-Isaac-

I entered Aku’s room. She was softly snoring. My adorable daughter was like a sleeping princess. It made me want to lock her door and station a dragon outside to keep any boys away.

As I gushed over her, I noticed the covers were moving. I almost screamed as I saw Snowball poke her head out. “What the hell!” I whisper yelled. “You’re alive?”

She hopped off the bed. “Of course I am! I fought that big bug guy remember?” She loud whispered back.

“Right…” I said remembering when I rushed in and saved her. I didn’t realize she would still be animated though. I don’t think I gave her that function when I reformed her into that small cat thing. Then again, the only thing I felt like doing in that moment was making her easy to carry.

“Did you murder that asshole?” Asked Snowball.

“Not… exactly.” I said remembering the horrible state I left Cain in. Punishment aspects were a bit over powered.

If I hadn’t used them, Cain would have healed up and the fight would have continued until his Qi ran out, or my body got too tired to continue. Odds are I would have fallen first due to the fact my avatar body didn’t exactly have the stamina for long drawn out battles.

There was apathy that could have let me ignore my fatigue, but I needed the right combination of aspects to keep up with him. There just wasn’t enough layers for it.

“Don’t space out on me. Did you at least win?” Asked Snowball.

“Yeah, I won. He won’t bother us again. At least not for a long time.” I answered.

“You didn’t want Aku to see. That means you must have done something really awful huh? Did you stab him in the butt? Or was it more like burning him alive? Like an eye for an eye type deal?” Asked Snowball.

“It doesn’t matter. After I broke his favorite weapon, the rest was my own revenge.” I said.

“Are you going to hurt Aku?” Asked Snowball as a small knife appeared in her plush limb.

“What, no. Why would you even ask that?” I said taking a step back. I’ve seen Child’s Play before, I know what dolls are capable of.

“Its my job to keep her safe. That’s why I was created.” Said Snowball.

Oh, crap. Did that mean what I think it meant? “Are you like… another alter?” I asked feeling panic rise inside me.

“Something like that. Though I was created from Aku’s soul not yours. Compared to you guys, my soul is more of a spec. as for the accusations. You are a very dangerous person. I’d rather you stay away, but Aku is too attached to you. Both literally and emotionally.” Said Snowball.

“I get it, but I also want to protect her.” I said.

“I’ve seen what happens to the people you try to protect. Their all better off alone.” Said Snowball.

She wasn’t wrong, but there had to be something I could do. I couldn’t be a burden forever. I’ve grown a lot, so I have to be useful to someone by now. All this power and I can barely do a thing.

“Snowball…” Cried Aku as she rubbed her eyes looking for her friend. I could hear the tiny bit of panic in her sleepy voice.

I reached over and picked the sentient plushy up. Her knife vanished into thin strands of quintessence, before Aku could see it. “Hey sleepy head. You dropped this.” I said handing her Snowball.

She gave the cat plushy a hug. Then asked, “Is it over papa? Can I play outside now?” she asked sleepily with all the innocence her appearance implied.

I nodded. “Yeah, it’s over. Your uncle won’t hurt you ever again.”

“Yay. Papa’s so strong.” She said.

Of course I was. I had to be.

-Aku/Isaac-

Zubu had me sit on her lap. She held me in a warm hug. Mostly out of concern. Snowballs remains were plopped down in front of me. It made me really sad to see her like that. She was like a burnt marshmallow. I thought about putting her in my mouth, but stopped myself.

Lorie sat down across from us. She waved her hand and used the negentropy spell on Snowballs corpse. The burnt marshmallow started to un-burn itself. It was like an arson video being played in reverse.

Before I knew it Snowball looked like her old self again. “Snowball!” I cheered pulling her into a hug.

“I! Am! Immoooorrrrtttaal!” Yelled Snowball happy to be back in the outside world. She then started shrieking in pain as I began chewing on her arm.

I spat it out when I realized she didn’t taste like a marshmallow. “Your not a marshmallow.” I complained. My statement seemed to get a laugh out of everyone.

