Author's Note

Crossover with one of DisplacedWriter’s characters.

Genesis Meeting

Both women fell to their knees in shock after the flash happened. Reldena was the first to recover as she started looking around at the remains of her shop. Wands, scrolls, various potions littered the ground as she tried to take it all in.

“Just what did you fucking do to my shop?”

Umbra was groggy from the sudden instant movement and couldn’t feel her body as she tried standing up, only to end up face planting with a groan. “I didn’t do shit! I just wanted to get out of that disaster. I mean we had the guards coming for us and your so called fail safe. Failed!”

Reldena looked down at her with a glare before feeling something brush the back of her neck. She swung around dagger gliding in the air to thud against a tree trunk. Her hand vibrated with the impact as she yelped in pain and dropped her weapon. “Why is there a god damn tree.”

Umbra looked up from the ground, enjoying the grass for a moment. Before them both stood a ten foot tall bleach white tree, red lines ran along its lengths. Small leaves were slowly forming and sprouting, they were pure
Black in color and the flowers blossoming were scarlet hue.

“Huh guess that’s what the statue meant. I was confused when I heard something about planting a seed. But it’s bloomed now so I guess...” umbra stood up and brushed herself off, walking forward before placing a hand against the trunk. “Vahn and friend. I have done as you asked now show yourselves to me.”

“Idiot what are you doing that’s not going to make anything happen.” Reldena began working on collecting most of her goods.

The tree took on a gentle serene glow as its light washed over Reldena and Umbra. As the light cleared, there stood in front was a man with blue spiky hair. The man wore simple leather boots leading up to plain cloth pants and shirts. A vest adorned his from with a flame stitched on the back. No fur covered his soft pink skin but a red gauntlet covered his right arm up to the shoulder.

His gauntlet caught their eyes as it was like a demon had manifested with hard angles and a deep red purple color. A soft tan spike jutted out the front a short ways behind the middle finger. While a soft blue eye it seemed like rested in the center of his forearm.

Umbra was the first to react as she was close to the tree, it took her a single moment of blinking to clear her vision. She saw the being standing before her but could barely believe her eyes. Then she moved. “Human!” The teen lunges forward in an attempt to hug the stranger. She didn’t look like one herself. Umbra had purple skin, long red hair, a set of horns that curved from her temples back like a crown, cloven feet, claw like red nails, and a heart flared tail.

Reldena meanwhile just watched in fascination as she witnessed what may be a disaster waiting to happen or something different. “Another fucking stranger!”

The human known as Vahn had no choice but to catch the overly excited teenager. Vahn’s face had a look of confusion on his face at the suddenly affection. “...Was I summoned at the wrong time?” He asked.

Umbra looked at the human and smiled widely, small fangs poking out the corners as she stepped back and began looking him all over. “Oh my god. I summoned a human. I am soo awesome!” She looked towards Reldena who was collecting various ingredients for potions and packing them in jars. “I used to be one of these ya know!”

“Sure and I’m a fucking alicorn.” Reldena stood up, stretching her back a bit as she looked over. She stood easily six foot, her antlers added a good foot on that as she was a four point. They flowed for a moment as did her eyes as she surveyed the human. Her black robe covering most of her from save the arms and digitigrade legs. “Is it some kind of demon?”

“No, just a human with a Ra-Seru.” Vahn said as he raised a blue eyebrow at the question.

Reldena looked them both over for a moment. “So what is a human? I’ve never heard of it and I’ve traveled a lot.”

“Basically humans are pink ape like creatures that evolved to use tools. We don’t have fur everywhere and we can’t do magic normally or like at all.”

“Not unless you end up Displaced, then you can pretty much use whatever you end up with.” Vahn explained as he turned around to look upon the tree. He blinks as he notices it looks different than what it should look.

Umbra saw where he looked and followed suit. “Oh that. It grew out of a seed I found in a statues mouth.” She looked around before picking up the jackal statue. “This thing held it. Also displaced, what’s that?”

“It means where you end up somewhere else in a different body and sometimes forced to use a name that isn’t your own..” Vahn said as he reached out with his gauntlet arm. It glowed a gentle orange.. “...So it's fine, Meta?” Vahn asked as the gauntlet glowed in response to his words.

Umbra rubbed her chin for a moment before raising an eyebrow. “Wait you mean like if I was stuck in a hospital bed with cancer and no legs about to die and then suddenly found myself destroying the holy sanctum of a religion in a new body?”

