Author's Notes. I am back! I have no excuses other than stating that my updating schedule will never be as it was a year ago. No more daily updates anymore, sadly. However, despite the schedule being erratic and exceptionally lacking, I can assure you that chapters (when they are finally prepared) will always be posted on either Wednesday or Tuesday in the afternoon. Keep an eye out! Now let's take a moment to address some reviews.
SuperVegito33: Yep! Here they come!
Salvadorian Moose: You do that on purpose. You know that I made a mistake.
Madmanwithafork: The UNSC/Covenant war in the Halo dimension is actually taking place in one single galaxy. It is a mere trifle compared to the Amethyst wars, and so that dimension is in no trouble of being unstable. They also have no galaxy-wide nukes. The Dark Souls dimension, however, has an extremely unstable timeline. So many heroes from so many different Dark Souls alternate realities invading and aiding one another (invaders/summons). There are just so many space/time disruptions...
Austin xj liu: Ahhh... Franklin. During the latter half of the first season he was my favorite Dimensional Traveler because of how you could see his character develop over time. It was a shame to see him go; however, that is not the last you will see of him. Verily, I am planning to return some well-known beings in season 4... You never know, he might be one of them. Also, don't let my story be the only source of Dimensional Traveler adventures for you. If you want more of someone... then write about it! There are already a couple derivations in progress about different Dimensional Travelers, and I welcome more.
FocusedStream: I am also happy to see Lyric and Summer back in action! They were one of the main reasons season 2 even exists! Also, I agree that Joseph is one of the best of the travelers. He has changed so much over the years...
Right! That is all for now! Now enjoy the story!
Dimension: My Little Pony
Planet: Equestria Earth
Specific Location: Canterlot
Time: Two days after Lyric and Summer set out into the Southern Jungle
"Are you really going back to Canterlot?" asked Pumpkin, almost a whine. "You just got here!"
"I know," sighed Starlight, "But now that I am being forced – take note I said 'forced' mind you – to go to Equidor to act as a meatshield, I want to see my parents. My mom is going to have a baby and I have no idea if I will be by her side when they are born."
"Considering the circumstances, I am surprised you aren't furious," said Pound, looking at his friend with a calm eye. A smile twitched at his lips. "Oh, I forgot… You're probably murdering someone on the inside."
Starlight could not help but chuckle. "Some hardships leave a permanent mark, Pound. Your comment saved the poor imaginary pony's life though."
"Oookkkayyyy… This is getting weird. How about we see you to Canterlot station?" snorted Pumpkin. "And don't worry: we'll keep Luna company. But the moment we get a chance we'll be by your side."
Starlight couldn't help but ruffle Pound's hair despite the fact that he was a couple years older than her. "Thanks, you two. I don't know what I'd do without you. Come. Let's get a move-on before I suddenly find myself train-less."
The trio began to trot down through the bright and colorful streets of Canterlot.
"Soooo… What do you think of this whole Equidor-Stallion Empire situation?" asked Pumpkin, looking to her friend Starlight.
Starlight shrugged. "Overall I am unsure. The thing that bothers me the most is that, despite their best efforts to hide it, Celestia and Luna are scared of the Stallion Empire. I can see it in their eyes."
"The Stallion Empire has a massive army, a massive airforce, and a massive navy. Their soldiers are brutal, and they will raze and rape anyone in an occupied zone. I am sure you can understand why they are worried about starting a war," commented Pound.
Starlight sighed. "You're right, Pound. I suppose I can see why Canterlot shows such interest in mediating peace, but I am still bothered that we are showing fear. The Equidorian people depend on larger nations like us to protect them from bullies like the Stallion Empire… Where will the world be when supernations like us bow to the force of evil?"
Still trying to be logical, Pound blinked slowly as he said, "How do we know the Stallion Empire is even evil?"
"Pound… I have seen what it is to be truly living in the 'gray area' of morality. I have seen true evil… the Stallion Empire and their actions pretty match up with what I have seen in the past," replied Starlight, without breaking her trot.
"Well… Okay then!" interjected Pumpkin, tossing her man as she eyed Starlight. "What do you think we should do if there is a war? How do we protect against an empire which would never be averse to dropping bombs on area populated solely by innocent civilians? Do you think Celestia will call in Dimensional Travelers to aid her? We know at least a dozen of those guys who would come en masse to protect her… Well, more like to protect Fluttershy and Sunset Shadow, but you know what I mean. They WOULD come if we needed help… right?"
