For those of you who don't know, I was inspired to write by three stories. 'Potentia Amoris' by Lux Aureus, 'New Chance' by Hektols, and 'The Supernovas of Mass Effect' by Blindluck92. Those three were some of my favorites and I go back and reread them from time to time if I need the inspiration.

This one is inspired by the Supernova story, but with my own twist. What happens when you have several dozen beings of power that span multiple realities get really bored? Why, they start up their own help agency to screw with multiple universes and generally hand the forces of malice a big middle finger.

Why can they do that you may ask? Well, in the vast infinite span of realities, absolutely screwing over the evil forces in one reality can be balanced by having several million people just stub their toe. Also, when you have one power above you and everything else below you, who cares?

Regardless, this is just supposed to be a fun time where the bad guys have very bad days. If you have a suggestion or a request for the agency to pop up in, feel free to share.

For now, we'll start in my favorite book series, The Dresden Files.

Let's go!

Being the sole wizard for hire in Chicago wasn't always the best gig.

I always saw one of three clients who needed my particular brand of services, the smart, the desperate, and the smartly desperate. You'd think paying the Yellow Pages for a spot in the phone-book would get you more than that, but people didn't tend to believe in things like magic.

At least until an ogre or some other nasty is trying to use your skull as a cup, but it's a little late at that point.

Anyway, my usual cases as a wizard for hire, PI license and everything, involved lost items and exorcisms. Not the most exciting work, but I'd learned long ago that exciting also meant danger, and I was a squishy that could get his head ripped off if he wasn't looking right, no matter how well prepared I was.

Exciting also meant that a lot of people would be in danger if I screwed up and that weighs on you, even if you get Burger King afterwards, and I have a hard-enough time getting to sleep with all the other baggage I dragged around.

So, when you have to go to a meeting with the Faerie Courts as a representative of the White Council, nerves are strained like a hearing aid in an AC/DC concert.

Why was I even going to this thing? The war with the Red Court was quiet for now, so the senior members should have been able to go, but no, I had a 'personal relationship' with the Queen of Winter and the Lady of Summer, so I had to go.

Oh, for those of you that don't know, the Faerie Courts are some of the biggest big shots in the Nevernever, or spirit world for you laymen. They're split into three factions or 'courts' with one called Summer, another Winter, and the last are the Wild Fae. These guys are the kind of things you hear in old stories, fairies basically, but they're a lot more dangerous and a lot better looking than you'd think. They like to make deals with mortals then use the exact words of the deal to twist them around in various horrible ways. Not pleasant, so if you see someone that has looks to die for come up and offer you something way too good, 99% of the time that's a fairy looking to claim another victim.

The other 1% is called being a lucky bastard.

Anyway, the Red Court are vampires. No, they don't sparkle, and no, they're not socially awkward outcasts. These are rubbery bat-freaks that wear flesh 'cocoons', so to speak, in order to look human and blend in until they have a victim. Then they drain the poor sucker dry and start looking for more.

They're at war with the body of wizards I'm a part of, if not an entirely active member. The White Council is the largest collection of wizards in the world, with members hailing from all over, and they usually enforce the Laws of Magic, a set of Laws that protect the mortal world from the supernatural.

Breaking any of those Laws is grounds for immediate execution by the Wardens, the Council's enforcement branch. I don't have too high an opinion of just up and killing kids that broke the Laws unknowingly, being one of those myself, but I understood why warlocks, rogue wizards, needed to be put down.

Black magic like that is freaking addictive, and it leaves stains you can't erase. My own apprentice, Molly, knows that better than most.

Anyway, with that out of the way, back to my predicament. I was going to be walking into a meeting between the Fae Queens, the highest authorities of the Fae Courts, and I'd been tipped off that some absolute idiot from the Red Court was going to try and break the peace between the Courts.

Considering the Queens had control over the world's weather patterns, a war between the courts has the word 'apocalypse' written across it in neon pink paint with a few too many exclamation points.

Needless to say, that had to be stopped.

Problem was most of my allies were out of town or otherwise indisposed. As it were, I could probably just inform Mab, the Winter Queen, or Lily, the Summer Lady, and have it sorted out that way. The issue with that was the politics involved made any movements from either side that weren't strictly formal and known in advance would be taken as a sign of aggression.

