The Sorcerer's Apprentice Universe
By Stargatesg1fan1
AN:
Becky Barnes is played by Teresa Palmer
Veronica is played by Monica Bellucci
End AN
Disclaimer: I own nothing of any recognized characters or universes within.
Chapter 44- The Sorcerer's Apprentice Verse P2
Unfortunately after Becky and I returned to the city after a wonderful night I received a lecture from Balthazar when he detected the residual traces of the spell I used to clean.
My lab…
"You have abused the sacred art and you have abused the Merlin's circle. Magic isn't a game, no shortcuts. If you had fallen into that water and gotten electrocuted as it touched the power outlets you would have lost your power," Balthazar informed me.
Through my analysis of this universe's version of a magic user, the sorcerer, I've learned that high amounts of electricity damage the part of the brain needed to channel the sorcerer's power. Over time this brain damage might be repaired by other parts but if you lose your power in a fight you most often don't get the chance to find out, because another sorcerer will kill you.
One of my most recent improvements to my universal travels is the redirection of my second sight and future sight abilities. The second sight gets channeled through my subconscious where my subconscious mind decides what is filtered to my conscious as very strong instincts. My future sight used to go directly to my conscious mind where I would choose the best course of action. Now both sources of knowledge go directly to a portion of my brain directly controlled by my nanite network, which in turn has access to a vast array of computing power and knowledge through the subspace connection with my orbiting cruiser in this universe and a more powerful communications connection to my fleets and Atluria in other universes. The nanites in that portion of my mind are controlled by an AI modeled after my conscious mind but one that is also slaved to my conscious mind for any super important decisions.
This AI interprets the various scenarios using a quantum optical core processor under a time dilation field to determine the best outcome to future events. These are the outcomes that I will find most enjoyable and will provide me with the most entertainment while also allowing me to grow. This might mean letting people who would normally die without my presence still die or it might mean saving them. The AI feeds me prompts to move towards the best outcome as very strong instincts. I can choose to ignore them or follow them but most often I choose to follow them.
My instincts were telling me that I needed to go away from my lab for awhile.
"Balthazar I need a break. You are pushing me hard…maybe too hard. I will complete my training but I need a day off every once in a while," I informed my master with conviction shining through in my eyes and aura.
Balthazar was silent for a moment as he stared intently at me. Despite his appearance this man was older than even Dumbledore. Therefore his gaze was even more felt. But I've gained the knowledge, experience, and power of far older beings throughout my travels.
"You're right Dave…go enjoy the day with Becky. But please be back tomorrow so we can continue your lessons," Balthazar finally relented.
With a nod towards my master I left the lab. Once outside my lab I disappeared in a burst of flames. Once I reappeared I was standing on the Sears Tower. A pop beside me signaled Becky's arrival.
"Hey you," my lover greeted me as she wrapped her arms around me from behind and rest her chin on my shoulder.
"Hello love," I greeted before letting the comfortable silence permeate the air around us.
"So what are you doing up here all alone," asked Becky as she hadn't quite gotten used to monitoring me over the bond.
My wives who were human before the bonding, usually have the most difficulty in acclimating to the bond.
"I convinced Balthazar to give me the day off," I answered.
"Oh yeah…and what are you going to do with this entire free day from your slave driver," Becky asked as she slid around my body so that she was now facing me.
"I was thinking of spending it with you," I answered which earned me a kiss from a grinning blonde. "Maybe go flying," I added as we broke the kiss.
"Dave," Becky whispered with trepidation in her voice.
"Don't worry honey…I won't let you fall," I assured my wife who had a bit of a fear of heights.
"Do you remember when you drew king kong on the bus window and it lined up with the empire state building as we drove by," Becky asked me as she breathlessly clung to me.
"Yes I do recall that," I replied as I thought back to when my counterpart was young and in fourth grade.
"You saw the world in your own unique way," Becky told me. "I always admired that and thought it was cool."
"Well now I can share that view of the world and the universe with you Becky," I told her as my arm morphed to extend so that it wrapped around her tightly and held her out so that she could experience flight for herself.
Over the next few minutes I coaxed a smile out of Becky as I showed her how to fly with the powers of the various super powered beings in her nanite database. By a half hour later Becky was laughing and flying loops around me.
"Damn," I muttered as I looked towards my lab.
