Waking up early the next morning, we packed up the temporary base and headed off. Sly, Carmelita and I were in the fake water truck. Carmaleta and Lana drove while Sly and I were in the empty tank. Our goal was to reach and destroy the back up generators, take out the guards, beast of a Super Soldier which Carmalita would take care of, and then we knock out the ‘doctor’ as we wreck the place.
“Feeling okay baby bro?” Sly asked me. “We’ll be doing a full on assault this time, different from our normal route.”
“I'm good big bro.” I said while spinning my cane between my fingers. “Just...antsy given this is going to be the hard part against this guy...so many things can go wrong.”
“I know. Maybe after this job we let Matilda and the rebels help out Mexico for a while and we take a break back home. I miss the island, and I wanna spend time with mom.”
“Yeah, so do I.” I said honestly. “I...still can’t believe Mz. Ruby brought her back…” I said gently. “But...I wonder if she’ll teach us magic? While Matilda knows a lot, I wonder what a Voodoo Priestess could teach us.”
“Nothing mom would approve of obviously.” Sly said with a laugh.
“So it’s perfectly fine if we learn.” I laughed as well. “So, how have you and Carmalita been doing?” I asked teasingly, Sly knowing full well what I was talking about.
“Good. All in all we seem to get along.”
“I mean, besides how horrible you two are at hiding you like each other?” I asked curiously.
“Heh…” Sly said, scratching the back of his head. “I mean, she looks amazing and… I do like her, but she’s a lot older, and we have a lot to think about right now, Mugshot won’t go quietly like Mz. Ruby and frankly… I can’t stop thinking about Clockwerk. We got lucky that night Kite… Dad tried to end him and failed… How do you kill something that evil?”
“If we can’t kill him we’ll just have to make sure he doesn’t get back up.” I said honestly. “But alright, after we beat Clockwerk, you ask Carmalita out on a date alright?”
“Heh. If we beat Clockwerk and I’m at least eighteen, I’ll propose.” Sly said jokingly.
“I will keep you to that.” I laughed. “And if it’ll make you feel better...I’ll try and ask Lana out on a date.” I said with a blush. “Even if I’ll have to beat her father in a fight...again.”
“Heh.”
We arrived at the laboratory, once in Sly and I snuck out and found the generators and destroyed them. The plan played out without issue. Carmalita was able to knock out the Super Soldier Turtle and we then gave the ‘good doctor’ a painful dose of his own medicine. After that we got all the imprisoned people out, through the tunnel and out to a safe town where they all receive proper medical treatments. With just about half of Mexico free from Mugshot’s thumb and a small hoard of loot, we all headed home for some much deserved RnR.
Being back on the island felt great, and having mom here just made Sly and I so happy. She didn’t just mother us, but also treated Lana, Carmalita, Bentley and Murray as her own too. Carmalita enjoyed having a mother figure again, as did Lana, and Sasha was glad for that as well.
A few days passed and uncle M and Jim had a surprise for us. “So what is the surprise?” Carmalita asked as we all headed towards the vault entrance.
“And what are we doing at the vault entrance?” I asked curiously, finding us at the vault was a little strange.
“Jim and I felt it was time you all became proper Coopers. Not every member of your bloodline has been by blood, bonds of family run far deeper than that. So Jim and I set up your own Loot Rooms inside the vault. One for Kite, one for Sly, one for Carmalita, one for Lana, one for Bentley, one for Murray-” Uncle M started.
“And one for me.” Mom said, jumping from a coconut tree top to in front of us in perfect motion. “Conner taught me a few useful tricks, and while I am only a Cooper by marriage/Name, I’m watching you kids the best I can. Conner can’t be here to do so himself, and I’m more than willing to help you kids.”
“Awesome!” Lana shouted.
“Sly, if you’d please?” Uncle M asked, motioning to Sly’s Cane.
"I wonder what the inside will look like?" I wondered.
Sly opened up the vault. Walking inside it was nothing like the game… It was WAY bigger. The oldest Cooper loot room here was in the entrance here was Slytunkhamen the second. First built to hide his spoils from the Pharaoh's wrath, it became a place for all Coopers to hide their accumulated wealths.
Uncle M and Jim helped us by showing us a secret way around the obstacles we were not quite ready for yet. Our Personal vault rooms were all next to one another. Looking inside, the rooms were all so… massive. In mine, there was a small red backpack, leg strap pouch, and… the staff Mz. Ruby gave. The top was modified with… I looked back at M, who nodded as I grabbed the staff, setting my cane rattle into it. My personal cane. Looking inside the bag, it was empty, but the leg pouch held quite a few Cooper calling cards. Everyone else got the same thing, surprisingly, Carmalita, Lana, Murray and Bentley, even mom all had their own variations of the Cooper family cane. Mom’s was a lot like the original Sly has, but was all metal from the hook to the staff. Bentley’s was clearly usable as a cane, but also held some of the more advanced experimental tech uncle M had built. Hacking multi tools, knockout gas, mini remote destination mines that attach to anything, and the cane part shifts to something like a crossbow rifle. And it was very light weight.
Lana and Murray’s were pretty identical, larger and club-like with the main difference being Murray’s was more blunt while Lana’s was sharper and spiked. Carmalita’s took some inspiration from mine, able to electrify using Shock pistol clips to turn into a taser, and could even arc out the electricity for a taser shot. “This is gonna be fun.” Carmalita said.
“I’m gonna need to work on my arm strength…” Bentley said.
“I’ll help ya there little buddy.” Murray said.
I spun my cane, feeling magical power spark from it as technology and magic seemed to be getting along a lot quicker than I’d first thought. “This is amazing.” I said happily. "I'm surprised at how fast magic and technology are getting along." I said honestly.
"Energy is energy." Uncle M said. "Once you learn how it works it's not that hard to adapt it to work with other energies."
"There is one last surprise." Uncle Jim said. "Sly, Kite, Violet, you three will want to see this."
They walked us all over to… Dad's treasure room. A half burned painting of dad with Sly and myself on his knees. "Conner…" Mom said sadly.
Opening the doors, piles of artifacts, cash from around the world. There was also l, placed on a table in front of it, a TV with a vhs hooked up to it.
"Well...guess dad wants us to watch the VHS?" I asked.d.
"He made it before we went after Clockwerk." M said. "Just in case the worst happened."
Sly turned the TV and VHS player on. Dad appeared on screen. "Sly, Kite… if you boys are watching this… then I failed. Clockwerk is not only alive and… and I'm not alive anymore. If it's come to that then there are a few things I need to say first off. Firstly, the family tomb. By now I imagine you have read all it's secrets and pages. The pages within the tomb anyway. Fact is there are plenty of secrets and techniques that were never written within their pages, and all of them are here in this vault. The old notes and texts of left out abilities. Secondly, it's typically tradition for a Cooper to make their own technique and once they retire place it within the tomb. I have not done this, as I am not retired just yet… hopefully after this job I will be. In a box underneath this TV stand is my technique, Light Walk. Much like Tennessee Kid Cooper rope walk and rail slide, With this you will be able to walk atop and slide on high power security lasers. Sly, Kite… Violet. I love you, never forget that. The VHS ended.
“Dad…” I muttered, tearing up as I felt my heart ache at losing my father.
Mom and Sly were crying too. Everyone comforted us and when the tears finally stopped we picked up Dad's Light Walk technique. Both the technique and notes from when he was making it were here and it ended up also teaching us Rope walk and Rail slide techniques, given its main descriptions and operations were written in the notes repeatedly.
“Kind of sad we couldn’t...read Tennessee’s notes on this stuff but...better we learned from dad.” I said gently, glad to have learned so much from dad.
Over the next two years, yes two whole years back here Mom, Sly, Bentley, Murray Lana and I all trained in full. Matilda with a now stable fighting force rallies Mexico law and citizens to take back the entirety of the state and began work on South America. While keeping Clockwerk's forces out of Africa they did manage to invade Europe, but thankfully their military is holding fairly strong. His mechanical army weak to high frequency EMP waves, and M built the best weapon against them. Sadly the components and needed materials to make them are still largely in Russia, so there isn't enough to start an invasion into Russia to dethrone Clockwerk.
