The next day had come, Coco was now one of the...super pregnant wives, damn did she make me work last night… but, keeping up with the schedule I got up, showered and waited for whoever was next to appear. “Wonder who's day it is today?” I wonder to myself.
A few minutes passed before someone finally walked up. Brigid. I haven’t seen much of her around come to think of it? “Hello love, where to?” She asked, dressed like how Marilyn Monroe would dress.
“Now I feel underdressed.” I joke, wearing a simple pair of jeans and a Deathwing T-shirt under my cloak. “But where did you want to go? It's up to you cause Twilight made a list about it.” I explain.
“Well I do have one place in mine, but before we go I have to give you this.” She said, handing me a necklace. It was simple, but I could feel some potent magic on it.
“I'm sorry I haven't been spending time with you Brigid.” I say while putting the necklace on top of my bone hunter necklace Den gave me. I felt the magic activate, and when I looked at my hands...they were human. I ran over to the nearest mirror and I looked human again.
“It’s just an illusion, so long as the necklace is on you’ll look human. But your wolf features are still there, so mind that.” She explained.
“Sheesh, it's been forever since I last saw my actual normal face.” I say, still feeling my ears and tail but not seeing them. “Thanks. But where to my lovely lady?” I ask with a smile.
“My world, I always wanted to visit America, heard this and that about it, and being in Rapture for so long I heard a lot before the fall.”
“What year was it back on your world?” I ask curiously. “Cause I have a feeling I'm gonna need to dress up for the occasion instead of...well this.” I say nervously.
“1960, last I checked. So...yes, best change to a suit or something.”
“I don't even know if I have one.” I say worriedly. “Crap...you'd think Rarity or Coco would make me one...albeit my suit would be this.” I say while patting my cloak. “I better find them, and actually I have to find Luna, just to do something important as well.” I say. “I'm sorry...just...so much stuff…” I sigh out, feeling bad about this not so good start.
“I will wait then, and knowing Rarity she probably has some suits made already for you.”
“Alright.” I nod. “Trust me Brigid, I'll try to make this a great day for you.” I say while walking over, kissing her cheek and rushing off to find Rarity.
As expected I found Rarity in her sewing room, Coco was there to, the two of them stitching something. “Oh, hello Ben, what brings you here love?” Rarity asked.
“I need a suit. Going to a time where my standard wear would make me look like a freak.” I sigh out. “Also have you two seen Luna?” I ask curiously, wondering if I have to do this sooner or later.
“Well yes, I made a few suits for you, let me get them real quick.” Rarity said, getting up and walking over to a dresser, one of many, and pulling out a dark blue folded suit in a clear plastic covering on top of a shoe box. “I had a friend up in Baltimare make you the shoes deary, fashionable, and comfortable.” She said, handing them over to me. “As for Luna… I think she’s in the garden?”
“Which?” I ask. “Cause honestly I think there's dozens of gardens here, and not the ones outside or in Joy’s room.” I explain.
“The one she’s making on the roof. It’s her ‘personal’ garden she says.”
“Thank you.” I nod while stepping into a changing room and getting dressed in my fancy new outfit. Five minutes later I walked out and while it was comfortable it felt weird given I wasn't wearing my cloak anymore. “What do you think?” I ask, showing off to my fiance's.
“Lovely darling.”
“Look at you stud.” Jenny said, walking in. “What’s with the blue monkey suit?”
“Going to 1960’s Earth to go on a date with Brigid.” I tell her.
“Ah. Hey mama Rarity, is the outfit I asked for ready?”
“Yes, Coco, would you go show it to her?” Rarity asked.
“Sure. Come on Jenny.” She said, getting up as she and Jenny walked into a different room.
“Is it something to show off for Joy?” I ask.
“No, that Delson fellow that arrived with the others yesterday is teaching Lovely how to use her abilities. Turns out, his world is where her powers come from. So he’s teaching her some moves and Jenny asked for an outfit that would suit her for combat.”
