[Story] The Darker Side Of The Mirror II

[Andrea]

SPOILER: Click to show

{Future!Lucas’ House}

*teleports back in with the mirror shard*

*looks up* Ah, excellent. … Did you have a difficult time retrieving that?

… Not at all.

*nods at Brian* I suggest you should go revive him, then.

…

*reaches out and touches Brian with the mirror shard*

…

…

*a bright light suddenly erupts from the mirror shard and covers Brian*

!!

*the gold pin that Evilworth’s wearing absorbs some of the light and turns a bit brighter in color*

*looks at the pin*

*dark purple shadows rise out of him and form into a hovering sphere*

… _Er.

*the sphere fills with all of the dark energy, then starts to solidify*

*continues holding the mirror shard down*

*the dark sphere solidifies, then impodes*

!! *jumps back with the mirror shard*

*the glow fades*

… What an odd process.

_…Ugh…

!

*rises to feet*

*looks over at Brian*

… So. *stretches* What did I miss?

… Porky’s celebrating his birthday as the final phase of The Time draws near. Meanwhile, Evilworth recovered a mirror shard from Ve- … *stops*

?

He… recovered a mirror shard.

… I’m aware of Vereld City, if you were holding that back.

…

*looks around the mostly-empty house* Where are the others?

We just went to find somebody.

!

*walks back in, followed by Lucas, Ness, and Zxlic*

… Myles. Brian. *waves*

Hello.

Zxlic. Nice to see you again.

*someone knocks at the door*

…? *opens door*

Hello!

*closes door*

*looks up* Who was that?

Door to door salesman. Let’s go. *starts opening a window in the back of the house*

… Are you running away from the salesman?

I don’t want to buy what he’s selling. *starts trying to climb out the window*

*appears in the room* Now, Brian, mind your manners~

!

Dimentio?!

Did you follow us here?!

Ah ha ha… How primitive. Following children like a stalker isn’t my hobby.

*stands* How did you find this place?!

*winks* A magician can’t give away all his secrets, can he~?

Weren’t you just at Vereld?!

… Ah ha. Perhaps I was.

… (He seemed to act a lot more serious there…)

However! *snaps fingers and a scroll printed on black paper appears*

?

I thought you might want to read this, so I took the courtesy of delivering it myself! *hands it over to Evilworth*

… *reluctantly takes it*

Ciao~ *vanishes*

… What an odd person he is.

I don’t suggest reading that.

I have to wonder what it could be, though.

…

… I guess we have no choice, do we.

*opens the scroll*

Dear Masters Evilworth, Brian, Zxlic, Lucas, and Ness-

You are cordially invited to the grand birthday party of King Porky at New Bloid City at the forum.

We won‘t take no for an answer, of course.

*stops reading there* …

… Huh?

*puts the scroll in his pocket* I witnessed New Bloid City being destroyed.

Has he rebuilt it…?

This is just the kind of thing you can expect from him, isn’t it. Build a city, destroy it along with the lives of hundreds, then throw a birthday party on the ashes.

*crosses arms* Why would he be inviting us…?

*bitterly laughs* Just to eat some cake and play some games, Zxlic. Not to horribly murder us again or anything.

… There’s something I’ll need to retrieve.

?

*starts walking to the door* Proceed without me. I’ll meet you there.

Do you know how to get to the forum?

*quietly chuckles* That will be no problem soon. *walks out*

…

If he insists, we should leave. Now.

*opens a portal*

*everyone steps through*

____________________________________________________

{? ? ?}

*walking*

*comes across an unused dirt road and starts following it*

{A bit later}

*walks up to an old, dusty house*

… *finds a hidden key under welcome mat, unlocks door* (Just where I remember it being, I see.)

*finds a candle and lights it inside the dark house, then walks down a hallway*

*stops near a door with a tattered sign, “Brian‘s Room“ pasted on it* *pushes the door open*

*looks around* (My old room at father’s house.)

… (…Now I’m just getting distracted.)

*walks into another room and picks up a longbow on the wall next to some arrows*

”Brian, Blake… I’m going to teach you how to use a bow today. If you practice, we could go on hunting trips together! I thought that would be fun since I know you’ve wanted to come along sometimes.”

[/I][/quote]

*picks up the old bow, a quiver, and some arrows* … (I wonder…)

*walks back outside and walks to the back of the house to see a target painted on a large board of wood*

*shoots an arrow at the target*

*the arrow hits the target, though not the center*

*takes another arrow and shoots it at the target*

*it hits the center*

*walks back to the dirt road* … (I don’t have much time.) *starts running*
_________________________________________

{? ? ?}

*looking out at the remains of New Bloid City*

Oh, king~?