The problem with immortals is they are so damned formal. Mind you, I'd used that old-school mindset against them more than once, but in this case, it was tying my hands,

Then, as I'm pondering this issue, I had a flier quite literally pop out of thin air and settle gently onto my gaping face. I've seen things appear and disappear from the air like this before, but there was no change in the energy around me. If I were, say, ten years younger that'd be no surprise, but teaching Molly the finer points of magic had made me more sensitive.

Though that was up for debate if you asked my few female friends.

I also had a variety of defenses in my apartment, read: cellar, so something like the flier shouldn't have gotten within a dozen yards of the door. Hell, Mouse, my moose disguised as a dog, didn't even notice until I grabbed the flier and shook it.

Getting past a goddamn Foo Dog was no laughing matter, let me tell you.

The thing is, this flier was just that, a flier. Regular paper, cheerful colors splashed across it, and a line of text that said the following.

Are the bad guys getting you down? Are you stuck in a situation that seems absolutely hopeless with no way to change it? Are you up against the big fish and need something to show them what for?

Who used 'what for' anymore? No one talked like that if they weren't British.

Then call our service line below! Our team of consultants and operatives will come to you and come up with a game plan that's sure to solve your problem! In fact, we're so confident in our services, if you're not 100% satisfied, we'll owe you a big favor! That's no small thing, as that favor can be anything… so long as it isn't sexual in nature, we have standards.

I couldn't help but snort at that line. Whoever wrote this didn't have the best mind for advertising, but it was keeping me entertained.

One more time, we at the Bigger Fish Company will hear your every plea and request for free! All you need to do is call the line below and speak to a representative, we'll be glad to help! Every one of our staff has experience dealing with all kinds of situations, from school bullies to Fairy Queens and Outsiders.

That caught my attention. Unless this group was supremely idiotic, you don't make that kind of boast and not expect something bad to happen.

We look forward to your call Mr. Dresden, several of our members are quite eager to meet you. Once more, the number is below, and we've provided the necessary change for a pay-phone.

That was… spooky. I mean, why would they expect me to call them? Even adding my name to it wasn't too hard to believe considering the damn flier had popped into my living room while I was pondering my life choices.

Thank you and have a pleasant day. We just know Queen Mab will be thrilled to hear you couldn't at least find a date for tonight's event, even more so when you bring the bad news with no back-up.

Ok, that was just mean. Obviously, whoever this 'Bigger Fish Company' was, they wanted me to call them and quick. Normally, I'd send this kind of mail straight to the bin, but they'd made it pop up in my erstwhile sanctuary.

And that scared the shit out of me.

"Well, boy." I said as I got off the couch and went to grab my ever-faithful duster, staff, blasting rod, and other assorted instruments. "Looks like we'll be making a call. Mister, watch the house."

Mouse stood without prompting and followed me, his bulk barely fitting through the door, while my small mountain lion named Mister flicked his tail in dismissal.

I rolled my eyes, but barely took a step out the door before I smacked my forehead and rushed back in. After flipping up my Star Wars rug (vintage, I'll have you know) and unfolding the stairs, I picked my way between my model of Chicago and the other shelves groaning with various magical ingredients.

On one such cluttered shelf sat an ornate skull surrounded by paperback romance novels. I tapped the skull a couple times. "Hey, Bob, I need to ask you something."

The skull was inert for a moment before its eyes flickered to life, the skull yawning as Bob woke up. "Oh, what is it this time? I distinctly recall getting today off."

"Yeah, so Mab can't track you." I sighed, holding up the flier. "You ever heard of this group?"

Bob hummed as he scanned over the flier, looking none too impressed. "Nope, not once. What's with the business name, it sounds awful."

I shrugged and put the flier into my duster's pocket. "Don't know, but it quite literally popped into my living room. Never noticed anything until it was on my face, not even Mouse sensed it."

That made Bob's eyes brighten. "Oh, truly? Well… that's spooky."

"Says the talking skull." I groused as I went back to the stairs. "I'm going to see what this is about. While I'm at it, I need you to dig for some recipes for when I get back, still have vampires to deal with."

"And yes, I will get you another book in exchange, pervert."

