Author's Note: I'm so sorry that this chapter came out so late. I have been dealing with a lot of issues lately, and that has kept me from writing. But at least the new year just happened. So Happy New Year and I hope your holidays were phenomenal. So here is the next chapter, and I want to know if anyone has any suggestions for this story. I already have an idea on how this is going to end, but I'm finding it hard in some areas for the middle. So if you want to then come on by and let me hear your ideas.
Chapter 6: The Multiverse
Thursday, October 26, 2017 at home base with everyone at 3:00pm…
Everyone was in the main room talking about trying to find the location of the next talismans. "Alright my friends, tomorrow you will be exploring the multiverse." The Guardian says. "The multiverse serves as a home for four of the nine remaining talismans you need to locate. Sean knows the most information on the multiverse since his family has had the privilege on going through it and his father hid four of the talismans in the multiverse."
"Thank you Guardian. The multiverse is basically a set of hypothetical set of universes, each one more different than the last. The world and universe we live in is part of the multiverse. My parents and grandparents traveled through the multiverse to maintain good and evil within each universe. Like the Guardian said my parents were in charge of hiding four of the remaining nine lost talismans that you guys are seeking. Each talisman is hidden its own different universe, so it's going to be a bit difficult to find them all just like that."
"And how will we be able to get to those universes and travel through the multiverse to find the talismans?" Erick asks.
"By using Portable Multi-Universe Transporters or PMUT for short." Sean goes to a box and takes one out. "These things go around your wrist, and there are a couple of different types of transporters. One of them brings you and all the linked people wearing a transporter to the universe by pressing the red button. Once you press the red button, you will be transported to the universe. And once you retrieve the talisman you will press this green button to return to our universe. Another one will describe to you in what universe you are in and whether or not a talisman is in that universe. Oh and one more thing, always keep those on at all times because they are the keys to transporting you to the universes and back. If you don't have them on when everyone goes back, you can be left in that universe, and that will not be good. And here is the thing. I don't pick the universe you travel to. It's always random. So you might be going to a universe to retrieve a talisman, or you might be needed there for assistance. And as part of being heroes, I feel like it is your responsibility to help out as best as you can."
"And how will we blend in these universes? If you say these places are different, then wouldn't our appearances immediately stand out?" Erick says.
"Ah, now that's the thing, once you enter a universe, your appearance will change. Meaning that you will look the part for any universe. An example would be if a universe is let's say a pirate themed universe. If you go in that universe with what you are wearing now, then people will look at you and eyebrows will be raised. Your clothing will most likely change, or even at times your body or other physical features will change."
"Alright, that'll be weird the first few times." Xavier says.
"Well you should always be careful. Some universes are dangerous. You don't know what can hurt you or what is in the universes. So it is important to always stay alert no matter what."
"Well why don't you come along with us, so you can help guide us?" Dante asks.
"No can do. We barely have enough PMUTs for you four. And it takes a long time to make more, so you four are going to have to do this without me."
"Alright well this should be fun. You don't hear on a daily basis that you get to travel through the multiverse." Erick says.
"Well as long as our first universe we travel to isn't any place too dangerous we should be fine." Cassandra says.
"And plus we have powers. We don't have to worry about this." Xavier says.
"Actually that's where you are going to not be happy." Sean says. "You see, in these other universes, you don't know how well people or other creatures will react to people with special abilities, whether they will flee or attack you. So I recommend using them in emergencies only."
"I mean that does seem like the responsible thing to do. We wouldn't want to cause a panic or anything worse." Dante says.
"Alright well tomorrow we enter through the multiverse and continue our search." Erick says.
"Yes now go and continue on with your day. We will be here if you need us or if anything else happens." The Guardian says. With that said, Dante creates a portal and they go through it and leave it.
"Shouldn't we warn them?" Ruby says to Sean and The Guardian.
"I'm sure they are nowhere near to completing their transporters." Sean says confidently.
"Are you sure about that? Remember, they have your father's journal on the multiverse. They are more than capable of recreating transporters of their own." The Guardian says.
"I know this already. Believe me when I say this that if they didn't have the journal, I would create more transporters so I can join them on the search and show them the multiverse myself."
