Life of a Nobody

by Xinrick

Nobody's fight on Two Fronts

I emerged from the portal, my surroundings not what they expected. All around me was calm Forest, and before me a mountain trail leading to it's top high above the clouds. “You know...I shouldn’t be surprised when ‘Belief’ and ‘The Mother’ are here…” I muttered.

I walked the trail for a while, eventually finding a tall wall made from trees and vines intergrown together with a large stone gate closed shut that the path leads into. “Excuse me! I’ve got a gift from Cript and I want to talk!” I called out, expecting the gate won’t open until I beat the Guardians.

"Shhh!" Someone from… somewhere shushed me.

“Hi.” Ben said to whoever. “How are you doing today?”

"Shhh!" They shushed again. Looking around I found who it was. They were… a very old man, long white beard and tattered clothes hiding in a bush to the left. He was looking passed me. Looking to where he was I saw… is that a rabbit-cow?

I raised an eyebrow and made a gesture of ‘who are you and who is that?’ given the old man didn’t want me talking.

"Tonto. Guardian of the tenth door." He whispered. "And that, is my supper."

“Well I’m here to meet Belief and The Mother, so mind letting me pass?” Ben whispered back. “I have something to talk about and to deliver something to them.”

"One moment." Tonto said, taking a breath then exhaling rapidly, the small half rabbit half cow animal suddenly shot, a small hole was bleeding from it's side. He killed it with his breath? Tonto then jumped from the bushes. "Soups on!" He cried out, snatching up the dead creature and began making a fire pit.

“So...what, you can use your own breath as an air bullet or something?” Ben asked curiously.

"More like a bullet." Tonto said. Using Flint to spark some branches and kindling on fire. "My full name is Tonto, Admin of the Breath. I crafted lungs, gills. If it breathes something I developed it's respiratory system."

“Interesting.” I said honestly. “But you probably know who I am given your the guardian and your probably ancient since you literally invented breathing.”

"Nope, who are you?" They asked, looking at me and tilting their head.

“Ben, Admin of Nothingness.” I said. “New to this whole thing but I’m a quick learning and full of surprises.”

"Neat." Tonto said, attention on the cooking creature.

“So, how do I pass the gates if I may ask?” I asked while sitting down next to the fire, wanting to just talk for the moment before the fight.

"Simple. Land one hit on me before I finish eating. If ya don't you'll have to wait til tomorrow or later, depends on what makes it's way up here."

“Does it have to be a full blown hit or does I have to actually touch you?” I asked curiously, still staring at the fire and feeling it’s heat.

"Doesn't matter to me."

“Alright.” I said before the very heat of the fire lashed out at the Admin.

Tonto inhaled, breathing in the fire. "Did you think it would be that easy?" They asked, taking a bite of their meal.

“And the attack magically disappeared how?” I asked honestly.

"I breathed it in. I told you I made every type of respiratory system there is. And everything breaths something."

“Uh...no?” I said slowly. “Heat is just molecules going faster, there is no ‘breath’ to that...also there are several things that don’t need to ‘breath’, like Gargoyle’s for instance.”

"Ah, to be young and ignorant the facts. Kid, different dimensions have different laws, this includes how physics works in them. So other dimensional beings breath accordingly to those laws. Make sense?"

I wanted to argue that that’s not how shit works...but knowing better cause this shit has happened before. “Alright alright fine.” I said as Nothingness thorns spiked out from underneath him as spikes of earth also shot out towards him.

With a quick exhale of his nose, a blast of Gale force winds blasted my attack ascue, and sent him to a safe distance away. He took another bite. "Just because I invented breathing doesn't mean I don't know how to weaponize it. I didn't survive the Admin war for nothing."

“Alright alright.” I said, before vanishing and swinging No Heart down towards the guy, baiting him into using his ability again.

He sidestepped, holding his breath as he dodged. He then exhaled, hitting my last foot. I barked in pain and my bones were shattered in my foot… wait, why isn't it healing? "Healing factors only heal damage up to a certain tier. That's the one where you're healing factors is at its limit Currently." He said, a soft smile as he took another bite.

“Okay I call bullshit.” I frowned before Nothingness thorns lashed out at him again rather quickly, waiting for the right opportunity.

Tonto proceeded to exhale, blasting himself high into the air and above the thorns that turned upwards to attack him. "Not bad on your timing, but you have a clear tendency to underestimate your opponent. You're a thinker aren't you?"

As Tonto was talking, he felt something very so slightly cut his lip as he took a breath. “Says the guy that underestimated me.” I said while Lindworm was around me. “Your not the only one that can use the air as a weapon, just needed to wait for the right moment.”

Tonto smiled, landing back to the ground. "Ah, my mistake. I should have been breathing another material other than air to avoid that."

“I mean, I could have just controlled the air around you and hit you before, but I thought you would have seen it coming.” I shrugged. “So just needed to wait for the right moment.” I said. “So, does that count or do I need to get a bigger hit?”

"Guess I'm just rusty." Tonto said, the doors opening behind him. "Here." They said, breathing slowly at my broken foot as it began healing. "You'll need that for the next guy."

I moved my foot, my CopyCat ability helping me learn a lot of things from Tonto like being able to breath different things, as well as the healing and projectile stuff from air that I didn’t fully think about, but being an Admin I have noticed I didn’t really need to breath to begin with, even with Nothingness added to that. “Thank you.” I nodded. “Got any advice on what’s next? Or at least a name?”

"Their name is Hector, Admin of Art."

“Oh boy, that’s not going to be a nightmare and a half from what I can immediately imagine.” I groaned. “Um...question, just in case I do manage to make it to the end, what are The Mother and Belief like? Just so I don’t step on any toes on pure accident.” I said sheepishly.

"Don't know. Never met them myself."

“Well that’s a little interesting. Your guarding the two so I kinda thought you would have.” I said honestly. “Oh well, better to ask before hand.”

"Asha has spoken with them though, she's your best bet."

“How far down is she?” I asked curiously.

"She's the last guardian. The Admin of Death, the first of our kind to die. She was the one killed, which sparked our dive into understanding our abilities and code, and unfortunately, the war."

“And Jericho wants to make another one happen.” I frowned. “So that’s going to be fun…”

"WHAT?!?!?!" Tonto said in shock. "That sociopath is back?!"

“Yes, cause Cript decided not to do...let’s say the dozen’s of ways to actually make him not ‘live’ permanently, he just decided to imprison him for two years inside himself.” I explained. “Seriously, Cript’s lived forever and he can’t come up with a way to make immortals brain dead?”

"To be fair, brains are also optional. Anyway, if Jericho is back then fuck! Oh shit what am I going to do?"

“Let me ask...does The Mother know Jericho’s True Name?” I asked him. “Where his Shade is? Anything.”

"That is his true name. What did you think our names are fake?"

“Not his given name, his ‘True Name’.” I said again. “True Names, at least in Egyptian Lore, is the culmination of your entire being, all your experiences, all your power, everything about you. And whoever holds that True Name, they can gain all that power...but considering none of you ever think outside the box I’m pretty sure Jericho doesn’t know about it either.”

"Kid this isn't Egypt, those rules were made up by wackjobs high off incense. I gotta tell the others!" Tonto said, rushing through the doors.

“Cause of course having actual things to solve a problem means fuck all…” I groaned. “And it’s even more bullshit cause the Egyptian Gods are actual fucking people.” I frowned as I walked towards the door. “If the Egyptian Gods are real people, then that means their Lore is real...but apparently not I suppose.” I ranted to myself as I took another step and bolted through, knowing I have enough time but wanting to do something instead of ranting to myself for an hour straight.

I arrived at the next door, paint was everywhere, esals, sketchbooks, carved marble, everywhere. And Tonto was talking with Hector. "Shit that's bad." Hector, a rather skinny fellow, wearing paint stained over all's and boots said. "What do we do?"

“Well first I’m going to need to pass.” I brought up. “Also I need an explanation on somethings, like how Egyptian Lore, and most likely everything else, is completely real, but is also a crock of horseshit?”

"It's only real if they want it to be." Hector said. "Think of it like this. God's are a step under Admins, if they want this rule to be true to them, then it is, if not, then it's crap. It also depends on their reflections, worshipers, etc, etc. Besides, if you are seriously applying egyption lore to Admins then you have a lot to learn."

“I mean, I was going to literally use Jericho’s Soul, everything about it and everything he has, against him.”

"Admins Don't have souls. We're code dang it! The only reason we even have physical bodies is because we made them!" Tonto said.

“Well I’m one of those that weren’t just ‘born’ an Admin.” I frowned. “Also Lord suck ass at explaining shit, and Cript barely explains important things or even tells us before hand sometimes.” I rolled my eyes. “So anyways, I still know how to permanently deal with the fuck, but it’s dwindling by the second as I’m being told things.” I said. “Also, can I pass or do I still have to fight considering the situation at the moment?”

Hector seemed to be considering the situation. "Shit I have no idea…"

“Well considering Tonto left his ring…” I muttered while taking a deep breath, Tonto noticing that I was using one of his abilities. “HEY EVERYONE! MIND HELPING US FIGURE OUT HOW TO STOP JERICHO FROM CAUSING ANOTHER WAR!” I shouted, my words echoing far towards all the other Admins, and I wasn’t fully sure if I would have my words reach The Mother and Belief but if possible they should know as well if they didn’t already know.

Shortly after the last eight arrived. They were, in order of closest to farthest, Graw, Admin of Blades, Shinsu, Admin of Plants, Carth, Admin of Water, Haru, Admin of Childhood, Fann, Admin of Speed, Soc, Admin of Biology, Bensu, Admin of Language, and lastly Asha, Admin of Death.

"So Jericho is back?" Graw spoke. "That devil will be the death of us all. What is Cript doing about the matter?"

“Fuck all cause he’s ‘Retired’.” I rolled my eyes. “Also, Asha, given that your the Admin of Death...let me ask, for Admins is there a way to make them effectively ‘dead’ without killing them? Cause Cript and Jericho both can’t die because reasons.”

"I specialize in complete death, brain death isn't my territory, if it has a pulse, it's none of my concern to know." Ashe said. She had slightly decayed skin, long black hair, and her clothes looked like they were soaked by water.

I wanted to say something about Ashe’s look but decided against it. “So anyways, Jericho wants to start antoher Admin War, but he won’t start it any time soon cause he wants it to be a ‘fair fight’, where everyone is an Admin and someone or everyone is as strong as him and Cript...how much you want to bet he’s bringing back dead Admins?” I asked honestly. “Where’s the Admin of Gambling, I’m pretty sure they’re laughing their ass off with all the new bets rolling around.”

"Died in the war." Tonto said. "I still owe him sixty digits."

"To reverse Admin death is impossible." Ashe said. "Once we die, our code is wiped clean and returned to the mother. Even if our specific code is retrieved our personally, knowledge, and form are blank as paper."

I opened my mouth to say something...but then I remembered a ‘twist’ in KH3 and face palmed. “No, I know how he’s gonna do it…” I sighed out. “Okay, so Time Travel is a thing for all Admins yes?”

"Yes, but we rarely do it." Hector said.

“Replica’s.” I said. “What he’ll do is make bodies strong enough to hold the past Admin’s body’s, minds, code and so on...cause Kingdom Hearts still needed to be brought into this even well after the Canon was shot to hell for us…” I sighed out.

"To make a body able to hold us… a physical body… he'd only need to clone his own." Soc said. "His and Cript's biology is a highly flexible and adaptable one. They are as strong as they are because their bodies can adapt to the power so fast, if he clones his body, but leaves it a husk, he could place a dead admins code in it before it gets wiped, and the code would reshape it accordingly."

"Wait, so we might see all our old friends again?" Haru asked.

“Sure, if you like seeing them all forced into serving Jericho.” I said. “Cause he’s not dumb enough to just bring all the Admins back and not have them all under his control in some way or another.”

"That's not his style." Ashe spoke up. "Jericho would likely set them free to do whatever, and win them over. Stronger bonds, less Hassle to keep their loyalties if they give it to you rather than force it."

“Now the better question is...what’s ___...wait, I thought I said ___.” I blinked, all the Admins knowing full well who I was talking about even though the words were beyond me. “Well...what about ‘them’?” I asked. “Here, I’m just gonna call the fucker Null.”

"That creature has slept since the war ended. If it does make an appearance it will likely not end well."

“Well given that Jericho wants another Admin War...okay so I was told that the bastard was made during a Free for All of Deletes...how bad is it truly? Cause I can already imagine how scary the bastard is when ‘it deletes Delete’s’ is already off the top of my head.”

"We'd have to evacuate everyone here. Only safe place." Tonto said.

“Really?” I asked curiously. “Even Null can’t get here?”

"You… Don't know where you are, do you?" Hector asked.

“This is where Mother and Belief live, that’s literally all I was told by Cript.” I said honestly. “I brought up that this is the center of Existence, but he said it was ‘too easy’.”

The admins all looked at one another, then to me. "The Null, as you call it, can swallow all of existence." Ashe said.

"That, existence." Hector said.

"Much like how realms have reflections where things play out either similar or different, so does existence. This is another existence entirely Ben, one where the Admin war never happened." Tonto said.

“Oh so this is basically the Dandelion’s bunker from the Keyblade War.” I said honestly. “At least, comparatively.”

"There are many, but we only know of here and the existence we come from. Admins here can create freely and have no worries of the unstable code issues the youngest back home have. It's a paradise. Only Cript, us, and now you have ever been here from home."

“I thought Lord also came here?” I raised my eyebrows.

"He did, but he didn't stay long enough to learn the truth. Cript told him after the fact."

