The Last Oddetsey

[shadowflare]

"Hey, actually..." Marisa glanced at the fleck of old magic, and then held it out for Eudial to take. "When you get back out of that tree, since you'll be here anyway, err. Um. Just take it ok? It'll be way more useful to you then me, and I'd kinda like to go home."

[kodster]

*after (reluctantly) shaking hands with Gaunt, Eudial accepts Marisa's gift gratefully and breaks down into a fresh wave of tears*

[NFX]

"You know what?" Twitch pipes up in the middle of the heartfelt outpouring, "I might stay here. I mean, I was just a parrot when I first showed up, but...I dunno." He spread his wings a little, blades glinting in the sunlight. "Beats sitting around in a tree all day. Not that I-" the macaw added, having realised what he had said. "That isn't what I meant..." he told Eudial, before shuffling along her arm a little and making himself look small.

[majinb]

Aurelia looks around. Her Spanish Inquisition. She had taken pride in all of them.

"Shandra Wolf, Voxel, Trio of Vlobleths, Mr Rayner, we never had the time to bond, but your role in the Spanish Inquisition has been grand nevertheless. If I depart, the Spanish Inquisition still has work to do. I wish to remind you of the Efreet who believes that she is being followed by shadows, and of the hamster who has lost his diamonds, who came to us, as did Meander the donkey, and who still need help, I request you to help them out.

Conesnatcher, Goldrod, Wentworth, Imogen. I feel the 5 of us have formed a strong bond. My desire is to take you with me, the Spanish Inquisition is meant for greater things!

Caspacian! In your wisdom, have you got anything to say at this time?"

[alex_holt]

AURELIA

Conesnatcher, Wentworth and Imogen seem humbled by your suggestion, but hesitant.
"There is no greater honour in the world than what you offer us - but we would stay here - you have shown us the way forward, all our friends and families are here, and want to make the Spanish Inquisition a great legacy to span the ages a force of Justice to Protect the Multiverse (only asking for exotic items in recompense), and we know that, as you are an Angel, we will see you again someday!

Goldrod however has his eyes fixed on you, and you suddenly realise why. You now have MASSIVE GOLDEN WINGS.
"GOLD!*"
He thumps his chest with one fist, and a single Dwarven tear of joy rolls down one cheek and steps forward, ready to traverse the multiverse.

* Translation: "I am forever your servant, let us go forth together and cleave evil before us!

[majinb]

"Caspacian! In your wisdom, have you got anything to say at this time?"

[steven_mcg]

"Caspacian! In your wisdom, have you got anything to say at this time?"

How about "Don't do something as bloody stupid as what I think you're going to do, you silly, self-sacrificing sideshow of sadsacks!"

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Hope I'm not too late.

[NB: Sorry for the silence these last few weeks, guys. Chalk it up to work and my old bugbear, laziness. Bigger post tomorrow, promise. ]

[steven_mcg]

Aha! Yes. I can tell by your stunned silence that you are in utter awe of my very presence. This sort of thing happens when you're God. Or mistaken for God. Or just generally brilliant. But that's by the by.

Sorry I'm so late by the way. Had a little trouble getting on board His Lordship's vessel. Can't say why exactly. It's all still rather blurry for me. A few hundred vicious minions, an uncomfortable amount of artillery, more than a little screaming and near spoiling of trousers...and then I wake up several hours later at the helm of an empty flagship cruising on autopilot with a migraine like a hedgehog's bum. Seriously, my head is killing me. It's like I've been drunk without the fun of actually getting drunk.

And speaking of being pissed, that's exactly what I'll be if you do what I think you're doing.

The pulsing laser cane pointing in your general vicinity is no joke. The lady Eudial is not to die today, and certainly not until you hear what I have to say.

Comprende, compadres?

[alex_holt]

AURELIA

Caspasian replies "I am afraid I have no advice for you at this point, I can try to answer any lingerign questions, but really I am here to witness the rift finally being removed from this universe, as it is the most significant event to take place in eons"

PROFESSOR VENGEANCE
While the battle had been going on, Vengeance had decided to make himself useful and had used some of the smaller gadgets in his latest cane to scour over the Battleship, and not only managed to download a bunch of advanced technology for later study, but managed to get control of the ship itself, although thus far prudence had dictated not mentioning it.

