Charlie: Happy Thanksgiving
Erk: It's past Thanksgiving
Charlie: Quiet you.
Erk: Just saying.
Charlie: Alright, time for a disclaimer.
Disclaimer: People who put disclaimers here are morons.
Erk: ...nice...
Charlie: Yes, all fanfiction is theoretically a copyright violation. It is only because the original creaters either a) don't care or b) approve of fan works thus giving implicit permission that we are not all being sued out of our asses.
Putting up a disclaimer is kinda like telling Hitler you're not a devout Jew.
Not really going to save you.
Anyways, onwards ho! Be warned, your head may hurt.
Chapter 48
Deja Vu
Kevin looked around his laboratory in dismay. The vortex had literally created a hurricane within his basement. It would take him weeks to pick up and resort all his books and reference materials. He was beginning to question the wisdom of putting such a volatile machine in a room filled with sensitive and quite mobile material.
Just as he lamented the daunting cleanup ahead of him, a vortex once again opened, throwing already haphazardly strewn books violently against the stone walls. Kevin wailed in despair as he held on to a light fixture, trying his best not to be tossed around with his books. A moment later, the winds subsided, and Kevin turned to glare angrily at...
...was that Charlie? The man looked different. A new haircut, a pair of glasses and some very odd clothing.
"Charlie?"
Charlie nodded, shaking off what looked to be snow off the top of his head. "Hey Kevin."
"How long were you in the other world?" Kevin asked.
"A few weeks." Charlie said. "I learned quite a lot. I even wrote a book. Though it's really for my benefit. I discovered a few things."
"Like what?" Kevin asked.
"The other world isn't magically attuned as our world. Things function... differently." Charlie said. He opened his coat and pulled out an odd device. It was L shaped... with the long end pointed outwards. A small hole is visible at the end.
"This for instance, is a gun." Charlie said. "A 9mm Beretta to be exact. In the other world, I pull this trigger, and it fires these bullets, or pieces of metal out at such a high velocity that I can literally shoot through sheets of metals to kill a person."
Kevin instinctively backed away from the point of the gun.
"It has amazing range as well, and I can fire the entire 18 shot clip in a few short seconds."
Kevin nodded. "...okay... so what does this have to do with magic?"
Charlie pointed the gun at Kevin, who saw his life flash before his eyes as Charlie pulled the trigger. A second later, Kevin realized he was still alive. He looked up to see Charlie uselessly pulling the trigger over and over again.
"Just as I suspected." Charlie said. "It doesn't work here."
"As you SUSPECTED?" Kevin raged.
"You see..." Charlie said. "The bullets function by igniting this black powder which launches it forward. But because explosive fire functions through anima magic in our world, the black powder that they use is useless here."
Charlie pulled out several small caliber bullets. "These things are about as dangerous as Kiyoko's cooking. It won't kill you unless you try to eat it."
"Okay..." Kevin said. "So their weapons are useless here. I assume that our magic is also useless in their world."
Charlie nodded. "I would assume so... but all things can be modified. Do you know the runic symbols for a simple fire spell?"
"Yeah..." Kevin nodded. "Why?"
Charlie tossed him a few angular shaped pieces of metal. "That's a bullet. See the discolored part at the bottom? Inscribe the fire runes into that area."
Kevin looked down at the odd objects Charlie gave him. His hands glowed for a moment, then the simple red symbols for a fire spell glowed dimly around the base of the bullet. He tossed them back to Charlie.
"Now..." Charlie said as he disassembled the magic staff he used to get home. "If I take the trigger for a magic staff, which activates the magic stored in a staff, apply it to the gun, and use these bullets inscribed with a fire spell..."
Charlie reassembled the pistol. "Cover your ears Kevin."
Kevin wondered briefly why before putting his hands to his ears. Charlie then pointed the gun at a window and pulled the trigger. Kevin heard a loud bang and watched as a burst of fire emitted from Charlie's hands... before his window shattered into a million pieces.
"DUDE!" Kevin yelled after the ringing stopped. "Did you HAVE to break my window?"
"These things bounce off stone walls." Charlie said. "I'd rather not risk shooting you."
