The next day arrived and preparation were being made, since as early as three in the morning the kingdom cooks were over their fires making large platters of food and drink. Both the people and the royals were setting up for this, an Admin wedding.
Zeke was being fitted for a special kind of dress, a mix between a gowned and a tux. The designs were all still being edited to both be stylish and look flawless. “I have zero fashion sense.” Zeke sighed.
“Trust me, sometimes you just need to look good and not give a damn about fashion.” Ben brought up.
“Yeah but a half gown half tux dress is hard to get down.” Zeke said, looking over at Ben, who was actually starting to show. “That was fast…”
“Yes, yes it was.” Eclipsa said with a nod, back to her Naga form.
“I blame Cript’s curse, given that pregnancy is shown rather quickly.” Ben sighed out. “So anyways, did you really need to go with the half and half?” Ben asked curiously.
“Both Genders, besides, it’s something different.” Zeke said.
“Alrighty then.” Ben nodded. “This is going to be wonderful, your marrying yourself basically.”
“Har har…” Zeke said in a monotone voice. “Either way, whatever comes of this we will be on even ground with Cript and therefore a lot of other bad guys.”
“Right then.” Ben nodded. “My other timeline self is gonna flip when they learn this…” Ben muttered worriedly.
“So what are we gonna do after the wedding?” Eclipsa asked.
“Training.” Zeke said. “We will be getting in one moment, one kiss, more power than what could have ever thought of getting, trying to use it all at once is going to have a backlash, so we’ll need to learn to control it.”
“Right then.” Ben nodded. “Can’t wait for all that to happen, gonna be a little weird sharing a body for...however long.”
“With Starfish clones all of five seconds.”
“Yeah.” Ben nodded. “Makes sense that’ll be that fast.”
“Yeah.” Eclipsa said. “When Zeke and I fused I woke up in my own body still, Starfish Cloning kicked right in and we all were in bodies of our own.”
“That’s interesting...hmm...I wonder what’ll happen to my other clones given I have five of them out still.” Ben wondered.
“Dunno, all I do know is that what happens next will be a game changer.” Zeke said. “By the way, did you see the others? All Alicorns, damn.”
“They’re all having a lot of fun with their new alicorn powers.” Ben brought up.
“Rune, the Alicorn of Sex… at least one was who she said she was.” Zeke said.
“Yeah, of course she would.” Ben chuckled.
Eclipsa slithered over to Zeke. “I’m sorry your Rune was… wasn’t who she said.”
“I pride myself on a few things.” Zeke said softly. “Reading people, being able to tell what kind of person they are, I’m pretty damn good at that, you know this… Rune was the first person who ever fooled me, and it ended badly.”
“She fooled us all.”
“Yeah. Out of the three of us, Ben lucked out with Coco. At least someone wasn’t betrayed.”
“And I still somehow managed to fuck it up in the end.” Ben frowned.
“That was Void Key’s doing, it’s resistance to you gave it that edge, but we will find it’s fucking heart and shatter it. If I were to wager a guess as to where it is, I’d say it’s near or even with the Void Mother. Safest place for that little parasite.”
“So how do we get to it?” Eclipsa asked.
“Time, luck, and a lot of good soldiers.” Zeke said.
“But mind if I ask why you sounded like you didn’t like me because of that?” Ben asked honestly. “Like seriously...rude.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just… Guess I just still haven’t gotten over it.” Zeke sighed. “She was the first, one of the first people I saved when arriving in Equestria. To think that someone who has been there from the beginning was tricking me this whole time is just… not easy to process.”
“Believe me...it’s never easy.” Ben sighed out. “I’m just...glad Coco actually gave a damn…”
“Onto a lighter topic.” Eclipsa spoke up. “There is food literally everywhere.”
“I know. I could smell pastries and cooking meat when I woke up and I still smell it.” Zeke said with a bit of a chuckle.
“And it is glorious.” Ben sighed out happily. “Food from all over, especially from my home world.”
“Yeah. They have all kinds of crazy stuff out there. Pretty sure I saw a Pizza burrito on my way here.”
“Well then.” Ben said. “I was too focused on all the ways people used my world’s meat...it smelled too good.”
“Now that seems interesting.” Zeke said.
“It really is.” Ben agreed.
“Not much longer before the dress is done and then the wedding is at sunset so, we’ll have time to have some fun.”
“Besides that, there is something I want to give you two, for good luck.” Eclipsa said before pulling out something the two had never seen. It looked like a shard of a crystal, one that looked as if it had swirling grey smoke inside of it. “Pure crystals of grey… I had made them shortly after creating the Grey and well… even if we all will be gaining grey after this, i just wanted a reassurance that you both had a trump card.” She said, attaching them both to necklaces before presenting them to Ben and Zeke.
“They’re so small.” Zeke said, placing theirs on. “But they feel like there’s a nuke around my neck. Dare I ask how?”
“Because it is constantly building its own power and is a shard of True Grey, not the diluted shit I normally use by combining it with light, dark and magic.” Eclipsa said with a smirk.
“Ouch, my pride.” Zeke chuckled.
“I can technically point out your light and dark powers are nothing but children compared to Nothingness.” Ben brought up,.
