Legacy: Season One

Legacy

Episode One: The Portal

Written by: Fluttashift

Falling. The sensation gripped me as my eyes remained shut. Why I was falling escaped me, but the air around me felt cool. No matter how hard I tried, my eyes would not open. Was I dreaming? Could I have actually been falling? To this day that question remains unanswered. My name is Shift, and, if you are reading this, I am dead. It comes with the superhero lifestyle. What I am going to tell you is my legacy, in hopes to shape the new generation of heroes with the right state of mind. To do that which seems impossible, deliver true justice.

LEGACY

“That is a load of shit and you know it!” I bellowed at the man I had pinned to the brick wall of a building.

A dark alleyway was where I found myself. One light flickered above us. A trash can lay against the building I pinned the man to. The air smelled of garbage and rot. Rats squeaked and rustled through the detritus.

The man in front of me was caucasian with a brown hat on. He wore a jacket with a shirt which had a graffiti design in it. I felt him struggle as he gripped my arm, trying to break free. The man kicked and my free hand snatched his leg as he did so. I slammed it against the wall causing him to yelp in pain.

“Nice try,” I cocked a smile, concentrating my eyes on his. “Now, tell me something useful for I break the damn leg!”

“I’m telling you the truth, Shift.” He spoke in a New York accent. “Ain’t no psychics been on this side of town for over a year now. Let me go, man.”

Sighing, I released my grip and the thug dropped to the floor with a meaty thud. He shook his head as he brushed himself off. Lifting with both arms, the man got to his feet.

“What do you care anyway, hero?” He questioned.

“I had a dream. A premonition. I know she’s coming. I came to you because you’re one of her only human acquaintances.” My tone turned calmer as I backed up a ways.

“You really think Gadget’s coming? Getting paranoid, I see. No, she’s been locked away in that crazy psychic prison for over five years now. She ain’t bustin' out anytime soon, Shift.” The man shook his head laughing. Placing his hands in his jean pockets, he strode off into the blackness of the night.

Been dealing with that low life for years. He isn’t worth my time just a high-end drug dealer but, that isn’t superhero business. I’ll let the cops bust that scum. I have worlds to save. I let out a sigh. Queen Gadget is coming! My boss thinks I’m nuts and now even a criminal. Violet, what do you have planned?

I shook my head and walked onto the sidewalk. Cars zoomed to and fro, their headlights beaming bright as some beeping could be heard. Stoplights were strung up blinking different colors to signal the drivers. Streetlights lit the dark, gloomy street as the moon cast an eerie glow onto the building windows across the street causing them to shimmer. Turning left, I began walking down the street.

That dream it was so real. Lucid even. I rubbed my eyes as I tried to forget the memories. She died again.

My steps were loud as a few pedestrians passed, but not many people were out this late at night. The air was chilled and a few clouds moved slowly across the sky. The smell of coming rain permeated the air. My house was only a block away, luckily.

That dream. I have to remember it. I must recall every detail. This is crucial.

I closed my eyes as I continued my walk home. Using my other senses, I guided myself along as I began to think. Deeper and deeper I descended into my thoughts. Grasping on to the memories, I began to replay them in my mind. The memories became so lucid it was as if I was watching a recorded VHS tape.

_________________________

“You couldn’t save her,” A female voice chuckled.

My hazel eyes shot open. In front of me stood a brown haired girl with eyes that matched in color. Her hair was long extending down to her lower back. She wore a metallic suit starting at her breasts. The shirt-like suit shimmered silver as it extended down to her long legs. It shot off into metallic spikes acting like a skirt. Atop her head was a golden crown with a red ruby in the center.

“Q-Queen Gadget?” I questioned fearfully. I gulped as I slowly began taking soft, careful steps backward. My back pressed against a hard wall-like structure. Looking up, I saw it stretched farther upward and was part of a cavernous structure. The cavern led all the way up in a spiral shape but, the top had a circular opening. Red moonlight poured into the cave illuminating the center of the room.

