Earth-1

Trevor Mach tossed and turned in his bed. The nightmares of violence, and the screaming. A memory, of seeing himself staring down hundreds of Malice Riders, a reminder that of his twisted nature. He bolted up in a cold sweat. Even though he had repeatedly tried to find true peace with himself, his destructive nature would constantly throw him off balance. However, the crying next to him brought him back to reality. The crying Justice Mach, whom had awoken when Trevor bolted up.

Trevor Mach: Shhh....shhhh...it's alright Justice. Sorry I woke you up. *sigh* Shhhh. Daddy's sorry.

Trevor took Justice in his arms and went for a walk on the yacht. As he took in the night air, he stopped and hid around the corner. He saw Mayor Rex speaking with the IronBloods on the SS Anne 2.

Mayor Rex: It's started. Let Strike know. Face has all hands on deck.

Camilo Ortega: Time to build a new world.

Trevor was about to leave, but he turned around and saw Hotlanta standing there.

Trevor Mach: He-

Hotlanta: Shhh...you don't want to wake the baby do you?

Trevor Mach: What the hell are they talking about? You're working with Rex and Strike?

Hotlanta: I'm working for me. Rex thinks he's going to have a "place at the table". Strike believe they're going to have a "place at the table". Which is why they want us at North Point. They want us at the "Resonance Point".

Trevor Mach: Resonance Point?

Hotlanta: Well, they think they want you there, because I told them to. I told them it was needed to open the way, to give them the power of cosmos. In reality, I was hoping you'd notice by now.

Trevor Mach: Notice?

Hotlanta: The end of reality.

Trevor Mach: Hot, what are you talking about?

Hotlanta: "Hot"? I'm not "Hot". Look closer.

Trevor Mach: Huh?

Mach stared into Hotlanta's eyes, and it suddenly hit him.

Trevor Mach: You son of a bitch. Giygas?

Giygas: Shhh. Don't wake the child. Only sometimes am I Giygas. Got to let my former disciple Lanta have his own life you know. During the Sanction, I left a fragment of myself that Hotlanta picked up. I had to be here to see this. 

Trevor Mach: See what?

Giygas: Extinction.

Trevor Mach: .....

Giygas: Consult Mr. Face. He's got another surprise for you. A much better one. I have to go. I've burned up "prepaid minutes".

Trevor Mach: You're cra-

Hotlanta looked down, and stood motionless. Trevor slowly moved around him, and took Justice back into the boat.

Camilo Ortega: Hot. Out meeting is over. What are you doing over here? Hot?

Hotlanta: ...I-I was making sure we were alone.

Camilo Ortega: The path is set now. No turning back. When it all goes down, the IronBloods will be rewarded and recognized for the contribution. Keeping everyone occupied. Keeping eyes on us. Keeping eyes off of the resonance...until it's time to pull the trigger.

Hotlanta: Outstanding.

Earth-1

As the SS Anne 2 and the Pirate Ship departed towards North Point, Trevor Mach stayed behind, carrying Justice in a baby chest carrier. He crept behind a building and ran into a figure in the darkness.

Trevor Mach: Whoa!

Lady M's: Easy killer. You going to attack with that baby strapped to your chest?

Trevor Mach: If I have to.

Lady M's: Why didn't you leave Justice with Aly? Did she not come? How about Tack and his cabal of womenfolk?

Trevor Mach: Uh...couldn't do it. Not with the IronBloods there. They're working with your Pops you know?

Lady M's: Yeah, I put two and two together on that one. He cleared out that building using KYO on purpose. I wanted to know why. I found some blue prints, and I think something might be lurking that he didn't want found. Hide it right under my nose, posing it as a symbol of good will? He should've known I wouldn't trust this gift.

Trevor Mach: It might not just be something below. I think something above us too. Something called a Resonance Point. There is one in North Point too. I have no idea what it is, but it's there.

Lady M's: So, you've been following the lead from another end. I guess it's up to Macho Sexy working together to figure this one out.

Trevor Mach: Heh...right, with Justice tagging along too, so let's be careful.

Lady M's: Us? Careful? You REALLY should have left him with Aly.

Trevor Mach: Yeah, about that. We need to talk when we're done.

Lady M's: Huh, wonder what that means?

Trevor and M's entered the club and followed the blueprint to a wall.

Lady M's: See? There is supposed to be stairs here. I think they lead to the sewer, where dear old Dad doesn't want me lurking.

Trevor Mach: You have a sledgehammer or something to knock it down?

Lady M's: I'm never without some instrument of destruction. You know that.

Trevor Mach: Yeah, it's always come in handy too.

Mach and M's took sledgehammers to the wall and revealed a door that lead to stairs heading deep below.

Lady M's: Got the flashlight. Let's go.

Trevor Mach: You were about ready to do this without me weren't you?

Lady M's: I don't like dragging you away from your work.

Trevor Mach: I kneed a shark who was trying to eat KYO.