“Thanks… just what I need, my power and entire thing as an Admin insulted.” Zeke sighed.
“Welcome to my world.” Ben said honestly. “And you know I love you.”
“Here love.” Eclipsa said, holding Zeke’s hands. “Close your eyes. Feel your balance, and cut out the rest. Let everything else fade, worries, pain,joy, nothing remains save for your balanced aspect. Now feel it, try and grab it as if it were solid, watch it crystalize inside your hand, and create your pure element.”
Zeke took a deep breath. Holding out a hand as three gems formed, one of pure light, the other of pure darkness, and the third was like a chess board, spotted of pure darkness and light. “Figured might as well.” Zeke said.
“Fancy.” Ben said gently. “But...sorry for sounding rude…”
“Doesn’t matter.” Zeke said, tossing the Gem of Light to Ben and the Gem of Darkness to Eclipsa. “If I am right, the Light one should act as a purifier, a hand held version of X’s own Reject Darkness. The Gem of Darkness is both a buffer for damage, though comes with some rage, and summons Pureblood heartless. Balanced one.” They said, holding up the Balance Gem. “Does both but also can revive. Person dies, it helps by storing the heart, and with Ben’s gem there, should be able to bring them back.”
“We are all better than our parts…” Eclipsa said before giving Zeke a kiss. “You ready for this, truly?”
“Yeah. Not like I haven’t been in a wedding before, besides, you and Ben also get to be with your moms again, so win win for you and me.”
“Who wants to guess Jericho is gonna do what I accidentally did for your wedding?” Ben brought up.
“Hopefully not like Core in mine… still bitter at him for that.” Eclipsa grumbled.
“Oh I’m marrying them too.” Zeke said. “Cript and them talked, figured it would be best if the rules this time around for this cycle best change.”
“Oh? And how will they change?” Ben asked curiously.
“By marrying me, and fusing their hearts with ours. They will be both Mother and Belief in one body, same as us, but not one body cause Starfish Clones. That’s a pretty handy ability. Meaning…”
“Oh for the love of Grey just how many people are going to share a being before the end of this.” Eclipsa asked Bioquil, Xinrick, and Lancerot.
“Am I the only one here who doesn’t break the fourth wall… or even know how to?” Zeke asked.
“You’ll figure it out sooner or later.” Ben shrugged.
“Actually rather annoying when you learn it, especially when you realize that the entirety of all existence it dictated by a couple of idiots that can't keep one story idea consistent.” Eclipsa grumbled.
“Oh you have no idea.” Ben sighed out. “Seriously, like the writers had this nice concept at first, than it just devolved into this because they didn’t plan it out.” Ben said. “Not that it’s a problem because we’re all happy but still.”
“... Yeah I’d rather not…” Zeke said.
“You’ll do it sooner or later.” Ben shrugged. “Probably on accident to be honest.”
“Hopefully not.” Zeke said.
“Join us~” Eclipsa cooed in a false evil tone.
“No…”
“Finished!” Rarity said, bringing in the dress/Tux. It was all white, the top part looked like a gown and was made from Tuxedo fabrics and the lower half was like that of a wedding dress, but less fluffy and more like a skirt. “How is it?”
“Amazing.” Zeke said, taking it. “Thanks for making this so last minute.”
“Think nothing of it love.” Rarity said, giving Zeke a kiss before rushing off.
“Well it looks great.” Ben said honestly.
“Put it on!” Eclipsa cheered.
Quickly changing, Zeke emerged, and both Ben and Eclipsa saw elegance and beauty before them. Zeke’s hair was long, and placed in under the thrown back vale. “So… how is it?” Zeke asked.
“You look amazing.” Ben said warmly.
“Stunning.” Eclipsa said in agreement.
“Heh, well, glad I look good. Best part is, stain proof enchantment, simple and very useful. Let’s go eat and just have some fun before this whole thing goes down.” Zeke said.
“Don’t need to tell me twice.” Ben said happily.
“Let’s pig out!” Eclipsa said happily.
As they walked the castle samples and drinks were tasted and eaten. While Ben stuck to the sodas, and beets, Zeke to both Eclipsa and Ben’s surprise was drinking Asgardian Ale. “What?” Zeke asked, drinking their fourth cup.
“Surprised that’s your fourth considering that’s strong stuff...although we’re admins so it probably means fuck all.” Ben shrugged.
“Once immune to booze, forever immune to booze. Besides, tastes just like my Uncle Joe’s Irish Ale.”
“Seriously?” Eclipsa asked.
Zeke nodded. “Yup. Always said the trick was a lot of hops, a gallon of moonshine, and five years of fermentation.”
“Good man.” Ben nodded. “Nothing like well prepared booze to help spice up a party...even though I’d rather not get drunk until after the wedding.”
“Heh, well, to each their own.” Zeke said, taking a bite of some cheese.
“Well as long as you aren’t wasted before the vows, it’s alright in my opinion.” Eclipsa said.
“That would be for the best.” Ben said before eating a well cooked piece of meat from one of the animals in his home world. “So good.”
“Wonder how Cript is preparing?” Zeke pondered. “And Jericho…”
“No idea.” Ben shrugged.
