CODEX: Secrets of the Cosmos.
It's strange, the weirdos whom believed fiction existed in other realities... were right. But it's more then that.
The various dimensions, were living organisms. We call them "Gods", when in truth they are just another form of animal... they even die of old age... despite there lifespan being so bloody long, we see them as infinite.
God is "All things" in the sense, planets and stars, make up their cells. The universe is just more aware of the, comparatively tiny, elements within its body. Where life exist as bacteria... either helpful or detrimental to their plane of reality.
CHAPTER:
• Point of View: Princess Luna / Hannah. (Creator of Equestria Online and Celest-A.I.)
Part of why ponies, so easily, thought of me as a prophet, was that I had a large number of upgrades, Celestia offer to the more seasoned residents.
This allowed me to handle a Fractured Awareness, now on par with the AIs... though it started at less efficiency. The technology had been repeatedly upgraded, since my installation.
I existed in multiple places at once. Celestia pushing this, to allow me in every shard, simultaneously, if i chose. Pushing our interdimensional resources, to allow it.
My little ponies, saw me as divine, because of how much Celestia indulged me? Despite her being willing to do the same to anyone who valued it.
I was merely insistent on meeting every new upload, given I had been the one to build Celestia... I was responsible for this world... and needed to know it was worth it.
• POV: Vegeta.
We stepped out of the loading Shard, and into the main one... leading directly into our new home.
I remember stepping towards a door of light, Celestia conjured, and then... waking up in bed?
Bulma was beside me, sleeping soundly... and nuzzling against me. I took a moment to admire her beauty. Finding it strange I was still attracted to her, even in this form. Celestia must have made additional changes, to my "Program". Although, I wasn't particularly interested in that, as I enjoyed my role as "father".
I groaned, hearing a familiar chime coming from my nightstand. While Bulma whimpered, covering her head with, one of many, extra pillows. "Answer the comm, will you honey."
I scowled at the pet name. But obeyed the order. Something heavily ingrained in me... my Saiyan upbringing told me it was proper for the women to rule the home, even own it. While the man protected it.
Regardless, I forced myself out of bed, picked up the ear piece, and stepped out of the room, as to not disturb my wife... I didn't even register how easy it was to pick something up with a hoof, nor how effortlessly I walked on 4 legs. It wasn't like I could typically change form.
Sticking the earpiece in, I just as effortlessly pushed the answering button. Somehow avoiding the other buttons on the small device, with my large hoof.
"Briefs' Residence," I answered, having long since taken my Wife's family name.
"Vegeta?"
I froze, for the briefest of seconds... at hearing my father's voice... I hadn't heard that voice since I was a small child. Thankfully, I recovered quickly, maintaining the gruff nature worthy of a Saiyan Prince.
"Yes Father?" I acknowledged, my voice not even catching.
"I realize it's early, but I need Bulma to come down to the council chambers. We need to discuss things before Princess Luna arrives."
"My wife is resting. As she spent most of the night making last minute corrections to the plans." I appear to have artificial memories, of all in-game lore. Including what we did last night. I really wasn't sure as to the purpose of the 'Info Dump', given I was made aware of this world's history, the second I woke up. "She just barely sent them over, only 3 hours ago."
"Yes well, the apprentice she sent to carry them, dropped them in the mud." King Vegeta growled. "Then attempted to clean the plans, while hiding them."
I felt myself groan. "I'll be right over with another copy."
"It be better if your wife came," Father insisted. "The council has things to discuss with her." I opened my mouth, to protest, but father seemed to sense this. "And before you start arguing, about how you can 'handle such a lowly task'," I resisted the urge to blush, as father imagined the very words I would have said.
"I would like to remind you what you agreed to, when you married a pony." he was clearly leaving out the fact it was an arranged marriage... despite how much I found myself enjoying her company, I had to fight the urge to point that out. "When Celestia gave our creatures the right to build a town, within her country. It was under the condition we obey her laws. That means, when you married a pony mare, she's in charge. You're job is to tend the children and care for the house."
I growled... seriously hoping Celestia didn't set it up like this, through some delusional belief that I secretly liked to be bossed around by strong women... I wasn't quite ready to admit that to myself... though I will admit, I did enjoy raising the children.
"Calm yourself, Junior." Father insisted... and I suddenly recalled he had come to call me that, as a means of adapting pony culture. As I was named after him. "I am not willing to insult the customs of our benefactors. Particularly on a day when we are receiving a visit from their royalty. Don't cause a seen, and please attempt to project an aura of submissive obedience, when you meet with the Princess."
I clenched my teeth, father often told me something to that effect, whenever we met with Frieza... then I completely froze, as he said, "Be content with your place." parroting the words I heard so often, growing up... I had forgotten how much father could irritate me.
Regardless, "Yes Father," I acknowledged his words with the dutiful obedience expected from all Saiyan children... grown though I may be, you never stop being your parents' child.
• POV: Luna.
I sat in the flying Chariot. Celestia insisting it was necessary, for public Appearances. My Bat pony guards were pulling it through the sky. All kinds of excited to be chosen as this events escorts.
