Uxion
The Slightly Less Depressed
- Location
- Personal Hell
I am going ahead and say that nasuverse does not work that way. Anything new cannot be used like that because nasu likes old things.
Bond Breaker (SI - Multiverse Cross)
- Thread starter shadenight123
- Start date
86
- Location
- https://discord.gg/z9tBvbh
Chapter Eighty-Five
I collapsed in an alley, my back against the wall.
The rotten smell of garbage around me slowly ebbed away as I finally heard my heart beat fast, and furiously.
I closed my eyes, a hand covering my face.
"I knew I'd find you here," Archer said, and I opened my eyes to look at him. He stood over me, arms crossed.
"What do you want?" I retorted.
"I was ordered to track you down and follow you by my master," Archer said. "Your words...had an impact on her," he shrugged. "You didn't manage to convince my other self."
I sighed. "I can always break him when we next meet then. Let me guess...he headed to school?"
"Yes, but he arrived too late," Archer acquiesced. "You work fast."
"I'm not for Magus Subtlety, and I'm unbound by the laws that govern your world. The Magus association can't hunt me down, because I'll disappear. Nothing ties me to this world, so..." my voice trailed off.
I exhaled.
"You will need a hand in dealing with Kotomine," Archer said.
"I won't need it," I replied. "I have a cunning plan," I chuckled. "A very cunning, very mad plan."
"Oh?" Archer raised an eyebrow, "And what is it?"
I smiled. "I'm going to make him so mad he won't understand what hit him. Why don't you come along just to watch the weapons he throws at me?"
"Ah," Archer murmured. "You know of that?"
"I know of everything," I remarked. "And nothing."
I sighed. "You want to copy my lightsaber?"
Archer bristled. "Am I that transparent?"
"Yes, you are," I acquiesced. I chuckled another moment, and unclasped it from my belt. "Here you go."
"Just like this?" Archer asked, perplexed.
"Why not. Go at it."
"Trace on," Archer whispered, holding the weapon gingerly.
He exhaled the next, and shuddered.
He pushed the weapon back in my hand with a terrifying expression on his face. "That...that weapon is..."
"A plasma blade fixed within a magnetic camp," I remarked. "Yeah, it's-"
"No," Archer shook his head. "It's not."
I blinked. "What?"
"That-That blade is...「Annulment」."
I frowned. "What do you mean with 'Annulment'?"
"It's purpose. All weapons, all heroic, legendary weapons have a purpose. That blade's purpose is 'Annulment'. Anything you kill with that...it's gone, forever. No return. If you killed me with that, I'd never come back, I'd never return, I'd...I'd die beyond death itself."
I frowned. "Uhm...oh."
Archer scratched the side of his chin. "And it's a pity, but I can't manage to copy it. Seems like you've got a unique blade there," Archer shook his head. "I can't even make a pale imitation of it."
My legs thrummed with pain from my exertions prior, but I still managed to stand back up on my feet, my back against the wall as I panted to catch my breath. "Then, if I kill Gilgamesh, he stays dead for good?"
Archer nodded. "That's...that's a very grievous weapon to use. It shouldn't be brandished lightly. It shouldn't be used at all. It shouldn't even exist. That's...it shouldn't be possible for such a thing to exist."
"So it can kill God," I said softly.
I widened my eyes. "A weapon to kill the gods. To erase the records, to annihilate existence. That's what you're speaking of."
Archer nodded once, firmly.
"I...I killed Shinji Matou and...that teacher guy...what was his name?"
"Souichirou Kuzuki," Archer said. "You didn't know his name?"
"Names aren't important," I replied softly. "It's what you do, the actions you do, that's what matters."
"You're a bitter mirror of myself," Archer said. "But why?"
"Do you know what is the true tragedy of this world?" I retorted, rather than answering him, as I kept on walking.
Archer didn't answer at first.
"It's what makes me hate this world, this reality, and this universe. You people are dumb imbeciles."
Archer raised an eyebrow.
I gestured around me. "The main antagonist is evil because it's the only thing he feels, and why is that? Because he can't feel anything else! Shirou's happy in doing good things, but lacks happiness for the rest! The hell is wrong with the lot of you?! You speak of certainties in feelings as if they were adjectives to be added for extra flavor! Humans aren't meant to be...to be considered as 'I hate everything, thus I am Hate'. That's stupid. That's idiotic. That's moronic. That's imbecilic. See? I'm ranting again. Argh! You can't define a human by a characteristic and expect it to stick! You can't just slap a few lines of 'And thus, loving humanity, he became the murderer of humanity itself to save more. Kill one, save another, that is a counter-guardian'. See how stupid it is?"
I began to walk briskly.
"That is the wrong direction," Archer said suddenly. "You should head this way," he added, pointing to the opposite direction I had been going.
"Yeah, that," I grumbled, turned, and began to walk steadily once more. "You're the one supposed to make way."
"I am?" Archer asked.
"Yes, you are. I'm killing Kotomine. I'm murdering him. There will also be Gilgamesh, but that's not really a problem."
"You seem so convinced," Archer said. "Kotomine is an executor for the Church."
"And I'm an error in the laws of your world," I replied. "The Counter-Force should give me just enough strength to face off an enemy, but it can't do that, because that is a law my world doesn't possess. So, to me, she gives 'power'. And she doesn't control it, thus, she has to give me more than usual until she thinks it's enough." I grinned. "So think what she'll have to give me when it comes to facing off Kotomine and Gilgamesh, together?"
Archer stopped mid step, and then resumed walking. "You didn't swear allegiance to the World however."
"No, I didn't," I replied. "I'm not, by your world's standards, human."
Archer bristled, "What do you mean? Are you a spirit then?"
"No, neither. I'm Human, only, I'm a Human of my world. And the humans of my world don't need to have their souls 'written' on the Root to exist. We exist, we query whether we have a soul or not, a God or not, and thus, because we query, because we are 'empty of the truth' of your world...we are different," I massaged the bridge of my nose. "Long story short, I'm an exception in the rules. Not human, not spirit, not anything, but yet I am above such things. Imagine a marble thrown against others, only this marble is steel, and the ground is mud. You porcelain marbles trek and follow the rules of the mud. I am steel. I don't follow those rules, but I follow others."
I exhaled. "And one of such rule is the Higher-One who's pushing me around. I can't control my trajectory. I can only plead forgiveness to the marbles I crush as I go by."
The temple came into view. The many stairs to reach it too.
"There are powerful leylines in this area," Archer said.
"Yes, this is where the Graal appears."
"Why are you calling it Graal? It's the Grail."
I looked at him and chuckled. "Ah, Indiana Jones. In Italian, it was the 'Santo Graal' rather than the 'Holy Grail'. So it remains." I shrugged. "And let the Grail never cross the boundary, for then it will become moot and void, and so too will its power."
I sighed and began to climb.
"How about you come up after five minutes? Or better yet, ascertain Shirou isn't tracking me down with your master?"
Archer exhaled. "I should wash my hands off this."
"But you're interested in my lightsaber, aren't you?"
Archer nodded, once, without even trying to lie about it.
I hummed and pulled the hood of the robes up.
I began to hum the Imperial March.
I brought my lightsaber to my right, and turned it on.
And as I hummed, I walked the stairs up to my destiny.
And my death.
"Peace is a lie," I say.
"There is only passion." I chant.
The steps are lighter now to cross, and my heart drums softly as my mind wishes to forget.
I have but one purpose.
I have but one thing I need to do.
Stop the Graal.
Stop Kotomine.
Save the World.
I couldn't care less about sacrifices in the meantime.
I am Sith.
There is no Kotomine to greet me, of course. There is no one in the temple, but I don't need it. They will come.
Or I will kill their precious leyline.
I spin the lightsaber in my hand with an ease I would never possess in real life, in reality, in any other reality.
And then I walk to the temple's entrance, and slice the door open.
The temple is empty.
I exhale.
The temple is empty.
There is no one.
Of course.
He must be at school.
I close the lightsaber, and cross my legs. I will wait for him then, above the Leyline.
I will wait for him, and meditate.
That is what a Sith would do.
The Present disappears, unneeded.
I exhaled.
It was the desire of the Counter-Force to 'Remove everything that is a threat to mankind. Because Mankind fears extinction'.
And fear was a positively Sith emotion.
Gaia, on the other hand, was the 'Desire to live and prosper of the world'. Definitely Jedi.
I heard the rushing of footsteps first, followed by the arrival in the large square of the temple of Shirou, Saber and Rin. Archer was nowhere to be seen.
"Why are you here?" I asked, calmly.
"You killed Shinji," Shirou said. "And professor Kuzuki," he added.
"They were both masters," I replied calmly. "And they both had sins on their souls. So I killed them."
I inclined my head to the side. "Should I feel guilty about it?"
"You should," Rin hissed. "People now know who you are. The Magus Association-"
"Cannot harm me, Tohsaka," I replied calmly. "I don't care about them. Kill me? I wanted to die at first," I chuckled, "But he had me knocked out," I gestured at Shirou. "Their deaths? They should be on his conscience, right?" I grinned. "You should have killed me when I asked."
