Battle of the Multiverse

[Corzak The Mighty]

Nyx's eyes filled with unbridled vitriol as Chang'e prattled on and on about her plots and plans, her manipulations to this... "Marlore". For some reason it felt... oddly familiar to her, though she admittedly couldn't a finger on it. Either way, it was clear Chang'e had a hand in the destruction of this place too. Seemed she was really good at that.

"Guess Chang'e had her fun in this place too." Nyx let out an exasperated sigh, before her eyes drifted over to the skeleton on the floor. She wondered who this person was... what were their thoughts? Did he know Chang'e? Trust her even? Is that how she got into this place and ultimately killed him? And possibly even gotten everyone else here killed as well....

Her eyes drifted over to the massive tank. "So if Chang'e isn't full of shit, that possesses Rangis' power... do you think something like that could help us put that bitch down?"
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Owlzarus, spying the wracking bolts of the Wyvern King slice their way toward him, slithering like feel serpents through the air, was forced to defend himself, even as Tenchi Orion assailed the abomination. But before he channeled his runes into a last-ditch defense, he watched as the assault faded before his very eyes, blocked by darkness and blinding light conjured by their very own ally, Evoex. The antiquarian's gaze shifted toward Evoex, before his expression upturned into a smile.

"You are always full of surprises, aren't you Evoex?" Owlzarus mused to the glitching entity. He glanced briefly to his glitching, pixelated wing, before orange runes danced from his hand to the pinion. Time seemed to reverse on the limb as it reverted to its original state, unaffected by Evoex's affliction. He returned his gaze to Evoex, though his posture seemed to falter slightly. The expenditure of power was something he was not used to... to use his powers over time so extensively was beginning to wear on his body. The battle was far from over, but the antiquarian admitted to himself he was unsure how much more of his strength he could risk utilizing.

Owlzarus staggered slightly, as the orange runes around him briefly faltered. Raising a hand to Evoex, Owlzarus conjured a miniature microcosm in between his hands, a swirling vortex of time-space contained within the antiquarian's orange runes, before he drifted the sphere over to Evoex. "I am spent for now... I will need to support rather than fight directly. Take this... it possesses a portion of my power. Use it when the opportunity presents itself."
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Immanuel's body was bent, broken, worn into by the weight of Chang'es assault. The earth snarled, animated through the Corrupted Core's infernal magics, assailing Immanuel's divine form with its power. To think, a creature like this could best him... he knew the strength of their foe was unfathomable, yet even he could feel his spirit break before her power. Such a creature ould not - nay, should not - exist. It was the same as It'Lok'Ran'To, a destroyer among destroyers.

But he found himself saved by the Fusion Warrior's grace; before the earth could rise and devour him, skewer him with stone shards like the fangs of a ravenous beast, he found himself freed from its grasp. The God of Light's form shimmered for a moment in acknowledgement of the warrior, before his mind drifted to the form of Chang'e, and the clarion call of Hercules. Immanuel's wings spread wide, as the god prepared to enter the fray, but he was given pause when he was greeated by two flashes of energy: one, a hazy violet flame; another, a black void licked with shadow.

From the violet-flamed flash emerged a great, regal knight, clad in dark armor licked with purple flame. Great plumage erupted from the back of the figure's helm, as a long flowing violet cape danced behind him, licked with flame. The figure stamped a long handled glaive onto the ground. From the ravenous void emerged a figure in an ebony cloak, hundreds of tassels slithering from the figure's slender frame like the tentacles of a great squid. Chains and sigils of silver adorn the figure's frame, with a black veil obscuring their "face".

Immanuel was visibly taken aback by the appearance of these figures. "Tyr... Umbra... you have shown yourselves after so long... but why? Why now?"

The knightly figure bowed his head. "Forgive me, brother... I sought to know peace after our conflict. But I could not let this evil be left unhindered."

"Nor shall I," the robed figure hissed, eyeing Chang'e. "Let us end this. Together."

Immanuel acknowledged his siblings as best his eldritch form could. "Umbra, shall we like old times?"

The robed figure nodded, as she raised her hands up, as a swirl of darkness emerged around her, the tassels of her robe dancing to form a vortex of destructive entropy. Tyr looked to the battle against Tannin, before his form flared with violet flame. "I shall assist in battling the Tyrant of Wrath. You two can handle the abomination!"

In a flash of flame, Tyr was gone, leaving the two siblings alone. Umbra reached out a hand toward the monstrous form of the End of All, as the vortex around her intensified and began to manifest itself around the Corrupted Heart. Around the form of Chang'e, a ravenous void opened up, tendrils of inky blackness erupting like the tentacles of a monstrous sea beast! The darkness began to envelop Chang'e, entropic darkness blinding the corrupted Heart of the Multiverse and clinging to her like a destructive cloak! Chang'e's body was hardy, resisting the shade's entropic grasp upon her, but its effects were immediately noticeable, leaving an opening for one to strike!

Immanuel's form began to shine with golden light once more, concentrating his mind to once more channel the great lance of the heavens to smite a mighty foe. A divine ring of light danced around him, mingling with Umbra's darkness and forming a scintillating ring of gold and black! The combination of light and darkness soon began to coalesce into a spiraling spear of contrarian energies, focusing their powers into one! The lance grew in size and strength, soon becoming a fearsome, spiraling tower of destructive power.

Channeling their power together, the siblings announced their attack with a fearsome cry: "SPEAR OF DESTINY!"

The destructive lance sliced its way across the earth, tearing up massive portions of the arena as the spiraling spear of light and darkness aimed itself towards Chang'e...

Elsewhere, as the battle between Tannin and Jake raged, a mote of purple flame sliced through the air at blinding speeds! Erupting in a gout of brilliant violet fire, the form of tyr emerged, thrusting his glaive into the side of Tannin in a vibrant explosion! With the help of Jake's own assault, the two of them halted Tannin'charge long enough for Jake to prepare for a counterattack. Twirling his glaive, the armored god adopted a defensive stance against Tannin. He offered a nod of acknowledgement to the draconic warrior; he would run interference for him while he delivered a more decisive blow.

Violet flame slithered down the haft of Tyr's polearm as the bladed head became engulfed of purple fire. Twirling his weapon, Tyr lashed out with a series of blinding dashes, slashing and stabbing at Tannin's ill-defended points to keep the End of All distracted...

[Demon Lord Gira]

Mara and the others stood in silence as the video feed played out. Mara especially felt her hands clench tight into balled fists. This city, it too had suffered under Chang'es tyrannical rule. Parental abuse of what looked to be one of her children, sterilization of the masses, genocide... It was as if this bitch had made it her life goal to be as unrepentantly loathsome and vile as possible. And those names... Alex wasn't the most uncommon name in the world, but Crigan, Lavidana, Yzazil, those were definitely not common names.

Had they as well fallen victim to Chang'e? This world's versions of those gods perished by Chang'es hand? And the Alex mentioned... a different version of the one beside her? How much blood did Chang'e have on her hands?

But, luckily, something good had been left behind with this. Something that made coming down to this sunken tomb and learn more of Chang'es heinous machinations all the worth it.

"I do not like this woman," Risel plainly stated. "She is a bad woman. But, who is Rangis?"

"Rangis was Crigan's original name," Mara told Nyx and Risel as she walked up to look at the massive tank in question and what lay within. She tried to peer within, but the dark mist within made that difficult for her. "But when he had to be remade after he slew Salavance, he changed his name to Ragnok, and then Persephone renamed him to Crigan when she captured him. If what is in here is the bulk of his power..."

She looked over to Nyx and the other, a smile forming on her face. "How else do you kill an immortal than to instill the concept of death upon it? Guess the bitch forgot she kept the one thing she didn't want used against her down here. Now, how do we-"

"I am already on it," Lae said. He motioned for Aseya to help him up to a keyboard panel on the side of the massive tank, and the other small fae obliged and picked him up and threw him over to the control panel. He gently ran his diminutive hand across the panel and held it there for a few moments. Then, he pressed a few keys. The tank flashed with lights and wires disconnected from it. The murky cloud of gas and liquid within dissipated as it flowed into opened vents within the tank, and as the glass tank opened up, what lay within was a crimson flesh covered orb. Six golden claws encircled the orb, which was the size of a basketball. Once the tank was opened, Lae hopped over to the orb and put his hand on it, but immediately reeled back.

"It's hot to the touch. There's no doubt about it, this is part of Crigan's divine core," Lae said. "No wonder he's a decrepit husk of his former self. I'm surprised he still has enough power to form a Divine Tome for his soul."

"Divine Tome?" Aseya tilted her head in confusion.

"The soul of a god," Mara explained. "For now, let's get this back to Crigan."

_____________________________________________

For the demon lord Cavrasnak, what was supposed to be a slaughter for it to enjoy instead had become its funeral.

The fiend was outmatched, assailed on all sides by Ninja and Borskall alike. Confusion and pain surged through its mind. When had mortals become so powerful? When had the gods such might and will? Only one other had brought it to its end in the past. Were these beings even greater than the Tyrant of the Abyss? Im... Impossible!

Pinned and electrocuted by the constant bolts of lightning and mortally wounded by the efforts of Tenchi Orion and his allies, Cavrasnak's body and soul gave way, cursing in ancient Abyssal the one who had slain it before and the ones who ended it now... But it would not go out without leaving its conquerors with a parting gift.

The carcass of Cavrasnak began to billow out sickly purple fumes, a toxic gas that billowed from the severed blood vessels and veins across its body. It was a heavy suffocating gas, one that threatened to smother everything it came into contact with and reduce them to melted bones.

__________________________________________________

"Heather, let Molly go now," Demmy narrowed her one good eye at the towering mound of flesh that was now Heather, "and I might let you live."

The Solamith let out a hearty bellow as the soul flame in its hand flared brighter. "You're no longer in a position to bargain, Demmy... No, Demogorgon. All I have to do is give the mental command to Achilles over here, and Molly's life is forfeit. If you all value her safety, drop your weapons and prostrate yourselves before me, your new king! There's no weaseling out of this one, Demogorgon. I finally get the upper hand against you, after all this time!"

The girl in question was held off her feet by one hand of the silvery slime, and the other had twisted into a serrated blade held at her neck. Molly's heart was racing in her throat. She wanted to get out of this, to break free, to escape, something, anything, but what could she possibly do against this thing? She looked over to Demmy and to Nichelle, yet it was clear neither was willing to risk her life. Nichelle withdrew her weapons, and Demmy simply glared at Heather. If only she could use her Lifemother powers to-

"That won't work, I am afraid," The voice of the Lifemother whispered into her mind, her tone low and quiet. "This thing, this creation, it is tethered to our memories and mind. If I were to try to aid, it wouldn't be enough to save you. I am sorry, Molly. Even now, my powers are not enough to save you from this situation."

"Do not blame yourself, Lifemother." Molly mentally replied, even as the blade inched closer to her neck. "I trust in Demmy and Nichelle, and in Heather. I... I just know everything will be alright."

Even though that was her response, she had no way of knowing why she felt that way. Nothing gave it any sort of credence. By all accounts, she was dead on the spot. She was going to die at best, or worse serve as some servant to Tannin... Yet, she had a feeling, a notion that wouldn't be the case, that everything was indeed alright.

Footsteps drew her attention away from herself and back toward what was going on. Demmy was walking toward Heather, hands unballed, yet her glare never leaving. The towering Solamith's left eye twitched as it almost stepped back, as if unnerved by this sudden behavior.

"Oh? Are you coming closer to prostrate? To allow me to beat the everloving shit out of you, Demogorgon? To pay you back for all the humiliation you put me through, for everything I have suffered because of you?"

"You know, it finally dawned on me. If you hadn't kept running your big fat mouth about your laundry list of grievances, the connection wouldn't have hit me. Maybe spending so much time as a human has dulled my mind, but..." Demmy stopped, and took a deep sigh. Her one good eye briefly glanced over to Molly, a look that told the girl "I cannot believe I am actually doing this because of you," before the eye shifted back to face Heather. "You really do hold a grudge over the smallest of things, Demiurge."

"Demiurge?" Nichelle mouthed, the bioweapon's face just as confused as Molly's own, but was cut short as Heather gnashed their teeth together. The flame in their hands billowed and flickered as veins began to swell across the Solamith's face.

"Yes, younger sister! Yes I do! Your friendship with Cercil is what costed us the lives of our parents to her deranged sister! You... You took everything from me! You took my happiness, you took my security, my joy and peace! You took the only people who gave a fucking damn about me, and let the Archangel of War tear them to shreds trying to protect you! You lost one eye that day, but you got everything you ever fucking wanted after that, while I? I was left to the Garngraths!"

The monolithic Solamith grabbed Demmy by the neck and hoisted her up to eye level with its free hand, then brought the flame in the other hand into Demmy's face. The fire consumed Demmy, igniting her ablaze. Nichelle began to move forward, but was stopped by a look from Molly, who subtly shook her head. The bioweapon, trusting Molly's judgement, stayed still while Heather burst into laughter.

"To think, I envied the attention our parents gave you from such a young age. I was their favorite little boy at first, cherished and loved by them, and then you came in. You took their love and care and focus away from me! I thought perhaps it was because you were a girl, that something was wrong with me if they were so quick to shift over to you. I tried to be more like you, to look more like you, to act more like you, to dress more like you, to change my entire self to be more like what they saw in you. And you LAUGHED at me! You mocked me, saying I looked stupid trying to be a girl! They thought something was wrong with me, changing myself to be more like you. I lost their love and their respect that day, and then you took them from me completely by your befriending that damned angel! I was left to rot in the Abyss. And when I found my way to a group that accepted me for what I wanted to be? In comes YOU, FUCKING YOU, to take everything away from me once again after all these years!"

The flames billowed hotter and larger. The humanoid form within the fire vanished entirely, and Heather let go.

"This is what you fucking deserve, Demogorgon! You ended my life, now I end yours!"

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Through the tendrils tore into the Tyrant of Wrath's hide and spilled oily black blood upon the ground, Tannin would not be stopped. Even as the energy turrets Jake had formed blasted into him from four angels, Tannin continued to advance, each beat of his massive wingspan propelling him further and faster despite the odds. Were it not for the energies of the Core of the Multiverse fueling him, Jake's terrifying salvo of power would have not only blasted him back, but also reduced The End of All to little more than a bloody smear against the ground. The arrival of Tyr with his empowered strikes was still not enough to stop Tannin.

No, it only painted a target upon his back.

As it was, the Core was serving as a far more potent source of power than Persephone could have ever been for Tannin. He was a runaway freight train of malice and destruction, and he slammed into Jake with all of his might. Jagged fangs clamped down upon his neck and dug deep into his flesh, and the twin clawed legs of the End of All dug trenches into Jake as well. Tannin's tails slashed down upon Tyr as he came in for a striking blow, and the god was sent crashing down into the earth below in a plume of dust. His hide being bombarded and blasted into, Tannin swung Jake's body to intercept his own attacks, the energy bombardment blasting into Jake's back, before Tannin crashed back down into the torn earth below, his great bulk weighing down upon the opposing dragon beneath him. Necrotic fire began to churn in his maw, to set ablaze his foe here and now...

The call of Godzilla was Jake's salvation. Tannin leaped back, letting go of his foe as his sixteen eyes turned to face the approaching arrival. Another foe... One who would also feel his terrible wrath. They would perish as well. Arching his head high up into the air, Tannin sent bolt after bolt of fell energy from his eyes into the torn distorted sky above him as well as the surge of deathly flames he had been building up. The eye bolts curved back downward by the dozens, vaporizing the landscape as they honed in on the approaching Godzilla and upon Jake. At the same time, the skies rained down fire that threatened to burn away at the both of them and at Tyr on a molecular level.

While this was going on, the limp weakened form of Persephone fell from Riistang's petrified body and landed upon the ground with an unceremonious thud. Her eyes, glazed over in their half opened state, saw nothing, but she heard everything. Everything she had tried to accomplish... Her goal of a perfect world free of gods... All for naught. All of her efforts, merely played into Chang'es hands. She was so close... Yet so, so far away. Was this... what Cercil had tried to warn her of so long ago? Why she had been... so protective of her?

"I... I'm sorry..."

---------------------------

"Sister! You... You will pay for this." One of the twins cried as the other was turned into a metal statue. She turned to glare at Nameless, and her form darkened as she merged with the metallic statue. Both she and the statue melded together, and something else took form. It was a great monstrous serpent that formed before Nameless, a beast with two massive pincer claws and acid that dripped from its gaping maw. A single eye peered down at the much smaller form of Nameless, and its jaws parted in a deafening bellow as it swung both of its pincer claws toward the armored figure, each claw large enough to slice him in half.

"YOU WILL PAY FOR MAKING LIGHT OF US, MORTAL! WE WILL BE YOUR END!"

-----------------------------


If The Wyvern King was surprised and infuriated by Eevoex's interference in her attempt to end Owlzarus's existence, she didn't have any time to show it as Taifage continued her assault. The foe was fast, much faster than anything she was used to, and with the constant strikes and blasts, she found herself subdued beneath the reptile's bulk and pinned. Though the flames themselves did little to harm her, there was something else about them that burned away at The Wyvern King, some other aspect of them that ignited her body in pain. And she was about to receive another blast at point blank range.

Before Taifage could unleash her surge of atomic fire, the third head of The Wyvern King struck, arching upward as the only one of the necks not pinned down to latch onto Taifage's throat. She pushed the maw of the reptile off of her, and the atomic fire came just a hair too late, flying into the sky. She pushed herself up, knocking the reptile back, before the other two heads snapped forward, one onto Taifage's left arm, the other upon Taifage's right arm. With a beat of her wings, she took to the sky, then dropped back down and slammed Taifage into the earth beneath her. Now it was her turn to return the favor, as three beams charged up within The Wyvern King's maws...

Pain lacerated across her back, and two of the heads lost their grip and incinerated the ground instead. One blasted into Taifage's throat, sending the reptile reeling backwards.The source of the pain was Crigan, who had flown in, claws dripping with her blood. He stabbed the claws back down into The Wyvern King's back, and the pain consumed her. She felt her life force, her energy, being siphoned into Crigan, her power weakening.

The middle head's eyes narrowed into venomous slits. No, she was the true God of Death now, not he! He would suffer for this transgression!

Crigan flew back just in time to avoid a mouth that tried to bite at him, and ducked low to evade another bite. Now The Wyvern King's full attention was upon him and not on Taifage...

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What... What had they done? These were bastardized memories... memories of Marlore.

