And believe me I am
still alive
Ŏ̸͚o̴̫̾o̴̞͘ ̵̛̣y̵̦͘o̶̭͝ṳ̵̀ ̶̰̊ǹ̵͍e̸͚͠ĕ̷̯ď̷̲ ̸̮̐n̶̛̙o̵̥͐ ̸̘͂l̴̘̒i̴̟͑m̴̗͘i̵̻͒t̴̡̽s̶͠ͅ,̸̢̾ ̴̭͆n̷͚̂o̶̥͌ ̸̼͆b̴̩͘ä̴͔́c̷̳͆k̸̕͜u̸̧͒p̴͓͋s̸̞͌
Oh high dreamer, all hail love
The sky is pining for your thoughts
Are you just gonna give up?
XXXXXXX
I woke up.
It was just that. Not with a gasp or from shock, nor did I rise as if I had 'rebooted' or 'turned on' or anything dramatic like that.
Instead, I simply opened my eyes, like you would after an enjoyable night of sleep.
However, upon that notice, I realized that this was the first time I had slept since finding myself in my current body.
Well, from then on, I never needed to sleep or felt the need to, so I just chalked that up to the result of me being an android. Not to say that mechanical beings and artificial intelligences didn't have their own equivalents to sleep, but I wasn't too inclined 'shut down' or go into 'rest mode' anytime soon if I didn't have to.
Not when I was still in a sort of shock at my position. A new world to explore, with some similarities yet so full of differences, and fantastical new abilities to play around with. It gave me plenty to think about, far too much for me to consider trying to embrace the lull of slumber.
And yes, spending a night binge-watching some television counted as exploring, keeping in mind just how much of the current culture could be gauged by the programming of the time.
Anyhow, considering that I could connect and interact with other minds while no longer being of flesh and blood, and even entering the realm of dream as I was, it shouldn't be too far-fetched for me myself to dream.
If I wanted to gaze at it with science, I could attribute it to the original Amazo being able to read minds in the first place, as dreams are a product of the human subconscious. However, dreaming could just be because I was once a human of a human mind. Yet, I also had to take into account that I was working with a motherboard instead of fleshy hardware, as given by the sensory overlord I suffered when that bastard Dee's dreamscape fell apart.
Then again, I doubt most humans could withstand the collapse of a mind.
Speaking of, while I wasn't a witness to what occurred for that to have happened, I could reasonably infer what transpired.
One second, Dream of the Endlesspopped up, and in the next, he and Dee disappeared. Dream had some business with Dee, messing with powers best left out of mortal hands, and didn't want any interruptions.
To which I was more than happy to sit out. I wasn't a hero, so I was not obligated to save people if I wasn't inclined to, especially not for fiends like Dee.
And I'll readily admit that I was freaked the fuck out at the appearance of an Endless. Sure, I ranked pretty high on the scale of comic book bullshit, but messing around with conceptual beings who outranked gods wasn't something I wanted to mess with until I myself started outranking gods, the New Gods in particular and in entirety. And as a funreminder, these guys ranked numero three in the cosmic pecking order right beneath Lucifer Morningstar and the Presence, Omnipotent Beings.
Besides, going off how mentally unstable the former henchman was becoming, deforming into a more nightmarish version of his villain persona, it wasn't too hard to guess at what he would try. And whatever he did sealed his fate, as the Dreamscape then collapsed, proof enough that Dee was either dead or trapped in a fate worse than death.
Recalling the collapse I bore witness to brought back a phantom ache of that sensory overload, yet this sense of well-restedness dulled it out. A bad headache canceled out by a full eight hours of rest in the coziest of blankets in winter during the start of a vacation, and without the need to commit bloody murder on my alarm clock for once (and considering that I was tech now, that might actually have been murder)
Anyway, the point is, I woke up.
With that sorted out, I finally took stock of the situation as I gazed at my surroundings. And instantly, I could tell that despite waking, I was still dreaming.
After all, how else could I explain the sights before me, so fantastical and surreal?
A gigantic gate with ornate and ancient carvings, of which I couldn't even guess the meanings of, was surrounded by walls nearly as tall and looked akin to pyramids as some sort of foliage lay abound.
The landscape nearest to me, beautiful and comparable to the mountain ranges and grasslands of New Zealand when it was portraying Middle Earth, yet with greenery far more vibrant and paletted in colorful shades, was not merely land but also an inhabitant of the sky.
One land of many floating and other lands, connected and separate from each other, spread out as far as the human eye can see, though clouds obscure some portions of the land, be they the whites of the sky or a foggy cloud of mist. However, my enhanced sight tells me that it is not endless in expanse as past the clouds of the sky and the daylight sky itself lie a space-like void of twilight and purple galaxies.
