I wasn't surprised when Cript had me come to their office. Their new form was now at least female looking. While also quite intimidating to anyone who didn't know them. "So… you, Jericho, Coco and Heart's Nobody are like me now?" Cript asked.
“Sadly it was more of...necessity than anything.” I sighed out. “But...I’ll get all of our Death’s back, and make sure Existence doesn’t need that fucker again.” I said honestly. “Cause you know me, better threaten a ‘God who Laughs’ to make sure they know their bullshit isn’t needed anymore.”
"King… there's a reason I didn't want you to become like me. And that THING is why. King, it isn't like Vincent or the Void Mother, it's the consciousness of the hardware that runs our existence. You can't just make it unneeded."
“I can, and I will figure it out.” I said bluntly. “And you’ll help me, cause you want your Death back, and to see that bastard get what he deserves.
"I can't King. My death is already gone. I got it back to forge a weapon, remember? When I first thought I killed Vincent?"
“Oh yeah…” I sighed out. “I completely forgot about that.”
"Besides King… I don't want to die. I can't. I made a promise. A promise that, if no other hero can defeat the evils that will rise up in the future, then I will. And I can't do that if I'm dead now can I?"
“Certainly better than going mad right?” I asked, sadly remembering a future where...Cript ended the world.
"Lest you forget I tend to break the futures images quite often. Besides, there are means to staving off Madness like Lord has all these years. Sleep, mainly. Be surprised by how short a two million year long nap can feel to an Admin. Explore. Fun thing about infinite realities, always something to see. Have someone to be with. Like Lyra, she also traded her Death away, just so I won't be alone for all eternity. And lastly, most common for Admins, the Admin Game."
“Admin Game?” I asked curiously. “Oh, I also found a lead to where Void Key is...and that’s the Admin of Fear...which begs the question on how Void Key didn’t die before I beat that Delete…”
"Hmm… Pecator said Void Keys Void is based on a foundation of pure fear. The Admin of Fear must be the next best vessel since his artificial conduit one is now safe from them. Question is which Admin of Fear?"
“There’s...more than one?” I asked nervously. “Cause I only know the one lady…”
"Two. The lady, Scree, and her dad, the original Admin of Fear. You'd know him as Pennywise."
“But...Pennywise was running away shitless from the Delete along with everything else but Scree.” I frowned. “That...doesn’t make much sense.”
"He's old. Survived the war. Got hit by some Delete attacks. Power wise he's not there anymore."
“But he’s still strong enough to make Void Key his host?” I asked curiously.
“Void Key is constructed from Fear, all his hosts likely are in some way or shape related to fear as well, meaning the Admin of Fear, the guy who made it, or the girl who currently embodies it, yeah, they would be more than strong enough.”
“Christ…” I sighed out. ”So...I have to murder both Admin’s of Fear or rip Void Key out of them?”
“Assuming they are taken already. Their realm has a lot of places to hide. Strong beasts to protect. Is Void Key himself going after them?”
“More like he’s already have.” I sighed out. “Cause from Coco’s memories...Void Key has been with Nexus since she was a kid, which was many years before I even got here...which should be impossible because he was locked up in Heart’s Equestria, but then he magically also took over No Name...seriously, that’s some fucking dog shit.” I growled. “Fucking retconned one of the most overpowered weapons in existance actually being out and about for years, and have him doing nothing with all that time? The fuck?”
“... No, no that… We don’t know how Void Key is forged, Pecator’s memories on that are still missing somehow. Just, poof, gone, but… what if a No Name Keyblade is a key ingredient? Coco was meant to be his perfect vessel because with it’s void, she could convert a No Name into a Void Key without the other required ingredients.”
“I’m pretty sure Void Key stole the Pecator’s memory about how he forged it cause you know, making something more sentient than standard Keyblades is always a fun idea.” I rolled my eyes. “Also, if it’s a No Name, then why hasn’t it, ya know, done anything?” I asked simply.
“I said No Name is likely a Key ingredient. They are not made, but… Duplicated. Time traveling to duplicate the original which no one knows how it was made. Most likely becoming a Void Key removes its temporal abilities, which is a good thing. Otherwise we’d be a whole other level of screwed.”
“Okay, so let’s step away from the No Name part, and ask why has Void Key not done anything when Void Key has been out and about for as long as Coco remembers, plus however long it’s been running loose beforehand?” I asked. “Why hasn’t it done literally anything then?”
“No idea. Fact is we’re blind on them and they may or may not be blind on us. We have no way of knowing until we can somehow push the frontlines into their territory, which when talking soldiers, even with all of us there is almsot tactical genocide. We need an edge of our own. I’ll see if Hollow might be able to help in someway there. Tactics done, you wanted to know about the Admin Games?”
“Apparently you missed what I’ve currently done…” I muttered. “But that’s for another time. Right now, Admin Games, what are they?”
“Right, well, they’re basically a self imposed RPG. You can alter your form or even life, memories or not and live a life. Rules are simple, if you keep your memories, your new life self has no connection to your powers other than Code, but you can only use Code twice a day and never for anything big, small things only. No memories just powers are kept under lock. Rule two, No one can know who you really are, this also only applies if you have your memories. Telling someone breaks the rules and ends the game. Rule three, when this life's persona dies, game over, and you can’t contact them, at least, you can’t tell them who you are to them.”
“And if you win, because of course you can win, can you tell them after?” I asked curiously. “Cause...I have an idea on where to go, and that would have a definite end considering I could stop the fourth game from happening.” I thought out loud, thinking about the place I would like to try the ‘Admin Games’ on. “Sorry, got sidetracked. But is to tell them after I win?”
“You win when you die of old age or after a good life.”
“And with the win, I can tell them who I really am and all that crap?” I asked. “Cause...you know, the world I’m going to probably isn’t part of the kingdom…”
"If you want I guess, also the only way to be born into a family like how Eclipsa was reborn as Twilight's brother. But that requires approval from the Time Walkers."
"Okay then...so let's get their approval." I said honestly. "But will this affect my clones?"
"Not at all, just the one copies body. I can submit the request. We'll hear back from them yesterday." Cript said. They took out a form papers writing some things down. "so, what world would you like to be reborn on?"
“Sly Cooper world.” I said. “Reborn...as Sly’s younger brother…” I said sheepishly.
"Heh. Taking a page from Eclipsa then?" Cript asked.
“Yes...also, is it possible to be born with that worlds magic? Given the Cooper line already has magical roots and the world is probably teeming with it.” I brought up.
"Yes, comes with the territory. Can't access your powers other than what's learned or used in your new life. So, no weapons, no Keyblades, no Nothingness." They said, filling out the form.
“Is it wrong that I feel like I’m ripping off of Dressed to Steal?” I asked nervously, remembering reading some very good stories, one of them was with Sly Cooper.
