𝓟𝐫𝗼𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝓢𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐞

Chapter #34 - Forkle

Though he really didn't know how it had escalated to such a huge argument.

Forkle continued, "Instead of waiting until it's too late, let's stop the plans before she can actually attack anywhere in the Lost Cities."

Sophie shifted her weight, glints in her eyes changing from helplessness to highly dangerous hope. "You're saying we should leap to where they are and try to stop Gisela from controlling the army before she's prepared to use it? I... I thought you'd be against that sort of idea."

"After we make a plan, of course," he clarified.

"That's... a good idea," she said. "But..." she anxiously squinted at the spyball screen, again clearly avoiding the fact that her sister was there, "they've still got, like, dozens of humans at this point— and will have more by the time we prepare to go attack. And we don't even know what all their abilities are. Even if all my friends helped, how could we stop that?"

"If I recall correctly, weren't you the one to say that we have something that could never be instilled in the army, Miss Foster?"

They thought about that for a moment.

Motivation wasn't a solution to everything. Just look at all the things that had gone wrong, even while they had been as motivated as they possibly could. Mr. Forkle nearly teared up, thinking about his brother's death. It was the only memory they hadn't shared— which meant it allowed his imagination to go wild, visualizing the scene.

But motivation was also surprisingly powerful. It was a force for change, the fuel that kept you going.

"I need to gather my friends together," Sophie said in that slow, thoughtful way, "Together, I think you're right. We can do this. Though I think it's better if we keep the group as small as possible this time, considering the 'someone in this room must be helping the Neverseen' thing."

Forkle cringed. Despite everyone agreeing they shouldn't focus all their energy on it, he still wondered who stole the caches. Now that he knew her secret, Glimmer seemed improbable. Which left him completely stuck on ideas.

"I agree. And remember, if you ever need my help, feel free to hail or transmit telepathically."

The moonlark nodded (she was still holding the spyball protectively) as she leaped away. Mr. Forkle suspected that the next time he saw her, the stakes would be higher than ever before.

***

After Sophie's departure, Mr. Forkle— who was still in his wrinkly form— went to one of the shiny compartments of the principal office. He took out the callowberries, fruits he used to undo the ruckleberries' effects. Rumor had it, the compartment was the place that Keefe hid some of the gulons during the Great Gulon Incident.

The smell of flareadon poop wafted into his nose, and he almost took a bite of the neon berry when he heard someone knocking on the door.

"Miss Foster? Is that you again?"

"No," said a voice, the door opening as they seemed to realize it wasn't locked. Standing in the doorway was Rex Dizznee. He looked nervous, hands fidgeting with his rumpled tunic.

The day before Foxfire had gone back on hiatus, Rex had shown Mr. Forkle— while he was in his Magnate Leto form, of course— that he had just "manifested" as a Charger. What he hadn't realized was that Forkle was already aware of his Talentless status— and immediately knew it was a gadget. Though now the device was notably absent.

It was saddening how Rex felt he had to pretend to be something he wasn't just to fit in. Albeit, that was exactly what Mr. Forkle had done with his brother all these years— acting as one person when they were in truth multiple births.

It was a relief the triplets never had to endure that.

"I know you and Magnate Leto are the same person, in case you're wondering," Rex said with surprising confidence, "I overheard Mom mentioning it. So I thought I'd come here." His fidgeting became even more distinct. "I... I have a question for you."

Mr. Forkle had a feeling he knew the question before Rex even asked it.

"Can I join the Black Swan?"

And there it was.

"I assume your older brother would prefer you don't?" he guessed.

"Well, he didn't say that but... it was sorta obvious. I guess he doesn't want me to be in any danger. But he doesn't understand how much I want this. If I'm not gonna have an ability, I at least want to help make things better. And I know I might seem useless, but I'm really good at alchemy, and certain skills." He demonstrated the latter by levitating several feet off the ground.

The situation was similar to back when Maruca had wanted to join, but Wylie prefered his cousin not to get involved with anything dangerous. The main difference with this was: Rex didn't have a valuable ability they needed.

But he did have motivation.

And didn't they need all the help they could get?

Mr. Forkle looked straight at the triplet. "Well, I'd have to check with the rest of the collective, but I'd be willing to have you swear fealty. As long as you understand how big of a commitment this would be. You kids seem to overlook that sometimes."

"I do."

"Well then. Let's see if you can join the Black Swan."