When Universes Collide

Kellein was the first to step forward out of the group. "Ares, why are we here? Come to think of it, where is here?"

"Here," Ares began, "is late 20^th century Earth. One of the many shadows I've told you about. Now now, Roland, put the gun down. You too, K. It'll do you no good against me. And I know your bullets are harmless anyway. Yes, that's your rifle, no you can't have it yet. Would you all please sit down? No, Lina... Just wait. Yes, we'll eat later." Once everyone was settled, he went to the beginning. "The multiverse once started as one world. A place of darkness, deceit, assassination, poison, death... Chaos. This is a place I've lived..."

-///-

Long ago, there were several members to one royal family. This kingdom, the Courts of Chaos, was ruled by the Serpent. The Serpent was like a sort of god, manifested within a form that Chaosians had identified themselves. Chaosians were shape shifters anyhow, and often had a second or third demon form which they reverted to in times of stress. One Chaosian, had different ideals, different ways of thinking. And so he took from the Courts the one most prized possession they had: The Eye of the Serpent.

The Eye was a brilliant red jewel, which gave power to those to attuned themselves to it. Many did this by negotiating the Logrus with it draped about their neck. The Logrus was a form of the Serpent itself, and intelligent on its own. However, the people at the time did not know this. Perhaps only Dworkin, that thieving Chaosian, had any idea of it.

Dworkin took the Eye to the farthest place he could, away from the Courts, and created his own Pattern to negotiate. This place created a light so brilliant, it was another world, another universe to itself. And this light cast its way to Chaos, where they could barely see it. But there are always rocks, dust, and things that block the light. And this created shadow... small echoes of either universe, drifting in eternity. Each shadow has a different time, different speed.

Somewhere in shadow, in one of the rapidly growing universes, Dworkin took a bride, who bore only one child: Oberon. From there, Oberon bore children with various women he'd taken for brides among shadow. Dworkin disappeared, rumored to have gone mad, and left Oberon as king, with nine princes, and three princesses to care for. Many without their mothers there. Oberon, having seen a unicorn only once, and thought it magnificent, took the creature as a symbol of their kingdom. Time went on, and lower kingdoms were built around the edge of the mount where Amber stood. But everyone knew of Amber, and Amber ruled over all.

Since then, there has been a constant battle between light and dark, trying to gain as much control as possible, but the truth is it must remain balanced. Even when the Unicorn and the Serpent fight one another, they know this deep in their hearts. But while the Unicorn sits and waits, only defending, the Serpent will fight on, trying to take back what was first his. The Unicorn was once poisoned, with the blood of his own lineage, but even this was repaired.

Neither likes having those that sit in the middle and watch, and are quite content to work together of it means that person will choose a side. Such has happened to Merlin, who is currently the king of Chaos, though he still refuses either side. Random was proclaimed king in Amber by the Unicorn shortly after Oberon's death. With kings of both sides at union (Merlin's father being Random's brother), there is no one left for either to manipulate toward a war. Now they have sought out power in Shadow. And they have found it in a world in the very center between the two.

-///-

The group at once understood the gravity of the situation. One world thrown out of balance wasn't going to do much, but if that power grew too strong, it would invade the other worlds and spread like a disease. But one person knew the truth behind him, and spoke her concern.

"Ares, I have to ask..." Lina stood. "Aren't you the Lord of Nightmares? Chaos?"

Ares nodded, seeming a little ashamed. "In one sense, yes. I was born of Chaos, to control Chaos, and assimilated with it. The problem is I cannot hold Chaos itself within this body, and thus we are merely like linked minds. It's as though I'd had a split personality and one decided to drop out of my head and find a new body."

Roland nodded in understanding. He'd seen something similar in Susannah, who was still back in his world, pregnant with some demonic child. Mia had just recently shown herself as far as he knew, and it brought a completely new person to Susannah.

Spike, however, was not so understanding. "Alright. Great. So you and this big evil are like one in the same, yeah? How's that going to make us trust you?"

Ares all at once dropped the I-am-the-oracle-here-to-inform-your-ass façade and gave Spike an incredulous look. "Oh yeah, Spike. Real nice. In order to corrupt the multiverse, I'm enlisting the help of all the good guys to stop Chaos from reigning. I'm betting the side of light will then start a war to take over all the darkness. Sounds like a brilliant plan. I may as well defeat myself now, while I can."

Spike glared at him and Ares was very not afraid to glare back.

"So, what's this...Shadow? I mean, what's the power we gotta stop?"