"What is it," asked Becky as she leveled off beside me.
"My deity sense is tingling," I answered. "Balthazar is about to need my help," I answered before pulling Becky to me and silently transporting us out of phase and invisible to float just above the steps entering my lab.
"Hey…I think you and I need to have a talk," Becky and I heard a duplicate of me tell Balthazar.
"No apology necessary…let us move on," asked Balthazar as he examined my incantus for any water damage from last night's spell.
"You're gobbing mate," my duplicate replied with a sinister smile just before Balthazar noticed the black fingernails.
A plasma bolt blasted my master back against one of the Tesla coil generators before copper tubing held him secure at the wrists and ankles.
"Surprisingly well done…now go find the grimholde," Horvath instructed his apprentice after the young poof shed my appearance for his own. "You seem to have rather a soft spot for that boy," Horvath told Balthazar as he reached the base of the stairs. "Has Balthazar made a new friend?"
"I don't see the grimholde," Drake the poof complained.
"That's because you're using your eyes. Clever Balthazar…always up to his little tricks," Horvath said to my master as the mad Morganian held up his glowing wand.
Conjuring a cloud of black smoke Horvath directed streams from it around the room until he saw the outline of the invisible grimholde.
"There it is," Drake stated the obvious as he moved to pick it up.
Horvath had other plans as he summoned the grimholde to his evil grasp.
"It's a lot lighter than I remember," mused Horvath as he walked up to stand just below where Balthazar was secured.
"We once fought together Max," Balthazar tried.
"A lot has happened since those days," Horvath answered.
"This isn't about that," argued Balthazar.
"Oh yes it is Balthazar. It has always been about that. Veronica chose you instead of me…the great Balthazar Blake, my best friend. Well I'm going to let you watch me release Morgana, let you watch your world crumble into nothing," threatened Horvath as he indicated the world around him with his wand.
When Horvath's back was turned Balthazar broke free with the aid of the freezing job he had done on the copper restraint over the last few minutes and blasted Horvath to the other side of the lab with a powerful plasma bolt. Drake got off a lucky shot and blew my master back before Balthazar hit back and knocked the little poof away. Unfortunately this left Balthazar open to several fast moving daggers sent by Horvath.
That was my cue to take action as I arrested the dagger's movement inches before they reached my master and sent them straight back at Horvath. One dagger imbedded into Horvath's arm before he managed to deflect the rest.
"Drake let's go," growled Horvath to his minion.
"Nice catch," praised Balthazar as I jumped down the stairs and helped him up. "They got the doll."
"And we'll get it back," I replied before we ran for Balthazar's wheels.
"Hang on," my master instructed a moment later as he backed out of the garage before peeling off after the bad guys.
We dodged through traffic while the cars around us honked to signal the displeasure of their drivers. Drake weaved hard left in front of a semi before Balthazar took a left behind it. The SUV we had been following was gone with only a sea of cabs in front of us.
"He transfigured the SUV," I guessed.
"Yes Horvath is in here somewhere," agreed Balthazar. "Use your ring to lock in on the grimholde. Remember it moves with the ring."
Concentrating on the connection between my ring and the grimholde I raised my hand and sent the grimholde smashing around inside of Horvath's car. I smiled as I sensed it smash Horvath in the family jewels hard enough to draw a scream before it flew straight at Drake's head. As the driver was knocked for a loop the cab they were in swerved enough to let us know their location. Balthazar sped up through the traffic while Horvath transfigured his cab into a black sports car. Balthazar followed hot in pursuit with a sleek silver number.
"Hang on," Balthazar warned as we picked up speed
We followed Drake on a hard right into the tunnel, going the wrong way. Horvath released a trail of smoke form his wand to block our view of the oncoming cars.
"My turn," I announced before placing my hand on the dash and bringing the vehicle out of phase.
"Nice one," praised Balthazar in appreciation of my magic as we cleared the tunnel intact.
As we came upon an intersection Horvath sent a spell at a nearby plate glass window which turned it into a rippling mirror with a wormhole I sensed attached to a very strange mirror universe. He sent the mirror hurtling into our path.
"We're trapped in a reverse world," Balthazar explained as I noticed all the backwards writing. "We'll be ok as long as we get out of here soon by driving through our own reflection."
"There in that window," I pointed to our left.
