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*THE PAST*
“I can’t let you do this,” said Firebird appearing in the centre of the ancient courtyard in a bird-shaped surge of flame that quickly died away as she stepped forward.
“Very dramatic entrance, little firebird,” said her Mother, stepping away from the twisted, blood soaked altar. “But you are far too late the spell is cast. The events are in motion. There’s no way to stop it. In a few short hours the wave will hit our reality. We will be overwhelmed. The dream, this dream at least will be over. We will be free.”
“We will be dead,” said Firebird tears in her eyes. “Everything will be gone. I can’t believe you would really… you were a hero…”
“I was called a hero,” corrected her Mother. “For maintaining a broken world. But now I bring an end to all the pain, all the suffering, all the injustice. We will be one with blessed void. Hero, villain, life, death, reality, empty words, little firebird. None of it really means anything. That is the only truth.”
Firebird dropped to her knees, tears running down her face. Her mother crouched on the floor next to her.
“It’s okay, Martha,” she said, cupping her daughters face. “Your Mother is here.”
**
*THE PRESENT*
Morgan stared at their reflection in the bathroom mirror. It was weird to see their reflection all smart and well dressed. Looked like somebody who was about to get married. Married. Actually really married.
“For tax reasons,” said Morgan with a groan and turned away from the mirror. They weren’t sure about the person looking back.
There was a knock at the door. Morgan opened it, their Grandma was on the other side. She had a bunch of flowers in one hand.
“Oh Morgan, you look wonderful,” she said with a genuine smile. “And terrified, but that’s to be expected. Can I come in?”
Morgan nodded not really trusting their voice, their Grandma walking in and Morgan closed the door behind her. She laid the flowers on the sink by the mirror. She straightened the collar on Morgan’s shirt. “Perfect, now where is the young man with the dog. Isn’t he supposed to be looking after you?”
“His name’s Barnaby, Grandma,” corrected Morgan.
“I’m sure it is,” she said breezily.
Morgan chuckled. “He’s outside waiting for the car, I asked him to. He going to ring me when it’s here.”
“So you’re here, on your own, too far into your own head, hmmm?” said their Grandma brushing invisible dirt off Morgan’s shoulder.
“Something like that, what am I doing?” asked Morgan.
Their Grandma smiled softly. “Marrying Alex Stewart. Unless you’ve changed your mind. In which case, say the word. We’ll go on the run,” she winked at her grandchild.
“God, that would piss everyone off, Mom would have a fit, Alex would probably go on a killing spree,” laughed Morgan.
“Hmmm, chaos,” agreed Grandma. “Tempting isn’t it?”
Morgan took a deep breath. “No, I’m terrified but I think, I’m where I’m supposed to be.”
Grandma smiled wide. She used her thumb and finger to tilt Morgan’s head slightly to the left. “Good. You know just occasionally when the light hits you right, you remind me of your Granddad. Oh, he would have loved you.”
“No one ever mentions him,” said Morgan.
Grandma shook her head and dropped her hand. “He died a long time ago, your Mom was just a baby. Anyway,” she clapped her hands together as she changed the subject. “I brought you some flowers.” She put one of the flowers in Morgan’s buttonhole. “When I got married I wore flowers like this in my hair. I could put some in yours? If you want? I will not be offended in anyway if it’s not your thing.”
“I think I’d like that, Grandma, thank you,” said Morgan.
“No problem, Darling. You are my favourite after all.” She winked.
It was hard to sit still while she fixed the flowers into their hair, but it was almost soothing, just sitting there and allowing someone else to take care of them. Their Grandma was humming a familiar tune that Morgan couldn’t quite place. “What’s that song?” they asked eventually.
“Huh, oh, I didn’t realise I was singing to be honest. It’s an old lullaby actually. I used to sing it to your Mom when she was little.” She continued to hum the melody and she adjusted the flower nearest to Morgan’s left ear.
“I thought I recognised it from somewhere,” Morgan frowned. “I can’t place it.”