Starlight bit her bottom lip worriedly. "I… don't know. No one has seen Flaming Star or Twilight Sparkle in over a year, and there hasn't been any news about the Brother's in Arms Corps in decades. The only one who shows up occasionally is Doxia, but he refuses to use any of his powers… I suppose that is his own way of showing his resentment for the way he and his friends were treated during the xenophobic hell that rose here in Equestria after the Paradox died."
Pound looked down at his hooves as he remembered Flaming Star and Twilight Sparkle. They had been very kind to him when he was struggling through his younger years. Remembering that they had left to explore the multiverse over a year ago made him worry for their safety like they had left yesterday. "T-they might come back… You never know."
"True… But as you said: 'you never know.' We don't know, so we're going to have to work to protect ourselves," murmured Starlight, her own mind dwelling worriedly on her parents; probably the most timid and kind ponies she knew ever. And to think one of them had been an almighty Dimensional Traveler in decades past.
The group lapsed into a silence as they neared the train station. The train was just drawing up to the Canterlot platform. The shrill whistle of the train blasted into the air with a hiss of steam. Starlight turned to Pumpkin and Pound. "I know you two want to be with me when I get my assignment, but please stay with Luna for as long as you can. You saw how hurt she is… and you know how hurt Samuel is as well. They need comfort…"
"Until her no-good son scraps up whatever courage he has left to admit he's a coward," muttered Pumpkin. Pound bumped her shoulder gently to let her know that she should curb her tongue.
Starlight winced. "August Dellor will come around… someday. I hope. Well… I'm off now. I will see you in a couple days or so!"
Starlight turned tail and trotted into the train as the doors opened and ponies began to flow in and out of the vehicle, intent on their own personal business. Starlight bustled her way through the flow of traffic into one of the cars. She plopped herself down and slumped over, blowing a strand of stray mane out of her face in a rather roguish manner. As she sat there, she began to think back on Harvest Snowfall. The name still bothered her exceptionally, but her memory refused to divulge what it remembered on that name. She shook her head. In her heart she felt that it was somehow pertinent, very pertinent one might say. She needed to look into the matter deeply after she arrived at Ponyville… and after she visited her parents.
As the sun was setting, the train pulled up to the Ponyville Train Station. The moment she stepped out of the train she was assaulted by Aunt Pinkie Pie… Which was always the case.
"Oooooh! Lookie who's back!" the pink mare exclaimed in an overly-enthusiastic manner as she threw a hoof about Starlight's shoulders and gave her a huge side-hug. "How ya doin'?!"
Starlight took the violation of her personal space in stride and smiled. "A little flustered from the current situations back in Caterlot, Auntie Pinkie, but nothing too huge really. I am really glad to be back here to hang out with you all. How's my mom?"
"Juuuussssssstttt dandy!" said Pinkie happily. "She's been takin' it slow, but then again, when hasn't ole Fluttershy taken it slow?!"
"And my dad?"
"Pssshhhh… By Fluttershy's side like always. Now you listen here, young'un: Back in my day, your daddy was the spiffin' image of a psychotic mass-murderer! In fact, the first time I met him he had killed his girlfriend! A real chick-catcher!"
Starlight winced self-consciously as Pinkie Pie ran her mouth off. "I am sure. They at home?"
"They sure are! Come on! Let's go!"
Pinkie seized Starlight's right front hoof and dragged her down the streets of Ponyville. Many ponies that were passed by stopped whatever they were doing to wave happily at Starlight. As one of the greatest, friendliest, and most patient teachers that Ponyville had ever seen, she was extremely popular.
Several minutes and a dozen hoof-shakes later and the two were outside of Sunset Shadow and Fluttershy's cottage. Pinkie rapped on the door energetically as Starlight caught her breath.
"Helllooooo? Joseph? Guess who is home!" Pinkie shouted into the keyhole set in the front door.
A moment later the door opened to reveal an exhausted Sunset Shadow. "I swear, Pinkie, you call me 'Joseph' because I asked you not to."
He turned to look at his daughter. He mustered a smile and waved to her. "Hey there, sweetie. How are you?"