“Well, hero. Here we are once again. The Mindcape. Where it started it shall end. Not now, of course, but in the future. Your demise will be my triumph.” Gadget stepped forward holding a wicked smile. Her amber eyes seemed to glow orange with fire. “I will create a new Mindscape.” She leaned in closer to my face. “A new existence.”

“You can’t! I won’t let you! You traitor! You’re locked away!” I shouted, balling my fists in anger.

“Ha! You believe this true? The Mindscape is mine to control now. All I need for the ceremony is an item from another realm,” Gadget rebuked.

“What realm?”

“I chose one you’ll like ever so much. You pathetic hero. You have no idea what’s coming,” She cackled maniacally.

From her back rose three long, serpent-like, metal claws. Each had three razor-sharp pincers. She pulled her Gear Whips from their specially crafted slots in the back of her suit. The two long metallic whips spiraling downward to the cavern floor.

“Watch your whore die once again,” Gadget spat as a form began to appear to her right. It flashed in a bluish orb of light and began to morph into a more human form. In a bright, blinding flash of white, another girl appeared. This girl looked identical to Gadget except for her emerald eyes and blonde hair. This was because it was her twin sister, my girlfriend.

She’s dead! Gadget is toying with me! It looks so much like her, though. My Sarah...

“Phase?!” I yelped in shock, my jaw now unhinged. “You don’t have to do this Gadget. She’s already dead. Don’t torture her soul even more!” I spat facing the Queen.

She laughed, snatching Phase by the back of her light, pink shirt and tossing her to the ground. In the glow of the crimson moonlight, I could see her perfectly. Her once life filled eyes were now dead, without expression. They were wide and ghost like, but kept the emerald sheen. She was pale, her freckles barely visible as her face lay flat and emotionless.

“S-Shift?” The girl managed to say in a weak tone of voice.

“No!” I dropped to my knees, fighting the tears attempting to well up.

She’s already dead, Shift. Get a grip. This is just a dream.

“So,” Queen Gadget continued, slowly walking forward closer to her sister. “Here we have the two lovers, Shift and Phase. The world’s top two heroes. One already deceased, the other will be in the near future. Sooner than his simple mind may think.” She paused, placing her right hand on her hip and forming a cocky smile upon her face. “It’s time someone taught this world a lesson but, not just this world. No, that would be too kind. Many worlds need to experience the suffering I’ve endured. Some that haven’t even been exposed to it’s charm.” Gadget began an evil giggle, placing the back of her hand to her chin. Her fiery eyes remained trained on mine.

“What are you hinting at, you traitor?! We were a damn team! It was the top five heroes, remember? Are you still so blinded by your hate?” I shot my head up and asked her in a serious manner. My eyes became concentrated on hers.

“Hate? My dear, Shift, you misinterpret. It isn’t hate, it’s vengance. For what became of me,” she answered in a sweet, sickly tone, moving in perfect sync with her speech.

“It was Mastermind that caused the Mindscape to collapse! Not Phase! Not me!” I screamed, scrambling to my feet. “We were friends! We trusted each other and worked together as a team! Do you not remember any of it?”

Her evil grin turned into a frown. “I remember all of it!” Gadget rebuked. “Every sickening second! We were much more than friends at one time, hero.”

“Then why do you come after us again? Why did you in the first place?” I asked in between sobs. I had begun crying as I remembered what she and I once had.

“You know this suit cannot be removed nor would I ever want it to be. I descended into madness because of it, and I rather like it,” She purred as her cocky smile returned. “It allows me to see you heroes for what you truly are. Nothing but wishful thinking. Did you even care to come help your so called friend? Friends, the very word is sickening to the ears. There is no such thing. You taught me that, Shift.”

The middle claw rose up and one sharp pincer shot out. Driving it forward, the entire claw stabbed through Phase. I witnessed it all as my face froze in absolute terror as if it had happened for the first time.

