[Displaced] Multiverse Traveling Salesmen

Chapters

First Customer: Nightmare "Freddy"
Second Customer: Travis
Third Customer: Pinkie Diana Pie The Elder

First Customer: Nightmare "Freddy"

Author's Note

This story was made for the sake of cross-overs and for promoting other people's stories. I don't expect this story to get alot of likes nor do I expect it to be enjoyable for everyone. If you wish to voice your dislike, please head on over to the original chapter this was edited from or to see if that version is better.
Cross-over with: TheUltimateBrony-Class-S
Story: The Faceless Ones
If you wish for Therin to cross-over, please send me a PM and we shall discuss it.

First Customer: Nightmare "Freddy"

The next day came and Therin was currently getting ready for his job.Cladded in a black suit, a grey overcoat, red tie, a purple handkerchief in left suit pocket and a greytop hat on his head, he was ready for the day

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out an old-timeypocket watch. “Any moment now,”he says before putting it back in.

He reaches up and adjusts his glasses one last time, he begins to speak in his mind to psych himself up, ready for whomever hemeets. It had been many weeks since hemet that homeless person, or rather an actual merchant considering the sudden change the next time hemet the man.

“And if anyone told me about the guy before hand, I would have called them crazy.”he said in amusement to himself, “strange things indeed.”

Not only have odd things happened in his life thus far, he never expected it would be a multiverse travel to other worlds. His boss had to proveit that hemeantserious business when hesaidit. Sudden;y, yet slowly, mist began to gather in his room as his body began to dissipate.

“It’s showtime,” he said, taking a gentle breath to calm his nerves, his body slowly faded away with the mist.

~~~Location: Galloping Gorge Equestria~~~
~~~Time:8:23~~~
~~~POV:Nightmare~~~

Slowly, the forest started to fill with unnatural mist, everything was eerily quiet as Therin made his way into another universe. Slowly, the demon salesman's form started taking shape within the mist, it was humanoid in shape, but a spaded tail was seen sticking out from behind. With a briefcase in hand with a strange aura about him, he appeared.

Therin looks over at the strange bear-like creature that had just summoned him. Therin kept passive stoic expression.He removes his hat, tips his head in a greeting bow in a form of obeisance, he then places his hat back on.

“Salutations, good sir,” Therin said politely, although he had a slight hint of nervousness in his voice.

“Greetings,” The bear said, his voice was deep, soft and had quite the range as it seemed to just barely echo, “you must be…” he looks back at the contract for a moment, “Therin?”

“Indeed, I am, I hope you read the contract thoroughly,“ Therin said. And when the bear looked down at the paper, he noticed new writing fading in detailing on what not to do in order to prevent the contract from becoming void, ironically.

He looked over the new writing and nodded at Therin.

“I have one question about this… transaction,” He said to Therin.

“Any form of currency is acceptable, all deals are final, no refunds. What you get is exactly as described of the item. I can also provide anything from the castlevania universe.” Therin explained as his tail moved on its own accord.

“That’s fine and all,” The bear said while waving his hand, then paused, “but do you accept trades?”

“What are you offering then?” Therin asked in curiosity, his tail flicking in reaction to his emotions.

“One moment,” The animatronic beast said as he proceeded to… scratch into the air, causing a small rift of darkness to appear.

He reached in and felt around the other side, until hefound what he was looking for and pulled out a tall glass cylinder with metal on the top and bottom and something black inside.

“Have you ever heard of the Essence of Nightmares?”He asked Therin.

“I don’t believe I have. What can it do?” The salesman asked.

“Well,” He started, with a slight look of disgust, “it is as the name states, the essence of the very beings from the dreamscape. If you ever get the chance to kill one and do so successfully, this is what is left over. However,” He continued, “if you leaveit, it will continually affect the mind of the one whose dream it was left in, until it eventually breaks their mind.It does not affect those are Nightmares, like me, being made of shadow, or beings that use dark magic.It still has its uses,” He said, holding it up to eye level, “it can be placed on an arrow and that arrow can then be used for one hell of a distraction or even torture, if one had need for such a practice.It forces the living being, who has touched it, to live their greatest fears.”

“I’ll acceptit, but what are you asking in return for giving me those essences?” Therin asked with interest in his eyes.

He scratches the back of his head with a hint of embarrassment and said, “Do you… happen to have… any Freddles?”