Lady M's: See? You wouldn't want me to drag you away from all that fun.

Trevor Mach: You can drag me anywhere anytime Tali. You need me, and I'm here.

Lady M's: ...I know. Let's go.

Trevor and M's slowly made their way down the stairs, finally reaching another door, that when opened, lead them to the sewer.

Trevor Mach: Wow, it really is stairs that lead to a sewer. Why the hell would you ever want that?

Lady M's: Tech Noir used to be a speakeasy, and they funneled in booze from the sewer.

Trevor Mach: Maybe a rat or two along the way, and let us not forget the plague.

Lady M's: The tunnel looks clean enough right now. In fact, I see tread tracks. Something has been down here.

The tunnel began to shake and rumble.

Trevor Mach: And it's still here.

Trevor pulled M's back against the wall, as a large vehicle passed by.

Lady M's: That thing is huge. It's like a mobile base for something.

Trevor Mach: What secrets are you hiding down here Rex?

Lady M's: Let's find out.

M's ran towards the back of the mobile base. Trevor followed behind, slowed as he tried to keep Justice cradled. M's gave him a hand up, as the two held on tight.

Lady M's: Still thinking is was a good idea to bring the kid?

Trevor Mach: Honestly felt I didn't have a choice.

Lady M's: I'd probably have done the same thing if I had to deal with Hope when she was a kid. Luckily, this one is on YOU.

Trevor Mach: Ha....we REALLY need to talk after this.

M's managed to pry open the backdoor to the vehicle, but it immediately set off an alarm. An agent burst forth with gun drawn.

Mr. Face: Freeze! You're-

Lady M's: Full of questions.

Trevor Mach: Sup Face, you suspicious prick!

Mr. Face: *sigh* I guess it was only a matter of time. Come on in.

Trevor and M's spoke with Face about the situation with Rex and the IronBloods.

Mr. Face: Yeah, we originally wanted to stick to Summers to observe the area after the rift was closed, but then we became very interested in various Resonance Points. We wanted to check them out, including the one here in Summers, but Rex wanted to keep us from that mission. He couldn't keep us from what we're doing down here though. Government protocol. Our base was exposed, and we needed another one to house-

Trevor Mach: Giygas right?

Mr. Face: You know?

Trevor Mach: He told me you'd know all about this. He was inhabiting Hotlanta this whole damn time! You guys need to get your shit together! I figured when I saw him die in the Sanctum that it was too good to be true.

Lady M's: He used me to project himself didn't he?

Mr. Face: Seems that way. In reality, he physically never left his cell that day. Yes, he's here, and he's been expecting a guest. Gee, I guess that's you.

Trevor Mach: Tali, will you hold Justice, I'm going in there.

Lady M's: I'd really rather not....*sigh* but fine, hand him over.

Trevor handed off Justice before leaving into the next room with Face.

Lady M's: *staring at Justice* ....Huh...I guess you're not THAT bad. At least when you're quiet. You jumped on the back of a moving base in a sewer today. That'll be a neat story to tell you later I guess. I never noticed before...but you kind of look like me kid. Why do you look like me?

Lady M's look to Justice, but then to the opening panel that showed the next room over, where Trevor paced in front of the cell holding the familiar monster. Giygas, in the warped body of another Orange Kid.

Trevor Mach: Do you know how to die?

Giygas: It's a human concept. To exist, and then to not exist. I choose to avoid the latter. That's why you're here, because we have to stop it from happening. The rejoining is a lie. I saw that when we entered the Sanctum.

Trevor Mach: What are you talking about?

Giygas: There is no returning for me. The conscious void...the unyielding darkness I want this universe for my own, but even if I wanted to rejoin, I wouldn't be able too. It's too late. The darkness would crush me like it's crushing everything else. I would cease to be, much like yourself. Much like everything. Everything Mach. Can your primitive mind grasp that? Think big, but then bigger, and imagine an entire universe, then imagine it multiplied infinite times, but suddenly, infinite isn't so big anymore. I can feel them. I can feel the worlds crumbling. A faint feeling from the Resonance above us. The numbers are dropping fast, and very very soon, there will only be the void.

Trevor Mach: Yap yap yap! What's your angle here Giygas.

Giygas: Angle? My angle should be your angle. I don't want to die. WE HAVE TO AVOID EXTINCTION! You need to let me out, and the two of us have a destination to reach.

Trevor Mach: Are you freaking kidding me? Let you out? Now I know you're wasting my-

Giygas: YOUR SON  WILL DIE! YOUR WIFE! YOUR DAUGHTER! WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT?! HUMANS CARE RIGHT?! YOU PLACE VALUE IN THINGS?! WHAT DO YOU HOLD MY DEAR!? IT WILL DIE! IT WILL ALL DIE! Listen...I have been working the IronBloods and Strike TV. Ortega has more knowledge about this whole event then he should, but I have convinced him through Hotlanta, and I have convinced Strike, and I had convinced Andonuts and Face that EBW should go to North Point. It was the only Resonance Point they wouldn't have been able to reach. They think it's supposed to go down that way, that it will hasten the end, but in reality, it's the only way to save this damn planet! I'm trying to HELP!