“That's good to hear.” I nod. “Anyways I best be off to find Luna. Have a nice day.” I say while heading off to find Luna. Getting up to the roof was one thing but trying to find her garden was another as I wondering if she had the garden inside or outside the castle.
When I got to the roof of our home what should have been stone was now covered in blue grass, several dark colored bushes of plants were growing here and there, and I saw Luna furthest back, there was some kinda statue there she was looking at too, though, of what I’m not sure. As I approached she noticed me. “Oh, hi Ben.” Luna said, still looking at the statue. It was seven feet tall, and depicted a woman, pregnant, wearing a dress of...what I can only guess are black hides, and her eyes had these black stripes on them going from her cheeks, over her eyes, and into her hair.
“Who is this statue?” I ask.
“No idea.” Luna admitted. “I was coming up here to water the plants and it was here. As far as I can tell it’s just stone, but it just...appeared.”
“Hmm…” I mutter, pulling up my Assistant and seeing if it had something to help describe this thing. “This thing is weird and I'm worried it'll attack us if we blink.” I frown.
“If that was true I’d be harmed already.” Luna said, touching it on the belly. “It’s so strange. Looks like stone but...feels off.”
I raised an eyebrow and lowered my arm, walking over and gently putting an arm on the statues pregnant belly. Luna was right, it felt...not like stone. It was hard like stone, but felt like...skin? “Either this is a being literally made of stone but can't move...a stone spell got pretty fancy...or someone is really good at making a stone sculpture.”
“Neither.” I turned around, seeing Cript walk up. “Now how in the hell did this get here?” He asked, walking up to it.
“What is it?” I ask curiously.
“Something that should not be here at all. A...well, you know how I’m the admin, I control everything right?”
“I suppose.” I say, not knowing the finer details of this.
“Okay, so think of existence as a videogame, the ultimate rpg, or whatever, each Realm is a different version of the same game, just... different save file, playthrough, etc. Reflections are a lesser version of that. This statue...came from...I guess you could call it my game. Connected to this one, but different in lots of ways, kinda like a sequel that you don’t need to play the original for.”
“I doubt Core or my evil self had anything to do with this…” I say with a frown. “And you probably heard the news already Cript.” I sigh out. “But who is this lady?”
“...Long story, not telling, yet anyway. Your evil self is a Psychopath son and the place this statue should be they can travel there too, their facts, they exist everywhere. A real bitch to work around. I’m gonna take this back, just be glad what it needs to run properly doesn't exist here, otherwise this place would be overrun with Shadow Creatures.” Cript said as he touched the statue and he, and it, vanished.
“Huh…” I frown. “That's...a thing.” I say.
“Well, did you need anything Ben, before that all happened?” Luna asked.
“Yes actually.” I say while pulling out Roxas’s card. “Not sure what will happen but this card had everything for our new son.” I say. “Hopefully nothing bad happens.” I say while touching the card onto Luna’s pregnant tummy.
The card glowed as it went into her tummy, her whole tummy glowed a bit before it faded as Luna shivered. “Wow...that felt ticklish inside there. What was that?”
“That was literally all the memories of someone being put inside you. Hopefully it is for a specific kid cause you have a stomach full of pebble babies at the moment.”
“Oh, well that’s new. What would you call that fetish~” Luna teased.
“It's not a fetish.” I say seriously, rubbing my temples a little and trying to keep an angry rant from coming out. “Anyway, I have to go find Brigid, it's her dating day after all.” I say while hugging Luna and heading off to find her.
I found Brigid where I left her, leaning against a wall. “You look sharp.” She commented.
“Only the best.” I say with a smile, pulling out Reunion and opening a DTL. “After you my lady.” I say with a little bow, my Keyblade vanishing quickly.
“Why thank you.” She gave a curtsy, and walked in and I walked behind her. We exited out, and were in, what looked like New York. “Tall building on land? Heh, were probably cheaper to make than the ones in Rapture.”