“Alrighty then.” I said honestly. “Well I still have to give Belief something from Cript and...I’m not leaving till I fight all of you because I need to be strong enough to last, cause if Cript said him and Lord were having trouble here, then this would be a good test.”

"So before or after you speak with them?" Tonto asked.

“Before, cause I have something important to talk about with them and I still have to give them this.” I said while holding up the thing Cript wanted me to give Mother and Belief. “He said he owed them this and since I was heading here then might as well.”

"Well then, we'll head back to our gates then. You reach us the hard way." Asha said. Everyone but Hector returning to their posts.

“I said before…” I facepalmed. “Fuck…” I muttered while putting the bag away and bringing out my Lexicon. “Alrighty then, so how do I get passed you?” I asked Hector.

"One sec." Hector said, turning to his door and taking out a brush and paints, and rather quickly, and impressively, painted a very lifelike image of me, that then walked off the door, gaining three dimensions and taking out Frozen Pride and No Heart. "This copy is exactly like you in power, speed and durability. Beat my perfect replica, and you pass."

“Oh, that all?” I asked honestly. “I have a feeling it doesn’t have my wonderful personality though.”

"Be warned, it has all your abilities and tendencies."

“Then it’ll be even more predictable.” I chuckled a little. “Is there a time limit or something?”

"No. Just destroy my copy. Shame, imitation is such a grey area for the artists."

“It’s alright, it happens.” I said honestly before spell circles appeared behind me and fired a bunch of spells at him, from fire to lightning, ice and gravity as I prepared my magic for another thing.

They cast reflect, teleporting behind me and shooting out Nothingness thorns.

A wall was brought up that blocked the thorns as spikes of earth shot up from underneath my clone as I continued to channel into my spell. “Here, let’s give you something interesting…” I muttered while shadow clones appeared and dashed around the wall to fight him as I backed up and continued to channel.

They sliced their hand off with No Heart, making their own starfish clones to deal with my shadow clones as they charged me, their No Heart glowing with a red aura.

“Oh, well that’s rude.” I frowned while backing up quickly, Nothingness Thorns suddenly popping up from my steps and lashing out at my clone. ”Come on, just a little longer…” I thought to myself as I felt my spell getting closer to being done.

It tanked the incoming damage, swinging as it's eyes changed to red like mine do, that swing blasting the red aura everywhere as I was knocked back, I felt dizzy and nauseous being in this red miasma.

“Fuck…” I muttered while a sudden gust of wind appeared and blew back the miasma as I tried to focus fully on the spell.

The copies eyes shifted to white, their No Heart gaining a white outline as they suddenly began slashing at me with speeds I only made when training with Foudre.

”Now!” I thought to myself as I raised one of my arm’s and blocked a hit with is as I slammed my lexicon into him. “Balanced Emptiness…” I said before the clone Hector made, as well as the Starfish clones, suddenly went stock still as all their strength seemed to sign wave uncontrollably between the group, the starfish clones dissolving from the sudden actions as the main clone was heavily weakened as all it’s powers felt ‘balanced’ but also really ‘hollow’ for some reason. “Alright…” I panted as I summoned Eternal Flames as grey and white flames flared from it. “Damnation Flames.” I muttered as a single ember flew over and touched my clone, setting the clone completely ablaze so hot and deadly it could even burn Void. “Alright...so after those two things…that should maybe be it…”

The copy, however, emerged from the raised dust and smoke, beaten up but still moving. "I said it was as durable as you are." Hector said as my copy summoned it's own Kingsblade, rapidly hacking at me before slamming down on me hard with a Grey boosted hit.

I skid back, taking some pretty bad damage. “Alright...so maybe it won’t be that simple…” I muttered before taking a deep breath. “Let’s try another thing…” I muttered while I went into my True King drive form, but instead of just having it by itself, I decided to add Grey to it...and let me tell you the sudden extra power from that and the fact it was increasing as time went on was a bit scary. “Oh, okay yeah that’s...a thing…” I muttered, seeing that Grey was also around my armor, my wings going from a Dragon like wings to...more Angelic as Grey made it look like it was covered in strong and beautiful feathers. “Alrighty then, this will help a lot.” I grinned while summoning Kingsblade and No Heart. “Alright fucker, let’s dance.” I said before taking a step...only for me to appear like...a mile away from my clone. “Uh...woop, too fast.” I said sheepishly. “Okay so...probably can’t reign this in so…” I muttered while just raising my sword and swinging at my clone...only for a massive fuck off energy wave of Nothingness and Grey shot towards the bastard insanely fast. “Okay sweet jesus!”

When the attack ended I didn't see the copy, but suddenly it emerged from my own shadow, in Primal form. It was twice as big as Mom, teeth inbedding themselves into my leg bone as it tossed me aside.

“Okay yeah cool.” I said while correcting myself in mid air with my wings. “Didn’t know I could do that, that’s really cool.” I said before vanishing and appearing near the primal me as I swung at them up close.

In a haze they countered, their No Heart in their maw clashing mine… I didn't even think about using my weapons in that form...

“Learning new things everyday.” I muttered with a hidden smile, the primal getting pushed back as the Grey in my True King Form helping increase it’s power by a shit ton rather quickly and as far as I could tell it won’t stop.

The primal glowed, fur turning Grey as Grey began irradiating from them, Lindworm appeared above them, and they shot it at me.

I dodged the attack swiftly. “Hey Hector...how ‘correct’ are the clones thoughts and actions?” I called out curiously.

"About… hmm. Mentality is something a bit harder to copy, part of why it can't talk so… I'll say it's fifty-fifty give or take."

I nodded, having probably the worst possible idea ever as I disbanded my armor, which caused my clone to be rather confused at the action as I started to strip down. “Alright, so let’s see if what I’m going to do is even functional for the clone.” I muttered. “Who knew ‘go fuck yourself’ was such an apt term for the situation…”

The copy turned bright red, either unable to process what they are seeing… or having the same idea.

“Alright  you.” I said while fully naked and strutting over like a sexy boss. “We’re gonna have some fun.” I grinned before tackling my clone to the ground. “For all the people under the age of eighteen, cover your eyes.”

"... You fucked yourself…" Hector said in Disbelief as I was now clothed and my clone was also clothed but hugging my waist rather… sluttery.

“Yes, I asserted my Dominance.” I said with a smile. “Damn...I am rather tight…” I muttered with a grin.

"Stop. Please… bad enough I had to hear that I don't want details…" Hector said as his door opened. "I never did like perverse or nude arts. That's something you mortals all made. Always with the sex…"

“Not my fault I am a horny son of a bitch. Also bullshit, you are the Admin of Art, literally every form of Art you invented.” I said honestly. “But what about the clone you made of me? What’s gonna happen to them?” I asked while petting their head like a good dog.

"I invented the base concept of it and expanded upon it as you all began developing and learning what I gave. As for your copy it's as flesh and blood as you… as powerful too so… there is now two of you…"

“I mean, technically there’s a few ten’s of thousands of me that are all the same strength.” I said honestly. “Starfish Cloning, learning it from Cript, always nifty.” I smiled warmly. “So just need to help...me talk and gain more mental facilities as you said it’s not fully there….albeit I’m not fully there either but oh well.” I chuckled.

"They can't talk period. Normally they either defeat those who make it here or are defeated and turn back to paint or ink… so I don't normally add in vocal cords…"

“Here…” I blinked my eyes as they glowed green as I learned some of the things he knew from Copycat. “Alright...so let’s try…” I muttered while at least learning some basics on creations from him outside of my own testing as I gently put a hand on my clones throat and took a deep breath, trying to carefully create vocal cords for them. “I might as well know if they want to be someone knew or stay as me ya know?”

"I can...talk?" The copy said. Their voice wasn't like mine, it had, for some reason, a hint of Irish in it… I like it.

“Yes you can my sweet.” I said gently. “How are you feeling?”

"Aside from plowed like fertile soil, pretty good." Damn that accent is sexy… wait, why does she have that hint of Irish in her voice anyway?

“Uh...why do you sound Irish?” I asked curiously, knowing full well my family didn’t have irish roots. “I’d expect maybe a russian accent or something…”

They shrugged, and we turned to Hector. "What? Your code and genetics place you at roughly twenty to thirty percent Irish." He said.

“Huh...that’s a little interesting.” I brought up. “I was told from family I was of Russian Hungarian descent but didn’t expect Irish to be there.”

"Would explain your stubbornness…" Hector said as the doors opened fully behind him.

“Alrighty then.” I said. “So..do I bring her with me?” I asked while patting my clones head. “Also...do you want to be called something else? Cause I have a feeling, even though you are me on a lot of levels...you might not be me fully.” I asked gently to my new clone.

"I guess. I know I have some of your memories, not all of them, just enough to know your attacks and such…"

"You can take her if you want but only you can face the rest " Hector said.

“Alright, so why don’t you head on home and meet the others.” I said gently while taking her hand and putting a wedding ring on her ring finger. “You’ll know what to say...hopefully.” I said sheepishly, trying to think of a name to give her since she’s basically a new person. “Here...let’s call you Fenris, why not.”

"Fenris… I like it." They said, giving me a kiss. "Kick ass." They said with a wave as a portal to home opened up as they walked into it. Once the portal closed I headed onwards.

“That was fun.” I said with a warm smile as I prepared myself for the next battle.

The next area was torn up completely. Almost like a lawnmower was a bit too low to the ground. The gate here was all stone and held deep scratches across it also.

“Well then…” I blinked. “This is a place…” I muttered while drawing my sword just in case.

As I was getting ready for anything, suddenly I was slashed down my back, screaming as my tail flew off its proper place and hit the ground. I was then kicked into the door so hard the wind was knocked out of me also. I turned around, and saw Graw. "I am Graw, Admin of Blades. Anything that holds sharpness, calls itself a sword, blade, or cuts, I know their exact design."

“Dick…” I groaned. “Could have at least said hi first…”

"Not my style." They said, raising a colorless version of Reunion. "Keyblades. Such an interesting weapon, able to shift between blunt and sharp instantaneously. The former Admin of Hearts did me proud when he consulted me on designing them."

“Cool…” I muttered while grabbing my tail and putting it back, using some healing spells to keep it there. “Alright...so what, do I need to land a hit or do I need to make you yield?”

"One minute. Survive." They said, countless weapons of various types appearing all around us. "Survive. You can not Dodge, you can not block. Do so, and you fail. This is a test to determine your resolve."

“And I’m only allowed to use the weapons around us?” I asked curiously.

"I didn't say you could attack back." They said, raining their Reunion through my gut and pinning me against the door with it. "Resolve comes from deep within, if you die, then you are not worth seeing Belief of Mother, give in, you are not worth the flesh you are made of."

“Well then you better try harder than that.” I told him bluntly.

"That is what I like to hear." They said, suddenly thousands of Blades began slicing me, piercing me, cutting off limbs, dragging out organs. My healing factors bearly helping as the pain left me unable to speak. Especially when my tongue was sliced off with my lower jaw. At some point my mind went blank, my healing factors null at this point as the blades sped up. Finally one pierced my head. I was still alive. It was a minute but felt like an eternity. Finally… it stopped, my body healing finally. When I got back to me, I took in air like I had never breathed before. "You pass. Cript held up better, but you pass nonetheless."

“Yeah well...Cript had how long as an Admin before doing this?” I asked. “I’ve been doing this for...less than a few months.”

"If I remember, about two years. His healing factor is unlike any I have ever seen, which is both impressive and worrying."

“His healing factor is ‘he never dies’.” I said. “You probably were told this but he literally had his Death taken from him by Truth, so he can never die.”

"Yes. I remember over hearing part of his fight with Ashe. Such wrath. Such self loathing."

“It’s a combination of a lot of things that I don’t want to get into at the moment.” I rolled my shoulders to get some of the stiffness out.

The doors opened. "Here." Graw said, giving me a simple looking stone. "One of my personal sharpening stones, one slide across any weapon will repair and increase their damage to its fullest potential."

“Cool.” I nodded. “What’s the duration on it?” I asked curiously, knowing that sharpening stones sometimes grow dull with repeated use.

"Unlimited."

“Cool.” I said nodded. “So who’s next after this?” I asked, knowing all the admins but not fully sure on the order.

"Shinsu, Admin of Plants."

“Listen, I better not be getting into anything weird or I’m not gonna be happy.” I frowned, remembering Shaman King and how one of their characters beat a plant based boss.

"Relax, Shinsu is not perverse nor violent. His test is a simple, but time consuming one."

“What, do I have to fully grow an entire crop by hand?” I asked curiously.

"..."

“Did I guess it on my first try?” I asked honestly.

"Pray he gives you a fast growing plant."

I sighed out. “Well, thanks for the warning.” I said while heading off through the door. “This is gonna take a while…”

Once on the other side… it was beautiful. Flowers, trees bearing fruits of all kinds, vines and bushes with berries of many varieties and shapes. It was amazing. Shinsu was not next to his door, rather tending to a smaller sapling. "Figured you be here sooner." Shinzo said, tending to the saplings soil. "What took you?"

“Um...that depends on when I was held up cause I only took a minute for Graw…” I said, not really sure I should bring up what I did in Hector’s ring.

"Tell me, have you ever grown a plant from a seed?"

I stopped myself from saying something dumb. “Um...not that I can think of.” I said with some thought. “So, what plant am I going to be growing?”

"Hmm… I have just the one. Come." He said, getting up and leading me deeper into his garden. Here I found- Is that tree growing… meat? "The Consolvie tree. Used to be on your races homeworld, but your ancestors ate them into extinction." He said with a laugh.

“I...can kind of see why…” I gently moved over and sniffed it to make sure it was the real thing.