“If I were to guess they already have their dresses, question is will Jericho end up like us or stay male?” Eclipsa pondered, drinking soda.
“Probably stay male all things considered.” Ben shrugged.
“Dunno. You didn’t.” Zeke said.
“I know I know.” Ben said honestly.
“So, any thoughts on what we will do right after the wedding?”
“What I want to do is go check on the Foretellers and John, because we haven’t seen them in...oh god how long has it been?” Ben asked worriedly.
“Might do the same.” Eclipsa said.
“That would be a good idea.” Zeke said. “Talk some things out.”
“More like ‘telling them what the fuck’s been going on’.” Ben said honestly. “Seriously, I doubt they even know a third of what we’ve been up to, if not less.”
“Been so long since we spoke with anyone. Aside from one another.” Zeke said.
“I am...worried about this now.” Ben said nervously. “Just hope nothing bad will happen when we talk…”
"Oh it will… I can almost promise it since you said that… welp, no time like the present to prepare something I've been working on. If things go wrong." Eclipsa shrugged.
“Really hate how your probably right…” Ben sighed out.
“What have you been working on?” Zeke asked.
"Oh… a weapon. One that would surprise even some of the big wig admins considering I made it with the sole purpose to make Jericho pay." Eclipsa said calmly as she drank from her Devil's Poison.
“I...really need to actually stop going through all the ‘hypotheticals’ and ‘theories’ and actually get to testing with all my shit…” Ben sighed out.
"I could help you later love, I'm still discovering about my powers as well." Eclipsa smiled.
“And I’m discovering a lot of what Nothingness actually is under the surface level...and everything we know at the moment is barely ‘surface level’, like it would be a beach going straight into the deepest pit in any ocean ever.” Ben sighed out.
“Such is life.” Zeke sighed. “So now that Jericho is on our side, what are we going to use it on?”
“Jericho cause he needs to be smacked for kidnapping our kids.” Ben said casually while taking a sip of his drink.
"He may be on our side now… and I will forgive him. But, I won't forget. Which is why my prototype weapon is now finished and waiting for a test run." Eclipsa said cripticly.
“Still gonna kick Jericho in the dick.” Ben frowned. “Then I’ll forgive him.” Ben shrugged. “So anyways, who else is ready for the...sudden influx of both wives and kids?” Ben asked honestly.
"No, especially since I will be marrying all my parents and some of my siblings and sharing a body with them technically. But it is better than the alternative." Eclipsa sighed.
“I’m a little desensitized to this because of my family currently, both from the ‘marrying family’, and ‘too many kids’.” Ben shrugged.
“I stopped caring about that kind of crap a long time ago.” Zeke said. “Still, some training with Cript and Jericho will be hard, but worth it.”
"Welp, I was already aboard the incest train, might as well come to station." Eclipsa joked.
“Yeah...it only gets worse.” Ben chuckled. “But it’s always a splendid thing when there is literally no problems with it...now the only problem is...what’s all our soon to be wives gonna think?” Ben asked.
“Whatever the case, it’s going to be something.” Zeke said, eating some tuna.
"Well, I'm ready to see this through." Eclipsa said, summoning a revolver that it's very presence set everyone's hair on end, checked that is was loaded, before dispersing it. "...What?" Eclipsa asked when everyone looked at her.
“Yeah… a weapon at a wedding… really?”
"We all have keyblades, and some of us are. We are all packing." Eclipsa shrugged like the Ventral she was.
“What, are we suddenly in Texas?” Ben joked.
“This is gonna be interesting.” Zeke said with a smile, sipping their ale.
The wedding was an hour away, preparations done and now it was just the count down. Surprisingly wedding gifts of all kinds were given, though not required or even recommended. Just gifts from the people. Zeke, Eclipsa and Ben were all together in the waiting room before the wedding was to begin and the people were either turning on their TV’s, Radios, or taking their seats in the Castle Chapple. “One hour. Heh, more nervous than ever.” Zeke said.
“It happens.” Ben said honestly.
“It will be fine, but, before this it’s best if Ben and I go give Jericho that little punishment he deserved before the wedding, so it starts off with a clean slate.” Eclipsa said with a smile.
“Don’t worry, we’ll make sure that he’s fine enough to walk.” Ben said, both Eclipsa and Zeke knowing Ben would sooner rip Jericho’s head off for kidnapping their kids.
“Give him some slack. I hate him for taking Nix too, but he was playing his part for the cycle, it’s not exactly something you typically have a choice about unless shit like this happens.” Zeke said.
"Besides that I want to test my prototype. I built it to fight against admins, and I want to see if it works." Eclipsa shrugged, trying to find some excuse.
“And you know I have no excuse. I just want to beat him because I’m more invested in being a parent because of me being a Den mother.” Ben said honestly.
“You two know you can’t actually hurt him as you are currently right?” Zeke asked.
Eclipsa chuckled darkly before summoning the revolver again, along with a knife. "Check these out would you love? You'll see why I think that yes, I can hurt him… and in a long enough fight, maybe even kill him if it was on the table, which I know it isn't."
“But killing him can’t happen either. You know if he dies, creation kinda, blows up, right?”
