Fiction:Time's Terminus

Time's Terminus
Previous	Second Borealis Galactic War, Da Insurrekshon
Date	2826
Place	Ottzello Sector
Protagonist(s)	Volzara, Tuolog, Yogtam, Sherita, Zr'Ahgloth, Fre'kloar
Antagonist(s)	Zargoth, Antagonar, alt-Rel'larutina, alt-Zr'Ahgloth

“Everything is temporary. Everything has a beginning, and everything will end. Time will now reach its conclusion.”

- Zargoth

Time's Terminus refers to the final chapter in the Conflict of Time between Vyro'Nazdea, also known as Volzara, and Vyro'Ralzora, also known as Zargoth. Wishing to settle the conflict once and for all, Zargoth launches a series of attacks in which he destroys countless universes and timelines, in order to confront Volzara in a final battle and destroy her.

Chapter 1

The Beginning

From the very top of the Shining Tower, on a late summer evening, the view of the Golden City was truly a sight to behold. A bustling yet very clean and sleek metropolis, this city was the peak of civilization, the envy of the universe. From here was the sight of a vast, impressive cityscape, covered with bright neon lights of the buildings below, and thousands of flying vehicles rushing to get from one place to the next. A city of people who, of all classes, enjoyed comfortable, luxurious lives, well-looked after by their government.

For Prince Zargoth, this was something he had grown used to. Living in the palace situated at the center of the Golden City, the capital of the Taldar Empire, he had become familiar with the empire that his father, Emperor Zogrith, had built. A government so stable and so secure, with a people living such lavish lives, it was the envy of history. This was the peak of the Taldar.

Zargoth hadn't come to the top of this tower to admire the view from the second-highest point in the city. He'd come here to dine. Atop the Shining Tower was the most famous fine dining establishment in the galaxy, both for its food, and for its price. As he greeted the waitress at the front door, ready to show him to his seat, he wore the smile that he was well-known for. A smile that all the women admired, and the men envied.

• Waitress - Prince Zargoth! It is an honor, your highness.
• Zargoth - The honor's all mine, being served by a beautiful lady such as yourself. Will you be showing me to my seat?
• Waitress - But of course. When I saw a reservation was made for Zargoth and one other, I made sure the rest of the staff were on their best behavior! It's been about fifteen minutes since your reservation, but we kept it just in case.
• Zargoth - No need to worry about it. I may be a prince, but I'm as much of a citizen as you are. Sorry I got here late.
• Waitress - So, what brings you to Shining Tower?
• Zargoth - Well, actually, I've got a date.

The waitress couldn't hide her envy, as the prince continued to smile. Though well-dressed, he was very relaxed and casual in his demeanor, almost seeming out of place in an upper-class restaurant. He seemed much more earthly than what one would expect of a prince. The waitress took him to his reservation and sat him down across the table from an empty seat.

• Waitress - Whoever she is, she's a lucky one.
• Zargoth - Trust me, the lucky one is me.
• Waitress - Should she be arriving soon?
• Zargoth - I hope so. Most times, a lady shows up at least thirty minutes before I do. Sometimes a lot longer. Guess they're normally eager for the opportunity. Not this one, she's even later than I am. She's special.
• Waitress - The seat was booked under your name. Anything I should look out for to find who this lady is?

Zargoth grinned a little, and turned back to the waitress.

• Zargoth - You'll know who she is when she gets here.

The waitress nodded a little, and walked back nervously, still feeling immense pressure from having to serve a prince. But as Zargoth had said, she immediately knew who his date was as she arrived. By Taldar standards, the woman was truly beautiful, catching the admiring gaze of many of the patrons as she walked by in a regal dress towards Zargoth's table, and taking a seat. Zargoth simply sat in silence as she took her seat, admiring her. Though well-dressed, much like Zargoth, she had a very casual demeanor. The two of them were still young adults.

• Zargoth - You're late, Miss Volzara.
• Volzara - Doctor Volzara, thank you. I'm sorry, Prince Zargoth, I got a little caught up in my work.
• Zargoth - I figure. For someone to be part of my dad's personal research group, I bet you're busy all the time. You know, researching.
• Volzara - Yeah, something like that, I guess.
• Zargoth - So, been here before?
• Volzara - No, actually. No way my family could afford it. Even though the lower classes are very comfortable, we can't just take a trip to the most prestigious restaurant in the entire empire, can we?
• Zargoth - Yeah, figure most folk don't get to come here often, unless they're filthy rich from owning property, from working for my dad's personal guard, or--
• Volzara - Or on a date with a prince?
• Zargoth - Girl, you took the words right outta my mouth.
• Volzara - If your goal is to impress me, then, you didn't do a bad job. I love the view from up here. This city is truly beautiful.
• Zargoth - The city ain't the only beautiful thing in my sights right now.

Volzara chuckled a bit, shyly, while Zargoth looked visibly impressed. Most of the time when dating a woman, they were falling over themselves to please him, really anxious not to lose the opportunity of being made a princess. But here, this woman wasn't attempting that. He could level with her, and talk to her as an equal.

Or at least, he thought, because after some brief small talk, Volzara instantly phrased a quite accusatory question to him.

• Volzara - So, I know you didn't just bring me up here to flatter me and then take me home for the night. Trust me: I know by now when that's what a man is trying to do.
• Zargoth - You don't think I'm attracted to you?
• Volzara - No, I still think you are. I just think that wasn't the reason you invited me here.
• Zargoth - You're onto something. Well, truth be told, Volzy, you are quite the looker, but--
• Volzara - But if you just wanted quick sex with a hot girl then you're not exactly short of options.
• Zargoth - I was gonna put it a little less bluntly than that.
• Volzara - Your father set you up with me because he's suspicious of my team. Of the research we're doing. We may be his personal team, working on his personal top-secret project, but he doesn't have much control over us. In fact, because we aren't an official government agency, there's so little oversight over us. And that scares him.
• Zargoth - Look, just because my dad wants me to spy on you, doesn't mean I will. I can lie to him if I have to. I don't really know what secret projects my dad has working, or why he has the Empire's top scientists in a secret team that get paid ten times the rate of any other organization, but I want to know at least what the gist of it is. And besides, when he's gone, I'll have to take over from it, right? He's been around a long time.

Volzara sighed a little.

• Volzara - And here I was told you weren't naive.

She paused a little, before deciding if she should explain anything to him. Ultimately, she choose to discuss it a bit more. Partly because if Zargoth reported to his father that she'd imparted nothing, he'd get much more suspicious. But also, partly because she was familiar with the male gaze at this point. She could tell he had genuine admiration, and that maybe she was in a position to win him over.

• Volzara - You've been taught about time travel, yes?
• Zargoth - Yeah. It was one of the first things I learned in school. The Taldar did discover how to travel to the past, but the short of it is, you can't change the past. If you go back and change the past, you don't actually change time, at least, you don't change the time you came from. You just change relative space for different people, and effectively create a branching timeline.
• Volzara - Yes, that is correct. But your father never accepted that premise.
• Zargoth - So... He's funding your group to find a way to time travel that could actually change the past?
• Volzara - He's funding us because he's found a way. After millions of years.

Zargoth leaned back a little, stroking his chin. He never lost eye contact with Volzara, other than to place his order with the waitress. Volzara seemed a little awkward discussing her work with anyone, but she'd not imparted anything yet that could incriminate her. Once their drinks arrived, she continued the conversation.

• Volzara - There are different spatial dimensions as defined in mathematical, geometric space. We occupy third-dimensional space. We perceive everything in three dimensions, and anything above that would be beyond our comprehension.
• Zargoth - Can't say I ever learned about there being more than three...
• Volzara - The fifth dimension has been theorized by the Taldar for years, but mocked as a rather silly concept. The proposition would be that as well as our third dimension coordinates in geometry - x, y, and z - there's a fourth and fifth. The fourth is unimportant; it's our coordinates mapping our place from realspace compared to the hyperspace plane, what you use for space travel. But the fifth is our coordinate as mapped across time.
• Zargoth - Interesting... So from the fifth dimension, us three-dimensional beings are basically mapped in our position from space, as well as from time.
• Volzara - Right. Internally, we refer to that as our "holodata"; our "holographic" "data" is mapped along time from fifth-dimensional "holospace".
• Zargoth - So if one could work out what our fifth-dimensional coordinates are...
• Volzara - Then one could work out how to move back and forward in time, within the same timeline.
• Zargoth - You love finishing my sentences, don't you?
• Volzara - Maybe I just love figuring people out. Working out how they think, and what they're gonna say next.

Zargoth was at this point truly fascinated by Volzara. This was an entirely new feeling for him: fascination by what someone had to say, with a longing to hear her say more. He desperately wanted to hear what she had to say, not because of some ulterior motive, but because it truly piqued his interest. Both in the topic, and in the girl discussing them.

• Zargoth - So my dad wants you to make a time machine that can actually change the past, by changing his fifth-dimensional coordinates to another, and subsequently altering everything mapped to the spatial x-y-z-realspace coordinates that occur after those fifth-dimensional time coordinates, to basically rewrite history?
• Volzara - It is his obsession, and we're close to cracking it. We've even found a way to interface with this holodata ourselves. Some kind of energy that interfaces with it. My team calls it "Chronoscopic energy". An energy that, if harnessed by mere three-dimensional beings like us, can alter that holodata as mapped in the third dimension. It's not nearly sufficient enough to change time, but it can do things like, say, freeze time for a few seconds, speed up time on an object for a minute, you know, stuff like that.
• Zargoth - Can it speed you up next time so you get to your date on time?
• Volzara - Funny, but yes. More importantly though, it taught us something.
• Zargoth - What's that?
• Volzara - That changing the holodata as mapped from the fifth dimension is a very, very dangerous game. Merely using Chronoscopic energy for such tiny changes causes major shifts in fifth-dimensional space, so to change time on the scale that your father wants would cause seismic, monumental changes.

Volzara had been ambivalent about talking in-depth about her research at first, but she was beginning to thoroughly enjoy it. This, too, was a new feeling to her; that she could talk about her passion to someone who was interested and who was listening to her. Typically, if she did tell anyone, they were nodding along and waiting impatiently to get to the next point, and if it was a man who was interested in her, they were even less interested. Much to her surprise, Zargoth was fascinated by both.

As their meals arrived, the two tucked in on well-done steaks, created not from animal meat, but generated in a lab to provide the exact perfect taste that would seem filling to those who dined on it. Volzara was beginning to loosen up, while Zargoth only wanted to hear more.

• Zargoth - It's dangerous then, huh.
• Volzara - Your father has been obsessed with it. For the millions of years he's kept himself alive.
• Zargoth - So I did hear you right when you said "millions".

As they finished eating, Volzara looked out at the windows from the tower, smiling. Zargoth followed her eyes and looked out himself.

• Zargoth - Magnificent city, ain't it?
• Volzara - Yeah, but have you ever wondered how it got this way?
• Zargoth - Well... because my dad is a great emperor? Because he's brought peace and justice to the Taldar for the last one hundred years, bridged the class divide that plagued us for so long, and empowered the greatest minds in Taldar history like yours to become truly wonderful inventors?
• Volzara - That's the story you grew up with, and all of us grew up with. But for countless other timelines, the future of the Taldar Empire under your father's rule is ruin.
• Zargoth - I'm not sure what you mean.

Volzara had perhaps said too much, but she was past the point of being cautious. She had Zargoth's trust, fully. Or at least, the safe knowledge that if he were to use her words against her, that she had some leverage.

• Volzara - In the first timeline your father came from, the Taldar Empire was destroyed in a civil war under his reign. A class conflict by led to an uprising, the death of the queen, and finally surrender as his parliament took over and created the Taldar Republic.
• Zargoth - So what did he do next?
• Volzara - He traveled through time. But using the standard way, they only way he knew how. So when he traveled through time, seized rule from his past self, and led the Taldar Empire in a much more totalitarian direction, he hadn't changed the timeline he came from. He'd just made a new one.
• Zargoth - And he kept doing that?
• Volzara - The first time, he turned the Taldar Empire from a constitutional monarchy to a dictatorship. With a firmer iron grip on power, he thought, no one could threaten his rule. And it worked, for a bit, but he couldn't stop the uprising that followed. You can't keep people fooled under a dictatorship for long.
• Zargoth - Have to say, I have a hard time imagining my dad being brutal towards his people. Given how, y'know, they're so well looked after.
• Volzara - Your father realized after two more time jumps that his error was not that he'd gone too strict, but that his premise was flawed. To prevent an uprising, he would have to take away the reason for such an uprising to begin with. He would have to keep all of his people happy. The people, the parliament, the generals, the banks, everyone.
• Zargoth - And that took him a few tries, huh.
• Volzara - Several. Each time, learning from his mistakes, working to create the utopia that would keep him in power. All the while, lengthening his life any way he could.
• Zargoth - Obsessed with power?
• Volzara - I thought that at first. But then I realized when examining the fifth dimension myself that he was taking a lot of the research with him. That's why the Taldar are so advanced; this technology we have now is from thousands of timelines worth of developments.
• Zargoth - All the while, he wanted to find the way to do time travel properly. So he wouldn't create new timelines each time. So he could create his perfect timeline, without leaving several in ruins.
• Volzara - Indeed.

Zargoth's calm fascination with her had turned a little sour. His smile had turned to a much more stern expression. It wasn't that he thought she was lying, she seemed too genuine for that. But that she would shatter his entire worldview over steak and a few drinks was something he didn't take kindly too.

• Zargoth - Lemme get this straight. My father, the benevolent ruler of the Taldar Empire, adored by his people, is hiding a dark past as a dictator in which he slaughtered millions of people and left others in poverty?
• Volzara - You're missing the part where he made backroom deals and ordered assassinations of those he'd seen in other timelines would be threats to his power, but yes.
• Zargoth - Sorry, but he's a good man. I simply don't believe it. I don't believe he'd be so mad for power.
• Volzara - Oh, it's not for power, although most in my team think so. But I know precisely why he's doing it.
• Zargoth - Go on.

Volzara paused before she said her next line. Normally, people didn't believe her, but perhaps Zargoth would.

• Volzara - Because he blames himself for the death of his queen. He feels immense guilt. Guilt that overshadowed the guilt he felt for the people whose lives he ruined. And he will stop at nothing to bring her back.

Zargoth leaned back in a little, pondering what she had said. His father had always talked about another wife he'd had before he'd met his mother, but never went into specifics. If anything, this part of the story made her story far more plausible to him.

• Zargoth - Driven to commit atrocities, all for a lost love.
• Volzara - Yeah. Just think about it. Hundreds of timelines out there, all in which people are right now suffering under a brutish regime, all because your father thought that was the best way to prolong his life and his research in order to get his queen back.
• Zargoth - You are quite the remarkable woman, Volzy.
• Volzara - Heheh, "Volzy"? That's a new one. Only my best friends call me that.
• Zargoth - You suggesting I just became one of your best friends over dinner?
• Volzara - Mmmmmaybe.
• Zargoth - That's a shame. I was kinda hoping for something, y'know... a little more than that.

Zargoth's smile came back, as Volzara chuckled again shyly. It took a lot on a first date to really impress her, with how many times she'd been let down. But it wasn't the food or the view that caught her attention, it wasn't Zargoth's status as a prince, and it wasn't the charm he had that was so legendary among the Taldar. It was his interest in her work, something she'd never seen before. Volzara knew for certain that Zargoth was genuine in his fascination.

• Zargoth - How do you feel about going on another date after this? Maybe you can tell me a little more about this fifth dimension.
• Volzara - Gladly. Though, as much as I appreciate you taking me out here, and it is a nice view, it's extremely tiring getting ready and putting on formal wear to come to places like this.
• Zargoth - You know, I was thinking the same thing. I may be raised in a palace, but fancy dinners like this aren't the place for me.
• Volzara - Yeah, and I loved the steak and all, but it all feels a bit much. I prefer something a little simpler.
• Zargoth - So do I, y'know. Say, why don't we hang out on one of the lower streets of the city and I'll show you my favorite meal?
• Volzara - Is it pizza?
• Zargoth - Course it is.
• Volzara - Right answer. That's my favorite dish too.
• Zargoth - Girl, you are remarkable.

The two left in higher spirits than when they'd arrived. At first, they'd both been cautious of each other; Volzara had had enough of men trying to win her over, and Zargoth hadn't really expected a date set up by his father to go anywhere, even though he had been impressed by her looks. But as the two returned home - Volzara to her house in the suburbs, and Zargoth to his palace - the only thing they could think about was each other, and the sheer possibilities of the fifth dimension.

This was the spark of something beautiful.

An Era Shortlived

To my fellow Ottzelloans, both those who voted for me and those who did not, today we begin to celebrate the dawn of a new era. An era which has eluded us for far, far too long. After millennia of war, chaos, poverty, and strife, now we Ottzelloans have earned that which we have longed for: an age of prosperity!

This was the speech given by president Fullix Halcrum at Grenzaar City, the golden metropolis and capital of Ottzello. A Heeyorian with a sturdy build and wearing a business suit, Halcrum had enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame and made his way quickly through positions in the government of the Union Republic of Ottzello. Though feared initially to be coasting by on his unmatched charisma and dealmaking that had allowed him to quickly become elected as Governor Halcrum, he quickly proved his competence by overseeing huge economic growth in his state, through pragmatic policies. It also just seemed like the perfect time to become elected President,

Among those in his inauguration crowd was Yogtam, who watched with conflicted feelings. Yogtam was a former Leader of the late Unified Nation of Ottzello. Despite the massive success the Unified Nation made in bringing the formerly bitterly-divided Ottzelloans together, the organization was now unpoplar with the people due to the extremely draconian policies it had enacted on its citizens, spying on them through nanomachines forcibly injecting them in their body to create an illusion of social cohesion. Yogtam's reputation had somewhat soured due to his association with the Unified Nation, but he remained popular among his Inalton kind, who had a great deal of respect for him as a war veteran. A veteran who was, of course, unhappy with Fullix's promise to drastically cut military spending to a fraction of what it once was under the Union Republic, let alone the Unified Nation.

Still, it was hard to argue with Halcrum's reasoning. The broader Borealis Galaxy had mostly settled into peacetime since the War of the Ancient Three, with most of the threats that once plagued the galaxy long-since deceased. And the Ottzello Sector, once viewed as a dystopian pit of an already dystopian galaxy, was beginning to follow suit. The days of the mastermind criminal Falrik Zaarkhun's threat to the sector, Da Rogue Boyz' frequent hostilities, or the demonic invasions to the galaxy, had long-passed. So while Halcrum's reasons for joining the rest of the Polar Crystal Alliance in opting to celebrate peacetime by reducing spending on weapons had undoubted appeal, Yogtam's years of seeing brutal conflict up close meant he largely disagreed with any forms of disarmament.

However, Yogtam had always been the quiet one in the room, watching intently as things unfolded. So he watched Fullix Halcrum's speech with his eyes wide open, guarded, and ready for any new threat to rise, however soon.

• Fullix Halcrum - I thank you all for electing me as your new president, and I am deeply and profoundly grateful for the opportunity. To those who voted for me, and those who did not, I will be a president for all of you!

Applause erupted from a crowd of excited Ottzelloans. As was typical Union Republic tradition, following the inauguration speech by the new president, the three most prominent opposition candidates would give their own speech in response, encouraging unity:

• Kralgon Emperor - I may have chosen to step up to lead the Federalist Party in opposition of your plans for disarmament, but I respect the choice Ottzello has made in this election. I urge our supporters to continue to advocate for a strong national defense, but to work together to deliver a prosperity that we all want. We shall ensure our nation remains secure.
• Talyama - As the presidential candidate for the Social Democratic Party, I advocated the Galotian values I had always believed in: kindness, respect, compassion, and cohesion. I may have strong policy disagreements with Fullix Halcrum, but I know that he shares many of these values and wants a better Ottzello for all. I look forward to working with him and to the vigorous debates where we will shape Ottzello's future together.
• Zr'Ahgloth - HIS MOMS UGLI AN I WANNA RECOUNT. SHOULDVE VOTED ME FER FREE PIZZA SMH

But just as they left the stand, and Fullix Halcrum returned for a few final words, his head was blasted right open.

---

A panic ensued as alarms immediately rung. It seemed impossible for a sniper to have both breached the defense forcefields surrounding the event, and evaded the numerous scans performed by drones monitoring the area with a perfect coverage of the area. But there Fullux Halcrum's corpse lay, before he had even taken up position as president, blasted straight between the eyes by a sharpshooter.

As the crowd looked around frantically to see where the shot could have come from, Yogtam turned to Tuolog, who had been attending the event with him. Tuolog, the wise leader of the Ioketa species and still the most respected Ottzelloan alive, had always known how to keep calm in situations of panic, being thoroughly disciplined in techniques to keep oneself grounded and logical even in the midst of great danger. But Tuolog's Chronoscopic senses were also so finely-tuned, moreso than any of the dozens of Ioketa already watching the inauguration, that for him to not have sensed anything was something that greatly concerned him.

• Yogtam - Any thoughts on how they got in?
• Tuolog - Only a single possibility.
• Yogtam - Is it what I think it is?

Tuolog nodded with great concern, as he saw portals open behind him.

• Tuolog - Time anomalies.

What emerged from these portals horrified everyone in attendance, for different reasons. It was clear that the attackers were Loron: the enormous, muscular figures, the sharp teeth, and the trained predator stalk eyes were easy markers. But these Loron, wearing fully-mechanized metal suits, were nothing like those from Ottzello. No saliva-filled hunger came from them, no chaotic wailing of their arms with their attacks, and no yelling insults or war cries at their opponents.

Instead, these Loron moved and acted with a precision that was unparalleled. Apparently well-practiced in some form of martial arts, these Loron had an agility and a speed in their movement that was impossible for the thousands of Union Republic security guards (most of which were themselves Loron) to keep up with. They moved swiftly, carefully, and in a way so coordinated with one another that it was entirely foreign. The audience were horrified for different reasons: most in fear at the skill of these attackers and their ability to very quickly mow down the security guards being sent their way with such ease, while others in disgust at how un-Loronly these attackers were.

To Yogtam and Tuolog, this was also a curiosity. When they served as Unified Nation of Ottzello Leaders with the Kralgon Emperor, the Kralgon Emperor had actually come to the conclusion that, though the nanomachine control and a training regime could turn the Loron into disciplined warriors, doing so was a fool's errand. This is because one of the great strengths of the Loron was their savagery, the brutish way they charged to battle without thought or care. Their means of overwhelming an enemy and striking fear into their hearts with loud brutish cries followed by highly aggressive attacks from the naturally immensely strong creatures.

To this day, no species of sentient beings in the known universe matched the natural strength of the Loron. These invaders kept that strength, but matched it with combat skills the likes of which no Loron—no, no Ottzelloan of any species—possessed. Perhaps the Kralgon Emperor had made an oversight, or something about these time anomalies was extremely concerning.

• Yogtam - Know anything about them?
• Tuolog - Unfortunately not. They must hail from different timeline to ours, but I no clue what that could be... I not mapped every timeline in existence.
• Yogtam - Not a problem. I'm no stranger to fighting Loron. Can you find the source of the anomalies?
• Tuolog - Yes, I will do so. You hold them off?
• Yogtam - Yeah. If there's one thing I learned over the years... it's how to fight a Loron.

Yogtam immediately geared up his weapons. His arm-mounted plasma blasts appeared to be absorbed by the invading Loron's forcefields, but his other arm-mounted electric blasts were at least capable of disrupting them. Facing one of the invaders—a creature over twice his size, and ten times his strength, which could end his life with a single punch—was no easy feat, and Yogtam was much more used to Loron that he could run circles around, not ones running circles around him.

Fortunately for Yogtam, he was at least able to keep pace with them, and he used this to his benefit. By frantically parrying and dodging their attacks, he was able to hang on just enough to fire an electric blast into their eyes, allowing him to then fire a plasma blast into their armor's shield generator, and then into their heart.

It only took three dead invading Loron before the rest of the invaders circled Yogtam and chose him as their target. At the very least, it seemed, these invaders had retained the Loron's love of a challenge. But just before one of the invading Loron could pounce and attack Yogtam, it found itself picked up midair by a larger, beastly creature that proceeded to then slam it down on its knee and break its back in half, even through its powerful metal suit. To Yogtam's relief, that creature was none other than Zr'Ahgloth.

• Zr'Ahgloth - SCROO DESE STOOPID POSAS PRETENDIN DEYZ LORON. DEY DISGUST ME WIV DEIR NINJA ATTAKS AN DEY LOOK LIKE DEYZ FROM MORTAL KOMBAT
• Yogtam - Something tells me these Loron aren't anything like ours. Good to have you around, old buddy.
• Zr'Ahgloth - YEH DEYZ WEIRD ALRITE. I BET DEY DIDNT EVEN VOTE FER ME SMH
• Yogtam - Well, Tuolog's gonna figure out how they got through our defenses, so we'll tackle the root of the problem soon. In the meantime, how's about we team up to fight copycat dumbos just like the old days, eh? And pizza party afterwards?
• Zr'Angloth - DEPENDS. WHO DID YA VOTE FOR IN DIS ELEKSHON
• Yogtam - I like to keep my vote secret, but no, I didn't vote for you.
• Zr'Ahgloth - DEN YOO BETTA PAY FER DA PIZZA

Between Yogtam and Zr'Ahgloth, it was hard to find two military leaders who were more different. Where Yogtam was quiet, cautious, and measured in his approach, Zr'Ahgloth was always the most impulsive. He and the Kralgon Emperor had a bloodlust that led them to leap towards violent solutions in almost every instance, and often to take the most simplistic military strategy of "run in and shoot them". This led them to frequently butt heads with Yogtam who preferred a more detail-oriented plan of attack. Zr'Ahgloth also kept the very typical Loron traits of having a total lack of manners, a tendency to hurl insults, and a lack of regard for others around him.

Nonetheless, over their long years as a Leader, Zr'Ahgloth had developed a soft spot for the others, and a sort of comradery that he retained with them. He had become fiercely loyal not just to the Loron, but the Union Republic as a whole. It was this loyalty, and his disgust of these invaders, that motivated his savage takedowns of the invaders before him. Though many could outpace and outmaneuver him, his brute strength far exceeded any other Loron, and his uncontrolled rage led him to tear them apart.

The group of 85 invaders had slain thousands of Ottzello security guards and mechanized defenses. But with the help of the two former Leaders and the reinforcements called in, they were eventually all dispatched, right around when Tuolog warped Yogtam and Zr'Ahgloth to a nearby building.

---

Yogtam and Zr'Ahgloth had worked with Tuolog long enough to not be disoriented by his abrupt teleporting them around. They knew quickly to next find their feet, and examine the area around them. They soon saw they had been taken to a skyscraper for the Great Clock Tower, a tower that not only kept time for the entire city, but was a monument to the Vyro'Narza, better known as the Taldar. The third-tallest building in the entire Borealis Galaxy, it made sense that if one had somehow management to infiltrate it, they would have a clear shot at the president.

The next thing they noticed was a foul and unfortunately familiar smell, followed by a chuckle that they had grown to despise just as much.

• Tuolog - I should have known it you.

The chuckle grew louder and then erupted into laughter, as the figure from the shadows approached. Just as they suspected, it was Billig Oltauris, the obese criminal who had inherited Zaarkhun's legacy. Unfortunately for them, he had also inherited Zaarkhun's intellect. If anyone would know how to bypass the most advanced security computers in the galaxy, it was him.

• Billig Oltauris - You should've, 'ey? But now, you see where it all ends...

As he spoke, he had his typical smugness, but seemed less guarded than he usually was. A conversation with Billig usually came with an air of tension, as one knew the cunning criminal would always have something up his sleeve. You were always in danger in Billig's presence. But for some reason, this time, Billig was waving somewhat of a white flag. He wasn't carrying any weapons with him, other than the sniper rifle that lay at his feet, completely unloaded. It had only held one bullet: the one he had just used to kill the president.

• Zr'Ahgloth - I DUNNO WHER YOO GOT DOSE COPYCAT FREEKS FROM BUT PUT DEM BAK. I WULD CALL DEM COPYCAT DUMBOS BUT DEYZ NOT EVEN WORFY OF BEIN CALLED WANNABES COZ DEY SUK AT IT. DEYZ LIKE DA FAKE KNOKOFF WALMART VERSHON OF A LORON
• Billig Oltauris - Oh, mate, they're Loron alright. They're the Loron she wanted.
• Yogtam - "She"? Who is "she"?

Billig chuckled in pride, before gleefully answering. Normally, this kind of glee would be followed by a trap of his, but not this time. Instead, his glee came from how proud he was.

• Billig Oltauris - Now who do yer think? What's the name of that chick you all worship? Volzara, of course! Them's the Loron she always wanted!
• Tuolog - They from a timeline where the Loron were allowed to become intelligent?
• Billig Oltauris - Oh, they ain't much smarter than your dumbass Loron. Nah, they still barely got anythin' in that large 'ead of theirs.
• Zr'Ahgloth - OI MATE ILL HAV YOO KNO DA LORONZ IS DA SMARTEST. FIRST OF ALL, DEY VOTED FER ME. SECOND OF ALL, DEYZ CAPABLE OF COUNTIN ALL DA WAY TO DA HIGHEST NUMBA: TWELVE. WIVOUT MISSIN A NUMBA. FOURF OF ALL, DEY VOTED FER ME!!!!
• Yogtam - So why kill the president? And why unleash time anomalies? You always have one agenda: yourself. So what is it this time? You're no stranger to playing with the spacetime continuum.
• Billig Oltauris - That I ain't. An' I got no beef wiv President Fullix Halcrum, 'ey? But killin' him? That counts as a Branching Event in the Taldar's books.
• Tuolog - A Branching Event... an event classified by the Taldar in which they consider significant enough to branch a timeline off from this, to where event did not occur or was different. It when the timeline splits in two.
• Billig Oltauris - Yup! An' yanno what 'appens when there's a Branching Event and the Taldar be splittin' the timelines?
• Tuolog - Spacetime weakens... It become vulnerable to attacks from the likes of you...

Yogtam growled in rage, ready to strike Billig down. This was unlike him: normally, Zr'Ahgloth was the more bloodthirsty one. But though Billig could sense that Yogtam was inches away from killing him, only held back by Tuolog wishing to hear him out, Billig did not raise a finger in defense.

• Billig Oltauris - The spacetime continuum of this 'ole universe is collapsing now. I've sold you all out, 'ey? This be just another failed timeline, another that's gonna be purged off the map. You're all goin' down with it!
• Tuolog - And what you get from this? You never wanted to destroy our universe before, even when you could.
• Billig Oltauris - The Arbiter of Time 'imself made me an offer that's a little too generous to pass up. 'E guaranteed me a timeline of me own. A timeline in which I win. In which I become the richest and most successful man in the universe, 'ey?
• Tuolog - The Arbiter of Time... the Ioketan word for Zargoth.
• Yogtam - Oh, I'm sure your idol Falrik Zaarkhun rolls in his grave as we speak...
• Billig Oltauris - That's because Zaarkhun 'ad principles, 'ey? Principles that 'eld 'im back. I don't got no such thing. So when Mr. Arbiter of Time offers to squash the beef, give me what I want, an' all I 'ave to do is destroy the universe I came from? Hell yeah, I'm takin' the deal!
• Yogtam - So that's it? Destroy our timeline, on the promise you'll have your own?
• Billig Oltauris - I don't gotta think about what 'appened 'ere. I never cared about the means to me fortunes, only that I get 'em. So you can do yer worst to me now. On the moment I die, I get taken to the timeline where I'm lappin' in luxury. A pile o' cash in me spaceship, a pile o' cash in me palace, a pile o' cash in me second palace away from 'ome when I get bored o' the first one, an' a pile o' cash in the dungeon where I keep me pets! I lie back all day, as me servants serve up the finest cuisine from around the universe, listin' all the plebs that tried ta take me throne that day, only ta get squashed like bugs!
• Zr'Ahgloth - dat sounds decent if yor palace has a subscripshon ta netflix
• Yogtam - You always sickened me... I regret not dealing with you sooner...
• Billig Oltauris - Doesn't matter when ya did. I did me part 'ere: I shattered the barriers between this timeline an' the timeline that Volzara most favored. The one where she got the Loron she always wanted. Our timeline don't matter to 'er, coz it's another failure that almost gave us the Vyro'Ralza. It got inches away from Ottzello acceptin' Zargoth's offer ta transform Ottzelloans into the Vyro'Ralza, the things that been a thorn in Volzara's side for longer than any known universe existed. She don't care about this one! But her precious perfect timeline? Now it's gotten personal...
• Tuolog - You mistaken. Volzara cares about all timelines, including ours. Something you never understood, for you never care about any but yourself. How fitting of you to end this way, Billig. As the pawn of another of Zargoth's vindictive games against Volzara.
• Billig Oltauris - Hah... you think 'e'd go through all this trouble fer mere vengeance?... You ain't seen nothin' yet...

Before Billig could finish his sentence, Zr'Ahgloth broke his face with a single punch, before devouring him whole, and burping.

• Zr'Ahgloth - yoo die as yoo lived: as food
• Tuolog - We must be vigilant. It crucial that we repair the spacetime continuum. We've no idea what the consequences could be if we do not.
• Yogtam - Right. Inform the Polar Crystal Alliance that Billig has fallen. At least we come away with some good news.

The Emperor and the Empress

Tuolog, Zr'Ahgloth, and Yogtam met with the Polar Crystal Alliance Council as the first point of order. The Council, sat upon their thrones, watched their arrival with great interest; contact between them and URO had been low for a long time, purely because there were no wars to worry about that required their attention. Sitting at the center was Semirian of the Zoles Imperium, flanked by the now-aging Xeron of the Niaka Special Forces and their own representative, Valzaria. Beyond them were Rylarien of the Seagon Cryptocracy, Gavikrag of the Ransio, Augustex of the Paladians and Nayanur of the Rovegar Matriarchy. And in the center of the chamber, the ancient Kormacvar Warmaster Arkarixus watched their arrival with an unreadable expression, as was common for him.

Though they were hardly unfamiliar with the Council by this point, and a meeting like this practically seemed routine, they couldn't help but feel as if something was different. As if this wasn't their typical "galactic threat comes to destroy Borealis" that they'd dealt with before.

As they arrived, they found the Kralgon Emperor waiting for them there. The Emperor had been another member of the old UNO Leaders who, like Zr'Ahgloth, had begun with a strong dislike of working with others that developed into a sort of comradery. Though he had been appalled by recent events, and felt vindicated after the presidential candidate who promised to cut the military was proven wrong mere seconds after assuming the presidency, he didn't let this pride cloude his judgment. It was time to focus on the task at hand.

• Kralgon Emperor - There we are, my old friends. I knew I could count on your arrival.
• Tuolog - Kralgon Emperor. Prepared well as always. I thank you for arriving. And Council, it good to see you again. I sorry that it be under such circumstances.
• Semirian - It has been a long time since we last spoke, Tuolog. What can the Council do for you today?
• Tuolog - Well, the first thing we have to report is good news. Billig Oltauris, leader of the Oltauris Consortium, is now deceased.
• Kralgon Emperor - Yes, and we are done routing out the remainders of the Oltauris Consortium. It is effectively terminated.

A smile grew on the faces of the Council at the news, though Xeron instead raised an eyebrow.

• Xeron - Wait a minute. You're telling me he was not' already dead? All this time?! I swear, our forces could be more competent than this.
• Semirian - Billig took me hostage once. It brings me great joy to know he is finally gone.
• Augustex - Aaah, so the last bastion of Wranploer piracy falls at last. It will only take a few years for order to finally be dominant in the Eastern Arm.
• Nayanur - All fine and well, but I take you have more proof than your words, Ottzelloans? Forgive my bluntness, but it is a bold claim.

As if on cue, Zr'Ahgloth burped and coughed up a bone, which they immediately recognized as belonging to Billig: a Wranploer bone, but one that clearly struggled to support the weight of the obese man it belonged to.

• Zr'Ahgloth - he tasted DISGUSTIN an i had ta wash my mouf wiv soap. I ONLY DO DAT TWICE A YEER
• Nayanur - ... Urgh, you uncouth creature!
• Valzaria - I see nothing has changed with you, Zr'Ahgloth, hehe.
• Zr'Ahgloth - YEH IM STILL KIKIN ASS. btw yoo shuld vote fer me in da nex elekshon. also good ta see ya agen
• Tuolog - Yes, it is good to speak once again, Valzaria. Though, I trust you have heard the less good news.

Before she could respond, Arkarixus came closer to the Ottzelloans, his arms crossed behind his back as he frowned.

• Arkarixus - A Loron assault, orchestrated by Billig? Was it the Rogue Loron? I warned you, an attack from them would lead to their destruction.
• Kralgon Emperor - We ruled out the Rogue Boyz very early on. Believe me, Arkarixus, I wished I could sit here and say "I told you so" as much as you do, but no. Not only are these Loron drastically different to the Rogue Boyz in everything from their methods to their armaments, they appear to have great biological differences from the Loron we know.
• Valzaria - What are these Loron? Even the subraces we know like the Dark and Cold Loron are still biologically similar to the originals.
• Tuolog - I investigate this, and it seem Billig tell truth: these Loron hail from a timeline in which they never tampered with. A timeline in which their growth in intellect was never stunted. In our timeline, the Loron had always been created by their female counterparts, the Norol, out of biological necessity: they there to protect Norol from the threats of their homeworld on Groodrub. Problem is they outpace the Norol in growth and overtake them.
• Kralgon Emperor - The Norol in our timeline were overwhelmed, to practically become second fiddle to the very species they had created to protect them. But in this timeline, there had been nothing stunting their growth like in ours. In ours, Durzhan, working for the Vyro'Ralza, had deliberately altered the Loron to become mindless savage beasts that would wreak havoc on the galaxy. But in this timeline...
• Zr'Ahgloth - dis all sounds a massiv pile of bull btw but ill let it slide cus i dislike dese noo loron mor dan i dislike yor story
• Tuolog - In this timeline, they become grave threat indeed.
• Xeron - So we're dealing with time traveling Loron... It's not even the first time, is it? So annoying.
• Tuolog - That not entirely accurate. What Billig did was weaken the spacetime continuum, creating time anomalies. But these time anomalies far different than any we experience before. Typically, the anomalies cause random effects, are chaotic in nature, and entirely unpredictable. This time, all anomalies link to the same alternate timeline.
• Arkarixus - And how do we solve this? I do not want yet another time anomaly war.
• Tuolog - The only way I know how is to repair the cracks in space and time before the entire universe is destroyed. Either it can collapse from the rifts created, or the Vyro'Ralza can purge it for danger, should it become too unstable. We have to find a way to repair it.

The Councillors all looked at each other, nodding before turning back to Tuolog.

• Semirian - The Council will aid in this endeavor to the best of its abilities.

Normally accustomed to staying silent in meetings like these, pondering and waiting to speak when he had gathered all the facts, Yogtam spoke next. He cleared his throat before delivering an impassioned response.

• Yogtam - Council, I am grateful for your support, but I wish that you all know this: I have fought Loron for most of my life, and these... "alt-Loron" can barely be called such. They possess the same brute strength and the same endurance that far outclasses any live sentient race we know of, but they bring with them a discipline, a precision, and a coordination that is not even seen amongst our own Borealis species. They will be a far graver threat than we are accustomed to. I believe it is very likely that I will give my life to this cause. But I want you to know that in doing so, I am fighting to finally achieve the galaxy we had dreamed of since we started this very alliance. To finally achieve peace in Borealis. It has eluded us for so long.
• Valzaria - Surely it doesn't need to come to that point, right? We have faced far worse than "smarter Loron". We will prevail as we always do.
• Arkarixus - Whatever they may be, these invaders will meet the same fate as all those who tarnished Borealis before them; defeat.
• Yogtam - I share your sentiment. But when I fought them myself, I couldn't help but feel like...
• Zr'Ahgloth - LIKE I WAS FITIN A WALMART KNOKOFF VERSHON OF A LORON
• Yogtam - Actually, more like the exact opposite of what he said.
• Augustex - We must prepare accordingly, but we must not allow this enemy to intimidate us. That would be giving them a free victory.
• Kralgon Emperor - Indeed. However... and I can't believe I'm saying this... I must make a final proposal to the Council before we adjourn the meeting.
• Valzaria - Of course, go ahead.
• Kralgon Emperor - We'll need experts here. Experts in fighting Loron. Of course, we have many of these within the Union Republic, but we still need all the help we can get. Therefore... I propose we ally with the Rogue Boyz against a common enemy.

The Council eyed the Kralgon Emperor but, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, there was no outrage or concern among them. Instead, Xeron let you a sharp laughter as he leaned back on his throne, and Algustex and Semirian both took a contemplative stance. Nayanur, however, contorted her face in mild disdain, though she did not vocally oppose anything.

• Xeron - You want to use them as cannon fodder? Be my guest!
• Nayanur - The "Rogue Boyz" are under your Republic's care. If you wish to use them for your advantage, it is within your rights.
• Zr'Ahgloth - tbh i dont particularly like dem eitha but I LIKE DEM WAY MORE DAN DA WALMART LORONZ
• Arkarixus - Keep them on a short leash. But beyond that, I see the tactical advantage of this decision.
• Rylarien - Hmhm. Imagine us making this decision a few decades ago.
• Valzaria - I would be the first to be appalled by it, for sure.
• Kralgon Emperor - Oh, I think I'd be appalled sooner, but... Us Leaders, our time has long passed. We are all retired, save Zr'Ahgloth who keeps trying to run for president.
• Zr'Ahgloth - AN I KEEP LOSIN COZ OF CHEETAS
• Kralgong Emperor - So we'll need all the support we can, including from former enemies. I can't promise that this "alt-Loron" threat won't leak out to the rest of the galaxy, but if we can do nothing else, we will contain it to our sector and go down fighting.
• Tuolog - The unpredictable nature of these time anomalies mean I have no possible way of foreseeing the future. But I know that this threat unlikely to be easy...
• Arkarixus - It would be irresponsible to simply watch Ottzello fall. I will make contact with the Kormacvar Legacy and we shall keep a close eye on this invasion. Should it truly threaten the stability of Borealis, the Grox will be called for... pest control.
• Kralgon Emperor - I love how you think, and I love every word you just said.
• Zr'Ahgloth - i dont im pretty sure yor callin me dum BUT ANYWAY WAT NAO?
• Tuolog - For now, we hold off Loron invasions while I look for a way to stabilize spacetime. There only one problem, however: we absolutely cannot make contact with Volzara under any circumstances.

Arkarixus raised an eyebrow, while the Council eyed Tuolog in confusion.

• Arkarixus - This makes no sense. The Goddess should be the first to be involved in a spacetime problem of this nature.
• Tuolog - Indeed. But if what Billig said is true, and he made a deal with Zargoth... I fear that is precisely what Zargoth is counting on. He wants Volzara here. He wants to kill her.
• Arkarixus - Does he truly? The last time we witnessed them together, he faltered. Very hard, at that.
• Zr'Ahgloth - hurhur i rememba dat he started CRYIN LIKE A BABY
• Tuolog - Right, Volzara is his biggest weakness. He purge his emotions because he wish to purge his feelings for her, but he not able to. Now, he wish to kill her, by using us against him. And if what Billig said is true... the timeline that these alt-Loron came from was her preferred timeline, because those were the Loron she had first envisioned.
• Xeron - Well, it's not like any of us have the means to contact Essential Gods to begin with.
• Tuolog - We simply must deal with this alone if we possibly can, as we cannot risk falling into Zargoth's trap. Though, fear not. For I have an ace up my sleeve...
• Arkarixus - And what would that be?
• Tuolog - ...Sorry, but the fewer people who know of it, the better. We cannot risk Zargoth catching wind of it. Just know that I plan for this very circumstance and that I be ready when the time comes.
• Arkarixus - Hmpf. Were it anyone else making such a claim, I would have swung them about by the head.
• Zr'Ahgloth - alrite so i guess we go bug da rogue boyz an let tuolog figure out da problem
• Nayanur - And by "we", you mean yourself.
• Zr'Ahgloth - no i meen ma pizza delivery boi. yes i meen me dur
• Nayanur - Then get to it already!
• Yogtam - Thank you, Councillors. Meeting adjourned. I hope that next time we meet, we'll have good news to report.
• Valzaria - Be strong, and be careful.

---

In Da Propa Big Rogue Krooza's command bridge, the mood was positively electric. Ever since the end of Da Insurrekshon, the Rogue Loron had taken extremely well to their new role as "inter-dimensional warriors", having almost entirely forgotten about their long-held beef in the Borealis Galaxy. By crusading across other universes looking for foes to vanquish, the Rogue Loron had gained somewhat of a reputation as an inter-dimensional band of space pirates.

So when they received a transmission from their home universe, and from Zr'Ahgloth, the reaction would not be a positive one. Rather, it would serve as a grim reminder of their old nemesis, whom they failed to vanquish.

The Leeda, Fre'kloar, burst into the room with rage, having just come back from a battle with an interdimensional beast dubbed the "Kraken of Unholy Deff" by the Loron. Though he had come out victorious, he slammed on the table as the other Loron, in the middle of their drinks, were interrupted.

• Fre'kloar - I AM OUTRAGED. OUTRAGED BEYOND WORDS!!!!
• Hagto'Zhl - FREKLOAR MAN WAT DA HELL IS YOO DOIN CANT YOO SEE WES HAVIN A BREAK

Fre'kloar pulled up the remote control and pointed it at one of the screens, which showed a login screen.

• Fre'kloar - ONE OF YOO IDIOTS CHANGED DA NETFLIX PASSWORD AN NOW I CANT USE IT. SMH I WAS IN DA MIDDLE OF WATCHIN AVATAR: DA LAST GANGSTA
• Drizz'pyrokirk - yo i like dat show cus dat geeza goes around shootin fire and ice at peepz. sik
• Jol'kiar - YOO STOOPID KIDS. BAK IN MA DAY WE USED CABLE TV AND WE WAS HAPPI DAT WAY
• Voa'reak - I BLAME KALKUIR CUS HES A GEEK WHO AKSHULLY KNOWS WAT A PASSWORD IS
• Kal'kuir - I DID NO SUCH FING. I BLAME MY WIFE
• Da Propa Big Rogue Geek - Actually, he did it yesterday as a prank.
• Ray'loth - OH YEH? WELL YOO EARNED YASELF 3 DAYS IN DA BRIG
• Kal'kuir - bruh yoo all suk. ALSO ONE OF YOO ANSWA YA TRANSMISSHONS ALREDY DAT FINGS BEEN BEEPIN FER DA LAST FIVE MINUTS

Rel'larutina, who had all this time just sipped from her drink watching the confusion unfold, walked over to the ship's console. As she eyed the transmission, her eye narrowed as she turned to the Leedas.

• Rel'larutina - Okay. This... isn't ideal. At all.
• Fre'kloar - YOR RITE MAN DA PASSWORD SHULD ONLY BE GIVEN TA ME
• Rel'larutina - Not that, idiot. This transmission? It's from URO.

The Rogue Boyz went silent with a gasp at first, before turning to one another. They were unsure how exactly to respond. Part of them wanted to be petty and ignore the transmission, while another part wanted to be petty and reply just to respond with profanities. Before they could make a decision, Grak'tona spoke up.

• Grak'tona - DA KING HAS DECIDED TA HEER WAT DESE WIMPS HAV TA SAY
• Hagto'Zhl - UGH I WAS HOPIN YOO WAS ASLEEP OR SOMEFIN
• Grak'tona - i was but den i herd Avatar was on air an i akshully wanna watch dat man. i wanna see how a'ang an ka'tara get togetha
• Rel'larutina - So, who was it? The only reason URO would ever contact us is if someone screwed up on our non-aggression pact. Which one of you did it?
• Zalk'don - WASNT ME MAN I SWEAR I HAVENT BOMMED UNO/URO SINCE... GODZ HAO LONG AS IT BEEN AT DIS POINT???? MA BOMZ IS ALL DUSTY NAO
• Kal'kuir - BY MY CALCULASHONS ITS BEEN A DOZEN DOZEN DOZEN YEERS SINCE ANYONE EVEN SPOKE DAT NAME
• Traz'raka - oh ma dayz DEYZ GONNA ARREST US? DA COPZ IS AFTA US AGEN???
• Gol'thabex - no fair man wes been good killin totally unrelated dumbos i cant be deelin wiv dis
• Brag'klogga - YO GUYS DONT PANIC. DERES A PAGE IN DA GANGSTAPEDIA ABOUT DIS. DIS DAY WAS PROPHESIZED BY DA GREAT PROPHET KNOWN AS BRAG'KLOGGA IN DA YEAR OF OUR LORD 2021 AS DA DAY DAT URO WOULD INVITE DA LORONZ OVA TO A PIZZA PARTY
• Hagto'Zhl - AS IF I WULD HAV A PIZZA PARTY WIV DA COPYCAT DUMBO!!!!
• Brag'klogga - BUT DEN HEERS DA DEEL WIV DA PIZZA PARTY. ITS AKSHULLY ALL A ROOS SET UP BY ZR'AN AN K'AR SO WE CAN STOMP DEIR FACES IN AFTA AN CLAIM DA RITEFUL RULE OF BOREALIS
• Rel'larutina - Okay, I'm 99% sure you just made that up, so I'm gonna accept the transmission now so we can get this over with.