"Just dandy compared to you, dad," snorted Starlight. She patted Pinkie on the back as she trotted up to stand by her father's side. "You look dead-tired. Is mom being that much trouble?"
"Not at all. You know your mother. I just can't bear to sleep when she's having contractions… which is like all the time at this point."
"Ooooh! I could watch Fluttershy!" offered Pinkie, a little too enthusiastically.
Sunset Shadow could not help but grin a little bit despite the fact that he was practically falling over. "Thanks, Pinkie, but in the case of watching a sleeping Fluttershy… I would trust you as far as I could throw you."
Pinkie pulled a face and rolled her eyes as she muttered, "That would have been pretty darn far if you hadn't let the Kytax take your powers away from you…"
Eyes drooping, Sunset Shadow waved a hoof in a randomly picked direction. "Totally. Why don't you go do something like make a cake for your nephew and niece? I hear Pound and Pumpkin are taking care of Luna – poor mare – and I bet they could use their own concoction of confidence-boosting."
Pinkie winked, bouncing back in an instant. "Good idea. Okie dokie lokie! I'm off! See-ya!"
With that, the over-energetic, mostly-insane, fourth-wall-breaking pony shot away to Sugar Cube Corner. Sunset Shadow blew out a long breath. He turned to give his daughter a side-long glance. A small smile twitched at his face. "It's the Pinkie Pie. What else can you do?" he mumbled.
Starlight took her dad by the hoof and led him over to a couch where he flopped down. She settled down beside him and gave him a warm hug.
"You're not taking these all-nighters very well, are you dad?" she chuckled.
"I spent the first-half of my life as a Dimensional Traveler!" grumbled Sunset Shadow. "A sheer mountain range couldn't stop me! Let alone a couple of consecutive all-nighters…"
"So would you prefer to go back on your request to the Kytax?" asked Starlight, still grinning.
"Nah," sighed Sunset Shadow, resting his head on the arm of the couch. "Near-immortality was never for me. It's not a gift. It's like a… a… a dark cloud, hanging over your head. It may seem exciting for a bit, but after a while all it does is put strain on your soul. Remember Pictor? The thought of being unable to die drove him crazy… until he finally was killed. Perhaps that is why Flaming Star left with Twilight Sparkle. The two have ridiculously long life-spans… mayhap they are trying to wash away the long stretch in their lives by exploring like the Dimensional Lord Meadolax did before he settled down. I don't know. To some it may seem like I am being left behind with all these Dimensional Travelers and Dimensional Lords running around nowadays… But to me I feel like I am the only one truly blessed. Nature will claim me and my beautiful wife one day… Then you… Then your grandchildren… Then your great-grandchildren… Then your great-great-grandchildren… And during all that time there will be Flaming Star, standing upon his pedestal of the ages, watching everyone he ever knew die. As my friend Daniel Dragoon once said: 'Being a Dimensional Traveler is like being locked up and watching your friends being executed in a row; and the name of the executioner is Time.'"
Starlight's smile had died slowly over the course of her father's speech as she considered what he said. However, when he finished she smiled again, though this one was more of a sad smile if anything. "You're right, of course, dad. But at this time I think we should be thinking more on the new life that will be born into this world as opposed to the old lives that will be extinguished at a later time."
Sunset Shadow nodded with his eyes closed, still dozing slightly. "You're right, of course, daughter. Your time as a fighter has made you so much wiser…"
"How's my big brother?" asked Starlight, glancing at her dozing father.
"Desmond? He's fine. Right now he's doing some work in Manehattan, but he is extremely excited about the oncoming new addition to our little family and will definitely be home when Fluttershy gives birth… He misses you sorely as well, you know that?"
Starlight smiled. "I miss him as well. I can't wait to see him."
Sunset Shadow chuckled. "I've seen so much pain and suffering in my years… I can't help but chuckle at the fact that we are so… so… so… fortunate…"
Sunset Shadow's voice drifted as he began to fall into a slumber. Starlight Amber grabbed a blanket with her teeth and gently tossed it over the back of her tired father. However, as she tip-hoofed out of the room, Sunset Shadow called out in a voice laden with tiredness: "Harvest Snowfall… That name gave me pause as well a couple hours after you mentioned it in Canterlot. It reminds me of something, but I just can't put my hoof on it yet. We need more information, and I know where you can find some. I suggest you check the basement of Flaming Star and Twilight Sprakle's castle. Flaming Star and Twilight have stored so much stuff down there, you are probably going to find at least a whisper of something there. But please make sure your mother is okay before you go."
