Author's Note

Chapter Edited/Updated!

My Tumblr for asks and questions!

https://www.tumblr.com/blog/bioquill]https://www.tumblr.com/blog/bioquill

Chapter 31: Rewrite, Reset

“Button no!” Micheal and Gallon yelled as they held me back.

“Button yes!” I replied trying to bolt out the door.

“You're still pregnant!” Tina countered, blocking the door.

“But the stats! ” I cried.

“Are no excuses to go ape shit while still many months away from your due date!” Micheal huffed.

“But why not ?” I whined. “I’ve been cooped up in my house for a long time, I need to commit vast amounts of brutal monster murder.”

“You will not or so help me Button I will-” Tina started.

“Is this a bad time?” We all turned to see Armageddon standing there, some books on his back and Jada next to him.

“Probably, if Dad’s losing it again.” Jada huffed.

“I’m not losing it.” I huffed. “But what’s up Armageddon?”

“Oh, uh, Jada asked me to mark down neat places on a map for you all so I did.” Armageddon said.

“Based on locations and what Armageddon said he feels about them, they vary on what they will likely be.” Jada said, taking the books, Atlas's of the Infection Zone, I noticed, and opened them on the nearby coffee table.

“Well, what are some of these spots?” I inquired, looking at the maps to see if there was any special places marked down.

“Armageddon looked at these spots but each one had a different feeling for them.” Jada started. She pointed a finger to one spot, a large hotel many miles from here. “For example, here he said,”

“Spooky but fun stuff.” Armageddon said.

“Right. I asked around and apparently there's a whole nest of the Volatiles in this building. Powerful enemies likely guarding high grade loot. Then here,” She said as she moved her finger to point to a bridge.

“Lots of ouchies.” Armageddon said.

“After looking into it, there's a whole Medical set up built there, with various strong monsters there.” Jada said. She then moved her hand to a school. “And here…”

“Sad. They're sad.” Armageddon said.

“They?” Gallon asked.

“Prize pods spawn here semi-regularly.” Jada explained.

“Yeah…I remember going to a school and finding prize pods from time to time.” I sighed. “But sounds like we got a list of places we can head to.”

“That's not all though.” Jada said. She flipped the pages and pointed to one spot that was marked with a big red circle. It seemed to be an airport.

“Something is there that shouldn't be.” Armageddon said.

“That’s…concerning.” I said carefully. “Something that shouldn’t be…why an Airport?”

“I dunno. All I know is that I feel like there's something there that's not supposed to be there.” Armageddon shrugged.

“Think we should check that place out first?” Gallon asked.

“I do anyway. And dad… your Code Clone?” Jada said.

… Oh right… heh… I forgot…

“Yes, my Code Clone, the Code Clone that was made for me…that Code Clone.” I said carefully with a nervous smile, seeing everyone stare at me. “Don’t you look at me like that.”

“Feel my stare and know you've been judged…” Gallon said.

I took a sleeping potion to fall asleep and wake up in my Code Clone body. Thankfully once I was we all headed out.

It took a bit to travel there but when we arrived we were met by the massive airport, sans Infected monsters… but lots of black cloths all around.

“What's all this?” Micheal asked as the ship landed.

“I don’t know…but something about this feels very concerning.” I said carefully.

We got out and Tina picked one up…

It was a Time Walker cloak, the usual neon blue parts without their glow. Near each were their Gazing Eye Keyblades… and falling out the cloak, a clear Crystal Time Gem in the shape of a Heart.

“The freakiest fuck?” Gallon asked.

I… I picked up another piece of black clothes… another Time Walker Cloak and another Time Gem that fell out… ”Tiara… what the hell are you doing?” I muttered, knowing there was only one person that could do this. “This is going past ‘protecting me’ at this point…”

“Tiara did this? Shit… your Ex is insane.” Gallon said.

“I know the Time Walkers are after her cause she’s now a ‘Rogue Time Walker’ but… this is getting insane.” I said, shaking my head as I started to collect the Time Gems and Cloaks… they don’t deserve to just stay here in bumfuck nowhere…

“Think this is what Armageddon ment?” Micheal asked.

“I don't think so… this is fucked yeah but look around. Regardless of how strong Tiara is, there's no signs of a proper battle. All these Time Walkers and not one was getting an attack in?” Tina asked.

“Then that either means something weird happened, or there’s a pocket dimension here.” I said. “If we’re talking in video game terms…Super Bosses tend to be in alternate realities and Tiara would definitely fit the bill…”

“Since when have any of the… okay a Void Dungeon kind of did that but still.” Micheal said.

“But she's not a monster… right?” Gallon asked.

“Time Walkers and Void Admin’s, along with Void Dungeon’s of a certain level are the only things that can Permanently Kill people.” I answered. “Tiara…I don’t want her to be a monster…she shouldn’t have to , she should be home…with me and our kids, being happy and…just not… this .” I motioned to the violence here.

