Time that has yet to be come across works as such, there is a prime dimension in which choices stem, and from them, other timelines take on the consequences of these choices. This dimension is a prime one, but unique in the way that no other dimensional timelines stem from it.

That's why we thought we could use it to save our species, and continue fate in the way we need it to play out. For the good of all.

It's strange how this one works though, we can see multiple timelines stemming from this dimension, but they've never branched off into their own separate realities. And, in every timeline, those conversations with Batman didn't occur as they did. And there's no dimension for us to observe that would help us come to a conclusion about them, and our memory is unreliable, being cut off soon. By the end of the week, we will no longer have a steady stream. Which is even more damning.

...We need guidance, and though we want nothing to do with being influenced by a Lord of Order like Nabu, we can trust Kent Nelson, who's been his carrier for many years.

Hopefully, he can give us our needed answers.

____________
𝙼𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝 𝙹𝚞𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚎, 𝚁𝚑𝚘𝚍𝚎 𝙸𝚜𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍
𝙰𝚞𝚐𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝟷𝟿𝚝𝚑, 𝟷𝟿:𝟹𝟿 𝙴𝙳𝚃

Initiate Combat training in.. 3, 2, 1

Kaldur and Superboy circled each other, like how an animal would when sizing up its prey. Kaldur had a confident smirk on his face, while Superboy looked concentrated and uncharacteristically calm, in the zone.

Both charged at each other, now wearing smiles. Superboy threw the first punch and Kaldur threw one of his own, directed upwards. Then swinging low as Superboy blocked it, going for a high kick Kaldur once again just narrowly avoided landing a hit on the nigh-invincible boy. Sed boy went for a strong punch but also missed as Kaldur backflipped out of range.

"Kaldur's, uh, nice. Don't you think?"

I turned my attention to the girls beside me, leaning my weight onto one leg as I tried to focus on them and not the really cool fight going on in front of me. Failsafe said I shouldn't try to train with the boys with no powers, I'd hurt myself when it wasn't needed, but it looked like so much fun.

"Handsome, commanding," As soon as she said that he landed a blow to Superboy's head and I winced. Yikes, If he wasn't invincible...

"You should totally ask him out," Artemis' tone turned seductive. She looked at Megan, crossing her arms over her chest.

"He's like a big brother to me anyway, but, you know who would make the cutest couple?" Megan sang back, suggestively moving her shoulders.

"You and Wally."

I snorted, thinking of all the fanfics that, that would bring as soon as it would be made public. A known 'sidekick' like Kid Flash with a new, spitfire of an Archer?

Classic fic.

"What? Did I say something wrong?" Megan asked, worried. I snorted again, "No. It's, it's nothing. Don't worry 'bout it."

Artemis raised her eyebrow, placing her hand on her hips as she looked down at me due to her taller stature.

"So, what's your deal? Are you some sort of League pity case or something?"

"Artemis!" Megan whispered sharply. I chuckled, waving my hand.

"Nah, more like League secret," I put a finger to my lips, she didn't look too impressed. Again, another laugh escaped my mouth, "Well, okay, fine. I'd be willing to tell you, after we become friends. I really like your style, and Failsafe seems to like you too, so how about it?"

I held out my hand to her, watching as she smirked, taking it.

"Sure, I don't see why not."

We shook on it. Next to her, Megan was beaming.

"So, Kaldur huh?" I added to their conversation, "I dunno about him. Too serious for either of you and I dunno, I get strange vibes off him," I said, nonchalantly.

"And Wally? Nah, the best friend type dating rarely ends well," I joked, "Stay single ladies, it's best not to date with people you live or work with. Trust me, I've seen enough of both back home, and yikes," I shivered.

"...I'll keep that in mind," Megan hesitantly remarked. Artemis shrugged, "You didn't say anything about Superboy."

I made a face, gagging, "What is there to say that hasn't already been established? Red. Flags." I made an X with my arms. From his age to his anger issues. Do not engage. Again, Florida's taught me more than enough of what I need to know on this subject.

Superboy hooked Kaldur's foot and threw him over his back, ending the training session as the computer stated, "FAIL –Aqualad."

"Huh, surprisingly didn't expect that," I commented, seeing the end of the fight. I would have thought Kaldur would win. I would have even placed money on it. I guess those training sessions with Black Canary paid off?