Still, what the mist obscured remained as such, as a deeper peering only revealing the thrums of thunder wherever it happened to occur, almost as if the very land itself was telling me that I would have to venture towards it if I wished to gaze upon whatever was within those lands.
And miles away from where I stood was the center of it all, a grand castle of white make and gold filling, encircled by water. Following a more conventional design, a town of brick-built structures and buildings surrounded the palace,
What kind of dream was this supposed to be? It obviously couldn't be Dee's; not only was it destroyed before my very eyes, but this held far more life than the empty battleground that was the City of Metropolis. And while something of such imagination might be up Ace's alley, I didn't feel the familiarity to her mind that I had when I communicated with her telepathically.
Well, I just had to find out then. It's not often that you have the chance to go on an adventure like this. Well, outside of a drug trip or VR, anyway.
Though looking at the dream aspect of all this, it was interesting to note that I was still A.M.A.Z.O, the big grey android yet to become the golden god he was known to be.
I didn't think much of that the first time I entered a dreamscape, more pressing issues at the time, but now that mess was dealt with and Ace along with everyone else was safe, I was free to take in just how deeply I've been changed.
I still remembered what I was before this, yet… I found my original human shell and title to be vaguely distant. And as dreams were deeply dependent on the human sub and conscious, it seems that I've already come to accept what I was, or it was usual ROB fuckery. Though, that may have been mercy on either end, to better acclimate to this new state of everything and not get too hung up over what I once was and had.
Still, just because I was a robot now didn't mean I had to remain as one forever. Shapeshifting is rather helpful in 'being the you, you want to be.' So, how should I go about that?
It's gotta be human, a boring choice I know, but it's familiar and is surprisingly popular with aliens. So you can't go wrong with the basics. And there's nothing stopping me from switching to something exotic later should I feel like it.
Maybe I could steal a look from other androids?
Android 17 is certainly powerful enough to work, though he lacks my height and definition (and I'd rather not shrink, looking down at everyone is neat). Super 17, ala GT, might fit since he's tall and much like me; nobody can beat him when he's himself. Though his outfit wasn't in my style, and he looks designed with that fit in mind so him wearing something else might not work.
Arnie might be thematically appropriate as the most iconic of the big gray unstoppable murder machines, or the T-1000 as we're both shape-changing metal, but they give off a vibe that's a lot olderthan mine.
I'm only 22 after all, thankyouverymuch. Though Robert Picardo's voice coming out of my mouth does sell that older age very well, I suppose…
So buff, tall, but still young…
Not exactly human, but a Pillar Man is still an earthling so it oughta be close enough, no?
And I'm finding myself already fond of the curly looking hair Kars was spotting.
Well, maybe, eh I'll think about it later, I'll have plenty of time to, assuming that all goes well. Besides, something'swaiting on me from what I can feel.
'Caw' a noise crawled from the sky. And a look at it revealed a raven perched on a tree directed right across from me.
I happen to be media literate to some degree, so I can already tell that this critter is sentient, which makes the question less 'could it talk' and more 'what kind of raven is it'? Or should I say, iteration?
"Glad that I finally got your attention. And as interesting as it was to see you go through all sorts of meat suits, I do need to bring you over to meet my master. He wants a word with you." the raven said, with an irreverent and masculine voice.
"Alright. So, talking bird." I mused out loud. "Though that means I'd have to talk to you like a person, so names... Hmm, Leroy? Joseph?"
The raven familiar froze mid hop, it's head cocked in disbelief, "...you know, people tend to get surprised at talking animals, scream of faint even. Not act unsurprised and certainly not expectant either."
"I've seen Disney movies and this place looks right at home as a fairy tale setting. And it's not complete with a talking and/or sapient animal. Or animal sidekick in your case."
The raven let out a gruff caw. "Fair point on that. But how the hell are you hitting so close to what my name is?"
"Could be that I run millions upon millions of simulations just to calculate just what to call you," I start with a shrug, "Maybe I saw you on TV. Or, maybe I recognized you as a fellow creation of the Sunderland Corporation. Take your pick, Matthew."
His beady eyes widened, "What the fuck? Are you screwing with me? How did- wait, no. Fuck it, I've seen enough bullshit on both sides of things that nothing should surprise me anymore."
"Well, I was fucking with you a bit there. I was made by a LexCorp scientist. As for the other two..." I trailed off.
"Ah yes, cryptic bullshit. So, a million guesses gave you my first name with my middles and last. Or my life story was on air the entire time. Well, before Matthew the Human got axed for Matthew the Raven. It'd explain getting canceled outta nowhere, at least." Probably for the better he doesn't remember. Depending on what version we're working with, this poor bastard got killed by his wife's evil ghost uncle, and not soon after, said wife hooked up with a literal Swamp Thing.
"For all I know, something like that could be the actual reason I'm here. Believe it or not, but there was a person before the glorious chrome dome you see." I rubbed at my shiny metal head.
