Ch. 2 The Stakes are Made Known, and the New Light Shines

We made an amusing sight, the two of us. My mysterious new acquaintance Noa, calmly standing on the curb of a sidewalk, seeming to not have a care in the world, left eye brow cocked bemusedly and his mouth set in a small grin of amusement. I, on the other hand, was pacing back and forth in the middle of the street in front of him, making wild gestures with my arms, screaming utter nonsense and cursing like a mad man. Yeah, if it wasn't happening to me, I be right there with ya, havin' a ROFLOL moment.

"-hat the hell did I do, really? I mean I'm generally a good guy! I donate my extra change... when I have some. So I watch porn every now and then, who doesn't."

Yes, well... thankfully, before I could be speak further, and make an even bigger ass of myself, Noa decided to finally speak.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa dude, way to much info for me, so I'm gonna just stop you right there. Besides, I don't see what the big deal is. I looked over that thing, had to in order to set a few things up, even on the highest difficulty setting, you are still an Endbringer, you're practically made of win! I used that phrase the right way didn't I? This internet jargon of yours is very confusing."

I stopped my personal meltdown before it could really rev up at his comment. Having enough sense to look a little embarrassed at what I had been saying, I then focus on his question, and level a "look" at him. With a sigh, I answer his question.

"The big deal Noa, is that despite whatever else I maybe, I am, in all things, a nerd, which includes reading fan fiction, up to and including self-inserts. And regardless of what you, or any one else thinks, the CYOA is essentially a guide, an outline of how I would start out on Earth Bet, and a few things to make my time there more interesting. What I will be experiencing however, is not some fully interactive game, or simulation under your or my complete control. What I will be doing, is charging head first into what is essentially, a "WAR" world in all but name. There will be somethings that we can control about what I'll face there, but you and I both know, that Fate AND Destiny, BOTH, just love to screw with the plans of mortals and gods alike."

Pausing to take a breath, I turn away from Noa, but not before noticing his cringe of agreement. Before, he can comment on my rant, I add one more nail to the veritable coffin.

"Besides, all my knowledge of Worm is second hand at best, near nonexistent at worst. What little I do know is scrapped together from various fics I've read."

Turning to face him, I see Noa staring at the star scape as it passed over head, deep in thought. After a moment of silence he seems to come to a decision.

"I won't lie to you my friend, you're right. Despite the advantages you will gain from the CYOA, the outcome is still unknown. If it were at all possible, I and others like me, would gladly face the Entities in combat ourselves, but we can't. The section of the Omniverse that these beings inhabit is closed to us. It is not a matter of violating some arbitrary rule of non-interference, or that they are one-on-one equal to any of us in power, it's a matter of numbers, not in that they out number us, but that there is a by product of them gathering in such close proximity to one another. Collectively, they generate a sort of, barrier, through which we can't pass through, a quirk of their development, meant to protect from the more predacious denizens of the void. We can't slip past it, and we can't break through it, not unless we pool our powers and shatter it, which would actually ensure their destruction, and prevent them from spreading any further. The problem with that course of acti-"

Before he can continue, I interrupt him, already guessing what the problem with that plan was.

"Let me guess, the power required would not only shatter the barrier and kill the Entities... it'd also devastate, if not practically destroy that area of the Omniverse, and maybe the surrounding areas as well."

In voice cold enough to make Death shudder, Noa confirms, if not adds to my fear.

"No my friend, it WOULD RUIN that section of the Omniverse, and insure that nothing new would grow there for a very, very long time, and that is time as perceived by being such as myself, for which the passing of 100 millennia for you is but a moment for us. In essence, it would the be equivalent of your people dropping a 200 megaton nuclear warhead on some part of your world. The surrounding sectors however, would indeed suffer tremendous damage, in that whole Multiverses would become something like what you know as "Eye of Terror," only 100 times worse."

It would safe to say that my face goes white at that proclamation, which is a feat in and of itself considering I'm A) disembodied and B) black. The amount of destruction Noa, and others like him, could bring to bear would be enough to make even the most crazed black hearted bastard, quack in abject fear, and that's not even counting the surrounding sectors being exposed to something like the "EYE". I knew of the "Eye", I doubt there's a nerd alive who doesn't know what the "Eye" is, or the nightmares which inhabit it. However, the "Eye" is for the most part, contained to several sectors of space, in one galaxy. This would be whole universes, whole timelines, though and even then 100x more hellish than the original.

"F-ff-f-fuck m-mme."

I'm not ashamed to admit it, my voice shook in absolute terror.

"Why do you care?"

My voice was so low, so small, I might as well not have spoken at all. In-spite of this, Noa still heard my question, and answered.