Trevor Mach: Whatever you do, it's for your own end dickhead.

Giygas: I won't lie. That's true, but this time our interests are one and the same. This is not game Mach. I presume you subscribe to the notion of a creator? "God" I think it's called? Well this force. This entity is the antithesis as a destroyer. It is the "Anti-God". Do you want your children destroyed by the unrelenting darkness?!

Trevor Mach: ...Son of a bitch. Don't invoke my....DON'T INVOKE MY CHILDREN! Don't ever fucking put their names in your mouth again! Keep them OUT OF THIS!

Giygas: No! You keep them out of this! Save them! SAVE THEM!

Trevor Mach: DAMMIT! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!

Giygas: Take off this collar! I have to show you!

Trevor Mach: ...Face...I know you can hear me. Do it. DO IT!

The collar snapped off, and Giygas stretched his neck, before taking a deep breath.

Giygas: Even you're not stupid enough to do this unless you believe me.

Trevor Mach: I'm still standing, so apparently you mean what you say. But if it's true, I think we'd all be better off if you were a liar and I was dead.

Giygas: You have no idea how right you are. I'm still weak. I have strength to take the two of us, but only the two of us.

Lady M's: *intercom* Trevor, do NOT go with him! Not alone! I need to go with you!

Trevor Mach: *sigh* Tell them all what you heard here tonight Tali. You heard the asshole. He can only take me. For you, and for them, I have to see this for myself. You need to take care of Justice. Will you please watch him until I get back?

Lady M's: *intercom* What are you talking about? Why not Aly? What are you not telling me?

Trevor Mach: Heh...I guess better I tell you now if I don't get another chance. Aly Smash was your counterpart from another Earth. Not exactly you, but she "played the part". She carried the child that was meant to be your biological child, because of the planets merging, and you and me doing...well what we always do. Making things complicated. Justice Mach IS your son. You're his mother. She's gone now. She went home. She had her own Justice to care for. This one is ours. Please...watch him until I get back. I love you both. *sniff* so damn much.

Lady M's: DAMMIT TREVOR NO!

Giygas grabbed Trevor by the shoulder, and they both shot up as energy, straight into the Resonance.

Mr. Face: ...Well, I hope that was a smart idea. We couldn't take the risk. If Giygas was telling the tru-

Lady M's: Heh...that goofy bastard. He knew I didn't really want children, and yet here we are...WITH TWO! *sigh* Hand me that baby carrier thing would you?

Mr. Face: Huh? Oh...uh...here.

Lady M's: Thanks.

Mr. Face: What are you doing now?

Lady M's: I guess I'm protecting...my son. BUT...Lady M's doesn't take a backseat when shit is going down Face. You heard the idiot. We have to warn the others.

Trevor suddenly felt weightless, as he looked ahead and saw bright flashing light flying by at unimaginable speeds. Though to his left and to his right, he became aware of encroaching darkness on all sides. The path was suddenly rocked by an unimaginable force, and the stream of light collapsed behind him. The shifting and shaking sent him off his mark, as he tumbled out of the stream and on to the rocky ground.

https://youtu.be/8CIfudW67zs?t=180

He stood and looked ahead, seeing a horrific sight in front of him. Saturn City was in flames, the sky was red, but slowly fading to black. The moon itself was falling out of the sky, and collapsing in chunks.

Earth-3

Giygas: A bumpy ride, but we should have left already. We're running out of time.

Trevor Mach: Where the hell are we?

Giygas: Hell is apropos. This is Earth-3, on the verge of destruction. The forces at work trying to stop the darkness have been evacuating the entire planet to another one, when their original plan of moving the planet was thwarted. They have taken heavy casualties. This is the fate that will befall your reality, the fate that has befallen so many others. One universe would be enough for me to conquer, but if we don't stop this, we won't even have that. See? The darkness? You're staring into true oblivion. That's what drove KYO mad. The nothingness is closing in. We need to leave now.

Trevor Mach: I hear screaming. People are still out there.

Giygas: It's time to go.

Trevor Mach: There are still people here. It isn't time!

Trevor ran off through the rubble and wreckage, coming face to face with the shadow reapers who tried to carry him away, but he could a lead pipe and swung to keep them at bay. An attempted knee hurled one into a car that immediately exploded and imploded with the negative energies of the reapers. He covered his face to avoid the explosion, but the debris still sliced into his face, covering him quickly in blood. He moped it out of his face as he tried to follow the screams and noises, the possible last living souls in the universe. More reapers appeared and Mach tried to punch and kick through them, before Giygas waved his hand and flung them against a wall, causing an explosion and implosion that topped the entire skyscraper. Trevor jumped into a car and struggled to get it working as the building fell towards him and in his path. He finally got it working and drove it under the path of the sky scraper, making it to the other side as the building knocked down another and another like dominoes. The billowing smoke pushed the car off course, and into the rail of an underpass. The bleeding and woozy Mach finally saw the people huddled together, trying to get something to work. He pushed and fought through a seemingly endless wave of the reapers, pouring at him like a tidal wave, as it soon became clear to him that one of the figures he saw was Aly Smash cradling her baby Justice Mach beside a grown Justice Mach and Christina Angel.

