Chronicles of the MPA: The World's Heart
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or locations in this story, with the exception of Sab Liath and his home, Outpost 42.
Chapter 1: The Journey Begins
(The Multiverse Substrate)
And so, the world ended. This is not normally an event to be saddened by, as this world, which was but one of an infinite number to exist in the multiverse, was out of potentiality, and it was its time to collapse away into the void, so that is energy could pass through the Amalgamate to be randomized and recycled into new worlds. But something seemed to feel… wrong.
The gray dragon Sab Liath, Guardian of Forgotten Unrealities and Lost Eternities, member of the Multiverse Protection Agency, watched these events from the top deck of his home base; Remote Operations Outpost #42, a tower of coppery metal piercing the Outer Dimensional Sea. "Computer, please monitor efficiency of energy transfer from that world to its next state" said Sab Liath.
"Processing request… monitoring, recording… process complete," stated the computer "transfer level is at 73 percent efficiency".
"73 percent? That seem a bit low… all estimate formulas indicate that the transfer should have had an efficiency of at least 85%!" Sab Liath said, surprised.
"So, you have noticed it, too," spoke the ancient Crystalline Dragon Shinryu, leader of the Multiverse Protection Agency, as he phased in "the overall level of generalized entropy is increasing, accelerating the destruction of all that is and all that is yet to be".
The sound of thunder rolls in the distance. "Sab Liath, my friend, let us head inside. A dimension storm is brewing," said Shinryu.
"I sense the storm too," said Sab Liath, "Computer, close and retract the spire to the main level".
"Processing request… priming spire motors, DONE. Releasing brakes… KA-CHUNK, DONE. Retracting spire, DONE. Sequence complete" stated the computer. Sab Liath and Shinryu step out of the elevator chamber into Outpost 42's somewhat cluttered main level, which is filled with many tomes and scrolls on a wide variety of topics.
"Sorry about the mess. If I had know you were coming by I would have cleaned up a bit," said Sab Liath.
"It is alright," said Shinryu, "I myself have just finished acting as a 'test of strength' on world FIF-05".
"Really? How was it?" said SabLiath.
"Not too bad I guess," joked Shinryu "but my wings are still a little cramped from being in that treasure chest for so long!"
"Hmm, well it's good to see you back again," said Sab Liath, "though I know you finished your probation doled out by the overwatch council after that 'asteroid incident' on world SE-891 (T minus 65 MA) a while back".
"Ugh, don't remind me of that day," said Shinryu, "it's hard enough to think about already".
"Sorry about that, but in truth, because of everything I've seen and been through, I can't think of a more trustworthy leader than you," said Sab Liath, "because you allowed me to become what I am today. You helped me that fateful day when my Potentiality was triggered and awoke my true power within me, causing me to move beyond my original human state. You trained me in the many fields needed to survive the multiverse, and taught me what it means to be a dragon".
"Now, now, give yourself some credit, I didn't do everything for you, it was your own natural skill that allowed you to pick up your training so quickly," said Shinryu, "plus you had other instructors too, such as the ones living on the FIF and DRQ worldstrings, along with world GDS-03". "But enough of this expository banter for now," continued Shinryu, "Sab Liath, I need you to find out why these realities are collapsing prematurely. Start by examining the Worldheart in reality KM-01α, due to the recent upheavals there".
"Alright, let me just get prepared for the journey." Said Sab Liath, as he walked over to the armorsuit storage pod and opened it. "Activate Mark 19 powered armorsuit and boot the emulation computer". At this command, the various pieces of the armor suit flew out of the pod and assembled themselves on his body. "Booting main armor computer," said the emulation computer on his left sii, "advanced optics ONLINE, shielding system ONLINE, nanothrusters ONLINE, comms system ONLINE, weapons systems ONLINE, final check, all systems operating NORMALLY".
"I guess I'm ready to go," said Sab Liath, "let's hope this issue can be resolved quickly".
"Then travel safely," said Shinryu, "and may your ancestors watch over you". With that, Sab Liath activated the Worldgate, spread his wing wide, and flew through, beginning his journey.
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