“Well whatever she's doing… there a lot of bloo-” Tina was saying, right before her head hit the floor.

Gallon was knocked away by nothing.

Micheal too.

I felt pain as what felt like metal claws dug into me and ripped me open. Regeneration taking home as Tina’s head was reattaching itself.

We quickly looked around only to notice nothing. No scents or magic or… anything-

“Brr-AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!”

Primal fear flooded me as Tina and I turned, seeing a monster that wasn't there before now walk half-hazardly around the airport.

It was taller than Tina, pulsated with sickly gray flesh and patches of metal. It's hands ending in metallic claws and…

…

Scan!

[Scan Complete!

BOW Time Walker Volitile Nokori!

Rank: ???

HP: 10,000/Max+

MP: 55,000/Max+

Att: 25,000/Max+

Def: 15,000/Max+

Resistance: 12,000/Max+

Special Ability: Temporal Shift - Timing is Key when dodging or attacking.

Special Ability: Nokori God's Mark - The Nokori God will know when this creature has been killed.]

I…I was dumbstruck, flabbergasted… shocked to see that a fucking Time Walker was…that Alex got… that Tiara would allow this…I…I don’t…I…something snapped…I don’t know what, but something did. “Oh… OKAY, SURE! ” I shouted, not sure what level of anger I was feeling at this as it went way past my shock and horror and just…I don’t know…as knowing Tiara gave up on me…gave up on her family, used Alex to turn me and other’s like Hero into Nokori…to support Alex into doing this horseshit , I just can’t… I just can’t and I will not let more suffer because of some predetermined bullshit!

I didn’t even bother to time it, all I knew was that I had to murder this fucking thing , as I grabbed onto it’s metal claw that tried to rip into my stomach again, and I crushed it, feeling my fire burn way hotter than it ever has before, feeling the Volatile Nokori struggle against my grip as I grabbed it by it’s throat and chokeslammed it into the ground, an eruption of Lava surrounding us as it vanished from my sight, from my hands but I knew it was still here.

I felt my wing’s get ripped off, but I impaled myself and the Nokori with a Spike of Obsidian, hearing it roar again in pain as it vanished, breaking off the obsidian in my gut as I spun around and slammed my fist into the monster’s face before it could strike me, sending it flying out of the ring of lava I summed as I flew with new regenerated wings towards it.

I don’t feel pain, I don’t feel sorrow, I don’t feel betrayal as I grabbed onto the monster again before it could disappear as I used it’s leg as a handle and slammed it into the ground repeatedly like a sledgehammer.

All I felt was Unyielding, World Shattering Rage!

“HOW FUCKING COULD YOU TIARA!?” I roared, punting the creature into the Airport wall that was melting from my rage, lunging into it as the creature tried to fight back. “I STILL HELD OUT HOPE FOR YOU AND THIS IS WHAT I GET!? YOU WORKING WITH THAT CUNT ALEX FOR NO FUCKING REASON!?” I shouted at no one in particular as I grabbed it’s arm and ripped it off, the sickening sound of flesh combined with the creaking and whining of metal was what greeted such an effort as I smacked the beast with it once before it vanished again, even it’s severed arm was gone. “THIS ISN’T FOR ME ANYMORE IS IT!? THIS IS NOW JUST SOME PETTY BULLSHIT WITH DARK GRAY HUH!? DO YOU EVEN CARE WHAT’S HAPPENING ANYMORE!”

I turned spun, looking around for anything as I knew this whore was watching me, waiting, taunting me with it’s petty as shit timing bullshit, only for me to feel it’s claw punch through my stomach as it stared at me…fucking stared at me, as I grabbed onto it’s head with both hands. “If you care, you will save this pathetic attempt at Alex’s bullshit continuing on, if you care, you will come and tell me why this is happening…” I growled, slowly crushing the thing’s skull as it shrieked, struggling against me as it couldn’t bring out it’s arm, it couldn’t cut off my own hands as I was in full Rage Mode with a fantastic Ability that let me ignore their attacks while it lasted.

I watched it’s eyes flicker, it’s monstrous eyes that killed so many Time Walkers flicker with fear as blood started to pop out of it’s head, it struggling to phase out of Reality but when it did, even the slightest moment I stopped feeling it, I sent a jet of fire into it’s arm stuck in me that caused it to flinch in pain , seeing it struggle, seeing it grow from a mindless beast to a panicked and cornered animal…to see what my Diamond was willing to do, and willing to work with …the sound of it’s skull getting squished like a Watermelon, it’s blood spraying all over me as I set the thing on fire, as hot and bright as I could make it as it’s twitching corpse was struggling against me, as I would turn this into nothing, not even a speck of Ash will be used by that fucker Alex to reuse.

I heaved and after a while I felt the aches and tiredness… felt like so much was… no longer on my shoulders…

…

[Notice! Obtained the Title; The Flames That Burned Time!

