When we got home, despite both my and the whole of the New Foundation searching, Tiara was gone. All her belongings save a few photos were left behind. Given she was a Time Walker, New Foundation called the search off after half a day.
Despite the rage and anger I had inside me, I ended up going to the hospital as Tina, Gallon and Micheal suggested. I know they were more worried about me than finding Tiara… and I still hate that she erased who her accomplice was from my memory… strange that she left in the info that she had an accomplice, just not who.
Try as I might… nothing came to mind. No voice, face, gender or even general shape… just a hole…
"Button Mash?" I looked to the doorway, seeing a female being that looked… I wanna say… like a cross between a deer and a cat, brown and orange ful with white belly fur, and two small antlers on her head. She wore a simple doctors coat as she walked up to me. "I am Doctor Holiday. I'll be your primary care physician given your recent… transmutation." She said.
"Forced soul fusion, that was the single most painful thing I've ever experienced, yes." I nodded.
"Yes…" She said. "I did run the blood samples we collected upon your admission and the results confirm that you are indeed of the Nokori race. And from how your new biology is set up and your magic has changed, it seems you are one of a few that we can tell was created as a BOW Nokori. This is a rare type of fusion and is unfortunately commonly found in the research and development labs of Violence Chaos Guild facilities. You are lucky they didn't take you back to their lab to… run experiments…"
"And all Diamond told me was 'this is how I get strong fast enough'." I rolled my eyes. "Cause apparently when I try to train to get strong it's a problem, but she can force me into this ugly fucking form and magically it's fine." I growled.
"Well, I think you look lovely. Some have been less fortunate. At least you still have your original face." Holiday said, putting a hand to her own. "I don't even remember how I used to look before…"
"I…I'm sorry…" I sighed. "I don't mean to remind you of bad things…but I'm still…rather rightly furious about things."
"I understand, believe me I do. You have every right to be, but from what your friends told me earlier and what the tests informed me of, try to keep your temper to a low burn, otherwise the room might get set on fire…" She chuckled weakly. "In any case, From what the tests inform you were merged with not just your four symbiotes, but also a Volcano Phoenix."
"Mango…" I said carefully. "Also…Volcano Phoenix? Like…they were born from a Volcano forming or something?"
"The Phoenix is a special bird that is often times born from a special event transpiring. A new volcano erupting for the first time, a sun being born or even dying, a galaxy being exploded into existence, or in some cases even just a forest fire raging on. So long as there is plenty of magic in the environment a phoenix can actually be born from most anything but fiery and heat related ones are the most common." Holiday said. "That being said, from what we examined it would seem this Phoenix was born from a Super Volcano."
"A…Super Volcano…huh." I said slowly, looking at my hands. "I…wasn't expecting that…"
"Yes. Based on your mana levels and signature, it would seem this merged and combined perfectly with your own internal more dominant Earth Pony magic, and blended and mixed with the unicorn and pegasus magics differently in some yet to be determined ways."
"So…what about all my Symbiotes? What about Cheat?" I asked worriedly, not having heard a single peep from any of them…especially Cheat.
Holiday took a deep breath, looking over the papers in her hand. "Based on what we know about BOW Nokori creation, the fusion is almost guaranteed to put the primary intelligent subject, you, in total control. Any other mentalities and consciousnesses are absorbed by them similar to how the Legendary Ability Consume works. I'm sorry to say that even though one of your symbiotes did possess a soul, this too was fused into yours. So on top of phoenix biological and magic abilities you also have your symbiotes in a similar manner."
I looked down just… Cheat…
"However, you are very lucky in that one of your symbiotes can return to you, at least in a form of mental passenger." Holiday added, making me look up at her. "Two of your Symbiotes were also classified as objects. A weapon changing one, and an armor. Now, from what we were able to tell from your records, you had three out of four of the armor ones pieces. Meaning at the time of fusion they were in an incomplete set. Now were you to find this last piece, it too will merge with you and complete the set, however this should wake up what we call an Echo, a genetic memory of a being, in this case your Cheat Code Armor of the Berzerker Symbiote. They won't be able to do, well, anything from inside you as an Echo, but they will be alive through you."
"Remember kids, permanent murder is perfectly okay if you want to prove yourself right." I said weakly. "And an Echo…what's the point of what made Cheat…Cheat if she'll just be some mental facsimile of who she truly was?"
"Because she will still be alive, she won't be gone. Maybe one day you could even get her an independent body. Echoes are somewhat rare and still a largely unknown phenomenon, especially if the echo comes from a person who has perma died or went MAD." She stated. "Besides, I get the feeling you don't want to say goodbye to her just yet."
That actually got me to laugh… no. Never. Not to Cheat.
"Alright alright." I said. "I…really want Cheat back, but I don't know where to find the last piece…"
"I recommend the Greed Markets. They are likely to have it there." Holiday said. "Now then, in terms of your new body it appears you still have enough of your original pegasus magic to fly, and it seems the fusion with the Phoenix has given you an Immortality Ability. Mortal Magma."
"And…the hell does that mean?" I asked. "Like…I know I'm now Immortal but…Mortal Magma?" I questioned more so about the wording.
"If I may?" She asked, pulling out a small pocket knife from her assistant and holding out a hand. Hesitantly, I put one of my new hands into hers. Quickly, she cut my skin. The burn from the cut soon was absorbed by the absolute agony as my wound soon bubbled and leaked red hot magma that covered my wound and slid off my skin, hitting the ground and burning the tile but the cut was gone. The pain though left me holding my arm tightly. It was like as if I dropped the limb into red hot magma. I barely held in a scream. "Immortality Abilities allow one to bypass the respawn system, but most often at a price. They feel not only the injury but also the agony of regenerating, in your case every time your injuries heal they will burn as if they were placed into the boiling magma of the Super Volcano that birthed the Phoenix that was fused to you."
"That's bullshit, but who cares cause there's Pain immunity in the skill trees." I said, having seen the pain resistance skill and also some of my rage skills either ignored or negated pain while I was in that state.
"While true, unfortunately one of the trade offs of Immortality Abilities is the pain they inflict on you when regenerating bypasses pain nullification abilities." She said. "Yes, it's messed up and is one of the reasons not many people actually want genuine Immortality Abilities and instead go for high grade regeneration."