I threw in that last bit, but Bob somehow shrugged and the skull dimmed. I muttered a few choice words before returning to the basement above that basement to find Mouse holding out his leash. "Ah, good dog. Don't want anyone thinking a moose is on the loose."

Mouse just kept wagging his tail.

"What, I thought it was clever."

Mouse continued to give me a dopey grin, but I knew he just didn't appreciate my refined sense of humor. "All right, ya critic, let's go."

I attached his leash to his lovingly cared for collar and we set out for the nearest pay-phone. Now, I was going to walk Mouse anyway and probably bring him with me to the big meeting tonight, because Foo Dogs are big both magically and physically, but I brought him for another reason.

This guy knew bad mojo a mile before my puny senses could ever hope to notice, so he'd know if this was all some kind of trap. There'd been a lot of those after the war started and I got the Warden title.

Long story, trust me.

Anyway, it was a bit of a walk to the increasingly mythical pay-phone, but I'm just under seven foot and been running for a while to try and get in shape. Believe me, running is sometimes the best thing you can do when faced with some of the things I've faced down.

Also, wizards tend to short out anything made after WWII. The more complex the tech, the more delicate it was. I don't mean to boast, but I have quite a bit of magic, one of the heavier hitters among the Council in fact.

So, cell phones did not work for yours truly. Thus, I needed to use the ever-decreasing numbers of pay-phones to make any calls. I'd seen a bunch of kids taking pictures next to one, like a novelty. Damn, I reminded myself how old I was.

Anyway, made the pay-phone, paid, and dialed the number on the flier. After the third ring I was considering hanging up and writing this off as an overly elaborate prank by Molly when the line clicked and a voice hit my ears. "Hello! This is the offices of the Bigger Fish Company, Lissa speaking! How can I help you?"

The girl on the line couldn't have been older than 18. "Uh yeah, I got one of your fliers. Popped into my apartment with my name on it, so care to explain?"

The girl gasped and became very excited. "Oh my gosh, Mr. Dresden! We weren't thinking you'd call at all! What's the problem, I'll send our help right away!"

I didn't do well with that kind of enthusiasm, usually meant someone was either trying to kill me or sell me something. "Look, how'd you even get this flier into my apartment? I've never even heard of you guys and something like that doesn't happen every day."

"You mean like that big meeting tonight at the big estate?" Lissa asked, which only confirmed my suspicions these guys knew stuff. "Well of course not, we got everything set up an hour ago. We also know that you needed some help with your usual friends off doing other things, so we decided to offer. You up for it?"

I hummed and thought. These guys knew the supernatural, that was obvious, but what was in this for them? You don't make deals with this crowd without knowing exactly what they want and at least three ways to weasel out of it.

Well, that was the ideal, and I very rarely got to experience it.

"What do you want?" I sighed, cutting to the chase. "People don't just get my attention unless they want something."

Lissa tittered like one of those high-born ladies you read about in stories. "Well of course we want something, this isn't exactly a charity. Hm… how about an autograph?"

I call bullshit.

"I am not shitting on your bull, Mr. Dresden." Lissa said, as if reading my thoughts… which she may have. "Us at this office are actually big fans. Like, I can hear an argument in the back over who goes to help if you agree to this. All we want is an autograph and our services are yours."

I still didn't like this. They weren't specifying how they'd want that autograph, probably in blood, and how long it would be, full name most likely. This was way too good to be true.

"Harry Blackstone Dresden."

Perfect inflection, enunciation, and pronunciation. Hot damn I could feel shivers run up and down my spine like I'd been dunked in ice water. That… was not good.

"I know your Name, good sir." Lissa continued, voice still pleasant. "We know everyone's Name. The autograph we ask for is nothing but your first and last name, in regular ink, and that's it. Now, would you like to hire our services? It's a one-time deal."

I was a little too shocked to answer. Names had power in the supernatural world, to the point that if you knew something's full Name, you had immense power over them. This girl, who sounded so young, had used three-quarters of my Name so casually you'd think she was discussing the weather.

Now, I was really scared.

"What do your services entail?" I asked, hoping to stall for time. "Your flier wasn't all that clear."

"We provide consultation, assistance, and organization for all our client's needs." Lissa rattled off, apparently unconcerned with the quiver in my voice. "From simple advice to all-out war plans, we do just about everything. Specifics can be explained after we have a deal."