"What if someone was outside the library? You could've killed them!" Kevin said.
"...really, someone at the library during winter holidays?" Charlie deadpanned.
"...good point." Kevin sighed. "Okay, so now you know how to convert technology... wait, how did you get the magic staff to work in the other world to come back?"
"I'm not sure." Charlie said. "I think a magic staff creates a separate dimension within itself identical to ours, and that in turn allows the magic to still function for a short period of time. I noticed the vortex started to collapse almost immediately after forming. I didn't hang around long enough to find out what would happen."
Charlie stretched and took off his overcoat. Before Kevin could ask him any more questions, Charlie handed him a book.
"I wrote down certain observations about our dimensions into a book." Charlie said. "It didn't sell well in that other world though."
"Connecting Dimensions?" Kevin said questioningly. He flipped through the first few pages. "Well, I can imagine why it didn't sell well. You sound like an absolute lunatic"
"True." Charlie shrugged. "I didn't write it for their benefit. Either way, take a look through that. I need to go find Kini... and make preparations."
"Just one more thing." Kevin said. "About languages..."
"Oh yeah, I wondered about that too." Charlie said. "But it appears that because all the dimensions are connected, our languages are mapped. Lycian seems to map to what the other world knows as 'English,' which seems to be the dominant language of that world. I haven't tried speaking Etrurian yet. Perhaps I'll try it next."
Eliwood realized during his stay here that he really didn't know the people in his army as well as he should. True he knew most who came from his lands, but aside from that, he was quite unfamiliar with many who he should trust his life with.
For instance, he learned recently of Rebecca's involvement with the mage, Erk. Eliwood realized that he has barely ever spoken to the sullen mage, and now he found himself in a long awkward silence next to the aforementioned mage as the two worked together on repairing the Church.
Glenn had agreed a little too enthusiastically to volunteer his town to "the glory of the Lycian League." The meeting with the council of elders was... a joke. With Glenn's wife still weakened from childbirth, and Charlie's proxy not really in a position to protest, Glenn's voice carried the day. Most of the civilians were being sent down the mountain this afternoon. Jessica had volunteered the army to fix and fortify the town.
Only a few stayed behind to help out. To save any future legal hassles that may arise, Hector invoked his right of conscription and enlisted the remaining few into the army: The sisters, Kate, Brian, Kiyoko, Alan and Kini were all inducted into the ranks of Eliwood's legion. Glenn was unfortunately forced by his wife to miss out on all the excitement.
With those turn of events, Eliwood found himself in the envious position of having to hang upside down over the side of the church with a grumpy mage installing frames for the massive stained glass windows.
"Sooo..." Eliwood said as the two struggled to hold the frame in place long enough for Hector and Lyn to nail it into place. "You and Rebecca..."
"Yes my lord." Erk said. "...my lord, you don't have to fill these silences for my sake."
"You're right..." Eliwood nodded. "But... I've come to realize that I know almost nothing of half the people in my own army... and we are supposed to trust each other with our lives. How am I to do that when I barely know half the troops?"
"That's a fair point." Erk said. "I must say I too am unfamiliar with many in this army. We seem to keep mostly to our own little cliques in terms of socializing."
"That is true." Eliwood said. "Well, for what it's worth, it will be an honor to serve next to you."
"The honor is mine my lord." Erk bowed. "Now if only Lord Hector would hurry with the nails..."
"OY! HECTOR!" Eliwood screamed downwards. "HURRY THE HECK UP!"
Below them, Hector smirked and waved cheerfully at the two poor souls hanging onto the heavy frame.
"My lord!" Erk yelled. "It would be unwise to test the limits of our strength. If we lose our grip, you would be the one crushed beneath the wood."
Eliwood has never seen Hector move quite so quickly before.
"Kent, Sain."
The two knights turned towards their tactician, coming to a salute.
"At ease boys..." Jessica said. They were in the inn, sitting at the bar. Kini glanced at Jessica as she sat down, waiting for an order. Jessica smoothly shook her head and the girl went back about her business. The tactician looked down at the maps Kent and Sain were studying.