“Well, maybe Martha sang it to you, when you were a baby. There all done,” she removed her hands from Morgan’s hair and stepped back. “Now you’re ready.”
Morgan can’t remember their Mom ever singing at all. But before they can express that though their phone rang. The car was here.
**
*THE PAST*
Firebird stared at her Mother in horror, she couldn’t stop crying, but the tears were fuelled as much by anger as sadness. Fire crackled all over her body, lighting her Mothers dress on fire. The older woman waved a hand and magically put the fire out. “Temper, little ‘bird,” she gently scolded.
“Don’t call me that,” Firebird snarled. “You are nothing but a monster. You… I’m pregnant! Now I’ll never meet my child. Millions, billions of parents will lose their children. All. Because. Of. You!”
Her Mother looked shocked. “You’re pregnant?” she waved a hand again and an orb of white light appeared between them. As they watched as the light faded into a pink, then a deep red. “You are…” whispered her Mother. She stood up and approached the altar. “Well, that does change the equation somewhat.” Eldritch energy sparked from her outstretched hands towards the altar, and appeared to engulf it and her in a mass of ghostly tentacles that shone with a green light.
“Mom,” said Firebird, struggling to her feet and shielding her eyes against the glare.
Her Mother screamed as the tentacles glow intensified and then suddenly they disappeared. The altar was charred and her Mother was smoking and hunched over, holding her stomach. She looked up and her nose and eyes were bleeding. “Well, that was unpleasant,” she said lightly.
“What?” asked Firebird, unsure of what she was seeing. Reflexively she stepped forward to support her Mother, slipping an arm over her shoulder and taking some of the weight. “Did you… stop it? You said it was too late.”
“It was,” coughed her Mother. “I redirected it. The wave passed over us and hit another reality instead. Nearly killed me. Hah,” She swept her free hand in an arc. Hundreds of lights appeared hanging in the air. “This is our reality,” she said as one of the lights turned green. Then a light next to it flickered and went out, then two of the lights next to that one also flickered and died. “And those are the realities I directed the wave to. Three realities gone, not my original plan but still an impressive outcome for fifteen years work.” Another light flickered and went out. “Oh, four.” She said with a smile, and passed out.
**
*THE PRESENT*
Morgan took a deep breath. This was going to be easy. Just a short walk with Barnaby past all (most) of their friends and family. Then a simple case of standing next to the person who meant the most to them in the whole world and a promise to stand by them forever, unless heroism do us part (because this is Alex and Death doesn’t stand a chance). A person who is also definitely an unrepentant mass murderer and possibly the greatest monster the world has ever known.
Morgan on the other hand once spent a week stealing toilet paper from a public bathroom and replacing it with (slightly) nicer toilet paper. Morgan whose powers are an actual joke. Who has never, in their whole life, ever been good enough. Not a good enough, child, hero, sidekick, sibling, friend, or even villain.
Morgan didn’t realise how close to hyperventilating they were until Barnaby put a gentle hand on their shoulder and said “Breathe.”
Morgan took another deep breath and looked at Barnaby. Barnaby was the one genuinely ‘good’ person in the world (good in a way that absolutely evaded every other ‘hero’ Morgan had ever met).
“You can back out if you want to, no-one will hold it against you,” said Barnaby. In that voice he had sometimes that made you believe he was stating something that was 100% true and irrefutable, even when you knew it wasn’t. (“You’ll never get away with this,” “It will be okay,”).
“I don’t want to, and I’m kinda freaking out because I don’t want to. Does that make sense?” asked Morgan.
“A-Absolutely not,” smiled Barnaby. “But you very r-r-rarely make sense to m-me. You’re still my b-best friend though. So, here we go?”