Trevor Mach: NO! ALY RUN!

Aly Smash-3: Trevor?!

The street crumbled between Aly and her group. Christina and Justice suddenly lifted into the sky with a purple scientist and a green scientist. Aly struggled back to her feet, looking for something, that had fallen near Trevor's feet.

Trevor Mach: Aly, are you alright?!

Aly Smash: WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?! THIS IS THE END! THE EARTH IS ABOUT TO CRUMBLE!

Trevor Mach: I have a way to-

Trevor tried to show Aly that Giygas was behind him, but the entity inside of Orange Kid waved bye as he disappeared before getting torn to shreds by the reaper wave. They doubled back to the three remaining lives left in the universe.

Trevor Mach: Oh shit.

Aly Smash: The device! Hit the button! HIT THE BUTTON!

Aly pressed herself and Justice against Trevor tightly as he pushed the button. A beam of light descended and scooped them up. As they lifted into the sky and towards the resonance point, Trevor witnessed the remains of the Earth being obliterated. Another Earth lost to the Void.

Apple Core

A flash of light sparked open the portal that the three fell out of and onto the floor, just as Justice Mach-2 and Christina Angel-5 had dragged Kiwi Kid and Grape Kid of Earth-3 out of the way.

Aly Smash-3: *cough cough* That was way to close! Kiwi! I knew I should have just brought Justice with me when I left in the first place!

Trevor Mach: You see? I knew it wasn't crazy to carry him around with me!

Aly Smash-3: Trevor? How are you-

Trevor Mach: It's funny, I was JUST talking about you.

Earth-1

The SS Anne 2 pulled up to North Point, receiving a heroes' welcome by some, and jeers by others.

Firebrand X: The hell is their problem. I get not caring if we're here, but we show up to boo?

Subculture: They're called e-drones for a reason.

Firebrand X: I guess.

Swift and Reno made their way out on the deck looking for Trevor Mach.

Swift: Where the hell is that crazy fool? We're supposed to team on Neon Nights tonight, and I haven't seen him since we left Summers.

Reno: He WAS on the boat right? No one checked did they? His wife is in Summers. Maybe we should have checked?

Swift: *sigh* It''s cool. I'll team with Generator or Rude. It doesn't matter. We're all a team. I got this.

Bashin Dan: That's the spirit Mr. Swift. Teamwork is everything.

Swift: ....

Bashin Dan: .....

Swift: Still not sure I like you yet kid, but I respect...your "consistency".

Bashin Dan: Thanks. I was hoping someone could help me find someone I'm missing too. Benjamin. Has anyone seen him?

Tack Angel: Huh, that's weird. I was just looking for Faris myself.

Swift: Why would she be on this boat and not yours?

Tack Angel: Great question, but she wasn't there, so I thought I'd peak over here.

Swift: Hmph.

Tack Angel: Yeah, I can look grumpy too Swift. I have to find my wife.

Jammer: Anyone else see that?

Vape: What are you looking at? Some hot babes?

Jammer: Not at the minute no Vapezone. I thought I saw something above the city. Something round.

Vape: Not everything is a hoop Slam Jam.

Jammer: Dammit! I wasn't seeing a hoop! Now wait, what's that?

Vape: You're looking down now into the crowd. Boobs this time?

Jammer: It's not always about boobs!

Tack Angel: Hey there, hold on now, wait a minute! Let me see what the hubbub is. Wait...Tali?

Earth-22

Three guys sat at a table in front of microphones, surrounded by EBW merchandise.

Tommy Dukes-22: Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of Puroresufan, where we talk about all things wrestling. I'm Tommy Dukes, and my parents want me to move out and get a "REAL JOB", but I don't want to.

Trevor Mach-22: I'm Trevor Mach, and I could've been a wrestler once, but I decided to be a clown instead, and then a journalist...so essentially a clown again.

Simon-22: And I'm Simon, and I like to blackmail people who disagree with me with incriminating photographs.

Tommy Dukes-22: So much to talk about today. I can't believe it's already been 5 years since Dibney Corporation bought our FAVORITE wrestling company EBW! Personally, I LOVE this change to the company. A lot of people think that we're being PAID by Dibney to say great things about EBW.........

Simon-22: Personally, I LOVE that EBW is homogenized and formulaic. Some would say boring, but I would say very safe and dependable. You know what you're going to get, and you know that the racial and sexual quotas will be nice and even. It's important for reasons.

