Chapter Thirty-Two: The Third Invasion Pt. II

Unknown Date and Location

Jane Ives - or Eleven - was faced with a splitting headache. One most likely rooted in the head trauma she had received from hitting the ground at twenty miles per hour. Her face was buried in dirt, and she was lying on top of what felt like metal. With a bit of strength, Eleven slowly got to her feet and turned to examine her surroundings. She was standing in an open field alone. There were a few human structures in the distance, but the entire area was seemingly empty. Where was she? Where was Harry? Papa Squad was nowhere in sight, leaving Eleven to wonder how she had gotten lost. The 'device' seemed to be incredibly faulty and would need to be worked upon if they were to make another jump.

But Eleven would care about that later. For right now, she had to focus on discovering where she was and how she could get back to Harry and the others. So she shot herself off of the ground, soaring high into the air to get a good view of the area. The only thing she could see was a small village in the distance, as well as a massive fence that separated the village from the nearby forest. Eleven fell back down to the ground, unsure of what to do with this new information. She wasn't on Earth, because while there was mud and dirt, everything was different. The grass was a pink-purple color, there was only one type of tree for as far as Eleven could see, and there weren't any creatures in sight. No deer, no birds, nothing.

So it was decided that Eleven would approach the village and find out where she was. It was quite an easy task, seeing as all that was required was a short walk through the small forest that lay between her and the village. Before long, Eleven was walking up the hill near the fence, a large building coming into view. She approached it with caution and entered to find it empty. That was odd. Were there no people here? She hadn't seen any in her jump. Perhaps they were all evacuated...or dead. Eleven approached the terminal in the corner of the room, swiping it over to activate it. It let out a small hum and activated, a holographic display popping up overhead that displayed a lot of information. Whoever had used it last hadn't logged out.

Eleven took a seat and began to skim through the computer's files. Everything she could gather regarding her location was her priority. And she found out quickly. She was on the planet Lusitania. The year displayed was odd. It displayed '2000 S.C.'. Eleven wasn't entirely sure what that meant, but she put it aside to do more research. It was discovered that she was very much in the future. There was a massive number of human worlds and colonies spread out across the galaxy, with Lusitania being one of the hundreds. And they were all governed under 'Starways Congress', which was founded two thousand years before. Eleven searched for 'Harry Potter' and found nothing. So she was in another universe. That was great.

She continued to scroll through the database, mentally cataloging everything. There was information about the Formics and a war that ended in their destruction. A Xenocide committed by 'Ender the Xenocide'. The information on him was classified, but the information that was there seemed over-dramatized. And then there was the Speaker for the Dead. An author who wrote about the deaths of the Formics as well as Peter Wiggin. The first 'Hegemon', the international leader of Earth. The original Speaker was thought long dead, but there were thousands of others that had popped up in the three thousand years since the 'Hive Queen and the Hegemon' were released. A quasi-religion built from the real truth.

There was information on the technologies of this world. The Ansible, which allowed instantaneous communication of information through a philotic network. Something that Harry would be able to recreate in their own universe given his knowledge of philotic science. There were also catalogs on the ships created by Starways Congress and the old International Fleet. Warships, fleet carriers, colony ships. Eleven copied everything to the data chip in the protective suit Harry had created for her. With that finished, she moved onto the files labeled 'Pequeninos'. Eleven clicked on the files and began to read. The Pequeninos were the first alien species discovered since the Formics. They were the natural inhabitants of Lusitania and resembled pigs that stood on their back legs. Thus the common nickname for them being 'Piggies'.

The information on the console spoke of a treaty between Humans, Pequeninos, and...Formics. Revived Formics. It was signed by a pequeninos named Human, the Formic Hive Queen, and...Ender Wiggin. The same Ender that had destroyed the Formics. That was interesting to read. Eleven began to assemble a timeline of the events of this universe, recording and storing everything in her data chip so that she and Harry could look over the information at a later date. With all of the information she could find stored safely in her data chip, Eleven turned to leave the facility only to be confronted by three individuals. An older man with a slightly balding head of grey hair, though he still seemed physically active and strong. Beside him was a woman in her forties with red hair tied back into a bun. And to her side was a man slightly younger. The two younger adults seemed related, but they didn't share any similar features with the older man.

