I open a dimensional tear, leaving the pocket universe I made… “I told you he would be here.” Someone says, as I look over- “Liyoxis, you’re incapable of NOT being right.” Another man says, as they walk up to me. “Hi, I’m Oliver.” He says, kneeling down to my eyeline…

“Sup.” I nervously say, as I hold my hand out to shake his. “So… I’m just curious… But what was that you did? Liyoxis has been refusing to tell me all day. ‘Said the surprise would be worth it.” He says, and I open another tear.

“Oh, yeah, I can make pocket universes.” I say, creating one right here, and showing him inside. “This is my house. That’s my door.” I say, as we walk through this pitch black dimension, and I show them to my house.

“I like to put stuff in my pocket universes.” I say, opening the door, and showing them all the cool stuff in my house. “So what brings a world power to my humble abode?” I ask, as I slither over to the kitchen to make tea.

“Your ability, of course.” He says, as I slither back on over and hand out our drinks. “I…” Liyoxis continues, as he looks around nervously. “I guess I’ll just be clear. I need to replicate your ability. I can’t tell you what I’ll be using it for…” He says, as Oliver and I stare at and watch him…

“You see… This will spark one of the greatest changes Orion has seen in over a million years.” He says, and I look around, trying to imagine what a million years would really mean... “I don’t really have a frame of reference for that… ‘Sounds cool!” I say, simply giving him a thumbs up.

“Figured you’d get it.” He says, as I chuckle to myself. “Or I guess technically not. Lian was the one who told me, to be honest. I can’t really look into the past like she can.” He says, as Oliver raises an eyebrow. “Didn’t Arigold take her away, or something?” He asks, as Liyoxis folds his arms and rolls eyes…

“It’s important. Alright? Besides, she’ll be back in a few more years from now.” He says, surprising us. “Oh. sounds big. She’s been gone for so long… You should host a party with all your friends!” Oliver says, pointing at him.

“Yeah, alright, I can do that.” Liyoxis agrees, then laughs to himself as his head hits his hand… It was random, I really never thought someone as godlike as a world power could laugh this hard… “I was only KIND of joking, dude…” Oliver says, chuckling to himself as he leans back-

“I’m sorry- I just… I’m okay.” He says, as he sits up straight again. “I’ve said too much… Can you promise to assist me, Alton? This is one of the most important things I’ve ever done. I mean it.” He says, extending his hand out to mine…

I take it, deciding a world power is someone I wouldn’t want to risk making an enemy… “Thank you… You have no idea how much this means to me.” He says, as I look over at Oliver again, who shrugs. “So are you a mutant?” I ask, surprising him.

“Oh, yeah. I guess it’s pretty obvious.” He says, chuckling as I crawl over to him. “Alton… I was wondering if you’d like to join me at my sanctuary… I’m building a community, and I think you would be a perfect fit.” He says, surprising me as I tear open another rift, before we head on out.

“Noticed you guys didn’t drink my tea.” I say. My tea cups are still sitting in there untouched. “It might be toxic for someone like me.” Liyoxis nervously says, as a portal appears next to him. “And I’m just not thirsty at the moment.” Oliver says, as his hand begins to glow, and he cuts open a hole in the air.

“I usually just cut my portals open with my mind.” I say, as I slither over next to him. “Why’s that?” He asks. “‘Cause my brain is sharp. Like a knife, it’s great for cutting.” I say, making him chuckle. “You should tell that to my buddy Slade, if he ever comes home…” He sighs, as we walk through, and the portal closes around us…

I look around at a large cloudy plateau, in many decorative fixtures and all kinds of housing. There’s even districts for shops and a single castle at the front for whoever could rule this place- “I’m home, everyone!” Oliver calls out, his voice surprisingly loud…

This fox guy comes rushing out of a house, followed by a sheep girl- “Horonva! Foozy! Come meet Alton!” Oliver says, as I wave at them, then cut off one of my hands. “Hey dude- Woah…” Foozy says, as I catch it, and give it to him.

“Here you go.” I say, before slithering off to go sit next to one of the gardens and fulfill my symbiotic purpose. “You uh- You sure, dude?!” He asks, and I give him thumbs up, only for him to do the same with my hand!