Morgan nodded, Barnaby opened the door and Morgan stepped through. There were far more people here than Morgan had in mind when they’d proposed. They were thinking it would just be Ohio and Barnaby. They glanced at ‘their’ side of the hall. No parents, not invited, for many reasons, not least because Alex killed them that one time. But Chad and Diego were sat near the front. Diego had even brought Dave and Ducky with her. For her to bring her five year old son meant she at least didn’t actively consider this whole thing to be a totally terrible idea. Which was amazing if you thought about it. Chad was geared up for a fight, practically vibrating holding his power back. But he had to be thinking about Alex’s last ‘wedding’ when Alex had brutally killed their wife. Morgan was surprised to find they were actually glad that Chad was here. Which was a very usual feeling. Grandma was sat next to Chad, she looked over her shoulder and gave Morgan a thumbs up, which made Morgan smile. In the rows further back Morgan picked out some of their tenants, some of their henchmen, Gus and Emily.
On the other side, Alex’s side, amongst the crowd, were some actual aliens. Rex Roofer and his wife. And at the front Alex’s parents. Alex’s Dad was crying and their Mom was rubbing his back, she spared Morgan an encouraging smile, which Morgan couldn’t help but return. They finally looked at the front of the hall, the official, looking politely a little bored, Ohio James, looking smug. And Alex. The centre of the world, a position they were way too comfortable in. Alex met Morgan’s eyes and… This is why Morgan can forgive the mass murders, the atrocities, the time Alex crushed three of their fingers. Just occasionally, Alex looks at Morgan like Morgan is worth everything, and just for that second, Morgan actually believes them.
Suddenly the panic just… stops. This is not what most people would consider a love story. But this is where Morgan wants to be. And it’s going to be alright.
**
*THE PAST*
When she woke up she was in the middle of the courtyard in a circle of flame. There was a faint green tinge to the edges of the fire and she could feel the magic crackle in the air.
“What?” she struggled to her feet.
Martha was standing the other side of the circle. She had a blood stained handkerchief in her hand.
“Oh, an entrapment spell, with a teleportation element if I’m not mistaken. Fortified with blood magic. I take the handkerchief has my blood on it?” said her Mother blankly.
“I wiped it off your face,” said Martha. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to do.”
“I saved this reality,” said her Mother with a smirk. “In a way I’m a ‘hero’.”
“You started something that killed billions upon billions of people. The only reason it wasn’t me, and everyone in my world. Is because you changed your mind. What happens if you change it back? I have to think of… the greater good.” Said Martha, her free hand resting on her stomach.
“Ah,” said her Mother. “I do understand, I know you think I don’t but I do.” She stretched out her hand and attempted to get hold of the magic, her magic sparked against the constraints of the spell and went nowhere. “Very well constructed spell, Darling. Considering how you’re always telling me you’ll never use magic. I’m very proud, some of those childhood lessons sunk in. Your Dad would be proud too.”
Martha didn’t respond, keeping her eyes locked onto her task she used a knife to cut the palm of her hand. Letting some of her blood mix with the blood on the handkerchief.
“Blood magic is a strong choice. I don’t know if I would mix it with fire magic, but I know better than to argue with you about fire.” She made a complicated gesture with her hand and a chair appeared in the middle of the circle. “I hope you don’t mind if I sit? Getting old, you know?”
Martha closed her eyes and started up a chant throwing the handkerchief into the flame, which turned all the flames green.
“You never asked, why you being pregnant would change my mind,” said her Mother conversationally. “My ultimate goal is still to end reality, which would mean none of us ever would have existed at all.”
Martha paused her chant but kept her eyes closed. Her Mother could feel the magic pull tight as Martha held onto it. “Why then?” Martha asked.
“I had a vision, years ago. You must have been nine or maybe ten. Just when your ‘powers’ manifested. Visions are tricky things, never to be completely trusted. But I saw your children destined to pull apart the web of reality more completely than I could ever hope to manage. I can’t wait to see it,” explained her Mother with a smirk.
The spell very nearly snapped as Martha’s eyes shot open, but she managed to hold it. “You’re wrong,” she snarled. “My children will be heroes. Not only that, but the greatest heroes this world will ever know. They are never going to become what you became. I won’t let them.” Martha quickly finished the chant and the flames flared bright green and disappeared. Her Mother gone with them, the chair she conjured the only thing left.