“Zeke, we’re literally just going to smack him upside the head really fucking hard. We’re not going to kill him or injure him...too badly.” Ben said honestly.
Zeke sighed. “Well you two go do what you want.”
“Thank you.” Ben said, giving Zeke a quick hug before heading out to find Jericho.
As Eclipsa wandered the halls, looking for Jericho, they chatted a bit. “So, what are you going to do first?” Eclipsa asked, spinning the ammo barrel.
“What are you gonna do first? Cause honestly, having the chance to do this...I don’t know what to do to end this unending rage.” Ben growled.
“To start off, a few well aimed bullets into their body.” Eclipsa said. “Maybe a few stabs.”
“Remember, we can’t kill him.” Ben brought up. “But I’ll probably just do something natural I don’t know…”
“I won’t, just make them suffer.”
“And he will suffer.” Ben said honestly.
“So… where are they though?”
“No idea…” Ben sighed out. “Probably hiding because they’d rather not have Jericho get his ass beat...or in bed with some ‘pre celebration’ or something.”
“Heh. Whatever the case, they can’t hide!”
“They can’t.” Ben said honestly. “We will find them, and when we do, Jericho is going to be in a lot of pain.”
As the two looked around, and eventually found Jericho at one of the balconies that overlooked the kingdom. They were alone, and female, or both, neither could tell from looking. But Ben recognized their scent.
“Alright Jericho, we’re going to need a talk.” Ben frowned.
“I know you came for some payback… for your kids…” They said. “Eclipsa has a special Revolver and Knife, not going to lie, it’s impressive, will hurt, but can’t kill me. Neither the gun or knife can. Go ahead, not going to stop you.”
“Works for me!” Eclipsa said, pulling out the gun.
“We’ll make sure you can still be presentable for the wedding proper.” Ben said as he cracked his knuckles.
Eclipsa fired a shot, hitting Jericho in the shoulder, while he was bleeding, they didn’t flinch or move.
Ben moved over and Nothingness charged fist and slammed it into the back of Jericho’s head as hard as he could. While Jericho’s head did move down from the impact, more damage was done to the balcony than Jericho physically. “You have no idea...how much pain you made me go through…” Ben growled.
“I have an idea.” Jericho said, but only that. Eclipsa Fired more shots.
“What idea?” Ben growled.
“Does it matter? Neither of you would care to listen.” Jericho said, Eclipsa shooting more shots into Jericho, putting them gun away before rushing in for a stab.
“Depends, if it’s really important than you can tell us.” Ben frowned. “Let’s call this payback for kidnapping our kids. But after that we’re all cool okay?”
“Sure.” Jericho said, Eclipsa stabbing him several times hard.
“Why...Don’t...You...REACT!” Eclipsa shouted, her stabs slowing now.
“Let me guess...you’ve already been through this?” Ben asked Jericho honestly.
“In a sense.” They said, Eclipsa stopping her stabbing now. “Before I even became an Admin, my realm was an endless battlefield. We fought solely for the amusement and sport of our Admin… The only way to make it to adulthood was to kill one another. First time I killed was when I was six.”
“Th-that young?” Eclipsa asked.
“Most were younger. We didn’t live there, we just fought. Scavenged food and killed for it. That was our existence.”
“Okay then…” Ben muttered. “So...continue…”
“When I was seventeen… I met someone. Most just fucked to have kids to continue the Admins sick game… she and I… had something different. Love was a myth in my realm, but she made it reality. Our kid, was taken by the Admins personal warriors, people taken at birth and raised as his deadliest fighters, just one of his knights could have killed you both effortlessly. My wife and I fought across the entire realm to reach our son… She died along the way, and when I found them, our son should have been five at the time, but he had the body of someone thirty, built like a tank and not only didn’t care I was his father… nearly killed me because he saw me as weak.” Jericho inhaled. “I killed him, and then went after our Admin. We fought for a whole year, and finally I managed to impale that self righteous assholes body on my sword and picked his head on a spear.”
“Well good thing he was murdered, and I doubt his knight was that strong.” Ben frowned.
“You didn’t know War…” Jericho muttered. “There was a reason he survived the first Admin war, he didn’t just make the word, he started it. He was the one who killed the Admin of Death. Even after he was dead… my rage never stopped. I admit, I went insane, and Cript stopped me. While trapped within them, unable to escape, all I could do was talk with them. Over time, hatred and wrath faded… and I began to get close to Cript. They were a lot like my late wife. A wildcard, and sometimes just too strong. When we realized our purpose, The Mother and Belief, I felt something I never had before. Hope.”
“So...what? You wanted to do what that old fuck did and steal children?” Ben asked.
“In prior Cycles I didn’t break my insanity until after the second Admin war… so, I had to play that role, and improvised. Yes, I took your kids, but I kept them healthy, happy, fed them a bit too much in all honesty… But I took them because I wanted to take care of a child again. I had mine taken away forever, yours were going to be returned. While I hurt you emotionally, you didn't have to suffer like I did. No one should experience that.”
