You took off through the gate and something crashed heavily behind you. You turned as stone and dust flew towards you. You slithered forward just in time as a section of the colosseum collapsed, creating a wall of rubble between you and the Aqua.
It was not a huge pain since you could teleport. Really, everyone should know how to teleport, it solved so many issues.
You were still in your Sorcerer's garb, you had time to change if you needed to. The tunnel ahead turned sharply to the right, heading down underground. Tight spaces made the thoughts of casting bombastic magic a little unwise. You flicked your book and the cascade of pale green lights shimmered over you form.
With the healthiest you were going to get, you shifted your class, feeling the bucket-like helmet settle on your face. In your hand formed the jagged blade with many teeth, the edge looking like it was dying to sink its edge into something.
You took off, feeling vitality and energy filling your limbs. The difference between Sorcerer and Warrior was the feeling of one giving you supreme satisfaction and success, while the other was like a runner's high that never quite ended. They were empty feelings, more like a mold where one should fill with their own emotions, but it was nice enough to have the 'shape' at least.
You ran down the ramp and the flickering torch lights illuminated the white pillars and arches that seemed to be the theme of this world. Great long murals depicted great fights that must have happened in the arena. A great titan of ice trying to crush three stout warriors, a bird wizard, some hound knight, and a boy pointing a key...
"Another Keyblade wielder? I wonder if Muffin or Cookie knows them?" you mused before shaking your head.
You moved on quickly, ignoring the other images like two winged men clashing with massive blades, and others. You hadn't the time to whimsically tour as Stitch and his cousin were being carried away defenceless by two of Hades' lackeys.
You rushed into a large area that would Greek's version of a locker room. Only in this locker room, weapons lined every surface and in the center was a huge depression where water would fill to make a bath.
Straight ahead were the two strange imp creatures. One with bulbous eyes and green, the other pig-like and cruel.
"I believe you have something that doesn't belong to you," you called and both of them paused in mad whispering to slowly turn to you.
"Uh... Pain, isn't that the guy that Hades didn't want to win?" the green on asked slowly.
"Well, not win and maybe lose... He didn't say 'lose'. The wording is important, Panic," the pink one commented. 'Panic' eye's lit up.
"Right!" he agreed.
You actually pitied the God of Death if this was his workforce.
"Return my friend and his cousin," you insisted calmly. Pain held up two blue spheres, making the dancing around his claws.
"Oh these? I dunno... I might use them as ping pong balls later," he grinned and threw them up in the air before swallowing them with a forked tongue. He gulped, tasting them and then shrugging
"Keep them safe for later," he mused then smacked Panic with a huff, "It's only the weirdo, Panic... we can take him. He doesn't even have a soul! Imagine if we win!" Pain prompted and Panic stopped looking like he was three seconds away from having a heart attack.
"If... 'If' is good," the little demon grinned with delight.
Well... they had chosen to give you the spheres the painful way. Surgery by sword. You moved as they spent time grinning at each other. This gave you the initiative with ease.
"Hold still, this will not hurt me much," you warned as you swung your sword at them.
Speed roll:
Era: 99
Pain: 86
Panic: 29
You were so fast you slashed out with a snicker and a snack, bisected Pain easily who looked somewhere between his normal form and a snake.
Pain HP: ∞/∞
Pain screamed and his pink form misted back together as he scrambled to get away as the two balls rolled past you and Panic.
You moved in and Panic tried to become some chameleon with horrid eyes to use his tongue to scoop the spheres up. You made to cut him off, by literally cutting him off at the tongue. You moved past, Twilight Fang glinting and Panic let loose a screech as his new tongue fell to the ground before poofing into green smoke.
You had an inkling you weren't able to kill Pain or Panic in their home world... but they clearly felt pain and their willpower was...
Panic looked around and turned into some tiny fish, vanishing down the bath's drain, leaving you guarding the two spheres that gave soft smacking noises as they landed in the bath as well, narrowly avoiding the many drains.
Pain wasn't happy as demonstrated by the fact he turned into a bull with pointy horns. You jumped into the bath and scooped up both Spheres as he finished, stamping the ground with his hooves, rushing in. You tried Reversal out of the way, but the bath's design, but Pain's willingness to inflict... well, pain on you made you far too slow to avoid the sheer mass of a bull crashing into you.