"Any luck?"
"Not so much..." Kent sighed. "The good news is that there are only so many safe paths up the mountains. We can essentially only have to defend two points, the main path, and a little side ramp. We will also have the high ground, but I wouldn't put too much stock into that. I highly doubt that morphs are capable of being discouraged by a mere disadvantage."
"And the bad news?" Jessica asked.
"The winds down the mountain are erratic. I checked with Lady Louise and Wil, even they had trouble firing anything down the hill. The only way we could possible slow their advance is to throw rocks or start an avalanche. We do not have the materials to build catapults anymore, and starting an avalanche in front of us could easily start one further up the mountain... burying us alive as well."
"So many good choices." Jessica said. "Have you checked with Sonia if she'll get shipments of wood and stone in?"
"I have." Sain said. "With the blizzard setting in, all shipments are restricted to emergency supplies only. Plus with the snow so deep, there's no way a cart full of heavy wood would ever make it up the mountain. We've considered taking apart a building, but the wood for most of the structures here are too rigid for use in weapons."
Just then, Kini looked over at the council and cleared her throat.
"You have something to say?" Jessica asked.
"The shack out back where Charlie keeps his alcohol and off of Kiyoko's pocky." Kini said. "He used a lighter, more flexible wood to build it. You could use that to build your catapults."
"Hmm... that's a good idea..." Jessica said. "And you mentioned alcohol?"
"Yes, he has several bottles of very high proof alcohol."
Jessica smiled. "Kent, Sain, bring me Merlinus and Legault. I have an idea."
After Jessica and the knights left, Kini checked her small pocket watch. It was nearing noon. She cleared down her bar, and put up an "out to lunch" sign... which Kini found odd considering Charlie's inn was really the only place that served lunch during the winter.
Regardless, she was to meet the man at the library. After stepping out the back and making sure nobody was around her, Kini drew on her inner powers... and zapped herself away in a bolt of lightning.
Charlie was waiting outside with the librarian, holding an odd device in his hands. Kini reformed herself in front of the two, both who know her powers well enough to not be shocked by it.
"You're late." Charlie said.
Kini looked at her watch. "Two minutes."
"Two minutes is two minutes." Charlie said. "Anyways, I have work for you."
"Oh joy." Kini said. "I'm not going to like this work am I?"
"You mi... … okay, no, you're not." Charlie said. "But tell you what, you do this, and I'll accidentally burn down your house so you have to bunk with Kiyoko tonight."
Kini's eyes lit up. "Deal!"
Charlie sighed and pulled out three sealed letters from his cloak.
"Alright, first thing, I want you to deliver these to Caelin, Ostia and Pherae." Charlie said. "Use your powers, make a big flash. I want people in those cities knowing that Subject Zero is in Lycia."
"Simple enough." Kini said. "So what? I just show up and hand them the letters?"
"Yes." Charlie said. "Say nothing, hand them the letters. Give it a little flashy entrance if you'd like. I want to play up the mystique and mystery of the Subject Zero lore"
"Oh... lovely." Kini said. "I get to be a monster and a harbinger of bad news. Does it get worse?"
"Eheh..." Charlie chuckled nervously.
Kini sighed, but waved for Charlie to continue.
"I've been tracking Nergal...or rather, the cloud twins have been tracking Nergal's progress." Charlie said. "He's moving too fast. I need you to consistently monitor his progress. Make sure it will take him six or seven days to get here."
"May I ask why?" Kini asked.
"Because.. .that's how long it'll take the unified Lycian Army to get here."
Kini's eyes widened. "...Oh...I see what you're trying to do now."
Charlie smirked. "Go... you don't know half of it."
Kini nodded and secured the letters to her body. Then with a flash, she shot off into the distance. Charlie and Kevin stood there, watching a bolt of lightning disappear over the horizon. When she was gone, Kevin turned to Charlie.
"Are you sure you can't back out of this?" Kevin asked.
Charlie shook his head. "If my theory of time travel is correct, I will end up doing this. Odd that it gives a certain credence to predestination."
Kevin looked down at the book Charlie had given him. "That is true... so how do you know your theory is correct?"
