Chapter Five: Power of a Universe
Beelzebub, Diabolico, and Goresakubo landed on the planet. Beelzebub turned to his fellow Demons.
"What are we doing here?" Diabolico asked.
"We are awaiting my associate on this side of the universe. He tells me he has found something. Something... powerful..." Beelzebub replied.
"That is true... I have found something for you, my leader." Azazel said.
Beelzebub laughed. He hadn't seen Azazel for quite some time. After he and Lilith had gone on their crusade against the Ethereals, Beelzebub remembered how he had sent Azazel off to monitor things for him in a different part of the universe. To make sure things were ready for his arrival.
"What is it you have found?" Beelzebub inquired.
"A group of powerful warriors. They are here on this planet and they have powerful artifacts. They call themselves the 'Morphing Masters'. I tried to steal the artifacts, but there are powerful enchantments protecting it."
"Even in your Spirit form?"
"Even then."
Diabolico grunted. He knew that one day the time would come where he would need to prove himself to Beelzebub. To prove he deserved to be his number one general, and not Azazel.
"We storm them, then." Diabolico said. "They can't take all of us on together."
Azazel laughed. "I've been watching them. There are eighteen of them, and every last one of them is extremely powerful. If they use the artifacts they carry, we would be destroyed before we could take a step onto their camp."
Beelzebub nodded. "I have a plan..."
. . .
The Morphing Masters looked at each other. They were either looking at each other to size one other up for future battles, or with concern and worry, unsure if they were going to need to watch their backs. Many feared they would be betrayed by another at the drop of a hat.
Lothor entered the room. Bansheera followed closely behind. He turned to his followers and smiled. "The Greatest Treasure in the Universe is slowly approaching completion. It is glorious to see it happen. I thank you all for your commitment, and so do the citizens of the universe.
"Now, I believe we can create another powerful item. It would contain a universe of energy, with the ability to change reality. It would be a great weapon in our hands as the protectors of the universe. I call it a 'Power Egg'. It would allow us to not change history, like the Greatest Treasure can, but to change our present situation and help us in the here and now. I just wanted to inform you of this possibility, to keep your minds on it, if and when the time comes to create such a thing.
"That is all for new announcements. If you would, after this meeting, go to my tent and look at the list I have posted. It will have your shift schedule for the next two weeks. Remember, if you need to request time off, submit a vacation request form to Regina and we will discuss it. Shift change forms are also available. That is all."
As the Morphing Masters filed out, Tidus frowned. Artifacts that can change reality? Change history? We are supposed to protect the universe... I can't see the benefit in something like that. It seems like too much power for anyone to have. MaybeAuron was right about Lothor. Something about all of this does seem a bit off. I dunno...
Tidus walked off a ways, away from the camp. He sighed as he found a tree and sat next to it. He felt bad thinking negatively about the Morphing Masters. They seemed to represent so much good. He didn't want to believe it was corrupt. He kept pushing the thought out of his mind.
He had never had a family. He was raised by a group of homeless children on the planet Ralma, but they were always in it for themselves. When Lothor had come to his planet, promising what sounded to Tidus as a real family unit, he couldn't resist. He remembered how ecstatic he was when he learned he had been picked. Thinking it was all a con was not possible for him. He wouldn't lose out on his chance to not only do good for the universe, but also have a family.
. . .
On the outskirts of the camp, Goresakubo fired a blast of Black Energy at a tree, lighting it on fire. Black flames danced off of it. He knew that would get the camp's attention. He laughed as he became a cloud of Demon Smoke and flew off.
As Xan, Lokar, and Zen Aku appeared at the fire, Diabolico did a similar act on the opposite side of the camp. Octomus, Dai Shi, and Killian ran after that fire, but also arrived too late. At that point, Beelzebub's main distraction would take place.
App and Trueheart watched as Jakon and Jor sparred. They had been progressing well in their training. As they watched, a cloud appeared over their heads.
"Huh? I didn't see any clouds earlier..." App thought aloud.
Trueheart furrowed his brow. "That's no cloud... Boys! Come here IMMEDIATELY! We have company..."
As Jakon and Jor made their way to their mentors, confused, a spiraling tower of smoke descended before them. From the purple haze the Demon, Azazel, walked out.
"I am the Demon Lord, Azazel. Prepare to meet your doom..."
App and Trueheart stepped forward. App frowned. "I don't know who you are, but unless you back away now, you will leave me no choice but to force you to leave."
Azazel laughed a slow laugh. "Feel my power." He swung his three eyed scythe, sending his mighty Demon power at the team. As the vertical crescent shot toward the four, a voice could be heard shouting from behind them.