“Most likely.” I shrug. “So, where to first?” I ask, raising my arm for her to wrap her arm around.
“I don’t know. Never been here before. Let’s get some food and see some sights before anything.” She said, pulling my arm and wrapping it around her as we started walking.
“Honestly this is my first time being in New York City.” I mention. “So it's gonna be an adventure for the both of us.”
We walked the streets and mostly looked at all the bright lights. We stopped at a hotdog stand and ate, then kept on walking. We made it into some kinda business district when we heard someone yell. “Just give us the girl and the debt’s gone!” There was a gunshot as a man in a trenchcoat and hat ran passed us. We looked at where he ran, there was a man there at a doorway.
“And screw you!” He yelled.
“Hello my good sir. And what just happened here?” I ask the man curiously.
He saw us and sighed, putting his gun away. “Sorry you had to see that folks. Just...some odd people who I owe some money too. Rather than working off my debt like any other they just keep asking for my daughter.”
“Uh...that's weird.” I frown. “Is there something special with your daughter?”
“She’s just an infant, not even a full month yet. Her mother...died giving birth.” He said, wiping some sweat away, I noticed his hand had the tattoo AD on it.
“What's with the tattoo?” I ask.
“Huh?” He said, looking at his hand. “Oh, It’s my daughters initials, AD, Anna DeWitt. Name’s Booker. I promised my wife I’d do this after she told me she was pregnant. I told her it would be a girl, and her name would be these initials.”
“Okay then.” I nod. “Has there been any...strange projects around here? Like a city in the sky or something?” I ask.
“Columbia? That took to the sky last year. Already everyone regrets it after they bombed half the world. If it wasn’t for nukes they’d have hit everywhere they could already. What’s that gotta do with these… wait, who are you?”
“Names Ben. And this is my fiance Brigid.” I tell him. “I was just wondering if something was being built because something might be weird.” I half lie.
“Heh, hey I’m the detective here.” He joked, looking behind us and frowning. I looked back and could see that man eyeing us from behind a building corner some blocks away. “You two come on in, some...unpleasurable company walks around around this time of day.”
“And here I was hoping for a normal day with my love.” I sigh out. “But thanks Booker.” I say. “Ladies first.” I say, not wanting Brigid to enter after me.
Brigid walked in first, followed by me, then Booker walked in, closing and locking the door. “Sorry about the mess, been hectic here for a while.” Booker said, picking up newspapers and some clothings that were scattered around. Brigid and I sat on the couch, and when Booker came back, he had coffee with him. “Hope you like it black, haven’t had the time to shop in a while.”
“It's fine.” I say with a raised hand. “So, mind if I ask why in the world creepy people are asking for an infant girl?” I ask. “Is there anything special about her?”
“Well, the man, who I think has a twin sister since a woman sometimes comes by asking the same thing he does, are the ones I owe the debt too, and one man claims himself a prophet, I’ve only seen him once, is their boss I think. Not sure where they work exactly, all I know is that they came by after I lost money on a horse race three months ago. Doubt they work at the tracks. That man and woman talk way too smart for that line of work.”
“Okay so city in the sky is breeding crazy people.” I frown. “I mean if you think about it, city starts flying a year ago and then about a year later a 'prophet’ and some strange people start harassing you for your daughter?” I ask.
“Still makes no sense. Colombia’s a floating, fucking city, my daughter and I are nothing special, we just get by like anyone else. Though…”
“You could have started with the 'though’.” I deadpan. “What is the problem?”
“I swear I’ll hear someone talking to Anna when I’m outside her bedroom door. It’s a lass’s voice, young, but I’ve never heard it before. I open the door and no one is there, spent nights awake, paranoide, watching her, but it’s only when I’m not in her room.”
“That's...strange.” I frown. “Maybe I could help. I have some...experience finding people that seem to vanish in thin air.” I explain.