It smelled just like… everything mom helped me hunt. Shinsu took a piece of bark off, underneath it's bark was a small, black and red seed. He then handed it to me. "Grow this. Plant it wherever you wish, and when it has bared it's first harvest, enjoy the 'fruits' of your labor, and then plant it back on your home world."

“Plant it wherever I want here or…?” I asked politely, cause ‘wherever’ can mean a lot of things.

"Anywhere in the garden."

“Given that this has been extinct for god knows how long...mind if I know a few things about it? Like what area’s it grew in and what climate?” I asked curiously, knowing tree’s could be damn near anywhere because of how stubborn they are.

"It's like most plants. Water, fertile soil, sunlight, a moonlit howling at, and plenty of insects."

I nodded gently while holding the seed gently in my hands as I walked around the garden, looking for the right spot that felt good.

I found a decent clearing and planted it fairly well enough… now just wait… how long am I going to be here?

“How long does the thing normally take to grow?” I asked curiously.

"On average. A year to mature, a month to bloom, and another month to harvest your reward."

“So I’m going to be stuck here for a year and two months...great.” I said while making a comfy chair and sitting down in it, pulling out a book. “This is gonna take a while.”

One Week Later

Thankfully it sprouted, at this point I had a small hut to stay in while watching this thing. The time I had for reading was nice and I found myself reading to the plant… for some reason my Den mother instincts made me very attached to the plant.

Shinsu for the most part checked in daily and often was tending to other plants and harvesting what needed to be harvested. What does he do with all that food anyway? I never see him eat.

“Hey, what do you do with all that food? Do you have some man eating plants or something to feed?” I asked curiously.

Shinsu smiled. "Come." He said, leading me to his door next to it on the right was a tree that's roots wrapped around a pool. Looking in the pool I saw… people… hungry looking people. Shinsu took an apple, and dropped it in the pool, the apple appearing next to the hungry looking people, and as he poured more into the water more appeared around the people, til everyone had three or so apples. "No point in keeping so much food for one's self, especially when I don't even eat."

“Alrighty then.” I said honestly. “And...it’s also just a tad bit weird that my den mother instincts are kicking in for the tree...acting like Applejack at this point to be honest…”

"Hehe. I'll explain that in time." Shinsu said with a wise looking smile.

One Month Later.

The sprout wasn't much bigger than when it first emerged, but it had leaves now, which made me… prideful, for some reason. I was prideful and happy to see it was growing tiny adorable little- did I just call it's leaves adorable?

“Curse you motherly instincts~.” I whined while pinching the bridge of my nose. “Oh well…” I muttered while reaching into my pocket and pulling out my little statue of mom. “Hey mom...don’t know if you can hear me from all the way out here but...just wanted to say hi and tell you I’m doing well…”

"I can see that." Mom replied, her little statue coming to life and taking a seat on the grass. "So, how goes things?"

"Nothing much. Just waiting for the tree to grow." I said honestly. "Did you know there was an extent tree that literally grows meat?"

"Yes. Only legends though. We called it the Hunting Tree. Some say the meat that it grew was from prey it too caught and killed, but would give to us instead. That's only legends though. Fun food for thought though."

"Funnily enough its actually right there in saproling form." I pointed at the saproling. "And there's even one here actually."

"Really? So why are you growing an extinct tree?"

“To get to the next room.” I said honestly. “I need to meet Mother and Belief to talk to them about Jericho...and the Admin of Plants wanted me to take a year and two months to grow this tree, and then plant it back home.” I explained.

"Oh. A test of patience and compassion."

“Pretty much.” I shrugged. “So...how have you been?”

"Good. It's nice to be able to relax and not have to wonder about the next bad guy. I know about Jericho, and all that… it was a mess when he first popped up… Cript was hurt to learn his true goals when he did. They were good friends for a while."

“Glad you won’t be apart of this, but Cript just had to retire when he showed up and tell us to go fuck ourselves when it comes to Jericho…” I groaned.

"We made him Ben." Mom said sadly. "We know Cript can do a lot for everyone with how he is, but we know he can still help, and not have to leave our side."

“I mean, he was doing that exact thing while not retired though..” I brought up. “Clones are a thing that he’s been using for how long?”

"Hehe. He has a bad habit of when a fight occurs, he disbands them all. He does it absentmindedly."

“That’s...a bit weird.” I said honestly.

"There's a lot about him that is. But nobody's perfect. So, aside from bored, what's it like being in this garden?"

“There is literally every plant you can imagine and more.” I said honestly. “Also a lot of the food that’s grown here is given to hungry people.”

"Awh, that's nice… say, wanna know one of Cript's secrets? It's actually kinda funny and related to you~"

“Oh boy, I wonder what it is.” I chuckled a little.

"It's about his Admin Title. First, tell me what you think it is?"

“I don’t know really.” I said honestly. “Never told me if memory serves.”

Mom was giggling a bit now. "Okay so you know how Cript had a Psychopath bound to him that was using an angel as a host, right?"

“Yes, yes he did.” I nodded. “And how he hasn’t gotten rid of that is beyond me.”

"Oh he did, long time ago, before I joined his family even. But guess what class of angel it was?"

“I don’t know, Seraphim?” I asked, knowing those are like, the highest tier of Angel out there."

"Nope. Cherub."

“And then he fucked her.” I said honestly.

"After a lot of fighting and making the first humanity blade, yes, but they were bound to him for several reincarnations, and with the body he has it took some of that Cherub powers and abilities. It's largely why he, and now you have an ever growing number of spouses. He became part cherub, and you. Becoming part of the family received some of that."

“So...I’m not just all Dire Wolf?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. “Cause I kind of thought it was mostly just my heroism that caused most of my family to appear...”

"Cherubs special way of having others fall for one another has to start with a spark, if interest and some Sparks of love are not already present then nothing can happen. The cherub part of you and Cript help Kindle those emotions the longer you are with others, til it becomes true love. This means so long as someone has some level of romantic, even friendship levels of affection for you it can become love. That's why Cript is the Admin of Love."

“So...their feelings for me isn’t a load of crap?” I asked. “It’s not just because I’m magically part Cherub?”

"All the cherub part does is aid those sparkling emotions, if they decide they don't like you it can't do anything about it."

“Alright.” I nodded gently. “I’m still hunting down Jericho and my kids...he kidnapped them...I have honestly never been that furious before…”

"I heard about that. I wish I could help but I don't know where Jericho would be hiding. Cript obliterated his realm after trapping him the first time, and I doubt he'd risk making a new one, that would be easily noticeable."

“Well he’s going to regret ever being born for touching my sweet little angels.” I growled. “They had no part in this, and it’s not my fault Jericho’s skin is about as thick as a strand of hair when ‘edgy cript’ pisses him off so much.”

"Heh. Well all I know is that while they will be safe, Jericho will find some way to use them."

“And then I’ll make his life even worse.” I frowned. “No one touches my babies and get’s away with it, and if he tries to hurt them...if he tries to hurt Nancy after I got her to accept me…” I teared up at that. “I won’t just kill Jericho...I will torture him until the day existence burns to ash…” I growled in anger and sadness.

"Spoken like a mother." Mom said with a nod.

“I’m also a proud father.” I said while rubbing my eyes to get rid of the tears. “And I would still do the same thing against the bastard.”

"Well, looks like your plant is cold."

I snapped my head over to the plant, moving over to it in hopes it wasn’t cold or anything bad was happening to it cause motherly instincts are weird like that. “Oh no, my baby can’t be cold…” I said worriedly.

"Hm. Looks like a sapling this small needs more warmth. I know they are planted late winter, early spring so they grow best, and without worry."

I shifted into my primal form and curled around it, hoping my fur and body heat was enough to keep it warm. “Well...I hope I’m enough…”

"I'm sure you will be. So, how much longer do you have? Before it's fully grown I mean."

“A year still.” I said. “It’s only been two months.”

"Yikes… heh, well patience is a virtue and all that."

“I need to have it fully grow, bloom and bear ‘fruit’ as it were...and I doubt I can just make time go faster and have it grow faster.” I said honestly, knowing it couldn’t be that simple. “Unless I’m told ‘hey I could have done that two months ago’.” I said while looking around for Shinsu.

I didn't see him around. He's likely by that pool. “Well either way…” I muttered, not wanting to leave my plants side.

"Hmm…" Mom said, looking at me as I curled with the sapling.

“What?” I asked nervously.

"Heh. Nothing, just reminds me of myself when I was training to be the Den Mother."

“Really?” I asked curiously. “That’s interesting.”

"Yes. Before Den mothers when born could do so naturally, I and many others needed to be trained to be so. We were picked solely because we are the biggest of our litters. The Den Mother was always the largest in the Den."

“That is rather interesting.” I said honestly. “Then...what, am I a natural born Den mother?”

“Yes. Natural Born Den Mothers are, from what I’ve heard, the strongest and largest in the pack, and their main job is to feed and defend the young, as well as birth them. They only leave the Den when no young are present at all, their job being to hunt the largest of prey to feed the Den, until the next litter Arrives.”

“Alrighty then.” I said honestly. “But...I suppose I’m just a little nervous about that whole...giving birth thing given how long I’ve been a guy…but that makes sense I suppose…”

“I know it’s a change for you, not everyone adapts so easily to changes like this. I’m guessing for you it’s a ‘your mind tells you one thing and your body says another?”

“Well it’s the fact that my mind and body are split between the two, one being my motherly side wanting to take care of my kids and have an asinine amount of them...and then there’s my male side that’s...basically the same thing as when I was just a dude to be perfectly honest.”

“Male, female, two sides of the same coin. And in your case it’s all one side now.”

“Yes...yes it is.” I said honestly. “Now a bad thing is that...I was told that if I have kids...I’ll get even bigger than what I am already...and how does one even get bigger than this?” I asked while motioning to myself.

“I remember a legend my mother told me about the first Den Mother. She was so big as a pup she was the only pup of her litter, and grew to be the size of a mountain. It’s said her first litter was also her only, and those pups became our first and earliest ancestors, making our race the most populated, and dominant race of our homeworld.”

I blinked at that. “Uh...oh boy...I don’t think I’ll match that but...given that well...I’ll get bigger but not horrifically so.”

Mom shrugged. “Hard to say. So, what are you going to speak to the Mother and Belief about?”

“Well I have to give them something from Cript and...well try and see if I can make all my wives Admins without any...problems.”

“I’m sure they can, they created Admins after all.”

“I was told that...which begs the question of why they were being talked about now instead of way back when this whole ‘admin’ thing started.” I wondered.

“When you met Equestrians did they immediately bring up their god? Or you yours?”

“Good point.” I conceded.

“The Admins here, as well as Cript are the only ones who’ve really met them. Seen them.”

"And I'm going to be the next one to meet them." I said honestly. "Wonder how that whole interaction be…"

“Cript said that The Mother, just being around her made him feel completely passive. Even when activating his Psychopath blood he could not feel hatred or rage, just love and compassion. Belief he said felt like being in the eye of an all consuming storm with how it’s raw power was.”

“Right, so basically what their name suggests.” I shrugged.

“Basically. So, what else are you going to ask them? You have a rare opportunity to get some answers.”

“How to deal with Jericho most likely...and then some other things that might come to my mind.” I shrugged.

Mom nodded. “Well, I guess it will come to you when it does.”

The Sapling was now two feet tall, growing on three and had many leaves. It held a faint smell of… is that pork or… Either way it looked healthy. Shinsu was here helping me make mulch using the old leaves and such. “A good constant source of mulch helps them grow faster. I made plants able to consume not just from the soil, but from things that decay, able to recycle themselves to stay alive. A feature I was quite proud of.” Shinsu said, tuning a bucket of dead leaves and water.

“So you made Fungi.” I brought up. “Like mushrooms and stuff like that.”

“Yes. Fungi were quite the impressive thing. Myself and Asmith are the two who basically created nature and ecosystems.”

“Asmith...is that who I think that is?” I asked honestly.

“If you are thinking a very small grey brainiac yes. He’s the Admin of Genetics, DNA and all that. He crafted it all, then crafted a race as equally smart as himself to work with and, with Lords help, learn to invent technology. Heh, those were the days.”

“You do know that cheeky Galvan made literally the most overpowered items in history right?” I asked honestly.

“Yes, the Omnitrix, his greatest invention, and his greatest failure.”

“And then the seven other variants that are better than it in every way shape and form.” I rolled my eyes.

“Did he now? I haven’t heard much about him in over sixteen million years, so my information is a bit outdated.” Shinsu laughed.

I snapped my fingers, and a bookshelf filled with literally every single episode of Ben 10 from all it’s seasons or iterations was in there. “As much as I know of Asmith and all his shenanigans is in that tv show I have now gifted you...sure you might not have a tv but still.”

“Ah. Interesting. Lords work without a doubt.” Shinsu said. “I’d expect nothing less from the Admin of Imagination.”

“For the Admin of Imagination...he’s not very imaginative from what I’ve noticed and learned.” I said honestly.

“Heheh. Time has been hard on him. He’s forgotten so much, lost much more.”

“Even then.” I said. “Forgetting things is one thing, literally being able to make literally everything with nothing but a mere thought is another.” I said. “Imagination is literally a bullshit overpowered ability...like, there is literally no limits to is.”

“There are many variations to it, it’s why so many can gain that power also. After all, that man you knew as God had it also.”

“Yes, and then he died before Core could get his powers and be an actual problem...and then looking back on it from this point of view Core and God were not that scary even with those powers…” I brought up. “God did make a multiverse...but his imagination was limited to what he knew in some cases.”