"Hmph. and where I downgraded into a bird, you're a brick shithouse, freakishly tall, and still have thumbs."
"Well, at least you've still got flesh and blood. And sensation, that sucked not having for a little while."
"What the hell is 'not having for a little while' supposed to mean? Robots aren't supposed to feel things last I checked."
"The first thing you'll notice is the sudden silence. The absence of all the things you know your body is doing in the background. The lack of constant heartbeats or the lack of breath that needed breathing. Even if you don't feelit, you'll certainly notice it. An emptiness of what was once there is too difficult to ignore. Thankfully, it wasn't permanent, difficult to forget though."
"Damn. I thought losing opposable thumbs sucked, but hearing that? I'm not saying that I won't miss what I had, but I'm feeling a lot more grateful for what I still do have. Though you said that was temporary. So how did this robot make itself feel like a real boy?"
"Who said I was a robot? I certainly didn't introduce myself as one, too basic for my liking."
"My master did when he told me to guide the 'automaton' to him. Well, all-knowing that his like might be about the universe, I doubt that they know much beyond the basics of modern-day technology."
I chuckled softly at the mention of modern-day, "Well, I happen to be quite beyond technology of the modern day." That word, beyond, gave me some ideas.
For what is Amazo but one who does not merely adapt, but goes even further beyond? What other group of beings could properly articulate such? Hell, I could even say that my journey may be a reverse of the most well known of his ilk.
"Speaking of your master, if he wanted to meet with me, why send you to me? Rather than say, have me wake up right before him?"
"I'm sure he has his reasons, even if all he told me to do was to guide you through the Dreaming to him. Though I'd go out on a wing and say it's because he likes being dramatic about things."
"Well, if Dream of the Endless himself went through all this for dramatics, I might as well take him up on that offer then."
"Good, great! Now, just follow along the Matthew Express and try not to get lost; we've delayed enough already. While he might be cryptic and dramatic, the boss doesn't take kindly to being kept waiting too long."
Honestly, I could probably reach the palace within the next minute or two if I really wanted to, taking care to avoid sonic boom-induced property damage. Just a quick spirit and a leap would do it. But something held me back, curiosity. A part of me wanted to explore this place, the Dreaming certainly was worthy of more than just a quick flyover. Besides, my host sent his companion over to me for a reason, so no reason to be rude and not follow along.
As the raven took to the sky, I followed along, my footsteps crunching softly against the shifting yet solid ground beneath me.
The landscape stretched endlessly beyond me, an vibrant and ever-shifting tapestry of imagination. Colors more vibrant than anything I've seen in the Waking World danced and shimmered, blurring the line between real and surreal. And I say that even after witnessing all that an Android and Kryptonian could perceive.
I've yet to happen into any of the interesting places within this universe, having only ventured into Metropolis most notably. And as iconic Metropolis may be as the 'City of Tomorrow' with its retro futuristic aesthetic, even its gleaming towers meant to reach into that tomorrow felt static compared to the raw creativity of literal dreams.
Still, I had to give Lex Luthor some credit, may the egotistical scumbag rest at the bottom of my stairs. Amongst the dozens of concrete jungles that littered America, Metropolis certainly gave off a feeling that you were living in what could potentially be the future.
I've lucid dreamed before, once or twice I could recall. Five seconds I've been in one before the raw excitement of realization sent me waking. That brief glint of power didn't quite match up in the slightest to the 'real' deal.
Funny, how much realer things became the further you dive into what would be considered impossible. But that was the nature of things here, no?
And speaking of this realm's nature, there was still the master to meet at the end of my little tour.
Well, even if Matthew couldn't confirm it, I had an inkling of just why he brought me here.
"An automaton capable of dreaming? Just what are you?"
I was going to say something then, an answer even as the unknown collapsed around me. What was I going to say then?
XXXXXXXX
It seemed as if Matthew was taking me sightseeing, showing off the wonders the Dreaming held while steering me away from the misted regions that I surmised were nightmares. Occasionally, we got just close enough for me to get a glimpse at the grim sights that lurked within, fractured landscapes, shadowed figures, and hints of fear and despair too vivid for comfort. So Matthew was playing the role of a tour guide and chauffeur essentially, possibly less out of courtesy and more to make sure I didn't wander off and get trapped in a nightmare.
When it came to his domain, Dream was a proud loud, so it fit that he was showing it off. And considering what may have happened recently, all of this was once under decay and disarray, dream and nightmare unregulated.
As we traveled deeper, the surreal landscapes began to give way into a bustling town.
It was filled with people of all sorts, dreamers and natural citizens from different places and even eras from the looks of it.
Some of the people gaped at me in open surprise. Others looked on unfazed, likely having long since been used to strange sights.