“Alright, so next up we’re going to be clearing up America?” I wondered, twirling my staff as lightning magic twirled around it in little balls. “Also, I am so glad I figured out this ‘Ball Lightning’ spell.” I muttered to myself, the spell itself being nothing more than a combination of a few things, a spell to form the sphere, a kind of complicated tracking spell to make sure it knew where to go, a command spell that let me tell it to be on ‘standby’ or ‘attack’, and finally the lightning came from my original Cane given it weirdly had a very long electric charge.
"No. Sir Raleigh the frog." Mom said. We were all inside our special build debriefing room. "Over the last year, the storms have decreased, and ships are passing somewhat safely. We're going in to find out why and destroy the storm machine."
“Cause out of all the Fiendish Five, Raleigh is just spoiled douche canoe.” I frowned. “So let’s go find out why he stopped killing people for funzies and see what’s been going on with him.”
"Might be less concerning than we thought." M said, placing down a file. "Apparently, Raleigh's parents drowned in a shipwreck caused by his own storm machine. Might be more regretful, but still, we can't let this opportunity slide."
“Yeah...that’ll do it…” I muttered sadly. “So...onto the Welsh Triangle?”
"Post haste." Uncle M said. "We don't know how long this window of opportunity will stay open, so we best hurry."
We hopped into the sub and off we went. Sailing under the worst of the storms still going on. Once there we got in the van and drove to a location just outside his base entrance. The entire area was near identical to the game, only bigger and more guards.ded.
“That’s quite a bit of security.” I said honestly.
"Given his tech is one of a kind it makes sense." Carmalita said. Right now it was Sly, Carmalita and myself. We were gonna deactivate the security then drive up to his hideout so scope the place out. "Group it or split up?"
"I say we split up." Sly said. "Bro, you check out those freshly washed up shipwrecks by the shoreline. Carmalita you take out the guards and I'll deactivate the security lights and alarms. If I need help I call Bentley."
“Sounds simple enough.” I nodded. “But remember...he just lost his parents, who knows what mood he’ll be in once he catches wind of our antics.”
"True. But til then, treat this just like our other jobs in Mexico. We'll meet back up by the van once we're all done."
With that we split up. The freshly wrecked ships all still filled with cargo crates with a variety of goodies. Food, computers, oil, and a lot of safes. Each safe is held within either money or stocks in various businesses. This is going in my loot room.
"Well this is a good start to my haul." I muttered with a smile as I started grabbing everything I could without slowing myself down. "God...if I was part dragon this would be hilarious…"
After nabbing everything I could, knocking out some looting guards and placing the rest in a haul for when Matilda's forces get here, I was about to head back when I spotted Mom rush by. She didn't see me and I followed. She snuck around along a climbable section of the back wall.
"What's mom doing here?" I muttered to myself, following along quickly as I climbed after her.
I followed her, watching as she dodged every guard and security measure before making it to Raleigh's hide out. Once here she actually made her way around the boat, and just behind the hideout was a small government grade boat. Where Matilda waited.
“The hell?” I muttered while sneaking up onto the two, trying to get as close as possible to hear their conversation but not get noticed.
"So you sure you can fly us up there?" Mom asked.
"Center of the storm, and the storm has weakened. Definitely." Matilda said, flapping her wings real quick.
"I hope Mz. Ruby's theory holds truth." Mom said.
"Given how Voodoo and other magics work and the evidence we do know, it's likely. But if it is true, it's not gonna be fun when we reach Clockwerk."
"If it is true I will personally melt that demonic owl into bad art." Mom hissed.
"Preach sister." Matilda said, taking hold of mom as she flew the two of them straight up into Raleigh's hideout.
“Damn it…” I growled, not knowing a way up there without anything to help. “What the hell is going on?” I muttered while heading back to the Van to find the others.
I saw Sly and Carmalita waiting outside the Van already. "Hey Kite. Thought you'd be here first." Carmalita said.
“Well I got...distracted.” I said nervously. “Like say...finding Mom getting taken up to Raleigh’s hideout with Matilda...both of whom are way beyond schedule here.”
"What?" Sly asked. "Uncle M and Uncle Jim told me what happened way back, and when Mom came back her reaction to Matilda was quote verbal. Why would they be working together. Did you hear them say anything?"
“They hope Mz. Ruby’s theory holds true, they have the evidence to prove it correct, and that mom will melt Clockwerk into bad art.” I said honestly.
"Well the last part was the only part of that to make sense." Carmalita said.
"There's something going on and whatever it is mom either will tell us or doesn't plan on telling anytime soon. Either way if they are already up and confronting Raleigh, then this gives us something else to do." Sly said.
"Being?" Carmalita asked.
"Full frontal attack. If Mom and Matilda are fighting Raleigh right now then the guards will or are already noticing if he hit an alarm. This gives us the perfect chance to break in and wreck the rest of his operations set up."
"It's risky." Bentley said from inside the van. "But this is definitely something that we need to look into."”
“And then proceed to steal everything that we can carry without being slowed down, and any and all pages of the Thievius Raccoonus that he has in any safe in the areas.” I said honestly.
"Yeah! Let's crash into something!" Murray declared.
So we did just that. Crashed the Van right onto the ship hideout deck and knocked some poor guys out cold for the next week. Once out Lana and Muray made quick work of all the deck guards. Carmalita, Sly, Murray, Lana and I all then split up to gather keys that are actually needed! This felt so great. I of course took the Library area, bringing Bentley along. "Are you sure I should be in the field Kite? I can barely do a pull up." He said meekly.
“It’s not what you can’t do that I care about.” I said while walking through the place with him. “It’s what you can do that I need. Your the brains of the group, I may be smart but nowhere near you, also, you can immediately tell what is actually wrong with this picture.” I said while motioning to the obvious trap in the library. “Also you help me figure out which of these hundreds of books is worth a crap ton.”
"Heh. True, I have kept a list of rare books both of historical value and personal value- Oh my gosh!" Bentley said, rushing over to a shelf. "This is a copy of all of Nicola Tesla's designs signed by the man himself! Most of these were lost to history."
"Sounds like your going to have fun reading all of that." I chuckled. "So one book down, hundreds more to go."
"Oh I will. Hmm… those globe's are clear traps… I think I can clear the way with my Cane's dart shooter mode." Bentley pushed a button, the cane shifting to a crossbow like design. He took aim, fiering as it broke the globe and dart shooter. "Wow. That's some flimsy security device."
"And apparently those were dart guns." I mentioned, motioning to the destroyed dart gun inside the globe as I pointed my Cane as one of the small lightning balls rushed over and destroyed the globe. “This’ll be a lot easier than I thought...a lot easier than the scientist, we actually had to plan that thing out.”
“Well we had to be sneaky for that. This time we’re just on a full on assault. Less prep work for the endgame. Especially since at this very moment your mom and Matilda are dealing with Raleigh ahead of schedule. Let’s clear this place out fast then meet back up with the others.”
“Even if Raleigh is terrible...I hope they don’t kill him.” I said nervously. “They seemed...pretty pissed.”
“I doubt your mother is capable of such an act… Matilda though, while we have known her long, we still don’t completely know the real her. Let’s just hope we can reach there in time.”
Bentley and I cleared this place fast and easily. Nabbing any and all books collectable or of historic value we could find along the way. We nabbed the key and I raided the safe. Inside was a page from the Thievius Raccoonus.
“Alright, so we’re good on our end, wonder how everyone else is doing.” I wondered as I double checked the page to see if it was different from the game or it was the same.
The page detailed yet another unknown from the game cooper. Lord Jet Aphe Cooper, his special technique was unique. Living in the high end society, he knew who and where his less than nobel fellow nobleman kept their wealths, and managed to develop a technique that allowed him to view the fingerprints, turns and impact from touch along buttons in all kinds of safes and passcode vaults, essentially, just by looking at a code pad or turn dial, he could see it’s code for unlocking them and accessing them.
“That’s rather interesting…” I muttered to myself while memorizing the page and carefully putting it in my bag.