Therin opens up his briefcase as dark energy raised out from it, I saw something that appeared to be a floating orb, inside of it were miniature freddy biting at the air like piranhas. “They work exactly as they were made, just small sneaky clones of yourself that will appear behind the target, they can be used to make yourself appear in their place,” Therin explained.

“Perfect,” the creature said before holding out the container of the Essence of Nightmares, “also, be very careful with this container, there is enough to break the minds of both Princesses three times over.”

“I’ll have it as a reminder when I go to writeit down.” Therin said as he reached over and pulled the orb out of his case. “Place the container in the briefcase.”

The monster at first paused in confusion, then shrugged as heremembered the orb that came out of the obviously smaller suitcase, and carefully placed the container into the suitcase.

The brief glows softly as Therin closes it, Nightmare can see light coming from with the slit, but when he reopens it up, the container is gone. He closesit one last time as he holds it at his side. “Transaction is finished. It is now within my boss’s property and me.”

Nightmare remains silent for a moment, looking at the suitcase, “that’s handy,”He stated simply.

He then looked back to Therin, “I…”He paused for a moment as his eyes widened, then facepalmed, “I have been terribly rude haven’t I?”

“In what way? The transaction went smoothly, and I find it to be fair. A nightmare for another.” Therin said as the light gleamed off of his glasses.

“I know your name,” He stated, gesturing towards Therin, “but I didn’t bother to introduce myself.”

Nightmare straightened himsself, and held out his hand, “My name is Nightmare, but you may also call me Shadow Freddy if you wish.”

“When we do business or in front of strangers, I would prefer it for you to call me Renon, but my real name is Therin. For some reason, my boss insisted I used a cover up name and he decided on that name. Not much creativity there if you ask me.” He said as he reached out to shake Nightmare's hand

Nightmare gripped his hand and both firmly shook on it, he made sure not to put too much pressure, otherwise he might’ve brokenit.

“Also,” pointing to the orb, “how do I-?” But before Nightmare could finish that sentence, the orb react and was absorbed into my body. Nightmare appeared confused as to what happened.

“As simple as a touch, both you and them are made of the same void structure after all,”Therin explained.

“Same voi-?”Nightmare started to ask, then paused as that processed, “you’re not from around here, are you?" He half-asked, half-stated.

“Well, of course not. I’m not from your world after all.” Therin said in a voice that sounded like it was questioning me as if I wasn’t aware of the obvious answer.

“A world-hopper?”Nightmare asked, surprised, “I wasn’t aware that there were others that could compete with the strength that me and my brothers wield.”

“Not freely at first, I go where those who sign my contract are at, I am not bound by one. Once business is concluded in either hire guardianship or selling items, I leave through the same method as before.I get to see the multiverse and see the many interesting things. So far, you have been my first customer.” Therinexplained to me.

“Interesting,” Nightmare said, looking him up and down, “you also sell your skills in fighting?”

“Only if said skill had a physical form in order to pass on skills and powers like tomes from the elder scrolls universe or powers from the Esper crystals from final fantasy. However, you were displaced as Nightmare, thus my wares is limited to only items from that universe.” Therin explained as he looked toward Nightmare. “Or did you mean you could pay me to fight for you? That sir, would fall under the guardian for hire section of my contract.”

“Well, I might have need of your help,”Nightmare said thoughtfully, “not now but maybe later, also what was this about being 'Displaced’?”

“...You were altered and sent away by someone, were you not?” Therin asked.

“Er… maybe?” Nightmare said with uncertainty, “It’s been a few years, and I can’t quite recall,” he said with a shrugg, “I do know we were once human before.”

“I’m sorry, but Iknow very little. ButwhatI do knowwas that you were brought here for a reason, however I cannot saywhat that reason is,” Therin as he went into a moment of silence. “Much like myself, I’m destined to help those who need me, regardless of good or evil as long as I don’t become their enemy, it is bad for business after all.”

“Understandable,” I said as I nodded, then did the equivalent of furrowing my eyebrows, “but what I don’t understand is, there are others like me? If so, why haven’t I seen or heard of them before?”

Nightmarefelt a hand on my shoulder. “Yes, there is. You are not the only one as there exists a multiverse across the void, each one different than the next, each one possess different powers from different realities, somelive to good, some evil, while some just want to live in peace without the conflict of choosing a side.” Therin explained as he pointed at his contract. “This is known as a token, its what allows one to travel the void safely. Each one helps create a pinpoint location in order to allow the jump much like stargate.You can create one as well, but I mustimploreyou to be careful, not every Displaced is as friendly as me, thusyoumustpartake precaution measurement with your token if there is a summoner you don’t agree with.”