Starlight nodded. "Got it, dad."
She trotted upstairs as her father drifted into a deep sleep. Upstairs in the master bedroom, lying upon the king's-sized bed, was her mother Fluttershy, her stomach bloated with child. She was fast asleep, probably from having stayed up the whole night along with Sunset Shadow. Starlight made sure to see if her breathing was gentle before she closed the door and cantered to the front door. She eased it open to find a large box with a cake in it outside. A little present from Pinkie Pie. Starlight pushed it gently into the interior of the cottage before closing the door behind her and making her way to the Friendship Castle near the center of Ponyville.
It took her only a score of minutes or so to get there. She tried the double-door. It swung open soundlessly on its hinges, unlocked as always.
"We Ponyville ponies are too trusting," muttered Starlight as she went on in, closing the door behind her. She took a moment to check everything to ensure all elements in the interior of the building were in the same place. Nothing had moved since the two owners of the castle had vanished a year ago to endlessly explore the multiverse and its expanses. If anything, things had been added. An occasional additional drape here, a shiny new gem there. No doubt a sign that Rarity still took it upon herself to ensure that the place was "perfect" for when Twilight came back… eventually. Starlight grinned to herself, thinking that, as she made her way to the basement. A long stairwell led down to a brightly lit basement.
Despite the fact this place was indeed a castle, it definitely had no jail in its depths. Instead there were rows and rows of large bookcases and piles of crates full of artifacts, treasure, and files stuffed with paper. Despite the grandness of the scale of all this store knowledge, none of it compared to the centerpiece of the basement. A massive metal globe of steel hovered in the middle of the room. It was tailored to look exactly like the planet, with even the rises of mountains and the dips of valleys inscribed upon the metallic surface. Even the paint was perfect and laser-precise. Upon in were countless flags and strings connecting different areas to another, and sticky notes were placed upon many different locations. Beside the hovering sphere was a gigantic whiteboard. The areas of the whiteboard that weren't covered in age-old marker writing was plastered with dusty papers, aged photographs, and yellowed sticky notes.
This was the setup that Flaming Star had used in the years past when he was searching for his fallen daughter, Summer Constellation when her plane had been shot from the sky with an energy missile from above. Starlight, being the sympathetic being that she was, immediately felt a lump rise in her throat. Even though she had been far away when the search began for the fallen Summer, she could image the pain that must have coursed through the bodies of Flaming Star and Twilight Shadow. Their only child… killed in a violent and tragic event… Such a beautiful child killed in an instant, so sudden…
"Perhaps that is why they never had more children," murmured Starlight as she looked at the gigantic globe, rotating upon its axis lazily.
Absently-mindedly, she trotted up to the model of the earth and traced a hoof across the surface, wiping away the thick layers of grime and dust that coated it. It was clear Flaming Star had abandoned this place many years ago. She tapped a small marker that marked the town of Ponyville. She traced a hoof along the colored strings that cataloged the supposed path of the Grand Pegasus airplane that Summer had been upon before it was shot down near the Northern Mountains of the Stallion Empire. She then turned about and trotted away, to look at the whiteboard. She blew on it gently, and then began to cough loudly as her breath knocked forth ages-worth of dust and filth from the dry and cracked papers strapped to the whiteboard. Rubbing her eyes, she peered closer at the writing covered the thing.
Notes about "looking here" or "talking to this pony there" covered the places not already covered with newspaper clipping cataloging the ongoing search for the fallen plane or covered with marker writing calculating the possible descending velocities and the percentage chances of survival from a fall. Starlight shook her head and took a step back, she glanced behind her as her back hoof tapped something. It was a crumpled piece of paper. Upon closer inspection she found that it was a newspaper clipping. She sat down on her haunches amidst the dust and unfolded the thing to inspect it.
The headlines read: "THE STALLION EMPIRE CALLS OFF SEARCH FOR DOWNED AIRPLANE."
Starlight sighed sadly. She understood now why this had been crumpled up and cast aside. She continued to read it.
