Chapter Nine Disclaimers: The Littlest Elf and his Forest Friends come from Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events." Mickey Mouse and Yen Sid come from Disney. Frodo Baggins comes from J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings." Father Time is a Legendary Figure. My self-insert is me.

Chapter Nine Songs: "The Littlest Elf," from Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events." Disney World's Fantasmic show.

Chapter Nine Summary: Everyone and everything is taken to the Void. It is up to Father Time to fix the mess that ensued, since Aria stepped forth inside his machine and started this mess.

I'll admit, I was tired when I wrote this chapter. My brain finally woke up. So, I hope this turned out well. :)

That said, enjoy! :)

Chapter Nine:

The Void

Sunrise. The dawn of a new day! And the Littlest Elf, with his fair, cheery complexion and donned in his clean blue jacket, blue cap, dark brown trousers, red belt, and dark brown boots, couldn't wait to spend the day with his newfound forest friends, as well as his Littlest Elf companion.

Oh yes! It was a joyous time to be alive!

But he wasn't planning on the massive earthquake that shook the realm, throwing him off guard and causing everything to be swallowed into the Void. Oh dear! What was this madness—he was gone, and so was his forest and his tree trunk home.

Oh dear, oh dear. Whatever was he and his forest friends to do?

.

Mickey Mouse hummed a little hum, as he strolled through Yen Sid's grey stone tower. Mickey was an anthropomorphic mouse with jet-black fur, a cute mouse face, a long black mouse's tail, and donned in white gloves, red robes, tan shoes over his big mouse feet, and he even wore a blue felt wizard's hat complete with white stars sewn into the fabric.

Yen Sid let Mickey borrow his wizard's hat. He would not say why Mickey must borrow his hat, but it seemed apparent that something was in the air. And Yen Sid, an elderly wizard with long grey hair and beard, complete with his own blue wizard's hat and blue wizard's robes and black boots donned over his feet and legs, looked up at the sky at the gaping black holes engulfing the surrounding area.

"Mickey," Yen Sid said in a deep, kind voice, "run!"

"Uh… right away, Master Yen Sid! Right this instance!" Mickey said, ducking out of Yen Sid's tower in a hurry. Mickey collided with one of Yen Sid's bookcases, even Yen Sid's tall wizard's chair, as he escaped Yen Sid's tower.

Mickey was halfway down the winding grey stone stairwell when he peered out at the wide starry window.

The Void… it was here. Oh dear, oh dear!

"Oh no! Master Yen Sid!" Mickey was swallowed up by the Void, as was Master Yen Sid.

Soon enough, everywhere they turned everything and everyone was swallowed up by the Void's black holes. It was a nightmare.

~o~

The Void.

Aria could feel Frodo's embrace. He kept hold of her, not letting her go through this alone.

And the voices… there were a great amount of them now.

Screaming.

Blaming her. Thanking her. Thanking Frodo, even. Blaming him for leading her to Father Time's machine and starting this mess.

An elderly man wearing silver robes proceeded to come out from the darkness of the Void.

It was Father Time, and he had seen the damage. He raised his hands in the air, proceeding to draw the Universes to their proper places.

The Alternate Timelines and all the Versions were open to everyone now. The Original Timelines were restored.

Everyone calmed down, realizing the Reset had started. And they were there to see it. The Void re-awoke everyone. The Void was open for reality shifting now.

Everyone, the Voices, cheered on Father Time. They looked at Frodo and Aria, wondering why this would happen to them.

The Nobodies resurfaced. Father Time's machine sprang to life, reverting back to where Father Time had it.

Father Time opened the portals, drawing everyone back to the spots they were before this mess started, but with newfound powers.

Father Time looked at all the figures in the Void as they returned to where they were. He snickered. He was far from done with Frodo and Aria, even Parker and Anakin. This much was clear as he extended his hands, drawing forth a wild wind, taking the four companions out of the Void.

~o~

Aria came to on the ground in front of Father Time's house. She looked around, spotting Frodo lying on the ground next to her. Their hands never let go, as they stood up together. Father Time glared at them both, knowing what they had done.

Father Time shook his head, telling them fast, "You two have gone too far. You toyed with my machine for far too long, tampered with it for far too long. No more shortcuts, or you will suffer the consequences. How's the One Ring doing, Frodo? Oh, that's right. You destroyed it in this Timeline."

Frodo gulped. This wasn't good. "Oh please, don't be angry at us. Aria ran back into your machine. She messed with it."