"That's…that doesn't make an ounce of sense." I said, now confused as hell. "High Grade Regen can do the same thing with no drawbacks…" I frowned.
"Yes but even with high grade regeneration one can still die, it's harder but possible. Immortality Abilities, not even Consume can kill you, soul damaging attacks won't do much either, and even Level Five Dungeon Monsters and Void Admins can't perma kill you. Only a Time Walker can."
"That would have been preferred over this…" I frowned. "But no…she forces her own beliefs onto me for no fucking reason and abandoned me with vague bullshit and her keep telling me she loves me…if she did, she could have either told me and cut the Time Walker bullshit out, or done something else…"
"I'm not going to even try and understand Time Walkers. They're an odd bunch. Very rare to find here on Armageddon. Whatever the reasons, we likely will never know. All I can say is that I recommend… a lot of therapy for you. For the heartbreak, betrayal and your newfound situation."
"I doubt it'll help…" I sighed bitterly.
"It's a start. Now given your fusion was rather… unique, I'll be scheduling weekly visits for some basic exams, mana scans and checks, and for you to tell me of any unexpected developments biologically or magically alright?"
"Alright…" I sighed. "Anything else I should know about?"
"Just be weary of your new abilities. The fusion makes them part of your biology in a way that they would activate with minimal thought or as a reaction to something. I recommend if you test these out yourself to do so in a safe environment for both yourself and others. That aside, I'll see you in a week Button Mash."
"Alright, thank you Doctor." I nodded, getting off the table and heading off home…I hate this all so much…
When I got home, Sweetie, Maud, Cream and Philomina all comforted me for hours on end. This was… a very bad day…
The kids all felt confused and shocked as well. Especially the ones Tiara raised or was raising… Suddenly, their mom was just gone and did something horrible…
When I was finally alone I just looked at my reflection in the mirror. I mean, I still looked mostly like me but… the differences were so… jarring. I frowned, looking at the new mini wings on my head, the three pairs of wings on my back… how do I even move these? Took me forever just to move the two I had before and now…
Hmm… Actually… I know someone, two someones that might be able to help me here…
I walked out from the bathroom and over to the guest room. I guess it's more just Micheal and Gallon's room and knocked.
The door opened with Gallon standing there. "Hey, how are you holding up?" He asked me.
"As well as I can be after everything that happened and…hearing so many kids wonder when their mother's coming back…" I said weakly.
"Anything we can do to help?" Micheal asked as he walked up from wherever he was inside the room. "We have some experience in the… whole transformed against your will department." He laughed weakly.
"Mostly just…helping me figure out a lot of my new physiology cause while I have had these before, legs, wings, and hands…they're just different now…"
"Heh, yeah. Well, first things first, how's your control over your new digits?" Micheal asked. "Most find the new textures, fur or even shape to be tricky. Mostly it was the legs that were different. Like Gallon and I, our legs and walking was the most tricky. Moreso for me since going from feet to hooves was very, very tricky learning to walk again."
I raised my hands up, flexing and closing and opening them.
"... Dude how are you doing that?" Gallon asked.
I was confused… until I realized I had both hands up and was standing solely on my hind legs but still up… woah…
"Uh…I don't know, and that's…kind of weird." I said carefully.
"Can you… stand upright?" Micheal asked.
Using whatever apparent muscles I had, I pulled myself upright, finding this way felt no different than my human or anthropomorphic forms. I can just… go from four legs to two whenever now? Huh…
"Wow. That's neat." Gallon said.
"Well…this is a thing." I said, not really seeing much with just going from quadruped to biped to be honest.
"Hmm… How about our new feet?" Micheal asked me.
I raised my right 'foot' up, it was weird but if I think of them like slightly larger hands, I can still move and flex them just as well.
"Alright… hmm…" Gallon said, leaning in and looking at my foot a bit closer. "It looks like your new uh… 'toes' can probably grip and let you perch on things like any other bird. Knew a few Nokori like this back home. They helped a lot with construction in flying safety ropes and even catching people that fell from high up."
Hm… wonder how strong they are… and I stronger than before physically? I mean… Painful immortality aside, how much has changed?
"Wanna test it?" Gallon asked.
"Well…I suppose I can test it out." I admitted.
"Alright, let's head to the gym."
Gallon lead Micheal and I to the inhouse Gym Tina put in. She wasn't here at the moment but there was a lot of equipment here, and many heavy weights.
"Alright, so how much could you lift before as an alicorn?" Micheal asked.
"About…five hundred pounds before." I admitted. "Haven't really done this a lot to be honest."
"Well, let's start there." Gallon said, walking up to one of those weight pull things. It was large, sized mostly for Tina but I should be able to use it. He set the pin in where the weights said five hundred. "Alright, get up on here and pull."
I got onto the seat, needing to stand upright to even reach the pull bar. I took a breath and pulled-
The pull bar and it's rope were now pulled down to my lower torso… What?
I turned and looked at the weights, seeing them lifted up and still read as being the five hundred pounds…
I didn't even feel it?
"Woah. That's cool." Gallon smirked.
"Wonder if he can lift more than Arthie could…?" I heard Micheal mutter.
"Well…might as well try it out…" I admitted.
"Alright, bring it down and let's see." Gallon said. I let the bar raise back up and Gallon moved the pin from five hundred pounds to eight hundred. Once it was I pulled the weights again, and as before, I pulled the weights up effortlessly. "Dude, that's eight hundred pounds you're lifting like nothing." Gallon said, his smirk now a huge giddy smile.
Holy crap…
"Well…this makes no sense." I frowned, trying to think of how the hell fuzing with symbiotes that shouldn't increase my strength and a fucking volcano bird suddenly makes me stronger.
"Well, from what we know, it's not uncommon that depending on what you fused with, the Nokori comes out much stronger than the original animals and beings put into the fusion." Micheal said.
"I wanna see if he can beat Arthie's record." Gallon said. I put the weights down and let the pull rode go up. He then moved the pin to one thousand five hundred. I pulled, putting some effort into it this time but I pulled it down and raised the weights all the way still. "Awesome!"
"Woah… Heh, now that is impressive." Micheal said.