The boys commented on the fight, but I was more preoccupied watching Red Tornado come down from his little hidey-hole. What does he even do up there? The last time we played Chess there was nothing unusual for there to be a reason the robot has his own room.

Was he hiding something? I furrowed my eyebrows as I thought about it.

"Do you have a mission for us?" Wally ran over at a breakneck speed as Red Tornado tried to walk away, down the hall.

"Mission assignments are the Batman's responsibility," The machine explained.

"Yeah, well the Batman's with the Robin doing the dynamic duo thing in Gotham," Wally made fun of Red's speech. I felt a sense of annoyance run through me as I walked over to him, stepping on the tip of my toes and slapping him on the back of his head.

"Hey, be nice."

"Ow," He rubbed the back of his head, turning to my displeased face. "What the hell?"

Though Failsafe doesn't share memories from before we met very often, she once graced me with memories of the olden days, when she took up home inside of the helmet of Fate. Experienced the word from his eyes, Kent Nelsons, and Red Tornado was his friend.

So, I guess I feel some sort of connection to our Den Mother, especially cause I've spent time with him these past few months too. Maybe he doesn't feel that way, but I feel close enough to him to defend him. And I want to do it too, for Failsafe and Kent, who we're supposed to be meeting today, I think.

Wally backed down, seeing my displeasure, turning back around.

"You're going somewhere though, right? Can we help out at least?" I asked our Den Mother, who was really like our Den Guardian, or Den Father?

Whatever.

Red Tornado turned around and the League computer came up, he typed for a moment before a familiar face meet my eyes on the screen.

"That's Kent Nelson, right?" I asked, looking at the oldened man with white hair and wrinkles. He's dressed in a suit with a pocket watch chain hooked into his pocket. He's also got a nice cane.

'It's been sixty-five years since we have seen Kent Nelson,' Failsafe commented. I hummed, "Sixty-five years is a long time."

"Yes, Kent Nelson is a friend. He is one hundred and six years old," Red Tornado emphasized to us. Pointedly looking at me.

"Guy doesn't look a day over 90," Wally whispered to Artemis. I ignored him begrudgingly. Jeez, this kid has a thicker skull than Failsafe.

"He has been missing for twenty-three days,' Red Tornado continued. I sighed, twenty three days? Looks like you are out of luck, Failsafe.

'No, we aren't. Today is precisely the day we'd waited to come to find him.'

'That's a little heartless though, to know he's been gone for so long and do nothing?'

'We cannot risk any more disturbances.'

This time, I couldn't find it in myself to agree with my best friend. Maybe it was the fact that I've been exposed to many of the memories that she's had with this man. To have no feelings toward him, even if she literally can't, I just can't imagine it.

He seemed like a good person, one I feel for. I know it's wrong to say, but at the very least, he doesn't deserve someone so close to him not to care even the tiniest bit like this.

I felt bad, for holding that against her, but I'll get over it. I always do. And maybe when I'm a little older I'll understand better.

"Kent was a charter member of the Justice Society, the precursor to your mentors Justice League."

"Of course, Nelson was Earth's sorcerer supreme. He was Doctor Fate!" Kaldur exclaimed, awe written on his face.

Wally scoffed, "More like Doctor Fake."

That irked me, I wanted to punt this little jerk across the room. Even if you have your own opinions about something, if it isn't good, keep it to yourself. Even if it isn't real magic you should still be respectful, he was a respected hero!

"Guy knows a little advanced science and 'Dumbledores' it up to scare the bad guys and impress the babes."

"Kent may simply be on one of his... walkabouts, but he is the caretaker of the helmet of Fate, the source of the Doctor's mystic might, and it is unwise to leave such power unguarded." Red Tornado finished.

"He is like the great sorcerer priests and priestesses of Mars," M'gann breathed out, exasperated. She put a hand to her chest, "I would be honored to help find him."

Wally's hand shot up so fast I thought he was about to rocket into the sky, "Me too!"

He continued, "Soo honored I can barely stand it. Magic rocks."

Red Tornado held up a key, "Take this. It is the key to the tower of fate."

Before Kaldur could grab it, I walked over, taking the key from the machine's hand with a charming smile. I held it to my chest as I walked away, Kaldur smiled as I passed him.

"What are the chances we both so admire the Mystic Arts." Wally started to flirt with the Martian, I tuned them out.

"If you all are satisfied with that, you may leave now. I will open the hangar door for your departure. Please, do not take long, Nelson is frail, and being missing for twenty-three days without some kind of warning is highly unlike him."