“Hell yeah!” I say, as his girlfriend stares between the two of us, then walks up to me with the other two. “You wanna tell us what you’re up to?” She asks, and I look at my bees. “My bees are hungry.” I say, pointing at the two hives inside of me.

“You’re part honey slime! That’s so cool!” Foozy says, as he quickly sits in front of me. “Well, I’m Horonva, and this is Foozy-” She begins to say, but I decide to stop her there. “Oliver already said your names out loud.” I say, and she folds her eyes, and gives me an annoyed look…

“You wanna tell me YOUR name?” She asks, and I realize I never told them my full name. “Altonfield.” I say, surprising them again. “Is that a high end name he’s sporting?” Horonva asks as she looks at Oliver. “Yeah, actually. The head of his house is a member of a high council.” He says, as I sit here a little confused…

“I doubt he even knows, though.” He adds, and they all look at me… I shrug. “Well… That doesn’t matter anyways. If you want, Alton, I can show you to your birth home, or… Now that you’ve seen around, you could make his place your permanent home.” Oliver says…

I decided to consider it for a moment… “Sure.” I say, and Horonva sits down next to Foozy. “So you’re part naga, right?” She asks, as Oliver looks away, and heads off to wherever. “I’ll go see if I can find Fullbrim!” He says, as I look at the other two again…

“So what’s your power?” Foozy asks, sitting on his knees. “I can create pocket universes.” I say, tearing open a portal to one, as they stare in shared disbelief. “Excuse me?” Foozy says, as we stare inside of it for as long as it takes before I randomly decide to shut it again.

“Oh cool, he can just do that.” Horonva says, falling backwards. “I get stuck with ghosts. Foozy can write on the ground. And YOU can create physical universes.” Horonva says, as Foozy taps his fingers. “I-I… I can make them do things.” He says, as she raises an eyebrow.

“Can your runes make a universe all on their own?” She asks, and he hovers his hand over the ground, making symbols appear, as a man with a duckbill walks up to us. “Hahaha…” He laughs, as stone bricks float off the ground and fly around in a ring, speeding up.

“This is Bill. Oliver called him that. He can bring his art to life.” She says, as Bill demonstrates by burning a little doodle into the ground, and indeed bringing it to life. “Can you make it explode?!” I ask, as his little man dances then looks at me.

“Oh, uh, yeah.” He says, and I pump my fists with excitement! “Bring on the boom boom!” I cheer, as I continue to pump my fists! The little man explodes into little black lines, pieces everywhere! “Love that!” I shout, as I continue to watch in excitement.

A brick flies through me, reminding me what Foozy was doing, as I look over. “Shit. Okay so THAT’S not how you make a universe…” Foozy says, as I slither over. “It IS how you make donuts.” I say, pointing at my newly renovated abdomen.

“Damn, sorry dude… You okay?” He asks, and I pop my head through it. “Hell yeah, my yoga level is off the charts man!” I say, as they stare at my body curled inside of itself. “That is so weird, holy shit.” He says, as somebody else walks over.

“Fullbrim! There you- AHAHACK- ARE!” Bill laughs and coughs out, as Fullbrim walks over with Oliver. “So is this a new art project?” He asks, pointing at me, and the floating bricks. “No. That’s Altonfield, with a HOLE in his abdomen…” Oliver says, looking at the others as I continue my newfound yoga.

-√Z2-

“Oh. So did my dad unlock your power too?” I ask, walking up to the honey slime mutant, as his body morphs into itself and back into its original shape, the hole now much more present, since it doesn’t have his upper body through it.

“Nah, I have had it since the day I was born. What kind of mutant are you?” He asks, surprising me and everyone else. “I’m just a human. Mutant genes don’t pass on, so no wings for me.” I explain, remembering my disappointment when I was told my wings weren’t going to grow in…

I still learned how to fly anyways, of course, I can just use magic to propel myself into the air, which requires a lot of mana- That doesn’t matter. “Oh.” He says, surprised. “‘Didn’t know that!” He says, slithering over and tapping my forehead, smudging some of his honey on it…

I reach for it, but Horonva wipes it off my forehead- “I told you to stop that.” I say, as she looks at it on her finger, then flicking it away. “Aw~but my wittle bwother~ and do you suppose he can make more?” She says, clinging to and rubbing my head, as my impatience grows.