“And what he knew came from Kingdom Hearts, who basically copied Lords worlds. Heh, not all of us are all that creative.”

“And creativity is the one thing that makes that power so great and so limiting.” I shrugged.

“So true.” Shinsu laughed. “After a certain point the well begins to dry up.”

“A bit.” I shrugged. “So, can I use time magic to speed this up or do I need to wait the allotted time?” I asked honestly. “I thought of it for the past few months but wasn’t sure.”

“You can, if you want, but then where’s the lesson? Where’s the experience and revelation?” He asked, picking a leaf off my sapping as I stood up, snarling. “I see it’s there, but you haven’t gotten it quite yet.”

“I’m a Den Mother, mind telling me something my instincts aren’t already making me feel about the thing?” I frowned. “Or is this somehow some weird exercise in telling me ‘just get pregnant already’?”

“You were born a male originally, right?”

“Yes, yes I was.” I said. “Now I’m a herm so...I can understand something’s.”

“You experienced being a Dire wolf, right?”

“Long enough.” I said. “I’ve been a Dire Wolf for...god knows how long at this point to be perfectly honest.”

“Have you experienced being a female Dire Wolf, and a natural Born Den Mother at that?”

“For all of maybe a week or two.” I said honestly.

“You need a proper exercise in your newfound biology. Learn to accept and adapt to your instincts. To mature one of your kinds takes up to five years before they can even leave the den, if you can’t raise this tree into maturity, then what hope do you have in properly raising your own pups?”

“I have done that actually, given that Cript made pocket dimensions with each wife having a clone of me.” I said. “Now sure that was me just as a male so that’s different but still.”

“Any male can be the father of a child. It takes courage, patience, and resolve to be a mother.”

“I know.’ I said honestly. “But...just another ten or so months…”

“Yup.”

“Alright...just another ten months of doing basically nothing.” I rolled my eyes. “Even if it’s to teach me about being a mother...even though I was already doing that with Nancy and other kids…” I muttered, Shinsu and many of his plants suddenly felt a surge of rage, sadness, and power come from me as I remembered what Jericho did.

“Hell hath no Wrath like Woman Scorned.” Shinsu said, pouring some of the mulch for the sapling. “I remember the day that phrase was invented. Pretty sure it was Lords father who said it first.”

“Makes sense.” I shrugged. “But yeah that term is aptly put for me at the moment, even though I’m hunting down my children to bring them back home.”

“Heh. So, what is it you want to ask me? I’m sure I can answer some questions.”

“Mostly just the time thing but…” I thought for a moment. “I know the war was a reason to come here but...it feels like there’s more than that to why you all came here.” I brought up. “What was it?”

“For me, it was sanctuary. We all have one thing in common. Our realms were obliterated.”

“From the war or from something else?” I asked curiously.

“Jericho…” Shinsu said. “He cost us nearly everything…”

“Well good thing I’m coming up with ways to deal with him permanently.” I brought up. “Nothing like scattering his entire being so thin he can’t even have his own consciousness or even subconscious anymore.” I said. “Even if someone were to try and collect his power...they kind of can’t.”

“I don’t believe that to be so easy.” Shinsu said. “We are the oldest Admins still alive, and Asha is the most powerful of us all… and if it were not for the Mother, Asha would be a battery for him, and we’d be dead. It’s like something about he and Cript were meant to hold this limitless power they possess, for what though maybe Mother knows.”

“And that’s going to be one of those questions I ask.” I said. “But if there’s one thing Jericho and Cript have told me, it’s that Jericho wants a fair fight so he’s going to make damn well sure he can have someone as strong as him kill him.” I said honestly.

"Kill? Somehow I doubt that. Someone as strong as him maybe, but killing Cript or Jericho is like saying you're trying to kill pure energy."

“And people have killed Pure Energy, people have also killed parts of a literal Concept, also Cript just killed a literal Fact of reality. So your argument is thoroughly invalid my good sir.” I deadpanned.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

"Hehe. Nothing can be truly destroyed, just reshaped to form something new. We turn our code into matter, matter makes atoms, atoms make up the bases of all things, in most realms anyway. Our code comes from Belief. It's said Belief takes and returns his energy from creations that have fallen."

“Well that’s going to be an interesting conversation when I bring him Jericho’s corpse.” I frowned.

"Heheh. Pride is good in moderation."

“Not really about pride at this moment when he kidnapped my babies damn it.” I growled.

"And not a clue to where to look huh?"

“That’s because he probably ran off to Nexus, but when I find whoever the traitor is I’m going to get some damn answers.” I growled. “I...I don’t want to lose my babies…”

“Haven’t found them yet? Surprised, they’re so obvious.”

Shinsu didn’t even see me as I tackled him to the ground. “Where are they!” I pleaded suddenly, just wanting to know where my babies are so I can save them and keep them safe from Jericho.

“I meant the traitors. I don’t know where your kids would be if Jericho has them, but Nexus agents I can spot a million miles away.” He said, pushing me off so he can sit up. “Yeash.”

“I also know about their mark, and they can’t hide it cause A, I’m an Admin, and B they are literally in my own realm where I am literally their God. But...do you know who the traitor is?” I asked.

“Traitors as in plural. Three of them. Could smell that Nexus mark on ya like a ripe strawberry.” He said. “And they can hide, they do it all the time. It’s their trademark next to making...their little projects.”

“I know of the blue mark on their hand, I’ve been searching for it on everyone in my realm.” I said honestly. “Starfish clones are a hell of a hunting party that’s for sure.”

“The marks can be hidden, you’ve likely already cleared them without even knowing it. One thing that can’t be hidden though is their loyalty. Here.” He said, crafting from a cotton plant a flag with the outline of a hand with a blue dot in it. “Make an audience with everyone, and burn this before them all. If there is one thing I know Nexus hates it’s to see their pride up in flames.”

“Sure…” I said while taking the cotton plant and it disappearing into my inventory, and then was immediately grabbed by one of my clones who made the declaration. “Alright, there we go.”

“Heheh. Show those assholes some hell.” Shinsu said. As angry as I was I suddenly felt…. Calm. Happy… why? “Oh, guess she’s visiting. Word must have reached her.” Shinsu said happily.

“I have a feeling Mother is here?” I asked while looking around curiously.

By a nearby green apple tree, I saw her… She looked easy nine months pregnant, outfit was leaf pattern but hugged her like silk, and her long brown hair reached well to her feet. She was...amazing.

”No, bad thoughts aren’t allowed here. Just because she looks amazing doesn’t mean that.” I immediately thought to myself given that trend hasn’t really ceased yet. “Uh...hello?” I asked to the nice lady.

She looked over at me, smiling and I felt… so happy she smiled at me. “Ben, it’s good to meet you again.” She spoke softly and sweetly… wait, again?

“Wait, again?” I asked. “What do you mean ‘again’?” I asked worriedly, wondering if that weird ‘future self’ thing happened here before I actually got here.

“I am not you, if that is what you worry about. You know who I am, or rather, was. I can’t explain for my own reasons.”

“Yeah, because literally no one can ever just explain things and not have to be cryptic.” I rolled my eyes.” It’s like me and Eclipsa are, like the two most open people as far as I remember...still need to meet the Foretellers and John...hate that…”

“Heh. So, I fail to remember why you are here… I should have better memory of these things.”

“A few things.” I said. “First off, how do I...permanently deal with Jericho?” I asked, wanting to get the big question out of the way.

“Ah. I am sorry to say, but Jericho, like Cript have a destiny that will be fulfilled come the Admin Wars end, for this is why they can not simply be dealt with. I can promise you all will be well come it’s end, and you can finally have your life of peace with those you love.”

“Cause it can never be simple…” I muttered. “Well that’s good.” I said honestly. “Now, second question…” I muttered, trying to think of something that wasn’t just immediately ‘hey, can you make my wives admins?’.

“Hm?” Mother asked.

“I was wondering if you could make all my wives Admins?” I asked, not thinking of something at the moment. “I was wondering cause Cript said that you and Belief would be able to without the complications of becoming an admin in other ways.”

“Of course.” She spoke, looking around til she found a Dandelion, and picked it. “It’s time the Admin Race regained their population. Does this include all of Zeke’s and Eclipsa’s also?”

I was about to say ‘sure’, but then I remembered the Traitors. “Who...who are the traitors?” I asked worriedly.

“I expected you to ask that. I won’t tell names, but each traitor is mother to children from each of you.”

The sound of something cracking could be heard echoing through the realm. “H-here…” I stuttered, trying to compose myself. “G-give me an item for the t-traitors...and if....if they want to stay with us...they can have it and gain the powers...if...if they don’t…” I clenched my fists so hard it drew blood as I tried not to just cry at hearing that.

“I can not place this power within an item. I have to give it directly, if placed within an item, the energy would weaken drastically, and become useless. Either I bestow it to them now, or not at all. I am sorry, but that’s just how this primordial power works.”

“I’m going to politely tell you, ‘no’.” I said, the passiveness making my choice of words a bit limited. “Seriously, Power, no matter what form it takes, can be contained in something. It’s happened with Void, Nothingness, Light, Dark, even all the powers I don’t fully remember or can’t think of off the top of my head. But the point is, it can be contained and not diminish into nothing, and I should know, I’m literally the Admin of Nothing.”

“So you expect me to take your word over my own experience?” Mother asked, sounding a bit offended, which worried me.

“No, I just...expected people to think outside the box sometimes.” I said honestly. “Especially with the person that should literally know anything and everything.”

“It’s not like I’ve tried.” Mother spoke. “Every artifact I’ve tried to forge, breaks. The longest lasting a day. Only sentient, organic beings can contain the powers of an Admin, some object have said power, but they themselves are Admins, who change their form to that of an item for one reason or another. Mostly it’s because they can not use their powers properly. If I leave it within an item out in the open, it simply returns to me or Belief.”

“Alright…” I sighed out. “Great...well mind if I wait on that part then? I’m currently holding a big meeting to everyone, including Zeke and Eclipsa’s family’s, as I burn Nexus’s flag right in front of them.” I explained, needing time to think about this and to who might be the traitors so I don’t accidentally give them superpowers if they actually don’t give a fuck about us.

“If they do, even if they are caught they’d cause havok before hand, how many of your family would be hurt or killed in their retaliation? If I don’t change them now, then they won’t survive then they make their move.”

“They are in my Realm, I make the rules their.” I said. “Nexus can’t stop the one that owns the very land they step on, the very air they breathe. Unless they magically do then in which case what’s the point of owning a realm at this point?”

“Their miniscule code abilities allow them slight alterations to the realms they travers. While they can’t change or break your rules, they can work around them. They are trained from too young an age to do so.”

“Damn it…” I sighed out. “Well then...let’s give them all the powers then I suppose…”

Nodding, Mother blew on the Dandelion, the white floaters shifting into something… powerful. I nearly fell to my knees with how that sudden surge felt, and it flew into a portal it made. “They will gain the full powers of an Admin when it reaches them, adapting their bodies as needed.”

“Alright…” I said while pulling out the bag Cript gave me weakly. “This is...for either you or Belief…don’t fully remember given all that’s happened.” I said, trying to stand up after all that sudden power.

“Oh. I remember this.” She said, taking the pouch and opening it. Inside was a small ring. “Hehe. Je- I mean Belief will want this back.”

“Wait, can you please repeat that?” I asked, looking over the Mother more closely. “Who did you almost call Belief?”

She chuckled. “Nothing you need to worry about. This is just something they gave me so long ago.”

I thought for a moment, before blinking as things started to click together. “You cheeky fucker.” I said in a non aggressive manner. “No wonder why you said ‘again’...and why you seem a bit familiar.” I said, Mother knowing full well what I was talking about. “Cript did mention that this,” I motioned to Mother. “Happened before with you all right? So…” I groaned. “I know who Belief is...why him of all people?”

“Why spoil something about to happen?”

“Because it’s how we get there that matters more than the destination sometimes. Like a standard cliche of ‘good guys win’, it’s about the journey, not the destination.” I explained. “So Cript and Mom...again, why Jericho?” I asked. “He’s an asshole and he kidnapped my babies...why is he Belief?” I asked, having a bad feeling a lot of the admins here will freak the fuck out about this sudden revelation.

Smiling, they took a breath before speaking. “Jericho’s ideals were born from admiration. Admiration for me. When he heard of me and my deeds, he found someone who he looked up too, but in learning of my, at the time, lack of actions, he realized I was lacking challenges my battles. He wanted to provide that, provide me with the challenge he felt I deserved. Fights one on one for him, he thought, were not enough. So wanted something he truly believes I wanted… a war.”

“And that wasn’t what you wanted.” I said. “Not by a long shot right?”

“No. He took it as his admiration and value of me being rejected, so he sought to change my mind. And now, here it is again, this cycle repeating like always.”

“And…” I sighed out. “Let me guess, no one can break this cycle?” I asked honestly.

“It changes from repeat to repeat, but once Jericho and I become what we are now, then it’s a time of peace, for seemingly eternity.”

“Until everything resets or something?” I asked. “Or is it one time per Universe? Also Je-I mean, Belief, might not be entirely happy to see me at this point considering what I...might have done to him.”

“I won’t say anything, other than that time works exactly like how you see a clock, at some point, it all returns to midnight.”

“Alrighty then…” I said. “But...let me ask, my Future Self...are they from this reality...well it probably can’t cause those...memories…” I sighed out.

“Not anymore. The second they came back in time to kill you, they made this timeline change from their own.”

“Well...I only got brief flashes of their life but...what happened?” I asked worriedly.

“Eclipsa died.” Mother stated. “Zeke and the others within him were in conflict, and given his nature is Balance, such conflict nearly killed them, so they ran, ran to try and restore their balance.”