“Well it won’t hurt anything.” Booker admits, scratching his head. “Fine, you can check now. And since you mentioned something about a date, I’ll start making dinner. Gotta go shopping though. I’ll be back in half an hour, I’m trusting you two here, anything missing or worse, I will kill you.” He said, walking out the door.
“Couldn't kill me even if he tried.” I grumble. “Brigid...I'm so sorry that this date went from just looking around town to me doing work…” I sigh out, feeling bad about this.
“You kidding? I’ve missed the questions, doing something in the field, yes I’m glad the little ones are safe, but I missed the...action, you could say. A mystery is afoot love.” She said, standing up. “Let’s give it our best shot shall we?” She said, giving me a sly grin.
“Sure. Let's see what our magic infant is hiding.” I say while getting up. “I don't know if the others did this but I'm gonna have to give you and Coco a Keyblade sooner or later.”
“Later, right now I’m good with this.” She said, pulling out a revolver. “Rarity knows how to make a dress with pockets for all a lady needs.”
“Glad to hear.” I say while heading up to where his daughter's room was. “Let's hope we can solve this…” I mutter, knowing this will be tricky.
We put our ears up to the door, and listen. “Hush little child all is well, papa’s life revolves around you, your future is for him to atone his sins~” A woman's voice was singing in a low pitch.
Knowing I couldn't just barge in I pulled out a Fair Game card and put myself in it before sliding in under the door. After a moment I popped up into the room for whoever is in here. “And who are you?”
“Gah!” She yelped, turning around. “How in the- Wait...Ben?” She asked, walking up to me.
“Who are you?” I frown, pointing a card at her. “And have we met?”
“It is!” She then hugged me and somehow spun me around. “Long time no see!” She said, finally letting me go.
“No seriously the hell lady.” I started. “Who are you?”
“Huh...Oh, right. Last time you saw me you were a teenager and I was like...almost seventy! It’s me, your grandma!” She said.
“Gr-granny!?” I bark, my bark sounding quite wolf like. “But...how?”
“When all that stuff was going on, world going to hell and all some nasty people broke into the house and well, an old lady can only do so much with a cane when they have shotguns. Woke up in this white place and spoke with God. He asked me what I wanted and I asked to be twenty again, and to travel wherever I wish. So, here I am!”
“But...you're young! And...not smacking me with a cane because I broke a finger again.” I say in shock, before hugging my granny as tears filled my eyes. “I have so much to talk about...what about Grandpa?”
“Asked God about it, he just wanted to go to heaven. I’ve been traveling so many realities. Oh, and sorry about that, meds didn’t help with my brain problems, Being old sucked.”
“You have absolutely no idea what stories I have to tell you granny.” I say before something clicked. “Oh sorry. Hey Brigid, the doors unlocked.” I tell the woman outside.
She walked in and gave a bow. “I heard everything from the other side of the door. Nice to meet you miss.” Brigid said, holding out a hand that granny shook.
“This is Brigid, one of my fiance's.” I say with a smile. “There's so many things I have to tell you.” I say giddily, not believing I get to see my granny again.
“Wait, one of what now?” She asked, shocked. “You have a harem!? Ha! Your grandpa was right.”
“The afterlife has the best tv after all.” I chuckle. “But you got to see Grandpa? I thought he was in heaven?”
“No, this was back when we were all on earth. He said the anti social one always get’s all the girls, and I told him to stop binge watching so much anime.”
“Grandpa? Watching anime?” I ask, making me laugh at such a thing.
“Yeah, he used your computer when you were at school.” She chuckled. “So I bet you’re probably wondering what I’m doing singing to a baby when the dad’s not here, huh?”
“He's been freaking the hell out about it.” I tell her. “But a mother and grandmother taking care of an infant? I suppose it should be obvious but the lyrics made it sound more...future heavy.”
“Yeah, there’s so many realities all revolving around her, it’s crazy. Talked to so many versions of her, just hoping to stop that cycle. Been giving them money and such without him knowing, otherwise he would have given her up to them a long time ago.”