"Barrier!" Auron yelled. A Magical wall appeared, causing the power to dissipate.
"Holy!" Tidus shouted. A white light emanated from him, striking Azazel hard.
"Ah!" Azazel screamed. He could feel the White Energy burning his skin. Before the six had a chance to hit him harder, he was forced to abandon his mission to stall for Beelzebub. He became a Demon Cloud once more and flew up into the sky.
"Thanks." App said. He looked to see his companions a bit out of sorts.
"We heard some attacks happening around the camp. We decided to run here as quickly as possible. I'm glad we did." Auron said.
"How did you know to use the Holy spell?" Jakon asked Tidus.
Tidus shrugged. "It felt right. I felt, I dunno, inspired to use that spell. I guess it worked."
Trueheart's eyes widened. He felt something in his mind. He couldn't think of anything to call the feeling except as some sort of "disturbance". He looked to his comrades and said, "The temple. This may be an attack on the temple!"
They all nodded and began to run as fast as they could. It only made sense that once word got out of the Morphing Master's location, the filth of the universe would begin to appear to take the power for themselves. They could only hope they weren't too late.
. . .
Beelzebub used his superior Alpha Demon senses to see each of the camp's enchantments. He easily dodged them all. He could feel a power source emanating from one of the tents. He looked over and saw a small group huddled near the temple, speaking about something. He laughed to himself and entered the tent. He materialized into a smaller version of his Demon form and, using one of his massive claws, ripped off the top of a small chest in the tent. He picked up the first thing he saw. It glowed brilliantly in his hands.
"Drop the Crystal of Doom now!" Lothor yelled, running into the tent. App and his crew, along with Regina, Ivicar, Zurgane, and Octoroo, followed behind him. They had been tipped off by Trueheart about the attack and when they hadn't seen anything,Lothor decided to check his "special chest".
"Nice name for it... Fitting for me." Beelzebub looked at the chest. He could feel the power emanating from the opposing group. He felt two sources of power coming from those in the group he had never felt before. He knew if he reached for the chest, he may not get a chance to escape. "I'll see you around then..."
"Zocato power!" Lothor yelled, attempting to hit Beelzebub. Beelzebub became a red Demon Cloud before he could be hit, however, and escaped with the Crystal of Doom.
Lothor's eyes grew wild. He began shrieking in a high pitch. He picked up a table and tossed it to the side. "Nooo! Noooo!" He kicked over his bed and jumped onto the fallen mattress, pounding it with his fists.
Regina hurriedly rushed everyone out of the tent. Although she knew she needed to help cover for LLothor at this time, she couldn't help but feel agitated. She had just got through battling for her life, and she wished to have some time to herself. She composed herself and, pretending as if she was fine, said, "Obviously he is distraught. Please give Master Lothor some time to... uh... gather himself. We will all meet soon for a debriefing."
As Auron and the others spoke while Regina and The Top returned to Lothor, Tidus looked at the temple. Crystal of Doom? That's the last straw. What kind of universe protector has a Crystal of Doom?
Tidus went to the group and addressed his concern. They stopped momentarily, thinking about his worry.
"Well, it's possible he had it, confiscated, you know, from a villain he had defeated before." Jakon offered.
Trueheart nodded. "This is the assumption we have to live with for now. We can't jump to conclusions and think negatively about someone. It could lead us to a bad spot if he is innocent."
Auron looked at them. "Although I don't trust Lothor, your words carry wisdom, Trueheart. I say, for now, we just wait. Are we all in accord?"
The group of Morphing Masters all nodded and agreed. They stood outside Lothor's tent. As they did, they spoke about their thoughts on the attack, and who they thought these Demons were and what they may be planning.
. . .
Unaware of what had occurred in her campsite, Lije of the Dawn laughed. Her brainwaves emanated from her, hitting one of the workers in Mesogog's complex. Her enjoyment grew more and more with each shudder of pain the lizard man showed. She giggled loudly as he began wailing in pain.
From up in his office, Mesogog frowned as he watched the scene from his window. He turned around, looking at the hulking figure of Dracul looming over his desk.
"We have to do something about her. She's torturing our workers for her enjoyment! This is ridiculous!"
Dracul frowned. "What can we do? You've heard what she has done other planets. If she can wipe out civilizations, what do you think she'll do to us?"
Mesogog shook his head. "I don't know, Dracul. What I do know is this: if we don't find a way to rid ourselves of her soon, she'll be the end of us all."
. . .