"That fanfiction? Been there, fun place, nice kid." Cript said, folding up the paper and slipping it into a small time hole. They then pulled out an envelope from their desk. "This came yesterday.”
“Cause when you control time, you can always get something yesterday.” I chuckled. “So what did they say?”
"Approved. Just click this and you'll be on your reborn way." Cript said, handing me what looked like a garage door opener.
“Weird that it looks like a garage door opener but okay.” I said before clicking the button, ready to start a new adventure with my memories.
I wasn't sure what happened, but I know I'm wrapped in a blanket… so sleepy…
"Welcome home Kite." A soothing voice spoke. I realized quick I was a baby, so exactly like how Eclipsa went about it. Opening my eyes, the room was bright. I saw her, the never seen before Mom. She was… beautiful. Like Sly and his dad, a shade of light grey and dark blue fur colors. She wore a simple dress, nothing fancy really. "I can't believe it. Two children."
"You're telling me." A male voice said… Sly's dad… my dad. "Cooper's rarely ever have two kids. Hope this little guy and Sly get along well." He said, old but clearly fit as any soldier. He brushed my hair a bit.
”Well...I have my memories.” I thought to myself, also glad to finally know Sly’s dad married a racoon...even though I’m pretty sure all the Coopers have a Fox kink. ”Let’s hope things go well enough…” I thought to myself as I felt even more tired...gotta get used to being a baby again...
This time I woke up in my little bed. It was dark but looking around I saw the room was a kid's room. I noticed the young 2 year old Sly on the bed across from me. I saw one of his hands was out as he was sleeping as I gently put a hand in Sly’s, having been an only child so...having an older brother felt nice.
As I was about to fall asleep again the door opened… Mom, came in. "Daw." She said, picking me up and holding me close. "Looks like someone already seems close to his big brother." She cooked quietly to me, taking me to the kitchen. "Must be getting hungry." She told me.
My stomach agreed with her assessment as I started to tear up and whimper at being hungry.
"Shhh. It's alright. I'll warm up a bottle." She said, taking out an already in bottle milk from the fridge. She placed me in a high chair as she began heating it up in a pot of water. This let me look around. There were lots of photos of Mom and Dad, a Photo of Sly as a baby, even a photo of Dad's team. Wait, above it was a Photo of Mom… was she a thief too? The two next to her make it look so.
”Okay so two things, one your supposed to be breast feeding an infant so they get proper nutrients lady, second...is she a thief?” I thought to myself, making a baby noise and pointing to the pictures, seemingly interested in their stories. ”But...maybe it’s good milk for infants to grow…” I thought to myself.
"Hm? Oh, recognize your momma huh?" She asked with a chuckle. She walked over there, picking the framed photo off the wall. " This is me, and my friends Kaytlin and Snow." Kaytlin was a brown rabbit and Snow was a Deer. "They're also part of my squad on the force."
”Okay so...all Coopers have a Uniform fetish...good to know..” I thought to myself. ”Still might have a thing for fox’s, but I don’t know.” I thought while looking at the pictures and smiling, before I pointed at pictures of dad with an inquisitive baby noise.
"Hehe. You like hearing me talk huh?"
I couldn’t help but nod and giggle happily...even though I knew they wouldn’t be here for long.
Smiling, she grabbed Dad's photo. "This is your father, Conner, and his friends and team, M and Jim. They… have skills for certain jobs that sometimes help mama in hers."
I looked at all three, seeing dad smiling with the family cane across his shoulders, Jim McSweeny the Walrus looked a bit more fit than when I saw him in the opening of Honor Among Thieves, and Dr. M the Mandrill didn’t have that weird plug in his head and actually looked a little happier in the photo. I smiled at seeing the two pictures side by side, seeing dad’s gang and mom’s crew together as I looked up to her with starry eyes like I wanted story time...but my stomach again growled wanting food.
Mom placed them down, checking the bottle and then giving it to me. It tasted good. "We met on my first day. Heh. A rookie cop and I catch Conner Cooper. Course, he got away, and that began a pretty long game of cat and mouse between us. Was fun sometimes, less so others."
”Oh? That’s interesting.” I thought to myself as I gave her an inquisitive look.
"Then, one day we both got in over our heads. Warlord in the south of the Amazon. We got captured and thrown into a stone pit. Barely enough food for the two of us. All we could do was talk, and we ended up really close. We only escaped because his team and my squad joined up and saved us. Your brother Sly was born seven months later."
”Okay so it’s 1986 given he looked about two years old...and that is rather interesting...wait, Coopers are both magical and psionic, how the hell did they get stuck?” I thought to myself. ”But...at least it ended well…” I thought to myself as I smiled warmly.
"Your dad and I got married a little while after Sly turned four months. Course, he uses a false name, had to. We were not expecting you though." She rubbed her nose against mine. "You were quite the surprise Kite."
I smiled warmly, my eyes full of love for my mother happily. ”Well...at least I’m a good surprise.” I thought to myself, also hoping that there was that ‘no trace’ cooper ability in this world like in Dressed to Steal. ”I mean...that can be a minor tweak with Code I suppose...but not now.”
"These days your dad helps me catch the big bads, doing the things a cop can't. It's helpful, and he only takes enough to cover his half of the bills."
I smiled warmly, knowing that Coopers will always steal from other thieves and just happy that these two are in a happy relationship.
"There's so much your father and I want to teach you two. I just hope you two don't grow up too fast while we do it."
I raised my arms up, wanting to hug her and show that no matter what, I’ll always be her little boy.
Once I finished the bottle she burped me, then took me back to the crib, tucking myself and Sly back in. "Goodnight my angels."
I yawned and cuddled up to my older brother, hoping this life will be okay even with the problems I already knew about.
A month has passed since this new life began. Being a baby confined me to baby proofed playpens and cribs. All in all, it wasn’t that bad. I got a lot of Sly’s old baby toys, and even both Mom’s squad and Dad’s team came over to see me. M even made me a toy rattle that he said when I was older he could modify into my own special cane. Of course Mom was leaning towards having me be a cop, but it was up to me, mom and dad agreed. All in all M said it could also swap to a blaster form like mom’s shock gun.
Mom’s team knew dad and his team were thieves, but they didn’t care, made each others jobs easier. Jim was borderline Murry. Down to the appetite. Course, he and Kaytlin would compete for who could spoil me more. Either way, I, and by correlation Sly, had a fair sized mountain of toys.
Sly and I got along great. Of course, he took after dad a ton. Down to swiping the cookies from mom. Granted I have no teeth yet, so he’d make my milk chocolate for me.