This is insane… how? Maybe there's something about Phoenix or Symbiote biology I'm not understanding… Or maybe this is some weird boost to my earth pony magic being mixed into all this mess too…
"None of this makes any sense." I shook my head bitterly. "I shouldn't be this physically strong just because of this fusion…"
"Trust us, it doesn't make sense to us either and we've lived like this for a little over ten years now." Micheal said.
"Yeah. Personally I didn't question it and just accepted it." Gallon shrugged. "So, let's see if you can really lift." He smirked.
I put the weights down, the bar going up and Gallon moved the pin all the way to the bottom, the maximum weight of five thousand pounds.
I took a breath and pulled. The weight I felt it, it took more effort and strain but even this I managed to pull the bar down and raise the weights. Took a lot more effort though.
"He's a machine!" Gallon said, cackling.
Heh, yeah a machine- JAVA! Java was a more computerized symbiote that was supposed to eat metals and such to reinforce my body and make me tougher and stronger! This is why I can do this! If Java merged with me then maybe that means my body can passively gain strength by reducing the body's natural limiters!
"Well…I now know why I'm this strong…" I admitted. "Java…one of my symbiotes…" I sighed. "Ya know…seeing this, I just want to spite Diamond and prove her wrong and laugh." I said without really thinking much about it.
"... How would that work?" Micheal asked. I let the bar raise up and the weights fall. The loud thud didn't bother me as I sat on the bench. "There's no… undoing this…"
"She said this form would make me 'strong enough for what's to come', well, it's not my fault or problem if she's wrong." I frowned. "If she thinks her job is so important that she would sooner abandon her entire family and do this to me then she deserves to be wrong and whoever or whatever the hell made her a TIme Walker." I said, before blinking as I realized something…who did make Diamond a Time Walker? "Huh…that's…strange…"
"So you'd let some monster storm the town and kill your family and children just to spite her?" Gallon asked.
"I don't want that, I didn't want any of this…" I said carefully. "But what do I get for trying? People in some super special positions in life make my life some dumbass game for them to twist and mold to fit what they want while I get shafted because of it, and when I try to do my own thing I get yelled at about it and lose the people I care about in the process…"
"... A lot of the time we don't ask for what we get in life." Micheal sighed. "But, we take what we are given, learn to live with it, and move on. I know it sucks, and it hurts and there is nothing more you want to do than to just take all the shit that's happened to you and beat Tiara to a bloody pulp with it, to make her hurt like you have been hurt and then some. But, you will move on, it will take time but you will get better, and whatever all this is she did to you, you will turn into your power, not something she forced on you, it will be all your own, alright?"
"I…doubt it." I admitted. "But I'll try either way…cause someone has to."
"Well, we'll let you think it over and process some more. This wound is still fresh for you so it's not gonna be healed easily." Gallon said. "But it will heal."
I went to sleep that night, waking up in a dream. I was expecting to see Armageddon again. Part of me wondered if because of my new form, they'd change to.
What I saw was a tan human man, young looking with black hair, almost gold-brown eyes and wearing a red hoodie and black shorts.
… Okay?
"So, you're Button Mash." They said, smirking as they leaned on the table that was between us. We were both sitting in an endless white void with just us and this table here.
"And who are you?" I asked, not wanting to start a confrontation with a brand new person that's now haunting my dreams. "And what brings you to my dreams when I would rather just be nowhere because of all the shit that happened recently…"
"I'm Armageddon's… well, he considers me his father. Call me DG." He said, giving me a smirk.
"Fun." I groaned, taking a seat at the table. "So why are you here and I didn't do anything to incur your random bout of wrath right?"
"Oh no it's nothing you did at all. You see, it's what Diamond Tiara did." He said. "What she did to you… intervene in certain… actions, I was going to take. I mean sure it would have killed a lot of people and I still plan on doing it, but it goes against one of her primary orders as a Time Walker. Never intervene with My Games when near them. So, for her transgression I figured you'd like to know every Time Walker in the guild has been issued her arrest warrant, and when she is caught she will be executed for her actions."
"Excuse me what!?" I shouted in panic.
"No need to be loud. Besides, I thought you'd be happy, after all you clearly were displeased with the powers she forced onto you and this new form. Would you prefer to witness her execution then or kill her yourself cause once she caught I can make either work." DG shrugged.
"She shouldn't have to die to begin with!" I said quickly. "I don't know why she did it, I don't know what possessed her to do it…but she kept telling me to trust her, that she still loved me even if I'd rather have had her stab me in the chest and throw me to some other part of Armageddon…just…why did she do this?"
"Because she knows I'm going to be making my move." DG said with a shrug. "See, Armageddon is many things, a Safe Haven for true Evil and Lawlessness, a breeding ground for corruption and the power hungry, but the two things it is most of all is a prison, and my playground." He said, a chess board appearing between us on the table. "Everything here is my plaything and I play, of course, the bad guys. Pieces like David and many others I influence and move and set up to challenge my opponent. The ones who help guide and support the 'Heroes'."
"Hey! Who would have fucking thought I was right!" I snapped, throwing my hands in the air as I…weirdly heard a round of applause.
"Yeah yeah don't go getting stuffy. Only my toys I directly influence, the others like yourself are guided. Save one incident my opponents never directly tell or make you lot do anything. You all still have all your free will and all that pesky stuff. Not my fault it's inefficient and leads to countless opponent heroes downfalls." He chuckled. "You people are so stubborn, questioning your own free will and judgment when you learn we can influence you but even when we tell you that you are not being controlled or anything. Hell, the bad guys you fight have less free will than you and that's all thanks to me. Honestly all this bitching about your own choices meaning nothing and you actually at least get to choose." He chuckled, picking up a pawn, it turning into a humanoid shape. "I mean, at any moment I can just…" He broke it. "To my own pieces and replace them with someone I want to enter the game. But you, heh, you can choose to play or not. They can't make you and I could care less if you do or not."
"Yeah…yeah of course…" I shook my head. "Everything's just a game for those in power, the Chaos Guilds, David…and now you…" I growled. "You say I have free will, that I have a choice…but I'm still apart of some dumbass game made by people who are fucking bored."