"How do you mean?"

Clearing my throat and pushing my fear down into the deepest, darkest recesses of mind to deal with later, I clarified my question.

"Why do you and your people care? In virtually every story involving a ROB, they either see us as a form of entertainment, something to be toyed with, or don't give 2 shits about what happens to us, as long as we do what they tell us to do, and chaos take if you don't. So . ."

For a long stretch of time, Noa simply stares at me, saying nothing at all, not moving a muscle. Before the silence can become even more uncomfortable, he smiles at me.

"If you recall, I said I was not a "ROB" as you know them. We are close to being like them, but not exactly them same, and as for why we care... because we chose to. When I came into being, when my allies became what they are, we chose to protect and guide, rather than to conquer and rule."

Call me naive, call me a fool, but as I looked into the eyes of the being infinitely more powerful than me, I believed him.

"OK then, I believe you. Lets do this."

Noa looks at me in surprise, then chuckles a little.

"No matter how many times it happens, you mortals always find new ways to shock me. You'll need to finish that CYOA form up. You'll notice that there are somethings marked that can not be changed, they pertain to your mission."

Opening up the file to see what he was talking about, I can't help but immediately go to the most important bits of info to me, and cringe a little.

Origin:

Endbringer(preselected -can not be changed)- powers +10, no companions

Difficulty:

Skitter(preselected -can not be changed)- starting points 0

Complications:

Sibling Rivalry(preselected -can not be deselected)- +4 points

The Cycle Begins Anew(preselected -can not be deselected)- +10 points

Golden Morning(preselected -can only be modified not deselected)/ sensed my arrival - +6 points

"Damn, you guys aren't pulling any punches are you."

Noa can only give me look of sympathy, before he decides to explain.

"Like I said, my people and I and very powerful, but NOT Omnipotent. Unlike the beings you know as ROBs, we can effect somethings about the reality you're going to, but only up to a point. Empowering you, sending you there, and giving you a new form, or several... that we can do, we have pull our resources, some providing more than others, but we can do it. The ROBs you are thinking of, see this area of the Omniverse as their own little playground, dropping in random beings into this area of space for shits and giggles. If you want an example of what they see that place as, think of it as their form of reality TV, ugh."

That REALLY makes me shudder, I HATE reality TV.

"Yeah, my point exactly. They really don't care what happens in that area of the Omniverse. Not since a number of the Higher eschillons abandoned that sector when the Entities started to appear in mass. To you, and me they are perceived as a threat in one form or another, to them, it's like a rat infestation. The crappy thing is, if the beings in-charge there had just taken care of them when they first started appearing, this wouldn't have been as issue, but they couldn't be bothered to deal with vermin. Pompous fools."

I could feel a migraine building behind my eyes at this bit of info.

"So what you're telling me, is that because a bunch of self-centered jackasses couldn't be bothered to take care of their responsibilities, God knows how many worlds are being destroyed by the cosmic equivalent of pests!?"

It would safe to say that I was a bit pissed off, by the look on his face, Noa completely agreed with me.

"Afraid so. Assholes exist in every species my friend, no matter how highly evolved, remember that. Now if I were you, I'd look through the rest of that form, there are some things we put there to give you a bit more of an edge, but you'll have to finish it up. This is your mission after all, and you should chose some of the load out."

Taking a moment to reign myself in, I nod my agreement and go back to the CYOA.

Powers(20pts. -2pts. =18pts. total):

Shaper(restrained(preselected- can not be deselected)- this power has been limited to only self modification, the sensing and cataloging of any life-form within a 10 km. radius. As a limited Shaper your power is one which will benefit you and only you. Using this ability, your initial additional core has been separated from your Endbringer body, and fashioned into a linked human form, which is in a sense a projection. Due to your unique psychical make up, you are much hardier than other humans, including Brute-type capes, and somewhat scrambles the intuitive abilities of capes like Tattletale, helping to ensure you are not connected to your other self. When in human form, your Endbringer body is transformed into an energy state, allowing it to be stored within its human form core. This power also allows you to control your overall size in your Endbringer form, from a min. of 7ft. to a max. of 300ft. -2 points

Perks(18pts. -2pts. =16pts. total):

Add. Core +1=2 total(preselected- can only add cores) -1 points

Alien Nature(preselected- can not be deselected) -being of light -1 point

Looking over the what was already picked out, I nodded my head a bit, but internally I was also scratching my head over the difference between the Shaper power I had seen before in fics back home, and Shaper as it appeared here. Regardless it a was good starting off point, but if I wanted to stand a chance at beating, let alone surviving the forces arrayed against me, I need a more than this, not to mention a few words in the descriptions of the powers seemed familiar to me, it was a little frustrating really, like the answer was there, but my mind just didn't want to make the connection. Putting those thoughts to the side, I decided to just make my choices.

