Mario emerges from a portal into the middle of the Marketplace. He looks around to get his bearings before he walks toward Andrew's stall.

Andrew is locking up his store, perhaps he wasn't going to officially open until more people came to Maelstrom. He notices Mario. "Everything alright?" He asks.

"We need to talk, Andrew," Mario states, his tone serious. "How much did you know?"

"Know about what, exactly?" Andrew asks.

"Lucas and Lexi attacked Sora," Mario states. "He's lucky to have survived not just the bullet but the poison it was coated with. As you can imagine, your previous background with the Fallen Angels makes you the prime suspect for questioning. I want to know everything, Andrew. Any involvement you had with this, any prior knowledge of Sora's attempted assassination." As he says this, he keeps an eye on Andrew with his Shadow Sight. Perhaps he could detect some shift in what darkness existed there and see it as a sign of lying.

Andrew is honestly shocked at this news, and the darkness in his heart is fading, not growing. "I knew Lucas was after someone, but not who." Andrew says. "He mentioned he had a job when he came to 'beat' me. He didn't say what it was, however. It's not my business now that I've left the Angel's. But I should probly warn you, when The leadr of the Angel's finds out he's still alive, he'll send others after him. They'll keep coming until Sora is dead."

Mario is silent before he blinks, sighing as he looks away. "What concerns me slightly more is what might come of this. Sora's survival is one factor, but so is Lucas and Lexi's. I have seen a future where they were executed for a crime I never found out. I feel this is that crime, and if that's the case, something just as bad as Sora's attempted assassination could happen years from now."

"I see. Well, maybe things have changed, even if they didn't, you know when to stop it, right?" Andrew says. "Well, Lucas and Lexi deserve what they get. They've recked alot of lives since they joined. I was partly responsible, I sapose, I usually found our targets."

Mario is silent as he nods. "Yeah, things are different this time around. Other factors existed that led to this event I speak of, and whether intentionally or not, I've removed some of them. But, despite that, it could still just as easily happen but with different factors behind it." He now paces slightly. "And what will the Fallen do once they are executed? I'm assuming there's no question that it will happen, but when they lose two of their members? Will they just blow it off as Lucas and Lexi getting what they deserve for being caught one too many times? Or will they retaliate in the cover of completing the assassination?"

"Who knows, this hasn't happened before. We usually escape from capture or break out later. I doubt the Leader will do anything without a well thought-out plan. Expect the worst, even though we have less then a dozen members." Andrew says. "If you need any info on them, we'll have to meet somewhere secure. Sometimes I wonder if they're watching me."

Mario is silent. "Well, I know this much: you're definitely not one of them. Not anymore." He turns to leave, then pauses. "I do have one question for right now, though. How are they controlling the Nobodies?"

Andrew looks around before sighing. "To be honest, I don't know. The leader just gathered us up one day and said we could contorl the nobodies so they could help with our missions."

"Hm...I see," Mario states. "Thanks, then, for that small bit of intel." He then gives a nod and leaves. Once outside, he walks toward the castle, pulling out his cell phone and calling Riku. "Riku, I checked with my suspect. He's clean, but what he knows of the Fallen could prove helpful in the future. He also gives a warning: the Fallen do not give up easily; they will continue to make attempts on Sora's life until they succeed."

Riku sighs. "Right. I have a question though, how does your suspect know so much about the Angel's?" He asks.

Mario is silent as he weighs the options. Finally, he speaks. "He's a former Fallen Angel. He has a girl. Fell for her at least three years ago. When he discovered she had tuberculosis, it triggered a change in him. He quit the Angels, and I've confirmed his change for the better using my Shadow Sight. Now, he wants to live a life free of the Fallen, but I think he'll be willing to share information with us as long as we keep his involvement not only secret but also keep him and his girl safe. It would look bad to have an informant only to have him or those he cares about end up dead."

"Right, we'll do that if nessasary. I'll let you know if I need you to interigate Lucas and Lexi. Go Relax." Riku says.

Emma is walking out of the castle. She doesn't look like she saw the nobodies.

Mario nods as he hangs up, reaching the castle and seeing Emma. "Good evening."

"Evening." She says, with a kind smile. "Normally I'd chat, but Andrew is waiting for me."

Mario gives a nod. "Well, enjoy your walk back, then." He then goes back into the castle to see the Nobodies.

She nods, and heads to town, meeting Andrew once there. After he kisses her, they begin walking twords their new home.

The nobodies are getting out of their hiding places, and nod to Mario.

Mario nods to them and sighs. "We seem to have a new ally in one of the former Fallen Angels. However, he was unable to provide information about the Angels' control over the Nobodies, and likely, there will be gaps which he will not be able to fill. So, I think it's about time we investigate this directly. I need two volunteers to infiltrate and spy on the Fallen Angels."

Two Dragoons summon thier lances, volenteering.

A Samurai wonders off, going to find Xildus.

Mario nods. "Alright, you two will leave in the morning. Take tonight to prepare."

Xildus, meanwhile, is on the bastille, overlooking the town. His gaze is mainly focused on the arena.

They nod, and float off.

The Samurai stis by Xildus when it reaches the Bastille. The King is a strong one. I'm sure he will make it threw this.

Mario sighs and nods to the others as he walks off. After walking a bit, he ponders for a moment before blushing. Finally, he pulls out his cell phone and calls a particular number: Nessa's.

Xildus shakes his head. Nay, he already has, lest the child would be griefing. What I question is where things will go from here. The Fallen have directly attacked the crown, and if the kingdom was not after them before the incident, the kingdom is now on high alert and will be in active search. A war is on the horizon; it's only a matter of when and where...and who will we have to fight. Chances are, we might have to fight our brothers when the time comes, or worse, each other.

"Hello?" Nessa asks when she picks up.

We feared it would come to such. I only hope we so not have any casualties. But a bigger question remains. Who wanted King Sora dead? And why? It asks.

"Hey, Nessa," Mario states. "It's me. Feeling up for an evening out? I think there are at least a few restaurants open."

If such questions were meant to be answered, then we would already know, Xildus replies. All I do know is that it is possibly a part of whatever grand scheme the Fallen have, whatever scheme their Master K has.

"Sure, I'll be down in a few." She says.

Indeed The samurai says.

Mario nods and hangs up, sighing as he waits in the entrance hall.

Xildus is silent afterwards, still watching the town.

Vanessa soon enters, wearing a nice shirt and pants. She smiles a bit. "Shall we?"

The Samurai looks as well, before jumping down to patrol the town. Who knew, maybe he'd stumble upon something.

Mario looks to her, blushing slightly and nods. "Sure. Now if I only knew what restaurants are currently open."

She laughed. "Luckily I do, but unfortunatly, none are on this world." She says. "May I sujest the one in Traverse Town?"

"Hm...okay," Mario states as he opens a portal.

Vanessa steps threw, and waits for Mario on the other side.

{Vanessa to Traverse Town}

Mario steps through as well, the portal closing.

{Mario to Traverse Town}