"Oh, then she is to blame for all the chaos that ensued for a decade," Father Time declared, leading the two inside his glass house. "Oh, then you must enlighten me how you both intend to fix this mess. Oh wait. I fixed it for you." He poured a glass of red wine, drinking a swig of it. "Well, you two are in a lot of trouble. You two were at my machine when this whole mess started. And I must say, your problems mean nothing compared to what everyone else just endured."

"So, what can we do?" Aria asked Father Time, keen on fixing something else.

"You?!" Father Time pointed at Aria, fuming at her in a kind voice, "Surely, you've caused enough trouble for one day. You experienced so much in that Sith Temple. It's time for you to rest." He snapped his fingers. Aria fell into a daze, as she was caught by Frodo, who moved her slowly towards the ground to sleep for a while.

Frodo looked on at Aria in wonder, giving her a fair kiss on the cheek. He glanced up at Father Time, courage in his heart, "She's not going to remember what happened to her, is she?"

Father Time shrugged. "She has memory fog. A side effect to all that she went through. I don't know how long it will last. She's been through a lot. Let her sleep. We need to discuss matters alone."

"I can't leave her out here. What if…?"

Father Time huffed. He glanced at Aria, snapping his fingers before pointing to the window.

Frodo gazed at the window where Aria was sleeping in a warm, cozy bed. He sighed, nodding to Father Time over what had happened here, "She'll be all right then?"

Father Time nodded to him in return. "I think so. But come. Our business is to be done in private. I want Aria to experience all that we're about to endure together." He made his way into his study, Frodo following after him in a flurry.

Father Time's study had a starry night sky, moving through the air and revealing various constellations. A ring of bookcases lined the walls, filled to the brim with scrolls, books, papers, and stone book holders, looking like various creatures and beings, even witches and wizards.

Frodo gazed at the bookcases in wonder, wondering when he might read from some of these books. Father Time smirked at him, leaving Frodo appalled and yet amused. "What?" Frodo asked, curiosity driving him.

Father Time shook his head, enjoying himself. "Oh nothing. I think you and Aria will like it here. You love books, don't you, Frodo? Aria, too, then?"

Frodo nodded. "I love books. Same as Aria. I read her thoughts. I know she's a bookworm, same as I. What's this to do with it?"

Father Time shrugged. "Nothing, but you will be here many days. You and Aria. I trust you and Aria won't be going back to my machine yet. For if you do, who knows what else could happen. I trust that machine will prove useful on your adventures."

"Adventures? You mean I get to have more of them?" Frodo asked, giddy with excitement. "Aria, too?"

Father Time nodded to him. "I believe so. You and everyone else who endured the Void." He got right to business. "The Alternate Timelines are open to you both, but they are in peril. Not everyone who came from the Original Timelines made it back. Some have gone either missing or they've gone rogue. It'll be up to you, Frodo Baggins, to find them and bring them back to their senses. For I fear, they could very well end up lost."

"Now, you don't know where they are. That is why you need to stay here with Aria until we can figure this out. So much is happening now. I need you to do some research into this mess at once," Father Time explained, leaving Frodo with a brand new mission. "Can you do this?"

"Where did Parker Dooley go? And Anakin Skywalker?" Frodo asked, curiously.

"Where I sent them. You'll be with them soon enough," Father Time assured him.

"And where is that?" Frodo asked, cautious now.

Father Time shrugged. "Oh, you'll see. Right now, you'll need to rest. You'll find Aria upstairs."

Frodo nodded. "Thank you, Father Time. Thank you."

Father Time stopped him, before he could climb the stairs to the second level: "Oh, and Frodo, if you ever need to rest or you want to train up to become a hobbit wizard again, let me know. I'm sure your magic is still in you."

Frodo stared at him in amusement. He loved this thought, "I will. Thank you." He climbed the stairs, finding his way inside a quaint room complete with a beige carpeted floor. Paintings of flowers lined the walls, while flowers took over the corners of the glass and burgundy walls. Frodo made his way over to Aria. He was too tired of think of anything else, as he made his way under the covers and sheets, resting his arms over Aria's.

In time, Aria rolled over, as Frodo embraced her. Sleep overwhelmed them both, knowing they were safe here.

End of Part I.

How was that? I ended up reminded of Version 2 of my fanfic series, The Long Series, with this chapter. So, I knew it was headed in that direction, but now we can see parallels to it with this version of the Long Series, as well as a little nod to my Hobbit Wizards' fanfiction series. :)

Yes, my other fanfiction series get mentioned in these Long Series and their Versions, perhaps because this Long Series and its versions connect to these universes. Just thought I'd mention that, before anyone gets confused. :)

I think this also means Frodo and Aria get a break from everything for a bit. And I suppose this means we'll see more from Father Time, too. :)

Thanks for reading. More to come. :)

~Aria Breuer