I start off with the Perks.

Perks(20pts. -10pts. =10pts. total):

Blank -1 point

Shattered Limiter -1 point

Invictus -1 point

Inspiration -1 point

First Impressions -1 point

*Add. Core +1, +3 =4 total(preselected- can only add cores) -4 points

*Alien Nature(preselected- can not be deselected) -being of light -1 point

Looking it over for a bit, I decided to move on to the powers, not seeing anything more in the perks section I could use. While looking over the powers, I immediately notice something off.

"Hey Noa, why are the powers in this form different from the ones I had seen back home? I mean Skitter mode is one thing, but this is a bit much don't you think?"

All Noa can do is give my a sheepish look, and shrug his shoulders.

"It's how we'll be able to sneak you in. While your powers will not be shard based, in this form, they're close enough to not gain the attention of the Entities. While powerful enough to handle the true Endbringers, and give an Entity a decent fight, they're not so powerful as to garner undo attention. Once there your powers will grow, by this time your overall energy signature will be lost in the combined "background noise," of the Multiverse and the Entities themselves."

Giving a nod of understanding I go back to the powers page and make my choices.

Powers(10pts. -8pts. = 2pts. total):

Alexandria- initial power is limited to granting only enhanced psychical abilities and durability, as compared to other currently know Endbringers, but will grow stronger with time. In human form, this translates into the psychical ability slightly above that of an Olympic athlete, which will grow overtime to equal that of Alexandria, then beyond. Has full access to hyper-sonic flight in either Endbringer or human form. -2 points

Legend- initial power is limited to energy blasts, energy barriers, and temporarily shift into an energy state, unless when in human form, in which case the energy state serves as the Endbringer bodies form of dormancy, storing itself within its human form core, allowing the body to heal and rest, while the mind in human form core remains active. Like all powers, these abilities will grow with time and practice. In human form, these powers are further limited to basic energy barriers, and concussive blasts, but like all powers will grow. -2 points

Inspired Inventor(restrained)- this power has been limited to only being able to access knowledge as it pertains to the construction and the science behind the tools of the Space Garrison as well as their fighting techniques, and training programs. Considering that they were once a race of ancient very advance, very human like beings, this is not a huge limitation. You're getting the knowledge of race that built there own sun when the old one went out for gods sake. You will initially begin with the standard 5 charges, which can be used toward the disciplines of Science, Construction, and Combat. Seeing as how there are sub-categories to each disciplines, this could allow the user to make anything from a high-tech blaster, to a mobile air fortress. Hell given enough time and resources, you can even recreate the process which turned the denizens of M78 from beings of flesh and blood, into beings of light they became. -2 points

*Shaper(restrained(preselected- can not be deselected)- this power has been limited to only self modification, the sensing and cataloging of any life-form within a 10 km. radius. As a limited Shaper your power is one which will benefit you and only you. Using this ability, your initial additional core has been separated from your Endbringer body, and fashioned into a linked human form, which is in a sense a projection. Due to your unique psychical make up, you are much hardier than other humans, including Brute-type capes, and somewhat scrambles the intuitive abilities of capes like Tattletale, helping to ensure you are not connected to your other self. When in human form, your Endbringer body is transformed into an energy state, allowing it to be stored within its human form core. This power also allows you to control your overall size in your Endbringer form, from a min. of 7ft. to a max. of 300ft. -2 points

Seeing that I had 2 points left over, I decided to invest in 1 more power, rather than a couple of perks. Looking my remaining choices over, I narrow my choice down to 2, Power Manipulation and Ediolon. After thinking it over for a second, I make my choice.

Powers(10pts. -10pts. = 0pts. total):

Alexandria- initial power is limited to granting only enhanced psychical abilities and durability, as compared to other currently know Endbringers, but will grow stronger with time. In human form, this translates into the psychical ability slightly above that of an Olympic athlete, which will grow overtime to equal that of Alexandria, then beyond. Has full access to hyper-sonic flight in either Endbringer or human form. -2 points

Legend- initial power is limited to energy blasts, energy barriers, and temporarily shift into an energy state, unless when in human form, in which case the energy state serves as the Endbringer bodies form of dormancy, storing itself within its human form core, allowing the body to heal and rest, while the mind in human form core remains active. Like all powers, these abilities will grow with time and practice. In human form, these powers are further limited to basic energy barriers, and concussive blasts, but like all powers will grow. -2 points