The spheres in your hand went flying up as you were smashed hard into one of the siren-like water taps, causing it to collapse and the pipe inside to burst furiously. Water flowed into the bath, barely getting ankle deep before drains took it away.
It didn't stop the pain that you felt.
HP: 1815
Your body resisted most of the physical blow, mostly due to Pain's own bad form and blind anger.
Then came to the twin sounds of splashes.
Pain the bull turned slowly to see Stitch and Reuben standing up with flicking ears. Stitch looked from Pain, the damaged fountain, and to you, where Pain's horns were trying to impale you.
"Hello, Stitch, may I have a hand or four?" you asked and there was a gulp from Pain who melted into what you think was a worm, vanishing in the drain but Stitch moved, scoping him up and snarling.
Reuben rubbed his neck with a sigh before moving over to some lantern-like thing nearby.
"Here, Cuz," he offered and Stitch threw the panicking Pain into the metal and glass thing. You watched as Pain tried to become a sparrow, a snake, a rat, then finally something that was too big and just ended up filling the space, unable to form the weight or mass needed to break the lantern.
"I need a vacation," Pain said, finally settling into a tiny form of an angry cricket.
"Lucky cricket!" Stitch said, grinning a little evilly at the personification of pain. You shook him just a little and imagined feeling better.
"Yes. Lucky," you agreed.
Exp gained: 15.
You explained to the aliens the fight above and they took off to clear the rubble with their insane strength. You lingered, eyeing the weapons.
"Let me out! I can... er... grant a wish!" Pain tried. You eyed him flatly.
"I wish you'd be quiet," you warned before banishing him to that nothing space that held all your treasures. He was still aware as he began to protest slightly in the back of your mind like psychic tinnitus.
You saw most weapons were old, rusted, or simply decorative. There were three items that caught your eye.
A round silver shield with imagery of animals, items, and men sleeping, their thoughts forming weaves. They were delivered to a man resting on a couch, surrounded by loyal sons.
Shield of Hypnos: Negate sleep attacks and able to sense magic that targets dreams. Does D3 blunt damage. Negates 2 magic and 1 physical damage. Crit damage inflicts sleep.
The next was a bow in the shape of a crescent moon. It's string silverly as if woven by silk. The bow itself seemed to be carved with countless beasts of the wild.
Bow of the Hunt: Does 7 damage. Grant a +10 modifier if used against any animal foes. +10 to accuracy. Sharpshooter/?
The final item looked to be of some sort of circlet. Not fancy enough for royalty, but a power unto itself.
Band of Pythia: Increase Dodge by 2. Increase rolls of Psychic class by 1. Only three accessories may be equipped at once.
You liked the bow. It was silver... you were silver.
It twanged.
You sometimes twanged.
It was perfect.
Bow of the Hunt gained! Sharpshooter/?
As you waited on Stitch and Reuben making a stable hole out (they declined the portal of darkness and terror, weirdly enough) you focused on improving yourself. First... the Sharpshooter class. You poured essence into it.
Sharpshooter gained 31 EXP! Level 6 acquired! Milestone gained!
Sharpshooter gained traits: Guns, guns, guns.
GGG: All guns Require one less turn cooldowns on their charge. Guns with one charge or lower become auto-reload. All ranged weapons gain +2 on their damage modifier.
Gained the ability Blink: Spend 2 NP to jump to Mid or long range from a foe.
You felt the Sharpshooter ripple, the thick gloves you wore along with the necktie shimmered as the class seemed to evolve into a new state.
You looked as something formed... it was...
Goggles: one side able to zoom to a slight blur.
A golden chain holding a bullet that had been pierced by another bullet. Luck or... skill?
Two belts crossing over at your waist, the single buckle showed a bullseye.
A robin hood-like cap that had a crimson feather stitched into it, the plumage like a heat wave.
An eyepatch that didn't hinder your sight at all, it could have made you look lame... but as if!
Belts win!
You put a gloved hand on the criss-crossing belts, feeling the dark leather settle like a comforting weight as the pristine bullseye held them tight. It was taunting, but you liked it. The feel made the Sharpshooter class turn from slightly avoiding... to something more impish.
You felt like a cowboy and the time was high noon. Next, you empowered the Warrior class with what essence you had left.
Warrior: 34
You learned: Elemental Blade: Charge an attack with any element you've learned for additional damage. Cost 1 NP. (Warrior only)
Physical crit numbers are now 94-100(nat) for melee attacks. (all classes)
You looked over to see Aqua digging through the mess as well, laughing with relief as she took Stitch into her arms.
