Delsin fidgeted on his feet as he waited for the guards to bring Augustine before him. He was not looking forward to this meeting. Yes, he needed to get stronger without relying on the Blast Cores completely, but that meant learning all he could about Concrete from its original user. And he was not looking forward to this reunion. Delsin looked up as he heard the sound of footsteps and spotted his one-time nemesis, Brooke Augustine, the Conduit Traitor and former head of the DUP. "Delsin Rowe," she said. "I suppose I should be grateful that you decided to pay me a visit."

"Yeah," said Delsin. "This isn't a curtesy call."

"I'm sure. So, why am I here?"

"Do you want the short or the long version?"

"Seeing as my time is spent mainly in my cell, the choice is yours."

"Right. What do you know about Kessler?"

"Deceased leader of the now defunct First Sons. Inventor of the Ray Sphere and real reason for the Blast in Central City that Cole MacGrath was blamed for. Why?"

"Do you know who he really is?"

"Should I?"

"It will make this easier. Let's just start from there. Kessler is Cole MacGrath."

"What?"

"He was from an alternate timeline. The Beast of his time is not the same as the one that destroyed Empire City and countless others on its trek to New Marais where Cole killed it. Kessler's Beast was… is… still alive."

"But if what you're saying is true, as farfetched as it sounds, then it's not our problem."

"Yeah, well Kessler made it our problem. When the Beast killed Cole's family in the original timeline, he used his Power to travel back in time."

"How?"

"He controls lightning, right? And certain Conduits can turn into the elements they use, right? Let's assume Cole's full mastery of his Power can finally let him do this. He could potentially move at the speed of light or faster."

"You mean he turned into lightning to travel through time?"

"That's the best I can come up with, he's not telling me anytime soon. Recently, we discovered that Kessler's trip caused a sort of rift in Time and Space. I know this because I spent the last few months in another world where I only had access to Smoke, Paper, and Concrete."

"You copied Celia's Power?"

"Wow, that sounds like concern in your voice."

"It is. Despite what I did, she's still a daughter to me."

"And yet you turned her into a killer!"

"I know!" Augustine glared at him before turning away. "I know." She faced him again. "Is she…"

"In a cell in a local police department. She turned herself in after her time helping me in the other world. It was there that we learned that the Beast from Kessler's timeline has been using the rifts to travel to different worlds. It's already destroyed five worlds that we know of. It's going to the other next before coming here. I need to better learn your ability before I can fight it."

"You're going to fight the Beast?"

"I've gotten stronger with all of the elements I've copied so far except for yours."

"You came here to ask me to train you."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I…" Delsin sighed as he rolled his neck before looking her in the eye. "Fetch and I have a daughter. I have to protect them and everyone else as well! I don't want our world to end up like Kessler's! I need to stop the Beast! Please help me!" Augustine stared at him for a moment before sighing.

"Even in the face of destruction, you still hold true to your morals, Delsin. I hope that is enough to beat the Beast. Alright. I'll help you."

"Thank you." He looked at the guards. "Can you take us to the Power testing area and remove her cuffs when we get there?"

"Director Evans stated that you might ask that. We've been authorized to monitor the training session for a set amount of time until your power evolves," said one of the guards.

"Thank you." Delsin sighed as he followed after them and thought about the Beast. Kessler's Beast seemed to be one with Sonic Powers. A single shout killed the Alternate Esdeath and Beast-Seryu. He'd need to move fast and try and copy the Beast's Power as soon as possible and force evolve it with Blast Cores. The Empire had about thirteen left after Delsin drained a few to evolve Wind, Water and Fire from Akame, Seryu and Ayumi respectively to help them learn of their powers. He'd need to absorb and learn more powers just to make a dent if the Beast was as powerful and deranged as Kessler made it out to be. He stopped his thinking as they finally came to a large arena like room with platforms and pillars lining the place. Hologram emitters, based on Eugene's Power, spotting the room here and there.