This was sounding a lot like Gard's company. "Even weddings?"

"You betcha."

This was too good to be true. "Bar mitzvas?"

"L'chaim!"

"Expos?"

"Got the stage set and ready to go."

"Star Wars conventions?"

"Do you want the Millennium Falcon or the Death Star?"

"Dare I say it… schools?"

"I have a list of all the best schools in the world and ways to get in and pay right here."

I blinked several times before one more came to me. "…Dating?"

"Matchmaker central."

Hot diggity damn, the sheer confidence almost made me believe! Then again, I'd been in worse spots with worse options… may as well take the plunge, it'd worked before.

"Alright, you win. I'll give you guys an autograph, just get your people here fast."

Lissa cheered on the other line and I heard something clicking like a type-writer. "Great, we'll have a team there in about a minute. Please stand away from any metal objects, cover your ears, and close your eyes. This'll be a bit flashy."

I didn't like that she hung up right after, but Mouse started getting beyond agitated and I did the smart thing. Ran to the nearest concrete valley and pressed hard against it, Mouse following me. About a minute later, a massive roar filled the air followed by a flash so bright it almost burned my eyes even though I was looking the other way.

After regaining my bearings, I peeked over the edge of the concrete and… stared long and hard.

There were four people standing on the sidewalk, looking around curiously. One was an average sized man in a fancy coat with gold designs and, I kid you not, purple hair. He was next to a woman of absolutely stunning beauty with an honest mane of scarlet hair falling over a simple white gown tied with a lavender ribbon.

Oh, they had matching wedding bands. Good for the guy.

Anyway, the other two were just as odd. One was a woman with grey hair in long curls who didn't look a day over twenty-five dressed in a sapphire pantsuit with fur over her shoulders. A CEO basically, if you want the cliché idea.

The last one was a guy with a bowl-cut and a face so freaking boring I almost didn't think it was possible. It was like I had to fight just to notice him compared to the other three. He had even more boring clothes, just dressed in a simple tan button up and black slacks.

"Mr. Dresden, would you care to join us?"

It was the man in the coat that spotted me, his eyes like opals. If they were trying to blend it, they were failing miserably.

I stood when Mouse gave no sign of threat, but I could tell he was weary. I was too, but if Mouse is nervous, I'm close to a panic. "You the uh, Bigger Fish people?"

The group grimaced, apparently agreeing it wasn't the best name.

"That we are," the red-head said. "Though please, don't refer to us as that. We're here to help, so if you must, call us consultants."

I claimed sole title of consultant of the weird though, so better to get names. "I think introductions are in order. Harry Dresden, Warden of the White Council, local PI, and so long as you don't mess with my town, we won't have any trouble."

They looked positively giddy at my attempted bravado, the coat-man going first. "My name's Robin Volk, the other guy's Kellam Ùir. The ladies are Sumia Falk and the red-head is my wife, Cordelia Volk."

Shakespeare, German, Gaelic and a variety of other North European names. This was already interesting. "Alright, nice to meet you guys."

"So, how good are you with meetings between major political powers and hurricanes?"

-Night-

"What in the world are you guys?"

I asked that question as I adjusted the collar of the suit I'd been shoved into. After asking them how they were with the shindig we were pulling up to right this minute, in a damn limo no less, they descended on me with… enthusiasm.

I was taken to one of the high-end tailors where the proprietor looked none too pleased at my scraggly appearance. At least until the Sumia chick slapped some kind of card on the counter and the man started treating us like we were royalty. I don't know what the card was, didn't get a look at it, but I was soon getting fitted for the single most expensive set of clothes I'd ever known.

I don't think Marcone had such an expensive suit and the man ran Chicago's entire racket of organized crime.

Anyway, I was then taken to an upscale barber and got myself cleaned up before getting taken back home to shower and change. This all happened in a freaking Rolls-Royce that pulled up like two minutes after I started talking to these guys.

I was getting seriously worried at the amount of money they were throwing around. A new company just did not have this much to use, damn dealing with the supernatural.

As if to prove it, Robin was walking around in a suit that looked like something out of a fantasy military's high brass, medals decorating his chest while his coat had a cowl over it. Then Cordelia had added jewelry with stones I didn't know existed along with a new evening gown that did everything it could to draw the eye to her legs and hair.