“Well…” My dad says- “His bees are probably hard at work making more to fix his abdomen. At least he’s one of those regenerative types, like Ling…” He says, dropping the mood… “I miss him.” Horonva says, as she rubs her arm.

I never actually met Ling, I was too young at the time, he was taken before I even got to meet him. “How long has he and Slade been gone?” Horonva asks, as Oliver folds his arms. “Around thirty years now. Ling was taken by Skall, and I’ve completely lost track of Slade.” Oliver says, as he supports himself with his wings.

“I… Can’t help but assume Slade died somewhere on his quest… He’s gone missing for over ten years…” Oliver continues, as I decide to walk away. I’m not trying to disrespect them or anything, but I barely even knew Slade, let alone LING.

Alton’s been over here just feeding his bees. “Hey dude. Fixing your hole?” I ask, and he looks at me again. “Yeah, my bees don’t like it as much as I do, and well, this IS their home too.” He says, looking around at our fair little kingdom.

“I bet if I put this place in a pocket, it would be so much cooler!” He says, surprising me. “Right, my dad was talking about your ability. You can really just do that?” I ask, and he nods, grabbing the air and tearing open a sort of rip, before slithering on through.

“Hey dad! What do you think of moving the plateau into a pocket universe?!” I ask, surprising the three as they sit over there. “Oh. I never thought of that.” Says Oliver, as he stands up and walks over to me again, soon followed by the other two.

He rubs his chin, thinking to himself as everyone else and I stare at him with curiosity. “Yeah, I could make that work. A few mountains here, Japanese Spirit Gates leading to a larger one, which will be the gateway…” He says, now confusing everyone.

“Japanese?” Horonva asks. “Yeah. It’s…” He starts, stopping short as something seemingly clicks in his head. “Turns out I’m NOT allowed to talk about that?...” He asks, as he rubs his head, staring to the side in some seemingly random direction.

“Anyways, Spirit Gates, mountains, waterfalls…A good path, I could even make a puzzle that activates the portal!” He says, and with a single clap of his hand, it’s decided… Yeah, something you have to know about my dad, is that when he gets an idea, he can be hard to convince to do otherwise.

Though, I suppose him changing everything shouldn’t be TOO annoying. I’m sure he’ll come up with some way for everyone who lives here to travel to and fro. And for about the next year, that’s what he did. My dad would begin planning with my weird cousin, while she developed a spell to traverse universes.

If my dad didn’t ramble about his stupid skills, spells, and other stuff, I would have been a little more surprised they can even do this in the first place. Although, it turns out travel between universes is banned, like how going to space is banned. Liyoxis gave US a pardon, since it’s strictly linked to Alton’s ability.

Of course it was banned by Liyoxis. For whatever reason, he doesn’t like anyone pioneering beyond the reach of poor old overpopulated Orion. Or well, it will be soon, you can barely make a single mile before running into some random schmuck.

Anyways, my dad’s creative design would alter and change a LOT over the years, as he creates and tears down many temples until he finds one he likes. As I’d expected, he had my mom make a device that’ll just teleport us between universes.

I step inside the newly altered pocket universe, and look around. The plateau is surrounded by endless white clouds that obscure everything below them. They’re even built to be walked on.They stretch for about a single light year in diameter. So yeah, it looks endless.

I told him to just use holographic tech, but he said it wouldn’t look as authentic, so he had my cousin create millions of drones to spread the said clouds. The fact he was able to do this in a year… It almost makes me feel inadequate?

My dad can create some of the greatest, most wondrous sights I’ve ever seen, yet all I can do is create flowers… Maybe I could do something with that? “Hey dude.” Alton says, as he slithers over to me. “Hey, Alton. I still can’t believe you can just DO this.” I say, as he folds his arms.

