Intermission #3 - Follow the Muse

This intermission was actually the original epilogue for the Secrets of the Deep article in the Starsea series, so I decided that since it was so long that I would just make it its own article. Like I said, follow the muse. You never know just how deep the rabbit hole goes...or how many they are in the first place. *rubs temples*

Artz: I'm ending it here and yes, I know it's brief but the next bit radically switches perspective...

Mars: She's simply tired of being in aqua lad's head and I don't blame her one bit.

Crowley: *walks in with a drink in his hand* I'm genuinely surprised that she made it this far into fish boy's origin story.

Artz: What is this... A fire convention? A Phoenix, the king of the crossroads...

Crowley: That's the King of Hell, love. Some of us can afford the upgrade.

Artz: The point is that this is a water based story so what are fire based characters doing here? *several explosions are heard* What did you do and to whom?

Natsu: *slightly muffled* Fire Dragon Roar!

Artz: *waits for the explosion then frowns when nothing happens*

Wrath: *also muffled* Full Counter!

Artz: How did this happen? You two know better than to place two insanely hyperactive and powerful people into a sparring match, especially not Wrath and Natsu!!! Why?! Just why...why would you do this to me?!

They both smirk before dragging her outside to see what's really going on. Wrath and Natsu were sending wave after wave at something but not at each other. She finally got a good look at the center and had to hold back the laughter bubbling up inside of her.

Anna was reclining on a rather comfy pool chair with sun glasses on...and surrounded by ice. Artz had suggested a new kind of runic circle for her to try based on the NeverMeltIce from the Pokemon series. Anna used marbles and places arrays in them with the effect she desires. The painted ones are temporary but the engraved ones are permanent unless she feels like deactivating them.

Natsu was trying to power up his fire power by consistently combining it with Wrath's counter but with very little success. Anna just sits there, sipping from the straw in her glass, nibbling occasionally on some snacks while reading a book. Hey...she recognized that book.

Ah...looks like Wesley was finally able to duplicate Wolfram&Hart's universal library system. Pick up a book, whisper what you want to read to it and voila. She doubts that it works between planets, let alone outside of the Realm. If it did, she would have to make her own her version of the Library from Doctor Who...without the Vashta Nerada...obviously, before it would actually work at all but something about this entire situation just seemed off.

Artz: *looks to Mars and Crowley* Do either of you know where Wesley is right now?

Mars: *smirks* I told you she would notice. *a rather smug look on her face* So I win.

Crowley: Hold up, the wager was not about noticing it, remember? *looking self assured*

Mars: *becoming angry* You little...

Crowley: Demon...sorry thats Jaken. How about Dalek?

Now she knows that something is definitely off.

Artz: *glances between them* If you're referring to the interconnection system that is obviously attached to that book then yes, I noticed. I am, however, currently unaware of the range; planetary, system wide, galactic, universal or essentially Sliders in a book. *Mars stands a little taller, reminding her of Mayor Mills when she believes she has won*

Since Crowley is here, it is definitely system wide because he doesn't traverse past the Alpha solar system. *Crowley shrugs nonchalantly while taking a sip from his glass but she notices the slight gleam in his eyes*

Moving on. The fact that Gin is here proves that it's bigger than that, galactic at least. More so is the fact that she is within two feet of Crowley, whom she generally avoids due to her long standing feelings about men and that she is conversing with someone of the masculine orientation means that the interconnection system encompasses the entire Realm.

Factoring in a wager between you two means that there is probably a very big planet of books out there that I haven't noticed because I'm stuck in a non-virtual world in real life. Gin would have made certain that everything operated efficiently and has a staff present to smooth out any hiccups that may occur at any time just in case.

Also Crowley would have insisted that there could or would be some kind of virtual simulation interactive system... basically our own holodeck. He's become a real trekkie as of late and has been using that suave charm to convince just about anyone to help him build one *the man blushes slightly in embarrassment*

And now for the final piece of the puzzle for that is the interconnection system...Anna. The fact that Anna is even remotely involved means that the system encompasses Sol side and many of the smaller worlds connected to it...so its current range is in between universal and Sliders. *both blinked at her then groaned*

Mars/Crowley: Fuck me.