Sumia though walked around in a gown you'd expect of a queen, ice blue and white mixed around like snowflakes on a field of black. Getting her hair styled made her look more like a queen of ice than just about anything I'd seen.

Kellam… kept his outfit. Slacker.

"We're no stranger to formal events like this, Mr. Dresden." Robin answered, adjusting his cufflinks. "Though it has been some time since we attended one with so many… self-important guests."

Ah, he knew what the fairies were like, good. You really shouldn't care about their smoldering good looks, what with their utterly alien way of thinking, but the unaware listened more to their hind-brain than their thinking brain and I was not so arrogant to believe I wasn't one of them.

"So long as no one tries to push us into something, we'll be fine." Sumia continued, a somehow reassuring grin on her face. "We do prefer words over violence, but we'll flex our muscles if it comes to that."

They did have muscles, but they were all built like decathletes rather than warriors. Considering how they'd nerded out at meeting Mouse and getting the big guy groomed with me, I wasn't too sure of their… muscles.

I didn't have much longer to think on it as the limo pulled to a stop in front of what could only be described as a palace, with more marble and granite than you could shake a stick at. I could even see gold and jewels lining the halls inside through the wide open grand doors admitting the guests. Along with a tasteful number of murals and statues, because of course.

Anyway, our chauffer opened the door and I exited with Robin, our hands going out in the picture of chivalry to help the ladies. Kellam came out a moment later and damn near vanished into anonymity, as if his boring aura was magnified. Yet, I felt nothing but the eyes of the other guests as we walked towards the door.

A host that could only be a fae greeted us. "Mr. Dresden… I see you found a date for the night."

I nodded politely. Manners are always best with creatures like this. "More or less. I have some guests that are joining me, but I'm afraid I could not find an entourage of ten on short notice."

"That is quite alright, Mr. Dresden." The host said, eyeing my suddenly stoic guests like fresh meat. "I believe our hosts will be… satisfied with this group."

I internally rolled my eyes. Faeries were concerned with two things, their games and sex. Why that was, I don't know, but the Fae were closest to humans and we tend to think about sex.

A lot.

Thankfully, the host gave us no further trouble as Mouse led the way inside. He'd been groomed into an almost literal lion, which tickled me to no end, so the crowd parted before us in a storm of whispers. I recognized a few of the guests, mostly Fae and other creatures I'd dealt with in the past, but as we entered the ballroom, I sucked in a breath.

Almost gliding towards us in a sinfully revealing dress was a fairy of nearly unsurpassed beauty and power, her red hair flowing behind her as if suspended in water. This one I knew all too well, considering she was my quite literal Fairy Godmother.

"Lea," I greeted as she came to a stop. "Shouldn't surprise me in the least you're here."

Lea, short for Leanansidhe, grinned a grin full of sharp teeth. "Why of course. Why wouldn't I heed my queen and attend this usual drivel. You know they're just going to rehash old problems, it'll be terribly boring."

I actually rolled my eyes this time. "Please, there's probably a thousand and six plots going on right this moment. So long as this goes smoothly, and Winter continues to allow the Council access to their Ways, I will stay clear of them."

"If only trouble was not such a boar." Lea seemed to agree, grin never dropping. "I'd heard good meat would be served tonight, but with such a gathering, who knows if it'll even arrive?"

I took the hint well enough. It looked like Lea was as annoyed as I was if she was skirting so close to just outright telling me the truth of the matter. "On that, we can agree. Now then, I believe my guests would prefer refreshments, and I need to get Mouse a spot on the dance floor. He needs to show his moves."

Mouse huffed at the very suggestion, but I gave him a sardonic grin and we wandered off. I was kind of surprised that these consultants were being so quiet, but then again, you never spoke with a Fae if you didn't need something.

"And there they are." Cordelia muttered just low enough for me to hear. "The Queens."

I followed her gaze and found them. Titania, the Queen of Summer, was someone I'd pissed off in the past, so I was not of great report with her. In fact, she'd sent the equivalent of the Nevernever's best assassin after me that I beat on a damned loophole that sent all the Fae into hysterics for months.

She was talking with a girl that had silver blonde hair and a forest green dress that, on close inspection, was made of leaves. In fact, the entire summer congregation had foliage themed dress.

Ah gotta love em.