"After a month-long search in the far reaches of the Northern Mountains in the Stallion Empire, the Stallion Empire branch of the international search-and-rescue organization has called off the search for the remaining wreckage of downed Grand Pegasus flight X67319, which was supposedly destroyed by a meteorite fragment. This decision was made by the branch co-director of the organization, Caramel Paradise, after the leader of this search-and-rescue mission, Harvest Snowfall, was killed in an avalanche, along with half of his team. The bodies of the fallen team members have been recovered and are awaiting burial at the Stallion Empire capital."
That was as far as Starlight Amber got. The paper fell from her hooves as her mind began to clock into overtime.
"So this is where I remember his name. He was in charge of finding Summer. Huh. Harvest Snowfall is supposed to be dead and buried, and yet here he is, live and well," Starlight Amber muttered to herself quietly, "Odd."
Dimension: Zerahypt
Planet: Terrahypt
Specific Location: Anthias
Time: Two days after Summer and Lyric ventured into the Southern Jungle
Dimensional Traveler Tenebris crouched in the silver sands of the desolate landscape, which stretched from horizon to horizon. "This was the weirdest place to run to," said Tenebris, glancing back his companions: Dimensional Traveler Anima Lupo, Dimensional Traveler Xavier Raptum, and Dimensional Traveler Batusi.
"I can see all the way to the edge of this desert, and nothing but a couple of shifting sand-dunes really exist to provide the refugee cover. Poor play, my demon friend," Tenebris said out loud, smiling as he visually scoured the land.
"If there is any form of cover, they would probably have utilized it," replied Anima, squinting over the vast silvery wasteland.
"I don't think that the sun overhead is actually really a sun," commented Xavier, the one who probably wasn't even listening to the ongoing conversation. "It's an imposter! Oh wait… It looks like a generator! Weird…"
"How many places pose feasible cover?" asked Batusi, pulling out his sword, readying himself for a confrontation.
"Pretty much anything that blocks the line of sight. The demon we are hunting is desperate, he might have even burrowed into the sands to avoid detection. He knows he is being followed," replied Anima still staring hard.
"Agreed. This may be the stupidest place to hide in, but I will admit this desert hands out more possibilities to hide than I would have previously thought…" muttered Tenebris. Suddenly his voice trailed off as he spotted something. "Over there! Twelve degrees southeast. Thirty kilometers out. You see the largest of that set of sand dunes? I am positive I saw it shift… and I bet you my aunt's pinny it wasn't the wind."
"Wildlife? Well, it is worth investigating nonetheless." Batusi said. He tapped Xavier on the arm. "Hey there, Xavier. We're moving again. Are you ever going to start paying attention?"
Xavier just laughed. "I'll start paying attention when the bolts of lightning and balls of fire start flying! But you all were saying something about a sand dune moving? Wildlife I bet."
"Might be. Might not be. We're on a hunt for a demon, let's not leave a stone unturned," replied Tenebris. In a second the four team members shimmered, warped, and then vanished, having been teleported by Tenebris to the unshielded side of the dune. If their quarry had moved the sand dune, they were hiding on the other side.
Tenebris nodded to his teammates, who spread out to different vantage points. Xavier gladly took the vanguard, pulling two large shotguns from beneath the voluminous dark blue cloak he wore. He crept up to the edge of the sand dune, using his control over his personal density to allow him to traverse the delicate sands without leaving a trace. He peeked over, then shot back down.
"I saw the back of the demon's head!" he exclaimed over a telepathic link to his teammates. "Boy is he ugly."
"Our course is clear then," replied Tenebris over the same link. "We've found him. Let's blow him up!"
"Xavier, take the front; Tenebris, you flank left; Batusi, you flank right. I'll take to the skies overhead to rain down fire if the occasion calls for it," communicated Anima. "On the count of three…"
Tenebris scrambled to the left side of the sand dune, calling up balls of energy to hover about his fists as he went. Batusi, still brandishing his sword, slid to the right side, just as Xavier took up his position, his massive pointed hat just poking over the rim of the pile of sloped sand. Anima began to rise into the air, energies akin to Homing Soulmasses beginning to coalesce about his shoulders. "Three… two… one… now!"