Nightmare nodded, “I see, hm…” he hummed in thought, “is it possible for one token to summon one or more of a group of Displaced?”

“All it takes is a simple object or a focus point to focus your energy. Within each of you is something called void energy, you use this as a source of your powers. Channel it into a personal item or create a new one from the same source. A small warning though, you and anyone who helps will feel a little drained.” Therinexplained to me.

“Well,” Nightmare said, looking to at his hand, “is void energy the very thing allowing my brethren and me to come to this realm? We were stuck in a small void-like area, and couldn’t even leave until a week, for us, passed, in Equestria it had already been a thousand years.”

“That may have been a precaution set upon you considering He turnedyou into the Nightmare, a being that used to hunt the mind of a child. Perhaps the entrapment was meant to keep you there until Equestria was ready.” Therin explained. I don’t know why, but when he said the word ‘He’...He looked a bit creepy, He could of sworn He saw everything around him darken while Therin's glasses gleamed brighter than usual.. Yet the next moment, the word felt like he never even said it.

“A-anyways,” Nightmare said, ignoring the fact that he just stuttered, “the only way for even one of us to leave the void-like area was to gain energy to leave it. So far, only one can leave at a time, if we make a token, would that use up the very energy we need to be in Equestria?”

“No, for your body is constantly regenerating it, you would have to give up the very being of yourself to destroy it.”Therin explained.

Nightmare thought about it and nodded with an equivalent of a smile.

“Alright,” Nightmare said, “thank you, and I hope to see you again.”

“Our business has been concluded.” Therin said as he tipped his head as his way of saying good. His body started turning into mist and fading away with the air.

Second Customer: Travis

Author's Note

This chapters better than the last, although alot shorter. Hopefully Therin will get a better customer, its all about interest and luck.
Cross-over with: Crimson Blade79
Story: Karmic Retribution
Head on over to Crimson's side of the story for a more detailed story from Travis's side.

Second Customer: Travis

"Nicely done, Therin. Your first customer went smoothy." The merchant said as he studied the Nightmare Essence. "So that's what Nightmare Freddy's void energy has became despite their rough start." he said as he returned the jar to Theerin. "i'm going to give you a bit more a challenge. You see a certain someone claims to have killed me, but what they've killed was merely a void copy of myself. Check up on him and see if you can get his Soul Edge, Travis's void energy has grown since I Displaced him. I'd like to steady it for myself. He should be summoning you anytime now, so be prepared." The merchant said as he passes a paper worth of info about his second customer. Therin tipped his hat with a smile and left the pocket dimension.

"According to this, Travis is quite a powerful conquerer and I am to assist him in helping him?" Therin said as he walked through the halls that would change and guide him back to his room. "Well, it is the multiverse time and money is more important. I gotta do my job and do as he asked." he said as he ran his hand through his hair. Even now he feels his body changing with each passing hour, there hasn't been any major change other than gaining more control over his new found powers.

The man's attention was drawn by the sound of writing on paper. "Sounds like its time again." Therin said as his form turned to mist. Slowly, his body reforms in another area, a throne room by the looks of it. As he turns he notices a man holding his token with his name written in blood. "...Well, that's one way to do it.." He mentally thought. With a gentle breath, he put on the act his boss had taught him.

“Salutations.” Therin said in a emotionless voice.

The man on the throne was Travis, a powerful man that has came a long way. “Even though his suit is tacky, I'm beginning to like this guy already. I wonder where his wares are at?” Travis thought before speaking, “Greetings, you must be Renon. I desire to look at your wares and see if you have a stronger weapon than I currently possess.”

Renon was a coverup name he went by as suggested by his boss. Putting on a act and choosing to answer by that name for this businesss, Therin becomes Renon, a well mannered salesmen. He reaches and straightens his stie before looking at Travis with a keen eye. “Hmm, you don’t appear to be any sort Displaced I recognize..” he said as he adjusted his glasses. He wanted to make sure this was indeed a Displaced since alot of them become characters from video games, movies, the list goes on.

Travis responded “Perhaps you should ask around. I have encountered a few displaced already. I even encountered a being made entirely of water. Where do you reside?”

“I travel the multiverse wherever I’m needed, selling or trading my wars whatever they want. I will not accept ill gained money or accept unfair trades.” Renon explained as his tail changed directions. “One moment while I speak to my supervisor.” He said as he placed a finger to the side of his hand. There was a moment of silence as he communicate mentally with him. “He says he’s willing to give you anything for the right price and within reasoning. Usually I’m limited to whoever the Displaced is, such as if you were Sonic, you would only gain things from that universe as void copies.”