However, during the conversation with New-Doomforall, he had decided to go and look into alternatives, and come to the door at the bottom of the castle that was quantum locked and reenforced in a myriad of overcomplicated ways. This time however, the door opened before him, and the last secret of the Castle hovered before him...

This is the power room, the room that gives the flying Castle its many functions and the core powering it is unmistakable. A constrained young multiverse - most of the power it is giving off being siphoned back into holding it at it's current sate of growth in check, and only a tiny fraction of a percent actually being used for the purposes of this castle.

Vengeance stares into it for a while then is forced to break his gaze - he knows in his gut what this is. The next multiverse. Ready for when this one dies, to burst forth and become its own new thing. But now, while still constrained, the two exist side by side, and in theory, one could make a one way trip inside that one, to become a part of that brand new Universe as it forms...

[majinb]

Aurelia uses her crayon to draw a stick figure because she fears that otherwise her gift may go to waste.

[majinb]

Aurelia's drawing prowess leads to an imp, about 2 inches tall, being brought to life.

She asks it if it wants to explore the new Multiverse.

It says yes.

She waves, as it passes the event horizon with a strange noise.

Never to be seen again?

Who knows.

[alex_holt]

Deciding to not use the newly discovered new universe, the group assembles in the courtyard ready to see this thing through to the finale. First - to send those who wish to go home, back to where they belong. Aurelia and Goldrod the Dwarf step up first, and trying out this new aspect of her powers, Aurelia can sense subtle variations in resonance coming from the Angel, and letting her mind drift out into the Multiverse, finds its match and *pulls*.

A circular doorway appears howevering in the courtyard a few inches off the ground - its frame formed of intricate organic shapes, almost as if it had grown from the rift itself. Through the portal however, are the gleaming gold-white spires and cloud formations that the Angel calls home, and she recognises them in an instant - the brilliant light of them filling her with hope and joy. Waving goodbye to the Spanish Inquisition and Caspasian, the brass-winged being and her dwarven companion step through into the light, with the gate twisting shut behind her. Home.

Leland is next, and this time as the portal opens this time a city appears before them, cold and impersonal, and looking incredibly unsavoury. There is a slight hint of brimstone on the air, and corruption practically oozes from the place. Leland grins. The people of this city are ripe for the picking. Just in need of a bargain or two. He steps forth, filled with confidence at being able to get back to the work he loves and the portal closes shut behind him.

Last of the ones returning home is Marisa - her portal opens to reveal a great forest, and the place radiates earthy magics in a way Marisa hasn't seen since since she arrived on this strange world. With a last wave to Eudial, she too passes through to the crunch of fallen leaves beneath her feet and the portal closes behind her.

Anjushree also asks to return home - the magic she used to get here to begin with relied on pre-existing rift passages that will become inaccessible after the rift is gone. A few moments later, a portal inside a great library appears, with windows looking down from what must be near the top of a great mountain - with wildflower meadows stretching out in the valley below, but only for an instant, as then the Griffon too is gone.

* * * *

"It's time" is all the once-Doomforall can say to Eudial, and tries to look apologetic. He walks over to the great old-magic stone where he himself had been reborn, and dropped the acorn he had picked up earlier into the hole in the centre - with that, he gestures for Eudial to lay down on the great stone. She looks terrified, but after breathing in heavily, walks towards the stone and sits down. She waves to those still assembled there, and closes her eyes. A simple touch of her forehead by not-Doomforall is all it takes, and life painlessly leaves her.

Almost immediatly, the Oak begins to grow - shoots spring upwards from under Eudial, thickening and strengthening as they go - lifting up Eudial's body with as much a caress as anything else - gently wrapping around her. Even as this happens the rift still inside begins to surge forth, trying to find some new place to abide - but even the flailing black tendrils are gently enveloped by the growing tree, and grow weaker before fading away. Within a few minutes, the rift is forever banished from the multiverse and the fully formed Timesplitting Oak stands atop the great stone dais, as if it had always been there. Thousands of years and the black energy is finally gone, and the worlds safe from the destruction it promises.