With a tired sigh, Eclipsa unsummoned weapons. "Fuck me… Curagrey" Eclipsa said, casting a grey infused curaga over Jericho. "Oh and heads up, I'm honestly getting tired of ex-villians being so relatable and being married to me and mine." The naga said as she started to turn around and leave. "Jericho. I forgive you. But I won't forget what you did. Especially since you started me to strive for power all over again, the very thing that tore my family apart. I won't forget… but you can make up for it. How, no clue, that's on you." She said before she left, never once looking at Jericho.
“I can tell you where Scotch is.” Jericho said, not turning to look at Eclipsa either, but making her stop.
“Mind if I interject with Nancy constantly asking for more food?” Ben asked nervously. “Cause I asked her that...and she answered with ‘she wanted more food’.” He pointed out. “But please...tell us where Scotch is if that’s alright.” Eclipsa stayed silent but, judging from the lack of movement, was listening.
“Before Cript picked me and your kids up, she was stationed at Nexus Base Kite, it’s built on your old world, new, and they were researching the unique ghosts there. She, he, whatever gender they are now, they were there as security. I’m sure you can find it, right?”
Eclipsa pulls out a wayfinder and looks at it. "Of course… I just…. Every time I think of them… I just wonder why. I'm not like Ben and Zeke. I was never planned, never thought of, weak. So weak that the only thing I had going for me was I was a stubborn little bitch who had a keyblade. Why would they do this to me, to our family…" Eclipsa said, her hand shaking as tears fell from her face.
“Personal hatred.” Jericho said. “I went over their file, same with Rune and Coco’s. Rune’s an insane bitch, in short, but Scotch. Their mother died in that Heartless invasion while you were gone, and while their dad was Nexus, they were a scientist, no real Combat experience to speak up. He died a month later from the injuries. If I were to wager a guess, they blamed you for it, and thought you a threat to themselves and your kids. She was with Eclipse Jr just about every day before all this.”
“So basically she’s like Coco, who still cares about Eclipsa and their family...but is too closed off and blinded to realize no one’s truly to blame?” Ben asked.
"That is wrong Ben. That time, that period of time… it was all my fault. I couldn't handle being the weak link. Of being the comic relief, of just accepting the gifts I was given. No, I had to get stronger." Eclipsa started to giggle, before full on laughing insanely, her Insanity slipping. "I caused so much pain and death! I caused Celestia to give up! Caused my children to learn war, to the point where my children hate the calm life! Caused Tiara's father to die and nearly killed Spoiled! I caused it all, and now I have caused one of the biggest loves of my life, one I shared a Paopu with, to hate me, to see me as the threat I am! Doesn't it make you just want to laugh!" She said before laughing, tears leaking out of her eyes as she clutched the wayfinder to her heart.
“Than it’s not your fault.” Ben stated bluntly. “You wanted to work hard to protect your family, you wanted to stop being seen as a joke and be taken seriously. None of this is your fault when circumstances just decided to dick you over.” Ben frowned. “It’s like saying ‘hey, I want to go to the gym, wait why the fuck did people suddenly break into my house?’. It’s not your fault you wanted to become strong to protect your family, and it’s not your fault that shit happened because you weren’t there...hell, to be perfectly honest, I have a feeling some demented fuck planned to attack your world while you were away.” Ben stated, walking over and putting a gentle hand on Eclipsa’s shoulder. “Believe me...I know what it’s like to have the world turn on you for something outside of your control...and even though I would have given up a long ass time ago...I kept going, facing all the bullshit that was thrown my way and trying to figure out how to solve it...and right now…there might still be a chance for Scotch to come back.”
Eclipsa stopped laughing and simply broke down. "That training is the biggest regret in my life… now to know it is the cause of more pain… it's unbearable."
“If you believe that, then jump off this balcony.” Jericho said. “If there is one thing I know, it’s that no matter how badly we screw up, we have to keep moving forward, even as our sins and regrets crush us as we carry them on our backs. Even if we are just barely inching, keep moving. The moment you stop moving is the moment you truly become worthless.” Jericho finally moved, turning around and walking passed Eclipsa. “Don’t let the dead down, they didn’t die that day to watch their hero break down like worthless trash.” Jericho said, leaving back into the castle. “I have a wedding to attend, if you want to keep moving forward, get up, and be there. If not for yourself, for your family and the ones who died. They expect better from you than this.” WIth that, Jericho was gone into the castle. Leaving Eclipsa and Ben alone on the Balcony.
“Well...that’s one way to see it…” Ben muttered.
"How do you do it?" Eclipsa asked. "Zeke, Cript, Jericho… you. How do you keep moving?"
“Me? Well I already see myself as a worthless piece of shit, but I keep my expectations between sea level and rock bottom.” Ben said honestly. “So when things happen, I’m either proven right, or pleasantly surprised. I’ve fucked up before...a lot really, but I know for a fact that if I just stop...I’ll be right back where I started, my heart dying and me not caring about anything.” Ben explained simply.
"... I made a promise to Zeke. No more masks. I'll be taking things seriously from now on. If I give up, I'm not trying hard enough to be serious. If they can promise me they won't be holding back, then I have to keep mine." Eclipsa said, getting up and drying off her eyes. "I won't be a hypocrite, I won't be the comic relief. I'll be the hero all of the dead believed me to be."