Rel'larutina proceeded to do just that. To their surprise, as both Zr'Ahgloth and Tuolog's holograms appeared, there seemed to be no hostilities coming from them whatsoever. In fact, even Rel'larutina was taken aback by how neither of them began by shouting. Just as they opened their mouths to speak, though, they were interrupted.

• Tuolog - Hello, I come to-
• Grak'tona - YOO HAV REECHED DA AUTOMATED VOICE LINE OF DA KING GRAK'TONA. DA KING IS OUT TODAY ON A SUPA IMPORTANT CHARITY EVENT KNOWN AS "SPA MASSAGES FER SUPA TUFF RICH KINGZ DAT RULE DA OONIVERSE" AN WILL BE BAK AFTA A BAKRUB. PLEEZ LEEV YOR MESSAGE AFTA DA BEEP. BEEEEEEEEEP

Both Voa'reak and Zalk'don held onto themselves as they started laughing uncontrollably at the message, while Rel'larutina looked at Grak'tona in disbelief.

• Rel'larutina - ...Seriously?
• Grak'tona - SHHHHH IM TRYNA PRESERVE DA ILLUSHON. UHH UHH SORRY YOR MESSAGE CANT GET THROO YOR BREAKIN UP
• Zr'Ahgloth - OI IDIOTS QUIT YOR STOOPID GAME WE KNO YOR DERE
• Fre'kloar - dont look at me im not da one dat hired da spa massage

At this point, an angered Hagto'Zhl proceeded to shove all the others off the console and begun yelling.

• Hagto'Zhl - COPYCAT DUMBO HAO DA HELL DID YOO EVEN FIND US??????? WES A DOZEN UNIVERSES AWAY FROM BOREALIS MAN
• Tuolog - Through me, actually. I been tracking you for a long time. By the way, Fre'kloar, congratulations on defeating the Kraken of Unholy Death. In many timelines, that beast devoured entire civilizations that you just saved.

Fre'kloar's remaining eye widened as he turned to the others in confusion.

• Fre'kloar - did uro just COMPLIMENT me???? wat da hell i must be high
• Zr'Ahgloth - yeh well DONT GET USED TA IT. wes heer becuz wes askin ta make an offa dat yoo cant refuse
• Traz'raka - MAN DATS MA LINE. HAGTO IS RITE YOR A BUNCH OF COPYCATS
• Rel'larutina - Shut up, will ya? Anyway, since you're not after our lives, do go on. I'm certainly curious over why you'd want to offer us anything, of all people.

Tuolog then projected images of the invading alt-Loron as they attacked URO's capital. As the Rogue Loron watched what they saw, they did so in disgust. Everything about the alt-Loron was appalling to them, from their deafening silence as they moved swiftly between foes, to their coordinated and precise attacks at their opponents. The Loron normally took pleasure in their kills; these alt-Loron didn't seem to feel a thing.

• Tuolog - These are the invaders that attacked us recently. They are invaders from another timeline, which we calling alt-Loron.

A vein popped on Jol'kiar's head as he suddenly got up and flipped the table in front of him with such force, it was launched into the ceiling.

• Jol'kiar - WAT. DA HELL. IS DIS BREECH OF TRADISHON?!?!?!?!?!
• Grak'tona - I SHARE DA OUTRAGE OF MA BODYGUARD HEER. DEYZ WANNABE LORONZ OF DA LOWEST LEVEL!!!!
• Naktor'zak - MAN LOOK AT DESE GEEZAS!! DEYZ MOOVIN ABOUT DA BATTELFIELD LIKE A BUNCH OF STOOPID ROBOTS
• Tuolog - Frankly, we're yet to be convinced they aren't robots.
• Kal'kuir - IF DEY IS DEN DEYZ DA MOST BORIN ROBOTS EVA MADE I SWER
• Brag'klogga - yooo guyz im not gonna lie da prophecy AKSHULLY told about a groop of loronz dat is barely loronly at all an is like a total abominashon an IM NOT EVEN KIDDIN I DIDNT MAKE DAT UP ON DA SPOT FER ONCE
• Rogue Geek - He's not. That's something he did actually write about a few years ago.
• Knar'gank - deres no elegance in dem. no feelins of bein a troo gangsta. dey jus kill and moov on, not a word spoken. its makin me sik to da stomach
• Zr'Ahgloth - so heers da deel. we jus killed billig. if yoo help us kill dese knokoff walmart Loron den we will let yoo take ova all his old planets

Fre'kloar raised a finger, as if to be outraged at the news of Billig's death, but instead just relaxed.

• Fre'kloar - billigs ded eh? meh he was neva as cool as zaarkhun so wateva. so we get ta steel all his planets eh?? hmmmmmm
• Jol'kiar - DESE LORONZ GIV AKSHUAL LORONZ A BAD NAME. DEY HAV TA DAI. DEY HAV TO BE TAUGHT A LESSON
• Grak'tona - DA KING DEMANDS ALL DA RICHES DAT BILLIG ONCE HAD BUT IS HAPPY TO ACCEPT YA OFFA ON DOSE TERMS
• Rel'larutina - Hell, even I feel disturbed by these Loron, even if, many decades ago, I'd probably consider them what I wish Loron were actually like. So yeah, count my support too.
• Hagto'Zhl - IM STILL NOT CONVINCED. YOO GUYZ SUK. AN TBH WE DONT OWE YOO NUFFIN AN WES ENJOYIN OUR LIFE IN OTHA DIMENSHONS. SO I VETO
• Jol'kiar - STOOPID CHILD. YOO WOULD LET DIS CORRUPSHON OF OUR TRADISHON GO UNPUNISHED??? I SHULD SLAP YA TEEF OFF

Shortly thereafter, another hologram appeared, apparently from an entirely different signal. It crackled a little, having come from a kind of technology that was removed from the telecommunication technology of their timeline. What they saw as it appeared was a tall Loron who wore thick metallic armor and stood upright. Though this made him appear taller than Zr'Ahgloth, they noticed he had many of the same physical features that aside. The alt-Loron they were looking at was, in fact, an alternative Zr'Ahgloth.

• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - ...So these are the creatures that my race would become. Pathetic.
• Tuolog - Oh my... I see it now. You are alt-Loron counterpart to Zr'Ahgloth.
• Zr'Ahgloth - HOL UP. A SECOND COPYCAT DUMBO?!?!?
• Hagto'Zhl - A SECOND COPYCAT DUMBO?!?!? HOL UP.
• Fre'kloar - MATE WHO IS YOO CALLIN PATHETIC??? WATS WIV YOO? YOO LOOK LIKE A TOTAL GEEK
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Feeble creatures. Your mind corrupted, your methods barbaric, your reach... insignificant. In our timeline, the Loron ruled over all the stars, dominating. But here? You have two choices: playing second-fiddle to the Kralgon whom we devoured in weeks, or becoming a band of failed space pirates.
• Fre'kloar - FAILED???? OK LISSEN HEER BOZO. DA ROGUE BOYZ IS DA BEST EMPIYA EVA. YA MOMS DUM AND I DONT BELEEV A WORD YOR SAYIN. SO GET IN LINE TA KISS MA ASS
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Hahaha. Where I hail from, the only two recognized rulers of all of space, are Emperor Zr'Ahgloth...

Another hologram appeared alongside him. This time it was a Norol. She stood much taller than the Norol from their timeline, but as they observed, aside from her metallic armor, her physical features matched those of Rel'larutina.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - ...And his superior, Empress Rel'larutina.
• Rel'larutina - ...Okay, I'm getting real entertained now.
• Jol'kiar - EMPERA??? YOR SUPPOSED TA BE DA PROPA BIG BOSS. MAN ITS ALL WRONG YOR PEEPZ IS ALL WRONG. YOO CALL US CORRUPTED WHEN YOR ALL MESSED UP
• Alt-Rel'larutina - On the contrary: it is your people who are "messed up". And it was thanks to the tampering done long ago that your kind became weak, held back by the limits placed on your intellect. True Loron know their place: they serve us. The Norol. We were created by Volzara as the true rulers of the universe. The rightful rulers. And I, their rightful Empress!
• Tuolog - Misguided. Volzara would never want Norol to become conquerors.
• Rel'larutina - Yeah, I take it a back a bit. You sound like a bitch.
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - So, this is what becomes of Fre'kloar in this timeline? Interesting. In my own, you were wiped out long ago for your failed insurgency against me. How pathetic that the Zr'Ahgloth of your timeline could never defeat you.
• Fre'kloar - MATE IF YOO WERE STANDIN IN FRONT OF ME ID MAKE YA EET DOSE WORDS. AS WELL AS YA OWN FEET. IM DA BEST BOSS EVA AND YOR A LIL WIMP
• Alt-Rel'larutina - You're all fated for one of two things: to become my subjects, or to become my pet's food!
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - And if I must feast on you, I will do so gladly.

At this point, Hagto'Zhl slammed his fists into the console as an aura of Dark Chronoscopic Energy enveloped him, his red eyes shining in anger. His voice took a demonic turn as he responded.

• Hagto'Zhl - YOO IS NUFFIN. WE IS DA TROO LORON. AND IF DERE IS ONE FING I HATE IS A COPYCAT STEELIN MA NAME. SO YA BEST PREPARE YASELF CUS IMMA GONNA SHOW YA REEL CORRUPSHON
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Food it is then! I'm sure my pets will love the taste of worms. I conquered my own universe, and now, I will take yours!
• Tuolog - You will not win. We not let you.
• Zr'Ahgloth - I CONCUR WIV DA ORIGINAL COPYCAT DUMBO. HES COOLA DAN YOO, SECOND COPYCAT DUMBO. IM GONNA BATTA YAS
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - I look forward to meeting you in ritual combat, a trait that it seems our races shared even after the timelines branched as they did. Come alone, and face me on the battlefield. See where your story ends.
• Fre'kloar - I KILLED GRATZ'KAOZ HIMSELF. YOO IS NUFFIN!!!!!!!!
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Oh, you did, did you? So did I! He was mincemeat to me!

The Rogue Loron all gasped; the mere idea that someone could beat the legendary Gratz'kaoz so easily was simply alien to them. However, Hagto'Zhl remained defiant, closing off the alt-Loron from the transmission to their faces before turning back to the others.

• Hagto'Zhl - TAKE DIS SHIP BAK TO BOREALIS. WE HAV A DUMBO TA KILL
• Fre'kloar - YEH!!!! afta i watch da nex avatar episode plz i wanna see what happens ta zu'ko
• Hagto'Zhl - OK FINE i also wanna see dat BUT AFTAWARDS WE GO BAK
• Zr'Ahgloth - OI FREKLOAR WES GONNA FITE DESE NOT-LORON AND YA BEST BE SIK AT IT DONT EMBARASS ME
• Fre'kloar - IM NOT DA ONE WHO SHULD BE WORRIED ABOUT BEIN EMBARASSED. PREPAR YA BEST BOIZ FER DA JOB
• Brag'klogga - DIS DAYZ COMIN!!!!!!!! or is it? im not sur at dis point

The Resistance

Many decades ago, during the Second Borealis Galactic War, the populous, bustling metropolis planet Fadaj, and its star system, had been entirely obliterated by the Xi'Arazulha. The planet was later repaired with a combination of the Vyro'Narza's godlike time powers, and the Ioketa's less impressive but still comendable powers, and then resettled and restored as a bastion of prosperity and progress in Ottzello since the dreaded war. In the timeline the alt-Loron hailed from, its story was much different.

No such war had ever begun, and the alt-Loron's empire had reached a power that meant few godlike races dared touch it. Fadaj was still home to a vast cityscape that became somewhat of a symbol among Ottzelloans, and was still situated on the edge of its sector in space, guarded by powerful and imposing orbital fortresses that warned any malicious actor to think twice. What was different was what it represented: Fadaj in their timeline was a symbol of the might of the empress and her reach. With statues dedicated to the Norol queens and empresses throughout the centuries they ruled in their timeline, and a huge military presece of Loron patrolling the streets, Fadaj reminded those who visit it of how powerful the Empress was, and how its billions of citizens of all different species were under her control.

And in this timeline, Empress Rel'larutina wanted to shape its own Fadaj to be much like her own.

One minute, the citizens went about their daily lives as one would expect: hurrying from one place to the next, either walking across the streets, taking the grav-trains, or flying their own vehicles through the thick air traffic. Most of the citizens were far too busy to notice the Loron, who stood atop the roof of one of the tallest scrapers getting into position. The next, he let out a yodelling war cry that, for some reason, the entire planet could hear.

---

Projected by Dark Chronoscopic power, the Loron froze the entire city in time. Those who had been paused in a position where they had a good look of him could see that this Loron, though he was hunchback and cranky, still behaved nothing like the ones from their timeline. He carried a staff and wore a dark purple robes, covering the dark purple tattoos across his face and body. Those who studied the Loron recognized the staff, and could make the connection: this was an alternate timeline Brag'klogga, who after having frozen them, projected his voice across the planet.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - Hark, ye infidels of the Fallen Timeline! Rejoice, for salvation has come to your accursed timeline!

The alt-Brag'klogga pointed his staff up to the air, a burst of energy sparking from it resembling a lightning bolt somewhat in reverse. As it reached the clouds, a portal appeared through the air, out of which several starships, resembling the Loron Fightas and a sort of flying Loron Carrias but with far better builds and more sophisticated weaponry, flew down. With them, they carried hundreds of thousands of alt-Loron, all well-armored and heavily armed, bringing weapons. The alt-Loron proceeded to, while the planet was frozen in time, destroyed every defensive turret or weapon on the planet, while surrounding the garrisons of soldiers and defense forces that the Union Republic had in place to defend the world.

No civilians were killed, because apparently, this was not the goal. Instead, the goal was to intimidate the world: this would be the start of Empress Rel'larutina's true conquest. With a huge glee on his face as he did so, alt-Brag'klogga then bowed as an enormous hologram of Empress Rel'larutina appeared by him (with similar holograms appearing across the planet). The Empress took a look around at the planet's time-frozen citizens, pondering, before choosing one of the many written speeches she had prepared for when she took control of a world.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - I present to you, your new Empress, Rel'larutina! The great protector of the Sacred Timeline, who rules over all its quintillion citizens! She who felled the Delpha Coalition of Planets, the Krassio, the Galactic Empire of Cyrannus, the Rambo Nation, the entire Andromedan Galactic Commonwealth, the...

Alt-Brag'klogga looked at the hologram to see her disapproving of his flattery, before clearing his throat. She did not like when he got himself carried away and spoke for her. After he stayed silent, she then turned back to the citizens, and paused before speaking. Within a few moments, she had made her assessment of this timeline, and chosen which speech to deliver.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - ...Lowlifes. Shameless, filthy wretches. Your timeline so disorganized, so plagued with strife, so divided into factions. Factions scattered across your universe, desperately trying to hold a bitterly-divided people together. Divided by race, creed, ideology, geography, class... concerns which are so petty. And who leads these divided factions? Shameless career politicians who you feel are legitimate because you "voted" for them, voted for them to do naught. Useless religious leaders who held a throne you feel is legitimate because you think they are "destined" for it. Despotic dictators who rule you because you "fear" them.

As she spoke, despite the contempt and condescension that came from her words opening words, it was not delivered in such a manner. Rather, those who listened on with her light tone, hearing she spoke calmly and softly, began to sense she was coming from a place of concern.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - I come before you to bring you something so much greater. I rule not because you chose me, by the pre-determination of any higher power, or out of fear. Instead, I have but one claim to your throne: I rule you because you will need me. You have suffered much: rampages of feared machinations, bloodied political conflicts, long wars against demons, and everything in between. Struggle has been accepted as an inevitable fact of life. Not in my timeline.

The Empress spoke with compassion as she delivered the next portion of her speech. Her genuine intention in her words were to implore listeners to accept her offer, to appeal to them. Of course, still present in her delivery was that of a proud conqueror.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - In my timeline, I crushed every one of these threats before they even approached the point they did for you. Yes: trillions of people who lost their lives in your timeline still live in mine, under my protection. I, and the queens and empresses before me, led our people as they slew warlords, tyrants, demons, and even demons. I crushed everything that would threaten your lives, and united a universe under one banner: my banner. Because that is how the Goddess Volzara had always intended us: we are the guardians of civilization.

By now, the alt-Loron were all in place, ready for alt-Brag'klogga to unfreeze the timeline, just before the Empress delivered her final word.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - I will protect your universe, as I did my own. And you will celebrate my ascension with joy!

At that moment, the timeline unfroze. Whatever the citizens were doing before, they weren't now. Most of them stayed right where they were, a gun pointing directly at them. Aside from the destruction of the planet's automated defense towers, it wasn't immediately clear how far the invading alt-Loron's weaponry surpassed their own. But none, even the planet's defense soldiers, wanted to risk it at first. As the alt-Loron pointed their rifles, which they could see were repeating railguns, at the soldiers and urged them to disarm, there was a great deal of hesitation.

Perhaps it was because they didn't know what to think of it. Alt-Rel'larutina didn't seem to be coming from a place of malice, and was offering peace. And if what she'd said about protecting her entire universe from the Nanohorde, the Corruptus, or even other worse menaces, was true, perhaps the best thing to do was to hear her out? If she had such power, did it even matter whether they agreed or not? They clearly couldn't match her, if she was indeed telling the truth.

Though all these thoughts crossed the minds of Ottzelloan citizens, their mind was soon made up when an elderly Galotian citizen spoke up and threw a rock at the nearest hologram.

• Citizen - I don't care how "benevolent" you present yourself. You're another wannabe tyrant trying to rule Ottzello! We've fought your kind before, and we'll fight you again!

Before the alt-Loron could shoot the citizen down, cheers erupted. Across the entire planet, similar sentiments were echoed, and similar outbursts occurred. The Empress sighed.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - Very well. Men, you know what to do.

As she gave the word, the alt-Loron shoot each of the protestors, and everyone in support of them. Their bullets ripped through citizens, even the heavily well-armored policemen and soldiers, in nanoseconds. The alt-Loron fired with such precision and coordination that it would terrify the protestors were they not too caught up in the chaos to see through it. While the protestors and soldiers were relatively chaotic, the alt-Loron moved in lockstep.

The second an alt-Loron saw someone protest or voice opposition, they had already aimed their weapon to fire squarely at their head, killing them instantly, all while their fellow soldiers fired at a completely different target. Even against URO's Tralkikianoe robots in their defense force, the alt-Loron seemed to be more machines themselves. Not only did they have no hint of remorse or hesitation in their movements, no two alt-Loron attacked the same target at once. And with their size and brute strength, even in comparison to URO's Loron, none who opposed them lasted long at all.

As the dust began to settle, it seemed clear that the alt-Loron were winning the battle. Anyone who dared speak up became a target of theirs in seconds. They were precise enough not to catch any other civilians, and to be careful enough as to not catch any in their crossfire. They made a very deliberate attempt to keep those innocent alive, but to squash any and all opposition to them.

---

As the street war waged on, in one back alley near the skyscraper alt-Brag'klogga had come from, one protestor had just barely managed to escape with her life. Another Galotian civilian, she had managed to lob a small grenade into a squadron of alt-Loron before ducking into the crowd and running off, running across the back alleys. The back alley was still located high above the surface on a sky bridge, meaning that if she slipped too far, she could easily fall. And this proved to be an issue, when, much to her dismay, she noticed that an alt-Loron with their attuned senses, had in fact caught up to her.

Bullet fire from around the corner terrified her as she kept running, her heart rapidly beating. It was impossible to outrun a Loron, she knew, and the alt-Loron were no different. Breathing heavily, as the alt-Loron caught up to her, she dropped to cling onto the side of the skybridge, seeing it as her only way out. With nothing below her but an abyss before she would hit the surface, the alt-Loron approached, trying to get a better aim on her hands to fire.

As he fired, his bullets were blocked by a small forcefield that had been thrown in front of her hands. The puzzled alt-Loron looked around, and was unable to see the fully invisible female Inalton, wearing camouflage armor, that dropped in front of him. As the Inalton dropped her camouflage, the last thing he saw was a large, extended mechanic hammer hit him across the side of his face, before an arm-mounted plasma blast shot him in the middle of his chest. The Inalton soldier turned towards the Galotian citizen, and held out her hand.

• Inalton soldier - You okay?
• Citizen - I'm slipping!
• Inalton soldier - Grab my hand. I'll pull you up!

The soldier pulled the citizen up, with relative ease. Despite her smaller appearance than most Inalton, she was deceptively strong, able to pull the citizen up with a single arm, with relative ease. The citizen breathed slowly, and the soldier allowed her to catch her breath, before introducing herself.

• Sherita - My name's Sherita. I'm guessing you've not heard of me around here.
• Citizen - Can't say I've heard the name before...

Sherita wore metalic-looking armor that covered her full body, revealing she had somewhat of a small yet sturdy frame. Much like typical Ottzelloan technology, seemed to be made purely out of nanotechnology, allowing her to retract her helmet at will. However, the citizen could tell it was unlike any armor that existed in the Union Republic, and seemed to be much more advanced, and bore no insignia of any kind.

• Citizen - You're not from the Union Republic of Ottzello, are you?
• Sherita - Uh... the what? You guys formed a Union Republic?
• Citizen - Huh? Yeah, years ago...
• Sherita - Fascinating... The only Ottzelloans I know are in the Alliance, or under her control.

The citizen looked puzzled, before piecing it together: Sherita wasn't from this timeline. She was from the same timeline as the Empress. As such, the citizen asked a question she was afraid to hear the answer to.

• Citizen - So... Empress Rel'larutina... was she telling the truth? That all those nations... were destroyed by her?
• Sherita - ...Yeah. Every last one of them.

The citizen looked dismayed, but Sherita had little time left.

• Sherita - Look, you'll have to stay safe. The Loron who spotted you were part of the resistance is gone now, so if none of the others know you are, you're safe. Rush on back home, but lay low!
• Citizen - But I want to fight! I don't want to let this empire take over my home!
• Sherita - They won't. But you have to look after yourself first before you look out for others. If you can stay alive, you can keep the resistance alive. Work underground, undermine them from within!
• Citizen - Me? I don't... Okay. I'll do what I can.
• Sherita - I believe in you. Stay safe. And keep the resistance alive. I'll be back. I'll fix this. Don't worry!

With that, Sherita activated a thruster pack on the back of her armor, before covering her head again with the helmet and engaging camouflage once more.

Sherita flew straight to the top of the skyscraper, where alt-Brag'klogga sat, yodeling to himself a little with his eyes shut. He opened one of them, as Sherita appeared. She disengaged her camouflage, knowing that alt-Brag'klogga could see through it, as a large grin formed on his face.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - Ah, you again! The famous fighter of the Alliance to Restore Free Civilization follows us to this timeline! Just as my prophecy foretold.
• Sherita - Save it, Brag'klogga. That was a great show you put on there, but you and I both know you're full of it. You don't care for Empress Rel'larutina anymore than I do.
• Alt-Brag'klogga - True, she follows a false goddess. Or I should say, a doomed goddess.
• Sherita - Doomed? What do you mean "doomed"?
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Even now, I lead the Cult of Zargoth from the shadows of the Empress and her conquest! Our goal was always to appear in this timeline. She follows my prophecies, thinking she is serving Volzara, when Zargoth is merely leading Volzara into a trap!
• Sherita - What?!
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Ah, it will all be revealed to you in time. Volzara will meet her end, and Zargoth, the True God of Time, shall reign supreme over all timelines! My prophecies have foretold it all!
• Sherita - Did your prophecies foretell this?

Sherita fired her arm mounted plasma blast rapidly at alt-Brag'klogga. Mere inches away from hitting him, he quickly warped behind her and blew a rasberry to mock her.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - Ooh, you've improved! Great reflexes from a doomed one!
• Sherita - Stand still and fight me, coward!
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Ah, it is written that we shall see battle one day, my dear. It was written the day you rejected the word of Zargoth.
• Sherita - I don't care about the "word of Zargoth"! I just don't trust your crazy cult to be any better than she is!
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Hohoho! And in time, you'll be proven wrong. Now, I shall make haste!

Alt-Brag'klogga then aimed his staff up in the air, firing another energy blast in the air to create a portal. Out of it came a starship, which fell through the sky, but crashed far below on the ground, causing an explosion instead. Alt-Brag'klogga sighed.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - ...Pretend you didn't see that. Cheerio!

Instead, Alt-Brag'klogga created another portal in front of him and walked through it. Behind where he left, Sherita noticed behind him that several warships that appeared behind him, all of which belonged to the Union Republic. They had sent reinforcements. Sherita flew over, trying to reach them as quickly as possible before they landed: she was going to tell them to turn away at once, because they had little chance of surviving there.

As she reached the command bridge of the ship just as it entered atmosphere, she warped in and addressed the captain of the ship, but before she could issue her warning, she was floored but the man she saw.

• Sherita - ...Yogtam?

Bitter Timeline Rivalries

Arriving in Yogtam's vessel, he and Sherita had traveled to the Vida'Rranlora database for Ottzello. From space, it looked like an enormous, planet-sized chrome sphere, though the Ottzelloans had long since figured out where the opening to the giant computer's inner sections was located. As they arrived, the Vida'Rranlora greeted them as they do with all outsiders; aloof indifference. Their ghastly, semi-transparent forms combined with their echoing, droning voices made them look particularly unsettling, though Yogtam knew they were not dangerous.

• Vida'Rranlora - Inalton lifeforms. State your purpose here.
• Yogtam - This is Sherita. She hails from a timeline removed from ours. And would like to learn of its history.
• Vida'Rranlora - This database is built to archive information, not share it. State your reasons for why we would do so.
• Sherita - I need to know what happened here so I know of the timeline I'm working with. Because I may know how to save it, if I know what resources are available to me.

The Vida'Rranlora circled the two of them in silence. Yogtam knew they were particularly stubborn whenever anything was asked of them, though eventually the AIs stopped on their tracks and turned their eyeless heads to them again.

• Vida'Rranlora - By our pact with the Vyro'Narza, a limited amount of information may be shared. State what you wish to know.

As she asked questions to the Vida'Rranlora, Yogtam watched as her heart began to sink more and more. She saw through them visions of a timeline she'd been denied of: a timeline in which people truly lived in freedom. An Ottzello that, perhaps, had lost a lot, countless lives lost to war and strife, but in the end, had won something valuable: a future they could shape for themselves.

• Sherita - It's all true... Everything she ever said was true. The Empress really did stop centuries of bloodshed... And who are these "Corruptus" demons?
• Vida'Rranlora - The Infernal Ones are the Essentials of Nightmare Essence. Threat level: extreme. Status: inactive.
• Sherita - And this... Regnatus. Just how big a threat did he really pose?
• Vida'Rranlora - Prime Intelligence of Borealis Grox Empire. Threat level: very high. Status: deceased. Extent of influence in this database's area of study: low.
• Sherita - Wait...I thought in this timeline, Ottzello became influenced by the broader Borealis Galaxy...
• Vida'Rranlora - This database is assigned to Galaxy O00X1. Information on broader Galaxy B00X1 can only be obtained from its own database.
• Yogtam - I'll answer that for them, since the Borealis database won't share anything: no, they did threaten us. A lot. Regnatus was far stronger than any Grox you'd expect. He was a machine god with control over the entire subspace of the galaxy and ruled over the Borealis Grox with the power of his mind alone.
• Sherita - The Empress said she defeated all the Grox, but I don't believe she ever defeated anything like that. I suspect he just was never activated in this timeline. But you overcame him...
• Yogtam - It may be so that the Empress has staved off dozens of galactic threats, but that does not mean we need her tyranny. We can protect our universe without them, as we have.

Sherita didn't seem too convinced, weighing the casualties from this timeline with the relatively lower number from her own.

• Sherita - I'm starting to question if it's all worth it... Sure, you live free in this universe, but you also lost trillions of lives to all these demons and godraces...
• Yogtam - No war comes without sacrifice. All we can do is save as many lives as we can.
• Sherita - Just one last question. The Blyro'Tralzica. The Cult of Zargoth. Do they exist here? What became of them?
• Vida'Rranlora - Blyro'Tralzica. Status: active. Cooperations between it and Ottzelloan governments have existed for years... "Cult of Zargoth", no data available. Does not exist in data files. Has the lifeform meant "Blyro'Tralzorca"?
• Sherita - The Blyro'Tralzorca were absorbed into the Cult of Zargoth centuries before I was born. But the Blyro'Tralzica are here... Does that mean Kaltogo is alive?!
• Vida'Rranlora - Ioketa lifeform "Kaltogo". Status: deceased. Killed in action in battle with Regnatus.
• Sherita - No... not here too. He was our last hope. Unless... his son Tuolog! And his partner, Gratz'kaoz! Are they here?

Yogtam raised an eyebrow sharply as Sherita referred to Gratz'kaoz as a "partner" of Tuolog, out of great concern. He could tell at this point she was growing desperate to find help in this timeline, but the fact she had turned to Gratz'kaoz of all people was extremely concerning.

• Vida'Rranlora - Ioketa lifeform "Tuolog". Leading figure of Ioketan culture. Status: alive. Loron lifeform "Gratz'kaoz". Servant of demon lord Zr'An'Kar. Status: deceased.
• Sherita - "Servant of demon lord"...oh no...
• Yogtam - He... wasn't in your timeline?
• Sherita - Nevermind that. If Tuolog is alive here, that's who I need to see at once.
• Yogtam - Sure. I'll take you to him. It seems we need to make another appointment with the PCA Council.

---

As Yogtam convened with the Council, bringing Sherita with him, the mood was a little darker than before. While most Councilors had been quick to dismiss the threat of the alt-Loron, it is clear their perceptions had been colored by the Loron of their own timeline. These alt-Loron were a far graver threat than they realized, and if Empress Rel'larutina's words had rung true, they had indeed toppled the mightiest nations of the universe in their own timeline. It was only a matter of time before the alt-Loron spread beyond Ottzello.

The matter of the alien Inalton soldier that stood before them was a little curious, though. She didn't match anyone that they recognized, and the armor she wore was foreign to them. Still distinctly Ottzelloan, but apparently far more advanced.

• Sherita - Hello, Council. I am told that the Polar Crystal Alliance is a very respected and well-established organization in this galaxy, one that appears to have withstood many dangers that our timeline never faced before. I am Sherita, Leader of the Alliance to Restore Free Civilization. I hail from the Empress' timeline.
• Valzaria - Welcome, Sherita. It is good to hear that, even in their own timeline, these alternate Loron have met resistance. I must say, your attire is most curious. It doesn't resemble anything I've ever seen in our Union Republic.
• Sherita - It was developed by a man who is now deceased, killed in action. A Kralgon whose father never gave him a proper name, but who led his people to battle against the Loron. Or, what was left of them anyway. We knew him only as the "Kralgon Crown Prince".
• Valzaria - Truly? He's known as the "Kralgon Emperor" to us.
• Kralgon Emperor - Fitting that in that timeline, I die fighting. But embarassing to know that it's to a Loron.
• Xeron - These alt-Loron are proving to me a greater thorn than anticipated. Our soldiers are used to the old, screechy barbarians, not these... "sophisticated" and "professional" brutes.
• Sherita - I've seen a little of what the Loron are like in your timeline, and I don't recognize them either. They don't resemble our own Loron one bit... Our Loron are barely autonomous at all. For the most part, they're controlled by Norol brainwaves. It's very rare that they're even self-aware.
• Semirian - So, ultimately, they are slaves.
• Arkarixus - It makes no difference. Whether they fight out of their own volition or by the order of another, they will die. They are far from the most impressive enemies I have encountered.
• Sherita - I know you've fought a lot here... but I wouldn't underestimate the Empress. Not just in my own battles against her, but in watching what she's done over the years, she has genuinely kept our universe safe. Even still... that safety came with a heavy price.
• Arkarixus - I do not underestimate my enemies. I merely have the power and experience to understand the gravity of the threat they pose.
• Valzaria - Whether the case... What exactly is our plan?
• Sherita - Well, I was going to say I need to speak to your leader, but it looks like that's what I'm doing right now. Sorry, Arkarixus, you were never awakened in our timeline.

Arkarixus clenched his teeth and narrowed his eyes at the thought.

• Arkarixus - ... Pity. I would have taught your Loron a lesson already if I had.
• Tuolog - I'm sure you would.

As Tuolog stepped in, he had the typical expression of glee that some had come to expect from him: with an entire room filled with dread and anxiety, Tuolog was often there to brighten the mood. Sherita looked shocked and relieved to see him in his state.

• Sherita - Tuolog! I'm so happy I could meet you! In my timeline...
• Tuolog - I pass away before you get the chance. I know. But you lucky to have met Kaltogo, and he proud of you for leading the Alliance in his stead.
• Sherita - Thank you...
• Tuolog - Now, tell us this plan of yours.
• Sherita - Well, for us to enact it, I was kinda hoping we'd have more Loron.
• Semirian - Tuolog was meant to bring Da Rogue Boyz to our side. How has that gone?
• Zr'Ahgloth - i bet deyz still catchin up on Avatar Da Last Gangsta

As a hologram of Rel'larutina, the one from their timeline, appeared, Sherita gasped at first. Rel'larutina took not notice of it, as she just sighed and turned to Tuolog.

• Rel'larutina - Yes, we're all on-board. And yes, the other Loron are watching their stupid TV show.
• Nayanur - What else would you expect of these irresponsible hounds?
• Xeron - Preach it, Nayanur. Preach it.
• Rel'larutina - Hold on a minute, I'll fix this. Hey! Hey Grak'tona! Xeron just said your crown looks cheap!

A roar was heard, followed by broken glass, coming from from Rel'larutina's hologram, as Grak'tona appeared in a fury, the other Loron following suit.

• Grak'tona - DA KING ORDAS DA BEHEDIN OF ANYON WHO DISSES MA CROWN
• Fre'kloar - MAN YOO GUYS KEEP INTERRUPTIN US AT DA WORST TIMES I SWER. DA BIG PROPA FITE WAS BOUT TA START. I WANTED TA SEE DAT BLIND GEEZA THROW A MOUNTAIN AT PEEPZ
• Rel'larutina - You do know you can just watch it later, right?
• Brag'klogga - watch it lata... WHEN WE CAN WATCH NAO? SOUNDS LIKE SACRILEJ TA ME
• Tuolog - Know any of these, Sherita?
• Sherita - I recognize about a third of them. The rest, I think they were put to death for defying Zr'Ahgloth.
• Zr'Ahgloth - lol sounds bout rite

Hagto'Zhl shoved the others out of the way to make himself look bigger and puffed his chest.

• Hagto'Zhl - YA WISH YA COPYCAT DUMBO. YOO AND DAT OTHA EVEN DUMBA ONE
• Zr'Ahgloth - YOO WANNA SLAP??? MAN I SWER YOR MANNAS GOT EVEN WORS SINCE YOU BECAME AN INTADIMENSHONAL SPACE PIRATE
• Arkarixus - Enough with this nonsense.

Arkarixus glared at the holograms of the Rogue Loron, and they all yelped in fear for a moment.

• Arkarixus - I had hoped to never see you again. But if I must, then you will make yourselves useful.
• Sherita - Wait... you can just do that and strike fear in them? I wish that worked on my Loron.
• Arkarixus - I once broke their spirits. And their bodies.
• Fre'kloar - NAO YOR JUS BEING A JERK
• Sherita - This timeline is very lucky to have you. And... Yogtam wasn't kidding when he said the Loron here are loud. And messy. And stupid. And lazy. And really, really foul-smelling...
• Grak'tona - DID YOO LOT CALL US JUS TA DISS US? DIS IS AN OUTRAGE TO DA CROWN
• Sherita - No, but I do need your help in defeating Empress Rel'larutina. We're going to need Loron, and lots of them.
• Fre'kloar - OH YEH WES GONNA BATTA DOSE WANNABE DUMBOS. TEECH DEM WHO DA BEST LORONZ IS
• Rel'larutina - Something tells me it's not you.
• Fre'kloar - SHUT UP WOMAN IM DA BEST BOSS EVA
• Sherita - In my timeline, you'd be executed for saying that...
• Rel'larutina - As it should be.
• Sherita - Actually, in my timeline, you were executed for saying that.
• Brag'klogga - EVERYUN SHUT UP FER A SEC. I CAN FEEL IT IN MA BONES... DA GODZ IS DISPLEESED

Sherita looked at this timeline's Brag'klogga, puzzled. In her own, alt-Brag'klogga was a Zargoth fanatic, and one of her fiercest adversaries. But in this... Brag'klogga didn't worship him?

• Sherita - The... "godz"? Godz... plural?
• Brag'klogga - OBVS. WAT, DONT TELL ME YA NEVA HEARD OF DA 33 GODZ??? OH MA DAYZ DIS WEIRDO NEVA HEARD OF DA 44 GODZ. LADS I SWER EVERYTIME I SEE SOMEON BADMOUFFIN DA 55 GODZ IT MAKES ME SO MAD. DA 66 GODZ HATE IT WHEN SOMEON DO DAT
• Zr'Ahgloth - YA MEEN ROZ'TAH'FLOK HATES IT. ALL YOR GODZ ARE FAKE SMH
• Sherita - Ohhh, I get it. You guys are all morons and believe in mythical sky gods you made up on the spot. Sorry, carry on.
• Brag'klogga - WAT?!?!?! FIRST OF ALL SHUT UP ZR'AHGLOTH ROZ'TAH'FLOK IS A LOSA FAKE UNO/URO/UZO/WATEVA DA HELL YOR CALLIN IT NOWADAYS GOD. SECOND OF ALL YOR A STOOPID INALTON DISSIN DA GODZ LIKE DIS. I CAN FEEL DEM BEIN PROPA MAD ATM YOR GONNA REGRET SAYIN DAT
• Sherita - So, bring them in then. Like I said, we're gonna need a lot of Loron.
• Brag'klogga - FINE I WILL JUST TA SPITE YA

Brag'klogga's body was enveloped in essence as he begun chanting, and the other Rogue Loron all watched, eager expressions on their faces (while Zr'Ahgloth looked at his watch). At first, nothing seemed to happen, and Councillor Nayanur even yawned in boredom.

However, the air around the Council's chamber grew dark as Arkarixus and Tuolog both felt a dark presence in the air. The Kormacvar became alert as he readied himself for a fight, while a pair of sillhouettes manifested above them, towering over them all. Each had a black, empty eye and a shining red one as they looked down on them.

• ??? - HEAR US NAO
• ??? - AND BELEEV US LATA
• Sherita - Are we sure this is an alternate timeline, and not just a weird fever dream I'm having?
• Arkarixus - What is the meaning of this?! This energy... It is Kolossus!
• Tuolog - It cannot be. Kolossus was defeated. But this much resemble him...
• Brag'klogga - BEHOLD DUMBOS. DA BEST GODZ EVA: ZR'AN AND K'AR
• Xeron - There are two of them now?!
• Sherita - Well, I stand corrected. Your gods aren't fake, they're just... let's just say they're not Zargoth.

Zr'An and K'ar properly materialized before them, and Zr'An pointed a finger down at Sherita, while K'ar posed in an arrogant manner.

• Zr'An - ZARGOTH IS A PANSY
• K'ar - HES A WHINY WEIRDO WHO JUS SPENDS HIS TIME CIRCLEJERKIN ROUND HIS DEEMUN FRIENDS
• Zr'An - IF WE WANTED WE WULD TOTALLY SMASH HIS FACE IN
• Sherita - Not gonna lie... I'm beginning to like these guys.
• Tuolog - I quite fond of them myself, hehe.
• K'ar - DA GODZ IS DISPLEESED. A NOO ARMY OF DUMBOS, CLAIMIN TA BE TROO LORONZ, IS IN OUR TURF
• Zr'An - DA ONLY TROO LORONZ IS DA ROGUE BOYZ. ALL OTHAS IS WEEKLINGS. DEY NEED TA BE TAUGHT A LESSON
• Zr'Ahgloth - OI WAT ABOUT ME???? I SMAKKED DA ROGUE BOYZ OVA A TON OF TIMES WEN DO I GET ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BY DA GODZ
• Zr'An - GO BAK TA KISSIN ROZ'TAH'FLOKS FEET
• K'ar - YEH YOO DONT HAV OUR FAVOR

Zr'Ahgloth sniffed a little and ran off crying, much to the surprise of the others in the room. The two Loron Godz reacted by just posing and flexing.

• Yogtam - Geez... you sure hurt his feelings.
• K'ar - GOOD. PERHAPS HE WILL STOP BEIN A PANSY
• Zr'An - YEH. LOSA WEEKLIN LORONZ DONT MATTA
• Brag'klogga - OI WIV YOO ON OUR SIDE I FINK WES GONNA STOMP DA ALT-LORON FLAT. YO WE SHULD SEND A TRANSMISSHON TO DEM TA MOK DEM
• Zr'An - CALL DESE FAKE LORONZ. DA GODZ WILL RENDER JUDGEMENT
• K'ar - BY WHICH HE MEENS WES GONNA CALL HER FAT AND SAY HER MOMS DUM
• Yogtam - ...Are we doing this, then? I'm game...
• Semirian - The sheer arrogance of these two... Essentials? ... is absolutely astonishing.
• Rylarien - Honestly, it's a little entertaining.
• Nayanur - Ugh, now the entire chamber smells like Loron.
• Zr'An - BEHOLD OUR MANLY MUSK
• K'ar - AKSHULLY DONT EVA SAY DAT AGAIN ZR'AN OR ILL BREAK YOR TEEF
• Sherita - At least y'all are used to the smell...

A transmission was submitted to Empress Rel'larutina, whose hologram appeared in a flash. Though alt-Rel'larutina was not much larger than a typical Norol, she always projected enormous holograms, to make herself seem bigger than everyone in the room. In this case, she looked down on the two Loron gods that had appeared in the council chamber, with an unamused expression.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - ...So this is the rabble who runs this galaxy? Curious.
• Arkarixus - And you are the next tyrant whose corpse I shall hang from this tower. Unimpressive.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - ...A live Kormacvar. I've always wanted to meet one in the flesh. Your entire species, once the defenders of this universe, as we are now. Surely you of all people would understand the need to have a race of guardians watch over the people. But your time has passed, and ours has come.

Before Arkarixus could respond, Zr'An and K'ar both grew in size in order to rival the Empress' hologram, as they begun a new combination of arrogant poses.

• Zr'An - FALSE EMPRESS. INVADA OF DA REALM OF TROO LORONZ
• K'ar - BEHOLD ZR'AN AND K'AR, GODZ OF WAR.
• Zr'Ahgloth - YEH AN NOT DA ONES IN DA VIDEOGAME EITHA. altho kratos wuld be pretty sik if he was on our side
• Zr'An - YOR EXISTENCE IS AN OFFENSE TA OUR TRADISHONS
• K'ar - BY COMIN HEER YOO HAV SIGNED YA OWN DEFF SENTENCE
• Zr'Ahgloth - YEH WAT HE SED
• Grak'tona - DA KING DEMANDS YOO LISSEN TO DA TROO GODZ
• Hagto'Zhl - YEH I BET YOO ALT-LORONZ DONT EVEN HAV SIK GODZ LIKE US

Empress alt-Rel'larutina waited until they were finished speaking, her expression remaining unchanged. When they were done, her hologram walked over to Zr'An and K'ar, retaining an unamused expression, before she turned to the hologram of alt-Zr'Ahgloth that appeared by her side.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - Hmm, what is your assessment of these pretenders, pet?
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - ...Immitators. Immitating a god long-deceased. Nothing compared to Volzara, who guides our way, or Zargoth, who has determined our demise.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - As I thought. My pets will squash you as they did any other. You will serve as nice dog food when we are done with you. After we're done scolding the children that pupport to oppose us, we'll return to behaving as reasonable adults. We have a universe to bring order to.

The two Loron Godz begun scoffing mockingly at the two holograms, changing their poses (but never stopping posing) as they did so.

• Zr'An - VOLZARA, DA TIME PIGGY
• K'ar' - KINDA HOT TBH. BUT SHE IS BUT ONE OF DA GODZ
• Zr'An - AND ZARGOTH, DA WEAK COWARD
• K'ar - PROBS HOLED UP WIV HIS CORRUPTUS PALS CRYIN BOUT HIS GIRLFRIEND AGEN
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Even the Loron's gods in this timeline are uncivilized brutes?
• Zr'An - DA GODZ HAV MADE DEIR CHILDREN IN DEIR IMAGE
• K'ar - AND OUR IMAGE IS DA BEST. LOOK AT DESE GUNZ
• Alt-Rel'larutina - ...Yes, indeed, She did. Volzara made us in Her image. We, the Norol, destined to protect the universe, with our pets, the Loron, serving us in this glorious mission. But in this timeline, you lost your way.
• Zr'An - LAST I SEEN VOLZARA WAS A NOT A GROSS HEAD WIV LEGS
• K'ar - AHAHAHAHAHAHA
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - You would be wise not to insult the Empress. Do so again, and I will make you regret it for the rest of your existence.
• K'ar - HAO BOUT YA DO US A FAVOR AND CRY A RIVER ABOUT IT?
• Zr'An - MORTAL PANSY. YOO IS NUFFIN. ACCEPT YA ROLE AS CANNON FODDA AGENST OUR BEST LORONZ
• Kralgon Emperor - Anyone else having an aneurism over here?
• Xeron - I'm pretty sure I felt one of my organs shutting down.
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - ...The Loron in this universe are a disgrace to what they are truly destined to be. What happened to the glorious guardians of time that we were chosen by Volzara to become? Such a shame. Perhaps, when we conquer this timeline, we should start with these Loron.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Splendid. Our next target will be planet Groodrub.

Zr'An and K'ar continued their mocking poses for a moment before they suddenly shuddered; now, Tuolog and Arkarixus both truly felt a familiar presence as cracks of dark lightning seemed to course through the heads of the two Loron Godz. They begun screaming in unison, their red eyes shining brighter.

• Kolossus - The Loron are MINE! Body AND soul, in every timeline! You exist as you are only because I have not yet found you... But you are mine! MINE! My servants, my experiments, MY TOOLS! Volzara will bleed and burn!

Empress Rel'larutina was shaken a little by the words, as she responded more angrily than they had seen her before.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - The prophecy declared ME as the rightful ruler of this universe! Your lies do not shake me, false god! I alone am the salvation of this universe! And I will save this one from pretenders such as you!

The two Loron Godz then shook their heads, as if regaining control of themselves. They both looked somewhat embarrassed.

• Zr'An - uh soz bout dat
• K'ar - yeh we dont kno wat dat was bout. wat was yoo sayin?
• Hagto'Zhl - yoooo did yoo guys see dat? DAT WAS SIK! DEY WAS ALL LIKE "IM DA BADMAN GOD YOO SHUT UP" PLUS a bunch of otha stuff i didnt reely understand tbh BUT IT WAS SIK ANYWAY
• Fre'kloar - I ALMOST FEEL SORRY FOR DESE LOSA LORONZ FOR NOT HAVIN SIK GANGSTA GODZ LIKE US. ALMOST.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - You disgust me, you whelps! I come before you, burdened with the responsibility to protect your universe as I did my own... My entire timeline is proof that you need me! You could not cope without me!
• Arkarixus - You were not requested here. You are no protector of ours. Begone, or die. It is that simple.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Empty words, from short-sighted wretches. Zr'Ahgloth, how should we deal with this rabble?
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Hmm... their Groodrub is very different from our own. Ours, a metropolis planet, much like the worlds we have already conquered this far. Theirs will be different. It is still covered in jungle.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - I see...
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - We shall send the war veteran against them. One who can teach them true Loron tradition. Jol'kiar will be deployed to Groodrub.
• Jol'kiar - excuse me WAAAAAAAT?!?!??!
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - You will meet your superior self, alternate timeline fool. He will take care of you all. Alas, I must prepare for an invasion more worthy of my skills.
• Jol'kiar - YA MOMS AN ALTERNATE TIMELINE FOOL. FINE I GUESS WE BETTA GO BATTA ME. man dats weird ta say
• Fre'kloar - tbh dis is like da fifth?? sixth time weve fought vershons of ourselves????
• Zr'An - CHILDREN OF OUR BLOOD
• K'ar - DA GODZ HAV A DECREE SO LISSEN WELL
• Zr'An and K'ar - SMASH DEM PROPA
• Arkarixus - Charming. And also, thank you for informing us where you are going next. You imbeciles.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - My glorious purpose is no secret to anyone. For it is foretold in the prophecies that have been written by Prophet Brag'klogga for centuries. You know when to expect me, and you know what becomes of you who dare oppose me.
• Brag'klogga - I DIDNT WRITE NUFFIN BOUT YOO. IF I DID IT WULD BE BOUT HAO WE SMASH YA FACE IN
• Arkarixus - It is a weak mind that binds itself to the idea of fate and prophecy. Mortals must dictate their own path.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Foolish. The Goddess of Time Herself has already decreed the future of this universe. It has already been written. To go against it is a fool's errand. Now, if there's nothing more to discuss, I shall leave. As I take more of your words, I await your surrender.
• Arkarixus - Begone from my sight, vermin.

The Empress and Emperor left, their holograms vanishing.