"How did you get in here?" The red-headed woman asked.

"I got in through the unlocked front door. I was going through your computer to find out where I am. I found out fairly easily," Eleven answered truthfully.

"You don't know how you got here?" The red-headed woman asked. Then she frowned. "I've never seen you in town before..."

"I'm from Earth. I'm pretty sure from the past too. And another universe. It's complicated," Eleven wished Harry were there. He understood the concepts of universal/time travel better than anyone. He would be able to explain it to these people. But Harry wasn't here, so Eleven was forced to explain her situation to the disbelieving people in front of her. "My name is Jane, but my friends call me Eleven. I'm from Earth. More specifically 1996,"

"That was four years ago. Not that long of a jump," The man beside the redhead spoke. He seemed like an arrogant and ignorant man, but Eleven put that aside. The older man seemed to make the connection and shook his head disapprovingly towards the younger man. "She's from 1235 B.S.C. Far earlier than me,"

"You're from the past?" Eleven asked. And then she too made a connection. Ender Wiggin had destroyed the Formics three thousand years ago in 2201 C.E. And the same Ender Wiggin had signed the treaty between the Pequeninos, Formics, and Humans. And that treaty was signed here on Lusitania. That meant that the man in front of her was Ender Wiggin. "You're Ender Wiggin. I read about you on the terminal,"

He seemed to consider this for a moment, before nodding. "I am Ender Wiggin. But I prefer Andrew," Andrew replied.

"Right. Andrew," Eleven spoke. "I don't come from your 1996. I come from the 1996 of my universe. And in that year we were locked in an interuniversal conflict between us and hundreds of other universes led by a megalomaniac hell-bent on killing my friend. We embarked on a mission to kill the megalomaniac before he came into power, but the jump failed and I ended up here. I need to find a way back home before Harry and the others get back home...or they..." Eleven didn't want to think about that. Harry couldn't die. Not at the hands of Voldemort. She would find a way to get back to him and the others. No matter what it took she would do it.

"Right. You're from the distant past and another universe. Sure," The arrogant man said.

"Shut up, Grego," The red-headed woman spoke. 'Grego' sneered but remained silent. "So you're lost and need to get home. How can we help you?"

"I'm not entirely sure. We used a device to get from one universe to another, but it was rushed and faulty - thus why I'm here - and I can't replicate it. I know how to build it but there are aspects of it that I cannot replicate," She had no experience with the manipulation of Aiúa's. Even if she could sense the connection between herself and Harry, Eleven doubted she could pull herself through the Outside to him.

"Well, you're welcome here until you find a way back. Besides, we could use our own help," The red-headed woman spoke.

"What kind of help?"

Andrew explained. "We're in an open rebellion with the Starways Congress. An invasion fleet will be arriving in a few years to destroy the planet. We've taken precautions to ensure the Pequeninos, Formics, and the humans of this colony won't be lost with the destruction of Lusitania, but we would prefer that the world not be destroyed. We need all of the help we can get,"

"I'm willing to help as much as I can, but I can't promise a lot. I'm going to be spending most of my time trying to get back to my universe," Eleven replied.

"Perfectly understandable," The red-headed woman spoke. "I'm Ela. Short for Elanora. It's nice to meet you,"

"The feeling's mutual," Eleven replied, reaching out to shake Ela's hand.

"So, you're trying to get home. Where are you going to start in regards to getting back?" Andrew asked.

"I need to find a way to get into contact with Harry. He'll find a way to bring me back,"

"Harry?"

"Harry Potter. He's my...friend. He was the squad leader of our mission. If he found a way to get to the objective, he'll find a way to get me to him. If I can help him do that I will," Eleven explained.