"Do not worry, Tornado. We will find him." Kaldur stated.

"Yeah! We got this, Red. I promise you that Kent's gonna be fine," I assured him, waving my free hand.

Red Tornado nodded, turned around, and typed some more stuff on the computer. We all took it as our cue to leave for the bioship.

On the way there, I walked next to Artemis and Megan.

"So why're you so giddy about this?" Artemis asked me, curious. "M'gann's excited because this guy's mystical or whatever, but you seem genuine about the actual guy,"

I quirked my smile, "Wow Artemis, you pick up on things quick."

"What can I say? I've got a knack for observing people," She bragged. I chuckled.

"Well, the guys and old hero. And besides, Failsafe and him used to be friends, so I guess I'm excited to learn about her past?" I showed my interest to them. I was excited to get the chance to meet him myself, I'd always liked magic a lot, and seeing it up close while I'm not in mortal danger seemed fun. It's not as if we can walk up to Zatarra, so this was kinda my chance. I wouldn't get a lot of time with him, but at least I could introduce myself, and maybe if I have time ask him to do a trick or something?

I'll think of it when I get there.

"What do you mean? Haven't you two always been together?" The Martian asked. I shook my head, "Nah. Only the last two years. And Failsafe's not the type to share, unfortunately."

I don't like to pry into other people's problems and issues, but sometimes I have wondered about Failsafe. And would like her to open up, but I'm not going to push it.

"Really?" She questioned, tone lightening.

"Yeah."

"Is there something I don't know? Artemis butted in again, "Isn't it pretty clear they're two different people?"

Failsafe bubbled up, and my eyebrows furrowed. "No, we are the same. There is no difference between us." She huffed, and then I was walking away from the baffled blond without giving any thought to my muscles.

'Failsafe...' Sometimes, I don't know how to deal with her. I sighed in exasperation, it's no use arguing with her.

'We are the same. There is no difference. We are one. We have never been two different people. Why don't people understand that?'

Maybe I imagined it, or maybe it was hope, but for a second, I thought I heard some sort of hurt in her voice.

Walking onto the ship, I plopped myself onto my regular seat in front of the center control console. The seatbelt wrapped itself around me and I slouched into the chair. I hope we didn't just ruin our relationship with Artemis.

It was only a few minutes after the bioship took off when Artemis began attacking Wallace again. "So, Wally, when did you first realize your honest affinity for Sorcery?"

"Well, I-I don't like to brag, but, uh, before I became Kid Flash, I seriously considered becoming a wizard myself."

Artemis grumbled curses under her breath but didn't shoot back any more retorts. Everyone stayed quiet but from the corner of my eye, I could see Artemis' expressions and not so discreet glances at us.

Were Megan and Artemis having a telepathic conversation? Was it about me?

No. I'm being paranoid, I told myself as I tried melding into my seat. It's a little while longer until we get to New Orleans, the location of Kent Nelson's home, but when we get there, the bioship's window showed us something strange.

"We've reached Tornados coordinates, but--" Megan trailed off.

"Nothing's there." Superboy interrupted.

"Take us down," Kaldur'ahm ordered. M'gann complied and the bioship landed, still camouflaged onto the lawn of the invisible house.

"Kid Flash, check around the perimeter, Red Tornado's coordinates can't have been wrong." Kaldur took charge again.

Wally smiled, yelling that he's, "Got it!" Before speeding off.

He came back seconds later, frowning, "Nothing. This isn't simple camouflage."

"So what do you think? Adaptive micro-optoelectronics combined with phase shifting?" Immediately, Artemis jumped into action, trying to figure this out. I smiled, good guess, but no. Why couldn't older people just believe in magic?

For a moment, I thought Wally looked smitten. "Absolutely,"

He looked to Megan, "Not."

He swallowed before saying, "Clearly mystic powers are at work here."

I snorted, "Sure."

Artemis shot Wally the deadliest glare, while Megan seemed completely convinced by Wally. This girl was too gullible.

"Red did say it was a test of faith," I pointed out, moving closer onto the lawn before putting the key out, and twisting it. Nothing happened. I chuckled awkwardly. I have faith, so why didn't it work?

Did I go too fast? I probably went too fast. I tried again.

Nothing.

'We are immune to magic, as such we cannot complete a test of faith.' I frowned at the explanation. Huffing and handing it to Kaldur, "I can't open the door. Apparently, Failsafe can't use magic."

