King Cotton is the main antagonist of the Tristan Strong trilogy
Biography[]
First Plot[]
King Cotton introduced himself to Tristan Strong after he released him. He had rescued him and questioned Tristan about the Journal of Eddie, his late best friend, but Tristan claimed it was lost. Uncle C let him go—for the time being. Later, when Eddie was captured by fetterlings, Uncle C thanked Tristan for the journal. Soon after, he issued a threat: bring him Anansi’s power or he would destroy the journal. The next day, Uncle C stole Tristan’s memories of Eddie but cruelly left behind the memory of his death. He demanded the Story Box in exchange.
Tristan found him in a room engulfed in cotton. Uncle C, now cloaked in cotton himself, repeated his demand for the Story Box. Tristan bargained for the return of Eddie’s journal and his stolen memories. Uncle C returned part of the memories, keeping the rest as leverage. Tristan handed over the Story Box and tore the cotton from Uncle C, setting him free. However, when Uncle C attempted to open it, Tristan revealed that only an Anansesem could unlock its contents. Uncle C trapped him in cotton vines, forcing him to open it. Tristan agreed—but only if he got the journal and the rest of his memories. Uncle C complied. With their deal made, the cotton vines barring the exit were removed. Unaware of Tristan’s full plan, Uncle C didn’t realize it was too late—the Maafa had already begun to rise. When Tristan opened the Story Box, Gum Baby leapt out and covered Uncle C in sap. As Tristan left, Uncle C pleaded for help, but Tristan refused. The haint vowed revenge just before the waters of the Burning Sea dragged him away.
Return and Defeat[]
When Shamble Man was defeated and Alke was destroyed, their mask containing the haint’s spirit went to Tristan’s world to free the other haints. After being separated from Ayanna and Gum Baby, Junior was captured by King Cotton, who imprisoned him aboard his spectral train.
Tristan later saw King Cotton outside the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum while he was in town for a family reunion. That evening, Cotton called Tristan to a cafe as the anansesem raced through the French Quarter to warn his family and the gods of an impending attack. Cotton showed Tristan one of Junior’s stones, using it as a way to manipulate him. He gave Tristan an ultimatum: reveal the location of the gods to save his loved ones, or refuse and watch civilians and those close to him be hurt. Tristan turned him down, prompting Cotton to release a coffle on the crowd before disappearing in the ensuing chaos.
As the River Queen sailed past the Louisiana State Penitentiary, Cotton revealed his presence by pulling the ship toward the prison with ghostly tendrils. From the porch of a sentient shack, he taunted Tristan, thanking him for helping him regain his power in Alke. He introduced the shack creature as Old Angola and left, allowing it to attack.
Cotton continued evading the gods by traveling on a ghost train. A few days later, after Tristan was captured, Cotton confronted him, dangling Tristan’s bracelet just out of reach. Cotton expressed his gratitude for the power Tristan had unwittingly given him, vowing to reshape the world with Tristan at his side. When Tristan refused, Cotton lunged at him and grabbed his shirt collar. Tristan, unyielding, told him he would rather rot, and Cotton left.
Upon arriving in Chicago, Cotton drained energy from Old Angola before confronting Tristan and his friends. Tristan declared he was there to stop him, but Cotton said he had only just begun and offered Tristan another chance to rule beside him. Tristan again refused, threatening to imprison him once more. Cotton taunted him as the two clashed, attacking the crowd as civilians scattered. When Cotton tried to grab Tristan, John Henry appeared and blocked him. Cotton attacked John Henry, but with little success. Tristan rejoined his friends, and though Cotton almost overpowered John Henry, the other gods arrived and cornered him. However, Tristan quickly realized it was a trap. Too late, the boy warned the gods as Patty Roller led hundreds of breakers into battle against them.
Cotton fed off Old Angola’s energy as he fought the gods. After Tristan destroyed the living plantation, Cotton emerged from its remnants, now wearing tattered clothes. He scolded Tristan for ruining his plans, vowing to start over. But Tristan, determined, told him it was finished, insisting that there would always be people who shone brighter in comparison to him.
The two fought fiercely. At first, Cotton had the upper hand, but Tristan, thinking of everything at stake, gave it his all. With the words, “we keep punching,” Tristan struck Cotton with the power of the shadow gloves. Cotton ignited and disintegrated, his last words declaring that he could never be defeated as he turned to ash before Tristan.
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| Rick Riordan Presents Villains | ||
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Pandava Quintet Storm Runner Trilogy Thousand Worlds series Sal & Gabi Series Tristan Strong Trilogy Sikander Aziz series
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