"One of us will remain in the room to monitor her and restrain her if things go south, Mr. Rowe. The other will be outside, making sure she doesn't escape."

"Good. As much as I need her help, I can't trust her."

"I won't run," said Augustine. "Where would I go?" Delsin shook his head as they removed the restraints. Crates filled with concrete slabs and rubble were lowered into the room from lifts and Delsin moved them off before the lifts rose back into the ceiling. "They were used to train the Force Conduits under my command. We'll use them to refresh our power." Delsin absorbed Concrete from Gaea and grinned before climbing up to a platform.

"Where do we start?" Augustine grinned slightly before creating a platform under her feet and lifting her into the air with concrete shooting from below the platform.

"How about something familiar?!"

"Ah, sonofabitch." Delsin rolled to the side and exclaimed as Augustine launched a slab in his direction.


(Longhouse)

Fetch smiled as Chelsea bounced Baby Regina on her knee. "So let me get this straight," said Fetch with a grin. "All three of you are in love with D?"

"That's right," said Chelsea as she turned her head into a cat-like one and mewed for Regina who laughed and touched her fur. "After working with Delsin for months we kind of developed feelings for him."

"Kind of?"

"We certainly did," said Seryu as she sipped her tea. "And we haven't done anything more than kissing. Delsin said he wanted to fully consult you on this. We weren't sure if you were serious about the whole… other girls thing you mentioned." Fetch noticed a light blush on the Guard's face and chuckled before walking over to her. Seryu looked up at her and blushed darker as Fetch planted a kiss on her lips. Chelsea blushed as well and Akame tilted her head in confusion.

"Look, me and D? There are no secrets, no trust issues. If he cares for you, that's enough. But, yeah. Sharing him with all of you will be fun." Akame blinked in confusion as Seryu stammered out a reply and the door to the longhouse opened, revealing Eugene and Amalia.

"And we're back," shouted Amalia. "Early."

"Sorry," said Eugene. "I burn very easily. Plus, Delsin's back!

"Hey, Geek," said Fetch. "Super-Geek."

"Which one's which," asked Chelsea.

"Super-Geek would be me," said Amalia.

"Where's Delsin," asked Eugene.

"Curdan Cay," said Fetch. "Learning all he can from Augustine about his Concrete Power."

"For the Beast, right?" Seryu nodded.

"Delsin's seen what it can do," she said. "And he wants to make sure that we all survive this."

"Arf," barked Koro as he climbed onto Seryu's head.

"What is that," asked Amalia.

"This is Koro! My Imperial Arms!" Seryu pulled Koro into her arms.

"Like that thing Delsin has that defies all known laws of science?" Chelsea blinked as Amalia grumbled.

"She's just upset that she can't study its internal components. She thought that she'd be able to replicate its power but with it being nothing but bone…"

"It makes no sense!" Eugene chuckled before pulling her into a hug as she pouted.

"Maybe you can study Akame's sword," said Seryu. Akame jumped slightly at the mention of her name as she eyed a piece of fake fruit nearby.

"What," she asked.

"Why would I want to examine a sword," asked Amalia.

"Murasame can kill any living thing with just a scratch." Akame pulled out her katana and moved it from Regina as the baby tried to grab the shiny object.

"Almost any living thing," said Chelsea. "It's still trying to kill Delsin. Poor guy can't use his Smoke anymore because of it."

"What," exclaimed Fetch.

"Oops."

"When I first met Delsin," said Akame, her face sullen. "Night Raid was on a job. He was protecting Tatsumi, now our friend and teammate, at the time and my blade nicked his hand. His rapid healing has kept it at bay but the more he uses his smoke, the more the cursed poison adapts and works its way to his heart."

"So you need me to try and find a cure," said Amalia with a sigh. "Ok. Let me see the sword. How does it work? Is there a dispense button or…"

"Just slash anything with a heart." Amalia rubbed the bridge between her eyes.

"Makes even less sense… Ok. Let's see what I can do."

"So it was an accident," asked Fetch. Akame nodded and Fetch sighed in relief. She looked at them.