“Uh.. Well, each Displaced tends to experience it differently though. I ended up in this body when I brought Meta at a flea market.” Vahn said as he turned to look at Umbra.

“I basically just told you my story. I woke up like this.”

“Sounds like someone took pity on you, although why that form, I can’t really say.” Vahn said as he rubbed the back of his hair.

“Well I played a lot of dungeons and dragons with a lot of the other patients. When I was a player my favorite race was the Tiefling. Kinda loved the exotic look of them.” Umbra moved away to sit down, just bending down like a horse would with how her legs bent.

“At least your kind of prepared mentally,” Vahn said as he looked around the forest. “You already know who I am, but do you understand about Meta?” he asked as he raised his arm that had the gauntlet armor.

Umbra looked at the gauntlet for a moment before shaking her head. “Not at all. Am I supposed to?” Reldena during this whole time was still organizing her scattered store and checking her things, but an ear flicked to show she was still paying attention to it all.

“Don’t be alarmed.” Vahn warned as a gentle warmth enter their minds.

“He was talking about me.” A soft voice spoke.

Umbra looked around eyes wide. “Okay who is that?”

Reldena was not as kind. “No, get the fuck out.”

The glow from the gauntlet faded away. “There was a reason she was quiet. Not many react well to her telepathy.” Vahn said. The two would feel like something was watching them, but the moment they glanced over, they would notice the green gem was shining.

Reldena waked over, going right up to Vahn and then looking at the gauntlet as she leaned down to poke a finger on it. “Talk to Umbra mentally only. I personally have too many true names for people to poke around in mine.”

Umbra rolled her eyes and pulled the woman back a bit. “Sorry she seems a bit hot headed and quick to anger. Reldena be nice to them.”

“I would go any further than that, Reldena. Only if you were threat trying to use secrecy and deception.” Meta said, her voice remaining gentle.

“She means well, honestly.” Vahn said as he pulled his arm away. “We’re attached afterall, if I die, she would die as well.”

Reldena glared at the gauntlet before stepping away as she walked off to start getting a few things in order. Umbra sighed as she looked at the pair. “I’m sorry about that, I only just met her and we escaped from the Royal Guard before meeting you.”

“Over a misunderstanding, xenophobia, or…” Vahn allowed the question to hang incase Umbra would answer.

Umbra twiddled her thumbs for a moment. “Well they treat non ponies like a lower class of being. Demand they show respect and serve because they move the sun and moon. Plus wellll I sorta kinda.... crashed into the Grand cathedral of Celestia.... and destroyed it...” There was a small mental tipping laugh coming from somewhere at the end of the explanation.

“Ah, so they’re overreacting then.” Vahn said as he shook his head. “Compared to other worlds i’ve been in, it's not the worst thing i’ve heard.”

“What do you mean? Also did either of you two laugh?”

“I thought that was you?” Vahn asked with concern.

“I sense that something has went wrong when I sent the Genesis Seed across the void..” Meta said telepathic.

Umbra looked around and squeaked as she felt the statue in her lap wriggled a bit. She dropped it as they all heard someone say ow.

“How did a Dark Seru get inside of that?” Meta said as her gem eye looking down at the statue.

The statue wriggled and shook on the ground as a voice finally started talking. “I was made to protect the seed.”

Vahn placed a hand onto his chin as he thought about it.He looked over at Umbra “My guess is that this world reacted to the seed and the reason it changed, ” he said.

“Is your form permanent?” Meta asked the statue.

“The elements of harmony did this to me. Some white horse bitch decided that I needed locked away because I was overly protective of the seed to the point of tormenting those who tried to take it.” Umbra sat there blinking softly as she tried to follow the conversation.

“Did harmony also change the seed?” Vahn asked in curiosity.

“No that was the girl who held me and the deer that did that. She summoned a demon using dark magic when the seed was growing so it absorbed some. That was after this girl bleed on the seed which caused it to change first.”

“Even though it’s changed, I sense that the inside has been touched.” Meta said, she sounded relief, almost it's hard to tell because of her calm voice. “Despite your current form, I know you’re not helpless, Puera. Umbra, have you been having any dreams lately?” she asked.

Umbra shook her head as she looked towards the gauntlet. “No. I just found him earlier today. Maybe Reldena has thought. Hey!”

