The Obscurus rampaged through the city.
Newt chased after it.
"Credence!" Newt shouted. "I can help you!"
He hoped to make Credence stop attacking.
But it had no effect. If anything, it only provoked the Obscurus further.
Newt Disapparated just in time to avoid the attack, then continued the pursuit.
Wherever the Obscurus passed, its magic tore buildings apart.
Several Aurors appeared and launched spells at it.
The spells missed the Obscurus and nearly struck Newt instead.
The Obscurus desperately dodged the attacks, but was still grazed, leaving behind fragments like black snow.
Hovering above the rooftops, it shrieked as it recoiled, then veered off toward another district.
The Aurors' attacks pressed on relentlessly. In a violent burst, the Obscurus staggered toward the entrance of a subway station.
Outside the station, a line of armed police stood waiting.
Facing the roaring, supernatural force charging toward them, their expressions shifted from confusion to tension, then to fear.
Without needing orders, they opened fire.
But it was useless. Instead, it only enraged the Obscurus further as it surged toward them.
The police could no longer suppress their fear. They scattered in panic, fleeing in all directions.
The Obscurus continued its charge toward the subway station.
At that moment, John appeared outside the station, seemingly out of nowhere.
John calmly watched the Obscurus rushing toward him, black mist seeping from his eyes.
Just as the Obscurus was about to reach him, an even larger mass of black exploded outward.
"Your emotions aren't strong enough."
Where black met black, the violent clash shattered the ground instantly.
Terrifying cracks spread across the street outside the subway station.
Newt Disapparated onto a rooftop, staring in shock at the two masses of black entangled together.
"That's…"
He watched with his own eyes as the white-haired wizard transformed into an Obscurus and intercepted Credence.
"Another Obscurial?"
…
"You're grieving."
The tangled black masses pulsed, and with a single ripple, nearby buildings were torn apart.
The black mist around John coiled around the Obscurus, dragging it into the subway station.
Once inside, the black mass was flung violently, crashing against the tracks, and John's body reformed from the darkness.
On the other side, Credence gradually returned to human form.
He looked at John, his timid expression now carrying a hint of surprise at meeting someone like himself.
"You're the same as me."
"No, not the same," John shook his head. "I've learned to control my power. What's your name?"
"Cr-Credence Barebone."
Perhaps because he had met someone like himself, Credence was far less guarded toward John.
John stepped closer. With a flick of his wand behind him..
Newt, who had just Disapparated into the subway station, collided with an invisible barrier. He reached out to touch it.
"Anti-Disapparition."
John stopped in front of Credence and held out the wand in his hand.
"Credence, do you know what this is?"
As someone from the Second Salem group, Credence knew what it was.
He reached out, carefully taking it, gently tracing the patterns along its surface.
The white wand was etched with delicate designs.
"A wand… something wizards use to control their power."
With a slight gesture from John, the wand flew back into his hand.
"However, some powerful wizards can control their magic without a wand."
With the wand in hand, John casually tapped it against his palm.
"You want me to control my power, but I can't do it."
"No, you've misunderstood." John slowly crouched down, meeting Credence's eyes as he huddled on the subway tracks. "I want you to release your power, Credence."
"In exchange, I'm willing to do something for you, like teaching you how to control it."
John's body exploded into a mass of black mist that spread across the entire subway station, then abruptly contracted back into human form.
The entire process didn't damage the subway in the slightest.
"See? Complete control."
His tone was calm, yet carried unquestionable certainty.
Blocked by the barrier, Newt witnessed everything.
This defied everything he knew, leaving him in disbelief.
"How did he do that?"
To manipulate an Obscurial's power so freely.
Who exactly is that wizard?
"Can you tell me who my family is?" Credence asked John cautiously, his voice filled with hope.
In his eyes, John was like him. Perhaps he was even family...?
"I'm sorry. Even though you feel familiar to me," John shook his head, "I don't know anything about your identity."
Credence lowered his head in disappointment.
"But," John looked at him, "is that really so important?"
"If you can't find your family, then find one you can accept as your own."
John extended his hand toward Credence. "When your name and power resound throughout the magical world, your family will come looking for you."