“And all the living still believe you are.” Ben said, gently hugging Eclipsa. “Especially me.”
"Thank you, Ben, Diane." Eclipsa said, returning the hug. "Come on, we have a wedding to attend, and then, some jobs to do." Eclipsa said, taking Ben's hand and heading to the wedding.
Ben nodded while following along. “Yeah, we have a lot of work to do...after the wedding.”
The duo reached the wedding, taking their place next to Zeke on one side while Cript and Jericho were on the other.
To their surprise, Lord was there, a tuxedo somehow over their armor. "Alright, let's get this over quick. I hate ceremonies." Lord said.
"How… did you get a tux over your armor?" Eclipsa asked.
"Not important." Lord replied. "Now, time for the mandatory lines here. Dearly betrothed, you stand before one another for one reason and one reason only, while this reason is cause enough to allow this wedding, what becomes of this union is up to you all, but know this can never be reversed, you will all be bound to one another both by marriage and by code. Cript, Admin of Love, Jericho, Admin or war, Do you accept these terms?"
"I do." Cript said.
"I do." Jericho said.
"Zeke, Admin of Balance, Eclipsa, Admin of Grey, Ben, Admin of Nothingness, do you accept these terms?" Lord asked the trio.
“I do.” The Den Mother nodded.
"I do." Zeke said.
"I do." Eclipsa said with a nod.
"Then by Mother's kindness, by Belief's power, these Admins here shall be known as one, one realm, one Code, but all family. Kiss the… bride? Groom? Either."
Cript gave Jericho a kiss, then walked over to Zeke. "Ready?"
"Nope but life is short." Zeke replied.
“Wouldn’t we all be immortal because of this?” Ben brought up. “Cause we’re all going to share a body...and that would include Cript’s ‘unable to die’ thing right?” Ben brought up.
"No we will, just really difficult." Eclipsa said glancing over to the side, seeing a smiling woman that no one else could see if they tried.
“See something?” Ben asked gently, knowing when Eclipsa saw something that caught their attention.
Eclipsa just smiled at Fate and turned back to the others. "Just an old friend."
Ben nodded. “I understand…” The wolf said, seeing their own unknown person that no one else could see. “Looks like we’re all getting visitors…” Ben muttered, the person’s features all but hidden even to the keenest eye...but Ben knew it was his Future Self. “And some are probably questioning so many things.”
Cript and Zeke kissed, Code filled the air and Ben and Eclipsa felt the energy. It was incomprehensible. The two felt their hearts, code, all of it mix into one with each other's amd Cript's, Jericho's, their wives, every member of one another's family. The power rush caused Eclipsa to hit the floor, and Ben to catch themselves on their knees. This power, was impossible. And void mother is still stronger than Cript. That thought scared the two.
With the kiss over, Cript took in a deep breath. "Not bad."
"I've had experience." Zeke said.
“Well...that’s quite a bit.” Ben groaned.
"How do you have this much power? All the time?" Eclipsa asked.
"All the time? Eh, you just get used to it." Cript said, taking another deep breath. "If you two don't mind, I'd like to do a little redecorating?"
“A ‘little’?” Ben deadpanned.
"Define little?" Eclipsa asked.
"In short, if our enemy is the void itself, then our creation should not only be a place of building and life, but a fortress that can keep it safe."
“So the very place we’re all in?” Ben asked. “You do know that my entire realm is Nothingness right? As in, the very opposite of Void and we’re all in it?”
"And what better defence around it than that." Cript said. "So, you all game or…?"
“We were gonna have to prepare anyways.” Ben shrugged.
"That we do." Eclipsa said, finally able to get themselves up.
"Sounds perfect." Zeke said with a smile.
"Sweet." Cript said happily, clapping their hands together. "You might wanna cover your eyes." Cript said, putting both hands into the air as crackling Electricity and Code flooded the entirety of creation.
"Best. View. Ever!" Cript yelled. The group was atop a tower balcony. For quite literally as far as anyone could see, they were in a castle of sorts, massive and a mix of classic and modern materials. They oversaw one area of this castle that went on for as far as they could see. "One fortress protecting all of creation within it. We've made a move, now we will see what Vincent and that Void Mother bitch do."
“Watch as they magically pull something out of their ass that makes no sense.” Ben rolled his eyes.
"This is… wow." Zeke said. "What's beyond this castle?"
"Inside this castle is creation itself, each world in their own now connected to one another like one, and the very edge of this castle is the void itself. To be safe I utilized some tech I developed so we don't have to worry about resources."
"This is… amazing." Eclipsa said.
“It is pretty.” Ben said honestly.
"I used a lot of Pure Nothingness to fortify both the outer and inner walls, anything Void wants in it will have to break through the deployment doors." Cript said.
"All the world's inside are safe and also act as a power supply." Jericho said. "So long as they spin and hold life this place gets power for it's weapons and to keep the Nothingness up. Under that are the resources fields, endless minerals and fertile land for crops to feed everyone."
"This is perfect." Eclipsa said with a smile
"It's our home." Zeke said.
“Yes it is.” Ben said warmly. “A grand home.”