Rin held crimson jewels with her fingers, "We can still remedy that!"
"Oh?" I laughed. "Are you sure? Because you see, I have one card I can play that will make your plan moot, little girl."
Rin bristled. "Yeah? And what's it?"
I bowed my head.
"Emiya Shirou, I surrender and would like to be escorted to the police station nearby."
I smiled. "A Hero of Justice wouldn't let a man who surrenders be killed, right?"
Shirou froze.
Rin's eyes widened.
"He's lying! Clearly!" Rin exclaimed.
"Can you prove it?" I retorted hotly. "Because I'm surrendering, so you've got to bring me to the police. Oh, but-" I raised a finger. "The same laws of the Magus association say that the murder of the participants is perfectly fine, right? So by the Magus Association, I'm not guilty of that. Uh, seems like I'm innocent. And I'm not a participant in the Graal wars."
I continued calmly. "So, really, what are you accusing me of? Helping you out?"
Rin took a deep breath. "Even if what you're saying is true, even then...Kotomine Kirei is my guardian, and I can't just allow you to kill him!"
"Why not? He's evil. Like, psychopathic evil. He likes murdering people. He's responsible for the fire of the last Graal war."
Shirou's eyes widened, and his skin paled.
"H-He is?"
"Yes, just like he's the owner of Gilgamesh, Lancer, and has mortally wounded the Magus Association Enforcer sent to battle. Oh, but I'm sure he's a very nice guy once you rip off his command seals from his arm. The ones he got from murdering the other masters, and taking them from his father."
I nodded most sarcastically.
"You're lying," Rin said softly.
"Did I lie on Sakura?" I remarked. "Did you check? Near her heart, there's a little something, something, a tiny worm, a tiny soul...oh? You're trembling aren't you? Feels nice, oh yes, really nice to see you understand the lack of knowledge you have."
I brought both of my arms to bear, wide and with a smile on my face. "Feel that anger, let it rush through your veins! Peace is a lie! Let passion strengthen you, hatred rush your veins! Become what you are destined to become," I chuckled. "Come on, miss perfection, shed your skin, admit your-"
I ducked in time to avoid a blow from Saber's Excalibur.
The lightsaber ignited, and I jumped back.
...
I jumped back all the way to the other end of the courtyard.
How the hell did I manage that?
"Oh," I giggled. "So this must be what it feels like to be on a Leyline, and have Prana," I laughed and clenched my left fist.
"Saber!" Shirou yelled. "He surrendered, there's no need to-"
"Master," Saber said. "Can't you feel it?" she looked at me, and her eyes hardened. "I thought him a human at first, but the more he speaks, the more he acts...he's a Demon!"
I frowned, and then inclined my head to the side. "A Demon?"
"Master must have originated it by desiring an end to the war!" Saber snarled.
I opened my mouth.
I closed it.
The-...fucking hell?
"No, please, wait a moment," I raised a hand in dismissal, "What are you spouting, you silly child?"
"A Demon? It could very well be!" Rin exclaimed.
"And don't give her reason you! What the hell IS a Demon?!"
"The natural ability of a Demon is its reality marble," Rin said. "But they're usually gentle, because they understand the human's pain...Shirou, whatever happens, if you really called him into being, then you paid for your wish with pain!"
Shirou frowned.
And I admit, they had lost me.
Somewhere, somehow, somewhat, they had utterly lost me.
"Are...are you telling me I called him forth?" Shirou said. "I'm responsible for-"
"No, really kid, you didn't-"
Saber lunged at me, sword ready.
I deflected it.
Let me be clear.
I deflected Saber's sword.
I deflected Excalibur.
I had never taken a sword -a lightsaber either- in hand before, but...
What was going on?
No seriously, what was going on?
I...
I didn't even know anymore.
"How about we stop and talk a bit?" I suggested. "Say, truce?"
"Saber! Enough!" Shirou exclaimed.
Saber held her sword up and ready to strike, but stopped her lunging attacks.
"What are you?" Saber asked in disbelief, catching her breath.
"I don't know anymore," I mumbled back. "I really don't know anymore."
"Maybe I can she some light into-"
"KOTOMINE!" I charged through the grounds of the temple with a speed that didn't belong to me, and as I spun and swiped the lightsaber down, Kotomine literally flickered out of sight.
The slash on the ground quaked the very earth, bursting apart the rocks and the cobblestone.
"That was hardly called for," Kotomine remarked.
I spun, holding my lightsaber up.
So much for a surprise death-attack.
Well, I'll try against when he starts another monologue.
"I admit, this is quite peculiar," Kotomine said. "But what mystery you are, I'll solve in due time."
Black Keys pierced through my body before I could even blink, hitting my shoulders, my knees, my limbs at the joints and freezing me in place.
I should have bled, but in fact I didn't.
I also couldn't move.
"There," he remarked dryly. "That will keep you still until I'm done."
"Run," I said.
I looked at Shirou. "Run and get out of here, kid."
"I had a great plan," Kotomine sighed. "But frankly, you just went and killed two masters in such short order...and now I'll have to kill these two too."
"B-But why?!" Rin exclaimed, "You're supposed to be impartial!"
"Well," Kotomine said. "I lied."
He lifted more Black Keys. "Maybe I won't have to call on Gilgamesh to end you all after all."
And suddenly, it clicked.
Especially because I was gone from the temple's square.
The Black Keys were still embedded into my body, meaning I couldn't move. But I was gone from the temple.
I was gone from the Nasuverse.
I had delivered Shirou and Rin straight into the trap of Kotomine, who'd kill them both.
Then he'd take care of Ilya, most probably, and the rest was history.
...
Somehow, that made me feel better.
As my mind unclogged, and cleared of the fog, I gave a quick look around -I couldn't move. That had to be fantastic.
But on the plus side my homicidal urge to cleanse the world of evil was gone.
Well, 'homicidal urge'.
"Did I really fight people citing the Sith Code?" I mumbled as I tried to shake my head in disbelief. "I deserve this. Really, I deserve being 'immobilized' by black keys because what I did was the paramount of stupidity."
I quietly sighed.
I was in a room. An old, dusty room judging by the pavement.
Then the door opened, and a shriek echoed.
"It's not as bad as it looks like," I remarked. "Whoever it is."
I received no reply.
"Doesn't even hurt much, all things considered."
"A-Are you in need of-of medical attention?" the voice asked half-scared.
"Yes, yes, I'd like it if I had medical attention," I said. "Mind calling someone?"
"I'll go get Madam Pomfrey. She'll know what to do!"
Madam Pomfrey?
...
I was at Hogwarts then.
Thank God I had the Robes on!
...
I was at Hogwarts.
I was completely visible.
I had a lightsaber in my hand and Black Keys on my most important joints -miraculously, I wasn't even feeling the pain, really.
...
I was at Hogwarts.
And I most definitely was a muggle.
...
I had to avoid getting mind-read.
Literally.
And Mind-Modified.
Bullshit Lying Mode, Maximum Power.
But even then, as I wracked my brain for a possible lie...yeah, I was screwed.
So, so screwed.
But, on the plus side, I was certain I'd manage something.
After all, how badly could I have fucked up things with Luna in Gryffindor?
WE WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO DIE. YOU ARE OURS.
I collapsed in an alley, my back against the wall.
The rotten smell of garbage around me slowly ebbed away as I finally heard my heart beat fast, and furiously.
I closed my eyes, a hand covering my face.
"I knew I'd find you here," Archer said, and I opened my eyes to look at him. He stood over me, arms crossed.
"What do you want?" I retorted.
"I was ordered to track you down and follow you by my master," Archer said. "Your words...had an impact on her," he shrugged. "You didn't manage to convince my other self."
I sighed. "I can always break him when we next meet then. Let me guess...he headed to school?"
"Yes, but he arrived too late," Archer acquiesced. "You work fast."
"I'm not for Magus Subtlety, and I'm unbound by the laws that govern your world. The Magus association can't hunt me down, because I'll disappear. Nothing ties me to this world, so..." my voice trailed off.
I exhaled.
"You will need a hand in dealing with Kotomine," Archer said.
"I won't need it," I replied. "I have a cunning plan," I chuckled. "A very cunning, very mad plan."
"Oh?" Archer raised an eyebrow, "And what is it?"
I smiled. "I'm going to make him so mad he won't understand what hit him. Why don't you come along just to watch the weapons he throws at me?"
"Ah," Archer murmured. "You know of that?"
"I know of everything," I remarked. "And nothing."
I sighed. "You want to copy my lightsaber?"
Archer bristled. "Am I that transparent?"
"Yes, you are," I acquiesced. I chuckled another moment, and unclasped it from my belt. "Here you go."
"Just like this?" Archer asked, perplexed.
"Why not. Go at it."
"Trace on," Archer whispered, holding the weapon gingerly.
He exhaled the next, and shuddered.
He pushed the weapon back in my hand with a terrifying expression on his face. "That...that weapon is..."
"A plasma blade fixed within a magnetic camp," I remarked. "Yeah, it's-"
"No," Archer shook his head. "It's not."