"Not wrong, but also not right." DG chuckled. "Yes, we are bored. More me than them, but like I said, you're free to opt out. You can wake up tomorrow and just say 'fuck everything' and live a normal nine to five in the new foundation. You can be the father to your kids, mother, hell one word and I can tell David that you are even off limits and he will stay away from you. But that's your choice, you could stay in the game, fight against me and my playthings, maybe kill a few, maybe save lives, maybe change things on my planet for the better, maybe even get to that special prison and find what this place was built to hide… but like I said, that's all your choice. Either way, all you need to know is that Tiara will be killed and when she is, you'll forget she even existed. After all, her mentor passed and you forgot all about her already so all those bad memories will be gone just like that." He snapped his fingers. "And as far as you're concerned, some random ass Violence scientist ambushed you and made you into that. Course that's not completely wrong. What makes that so much more enjoyable when you do forget her."
"And what's stopping me from saving Diamond from your nonsense right now?" I asked. "Also, me forgetting her entirely? That's some horseshit."
"Hey, you already forgot her mentor, you talked with her, met her, hell you even slept with her." He said… I… I don't… "Don't remember? Heh, of course you wouldn't. After all, Time Walkers are all living paradoxes in a reality that doesn't have the capacity for alternate Timelines, so when the paradox that by definition shouldn't exist or have happened, is undone, all that knew of it, or them in this case, forget they ever existed. But as for what's stopping you from saving the woman that made you arguably a very powerful being and broke you and your family's hearts, well… Do you want to?" He asked me. "The choice after all is yours."
"So…first, the Time Walker stuff is actually…really dumb, like…how is Future Sight suddenly a 'well, you can see the future, time for you to cease to exist somehow'?" I asked, finding that bit just…complete nonsense when all I've heard about Time Walkers is that they can see the Future and they can Perma Kill people. "That doesn't make any sense why people would become a Paradox over fucking seeing the Future."
"Heh, that's not even close to why they become Paradox's. But I can't tell you that. Maybe Tiara can, if you get to her before the other Time Walkers do. But will you? Do you think she's worth it?"
I thought for a moment…I saw her tears…how much she wanted me to trust her, that even after what she pulled she still loved me…"I…I just want my Diamond back…" I said weakly. "Even after all this…I still love her, and she wanted to do this so I could fight your bullshit…she doesn't deserve to die because she went against some rule to placate you…also…uh…wouldn't everything that was involved with the Time Walkers also cease to be?" I asked. "Cause…I remember there was someone that handed me that Respawn Anchor, I hate how I can't remember them…but shouldn't that cease to exist? And…by extension…wouldn't all the kids we adopted cease to exist or be somewhere else?"
"Pfft, you really know nothing. No, actions the Time Walkers do or set in place are not undone, that in itself is a form of Time Alteration. Illegal by decree of The Mother. No, a complete and total scrub from the records of existence and memories of all who ever even saw them in passing, like they never existed, is what awaits them. This keeps anything they did that is set to hold precedence after their passing that is needed from being undone and messing up. No, as far as those kids will be concerned, if you can't save her, they never had a mother. Or at least, not a direct one."
"But…wouldn't by that logic the Time Walkers aren't living Paradox's?" I asked. "Also, yes, thank you for pointing out the obvious Captain, your sight is as good as they say." I rolled my eyes. "I'm asking this because…the logic your giving me doesn't make any sense, like…if they were a Living Paradox and ceased to be after death, then everything they've done is part of the Paradox, because if they were never there to begin with to do the thing…"
"Look, nerd, I am not the one to complain to about Time Walkers and their rules and such. Go bitch to Pecator if you want to scream and bitch. All I'm here to do is to see if you're still in this game, which I'm assuming is yes before your bitch tangent got started."
I sighed, having so many questions but knowing I won't have anything truly answered by this asshole…as all I saw was this smug bastard, practically taunting me about Diamond's execution because she dared go against his nonsense…and even in this Dream I felt my blood boil. "I'm not going to play your game asshole." I growled. "I'm going to be playing my game, as you said, I have Free Will, and my choices matter, so I'm going to break apart your game, save Diamond, and feel proud that I get to spite your efforts while enjoying your little playground."
His smile never faltered. He just kept it on as he looked me in the eyes. "I look forward to it."
"So why the sudden interest now to test your body's new limits?" Micheal asked as we were now back in the gym.
"Because I'm going to find and save Tiara from some jackass throwing a hissy fit." I answered bluntly. "Cause now the bastard has the Time Walkers hunting her down because she apparently did a no no and didn't let him play on the swings as it were." I said.
"Ya know, Playground metaphors would fit a bit better if we knew who the hell you were talking about." Tina admitted, also in the gym having wanted to do her own training due to…everything that's going on.
"The Father of Armageddon…" I said carefully. "Diamond made me this, and he didn't take kindly to that, saying that it interfered with his playground, with his game…well, no more of that bullshit, I'm taking the reign's here, this is my Game now."
"Right… so, another religious episode or…" Micheal said.
"Eh, either or, sounds like he's out to spite a god. I can get behind that." Gallon said. "So, what are we testing first cause we already tested strength."
"Speed next, the treadmills work with Speedsters right?" I asked.
"Yeah, I've seen a few Speedsters take these things for a joyride when they aren't doing anything." Tina said, motioning to the treadmill.
"Speedsters as in like, The Flash?" Micheal asked.
"This reality just gets better and better." Gallon laughed. "Well, we can also test your endurance with this."
"I can personally attest to his endurance." Tina teased. "And he already had it in spades."
"Well I probably have a ton more given all this nonsense." I admitted, moving over to the quadruped treadmill first to see how I am normally. "Also, yes, just like the Flash except Flash would be on the slower end from my own research before…we got to this hellhole."
"Right… well, best get started." Micheal said.
With a nod I got started running on the treadmill. I built up speed quick, managing to reach forty… fifty… sixty… eighty…
…
…
Really?
"Eighty miles per hour is very impressive." Gallon said.
"That's…kind of disappointing…" I frowned. "Wait, that's bullshit, I can dodge bullets I know I'm faster than eighty miles an hour…"
"Maybe it's because you're still not used to your new biology?" Tina offered.