Chang'e felt her anger boiling over as she was stuck in place, unable to do anything but watch and observe as mockeries of her victims from Marlore, from her old personal project from so long ago, all jeered and mocked at her. How did they know? How could they have known?! Was Tiamat digging through her mind to dredge up and distort these memories? She knew each and every one of these people, all whom she had personally made their lives a living hell back then... Yet now they were mocking her, reviling her, laughing at her, at what they saw, at what Tiamat and the Ninjas wished to mock her with.

Her blood boiled over. She would make them pay for humiliating her like this. She was the Core of the Multiverse, the apex of power, the Ultimate One! This would not continue on her wa-

It hit her. In that moment, something in the darkest dredges of her mind came roaring to the surface, separate from the jeers and taunts and jabs. It was something from Marlore she had forgotten about after all these years.

If Tiamat and the Ninjas knew about all of this... Then, they knew of-

Her thoughts were stopped as salvation unintentionally came to free her from her mental prison. It was Hercules, who blasted at her with his gun. In that moment, the mental prison she had been stuck in was undone, the physical strike freeing her. Yet she only had a split second to process her freedom before the Spear of Destiny from the divine siblings came in to finish the job. The godly strike vaporized what remained of Chang'e, yet as her upper body was disintegrated, it seemed a cheshire smile had spread across her face.

If the Sandman had thought he had trapped Chang'es soul, he was in for a rude awakening. The soul within the prison he had conjured turned to face him, and a cackling grin formed across it, before the soul flashed and exploded, shattering his rotating disc of psychic energy and sending him flying back. The physical remnants of Chang'es body that Hercules was tangling with expanded outward, surging with electricity as they turned into metallic wires that flew toward him.

All the while, the form of Chang'e remanifested within the Tree Core, and this time the taunting and smugness she one had was fully gone. Murderous hatred radiated from her being, and she focused her enegies fully upon ending Tiamat and the Ninjas. Persephone's Feldite blade shot forward from a rift and slashed into Orion, the god killing properties of the unholy material burning and melting away at his flesh. Dozens more identical blades began to fire out from constantly opening rifts, creating a rain of god slaying blades all aimed toward Tiamat and Tenchi Orion.

"I'll make sure not a single atom of your existence remains once I am finished with you! NONE WILL REMAIN THAT WILL REMEMBER YOUR NAMES!"

From another rift came forth thousands of eye bolts from the Tannins of countless timelines, all raining down upon the Sandman, Hercules, the divine siblings and upon Tenchi Orion and Tiamat.

[HayesAJones]

"I don't like her much either," Alex confided in Risel. The researcher seemed somewhat ashamed at the admission; by giving into hatred.

Alex shook his head, then cleared his throat. "Um... about that... getting back, I mean. Do we need to go back topside? Because it's, uh... ugly out there. The sky opened up and started raining monsters."

[Beast Blood]

The red of blood once more filled Tannin’s vision - his every eye blinded by deepest crimson. The fell power from his eyes struck the land, but died long before it would reach any of the heroes. Rather, it dispersed utterly, water to an intense flame. A great aurora now stood before the dragon, of ethereal body and eyes like burning starlight - a projection of the Beastmother, far larger than the one he had met before, materializing before him. Its ghostly hands latched his throat; his feet left the earth. Far above it was Tannin lifted, cast towards the churning skies, an offering for every hero and god to lay waste to. Ristaang scowled from above, glaring from her own eyes and that of her ghostly avatar.

The ghastly grasp of the Red Aurora held him firm, even as pieces of his body were unmade by the contact with her flaming body, scattering as sand to the wind. However much his form tried to heal the horrible damage wrought, the spectral power of Ristaang dispersed it immediately, a blood-red devouring plague, torn threads of his very being unraveled into nothing. For Ristaang represented death as much as she did life. By dealing death to those who threatened life, she allowed it to thrive. Her claws would reap, so that more could be sown.

Though he had evaded her might before, Tannin would find this avatar much harder to weasel from. For now he faced a portion of her essence, a manifestation of her formidable power. There was no flesh for him to tear. No bones for him to break. No blood for him to spill. There was only spirit. Ferocious, indomitable spirit. And that alone would prove for him impossible to break, a uniquely stubborn flame he could never subdue and certainly not extinguish. For that spirit was why there was only one of Ristaang where there were untold numbers of Tannin throughout the multiverse - the multiverse only needed one. Hers was an unbreakable will, unbridled strength that yielded to none; not even reality. It mattered not how many different universes she would have to tear through to hunt him down, by her heart-driven rage and impossible might, she would see him torn in each of them, long as he endangered this universe her loved ones lived in.

And besides her were souls of similar resolve, those heroes who fought at her side. Trapped in the great Beast’s paws, nothing would save him from their fury.

Today, the End would meet his.

____________________________

The towering Borskall did not have time to escape the billowing smoke, and as such found themselves reeling back from it, holding their breath so as to not be caught in a furious fit of violent coughing. Still the fumes raked their noses, drawing blood from the more sensitive flesh. Korraz immediately pawed at her face, protecting her eyes from clinging fumes lest she be blinded.

The earth was drenched in blood, deeply imbibed with its spilling. The Borskall were covered in red, clothes and fur soaked deep crimson. The mangled bodies of wyverns lay scattered all around their feet. And before them was this great plume of noxious smoke, a veritable fountain of death, ending note to this symphony of war. A culmination of all the violence that had occurred here.

But the Borskall, tired as they were, remained hopeful. For after every battle came the quiet, however long it would last.

A deafening crash of thunder came from Hod’s wings as he slammed dark pinions together, rending the air and dispersing the shroud of death with a blast of electromagnetic might. The beauty of the night sky became visible again, moon and star shining above.

“Allow me,” Gaiyan said as she rejoined her friends, extending an arm to the broken husk of the demon Cavrasnak. In her other arm she cradled Cthelee, while Mitsif hid nestled within her cloak’s collar. There was with her, as well, the shapeshifting Fray, curled about her shoulders as a living scarf.

From the healer’s outstretched hand floated glowing green spores, little motes of light that scattered over the creature’s corpse. The body and the earth beneath it shifted at their touch. From the mangled remains grew a tiny sapling, a little pine tree that rose to tower above the giants. Born from death, nurtured by the flesh and blood of the fiend, the majestic pine purified the air, ending the demon’s menace for good. Healing spores rained from its boughs, gently drifting to the earth below.

“From death... life,” Gaiyan remarked, folding back her arm to scratch Fray behind the ears.

[Godzilla165]

Echoes of the Infinite
(To my BotM friends, new and old… This one's for you.)

Pain had been a foreign concept to Tenchi Orion, a notion of which they knew no sensation, nor had any experience of. That was until now. The god-killing blade tore into the perfect warrior’s chest with disturbing ease, blasting forth out of their back and slinging divine energy everywhere. Tenchi’s ethereal form blinked in and out like a dying light, before it was replaced by their physical manifestation. Their silver armor was split in the middle from Chang’e’s blade, it now having tasted the essence of a ninja. Their white hair, once radiant and glowing, fell messily over their face in a washed out gray. Tenchi’s eyes fluttered shut, and dropped to a hard knee, clutching the blade that penetrated their chest.

Chang’e’s face lit up with wild and primal glee, the Ninja Prime’s agony washing over her like a warm blanket. Her teeth bore themselves in a proud grin as blood ran down the corners of her mouth, and she chortled, a harsh and gainsaying snicker sounding from her now chapped lips. Tiamat, swift-footed as she was, happened upon Tenchi in the blink of an eye as the torrential storm of blackened daggers fell over them both. The dragon and ninja mother threw out a splayed hand and quickly readied a large gleaming forcefield that wrapped around them, shielding them from the intensifying assault.

Tiamat grimaced, Chang’e’s Core-enhanced dark energies making it harder for her to maintain the hold she had on the shield. “We will get out of this, my loves, of that I will make certain!” Tiamat proclaimed.

Such was met with an even louder and unholy cackle from their foe, the very ground shaking from it. “There is nothing either of you can attempt nor do to get out of this shithole of a situation. A situation, mind you, that you both put yourselves in when you had the audacity to use my memories, MY mind, against me!” Chang’e jeered. Red filled her vision, her blood rose to a boil, and she ramped up her endless assault against the combined ninja and their infernal mother even more. Tiamat was beginning to struggle now, her arm shaking as more of the blackened shears slammed into her shield like meteors.

Chang’e grinned sickly, her thirst for blood and suffrage not yet satiated. “How ironic it was for you to have even tried that trick on me, when the amount of bullshit you ninjas have done, the sheer amount of lives taken and blood shed on your behalf… It’s staggering, really.” She said, grinning even wider. “Let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we? I’m sure our lovely audience is ready for another chapter to the story, don’t you think?”

Suddenly, in front of Tenchi and Tiamat, and the rest of their allies present, a cloudy and ghostly apparition took shape. Quickly, it intermingled and solidified into the familiar form of Dante clad in his armor. He had his back turned to his audience, and soon enough, two figures began to approach him. The two figures grew nearer, and were revealed to both be ninja warriors; one female, one male. The female was rather petite in appearance, but had a clearly defined muscular and Olympic-like structure, indicating an insanely powerful and lightning fast individual, despite her size. Her armor was a very majestic metallic silver in color, having the appearance of raw, polished carbon fiber and steel. Long, curly golden hair flowed from the back of her helmet, with cold blue eyes piercing the soul.

Carried with her was an enormous, double bladed sword at least three feet in overall length, electricity running to and from both blades. A silver windmill shuriken covered her left arm, while spiked brass knuckles covered her right hand.

The male was significantly taller, his body flowing with the muscle structure of a bodybuilder. His armor was a deep red with silver and gold accents throughout; raw adamantium and space titanium on full display. His eyes are a dark, intense violet, casting a subtle glow that causes weaker beings to become absolutely mesmerized by them. One long, ripped, and black scarf tail flowed from behind his helmet. He wielded a giant, polished silver hammer that he took from the now slain Hades. Thus, it was filled to the brim with dark magic, as well as his own. Dominating his right hand was a single falcon talon, sharp enough to cleave even the strongest of materials into pieces. Three explosive shuriken were clasped onto both sides of his lower hips, and a single black katana was attached to his back.

"Daeva, Ubel, how nice of you to finally join us.” The Young Man said.

“We got your message and arrived as soon as we could." Daeva responded with a smile.

"So big brother, what's the first line of attack?” Ubel asked, eyes brimming with a killer’s thirst. “I am itching to pound these weak, pathetic beings into a bloody sludge, and rip their spines from their throats with my bare hands!”

"Calm yourself, little brother, and have patience” The Young Man chuckled. “You will have your fire and brimstone soon enough, AND enjoy the slaughter of countless worms. Of that, I promise you.”

Chang’e stood idly by, that devilish grin having never left her face. “Those were your allies you were referring to, you know. The very people you’ve sworn to protect, to lay down your lives for? You wanted to, what did you say, Ubel… Rip their spines from their throats?”

She licked her lips, the familiar copper taste of blood tingling her taste buds. “Ohh but that’s not even half of it; let’s see what else we can dredge up!”

With an echoing snap of her fingers, Chang’e conjured another suffocating cloud of mockery.

This time, the scene saw the elegant form of Daeva doing battle with a familiar white-haired demon, as well as another demon who looked eerily similar to the former. The one who stood beside the ghost-haired demon, with an unearthly bellow, created a massive and raging storm that was aimed solely at the fastest being in the multiverse.

The very winds around the demon picked up, Daeva found herself staggering back from the force of the storm that was brewing. The very ground was uprooted, with what buildings remained in the scene, sliced to ribbons. And yet, the demon could see all. She up-righted herself, eyes brimming with rage as she flew upward. "SUFFER FOR YOUR ARROGANCE, AND LEARN YOUR PLACE WORMS!" The Storm God bellowed, as flames began to converge around Daeva, erupting into a raging fire storm that threatened to consume her…

Yet, to the haughty god’s horror, Daeva dissipated the flames with a massive shockwave of energy, her entire body glowing orange, and her eyes surging with power and rage. The female ninja then proceeded to unleash her ultimate technique on the Storm God, every single one of her blows as hot as a large sun, and growing more powerful with every hit. Daeva performed thousands of slashes, devastating punches, kicks, and shattering bones within the storm demon, before finally ramming her armored glove deep into the god’s stomach. With a sickening twist, Daeva snapped the demon's spine in half, and ripped free her black intestines.

Then, like a rabid animal, Daeva honed in on the white-haired Demogorgon like a speeding missile, and rammed into her with enough force to shatter the demon's ribs to bits. The bloodthirsty ninja pinned the demon down with her armored knees, and used her as a makeshift surfboard, pounding away at her face. The demon's head sunk further and further into the ground after each savage blow. Then, Daeva leaped off Demogorgon, and allowed the demon's momentum to keep her body tumbling end over end across the ground.

Chang’e studied the scene before her and her captivated audience intently, pursing her lips with growing satisfaction. “Some allies you miserable shitheads are.” She said, turning to Tenchi. “Not only did your darling little sister absolutely brutalize Demogorgon and her own sister, but the princess then went on to kidnap your idiot human friend, Molly. She might as well be a rabid fucking animal.” Chang’e shook her head, her attempts at silencing her ravenous grin failing miserably. “Ohhh, but as you’ve probably already guessed, even that little escapade is just the beginning of your beautiful campaign to… ‘Safeguard’ the multiverse. Evron became a vengeful and bloodthirsty monster, wanting nothing more than to kill his dearest older brother… Dante just casually awakened an ancient evil after allying himself with Raspaganje, Ubel tried to manipulate and take Molly hostage. And yet, you all think I’M the bad one?!”

As she spoke, scenes of her descriptions appeared around Tenchi and Tiamat, soon beginning to surround them on all sides like a cage of torment. The colossal assault had since ceased, Chang’e no longer feeling it necessary, thus granting her quarry a moment of respite. Tiamat stood tall then, shooting daggers that were as hot as a star towards Chang’e with her eyes. But, before she could retaliate, the false Heart held up a finger, wagging it back and forth.

“Not so fast on the draw… I still haven’t shown my favorite act!” She snickered. “Wouldn’t you like to see how your prodigal son so casually and mercilessly killed trillions upon trillions of lives in an instant? I most certainly would!”

And, with one final snap of her fingers, Chang’e brought forth a scene of Dante floating in the vast and dark void of space. A spark shown in his orange eyes, a devious grin hidden beneath his helmet. Without a single word, Dante extended a hand forth, and unleashed two, blood red beams of raw energy, twice the size of a supernova, towards a distant galaxy at hypersonic speeds. The titanic beam connected with its target, and created a monstrous, all encompassing explosion, big and bright enough to be seen clearly across the entire multiverse. The target galaxy was destroyed immediately and entirely, with the resulting explosion so huge and so hot, that it vaporized whatever else was in the area for thousands upon millions of miles away.

Chang’e remained silent as the scene finished, her face awash with perpetual smugness. There was nothing more to say; she had finally outed the ninjas for the war mongering fiends they were. There would be dissension among their allies, that dissension would soon lead to discourse, and finally betrayal. A mass shunning of the darling “Guardians of the Multiverse”. Oh, how glorious of a day that would be, all she had to do now was sit back and wait.

“What a beautiful story, with an equally beautiful ending.” Chang’e mused, turning from Tenchi and their washed up mother, to the rest of their allies in the area. “You fools put so much faith in these ninjas, imbued them with so much trust, so much love… And yet, it was all for nothing. Can’t you see? Your guardians… Vilifiers. Your champions… Forsakers…” Chang’e paused and motioned with her hand towards the combined ninja, a smile of poison on her face. “Your heroes, everyone. Let’s all give them a big round of applause!”

Tenchi was reticent. Hushed was the Guardian of everything as the storm cloud of imagery washed over them like a tidal wave. These phantasms, they were... Records? Yes, chronicles from a time long forgotten, an era long ceased. They represented a snapshot in which the guardian ninjas weren't so, they were wards. Instead of being the stewards, shepherds of the multiverse and her peoples, the ninjas were dominators, killers... Destroyers. And, they had been led by one being in which Dante fought so hard against in this current cycle, an all-powerful warlord who knew nothing but chaos and raining brimstone. The ninjas had lost their way, gone against the very ideals and beliefs that they so carefully tended. An estranged, vengeful brother, a people who were feared and hated, instead of loved and respected. A broken cycle. And it was one in which Chang'e aimed to use to bury the guardians once and for all.

Tiamat stood idly beside Tenchi Orion, noting the records that surrounded her and her ilk from all sides. Her face was twisted in a disturbed frown; she knew of these chronicles very well. She had seen them before... Experienced them herself countless millennia ago. But she had never expected for them to sprout forth once more, much to her own misgivings for being blind to such a probability. Chang'e was growing desperate, Tiamat could feel it, which in turn would make her do anything, anything, to secure victory.

Something needed to be done, and quickly, before these ghosts of a forgotten past swallowed the almighty ninja whole, and they knew just what that something was. Tenchi would have to face these annals, all of them, become ONE with them... And then put them to rest once and for all. If the Celestial Angel had taught them anything, it was to accept one's past, even one that was completely separate, and make peace with it. Such a task would be a journey, though one that Tenchi was willing and ready to take.

Tiamat turned and looked at the fusion warrior, a mixture of apprehension and a little fear covering her face like a shroud. She could see their thoughts, hear them as though they were her own. This path wouldn't be an easy one, of that she knew all too well, even for Tenchi. It was a journey that would call for their demise, their psyche to be broken. They needed to be as mentally sure and ready as they were physically.

The All-Mother rested one of her hands on Orion's ethereal shoulder, causing them to turn to her. "Are you sure about this? Are you absolutely certain that you wish to take this on? We can find another way, another path..." She asked them, almost hoping for them to reconsider.

Tenchi reached out, took Tiamat's hand and cradled it in theirs, and nodded all of once; their mind was made up. The latter stared at them through glassy eyes, still not fully onboard with the idea, but she offered them a gentle smile all the same.

"Very well. Then let het marevirm be kind, my children." She reassured them. With a curt nod, Tiamat withdrew her hand from theirs and turned to face Chang’e. Her hands fell to her side and the cardinal chief of the Core gave her adversary a look of complete and total disdain. Tiamat wielded the innate ability to not only eradicate one’s soul, but to extinguish every trace of their existence in every reality. No inklings of their life, their history, their legacy… All of it, gone in an instant.

