The Doppelgänger had been restrained by iron sand for the time being. A crater was filled with iron sand and held tightly by Jay's mana that it would be difficult to move and interfere with the Doppelgänger mana. But it hadn't changed its form back and was stuck looking like Jay.
AND with evacuation on its way. Jay had time to kill. And what better way to pass the time than some lore hunting.
Jay :
It's going to be a while, so I want to hear your side of the story.
Doppelgänger :
I'm not your toy for amusement.
Jay :
Your loss. Thought you might want to vent out.
Doppelgänger :
I'm not going to spill my tactic. I have my integrity.
Jay :
The let's start with what do they want with you.
Doppelgänger :
They claim they want to cure me. But they covet me. They promise treatment. But they want my power. And once they have it. You know the rest don't you.
Jay :
What is that facility for?
Doppelgänger :
A prison for us. They run their tests. But most of them are not cruel. They treat us well. We get everything we want but not to leave.
We have been deemed too dangerous for humanity and society. And that too after nihility and suicide. I'm above them.
Jay :
How did you escape.
The Doppelgänger chuckled as he had Jay's memories he knew what he wanted to talk about. And had the information regarding these matters.
Doppelganger :
Can't give you any names. But let's just say that one scientist had a very bad day today. He traded my freedom for cooperation. And it was almost a success. Until you found out. How did you find out.
Jay :
You were the only one standing outside the facility. All we had to do was to recall your presence.
Doppelgänger :
I guess I didn't think this through after all.
And with their chat coming to an end as an armored vehicle came in with speed and stopped besides them. The doors opened and guards came out from the vehicle and surrounded the Doppelgänger buried in a crater of iron sand.
Jay :
Even in this quicksand you could have escaped easily, why didn't you.
Doppelgänger :
I wonder why?
The guard gave him his hand for the Doppelgänger to replicate. At first it was hesitant but before he did he asked Jay about his memories why he couldn't see some of his memories.
Doppelgänger :
Your memories seem very blurry. But beyond them I saw something dark what was it.
Jay :
Let's say, I have my integrity.
AND with this the incident drew to a close. In the fscility there were 50 researchers who were working on the anomaly and other projects and 50 human staff.
Almost 80% percent of the total staff were evacuated and relocated. Rest were taken to the heavens by the God of Death. And the incident drew to a close.
The boy who had the power of Chaos was deemed to be normal and his surgery was a success. He was then allowed to reenter the society and given access to free education, Healthcare and some governmental benefits.
The plagued one had died due to drowning. His body was discovered after water was drained from the facility. The ones who found him are being kept under clinical serveillance for the virus might have inflict damage in their bodies. The body was carried away by robots and cremated.
Her Highness, Nihility and Suicide man were being kept two separate cells. For anomalies were found to not affect each other.
AND finally for the Doppelgänger he was made to replicate a normal human being. And his escape is currently being investigated.
Jay had a question in his mind. If everything was being carried ethically why would Doppelgänger want to break out.
This question bought him before the third Head who asked for an oral report.
Jay :
So this was my report without hiding anything at all.
King :
You seen quite puzzled, what's wrong.
Jay :
What was the reason for the facility. The actual reason.
The King understood what Jay was getting into. He interjected his question with another question.
King :
When talking about ethics, where do you draw your line.
What is ethical and unethical to you.
Jay :
I'm not sure where are you leading with this.
King :
Where do you draw the line on a thing being unethical.
Jay :
There lots of things slavery, pedophilia, murder
King :
And yet we both have committed murders all across the world. That is just a way of life here.
King : giving his firm opinion.
I have committed atrocities all across the world. Just to protect the world and humankind. If I would to be judged my sins would weigh so heavily. That if kept on a scale against my virutes the weight of sins would be so much that it would tip and break off from one side.
King:
The facility was made not to cure the anomalies but to harness their power and not that we know their powers cannot be harnessed.
Tommorow alongside us they will be sent to war.
Jay :
Why do you want to do something so horrific.
King :
This is where we draw out line on ethics. When we step on the battlefield tommorow. I will stop at nothing to get the victory. I will use cheap tricks and every dirty, obnoxious and the most unethical tactics which will give an edge in victory.
Jay :
Don't you feel guilt for doing this.
King :
If we lose, there will be no future. No lands, no descendants.
A grim future where we lose everything we hold dear. Will you still hold onto your principles.
Jay :
What use is such a victory if you lose everything that made you human.
King :
Follow me to the rooftop.
The King rose from his seat and with a flash of lightning he was out of the office leaving a trail of paper and a mess of carpet behind few spots were burned due to the high heated static but nothing bad.
Jay also left his chair and started walking towards the rooftop. He saw some of the bits of the door had been charred. He walked out of a well lit hallway and encountered two choices whether to take the stairs or the elevator.
Before he could choose the elevator door opened and it was the secretary of the King. With her clear line of sight of the train of papers and him not being on his seat. She once again shifted to other floors and the elevator door closed.
Jay climbed up the stairs which spiraled upwards in an rectangular fashion and reached the rooftop where the entire capital city was visible. Shining brightly in this world like a beacon of hope. The winds were strong but yet bearable. It was a very mesmerising view like the one Jay saw when he had entered the world.
The blue sky, the metallic yet solarpunk jungle. Different styles of architecture gently blending into the background, being embraced and becoming one of their own.
The King was looking down at his kingdom while standing on the highest of peaks. The King spoke with the authority of a King. He spoke not as an master anymore but as a King.
King :
I've built all of this countless times. All that you see with your eyes are built with countless sacrifice. A place where even those with nothing can belong.
King :
What use is such a victory if it takes away my humanity.
The King repeated Jay's question once more as he himself pondered upon it once again to answer Jay's question.
King :
If I can save all of this, then I'll gladly throw away everything.
I have stopped being a human a long time ago. I shall rebuild everything countless times and even go up against the Gods themselves.
King :
Before I am Immortal, I am a King. And this is my kingdom where one is allowed to dream and live however they want.
And as long as I have the power, I will do my due diligence.
King :
Jay Garrick. You still have a choice, tommorow will you stay put or will you stand with me.
The King with an uncertainty in his mind asked Jay a very personal question after a brief interval where Jay didn't answer.
King :
If I fall tommorow, I want my disciples You, Mcelroy, Phoenix and Roy to take my place. Will you be able to do it?
Jay was also quite uncertain about the King's intentions. That he was taken aback but he clutched his hand and made up his mind.
Jay :
Tommorow, I will stand besides you in war. No matter the consequence. And if you fall, until I leave these lands I shall gladly take your place.
This is my pledge from one King to another.
It was not a disciple pledging to his master. But the words were from one King to another. The words carried the weight of the Former King of Raizon to the Moonlight Thunder King.
King :
Very well. Then let's hope none of us die tommorow.
The sun had dusked upon the lands bringing the light of the moon light shining once more upon these lands.
The King walked besides Jay and whispered slowly in his ear.
King :
Dream for one more time. For you are still in my humble abode.
Saying this the King exited leaving Jay alone on the rooftop.
And the beautiful view of the metallic-concrete solarpunk jungle shining as a beacon of hope across the lands.