"I was so worried," she said, voice thick and holding the blue alien that could escape her grip so easily... if he wanted to.
"I'm here too!" Reuben coughed, blushing a little somehow through his fur, and you peered out to see someone wrapping the hydra heads into a knot like he was tying taffy.
"YEAH! YEAH! TIE THEM UP LIKE SPAGHETTI!" Undyne roared in approval as someone whom you could only apply the words 'dishy' and 'damn' to smiled in return.
"Yes Ma'am," the glowing man in bronze armour and red hair nodded. He tied the last of the 50th head or so before pulling one foot back and then slamming it forward. You watched as the purple beast sailed off into the stars before exploding.
"It'll be back in a year. Hades makes them out of belief and godly power," he sighed despite the fireworks.
"Tch, then just kick its butt again and again," Undyne said, her form slowly becoming solid again as she rested. She seemed unstable before but something seemed to have changed.
She looked at Aqua.
"I hope you find them," the fish woman said seriously. Aqua nodded back with a sweet smile.
"Same to you," she replied with a fierce honesty. Aqua focused and in her hands a Keyblade formed with a long spear with two tiny spears forming the 'teeth'. The handle was a ring of black metal plates. A keychain dangled showing some round dome with eyes and a frozen mouth of fire.
"Warrior's Oath," Aqua said with a tone you hadn't heard before.
"Do you really need so many Keyblades?" you asked dryly. Aqua blushed.
"It's the same weapon, it just changes when I apply new experiences to it!" she defended herself as Stitch tried licking the Keyblade.
"Taste like meat!" he proclaimed.
"Listen, Hades slunk off, but I won't stand for this. Not when he gave his word," Hercules announced and held his hand up to the sky as if calling on something.
"We have one of his followers contained. Is there anything you would like for me to do with him, or should I keep him as a souvenir?" you offered and he smiled brightly.
"No need. Hades really wasn't expecting me back so soon or for Undyne here to spill the details on what he promised Aqua," he explained before closing his eyes.
"Hades, your word was given to Aqua. Fulfill your promise or be judged by my father and mother, Zeus and Hera of Olympus," Hercules warned, instantly his mouth was covered by a grey hand.
"Shhhh! Shh… listen, kiddo! No need to get the whole gang involved!" Hades chuckled, brushing back his hired fire-hair nervously. Hercules easily removed the God of Death's hand and looked disgusted.
"Then return the soul that you promised Aqua with a body," Hercules warned. Hades gave him a flat look before lighting up a cigar, not something you assumed Ancient Greece had...
"A body was not in the original agreement," he said stiffly as he looked around the destroyed arena with annoyance. Clearly, he expected Undyne to be dead, Stitch and Reuben to be hostages, and whatever he planned for the cat doll and the girl inside.
"Throw it in, since you're so kind," Hercules said, crossing his arms. Hades looked like he'd rather eat worms.
"Herc... you dashing little squirt. Listen to your uncle… true resurrection? Oh, it's messy! You don't want that," he simpered with an arm around Hercules' neck. Undyne walked over, glaring.
"You promised me information, if I won or not," she recalled and Hades spun her with a single twist of his wrist.
"Yeah, yeah... give me a minute," he said testily.
"I can give you the body but its bones. I can't make it... alive! Recent dead, you shove them back in and boom, fresh as that cutie Persephone that laughed at my joke last God party. I might give her a bone or two..." he growled to himself, eyes hooded.
Aqua physically recoiled as if some part of her looked insulted on the behalf of this 'Persephone'.
"I know Perse... she's coming to my birthday party," Hercules said off-handedly. Hades blinked once or twice before smiling.
"I know you're playing me and I'm glad you got the cunning... hate to think your dear old Dad's wisdom was all you had... but tell me more. I might make a deal," he purred.
"Zack's soul and a body," Aqua said quickly. Hades made a so-so gesture.
"Soul is yours, but body? Ain't my domain. Most of my stiffs never leave or use faux-bodies that won't last the solstice," he said bored.
"You leave that to me," Hercules promised seriously. He sent a wink to Aqua before looking back, hand held out.
"I'll personally sit you next to Perse and you hand over the soul to the right vessel I supply?" he offered. Hades put a hand to his chin.
"I dunno, maybe a private dinner or date-"
"Going once!" Hercules announced.