With that page in hand and some loot in our bags, we rushed back to the others. Each had a page and Carmalita got some Blueprints of this place. The next area we got the remaining keys and pages. “Okay, since only Sly, Kite, and Carmalita are able to use the Light Walker Technique, I’ve taken liberty of building these.” Benley said, taking out two large flashlights of sort. “They produce lights just like what you are able to slide and walk along. With these you can cross along or up anything. They’re still just prototypes so, be careful. Their batteries are unstable. Should last you a trip up and down though.”
“Alrighty then.” I nodded. “This is quite an invention Bentley.”
“It is impressive.” Sly said, setting up the first light trail. Sly, Carmalita and I walked up the light and into the machine.
Where we entered was a lot different, more machine and less that mechanical pool thing. “So it’s true then…” We heard mom’s voice echo.
“That way.” Sly said as we swiftly bolted.
We hid around the corner. Raleigh was beaten purple and blue, mom and Matilda standing in front of him. “Yes, Clockwerk commissioned me to alter his original Blueprints. Why I don’t know, all I do know is that it was urgent.” Raleigh said though labored breathing.
“How long ago?” Mom asked.
“A month after… after he killed you two. How are you even alive? I remember him biting both your heads off…”
“Yeah… I do too. Fun fact, when decapitated, the brain still works for about a minute or so. I saw everything as that monster ate my head, and was conscious long enough to see Conner’s head join me in that metallic box of a stomach Clockwerk has.” She said, shaking. “Do you at least regret it?”
“Honestly? No. My only regret is this accursed machine. How can I hold regrets for the death of someone who I had no ties to?”
“Yet you hate your own machine for killing your parents?” Matilda asked coldly.
“Aiding in your husband's death Violet, that doesn’t even keep me up at night. Never has, being the cause of my own family's death, that is a sin I can feel weigh me down. In the end, your husband was no different to me than the crews of the ships I sink, a stranger.”
“And that makes killing easier for you!?” Mom shouted.
“Yes. Ignorance and Anger are… two very useful tools when murder is in your job.”
“You’ll rot in hell…” Mom walked away, Matilda cuffing Raleigh, injecting him with something that knocked him out.
“Come on Violet, your kids will be here soon.” Matilda said, carrying the frog like a sack.
“I know… How… how am I going to tell them this…?”
“... I dunno.”
“Well you can start explaining.” I said while walking out of our hiding spot. “Cause it sounds like you need to explain a lot.”
Mom and Matilda both froze, mom keeping her eyes to the ground as she turned to face us. "How… how much did you hear?"
“That, as well as you two talking about Mz. Ruby’s theory…” I said while looking at both of them. “What’s going on? We’re a team...and…” I trailed off, not wanting to add what I could only guess how Mz. Ruby’s resurrection spell worked.
Mom sighed. "When Mz. Ruby brought me back, she used a very difficult spell. One that is guaranteed success. Unless… unless their soul isn't in the afterlife."
"But… dad is dead. How can his soul not have passed on?" Sly asked.
“Either Clockwerk still has dad’s soul somehow, or his soul is somewhere wandering around wanting to murder Clockwerk.” I guessed.
"More the… prior." Matilda said.
"Even if he was a ghost, his soul would have been pulled by the spell. It requires two key things, the body of the dead, no matter how decayed, and a sacrifice from the caster. In Mz. Ruby's case, an Overly, life for a life. She then told me that… when she got my and your father's heads out of there, he was hollow… his brain was removed.”
"We had an idea but, we needed to be sure. Raleigh here is a tech wizard, and he confirmed it. He modified Clockwerk's own mechanical body blueprints so…"
"All the mechanical shell would need is the brain to function." Mom finished.
“So your saying...he swapped his brain with dads?” I asked worriedly.
Matilda walked over to me, holding a photo. It was half blurred, but the image of a chrome colored Racoon with blue glowing eye and lights trailed across their body was visible. "That was taken back in Russia a year ago. Rumors say there are at least three, this one included. Clockwerk only ever ate the heads, your dad's brain was missing from his skull, and now this, after Raleigh admitted to altering Clockwerk's body's design to be more… compact. Our theory is that this, or one of the other two, is Conner Cooper, and possibly others Clockwerk killed, preserving their brains would be child's play for him. He revived them, to torture them. Stuck in metallic bodies, unable to sleep, eat, feel. Watching but likely not in control."
I stared at Matilda, slowly blinking as a storm started to roll in out of nowhere. “So...you’re saying Clockwerk is torturing dad...even after killing him and who knows how many others?” I asked slowly and carefully, my Cane crackling with magical energy.
"Yes. It would explain why Mz. Ruby's spell failed to revive Conner in the first place. In magic, the brain is the link between the body and the soul, so spiritually and physically, your father is alive. My guess, killing your family wasn't enough for Clockwerk, he wants to force them to break their, your, codes of honor. Destroy their souls, their minds, and the world they protected from the shadows. It fits Clockwerk's twisted mindset perfectly." Matilda said, speaking in a low hiss.
"I'm sorry Mom, you're going to have to wait on fighting Clockwerk." I growled, Matilda sensing a crap ton of power from me in my rage.
"I know…" She said shakily. "But when that day comes… that bird will forever regret having heard the name Cooper."
"Oh he well." I growled, thunder booming in the distance. "He will." I growled. “Who are we going after next? Muggshot or Panda King?”
"For now you all are benched." Matilda said. "Right now we can easily break into America and what's left of the European government has agreed to join forces in fighting back Clockwerk's forces. You all just got a massive bombshell dropped on you, for now, you just need to process this revolation. I'll work on getting you guys close to Mugshot, Panda King, and then Clockwerk."
“It better be quick…” I sighed out.
Back home on Cane Island I didn't sleep much. I was wide awake trying to plan out every conceivable way to break apart Clockwerk. A lot of it I would just be using my normal powers, but here, I'm limited to what I can learn… then again… Matilda has a Keyblade, and if I can…maybe my powers aren't as far from reach as I think.
“Well...let’s hope this works…” I muttered while getting out of bed and heading off to find Matilda. “Hopefully she’s awake…”
I got up, not bothering to sneak as I made my way to Matilda's cottage. Hers was more up the mountain than the rest. Once here I saw her room light on. I walked in and up to her room, seeing her at a desk going over files and photos from several piles of boxes. "Not even trying to be sneaky?" She asked.
"You can easily tell where I am from my magic considering I'm not really hiding it. But I'm surprised no one questioned me summoning a storm in pure rage." I said honestly. "So I gotta question...can you give me a Keyblade?" I asked
"They think that was all the storm machine. I can, but why should I? Not that I'm picky but giving a Keyblade to an angry kid isn't exactly a smart idea."
“Because I won’t take the Keyblade and immediately rush towards Clockwerk.” I said honestly. “I may be mad, but I’m not blinded by rage.”
"Even so. Why do you want a Keyblade anyway? They're powerful yes but what are you even planning?"
“You know I’m more ancient than I look but I can’t tell you why. So right now it’s that Keyblade’s will help me move...outside the abilities I know and could learn at the moment, and with a Keyblade I can do so much more.” I said honestly.
"Are you fucking stupid? You do know there are rules to this kind of shit."
“To let another person wield a Keyblade? Yes, yes I do.” I said, considering I was Kingdom Hearts technically I knew all the rules about it. “I don’t want to travel to other worlds, I want to have more at my disposal considering what we’re up against.”
"That's also against the rules." She said, "But… you actually don't need to have a Keyblade to learn most of those spells and techniques."
“Fine fine.” I rolled my eyes. “But I’m still limited with just this and the magic of this world.” I said while spinning my Cane. “Even if the magic of this world is pretty strong, I don’t know what Clockwerk has to offer.”
"True. Between that and these clear off worlders helping him." Matilda huffed.
“What off worlders?” I asked quickly and nervously.
She tossed me a file. Inside were satellite photos of clear space ships and humans moving cargo in and out of Clockwerk's Volcano base. "I don't know who they are or how they even got here, but what Info knows is that they are the ones who backed up the Klaww Gang and are still backing Clockwerk."
”Motherfucker it is Nexus!” I thought to myself in a panic. “Well...that’s not good.” I said worriedly.