“Pretty cool, right? I never thought of doing something like THIS with it, though.” He says, as we walk around in our newly refurbished home. “Yeah, I guess it’s pretty neat. What’s up with you, anyways?” I ask, a little curious.

“I’m just havin’ fun.” He says, smiling at me with that eyeless face of his. “And nothing else?” I ask, quirking an eyebrow. “YEP. BYE.” He says, tearing open ANOTHER pocket universe, and making me realize he can make pocket universes inside pocket universes…

-√Z-

Today I find myself on the Basilisk Plateau! I’m not gonna’ explain any further! I look around with my hands in my nonexistent pocket, taking in the sight of Fullbrim’s beautiful gardens. “What do you think?” He asks, as tall flowers dance in place. “Come meet Jagganstra, she’s the new one I made.” He says, guiding me over to said flower.

She looks at me with a vibrant smile, leaning down to look at me. “Oh, you remind me of Ling.” She says, probably talking about someone I’ve never met before- Fullbrim is surprised. “You met him?” He asks, as she nods. “Of course I have.” She says, as confusion writes itself against his face.

“But… He’s been locked up for thirty years now…” He says, now leaving HER a little confused. “Well, he WAS accompanied by a strange girl…” She says, as it clicks with me! “Demitrivan, the master of time itself!” I say, surprising them.

“Oh. But how do you suppose he knows her?” He asks, and I shrug. “I dunno’. I’m just a fanboy. If anything can explain it, though. It’s her.” I explain MYSELF, as they stare at me. “Did she have four arms?” I ask, looking at Jagganstra again, as she hums to herself.

“I think she DID. Mystery solved, what a detective I am.” She says, rubbing her pretty face with little leaves protruding from her stem. “Now I HAVE to meet him! Imagine if I could meet Demitrivan!...” I say, my excitement blossoming like Fullbrim’s flowers!

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“So what’s with your fixation?” He asks, and of course, I’m always excited to share! “She’s an idol, dude! She’s older than the ancients, AND she was the rival of the late Sapien Supreme!” I start, before delving more into her legends.

“She sounds pretty cool.” He says, a nervous look on his face, as my arms shift and quiver with jubilation! “I’ve got all her music, all the tours and colabs, you should check it out with me.” I say, as he takes a step back. “How about we talk about something else?” He asks, surprising me…

“Oh…” I say. “Right, I guess you wouldn’t care.” I continue, as I consider- “No- I just, I don’t know anything about her, man. It’s totally cool you have someone you look up to, though.” He says, and so I decide otherwise.

“Well ALRIGHT, I won’t get so upset, then~.” I say, as I slither away. “So when’s that next gathering thing happening again?” I continue, as I help my bees harvest from all the little flowers. “It’s next week, I’ll be doing Extrovara next.” He says, pulling a small box from his pocket with a seed inside and a name on the outside.

Extrovara’s name is of course on it, so he knows who is who. “I guess it’s hard to tell, since they’re just seeds.” I say, as I stare into the transparent box. “Yep. These boxes use stasis fields to keep them from prematurely growing. I wouldn’t want to just make a slightly larger flower.” He says, as I lean in to take a closer look.

At first glance, it doesn’t look so special, just a simple flap cap, with thin purple hued transparent walls. Despite that, it’s enchanted with powerful magic, and most likely uses a mana pulse for deactivation. “NEAT.” I say, whipping my head up and surprising with my bolt of movement.

“I’ll call everyone up, I’ve been kind of putting it off, you see. They really won’t shut up about Slade and Ling…” He says, as I chuckle. “Dude. RIGHT?!” I say, knowing EXACTLY how he feels! “Yeah, sometimes it’s all they can talk about!” He says, as we walk and slither down the path to his shed.

And exactly a week later, Ling would actually appear, even deciding to help us out with the gathering. It took a few hours of people being over excited about his arrival, but I would finally get a chance to talk to him.

“So who are you… Really?” I ask, slithering up to him, surprising him. “I’m just ME, Alton.” He says, yet I had just so happened to intentionally not tell him my name… “Right… So then you HAVE met Demitrivan.” I say, surprising him again.