"Well it's not your fault they have it. They found it, even though your parents hid the journal well. Why do you think security for the talismans were covered by one of my spells? So they won't be so easily found by them." Ruby says.
"Yeah yeah I know. All that is in the past now. Let's not tell them just yet. After tomorrow's mission we'll tell them. Deal?" Sean says.
"And what if they finished making transporters so they can find the talismans or probably do worse?" Ruby says.
"Then I'll deal with the consequences and tell them tomorrow."
Friday, October 27, 2017, at the villain's lair at 1:00pm…
"Shendu we have done it. We have successfully created the transporters." Spike says.
"Excellent. You three are now closer to finding my talismans." Shendu says.
"Does that mean that we can go back to finding the talismans instead of working the machines?" Hannibal asks.
"I shouldn't allow it, but you all made progress in finding my talismans, so I suppose you can. Just don't do anything idiotic that will change my mind."
"We will prepare to go locate the next talisman." Spike says as they leave the room.
"Spike how are we going to find the talisman if we don't even know what we are getting ourselves into?" Ivy says to Spike.
"In that journal, it stated how this will work. Did either one of you read the part after the building instructions?" Spike says annoyed.
"No. All I know is that the devices allow us to travel to other worlds or universes as it put it." Hannibal says.
"Ugh. Well let's go and read the journal so you knuckleheads can know more and I won't be the only one who knows the slightest. And also so you guys don't blow this for us." Spike says to the rest of his team."
1:30pm at home base…
The Inspirationalists just entered home base and are greeted to Sean creating something. "Alright Sean, we are ready to go."
"Well you are going to have to wait. I am trying to find two tinier PMUTs for your little friends."
"Ah yeah, we get to travel too. For a second I thought we were going to be left here. I wonder how cheese will taste in other universes." Plagg says happily as he imagines the taste of other universe's cheese.
"Yay! But, if we are going to be wearing these things, isn't it going to affect their transformation." Tikki says.
"Actually I took that into account. It will have no affect on their transformation." Sean says as he finds the small devices.
"At least that's good. We won't have to worry about anything bad happening when we try to transform." Cassandra says.
Sean finishes the devices and hands them to the kwamis. The Inspirationalists put on the PMUTs and get ready. "Alright, so three things to remember: keep those on, your appearance might change, and try to keep a low profile." Sean says.
"Yeah yeah we know. Just relax, we got this." Xavier says.
"I'm just worried that something might happen." Sean says. In his mind, he is wondering whether or not to tell them about his father's journal.
"Don't worry we got this." Dante says.
"Alright well I recommend you get going. Oh and the first couple of times you travel through you might feel a slight tingly feeling." With that said, Erick presses the red button, and they all disappear from their universe and are off to another universe.
In a desert area a half mile from a small western town…
The Inspirationalists all shudder as they reappear in a desert like area. "He was right, that did feel a bit tingly. Anyone else?" Dante says.
"Yeah. Anyways, what are we wearing?" Cassandra says.
As they look at each other, they all see that they now are all wearing western themed clothing. "Well, our apparel has changed. And if our clothing tells us anything about where we are, then we are in an old west like world." Erick says.
"Well let's check Cassandra's transporter to see whether or not a talisman is hidden in this universe." Xavier says.
Cassandra checks her transporter and they all see that a talisman is hidden in this universe. "Alright, it looks like the odds are in our favor guys."
"And according to location wise, we have been transported to a westernized world." Cassandra says.
Dante looks over a small dirt hill. "You're right about that. Look over here." They all look over a small hill.
"Alright, well let's get going and hope we blend in." Erick says as they all start walking towards the town. As they walk through the town, some of the town folks are glancing at them.
"Hey guys, wanna get something to drink? We might be here for a while and I'm getting kinda thirsty." Xavier says. They all agree and head towards the saloon. They enter the saloon and the place goes silent. They make their way towards the counter while some people continue to glance at them.
"I thought you said we wouldn't raise suspicion." Dante whispers to Erick.
"I don't know. At least they are not questioning us about anything."
They make their way to the counter and the bartender looks at them with suspicion but ignores it before speaking to them. "What will it be for you strangers?" The bartender says to the them.