Trevor Mach-22: Well personally, I LOVE that EBW is planning a 9-Hour Long Victory Explosion Super Extravaganza this year! It's being sponsored by Dibney of course, and so are we....I mean I wish we were. Geez, that would be AWESOME!

Simon-22: Damn straight!

Tommy Dukes-22: We LOVE Dibney Dog!

Simon-22: Dibney Dog, in the hoooouse.

Trevor Mach-22: Man I really loved Victory Explosion. It was so awesome.

Tommy Dukes-22: It hasn't happened yet. It's not for a few more months.

Trevor Mach-22: ....I meant I loved it last time...earlier this year. Sorry. Guess I got my scri...notes all mixed up here.

Simon-22: Victory Explosion, in the hoooooouse.

Tommy Dukes-22: We do need to talk about the buildup for it though, because we're only the 10,201st show to do so, and it really needs to be discussed more I think. Have to get the word out. Tack Angel will AGAIN be in the main event for the 10th year IN! A! ROW!

Simon-22: Tack Angel, in the hoooooouse.

Trevor Mach-22: Me personally? I LOVE that Tack Angel is in the main event! He took a show off last week, and we began that e-mail campaign telling him to get well soon, and it turns out he was just on vacation, but still, it's so GREAT THAT HE'S BACK!  DO YOU REMEMBER TACK?!

Tommy Dukes-22: Give it up for Tack! *clapping*

Simon-22: I remember Tack! I clapped! I clapped when Tack was on screen! *clapping*

Trevor Mach: I clapped TOO! *clapping*

Tommy Dukes-22: Remember when we were at the arena, and he said the name of the city we were in? I clapped so hard! *clapping*

Trevor Mach-22: I popped! I popped when he said the place we were at! He said it by name! *clapping*

Simon-22: I popped also as well! I went POPOPOPOPOPOPOPOPOP! *clapping*

Trevor Mach-22: Gotta give it up for Tack! *clapping*

Simon-22: Tack. *clapping*

Trevor Mach-22: He puts the STAR in STAR PRINCE BABY!  *clapping*

Tommy Dukes-22: Woooo! *clapping* Tack! *clapping*

Trevor Mach-22: I remember that he likes blue and that makes me clap! *clapping*

Simon-22: Blue is a color I'm aware of! *clapping*

Trevor Mach-22: I remember him! *clapping* I remember his costume! *clapping*

Tommy Dukes-22: Tack! *clapping*

Simon-22: He's married to 12 women and he's got a penguin! *clapping*

Trevor Mach-22: HE'S GOT A PIRATE SHIP! *clapping*

Suddenly, the house shook.

Tommy Dukes-22: What is that?

Simon-22: Oh...that thing on the news Dibney told us to ignore? The world ending? It's happening now.

Trevor Mach-22: Oh thank God. I'm so ready.

Apple Kid

Jeff Andonuts and Degrees-4 were look at a computer screen, analyzing data.

Jeff Andonuts: I think we just lost Earth-22. Anyone here from Earth-22?

Degrees-4: I don't think so. Didn't seem to be high up on the priority lost before, but now things are changing.

Jeff Andonuts: The number system was better when they were being destroyed in order. Now it's getting harder to anticipate what's next.

Degrees-4: Well then, we need to make our stand on Earth-25 count.

Jeff Andonuts: Exactly.

Elsewhere, a level down, Giygas paced back and forth in a force field containment cell. Justice Mach-2 made his way down.

Giygas: Oh great. Finally some company. I get easily bored. I'm eternally patient when it comes to things like conquest, but I've picked up some nasty human habits, like an express need to hold and look at a "smart phone". I don't even know what this thing does other than this block matching game.

Justice Mach-2: You don't remember me do you?

Giygas: I don't remember most humans to be honest. If you were burning ants with a magnifying glass, would you remember them in detail?

Justice Mach-2: You took my mother and father asshole. You possessed Orange Kid, facilitated my mother's transformation, and when it broke my father, you convinced him to join you.

Giygas: Aha! You're THAT Justice Mach huh? I'm always so busy. It's hard to keep up with old friends. How are things?

Justice Mach-2: Tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now.

Giygas: ...I don't want you to?

Justice Mach-2: You uncaring monster.

Giygas: I care...a little bit...that your annoyed enough to threaten my life....I think. You have to understand, I lost my mind. It was shattered by what we're facing. If I knew what feelings were before, then I certainly don't now. I don't operate the same way you do. I do know that leverage is king though. I am going to help you stop "Entity V".

Justice Mach-2: How?

Giygas: Well first, I brought you a Trevor Mach that has yet to be stabbed by Darkness Angel, which is a great name by the way. I would enjoy meeting this Darkness Angel very much I think.

Justice Mach-2: What else can you offer? Anything? Just more wasted time it seems like.

Giygas: You'll need me to strike back against "Entity V". Interesting name I guess, but not very creative. A bit on the nose. Does that make me "Entity G"?