“If you need money all you have to do is ask me.” I say with a chuckle. “Being the prince of two countries, a world wide super hero, and a few other things can really give you the funds for basically anything.” I explain.
“No, I’m good.” She said. “So, Booker is gone right?”
“For about a half an hour. Went to get groceries. But you do know you'll have to explain yourself right granny?” I ask her.
“Only if I get caught. Listen Ben, this is something I just gotta do, alright, please, not a word, for me.” Granny asked me, looking me dead in the eyes.
“Who said you weren't going to get help?” I ask. “You want to help Booker and his daughter out a lot right? Me and Brigid are here to help.” I explain. “Besides, it's not everyday you hear someone call themselves a prophet and ask for an infant. Bad things are happening around here and Brigid's thirst for investigation needs to be sated.”
“Fine, you’re as stubborn as your grandfather, I swear.” Granny mutters. “You go deal with those two posing as twins, I’ll be here, that Prophet’s been around here a few times too many the last few weeks.”
“Alright Granny.” I nod. “And maybe after this you can come home and meet everyone. I'm sure my little brother Joy would be happy to see you again.” I chuckle, letting slip about Joy right now.
“I’ll ask when I get there, but as a grandma, let me at least spoil you a bit.” She waved her hand and a box popped out of thin air. “Here.” She said, handing it to me.
“Thanks.” I say while taking the box. “But what's in it? Also this is important...mom and dad are back. And there living at my house.” I tell her with a smile, opening the box and wondering what she wanted to spoil me with.
“Not gonna ask, I’ll see them when I arrive. And it’s a little do-dad I picked up in some abandoned lab.”
I opened the box….It’s a portal gun… “You are the best granny.” I smile, putting the lid back and hugging her happily. “Love you granny.”
“Same sweety.” She said, hugging me back. “Now, as much as Brigid here would love to head off too, best she stay here, tell Booker you went after the man in the coat.”
“That okay with you?” I ask Brigid curiously.
“Just make sure you take me along to deal with that ‘prophet’.” She said, giving me a peck on the cheek.
“Alright hon.” I chuckle. “Anyways, off I go. See ya later. And please stay safe.” I say before heading out to stop the bad guys, wherever they are. I ran out the door, and as luck would have it, the man in the coat. He gasped before turning around and running. “Get back here!” I shout, rushing after the man quickly.
He was fast, just managing to keep out of reach. He turned into an alleyway, and that’s when it got weird. This, portal opened up, and he ran in, and I jumped in. I managed to tackle him then, but we were in some kinda...library/lab. “Let go!” He yelled.
“Not until you answer my questions.” I growl. “Like why you are so obsessed with an infant that borders between creepy and absolutely disgusting.”
“Fact dear.” I turned around, a woman that looked just like a female version of the man said, at some kinda machine’s control station...wait, we came out of a portal making machine? “Across many realities, we have learned a fact. When something is taken from a reality that is not its own, the...side effects of what is taken can show amazing results.”
“Like?” I ask with a frown. “Speak English lady.”
“Like all of her parallels that were taken from her home reality, with time she too will be able to open tears in reality, see them and open them, bringing items, people, and even entering other realities all together.” The man said, grunting in discomfort.
“Okay...so?” I ask. “Kidnapping a baby is still wrong.”
“Hey, we just work for the Profit, we’re scientists, not monsters.” The woman said. “The only reason he’s after her really is because her ability to enter parallel realities effects the one she’s in. She doesn't just enter them, she reshapes the world around her to be that reality. With the proper...handicaps, for lack of a better word, you can see the future with her powers.”
“And seeing the future is bullshit.” I frown. “The prophet is a madman if he thinks kidnapping an infant and then raising them as nothing more than a cash grab is sick. Scientist or not you have morals right?” I ask, hoping they know how insane this Prophet is.
“Debatable.” They both said.