"He's been dealing with this since he arrived in your world," asked Fetch.

"Just about," said Seryu. "I didn't learn about it until I started working with Night Raid. Delsin hid it from me so I wouldn't know he was associated with them."

"We've been waiting to get here to try and find a cure," said Chelsea. "It only affects him when he's using Smoke."

"Interesting," said Amalia. "And it hasn't shown in any of his other Powers?"

"Not that we know of," said Seryu.

"I wonder why…" Amalia picked up her phone as it rang and answered it. "Moshi moshi." Eugene smiled as she took her phone call outside.

"Where did she learn that," asked Akame.

"Japanese," asked Eugene. "Her mother insisted she learn various languages for when she does business deals in her stead. Why?"

"Looks like our worlds share more than one language," said Chelsea. "What are the odds?"

"High. According to Amalia, there are just as many worlds who speak the same language as there are that don't, according to the Multiverse Theory."

"Don't get started with that," said Fetch as she took Regina from Chelsea. "It's confusing as heck."

"Where's Reggie," asked Eugene.

"Grocery shopping for Betty. Said it was the least he could do for being gone as long as he was, Leone went with him."

"And Cole?"

"Catching up with Zeke," said Seryu. "Though, I think it's hard for both of them."

"I can imagine. Zeke said he and Cole were more than just best friends, they were brothers. Zeke spent the last few months trying to help Amalia work on a machine to try and get through to your world. Almost killed himself doing so because he thought he'd see Cole again."

"Wonder what they're doing."


(Random Bar)

Cole zapped a random jukebox and a somber tone filled the bar. (Fade Away InFAMOUS 2 OST) The Electric Man ignored the pictures people took of him before sipping the bottle in his hand as Zeke sipped at his own. Neither of them said anything. It was hard to even agree to get a drink. Zeke had spent the last eight, almost nine years, thinking his best friend, his brother, was dead, Cole had moved on to a new life in a new world. What could you say? Cole zapped the television above them and grinned as it was already showing a western movie, one of their favorites. Cole leaned back in his seat and put his feet up on the bar out of habit. The bartender, a survivor from the Empire Event, allowed it and went back to serving a few other patrons as Zeke chuckled. "Love this part," he said.

"Classic," said Cole. Reminiscent of their last moments before the final push against the Beast, they watched the movie in its entirety. "Sorry."

"It's fine. Blame Kessler, not you."

"Kessler is me."

"Yeah, but you know… a different you."

"Doesn't mean I'm excused. Hell my wife would kill me for not at least apologizing."

"You married?"

"Yeah. Her name's Caitlin. Ice Metahuman."

"You and ice babes, man. Trish, Ice Queen in school, I was sure you had a thing for Kuo back in New Marais. Now this Caitlin girl."

"We got two daughters. Lucy and Amy."

"For Kuo and then Trish's sister."

"Yeah. Got another kid on the way as well. Emma's thinking a boy, gonna name him Jason."

"Now I feel offended."

"Jason Jedediah MacGrath."

"Ok, less offended now." Cole chuckled before they sipped their beer again and he sighed. "When this is all said and done…"

"I know brother. I'll find your folks, tell them you said hi."

"Don't. Did they even attend the funeral?"

"They did. Your pops was proud of the man you became. Your brother was shocked you were gone and your ma… well she spent days crying."

"Where's the other me buried?"

"Right next to Trish, brother."

"Thanks."

"That's what brothers are for, man." Cole chuckled.

"You know…"

"Don't say it, Cole. I got a life here."

"I know. But it wouldn't help to suggest it. Get things back to normal."

"Normal died with the Blast. Kessler changed the world. And we paid for it. I'm happy to see you again, brother. But we've both moved on from when we last saw each other. Wouldn't be right to pull either of us from our new lives. Just make the most of what time we have left."

"Sounds like a plan. Hell, might as well get the guys and do just that."

"What, you mean Delsin and the others?"