*turns around* …?

*appears* So I return, like an unknown odor in the living room!

*snorts* Took you long enough. Have you got them?

Would I have returned if I hadn’t?

*leans back in hovering chair just slightly* Before I give you the final shard of the mirror, I may as well know what you plan to use them for. It’s like knowing that you’re not selling a serial killer a gun.

*turns* And you want me to just explain my plan to you?

That’s the idea.

Ah ha ha ha ha…

…?

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

You make me laugh, Pokey. I’ll just tell you one thing…

Hurry up already.

*floats over to Porky and whispers something*

… *listens*

… …

_____________________________

{New Bloid City}

*a portal opens up*

*step out of the portal*

*cringes at the sight of the mangled bones and destroyed buildings* I can hardly stand to be around this place…!

*looks* …!

*looks around* !!

…

*in the distance is a giant tower*

Well, this is bad, isn’t it.

… This is it. This is what he used.

What?! What’s going to happen?

*checks watch* You should be able to see for yourself soon enough…

What’s the matter? A little disoriented?

Agh! *pivots around to see Gantrat*

*clenches fists* What do you want.

Nothing at all. I’m just here to guide you to the ‘finale’. *starts walking to the tower*

Gantrat!

What.

Why did you have to betray us?! Didn’t you ever once care?

… I never cared. I never had the complete outward appearance until now, but I have the heart and mind of a machine. I cannot feel your happiness, your loyalty, your trust. I could only pretend. Pretend and calculate.

Pretending is all you'll ever be able to do, Gantrat. Your robot heart, mind, eye... They've all left you blinded to who you're working for or what justice is whispering to you. It does not whisper cruel lies that everyone is a nonbeliever that must be murdered. Those are the whispers of your Pig King through your robotic ear.

… …

…

*keeps walking to the tower*

…You’re all fools for not turning back by now.

You’re the only one being fooled here.

*they stop near the entrance to the tower*

Go.

…

*enters the tower first*

*also enters the tower*

(I wonder where Brian is…) *enters the tower, followed by Lucas*

…

…

*shakes head and enters the tower last*

… *turns to look out at all the destruction once they’re gone*

{Inside Porky’s Tower}
{1F}

*the inside of the tower has a plush magenta carpet and is lit by chandeliers, with several TV sets around the room that are only set to static*

*nobody else seems to be in the tower*

…

*notices an elevator in the distance* I presume we have to go find Porky.

*ding*

!

*over a loudspeaker*
What’s taking you so long, Lucas? Ness? It’s so lonely at the top of the tower here![/tt][/size][/color]

!

*the elevator seems to open on its own*

…

You have to realize… The longer you wait, the worse for the fate of the forum… And your precious little Abigail. Ha ha ha.[/tt][/size][/color]

We have to hurry. *starts walking to the elevator*

*someone enters the tower from behind them*
[/spoiler]

[Andrea]

SPOILER: Click to show

{Road}

*running*

They're going to walk straight to their deaths without you, Brian... What's taking you so long?

[/I]

*looks around* ?!

*there’s nobody nearby*

*in the distance, there’s the faint sound of cheering*

*keeps moving*

? ? ?: Brian…[/color]

!!! *turns around*

*standing in the moonlight, wearing an evil grin*

Dr Lylin...!

Or Blake Nyilas. Whichever name you prefer, brother.

...

You're more clueless than ever, Brian. Do you know who figured this out first? A blond boy, not from this universe, that's only known me for less than a few months. You make me laugh.

What are you here for, you demon?!

I'm here to make you an offer, brother.

*aiming bow* You have one minute.

*chuckles, stepping up to the bow and plucking the arrow from it* I killed you because I thought you were worthless. You were a dirty hobo that hobbled up to me in the streets of Paikka at midnight. You were more of a lost, drunken fool than you were a 'hero'. But now you're apparently reaching for the stars with your foolish belief that you could actually take me down.

Thirty seconds.

I've seen that you have some potential in you. This potential is mostly overwritten with your hastiness and foolishness.

*spits on the ground* You disgust me. Now answer me once and for all. What do you want.[/b]

Ha ha ha... Patience, Brian. I was getting to that last bit. I don't think that Abigail will enjoy me telling her that you died from your own foolishness while I destroy her as a spirit.

.…….

How would you care to join me, Brian? You don't have to hobble through the streets like a determined bum anymore. I'll take you straight to your precious Abigail and spare you from The Time. *reaches out to his brother*

Shut up.

What...?

