MACUSA,
The United States of America
The entire city felt abandoned.
Oh, there were people, yes, but of little importance… not worthy enough to be either enslaved or killed.
The skies never took another color than gray, flocks of Dementors replacing the crows, hounding shadowy corners.
If someone dared to walk outside, he couldn't do so without paying a toll — a small tax of hope.
Worse were those among the muggles who couldn't even afford this toll.
Poor, abandoned, and unemployed, who had nothing good going on even in their magic-free society, utterly failed to feed the Dementors.
Now, a great part of them lingered in abandoned alleys, lacking souls.
The Dark Alliance had draped half the world under a blanket of fear, promising nothing but a bleak future.
The other half… was embracing this darkness, for it had no other choice.
In the heart of the Woolworth Building in New York City, which served as the Headquarters of MACUSA, the most notable Death Eaters gathered in the High Council Chamber.
At the highest seat in the center, Lord Yellow Warlock sat, his face hidden under the yellow hood.
Lord Ekrizdis, the original Inferi Horcrux of Herpo the Foul, sat to his right. A dense, deathly fog-like regal robe churned over him, howls of ghosts echoing out of him.
Gellert Grindelwald, donning a hooded black robe, hiding his true nature as Lord Voldemort, sat to the immediate left of the Leader of the Dark Alliance. And standing next to him was none other than the freshly freed witch — Bellatrix Lestrange.
Together, the three Lords were staring at the President of the United States of America — a Muggle.
"… This… is the briefcase… my lords," the man stuttered, looking a hollow shell of his previous self.
Spending weeks with Dementors did that to a person. Now, he was as much alive as the Dark Alliance wanted him to be. The man could remember the good times, when he could not only spell but also understand joy. That… was enough for him to serve his purpose.
The briefcase glided over the distance and landed at Lord Voldemort's feet.
"Avada Kedavra!" Bellatrix's wand lashed out sporadically, killing the Muggle with a sudden flash of green.
A Death Eater took the stage in place of the filthy Muggle, then.
"The entire North America is under the control of the Dark Alliance, my lords," he reported. "Most of the South American cowards have taken refuge in forests, hiding themselves behind the protection of ancient magic. Wizarding Communities are gathering strength to oppose us…"
A laugh slithered across the chamber at that.
"… led by the British Ministry of Magic," the Death Eater continued. "A few of the stray European communities have contacted us to show their loyalty to the Dark Alliance, though…"
"… Trolls, Werewolves, and Giants!" Another Death Eater suddenly stood up. "It's not loyalty, but cowardice that's making them seek us out!"
"Ah…" Lord Voldemort hissed. "Lucius… and his politics…"
As another bout of laughter rumbled through the chamber, Lucius Malfoy's body shook under the robe.
"You didn't bring that sweet little thing with you, Lucius?" Bellatrix grinned at him.
"… I…" Lucius stuttered. "Dumbledore took her away…"
A silence fell over the crowd.
"Lord Black Phoenix…" Yellow Warlock corrected.
All Death Eaters, including Voldemort and Ekrizdis, looked at him.
"… my lord?" Lucius asked.
"Call him Lord Black Phoenix," Yellow Warlock repeated. "That thing is no longer the person who once went by the name of Dumbledore."
Lucius gulped. "… Yes, my lord. Lord… Lord Black Phoenix took her away."
"Well, it was about time…" Yellow Warlock commented, bringing out another chuckle from everyone. "Bring them all in. It doesn't matter if it's an insect or a giant… Let them know that the Dark Alliance is not about death, but about a better future… our future…"
Of course, no one here wanted to live among ashes.
So, when they heard Yellow Warlock's words, emotions surged within them, thinking of a wizard-dominated world.
In the next moment, the Yellow Warlock dismissed the meeting with a wave of his hands.
When the Death Eaters were gone, the smile on Gellert Grindelwald's face twisted before… his entire body rotted, leaving behind a malnourished, hideous form.
"My lord!" Bellatrix hissed in concern.
Orochimaru's Summon couldn't exist beyond dimensions.
So, the moment Kai had gone to the Fate Bubble, his body had ceased to exist as well, reverting to his wraith-like form.
After returning to the Harry Potter Bubble, Kai had tried letting him possess another Grindelwald summon. However, as if the Magic itself had developed antibodies against Voldemort, the Dark Lord kept reverting to his fleshless existence, bringing out his ire.
—It's time you stand true to your promise, Lord Yellow Warlock!— Voldemort hissed. —Or have you already forgotten the words from two years ago?!—
Lord Ekrizdis kept quiet, not even looking at the two of them. However, even he knew that Voldemort was talking about him gaining a proper body.
—I forget nothing, Lord Voldemort,— Yellow Warlock hissed back. —You will get your body back as per your original design… soon.—
—Then what are you waiting for?!— Voldemort demanded.
—Our enemy is far stronger than us, even though his hands are tied,— Yellow Warlock replied. —Before making a final move, we must…—
The words never reached the end.
A darkness pervaded the surroundings, carrying a fierceness about it.
Voldemort screamed as he caught fire, and even Ekrizdis took out his wand as patches of rotten skin on his face charred.
Yellow Warlock's lungs dried as sparks of black flame burned him from the inside.
With a CRACK, he disappeared and reappeared in the skies of New York City, which had gained a blackish-redness at some point in time…
… a massive Black Phoenix spreading its flaming wings in the background.
In front of Yellow Warlock hovered a middle-aged man, seemingly in his forties, with a lush, long black beard. He was wearing a robe of pure black fire, burning Despair. In his hand, he wielded one of the Deathly Hallows. And, in his eye, he carried nothing but anger, hate, and repulsion.
"… You are getting nearer to casting a Reality Marble, Lord Black Phoenix," Yellow Warlock praised. "Have you come here to get pointers?"
"I…" The Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry said, lifting his wand. "… I have come to make a deal…"
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