“And...that’s why my future self thought he abandoned me…” I muttered. “But...there had to be something else...abandonment issues...that might be enough but...it feels like there’s something else…”

“By that point you’d all already suffered so much. The world that comes after the war is one of wonder and unlimited possibilities, but also holds it’s own dangers, dangers that can be avoided, but you three and your family faced head on. Many were lost due to many reasons as time went on. When Eclipsa died… it was just you three left.”

“Alright yeah that’s...that’s probably enough for me to go back in time and stop whatever the fuck happened.” I said. “And...yeah Eclipsa dying...that was my fault...let me guess, the spell I cast that should have killed Jericho actually helped him become Belief?”

“Oh no, that happened WAY after that. At least it did in the last timeline, this one might be different. Sometimes these repeats are exactly like the last or different in small or large ways.”

“Um...does any of them involve Jericho...not being able to be Belief?” I asked curiously.

“No, we exist in every reset because without us, everything will truly end. Only we can both remake and survive the complete end. Myself as the architect of it all, and Jericho as the ‘battery’ of it all.”

“Then...what was that one possible future where you literally ended everything?” I asked curiously. “I...can kinda remember it, you were called ‘The Last’ or something, barely had two health bars but...literally everyone was dead and it was a sea of pitch black nothingness.

“That was the outcome of a reflection, not Creation as a whole.”

“Okay thank you.” I sighed out. “But...good to know it won’t happen...right?”

“You’re good.” They said. “Do you wish to continue with these trials? You’ve completed what you have sought out for.”

“Might as well. I’m gonna need to be strong enough to deal with Jericho’s crap down the line and...I want to see how strong I am through these trials plus this…” I motioned to the growing tree. “Is helping me learn a little bit of things.”

“That’s good.”

“But I still have like...ten or so months to go for this trial.” I said honestly.

"You eventually get the hang of patience and self restraint."

“That’s good to know.” I said honestly. “I mean, I’m getting the hang of self restraint already so it’s still good.”

“That’s a lie and you know it.”

“Not entirely.” I said honestly. “But self restraint is a bit hard when you still have to deal with traitors that are people you’ve known for god knows how long and even had kids with as well as having your children kidnapped…” I sighed out.

Meanwhile, back home once everyone was gathered and I had clones at the ready I brought out the Nexus flag. “Hey guys, who want’s to see me burn this to ash?” I asked while immediately setting the flag on fire in front of everyone.

For a time it seemed like no one was budging, till the flames reached the blue dot, then in a haze I saw, eyes wide at the three culprits. Scotch, Rune, and...Coco. “How dare you…” Rune spoke first, her normal higher pitch sluttery voice now cold and empty, her tone lower and hollow.

“Damn it…” I muttered while hundreds of my clones immediately jumped the three swiftly to stop them from escaping.

Scotch got next to Rune, who’s arm glowed with Symbols as suddenly several dozen portals opened up, out from each poured what appeared to be machines that began attacking Ben’s clones. Despite Ben’s power the machines held many numbers and with each destroyed the pieces kept moving to reconnect to fix themselves.

“Alright, this is getting annoying.” I muttered while my clones started to literally disintegrate the machine parts. “So...let me ask you three...why?” I asked the three.

“I’m protecting my children…” Scotch said with spite.

“I’m in it for the heck of it. Finally putting my pathetic race in it’s place.” Rune said sadistically.

“I… It’s my job…” Coco said, not looking Ben in the eye as Rune’s arm glowed again, the portals now pouring out what looked like… people… Their outfits were all white save for the black visors of their helmets, and the Nexus symbol was across their chest.

“Test the bullets now!” Rune ordered as they all began shooting at Ben’s clones… they were not healing from the bullet wounds. “Perfect.”

“Oh, so bullet’s that stop regen?” I asked. “Well that’s totally never happened before.” I rolled my eyes.

“Not exactly.” Rune smiled, my Body suddenly aching. “Bullets that delete fragments of code with each shot. You’ll be crippled with a proper magazine full in your gut.” Rune grabbed Scotch and Coco, rushing through the charging Nexus army.

Too bad for them as the hoard of Nexus soldiers were suddenly either ripped apart, caught in something, or occupied by the armies that I owned and all the stronger Nobodies I’ve been creating or ‘leveling up’. “You forget...this is my world.” I said to them all as Nexus was woefully unprepared for this sudden incursion. “Now give me back my wife!” I barked while running after them.

“Drop dead mutt!” Rune yelled, body glowing with symbols as more portals opened up, this time Psychopaths rushing out.

“Yeah, cause that’s what we need right now…” I groaned as my Clones clashed with the Psychopaths as I ran past them all. “More cannon fodder to try and distract me…” I muttered. “Coco please! I just want to talk!” I called out to her, knowing she wasn’t like Rune who was a complete cunt or Scotch who...might have good reasons but I wasn’t fully sure about that thing.

Coco looked back towards me, but Rune yanked her more ahead. “No second thoughts. We’re Nexus till we die. Got that?” Rune asked as she summoned her Keyblade. “Hope Zeke feels this.” She said, the Keyblade glowing with a haze of dark energy as she tossed it back towards me, the blade cracking and then, exploding like a tactical nuke. I could hear Zeke screaming from here.

I snapped my fingers, what seemed like time reversing itself for the keyblade as it reformed as if the dark energy didn’t blow it to hell as Zeke also felt a soothing energy flow through him. “Okay, don’t care.” I muttered before vanishing and appearing right in front of the three.

Coco yelped… Void Key appearing in her hands. She swung in a fit of panic, not like her actual trained attack.

Nothingness and Grey coated my hand as I blocked the swing with my bare hand, Void Key trying to devour my power but it couldn’t cause of how much Nothingness was around it, in its user, and in me that it was damn near poisonous to it. “Coco please...I’m here to help.”

“I-I…” Coco tried to speak, choaking on words as Rune and Scotch backed up.

“Pathetic. Worthless equines.” Rune hissed, a portal of Code opening behind them. “Thanks for the Admin powers, will come in handy.” Rune said with a mock salute as she and Scotch entered, it closing immediately behind them.

“Those two are so fucked when they get back to their handlers…” I muttered, having a good feeling Nexus will torture and experiment on those two with sadistic glee. “But...Coco…” I looked into the mare’s eyes as I silently cast a Zone of Truth spell around us. “Please...do you still love me?” I asked, knowing that she wouldn’t have hesitated or looked away if she didn’t.

“I-i...I do. At first it...was just a job, like always… I ended up falling for you, I had fun with everyone, with you.”

I sighed out thankfully. “So...your staying with me...and with the family we have?” I asked gently, hoping beyond hope she’ll say yes.

“I want too… but…” Suddenly, her whole body became wrapped in these black tattoo like tendrils and her eyes became inverted in their colors. She just flinched her wrist and I was sent into a nearby building. Looking back up she was looking her arms over.

“Strong, weak willed… yes, this is my vessel.” Coco’s voice was distorted, almost demonically so. “Why be wielded like common weaponry when wielding the wielder gives the best advantage.”

“Oh no you don’t…” I muttered while getting back up and walking over to them. “You are not taking away my wife you piece of shit.” I growled while walking towards her. “So either you get out of my wife or I’ll make you regret ever being forged.”

Void Key raised… itself? At me. "Try me mongrel."

“Alright.” I said while appearing in front of them and putting my hand on Coco’s chest. “Let’s take a quick stop to the Station shall we?” I asked while using the Balance power I gained from Zeke as me, Void and Coco all delved into her Station of Awakening.

Upon arriving at her station was… cracking. Rising from the cracks was a dark silhouette of Coco, with Void Key's eye taking up the entirety of her head. "Such deep rooted Nothingness. Disgusting. I'll have to shatter this heart. It's the body I need, the heart and mind are worthless to me."

“You won’t hurt a single piece of Coco’s heart you got that fucker?” I growled while donning my True King armor. “I know you can hear me Coco, fight the growing darkness, I know you can do it.” I called out to her. “I still believe in you, please help me take down this asshole.” I said as I pulled out my Wayfinder and brought it to my chest, hoping the D-Link that I haven’t used in forever still works and if it’ll work with Coco.

The light activated and surprisingly… I felt a strong connection to void energy, it over took my Nothingness as all I felt was void, and No Heart  itself changed as a result, pitch black with it's design that of two crossed Skeletons welding broken Kingdom Keys… I know this is Coco's D-Link. I can feel her with me… so why?

"Heheheh. Foolish king." Void Key spoke up. "Coco is my host because her body can handle Void energy on par with that of Hollow. Nexus built and engineered her with that idea in mind. Why do you think she is my vessel!" Void charged as we clashed. "Let's see how you fight using your opposite!"

I looked at Void Key. “Want to know how I can fight with it?” I asked. “Well...it’ll take some getting used to, but I think I’ve copied plenty.” I said while a Void Tendrel suddenly slammed into Void Key’s stomach from my own body and knocking him back. “I’ve been doing my research, as well as having the Old Man’s research helping me out…” I said, Void energy crackling around me.

"Former King of Nothingness. He left you a library of research… heheh. This will be fun." Void Key said, suddenly turning into nine as each charged me, three hitting, four blocked and the rest I avoided.

“It’ll take some getting used to...but funnily enough.” I said while grabbing one of the Void Key clones by the head. “Void and Nothingness abilities are pretty close, just one keeps things in a state of stagnation, keeping life going until Light and Dark can get off their asses and do something…” I said while Void energy pulsed inside the clone as it’s color shifted to hold a more blueish tint. “While Void corrupts and causes changes.” I said while the blue tinted clone of Void Key lashed out at the other clones. “Knowing both sides can help wonders.” I said before I raised my hand, ‘Nobodies’ appearing from Void energy as they all looked pitch black and morphed into more grotesque abominations of sinew and strength. “Go.” I said while the Dusk’s, who opened up their heads and pulled back and showed a demonic visage flew through the air, their hands going from thin lines to thick boney hands with deadly claws at each end.

Void keys clones fought with my Void Nobodies while it and I clashed. I have to hurry, the D-Link is getting weaker… meaning Coco is in trouble.

I took a deep breath, and noticed the Void Key clone I corrupted to my side dealt with one of their clones and out popped a D-Link item. “Maybe…” I muttered while breaking our clash as I kicked them away, dashing over and grabbing the D-Link item.

Using it, everything around me changed. I was… in a classroom? All white walls, kids crayon drawings lined the walls, and a group of kids of all… OMG Coco as a filly is adorable! "Now class." The teacher spoke."What is the key principal in warp drive engines?"

"Time manipulation through light acceleration?" One kid asked. They're like five?!

"Correct." The teacher said.

“Excuse me, I was too distracted on Coco being absolutely adorable, are these kids learning how to work Warp Drive Engines!?” I asked incredulously, not believing what I’m hearing.

None of them replied. Guess they can't hear me. The lesson went on and WAY over my head until the Bell rang. "Now class remember for the exam you are going to build a warp drive engine. This is a pass or fail test and counts for fifty percent of the years total grade." The teacher said.

I saw Coco run along with some other kids, talking about cartoons and the class… this is not what I expected from Nexus?

“How the fuck…” I frowned. “Okay...so I can imagine that they’re acting all friendly and giving them a childhood to start...to gain trust at a young age…” I took a deep breath. “But it’s when they get older is when this facade goes away…”

The memory ended and I was back to clashing with Void Key. "Damn you mongrel!" I noticed Coco's arms down to her elbows on his figure were free looking.

“Not my fault.” I said while pushing the fucker away. “Okay, so that’s how this is gonna work huh?” I muttered while taking a brief and quick survey of the arena in case I need to jump in to last hit something to get another piece of Coco’s memories. “Alright...so kill the clones and get her memories...seems simple enough.” I muttered as I vanished and appeared behind one clone that was distracted by my Nobodies, using Void Heart, which is actually a pretty nice name, and stabbed it into the clone’s chest.

I grabbed the item and another memory. This time Coco was at least… ten or so, and this looked like Equestria. Manehattan exactly. Coco was playing in a park with some other kids.

“And she’s still adorable…” I said thankfully. “But...what’s special about right now?” I wondered while looking around to see what else was special about right now. “But this is a nice day...sweet and warm and full of fun.”

Coco was playing along the monkey bars when suddenly some older kids, likely fourteen or so came up to her. "Hey squirt, where's your mama?" One of the trio asked in a mocking tone.

"Shopping." Coco said.

“I...have a bad feeling about this.” I said nervously.

One of the others grabbed Coco by the wrist, and threw her down as the other two began circling her. However, to my shock, she quickly spun kicked them all off their feet, and proceeded to tackle the one that threw her down into the monkey bars she was thrown off, making a… rather large dent in it.

"The hell! No earth pony is that strong!" One of the ones she kicked down spoke as they got up.

“Surprised by how strong she is...but earth ponies not being that strong? They would be shocked to meet Big Mac or any of the Pie family.” I said honestly.

The one that spoke charged at Coco, who FLIPPED him over her and on to their back hard enough to send them into a coughing fit gasping for air. The third took out… a knife! "Little bitch!" They yelled, charging at her.

Coco sidestepped the armed attacker, taking their wrist and twisting it til they dropped the knife then tossing them head first into their fellow flunkies. The trio scrambled up and ran.

"Very impressive." Spoke a… human guy, I think. "Your combat training is paying off well child."

"G-General Krot!" She bowed. "Why are you here?"

"Observing the world. This is your reflection specific one yes?" This General guy asked.

"Yes."

"Hmm. I feel it will be getting quite the excitement in the future. Stay close to it."