Two figures step out from shadows, looking rather pleased with themselves.

Missy: Mmm...saucy. *dances, spins and slides her way over to Mars, taking her into her arms* Don't you look scrumptious. *kisses Mars for several seconds before allowing her to breathe*

Mars: *looks to Artz, desperation on her face* Help me! *starts being dragged away* Please!

Meta: *walks over to the quite frankly horrified fire elemental and throws an arm around the man's neck in a friendly manner, a cheesy grin on face* Why hello there, Crowley. Just the person I was looking for. Need to bounce a few ideas on you. *face becomes serious* 

I kept up my end. Wasn't easy getting an entire holographic interface re-engineered from the partial schematics of a fictional source to allow the addition of molecular cohesion and such a finite control system for physical sensitivity. Now you wouldn't want Ayano becoming the Queen of Hell, now would you?

Crowley: *drink vanishes, straightens his tie, and smooths out his suit before swallowing the lump in his throat* I've never gone back on a deal in my life. Once a crossroad demon, always a crossroad demon...and keep that blasted little shit out of my territory, at the very least my castle. I've got enough problems with that idiot apprentice of mine. *jerks thumb towards Natsu*

Artz: *rather bemused* Do I want to know?

Death Toll: I can answer that one but you're cutting this out and putting it into an intermission piece.

Artz: *looks at length* Oops. *reconfigures* Okay, so we're an intermission piece. What gives, DT?

DT: The obvious, of course...a simple transaction of services but certain stipulations had to be met should both sides of the deal were to happen. In this case, Missy was recruited by Mars to assist in the interconnection system project. Meta, on the other hand, was approached by Crowley to build the Realm's version of the holodeck but without the constraints and restrictions depicted in the Star Trek universe.

Artz: With you so far but what about the wager they were talking about?

DT: *smirks, hands in pockets and a lit cigarette in his mouth* The other half of the agreement was just how much you would be able to discern whilst being distracted by the hyper twins and your moon princess.

*chuckles* They honestly thought that you wouldn't figure it out, especially not completely which is why they are now being subjugated to the sadistic whims of our resident Timelords. Missy told them flat out that it was never gonna work because you're you. Even Meta agreed, saying that you would become engrossed in the puzzle presented to you rather than paying a lick of attention to the hyper twins. Everything else is pushed away into becoming background noise or just flat out ignored.

Anna: *walks up to them, two passed out boys in a floating bubble following her* More like time becomes irrevalant and when she finally shakes loose its like 7 a.m. and she had started something at like 2 p.m. in the afternoon the previous day and she goes Huh?.

Artz: Yeah...I'm not gonna argue with that because I've literally pulled an all nighter writing, typing, editing and posting a chapter all in one night so yeah, I become oblivious to time...so does Anna when she hits her groove. Oh my god, when she gets going...

Anna: *smirks* I pull an Artz of course and word vomit all over the place.

DT: While splattering coffee all over your computer at the same time.

Anna: *forgot the konked out hyper twins were still in the bubble following her and once again, coffee was spilt all over her laptop and even on the book*

Artz: You might want to run...*dark aura flowing off the brunette* because I think she is about to kill you for jinxing her. *notices that he's gone and she just sighs* 

I know...it's not very action packed or fourth wall breaking but you did get a few sneak peeks of what's to come. So leave a comment/review at the bottom of the article because your support is very much appreciated and...*feels Anna's lethal intent hitting critical levels* ...and might just keep me alive. Till next time, dearies. *disappears in a cloud of magic*

Hope and Ren pop up and wave at Anna then points to a nearby training field where lots of cheering could be heard. The amethyst eyed girl dropped the hyper twins and stalked her way towards King Arthur and his Elite Knights.

Mordred: *comes out of his hiding spot while taking a bite of a green apple* And they say I'm sadistic. *girls giggle and vanish* Now for you two...why do I always get landed with the donkey work...and no, hard work does not breed a harder soul. *sighs again while lazily waving bye to the readers*...but it would make for one hell of a proverb.