"Just some water for us would be nice." Erick says.
The bartender starts to laugh, and then the fellow patrons join in on the laughter. "You want water, you drink with the horses. How bout you all have a whiskey?"
"As much as we would love to, we have to go do something afterwards."
"Then how about a non-alcoholic beverage? It might not leave you full as a tick, but at least it'll refresh you."
"I guess." Erick says As the bartender starts to serve the drinks, they all take a seat and look around. They see that some people are still staring at them, while the others continued to their business.
"You people aren't from around here are you?" The bartender asks as he serves their drinks.
"You could say that." Cassandra says.
"Well, what are folks like yourselves doing in our lovely town?"
"Let's just say we are here on business. We are looking for something of value."
"Alright then as long as you don't cause harm, then there will be no trouble. Just know that if anything happens, then you will be the sheriff's problem. And trust me you don't want to mess with the sheriff, ain't that right boys?" The bartender says to the fellow patrons. The patrons all agree.
"Why, what's up with the sheriff?" Dante says.
"Oh nothing is wrong with him. On the contrary he is a good fella and all, but get on his bad side and you better hobble your lips and skedaddle on out of here if you know what's good for you."
"Well we thank you for your warning. And don't worry we won't be causing anyone any trouble. By any chance, is there like a town square here?" Erick asks.
"Why of course. It's right by the clock tower where all the big events take place. Once you exit the saloon, you will see the front of the clock tower, but it's about half a mile away from here. Why do you ask?"
"Just to get a narrower area where can operate our business." Dante says.
"What do you guys say, you wanna go visit the town square?" Cassandra and Dante agree while Xavier disagrees.
"Nah, I'll stay here. I wanna just relax for a little bit longer and enjoy my drink."
"Alright, just meet us by the town square." Erick says as the three leave the saloon and walk towards the town square. "Alright guys where should we look first?"
"How about we just check any store or building to see if anyone might have gotten it, and see if you sense it in the building." Cassandra says.
"Fine by me." Erick says as they enter a blacksmith's store.
Meanwhile with Xavier…
"This place seems nice and all, but I don't smell any cheeses." Plagg says under Xavier's coat.
"Yeah I doubt we'll find that anywhere here for now."
"Who you talking to stranger?" A person says to Xavier from a table behind him.
Xavier quickly looks over to see three people playing poker at a table. "Oh just um… myself sir. I'm just thinking about the rest of my day."
"Well why don't you stop that, and join us for a game? We want to see if you out of town folks can play. Just one rule, no cheatin." The patron says.
"Well I accept your challenge." Xavier says as he takes his drink with him and moves to the table.
"The name's James and this is Henry and Dallas."
"Nice to meet you all. Mine is Xavier."
"That's a strange name. Where you and your pals from stranger?" Henry asks Xavier.
"Somewhere far from here."
"Alright then. Well do you know how to play?" Dallas says.
"I think I can catch on." James hands them all five cards and start the match. They are mid round when Xavier takes another sip from his drink. As he sips his drink he sees three people walk in the saloon, and he chokes a bit on his drink. "Oh no."
"You alright there Xavier?" James says.
"Yeah yeah, I just thought I saw something. Um, is there an outhouse or something like that around here?" Xavier says to be able to leave.
"It's right outside." Xavier quickly leaves the saloon and goes behind it. He looks around to see if the coast is clear.
"Plagg please tell me you saw who I saw."
"Yeah, it was The Triple Strike. How did they even get here?"
"I don't know, but I know it's not for horse riding."
"Well, what are we going to do? You can't transform or they will attack you, and maybe everyone else might too for how you will look."
"Wait, I think we can work with that. They know me but in disguise."
"Right ok, so you'll blend in with the crowd. But what do we do now?"
"Let's lay low for now, and see if we can buy our friends some time before they figure out we are also here. And I think I know a way to keep them occupied."
"I hope it's something good." With that said Plagg hid back in Xavier's coat and he re-entered back in the saloon and to his seat.
"Dallas had to go take care of a few things, so now it's just the three of us." James says.
"Well why don't we find someone to take his place?"
