### *Tobias: Exiled*
The day after Miyu officially became mayor of Evergrand Island, her administration wasted no time asserting its control. The island remained cloaked in darkness from the lingering blackout, but her promises of swift action to restore power kept many citizens placated. However, Miyu's first major decree sent shockwaves across Evergrand—one that would change everything for Tobias and his friends.
Seated in the Kains’ living room, Tobias sat with Martha, Bruno, and Luna, the television flickering as it displayed yet another emergency announcement. Miyu, dressed sharply in her gray suit, stood at a podium, her cold, calculating smile never wavering.
---
### *The Announcement*
“Good morning, citizens of Evergrand Island,” Miyu began, her voice smooth and commanding. “As your new mayor, it is my duty to ensure the safety and stability of our beloved home. To that end, I must address a matter of pressing concern.”
She paused dramatically, letting the silence hang in the room.
“The presence of Penitatas on Evergrand Island has long been a source of disruption and unrest. While many Penitatas are on a path to reform, their status as former criminals creates ongoing challenges for our community. This was made clear during the recent election, where Tobias Kain’s write-in victory—despite his ineligibility—sparked unnecessary chaos and division.”
Tobias’s ears flattened against his head as he leaned closer to the screen.
“Therefore, effective immediately,” Miyu continued, her voice hardening, “all Penitatas are hereby banned from residing on Evergrand Island. This includes all current residents and any future transfers. Transportation and relocation will be arranged to ensure a smooth transition.”
Her icy blue eyes glinted as she smiled faintly. “This decision is not made lightly, but it is necessary to restore unity and security to Evergrand. Thank you.”
The screen went dark, leaving the room in stunned silence.
---
### *The Fallout at Home*
“That’s not fair!” Martha shouted, breaking the silence as she slammed her mechanical rabbit onto the table. “She’s blaming all of us because of you!”
“She’s using me as an excuse,” Tobias said, his tail flicking in frustration. “She needed a scapegoat, and I handed it to her.”
Bruno frowned, his calm demeanor strained. “It’s not just about you, Tobias. She’s targeting every Penitatas. She’s lumping us all together as troublemakers.”
Luna’s sharp grin was gone, replaced by a grim scowl. “She’s playing the long game. First, she gets rid of us, then she consolidates power. She’s smart, I’ll give her that.”
Tobias sighed, his ears drooping. “I thought exposing her lies would be enough. But now… I made things worse.”
“You didn’t make things worse,” Bruno said firmly. “Miyu’s been planning this for a long time. You just gave her the excuse she needed.”
---
### *Eviction Notices*
That afternoon, municipal officers began delivering eviction notices to Penitatas households across the island. At the Kains’ home, Tobias’s adoptive parents were furious.
“This is outrageous!” Mrs. Kain exclaimed, waving the notice in the air. “They can’t just throw you out like this.”
“It’s because of me,” Tobias muttered, his voice heavy with guilt. “If I hadn’t won, she wouldn’t have had a reason.”
Mrs. Kain knelt down, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t you dare blame yourself for this. Miyu would have found a reason no matter what.”
---
### *The Community Reacts*
Across Evergrand, Penitatas families scrambled to process the news. Some began packing their belongings, while others protested the decision, refusing to leave without a fight. Many parents were heartbroken, knowing their children would be uprooted from the only home they’d known.
Martha, Bruno, and Luna joined Tobias at Virtuoso’s bunker that evening. The usually lively atmosphere was heavy with tension as Blueberry and Virt analyzed Miyu’s next moves.
“She’s using you to justify this,” Blueberry said, her blue eyes glowing faintly. “The election gave her the perfect excuse.”
Virtuoso crossed her arms. “She wants you gone because you’re the only one who’s stood up to her. But throwing out every Penitatas? That’s just a power grab.”
“What do we do?” Martha asked, her voice small. “We can’t just leave.”
Tobias stared at the floor, his hands clenched into fists. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “If we fight this, we’ll only make things worse.”
---
### *Miyu’s True Intentions*
In her office, Miyu watched the eviction process unfold with satisfaction. Ivy’s siblings stood nearby, their expressions smug.
“This is only the beginning,” Miyu said, her voice calm but triumphant. “By removing the Penitatas, we eliminate the last shred of resistance. The people will see me as the leader who restored order.”
“And if Tobias doesn’t leave?” the eldest sibling asked.
Miyu’s icy blue eyes narrowed. “Then we’ll deal with him accordingly.”
---
### *Tobias’s Guilt*
Later that evening, Tobias sat by the window, staring out at the darkened streets of Evergrand. The weight of the day’s events pressed heavily on his shoulders.
“This is my fault,” he said quietly. “Everyone’s being punished because of me.”
Martha sat beside him, her mechanical rabbit in her lap. “This isn’t your fault, Tobias. Miyu’s the one doing this, not you.”
“But if I hadn’t won…” Tobias trailed off, his voice cracking.
“You didn’t win,” Bruno said gently. “The people chose you because they believed in you. Miyu’s using that against us, but that doesn’t mean you were wrong.”
Luna leaned against the wall, her usual sharp grin replaced with a rare look of determination. “She wants us to feel like this is our fault so we’ll give up. Don’t let her win.”
---
### *Looking Ahead*
As the eviction deadline loomed, Tobias and his friends worked tirelessly to find a way to stay. The fight for Evergrand Island was far from over, and the stakes had never been higher.
“We’ll figure this out,” Tobias said, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him. “Miyu thinks she’s won, but we’re not done yet.”
Virtuoso stepped forward, her red eyes glowing faintly. “This isn’t just about staying on the island. This is about showing Miyu—and everyone else—that we’re not going anywhere.”
The battle for Evergrand had reached a turning point, and Tobias knew they were running out of time. But as the stars shimmered faintly above, he steeled himself for the challenges ahead. They weren’t just fighting for themselves—they were fighting for the truth.