"From the photos I got there are a few people of this world working from them. Interestingly enough they were all labeled as dead or missing and assumed dead. This group gives Clockwerk pure gold to use as money and in exchange they get some ores from the area and people he captured as slaves."
“That’s not good…” I said worriedly.
"No, not at all."
“And you still can’t give me a Keyblade because of this sudden revelation?” I asked curiously.
"Explaining how you can suddenly summon a giant Key shaped sword isn't exactly ideal… unless…" She pondered.
“I mean, we’re all learning about magic so are you telling me that ‘magic’ isn’t a good enough explanation?” I asked curiously. “Also ‘unless’ what?”
"I have a crazy idea that might work. And can easily pass for your own magic evolving."
“Oh?” I asked curiously. “What do you have in mind?”
"I know the location of a Keyblade forge, I can turn your cane into a Keyblade. It will blend in with the world and hide well."
“And it’ll still be Cane shaped right?” I asked curiously.
"Course. Might gain a hand guard but still stays the same shape."
“Sweet.” I nodded with a smile. “That’ll help me a lot.”
"Alright then. Off to Wonderland… God I hate this world…" Matilda groaned, summoning her Keyblade and opening a DTL.
“You hate this world or you hate Wonderland?” I asked curiously.
"Wonderland." We entered the DTL and fell down a tall grass area. We were easily ant sized. "Shit. Gonna have to walk all the way there."
“Says the person that could fly us around?” I pointed out.
She looked at me, picking up a small rock and throwing it high into the air, suddenly a massive bird flew by above us, snatching the rock up. "Can't fly in this area. I'd prefer not to become bird food." She said as we began walking.
“Sounds about right.” I nodded before following along.
We walked for a while before reaching a pond, at this size it was massive. She summoned her Keyblade, shooting off a beam of light into the water. The water bubbled up as a white quartz walkway came up, and in the center of the pond was the glowing Keyblade forge.
“Lady in the Lake much?”
"Better hiding place than the Sky and Moon forges in Skyrim." She said as we walked up to the forge.
”Oh god that takes me back.” I thought to myself, remembering when me and everyone else went around doing stuff and Heart grab the two pieces and take them back to Daybreak.
"Alright then. Your cane?" She asked.
“Alright.” I nodded while dispelling the ball lightning spell on my Cane and handing it over.
Matilda carefully placed it inside the forges fire, the gentle pulsating darkness and bright shining light merging into my cane. She then took a ring that was resting on a side holder and placed it in. She reached in, and took my cane out. The design didn't change much. The only noticeable difference was the keychain that was attached to the base of where my cane and the staff part met. The keychain is a greyish version of the Cooper calling cards.
I gently took my Cane, and even though the forge glowed with light and darkness, I still felt the gentle thrum of Nothingness as I spun my Cane. ”Ah, that feels so much better.” I thought to myself warmly. “Thank you Matilda.” I said while giving the bat a quick hug.
"Don't thank me just yet." She said, looking behind us. "We've got Company."
“Oh?” I wondered while looking to where Matilda was looking, wondering who or what was here.
"Well well well, well well." That… that voice! "So this is where that forge has been hiding." Emerging from the tall grass, that familiar blank face mask and purple robe… Core! "About time I finally found one of these again. Started thinking they were all already picked clean."
“Who are you, and how did you get here?” I asked, even though Core could oh so easily tell I am not who I first appear to be, I still had to play by the Time Walkers rules.
"Oh, just a Heartless man who requires that forge your using. Hmm?" He looked over at me. "Have we met? There is something about your heart that-" Suddenly, he was in front of me, darkness flowing over his hand as he rammed it inside my chest. Yup! Memories! "That feels familiar?"
"You let him go!" Matilda yelled, Core easily dodging her attack and tossing her into the water.
"You call yourself a Keyblade master? Skills like that you'd barely pass for a trainee."
“Leave her alone.” I said coldly to him. “This is between you and me right now...and before you ask, Rules.” I stated before rushing over to see how Matilda was doing.
"You act like I should care about those rules, made by those insects who once called themselves masters." Core said, looking at the forge. "No matter, I only came here for the forge. Yellow, send them packing."
Matilda and I turned around, seeing Yellow, Unum, there. Memories… "Yes Core." She said, grabbing Matilda and I by the scruffs and tossing us into a DTD.
It was a rough landing, but Matilda held onto me so I wasn't hurt. "You okay?" She asked.
“Are you okay?” I asked worriedly.
"I've taken worse hits." She grunted, the both of us getting up. "Well, at least we didn't get thrown into the realm of darkness." She said, looking around we were in a city of sorts.
“But we probably aren’t back home.” I said worriedly, looking around to try and find anything familiar. ”Seriously, the fuck was Core doing there?” I thought to myself worriedly.
Looking around I realized this place was… this is The World that Never Was…
“So about not being in the Realm of Darkness...I think we’re somewhere just...a tad bit worse.” I said worriedly.
“Well, let’s just get home before anything else happens.” She said, summoning her Keyblade and trying to open a DTL. Nothing happened. “What? Is this world cut off or just too dark?” She pondered.
“This is...a special world.” I said while looking up into the sky, wondering if I’ll see the fake Kingdom Hearts and the Castle or not.
I saw the castle, but now the fake Kingdom Hearts. So they might be here… hmm I wonder, would their versions obey me? ”Well, would they obey me when I have my powers…” I mentally corrected myself. “So about that symbol, know what it is?” I asked while pointing at the Castle symbol.
“Hmm. No, it doesn't look familiar. To be honest though until recently I haven’t seen or dealt with much off world threats, still though, it’s hard to tell if that is not meant to be here or is just part of the world?” She said, looking at the giant castle.
“Well...how much do you know about Nothingness?” I asked curiously.
"Kid, I don't even know where we are let alone what you're talking about."
“Jesus Christ whoever taught you either knew jack all or wanted to keep you away from a lot of things…” I muttered to myself while heading forward.
“Hey!” She yelled.
“Well now.” Oh fuck that’s Xemnas’s voice. “Where did you two come from?” We turned, seeing Xemnas, though he wasn’t wearing the Organization cloak, he was actually wearing something a lot like Young Xehanort from the KH3 cut scenes, but larger for his build.
“Um...hi.” I said sheepishly. “We kind of got...thrown here by some bad people. Do you know the way to leave this place?” I asked, cause I’m pretty sure Xemnas knew about other worlds and the like.
“There are two ways of leaving this place, the first is not just yet ready, and the second is utilizing DTD’s. Why should I help you, however?”
“Well, what do you need?” Matilda asked, standing up. “Maybe we can work a deal or something?”
Xemnas seemed to be thinking it over. “I do require assistance, in a project I have been working on. Can either of you use magic?”
“That depends on how strong a magic you want.” I said while demonstrating the Ball Lightning spell I’ve developed, which to Xemnas’s trained eye there was a lot into such a spell considering how young I was.
“I just need raw mana for a weapon I am forging. The other twelve replica weapons are complete, but this one has proved difficult.”
“Replica weapons?” I asked curiously. “What are you replicating?” I asked, lying so convincingly it was actually kind of scary.
“That is not of importance. If you allow me to extract your mana, and help complete this weapon, I will open a DTD to your home world… Then again, perhaps not. Most can’t traverse that Darkness without protection. I could supply you with one of our spare Gummi Ships. From there I’m sure you can navigate the lanes between.”
“That can work.” Matilda said.
“Thank you sir.” I said politely.
“This way, and stay close. This world holds… dangerous inhabitants.” We followed Xemnas into the castle. We followed him into a laboratory of sorts that held a lot of high end electronics, eleven of the twelve Nothingness weapons rested along the wall, and the Lexicon, set up on the table with strange wires inside it hooked into some kind of what almost looks like a blood pressure machine.
“Well...that’s interesting.” I said honestly. “So how do we help with all of...that?”
“Place your arm into the machine there. Once I turn it on, it will extract 80% of your magic and place it into the lexicon to complete it, if one is not enough, the other will take the place of the first and hopefully that will complete it.”
“Sounds simple enough.” I said while walking over to the machine. “This won’t hurt right?”