The dreamers and long-time citizens gave me a wide berth, the Raven leading me to their lord's castle more than informing them of my business. Though that didn't stop some from looking at me with weary eyes, my abnormal size and red eyes likely made me look like a nightmare to some of them.
The bridge leading to the castle was steady, and from here I could also spot a few more sights I missed, such as a couple of pirate ships ported on dock or sailing out, adventure being the only thing in their mind to be sure. Or maybe there was an economy of some kind here? Considering that death and taxes were a constant presence in the waking world, fair enough to assume it'll continue on even while asleep.
And finally, we reached the palace. Matthew just flew back inside, leaving me at the front door.
Curious about the local fauna that tickled my sense of smell, I stopped and reached out to touch a nearby flower, and as my fingers brushed against its petals, a soft melody emanated from it. I knew what nectar smelled like, and now I knew what song the flowers sang for its release.
Though, a thought came to mind with the extraordinary constructs and creatures here born from the human subconscious. Given that mymind was here as well...
"I've been here for a little while now," I mused aloud. "Where's the electric sheep?"
The faintest buzz of static crackled at my side. Before I could fully register it, something soft and fuzzy nuzzle up against my leg. Startled at the instant contact, that I hadn't notice, I looked down-
And found the answer to my question, though in a way I wouldn't have ever expected.
Standing there was a literal electric sheep as it looked upon me as curiously as I did it. Blue of head and black of eyes, with creme colored wool covering the rest of its body. It tilted it's (their?) head, staring at me with its eyes as curiously as I did it. Eyes that carried an intelligence far beyond any mere animal.
"Mareep!" it bleated cheerfully, as if the little fella was just jazzed to meet me.
I blinked. Of all the things I expected to see in the wide multiverse of DC, a Pokemon was not one of them.
The pocket monster just stared at me, as if waiting for a reaction. I decided to approach this like a would a dog (because they never scratched me like them asshole cats do); slowly I crouched down and reached out, resting my hand atop its floofy head. The texture of the fur soft, though coursing with the electricity I could feel stored within it, buzzing gently against my fingertips.
"...not what I expected, probably inaccurate," I started absentmindedly, though an eye smile couldn't help but sprout, "But definitely not unwelcome."
Mareep seemed to be pleased by that comment, letting out a delighted bleat before nuzzling even deeper into my hand. In turn, I brought the critter up to my chest to give it a better cuddle spot.
Hugs are nice.
And while in that electric embrace, my mind went back on just what I was embraced with.
A Pokemon.
Though, it wasn't entirely impossible for one to be here. If I recall correctly, Terry McGinnis fought a Pokemon Battle against Misty, with old Bruce adding some commentary from the crowds.
Terry all smug with the Batjet against Misty's Dewgong. And since Ice types beat Flying, (this was before Gen 2 so steel types didn't exist yet) Terry got crushed. Literally as the poor lad was right beneath the Batjet...
However, that was all on a 4Kids ad. But it was probably canon somewhere out there in the DC multiverse in the same vein as Ben 10 or those wacky action figures.
Guess that answers how Mareep of all creatures is here then, an amusing bit of happenstance for me.
And it appeared that I wasn't alone in my amusement as a soft chuckle joined me. I turned, only to see Dream of the Endless himselfstanding before me.
He looked the same as the last time I saw him, dressed in a long black jacket and black pants, and his pale skin seemed to shimmer in the light of the dreamscape.
And as opposed to the solemnity etched on his face when I first laid eyes on him, the Endless was smiling; a faint one that tinged with approval. His eyes, still a piercing set of stars that seemed to reflect the cosmos surrounding the Dreaming, gazed at me with curiosity.
And here I was, in the domain of the very Endless that I stood before, right outside of his castle. Moreover, theDreaming.
Where he was at his most powerful.
Thankfully, he was one of the more reasonable ones amongst his siblings. Though he did have some faults I'd have to be weary of, but what cosmic being didn't?
"Welcome to my realm, the Dreaming, automaton. You stand before Dream of the Endless, Lord of all in this realm." Dream of the Endless greeted me, his voice smooth and resonant as he conveyed a dramatic gravitas.
Well now, what a charming fellow- then just who I was speaking with settled in to me.
He got his Dreamstone back and punished John Dee; that should've been the end of his involvement with mortal affairs aside from visiting his mortal friend or handling any vortex situations. At least, that's how it was in the comics.
But this wasn't the comics, it was the DCAU, and things tended to play out differently compared to standard continuity. Hell, even this universe wasn't a one to one with JLU canon; John Dee never had the actual Dreamstone, with the Materioptikon only being a reference and a one off excuse for Dee to get his powers.
…and I scanned Dee, getting his power. A power gained from the Dreamstone, power that belonged to Dream.