"This is it," Balthazar agreed as he steered for the reflection only to have glass spray us as Horvath blasted it with a plasma bolt from the other side.
Horvath continued to blast every portal we could find until Both Balthazar and I noticed a hanging piece of reflective glass about to drop and shatter.
"Go for it," I encouraged as I wrapped the glass in a telekinetic glass while giving the car a little boost.
We passed through the mirror portal just as it was about to shatter. We were once more on Horvath's tale as we swerved around several tight corners until we were stopped by a garbage truck.
"Hello Balthazar," my enhanced hearing heard a grinning Horvath say as Drake raised the hydraulic arm carrying a heavy dumpster above us.
Balthazar hit reverse just in time to avoid being crushed as we flew backwards out of the alley we were just in. As we flew back I knew we would never get to a confrontation with Morgana in a timely manner if Horvath didn't get away. All of a sudden one of our tires blew out which slowed us down enough for Drake to catch up. I willed a shield to stop the dropping dumpster as our car was crushed. When we dug ourselves out Drake and Horvath were gone from their trash truck. I followed Balthazar into the crowd in pursuit.
I watched as Balthazar paused before a beautiful dark haired woman in shock. As soon as he turned and grabbed the woman's arm the powerful illusion Horvath had placed on her vanished to reveal a not so attractive older woman.
"Hey," the distraction said to Balthazar.
"I'm sorry…I thought you were someone else," apologized my master as I reached him.
"That was Veronica wasn't it…the third apprentice," I asked quietly.
My lab a short while later…
"For centuries Veronica, Horvath, and I were the only thing standing between Morgana and man's destruction," began Balthazar as we sat before the opened incantus. "Our friendship and our magic were what Veronica and I depended on."
"You fell in love with her didn't you," I stated.
"I fell in love with her," he agreed. "All Veronica wanted was to be normal; normal things, normal life. I fell…and so did Horvath. That's why Horvath betrayed us. I was going to give this to her that night," he explained as he held up a beautiful jeweled necklace.
The man's love ran deep enough that he has been carrying Veronica around for a thousand years in the grimholde.
"We will get Veronica out and destroy Morgana…I promise you that," I informed my master as he stood and stared into the distance, remembering his past love.
"Then we have some work to do," Balthazar told me with a grin.
While training the final time with Balthazar to face Morgana Becky was taken hostage by a young witch named Abigail Williams, who was responsible for the whole Salem Witch Trials debacle in this universe. Becky allowed herself to be taken because my instincts told me to allow her to play along.
Outside Horvath's hideout that night…
"Alright," Balthazar began when his classic car pulled to a stop in front of Drake's showbiz headquarters. "When Morgana is released promise me you will do whatever it takes to destroy her."
"I promise Balthazar," I answered easily as I read his plan from his surface thoughts.
"And for the record you are an amazing sorcerer," Balthazar added as he climbed out of the car.
I followed Balthazar inside the suite on the top floor where I was greeted with a portrait of Drake rendered in a heroic pose.
"How utterly revolting," I muttered.
"Let's just find the grimholde and be done with it," Balthazar replied while inwardly agreeing with my assessment.
Balthazar and I split up to check separate rooms. I found the grimholde sitting in front of the fireplace with nothing but an alert ward set on it. I picked it up and sensed the two souls trapped within; one extremely evil and one equally good. Walking out into the hall I was presented with Horvath.
"Well that was easy. Come on Dave you know the drill," the madman ranted as I turned to face him; holding Becky with his glowing wand pointed at her head. "Give me what I want and I'll let her go."
"Dave what is going on," Becky asked as she played dumb.
"Don't worry honey everything will be alright," I promised while tossing the grimholde to Horvath who caught it with his free hand.
"Now give me Merlin's ring as well," Horvath demanded.
Slipping the ring off I handed it over as well.
"Now let Becky go or magic or not I will make you suffer a fate worse than any you can imagine," I swore while my eyes glowed with power and my voice promised death.
Becky ran to me as soon as Horvath released her.
"Merlin's ring…it has been a while since I've been this close to it," mused Horvath as he slipped the aforementioned object onto his wand shaft to join the other two; one William's and the other Drake's. "I wonder if it still works," spoke Horvath just before he launched a plasma bolt at Becky and I.
I casually bent my lover and I out of the way before slipping a throwing knife from my sleeve and launching it directly into Horvath's groin. With a howl of agony he ran out the door as another knife embedded itself in the wood of the door.