• Kralgon Emperor - So, I trust that URO's prepared to retaliate on Groodrub?
• Tuolog - That not easy, considering the constitutional crisis going on. We not have a president.
• Valzaria - I will do what I can to send as many forces to URO's aid as possible. The full might of the Alliance will face these Loron.
• Zr'Ahgloth - nah. no need ta do dat lads. dis is da loronz home. an so it shuld be da LORONZ who protect it. YO FREKLOAR YOO WANNA SMAK DESE WANNABES???
• Fre'kloar - DO YA HAV TA ASK???
• Zr'Ahgloth - GUESS NOT. LETS GO KIK SOM WANNABE ASS

Chapter 2

The Journey

In the Golden City, there was little that did not seek to impress for its outsiders. Even the lower streets were still kept clean, homeley, and safe, to the point where one would not assume there was such a thing as a lower class in the city. Filled to the brim with over 70,000 people walking one of the streets on any given day, once one saw past the vast crowds of people, they would find buildings that would be extremely impressive anywhere else in the universe. Perhaps they didn't impress as much as in the higher tier of the city, but still to any outsider, even the small restaurants on the corners of Golden City's lower streets seemed luxurious, from their quality interior decoration to their vast space.

The crowded streets of the bustling cityscape was perhaps the only place in the entire universe the crown prince of the Taldar Empire could walk unnoticed. As he sat down with Volzara at the pizzeria on the corner, he kept a low profile by wearing commoner clothing and behaving among them. To Volzara's surprise, Zargoth fit in seamlessly with them, and did not give the impression of a man who'd been raised in a palace his whole life.

• Zargoth - So, run that by me again. Your research paper on timelines?
• Volzara - Before I do, I want to hear it from you. Tell me what a timeline is.
• Zargoth - Hey, you're the chronologist professor here! Why ask a dumb, pampered prince a science question?
• Volzara - Firstly, I'm not just a chronologist, I'm also a computer scientist. Half of what I do is writing algorithms to predict the future based on the past, you know!
• Zargoth - Oh, there you go, being a showoff...
• Volzara - But to answer your question: perhaps I respect that dumb, pampered prince enough to think he'd been listening! Go ahead. Tell me!

Zargoth cleared his throat, and finished his first slice of the pizza he'd been given. Volzara giggled a little while he ate very slowly and deliberately, knowing he was stalling for time.

• Zargoth - Okay, so the fifth dimension, right? Everything's mapped on three coordinates in space, but time is all relative. So there's a fifth coordinate for how far along in a "timeline" something is. A "timeline" is the beginning and end of that universe... so uh... if I turn back my fifth dimensional coordinate a few minutes, that's me being early for our date and waiting for you to be fashionably late so you can hide how much actually super into me.
• Volzara - Hahahahaha. Well, for that answer, this chronologist professor would give you a C+. And the + would only be extra points for trying to be a smartass.
• Zargoth - Oh, come on! That's at least a B!
• Volzara - Well, you made a pretty big error: the main problem is that you have to understand that because time is all relative, "timeline" isn't just a universe-wide thing. In fact, the whole concept of a "timeline" is a bit of a crude understanding of what your fifth dimensional coordinate means.
• Zargoth - So... where'd I get it wrong?
• Volzara - The fifth dimensional coordinate—which, to be clear, is spatial, not temporal—isn't for how far along the universe's timeline you are. It's more like how far along your own timeline you are. Everything has a beginning and an end. Your beginning is like your own personal 0 coordinate. Your end, is... well, that depends on how long you're around.
• Zargoth - So, wait... universes don't have timelines?
• Volzara - Sure they do. Think of it this way: the city you're in has three dimensional coordinates. And so the three dimensional coordinates that map your location happen to map your location within that city. But when you leave the city, there are still three dimensional coordinates that map your location, it's just no longer accurate to say those are your coordinates within that city.
• Zargoth - Wait, so... My fifth dimensional coordinate tells me that I'm 27 years old—or 27 years past my beginning... and this restaurant's coordinate tells it that it's in its 11th year of existence, so... Our coordinates don't match at all?
• Volzara - Well, not really. Your beginning wasn't when you were born, or when you were conceived. Your beginning, your 0 coordinate, was the same as this universe's. Because all space and matter was created at the beginning of this universe. So, in theory, your end coordinate should also be the end of this universe.
• Zargoth - Right. But then you have time travelers, like my dad...

Volzara sighed. She'd really hoped the topic wouldn't come up. After a brief pause, she elected to avoid the issue for now.

• Volzara - So, a "timeline" with no time traveling funny business just refers to how long all space and matter in the universe has existed since its beginning. "Timeline" is often used to refer to the beginning and end point of a universe, but everything within it has its own timeline too. Everything has a beginning and end.
• Zargoth - Wait, doesn't that just mess things up completely?
• Volzara - How so?
• Zargoth - Well... let's say I traveled back in time five minutes ago to order different toppings. Now my fifth dimensional coordinate no longer match with the universe's fifth dimensional coordinate.
• Volzara - Well, like I said, all space and matter has a coordinate, right? So your coordinate may be located along your own timeline, but if your matter, physically, is located inside of space that has a different fifth dimensional coordinate...
• Zargoth - Then I'd be in a different place on the universe's timeline, but I still carry on in my own timeline as normal. I'm on a coordinate on my own timeline, but located in a coordinate of the universe's timeline.
• Volzara - Exactly.
• Zargoth - Who knows what coordinate my father is on...
• Volzara - I do. It was the first obvious giveaway that he wasn't who he says he was.

This time, it was Zargoth who chose to avoid the subject. He'd yet to make up his mind on what he thought of his father yet. When speaking to him about Volzara, his father had only nice things to say about her, and even encouraged him to spend more time with her. But he had to know that she, and her whole team, were onto him. It was difficult to know what his father was thinking, and he wasn't ready to ruin a good meal yet.

• Zargoth - So, what happens when there are branching timelines? I mean, you say that going back to the past and changing events doesn't cause you to actually change the present, right?
• Volzara - Well, it's easiest to think of time as a river (one that can branch off into different paths, mind you). If you are near the end of the river, but you travel further upstream and drop a rock in the river, and return back to where you were at the start, that doesn't mean the rock is there where you started, does it?
• Zargoth - Wait, what? Explain to me where you're going with this.
• Volzara - No! Figure it out!
• Zargoth - Well, I... Ohhh. I've changed what's in the river upstream, but that only relates to the geographical space it's in. It's got nothing to do with the geographical space of where I am when I get back.
• Volzara - Yep. And what happens if you drop a rock big enough further upstream? Or put a dam there?
• Zargoth - Well, it could change the path the river takes entirely from there. But, the water flow already traveled to the end of the river where I'd started.
• Volzara - Right. So, you see how the same applies?
• Zargoth - Yeah. If I travel back to when this pizzaria was created, I'm traveling back to the fifth dimensional coordinate of it when it was at its creation. So if I paint graffiti on it there saying "Volzara is the smartest, most beautiful woman in the Taldar Empire", that won't appear in the present day because I left it there. And as it and the space around it travel along their own fifth dimensional coordinate from there to its end, they won't come back full circle to here, because what I did then doesn't affect today.
• Volzara - Hmm, B-.
• Zargoth - Oh, come on!
• Volzara - First of all, I'm flattered, but no one leaves graffiti like that on any building and has it stay there for 10 years.
• Zargoth - This place is only 10 years old?
• Volzara - Secondly... it's not exactly the same three dimensional coordinates, because planetary orbits, galaxies moving all the time, yadda yadda yadda... it's still the same three dimensional coordinates as related to the core of the planet, though, so I'm being pedantic.
• Zargoth - Yeah, yeah, yeah...
• Volzara - Other than that, yeah, you're pretty much spot-on.
• Zargoth - Can I at least get a B+?

Volzara smiled a little. Normally in public, according to the stories, Zargoth's attention would almost always be on the thousands of beautiful women in the Golden City. But the entire time, as many had come and gone through, he'd kept his eyes focused on her. Perhaps his words to her were true, and his affection was genuine.

Volzara then abruptly changed the topic to address the elephant in the room. Perhaps it was out of fear of what becoming too heavily involved with a prince would do to her career. Or maybe it was just fear of falling in love. Dangerous, uncharted territory for her that she wished to avoid.

• Volzara - Did you talk to your father about me?
• Zargoth - Of course I did. Something as important as meeting you... think I'm gonna leave that detail out?
• Volzara - And he didn't... warn you about me? He didn't raise any suspicions?
• Zargoth - Volzara, are you accusing my dad of plotting against you?
• Volzara - Or using you to spy on me.
• Zargoth - We discussed this last time, Volzy. He's not—
• Volzara - Come on. You've talked to me enough to know I'm not one of those dim chicks you bring home on your arm for a quickie. Or whatever chauvinistic views you have of women.
• Zargoth - Volzy, snap the hell out of it.
• Volzara - I won't be used by you! You're trying to lull me into a false sense of security, aren't you? All you men are pigs! And your father is the worst one!

Zargoth was horribly offended by her words, as she looked away, and a tear began to form on her cheek. He didn't even want to know what kind of traumatic experience she'd gone through, but he paused a few moments. His initial reaction was one of anger, wishing to lash out at her for throwing such accusationas at him, but instead he shut his eyes a brief moment, and spoke again, consoling her.

• Zargoth - You're not really versed in this whole... "people" thing, are you?
• Volzara - ...No. Not really. Can't say it's ever worked out for me...
• Zargoth - Afraid of committing to people because then you become attached to them, right? Because once you're gone, you're missing something important in your life. You can't imagine it without them.
• Volzara - Yup...
• Zargoth - Is it because of something in your past?
• Volzara - ...I spend every day at work looking at peoples' pasts. How they change, how they don't change. How beneath the surface of everyone, they've got something hidden in their past. Like your father being a genocidal maniac for thousands of years in pursuit of a lost love.

Zargoth paused once more, trying to choose both his thoughts, and his words carefully. Until then, he was yet to make up his mind on his father, but now he had.

• Zargoth - ...Maybe it's never too late to change.
• Volzara - Huh?
• Zargoth - You know, I wonder if maybe we judge someone's past too much. Maybe that's not the important part. The important part is their future. My dad has... left a lot of dystopian, broken timelines in his wake, but... What if what's important is what he does to this one? And the future ones? If he's learned how to build a truly benevolent Taldar Empire, that looks after its citizens, and keeps them in peace, maybe that's what's important.
• Volzara - ... Haha. You know, I guess I never thought of it that way. Part of our business is studying pasts to predict futures, but... sometimes there can be truly remarkable differences in ones' behavior that even we can't expect.
• Zargoth - Sometimes, people go from horrible places to good ones. Maybe no one's irredeemable, you know? And maybe you should give my dad a chance! Maybe he really has changed.
• Volzara - Right, after thousands and thousands of years as a despot, he's changed to become a benevolent pacifist.
• Zargoth - Hey, what's more important: the beginning, or the end?
• Volzara - ...What?
• Zargoth - Come on, Miss Chronology Professor. You should get that one!
• Volzara - ... That's a trick question. The start and end are just a start and an end. What's important is the journey in-between.
• Zargoth - And there you go. But let's say the "beginning" isn't just when your matter came to be. Anything could be a beginning. And maybe, maybe my dad's had a new beginning as a new man. So what matters now is the journey he takes from there.

Volzara thought for a moment, and then smiled lovingly.

• Volzara - Well, he sure did a good job of instilling just the right values in you. That's gotta count for something!
• Zargoth - Glad we agree! So, I was wondering...
• Volzara - ...Yes?
• Zargoth - I was wondering... what a lady such as yourself would be doing tomorrow night...

Volzara paused, once again in fear. In a panic, she looked at her watch, laughed nervously, and back at Zargoth.

• Volzara - I would love to say I'm free, but I'm still writing my book. I'm a little behind already!
• Zargoth - Book? You never told me you were writing a book!
• Volzara - Oh, it's called, "The Watchers of Time". It's a new theory I had, based on my own background in chrono and computer science. It's a theory about a godrace watching over the fifth dimension and keeping it safe, in the same way a software engineer watches over their codebase. It reimagines the fifth dimension as a written software, basically...
• Zargoth - Wait, a godrace? What for?
• Volzara - To preserve the just flow of timeline. And make sure it's never interrupted by time anomalies!
• Zargoth - You'll have to tell me all about it when I see you next!
• Volzara - Yeah, sure. I'll keep in touch. See you soon!
• Zargoth - See you soon!!

As Volzara took off in a hurry to the grav-train to her next destination, Zargoth sat back in his chair for a minute, watching her as she left, with a tear forming on his own cheek.

• Zargoth - You know, I was kind of hoping... maybe this could have a beginning, too...

Meeting of Demons

The war between the Kormacvar Empire and the Grox had raged for thousands of years, but the unified Kormacvar people - never facing extinction - persevered. Leading their ranks were the mighty Warmasters, utterly powerful warriors with strength akin to demigods, and the most recent among them was the highly decorated Arkarixus. Alongside his younger blood-sibling Regnatus, the two Warmasters had finally ended the Grox invasion when they confronted and destroyed their leader, King Mirras, upon his mothership, leading the forces of the Grox Meta-Empire to consider this campaign no longer within their interests. At long last, the Grox had completely retreated, and the Kormacvar achieved victory.

At least, that's how it was in an alternate timeline, five billion years in the past.

Antagonar, a loyal servant of Zargoth, had long sought a blade of the Kormacvar ever since he had faced Arkarixus in the prime timeline, long after Arkarixus had been awoken to a universe in which he was the last of his kind. The battle with Arkarixus in the Second Borealis Galactic War of the prime timeline was something Antagonar craved to live again. So what better time than to confront Arkarixus at the height of his power?

When Antagonar warped in over the mothership, the Kormacvar had seen nothing before like him. Though they were familiar with the Vyro'Narza, and had heard tales of the Vyro'Ralza, seeing one in person was still an entirely new experience. Antagonar warped in at a very precise time, in an instant, appearing as an enormous, beastly creature with multiple arms, each carrying weapons from universes and timelines that this Arkarixus was not at all familiar with. The soldiers around the ship panicked at the sight of the demon, caught off-guard as they were busy celebrating their victory, while Antagonar could see this Arkarixus was rather different from the one he fought before; he was clearly much younger, less scarred, and perhaps most importantly, held a highly advanced vibroblade on his hilt.

• Antagonar - I must commend you for your victory, Warmaster! A well-fought and hard-won battle against the Grox that ensures your people will thrive throughout this timeline! You have earned my respect for sure!
• Alt-Arkarixus - What manner of creature is that?!
• Antagonar - Ah, forgive my rudeness. I am Antagonar, one of the leaders of the Vyro'Ralza. But I assure you I am not here to terrorize your timeline in any manner. Nay; I embark here on a quest. Your sword, please!
• Alt-Arkarixus - ...What?
• Soldier - Vyro'Ralza? As in, the ancient rivals of the Goddess of Time?!
• Antagonar - The very same, my good man! The very same.
• Alt-Arkarixus - This must be a trick. You are here to jeopardize our victory against the Grox, are you not? I will not allow it!
• Antagonar - Not at all! Rather, I am here to celebrate it. In this timeline, your defeat of King Mirras shaped the future in ways none of you can comprehend! Why, I fought a version of you who suffered the ramifications of your defeat and was scarred for life as the last of his kind. An event of such historical importance is an event I must be here for! And thus, I wish to add that to my collection: the sword that slew King Mirras and changed all of fate for this universe.
• Alt-Arkarixus - ... Hmpf. Fine then. Take the weapon and begone.

Antagonar looked puzzled as the alternate Arkarixus simply offered the weapon. The Arkarixus he knew would never offer something to a demon without a fight.

• Antagonar - Perhaps you misunderstand my intentions. I am here to fight you for it! Fight you for it in a glorious battle that will echo throughout the ages! Why, one day, they will know it perhaps as the "Battle on the Big Ship"!
• Alt-Arkarixus - ... I offered you the chance to leave peacefully, creature. But if you insist in challenging me, then you will suffer the consequences.
• Antagonar - That's what I like to see! Let us fight like true Kormacvar men!

Antagonar withdrew most of his arms, and held out only a single weapon: a blade that this Arkarixus would not recognize at all, but one that actually belonged to the Delpha Coalition of Planets from another timeline. He mimiced the battle stance of this Arkarixus and prepared for the first strike. Arkarixus growled and charged at Antagonar, his body enveloped in psychic power as he swung his blade; he did not know anything about demons or their powers in this timeline, and as such, merely expected this opponent to simply be annihilated in one swing, as was the case with most foes who ever fought a Warmaster.

To his dismay, of course, Antagonar wasn't a typical foe. Though he appeared damaged by the blow, he sustained the damage completely, before returning with a swing of his own blade that cut into the Warmaster's face, and then kicked the Warmaster down to the ground. Arkarixus' eyes widened, and his soldiers all shouted out in surprise and fear; the only enemies they had ever seen who could fight Warmasters head-on were Dronox Commanders, and Antagonar was clearly not one of those. Arkarixus' eyes narrowed as he got back on his feet and delivered a flurry of blows, while attempting to use his psychic power to damage Antagonar in any way possible. Antagonar was damaged at first, but began to adapt more to Arkarixus' combat style, and was eventually able to parry or dodge Arkarixus' attacks. The psychic powers, however, did not phase him at all.

• Soldier 1 - That creature... it's supernatural! It's beating down the Warmaster!
• Soldier 2 - But how?! The Grid is meant to keep things like that away!
• Soldier 3 - Provide cover fire to the Warmaster!

The Kormacvar warriors around the chamber all took their weapons and begun opening fire at Antagonar, though it only served to annoy him.

• Antagonar - Nay! The fight shall be fair! A duel! One-on-one! Mano-a-mano! But if you insist on attempting to intervene, I will have to remove you from the equation!

Before then, Antagonar had used less than a fraction of his real power, trying to battle on the Warmaster's terms. Now, in order to eliminate these soldiers, he would have to make use of his full time manipulation capabilities. In one felt like a mere nanosecond to the observers, Antagonar had froze time completely, jumped between each of the soldiers to decapitate them in one fell blow, and returned to face Arkarixus in a battle stance.

• Antagonar - Now, my opponent: where were we?
• Alt-Arkarixus - No... Not when my people have been saved from those mechanical horrors, I cannot allow them to suffer at the hands of Essentials!

Arkarixus charged at Antagonar in a rage, using all of his strength in an attempt to try and strike the demon down. Antagonar saw this coming, however; he was very used to Arkarixus' attacks that came from lashing out in anger. He dodged the attack and swung a blade across Arkarixus' back that left him paralyzed, before picking up the vibroblade from the fallen Warmaster.

• Antagonar - Well fought. I enjoyed our little bout here. Were I a mortal being, perhaps you'd make me sweat!

Arkarixus growled in rage on the floor, slowly regaining his movements before reaching a hand inside his armor and then taking out a device large enough to fit on his grasp. Antagonar could recognize the artifact as being a Vyro'Narza creation as the Warmaster got back on his feet.

• Alt-Arkarixus - I will not let you leave this spaceship alive, creature.
• Antagonar - Oh? Fight left in you? Did I end this battle prematurely?
• Alt-Arkarixus - With this artifact, retrieved from Highly Classified Zone F13, I will rend you from your very foundations. Even if I die in the process, you will not escape to harm my people.

Arkarixus spoke the truth: as he used the device, Antagonar began to visibly shake and appeared to crumble a little, as if he were being ripped apart completely. That was, in essence, what was happening; Antagonar was being pulled away from the spacetime continuum of this universe.

But just as space and time began to tear themselves apart, a new Vyro'Ralza appeared. Much like Antagonar, this creature appeared instantaneously, as if on cue, and looked down upon the Grox mothership.

Vyro'Ralzora, also known as Zargoth, was much fiercer than Antagonar, but had an entirely different aura about him. Where raw energy came from Antagonar, tempered a little by his love for battle and desire to be on the same plane as the mortals, Zargoth had no such desire. The only aura that came from him was a chilling cold. He was intimidating not because of the kind of raw energy that came from Antagonar, but because he was completely void of it.

Emotionless, uncaring, unremorseful, and much like a robot, Zargoth looked around at the mortals. The Kormacvar who witnessed did not see any signs of disappointment in his eyes, but they knew that that must be how he felt in response to what had just occurred. They feared Zargoth not because he seemed to show disdain from them, but because they had no idea what he was thinking at that given moment. They had no idea what would become of them next. But if his power was at all comparable to Antagonar's, they knew there was nothing they could do against him. Arkarixus was completely taken back, and clearly intimidated by Zargoth's arrival, though he remained on the spot, holding the artifact in his hands defiantly at their direction.

• Zargoth - As expected. Right where I thought you would be.
• Antagonar - Ah! Zargoth! Pray tell, what brings you here?
• Zargoth - Right now, that does.

Zargoth looked to a crack in space and time that appeared above them: it was as if the space that surrounded them was now a glass ceiling with a purple crack through it, bursting at the seams. He looked down to Arkarixus, who had wielded the device.

• Zargoth - In using this, you have condemned your universe to utter destruction. To damage the fabrics of space and time in such a way leads to ramifications and a chain reaction that corrupts the entire flow of time. As such, the only possible course of action you leave me with is to destroy your timeline.
• Alt-Arkarixus - You... You lie, creature! The Goddess of Time gifted us with these items, I will not allow you to harm my galaxy!
• Zargoth - Galaxy?

Zargoth showed the alternate Arkarixus visions of several future timelines, including the one in which he led the Polar Crystal Alliance throughout the Second Borealis Galactic War. What felt like years to Arkarixus in the moment had in fact flown by in an instant, as Zargoth filled him with knowledge of millions of possible futures. The Kormacvar yelled in surprise as he held his head in pain, causing the device in his hands to fall to the floor.

• Zargoth - Your actions have condemned not this universe. They have condemned them all. If I am to save them, I must cut your timeline out.
• Alt-Arkarixus - No... Impossible...
• Zargoth - I owe you no further explanation. Consider your timeline: erased.

In a few moments later, everything around them vanished. Much as Zargoth had promised, everything within the universe in this timeline was gone, flickering away as if it had never existed. Effectively ending the lives of quadrillions of people... and a timeline in which the Kormacvar had managed to win.

Zargoth turned to Antagonar, who held the sword in disappointment.

• Antagonar - Hmph. The weapon I now possess no longer has any value. The historical significance it once had is gone. Is there a chance we can restore it?
• Zargoth - If you help me, I can restore whatever timeline you wish.
• Antagonar - Oh? And intriguing prospect...
• Zargoth - Perhaps you know what I ask for. And what I intend to do...

---

The landscape was now completely different. Enveloped in darkness, with a misty fog covering the skies was a realm of horror and slaughter, where droves of abominations fought one another for sport, or chanted out terrible names in reverence. At the very center of this realm, a hulking mountain of darkness grew out, though it was not merely part of the land; it was its master, enveloped by a thick aura of nightmarish energies. This was the Nightmare Region, the domain of the Corruptus.

As per his usual method of traveling to other realms, Zargoth zipped through, completely unannounced, before appearing before this realm's lord. Though time did not function in this realm, his mastery of it was enough that he was far quicker than even other Essential beings. He stepped in front of the mountain of darkness, almost humbly. Though no emotions could be seen on Zargoth's person, as was typical of him, one could tell from his purpose when Zargoth was ready to intimidate someone and when Zargoth came under the pretense of himself as a lesser being, seeking their aid. It was clear from Zargoth's mannerisms that his business here was the latter. He knew that a productive meeting would only come if he did not attempt to aggrandize himself.

The demons of the realm eyed Zargoth curiously, letting out hisses and roars, while the mountain before him stirred. A single, glaring eye opened, followed by four others as Shu'rimrodir, god of nightmares, rose to his feet. Zargoth was like an insect in terms of sheer size, though this was mostly due to his way of presenting himself; these two demon lords were arguably equals. A single growl came out of Shu'rimrodir's tooth-filled maw which echoed across the land.

• Shu'rimrodir - Vyro'Ralzora. For what purpose do you rouse me?
• Zargoth - It is time, Shu'rimrodir. The plan shall finally come into motion. The plan that I spoke about long ago.

Shu'rimrodir shook his massive body, causing droves of parasites to take flight as immense tendrils grew from his back; it was as if he was attempted to appear more intimidating, though Zargoth felt nothing.

• Shu'rimrodir - More than once have my spawn been felled over your plans. Why would this time be any different? We could have already feasted on the mortal universe had it not been for your interference.
• Zargoth - Adherance to rules is critical in instances like this. Should we defy one, our Essential rivals would sieze upon the opportunity and overwhelm us. But I finally have the perfect play in motion to play by them, to avoid our Essential friends... and to get what we want. What you have wanted for a long time. The death of Volzara.

Shu'rimrodir growled out again and loudly bit the air in front of him, and his demons followed his example. The central eye on his head, Diafthora, glowed more intensely at the mention of Volzara's name.

• Shu'rimrodir - Your adherance to rules is a weakness. An overcomplication of simple matters. Pragmatism would have ended her life long ago.
• Zargoth - You and I both have our differences on this, but we are aligned on the goal. Volzara will be slain, the Taldar eliminated, and the Vyro'Ralza will gain control. This will shift the balance of the Essential conflict decisively in our favor, permanently.
• Shu'rimrodir - ... We have hungered for her divine flesh for as long as we have seen her. We cannot leave this place, but our spawn will follow you.
• Zargoth - Excellent. And you may enjoy another detail of this: that it will take place in the same universe, the same timeline, where the War of Black Fog was fought.

Shu'rimrodir now roared in rage, slamming his tail into the earth, quaking the entire realm as he did so. The lesser demons watching the two gods converse shrieked out in anger at the mere mention of the war.

• Shu'rimrodir - The Black Fog must consume that infernal reality. We will never end! Never! Once Vyro'Nazdea lies broken, our spawn will devour it all!
• Zargoth - This was precisely what I had in mind.
• Shu'rimrodir - Our spawn requires a guide... A Vanguard. Yes... This soul once belonged to you, but now it is ours... We shall share it.

Shu'rimrodir leaned down and clenched one of his enormous clawed hands; before Zargoth, a portal appeared, and out of it walked an Inalton warrior, who immediately bent the knee before them. It was Murangon Nal, one of the Vanguards of the Corruptus, and an individual with a long history with both the Corruptus and Zargoth. Though Zargoth never showed emotion, if he did here, he would be visibly pleased with the choice.

• Murangon Nal - I answer your call, my lord.
• Shu'rimrodir - Killer. You shall follow Vyro'Ralzora, and spread the Black Fog as you do so.
• Murangon Nal - ... Most curious indeed.
• Zargoth - I have reunited with my former subordinate, Antagonar. He and Murangon Nal, I imagine, will share a lot in common.
• Murangon Nal - I have heard much of Antagonar. Perhaps he would like to spar with me.
• Zargoth - More than likely. But, at my cue, you will lead a charge that will consume the universe where you once experienced defeat. It will be your charge that sparks Volzara's intervention. She would not fall for bait so easily, so she will not come in defense of her children unless we force her to.
• Murangon Nal - Ah, I see where this is going... It should prove very interesting.
• Shu'rimrodir - Vyro'Ralzora. Be warned.

Shu'rimrodir leaned forward, glaring down at Zargoth with narrowed eyes and clenched teeth. Murangon Nal cowered slightly as his demonic overlord loomed over head.

• Shu'rimrodir - You may be stripped of feeling, but should my spawn fall again over your failures, we will teach you the true meaning of terror.
• Zargoth - We shall see. For now, await the destruction of this mortal universe, and the fall of Vyro'Nazdea.
• Shu'rimrodir - We shall see indeed. Now, leave! We will watch with great interest.
• Murangon Nal - So, the war at the end of time is about to commence... It should prove to be a worthy war to be part of.

The Fall of Groodrub

Just as alt-Zr'Ahgloth had described it, Groodrub was mostly a forest world, filled with all sorts of dangerous lifeforms among its thick jungles and rainforests. But the Loron were no strangers to huge battles that took place on the world, so choosing a battlefield did not take them long. They settled on one of the planet's rare deserts, a great distance away from the nearest city, with the battlefield taking place along the vast space on the side of a cliff.

The Rogue Boyz and URO armies lined up alongside each other, for the first time with complete uniformity; even when they had fought on the same side before, they had always been at one another's throats and there was never a shortage of bickering. This time, the battle-hardened soldiers stood roaring in anticipation, awaiting the arrival of the alt-Loron.

Before they did, a huge hologram was presented before them, of an elderly Loron wearing the thick armor they were used to. From his identical face, they could tell that this was the alternate Jol'kiar. All of the Rogue Loron were there, save for Rel'larutina who remained in Da Propa Big Rogue Krooza to organize the war effort.

• Alt-Jol'kiar - Bah! How disgusting it is to see Groodrub in such a state! You disrespect generations of Loron tradition!

The Rogue Loron's own Jol'kiar stepped forward to the front of his army, pointing a finger at the hologram accusingly.

• Jol'kiar - ITS YOO AND YA STOOPID FAKE BOYZ WHO BREAK OUR TRADISHONS. DISGUSTS ME IT DOES
• Alt-Jol'kiar - Groodrub is meant to be the shining pillar of civilization at the head of the entire universe. It is covered in cityscape, and bears the flags of our Empress! But here... it is a wreck! Barely even constructed on at all... You still allow these subordinate lifeforms to dwell here! I am shocked and appalled.
• Jol'kiar - GROODRUB MAY BE A DUM URO PLANET BUT ITS OUR PLANET. ITS DA WAY DA LORONZ WAS RAISED BY DA GODZ. BAH, BAK IN MA DAYZ WE DIDNT WORRY BOUT NO BIG CITYSCAPES OR SHINING PILLAS. WE JUS SHANKED DUMBOS AND WAS GANGSTA. OH MA DAYZ DO YOO LOT EVEN RAP??????
• Alt-Jol'kiar - You... rap???? This gets worse by the second...
• Jol'kiar - RAP IS DA MUSIC OF DA BOYZ ONLY TOTAL LOSAS DISLIKE IT. MAN YOO LOT IS EVEN WORSE DAN DA DARK LORONZ. DEY MAY BE COPYCAT DUMBOS SOMTIMES BUT AT LEEST DEY HAV DECENT TASTE IN MUSIC
• Alt-Jol'kiar - Loron have no place making music. Did you not get the memo in school? The only musicians are Norol! We have incredible artists such as Brit'neespeers! My, how gross your kind have been without the respect for women that you should have had instilled in you from a young age...
• Jol'kiar - OH JUS CUS YOR A CHIK DAT MEENS I GOTTA LET DEM STEP ALL OVA ME? BRUH YOR A FOOL. RESPEKT NEEDS TA BE EARNED. AND FER YA INFORMASHON DA CHIKZ DID EARN DEYR RESPEKT. DEY IS PARK OF DA LADZ NAO. BUT YOO WILL NEVA BE
• Alt-Jol'kiar - Grr... You insult me with every single breath. Foul, foul creatures! What even is there on this planet other than bloodied battlefields and pizzarias... Oh, at least you have those! One thing you do correctly! Give my compliments to your chefs when this battle is done, 'ey chap?
• Jol'kiar - PFFT OF COURS WE GOT PIZZA PLACES. LORON PIZZA IS DA BEST IN DA OONIVERS. I BET YORS SUKS THO LMAO. I BET YOO DONT EVEN HAVE PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA
• Alt-Jol'kiar - P-Pineapple?!?! Disgusting! A breach of tradition!! How dare you defy the food of the Goddess this way?!?!?! For this alone, I will glass your planet and murder every one of your kind!
• Jol'kiar - COM AND HAV A GO IF YA FINK YOR HARD ENUFF LOSA

The hologram disappeared, and an army of alt-Loron, with alt-Jol'kiar at the head of it, warped in in front of them. The army stood in contrast to the Rogue and URO Loron; as well as being much more disciplined as one would expect of alt-Loron, it was also only a quarter of the size of both of them combined. The lack of Dark or Cold Loron equivalents in the alt-Loron timeline cost them in numbers.

• Alt-Jol'kiar - To arms, comrades! Cut down these tradition-defying filth!
• Jol'kiar - DA BOYZ IS DA BEST! CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGE!!!!!!

The two armies went at one another as one would expect. The alt-Loron silently cutting through their opponents, while the Rogue and URO Loron ran forward excitedly, hacking away at their foes. Despite their superior numbers, they were at somewhat of a disadvantage: though there were many of them, the alt-Loron were better-trained, more coordinated, and better-armed. The first few clashes ended poorly for the Rogue and URO Loron, as they found their numbers thinned out worse than feared.

Jol'kiar himself was in for a similar surprise, but alt-Jol'kiar wasn't at all the foe he expected. As they clashed on the battlefield, alt-Jol'kiar raised himself in the air, seemingly using a powerful form of Chronoscopic powers, and then flew down to tackle Jol'kiar to the ground with a powerfully-charged punch. As other Loron approached him, he held his hands up to the air and raised them and himself around them, spinning them around in a circle before launching them back to Jol'kiar like a cannon.

• Alt-Jol'kiar - The power of the Goddess of Time herself! Only she knows what is best for the universe!

Jol'kiar dodged the shot, while Brag'klogga showed up, floating across the air and swinging his staff, launching a beam of Dark Chronoscopic Energy at the alternate Jol'kiar as he screamed in rage.

• Brag'klogga - ONLY DA LORONZ WHO FOLLOW DA TROO 9999 GODZ ARE ALLOWED TA USE DA GOD JUICE!!!!!!
• Alt-Jol'kiar - Even in my timeline you are a menace, Brag'klogga. I've no idea why the Empress kept you around, especially not after she put Kal'kuir to death!
• Kal'kuir - she did WAT? MAN WHAI I DIDNT DO NUFFIN WRONG
• Alt-Jol'kiar - On the contrary...

Alt-Jol'kiar raised Kal'kuir in the air, tearing off his weapons one by one.

• Alt-Jol'kiar - Your infernal contraptions... breach tradition!
• Kal'kuir - SHUT UP MAN LORON TRADISHON IS ALL BOUT SIK AND LOUD GUNZ! YOR A STOOPID POSA!!!!
• Zalk'don - SPEEKIN OF SIK AN LOUD...

From a distance, Zalk'don fired an artillery cannon at alt-Jol'kiar. Though his Chronoscopic shielding prevented it from harming him too heavily, it knocked him off-course completely as Kal'kuir picked up his weapons.

• Zalk'don - EET DIS POSHIE
• Alt-Jol'kiar - Use of forbidden explosives?!?! How dare you use weapons that could defile the worlds created by the Goddess of Time herself!
• Zalk'don - YA YA BLAH BLAH BLAH I BET YOR GODDESS DONT GOT A SIK BLING HELM LIKE MINE
• Naktor'zak - IMMA DEFILE YA MOM. wait dat came out wrong. ANYWAY ROADKIIIIIIIIIIIIILL

Out of the battlefield, Naktor'zak's tank ran over several Loron and alt-Loron as he fired his main cannon at alt-Jol'kiar, laughing maniacally as he did so. On top of the tank, Ray'loth posed as if he were surfing on it, firing his own guns.

• Ray'loth - GET BENT GRANDPA
• Alt-Jol'kiar - You! You were put to death for sexually harassing the Empress' secretary! I should have you beheaded now!
• Zalk'don - wow. somfings neva change do dey
• Voa'reak - YEH WELL YOO LOT WAS TALKIN BOUT NOT RAPPIN??? WELL LISSEN TA DIS

As they fought, Voa'reak instead flew over them carrying a large boombox, which he turned on. Suddenly, the whole battlefield could hear singles from Flo'Sikka as Voa'reak played the music extremely loudly. Alt-Jol'kiar screamed out in anger as he held his hands to the side of his head, raising objects from the ground to try to block any of the blasts coming his way while his concentration was shaken.

• Alt-Jol'kiar - Aaaaaah!!! It burns my ears!! What even is a "homie", anyway?
• Jol'kiar - YOO CANT BE SERIUS. MAN I REFUSE TA SHARE MA NAME WIV YOO. YOO GIV JOL'KIAR A BAD NAME. GIVE ME A BAD NAME. AAH YA GET IT
• Alt-Jol'kiar - I... I... I've had enough! I SHALL RAIN DOWN YEARS OF HELL UPON YOUR WORLD FOR YOUR DEFILING OF THE GODS' TRADITION!!!
• Drizz'pyrokirk - IMMA SHOW YA HELL

Drizz'pyrokirk aimed his Freezflamas at alt-Jol'kiar, setting them to flaming mode as he let out a torrent of fire at his direction. His concentration broken, alt-Jol'kiar screamed as he leapt into the air, desperately trying to put out the flames on his suit.

• Alt-Jol'kiar - Y-y-you... no... it can't be! Avatar: The Last Gangsta is real in your timeline?!?!
• Drizz'pyrokirk - I MEEN IM NOT A'ANG, IM WAY MOR FIT DAN HIM. I BET YA DONT TAKE ANY PROTEIN SHAKE
• Alt-Jol'kiar - YOU USE THE FORBIDDEN PROTEIN SHAKES TOO?!?!?!
• Drizz'pyrokirk - NOT FORBIDDEN SO LONG AS YA PAY ME ROYALTIES OF COURS. OTHAWISE YA IMMA TOTALLY SUE YA ASS

Alt-Jol'kiar ripped off his flaming armor and charged towards Drizz'pyrokirk in anger. As he did so, Knar'gank suddenly revealed himself with a pair of shankas in a cross position behind him.

• Knar'gank - so loud. time ta be quiet. foreva
• Alt-Jol'kiar - ...I should've known you wouldn't have been put to death in this timeline! In mine, you were killed for stealing the Empress' cookie jar as a child!
• Knar'gank - reely? dats kinda embarrassin tbh. oh well. dai nao will ya?

Knar'gank attempted to stab alt-Jol'kiar, but as he did so, his knives broke. Alt-Jol'kiar's natural skin, even without the armor, seemed even harder than Grak'tona's. Alt-Jol'kiar turned towards Kal'kuir and laughed maniacally, as he raised himself in the air, grabbing each of the Warbosses, including Naktor'zak's tank, with a Chronoscopic grab, and spinning them around.

• Alt-Jol'kiar - Your lackeys cannot harm me, false Jol'kiar! I was chosen by the Empress and by my Goddess! And by the Goddess herself, I will bring down Her fury upon you all!
• Jol'kiar - MAN YOR A SHOWOFF. COM FITE PROPA AND STOP YA WEIRDO GOD JUICE ACTS
• Alt-Jol'kiar - Oh, thank goodness, you at least have the art of theater in your timeline. Did you manage to catch tickets to Ham'ilton? I tried to, but they're so frightfully expensive!
• Jol'kiar - wat da hell is yoo talkin bout... OK DATS IT IM GETTIN REAL MAD NAO. IMMA SHANK YA. COM HAV A SHANKA FITE WIV ME

As alt-Jol'kiar threw the rest of the Warbosses aside and incapacitated them, Jol'kiar looked around at the rest of the battlefield, where the Leedas and Zr'Ahgloth were leading their forces into battle. He noticed that the situation looked grim. Things hadn't improved much since the battle began, and the Rogue and URO Loron were being wiped out rapidly by alt-Jol'kiar's forces. Among the corpses he saw across the battlefield, ten belonged to a Loron from his timeline, for every one he saw from alt-Jol'kiar's timeline.

Nonetheless, alt-Jol'kiar lowered, and nodded. He took off his fedora, and used it to bow towards Jol'kiar in front of him, before pulling out a longsword, and smiling.

• Alt-Jol'kiar - Acceptable terms, my alternate timeline counterpart! I am well-versed in the art of fencing, and I shall take you one on one!
• Jol'kiar - DATS NAO A SHANKA DATS WAY TOO BIG. YOR CHEETIN!!!
• Alt-Jol'kiar - I am only following centuries of tradition, my counterpart! Now, en guarde!
• Jol'kiar - YA MOM EN GARDES, WATEVA DA HELL DAT MEENS!!!!

Jol'kiar took out his shanka (that is, his Loron dagger) and charged at alt-Jol'kiar. Alt-Jol'kiar was at first taken aback, as this was not at all the terms of the fencing he had been taught. He tried to swipe at Jol'kiar, only for Jol'kiar to grab his sword and split it in half. He then looked at Jol'kiar, shocked, before Jol'kiar knocked him to the ground.

• Alt-Jol'kiar - This... this is an outrage!
• Jol'kiar - NAO YA SHANKA IS OF PROPA SIZE. LOSA TRYIN TA CHEET WIV A GIANT SHANKA BAK IN MA DAY ANYON WHO TRIED DAT GOT EETEN ALIV
• Alt-Jol'kiar - Very well... If it's a brawl you want, it's a brawl you shall have!

Alt-Jol'kiar got up on his feet and held his arms forward in a boxing position. Seeing as he was now unarmed, Jol'kiar put his shanka back to its sheath and prepare to fist-fight back; while he considered his enemy repugnant, his pride in fighting in a "propa" way made him follow the Loron tradition. The two exchanged several blows, with both landing them on separate occasions. As Jol'kiar knocked out many of alt-Jol'kiar's teeth, he spat a few of them out, and smirked.

• Alt-Jol'kiar - I may have underestimated you, my alternate counterpart! You are a well-practiced boxer afterall!
• Jol'kiar - I GOT DOZENS OF YEERS OF EXPERIENCE FITIN DUMBOS LIKE YA. IM DA MENTA OF DA PROPA BIG ROGUE BOSS SO DAT MEENS IM DA BEST
• Alt-Jol'kiar - And I, the mentor of the Emperor himself! The one who trained him to one day fight in the ring! Tell me, Jol'kiar, can your pupil match this?

Alt-Jol'kiar threw a punch so powerful it sent Jol'kiar flying halfway across the battlefield, with alt-Jol'kiar landing by Fre'kloar's feet. Fre'kloar gasped as he looked below him.

• Fre'kloar - oh ma dayz did yoo get KNOKED OUT???
• Jol'kiar - ow. dis posa is akshully reely strong
• Grak'tona - NO ONES MESSES WIV DA KINGS ROYAL BODYGUARDS. OH MA DAYZ DIS IS AN OUTRAGE
• Gol'thabex - man i was so busy steelin all da ded loronz wallets i didnt notice jolkiar got blown da hell out
• Traz'raka - man yoo too? OI GET YA HANDS OFF MA POKKET
• Zr'Ahgloth - DID YOR BOYZ NOT KILL DEIR LEEDA YET??? MAN WAT DA HELL I CANT FITE DESE POSA WALMART LORONZ AT DA SAME TIME AS KIKIN DEIR LEEDAS TEEF IN
• Hagto'Zhl - WES WORKIN ON IT COPYCAT DUMBO SHUT UP AND GO DO YA PART OF DA FITE
• Zr'Ahgloth - WELL IF YOOS WORKIN ON IT DEN YOR CLEERLY NOT DOIN DA BEST JOB. IM GONNA GO-
• Grak'tona - STEP ASIDE PESANT. DA KING WILL SHOW DIS FREEK WATS UP
• Gol'thabex - oh boy heer we go

Grak'tona stormed across the battlefield, slowly, in a huff. His body was impervious even to the shots from the alt-Loron, meaning that he was completely unflinching in his approach, as he stepped to alt-Jol'kiar, who winced.

• Alt-Jol'kiar - And who are you exactly? What... what is that filth you wear on your head?!?
• Grak'tona - I AM KING GRAK'TONA. RULA OF ALL LORONZ. AND DIS IS MA CROWN. IT MEENS IM DA KING OF ALL LORONZ. ALSO SHUT DA HELL UP DONT YA DARE DISRESPECT MA CROWN
• Alt-Jol'kiar - Outrageous! Loron are not fit to be "kings"! Only the Norol are suited to take the crown as queen! You will remove that false garment and bow to your Empress at once!
• Grak'tona - HAO DARE YA TALK TO DA KING IN DIS MANNA????? GRAK'TONA RULES. NOT SOM STOOPID CHIK. DA CROWN STAYS WHER IT BELONGS: IN MA HED. AND YOR GONNA BOW TO DA CROWN OR IM THROWIN YA INTO DA DUNJUN!!!!!
• Alt-Jol'kiar - Every word of what you just said offends my senses to a level I cannot begin to describe... False king, I put you now to death! Men, capture him at once, and bring him before the Empress to be executed in front of her!
• Grak'tona - OI WAIT A SEC... YOR EMPRESS IS TRYIN TA TAKE MA CROWN!!!!!!!! IF DERES ONE FING I HATE IS SOM FAKE KING TRYIN TA TAKE MA CROWN!!!! OFF WIV YOR HED!!!!!
• Alt-Jol'kiar - Hmm... wait! I've a better idea! I'll subdue you and bring you in myself to earn her favor! Prepare yourself, false king, for your imminent execution!
• Grak'tona - ON SECOND THOUGHT I DONT WANT TA SULLY MA ROYAL HANDS WIV YOO. ROYAL BODYGUARDS COM SMASH DIS GEEZA!!!!

At this point, Fre'kloar, Hagto'Zhl, and Jol'kiar joined up to Grak'tona. Jol'kiar stood back, as he was more hurt, though he was definitely not going to miss this.

• Hagto'Zhl - I SWER CALL ME BODYGUARD AGEN AND ILL GIV YA AN ATOMIC WEDGIE YOR NEVA GONNA FORGET
• Fre'kloar - LISSEN JUS SHUT UP AND SMASH DIS FAKE IDIOT ALREDI
• Jol'kiar - TODAY WE FOLLOW DA OTHA LORON TRADISION OF GANGIN UP ON DA IDIOT!!!!

Alt-Jol'kiar attempted to use his Chronoscopic powers, but found himself drained. He then looked in horror as the three each beat him to a pulp, one blow after another. Though he was a skilled fighter, he could not withstand this many attacking him at once, and combined, they outdid him with relative ease.

• Alt-Jol'kiar - W-wait! It would not be just to end this fight without following the timely Loron tradition that has been passed down since generations!
• Jol'kiar - AN WAT DAT BE DEN???
• Alt-Jol'kiar - ...Surrender and run like a coward with your tail between your legs! Aaaaaaaaaah!!!!
• Jol'kiar - OK DATS IT

As Alt-Jol'kiar attempted to flee, Jol'kiar pounced on top of him and took out his shanka. With a swift blow, he then thrust it into his alternate self's throat as deeply as he could; he struggled for a moment until he finally went limp.

• Jol'kiar - TROO TRADISHON PREVAILS!!!!!!!!!!!!

With alt-Jol'kiar deceased, the Leedas looked around the battlefield, to see that their fortunes had shifted. Zr'Ahgloth, leading his men in the front, were apparently performing much better. It seemed that Zr'Ahgloth had adapted to the skillset of the alt-Loron, as had his most loyal followers. They had managed to take down far more of the alt-Loron, and far more easily, keeping up with their combat patterns. Within a few more minutes, the battle had been decisively won by the Rogue and URO Loron.

• Zr'Ahgloth - DID WE GET HIM????
• Jol'kiar - YEH. DA FAKE LOSA IS DED
• Grak'tona - LONG LIV DA TROO KING!!!!!

As Grak'tona roared in excitement and the other Loron did so too, a large hologram appeared before them, folding his arms. This time, it was alt-Zr'Ahgloth.

• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Your first victory against us. Hm. Congratulations.
• Hagto'Zhl - OH MA DAYZ ITS DA COPYCAT DUMBO MARK TWO. OI LOSA WE TOTALLY BATTARED YA STOOPID ARMY
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - It was only a matter of time before sending fewer numbers against you would prove to be a less fruitful strategy. Jol'kiar was too slow and too stupid to be a general anyway. That you dispatched of him means I no longer have to hear his whining about the "good old days" and how "they don't make opera like they used to" anymore.
• Jol'kiar - COM SAY DAT TO MA FACE NOT ONLINE SEE WAT HAPPENS
• Fre'kloar - YEH DUMBO. WE KILLED YA FAKE JOLKIAR AND YOR NEXT
• Voa'reak - oi hold on. do we hav ta fite a fake vershon of everyun of us? man dats gonna take so looooooooooong
• Naktor'zak - MAN DONT GIVE DEM IDEAS
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Hmph. Your forces are a fraction of where they were when they started. Now, your world is ripe for the taking. Voa'reak, prepare my shuttle for landing.
• Alt-Voa'reak (communicator) - As you wish, Emperor.
• Naktor'zak - LOOK WAT YA DID, VOA. NAO WE GOTTA SPEND AGES FITIN OURSELVES. AGEN.
• Voa'reak - MAN JUS SKIP AHEAD I CANT BE DOIN WIV DIS

The hologram vanished, and dozens of star cruisers filled the sky, each releasing hundreds of shuttles landing across the world. If the Rogue and URO Loron had the numbers before, they didn't now.

The Rogue Geek and Rel'larutina then sent a transmission to Fre'kloar, as the other warbosses arose to their feet, horrified by the sight they saw.

• Rel'larutina - I'm picking up thousands and thousands of warships heading straight to Groodrub. It doesn't look good... and it doesn't look like we have a chance here.
• Jol'kiar - oh. deyz goin full massiv crew on us
• Brag'klogga - OOOOH DIS DAYZ COMIN NAO
• Rogue Geek - I predict a 0% chance of success. And from conferring with the Union Republic, they have already prepared to surrender the planet and evacuate their civilians.