Not again. Not again. Not again! You bitch!

My hand became distorted and deformed as it shifted around. Soon, my entire hand was now a pistol. I aimed the pistol at her while closing my right eye. Leaving the other one open, I aimed down the sights, scoping her head.

“You’ll die, Gadget. For what you’ve done, you deserve it. Or maybe it’s too kind an offer,” I spoke in a deep, angered tone.

“Our time is up, Shift. I do have a message for you, though,” she said as the walls around me began to fade. “Ask Elliott about Equestria.” With that, the dream ended, her last words echoing repeatedly in my head.

____________________________

I stood in a small elevator, listening to some disturbingly horrible music emanating from the speakers. It was some old jazzy sounding song. Leaning against the gold bar lining the back wall, I sighed. The elevator was moving slower than usual, going down deep into the ground.

What could Elliot be hiding? The hell is Equestria? What does it have to do with Gadget or the Mindscape?

Racing thoughts ran laps in my mind as I stared up at the ceiling. I could see my reflection. Short, brown hair, hazel eyes, chubby, caucasian. I was never a fan of my looks. I often wondered what Sarah even saw in me. Self-confidence was never another one of my strong points either. I blinked, fidgeting with my rounded glasses. My attire was the usual; a blood red shirt covered mostly by a leather biker’s jacket and jeans.

My thoughts were interrupted by an annoyingly loud ‘ding’ from the elevator as the doors slid open.  I walked into the main room of my workplace. As always, the floor was buzzing with activity. Men and women sat at high-tech glass screens that displayed images and acted as computers. Villains were handcuffed with special cuffs and being walked to the custom holding cells in the back. Workers walked to and fro, holding papers and files, rushing to reach their destination quickly. The entire room was shiny and solid gold, reflecting the bodies of the workers in it . In the center on the floor was a large symbol: a large sword encased in a larger shield. This was H.E.R.O, or Heroic Enforcement for a Righteous Outcome.

In the middle of the chaos stood the man I was looking for. He had short blonde hair, blue eyes, and had a tall build. He wore a black shirt, with our logo, and khakis; he stood with his arms folded. I hated him, but who doesn’t hate their boss?

Mister pretty boy over here! I rolled my eyes as I approached him. Always keeping secrets! Always lying!

“Shift,” Elliot shook his head as I came up to him, “What are you doing shaking down thugs? That isn’t superhero business. You know this.” He let out a sigh.

“You know damn well why Elliot! I needed a lead to stop Gadget’s return!” I yelled.

“We’ve been over this! She isn’t coming back!” He rebuked sternly, while staring at me unflinchingly.

“Then tell me this: What. Is. Equestria?” I asked, cocking a brow and narrowing my eyes to accusatory slits.

Elliot suddenly became quiet. He shuffled a bit uncomfortably. “W-where did you hear that?” He stuttered.

“My dream last night, except I think it was a lot more than just a dream. It felt so real; so lucid, like I was actually there, in the Mindscape. Gadget told me to ask you about Equestria…” I paused, fighting tears at the remembrance of watching my beloved die once more. “...after she killed Phase again.” I was much quieter now.

Elliot put his hand to the bridge of his nose, rubbing it. “Look, what happened to Sarah was horrendous, to say the least. She was a valuable member of this organization and a friend. I’m sorry for your loss, sincerely, but Shift, it was just a dream.” He waved at me dismissively. “We need you doing things that actually bring justice, not chasing ghosts.”

I gritted my teeth while my eyes burned with anger. “Answer the question!” I demanded. “What the hell is Equestria?” I balled my fists.

“I have no idea how you heard about that. It’s another dimension. Nothing to concern yourself with.”

“You’re a damn liar!” I shouted receiving stares. “I’ll just go there myself!”

Elliot was getting impatient. “If it’ll make you feel better and stop this obsession, be my guest!” He hollered as he turned and walked toward his office.

That’s it! I’m going to this place to figure this all out. Screw him! It isn’t the first time I’ve gone against him. I seem to recall that’s how I saved the world a few times.