"The grimholde," asked Balthazar as he ran into the room out of breath, having just escaped from a Persian quicksand rug trap.
"I'm sorry master but Horvath got away with the grimholde and Merlin's ring," I admitted straight away since time was of the essence. "I couldn't let him kill Becky."
"I would have done the same thing Dave. Now I must go to Battery Park. Horvath is going to release Morgana and then they will perform The Raising there," said Balthazar as he turned and walked out onto the Balcony.
Balthazar jumped up onto the ledge and I didn't try to stop him because this is something he has to do.
"No one knows how much time they have to be with people that are the most important. Enjoy it," Balthazar told us with a smile before toppling off the ledge backwards with arms outstretched.
Becky and I approached the ledge to see my mentor riding on the back of a giant eagle. Becky and I took to the air invisibly and out of phase before flying at super speeds to Battery Park. Balthazar arrived just as Horvath cracked open the grimholde. A black sludge morphed out into the form of Veronica but I could sense Morgana's evil soul in control.
"Veronica," asked Horvath.
"It's me Horvath…Morgana," Morgana answered with glowing eyes and a doubly distorted voice similar to that of a Goauld. "No need to look so pathetic. Destroy that thing. I never want to see it again," ordered the witch as she pointed to the opened grimholde. "I cannot raise the dead until the circle is complete."
Morgana closed her eyes as Horvath picked up the grimholde pieces and began chanting in an ancient tongue, "Ergo vogo chi oh spiritos eth tremora choira etera."
A fireball shot up from the ground before her as Morgana finished the chant. We watched the fireball bounce off the satellite dishes Horvath and Drake had lined up before hand. Morgana continued to chant to add energy to the magical pentagram forming above the city between the five satellite dishes. Balthazar chose that time to begin his entrance by throwing a magical foxhole over the fence. It unraveled and created a camouflaged pocket dimension for the sorcerer to hide in.
Horvath created a magical fire and tried to throw the grimholde in but Balthazar caught it in his telekinetic grip and summoned it to himself. Horvath sent a powerful plasma bolt towards Balthazar but missed.
"Enough of your old tricks Balthazar," Horvath called out.
"As you wish," my master answered just before he tried to hurl his own plasma bolt only to have it stopped in his palm by Horvath wielding his even more powerful wand.
I watched glowing runes of fire appear in the air over the city. This was powerful magic…the kind only visible to other magic users.
"It's not like it was…things are pretty even between us Balthazar," said Horvath as he slowly walked towards his rival sorcerer while holding back my master's plasma bolt. "As you can see…I've acquired some new jewelry," Horvath announced before swinging his wand like a bat to toss Balthazar back to the park gate with a telekinetic blast.
"A matador gored by a bull can take up to three days to die. Sounds unpleasant doesn't it," asked Horvath as he animated the giant bronze bull statue behind where Balthazar was trying to get his breath back from having it knocked out of him.
The bull turned and charged but Balthazar waited until the last second to dodge, allowing the bull to impact with the gate. Balthazar took off running up the incline into the nearby parking lot where he took refuge behind a minivan. Balthazar dodged behind several cars as the bull tore through them. Horvath cheated by tossing a newspaper vending machine at my master.
"The circle is nearly complete. It must be awful Balthazar…all these years fighting to stop this one moment and then coming up short.
I could feel the necromantic energy circling the globe and reanimating evil magical inferi to do Morgana's bidding.
I took that moment to step in.
"Oh look the magic less sorcerer has come out to play," taunted Horvath just as my zat gauntlet dropped into my hand.
As Horvath raised his wand my zat gauntlet discharged into the wand, blasting it from the evil man's grip. Balthazar took the opportunity to blast Horvath a good distance away to land hard on the ground. I casually zatted him three times until his body disintegrated. Just then the bull freed itself from where it was trapped with its horns in a car. As it made to charge Balthazar the giant bird statue Balthazar first animated to find me swooped down and carried the bull statue away.
"Thank you," called out Balthazar as he made his way to his feet.
Just as it seemed if Morgana's spell would succeed I pulled out my gun and fired one shot at the nearest satellite. The force of the bullet even at this distance was enough to knock the satellite off by a few degrees and disrupt the ritual. The necromantic energy collapsed and came crashing back down onto Morgana.