Credence slowly raised his head, looking at that young yet convincing face, murmuring to himself, "A family I accept… Can I really do that?"
"You can," John said without hesitation. "Make yourself stronger, Credence."
Something stirred deep within Credence. Slowly, he reached out and took John's hand.
"Then let's complete the exchange, Credence," John said seriously. "Release your power."
"No!" Newt shouted from beyond the barrier. "Credence, don't do it!"
He said urgently, "You'll die."
"No, you won't."
Credence's expression turned wary, but John spoke calmly, "Let me tell you a spell."
He whispered it into Credence's ear.
Newt couldn't hear it clearly, but he was certain that this white-haired wizard had his own agenda.
Credence was already on the verge of losing control. Continuing to use his power would only allow the Obscurus to consume him further.
Newt pulled out his wand and began attacking the barrier, trying to break through.
…
Outside the subway station.
Aurors had surrounded the entrance.
With their wands pointed toward the ground and the sky, they cast an invisible energy field.
More Aurors were arriving. They had already confirmed that the Obscurus causing chaos throughout the city was here.
Graves, who had just fought Tina, also arrived at the scene. Assessing the situation, he quickly took control.
"Seal this area!" Graves ordered the Aurors. "No one is to go down there."
After giving the command, Graves headed toward the subway.
Just as the barrier was about to be completed, a figure took advantage of the moment, slipping through with a swift roll into the tunnel.
She was worried about Newt, and also concerned for Credence.
Please don't let anything happen, Newt.
She moved stealthily into the subway.
Others from MACUSA were also rushing over.
At the forefront was President Seraphina Picquery.
This crisis had already become a serious threat to the Statute of Secrecy. They even had to prepare for the possibility of the wizarding world being exposed to Muggle society.
Outside, many Muggles had gathered, including the father of Senator Shaw, who had been killed by the Obscurus.
Camera flashes from reporters captured everything unfolding in that moment.
This incident would be recorded in history, the hidden magical forces brought into the light.
Just as the Second Salem group had claimed, those people were hiding among them, threatening their lives.
Picquery glanced at the dense crowd of Muggles, a deep sense of helplessness rising within her.
Since taking office, she had worked tirelessly to uphold the Statute of Secrecy, yet in the end, she had failed to protect wizardkind.
After tonight, wizards might have to live even more cautiously, and MACUSA might have to relocate once again.
And all of it would fall on her shoulders as President.
The public would need someone to blame. Whether it was Newt or herself, they would both become targets.
…
Inside the subway station.
John extended his hand, the rhythm of mind magic flowing into Credence's body.
A bolt of lightning shot out from the barrier.
The barrier shattered.
Then John saw Newt being repeatedly struck by a whip of electricity.
Graves had momentarily forgotten about the Obscurus, focusing entirely on attacking Newt.
Graves was so focused that he completely ignored John's presence.
John's lips twitched slightly. Just how deep was that grudge?
"Well then, you can take that person as an example."
Using mind magic to stir Credence's emotions, John gestured for him to look at Newt being struck.
But the moment Credence saw Graves, the calm he had regained shattered.
His body trembled, convulsing uncontrollably.
"That's it. Whatever it is—anger, sorrow—let it out."
John whispered in his ear, "Release your emotions. Let yourself go, just this once. You don't need to suppress yourself. That's what the weak do...."
"What you need to do is unleash all your hatred and anger."
With his wand, he traced a circle, connecting it to Credence.
Drawing in the immense power belonging to the Obscurus.
Light gradually began to glow along the wand as John slowly stepped back.
"Release it, Credence. Just as I told you."
Credence no longer suppressed himself. His body exploded into a mass of black mist, radiating a crimson glow.
Woosh~!
In an instant, it engulfed the entire subway station.
Graves no longer cared about attacking Newt. He was overwhelmed by the sheer force of it.
Under the immense black mass, he dropped to his knees, pleading in shock.
"Credence…"
The Obscurus let out a strange, piercing scream.
Under John's guidance, Credence completely unleashed his power.
Even Graves had to retreat before it.
____
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