”This is nice…” I thought to myself gently. ”But...I know something bad is going to happen sooner or later…”
Today was like many, Dad, being a thief, was actually largely the stay at home type. Since he normally worked nights, which worked out since Mom worked mornings to mid afternoon. M and Jim were both here as Sly was helping me play with those wood block toys.
"I'm telling ya pal, your kid Kite there is much smarter than the average infant." M said, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and shorts. "There's this look in his eyes as he understands everything we say."
"It's called innocence. Something all babies have." Dad laughed off.
"Sure glad he and Sly get along. Me and my brothers never did." Jim added.
”Well...M is a lot more observant than I originally thought.” I thought to myself as I continued to play with my older brother and just having a good time.
"So, you going to be ready for tonight's heist?" M asked Dad.
"Always." Dad said simply. "What are we looking at so far?"
"Usual. Armed guards, cameras, tall walls."
"Child's play then."
"Wonder if they're talking about the Diamond Heist...cause if memory serves that was his last job." I thought to myself curiously, wondering when certain events happen that would make dad retire and cause M to go...well ape shit.
"So what's the target?" Jim asked.
"Not what, who." M said. "A Russian noblemen's daughter was taken by Chinese terrorists. He hired us to save her."
"Gotta say, Merc work isn't our usual thing, but he's paying good and is offering the location to our biggest target." Dad said.
"Clockwork…" M hissed.
”Clockwork!? But...Clockwork isn’t supposed to be a big thing until years later…” I thought to myself worriedly.
"About time we get a shot at the metal beak Psychopath." Jim said. "Did this Russian guy give us any info in good faith?"
”Wonder who this person is that is just giving up where Clockwork is?” I muttered, continuing to play with my older brother even if I was lost in thought.
"Once that demon is gone I know Kite and Sly can grown-up safe. I won't let them go through what I and all the other Cooper's have had to endure under Clockwerks evil." Dad said, pure determination in his tone and eyes.
I looked over at dad and gently raddled the toy M gave me, trying to call him over because I was...honestly worried about him and what he was talking about.
"Careful with that Kite-" M said, suddenly my rattle grew an electric bolt shaped like Dad's cane on it. "Darn safety keeps acting up." M said, gently taking it from me and messing with it.
I looked at the impromptu Cane and M with wide eyes. ”Dude! You’re giving that sweet thing to an infant!?” I mentally cried out, but look of pure awe at what he was able to do kind of convincing him that I was just an innocent baby racoon who doesn’t know better.
“Cool!” Sly clapped his hands happily.
"I thought you said that feature was turned off?!" Dad yelped.
"It was! The tech is still new, not all the bugs have been worked out yet." M replied, the electric cane now a normal rattle again. "Well, that's what I get for buying electronics off Thieves Net."
I couldn’t help myself as I clapped and giggled happily at how cool his present was.
"Well he seems to like it." Jim said.
"Glad about that. Since Sly is the oldest and is to inherit the family came, I didn't want Kite to feel left out." M replied.
"Just make sure my son doesn't taze himself, or Sly… or us." Dad said.
”Dude, if that Cane is able to shoot lightning like Mom’s shock pistol, I will be so happy.” I thought to myself happily, before raising my arms up towards dad to be picked up.
Dad grabbed me, then Sly, placing us on his knees. "For us and my family, Clockwerk has to die. Because of that monster Sly and Kite will never know their grandparents. The curse of Clockwerk on this family ends by the months end."
”No...no it won’t…” I thought to myself sadly while I cuddled up to my dad, scared of what the future holds for this family given it might have changed from the base games.
One Year Later.
Dad's little adventure into Russia and against Clockwerk gave him a sense of relief and calm that meant he was successful, which was both good but strange.
”Okay so...that should be impossible. Clockwork is functionally immortal with the Hate Chip, and Connor, and everyone else doesn’t know that until Sly 2...something’s not right here…” I thought to myself worriedly, but was happy that dad got some relief from the fight.
Being a year now, I was physically able to speak a few words. Nothing in a full sentence. Sly and I got a sweet tree house in the backyard. It was here that, given how it was built, Dad set it up as a test. The wall crawling, rope climbing, branch jumping. A child's playground turned into skills training. Granted I can't do what Sly is able to yet, so I mostly just watch him jump across the thing.
“Yay!” I clapped happily, seeing my big brother go and do good things around the tree house.
"Sly, Kite, your Babysitter is here." Mom called out.
Ah yes, our Babysitter. A Tulip Fox, who brings her daughter, a six year old Carmalita Fox, with her while watching the three of us playThis honestly makes too much sense. They're obvious to everyone but each other that they have a crush on each other.
I couldn’t help but giggle at how cute the two were acting, even if I was a one year old physically, mentally I could have easily told someone big bro likes Carmalita.
"So, what should we play today?" Sly asked.
"Cops and robbers." Carmalita declared. This was too weird, honestly. Apparently Carmalita dreams of being a robber, a master thief like the Coopers, who she has no idea we are, and Sly wants to be like Mom, a cop. So the roles here are swapped.
”This is...really weird...especially when Carmalita is the fourth generation of Police Officers and...Sly is supposed to be a master thief…” I thought to myself, wondering how the hell this life is going to work.
As Carmalita and Sly got to playing, I got up and headed inside. I saw Dad and M talking. "Come on Conner, one last job and you can take retirement forever." M said.
"That's what you said about the last five jobs M. With Clockwerk dead I honestly don't see a reason to keep doing this. Sly wants to be a cop, I say let him. Our family legacy of stealing can be kept alive but on the legal side of the law."
"Like any officer will hire a Cooper."
"I know, but I want them to choose their dreams, not follow the words of a dusty old book."
"At one point that book was your Bible." M stated. "Look, even so there is still your family vault, Generations spanning back to the earliest civilizations in there, all stolen, what about that?"
"As far as I'm concerned that vault can be forgotten about."
"Conner please, you want to forget that vault, fine, but to truly give freedom for your kids, one last job and you'll have enough cash to wipe the Cooper name from the history books. Set all of us up for life."
"... Fine. But only because I swore to never touch a coin in that vault. I promised that to Violet." Violet was mom's name. "What's the job?"
"The world's biggest diamond. Was stolen from the team that dug it up, we take it back and make millions in one night."
”Maybe I should have specified which world cause...this is pretty backwards…” I thought to myself. ”But...it is interesting...and even if the old man wants us to be free...then I’m going to continue the Cooper line...the ones that bring criminals down where the law can’t.” I thought to myself, sadly believing I would be going up against my own brother if he fully made it into being a cop but...knowing it’s for the best.
It was late at night when I heard it. The door burst open. Mom rushed, gasping. "Conner!" She yelled, pained cries from Dad could be heard. Sly didn't wake up, bro can sleep through a tornado. "What happened?"
"It was a trap." M said, tone filled with rage. "That fucking bird is still alive!"
