July 3rd, 3019
Go City, Colorado
6:05 P.M.
Utopia.
A place of peace, tranquility and happiness.
Screams of terrorized citizens filled the evening sky as a column, the diameter of which was unmeasurable, filled the sky.
An unstoppable vortex, one of countless tendrils, arced through the air and raced towards Go City, a swath of terror and destruction left in its wake only for a moment before being erased from existence.
Betty had just pulled into her drive way when she felt the cold wind start to blow, a vacuum as the Nothing pulled everything into its gaping maw. Her first indication that the collapse was coming was when the blossoms on her cherry tree started to float up in defiance of gravity and the wind. She turned and watched the phenomenon for several seconds before walking into her house even as the expanse of nothingness opened over her universe.
"Mommy!" her daughter's playful scream greeted her from inside her house and Betty laughed as her darling Nicole ran into her arms.
Betty clutched her daughter and held her tight, fearful that if she let go her daughter would disappear.
As she twirled her daughter around the entry of her house she felt two beefy arms enclose around her and she felt her husband wrap up the girls in an enormous bear hug.
The three laughed again as Steve Barkin lifted the two off the ground and carried them into the living room, where they collapsed into an enormous pile of limbs and body parts.
For several seconds, all of Betty's worries were forgotten as she played with her family.
Then a scream from the outside interrupted the jovial mood.
Followed swiftly by another.
A roaring from a Tyrannosaurs Rex was heard from outside followed by the crashing of metal as cars slammed into their neighbors. Overhead the skies filled with every craft to have ever existed, guns were fired and lasers began blazing in response and through it all, the screaming never stopped.
Soon, everyone was screaming and from all around the house, the sound of screams and crashes could be heard.
Nicole heard this and latched onto her mother, fear in her heart, "What's going on Mommy?"
Betty kissed her daughter's brown hair, "Nothing sweetie," she lied as she pulled her daughter in close, "Nothing at all."
Nicole fought to break free of her Mother's grasp but eventually surrendered to the loving hug of Betty. Barkin got on the other side and pulled the two onto his lap and kissed Betty deeply before kissing his daughter, "Will it hurt?" he asked Betty.
Dr. Elizabeth Director shook her head, the sound of the expansive nothingness overhead, "It won't hurt at all."
She closed her eyes even as a tendril of nothingness descended from the sky and swallowed them up.
.
.
.
Silence.
Betty clutched her family tightly, knowing that in mere moments she would never have existed.
.
.
.
Silence.
The silence she heard only terrified her as her fingers dug into Steve Barkin's shirt, she didn't want to forget the feeling of her husband.
.
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.
Silence.
Betty's eyes tightened as she hoped against hope that the Nothing wouldn't cause any pain.
.
.
.
Silence.
Where was it? Where was her death? Why hadn't the Nothing taken her?
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.
Silence.
Betty slowly opened a single eye. Hesitation marred her movements as she struggled to make sense of what was going on.
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.
.
Silence.
A second eye opened, the hesitation being replaced by curiosity. Where was the death she expected? Was she dead and just didn't realize it?
.
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Silence.
Betty slowly looked up and came face to blank with The Nothing. Frozen, unmoving, completely inert.
The tendril had already destroyed the upper level of her house and erased almost everything else but it had inexplicably stopped.
She stared at it in confusion wondering why the Nothing wasn't moving or even reacting to her presence.
"Look, if you're going to sit there all day cringing like that little brat you have cradled in your arms, I'm going to grab a drink," a rough voice cut through the silence as Betty leaped in fright.
"Oh there's movement," the condescending tone spoke as Betty heard a bottle being tipped over a glass.
Clink
Betty turned until she was facing the owner of the voice, "You…" she breathed in disbelief.
The Abomination smiled as he sipped at the glass in his hand, "Me."
"You died," Betty shook her head, "I watched your vitals crash Tam. You died getting Kim out of that universe."
"I did, didn't I?" Tam Agmiln replied rudely as he put the decanter back into the bottle of amber liquid in his hand. He paused before offering it to Betty, "Want some?"