The group sprang into action. Xavier was the first over. He tripped on the hem of his cloak, flipped over, landed on his feet, and slid down the shielded side of the sand dune, firing his shotguns all the way. Tenebris and Batusi dashed around the corners of the sand dune with incredible speed, only to stop short at the sight that awaited them.
The head that Xavier had spotted was indeed belonging to the demon that they had been hired to hunt; however, there was one problem: It had been disconnected from the body. It was mounted on a spike, which was set deep into the earth beside a lawn chair. Lying upon the lawn chair was a man. He was dark-skinned, with fair hair and unusually radiance about his green-ish eyes. A smile played across his roughly-shaven face.
"It's about time you people show up," snorted the man, picking up a pair of sunglasses on one side of his chair and dropping them over his eyes. He then picked up a glass of lemonade that lay on the opposite side of the lawn chair and began to sip it.
"The demon you just killed… That was OUR quarry," said Tenebris, guarded and disgruntled. "Who hired you? Our employer? Some random rival?"
"No, not really. Both the employer and his rivals are freaking idiots. I mean seriously, who hunts demons these days? No one, that's who. Ever since the realms of Hell fell in fire and brimstone, the value of a demon's head or heart have dropped drastically. Plus, with Amethyst mobilizing to catch that Harold Dellor guy, I don't think jumping around like bunny rabbits hunting for a useless investment is safe. Don't you think?"
Anima stared sternly at the man. "Our reward for this monster's head was considerable."
The man laughed. "I know what the price is. Considerable? I bet your younger selves are laughing at you while they roll in their piles of riches. Anyone have time travel? I bet you a doubloon that if you go back in time you can see that they are laughing at you."
"Hey! I would remember if I was laughing at my future self," retorted Xavier, who was probably more interested in the fact that he was drinking lemonade than anything.
"Both ways, we needed that money, and you stole that from us. Do you know what we do to thieves?" mentioned Batusi quietly.
"You give them lemonade?" asked the man airily. Chuckling to himself, he waved away the tip of Batusi's sword (which was getting progressively closer to his right eyeball) and continued. "Don't worry about it. Here: Here is the payment you were promised by that guy who wanted this demon dead. Straight from his pocket… He just doesn't know it yet."
The man shoved his hand into the silvery particles that made up the land of Anthias and pulled up a medium-sized crate full of gold-plated latinum. He tossed it over to Xavier, who caught it and stowed it away in his cloak.
"Wait, wait, wait… You didn't come all the way over to this desolate place to kill our prey and pay is in return. I mean, if you did, then thanks… But that's not how the multiverse works. What do you want?" said Tenebris, eying the strange man.
"Oh! That's right! Of course! I was so caught up in laughing at Xavier's hat that I almost forgot: I have a job for you all."
Anima looked to Batusi and then Tenebris. "A job. Really? We'll humor you. What is it that you want done?"
"Simple! I need you to grab something somewhere, and then bring it to me!" exclaimed the man. He looked to Tenebris and Anima, who both looked like they were awaiting elaboration. He then cleared his throat and said, "Well… In the Skylock dimension, there is a land – called Carrion, if I recall correctly – that is pretty much crawling with those nasty little demons. Deep within this land there is a large tablet of stone. It is shaped like a pointed star, and it glows purple. I do believe it is stowed in the treasure room of the Iron Fortress, which is the centerpiece of the land. You go grab that shiny little tablet and bring it back… and we are allllll set!"
"You killed this demon without any effort, why don't you hunt for this tablet yourself?" said Batusi softly, still annoyed by the fact that this potential employer seemed determined to be rude to them.
"Because I'm really, really lazy!" exclaimed the man. He took a long draft from his glass of lemonade, making it clear that that was all they were getting from him on that subject.
"Okay. Sure. Whatever. What are you offering in return for this tablet?" pressed Tenebris, who was beginning to look interested. This stranger had pulled a case of gold-pressed latinum from the ground. What else did he have stowed away?
"Just a little something!" exclaimed the man. He snapped a finger, and a large glass case uncloaked at the base of his lawn chair. Inside the glass case was a long, snow-white greatsword.
"Holy macaroni…" breathed Xavier. "Doth my eyes deceiveth me? Is that the greatsword of Urthwyte the Mighty?"