Reldena was already walking over as she looked at the group, a tea set in her hands. “What? Any dreams I’ve had where something else has been in them? I mean yeah I have had a few of those but I haven’t seen a jackal in them just a weird clown. My neighbors and some customers complain about nightmares though.”

“That would be Puera. My guess is Harmony was doing more than just stone him, they were trying to force him into a form that was not natural to him.” Vahn said what made the most sense to him.

Umbra took a cup of tea and sipped at it easily as she watched the events a little. Reldena offered a cup to Vahn as she took her own. “Well makes the most sense then. Harmony doesn’t like odd things that don’t conform to its model. I mean look at Discord the god of Chaos.”

“Is there a way to return him to normal?” Meta asked as her gem eye gazed.

Reldena thought for a moment as she looked over the statue. “What gave you the ability to speak to us and wriggle more freely now of all times?”

“Blood of a dark pact.”

“Were you forced?” Vahn asked as he wanted to learn more about this.

Umbra was sitting quietly for a lament before she gasped. “He means my blood. Tiefling are the union of a devil and a human so he means my blood. It’s what spilled on him and the see earlier.”

“That takes care of one problem, but what about the other? His current stoned form.” Vahn asked as he placed his gauntlet hand onto him. Meta start sensing around in a attempt to see if there was a way without harmony trying to affecting her as well.

Puera struggles a bit against his bounds as he tried extending a small sliver of power out of a crack to let Meta have a bit more room to work with. Umbra was watching the statue wiggle before unwrapping her hand a bit. “Vahn, Metas. What kind of magic do you two know? Anything dark?”

“Well, Meta can summon Serus of all sorts, she allows me to control the element of fire, short ranged warping, barriers. That’s about it as far as Meta has shown me.” Vahn explained, until an idea came to mind. “Meta could try absorbing him out of the statue then re-summon him in a new form, but i’m not sure how much Harmony will interfere.”

Umbra hummed a moment as she looked at the statue. “What would that do to Puera’s personality and abilities?”

“Nothing. It is only if I absorb him completely,” Meta said as her eye looked up at Umbra. “He is made of void energy and thus, I can shape him if needed, but as Vahn said earlier.”

Puera wriggled a bit more before settling down. “When I first got here I was made into the from of this jackal. I would like to keep it. I got used to it but if you can free me go ahead. I wanna have some fun again.”

Vahn extends his out, causing Puera’s statue form to shimmer softly. Whatever was reaching out from the crack slowly faded away, causing the statue to become a lifeless husk. Vahn raises his hand up to the sky as Meta’s gem eye lets out a bright glaring light. A giant card suddenly appears beside him before flipping to allow the Jackal clown out in its new form.

Puera happily jumped out of his card, forming a body similar to a jackals as he stood on legs similar to Umbra and Reldena. He stood about two and a half feet tall. He cracked his neck and back before rushing off and up the Genesis tree before dropping back down with one of its flowers. “Thanks Vahn and I guess mom?” he scratched his head as he sat down between Umbra and Reldena.

“I suppose that works,” Vahn said before chuckling. “Honestly don’t know how Serus work or if they can reproduce without being changed, but hey. Whatever works, works.”

Umbra looked everyone over for a moment before looking towards the sky. “Well now that he’s settled down. I wanna know more about this whole displaced deal. Like how did I manage to summon you here, and would I be able to the same for myself?”

“My token was the Genesis Seed that Meta sent across the Void, but it’s changed when it got here. Were you alone when you prayed to it or were there others?” Vahn asked.

“I guess it was Reldena and myself.”

“We both hoped for a way out of the situation we were in.” Reldena sipped her tea as she looked at the seru sitting between them.

Vahn sat down indiana style as he decided to try out the sea. “It was enough to help it grow, at least,” he said as he took a sip.

Umbra looked towards the tree again. “I am thankful it rescued us but now I’m curious Vahn. What are Meta and Puera?”

“Meta is a Ra-seru, Puera is a Seru. It’s a bit of a long story though if I had to explain everything.” Vahn said. “And probably the whole plot of the game they came from.”

Reldena rolled her eyes for a moment before speaking up. “My only question is what are they capable of?”

“They come in seven different elements, two to four kinds for each element. They can be summoned, or you can take care of them as a pet or ally. They can control one element along with a few other abilities. They can turn into an armor piece and bind themselves to you to make you faster, stronger and control an element they use along with the other things. For Puera, he can enter dreams or pull others into said dream, even the dreams to life. Like Most Pueras, they’re also into mischief when it comes to a Deadly Game of cards.” Vahn explained.