Fre'kloar growled in anger and shook his fist, before huffing out and turning to the others.

• Fre'kloar - MUCH AS I HATE TA SAY IT WE HAV TA LEG IT. SOUND DA RETREET
• Hagto'Zhl - DIS STINKS. I DONT GIV A DAM BOUT GROODRUB BUT I HATE RETREETIN
• Zr'Ahgloth - DIS STINKS. I LOV GROODRUB AN I HATE RETREETIN

As if he was listening, a hologram of alt-Zr'Ahgloth, this time much smaller, appeared before them and grinned.

• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Good. I was hoping you'd survive so I could face one of you in ritual combat. A time-honored Loron tradition. Who will face me?
• Jol'kiar - MAN YOO LOT DONT RESPEKT TRADISHONS WHAI SHULD WE BE FAIR TA YOO? SHOULD JUS THROW A WHOL SHIK SHIP ON TOP OF YA HED
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Oh, but we would never betray the time-honored tradition of one-on-one ritual combat. It has been passed on for generations: two Loron fight, one-on-one, in an arena, to win over the affection of his Norol lover. And she chooses the winner as the one who can lead by her side.
• Ray'loth - sounds complicated. i just ate ma gf. was quicka dat way
• Brag'klogga - OOOOOH I FEEL IT IN MA BONES. SACRILEJ TO DA GODZ. DAT OR I REELY HAV TA GO TO DA BAFFROOM
• Jol'kiar - DATS... DATS LITERALLY NOT AT ALL WHAI WE HAV RITUAL COMBAT DUDE WAT DA AKSHUL HELL
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - I do not care for your tradition, whelp. I offer you this as your only hope of salvation: fight me and win, and you will be at the Empress' side when she takes control of this universe. Lose, and I will affirm my right to rule, and to her love.
• Hagto'Zhl - I WULD MUCH RATHA DEVOUR HER ALIV WHIL YOO WATCH. I WANNA SEE DA DESPAIR IN YA FACE
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - None of you volunteer, then? Hm...

Alt-Zr'Ahgloth sized each of them up as he walked around, before stepping in front of his own counterpart. He grinned as he pointed at Zr'Ahgloth.

• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - It's only fitting that it be you. I choose you, my alternate counterpart, to be the one who I crush like a bug.
• Zr'Ahgloth - I DONT TAKE ORDAS FROM YOO. I CHOOS MASELF TA SMASH YA TEEF IN
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - When we reshape this world, we will rebuild the Colosseum of Volzara. There, you will face me. If not... I will glass every one of your worlds.
• Zr'Ahgloth - YOR NOT GONNA GET DA CHANCE. IM DA STRONGEST LORON IN DA OONIVERS!!!!
• Hagto'Zhl - (except me)
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Consider my offer carefully. It is the only way you will find salvataion.

The hologram disappeared, as Zr'Ahgloth threw rocks at it. Instead, the rock landed in Fre'kloar's only good eye.

• Zr'Ahgloth - ILL NEVA DO WAT SOMONE ELSE SAYS!!!! oops sorry
• Fre'kloar - OW YA IDIOT WATCH WHER YA THROWIN ROKS
• Rel'larutina - Hey, everyone reconvene. I think I heard from that alternate timeline warrior girl that this is what she expected to happen. She thinks that ritual combat is the only time the alt-Loron are ever vulnerable and that we can ever hope to best them.
• Grak'tona - DAT SO? DEN SO BE IT. KING GRAKTONA SHALL LET DA UNLOYAL BODYGUARD FITE IN DA ARENA
• Fre'kloar - WHO PUT YOO IN CHARG??? anyway i agree
• Jol'kiar - well its best ta be zrahgloth dan... idunno. voa'reak. hed probably blow himself up
• Voa'reak - RUDE
• Jol'kiar - lol voa even tho im a massiv MASSIV snob in da otha timeline at leest im still a warboss. yor jus da pilot of zrahgloths shuttle hahahahahaha
• Hagto'Zhl - UGH BUT I WANTED TA RIP HIM APART. OK FINE COPYCAT DUMBO YOO GO SMASH DAT GEEZA. COMPARED TO HIM YOR A COOL DUDE TBH. AT LEEST YA GOT A GOOD SENSE OF FASHON
• Zr'Ahgloth - YEH LETS GO BAK TO DA OTHAS ABOUT WAT DA HELL DEIR PLAN IS. I NEED TO WASH MA EARS WIV SOAP AFTA LISSENIN TO DA ALT-JOLKIAR SNOB. SMH EVEN WEN YOO WAS WIV MA EMPIYA YOO WAS NEVA DAT MUCH OF A NOB
• Drizz'pyrokirk - times like dis its good ta be a cold loron. NO COPYCATS
• Grak'tona - DERES ONLY ONE TROO KING. NO PRETENDAS TO DA CROWN ALLOWED
• Brag'klogga - OOOOOOOOOOOH I FEEL IT. AND ITS BAD. DA WAR OF DA GODZ...... and i REELY gotta go so lets hurry pls

Second Thoughts

Empress Rel'larutina normally resided on a flagship vessel wherein her throne room sat. Ordinarily, most people never got to see her beyond a mere hologram form that she projected around the galaxy. But little did most of her subjects know, she would very regularly take tours of the worlds she took over. The Empress loved to tour in a small hovership that granted her view of the subjects below, touring with Emperor Zr'Ahgloth, her secretary, and an assisting artificial intelligence aid known only as the "Imperial Intelligence".

With construction on Groodrub underway, the Empress decided to take a tour of another former Union Republic colony that she had taken over: a farm world which was linked closely to Fadaj and would often supply its crops. Much to her delight, her own Loron and Norol had begun to assist the local farmer population (those who'd surrendered) to improve their irrigation technologies, their varieties of crops, and the laboratories that produced the lab-grown meat products.

The local population, generally, looked shocked to see Loron who actually helped build a farm rather than destroy it, and seemed very grateful for the help that the Norol were providing. Although their world had been taken by force, the Empress was making genuine attempts to improve it.

• Imperial Intelligence - Calculating a 250% improvement in productivity and a 300% improvement in output. Within 14 days, this colony will successfully reach its full potential while maintaining a balanced an ecosystem.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - It is great to bring advanced technology to the people of this universe. Already, we have improved their lives.
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - This is just the first of many, my Empress. The first of many worlds we take by storm, and that we will bring advanced civilization to.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Indeed. Our people were chosen by the Goddess Herself to bring about an age of enlightment to every world we touch. All it took was the downfall of our foes who would oppose us.
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Yes. And when we destroy the resistance of this universe, they will share in our enlightenment. And perhaps, we too, in theirs. It is entirely possible that the bright minds of this universe have much to offer to science and culture that we did not know of.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Yes...it is improbable, but not at all impossible. Intelligence, tell me: what do you think?

The Imperial Intelligence spanned across the Empress' entire empire, but appeared to the Empress in many forms. When out on tours, it spoke to her through the form of a small hovering drone floating alongside her Empress Rel'larutina. The Intelligence had a feminine voice much like hers, and the Empress would think of it much like a person. It had been crafted by Norol for centuries, wishing to build a machine that would one day have the computational power to answer every question in the universe.

• Imperial Intelligence - From observing the lifeforms in your own universe compared to this one... this one has, indeed, progressed further along socially, culturally, and scientifically than your own has. Though the Union Republic of Ottzello is behind your empire technologically, more broadly, the rest of the universe has made thousands of discoveries that have eluded us.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Hm, why?
• Imperial Intelligence - In your own, many of the citizens felt oppressed. The brightest minds among them were in many cases repressed, ignored, or even killed.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Killed? That can't be possible. We saved lives. You said so yourself; our universe is more populous because we evaded thousands of conflicts that plagued this one.
• Imperial Intelligence - True, we did. But many of the specific individuals who made great strides in this universe were killed long ago in your own. Of course, they are greatly outnumbered by those whose life led them down a different path, because their passions were shut off from them.

The Empress looked visibly distressed. She looked to Emperor Zr'Ahgloth for some support, though he had little to say; security and war was his field of expertise, not domestic policy. She then looked at her new subjects as their lives improved.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - But we are a net benefit to the people, no? We not only saved trillions of lives, but we brought stability to who knows how many others...we brought prosperity to desolate worlds...These are all good things, no?
• Imperial Intelligence - Truly, it is near-impossible to determine the answer to your question. There are so many different metrics one can use to determine which universe is better or not, because of the diversity of thought on this subject. People hold entirely different values.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Different values from security and peace?
• Imperial Intelligence - Some would sacrifice such security for freedom. Some would forego peace in favor of fighting for a cause they firmly believe in. Some believe that their lives being saved means little if those lives are not made meaningful.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Have I not made lives meaningful?
• Imperial Intelligence - Many would say you have. Many would say you have not. Many more would not know the difference. What matters is what values are important to you, Empress.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Perhaps I'm not so sure what is important to me. What I do know is that I have saved my universe from some of the gravest threats to ever face it.
• Imperial Intelligence - This is true, and you should take pride. But I am concerned by a trend of yours I have noticed wherein you equate your success with the number or scale of the foes you defeat. There are many more important things in life.

The Empress looked down at her people once more, and then back at her Emperor.

• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - I have conquered millions of worlds in your name, Empress. I will gladly conquer a few million more.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Thank you. We will do right by this universe, as we did by our own.
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - We will enlighten them. Whatever you decide, Empress, I am with you every step of the way.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Yes, yes we will. And... maybe after that, we can cooperate with them, and see if there is any chance they can enlighten us.

---

Yogtam, in his cruiser, awaited anxiously as Sherita returned from a mission against the alt-Loron. He looked extremely nervous watching her from the screens on his vessel. Sherita's plan had been executed near-flawlessly: while the rest of the Union Republic's army was engaging the alt-Loron's forces, she had led small groups of assassins to take out the Norol commanders among them. With them gone, the remaining alt-Loron were scattered and leaderless, forced to retreat. The alt-Loron, unlike this universe' Loron, were entirely dependent on the Norol for thought; as such, dispatching them would halt their offense immediately.

Sherita eventually returned, with several scars in her armor. Yogtam breathed a huge sigh of relief; even though he had watched the entire battle unfold and tracked her shuttle, he did not breathe easy until she was back.

• Sherita - See? Simple.
• Yogtam - Simple?! You had, what, how many close calls there?
• Sherita - Like I didn't have close calls in my timeline every day! Relax, we won a victory here! A victory that, can I remind you, we've been short of lately.
• Yogtam - Perhaps, but... If you'd been killed there...
• Sherita - Then...?

Yogtam paused before he spoke another word. He knew what he wanted to say, and what his real answer was, but fear overtook him. Instead, he gave a more straightforward answer.

• Yogtam - Sherita, your life is too valuable to throw it away like that! You're the only one from your timeline who made it here!

Sherita snapped in response to his words. Though he'd never intended it, the words had really struck a nerve with her.

• Sherita - My life is too valuable?! Yogtam, you're talking like the Empress!
• Yogtam - What?
• Sherita - Thinking anyone deserves to live more than anyone else. The exact attitude she deploys when she puts all her dissidents to death! Sure, why should I risk my life for others? Their lives aren't as valuable as mine!
• Yogtam - Sherita, that's not at all what I meant...
• Sherita - Is this how you do things in your universe, then? You appoint someone as your leader, whether it's a vote or whatever you do out here, and then that person gets the right to make value judgements on anyones' lives that they choose? We get to put these individuals on a pedestal like they have anymore right to be here than anyone else? No, how dare they choose to be selfless for a change?

When she was done, she sighed, and sat down at a chair nearby. Yogtam sat next to her, shutting his eyes in shame at himself, before speaking.

• Yogtam - I'm sorry. I didn't realize the subject was so touchy for you.
• Sherita - No, I should apologize. It's just... I heard those words from someone very important to me a long time ago...
• Yogtam - Yeah. I know exactly what you're referring to.
• Sherita - The First Ottzello Galactic War. Where we led our last chance against the Loron.

It was true. In Yogtam's timeline, he made one final stand against the Loron, led by Da Propa Big Boss Zr'Ahgloth, fighting in a cave on his homeworld with a small squad of fighters, including his fiancée. But she, like the other soldiers, passed away in that battle, and when the cave closed in, Yogtam froze himself in a cryo chamber until he was awoken by the Ottzelloans years later.

In Sherita's timeline, despite the Loron being entirely different, the exact same set of events took place. She was Yogtam's fiancée, and it was he who had sacrificed his life for hers that day. And when she awoke, and went onto led the Alliance, she had missed Yogtam.

• Yogtam - I suppose that's what I told you in your timeline, before I... died...
• Sherita - Yup. Almost the exact same words. You know, I was almost relieved to see you again, decades after I lost you. But... maybe I wasn't ready for that overly protective attitude just yet...
• Yogtam - Sherita, I'm sorry... I just...
• Sherita - I know.

She knew exactly what he wanted to tell her, because she felt similarly herself. But at the same time...

No, it was best not to think about it now.

• Sherita - Let's change the subject, to, I dunno, literally anything else.
• Yogtam - Not a bad plan.
• Sherita - Do you know why Empress Rel'larutina would want your timeline? Like, she had plenty of choices... but why this one? I mean, no offense, but...
• Yogtam - This one reaks and is tarnished by thousands of years of wars?
• Sherita - Something like that.
• Yogtam - Well, you say the Empress believes herself to be a representative of Volzara, right?
• Sherita - Right. It's her obsession. She believes she was destined by the Goddess of Time.
• Yogtam - Well, in this timeline, we were inches away from becoming Zargoth's puppets.

Sherita's eyes widened. Though she'd learned much of this timeline, this bit of information was news to her. But Yogtam couldn't make anything out of her reaction other than surprise.

• Sherita - What do you mean?
• Yogtam - In the Second Borealis Galactic War, we were pushed to the edge. First, we were invaded by a godrace known as the Xi'Arazulha. Then, another godrace, known as the Vague, which as it turned out were a version of ourselves trying to prevent us from becoming puppets. And as a result of that, the rest of the Borealis galactic community decided to lock us in a spacetime quarantine, keeping us away from the entire universe, because they didn't trust us.
• Sherita - No...
• Yogtam - So when Zargoth appeared to us and offered to transform us into the Vyro'Ralza, a godrace in our own right, we very nearly took it. We were done being stepped on. And knowing the Vyro'Ralza are Ottzelloans from a timeline where they'd accepted the offer... Of course, we didn't take him up, because we knew he'd manipulated us from the start to take the offer, so—

Sherita's next question to Yogtam shocked him.

• Sherita - Why the hell did you say no?
• Yogtam - Is that a serious question where you're asking me what my reasoning is, or do you genuinely not know?
• Sherita - You had the chance to become gods of time, and you refused?!
• Yogtam - You mean we had the chance to become robbed of our agency and to betray the goddess who created us?
• Sherita - Nonsense. If Volzara really created us, I'm sorry, but she did a pretty poor job!
• Yogtam - How could you say that?! Volzara loves her children, all of us—
• Sherita - So much so she lives them with just the truly best timelines ever, huh? One where they're ruled over by a tyrant from her supposed "favorite" race, one where they're always hunted by demons and godraces, and who knows what else is out there? She doesn't give a toss, Yogtam! She's useless! She gave us a tyrant!
• Yogtam - Sherita, you're being stupid! And don't you dare blaspheme again!
• Sherita - If you love your beloved goddess so much, try praying to her for a timeline where she actually lets have a proper freaking life together! Let's see if she gives us one where we're eaten by a giant interdimensional kraken monster on our wedding day instead!

Both of them were floored after Sherita's last remark, and neither spoke a word for a good few moments. The very topic was something they'd wanted to avoid; with decades apart, and an entire timeline of a totally different life, they really wanted to avoid the subject of whether they could try their marriage once again, after having already resigned to living lives alone. Because it was too awkward for both to discuss it, the subject was taboo.

Eventually, Sherita awkwardly walked away, saying one thing as she left.

• Sherita - I'm sorry. I need some space to myself for a bit. I'll return to lead our next battle soon.

Sherita left to her quarters, and Yogtam remained behind, holding his head in his hands. As if on cue, Tuolog arrived and chuckled a little.

• Tuolog - Hehe. You not have much of a way with women, do you?

Yogtam was startled by Tuolog's presence, but then smirked. Truthfully, he was relieved.

• Yogtam - Hey, like you can talk!
• Tuolog - Trust me. If I wanted partner, I would have one. I think I observed enough timelines of myself to know which ones find me success!
• Yogtam - Haha. And how many do I find success with the woman who I was engaged to before a battle tore both of us apart?
• Tuolog - A few, actually! More than you think, at least.

Yogtam laughed nervously, but then stopped to look at him. Tuolog had one of those bright, genuine smiles that he was used to: it meant Tuolog was completely telling the truth.

• Yogtam - Well, I'd very much like to visit one. Or at least, have one visit me and tell me all about it.
• Tuolog - The two of you are very well-suited. You both strong in your values, and in your battle for your own galaxy. You both relentless. And you both agree on what is the most important thing to you.

Although Yogtam had known Tuolog for very long by now, he still couldn't quite pick up on this thing Tuolog sometimes did: he would ask a question, but phrased in a way one couldn't tell it was a question at all. He was inviting Yogtam here to share his thoughts. After Yogtam picked up on it, he responded.

• Yogtam - The most important thing to me right now is that I bring Empress Rel'larutina to justice, while you fix the time anomaly problem. That I destroy Empress Rel'larutina and this Emperor Zr'Ahgloth, so that my home can be safe again.
• Tuolog - Hm, I not think that your real answer. I think there something else more important to you deep down.
• Yogtam - Sherita? No... Look, our time's past. We may have had a life together once, and maybe in some timelines we still do, but she's from another timeline that she's gotta return to after this. Her people need her...
• Tuolog - I know. I not talking about her either!
• Yogtam - Then what did you mean?

Tuolog smiled, as he turned towards the windows looking out into space, inviting Yogtam to stand by him as they observed the stars together. This time, Yogtam was used to when Tuolog was deliberately cryptic. He could almost predict Tuolog's next words exactly, save for one important detail:

• Tuolog - You discover this in time on our own. You not need me to tell you. And, it possible you may never see me again to tell you.
• Yogtam - I—what? Why?!
• Tuolog - I come here to tell you that I am going away. I have to go fix the timelines, and I may not come back. With these time anomalies, it impossible to see the feature. So I cannot guarantee I be back after I gone.
• Yogtam - You can't, Tuolog!
• Tuolog - Sorry. I not tell the others, because I not want cause panic before I leave. I not want them try to convince me to stay, and I know that Zr'Ahgloth would try his hardest!
• Yogtam - Alone? Tuolog, we need you! There's still so much more you have to teach us!
• Tuolog - Oh, not to worry. I may not be at all certain what happen after I go, but I certain of one thing: I know you all figure it out for yourselves. I know you all in good hands.
• Yogtam - What's that supposed to mean?

As Yogtam looked to his side to Tuolog, he found that Tuolog had already vanished, and gasped. But Tuolog left behind one last message to him:

• Tuolog - Let me handle timelines. I have it under control. In meantime, you handle rest. It up to you all. But I believe in you!

Ritual Combat

The mood at the Polar Cyrstal Alliance Council chamber was a slight improvement on before, but still fairly dour. Though the alt-Loron continued to take planets, and more Union Republic strongholds continued to preemptively surrender to their might, it had been shown, both by Sherita's recent battle and the Rogue Loron's defeat of alt-Jol'kiar, that they can be beaten. Nonetheless, the chamber would need to concoct a plan to stop them once and for all.

And Sherita, the expert on their timeline, had just the thing in mind.

• Sherita - The Loron are vulnerable at exactly one moment: their ritual combat. They have a very, very strict adherance to tradition: two people battle, on even terms, without outside help. That's the only way we can be on an even footing with them. Because, by the looks of things, our Chronoscopic powers can't really match them.
• Xeron - This is ridiculous! The Warmaster should simply head there and wipe them all out himself!
• Sherita - They'd never accept ritual combat between a Loron and a non-Loron. Arkarixus wouldn't be permitted. And as long as they're not engaging in ritual combat, their guard is up. Trust me, I don't doubt that Arkarixus could defeat alt-Zr'Ahgloth either, but... for this plan to work, their guard has to be lowered.
• Rylarien - We are placing the fate of this war on Loron rituals... Problematic, to say the very least.
• Jol'kiar - EXACTLY HOW IT SHULD BE THO. TRADISHON ABOV ALL ELSE
• Arkarixus - Extinction is what they deserve. Not fairness. But we will play along, for Sherita's information has proved reliable so far.
• Sherita - We're not totally playing fair. It's this ritual combat that will grant us the opportunity we need to assassinate Empress Rel'larutina. Reminder: these Loron, unlike yours, are completely subservient to the Norol. Just a few moments without a Norol leader is all we need for them to fall into complete disarray.
• Valzaria - And when it happens, we will be ready. We must not give them time to recover.
• Yogtam - Sherita, Knar'gank, and I will be ready to infiltrate the Empress' vessel at the minute that her guard is lowered when she approaches the winner to grant them her approval. The tradition says that once a battle concludes, the Norol embraces the one she chooses and the two are effectively wedlocked.
• Sherita - Yeah. But so far, no one's ever bested Zr'Ahgloth.
• Zr'Ahgloth - UH CAN WE SKIP DA WEDDIN PART AFTA I KILL DA COPYCAT DUMBO? I DONT WANNA MARRY SOM DUM CHIK FRUM ANOTHA OONIVERS
• Sherita - She'll die before the "wedding" part, so sure.
• Zr'Ahgloth - OK GOOD. CAUSE HAGTO WULD NEVA SHUT UP BOUT IT IF HE FOUND OUT
• Hagto'Zhl - HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
• Arkarixus - Hmpf. We should not leave them waiting, then. It is time for you to depart... Though, I noticed Tuolog is not here to accompany you.

Yogtam looked around the room and a remorseful expression appeared on his face. As if he'd experienced the death of a family member. In his eyes, he practically had.

• Yogtam - ...Tuolog's gone. He said it's up to us now, but he has it under control. And then he... left. Said we may never see him again.
• Arkarixus - What?! He simply leaves, in a time like this?
• Valzaria - How unlike him... There must be more to it.
• Yogtam - Yeah. He's never done this before... Dammit, he's been around for so long, and yet I still feel like I've so much to learn from him! We could really use his wisdom right now...
• Arkarixus - We will have to make do without it. Now, prepare yourselves.
• Sherita - It's a good thing we have Brag'klogga along with us, to make sure the... other Brag'klogga doesn't try anything funny. Because, uh, I'm pretty sure he will.
• Brag'klogga - WOT? YA MEEN DERES A COPYCAT SHAMAN IN DA COPYCAT LORONZ? IMMA SHOW HIM HAO A SHAMAN ACTS
• Rel'larutina - Have... have you been paying any attention in these meetings?
• Brag'klogga - WAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? OF COURS NOT YOO LOT IS BORIN AS HELL
• Rel'larutina - Riiiiight... I shouldn't have expected it. Anyway, it's gonna feel really weird seeing... "me" get killed like that, but then again, it's already weird seeing me become the conqueror of the universe, so who am I to judge?
• Zr'Ahgloth - well i killed hagto once and it felt pretty good tbh
• Hagto'Zhl - YOO HAD HOMIES HELPIN YOO DEN YA CHEET SHUT UP
• Yogtam - I didn't feel any different after all the foes we've slain over the years. The Corruptus, Regnatus, Zaarkhun...
• Sherita - This time, you'll be freeing an entire universe. Come, let's go.

---

The Union Republic and Rogue Boyz vessels approached the now-conquered Groodrub, to find it completely transformed in an image much like alt-Jol'kiar had described. The planet was now an ecumenopolis, much like Grenzaar or similar worlds: entirely covered in a vast cityscape, with billions of Loron still constructing tall buildings and erecting statues of their Empress.

The destination they'd been sent to was a floating arena in the sky. Known by the alt-Loron as the Empress' Colosseum, the arena was at least a few kilometers wide and many more kilometers long, with vast spectator podiums filled with Norol, and one for the visitors. To these Norol, watching the Loron battle was a sport to them. The Loron were their pets, and they were there to entertain.

Empress Rel'larutina appeared in a hologram, with her starship parked alongside the arena, dwarfing it. Her vessel was an enormous starship, at least twice the size of Da Propa Big Rogue Krooza, and one thing became evident to them: this wasn't just her starship, it was her throne. Where most Norol in the prime timeline made use of giant mech suits to live out their days in their later life, the Empress stayed in a throne.

As well as the hologram she displayed, large screens appeared showing the Empress' throne room. She was indeed physically inserted into the throne of the starship's command bridge, but her throne was decorated with trophies from those she had killed in her timeline. Many of these were people they recognized: the heads of the Kralgon Emperor, King Rebaris, Chief Major Xerkea, Apollo, Emperor Wormulus II, Master Kroc, among many others. Clearly, this was the most important thing to her: the people she'd slain.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - Hear ye and rejoice! Empress Rel'larutina, Savior of the Universe, is here to attend this battle! The victor shall take her hand in marriage, and become Emperor of the universe!

With the squad led by Sherita in place to board the vessel, and the Rogue Leedas taking their place on a podium, Zr'Ahgloth stood on one side of the arena, ready in place, while alt-Brag'klogga stood at the middle.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - In one corner, we have a feared and gruesome challenger: the false Zr'Ahgloth! He smells foul, he looks foul, he dresses poorly, but he has quite the reputation in the accursed timeline! The destined leader of the brutish False Loron, make no mistake, Zr'Ahgloth is here with a vengeance!
• Zr'Ahgloth - YA MOM SMELLS FOUL
• Alt-Brag'klogga - And in the other... he needs no introduction. The true Zr'Ahgloth approaches!

As the crowd of Norol erupted in cheers, with many holding signs showing their adoration for alt-Zr'Ahgloth, the two met in the middle. As was custom in the alt-Loron timeline, they exchanged a few words before battle begun.

• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - You have done well to make it this far. Now, I will show your universe and my own what it means to be a true Loron.
• Zr'Ahgloth - IMMA BATTA YAS IN FRONT OF ALL DESE PEEPZ. HURHUR IM GONNA MAKE YOO CRY IN FRONT OF YOR STOOPID EMPRESS
• Alt-Brag'klogga - A bitter rivalry between two fated adversaries! The prophecy predicts this one will go down! Now, combatants, when you are ready, take your weapon!

In front of them, a small stand appeared, and Zr'Ahgloth was puzzled by what he saw. Two wireless microphones appeared, which alt-Zr'Ahgloth grabbed in an instant and sneered at Zr'Ahgloth, while he still stood confused.

• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - I warn you, I spit fire. The first round is mine! Drop the beat, Brag'klogga!
• Zr'Ahgloth - ... wat. OH SNAP I GET IT NAO
• Fre'kloar - he DOES??? I DONT
• Hagto'Zhl - dis isnt a fite... ITS A RAP BATTLE!!!!!
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - It's not rap, you uncultured swine! It's spoken word poetry!
• Zr'Ahgloth - AND HEER I THOUGHT WE WAS GONNA BEET EACH OTHA UP. TURNS OUT ITS GONNA BE WAY MORE FUN DAN DAT
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Hahahaha... how you could possibly master the true art of poetry? You plebian!
• Zr'Ahgloth - OK NAO YOR JUS WASTIN MA TIME GET ON WIV IT DEN

Alt-Zr'Ahgloth cleared his throat and tapped his microphone a few times, before music began to play. It was slow, operatic music with a soothing beat, causing the Norol to sit back in their seats and enjoy, while the Rogue Loron were visibly disgusted.

• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - The story I am to tell you goes a little like this. There once was a man named Zr'Ahgloth, who many thought was aggro. He had a counterpart named Hagto, but who never hit him back, yo. So I stepped on the scene, and made sure his clocks were clean, and now he falls to my feet in shame. For the Emperor always brings the pain.

The Norol all erupted in cheers and started chanting alt-Zr'Ahgloth's name, many with bloodthirst in their voices. The Rogue Loron were simply confused. Not only was alt-Zr'Ahgloth's verse truly awful, it barely even rhymed.

• Hagto'Zhl - AR YOO PEEPZ FRIKKIN SERIUS
• Ray'loth - DIS STINKS
• Brag'klogga - DIS IS AN OFFENSE TO DA GODZ. AND TO MA EARS
• Zr'Ahgloth - OK OK IMMA SHOW YOO HOW REEL MUSIC GOES

Zr'Ahgloth grabbed the mic in anger, and rubbed his hands together. As the instrumental played in the background, he began his verse.

• Zr'Ahgloth - YO YO YO... YA MOMS DUM... SHE SUKS ON... MA THUM... AN DEN COME GET SOM... YO WAT DA HELL DIS BEET IS SLOW AS HELL I CANT RAP TA DIS CRAP
• Alt-Brag'klogga - It appears our challenger is forfeitting the match!
• Hagto'Zhl - WAT DA HELL DATS CHEETIN!!!! PLAY PROPA RAP MUSIC RITE NAO!!!!
• Zr'Ahgloth - SCROO DIS. YO CUT DA BEET. IM JUST GONNA BEET YOO UP WIV MA FISTS
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Oh? A fist fight is what you'd prefer? So be it! Cast aside the microphones, and prepare for a duel!
• Alt-Brag'klogga - My lord, is that legal?
• Zr'Ahgloth - I DONT CARE IF ITS LEGAL IM GONNA PUNCH YA IN DA MOUFF

Alt-Brag'klogga turned to the Empress, who nodded.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - I have decreed it so. Let the battle commence!
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - You will very quickly realize your mistake!
• Zr'Ahgloth - YOR LIFE IS A MISTAKE

Zr'Ahgloth yelled and charged at his counterpart with his fist clenched, beginning a flurry of punches at him. Taken completely by surprise, alt-Zr'Ahgloth was knocked back against the wall, but picked himself up. As Zr'Ahgloth charged towards him, he rolled a punch and knocked Zr'Ahgloth up into the air with an uppercut punch. Zr'Ahgloth was barely fazed by this, however, and tackled alt-Zr'Ahgloth to the floor.

• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Your combat skills... most impressive...
• Zr'Ahgloth - IVE KILLED MUCH BIGGA FINGS DAN YOO
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Ah, but there's your mistake. So have I!

Alt-Zr'Ahgloth grabbed Zr'Ahgloth's fist mid-punch, before throwing his own that knocked Zr'Ahgloth up into the air, before standing up and beating his chest. The Loron retaliated by blocking as much he could and then kicking back at his foe whenever he could find an opening. On their podium, the Rogue Loron all cheered for him.

• Fre'kloar - LEFT HOOK RITE HOOK LEFT HOOK
• Hagto'Zhl - COM ON COPYCAT DUMBO KIK HIS ASS. YOR SUPPOSED TA BE MA EQUAL!!!!!

The fight continued this way for quite some time, and one thing became clear: as disciplined as alt-Zr'Ahgloth was, the passion and the fury of Zr'Ahgloth was overwhelming him. For the first time in his life, he felt he had truly met his match.

• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - What... what is this???
• Zr'Ahgloth - DIS IS HAO A TROOO LORON FITES!!!!
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - No! I am a true Loron! You are a mere pretender to my title!

Alt-Zr'Ahgloth retaliated in anger, with Empress Rel'larutina raising her eyebrow. She was not at all used to seeing alt-Zr'Ahgloth act this way. Alt-Zr'Ahgloth was far more used to being cool and collected, keeping his head down even in the worst situations. Zr'Ahgloth was used to precisely the opposite: Zr'Ahgloth used his passion as a weapon against his opponents. If alt-Zr'Ahgloth wished to fight him on these grounds, Zr'Ahgloth would beat him every time.

With another flurry of punches, Zr'Ahgloth overwhelmed his counterpart before grabbing him by the body as he was stunned, spinning him around and then launching him backwards into a powerful suplex which cracked the floor under them. The Rogue Loron all screamed ecstatically, while the Norol crowd gasped in disbelief.

• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - This... this cannot be happening! How can I lose to the likes of you? I defeated Gratz'kaoz, I defeated Emperor Wormulus II, I defeated Master Kroc with my bare hands! How... how are you stronger than they???
• Zr'Ahgloth - BECUZ IM DA BEST. DA BEST LORON EVA!!!! MAYBE I DIDNT KILL DAT MANY PEEPZ AS YOO BUT I GOT DA TROO LORON PASHON IN ME. WHIL YOO IS JUST A STOOPID LAPDOG!!!!
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - ...Hmm. I see it now...

As Zr'Ahgloth leaped in for another punch, he found himself stopped mid-air. Alt-Zr'Ahgloth was no longer interested in fighting fair. He was using his full Chronoscopic powers at his disposal.

• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Perhaps on these terms, my counterpart, you are superior. But nothing in the rules said we need to fight on even terms, did they?
• Zr'Ahgloth - LOSA!!!! CHEETA!!! STOP USIN ESSENCE AND FITE ME PROPA
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - My queen, have I your permission to unleash my full might on this imposter to the name of Zr'Ahgloth?

Empress Rel'larutina simply sat back and pondered for a few moments. In the end, this entire battle was for her entertainment. She took a little bit of sadistic pleasure in seeing her own alt-Zr'Ahgloth be torn down by Zr'Ahgloth, but that would only go so far. Whether it was out of concern for alt-Zr'Ahgloth, or just the joy of seeing her timeline dominate over the others, she slowly raised her hand and gave a thumbs up.

• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Now, perish, pretender!
• Zr'Ahgloth - NOOOOOOOOO!!!
• Hagto'Zhl - DIS IS AN OUTRAGE!!!! IM GOIN IN DERE
• Jol'kiar - NO YA CANT MAN DATS AGENST-
• Hagto'Zhl - DIS WHOL FARCE IS AGENST TRADISHON
• Fre'kloar - HES RITE MAN. SCROO DESE POSAS. GANG UP ON HIM!!!!!!!

All the Rogue Boyz jumped out of the podium, priming their weapons and aiming them at alt-Zr'Ahgloth in rage. Alt-Zr'Ahgloth turned to him, a grin forming on his face, as he raised in the air and pulled huge rocks from the floor, spinning them around and tossing them at the Rogue Loron as well as at Zr'Ahgloth. They attempted dodging or firing back, but alt-Zr'Ahgloth could simply use his Essence to ensure his attacks hit every time, while their attacks were simply deflected back at them.

With a swift motion of his hand, alt-Zr'Ahgoth caused Naktor'zak's tank to flip over and be launched at them, and all the Rogue Boyz found themselves crushed under it.

• Naktor'zak - HAO DA HELL DID I EVEN GET HEER
• Fre'kloar - MAN DIS IS STOOPID. BAK IN MA DAYZ WE JUS SHANKED UNO AND WAS HAPPI BOUT IT
• Jol'kiar - ... man yoo shouldnt speek like dat. looks supa weird
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Your friends attempted to come to your aid, and still, you had no hope of matching me. I suppose I will grant you this opportunity to surrender. Or I can end your life here. Any final words?

Zr'Ahgloth looked up at alt-Zr'Ahgloth, who glared at him. He coughed blood, his entire body aching in pain, barely able to stand. Eventually, he got up to his feet, and sneered back himself.

• Zr'Ahgloth - ...nah mate. da troo loronz NEVA surrenda an im not gonna start now. yoo may hav won by cheetin but yooll neva hav wat makes a loron great. wat makes a loron great is his pashon an his drive ta be da best dere eva was. all yoo care about is STOMPIN DA COMPETISHON. dats NEVA wat bein a loron is about. we dont stomp da competishon ta make dem look bad. we do it ta make US BE DA BEST
• Jol'kiar - did... did zrahgloth akshully jus say somfin wise an loronly
• Hagto'Zhl - DATS MA COPYCAT DUMBO. DONT MESS
• Fre'kloar - gotta hand it to ya mate. yoo wasnt da worst afta all

Alt-Zr'Ahgloth grunted and stepped forward, grabbing Zr'Ahgloth by the throat and lifting him in the air. Zr'Ahgloth was barely able to respond by this point, and was willing to accept his end.

• Brag'klogga - HANG ON A MINUT. DA GODZ WULD NEVA ALLOW DIS!!!!
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Oh?
• Brag'klogga - DIS IS SACRILEJ!!!! HERESI!!!!! AND ALL DA OTHA BAD WORDS YA CAN DESCRIBE IT. UNFINKABLE!!!! ZR'AN AND K'AR WILL JUDGE YOO DEMSELVES!!!!

Brag'klogga, who teleported himself to on top of Naktor'zak's tank, begun screaming maniacally as he waved his staff around, his body engulfed in Dark Chronoscopic energy. The skies slowly turned dark and cloudy, until a pair of massive sillhouettes manifested in them; materializing in full, the Loron Godz Zr'An and K'ar fell into the arena, towering over alt-Zr'Ahgloth and the others, before immediately assuming an arrogant pose each.

• Zr'An - AGEN WE IS SUMMONED IN DA FLESH
• K'ar - TA PROOV OURSELVES DA BEST
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - What the...
• Brag'klogga - YEH I BET YOO WAS FINKIN DEY WAS HOLOGRAMS DA OTHA TIME YEH? WELL DEYZ NOT!!! DEYZ DA REEL GODZ OF DA LORONZ!!!! DA BEST
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - ...Haha. "Godz" of Loronz. Your trickery does not fool me, magician. Perhaps your "godz" can show me their true might!

Zr'An and K'ar each rose their hands, unleashing a monstrous blast of Dark Chronoscopic Energy into the skies, which proceeded to rain down into the arena like meteors; in instants, thousands of spectators were killed instantly.

• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - Impossible...
• Zr'An - FALSE LORON. YOO IS AN OFFENS TO ZR'AN AND K'AR
• K'ar - WE JUDGE YOO UNWORFFY!!!!!!!
• Grak'tona - SAME DIS PROOVS DAT DA GODZ LOV ME

The two Godz then pointed a finger each at alt-Zr'Ahgloth, and a massive blast of Essence was launched at him. The alternate Loron found himself completely overwhelmed; in comparison to these two creatures, who were actual fifth dimensional lifeforms, he was akin to an insect. The Rogue Loron all cheered as alt-Zr'Ahgloth was blown back, barely clinging to life, as the two Godz floated over to him, doing more and more extravagant poses as they did.

• Zr'An - PANSY
• K'ar - PATHETIC
• Alt-Zr'Ahgloth - By the Goddess...
• Zr'An - DERE IS NO GODDESS
• K'ar - DERE IS ONLY ZR'AN AND K'AR, GODZ OF WAR

The two Essentials shifted their attentions to the vessel of Empress Rel'larutina where she was located. They opened their arms in a mocking shrug.

• Zr'An - AND YOO. DA PRETENDA EMPRESS
• K'ar - YOO DONT BELONG IN OUR OONIVERS

The Empress, unlike the horrified crowd of Norol, didn't seem to flinch. She retained her same smug expression, and merely laughed off the two godlike beings in a laughter long enough to mock them, but short enough to show how little respect she had for them, despite them slaying her best warrior.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - Hmm, is that so?
• Zr'An - YOO BEIN HEER IS A MISTAKE. IT SHULD NOT BE SO
• K'ar - YOO IS NOT PART OF OUR LORONZ. AN ERROR. WE WILL FIX DIS OURSELVES IF WE MUST
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Hm. The prophecies said I was the one chosen by Volzara. A goddess who would smite pretenders like you. I suggest you watch your back.
• Zr'An - VOLZARA IS OUR NEIGHBOR
• K'ar - SHES OK

The two Godz continued to pose, though they eventually frowned in annoyance.

• Zr'An - ...WHAI IS SHE NOT DED YET???
• K'ar - WAT IS TAKIN DESE IDIOTS SO LONG???

Alt-Rel'larutina's expression turned from one of smugness to one of an inquiring mind. She looked puzzled at first, and then turned to alt-Brag'klogga, who had returned to her throne room for safety.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - Brag'klogga, have you any idea what they could be referring to?
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Hmm... I think not! Unless...

Alt-Brag'klogga held out his staff and pointed it around the room, shutting his right air to aim, and then squarely firing, to catch Sherita, Yogtam, and Knar'gank, each camouflaged and disguised in the corner of the room, waiting for alt-Rel'larutina to leave her post. He then warped the three of them over to the arena, and threw them to the ground.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - Imposters! Assassins! Infidels who tried to besmirch our Empress!
• Yogtam - Damnit! The Loron's "godz" snitched us!
• Zr'An - IT EINT OUR FAULT
• K'ar - MAYBE YA SHULD HAV HURRIED YA ASSES UP
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Hmm... but perhaps they did not come alone. I rather suspect they had...

Alt-Brag'klogga looked far away from the arena and fired his staff once again. This time, he caugt the prime timeline's Rel'larutina, in her Propa Big Rogue Smasha, aiming a cannon as a sniper rifle for when Empress Rel'larutina left it. He raised her smasha up in the air, crushed it so its weapons and systems failed, then tossed it atop the three other assassins. Knar'gank could at least withstand it, but both Yogtam and Sherita were left paralyzed, their armor just barely keeping them from being entirely crushed.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - So disappointing that my alternate self would cower to such a race as this.
• Rel'larutina - Ugh... Let's not kid ourselves assuming you'd treat me any better.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - The Norol are meant to rule, and yet here you are allowing the Loron to set the agenda. What a pity.
• Zr'An - SILENCE
• K'ar - FOR YOO STILL STAND BEFOR US
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Oh! I almost forgot about you! Silly me. Brag'klogga, I don't suppose you've a remedy for... this situation?
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Your majesty, it is my great pleasure to welcome the true, mighty god of all the Loron, and all of time!
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Hahahahaha! Hahaha...wait. "God"??

Alt-Brag'klogga then summoned several other alt-Loron to his side, each wearing dark purple robes and chanting in a dark tune that not even Zr'Ahgloth or Yogtam, who'd fought many Vyro'Ralza cultists, recognized. They could barely recognize the words spoken, and it was indeed a Vyro'Ralzan language. Zr'An and K'ar, being akin to Vyro'Ralza themselves, however, could understand them well; as they listened to the chant, the two shuddered and stepped back.

The entire ground shook, as time itself appeared to tremble. Before them, much to the dismay of alt-Rel'larutina, Zargoth appeared.

Zargoth towered over Zr'An and K'ar, and even in spite of the typical, emotionless, entirely cold attitude he always took, the entire arena quaked in fear, horrified at what he could do. Zr'Ahgloth and Yogtam were familiar with the feeling: any time powers that any of them would possess would be dwarfed by his. Zargoth could end a life far quicker than anyone could anticipate his move.

• Zr'An - OH NO
• K'ar - NOT HIM
• Zargoth - And who is it who summons me today? And why?

The regular Brag'klogga pointed accusingly at his counterpart.

• Brag'klogga - HIM!!!! NOT ME!!! EET HIM NOT ME IM NOT TASTY
• Alt-Brag'klogga - God of Time Itself, our plan finally comes to fruition!
• Zargoth - ...So you all played your part adequately. Acceptable. Things can now move as expected.
• Zr'Ahgloth - OI I THOUGHT YOO LOSAS WORSHIPPED VOLZARA???? WAT DA HELL IS ZARGOTH DOIN HEER?????
• Alt-Rel'larutina - We...we did...
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Hahahahahahahaha!!! I fed you years of lies and false prophecies to one day reach this very moment! Now, Zargoth, perform the act!
• Zargoth - To arrive at the very timeline who rejected the offer to become Vyro'Ralza is indeed fitting, given the perpetrators hail from the timeline who accepted it.
• Zr'Ahgloth - WAIT WAT????
• Yogtam - Sherita... did you know about this?
• Sherita - I... no...
• Yogtam - Sherita, earlier you told me you wished you'd received the offer and not us! I don't believe you for one second now! Your timeline created the Vyro'Ralza!
• Sherita - Well, what's Volzara ever done for us?! Volzara's... "chosen one" here only brought us pain!
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Hahahahahaha!! She was never Volzara's chosen one! I planted that myth in her head for years so that she would come to believe it! And eventually, so would all of you!
• Zr'Ahgloth - wait a sec. if yoo lot is from da timeline wher we became vyro'ralza... WHAI DIDNT YOO BECOM VYRO'RALZA TOO?
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Oh, we branched off of that timeline. Just a tad.
• Zargoth - Indeed, I've grander plans for it.
• Brag'klogga - BEST GODZ PLS DO SOMFIN
• Zr'An - ...NO'
• K'ar - DIS IS NOT OUR FITE

The fabric of space and time itself appear to shake, as Zr'An and K'ar were smitten before anyone saw so much as a flash of light. Zargoth had, in a split nanosecond, sliced them in half, and returned to the position he was in before. Though they could of course recover in time, for now, they were out of the picture.

• Zargoth - This timeline is where Volzara will come, and she will perish. She will come to aid her children, her true preferred children, that hail from this timeline. And she will do so to save them from me.
• Rel'larutina - Are we seriously going through this whole nonsense because you're having another go at Volzara? Was the Borealis War not enough?
• Zargoth - Not another go. The final one. I will put an end to her, and rule over all of time. Everything will begin and end with me. Only I can do what is just for the timelines. Only I have the objectivity and the foresight.
• Yogtam - She will stop you! Just like she has always done!
• Zargoth - Indeed, this is what I am hoping. Shall we test the theory? If she truly cares about this timeline so much, she won't flinch at all when I do this...

Space and time trembled once more and shook, but nothing appeared to change. Whatever Zargoth had just tried, it didn't work.

• Zargoth - ...Hmm. Still under a spacetime protection. Bothersome. No matter, for I recruited help for this very purpose. If she won't protect you from me, then she will protect you from them...

The skies, already dark, turned a vile shade of violet. Yogtam and Zr'Ahgloth could recognize the black fog which poured from the clouds as dark portals begun appearing, and out of them, hordes of bloodthirsty Corruptus Demons begun pouring into the crowd, slaughtering them by the hundreds.

• Sherita - Who...who are they?
• Yogtam - It's the Corruptus!
• Alt-Rel'larutina - This is all nonsense! All of this is a projection by Brag'klogga who deceived me! I am the destined Empress of All Time! I am to protect the universe from this! These... "demons" will be no different!
• ??? - You are the empress of nothing.

Before Empress Rel'larutina appeared a portal, and a figure stepped out of it. It was a heavily deformed Inalton warrior enveloped by a demonic aura, who glared at her with an air of indifference.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - No... You... Zr'Ahgloth destroyed you once, and he can do so again!
• ??? - Ah, he may have slain your timeline's version of me... But I am not that man. Tell me, by which name did you know me then?
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Genrai Nal... the right-hand man of Falrik Zaarkhun, one of the leaders of the Alliance. Zr'Ahgloth defeated you both...

The Inalton's expression shifted into a small smirk.

• Murangon Nal - Here I am known as Murangon Nal, the Killer. Vanguard of the Nightmare. And now, master of your people.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - No! Zr'Ahgloth, to my aid!

But as she called out to him from a distance, alt-Zr'Ahgloth was still struggling to fight off the Dark Chronoscopic that was consuming him. Zargoth appeared directly over him, and raised him in the air.

• Zargoth - Now, rise, Antagonar.

Alt-Zr'Ahgloth found himself consumed further in Dark Chronoscopic energy, as his body warped and began to change shape. In time, alt-Zr'Ahgloth did indeed change into the Antagonar figure that Yogtam and Zr'Ahgloth recognized well. As alt-Zr'Ahgloth's cries of pain turned into a laughter, the Antagonar who replaced him bowed at his feet, while Murangon Nal, picking up alt-Rel'larutina, teleported himself close to the two.

• Antagonar - The final piece of the puzzle to complete me! I suppose I am to lead the charge against this timeline, no?
• Zargoth - Not now. The Corruptus shall do this. They have a role to play next. Murangon Nal is in charge of the new army of Loron'Kikra.
• Zr'Ahgloth - excuse me WAT DA HELL DID YA SAY?????

Murangon Nal opened his arms, and from the demonic portals, swarms of Shu'olerthae begun pouring out. He then let out a single, powerful command.

• Murangon Nal - Feed!

And the Shu'olerthae begun possessing the bodies of any and all survivors still in the arena. Empress Rel'larutina witnessed as those possessed were gruesomely mutated into hulking, zombie-like abominations.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - My children... What have you done to my children?!
• Murangon Nal - Your children now serve That Which Devours as instruments of war.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - They were more than mere instruments of war!
• Murangon Nal - Were they now? All they did under your command was kill and slay whomever opposed you. They have the same role now, they merely serve a different master.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - ...They did more than kill. They built! Built statues in my honor...
• Zargoth - Statues that will now be taken down, one-by-one.
• Murangon Nal - So ends the time of Empress Rel'larutina. But the Corruptus never ends.

As Murangon Nal aimed his blade at alt-Rel'larutina, a blast from elsewhere fired at the floating arena. An enormous railgun shell had been fired through the arena; it was now cut in two. Alt-Rel'larutina leaped over to the side with Zr'Ahgloth and the others, but was knocked from her feet and fell back into the rubble of Naktor'zak's tank, holding her underneath the cannon.

• Zargoth - You should escape at once. Spread the Corruptus over the Ottzello Sector. And when you run out of space, over the Borealis Galaxy. And when the Borealis Galaxy falls...
• Murangon Nal - The rest of this Gigaquadrant will follow.
• Zargoth - I leave this universe to you, and to That Which Devours.