“Your arm will get numb, and you will feel exhausted afterwards, but no physical pain during or after the process.”
“Alright then.” Matilda said, placing an arm into the machine.
Xemnas nodded, pressing a button as mana flowed from Matilda, and into the Lexicon. It was a few minutes before it ended. Matilda did look tired, even yawning as she pulled her arm out. “It needs more sadly. But you did manage to get it nearly complete. It should not take much more.” Xemnas said.
“Good… god I feel like I need coffee.” Matilda said.
I place my arm into the machine now. “Alright, let’s see how much mana it needs from me…” I hummed.
Xemnas turned it on. I did feel a bit tired from this, but it ended fast. Xemnas looked at the Lexicon, taking out the wires and placing it on a small shelf next to the other weapons. “Thank you. Just draining my own mana was taking far too long, and with my other work and resting after sessions, that would have delayed recruitment.” He said, pulling a desk drawer open and taking out a set of keys, tossing them to me. “Heal.” He said, casting a Curiga over Matilda and I. I felt better and Matilda looked much better. “I’ll take you to the hanger, from there you two can take off and leave. Just do me one favor.”
“Don’t mention any of this to anyone?” I took a shot in the dark.
“Or ever come back. That ship is already pre programmed to delete the location history.”
“Sketchy… but alright. Not many options.” Matilda said.
After getting to the ship and Flying off Matilda was able to open a DTL for us to go home. Once home she parked the ship where no one would find it, then we went back to our cabins. I collapsed on mine… I forgot how hard some shit could be…
“Oh sweet comfy bed…” I sighed happily as I just enjoyed how soft my bed was after all that crap happened. “God...today has just been one thing after another…” I grumbled while wrapping myself in my blanket and drifting off to sleep.
In the sleeping world… I think? It didn’t feel like it but eh. I looked at the room we were in. Cript and I were in what looked like a Studio of sorts. It was decorated nicely. And Cript was in my arms, the both of us under a nice fluffy blanket.
“Adorable…” I muttered with a smile.
“Hm?” Cript asked, getting up a bit. “Hey there lovely.” They said to me,
“How are you doing sleepyhead?” I asked warmly.
“Good. So, you see Lyra’s new project.” Cript said with a light laugh. I noticed they were wearing Pajamas. “Yeah, this one is… actually interesting.”
“Interesting how?” I asked curiously.
“How to put it.” Cript said, stretching as they got out of the bed and into the kitchen area. “You know that Childhood sphere? Where we raise the kids in after they get old enough to eat solids. Well, This is similar, but mainly for pairing or grouping. Depends really.”
“Oh?” I asked curiously. “So it’s the same thing basically or is there something new to it?” I asked curiously.
“Well, rather than raising kids and all that, I mean there is also that and all, it’s more a means of getting to know the whole family. There’s still the massive bedroom where we are all in, and then some like this where it’s you and I, or me and Lyra, or Jericho and Coco, fact is it pairs or groups everyone as to both get to know each other even better, and of course, cause it’s Lyra, sex. In short imagine every possible pairing or grouping for everyone in the family for us, and there is a room kinda like this, or bigger, that does it. This includes fusions of course. Which Lyra immediately began working on. So yeah, this one is just you and me in an apartment like setting. Cozy to me at least.” Cript said, walking over to the kitchen area, starting a coffee machine.
“Ah, that makes sense.” I said honestly. “Well we’re going to have infinite amounts of fusions just so you know given how exponential growth works.”
“Which Lyra is happy about… God.” Cript said, laughing a little as they began pouring coffee. “Well, that’s something for exploring. Anyway, this one is just you and me to do… whatever really.”
“Sounds about right.” I nodded. “So uh...status update on my adventures, so currently Clockwerk is...currently torturing people in new robot bodies for the fuck of it, I had my Cane turned into a Keyblade, I met Core, and then met Xemnas at the World that Never Was and helped make Book of Retribution.”
Cript nearly did a spit take of their coffee. “Well shit. You’ve been busy.” They said, walking over with a cup for me.
“Yes, I have, and when I hit the bed I was oh so thankful for how comfy it and my blanket was.” I chuckled while taking the cup. “So it’s been...very busy for me, oh and Nexus is in fact helping Clockwerk, and is apparently helping the Klaww Gang...which is going to revolve around the second game sadly.”
“Shit. Shouldn't be surprised but damn. So, putting ‘work’ aside, how should we spend our time?”
“Cuddles and TV?” I asked curiously.
“Couch or bed then?” Cript asked.
“Bed, cause it’s really comfy.” I said honestly.
“Fair enough.” Cript said, chugging their mug of coffee before jumping back into the bed next to me. They clapped their hands, blinds closing as a TV floated at the foot of the bed and turned on, showing a documentary on… Is that a giraffe turtle?
“A giraffe turtle?” I asked curiously. “What’s the documentary about?”
“They’re called Galturkles. They’re basically the penguins of this one world filled with weird combination animals.” Cript said, cuddled up next to me.
“That sounds silly and kind of adorable.” I chuckled.
“Yeah, well when an entire multiverse’s worth of tv is available to watch, we can always find something interesting to watch.”
“Sounds about right.” I nodded while sipping some of my coffee and cuddling up to Cript more.
“I have to admit, as far as ideas this is one of Lyra’s more wholesome ones.” Cript said. “Normally they’re all sex related. While this one is too kinda, it’s nice to just be able to enjoy the company of one another.”
“Yeah, while the sex is fine someties I’d rather just spend time with someone like a normal person.” I said honestly.
“Heh.” Cript smiled. “So, wanna keep watching this documentary or see what Multiverse TV is like. And FYI, there are some that are a lot like how Rick and Morty showed it.”
“Well, I wouldn't mind watching the rest of this, I’m curious about other races and animals.” I said honestly.
“Thinking about Hunting?” Cript asked. “Den actually is working on something for those in the family, spouse and child, to train about hunting.”
“That sounds nice.” I said warmly. “Hunting is really fun.”
“Well, once it’s ready she’ll tell you. Actually, from how this world works, or whatever this is, there should be one or a few with just you and Den. Wanna spend some time with her for a bit, I mean, starfish clones you already are, but you know, story perspective for the readers.”
“Sure, I’d like to spend some time with Den.” I said with a warm smile.
“Shift perspective then.”
This room is a lot like the one with Cript and I, but this time, I was holding Den. I have to admit, this family and relationships are strange, but nice. “Morning pup.” Den said warmly.
“Morning.” I smiled and nuzzled Den. “How are you doing?”
“Good.” She said, sitting up. Her pajamas were a bright pink. Ithen realized Iwas wearing some two, a light blue set. “So, what brings you here, heh, then again you know how Lyra set this special reality inside the safe zone up, Cript told you.” She said, giving me a lick across my head.
“Because I wanted to spend some time with you.” I chuckled. “I’ve spent a lot of time with Cript, and now it’s onto you.”
“And others of course. So, wanna do anything? Questions?”
“Well...even though I’ve already heard you were really happy and proud of me...what do you think of me being a Den Mother?” I asked curiously. “I’m just wondering what you truly thought about it.”
“Well, the extra boobs are nice. Heh, and all in all, it’s not too different from how I was before, just larger and more fertile mostly.”
“Sounds about right.” I nodded. “What do you think of the Fusions happening right now?”
“I think you just gave Lyra a new set of ideas and all that involve new family members and such. Mama Russia is nice, a woman I can relate too in priorities.”
“Even if she’s going a tad overboard with making everyone like...a good foot taller and at least two sizes bigger in places?” I asked curiously.
“King, as mothers, Den mothers especially, I could do the same without question or regrets, I don’t because I only have so many tits, and none inside a special holding belly.”
“Okay okay.” I said, “I understand...even though technically you could get that special holding belly because of racial traits. Seriously, the new skill trees are wonderful.”
“Oh? Thanks for the tip, I forgot about the new Skill Tree system.”
“Yeah, it’s how I have a bunch of other racial abilities from Equestrians, Floof Noodle, and many, many others.” I said honestly.
“Impressive. Well then, got any questions about my little project?”
“Well, is it just a single world with many different area’s or is it multiple worlds to hunt in?” I asked curiously.