Travis said, “I am a unique case as you can see. I was sent here by a merchant in my home universe, now I am here where I rule with an iron fist. That merchant however met an unfortunate end, I can say no more of that.”

“A impressive feat, but forgive me for what I am going to say as your effort was wasted in vain.” Renon said as the area appeared to dark in Travis’s vision, only to vanish as quick as it happen, it felt like time just halted and rewind, yet nothing really happened in that span of time. Only minor confusion was met by Travis.

Travis said, “I've seen this place before. What is there to show here?”

“I’m sorry, but it appears you misheard me, I said your efforts were impressive.” Renon said as if his previous words didn’t exist.

Travis said, “So this is the fourth wall. I never seen it up close but i've broken it a few times. Why are we here?”

“Hmm.. I see your immune to it. I’ll get straight to the point; While you were able to kill him, it was not permanent since he is of the void. He can simply rematerlize a new proxy afterwards.” He explained as he tipped his head. “My apologies for your efforts.”

Travis said, “So he is alive. Well, no use hunting him down. I don't have time to anyways. I'm guessing you know of my entire life story as well as I know of yours.”

“That sort of information is none of my business other than who I work for. If He gave it to me, then our meeting would be meaningless as it would be concluded as fast as I appeared.” Renon explained as he adjusted his tie. “As for a stronger weapon, may I see your current one?” he asks.

Travis took out Yamato and summoned Soul Edge. He then said, “I have two actually. One is my own and one is from my brother. Do you know what these weapons are?”

“Soul Edge, a weapon from the Soul Calibur world. The other is Yamato, possibly from the Devil May Cry universe from the looks of it.” Renon answered.

Travis then thought, “Maybe he can help me after all since he knows pretty much everything.” Travis then said, “What do you recommend is stronger than these weapons.”

“Only those who once killed them. Does Guts and Sephiroth ring a bell?” Renon asked as the lights gleamed off of his glasses.

Travis said, “Yes.”

“The Masamune and the Dragon Slayer is the best I can offer you. Anything stronger would be too dangerous to recreate. Will you be trading or providing currency?” Renon asked.

Travis looked at his bag of money and lifted it with one hand. He then said, “Will this cover the cost.”

“It will cost quite a large sum due to how strong those weapons are, about a million should cover it. Trading your two other weapons will also work.” Renon explained as he opened up his briefcase. “Just place the money or weapons you wish to give me, all sales final.”

Travis thought, “Damn, I forgot how much money was in this bag. Maybe if I use x-ray vision.” Travis looked into his bag and saw that he was 10 bits short. He then pulled out 10 more bits from his pocket and put them in his bag. Travis then proceeded to put the huge bag in the briefcase.

Renon closed the brief as a flash could be seen from the case’s slit. When he opened it, the money was gone. He closes it again and revealed the same light within the crevice, but when he reopened it, there laid smaller weapons of what Renon mentioned earlier. “Pick them up.” Renon suggested.

Travis then picked up the weapons and they adjusted to their original size. Travis then said, “This will do very nicely.” Travis then thought, “Just imagine the carnage I can cause with these weapons.”

“Is there anything else you require?” Renon asked patiently.

Travis then thought to himself, “Why stop at weapons if I can get better armor too but that would mean I have to trade something. I'll trade Soul Edge if need be.” Travis then said, “What armor do you possess?”

“The multiverse is vast, it could be any kind of armor you desire. The selection is far too large, but no armor is invisible or an answer to everything, thus you must tell me what you want.” Renon suggested before opening his briefcase and shuffle through a thick amount of papers, each one listing a lot of different armor from a lot of verses not including anything created from the human world.

Travis thought to himself and then said, “How about armor fit for a king. Something that is indestructible.”

After shuffling through them, he managed to find something that Travis might like. “Ah, how about the Helio Armor that belonged to a man named Raidriar who claimed himself The God King.” Renon suggested as he closed his case then opened up to reveal silver and bronze armor. “It’ll cost 204,000 though.” he said.

Travis took out Soul Edge and said, “How about this instead of money?”

“It’ll do. Take the Helio Armor, then replace it with the Soul Edge.” Renon explained.

Travis then handed over Soul Edge and put on the Helio Armor. Travis punched himself and said, “This is pretty durable. I'll be sure to recommend you to my displaced allies.”