I blinked. "What?"
"That-That blade is...「Annulment」."
I frowned. "What do you mean with 'Annulment'?"
"It's purpose. All weapons, all heroic, legendary weapons have a purpose. That blade's purpose is 'Annulment'. Anything you kill with that...it's gone, forever. No return. If you killed me with that, I'd never come back, I'd never return, I'd...I'd die beyond death itself."
I frowned. "Uhm...oh."
Archer scratched the side of his chin. "And it's a pity, but I can't manage to copy it. Seems like you've got a unique blade there," Archer shook his head. "I can't even make a pale imitation of it."
My legs thrummed with pain from my exertions prior, but I still managed to stand back up on my feet, my back against the wall as I panted to catch my breath. "Then, if I kill Gilgamesh, he stays dead for good?"
Archer nodded. "That's...that's a very grievous weapon to use. It shouldn't be brandished lightly. It shouldn't be used at all. It shouldn't even exist. That's...it shouldn't be possible for such a thing to exist."
"So it can kill God," I said softly.
I widened my eyes. "A weapon to kill the gods. To erase the records, to annihilate existence. That's what you're speaking of."
Archer nodded once, firmly.
"I...I killed Shinji Matou and...that teacher guy...what was his name?"
"Souichirou Kuzuki," Archer said. "You didn't know his name?"
"Names aren't important," I replied softly. "It's what you do, the actions you do, that's what matters."
"You're a bitter mirror of myself," Archer said. "But why?"
"Do you know what is the true tragedy of this world?" I retorted, rather than answering him, as I kept on walking.
Archer didn't answer at first.
"It's what makes me hate this world, this reality, and this universe. You people are dumb imbeciles."
Archer raised an eyebrow.
I gestured around me. "The main antagonist is evil because it's the only thing he feels, and why is that? Because he can't feel anything else! Shirou's happy in doing good things, but lacks happiness for the rest! The hell is wrong with the lot of you?! You speak of certainties in feelings as if they were adjectives to be added for extra flavor! Humans aren't meant to be...to be considered as 'I hate everything, thus I am Hate'. That's stupid. That's idiotic. That's moronic. That's imbecilic. See? I'm ranting again. Argh! You can't define a human by a characteristic and expect it to stick! You can't just slap a few lines of 'And thus, loving humanity, he became the murderer of humanity itself to save more. Kill one, save another, that is a counter-guardian'. See how stupid it is?"
I began to walk briskly.
"That is the wrong direction," Archer said suddenly. "You should head this way," he added, pointing to the opposite direction I had been going.
"Yeah, that," I grumbled, turned, and began to walk steadily once more. "You're the one supposed to make way."
"I am?" Archer asked.
"Yes, you are. I'm killing Kotomine. I'm murdering him. There will also be Gilgamesh, but that's not really a problem."
"You seem so convinced," Archer said. "Kotomine is an executor for the Church."
"And I'm an error in the laws of your world," I replied. "The Counter-Force should give me just enough strength to face off an enemy, but it can't do that, because that is a law my world doesn't possess. So, to me, she gives 'power'. And she doesn't control it, thus, she has to give me more than usual until she thinks it's enough." I grinned. "So think what she'll have to give me when it comes to facing off Kotomine and Gilgamesh, together?"
Archer stopped mid step, and then resumed walking. "You didn't swear allegiance to the World however."
"No, I didn't," I replied. "I'm not, by your world's standards, human."
Archer bristled, "What do you mean? Are you a spirit then?"
"No, neither. I'm Human, only, I'm a Human of my world. And the humans of my world don't need to have their souls 'written' on the Root to exist. We exist, we query whether we have a soul or not, a God or not, and thus, because we query, because we are 'empty of the truth' of your world...we are different," I massaged the bridge of my nose. "Long story short, I'm an exception in the rules. Not human, not spirit, not anything, but yet I am above such things. Imagine a marble thrown against others, only this marble is steel, and the ground is mud. You porcelain marbles trek and follow the rules of the mud. I am steel. I don't follow those rules, but I follow others."
I exhaled. "And one of such rule is the Higher-One who's pushing me around. I can't control my trajectory. I can only plead forgiveness to the marbles I crush as I go by."
The temple came into view. The many stairs to reach it too.
"There are powerful leylines in this area," Archer said.
"Yes, this is where the Graal appears."
"Why are you calling it Graal? It's the Grail."
I looked at him and chuckled. "Ah, Indiana Jones. In Italian, it was the 'Santo Graal' rather than the 'Holy Grail'. So it remains." I shrugged. "And let the Grail never cross the boundary, for then it will become moot and void, and so too will its power."
I sighed and began to climb.
"How about you come up after five minutes? Or better yet, ascertain Shirou isn't tracking me down with your master?"
Archer exhaled. "I should wash my hands off this."
"But you're interested in my lightsaber, aren't you?"
Archer nodded, once, without even trying to lie about it.
I hummed and pulled the hood of the robes up.
I began to hum the Imperial March.
I brought my lightsaber to my right, and turned it on.
And as I hummed, I walked the stairs up to my destiny.
And my death.
"Peace is a lie," I say.
"There is only passion." I chant.
The steps are lighter now to cross, and my heart drums softly as my mind wishes to forget.
I have but one purpose.
I have but one thing I need to do.
Stop the Graal.
Stop Kotomine.
Save the World.
I couldn't care less about sacrifices in the meantime.
I am Sith.
There is no Kotomine to greet me, of course. There is no one in the temple, but I don't need it. They will come.
Or I will kill their precious leyline.
I spin the lightsaber in my hand with an ease I would never possess in real life, in reality, in any other reality.
And then I walk to the temple's entrance, and slice the door open.
The temple is empty.
I exhale.
The temple is empty.
There is no one.
Of course.
He must be at school.
I close the lightsaber, and cross my legs. I will wait for him then, above the Leyline.
I will wait for him, and meditate.
That is what a Sith would do.
The Present disappears, unneeded.
I exhaled.
It was the desire of the Counter-Force to 'Remove everything that is a threat to mankind. Because Mankind fears extinction'.
And fear was a positively Sith emotion.
Gaia, on the other hand, was the 'Desire to live and prosper of the world'. Definitely Jedi.
I heard the rushing of footsteps first, followed by the arrival in the large square of the temple of Shirou, Saber and Rin. Archer was nowhere to be seen.
"Why are you here?" I asked, calmly.
"You killed Shinji," Shirou said. "And professor Kuzuki," he added.
"They were both masters," I replied calmly. "And they both had sins on their souls. So I killed them."
I inclined my head to the side. "Should I feel guilty about it?"
"You should," Rin hissed. "People now know who you are. The Magus Association-"
"Cannot harm me, Tohsaka," I replied calmly. "I don't care about them. Kill me? I wanted to die at first," I chuckled, "But he had me knocked out," I gestured at Shirou. "Their deaths? They should be on his conscience, right?" I grinned. "You should have killed me when I asked."
Rin held crimson jewels with her fingers, "We can still remedy that!"
"Oh?" I laughed. "Are you sure? Because you see, I have one card I can play that will make your plan moot, little girl."
Rin bristled. "Yeah? And what's it?"
I bowed my head.
"Emiya Shirou, I surrender and would like to be escorted to the police station nearby."
I smiled. "A Hero of Justice wouldn't let a man who surrenders be killed, right?"
Shirou froze.
Rin's eyes widened.
"He's lying! Clearly!" Rin exclaimed.
"Can you prove it?" I retorted hotly. "Because I'm surrendering, so you've got to bring me to the police. Oh, but-" I raised a finger. "The same laws of the Magus association say that the murder of the participants is perfectly fine, right? So by the Magus Association, I'm not guilty of that. Uh, seems like I'm innocent. And I'm not a participant in the Graal wars."
I continued calmly. "So, really, what are you accusing me of? Helping you out?"
Rin took a deep breath. "Even if what you're saying is true, even then...Kotomine Kirei is my guardian, and I can't just allow you to kill him!"
"Why not? He's evil. Like, psychopathic evil. He likes murdering people. He's responsible for the fire of the last Graal war."
Shirou's eyes widened, and his skin paled.
"H-He is?"
"Yes, just like he's the owner of Gilgamesh, Lancer, and has mortally wounded the Magus Association Enforcer sent to battle. Oh, but I'm sure he's a very nice guy once you rip off his command seals from his arm. The ones he got from murdering the other masters, and taking them from his father."
I nodded most sarcastically.
"You're lying," Rin said softly.
"Did I lie on Sakura?" I remarked. "Did you check? Near her heart, there's a little something, something, a tiny worm, a tiny soul...oh? You're trembling aren't you? Feels nice, oh yes, really nice to see you understand the lack of knowledge you have."
I brought both of my arms to bear, wide and with a smile on my face. "Feel that anger, let it rush through your veins! Peace is a lie! Let passion strengthen you, hatred rush your veins! Become what you are destined to become," I chuckled. "Come on, miss perfection, shed your skin, admit your-"
I ducked in time to avoid a blow from Saber's Excalibur.