“Well then…” I muttered. “Good to know.” I said honestly. “Now...which one would be her ‘handler’?” I muttered, thinking it would be Krot but he’s a general.

The two talked for a time until… I think that's Coco's parents came over. "General Krot." Bowed Coco's mom.

"Knitted Cloth. It's been ages. And Strap Belt. What's the daily grind like?" Krot asked.

"The usual. Not all of us can get a promotion with a desk Krot." Strap Belt said with a laugh. "What brings you here old friend?"

"Received word from the Prophets. This world will be getting a surprise to it many years From now."

"What is it?"

Krot had Coco run off to keep playing while he spoke privately with the two. "Information Currently is limited, but it seems an heir to that King of Nothingness will appear here."

"The king of nothingness? I didn't even know he was alive?"

"Alive is a stretch but yes, he's still around. This heir could give us invaluable data we've been lacking on that man since he first appeared sixty thousand years ago."

“I suppose I gave them that and hindered them out the ass given the old man’s dead.” I muttered.

"He's expected to arrive within seventeen years time. I think Coco could handle gathering data on them."

"She will be twenty almost thirty by then." Coco's mom thought aloud.

"Will it be safe though?" Strap Belt asked.

"When is anything we do safe? Besides, by then Coco will have at least ten years experience under her belt and confidence to pull it off. It's just data gathering after all, observe and if able to sample what she can. DNA, scans, the usual." Krot spoke.

“Yeah, I think she got plenty of samples.” I chuckled a little at how much ‘sampling’ she did over the course of our love life… wait, how many did she end up sending to Nexus? “Okay never mind that’s actually worrying...wait, that means they either made clones of me...or made kids...oh those fucking assholes!” I barked in anger at the possibility of them using my DNA to either make clones of me, or abusing my children because they’re assholes.

"We are hoping for data specifically relating to the Kings little yes man, Consequence."

"The first Nobody?" Strap asked.

"Yes and no. The first Dusk Nobody. We want to know what makes him retain his personality and intelligence compared to his lesser brethren."

"Have fun with that, even with me going through the notes its not really clear at all how or why, plus he's not the only one." I brought up.

I began to realize… Coco is playing… how am I? I looked around, and spotted Coco hiding under the Bench Krot was sitting on, a playfully sneaky smile on her face. Hehe, cute.

"How are her studies at the Nexus weekend school going?" Coco's mother asked.

"Very well. The bioengineered generations really show vast improvement over ours. Intelligence and power limits far exceed where we were at their age."

"Yeesh. I remember all the controversy. It all worked out in the end, it's extremely hard for them to contract illness." Strap said. "Unlike me, I used to get sick every month."

"I remember, I was always the one to bring you your homework."

"Am I suddenly supposed to sympathise with crazy people?" I frowned. “Sure some might be actual decent people but the whole is still a bunch of fucking psychopaths.”

The memory ended and I was back into the fire. Literally, Void Fire was everywhere as Void Key had somehow shifted into some kind of Void Valor form, only rather than welding another Keyblade it wielded a blade made from pure void energy.

“Oh, you can spawn fire?” I asked with a smile as I summoned Eternal Flames. “Well can your fire burn fire?” I asked while Eternal Flames spinning fast as well as black fire spawned, burning hotter and hotter. “Well bring it!” I shouted with a smile as I threw two Fireballs hot enough to literally burn away the Void Fire Void Key spawned.

Void Key slashed along Eternal Flames as I threw them at it, redirecting them across into the abyss below. It was faster, making after images of itself that made it hard to tell where it really was. Three of the after images, clones, rushed me, each on their own Void Valor form but wielding only the pure void energy swords.

“Well isn’t this just a whole bunch of fun.” I said with a warm smile. “I know you're in there Coco, if you can hear me please help me stop this thing!” I shouted as I swayed side to side as, to Void Key, thousands upon thousands of after images seemed to appear, all with the intent of striking it. “Welcome to my Speed Hell, First Step.” I said while bull rushing through him with Void Heart and Reunion.

I impaled it through, grabbing the D-Link item And jumping into another memory. This one Coco looked easy nineteen or so, and she was… in a warfield.

“Well that escalated quickly…” I muttered worriedly.

Coco was stationed between two sandbag mounds, a MASSIVE sniper in hand as she was taking aim at something down in the battlefield. "Target spotted." She said.

“Cause of course she’s also a sniper…” I muttered while looking out to see what she was aiming at. “What more can her memories hold?” Using Sharpshooters I saw in the distance some troopers, all dressed in the typical army get up, only their weapons were… rather high tech looking. One had what looked like a smaller version of the Tesla Cannon from Fallout, the others all had some kind of gun but it looked like a black aura came from the ammo mags. “Okay...that’s interesting…”

"Taking shot." Coco fired, but it wasn't a bullet that was fired, rather some weird energy that once it hit the guy with the Tesla Cannon a small… black hole appeared, suching them and their comrades inside it as well as their weapons and some surrounding debris before the black hole faded away as it it was never there. "Target neutralized."

“Well then…” I blinked at that. “That is a thing...but why...am I seeing this memory?” I wondered curiously.

Coco put the bizarre rifle down, taking a stretch before pulling out a soda and taking a drink. She then leaned back and looked thoughtful. "Five more years then I'm on the Heir of Nothingness mission. I'll have to settle in back home. Been a whole year. Wonder what's changed?" She spoke to herself as she drank her soda.

“A lot probably…” I muttered. “But don’t sound too enthused to meet me...I know I’m not fantastic but still.”

"Wonder what they are like? Tall? Wish those damned Prophets would give more details."

"Does crap like that matter?" I turned around… Zeke's Rune. Her attire was completely blood soaked, hair cut short, and a very nasty looking sword was in her hands. "It's data gathering, simple as that."

"Says the lucky Sociopath who got the Cript Project case." Coco replied, tossing a soda to Rune. "Why do we hang out again?"

"Because you don't completely irritate me." Rune hissed, popping the soda open.

“Says the cunt that hates her race with a burning passion for some fuck off reason.” I frowned.

"You know they have pills for that temper of yours." Coco said.

"I happen to think my temper is my best feature." Rune stated proudly. "Keeps me focused… ruthless."

"Yeah yeah. Your reflections Equestrians are the worst, so you keep saying."

"They fucking are! Stupid, racist, ignorant sex hounds the lot of them. 'oh know a Zebra, run!' oh no my sister's an evil demon, to the moon!' seriously, it's always the fucking moon. Our whole history is either banishment or some artifact that saves our asses. Completely useless on their own."

"So are most all Equestria Reflections." Coco added.

"I know… and the 'royal guard' what a joke. Can't even handle a proper perimeter sweep or properly detain anyone."

"Yeah their training is pretty bad…"

"If you call that joke of a boot camp training then I'm the slut of a princess Celestia…"

“Ironic given that’s kind of exactly what happened.” I chuckled. “So she’s pissed because...ponies don’t know their neighbors that much and believe random lies because of no information...pissed that Luna was stuck in the moon because that’s just what happened...and the last part really isn’t a complaint cause that happens with damn near anything that involves artifacts, not just Equestria.” I said to myself with some thought. “Right then, to each their own I suppose...but again, ironic she brought up being a slut of Celestia’s cause that’s what happened to mine…”

"I swear once I save up the rem I'm getting race transformation surgery." Rune stayed bitterly.

"Isn't that crazy expensive?"

"I got half of what I need. Once I get that, not even my inborn magic or genetics will be equine anymore. I'm thinking dire wolf."

"You got a bite to match that bark." Coco said flatly, barely seeming to be paying attention.

“Bitch wouldn’t know what being a dire wolf meant…” I growled.

"So, how much you get for this job?" Coco asked.

"Sixty grand." Rune said. "You?"

"Fifteen grand."

"How come you never charge more?"

"I get more offers by charging less." Coco said. "Besides, converting it to bits for back home I'll still be sitting pretty for a long time." Coco finished her soda, tossing the bottle as an audible slashing glass noise came from where she threw it. "And unlike you I'm not saving for special surgery or the down payments of some fuck massive giant house."

"Meh. I like spacious houses."

The two talked for a while until someone new appeared. They were… odd. Humans, clearly, tall, easy six foot seven inches, wore a long black… wait, that's… that's Andy from Cript's memory. "Oh look, the puppet came by for a visit." Rune said sarcastically.

"Watch yourself mule." Andy growled. "I received word from your commanders. You two will be sent back for debriefing on your next assignments."

"What assignments?" Coco asked.

"The Cript Project and Heir of Nothingness. They're arriving earlier than expected." Andy said.

"Fuck." Rune hissed.

“What, were they expecting us in twenty ninteen or something?” I raised an eyebrow at that.

"I'll handle things here. Besides, there is another reason I'm here." Andy said, countless Titan Shadow creatures appearing. "I need to test Cript's resolve and power. You two best not be here for that."

Coco nodded while Rune rolled her eyes as they left.

“Well...alrighty then.” I said. “That’s a thing…”

The memory ended and now Void Key managed to.land a hit across my left arm, the gash wasn't healing and I was losing… whatever it is admins bleed when they're cut badly. I did notice though it's movements were... slower than before.

“Rude.” I said before casting a healing spell on my injury. “But looks like Coco’s fighting back against you Void, why don’t you just leave Coco’s body and run while you still have the chance.” I growled.

"Just as your stubbornness keeps you from backing away, my pride keeps me fighting." Void said, appearing behind me suddenly as we clashed blades.

“Fine fine.” I said honestly. “Well let’s get on with more memories I suppose.” I said while using one of my wings to knock him away as I prepared to kill another one of his clones that he still has around. “I hope I’m getting closer…” I muttered while vanishing and cleaving one of Void Key’s clones in half and collecting the item again.

The memory was… Coco, in normal clothes, leaning over a building tops edge. "Any moment now." She muttered to herself anxiously.

“This...feels like the day when I originally came here…” I muttered. “Well...time to see her first impression of me…”

A few minutes passed and a DTD opened up, and out ai shot like a rocket, slamming face first into the wall and falling into the open dumpster. Coco cringed. "That had to hurt…" She said, pulling out some kind of what I am assuming is a data gathering device as I crawled out of the dumpster.

“Yeah...that’s a good start as any…” I grumbled, remembering this day quite well. “Alright...so she sees me immediately faceplant...wonder what she’ll think about me about that…”

The device she has beeped, then she read aloud the data. "Male, human, age 18, blood type B-, hair color brown, eye color blue, genetically prone to type two diabetes and stomach cancer."

“Neither of those things my family had or suddenly caught.” I frowned, not knowing if that was true but not knowing any of my family who had cancer or even diabetes.

She followed me into the Library, making audio logs every so often and taking pictures. Man I did not notice her at all. Was I that oblivious or was she what good… likely both

“Knowing me it was probably both…” I muttered. “Coco might be a little confused on me complaining about a war on cheese at the moment…” I muttered.

Suddenly screaming started… right the heartless. She followed me out and watched me deal with it. She made an audio logs. "Entry Number seven. Subject clearly shows zero prior combat experience or skills." She then saw when Core and Josh appeared. After I was shot and unconscious she made another audio logs. "Entry Number eight. Subject made contact with Core and an unknown person. Subject was shot, vital signs show unconscious, no lethal injuries."

“Ah yes, I remember getting shot by Josh...still need to smack him upside the head for that.” I frowned.

Coco watched as Paramedics came and took, and when she saw Rarity climb out of a nearly crushed charreit, she rushed over. "Rarity!" She called out, helping the fashionista put along with Twilight. "Are you two alright?"

"Yes dear we're fine." Rarity said.

"Thank goodness I learned my brothers shield spell. Would have been a worse outcome if not." Twilight added.

“Well...glad to know she was prepared.” I muttered. “Alright, so Coco knew about them long before I met her...good to know.”

"So, is it like this all the time or?" Rarity asked.

"No, this is the first real major attack. Most have been much smaller monsters." Coco said.

"These creatures are so strange. They don't follow the normal flow of magic or even seem to acknowledge it." Twilight thought aloud. "That hooded figure was able to beat it so easily though."

"Define easily…" Coco muttered to herself.

“Being able to murder it to begin with might be a good start.” I rolled my eyes. “And another would be being able to kill one single handedly when I was told it took like ten soldiers a while to kill one heartless.”

"Hope he's alright. I heard the gunfire and was so scared." Rarity added.

"We barely heard what they were talking about. Sounded so weird." Twilight said. "So, where were you when this happened?"

"Oh in the library, just looking up some books on classic stitch work patterns." Coco said without even a flinch or flaw in her lie or appearance. Must have had lots of practice.

"Alright...good enough lie to be honest." I muttered.

"At least everything worked out in the end." Rarity said. "Looks like the insurance companies will be having fun with all these claims…"

Coco giggled at that. "Glad I work with fabrics and not paperwork."

"What's wrong with paperwork? It's fun." Twilight said, making both Rarity and Coco laugh. I laughed too. Classic Twilight.

“Only Twilight would think Paperwork is fun.” I smiled gently.

The memory ended and I was-oh fuck! I dodged, Void Key now the size of a Dragon… and was one, mouth breathing out pure void as well as geotesc creatures oozing off their skin...

“Okay...what the actual hell?” I frowned. “I look away for ten seconds and suddenly you're a dragon?”

Void Key's reply was a swift Tail flick, nearly breaking me in half as the impact tossed me into it's claws, which they proceeded to crush and slam me into the ground with.

“Rude.” I said while Grey suddenly burst out from me, me pushing against the claw holding me as I grabbed Void Heart and stabbed the dragon’s wrist hard.

