnival you learned that Hex formed a crew at the arcade, consisting of his friends, Boyfriend and Girlfriend, Cyrix, Carol, Whitty and even Kapi's trio. Apparently they wanted to continue 'pentesting', Hex annoyed he wasn't recruited sooner.
Psychic
During the arrest of Mommy and Daddy, Psychic tried to intervene. Updike stopped him and as Psychic read Updike's mind came to a standstill. He knew he had to protect Mommy and Daddy though also knew he had an obligation to protect Girlfriend, Boyfriend, Sister, Brother and Cassandra. As Updike rationalized it Psychic needed to become their protector.
He did so, staying on Earth, acting as the official guardian and current head of the Dearest Family for the 4 remaining kids. Last you heard he had taken a liking to the TGG trio and was working with them, doing what he could to keep the peace.
You were worried Psychic may relent though Updike told you it was unlikely. Psychic's rational was that resurrecting Tricky that night was a bad move. With Mommy and Daddy still alive he decided to wait for them, taking care of his family for the time being.
Boyfriend and Girlfriend
As you destroyed their family you expected them to be angry, vengeful even. But nope. Kapi explained it to you they knew something like this would eventually come. They stayed together, preferring each other's company.
Loaded from the Family's assets they saw no reason to seek revenge either. Not to mention Daddy apparently had all sorts of plans to try and kill Boyfriend. They were kind of glad to be alone now.
You also learned that Boyfriend's sister was some kind of celebrity from Japan and that with her money the two lovebirds would have no problem landing on their feet. They were part of Hex's crew and last you heard planned to start touring with them all if the pentest gig failed.
Sister, Brother and Cassandra
Last you heard Sister Searest, the older one and Brother, the middle child were living together. You learned through Rosie that Brother wanted revenge and wasn't happy. You also learned that Sister Searest was working on Brother, trying to convince him not to go down the same path as their parents. With Psychic as their guardian they all picked up the pieces. Cassandra joined them too and under Sister's tutelage ordered her not to reform her gang.
Smiler
Like Hex, you really didn't know that being's story. He just sort of showed up during the Operation, fought Nikusa's team and sort of hung around after.
Though it was out of purview, Displo watched over him. His ascension process was ruined by S, the creature having to either become more insane to re-ascend or persist in his mostly-human DNA now. Smiler stayed in the TGG prison for months after, ending up becoming a mediator between some of the more mentally sick abominations and helped bring quite a few back from the brink. He knew what it was like to be insane and lose it all. Gradually he accepted his state and grew happier, deciding it his job to help save abominations from the mouth of madness.
Then one day as Displo and Theo wished to speak with him they found his cell empty, sans all the televisions. A letter was found in the middle of the cell, thanking Displo and Theo.
It was caught on camera though Displo and Theo knew already what happened.
Smiler was gone. He was in a better place now.
EXEs
S' transition to real life had unintended consequences. In the months after Operation Teardown you begun to hear about a new type kind of digital creature appearing, colloquially called EXEs. Eldritch in origin they sought to break out of their confines and wreak havoc. In some cases they were known to possess people and in others, enter reality like S did. These were strange, psychopathic, violent and often blood-soaked beings. They all took the appearance of popular celebrities or well-known figures. You even heard a twisted version of Boyfriend was running around.
Much to your worry you found Updike apparently predicted something like this, forming a division just to deal with them. Updike also explained to you that S was the first one of his kind and Agoti was inadvertently the second (thanks to the fusion). Theo was recruited for the EXE task force due to his experience with S. A couple cases later another detail was revealed. That apparently S too, must have seen this coming doing one last thing to the Carnival.
"It's the strangest thing, (Y/N)!" Theo said. "Us, anyone who was a member of the Carnival has been marked. S must have done it. Any EXEs that try to attack me are repelled by some kind of force. One of those blasted creatures told me. We're under some kind of protection. Updike too!"
Even though he was long gone, S continued to surprise everyone.
Legion and Tricky
Though you didn't fully understand parallel worlds you wondered if a parallel universe would send their Tricky and Legion back to yours. Displo was adamant they wouldn't return and told you to not lose any sleep over it.
"This is why we don't deal with QPUs and all that crap. We gave them the warnings. That world will kill Tricky and Legion. I am sure of it." Updike told you later.
With Smiler, JJ and Legion gone, the final cases of the TCF were closed, trollges no longer a threat to the city.
Newgrounds City
The animation and game capital of the world. To you anyways. To describe it as "like any town" would be grossly incorrect. There was always something going on, some festival, some art showcase, some concert or some cataclysmic event. The city was always alive. You'd lived here all your life and there were still things you were learning about the city, all this time later. It was one of the weirdest cities on earth. The city's history was just as colourful, though not the subject of the discussion.
With the Family gone you knew something would replace it. This was just another chapter in the long history of your city.
Much had changed and thinking back on it, changed for the better.
The final chapter will be called Mission Complete!