The lightsaber ignited, and I jumped back.
...
I jumped back all the way to the other end of the courtyard.
How the hell did I manage that?
"Oh," I giggled. "So this must be what it feels like to be on a Leyline, and have Prana," I laughed and clenched my left fist.
"Saber!" Shirou yelled. "He surrendered, there's no need to-"
"Master," Saber said. "Can't you feel it?" she looked at me, and her eyes hardened. "I thought him a human at first, but the more he speaks, the more he acts...he's a Demon!"
I frowned, and then inclined my head to the side. "A Demon?"
"Master must have originated it by desiring an end to the war!" Saber snarled.
I opened my mouth.
I closed it.
The-...fucking hell?
"No, please, wait a moment," I raised a hand in dismissal, "What are you spouting, you silly child?"
"A Demon? It could very well be!" Rin exclaimed.
"And don't give her reason you! What the hell IS a Demon?!"
"The natural ability of a Demon is its reality marble," Rin said. "But they're usually gentle, because they understand the human's pain...Shirou, whatever happens, if you really called him into being, then you paid for your wish with pain!"
Shirou frowned.
And I admit, they had lost me.
Somewhere, somehow, somewhat, they had utterly lost me.
"Are...are you telling me I called him forth?" Shirou said. "I'm responsible for-"
"No, really kid, you didn't-"
Saber lunged at me, sword ready.
I deflected it.
Let me be clear.
I deflected Saber's sword.
I deflected Excalibur.
I had never taken a sword -a lightsaber either- in hand before, but...
What was going on?
No seriously, what was going on?
I...
I didn't even know anymore.
"How about we stop and talk a bit?" I suggested. "Say, truce?"
"Saber! Enough!" Shirou exclaimed.
Saber held her sword up and ready to strike, but stopped her lunging attacks.
"What are you?" Saber asked in disbelief, catching her breath.
"I don't know anymore," I mumbled back. "I really don't know anymore."
"Maybe I can she some light into-"
"KOTOMINE!" I charged through the grounds of the temple with a speed that didn't belong to me, and as I spun and swiped the lightsaber down, Kotomine literally flickered out of sight.
The slash on the ground quaked the very earth, bursting apart the rocks and the cobblestone.
"That was hardly called for," Kotomine remarked.
I spun, holding my lightsaber up.
So much for a surprise death-attack.
Well, I'll try against when he starts another monologue.
"I admit, this is quite peculiar," Kotomine said. "But what mystery you are, I'll solve in due time."
Black Keys pierced through my body before I could even blink, hitting my shoulders, my knees, my limbs at the joints and freezing me in place.
I should have bled, but in fact I didn't.
I also couldn't move.
"There," he remarked dryly. "That will keep you still until I'm done."
"Run," I said.
I looked at Shirou. "Run and get out of here, kid."
"I had a great plan," Kotomine sighed. "But frankly, you just went and killed two masters in such short order...and now I'll have to kill these two too."
"B-But why?!" Rin exclaimed, "You're supposed to be impartial!"
"Well," Kotomine said. "I lied."
He lifted more Black Keys. "Maybe I won't have to call on Gilgamesh to end you all after all."
And suddenly, it clicked.
Especially because I was gone from the temple's square.
The Black Keys were still embedded into my body, meaning I couldn't move. But I was gone from the temple.
I was gone from the Nasuverse.
I had delivered Shirou and Rin straight into the trap of Kotomine, who'd kill them both.
Then he'd take care of Ilya, most probably, and the rest was history.
...
Somehow, that made me feel better.
As my mind unclogged, and cleared of the fog, I gave a quick look around -I couldn't move. That had to be fantastic.
But on the plus side my homicidal urge to cleanse the world of evil was gone.
Well, 'homicidal urge'.
"Did I really fight people citing the Sith Code?" I mumbled as I tried to shake my head in disbelief. "I deserve this. Really, I deserve being 'immobilized' by black keys because what I did was the paramount of stupidity."
I quietly sighed.
I was in a room. An old, dusty room judging by the pavement.
Then the door opened, and a shriek echoed.
"It's not as bad as it looks like," I remarked. "Whoever it is."
I received no reply.
"Doesn't even hurt much, all things considered."
"A-Are you in need of-of medical attention?" the voice asked half-scared.
"Yes, yes, I'd like it if I had medical attention," I said. "Mind calling someone?"
"I'll go get Madam Pomfrey. She'll know what to do!"
Madam Pomfrey?
...
I was at Hogwarts then.
Thank God I had the Robes on!
...
I was at Hogwarts.
I was completely visible.
I had a lightsaber in my hand and Black Keys on my most important joints -miraculously, I wasn't even feeling the pain, really.
...
I was at Hogwarts.
And I most definitely was a muggle.
...
I had to avoid getting mind-read.
Literally.
And Mind-Modified.
Bullshit Lying Mode, Maximum Power.
But even then, as I wracked my brain for a possible lie...yeah, I was screwed.
So, so screwed.
But, on the plus side, I was certain I'd manage something.
After all, how badly could I have fucked up things with Luna in Gryffindor?
WE WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO DIE. YOU ARE OURS.
Wade Wilson
GIGA! 4TH WALL! BREAKER!
Hahahahahahahahahahaha.
Hahaha.
Hahaha.
Aaand now that I think about it, Luna in Gryffindor...
Oh boy. And I thought the bullying in Ravenclaw was bad.
Oh boy. And I thought the bullying in Ravenclaw was bad.
Dragonskyt
Ashen one, hearest thou my voice, still?
- Location
- Kiln of the First Flame
Is there a hidden meaning now the words aren't invisible anymore?
Does that mean it grows stronger? Closer?
Does that mean it grows stronger? Closer?
Who knows? Maybe he doesn't hear it anymore. Or maybe it got even crazier.
Vorpal
Neither a dandy nor a clown
- Location
- 76 Totter's Lane, Shoreditch, London, EC1 5EG
That's just what happens when you translate idioms from another language overly literally.
Uxion
The Slightly Less Depressed
- Location
- Personal Hell
Note that it is a metaphor/idiom in Japan. I don't remember it actually.That's just what happens when you translate idioms from another language overly literally.
Can someone explain what the hell is happening? The writing feels skipped on many parts and shade is seemingly becoming crazy with no real reason. In the beginning he was rational but halfway through the story his thought processes radically change from helping the worlds to being the embodiment of hate and despair.
Tachikoma's Aunt
Priestess of Yog-Sothoth
- Location
- Variable
No real reason. Uhuh. Because having all your attempts at helping people result in genocide isn't even remotely traumatic.
Do you actually interact with humans? Like, at all?
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Well to sum it up Shade in the last... 30 chapters or so tries to help the worlds he is in and most of the time he fail or his help creates bigger messes. In the 40k verse for example he poisoned the warp and woke the emperor. Nice no? Well because he did that all the powers of chaos came in alignment and are gonna attack the Galaxy at full power. Even if the "good" Guys somehow win we are looking at trillions of deaths especially when we dont know how this will affect all the other races.
-Edit- In the end most probably either the Necrons will kill everything or the Tyrranids will devour everyone still standing.
-Edit- In the end most probably either the Necrons will kill everything or the Tyrranids will devour everyone still standing.
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I am merely stating that to my understanding shade was fine in one world then he has a massive personality change without any sliding into it. Much of the plot line needs to be inferred And is not definitively stated. For example there used to be people talking between worlds and somehow he killed them (?) without the writer actually writing that shade killed them.No real reason. Uhuh. Because having all your attempts at helping people result in genocide isn't even remotely traumatic.
Tachikoma's Aunt
Priestess of Yog-Sothoth
- Location
- Variable
On the first point, PTSD is a thing and Shade really wasn't all that stable to begin with. He didn't need to slide much because he was already on the edge of utter lunacy. On the second, I can see where you're coming from, but I'd argue that as long as it is clear what the author is implying, it doesn't matter if they don't come out and state it. Although that's admittedly a matter of personal taste more than anything else.
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PTSD is a thing but after the naruto destruction he seemed fine as far as I could tell.
The only reason I know he killed the god people things was because of browsing the thread for explanations. That is also the only reason that made me aware of the invisible text. I'm on a phone the majority of the time so I can't really be bothered to go back and copy paste every possible invisible text spot.
from the start this was supposed to be an experiment. A race of ascended beings led by a super ascended? grabbed shade and started throwing him to various worlds looking for divine intererense or any scrap of evidence that God big g God exists. In the course of the experiment the ones supevising the experiment started being corrupted due to contact with shade. The corruption spread to the ascended overmind and as a result he went mad and wiped out the ascended race. Now his ultimate goal is destruction and to break shade like a twig.
Also Biosaur you do realise that there is a significant amount of invisible script in each chapter right? Left click and drag the mouse downward and you should see the hidden script. it is the interaction between shade and the ascended. That should clear things up. off course you will probably have to go back and read from the begining
Also Biosaur you do realise that there is a significant amount of invisible script in each chapter right? Left click and drag the mouse downward and you should see the hidden script. it is the interaction between shade and the ascended. That should clear things up. off course you will probably have to go back and read from the begining
then you are losing more than half the plot
Well that blows. I am on a phone so to read the text I would have to press down on a word, press select, modify the selection field, copy it, go into a text based program of some sort, paste it, then read it. Even if I selected the entire thing, in a different program it loses much of its organization and there are text breaks and random indenting.