David watched from the edge of the hill he and his fellow survivors had camped on. He shook his head as he saw smoke ascend from the camp of the Morphing Masters. He turned back to those in the camp and frowned
"There is definitely something happening over in that camp. I don't know what it is... but it can't be good."
Rumple nodded. "I felt a surge of Zocato power recently. Lothor is probably very angry to have been able to use as much as he did."
Anastasia looked to David. "So, what does this mean?"
"If there is some sort of conflict going on over there, I suggest we stay away. I don't want to risk any of us falling while getting entangled in any problems that don't concern us."
Mary nodded. "I agree. We've lost too much up to this point and I don't want us to lose anyone else."
"I agree." Will said.
"I do, too." Belle added.
As each of the group gave their consent to wait, Baelfire turned to Emma. "Are you okay waiting?"
Emma nodded. "I know I've been hot headed up to this point. I just need some time to myself... To process everything. Henry. Home. Lothor. Everything. Thank you for being there for me."
Baelfire smiled. "Of course. I'll always be here for you."
"I know. And I know we will get through this. Together."
As she said this, David went and hesistantly asked her if she agreed. He was pleasantly surprised that his daughter did agree. He knew she was very agitated by the situation and had wondered if she was going to want to charge ahead.
After getting Baelfire's response, David turned to his band and said, "It's unanimous, then. We stay put for now. I'll set up some training drills to get us ready to fight. If Rumple doesn't mind, I'll ask him to teach us some basic Magic to help us, as well."
"Of course." Rumple said, smiling as he held Belle's hand.
"Well, then. Here we go. Time won't stop for us. We may be delaying our final confrontation with Lothor, but the time will come when we will need to fight him. And when we do, we'll be ready."
. . .
On the planet Eden, Michael stared off to nowhere a Castiel walked into his room. "You called from me, your heinous?"
Michael nodded. "I felt something... horrible. It's Beelzebub. He has gained more power. Stronger power than I have ever felt. I don't know what kind of power it is, but it frightens me."
"What are your thoughts, then?" Castiel asked.
"We need to find him. Now."
"I'll get the army assembled, then."
Michael shook his head. "No. Just you and me. The more of us there are, the more likely he will feel us coming. Just the two of us."
Castiel pursed his lips. "Okay, then. Give me the word and I'll be there with you."
Michael slowly stood up. He grabbed the hood of his ornate garments and placed it over his head. He focused, summoning his battle armor and sword. He looked Castiel in the eyes and said simply, "We go now."
. . .
Lothor sat in the middle of the floor, cross legged. His hair was more disheveled than usual. He frowned as he thought about what he had lost.
I must plan now. I will assemble the Morphing Masters together. Then, we will work together, track down that smoke monster, and take back the Crystal of Doom. I have a business to run and I can't have my assets out and about!
As Lothor sat, planning, invisible to him, September watched. His calculations were showing a large divergence from the path that this universe was supposed to go. This timeline, he knew, was supposed to have in two days' time David and his crew fight against Lothor and the Morphing Masters. All but Tidus, Jor, Jakon, and Trueheart were to be destroyed in the battle, leaving them to create a powerful colony on Earth to rule the universe. According to September's calculations, that future had been deviated from very much. He foresaw the universe attempting to attain equilibrium with that destiny, with the probability of a fisherman choosing to alter the course of time through the Power Eggs being high. That course of action, however, would start a chain reaction of events that were too complicated even for Watcher Technology to predict. Too many timelines interacting with more and more unpredictable people, choosing for themselves. His machinery gave him less than a one percent probability for any given event. When he saw this, he did something that felt foreign to him, but all the while felt right: he smiled. He knew his plan had worked.
September reached for his small device and spoke into it. "This is September. This universe has reached equilibrium." He lied. "The Jumper Mythical Master is now acting in accordance to this timeline's destiny."
He turned off his device. Another new feeling washed over him: fear. He felt fear he would be caught, knowing that Mythical Master was not a time traveller, but a dimension hopper. He knew Mythical Master was from a universe that was simply more advanced and older than this one. That Mythical Master hadn't erased a timeline at all, but had only interfered with the destiny of this timeline. But, the lie needed to persist for his plan.
The only thing he knew that could stop his plan would be his fellow Watchers. He hoped no one would double check his reports before his plan could pass the point where it could not be unraveled. As long as they didn't stop the Demons from creating the new artifact, then this timeline would be free to choose their own fate. Free from the Watchers. They would be truly free. And then, he knew the ripple effect would eventually reach all of the universes due to the laws of Universal Equilibrium. Free will would reign.