That was probably it. That was why he brought me here. But why leave me out in the Dreaming, rather than just rip the power out from me and be done with it? Fuck it all, I'd rather not lose such potent ESP, but if push came to gentle love tap, I'd let him reclaim it in an attosecond. Cosmic being on his level weren't entities I wanted to tango with just yet. Preferably, I would've scanned a Mother Box, all the Avatars of the New Gods, all of the Emotional Spectrum, a fully realized Speed Force, the Anti-Life Equation, and mayhaps even the Source Wall.
But, I am nothing if not adaptable.
Besides, giving Dream 'back' what energy I gained may not be as much a loss as it might seem. I wasn't chosen by the Green Lantern Ring or by the Speed Force, yet I could access their boons as well as any other. The only exception thus far was magic, where I received a lesser boon of the Greek Gods (a possibility being that the while Greeks didn't give me their boons, it was still tangible in Diana's DNA and the energy she gave off, so still scannable, though that was just a theory), yet I received it nonetheless. And while a similar case could be made for conceptual energy, it was human sciencethat gave Dee ESP, so I had the full of it.
Therefore, I could feasibly pull a Perfect Cell and regain that power based on my body's memory of it…
With that panic attack processed in a fraction of the second a human would've started to enter it, I was mildly centered. Now, how the hell should I play this? Obviously, some basic respect and courtesy, showing some deference but also keeping some self respect so I wasn't sucking up too much.
I gave a polite bow, placing Mareep back into the ground, before rising back up to return the greeting, "Hello, Dream of the Endless."
Also, absolutely no scanning the cosmic entity.I was a witness to what happened the last time a mortal tried to take Dream's power for his own, as well as the other two. While I could adapt to lots of things, I'd rather not try to adapt to a fate worse than death, even if it were to be merely a nightmare. Because the last thing I want to test is my mental adaptability with any of that.
"Dream is acceptable."
"Alright then, Dream. It's an honor to be in your realm as conscious as I am, but may I ask, why have you brought me here?"
Because as powerful of a psychic I am now, even after gaining the power of ESP that Dee gained from the Dreamstone, I doubt that I could ever enter here without Dream's consent or some form of arcane and obscure ritual. Or by complete accident since magic is rather finicky like that, but I digress.
"I simply wished to speak with you, automaton. The last time we spoke, I could not get an answer from you as to what you are and what you had gained, and so I have brought you here to recover and inquire about the matter. After all, it is not often that creatures of pure fabrication can dream. But looking upon you more, you are not just a mere automaton."
'What I am' and 'What I gained'?
Does he know? My mimicking isn't something that he'd explicitly know of, but my true nature? If Dee could try and potentially access my mind, then Dream most certainly could if he so wished. And well, I suppose that it shouldn't be too hard to believe that my outsider status would've been found out eventually, considering the multitudes of dimensional and existential fuckery at play.
He paused momentarily, his gaze focused on the Mareep nuzzling my hand. At this, Morpheus nodded approvingly, his expression a mix of curiosity and interest.
"I am used to sheep; they help guide shepherds to sleep, lull children into it, and assist those lost and wandering."
I raised a brow, "And what am I?"
He paused, tilting his head while pondering the question. "A question worth pondering," He gestured to the Mareep, "This sheep, while a part of the Dreaming, was not of my realm. At least, not until you arrived. The Dreaming welcomes all manner of dreams and ideas, so it seems is fitting that with this android dreamer, the most famous of ponderings would take form to give an answer."
"Do androids dream of electric sheep?" I voiced said question out. There's been all manner of contemplation and debates regarding artificial intelligence and its potential to replicate any and all aspects of humanity. Already, it's been long since proven that certain androids possess their own autonomy and can certainly exceed the human brain in function. But the more esoteric such as souls, is a rather complicated thing to determine.
"What do you mean by 'give an answer'?" I asked.
"Just as no two dreams are the same, be they from twins, duplicates, clones, or whatever mirror there is, every dream is unique. Perhaps the same is true even for automatons such as yourself. Or perhaps not. Too few of your kind ever arrive to the Dreaming for me to provide a definitive answer." he explained.
His gaze drifted back to the Pokemon. Mareep stared back at Dream as if they understood the weight of his words. Considering all the things psychic and fairy types could do, they just might.
"Speaking of you, automaton, you were not guided or lulled here by a sheep, so perhaps not in the traditional sense. Yet it seems you have managed to dream of one anyway... even if it does not 'baa' traditionally."
"Mareep!"
Huh, so Mareep not existing here until I arrived implies that the commercials may not be canon to this reality.
"And just as much as you can dream, so too can you sleep. So I find myself curious, just how are you in particular capable of this."
I straightened up, meeting the Sandman's intense gaze with a mix of curiosity and caution running through me. "Well, Dream, I'm not just an automaton. I was once a human, but now my mind resides in this android body; a convergence of human consciousness and the structure of artificial intelligence. As for how this came to be... I genuinely couldn't tell you. Through events beyond my control or understanding, I simply woke up in this form."