"H-how?"
"That's what I wanna know." Dad grunted. "I dropped that metallic demon into lava so hot it might as well have been the sun, and he's still alive."
"He wasn't alone either." Jim huffed. "Had four others with him. Dunno who they were, but they could fight."
”How!? Sly should be Eight and I should be six before the Fiendish Five became a thing!” I mentally panicked, having snuck out of the room to find out what the pained cries were before Mom burst in.
Dad was… really beat up. His leg was bandaged but bleeding, arm and body cut up like crazy. M and Jim didn't look any better. "M… Take this." Dad said, handing him the cane. "Head to the vault, and sell the Crimson Ruby. It's value it equal to or even more than that stupid diamond."
"Conner… that was your father's biggest score." M said.
"Sell it! We have to vanish before he finds us. I will not let my kids grow up orphans like I did!" Dad yelled. I've never seen him scared, or heard him yell.
“We help.” I crawled into the room, shaking my rattle and it turning into that taser Cane again. “I help...no big...but help.” I said, the look of Cooper determination in my eyes. “Big bro help to...no sell.” I pouted, using my Cane to help me stand up strong and proud like a Cooper...only to slip and fall on my butt cutely, kind of both hurting and helping my point.
“Heh...just like when you were a kid Connor.” Jim chuckled. “Even got the same determined look you have.”
Dad sighed, patting my head and taking my rattle. "One day, you'll understand when you are older Kite… Let's start packing. No doubt they're trying to track us. Meet us at the usual Hideout M, after that, we'll all have to go our separate ways."
Three Years Later
Daycare sucks. Long story short, they sold the gem and got whole new identities for us all. Even mom. While we are still called Sly and Kite, our new "legal" names are Billy and Franky. I hate it, so everyone mostly calls me Kite. That's my actual name after all.
Mom got a job as another police officer thanks to some old favors, and dad works as a locksmith. Fitting. I haven't seen M or Jim since that night though. And living in London compared to France sucks. At least Sly can make friends here, and by friends I mean enemies.
”God...everything’s wrong.” I thought to myself while thinking about how this version just kind of went to hell in a handbasket way too soon, but...with my growing magical powers I got two years ago it helped a lot to learning new things. “This is wrong…” I muttered to myself, wondering how Murray and Bentley were considering we were long gone from France...even though we’re still two years behind the first game. “I miss France…” I sighed out, finally having gotten past the rattle as I twirled my Thunder Cane between my fingers.
"Franky, your mom is here." The daycare lady said, walking me to the front and bringing me to mom.
"Hi sweetie. How was today?" She asked me lovingly.
“It was fine.” I said, mom seeing the same expression I’ve had before when I was upset about several things.
"Awh. Well, it's gonna be better. Guess what came in the mail today." She said, appearing from her purse and in her hands were four Library cards. The London Library was massive. "And we're going right now."
No matter the life, I'll always love books.
“Yay.” I said happily, but then got a little sidetracked in thought. “When are me and big brother gonna read Dad’s book?” I asked, having seen dad reading the Thievius Racoonus several times before but wasn’t sure if I should try and ‘borrow’ it. “Or is it still too early?” I asked, mom knowing full well what book I was talking about.
"Oh sweetie. You'll have to ask your father on that one." She said, giving me a kiss on the forehead as she took me to the car. Sly and dad were already in there.
Since moving here Sly picked up gaming. Pokemon was a thing here which was surprising because it’s 1992 but just replace the human characters with the anthro animals we all are. He got Blue and I got Yellow version.
Once at the library Mom and Dad took us to the kids books area while Dad went and browsed elsewhere. Mom nabbed a book from a shelf before we got here. "We'll be here til six, alright? So be respectful and quiet in the library you two." Mom said as she sat at a desk. "I'll be right here and try and stay where I can quickly see you."
"Yes Mom." Sly said, nodding, heading off to find a book.
“Yes mom.” I nodded. “But I need to ask dad something first.” I said while scurrying off to find dad before he probably disappeared in the library.
Rushing back through the library, I couldn't see Dad around, not until I looked up. Dad was in the second story and… hey, is that… M and Jim? In the worst disguises ever. They were heading off. I'll need to catch up fast.
I huffed, before seeing the blue sparkles only a Cooper can see on several places, most of it just climbing and swinging. ”Let’s hope I can get to him quickly…” I muttered, using my natural born acrobatic skills to climb swiftly to the second floor, and thankfully my Thunder Cane had an off switch to it’s ‘electric’ properties so I didn’t accidentally taser someone or do something bad to electronics. ”Thank god for the cooper abilities.’ I thought to myself, not really needing to use any of my magic to help boost me up as I continued up towards Dad and his gang before it was too late.
Once I was here, I hid on top of a bookshelf next to them.
"Thanks for meeting us." Jim said.
"It's been a long time, but my gut tells me this isn't a friendly meeting." Dad said.
"Sadly." M said, placing an envelope on the table. "This arrived at your old house."
The envelope was blank, dad looking on the front and back before taking out what was inside… inside was a chrome feather. "What… what happened to the people who are living there now?"
"Dead. House went up in smoke but coroner's report says their flesh and bones were broken and shredded by metal matching this feather. Looks like Clockwerk was angry it wasn't you there."
”Okay, to be honest I’m pretty sure the other four are now scared shitless of Clockwork...cause besides the frog, Muggshot, Mz. Ruby and Panda King are all good people deep down…” I thought to myself, not liking this more and more. ”God...what about Carmalita? I hope she’s alright, Sly would be devastated if she was hurt…” I started to wonder what spurred on this time frame jump from the original games to now, cause even if this world was different this seemed off.
"Thankfully our mutual friend who got you these new identities left a dead end and cold trail. Shouldn't have any problems." Jim said.
"Shouldn't and won't are different things. What's the part you two aren't telling me?" Dad asked.
"That, sadly, is that we identified these people who are working with Clockwerk. It's not good." M said.
”Um...if it was just the Fiendish Five...they wouldn’t have said that.” I thought to myself worriedly, wondering what the hell is going on with this world.
“First up is Sir Raleigh the frog. Rich playboy turn sea piracy. Got bored of luxury and went over to grand sea piracy. Has a nak for building complex and advanced machines. Second is Mugshot. Runt of his families litter, grew up watching too many gangster movies, literally worked out til he was built enough to throw a truck. Pure muscle strong enough to even, as we saw, badly harm Jim here. Then there is Mz Ruby, when it comes to dark magics and everything affiliated with it, she knows everything. No one else on earth is like her, such an impossible talent for the dark arts has never been seen before. Then, Panda King. Poor born kid grew up to make fireworks for the nobles, they denied him entry because of his ragged clothes. Took revenge on them, weaponizing his fireworks and developing Flame-Fu, heavily matting the fur on his hands with gunpowder and igniting it, and fighting with the fire.”