“So long as we have funding, we’ll do whatever we’re ordered to do.” The man said, shaking me off and standing up.
“Besides, it’s not like it’s not his daughter in the big picture.” The woman added.
“And what's the big picture? Booker murdering a majority of the inhabitants on that flying City and then blowing it up all on the basis of 'he wants his daughter back’?” I ask with a frown.
“Not exactly.” They both said. “More along the lines of… The Prophet and Booker are the same person, but of different realities.”
“You see, at one time in Booker’s life, after being discharged from war, he was offered “salvation” in the form of baptism. If he accepted, he becomes the prophet, if he refuses, and he has in the reality we were just at, he stay’s himself, and has his daughter.”
“Okay then...so what does this have to do with the here and now?” I ask.
“Timeline wise, we’re behind.” The man said. “Something that has yet to happen in any other reality.”
“Time is a very fickle and very screwy thing.” I say. “You think you know what's gonna happen one minute, but then something completely different happens.” I explain. “But please, explain how your 'behind’.”
“She should have been handed over to us a week or month after her mother died at birth. Yet because she hasn't, events are getting...off.”
“How 'off’?” I ask. They pointed at the doorway. I walked over and opened it...Everything was in chaos. There were gunfights everywhere, a guy who controlled crows having them attack people, a guy on FIRE, walking around, melting everything around him, and one large clearly rebel army shooting everyone in sight. I shut the door quickly. “Well good job. Just as fucked as Rapture.” I frown.
“And that’s just this reality.” They added. “The one we were in just now, this will be its future if more time is allowed to pass.”
“Then change it assholes.” I frown. “You know the future, so change it, stop the super power bullshit and cut it off. Make sure this future doesn't exist. This isn't a 'it will happen no matter what’, it's a 'stop pussy footing and do the right thing to stop it’s thing.” I explain with a frown.
“Not our job.” They replied. “We observe, give hints, that’s about all.”
“So you'd rather been in a future that's the end of the world...rather than getting off your asses and actually doing something about it?” I ask bluntly.
“Well, we can’t stop this, in every Reality, it’s Booker that makes Colombia fall.”
“And why can't you make the place fall? Just make the place blow up, your scientists you know how to make explosives right?” I ask.
“We can make it fall.” They said. “But in Colombia not there’s only about, oh, six thousand infants and children. Adults are all bigots, but the kids...it would be a quick death, but we can’t pull the trigger.”
“Christ…” I sigh out. “Well...I doubt Trinity will be willing to just gather up six thousand children and infants…” I mutter.
“Well, there is another option.” The man suggests.
“Oh? Pray tell.” The woman asks.
“If Colombia never flew, or even better, the Prophet never came to be, everything will work around that.”
“Have you ever heard of a theory called 'multiverse theory’?” I ask, not sure if the theory has been talked about yet.
“Yes, but here’s a fact, there is a way to erase them all. Ever here of the Prime reality?” The woman asked.
“Yes I have actually. It's the 'roots’ of the multiverse correct? Or the trunk right? Not sure which…” I sigh out.
“The original source of what causes the other Multiverses yes. That first, split of reality where a major choice changes everything. We can end the prophet there, at the baptism...at a price.”
“Messing with time to such a massive degree always has consequences.” I shrug. So what is it?”
“In order to keep the choice of Booker accepting/denying the baptism...he has to die. This will, in turn, kill off every Prophet, and Booker in all realities.”
“But...what about his daughter?” I ask with a frown.
“Given all her other versions, she’s...scattered. Even this infant version of her will remain. Funny, a being not meant to exist, but does anyway. Wonder what you would call it?” The man pondered.
“A Nobody.” I say. “But will all Booker's die? Will he never be able to live a normal life with his daughter like he always wanted?” I ask, feeling kind of bad to just ruining his life for the greater good when he wants to be a good dad.