**
*THE PRESENT*
Grandma stood at the side on the room, watching the ‘first dance’ from afar. She was nursing a drink. Her protection spell had been tested a few more times than she had expected, and she noticed the barrier Alex had put up around the venue, also she was fairly sure Alex had prevented some people from standing up during the ‘any objections’ part of the ceremony. Hopefully nothing else would threaten to ruin the day. A small child peered out from under a nearby table. Grandma knelt down to speak to him.
“Hello little one, who are you?” she asked, there weren’t many children at the wedding.
“I am Ducky Dodgers,” he said holding out a pudgy little hand for her to shake. “I can turn into a bear! I did it last week, but Dad says I need to be careful, and Mom says I shouldn’t tell people, but you seem nice. I like the cake, did you have some of the cake. Morgan says I can take some home, can you take some home?”
Grandma smiled and shook Ducky’s hand. “Pleased to meet you, little bear.”
Ducky giggled. “It’s a secret,” he stage whispered. “You musn’t tell anyone.”
“I won’t,” replied Grandma solemnly. “How about I share a secret with you too?”
Ducky looked around as if to spot anyone who might be able to listen in. “Okay,” he whispered, eyes wide.
“I’m your great-grandma, but shush, don’t tell anyone,” she stage-whispered back.
“Cool!” breathed Ducky. “I don’t really see much of my other Grandmom…”
Before Ducky could launch into another monologue Diego’s voice could be heard calling for him.
“Gotta go,” he said quickly. “See you later, great-grandma!” and he crawled away back under the tables towards his Mother.
“See you later,” said Grandma with a smile.
A woman behind her cleared her throat. “Hello, you must be Morgan’s Grandmother, pleased to meet you,” said the woman who could only be Alex’s mother, and just because she had the same kind of eyes.
“Likewise I’m sure my dear,” replied Grandma, standing up and turning to face her. “And you must be Alex’s Mom.”
“You can call me Liz,” said the woman. “It’s going well so far, I think.”
“You did a fantastic job of organising it,” said Grandma politely. “I know Morgan was very nervous, but both of our children seem very happy.”
“They do,” said Liz with a soft smile.
They stood in silence for a few moments before Liz spoke again.
“I remember you, from back when you were a hero you know,” she said carefully.
“I was never a hero, never a villain either,” replied Grandma. “But I’ve been called both. I’m sorry, I apologise but I don’t remember you.”
Liz waved a hand dismissively. “Oh I was a baby villain when you were active. I didn’t gain any notoriety until well after you… were gone. And I was never on a level of threat to bother the Supreme Sorceress. Then I retired to raise my baby.”
“Of course,” nodded Grandma. She looked at the dance floor where Alex and Morgan where now dancing five feet above it. Morgan clinging on to Alex and both of them laughing. “If I may ask a slightly rude question. Did you do any terrible deals with any ancient gods or other entities in exchange for Alex?”
Liz stared at Grandma speechless for a moment.
“Oh no judgement dear, I’d be the last person to hold that kind of thing against you. But with the immeasurable power and everything the thought did cross my mind.” said Grandma.
“No,” said Liz, narrowing her eyes. “Alex is mine.”
“Ah,” nodded Grandma. “Good to know. It’s always a good idea to know what you’re working with. As much as that is possible of course.”
“I changed my mind,” said Liz, taking a swig of her own drink. “You can call me Mrs Stewart.”
“As you wish, Mrs Stewart.” said Grandma sipping her drink. Watching as other couples joined Alex and Morgan, but they were on the dance floor, rather than above it.
“I heard lots of rumours about your… disappearance,” said Liz slowly. “About what it was you tried to do.”
“People talk,” replied Grandma. “I find mostly they do little else.”
“I’m not sure what exactly is true,” explained Liz. “But you should realise Morgan is part of our family now. And we will protect them. Even from you.”
Grandma chuckled. “It is amazing how many people assume that Morgan is in any need of protection. But I appreciate your intentions, Mrs Stewart. Truly, it’s been a pleasure to meet you.”