Puera grew a smug smile as he heard the talk about himself, wriggling himself a bit as he looked around. “Yeah I know I’m awesome Vahn. No need to explain all my greatness.” He didn’t notice Umbra reach and start to scratch him behind the ears, or the fact his leg began to kick of its own accord.

“So they can be captured or let roam free and do as they wish. I kinda never liked captured Pokémon I always pictured myself as the type who would just keep them in their pokeballs to heal.” Umbra was slowly maneuvering Puera into her lap as the jackal man squirmed and wagged his tail happily.

“Ha, that’s one way of looking at it. Meta is the pokeball and the Serus are the pokemon,” Vahn said, meta however did not find it amusing to be compared to a capture ball. “Er… or maybe Meta is the trainer since she controls them.” he corrected himself.

Both women giggled as they watched Vahn try to fill back in his own grave. Puera was the one who finally broke their laughter. “I’d rather think she’s just the parent trying to reign in unruly children.”

“By the way, there’s something I’m concerned about. Since Puera will be with you and how this world is, you should be careful about who sees him again.” Vahn said with a straight face.

Umbra nodded as she held the jackal close. “I understand but I’m not sure that will be a problem. Celestia and Luna have been gone for almost five hundred years from what Reldena says. I believe Celestia locked herself away with Nightmare Moon. Again it’s just my theory.”

Puera sighed as he looked towards the sky. “I am fine being armor when in public. That is half my purpose though when I get freedom don’t be alarmed if people find stuff missing in towns or taverns.”

“Oh, a thief?” Vahn asked as he looked down at Puera. “Or just you being kleptomania?”

Puera shrugged. “I like having lots of shiny things.”

“Keep an eye on him, Umbra.” Vahn warned

Umbra looked down at Puera for a moment and glared at him. “I will be sure to make sure the little troubled maker stays out of trouble.” She tried mentally talking to him though and mentioned that she would let him steal all the money and weapons he could take.

“Do you have any other questions?” Vahn asked.

Reldena shook her head as she enjoyed her tea a bit more. Umbra was biting her lip a little as she looked over at Vahn and Meta. “Well since I don’t know how to use Puera is there any way you could teach me how it all works?”

“Puera will do most of that by lending his power to you, the rest should come naturally, like some kind of instinct that just woke up and it needs some time,” Vahn explained as he rubbed the top of his head. “Or at least that’s how it was with me and Meta.”

Umbra looked at the seru in her lap for a moment before Puera started to move and adjust a bit as he grew into a small bracelet around her wrist as she twisted her wrist side to side. “Well okay then. I guess that makes sense. Though with a bit of practice I could probably get used to how he works.”

“He will grow bigger along your arm with time until he’s full armor over it. The two of you can become some sort of hybrid, but that’s a long ways in the future.” Vahn explained while giving them a thumbs up.

Umbra looked at her bracelet for a second before starting to look towards the tree providing them shade. Reldena poured herself a bit more tea before noticing the look on her companion’s face. “Vahn how were we able to summon you here? Not that it isn’t pleasant and all but how does the entire process work?”

“It’s simple, just do what you did before. Place your hand on the tree and call me, Meta will tell me and afterwards we’ll head on over here within seconds.” Vahn explained as he placed the tea cup down.

Umbra tilted her head before looking towards Vahn and Meta. “Would it be possible for me to go to your world?” Puera slipped off her wrist and hopped away towards the various debris scattered around the tree from Reldena’s shop.

“To go to my world, I would need a token you’ve created.” Vahn explained as he took a moment to gather his thoughts. “Between the multiverse is exist a large gap known as the void, a dangerous place of paradoxical chaos. By creating a token, you can be summoned safely across.”

“How do I create a token?”

“There are two ways. You can either take an existing item and fill it with your energy, or you can create it from scratch made but nothing but your energy.” Vahn explained.

Umbra hummed for a moment before looking around herself, a hand brushing hair behind an ear but under her horn. After a moment she gasped and brightened up with an idea. “Puera find me a horn of some shape.” She turned towards Vahn and looked him dead in the face. “Can I give special conditions like you did?” The seru called instantly began digging through several piles of things to find the quest item.

“Yep, it is your energy afterall. You can make it do whichever, but the more complicated it is, the more energy it will need.” Vahn said as he watched the jackal shuffle through.

