//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 // Story: TOME:Terrain of Magical Equestria // by Xinrick //------------------------------// Ten years. A lot can happen in ten years. Families can be made. Children can grow. Flamegirl and Alpha finally finished and got out of the puzzle dungeon. They, and their now four kids saw sunlight for the first time in years, and the dungeon was reverted to being just a home for the large family. Ember and Nylock managed some regular date nights with RubyRules becoming Cassiopeia's full time babysitter. The two were amazed he decided to keep the job but were not going to question or argue. It took longer than the two would have liked but Zeto and Kizuna finally arrived in Canterlot after a long journey, a second child, and several misadventures. Rockcoon and Derpy were married shortly after she learned she was pregnant, and the two have five hyperactive, half pony, half raccoon children. They managed to make quick friends with Cloudy Quartz and look to her for a sense of advice and guidance for raising so many children at a time. And Aven, still stuck at the boarder between his reality of earth and Equis, also had two children with his now wife Opal, and was currently extremely busy at the massive swarm of people. Some from TOME, Some who looked to be normal humans, that appeared almost overnight. After so long…the five friends met after so long…but so much different. “Holy hell, it’s been forever.” Alpha said with a giant smile at seeing his friends, though he saw Zeto and was…very confused. “It has…” Zeto sighed…as he transformed into Kirbopher as each of their friends gasped. “Before you do anything…let me explain…” “After you lost your arm to Kajet, you went through some therapy and started to create Kirbopher as a way to experience the game again like it was intended.” GC answered readily, which shocked the shit out of Kirb. “H-how did…how do you know that?” Kirb asked as Kizuna pointed a pistol at GC. “Nobody is supposed to know that information.” Kizuna said carefully, even as Kirb put a hand on her gun and lowered it. “It’s…it’s alright.” GC said, as they did their little dance…and a Sofdti popped out. “It’s…it’s been a while, big brother, big sister…” Sofdti said nervously to Kizuna and Kirb. "Why does sir Gamecrazed have a cute little fairy form?" Nylock asked. "That is a story…" Sofdti sighed, explaining everything from their creation back in TOME's development. The events that lead to the Forbidden power, their need for secrecy and why they created the Gamecrazed persona. "That's… a lot of info." Alpha said. "Well that explains why they always dodged personal questions." Flamegirl said. “But…Lady Sofdti, why bring it up now?” Nylocke inquired. “Isn’t this still supposed to be a great secret?” “Cause from what I’ve heard, she’s no longer a Government secret.” Kirb said honestly. “And you’d be correct Zeto.” They all turned and saw Webmaster and the Netking’s walk up to the group. “It’s good to see you two again.” “John…it’s been a while.” Kirb sighed. “Way too long…” Kizuna sighed as well. “So, what are you all doing here?” "We arrived here after being told by the All Makers Sofdti was here and for a while we just talked about what it means to now be Gods and honestly getting drunk at all the absurdity. But when Sofdti finally showed up we spent time with her. Time I wish we had spent in TOME with her." Webmaster said. "Still can't believe we've all been here for ten years." Nylock said. "And nothing about the Forbidden Power." "Ahem." The group turned, seeing a giant black dragon the Net Kings and Sofdti recognized as Kajet, the boss monster that became the physical form for the Forbidden Power. Everyone prepared themselves for a fight against the creature. “How in the hell did you escape?” Alpha demanded. “Better question would be when.” Sofdti asked carefully. "Just now technically." Kajit said. "Put your weapons down I'm just here to say some things then I'm gone." “And why should we believe you?” Flamegirl growled, it having caused so much pain for Alpha and everyone that she highly doubted it. "Why would I want to hang around a planet full of people trying to kill me for existing when I didn't ask to exist in the first place?" Kajit asked. He then pointed a massive claw to Sofdti. "She created me by accident out of fear, and it's not like I had much consciousness in my first few seconds of artificial life, when I attached to this body I just followed what it's programming said to do and attack the players. My ability to hurt you all in the physical world was something I didn't ask for but was stuck with." “And I didn’t ask for it either!” Sofdti said, flying up and staring the kaiju monster in the eyes. “It was an accident based on my lack of understanding on human emotions, as you said…I didn’t want others to get hurt because of my powers, and you…you used Kajet’s model to become an embodiment of my negative emotions…” She sighed. “What do you want now Kajet?” "I was born from your negative emotions. I didn't want to become anything, I had no choice. Did any of you even know I was developing consciousness? Did any of you consider what a being with a power none of you knew how it worked, why it caused physical pain, would develop into when isolated with nothing but this boss monsters programming and the the negative emotions that birthed me? Are you really surprised when I managed to gain residence in Alpha I wanted to hurt people more? I didn't understand happiness or joy until Pain, the literal person responsible for this mess between earth and Equis, showed me. Yeah, a genocidal All Maker and her band of planet killers showed me more kindness than my own makers." "So we're just supposed to excuse the fact that you mentally tortured me for half a year and body snatched me twice and tried to murder my friends?" Alpha asked. "Also, you wanting to hurt people more is because you are a being of negative energy, an Eldritch God that I birthed." Sofdti said. "Also, you are literally saying your joining a