**
Morgan finally got Alex to let them off the dance floor. They managed to find a fairly quiet corner to hide in for a while. Just to have a breather. They’d only managed a few minutes when Diego found them. She was carrying a half sleep toddler and she sat on the chair next to Morgan.
“There you are,” she said with a smile. “Hiding? Or planning to pickpocket Rex Roofer?”
“Well I hadn’t thought of that,” said Morgan, leaning forward to see if they could catch sight of Roofer. It wasn’t a terrible idea.
“I was joking,” said Diego. “If you actually do it you’ll make Chad do a disappointed face.”
“Oh no, how would I ever live with myself?” Morgan replied sarcastically.
Diego chuckled and shifted Ducky slightly. “You’ll do what you want, you always do. Somehow, despite the odds, it works out for you.”
Morgan frowned at her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Morgan, you just married Alex Stewart. The S-tier villain who terrorizes the whole planet. Hell, the solar system. You do realise that’s insane right. Like this is the action of a crazy person,” she nodded towards the wedding reception happening in front of them. “But I can see how happy you are. And I can’t help but be happy for you. Which probably makes me a crazy person too.”
“Whatever,” said Morgan with a grin. “You married Frisbee Boy. The worst kind of boy scout.” Their grin softened into a smile. “But I’m glad you’re happy too.”
“Well, we’re heading out, I need to put Ducky to bed,” she tried to stand and Morgan got up to help her. “Love you, ya know.”
“Yeah, little sister. Love you to,” said Morgan.
“Tell Grandma I said, Hi,” said Diego. “And to stay away from my kid.”
“Tell her yourself,” frowned Morgan. “She over there… oh, talking to Alex’s mom. That’s probably fine.”
Diego shook her head. “You and Chad are the only family members I deal with any more. When I got married, I left the FA, locked my sending stone away, and I have nothing more to do with any of it. You’ve got your way of coping, this is mine. See you later.”
“Oh,” called Morgan as she walked away. “It’s not Alex Stewart anymore. It’s Alex Sterling.”
“Mom will have a fit!” Diego called back. “But that’s why you did it, enjoy the consequences.”
“I will,” grinned Morgan.
**
*THE PAST*
The flames flared bright green and filled her field of vision. When they subsided, firstly she fell onto the floor, because the chair she’d conjured didn’t come with her, and secondly, she was no longer in the First Temple of Cthulhu. She appeared to be in a clearing in some woods.
“Oh Martha,” she said to herself as she stood up. “You really shouldn’t speak intent into an active spell like that. I hope that doesn’t cause you problems down the line. Now where am I?”
She held her hands in front of her and stared into the space between her hands. Reaching outwards with her magic. She quickly realised she was trapped in a pocket reality. Probably supposed to have no connection to any other reality, which would have made it a perfect prison. But she has a connection to her daughter (and therefore her daughter’s reality), such is the nature of the blood magic spell used to transport her here. It would take some effort, and time, but there is definitely a path back. But… it would be fun to see if the vision came to pass. This would be an excellent place to wait and see how the future unfolds. After all, Cthulhu will provide all that is needed.
**
*THE PRESENT*
They got back to the apartment in the early hours of the morning. “This is fucking crazy,” said Morgan. “I can’t believe we got through the whole marriage ceremony uninterrupted. Like that just doesn’t happen when two people with superpowers are getting married. There’s always an interruption.”
“Oh no,” replied Alex. “There have been so many attempts to interrupt this wedding. I put up a barrier around the entire venue. Your Grandma put up a protection spell. Um, five of our guests weren’t actually guests, but were shapeshifters pretending to be guests. During the ‘if anyone has any objections bit I had to paralyse sixteen different people to stop them from standing up. I’ve been working really hard today. I’m exhausted, glad to finally be home.”
“Well I’m going to see Grandma off, then tomorrow we can head off on our honeymoon,” said Morgan heading back towards the door to the apartment.
“Hold up, honeymoon?” replied Alex. “We didn’t plan a honeymoon.