Notice! Obtained the Title; Time Killer!

Notice! Obtained the Dark Title; Successful Test!]

…

“I hate this…” I muttered, looking up what my new ‘Titles’ were. “I especially hate that I’m a fucking SUCCESSFUL TEST! ” I shouted in rage at that particular fucking bit.

[The Flames That Burned Time: Against Time Magic and Monsters, you deal 20% more damage and receive 20% less damage. Using Fire deals an additional 50% Damage.

Time Killer: You have Killed a Time Based Monster. You can now make use of and examine Time based Objects, Entities and Dungeons.

Successful Test: The Nokori God has deemed your test results acceptable. He will speak with you shortly.]

I was shaking as I saw that last line…I clenched my fists as everything about me felt like I was about to explode . “OH! So the fucker want’s to see me now! Well that’s fucking fine and dandy!” I shouted, looking around as I was about ready to smack that smug look off his face as I’m pretty sure he’ll walk in, slow clapping like some cartoonishly evil assfuck to ‘congratulate’ me.

“Rather interesting choice of words.” I spun around, seeing Alex was already behind me. A clipboard in hand and writing something down.

I charged. Then I was immobile. Stuck in pose able to move nothing but my head and only my head.

“Did you really think that would work?” He asked with a raised brow.

“What do you want you rabid moose knuckle?” I growled.

“Disregarding if that was even a word,” He said, reaching out and yanking a feather off the wings on my head. “Sample. I suppose you also earned a-” Alex stopped, raising a hand over where Tina rushed in and punched. She also froze in place. “Do you mind?” He asked her. “Hold on… you're that other one's sister, aren't you?”

“How do you know Tony?” Tina asked. “What did you do to him?”

“Nothing. He attacked. I defended. Nothing more to say.” Alex said as he turned back to me. “Now then, as I was-”

Bang!!

Alex grabbed the rather large bullet that almost hit his head.

“Are manners a dying skill?” He asked, a snap of his fingers and Micheal and Gallon were on his other side. Appearing in a flash of code. Another snap and they collapsed unconscious. “Ah. Jefferson's batch. Simple subspecies.”

“Considering who you are and what you’ve done, and also what you sent to try and murder the four of us…are you really surprised?” I asked carefully. “So…a ‘reward’ as you were trying to say?”

“Murder you? No. That test subject was sent here to collect the Gems, Cloaks and Keyblades Tiara left behind in her slaughter.” Alex said flatly. “You were just here when it arrived.”

“Well you’re not getting any of those things.” I stated. “But… again, ‘the test was a success’...so what is my reward oh ‘God of Nokori’?” I asked, playing off his Title here as I’m just…done with today right now.

“Ah yes.” He nodded, putting a hand on my head. I wanted to at least bite him…

[You have Received the Mod Ability: Core of The Earth.]

“Core of the Earth…” I muttered, looking up to see what that Ability was cause that sounds…rather dangerous especially given it’s a Mod ability.

[Core of The Earth: The magma of your biology has been changed to that of The magma deep within the core of the earth. Upon using this ability, you will evolve into a Burning Earth Phoenix.]

“Going to have to see that later…” I said carefully. “So…what was the point of this?”

“Care to elaborate?”

“...The test, the killing Time Walkers and turning them into Volatile Nokori, collecting what’s left of them?” I asked. “Why is Tiara working with you ?”

Alex chuckled. “I believe the situation is the opposite. I'm working with her . For her, even. I still have my own goals but as long as I don't step out of line, she doesn't care what I do.”

“...And this isn’t ‘out of line’?” I asked.

“Her exact words were ‘So long as Button Mash is still breathing, you can do whatever you please’. She's still so smitten with you, sad honestly.”

“...It’s not sad…” I said carefully.

“Call it whatever you wish. Her only priority is completing the Armageddon Quests and keeping you out of them. Already has a little brat to dump the responsibility onto. Naive as one can get but what do you expect from a holder of Heaven's Gate key.”

“...She already has one of the kids?” I asked worriedly. “That’s…that’s not good at all.”

“Why is she doing all this?” Tina asked.

“Like he said…she doesn’t want me involved, and is letting whatever nonsense happen to keep me out of it…” I sighed bitterly.

“But why? Why is she doing all this to keep you out of it?” Tina asked.

… I… actually don't know why specifically…

I looked to Alex. “Do you know why she’s specifically doing this? Since you seem to know so much?”

“The main Quests lead to the transformation of Armageddon, the opening of The Afterlife, a bridge between The Machine all Isekai come from, and the birth of a Second Mother. She's trying to keep you from becoming the Second Mother.”

…

“...What?” I asked. “That’s…okay, I get the connection between the Afterlife and the Machine but…a Second Mother?”

“And… she's trying to prevent Button from becoming it?!” Tina asked.

“Yes.” Alex said simply.

“Why would we need a Second Mother and why would I need to become her?” I asked in confusion.