"Let's get inside." Cript said. "Time to make sure you lot.know how to use the power you now all possess."
"Good idea." Zeke said.
"No arguments here." Eclipsa said.
“Sounds about right.” Ben nodded. “Time to test out all our new powers.”
"Welcome to training grounds Seven!" Cript announced as the group found themselves in a seemingly lifeless ravine filled area of sorts. "One of countless unique training grounds, this one is mainly for going all out, so don't be afraid to hold back."
“So…” Ben started before making a ball of energy and then chucking the thing as hard as he could. After about five seconds it finally hit something…”Jesus hell!” Ben yelped, the explosion being a fuck lot more bigger than he originally thought it would be. “I didn’t even put that much energy into it…”
"Welcome to my world." Cript said. "This also goes for general things. Catch!" Cript said, throwing something to Zeke.
Zeke caught it, and an audible crunch was heard. Opening their hand, they saw small chunks of what it was, and sand. "That was a Critse Diamond, damn about six thousand times more hard and dense than a normal one."
"... Shit." Zeke said, looking over the rubble.
“I mean...while that’s interesting, I’m pretty sure any of us could have crushed it without this power up.” Ben brought up honestly.
"This will be a simple exercise." Jericho said, raising a hand up to face them. "Punch my hand as hard as you can."
Ben did exactly that, spinning around from his original position and just flooring his fist straight towards Jericho’s hand.
The impact sent debris and dust high into the air and far our for miles. How far or high was uncertain, but when it cleared Jericho was gripping Ben's fist. "Not bad. Felt that all the way to my shoulder. But the goal here is to knock me either off balance or over. We all have the same amount of power, yes, but you three still can't focus all of it into both attack, and defence, it's not being used properly."
“Oh yeah?” Ben asked before summoning Skysplitter and tapping the little ‘button’ on the weapon. “How about this.” Ben said before swinging it like a baseball bat at his palm, everyone feeling like Ben’s power was suddenly tripled as all the stored energy from the weapon flowed into Ben.
The impact was bigger than before, when the dust settled Ben and Jericho both had Skysplitters. "Remember, we are facing a terrible enemy. While you improved with a weapon, if you can't prove to me without one you can knock me over, then you're the weak link."
“Rude.” Ben frowned. “And you have no idea what I can do.” Ben growled.
"We are the same person now. Yes. I. Do."
Ben rolled his eyes as he took a deep breath, energy pulsating from him as he took another. “Fine...if that’s what you want.” Ben said as he summoned his King Greatsword. He brought his sword up to his mouth as he said...something. The words seemed to just not be there, as if they never existed as Ben walked past Jericho. The moment Ben took his final step, Jericho felt...something ram into him, something very familiar to him as it was all focused straight into him.
The blast nearly knocked back Eclipsa, Zeke and Cript. The dust taking a long time settling. Ben and Jericho were both still standing, Jericho having blocked with his arm but Ben's blade was half way into his arm. “Congratulations, you still failed. This was training without a weapon. You like jumping the gun huh?"
"Ben… Your blade…" Eclipsa said, seeing the glowing cracks along the blade. "Ben, disperse it now unless you want that thing to shatter!"
Ben disbanded the blade and looked at Jericho. “Maybe still have a bit of pent of rage from when you stole my kids.” Ben frowned. “I’m a Den Mother, and you don’t steal their fucking kids.” Ben growled. “So, who wants to go next after Jericho’s arm heals?”
"Ben, for the love of- they are now his children to you know?!" Eclipsa yelled.
“I am still pissed!” Ben shouted. “Maybe not fully because of the Den Mother but because, again, I failed my family!”
"Then be pissed Diane! But if you failed them then so did Zeke, and so did I. You are not to blame for every little problem, for every little thing that goes bad, it is not your fault. So sit down, apologize to your MATE, and stop being so selfish!" Eclipsa drilled into Ben.
Ben really wanted to argue, he really did, but just glared at Eclipsa. “Fine.” Ben grumbled begrudgingly. “Just like before…” He grumbled. “Sorry.” He said to Jericho simply.
"Good." Eclipsa said, slithering over and giving Ben a hug, holding the large wolf close. "I hate seeing you hurt sis, please, stop blaming yourself for things you can't control, as hypocritical as that sounds."
“I know, I know…” Ben sighed out. “Probably not going to stop, but hey, at least you learned something from me which is a scary thought…”
"Either way, til you can cool off, you've failed a basic training exercise." Jericho said, there wound healing up on it's own. "Zeke, you want to give it a try?"
"Sure." Zeke said, walking over towards Jericho, who had their palm raised up. Zeke took a firm stance, focusing power into their arm, shoulder and torso and hitting. Zeke saw the impact and it forced Jericho's arm back, but noticed it made one of their feet lose their placement. Taking advantage, Zeke added a kick to Jericho's look leg, causing the Admin to spin like a tornado for a while.
When Jericho finally stopped spinning they fell backwards. "Good use of quick time reactions…" They said dizzily.
"Nicely done Zeke." Eclipsa clapped, expecting as much.
"Okay I'm good." Jericho said, standing up and shaking off the remaining dizziness. "Okay so like the others, well, not Ben." Jericho said, raising up his palm again.