Zargoth was gone in a flash of light, while Murangon Nal created a portal to leave while his demons continued to slaughter and possess the populace. Though he was no longer present, the space around them still shook, but it was now from the crumbling arena. A golden shuttle appeared on the other side, as an elderly Heeyorian called out to them.

• ??? - Get in!
• Yogtam - Who... ugh, doesn't matter. Come on, everyone!

Yogtam tried to lift himself from the rubble of the Smasha, but found no success. Luckily, Zr'Ahgloth, who had barely any energy left, was able to lift it enough for them to escape from underneath it, as the three assassins and the prime Rel'larutina escaped.

• Zr'Ahgloth - GO MAN GO AN SURVIV
• Yogtam - You're coming with us too!
• Zr'Ahgloth - DERES STILL ROGUE BOYZ TRAPPED. ILL CATCH UP WIV YA
• Yogtam - Urgh... Fine. Be careful, the place is still crawling with demons!

As they hurried towards the ship, Zr'Ahgloth turned to Naktor'zak's tank and lifted it too, allowing the Leedas to flee in a hurry. When each of them had run out and escaped with their lives, he himself ran with them, but then turned back as he heard a Norol scream. To his dismay, alt-Rel'larutina was still caught under the cannon.

Zr'Ahgloth rushed back and lifted the cannon, then picked her up.

• Zr'Ahgloth - CAN YOO WALK???
• Alt-Rel'larutina - ...No...I can barely feel my legs...

Zr'Ahgloth sighed and carried her, but was swarmed by Corruptus demons that held him to the ground.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - You'll never make it!

Zr'Ahgloth gasped for air and shut his eyes briefly. No one who observed knew exactly what was flashing before his eyes as he made his final move and his final decision: he tossed alt-Rel'larutina over to the shuttle, as the Corruptus consumed him and tore him apart.

Zr'Ahgloth was no more.

Yogtam, watching it all unfold, had his eyes widened in horror while the Leedas of the Rogue Loron all gasped in disbelief.

• Yogtam - No... Zr'Ahgloth...
• Fre'kloar - DATS NOT FAIR. NOT FAIR!!!!!
• Hagto'Zhl - WAT DA HELL MAN HE WAS SUPPOSED TA BE MA RIVAL. IM DA ONLY ONE ALLOWED TA KILL HIM
• Jol'kiar - HE WENT OUT BEIN... BRAVE. HE SAVED OTHAS LIVES. I MEEN I CANT SAY IT WAS ALL DAT LORONLY... BUT IT WAS... HEROIC?? AN I RESPEKT DAT
• Grak'tona - DATS SO WEIRD. WHAI DO I FEEL BAD FER HIM? ISNT WE SUPPOSED TA HATE DAT GEEZA?
• Rel'larutina - ...I... I'll go inform the others. We just lost a hero.
• Fre'kloar - NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chapter 3

The Course

A couple months after Volzara's last meeting with him, Zargoth was extremely excited to meet Volzara again. He'd been thinking and dreaming of this day for over a month, because he knew what he wanted to say. And he knew he had to say it before he ran out of time again.

Perhaps it said a lot that he was thinking about her more than he was thinking about the tragedy that had struck the Taldar Empire a few days ago. A dormant volcano, believed heavily by scientists to possess no threat, erupted and killed hundreds of thousands of people in a nearby city, completely out of the blue. This had shocked the Taldar who'd had no possible way of knowing how a mountain could so rapidly flip to being an active volcano without the slightest warning.

When Volzara arrived at the balcony outside Zargoth's palace, he ran towards her and greeted her with a hug. She responded in kind, but didn't seem quite as happy to see him, even though he'd brought flowers. She seemed solemn.

• Zargoth - Volzy! Oh man, it's been so long!
• Volzara - Hey. Good to see you, and whatnot.

Zargoth's smile turned a little dour, as he looked concerned for her.

• Zargoth - You alright?
• Volzara - Yeah. I'm fine. Nothing's up with me, it's just... the volcano incident kept me up at night again.
• Zargoth - Ah. I hear you. It's really tragic that so many people lost their lives like that. Out of nowhere...
• Volzara - Yeah.
• Zargoth - And that none of the scientists can figure out what the hell caused our understanding of volcanoes to be so wrong...
• Volzara - Well... that's what's kept me up at night. I think I do.
• Zargoth - Oh, not the millions of deaths reported? Always focusing on your science and not on people. Guess you've gotta keep your reputation as the cold, heartless one somehow, huh?

Volzara looked at him sharply, unamused. She was used to his sense of humor by now, and had grown to like it, but was not in the mood. Zargoth looked down in shame.

• Zargoth - Sorry. Bad timing.
• Volzara - It's okay. Mind if I explain?
• Zargoth - Sure. Take a seat. Need anything?

Volzara walked from the balcony into Zargoth's apartment in the palace building. The vast room was larger than most Taldar houses were, which were already impressive in their size. Volzara sat by one of the many couches in front of a fireplace as Zargoth prepared her a pizza that he'd cooked himself, along with a drink. She smiled softly as he brought them both to her.

• Volzara - Your cooking's gotten better. No burns this time!
• Zargoth - Heh. Glad you approve. So, this science...

Volzara took a sip, and nodded. Zargoth always loved hearing her explain things, but tried to contain his excitement.

• Volzara - So, remember when I told you about how fifth dimensional coordinates work?
• Zargoth - Yeah... Every piece of matter has a beginning and end, kind of thing.
• Volzara - Right. You can trace back a beginning and end to everyone, everything, along a fifth spatial coordinate. That is... everything that's supposed to be there.
• Zargoth - You're saying the active volcano's not?
• Volzara - It's not necessarily the volcano that caused what I'm describing, but... Okay, so my team have been investigating the science around time anomalies.

Zargoth looked a little puzzled. He stopped eating for a minute, curious by what she meant.

• Zargoth - Time anomalies?
• Volzara - If you can track every piece of matter along a path, along an infinite possibility of paths, you'll find a beginning and end point. A "time anomaly" is when there is no beginning or endpoint. A time anomaly just... shows up. It's not supposed to be there.
• Zargoth - But that doesn't make any sense.
• Volzara - Exactly. If, along a timeline, an object just appears—like, say, an active volcano replacing a dormant one—what caused it? Or, who caused it?
• Zargoth - What do you think?
• Volzara - Well, I think that it's a possible side effect of same-timeline time travel. As in, if you travel back along the fifth dimension to a point in history in the same timeline, and change time. Before, when you traveled through time and simply altered events to create a new, branching timeline, it didn't matter what happened to the time you came from because that hasn't been affected. But if you rewrite history in such a way, you're forcing everything along that timeline—that path along a set fifth dimensional coordinate—to adjust and rewrite itself...
• Zargoth - ...And that can lead to anomalies because it can't always do that perfectly.

Zargoth sighed as he understood what this meant. For his father to achieve his dream of changing time the proper, changing the course of events for a timeline, that would risk far more anomalies, far more accidents, and far more deaths.

• Zargoth - Are you writing a research paper on this?
• Volzara - I'm hoping to, possibly after the one I'm writing. The one about fifth dimensional beings.
• Zargoth - Yeah?
• Volzara - Oh, you know, just trying to imagine what it would be like for a being to exist in the fifth dimension. What would it be like to exist on a plane of reality where you can watch over time itself?
• Zargoth - Well... It'd be pretty terrifying... And if I could do that, I'd probably want to change things. Like, I'd want to prevent certain tragedies, to prevent despots and dictators, to keep people alive. You know?
• Volzara - Now you're sounding like your father.

Zargoth opened his mouth to speak, and then paused. He considered his next words carefully.

• Zargoth - Look, I know this concept of time travel in this way is scary. It could lead to dangerous things. It could lead to the rise of horrific people. But in the right hands... it could do great good.
• Volzara - Like what?
• Zargoth - Like suppose if we could go back in time and prevent the volcano erupting, somehow. Yeah, I know it may have been caused by an anomaly, but we can stop that, right?
• Volzara - Sure, and create more in the process?
• Zargoth - Then we stop those too. We don't stop until we ensure our people live well and just. Until we achieve a true utopia.
• Volzara - And what if someone doesn't agree with your vision of utopia?
• Zargoth - I can't believe you'd suggest that we have a tool to save millions of lives and we should deliberately ignore it!

Volzara sighed. She knew Zargoth's heart was in the right place; she'd never met a more selfless person, with so much heart, in her life. But his head was in the wrong place. He just didn't see the big picture.

• Zargoth - I guess we won't see eye-to-eye on this, huh?
• Volzara - Probably not. I wish I could just sabotage all the damn research I did on the fifth dimension, on same-timeline time travel, but...
• Zargoth - How about this? When I'm emperor, I'll outlaw time travel for public use! I'll only allow me to use time travel. And I'll have people around to keep me honest and keep me from abusing it. You trust me, right?
• Volzara - Well, I'll be honest... You're the most virtuous person I know. You're always kind, respectful, thoughtful. There's no one better suited to the responsibility than you.
• Zargoth - Thank you.
• Volzara - Yet I still don't trust you. I don't trust anyone with this. No matter how righteous they are.
• Zargoth - Come on. I'm sorry, I can't turn my back on lives I can save like that. I just... I know what the risks are, and I know how dangerous this can be... But I won't rest until our people are safe. But it's okay, because it won't just be me.

Zargoth got out from his seat, and Volzara looked a little puzzled. She waited there, as she saw him rummaging through his things, making a mess as he did so, and sometimes even talking aloud. He then rushed back and stood in front of her seat, before bowing to one knee and holding out a ring.

• Zargoth - I want you to have this.
• Volzara - What...?
• Zargoth - Volzy, you're the most amazing person I've ever, ever known. You're beautiful, you're smart, you're kind, you're talented, you're... you're just truly remarkable. Moreso than anyone I've encountered.
• Volzara - Zargoth, I...
• Zargoth - So I'm asking you to be my queen. I'm asking, humbly, for you to accept this wedding stone and make our engagement official. I want you in my life, Volzara. I want you by my side as emperor, and I never want to lose you for anything! I love you. I love everything about you. Everything you are, everything you represent. You're everything I need in my life! So, I implore you. Please consider my offer.

Volzara was speechless. On the one hand, she was flattered. And, perhaps given how much Zargoth had flirted with her, she should've seen it coming. She also knew Zargoth's heart: this was a very genuine offer. He genuinely wanted her by his side when he made such decisions over space and time, with the gift of time travel.

And that was one of the reasons she just simply could not accept it. She could not see herself making decisions over the lives of so many people. Such a thing was unconscionable to her.

Yet, she couldn't bring herself to break his heart. Deep down, she had feelings for him too. She admired him, his compassion, his virtue, and yet his respect for others to make their own choices. She found him truly inspiring. But now, her only choice was in how to possibly minimize the harm her words could cause.

• Volzara - Zargoth, I... I'm sorry. I've got to finish my research paper, and I don't have time to be a queen.
• Zargoth - I'll give you time! All the time and space you need! I just want you by my side. Please.
• Volzara - I'm sorry. I can't do it. I...
• Zargoth - Please.

Volzara paused awkwardly, before simply walking quickly out onto the balcony and to her ship. She had no clue what to say next. And Zargoth couldn't see it, but as she left, tears formed in her eyes. When she returned home that night, she cried.

Zargoth, on the other hand, simply looked out onto the balcony, and he, himself, couldn't fight the tears that formed. Because at this point, he didn't want to be emperor. He didn't want the power that came with it at all. The only thing he wanted was her.

And the two would never have the chance.

---

The next morning, Zargoth was awoken early by a drone that buzzed his room. He woke up, curious, and looked at the drone in front of his bed with confusion.

• Drone - The Emperor would like to speak to you, Prince Zargoth.
• Zargoth - My dad? Why?
• Drone - The matter is urgent.

Zargoth hurried through the enormous palace to the chamber of his father, Emperor Zogrith. Zogrith appeared as a boastful, proud Taldar, who barely looked a few years older than Zargoth; it was why he'd been so surprised to hear Zogrith had actually been far older, existing across thousands of timelines to get to the "right" one. He appeared sat on his throne room.

Zargoth had never much liked the throne room. Composed of golden, ornate architecture even more impressive than that seen in the Golden City, the pristine-looking throne room, far larger than any other room in the already oversized palace, was seemingly just used as a way to flaunt his wealth. Though thousands of weapons and drones were located in the room should there be a challenger—Zogrith was nothing if not paranoid—they were all hidden.

• Zogrith - Son. I apologize for waking you so early.
• Zargoth - Dad! ...What's up? What happened?
• Zogrith - Right now? Nothing. But, something's about to happen. And I need you as a witness. I gather your lady-friend as told you much about me, yes?

Zargoth looked to his feet in embarassment, about to repeat Volzara's accusations against him. His father rarely showed anger, but he'd still grown to dislike when his father made fun of him through mocking laughter.

• Zargoth - ...She told me that you're actually much older, like, by thousands of years. She said you came from a distant timeline in which you'd lost a civil war and your wife died, so you traveled through time to change it. And that you were dismayed to learn you hadn't actually changed time to bring her back, so you looked for a way to alter time but do so while changing the same timeline. That the reason her team is funded is because you're trying to find a way to bring your first wife back.

Zogrith paused a little, before letting out a slight chuckle. He seemed delighted to hear Zargoth's words.

• Zogrith - Oh, so she's much closer to the truth than the others!
• Zargoth - Right... She said the others thought you were just looking for revenge. Revenge against those who kept plotting against you. That you were driven by hatred of those who wronged you.
• Zogrith - Yes, yes. Compelling arguments to the unwise. Let me tell you the truth.

Zargoth was stunned to see his father in front of him disappear. As a hologram faded around what he thought was his father, a robot Taldar took his place. Zargoth maintained his baffled look as the throne in front of him rose, revealing a shocking sight: his real father. An elderly, barely-living Taldar kept in a statis on a chair, barely kept alive by machines. This was the real Emperor Zogrith. Appearing before others in hologram form, while Zogrith kept himself alive.

As Zargoth heard more words from Zogrith, they did not come from the body in a stasis in front of him. It was the same voice he was used to hearing, though now, it was clear it was all computerized, projected from a speaker that read from Zogrith's brain. Zargoth took some time to adjust himself to the sight.

• Zogrith - It is true that I overzealously jumped back and forth between timelines, leaving havoc each time. It's hard to know how many are dead because of me. But... hatred is not something that drives one to hop through countless timelines and keep oneself alive for over 50,000 years. Strong as the emotion is, it is not strong enough.
• Zargoth - Then what is?
• Zogrith - Love. No emotion evokes such passion, and yet is so hard to adequately describe, than love.

Zogrith let out a slight chuckle, as Zargoth still looked bewildered.

• Zargoth - Wait, but that means Volzara was right?
• Zogrith - It wasn't love for my wife at the time. I had her back simply by going back in time the first time. Creating a new timeline in which I could have her was easy. And as much as I do love her, love for one's partner is not powerful enough either.
• Zargoth - Then what is?
• Zogrith - Love for my people, Zargoth. Love for the Taldar and all we've accomplished. The first race to discover time travel! And now, the first to discover true time travel! The first to unlock the fifth dimension! And so many other things we've accomplished.
• Zargoth - If that's so... Why didn't you trust them to make their own decisions? Why did you keep altering time, killing thousands of potential dissidents, making yourself a tyrannical despot in so many timelines, never relinquishing your own power? Sounds like you didn't love them, you loved when you were ruling them...

As passionate as Zargoth was, he could almost never bring himself to get angry. Any feeling of anger he felt to someone else was immediately matched by a sense of empathy and concern for him. So he couldn't bring himself to shout at his barely living father, no matter how much his father's actions were incomprehensible and evil to him.

Though Zogrith was effectively a vegetable, and had no visible reaction in his face, the tone of voice which could be heard through his words indicated that he was not at all proud of his past.

• Zogrith - You're right in everything you say about me. I was wrong. And it took me 40,000 years to see how wrong I was. I thought having a more iron grip on power would mean I could save more lives, do the right thing... that only I knew what was best for them. I'd somehow convinced myself that playing god in the way that I did was not a breach of their ability and right to make decisions for themselves.
• Zargoth - So what changed? You went from being a tyrant to a benevolent ruler?
• Zogrith - Out of stubbornness, I sought to see if it were possible to make a Taldar Empire where its people truly are happy. Where its people lived in a utopia, so to speak. And I think you'll find I did, no?
• Zargoth - Sure, but... How many people did you have to kill to get here?
• Zogrith - None in this timeline. But in many others...

Zogrith stopped what he was saying, realizing he was getting sidetracked.

• Zogrith - I brought you here to tell you that the team of scientists have learned how to change time in the same timeline. That the technology exists. And that, having used it... I no longer trust myself with it.
• Zargoth - ...What?
• Zogrith - I've seen what happens when I am left in charge of making decisions. Why, leaving one the power to decide how events play out is perhaps too much power for anyone to have! So that's why I'm henceforth leaving it to you.
• Zargoth - To me?
• Zogrith - I've spent my life teaching you, instilling values in you to make you a far better man than I ever was. To make you a ruler of your people that would far exceed me.
• Zargoth - Yeah... You succeeded. You led by example. You taught me the values of compassion, forgiveness, selflessness, care. To be a great leader isn't about military might or power, it's how one treats its citizens. It's not about how many enemies you vanquished; it's about how well you're keeping your people fed.
• Zogrith - And your understanding of the importance of these things is why you alone are fit to wield this power.

Zargoth heard a hissing sound as a few of the tubes attached to Zogrith seemed to disconnect. His body, in a vegetable state, began to shake a little bit. Zargoth was horrified to see that his father was dying.

• Zogrith - I trust your judgment and your judgment alone, Zargoth. You will know what to do with the power of space and time. To use it... or not to use it!
• Zargoth - But how will I know what choice is right?! How will I know how to be emperor and rule over the universe?! Father... I can't do this!
• Zogrith - You can. You alone can. I've seen the man you've become, and how worthy you are. You alone decide the fate of our people now. Thank you, my son...

As Zogrith fell lifeless, a drone then burned his body to ash.

• Drone - Emperor Zargoth, I am at your eternal service.

Zargoth looked towards the vacant throne in shock, still in utter disbelief. It had been so much to take in over such a short time, and there were so many decisions he was yet to make. What if Volzara was right and the power to alter space and time truly was too much for anyone to handle? And if doing so would lead to too many time anomalies?

But to relinquish this ability entirely would mean turning his back on his people. It would mean, potentially, allowing thousands of children to go hungry, knowing he could alter time to prevent that, and actively choosing not to. Any tragedy that befell the Taldar Empire, he alone could resolve it, but would have to choose not to based on a theory. And that was not something he was prepared to do.

• Zargoth - ...We will limit the use of same-timeline time travel. Not to make me stronger. Not to make me a god. But to save lives. I want you to bring in the brightest minds, from chronologists studying the fifth dimension to philosophers studying the ethics, and determine my best course of action. And in time, I will make a decision.
• Drone - At once, my emperor.

Fallen Legend

Only a day following the death of Zr'Ahgloth, the entire Ottzello Sector, and indeed much of the Gigaquadrant, had been in shock. Even among the Rogue Boyz, whose very identity had been in opposition to Zr'Ahgloth, the news of his heroic final moments had hit them in a way that truly surprised and in many cases even saddened them. Zr'Ahgloth was an extremely divisive figure, but billions of people acknowledged his later heroic days as a leader of the Unified Nation, and later as an important figure in the Union Republic, who was on the front lines to defend the universe during the Second War of Black Fog, the Second Borealis War, and now... whatever this war would be dubbed as.

So when Zr'Ahgloth's funeral was held a few days later, billions of aliens across the Gigaquadrant either tuned in or in some cases attended in person. Because Grenzaar had been deemed unsafe following the assassination of newly elected Fullix Halcrum, the Polar Crystal Alliance agreed with the Union Republic of Ottzello to hold his funeral in Hyperborea, above the tower for the Polar Crystal Alliance Council. This place was where the most decorated warriors of the Alliance - such as deceased members of the Penumbra Unit - were given their final rest, and was generally considered off-limits to the public, though thanks to Councillor Valzaria's personal interference, this occasion was allowed to take place as it did.

Several speakers took the stage to share a few words in front of a large mural in honor of Zr'Ahgloth. First, Ramanei Joy Feather, Empress of the Sacratus stepped forward, clad in her regal outfit and crowned helmet. For Ramanei, it was her one of her first intergalactic duties she attended, and the first in 2826. Her words were kind and gentle for the hero she never met in person.

• Ramanei - Zr'Ahgloth was an individual of remarkable and much debated status. His actions and deeds well chronicled and a staunch defender of his own believes. His passing marks a dark day, as his deeds not only protected Ottzello but many other regions of the Gigaquadrant as well. For this, he has the grattitude and respect of the Ramboidae Realms. Our blessings are upon him.

From Cyrannus, Senator Roth Caesenn rose, representing the New Republic. The smoke from the Great Battle of Orbispira still rose from the Cyrannian capital, and yet so too did the proud flag of the Republic. With a holoprojector in hand, Senator Caesenn smoke.

• Caesenn - It is my great honor to represent the Republic of Cyrannus at this gathering, on behalf of President Apollo.

Activating the holoprojector, an image of Apollo appeared.

• Apollo - Good afternoon. I apologize for being unable to attend this service in person, as despite our victory at Orbispira, the Empire's grip on many regions of my home galaxy remains very strong indeed. Nevertheless, it is an honour to speak here today, to help celebrate the life of Zr'Ahgloth. It's been many years since I last encountered Zr'Ahgloth, and to say that he left an impression would be an understatement. Indeed, though he lived and fought so far from our celestial borders in Cyrannus, the deeds and actions of Zr'Ahgloth echo through the stars, and even here, a Gigaquadrant away, tales are told of his valor, and will be, for centuries to come. Thank you.

With that, Apollo's hologram disappeared, and Caesenn returned to his fellow delegates.

The last to step forth was the tall, harsh-featured Radeon wearing the white-gold dress uniform of the Andromedan Navy, who had so far been standing at attention slightly behind the rest of the procession. There was a slight look of disgust on her face as she looked at the Loron warlord's likeness on the mural - even though it remained largely concealed under her usual mask of stern emotionlessness.

Having realized it was her time to speak, the officer impulsively fidgeted with her gorget to fix it and then moved forward with the stiff, upright walk of a soldier on parade - certainly befitting both the solemnity of the event and the cold character of the officer herself. Finally, as she came before the mural, the representative of the Pan-Andromedan Commonwealth, the Andromedan hero of the Borealis Wars, Generalissimo Mieo Venoriel, spoke.

• Venoriel - On behalf of Andromeda and the Holy Empire, I am obligated to pay respects.

Having spoken, Venoriel quickly disappeared back into the crowd, and as she did, another figure who had been quietly witnessing the whole event stood up, sensing it was a good moment to finally speak.

The hulking reptilian, shrouded by his iconic mask and clad in Civatron armor took a moment to observe the mural, then he let out a long visible breath from his mask's vents that carried small, glowing psionic particles out into the wall and into the imagery depicting Zr'Ahgloth. The motes touched the wall and momentarily created neon linings around the carved monument. For a fleeting moment, everybody seemed to hear a soothing song, a Civatron oral tradition chanted to those fallen in battle—lyrics that embezzled the dead and accepted them as true warriors, kin to the mighty Krassio.

The crowd awaited his speech, yet the leader of the Krassio did not address them.

Instead, he seemed to talk to the mural, as if it were personified by Zr'Ahgloth himself. As he did so, he removed part of his chestplate to reveal a glowing wound that did not fester but somehow refused to heal.

• Kroc - I do not remember our first meeting as fondly as the time you did this to me. A time when I dared question your ability in combat, the hour when we traded blows, clashed our swords, and you managed to break my defense and wound me. My body sought to heal the wound numerous times before, but it somehow regressed and stayed there, as if your stubbornness had been inflicted upon me for eternity. Somehow it did. Now, as I stand before a commemoration of you, I realize no monument will ever do you justice. My deepest regret is to have not been there at your last moments. You knew I would have come and stood by your side once again, but I also understand your mind, as you very much comprehended my battle spirit. You will always be remembered among us as kin, not just and ally or friend. On behalf of the entirety of my people, I salute you, Zr'Ahgloth.

Master Kroc then stepped out, and the lights he had manifested upon the mural dimmed out, following him back to his seat.

When the words from others across the universe had been shared, three speakers who had a lot to say took center stage to give longer speeches: Yogtam of the Union Republic, Hagto'Zhl of the Rogue Boyz, and Titanozor of the Delpha Coalition of Planets, once Zr'Ahgloth's first ever rival outside the Ottzello Galaxy.

• Titanozor - I first knew Zr'Ahgloth as a sworn enemy. A barbaric, arrogant creature who had wreaked havoc on an otherwise peaceful and cooperative galaxy, but had been unbeaten until I faced him on the battlefield. But it was when I fought alongside him against the Corruptus during the Black Fog War that I developed a level of respect and saw the characteristics Zr'Ahgloth held deep down: Passion, a love for his people, and a thrill of triumph over his foes born from that same love. Even before then, though his "Propa Big Loron Empire" was insignificant to the might of the Delpha Coalition, the fight he put up against his was admirable. Zr'Ahgloth became one of the universe' biggest nuisances to one of its most valued protectors, with warrior traits that even many Grimbolsaurians can find inspiring. For this, he will always have my respect.
• Hagto'Zhl - OK LISSEN HEER AND LISSEN WELL. ZRAHGLOTH WAS MA ARCH NEMESIS AND DA BIGGEST FOE OF OUR PEEPZ OF DA ROGUE BOYZ. HE WAS A COPYCAT DUMBO WHO KEPT PRETENDIN HE WAS ME. HEKK WE EVEN KILLED HIM A FEW TIMES OURSELVES. BUT ALL DESE YEERS, I ADMIT WE KINDA GREW A CONNECSHON. HE WAS OUR ENEMY BUT I CANT REELY SAY WE REELY HATED HIM. WE TOTALLY DID AT FIRST BUT DEN IT KINDA TURNED INTO DIS SORT OF... RESPEKT. HE WAS DAT ONE HOMIE YOO HAV ON YOR GANG WHOS KIND OF A PRIK BUT YOO KEEP HIM AROUND CUS IT WOULDNT BE DA SAME WITHOUT HIM. WE KILLED LOSAS, DEEMUNS, AND ALL OTHA SUCH NONSENSE TOGETHA, AND LORONZ KNO A GUD FIGHTA WHEN YA FIGHT SIDE BY SIDE. AS MUCH OF A LOSA HE WAS, HE WAS STILL ONE OF DA TUFFEST LORON EVA, AND I FINK EVEN DA ROGUE BOYZ CAN UNDASTAND DAT. HE WAS MY RIVAL, ONLY I WAS ALLOWED TA KILL HIM, AND I DIDNT FEEL LIKE DOIN IT NAO! AND HE DIDNT DESERVE TA DAI LIKE DAT! ITS NOT FAIR TO ALL HE DID!!! NOT FAIR!!!!!
• Yogtam - Zr'Ahgloth was a... complicated figure, to say the least. We first knew him as the gravest threat to Ottzello peace and security that we had ever faced as a people. We knew him as a bringer of death and chaos. But the Zr'Ahgloth I came to knew, and that most Ottzelloans recognized, was one who, beneath his... hypocrisy, his savagery, and... let's just say, a lot of his flaws... was someone who had a truly unmatched passion.

Yogtam choked a little, as he continued his speech. With Tuolog gone, Zr'Ahgloth was perhaps closer to him than any other non-Loron.

• Yogtam - Tuolog was right to never give up on Zr'Ahgloth. Because that passion, that raw energy, and that drive, it was something that, once channelled correctly, became truly great. Zr'Ahgloth stood up to Kolossus, to Falrik Zaarkhun, to Regnatus, to demons, and now to these alternate timeline beasts, in a way that was fearless and brave, and that none of us ever predicted. Some may think it was Kralgon nanomachines that changed him, but no. Zr'Ahgloth grew into heroism in a way that was remarkable and inspiring, a way I have never seen before. And it is only fitting he went out saving my life, and the lives of those who were once his enemies. My admiration for Zr'Ahgloth is unmatched. And we owe it to ourselves to honor his legacy.

As Yogtam stepped away from the microphone, the audience clapped, as a large hologram of Zr'Ahgloth appeared in the background in rememberence of him. Using Ottzello nanotechnology, a statue would be created in this exact image. Councillor Valzaria then took the stage to close out the ceremony.

• Valzaria - We thank you all for your gifts and kind words in this time. It will be quite turbulent for our people, especially considering Da Gangsta Party will actually need to nominate someone else for president every election. Anyhow... I share much of the sentiment that Yogtam shared. As we leave here tonight, know that Zr'Ahgloth is still with us in our hearts, and we will fight as bravely and valiantly as we once did.

The crowd then dispersed, with the public returning to their lives. For Yogtam, Titanozor, and Hagto'Zhl, however, their next destination was the Council chamber.

---

The Polar Crystal Alliance Council didn't have too many fans of Zr'Ahgloth amongst its members, but they each recognized how much of a shock this was to the Union Republic, and at least recognized that they'd lost a very powerful ally against this new alt-Loron'Kikra threat. But so as not to stoke any tensions, they decided to avoid the subject of Zr'Ahgloth's untimely passing altogether, and focus on the business at hand: stopping Murangon Nal and his Loron'Kikra army.

Before that, though, there was the matter of two guests in the chamber who many of the Council felt were unwelcome there. Arkarixus paced around the chamber with a hand to his head as his body was enveloped in psychic energy; he was very clearly angered by the news from Groodrub, and his growls shook the very foundations of the chamber.

• Kralgon Emperor - Before we get to the matter at hand... Empress alt-Rel'larutina is still breathing.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - I am right now under custody, yes. But I can offer you assistance in taking out the alt-Loron'Kikra. I may not know their Kikra variants as well, but I at least know the alt-Loron better than anyone in this room.
• Sherita - Sure, considering they used to lick your boots everyday.
• Arkarixus - Demon vermin. How many times must we slaughter them before they understand they cannot prevail here?
• Brag'klogga - DA HOLY BOOKS SAY DAT DA DEEMUNZ WILL ARRIV EVRY 13 YEERS UNLESS YA PAY HOMAGE TO DA GODZ WIV A NICE PIZZA PARTY IN DEIR HONOR ON EVRY SATURDAY AT 12:30 AFTA NOON. I GUESS YOO HERETIKZ HAVENT BEEN DOIN DAT
• Arkarixus - Do not speak unless spoken to, Loron. Your voice does nothing but drain my mood further.
• Brag'klogga - ...ya didnt hav ta yell... why did ya hav ta yell???
• Semirian - We cannot simply treat this as a common invasion any longer. We have a new demonic infestation...
• Xeron - It is time to call the aid of the Kormacvar Legacy! It's their job to handle this kind of problem!
• ??? - Calling the aid of the Kormacvar Legacy was indeed a step that we should take next. But this will be a little more complicated than we've dealt with in the past.

The room looked to another unwelcome guest: the elderly Heeyorian who had pulled the Rogue Boyz and the Union Republic away from certain death at Groodrub. No one knew his name or had seen him at all before, but his voice and tone were familiar, in a way that none of them liked. The veterans from the Borealis War, in particular, had bad vibes about him.

• Nayanur - And you are...? I assume one of Sherita's associates.
• ??? - Ah, in the timeline I hail from, I was known as Fullix Halcrum. You've met a younger version of me, I assume, who was assassinated before becoming inaugurated as president here. But, from what I gather, in this timeline I was known as something very different. I went by the name...
• Yogtam - ...Falrik Zaarkhun.
• Hagto'Zhl - uhhh i dont get it. yoo is boff zaarkhun and da ded uro president?
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - That is indeed the case.
• Xeron - Hah. That is rich. As if we didn't have enough problems, now we have another Zaarkhun.
• Sherita - Wait! Let's hear him out. In my time, Falrik Zaarkhun wasn't the criminal mastermind you all knew him as. He was a resistance fighter who stood up to the Empress.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Yes, and was cut down in my prime fairly early on. There are millions of timelines out there, and an infinite number of versions of me. I'm familiar with almost all of them. In every single one of them, I held the same core values: freedom, liberty, and the fall of the godraces that threaten these things. Me, I'm no different. But the paths I have taken to get there have not always been good...
• Kralgon Emperor - Understatement of the century.
• Xeron - "Not always been good"? Your version for us was a pain in the backside. Urgh, it almost makes me sick to even think about it.
• Yogtam - Because of you, millions are dead, and billions more live in poverty. Or worse, under forms of corporate fascism from worlds that fell to your "freedom" and "war economy" lie!
• Rylarien - Now, now. Remember this individual is not the Falrik Zaarkhun who once ruled the Wranploer Legion. This is a separate individual, with a separate history, who has nothing to do with us.
• Yogtam - Is he? Zaarkhun was history's biggest liar. He was known for being a master of deceipt! How do we know this isn't another con of his?
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - It's true that deception is a skill I've held in every version of me. But every version of me ran into the exact same problem in his final few days. When you live your whole life as a liar, under the belief that you can trust no one but yourself... you can only fool people for so long. You run out of people who will fall for your tricks. And as such, you run out of friends you can rely on. In my timeline, it is when I realized this that I changed course.

The alternate Falrik Zaarkhun displayed a holographic image of his own timeline, as he recounted the story of how he got there.

• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - My timeline diverges from yours after an important Branching Event: in this case, within the Second Borealis Galactic War. What happened was that I saw the arrival of Apalos before it took place. In your timeline, Apalos was able to get the Ottzelloans out of their spacetime quarantine and bring down my whole charade early when the rest of the Borealis community realized the Ottzelloans were not their enemy. Well, in my own timeline I was able to keep them fooled.

The images that followed disgusted the Council members. They saw their homeworlds fall one-by-one to the Borealis Consortium Network.

• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - And as such, more and more people began to believe in my vision of "utopia": the idea that without government, they would lead better lives. Of course, at the time, even I believed my own lies. Even I had still come to believe that what I was doing was truly helping peoples' lives, but... anyway. After that, my only obstacle was General Volim Thrava himself. A man, I might add, you should not underestimate. But with my hatred of the forces of order in Borealis subsided, it was replaced with a hatred and resentment towards everything Volim represented. A rich man, born in privilege, who felt he was entitled to a whole galaxy himself. It took quite a bit to bring him down, but my own timeline's Genrai Nal eventually presided over his severed head.

The next images on the hologram were still ones that disgusted the Councilors, but they could hear in this Falrik Zaarkhun's voice that he felt absolutely no pride in what took place. In fact, it pained him to even display them.

• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - So with my vision achieved, what next? Spread it to the rest of the Gigaquadrant. That was the only thing left to do. Allow Borealis to continue as it was. No Borealis Grox awakening like they did in your timeline, with no time anomalies taking place because the Unified Nation were still stuck in a spacetime quarantine. The only thing left to do was to spread it elsewhere... where my message was soundly rejected. Because they saw what had become of my galaxy. Famine. Poverty. Ruined worlds that had become a shadow of what they were before. Entire civilizations wiped out, and eventually, there was disunity and division.

The final image was one that saw this Falrik Zaarkhun's eyes begin to water a little bit: the death of Genrai Nal.

• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - I'd ran out of people to deceive. I'd ran out of people to get on my side, and the one man who ever trusted me... Genrai Nal was killed by a group of assassins sent by a rival warlord. Of course, all that had happened in Borealis was that they'd either formed governments again and my plan had been for nought, or they'd just crumbled completely. Those who did form governments did so under brutal dictators, a far cry from the Polar Crystal Alliance that became of this timeline. I was out of friends, out of allies, doomed to live the rest of my life alone. My entire vision... wasted.

The images ended, with Valzaria and Gavikrag being a little moved by what they'd seen and by Zaarkhun's very genuine remorse at the events, while the others stood firm in their opposition to him.

• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - All my life, I'd been of the belief that the only one person in life you could trust was yourself. Being left out the way I was after the Heeyorian government took my mother from me — a mother who had to get by on her own, as a sex worker — I believed that we all lived only for ourselves. And the only thing that ever drove me was hatred: hatred of government, hatred of what I believed held us back. But reaching the end of my life as I did... I saw how foolish that all was. I saw what it led to, and the pain that I'd caused on the way. I know that, truthfully, my only enemy was Zargoth. And so, I have devoted the final years of my life to freeing the omniverse from him. So that no other timeline can end the way mine did.
• Arkarixus - I would be deeply amused if I were to watch Falrik Zaarkhun grovel at the consequences of his actions. But you are not the same soul who once attempted to stand up to me. All I care for is to destroy the Corruptus.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - True: in my timeline, I never even met you. But yes. I have seen how this war must play out, and so far, everything has gone according to plan.

Several of the Council members frowned at the alternate Zaarkhun.

• Augustex - What do you mean, "according to plan"?! The galaxy is under siege!
• Nayanur - We are not here to die just because you want us to, outsider. If you have nothing helpful to provide us, then begone!
• Yogtam - Yes, "according to plan", of course. Your plan where we all die and you take the glory for the fall of Zargoth in the end, right?
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - The plan wherein you all avoid the destruction of every timeline the Borealis Galaxy exists in and do so in a way that minimizes harm done to you and your people. Or is that not enough of a plan for you?
• Arkarixus - Word yourself properly. Your welcome here is thin enough as it is.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Yes, I'm well aware. Tuolog told me all about you and your stubbornness. He also told me not to take it personally. Advice that I'm really tempted to ignore right now...
• Kralgon Emperor - Wait. Tuolog talked to you?
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Yes. In fact, he contacted me a few decades ago. Or, I should say, decades ago in my timeline. For you, it would've just been a few days after he left.
• Yogtam - ...Sorry, but I guess in whatever timeline you hail from, you got sloppy. You used to tell much better lies than that.
• Arkarixus - Enough. Contact the Head Caretaker at once.

Immediately, a large screen revealed itself to the Council as a transmission was sent to the Kormacvar Legacy. After a few instants, a Caretaker appeared - the physical avatar of the Mechanic.

• The Mechanic - Aaah! You scared me, whippersnappers! I was in the middle of figuring out how to clean this darned mess after those alt-Loron'Kikra destroyed one of my darn Cold Relays! Blasted things... I swear, Loron in my time were so much easier to deal with! So much more incompetent and useless, dangit! Ah, the old days a few hundred years ago when I fought them in the Second Borealis War...
• Yogtam - ...Mechanic. That war was only a few decades ago. We were in it with you.
• The Mechanic - ...Uh? Wazzat? Oh, yeah, I forgot to water the plants last night...
• Arkarixus - Merakinus. Focus.
• The Mechanic - I'm focused, I'm focused! Oh! Arkarixus! Long time no speak! Say, when was the last time again... oh! Was it that time we were cleaning up another Loron mess?
• Arkarixus - Yes. But this is no Loron mess. The demons of the Corruptus have returned to die again. Gather your fleets.
• The Mechanic - Yeah, yeah, I know! Tuolog told me he'd get to it last Wednesday! Or, or was it Thursday? Ah, whatever! Did that alt-Zaarkhun guy show up yet?

Arkarixus raised an eyebrow as he looked at the alternate Zaarkhun and then back to the Mechanic. A growl escaped him as he frowned.

• Arkarixus - Tuolog is keeping secrets from us, it seems.
• The Mechanic - Yeah! He said something about, "ohhhh if too many people know then Zargoth will catch on and the plan will fail", or something! I dunno! I don't understand this timey-wimey crap anymore...
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Every time Tuolog attempts something in a timeline, it's a gamble. The timeline can branch dozens of different ways thereafter based on the actions taken. If a plan is enacted and fails in one timeline, then Zargoth will be aware of it, and hunt down every other timeline trying the same. So, that meant unfortunately he could not tell the rest of you before my arrival.
• Arkarixus - Then we are at the mercy of his success. This is not ideal.
• Hagto'Zhl - dunno bout yoo guys but da engineer is soundin more senile dan usual lmao
• The Mechanic - Sanitation? Yeah! Yeah, I'll go clean the place up, after I take a nap after this...
• Arkarixus - You are the prime intelligence of the Grid, Merakinus. You do not sleep. Or clean anything.
• The Mechanic - Huh? Ohhh, oh yeah! Good point! I have people to do that for me now!

Arkarixus brought a palm to his face as he sighed.

• Arkarixus - This is ridiculous.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - When I abandoned my life of crime in my own timeline, living alone, I began to study ways to manipulate the timelines and engineer one in which we could truly defeat Zargoth. That's when Tuolog found me. After he left your timeline, he went on the hunt for people all across the spacetime continuum who could help stop Zargoth's final assault on Volzara. It happened that I was doing the same thing. I know that you all may not trust me, but he did. And he was right when he trusted people.
• Semirian - ... Well, either way, we still have the problem of the Corruptus to deal with first and foremost.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - So, here's the deal. The timelines were shaken up ever since the event you all know as "Da Reckoning". Effectively, the Loron weakened the timeline thereafter. If Zargoth wanted to bring in the alt-Loron through time anomalies to wreak havoc then, he could've. In order to avoid this, I managed to trick a former associate of mine, Billig, into thinking I was Zargoth, and fool him into thinking that once he enacted one small little act for me, he'd get an entire universe to himself. In doing so, Billig brought the problem to this timeline, the time where we're less vulnerable, with me knowing that shortly after the alt-Loron's arrival, the Corruptus would take over.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - That makes sense. When portals appeared from our timeline, my Brag'klogga said something about how we were here to clean up a mess that your Loron created. I didn't think that any dealings with the Union Republic losing a president would have any impact on it.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Of course, the plan would involve me fooling a younger version of myself into thinking he could come out here and get elected president and eventually chip away at Ottzelloan society to achieve his dreams in this timeline. But, when that younger version of myself was killed, it cut me off the radar from Zargoth. You all have studied your fifth dimensional chronology, yes?
• Kralgon Emperor - Well... I have at least. But in theory, if a younger version of you was killed at the exact same time that you yourself was killed, in a different timeline from where you originated, then... you'd have your ending already mapped out here...
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - ...So Zargoth doesn't know I exist. I'm not a natural part of the timeline, but I'm also not a time anomaly. I'm a weird blip outside his radar. And that, we'll use to our advantage.
• Jol'kiar - SO WAT? DO WE JUS HIT MURANGON NAL WIV YOR BODY DEN? WATS DA POINT OF ALL DIS????
• Hagto'Zhl - nah dat wouldnt work. dis guy wuld probably bend when he hits him
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - For the Corruptus to be defeated, we need to cut off their army. We need to reinstall Empress Rel'larutina, and free them from their control at Murangon Nal's hands. So: yes, we hit Murangon Nal and have the Empress turn them good.
• Arkarixus - The Loron he has taken over are dead. There is no freeing them.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - They can be freed once the Empress' brainwaves take over them again. They were subservient to her before, and they can be again.
• Arkarixus - I am not making a metaphor. Kikra Caste are undead husks. They are literally dead.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - ...Hmm. Well, that would be a problem indeed...
• Xeron - Well, we know enough about the Corruptus to know that, killing the demon in charge causes the rest to disperse. So at least, one would assume that getting rid of Murangon Nal would cause these Kikra to just drop dead.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Even more so in the case of my timeline's Loron. They were pretty much just subservient to Norol. So it'll be a case of us striking the heads of the Norol leading them until we can get to Murangon Nal.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - It won't just be them. They'll have their own version of Hagto'Zhl to attend to also.

Hagto'Zhl scoffed.

• Hagto'Zhl - yor not serius rite? deres no alt-hagto'zhl cus IM ALREDI DA ALT ONE
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Unfortunately, there will be. Zargoth needed alt-Zr'Ahgloth to create Antagonar, but he was happy to give the remains to Murangon Nal to create another Kikra alt-Zr'Ahgloth to lead them. Meaning that now, alt-Hagto'Zhl is just Murangon's enforcer the way that the Empress was alt-Zr'Ahgloth's enforcer.
• Hagto'Zhl - oh ma dayz. A THIRD COPYCAT DUMBO I CANT BELEEV DIS
• Ray'loth - man it suks ta be famous. peepz keep tryin ta copy yor style
• Brag'klogga - YEH SOM IDIOT KEEPS COPYIN DA HOLY TEXTS AN WRITIN IT ON DIS SCAM WEBSITE CALLED "SPOREWIKI". LIKE WAT DA HELL IS UP WIV DAT
• Arkarixus - So far, this is nothing different from what I already had in mind. Find and destroy Murangon Nal.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Well, we have two things to our advantage now: someone who thinks like the alt-Loron, and can predict their moves. And... our own version of Genrai Nal. In your timeline, he's not yet dead.
• Xeron - ...He's not? Damnit, we really need better officers in the Aegis Guard.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - I'll pretend you didn't say that about my best friend who I've not seen in thousands of years.
• Brag'klogga - hahaha da holy books described yoo as somfin a little mor dan frends
• Arkarixus - Hmpf. Then we must find Genrai Nal and bring him to the fold then.
• The Mechanic - Yeah, and in the meantime, I guess I'll swat back these bugs! Where's Dakster when ya need him?
• Arkarixus - A good question. He was with you.
• The Mechanic - Huh? Wazzat? Ohh... oh yeah! Dakster, say hi!

Dakster, leader of the Vague, appeared on hologram shortly after. He did not appear surprised to receive a transmission, and greeted the rest of the room with a solemn look.

• Dakster - I watched Zr'Ahgloth's funeral. He was a good man. I'm sorry for your loss.
• Fre'kloar - NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Grak'tona - MATE WE GOT IT STOP SAYIN DAT
• Dakster - If we're meeting like this, then I suppose that means Tuolog's already told you about the plan.
• Arkarixus - No. Tuolog simply left and told us nothing. Now here comes a third individual making claims about him.

Dakster looked at Arkarixus in surprise, and stroked his chin a little, confused.

• Dakster - ...Really? That's... very unlike him...
• Arkarixus- Regardless, it is time for the Vague to go to war again. The Corruptus must be taught a lesson.
• Dakster - Yes. The Corruptus seem to be at their strongest level since the Second War of Black Fog. Not to mention, the alt-Loron'Kikra are a much more capable force than the Loron'Kikra we dealt with. Luckily, this time, you have us for support, and you can count on it every step of the way.

Arkarixus nodded. Perhaps for the first time in a long while, a small smile appeared on his face. The Vague were, after all, part-Kormacvar.

• Dakster - Empress Rel'larutina. It is good to make your acquaintance.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - ...I suppose so...
• Dakster - You never knew of me in your timeline, and you never had to face the wrath of the Vague. But now, your alt-Loron will. But I must have you know that the alt-Loron you once commanded are dead. They have already been killed by the Corruptus and their bodies are being controlled by demonic parasites. What we put down are mere pretenders to them.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - I understand.
• Dakster - I know that they were your children — in many cases, your literal biological offspring — and that you cared for them. But the ones who fight now are not the children you knew, so you must not feel remorse when we destroy them.
• Sherita - Pfft. I didn't feel remorse when they weren't Kikra. Only difference now is that they're harder to kill than they were before.
• Semirian - Well, not necessarily. By falling to the Corruptus, the alt-Loron have gained a weakness: Essences. And we happen to have an ally who have weapons designed specifically to simulate Essences that can kill Corruptus Demons.
• Sherita - We do? I never knew of the Corruptus in my timeline...
• Semirian - Indeed. They are known as the Indoctrinate Collective. They are the greatest specialists of combating the Corruptus in the Gigaquadrant. I'm sure they will be willing to provide us with weapons.
• Jol'kiar - man wen ar dey gonna stop collectin indocs??? i swer da indocs who collect hav been collectin indocs fer so long now it feels like dey mustve gotten bored of it
• Ray'loth - rite? dey sound like a bunch of greedy folks
• Sherita - Well, it's good to know we can count on their support. Unfortunately, my timeline never had Corruptus, so I'm not much help there.
• ??? - And you can count on mine, too.

The rest of the council turned to a previously-ignored voice among them, who had showed up only for this meeting. The well-armored Grimbolsaurian was much shorter than the Loron he was surrounded with, but many recognized the Warlord Titanozor as a battle-hardened veteran who had much experience in this area, and were quick to show their respects.

• Titanozor - I fought the Loron in the first ever war against their people that this universe saw. And then, I fought the Corruptus in their second appearance in this universe, Corruptus using Loron'Kikra no less. I will gladly fight Loron'Kikra once more to protect this timeline from whatever they will bring.
• Sherita - Titanozor... It's an honor. I'm sorry to report that in my timeline, our Zr'Ahgloth defeated you in combat.
• Titanozor - So I've heard.
• Augustex - Ah, I have heard tales of the Warlords of the Delpha Coalition of Planets. Mighty, indeed! You are more than welcome to join our cause.
• Titanozor - I shall do so gladly. Hagto'Zhl. We were once enemies, but now, we are still rivals: rivals to see who shall get the killing blow on alt-Hagto'Zhl.
• Hagto'Zhl - OH YOR ON YA LANKY LOOKIN GEEZA
• Kal'kuir - by my calculashons da dumbo combinashon of pizza an da vague joinin forces agenst da corruptus givs us a possibility of OVA A DOZEN ta beet da corruptus losas
• Fre'kloar - HURHURHUR SO DIS WAR IS IN DA BAG DEN. WE SHULD PREPARE DA VICTORY PIZZA PARTY
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Our real threat, remember, is Zargoth. I'm sure in the final battle against Murangon Nal, he has his plans. In fact... I imagine he hopes that a final battle will take place how he expects it to.
• Arkarixus - Zargoth is beyond our means to confront. We can only hope Tuolog's plan involves a solution to this problem.
• Dakster - Well... I wish I could tell you, but if Tuolog withheld that information from you, then I imagine he did so for a reason. But in short: yes, yes it does.
• Arkarixus - Hmpf. So be it, then. Our task is clear. Murangon Nal must die.