“Why the need for a second Mother? To allow Time to exist properly in this reality. Why you? Don't know.”

“Right…” I said slowly. “Okay that’s…a lot to process here.”

“Either way, my work here is done.” Alex said. I hit the ground as Tina and I could now both move again.

“Hate this so much…” I grumbled, hating how I couldn't do a damn thing against this asshole but I have…a lot of new questions that’ll probably never get answered. “So just going back to work or to inform Tiara about this?”

“I'll be leaving soon. My work in the New Foundation is done.”

“Got all the ‘samples’ you needed huh?”

“And then some.” Alex said as he turned to leave.

As he did I could see Tina looking ready to attack him again.

“Don’t…” I said to Tina, as I saw him turned around…about to just walk away with everything he ever wanted, holding my entire family hostage effectively while playing the ‘good doctor’...I want to attack him so fucking bad as I felt my rage about to explode again but he stopped a bullet that hurt Fate with his bare hands, he stopped both me and Tina when we were both capable of killing that Time Monster…

“It's not right…” She growled.

“No…it’s not.” I said, as he just…walked away, having gotten everything he ever fucking wanted and me not being able to do a damn thing about it…

As he left I held my breath. Eventually a Code Portal opened and he walked inside.

When it closed I felt… like crap.

“Damn it…” I growled, getting up slowly and just…collecting all the cloaks and Gem’s and apparently Keyblades again. “Just purely fucking helpless…glad Tiara want’s me to be that way…”

“... What do we do?” Tina asked as she kneeled down and tried to wake up Micheal and Gallon.

“We keep going, ignoring Tiara’s attempts to stop me because fuck this, fuck her, I’m tired of being completely fucking useless and helpless to everything and everyone around me.” I stated. “I know she still loves me, and I still love her to…but at a certain point you just have to look your girlfriend in the eye and tell them to get fucking bent.” I said, cause yet again other people keep telling me how I’m supposed to live my life, how I’m supposed to be, and currently a lot of it is be helpless and useless for all eternity and I’m fucking done with it.

Tina sighed. “This is all so messed up…” Tina sighed.

“That’s what happens when everyone keeps dictating your life, where you are bound to others will’s and whims and you’re not allowed to do a damn thing or else you’ll lose everything you care about.” I rolled my eyes. “Tried to find a way to end Breeders? Lose ten years with my family and help David start breeding Hackers. Try to actually do thing’s for this quest? Have your Time Walker GF tell you to go fuck yourself and sit at home or else she’ll practically send some douche canoe to kill our children.” I stated. “Not like she cares that our children were literally on death’s door if I ever bothered to do something, but who cares, she can see the future and knows best, so who am I to fucking argue?”

“Button-”

“Not like I have a life or agency about things, I need to have it all fall neatly into some predetermined bullshit that everyone else want’s, why am I allowed to have a life ya know?” I asked. “Why should I be strong for my family when everyone else is going to do a thing, leaving me useless and hopelessly outgunned when everything I know about can be taken away,” I snapped my talons, a hill some distance away blowing up in a burst of flames. “Like fucking that ?”

Tiara just… looked at me… Then her eyes got wide.

“So that's it?” I paused, then turned… Tiara. “You really won't give up?”

“Alex literally held our children at Gun Point, why in the name of fuck would I let that lie down-” I asked.

“On my orders.” She cut in.

“...Your orders were to threaten our children's lives…to make me feel helpless…just so…what? I don’t become the Second Mother who can just immediately spawn me back in with you?” I asked, cause everything I’ve heard in this Reality is that ‘if the Mother says it is, it is’.

“Is that really what you think? That being The Mother can just magically make all your problems and worries better?” Tiara asked me, taking a step forward.

“Would certainly make some problems and worries better.” I said, taking a step forward as well cause I’m not backing down here. “Tiara…what the hell is happening?”

“... I can't…” She said. I was about to growl… until I saw the blood dripping out her hood… like tears. “I can't let you suffer that fate…”

…

“...Is it… really that bad?” I asked worriedly. “Cause…couldn’t I just…as a Mother, bring myself back to be with you either way? Everyone said the Mother is capable of anything …” I said, so confused and now concerned and scared about all of this.

“No, no, no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no!” She said, heaving as her eyes glowed bright neon blue… her fur coat was a metallic gray and black, her mane pitch black and tied into a ponytail… “I won't let you get that far!” She shouted and the ground cracked. Huge gorges spreading out from her. “I can't!”

“Tiara calm down!” I shouted in panic, trying to move towards her even as the energy tried pushing me away.

“No!” She shouted again, this time Blue chains in the shape of hour glasses wrapped around me. “I warned you!” The air cracked. “I tried to tell you bluntly to stop!” The sky cracked. “I'm trying to save you, you stupid, stubborn stallion!!! ” She shouted. The chains whipping me face to face with her as… code began to run across her skin. “I will do whatever it takes to prevent you from becoming the Second Mother… even if you hate me for the rest of time.” She said, putting her clawed hands to my face.