His personality and actions change drastically as he shifts from universe to universe based off of the laws of that universe and to what extent he had to follow them.
We saw some of this in stuff like the Frozen universe where everything was noticeably happier and more Disney-like except when the laws were specifically morphed or twisted by those in charge (back when it was just the three). The big shift in the Nasuverse was due to the fact that it seems he had little resistance there to the inherent laws so he ends of mentally going through Sith mantras and such similar to how EMIYA and the whole Unlimited Blade Works stuff happens as they fight.
Sometimes he is able to defy the laws of the universe, other times he is unable to, and in others they begin to effect him when he isn't specifically focused on not being effected.
In addition to this, he's probably got some level of PTSD or at least significant jading from all he's done so far. He accidentally erases entire worlds through his actions and, in some surviving worlds, dooms millions or more to death.
This is after he is forced to befriend or mentor several broken individuals and then is abruptly removed the instant they begin to trust him.
And then he was actually killed and replaced by a different copy of himself who had not actually experienced all that stuff. And then that copy, which had been writing the story before he was taken (the esteemed fifth level meta-Shade) had to go through Vader's training, an Ork Waaaaagh, etc. etc.
So yeah, he'd be pretty messed up by that point.
As for the Gods stuff, since you can't read the invisi-text , he only actually kills one of the 'Ascended' race I think, (when he gets Yui?). The rest are killed by one of their own (I think, it's fairly fuzzy) who is particularly sadistic and now fucks with Shade all the time (this is the one he talks to recently through the invisi-text).
And then there's the one (implied survivor) who left the sorta-pathetic invisi-text at the end of updates who seems rather benevolent but I don't think we've seen in a while so they might be dead too.
Even seeing the invisi-text it's pretty difficult to decipher the details what exactly is going on.
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Thank you for the semi coherent explanations everyone.
87
- Location
- https://discord.gg/z9tBvbh
Chapter Eighty-Six
"I've never seen a curse like this one," Pomfrey said.
"Please, remove it," I replied. "I'm getting tired of standing still."
"Sure thing, just a moment," Pomfrey said, waving her wand.
The Black Keys neatly slid out as the wounds closed behind them.
"A-Ah, ahhh," I exhaled in relief as Pomfrey muttered a few more words, probably checking on my bones.
"A few sips of Skelegrow and you'll be as good as new," the nurse declared. "Well," she continued, "Now that this is out of the way, mind telling me what happened?"
"It was...a combination of experimental magic, apparition, and a curse gone wrong," I replied. "I'm at Hogwarts, right? I recognize the uniform," I said as I looked at the girl who had called Madam Pomfrey over.
Gryffindor tie, second or third year, Hermione Granger.
Of course.
Probably the 'hurt child' of the hour, if my traveling even followed that rule any longer.
Or maybe it didn't, and it was just because.
"Well, could I have a name the, mister?" Pomfrey said.
"Oh, of course," I replied. "I'm Edward Shade, ma'am," I made a light bowing gesture. "We're in Britain, aren't we?" I exhaled. "Damn, how am I going to explain this to my superiors now?"
I scratched the underside of my chin. "Well, no use worrying over spilled milk," I shrugged. "Might I inquire if it's possible to head to Hogsmeade? I've had my fair share of travel with magic for the day, and I think I'll need to rest up a bit."
"Well, if you can walk just follow me," Madam Pomfrey said. "I'll bring you to the infirmary, young man."
I chuckled.
"Make way then, ma'am."
As we walked, Madam Pomfrey asked me once more, "You managed to apparate through Hogwarts' wards with the usage of an experimental spell?"
"Yes, apparently so, ma'am," I replied. "Due to my contract however, I cannot divulge what the spell was."
"It was part of the spell to be locked by a curse?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"Apparently, there was something wrong with the wording or the accents," I exhaled. "It isn't supposed to have your joints pierced by swords. I am lucky I ended up here. Even if I was supposed to apparate merely five meters forward."
"Oh my," Pomfrey said. "Will you be all right young man?"
I sighed. "I am without a wand. The spell was supposed to be thrown by my colleague, to modify the apparition...we even got the timing down right, but well, I'm sure once I make a quick floo call I'll get them to sort it out."
"I'll speak with the Headmistress at once," Pomfrey said. "You can rest easy, Mister Shade."
I hummed and nodded.
Behind us, Hermione Granger trailed somewhat mystified.
I frowned.
Why was she following us?
"Miss Granger," Pomfrey said, realizing she was following us. "Is something the matter?"
"Well ma'am," Hermione said in a soft voice, "Isn't it impossible to go through the Hogwarts' Wards just like that? I mean...and he's...couldn't he be a Death Eater?"
I raised an eyebrow.
"I am a muggleborn, Miss Granger," I said calmly. "My mother's a doctor and my father's a dead bastard," I added with a wink. "So worry not, I am not a 'Death Eater'."
"Oh," Hermione blushed in shame. "I'm sorry."
I shook my head. "It's nothing to be sorry for. A bit of righteous paranoia can go a long way. And I should thank you anyway for finding me first. Merlin knows how long I'd have waited for someone to come into that room otherwise."
Hermione nervously nodded.
"Are you a Magic Researcher then?" Hermione asked.
"Miss Granger, Mister Shade is probably proven and needs some rest," Pomfrey said, chiding her.
I waved a hand in dismissal, "Oh, worry not. I do feel faint, but talking about magic? Always brings me back up in spirits," I grinned. "Well, you could say that, Miss Granger. I research magic spells, theories, try to skirt the limits of the magic laws, and so forth. I'm a researcher, most of the time."
Bullshit meter, over nine thousand.
I ended up sitting on the infirmary bed as Pomfrey left to get McGonagall, and Hermione fidgeted slightly as she tried to gather enough courage to ask questions.
"Well," I said. "Let's get the elephant out of the room. Why were you heading for an empty unused classroom, Miss Granger?"
Hermione bristled slightly, a light red hue on her face. "I...I wanted to practice some spells, sir."
"Oh?" I grinned. "Wonderful! But why not do that in a club?"
"There's...no club at Hogwarts for magical theory."
I frowned. "I'm pretty sure there is."
"It was disbanded, not enough students interested in it when compared to the dueling club," Hermione said, biting her lower lip. "Professor Lockhart convinced many to participate."
I exhaled. "Oh, Gilderoy."
"You know him?" Hermione asked.
I nodded. "Who doesn't know him?"
I hummed a bit more, "So, I'm sure you've got questions?"
Hermione nodded. "You work for the Ministry?"
"Eh, yes and no," I replied. "I work in the private sector -lots of contracts, binding words, and so forth. We discover new spells, and then sell them to the highest bidder."
Hermione frowned. "Why would someone pay for new spells?"
"Well, sometimes you need a spell that turns your clothes from red to green, and sometimes you want to turn your clothes a specific hue of magenta with yellow stripes," I drawled out. "But, more seriously, sometimes you want a spell that can sink boats, but not your boats." I wiggled my fingers. "Sometimes, you want a spell that can make cucumbers, but not apples."
"Oh, I see," Hermione said. "That's...strange," Hermione acquiesced.
"I get your feeling, When you start learning magic it has a fairy-tale feel to it, right?" I retorted with a grin. "It's all 'oh, unicorns!' 'oh, dragons!' but eventually, trust me, it becomes just like every other thing in life. Something you do for a paycheck," I shrugged. "But well...another question?"
Hermione began.
And I lied through it all.
Well, 'lied'.
I merely told her stuff by going at it with logical lies. Prime Bullshit material always comes from lies made of logic.
Also known as 'Creative Interpretation of things you don't know' or 'Grasping at straws' or 'Climbing on mirrors'.
And I was very good at climbing on mirrors.
I was so good, I could do it with my eyes closed and with but the tiniest of my fingers.
I had mastered the art of lying.
Lies for the Lying God.
McGonagall arrived with thin lips, as always, and Miss Granger excused herself quickly.
"Mister Shade," Professor McGonagall said. "If you'll pardon my bluntness," she continued, "But what you did was supposed to be impossible."
I exhaled. "You tell me?" I groaned. "It was a honest accident, I guarantee it."
"Very well, young man," Professor McGonagall said. "If you're feeling better, we can talk in my office."
I nodded. "Lead, and I shall follow."
Minerva raised an eyebrow, but said nothing more as I stood from the bed and followed her.
As we walked through the corridors, she gave another look at me. "That thing at your hip is not your wand, I suspect," Minerva said.
"Oh, this?" I said, gesturing at my lightsaber. "It's a nifty magic thing I can't really tell you about. it's fundamental in my works though. An...eraser of sorts."
"Ah, I did hear from Poppy that you suffered from a magical experiment gone awry," Minerva acquiesced. "I assume you would like to contact your employers?"