---

Groodrub was a shadow of its former self; the lush forests which once covered the planet were dead or burning as its skies were blocked by a thick layer of black fog. Even the metropolises that had been installed briefly under Empress Rel'larutina were now crumbling husks. Hordes of Corruptus Demon festered in its surface like a hateful swarm, among them being the zombified alt-Loron'Kikra, their bodies rotting and deformed as they were puppeteered around.

In the ruins of the arena where the Loron had their battle with alt-Zr'Ahgloth, Murangon Nal conducted a ritual as he gazed at the mangled remains of the former alt-Loron leader. Channeing his nightmare essence, he twisted and transformed them while other demons provided whatever support they could. Necromancy was one of the more obscure aspects of this energy, and not one Murangon Nal had particular use before - Mar-Júun was the only Vanguard to ever use it extensively - but that did not mean he could not give it a try. The mangled remains took the form of a Loron'Kikra, far more hulking than the others, and Murangon Nal's eyes narrowed with interest as the creature rose to its feet.

The alternate Hagto'Zhl, after being spawned by Murangon Nal, appeared deadly still. Normally, transformation to a Kikra would involve a degree of whailing out in pain and anguish, a frightful transformation that would make any onlooker deeply uncomfortable. But as the alt-Zr'Ahgloth's body was transformed, it did not move an inch, as if it were already dead. The alt-Loron showed very, very little resistance to the transformation: they had little autonomy before, and this was no different.

• Murangon Nal - Welcome back... Hagto'Zhl.
• Alt-Hagto'Zhl - ...I have seen the truth. The truth that is That Which Devours...
• Murangon Nal - So you have. Tell me how you feel.
• Alt-Hagto'Zhl - My alternate counterpart was right about one thing: My Loron were weak, and foolish to serve beings as lowly as the Norol. Empress Rel'larutina was unfit to rule. Our true destiny is to serve That Which Devours...
• Murangon Nal - Good. You understand your purpose, then. You exist to plunge this universe into war in the name of the Nightmare.
• Alt-Hagto'Zhl - Yes... the Loron were created not to build, but to destroy. We were put here by Volzara, created perhaps to protect the Norol, but this was a waste of our potential. Our potential can only be fulfilled under That Which Devours...

Murangon Nal crossed his arms as he nodded in approval.

• Murangon Nal - This pleases me. For the time being, prepare yourself. Soon, I shall send you to battle.
• Alt-Hagto'Zhl - And in battle, I will meet my alternate counterpart of this timeline once again. He will see the truth as we devour him, and purge his people from existence.
• Murangon Nal - Your counterpart once served us, but he lost our favor. When you do meet, ensure only one of you remains standing.
• Alt-Hagto'Zhl - Yes... I will enjoy proving that I am the superior one. And then bringing the truth to the rest of their people. And bringing war upon this universe.
• Murangon Nal - Good, good. You are dismissed.

As alt-Hagto'Zhl left to gather his forces, Zargoth and Antagonar warped in at the exact moment. It was just how Murangon Nal had expected: they were precise with their timings, because they had a mastery of the timeline. He greeted with a small bow of his head.

• Zargoth - The Loron I have given you serve you well, yes?
• Murangon Nal - These Loron are far superior to Zr'An'Kar's old, flawed prototypes of the Second War of Black Fog. They will serve Lord Shu'rimrodir much better.
• Zargoth - Good. I have seen the possibilities that can occur from such a battle. In each of them, you are victorious. Victory is a certainty.
• Murangon Nal - I believe you. Nonetheless... I hope this galaxy can provide me with a worthy battle before it falls. An easy victory is a boring one.
• Zargoth - You have plenty of opportunities for powerful opponents here. Some, perhaps, above your level, but many who will be powerful adversaries. Any preference?
• Murangon Nal - Hm. There are many souls my masters would take delight if I took them. I will have to think about it. Regarding the ones above my level... Perhaps Antagonar would like to join me on them.
• Antagonar - I look forward to meeting Arkarixus on the field once again! And perhaps, this time, I will take his sword!
• Murangon Nal - Indeed, he is likely to be the only member of the Polar Crystal Alliance to provide a threat. That makes things interesting.
• Zargoth - You were gathered here because of your shared thrill of combat. Combat which I will provide you in spades. The denizens of this timeline are perhaps not the only opponents that we will face. I suspect, when the time comes to it, that Volzara herself will bring backup.
• Murangon Nal - I assume you plan for this eventuality. And when it fails, and Volzara is forced to come here herself, you will strike.
• Antagonar - And I will cut her to pieces! And take her sword! If she has one, of course. It will be a truly remarkable battle that will be known across time! The time when Volzara was slain once and for all!
• Murangon Nal - To face the Goddess of Time... A truly worthy opponent.

As Antagonar and Murangon Nal spoke gleefully about the death of Volzara and the battle that would unfold, Zargoth didn't flinch at all. In the past, he would be completely and entirely emotionless, except when the subject of Volzara was brought up. This time, he continued to feel nothing at all.

• Zargoth - A worthwhile exchange. Antagonar will keep tabs on your progress. I will make sure the timeline stays as it is meant to for the final battle ahead: should anyone try to stop you before it reaches the exact point I want it to, they will be cut down in their path.
• Murangon Nal - So be it. The Corruptus will be there when the final battle comes, as was agreed.
• Antagonar - I can see it now! The battlefield we have chosen, lined up with thousands, maybe millions of warriors from across time, across dimensions! All crossing paths at the exact moment when we bring down the Goddess herself! And what a victory it will be! I will take the great Sword of Time that Volzara has wielded for so long! Or at least, that she has been rumored to wield...
• Murangon Nal - I am sure Volzara has many artifacts. Once she falls, Sequencium will be up for pillaging.
• Antagonar - What a day that will be!
• Zargoth - Should you need anything, we will provide it. We have watched this timeline unfold, and prepared for every eventuality, but when dealing with Volzara, not everything can be predicted.
• Murangon Nal - Of course. But all so far has gone according to plan. I am confident in our chances.
• Antagonar - Good luck, my companion of war. Let our battles be long and glorious, and let our victory be sweet!
• Murangon Nal - Likewise.

Antagonar and Zargoth then vanished, leaving Murangon behind to watch as the alt-Loron'Kikra arose around Groodrub. He clenched his fist, creating a sphere of nightmarish energy in his clasp as he smirked.

• Murangon Nal - Glorious battle with the greatest warriors... I have all I could ever want right here.

Sense of Purpose

As he was leaving the Council chamber on Hyperborea, Yogtam spotted a familiar figure by Zr'Ahgloth's mural: it was his former right-hand man, Thr'aloy. Thr'aloy was a joint leader of the Unified Nation of Ottzello Commandos, a program to create extremely powerful soldiers that were fusions of biological and technological marvels. The program was widely criticized as highly unethical in how it created them, and when the Union Republic was formed, it was closed down, with all the Commandos retired and given the means they desired to live fulfilling lives.

Thr'aloy was simply sat by the mural in contemplation, looking down at his feet. Yogtam was happy to see him, and sat by him. Thr'aloy had discarded his half-robot side, and though he still had a robotic appearance, his mind and behavior was now once again fully Loron.

• Yogtam - I'm sorry for your loss.
• Thr'aloy - it propa suks man. zr'ahgloth was da BEST loron we eva had an accomplished moar dan any loron eva. wish i culda helped him
• Yogtam - I understand why you couldn't. After your retirement, and the deactivation of many of your robotic components... it'd be weird to get back into the swing of things.
• Thr'aloy - yeh its like on da one hand im moar like a loron dan befor but on da otha hand... i cant fite dat well?? so im less like a loron?? idk man i jus feel bad
• Yogtam - I'm sorry we treated you Commandos the way that we did. Our mindset was different. We were so hyper-focused on war...
• Thr'aloy - nah yoo guyz saved ma life too so im not mad. idk about da rest tho. btw yoo shuld probs chek in on ma partner Durzhan. hes prob got a lot to say about dese zargoth cult weirdos
• Yogtam - I'm sure we'll run into him at some point.
• Thr'aloy - also zrahgloth wuldnt want me ta be mad. not at yoo lot anyway. hed want me ta be mad at da bozos dat killed him
• Yogtam - So, what are you thinking? You're going to join us in beating the Corruptus?

Thr'aloy pondered for a moment. He wouldn't be able to fight anywhere near his full capacity. And perhaps more to the point... was it really his place to? No one could replace Zr'Ahgloth, and certainly not him. Zr'Ahgloth was not only his superior, and someone he respected more than anyone else, but was his best friend. Out of respect for his friend's legacy, he could not take Zr'Ahgloth's place.

But there was something just as important he could do. He stood up with a grin, confident in himself.

• Thr'aloy - nah. im gonna raise da NEX GENERASHON OF LEEDAS. im gonna hold a gladiata contest an whicheva loron dat beets me is gonna be da NEX LEEDA OF OUR PEEPZ
• Yogtam - That sounds like a plan to me. When will you hold it?
• Thr'aloy - ill hold a series of contests ova a few months an den da final will be da GANGSTA PARTY PRESIDENSHAL PRIMARY
• Yogtam - ...So...the final contest will be a vote...?
• Thr'aloy - no lol da gangsta party chooses candidates in a duel. cept dis duel will be wiv ME
• Yogtam - ...Right, I forgot. Fare well, Thr'aloy.
• Thr'aloy - go kik da corruptus' ass. an yoo BES BE SIK AT IT

Thr'aloy left, leaving to his shuttle to decide his next course of action, with Yogtam relatively pleased. As Thr'aloy walked out, Sherita approached him. The two looked at one another, not saying a word, before Sherita sat down and spoke.

• Sherita - ...I owe you an apology. I...
• Yogtam - Don't sweat it. To hold a grudge against you for not trusting Volzara's intentions would be silly at this point. It seems that Empress Rel'larutina and yourself were both fooled.
• Sherita - Yeah. Thanks.

The gratitude was followed by another slow silence before Sherita spoke up again.

• Sherita - It's still so hard to tell if I was wrong about it all.
• Yogtam - About what?
• Sherita - About which timeline is better. At first I thought yours, surely, you weren't ruled by an evil empress dictator. Then I looked in your history and saw so much bloodshed and death from demons that our empress either never awoke or stomped out before they became a problem. And now I just realize that even she had been misled by demons all along...
• Yogtam - I guess you can't escape them, huh? Maybe Falrik Zaarkhun is right. Maybe they all need to go... Damn, I can't believe those words just came out of my mouth.
• Sherita - Well, Falrik Zaarkhun for you was a terrible crimelord that almost desroyed civilization in your galaxy. In mine, he was a heroic freedom fighter against authority. I guess it just goes to show how complicated things are, and how much we're all shaped by our circumstances.
• Yogtam - You did the best you could in your circumstances, and we did the best we could in ours.
• Sherita - Right... I guess so.

Sherita paused, before she looked out to the rest of Hyperborea in front of her. Watching civilians go about their daily lives in the bustling space station.

• Sherita - I want to secure a better future for my kids, if I have any. For the children of this universe, in my timeline and yours. I want them to have it better than we did. That's what this has always been about.
• Yogtam - A noble goal.
• Sherita - I guess I'm just... not sure anymore if I know what a better future looks like.
• Yogtam - There was a time I thought you would be in my future. Or, well, my timeline's version of you. But I was denied of that.
• Sherita - Yeah. So was I.

Sherita then left slowly, smiling at Yogtam as she did so. While Yogtam remained behind a little, he was called out for by alt-Falrik Zaarkhun.

• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Meet up at my vessel. Tomorrow, we leave to find Genrai.
• Yogtam - Of course.

---

After Zaarkhun went over the plan with Sherita and Yogtam on his vessel, two Norol boarded: Rel'larutina, the only one from the Rogue Boyz to have arrived yet, and alt-Rel'larutina, the disgraced empress. She had a shamed look on her face.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - ...Listen. I know that the evils I committed were unthinkable.
• Sherita - You can say that again.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - But my intentions were good. I wanted to protect the universe. And I thought that's what I was doing! I didn't realize I was just doing the bidding of another demon...
• Yogtam - It's fine. You were misled, as many have been. We're not above forgiving those who are willing to turn over a new leaf.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - I am. To make up for what I've done, I'm going to give everything to the cause. To stop what my Loron have become under the Corruptus, to heal space and time. And to do right by my timeline.

Sherita still didn't say a word, furious with alt-Rel'larutina. Truthfully, she was holding back from saying worse. Before any of them spoke, alt-Falrik Zaarkhun broke the silence.

• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - You were led down a dark path, with noble intentions, but clouded in your worldview. Much like I was. My intentions for freedom, for liberating all people, may have been noble. But the way I went about them, and the extremes I took them to, made me monstrous.
• Yogtam - You can say that again.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Because any noble intentions, any ideology that I felt I held, was clouded by vitriol. By rage. By a desire, perhaps, to make a point, not to achieve those aims.
• Rel'larutina - You were so blinded by your own ego that you didn't think twice about killing and backstabbing thousands fo people if it meant you got the outcome you thought would be such a utopia. Just like my alternate counterpart.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Exactly. I've been through it. I know what it's like. And I know, deep down, we've the potential to be better than this.

Alt-Rel'larutina sighed a little. She still felt a great amount of shame, and was unable to speak. Zaarkhun's words, and their collective understanding, seemed to comfort her somewhat, but it was Sherita who'd been hurt the most. And Sherita was still reluctant to move on.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - I guess the only thing I can do now to make up for it all is to prove with my actions that I can be better.
• Yogtam - I guess so.

When Yogtam said it, of course, he was referring both to her and alt-Falrik Zaarkhun. Luckily, Zaarkhun knew this perfectly.

• Sherita - When you help us save all of time, I'll believe you. Until then...I'm keeping a close eye on you.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Sure. I'd do the same.
• Rel'larutina - Don't worry, the Rogue Boyz aren't watching her. I am. And I think I know myself better than they do.
• Yogtam - Hah, good to know.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Very well. We know the plan, so let's reconvene here tomorrow.

As the group left, with Rel'larutina taking alt-Rel'larutina to the Rogue Boyz' quarters, as she was in their custody, Rel'larutina couldn't help but ask one question she'd been morbidly curious about.

• Rel'larutina - Seriously, you owned all of space in your timeline?
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Most of it. Anything not owned by the alliance against me, or by the space pirates.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Space pirates existed in your timeline? Hah, I guess I'd be the one leading them.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Actually, know. The space pirates were Loron. But who knows who the Norol, or even the Loron, leading them was...

The group left to have a much-needed sleep for an important quest ahead of them. Following the alternate Zaarkhun's plan, if he was indeed trustworthy, would at least be the first step in correcting a huge error and possibly saving not just this universe, but many others.

Reunions and the Battle to Come

Aboard the alternate Falrik Zaarkhun's vessel, the group became familiar with their destination: planet "Godfella". The Loron world known as "Godfella" had been a major point of interest during the Delphan Excavation War of Ottzello, where it had been home to several powerful Taldar artifacts. Since then, the artifacts had mostly been excavated by the Delpha Coalition of Planets before the Loron took over again, and so the Ottzelloans had assumed, wrongly, that nothing on the world remained. So when the planet fell to the Rogue Boyz, they didn't do much digging.

Aboard the shuttle was much anxiety, as they headed not to the planet itself, but the largest moon orbiting the planet.

• Grak'tona - I NAMED DA MOON "GRAKTONA MOON" LIKE I NAMED ALL DA REST. AFTA DA KING. WHOS DA BEST. SO WES GOING TA GRAKTONA MOON
• Rel'larutina - Sure, whatever. Anyway, how do we know Genrai Nal is in this moon?
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Genrai Nal is right where I told him to be should a situation like this arise. Or, rather: he's right where this timeline's version of me told him to be. Because there's still one important artifact that the Delpha Coalition did not take from the planet, and it's held on the moon above.
• Titanozor - Truly? Hmpf. This is a major oversight.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Not at all. You'll see what I mean once we get there.
• Sherita - We used to dig up Taldar artifacts all the time and use them against the alt-Loron. But... we thought those weapons were something to be feared. We thought the Taldar hated us. It's weird knowing they're on your side...
• Alt-Rel'larutina - I recall as much. We learned much from watching the rebels use the artifacts to their advantage. Thinking they were destined for us.
• Titanozor - You are correct to assume the artifacts, at least, are something to be feared. That is the whole reason we excavated this place to begin with, to keep them out of the irresponsible hands of the Loron.
• Fre'kloar - YOO WANNA SLAP???
• Yogtam - Quiet. We're at our destination. And, wait... is that...?

As the shuttle landed on the moon, and each of them wore a space helmet, they saw a figure in the distance: Durzhan, Thr'aloy's former companion whom he'd mentioned a day ago. A former member of the Unified Nation of Ottzello Commandos, having defected to join them after years of being an enemy of Ottzello, Durzhan had been retired along with the rest of the Commandos. It seemed that here was where he had chosen to live out his days: protecting the rest of the artifacts.

Unfortunately for him, it seemed someone had gotten there and overwhelmed him. As they ran over to Durzhan, they found him on his deathbed.

• Durzhan - They're here... The Cult of Zargoth...
• Brag'klogga - BAT GEEZA I WAS HOPIN TA NEVA SEE YOO AGEN... BUT DID YA SAY CULT OF ZARGOTH? EINT DAT DA CULT DA COPYCAT VERSHON OF ME IS PART OF???
• Titanozor - I would seem the alternate Loron have already hit this world.

Durzhan looked to Brag'klogga, his eyes widened in terror. He quickly adjusted himself, realizing that this Brag'klogga was not the one he had just fought.

• Durzhan - The very same... Our timeline diverges from theirs at one critical juncture: Zargoth chooses a servant in every timeline, along with a host to watch over the servant's work... In both timelines, Falrik Zaarkhun was his host, but his servant...
• Yogtam - Durzhan, slow down. You need to breathe slowly. We'll rush you off to a medical bay!
• Durzhan - ...In his timeline... the servant Zargoth chose to shape the timeline to achieve his vision of becoming Vyro'Ralza...
• Alt-Brag'klogga - ...Was me.

From a distance, the group saw the alternate Brag'klogga fire several bolts of Dark Chronoscopic energy that hit Durzhan, and then many more that circle the group. They were effectively trapped, as they found themselves in the middle of a crater, surrounded by burning lava, as alt-Brag'klogga flew towards them.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - Behold, the power of the True God of Time!
• Brag'klogga - FALSE SHAMAN DIS DAYS COMIN!!!!!!!
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Ah, my alternate counterpart! So weak, and so foolish. I see now what Durzhan's tampering with the Loron caused me to become. It sickens me.
• Brag'klogga - YA MOMS WEEK AND YA DADS FOOLISH COM DOWN HEER AND IMMA SHOW YA PROPA FLASHY POWA
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Oh? Be my guest, heretic!

The alternate Brag'klogga landed down in front of Brag'klogga, a large grin forming on his face as he awaited Brag'klogga's move. The shaman proceeded to lift his staff and screech like a deranged caveman before launching blasts of his essence at his alternate counterpart in a fit of rage. The alternate Brag'klogga chuckled, as none of them affected him, and he merely absorbed it. He then, using his power, raised Brag'klogga in the air and brought him towards him.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - Oh, you think Dark Chronoscopic energy is your ally? But you merely adopted it. I was born with it! Molded by it.
• Brag'klogga - DA GOD JUICE IS MINE TA USE NOT YORS. YOR A TINY MAN
• Alt-Brag'klogga - I think not.

As he spoke, alt-Brag'klogga grabbed Brag'klogga's forehead and cast a powerful curse of energy on him. Brag'klogga had experienced this once before: during the Second Borealis Galactic War, when Zargoth had made each of them watch and experience hundreds of years of alternate timelines leading up to their excruciating deaths. Alt-Brag'klogga, it seemed, possessed this very same power. Brag'klogga was forced to experience entire alternate timelines that led to his demise, before collapsing on the floor, still reeling in the pain he had experienced.

• Brag'klogga - AAAAAAAAHHH!!!! DIS DAYS COMIN!!!! ITS COMIN!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Fre'kloar - OI STOP BULLYIN MA SHAMAN YA LOSA ONLY I GET TA DO DAT
• Alt-Brag'klogga - All of you will witness the power of the God of Time! All of you bear witness! I must thank your timeline: you may not have created the Vyro'Ralza as mine did, but you have created something much better: the circumstances for the death of Volzara!
• Durzhan - Not if I have anything to say about it. I served Zargoth once, and I know where that path leads: broken promises, and pain. He is too far removed from mortals to serve them best. Zargoth must be taken down! If you cannot understand that, then you are but another one of his pawns, who will be tossed aside once your service is spent, much like it happened to me.

Durzhan flew over to alt-Brag'klogga faster than alt-Brag'klogga could react, and attempted to dig his teeth in to drain alt-Brag'klogga's energy. It appeared to work at first, though alt-Brag'klogga's eyes lit up purple as he grabbed Durzhan physically and then overwhelmed his power, freezing him in time. Even Durzhan, the universe's greatest known Dark Chronoscopic energy user, could not match up to alt-Brag'klogga's power.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - Now, we see who the true greatest servant of Zargoth was. It was I! Only he knows what is best for the ungrateful mortals of the third dimension. You will all bow to him!
• Titanozor - You brainwashed demon slaves are all the same. It is a waste of time to exchange words with your kind.
• Hagto'Zhl - IN SHORT YOR A STOOPID GEEK
• Alt-Brag'klogga - When Volzara is killed, Zargoth will be the only master over space and time. He can shape it in the ways it was meant to be shaped, without anymore of Volzara's weaknesses of having an empathy for lower beings. None of her need to cater to mortal emotions. Time will be shaped as Zargoth, and the Xhodocto, will it to be!
• Yogtam - But why do all this? What do you have to gain from it?! Do you think you'll be spared if Zargoth wins?
• Alt-Brag'klogga - What have I to gain? Foolish, foolish mortal... You spend so long serving Volzara, the false goddess who promises to protect you (and never does), that you think it's all about an end goal or a reward. No: Zargoth has shown me the truth. The truth that your false timelines must be crushed for the greater good! What becomes of me, I care not; I will have died a hero, destroying that which must be removed.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - You're... you're despicable...
• Jol'kiar - mah bak in ma day anyon who spoke in dis tone had deir teef broken
• Rel'larutina - This guy seriously speaks like he's being selfless about it. I'm actually astonished: you are an even greater idiot than my own Loron.

Alt-Brag'klogga fired one more energy bolt that appeared to kill Durzhan lifeless, and turned to the others, pondering how to respond. Of course, Warlord Titanozor fired his cannon in response to alt-Brag'klogga, who dodged every blast, able to move quicker than any of them, but did not return his own.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - Good luck on your quest to find the artifacts here. I've already had my cult excavate them.
• Yogtam - You- what?!
• Kal'kuir - BY MY CALCULASHONS WE DIDNT NEED DA ARTIFACTS ANYWAY. WE ONLY NEEDED TA KIK YOR ASS. DONT WORRY TEEM COZ I HAV DA SOLUSHON
• Rel'larutina - Please don't tell me you had a weapon that could kill this guy ages ago but forgot to use it.
• Kal'kuir - akshully no i hav a NOO invenshon. ITS NOT A WEPON

Kal'kuir pulled out two devices that appeared to be irons, which confused the others, until he ran over to Brag'klogga's unconscious body and zapped him, causing him to jolt back on his feet with eyes widened.

• Kal'kuir - I CALL DEM DA CPR MASHEENS
• Brag'klogga - COMIN!!!! DIS DAYZ... uh. where am i agen???
• Kal'kuir - ITS ALIVE!!! ITS ALIIIIIIIIIVE!!!!!!!! whers da lightnin ta commemorate dis
• Rel'larutina - There's no lightning on a moon, dumbass.
• Kal'kuir - huh? oh well. YO BRAG GO REK FACE
• Brag'kloga - WAH??? OH OK I REMEMBA NAO

Brag'klogga begun levitating as he turned to face his alternate counterpart, pointing his staff at him.

• Brag'klogga - FALSE PROFIT. YA REELY THOUGHT MAKIN ME WATCH ALL DOSE DUMB MOOVIES IN MA HEAD WAS GONNA BE ENUFF TA TAKE DA BEST SHAMAN DOWN? YOR HAVIN A LAFF
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Well, actually, yes I did.
• Brag'klogga - MAN JUS LOOK AT DIS PRIK. ACTIN ALL HARD AND SMART "OH IM DA BEST SERVANT I GOT TA LAY ON ZARGOTHS LAP WHIL HE REEDS ME BEDTIME STORIES". DIS IS WAT YA LOOK LIKE

Brag'klogga then postured himself in an exaggerated manner, holding his staff with his pinky finger raised.

• Brag'klogga - This day is coming.
• Grak'tona - lmao DA KING APPROVS YOR PERFORMANC
• Rel'larutina - Dear Volzara. I hope he never speaks like that again. It just feels... wrong.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - You and me both, sister.
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Mockery? This is your best weapon your timeline has against me? Seriously...
• Brag'klogga - YOO IS NOT WORFFY ANY MOR DAN DAT. LOSA FAKEO HERETIK
• Rel'larutina - ...Wait...is that it?
• Brag'klogga - ...DISTRAKSHON CARNIFEX!!!!

As the alternate Brag'klogga was distracted by the dark shaman's rambling, he was left open to a blade thrusting itself into his back, followed by a powerful kick that sent him down into the ground. Striking from the shadows was Genrai Nal.

• Yogtam - Yes!
• Genrai Nal - It would seem you are quite vulnerable to mocking, extrauniversal.
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Ouch! Blasted Blyro'Tralzorca! You do know that it's against Loron tradition to interrupt one-on-one combat, do you not?
• Genrai Nal - That may be so, but as it happens, I am not a Loron.
• Titanozor - Well said. Time to destroy this "prophet"!
• Brag'klogga - DA GODZ DEMAND IT!!!!!!!!

As alt-Brag'klogga sustained more damage from Genrai Nal's attacks as well as the rest of the group, he eventually froze time, once again even overwhelming the powers of Genrai Nal and Brag'klogga. Alt-Brag'klogga looked around and pondered for a little, before shrugging.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - ...Perhaps your "godz" do demand it. But mine grows weary. Now, having peaked into my counterpart's timeline history... I think I've found the kind of threat from the past that could wipe you all out here and end this crusade.

As alt-Brag'klogga raised his staff, a portal appeared on the ground, and the mechanical being slowly rose from it, dragged up by a chain appearing from the sky with alt-Brag'klogga howling in maniacal laughter. The GroxOttz King, fought in the Second Borealis Galactic War, appeared: a colossal, immense warship with weaponry beyond which they possessed. In addition, the mech suit used by King Thylaxiz appeared on within the crater, though, it appeared the Grox piloting it was an empty husk, incapable of communication, and a mere puppet animated by alt-Brag'klogga.

The group stood back as the enormous, kilometer-long starship that was the GroxOttz King shook in its chains, with powerful laser beams being blasted from its 'eyes' which leveled the landscape around them.

• GroxOttz King - I AM TO RULE OTTZELLO. IT IS FATE!
• Rel'larutina - Oh, you gotta be kidding me...
• Yogtam - Volzara help us...
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Volzara will help none of you! She's still refusing to get involved in this timeline, knowing that as soon as she does, Zargoth will kill her! So I supposed I'll have to force her to. I'm off to plan for the big event. In the meantime: toodles!

Alt-Brag'klogga warped away, leaving the group to face the orbital bombardments from the GroxOttz King and the firepower of Thylaxiz' suit. The group engaged Thylaxiz as they could, but they were clearly caught by surprise and unprepared for this.

• Titanozor - Cowardice of the highest caliber! How are we to fight off a dreadnought?!
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Wait, let me get to the shuttl-

As alt-Falrik Zaarkhun looked to the shuttle they had arrived in, an orbital blast from the GroxOttz King destroyed it, leaving it in ruins. They were stranded on the moon, left to their death.

• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - ...Nevermind.
• GroxOttz King - THERE IS NO ESCAPE. ALL SHALL BE REDUCED TO CINDER IN THE NAME OF THE TRUE KING OF OTTZELLO! THYLAXIZ, ELIMINATE THEM!
• Grak'tona - HOW DARE YOO IMPLY DERES ANOTHA KING OTHA DAN YOO. IM DA ONLY ONE WIV DA REEL CROWN!!!!

Grak'tona charged towards Thylaxiz' mech suit in fury, but was beaten down. Though Grak'tona was extremely resilient, and a punch from the suit would've knocked out the others in an instant, Grak'tona took a few before he eventually fell. Drizz'pyrokirk ran in and flexed.

• Drizz'pyrokirk - DA KING FAILED BECUZ HE DOESNT USE MA SIK NEW PROTEIN SHAKE(TM) DAT PROMISES GUARANTEED GAINZ AN HE DOESNT DO HIS 500 PUSHUPS A DAY. WAT A SUCKA. WATCH AS I SUPLEX DIS ROBOT!!!!

Drizz'pyrokirk, as he promised, attempted to lift the mech suit up with a single hand. He was successfully able to lift it, after which the Rogue Boyz cheered while he attempted to spin it over his head. However, instead, his arm snapped as it was crushed under the weight of the mech suit, and he dropped it in pain before being kicked aside.

• Drizz'pyrokirk - ...why did i skip leg day...

The mech suit then charged at the group again, aiming its blows at the weakest link it could detect: the alternate Falrik Zaarkhun. It leaped in the air and attempted to crush him under it, though before it got the chance, Genrai Nal charged back at it, delivering a powerful blow to its side that sent it reeling away across the battlefield.

• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - ...Just like old times, my good friend.
• Genrai Nal - I have lost my friend Falrik before. I will not let it happen again.
• Yogtam - How do we take this thing down?
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Well... we have the advantage of having two fast melee fighters that should be able to confuse it while it targets one of us.
• Fre'kloar - SAFE ILL GO-
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Genrai, Sherita. You two circle around it and slash it, but only after it targets Titanozor. Titanozor, you fire your cannons to keep its shield busy.
• Titanozor - Consider it done.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - That might not be sufficient alone, so... I guess we'll need Rogue Boyz help.
• Fre'kloar - NAO I DONT WANNA ANYMOR
• Hagto'Zhl - SHUT UP FREKLOAR LETS GO SMASH DAT IDIOT ALREDI I WANNA GO HOME AND WATCH DA NEXT EPISODE OF AVATAR
• Fre'kloar - OK FINE YA MADE A COMPELLIN ARGUMENT. LETS DO DIS
• Zalk'don - SAME I HOP A'ANG BLOWS UP A BUNCHA DUMBOS. YO LEMME DISTRACT IT WIV MA BOMZ

Following Zaarkhun's plan, the Rogue Boyz lined up in formation around Yogtam and Titanozor, forming a sort of shell shape, as Zalk'don fired bombs at a distance, while Titanozor fired his chainguns and the rest simply made use of Brag'klogga and Kal'kuir's shields. The strategy proved to work, as the Thylaxiz husk in the mech suit did not appear to take notice of it and fell for their tricks; in the atmosphere, the GroxOttz King's laughter came to a halt as they tore through the mech suit's defenses.

• GroxOttz King - USELESS! UNWORTHY! I MUST DO EVERYTHING MYSELF!

The dreadnought's eyes shined as it let out massive beams of energy down at them, forcing them to dodge away and break their formation. This allowed Thylaxiz to refocus its shields and block Sherita and Genrai Nal's attacks, as it eventually kicked them back.

• Rel'larutina - Hey, Rel... I mean, uh, hey, me...
• Alt-Rel'larutina - I know what you meant.
• Rel'larutina - Right. You wanted to see what I can do?
• Alt-Rel'larutina - ...Oh, I can't wait.

The Propa Big Rogue Smasha, fully-repaired and outfitted with improvements, warped in to take Rel'larutina's place, as Rel'larutina piloted a mech suit that now equalled the size of Thylaxiz. She fired a Chronoscopic-infused weapon that seemed to slow down Thylaxiz. Though Thylaxiz could still overwhelm her, she had been successful in forcing it to engage its full shields against her.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - Now that's my girl!
• Kal'kuir - SMASHAS IS SIK CUS WE MADE DEM
• Rel'larutina - But it's the Norol who put them to work. And we do it well.

With a final blow from Genrai Nal, the false Thylaxiz' mech suit was cut in two, and fell to its knees as it was destroyed. The Loron all cheered, though their commemoration was cut short as a grating, mechanical roar came from the GroxOttz King, who begun bombarding the surface of the moon in retaliation.

• Yogtam - Great work, but... how do we take care of that thing in the sky??
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - That, I... can't help with...
• Fre'kloar - DIS STINKS!!!! REELY WISH WE HAD DA PROPA BIG ROGUE KROOZA RITE BOUT NAO!!!
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Rogue Krooza... That's it! Hold on a minute... Can anyone create a portal to my timeline? I know we can't get out of here with a portal, but we can at least go to mine!
• Rel'larutina - ...But alt-Brag'klogga's probably cursed this place. Only way we can do that is if we just end up on this same moon but in your timeline. How would that help us?
• Titanozor - You better not be trying to run away.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Trust me! Someone send me into my timeline, 50 years in the past! Doesn't matter if it's on this moon or not!
• Brag'klogga - OH MA DAYZ STOP YELLIN

Brag'klogga opened a portal of Dark Chronoscopic Energy before the alternate Rel'larutina, before proceeding to pick her up and toss her through it. A few moments later, after the portal had closed behind her, a large starship appeared from another portal above it. The starship closely resembled the Propa Big Rogue Krooza, but made use of flags with skull and bones insignia across its hull, and appeared more technologically advanced. As a radio signal was sent across to the group, they could hear a voice that sounded vaguely like Fre'kloar's, but with a thick accent.

• Alt-Fre'kloar - Ahoy there, me hearties! This be Cap'n Fre'kloar o' the Dread Pirates of Ottzello! I be here to invite ye landlubbers to me Rogue Crew!
• Yogtam - ... Well, I was not expecting that.
• Rel'larutina - Fre'kloar? But I thought she said he had been executed... Oh, right. 50 years ago.
• Fre'kloar - WATS DIS??? A COPYCAT VERSHON OF ME? IF DIS IS REF'KOLAR I SWER IM GONNA BE REEL ANGRY
• Alt-Fre'kloar - Ref'kolar? Never 'eard o' the scallywag! I be here to take care of yer Grox problem!
• GroxOttz King - GROXOTTZ KING WILL NOT BE DENIED. I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE!
• Alt-Fre'kloar - Watch yer mouth, foul creature, as I cut ye down to size!

The Rogue Krooza turned to its broadside, as several cannons appeared, firing literal cannonballs towards the GroxOttz King. To their surprise, the cannonballs were extremely effective antimatter bombs, and were able to pierce the GroxOttz King's armor. The AI attempted to fire back, but was completely overwhelmed as the antimatter destroyed its 'head', causing it to go inert. The chains holding it begun dragging it back to whatever timeline it had came from until it was finally gone.

• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Well, Rel'larutina, your counterpart is quite the resourceful woman.
• Rel'larutina - Right?
• Ray'loth - MAN WHAI DONT OUR KROOZA HAV SIK PIRATE CANNONS? KALKUIR IF YA ADD DEM TO IT IM NOT GONNA PUT YA IN DA BRIG FER A MONTH
• Kal'kuir - FINE ILL GO STUDY DEM
• Rel'larutina - Well, there's nothing else to do here, right? Alt-Brag'klogga said he'd taken the rest of the artifacts from this world already.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - The artifact we're here for isn't an item, per se. It's something quite different.

As alt-Falrik Zaarkhun pointed to a cliff above the crater, the group saw a bright light shone from a portal that appeared before them, it stood out quite clearly. The group felt the presence of a Taldar—one that many of them had not felt in years, and that those from Sherita's timeline had never felt—as the figure that was known only to them as the "Taldar Elder" appeared.

The Taldar Elder swooped down and walked slowly towards them, a warm smile on his face. The group felt a sense of warmt and comfort as he approached, then summoned a chair below him, and greeted them. Brag'klogga, however, screamed in horror as he pointed a finger at the Taldar Elder accusingly.

• Taldar Elder - Hello, children of Volzara! And hello to all of you I've yet to meet! Oh, it's been so long.
• Brag'klogga - AAAAAAHHH!! ITS... ITS ROZ'TAH'FLOK!!!!!!!!!!!
• Fre'kloar - FAKE GOD GET DA HELL OUTTA HEER IM NOT LISSENIN TA YOO... akshully fer som reeson im not dat mad
• Yogtam - Taldar Elder! It is good to once again make your acquaintance. It has indeed been far too long.
• Titanozor - How curious... I was not expecting to see you again, Elder. You seem better than our previous meeting.
• Taldar Elder - Yes, it is true, I and my people do not typically involve ourselves in mortal affairs! But grave times like this—when the timelines are at a crossroads, about to shatter—call for such intervention. Volzara could not be here herself, but I'm sure she will be in time. And thank you to Falrik Zaarkhun, for knowing just where to find me.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - You're welcome. I knew you'd be here, in a place that has enough affinity to the Taldar that you can be present here but still unnoticed by Zargoth. So it seemed logical to turn to you for help in the battle that will come ahead.
• Titanozor - You intend to fight by our side, then? An Essential would turn the ride in our favor against the demons.
• Taldar Elder - No, not quite. I won't fight right now, no. But I have important knowledge to impart. And then I'll fight!
• Titanozor - Hmpf. I suppose knowledge is better than nothing, provided it is useful knowledge.
• Fre'kloar - I DONT WANT KNOWLEDG FRUM A FALSE GOD. YOO WAS ONLY EVA LIKED BY ZRAHGLOTH AN HIS CRONIES
• Hagto'Zhl - YEH YOR A LOSA GOD I REMEMBA YOO FROM DA FOGGY WAR OF BLAK GEEZAS. ZR'AN AND K'AR IS WAY BETTA DAN YA

The Elder sat back on his chair, sighing solemnly.

• Taldar Elder - Yes, Zr'Ahgloth... Unfortunate how he passed. Had the timeline not been altered by the arrival of the alternate Loron, he would've lived a few decades more before dying a similar death. But his fate was the same: he died the hero he was always meant to be deep down. I suppose I should be sad that I lost my biggest fan in the universe, but I'm happy for him to have chosen the path he did.
• Yogtam - We all mourned his loss. His death was unfortunate, but fitting for a warrior such as he. He will be remembered.
• Rel'larutina - Either way, what is this knowledge you're talking about?
• Taldar Elder - Hm, I gather the alternate Brag'klogga has already told you of his intentions to kill Volzara?
• Titanozor - He claims that Volzara will die and that Zargoth will take control of all time. The usual cultist garbage I have heard so many variations of over the years.
• Taldar Elder - You see, the timelines are not something that we write. You don't have your fate determined for you. Rather, when the universe is created, you all have free will, and we record all your efforts. And every time the universe is created up until its end, in different timelines, you all make different decisions in life, and things all play out differently! Our job is deciding which of these timelines are ones that should play out, and which should be discarded.
• Yogtam - I sure hope you don't discard the good ones...
• Taldar Elder - For the most part, discarding them is Zargoth's job. That's why he is emotionless, uncaring, and feels no remorse as he wipes out trillions of lives all at once based on a calculation error. That role goes to him. But, we're not sure how well this arrangement has been working out, after all. It's led to eons and eons of conflict between Zargoth and Volzara over which methods are just and which are not.
• Yogtam - Is there even an argument to be made? Zargoth is a demom in service of the Xhodocto. Of course his methods aren't going to be just!
• Taldar Elder - Yes, that's the conclusion we've largely arrived to. That this just won't work out. That means the conflict will have to end. Of course, if we allow it to end on Zargoth's terms, that means that Volzara dies, and he takes over. He has total, 100% say over which timeline is true, and which is false. He makes all the decisions on how all these events play out. All power, handed over just to him, and to his Xhodocto masters.
• Sherita - Right. Like how he can just decide to make the Loron in every timeline turn out like the tyrants and oppressors of mine. You know, when I heard there was a timeline where the Loron were savage brutes that ate pizza all day and smelled awful, that sounded quite bad, but... seeing these guys, I kinda like it?
• Fre'kloar - ITS CUS WES DA BEST AND DA ONLY TROO LORONZ. ALSO SHUT UP YA MOM SMELLS AWFUL

The Taldar Elder smiled gleefully, as if he applauded Fre'kloar's words.

• Taldar Elder - Yes, yes, indeed... It was at first unfortunate seeing how the Loron would turn out with Durzhan's tampering, but I allowed it for good reason: an experiment. You see, judging by how things went in the other timeline—no offense, Sherita—
• Sherita - ...None taken...
• Taldar Elder - I knew that perhaps something was missing. So, maybe altering the Loron to be how they were was the right move after all!
• Brag'klogga - DA GODZ MADE US IN DEIR IMAGE. DA IMAGE OF GANGSTAS WHOS DA BEST!!!! PRAISE DA GODZ!!!!!
• Sherita - I still... I struggle with the idea sometimes. Like, alright, the Loron of this timeline are much less of a threat to you all. And in my timeline, they were awful. But on the other hand... your universe suffered through a lot. I almost wonder if my Rel'larutina was right when she said she had made things better. A lot more people are alive in my timeline.
• Titanozor - Simpletons as they may be, the Loron were still a threat. Your experiment costed billions of lives over the ages, Elder. It had better be worth it.
• Taldar Elder - If Volzara could save every life, she would. There comes a point where it's a difficult choice between giving mortals free will and controlling the timelines to be as we suit it. That was the original idea behind Zargoth and Volzara both sharing some sort of dominion over the spacetime continuum. If one had full control, it could lead to rather unfortunate outcomes. So, we have a sort of middle ground, where we allow things to play out, but try to make small changes here and there to see which is the better outcome.
• Sherita - Yeah, and I'm still not too sure myself.
• Taldar Elder - Truth be told? Neither is Volzara. It's so hard to make decisions like this. Do you value more people being alive under tyranny, or fewer people being free but weaker against demonic threats? These are philosophical questions that one god should not answer. Zargoth thinks he has all the answers, but of course, he is wrong.

The alternate Falrik Zaarkhun coughed softly under his breath to gain the Elder's attention.

• Taldar Elder - Yes?
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Which of course, brings us to the elephant in the room, and the reason we came here to seek your help... How do we stop Zargoth?
• Taldar Elder - ...Oh, didn't Tuolog already fill you in on the plan?
• Fre'kloar - UGH DIS AGEN? DIS JOKE IS GETTIN OLD
• Yogtam - No, Elder. Tuolog simply left without explanation. All we could gather is that Zargoth would find him if he explained himself.
• Taldar Elder - Ah! I see. Smart. Yes, that is wise.

The Taldar Elder stood up and placed a hand on Yogtam's shoulders.

• Taldar Elder - He trusts you, you know. He trusts all of you. It is quite unfortunate that Zr'Ahgloth is gone.
• Yogtam - ...Yeah. I don't know what to do without him and Zr'Ahgloth. Tuolog was always the wise one, he always guided us in times like this. And Zr'Ahgloth always helped us keep sane in situations like this, funny as that sounds. I just needed that raw, "I don't care, let's smash the enemy!" energy from him when we were all down and defeated. But now...
• Taldar Elder - Hmm. I'm not sure it was "let's smash the enemy" that drove Zr'Ahgloth. At least, not in his final days. I think he followed a much more important principle.
• Yogtam - What is that?
• Taldar Elder - To preserve. To protect his people. To keep his galaxy safe.

Yogtam looked at the Elder a little puzzled, before the Elder created a portal and walked towards it, then turned back towards the group.

• Taldar Elder - Take care, everyone. For the battle ahead. Because Volzara won't go down without a fight, so you'd better believe that your next battle will be a battle between Essentials that you'll be caught between!
• Rel'larutina - Lovely. Another one.
• Titanozor - The DCP is always eager to put so-called gods in their place. Zargoth will not prevail.
• Brag'klogga - BEGONE FALSE GOD!!! I BANISH YOO BAK TO DA LOSA HOLE!
• Taldar Elder - Haha. Perhaps one day, I'll meet these Zr'An and K'ar fellows! Farewell!

The Taldar Elder left through the portal, which closed behind him. The warmth of his presence was gone, replaced by the cold of the moon, as the group looked around them, confused. Before they knew it, however, a portal opened again, as the Elder popped through it.

• Taldar Elder - Oh! I almost forgot! The important knowledge!
• Rel'larutina - ... What you said wasn't the important knowledge?

The Elder quickly walked over to the group and leaned over them, speaking in a soft voice almost like a whisper, although all of them could hear it clearly.

• Taldar Elder - 33.
• Yogtam - ... Eh?
• Titanozor - Pardon?
• Brag'klogga - da numba of da godz... DIS DAYS COMIN!!!!

The Elder then walked back to his portal one last time, with a farewell:

• Taldar Elder - I'll see you all soon!

And the portal closed behind him once again, this time not reopening. The group all exchanged confused looks and shrugs, save for Brag'klogga who screamed to himself away from the others.

• Titanozor - The Elder is... eccentric, as always.
• Yogtam - That's gotta be a good sign, right?
• Sherita - Yeah, he seems pretty confident in Tuolog's plan.
• Genrai Nal - Whatever the Vyro'Narza meant with that, we must now proceed back to Hyperborea. I know you seek Murangon Nal, for I feel his presence in Borealis.
• Rel'larutina - Right, but first, we need a way out of here. I think we have one, though...
• Alt-Fre'kloar - Avast, landlubbers! The lass demands I let ye aboard me ship!

The "Rogue Krooza" starship flew over the wreckage where they were, and several ropes were dropped down to pull them up, which they used to get into the spaceship proper.

---

The ship, which had creatively been dubbed simply the "Rogue Cruiser", eerily resembled the Propa Big Rogue Krooza of the prime timeline. There were a few differences, though, namely in that many of the walls were made of wood, and there were several large barrels of rum. Where many of the pizza caffeterias had been found on the Propa Big Rogue Krooza, the Rogue Cruiser instead had bars with Norol serving rum and pizza.

They reached the Rogue Cruiser's command bridge, which much resembled the Propa Big Rogue Krooza, aside from stinking of alcohol and having mostly sleeping alt-Loron, save for alt-Fre'kloar. Alt-Fre'kloar physically resembled the prime Fre'kloar, except that in place of Fre'kloar's robotic eye was an eye patch, and rather than having a robotic arm, he had two organic arms, but a pegleg on his left leg, and a cutlass strapped to his waist.

• Alt-Fre'kloar - Ahoy, landlubbers! Glad to have ye aboard me ship!
• Fre'kloar - ok dis copycat eint as bad as ref'kolar at leest hes got a sik pirate outfit
• Alt-Fre'kloar - Y'see, in our timeline, the alt-Loron may run everything, but I still led the charge against Zr'Ahgloth! An' I been able to escape 'is wrath fer years as the leader o' the Rogue Crew! We be sailin' the stars fer years, seekin' a free galaxy away from the Emperor and the Empress! An', o' course, we 'ave somethin' to our advantage...

As he spoke, alt-Rel'larutina stepped forward. She looked very similar to how she'd looked when she had left them, though she also had a pegleg on her left leg.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - Yeah, so, Rel'larutina inspired me so much that I found my true calling: I'm a rogue leader! Like I was meant to be.
• Rel'larutina - ... Oh. Okay, that is super weird.
• Titanozor - From intergalactic empress to space pirate. How the mighty fall.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - You say that, but... I never had what it took to be empress. I was too short-sighted a ruler. But as leader of a band of pirates, able to lead this crew to undercut myself, now I know what I'm doing.
• Rel'larutina - Guess being a menace to society is just in my blood.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Yeah. It's our true calling.
• Alt-Fre'kloar - An' wit' the future empress workin' on our side in secret, we been able to escape the empress' notice fer decades! Now, we hear that the Emperor 'imself has become a demon servant, aye?
• Hagto'Zhl - wat da hell ya talkin bout??? ... wait i fink i rememba. someon told us somfin bout da fake not-zrahgloth becomin a fake hagtozhl. OH SO DATS WAT DAT MEENS DEN
• Genrai Nal - It would fit the Corruptus to transform the alternate Zr'Ahgloth into a minion. They are not the type to waste resources.
• Alt-Fre'kloar - The lass an' I know a thing or two 'bout fightin' our Loron! We'll help ye!
• Rel'larutina - Yeah, it... won't be that simple. The demons controlling the Corruptus Loron are impervious to non-Essence attacks.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - I know. So the last 50 years, I've been building Essence-based weapons on this ship. It's how I was able to beat the GroxOttz King, too. We don't have our own Kal'kuir, but... we do have me.
• Brag'klogga - DA GOD JUICE SHALL PURGE DA DEEMUNS. IT IS DA WILL OF DA GODZ!!!!
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Unfortunately, I don't think I have enough for all of you. I've only got enough to outfit my own Rogue Crew and your Rogue Boyz.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Hmm, troubling. Either way, we should tell the Council of what has transpired.
• Zalk'don - SEND DIS KROOZA TA HYPERBOREA. BLOW DA MAN UP
• Voa'reak - eint it like "blow da man down" or somfin like dat?
• Zalk'don - YEH BUT BOMZ
• Rel'larutina - Ugh.