Charlie unstrapped a staff from his back. "I'm about to find out."
Silent Springs, 12 years ago
Charlie stepped out the vortex and braced himself against the wind. He remembered this day, twelve years in the past. That was the day Kiyoko's father, Robert disappeared. Everyone blamed the high winds that day. Robert was on his way up the mountain after a meeting with the local boarder patrol when the road crumbled beneath him. His body was never recovered.
Charlie stood on a hill overlooking the point where the man was said to have disappeared. He knew now that what happened was not a road collapse. The passage was well protected from the winds. There was no way the road could collapse... … … unless someone created a vortex within the passage.
Over the horizon, Charlie could see Robert's figure slowly making his way up the mountain. He felt a pang in his heart. Kiyoko's father treated him like a son as well. Their families were close. In fact, their mothers were already planning their wedding... even if Kiyoko was only 2 years old and 4 year old Charlie spent his time trying to put snow into her crib.
Today, it all changes...
As he approached the pass, Charlie drew a staff from his cloak...
Virginian Countryside, United States of America
1829
Robert blinked his eyes. One moment he was walking up a snowy road back to his wife and daughter, now he found himself laying in a forest covered in dirt. He blinked the dust out of his eyes and cautiously sat up and looked around.
"You're alive!" A voice said.
Robert instinctively jumped into a combat stance and faced the source of the voice. It was a young girl carrying flowers in a basket.
"Who... ...what... ..."
"You had me worried there!" The girl said rushing over to Robert. "I thought you were dead, I had gone for help."
"Oh... … I'm sorry, where am I?"
"Why... you're in Virginia, near Arlington. Are you alright?"
"I'm... not sure." Robert said. "Where is... Virginia?"
"Oh my." The girl said. "You have hit your head hard. Come, my parents house is over that way. We should get you inside with some tea."
"Oh... thank you." Robert said.
"You're welcome." The girl said. "My name is Mary by the way. Mary Anna Curtis."
"Robert. Robert Edward Lee."
United States Archive, Washington DC
December 1st, 2010
"Identification please."
Charlie handed the man his ID badge. He had done many things in his time at the new world, one of which was getting a job within the United States government. The gift of time and space travel had allowed him to construct a past for himself.
"Thank you Mr. Rastic" The man said. "This way please."
Charlie smiled and followed the man inside. After the retina and fingerprint scans confirmed his identity, Charlie strode unaccompanied into one of the largest historical databases in the world. While most people can look up just about anything from the archives, the information Charlie needed was sensitive... secret... eyes only.
Right now, his eyes were special enough to see those documents.
General Robert Edward Lee
Charlie smiled. Now was the moment of truth...
General Lee was found by Mary Anna Curtis in the woods behind the Arlington House. He claims to be from a land known as Lycia. Lycia was once a region in Anatolia on the southern coasts of Turkey. Anatolia was far distance from Virginia where he was found and had long since ceased to exist as an entity. The mystery of General Lee's origins have never been solved. A new historical background for the General has been constructed and remains in circulation as the truth.
The guard at the archives noticed that Mr. Charles Rastic was exceptionally happy that evening.
Silent Springs, Present Day
Charlie found himself standing once again in the antechamber of the library, watching Kevin hold on for dear life. After the winds settled, Kevin composed himself and scowled up at Charlie.
"I hope this is worth it." Kevin said. "And why does that badge read 'Charles Rastic?' That's not your last name. Do I really want to know?"
"To answer your questions in reverse order: no you don't want to know. 'Rastic' was just easier to spell, and yes, it is worth it." Charlie said
"So Kiyoko's father isn't dead?"
"Well..." Charlie said. "Yes and no. No, he didn't die that day. Yes, he might be dead considering how time works... I think."
"So you're just playing with science and magic while having no clue how they function?"
"I have theories." Charlie said. "I just need to further test them. Besides, biologically, the body functions of humans of our world and the humans of the other world are exactly the same, so at least nobody's dying from this... so I'm not hurting anybody."
"And you know this because of your extensive studies in biology?" Kevin deadpanned.