"A party is a bit public and I need time to work my charm!" Hades protested loudly.
"Going twice!" Hercules continued. Hades winced then shook Hercules' hand.
"Oh, please let this end better than Aphrodite!" he said with strain as a crackle went over their clasped hands.
The deal was struck.
-
Zack felt... like he had been asleep for a long time. He stretched like he was back at Radiant Garden's barrack, due for another 10 miles running and 1000 sword slashes under Angeal. He groaned as his body seemed to stiffen.
He only felt this bad after a one on one with Genesis or that smug asshole, Sephiroth. He licked his lips as he was poked in the side. He'd get to... them... later.
"Thunder!" someone cried and Zack woke with a scream, holding what he could over his naked body… only his hands couldn't grab anything and trying to stand on two legs was beyond impossible. He fell back, tail and legs over head as he made a confused yelp.
"It was all he had," some masculine man said with a sad tone.
Zack turned in a puddle and saw he was in some bathhouse, a waterfall streamed at some doll figure with hastily edited dog ears and fluffy tail. It looked like those tacky Cait Sith dolls but someone had tried their best to make it into Fenrir.
"What the... hell is this!" he screeched then turned to see someone very familiar. He tried to clear his throat, leaning on the bath basin with a grin.
"How you doing, Aqua?" he winked, and he felt the damn tail... wagging.
"I get the sense he's happy to see you, Aqua," said a weirdly silver weirdo in the corner.
"Zack..." Aqua said, eyes brimming with tears before she picked him up and hugged him. He protested for all of three seconds before he stopped to think where he was.
As a Soldier with honor, he should protest the hug as his small form was pressed tight.
As a man with blood in his veins, he could just keep quiet.
Zack felt like he was forgetting something, but he just sighed in pleasure as Aqua hugged him. She was acting like he died or something! He sighed then...
Wait.
Wait.
From some place deep within, he remembered.
"Zack... if you're here, where is Angeal?" came that voice, so silken and smooth that it was famous for years in Radiant garden.
"I've been looking, but nothing. Do you know where he is?!" he asked in excitement. The surprise of seeing the hero of the castle after so many years.
"Ironic. Two experiments... opposite results. We of dark , unable to stay away, you of light unable to be near. I wonder what the dear doctor would think of that?" Sephiroth had smirked.
"The doctor?" he echoed, confused. He knew Ansem was a doctor, he liked ice-cream... Even was a doctor, but he was only interested in his computer...
But Even's teacher and the one Ansem has stolen Iezno flashed in his mind.
"Hojo! He's... still around?" Zack frowned. Sephiroth looked almost bored.
"I don't know. If you're not going to tell me where Cloud or Angeal is... then you're a failure," the man with the silver hair promised then pain.
Pain. Sephiroth smiling.
Pain.
Looking down, a sword in his gut.
"Goodbye, Zack."
Zack inhaled and some squeaker in his throat went off, making him sound like a dog toy.
"I need to find Cloud or Angeal," he announced without any of his usual cheer.
"About that," came a familiar smarmy voice of Hades.
Zack learned his new doll form had teeth and Hades' nose was very biteable.
"I'm sorry, Eraqus," Aqua began as she held Zack's doll form in both hands.
The arena was trashed and no 'games' would be held for a while it would seem. A few months... Maybe a year.
"Master Yensid hasn't figured out a way not to make his defences let you pass. He's never had a Nobody he wanted inside," she said with an apologetic frown.
"Usually, a strong heart is easy to work into things-" she paused as Zack waved his animal-arms.
"I got tons of it. Maybe I can lend you some?" he offered you politely. Aqua's plan was to gather lost allies and such in either the reforming Hollow Bastion or Yensid's tower. She had gotten into the mindset of 'hoarding' her friends into nooks and crannies like a magically-scary-Keyblade-wielding squirrel.
The tower you still had yet to see, but it wasn't like your own list of tasks were short either.
Undyne was staying and training with Hercules. Her form was brittle and she needed time to heal. According to Aqua, Undyne had already got a fanclub and they called her the 'rebel child of Poseidonn'. Reuben would be staying as well.
He had found a calling as selling sandwiches to those wanting to watch the games.
That...puzzled you for a long time since this World fizzled between populated and deserted. Aqua leaned in.
"Master Eraqus told me that the Hearts of the people come back to the World last. In a year or more, this world will be fully healed. It will thrive... and the Heartless won't be able to simply come or break it again. Not without something seriously going wrong," she promised.