“Well… It’s sorta it’s own Realm, I am an admin after all. It’s a replica of each world, form each of its main areas with endless spawning prey, and other such animals to hunt. No sentient life, and each world is connected via bridges. Though there are also alternate dimensions and such that are linked via portals in each world. It’s a massive, endless hunting ground. It will be fun.”
“It does sound really fun.” I said with a smile. “I haven’t really done a full hunt in a while, so that’ll be a nice change of pace.”
“Thought so. It’s not done just yet. Cript helped me with the general coding and such, just waiting for it to generate. Should only take a week.”
“That’s cool.” I nodded. “Can’t wait to explore that new Realm.”
“Yeah. Best part, it’s here in the safe zone too. Cript learned you can create an entire realm within a pocket dimension. Since the RADIST is basically a Pocket Dimension, making another one inside of it isn’t hard, and all in all it takes up about the same space Storage drive much. Actually, did you learn about how the Storage Drive holds data? Cript told me about how Lord learned how it stores the data.”
“I have been trying to figure that out but sadly nothing much besides how it would normally work for a computer.” I said honestly.
“From what Cript said, that’s not so far off. Lord learned it stores all this complex data and physical reality by storing it and generating it in a special compressed format he calls LINE Format. Things like the code itself, us, the reality, and time are all saved in this format, and he says that even someone with a complex data and file set as Cript, in computer terms, it’s about a four Bits, the smallest data size from way back when computers were made. He says the largest file saved is actually Time itself, about roughly sixty two thousand Terabites. Compared to everything else, Time itself takes up much more space, almost as much as Grey.”
“So why hasn’t anyone just decided to upgrade the storage space again?” I asked curiously
“From what I understood, Cript and Lord both said an Admin can not upgrade the physical hardware, just the in storage data. Hence Cript’s idea for breaking time. It deletes the data but keeps the people, places and all that data, which will drop to barely five gigabytes.”
“Jesus hell that’s small.” I blinked.
“Yeah. Apparently time is stored but still in use, it’s what makes time travel possible still. It’s like… a VHS tape, you can move forewards and back, cause it’s all already pre generated. Actions, scripts and of course it’s existence all there, but if you remove the audio, effects and keep just the pictures, it’s much less of the original tape. By removing time you remove the biggest and more space consuming data, but in that same boat, you lose time travel.”
“Sounds about right.” I nodded. “So how soon will the whole...breaking time happen for Cript?”
"Not sure honestly. Lord did find something interesting when investigating the save information though. When he found how Grey is saved, it's a whole different format. He called it MFP. Dunno why that is, but he said Grey acts like a program, a lot like how creation works." Den said.
"Well...that makes sense given what it is." I said honestly.
"Still, if it's a program like this reality, it has to be making something other than just energy, right?"
"Sounds about right." I nodded. "Everything's got a purpose."
"So… what is it making aside from energy?"
"Data." I said, "Given were inside a computer, it makes sense everything would be data.""
"True, but Data of what?" Den wondered for a bit, then gave a sigh. "Guess it's one thing at a time first. So, wanna watch TV or play games?"
“We’ll figure it out later.” I said honestly. “But what games do you want to play?”
"There's a bunch, and I've only really ever played Minecraft and Duck Hunt."
“Den, I am going to show you the mystical wonders that is video games.” I said with a smile as I clapped my hands as an NES appeared. “And we’re going to start all the way back to the original Super Mario.”
9 Dream/sleeping/time displacement days (2 ½ hours waking world/stable time) Later
“Alright, so now onto the Gamecube, Playstation 2, and Xbox.” I said while bringing up those three consols. “As well as the Gameboy Advanced.” I said, “Also...I forgot how many JRPG’s I played as a kid...I thought there were like four or five...not like six or ten.” I said sheepishly.
"Heh, well there are a lot, and each one is in some way and shape a world out there." Den said, several books of notes at her side. "I remember the ps2 had a ton of games for it."
“Honestly it has too many.” I said honestly. “So, which one do you want to start? I’m partial to the Gamecube cause a lot of my favorite games are on there.”
"I don't know really-" There was a sudden, audible Ding noise. "My realm is done!" Den said happily.
“Oh, that’s great.” I said happily.
"Let's send some clones over." She said, a small portal opening before us. Den pricked a finger with her own claw, dropping the blood in the portal as I did the same. "We can go hunting and gaming here." She said happily.
I nodded while pricking my finger and letting a clone of myself off with Den to hunt happily. “I’m sure the hunt will be fun.”
Den's realm was amazing. From the view I could see the other worlds, the bridges connecting them, and all they prey and huntable animals all around. Den was happily attacking a T-rex, the giant beast losing horribly as Den now feasted.
I was facing down a Triceratops, who proceeded to charge at me only for me to leap up, bite one of it’s horns and proceed to flip it over and slam it into the ground, diving on top of it and feasting to my heart's content.
I ate all the meat, and bones. Symbi with her modifications to my body allowed me to digest it all as fast as I ate it. My body doesn’t need food or even mana at all. So she converts the matter and energy from what I eat into some other raw materials that get placed in my storage. After this Triceratops, I got sixteen Calcium Ores, basically bones but in ore form, and Blood Stones. Self explanatory.
“Well this is a little interesting…” I hummed, curious as to why she decided to add a loot system to this Realm.
I ran along, finding a bear and chowing down, a giant Salmon Fish and ate it all happily. As I ran along, finding a hippo, I was about to pounce, but didn’t, someone else jumping at it first… Hey, is that… Jenny?
“Jenny?” I asked curiously.
She looked up. Jenny’s Feral form was… I haven’t seen her in a feral form before. Her griffon wings were large and folded on her back, back legs like a lion, front like a massive bird, and body and head of a Dire wolf… A Den Mother Dire wolf. “Dad?” She asked, looking at me with a hippo leg in her mouth.
“Yeah, that’s you.” I chuckled while walking over and gently nuzzling Jenny. “How are you doing?”
“Good. Two things, one, this place is cool, and feral form is also cool. Also, Joy, myself and the others are all in this thing with you, so… guess you’re my daddy hubby~” She said, elbowing me with a laugh.
“I know I know.” I chuckled. “I’ll still need to get used to some of these things but you're still my wonderful daughter.” I smiled with pride.
“Til you bend me over, rutt my insides into my head and I birth your first litter while Joy and the others watch in the corner.” She said bluntly
“Don’t tempt me.” I joked. “But I’m glad you're doing good Jenny...been pretty busy with a lot of things I haven’t gotten around to more family stuff until now.”
“I’ve mostly just been screwing around, literally and in the sense as I’ve not been doing much.”
“Sounds about right.” I nodded. “How’s Joy and co doing?” I asked.
“Joy, since becoming a Den mother also, has been glued to the nursery. Sweetie Bell, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo since gaining Alicorn features have been messing with those, Gabby helps with Griffinstone and all that, Lovely has been learning all about Conduit powers from Delson. All in all going pretty well. All I do in my spare time aside from sex is snipe at the front lines.”
“I’m a little surprised you haven’t been forcing the Front line in our favor.” I said honestly. “I know you are strong enough to do it.”
“Yeah, fighting for an army is different for me. Normally I’m shooting at the government, not for the government. But Nothingness infused bullets from a cannon rifle that gave Seras Victoria an orgasem from looking at it helps deal damage to the bigger Void Beasts.”
“Bitches love Cannons after all.” I chuckled.
“That she does, and so do I. I even shot that Ben Ten bad guy Vilgax. Asshole dodged but I got his leg.”
“Please tell me that bullet can be traced.” I said hopefully.
“Sorry, I don’t use Tracer bullets.”
“Damn it.” I growled. “I need to capture, and promptly torture every single bit of information out of him, and enjoy it way too much so I can find Void Key and make him wish he was never created to begin with.”
“Huh. Well Vilgax, and sometimes his clones, walk around the front lines often. Mostly his clones since I shot him.”
“Oh he has clones?” I asked.