Shut up. You're a disgrace to this entire planet. Don't think I was unaware that you're a sick puppet controlled lazily by your king!

I can communicate telepathically also...

*smiles, pulling hand back* I'm pleased that you rejected my offer, Brian. Accepting straight away would've made you a traitor or a fool. I don't want you to be either when we take over.

I'm not joining you. And now your minute is up. *takes an arrow and shoots it at Dr. Lylin*

*catches the arrow and disintegrates it with dark flames* I don't recommend doing that, Brian.

*loads another arrow into bow* Is that so?

I took the liberty of creating a sort of insurance, you see.

And what would that be, brother?

*snaps fingers and an image of Abigail appears floating next to him*

?!

You see, I set up a particular curse of my own...

What is it. My patience with you grows thin.[/i]

If you attack me... The same damage will be done to Abigail's fragile spirit.

...

Put the weapon down. I don't think you can stand living the rest of your life knowing that it was not me, but you that murdered her. And trust me... *grins, eyes glowing red* You still refused to join me, even if doing so right away would‘ve made you an idiot. She could've been free. You've already hurt her for your own foolish sense of justice.

SHUT UP! *leaps forward and punches Lylin in the face*

*stumbles backwards*

*the illusion of Abigail winces as if in pain*

!!!

*recovers and reaches forward, strangling Brian* Do you understand the severity of the situation you've put her and yourself in?!

*weakly, trying to gasp for air* _{Blake... Why did this happen to you...}

*glares*

_{Don't... *chokes* D-don't you remember life in Vereld...?}

*takes out a syringe, still strangling Brian* I remember clearly, brother. The one being controlled here is you, using the girl as bait. And the master has led you here like a helpless pawn on a chessboard.

*out of breath to say anything*

Goodbye, Brian. I'll make sure that the last thing your precious Abigail sees is you dying. *presses the syringe close to Brian's arm*

...

I don't recommend doing that.

Wh-

*grabs the syringe and then vanishes into the shadows again*

*turns*

*takes the opportunity and shoves Lylin back to get free of his grasp*

*skids back, smirking* I could have killed you first on the day of the destruction of Vereld, Brian.

You could have, but you didn't. I won't spare you the same way.

So you're going to let your love die, will you? Not even death, a fate worse. Being destroyed completely as a spirit by your hand?

We'll see.

*something moves in the shadows*

.oO(The others. Warn them, now.)

*the figure disappears*

You're going to murder your brother and your girlfriend, are you? This won't even bring you closer to stopping The Time and will be an impeccable leap backwards for your little quest to save the girl. You can't resurrect a spirit from destruction.

It's happened before.

Tch.

*steps forward, staring Lylin in the eye* Aren't you proud of your little creation Evilworth, Lylin?

How do you know he was destroyed, brother? I'd like you to answer me that.

I haven't been completely honest with him.

I figured as much. I'm surprised you've never stopped to ask what kind of hero you think you are.

I don't consider myself to be a hero. I'm only setting out to reverse the things you've done.

And what would that be?

I know you had a listening device in Zxlic's house.

*laughs evilly* Nothing gets past you, does it?

That's how I've gotten some information.

Are you any better than I am?

*a massive earthquake begins, tearing through the ground as strangely loud cheers block out other sounds*

Ah... It's beginning.

Nothing gets past you, does it?

*laughs* I'll give you one final chance.

The answer is still no.

How unfortunate. I guess it's time for me to take you back to Abigail so you can watch her in her final moments, then. *lunges forward with syringe*

--------------

{Meanwhile}
{Porky’s Tower}

*turns to see who entered* …?

*runs in*

?!

*out of breath* I… Have to tell…

Spit it out, old man.

*stands* Brian might need some help of yours.

Why are you telling us th-

*holds up hand* Be silent. Take my advice and go.

And if you’re lying…?

I have no more capacity for lies. *steps outside and walks off across the destroyed streets*

Allow me to go and check. Everyone else can proceed. *teleports*

… Elevators… *steps into the elevator*

*everyone else steps onto the elevator*

*the doors slam shut and it starts to move automatically*

…

… Prepare yourself. This is usually the time where it all loops.

Loops?

… This has happened more than once, child. Much more than once. *looks up* In past loops I’ve been able to do more… Talk to Trucy, Miles, Godot… But after a while, there was no more point. Talking to friends at the plaza wouldn’t change the ultimate fate of the world in the long run. I eventually gave up.

No…

It pains me to report that we’re marching off to our doom also, Lucas. It pains me to watch these events cycle over and over again before my eyes. But I didn’t ask for this duty. It was bestowed upon me after the first time it happened.