“So an explosives expert/Pyro, Witch Doctor suprime, Mad Scientist, and self made gangster.” Dad summarized.
"So far that's the fiendish five...hopefully they still have a good heart in them or else something bad might happen." I thought to myself worriedly.
"We do know that someone is funding Clockwerk and this Fiendish Five he's founded, who though we haven't been able to find out." Jim added.
"So, that just leaves the worst news then?" Dad asked.
"It seems the Five are buying up property and business for some reason. From Ireland to Egypt. Mass evictions of residential areas… including yours."
Dad placed a hand to his eyes. "So, trying to weed us out?"
”Okay, something most definitely is going wrong.” I thought to myself. ”God...wish I had my Assistant so I could try and get at least some more info than what I’ve heard from them…” I thought to myself bitterly, hating how little I know about the current situation. ”Damn it, if they own Kane Island then it’ll be a fucking nightmare to get there...not to mention what other crap the games forgot to show.” I mentally grumbled, hating how much can, and already has, gone wrong here.
"So what's the plan?" M asked.
"I don't have one." Dad sighed. "He doesn't know where we are, explaining the massive property buyouts. So that's good. Anyplace not in their reach?"
"He seems to be targeting large cities and several rural towns. I'd say let's get him but last time we barely escaped." Jim sighed. "I do have one place though." Dad gave Him a curious look. "My grandpa owned a cabin deep in the Colbert forest back in France, place is well hidden, built inside a cave."
"We'd basically be off the grid, but I can't do that to the kids or Violet."
"Not entirely. It's in the address books, so your kids can still go to school and Violet can still work, just hope they don't mind the five Mile Walk to the road."
"And we don't have any other options?" Dad asked M.
"The only truly safe place would be the island of your family wealth, but that's no life for your kids on a deserted island." M said sadly.
”Okay first up, I wouldn’t mind going off to Kane Island to see how it was before M got a hold of it...and secondly it is the safest place on this planet at the moment.” I thought to myself bitterly. ”There has to be a way…”
"At least in the woods, it will be easy to lose people who might be following." Dad sighed. "How much is left after the Ruby was sold?"
"Ten million." M stated.
"Okay. Violet will be mad, but she knows how bad Clockwerk is. I just hope Sly and Kite won't be too upset. Sly made a few friends, and Kite just got his Library card for here."
”Cause of course we’re going to move immediately…” I thought to myself bitterly. ”We just got settled...damn it...what do I do…” I thought to myself. ”Also...wouldn’t those three have noticed I’m here, or mom noticed I disappeared?” I thought to myself curiously.
"Maybe not just so soon." M brought up. "If you leave now, it will be easier for them to track you. If you wait for them to buy the land and banks and evict you along with the rest, that's tens of thousands of files to sort through and people to get lost in, many I imagine will travel everywhere, France included."
"Huh… good point, waiting it out and hiding among the uplifted crowd will be the safest bet, and gives us a year or so still to be here and prepare." Dad thought.
"Good. Gonna clean up the old place anyhow." Jim said.
”Well...at least we don’t have to move now…” I thought to myself.
"Alright. In the meantime… I guess it's time to teach Sly and Kite a few tricks from the Thievius Raccoonus." Dad said. "Even Violet."
”Learn a few tricks...and then I take the book and read through the damn thing too many times cause...well that’s just me.” I thought to myself. ”Let’s hope this change in events isn’t going to lead to even bigger problems…” I thought worriedly.
Two Years Later
This cabin is cool. Roomy, and set up for sneaking already. Dad trained Sly and I to rope climb properly, wall sneak, and vent crawl without making noise. Climbing all the trees was fun and the walks to school and back helped us become great runners. Dad always have us visual lessons, and hid that book pretty damn well. I know where it is, but not how to get into the small wall safe.
Sly and I were reading, mom making dinner and dad flipping through a crossword puzzle book. Dad's ear twitched, and he jumped up.
"Conner?" Mom asked.
Dad quickly peeked out the blinds of the window, backing up as he almost threw Sly and I into the closet. "No matter what happens, Don't make a sound. Like I taught you." He said, closing the closet door as the sound of the front door breaking echoed to us.
”Oh no…” I thought to myself as this was the day...and I couldn’t do a damn thing about it. Please...please let at least some of the Fiendish Five be okay people…” I mentally prayed as I looked through a crack in the doorway to know what will truly happen.
I saw Mz Ruby, Panda King and Mugshots backs, before Sly pulled me in, hugging me tightly.
"You have been a hard racoon to find Conner Cooper." The mechanical, psychotic voice of Clockwerk spoke, Sly and I actually got chills from it.
"How the fuck are you alive!? I saw you fall into that lava! You should be fucking scrap metal!" Dad yelled, mom's whimpered crying could be heard but not much else.
"Hatred isn't so easily destroyed. You and your team put up a good fight, nearly had me, so when I crawled out of that volcano, I knew the key to ending your lineage, was the same teamwork you and so many others of your ancestors practiced and perfected.“
”What the hell…” I thought to myself worriedly, thinking that all three of them with their backs towards us either meant they didn’t know we were here or that they were covering for us. “I...think those three are...protecting us…” I softly whispered to Sly, making sure it was just between us.
“Shh.” Shy shushed me.
“Leave her alone Clockwerk! She’s innocent in this!” Dad yelled again.
“Now, we both know I can’t do that. After all, this brood of yours could be carrying your child, and we both know-” There was a moment where mom was screaming, a sickening, gut twisting audible metallic snap accompanied by a grotesque crunch and tear nose as moms screaming stopped suddenly. “I can’t have that now can I?”
“I’LL KILL YOU!!!” Dad screamed.
“Like your father yelled, before I ate him too. At least you can see your brood and kin again soon Cooper.” Before Anything else happened, there was a puff of some kind of powder in Sly and I’s faces. A sudden heavy sleepiness came over us, and we blacked out.
“Uh...what...happened?” I groaned, waking up after someone shoved sleeping power into mine and my brothers face. “Brother?” I muttered, opening my eyes groggily as I tried to find Sly and my Cane.
Once my eyes were opened wide, I realized… This wasn’t the cabin. This wasn’t home. We were in a room filled with lots of other kids, beds all lined in rows from wall to wall. A small trunk at the beds end and on mine, and Sly’s, who was next to me, were small bags. Memories of… of… Clockwerk...
“Lord…” I muttered while getting out of the bed and looking through our stuff. “Wait...did dad give Sly his Cane?” I muttered to myself, trying to remember if dad pushed us into the room with the family cane.
