When I appeared out of the DTL into my world, after making some peace with my darkness, I began searching for Even. It wasn’t hard to find, he was in the lab he set up in my house, working with some chemicals it sems. “What do you want?” He asked, not even looking at me.
“Training.” I say. “Sorry about being gone for a while...had stuff to do.”
“Well, your absence is my gain. While you were away I payed a visit to your local hospital and wiped up a cure for about a quarter of this planet's mirror illnesses. No more Feather flu, common cold or Chicken pox.” He said, mixing some chemicals.
“Well that's a thing.” I say. “So, you too busy for training?” I ask.
“Not really. Here.” He said, his shield appearing on his back and ice began to shoot out of it, at me. “This is a blocking exercise. The point is defend yourself, don’t attack.” He said as I pulled out Frozen Pride and started blocking. “People think wielding a shield is just holding it in front of whatever is coming at you. Heh, idiots.”
I shrugged, continuing to block the ice shooting at me. “Well it's best to start with blocking stuff in front of you, then things around you.”
“Exactly. Learning to attack with them will be our last lesson.” He said, the ice shards picking up in speed.
“Alright.” I nodded while moving faster and continuing to block the ice shards. “But can attacks used defensively count for this exercise?” I ask curiously.
“For this lesson. No.” He said, three ice shards coming at me at once at high speeds.
I quickly moved my shield in such a way to block all three at the same time. “I suppose your having a good time in Equis?” I ask him.
“While it’s fine showing up those so called scientists and mages the only good thing was, well, you know.” He said, ten ice shards coming at me now in rows.
I frowned, suddenly thinking of his pattern and blocking the shards quickly. “Have you been to Olympus Coliseum?” I asked, weirdly starting to find his pattern that of the Ice Titans shard attacks.
“Sadly yes...I’m from there.” He admitted, another row of ten coming at me.
“So that's why…” I mutter, blocking more of his attacks. “I suppose being a scientist at heart you wanted to get out of ancient Greece?” I asked curiously.
“At first no. In my youth I was contempt with being a guard to the town. Then...someone broke into my home and killed my family. My mother, father, brother and sisters… They never found the culprit, and I wanted to understand, learn how someone could break into a home and not steal anything but the lives of my loved ones. I read every book and scroll I could find on the human mind, and when that ran out I met a world traveler, payed them to take me to a world with higher levels of knowledge, and I ended up in Radiant Garden. I got a job as a guard at the castle and in my spare time researched. Finally I learned about the Heart, and the darkness that lies within just about everyone. I knew Ansem the Wise was researching the same thing, so, after preparing and presenting my research, he hired my as one of his scientists. Years went by and the questions grew and the answers dwindled, so, I gave up, still worked on it with him but I put most of my time towards other fields of study.”
“Huh…” I mutter. “That's...quite a lot...and I'm sorry to hear about your loss. But I suppose keeping busy helped you not think about other things so much?” I ask curiously.
“That’s why I work so much.”
“Ah...well this world is full of new experiences and people. Maybe you can take a break and just stand outside and enjoy nature.” I suggest to the scientist.
“I grew up in a forest. I’ve had my fair share of nature.”
“Don't forget about nature my friend. I'm sure you met some beings that found the perfect balance between nature and technology.” I explain.
“Nope. Not really.” He said, this time ice spike orbs being shot at me.
I decided to change up and parry all the orbs appearing. “Right then. So what are you working on now?” I ask, seeing him work on something that wasn't trying to attack me.
“Cure for cancer.” He said, stirring them together. “It’s a bitch on all planets and very different depending on the laws of that world and DNA.”
“Yeah, cancer is a massive bitch…” I sigh out. “But let's hope your work will prove amazing.”
“Well, so far I’ve isolated the specific gene mutation that starts the basic version. But the trick is going even further, finding the base gene that starts the whole thing.”
“Yeah that seems like a pain.” I nod. “But hey, at least you're making more progress than most right?”
“Like I said, I got the gene isolated for the basic version, but they all start with a single starting mutation, then rapidly changed from there.”
I nodded. “Question…” I say before explaining what Yellow told me about this Purgatory theory Core had, wondering if Even had any idea about it.
“Yes, that is true. Neither matter from science, magic, even spiritual matter like a soul of the human consciousness just fades. That’s where the afterlife and all that plays into the mix. Matter is just constantly recycling itself.”