“Of course I’m not a marshmallow! Don’t eat me! I’m really bad for you! My stuffing will get tangled in your intestines!” She scolded.

“Thanks Lorie! She’s just as fluffy as before!” I said.

“I’m happy to help.” Said Lorie now smiling.

“You useless whelp! How could you lose! You’re an entire rank above that toddler!” Yelled Ribdena standing over Cain, who was sitting on the ground now fully healed.

My brother looked tired. There was no anger on his face, which was surprising for his awful personality. He just seemed to have given up completely. Why did he look so afraid of his goddess? She wasn't the one that made him, so he had no reason to fear her.

“I’m sorry goddess! I’ll do better next time! Please don’t throw me back into Pandora!” He begged. Cain put his head and hands down on the grass, as if begging for forgiveness.

I could feel his fear. Curious about this Pandora place, I dug a little deeper. Within his core I saw a hellish world full of giant monsters.

I saw my brother running for his life, as a two headed beast chased him down. My brother released a giant bolt of lightning, but the beast ignored it diving for a bite. So that was why he fights like he’s attacking a giant.

That was when Zubu kissed my cheek pulling me out of my vision. I shrieked. “aaargh! No, stop it!”

“Can I get a kiss too? I worked really hard today!” Said Ron sitting next to Zubu. He seemed to play innocent. Most likely hoping Zubu would forget he wasn’t a kid and go for a sisterly peck.

“No, your not cute enough for that.” Said Zubu.

“Ha! Like a girl would actually be into you!” Taunted Riza with the smuggest look on her face.

“Shut up! You’re so annoying!” Yelled Ron.

“Would you two shut up!” Scolded Mr. Brutus.

They stopped arguing and turned away from each other. To me, it felt like they actually liked one another. They seemed quite familiar with each other—almost as if… “Did you guys date?” The question slipped out before I could think, and for a moment, I found myself back in the spotlight. Crap.

They both looked at me. Then at each other. Then at the ground. Clearly I hit the nail on the head. “Yeah, those two used to date. It was back during their trial.” Said Pez.

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My curiosity was peaked giving me the strength to question Pez some more. “What happened?”

“Don't talk about our business!” Yelled Ron.

“It’s not that hard to understand.” Said Riza pissing Ron off. “We stopped dating because we became fun sized.”

“Oh… yeah. I guess that would do it, but you two are in the same boat though, so it’s not that bad. I figure as long as you stay away from the physical stuff you'd be fine.” I said.

Ron sighed—like he was a deflating balloon. “We tried that, but it just didn't work out. It was too strange. Made me feel like a creep.” Said Ron.

“Yeah, what he said.” Added Riza.

Pez eyed me strangely. Crap, did he figure out I’m an adult! I held Snowball up and started to play with her causing him to lose interest. Why did I have to lie? I just needed to tell them my actual age and I wouldn't be struggling right now!

I thought about it and no matter what angle I approach, Ron and Riza were in such an odd situation. Actually, didn't Alice make her avatar with the same measurements as mine? I started to feel very uncomfortable at the thought of having an “imouto wife”

I've always thought of Alice’s avatar as Aku’s sister. Well at least in OC lore wise. Of course that version had nothing to do with my adorable daughter. It was only related to my avatar.

One things for sure, I won't be kissing Alice, or…. yeah. I doubt Alice would be cool with any of this either. I just hope it won't be the end of our marriage. The fact that I had Aku in my head and looked like her made this situation so much worse.

“Hey, piss baby. You good? You look like your brain just imploded.” Said Zubu. I shook my head rapidly. Then hid behind Snowball.

Ribdena shook her head at everyone’s antics. Then opened a swirling blue portal. “Go on whelp. Maybe this time you'll come back a real man.” She signaled for Cain to walk through the pulsing vortex.

My brother clutched the grass shaking out of pure fear. I’ve never seen Cain act like that. It was probably what he deserved. However, he was still my little brother.

The beating I gave him was probably enough to keep him away from me. Weather he learned his lesson or not, I didn't really know. I just knew he understood not to bother me anymore.