Ares looked at Willow then sighed. "In this place there are two types of people: magical and non-magical. The magical call temselves wizards, and the rest of them muggles. I could explain more later, but it will have to be very much later." He looked around at all of them. "Once I finish telling this story, any of you will be free to leave. But for the sake of the multiverse, I hope you stay."

-///-

Tom was always interested in the Dark Arts, and had a taste for vengeance after what his father had done to him. It wasn't surprising that one night, as he tried to think of a way to exact this vengeance, the Serpent came to him.

"Heir of Slytherin," it hissed, knowing Tom would be able to understand him.

Tom turned to see him, half expecting to look at the basilisk he'd left in the Chamber of Secrets. Instead the Serpent was a healthy green, and rather see-through. He hadn't seen anything like it before. He stood and walked toward it cautiously. "What do you want?"

"Only what you want," it replied. "For you to be more powerful. I can see a great gift inside you. But it needs to be unlocked and fed."

He couldn't help but shudder, and not entirely with fright. "Fine, then. Just how am I supposed to unlock such a power?"

"Like this." There was a flash from the great snake's eyes, and all of a sudden Tom's body tingled as power flowed through him. Then the Serpent spoke again. "Find followers, and for everyone one that you do, I shall feed that power of yours. You shall grow strong beyond belief. But do know that there is a chance for you to be defeated."

Tom was about to ask how, but the Serpent had disappeared, as though it were never there. He would have questioned it as a hallucination, but he could still feel the power coursing through his body.

And so, under the name of Lord Voldemort, he began to find followers. For those who were loyal to him, he gave special spells which had been dusted off and made more powerful. The Serpent indeed fed him as he did, and gradually he was able to do more. Create a mark, cause intense pain, control people, and to kill. Of course, anyone could learn such things. That was the easy part. The hard part was doing it with any ease. That, the Serpent had given him. And Lord Voldemort began his rule...

~*~

It was not long after that his rule ended, his own curse rebounding off an infant and hitting him. But surviving such a curse leaves its mark: in the shape of a lightning bolt scar on the child's forehead. It has never gone away, and never will. This child has been brought up with no knowledge of who he is. Once he's brought into the world where he belongs, he finds that he's famous.

Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. He'll be known by it forever, if he lives that long. And if he dies, his world will be consumed by darkness. He knows that the world as he knows it rests on his shoulders, and everyone expects it of him. But what he doesn't know is that the multiverse is looking to him as well, now.

But he's not the most powerful person in the multiverse. There are many people equipped to fight back, and far better than he. But if Voldemort is to be kept from rising again, the final blow must be delivered by that one boy. Only he will be able to near him. But his army is not sufficient enough to create a path.

There can be another army, one that will make a path, then widen it so that the only thing the boy sees is his destiny. There can be others there to make sure he isn't killed on his way, or in his final encounter. And those people have finally been gathered.

-///-

Ares now looked at the group of individuals and sat back. "If you want time to think about it, go ahead. I can always return you to the exact moment I took you. If you wish to stay, stand and step forward. If you want to leave..." He snapped, and a portal opened behind them. "It knows the way, don't worry."

Kellein and Lina were the first to step forward, though not by much. Spike and Willow stood next, followed by a wave as the entire group stood and stepped away from the portal. Ares smiled, looking too much like a child, and tossed the sniper rifle to K. With a snap, he closed the portal. This was going to be big for all of them, but it had to be done.

Kellein's ship and family wouldn't be there for long if Voldemort had his way. Neither would Lina's, Cloud's, Squall's, or Dagger's. What would be the point of K and Bad Luck trying to have a record for most CD's sold if their world would come to ruin only a few minutes later? Spike and Willow would never see Buffy or the others again. Ryoko would lose Tenchi, and this time, there would be no getting him back And Roland...the quest for the tower to save his world would mean nothing if the universe was destroyed mere minutes later. No, this was a task for all of them.

Ares grinned, looking over the group. They were going to be a fine group indeed. He'd expected to lose half of them right off the bat, but this was incredible. Like nothing he'd ever thought possible. If you asked him a month ago, he would have been certain they'd fail. Asked a week ago, not a chance in hell. A day ago, they didn't have much of a change, but it was worth a shot. And now... Now he knew they would win. Pointing the way to Hogwarts, he shouted, "Let's do this!"

-///-

It was burning. The pain was beyond belief. Be careful. Don't wake anyone. I have to see... Have to... The burning was worse. Worse again. It felt like nothing he'd felt before. In the darkness of the 7^th year boys' dorms, Harry screamed.