I turned and left without speaking to anyone else. The stares stayed with me until I reached the elevator. It wasn’t until the door shut that I felt like I wasn't being watched by a thousand eyes.

She’s coming. We’re all doomed and nobody knows it. I have to save them. I couldn’t save her. I have to save them all.

Tears began to flood down my cheeks. I couldn’t meet my own eyes I saw within my reflection.

I couldn’t save her. I couldn’t save Sarah. What good am I as a damn, hero?

Slamming my fist against the wall, I broke into a full sob and dropped to my knees. “Why?” I whispered to myself, “Why did she have to die?” A memory flashed in my mind.

__________________________________

Bright sunlight shone into the open window in which a breeze carried through. The tan walls and hardwood floor seemed a distant memory. The smell of cooking food lingered in the air. I read the newspaper in my hand, flipping the pages in boredom. I placed it on the table, folding it, smiling at the sight in front of me.

Standing over the stove in her usual red cooking apron was Sarah. Her long blonde hair was tied back to keep it out of her face as she prepared the meal. She always dreamed of one day settling down and leaving H.E.R.O for good to pursue her dream of becoming a chef. I loved this idea but, I couldn’t bring myself to tell her that a superhero’s work is never truly done.

Sarah flipped the pancakes in the frying pan causing them to sizzle when they fell back into the pan. “Breakfast is almost ready, Shift,” she called, not noticing I was already sitting at the checkered-cloth covered table.

“Right here, sweetie,” I said laughing and shaking my head.

“Oh, shut it. You never wake up when the alarm goes off. Is today special?” She questioned with a sarcastic tone and smirk to go with it.

Placing the pancakes on a plate, she walked over to the table setting it down upon it. I nabbed some pancakes and began chowing down after spreading butter and pouring syrup on them. Sarah was much more proper with how she ate. She acted as if she was attending a special dinner party every meal.

“Shift,” Sarah said softly as if unsure of what she was about to say.

“Yes, dear?” I asked, curious as to what she was thinking.

“I’ve been thinking…” She paused hesitant to say what she had to.

“You can tell me anything, Sarah, You know that,” I smiled at her.

“I want to settle down. This time I’m serious. I can’t take this life anymore. Being next in line to rule that horrid place. Living in constant fear of death and vengeance. It’s no life!” Sarah spat out fast, taking deep breaths after her rant.

“Sarah, we will. Not today. Today, we have a new mission. It involves your sister.” I turned my head away, lowering my eyelids in sadness.

“What?!” Sarah got up, slamming her fists on the table. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Did they find her? Is she alive?” She looked me in the eyes, a glimmer of hope present in hers.

I let out a long sigh. “She’s alive and well but, she almost killed Swan last night,” I answered in disgust of the words spilling from my mouth.

Sarah placed her hands over her mouth and her eyes went wide. Tears began to fall down her cheeks. “W-why? Why would Violet try to hurt Jessica? They’re best friends,” She shook her head.

I got up and hugged her tightly. “I don’t know, Phase. After this mission. After this closure. We’ll settle down. I promise you that,” I whispered into her ear. She sobbed into my shoulder.

________________________________

The last morning I ever got to talk to her. I promised her so much. Look how it all turned out. What kind of hero can’t even save their own loved ones. But, that’s why I keep fighting. I can save them. I couldn’t save her.

I lay upon the elevator floor on my side. Sobbing, I just stayed reminiscing while wallowing in my own self-pity. The thought kept replaying in my mind like a broken record as it always did.

I couldn’t save her.

_______________________________

I looked out the window of the chopper, staring at the trees and streets down below. They looked so small at this height. It had been two days since my visit to H.E.R.O and I found what I searched so desperately for. A way to Equestria. I turned to face the soldier sitting across from me.

“So, you’re sure this storage facility has the portal?” I asked.

He nodded. “Yup. I know what I am assigned to guard,” He spoke in a deep voice.