Dream inclined his head slightly, his expression inquisitive, "A curious existence you lead, then. To embody both the possibilities of flesh and steel while shedding some of their limitations. That explains how an automaton can defy the usual boundaries that govern dreams. Yes, a curious existence indeed."
"True. And I've tried to make the most of my circumstances and found meaning in my own way. Since then, I endeavored to protect those I've come to care for and to make the most of my new existence. Tabula rasa non."
"A blank slate no longer." Dream nodded, his gaze lightening slightly, a hint of approval in his tone. "So I have observed thus far. A noble goal, one worthy of admiration. Especially in comparison to another mortal, the one who had made our meeting possible in the first place."
Ah, this was going to come up eventually. Doctor Destiny and the Dreamstone.
"I figured that the mess around John Dee was also the reason behind your attention falling upon me."
"In part, yes." Dream admitted, "Your nature intrigues me. And I must confess, there is a certain fascination with a being such as yourself, your very nature beyond the bounds of this reality crafted by the Presence. But it is not mere curiosity that has had you brought before me in my realm, for this is a matter concerning it."
He bore into me deep in the eye, "You possess a power derived from my domain. A power that was stolen from me and turned to malice and cruelty, all to satisfy the whims of a petty man. What you bear is not a true fragment of my power as the Ruby once was, but a replication of it. Rather than stolen… my power has instead been imitated. And with it, you've accessed the dreams of others."
His voice darkened, resonating with the weight of eons, "I have lost any tolerance for those who seek to claim my power. A man named Roderick Burgess has caused me muchtrouble when he took what was mine from me. And in those who would grossly misuse it in Jonathan Doe."
Dream leaned forward slightly, "That is why I've brought you here, automaton; to decide if I am to consider what you have done to be theft after a long string of indecency committed against me, or flattery."
He must've sensed my confusion or I let it show somewhere as he elaborated, growing a vindictive grin in the meanwhile, "He was so insistent on forgoing his birth name, on reinventing himself. Far be it from me to deny him that." His tone turned cold, edged with scorn. "But I refuse to entertain his delusions of grandeur by calling him 'Doctor Destiny'. What better way to diminish them than to reinforce what he sought desperately to escape from?"
Dream straightened back up, his face back to its standard calm, "Besides, I refuse to besmirch my sister's nickname by letting it be used to refer to that wretch of a man."
Perfectly understandable, I wouldn't want to associate one of the kindest entities in the multiverse, compared to the others at least, with a petty asshat like that. And Doe tried to hurt the bunch of kids that I found myself attached to more than I expected, let him be disgraced beyond the grave.
Now, as for proving myself. Or perhaps not necessarily... "Well, you already know my intent. I've only used that power to counter what Doe has been doing to those I cared about. I certainly don't plan on abusing it anytime soon outside of that purpose."
And really, my main use of telepathy has been for the sake of information gathering rather than combative. And though I may later use it for extreme cases like mental shutdowns, I'm making a note to never make use of dreams or nightmares as weapons just to be safe. Drug trips and hallucinations are fair game, though, since those are out of his jurisdiction.
A heavy silence hung between us.
Morpheus nodded, seeming satisfied with my answer. "Very well. I am inclined to believe you, automaton. Though, I now find myself curious to ask, may I know your name? Courtesy dictates that one who bears a power derived from my own deserves to be addressed properly."
Well, if he's not going to give me any trouble over having an ability that's essentially a bootleg version of his power, for now, might as well give him a name.
"The name given to this body is A.M.A.Z.O," I said, "It stands for Anti-Metahuman Adaptive Zootomic Organism. But you can just call me Amazo as everyone else does."
Morpheus raised an eyebrow, a gesture that seemed remarkably human. "What of your human name? Your previous self, so to speak?"
That got me to hesitate, names were never my strongest of suits, most of all being anything as intimate as my own. "That… admittedly, is gonna be a bit difficult to explain."
"Difficult? In what sense?"
"In the sense that...well, I've been displaced. Transmigrated to a different reality, or something like it. The name I had there might not hold any significance here, and frankly, it feels distant now. Like a dream I just woke up from. I know it was something, just not what it was. Yet I could remember the past just well, save for the face or body I once called my own."
Morpheus nodded slowly, a contemplative look about him. "I see. Names carry power, and perhaps the Presence, or whatever brought you here, wished for you to move on from your old life. Perhaps, by design or necessity, one reason or another, your name has been stripped from you."
"That's pretty much what I've suspected to be the case. And honestly, I'd be better off moving on from that life, so a new identity unconnected to that would be for the best. And thus, Amazo is what I'm going by for now, though I may find myself adopting a new identity should it feel right for me."