"Ha, like who?" Henry says.
Xavier looks at The Triple Strike and spots Hannibal and points at him. "How about that stranger?"
"Hey stranger." James says as Hannibal looks up at him. "How about joining us in a game of poker?"
"Well if you insist on losing."
"You hear that boys, stranger thinks he's got game." James says.
"Mind if I deal?" Xavier says.
"Not at all." Henry says as he hands the cards to Xavier. He starts to shuffle and succeeds at hiding four cards in his sleeve. Plagg grabs two and carefully sneaks out of his coat and puts it under Hannibal's seat. He puts the other two in his pocket. Plagg returns back in Xavier's coat unnoticed.
The round ends with Henry about to win, but Hannibal reveals his hand, and ends up taking the win. "Well that was a swell game gentlemen." Xavier shakes everyone's hand and starts to leave. As he is leaving he 'notices' two cards under Hannibal's seat. "Hold on for a second." He says as he picks up the two cards. "What do we have here?"
"How did those get there?" Hannibal says.
"Well boys, it looks like we got ourselves a chiseler. And you know what we do around here with chiselers?" James says in an angry tone.
"What's going on here?" Spike says as him and Ivy approach the scene.
"Is he with you two?" Henry says.
"Yes, why, what is the matter?" Ivy says.
"Well your comrade over here attempted to chisel us." Henry says.
"Now come on, that is a wild accusation. I've known him all my life, and he would never do such a thing." Spike says.
"Excuse me gentlemen." Xavier says. But what's this we have peaking out of his pocket." He 'takes out' the two cards from Hannibal's pocket. "It appears he had more cards for later."
"Well do you know, it looks like we got ourselves a problem on our hands." James says as he cracks his knuckles and jumps at Hannibal to tackle him. Henry grabs a chair and tries to use it as a weapon to hit Hannibal with it, but Ivy stops him and attacks him. A couple of people join in to stop the brawl, but that fails and the bar brawl grows. Xavier takes this as his chance to run to where his friends are. Unknowingly to him, Spike sees him run out, and is curious to know who he is and where he is going.
Back with the other three…
"Alright, so these side businessmen don't seem to have it, where else can we look?" Dante says.
"Yeah, and we'll be here forever if we just check every building here." Cassandra says. "Erick?" She says as both her and Dante had just noticed that he stopped and is looking at the clock tower. They walk to him.
"Guys look up at the clock." Erick says as they all look and notice something in the middle of the clock. It was a talisman.
"Alright, let's go get it." Dante says. They all walk to the entrance of the clock tower. But before they can walk in the entrance Xavier runs into them and they all fall to the ground.
"Xavier, why don't you watch where you are going?" Cassandra says annoyed.
"Sorry guys." They all get up. "But we have a major situation."
"What could be so important you decide to crash into us?" Dante asks.
"The Triple Strike. They are here."
"What? That's impossible. They can't possibly be here." Tikki says.
"Well they are. Now have you found the talisman?" Plagg says.
"Yeah it's up in the center of the clock." Cassandra says.
"Really? How did we miss that entering town?"
"I don't know but let's just…" *Bang* "Ahhh!" Erick shouts as a bullet hits him in his arm. Every person in town quickly makes their way in a building as they see where the bullet came from. They see it was Spike with the gun and next to him is the rest of his team standing a hundred and fifty feet from them.
"Would you look at what we have in front of us? The four people who have been getting in our way for the past month." Spike says.
"Well you didn't hit the person who caused us to get beaten in there, but that is still in win for us. An injured enemy." Hannibal adds.
"And if these really are those four, then we have just discovered who the other really are." Ivy says.
"Well so much for Xavier and my identities still being a secret to them." Cassandra says to her friends.
"Let's get them." Spike says to his team as they run to them.
"Close the door and board it up." Erick says as he grasps his wounded arm. They close the door and begin to put stuff in front of the door to prevent them from getting in.
"Erick what about your arm?" Cassandra asks.
"It's nothing I can't handle, and besides it's merely a flesh… ugh… wound." Erick says struggling a bit. "Guys I think this is a good time to transform."
"You heard the man. Tikki spots on."