“That’ll be divine.” Renon said as the Soul Edge vanished into his suitcase. “So far, you have been my best customer.” he commented with a smirk.

Travis said, “I'm sure that we'll meet again sometime. Until then, goodbye. I need to go crush a rebellion and thanks to you, my efforts will be that much easier.”

“Then our business has been concluded.” Renon said as he took off his hat and bowed his head as a sign of a goodbye. The mist carried in and he vanished the same way he appeared.

Travis looked around and said, “Now, since the merchant is gone. I'll put my next plan into action.”

Third Customer: Pinkie Diana Pie The Elder

Author's Note

Cross-over With: Istaran
Story: Friendship Materia
Big thanks to Istaran for agreeing to do this cross-over, I wish him the best of luck in continuing his story.

Third Customer: Pinkie Diana Pie The Elder

"Travis has grown quite strong from what I can sense from this Soul Edge. So far of the three customers you've had, I can see I've done some good for them," The merchant said before patting Therin on the back. "Therin, I've decided that you should be allowed to offer those newest items to other Displaced. For now, you've done well, I believe you should take a break, I'll be calling on you when I need you later," the merchant smiled. Therin returnd the smile before leaving.

Therin was enjoying this job so far and it had taken him a while to get used to the weirdness that was beyond what he had witnessed in his life. Therin reached over and pulls up his new tail, the new appendage had gaining more and more feeling where he could practically move it on his own. "I need to find a way to make this thing feel more comfortable at night..." he commented.

Suddenly, Therin felt a pull on the core of his being, like the pull of a summon. Something was wrong as he didn't sense or hear it before hand. Before the salesmen could react, there was an unforeseen force pulling him across the Void.

There was a heady moment of anticipation, the brief time that felt like anything could happen or nothing at all. And then, Therin appeared in another room, briefcase in hand, prepared to do business. Utterly unprepared for the noisy explosion of confetti that immediately rained down upon him.

The businessman blinked in confusion by this strange form of summoning. He didn’t hear any sound of writing, no call of his name was spoken, not even the sound of anyone reading his contract was ushered to his ears. “Well… This is different.” He commented as he reached up to wipe the confetti from his glasses. All around him was cake frosting spread out in the form of a pentagon, the man couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of it all of how he was summoned. Upon further inspection, he saw on the far side a second circle containing a lengthy and intricate contract. It was a verbatim copy of one that existed in various places well beyond this particular Equestria, reproduced in crayon on construction paper, with copious glitter. There was no way it could possible work in the eyes of others, but in eyes of Therin based on his teachings from his boss, the salesman knew that Chaos magic was rather particular about that sort of thing.

“Welcome to Equestria!” the pink one said, her hair suddenly popping into curliness, ejecting a plated slice of cake complete with fork in a perfect trajectory for Therin to easily catch it, while she blew on a party noise maker. “Okay, now, back to business,” she said, her mood shifting just as suddenly to a more somber one, with her hair sliding back into a straight limp. “I need to buy a few things, and you’re one of the few being who travel enough to get them for me.”
Therin did catch it although more in surprise than actually predicting it.

“Business is a must, although i’m curious as to how you managed to summon me without signing my contract.” he said as he took hold of the fork to sample the cake that had been given to him.

“I did sign it though,” the pony said. “it just… wasn’t your contract until after the fact. It’s still valid though. Doing things in a creative order doesn’t invalidate contract magic.” She picked the contract up, wrecking the frosting pentagram circle in the process with her hooves, now that it didn’t matter. Flipping to the end, he could see that it was clearly signed “Pinkamena Diane Pie the elder”

There was a moment of silence as the blacksuited man continued to eat his cake. He appeared to be having some sort of mental conversation, although with whom only Therin knew. “Hmm, well Miss Pie, despite doing it different, it appears my boss approves of it. What is it that you’re looking for? It feels a little strange to not sell to another Displaced.” he commented.

“Three things, the last of which is a gift for a Displaced, if that helps any,” Pinkamena said. “I want a Fenrir motorcycle and a set of Fusion Blades. Button?”

The colt pulled a pair of screen captures from Advent Children from his saddle bags, laying them out. The first showed Cloud Strife, as a bit older and decidedly more masculine than they knew him, sitting astride a motorcycle. Its sides were fanned out, revealing a half dozen holstered swords. The second showed the same man weilding a massive blade which, if one looked closely, consisted of a half dozen separate swords snapped together.