"That is good. Hopefully, such a disaster won't come to pass here," you said, thinking if you had a heart. You really enjoy the warm weather, blue skies, and friends all around you. The best you could do for now is a slight twitch in your arm that might have been 'peace'.
"So... what are you going to do?" Zack asked, excitement in his tone.
You thought about that... your current 'to-do' list involved some work involved.
Checking Riku, Naminé, Xion, Mei and Sombra, DiZ for those cloaks, making sure Lloyd and his friends were okay and that Tenebrae wasn't being nuked by angel-psychopath, getting some herbs to help that plague in Taris with all the space-tech...
Finding Stitch's cousins.
Helping Riku with this 'Sora' kid.
And... you suppose whatever else came your way.
You had to pick one...
Well, first... just after unlocking a new class via absorbing another's potential and keeping it safe... your own 'natural' potential had risen. You were beginning to feel you were no longer a simple Dusk.
You focused inwards to see the void of potential. The usual symbols plus the new one,a foaming bottle over a frying pan.
A lance surrounded by swirls. A strange giant sword. A book covered in shadows. Twin wheels of fire. An instrument with bubbles. Cards showing an ace. A scythe with petals coming off it. Weird knives crackling with energy. A curving katana.
You picked thew new one, not really having a 'support' compared to others. Your body flashed gently, the sound of clinking bottles filling the air.
Your form shifted as a little chef's hat sat askew your head, never falling. Across your chest was two bandoliers of test tubes The apron you had emblazoned with your evolving symbol and a frying pan...
Unlocked the 'Alchemist of Ruin' class.
Alchemist 1-0
This class involves a by-your-seat mixing of ideas and dangerous substances to form solutions to your problem. Mostly explosives.
Usually explosives.
Abilities:
Mix-an-Match: Mix two things in your inventory. Any material beyond basic will require a chance roll to pass to avoid a mess. Consumes materials. Alchemist only.
Unstable Cocktail: Spend 2 NP to form a grenade that does weak physical damage to all foes that are close to the explosion. Alchemist only.
+1 NP
+1 HP.
"Woah... he just changed," Zack protested, waving his hands for a sword that was no longer on his back. Aqua was less phased.
"He turned into a bike-upgrade for me once... you get used to it," she promised with a smile that faltered, "I hope," she added more quietly.
"I do enjoy expanding my wardrobe. Well, enjoy might be a bit strong of a word," you said honestly and opened a dark portal after one final goodbye, in which Stitch nearly snapped you like a twig with his strength and promises of a good time on 'Hawaii'.
Sounded nice, you might go there one day.
Now... where to go?
Ah right... You had a promise to fulfil.
-
DiZ was looking less angry and wearier. It was... strange because without his temper and anger, he looked frail. Fragile in his own way.
"Apologies for the delay, I wound up stuck on a world split in two, fought off racists, and helping stuff a heart into a cat doll. You know, typical things," you offered and he seemed to mull that over before deciding he didn't have an answer to give back to you.
"Some cloaks in Hollow Bastion. Our friend whom watches over Riku fetched them. You were lucky some remained, but those things always had a way of lingering," he said then waved a hand to a side table where two black bundles were folded.
"Take them," he said, staring at a crackling fire that made his luminous eyes seem to dim.
"Has something happened? You seem... tired. More so than usual, perhaps," you asked and he flicked his eyes to you.
"Nothing that impedes us," he dismissed with another wave of a hand. You held the cloaks up.
"Thank you for holding onto them. And I apologize for how our last conversation ended. In my curiosity, I seemed to have verbal stepped into something I shouldn't have," you said and he snorted out an amused sound.
"Clearly, you've never worked with old foolish academics before. No, I should apologise. The comment about Even... he was an apprentice of mine that stabbed me in the back with many others. I was... wrong to take that out on you. Empty of heart or not, I have a duty to hold myself above such... temper tantrums," he said finally.
"Still, I should also know that these are still sore subjects for you. If you wish to be more open about them, then you will do so on your own terms," you said then added, "All is forgiven."
DiZ laughed, something hollow without any warmth.
"If I open too much... perhaps all you'll see is how small my rage burns... what flicking light I have left dying. Your forgiveness, however lacking it may be in 'heartfelt' response, is appreciated. Now, you have people to aid, no? I would allow you to speak to Naminé but she restoring an important piece to Sora. I would request that you leave her be," DiZ cautioned.
