The Dance of Snowflakes: A Year Gone By

A year had passed and snow was falling across the Midwest. Christmas time was upon the world once again as the familiar sound of a train whistle blew in the distance as Archie got into his car and drove into Greater Ottawa's frozen downtown hub. The Mighty Mississippi Divide was home to Greater Ottawa's Committee Building and other government function buildings. Thanks to the Banshees who'd chosen to live amongst them, the city's center had maintained its stability. 

As Archie drove, 1430 WMCY's disk-jockey Mike Brisson had the Christmas Classic, "I'll Be Home For Christmas" by Bing Crosby, playing throughout the city. As the World War Two classic played, Archie sat down at his desk and looked over the many stacks of paperwork that was facing the Council in the coming days. As he signed a few documents, his mind recalled everything that had happened that past year. 

Firstly, as a direct result of the Banshee Imperium's Mandate of Co-Existence, Humanity and the Banshee races entered into a formal pact of non-aggression. King Hydrosphere had taken it upon himself to ensure their two races got along. In that same year, Second Prince of the Banshee Imperium Sam Hydrosphere and Liberty Union's Greatest Hero the Grey Ghost of Ottawa were engaged to solidify a kind of formal alliance.

While things had played out smoothly in the beginning, Liberty Union's election was coming up. Of the eligible candidates, Keith Lonestar of the Southern Region was the sitting Federal Council President. However, the Union's faith had been shaken after how he'd bungled several operations including the assimilation of the Banshees into Human Society. The Citizenry, basing their challenger off of his Merits and Proficiency in getting the situations resolved was originally the Grey Ghost. He'd promptly declined, stating that "In the interest of public relations, I am the Guardian of Humanity. I am honored by your nomination, but I must decline."

With the Grey Ghost's decline, they chose to nominate Archie, the Grey Ghost's Grandpa, to run. At first, Archie was hesitant, but after it was explained by the public as they saw they could trust his intentions and his actions had merit, especially with public records released from Greater Ottawa detailing how he'd handled the negotiation with the Banshees and the various issues that had come before this, even back to Rothschild. Needless to say, the race seemed to favor Keith, but Archie ended up winning in a landslide that had been unlike any before it. He graciously accepted the victory and had just a week left to wait for Keith's transition team to finish getting ready for their departure. 

In the meantime, the Grey Ghost and Sam had been practicing for the Banshee Imperium's Royal Ball. The Ball was going to be held in Greater Ottawa, as they were the newest ally to join the Imperium's table as an equal. This was a big deal as every allied nation of the Imperium and Liberty Union had been invited and this would be Humanity's true first impression in a non-battle setting. The Imperium's allies knew of the Grey Ghost's victory and engagement, but this would be the test of Humanity as a whole. Sam taught the Grey Ghost proper royal etiquette, practiced their chosen dance together, and even got to spend time in the snow-covered land of Greater Ottawa when their duties allowed it. 

However, things with the Grey Ghost weren't all sunshine and rainbows. Once his injuries from the battle had healed, it came to light during a recent check-up that the carrier decks melded into his back's left and right sides by living metal, which had been damaged by overuse. 

"You need to be careful, Grey. If they become unusable, it'll take weeks of recovery. You fight far too recklessly for your own safety. Promise me you'll be far more careful from now on."

"I'll do my best, Doc... I mean Madie Sue. However, I can't make such a promise. If Sam, if Grandpa, if any single one of you are in danger, I'll come in to save you with all of my strengths... no matter the cost. Afterall, I promised your wife I'd protect you, promised the citizens they'd have nothing to fear..."

The Grey Ghost's right hand trembled as he looked at his carrier decks. They were like a set of retractable arms made from the Irongrail armor. While Dr. Sue had given Archie a new suit as a gift for his successful election day victory, she and several of Admiral Nolan's maintenance crew members had spent the better part of three months repairing them. However, as Mr. Hladovcak had pointed out years ago, it was hard to scold him when he had a smile plastered on his face. 

Dr. Sue shook her head. "I'm serious, Ghost. Push too hard and you'll damage yourself beyond repair." Her words seemed to echo in the room as the Ghost put on his shirt and hoodie. 

"I'll do my best, my old friend. For now, enjoy the holiday season!" Said the Grey Ghost as he put on his coat and left the hospital. Rather than opting to take a taxi back, he walked back to the Reddick Mansion. The smile that had been on his face had vanished as he trudged through the cold. 

"Just take it easy, promise to take better care of yourself..." The Grey Ghost said mockingly as he walked. "Must be nice to order me around as if I'm not the reason Rothschild was killed and the Banshee's welcomed us to the table." He stopped walking for a moment and shook his head. "What am I saying..." His eyes seemed to darken with a wicked grin on his face, "I'd happily lay down my life for Sam, for Grandpa... for all of them. No matter the fucking cost..."

As he got walking again, it wasn't long before he reached the Reddick Mansion. As he entered the building, he dusted himself off from the falling snow that had begun on his walk back. As he entered the living room, Sam was fast asleep on the couch closest to the fireplace. With a gentle kiss on Sam's cheek, the Ghost laid a blanket over his sleeping fiancé and laid down next to him. As the firewood crackled, he closed his eyes and fell asleep, ready for the next chapter in his life's story.