I crossed my arms and furrowed my brows as I watched Kaldur look down at me with sympathy before moving to where I was, putting the key forward, this time there was a sound as it was slotted in.

"Stay behind me," He warned, the tower appearing to us as we all back up. It's lit up and looked like something medieval, faded cement bricks made up its entirety.

I stared up at it in awe. I'm sure the others were doing the same, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from it.

Artemis grabbed my arm, almost dragging me inside.

Embarrassed, I followed her as she held my tricep. The door shut behind me, as we were the last ones inside. Lit torches lined the walls.

"Uh, where'd the door go?" I asked, cautious and very, very worried about the door disappearing. I love magic and think it's great, but that does not mean I don't think it's above murdering us, right here, right now.

A projection of Kent Nelson appeared before all of us and Artemis let go of my arm. He did not answer my question, instead asking one of his own.

"Greetings. You have entered with a key, but the tower does not recognize you. Please state your purpose and intent."

Wally looked back to Megan, walking forward holding out his arms as he enunciated, "We are true believers, here to find Doctor Fate."

The projection's eyebrows moved the tiniest bit, not responding. A second later it disappeared.

"Maybe it was my paranoia, but that projection did not seem pleased," I spoke my thoughts aloud, Failsafe wasn't filtering me so they came out with no barrier.

Not a second later, the floor gave way to the gates of hell. Okay, maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration, but I was falling to my death here. Give me a break.

"Failsafe...!" I yelled, terrified.

_______________
𝚂𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚖, 𝙾𝚛𝚎𝚐𝚘𝚗
𝙰𝚞𝚐𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝟷𝟿𝚝𝚑, 𝟸𝟶:𝟸𝟽 𝙴𝙳𝚃

Controlling our flight wasn't hard, we stayed in the same spot we'd started to fly at, about midway into the pit created by the tower of fate. Lava pooled underneath us.

Artemis held Kaldur'ahm up and M'gann did the same for Wallace, we lifted up Superboy as he held onto the wall, inches away from having his feet burned off.

'That was close..' (Y/n) breathed, 'What the hell Failsafe?!'

'We were distracted, apologies.'

'With what? You've been pretty absent all day and now you almost let me become barbeque!'

'Apologies. We were trying to get our questions for Nelson in order. We'd thought things would be okay.'

In our head, there was a sigh, 'It's fine.' There was more to say, but (Y/n) didn't say it. We felt as though there was a reason behind it, something to do with the reason we were here.

"Having trouble, Maintaining, altitude. Ah, I'm so hot." M'gann was stuttering in her ability to fly. She wiped her forehead, trying to save anything she can.

"You certainly are," Wallace tried to flirt, even at a time like this.

"Wally!" Artemis yelled. She was correct to chastise him, it certainly wasn't the time.

"Hey, inches above sizzling death, I'm entitled to speak my mind!" He shot back. We shook our head.

"No one's going to die." We drawled.

'Because you know? Or because you won't let that happen?'

We didn't answer.

"Even so, M'gann's and my physiology are susceptible to extreme heat, we must climb out quickly. Failsafe, bring the others back to the top of this hole," Kaldur'ahm's vitals, along with M'gann's were getting weaker, but not enough for real concern.

"Hello, Megan!" M'gann slapped the side of her head. "We never truly answered the question!" She exclaimed, happy to have figured it out.

She yelled out to the tower, "Red Tornado sent us, to see if Mr. Nelson and the helmet were safe!"

The floor underneath us closed up and we placed Superboy down on the floor, landing on it ourself. M'gann and Artemis lifted the boys down, taking a breather. Kaldur'ahm and M'gann were breathing heavily.

Kaldur'ahm crouched down, feeling the platform as he caught his breath, "This platform, it should be red-hot, but it is cool to the touch."

Wallace put his arm around M'gann, "Don't worry, Megalicious. I got you."

"Enough!" A raging Artemis yelled. "Your little 'Impress Megan at all costs' game nearly got us all barbecued!"

"When did this become my fault!" Wallace became defensive.

"When you lied to forces outside your control." We stated, walking over to him and trying to look him in the eye, "Magic is not something even we would mess with, Wallace, think carefully next time."

"Failsafe's right. Lying to the all magic tower and calling yourself a true believer?! Are you really that crazy?!" Artemis continued to yell at the ginger male.