Inspired Inventor(restrained)- this power has been limited to only being able to access knowledge as it pertains to the construction and the science behind the tools of the Space Garrison as well as their fighting techniques, and training programs. Considering that they were once a race of ancient very advance, very human like beings, this is not a huge limitation. You're getting the knowledge of race that built there own sun when the old one went out for gods sake. You will initially begin with the standard 5 charges, which can be used toward the disciplines of Science, Construction, and Combat. Seeing as how there are sub-categories to each disciplines, this could allow the user to make anything from a high-tech blaster, to a mobile air fortress. Hell given enough time and resources, you can even recreate the process which turned the denizens of M78 from beings of flesh and blood, into beings of light they became. -2 points

Power Manipulator- initial power is limited to either creating variations of or the strengthening of abilities already in your possession or making shard-less copies of the abilities in the possession of para-humans and Endbringers you have severely weakened, however in time this ability will evolve to the level of it's original strength, allowing the user to create and distribute custom made powers at will. You will begin with 5 charges with which you can use, that means you can create up to 5 variations or strengthen your abilities 5x, or copy the powers of 5 opponents. -2 points

Shaper(restrained(preselected- can not be deselected)- this power has been limited to only self modification, the sensing and cataloging of any life-form within a 10 km. radius. As a limited Shaper your power is one which will benefit you and only you. Using this ability, your initial additional core has been separated from your Endbringer body, and fashioned into a linked human form, which is in a sense a projection. Due to your unique psychical make up, you are much hardier than other humans, including Brute-type capes, and somewhat scrambles the intuitive abilities of capes like Tattletale, helping to ensure you are not connected to your other self. When in human form, your Endbringer body is transformed into an energy state, allowing it to be stored within its human form core. This power also allows you to control your overall size in your Endbringer form, from a min. of 7ft. to a max. of 300ft. -2 points

Looking over my final choices, I then hand the file over to Noa. Once he had the file in hand, it transformed into ball of light. Surprisingly, despite the blinding radiance, I could still see at its core, it appeared to made of what I could only call molten light. Looking from the pure energy in his hand, to me Noa spoke

"After this, there is no backing out. So I will ask for both the first and final time, do you accept this mission Tak-"

Before he can finish I interrupt him.

"Seijiro"

Noa frowned in confusion, I doubt it was because I had interrupted him. I done that more once before over the course of our conversation.

"What?"

I smile at him, trying to convey more confidence than I was really feeling.

"Call me Seijiro. Sato, Seijiro. This is sort of a new life for me right? Might as well have a new name to go along with it."

Giving me a smile of his own, Noa answers.

"Very well Seijiro, the mission is yours. Oh and just so you're aware, your new human form will essentially look the same as your old one, just a more idealized version."

With that, Noa begins walking toward me, all the while giving me a summery of my mission.

"The mission itself is simple, completing it, not so much. After defeating the Entities on Earth, you are to go out among the various Universes of that Multiversal cluster, seek more of their kind, and defeat them. Essentially, your job is to weaken the barrier from the inside, by culling the Entities numbers. By doing this will you cause holes to appear in their barrier, allowing us to send you further aid. Until then, unless you recruit help from the various races that in habit the cluster, you are on your own."

Coming to end of his briefing, Noa presents me with the power, my power. Reaching out, I take the shining sphere in my hands. Taking a moment to admire the light and warmth it generates, I see it begin float towards my heart, before surging forward, slamming into me. I immediately feel the power flowing through out my body, and notice that I start glowing, dimly at first but getting brighter.

It is then Noa speaks, bringing me back to the reality.

"The mission is yours now Seijiro, good luck."

It is then I realize I still had 1 important question.

"Wait Noa! What your people called?"

With a smile Noa begins to glow as well. The light he produces becomes even brighter, when he is joined by other beings of light.

"You know our name, little brother."

Then I see them. I'm...I...am shocked by what I see. Beings of... what I can only call heroic stature, some with cloaks around their shoulders, and in various patterns of red and silver, sometimes with blue, black and, gold added in. Looking on I can only utter one word

"ULTRAMAN"

I see them all, the 7 Ultra brothers, their father and mother, Ultra King, Ultraman Tiga, Dyna, Gaia, and then I see Noa. He is now covered in radiant silver armor with a large red gem on his chest, silver wing like constructs adorn his back. I do know him, one of the few Ultras Equal to King, born form the creation of a super-nova, a being worshiped by various cultures as a God of light and justice. ULTRAMAN NOA.

"I know you will live up to our legacy, ULTRAMAN SHIN"

Then there is only the light.