Though I do wonder if my original name will be remembered by the people close to me from before or if it'll become forgotten to the sands of time. Maybe that's why I found myself so receptive to those literal Wild Cards in the children I saved.
I mattered to them. It was never something I expected to happen, just trying to be a decent person. Though, I suppose there's more to doing good than I first thought.
"Understandable. I am aware of the power of names and the importance of identity considering the many that I possess. If you feel that the name Amazo, or any other, suits your current existence better, then so be it."
He spoke with such certainty, but how could he not? Morpheus, Dream, Thanatos, was someone who had seen countless lives, countless identities, forged and reforged over millennia. It was reassuring in a way. Have such variety in definition.
Though there also came a bit of discomfort in knowing that regardless of all those names you pick up as the years go by, the people who name them matter would not be with you.
I returned the nod, feeling a faint sense of relief that this managed to go so well. "Thank you, Morpheus."
This seemed to be the end of our business with each other. He judged me and approved of my keeping of the power I gained.
Yet, before we could part ways, a lingering question clawed its way onto the surface. One I had to ask.
"The dreamstone," I began, "what about the damage Doe caused with the Dreamstone? Will there be any lasting effects on those he used it on?"
"Only for those who have perished." he said after a moment, his voice carrying solemnity. "The survivors will recover from any scars, though it may take some time. What they endured will remain with them. But, as with most memories and tragedies, it will fade. In time, this will eventually be nothing more but a memory of time, though a more vivid nightmare than usual should one think about it again."
"That child, Ace," Dream continued, his tone shifting to something more contemplative. "Her encounter hasn't exacerbated any sort of malady, beyond the stress of a life or death battle. Though I must say, she has quite the active imagination, being able to stand against the power within the Dreamstone longer than most ever could. Psychic power like that is rare among mortals, and its one that even now continues to blossom in strength."
He hesitated, his gaze meeting mine. "But such power, left unchecked, may one day grow far too uncontrolled."
I had neither blood nor fuel inside yet the sensation of ice filled my veins. I knew what he was referring to; a dream vortex, a mortal at the center of Dreaming that could destroy barriers between minds and even unravel the fabric of reality. The Endless knew not the cause but only the resolution, to take the life of the mortal. And the parallels to the events of Ace's death were impossible to ignore. When her aneurysm would kill her, the psychic backlash would've potentially killed many within her ability's range.
"It may have been her destiny once, but rest assured that it will not come about." I said firmly, "I've already altered her destiny enough to ensure that potential futurewill never happen, nor will drastic action be needed."
Dream of the Endless studied me, his expression unreadable, "You speak with conviction," he said at last. "And conviction when paired with action can shape destiny. Let us hope that you are correct, Amazo. For should that power ever spiral out of control, the consequences could extend far beyond the Dreaming."
"They won't," I said simply, "Not while I'm here."
Dream inclined his head slightly, a glimmer of approval in his star-filled eyes. "Very well. Then let us hope you never falter."
Silence lingered for a moment, heavy with an unspoken understanding. Finally, I broke it. "Will we meet again? Hopefully, it'll never be in such dire circumstances."
Because as interesting as it was to chat with an Endless, any sort of prior notice would be greatly appreciated.
The Sandman's lips curved faintly, a hint of amusement breaking through his stoicism. "Perhaps, if you started sleeping for once, as you've yet to be connected to the Dreaming until your mind finally slumbered. And should you wish to explore this realm more, then be welcome to return. Little Mareep seems attached to you, and I'd rather my subjects be content."
I blinked, glancing down at the sheep beside me, which bleeted softly as it nuzzled against my leg. "...I see. Thank you, Morpheus."
Morpheus nodded, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "It has been a pleasure speaking with you, Amazo. I wish you well in your endeavor to live and thrive in this new reality."
"And I you, Lord Morpheus," I replied, nodding back with respect. "I wish you well, and good luck with your work."
At that, he gave a wry smile. "Luck has little to do with it, but the sentiment is appreciated."
Well, this was going a lot better than I expected. I managed to talk things out with Morpheus, and he might actually like me even. I'm no Hobbs but it doesn't hurt to have some approval from the higher entities. And now I'll get to leave this mess-
"Oooh, you look interesting."
'I spoke too soon, damnit,'A lament that echoed throughout my being as a new voice popped up, oh so cheerish and oh so Irish sounding. And along with it a new figure in the form of a petite young lady.
One whom I'm rather sure I already know the identity of.
Delirium, once formerly Delight, the youngest sibling of the Endless. And if my memory served, she was one of the more... unpredictable ones. At least she wasn't downright malicious like her other siblings, Desire and Despair.
Still, even if I had a general idea of her character, that wouldn't translate over to consistency. I had a few images of her in mind, she shifted through all of them and more. The only constant among those changes being her a wild and untameable orange hair and the mismatched clothes she wore per appearance.