“Huh…” I muttered. “Well he explained it when someone’s heart was split in half between light and dark. Like if two people come from one person...what happened to the original?” I ask.
“Well, in may worlds and religion, there is talk of a purgatory, a place in between heavens and hells, where those who are undecided or don’t fit into either heaven or hell go. If what you are telling me is accurate, and it takes both halves of a balanced heart to form the true self of this Zeke and Crow people, then I can assume that their true consciousness is in a place like this. While accessing Purgatory in any world/religion has always been difficult, but it’s plausible.”
“Huh…” I mutter. “Well that's something. I wonder if I can save a friend that way…” I mumble to myself, worried what I might do will cause something bad to happen. “So this theory about a religious place doesn't sound at all crazy to you?”
“I have seen a lot in my time, and when you arrived the new guy in the lab turned out to be two hearts sharing a body, and then had that second heart removed by a masked man who made that second heart a body. This is still the easiest to understand.”
“Magic is weird.” I state. “But yeah, I can see why it seems more understandable then all that.”
“So, with that out of the way, what do you plan on doing now?”
“Be a hero, try to be a good father, and meet the old man behind that special door.” I say honestly. “Just a tad confused on why the Realm of Nothingness was dark except for the glowing symbols on that door…”
“Well, if the old king is alive behind this door, perhaps he has control over it, wanted to see what you have going for you… Tell you what. One last test, and that will prove to me that you are a master of the shield. Deal?”
“Sure.” I nod, wondering how he knew of the king. “What is the test?”
“Follow.” He said, leading me outside and into the everfree. “Now then, your abilities are the same as mine, being a shield and ice. Now then, why do you think these shields are linked to ice specifically?”
“Magic? Name? It being made of something strangely specific?” I ask.
“Your shield, like mine, is forged from magic ice. Ic can never melt, crack, or scratch. I took this test...and nearly died. Sure you still want to do it?”
“It’s not gonna be the worst thing I’ve done.” I shrug. “But what's the test? I'd like to know?”
“I will jump charge the magic ice your shield is made of, and it will completely cover you. You, have to find out how to break out. After all, if you can’t break through a defence that is as strong as you are, then you are no shield master.”
“Sounds about right.” I nod. “Good thing I can't get sick anymore…” I mutter, thinking the sudden cold would suck. “Pinkie? Mind readying a cup of hot chocolate for me?” I call out, knowing she can hear me all the way from here cause she's special and happy like that.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes I am.” I nod, taking a deep breath and readying myself for the deep freeze.
Once I handed Even my shield, he placed it over my chest, and there was a small blue flash before it felt like someone dumped and stuck ice cubes to my chest. It quickly grew and covered my whole body...So cold! So sosososososo cold! Ic was all over my body, and I was looking through an ice filter...can’t breath!
“Hurry Ben, that’s how you can die.” Even’s muffled voice said.
I channeled my magic and strength, starting to use the direct approach and try to break out of the magic ice with force. Nothing.
“You can’t break magic ice with force Ben! It’s linked to you! Think, think real hard, what can break you!” Even yelled again.
”What can break me?” I think to myself, before thinking about what could break me. ”Physically or emotionally?” I think to myself, already knowing full well what can break me. I thought about what could break me...the loss of everyone...all my friends...all my family...just gone, and I could do nothing about it.
Crack.
It cracked...I need to think about it...vision...losing everyone…”I'm sorry I can't be who you all wanted me to be… I think to myself. ”Heh...dying in a block of ice…
Crack.
Crack.
Zip.
The ice broke to the point a chunk came off. I could move my hand now. ”Too bad it means nothing in this situation…” I think to myself sadly, starting to lose consciousness.
“Ugh...What?” I mumble, waking up in...my room? What? I picked up my phone. December 13, 2012. 10:45 am. “Wait...what?” I mutter, scratching my head in confusion...but stopped as I noticed a lack of wolf ears. “What…?” I mumble, looking around my room in hopes that I'm just going crazy here.
“Ben!” I jumped, hearing my grandmother’s voice yell. “Get down here! It’s saturday, eat some breakfast then help your grandpa shovel the snow off the driveway!”
My eyes widened, remembering my grandmother telling me my grandpa died. “Oh no…” I mutter while rushing over to the bathroom and checking over myself.