"I would, if it weren't for the fact I'm under contract not to reveal them," I raised a finger, "Not speak of the project at hand with someone else present," I lifted another finger, "And I can't really speak of the project itself beyond a 'It wasn't supposed to work like this'."
Minerva's lips thinned. "Paranoid persons?"
"The Ministries are always paranoid, especially with the Death Eaters lurking around," I retorted.
Minerva nodded once. "I see. You-Know-Who's return hit us all very hard, especially with neither the Boy Who Lived and Dumbledore able to defy him."
I exhaled. "Such a sad thing," I muttered.
Minerva nodded sharply.
We reached her office, and as we did, I looked at the portraits. Albus Dumbledore's stood sleeping among the others.
"He was a good headmaster," I said calmly. "Too big of a heart, but a good one."
"You studied at Hogwarts?" Minerva asked.
"No," I replied with a sigh. "Durmstrang, back in the days, but...he was a good one. Met him once, quite kind, always willing to forgive people and especially over-excited gushing apprentices," I chuckled. "Doubt he'd remember me at all. Just a passing footnote in his life."
"I see," Minerva said, her face slightly softer than before.
See.
Make lies that hit the heartstrings of people, and they'll cave.
Smile, and they'll weaken.
Show yourself weak, and they'll lower their guards.
Be nice, and they'll let you in.
"Well, Mister Shade," Minerva said as she sat at her office. "I think we can dispense with the pleasantries. I was notified by Professor Snape before his departure of a certain 'Shade', after all," I frowned, and raised an eyebrow.
"And you don't look like a Wizard. Especially because rest assured, researching new spells does not work with that efficiency or practice," Minerva continued.
I took a deep breath. "I don't know what you're talking about, Headmistress."
"Now, now, I understand you might think you have it all planned out, but trust me, I know when I'm talking to a muggle or to a wizard. On the other hand, you're not what I expected."
I blinked. "What did you expect?"
"An ethereal like form with a chain," Minerva said. "That is how Mister Potter described you."
I inclined my head to the side. "He's really dead, isn't he?"
Minerva's lips thinned, and then she nodded. "Yes, he is."
I exhaled.
"Professor Dumbledore died of a heart attack, following...revelations Professor Snape kept from me," Minerva continued. "He then left Hogwarts last year," oh, so Hermione was a Third Year and Luna a Second Year.
"And he never returned," Minerva finished. "I have no idea where he went or what he did. But I do know that it all revolves around you, Mister Shade." Her lips thinned and her eyes glared dangerously. "So would you like to start explaining yourself, young man?"
I took a deep breath.
"Can I get a lawyer?"
"No."
"A moment to collect my thoughts?"
"Granted."
I exhaled.
I inhaled.
"Well..." I made a vague gesture with my hand. "Do you have a favorite story?"
Minerva raised an eyebrow.
"Something from Beedle the Bard?" I hazarded.
"Why does that matter?" Minerva asked.
"You remember it, though, right? Your favorite story that is. And you have a lot of books in your library, right? Maybe a few romances, a couple of stories of elves, fairy tales, historical novels," I continued. "Thrillers, horrors," I said. "And so forth?"
"Yes," Minerva acquiesced.
"They're real. All of them."
Minerva frowned. "Most definitely not."
"Yes, they are. Only, not in your reality." I replied. "Countless, infinite realities, Professor McGonagall. There is a reality where you're a muggle, one where you're a witch, one where you married your muggle sweetheart," Minerva's breath stilled, "Yes, I know that. Why? Because in a reality, you're nothing more than ink on paper."
I grinned. "Just like I am in another, probably. Probably, right now, I'm ink on paper too, or characters on a screen, being typed down by someone's who's probably enjoying reaching a new level of meta."
I giggled. "But, in the end, I am real here. Just like you are real here. But in another world, another reality, neither of us is."
"I expected something more than mere fantasy in your lies," Minerva said, her voice cross.
I sighed.
"Who do you think told Potter where to find the Horcruxes? Why do you think I know things no mere man would know?"
"You might be a spy," Minerva said.
"Is Luna Lovegood still here?" I asked. "I appeared to her briefly. It's why she's in Gryffindor rather than Ravenclaw," I remarked. "She'll recognize me."
Professor McGonagall hummed for a moment, and then nodded. "Be a dear," she said to a portrait, "And tell Miss Lovegood to come into my office."
"Right away ma'am," the portrait said, and the man disappeared from within it.
I crossed one leg over the other, clasped my hands together on the knee, and then sighed. "How bad's the situation?"
"Really?" Minerva said. "I won't tell you a word until I trust you enough. You were pleasant enough with Miss Granger, but for all I know you are a consummated actor and a professional liar."
"The best writers are liars," I pointed out. "It's because we lie with conviction, that we convince people that our stories are reality, it's how we convince people that they have to cry for a character made of ink and paper. It's how we grip their hearts and squish their souls. It's how we make them shudder with the power of our words. We are liars, us writers. It's what we are. It's how we work," I chuckled. "It's how...we make the world work."
I pushed my back against the chair and looked at the ceiling.
"I haven't slept a wink in the past day," I grumbled. "I'd hate to fall asleep right now."
Minerva remained quiet for a few minutes.
"Would you like a cup of tea?" she asked in the end.
I nodded. "Thank you," I said.
With a brief movement of the wand, a tray with tea and biscuits appeared between us.
"Milk? Sugar?"
I nodded. "Yes, and two spoons, thank you once more."
"Well, at least you have some manners," McGonagall said calmly.
"Probably because I'm tired," I acquiesced. "And I know I'm safe, at least for the moment."
"Oh?" Minerva said. "Safe from what, exactly?"
"Do you think I wanted to travel realities, Headmistress?" I retorted. "I didn't want to. I was...I was just minding my business. And in the end, here I am. I am a monster of my own making. Killed people, burned worlds, torn apart people with words alone...ah, you have no idea," I took a sip of tea. "And I'm taking tea with biscuits," my shoulders began to tremble. "You really...have no idea...what it means."
I took a deep breath, calmed down enough to avoid becoming a mess, and steeled my gaze into a glare. "That's why I do the only thing I can. I turn my fear into hatred. Hate, hate, hate, that's how it works. Can't let the fear take over me, can't let it turn me into a scared child, so I hate. It's easier. It's the natural evolution of fear: What we fear, we come to hate. We come to despise. And hate at least can be turned into something constructive, so..." I exhaled. "That's what I am, in the end. A nice, scared child turning into a hate filled man."
Humming, I took another sip of tea. "I probably wouldn't recognize myself if we ever met again. I changed a lot from when I started too, so...evolution, I think. Or simply the natural species answer to high stress environments. We either shut down or we evolve to fight the problem. That's us humans. Can't keep us down, can't keep us bowed. Eventually, we rise. We get jaded, we start not to care."
I inclined my head to the side. "Maybe that's the problem: We should care about people dying, but we don't. Someone dies in the newspaper? Sad thing, but it doesn't touch us, so we don't care. It should, but it doesn't. We can't stand misery, us humans. Makes us pathetic, when you think about it. People who can't stand misery, though, they're the most pathetic."
I exhaled, finishing the tea.
"What was in the tea, by the way?"
"Ten drops of sherry," Minerva said calmly, taking a sip herself. "I usually drink that to calm my nerves."
"Oh," I blinked. "Nice touch."
I chuckled. "Can I have a glass of the stuff?"
"Maybe after dinner," Minerva acquiesced.
"Oh?" I blinked. "I'm staying for dinner?"
"I'll certainly not throw you out. You can lie on a lot of things, but I reckon you can't lie that well when it comes to your pain."
I frowned, then shook my head. "I see. And what will be the excuse anyway?"
"You already have it. I'll just add that because you were unfortunate enough to not have any money on your person, you'll stay with us and teach some magical theory classes -I'm sure a smart man like yourself will need little to make it work, and magical theories do not require any wandwork."
"You are a cunning woman, Headmistress," I remarked. "So...you trust me?"
"As far as I can see, you're just a young man who's trying to act like a big, bad wolf to avoid being swallowed whole. Merlin's beard if I don't know what it feels like. But if Miss Lovegood will confirm who you are, then I'll probably trust your word that you will do no harm to my students."
I nodded. "I promise not to maim, murder or traumatize any student if not in self-defense."
Luna Lovegood arrived in a hurry, her hair frazzled.
"Headmistress! I swear it wasn't me! I don't know anything about vomit-inducing pills in Brown's food!"
I blinked.
"Luna?" I said.
Luna blinked back.
"Shade!" she grinned. "You're real!"
"Of course I'm...no, wait a moment...why is your hair red and looking like an Afro?"
Luna Lovegood made a spin with a bright smile. "Cool isn't it? I can headbutt people and feel nothing! I've had Gred and Forge make it like this."
I opened my mouth. I closed it. I looked at Minerva, who flatly looked back at me.
"Well, I will see you at dinner then. Miss Lovegood, you are exempted from further lessons for the day...show Professor Shade to the library, the magical theory books."