"Maybe. Lot of Nokori over time got better at their physical and magical capabilities over time with experience and practice." Micheal said. "What Button can do now might not even be his full potential given how recently he was created…"
"And considering I'm a Bioweapon Nokori…" I sighed. "Who the hell knows what I'm really capable of."
"Well, I know for a fact that Bioweapon Nokori didn't exist back home. We were just made like this to survive the Event and nothing more really." Gallon said.
"Maybe it's a concept from an alternate reality. Lot of people mentioned that when we asked around in town about our species." Micheal said.
"That's most likely the case." Tina nodded.
"Alright." I nodded. "I also learned and…am trying to figure out how Time Walker death's make any sense…"
"What do you mean?" Tina inquired.
"I was told they are living paradoxes, and their death means that they are excised from existence and memory…but the things they do aren't…" I said carefully.
"Like…if the person that gave you that important item never existed, how did you get it in the first place?" Tina inquired.
"Yeah, like that." I nodded, keeping up my eighty mile an hour run and…not feeling tired at all. "Like, I remember being given the thing, Cream was pissed all those years ago." I chuckled, remembering her calling me the luckiest being on the planet because of that. "But I can't remember who gave it…"
"Huh… weird." Micheal said. "Kinda reminds me of Kingdom Hearts…"
"Oh you mean when Xion died, I cried so hard at that part…" Gallon said.
"That was indeed a sad moment. One Roxas ruined because his lines were dumb." Tina said.
"Oh my god I know…" Gallon said.
"B-but who will I have Ice Cream with?" I asked, as all of us laughed at how bad that was.
"Seriously, I doubt even if that was a translation error that no one looked at that and thought 'Um… maybe a rewrite for this?'." Micheal said. "But yeah, what if it works like that?"
"I mean, I don't know why it would because Xion was made from Memories right? Time Walkers are supposed to be made of Time, something that does and…doesn't work properly in this reality as I've heard."
"Unless that's just a lie to cover up what they actually are." Tina said. "Think about it. Time Walkers are the most secretive of the three Mother Run guilds. Would it surprise anyone if the members are made of not a living paradox but rather memories made flesh?"
"I'd say that makes sense…but that would mean whoever made Diamond a Time Walker…did some serious modifications to her…" I said carefully. "Ugh! This is so confusing and it's giving me a headache but…I need to figure this out…for Diamond's sake…"
"If they are made of memories, is she even the same Tiara that you knew before? Cause, if not then what happened to the original?"
My eyes widened at that…what…what did they do to my Diamond? "I have to find Diamond…I have to figure out what they did to her because if that's the case…then…then she truly…oh god…" I muttered in horror, realization hitting me as I thought…if she was just memories…then all her emotions, her want to trust me…it was more real than I ever imagined and not just some betrayal bullshit…"Why does everything need to be complicated?"
"Cause we live on a planet that's a playground for a psychotic god that's also bored?" Micheal offered.
"Gonna find a shirt that says that somewhere." Gallon said.
"I'd buy it." Tina nodded. "Huh. been ten minutes and you've been keeping that top speed of eighty for a while Button."
"I don't feel tired at all." I admitted.
"See if you can keep it up on two legs." Gallon said.
Nodding, I managed to push myself on hind legs. My speed dropped for a second before going back to eighty.
"Looks like… you can keep the s-speed…" Micheal said, stuttering for some reason.
"Yeah… impressive…" Gallon said, chuckling.
What?
"Cute running style Button." Tina said.
I then realized I was keeping my arms ticked against my sides like a raptor or something…
"Sh-shush you, I'm not used to running as a biped." I said with a blush of embarrassment at how silly this looks.
"It's adorable." Tina smiled.
"Well, he is part bird now so…" Gallon chuckled.
"Can someone tell me how to run properly so I don't look stupid?" I whined.
"If your arms are folding that way instinctively that might just be how your body is meant to run..." Micheal said. "At least your wings are also kept tucked against your back and head without issue."
"Yeah, I learned that real quick…before." I sighed. "This is still something to get used to…"
"Trust us, we know." Gallon chuckled.
"Word of advice, try not to get any feathers plucked out before they're either already older or starting to look dingy." Micheal said.
Huh. I remember some tips Tiara mentioned. I wonder, do my new head wings hurt if I pluck a feather from them? I think they should… what about the feathers on my body? They're all rather small too…
I reached down, finding a small feather poking out amongst the rest and pulled it- Ouch! Okay, yes that hurts! Like getting a splinter! More an annoying pain but painful nonetheless.
"I recommend not plucking a feather off the head either." Micheal said as I turned to them. "Accidentally pulled one out and on top of feeling like I yanked out a clump of hair, gave me a splitting migraine for hours. Most other Nokori with feathered wings on their head all said it was a similar sensation when it happened to them so, I'm assuming it might be the same for you."
"Yes, yes it di-AH!" I shouted in pain as my dumbass regeneration kicked in, feeling like molten lava was shoved directly onto my god damn wing to regrow a single fucking feather. "Fuck me…" I groaned in pain.
"Keep up that pace and I might later~" Tina said.
Gallon laughed and Micheal facepalmed.
I blushed.
"S-so none of you are questioning why my feather just grew back?" I asked, quick to trying to divert the conversation from Tina's skull crushing thighs and onto me being in turbo pain.
"This is all new territory for us given BOW Nokori didn't exist back on Gallon and I's home world so, all I know is largely open for addition or even being tossed out since we don't know what you're capable of." Micheal said.
"I don't bother questioning anything and just accept shit as it happens." Gallon shrugged. "Unless it's bullshit."
"I'm wondering if your Controle Stick changed shape~" Tina said.
I tripped, face planting and sliding off the running treadmill and getting tossed into a pile of loose weights.
"Shit! Button you… okay…?" I heard Micheal say.
I pushed myself up. I actually felt fine and…
I looked myself over. My arm no longer looked like flesh and feathers, rather now it looked… metallic…
I ran to a nearby mirror.
I was armored up. The armor was different. Feathers were all metallic, skin was metal, even my wings now looked as if they were made from multicolored metal.