Justice Mach-2: I think you're lying, and I'm going to kill yo-

Trevor Mach: Whoa. Hold on son. This isn't the time. Not like this. Let him mill over the fact that he has to help us to save his own ass. In the end, if we succeed, he has to know that we're alive because of him. The exact opposite of what he wants, and that's hilarious.

Justice Mach-2: You say IF we succeed. If we fail?

Trevor Mach: He gets crushed with us, by "Entity V". His more afraid of his death than we are. You'll get to see Giygas show trust fear before he dies. It really is win win.

Giygas: You're such a pal Mach. I mean, I brought you here, and agreed to stand in this "cage", which is admittedly nicer than my normal lodgings, and all I get is this? I believe gratitude is in order.

Trevor Mach: Do something other than drag me from Earth-1. Do something useful. Give us something we can use to win.

Giygas: Well, I could tell you that while your plan to slow down the destruction of Earth-25 is possible, however VERY unlikely, you're much better off going to the source. The conscious void "Entity V", is the opposite of reality. It is non-existence with a mind. It needs helps from reality to eliminate reality. It is trying to overpower the Sanctum right now, and unmake that wonderful background source code that we're ALL made of. Even me now, as much as I hate to admit it. It isn't able to over power it yet, but it using it. It made something, or it had someone use the Sanctum to make something that is sending out the waves that allow "Entity V" to consume all of "creation". You find that, and destroy it, and the remaining Earths are safe. I would really hurry though. You've got to be down to 40 or 50 right now. Somewhere in there. Give or take a few trillion lives. That's a lot of ants under the glass eh Justice?

Justice Mach: .....



 

Apple Core

Jeff Andonuts poured himself into his work. He tried to ignore the corpse of his friend covered in a sheet behind him, ready to join so many others in their eventual burial. He tried to ignore the stump, where his leg used to be, but rubbed kept reaching for a leg that wasn't there anymore. He kept his eyes fixated on the screen, a simulation of the wave that was passing through so many realities.

Apple of Enlightenment: You must rest, if you are to help us prevail.

Jeff Andonuts: Prevail? Not likely. Our best plan failed.

Apple of Enlightenment: You saved countless lives. Earth-96 and Earth-48 are safe, and billions have been evacuated to those worlds.

Jeff Andonuts: For now maybe, but look at this thing. If it destroys reality, it will find them too, and then it will come for us. It's only a matter of time. When "Entity V" becomes all there is, and becomes the Sanctum, he'll unmake us too. Less that dust. Less than atoms. Just....nothing.

Apple of Enlightenment: We must not lose Hope.

Jeff Andonuts: Hope? Hope is responsible for that over there. Hope Mach of Earth-66, threw off Trevor, and now he's dead. HE'S DEAD! I'm trying to remain rational here. I've witnessed the deaths of other Trevor Machs, but this....this one I knew. We lost him. I lost my leg. We lost Firebrand X-20. We lost Earth-25. We're about to lose another one! There are 20 Earths left! 20! It's only a matter of time before I lose my Earth. An entire universe will just blink out. One of the billions already lost. I try to wrap my mind around it. But this is bigger than....well than anything. Nothing has ever...ever been this bad. The end of everything. Apple, is there a God?

Apple of Enlightenment: A man of science asking this question?

Jeff Andonuts: ...There has to be a reason this is happening. There has to be a reason it's allowed. There has to be something that can stop it.

Apple of Enlightenment: We find the answer to that question together my friend. We've all lost so much, but we have to fight to protect what we still have. We have to protect what is left. When the ground is scorched and the soil is arid, only one seed need survive, for a chance at rebirth.

Jeff Andonuts: ...Earth-16 was just destroyed. Just now...while you were talking. Why don't you tell them that?

Apple of Enlightenment: ....

Elsewhere, Trevor Mach-10 got up from his bed, and started limping across the room, when he saw Aly-3 with baby Justice.

Trevor Mach-10: Is that little Justice I see?

Aly Smash-3: You're supposed to stay in bed.

Trevor Mach-10: Oh, what does it matter at this point?  I'm fine...better than most unfortunately. I'm sorry. I understand that you knew the Trevor Mach of Earth-1?

Aly Smash-3: It's a very complicated and very Earth-1 kind of story. I try not to dwell on the how or the why, all I know is that I remembered a time when I was happy....me and Blade...and our little Justice. I got that from him. In return, I carried another Justice around near 9 months for my counterpart.

Trevor Mach-10: That sounds....

Aly Smash-3: Complicated? Absolutely. Time and space have been a mess for years it seems.

Trevor Mach-10: Some of us saw it coming, tried to fight it. On my Earth, "Wrestler" became synonymous with "Hero". My family...they were the real heroes. They stood by me, and then...I miss my wife, and my three children. It's nice to see Justice as a baby again. You're an outstanding mother, I can tell.

Aly Smash-3: I'm definitely trying. It's hard to do it all alone though.

Trevor Mach-10: You're not alone. Here, hand over the little guy, let's see if I can rock him to sleep.