“What are you getting at?” He asks, as it all clicks. “You’re not from the future, you’re from a whole other timeline…” I say, but he shakes his head- “No- That’s not possible. She TOLD me it wasn’t.” He says, but I place my hand on his shoulder, surprised as it somehow crystalizes at the touch…

“I’ve never met you.” I say, and he stares at me again. “But why would she lie to me?” He asks, and I shrug. “Your Ling was locked away, right? What happened to HIM?” He asks, and yet I can only shrug again. “Yeah, that’s all the others would talk about.” I say, as he folds his arms.

“I don’t know you, so I’m not going to rat you out. But… I DID need help with something.” I say, as a smile grows on my face, confusing him. “It’s a bit of a guilty pleasure, you see.” I continue as a devious little scheme develops in my head~...

-√Z3-

I look to the sky once more, feeling the breeze billow my hair to the side, as Colvara walks up next to me. “Whatcha lookin’ at, big guy?” She asks, hugging my arm. “Nothing. Just… Taking it all in. Earth would never let me enjoy life for long, you see.” I tell her, as we look each other in the eyes.

“Seriously, I never actually GOT to create all my designs myself, you see. I was just mr ideas, so I’m so thankful I get to have that now, and not only that…” I say, pausing for dramatic effect as she stares at me with curiosity and anticipation.

“I get to share it with my new family.” I finally get to say, as she holds her chin for a moment- “Have you ever actually met anyone else who came from other worlds?” She asks, surprising me. “No, actually. I was really hoping I would too…” I say, as I fold my arms.

“I guess it really MIGHT just be me…” I say, as I fold my arms. “What I wouldn’t give, though… Somebody to share it all with, as a kindred spirit… You know?” I ask, and she nods. “Definitely. Imagine if your old family was here, Oliver.” She says, making me choke on my laughter-

“THAT would be a lot to explain. But imagine how cool you would be, with all your new abilities and now ANCIENT knowledge.” She says, making me chuckle. “Yeah, I guess that WOULD be pretty nice. Explaining to my ex that I moved on would be hell, though…” I say, as I sit down and hold my head…

“Hey, that gathering thing is coming up. Right? The one our son has been doing.” She says, and I stand up again. “Right, I promised I would help him out this time. I figured I would just fly up and gather it all.” I say, surprising her…

-√AZ-

A man of green slime robed to the nines sits upon a branch of causality itself, knowing the greater path has already fallen. He looks to his left: Eternity in all its greatness and horor. To his right: The Ghazalitry. A tree with just a few branches extending out of it with just a few leafs.

He sits here and waits, staring at the endless miles as it shows him what he cannot have. “You come to me in my time of respite… But… Why?...” He asks, as a creature composed entirely of water sits there next to him, somehow looking around itself, despite a distinct lack of any physical oculary functionator.

“You ruined everything, dude. You hurt me, and everyone YOU cared about. WHY?!” She exclaimed, making him flinch nervously as he continued to watch. “I know what I did. I made my decision. Things have changed since then.” He says, as the world continues on without him.

“Do you think thirty years in prison excuses this shit?! Slade risked his life, he went through hell for you! And you threw it all away!” She shouts and screams at him, but he seems to have already overcome any lasting fear.

“Oh, so you’ve taken it upon yourself to watch my memories. As though they are your own. I’m glad you can just do that to people if you want.” He said, annoyed that she shamelessly intruded upon his own memories. “I didn’t throw anything away, I didn’t even have the chance to do that in the first place.” He continues, before the young girl can speak up.

“I wanted so badly to be with them, to create. I WAS an architect.” He said to her, taking a glance at her before back at the tree, transfixed. “What could possibly be so important you can’t even face me?” She asks, yet it fails to alter his gaze.

“Everything, Demitallis… Everything I couldn’t have.” He says, as she looks down at the tree, watching visions pass by, of him and all his friends, a happier life where he truly COULD have been happy. “I was on borrowed time, Tallis.” He begins again, not even dignifying her with her full name.

“And so your plan was to hurt all your friends?!” She eclaims again, another hit to his composure. “I… I didn’t have a choice. He was coming for me. It was either this, or back to the prison.” He says, as she begins to understand.