A silent shake of the head followed by another clink as the bottle was put away.
"How are you here?" Betty asked.
He took a long drink and relished the burning liquid, "The more important question is why."
Betty's eyes narrowed, "Why?"
"Well I'm glad you asked," A cheeky smile, "I want the Hammer."
The narrowed eyes widened in fear as she replied, "The Hammer is just a myth."
It was a lie of course but for the briefest of moments, Betty hoped against hope Tam would believe her.
"You know who I am Betty and more importantly you know what I can do," Tam countered as he took another drink, "Don't lie to me about it-"
"You can't use it," Betty pleaded, the fear in her voice coming through.
"Can't?" He replied back mockingly, "I don't think you are in any position to be telling me what I can and cannot do."
Betty didn't hesitate as she spoke, "I won't let you use the Hammer."
A laugh, "Not only are you going to give it to me," Tam set the now empty glass on the counter, "you're going to help me use it."
Betty shook her head, "Why would I help you? You know I was against the Hammer's creation from the moment Wade thought it up."
"That's not how I remember that budget meeting going," he quickly countered, "I believe you said it was necessary for Global Justice to possess that device."
Betty's eyes narrowed, "I was against its development."
"But not against it enough to stop funding to project," Tam observed dryly.
"Some things need to be made and never used," Betty hissed.
A shrug from Tam was all the response she received, "Well no matter now, I'm only here to take it and leave." Tam looked at the Nothing in Betty's living room, "If you help I might take you with me."
The eyes narrowed again, "I won't help you. It needs to be erased."
"Wasn't that the whole point of the Hammer?" Tam murmured softly, seductively. "Help me out and I'll take you and whatever team you want with me."
Betty eyed the man standing before her with disdain as he extended a hand towards her, "Care to make a deal with the Devil, Betty?"
December 20th, 2015 A.D.
Castle Rodigan, Rodigan Empire
December 21st, 9:25 A.M.
Crack
Lightning crackled overhead, the electrical discharge lighting up the courtyard and all the occupants fighting.
Bonnie Rockwaller vaulted over a Lowardian with all the grace of her former cheer leading days coming back to her and as a Lowardian neared an Eric Synthodrone, Bonnie rolled over the Lowardian's back, planting a grenade as she rolled off the alien's back.
The Lowardian reached for Bonnie awkwardly but missed only seconds before its midsection was transformed into a cloud of red mist.
Bonnie rolled along the ground and came up near Steve Barkin as the former CIA operative hoisted his mini gun in his hands, the bullets firing faster than the eye could see. As he fired, more Lowardians advanced on him but with Bonnie's help the two kept the aliens at bay. Together the pair leaped and vaulted over each other, energy bolts and bullets erupting and cutting through the fodder that was Warmonga's army.
A Lowardian rushed at Bonnie and threw its energy staff moments before it had been transformed into a cloud of red mist.
The Lowardian's scream was lost in the battle but the damage was done: the energy staff flew with lethal accuracy towards Bonnie's head-only to be stopped mid flight as Hana Stoppable snagged it out of the air and swung it like a club at a passing Lowardian.
The Lowardian went flying as Hana vaulted from the ground and into the falling ran.
Hana flew through the air, a trail of dead Lowardians behind her.
A Lowardian launched from the courtyard to her but she slammed an open palm into the creature's chest, instantly caving in the creature's sternum while launching the creature back into a large group of Lowardians that tumbled away.
Hana glided to the ground, a blue glow surrounding her as she landed as Betty Director and Will Du backed up to each other. Hana stopped an approaching Lowardian that was running towards Will with an energy blade and grabbed the Lowardian by the leg. The blue glow returned to her body and she hoisted the monster up before spinning the creature around and throwing it into a wall.
Hana turned her gaze to Betty and mock bowed but saw the Global Justice Director fire her gun directly at Hana's head.
Hana felt her hair move as the slug of aluminum hissed past her head and slammed into the Lowardian that was sneaking up behind her with an energy blade.