“Interesting choice. Will you be trading something of equal value or do you have any currency with you?” Therin asked as he went to open his briefcase. He glances around the room for a place he could lay or place the requested inventory.

“Button?” Pinkamena requested once again.

This time the colt retrieved a Playstation memory card, offering it to the businessman. “One billion gil,” the colt said confidently, finally breaking his silence. The card had a palpable aura of chaos magic, barely restrained from spewing its contents out into reality at any second. “I’ll need the card back”

The man took the card then rotated so it was facing his briefcase. It opened up and started to draw the chaotic magic from its entrapment. “This is quite a unique form of payment.” He commented during the progress. Once the transfer was complete, he gave the card back to the gamer colt. He gentle closes the case as the slit revealed blinding light, he opens it back up to reveal two items, although smaller in size. Both the massive sword and the motorcycle. “Take it, but be careful as it will quickly resize back to its original dimensions.” Therin warned.

The pink mare quickly grabbed both with one hoof and stuck them in her mane, both disappearing without incident. “Thanks!”

“I thought the card was supposed to spew out a bunch of coins or something,” Button said.

“That’s probably why it didn’t,” Pinkemena said with a shrug. “Anyways… the last item might take you a bit longer. I need Cloud’s Buster Sword. But… I have to be picky here. It can’t be a fresh construct or something from any old Gaia in the multiverse. It needs to be the one left behind when he came here.” She grabbed the vile of glowing, mako infused, void energized blood and presented it as identification of just exactly who she meant. “I don’t think we can get past this interminable hiatus without it.”

“Yes and no, my fine colt friend.. But.” He began as he held out his hand, and with a flip of his wrist, he was now holding a silver gil coin. He flips it over to button. “Consider it a gift.” He said before given Pinkie his attention. “Hmm, so you want me to go to his original world? It will be a first time for me to go to a world without ponies, but I’m sure I can find it.” he said with a little bit of confidence in his voice.

Button snatched the coin out of the air with his teeth, giving it a quick check to verify its authenticity, and then slipped it into his saddle bags with a bit of a grin.

“It was left in the dressing room in the Wall Market in Sector 6 of the Midgar lower city. Basically right next to where he left that world. If you can’t arrive in that time, you’ll have to find out for yourself where it went from there,” Pinkamena explained. “That’s the gift. A familiar token of courage.”

Therin reached out and took the vile of void energy. He holds it up to his eyes as he studied it, glasses take on a gentle gleam and for a split second, Pinkie could of sworn she saw a strange gargoyle goat standing where the businessman was. “Got the universe energy signature.” he said as a portal opened up behind him. “Is there anything else you need to tell me?”

“Stay out of the way of any timetravellers? You should be fine.” Pinkie offered.

The human-disguised-demon couldn’t help but smile. “Or daleks for that matter.” He said as he turned around to go through the swirling vortex and as he stepped through, it vanished without a sound.

Getting from point A to point B was different this time for the demon salesmen since it took a while longer instead of instantly to find the correct universe that Cloud Strife had came through. Therin eventually arrived on the other side and at Midgar lower city. However, the portal had to be opened in an alleyway to prevent others from seeing the twirling warp, although a homeless man might of seen it but Therin wouldn’t know till he stepped through and allowed it to close.

“Ugh, not again…” groaned a man from behind the portal after Therin stepped through. A glance showed the man sitting in a nearby rather large pipe, eyes scrunched closed in pain as he clutched at his noisily grumbling gut, so it was entirely unclear whether he had actually witnessed the demon, or was merely experiencing yet another round of gastrointestinal agony. In any event, he was clearly making no move to intervene and there were no other potential witnesses around.

The Wall Market was a ramshackle place. In a sense it was literally too poor to afford sunlight, with the wealthy upper city of Midgar built overtop the lower city he was standing in. The buildings here all looked to be built out of leftover scrap metal slapped together, yet it was doing a brisk enough business, at least in relatively small denominations.

“The boss is going to have a field day when I tell him this..” Therin said as he tucked his blackspade tail around his suit as the businessmen was unsure of how others would react to it. After adjusting his hat, tie, and glasses, he begins to travel in the direction based on an old memory of his of this world. “Certainly is a lot different than its video game counterpart.” Therin commented mentally.

The most striking difference didn’t really come into view until he got into the Wall Market properly, and had a chance to see a bit more of the town. Past the one clothing shop in the marketplace there was a road. The nearest half was the same shaded poverty as the slums all around him. The far half was a sunny area with brick houses bleached by sun. The people there shambled a bit, managing to look even more ‘dead’ inside than the poor folk of the Midgar slums. The border between the two areas positively reeked of void energy, but noticing it brought to mind the fact that this entire place seemed suffused with the stuff. If a world could be a Displaced, this one undoubtedly was.