On the opposite side, as it must be, stood the Winter congregation. They went with a far more glittery and furry route than their counterparts with jewels and furs that probably cost more than my entire street hanging off them. On most, it would look gaudy, but with their queen putting super-duper models to shame, it worked.

Oddly, even as I thought that, the ladies that had appeared out of a flash of light seemed to become even lovelier than the queens. Weird…

Unfortunately, I caught the Winter Queen's eye and she started towards me, her entourage following. So, a crash course here.

The Winter Queen was known as Mab, her more formal title being Queen of Air and Darkness. She could quite literally freeze this room solid in half-a-second if she wanted and could, at her height of power, plunge the world into an ice age. She also happened to be the one queen that somehow liked me despite my every attempt to aggravate her and I'd been an unwitting pawn in many of her plans.

As such, she was to this day trying to make me her Knight, which was basically a personal enforcer for the Fae royalty. I'd always refused.

The last guy to have that title… wasn't good, to put it lightly.

"Dresden," Mab greeted, my hand going out to take hers when offered. A quick kiss to her knuckles was all I needed to feel the chill, but my manners satisfied her and I pulled back.

"Your Majesty."

Mab looked to Mouse first, a respectful nod given and returned, before she looked to my guests. "My-my, so you were able to find a date. Friends at that too, pretty friends. You sure do know how to get them whenever you clean-up."

I didn't want to use up my snark reserve before the negotiations started, so I kept it cordial. "Were it that I got jobs that paid without hospital bills, I'd be able to do this more often. But, someone has to be the hero, or it's a sad story to start with."

Ok, maybe a tad sarcastic. That was ok.

Mab just gave me a patronizing smile. "Regardless, at least you came to fulfill your role. I suppose the kiddie version will have to do for you, but politics will be played out no matter the outcome. Mayhaps tonight shall simply be as boring as I expect."

Aha, she knew what was going to happen too. Whatever that idiot from the Red Court was doing, they weren't subtle about it.

Sumia shared a glance with her compatriots out of the corner of my eye and she cleared her throat. "Pardon me, Your Grace, may I speak?"

Oh, that was a big no-no. You didn't refer to a Fairy Queen as anything other than Your Majesty or You Highness. Your Grace was a greeting reserved for dukes and duchesses, and was thus considered an insult if used for someone of a higher station.

Mab knew it too, her gaze turning to ice as she looked to the stoic Sumia. "For that insolence, I should end you. Were it not for the wizard having you as a guest, you'd not speak again."

That was the good thing at least. Mab attacking Sumia without me offering it as recompense was a breach of the host-guest relationship, something held as sacred in the supernatural community. Mind, I had to offer it, or I'd be breaching it as well.

"Save your threats, Queen." Sumia said, incensing Mab and her entourage further without an ounce of concern. "My friend has already moved to remove the threat to this gathering, I simply wished to hear your opinion on where to deposit the scum."

The entire room was silent. No one except yours truly had ever disrespected Mab so much, and I got out of it since I was useful. Sumia was digging her own grave here and I couldn't stop it.

So much for being experts.

The ice that came for Sumia was expected, closing in from a thousand different directions with the intent of causing her as painful a death as possible. Everything exactly as I expected it.

Until the ice… froze.

Pardon the pun, but the ice quite literally stopped in its tracks after getting within a foot of Sumia. Not once did this woman blink as death came for her, as if expecting the ice to never touch her in the first place.

Then the ice… bowed. Like, it literally bent at a point equivalent to a waist on these icy spears and blades. All of it towards Sumia.

Mab… looked terrified, as did all those behind her and in the room at large. If she was terrified of something, normally I'd feel the need to turn tail and run, if not find a quiet place and gibber incoherently. But, that wasn't happening.

…Did I miss something? I feel like I missed something.

"Mab." Sumia said, and then I felt it. Power, unrestrained and beyond anything I'd ever felt before. Not even the worst monster I'd ever fought, a damned Walker of the Outside, was even close to this well of sheer power that suddenly stood next to me.

"M-my lady, I no idea was you!" Mab stuttered, stuttered, before the entire room of Fae took a knee in supplication. My mind apparently recorded the scene as I would be able to recall it vividly years later, but at the time I was too busy picking my jaw off the floor.