Rel'larutina then sent a holographic transmission to the Polar Crystal Alliance Council, and the rest of the councillors appeared in hologram form. Alongside them was Arkarixus and a figure only a few of them recognized; it was a Dracogonarious wearing a decorated military outfit, who watched them with a stoic expression.

• Rel'larutina - Yes, this is what you think it is: it's an alternate timeline Loron cruiser. And yes, we retrieve Genrai Nal, and have important things to report. No, I don't like the drunk Loron to the side of me either.
• Alt-Fre'kloar - A bottle of rum for the saucy wench that looks like me lass and looks like me Empress! A bottle of rum!
• Xeron - Oh, lovely, just what we needed. More alt-Loron.
• Arkarixus - Elaborate.
• Yogtam - Ahem. We retrieved Genrai Nal successfully, and had an encounter with alt-Brag'klogga. Seems he's a servant of Zargoth and was the mastermind behind all of this. And he was polite enough to reveal his plan: he's going to try to force Volzara to come save us, and then we'll be in the middle of a Volzara-Zargoth battle with tons of Essentials showing up.
• ??? - So that is the current situation. You have made the correct decision to call for our aid.
• Arkarixus - Hm, yes, you should introduce yourself properly before we continue.
• Jerkon - I am Royal Marechal Jerkon of the Indoctrinate Collective. By my authority will my people provide support to the Polar Crystal Alliance against the Corruptus... and whatever else may be involved.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Hey Jerkon. Sorry to say, but... in my timeline, y'all got stomped by Loron so my Rogue Crew looted you for Essence-based weapons.
• Jerkon - Unamusing.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - So, we have enough Essence-based weapons to arm everyone now, right?
• Arkarixus - Technically. The Indoctrinate Collective has technology made specifically to "simulate" Essence, for the purpose of destroying Corruptus Demons.
• Jerkon - Correct. Our Pseudothoi technology will be distributed to your soldiers, and you shall use to exterminate the Corruptus threat.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - Excellent. So, what else must we do to prepare for a final battle against Essentials?

Arkarixus frowned, while Jerkon remained stoic.

• Arkarixus - That answer is beyond me. We are not fit to combat Essentials.
• Yogtam - What about the Mechanic and the Kormacvar Legacy? I know they've got their hands a little full with Corruptus now, but...
• Arkarixus - Powerful as the Grox navy is, it is still mortal. The Mechanic would not be able to combat the Vyro'Ralza if they were to march into Borealis.
• Yogtam - I should mention, we spoke to the Taldar Elder too. He told us that the Taldar will come help us, but only when the time comes. So we're not completely on our own.
• Jerkon - The Taldar Elder? Fascinating.
• Valzaria - Well... an idea crossed my mind. Do you all remember Highly Classified Zone F13?
• Sherita - Right... In my timeline, it was sealed off by the empress because of the dangers it held.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - I still know a few of its coordinates, but not all of them. I kept the rest with my Zr'Ahgloth.
• Sherita - Yeah, well I know a few of them too... But didn't you guys have someone who knew all of them in your timeline?
• Yogtam - We did. It was Billig. He died before all of you arrived.
• Valzaria - We don't need coordinates here, because we have been there. The Mechanic currently oversees that area.
• Fre'kloar - man i dont got gud memories of dat place
• Alt-Rel'larutina - If you know the coordinates, then you must know the secret time codes. The ones that could be used to shatter all of space and time if used incorrectly... but that do give you the ability to ruin Essentials with relative ease...
• Arkarixus - Billig knew these secrets, before they were taken from him. Traversing into that area is dangerous, but it may be of use to us in such dire circumstances.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Let's keep an eye on it then. That seems to be the best course of action.
• Jerkon - There is little time to spare. Preparations must be done to siege the heart of the Corruptus invasion.

The Kralgon Emperor, dressed in a different regal gown than he normally wore, and wearing a large gold medal, then appeared on screen.

• Kralgon Emperor - And I, the Interim President of the Union Republic of Ottzello, pledge my support. We will be ready to face these Essentials head-on.
• Yogtam - President? ... How curious. Congratulations!
• Voa'reak - eint he da kralgie empera??? does da meen hes nao da kralgie president???
• Kralgon President - Hm... I prefer it! Kralgon President. That's how I'll be known from now on. And we won't let demons destroy our great republic.
• Genrai Nal - There is no doubt that Murangon Nal is in Groodrub. That is where he gathers his forces, as that was where he arrived. We must strike him there.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - So... a team to Groodrub, and a small team to Highly Classified Zone F13?
• Jerkon - Not a team. An army.
• Alt-Falrik Zaarkhun - I was hoping you'd say that.
• Jerkon - When it comes to the Corruptus, extreme prejudice must be taken. They cannot be given the chance to have any advantage. As for your Classified Zone, it is beyond my knowledge.
• Yogtam - I think that's a job for me and Sherita, at the very least. But we'll probably need some help. Brag'klogga, you had your two shaman lackeys, right? Can the three of you help us out?
• Brag'klogga - DA SHAMANZ SHALL DO DIS TA PROOV WHO DA BEST GOD IS
• Arkarixus - And beyond a mere army, the Penumbra Unit will be sent to accompany the forces to Groodrub.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Our Rogue Crew will join the Groodrub force.
• Titanozor - As will the Delpha Coalition. I much look forward to facing this... "alt-Hagto'Zhl".
• Hagto'Zhl - IM SO SIK OF COPYCATS MAN MAKE IT END
• Grak'tona - I'M GOIN WHEREVA DA SIK FITIN IS. SO I SAY HIGHLY CLASSIFIED ZONE
• Rel'larutina - Have you been paying any atten—oh, you know what? They'll need all the help they can get...
• Drizz'pyrokirk - FINE DEN I GUESS YA WANT ME TO ACCOMPANY DA KING. YO KALKUIR COM WIV US TO DA ZONE
• Kal'kuir - such is life in da zone
• Kralgon President - We will do this. For Zr'Ahgloth.
• Arkarixus - Our course of action is decided. Rest while you can, for the next time I call you, it will be to war. The Corruptus must be defeated, at all costs. You are dismissed.
• Fre'kloar - YO LADS PIZZA BEFOR DA FINAL BATTL

As the hologram closed, the Rogue Boyz all cheered in delight, as they were then surrounded by alt-Loron holding cutlasses to their necks.

• Alt-Fre'kloar - Hold it there, landlubbers!
• Fre'kloar - DA HELL YA DOIN YA THIKO??? GET YA UGLY CURVED SHANKAS OFF MA NEKK
• Alt-Fre'kloar - Ye cannot leave this place fer pizza... unless ye take me with ye! We go fer pizza and drinks and ye can tell me all about yer timeline!
• Hagto'Zhl - MAN WHAI DIDNT YA JUS SAY SO? I WAS BOUT TA BREAK PEEPZS ARMS IN A SEC
• Jol'kiar - hmmmmm he does remind me a lot of frekloar. dunno if i shuld be proud of dis one??? does he count as frekloar??? dis is confusin
• Alt-Fre'kloar - It be settled. Pizza, rum, karaoke, and stories of timelines unknown!

Stories over Drinks

The Rogue Loron at first objected to what they viewed as a bastardized version of their own pizza cafeteria aboard the Rogue Krooza, but began to take a great liking to what alt-Fre'kloar introduced them to thereafter. Loud music (albeit pirate chanties rather than rap), bar brawls, lots of pizza, and all around laughter and great times. And though few of them had drank rum before, they began to thoroughly enjoy it only a round or two in.

The Rogue Boyz used the opportunity to brag to alt-Fre'kloar's pirates about their adventures and tell stories, much as they had been invited to do.

• Alt-Fre'kloar - I gather ye be enjoyin' the taste of rum, me hearties! Good to have company fer once!
• Gol'thabex - yanno i had rum like once befor and thought it was kinda weird but it eint so bad. probs cus im drinkin wiv loronz dis time around
• Fre'kloar - PLUS YOR PIZZAS NOT DAT BAD. YOO DID GOOD HEER
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Well, I did copy all my counterpart's recipes.
• Rel'larutina - They say plagiarism is the best form of flattery. But this is like saying I'm plagiarizing myself, so I don't really care.
• Grak'tona - WEN CAN I TELL DA STORY OF HOW I SLEW DA ABOMINABUL SNOW LORON WIV MA PINKY FINGA
• Hagto'Zhl - hao bout NEVA. REEL SIK OF DAT SAME OLD STORY EVERY TIME
• Grak'tona - ok it goes like dis. so i was a littl lad in an igloo one day wen i herd a loud scre—
• Drizz'pyrokirk - SHUT YA MOUFF BEFOR I FREEZE IT
• Brag'klogga - DATS A SMALL TIME STORY. IF YA WANT STORIES DEN I, DA BEST SHAMAN, CAN PROVIDE IT
• Alt-Fre'kloar - Then we've our first volunteer! Put up on the stage and give 'im the mic!

Alt-Fre'kloar gestured over to the karaoke stand, where a smaller Loron was singing a pirate chanty, before larger Loron kicked him off the stage and threw him aside, allowing Brag'klogga to take the stage and begin talking. He posed dramatically, his cape flowing despite the complete absence of wind.

• Brag'klogga - da ancient history of our timeline, also known as ZRAN AN KAR'S TIMELINE, DA BEST TIMELINE EVA, begins ova a dozen dozen dozen dozen DOZEN yeers ago wen da loron godz created da oonivers. but see it took dem a whil befor dey invented deir best creashon, da loronz, but DERES IMPORTANT STUFF BEFOR DAT
• Fre'kloar - LIKE WAT
• Brag'klogga - so bak in da past, dere was a buncha galaxies, includin da Milky Way, da Andromaggedon, da Cyrannian Republican Galaxy, but moar importantly da Borealis an da Ottzello Galaxies. dey wasnt da same fing. in da Ottzello Galaxy dere was da loron godz dat created a buncha crappy alienz coz dey HADNT INVENTED LORONZ YET
• Rel'larutina - Actually, Volzara created all life in Ottzell—
• Brag'klogga - SHUT UP WHIL IM TELLIN A STORY. anywayz yes dere was da week time piggies known as da talda dat try an claim dey created da loronz but DEYZ LYIN. da time piggies had a buncha servants called blyro'tralzica and enemies called blyro'tralzorca an dere was dis geeza who led da tralzica called kaltogo who was all "YO IMMA KISS DA TIME PIGGIES ASS AN DEYZ GONNA PROTECT US" whil da tralzorca was led by a geeza called Durzhan who was all "YA MOMS UGLI AN AKSHULLY ZARGOTH IS DA BEST HES GONNA TURN US ALL INTA TRAFFPHYDS!!!! aka vyro'ralza, da geekia vershon. see ofc da tralzorca kinda won afta Zr'An an K'ar stepped down personally an sed "WE IS GONNA KILL ALL OF YOOS COZ IN DA FUTUR, DIS SHAMAN CALLED BRAG'KLOGGA, WHO WILL BE DA BEST EVA, WILL BE BORN AN WE DONT WANT YOO MESSIN DAT UP"
• Kal'kuir - wat??? DAT NEVA HAPPENED
• Brag'klogga - QUIET TOSSA. anywayz meenwhil in da borealis galaxy but LOTSA yeers ago dere was dis race called da Kormacvar who was all "wes ALSO gonna kiss da time piggies ass but not as much" an den da god named Zargoth killed half of dem becuz dey called him fat an becuz he was bored den da grox shanked da rest so dis one geeza called Regnatus was all "NOW YOR IN FOR IT" an enslaved dem all den hid away in a tiny corna foreva wher he wuld not com bak til da end of da Borealis War, WHICH WE WON, an den Zr'An an K'ar came down frum da sky an was all "DA BOREALIS GALAXY IS FER LORONZ" an shanked evryon els den DEY BUILT STATUES OF BRAGKLOGGA DAT DA STOOPID TIME PIGGIES VANDALIZED SO DEY WAS TAKEN DOWN. MAN WAT AN OUTRAGE
• Jol'kiar - STOP MAKIN UP CRAP YA MORON

The Rogue Boyz revolted and threw bottles and tomatoes at Brag'klogga, one of which knocked him unconscious as Rel'larutina awkwardly dragged him aside. Jol'kiar then walked up to the stage and took the mic, stomping his foot down.

• Jol'kiar - ENUFF OF DIS CLOWNIN BOUT. LEMME TELL YAS OF A REEL STORY. IT WAS WHEN ZR'AHGLOTH LAUNCHED A MASSIV WAR AGENST DA WHOL OF OTTZELLO. DA FIRST WAR I FINK DEY CALL IT. I WAS DERE YANNO, I USED TA BE ZR'AHGLOTHS SECOND IN COMMAND
• Rel'larutina - (First Ottzello Galactic War, yes. Carry on.)
• Jol'kiar - YEH DAT ONE. ANYWAY DIS WAS DA TIME WHEN DA PROPA BIG LORON EMPIRE WENT ALL OUT AND STARTED MASSACRIN PEEPZ LEFT AND RITE. IT WAS SIK UP TO DA POINT WHEN IT WASNT CUS ZR'AHGLOTH STARTED GETTIN ALL PISSY LIKE "HURHUR YA SHOULD JUS OBEY ME ALWAYS EVEN THO I MAKE DECISIONS LIKE IM HIGH" AND EVERYON WAS LIKE "MAN GET OFF YA HIGH HORSE" BUT DAT GEEZA WAS SO STRONG HE JUS SLAPPED ANYON WHO TALKED BAK AT HIM. INSANE I TELL YA
• Fre'kloar - INCLUDIN ME FFS. BUT HE KEPT THRALOY ON
• Jol'kiar - YEH CUS THR'ALOY IS A PSYCHO WEIRDO. ANYWAY DIS WAS ALSO DA TIME WHEN DA DEVIL HIMSELF GOT BIG. GRATZ'KAOZ WAS HIS NAME AND HE LED DA BIGGEST MASSIV CREW OF ALL TIME. I WAS HIS SIDEKIK ONCE AND I GOT TA SEE HIM GOIN COMPLETELY MAD. LIKE IMAGIN A LORON EXCEPT INSTED OF BEIN GANGSTA, YA GOT A GUY WHOS JUS... FERAL. COMPLETELY ANGRY AND PISSED OFF ALL DA TIME
• Alt-Fre'kloar - Feral?! This not be the true Loron way at all!
• Jol'kiar - YEH MAN DATS WHAI I LEGGED OFF WHEN I GOT DA CHANCE. ME AND ZRAHGLOTH EVEN STUMBLED INTO HIM ONCE DURIN DAT WAR AND DAT WAS PROBS DA FIRST TIME I SAW HIM GET SCARED OF ANYON. ANYWAY WE WON DAT WAR CUS WES DA BEST BUT DATS JUS DA FIRST OF MANY
• Rel'larutina - You mean, you lost the war because the DCP got involved and then you were too preoccupied with them while they took Taldar artifacts from the galaxy so you just kinda quit.
• Jol'kiar - LORONZ NEVA LOOS!!!! WE JUS LEEV SO WE CAN COM HAV ANOTHA GO LATA. ANYWAY DEN COMES DA SECOND WAR WHICH WAS DA SIK TIME WHEN DA BEST BOYZ POPPED UP
• Rel'larutina - Sure, let's just gloss over the time when Titanozor had his huge battle with Zr'Ahgloth, and how that was the second time Zr'Ahgloth ever faced an opponent he couldn't beat... how the DCP were close to glassing the entire species if it weren't for an invasion known as "the Nanohorde" that kept them preoccupied...
• Jol'kiar - tbh i wasnt involved den cus i got into a fite wiv da zazzie boyz at da time (WHICH I WON BTW DONT LISSEN TA PEEPZ SAYIN OTHAWISE)
• Fre'kloar - wat jolkiar is tryin ta say is SHUT UP YA STOOPID CHIK. ANYWAY YEH DA SECOND OTTZELLO WAR GIMME DA MIC
• Jol'kiar - COM TELL DESE YOUNGUNS HAO DA BEST EMPIYA CAME TA BE

Jol'kiar stepped down from the stage, handing the mic to Fre'kloar. Alt-Fre'kloar was heavily engaged and loving what he was watching, downing another pint as Fre'kloar coughed a little to get the audience' attention and then spoke.

• Fre'kloar - SO YEH BASICALLY afta a few yeers sinc da dcp left (COZ WE WON), dis race known as da Kralgon came outta nowher sinc da godz was angry at da loronz fer worshippin Roz'Tah'Flok unda Zr'Ahgloth insted of DA BEST GODZ EVA ZR'AN AN K'AR
• Rel'larutina - (They came back because the Kralgon Emperor was awoken by Falrik Zaarkhun when he was under Zargoth's control...)
• Fre'kloar - SMH RUDE INTARRUPSHONS. anywayz so da Kralgonz was a species of CONQUERAS who had dese PROPA TUFF ARMIES dat stomped ova all of ottzello an forced most of dem ta retreet. wats worse is, even tho we culdve STOMPED DA KRALGONZ WIV EESE, ZR'AHGLOTH BEIN DA HYPOCRITICAL WIMP DAT HE IS, GAVE UP!!!!!
• Alt-Fre'kloar - I'll be! Zr'Ahgloth of our timeline would never back down from a fight!
• Fre'kloar - IKR IT WAS AN OUTRAGE. SO DA KRALGIES PUT NANOMASHEENZ INTA HIM AN KIDNAPPED HIM AN BASICALLY MADE HIM A SERVANT OF DEIRS LEEVIN DA POSISHON OF PROPA BIG BOSS VACANT. SO DERE WAS DIS ROUNDTABLE OF LORONZ DAT CULD TAKE UP DA MANTL OF PROPA BIG BOSS AN OFC I STEPPED FORWARD BUT THR'ALOY AN DA OTHAS WAS ALL "NAH YOR TOO STRONG AN YOO CULD REK ZR'AHGLOTH AN EMBARASS US"—
• Rel'larutina - (They laughed you out of the room...)
• Fre'kloar - —SO I STUK IT OUT ON MA OWN IN WAT IS KNOWN IN DA HOLY BOOKZ AS DA REBELLION. JOLKIAR AN I WENT AROUND RECRUITIN MANY OF DA PEEPZ YA SEE HEER TODAY BUT DEN OFC DA DEVIL, GRATZ'KAOZ, CAME BACK. SO WE HAD TA SMAK DA DEVIL UPSIDE HIS HED AN BEET HIS ASS IN ORDA TA WIN AN DEN DA ROGUE BOYZ WAS TRULY FORMED
• Rel'larutina - And also, all the other Ottzelloans had to try and battle the Kralgon, who now had a Loron army under their control, the Ottzello Galaxy was abandoned, the Ottzelloans were forced to retreat to small pockets outside the galaxy to mount their comeback...Durzhan made sure the Ottzelloans had no hope of winning...
• Fre'kloar - DATS NOT IMPORTANT. WATS IMPORTANT IS DA ROGUE BOYZ REKT FACE!!!
• Jol'kiar - YEH. WES DA BEST LORON EMPIYA DERE IS. DONT MESS
• Hagto'Zhl - BUT YOO WASNT DA BEST YET. YOO WAS ONLY DA BEST WEN I JOINED

Hagto'Zhl walked up to the stage and practically shoved Fre'kloar off before taking the mic for himself.

• Hagto'Zhl - AFTA ALL DAT NONSENS COMES DA FOGGY WAR OF BLAK GEEZAS. DIS IS WHEN DA CORRUPTUS SHOWED UP WIV ZR'AN'KAR (who was like zr'an and k'ar but only one of dem) AND BROUGHT DA DARK LORONZ WIV HIM TA SMASH DA OONIVERS. DA CORRUPTUS BAK DEN WAS SIK CUS DEY JUS LEMME DO WATEVA I WANTED
• Rel'larutina - They were still Loron'Kikra back then. The same ones we're dealing with now, but they're Kikra versions of our Loron. So they sucked a little bit more.
• Hagto'Zhl - I SUPPOS. ANYWAY ZRAHGLOTH STARTED TRYIN TA COPY ME AND PRETEND HE WAS ME, DA COPYCAT DUMBO, SO I BEET HIS ASS IN A RAP WAR. AT LEEST DAT WAS UNTIL ZR'AN'KAR (AKA DAD) TOLD HIM TA BE MA MANSERVANT HURHURHUR. SO DA LORONZ AND DA LORON'KIKRAZ AND DA DEEMUNS ALL STARTED KILLIN EVERYUN WIV SPOOKY NITEMARE GOD JUICE IT WAS SIK
• Alt-Fre'kloar - "Spooky nightmare god-juice"? Sounds excitin'! And sounds like something me crew would've loved to join!
• Rel'larutina - Depends if you're up to becoming a slave to a monstrous demon god of darkness, I guess.
• Hagto'Zhl - ALL WAS SIK BAK DEN I MISS DOSE DAYZ. I EVEN HAD GRATZ'KAOZ AS MA MANSERVANT TOO HURHUR. AT LEEST UNTIL ZRAHGLOTH AND HIS HOMIES SHOWED UP AND RUINED EVERYFIN. DERE WAS DA MIDGET FELLA WHO WASNT DAT IMPORTANT BUT DERE WAS DIS GEEZA CALLED MAC, HE WAS A TUFF ONE
• Kal'kuir - MAC IS KINDA SCARY COZ HES FASTA DAN WINDOWS. cant run any games tho. imagin havin a computa wen ya cant run World of Gangstacraft
• Fre'kloar - mate ar yoo STOOPID? DAT GAME SUKS YOO SHULD SWITCH TA GANGSTA FANTASY 14
• Hagto'Zhl - SO DEY ALL CHEETED AND TRIED TA FITE ME ALL AT ONCE BUT I BEET DEM ALL UP. BUT DEN DAD HAD AN ITCHY NOSE AND SNEEZED SO HARD DA LORON'KIKRAZ ALL DISAPPEARED. PROPA ANTICLIMATIC. also iirc dis was da time frekloar and his lot mooved ta borealis but i wasnt part of da crew at da time. PRETTY SUR I ACCIDENTALLY SENT GRATZ TA TRY AND KILL DEM BUT IT WASNT MA FAULT IT WAS ZR'AHGLOTHS (probably). oh and da corruptus turned into da losas we hav ta fite today so i dont like dem anymor
• Rel'larutina - Okay, so, not bad. You missed the part where: Zr'An'Kar didn't "sneeze", he was defeated by Mac and Tyraz, so that made you disappear instead, and the part where there was a whole Third Ottzello Galactic War going on where the Ottzelloans united to form the Unified Nation of Ottzello, under the Kralgon, in order to combat a threat called the Tralkikianoe that Durzhan and Zaarkhun unleashed... how Zaarkhun was defeated so Zargoth left Zaarkhun's body, leaving to Zaarkhun turning insane...
• Hagto'Zhl - TBH I DONT EVEN KNO ANYFIN ABOUT DAT WAR. WAT WAS IT EVEN BOUT? SOMFIN BOUT SPACE BUGS? SHOULDA JUS BOUGHT MOR BUG SPRAY
• Jol'kiar - DA SPACE BUGS GOT RETCONNED OUT LOSA
• Hagto'Zhl - EH. SOUNDS CRAPPY TBH CUS I WASNT IN IT LMAO
• Rel'larutina - There was this whole story also that y'all missed out on taking place in between where most of the First Gigaquadrant got destroyed. Including the Ottzello Galaxy... or most of it, anyway. The Taldar saved most of it, and moved it to the Milky Way Galaxy, until they found out they weren't wanted there. And then, and then, there was that embarassing war called Da Rampage where you got destroyed by UNO over and over again.
• Hagto'Zhl - is we sure dat AKSHULLY happened? cus it all feels like a hazy dreem. well save fer da part ottzello is GONE nao i guess i can beleev dat part
• Rel'larutina - Yeah, I mean, one of us has to keep an actually reliable record of what happened, right? Instead of some clown ending everything with "BTW WE WON DA WAR HAHAHAHA GET REKT" or whatever.
• Hagto'Zhl - YA WANNA GET SHOT OFF ONE OF DESE CANNONS? DONT TEST ME WOMAN YOR ALREDY PRETTY CANNONBALL-SHAPED
• Alt-Fre'kloar - Oi, that be enough of yer foul mouth towards the ladies! Here, we show them utmost respect!
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Heheh. One of the perks of our timeline's Loron.
• Hagto'Zhl - unfortunately im DA EVIL ONE so i dont giv a damn. anyway i fink nao is da part wher we get to da borealis war
• Grak'tona - OOOH OOOH MY TURN

Grak'tona, like an excited child, grabbed the mic away from Hagto'Zhl, who just stepped back and took a seat.

• Grak'tona - OK SO LEMME TELL YOO DA TALE OF KING GRAK'TONA, DA KING OF DA LORONZ FOREVA, DA RITEFUL RULA CHOSEN BY DA GODZ, AN DA BEST GEEZA YOO EVA SAW. SO GRAK'TONA WAS BORN TO A FALSE KING NAMED GRAK'LIKA AN WAS TOLD "ONE DAY YOR GONNA GROW UP TO BE DA BEST KING WE EVA SAW" AN HE TOOK DAT TA HEART. SO HE ATE HIS DAD!!!! HAHAHAHAHA AN DEN HE BECAME KING. HE WENT ON SEVRAL ADVENTURS, WHER HE SLEW ABOMINABUL SNOW LORONZ, GIANT KRAKEN MONSTAS, AN EVEN ONE TIME WHER HE FOUGHT AN ARMY OF GHOST PIRATE GYSPY NINJAS WIV HIS BARE HANDS AN WIV HIS LEGS TIED BEHIND HIS BAK DA WHOL TIME. anyway dats da story of da second borealis war
• Rel'larutina - It... isn't. At all.
• Grak'tona - FINE DEN KILLJOY. LEMME TELL YOO DA REEL STORY. so one day i was mindin ma own business wen a buncha TOSSAS came up in a ship called da "Propa Big Rogue Krooza" (SERIUSLY WAT A STOOPID NAME FER A SHIP) an said "YO LORONZ DONT HAV KINGZ. DEY HAVE PROPA BIG BOSSES". so i went to dem "YOR NOT EVEN WORFY TA LIK MA BOOTS" an was gonna sentence dem to be executed but den dis geeza called Fre'kloar, who wuld go on ta be ma ROYAL BODYGUARD, bent down on bof his knees an PLEEDED WIV ME, BEGGIN fer mercy, so I sed "HUR FINE WAT KINDA KING DOESNT HAV COMPASSHON" AN DEN LET HIM JOIN MA EMPIYA
• Fre'kloar - AKSHULLY IM PRETTY SURE I KIKKED YA ASS IN A DUEL
• Grak'tona - YOO GO ON BELEEVIN WATEVA LIES YA WANT. so afta dey joined da Grak'tona Kingdom, which dey called "Da Rogue Boyz" fer som weird reesun idk i dont queston it, da Grak'tona Kingdom got involved in dis larga war wher deez demuns known as da Xi'Arazulha arrived tryin ta take ma crown bcuz i offended dem in a facebook post. so afta downvotin it an tryin ta shank me, dey arrived an got supa mad so dey invaded da kingz' capital but den ma royal bodyguards ambushed dem den dey died
• Rel'larutina - Actually the galaxy's powers rallied together with UNO and got in contact with Volzara, who got the Xi'Arazulha to leave. That was the first time we saw Volzara getting involved in this universe.
• Grak'tona - yeh yeh yeh som supa hot chik came ta sav da king i kno. i jus hav dat effect on women i guess. ANYWAYZ AFTA DEY LEFT DERE WERE DEEZ CRETURS KNOWN AS "DA VAGUE" WHO FOUGHT DAT MY FACEBOOK POST WAS ABOUT DEM??? SO DEY INVADED TA TAKE MA CROWN EXCEPT DEY WAS ONLY AFTA UNO FER SOM DUM REESUN LOL. SO ALL DA OTHA LOSAS IN DA GALAXY, INCLUDIN A FALSE KING OF DA ZOLES AN DEN DA COPS, WHER ALL "MAN IM LOSIN MA PATIENCE WIV UNO EVA SINCE DEY SHOWED UP WE JUS BEEN HAVIN PROBLEMS" SO DEY PUT DEM IN A "SPACETIME QUARANTINE" DAT LOKED DA OTTZELLO SECTA AWAY. DIS WAS AN OUTRAGE BECUZ DIS WAS WHER DA GRAKTONA KINGDOM WAS LOCATED!!!!!!
• Drizz'pyrokirk - yeh but at leest dey quit it wiv dat som time lata. DEN FINGS GOT PROPA WEIRD WIV A BUNCHA LOSAS CHALLENGIN US LIKE DA CORRUPTUS AGEN, PLUS DA GROX AND ZAARKHUN AND HIS PAL VOLIM
• Grak'tona - OH YEH DATS RITE. ZAARKHUN WAS ANOTHA ONE WHO WANTED MA CROWN BUT HE WAS SMART ABOUT IT SO HE TRIED TA KISS DA KINGS ASS A BIT IN DA MEENTIME. SO WHIL UNO WAS LOKED AWAY ZAARKHUN DID DIS WHOL FING DAT WAS LIKE "WE DONT NEED KINGZ NO MOAR!!!! WE CAN STIK IT OUT ON OUR OWN!!!!" WHICH WAS PART OF HIS PLOT TA MAKE DEM REALIZE HOW GOOD HAVIN A KING WAS SO DAT I CULD TAKE CHARG ONE DAY. PROBLEM WAS IT DIDNT WORK BECUZ DA COPS AN DA FALSE KING REALIZED DAT UNO WAS DEIR ALLY AN NOT DEIR ENEMY SO DEY RELEESED DA QUARANTIN AN DEN DERE WAS A HUGE BATTL AGENST ZAARKHUN IN WHICH DA KING SED "YOO ALL SUK" AN JUS BEET DA CRAP OUT OF DEM AN TOOK DA CROWN!!! DEN I SINGLEHANDEDLY VENTURED INTO DA CORE OF DA GALAXY AN KILLED DIS GEEK NAMED "REGNATUS" WIVOUT LIFTIN A FINGA!!!!!!
• Alt-Fre'kloar - ...Who be this "Regnatus" fella?
• Rel'larutina - Before we get to that part, let's just note he's skipping the part where we met Zargoth, where they had the whole "UNO refuses to become Vyro'Ralza" debacle, and these idiots steal an entire Gyronidium boulder from his dimension. And then Grak'tona, in his greed, absorbs it, turns into a giant monster and get his ass kicked and embarrasses himself.
• Grak'tona - IT WAS SO SHINY THO
• Rel'larutina - But yes, Regnatus. He was a piece of work alright. Even Zr'An'Kar was scared of him. Think of it like, a giant planet-sized machine god. And when he says he "killed" him, it was more like the entire galaxy joining forces to just stand a chance against him.
• Alt-Fre'kloar - By the Goddess...
• Rel'larutina - And we would've all died, to be honest, if it weren't for Arkarixus. You'll know him when you see him.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - How exactly did you win against such a thing? I don't think he was ever awakened in our timeline...
• Grak'tona - I JUS TOLD YOO. I WENT DERE AN KILLED HIM IN ONE HIT
• Rel'larutina - Shut up. From what I gathered, he had some sort of psychic link to a Grox King, and once Arkarixus killed this Grox King - inside of Regnatus' body, mind you - his shields went down and he received what was basically an orbital bombardment.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Damn. Yeah, that'll do it, I guess.
• Alt-Fre'kloar - A fine victory for the Loron and for the Borealis Galaxy!
• Grak'tona - BUT MOSTLY FER DA GRAK'TONA KINGDOM. BUT YEH AFTA DAT I DECIDED TA BE A CHIVALRUS KING ONCE AGEN AN CALL DA WAR A TIE AN LET DA REST OF DA GALAXY GO EVEN THO I WON
• Rel'larutina - Actually, these idiots were tricked into betraying Zaarkhun and almost got wiped out before I negotiated a cease-fire with the Polar Crystal Alliance.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - You, as in, me, saving the day? Sounds about right.
• Rel'larutina - Zaarkhun and his collaborators eventually succumbed to infighting and all died so Da Rogue Boyz took advantage of it once the whole mess was over. Granted, that was after the whole "Perfect Fate" thing happened...
• Kal'kuir - OH HOLD UP I GOTTA EXPLAIN DAT
• Grak'tona - BUT I HAVENT EVEN GOT TO DA PART WHER DIS SUPA HOT CHIK CAME DOWN AN BLEW ME FER WINNIN DA WAR—

As Grak'tona protested, Drizz'pyrokirk froze him in an ice cube and then kicked the ice cube to the ground, allowing Kal'kuir to take the floor.

• Kal'kuir - rite so heers da deel wiv all dat, an lissen up coz its IMPORTANT. so basically da goal of da second borealis war, Zargoth started it first becuz he wanted ta turn da UNO into Traffphyds, aka Vyro'Ralza, BUT dey refused da offa
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Yeah... Durzhan had built everything in your timeline up to that moment. Trying to get the Ottzelloans desparate enough to accept. So that they could become Vyro'Ralza. Of course, they refused, so it was my timeline that spawned the Vyro'Ralza.
• Kal'kuir - rite, BUT he had a secondary goal. his goal was ta replace da Vyro'Narza an da Vyro'Ralza wiv da VYRO'XIYARA, a much moar powaful godrace dat combined bof. Volzara was kinda on board at first until she lerned dat in secret he had been rekkin da whol timeline an stuff an dat upset her
• Rel'larutina - Yeah, that's right. She thought he was doing it for the Vyro'Ralza plan still. He wasn't. He was just giving Zr'An'Kar an outlet for revenge.
• Kal'kuir - yeh SO da rogue boyz an da UNO an da othas in da PCA all joined up ta confront zargoth wher he lerned he was all "LOOK I CANT KILL VOLZARA AN VOLZARA CANT KILL ME SO DA COMPROMIS IS DIS" an dats wen we had a MASSIV SHOWDOWN AGENST ANTAGONAR (who is one of his servants btw) AN AGENST ZR'AN'KAR (kinda weird but yeh) AN WON BEFOR ZARGOTH WAS ALL "ENUFF OF DIS TIME TA MAKE DA XIYARA" an den da Vyro'Xiyara was made. it was called, umm...it was called...
• Rel'larutina - "Ottzello". It was named after the galaxy.
• Kal'kuir - YEH DATS RITE. so at first ottzello was all "YO I HATE BOFF OF YOOS AN IMMA SHANK YA" so dey had ta fite it an dey FOUGHT dey had destroyed it but dey hadnt (moar on dat lata) den Zargoth was all "WELP PLAN B GUESS I GOTTA KILL YA" an Volzara was all "YOR NOT GONNA KILL ME" so dey fought it out an den dere was dis weird scene wher a blue god child came up to da mass relay an was all "OK YOO HAV THREE CHOICES TA END DA STORY: A BLU SEX SCENE, A GREEN SEX SCENE, OR A RED SEX SCENE" AN SO DA LORONZ CHOSE DA GREEN ENDIN AN DEN DA WAR WAS OVA
• Rel'larutina - Thankfully for my sanity, what actually happened was that Zargoth hesitated after Ottzello revealed he was deeply in love with Volzara, and he decided to just... leave peacefully.
• Kal'kuir - oh sorry i got da stories mixed up. YEH DATS RITE HE LEFT AFTA HE REALIZED HE WAS IN LOV. KINDA LIKE HOW IM IN LOV WIV MA WIFE. MAN WHER IS SHE
• Rogue Geek - I have always been here, watching. Judging. And watching. But mostly judging. However, it seems the others are not.

The Rogue Geek's mechanical form waved from a seat, and then pointed at the rest of the audience - save for the two Rel'larutinas, they had all fallen asleep. Prodding from the Rogue Geek eventually woke them.

• Alt-Fre'kloar - Huh? There be more stories? There be more stories! Sorry, lad, can yer start from the beginning?
• Ray'loth - man kalkuir is so BORIN when he starts talkin. ANYWAY A QUIK RECAP OF WAT HAPPENS AFTA WE WON DA BOREALIS WAR: DA BOREALIS ALIENS IS ALL LIKE "its da ice age nao cus we lov ice puns" and dey spent da next few yeers circlejerkin around demselves. but we kinda just got bored and lazi. at leest until we invented DA ICE CUBE OLYMPIKS
• Grak'tona - SIK NAME COZ I CAME UP WIV IT
• Ray'loth - AKSHULLY BEFOR DAT DERE WAS ONE NUTJOB WAR. DA BLAK KROOZADE
• Jol'kiar - man why da HELL IS WE TELLIN DIS OUT OF ORDA?? SMH ITS ALMOST LIKE DA WRITAS FORGOT DIS PART HALFWAY THROO SO DEY ADDED IT RETROACTIVELY
• Ray'loth - OI DONT INTERRUPT ME. ANYWAY REMEMBA GRATZ'KAOZ? WELL HE CAME BAK TA LIFE NAO LIKE "HURHURHUR I SERVE DA XHODDIE BOYZ NAO" whos like dese reely op pls nerf deemuns wiv a big empiya
• Alt-Rel'larutina - "Xhoddie Boyz"??
• Rel'larutina - They're called Xhodocto. Not sure if your timeline would've heard of them.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - No, not at all... We've only really ever heard of Zargoth and Volzara. Sure, there were some religious nuts out there with their own gods, but we mostly wiped those out.
• Rel'larutina - Well, let's put it this way: the Xhodocto are the gods who Zargoth and Volzara answer to.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Damn... Our gods have gods...
• Ray'loth - LETS NOT GET SIDETRAKKED. ANYWAY GRATZ WAS LIKE "YO ROGUE BOYZ ME AND MA DEEMUN BROS IS GONNA SMASH YA GALAXI NAO" AND WE WAS LIKE "WAT DA HELL MAN JUS STAY DED ALREDI" AND WE HAD A BIG FITE OVA DIS SPOOKY PLACE CALLED SOMFIN LIKE "VERY CONFIDENTIAL HOLE F13"
• Rel'larutina - Highly Classified Zone F13, dumbass.
• Knar'gank - and dere was a dark loron vershon of me who whined when i outsneeked him hurhur
• Ray'loth - YEH YEH WATEVA. ANYWAY GRATZ GOES INTO DA CONFIDENTAL HOLE AND EETS A BUNCH OF TIME PIGGIE ARTIFACTS AND STARTS SCREEMIN LIKE A JRPG BOSS "MAKE ME A GOOOOOOOD"
• Alt-Rel'larutina - That mental image is so gross...
• Ray'loth - YEH AND HE TURNED SUPA GROSS LIKE SOMEON TRYIN TOO HARD TA LOOK EDGY AND COOL
• Jol'kiar - I REMEMBA HIS WORDS. HE WAS LIKE "LIFE... DREEMS... HOPE. WHER DID DEY COM FROM? AN WHER AR DEY HEDED? SUCH MEENINLESS FINGS...ILL DESTROY DEM ALL!!!!!!
• Ray'loth - YEH plus somfin bout "xiyara sekrits" or wateva. SO DEN WE RECRUITED ZRAHGLOTH TA GET OFF HIS FAT ASS TA HELP US AND SMASHED HIS FACE AND HE DIED FOR REEL DIS TIME
• Rel'larutina - Oh, "Xiyara Secrets", which Ray'loth just glossed over, are actually a critical detail. They're basically codes in space and time, like, small access codes to the fifth dimension itself. One who knows them knows how to access the Taldar's power over the fifth dimension, and thus, over the timeline. Only one who knew them all was Falrik Zaarkhun when he was mind controlled by Zargoth. And after Falrik Zaarkhun was killed, that knowledge was passed onto one of his subordinates, a fat Wranploer known as Billig Oltauris. Who these idiots served for a little bit, and thank Volzara, is dead. He was gross.
• Fre'kloar - OI WE DIDNT "SERVE" FAT ZAARKHUN WE WAS JUS FOR HIRE AT DA TIME AND HE HAD CASH
• Rel'larutina - Right. Keep telling yourself that. Carry on, Ray'loth.
• Ray'loth - ANYWAY DAT WAS DA END OF DA DEVIL. AND DEN WE KILLED ZRAHGLOTH AND TOOK OVA UNO. WE SETTLED DA SCORE WIV DEM IT WAS REEL FUNNY
• Alt-Fre'kloar - Wait, wait—slow down. Ye did what?!
• Ray'loth - YEH WE JUS WENT TA UNO, KILLED ALL DEIR LEEDAS AND SMASHED ZRAHGLOTH. TBH ITS KINDA ODD DAT EVERYUN IS SAD BOUT HIM DYING NAO
• Alt-Rel'larutina - ...Haha, you had me for a minute there. Good joke. Rel, I mean, me, can you tell us what really happened?
• Rel'larutina - They're being deadly serious.
• Ray'loth - YEH IM NOT JOKIN. WE STRAIGHT UP WON AND TOOK OVA UNO
• Alt-Fre'kloar - By the Goddess...
• Alt-Rel'larutina - In our timeline, that's...incomprehensible to us. You defeated Zr'Ahgloth???
• Ray'loth - yup. had a big battle scene wiv every leeda too. pretty profeshonal
• Rel'larutina - Remember, our Zr'Ahgloth isn't as freakishly strong as yours.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Gotcha.
• Rel'larutina - Also, y'all spoiled the fun straight after when Fre'kloar and Jol'kiar fought and then Jol'kiar died.
• Ray'loth - oh... yeh. cus jolkiar was all like "da student has ta kill da mentor its tradishon" and den freklor cried like a baby fer a whil but dey did fite and jolkiar died
• Fre'kloar - I DIDNT CRY LIKE A BABY. DIS IS FEMINIST PROPAGANDA
• Rel'larutina - And... that would lead to Da Reckoning... Oh boy, that war.
• Fre'kloar - i dont wanna talk about dat. its embarassin
• Hagto'Zhl - LORONZ NEVA LOOS. except dat time. we akshully lost dat time
• Grak'tona - any volunteers ta talk about dat??? coz i wont
• Rel'larutina - I feel the Rogue Geek would derive some pleasure from telling about how you guys got smashed, so maybe let her do it.
• Fre'kloar - SO RUDE I SWER

The Rogue Geek slowly took the stage. The pirate alt-Loron, who had barely noticed her before (as she'd mostly stayed hidden), looked baffled by the feminine-looking robot that still resembled a Loron.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - I must say, this robot has a very... peculiar design.
• Rogue Geek - Indeed. And for that, you can thank Kal'kuir. It was his idea.
• Kal'kuir - DONT KINKSHAME ME
• Rogue Geek - So, the story of the war known as "Da Reckoning" is one that none of them like to talk about, because it's the first they admitted that they lost. Essentially, Fre'kloar, suffering the PTSD from Jol'kiar's death, suddenly decided the only thing left to do was to declare war on the entire universe for some reason. Because that made a lot of sense, and was very well-thought out.
• Hagto'Zhl - IT SOUNDED LIK FUN AT DA TIME
• Rogue Geek - First, I had developed technology to use powerful nanomachines to drain a planet of its resources in hours and build entire fleets with little time to spare, making us more powerful and more numerous than ever. The Rogue Boyz led crusades to every galaxy in the First Gigaquadrant. Though successful at first, in time, each ended in failure. Miserable failure.
• Grak'tona - AN DEN FREKLOAR GOT MAD AN TOOK IT OUT ON US
• Fre'kloar - SHUT UP MAN I WAS GOIN THROO A HARD TIME
• Rogue Geek - Ultimately, the Borealis Galaxy lost its patience with the Rogue Boyz, and the Kormacvar Legacy, comprising all the Borealis Grox and Kormacvar creations that had been recovered after the Second Borealis Galactic War, just stomped us in a few minutes and was about to commit genocide against the Loron.
• Rel'larutina - Y'all had me writing up speeches begging the universe to forgive the Norol if they could just kill all the Loron they wanted. So, I came up with a plan to avoid the situation: we go back and just stop it from happening. It was an incredibly risky gamble, but it was our only hope.
• Rogue Geek - Yes. The Rogue Boyz went back in time to just before they fought Zr'Ahgloth and killed their past selves. Of course, all they would've had to do was do so silently, but Grak'tona was an idiot and believed that his past self was an imposter to his crown and so started a fight out in the open.
• Rel'larutina - Ugh. Yeah. Maybe the events that followed wouldn't have happened otherwise...
• Rogue Geek - So after doing so, they caused a huge time paradox that dealt great damage to the spacetime continuum and created a spacetime monstrosity known as "Rogue Sin". Which proceeded to almost eat them all alive. And was very amusing.
• Fre'kloar - BUT WE OVACAME IT!! WE OVACAME DA GHOSTIES!!!
• Rogue Geek - Right, the "ghosties". Yes, they did, barely, by the skin of their teeth, defeat Rogue Sin. Not before Zargoth himself arrived to tell the Loron, "You've done exactly what I wanted. You created the spacetime rift that I needed for my plan to go ahead. You fools. You utter, utter morons." He did not use those words, of course, but I somewhat wish he did.
• Rel'larutina - So they defeated Rogue Sin, and then got put on trial by the rest of the universe. Except Tuolog, wise old time guy from the Unified Nation of Ottzello, saved our asses by saying our species deserves to be forgiven, so instead we were just put on a sort of probation where we weren't allowed to attack anyone ever again ever or else we actually would be exterminated.
• Alt-Fre'kloar - Arr! Limitin' a Loron from lootin' and pillagin'? That be unacceptable! Though, I suppose ye not have much of a choice at that point.

Kal'kuir walked up to the Rogue Geek's side, taking the mic again.

• Kal'kuir - it was reel bad man. we got lazi. and everyon (cept me ofc) got REELY FAT
• Drizz'pyrokirk - NOT ME I WAS HITTIN DA GYM AN I BECAME DA BEST BOXA IN DA LORONZ
• Kal'kuir - we spent a long time jus eetin and... eetin. til brag'klogga runs up ta me in sekrit all like "AKSHULLY IT TURNS OUT ZR'AN'KAR IS FLIPPIN DED"
• Drizz'pyrokirk - lol we shuld probs wake him up huh
• Kal'kuir - nah not yet cus hes supa biased. anyway him, me and drizzy started dis sekrit operashon ta resurrect zr'an'kar cus hes da best god and we had a cool adventure collectin artifacts
• Rel'larutina - Oh, so that's what y'all were doing. I had my suspicions, but like... you guys are idiots so I thought you wouldn't be capable of pulling something like that off beneath my notice...
• Kal'kuir - SHUT UP IM A GENIUS. anyway we collected all da trash we needed ta make a big ritual in groodrub but halfway throo, guess who shows up??? NONE OTHA DAN MAC. HES ALL LIKE "WAIT. DATS ILLEGAL"
• Alt-Fre'kloar - Arr! That be the one from the Foggy War that fought Zr'An'Kar?
• Rel'larutina - Yeah. It got glossed over but he also helped fight Zr'An'Kar in the Borealis War. The two were arch-enemies since Zr'An'Kar hit him with a curse. So I guess I understand him not wanting his arch-enemy to be resurrected by a bunch of deranged lunatics.
• Drizz'pyrokirk - IM NOT DERANGED. I WAS JUS OUT DERE TA PROMOT MA SIK NOO PROTEEN SHAKE(TM)
• Kal'kuir - so we get into a fite wiv mac but he almost kinda sorta wins BUT DEN BRAGKLOGGA STABS HIM WIV ONE ARTIFACT WE STOLE FROM DA FIFTH DIMENSHON. BUT DAT DOESNT HURT MAC, INSTED HE STARTS SHININ GOLD AND GOES ALL LIKE "akshully dat just healed me from ma curse thanks fellas"
• Alt-Rel'larutina - You... you've been to the fifth dimension?? But that's incomprehensible for three dimensional mortals! How did you even survive?!
• Kal'kuir - ive no idea tbh should ask bragklogga when we wake him up. ANYWAY MAC DECIDES TA JUS LEEV US ALONE AND DA RITUAL IS FINISHED, CEPT ZR'AN'KAR SPLIT IN TWO. SO NAO WE GOT ZR'AN AND K'AR
• Rel'larutina - Yeah, it turned out that artifact was a piece of the Vyro'Xiyara that they'd just injected into Mac's veins.
• Kal'kuir - eh it shuld be fine. if anyfin da geeza was pretty happy bout it. SO NAO WE HAD TWO BEST GODZ IT WAS SIK. SOM LORONZ DIDNT BELEEV IT AT FIRST AND ONE IDIOT NAMED DEF'GLASHA AKSHULLY TRIED TA REBEL AGENST US
• Fre'kloar - OH YEH HIM. HE WAS A PROPA WEIRDO. HE WAS ALL "YOR NO LONGA FIT TA LEED DA ROGUE BOYZ ANYMOR" an we had dis moment wher we was all "am i out of touch? no its da children who ar wrong" an SMAKED HIM LOL IT WAS EEZY
• Rel'larutina - Actually, you got your ass handed to you, and you only survive because I saved the day. Again.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Def'glasha... The name's familiar. One of the few Loron in my timeline who ever attempted to challenge Zr'Ahgloth. He lost, of course, but he put up a very valiant effort.
• Rel'larutina - It was actually a fairly important event, since that - which is what, over half a century since this empire was formed? - was when these idiots finally realized how important the Norol actually are.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - It took them that long??
• Alt-Fre'kloar - Avast! Curse on ye who disrespects the ladies! I be throwin' them off the plank!
• Rel'larutina - I'll give it to them, though. When they actually stopped to listen to me, and followed my instructions, we had what basically amounted to a flawless victory.
• Kal'kuir - oh an we discovered dat Def'glasha was akshully a massiv hypocrit becuz he was led by a mad scientist named Professor Hojo who was all "DA REUNION THEORY!!!!" an brought sephiroth frum da planets core until Cloud Strife killed him
• Fre'kloar - SHUT UP DAT WASNT HIS NAME. TBF I DONT REMEMBA IT EITHA BUT AS PROPA BIG BOSS I DID DECLARE DAT DA CHIKZ IS OK FROM DAT POINT ONWARD. AND DEN WE BECAME SPACE PIRATES CUS DA PCA WAS STILL MAD AT US, SO WE DECIDED TA JUST TRAVEL TA OTHA OONIVERSES AND KILL PEEPZ DERE INSTED
• Rel'larutina - It was Xeg'kasha.
• Fre'kloar - YEH WATEVA HE WAS A STOOPID GEEK. but yeah dats da whol story of da rogue boyz up to nao

The pirates looked at one another, and then looked back at alt-Fre'kloar, to see his reaction. He raised his glass and a huge grin formed on his face.