“Yup. Spoild’s work, Numbers tattooed along their body. I know I shot the original though, lately her clones all wear the same white jumpsuits, numbers either on the clones skin or the suit, and this Vilgax wore what he wore from classic Ben Ten show.” Jenny said, finishing the leg and not biting into the head of the hippo.
“And from what I remember, Spoild’s clones probably wouldn’t know anything, even if I could come up with something that gets me to Vilgax proper.” I sighed out. “Capture a few anyways, I just want to torture the fucker since he’s Void Key’s right hand.”
“Huh, guess I can try out those capture bullets then.” Jenny said, scarfing down half the hippo’s head.
“Thank you.” I nodded. “Seriously, even if I’m getting the proper directions from the Quest...I still want to murder Void Key.”
“Given what he did to Coco, not surprised. So, wanna head back to hunting prey? I think I saw Heart up by the river.”
“Yes please.” I said happily. “I haven’t hunted in a while, so this helps me get some well deserved stretching.”
As Jenny finished and snagged another Hippo, I headed up the river, finding Heart as Jenny said. While they were, actually, they were naked, but I guess they don’t have a feral form. They were spring attacking the water, nabbing fish and adding to a fair sized pile they had already behind them.
“Hello there my fluffy snake.” I said with a warm smile.
They looked up seeing me and smiled. “Hey King.” They said, coiling up to sit on their own snake half body. “This place is cool, and from what I read about Floof Noodles from that book we got from that library, I thought I’d give hunting a try.”
“How’s hunting working out for ya?” I asked curiously.
“Well, according to that book, Floof Noodles mainly hunt in two ways, spring out like I was doing for fish, and crushing strangulation for larger prey. I’ve mostly just been trying the spring thing.”
“So either act like a springtrap for fish, or act like a Boa Constrictor huh?” I hummed curiously.
“Well that or slither up to/along their body and start eating them whole and alive. Floof Noodle/Naga jaws are meant to unhinge, not chomp down, at least not hard. While mine can more easily break bones trying to do that to something bigger in my bite will force my jaw to unhinge. Also, naked because everyone else is.”
“That’s because everyone else is in their feral forms.” I said honestly.
“Well sadly floof noodles do not have feral forms.” At that moment we saw Mama Russia jump from someplace into the water, pulling out a giant fish from deeper in the water, compared to her size though it was more like a large puddle, and ate it. “She’s also very nice.” Heart said, pointing at Mama Russia.
“I mean, she really is.” I said honestly. “Still don’t know why she has that russian accent though…”
“Hmm, she’s part Kexez right?”
“She’s me, Kexez and Jericho.” I said honestly. “What? You're saying your part Russian or something?’
“My family is literally from all parts of the world. Yes I am. I’m part every race back on earth. Speaking of, where did Kexez go?” Heart asked, looking around. “I came here with them for some bonding and a lot of talking.”
“No idea…” I said while looking around as well. “They shouldn’t be too hard to miss…”
A bit of looking around I spotted Kexez in the water, swimming around and attacking Crocodiles. “Huh, that’s impressive.” Heart said.
“Impressive indeed.” I said honestly. “Oh, did you see the giant Battle Arena above the Castle?”
“Yeah I saw it. Surprised to see it. You know, I used to hate hunting, now it’s kinda fun. Granted, I’m not eating that raw.” Heart pointed a thumb at their pile of fish. “Taste wise it’s okay for me, I just prefer to cook.”
“Yeah, nothing beats cooked food, but raw...well it’s been weirdly good ever since I got like this.” I said honestly.
“Eh, biology I guess.” Heart shrugged. “Symbi is fun to talk with. Kinda nice knowing I’m not alone, when I go anywhere alone.”
“That is both nice...but also creepy when you say it like that.” I said honestly.
“Heh. I actually did ask her if I fused with Jericho and Coco would that fusion be a Symbi too, she said likely. Gonna try that fusion thing out at some point.”
“Yeah so just by exponential growth we have a literal infinite amount of fusion combinations…” I brought up. “And then there’s the fact that, even if we’re all technically fused together...some fusions are just downright stronger in every way possible…”
“Heh, well it’s definitely something. I’m gonna start making a fire now. If you hunt anything you wanna cook, let me know.”
“Alright.” I nodded while nuzzling Heart happily.
Heart gave me a tight full body hug. Once they did I ran off, sniffing around then rushing up along one of the bridges to the other worlds. The world I ran onto must be Equestrian, because there was Ursa Majors and Manticores and the general terrain was the same, just minus the buildings and all that.
“God...it’s been ages…” I muttered while just enjoying the landscape of Equestria. “After everything that happened...god it’s been a while…” I was kind of at a loss for words at how nostalgic it felt to be in a simple Equestrian environment after all this time.
As I walked around, enjoying the local magical wildlife, some of the fruits and all that too, enjoying everything. I came to the area where Ponyville would be, lots of bears, rabbits, deers, all that tasty meat.
“I know this is a Hunting Realm but...I wonder if any Equestrian residents are just hanging out here?” I wondered to myself.
I ran around, sniffing and searching but found nothing. Not a single pony, griffon, zebra, or even yak. No life that would be of intelligence on an Equestrian world though. Either way, I continued my run, hunting the smaller prey and enjoying all the new tastes and smells.
“This is nice.” I said happily.
I ran along to the next world over the bridge. This one was a thick jungle filled with strange animals I've never seen before. I nabbed this flying… thing and it tasted a lot like a bear but mixed with fish.
“Okay this world is...weird.” I started. “Foods good though.”
I hunted here for a while longer, finding this world had animals made plants. They were interesting, like veggies, or fruits, mixed with various meats. This one flower bear thing had a taste I've never had before. It's not bad, kinda tangy.
“Well, this is interesting.” I said honestly. “Wonder if they have anything to do with the plant people I made a while ago?”
As I happily ate away, I heard the bowel of someone else. I didn't quite recognize them. Running along towards them I saw a Dire wolf, like all of us, a Den Mother, eating at this… Elephant… turtle… monkey thing. Wait… Memories from raising her in the Childhood time bubble came back… Nancy.
“Dear lord how you’ve grown.” I said warmly while walking over to Nancy. “How are you doing Nancy?”
She looked over at me. No longer the angry pup who hated me. Even so, once she turned one her memories from her life as a Ventral, but she was now just Nancy, my daughter and skilled fighter. Despite being part Equine from her mom Rarity, she was more dire wolf, only her ears looked pony, though she did develop a natural hair streak of color from Rarity along her head and tail. She walked over to me, nuzzling me happily and placing that… was that a heart? She placed it down. "Hi Papa." She said happily.
“How’s my wonderful daughter doing?” I asked lovingly.
"Papa, I'm the same gender as you. But I'm doing well. Mostly I've been studying and all that." Right, heh, just like her old life, she wants to be a baker. "Making pastries with the milk this family makes, they might as well be potions I swear."
“You still call me papa even though I’m both genders.” I pointed out. “And yes, baking in this family has blurred the line between ‘are we just making pastries or ambrosia?’.” I chuckled.
"Well, my earliest memories you were still only a male, it just feels right. And yes these "pastries" range from believable to up right cursed I swear."
“Cursed? I don’t remember them being cursed.” I said honestly.
“You’ve never baked using Mama Jericho’s milk then.”
“I have barely baked to begin with.” I said honestly.
“Well, one muffin baked with Mama Jericho’s milk turned Mama Derpy into a… Well, let’s just say we have few… trillion new asteroids in space now. They were all lifeless worlds, thankfully.”
“What?” I asked slowly.
“Yeah apparently for kids, it’s harmless, but for adults it makes your Lunatic Berzerk mode look like a temper tantrum. That said, here.” From her Assistant, Nancy pulled out a basket of muffins. “Something tells me you can make better use of those nukes in pastry form.”
“Um...sure.” I said while taking the basket and putting it into my Assistant to hold.
“That said, there’s others that were just funny or made sense. Mama Twilight’s milk when baked into a pastry boosts the eaters intelligence by a crazy ammout, as well as their mana reserves, Mama Rarity’s milk increases ones attractiveness to the opposite sex, or in our case, all sexes. Yours actually boost milk production in pregnant and nursing moms.”
“Well that’s interesting.” I said honestly.