“I know it’s unfair, but I had a chance to do SOMETHING. I took it, I couldn’t let this happen to anyone else…” He says, taking another glance at her as he places emphasis on that word. “And look where it got you. A shell of yourself, forced to torture what’s left of you as a fake world plays out in front of you.” She says, and that finally tears him away from the branch.

“It’s… It’s such a mystery to me… Why you’re even here. I’m a monster… But I just… I can’t take the way you make me out to be.” He says, as she looks around again, eternity staring back at her. “Yeah… What even is this place? I don’t suppose anyone ELSE is here?!” She calls out, but no response.

“I got your power.” She says, surprising him as he continues to motionlessly stare at her. “Wait, ALL of them?” He asks, and she stares at him for a minute. “No. Just your ability to sense other psychic powers. You really got the short end of the stick, huh?” She asks, as he looks back at the branch.

“Less than you think, more than you know.” He says, as she continues to stare at him, nothing left to do. “He’s at peace. I’m not Ling… I’m SOMETHING. I don’t know what I am. But I’m not him.” He said, surprising her this time. “I guess that makes sense. I doubt I could just deny death so easily.” She says, and he nods in responsive understanding.

“Well, I’m content as long as he’s gone. Demi-OUT!” And with that, she falls into the tree, a small light shooting through the branch and down the trunk. “Goodbye.” Ling says, content himself to watch what could have been, eternity as his only company.

-√A-

I awaken in place, now full of newfound knowledge- “Oh, sorry. I got murderer dust on you-” Alton says, reaching down, but I jump away. “No- It’s okay. It’ll probably just get stuck in your hands anyways, let me put it in.” I say, and so he puts the bowl on the floor, as I come to terms with everything I saw…

“Thanks.” he says, as I gather it all up and put it in the bowl for him. “What happened to you? You’re different.” He says, as I stare at him, now fully aware of his power… “It’s nothing. I swear-” I say, but I’m interrupted by Vultrym…

“So you really ARE a puddle kid…” She says, walking over to me, as I begin to just kind of go numb. “You pathetic little monster, if you even move, I’ll tear you apart with warp.” She continues as I look at her, while Steriya, Glant, and Vilstrous just stare at her nervously.

“Watch me.” I say, and start raising up and swirling my body in a hypnotic dance! “What are you-” She begins to say, but now it’s MY turn to interrupt her! “Kiss my ass! I ALREADY wanna die!” I shout at her, making everyone but her and Vilstorus chuckle, as she lifts her arm.

“FINE. So be it! DON’T explain yourself!” She says, as I genuinely consider just giving it all up for this stupid joke. I mean what’s the point, RIGHT?! I didn’t want anything else to DO with Ling, and turns out my powers have to make me experience THAT shit.

I don’t wanna watch people risk their lives and come to the aid of this idiot! My old friends barely cared enough to spend time with me. And this asshole just THROWS it away, as though it meant nothing to him!

“Vultrym, she’s important.” Demitrivan suddenly says, appearing out of nowhere, surprising everyone as Vultrym suddenly stops. “H-Hey, Demi…” She says, and I almost reply to that, as Zumo slowly backs away, hyperventilating as silently as he can, with a look of death on his face…

“You know her?” Steriya asks, as Demitrivan stares daggers at Vultrym. “L-Listen… I need you to send me back again…” She says, surprising me… That wasn’t mentioned in the vision. “You SERIOUSLY want to as shit from me?” She asks, as Vultrym shies away.

“Do you have any idea what kind of trouble you’ve just put me in?!” She screams, and Vultrym’s butt hits the ground. “W-Well- You don’t have to be, right?” She asks, hoping her smile will somehow calm down the VERY angry world power…

“Do you have any idea what kind of trouble THAT would put me in? Vultrym, this is so bad I’m considering abandoning THIS one too.” She says, and Demistar appears behind her- “Demi-two.” She says, and Demitrivan turns around.

“Oh, look, all three Demis are here. Great.” She says, slapping two of her hands into her face, before screaming, her fur muffling it- “This is WAY too early, you idiots!” She says, as Demistar takes a step back.