"Veronica," I heard Balthazar say before he ran to the body of his collapsed love. "They're both still with us," Balthazar informed me as he cradled her head in his arms.
I watched Balthazar kiss his love after he performed the spell to pull Morgana's soul from Veronica into himself. It was like sand flowing from Veronica into Balthazar's eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.
"Balthazar…what have you done," asked Veronica as she came to.
"What you did for me," Balthazar responded before struggling to his feet. "Remember your promise," my master told me as he tossed me the grimholde.
"Balthazar no," Veronica protested.
"You'll do whatever it takes to destroy Morgana," said Balthazar.
"We'll find another way," I promised.
"We won't lock you in there," added Veronica.
"How sweet," Morgana's double voice said from Balthazar's body before his face took on a pained grimace and he dropped to the ground.
Morgana's spirit floated out of Balthazar's body and coalesced on the other side of the fountain we were all on.
"And now we end this," Morgana called as she conjured magical fire and hurled it at us.
I held out my hand for effect and diverted the fire around us.
"No ring," I looked back at Balthazar with a smile.
"It is you," he answered with a smile at having his choice vindicated with trial by fire, literally.
"The Prime Merlinian," Morgana stated in surprise while I felt Veronica staring at me with a look of awe and wonder.
"Fools," screamed Morgana just before she launched several plasma bolts past me in rapid succession.
My instincts told me to allow them around the shield I had formed. Veronica took one bolt while Balthazar took quite a few more.
"Now it's my turn bitch," I announced before shooting off a few bolts at her experimentally.
The cloud of vapor she was in this form allowed the bolts to pass right through her. The smug grin on her face changed to one of pain when I switched to the cruciatus curse. It was enough to knock her down and destabilize her form while I held it on her but it wasn't permanent.
"Here lover let me help," Becky purred in my mind as she slipped down and pressed herself to my back. "There are many ways to kill her but this will be the most fun."
I immediately liked Becky's method as I felt her hands free me from my pants. As I held the curse on Morgana Becky's hand became a blur on my manhood using the super speed granted to a Kryptonian. Her powerful grip with super speed soon had me shooting a powerful stream of my Harry nectar onto the evil spirit. The magical properties of my essence burned through Morgana until there was nothing left but a puddle of white goo. I turned to see Veronica staring at me with wide awestruck eyes while she clutched Balthazar in her arms.
"Balthazar," I asked.
"He's gone," answered Veronica with heartbreak in her voice.
"I can save him Veronica but it will require a variation of the merger spell with myself. Would you be willing to share us with my lover Becky," I asked as Becky immediately became visible while she tucked my manhood back into my pants with care.
Veronica had been dreaming of being with Balthazar for over a millennia in her suppressed state, trapped in her own body. If being with her love meant she had to share him with the attractive blonde who just appeared from some kind of invisibility spell then so be it; besides this Prime Merlinian was powerful, brave, cute, and very well endowed. There were definitely worse fates that Veronica could imagine and this was about as far as you could get from it.
"Yes I will do anything," Veronica answered quickly.
I floated myself over Balthazar before lowering myself over him as a golden glow encompassed us. When the light cleared we were one. Balthazar is now a part of me.
"You Veronica will see Balthazar when you look at me and you Becky will see Dave," I explained as I floated to my feet. "I believe this is long overdue," I added as I summoned the necklace Balthazar has been saving for Veronica and gave it to her.
With tears of joy in her eyes the dark haired beauty rushed forward and through her arms around me before kissing me with passion that has been building for a thousand years. When the kiss broke she pulled back her hair as I put on the necklace for her.
"I love you Balthazar…I've been waiting a millennia to tell you that," Veronica spoke.
"And I love you…you as well Becky," I answered as I pulled both beauties to my sides.
With a flash of flame we were gone and any trace that there was a battle in Battery Park was gone.
My Island, Celebration time…
We reappeared in our master bedroom and clothes went flying.
Insert Smut Scene here
For the next several months in that universe my days were spent enjoying the beaches of our private island with my two beautiful lovers who couldn't decide if walking around nude or in provocative bikinis got me more excited. Whatever the answer, we always ended up without any clothes on in interesting positions. In the years to come much happiness and magical mischief was had as we explored the limits of that brand of sorcery and that universe altogether. That is a tale for another time.