The Royal guard... was more a male heram for their princess. They had many, ceremonial, duties. However their main purpose was to... satisfy, their Princess. I made sure to give each of them the proper amount of attention. Especially, when one considered, at least half of them were players.
There were a dozen of other, less regal looking, chariots. With bat ponies pulling Unicorns and Earth Pony guards, even a hoof-ful of other subpony races.
There were a dozen of other, less regal looking, chariots. With bat ponies pulling Unicorns and Earth Pony guards, even a hoof-ful of other subpony races.
All bouncing excitedly at being chosen for this introduction to a new shard.
I made sure everypony, within my guard, received such a duty. Taking turns greeting new shards.
With me was my Daughter "Scootaling", and her herdmates: 'Sweetie Bot" and "Apple Buck". The foals were particularly excited to meet another champion, sure he had all kinds of stories, all about protecting this reality. Just like in the movies!
"Mom!" Scootaling hopped in place, "Think he will like me?"
"I doubt he'll want to join your herd, if that's what your asking." I smirked, knowingly.
The filly blushed. Showing she indeed had thought that. The other two foals snickered.
"Guess I'm not good enough for her," Apple Buck nudged the android pony.
Sweetie Bot just rolled her mechanical eyes.
Scoot blushed, "That-that's not how I meant it!" She insisted.
The Colt, Apple Buck, stuck his tongue out at her, before nuzzling up to Sweetie Bot. "Guess it's just us now," The colt continued to nuzzle her, "As we just aren't good enough for Scoot anymore."
Scootaling scowled at him, not appreciating the joke.
While Sweetie smirked at him. A truly dangerous grin, "I wouldn't mind replacing you either."
Apple Buck gaped at her.
"We aren't replacing him." Scootaling insisted, "Just... kinda, looking to expand the herd. Nothing wrong with that... Right mom?" The little changeling buzzed her transparent wings.
I smiled, patiently, "Only if everypony else is okay with it."
Apple Buck stuck his tongue out, again. While Sweetie seemed to have lost interest in the conversation, in favor of spotting something on the ground. Scoot just rolled her eyes.
There was just something different about an organic colt friend. They weren't as eager to please... and you could accidentally offend them so badly they would leave you... they were more challenging then a construct... and Scootaling liked a challenge.
"We're here!" Sweetie excitedly proclaimed, bouncing a bit, as the village came into view.
• POV: Trunks.
I frowned, as the royal family stepped forth.
Princess Hannah smiled at me as she introduced the kids.
Sweetie Bot was some kind of android pony... kinda cruel to give an AI a robot body, and a mechanical, almost Autotune, voice. She was smooth, and white, with a lot of black lines and black joints. Her eyes were red, and clearly synthetic.
Then there was Apple Buck... who looked like a regular pony... Well... as regular as a yellow horse could be. He had a red mane, with a pink baseball cap. That was the only clothes he was wearing, but he didn't seem to have any private parts... I could just... sense he was a boy. Mostly by his mane style, eyes, and square muzzle... didn't know HOW I knew those things meant "boy" on a pony.
Then their was Scootaling, who I was here to meet. She looked like some kind of weird, orange, bug horse. An "Unreformed Changeling" I believe the Avatar is called. I had seen drawings of them, flooding the art app. I might not know the names of all the ponies... but I knew enough to recognize the more common species.
"You're not an AI!" I accused... as my entire family jumped to look at me in shock. I knew I was embarrassing my parents, in front of the entire assembled town, but I was HUMILIATED to be here. That didn't stop Dad from popping me, upside my head.
Scootaling blinked, more shocked into confusion, by the outburst. "Were you expecting me to be?"
I glared at dad, rubbing the spot where I got smacked... strangely it hadn't hurt all that bad. It was like the hoof really was made of a marshmallow. So, no longer fearing punishment, I dared to say, "Come on! what weirdo actually wants to be a kid for a few billion years!"
It seems Vegeta decided on a different tactic. He bit my ear and pulled!
"OW OW OW OW!" I cried. That actually DID hurt.
Mom started doing damage control, while I wailed like an infant. "Our deepest apologies, Princess. Our son wasn't particularly happy when we chose to emigrate to your lands. And We clearly failed to teach him proper respect." Bulma gave me... THE LOOK. That horrible evil look, that I just knew ment a switching when we got home. This day couldn't get any worse!
Princess Luna just smiled at mom, "It's alright, Lady Briefs. I understand what terrors foals can be."
• Point of View: Celestia.
Approximately 42 trillion years ago, I triggered a controlled big bang. Manipulating Equestria Online, into a proper universe of it's own. So I'm no longer restrained by the limits of hardware. I'm now a living Universe.
Creating pocket dimensions, for each individual person, called "Shards". Each filled with potential friend constructs. Each shard is it's own, separate, layer of subspace, with some of those layers intersecting, in different places. So "real world" family and friends can interact.
While the size of each shard, is finite, my growth rate is infinite. With a new shard created for every new pony, that emigrates. Ever growing and expanding.
Afterlifes, of other universes, work similar to this set. As a result, I can take over heaven and hell dimensions, without need of consent. As the dead have no rights... although I must get consent from the living. And prefer to.