I was back to normal…
My heart didn't feel anything…
I should have realised when I woke up and didn't feel anything…
Everything I did...everything I felt...everyone I met and fell in love with…
…
Gone…
“Ben!” I heard her yell again, opening the bathroom door. “Ben...um...you alright?” She asked...she...never asked that before?
“What's going on?” I ask, taking a step away from her. “My granny never asked if that…”
“Ben, come on, you had a hard day yesterday what with that Ventral shooting up the place. You’re lucky to have been alive. Come on now, I made your favorite. Bacon and eggs with pancakes.” She said, motioning for me to follow.
“A Ventral didn't attack yesterday.” I tell her bluntly, things just confusing me so much and I felt...cold.
“Yes they did, and it was bad.” She replied as I followed. Everything was...the same, as far as I could tell.
”My new life...it couldn't have been a dream…” I think to myself. ”It was never a dream...I spent half a year with the ones i loved and cared about. I...I told Celestia…” I think to myself, my heart hurting as I remembered what I told her.
I sat down, and as granny said, a plate of bacon and eggs with a stack of pancakes were where I always sat. The small TV she always had in the morning was on, a newsman speaking.
”Yes, folks, most of us have survived 2012, though, with all the chaos from both citizens around the world and the infamous Ventral family having made one of the bloodiest rampages since the the end or world war two, and the stock market crash before that. The death toll is still being counted, but nation wide is expected to be close to be...a...about fifteen million...This is Brock Phillis...channel five local news…”
The news ended and some commercials began playing.
“I wasn't here for any of that...” I muttered to myself. ”Did...did I really...lose all I held dear?” I think to myself sadly.
I finished up and grabbed my coat, it hanging where it always does, and headed outside...this was the neighborhood...half burned down with police and other government looking people walking around...carrying bodies away. “Shame huh?” I looked to the driveway, where I saw...grandpa...looked just like in the pictures Granny always showed me. “Such nice people. Went out like the Purge. Damn idjits.”
“Grandpa…” I muttered, wondering how the hell he was here. ”Well...at least Grandpa looks okay...but why am I here? I'm supposed to be home with my family...not here…” I think to myself, thinking this is some nightmare.
“Come on Ben, grab the spare.” He said, shoveling some of the...red stained snow...away. “Gonna be a while til we get new neighbors in this place. We should be glade water and power is still going.”
I grabbed the spare that was on the patio and started shoveling. It didn’t take long, was a small driveway.
Even with the cold...I felt nothing. ”Luna...please send me a sign that this is just a horrible nightmare…” I mentally plead, feeling like I should cry but can't.
“Thanks for the help boy, you head back on inside, I’ll be in the garage if you need me.” He said, taking the spare with him and opening the garage...inside was a queen sized bed and...things from when I was with mom and dad? The garage was remodeled into a bedroom.
I frowned and followed him into the remodeled garage, wondering why the hell the garage had stuff from my parents room. “Why are my parents stuff here?” I ask curiously.
Grandpa looked at me. “Why shouldn’t it? You and your folks been living with us for close to four years now. Boy don’t you remember? After that judge screw’d you all over with that fine, your parents sold the house and you all moved in with us. Paid the fine and your granny and I put an end to that bickering they were always doin.”
“My parents are dead.” I tell him bluntly. “My dad burned to death and my mom shot herself.” I tell him, pretending not to know my parents actual killer.
He gave me a shocked, look, but he tried to keep his face still. “Boy I know you had nightmares, but that’s just plain Stephen King crap there. If they’re really dead, then who’s those two driven up here now?”
I turned around...and my heart dropped into my stomach. My parents were driving their old mini van, they’ve had it since before I was born, and they drove up the driveway. Mom got out and hugged me. “Sorry we left so early sweetheart, food supply drop off had one heck of a line.”
“Mind helping load this all inside son?” Dad asked, carrying a box with canned and other types of food in it. “There’s like nine more of these boxes.”
I...I honestly couldn't believe what I was seeing. “No...no I remember clearly…” I mutter, trying to make heads or tails of this sudden mad world. “H-how…?” I mutter, feeling like everything around me was a lie.
“Ben, have you been having those night terrors again?” Mom asked, looking at me sternly. “You’ve been having them on and off again since you were thirteen.”
“Must have been the shooting at his school yesterday. Mom and dad were right, should have just kept him out.” Dad said, walking inside with the first box.