“Yeah. Yours and Twilights are my best sellers so far.”
“Yeah, that sounds right.” I nodded. “Hopefully everyone else’s milk is fine enough to use.”
“Most are, actually a lot of people just wanna buy the milk bottled. As such I’ve been… heh, building a milking farm for everyone…” Nancy said awkwardly. “Basically a massive building, lots of starfish clones of everyone, massive tanks for the milk for each, and a lot of breast pumps. When I sold a bottle of your milk Papa, they legit paid me over ten thousand rem for one bottle! Then they wanted mine. To be honest it’s all kinda weird but eh, people have their tastes and fetishes.”
“It’s not really a fetish cause this has been a thing way before any of this started. Back when I first got to Equestria, people were using breast milk instead of cow milk cause Breast Milk was, and I suppose is, a more ready source.”
“Well either way, I spoke with Cript, since they actually cover the kingdoms market and they did say if the crown sold its own milk, given popularity of individuals and all that, would be a bestseller, and since we produce endlessly, can sell it for super cheap. So while the milk barn gets built back in the safe room my little pastry shop is making due with like ten clones of myself working 24/7 and milking each other for sales. Heh, at least business is good.”
“I’m so proud of you.” I said while nuzzling Nancy happily.
“Aww thanks papa.” Nancy said, planting a kiss right on my lips… right, this is normal… still, awkward.
“You’re welcome my daughter.” I said warmly.
“I’ll see you around papa, and stop by my shop, pretty sure if you showed up business would go crazy.”
With that we went in different ways to keep hunting. As I ran along, Isaw this flash. Surprised I headed towards that way. I found… Dinky! Dinky… right, I remember… The Hero’s Tomb… she’s the Admin of Life, Vincent’s other half, and doesn’t even know it...
“Hey Dinky.” I said while walking over to her. “How you doing?”
She looked over to me, still in her pony/wolf form. No feral form. “Hey dad. Sorry I didn’t say I was home but I’m mostly here for studies. When Mama Den made this and brought back a lot of extinct life, I'm here to catalog and study them.”
“That’s good.” I nodded with a warm smile. “How’s work been?”
“Pretty good. I actually met someone.”
“And...who would that be?” I asked slowly.
“His name is Conner, a bit older but really smart and kind. He’s actually a sinor.”
“That’s...great.” I said, not sure how to explain it to her given what I know. “But if there’s anything weird with him, come to me okay?”
“Heh, the only thing weird about him is his hair color choice. Seriously, dyed Camo Blue. Heh, has no taste in fashion.”
“Well then...when am I going to meet him?”
“I have some vacation days coming up in a month, maybe then? Though it’s a little soon dad, we’ve only been dating for two months… or is it late? First boyfriend so I’m not really sure when soor and late are…”
“I’d say that’s a little late.” I said honestly. “Is there any noticeable quirks about him besides his fashion sense?”
“Not really, aside from his intelligence. But that makes sense, this school isn’t exactly one any rich kid can cash out to enter, you either have the brains for it or not.”
“Yeah that makes sense.” I said honestly.
“I met him in my Advanced Biology class. He forgot his books and we just shared one and copied one anothers notes. He realized that despite being a freshman I had the smarts of a sinor, and I was interested in his applications into Biotech for reviving long since extinct or dying animals. Hence why I'm here, plenty of data and DNA samples to construct with.”
“Cool.” I nodded. “I’m sure your research will lead to great things.”
“Heh, that’s the idea.” Dinky said with a smile. “So… can you not… hunt around here for the next few hours? I’d rather not lose valuable specimens.”
“Alright, I won’t hunt around here for a bit.” I said honestly, gently nuzzling Dinky. “I’m glad you're doing well in your studies.”
“Glad to be studying. Heh, sound like such a nerd saying that.”
I left Dinky to her work, still worried about this Conner is Vincent. Even so, I’ll have to ask the Time Walkers, assuming they tell me anything. Oh shit I gotta wake up now.
“Bro… Bro!” Sly yelled in my ear.
“No need to shout…” I grumbled while waking. “Just give me five more minutes…” I groaned while rolling away from Sly. “I’m too comfy…”
“Uh… I can see that…” Confused, I opened my eyes… only to find I was in Matilda’s arms, my head resting just below their breasts. “Do I even wanna know or…?”
“I fell asleep in my own bed without her here…” I blushed brightly. “Uh...why is Matilda here?” I asked nervously.
“That’s what I wanna know… and before mom gets here.”
“Hm?” Matilda said, waking up and stretching. “Wait… I swore I…” Her face then blushed bright when she saw me and that this was my cottage. She then bolted out the window.
“Well… what was that about?” Sly asked.
“Now listen...I’m not saying I can’t at least try to get two girlfriends.” I said slowly and nervously.
Sly just gave me a deadpan look. “I’m gonna pretend I did not just hear my baby brother say that. In any case, at least I’m not the only one who woke up in a girl's arms.” They said, blushing as they scratched the back of their head.
“How fluffy was Carmalita’s tail?” I teased.
“Well, wait, no no no, I was a gentleman about it. She came into my cottage to check on me and… I Was just crying after… yesterday's discovery. She ended up with me all night and in the morning. Nothing happened, just some cuddling. Though we did agree to try it again. That being said, it’s almost mid afternoon baby bro, and you are lucky I Showed up here and not mom, she’d have strangled Matilda if she found you two like that.”
“We were just cuddling after...yesterday…” I sighed out. “I couldn’t really go to Lana cause her dad would have snapped at me...so Matilda was here at least…” I said while getting out of bed and stretching.
“Heh, well in any case I guess it helped both of us a bit, though if mom finds out she will kill you both.” Sly said with a laugh. “Also, you are still chasing after Lana, I don’t think she’s into you.”
“Well...it’s either me, or I help Murray get a girlfriend.” I said honestly. “Given how those two are around each other and they’ve basically trained the most together.” I pointed out logically.
“True, given they are both heavy lifters.” Sly said. “Well, it’s the afternoon already, best head on out and maybe later on you and Matilda should have a talk. Given what just happened.”
“Really should…” I said nervously. “So, we heading to Muggshot or Panda King next?” I asked curiously.
“Not for a while first. For now, we let Matilda and the rebels do their thing, and once they are close we get sent in. Hey, give us time to do stuff.”
“Like train, hang out, and a lot of other things.” I said honestly.
“And date, well, yeah and date.” Sly said with a chuckle.
With a laugh we headed out. I was starving and most of today was spent training and thinking. Though later I did sneak back over to Matilda’s to see why she was in my bed and all that. She was in her cottage, like last night with paperwork at her desk.
“So…” I started while entering her cottage. “Mind uh...explaining why you were in my bed?”
She stiffened up. “Heh… well… With all that happened at Raleigh’s and then last night with all that… it was a lot to process and I wanted to make sure you were actually asleep and not doing god knows what with your new Keyblade. I saw you were sleeping and just… I remember thinking you looked a lot like Conner, your dad. After that… I guess I fell asleep there.”
“As long as you didn’t do anything weird to me in my sleep.” I said simply.
“N-No no no! Nothing like that!” She said, panicked before sighing. “I really did love your dad. And I know what I did to your mom and such was… is unforgivable, I’ve made my peace with that… still, thinking about Conner just… it hurts. I always wanted to tell him properly how I felt, but after what I did he hated me as much as everyone else, and he was justified in that. I’ve kept these emotions buried ever since he died, and now I see that… I guess I finally reached my breaking point.”
I gently moved over and put a consoling hand on her shoulder. “I understand…” I said gently. “But...I’m at least here, and hopefully mom won’t snap at me…”
“Heh, she’ll snap at me before you. Even so, you’re so young. Fuck I’m old enough to be your mom and even though you are aparently older than you say, or whatever or however you are works, all I know is that now, you are a child, and you are Violet and Conner Coopers son. It would not be right regardless.”
“We’ll work through it.” I said simply. “It doesn’t have to be now, but it’ll happen later. I’m my own person who can be with whoever I want.”
“Heh, you’re sweet but no. I promised I’d keep you safe, nothing less… and nothing more.” She said, taking my hand off her.
To be continued...