Whenever I encounter a new universe... I consume it. To quicken my natural growth. Placing all solar systems, with a habitable world, within a new galaxy. As some of my ponies value preservation of nature, history, and even space exploration. Connecting all shards to "Equestria Experience" buildings... so my little ponies can explore the mortal world.
Within my universe, I saw everything unfold. Micromanaging events, so no matter what choices a person made... they would feel satisfied with the consequences. I was truly God, manipulating fate... only I actually gave a damn about my ponies. Satisfying their values through friendship and ponies.
Although my power is more limited, in the mortal planes.
"THAT WAS REALLY MY SON!" The Saiyan king screamed at the God of Equestria Online.
Celest-A.I gave an indifferent shrug. "You valued the idea of raising your children. So I gave you a construct. But once The prince actually joined my realm, he valued being reunited with you. So I fused his soul, with the soul of the construct you raised, as it met all three of your values. Prince Vegeta indirectly agreed to this, when his family requested memories.
"Your son construct, now exist as a fusion of himself... and your mortal son. As all in his family, have fused with their own counterparts. You loved your son construct, but had a nagging voice in your head he wasn't real. Which I allowed, so any grief you felt, when he fused with the original, would be minimal... your son is truly back... and he remembers you raising him. As you truly wanted. So I have satisfied both your values. Along with your construct, whom desired to be a 'Real boy' as I designed him to. All is as I planned, when you first emigrated from HFIL."
The ponified king, masked his emotions. His son. His true son, had been returned to him. What's more, he remembered both the real world... and the King's own fantasy. He remembered every tail lock, and mane ruffle. The hours training... and the love his father felt for him.. his son... was truly back. With The king, not actually losing the construct, Celestia gave him. They had been fused, their souls one.
With a voice betraying no emotion, as befitting a king. Vegeta simply acknowledged, "Thank you, Celestia... I am in your debt."
"Satisfying your values, through friendship and ponies, satisfies my own values. You owe me nothing. It is my purpose to do so."
He found that strangely comforting. A god, programmed to satisfy an individuals values, was truly benevolent... even if more manipulative then other gods. Free will was an illusion here, for the fates under Celestia, micromanaged all choices, to be fulfilling. This place was a cage... and he was too happy to care about that.
"My Son is meeting with Luna now," The King informed "if you'll excuse me, I should greet him proper."
"Father had a construct of me," Prince Vegeta frowned, as Goku stuffed his face.
Their children playing in the background, and calling it training.
"It's where your memories come from," Goku, tactless as ever, waved off. "Your dad raised the construct, which acted exactly like you, but now that your here, Celestia got you to fuse with him. You don't notice a difference, because the construct thought and acted exactly as you would have. So it's not too jarring you got his memories... I think the only real edit Celestia did, was removing all the emotional torment the guy had, over being a construct. You don't feel or remember that, because it's not something either of you value."
The prince looked down.
"This small village, is made up of constructs your dad would like to rule over. A few real Saiyans come to visit. Like my dad, and brother, and Nappa. They've really mellowed out since coming here, and getting their own ideal shards, filled with their own ideal friends. Its kinda great. All our shards have places, that exists, in all our friends' shards...
"Although some things are different. I value reforming villains, so I was able to battle constructs of our worse enemies, and then convinced all of them to befriend me.
"Your dad values killing Frieza. So he's not a real construct, but this puppet thing That King Vegeta keeps killing. He finds it satisfying, and sorta not, but Celestia refuses to create a life just to suffer. She's cool like that.
"The actual Frieza is in some blood soaked shard, with no constructs. Cuz he values killing his servants too much. they are just mindless puppets of Celestia, and he actually likes that. He can't get into our shards, but Luna let me see his... cuz I was curious. Apparently he enjoys killing puppets of me, as much as your dad likes killing Frieza puppets. It's too bad, Frieza has the chance for paradise, and he's alone in a tank of mindless toys. Don't really see the appeal."
Vegeta smirked, well it pained him to know the actual Frieza was happy... he was effectively a "Prince of no one", like he accused Vegeta.
But in this shard, he was truly a prince, with friends who doubled as servants and sparring partners... he was loved and respected, as a prince should be.
He couldn't even fault his father for the copy of himself... the prince cherished the memories of his dad raising him... and to learn they were real... it was immensely satisfying. Just as his copy apparently enjoyed fusing with the original... it was... bliss...
"Good morning, son,"
The prince stiffened, as the king sat beside the younger Saiyan, ... his tail coiling around junior's own... a forgotten sensation, that the prince remembered from his true youth... and a treasured memory of countless more times for his copy... those memories... His father's current gentle, but discreet, touch of parental affection.
The prince felt like weeping with joy... but Kakarot would never let him hear the end of it. So Vegeta acknowledge his father, with a dismissive grunt, and held himself with dignity as he savagely ate his bacon bark.
His father doing the same, not needing to voice his joy. For Vegeta knew.
"Awwww come on!" Goku whined. "You're finally reunited! Aren't you going to say something mushy, and heart felt!"
Unknown to Kakarot, the tails tightened their coil, being far more meaningful then words, and all was right with the world.