“Chang’e… I have allowed you to run rampant long enough, a mistake I will forever carry. But now, it is nigh time I right that wrong.” Tiamat said in a gentle cadence, her eyes aglow with bluish white. In seconds, her body became surrounded by a hurricane cell of divine energy, rushing around her at supersonic speed. The cyclone of power was absorbed into her, bit by bit it was drawn in like a whirlpool, before Tiamat’s form suddenly ballooned in size. Where there once stood a petite woman of shorter stature, was replaced now with a radiant sapphire blue entity that stood 230 feet high.

Two bright yellow eyes glared down at Chang’e, as four muscular limbs flexed with freedom, twin tails snaked in the air, and four magnificent wings extended beyond the deity’s back. A circle of horns, made entirely out of Core energy, sat atop her head. This was Tiamat, the heavenly dragon, the most powerful drake in the multiverse. Without a word, the dragon mother used her great wings to catapult herself hundreds of feet in the air, her form alone mending the cracks and fissures of reality back together once more. When she was high enough, Tiamat slowed to a stop, opened her glowing orange maw wide, and all but hurtled a mountain-sized column of multiverse-imbued fire down towards Chang’e. The blinding orange holy flames filled Chang’e’s vision, her mind, and her very essence. She may have been blasphemously powered by the Core itself, but even she wouldn’t stand up to the full brunt of Tiamat’s fury.

Tenchi Orion stood and watched as their mother unleashed her assault with a curious eye. Never had they’d seen her draconian form in-person before, only hearing stories and tales of both it and its unfathomable power. It was truly a glorious sight to behold, but one they could not afford to gawk at; they had a mission to fulfill. As such, Tenchi turned from the ensuing battle and took in a deep drawn breath. Their eyes fluttered shut, and so too did their mind. In this reality they were no longer... It was time to get to work.


____________________________


Transcendence - a state of being or existence above and beyond the limits of material experience.


The vastness of the cosmos, with its swirling galaxies and infinite starlight, has long captured the imagination of the transcendentalist. In the grand sweep of the universe, the individual self seems but a tiny speck, yet transcendentalism reminds us that within this insignificance lies a profound connection to the divine. The stars above are not mere material objects, but windows into a realm of sublime beauty and eternal truths. Just as the individual mind can transcend the limitations of the physical form, so too can we transcend the boundaries of our existence and merge with the infinite consciousness that permeates the cosmos. It is in this mystical union with the natural world that the transcendentalist finds peace, purpose, and a glimpse of the ineffable mysteries that lie at the heart of creation.

It is in this state of being that the ninjas, the Guardians of the Multiverse, found themselves. No longer one as the mighty Tenchi Orion, the siblings now laid in what could only be described as an ocean of galaxies, a vast and infinite body of celestial bodies. One by one, they awoke, with the first of them being Dante, who groggily rose to his feet. He stared at his clean hands and cleansed body, covered in his white and black ceremonial robes. Off a few feet to his right side, did he turn to see Evron rising soon after, along with Ubel to his left, and finally Daeva near in front of them. With all four of the donned in their robes, the siblings regarded one another with a silent greeting and understanding. Rather than confusion, their faces portrayed contentment; they knew why they were here. All around them, colors of every variety, including ones that couldn’t yet even be described, danced, swirled, and intermixed with the other, creating imagery that looked like an oil painting. Underneath the feet of the ninjas were galaxies, whole whirlpools of stars, planets, blackholes, and life… Right below their feet.

This place… It wasn’t a part of the Core itself, yet it felt nearly as important.

“Guys, where are we?” Daeva finally asked, breaking the suspended silence. “It’s beautiful and everything, but… What are we supposed to do here?”

Evron shrugged coyly while he paced haphazardly, his feet sloshing and kicking up the many stars and dust particles. “Beats the hell out of me on both accounts, sis. All I know is there’s a war going on, and instead of kicking Chang’e’s ass and killing her stupid Dad, we’re here to ‘find acceptance’ or something.” The red eyed tactician scoffed, then stopped and focused on Dante standing off a bit next to him. “Em, you got anything?”

Dante, who had been busy taking in their mysterious surroundings, regarded his brother with a slight frown and shake of the head. “Not a clue, Rube, I’ve never been here before in my life. I don’t even know what ‘here’ is.” He sighed and shoved his hands into his robe pockets. “Those images that Chang’e showed us…” Dante looked at each of his siblings, “They meant something. They weren’t just tricks, and they weren’t lies; they were more than that. Our job now is to find out what they were, and how they can help us.”

“She framed them like they were almost… Memories, or like, ghosts of a forgotten past.” Ubel nodded, crossing his arms. “You know Chang’e better than any of us, Em; you’re absolutely sure that she wasn’t just BS’sing us?”

“I’m positive, as sad as that is to say.” Dante replied, a disappointed shadow over his eyes.

“Well, that just means we’ve gotta put our beautiful heads together and do some problem-solving!” Daeva encouraged. “I know how hard that’ll be for you with that planet-sized head of yours, Rube, but hopefully we can manage.” She flashed Evron a cheeky, youngest sibling grin.

Evron merely grinned deviously back, aiming one of his index fingers at her. “Don’t worry, Peri, I’ve got something for you once we’re done with all this, I promise.” He threw back before quickly focusing back in. “So, if we’re supposed to, ‘make peace’ with the stuff that Chang’e showed us, then that means we’d have to physically engage with them somehow, right?”

Dante nodded, “Yeah, but how is the problem we still need to figure out.”

“Oi, who the hell is makin’ all of that damned racket?! You’re fixin’ to get a mighty paddlin’ to the arse if ye keep on yappin’!” A loud, hearty, and gruff voice suddenly echoed in front of the ninjas.

The four siblings paused, their breaths hushed and filtered, their weaponized bodies ready and waiting to fight if need be. Millions of years of battle, eons upon eons of training, had led them all to be sensitive to the slightest abrupt sound or alien movement. A mysterious voice yelling out may as well have been a gunshot. Off mere 50 meters in front of them, did the ninjas see the wooden bow of a boat pierce through the thick fog. The figurehead of such was that of a curly-haired mermaid, cast in rose tinted marble, or a material that looked similar to it. As more of the nautical vessel crested the inky clouds, the siblings soon could tell that it wasn’t a particularly large ship, probably 35 feet long at most.

It was, for the most part, a rather plain affair, with only the smiling mermaid being the standout decoration. Otherwise, the boat was constructed entirely of thick wood, a rustic brown in color, with dark green space moss and solar urchins covering the hull, a sign of apathetic care. It wasn’t, however, the boat that the ninjas were focused on, but rather its captain. A tall figure, at least Ubel’s height, and swallowed in burgundy robes, with a rather large brown leather satchel dangling from their left shoulder, and a worn wooden paddle held tight in their bony fingers. With their hood up, the guardians weren’t able to grab any notable features, an invisible cloak seemingly shrouding their face. And as the boat came to a slow stop in front of them, their defenses were very much up.

“Dante… What do we do, bro?” Ubel inquired psychically, eyes narrowing.

Dante, who stood in front of his siblings, ushered a subtle snap with his fingers, a sign to remain at ease for now. “Let’s just see what they want first, yeah? Remember, we’re supposed to be here.” He calmly replied.

“Alright, but if I even sense that this creepy asshole is thinking of trying anything, I’m going loud.” Evron retorted, his form visibly tensed.

The cloaked figure soon stepped from their boat and walked silently and slowly towards the siblings, rowing paddle in-hand. This made the ninjas draw further into themselves, until, with a suddenness, the figure stopped, stooped low to rest their paddle on the watery surface… And then reached up to remove their large hood. As it dropped to the back of their head, the ninjas saw that they… He was an old man. His eyes were light brown and hardened, likely from having experienced an eons worth of lifetimes, perhaps even more. His skin was wrinkled and folded, though surprisingly well kept and healthy, with a clean shaven bald head, and a full, silver, healthy beard. At first, his lips were drawn tight in a resentful frown, until, as though a spark of revelation and recognition struck him, the old man beamed with excitement.

He stuck his hands out like he was expecting a hug, and let out a deep and hearty laugh. The ninjas peered at one another, bewildered and curious. “Ahhh, Tiamat’s bairns, the guardians themselves! I’d bow if I could, your majesty and highnesses, but this damned back has had me done for as long as I can remember!” He said with an annoyed sneer.

Dante looked at Evron beside him, who just shrugged in confusion, and then turned to the stranger. “Who are you?” He asked.

“Aye…” The man grinned, showing his several missing teeth, “I be The Riverman, at your service.

“The ‘Riverman’?” Ubel parroted, eyebrows raised. “That name, or title I guess, doesn’t sound familiar.” He turned to his siblings with a concerned look, “Guys, I don’t like this; I’ve never heard of this dude before, have you?” Ubel mentally asked.

“Don’t look at me,” Daeva gave a subtle shrug and an innocent look, “you’d know for sure if I did.”

Evron grimaced, “Same here… There’s something fishy going on here, and it’s not just the smell of our new friend.”

Before Dante was able to speak, the ninjas’ collective attention was brought back to The Riverman as he let out a hearty chuckle. “Aye, I take offense to that! It ain’t easy keepin’ clean out here in these waters carryin’ souls to and fro. I bathe when I can!” He replied defensively.

The siblings all looked shocked, their eyes wide and glowing bright. He had… Heard their thoughts. A conversation that normally would have been impenetrable from every other being, even the likes of Chang’e, had somehow been listened in on by this cosmic ferryman!

“How… How the hell did you do that? How did you just listen in on us?!” Evron dumbfoundedly demanded.

The old man beamed a sly, toothy grin, his eyes sparkling in the primordial ether below them. “Aye… In this place, there be no secrets.” He replied coolly, twirling his paddle against the ground.

Dante stepped a little bit in front of his fellow ninjas, hands at his side. “And what is this ‘place’ exactly?” He asked.

“Ah, well I’m glad ye finally asked, your majesty!” The Riverman responded jovially, outstretching his arms once more, and turned his back to them. “I see ye have already taken a trip to the Core? Well, this, lads and lass, this is something quite similar to that, but different all the same.”

Daeva looked exasperated, her foot idly tapping rapidly. “You’re not really making too much sense, stream dude. Is this gonna be a long explanation? Cause in that case I can happily sit down and listen, I just didn’t want to sit down and then have to get right back up as soon as you finished, when I just sat down, you know?”

The Riverman chuckled before turning to look at them, “Hang tight, princess, I be gettin’ there. You see, young warriors, where ye currently stand is an extension of the Core itself, though not many know it to be true. This, my friends…” He motioned a hand around him, “Is Yggdrasil. Or, more specifically, a root of the giant tree.”

Evron recoiled casually in surprise. “So, you mean to tell me that we’re IN Yggdrasil, right now?” He asked.

The Riverman nodded, “Aye.” He answered.

The ninjas shared a look; they had no clue what they had just stepped into, and willingly at that.

“Hold on, so if the Core is responsible for everything that exists, then what is the tree for exactly? You said it was similar to the Core, but different… What does that mean?” Ubel asked.

The ancient being gave an enthused smile, resting his free hand on his slender hip. “That be a great question, big fellow! And I will answer it and anything else ye may have on the way, come on then.” The Riverman said and waved them towards his boat, swiftly shuffling towards it.

Dante reached a hand out, “Well wait a second, we haven’t even told you why we’re here to begin with!”

The Riverman waved that statement off, not even breaking his stride nor looking back. “I know why ye’re hear, I was clued in before the four of you came. Now, get ye asses in gear, we’re already behind!”

The siblings exchanged another look, before Dante, with a short nod, motioned them on. What choice did they really have? Either they succeeded here, or the multiverse truly would be lost forever. They needed The Riverman, they just hoped he was trustworthy. Once they were all aboard, The Riverman, with but one single stroke of his paddle, carried them into the endless ether. In this expanse, the ninjas’ knowledge was for naught; they were in unfamiliar territory, with an equally unfamiliar guide. Whatever challenge laid ahead of them, they needed to be prepared… Such was no longer a choice.

[EdGojira]

Colossal chunks of terrain blasted into the air from Jake's freefall. His body rang with searing pain from the assault by the End of All, then more from the jagged rocks which found their way through minute gaps in his mighty energy armor and the cloak of his usual power.

By the time the trail was done with, the gaps in his power had closed but he was still carved deeply into his muscles. The diversionary tactics hadn't worked. He wasn't able to ready a better attack. But he wasn't going to give up. If he could count the times something had been broken, carved, or severed during his lifetime, then he would have numbers venturing into the hundreds billions if not the trillions.

He placed Tyr beside him as the spectacle took hold and Ristaang rose to continue her fight. His eyes flared with power and a decisive grin as he arched his serpentine neck back to the giant and his new, most unexpected ally, the tremendous beast who he'd struggled to hold back earlier in their adventure.

Godzilla rumbled the battlefield with a deep growl. Jake could tell he was satisfied. The monster didn't even react to the vision from Chang's of the Ninjas.

That, Jake wasn't sure why. There was a hate that boiled inside Godzilla that manifest in the light which curled up his rocky spines and made his cape of thorns whip and partially break. A promise that maybe some day Godzilla would be a problem.

Kind of like the Ninjas. If there were a darker side to them that he hadn't seen during the incomprehensible amount of time he'd known them, then that was a problem for some time later. As if that wasn't obvious tomfoolery.

"Tomfoolery?" Black Velvet spoke again. "Or denying your destiny to destroy them? Eat them alive... start with the King of the Monsters and nobody will match your power."

Jake bit him back. If Tiamat's gift wasn't going to silence the Legendary Beast, then he would do it himself.

Jake rose above the ground. More turrets formed around his body and fired a volley into the wounds caused by Ristaang and, soon, Godzilla.
__________
The breath that ripped free from Godzilla's maw distorted reality and gravity around him. Its impact on the restrained End of All made all of Jake's attacks look like cherry bombs.

As it hit its target, a wing was released to tatters and flesh was stripped from the wyvern's leg. But Godzilla's specialty wasn't ranged attacks. No, he would show Tannin what physical wrath looked like.

As the breath faded into a roar, Godzilla charged inward. He thrust his mighty body into the End of All, surging pain through their body. His jaws clamped down claws readied to gore the blight.
______
The Sandman's wave of sand crashed into the metal surging toward Hercules just a little too late.

Hercules thrust his swords out and twirled to dodge and deflect, but golden skin flayed off of his muscular biceps and thighs. He felt himself staggering back before the sand cushion caught him. They were instantly transported into Tiamat's shield, playing voyeurs to the conversation that came in the aftermath of the vision presented by their opponent.

Hercules pinched the bridge of his nose. Healing energy from the Sandman closed his wounds, but made his head feel saggy until the process was done. As if he needed any more complications in this. At least it was soft comfort that Tenchi was just as confused about that mess as he was.

Unless there was a very good answer, Hercules would still need to kill them for their sins. Otherwise, they were no different from the Olympians whom he'd rebelled against.

Though, looking at Tiamat's dragon form... he was pretty sure he'd have to accept defeat or scour the multiverse for new ways to deliver justice.

"Don't think about it," the Sandman said.

"Aye. As if there doesn't happen to be a much more obvious problem at the moment?"

The Sandman shook his head and transported them to the edge of Tiamat's flames. As they poured down, Hercules couldn't help but admire what his monster was doing against that hydra.

Maybe fighting Chang'e was pointless. It sure seemed like it. But at least it was going to be a light show. And maybe, just maybe, he had a way of evening the playing field against people who otherwise outclassed him...

He snapped his fingers. Below Chang'e, a cluster of bombs went off. Not just one or two or even a hundred. Thousands. Thousands going off, ready to transmogrify her into a slew of tiny creatures especially vulnerable to Tiamat's flames. Simultaneously, the Sandman sent a wave of energy to turn the corrupted Core groggy and lower her reaction speeds...
_________
Blood in the air. As Taifage reeled and subsequently began to recover, the sent entered her flaring nostrils. The flame from her last attack cast a sudden hurricane onto the battlefield, drawing the blood across the moist ground. Allowing her to pinpoint exactly where to strike.

The storm flashed and in that same instant, the ground had exploded. A vast black shape pounced through the sky, meeting thdownpour of the hurricane and not only powering through it but molding it around her. The water was a caress as she pounced for the kill. And a kill she was sure that it would be.

Her claws dug into the Wyvern King's sides, ripping through them with an ease she hadn't expected. It was as if this creature was weaker, even more than the blood would make it seem. She charged a white flame---one she now recognized from the massive white drake also in the skies—and unleashed it through the Wyvern King's wound...

It flooded through, backlighting the bone under the flesh as it whipped and curled and then out to the other side. The creature howled in pain and in surprise, igniting a certain predatory pleasure within Taifage.

The Wyvern King crashed to the ground, pressed against the waves forming all around. Somehow, still alive even after that attack. Taifage could feel it as she rested her hand over the fiend's heart. She dug her fingers into the bone, picking up the new presence who must have contributed to this damage done.

She curled her head up toward the rain and roared. Both to signal her allies of her accomplishment, and as a proclamation of what she was. She was a beast which could make gods wilt. A reptile with blood coursing hot not just with the power of the atom, but of even the multiverse itself as was. She was the storm to which even Typhon wouldn't compare.The Typhoon Lizard.

As she roared, Godzilla's eye turned to her.

__________
The Nameless was distracted such by the Dragon Balls and dragon vanishing that the monster was able to hit him with both of their pincers.

His head jerked around. He clenched his jaw and glared at the cyclopean being. "You call me mortal. I've seen multiverses collapse."

He shattered a pincer with an elbow. He grabbed hold of a shard and threw it like a discus into the thing's eye. "Death has abandoned me. In the end, it's always the NAMELESS!"
________
Xarm and Beetle's weapons went slack in their hands. The great dragon was gone. And their wish for resources had been denied. The creature had faded away before they could utter one of their words.

"I do apologize," The Other said. He hobbled from some debris, still missing a limb from the pirates' attacks. "There may be a place for you. Lost souls always have their way of seeing unrest, as it is. Any damage you do will be mitigated by my niece and my nephews, as it is. Or, undone once the Tyrant of Wrath makes everything worth nothing."

Xarm pointed his gun at the god. "I'm glad you're getting to wax on. It makes for a decent set of last words."

The Other pointed behind the pair of pirates. "Any damage you intend to do now? Also about to be mitigated."

Beetle's hairs stood up. Her head turned in a wide arc to the sight of a glowing green spear headed straight for Xarm's back. She tackled him to the ground. Both were blown off of the terrain by the wispy coattails of the weapon. "That's a chi trick!"