"I will but...perhaps that is a sign that the need for that anger is coming to pass? As we know, I am not one that deals in emotions given my nature, but I have noticed that it is not good to latch onto any one of them too strongly. It tends to harm you just like it can aid you if you are not careful," you said slowly and DiZ was quiet for the longest of times.
"Be wary of gaining a Heart to quickly, Eraqus, not-quite-a-Nobody. They are fickle and capricious as they are wonderful and strong. So easily dissuaded of things once they claimed to hold so strongly... simply by time and other people, it loses its self to change and I, its helpless owner must follow suit," DiZ sighed as he stood up.
How to phrase this?
"If there was no choice but to follow the heart's impulse, the living would be little better than the Heartless. The heart leads, this I have seen to be true... But people are not helpless in guiding the path. Those that one surrounds themselves with seem to play the biggest part, if I am not mistaken" you began and he listened as you went on.
"What you said about the Heart? I will keep that in mind. But that change isn't inherently bad, I would think. Emotions might muddle your beliefs on it at the moment, but it is on us to learn and grow as individuals. That includes overcoming our own faults and our previous hardships," you finished and to your own surprise, the words felt... right.
Like something you've wanted to say for a long time.
+2 exp gained.
Total: 15
DiZ seemed startled then nodded, as if grateful for the intellectual dialogue.
"It seems I have little to worry about you as an ally. Very well, we shall see what the dawn brings us," he said and the phrase had a certain familiarity as if it was important to him.
N-Link with DiZ established!
+1 damage to Nobodies.
"Speaking of overcoming our faults, I have to deal with one of mine by sending a rather annoying shadow and a sad snowball home," you said, feeling a headache forming as the thought of Sombra.
-
"Where... are there?" you asked the silent town.
Not in the Third district... or the Fourth. Mei wasn't in the hotel... Sombra wasn't picking locks in the Second district...
There came an almighty bang from the First District and you slithered in to see Mei and Sombra hacking and coughing as something inside a top floor room trailed smoke into the open air.
Oh good, they were bonding over arson.
"I know I was gone longer than expected, a bit of an unexpected detour while travelling through the universe, but I didn't expect you two to bond over something like this while I was away," you said dryly and they both turned you. Sombra's face lit up and Mei's turned fearful then brave.
"Calcetín, finally," Sombra said, casually shutting the door and hiding some kind of forge they had overcooked.
"Uh..." Mei said and she fidgeted as the tiny robot that floated at her side blinked at you.
"Mei, you baby Sello... I said he saved you. Be nice and thank him," Sombra almost purred as Mei shuffled forward, holding something in a giant metal tank.
"T-thank you from saving me from Talon. And taking us to another World?" she finished as if this wasn't quite something she was sure she was happy about.
"Speaking of that, I should be able to take you home, soon... Or, attempt to, anyway. Universe travel is... Inconsistent, at times," you offered. Sombra looked affronted, Mei delighted.
"Take her home, but I want to stay and explore. But... we have to admit, we do need to get out of here," Sombra warned, voice unusually serious.
You gave them both a long look.
"Something happen while I was away?" you asked finally.
It was Mei who answered, her arctic outfit not overheating oddly in this warm place.
"We keep falling asleep. Standing up, cooking... walking... we just pass out and wake up in the hotel. Even Snowball turns off," Mei whispered and the little robot chirped with concern.
"Well, if it is too dangerous for you two to linger here, then we better get moving. Put these on quickly," you said and held out an arm holding two black cloaks. You told Sombra it had protection against the portals and she slummed it on, looking a little too comfortable in the outfit for Mei's comfort.
Mei looked like she was a lost priestess of some very interesting religion. Weirdly... a tiny cloak appear on Snowball, just without any legs. A bond between Mei and the robot perhaps?
"Now, do either-" you begin then remembered what Sombra had said and simply turned to Mei alone.
"Do you have a strong connection to anyone in particular? It will make this jump a lot easier on me if I have an anchor, so to speak," you instructed. Mei blinked the nodded seriously.
"Winston! I was about to go looking for him before... everything," she said slowly.
"I'll wait here until you drop her off. I don't want you closing the door on me," Sombra said casually.
"I would do no such thing, regardless. If you wish to travel, I shall endeavour to set you on a suitable path. I'd rather not leave you behind if this world is having a strange effect on you, especially since there won't be anyone here to wake you if you do fall asleep," you insisted. Sombra smiled suddenly.
