Breakfast in the dining room was most certainly a quiet dismal one. Without Jones, Jules and Midas had lost their spark. Naturally, Ares didn't really care. The broken mastermind sighs, stirring his cereal that had been untouched for some time with his spoon.

Jules glances over at her brother. Her feelings were so crushed by Midas being heartbroken. The one man he truly loved, sent out the house and he had no control over the situation. Ares wasn't holding back and had taken control over both their lives as now Jules was going through the pain and torment her brother endured for 13 years of his life.

"It's just a phase M, stop moping." Ares groans, finishing off the full english breakfast he made for himself.

"It's not a phase Ares. You just can't be bothered to understand." Midas mumbles under his breath.

Unfortunately Ares catches a whiff of the remark, dropping his cutlery and glaring at Midas.

"Excuse me?"

Jules pauses while eating her toast, her worried expression turning to Midas. He gulps, tensing up as gold runs up his arms. Ares rises from his seat and walks over to him.

"N-No!! Wait! I'm sorry!"

Ares grabs Midas not by his wrist, but by the hair on his head and drags him upstairs into his room. He tosses him inside and locks the door from the outside, locking Midas in his own room.

"When you start getting these disgusting gay fantasies out your head I'll let you out! Now stay in there and think about what you've done!"

Midas' breathing begins to spiral out of control as he shivers on the floor, hands on his head. In attempt to calm himself down he takes slow deep breaths and tries focusing on something to think about.

His mind trails back to his many memories of him and Jones together. When they properly met for the first time, getting dragged into his mission, finding out their feelings for one another, going out on that date, all the nice things he's done for him...

All at once, Midas' breathing slows to a steady pace. He stands up and sits on his bed, hugging his arms.

"Ah Jonesy... even without you here you know how to calm me down..." He chuckles slightly.

It still pained him that Jones was no longer here. He missed him a lot. Just then, his phone vibrates on his bedside table and he immediately goes to pick it up. It was Jones, leaving him a voicemail. He lets it play out.

"Hey Midas! Thought I'd check up with you now as I've currently stopped for a bite to eat. I hope you're okay over there. If you get a chance tell Jules I said hi. Love you golden boy!"

Midas smiles at the message before putting his phone in his pocket and taking a look inside his bedside table draw.

"Jones said he left something for me in here."

To his surprise it's the rift device tied to Marigold's reality. He still had to visit her and Orelia to finish this mystery Oro left behind for him. He picks it up and pulls the trigger. A portal opens in front of him and he slowly approaches it.

"Maybe I should take Jules with me. I can't just leave her here with Ares. God knows what he'd do to her." He says to himself.

He goes to his door and puts an ear against it, listening out for anyone that might be passing by. A soft sad sigh comes from the door, making Midas guess it had to be Jules.

"Jules? Is that you?"

"Hey Midas..."

It's slightly muffled, but it's her alright.

"Jules I'm using the rift device linked to Marigold's reality to get to the bottom of this. You wanna come with me?"

"I..wish I could. But dad took the key that unlocks your door. I can't get it open."

"I see."

Midas puts a hand on his chest, clenching his shirt. Jules could sense his concern through his silence. Sibling bond perhaps? She puts her hand against the door as well as the side of her head.

"It's okay. Go solve your mystery. I'll be fine."

"Are.. Are you sure?"

"Of course."

Midas sighs, getting up.

"Okay. Be safe."

And he dashes through the portal, it closing behind him.

---

Midas lands on the ground and takes in his surroundings. He notices the white building in the distance and recognizes it as the Agency...or this reality's version of it. He couldn't help but feel nostalgic about seeing a version of the small center island he used to call home.

Noticing a bridge nearby he walks across it and makes his way to the entrance. There to greet him are people dressed in white outfits similar to his henchmen except these ones were henchwomen. Seeing him as a threat, they raise their assault rifles at him.

"You there! What are you doing trespassing on Ghost territory?"

"Guards I mean no harm. I wish to speak with your boss, Marigold. We've spoken once before."

"Since when?"

"Remember when she disappeared through a rift? She landed in my reality, a parallel one to yours except everyone is gender swapped. Hence why I have a similar appearance to her."

The guards look at each other for a moment before sighing.

"Fine, you may enter. Don't make us regret it."

Midas nods politely and walks past them. Thankfully for him he doesn't have to look to far for Marigold as she's seen near the front desk conversing with the desk attendant.

"And be sure to have those files to me before 3 this afternoon. I have a meeting with-"

She paused in shock as she notices Midas standing at the entrance.

"...Midas?"

"Hello Marigold. Been a while hasn't it?"

