April frowned, thinking over what Leah’s rune meant - that they already had everything they needed to get to Ser Nemo. It felt a lot like when they’d do an escape room and get so stumped, they’d ask for a hint, only to be told that they were on the right track. And that track was… confusing. Were they supposed to ask someone here for help? Combine their powers in a shocking and cool new way? They’d been a little jealous to be left out of the mutant circuit Danni and Dorian had done, was it time to revive that concept? Or were there clues waiting for them, right in front of them but being entirely ignored? Was the universe trying to tell them something and they were deaf to it all?
However, thoughts of logistics went out of mind as Vicky dropped two bombs - 1) Nemo was being held by the TVA for execution and 2) she didn’t think they should save him. Their jaw dropped. They knew that the robot could be callous and cruel, but this…?
“No way are we abandoning someone who needs help!” April crossed their arms defiantly.
“I’d break him out of jail if the flatscan cops nabbed him, too. ACAB! Including time cops! And b-besides, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Nemo… He saved my life. If heroism isn’t enough, then balancing the karmic scales ought to be.”Their resolve was only strengthened with Dorian’s information - that Ser Nemo was explicitly being tried for trying to save his old boyfriend from suicide. There was no question. April had to go. They had to go help him. If none of their friends were willing to go, they’d go by themself - they’d help him and make things right, not just because they owed him, but because it was the right thing to do. It was what heroes do.
“I’m extra going now. How hard can a jail break be, anyway, for the literal Champions? We beat the Hex Girls, we beat the Young Avengers, we beat Arcade - we can beat some stuck up asshole cops. And like the runes said, we have everything we need - because we are all here, and that’s enough.” They paused for a moment, eyeing Chase’s construction of a shadowy wall. They could see why Danni liked spending time with him. It was extra as hell. If Andy and maybe!Glimpse wanted to talk while they figured out how to save Nemo, that was fine. Andy would show up when it counted.
Percy Novikov
Location: Margaret Carter - Near Fortune Telling Tent
Magic Items: Mystery watch from Agatha Harkness, Dorian sex bracelet
First Day Fit: Black Hoodie, Jeans, and Vans
Several realizations hit Percy in rapid succession, as his heart momentarily ceased beating:
The name of Nemo’s lost love was Gift. Dorian’s name translated as Gift.
Nemo was not a reference to a lost clownfish or a sailor. It meant No One - the alias Odysseus used to trick Polyphemus. Percy’s superheroic alias was Odysseus.
Ser Nemo’s specialties were temporal teleportation and languages. Those were Percy’s powers.
When he interacted with Nemo, he had become irrationally angry with the old man, even ill. Nemo had given him medication to take, claiming it was a side effect of their similar powers. It was not. It was, however, a possible symptom of paradox psychosis.
Ser Nemo had not chosen to retire in this universe and teach at the school just to cause the changes he sought in the timeline. He had done it because it was his home, because these were his friends. He had done it because Percy would have done it - because Percy
will do it.
In Agatha’s reading, she had warned Percy that he would fall in love - and then see that love torn away from him forever - that much like his beloved Greek heroes, his story would end in tragedy.
Dorian was Ser Nemo’s boyfriend who committed suicide.
Percy was Ser Nemo.
Ser Nemo was Percy.
“Ser Nemo is my future self.” His voice shook, overwhelmed with the weight of his realization.
“He’s - I’m trying to save you.” He looked at Dorian.
“And I’m going to die.”He fainted immediately.
Can I come too? Carlos asked Sabine, waiting for a moment before floating along after her. He hoped Marlena was coming. He had an idea on how to answer her questions better. He wasn’t a superhero on the level of everyone in Excelsior or the Young Avengers, but he still wanted to help. His dream must have been important, and while he wasn’t very good at interpreting everything, he still knew that it was his responsibility to try to share it.
I have an idea, if you’re okay with it. I can’t show people images with my telepathy - but if you could look into my memories of it, maybe you could! And then maybe something I’ve saw that doesn’t mean anything to me could mean everything to you and your friends. Whatever it is you’re facing, I think it’s important, so please let me do the right thing and help!Sabine hadn’t expected it, but she liked Carlos and if he could help them and make sense of his dreams, then she would be a fool to deny his help.
”Of course you can come with. That’s a good idea, too. Better than having to explain it with word only. A lot of our team are visual learners, I feel.”Sabine walked with Carlos as they neared the group. Sabine immediately clocked that something was going on. The lot of them were all speaking to each other at varying decibels. Sabine pinched the bridge of her nose and took a deep breath.
”Let me talk to them first and get them in order. Easier said than done.”She made her way over to the group proper before she clapped her hands for attention. Once she was satisfied everyone was quiet and/or listening to her, she continued.
”Listen up, everyone. I am not sure what is currently going on, but I may have something that can help. This is Carlos. Carlos, this is everyone else. Carlos is incredibly cool and he has a prophecy he shared with Marlena and me. I think it is best if we all see it and try to make sense of it as I am reasonably sure it will help with whatever problem you have going on is. I am going to broadcast the prophecy into your minds. Please raise your hand if you want to opt out of that. If you’re cool, we can proceed.”I promise the information I have is super helpful! You were all in my dreams - so many blondes with swords, it’s hard for me to sort it all out, but hopefully you all can! Carlos flew after Sabine, a glowing green cube bounding through the air, and twirling as he got to his destination. He didn’t mind too much the giant wall of darkness soldiers, as he could still speak to those inside - could still feel that they needed to see this too.
And in a moment, having taken into account any who opted out, they proceeded. The combined powers of Sabine and Carlos sent a series of images flashing through the minds of all gathered, even those closed off by Chase.
A shadowy army, marching on a gleaming, floating palace.
Marlena dangling upside down, a rope around her ankle.
April sitting on the crescent moon, two masks in their hands.
Dorian with wands, pentacles, coin, and swords at his disposal.
Andy atop a chariot, wind in her hair.
Vicky with a bag affixed to a stick slung over her shoulder, crossing a river as the sun glared down upon her - a version of her that was entirely human.
Danni atop a grown Amelie, the sun bright and prominent behind him.
Percy seated on a stone chair, stars in the sky like eyes all around him, an ancient tome in his lap.
Leah and her human self embracing one another, wings on their backs, and an angel above.
Sabine with great horns sprouting from her head, a pentagram of blood hovering before her - and an odd shimmer to her skin.
Chase strapped to a wheel, strange symbols inscribed all around, beasts looking on as he turned.
Millie knelt in water, stars glistening all around, pouring her cups into the pool.
A bear.
Ben astride a white horse, a skull where his face ought to have been, and a black flag held aloft before him.
Gideon, upside down, pouring water from one cup into another.
All fourteen of them at the side of a White Witch, as they faced the shadowy hoard together.
A woman who looked eerily like Sabine.
Ser Nemo.
A ball.
And swords. So many fucking swords.
Did any of that mean anything to you? Carlos piped up.
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