Chapter Text
In the quiet of the night, a mysterious figure emerged from the shadows — Mealis, draped in a flowing white cloak, moved with calm and graceful steps. She came to a stop directly in front of Mia, who stood firmly on the ground. Around them, a gathered crowd watched in hushed curiosity — Mia's parents, the council members, the puppet gangs, and Sonic along with all his friends, their eyes wide with wonder.
"This is an ancient book — a record of the greatest masters of card decks and puppet arts," Mia explained to her friends and family, her voice steady and full of reverence. "Her name is Mealis."
Mealis raised her scepter and bowed deeply in respect toward Mia. Mia returned the bow, and in that moment, something extraordinary happened — a shimmer, like a meteor's reflection, appeared between them, as if an invisible force connected the two.
"I am grateful for your kindness and respect," Mealis said softly, lifting her scepter with both hands, her white cloak shimmering under the night sky as she gazed up at Mia. "I wish to offer you a gift — my scepter."
Mia shook her head gently, pressing her palm downward over the offered scepter. "No, thank you... I already have my own scepter. But why are you offering me this?"
Before Mia could say another word, her own scepter suddenly jolted from her grasp. Her eyes went wide with alarm.
"Wait — no! Something's happening to my scepter!" Mia cried out, reaching for it desperately, but it floated just beyond her reach, drawn toward Mealis's scepter like a magnet.
Both Mealis and Mia watched in stunned confusion as their two scepters began to move on their own, spiraling toward each other. Before either could react, the two scepters collided in a brilliant flash of light — and fused into one. The new scepter was breathtaking: adorned with a crescent moon, a glowing red orb, and a radiant sun, all intertwined in a single magnificent design.
Mealis and Mia gasped in unison, both gripping the fused scepter tightly, neither able to let go as the magic locked them in place for a breathless moment.
The crowd fell completely silent. Mia's parents, her friends, and all those gathered stared in awe and disbelief at the glowing scepter between them.
Then, as suddenly as it began, the fusion released. Mealis's scepter returned to its original form in her hands, while Mia's newly transformed scepter remained with her — shining with the power of the moon, the sun, and something ancient and powerful.
Mia slowly looked down at the scepter in her hands, studying it carefully, her expression shifting from shock to quiet wonder.
"You are a new leader," Mealis said gently, pointing toward Mia with quiet certainty.
Mealis then turned and approached Amy, bowing respectfully before addressing her.
"Excuse me — you are the one with the deck card skills, correct? You are Amy?" Mealis asked with a warm yet formal tone.
"Yes, I am a teller of fortune through my deck cards," Amy replied proudly, standing tall.
Mealis lowered her head in a deep, sincere bow. "I am truly sorry for what happened to your deck cards. When I snapped them blank, I had only a limited amount of magic at my disposal. Please forgive me."
With a gentle gesture, Mealis restored Amy's deck cards to their original state. Amy looked down at her cards, her tense expression slowly melting into relief as she flipped through each one — perfectly normal again.
Mealis then paused, her gaze settling on one particular card floating gently in the air before her — a card bearing the symbol of love.
"I adore this one," Mealis murmured with a soft smile, reaching out to touch it lightly. "But it belongs with you. Back to your deck it goes."
Mealis reached gracefully into the air, and with a gentle flick of her wrist, a new card materialized — its surface shimmering with an enchanting illustration of a small black bunny, its eyes gleaming with a mysterious sparkle. She held it out with a warm smile and placed it directly into Mia's hand.
Mia stared down at the card, her eyes wide with surprise. "I... I love this one," she breathed, a smile slowly spreading across her face. "A black bunny — it's incredible!" Her fingers traced the edges of the card in disbelief, as if she could hardly believe such a magical thing now belonged to her.
The crowd watched in quiet delight as Mia slipped the new card carefully into her collection.
Then, Mealis turned her gaze upward, her expression growing focused and determined. She raised her scepter high, and with a swift, powerful motion, she conjured shimmering magical bubbles that shot through the air like shooting stars, swirling directly toward Kenji. The bubbles wrapped around him in a blinding glow, locking him tightly inside.
"I'll take Kenji out and send him to jail — so you can finally be cured!" Mealis declared, her voice calm yet firm with authority. The bubbles pulsed with radiant light as Kenji was swept away, powerless against the ancient magic surrounding him.
The crowd erupted in gasps and murmurs of amazement.
Zorin stepped forward, puffing out his chest proudly. He let out a deep, booming laugh, then turned and waved a commanding hand toward his forces. Rows of impressive robot army puppets marched forward in perfect formation, their mechanical bodies gleaming under the night sky.
"I will give you my very own army puppet force — they are yours now, Mia!" Zorin declared with a wide grin, gesturing grandly behind Mealis. The army puppets halted and bowed before Mia in unison, awaiting her command.
Mia blinked in amazement, looking over the extraordinary gift before her.
Then, with a graceful rise, Mealis and her gang of puppets began to ascend into the sky, lifted by an invisible, magical current of air. Their cloaks billowed softly in the wind as they floated higher and higher, drifting peacefully homeward beneath the starlit heavens.
Mia raised her hand and waved enthusiastically, her heart full of warmth. Mealis looked back, a gentle smile on her face, and waved in return — a farewell full of quiet meaning. Friends and family around Mia waved alongside her, watching until the glowing figures disappeared beyond the horizon.
Meanwhile, deep within the grand Mansion, Mealis glided silently through the ornate hallways, her white cloak trailing behind her like mist. Her puppet companions dispersed quietly around her as she moved alone toward her private chamber. She pushed open the heavy doors and stepped inside, the room bathed in a soft, silver glow.
With a long, peaceful exhale, Mealis settled herself upon her grand throne chair, resting her scepter gently across her lap. The room was still and quiet — a perfect calm after an extraordinary night.
Outside, the world slowly returned to normal. The night air felt lighter somehow, as if something heavy had been lifted from it.
Mia's parents exchanged a proud, emotional glance before turning their eyes back to their daughter. Mia stood tall among her friends and family, but her attention was suddenly drawn to a familiar figure stepping forward from the crowd — Serin, standing directly in front of her, an unreadable expression on her face.
"Hey, Mia?!" Serin called out, her voice cutting through the quiet with an urgency that made everyone turn to look.
Next: Serin's Secret: The Gift of the Egg