It roared, blasting me with it's void Breath as Tendrils emerged from its wound and began healing itself while also attacking me.

“Alright…” I muttered while dodging the breath and attacks. “Let’s see...where are the other memories…” I muttered while taking stock of the area while dodging or parrying it’s attacks.

I didn't see any of the clones. Must have took the rest back already. It receded a bit over the edge, and breathed fire onto the arena. I felt my code…. I felt afraid for a moment, emerging from its void Breath was… a Delete, female, clad in what looked like leather armor and held a metallic bow. "Filthy Admin…" She growled.

He can summon Deletes?

“Okay I call bullshit.” I frowned. “You can just...summon Delete’s? The actual fuck.” I frowned. “Fine, hi lady.”

She attacked me, using her bow like a blunt weapon and managed to make me kneel as I raised Void Heart to counter. She's tough. "Speak in fear Admin."

“No, I won’t.” I frowned. “But who are you? Your armor looks...familiar.” I said, feeling like I know something about her.

"I am Creeth. Delete of Hunt… and you killed my husband." She said, swatting Void Heart away, drew back her bow, and pulled, her single arrow suddenly became thousands and each impaled me directly. "Unlike my husband, I won't hold back."

“Wait...he was your husband?” I asked. “Certainly seemed fine with dying though...if he didn’t just immediately kill me for whatever reason…” I groaned while getting the arrows out of me.

"He held Honor as his Mantle. He was foolish at times to do so… but that's what I loved about him." She spoke, drawing her bow back. "Because of you our children cry to me wondering where he is every day… You will die for the sadness of our children."

I took a deep breath and walked over to her. “Lady…” I started. “I’ve already died for the sadness of children...my children to be more specific…” I told her. “So...how about instead of fighting here and probably getting yourself killed...you return to your family and try to be happy with them…” I said, my words coming from one parent to another and not from an Admin to a Delete.

She was still for a moment… then, an arrow pierced my stomach, impaling me to the ground as she fired again, the one arrow becoming ten and each pinned my legs, arms, even tail down… "Sympathy. Honest or not, in combat, is a dirty trick. Apologies, honest or not, create hesitation, self doubt." She said was walking over to me. "Happy with my family? Without him, we can not be happy. There is a hole in our very being that will forever be missing, because of you…" She said, stomping on my chest, making two of my breasts bleed from the impact. "Vengeance, kind gestures, nothing will bring him back. All I can do is what we exist to do." She said, drawing her bow right over my eye. "Kill Admins. The fact that you killed him… is just the cherry on top."

"You won't do anything else but try to kill me will You?" I asked her honestly. "Even if it means losing the chance to have your husband back?"

At that she jammed the end of her bow into my mouth, slicing my tongue and breaking some teeth. "Don't lie to me. Admins can't do anything about Deletes. You can't revive him, no matter how strong you are, we are not code like the things you make. We do not kneel to your wills like the toys you craft. You can't do anything to help me."

The Delete only saw in my eyes the actual truth that I wanted to help, even if she was giving me literally no choice. My eyes told her 'I'm sorry' before Lunatic and Foudre in combination smacked her faster than she could react.

She felt her face, not feeling blood but a rather hard bruise as she raised her bow. "Till death then." She said, the fight beginning.

I rubbed my jaw and my tongue and my teeth came back. “Not my fault you’re literally giving me no choice lady...even though I’d rather not do something like that...you need to be with your family...is killing me really more important than your own children?” I asked bluntly while getting up and preparing myself.

"As a mother and wife, no… but, when in loss, you don't properly prioritize what's important, do you?" She said, firing off nine arrows, each splitting into ten that managed to get my tail and left leg.

I knocked all the rest away. “Lady, please. Just...just go home, back to your family...be happy. From someone that’s both a parent and married...revenge really isn’t worth it, and leaving behind your children because of petty revenge won’t solve it. Also, how dare you disgrace your husbands honor like this.” I stated.

Rage filled her eyes as her bow bled void, changing into a larger, sharper design. "Hypocrite!" She yelled, shooting a single bolt that exploded on impact… and cracked the arena .. Coco's heart! "What about you and Jericho?! He takes something you love and you hunt for him blindly and if you even managed to find him then what?! Die a losing battle?! Talk to me about my husband's honor when you have your own!" She forced again, the bolt becoming nine and the explosions cracking the arena even more… it can't handle another hit.

Tears started to fall against Coco's heart, the cracks gently healing as I couldn’t stop myself from crying. “I’m sorry…” I muttered as I vanished and put a hand on her head. "I’m sorry....Gone with the Wind…” I muttered sadly, Book of Retribution in resting gently in the middle of Lindworm’s spears and wind as the Hunt Delete felt her entire being pulse. “If there’s an afterlife for you...tell your husband...I’m sorry…” I muttered as I saw her crumple to the ground

"There's nothing, you ignorant bastard." She wheezed. "Infect." She said, grabbing my leg as I suddenly felt like my body was shutting down. I hit the ground, unable to move. "heheh. Enjoy it it's going to hurt."

She crumbled to ashes and I was screaming. I felt my Code… being erased. This is WAY worse than becoming an Admin. I started to… forget… what am I forgetting?

“Cause...of course…” I muttered while trying to stop whatever’s doing this to me. “Fuck fuck fuck...no, I need to remember...I need to remember everything…”

Memories I could no longer recall left me, I don't know what I'm forgetting. It stopped abruptly… what did I forget? Did I forget anyone? Luna, Twilight, Coco… yes I'm remembering this… what did I forget? As I stood back up… I saw Void Key, laughing softly at me. A sly grin on their face.

“What did she make me forget?” I asked, knowing full well who I fought before Void came here.

As void charged me to tried to summon Void key ...nothing. Frozen Pride… nothing… she erased my memory on how to summon them! But I was able to just… call them before. Wait, how do I… She made me forget how to use them… I remember them, know what they are, but how to summon or use them… she made me forget how to fight!

"Fucking horseshit!" I barked before transforming into my Primal Form, leaping forward as instincts lead my claws and teeth. "Yeah, somehow forget to do something so instinctive it might as well be breathing, that makes fucking sense…" I mentally growled, hating how she just magically could do that.

Shockingly I remembered how to still fight in my Primal Form, which caught Void Key off guard given he probably knew full well what was happening to me as I managed to get a swipe into him with my claws...but for some reason I still felt slow, and a strange buzzing like noise in the back of my head like something was reacting slowly.

After Void took a step back from the sudden attack he took a good look at what I am given I’m now a Void Dire Wolf Den Mother, and what he saw was actually really scary. Given my Den Mother Primal Form was damn near twice my original Dire Wolf size could be intimidating to some, the fact that it looked like some of my bones were jutting out like some weird bone armor was a bit unnerving, my muscles were pulsing and if I didn’t have fur he’d probably be able to see them, my claws hissing with Void Energy as they were even sharper and deadlier, my tail moving more like a spiked bone snake rather than a wolf tail as my fur seemed to just bleed Void Energy.

As I began charging at Void Key I bit it's tail as it swing it at me. Upon biting it, it grew sharp spikes. Slicing up my upper mouth, tongue, and even breaking some teeth. I let go, spitting blood out as I began getting pissed.

I growled, feeling my tail lash out and smack into Void Key rather hard as I tried to claw at him, wondering where the next memory for Coco was to help her come back. “There’s either one or two more…” I muttered, my teeth and tongue getting healed rather quickly because of the Void I was constantly making.

I then realized… Void Key was half off the edge… his back! I began racing towards his tail trying to bash me away but I was quick enough to dodge.

“Alright, so what I’m doing is working at least…” I muttered, slashing into Void Key’s back with my claws as I started to remember things slowly, not entirely sure why but thanking god I’m remembering my weapons.

The first that came to mind… I grinned. Sharpshooters. Shifting back to normal I summoned them, the design was heavily altered. While I was still able to list them their design was that of a skeleton morphed into a cannon with void pulsating around them… fuck the hell yes!

“Oh you are fucked.” I laughed before aiming and firing at the fucker’s back.

The bolt that shot out exploded, and Nothingness thorns wrapped around Void Key, binding him down and tearing away at his back, and out popped a memory orb.

“Thank you.” I said while grabbing the memory orb quickly.

The environment shifted and I was…in a train. Coco looking outside the window… this was just after Manehatten… She sighed. "I'm gonna miss this city. Won't be the same after the cleanup and rebuilding."

“I know…” I sighed out. “Always gonna be one of my crowning regrets even though I could do fuck all back then…”

She was in a private passenger stall. This was a more fancy train than normal ones. The door opened and entering came Krot, though he did look much older now. "Coco." He said, taking a seat.

"General." Coco said with a nod.

“Oh?” I wondered. “Wonder why he’s here…”

"I have important news to discuss with you." Krot said, taking out some documents. "Your reports on this subject have been rather helpful. We've managed to reconstruct all his weapons successfully."

"That's good." Coco said. "Even Skysplitter?"

"Yes. Surprisingly."

“Oh…” I frowned. “That’s not going to end well for them gihat those weapons are Nothingness based so I own them…”

"We managed to alter them to work solely off of code and other energies as to avoid any… unwanted unpleasantries when used in combat."

"You mean him taking them away?"

"Yes."

“Cause that just always needs ot fucking happen.” I groaned. “Still not as strong as the original...and certainly not as strong as the King’s that’s for damn sure.” I rolled my eyes, knowing these would be cheap knock offs to be perfectly honest compared to the originals.

"How strong are they?" Coco asked.

"Simulations say the D series should rival that of the Council copies, and E series should be able to rival his own." Krot answered.

“Why do I even fucking bother…” I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Well good to know that at least…”

"So how many have you manufactured?" Coco asked.

"Of the A series, 7.9 trillion, B series 9.8 million, C series 4.6 million and the D series about 2.5 million currently of each weapon."

"That little?"

"Sadly."

I was...honestly speechless at the pure bullshit that I just heard. “Trillions...of replica weapons...that are somehow on the level of my own weapons...is ‘too little’?” I asked. “Oh no, I just have a few trillion dollars to spend on whatever the fuck I want, I’m so fucking poor.” I rolled my eyes at that. “Fucking why not, Nexus is said to do whatever the fuck they want, so why should I be surprised?”

"So what's the endgame here for this then?" Coco asked.

"As usual. Copy, learn, replicate, store. Then, one day, when all of creation is destroyed, be it Lord Vincent or another's doing, we rebuild. As it was but better."

Coco chuckled, then looked a bit sad. "I hope it's not us who…"

"I know Coco, I know."

“Oh? You mean you want me to be sad for these fucks that want to commit existance wide genocide just to build it up like a fucking Nazi empire?” I frowned. “I’m sad for Coco for having to deal with all this shit but no, Nexus is going to lose and end.”

"What… is Lord Vincent like?" Coco asked.

"Completely insane."

"Oh…"

"I know but he fits the founders prophecy to a T. That's why he's in charge. So, we'll have to be the bad guys from now on."

"I was afraid of that…"

“Oh so now there’s a prophecy? Well fuck me why did I even question things here?” I asked sarcastically. “Alright...I’m gonna have to talk to Coco after all of this so I can at least get some better understanding here…”

"I know it is not ideal. Many of us dislike the idea, but with Vincent in control, there is little we can do. From experience I can say confidently our organization is split in itself. There are we who hold the ideas of our founders to heart, and those who follow Vincent's cruelty like biblical decree. Unfortunately unless Vincent is killed there is little we can do. Even then the result would most likely be civil war. Split between the new leader and the followers of Vincent."

I was about to say something to myself, but then I remembered what Agamemnon told me about Vincent being killed. “Okay...so either one of their higher ups took main stage or Cript took over...let’s hope it’s the latter.” I muttered, a bit surprised to hear that Nexus was split that hard between people actually giving a damn and a ton of evil douchecanoe’s.

"We've survived since before the Admin war because our founders believed cooperation was the only way to ensure the best future, I'm not surprised it became twisted over all these years by those with more selfish desires, but even as we are, how many families, friends, everything would be torn apart. Our entire population would have to choose sides…" Coco said sadly.

"It's why even though we don't agree with the direction we are going we follow it. I'll freely admit to the blood on my hands and sins I carry for it, but I keep hope for the old days to return. Before Vincent was born."

“Maybe...this is why Coco was kind to me?” I muttered. “She had hope?”

"How many are like us?" Coco asked.

"That I know personally… fifteen. I'd wager it's either am even split or others favor more Vincent's leadership. It's hard to determine really. Maybe I can rig the next census to give me a rough estimation."

“Well let’s hope there’s enough…” I muttered.

"So, nervous about living so close to your target?" Krot asked.

"Kinda. I've watched him from afar for so long, meeting him in person will be… kinda nerving."

"How so?"

"I think I...like him?"

“Oh?” I hummed. “Wonder what she has to say about me here…”

"Really? Well it's not uncommon to feel this way, we call it Stalkers syndrome. Spend so much time gathering data on someone, learning about them you develop a bond to them without ever even meeting them." Krot said.

"I know. Maybe it is but… I kinda want it to...go somewhere."

"Hehe. Just like your mother."

"Hm?"

"They never told you? Your father wasn't born to Nexus he was enrolled, or something like that. Your mom gathered data on him for two years, accidentally bumps into him buying coffee, a year later you come along."

“Well then...that’s a thing.” I said honestly.

"Oh my." Coco said.

"Yeah. She told him everything, and he was okay with it. He got the palm mark and a crash course in Nexus life." Krot said.

"Hard to imagine."

"Most of Nexus in the really old days married in. Who knows, if anything happens with you and Ben maybe he'd be okay joining?"

"Dunno. Ben's a wild card with a temper and sailor mouth so… not likely."