"And how would he get you exactly?" The arrogant man Grego asked. "You said the device you used to get here was faulty,"

"Harry can manipulate philotic connections through the InBetween. He can find our connection and pull me to him," Eleven answered. She didn't expect any of them to understand that, but a look of recognition crossed over their faces. Perhaps they had heard of philotic science. Maybe working with these people wouldn't be a hassle after all.

"We've been discussing travel through the Outside using a living organism within the Ansible network - a network of philotic connections - but we thought it was impossible," Ela spoke. "You're telling us this Harry Potter guy can travel using the Outside as a human?"

"Yes? I'm sure anyone could if they learned how. But he got a bit of a headstart after visiting the Outside himself,"

"Right. Do you think he would be able to help us?" Grego asked.

"If I know Harry, he'll help you whether you ask or not. It's kind of his thing," Eleven answered with a grin.

"Then we'll help you contact him. But we need to warn you about something disastrous that is going to affect you and him if he arrives," Andrew spoke. He seemed hesitant and a bit sad. "The planet of Lusitania is currently under quarantine due to the threat of an advanced virus surrounding the planet. It adapts easily and kills humans in a week if a special medicine isn't taken daily. I arrived on this planet thirty years ago and got the virus after three days. You'll get it too. Even if you leave right now it will be within you. That's why we need to get to the Outside,"

Ela nodded. "To create an antidote that will eradicate the Descolada but save the Pequeninos,"

"You can create things in the Outside?"

"We think so. According to Jane - the entity within the Ansible - the Outside exists out of space-time, meaning that our laws of physics aren't followed. It should be possible to create anything there," Ela replied.

"Harry told me about three of them. The Outside - which exists outside of the Multiverse itself -, the Inside - which is the universe you live in -, and the InBetween; a space between the Outside and Inside that lets him see Aiúa's and philotic connections. But he never made anything in the Outside. He used the InBetween to create a new body for himself though," Eleven explained. At their concerned expressions, Eleven was quick to reassure them. "But that doesn't mean it's impossible. Harry was nothing but his Aiúa in the Outside. If you go there in your body with a mind to hold a philotic pattern, it would certainly be possible to create something there too,"

"Then you'll help us?" asked Grego.

Eleven smiled. "Of course,"


Unknown Date and Location

Alyssa Truit fell through the mist of blue energy, the image of Harry, Eleven, and the others disappearing being the last thing on her mind before she hit the ground. But she didn't fall unconscious. And she felt no pain. Was she dead? No. She felt the ground beneath her and felt cold metal. There was dust all over the place. Alyssa then felt herself fall off of the floor and rise. She opened her eyes and nearly panicked. She was inside of a dark metal room with zero gravity. It was empty except for a small terminal on the wall to her left. It was the real floor. There were no doors and no lights. Something that made Alyssa quite anxious as she slowly glided towards the closest wall.

Once she reached it, Alyssa pushed off with her legs towards the terminal. Her training in the prototype zero-gravity chamber made this very easy, allowing her to grab hold of the terminal and spin to plant her feet on the ground. After ensuring she wouldn't float away again, Alyssa examined the terminal. It was very advanced. Nothing like Marauder Enterprises HoloTanks. This belonged to some sort of advanced species. That or she was in the future. Either was possible with the device Harry and Eleven had created. Pushing the thoughts of being lost in space-time by herself, Alyssa tried to find a way to activate the terminal. She tapped the blue ring at the top, and a blue holographic display powered on. It read 'Neural-Interface Required'.

"Neural-Interface," Alyssa whispered. She reached down to her left glove, pulling out a data chip from the back of the glove. Unsure if it would work, Alyssa pressed the data chip against the blue ring. The display flashed once again, growing brighter and brighter before turning off. Disappointment crossed over Alyssa's features as she moved to return the chip, but stopped when the terminal once again snapped on. But instead of a message, something else entirely sat over the terminal. Or stood. It was a holographic purple woman. It was Artificial Intelligence. A real AI. The A.I was beautiful. She was tall and slim, her curves visible underneath her white dress. She had blue-green eyes and blonde hair that fell to her mid-back.