"Plagg claws out." They both transform. "Alright so what's the plan?"
"Xavier and I will go to the top to get the talisman. While you two keep the three stooges busy."
"Alright, but how are we going to do that?" Dante asks. Just then loud pounds can be heard from the door.
"I don't know, just try to think of something, and let's hurry, we are running out of time." Erick says as he and Xavier begin going upwards to the top of the tower.
Once they reach the top, they open up a window that was between the III and the IV of the clock. "Alright, we are kinda close to it, but it will still be a challenge to get to it." Xavier says.
"Remember I can just fly to get to it." Erick says confidently.
"Yeah, but we can't let the town know that we have powers. And I can't go out there because they'll see a person in a cat costume." Xavier says.
"Right I completely forgot about that." Just then he sees the big hand is reaching the III on the clock. "How about I hover over the big hand to make it look like I'm walking over the hand.
"Fine. Just don't let anyone see you hovering over it." Xavier says as Erick leaves the window and onto the big hand.
He was attempting to get there slowly, but the hand moved and that made him hurry. He makes his way to the center of the clock and sees the talisman in the middle of the clock. He grabs the talisman and it activates. A flash of light occurs and he sees what has happened. His wound from the gunshot is starting to heal. He looks at the talisman and sees it is the horse talisman. "Now this is going to come in handy." He makes his way back to the window and on the inside where Xavier is there waiting patiently.
"Hey, nice job Erick. Which talisman was it?"
"We just got the horse talisman. And it just healed up my wound. Now that's what I call vic-" He says midway as the floor they are standing on begins to shake and the parts and gears holding the floor begin to get loose and break off the machines.
"What the hell are they doing down there?" Xavier asks.
"Whatever it is, we'll ask them later, hold onto the window ledge." Erick says. Xavier does that and Erick just levitates beside him. They look down and see the clock tower gears and parts have been destroyed and are all down at the bottom all in a large pile blocking the door.
"What do we do now? We can't go out this window or people might definitely see us now." As they look they see a window in the back that was destroyed halfway towards the bottom.
"How about over there? Use your staff by placing them on gears and parts that will hold your weight to make your way over there to that broken window. I'll lead the way." Erick says as he levitates to the window as Xavier follows. Once they get to the window they make their way down the building to find their friends.
A couple of minutes ago with Dante and Cassandra…
The pounding on the door begin getting louder and the door is about to open. "Alright, well only one thing left to do. Lucky charm!" Just then a metal clock gear lands on Cassandra's hands.
"Well at least now we have another one for this clock if any of them breaks." Dante says sarcastically.
"Breaks. Now that's something we can work with." Cassandra says as she comes up with a plan. Just then the door was beginning to open slowly.
"Whatever you are going to do, do it now." Dante says. Just as he said that Cassandra throws the clock gear onto the slowly moving clock gears that move by the minute to make to clock stuck and so it can preferably break.
Once she threw it, the door finally got open letting The Triple Strike in. "Finally now we can put an end to you two." As he said that though, Cassandra used her yo-yo to get the gun and she throws it upwards.
"How about we fight this mano a mano?" Cassandra says using it to stall until her plan tries to work.
"Oh you asked for it then, and when I'm done with you I'll take your jewel and give them to one of my bosses." Ivy says to her enemy as she runs to hit her. Hannibal runs towards Dante and Spike runs up the stairs to retrieve his gun.
Dante knowing a few fighting moves was able to handle Hannibal. As Hannibal punched, Dante dodged and returned the punch to him. Dante then does a backflip onto a crate and kicks a few spare clock parts at him. This angers him and he takes out a knife to try to slash Dante with. Dante avoids the slashes Hannibal throws at him, but fails to dodge them all and gets slashed on the arms. As Hannibal is about to slash him again, Cassandra grabs the knife with her yo-yo and throws it out the window. Cassandra then continues her fight with Ivy. Ivy quickly attacks Cassandra and they are now in hand to hand combat. As Cassandra was about to attack she notices that Dante was going down, and Ivy knees her stomach sending her down.