“You didn’t plan a honeymoon,” said Morgan. “I did, cause who cares that this marriage is for tax reasons. I deserve a vacation.” They opened the front door. “I’ll be back in ten minutes.”
Morgan headed out of the building onto the street where their Grandma was waiting.
“Well my Darling, this is goodbye,” she said with a smile.
“Thanks for coming,” said Morgan. “And thanks for not ending the world while you were here.”
“Oh, you’re welcome. It was nice to stretch my legs a little. I had a productive trip,” she held her arms out and Morgan stepped in to give her a hug. “Give my love to your siblings, and have some fun, Darling. The end of reality and the inescapable void are inevitable after all.”
Morgan let go and stepped back, catching sight of the growing portal behind Grandma. A yawing chasm of tentacles and ichor, somehow radiating a sense of darkness and despair. “I wish I could let you out properly,” they mumbled, almost to themselves.
The tentacles from the portal wrapped around Grandma and she let them pull her in. “Oh Darling, you really don’t,” she said and then she was gone and the portal sealed shut.
**
*THE FUTURE (or at least a future)*
“Mom!” shouted a ten year old Ducky. “Where are my hockey boots?”
“Try the closet in the spare room,” Diego called back.
Ducky ran into the spare room. There were two closets in there. He knew his Mom meant the large white, modern looking one. But for some reason he couldn’t really explain he opened the smaller dark wooden closet. It contain a bunch of old boxes, but right on the top was a wooden box, smaller than the rest. Ducky picked it up and tried to open it but it was locked. He was going to put it back but somehow he cut his hand on the box and dropped it. It hit the floor and the lock, now stained with Ducky’s blood popped open and a strange green stone fell out.
Ducky bent down to pick it and the box up, but… there were two stones. Exactly the same. But one of them was Ducky’s he knew it was.
“Ducky,” shouted his Mom. “If you’re not ready in five minutes…”
“Coming Mom!” he shouted back. He replaced one of the stones in the box and shoved the box back into the closet. He put the other stone into his pocket. He could show Hawk it later. He ran downstairs to his Mom, not wanting to miss hockey practice.
He forgot his boots.
**
“Ohio,” said Barnaby gently. “It’s three in the morning, you should come to bed.” Kotesu head butted Ohio’s leg and then rested two paws in his lap, staring up at Ohio with big brown eyes.
“Is it?” asked Ohio frowning at the clock on the wall. “Oh yeah, I’ll be there soon.”
“How important is this temple you have to find?” asked Barnaby face etched with concern. “You’re kinda scaring me.” Kotesu barked in agreement.
The thought of scaring Barnaby snapped Ohio out of his fog. “Sorry, your right.” He closed the book he’d been trying to decipher. “I’m coming now.” He smiled and Barnaby and followed his husband up to bed.
It was at least a month before the obsession started to build again. Ohio knew that if he could just find the First Temple of Cthulhu then it would all make sense. The figurine would have to be there. He talked to a few colleagues, then some less respected colleagues, then some actually disgraced colleagues, and found out the name of the worlds foremost expert on Cthulhu. But surely, that couldn’t be right? He called them, he didn’t tell Barnaby about it. There was no reason to tell Barnaby at all really. But part of him felt guilty that he didn’t.
**
Chad’s phone rang on one of his rare days off. He thought, very briefly, about just not answering it. He was so tired. But what kind of hero didn’t answer the call to action? “Hello, you have reached the Chadster!” he said into the phone.
“Hello, yes, this is Ohio James, I’m Morgan’s nemesis. We’ve actually met a few times,” said Ohio.
“Why yes, I remember. Is Morgan okay?” asked Chad worriedly.
“Yes, yes, this isn’t about Morgan. I… I’ve been informed you are… the expert on all thing Cthulhu?” Ohio sounded unsure. Which of course made sense. Cthulhu was a terrible force of evil and study into it should not be taken lightly.
“I am,” said Chad proudly. “How can I help?”
**
And Alex and Morgan lived happily ever after. As much as anyone does. Until the inevitable end of all things.