How did he even know the Mayor? Well, Joey had seen him on local television news, and in the local newspapers. He thought Emerald had seen him before as well. The man had gotten everyone to think of him by his first name with his campaign advertising – Joey didn’t even remember his last name.

A few more scattered memories came to the surface as well. Firkin was mayor of a small city named Babylon – the one they were in. He was host to Sapphire of Blue Sword Honor. He was more or less the leader of the Blue Alliance.

And Sapphire was Emerald’s enemy. A pity he hadn’t remembered earlier. In his confused state, perhaps Joey should have come anywhere but here.

Firkin was dressed for dinner in a nice suit. Everyone else was dressed casually. Joey was the only one who was actually dirty though. His clothing hadn’t been in top notch condition even before the fight earlier.

Would Firkin have judged him for that even without Sapphire’s influence?

Firkin said, “Sonny boy, I understand you’re claiming the right to be Blue Sword Honor’s representative on Earth?”

Joey bristled at the patronizing tone, but before he had a chance to reply Firkin continued, “The thing is, Green Sword Honor has a representative here already. Malachite and his host John Williamson.”

Did the first Elder to show up become the representative somehow? Joey didn’t really understand. What bothered him most was what Brandy had said earlier, about Emerald leaving. He couldn’t quite remember how, but he thought the two of them had been largely merged together, and neither might survive separation.

He opened his mouth to explain how much he had forgotten, then decided he did not want to advise his enemies of his weaknesses. He looked inside himself for Emerald, who would understand all this strange talk, and know how to negotiate with these people, or whatever they were.

All the sudden he was Emerald, angry with the other Eightfold for playing games with him, and the stupid human that had somehow dominated him all this time. No, he needed to stop thinking of it as stupid. Underestimating it had cost him dearly.

He too was missing memories, but he knew what he wanted to say to Sapphire and his host Firkin nonetheless. “I was here before Malachite.”

Sapphire asked him through the vocal chords of his host, “Didn’t you say something about precedence being determined by a duel?”

Emerald sighed. It was oddly expressive of his exasperation, and he couldn’t remember how he had done that when he had been solely an energy being.

He said, “The first time I and my previous host came here, another hosted Elder from Green Sword Honor arrived at about the same time. We disputed which of us had arrived first, and eventually I suggested a duel. You certainly had no objection at the time. You even offered to set up the arena in the basement of this very house.”

The Mayor’s lips twisted in an expression that might have been a smile. “Always pleased to oblige.”

Emerald shook his head, or perhaps Joey’s. “Not always. I should have been more suspicious, but never mind that. The duel was a one time event, which did not change the general rules of precedence.”

Firkin looked at him skeptically. “So you say.”

Ideally this was an internal issue for Green Sword Honor, and nobody from the Blue Alliance, or even any other faction, would have a say. There were only a few Green Sword Honor on Earth, so he could easily have communicated with them all. Unfortunately, he couldn’t. All his perceptions and his only avenue of communication were through this human brain and body. The rest of the universe was missing for him.

Again, he strove to conceal his limitations from those he did not trust.

“Perhaps we could have a peer vote from the representatives of the other Factions of the Green Alliance.”

The mayor said, “Go right ahead.”

Emerald frowned, suspecting a trap. Sapphire was cunning, and perhaps in his way Firkin was too. But what was his alternative?

He said, “Since Malachite and I are both at issue, I suppose neither of us gets to vote.”

The mayor said, “Seems fair enough to me, though I’m sure you wouldn’t want me to make that call. Since both Green Gun Ruthless and Green Sword Honor alternate leading your alliance, perhaps …”

“Seems fair enough to me,” said a young man dressed in black. Emerald though he was Green Agate, though he couldn’t remember anything besides the name – or even the name of his human host.

Of course, letting him decide put him one up in the competition as to which faction would lead the Green Alliance, but what was his alternative? Refuse the judgement and let Malachite vote?