Aly Smash-3: I'd say be careful, but you've been through this before haven't you?

Trevor Mach-10: Like I said...3 times. *sniff* I can only hope that the Justice Mach of Earth-1 gets to grow up knowing what his Dad died for. Trying to be a hero.

Several beds over, a familiar face was waking from a long sleep.

Camilo Ortega: Ah!

Degrees-4: Calm down, you're alright. You're safe.

Camilo Ortega: Where are-

Degrees-4: The others that came with you are fine. When we brought you here we thibk you passed out from exhaustion.

Camilo Ortega: The world...it was falling down around us.

Degrees-4: Yeah, that's happening a lot. Happening everywhere. I'm told you're the Camilo Ortega of Earth-1. Why were you on Earth-3?

Camilo Ortega: It's complicated.

Degrees-4: It's all complicated Mr. Ortega.

Camilo Ortega: I retired from wrestling, to look after my Abuela, who was looking after...my younger self.

Degrees-4: I can believe that, as crazy as it sounds.

Camilo Ortega: We ended up on Earth-3 last year. I didn't know how at first, but then the Camilo Ortega of that Earth found me. He pretended to care about the path, and helping us get settled in while we figured out what happened. Turns out it was part of his plan, working for someone, and replacing me on Earth-1.

Degrees-4: But he let you live?

Camilo Ortega: I assume his ego is too fragile to see himself die.

Degrees-4: .....

Camilo Ortega: I know what I'm capable of.

Degrees-4: I see.

Camilo Ortega: I think I saw Trevor Mach before I passed out. Do you knew where he is? I'd really like to know what my counterpart has been up to in my place.

Degrees-4: ...About that.

Camilo Ortega: .....

Earth-1

A group surrounded Lady M's on the SS Anne 2, while she passed along information. Amigo quickly ran to the side of the ship to throw up.

Lady M's: I hadn't even gotten to the bad part yet.

Swift: That damn fool's been puking the whole trip.

Amigo: I'll...*barf*..I'll be right back.

Kinniku Mike: Nah man, you just stay over there.

Tack Angel: So he left with Giygas? Where?

Lady M's: I don't know. I just know that Giygas actually sent out bad information. Your television provider is attempting to control the world or something I think. My father is in on it. He didn't want you in Summers. He didn't listen, because he knew Giygas was bullshit. That's why he's got the IronBloods keeping an eye on things I think. They are working both sides.

Tack Angel: That's complicated.

Lady M's: It's all for the prize I think. They want Sanctum.

Tack Angel: Sanctum again. You know, this all started with me having visions to help me find myself. Then it happened to Trevor. Then, it happened to you. It was a wonderful thing. It helped us out, but now, it's like our world is coming undone because of it.

Bashin Dan: This sounds really bad. The stakes are higher now I think. If Mach was willing to play that card, and go with one of this Earth's greatest villans, then I think we need to take this seriously.

Jammer: So that circle I see is a "Resonance Point"? Do we need to close it or something?

Lady M's: I have no idea. It was all so sudden. Mr. Face is sending teams to the other four points. I think this one is our responsibility.

Swift: Well then, let's not screw this up, or it's our asses. I think we need to compete tonight, like originally planned. Keep up appearances. I'm teaming with Rude, and we'll beat some answers out of the IronBlood's asses if we get the chance. Let's break this up. We don't want to look too suspicious.

The crowd dispersed, with Tack Angel following Lady M's.

Tack Angel: It's ironic, the Sanctum took you from us, and now it's bringing you back.

Lady M's: I was never "gone". I just wanted to figure some shit out for myself. I have history with a lot of things in Summers, and I thought I wanted to reignite something there, but now, I'm not so sure. Especially with all of this going on. Look, I just want to stop anything from happening alright? We get our heads in the game and-

Tack Angel: I can't help but notice you're holding Justice. Never thought I'd see that.

Lady M's: Why not? He IS my son.

Tack Angel: Huh? What about Aly? Tali? What about Al-Oooooooh.

As they walked away, KYO crept around the corner laughing.

Apple Core

Justice Mach-2 made his way back down to the cell of Giygas.

Giygas: I figured you'd be back.

Justice Mach-2: You know what happened don't you?

Giygas: I'm sorry...that I missed it. That's a joke. I think it is right? I think that's called a joke. I find it funny.

Justice Mach-2: MONSTER! I'll ki-

Trevor Mach-10: Shhhh....easy son. I feel like he preys on this type of emotion.

Justice Mach-2: Da-Trevor? What are you doing here?

Trevor Mach-10: I saw you come down here, and I think I know what you want, so calm yourself, and ask him.

Justice Mach-2: *sigh* Giygas, you said you had an alternate plan. Will you....will you help us?

Giygas: No....but...I will help myself. That just happens to work out for you too. Now THAT was a joke right?

Earth-1

Swift kicked open the door and punched the wall in anger.

Tack Angel: Whoa! We have to pay for damages to the boat man.