Oh wow… I feel… weirdly… cozy… everything around me is all soft and… warm and… kind of squishy.

“Oh thank every God you're awake!” Tina's voice called out.

Tina?

I forced my eyes open. I was in her arms. Wow, she looks… bigger than normal?

“What?” I thought, now super confused as I brought my talons to my face to see if there was any markings she left. “What happened?”

I felt my face and… why do my talking feel… softer?

“This is uh… what?” I heard Gallon say. I turned, seeing him, okay why does it feel like I'm so high up? And why do Gallon and Micheal look so huge?

“So uh… Button… Tiara seems to have done… a thing… a rather unexpected thing… first off um… if you can understand me, try and speak or… blink.”

I tried to speak-

“Bwab.” Was all that came out.

“... Does that count as a yes?” Gallon asked.

“Ba!” I tried to speak again but that came out. “Why am I a baby!?” I thought in a panic, looking down to see that…wha? Why am I a baby!?

“Easy, easy…” Tina said, rocking me in her arms and… oh why is that so soothing…

“So this is uh… something.” Micheal said.

“Very much so yeah…” Gallon added.

“What do we do? Go to a doctor or… a curse breaker or… a hyperbolic time chamber?!” Tina asked.

Soothing rocking…

“Tiara…why? I…I don’t know why you’re doing any of this…” I managed to think, trying to stay awake but…the rocking felt so soothing.

…

…

…

Ah!

I woke up with some mild panic. Crap I fell asleep! Okay, where am- okay looking around I think I'm in the nursery back home and…

…

Oh no… no, not a diaper! Oh this is every level of humiliating!

Okay maybe I can see something stats wise… wait, where's my HUD and- oh no! The assistant doesn't activate until age five ! If I'm genetically also a baby it must have switched itself off!

“This isn’t fair!” I mentally whined. “What did I do to deserve this indignity!?” I mentally shouted…but then… ”Wait! Why didn’t I go back to my original body? What about my baby!”

I tried to sit up-

… I was staring at another baby in the crib with me. They were a boy if the blue onesie meant anything. Where a winged fox and… oh… there's my baby…

I did sigh in relief but rolled back on my back and huffed.

“Okay…so my baby is okay…but I still have no idea why Diamond is so adamant about me not being a part of this?” I thought to myself, really wishing I knew what was going on cause this is just weird, concerning…and humiliating…

I heard something. I managed to roll to my side, and I saw some eyes peer at me. I wanted to use my fire to-

… Use my fire to light up the room…

Crap why can't I use my Phoenix fire and magic?!

“Wow, you really are a baby…” I blinked. I know that voice! Jada! My daughter slithered into the little bit of light and up to my crib bars. “Weird… like some weird Rugrats thing…”

“Oh come on…” I thought to myself bitterly, staring at her as if to tell her ‘yeah yeah, laugh it up’ as I just pouted.

She reached a hand through my crib… a finger poked my belly. I laughed, quickly covering my mouth. Why did that tickle so much?!

Jada chuckled. “You're kind of cute as a baby, dad… feels weird to address a baby as dad…”

“Yeah yeah…” I thought bitterly, as I’m now literally helpless and useless for Mother knows how long and I still don’t know why Tiara did this.

“Don't worry too much. I overheard Tina say she, Micheal and Gallon are gonna take you to the Eternity. Apparently they have a doctor there that specializes in magic curses and such. So, maybe he can help?” She offered, looking down before speaking again. “... Moms are all very worried about you. Cheerilee is panicking, Sweetie doesn't know what to think. Cheat doesn't know what to do, and Philomena is just hoping that at worst you have to age back to normal the uh… long way.”

“Yeah, of course everyone would be panicking, I just turned into a toddler because Tiara can’t answer a simple question.” I thought bitterly. “I…just wish I understood why…”

I felt a shift as Jada reached in and pulled me out, giving me a hug. “... I'm worried to… I just got used to having you back and as my dad and… I sent you there… I just wanted to be useful and now…” She shuddered as I felt and heard Jada tearing up. “I'm sorry…”

I hugged her the best I could. “It’s not your fault Jada…” I thought to myself sadly. “You just wanted to help…”

Sadly, my mental words couldn't reach her, and she cried hugging me.

The next day came and firstly, being a baby sucks more than I was already expecting. Zero bladder control! It just comes out! And while… the nursing isn't so bad… it's so easy to get too full and then I throw up!

All of this is just… ugh!

But the worst thing is…

“It's not that bad Button.” Tina said, pushing me along in the admittedly oversized stroller as I was covered in an orange onesie.

I sat up and glared at her.

Her ears fell flat but she gave a nervous laugh. “Sorry… I'm a Den Mother and now you're a baby and… I just can't help it, I need to mother you!”