“Either one version of the same man in every reality dies, or infinite lives throughout all realities do.” They said in unison again. Everything went white, and I found myself at a… green field. I was atop a hill in the middle of a large pond, a circle of people were standing around, listening to a priest speak about god...in the backmost of the group, I saw Booker.
“Excuse me!” I call out through the crowd, walking forward to the gathering. “Sorry to ruin your...weird ritual but something doesn't seem right here.”
“Oh child, those without god in their hearts see the world strange and hollow. Have you come to accept his grace?” The priest asked.
I closed my eyes. “Okay…” I mutter. “I am a messenger from God.” I say.
The group laughed, even saw Booker chuckle back there. “Oh child, what lies the demons whisper to you in the dark.” The priest chuckled.
“Oh really?” I ask while starting to float in the air, slipping my angel ring on without anyone noticing and equipping some angel equipment to look like a messenger rather than a fighter. “I suppose My Lord was right to tell me they wouldn't believe me if I disguised myself to look like a mortal.” I explain simply, lying out my ass here but believable enough to these religious nutcases. Everyone, save for Booker, immediately took a fearful praying stance. “Young one, why do you not bow?” I ask Booker specifically.
“Just, I carry my sins with purpose. Not sure an angel can understand. Water alone can’t wash blood away.”
“Then why are you here? Wanting to wash away your sins?” I ask. “God tells us angels not to interfere with his children...but we do understand your sins.” I shake my head. “Please young one, explain yourself to me.”
“Do you really want to know?” Booker asked, looking me dead in the eyes.
“You treat us angels as perfect beings who know no wrong. But we understand more than you all know.” I say. “Tell me, what are your sins?”
He looked at the water. There was silence for a time. “In the war. I killed, and killed, and killed. Do you know what my greatest sin was in that war?”
“You enjoyed it...didn't you?” I ask gently.
He looked up at me...his eyes… “Like an addiction.” The water around him turned red, I turned around, all the people were...god… “Now angel.” He said, appearing in front of me. “Do you think simple water with ‘divine’ powers can clean the demon that I have become?”
“Sadly no...but I do know someone that can.” I say while calling up Cript for help, knowing he has the most experience about this. “You may be a demon, but there is one that can help you. And he can help you become the normal father you always wanted to be.” I say gently, moving backwards slightly. “May your humanity guide you back to life.”
Suddenly, Cript appeared behind Booker, his Humanity sword slicing clean into Booker. His body was covered in Crystal, and fell into the water. “Huh, guess he got that baptism after all.” Cript commented before flicking me in the head. “You’re an idiot.”
“It took you this long to figure that out?” I ask, rubbing my forehead gently. “What did I do wrong? Did I basically play into why this world is fucked in the future?”
“No, it’s against multiversal law for anyone without a god, divine, or scattered status to enter Prime realities.”
“Uh…” I frown. “Shit…” I frown. “That's...uh...does saying that I'm the Heir to Nothingness count for anything?” I ask, not really knowing if I am or not but still.
“Nope, king or bust. And in this case, you’re bust.”
“Well...it was nice to have...anything really.” I say, expecting that either my life, or everything I know and love, are now absolute forfeit now.
“Please, what do you take us for? Biblical crazed murderers?” Cript snapped his fingers and...I was in a courtroom…there was… Jesus as my lawyer...Cript as the judge...and other various gods as the jury. “Court in session. Ben, your are guilty of entering a Prime Reality illegally. Has your defence anything to say?”
“Uh...can I ask a question? How does this work? Cause I don't know if this is super court or normal court.” I say worriedly, not sure what to do here.
Jesus coughed. “Basically like mortal court. ‘Pray’ for community service.” He joked, earning a frown from me. “Yeah...no one laughs at that…”
“People think gods stick to the ways you read about in lore, but fun fact, mortals change, so do higher beings.” One of the jury spoke...I think it’s Hores?
“Okay then…” I sigh out. “First time in court...and slightly half expected Pheonix Wright to be here…” I mutter to myself. “But...I suppose?”