Puera took a moment before popping his small angled head out of a pile of metal to hold up an ornate horn. It had a single loop through the middle of it and was about the same size as he was. The seru began walking over while trying not to fall over. Umbra took the horn in her grasp as Reldena took out a small notebook and wrote something down.

“Another item charged to you.”

Umbra stuck out her tongue before turning back to Vahn. “Could you walk me through the process?” She had taken out a small serrated dagger and had started cutting the end of the horn.

“You put your energy into it and think of a message it should say when another Displaced picks it up, also include a method of how that Displaced can summon you.” Vahn explained.

Umbra nodded as she finished cutting the end off to make a real horn. She held it up for a moment before eyeing the other two she was with. “You wanna help me?”

Reldena sighed as she held out a hand and found the end of the horn placed in it. “If you insist.”

“Don’t count me out.” Puera hopped up so he was easily balanced on the horn as the two held it.

All three began focusing energy, tendrils of magic leaked from their skin to connect with the horn as it began to glow. Red, black, and orange colors bled from the three into the horn before they started talking.

“I was given new life. So I wanna experience everything I can.”

“I wanna make sure she lives to pay me back, but will aide you for a small fee of course.”

Puera was the last to talk. “If you need mischief as well then simply sound the horn into the air and the chaos tri shall come to your side.” With that the light show faded away before Umbra handed over the horn to Vahn, it shrinking down to a more pocket size. It seemed to flash before Umbra felt copies be flung to the corners of the void.

Vahn took the horn and held onto it. “It’ll be a while as my world is a little dangerous at the moment due to the mist being everywhere. Puera would go mad as they can’t handle it.”

Puera thumped his chest and puffed it out as he showed a little bit of fang from his maw. “I’m not afraid of no mist. I’ve been infused with harmony over the past forever. I’m more equestrian than seru at this point.”

“If you’re sure.” Vahn said with a shrug of his arms.

Umbra giggled as she scratched the jackal behind an ear, his leg shaking broke the whole badass look the pipsqueak was trying to put on.

Reldena finally put forth a concern that weighted on her mind. “How does one get back home from another place?”

“Oh, only the holder of your token can do that,” Vahn said as he rubbed the back of his head in minor embarrassment. “I forgot to mention that.”

“Oh so Umbra controls whether you return home or remain with us?”

“Yes, pretty much.” Vahn said as he looked at Reldena.

Reldena giggled a bit. “So how would Umbra send you home exactly? Magic words or a certain wave of her hands?”

“All she needs to do is say ‘Your contract is complete’ and i’ll be well on my way.” Vahn said.

Reldena looked towards the young girl before clearing her throat. “Umbra, any more questions for the man before you send him home? I know you wish to chat the day away but we have more pressing matters. We need shelter, food, organizing my things, and figuring out what to do next. The guard or church won’t be idle for too long.”

Umbra bit her lower lip before looking towards Puera then Vahn. “Not really, he explained most of what I need to know and the rest will just come with practice and experience. But do you need anything from us Vahn before you go?”

“None I can think of, no. I don’t know much about you guys so it will be a while before I need anything.” Vahn said as he slowly got up off the ground.

Umbra nodded before standing, the others joining her before she smiled softly. “Vahn and Meta it was lovely meeting you.”

“A pleasure yes, maybe next time you’ll buy something when you visit.”

Vahn looked at Reldana. “I doubt I would due to the difference in currency our worlds hold.” he said with a shake of his head.

Reldena shrugged as she walked off with Puera who waved goodbye to Meta more than Vahn. Umbra was the last one left. “Well Vahn thank you for everything. Your contract is complete. Safe travels.” With those words spoken, the Genesis Tree, Vahn and meta were both bathed in a radiant light glow. Slowly, a halo surrounded Vahn before he vanished in a gentle flash of light.

Umbra sighed softly as she watched the light fade away. She felt better knowing that there were others out there and she wasn’t alone. A hand pressed against the tree as she leaned her forehead against it for her moment of peace.

“Umbra! Stop slacking and start collecting! This mess is your fault too.”

The teen sighed as she heard the call, reminded her of how a mother would scold a child on TV. That made her giggle to herself as she started picking up bits and pieces to help organize the junk. “Yes mom.”

Reldena glared at her as she brandished a wooden spoon. “Don’t was me or so help me this spoon is gonna smack you soo hard.” Both girls laughed for a moment before getting hard at work. Puera joining in the clean up efforts.