Swift: Does it look like I give a shit?! They cut the feed before I could get him to admit a damn thing. Worse yet, I saw the faintest little crack of a smug smile on that punk ass prick!

Generator: It really seems like they have been trying to distract us in hindsight. They knew just how to do it. Passive aggressive enough to draw your ire.

Swift: All the ire! They drew all of it! ALL OF THE IRE PEOPLE! Now tick tock, the clock is running here. If some shit is going down, we need to know. Let's go find the IronBloods.

Rude: Now that's a plan.

Reno: Wait. *cocks gun* Alright, I'm ready.

Rude: You carry a gun now?

Reno: Being an Agent is pretty cut throat.

Tack Angel: Wish I didn't know you had that. Yikes.

Apple Core

Trevor Mach-10 picked up his leather jacket and put it on. He grabbed his shades and tucked them into his inner jacket pocket and looked into the mirror. He felt the grey stubble on his face and thought about the Mach of Earth-1.

Degrees-4: So, you've decided to go against Doctor's orders?

Trevor Mach-10: I want to be useful. Evil prevails if good men do nothing Doc.

Degrees-4: It's getting pretty gloomy around here. You sure you want back in the fray?

Trevor Mach-10: Now is the perfect time to return to the front lines. My so-Justice Mach of Earth-2 is going with Giygas, so I need to go as well.

Degrees-4: How do you do it?

Trevor Mach-10: Do what?

Degrees-4: Keep going. Keep positive. I lost everything I cared about, and I broke down. You? You pull yourself out of your hospital bed, ready to fight the good fight. Didn't you also lose your family?

Trevor Mach-10: ...I did. That happened, but this is happening...right now. I can't save them, but I can remember them, and use them to help me save NOW. You should do the same. Our loved ones don't want us dying with them. If you died, would you want everyone you know to be miserable? It's the hardest thing you'll ever have to do, trying to move past it, but if you can, nothing will ever be able to break you like that again.

Degrees-4: ....

Trevor Mach-10: We never stop loving them. That's important. You keep them in your heart, but....you live.

Degrees-4: ...I needed to hear that actually. Thank you.

Earth-1

Gemma Brand and Nosan made their way to Degrees lab, with important questions.

Gemma: Doc? Are you here? Doc?

Degrees: Yeah, I'm always here when I'm not at home. Kaori says I work too much, but...you both look a little concerned. Problems with time again? More space aliens? What's going on?

Gemma: Faris is missing. We were a team, and I can't stand by while a team mate has vanished without a trace.

Nosan: Jeff Andonuts too. I would know. I work as a janitor in HIS lab now. He's been gone for days.

Degrees: Well, that won't do at all will it? Fortunately, I'm prepared for something like that. On one of our trips to the future, I may have "borrowed" some technology to help us out of jams. A retrieval program. that would send out a signal, passing through the Sanctum to reach anywhere, and bring someone back to a location. Problem is, technology like this still isn't-

Gemma: "Your field". Right. You've made that clear.

Degrees: It does the opposite. It sends a person somewhere instead of bringing them back. Jeff's signature is in the program, but it would take me to him, and not him to us.

Nosan: Wait, why you? Why not all of us?

Degrees: It was trial run we both agreed to. You haven't had the procedure. It involved days of DNA sequence mapping and-

Gemma: We get it. Scientific talk. We can't have you going after Jeff and Faris on your own.

Degrees: Sure you can. I'm the team leader after all, I make the hard decisions. They're like family to me too, just like you guys are. I know it's been dysfunctional, but I don't think I'd be who I am without all of you. Yeah, even Jackson Kain. Be back soon I hope.

Before Gemma and Nosan could stop him, Degrees, hit a button and disappeared.

Apple Core

Giygas stood in shackles, pacing back and forth in front of a monitor, as the heroes from other worlds looked on.

Giygas: Do I really have to explain this? Explaining is boring. We're wasting time.

Justice Mach-2: You want to do this, then yes, you have to explain.

Giygas: *sigh* Fine. "Entity V" had to create a physical place to construct the Resonance Points and the reality consuming void. We're going to go there and destroy it. Very simple. Even you lower life forms can understand right? Am I overestimating your capacity to think?

Trevor Mach-10: How are we going to find this place. Do you know where it is?

Giygas: Of course I do. I can feel it. The void was my home once. It's forever with me. Just like you hid your base in here...so did they.

Apple of Enlightenment: If you are to launch an assault on this base, then they will become aware of our exact location.

Giygas: So, I will get it right the first time...unlike all of you. An interesting Mach died because of you. You will follow my lead, and I will save you from oblivion. Now, we're wasting more ti-

Suddenly, a portal opened in the ceiling and Degrees fell to the floor with a hard thud.

Degrees: Ow! Crap, that hur- Uh...hello everyone?

Jeff Andonuts: Degrees?! What are you doing here?

Degrees: I came looking for yo-what happened to your leg?!

Degrees-4: Huh. So now we have this going on.