"Okay, somewhere even you've not gone before. Open up and I'll step through. But... if I'm in my own world. I'll torment Mei every day of her life. I'll ruin her social media-" Sombra began and Mei butted in.
"I've been asleep for 9 years... I don't have social media," she said shyly.
"-her businesses," Sombra went on and Mei interrupted with a soft cough.
"You blew my only job up," she reminded and still, Sombra went on.
"I'll install ads on her little robot!" Sombra finished and Mei clutched as Snowball with worry.
"I also don't like the idea of just tossing you into the metaphorical deep end. We'll all go together to drop Mei off, I will take back my cloak from her, then you and I can discuss where to go from there," you said and from there... you deposited Mei on some cold island with an in-shore base.
"Gibraltar! I haven't seen this base... in so long," Mei said as they stepped through the dark portal, Mei tilted her head.
"It hasn't changed," she said finally.
It was strange. You hadn't had to put much effort into finding this 'Winston' at all. It was like the World wanted Mei here... frightfully so.
The timid woman turned and handed back her cloak. Stepping back as if she would be kidnapped or something.
"Thank you... if you need us. Overwatch is willing to help... once we get more members," Mei chuckled nervously.
"The sentiment is appreciated, though it seems your World would rather you remain here," you insisted. "I do apologize for what I put you through, though. It was done out of necessity, but it did hurt you and I cannot change that," you said seriously.
Mei flushed.
"The world needs me. It's so wounded but... you did what you thought was best and... we made it here... four months ahead of schedule! So, it wasn't all bad," she promised and smiled the first real smile you had seen.
"We'll meet again," she promised, the bowed and took off to the base. In her wake, a single snowflake floated, flowing through you as if a bond between you hadn't quite formed, but a memory was unmistakable.
Bastion of Ice gains 5 Exp.
You turned to see Sombra looking bored.
"Nice girl. I give her a month of fieldwork before shes wounded or unlucky," the Mexican hacker announced.
"So, important question; did you want to try to end up at a world more, less, or similarly advanced as your own, technologically?" you said and Sombra hummed, "I'd prefer not just leaving you somewhere, but something tells me you'd cause trouble for anyone I leave you with," you said which made her grin with bright amusement.
"Somewhere interesting... I can't ask for more than that, but you will come to pick me up occasionally... I might get homesick," she smiled.
Sighing, you focused and twisted reality for her amusement.
-
The world was... weird.
A sort of sterile feeling as you stepped into its World through a window.
"Now this is my kind of place!" Sombra announced, arms wide. A large space station with 'arms' so big that cities lined them. Docking platforms, massive elevator shafts, and in the distance... the universe of this World.
"Please remember not to touch the Citadel Keepers. Fines may occur from doing so, thank you." a voice emptier than your own reported across nearby speakers. A truly blown version of an anthill. Life moved in every corner, and it was many types of life. You turned to ask Sombra what she planned to do... but she was, of course, already gone.
Vanished like a shadow.
She did leave something behind. A little purple Mexican skull that looked like a keyring.
It had purple lipstick in the form of a kiss on it.
N-Link with Sombra formed
+1 to stealth attempts.
'Devil-kissed Skeleton Grin' accessory found.
+5 to computer use and +1 damage to digital lifeforms when equipped.
Only three accessories may be equipped. May not be swapped during battle
Current Accesories.
Cindy's Bow: Gives a lovely first impression. +1 to first meeting rolls if needed.
'Devil-kissed Skeleton Grin' +5 to computer use and +1 damage to digital lifeforms when equipped.
Band of Pythia: Increase Dodge by 2. Increase rolls of Psychic class by 1. Only three accessories may be equipped at once.
Still, something was unsettling your Nothingness. A sense of... something even more debased in this world that made you look positivity bursting with emotion.
It felt cold and it didn't like you being here.
But compared to the life around you? The feeling was mild.
To people... no... to Hearts.
It loathed.
It feared...
And it... remembered.
"I genuinely hope you know what you're doing, Sombra. And that you can keep yourself alive here."
You said this as people began to notice you. Your disguise some sleek suited alien with a mask that failed to let people see anything but two glowing silver eyes.
In the distance, you heard a light and wonderful laugh followed by a noise that told you Sombra wouldn't go down without bringing everyone down with her.
Boop.