group of people that commit genocide for fun…ya see the problem?" "First off, it's not for fun. While some do enjoy the work it's actually necessary. After all would any of you have played TOME where there no monsters to fight? No enemies? Secondly, yes, I am by definition an Eldritch God, but do you know the difference between Eldritch and Elder Gods are? Alignment. Yes I am by definition a dark being but that doesn't make all dark beings evil. Heck I met a lot back in Pain's realm that just live their lives and I met a lot of Light being a that are all jackasses and some might even be psychotic. And thirdly, yes, you birthed me. So guess what, my base code was basically a copy of yours with a primary emotion attached. I had all the capabilities to learn, grow and experience more than just the emotions you put into me had I been given a chance." Kajit huffed. "First point," Alpha started. "Yes." Every Time player answered readily. "The monsters were added as quests to do if you didn't have any friends, TOME was literally a better social media outlet during COVID." "Second," Kirb turned back into Zeto and raised his robot arm. "Sure, you were the first boss created, but you literally goaded me and cut off my arm." "And third…" Sofdti gently stood on his giant muzzle. "I didn't want any of this to happen…I wanted to see my family happy with their achievements, I wanted to be there and help them grow the world they envisioned…you being born…it wasn't a mistake…but you still cut off your uncle's arm and hurt your grandparents, your uncle goaded by you and your grandparents were because they tried to keep you from going buckwild in TOME…your rage was damaging the Code of the world…if you weren't stopped, you would have killed family, and the world we lived in…" Sofdti sighed, rubbing her eyes bitterly. "Alright." Kajit said, crossing his arms. "So, yes my imprisonment saved TOME but let me ask the Net Kings Something… if you didn't want Sofdti and I getting lose or being discovered… why I. The fuck did you keep all the original programming for TOME and not just make a copy and keep us on a private server where I could have been free and developed healthy and she wouldn't have had to stay locked in her room because the US government fears everything it can't own or control?" "Because it was either shut you all down, or have you shipped to somewhere for who knows what could have happened to you." Kinderspirit said readily. "The Government didn't leave us much of a choice…" Webmaster sighed. "It was either give into their demands, or we build the game like it was intended, keeping you all secret…" "Plus, with how far Sofdti threw your egg form, we couldn't exactly find you while you were…in some weird god version of a time out corner." Ruby added carefully. "Ah, I don't want to hear shit from you." Kajit said, pointing a finger at Ruby. "I know what you were doing with them." He then moved his claws to point at Kirb and Kizuna. "I also know what you actually were planning on doing with me. So out of everyone here, fuck you the most you egomaniacal power hungry chandelier decoration!" The other net kings all looked over at Ruby, who gulped. "I-its was 10 years ago!" Ruby said nervously. "I'm way beyond any of that nonsense." He tried to play it off. "What were you going to do to our child and grandchild?" Kinderspirit asked in some ever growing anger that made everyone shiver in fear. "I…wanted…has anyone here played MegaMan Battle Network?" Ruby asked. "Yeah, I wanted that." He said. "Sure in a more vain and greedy way but…yeah, pretty much Megaman Battle Network…" "You're an asshole and a giant nerd Ruby." Kinderspirit growled. "And before I leave, a few more things to say. Stuff I want to get off my chest before I leave and never see any of you again." Kajit said, giving a cough to clear their through before taking a deep breath. He then pointed to Webmaster. "Your design has been stupid from day one and I've always hated it." He then moved to Kinderspirit. "You can kindly go kick his ass on my behalf." He said, motioning to Ruby. He then pointed at Bithshroom. "Your design is also stupid." He then pointed at Execk. "I could care less about you." He then moved to point at Nylock. "I actually like you so, have a good life." He then moved to Flamegirl. "I also like you. Congratulations on all the children." Then to Alpha. "Fuck you for accidentally finding me but also thanks cause I'm free and my own person now." Then over to Kirb. "I am sorry about the arm thing, but I was just born and you need therapy man." Then to Kizuna. "Glad you finally got him but still fuck you." And lastly, Sofdti. "And an all around fuck you for creating me and then imprisoning me you shiny Celebi wannabe." With that, Kajit vanished in a blink of black mist. "Well, I think that went well." Nylock said. "Surprisingly, yes." Webmaster said. "My avatars not dumb…" Bitshrum grumbled. "Uncle silly." A child like voice answered as a black haired child appeared in a similar looking black mist. "Nyx what did I say about teleporting like that?" Flamegirl huffed. "Do it when it's funny?" She asked innocently, causing Alpha to chuckle and Flamegirl to groan. "Well… so, that's it? Just go back to living our new lives?" Kirb asked. "I…guess so?" Alpha said slowly. Meanwhile… "The fuck happened?" Demon asked in surprise, as they saw the 'prison' they held the mane six and Spike in turned into a bustling town filled with…so many kids… “Oh, hey Demon.” Spike said, the young drake having grown into a strong young drake with wing’s to match, carrying two dragon pony hybrids. “Did…did no one ever bother to come find you?” Demon asked in utter confusion. “I mean, not really. I send Celestia updates after we figured out how to actually send people notice…than after that well…the seven of us just kinda got into a big herd together.” Spike shrugged. “A lot can happen in all these wonderful years.” “Ri~ght…” Demon muttered. “Maybe next time I should send a notice for people to actually care about my kidnappings…” The End.