Xarm shook her off and planted his feet down. He mounted his gun to his back and produced a couple swords. "Strongest chi trick that I've ever seen."

"That is right."

That voice... so familiar.

Xarm's eyebrows lowered. His eyes narrowed at the sight of another humanoid stepping from behind debris. Where a trail of blood had led. That trail of blood belonged to...

Jackie Chan. His body was much larger than before. He was clad in armor glowing from that same chi, head to toe, mixed with dull matte metals. His exposed biceps were somehow even larger than Xarm's.

His mouth moved behind its guard. "I wished that I could help. It appears that the dragon heard me."

He waved his arm and a bladed chain swung from beneath one of his wrists. The sheer power coming of it caused Xarm to wince before it even shot toward him. He sprung out of the chain's way and jabbed it with one of his blades. The chain coiled around.

Before he knew it, Xarm was careening toward the empowered man by the grip of his sword.

Jackie taunted, "GET OVER HERE!

They were in for a fight.

[Godzilla165]

Echoes of the Infinite
(To my BotM friends, new and old… This one really is for you. Thank you for waiting.)

Pain had been a foreign concept to Tenchi Orion, a notion of which they knew no sensation, nor had any experience of. That was until now. The god-killing blade tore into the perfect warrior’s chest with disturbing ease, blasting forth out of their back and slinging divine energy everywhere. Tenchi’s ethereal form blinked in and out like a dying light, before it was replaced by their physical manifestation. Their silver armor was split in the middle from Chang’e’s blade, it now having tasted the essence of a ninja. Their white hair, once radiant and glowing, fell messily over their face in a washed out gray. Tenchi’s eyes fluttered shut, and dropped to a hard knee, clutching the blade that penetrated their chest.

Chang’e’s face lit up with wild and primal glee, the Ninja Prime’s agony washing over her like a warm blanket. Her teeth bore themselves in a proud grin as blood ran down the corners of her mouth, and she chortled, a harsh and gainsaying snicker sounding from her now chapped lips. Tiamat, swift-footed as she was, happened upon Tenchi in the blink of an eye as the torrential storm of blackened daggers fell over them both. The dragon and ninja mother threw out a splayed hand and quickly readied a large gleaming forcefield that wrapped around them, shielding them from the intensifying assault.

Tiamat grimaced, Chang’e’s Core-enhanced dark energies making it harder for her to maintain the hold she had on the shield. “We will get out of this, my loves, of that I will make certain!” Tiamat proclaimed.

Such was met with an even louder and unholy cackle from their foe, the very ground shaking from it. “There is nothing either of you can attempt nor do to get out of this shithole of a situation. A situation, mind you, that you both put yourselves in when you had the audacity to use my memories, MY mind, against me!” Chang’e jeered. Red filled her vision, her blood rose to a boil, and she ramped up her endless assault against the combined ninja and their infernal mother even more. Tiamat was beginning to struggle now, her arm shaking as more of the blackened shears slammed into her shield like meteors.

Chang’e grinned sickly, her thirst for blood and suffrage not yet satiated. “How ironic it was for you to have even tried that trick on me, when the amount of bullshit you ninjas have done, the sheer amount of lives taken and blood shed on your behalf… It’s staggering, really.” She said, grinning even wider. “Let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we? I’m sure our lovely audience is ready for another chapter to the story, don’t you think?”

Suddenly, in front of Tenchi and Tiamat, and the rest of their allies present, a cloudy and ghostly apparition took shape. Quickly, it intermingled and solidified into the familiar form of Dante clad in his armor. He had his back turned to his audience, and soon enough, two figures began to approach him. The two figures grew nearer, and were revealed to both be ninja warriors; one female, one male. The female was rather petite in appearance, but had a clearly defined muscular and Olympic-like structure, indicating an insanely powerful and lightning fast individual, despite her size. Her armor was a very majestic metallic silver in color, having the appearance of raw, polished carbon fiber and steel. Long, curly golden hair flowed from the back of her helmet, with cold blue eyes piercing the soul.

Carried with her was an enormous, double bladed sword at least three feet in overall length, electricity running to and from both blades. A silver windmill shuriken covered her left arm, while spiked brass knuckles covered her right hand.

The male was significantly taller, his body flowing with the muscle structure of a bodybuilder. His armor was a deep red with silver and gold accents throughout; raw adamantium and space titanium on full display. His eyes are a dark, intense violet, casting a subtle glow that causes weaker beings to become absolutely mesmerized by them. One long, ripped, and black scarf tail flowed from behind his helmet. He wielded a giant, polished silver hammer that he took from the now slain Hades. Thus, it was filled to the brim with dark magic, as well as his own. Dominating his right hand was a single falcon talon, sharp enough to cleave even the strongest of materials into pieces. Three explosive shuriken were clasped onto both sides of his lower hips, and a single black katana was attached to his back.

"Daeva, Ubel, how nice of you to finally join us.” The Young Man said.

“We got your message and arrived as soon as we could." Daeva responded with a smile.

"So big brother, what's the first line of attack?” Ubel asked, eyes brimming with a killer’s thirst. “I am itching to pound these weak, pathetic beings into a bloody sludge, and rip their spines from their throats with my bare hands!”

"Calm yourself, little brother, and have patience” The Young Man chuckled. “You will have your fire and brimstone soon enough, AND enjoy the slaughter of countless worms. Of that, I promise you.”

Chang’e stood idly by, that devilish grin having never left her face. “Those were your allies you were referring to, you know. The very people you’ve sworn to protect, to lay down your lives for? You wanted to, what did you say, Ubel… Rip their spines from their throats?”

She licked her lips, the familiar copper taste of blood tingling her taste buds. “Ohh but that’s not even half of it; let’s see what else we can dredge up!”

With an echoing snap of her fingers, Chang’e conjured another suffocating cloud of mockery.

This time, the scene saw the elegant form of Daeva doing battle with a familiar white-haired demon, as well as another demon who looked eerily similar to the former. The one who stood beside the ghost-haired demon, with an unearthly bellow, created a massive and raging storm that was aimed solely at the fastest being in the multiverse.

The very winds around the demon picked up, Daeva found herself staggering back from the force of the storm that was brewing. The very ground was uprooted, with what buildings remained in the scene, sliced to ribbons. And yet, the demon could see all. She up-righted herself, eyes brimming with rage as she flew upward. "SUFFER FOR YOUR ARROGANCE, AND LEARN YOUR PLACE WORMS!" The Storm God bellowed, as flames began to converge around Daeva, erupting into a raging fire storm that threatened to consume her…

Yet, to the haughty god’s horror, Daeva dissipated the flames with a massive shockwave of energy, her entire body glowing orange, and her eyes surging with power and rage. The female ninja then proceeded to unleash her ultimate technique on the Storm God, every single one of her blows as hot as a large sun, and growing more powerful with every hit. Daeva performed thousands of slashes, devastating punches, kicks, and shattering bones within the storm demon, before finally ramming her armored glove deep into the god’s stomach. With a sickening twist, Daeva snapped the demon's spine in half, and ripped free her black intestines.

Then, like a rabid animal, Daeva honed in on the white-haired Demogorgon like a speeding missile, and rammed into her with enough force to shatter the demon's ribs to bits. The bloodthirsty ninja pinned the demon down with her armored knees, and used her as a makeshift surfboard, pounding away at her face. The demon's head sunk further and further into the ground after each savage blow. Then, Daeva leaped off Demogorgon, and allowed the demon's momentum to keep her body tumbling end over end across the ground.

Chang’e studied the scene before her and her captivated audience intently, pursing her lips with growing satisfaction. “Some allies you miserable shitheads are.” She said, turning to Tenchi. “Not only did your darling little sister absolutely brutalize Demogorgon and her own sister, but the princess then went on to kidnap your idiot human friend, Molly. She might as well be a rabid fucking animal.” Chang’e shook her head, her attempts at silencing her ravenous grin failing miserably. “Ohhh, but as you’ve probably already guessed, even that little escapade is just the beginning of your beautiful campaign to… ‘Safeguard’ the multiverse. Evron became a vengeful and bloodthirsty monster, wanting nothing more than to kill his dearest older brother… Dante just casually awakened an ancient evil after allying himself with Raspaganje, Ubel tried to manipulate and take Molly hostage. And yet, you all think I’M the bad one?!”

As she spoke, scenes of her descriptions appeared around Tenchi and Tiamat, soon beginning to surround them on all sides like a cage of torment. The colossal assault had since ceased, Chang’e no longer feeling it necessary, thus granting her quarry a moment of respite. Tiamat stood tall then, shooting daggers that were as hot as a star towards Chang’e with her eyes. But, before she could retaliate, the false Heart held up a finger, wagging it back and forth.

“Not so fast on the draw… I still haven’t shown my favorite act!” She snickered. “Wouldn’t you like to see how your prodigal son so casually and mercilessly killed trillions upon trillions of lives in an instant? I most certainly would!”

And, with one final snap of her fingers, Chang’e brought forth a scene of Dante floating in the vast and dark void of space. A spark shown in his orange eyes, a devious grin hidden beneath his helmet. Without a single word, Dante extended a hand forth, and unleashed two, blood red beams of raw energy, twice the size of a supernova, towards a distant galaxy at hypersonic speeds. The titanic beam connected with its target, and created a monstrous, all encompassing explosion, big and bright enough to be seen clearly across the entire multiverse. The target galaxy was destroyed immediately and entirely, with the resulting explosion so huge and so hot, that it vaporized whatever else was in the area for thousands upon millions of miles away.

Chang’e remained silent as the scene finished, her face awash with perpetual smugness. There was nothing more to say; she had finally outed the ninjas for the war mongering fiends they were. There would be dissension among their allies, that dissension would soon lead to discourse, and finally betrayal. A mass shunning of the darling “Guardians of the Multiverse”. Oh, how glorious of a day that would be, all she had to do now was sit back and wait.

“What a beautiful story, with an equally beautiful ending.” Chang’e mused, turning from Tenchi and their washed up mother, to the rest of their allies in the area. “You fools put so much faith in these ninjas, imbued them with so much trust, so much love… And yet, it was all for nothing. Can’t you see? Your guardians… Vilifiers. Your champions… Forsakers…” Chang’e paused and motioned with her hand towards the combined ninja, a smile of poison on her face. “Your heroes, everyone. Let’s all give them a big round of applause!”

Tenchi was reticent. Hushed was the Guardian of everything as the storm cloud of imagery washed over them like a tidal wave. These phantasms, they were... Records? Yes, chronicles from a time long forgotten, an era long ceased. They represented a snapshot in which the guardian ninjas weren't so, they were wards. Instead of being the stewards, shepherds of the multiverse and her peoples, the ninjas were dominators, killers... Destroyers. And, they had been led by one being in which Dante fought so hard against in this current cycle, an all-powerful warlord who knew nothing but chaos and raining brimstone. The ninjas had lost their way, gone against the very ideals and beliefs that they so carefully tended. An estranged, vengeful brother, a people who were feared and hated, instead of loved and respected. A broken cycle. And it was one in which Chang'e aimed to use to bury the guardians once and for all.

Tiamat stood idly beside Tenchi Orion, noting the records that surrounded her and her ilk from all sides. Her face was twisted in a disturbed frown; she knew of these chronicles very well. She had seen them before... Experienced them herself countless millennia ago. But she had never expected for them to sprout forth once more, much to her own misgivings for being blind to such a probability. Chang'e was growing desperate, Tiamat could feel it, which in turn would make her do anything, anything, to secure victory.

Something needed to be done, and quickly, before these ghosts of a forgotten past swallowed the almighty ninja whole, and they knew just what that something was. Tenchi would have to face these annals, all of them, become ONE with them... And then put them to rest once and for all. If the Celestial Angel had taught them anything, it was to accept one's past, even one that was completely separate, and make peace with it. Such a task would be a journey, though one that Tenchi was willing and ready to take.

Tiamat turned and looked at the fusion warrior, a mixture of apprehension and a little fear covering her face like a shroud. She could see their thoughts, hear them as though they were her own. This path wouldn't be an easy one, of that she knew all too well, even for Tenchi. It was a journey that would call for their demise, their psyche to be broken. They needed to be as mentally sure and ready as they were physically.

The All-Mother rested one of her hands on Orion's ethereal shoulder, causing them to turn to her. "Are you sure about this? Are you absolutely certain that you wish to take this on? We can find another way, another path..." She asked them, almost hoping for them to reconsider.

Tenchi reached out, took Tiamat's hand and cradled it in theirs, and nodded all of once; their mind was made up. The latter stared at them through glassy eyes, still not fully onboard with the idea, but she offered them a gentle smile all the same.

"Very well. Then let het marevirm be kind, my children." She reassured them. With a curt nod, Tiamat withdrew her hand from theirs and turned to face Chang’e. Her hands fell to her side and the cardinal chief of the Core gave her adversary a look of complete and total disdain. Tiamat wielded the innate ability to not only eradicate one’s soul, but to extinguish every trace of their existence in every reality. No inklings of their life, their history, their legacy… All of it, gone in an instant.

“Chang’e… I have allowed you to run rampant long enough, a mistake I will forever carry. But now, it is nigh time I right that wrong.” Tiamat said in a gentle cadence, her eyes aglow with bluish white. In seconds, her body became surrounded by a hurricane cell of divine energy, rushing around her at supersonic speed. The cyclone of power was absorbed into her, bit by bit it was drawn in like a whirlpool, before Tiamat’s form suddenly ballooned in size. Where there once stood a petite woman of shorter stature, was replaced now with a radiant sapphire blue entity that stood 230 feet high.

Two bright yellow eyes glared down at Chang’e, as four muscular limbs flexed with freedom, twin tails snaked in the air, and four magnificent wings extended beyond the deity’s back. A circle of horns, made entirely out of Core energy, sat atop her head. This was Tiamat, the heavenly dragon, the most powerful drake in the multiverse. Without a word, the dragon mother used her great wings to catapult herself hundreds of feet in the air, her form alone mending the cracks and fissures of reality back together once more. When she was high enough, Tiamat slowed to a stop, opened her glowing orange maw wide, and all but hurtled a mountain-sized column of multiverse-imbued fire down towards Chang’e. The blinding orange holy flames filled Chang’e’s vision, her mind, and her very essence. She may have been blasphemously powered by the Core itself, but even she wouldn’t stand up to the full brunt of Tiamat’s fury.

Tenchi Orion stood and watched as their mother unleashed her assault with a curious eye. Never had they’d seen her draconian form in-person before, only hearing stories and tales of both it and its unfathomable power. It was truly a glorious sight to behold, but one they could not afford to gawk at; they had a mission to fulfill. As such, Tenchi turned from the ensuing battle and took in a deep drawn breath. Their eyes fluttered shut, and so too did their mind. In this reality they were no longer... It was time to get to work.


____________________________


Transcendence - a state of being or existence above and beyond the limits of material experience.


The vastness of the cosmos, with its swirling galaxies and infinite starlight, has long captured the imagination of the transcendentalist. In the grand sweep of the universe, the individual self seems but a tiny speck, yet transcendentalism reminds us that within this insignificance lies a profound connection to the divine. The stars above are not mere material objects, but windows into a realm of sublime beauty and eternal truths. Just as the individual mind can transcend the limitations of the physical form, so too can we transcend the boundaries of our existence and merge with the infinite consciousness that permeates the cosmos. It is in this mystical union with the natural world that the transcendentalist finds peace, purpose, and a glimpse of the ineffable mysteries that lie at the heart of creation.

It is in this state of being that the ninjas, the Guardians of the Multiverse, found themselves. No longer one as the mighty Tenchi Orion, the siblings now laid in what could only be described as an ocean of galaxies, a vast and infinite body of celestial bodies. One by one, they awoke, with the first of them being Dante, who groggily rose to his feet. He stared at his clean hands and cleansed body, covered in his white and black ceremonial robes. Off a few feet to his right side, did he turn to see Evron rising soon after, along with Ubel to his left, and finally Daeva near in front of them. With all four of the donned in their robes, the siblings regarded one another with a silent greeting and understanding. Rather than confusion, their faces portrayed contentment; they knew why they were here. All around them, colors of every variety, including ones that couldn’t yet even be described, danced, swirled, and intermixed with the other, creating imagery that looked like an oil painting. Underneath the feet of the ninjas were galaxies, whole whirlpools of stars, planets, blackholes, and life… Right below their feet.

This place… It wasn’t a part of the Core itself, yet it felt nearly as important.

“Guys, where are we?” Daeva finally asked, breaking the suspended silence. “It’s beautiful and everything, but… What are we supposed to do here?”

Evron shrugged coyly while he paced haphazardly, his feet sloshing and kicking up the many stars and dust particles. “Beats the hell out of me on both accounts, sis. All I know is there’s a war going on, and instead of kicking Chang’e’s ass and killing her stupid Dad, we’re here to ‘find acceptance’ or something.” The red eyed tactician scoffed, then stopped and focused on Dante standing off a bit next to him. “Em, you got anything?”

Dante, who had been busy taking in their mysterious surroundings, regarded his brother with a slight frown and shake of the head. “Not a clue, Rube, I’ve never been here before in my life. I don’t even know what ‘here’ is.” He sighed and shoved his hands into his robe pockets. “Those images that Chang’e showed us…” Dante looked at each of his siblings, “They meant something. They weren’t just tricks, and they weren’t lies; they were more than that. Our job now is to find out what they were, and how they can help us.”

“She framed them like they were almost… Memories, or like, ghosts of a forgotten past.” Ubel nodded, crossing his arms. “You know Chang’e better than any of us, Em; you’re absolutely sure that she wasn’t just BS’sing us?”

“I’m positive, as sad as that is to say.” Dante replied, a disappointed shadow over his eyes.

“Well, that just means we’ve gotta put our beautiful heads together and do some problem-solving!” Daeva encouraged. “I know how hard that’ll be for you with that planet-sized head of yours, Rube, but hopefully we can manage.” She flashed Evron a cheeky, youngest sibling grin.

Evron merely grinned deviously back, aiming one of his index fingers at her. “Don’t worry, Peri, I’ve got something for you once we’re done with all this, I promise.” He threw back before quickly focusing back in. “So, if we’re supposed to, ‘make peace’ with the stuff that Chang’e showed us, then that means we’d have to physically engage with them somehow, right?”

Dante nodded, “Yeah, but how is the problem we still need to figure out.”

“Oi, who the hell is makin’ all of that damned racket?! You’re fixin’ to get a mighty paddlin’ to the arse if ye keep on yappin’!” A loud, hearty, and gruff voice suddenly echoed in front of the ninjas.