“Listen, Liyoxis told me to tell you this would happen. He said everything is okay.” Demistar says, surprising her. “What? Oh no…” She begins, as her eyes widen-

“Hey.” I simply say, surprising all of them. “O-Oh… Oh no… Oh jeez… H-HEY…” Demitrivan says, nervously as I crawl up. “I don’t know why the others care so much, but could you not jump ship? Sounds like it’s pretty important that you don’t.” I say, and she looks away.

“Oh god this is a horrible idea.” She says, sitting down, her four arms now covering her face... “You’re SURE? Should I just stay in this timeline?” She asks, peeking out from behind her crystal fingers. “Totally. If it means a lot to Demistar, then it does to me too.” I say, hoping that will curry favor, from my mechanical-friend.

She screams into her hand again. “This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever done.” She says, before sighing. “But alright, fine. Have you unlocked your HDR?” She asks, surprising me and everyone else. “Of course. What, have the other cool Demis NOT done that?” I ask, making her laugh.

“No- No. They have, in a way. Oh goodness gracious.” She says, standing up again and patting her face- “Alright! FINE! Tell him I’m convinced! As for you.” She says, pointing at me… “You HAVE to promise me you will grow as STRONG as you can. There’s a powerful enemy waiting for you.” She says, picking me up as she holds me up to her face…

“This being orders Arigold and I MYSELF around. THAT is how powerful they are. That is who YOU are promising me YOU can beat.” She says, as everyone continues to stare at us. “What the hell even are they?… Some kind of Time Demon?” I ask, confused and uncertain…

She drops me and giggles, then chuckles. “Yeah, a Time Demon sounds right…” She says, as it comes to a stop… “Yeah, you’re right, they’re a Time Demon, Demitallis.” She continues… “Do you PROMISE you can win? You HAVE to promise me you can do this!” She asks, as I sit here and begin to feel a weight drop on me…

But I’m a puddle kid, strength is what we’re good at. “Yeah, alright, I got it. I promise.” I say, and she takes two pointy clinky steps back, her crystals digging into the stone with each one before she sighs again… “I’m… Going to have a word with Liyoxis. Demistar.” She says, and Demistar walks over.

“Vultrym, do NOT screw this up for me while I’m gone, or Arigold and I will quite literally wipe you from reality ITSELF.” She says, and Vultrym nods quickly and nervously, before the two OTHER Demis teleport away… Obviously not as great as the ORIGINAL~! “So that just happened.” I say, crawling up to her since I’ve got no idea what’s going on.

She stands up, and looks down at me. “I guess… I’m not allowed to kill you.” She says, as I stare at her. “You done being a jackass?” I ask, but she narrows her eyes and frowns at me. “Go screw off.” She says, before the ceiling suddenly shoots upwards, and her with it.

So yeah, she just flew off. Steriya and Vilstrous walk up to me. “Do you… Have an answer?” Steriya asks, as I sit here and just kind of work all of it out in my head. “Nope. Get me outta here taxi-service, I gotta’ announce the end of the race.” I say, annoying her too as she snaps her fingers, bringing everyone in the room to the end of the race track.

We look around at the rest of the contestants… “Alton! There you are!” Slade says, walking up as he stares at the bowl in Alton’s hands… “Hey… Um… About Ling…” Alton says, as he hands Slade the bowl, and the rest of his team walk up to look inside of it.

“Oh… It was him… Wasn’t it?…” He asks, dropping the bowl as his eyes shut and he balls his fists… “I’m sorry… For your loss…” Alton says as everyone stares… “Who did it?” He asks, folding his arms and looking at all the participants and I. “Over here!” I called out, deciding I would at least own up to this.