“Well our defence, your honor, is simple. Yes, my client entered a Prime Reality illegally, but he was doing what any other Hero does when duty calls. Ben’s line up of Heroic acts is stacking very well.” Jesus said.
“Actually...that raises a dire question…” I frown. “No idea why I didn't question this before but...how did those scientists even know about the prime reality? And how could they send me there in the first place?” I ask in confusion.
“They are scattered. Existing within the walls between realities rather than on one side or the other. Puts you at a divine status, but because they can still die via mortal reasons, they are called Scattered.” Cript explained.
“Thank you.” I nod.
“With that out of the way, the jury will now review all of Ben’s actions.” Cript said, the jury all viewing, what looked like my life on fast forward. Man was it kind of disappointing at parts.
After about seven minutes, it ended and they all stood, mumbling among one another. “Your honor, we find the defendant guilty, but within the rights of Heroes. We request a minimum sentence as punishment.”
“Alright. Ben, your choice. Community service, or a fine?”
“That depends on your definition of 'community service’ and 'fine’.” I point out.
“Community service is slaying demons in hell. A fine is a hundred to three hundred souls.” Jesus clarifies. “And no, not those souls.”
“Okay thank Christ.” I sigh out. “Uh...no offence.”
“Hey!” Jesus cheers. “Love it when that happens.”
“Oi vey.” I shake my head. “What are these souls? Again this is my first time doing...this.” I say while gesturing to all of the room and all the God's.
“The souls we refer to, are small pieces of reality itself in a physical form. Well, primordial reality at least. They can be used to make up anything, it’s how gods like the jury and J’s father there made worlds and life. Think of it like...a Simcity game.” Cript explained. “Souls in this case are...munny, in a sense. I’m an admin, so I don’t even need them, used them once. Made a hat.”
“Well given this is the first time I've heard of these souls I have to pick the community service sadly because I have none as far as I know.” I sigh out. “Always knew I was going to hell...just didn't think in this way.” I said, before a nagging feeling made me look around.
Void Emperor power? the voice mumbled in my head.
“Something's...not right…” I mutter to myself.
Its weak...but that void power is familiar… The voice adds in a whisper, it's voice still indistinct on who owns it.
“Uh...excuse me, does anyone else sense that?” I ask
“That Void surge, yeah.” Cript said. “Seems like that old Demon’s finally getting off his ass.”
“Demon?” I ask. “Is that it's name or not?”
“No, never really learned it’s name, read about it a bit, got board. Alright then, change of plan, Ben, your community service is to see what got that old fart off his butt.”
“I'm gonna have to do some stuff first. Apologise to my girlfriend for...a little bad date, take her home and get Joy.” I sigh out.
“Relax. I’ll stop time till you get back. No one will be the wiser.” Cript said, snapping his fingers as Joy appeared next to me.
“Why am I here? Is that Horus? Is that Jesus? I'm...confused.” Joy frowns. “But I suppose it's because of that energy I sensed?”
“Yeah, time’s frozen till you guy’s finish this thing. Good luck, slap that demon for me, tell him it’s from me.”
“I...kind of doubt I could…” I say worriedly. “But um...what's a Void Emperor?” I ask. “The voice in my head said it was Void Emperor power being put out.”
“Basically the old king of Void. Something about him being tricked or trapped, I forget really.”
“So...I have to meet the old Ruler of the Void huh?” I ask.
“Seems so, now hop to it, if I have to rebuild that world of John’s again I’m adding my own touches...and you don’t want that.” Cript said with a chuckle. He snapped his fingers, and we were outside of some kinda town build around this reflections old castle/my home.
“Okay then.” I say while looking around.
“Damn, you can sense all the energy here.” Joy says while summoning Lindworm.
“Yep.” I nod while summoning Frozen Pride and Reunion. “Welp, we got a Demon to find, some had guys to help stop, and possibly meet a new friend.” I shrug.
To be continued...