"Wally, you don't believe?" M'gann's voice came out soft and sad, full of vulnerability and disappointment. At least, we think that's what it was.

"Fine! Fine! I lied about believing in magic. But magic is the real lie, a major load!" He countered, exasperated.

"Wally, I studied for a year at the conservatory of sorcery in Atlantis. The mystic arts created the skin icons that power my water bearers," Kaldur'ahm told Wallace, still crouched down on the floor. We nodded along.

"Dude!" Wallace started a rant, "You ever hear of bioelectricity? Hey, in primitive cultures, fire was once considered magic too! Today, it's all just a bunch of tricks." Waving his hands around in the air.

"Magic is an ancient force, one that's been recognized by you humans longer than science has. Wallace, have you decided to ignore that?"

"What did I just say?! Magic is some hoke pokey thing people came up with to explain things, then we got the actual explanation! Now it's just some writing tool so people don't get bored!" He grumbled, running his hands through his hair.

"Your pretty close-minded for a guy that can break the sound barrier in his sneakers," Sarcasticall, with a hand on her hips, Artemis nitpicked Wallace.

"That's science!" He stressed. "I recreated the Flashes laboratory experiment, and here I am. Everything can be explained by science."

"Let us test that theory," Kaldur'ahm challenged the scientist by opening up the trapdoor found on the floor.

"Wait! The backdraft from the lava will roast us alive!" As the trapdoor opened, we were met with a subjectively beautiful snowy landscape.

'Cool.'

We chuckled with childlike amusement. The pun hitting us in the face. Next to us, M'gann smiled and played with the snow that came up from the door.

She laughed, happily, "It's snow."

We put our hand out too, touching the white, frozen water. Somehow, this time felt different from the times we've seen and touched it before.

Smugly, Artemis asked Wallace, "Do you ever get tired of being wrong?"

Kaldur'ahm jumped in first, followed by Artemis and us, Superboy came in after M'gann and the hesitant Wallace jumped into the mountain-scaped area last.

"Well?" Artemis strolled up to him, determined to break Wallace's beliefs.

"Ever hear of string theory?" He countered, "We're in a pocket dimension!"

Artemis scoffed and we turned away, not wanting to hear anymore. We'd spent the last ten minutes doing nothing but arguing and almost dying.

A frosty cane floated in front of us, freezing into ice chunks at the tip. We grab it, examining it, "This is Nelson's cane," We made the observation.

"You sure it's not his magic wand?" Wallace mocked, speeding over and grabbing it with it still being in our hands. Artemis ran over, grabbing it at the same time.

The cane began to glow, and we smiled. It will take them to Nelson. The two didn't seem too pleased as it lifted them into the air. Magic doesn't work on us, so we have to track and follow it using outside forces.

Teleporting to it took us to an endless room of stairs. They lead upside down, to the left, to the right, sideways, in every direction. There was no logic to them. We appeared next to Wallace and Artemis, seeing three figures in the distance. We tried to keep our distaste to ourself as we saw Earth's resident Lord of Chaos, accompanied by Abra Kadabra and Mr. Kent Nelson.

"Nelson!" We shouted to him, trying to get him to notice our presence.

He said something, but we couldn't hear. But we see his body become engulfed in magic before it rocketed toward us. He lands in front of us, ropes untying as he took his cane. Our teammates were released from the cane's magic.

He looked down at us, smiling as he used magic to create an elevator and ushered us in, "In here."

"Nelson, it is good to see you," We talked to our old acquaintance as we filed into the elevator. Jitters filled our body as we smiled widely at our old companion.

"It's good to see you too," Nelson acknowledged us, "It's been about, what? Sixty-eight years?"

"We're surprised you recognized us," We stated, "And it's been sixty-five."

He chuckled, nodding, "You have that same energy about you."

"We see."

"Got yourself a name now?" He asked with a raised brow. We nodded, "Yes, Failsafe."

His smile widened, "It suits you."

"Thank you," We put a hand to our chest, "But we did come here for a specific purpose. May we discuss it after we deal with the Lord of Chaos?"

"Of course," He nodded.

"Maybe we'll stay a while too, come and keep you company for a while?"

He laughed, "I'd like that very much." The numbers on the elevator counted up, dinging as we passed more floors.

"Uh, sorry to interrupt, but what the hell is going on?!" Wallace exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air.

"Well, we're up against an opponent with tremendous magical power," Nelson explained. "An actual Lord of Chaos."