"Yeah. Delsin's got that Imperial Arm, we could go down to New Marais just in time for Pyre Night."

"Brother, I like the way you think. Last time we were busy saving the world to really enjoy ourselves. Now we can spend some time enjoying the three B's!"

"Hey, leave the second B out of it, Zeke. Just Beer and Mechanical Bulls."

"I hear ya. What about burgers?"

"Really? You burgers and bulls don't make the best combination."

"Hey, I got a better constitution than I did back then."

"Yeah, but you're older. Add beer to the mix and I am not cleaning up after you."

"I can keep it down better than most."

"That's nothing to brag about, Zeke."

"I'll brag if I want, man." Cole chuckled and clinked his bottle with Zeke's before taking another sip.


(Curdan Cay)

Delsin grunted as he lifted himself into the air with a platform matching Augustine's and launched it at the former director with him on top of it. Augustine shot it down and hit Delsin with another barrage of Concrete. Delsin grunted and absorbed the Concrete dust in the air to heal up before Dashing forward to avoid another barrage. He launched a missile at her, and it knocked away her revolving concrete barrier. Delsin grunted and tried forming a large boulder above his head, only for it to collapse as he dropped to a knee and panted. "You're reluctant to use my ability," said Augustine. "Why?"

"I don't know!" Delsin punched the ground and caused a shockwave in the ground. "Out of all of my powers, this one has been giving me the most trouble and even absorbing another Blast Core while using Concrete hasn't allowed me to do more than make a wall to block incoming fire. But I still have more problems with this Power! I don't have a fine control! I can't adapt it! It's so…"

"Difficult. Unlike the other elements and even Glass, Concrete is more stubborn. It's not malleable. It's easy to use but nearly impossible to adapt. You just need to make use of the Power in creative ways."

"Like that rock monster thing you used?"

"That's one way. Another way is to find a simpler means of controlling it. You don't have all of my abilities, you simply copied them. You should try something smaller."

"Like what?"

"That's up to you. You already have an armor while Dashing, try something similar."

"I've been trying. I want to make the armor slimmer to increase my range of movement."

"It's armor. You'd be sacrificing major defenses."

"But I do better when I can outmaneuver around my enemies. I don't plan on running headfirst at someone doing barely any damage."

"Then think of something else. You can evolve it through stressful circumstances or working out your Power. This is something we did with the former prisoners here."

"You mean the prisoners you wrongfully imprisoned in the attempt at saving them?"

"I protected more of our kind in the seven years as director than anyone else could have. I kept them safe."

"You took them from their families!"

"It was better than them and their families being killed by fearful and hateful people blaming us for the Beast!"

"There had to have been better ways! A lot of the Conduits who survived the RFI were kids!"

"And their Powers hadn't activated. How would they have survived?!" Delsin turned away from her, not wanting to answer that question. He could debate right and wrong all day, but he had to agree, she had done what she did to save lives. As wrong as her attempts seemed and as immoral as her methods were, they worked. "This wasn't a matter of right and wrong! It was saving as many people as I could, if that meant taking away their freedom, then so be it." Delsin shook his head before growling and shooting a burst of concrete at her. Augustine gasped as she noticed the concrete was more jagged than before and darker in shade. She created a wall between them and watched as it melted from the superheated concrete and smoke started rising from the slabs. She looked at Delsin and spotted his hand smoking and concrete circling his arm. "You just combined your Powers!" Delsin stared at his hand and spotted the markings from Murasame starting to spread. Delsin absorbed Concrete and the smoke and markings receded. Delsin shook his head before turning to the guard.

"We're done here." Delsin walked away as Augustine was cuffed and brought back to her cell. He looked at his hands and sighed as the curse marks didn't appear on them in his Concrete Power. He absorbed the Air around him and watched as they disappeared before using Shambhala to teleport himself back to Salmon Bay and his friends and family.

Upon arrival, Delsin was met by a rift and glared at it. "What do you want, Kessler?"