I looked over at Sly, thankfully the family cane was on his bed next to them. He was still out cold. I opened my bag, finding my rattle/cane, a few toys, clothes, and my old pop up book of Fiddler on the Roof.
“God...where are we?” I wondered, grabbing my cane which was in rattle form, shaking it once and turning it into my Thunder Cane as I decided to explore the place, hoping to find an adult to find out where me and Sly were.
As I was walking to the door, I jumped at the loudest snore in history. Looking at the source was a small, well, young, hippo. Murry. A quick glance showed me Bently, whose bed was a mess of scrapped electronics and such. Good, right place at least.
”Alright...so far things are kind of back to normal…” I thought to myself. ”So...we’re at the orphanage...tomorrow I should at least try to get Sly to hang out with Bentley and Murray to start the gang...hopefully it’ll work.” I thought to myself while looking around the place carefully, not wanting to wake the other kids up.
Exiting the room, the hall was fairly long. The other end seemed to lead to a large makeshift classroom, and the downstairs area had a large kitchen, play area, and a small library, but all the books I’ve read already read. The backyard held a small playground, and all around was a large stone wall with metal spikes at the top. Outside was two security guard rent-a-cops walking around. Must be for the night shift.
”Certainly is more...beefed up than the flashback Sly had in game…” I thought to myself while slipping back into the shadows, back to the bedrooms. ”Okay...so step one, get Sly, Murray and Bentley to become good friends, step two, try and form the Cooper Gang even if Sly might still want to be a cop...hopefully Carmalita is still okay.” I thought to myself, even when we moved back to France two years ago we haven’t seen hide nor hair of the fox.
I crawled back into bed, knowing I have to keep on track with this worlds history. Right?
“So, how goes it?” I know I am dreaming, I’m in a steam room in my normal body, a towel that actually covers me on and Cript across from me in this small steam room. Also wrapped in a towel.
“So everything’s...kind of gone to shit.” I said nervously. “As far as I know events are happening very quickly and differently from the games, more so than what would normally happen…” I sighed out. “But the worst thing...I mean, hearing my parents get murdered and then getting knocked out by Mz. Ruby before I could hear them get eaten...someone’s funding Clockwerk’s schemes...and god only knows who else.”
“What did you expect?” Cript asked, sitting up, clapping their hands and showing a holo river of sorts. “Each worlds timeline flows in either chaotic or steady ways, but it’s typically unchanged. The Admin Game, by inserting yourself so close to a primary being of said world.” There was a small rock placed in the holo river, altering the water. “You change how time is flowing and the chain of events, solely by being born when you should never have existed on that world.” Cript said, the holo image poofing away. “This world and any others you plan on going to in this way won’t ever go how you know them as because you do what you’re doing now.”
“I mean, at least the time of events were happening correctly technically.” I said honestly. “But seriously, M and McSweeny told dad about how someone was funding Clockwerk and just buying places out...mind looking into that? Cause for some reason I...have a bad feeling someone outside it interfering.”
“Can’t. At this point in time I’m still in training at the temple that raised me, the only reason we are talking here is because time in the sleeping worlds operates with no effect on the physical. And I am not time traveling again. Been there, it sucked, created a paradox on some stuff and it’s mainly why I was only a god of time for less than a year.”
“Wait...I went that far back in time?” I blinked in surprise.
“Yup. Physically, you are also still a toddler on the earth in your God’s head.”
“Huh...that’s...interesting.” I said honestly. “So I suppose that’s why you said ‘don’t tell people who you are’? Cause you technically don’t exist yet?”
“One reason. The other reason is that it ends the game, and the time walkers WILL kill this persona you’ve been reborn as. Once you turn thirty is when the YOU from God’s head pops into this reality, then short wait later you can have won the Admin game.”
“Ah.” I nodded. “Good to know...so when I win the Admin Games...does that version of me still exist?” I asked curiously. “Cause...even though that persona of me is currently trying not to have a breakdown cause parents are dead...again…” I sighed out, having now experienced my parents dying a second time.
“Well, that’s where things get interesting.” Cript said. “You actually get a choice here in whether you absorb this persona’s memories and body back into, well, you, or you let them keep their body and such, even identity and they can join our family. Perks of our unique marriage.”
“And...that would involve Sly and whoever else joins in the ‘Cooper Gang’?” I asked, Cript seeing the same ‘I don’t want to leave family behind’ look in my eyes like always, even if it wasn’t from a Den Mother’s perspective.
“Only if they agree to be in this family, as weird as that seems…” Cript said. “Also, some rules on what is allowed and isn’t to be reborn as.”
“And what would those be?” I asked curiously.
“For starters, you can’t be reborn as your own sibling, or relative, cousin, uncle, aunt, etc. This also counts towards people you know, like Heart, Eclipsa, myself and such.”
“Sounds simple enough.” I said honestly. “Would be weird to be reborn as your own sister wait…” I trailed off as the fact me and Eclipsa were technically sisters through Marcy and Diane was still a thing.
“Exactly. Confusing as all hell.” Cript said. “Secondly, you can’t use a bypass, say, the never existing child of your neighbor or something and leave messages and such for yourself in the future, also no stock market crap, that’s typically how world wars on many worlds have started because of Admins not following simple time travel rules.”
“Sounds simple enough.” I nodded. “Any other rules?”
“Yes. You can ask to be reborn as yourself to relive your childhood. When doing this there are of course many things you can change about your history but also a lot you can’t. In this case, your parents dying, choosing Nothingness as your pick from God, and so on.”
“Fine fine.” I nodded. “Good to know that...I still have to make sure I live through that crap if I want a doover…”
“Sadly. And lastly, if you do take the do over, you have to play out your progress and such in the same manner. Every victory and loss.”
“Yes, let me repeat sleeping in a test tube on Rapture for thirty years because Kexez was a prick…” I grumbled.
“It sucks but it’s the Time Walkers rules. That aside there is one interesting thing of note about the Admin game now that the Time Walkers oversee it. A time walker watches over you, making sure you don’t screw things up. That being said, they can’t help you, like with information and such, but there are a few things they can do.”
“Like making sure outside interference isn’t a thing?” I asked, having a feeling Nexus could be involved in this crap as well.
“No, more like can, in this case, sell items and you buy them from them. Basically a personal merchant. But they can also hold a few things for you.”
“Okay cool.” I nodded. “Don’t really expect Thief Net to have certain things I would need...but uh...why do I have a feeling the Admin Games is a perfect excuse for the Time Walkers to let Heroes do their work while their too busy with paperwork?”
“Fun fact about that. While yes it’s a good excuse, since the Time Walkers work on a bureaucracy system, as you saw, when we mailed in the response it was back the day before we even filled it out, but in their offices, it would have taken half a day. However, it’s not easy for them as Time Walkers themselves are paradoxes. So they can have millions of members, but if those millions are all time remnants of the same person, only one can be in the timelines at, well, a time.”