I stood up.
...
Why did people always expect me to be a teacher?
"Tis'cool!" Luna said, uniting 'It's' into a 'tis'. She grabbed my hand, and pulled me along with a yelp from me.
"Gah!"
...
The hell.
I didn't sign up for this.
I didn't sign up for this!
"You're surrounded by Nargles," Luna said with a broad grin as her hair turned to the normal blond color after a while. "Can I help?" her hair became blue, and formed a question mark over it.
"Just...what...your hair."
"Weasley twins are genius! Oh, this isn't really my hair. It's a wig. A charmed wig. Isn't it cool?!" the '?!' formed over her head, bright pink.
"Uh...yeah, yeah," I said slowly, nodding.
"So!" Luna literally chirped as she spun once more -was she done with spinning around like a lunatic?
"Tell me what you've been up to! It's been years!" she exclaimed.
...
Oh, nothing much.
Genocide here, genocide there. Burning worlds. Killing people. Fracturing souls.
...
No.
Not a chance in hell.
It was going to be a long, long, day.
...
But at least I still had my lightsaber.
Plasma always finds a way.
Right?
Right?!
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"I've never seen a curse like this one," Pomfrey said.
"Please, remove it," I replied. "I'm getting tired of standing still."
"Sure thing, just a moment," Pomfrey said, waving her wand.
The Black Keys neatly slid out as the wounds closed behind them.
"A-Ah, ahhh," I exhaled in relief as Pomfrey muttered a few more words, probably checking on my bones.
"A few sips of Skelegrow and you'll be as good as new," the nurse declared. "Well," she continued, "Now that this is out of the way, mind telling me what happened?"
"It was...a combination of experimental magic, apparition, and a curse gone wrong," I replied. "I'm at Hogwarts, right? I recognize the uniform," I said as I looked at the girl who had called Madam Pomfrey over.
Gryffindor tie, second or third year, Hermione Granger.
Of course.
Probably the 'hurt child' of the hour, if my traveling even followed that rule any longer.
Or maybe it didn't, and it was just because.
"Well, could I have a name the, mister?" Pomfrey said.
"Oh, of course," I replied. "I'm Edward Shade, ma'am," I made a light bowing gesture. "We're in Britain, aren't we?" I exhaled. "Damn, how am I going to explain this to my superiors now?"
I scratched the underside of my chin. "Well, no use worrying over spilled milk," I shrugged. "Might I inquire if it's possible to head to Hogsmeade? I've had my fair share of travel with magic for the day, and I think I'll need to rest up a bit."
"Well, if you can walk just follow me," Madam Pomfrey said. "I'll bring you to the infirmary, young man."
I chuckled.
"Make way then, ma'am."
As we walked, Madam Pomfrey asked me once more, "You managed to apparate through Hogwarts' wards with the usage of an experimental spell?"
"Yes, apparently so, ma'am," I replied. "Due to my contract however, I cannot divulge what the spell was."
"It was part of the spell to be locked by a curse?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"Apparently, there was something wrong with the wording or the accents," I exhaled. "It isn't supposed to have your joints pierced by swords. I am lucky I ended up here. Even if I was supposed to apparate merely five meters forward."
"Oh my," Pomfrey said. "Will you be all right young man?"
I sighed. "I am without a wand. The spell was supposed to be thrown by my colleague, to modify the apparition...we even got the timing down right, but well, I'm sure once I make a quick floo call I'll get them to sort it out."
"I'll speak with the Headmistress at once," Pomfrey said. "You can rest easy, Mister Shade."
I hummed and nodded.
Behind us, Hermione Granger trailed somewhat mystified.
I frowned.
Why was she following us?
"Miss Granger," Pomfrey said, realizing she was following us. "Is something the matter?"
"Well ma'am," Hermione said in a soft voice, "Isn't it impossible to go through the Hogwarts' Wards just like that? I mean...and he's...couldn't he be a Death Eater?"
I raised an eyebrow.
"I am a muggleborn, Miss Granger," I said calmly. "My mother's a doctor and my father's a dead bastard," I added with a wink. "So worry not, I am not a 'Death Eater'."
"Oh," Hermione blushed in shame. "I'm sorry."
I shook my head. "It's nothing to be sorry for. A bit of righteous paranoia can go a long way. And I should thank you anyway for finding me first. Merlin knows how long I'd have waited for someone to come into that room otherwise."
Hermione nervously nodded.
"Are you a Magic Researcher then?" Hermione asked.
"Miss Granger, Mister Shade is probably proven and needs some rest," Pomfrey said, chiding her.
I waved a hand in dismissal, "Oh, worry not. I do feel faint, but talking about magic? Always brings me back up in spirits," I grinned. "Well, you could say that, Miss Granger. I research magic spells, theories, try to skirt the limits of the magic laws, and so forth. I'm a researcher, most of the time."
Bullshit meter, over nine thousand.
I ended up sitting on the infirmary bed as Pomfrey left to get McGonagall, and Hermione fidgeted slightly as she tried to gather enough courage to ask questions.
"Well," I said. "Let's get the elephant out of the room. Why were you heading for an empty unused classroom, Miss Granger?"
Hermione bristled slightly, a light red hue on her face. "I...I wanted to practice some spells, sir."
"Oh?" I grinned. "Wonderful! But why not do that in a club?"
"There's...no club at Hogwarts for magical theory."
I frowned. "I'm pretty sure there is."
"It was disbanded, not enough students interested in it when compared to the dueling club," Hermione said, biting her lower lip. "Professor Lockhart convinced many to participate."
I exhaled. "Oh, Gilderoy."
"You know him?" Hermione asked.
I nodded. "Who doesn't know him?"
I hummed a bit more, "So, I'm sure you've got questions?"
Hermione nodded. "You work for the Ministry?"
"Eh, yes and no," I replied. "I work in the private sector -lots of contracts, binding words, and so forth. We discover new spells, and then sell them to the highest bidder."
Hermione frowned. "Why would someone pay for new spells?"
"Well, sometimes you need a spell that turns your clothes from red to green, and sometimes you want to turn your clothes a specific hue of magenta with yellow stripes," I drawled out. "But, more seriously, sometimes you want a spell that can sink boats, but not your boats." I wiggled my fingers. "Sometimes, you want a spell that can make cucumbers, but not apples."
"Oh, I see," Hermione said. "That's...strange," Hermione acquiesced.
"I get your feeling, When you start learning magic it has a fairy-tale feel to it, right?" I retorted with a grin. "It's all 'oh, unicorns!' 'oh, dragons!' but eventually, trust me, it becomes just like every other thing in life. Something you do for a paycheck," I shrugged. "But well...another question?"
Hermione began.
And I lied through it all.
Well, 'lied'.
I merely told her stuff by going at it with logical lies. Prime Bullshit material always comes from lies made of logic.
Also known as 'Creative Interpretation of things you don't know' or 'Grasping at straws' or 'Climbing on mirrors'.
And I was very good at climbing on mirrors.
I was so good, I could do it with my eyes closed and with but the tiniest of my fingers.
I had mastered the art of lying.
Lies for the Lying God.
McGonagall arrived with thin lips, as always, and Miss Granger excused herself quickly.
"Mister Shade," Professor McGonagall said. "If you'll pardon my bluntness," she continued, "But what you did was supposed to be impossible."
I exhaled. "You tell me?" I groaned. "It was a honest accident, I guarantee it."
"Very well, young man," Professor McGonagall said. "If you're feeling better, we can talk in my office."
I nodded. "Lead, and I shall follow."
Minerva raised an eyebrow, but said nothing more as I stood from the bed and followed her.
As we walked through the corridors, she gave another look at me. "That thing at your hip is not your wand, I suspect," Minerva said.
"Oh, this?" I said, gesturing at my lightsaber. "It's a nifty magic thing I can't really tell you about. it's fundamental in my works though. An...eraser of sorts."
"Ah, I did hear from Poppy that you suffered from a magical experiment gone awry," Minerva acquiesced. "I assume you would like to contact your employers?"
"I would, if it weren't for the fact I'm under contract not to reveal them," I raised a finger, "Not speak of the project at hand with someone else present," I lifted another finger, "And I can't really speak of the project itself beyond a 'It wasn't supposed to work like this'."
Minerva's lips thinned. "Paranoid persons?"
"The Ministries are always paranoid, especially with the Death Eaters lurking around," I retorted.
Minerva nodded once. "I see. You-Know-Who's return hit us all very hard, especially with neither the Boy Who Lived and Dumbledore able to defy him."
I exhaled. "Such a sad thing," I muttered.
Minerva nodded sharply.
We reached her office, and as we did, I looked at the portraits. Albus Dumbledore's stood sleeping among the others.
"He was a good headmaster," I said calmly. "Too big of a heart, but a good one."
"You studied at Hogwarts?" Minerva asked.
"No," I replied with a sigh. "Durmstrang, back in the days, but...he was a good one. Met him once, quite kind, always willing to forgive people and especially over-excited gushing apprentices," I chuckled. "Doubt he'd remember me at all. Just a passing footnote in his life."