The four siblings paused, their breaths hushed and filtered, their weaponized bodies ready and waiting to fight if need be. Millions of years of battle, eons upon eons of training, had led them all to be sensitive to the slightest abrupt sound or alien movement. A mysterious voice yelling out may as well have been a gunshot. Off mere 50 meters in front of them, did the ninjas see the wooden bow of a boat pierce through the thick fog. The figurehead of such was that of a curly-haired mermaid, cast in rose tinted marble, or a material that looked similar to it. As more of the nautical vessel crested the inky clouds, the siblings soon could tell that it wasn’t a particularly large ship, probably 35 feet long at most.

It was, for the most part, a rather plain affair, with only the smiling mermaid being the standout decoration. Otherwise, the boat was constructed entirely of thick wood, a rustic brown in color, with dark green space moss and solar urchins covering the hull, a sign of apathetic care. It wasn’t, however, the boat that the ninjas were focused on, but rather its captain. A tall figure, at least Ubel’s height, and swallowed in burgundy robes, with a rather large brown leather satchel dangling from their left shoulder, and a worn wooden paddle held tight in their bony fingers. With their hood up, the guardians weren’t able to grab any notable features, an invisible cloak seemingly shrouding their face. And as the boat came to a slow stop in front of them, their defenses were very much up.

“Dante… What do we do, bro?” Ubel inquired psychically, eyes narrowing.

Dante, who stood in front of his siblings, ushered a subtle snap with his fingers, a sign to remain at ease for now. “Let’s just see what they want first, yeah? Remember, we’re supposed to be here.” He calmly replied.

“Alright, but if I even sense that this creepy asshole is thinking of trying anything, I’m going loud.” Evron retorted, his form visibly tensed.

The cloaked figure soon stepped from their boat and walked silently and slowly towards the siblings, rowing paddle in-hand. This made the ninjas draw further into themselves, until, with a suddenness, the figure stopped, stooped low to rest their paddle on the watery surface… And then reached up to remove their large hood. As it dropped to the back of their head, the ninjas saw that they… He was an old man. His eyes were light brown and hardened, likely from having experienced an eons worth of lifetimes, perhaps even more. His skin was wrinkled and folded, though surprisingly well kept and healthy, with a clean shaven bald head, and a full, silver, healthy beard. At first, his lips were drawn tight in a resentful frown, until, as though a spark of revelation and recognition struck him, the old man beamed with excitement.

He stuck his hands out like he was expecting a hug, and let out a deep and hearty laugh. The ninjas peered at one another, bewildered and curious. “Ahhh, Tiamat’s bairns, the guardians themselves! I’d bow if I could, your majesty and highnesses, but this damned back has had me done for as long as I can remember!” He said with an annoyed sneer.

Dante looked at Evron beside him, who just shrugged in confusion, and then turned to the stranger. “Who are you?” He asked.

“Aye…” The man grinned, showing his several missing teeth, “I be The Riverman, at your service.

“The ‘Riverman’?” Ubel parroted, eyebrows raised. “That name, or title I guess, doesn’t sound familiar.” He turned to his siblings with a concerned look, “Guys, I don’t like this; I’ve never heard of this dude before, have you?” Ubel mentally asked.

“Don’t look at me,” Daeva gave a subtle shrug and an innocent look, “you’d know for sure if I did.”

Evron grimaced, “Same here… There’s something fishy going on here, and it’s not just the smell of our new friend.”

Before Dante was able to speak, the ninjas’ collective attention was brought back to The Riverman as he let out a hearty chuckle. “Aye, I take offense to that! It ain’t easy keepin’ clean out here in these waters carryin’ souls to and fro. I bathe when I can!” He replied defensively.

The siblings all looked shocked, their eyes wide and glowing bright. He had… Heard their thoughts. A conversation that normally would have been impenetrable from every other being, even the likes of Chang’e, had somehow been listened in on by this cosmic ferryman!

“How… How the hell did you do that? How did you just listen in on us?!” Evron dumbfoundedly demanded.

The old man beamed a sly, toothy grin, his eyes sparkling in the primordial ether below them. “Aye… In this place, there be no secrets.” He replied coolly, twirling his paddle against the ground.

Dante stepped a little bit in front of his fellow ninjas, hands at his side. “And what is this ‘place’ exactly?” He asked.

“Ah, well I’m glad ye finally asked, your majesty!” The Riverman responded jovially, outstretching his arms once more, and turned his back to them. “I see ye have already taken a trip to the Core? Well, this, lads and lass, this is something quite similar to that, but different all the same.”

Daeva looked exasperated, her foot idly tapping rapidly. “You’re not really making too much sense, stream dude. Is this gonna be a long explanation? Cause in that case I can happily sit down and listen, I just didn’t want to sit down and then have to get right back up as soon as you finished, when I just sat down, you know?”

The Riverman chuckled before turning to look at them, “Hang tight, princess, I be gettin’ there. You see, young warriors, where ye currently stand is an extension of the Core itself, though not many know it to be true. This, my friends…” He motioned a hand around him, “Is Yggdrasil. Or, more specifically, a root of the giant tree.”

Evron recoiled casually in surprise. “So, you mean to tell me that we’re IN Yggdrasil, right now?” He asked.

The Riverman nodded, “Aye.” He answered.

The ninjas shared a look; they had no clue what they had just stepped into, and willingly at that.

“Hold on, so if the Core is responsible for everything that exists, then what is the tree for exactly? You said it was similar to the Core, but different… What does that mean?” Ubel asked.

The ancient being gave an enthused smile, resting his free hand on his slender hip. “That be a great question, big fellow! And I will answer it and anything else ye may have on the way, come on then.” The Riverman said and waved them towards his boat, swiftly shuffling towards it.

Dante reached a hand out, “Well wait a second, we haven’t even told you why we’re here to begin with!”

The Riverman waved that statement off, not even breaking his stride nor looking back. “I know why ye’re hear, I was clued in before the four of you came. Now, get ye asses in gear, we’re already behind!”

The siblings exchanged another look, before Dante, with a short nod, motioned them on. What choice did they really have? Either they succeeded here, or the multiverse truly would be lost forever. They needed The Riverman, they just hoped he was trustworthy. Once they were all aboard, The Riverman, with but one single stroke of his paddle, carried them into the endless ether. In this expanse, the ninjas’ knowledge was for naught; they were in unfamiliar territory, with an equally unfamiliar guide. Whatever challenge laid ahead of them, they needed to be prepared… Such was no longer a choice.

***********************

The voyage had been one of silence and stilled amazement from the siblings, their faces alight with wonder from the otherworldly sights around them. Colors that had no names danced around them and The Riverman’s boat in massive auroras. The branches of Yggdrasil stretched out in the vast distance in front of them, shimmering like countless suns. And, below, was what could only be described as a river, no, an ocean of tiny stars… Floating in the rolling waves of this celestial sea. There was a quiet tenderness to this place, one that reminded all four of the guardians of the Lake of Creation hidden within The Core itself.

“I can’t believe that we’re here right now. We’re actually IN Yggdrasil right now.” Ubel psychically broke the silence with a bewildered tone. “I read all the stories, the myths, legends… But to actually be standing inside of the tree with you guys… It’s just… Wow.”

Evron smirked, “Alright, no need to get mushy about it, Ubie.” He poked, clapping the burly ninja on the back. “But yeah, it is pretty damn cool.”

“I just can’t believe that Mom has actually been here before too, you know?” Dante pointed out, shaking his head in disbelief. “Where has that lady not been at this point?”

Daeva giggled, “Yeah, she’s apparently been everywhere, hasn’t she? Mom’s a little nomad!”

“She’s almost like this… Pint-sized pioneer or whatever.” Evron said, rubbing a temple in his forehead. “I swear, the more we learn about Mom, the less I feel like I know about her”

“Aye, and how is the ex-Queen of the multiverse these days?” The Riverman finally spoke, peering back at the ninjas whilst continuing to paddle the ship along.

The ninjas were surprised for all of a second, before remembering what he had said earlier: In this place, there were no secrets. Their mental conversations may as well have been on display for anyone else in the area to listen in on. However, that fact wasn’t the aspect that had the siblings confused.

“I’m sorry, Riverman, but I think you may have our mom confused with someone else.” Dante kindly corrected.

The shipmaster grinned, “On the contrary, your majesty, I may be an old-timer, but my mind is still as sharp as ever.” He refuted. “Besides… I was there when she was sworn in.”

The ninjas exchanged a few curious looks. “Wait a minute, so you’re trying to tell us that our mom, Tiamat, used to be the… Queen of the multiverse at some point?” Ubel asked, his brow deeply furrowed.

“I am, lad!” The Riverman confirmed, shooting Ubel a cheeky wink.

“Hold up, something doesn’t seem right to me.” Evron said. “Why would there even need to be a ‘Queen’, when The Core is the creator of everything? That sounds redundant.”

“Aye, ye’d be correct on any other occasion, ye’re highness, but this was during an unstable time in the multiverse at large, and the Core required its plans and visions to be, shall I say… Focused.” The Riverman replied.

“Explain.” Dante asked.

“Ye see, the multiverse was still quite young, malleable, and tumultuous. Where there was chaos, there also needed to be order to ensure that the Core could create and expand freely without too many problems. And that, lads and lass, is where ye’re mother, father, and the original deities came in. Hell, even I stepped up to the plate and took the reins for a bit!”

“Wait, you mean to tell us that Marise of all people was in charge of the entire multiverse at one point?” Evron asked, shocked.

The Riverman nodded, “Aye, though this was at a time long before yours, a time of harmony and kinship… A time long before ye’re father went mad with power.” He sighed, shaking his head.

Ubel crossed his arms, glancing at his other siblings to feel out their personal feelings about all of this, and all 3 of them shared the same expression: shocking confusion. Fair. Everything claimed by their new escort was a lot to take in at once, unveiling a potential side of not just the ninjas’ parents, but their entire race that they’d never known nor imagined.

“So,” Ubel began, “what did our Mom… Do as Queen of the multiverse? You said how there needed to be order back then, so was she in control of keeping everything and everyone in-check?”

“In simple terms, aye. Tiamat acted as the… Funnel of sorts. She helped to focus the multiverse, and all its children, into one point, one singular goal and idea: prosperity. She wanted nothing more than to help enact the Core’s vision of everlasting peace and unity between every race, every clan, every community… To ensure that everyone from all corners of reality could forever operate with respect and compassion for one another. An ambitious goal, absolutely, but one that your mother was devoted to seeing come true.”

Dante smiled, his belly full of a new warmth. “That’s amazing.” He muttered.

“Aye…” The Riverman started, finally turning to look fully at his passengers, and grinned warmly. “It was a real sight to behold when she nearly accomplished it.”

“Why didn’t she ever tell us about any of this?” Daeva asked, her blue eyes glassy. “To keep such a huge part of her life hidden from her own children… There had to have been a pretty good reason, right?”

“Aye, princess, that, I’m afraid… Is the sticky part.” The Riverman answered with another long sigh. “Ye’re mother, in all of her ambition, was no fool. She knew very well how there’d be many a being who would have wanted to see her and her clan destroyed, her work buried. Perhaps, not for eons, but one day.”

The Riverman ceased rowing and turned to face the ninjas, his face wrought with empathy. “She kept that part of her life hidden, lads and lass, to keep her most invaluable creations safe… The four of you. She even went as far as to task the keeper of knowledge, our feathered friend, with striking this portion of her days from the record, so no one, except for a select few, would ever know. Ye already have a constant target on ye’re backs from being the guardians.”

Charon turned his back and continued rowing them along. “Imagine if ye’re enemies also know that ye’re mother was once in charge of existence.” He shook his head. “That’s why the likes of Owlzarus thinks so dearly of her, you know? They weren’t just friends, Owlzarus was, and is, your mother’s most trusted ally, her noble advisor, equal. He ensured that you four stayed safe from as much unnecessary danger as possible in her absence.”

A long, stifled silence followed suit, what with the guardian ninjas sitting amongst themselves, trying so desperately to consume all of what they’d just learned, what to think… How to feel. How to feel about this, this… Tidal wave? For Dante, he felt conflicted, both as a son, and as a leader. On one hand, their mother had turned out to be even more incredible than they, than he, had ever thought possible. She was a true visionary, a bastion of peace and love who, as it turned out, always had he and his siblings at the forefront of her mind the second they’d been born. But… She had also kept this life, this part of herself hidden from them for all these years, all these centuries, eons, megaanums. Even if for all the seemingly right reasons, the fact was, ultimately, he knew very little about the woman who had given him life… None of them did.

As a leader, this brought Dante into questioning his own tenure as a leader, a king, and the secrets he had withheld in the past from his own people, his love… His blood. Could he really lead a whole realm with honesty and integrity, while keeping things that he believed would protect them, hidden? He had done it as a young king, but… No. Secrets were the incurable toxin to unravel an entire kingdom from within, and such had nearly killed his when Marise was in power. His parents secrets and mistakes were their own. Dante would continue to forge a future for his people built on a foundation of truth, of hope, of unity… And of love.

Eventually, it was Evron who broke the silence, but it wasn’t in relation to anything he and his fellow ninja had learned. Instead, the mission is what mattered now more than anything else. “You still haven’t told us what the hell we’re doing here.” He said.

“Ah yes! And what be a coincidence that ye brought that up, lord!” The Riverman replied, chuckling.

Evron raised an eyebrow, “And why is that?”

The Riverman turned and flashed a toothy grin at them. “Because…” He tapped his mythical paddle onto the hull of the boat three consecutive times, and behind him did a massive portal suddenly appear. “We have finally arrived, and this be where ye get off!”

Daeva’s eyes grew wide, “Well hold on just a damn minute, ferry boy! Give us a manual to read or something first! We have no idea what to do yet!!” She exclaimed.

Holding up a hand, The Riverman chortled, “Don’t worry, I’m gonna explain to ye! So, listen up you lot, as this be very important and ye HAVE to get it right the first time, alright? Ye only have one chance at this.”

Dante nodded, “Understood. Go on now, explain.”

“Alright then. So, Chang’e has played her hand and dug up events from a reality that, while similar to this one, is broken, battered… Fallen. Realities like this are referred to as ‘shattered realities’, places that once had a place within The Core’s embrace, but are no longer fit to exist, and are then expunged into the ether.”

Ubel furrowed his brow, “Shattered realities?” He murmured, testing the words on his lips. He looked into The Riverman’s eyes, “Wait, so is that why we saw those events of us destroying things… Killing people? Because those were from a shattered reality?”

“Ye’re on the money, lad. After ye all weaponized Chang’e’s own memories against her, she has now resorted to doing something similar. Except, she has gone as far as to use an entirely different reality to try and turn your allies against ye, and to make the four of you lose focus and grow vulnerable.”

Evron snorted in disdain, a flash of annoyance shining in his eyes. “It’s a damn good strategy. I’d be impressed if I wasn’t itching to throttle her ass instead.”

“So what do we need to do, Riverman? In order to get back home and stop Chang’e for good, what’s our mission here?” Dante asked.

The Riverman was silent for a moment, looking between the four of them with contemplation. “Ye’re mission here, lads and lass, is simple, but is probably the hardest that you’ll ever have to accomplish… Ye have to make peace with these shattered versions of yerselves.”

The ninjas all exchanged a look. “Make peace… How?” Daeva asked.

“In whatever way you have to, princess. Whatever it is that’s been causing your shattered versions pain or anger, ye have to them to heal. That will be the one way, the only way, for ye to get back to the fight.”

“Well, how will we know what’s causing them pain exactly?” Ubel inquired. “As much as I hate to say it, but we don’t really have time to just sit down and slowly pull their turmoil out of them.”

Evron nodded, clicking his teeth. “Yeah, we’re kind of on a time crunch here, Charon, the multiverse on the brink of destruction, and everything.”

“Aye,” The Riverman smiled, “well luckily for ye, the winds of convenience are blowing strongly today! I happened to take a gander into our little problem reality, and gained some valuable intel to make your lives a little bit easier. Ye’re welcome!”

“Okay…” Daeva smirked, “So what are these versions of us so mad about? Especially me! What would I have to be angry about?? Have you seen me? There’s nothing to be mad about here, I-”

Dante gently wrapped his arm around Daeva and gave her a little shake, prompting her to shoot him a cheeky grin. “What can you tell us about them, Riverman?” He asked.

The old ferryman wagged a finger, “Now now, sadly I can’t tell ye everything; that would make the story too easy! But…” He pointed behind himself to the glowing white portal, “Once ye get through the vortex, all the information ye require will be granted. And, I’ve already let each of them know ye’re coming.” Remember, all ye need to do is get these versions of yer selves on the path of healing, put it into their hearts, their spirits; connect with them, alright?”

There was a moment of respite, silence as the ninjas took in both themselves and the situation now presented to them. So this was it then, this was the crucial mission that they as individuals, and as a collective, had to complete, had to find total success in. To save everyone, they needed to save themselves first. Finally, it was Dante who turned to The Riverman, and nodded not just for himself, but for his siblings, his teammates as well.

“Alright, we’re ready.” He affirmed, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

The Riverman nodded in kind, and positioned himself to the side of the portal, extending a hand out. “Then let the multiverse protect, yer majesty and highnesses. Ye will succeed, I know ye will.”

Dante turned to his fellow ninja, gifting them a warm smile. “This definitely feels like one of the most… Unorthodox ways that we’ve had to save the day, yeah?” He joked.

Evron scoffed, “Yeah, but when have things ever really been ‘orthodox’ for us? Feels like we’re always doing the weirdest shit to save this place.”

“Touché.” Dante snickered.

“Soooo, what are we all gonna say to our shattered versions? I know I’m gonna give my girly a well deserved makeover and hairdo, because I know for a FACT that she hasn’t taken care of herself being so angry all the time!” Daeva said, twirling a finger through her own hair.

Ubel shook his head, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck. “I just hope that… Me is cool enough to listen to whatever I have to say. If he isn’t at least a casual Billy Idol listener though… I don’t know-”

“Alright, that’s me leaving, anything to get away from Ubie writing a dissertation on why ‘Rebel Yell’ is the greatest song ever made.” Evron jeered before he turned and flew towards the awaiting portal.

Ubel extended his arms out, confused. “What? It’s true! And, let’s not forget you still owe me a new speaker, douchebag!” He threw back, flying after his older brother.

“I STILL DON’T KNOW WHAT DOUCEBAG MEA-” Evron’s voice trailed off as he disappeared into the vortex, with Ubel shooting in a second later.