Even Mouse was bowing for crying out loud!

"It matters not," Sumia said with all the authority she was apparently due. "Answer my question."

Mab kept her eyes on the ground, none of her usual haughtiness apparent. "The-the scum may be deposited here, Your Excellency, we shall deal with them posthaste."

Now that's a surprise. Your Excellency was a title reserved for Emperors and Empresses, something even higher than Queens. The only things I could think of were…

…Oh, Christ on a breadstick.

"I don't think the one you're thinking of would find that too humorous." Sumia jested as she looked to me, her smile back in place. "Though it looks like you've figured it out. Robin, Cordy, go ahead."

Robin bowed and… became lightning. Like, he became lightning in the purest sense of the word, skin and flesh turning to energy of unrivaled power that twisted and bent like an ancient serpent before settling into the shape of a grey wolf.

"I am Fenrir." The wolf said, its voice booming across the hall. "I am lightning. Upon my form and name was the Mad Wolf based, but I claim no kinship to that monster of Loki. All lightning is I and I am all lightning. You use its power with my permission alone."

Cordelia followed, her body engulfed in flames so hot I was boiling just being near them. The flames formed into a dozen wings that sprouted from a serpentine body, eventually forming a feathered snake that would make Quetzalcoatl jealous.

"I am Agni." The snake hissed, power adding to Fenrir's and damn near sending us all to the floor. "I am fire. All that cleanses and burns are of my domain, and all fire is I. The world uses fire at will because I allow it."

The ground shook and a huge hand of rock shot up, a gaggle of ugly bat-freaks crushed in its palm. Oddly, the floor parted for the hand and the body that followed like water, settling back when the colossus was revealed.

"I am Titan." Boomed Kellam's voice. "I am earth. No matter where it may be or what walks upon it, the earth is I and I the earth. It was after me that Gaia named her first children, and it was I in which those that came after imprisoned them. The earth gives life and holds all feet because I will it."

Finally, Sumia changed. Her body turned transparent and sharp cracks rent the air as she morphed into a lizard with its body half-fused to a pillar of something so cold the very air froze around it.

"I am Artezza." She said, the combined power of all four driving everyone to the floor. "I am ice. All that is cold springs from my flesh and all that is frozen is I and I it. Winter's power springs from me as surely as Summer springs forth from Agni, and we shall have the respect we are due."

"As will our client."

I was thinking more servant at this point. Who knew something like this would turn into such a howdy-do?

…Clearly I wasn't thinking straight, but can you blame me?

"O-of course, my lady." Mab said, trying to get up. Had to admire the willpower, because she got back onto her knee. "We… shall show you all due respect… and we will show your client respect… as well."

The gods, for that's the only thing they could be, glared down on the room before returning to their human forms and suppressing their power. The whole room, if not the whole city perhaps, breathed a sigh of relief as we picked ourselves up.

I noticed a few that didn't, short grunts and a few thralls by the looks of it. Goblins and the weak-willed thralls couldn't handle even the presence of such raw power.

"Now move along with your formalities and bring this business to an end." Sumia commanded, authority still ringing in her voice. "There are far more important matters for all of you to attend than this show boating. Also, we'll need to have a talk with this Red Court that's popped up about proper decorum. After that, and assuming our client is satisfied, we'll leave."

Mab nodded, Titania voicing her own support before the formalities began in earnest.

I was still so gob smacked I barely noticed Robin, or Fenrir as he was known, walk up to me and clap my shoulder. "Sorry about that, wanted to make an impression. Say, after this is done, want to get your friends together?"

He held up a card that, I kid you not, had an infinity sign on it. With his name.

"We'll get something good."

Hell's Bells what did I sign up for?

END

Nothing good Harry, nothing good.

Anyway, that's the first attempt at this idea. I didn't want to get too deep into a mystery here, that'd be a whole story, so I made it something that all parties could agree was pretty stupid. But, that's what you get with the young and reckless. Dumb stuff.

I hope I did the characters credit and that the idea came across well. Again, if you have any requests or ideas for places to get a flier, let me know! I'll take on any that I have at least a basic understanding of, so I'll let you know if I do.

Also, this will be in the regular section for the Dresden Files until we get the next chapter, then it will move to the general cross-over section.

Hope you all enjoy this first offering!