"The ultimate enemy of someone like Doctor Fate," Artemis caught on. We nodded, "Yes, you are correct."

"Right, right, you're a 'Lord of Order," Wallace said suspiciously.

"Not me, the helmet, Nabu, is the Lord of Order," Nelson held his cane up, "And Failsafe here is the balance between the two, the scales between them both."

"You are?!" Wallace questioned.

"You would know that if you actually paid attention to anything either of them said!" Artemis bellowed and Wallace looked upset by that declaration, arguing back. We turned to Nelson.

"Oh, this is Artemis and Wallace," We gestured to the arguing teens. The older man laughed, "I see."

Nelson continued after clearing his throat, trying to get their attention back.

"I'm just an old coot Fate used to put on," We wanted to tell him that Nabu liked him, that he wasn't just a vessel. But that wasn't for us to do.

"Until my wife, Inza, convinced me there could be more to life," He pulled out a watch, and we saw a picture of a beautiful lady around her 30s maybe.

We remember her, Inza. Nabu didn't like the woman at all.

"Ah, she was a real pistol, that Inza." He sounded so nostalgic, it made us copy his smile.

Nelson put the pocket watch away, "Anyhoo, Klarions after the helmet, if he gets his sticky little mitts on it he'll turn the planet into his own personal playground of pandemonium."

'Try saying that five times fast.'

'Shush.'

The elevator doors swung open, letting the four of us walk out and climb up steps to a giant bell with intricate designs carved into it. The rest of our Team pilled out of a door made in the ceiling. M'gann being the only one that doesn't flop down onto the floor face first.

"Friends of yours?" Nelson joked, nudging our shoulder. We didn't answer him.

Electricity shot out from the distance, and we barely dodged it, pulling Nelson back and hitting the floor.

"Friends of yours?!" Wallace cried out, getting up with us as we rushed Nelson to the bell. Nelson hit the bell with his cane, Wallace, him, and a hurdling Klarion managed to make it onto the roof with transportation magic. We teleported there using Wallace as a baseline.

'We went all that way, to get to the freaking roof?!' (Y/n) exclaimed.

'It's magic, so it's not as if we could simply fly up here.' We explained, (Y/n) tried not to groan.

'Magic may be cool, but today it mcfreaking sucks.'

Nelson went to grab the helmet, but Klarion tried to attack him with dark magic. We went to block it with our body, but we were too late, it hit him in the stomach.

"Nelson!" We snapped our attention back to him before looking at Klarion, shooting cosmic energy at him, which did nothing. He laughed, shooting chaos magic at us.

We took the brunt of it, the magic having no effect. Klarion watched us, perplexed, "How did you...?" He squinted his eyes before beginning to laugh maniacally, "This'll be fun."

We narrowed our eyes, "Bring it on, Klarion."

"You're a strange one," He sneered, launching an attack at us. Again, we did not try to dodge.

"Not many people know who I am," He added on, "But everyone know's to avoid a powerful opponent when they see one." He shot fire balls made of magic at us, with a swipe of our hand they vanished into the wind.

"You are outmatched, Magician."

"We'll see about that!" He exclaimed, throwing more magic our way. This was almost laughably easy. "You can't attack me either!"

We cringed, it was true. While he did not affect us, we could not hurt him. The only way for us to truly fight is if we shed this body and the scales stayed tipped in the direction of chaos.

We felt a magic barrier form behind us, knowing Nelson was to put on the helmet we knew we only had to give the former hero time. We could do that.

"Nooooo!" Klarion screamed, trying to throw magic past us. We tried deflecting it with some shields, but it dissipated before we could shoot it back.

We tried attacking him, but they were minor inconveniences, mostly. We continued to trade attacks like this.

There was no point in trying close combat, even that wouldn't work. So we kept the witch at a distance.

"The only thing you could be, with that presence of yours is... What were they called again? He hummed to himself.

Shaking his head he commented, attacking us again, "No, couldn't be that. They don't even have bodies!" We shoot another attack t him as well, they canceled out in midair.

Our body is huffing and breathing heavily, but we kept fighting. Our lack of a response seemed to give him all he needed however. He got up and his face exploded in joy and happiness. We started clapping at his realization.

"Oh. My. Vulture carcass! You are!" His laughter started up again and we shot more energy at him, trying to keep him occupied before Nelson became Fate.

Why hadn't he become Fate yet?

