GeneX - Shatterverse
Chapter 7 - Dance of Destiny
The obvious solution to Copter's problems would be for Libra to snatch Gemini's wand, and then call their world's Gemini to walk them through the spell needed to cross dimensions. Unfortunately, Libra wasn't able to get her hands on the wand. "Ever since the attack on the school, Gemini's been keeping a tighter grip on her wand." she told Copter as they met in the schoolyard. Garen was there as well. "Why not just, I dunno, tell Gemini the truth and convince her to help?" he asked, looking a bit lost as he sat on a bench. "Tried that, too. Random robot attack wasn't enough to get her believing in alternate dimensions, though. She thinks I'm pranking her like I supposedly always do." Libra groaned. "You sound fun in this world..." Copter chuckled, "But I guess this leaves me no choice but to crash the dance. My charm's already won Gemini over, after all!" he grinned. "More like your recklessness." Libra grumbled. "I prefer to call it bravery... No, yeah, I panicked and just threw myself in the way to protect her. Reckless, okay..." Copter mumbled. Garen smiled and sighed. "Yeah, that worked well for me, too. Heather was impressed, I know it!" Libra covered her face and groaned at how immature these boys sounded. "We gotta get outta this school before you start looking at college applications, Copter. How are we gonna sneak you into the dance, anyway? And do you REALLY think you can just charm Gemini into believing us?" she asked. "Gotta try, don't I?" Copter retorted, "Besides, I can ask our Gemini how to convince this one!" he said, holding up his ProwerPhone, "As for getting in..." he glanced at Garen, who gulped. "You'll get me in trouble yet... But I guess I do want my Copter back. He'll come back when you go, right?" he asked. "...Probably!" Copter declared.
And so, the night of the dance arrived. School uniforms were replaced with smart suits and gorgeous dresses, and while most of the students were arriving through the front doors, Copter was waiting anxiously at the side door, glancing around to make sure school security didn't see him. Soon, Garen pushed the door open from inside and waved Copter in. "C'mon, hurry. Heather's probably wondering where I am." the gargoyle grunted. Copter stepped in and glanced at Garen in his tuxedo, stifling a laugh. "Yeah? Well you just look naked in black and white!" Garen growled. The pair hurried to the crowded gymnasium, where they parted ways, and Copter soon happened upon Gemini. He was struck speechless. She was wearing a pink dress, considerably more feminine than the jeans Copter was used to seeing her wear. "Y-you're...an actual...princess..." he stammered. Gemini blushed and giggled. "And you're the sneaky black knight, creeping into the castle, evading the guards..." she teased, offering her hand to him, "Little do they know, you are actually the neighboring prince." she added as Copter held her close, and they started to dance. Libra watched them from across the dance hall, smirking to herself. Things were going well for a time, until someone tapped Gemini's shoulder. "Cutting in..." To both of their surprise, Sage wedged herself between them and started to casually dance with Copter. She seemed to be wearing a prom dress of her own. "This is protective armor. Don't try anything hasty..." she whispered as Copter nervously played along. "What do you want?" he growled. "This is your last chance. Stay in this world. Dance with the girl, be happy. If you pursue escape, the punishment will be-" Before she could finish speaking, Sonic zipped over and took her hand. "Mind if I cut in?" he chuckled, dancing off with Sage while an irate Amy marched over growling. "Two can play this game!" she shouted, finding Tails nearby and dragging him off for a "dance-off" against Sonic. "Thanks, blue. That'll buy me some time..." Copter sighed, fixing his bow tie before hurrying back to Gemini.
Copter led Gemini away from the dance floor, heading close to the door leading out of the gym. "Listen, we gotta talk..." he told her. "Don't worry, I wasn't jealous when that girl cut in." she told him. Copter took out his phone. "It's not that... I need you to talk to someone..." he told her. Gemini gave a slight pout. "We barely got to dance..." she pointed out. "Believe me I'd like to, but you need to speak to...her." Copter said, holding up his phone to show his world's Gemini on the screen. "H-huh? What?" she stammered. "The multiverse is real. You should know that, because you're me. You've probably seen the spells." Gemini Prime stated, "That's actually my Copter... Please, help him get back to me." she asked. "For the record..." Copter said with a smirk, "She's prettier than you right now, Gems." he teased. Gemini Prime smirked. "Get your two left feet back home and I'll show you a lovely dance partner!" she said before hanging up. The Gemini who was with Copter stood with her mouth agape. "So...you just wanted to use me, huh?" she murmured. Copter looked at her with a frown. "I do like you, and I do want you safe and happy, but..." Gemini finished his thought, "But it's because you miss the other me. Don't worry, I'll help you..." she said. However, at the same time, Sage had wrestled a hand away from Sonic. "Your little games won't get in my way! Your dance...is over!" she said, flicking a ring out of her hand, which opened up into a large portal! Out of the portal came what appeared to be a hulking, black troll, with a single bulging eye and a huge hammer clutched in his arm, which was actually a large tentacle! As the students screamed in panic, Copter stepped in front of Gemini defensively. "That beast... I-it's a... a Doomling!" Copter realized.
Doomlings were, in Copter's world, ancient primordial creatures comprised of anti-life energy. They became the Lost Ones, and vanished from the world along with them. However, it appeared the Shatterverse had its own versions of them. At any rate, Sonic was quick to get the beast's attention, attempting to draw it away from his classmates. "Over here, big guy!" he yelled. "What in the name of the school board is that thing!?!" screamed Principal Gunner as he stepped into the gym through the door behind Sonic. "Ahh, never mind, this wa- Copter, look out!" Sonic stammered, noticing Copter flying up behind the troll. "Don't worry, I used to deal with worse than this when I was in the Zodiac...unhh!!" Before Copter could finish his sentence, the Doomling whirled around its tentacles, swinging the hammer in a fast circular motion and knocking Copter across the room to Gemini and Libra's feet! His ProwerPhone clattered to the ground next to the beast as well. "Oh no! I have to get-" Libra tried to hurry and grab the phone, but the angry Doomling stomped it hard, crushing it to pieces! "Zap it, Gemini!!" Copter growled as he shakily stood up. The fennec fumbled frantically with her wand. "Z-zap it? How? School's not teaching me violence!!" she stammered. As the Doomling turned toward the panicked students, raising its hammer, Copter staggered towards it. "Figure something out... I'll distract it..." he said as Libra rushed to help him. Sage floated above, shaking her head. "My simulations can't account for the foolishness of organic life forms... But if you wish to fight, I'll give you a better arena..." she said, hurling a ring down at Copter and Libra's feet! A portal opened, and the pair cried out as they fell in! The Doomling, still focused on Copter, dove in after them! As Sage vanished along with the portal, Gemini stepped to the broken phone and lifted the pieces into her hands. "...What do we do now? Copter...will you be alright?" she sighed. At any rate, the dance was cancelled, and Copter was off to yet another dimension...
To be continued...
Egg Memo X5
The multiverse is vast! So many worlds...truly limitless possibility! Even if I do conquer them all, how can I possibly maintain control over all of them? Well, Sage will be a tremendous help, of that I'm certain. Still, I'm unsure where to start. Might be unwise to step on another Eggman's toes before I've gained an edge. I may respect me, but only THIS me will have absolute control!