Hana turned from the Lowardian back to Betty and nodded appreciatively to the soldier who mock bowed in response.
Hana leapt into the air, her inherited Mystical Monkey Power flowing through her like a raging river and she relished every moment of riding the cusp of uncontrollable power.
Like her mother in countless universes before her, Hana had become an Angel of Death on the battlefield, countless scores falling before her like wheat before the scythe.
A smile graced her face.
Twin Lowardians reached for her as she corkscrewed through the air.
Two sets of arms flopped to the ground as their owners bumbled around in shock.
A laugh escaped her.
Hana saw Steve Barkin surrounded by Lowardians, the mini gun he carried had long since run dry of ammunition and he was now swinging it like a club.
She leapt at the monsters but miraculously one of the aliens caught her midair and threw her to the ground.
Hana blinked the mud out of her eyes and gasped as the Lowardian leveled his gun at her and pulled the trigger.
Hana died with a laugh on her lips.
Silence.
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Silence
The bolt of energy ceased moving and remained suspended in space.
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Silence
Hana's laugh died off as she peered at the green bolt of energy that had ceased moving and with a groan she sat up but started as she saw the entire courtyard frozen in time.
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Silence.
Hana watched Will fighting with his back with Betty, guns blazing and silent screams on their lips.
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.
"I must say you're taking this infinitely better than the other versions of you."
Hana whirled around and saw a shapeless entity wafting through the crowd, as it neared Hana felt a tugging of hatred on her soul and she knew immediately who it was.
"Abomination," she muttered with disgust in her voice.
Tam shook his head, "Don't you creations have any other names for me other than that one?"
"Even if that name wasn't the one the Creator chose for you," Hana spat, "We would still call you what you are."
"Abomination."
Tam Agmiln smiled, the act freezing Hana's defiance to her core, "After Kim, you were His favorite. Did you know that?"
Hana remained silent as Tam stalked around her.
"I was there the day he created this version of you," He still continued, his voice the smoothest of oil, "Gave you the understanding of this entire existence," he smiled as he stalked towards her, "Do you know why he made you the way you are?"
"I was necessary for his purpose," Hana answered, "I had to give Ron hope."
Tam shrugged, "Maybe…maybe not," his tone grew colder, "Would you like to know what I think?"
Hana's eyes tightened as she felt him behind her, "I think he created you to stop me," a whisper tugged in her ear, "I think he knew what I was capable of and created you to stop me."
Hana shook her head, "No, I was created by Disney-"
"In 2007, Episode 'Big Bother'," Tam interrupted, "But out of the entire universe of characters he chose to make you aware of everything. You are the puppet who can see the strings," a scoff escaped him, "But more importantly, you can see the strings and still allow yourself to be controlled by him."
Hana was silent but her hand tightened on her sword hilt.
"That's why I'm here," Tam explained, "The only reason I'm in this godforsaken universe is to give you a lift out. I'm here, giving you a life vest to escape death," he extended his right hand to her, "Join me and together we can stop the Creator. We can take his power and stop the collapse."
Hana shied away from his offered hand in disgust, "He gives you breath and you insult him with it."
"You're nothing but a pet to him, a toy to be used and then thrown away," he walked away from Hana and turned as he sensed her tightening grip, "Don't even think of trying to use that pig sticker on me."
Her grip tightened in spite of his threat, "You must go Abomination or I will kill you."
Tam's laugh was the most horrendous sound Hana had ever heard in her entire life. The noise of a soul dying, "You kill me? I'm the Creator's avatar, you cannot touch me."
Hana drew her blade, "Let us put that theory to the test. After all," she held the blade and assumed perfect fighting stance, "Wasn't it you who said I was created to stop you?"
Tam's eyes showed fear for a moment as he looked around the courtyard for a moment, "You can't be serious child."
Hana's clenched her sword hilt as she lunged at Tam, her blade hissing through the still air of the frozen courtyard.
A broadsword appeared in Tam's hands, the once gleaming blade dull and lackluster rising to meet Hana's sparkling Katana.