The helmet was very different, almost like a second skin as my eyes were clear and visible and I could even move my mouth and it was visible. It was less like armor and more like skin… but it felt extremely metallic…
Cheat…
"C-Cheat?" I asked, gently putting a hand up to the helmet…as I teared up and wished she was here…
I stared at my reflection, tearing up as it slowly seemed to… sink in or retract inside my body…
"Are you… gonna be alright?" Gallon asked.
"N-not really…" I said slowly. "I…that was Cheat…she's still alive…just…this stupid fusion…"
I wiped the tears out of my eyes… I need to salvage at least her… I need to find the Greed Markets.
After a little more training, Tina, Gallon and Micheal accompanied me to the Greed Market. A portal trip brought me to a familiar sight of stalls selling everything, and I mean everything…
"This place is like right out of a bad explorer movie." Micheal said as we walked through the crowd.
"Kind of reminds me of some video games." Gallon added.
"I don't like some of the smells here…" Tina added.
"Welcome to Greed, where you're either a Customer, or the Merchandise…" I said their tag line. "The only Guild that's neutral in all this bullshit…"
"So, pay the bill. Got it." Gallon said.
"Yeesh. Look at some of this stuff. Think the Geneva Convention back home would be having a heart attack just looking at some of it." Micheal said as we passed a stall with some very strange and deadly looking weaponry.
"I don't like that they allow stalls that sell Breeders, Slaves, Serfs and even children." Tina said, growling as we passed one said stall.
"Yeah…I actually bought a Roxy and Rockstar Chica from Greed…I wonder how those two are doing actually?"
"Freaky… I really don't like- Gallon!"
We turned, Micheal practically tackling Gallon who was looking at some floating swords and dragging him back.
"Awe come on, they were cool looking…" Gallon said.
"For all you know touching them might have killed you or something!" Micheal huffed. "And don't just wander off and now Tina is gone…"
I turned, and saw Tina kneeled down looking at the cages of a stall that was selling people. Specifically she was looking at a cage with children inside.
"Tina?" I asked, moving over to her side.
"This…this isn't right…" Tina said, seeing the children in cages…"I…I want to save them…"
"I'm…sure you would like to have met Irma." I admitted. "She fight's and rescues any slaves she can, trying to find…I think her daughter's husband…" I said, shaking my head. "Damn, ten years and so much nonsense I'm surprised I remembered…"
"... Some of them look so… hopeless…" Tina sighed.
"Two hundred rem a head." The seller, some odd semi-transparent skinned humanoid said, smoking a cigar from a chair they sat at.
"That cheap for a child…" Tina said, less a question more an angry statement.
"Ever since Lust opened up those brothels and instated those new policies, they rarely even need Lovers Class to make more Breeders. They have the Breeders breed more Breeders." They stated. "Kids from pods like them are bought for cheap and sold just to get rid of. Only reason they still buy them is to check them for abilities that might be of use."
"How many kids are here?" I asked immediately. "Breeders making more Breeders…fucking hell…" I thought to myself.
"Got ten out here. So a solid two grand for the lot." The seller said.
"Deal." I nodded, handing over th two grand of rem.
"Pleasure doing buisni-" As the shopkeep was saying as he took the money, we both heard the sudden breaking and tearing of metal as Tina held all ten children close to her, all of them in a state of awe and…comfort as Tina held them all like a mother would their children.
"I mean…fair." I admitted.
"Den Mothers." He shrugged, taking the money then taking another puff of his Cigar. "Best keep an eye on her buddy. Lust Hunters won't think twice about targeting her."
"I'll keep track of her, don't worry." I nodded, even though I'd sooner parade the fucker that dared on a pike gutted as their screams echo in these halls.
"Good."
Tina managed to keep hold of all the kids. They vary in age and race. Youngest looked maybe three, oldest must have been eleven.
I kept close to her as Gallon and Micheal helped keep an eye on Tina and look around for the armor piece I was looking for.
I managed to find an armor vendor, looking through the selection and-
I paused at what I saw… A full set of Berzerker Symbiote Armor.
Not just one… Five whole sets.
Holy shit…
"Should I really?" I thought to myself, thinking if I got all five it would be really cool to have all five.
Hmm… if I do, at the very least I can give Micheal, Gallon and Tina a set… and I only need the leggings…
"I see you got an eye for rare armor mate." I looked up, seeing a snake, a normal looking but also massive snake with long black hair in a braid hanging from beams above us lower down to look me in the eyes. "These armors are quite the beautiful sight aren't they? Completely symbiotic, both acts like armor, symbiote, powerful and the full set."
"Well…I'll buy three and do you have leggings for a more…Wolf like Berserker armor?" I inquired, remembering Cheat's helm always had a neat wolf theme like from the Berserk manga.
"The armor here changes to fit the host. And I do have spare leggings."
"Well, I need Berserker Leggings, and what other kinds of symbiote armor, or weapons, do you have besides Berserker?"
"Hmm… Well, in terms of weapons that are also symbiotes I don't have any at the moment. I do have one armor piece from Violence's production line." The snake said.
Hmm… Violence made armor? Odds are that it will be very overpowered, but potentially negative in some way…
"And…what's special about the Violence line?" I inquired.
"They're all custom made and can be purchased either through merchants like myself or from Violence directly, they won't spawn as loot anywhere on Armageddon."
"Is there any…downsides to having it?" I asked carefully.
"Well, it is a symbiote still so there's those usual drawbacks, but you strike me as a person used to sharing a body and mind with them. Other than that, nothing much that I am aware of." The snake said, slithering back up to the support beams and then coming back down with a mannequin head, a grip where the neck would be was being held by the merchant in their mouth. The mannequin head sported what looked like a face mask that was more akin to something a ninja would wear, some metal around the face and cheeks but mostly cloth. "The maker called it the Armor of Shadows. More for stealth than damage absorption but they said it would help greatly to anyone I sold it to." The snake seller said as they put the mannequin head down before me.
"Well…that could help me in the long run." I admitted. "How much for it?"
"If you want four of the Armor of the Berserker Symbiote sets, the leggings and this piece here… Total will be three million rem. Buy all five for two million and twenty five hundred thousand and I'll throw in some Specal armor enchantments for your… two friends there." They said, pointing their tail tip to Micheal and Gallon.
"What's wrong with us?" Micheal asked.
"You're wearing normal clothes…" The merchant said.
