Disclaimer: I don't own "Rick and Morty".

Author's Note: If you're confused, you'll find out later. (Just...trust me, okay?)

Earth Dimension: D14o

Year: -124043 A.S. (After Sunset)

It was Rick's fifteenth birthday-otherwise known as "the year without the sun". He wasn't expecting any visitors to come and celebrate. (Why would he? He knew all too well that the 'Gaurdian' frowned upon it.) The 'Gaurdian' would probably just treat it just like any other day, which it was; he was just a year 'younger' than last year, was all.

Normally he wouldn't care, but this year actually was pretty big, as far as years would go. It meant that Project Möbius was going exactly how the 'Gaurdian' hoped it would go. If things continued like this, he might even get to help design the newest ship model next year. For now, he'd simply have to watch from a distance and do whatever the 'Gaurdian' wanted, because that was how you were supposed to learn.

Rick had yearned for a book from the 'Gaurdian's shelf that he'd eyed many times over the years, but there was no expecting of presents of course. He had all he needed: a spot to sleep, and a place to think. Food came later, but that was a luxury. Warmth was a secondary comfort to a good night's sleep and just as rare, but he was always happy to find a metal jug sitting on the floor when he awoke.

It was always the happiest time when he could forget any nightmares and tilt back the generous contents of the jug down his gullet, and savor the silky smooth green liquid. It always left a little foam on his lower lip, but he didn't really care; all that mattered was that his belly felt full, and his mind felt fed.

One time, he'd dared to ask the 'Gaurdian' what was in the potent elixer. "Ah….you have arrived," was all the 'Gaurdian' replied-and while it hadn't answered his question, it felt like a compliment, one that nearly made Rick break down with gratitude, because the 'Gauardian' rarely spoke, or even looked him in the eye. This time, the old man with the leathery face and hair the color of Arctic ice looked him straight in the eye, and Rick almost trembled with unabashed relief.

He didn't bring it up again, but years later, Rick would discover the elixer contained 'Megaseed juice'. These 'Megaseeds' held a powerful extract that, if consumed, could change you in ways you could only imagine. Back then, Rick would cherish the special drink that always left him floating in the clouds for awhile, before the 'Gaurdian' called him to go on one of their 'errands', and he had to come back down to Earth.

This year Rick was more than surprised-he was shocked beyond reason-when something else was left on the hard cement floor, beside the jug of elixer, as well as a note. The note said, "Project Möbius is going as planned. You will know why soon enough. Take good care of Winston, Boy. You will soon realize why you must never lose sight of him. Hold him to your chest and remember, because they never forget."

At first, Rick just sat there, wondering if he should touch it. Curiosity got the better of him, however, and he picked up the tattered stuffed animal by the trunk. The elephant had one eye that was nearly worn off, and the other eye stared straight into his soul. Rick sat there looking at the elephant and shivered. This didn't seem right. It didn't seem like the 'Gaurdian' to do this. Why would the 'Gaurdian' have given him such a gift?

However, the longer he stared into that elephant's eyes, a strange thing happened: a kind of sensation that Rick could only describe as….warmth...came over him, and it was so strong that something jerked itself loose inside of him, and Rick jumped back, horrified, throwing the elephant clear across the little room. He stared blankly across the floor at the abandoned elephant that continued to stare right through him with its one soulless eye. Rick shivered, and felt something wet on his hand-but-what was it? He hadn't ever experienced anthing like it before. What was…..happening to him?

It as then that Rick noticed something else, laying on the floor there right next to the note. (How could he have missed it?) It was a key. Rick sat up immediately, mystified. Was it-could it-really be? The key-to his...room? And that made Rick shake even harder; he nearly started to whimper with what he could only imagine was that thing the 'Gaurdian' had told him would hep him one day...that thing everyone else would call "fear". (Why would he leave him the key, just let him….?)

The elephant forgotten, Rick shoved himself up and ran straight for his freedom. With shaking fingers he drew the key through the small opening in the door that let in fresh air, and, after dropping it once, he somehow (in spite of the shaking), managed to fit the key straight into the lock. That was it-he was out-out-OUT! Rick stood trembling in the airy, dimly lit, dungeon-like chamber of the hallway. Any other day he would have been thrilled but, something...none of this made any sense. No-something about all of this was just very, very wrong.

He remembered the way to the laboratory from here, and ran there without a second thought. As soon as he came to the doorway, Rick stopped at once in his tracks, all the air knocked out of him, and he nearly fainted at the sight in front of him:

There was the 'Gaurdian', sitting on the floor, legs splayed out in front of him, staring back at Rick with empty, soulless eyes, bleeding profusely from a gaping hole in his head-

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Earth Dimension C139

Year: 2015

Rick sat up abruptly in bed, desperately gasping for breath. It took a second to realize where he was-that he was alone, where he always slept now, back in the Smith family home. An unexpected sigh of relief escaped him and he almost laughed out loud at his foolishness as his head fell back against the pillow. Here he was…. still on this godforsaken planet known as Earth Dimension C139.

For a second, the laughter continued when he thought he'd stopped, and for a moment there Rick feared he might be losing his mind. Now, more than ever, he desperately needed a drink. Rick tore out of bed and headed straight for downstairs.

He was halfway down the stairs when the laughter started again-only-something didn't feel right about it. No, Rick realized with a sinking sensation, that wasn't laughter at all. It was crying. SHIT. He would have continued to head straight back for bed if not for a voice that stopped him in his tracks. "She's so beautiful," Summer was saying. "Isn't she, Jerry? Isn't she gorgeous?"

Wait-what? Who in the hell was she talking about? Rick froze on the stairwell and turned slowly around. Ducking his head under the railing, he could just make an image took up not just the television, but the entire far wall:

A woman with flowing blond hair, youthfully beautiful, and holding up what looked like a bulky blanket in her hands. No-not a blanket-a baby. The woman smile down at the baby in her arms. "Can you believe it! She's just so gorgeous!" gushed the woman with swelling pride.

A falling sensation made Rick lower himself down on the stairs and grip the railings, poking his head through to get a better look. He'd know that voice anywhere.

Beth. Holding baby Summer.

"Can you believe it Jerry?" Beth kept gushing, "we're PARENTS!"

"Well….yeah, sure," came Jerry's even-toned voice from somewhere beyond the camera's lense, "babies, they're always perfect little bundles of joy..."

Rick winced as Beth, seemingly having not noticed the sarcasm, completely ignored the remark. "I just can't believe it," she kept saying as she cradled the babe in her arms, "we're parents, Jerry! You...and ME! PARENTS!"

"Yeah," muttered Jerry from his sanctuary behind the camera, "I know."

A sob escaped from the couch and soon he could hear Summer weeping.

Pathetic, Rick thought, his stomach churning violently, doing flip-flops and threatening to rebel against him once again. With all the strength he could muster, he forced himself up the stairs, barely able to see straight, the path in front of him a blur.

He stopped at Morty's bedroom and took a quick look in. The kid was lying in the same position, but at least Summer had left some of the sheet on. However, Rick noted that she had taken Winston with her. Bitch. Rick There was nothing left to do but head back to bed, hoping his mind would reward him with the luxurious absence of dreams.