As she was about to get up, Spike is there with the gun pointed at them. Cassandra as well notices the gear is being pressured against another gear, and it appears that it is about to break the gears from the clock. "Now with you two out of our way, taking out the other two will be a piece of cake. Any last words?" Spike says with a smirk.
"Yeah, how about you take a look up." Cassandra says. As she says that they all look up and they see the gears give up and begin to break and fall causing a chain reaction making more gears and parts start to fall. The Triple Strike see this and they dodge this and jump out of the clock tower. They see the fallen parts and gears all piled up blocking their way back in.
Spike growls in anger because he can't go in to finish the job. As he was about to find another way in, Hannibal notices the sheriff riding towards them on his horse. "Hey Spike, let's get out of here. The sheriff is heading our way." Spike sees this and gets angrier he starts to shoot at the sheriff, but fails to hit him. Ivy pulls him along and they all run in the opposite direction.
"Spike, come on. We need to go back. We'll end them another time. Send us back." Ivy says as they are running from the sheriff. Spike finally listening, presses a button on his transporter and they disappear from that universe and back to theirs.
Cassandra and Dante are stuck cornered in all the destroyed parts and gears. "Well at least they're gone." Dante says.
"Yeah, but what about our little dilemma? We are still stuck here. And who knows if the others fell or if they are somewhere up there." Cassandra says.
"Cataclysm." A familiar voice said from the other side of the wall. The breaks and there on the other side are Erick and Xavier.
"Hey guys, um quick question, why did the clock suddenly break on us?" Erick asks very curiously.
"Cassandra put a gear in the machine causing the clock to get stuck and suddenly break." Dante started.
"Which caused The Triple Strike to jump out of the building and get chased by the sheriff." Cassandra continues as she reaches for her gear so she can fix the mess that happened.
"Ok well we got the talisman, and it apparently is like a universal healer. It worked on me, and it looks like you need it bud." Erick says as he hands it to Dante. The talisman activates and heals Dante's slash marks.
"I feel like we should get going. We don't want the sheriff finding us. And we have to talk to Sean about how they were able to get here as well."
"Hold on, let me fix the clock tower. Miraculous Ladybug!" She says as she throws the gear upwards and ladybugs start fixing the messes that were made. Erick presses the green button and they disappear from that universe and go back to their universe.
As they reappear back in their universe, Sean is already in the room reading a book. "So, how was the whole traveling to another universe for you all?" Sean asks.
"Well it could've been better if The Triple Strike hadn't been there to try to stop us." Dante says.
"Wait, what?" Sean says surprised.
"Why didn't you give us a warning that they were able to travel like us?" Erick says a bit angry.
"I was going to, but I was very confident that they would never finish it."
"Wait, you knew the very beginning they were able to travel through universes?" Cassandra asks shocked.
"Well, if you would let me explain, I will be able to shed some light on this. About a year ago or so they found my father's journal which had important information on the multiverse. That journal contained information on some of the different universes in the multiverse. It also contained the instructions on how to build the transporters. When the journal was stolen, I felt devastated because they have my father's work. I'm sorry I didn't warn you ahead of time." The more Sean spoke, the more depressed and sad he sounded.
"It's ok Sean. That's all in the past now." All of them are still a bit angry in their minds, but they know that Hannibal just made a mistake and forgives him.
"And the important thing is that we got the talisman." Xavier says.
"Really? And they didn't get in your way?"
"Kinda, but the difference between us and them is that we can think of something on the spot." Cassandra says.
"Well I'm glad to hear that." The Guardian says as he enters the room. "I'm glad to know that this little problem didn't stop you from completing your mission."
"Well we won't be stopped that easily."
"Yeah, we can handle them in any place whether it be this universe or another."
"Well I'm glad to hear that." The Guardian says.
"Well it's getting late, we should really get going."
"Yes. Now go and be ready for training next week."
Author's Note: Once again I'm sorry that this came out longer than it should have. I was going to do something for the next chapter, but I feel like I should put it in much later, and just continue it with more akumatized villains. I don't how I want to organize it exactly, so I was wondering if you guys can send me feedback on what you want to see, please and thank you. More villains or should I focus and add more stuff on the multiverse. I'm really curious how you guys would like to see these chapters come out. And any other feedback would be much more appreciated.