“I killed him. I have no excuses. Aside from the fact that I was scared- But-” I say, as he stops his friends. “Oliver and Colvara knew him better than any of us, guys. She was just defending herself, so I’ve decided to leave it up to them.” He says, as his team stare at him, and the remains of their friend…

“Hey guys…” Tory says, surprising me as I hadn’t noticed he was even here… A leg and one of his arms are completely missing… “Tory…” Horonva says, running over and picking him up as Glant walks over, while Tory explains his side, crying as he mentions that he really thought he could trust Ling…

This is all screwed… “Hey.” Zumo says, beckoning me over. “Eyup.” I leisurely say, as his friends glare at him. “Thank you, for fixing my mistake… And not ratting me out…” He says, as I stare at him. “I just find you weirdly cute. Now don’t make stupid deals like that again.” I tell him, as his troup of misfits refuse to stop glaring at him…

“I know… I’m sorry, my friends… I was scared…” He says, as I crawl away and over to my good ol’ stone buddy. “Hey, Solstice!” I say, greeting him as he kneels down. “Ha! My friend! I knew you would do it!” He says, picking me up and hugging me.

“Hell yeah!” Zephyr says, running up to us with Smorska and Pincer! “If anyone could do it, it was YOU, man!” He continues, as the three of them cheer around me. “You know it, man. Like hell I’d let anyone get away with something like this.” I explain, as the late Ling’s friends stare at me.

“He really made me think he was a good person…” Smorska says, as she pokes her fingers. “Hey, he had everyone convinced, Smorska.” I say, and she nods with acknowledgement, as the rest of her team runs up to dogpile their sorely missed teammates…

“Ah! Mistral! Have you come to thank our friend?” Solstice asks, as Mistral stares at me, then bows his head. “Ha, you too dude.” I say, and his eyes widen with joy, before he gives me a lighter bow, and walks away.

“So YOU… Killed him… You’re a murderer…” A man with a deep chuckling voice says, as he stares at me… “Yeah, that’s right. And I’ll do it again, in protection of the innocent, of my friends, and my family.” I say, as he continues to laugh at me…

“I’ll have to go give Corvus the bad news.” He says, a less than pleased look on his face, before his head spins like it’s on some sort of axis, and he begins laughing again. “Still… I’m sure we’ll… Meet again… Bye…” He says, and with that, he’s completely disappeared…

“He controls the weather, I guess that somehow includes light…” A deer-bunny-human-hybrid-boy-dude… says, as he walks up next to me... “Hey, aren’t you with Ol- I mean, uh, Fullbrim?” I ask, unsure how to talk about them, since I now know WAY more about them than I should…

“Yeah. I didn’t know Ling all too well, though. I’m pretty lucky he didn’t come for me, I guess.” He says, looking at the ground. “Dude, totally. I can’t believe that guy.” I say, as Stussy runs up to me with Tory, helping the poor thing walk…

“Thank you for rescuing us, Demitallis.” She says, and Tory agrees. “Yeah. Thank you so much…” Tory says, as tears stream from his eyes… “Tory, listen… I can’t replace your missing arms and legs…” I begin explaining, as he looks down…

“If you’re willing, you COULD have a prosthetic. Just stay strong for me, little man.” I say, and he nods, before the Deer boy picks up Tory, and walks away with Stussy. A white tarp falls over me, and its cameras kick in- I look up and realize that Mistral had thrown it on top of me!

He grins as he lands next to me, and we watch as the race’s cameras swarm us, Solstice showing me that they indeed ARE recording…

He lifts me, showing me to the whole world, as I watch the viewer count rise to hundreds of millions… “Everyone! The hero of the Wishling-Chase!” He announces, as everyone around me cheers.

“Hey!” Another man calls out, running up to us with a bunch of his buddies. I assume they’re the administrators. “Big-Coat… Can you explain what’s going on?” He asks, a worried look on his face as I turn to look at the camera…

“It was Ling all along, everyone. Just as you suspected. I… I killed him, and for that… I am truly sorry. I’ve decided that you will never hear of the name Big-Coat again, goodbye.” I say, before teleporting to my room in Neo Genesis Haven, and finally sighing…

I give myself a FINAL, PERSONAL, SCREAM, that just so happens to be localized entirely in my mind, to let out the rest of my pent up frustrations… I need a break…

End of Chapter: 51√AZ3 “Goodbye to the Green Genie.”

Thank you for reading.

“Dude, not now… PLEASE…”