Eclipsa nodded before slithering into position. With a few calming breaths she focused. She felt all the power, all the energy, all the code run through her veins. She then one by one activated each and every power, Insanity, Humanity, Light, Dark, Balance, Nothing, Magic, and finally, Grey. She then activated Generation and Amplify, combining it with grey. The simple act of this causing cracks to appear on her skin like as if she was made of glass, before charging and unleashing the full force of the built up energy.
The impact wasn't flashy, in fact it almost looked like nothing happened, save for one major thing. Jericho was completely missing. "Where… did they go?" Zeke asked before the whole room started to shake. "The hell?!"
"And now the room needs repairs…" Cript said. "That was Jericho slamming into and likely through the wall… over ninety sextillion miles away… But wow… control AND full force… your arm sore?" Cript asked Eclipsa.
“Nailed it.” Ben chuckled.
"No it's perfectly- holy fuck everything hurts!" Eclipsa said, her body still cracked with the crack, instead of bleeding power, now bleeding for real.
“Okay so…” Ben muttered as he brought out his Lexicon. “Let’s get you patched up.” Ben said while casting several healing spells in hopes to help Eclipsa.
"Hmm." Cript hummed. "Looks like your body hasn't adapted to all the power just yet. Strange…. Wait, did you use both Generation AND Amplify?"
"And grey, yes." Eclipsa said, still on the ground but better.
"ARE YOU FUCKING SUICIDAL?!" Cript screamed. "Those two abilities have never even been in the same host let alone used together!"
"That's what everyone said about light and dark too." Eclipsa wheezed.
“Only you Eclipsa.” Ben chuckled a little as he kept healing Eclipsa. “Only you.”
"Is Jericho going to be okay?" Zeke asked.
"He'll need some time in the recovery ward, but he'll be fine. Neither of us are used to, well, fighting others of our own power level." Cript said.
"Or beyond due to three broken abilities. Thank you Diane." Eclipsa said, sitting up.
"No problem." Ben/Diane said. "Okay seriously, I know I shouldn't...but seriously, who the fuck am I?" The wolf frowned.
"Names. All depend on who you identify as more." Cript said.
"Oh no, this is worse than that." Ben said. "I've had to be told my backstory three fucking times, first time was fine, it was to say my parents were murdered, second time was weird, telling me that my light was keeping me alive, and the third time was just retarded. Vincent sent my psychopath reflection to cause this shit? What, was my backstory to fucking vanilla the writers needed to shoe horn in other things? And now I'm Diane as Well! Seriously who the fuck am I?"
"My lover, my friend, and more importantly, whomever you choose to be. I learned long ago backstory means jack shit, I mean, accordingly my heart was originally made as a backup should Zeke fail or go evil for KH to be rebuilt, but I don't care. You are whoever you want to be, my sis, or just Ben, it's up to you." Eclipsa said, wincing as she stretched.
“Don’t move too much. Your still not fully recovered.” Ben said nervously. “But...I’m sorry for wanting some fucking consistancy for once.” Ben sighed out. “Before I became Diane, three times I was told my backstory was horribly wrong...does my depressing life needs to be more depressing?”
"So… being with me, being with your family is depressing? Honestly if people came in and told me I was a slut in an old life I would care because I'm not now." Eclipsa explained.
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.” Ben rolled his eyes. “But again...consistency is something that I really want but never get cause apparently that’s boring.” The wolf sighed out. “I’m sorry for rambling...I just needed to get that off my chest even though I’m probably going to rant about it again.”
"It's okay love… it gave Cript time to process that I just compared generation and amplify to how I made Grey." Eclipsa giggled.
“I mean...that’s basically what it is right?” Ben asked honestly.
"Yeah but kinda nerfed." Cript said. "So, looks like I have the general of what you each need to work on."
"What then?" Zeke asked.
"Zeke, you need to work on learning to let go and let lose in a fight sometimes. For Eclipsa you need practice in combining energy, and Ben, you need mental exercises."
“Oh you have no idea what mental gymnastics a therapist is going to have to do to fix me.” Ben said honestly.
"So, what now?"
"Wait how was it needed?! And how do I not know how to combine energy, that is quite literally how I made Grey!" Eclipsa exclaimed before wincing. "Ow my ribs…"
"You need to learn your limits and how to grow them, surpass and make them harder to hit." Cript said simply. "Any more energy and you'd have miscarried."
Ben panicked at hearing that suddenly. “Please tell me their okay.” Ben said quickly.
"They are, for now, but that much energy had to have radiated into one of them. Not enough to hurt or kill, but one or two will be born with a stronger bond to one of the energies Eclipsa generated."
“I’m...glad their fine.” Ben sighed out thankfully.
"Very will probably be one as it was a part of each and every energy, including itself… but I concede your point." The naga sighed.
“Alright.” Ben nodded. “So...there goes training for today I suppose.”
"Seems so." Cript sighed.
“Alright, that was a good time.” Ben said honestly.
"We'll pick this up after Jericho is healed." Cript said, teleporting over to them.
"I guess we should get back to paperwork as usual." Zeke said. Eclipsa gave a loud groan, and it wasn't out of pain.