“A sentence that will stick with him long after he regrows into an adult.” I heard Micheal say from the side and out of my view.

“That stroller is massive.” Gallon said from also outside my view in this giant thing.

“It's special for large Den Mothers like me to carry all our pups.” Tina stated.

“This fucking bites…” I thought bitterly. “Really hope whatever Doctor they have can fix this…I doubt it will cause Code is some miracle maker but still…”

“Well this is all nine levels of weird… also why a baby?” I heard Micheal asked.

“Maybe in her enraged state Tiara thought Button was being a big baby and figured ‘then be a baby!’” Gallon said.

“I dunno…” Tina sighed. “I didn't know Tiara that well, but I do know she seems hellbent on keeping Button from becoming the Second Mother.”

“Maybe all that power comes at a price people don't know about? That's how that crap usually works right?” Gallon said.

“Well it would be really fucking weird if I meet the people that made the First Mother.” I thought to myself, cause if a Second Mother needs to be made , who’s to say the first Mother wasn’t created the same way? “Would be really weird if the first Mother was also created…really hope I’m wrong…”

We arrived at The Eternity and the doctor was-

“Plague Doctor SCP!” Tina yelped at seeing the bird mask man. She scooped me up and was growling at him.

“Please, miss, I was cured of the curse that made me seek a cure to an illness that did not exist and no, l no longer kill on touch.” The Plague Doctor said calmly. “I am now the head of the Eternity's curses and some minor Code based afflictions cure and reversal division.”

“Huh…that is rather interesting.” I thought to myself honestly.

“Come on Tina, that is the Doc. At the very least he can tell us what's up with Button.”

Tina sighed, putting me down on the examination table.

The Plague Doctor leaned in and looked me over, gently using a finger to move my head at the chin. “Interesting. Very interesting indeed.”

“So you can see what's up?” Micheal asked.

“Indeed. Your friend here has had a Code Rewrite.” The doctor said.

“That sounds bad…” Tina winced.

“Could have been worse.” The doctor said. “Button Mash, all his memories, emotions, all of it is the same. No changes there. But his biology has been altered slightly and his stats, a bit more so.”

“Come on Tiara…how desperate are you with this?” I thought in confusion and concern.

“What do you mean by that?” Tina inquired.

“For starters, his regeneration has been changed. From now on, whenever Button is regenerated from an HP of zero, he will regress into an infant state as you see here. That in itself isn't so bad but I'm afraid the main issues are the Code Scripts attached…”

“Why though!?” I thought incredulously.

“And what other problems did Tiara throw at Button?” Tina asked. “Cause reverting his age already sounds weirdly desperate to make Button not do things…what other nonsense did she throw his way?”

“For starters, if I'm reading this Code Script right…” The doc said, giving another look at me as he spoke. “Every time Button does revert back to an infant, his stats are reset as well. It also appears she placed a hard cap on his HP, Defense and Resistances. They can't surpass five hundred. His MP and Physical Stats however are unaffected, so spellcasting and item usage won't be an issue. It also seems Button can not gain any EXP until he is age sixteen at minimum.”

… Oh fuck!

“Okay…uh…the EXP thing is okay-ish…but why the fuck did she hard cap my stats!? Why is she this desperate!?” I thought in a panic.

“Okay, this is going a bit overboard on the ‘‘don’t get involved’ bit…” Tina said carefully.

“It can be removed, however it's passcode protected and I can bet a failed entry would reset Button back to an infant again.” The doctor said.

“Great…” I thought bitterly.

With that, Tina, Micheal and Gallon took me home… so looks like it's the long route…

Well, if my stats, save MP and Physical are hard capped I can definitely make use of weapons and armor. Never needed it before but now I will have to abuse items.

Just a whole lot of sleeping and nothing… this sucks…

[Bzzzzz- Ker- Zzz!]

Appeared in my vision.

… What?

[... Bypass Code Accepted. Activating Assistant…]

What?

[Player and Estate Titles Active!]

“Hold up what!?!” I thought in a mild panic.

[Oh well… aren't you just so tiny. Finally look how you act.] Estate said.

…

Holy shit!

“Estate!? How did you bypass Tiara’s code work!?” I thought quickly.

[I didn't. Third party entered in the bypass Code. Looks like someone in the Family likes you.]

“Cool, looks like someone isn’t happy with Tiara taking too much control of their game.” I thought to myself. “Sucks that I’m still part of a dumbass game but at least I’m not hardstuck because of her desperation.”

[Well looks like most my functions are the same, unfortunately the Hard cap still applies to me… oh hello! New function!

• Innocent Eyes: Use RP to see past the tangible.
• Party Pick-me-ups: When an infant or child, you can act cute and bestow boosts to your party members, also earning RP!
• Baby Talk: Can understand infants (Costs 10,000 RP, single purchase.)]

Woah… odd but I'll take it!