"So, you're naked?" Gallon said.
"I have scales, natural armor. And while your robes there have a minor enchantment, I can't stand seeing unarmored people."
"What about me?" Tina asked.
"You're a Zingore, your hide alone is used in armors so you have natural protection as well."
"Cool… I think…"
"Fair enough." I nodded. "But you guys want some Symbiote armor? I know their Berserker class armor but it's better than nothing and you get a new friend in the process."
"Sounds… interesting…" Micheal said.
"Sounds fun." Gallon said with a smirk.
"I guess if it helps us, yes." Tina nodded. "Should probably have gotten armor sooner before."
"Fair enough." I nodded. "So two million twenty five hundred thousand for this special bundle and enchants?"
"Yes. They are on scrolls that once they make contact with clothing will attach to them, adding some decent armor ratings via magic." The snake nodded.
"Works for me." I nodded, bringing out the money for the merchant.
Once they got everything they nodded, quickly going back to the rafters above and then coming down with a bag full of scrolls.
They also left me the legging for Cheat's armor.
I swallowed as I looked at them. Gently, I placed a hand on them- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! IT'S LIKE THE FUSION IS HAPPENING ALL OVER AGAIN!
While I was spasseming on the ground trying to feel literally anything other than an all encompassing pain, I suddenly heard something new but familiar.
"HOLY FUCKING SHIT BUTTON WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO!?" Cheat's voice screamed at me.
Despite the agony… I couldn't help but laugh and cry.
"C-Cheat! I'm…I'm so glad you're back…" I cried. "Also, why the fuck is the Fusion pain happening again!? That doesn't make any sense!"
About as soon as it started, it ended and I was left feeling numb and sore all over again… ouch… agh… fuck…
"Button what the hell happened? Also the fuck can't I do anything? Where's Violence, Java and Keven? What the fuck happened to your body and what the… fuck I can't remember much past following Tiara to that Beach…" Cheat asked, sounding as sore as me and her voice filled with confusion.
As I tried to push myself up I suddenly felt the pain and soreness… lessen. Like it was being washed off. I managed to turn and see Gallon there, hands on my back as I saw them glow with magic. "Spell I got when I got into that guild. Helps heal and reduce pain." He said. "You looked like you were gonna need it."
"Y-yeah…thanks." I nodded. "Cheat…there's…so much to tell you and…none of it is good in the slightest…just…know that I love you and I'm glad you're alive."
"So… to recap… Tiara forced you into a fusion that also fused you with Mango the Super Volcano Phoenix, turning you into some BOW Nokori thing that has all the Symbiote powers, which is why I have such a blank hole in my memory as I was technically dead until you got my last armor piece that seems to have just woke up my consciousness but not letting me do any symbiote nonsense, leaving me a separate consciousness in your head unable to do much but talk with you and watch. On top of that you also met the Father of Armageddon, a member of the Family and basically challenged them at their own game by saying you are gonna play your own game to save Tiara who only did this to you because she knew what he was gonna send our way at a yet to be known date and broke some important Time Walkers laws that she will be killed for it caught…" Cheat summarized.
"That's the long and short of it, yeah." I said, even though I was now wearing Cheat's armor and giving it a wing hug because I was just…so happy they were back. "And did you know that the Father of Armageddon is an asshole?"
"One would assume that anyone that makes a planet like this would indeed be an asshole yes. Also on a related note ARE YOU COMPLETYLY OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND?!" Cheat's scream made me experience the mental equivalent to a near deafness. "YOU CHALLENGE A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY AND EXPECT TO WIN?!"
"He didn't seem to mind though." I admitted. "I think he liked my challenge, and had the balls to call him out on his bullshit…listen, I've had a rough couple of days, I'm just super pissed about a lot of things…and DG was the real person to get pissed at."
"Remember when Cream was screaming at you for not thinking things through and jumping into something just because you can… I swear Button If I could I'd have taken control of the body and whored you out with Tina like a prostitute to keep you in line!" Cheat yelled before finally calming. "I swear you are too fucking… agh! If Tiara dies, if you can't save her, you are dropping out of this game and we are moving to some country farmland for the rest of our lives!"
"That's fair, but I know I can do this." I told her. "This isn't something I say lightly, plus the bitch was taunting me with Free Will, that this was ultimately my choice…but I'm going to make my choice matter."
"Yeah yeah… if I ever get a body again first thing I'm gonna do is whack you upside your thick head… So what's step one in your insanity?"
"Get stronger for one, which will need me to get used to this extra fluffy body."
"I guess that works. So, you're in charge of my armor and such now huh? Well, you are part phoenix, part Symbiote, well, many parts symbiote, and pony. At least your new body has perks."
"There are a lot of things…but one thing that's annoying is Mortal Magma, my immortality ability that's just…more a hindrance then actually helpful, as whenever I'm injured I regenerate by my body feeling like it was dipped in pure Lava…and it bypasses any and all pain nullifications for some reason…pain…"
"Eh. I figured you'd end up with some bullshit at some point. In any case, nice to meet you Roomie. Welcome to my idiot husband's body." Cheat said.
"The pleasure is all mine." The symbiote of the stealth armor said, their tone respectful and rather kind. "This body is quite adept for housing symbiotes."
"Yeah, there used to be three others but you heard how that went so… now it's just me and I don't even count anymore. So, anything special you can do when you armor up Button?"
"I can help my master in remaining undetected, hide and blend into the shadows, at night Button will be nearly undetectable and once I am 3/4ths whole I can use the shadows to craft weapons as needed."
"Well that's cool." I admitted. "So, do you have a name or should we give you one?"
"Call me Kage."
"Sure, fitting name all things considered."
With that all done I decided to check in on Tina, Gallon and Micheal.
I found them in the gym. I got a few upgrades for it to help us all train and get better. There was a shooting range, spell casting area, combat arena, and some useful things.
Tina's armor reflected her wolf like appearance, covering her spines and such. I did notice small vents along her back that at first looked impractical, but I learned that her Thunder Bugs flew in and out of them.
Micheal's was more like platemail, the armor was thin, slender and fit along their body but also had the iconic spikes along the back, elbows and his legs. The armor even covered his horns that now thanks to the armor curled into sharp points that I imagine would gouge out anyone if he headbutt them. His wings, like mine, the armor covered and seemed to look more like demonic wings when armored, but the wings on his back and head.