Still, for the sake of my mother and father, I couldn't just leave him to his fate. Being punished for being weak was something I didn't agree with, and mom and dad would probably step in to stop Ribdena. Even if it meant getting killed in the process.

“Hey! Leave him alone!” I yelled crawling out of Zubu’s lap and rising to my feet.

Ribdena eyed me like I was food. “Are you seriously trying to save this weakling? Did he not hurt you?” Asked Ribdena.

“He did. Several times at that, but I already paid him back. Besides, if my parents were still alive, they would probably be really upset with me, if I didn’t at least try to help my little brother.” I said.

I could feel the stares of the trio, but in that moment, I didn’t really care. In that moment, my desire out weighed my anxiety.

“This is none of your business. Go play with your doll whelp.” said Ribdena.

“Oh, but it is! That's my little brother you’re bullying you fat lizard! Leave him alone, or I'll have Snowball bite your tits off!” I yelled.

“You really want him that badly?” She waited for an answer. I simply stared into her eyes and she seemed to get the message. “Fine. I have no use for weaklings. Cosmo you can have him back.” Said Ribdena.

Cosmo had this look on her face like she’d just been inconvenienced. “Are you sure you don’t want to keep Claw?”

“No, if I keep him. I’ll just end up eating him. He belongs with your weakling followers.” Said Ribdena.

Cain released a sigh of relief. Hugging Snowball for protection, I walked over to him and seated myself across from him. The trio looked like they wanted to ask me questions, but Zubu seemed to intersect them and usher them away.

Cain gazed at me in suspicion—as if expecting me to say he owed me a life debt or something. I could totally make him wear a maid uniform and serve me cinamoed tea. Instead, I simply smiled like the innocent little girl I appeared to be.

I held Snowball up and translated for her while shaking her around animatedly to make it look like she was upset. “You burned me alive! Don’t you have anything to say to me punk!”

My brother scratched his head letting out a long breath. “I’m sorry I burned you alive.” He said.

I put Snowball down and giggled. He looked away from me as if embarrassed by the situation. “You’re crazy.” He said.

“You’re a jerk.” I said.

He glanced in Zubu’s direction. “so… you and Yoko a thing?” he asked.

“What! No, of course not! I still love my wife and would never, EVER cheat on her! If anything Zubu is like an annoying disgusting sister. She farts a lot and digs around her nose when she thinks no one is watching.” I responded.

“Are you talking shit about me piss baby!” yelled Zubu closing the gap between us with a Qi pulse and snacking the back of my head.

“Owy!” I cried holding the afflicted area.

She turned to my brother. “Claw, did you know that this little piss baby wets herself.” Said Zubu.

“Zubu! That's not true! It only happened twice!” I cried.

“That's more than enough you little shit!” yelled Zubu as she pulled my cheeks apart, painfully pinching them.

“Get her Snowball!” I yelled as I swung Snowball into her face.

“Ow!” yelled Zubu.

“Oops, forgot about the zipper again.” I said. Concerned I asked, “are you alright?”

Zubu got on her knees and pulled me over them. “Wait! Zubu not in front of Cain!” She smacked me a few times before letting me go and storming off. Cain laughed at me. I probably deserved it for forgetting about that zipper, but still. Why did she have to disrespect me in front of my asshole brother?

To my surprise instead of making fun of me Cain moved on. He looked like he wanted to talk about something else. I sat back up wincing, as I put weight on my sore tushy.

Cain put one of his hands over his shoulder and made a pained expression, as if remembering the lashes I gave him. “Did mom really…” He didn’t finish his question, but he didn’t have to.

“She did. She also had the power to heal. That’s why I never died. Every time I came close she would put me back together, but never enough to close the wounds completely. Healing was sometimes painful. Like being beaten but in reverse. Bone by bone, cell by cell. She mended it all. I think the scars were meant to remind me, so that I could never forget.” I said.

He nodded. This was the first time he ever actually listened to me. Before, when I tried to tell him stuff he would instantly dismiss me and blame me for everything. “She was a bitch.” He mumbled.