“Okay, at least these thing’s are useful.” I admitted. “Still sucks that I’m hard capped on stats for no fucking reason…do you know anything about the Heaven’s Sent quest?”

[Nope!]

Crap.

[Notice! Player Title Active!

Generating Daily requirements!

• Nurse your fill 0/2
• Nap for 6 hours 0/6

Rewards: Party Loot Boxes (CC Rank)]

Huh… well at least they adjusted to reflect what I can do at my age… also, Party Loot Boxes? Hm.

“Well…at least there’s some upside to this.” I thought to myself.

Still, stuck like this. Well, maybe I can try and knock out the Player stuff now… only I'm not tired- Oh come on!

“Are you okay Button?” Cheat asked as she lifted me up. “You seem fussy. And you got that annoyed look on your face. Like when you want to do something and something is inconveniencing you.”

“Yo anyone- ah Cheat!” Micheal said as he ran out his place’s door and over to Cheat and I. “Did Button just… do something?” He asked.

I pointed to my Assistant and tried to make some baby charades saying that it works now.

“He's doing this.” Cheat said.

Curse you baby body! Why is it so hard to move!

“So what happen on your end?”

“Well, I was looking at the Custodies I have and Button, after turning into this went from FFF to FF.”

Cool I went up a rank! Also FFF?! … Actually fair, I'm a baby. I must have went up a rank because of Estate and Player! Damn it I need to talk! Wait- that's it!

I made noises and tried to motion to the toddlers toy chest. I might not be able to to talk or grip a pen to write yet but I can easily push buttons!

“... The toy box?” Cheat asked me.

I nodded, making pressing motions in hopes that they’ll get it.

“Wait, I think…” Micheal said, heading over to the toy chest. After a bit he came back out with it. One of those crappy fake laptops that all it does it press the oversized letter buttons to spell basic words. An educational toy that will let me talk !

Cheat put me on the floor and Micheal opened it and placed it in front of me.

I smiled and started to press buttons. “My Assistant Works!” I typed out.

“Wait what?!” Cheat asked.

“How? What happened?” Micheal asked.

“I don’t know, someone put in the Bypass Key for thing’s and let me use my Assistant, Estate and Player are both functional as well.” I typed out to the best of my baby handed ability.

Ugh. Now I'm getting tired…

“Okay that's crazy.” Cheat said.

“I'll say…” Micheal said.

I reached out to type some more…

…

…

…

…

Bwa!

I woke up again… shit. Baby body so weak. Can barely write! At least I can communicate now! And hey, Player says I slept for the full six hours!

… And was Nursed twice already…

…. Huh…

“When…uh…okay, never mind, but I got the party loot box thing…” I thought, trying to let Player do it’s thing to give me the reward

The box floated above me. I could hear some Woahs in the distance and when it opened- oh you got to be kidding me…

[Pacifier of Calmness

Rank: CC

Class: Special Item

When sucking, this pacifier relieves all sense of stress, anxiety and helps induce sleepiness.]

… Well at least it's appropriate…

“Appropriate? Yes. Embarrassing? Also yes…” I mentally grumbled.

A little while later, Tina, Gallon and Micheal came in with the items they got.

… It was all also embarrassing.

Tina got a baby holder that perfectly let her carry, nurse and keep me close against her basically at all times, and it sounds as armor! With decent stats too…

Gallon got a baby bottle that despite being no bigger than a normal one, can hold up to twenty gallons of liquids

Micheal got a blue onesie that, when worn, gives be more cold resistance and is also armor with decent stats…

“So cute~” Tina said as she had me in the onesie already and was trying to get the baby holder on.

“So a Party Loot Box, but they all had items that better help Button right now… that's odd…” Micheal hummed.

I nodded, concerned at how fast Tina put me in this onesie and how eager she seems to put me in that baby holder.

“Well…this could be better…” I thought, wanting my TTS tablet at this point back to talk.

“Baby onesie that's armor, baby carrier that's fully covering and also armor… bottle that holds a lot of milk… Feels like someone wants us to take Button into the Hazard Zones as a baby?” Gallon said.

“Absolutely not.” Tina said.

“Tina you dragged Kid, a child not even yours, to one of the monsters Dangerous Zones on this planet…” Micheal deadpanned.

“And I will live with that forever but Button is much younger and I don't want him getting hurt!” Tina countered.

“Ba!” I said, raising my hands and pressing buttons to try and talk. Micheal handed me the thing and I started to type. “This is embarrassing as shit…” The TTS said for me.

“Language!” Tina said.

“Tina's he's a grown ass man in a baby's body…” Micheal said.

“In my head I know that but my eyes see baby and my instincts are screaming to mother him!” Tina said, grabbing me and putting me in the-

Holy crap it's warm in here! And I'm right between her uh… top assets…

“... It's gonna be very awkward when he's an adult again being around you.” Gallon said.