“Gee, would you look at the time.” I joked. “But yeah that sounds really interesting...but when you brought up reliving a life, certain events would still happen, does that mean if you went to a game world the events of the game would still take place? Or would it be different because of time shenanigans?”
“Depends. Things like Sly’s, and now yours, parents dying, will always happen, but things like, say, forming the cooper gang with Murry and Bently, can have never happened. Remember, originally Sly was alone when he went to that orphanage, but now he has you, and likely won’t socialize with the others since he still has family, you.”
“Unless I do something to make sure those events still happen.” I brought up. “Cause even if we have each other...just the two of us still ain’t enough…” I sighed out. “We need Murray and Bentley...the Cooper Gang still needs to be a thing cause that’s a key piece in everything else.”
“Exactly. These are things you can take control and alter or prevent the events from happening. This includes a certain turtle’s legs getting crushed.”
“Or a certain mouse from just handing time travel to a skunk cause of...dumb reasons.” I said honestly.
“Actually that has to happen.”
“But it can be less ‘Penelope and Bentley losing each other forever’ right?” I asked nervously. “Like...I talk to Penelope, and she’ll realise she did a dumb...and try to fix it even though it’s too late?”
“Yes but AFTER she’s beaten as the black knight. Also, you are allowed to have relationships in this life.”
“Damn…” I sighed out. “But...now I need to double check marriage laws in that world so I don’t accidentally do a dumb...too used to polygamy right now.” I said sheepishly. “Alright...so first, I’m going to need to help Sly get into the family business of thieving...hopefully Carmalita is okay cause seriously, those two need to date I mean god. Can they both be anymore clueless?” I complained.
“Normal people, huh?” Cript asked with a laugh. “So, also to call the Time Walker watching over you is simple. Just find a pocket watch and rotate the hands to read either midnight or noon.”
“Sounds simple enough.” I nodded. “This is gonna be a nightmare...especially if I can guess who’s been funding Clockwerk…”
“Well, just remember if you screw up exponentially, it’s permanent.”
“I mean...I’m not going to die any time soon so…” I joked.
“That aside, there’s still some hours before you wake up. And I can’t leave until you do… what are we gonna do?”
“The same thing we do every night Cript.” I said. “Wait...we don’t take over worlds, I’m using that reference wrong darn it.”
Cript just laughed. “You know, out of everyone, we haven’t really bonded that much, and given our… unique relationships that’s probably not a good thing.”
“We really should get to know each other more.” I said honestly. “Considering the writers derped and an entire chapter of me getting to know your backstory was never published...we need to fix that.”
“What’s left to tell? I was born an experiment of Nexus, apparently one of their strongest, mom took me to a safe place to hide me from Vincent, who killed her for it, raised by monks, left to travel for a year, in that year met Autumn and the others, went back home, best friend was turned evil by Nexus, tortured me for another year, stole my death away, escaped that after unwillingly murdering an entire planet, founded Freak inc. Got stuck on a Equestria world for another year, in that time lost memories and fell in love with Lyra, everything between that and meeting you all can be summarized as fight, fight, a boring company meeting, fight, fight, fight, and oh yeah, fight.”
“I know I know.” I said honestly. “But...we really need to bond ya know?”
“Yeah. Well, I guess this can count.” Cript said, walking over next to me and resting themselves against me. “Heh, even wet your fur is still soft.”
“I always make sure my fur is soft.” I said warmly. “It’s one of my best parts.”
“Heh. So then, got time to kill, so how about some simple questions. Which of your thirteen weapons are you most partial too?”
“I’m not a partial person.” I said honestly. “I make sure to use all my weapons, especially when I need to be diverse against my opponents.” I said honestly.
“Your use time table begs to differ.” Cript said, snapping their fingers as a display of how many times and how long I’ve used each of my weapons popped up. Lunatic held crown.
“I mean...is it ironic if I mostly used the weapon Moon themed when...I’m a Wolf?” I asked sheepishly.
“Nah. Just a little funny I guess.” Cript chuckled. “My most used weapon is between Biohazards Curse and some Little Shot pistols I keep on quick summon.”
“Sounds about right.” I nodded. “So...what’s your favorite hobby?”
“Second to sex is honestly just going through books and such, reading about some bullshit the characters are going through, scan the multiverse for the exact world going through what I’m reading on the page, then fixing it. Same for movies, anime, ect.”
“Yeah, that sounds about right.” I nodded. “I would have loved to do that but...well I got stupid busy in life.”
“Heh, sounds about right. So, what’s the best pizza you’ve ever had?”
“When you’ve had so many...it’s hard to say which one’s the best.” I said sheepishly.
“Mine would be a Clatico Pizza. It’s this Mirror Reality pizza that has thick crust, heavy on sauce, little cheese but heavy on the toppings.”
“Sounds delicious.” I chuckled. “Hmm...favorite fight you’ve been apart of?”
“One on one fight against Superman. Yeah I broke his whole arm on complete accident.” Critp laughed.
“Congrats, you injured one of the most overpowered characters in fictional history cause Superman is...pretty dumb power consistancy wise.” I pointed out.
“Heck yeah. Then again so are we.” Cript gave a sigh. “Favorite song?”
“Okay just going to point out, I never have a favorite. I’m just one of those people that can’t choose.” I sighed out. “But my most listened to...don’t know why but it’s Colossus from BlueFoxMusic...cause it’s just good.”
“Mine always changed. Lately it’s Let it Burn by Citizen Soldier.” Cript said. “What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen?”
“I mean...besides that bastard I killed to become an Admin?” I asked.
“I said weird, not gross. For example. The weirdest thing I’ve seen, Lyra, Lord and I all went to the Fire Elemental realm mainly to explore. We find out everyone there lives in underground cities. We find one of these doors and opening them, we were greeted by the entire city, cleaning up and singing Winter Wrap Up in perfect harmony. Didn’t even notice we were there until they finished.”
“The weirdest thing for me then…” I started. “Would have been...oh god the weirdest thing I’ve seen, which would be one of my ‘alternate universe’ dreams cause those are a thing and either fun or terrifying...would have been...oh god this is just weird and kind of funny.” I chuckled. “Basically the Foretellers, still need to check up on them, decided to step in and demand that we finish this war with a musical...yes a musical, and while everyone looked at them like they were crazy, they kept it up till we were all singing and dancing like we were on some old timey vaudeville act, funniest part was Void Mother, Mother, You, Belief, Nothingness Belief and Jericho all doing the CanCan dance and wearing the proper dance outfits. It was so weird I just...woke up laughing.”
“That is just priceless.” Cript laughed. “So, you sure got used to being both genders. Let me guess, the tits helped?”
