The storm didn't come from the sky.It came from the media.
For three days straight, William's name flooded every news channel, headline, and trending feed.Crowds cheered his revival of Toys 'R' Us, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Bakugan — but others whispered, suspicious of how fast it had all happened.
"How can one man control so many brands?""Where's the funding coming from?""Is this even legal?"
William sipped his morning Dr Pepper and watched the chaos on his TV.Cherry the kitten purred on his lap, oblivious to the digital firestorm.
The golden interface hovered quietly nearby.
Legacy Revival System Report:• Public opinion: 72% positive, 18% neutral, 10% negative.• Rival billionaires forming coalition to challenge your acquisitions.• Suggested response: Open confrontation with controlled reveal of ownership.
William leaned back, smiling faintly."Controlled reveal, huh? I like the sound of that."
Sophia's Concern
Sophia appeared from the kitchen, holding a bowl of fresh cherries."You're awfully calm for someone trending worldwide," she said, sitting beside him."This could get ugly, William. These companies you've revived… they're not just toys and cartoons. They're powerful industries. People won't just clap and cheer. They'll want a piece."
William took her hand gently."Let them come. I'm not doing this to hide in the shadows.Everything I've brought back — Pokémon, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network — they belong to the world now.And I'll protect them."
Sophia studied him, her worry softening into admiration."You really believe that, don't you?"
He nodded. "With everything I have."
The system chimed softly, almost like it was smiling.
"Your conviction will steady the storm, William.But a storm still needs to be weathered."
The Rival Billionaire
The press conference was held in a massive Toronto convention center.Reporters packed the hall, cameras flashing like fireworks.
On stage stood Gavin Price, the same smarmy developer William had humiliated before — now backed by a coalition of rival billionaires and corporate leaders.Behind him, a massive screen displayed logos of the revived companies: Pokémon, Toys 'R' Us, Nickelodeon, Hanna-Barbera, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Bakugan, and dozens more.
"This," Gavin declared, his voice sharp and oily, "is the greatest act of monopolization in modern history!One man — William Masson-Lapierre — now controls over 80% of childhood entertainment worldwide.This is dangerous, reckless, and—"
The doors opened.
William walked in calmly, wearing a tailored suit that somehow still felt humble.The crowd gasped, cameras snapping like a hailstorm.
He walked straight to the stage, every step radiating quiet confidence.
"Good morning," he said, his voice even and warm."Let's correct a few things."
The Reveal
The golden interface projected invisible data only William could see:
Rival Coalition Net Worth: Combined $132 billion.System Confidence Level: 99.9% — zero threat to your holdings.
William turned to the crowd."I didn't steal these brands. I saved them."
He gestured to the screen behind him, where images of beloved characters appeared:
Pikachu waving.
Scooby-Doo sniffing curiously.
Percy Jackson standing with sword raised.
Yugi holding his deck with a grin.
"These worlds were dying," William continued."Corporations abandoned them. Children were losing pieces of their imagination every day.I didn't buy them to hoard them.I revived them to share them."
Gasps rippled through the room.
He pressed a button on a small remote — one the system had quietly placed in his pocket.The screen changed, showing plans for theme parks, new shows, and free streaming services:
Pokémon World Resort with interactive Pokémon sanctuaries.
Revived Saturday morning cartoon blocks on Teletoon and Cartoon Network.
Percy Jackson: Heroes of Olympus animated series.
Yu-Gi-Oh! AR Duel Arenas in every major city.
The crowd erupted into cheers.
"Entertainment shouldn't be a battlefield for greed," William said firmly."It should be a gift."
Face-Slapping the Rivals
Gavin sneered. "Pretty speeches won't stop reality, William.You're just a naive dreamer.The real world runs on money and control — and we have both."
The system's voice hummed like a quiet storm.
"Would you like me to apply… gentle pressure?"
William smiled faintly. "Yes. But make it clean."
In the background, the coalition members' phones buzzed simultaneously.As they read the alerts, their faces drained of color:
Tax fraud investigations launched.
Hidden debts called in by their banks.
Key investors pulling out, citing 'ethical concerns'.
Gavin stammered. "What—what is this?!"
William stepped closer, his voice calm but cutting."You built empires on greed.I'm building mine on joy.And joy is stronger."
The crowd roared its approval.
Gavin stumbled back, humiliated, before storming off the stage.
Public Reaction
Reporters swarmed William, shouting questions:
"How did you do this so fast?!"
"What's next for Pokémon and Nickelodeon?"
"Are the rumors true about a Percy Jackson movie trilogy?"
William raised his hands for silence.
"Next," he said, smiling warmly, "we celebrate.Every show, every character, every memory you thought was lost… it's back.And it belongs to everyone now."
The system flashed a private notification:
[Universal Childhood Revival Initiative: COMPLETE]• Nickelodeon — restored.• Cartoon Network — modernized.• Hanna-Barbera — fully operational.• Percy Jackson universe — secured and expanded.
Foreshadowing the Sanctuary
Later that night, William sat alone in his apartment.The storm had passed, but his heart felt restless.
Sophia approached quietly, Cherry in her arms."You did it," she said softly. "You changed the world today."
William smiled, but his eyes drifted to the window, where distant mountains loomed beneath the moonlight.
"I changed part of it," he said. "But… I need somewhere quiet.Somewhere safe.A place where none of this noise can reach us."
The system's voice spoke gently.
"Soon, William.A sanctuary awaits you — with a lake untouched by the world's chaos.A place to rest, and to dream."
The silver anchor icon pulsed briefly, brighter than ever before.
Chapter Ending
William closed his eyes, imagining the lake, the orchards, the hidden caverns beneath the mountain.For the first time since his rise began, he allowed himself to hope for peace.
Tomorrow, the work would continue — new movies, revived channels, theme parks under construction.But tonight, he simply breathed.
And somewhere deep beneath the mountains, water stirred in secret tunnels, waiting for the day it would carry the ship of his destiny.