I felt anger rise inside me. Getting up on my knees I slapped Cain with a back hand. “Don't you dare talk about our mom that way! She was grieving when an asshole took advantage of her!” I yelled.

My brother locked eyes with me. He was shocked, almost afraid as a bit of blood rolled down the side of his mouth. “Sorry.” He said. Everyone stayed quiet. Any other conversations being held at the time were suddenly stopped.

“It’s okay. Here let me fix that for you.” I said before generating a level one aura. Then I add in the concepts for a chicken soup.

The golden rays around me gathered together into a beam of warm light, that reached out and wrapped itself around my brother. “What… this is.” he began to cry as the love our mother gave us washed over him. In that moment we both relived the care and support of our parents.

Later

At the end of the day, Cain ended up going back to Chikū with us. Honestly our relationship was no where near fixed. We would never be close to one another. The only reason we were currently cool was because I had recently kicked his ass.

Once my brother gets another power boost, it'll go to his head and he'll start acting like an all powerful self-righteous know it all. The only way to get him to chill was to smack him around a little. That was my job.

Cosmo said she would relocate him eventually and not tell me where. It was better that way. We would never get along. There was no point in trying.

Once back on Chikū, Cain picked a room and said he wouldn’t be coming out for a while. Meanwhile Mr. Brutus, Lorie, Cosmo, and Zubu all stood around me in the courtyard.

My time here had come to an end, and it was finally time to send me back. It was strange. I found this world more familiar than the new world. I’d only spent about a day and a half there compared to the week I spent here.

It was only natural I’d feel more comfortable here since I had more time to settle in. That and unlike the new world this place didn't come with problems.

Even if I beat Squirmy there was still so much that needed to be done. Entropy was unprotected and resources would start running out. The country needed to adapt to reality. Then there was the strange stuff happening down by the coast.

“So is this it? Should we all say goodbye now?” I asked.

“It would be wise.” Said Lorie.

“First off. Let me explain what will happen. In order to go home we’ll need to pay a visit to the cave of absence.” Said Cosmo.

“You mean that thing Zubu is afraid of?” I asked.

“Hey! Screw you piss baby! That cave is fucking terrifying!” said Zubu.

“What happens? Oh no, don’t tell me it’s a bunch of flashbacks! I can’t handle anymore of those!” I whined crouching down and holding my head.

“No, it’s nothing like that.” Said Mr. Brutus.

“The cave of absence is a space where aspects can not exist.” Said Lorie.

“Isaac don’t listen to them! It's super scary! Your body like, vaporizes and you can only exist as a soul. It’s the worst kind of existence!” Said Zubu.

“As a soul? That doesn’t sound too bad. I've done the whole soul thing before. When I visited Cosmo in my dreams… at least I think that was a soul thing. My body was all transparent and stuff.” I said.

“You were supposed to forget that remember sweetie?” said Cosmo.

“Uh… I thought you said I needed to forget about your only fans?” I said.

“Isaac!” Yelled Cosmo startling me.

“I'm sorry.” I cried.

She quickly apologized and handed me a peace of candy. I quickly gobbled it up and asked for more only to be denied.

Seeing as I wasn’t getting my way I ignored her and ran into Zubu’s arms. Zubu rested her arms over my chest allowing me to hold on to them and even lean my head against them.

“Isaac don’t you love me at all?” whined the goddess.

“love is a strong word. Maybe you should stick with tolerate. Yeah, that’s the perfect word.” I said.

Everyone seemed to laugh, while Cosmo acted like a cat lover who’s pet hated them.

“Okay, fine then. Let’s just go and get this over with.” Said Cosmo as she began walking away.

Zubu picked me up. “I can walk.” I said.

“Shut up piss baby… let me hold you for a bit.” Said Zubu somewhat embarrassed. I could feel her giving me a squeeze.

I understood what she meant and said, “Okay.”

This was probably the last time I’d get to see her. I was feeling really tired after my fight with Cain. That was just this body though. Once I was back in the new world my other body should be somewhat rested.

I didn’t want to fall asleep. I wanted to take in every last moment I had with my friend. I really hope we get to see each other again. That would be nice. Snowball thought so too.