…

*the elevator stops at the 20th floor with a ding*

Go, Evilworth. I’ve seen you as you used to be several times… Murderous, vengeful, misled. But I’ve also seen how you’ve made the effort to change, to repent. *looks up at Evilworth*

*the elevator doors start to open*

This loop… This one is different.

How so?

Mysterious… Lucas from the future never intervened before.

…

This time you were even fortunate enough to have the power of the mirror shard drained from you.

What do you mean?

The mirror itself is blessed with a power, but it isn’t holy. I’ve had more than enough time to study… And eventually I made a realization. By the time the first brother killed the priest, it was for the best of the town. The priest had been in contact with the mirror and was already corrupted by it’s dark power. He would’ve taken over the world had the king, despicable as he was, didn’t order him killed.

But if you connect that to what’s happening now…

It can’t be connected literally. The King ordered the murder through his own underhanded means and ordered the mirror to be destroyed, but ended up corrupted on his own. He started out good, though was brainwashed.

In the same way… Porky’s misled, corrupted. Behind the mask he puts on is the same timid, scared child he used to be.

…

…

…

…I… I can’t believe that… He’s done too much evil in his life to ever be redeemed.

… He’s right, Lucas.

?

I… I couldn-

? ? ?: As much as I’m enjoying this conversation… You’re wasting time. You’re displeasing us, you fools.[/size]

!

*calmly strolls out into the empty room, unarmed* Somehow I was expecting more confidence than to see a crying mess up here. What’s the matter, has the realization that you’re going to die finally dawned on you?[/size]

I-

*holds up a hand to silence Lucas* The fact still remains, robot.

Oh?[/size]

You’re, in a sense, a doppelganger to a doppelganger. That’s like being lower than scum. Do you honestly dare to sashay out here confidently and challenge all of us?

Threats and petty insults? I thought I was talking to Myles Evilworth, not Furio Tigre.[/size]

The fact is that you’re only here to detain us longer, to see if we’re worthy enough.

*watches this unfold*

*takes out sword, smugly grinning at Botworth* There’s no need for the rest of them to miss the ‘finale’ that the jester is so excited about. I can take care of you myself.

*draws blood red sword, matching Evilworth’s smugness* I do love a good fight. Especially if it’s equally matched. Evilworth vs. Evilworth, you see.[/size]

When you put it that way… It’s like me, but battling my past. … Except literally.

Lovely how this is set up, isn’t it?[/size] *lunges at Evilworth*

*blocks with his own sword and forces Botworth back* Everyone else go! You don’t have much time!

Come on! *heads up the staircase*

*chase after Zxlic*

Heh… How heroic for someone named Evilworth. It would bring a tear to my eye if possible.[/size]

Spare me your worthless words. *shoots three dark spheres at Botworth rapidly*

*dodges them*

TAKE THAT! *throws sword forward at Botworth*

What th-[/size]

*the sword hits Botworth*

*brings it back to him with dark magic*

…

…

I don’t recommend doing that. *walks forward*

*takes a defensive pose*

*swiftly rips the Light Badge from Evilworth’s collar and throws it out the window before Evilworth can react*

!!!

I’m inclined to disagree, Evilworth. It’s not like battling your past. It’s like battling you in the past, but if you were actually successful at something.[/size]

I wasn’t successful in the past because I was misled. The best thing I’ve accomplished was breaking free of Lylin’s brainwashing, which you still have yet to accomplish. I’m still more successful than you. *tries to slice Botworth in two*

*ducks under it and punches Evilworth with his robotic fist*

_AARGH!

You’re a fool.[/size]

I never threw my weapon away in a fight, how about that? *blasts a beam of darkness at the floor under Botworth*

*the chunk of floor explodes and shatters*

*leaps to the side* Evilworth…[/size]

What.[/I]

*a giant earthquake begins*

…!

I don’t need my weapon.[/size]

*a bright light fills the room*

Nnnnghh…!

*just smiles*

*clutches at his heart*

But this is foolish. Losing to something lower than scum?[/size]

*weakly chuckles* _{I’m not done yet.}

*the light and earthquake subside*

Not yet. *takes Evilworth‘s sword and makes three glowing red lines appear in front of his own face* Shall I slay you, Myles?[/size]

Heh… Running out of your own lines now, are you?

*brings the sword down on Evilworth*

*rolls out of the way*

*ends up sticking sword through the floor*

*tackles Botworth through the hole in the floor*

ARGH!