Daeva sighed, shaking her head. “Idiots…” She then turned to Dante, and gave him a massive hug, whispering, “See you on the other side, yeah?”

Dante smiled and pecked the top of her head, “You bet, sis, stay safe over there, okay?”

The youngest ninja pulled away and shot him a wink, “Careful? Where’s the fun in that??” Daeva’s afterimage poked before dissipating away.

As the Ninja Prime was about to follow suit, The Riverman stepped forward. “Lord Dante, hold on a second, lad.” He said.

Dante stopped in his tracks and turned to the ancient being. “What is it?” He asked.

The ferryman smiled gently, “I waited until your siblings left to tell ye this, but ye yer self don’t have to go into that portal.”

The Ninja Prime raised an eyebrow, “What do you mean I don’t, ‘have to’?” He asked.

“Ye have already made peace with yer demons, lad, turned them into light. Yer new form, yer angel friend? There’s nothing beyond that portal that ye haven’t already done.” The Riverman replied, smacking Dante gently in his shoulder with the end of his paddle.

Dante considered him for a moment, before looking down at his own hands, flexing them unconsciously. “I’ve already made my peace?” He stared into The Riverman’s eyes. “So what am I to do then? I can’t just sit by and do nothing while my siblings are in there, potentially in danger.”

“Yer siblings are strong, lad, but ye don’t need me to tell ye that, do you? They’ll make it, they always do, don’t they? Now, come…” The Riverman snapped his fingers, revealing a large oasis with an expansive lake beyond the shoreline behind him. “Let’s talk for a bit, shall we? I’ve been dying to rest me tired ass legs all day!”

Dante was hesitant at first, but after a few moments, he obliged and followed his strange companion.

Chiaroscuro

The Riverman adjusted the strap of his leather satchel, its well-worn surface catching the dim light of the interdimensional twilight. His eyes, weathered by countless eons, scrutinized Dante with a blend of curiosity and sternness. The oasis lake they stood by seemed to shimmer with the echoes of universes past, present, and yet to come.

"Ye've been at this a long time, Dante," The Riverman began, his brogue rough yet melodic. "But tell me, lad, why do ye fight? What's the fire that keeps ye goin'?"

Dante, his visage calm and noble, gazed out over the shifting waters. His silky, resonant voice held the wisdom of millennia. "I fight because there is always something worth protecting. Life, in all its forms, holds this… Endless potential and beauty. Each universe is like an arras, every thread a story worth preserving."

The Riverman let out a contemplative hum, his rugged face softened by a hint of a smile. "Aye, such be a Yakuza, poetic as ever. But tell me, how long can ye keep this up? Even guardians have their limits. Twenty-six million years, and ye've barely scratched the surface of eternity."

Dante's eyes flickered with a quiet intensity. "As long as I’m needed, I’ll endure. The weight of the multiverse is heavy, crushing at times… But it’s not a burden I carry alone. My siblings and I, we draw strength from each other, from the love and bond we share. So, it’s not really a matter of how long, but of purpose. Each battle we’ve fought, each universe we’ve saved, gives meaning to our existence."

The Riverman nodded slowly, taking a seat on a weathered stone by the shoreline. He gestured for Dante to join him. "Ye speak of purpose, lad. But purpose can be a fickle thing. What does being a guardian mean to ye, truly? Beyond the noble words and grand ideals?"

Dante sat beside him, the weight of eons visible in his posture, yet offset by an unbreakable resolve. "Being a guardian… Means understanding the value of life, even in its darkest moments. Standing and facing the coming void head on, the evil that tries to completely undo the fabric of reality. But, it also means to have an obligation of compassion, forgiveness, and the willingness to seek peace even with the parts of ourselves we hate."

The Riverman's eyes narrowed inquisitively. "And this journey, this quest to make peace with the shattered versions of yerselves, how does it fit into yer personal belief, or role as guardians?"

A sigh escaped Dante's lips. "I don’t know. But, it almost feels like a path of… self-discovery? This chance of complete reconciliation. At least, after knowing what I, what we, know now. We all have to confront our inner demons, the shadows of our own spirits, to really understand what it means to protect others. How can we defend the multiverse if we can’t even make peace with ourselves? No… No, we have to find some kind of… Balance, accept our flaws, and learn to turn our weaknesses into strengths…” He looked at The Riverman, “Our demons into light."

The Riverman leaned back, his gaze drifting to the lake’s ever-changing flow. "Wise words, Dante. Yet, there's a simplicity in what ye're sayin'. The multiverse is a complex beast, a dance of chaos and order. Have ye ever considered that maybe, just maybe, the end goal isn't about winning or losing, but about the journey itself? The lessons learned, the bonds forged, and the wisdom gained along the way?"

Dante nodded slowly, a peaceful smile showing on his lips. "I have, and I think you might be onto something. Every journey, They… Shape us, teach us in different ways. Every fight, every win, every loss, it all adds a new layer to who we are. And in the end, it’s not just about saving the multiverse anymore, but about understanding and embracing those journeys, with all of their trials and triumphs."

The Riverman clapped Dante on the shoulder, his rough hand surprisingly gentle. "Aye, lad. Ye've got a good head on yer shoulders. Remember this, it's not just the destination that matters, but the path ye take to get there. Keep that in mind, your majesty, and ye'll find the strength to keep goin', no matter how long the road."

Dante's eyes met The Riverman's, gratitude and determination shining within them. "Thank you, Charon. I’ll hold your advice close as we all keep fighting for what’s right."

The Riverman then stood, offering Dante a hand up. "Come on, then. We've got a long way to go, and the multiverse waits for no one." Dante took his hand, and together, they turned away from the celestial river and set off back toward The Riverman’s boat. The latter gave the Ninja Prime an inquisitive look then.

“Do ye think yer siblings will be able to handle their alternate selves, make peace with them?”

Dante shook his head, “No, I don’t…” He said as they walked, before meeting the ferryman’s gaze with a confident smile. “I know they will.”

The Riverman flashed a toothy grin and nodded, as the two of them neared the vessel and awaited for the other ninjas’ return.

__________

Forgiveness

As the portal dissipated behind him, Evron landed silently on the cold, metallic floor of a dimly lit chamber of sorts. The air inside was thick with the scent of rust, heavy with the smell of rot. Shadows loomed ominously around him, almost seeming to reach out in an effort to strangle his very essence. Evron kept his head on a tight swivel, his senses quickening as he took in his surroundings. A decrepit spaceship, its walls lined with flickering screens and tangled wires, echoes of a once thriving vessel now lost to the strands of time.

He moved cautiously, each step careful as he scanned the room. A sense of growing unease crept over him; the silence was almost deafening. Evron always trusted his gut, his tactful mind airtight, and right now, both screamed that he wasn't alone in here. His glowing red, sharp eyes caught a glint of metal in the corner, and his alarm bells sounded. He turned on his heels just as a dark figure emerged from the shadows.

"Which one of us is worthy enough to call themselves a ninja? Let's find out." Shattered Evron sneered, brandishing his serrated katana that glinted viciously in the dim light. The air crackled as he shot forward, aiming to close the distance with deadly efficiency.

Reacting in less than the blink of an eye, Evron sidestepped, his own katana drawn in a fluid motion. The two blades clashed with a sharp clang, sending mighty shockwaves throughout the ship, and causing for it to groan to one side and shift its weight backwards. Shattered Evron pressed his attack, his strikes fueled by rage and bitterness, but Evron was faster. He countered the flurries with agility, parrying each blow and redirecting the energy of his past self's baleful assault.

The fight grew more intense by the second, an oppressive storm of steel and shadows, until Evron darted left and then spun, using the momentum to disarm his counterpart. The serrated Shikoro Ken clanged loudly to the ground as he aggressively pinned Shattered Evron against a wall, his own katana at the latter’s throat, surging with red electric energy.

“Stand down,” Evron demanded, “just because you’re me, doesn’t mean I won’t cut your head off and upend this whole fucking timeline.”

Shattered Evron’s eyes flickered with defiance, rage, but the sharpness and pressure of the blade, combined with the realization of his predicament, forced a reluctant nod. “Fine,” he hissed, his words laced with venom.

As he stepped back, allowing his alternate self to regain some composure, Evron could see a glint of pain in Shattered Evron’s eyes, before it was quickly replaced with disgruntled trepidation. The latter shot Evron a leer, and teleported past him, heading deeper into a dark hallway on Evron's left.

"If you're following, then make it quick, if not… Get the hell out." Shattered Evron called out.

Evron rested one hand on his hip as he stared after his alternate self both curiously and annoyingly. "By the gods, my... Copy is a scared and whiny asshole, isn't that rich?" He grumbled to himself, a deep sigh escaping his lips. "Dammit, Charon."

With a begrudging low groan, he followed his alternate self deeper into the ship.

************

The clopping of dress shoes echoed in the hollow walls of the decrepit ship, its rusted surfaces almost whispering secrets of forgotten battles fought there. Evron stood within the dinghy light, his typical cockiness almost subdued by the putrid atmosphere. Those same shadows from before drew ever closer towards him, casting devilish, vengeful shapes that mirrored the angst within. Evron could feel nearly feel the weight of this broken reality pressing down on him, a hard-hitting reminder of the countless aspects here that diverged from his own. He wasn’t welcome here, not in this ship, nor this past multiverse as a whole. This was just an echo now, something that happened, however long ago.

Across the room, Shattered Evron sat in a throne of twisted and sharp metal, now unmasked and his arms crossed, a scowl etched deep into his visage.

“So, you’re the ‘superior’ version of me, eh?” Shattered Evron sneered, his voice a barely contained growl. “The golden boy who gets to play little hero while I’m left to rot in this hellhole?”

Evron rolled his eyes as far back as they could go, “Oh, please, pleeease spare me the melodramatic bullshit, alright? You’re the idiot who chose this life of a nomadic hobo asshole, all because you couldn’t forgive your version of Dante over what, a fight??”

“I chose this!?” Shattered Evron shot back, his voice rising. “You think I wanted this shit? You think I wanted to watch Dante become a shell of himself while I sat here, wasting away!?” Shattered Evron slammed a fist down on his throne, buckling the entire ship. “Dante abandoned me, and now I want him to feel the same pain I felt! I want him to suffer before I rip his fucking heart from his chest!”

A stifling silence hung between them, heavy and thick. Evron’s cold heart found itself aching at the turmoil emanating from his alternate self, as well as shock. Because, although he knew of the situation at hand, The Riverman having kept to his word on that, it still didn’t make this any less horrific. This… Echo of himself (could he even call it that?) wanted to kill his version of Dante… His own brother, his bloodline. Despite the many fights that Evron and Dante had gone through in the past, especially when they were kids, Evron could never fathom a future where his brother wasn’t in his life, where death separated them that was brought forth by his own hand. How could he even begin to empathize with this shattered version if was as lost as he was? Still… Evron could see the genuine pain behind the untethered rage, the type of loss that, in a lot of ways, mirrored his own. The thought of Dante, his brother, their bond, brought memories flooding back, memories of a different kind of loss, one that had left Evron aimless, even after so much time had passed.

“Look,” Evron began, his tone softer, more sympathetic. “I get it. I really do. Losing someone you love… It’s like losing a part of yourself. I lost someone… Important to me a long time ago. It shattered me. Broke me beyond repair for longer than I could count.” Evron pressed a hand against his chest, staring at his anguished self. “I know that rage, that overwhelming lust for vengeance. The thirst for blood, it’s alluring as hell. But, it ultimately won’t bring them back, and you’ll be left feeling even emptier than you already are now.”

Shattered Evron leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “Do you honestly believe I give a damn about your little sob story? You DON’T understand! Dante was my best friend, my other half… And he threw it all away for what? Our bond meant nothing to him! Shattered Evron slumped back in his seat, breathless. “It never did.”

Evron felt a tinge in his chest, an ache that he was all too familiar with. With a sigh, he conjured a large cigar, lit it with a spark from his finger, and took a puff. “You’re right. I don’t know your pain. But, I do know what it’s like to feel abandoned, lost. To feel like you’ve forgone a piece of your soul. But this?” He gestured between them, “this isn’t the answer. You have to find a way to forgive him, for whatever he did.”

“Forgiveness?” Shattered Evron scoffed, the word came out harsh and prickly. “You think I can just forgive him for what he did? For leaving me here? For upending the sanctity of what we once had?”

“It’s not about him,” Evron replied, his voice steady, vapor trailing with every word spoken. “It’s about you. Holding onto that anger will only destroy you from the inside out. It’s a weight that gets heavier the longer you hold onto it. Nothing beneficial has obviously come from it, right?”

For a moment, Shattered Evron looked lost, that mask of rage slipping just enough for Evron to peer past the act. “What do you know about burdening? You’ve got everything you want and more.” He hissed.

Evron’s hardened features softened. “I know more about burden than you’ll ever realize. The hardships of doing what I do, seeing what I’ve seen, it weighs on everyone, me included.”

Shattered Evron’s expression adjusted, a glint of confusion crossing his face. “So what, you think you can just come in here and ‘save me’ with your wisdom from some textbook that old feathered idiot probably gave you?”

“No,” Evron shook his head, “I’m not here to save you. I can’t change who you are or what you’ve been through. Frankly, I don’t want to. But, I can offer you something else: Understanding. Again, I know how it feels to be lost, to want to lash out against everyone because of your own anger that you never asked for. You have to ask yourself this, though: is this really who you want to be? Where you want to be? A lost, angry soul who keeps running away from their problems, or trying to suffocate them?”

Another stretch of silence washed over the two ninjas, energized with unspoken words, unshared struggles. There was a low tension in the room, a tender thread that seemed to bring them together, despite everything. Evron could feel it. He could also see the internal struggle in Shattered Evron’s eyes, the want to listen to reason, but still held back by his longstanding fury.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the silence was broken. “Maybe you’re right,” Shattered Evron finally muttered, almost too quietly to hear. “Maybe I’m just… tired, tired of fighting a battle that feels never ending, hopeless.”

Evron nodded, his soul alight with empathy, genuine empathy towards Shattered Evron, towards himself. “We’re all tired, but that doesn’t mean we can’t go down a different path. It’s okay to grieve. It’s okay to feel angry. It’s okay to feel. Just don’t let that anger, that rage, that darkness, swallow you whole.”

As they stood/sat across from each other, the distance between them felt less like a canyon and more like a bridge, a connection strengthening in shared pain and growing understanding. Evron hoped that, somehow, his words had planted a seed of doubt in the hatred that would one day start to bud in Shattered Evron’s heart.

“Just… Sleep on it, alright?” Evron said. “You’re not alone in this. You don’t have to fight these shadows by yourself. Let go of that anger, and maybe you’ll find a way back to your brother, your family.”

Shattered Evron remained silent, his gaze fixed on the floor. Evron could only hope that, for his sake, a beacon of understanding would expand into something more. Even in darkness, one tiny spark could ignite a raging fire. Suddenly, behind Evron, a white flash of light consumed the chamber they were in, forcing Shattered Evron to shield his eyes. Evron turned and looked, and to his pleasant surprise, he found what seemed to be a portal of The Riverman’s make. Did that mean he had succeeded? Only one way to find out, he supposed. “Charon, you son-of-a-bitch.” He thought.

Turning back to his broken, no, healing self, Evron found him standing now, gazing at him with a blank yet content face. “That your ride?” He asked.

Evron smiled softly, “Yeah, that’s my ride.” He replied.

Shattered Evron nodded. “Well, when you get back, do me a favor? Tell Charon he’s an asshole.”

Evron laughed, “Alright, that’ll be the first thing I say to him, promise.” With that, he turned from his copy and threw a parting hand up.

“Hey wait.” Shattered Evron called out, prompting Evron to stop and peer over his shoulder. The former hesitated a moment, but steeled himself and asked, “The person you lost… Who were they?”

There was another brief pause, Evron still looking over his shoulder, but not really looking at Shattered Evron. Finally, with a sigh, he responded. “She was my fiancé.” He said heavily.

An empathetic look came over Shattered Evron’s visage. “I… I’m really sorry. How did she-”

Evron turned to fully face him, eyes glowing dimly. “She was murdered.”

“What was her name?”

“… Rebeqa.” Evron said, those letters, that name tender yet woeful on his lips. She had died so long ago now, yet why did he still feel so lost… So heavy?

Shattered Evron nodded, really nodded. “I’ll pray to The Core for her… For you.”

Evron considered his duo for a moment, and then felt a half smile etch along his lips, a warm and gentle one. “I appreciate that. And hey… Call your brother, yeah? I’m sure he misses you, very much.”

A flicker of consideration crossed Shattered Evron’s face, but it was just that: a flicker. “Maybe.” He said. And, that was the last thing he said to Evron, before he teleported off to somewhere else within the ship, or maybe somewhere else completely. Evron could no longer feel his energy signature.

At this point, it didn’t matter much; Evron had succeeded in what he came here to do, and now it was time to go back. Without another word, he vaporized the cigar still in his grasp, and turned to head into the portal.

__________

Peace

As the milky vortex glimmered and twisted, Daeva felt a familiar rush of energy envelop her, pulling her through various dimensions in an instant. With a sudden jolt, she landed in the center of a massive room. A grand palace, adorned with luxurious fabrics and intricate jewels that felt both majestic and otherworldly. A soft light whispered through tall and arched windows, highlighting the specks of dust that danced in the air.

Her gaze fell upon a single, enormous bed dominating the space, covered in deep orange silks. Nestled comfortably within the sheets laid a figure, unconscious, yet seemingly in a state of peace. A version of Dante... Here? He laid there, resting from, unbeknownst to Daeva, an intense mental battle, his expression slightly troubled even in sleep. But why… Why was he here? This was supposed to just be a conversation between Daeva and her, “shattered” self, an attempt to change her heart. So, why then did Dante lay in that bed just a few feet away from her?

Daeva took a cautious step forward, her heart beginning to perform somersaults in her chest. Just as she opened her mouth to call out, a voice echoed from the other end of the room, rich with fake disbelief.

“What are you doing here?”

Daeva turned on her heels to see another version of herself standing in the far doorway of the bedroom. Her hair cascaded in gentle waves, and her eyes gleamed with a mixture of curiosity and unsureness. They were both curious, and, to be quite honest… A little starstruck. The sheer magnitude of beauty that both of them shared… It’s a wonder how the respective multiverse didn’t implode right then and there. The two Daevas stared at each other as if they were reflections in a funhouse mirror—similar, yet different all the same.

