Imagine then- that the fountain is a shadow.
A shadow of vigilantes.
Where heroes rise- villains do too, naturally.
I suppose you'd agree to this concept, yes?
That usually when those in power are powerful- that those opposed must become more powerful?
1.5 imperial gallons of tea were consumed during the writing of this postNo-one is ever a fan of regime change.
When things change, they often bring new problems- sometimes those bigger than what came before.
Thus- our objective in the Fountain is to continue the villainous element in a controlled manner. Keep it dominant- so that heroism grows strong and continues to be strong.
That there'll always be a hero, by making sure there is always someone for that hero to fight.
That is why I and others in the Fountain- are, for most people concerned- of a villainous background.
Jack The Ripper- and Moriarty, to name but two.
Because if good forgets what evil is- then they won't be prepared for when evil rears it's head again.
And then... you have regime change.
1.5 imperial gallons of tea were consumed during the writing of this postThough...
-sighs, actually audibly-
With recent events, I'm starting to wonder whether I should change tactic...
I will be blunt.
The reveal of The Iron Mask has really set us into a hard spot.
We may even have to dissolve.
The problem is, we were supposed to be hidden- like a shadow. We'd manipulate things from the back- things like setting up experiments to go wrong, or letting certain weapons come into the possession of less-than-reputable men. After all, some of us helped the Nazis with rocket technology.
We kept the Cold War going- so that both sides would have their own heroes and villains.
We killed politicians, and brought tragedy to the world in order to inspire and bring vigilantes to the front...
And now, we've taught the heroes to be strong beyond what we could have predicted.
And it's all thanks to VIGILANT.
Which worries me now, more than ever- because this is good ultimately.
But... with the death of the fountain.
What grows in our place?
1.5 imperial gallons of tea were consumed during the writing of this postLiman.
The Fountain was the final piece.
The King in this game of Chess.
Our fall-backs all lead to The Fountain.
I have some ideas.
But I have not seen the need to nurture them yet.
In fact, I myself, will have to take myself out of this game for a while and retire fully.
1.5 imperial gallons of tea were consumed during the writing of this post-folds his arms-
It's possible.
But whether I can organize everyone to fully commit to that is...
Difficult.
To say the least- because people will be watching.
Templar, rivals and vigilantes alike.
And the other problem is that The Fountain was built to those who don't know of the shadow-boxing gambit- to be a purely self-interest driven venture. That we are truly villains seeking to keep our status quo and reach our ends.
1.5 imperial gallons of tea were consumed during the writing of this postWhilst Jack The Ripper was a founding part of our society.
I am known as the head.
I should fake my death if I was to do such a thing.
Otherwise... Griffin was always the more hidden aspect of our membership. He- after all- disappeared off the face of the earth for most concerned.
So his death can't do that for us.
Moriarty and Moreau are already dead.
Some of our later members could be removed though... definitely if we removed some of those who aren't my confidants- though Griffin and Jack The Ripper are the only confidants I had now.
With Jack in custody, and Griffin dead.
That leaves me virtually alone- though I believe Moses will be a good confidant too.
... Perhaps I will throw Fenton, Bruno and Crow beneath the bus.
Those three are powerful enough that many will believe we are destroyed enough that our power is gone.
1.5 imperial gallons of tea were consumed during the writing of this post

...That is a good question.
I know this may not seem the most helpful, but how about... Oriana? She might know something.
"We all fail. We all make mistakes. That is what makes us human."