Good thing I’ve got clearances and connections.

I simply nodded, glancing back out the window. I returned to my thoughts as the ride continued. The propellers and roar of the engine could be heard, and I felt it in my chest.

The Mindcape... A world created by the thoughts and feelings of humans. Basically imagination, in a way. It was managed by psychics, and only they can enter it in fear that, in the wrong hands, it could be devastating because it is linked to all human minds. Violet Prescott was the Lead Psychic. After Mastermind collapsed the Mindscape, she gave everything to save the lives of every human but, in turn, Queen Gadget was born. What does she want?

I recalled the story of how this all started to try and gain a fresh perspective. Before I knew it, the helicopter ceased it’s movements and we were on the ground. I got to my feet as the soldier yanked the door open. Gesturing for me to get out, I climbed down the three steps leading to the ground. The whoosh of the propellers followed by the sound of the engine confirmed that the chopper was taking off behind me.

Green grass surrounded me as it seemed nothing was around for miles, except the facility. It was a large square building with no markings or designs. No logos or lettering, just a plain, white building. I walked up to it and noticed the single white door with a golden handle. I turned it slowly and opened it.

Inside the building was pitch black except for a single light bulb hanging from the center of the room. In the center was a mirror. It looked like a normal bedroom-sized mirror. It had a golden framing with a crown-like design atop.

Through the looking glass, eh? The hell is on the other side of that thing?

I walked forward and came up to the mirror. I didn’t see my reflection. This was no ordinary mirror. It was definitely a portal. I touched the glass and it rippled as if I had dropped a pebble in a pond.

Well, it’s a portal. At least it’s not a trap... Right?

Cautiously, I stepped through. Instantly, it felt like I was spinning round and round. It was like being in a whirlpool. Then, I felt the sensation of falling. My shrieking could not be heard even though my mouth was wide open. Finally, I blacked out.

_______________________________

At first, my vision was blurry, but after blinking a few times, it became clearer. I was on the ground, except it wasn’t dirt or cement. It was a soft velvet red carpet stretching to the end of the hall. The walls around me were pearly white and stain-glass windows with events showcased on them lined the walls.

Where the hell am I? This must be Equestria?

I got to my feet but they felt wobbly for some reason and began to buckle. Straightening myself out, I looked down. In place of two feet were four hooves.

What the hell?! Am I a horse? I guess it could be worse. Just been a while since I was on all fours. I shrugged. I hate dimensional travel and it’s weird side effects. Pretty much why Swan gets those missions. Wonder if she’s ever been to this place before?

Suddenly, the door a few feet in front of me burst open. Beings that I think were horses of some kind dressed in golden armor rushed in. They held spears, and some even had wings. Six of them formed a semicircle around me. The guards held glares upon their faces.

“Who are you? Why do you come to Equestria?” A snowy white coated guard boomed in an authoritative voice.

“I am Shift, of Earth. I come to help and seek answers, but I need to speak to the one in charge,” I answered keeping my cool. It’s not like this was the first time. I’m used to crazy.

“... Very well. Princess Celestia makes the final judgement anyway,” He begrudgingly answered, pushing me toward the door. The other guards followed behind him as he pushed me forward. We turned down another hallway until finally we came to a set of large white doors. The guard nudged them open and gestured me in with a hoof. I nodded and walked in.

Sitting on a gold throne at the end of the room was a snowy white horse with a long, flowing multi-colored mane. It stood up and it was quite tall. It had a horn and wings as well as a sun mark on it’s rear.

What the hell is that? A horse tattoo?

“Who are you? Why do you come here?” She boomed.

I gulped nervously. I tried to shift my hoof into a weapon, but my powers seemed to be on the fritz. No matter how much I thought of and pictured a gun, my hoof would not transform.

My powers?! What the hell did I get myself into?

Little did I know, it was a lot more than I had originally anticipated, and my journey was only just beginning.

To Be Continued...