"I bet you an apple to an acorn it is, weird wizard-looking dude!" snorted the stranger looking at Xavier with an amused eye. He snapped a finger again, and the sword rose from its glass case to hover half-a-meter above the palm of his hand. "Strange place… the Redwall dimension is. The beings there live in primitive times; and yet, from that same dimension, two of the most powerful weapons of all reality were crafted. Mind you, I would have bargained with the sword of Martin the Warrior, but he kind of is still alive and in the Rerenhaw Council. Dimensional Lord Doxia would serve my bottom up as beef bourguignon if I tried to steal it. Well? What do you think?"
Anima meticulously scanned the weapon. It was indeed the legendary greatsword. Deadlier than a lightsaber, sturdier than kilometer-thick wall of protosteel. He glanced at Tenebris.
"Well! You certainly make an attractive offer," said Tenebris, eyeing the blade. "However, if we do run into a great length of trouble, we will ask for additional compensation."
The stranger cupped an ear. "Oh golly! You hear that sound? That's the sound of no one caring!"
Tenebris rolled his eyes. "Okay. Great. However, how do we have an assurance that you will come back at a designated meeting place when we have the tablet?"
The stranger dropped the sword back into its glass case, and then placed a hand over his heart (except he was using his left hand, so he wasn't covering his heart at all). "Don't you trust me? You should. After all, I am willing to trade a massive sword for a rock covered in carvings…"
"That's something else," interjected Anima. "Why WOULD you do that? A tablet of rock for the fifth most powerful weapon in all of reality? Foolish trade if you ask me."
The stranger readjusted his sunglasses and settled back in his lawn chair. "Writing provides knowledge. You see… power is not determined by the strength of a man's arm of the sharpness of his blade. It is dependent upon the knowledge stored within his mind. Empires rise and fall from information, my friends. Well… that is enough philosophy for one day. I still haven't given you assurance that this isn't some non-April April Fools prank. You know what? Here, take this as a sign of my goodwill."
The stranger reached into the sands of Anthias once more and pulled out a chest full of even more gold-pressed latnium. He tossed it to Xavier with one hand, who fell over from its deceptively high weight. "I really want my little tablet. Do we have a deal?"
Tenebris snorted. "Sure thing. Meeting place?"
The stranger waved his hand in a randomly picked direction. "Here. This place is perfect for shady transactions."
Tenebris nodded slowly. "Riiiggghhhhtttt… Well, we have the information we need to start. By the way, what do we call you?"
The man stroked his chin. "Batman! Nah… Toklo? Harvey Dent? Lusa! No… That's a girl's name. Ummmm… Let's go with Bob. Because reasons."
Anima, who had been staring hard at Bob for this entire time nodded. "Right, Bob. We'll be off then."
Bob didn't even move from his lawn chair. "You do that. I'll just relax here. Oh! And be careful. The multiverse is rather large with unusual things. People don't stay alive unless they have an extra set of eyes."
Tenebris actually smiled. "That's why I have friends. Can you say the same?"
Bob just raised his glass in salute, and then continued to drink it. Tenebris shook his head and started to walk away.
"Are we going to do this job?" murmured Anima, catching up to Tenebris and walking in stride with him.
"I don't like it, and I don't like him," added Batusi.
"But he has Urthwyte's greatsword!" interjected Xavier, clearly a fan of Urthwyte's work.
Tenebris cocked his head to one side as he thought. "Yes… I think doing this job is a good idea. After all, if we find it, we get to take a look at the inscriptions on the tablet first."
Author's Notes. Many things have happened. Harvest Snowfall has been revealed and a possible conspiracy is being unearthed... And now you have a good first look at the new team that will drop in. To all those people who have previously submitted Dimensional Traveler OCs: do not worry. Now that multiverse-wide dimension-jumping is back in business, I will take every opportunity to toss in references to the veterans (the ones that are still alive, of course). Well, I hope you enjoyed the most recent chapter. Like always (well, that is not true... most of the time, anyways) I enjoyed writing it for you all.
Please leave a review of what you thought? Also, which of the old Dimensional Travelers from season 1 who have been gone for a while would you like to show up? Let me know! If you do, you get a cookie. But don't eat it. This cookie was made during the advent of the first season of "A Mending Soul." It is stale. Like a rock. It's also invisible.