Rogues

Episode 44 | The hand that feeds you

A message from Copia lit up Sunshine's phone as she strolled through the ministry halls; "They'll be arriving soon. Are you back yet?" Some of the lower Council members were being sent for a routine check up on the Clergy ghouls.

Months had passed since the Rogues' escape and the Council had been furious. The Prime ghoul had claimed the incident proved that the Clergy hadn't prioritized his safety as they should have, seeing that a shadow ghoul could easily ghost through their wards.

Regardless of the Council's opinions, Sunshine had been meeting up with the Rogues weekly. From what they'd said in their recent updates, they seemed to be very close to finding the Zafer Rokur. They'd had to look for the organization specifically, unable to get any more clues from Santos' cult who'd dissapeared after Sunshine's interrogation with their black witch.

Copia and the rest of her pack all knew about Sunshine's meetings and had agreed that there was no legal issue with her actions. Though the Rogues had committed a crime upon traveling to Earth, they weren't yet considered criminals. The Council were still debating whether or not their reasons for escaping their home dimension justified their illegal method. If the cause of their criminal action was determined to be flaws in the Council itself, they could be allowed to avoid punishment entirely.

Finally arriving at the main Chapel, Sunshine lightly brushed out her clothes before entering. She'd planned to change into more formal atire once she'd returned from her meeting, but it had taken longer than she'd expected.

Copia and Rain were waiting inside, stood beside a summoning circle that was yet to light up. Her pack mate turned and grinned at her. "Cutting it a little close, Sunny."

She returned his playful expression, moving to stand on the other side of her Papa. "Sorry, the meeting took longer than I'd expected. They're planning to investigate a new lead tonight. I think they're getting really close."

Copia hummed in acknowledgement, watching her from the corner of his eye. "Be sure not to mention it while they're here. Just because their criminality hasn't been confirmed doesn't mean the Council aren't weary. They probably won't appreciate reminders of who they think proved our neglect of the Prime Ghoul's safety."

Sunshine reluctantly agreed. She'd never been too fond of the Prime Ghoul, even before his recent issues.

For half a year now, he'd been slipping up on simple laws, acting like they didn't apply to him. His arrogance was becoming more and more clear to the public. It was baffling how well liked he still was.

But Sunshine saw through the act he put on for the crowds, she saw his pride and his anger. He was prone to irrationality and impulsiveness. His opinions often held personal biases and his actions were emotionally driven.

He wasn't fit to be Prime ghoul, he never had been. But no-one else seemed to realize it.

The summoning circle suddenly sparked to life, basking the large room in pale orange light. Three figures appeared within the glowing circle, swaying slightly as the dizzyness of their transportation wore off.

The Prime Ghoul met Copia's gaze, his guards fixing the new Papa with skeptical looks.

Rain instinctively bowed his head in respect but Sunshine couldn't bring herself to do the same, too shocked by the unexpected guests. Even Copia seemed to hesitate before speaking, trying to process what he was seeing. "Our greatest apologies, Prime Ghoul, but we were not expecting you. Our building hasn't been properly secured or put on lockdown."

The Prime Ghoul regarded him with a look of superior disdain. "I doubt it would do anything to aid my safety. As was proven during my last visit."

Sunshine suppressed a growl, trying not to give the Prime Ghoul any more reason to hate them than he already had.