"I see," Minerva said, her face slightly softer than before.
See.
Make lies that hit the heartstrings of people, and they'll cave.
Smile, and they'll weaken.
Show yourself weak, and they'll lower their guards.
Be nice, and they'll let you in.
"Well, Mister Shade," Minerva said as she sat at her office. "I think we can dispense with the pleasantries. I was notified by Professor Snape before his departure of a certain 'Shade', after all," I frowned, and raised an eyebrow.
"And you don't look like a Wizard. Especially because rest assured, researching new spells does not work with that efficiency or practice," Minerva continued.
I took a deep breath. "I don't know what you're talking about, Headmistress."
"Now, now, I understand you might think you have it all planned out, but trust me, I know when I'm talking to a muggle or to a wizard. On the other hand, you're not what I expected."
I blinked. "What did you expect?"
"An ethereal like form with a chain," Minerva said. "That is how Mister Potter described you."
I inclined my head to the side. "He's really dead, isn't he?"
Minerva's lips thinned, and then she nodded. "Yes, he is."
I exhaled.
"Professor Dumbledore died of a heart attack, following...revelations Professor Snape kept from me," Minerva continued. "He then left Hogwarts last year," oh, so Hermione was a Third Year and Luna a Second Year.
"And he never returned," Minerva finished. "I have no idea where he went or what he did. But I do know that it all revolves around you, Mister Shade." Her lips thinned and her eyes glared dangerously. "So would you like to start explaining yourself, young man?"
I took a deep breath.
"Can I get a lawyer?"
"No."
"A moment to collect my thoughts?"
"Granted."
I exhaled.
I inhaled.
"Well..." I made a vague gesture with my hand. "Do you have a favorite story?"
Minerva raised an eyebrow.
"Something from Beedle the Bard?" I hazarded.
"Why does that matter?" Minerva asked.
"You remember it, though, right? Your favorite story that is. And you have a lot of books in your library, right? Maybe a few romances, a couple of stories of elves, fairy tales, historical novels," I continued. "Thrillers, horrors," I said. "And so forth?"
"Yes," Minerva acquiesced.
"They're real. All of them."
Minerva frowned. "Most definitely not."
"Yes, they are. Only, not in your reality." I replied. "Countless, infinite realities, Professor McGonagall. There is a reality where you're a muggle, one where you're a witch, one where you married your muggle sweetheart," Minerva's breath stilled, "Yes, I know that. Why? Because in a reality, you're nothing more than ink on paper."
I grinned. "Just like I am in another, probably. Probably, right now, I'm ink on paper too, or characters on a screen, being typed down by someone's who's probably enjoying reaching a new level of meta."
I giggled. "But, in the end, I am real here. Just like you are real here. But in another world, another reality, neither of us is."
"I expected something more than mere fantasy in your lies," Minerva said, her voice cross.
I sighed.
"Who do you think told Potter where to find the Horcruxes? Why do you think I know things no mere man would know?"
"You might be a spy," Minerva said.
"Is Luna Lovegood still here?" I asked. "I appeared to her briefly. It's why she's in Gryffindor rather than Ravenclaw," I remarked. "She'll recognize me."
Professor McGonagall hummed for a moment, and then nodded. "Be a dear," she said to a portrait, "And tell Miss Lovegood to come into my office."
"Right away ma'am," the portrait said, and the man disappeared from within it.
I crossed one leg over the other, clasped my hands together on the knee, and then sighed. "How bad's the situation?"
"Really?" Minerva said. "I won't tell you a word until I trust you enough. You were pleasant enough with Miss Granger, but for all I know you are a consummated actor and a professional liar."
"The best writers are liars," I pointed out. "It's because we lie with conviction, that we convince people that our stories are reality, it's how we convince people that they have to cry for a character made of ink and paper. It's how we grip their hearts and squish their souls. It's how we make them shudder with the power of our words. We are liars, us writers. It's what we are. It's how we work," I chuckled. "It's how...we make the world work."
I pushed my back against the chair and looked at the ceiling.
"I haven't slept a wink in the past day," I grumbled. "I'd hate to fall asleep right now."
Minerva remained quiet for a few minutes.
"Would you like a cup of tea?" she asked in the end.
I nodded. "Thank you," I said.
With a brief movement of the wand, a tray with tea and biscuits appeared between us.
"Milk? Sugar?"
I nodded. "Yes, and two spoons, thank you once more."
"Well, at least you have some manners," McGonagall said calmly.
"Probably because I'm tired," I acquiesced. "And I know I'm safe, at least for the moment."
"Oh?" Minerva said. "Safe from what, exactly?"
"Do you think I wanted to travel realities, Headmistress?" I retorted. "I didn't want to. I was...I was just minding my business. And in the end, here I am. I am a monster of my own making. Killed people, burned worlds, torn apart people with words alone...ah, you have no idea," I took a sip of tea. "And I'm taking tea with biscuits," my shoulders began to tremble. "You really...have no idea...what it means."
I took a deep breath, calmed down enough to avoid becoming a mess, and steeled my gaze into a glare. "That's why I do the only thing I can. I turn my fear into hatred. Hate, hate, hate, that's how it works. Can't let the fear take over me, can't let it turn me into a scared child, so I hate. It's easier. It's the natural evolution of fear: What we fear, we come to hate. We come to despise. And hate at least can be turned into something constructive, so..." I exhaled. "That's what I am, in the end. A nice, scared child turning into a hate filled man."
Humming, I took another sip of tea. "I probably wouldn't recognize myself if we ever met again. I changed a lot from when I started too, so...evolution, I think. Or simply the natural species answer to high stress environments. We either shut down or we evolve to fight the problem. That's us humans. Can't keep us down, can't keep us bowed. Eventually, we rise. We get jaded, we start not to care."
I inclined my head to the side. "Maybe that's the problem: We should care about people dying, but we don't. Someone dies in the newspaper? Sad thing, but it doesn't touch us, so we don't care. It should, but it doesn't. We can't stand misery, us humans. Makes us pathetic, when you think about it. People who can't stand misery, though, they're the most pathetic."
I exhaled, finishing the tea.
"What was in the tea, by the way?"
"Ten drops of sherry," Minerva said calmly, taking a sip herself. "I usually drink that to calm my nerves."
"Oh," I blinked. "Nice touch."
I chuckled. "Can I have a glass of the stuff?"
"Maybe after dinner," Minerva acquiesced.
"Oh?" I blinked. "I'm staying for dinner?"
"I'll certainly not throw you out. You can lie on a lot of things, but I reckon you can't lie that well when it comes to your pain."
I frowned, then shook my head. "I see. And what will be the excuse anyway?"
"You already have it. I'll just add that because you were unfortunate enough to not have any money on your person, you'll stay with us and teach some magical theory classes -I'm sure a smart man like yourself will need little to make it work, and magical theories do not require any wandwork."
"You are a cunning woman, Headmistress," I remarked. "So...you trust me?"
"As far as I can see, you're just a young man who's trying to act like a big, bad wolf to avoid being swallowed whole. Merlin's beard if I don't know what it feels like. But if Miss Lovegood will confirm who you are, then I'll probably trust your word that you will do no harm to my students."
I nodded. "I promise not to maim, murder or traumatize any student if not in self-defense."
Luna Lovegood arrived in a hurry, her hair frazzled.
"Headmistress! I swear it wasn't me! I don't know anything about vomit-inducing pills in Brown's food!"
I blinked.
"Luna?" I said.
Luna blinked back.
"Shade!" she grinned. "You're real!"
"Of course I'm...no, wait a moment...why is your hair red and looking like an Afro?"
Luna Lovegood made a spin with a bright smile. "Cool isn't it? I can headbutt people and feel nothing! I've had Gred and Forge make it like this."
I opened my mouth. I closed it. I looked at Minerva, who flatly looked back at me.
"Well, I will see you at dinner then. Miss Lovegood, you are exempted from further lessons for the day...show Professor Shade to the library, the magical theory books."
I stood up.
...
Why did people always expect me to be a teacher?
"Tis'cool!" Luna said, uniting 'It's' into a 'tis'. She grabbed my hand, and pulled me along with a yelp from me.
"Gah!"
...
The hell.
I didn't sign up for this.
I didn't sign up for this!
"You're surrounded by Nargles," Luna said with a broad grin as her hair turned to the normal blond color after a while. "Can I help?" her hair became blue, and formed a question mark over it.
"Just...what...your hair."
"Weasley twins are genius! Oh, this isn't really my hair. It's a wig. A charmed wig. Isn't it cool?!" the '?!' formed over her head, bright pink.
"Uh...yeah, yeah," I said slowly, nodding.
"So!" Luna literally chirped as she spun once more -was she done with spinning around like a lunatic?
"Tell me what you've been up to! It's been years!" she exclaimed.
...
Oh, nothing much.
Genocide here, genocide there. Burning worlds. Killing people. Fracturing souls.
...
No.
Not a chance in hell.
It was going to be a long, long, day.
...
But at least I still had my lightsaber.
Plasma always finds a way.
Right?
Right?!
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