The biggest smile forms on Marigold's face making her put the files in her arms down on the desk and practically run towards Midas, hugging him tight.

"Oh Midas it's so good to see you again! You cannot fathom how much I missed you." She says. "Why I haven't heard from you since you went missing! I see Jones managed to rescue you from the depths of the Mothership."

The comforting embrace, plus the mention of Jones, brings a tear to his eyes and lets him accept the hug.

"I've missed you as well Marigold. It's nice to see a friendly face again."

She chuckles softly, letting go.

"Why don't you come to my office and we can talk more there."

Midas nods, liking the idea. Marigold leads him upstairs. Upon entering Midas can see some notable similarities and differences between hers and his offices. Some objects did have a golden touch, but there was one notable difference:

Marigold had flowers growing in her office.

"I see you've taken up flower gardening in your office." He points out, eyeing some blooming orange flowers.

"Actually I've always had a passion for it." She corrects him. "But enough about me."

They sit down together, Marigold taking a teapot and two cups.

"What's been going on since Doctor Slone sent me back here? How's Jules? Oh! And how's things going with Jones? Didja finally get the courage to ask him out on a date?"

Midas stays sitting there frozen in silence. Some many questions. So many answers that were going to hurt to say. Marigold notices his newfound silence and becomes concerned.

"Uh...are you alright? Why are loose bloodied bandages on your arms?"

Tears begin sliding down his face. His breathing hitches and he covers his face, sobbing into his hands. Marigold covers her mouth, getting up and kneeling in front of him.

"Hey, what's the matter?"

He sniffles before taking a breath and speaking.

"I'll be honest with you Marigold. Things are not great right now."

"Tell me what's going on."

----------

Half an hour later...

"So, Jones and your father got into a heated argument that ended with him being kicked out your house..."

Midas nods while finishing his tea, glad he could release those bottled up problems and talk to someone else about it.

"Midas I'm so sorry this is happening to you. I can't bare to imagine the pain you and Jules are going through."

"It's okay. I've been through a lot worse. Dad's just the tip of the iceberg." He mutters. "Just adds to my trauma. But I suspect you have a similar situation since you're the gender swapped version of me."

Marigold sighs putting a pale hand over her golden one.

"In a way, yes. Your dad is the one that tortures you in your world...my mother is the one who does that to me. Your mum loved you. My dad loved me..."

Midas hums, putting his hands together.

"Jesus. Imagine having the woman who brought you into this world hate you. Poor Marigold..."

They sit in silence for a moment before Marigold speaks up again.

"So, you mentioned something about a mystery related to Oro."

"Yes. Ever since those guards attacked me and called me out for Oro's outfit and staff I've been having multiple visions of his past. The latest one including some hooded figure killing the Cube Queen's husband..."

"I see. And I suppose you've come here to talk to Orelia about it."

"That is correct. And maybe find this girl that once served as Oro's friend and servant."

Marigold sits up in her seat.

"Well, let's see if she's not busy."

She closes her eyes and tries to telepathically communicate with the goddess.

"Hey Orelia. Midas is here and he needs your help."

Shortly after a flash of light enters into the room and Orelia appears in her usual robs. She sees Midas and nods.

"Hello Midas. It's nice to see you again."

"You too Orelia. I need your help with something... related to Oro."

"Yes? What is it?"

Midas sighs before turning back to her.

"Can you tell me if you know who killed the Cube King and where Astra is?"

-----

Meanwhile, at the center of the island, the Cube Queen's servant stands in awe at what his queen has created. Using all the cubes that had gathered around the golden one, the Queen created a cube haven named the Convergance.

Appearing in a flash of light, the Queen herself emerges from the golden cube and lands before her trustworthy henchman.

"Your highness, this is certainly a fine piece of work you've done." He compliments her.

"I'm glad you think so my wonderful assistant. But it's far from completion." She chuckles. "And now that I'm out of the blasted cube they sealed me into, it'll be much easier."

She turns back to them.

"Tell me my dear servant. Have you found our runaway god yet? I'm almost ready to start my plans for him."

"Not yet, but we've found someone who interacted with him just yesterday."

The Cube Queen raises an eyebrow in intrigue.

"From the looks of it, it looks like a man came into contact with the cubes dark energy and corrupted himself. He seems completely sane though." He explains. "We found him over yonder factory."

The guard points in the direction of Steamy Stacks.

"I see. Where we got that extra cube since that other one isn't listening to my commands. Go find him for me then and bring him here."

"Yes ma'am!"

The guard runs off, probably to fetch more of his army. The Cube Queen chuckles and spreads her arms out, working her magic.

"I'll get to you one way or another Oro. If taking down these worthless loopers you call your friends is the way, then so be it..."

---