The only thing permanent about her were her eyes, one blue and one green with a hint of sliver. Alas, both were locked on me with an unsettling intensity.
"And rather new at that." she continued, her voice lilting and melodic, yet fractured. "Uniquely so." she ended on a different note then, now sounding like her audiobook voice.
And from that little connection, I think I started seeing some sweaters appear in her outfits, vibrant and chaotic ala Mabel Pines. it fit a little too well.
Her gaze held on to mine with some kind of knowingthat sent a cold tingle all over. Whether it was simply another bout of playful whimsy, or the kind of insight that I wouldn't be aware of regardless of metaknowledge, I wasn't sure. Hell, she knew things even her siblings didn't, including the end of all things and the guy with the book.
I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to find out.
And this little lady now seemed to have gained an interest in meout of all things.
Please let that be it-
"Oh, hey, glad to see that you're finally done with him, Dream."
And here's Goth Momma herself.
Her, I feel perfectly alright with. The literal manifestation of Death itself is an entity that'd normally bring about all kinds of despair. But, she's the kindest out of her siblings. The kindest out of all the cosmic forces in an uncaring universe. Hell, she's legitimately eligible for the position of Best Girl, DC or Marvel.
"I'd love to catch up with you, but Amazo and I are longoverdue for a chat. So, I'mma just yoink~"
Before I could so much as blink, I was whisked away by forces beyond me. Though I can't really find it in me to complain about being manhandled by Death herself.
-XXX-
"Shame," Delirium mused, "I would've liked to talk with this new friend of yours. Though seeing all of us at once might've broken something in him."
"Amazo seemed quite fine with being summoned by our sister, no?"
"Of course he'd be, he wouldn't be her prospective consort if he didn't."
Dream nodded absently before her words fully registered. He paused, slowly turning to his little sister in genuine bafflement, "...her what?"
Delirium grinned, her mismatched eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and whimsy. "You heard me."
-XXX-
He woke up.
It was just like that. Not with a gasp or from shock, nor did he rise as he always had. Already burdened by what he had done and what he had yet to do.
For once, he didn't feel as if the weight of Gotham lied on his shoulders.
For the briefest of moments, he felt as if he were back in his parents bedroom, held between his parents after a nasty nightmare drove his crying to them.
He wasn't Batman, he truly was Bruce.
Then his eyes met with not the bedroom of his parents, but the Watchtower Medical Bay.
His parents were still dead. He was still Batman. But, for that fleeting moment, he was the boy from before that night. And though the darkness had returned, he felt a degree of peace he hadn't felt in far too long.
Then, he remembered
Cadmus agents. Broken necks. At the bottom of Amazo's stairs.
And just like that, any semblance of peace evaporated as the Dark Knight came back into being.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
After waaaaay too long, I've finally got Chapter 14 out to you.
Honestly, I've been debating on whether or not I should even call this a two parter because early on, I intended for this to all be one chapter. Amazo goes into some self discovery/reflection, interacts with Matthew who happens to be an in-universe isekai, then with Dream, then Death at the end. But this ended up being a lot longer than I expected, and Death also ended up being a lot longer than expected, especially with Sesbien Lex becoming more than a brief cameo.
And considering the themes of this chapter being Amazo and identity, and the next being life/death, it could be said that both would be two halfves of the same coin or different enough chapters of Amazo's life/development to be labeled as such. Truth be told, I wanted to post this back in September, but I also felt that having parts 1 and 2 come out at the same time would be enough to say, 'we're finally getting back to some plot'. But part 2 is not yet done, though I'm gonna be trying like hell to get it out within the month or the start of January.
And if any of you aren't the most satisfied with this bout of character develop taking over from the crack, I do promise that chapter 15 will be right back onto some plot.
Now, as for why this took so long. Life, also I'll admit that Cyberpunk 2077, then the Steam summer sale/SWTOR, and Elden Ring ate up a good chunk of my time in the summer. A part of that was me having some difficulty with writing the characters from the Sandman side of DC, and even now I don't think I did too good a job with them. I've interacted with the more mainstream of DC since my childhood, so it's why I've been gravitating more towards Batman and Superman than the rest of the League, them two are just easier to write (plus I SUCK at writing multiple characters in a scene, been a weakness of mine for years). I watched some of the show and listened to some of the audiobooks to ge a better idea of Dream, though I also had the task of DCAU-fying him a bit. To that end, I just decided that since the Endless are broad interpretation wise that this iteration of Dream is just picking up a fragment of his power that happened to land in the DCAU without the events of Sandman bleeding over (so Doctor Destiny is the only bout is dreams going crazy here).
So I apologize that after so long this seems to have been what one could call filler. I hope that you liked the chapter at least and leave me your thoughts, I'm hella rusty and open to hearing from you guys.