Gallon's was the most unique. Rather than armor, his looked more like robes, while the armor still covered him entirely, it resembled an artistic looking set of robes. There was even a large Y across his chest, no idea how the symbiote colored it a golden yellow. Gallon's horns while in the armor also were longer, stretching up, looking and pointing towards one another.
And apparently, his Ability also affects the armor when it's active, gaining him even more defense and resistance.
I was rather jealous of that…
"It's so weird… feels like there's nothing on me but then, well, this…" Micheal said, still looking at their armored form in the mirror.
"Mine looks neat, and I like thing it did with my horns." Gallon said, also looking at themselves in the mirror.
Tina just stared at her form in the mirror. "... How the fuck does this armor make my chest just vanish!? Where the fuck did my tits go?!" She yelled. Her rather fluffy and… large Den Mother breasts seemingly non-existent with the armor on. "I know I can still feel them so how?!"
"You can ask to show them." I admitted. "But the armor is supposed to keep you safe and make you more streamlined when it comes to combat."
"That's what the symbiote said and while I get it, I do, but still… Can't I get some sexy armor? … Awh! My symbiote is no fun…"
"I mean, sexiness can be weaponized." I admitted. "But you'll get used to it."
"Well at least my symbiote is rather quiet." Micheal said.
"Mine's a smart ass and I love it." Gallon chuckled.
"And my new Symbiote is a Ninja and Cheats still mad about a lot of things I'm doing." I chuckled.
"Well, I guess if anything these will help keep us alive. Rather not die." Micheal said.
"This is gonna be so cool! Some Venom shenanigans." Gallon smirked. Well, he sounded like he was smirking. His armor didn't let his expressions show.
"Yeah, it can get like that if you invest time, effort, and skill points into it." I said honestly.
"And I can still fly with it on." Gallon added, his armored wings looked the same but the back sides were covered in spikes and he flapped them a few times and floated in the air as he flapped.
"I still wish I could fly… I mean, I can glide but that's not the same." Micheal sighed. "... No I'm not gonna let you eat a zombie pegasus to get flight! I'm a vegetarian!"
Ah, arguing with his symbiote already. Also that's why he never touches the meat during meals…
"Well, good to know, but there are the fungus or plant based undead so it would technically count as the vegan option." I pointed out. "But also, I was curious about why you didn't eat meat, good to know."
"Yeah, Micheal was Vegetarian even before turning Nokori, after it was a dietary thing. He could eat fish and chicken but nothing else." Gallon said. "But he stayed vegetarian regardless. Even after coming here and finding out he can eat all meat now cause out new cells and such, still stuck to it."
"You don't eat meat, does that apply to eggs and such?" Tina asked.
"I eat eggs, cheese, jello. Just no actual meat." Micheal said. He then turned to me. "And when you say Fungus based undead… do you mean fucking Clickers and shit?"
"Oh… oh now that is actually terrifying…" Gallon said.
"Clickers and all their variants, Clickers infested with the Tyrant Virus…honestly there's a Zombie flavor of every kind."
"And like that I prefer to nope out of any of that…" Micheal said.
"... I'm gonna need a bigger gun…" Gallon said.
"Sounds fun." Tina said.
"It really is when you get into a routine." I admitted. "Like all those zombie horde games, tons of ways to murder a ton of enemies by yourself."
"Right. Still pretty new to all this so, pardon my lack of enthusiasm at learning all those horrifying enemies from video games I've played are real…" Micheal sighed.
"So wait, by that logic a lot of other stuff should be real too right?" Gallon asked.
"Everything in this reality is real." I answered. "Sure there are some…illegal stuff, like Time Manipulation from what DG told me."
"Right, right so then… does that include like non-monster things? Like food or items?"
"Yep." I nodded. "From the nonsense foods of Chowder, to what Food Wars cooking should be." I explained.
"Oh I am so going shopping later." Gallon chuckled as his armor returned to inside his body. "But right now I gotta go."
"Right, you're gonna do that whole Church of The Mother thing." Micheal said, his armor also turning back into sami liquid form and returning inside them. "I'll tag along. This might be interesting."
"Maybe." Gallon shrugged.
"As far as I know it should be a simple thing." I shrugged.
"Guess it's something to do." Tina said, her armor also returning to inside her. The noticeable difference when her chest returned made her smile. "Hey there girls! Missed you~" She said…
…
Sway…~
"Your level of horny is both hilarious and concerning." Gallon laughed.
"You two are perfect for each other." Micheal said with an eye roll.
"Am I not allowed to enjoy my new girlfriend's figure?" I asked carefully.
"I believe once you've impregnated her the term is baby mamma." Gallon smirked.
"Either way, I'm still allowed to enjoy her looks." I stated with a huff.
"Not saying you can't but it's a little weird how obvious you two make it." Micheal said.
"I like to flaunt it." Tina shrugged. "I've seen you two flirting."
"Yeah. Actually, come to think of it, You flaunt and show off a lot, Micheal and I flirt with one another, more discreetly but we do it, I don't think I've seen Button try and flirt that didn't sound like an anime cliche trope." Gallon said.
"Huh… True, last time Button flirted was when he asked if he could use my revolving door many times." Tina said.
"Can we not?" I whined, blushing brightly at the whole 'I can't flirt for shit' talk. "Flirting is not my strong suit okay?"
"Was that before or after you thought flirting with a bucket of chicken was a good idea?" Tina asked.
"Hey, it can work, I'm not saying I was successful." I tried defending myself.
"You took some romance advice from the Scout from TF2?" Micheal asked, chuckling.
"Classic." Gallon said, chuckling as well. "Well, come on, if I'm late they might come looking for me."
"Listen, it was all about confidence, showing I can provide, and other things that Spy said I should have…not my fault that chicken was the first thing that came to mind."
"Heh, and you're adorable for trying." Tina said, rubbing my head as we headed out.
The whole thing wasn't much. A crowd, some cheers. Gallon said what needed to be said, the building itself glowed for a bit but then looked normal. That was everything.
After that we all headed back to the coffee shop for some treats.