"Come with me," said the echo of the future Cole MacGrath. Delsin shook his head and stepped through the rift. When he landed, he noticed he was in a city he'd never been to at the top of a parking garage.

"Where am I?"

"Empire City, the day of the Blast."

"Ok, why are we here?"

"I'm giving you a choice, Delsin. When a Conduit is exposed to the energy emitted by the Ray Sphere, their Power evolves and continues to evolve with each exposure to the Sphere."

"Yeah, at the cost of everyone in the vicinity of the Blast! Cole and even the Conduits from the Imperial Blast said they heard the cries of all the people caught in the explosion in their head as their bodies absorbed the neuroelectric energy! I'm not doing this!"

"It may be the only means of you gaining enough power to defeat the Beast!"

"No. Too many lives have already been lost. I don't care if this is just past events, I won't do it, I won't take the lives of others to better myself."

"Sticking with your morals to the end. You may not survive the encounter with the Beast."

"Regina says the Beast is defeated in her time. I'll be fine." Kessler said nothing before moving Delsin to a distance outside the Blast.

"Watch." Delsin shook his head before sighing and watching as the Blast went off. As much as he wanted to help, Conduits like him didn't exist before then with few exceptions. He would draw too much unwanted attention at this point in time. "Your self-control is commendable."

"Time travel rules. Don't interfere with events you know need to happen. Especially not when you could cause more harm than good. Conduits aren't known yet. Why am I seeing this?"

"To understand the scope of what the Beast can do. The Blast, as you know, is what usually causes the Beast. John White was born by being absorbed by the Ray Sphere and reformed himself atom by atom. He was not the Beast I had prepared Cole for, but he was a Beast, nonetheless. When Cole stopped him, it caused several Conduits to die off, but I didn't account for the divergent genetic traits that resided in you and the other Conduits post-RFI."

"The real Beast? Your Beast?"

"Dead. Before the Blast."

"What?"

"Constants and variables. I arrived in the 1920's. An activated Conduit gene can sometimes slow the aging process at a certain point in time."

"Explains why Cole said you looked about in your 60's."

"My appearance in the Timeline caused a chain reaction of events I was unaware of until this version of me, my echo, monitored the rifts created by my Power."

"So who was he?"

"…A good man, once upon a time. Upon activation of his Conduit gene, his mind spiraled, put further into distress by the undoing of his life. And he gave in to his darker impulses, feeding the Skulled Bird, as you put it to Esdeath."

"Gave in to his darker impulses?"

"When the Conduit Gene is activated, it can cause distortions in the mind. A separation of a sense of right and wrong. Karmic energies, essentially."

"Like when my powers grow darker when I get angry."

"That's only a minor effect of the Karmic Energy. The more you act on violent and selfish impulses, the more your powers adjust to your state of mind. And the more your mind adjusts to your powers, making you more prone to violent outbursts and psychotic tendencies, your physical appearance also twists and makes you angrier. It's a never-ending loop."

"So the guy that became your Beast went down this path?"

"You have to understand, when life pushes some people to their limit, they snap."

"What happened to him?"

"Everything." Kessler brought Delsin back to Salmon Bay and the rift closed. Future Regina stood nearby and looked at him.

"All good, Dad," she asked.

"Yeah," said Delsin. "Where've you been?"

"Keeping out of the way. Salmon Bay, Seattle, their both my home in the future. Grew up here, moved there. I'm both trying to make sure I don't change anything and seeing the differences between now and… well I guess then covers the past, right? So…"

"Just… let's not try talking tenses when it comes to time travel, ok? I think we can both be spared the headache."

"Agreed."

"Come on, let's go see your mom and you."

"Oh, me as a baby. Only seen pictures."

"Uh… you interacting with yourself won't like… implode the universe or something, will it?"

"Dad, it already happened, remember?"

"…I hate time travel."

"You get used to it."

"Oh, and you have?"

"Dad, remind me to tell you what it is I do for my job sometime."

"You're military."

"That's only part of it. Come on, Dad." Delsin shook his head before following her into the Longhouse.