A shower of sparks erupted as the two metal pieces clanged shrilly together and flew away from each other.
Hana spun around and tried to catch Tam with a backward slice but her opponent was too fast and countered the strike.
"Is that the best you have?" Tam taunted, "I assumed you were the puppet who saw the strings, surely you can see my attacks coming."
Tam's sword sliced through the air, cold steel hissing as it passed through the frozen rain.
Clang
Hana's blade countered and deflected Tam away from her, "Maybe I'm waiting for the right chance. Emphasis on the right."
Tam nodded as the blade in his hand spun and moving faster than the eye could follow, he sliced into Hana's hip, the blade sinking deep before being pulled away.
Hana hissed in pain and pressed her hand to the wound, blood seeping through her fingers as she prepared herself for the next attack.
Tam's eyes lit up in confidence as he spun around her, sliding in the mud as the sword lanced again and pierced her back.
"When I kill you, and I will kill you," Tam remarked, "I want you to know that you lost. This," another slice but Hana ducked away with a backhand slice at Tam, "This is where the Creator sees his precious creation die."
Tam easily parried Hana's slice into the mud, "That blade, was it your Father's?"
Hana lunged weakly at Tam as she felt warmth spreading from the slice in her hip.
Clang
The blade in Tam's hand barely clanged as Hana weakly struck at him, the sound barely ringing in the courtyard.
Tam's eyes tightened, "Put that toy away girl. I'm offering you a chance to live and you spit in my face."
Hana leaned heavily on the blade as she felt blood seeping down her leg, "As long as I breathe, I will fight you."
A flick of Tam's blades and Hana's left arm hung uselessly at her side, "Such a waste of talent coming from you," he shook his head in disgust, "And to think that I actually feared you."
Hana held her blade loosely, swaying as she felt the blood loss effecting her movement, "Fight me," she slurred.
She leaped into the air but Tam swept his leg, catching her in the stomach and launching her through the frozen crowd. Hana tumbled through the mud and slid to a stop, her blade tumbling through the mud but landing across the courtyard.
Hana watched the noble blade lay forgotten among the mud and chaos of battle, the blue steel now covered in the churned mud of the battle.
Tam approached her lazily, his sword point bobbing in the air as he spun the blade in a sweeping motion, "What are you about to do Hana? Your Mother and Father both dead, a Creator that's abandoned you and the Devil himself standing before you," his movements unnatural as he moved around her prone form, "Give up and I promise it'll be quick."
Hana grimaced but said nothing as Tam leaned forward and the blade slowly pierced her bicep.
"Nothing?" He looked into her eyes with near fanatical glee as he continued to push forward, "I know the code of the Bushido teaches you not to let pain control you but this is unreal," another slice and Hana's thigh was carved open with the precision of a surgeon, "Still nothing?"
Hana's piercing gaze was barely enough to convince him as Tam's hand tightened on his blade.
With great effort, Hana pushed herself to her feet and swayed listlessly before him.
She whistled quietly and a hint of a smile appeared on her lips as she saw the results of her whistle.
Tam shook his head and brought his blade up for a decapitating strike, "Any last words you wish to say before meeting your creator?"
Hana smiled, "Here boy."
The blade moved.
Tam screamed.
Blood sprayed.
Hana stood victorious as Tam lurched back, his right hand still holding his sword splashing uselessly into the mud.
"My father called this the Yamanouchi blade but I think 'Pig Sticker' has a nice ring to it, no?" Hana's eyes gleamed as she tossed the Yamanouchi Blade into the air and caught it behind her back, letting the blade twirl and sing as she dropped into a fighting stance.
She looked at the amputated hand in the mud, "Heh, the 'right' moment."
Tam hacked wildly with his blade but Hana easily stopped his blade and backhanded him into frozen people in the courtyard, "My father's sword comes to me when I call."
Tam tumbled among the frozen, knocking bodies aside like bowling pins and he came to a stop in the mud.
Tam pushed himself up, still cradling his stump but Hana was waiting for him. She never said a word as she parried his sword and swatted at him with the flat of her blade.