“A bit yes...me being Marcy also helped I suppose.” I shrugged. “But seriously, with how I look...I’m surprised I wasn’t busy groping myself like mad...like my dad was when he first became this if memory serves.”
“Heh. Yeah I remember. Pretty sure at this point God tier beings and up become both genders automatically. So, how’s the Heroes Tomb been going?”
“Me, Coco, Kexez and Jericho are all just grinding mobs at the moment, doing some dungeon challenges as well for better loot cause when you already have more items than you could ever need in life, why not get more?”
“You know you can sell them, or give them as prizes if you build your own Colosseum Dungeon. Know about that? Actually, do you even know about the other Dungeon types?” Cript asked me.
“Do you think I know a lot of things?” I asked. “Even if I research and look around like mad, there’s still a lot of things I don’t know about.”
“Heh, fair enough. Well there’s several types. The most common, like the Heroes Tomb, tower Dungeons. These go either under ground or to the sky and up, but can also go both down and up, it all depends on random spawn factors. Colosseum Dungeons, while they do spawn naturally, they can be made and are exactly as you’d think. The owner can set the thing up for anything from sports to fights and even spawn in enemies like Heartless or Shadows Creatures, ect, depending on how popular their dungeon is. Arena Dungeons are a whole other ballpark. Run into what looks like a fucking wrecked space shit the size of a moon or a long fucked city over run by SHadows, Zombies, demons and other, that’s an Arena Dungeon. There are no level limits, meaning the first enemy you run into could be easy or one shot you. These also have the best look and highest loot chances out of all other dungeons, but are also the most riskey. Lastly I should bring up isn’t exactly a dungeon but also has threats. Space. Space between worlds discovered and not can and do spawn in dungeons of all types. This makes just getting to a new world hard at times, which is why teleporters are oh so useful to avoid that nastiness. You know, once someone gets to a new world and sets it up.”
“Well then...that’s cool.” I said honestly. “Quite a bit of stuff to think about…”
“If it keeps people from waging war against one another for the really stupid crap like colors, race and religion, then it can be hentai tenticals from space for all I care.” Cript sighed. “Seen the people of so many worlds just kills each other, for stupid reasons. I founded Freak Inc to stop real monsters, not wars of people against people.”
“Well...that’s just what happens.” I said honestly. “That’s kind of why there’s an entire planet filled with those special brand of assholes that are too busy killing each other...or have probably killed each other already I don’t remember.” I said, remembering the four ‘Purity’ groups that tried to kill so many families.
“Purity groups?”
“Yes...I remember Minotaurs and Ponies...but I don’t remember the other two, they all claimed their race was superior on their own and disowned anyone who would dare marry some other race...but thankfully we got Heart’s parents on our side.”
“Each world has them to some degree. For mine, they didn't like aliens, anyone with magic, hell not even the miracle medicines I created, saving thousands, to them is was all evil. They had two types, one was some modern day amish group that isolated themselves, not even bothering with the rest of the world, the other went full on terrorist. You can imagine how that went for them.” Cript sighed. “How anyone can willingly teach their young that ignorance and hatred is beyond me.”
“Honestly...no idea.” I said simply. “Even if I were to try and find justifications...it all falls flat when you think about it.”
“Yeah. Okay, how about… favorite… candy?”
“Wow, we are running low on questions.” I said honestly. “But Skittles...even though I like candy as much as the next five year old, Skittles is my favorite.”
“Heh. Same. I’m more towards salty or tangy candies than sweet. Favorite movie?”
“Oh boy…so many good movies…” I groaned. “Top five in no particular order, Avengers Endgame, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, The Lego Movie, Kung Fu Hustle and Hot Fuzz.” I said honestly.
“For me, Surf Ninjas, ZombieLand, Also Endgame, and The Never Ending Story.”
“ZombieLand is a good movie, heard it got a sequel, The Never Ending Story is also nice and...I think I’ve heard of Surf Ninja’s but don’t remember if I watched it or not.”
“It’s one of those older cheese ninja movies that despite the title, has little to no actual surf. Still a funny movie though.” Cript said, giving a content sigh. “Saw it at the temple. Didn’t grow up completely without tech.”
“Wouldn’t want to be completely amish now would you?” I joked.
“Heh. So… what do you think we should do to push the front lines? I don’t want to bring up office talk but I’m running out of topics.”
“I can think of a lot of ways.” I said honestly. “With how my research onto those pure crystals went from a few years to a few months because of...Truth.” I sighed out. “Well that’ll jump start things...plus how many other things I’ve gotten in the works that’ll push the front lines in our favor.” I said simply. “Plus, the moment anyone of us takes a step out there...well we’re going to be winning that fight rather quickly.”
“The moment we do though, Vincent and the others start actually fighting. In short, we’ll need all the help we can get. I have an idea but it’s crazy and quite out there.”
“I mean, I’ve been pulling timelines from Nothingness to help out in our cause, but what’s your idea?’ I asked curiously.
“Your Second Chance Keyblade. I can modify it to purge only those of evil back into infancy. After that, we take them into the family, raise them right. Some of these worlds have true Monsters King, raising them into heroes, then, as much as I might not want to, pull in my one favor with the Time Walkers to have time. Time to train all of creation into fighters.”
“Well...that is an interesting idea.” I said honestly. “Kind of what we’re doing in the Heroes Tomb honestly.”
“Which reminds me, mind swallowing Kexez so we can pull them into the bedroom and get all those babies and wives here, then once their starfish clones and such are made, back down and out but back in the tomb. Will make it easier for them to fight.”
“That is true, I’ll ask them.” I said honestly, relaying the message all the way to Kexez.
“That ability is so helpful huh?”
“So very helpful.” I nodded in agreement. “Oh...the new skill trees are also very helpful.”
“I was proud of that when making it. Works better than just the long ass list, this way they are better grouped and ranked as you grow the tree.”
“Yeah, keep’s it clean and organized.” I said honestly.
Kexez finally slid down in and out my other clones mouths. The long ass noodle took a few minutes to go down and out. Cript and I kept talking for a long time. This steam room was nice, warm and comfy.
"This is nice." I said warmly.
“Can never go wrong with a steam room.” Cript sighed. “One of the many things swapping genders has taught me.”
"I can agree to that." I nodded. "But...I probably have to head back soon...got a lot of work to do and...ten years to do it all."
“Heh. Enjoy it, it’s not just some mission or anything, this IS your life now also King, remember to enjoy the fun times, and mourn the bad ones."
"I will...just gonna be stealing a whole lot more." I chuckled. "Or 'reclaiming lost goods' as some people say."
“EIther way, those skills will be useful. So, same time tomorrow night?” Cript asked me.
"Same time tomorrow." I said, nuzzling Cript warmly.
To be continued...