"What's something like you, doing down here anyway? Get booted out of the tribe?" He mocked.

The insult made no sense, and yet it got under our skin anyway.

"We prefer you don't talk of us that way!" We yelled and blast him again. He blasted back, our powers collided and fought for power.

"Us?! Oh, I get it now! You're a parasite! My paragoblin this is the best day ever!" His eyes glowed with a demonic red light, his voice becoming crazed and demonic, "I'm going to rip you out of that body and make you watch as I tear that helpless girl to shreds!"

He attacked with more fervor, even though it had no effect. We kept pace too, aware of his threat. Why would he say that unless he knew he could? When he knows his magic has no effect?

We need to be cautious.

Fate appeared behind us, taking control of the fight as he shot the chaos mage with the magic of the order class. We turned back, where was Wallace, and why did Nelson take so long?

Our breath caught in our throat as we saw the body of Kent Nelson on the floor. We froze in place, why was he there?

It took us a moment to try walking toward him, stumbling forward before sprinting to him, falling to our knees at his side. Why was he here and not with Nabu, being Fate?! Wallace! He had become Fate! Why?!

We shook Nelson's side, sheer panic going through us. "Wake up, Nelson, wake up!" We screeched.

He's not waking up. Why isn't he waking up?! He's not dead, he can't be dead! It's not his time, it's not supposed to be his time!

Not yet!

We have questions to ask, and things to talk about! You were supposed to help us, supposed to live and be Fate again!

This is not the future we were trying to create!

"Nelson!" We wailed, screamed into the night. Hot water cascaded from our eyes with great fervor. We held his hand, now cold and turning a pale color. We shook his shoulder again as we fell on his fragile body, still, we kept shaking him.

"Wake up, wake up, wake up!"

"He's dead, Guardian." Nabu's voice mixed with Wallaces hit our ears. Had the battle ended already? We shook our head, not bringing ourself to lift it from Nelson's body.

"He's not," We breathed in, hiccuping, more water fell from our eyes, "He's sleeping. He was injured and he's sleeping it off. He has to be. That's what humans do, right? When they get injured?" We choked, more tears fell as we started to heave.

"His body hasn't disappeared yet, or anything like that! There's still time to help him–"

"Don't delude yourself, Guardian." Nabu cut us off, walking closer. We shook our head again, desperate.

"We have a name now, Nabu. And let Wallace go!" We yelled at the Lord of Order, "If you let him go, we and you, will be able to help Nelson," Our voice broke, shattered in our throat. This situation's reality, it was hitting us too soon.

"So I've heard," Nabu ignored our comments, our plea. The similarities between us, they, Nabu and Nelson, were so much like us. Once one. We bawled thinking of that.

We know Nabu can still feel, can't he show some compassion for his once host? Won't he help us?!

We shoved our face into Nelson's chest again, desperate to hear his breaths. When we felt a warm hand on our shoulder, we looked up, hoping for Nelson and instead finding Wallace's worried face, helmet resting in his other hand.

Something raw and overpowering filled us as we gazed at the wrong face. More water came out of us and we curled in on ourselves, almost in pain as we collapsed into Wallace. He crouched down, saying words and things we couldn't hear over our bumbling form.

"Why?" We wail into the air, "How did this happen? What is this?!" We clutched our chest, clawing at our heart, our core, as we tried to understand. We cannot bear to gaze upon Nelson's form anymore.

"Your sad, Failsafe. Your grieving for a friend," Wallace's voice broke through, he rubbed our back and encouraged us to let all of our tears go. So we did.

He continued talking, "Maybe you don't understand it now, but your friend just died, so your sad you'll never see him again. Because he's gone now." He explained it all in a gentle, soothing voice. We could see his tears running down his freckled face.

"But, but..." We're dolorous. We can't even manage to talk anymore. We belt out another wail, and double over, it hurts, hurts so badly. Wallace left us for a moment, he picked up Kent's pocket watch, and closed it, returning it to Kent's hand.

And that only makes us cry harder, screaming out into the night for our friend. Wallace returned to our side, letting us cry all we need. So we do.

We cry.

We cried for the first time.

And it hurts. It hurts the whole time, nothing made it better.

And yet we continued to let the water fall from our ducts.

Eventually, he lifted us up after we'd heaved enough, the intensity never stopped. He brought us back down to the bioship, we think.

All we remember was being set down at home, on our bed, and crying for Nelson.