“Sooooo… I’m gonna take a wild guess and say that you’re another ‘version of me?” Daeva inquired, taking in her shattered version with a confused yet just as much enthusiastic expression.

“I could ask you the same,” Shattered Daeva replied, crossing her arms, a smirk tugging at her lips. “But it seems we may be more alike than we would like to admit.”

Daeva continued to study her counterpart, the room between them seeming to vibrate with energy. A brief silence fell between them. Though their appearances were just about identical, the fair bit of tension in the air hinted at the differences in their experiences.

“Well, I’m Daeva!” she greeted with a bright grin as she took a step closer, her natural warmth shining through.

“And I am Daeva,” Shattered Daeva replied less enthusiastically, her gaze flickering to Dante, then back to Daeva. “You may want to keep your distance. I am not the version of yourself that you want to meet.”

Daeva raised an eyebrow, “Oh? I promise, I’m not here to judge.” She said. “I just… I can’t help but wonder what brought you to this place. This isn’t the kingdom, and…” She looked over he shoulder at Dante’s sleeping form. “What happened to Em?”

Shattered Daeva’s eyes grew dark momentarily, her expression changing. “This palace is a place of pain.” She answered, her voice heavy with weariness. “It is where I have watched everything that I care about slip away.” She gazed at Dante with a pained brow, “Or grow closer to doing so.”

Daeva felt a tug inside herself, one that reminded her of her own losses over the years, the sacrifices made. “You miss your Dante, don’t you? Who he was before?” She gently asked.

“More than you can imagine.” Shattered Daeva replied, her voice cracking just slightly. “He has been lost to me now for so, so long… Swallowed by his own darkness.”

Daeva stepped closer, her curiosity piqued by this little revelation. “I get it.” She admitted, her voice low. “I almost lost him too once, a few times even. Knowing that one of your own siblings is going through something, something so horrible, but you can’t do anything about it is…” Daeva found herself trailing off and lost within a forest of her own thoughts. Her eyes found themselves drifting to Dante again, despite the latter not even being her own. “It’s something I’d never wish on my worst enemy. It breaks something in you, leaves a hole that never completely heals, even if they do.”

Without turning, Daeva could feel the presence of her shattered twin join her side, as they both gazed idly at the one who meant so much to both of them. “There is a field of flowers just outside, beautiful and expansive.” Shattered Daeva began, which granted her a surprised look from Daeva. “Wait for me there while I finish prepping his room for nightfall, we can talk more once I am finished.”

Daeva smiled and nodded only once. “Looking forward to it.” She said as her afterimage faded away.

Shattered Daeva watched her disappear, before, with a deep inhale and exhale, focused her attention onto Dante. “Let us get you comfortable, big brother.” She said with a tired smile, before leaving to collect more bedsheets and pillows.

****************


Soon enough, Daeva had indeed found herself in a massive field, vibrant flowers of various species and colors billowing gracefully in the gentle breeze. Their colors were a mesmerizing kaleidoscope under the warm glow of an evening sun. The air was blissful with the smell of petals, honey, and lavender. The horizon beyond seemed to stretch infinitely, hues of orange and purple turning it into a living painting. It was a peaceful sanctuary, a direct contrast to the current chaos of Daeva’s own multiverse.

Sitting cross-legged amongst the flowers, Daeva unconsciously twirled a picked flower between her fingers, lost in thought. It was then that her alternate self appeared in front of her, now dressed in gray leggings and an oversized blue t-shirt.

“It’s soooo beautiful out here, isn’t it?” Daeva said, her voice bouncy and light. “You look like you could use a load off, soul-sister, come on.” She patted the ground beside her.

Shattered Daeva looked around, taking in the beauty of the surrounding scenery, then nodded slowly. “I guess I could. It is just… Hard to appreciate it all sometimes.”

“I get that…” Daeva replied, her tone changing to one of empathy. “Sometimes though, we just gotta appreciate little moments like this, you know? If not, then we’ll go freaking insane! I know I would!”

Shattered Daeva’s eyes fluttered, a hint of a smirk forming. “Easier said than done, sadly.” She murmured, her voice shaking slightly. “You were right about what you said earlier, how hard it is to see a loved one suffering, and not being able to do anything about it.” She found her seat beside Daeva and drew her knees close to her chest. “It eats you alive, tears you apart from the inside out, even though you are not the one who is going through it.”

Daeva’s eyes turned glassy as she looked at her fractured self. “But you feel like you are going through it.” She supported softly. “It’s like a shadow that follows you, it takes away your happiness even when you’re having a good day. You always feel like crying, crawling up into a little ball and just… Disappearing. You feel angry, like why me? Why am I going through this? Why are YOU making me go through this?” Daeva looked away, returning to that forest in her mind, a place where she could truly slow down. “Even when it isn’t even their fault.”

Shattered Daeva stared at her, taking her in fully for the first time since she’d arrived. They were both so young, despite having been around longer than many civilizations, longer than some realms, galaxies… They still were just babes, babes who’d both been through so much. She wasn’t alone in her struggles, of course; Evron and Ubel were going through the same storm with her. But, for Shattered Daeva, to know that there was another version of herself that shared her same kind of turmoil, experience, hit a little differently.

“You understand. My brothers are all so wonderful, so understanding… But to have someone like you understand so intimately what it is like… It is a nice feeling.” Shattered Daeva said, resting a hand on Daeva’s shoulder.

Daeva accepted the gesture, reaching up and clenching her hand tenderly. “They are pretty great, aren’t they? And don’t worry, your Em, er, Dante? He’ll be okay, he’ll get through this.” She grinned, “He always does. Always.”

Daeva picked another flower, twirling it thoughtfully. “Hey, if we weren’t busy being super cool and protecting the multiverse, what else do you think you’d want to do?” She asked, trying to brighten the mood.

Shattered Daeva’s expression softened, the hint of a smile breaking through. “I used to dream about finding someone special, someone who would really get, see me just like my brothers do. Someone who would view me more than just a princess, who could look beyond that. I thought that maybe… Maybe I could have a normal life when the multiverse is truly at peace, if that ever happens.”

Daeva’s face beamed, a warmth radiating through her whole body. “Awwww, that sounds amazing! You deserve that, really, to have some hunk-tastic mountain of man hunk, or a lovely lady, you know, totally up to you!” She exclaimed.

A snicker came from her alternate self, “Well, thank you, I do hope that I can get there one day! And you? What would you wish to do?” She asked.

“Me? Hmmmm… I’d maybe want to open my own dance studio! A place where everyone can come and express themselves, dance as amazingly or horribly as they’d like.” Daeva’s eyes glowed with excitement. “Or maybe something with photography! I looove taking pictures whenever I can. Capturing those beautiful little moments of happiness, the light in everything, and doing that for a living, ugh. Imagine that!”

Shattered Daeva chuckled, a sound that felt almost foreign to her. “You would probably have an entire wall of photos of flowers and sunsets in that case.”

“Oh, absolutely!” Daeva giggled. “And even maybe some of you on your wedding day!” Daeva retorted and held up an imaginary camera.

“I think I would enjoy that.” Shattered Daeva replied, her cheeks flushed. “It would be nice to feel… Centered again.”

“Without a doubt.” Daeva said, her voice growing softer. “We can still dream, despite our duty, our promise. Like you said, we stay centered that way, yeah?”

Shattered Daeva looked at her, that beautiful smiling face, and a bubble of hope swelled inside of her. “You are right. It is time to let some of that pain go and replace it with hope, with aspirations for the future. I know my Dante would not want me trapped in sadness.” She said.

“And mine wouldn’t either.” Daeva nodded. “Keep those dreams alive, pretty lady, and who knows… They might just come true!”

Before Shattered Daeva could respond, in front of them, about a mile or so away, did a bright white portal flash into existence like a star. Shattered Daeva stared at it for a moment, before turning to face Daeva with a saddened smile. “It looks like you have to go, yes?” She asked.

Daeva met her eyes and gifted her with look of sympathy, “Looks like I do.” She nearly whispered.

As they both stood, Daeva received a sudden, surprising, yet wonderful gift: A warm embrace from her unbroken, or perhaps, healing twin. “In that case,” She murmured, “Thank you, thank you for listening to me, for giving me hope again, for understanding me. Were it not for this moment, I do not know how much longer I could have held on.”

Daeva hesitated, for only a moment, before she too wrapped her twin in a tight embrace, her soul warming them both. She had been right before, the both of them had. It was okay to have dreams, to have goals and aspirations to look towards beyond the job. However, moments like this, getting to help others, to serve them, to save them? They reminded Daeva that this was more than just her job, more than just her duty. This was her choice, this was her promise, this was her passion… And she would stand with her brothers in creating more moments like this forever more if she had to.

“You’re so, so welcome.” Daeva cooed through a beaming smile. “Never let go of those dreams, yeah? Hold them tight and never let them go. That’s your center, just as much as they are.”

Shattered Daeva could feel Daeva’s grip start to loosen, and she slowly pulled away to see the latter’s smiling afterimage fade away in a dancing cloud of periwinkle blue sprites of energy. She stood there and watched as the portal slowly closed up like a zipper and disappear into nothingness. There was nothing left, no trace of her in this realm, nor multiverse any longer. And yet, Shattered Daeva felt more whole than she had felt in months, renewed and restored. She believed that, yes, there was a future for her, a bright one, and one where she and her brothers would be a unit once more. As the evening sun set over the horizon, revealing billions of twinkling stars in the sky, Shattered Daeva could only smile and shake her head.

“Miracles really do come in the strangest ways.” She uttered to herself, before she turned and headed back towards the recovery palace, her Dante awaiting.

__________

Lonely Diamond

The portal that carried Ubel along his path of unknown origins finally spit him out and upwards, forcing him to perform a mid air twirl and land on his feet with a soft but heavy thud. He took a moment to adjust to and take in his surroundings, though it did truly take only a moment. This place… Baffled Ubel, left him feeling nervous. Had he wound up in the wrong location? Had The Riverman’s chintzy portal spat him out at the wrong time? Because, although he adored this place intimately, he couldn’t imagine why this, “Shattered” version of himself would be awaiting for him there. As Ubel perused his surroundings, running a hand against the smooth walls and taking in the freshly brewed coffee, he asked what felt like a fleeting question now.

“The Cheshire Cafe… Why am I here?” He inquired to no one.

“Oh hey, there you are, Ubel! I was starting to think you weren’t ever going to get here.” A chuckling voice came from behind him, one that sent an instant shiver down his spine, and lifted butterflies in his stomach. He knew that voice, so well did he recognize it. But, why…

He turned around to find a familiar face sitting neatly in one of the cafe’s booths, smiling warmly at him. That smile, that damned smile… That hair, that shape, that skirt… “M-Molls?” Ubel sputtered, his face wracked with confusion.

Molly kept smiling, another chuckle escaping her. “Were you expecting to see Demmy instead?” She joked and patted the other side of the table. “Come on, big guy, sit so we can catch up a bit.”

Ubel felt his legs all but unconsciously move towards the booth, operating under their own power, their own will. “No, no, not… Demmy.” He finally replied with a nervous laugh and found himself squeezing into the leather seat. He took another look at the woman sitting across from him, taking in her features, the way she sat expectantly, the slightly confused expression she now wore. Molly was right there in front of him… But why?

“Earth to Ubel, is anyone home in there?” Molly questioned.

Ripped out of his thoughts, the big ninja looked at her for real this time, and grinned. “I’m sorry, I just… Was expecting to be meeting someone else today.” He admitted sheepishly.

The blonde woman nodded understandably, “Your, ‘Shattered’ self, right?”

Ubel looked surprised. “Wait, how did you know about that?”

“Our mutual friend, Riverman, paid me a visit.” Molly shrugged and leaned back in her seat. “He told me all I needed to know to help you out, to make sure you can get back in time to save your own reality.”

“But… If you’re the one who I’m supposed to be talking to,” Ubel’s brow furrowed, “then why did Charon tell us we needed to make peace with the shattered versions of ourselves?” He pondered.

Molly crossed her arms, the upper half of her skirt bouncing as her leg did the same. “Because, he was telling the truth, at least for some of you.”

“Explain?” Ubel prodded.

“See, some of your siblings did have to go and make peace with their ‘shattered’ versions, because they really did have a lot of baggage to unpack, a lot of skeletons in their closets.” Molly grinned and sat forward a bit, resting her elbows against the tabletop and pointing a finger at Ubel. “You, my muscular friend, on the other hand, your version didn’t really have anything to… Make peace with, I guess. He’s a perfectly stable and healthy guy, far from shattered or whatever.”

Ubel recoiled a bit by this. His version was… Stable? He was a decent guy? As good as that made him feel, it also made him wonder which of his siblings did have to face themselves. He refused to make any assumptions, that would be cruel and unfair, but that didn’t stop him from feeling guilty. Rather than being here, he maybe could have been with his other siblings helping out instead, whoever may have needed it. No, no, that was also unfair to them. They were all strong, so very strong; they could handle themselves just fine. That only left one remaining question: what did Molly, or at least, this Molly, have to help him get through?

Rather than asking her that, Ubel instead finally inquired, “This other version of me, or I guess, this other Ubel… Do you know him pretty well?”

Molly beamed warmly, “Old Lavender Eyes? Yeah! After the war, he and I stayed in touch, and whenever he wasn’t busy helping the others keep the multiverse safe, he’d stop in and visit.” Molly leaned in her seat again, “Yeah, me and Ubel hang out a lot, what with Demmy being busy running the entire planet, and handing over ownership of the cafe to me… The big guy is good to have around.”

Ubel smiled, feeling himself growing more and more comfortable with this version of Molly by the minute. “That’s great, Molls, really, I’m happy for you. He sounds like a pretty amazing friend, and I’ll only take credit for 10 percent of that.”

“Ohh will you now?” Molly laughed.

“Hey, I don’t make the rules, I just follow them!” Ubel held up his hands.

Shaking her head, Molly let out a nostalgic sigh. “Yeah well, you remind me a lot of my Ubel, honestly, except for the way you guys speak. My Ubel talks a bit more… Proper I guess?” She snickered. “But… I dunno, just the way you act, the way your carry yourself, your inflections, your shyness… It all definitely reminds me of Lavender Eyes. You care about people just like he does, puts everyone else waaay before himself, and I can tell you listen, above all else, you really listen. You would be just as good of a friend as he is, that I don’t doubt for a second.”

Ubel found himself at a loss for words, fighting an internal battle to say something, anything in the face of what he’d just heard, was proving to be almost impossible. Molly, this version of his dear friend back home, had struck a chord inside him, one of incredible appreciation and eternal gratitude. All he could really manage was a gentle, “Thank you.”

Molly smiled sweetly, “Don’t mentioned it, big guy.”

“There’s just… Something about you that is so, ‘different’ to my Molly, but I just can’t quite figure out what it is exactly.” Ubel said, watching her with a genuine curiosity.

“Hey now…” Molly’s eyes narrowed, “Are you trying to compare us?”

“No no no, I was just-”

Molly giggled, holding a hand to her mouth, “I’m just messing with you, Ubel!”

Ubel’s cheeks flushed a bit, and he found himself laughing with her, she laughing at his goofiness, and he his own ridiculousness. “Sorry, it’s just… Weird to be talking to you, not weird in a bad way, just… Weird. You’re more… Confident than my Molly, more experienced with life, more at ease with yourself.” Ubel complimented, the words having finally found him.

Molly looked him in the eyes, taking them in without a word spoken from her lips. She was reading him, in one way or another, she was learning about him without saying a thing. Finally, as if she was satisfied by what she found, Molly smiled once more, and allowed her eyes to fall onto the tabletop as she traced an invisible shape with her fingertip. “Is that why you’ve never told her how you feel?” She asked him in such a low volume that anyone else wouldn’t have caught it, but she knew that his ninja hearing would have no problem doing so.

“I-I… How I feel? Molly, come on, I don’t know what you’re-”

Molly gazed at him through her hazel eyes as he struggled to find the right words again. He was always so confident, so sure of himself, so sure-tongued… Except when it came to one. “Ubel… You come on…” She reached out and squeezed his hand, “It’s just me.”

Ubel peered at her hand, his nerves slowly settling, and, with a deep sigh, he looked into her eyes. “It’s not that, Molls. I just can’t allow myself to feel that way about her, to take that risk, to make that leap… Because I know that deep down, it would only be temporary. It would so, so fleeting, a blink moment in my life, and I just can’t stand the thought of losing someone so precious so quickly.”

His voice was soaked with heaviness, his shoulders falling beyond themselves as his head did the same. “I know it’s selfish, I know it’s entitled… But how could I be with someone who wouldn’t even live to see my next birthday? No… No, she and I are friends, she is my friend, and that’s all she’ll ever be. It’s something that I’ve accepted.” Ubel brought his head back up to find Molly still staring at him, a look of sweet compassion awash in her features. The big ninja smiled her way, and rested his hand over hers tenderly. “And I’m happy with that.” He affirmed softly.

Molly remained silent, allowing for the Cheshire Cafe to marinate in it also. Such was the quietness, that Ubel could hear the flutter of her eyelashes as she blinked slowly, the small exhales from her nose. Molly, with a gentle twinkle, nodded. “You really are just like him… The same beautiful soul.” She murmured.

Ubel squeezed her hand so delicately, but he knew she understood the gesture all the same. At that moment, the doors to the cafe entrance opened and a sea of white light poured through. Molly looked over Ubel’s massive bulk as the latter turned to glance behind himself, and they both saw a swirling portal glimmering in-between the doors. It was time. They both returned to facing each other, with Molly’s eyes becoming misty.

“Time to go.” She said with a half smile.

Ubel nodded, his violet eyes glowing gently. “Time to go.” He murmured with an undertone of sadness.

“Well, before you do…” Molly held up a finger and went to reach into the little brown purse she’d had sitting beside her. She pulled something out it, holding it delicately in her hands as if it was a precious stone. It was a small piece of laminated paper, perhaps 2.5 X 3.5 in size… A photo. Molly reached to take one of Ubel’s hands and prompted him to open it, before gently placing the mysterious image in his large palm, and wrapped his fingers around it. “I want to have this, and keep it safe, okay? This is something that is near and dear to me, so protect it… Promise me.”

Ubel looked down at the turned over photo in his hand, understandably confused. “Molly, I-”

“Promise me.” Molly demanded as tears ran down her cheeks.

Ubel stared at her, looked into her eyes, and nodded without hesitation. “I promise.” He declared.