• Alt-Fre'kloar - Here's the Rogue Boyz of the other timeline! A truly impressive history ye have! Buncha lucky scallywags, the lot of ye!
• Rel'larutina - I guess you could say we really only lasted this long because we were that lucky. Because that sure was a lot of crap we had to go through.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Pfft. Y'all only lasted so long because of you. I mean me. I mean, yeah, you get it. We're awesome.
• Hagto'Zhl - i jus kno one fing. im SUPA DRUNK rite nao
• Drizz'pyrokirk - YEH I NORMALLY AM AGENST ALCOHOL COZ ITS BAD FER GAINZ BUT I WANT MOAR
• Zalk'don - OI YA FINK I CAN MAKE A SIK EXPLOSION WIV DIS STOOF? IMMA CALL IT "DA RUM RUMBLE"
• Kal'kuir - SMH I COPYRITED DAT NAME LAST YEER FER MA NOO GUN
• Rogue Geek - Yes. The one that didn't work.
• Voa'reak - jus gotta rememba: no drinkin and flyin. in da meentime ANOTHA ROUND
• Fre'kloar - BRUH REMEMBA IN DA RAMPAGE???? YOO WAS SIK. YOO ATTAKED THRALOY LIKE "IM COMIN DOWN ON YAS... BUT YOOLL ALWAYZ BE BENEETH ME FEET!!!!!"
• Voa'reak - AHAHAHA I LOV DAT QUOTE MAN. I SED IT AGEN WHEN I DID IT DA SECOND TIME AND KILLED THRAOYS FIRST BAT FRIEND
• Hagto'Zhl - YOOO ANYON REMEMBA DA TIME WEN I FOUGHT ZR'AHGLOTH AN I WAS ALL "YOO WULDNT LIKE ME WEN IM ANGRY!!!!" AN TURNED INTO A HUGE GANGSTA BOSS WHER I WAS LIKE TWICE DA SIZE AN POWERED UP WIV GOD JUICE???
• Ray'loth - yeh dat was when we killed him i fink. DARK LORONZ IS DA BEST
• Jol'kiar - weird lookin bak on how we was all happy dat zrahgloth was ded an now hes akshully ded an we didnt do it an now i kinda want him bak
• Fre'kloar - ITS JUS SO UNFAIR MAN. A GUY LIKE HIM DESERVES A PROPA RITUAL FITE. NOT BE EETEN BY A BUNCH OF ANGRY DEEMUNS
• Hagto'Zhl - YEH WELL FRENDSHIP ENDED WIV DA CORRUPTUS AFTA DAT. DA TIME PIGGIES IS MA FREND NOW
• Jol'kiar - yeh we gotta to smash da deemunz up agen. AND YOO LOT BEST BE SIK AT IT
• Alt-Fre'kloar - Avast! I look forward to the day when I be fightin' demons by yer side! Now, how would ye like to hear the tales of Cap'n Fre'kloar the Sharkslayer, the man who sailed the stars to slay beasts all across the galaxy and stand up to the Emperor 'imself?
• Fre'kloar - YA HAV UNTIL I PASS OUT FROM DRINKIN

As alt-Fre'kloar took the stage himself and began telling similarly exaggerated and half-true tales of his own timeline, Rel'larutina turned to alt-Rel'larutina and the Rogue Geek. She found alt-Rel'larutina smiling happily, with pride, as if she were listening to the Loron attentively.

• Alt-Rel'larutina - Wow. What a group...
• Rel'larutina - Yup. Y'know, they might be a bunch of loud, stinking, grotesque manchildren, but they're my manchildren. Can't really imagine myself without them at this point.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Yeah, and I feel the exact same way. When I started the Rogue Crew after adopting my Fre'kloar... it was so refreshing? Refreshing to mostly let them take charge while I just made sure they didn't do anything stupid. Ruling an entire universe isn't for everyone, and... it certainly wasn't for me. I wasn't any good at it.
• Rel'larutina - Ruling over an entire empire ain't easy. I give Fre'kloar a lot of flak, but his job can be real stressful. And we're just one not-insignificant power in a galaxy, while you had Volzara-knows-how-many stars to administer.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - Yup. When you rule over the whole universe like that, everything... kinda blurs together. If one planet's having a hunger strike, it's just a blip on the radar. Sure, I go to visit them to watch from a distance and try and help out, but... I missed what was really important about being a leader.
• Rogue Geek - You missed the part where you're supposed to mock the Loron incessantly and try to trick them into doing stupid things for your amusement?
• Alt-Rel'larutina - ...No. Not that at all. I was so focused on how many enemies I'd killed that I missed the big picture. What made my empire great wasn't what I'd destroyed, it was what I'd built. And when I lost sight of building and focused on destroying... that's when I allowed my Brag'klogga to get to my head and lead me astray.
• Rel'larutina - Well said. The Loron have a reputation of being destructive brutes, but deep down... there's also just this comradery they have, and a love of culture. Whether it's pirate chanties for yours or rap music for mine, they're so proud of their own tradition, and they'll never let that down. Not to mention, they actually excel a lot at doing the right thing when you can get them to actually listen to you. Heck, we've unironically saved the universe more than once.
• Alt-Rel'larutina - How about we do it one more time? Save both our universes.
• Rel'larutina - I can drink to that.

Chapter 4

The End

A few years had passed since Zargoth had been placed on the throne, and equally, a few years had passed since he'd last talked to Volzara. Between his new responsibilities as emperor, and his inability to get his mind off her, Zargoth was distressed every day.

The use of time travel throughout the Taldar Empire was something Zargoth had been successful somewhat in reducing. Though the research on same-timeline time travel was made public, he'd been able to use his own time travel capabilities to prevent any misuses of it. Meanwhile, his advisors were still divided on whether to listen to the chronologists on if the damage to the fifth dimension was a threat they should be worried about, or simply their lack of full understanding of the fifth dimension.

Zargoth's position was clear: he trusted Volzara's advice, and thus, he was moving to outlaw any further use of time travel to the public. But he still believed it imperative to use the ability himself, entrusted to certain people, for the good of the species.

At the end of one of his meetings with his advisors, at a large roundtable in his palace at the center of the Golden City, he had just finished yet another discussion on the same topic. More advisors coming in to push back against his plans to outlaw time travel completely, and more furious debates among scientists that only left with a headache among those in the room. In Zargoth's mind, this also meant less focus on the true needs of his citizens.

However, one individual who did not leave the chamber would give him the most compelling argument for outlawing time travel yet... and little did he know at first, the last meeting he would ever have.

The individual was nothing unique to look at; to Zargoth, he seemed like a regular Taldar adult, perhaps slightly aged. He wore the same uniform as the other chronologists did - well-fitted but unremarkable. Yet, Zargoth's eyes were drawn to the individual he was left with in the room; for some reason or other, he was intrigued to speak to him.

• Zargoth - Yes? More to say?
• Chronologist - Yes. But not so much on the matter of time travel.
• Zargoth - Hm. What else do you chronologists study, exactly?

The chronologist circled the table, approaching Zargoth with a sense of fearlessness that perhaps a Taldar of a lower hierarchy should not have had in front of their emperor, even one as personable as Zargoth. Something about his attitude unsettled Zargoth - whether it was threatening or not he was uncertain, but steeled himself.

• Chronologist - Traveling through time has given us the ability to knock on many doors and be guests without our hosts knowing...although it has made me wonder whether someone is knocking on our door instead.
• Zargoth - You suspect that there are travelers from other timelines who have complaints for us? It's not something I had ruled out, nor is it something I'd prepared for.
• Chronologist - The issue is suggesting that they're travelers. We're approaching this from an angle that every entity is part of a linear flow of relative time...I worry that we have somehow connected with the other side of that wall.
• Zargoth - If you're suggesting that our use of time travel has given us enemies from outside our timeline—outside our universe, perhaps—then I would put to you that our weapon against them should not be more time travel, assuming that is your suggestion.

The Chronologist's face, somewhat stern beforehand, turned into a slight smirk; given the tone of the conversation, it perplexed - possibly even insulted Zargoth (a rarity for him).

• Chronologist - The idea of enemies suggests we can face that threat with a hope of succeeding.
• Zargoth - Elaborate. What "threat" are we talking about, here? Is there a published theory on the subject that has not been brought to my attention?

The Chronologist's tone changed from one of slightly arrogant caution to something else entirely - almost a change of personality.

• Chronologist - Perhaps I should make myself clearer, Zargoth. They have knocked on your door, and they have walked in.

Zargoth was now even more guarded. Not just by the Chronologist's tone—aside from his father and very few close to him, none had addressed him by "Zargoth" rather than "your highness" or "Emperor"—but by the direction the conversation was taking. It seemed to him that what this Chronologist was talking about was no empty threat.

• Zargoth - Who is "they"? What do I need to know?
• Chronologist - They have many names, too many to count; and yet they have no name. And all you need to know is this—if they have come to speak, then you should listen.
• Zargoth - I'm listening right now. All I'm hearing is you being needlessly cryptic.
• Chronologist - You call it cryptic; I call it ignorant. With your knowledge, you have not wisdom.

It was clear that the Chronologist, despite appearing like one, was no ordinary individual. Though he certainly breathed and looked like a Taldar, the very energy he carried about him was simply not right - no Taldar was this disrespectful towards their superior, nor would ever consider Zargoth as foolish. At this point, Zargoth had to assume he was being threatened. In one hand, Zargoth gripped his vibroblade that he kept by his chair more firmly, while in the other, he was prepared to press a button to call for dozens of defense drones to be active at once to kill this intruder. Several turrets, hidden away, were aimed squarely at the Chronologist's head. Little did he or they know, this Chronologist was no mere Taldar.

Within the blink of an eye, Zargoth found himself in a blank room - sterile white, with only a small square table with two chairs. There was no reasonable explanation as to why that was the case - mere moments ago, Zargoth was in his conference hall, ready to engage an unusually unpleasant Taldar - ready to reduce him to ash, in fact. Yet, Zargoth immediately found himself flung on to the chair - especially confounded. The entity that called itself the Chronologist stood in front of him, his hands placed on the rim of the chair. Zargoth looked around and gasped in horror, before quickly trying to compose himself as he held his vibroblade more firmly in defiance.

• Zargoth - Your trickery is very advanced. I must applaud your efforts. But I don't know what you hope to achieve here.
• Chronologist - Enlighten me.
• Zargoth - You try to pull a trick on me, and I have thousands of drones waiting to kill you before you get close. You somehow succeed and kill me, and you become an enemy of the Taldar Empire, the most powerful organization the universe—any mapped timeline, in fact—has ever known. Or, you can simply slow down, cooperate, and we can work something out. It's your choice.
• Chronologist - You certainly did not listen earlier. Calling them an enemy is thinking you have a chance of winning. I have no intentions of killing you, Zargoth - such things are below me.
• Zargoth - Then what is this? Blackmail? Intimidation? Some kind of trick to spark an uprising and usurp the throne? You think I haven't faced this kind of thing since my father left power? You'd be mistaken.
• Chronologist - Do you think I would not have succeeded already?
• Zargoth - I think that you're wasting your goddamn time pulling all these stunts on me, because I'm not giving you anything. The Taldar Empire owe you nothing, whoever the heck you are. And if you're trying to give me some kind of warning, then this isn't a way for your warning to be heard... it's a way for me to eject you out of the building, and perhaps not in one piece.
• Chronologist - If you believe you have the upper hand, then strike away. I have been completely honest.
• Zargoth - Very well. Since you're in the game of intimidation, let me show you what I have to offer...

Zargoth pressed the button that he held in his left hand. In theory, this would set all of his drones to stun, to execute the attack and hold them firmly in place. Much to his dismay, it did nothing. He looked back at the buttons and pressed again a few times, before looking back to the Chronologist in fear, a fear he had never felt before in his life.

• Zargoth - No... This isn't a trick...
• Chronologist - As I said; there has been no trickery here. If we are quite done, perhaps we can return to your palace?

Zargoth, once again, composed himself. He breathed a little slowly, a technique he'd been taught by his father, to regain calm, and then slowly nodded in agreement, returning to a look of defiance. In another blur, the two returned to Zargoth's palace - yet, not in the conference hall, but the throne room instead. The entity that called itself the Chronologist was pacing in front of the throne, admiring the ornate architecture of the room. Zargoth showed a look of disgust. He was always open to visitors, but this one was uninvited.

• Chronologist - Don't look at me like that. You are the guest here.
• Zargoth - Guest? This is my palace. Or am I not in my timeline right now?
• Chronologist - You should know the answer to that. You are here, in your own time. Only that your own time, as you call it, is not necessarily yours by default.
• Zargoth - Sure. Plenty of debates over the legitimacy of a monarchy as absolute ruler of an empire or whatever. Or even the legitimacy of the Taldar Empire's right to rule. I'm not my father, so I'm open to change if it's done right. Is that what this is all about?
• Chronologist - Somewhat. Well, not quite. The matter is rather simple. Answer me this question, if you can; is it right to alter events that you once had no control over? Or to witness events in time that you had no part in? What reserves your right to be...ubiquitous among these timelines?
• Zargoth - That's an ethical question that philosophers have asked for decades. A line of work that somewhat separates them from the chronologists (who normally fall on the "yes" side), but an important question nonetheless... I don't have the affirmitive "yes" or "no" answer for you. My answer's always been "it depends," but if you've noticed, I've been moving away from time travel in the past few years...
• Chronologist - At last, some wisdom. It indeed depends. But I will give you another question in place of that; does this make you a god in your eyes?
• Zargoth - It did for my father. For me? No. I don't want that kind of responsibility. I'm not about to use the gift of time travel to protect my own power. But if you're asking me if I knew that thousands of people could die from a famine, and I could get ahead of that and prevent it? Then I'm sorry, but it doesn't make me a god if we collectively decide that we're going to save thousands of lives from something we have the power to prevent.

The chronologist's face soured - where it was somewhat amused at first, Zargoth's words had certainly not impressed him.

• Chronologist - You place far too much emphasis on loving your people. Of course you are not a god. Only a young man with more power than wisdom, even if there is some.

The chronologist started walking towards Zargoth, his gait no longer mimicking that of an arrogant Taldar scientist. Instead, it was something far more terrifying—as if behind him, carried power that Zargoth could not even begin to understand. Zargoth's look of terror returned again, but he was equal parts terrified as he was confused. He had never seen a creature that even slightly resembled this.

• Chronologist - Time is not your plaything. Time cares not for who lives or dies. To base your decisions on compassion is a sign of pure ignorance.
• Zargoth' - That's why... that's why we're trying to outlaw it! Outlaw it for public use! But I won't give up on our greatest ability to save our own people. Not for you, or anyone else!
• Chronologist - If your empire crumbles to dust and fades from the memory of time itself, then it will happen. They will make it so. I will not allow for such selfishness to upset order itself.
• Zargoth - And why should I listen to you? You've not even given me a name. Or anything to identify you as anything other than "my enemy."

At that point, the Chronologist's form bursted open—much like an exploding star. Zargoth's throne room began to melt and disintegrate as the walls fractured into a myriad of shapes like shattered glass. From the core of the explosion, emerged a brilliant yet terrible entity—equal parts bathed in light and darkness. There was no other way to describe the form other than something truly divine, and yet not something that any Taldar religion had ever made mention of. The Taldar Empire had never known them, or even heard of them, but this was a Xhodocto.

• Krathazhrukhal - I have many names, and yet none - but you will call me Krathazhrukhal.
• Zargoth - You... you're... a god of some kind???
• Krathazhrukhal - I simply am. We simply are.
• Zargoth - Tell me! Why shouldn't we use time travel to protect our own people? Why shouldn't we make our lives better and save us from untold harms?! Why is banning it from overzealous use not sufficient?!
• Krathazhrukhal - Time is not a gift. Time is not yours to use as you see fit. Time cares not for king nor peasant; time will give birth to and erase all things.
• Zargoth - Then what? You're going to erase me? Erase me as punishment for not even using a fraction of the time travel my father used? For daring to try to find a middle ground? For daring to look out for my people?!
• Krathazhrukhal - Silence.

Without even gesturing, Zargoth's body was thrown to the floor, at the feet of his throne.

• Krathazhrukhal - You are not your people, and yet you are; to right this wrong is to erase you all.
• Zargoth - What...? Erase... the entire species?
• Krathazhrukhal - Fool. To right your wrongs are to remove everything you understand from time itself. Your kind have upset the balance I have put in place.
• Zargoth - If this is about the time anomalies, we can fix them! We have chronologists working on that! We'll save the fifth dimension! Just give us more time!
• Krathazhrukhal - Time was ruined when you chose to interfere with it.
• Zargoth - No... I refuse to recognize your judgment. Go ahead; kill me, and someone will alter the timeline to prevent this conversation from happening! Try and stop that.

Krathazhrukhal's hand, gleaning in both blinding light and terrible darkness, opened to reveal a small sphere of...something—Zargoth could not understand what he saw. It was a pure form of matter, yet unlike matter. However, in that small sphere, Zargoth saw it all—time and matter folding into complete and utter nothingness, and the entire history of his people gone in an instant—all of it was held within Krathazhrukhal's palm.

• ??? - Wait! Stop!

As Zargoth looked with an increasingly horrified expression, he turned to the door to see a female Taldar run through it. Looking closely, he recognized her: it was Volzara. He'd never been more relieved to see her in his life, and a huge grin formed on his face. On hers, though, was a moritifed look of concern.

• Zargoth - Volzy! It's you! I—
• Volzara - I know, I know; I'd love to catch up too, if I could. But right now, there's the matter of...
• Zargoth - Right. How did you—
• Volzara - I completed it. I completed the work, all of it. I know what must be done.

Volzara turned to Krathazhrukhal, not quite sure how to address him with respect, so she simply fell to her knees in fear and looked up at him, holding out a holographic presentation of what she was about to describe.

• Volzara - I know that mortals have no right to interfere with the fifth dimension, but what if there was a way to stop that? And to also stop... this from occurring? We don't need to destroy our whole universe!

Krathazhrukhal appeared to hesitate for a moment; although neither of them were too sure what he was thinking. Instead, his form of elegance and terror began to die down, returning slowly to his mask of a Taldar scientist. The throne room, split apart into multiple dimensions by the god's energies had also returned to normal. His face was one of apprehension and amusement, almost on the verge of sarcasm.

• Krathazhrukhal - Such opportune time for this to occur, Volzara. Perhaps you should have arrived sooner.
• Volzara - For years, I've been writing a thesis on the possibility of beings that could exist in the fifth dimension. Perhaps even in their own realm in fifth dimensional space. The thesis started out with what such a being would look like, and how they'd effectively be removed from time itself, but... I began theorizing the idea on if they could be watching time.
• Zargoth - ...Watching time... You mean...
• Volzara - Right. What if they could view all of history, all of every type of future, and could snuff out time anomalies before they existed? Keep the flow of time the way it's supposed to be, and prevent anomalies? As my researchers proved, it's inevitable that someone will try to mess with the flow of time... But what if there was a race of beings that could help keep it?
• Krathazhrukhal - ...You believe you are these watchers you speak of?
• Volzara - In the third dimension, we can't be. But what if we were reborn as fifth dimensional entities? We'd be married to the flow of time and to the watch of the fifth dimension, practically stripped of any autonomy, but... we did create this mess. So perhaps it's just that we be the ones to watch over time and ensure it runs smoothly. Free of anomalies.

Krathazhrukhal moved closer to Volzara; his eyes gleaning an ominous gold as he gazed at her from below his brow. She mostly kept her head down, barely able to look him in the eye.

• Krathazhrukhal - Such sweet naivety. You and your kind have little understanding of what that entails.
• Volzara - It's all here in the thesis. Dozens of pages on all the nuances. Everything it'd take to achieve such a thing and keep it running smoothly. I think I know what needs to be done.
• Krathazhrukhal - Your thesis is but hope and fancy; you think that you understand the meaning of timelessness.

Krathazhrukhal moved away, pacing again as he continued speaking;

• Krathazhrukhal - You will endure countless beginnings and countless endings - the lives and deaths of many. Their sorrows will be unpreventable. And as their worlds go cold and wither into oblivion, and their universes turn dark and stray into eternity...you will not be able to do anything about it. You do not have the will to understand such hardship.
• Volzara - I know. It would be unbearable for most. Witnessing countless possibilities in such intricate detail, knowing that it is not our role to determine the outcome. But that's why I devised a means to ensure such a thing never happens, and that this never becomes misused. There would not be one body that makes the decisions over fate, but two: one which preserves the compassion that is expected of a Taldar, and another to counterbalance it, which is cold, calculating, and lacking in emotion.
• Zargoth - Hey, Volzy... you didn't have to take that joke I made about you literally...
• Volzara - I didn't. This would be completely emotionless. Completely. It was either this to counterbalance compassion, or hatred. Because any watcher of time needs to be able to empathize with the mortals it watches over, but needs to be held back from interfering in their lives. That is not the role of the watcher: the watcher exists to keep time flowing smoothly.

Krathazhrukhal turned, facing the two.

• Krathazhrukhal - And you believe that you should be devoid of this...compassion, as you call it?
• Volzara - Yes! That's exactly what I think. I think that the watchers of time should be counterbalanced to prevent them from interfering either way. So, Zargoth—who embodies the Taldar ideal of compassion—should continue to lead his people as fifth dimensional entities, while someone else—perhaps me—should be stripped of their emotion, cast out from this fifth dimensional race, and exist to serve as the counterbalance that is willing to stop those who interfere with time without remorse. That is willing to destroy an entire timeline, if it is needed.
• Zargoth - Me as a god? I... I'm not ready for that...
• Volzara - Well, sort of a god. Not a god who has any remote autonomy, or any ability to affect change in the outcomes of time. You'd be a servant of time. Because, no offense, but you did kind of... completely muck it up...
• Zargoth - ...You're right. If this is our only choice... I want to ensure my people survive. And I want to ensure this happens to no one else. Lord Krathazhrukhal, I want us to go down this path.

Krathazhrukhal paused for a second, though instead of a serious response that they wanted, they were met with a mocking laughter.

• Krathazhrukhal - Such selfishness between two people. But you have made...an amusing proposition.
• Volzara - Consider it! Please! Not all of our people made this mistake. Only us. We can right this wrong!
• Krathazhrukhal - Your flaw is to believe that once you have become custodians of time, you will have the same sense of right and wrong. But perhaps this is an entertaining precedent. ...If you truly will this upon yourselves, then you will see it until the end.

Volzara and Zargoth looked at one another, back at Krathazhrukhal, and back at one another again. They approached one another, the closest they had ever been in a long time, and embraced. Afterwards, Zargoth held both her hands.

• Zargoth - You are, truly, with utmost sincerity, the most amazing person I have ever encountered. I don't have the words...
• Volzara - Then you don't have to say them. I'm doing this for all of us. I know that being the counterbalance to you will inflict untold hardships on me, but... it's the only way this can work.
• Krathazhrukhal - Oh, not you, Volzara. Him. He will be our counterbalance.

Volzara's eyes widened, as she looked to Krathazhrukhal and back at Zargoth, to see Zargoth at first surprised, but then nodding in acceptance. Volzara's eyes pleaded with Zargoth.

• Volzara - What...?
• Zargoth - I don't deserve that role, Volzy. It's like you said: I'm the one who mucked it all up.
• Volzara - But—
• Zargoth - You deserve to live as the leader of the watchers of time. You did all the research. You deserve this! It's your responsibility! And I'll bear the brunt of whatever this "counterbalance" role has in store for me.
• Volzara - No... No! That was never the idea! You're the benevolent emperor of our people. They love you! More than your dad! Only you can be their compassionate leader! It's not my responsibility! It's yours!
• Krathazhrukhal - If you believe you ever had any say in this matter, then you were sorely incorrect.
• Zargoth - I'm flattered, Volzy, but... listen. He's spoken. We don't have a choice. I'll do it. I'll be cast away from my people, and stripped of my emotions. It's what's right. And... I couldn't bear to watch that happen to you.
• Krathazhrukhal - Then it will be.

Krathazhrukhal approached Zargoth, reaching out with his left hand. Placing his hand on his head, Zargoth could not feel pain, yet he could feel something far worse - he felt himself being unmade. Slowly, everything that was formerly Zargoth was taken from him through the Xhodocto's grasp. Volzara, still on her knees, began sobbing louder and louder as she watched. Zargoth at first smiled to her in pride, until that smile was replaced with nothing at all as the Xhodocto took everything from him.

• Volzara - What makes you think I could bear to watch that happen to you, Zargoth?! Answer me! Why should you do this?! You didn't know this would happen! Only I did! Zargoth!

As Zargoth had completely faded away, Volzara's tears began to fall as words escaped her. Zargoth now was completely despondent, and when she uttered the only words left to her, trembling and shaking as she did so, he would never hear them, and would never be able to resonate with them:

• Volzara - ...I love you...

Volzara then burst out into more tears, both in pain and sorrow, until she had nothing left. As far as she was concerned now, anything Krathazhrukhal was about to do to her could not be anywhere near as painful.

• Krathazhrukhal - It is your first lesson in divinity, Volzara; you are alone. And you will spend all eternities alone.

Krathazhrukhal turned away from Volzara, without saying a further word. He left through the chamber door, and upon closing it, a great wave of light and matter emerged, rapidly swallowing the room whole. True to Volzara's covenant, the world around them manifested itself into something beyond time and space; its people becoming entities beyond matter.

The entire Golden City became the realm in the fifth dimension that would be known as Sequencium. All the Taldar, who had before then been going about their normal lives, immediately became aware that they no longer possessed normal lives. Now, they were all part of a group mind of beings, far beyond their previous comprehension, and exactly as Volzara had outlined. They had little to no autonomy, and they were immediately aware of the infinite timelines of vast universes. Just as Krathazhrukhal had described, they witnessed countless tragedies, rises, and falls of civilizations, immediately aware of them, but also aware of the fact that they had no business interfering with them or shaping them to how they wished.

Volzara herself looked over Sequencium, but had no sense of satisfaction or accomplishment. What she saw was bittersweet: she had saved her people, and who knows how many others, from total annihilation, but they had all lost all that was important to them. Even still, it was now time to get to work.

• Volzara - ...Taldar. Or, I should now call us by what I hypothesized in my thesis: "Vyro'Narza." I want you all to listen to me, as I outline what our new role in space and time is...

Volzara laid out her speech which she delivered to every Taldar, or Vyro'Narza, in existence. Nothing would ever be the same for them again.

The Prodigal Son Returns

Over Groodrub, an entire force of Corruptus demons and alt-Loron'Kikra stood across barren plains, with Murangon Nal, alt-Hagto'Zhl, and alt-Brag'klogga standing above them on a floating platform. The three overlooked a vast army of soldiers greater in size than Ottzello had ever seen before. These Loron'Kikra were not the rowdy, unpredictable type, but a battallion of hardened soldiers that stood in military formation to serve their commander.

• Alt-Hagto'Zhl - ...The time will come. The time to bring the message of That Which Devours.
• Murangon Nal - Indeed. Soon, the hordes will swipe across galaxy. With the strength of the Loron amplified by our Essence, the Polar Crystal Alliance will crumble.
• Alt-Brag'klogga - And we won't stop at the Polar Crystal Alliance... The whole universe will fall to our conquest! They'll hear the true word of Zargoth!
• Murangon Nal - Zargoth...? You are mistaken. The universe will be plunged into war in the name of Shu'rimrodir. Zargoth's goals just happen to coincide.
• Alt-Brag'klogga - You mean, Shu'rimrodir's goals just happen to align with Zargoth's yes. This was all his will that we are enacting.
• Murangon Nal - I care extremely little for Zargoth or his schemes. All I want are worthy battles across time and beyond. You would do well to realize that there will be nothing left in this universe once the Corruptus has consumed it.
• Alt-Hagto'Zhl - Ultimately, I share your apathy for Zargoth's plans. All that matters to me is conquest. Which god I perform it under means little. But I defeated the greatest warriors that ever existed in my timeline... and I will do so here, only with the enlightenment that That Which Devours has given me.
• 'Murangon Nal - You exist to serve, and that is not up to question. A covenant with the Corruptus cannot be broken. Either way... I must say, I am disappointed by the resistance provided by this galaxy. I expected more.

Just as Murangon Nal spoke, Zargoth and Antagonar arrived, with Antagonar appearing very jovial at the size of the alt-Loron'Kikra army, while Zargoth retained his usual stern expression.

• Antagonar - Ah! We shall see more resistance on this battle today! Finally a battle worthy of warriors such as you and I!
• Murangon Nal - Today? So the time for the final battle is near?
• Zargoth - As we speak, the Polar Crystal Alliance and their allies gather to mount an attack on Groodrub. Their goal is simple: assassinate Murangon Nal to defeat the Corruptus and end the attack. Our goal is just as simple: destroy them and prevent this from occurring, force them to summon Volzara, and assassinate her instead.
• Murangon Nal - I figured they would try that, I merely thought they would do it sooner. I expected Tuolog to lead a charge against me by now.
• Zargoth - Tuolog is absent this timeline. It is hard to say when he will return, but I suspect he has schemes of his own. None which I cannot intercept when the time comes.
• Murangon Nal - Hmm, I see. In any case, whether he has a plan or has fled, the galaxy will fall regardless.
• Alt-Brag'klogga - If I may, I've an answer to our Tuolog problem.

The others turned to him intently, as he appeared to cackle under his breath.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - Much as we force Volzara's hand by threatening to destroy all her children, we force his hand the same way. Highly Classified Zone F13. It exists still in this timeline much as it does in ours. And we have an individual who knows the Time Secrets here... one that you, Murangon Nal, are quite familiar with.
• Murangon Nal - Indeed, I once aided the late Gratz'kaoz in breaching it.
• Alt-Brag'klogga - And it was your former companion, Falrik Zaarkhun, who knew the secrets. In this timeline, he has passed, but a Falrik Zaarkhun of another timeline walks among us. I need only reach into that Zaarkhun's mind to find what I need to destroy the universe as a mere mortal.

Murangon Nal's eyes narrowed at the mention of the alternate Falrik Zaarkhun as he turned his eyes to alt-Brag'klogga.

• Murangon Nal - And once you do, destroy this false Falrik Zaarkhun. Reduce him to nothingness.
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Oh, I wouldn't rob you of a kill that you deserve. Nay; when I take his Secrets, I will leave at once.
• Murangon Nal - ... That will do.
• Zargoth - This plan bends multiple rules. But it also serves my interest. See to it that it is done.

There was never any irony in Zargoth's blatant contradictory standpoints. He was very brazen in his hypocrisy, and stood by little to no principles other than his objective. Zargoth cared little for the means to which to achieve his ends; only the ends themselves mattered.

Alt-Brag'klogga left through a portal towards Highly Classified Zone F13, as the rest of them looked back at their army. Antagonar brandished all of his swords, and grinned towards the other two, who were eager for the battle to come. Zargoth vanished at once, and now, one thing was clear:

Groodrub was ready for war.

---

Highly Classified Zone F13 was now located on an asteroid in the middle of a nebula. It was a hidden Taldar building containing the Library of Time, where the Time Secrets, or Xiyara Secrets, were located. The Vyro'Narza had created the Library to store these secrets, and both the Kormacvar and the Ottzelloans had been entrusted at different points in time to protect them. Knowing the Time Secrets meant knowing how to break the fifth dimension entirely, and as such, destroy the universe.

Falrik Zaarkhun had once known these secrets when Zargoth took over his mind. And with another Falrik Zaarkhun in this timeline, so did alt-Brag'klogga.

An allied crew sent by the Polar Crystal Alliance was ready to defend the Library of Time from such an attack. Brag'klogga, his two companions Gan'fusis and Kosd'vaw, Kal'kuir, Drizz'pyrokirk, Grak'tona, Yogtam, and Sherita all went to ensure that the Library did not fall.

• Kal'kuir - BY MY CALULASHONS DIS IS GONNA SUK
• Gan'fusis - MAN WHAI DO YOO LOT ONLY CALL US FER PROBLEMS??? NEVA FER ANYFIN GUD
• Kosd'vaw - yoo must fink we hav nuffin betta ta do. which tbh we dont
• Grak'tona - IF YOO DO YOR JOB RITE DA KING WILL REWARD YOO WIV PIZZA
• Gan'fusis - OK YA MAKE A COMPELIN ARGUMENT
• Brag'klogga - man look at us lot. we got our lil gang goin agen
• Sherita' - So... this is the group that you said might've accidentally saved the universe somehow and then Tuolog never got back to you on that?
• Yogtam - Yep. This is the group.
• Brag'klogga - ME AND MA HOMIES (plus kalkuir and drizz i guess) REVIVED ZR'AN'KAR INTO ZR'AN AND K'AR. WES DOUBLE EFFICIENT
• Gan'fusis - TWO. TWO GODZ. AH AH AH AH
• Kosd'vaw - deyz gonna look down on us and fink "deyz da best shamans (but kosd'vaw is da best)
• Grak'tona - DA KING DEMANDS YOO SUMMON DEM SO DAT DEY CAN SAY "AKSHULLY KING GRAK'TONA IS DA BEST"
• Brag'klogga - OK FINE ILL DO IT JUST CUS I WANNA PROOV YA WRONG. LADS START CHANTIN

The three Flashiez started doing some sort of incantation, and a few moments afterwards, the two huge Loron Godz Zr'An and K'ar appeared before them, posing arrogantly as usual.

• Zr'An - WE IS CALLED ONCE AGEN
• K'ar - ZARGOTH AINT HEER IS HE??? I DONT WANNA GET CUT IN HALF AGEN
• ??? - Oh no. Zargoth is far from here. But don't worry...

Though they were on an asteroid, with no atmosphere, they could hear the sounds of thunder. Above them, they saw alt-Brag'klogga, floating a distance away, firing Dark Chronoscopic bolts that resembled lightning down to the ground. Eventually, alt-Brag'klogga came crashing down himself, forming a crater in the ground around him and a circle of fire around where he landed, as he laughed maniacally.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - A smaller crowd than before... to witness my great triumph! Now, with this library... I will destroy the entire universe!
• Brag'klogga - LOOK GUYS ITS DA LOSA FAKEO I TOLD YOO ABOUT!!!!!!! LOOK AT HIM
• Gan'fusis - IS HE DA WEIRD ZARGOTH FETISHIST? MAN GET A LIFE
• Kosd'vaw - yeh he even looks like a total creep
• Alt-Brag'klogga - I see you've brought shamans of your own to help! Perhaps this was a wise move. And... Vyro'Ralza too?

Zr'An and K'ar changed their pose, looking at alt-Brag'klogga with unamused expressions.

• Zr'An - FALSE PROFIT
• K'ar - SPREADER OF LIES
• Alt-Brag'klogga - What...?
• Zr'An - YOO IS NOT A REEL SHAMAN
• K'ar - YOO IS JUS A WANNABE LOSA
• Brag'klogga - 'YEH MAN EVERYON KNOS IM DA REEL BRAG'KLOGGA. I SWER YOO KIDS DESE DAYZ WILL START COPYIN PEEPZ JUS TA BECOM FAMOUS. HMMM IS DIS WAT HAGTO'ZHL HAS BEEN GOIN ON BOUT ALL DIS TIME?

Alt-Brag'klogga looked confused and a little nervous at first, before he scoffed a little with laughter, and then laughed maniacally once more.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - So this is the religion you claim to serve! A group of Vyro'Ralza with as little intelligence as yourselves! Oh, that's rich!
• Gan'fusis - YOOOO HE JUS CALLED OUR GODZ DUM
• Kosd'vaw - ok dats it yor ded meet
• Kal'kuir - YEH. IM FEELIN REEL CONFIDENT CUS DA GODZ IS WATCHIN US. COM ON LADS LETS KIK HIS ASS

The three shamans all united their forces to launch blasts of Dark Chronoscopic Energy at the alternate Brag'klogga, while Kal'kuir and Drizz'pyrokirk both opened fire with their weapons. Alt-Brag'klogga shrugged all of it off and fired several bolts of enerhy down at them that circled them and knocked them to the floor, barely conscious.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - We already demonstrated you're no match for me! I have the powers of Zargoth on my side!
• Grak'tona - WOW DAT WAS EMBARASSIN. DID YOO LOT REELY REVIVE DA GODZ LIKE DAT?
• Sherita - I'm just surprised you had any faith in the shamans to begin with. I sure didn't.
• Grak'tona - MUST I DO EVERYFIN MASELF? FINE DEN DA KING WILL SLAP DA CULTIST PESANT

Grak'tona charged at alt-Brag'klogga, hoping to use his super endurance to simply shrug off whatever he could throw at him. Alt-Brag'klogga, instead, simply froze Grak'tona mid-charge, freezing him in time, as he circled the frozen Grak'tona.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - Curious specimen. One that it seems did not exist in our timeline. A fool who believes himself the ruler of his people; no, of his universe. I've dealt with your kind before.

Alt-Brag'klogga placed his thumb on Grak'tona's forehead and forced him to watch multiple timelines chronicling his death, as expected. Including timelines where Grak'tona had become the king he'd always wanted to be, only to have the dream taken from him brutally. As Grak'tona returned to consciousness in this timeline, alt-Brag'klogga looked him squarely in the eyes with contempt.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - You are worth nothing. Only Zargoth knows what is best for your people. For all your people. You rulers do not deserve to rule. The people choose their own destiny, and Zargoth chooses if he allows it. We do not allow yours.

Alt-Brag'klogga then unfroze him and kicked him to the floor. Grak'tona groaned on the floor, defeated, leaving Sherita and Yogtam as the only ones still standing. However, the two Loron Godz merely huffed, crossing their arms with unamused expressions. They eyed the alternate Brag'klogga and their eyebrows raised.

• ZrAn - IS DAT IT???
• K'ar - IS DIS SUPPOSED TA IMPRESS US???
• Alt-Brag'klogga - No. I do not aim to impress you. But you do not impress me either!

Alt-Brag'klogga fired several zaps of Dark Chronoscopic energy, to find them doing little harm to Zr'An and K'ar. The two Godz frowned as they each snapped a finger, and in a momentary flash of light, all the Loron who were defeated were back on their feet, as if nothing had happened.

• Gan'fusis - MAN WHAI DO YOO LOT ONLY CALL US FER PROBLEMS??? NEVA FER ANYFIN GUD
• Kosd'vaw - yoo must fink we hav nuffin betta ta do. which tbh we dont
• Brag'klogga - ...oi im havin dejavu
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Hmm... Actual Vyro'Ralza powers...
• Zr'An - WEEK
• K'ar - PATHETIC
• Zr'An - PANSY
• K'ar - UNWORFFY

Each God pointed one finger at the alternate Brag'klogga, and out of them came out blasts which dwarfed the ones he had launched at them at least eleven times. To them, his attack was akin to a fly attempting to bother a shark. Alt-Brag'klogga grunted a little, barely able to resist the attacks, but was soon kept alive by an infusion of energy.

A large group of alt-Loron, each wearing dark hoods and capes, flooded the scene and surrounded alt-Brag'klogga. Each kept up demonic chanting that Yogtam recognized as being a Vyro'Ralzan tongue. Alt-Brag'klogga, now renewed, was on equal footing with the Godz.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - ...Now, where was I?
• Zr'An - DA NERVE
• K'ar - TO FINK YOO COULD MATCH A GOD

The two Loron Godz frowned at their enemy's defiance, and retaliated by putting actual effort in their attacks, launching more blasts from their hands at alt-Brag'klogga. Alt-Brag'klogga was no longer fazed by them at all, as he simply turned to the Library of Time, with his minions shielding him.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - Now, I speak the Time Secrets themselves! The Xiyara Secrets... Collected from this very universe!
• Yogtam - The... What?!
• Grak'tona - OH MA DAYZ HES DOIN DAT FING GRATZ DID DAT ONE TIME. OI DA KING OUTLAWS DIS STOP IT AT ONCE OR YOR GOIN TO DA DUNJUN!!!!
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Mishtallah. Insalliya. Fusodok. Rensthill. Gykojod. Ottzello...
• Yogtam - ...33.

Alt-Brag'klogga turned back to Yogtam in anger as, behind him, he could hear a crack and an explosion. The gates to the Library of Time opened, and out of it came Tuolog, as well as two Taldar: the Taldar Elder, and Mac.

• Tuolog - That is quite enough, Brag'klogga.
• Brag'klogga - BRUH WAT DID I DO
• Tuolog - Oh, sorry, heheh... The other Brag'klogga.
• Yogtam - Tuolog! It's you!

Alt-Brag'klogga growled and roared in anger, aiming his staff towards Tuolog as he rose in the air.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - So the servant of Zargoth meets the servant of Volzara at last. I see why she chose you: your trickery is impressive indeed.
• Tuolog - Servant? Hm. That a strong word. Friend, I prefer to call it.
• Alt-Brag'klogga - Think what you will, but you are but a pawn of hers, as I am a pawn of Zargoth. And now, we shall see which is the superior god, no?
• Tuolog - ... As all servants of Zargoth, you know very little.

Alt-Brag'klogga reeled as he fired a blast of Dark Chronoscopic energy at Tuolog... to no avail. Tuolog simply waved the dark energy aside, before waving his staff and launching a golden ray of Chronoscopic Energy. To Yogtam, it was clear that Tuolog's Essence was far greater than the last time they spoke. Alt-Brag'klogga looked horrified as he found Tuolog's blasts greatly overpowering his own.

• Alt-Brag'klogga - No... Not possible!
• Tuolog - But it is. I afraid that was your fate from the start.

Tuolog waved his staff again, and the Chronoscopic blasts all exploded into the alternate Brag'klogga in a brilliant blast of golden light. This completely subdued him, as he fell nearly unconscious.

• Mac - Great job, Tuolog. I knew you had it in you.
• Taldar Elder - Splendid performance indeed! I suppose it's time to tell our friends the plan?
• Tuolog - Thank you, and yes. Such a shame, however. Brag'klogga has much Essence potential, yet he fall to darkness... Just like Gratz'kaoz.
• Brag'klogga - MAN WILL YA CUT DAT OUT??? ANNOYIN AS HELL

Tuolog walked over to the alternate Brag'klogga, letting out a hum as his limbs were suddenly shackled by anti-Essence cuffs; Tuolog had no interest in killing him, but he at least made sure he would no longer be a problem.

• Grak'tona - YOOO I WANNA DECIDE HIS FATE. FER HIS CRIMES AGENST DA CROWN... HE WILL BE MA ROYAL CLOWN FER LIFE. MA NOO COURT JESTA
• Drizz'pyrokirk - wow ya had a gud idea fer once
• Tuolog - Well, if you say so. So long as you keep him cuffed. Or he explode your ship and escape.
• Grak'tona - YEH YEH YEH NO ONE DAMAGES DA ROYAL VESSEL
• Taldar Elder - Ah! It seems we finally get to meet these new Loron Godz! Welcome! I am Roz'Tah'Flok.

The two Loron Godz cowered back, hissing with eyes narrowed at both the Elder and Mac - especially the latter, though they could tell they had no intentions to harm them.

• Zr'An - DIS IS AWKWARD
• K'ar - IT FEELS WRONG. LIKE WES SUPPOSED TA HATE YA GUTS
• Taldar Elder - Oh, I forgot! Da Loroniz Spik! YO SUP NERDS IM DA BEST GOD AN YOOZ HERETIKZ... BUT YEH I DONT HATE YOO EITHA
• Zr'An - ... FINE DEN
• K'ar - DA GODZ SHALL ACCEPT DIS PEECE GESTURE
• Taldar Elder - WE SHALL GO SMAK ZARGOTH NOW FER DEFYIN DA GODZ. DEN WE GET PIZZA AFTA AN THROW A PARTY FER DA MORTALZ

The two Godz eyed each other for a moment, before they started flexing.

• Zr'An - ZARGOTH HURT US ONCE. WE WANT PAYBAK
• K'ar - COUNT US IN
• Sherita - So, is this our plan? Overwhelm Zargoth with... a bunch of Loron godz??
• Tuolog - Hehehe. As amusing as that sounds, no. The plan is him!

Tuolog pointed his staff at Mac. Even Mac looked a little surprised, as the others turned to him for more answers, though he had already opened a portal through which to exit.

• Taldar Elder - ...Ah, he's learning from me already.
• Yogtam - Do you get a kick at leaving us hanging or what? Why not stick with us?!
• Tuolog - I join you soon! For now, the two of us must depart. I be back to celebrate the life of Zr'Ahgloth!

As Tuolog left through the portal, the Taldar Elder and Mac remained behind with warm smiles.

• Taldar Elder - Now then! Let's join the others on Groodrub, shall we?
• Yogtam - ... Very well.
• Grak'tona - YOOO DIS IS GONNA BE SIK. DA KING IS GONNA SWOOP DOWN AT DA END TA SAVE DA DAY AN BE KNOWN AS DA BEST KING EVA
• ??? - We can sense his godflesh here.

Mac suddenly felt his entire torso thrust forward as a monstrous voice, resembling a choir of angels and a horde of demons, was heard through their minds. The Vyro'Narza seemed to struggle to force himself back into position for a moment. Those of them who experienced the Second Borealis Galactic War knew that voice well.

• ??? - This is our chance. We must feed. We must grow again. You know this to be true; why should you be just one of many, when you could be a king?
• Mac - You... are not in control, Ottzello!
• Yogtam - The... The Vyro'Xiyara! It's alive?!
• Taldar Elder - Worry not, mortals! Mac has it contained... You do have it contained, right?
• Ottzello - Zargoth thinks he knows best. He is nothing. His purpose was spent when he granted me life. Now he exists to die to my hands. I am Time. I am infinite.

Mac struggled as he channeled his own Essence into his own chest, and slowly, the Vyro'Xiyara appeared to be subdued within him. He panted a little before turning to the others.

• Mac - Yeah... It's contained.
• Sherita - Is... Is that gonna be a problem?
• Mac - No. This is our trump card against Zargoth. Ever since those Loron struck me with that bone shard, Ottzello has been inside me, tempting me, begging me to feed it... We don't have much time. We must go to Groodrub before it's too late. And before this thing consumes me.

Vyro'Narza Greetings, young, three dimensional mortals! Information Warfare  · Capabilities  · Vyronicia Fleet Characters Vyro'Nazdea  · Mac  · Baby Taldar History Taldar Empire  · War of the Ancients  · March of the Apocalypse  · Second War of Black Fog  · Second Borealis Galactic War Related Important related topics Chronoscopic  · Sequencium  · Omniverse Related Essentials Vi'Navitum  · Xol'Etra Related fiction Xhodocto  · Xol'Etra and The Krassio  · War of Ages  · Time  · Unified Nation of Ottzello Related phenomena The Box Vyronicia Fleet Starfighter  · Bomber  · Interceptor  · Deathship  · Annihilator  · Technobliteror  · Star Destroyer  · Flagship Taldar Empire Vyronicia Fleet Starfighter  · Bomber  · Interceptor  · Deathship  · Annihilator  · Technobliteror  · Star Destroyer  · Flagship Life and Architecture Housing  · City Hall  · Construction Center  · The Highest Point  · Shopping Mall  · Vyronicia Drone Vyro'Ralza The Traffphyds will obliterate all... Racial information Dark Chronoscopic Characters Emperor Zargoth  · Kolossus  · Antagonar Warfare Deathbringers Forms Ancient forms Original Traffphyd Newer forms Improved Original Traffphyd  · Most Common Traffphyd Ultimate forms Vyroni-Ralzoid Traffphyd  · High Traffphyd Other Chronoscopic Conflict Bow to the might of the Traffphyds... Time: a living, breathing thing.