All traces of her former wounds were gone as Hana launched into Tam with a fury she herself didn't know she possessed.
Hana's assault on Tam continued unhindered as she launched into his attack, beating back any traces of resistance from Tam.
A counter attack from Tam only wound up with his blade being deflected into a frozen Lowardian as Hana pushed him up to a wall and froze with her blade millimeters from his neck.
Her eyes tightened, "I should kill you."
The blade pressed into his skin, tiny droplets of blood appearing.
"But I won't," she pulled the blade away and turned her back on him, "You're not worth it."
She took several steps forward before hearing a sound behind her.
She turned back just in time to see Tam backhand her with his remaining hand, all semblance of his collected self were gone, and all that remained was the monster inside.
Wordless screams erupted from his as he began his attack anew.
Sword strike.
Clang
A near deflection from Hana.
Thrust.
A perfect parry.
A wild swing.
Easily batted away.
Hana found herself being pushed back by the monster before her, all her form and precision amounting to nothing as the Creator's right hand assaulted her with everything in his arsenal and that was when Hana realized the awful truth:
He'd been toying with her from the start.
She had never been in control.
The broadsword appeared in Tam's hand again and he brought his sword down on Hana's katana.
Clang
Hana trembled as the force reverberated through her tiny body.
The sword fell again.
Bong
Hana's feet slid back in the mud as the sword fell again.
Crick-Crack
Hana's eyes widened as a crack appeared in the Yamanouchi Sword.
Clang-pshhh
Hana tumbled back into the mud, scrambling away from the madman before her, bits of the Yamanouchi sword bursting around her as the sword broke before the relentless assault.
"YOU HAVE LOST!" Tam screamed at her, his eyes red with fury.
The skies boiled over as his power tore apart the heavens, "I WILL DESTROY EVERYTHING YOU KNOW AND LOVE!"
Hana scrambled backwards, dragging her body through the carnage as Tam stalked after her.
thump
Hana gasped as she backed into a stone wall, the wet rock scorched after countless battles.
Tam strode to her huddled form and before a plea could appear on her lips his blade pierced her heart.
"You could have been a god," he accused in rage as he pulled the blade out and stabbed again, "But you chose to be his puppet!"
Hana gasped in pain as the steel pierced her, "And you wasted your potential. The gift he lavished on you," Hana wheezed as blood filled her lungs, "You wasted them like a fool."
Tam pulled his blade out, "I'll tell the Creator you send your regards."
Hana trembled as the blade left her and she felt her life fading away, "Don't do this Tam."
With the last bits of her strength, Hana reached out and grabbed Tam's leg, "You don't have to do this Tam."
Tam kicked his leg free and watched as Hana's eyes glassed over, "That's where you're wrong puppet: I do."
Hana's head slumped down as she breathed her last and Tam took a step back before wandering off into the chaos before vanishing altogether and time started again.
July 9th, 2012
Walt Disney Corporate Headquarters
9:03 P.M.
Tam's eyes returned to focus as he looked across the table and watched as his Creator sank into a leather office chair, "Now," he smiled dangerously, "Where did we leave off?"
Disclaimer: I own Nothing, Disney owns it all.
Author Notes: It has been far too long since I've been on here but I just wanted you all to know that I'm still alive and kicking. My ultimate plan is to finish this story before Christmas so here's hoping. Thanks for putting up with the delay, life gets in the way sometimes.
Special thanks goes to all the people who have reviewed and commented and PM'd me during my absence, you all deserve medals or TRS points for your support.
Thanks to Twuscany(Thanks for contacting me during my absence and checking in to make sure I was still breathing), Mr. Wizard (Going through every chapter and reviewing it was greatly appreciated), Katsumara (Ron might still make an appearance, you don't know), Karon19 (The language was actually windings), Eddy13 (Everything is coming to the final head and I hope it lives up to your expectations), Sentinel103 (Characters can drive a story, but story holds the map) and CajunBear73 (We're all going to the end now good buddy, here's hoping for an awesome ride)
Until next time,
TRS