"Hello. My name is Athena. May I ask why you started my activation sequence?"

Alyssa was thrown through a loop. "Um...it wasn't my intention. I'm lost and need to find a way home,"

"Home designation?" Athena asked.

"Earth,"

Athena was silent for a moment, before speaking once more. "Designation: Earth. Status: Destroyed,"

"Destroyed?"

"As of 2563,"

"So I'm in the future,"

"The present date within the human calendar is January 26th, 96,325 C.E," Athena spoke.

"I'm one hundred thousand years in the future," Alyssa breathed. She was beginning to panic now. A feeling of dread passed through her as she let go of the terminal. Drifting through the room, Alyssa was deep in thought. She hoped Harry was safe enough to bring her home. Despite caring deeply about his wellbeing, Alyssa was more interested in getting out of here. She didn't want to be stuck in a future so distant. Would he even be able to bring her home? Was he ok? Safe? Could he bring her back if he was injured in some way? Her rambling thoughts continued for some time. And then Athena spoke.

"One thousand years? Your present-day would be 3,675 B.C.E. Evidence from your state of dress and hygiene suggest you are lying,"

"I'm from 1996," Alyssa replied, slightly annoyed.

"1996. 94,329 years from the present day. You have traveled quite far,"

"Yes. I'm aware,"

"What is your name?" Athena asked.

Alyssa frowned. This AI was odd. She seemed to shift from almost human to a robot at will. She would speak in a monotone voice when stating facts, but when keeping a conversation or asking questions Athena talked like any other human being. It was unsettling. Alyssa sighed. "Dr. Alyssa Truit,"

Athena smiled. "Alyssa Truit. Born in 1975 to William Truit and Theresa Costello. Graduated from high school at the age of fourteen and obtained a doctorate at nineteen. Obtained a position at Marauder Enterprises straight out of college, where she became the righthand woman under the company CEO, Harry Potter. According to hidden records within my software, you disappeared during the 2563 Massacres alongside Harry Potter and the rest of Planet Earth," Alyssa frowned. She and Harry were alive during the destruction of Earth? For Harry it made sense, seeing as he could create a new body for himself at will, but her? Then she remembered the Immortality Machine. Alyssa must have chosen to use it to live much longer than a normal human. "Would you like to know more?"

"Tell me about Harry Potter," Alyssa instructed.

"Very well...Harry Potter. Born in 1970 to James Potter and Lily Evans. He did not attend any form of education before becoming a lead scientist for Hawkins National Laboratory at the age of thirteen. Less than one year later, he launched Marauder's Enterprise, becoming the richest man in the world by 2006. Despite many conflicts stretching across Earth as well as the Sol System, Marauder Enterprises, the International Armed Forces, and the governments of Earth continued to rule until the Graves Wars of 2101 and 2106. After such wars, the governments of Earth and the International Armed Forces joined forces to become the Unified Earth Government. The Navy of the International Armed Forces would branch off to become the International Fleet, but would soon be renamed the United Nations Space Command after Insurrectionist Rebellions in 2163,"

"Harry Potter would go on to lead humanity across the galaxy, discovering and colonizing one thousand three hundred and forty-seven human worlds. He would marry ten times and would have fifty-six children between his birth and his disappearance in 2563," Ten wives and fifty-six children? After Harry had divorced Narcissa, Alyssa was sure he was content and happy with Daphne and Hermione. But then again, a lot could happen in five hundred years. Perhaps Daphne and Hermione passed away, or they decided to expand the relationship. Alyssa wouldn't judge Harry for something he hadn't done yet.

"And everyone else?"

"Who do you wish to know about?" Athena asked.