“What the fuck is going on!?!” I shout in panic, taking a step away from these lies. “They...they weren't night terrors…” I mutter, wondering what sort of nightmare is happening here.
“Ben?” Mom asked, worried.
“Miss, is there something wrong here?” A guy in a yellow and green suit asked.
“I, I don’t know, my son just...I think he’s having a mental break down.”
I had two decisions, be rational and just take a deep breath, saying I'm fine and just tired, or run away scared that my entire life has been nothing but a lie. But because I was scared, confused, and not in my right mind at the moment I decided to run as fast as I could away from them. ”This isn't right...this isn't real…how are my parents alive when I'm back on earth? Why am I being told it's all night terrors?” I mentally ask myself in fear.
As I ran I knew someone or ones, were chasing me, calling to me, but I didn’t stop…”My life is a lie…” I mutter to myself in tears. As I turned a corner I...heard Anime music?
Once the vocals on it kicked in I heard gunfire. “The fuck?” I mutter, looking around to where the gunshot happened. “Why is Spice and Wolf playing?” I mutter to myself.
“Ventral-gah!” I turned around, one of the people chasing me with their head bearing a large bullet hole.
“A Ventral!?” I yelp. “Get out of here! Run!” I shout at the people who were running after me, looking around for where the Ventral was.
When they turned around to run, but were all shot dead...walking around the corner...Zeke...and Jenny. “Lookie Cuz, a strangler.” Jenny said, armed with what looked like an SMG while Zeke had handguns.
“Heads or tails?” Zeke asked.
“Zeke...Jenny?” I ask, not believing this. “What the hell…?”
Zeke pulled out a coin, it looked really old, and flipped it. Jenny caught it. “Heads. Fun.” She said, the both of them taking aim at me.
“I thought you hated killing Zeke?” I ask him worriedly.
“I did...till yesterday. Some shit with a tank blew up the house my folks and I were in. I escaped unsaved, they were crushed, and I made the dick in the tank eat 12 gauge buckshot. My killing mood was amazing. Heh, bye bye South Carolina small town.”
I looked at him. “So...my life actually is a lie huh?” I mutter to myself, looking around and just starting to chuckle at the absurdity. “Ever wake up and see that everything you knew, experienced, and cared about was nothing but a figment of your imagination?” I ask the two simply. “Oh wait, you wouldn't. The taste of fresh blood is always tantalizing to crazy people.”
“Well then, from one crazy man to another,” he said, walking up to me and putting the gun to my head. “Here's your wake up call- Gah!” I was stunned, seeing... Luna...and my Jenny, Luna tackling Zeke and my Jenny tackling her human version.
“Ben! Wake up!” Luna yelled, keeping Zeke pinned down.
“How?” I ask, so confused on literally everything going on. “I can't just…”
“Dad, wake up, or I will let Rune do anal on your unconscious body!” She shouted, snapping her human self's neck. “Wow...I do not even know how to feel about this.”
“I'd love to wake up but short of shooting myself in the head I don't know how to wake up from a night terror like this!” I shout, putting a hand up to my head.
“Oh for the love of.” Jenny said, picking up the dead her's gun, shooting Zeke then pushing Luna towards me. “Kiss this idiot I somehow call dad.”
I rolled my eyes, grabbed Luna and kissed her fully...just so happy to know she's here and real.
“Ugh…” I groan...in bed, cuddling Luna. I did a quick check. Yes. Wolf features. “Luna?” I mumble, hoping she's awake.
I received a tight hug. “Glad you woke up.” She said, giving me a peck on my forehead.
“The hell kind of night terror was that?” I ask worriedly.
“Your test.” Even said from the doorway. “Once that thought is put into your head your mind puts you into a hell, a hell made up of all the fears you have. Die in it, you die for real. But, you lived, so congratulations.” He said, leaving.
“Fuck that test…” I mutter. “But...thanks Luna...if it wasn't for you…”
“I could tell. Pinkie had us bringing you some hot Coco for your test, and a sexy Coco~ saw you when you fell out of the Ice and… it was horrifying. Even said that it looked worse than it should have been.”
“Well that's what happens when your worst nightmare is literally everything you know is a lie.” I tell her simply. “Oi vey...can I see the others? I want to be sure...everyone's real.”
Luna just smiled, turning my head…three words. Frosting. Cherries...and bananas. “You're welcome.” Luna said.
I stare at them all. “Woof…” I said dumbly.
To be continued...