"Nah." Charlie said. "In terms of body function, nothing has changed while in the other world. My physical body didn't change so anatomically and sexually men are still the same... and the women are definitely the same..."
"Alright." Kevin said, stopping Charlie. "I don't want to hear about your extracurricular activities. Just what are you going to do now?"
"Test my theories on time and dimensional travel... and take over the world." Charlie said.
"Cool." Kevin said, sarcastically. "Just let me know if you need a regent."
"I will do that."
As Charlie walked from the path leading away from the library, contemplating what he was about to do, he saw the archers, Lady Louise, Rebecca and Wil walking with Matthew. They were discussing sniping positions for the upcoming battle
Charlie activated one of his staves. As the four drew near, Charlie planted it into the snow and braced himself against a large rock. It was time to test his theories.
Castle Pherae
Lady Eleanora lived each day fretting over the well being of her son. Despite reassurances from her attendents, Eleanora could not shake the feeling that something terrible is about to happen.
On this day, Lady Eleanora and one of her maids were strolling in the gardens when all of a sudden, dark ominous storm clouds began to gather. Pherae was too far south to get any snow, and winters were usually nice and sunny until the second month of the new year. The appearance of the storm clouds gave Eleanora frightening chills down her spine.
Then a lightning bolt struck the ground in front of her, throwing both her and her attendant to the ground. The nearby guards quickly reacted and came to her side, bearing their arms as they all watched a young girl materialize in front of them.
Eleanora has only heard rumors from her husband's court. Etruria's Subject Zero was said to be a myth among the nobles of Lycia. Mere stories of a girl who can transform her body into pure magic ravaging the Etrurian countryside, leaving none alive in her wake.
And now the myth, the legend was standing before her. The girl was young, calm. Nothing like the monstrous witch the legends speak of her. She held in her hand a letter. Calmly, the girl walked towards Eleanora, holding out the letter with both hands. Beside her, Eleanora could feel her guards prepare to attack. She held out a hand, signaling for them to stop.
The girl smiled appreciatively at Eleanora. She handed the lady her letter, curtsied respectfully... then with a whoosh, transformed into a bolt of lightning and disappeared from sight.
With shaking hands, Eleanora broke the seal on the letter and scanned through the words inscribed. When she reached the end, her hands were shaking. Tears peaked from the corners of her eyes. With a shaky hand, she handed the letter to one of her guards and asked him to confirm her fears.
When the guard looked grimly up at her, Eleanora became resigned to reality.
"Gather the knights. We march for Ostia. Send messenger pigeons to Uther immediately. His brother must share the same fate as my son."
Only after the guards had disappeared did Eleanora allow herself to break down completely into tears. The maid stood dutifully at her lady's side, allowing the lady to use her apron as a cloth. The letter lay forgotten beside Lady Eleanora, slightly crumpled and wet. However, the maid could still make out a few words on the soiled paper...
I have your son...
Rouvray-Sainte-Croix, France
February 5th, 1492
"YOU THERE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? GET TO YOUR POSITIONS!"
Louise smelled fish... and blood. Around her, people swarmed about frantically. She barely avoided being trampled at least four times.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING? GET TO YOUR-... Oh... my lady what are you doing here? How did you get here? No matter, quick, get to shelter before the French pigs come upon us! Take your servant girl with you!"
Louise realized she was still in her silks. The servant girl the man referred to must be... Rebecca. They were speaking of defensive fortifications in the snow. This was... quite clearly not a defensive position in the snowy peaks of Lycia... the question was... where is she? And who are these blasted French?"
The soil above her head exploded as if by magic and Louise decided questions could wait. Beside her, Wil and Rebecca were both stirring. Louise looked around and saw enormous bows scattered around them. She quickly grabbed three and rushed over to where Rebecca and Wil lay on the ground.
"Get up, we're being attacked."
"Wha...?" Rebecca muttered. She looked around, clearly confused at the lack of snow and the multitudes of people. Beside her, Wil looked equally confused.
"My lady! Get you and your servant girl out of here!" The man who was yelling before called out again.
Louise looked back at him. "If it's all the same to you sir, might I be of help?"