"Elev- I mean, Jane Ives,"

"Jane Ives. Commonly known as 'Eleven'. Born in 1971 to an unknown father and Terry Ives. Possesses the power of telekinesis and was used as a test subject in the MKUltra experiments conducted by Hawkins National Laboratory. After escaping the laboratory in 1983, Jane Ives became friends with three individuals. Mike Wheeler, Lucas Sinclair, and Dustin Henderson. The four would later uncover the disappearance of Will Byers alongside James Hopper, Joyce Byers, Johnathan Byers, Nancy Wheeler, Steve Harrington, and Harry Potter. After the short Shadow War that took place in 1984, Jane Ives would later join Harry Potter at Marauder Enterprises, becoming one of its youngest scientists and the only one without an official degree. She served as a Junior Scientist with Marauder Enterprises before going on a three-year leave. Jane Ives would return in 2001 alongside her son, and would become a Senior Scientist working alongside Harry Potter until her disappearance in the 2563 Massacres,"

"Out of the people you listed before, how many survive the massacres?"

"Jane Ives; Disappeared in the 2563 Massacres at the age of 592. James Hopper; Deceased in 2038 due to natural causes at the age of 95. Joyce Byers; Deceased in 2049 due to natural causes at the age of 102. Mike Wheeler; Deceased in 2038 due to the Android Rebellion at the age of 67. Lucas Sinclair; Deceased in 2377 due to natural causes at the age of 406. Dustin Henderson; Deceased in 2104 due to natural causes at the age of 127. Will Byers; Disappeared in the 2563 Massacres at the age of 592. Johnathan Byers; Disappeared in the 2563 Massacres at the age of 597. Nancy Wheeler; Disappeared in the 2563 Massacres at the age of 596. Steve Harrington; Deceased in 2523 due to the Insurrectionist Movement the planet Andesia. Harry Potter; Disappeared in the 2563 Massacres at the age of 593,"

"So only Harry, Jane, Will, Johnathan, and Nancy make it to the Massacres?"

"Correct,"

"And what exactly were the Massacres?" asked Alyssa.

"The Massacres were several events that led to the destruction of the Human race," Athena replied.

Alyssa watched the AI in shock. The entire human race? She thought of Harry and his mission. He would be heartbroken if he discovered that while he succeeded in spreading humanity throughout the galaxy, he had failed in protecting the species. They were all going to die. Wait. "You said we 'disappeared'. We didn't die. Did every human die in the massacres?"

"Out of the one thousand three hundred and forty-seven Human worlds, one thousand two hundred and eighty-two were destroyed during the Massacres. This was done by various means. Glassing, Halo Ring activation, purposeful slipspace drive malfunctions, as well as many other forms of destruction. The sixty-five Human worlds that remained out of Covenant, Banished, Guardian, Grave, and Insurrectionist hands fell into anarchy. By 2600, the planet Grenadia remained untouched by the Massacres. However, it would soon be destroyed by the Grave in 2613. By 2620, the entire human race would be deceased,"

"That's...terrifying,"

"Your heart rate suggests you are not at all scared," Athena spoke.

"A figure of speech," Alyssa said with a sigh.

"Oh, you were being sarcastic. Alright then,"

Alyssa raised an eyebrow but shook her head. "Where are we right now?"

"We are on a hidden Forerunner installation deep within the core of Planet Harvest. While the core is exposed, we remain undetected,"

"We're in space. Within the core of a destroyed planet,"

"Correct,"

"And...the war we're having right now with Voldemort? The Invasion?"

"There is no record of any Invasion or Voldemort in my database,"

Alyssa rubbed the bridge of her nose in an effort not to scream. This was horrible. She was ninety-four thousand years in the future, floating around in a metal box hidden within the core of a destroyed Human world with no information that could help her. Harry and Eleven weren't there to help get her out, and Alyssa had no idea where she could go even if she got out of the box. So she was stuck here until she could find a way out. That was going to be a long time. After a few minutes of floating senselessly around the box, Alyssa grabbed hold of the terminal once more and spoke. "Tell me about the past. Tell me everything," And so for as long as she could take it, Alyssa listened to Athena describe the past. From the birth of the Forerunners and the first Human race to the present-day. It was a lot to handle.