Satisfied, Molly released her hold on him, and leaned back to wipe her eyes. “Thank you, and I really mean thank you.” She said appreciatively.

“I really should be the one thanking you, Molls.” Ubel replied. “You helped me get to a place internally that I thought I’d never reach.”

Molly shook her head, “You did that all your own, big guy; you didn’t need me.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Molly… I’ve always needed you, one way or another.” Ubel smiled tenderly.

As Molly’s eyes began to well once more, she turned her face away from him and waved a hand at him. “Go on now, go and help your siblings save your multiverse already!”

Silently, Ubel teleported from his seat, not wishing to have to squeeze through it again, and turned to leave.

“Wait, Ubel, one more thing!” Molly called after him, prompting the big ninja to face her. She gave him one final smile, and said, “One more promise. That picture? Just… Don’t look at it until I leave, okay?”

Ubel furrowed his brow and looked down at the photo. “What? I-I don’t…” He looked up to find Molly… Gone. He spun around to see if she’d maybe gotten behind him, went to look over the cash register, into the back kitchen, and… Nothing. She had vanished completely, and he could no longer feel her energy signature. As he returned to the front of the cafe and prepared to leave, Ubel peered at the photo in his hand, and, upholding his promise, turned it over to view its contents. What he saw… Immediately shocked him. He took in a slow gasp of air, and covered his mouth in disbelief.

He stood there, at the entrance of the Cheshire Cafe, frozen as a wave of emotions washed over him.

__________

Back on The Riverman’s boat…

Dante and the ancient being sat and awaited for the others to return, sharing various stories of their vast lives, as well as different ideals, goals, and aspirations.

“Tell me something, lad,” The Riverman began, “how do ye feel about firearms? Guns, rifles, cannons, that kind of thing?”

Dante raised a curious eyebrow at the strange question. “Well… I don’t really have a problem with them, I guess? They’re a tool like anything else, but they don’t really take much skill to use, either. I’ve mastered them, and they’re just… Not for me.” He responded, not really knowing where The Riverman was going with this.

The Riverman nodded, “Aye, but can they hurt ye, or any ninja for that matter?”

With a gentle laugh, Dante shook his head. “They cannot, no.” He said innocently. “There is no gun out there that can seriously hurt a ninja, much less kill one, that I know for sure.”

Charon nodded once more and flashed a toothy grin, satisfied with the answer. But before he could say anything further, in front of he and Dante, did a massive white portal appear, flooding the surrounding area. “Aye, that be them returning; that didn’t take too long, did it?” The Riverman gleamed, thumping the end of his paddle excitedly on the boat.

Dante quickly rose to his feet, a bright grin encompassing his lips. The first ninja to exit the portal, unsurprisingly, was Daeva, followed by Evron, and then, several seconds later, Ubel. Daeva zoomed and darted excitedly in the air, orbiting around an increasingly annoyed Evron.

“Whoo hoo!!! First place, baby!! Who’s the fastest living thing in the multiverse, Rube?” Daeva exclaimed, sticking her grinning face inches away from his. “Saaaay it, say it, you’re not saying it yet, I know you want toooo I-Omph!”

Evron reached up and mushed Daeva out of the way with a grunt. “It wasn’t a race, Peri!! If it was, I would’ve made it back ages ago!” He yelled.

Daeva looked at him sympathetically, pinching his cheek. “Oh honey, you’re amazing at soooo many other things… But no, yeah?”

With a grumble, Evron smacked her hand away and went to meet up with Dante and The Riverman, Daeva following close behind. Dante met them both half way, and was greeted with a flying, almost tackle hug from Daeva. “Hey Em!!!” She greeted.

Dante laughed and embraced his youngest sibling, “Hey yourself! How did it go? Was your other version nice?” He asked.

“Suuuuper nice, and just as adorable too!” Daeva said as she pulled away, smiling warmly. “She… Had a lot going on, a lot of pain that needed mending. But, I think I was able to at least help her to start healing, you know? I dunno, I just wish I could’ve done more.”

Dante rested a gentle hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes. “Hey now, I know you did everything in your power to help her. I’m sure that just you being there did so much good for her. You gave her hope again, sis; that’s everything and more.” Dante replied supportively.

Daeva smiled sweetly and went in for another hug. “Thanks, Em.” She murmured.

“I’ve got you, honey.” He soothed. As Daeva pulled away, Dante looked to see Evron standing off to the left side of the ship, near the oasis, seemingly lost in thought. Approaching him, Dante slapped him gently on the back. “Hey, everything good, Rube?”

Evron, who had indeed been lost in a pocket of his own mind, returned to reality upon Dante’s voice, and faced him. At first, he said nothing, but after a couple moments, he grinned and extended a hand. “Yeah bro, I’m all good.” Is all he needed to say.

Dante, without hesitation, took Evron’s hand and brought him in for a hug. A simple embrace that carried so much, one that, for Evron, cemented that no matter what happened between them… They would always be there for each other. Their bond would NOT be fractured. As the two brothers reunited, The Riverman watched on for a moment, before smiling to himself and turning to tend to his ship.

Evron pulled away and conjured another cigar, cinnamon-flavored this time. After taking a large puff, he let out a grunt. “You know, things would’ve gone a lot smoother if Charon had given us more than a short story’s worth of context, instead of being a proper jackass.” He mused psychically.

The Riverman paused what he was doing, and slowly turned to give Evron a bewildered look. The latter glanced at him and shot the ferryman a cheeky grin. It was then that Ubel slowly approached the group, his mind still racing from what he’d seen in that photo, his stomach full of knots. He knew that he needed to focus on the mission, for the sake of the multiverse was genuinely in the hands of he and his siblings now. But, damn was it going to be tough for him to do so. After this was all over, after peace and freedom were restored, Ubel had a lot to process, a lot of thinking to do. For now though, he had to shake off what had been given to him and present himself in the moment. He looked amongst his fellow ninjas conversing amongst themselves along with The Riverman, and his eyes locked with Dante.

Dante held their gaze for but an extended moment, and gave Ubel a single, understanding nod, with a smile peeking through. Ubel couldn’t help but wonder if, somehow, he knew what he was feeling. Dante could indeed search the souls of individuals to gain insight into their inner thoughts, emotions… But had he done so to Ubel? Or… Had it merely been that obvious?

“Well then… Are the four of ye ready to return home?” The Riverman suddenly asked, tapping his foot.

The ninjas each traded a glance, before all nodding in unison.

“Well, yeah, but… Is that it? No, ‘great job lads and lass! Ye really aced that with flying colors, ye did!’, or any kind of celebratory goodbyes?” Daeva asked, stunned.

Evron snorted, “I don’t think Charon is the celebratory type, Peri.”

The Riverman laughed heartily and waved his hands in front of him. “No no, it be nothing like that! Ye just don’t have a lot of time to waste now, we’ve got to get ye back ASAP! But I promise, after this over, I’ll come drink ye out of house and home, you have my word!”

“Ohhh, if only you knew, ferryman.” Evron chuckled.

Dante’s brow sharpened, “So how do we get back? Are you taking us?” He asked.

“Ohhh no, nothing that lengthy, lad. All ye have to do is stand in yer little happy circle and focus on returning to the battlefield. It shouldn’t take too long, hopefully!”

Promptly, the ninjas did as they were advised and formed a circle. “Okay, but wait, how do we know if-” Ubel trailed off as he and others found The Riverman to have vanished into thin air, as well as the oasis from earlier, leaving them in the place of their initial arrival. “What the…” Ubel muttered.

“Good luck, lads and lass! Everything has been leading to this very moment… Everything. Ye are the true versions, the only versions… The last cycle. Get out there and do what ye’ve been destined to, unite the other heroes, save the multiverse, and bring peace back to our home! I believe in Ye!” The Riverman’s melodic voice echoed across the branch of Yggdrasil, filling the guardians with that much more purpose, that much more determination, that much more divine fury.

Dante looked at them all, his green eyes alight with power, slowly ascending into a brilliant gold. With a smile, he said, “Well then, you heard him… Everyone ready?”

Evron nodded, “Ready.”

Ubel nodded, “Ready.”

And, Daeva nodded. “I’m ready.”

As such, the ninjas all joined hands, closed their eyes, and focused their collective attentions on nothing but each other, and the multiverse itself. They were one with it, and it was one with them. As their souls intertwined in a brilliant and perfect dance, the ninjas were now empowered by something else, something new… Something that all of them had been reminded of today, in this place…

What it truly meant to be a guardian of all.
__________

Because of Them

It was once said that to be serene is to be still. To be at peace is to be centered. To know forgiveness is to let go of fury. To know true love is to accept.

But why? For what purpose did these ancient teachings serve in moving the strands of time and reality forward? What did they offer? What did they strive to improve? Tenchi Orion, the god of the multiverse, knew the answer, they knew the answer to all of it. As they opened their golden eyes, they found themselves returned to the war, the final battlefield for the fate of all there ever was, all there ever has been, and all there ever would be. Their sight, their focus, was set on only one entity… The one who had caused so much pain and agony, so much chaos. The Heart of The Multiverse, The Great Deceiver, Father… Chang’e. She had many names and many titles, but Tenchi only knew her as one: Vermin. As the celestial ninja cast their mighty blade, True Hellsbane, into their hand, they could feel the presence of four other souls collectively surround them.

As the Ninja Prime looked to either side of themselves, they bore witness to the ones whom they had helped, broken spirits, echoes of a time long forgotten to many, but still remembered by a few. Saved Dante, Healed Evron, Mended Daeva, and Brilliant Ubel… Their souls stood with Tenchi to face down Chang’e. And, with a nod from Tenchi, time seemed to slow to a crawl, to a perpetual standstill. Tiamat’s holy flames hung in midair, the Celestial Angel remained frozen in front of Owlzarus, and the other heroes were locked in intense combat with the demonic Father, Tannin.

Before Tenchi moved, the rescued ninja spirits launched their own attack against Chang’e and flew towards her at breakneck speeds. They circled around her like ravenous sharks to a carcass, disorientating her, before each of them grabbed a hold of one of her appendages. Dante took control of her neck, Evron grabbed one of her arms, Ubel grabbed the other, and Daeva held her legs in place. Together, they held Chang’e restricted just long enough for Tenchi to make their move. Dante turned his head to gaze at Evron, whom turned to look at him. They held each other’s gaze for a few moments, but Dante smiled warmly, invitingly, homely.

“How I missed you… It is good to have you back, brother.” Dante spoke tenderly.

Evron stared at him, and then felt himself slowly begin to smile as well. “I… I missed you too, Dante, I really did… And I’m sorry, for everything that I did, for all of the pain I caused. I’m so sorry.” He repented.

“No… No, you have nothing to be sorry for, Evron.” Dante said, eyes welling. “I pushed you away, I shattered our bond, and I never went looking for you to try and make it right. I failed you, you did not fail me.”

Evron held back tears of his own, the weight of all his trials and hardships nearly bowling him over. “I forgive you… Dammit Dante, I forgive you… Do you forgive me?” He asked.

Dante nodded, “Without hesitation.” He cried.

Daeva could only watch in silence, her heart and soul full and alight. “Never let go of those dreams, yeah? Hold them tight and never let them go.” That is what a good friend to her had said, a long, long time ago… And Daeva had listened. Because of it, because of her, Daeva had been given the greatest gift of all: her family, now whole once more. She peered at the divine form of Tenchi, and smiled appreciatively, for somewhere in there, in them… She could sense her friend, her twin flame. If this was to be her final moment, her last hour of existence, then she was glad that she could have helped make a difference, to go out knowing that a reality would be saved and she was a part of it… They all were. Daeva took a glance up at Ubel, and the latter looked down to grin sweetly at her.

“Are you ready, baby sis?” He asked.

Daeva nodded, “I am… I am ready. I am ready to be with you all for eternity!”

Dante regarded his siblings with a peaceful look, before focusing on the task at hand. Tightening his grip around Chang’e’s neck, he nodded towards Tenchi. The time was now. “Alright, everyone, one final mission, one final chance to make a difference… Is everyone ready?” He asked.

“READY!” They all replied in unison.

Dante nodded, braced himself, and yelled, “NOW!!!”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Tenchi Orion gripped their blade tighter, and with a single step, all but threw themselves at Chang’e with unspeakable force, all the while, charging their second most powerful attack they wielded. As they neared, the ninjas of the past looked at each other and smiled contentedly. This was their peace, this was their center, this was their forgiveness… This was their true love.

“I love you guys so much.” Dante sighed.

“I love you all.” Evron declared.

“I love you with all my heart.” Ubel said.

“I love you with all my soul.” Daeva concluded.

Tenchi Orion slammed into Chang’e with so much force, so much kinetic energy, that time returned to normal speed for a fraction of a second, before slowing once more as the Ninja Prime appeared on the other side of her. The Omega Technique had been dealt, and, with a smooth flick of their blade, time had returned back to normal with brutal authority. All at once, Chang’e was absolutely devastated by 5 million consecutive hits, each even more powerful than the last, as the mended spirits were sent on their way to living in eternity.

With a single exhale, Tenchi rested the tip of True Hellsbane into the ravaged bedrock, and awaited for the next stage to be set.

Alpha et Omega. Il Guardiano ha parlato.







To Gira, Dan, Hayes, Minorbone, Ed, and Obbs, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for being patient with me, thank you for not giving up on me, and thank you for simply being you. These past 4 months have seen a lot of hardship for us, whether it have been the loss of a family member, or going through a currently ongoing battle of life and death with one of my brothers, a battle that we all feel like we're very much going through ourselves... It's been challenging, and I should have communicated that better to you. This post is long, I know, trust me I do, but it's one that came straight from my heart more than my brain. It is imperfect, it is a bit fragmented, it is long and poetic... But it's something that is as much for me as it is for you. What started as an introspective deep dive into the ninjas and who they are, turned into a sort of diary for me, where a lot it is me coming through them, my emotions, my own thoughts. I hope you guys enjoy this, and you all are the best, seriously. Let's finally finish this story, yeah?

With love, 165.

[Corzak The Mighty]

"Good idea," Nyx replied to Mara with affirmative nod. She looked towards Alex, her pale complexion getting pale. "Shit... then we need to get going, and fast. Time isn't on our side. Any of you have a way for us to teleport out of here, or are we doing this the hard way?"
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Tyr was quick to right himself from Tannin's brutal blow, thanking Jake for his assistance with a nod of his head. The god's helmeted gaze locked upon the massive wyvern , the multi-eyed beast that heralded the end times, as his body flared with violet flames. This monstrosity, this horror - it was beyond anything he had envisioned. Its power rivaled that of It'Lok'Ran'To - perhaps it even could eclipse it if given time to further gather to its fullest potential! His concentration was briefly broken as destructive motes of necrotic fire poured from the sky like a demonic rain.

Twirling his glaive overhead, Tyr conjured a swirl of violet fire above him, creating a brilliant vortex of purple flames that grew in size and strength with each spin of his weapon. As the flames grew in size, they too grew in strength, and were able to counteract the End of All's destructive rain, if only for a moment. But a moment as all that Tyr needed to strike. The war god stopped twirling his glaive and, in the few seconds it took for his protective barrier to fade, dashed with incredible speed, trails of violet flame following in his wake.

While Tannin clashed with Godzilla, the two titans locked in a ferocious battle for supremacy, Tyr channeled violet flame along the edge of his glaive and darted across Tannin's form at incredible speeds, carving burning ruts across the End of Fall's form with each nimble dash and cunning movement. Tyr knew his blows would struggle to harm the beast's main body, so worked to make his strikes count: its tail joints, its knees, the joints on its wings, even landing a few decisive strikes on the God of Wrath's many eyes to distract and weaken it to buy time...
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While the Wyvern King was weakened by Crigan's decisive blow, Owlzarus decided to take action; he could only hope that Evoex would join him in siezing this opportunity. In his peripheral, he could see as Chang'e unleashed the last of her power upon the others. He knew he only needed to buy time; but how much time could he realistically buy? He had already been so thoroughly spent...

The old antiquarian had a thought. Perhaps he had one last trick up his sleeve...

Owlzarus raised his taloned hands shakily as his body flared with orange energy. Waves of time-distorting magic filled Owlzarus' palms, causing them to ripple and glow, warping in and out of sight as time itself seemed to dilate. When the pulse of energy reached its apex, Owlzarus brought his hands together and entered into a prayer stance, his eyes shimmering with brilliant orange light, glowing brighter and brighter, runes dancing along his entire body like a swarm of insects.

And for the briefest of moments, time stopped.

If only for a blink of an eye, all motion ceased around Owlzarus. But Owlzarus' mind was as active as ever. Siezing this infinitesmal blink of distorted time, Owlzarus poured every second of knowledge - every reality, every possibility, every wish and dream and potential into the mind of his enemy, channeling the entirety of his mental fortitude onto the Wyvern King.

And like a compromised dam, the weight eventually cracked.

In an instant, the Wyvern King's mind and body collapsed as the weight of infinite possibilities came crashing down upon it, causing its focus to dim and its body to shudder. The monstrous spawn of Tannin was locked in place, frozen in time, its mind lost in a sea of potential - of realities. But Owlzarus, too, was not spared of this fate; the Antiquarian's body was similarly frozen in time - unblinking, unmoving. He knew he could not hold the Wyvern King for long.

Now it was up to Crigan and the others.
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Immanuel and Umbra were quick to take evasive and defensive action as the volley of Tannin's eye bolts assaulted them! Immanuel conjured shield after shield of divine light to protect himself and his sister, watching as each barrier shattered like glass before the might of Chang'e's multiversal power. Umbra channeled waves of smothering darkness, swallowing many of the eye bolts in the crushing shade of her night, but even she could only hold back such a fearsome assault for so long. Eventually, the duo were completely overwhelmed, several of the blasts striking true and tearing through their armor, leaving smoldering holes in their wake, allowing others to peer upon their distorted, spiritual true forms beneath their armor.

When all seemed lost, the siblings were caught in awe by the appearance of the arrival of the true ninja prime - Tenchi Orion's ultimate state.

"I think we may have another opening," Umbra stated coldly, a swirl of shadows dancing along her hands.

"Yes, Immanuel replied, watching as Tenchi battered the shifting form of Chang'e, spread across the Tree of Life itself. "I doubt Chang'e can hold this form for long. When a weakness presents itself, we will make our decisive strike!"

The two stood their ground firm, their powers mingling together once more - light and shadow dancing in eternal feuding, now joined to face against oblivion itself. When Chang'e was at her most vulnerable, they would make their decisive strike...