The man scoffed. "This is not the time for jokes milady. Your clothing clearly indicate nobility. I cannot allow you to get hurt or it will be my head!"
"Oh..." Louise said, stringing up the bow. "You'll find I'm quite capable of keeping myself from harm."
The massive length of the bow gave Louise rather surprising range. While clearly an even more massive form of a longbow, she found after a few test shots she could easily fire beyond her typical reach. After calibrating the draw weights, Louise lined up a shot towards the men charging their position... and quickly let loose a high arching shot. The arrow shot out with alarming speed, rainbowed beautifully in the air and pierced one of the attackers in the neck. Louise turned to give her doubter a small smirk.
"Any more questions?"
The man raised his hands. "Alright, if you wish to fight, don't let me stop you. Careful though, these wagons are the only things we have for cover. Careful, the French are using gunpowder artillery against us. The barrels are mostly filled with fish. They won't be able to take more than a few shots"
"Gunpowder?" Louise pondered. But another explosion beside her answered her question as the man pointed at the charred ground. Wil and Rebecca were now both up, calibrating their respective bows as well. Louise retrieved several quivers of arrows and set them at their feet. Then looking down the field, she began raining death upon the so called "French."
"Where's Matthew?" Rebecca called out in between shots.
"I don't know." Louise called back. "But I'm sure he's fine."
Sir John Fastolf watched the mysterious woman and her two... friends mow down the French with deadly accuracy. The longbow was not known for its pinpoint accuracy at long ranges, relying instead on sheer number to be effective at range. These three were clearly beyond superior marksmen.
Fastolf did not ponder the origins of the Lady and her friends long. He was facing nearly 4000 Frenchmen and their Scots allies with but 400 men and a few dozen barrels of fish for cover. He would gladly take help from anyone he could get.
Unknown Location
Unknown Date
Hector slowly opened his eyes. The last thing he recalled was sitting at the bar with Eliwood and Oswin, trying to find possible flanking routes around the town center. Then Charlie, who was supposed to be visiting a sick aunt walked in. The innkeeper's eyes were glowing. An ornate staff in his hand created a vortex of wind and lightning. Hector had held on for as long as he could... then he was sucked in... then... darkness.
He felt heavy, with various odd items seemingly strapped to his body. He looked down and found himself carrying all manners of odd trinkets and gadgets, and dressed in a beige colored, lightweight suit that covered him completely. Around him, many men dressed similarly were clutching crosses, saying prayers or throwing up.
It was then that Hector noticed he was on the water... in a small...strangely shaped ship. The waters were rough. Hector bit back his nausea and focused himself on the landscape. Ahead of him lies a beach with many short structures standing a few thousand feet away from the shoreline, jutting out from rocky cliffs. The ground around the beach was exploding as if by magic. Strange flying machines zipped around, spewing fire onto the beach, into the bunkers, and even at each other.
"THIRTY SECONDS!"
Hector noticed the man at the front. He seemed special. He was the only one with two bars on his helmet. The man was holding a long stick like object, which Hector assumed was a weapon. It hadn't taken him long to figure out this was a battlefield. Now if only he could figure out how to use his weapon...
"WHEN YOU GET ON THE BEACH, KEEP MOVING TOWARDS THE SEA WALL. DO NOT STOP. ONCE YOU'RE AT THE LINE, STAY COVERED UNTIL WE GET THE BANGALORES IN FOR THE BREECH! WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT STOP MOVING! GOOD LUCK AND I'LL SEE YOU AT THE BUNKERS!"
Before Hector got a chance to ask, he felt the ship lurch. They had hit the ground.
"DROPPING RAMP!"
St. Elimine help him.
June 6, 1944
Normandy, France
Erk: ...where did you send me?
Charlie: ...kekeke
Erk: ...I just HAD to be the muse for a psychopathic computer science major with a penchant for writing and an interest in studying history. 'No it's fine!' I said. 'Being a lawyer is much more stressful" I said. Bah, I should've listened to my mother.
Charlie: Everyone should always listen to their mothers.
Erk: Your mother tells you to drink less.
Charlie: Bah, what does she know?