The assembled group begins to depart - the Spanish Inquisition departs first - the others can hear them discussing their plans for establishing their group further, and what can be done to help it flourish. They sound sad from their mentor's departure, but optimistic about what her teachings can achieve. Sally, Kelpsie and Kelpsie's Mum go with them, the two Waer Nymphs seeming like an organization like this would offer them a fresh chance at life, while Sally is interested in the story of this unfurling. This could get her a Pushlitzer!

Vortigon appears briefly beside Cleo, and after discussing something telepathically, nod to one another briefly and vanish in a teleport. Evidently Cleo has something to do with the Psi-corps still - whatever it was apparently she didn't feel like sharing with the others.

Epsilon and Phantasmic Slammer also depart, and head for the teleporter rooms, ready to beam down to the city. The technology that is found in this place must be huge, and the potential to upgrade themselves into better beings must be endless...

Professor Vengeance departs for his newly acquired ship. While he perhaps should have gone home, he is accutely aware tha he has managed it twice before, and newly unfurling memories in his brain - perhaps caused by the end of the rift, suggest that he accomplished it without any connection to that power. It is doable, but first to make sure he gets the most out of this world before he leaves - no point wasting an opportunity to try out a few new ideas away from the heroes of his world, hopefully getting some new technology in the process. He grins to himself - the world is his mollusc of choice....

Playzooki had not been paying that much attention to proceedings, but instead to a small figure hiding in the roots that caked the courtyard. He had only spotted her by accident, but there she was - Katia - Mistress of Kung Shrew, and this time he would get her back for dropping him off the side of the Castle. Sneaking forward, he got close by then lept - but the Shrew saw him coming and leapt out the way nimbly. Jumping up he began pursuit - down the endless corridors and passageways in pursuit of the tiny insectivore, until eventually he entered into a large room full of brilliant white lights like stars, but as Katia skittered round a corner she vanished. He searched the room for a bit before getting bored. Heading over to the rails to have a look closer, suddenly a tiny but massive impact to the back of the head sent him over the rails and flailing downwards into the brilliant glowing lights of the baby multiverse where he vanished...

Twitch looked quizzically at the Tree - he found it a bit weird that Eudial was now inside it or something. He'd make sure to come back and visit her from time to time maybe. He should probably work out what that Leviathan thing had been about too at some point, but for yet. With a few beats of his wings, rose up into the sky where he could see the great city of New Melded stretch out beyond the horizon. A new life was out there somewhere, now just to find it! A few more beats of the wings went him out over the Metropolis, and, with a bit of luck, into a bright new future.

Only four were left in the courtyard now - Catalyst, the Night Pine, the Botanist and Fletcher the Snipe. The Botanist whittered as he inspected the tree closely, the others paid little attention. However, with nods and a creaking of bows, an unspoken promise was made - this place would be protected, and the hero within who saved them all too. Eudial - the saviour of the multiverse, would be well looked after until the she returned once more.

*THE END*

[alex_holt]

EPILOGUE 1: Some time in the Future
She dreamed, wrapped in the embrace of the tree that she dwelt inside, but something in the wind was changing and had been a while now. It would be soon. Even as she tough this, the warmth of the tree unravelled from her and she stumbled a tiny bit as her feet first touched the stone beneath her and the light shone on her skin for the first time. The woman who had the face and memories of Eudial stepped forward, ready to see this new world...

EPILOGUE 2: After the End of Time
The tiny Imp burst into being, as the roar of the Creation of Everything blazed around it. It had been created as a throwaway creation, and was vaguely aware of this, and not really sure what to do now as the glory of the birth of a Universe blazed around it - the fire and stars blazed for the first time. It was incredibly beautiful, though from his perspective, having been born about 30 seconds ago by his own reckoning, he felt self concious that he didn't have much experience to judge this against. He was aware that he didn't seem affected by the intense fire or extreme cold, or lack of air or any of that. He'd have to explore that a bit later - it was all a bit new to him now.

An hour or so later, a second figure burst into view. He looked angry and confused, so the Imp decided to not bother him - judging from his face, he wasn't sure if he'd run away.

[kodster]

Probably the best ending I could have hoped for... well done Alex! It was a bumpy ride, but altogether enjoyable.

Provided there is ever another Oddestsey, which I would totally be up for, it will be interesting to see what's become of Eudial...

[NWOWWE]

Whew! What a ride!

Well done Alex, that was lots of fun!