“That’s probably for the best…” I muttered. “Nexus…” I growled, remembering oh so long ago when, for Humanity training, I was a Nexus slave...it was terrible.

"If not then that's gonna be one awkward conversation when it gets out." Krot said.

"Yeah…" Coco said sadly. "I want to tell him… but I don't know what I'd say. How would he react to that?"

"Poorly given how you've described him."

"...Not helping…"

"Look, all I can say is that if he does love you when things get out in the open then he'll accept you, and the part of Nexus that you and I and the others all keep alive. The original, and not this new age evil Nazies bullshit."

“Two things, A. he’s right, and B. I fucking called it.” I said honestly. “I knew the evil part of Nexus was just Nazi’s.”

Coco laughed. "Yeah… you're right…"

"Good to know. Means I haven't gotten too old yet." Krot jokes, chuckling at himself. "Well as much as the please tried have been…. I didn't come here solely for that." Krot said, speaking in a sadder tone now.

“Either getting reassigned...leaving...or dying.” I muttered.

"What's wrong?" Coco asked.

"You'll have to be strong here." Krot said. "I'll be sent over to a new project as it's overseer. I won't be your general anymore. Rune will."

"Rune? When was she promoted?"

"This morning. But I know you can handle her. But… this project is a bit complicated. I can't explain everything to you but I will say it involves you're bio-engineering."

“Oh dear, that’s not good.” I muttered. “Also Rune being Coco’s boss? What crap is that?”

"Every child before birth and for a month after are biologically altered, thanks to those born with the CopyCat ability. Yours were part of a small test pool for Void based alterations."

"Void? Isn't that forbidden?"

"It was. Vincent has damn nearly completely rewritten the rules. Because of that, he managed to acquire some special DNA which he had placed within you and these others."

"DNA from what? Who?" Coco asked.

"I don't know his true name but I know he goes by John Corvo these days. Lives on Equestria Reflection AZK-87."

"Isn't that whole Reflection infected by void?"

"Yes. How fitting. From what I dug up the DNA they extracted and placed in you is related to his impressive ability to store and use ungodly amount of void."

"But, why?"

"I don't know. I really wish I did but the rest was too encrypted for me to make out. All I know is that it can't be good."

“I mean...he’s gonna be the King of Void sooner or later...and I suppose that’s why she’s so strong…” I muttered honestly.

"This project involves some very bizarre circumstances." Krot said with a sigh. "I don't even fully understand it, but just promise me if you end up obtaining any void, try not to use it."

"I'll... I'll try General Krot."

“And then she used it and...now I’m trying to save her life from it.” I brought up. “Well...kinda hope Krot isn’t dead...Coco trusts him so...maybe I could as well?”

Everything shifted back to the battle, now Void Key as just covering Coco’s head, but Tendrils across her skin wrapping on her arms and legs were still visible. “You are a stubborn one aren’t you?”

“You’d think people would know that by now.” I said, feeling my memories come back a lot faster and my sluggishness was ebbing away given the time I’ve been given from the memories. “But come on Void, you know full well you lost, so get out of my wife and run back to your owners like a good little bitch.”

“Hehehehe. Tell me this, how is it I have lasted this long against you when the wife and mother you slaughtered recently only took one attack to end?”

“Cause of two reasons, A you are an X-blade so your already pretty tanky, and B Coco has had genetic modifications done to her using John’s DNA, the guy who’s going to be King of the Void sooner or later.” I said honestly.

“There’s that, but don’t classify me with Keyblades or X-blades. I’m artificial down to the void flow through my hosts.”

“I will classify you as those because you are literally a Keyblade.” I said. “And ‘artificial void’? That doesn’t sound entirely correct.”

“Doesn’t it? You saw my true form, back in daybreak when I was looking down on you all from within that accursed Armory.”

“Now that makes zero sense when you and that giant eye thing are two completely different objects.” I frowned. “We all saw you staring at us yes, but we also saw Void Key as it’s own thing. Mind explaining how that works?”

“My body here.” Void Key raised itself up. “Is like any Keyblade, but rather than light and darkness, I funnel void through it, my consciousness and energy existing within the eye, and power and influence stretched through this. I was forged to be the delete of this realm, my maker crafted me well, but I do see I’m at a loss, after all, I don’t have the combat experience you all do, that is where I am at a disadvantage.”

“And that begs the question of how he managed to do that because, at that point in time, no one even knew about all this shit.” I frowned.

“You forget, that Keyblade of his and Luxu’s hold his eye, he always knows the outcomes, and plans ahead. My maker is quite the genius isn’t he?”

“I’d say he’s so horrifically lucky at that point cause Gazing Eye was never around when Delete’s were brought up, Gazing Eye was never used to watch over things for all that shit, and even then how would he even know how to do all that shit with just ‘oh hey, this is a thing’? Also the fuckers literally one of twenty in Kingdom Hearts, why the fuck would he want to murder himself?” I asked honestly.

“He had hoped to destroy it before it happened. Sadly it seems his luck has run out.Oh well.” He said, his artificial void energy flooding out from him. “time for the final round.”

“Now here’s a small problem with that.” I said while Void Energy started to pour out of me as well. “D-Link’s are a funny thing you see, and one of their special things is a Super Move. Want to know what it is?” I asked while raising a hand, the energy I was producing formed a pretty cool looking Bo Staff, the details on it showing a mixture of Nothingness and Void circling each other in perfect Harmony. “Cause I’m sure it’s going to be a fun time.” I said while spinning it with ease and stomping down into my stance.

“Hehe. Who said I’d be attacking you?” Void key asked, turning it’s keyblade part around, and stabbing itself through Coco’s gut, the Void exploding on impact as her heart began to finally break apart.

“NO!” I shouted before putting one of the ends of my new Bo Staff onto the breaking Station. “Coco, I know your still in there, please...please help me.” I muttered before I chanted ancient words that even Void Key didn’t know about. “Balanced Sacrifice…” I muttered as Void and Nothingness shot out all around everyone, myself screaming in pain as I poured my own energy’s into it as Coco’s station was starting to repair itself. “Your not going to kill Coco! You hear me!” I shouted, pouring my love and power into making sure my wife’s heart didn’t shatter because of this bastard’s actions.

“Hahahahaha! We will meet again King of Nothing, this I swear as YOUR Delete!” Void Ke declared as it vanished, Coco’s injured form falling atop the ground as the final memory orb appeared.

I panicked and rushed over, grabbing the memory but also checking to see if Coco’s alright. “Please Coco...please be alright…” I pleaded, hoping I wasn’t too late in healing her.

I took the memory, and inside it was Coco, alone in the living room, somehow some kind of Holoscreen came from the blue dot on her palm, and displayed the image of Krto, looking worried and tired. “So much as gone to shit Coco.” Krot spoke with weighted breath. “After Vincent died both factions began fighting. First politically then violently. I’m taking as many like us as I can to the Safe Haven. You remember it, right?”

“The one under Manehatten, yes.” Coco said.

“If all went well your parents should be there, but they were at the capital when this all started, so I can only pray.”

“Well...that’s a start…” I muttered. “But under which Manehatten?”

“How many do you have with you?” Coco asked.

“A few thousand. the others were all given instructions on where to go. Gods, forty nine trillion of us and in just a few days reduced to a mere few thousand. We only ended up making up five percent of our total population! We were outnumbered from the start!”

“Krot, please…” Coco begged, her worried expression saddened me.

“I know Coco… I know. Look, I need you to keep playing Dumb, I know Rune will suspect yo-” Coco’s palm was closed by Rune, who walked up without either of us noticing her.

“So, you’re one of those old fashioned bleeding hearts?” Rune said, fiddling with a dagger.

“Rune! I-”

“Spare me. I heard everything. Let me make something VERY clear here Coco.” She said, placing a hand on her shoulder and the dagger against her face. “If when the time comes for us to jump ship arrives and you’d rather sink than jump, I’ll be sure these survivors Krot spoke of will each die painfully and horribly.”

“Y-You’re a Psychopath!”

“Sociopath, actually.” She said, removing the dagger from Coco’s face as well as her hand. “I can still feel emotions, but they’re mostly hatred. I can fake my emotions so well! I got Eclipsa’s trust, Ben’s DNA sample easily, don’t think he could even tell the difference between his perverted slut and me, and then Zeke. Those little keyblades of his and mine, he can keep them, I already got all the data I needed from them.”

“I’m gonna fucking murder Rune.” I said honestly. “I don’t care if Zeke want’s to shank her like mad, I’m the one that’s gonna kill her cause she abused my love, she abused my wife, and she deserves to burn.” I growled.

“So, hat do you want from me then?” Coco asked.

“You’re Bio-Engeneering. You were given the ability to hold and store in void. I need you to use that. There’s a weapon, called the Void Key. Mad by some fuck called The Master of Masters. Used a lot of time altering stuff to gather the information and supplies needed to forge it. It can resist if not destroy Nothingness, a feat no normal void being can accomplish. I need you to summon it when it appears to you, and use it. Ben thinks he’s hot shit, well we’ll see about that when suddenly his entire realm is gone in one fell swing.”

When I awoke and saw Coco was still asleep, I tried to wake her up, but nothing. She was breathing, but that was it. I rushed her to the castle where the Medics and Nobodies looked over her. She was hooked to life support, while it wasn’t much, since she could breathe on her own, she needed fluids and a means of nourishment for food badly. Finally Consequence came up to me. ‘Sire.” He bowed.

“Those fuckers in Nexus know.” I said, not really needing to explain what they know but I trusted Consequence to know full well what I meant. “Also, I need all the best medics to treat Coco, now.”

“They have and, I’m sorry to say but the issue is more… abnormal than we expected.” Consequence said.

“Well get to explaining.” I said bluntly. “And where are my medics damn it.”

“Sire, while it seems the Void Key has left her, it’s influence still remains. Her Void genes are now active and acting like a catalyst for this remnant energy. While you did repair her heart, it’s cloaked in this unique void. We’ve tried but it’s not responding to our normal removal procedures. It’s resistant if not immune to Nothingness. I’m afraid miss Coco is comatose until it is somehow removed or if the delete that placed it over her heart is slain, she can’t wake up.”

I just stood there, staring blankly at this. “Check...Manehattan...underneath it...to see if there’s any refugee’s we didn’t know about…”

“Sire?” Consequence asked.

“Oh no, I’m fine Consequence.” I said, my voice hollow as I felt like an absolute failure in saving one of my wives...and one that even after learning this still honestly loved me. “I’m just…” I muttered as Consequence felt millions of copies of myself suddenly appear and disappear rather quickly. “I...hope this works…” I muttered before pulling out my Wayfinder and trying to call upon Coco again.

Nothing. Not even a glow.

“Yeah...kinda thought that…” I muttered. “Consequence...tell me, what are you?” I asked. “And no bullshit vague hints, tell me, what makes you so special that Nexus would want to replicate you?”

“What makes me special?” Consquence asked, I felt almost a smirk come from him as he bowed to me. “My Will, sire. In life, I was the first king's right hand man, his butler and servant. While I was not adept in combat, I did my best. Even in death, it’s no reason to stop serving my lord. So, here I stand before you today as I stood before he oh so many eons ago. A hollow shell who’s will keep my true self alive even without a heart.”

“So...your a Lingering Will?” I asked, my voice still hollow but honestly intrigued by it.

“The very first, in the end, that’s what Nobodies are, we just have our bodies still, unlike the ones you’ve encountered in the past.”

“And they somehow might have figured out how to replicate you.” I said. “I’m kinda glad I’m hearing my Future Self is binging and purging Nexus…”

“Oh my. I feel so violated.” Consequence said, trying to lighten the mood.

“So...besides a literal army of myself hunting down Nexus…” I took a deep breath, my voice kind of coming back but not really as I finally noticed I was crying like a child at the moment. “I’m going on a walk…” I said while standing up, not even having realised I was on my knees. “I’m going to find people...I’m going to make them even stronger than what they originally were…” I growled, all of my powers circling in a maelstrom of power that seemed to have no end pulsate from me. “And I’m going to make all those people, that used and abused me, my family, and everyone I care about, wish Existence was erased to end the pain.” I growled. “Tell me, have any of our scouts brought up anything weird, like people leaving their reflections somewhere, meeting strange and powerful beings? Anything at all?” I asked, knowing Jericho is probably acting like a door to door power sink for any bad guy who would give him the time of day.

“I was hoping to file a full report when it was completed but… yes. It’s been happening… Everywhere. Every planet, every reflection, Every realm even some one, multiples of someone, mass Reflections of people and even entire planets… vanishing. As if they were never there to begin with. Our last report was of a world who’s large majority of reflections, were all taken also. We call this world Psycho, apparently this world has a computer system able to read the likelihood of one committing a crime.” I felt a bit sick at hearing that. I remember that world...

“Oh yes, the world that had Thought Policing and actively thought it was a smart idea.” I growled. “Alright, if Jericho want’s to pull that then we’re doing the same. Consequence, I want half of my scouts to start tracking down any and all worlds, reflections, anything that would stand against Jericho and his growing Hall of Evil, and you, with your massive amount of experience, go help my clones research literally anything and everything about literally everything, cause I’m also going to be making a shit ton of new Nobodies and monsters.” I said before explaining everything I wanted to do to Consequence.

Consequence took a bow. “It would be my honor, sire.”

“Alright.” I said while I started to gain some confidence back. “Jericho and Nexus wants a war? Well Jericho and Nexus are going to get a fucking war, and neither of them will enjoy it.” I growled, my mind racing through billions of possible things that can happen and how I can cause more and more death and destruction to my enemies.