We’re going down-

*crashes through the next floor below and keeps falling*

*clutches onto him, falling through the floors also but letting Botworth take the impact*

zzvzvzzvvvvvvvvvvvvzttttt- *smashes through the next few floors, taking more damage each time*

…

CURSED IMPOST-[/size]

*they smash through another floor and crash into ground floor hard*

*slams into the ground*

*puts a barrier up to take the damage, landing on top of Botworth*

……………..

*stands, on the ground floor* …

… *looks around at the people* (I don’t think this situation is any better…)

[/spoiler]

[Andrea]

I've had plenty of time to consider this, and I've decided that I'm absolutely 100% positive that I'm not going to continue this.

I went and typed out this summary instead. If you want to know what would've happened, go ahead and click.

SPOILER: Click to show

Brian is at a stalemate with Lylin as the timer goes down. Evilworth appears, sent by Future!Lucas. (The whole "this situation doesn't look much better thing? Fight scene with Gantrat, who's like "sup".) Before Brian can say much about the curse thing with Lylin, Evilworth kills Lylin finally and takes a dagger from him. The dagger is apparently the one the King in the fable used to store the First Brother's soul in. This was a major source of the insane doctor's power. Brian basically flips the $%#%# out and grabs the blade, unleashing the dark soul in it, and transforming himself into someone that looks much like his brother, though... Well, different hairstyle, different outfit. He can't stand to live in a world where he couldn't save her and proceeds to climb, with his bare hands, to the top of the countdown timer and disable it, then destroying the supports to knock it over into the crowd and kill/wound most of the brainwashed followers. Future!Lucas returns at this point and, joined up with Evilworth, start fighting Brian. A ghostly mirror image of Lylin appears next to Brian during the fight, mimicking his movements. Evilworth himself is the one to kill Brian, the ghostly image of Lylin smiling right before it vanishes. The timer countdown has nearly reached zero and the planet is honestly $%#%$#%ed. They try to escape, dodging /meteors/ Mr. Johnson-style, before being saved by Dimentio.

Dimentio brings them to the top of the tower where the others have gathered. It's revealed that Future!Lucas was taking a while to return to Etkine because he was fighting Lira, who returned (not completely killed, who knows). Dimentio's sort of like "sup, wanna know why i gave you the mirror shard broski?" Evilworth goes "yeah bro why"

Porky shows up out of nowhere as Dimentio vanishes. He gives this long villain speech as a giant mecha appears. He takes the shard from Evilworth, going like "Thanks for saving it from that apocalypse thing on Etkine", and then proceeds to charge at the Icy Taco (which is hours away from New Bloid City regularly, though only a few minutes by /giant robot/). Botworth's tattered remains, having made it up via emergence elevator, tells them about Porky's sentience core that's hidden in the tower. Basically Porky's a robot and the sentience core is his consciousness, on a computer. Without it, he can't function. Evilworth pulls a Big darn Heroes moment, shooting past the enemies and getting inside. He speaks with the core briefly, then destroying it. Porky dies, but the giant mecha has a doomsday backup plan of sorts that counts down from a minute before setting off 100 something nuclear bombs at one time.

They explode.

The next part starts off in a white void, with AJ!Nick revealing that he's freed from the loop and resets things with his hat. Dimentio is there, going "well done bro" and takes the shards saying it was his plan all along and becomes a demon. His goal isn't to take over, not to destroy, but to steal the forum's mana (in a sense) by draining it through a void. This will make magic impossible, also doing horrible things like KILLING GRASS AND PLANTS FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN DRAMATIC EFFECT. Also this will supercharge him enough, combined with the mirror shards, to freeze the dimension the NTWF is in and build his empire on top of it.

They kill him, etc. However Dimentio has left a trace of his power, having absorbed the mirror. The magical energy keeps draining quickly. Future!Lucas realizes that it will only stop once the mirror is reunited, along with the portal being destroyed by a powerful unmagical force. They're confused before Evilworth laughs and goes to apologize with Edgeworth, reuniting the mirror. Future!Lucas blows up the portal, killing himself. Everyone goes home happy.

Also at some point Future!Lucas leaves forever or something. He's like "I'll be your SPIRIT GUARDIAN and also TIME GUARDIAN OR SOMETHING" and Lucas is like "whatev"

My final thoughts on the matter are that it was a good enough story, though could've been written much better. I chose to start writing it at a horrible time and I paced the flow of updates horribly, dragging this on for two months.

Also, I'll assume for the sake of simplicity that everything's canon, but wasn't recorded properly.

SPOILER: Click to show

This naturally means that Lylin, Dimentio, and Porky are dead with no chance of reviving them.

I won't write any new stories for a while.