“Something tells me that someone might of broke through the void’s barrier..” Therin theorise as he walked through the streets. “Quite tempting to sale buy or sale, but the mission is the main priority, despite how excited I am.” he said as he kept his briefcase close.

Entering the clothing shop, he caused a little bell over the door to ring, startling the elderly man behind the counter into wakefulness. “Oh! Umm, yes… welcome. Are you looking for a gift? I’m afraid we only sell traditionally female clothing here, though… If you’re in the market, I’m not one to judge.”

“Not exactly, my good sir, but rather I’m looking for a particular sword.” Therin had to pause for a moment to think of his next words. He felt that this shop owner might tell a few innuendos if Therin chooses the wrong words.. “Did a certain spiky haired blond man leave one here?” he asked.

The man cringed at the description, instinctively bracing for trouble. “That was years ago, and… I don’t know what you heard or where, but it’s not my fault, and no this shop isn’t cursed. If you’re looking for the sword itself, the two ladies who were with him took it after he… failed to return from the dressing room.”

“One of them might be Tifa if memory serves me right..” Therin mentally thought to himself. “Do you know where they might of gone afterwards? I’m an acquaintance of Cloud Strife’s.” he said to the shop owner.

“They were mentioned on the news as being members of AVALANCHE. Seems those terrorists dropped the Sector 7 plate, wiping out the town there before… you know, the dead-eyes showed up. I’ve caught word of them from various places around the world on occasion, but just snippets in the news. If anyone knows it’d be Shinra. Oh, what now?” That last comment was in response to a massive low rumbling that seemed to permeate the area. It was much too rhythmic and consistent to be an earthquake, but too massive and omnipresent to be too many other things.

Despite the rumbling, Therin stood undisturbed, his face however betrayed it differently. “Where would Shinra be then?” he asked as he kept his voice the same. “At this point, this timeline is pretty much skewered since Cloud isn’t here..”

“The company’s main HQ is straight up. You can climb the wall, maybe? You might need some batteries to pull it off, and it won’t be easy. Might want some more casual clothes to make the trip. Or maybe you have the coin to call for a helicopter to take you up or something,” the old man speculated.

“Coin isn’t a issue nor is transportation, I have my methods. I do thank you for the help though.” Therin said as he took his hat off to bow a goodbye to the shop owner. “May you find good fortune for you or your shop, good day.” he said before turning to leave.

Upon arriving in the upper city, several things became clear. The incredibly massive high rise that was the Shinra Corp. HQ was the third most obvious thing he found, in part because it was the third biggest. Second biggest was the town-sized column of sunlight cutting through the dreary rainy sky, showing a chunk of desert town he had already seen up close, now visible in its entirety. Larger still was the gun.

It was obviously fairly recent construction, still shiny and new, yet it at least fit the aesthetic of the upper city. Power cables the size of trains ran from each of the massive city’s eight power plants, visible pulses of energy already flowing along them, which were the apparent source of the rumbling. Massive pieces were shifting position, resulting in the barrel moving small fractions of a degree, perhaps tracking some distant target.

Scaffolding built upon the side of the gun were currently the source of some disturbance, barely perceptible from this distance, but it included the occasional muzzle flare and distant report from fully automatic guns, none of which seemed to remain in operation for long.

The businessman stroked his chin in thought as he traveled through the uppercity. He kept his eyes open for anyone who could be out and about. “I best be careful as to not get caught in the timestreams since my presence isn’t part of this world.” He whispered to himself as his eyes examined the area.

Most people around the area were pointedly staying behind locked doors at the moment. The main exception was squads of uniformed soldiers rushing past in waves, heading for the scaffolding to reinforce their fallen brethren. However, the nearby HQ had an open lobby, with somewhat managing to look bored at the public information desk just inside.

“It’ll do.” Therin said as he walked toward the HQ, he adjusted his glasses once more and made sure his tail was tucked in before entering.

“Welcome to Shinra Corp,” the bored woman greeted as he approached. “You’re free to examine the exhibits if you like. If you have a meeting with someone inside, I can help you locate the correct floor.”

“I’m looking for a couple of females, or members of AVALANCHE they once claimed to be. They have a weapon I need, I was hoping Shinra would have information of their whereabouts.” Therin said.

The woman raised an eyebrow at that and started tapping a screen. “That sounds like a request for the TURKS. I can schedule a meeting with their representative if you’d like to purchase either the latest available information or an ongoing information contract.”

“Any sort of information that can help me will do as long as it helps me find them faster, regardless of the price.” Therin said confidently.

“Would you like me to send the inquiry in the meeting request? It would help them get the answer sooner, but if you prefer privacy, I understand,” she said.

“Privacy sounds best. The only people who need to know me are those who wish to do business with me.” Therin said.

The horrifically loud sound of metal rending metal came in almost definingly from outside, pausing any further conversation, though not the girl’s typing. It was followed by metal twisting equally loudly, followed by a building-shaking crash. The quake it set off was strong enough to cause some of the displays behind the information desk to break, the contents falling off hooks and shelves and in some cases breaking glass. The massive oversized sword that fell through its case in particular drew Therin’s eye. He makes his way over to the blade and kneels down to check on its condition, giving little to no regards of how the female or anyone seeing him would react or protest.

The label on the display called it “SOLDIER Buster Sword” and went on to discuss the history of SOLDIER agents who had previously wielded it in honorable service. Cloud isn’t mentioned by name, but it is mentioned to have been stolen by AVALANCHE before being recovered from Sector 6. The slight trace of void energy matching Cloud’s sample, though, suggests just who the ‘thief’ was.

“Good, this will save me a lot of time.” Therin whispered as he opened up his briefcase to place the sword in. Sure, this would spill bad business for Therin for stealing it, but who can’t say they’d even recognize Therin when he does business in this world.”I think I’ll try another time. Good day.” Therin said casually as he was making his way toward the door.

“Hey, you can’t just take that,” the information desk lady said unenthusiastically. It was clear she had no intention of doing anything about it, other than whatever she was typing on the computer.

Therin made no reply as went through the doors. “Throughout this trip, I was expecting trouble, like Sephiroth himself appearing.” Therin said jokingly in his mind.

A squad of soldiers muscled past him, ignoring him in favor of whatever was so important outside. As he got out behind him he could see why. The massive gun barrel had been slashed through, somehow, it’s incredible bulk fallen over and crushing a couple sectors of the lower city in an amazing act of collateral damage. Sensible people, of course, were moving as far away from whatever conflict involved that, but the Shinra troops were obviously anything but sensible.

Also, maybe they were needed to fight off the hordes of undead-like individuals now climbing up the remains of the barrel and trying to eat any brains they could get their maws on. At least the soldiers had helmets and guns.

Speaking of guns, a monster was visible on the horizon, about proportionate to the city-sized gun that was no longer usable, apparently on its way to do mischief here. It was seeming like a fine time to leave.

Therin made his way over somewhere where no one could see him and with a nod of his head a portal of swirling energy open up. Unfortunately for the salesmen, a poor homeless person got to witness it, Therin stepped right through knowing no one would listen to mad ramblings. It took the same amount of time as before when he arrived, in demon-disguised as a human’s opinion, it was a successful trade, even if there was nothing to give up. The bright vortex faded away as Therin returned to Pinkie Pie, he wasted no time in revealing Cloud’s most treasured weapon.

“Get ‘em, pow, pow, pow!” Pinkie said excitedly, her back to the demon and her hair fluffy once again. Button was sitting beside her, playing on a Playstation. The game looked a lot like FF7, except that the party consisted of Tifa, Aeris, and Seifer, fighting a squad of Shinra troopers atop what was left of an enormous gun barrel. Must be some kind of fan hacked remix.

Therin reached into his opened briefcase and took the floating miniature Buster Sword, he clears his throat to draw the party pony’s attention.

“Wow, that was fast,” Pinkie said, turning to greet him. “So what do you want for the sword, buster? tee hee hee.”

“I would ask what would you offer, but considering it is a weapon he starts with, I believe i’ll give it to you for free, no extra charge.” Therin said with a smile.

“Thanks! I’m sure she’ll love it. And it’ll clash perfectly with the other one,” Pinkie said, taking ownership and stashing it in her mane as well. “I’ll get it all wrapped up, and we can finally get the next arc started.”

“Especially when it’s been a year.” Therin commented as the light gleamed off of his glasses. “If there is nothing left for me to sale. I wish you and Mr. Cloud Strife the best of luck, our business has been concluded.” he said before leaving the same way he was summoned.

Pinkie took a moment to lick up the remains of the summoning circle before taking her leave with Button Mash, leaving her reflection still desperately trying to free herself from the pool.