“Feels awkward now… I mean, Button and I are casual bed buddies and have kids together! Now I'm caring for him as a baby and any time I get memories of… before he turned baby I find myself shoving them away because I see baby him and just want to coddle and care for him.” Tina sighed. “This whole situation is just weird and all I can do is mother him til he's old enough or when he needs it again.”

“You think Button will regenerate back into a baby often?” Gallon asked.

There was silence.

“...Honestly I would legit find David to get rid of that Baby Mode at minimum, cause that’s too far.” I had the TTS go off.

“What makes you think he can do anything? Also… hearing that mechanical voice come out of Tina's Tits is some Unrated Adult Comedy movie shit.” Gallon laughed.

“He is a powerful Hacker. Maybe he can do something?” Micheal hummed.

“It is funny to think yes, but also he might know what password Tiara is using…or just break it in general if possible.” I typed up.

“Nothing is ever that easy for us…” Micheal sighed. “Plus we don't even have means to contact him.”

“Meaning Button could be in potty training ten times over before we see him again.” Gallon added.

“Correct…which blow’s…”

“Alright enough of that.” Tina said, reaching and taking my TTS from me.

“Really?” Micheal asked.

“He needs his sleep, plus the vibrations were tickling like crazy when it went off.” Tina said.

Curse you giant wolf mommy of mine!

…

Did I just refer to Tina as my mommy?

Did I just think the word ‘mommy’ to describe someone as such without a lewd secondary meaning?!

“...The baby brain rot is acting up…oh no…” I thought worriedly.

The following weeks were more of the same. Being a month old, even with the TTS, not much I can do when after a short while I get super tired and need to sleep.

When I am awake I'm either being Coddled and Mothered by Tina, who has agreed to basically raise me as to not make it more awkward for my partners, even though they visit.

My kids especially have taken to me being a baby… largely alright. Surprisingly.

That being said, poor Yuri has been on the clock keeping track of my other Breeders and resetting their ‘Needs Timers’ so they don't go crazy.

Really need to find David…

“This fucking sucks…” I thought bitterly, cause while this would be fine in any other circumstance… just… Tiara’s tears… her desperation to the point she'd be fine if I hated her… why is she so adamant about this?

I was stuck with a lot of nothing in my crib at the moment-

“Wow, Tiara did a number on you…” If I could I'd have jumped, seeing David just appear leaning over my crib. “Fucking hell…”

I nodded, pointing over to the play laptop for him to bring it over to me, I immediately typed up “Hey…a little help?”

“... Heh. That's actually adorable… but sorry… I can't.” He said, wincing at my expression.

“Why not?” I typed up. “Is it because Tiara is really good at this?”

“She's a Time Walker. They're trained to use Code like Admins in the event they need to… fulfill their guilds purpose and… kill a member of The Family… the other is because… uh… I'm… also working with her…”

“...I thought you worked for Dark Gray? Also come on man…” I typed up with a little whine.

“... I know you're upset but that looked and sounded so cute…” He chuckled a bit, taking a second to compose himself. “Okay, so yes I work for Dark Gray, but working with Tiara allows me to set up the Chaos Guild Games, the Code Keys… and to finally get me killed.”

“You really want to die?” I asked worriedly.

“... I spent a lot of time living just because I lived through my worst moments and kept walking. Got me where I am… not exactly a life worth living.”

“Well…unless you're dead set on it there might be ways to get you a better life to live.” I admitted through my baby typing. “But…mind if I ask why Diamond is so desperate for me to not be apart of this quest?”

“To prevent you becoming the Second Mother.”

“Why? Is it that bad? Can't I just make myself a new body if that happens?” I asked.

“... The Mother is… a single being. But she's made up of countless parallels of the same person, stretching as far back as the Old reality’s history, recorded and forgotten, went. When the Second Mother is created, the one to take that role will generate Time infinite in this reality, and across that infinity, merge with all other newly created versions of them that also reached that point within their new timelines. Now… imagine trying to stand out, to be aware of yourself in an infinite flood of your own merging, memories, hearts, souls, powers, across infinity. It's a fate almost like death.”

“See, if Tiara said that I would understand.”

“You would.” David nodded. “But you'd still have done it.”

“Someone has to.” I answered.

“And that is why she's trying so hard to keep you from it.” He said. “She knows you, knows what you will do, your allies and friends you will make and meet over the years, children you'll see and family grow… all to give yourself away and never see them again. To be damned and lost in the infinite parallels of you who did the same. A fate of ultimate power at the cost of losing yourself, to yourself. You'd sacrifice yourself to better creation… and she'd sacrifice herself to keep you living in it.”

“And as the Mother I can't just say ‘and back goes the Button’s’? I always heard whatever the Mother says goes.”

“It’s a more delicate existence than that. One missing piece, and the chain reaction can start small, but grow into a collapse. The Mother is a God in every sense of the word, an All Maker among the All Makers… but she's a prisoner to her purpose and to herself.”

“Not even with Code Clones or the like?” I asked, feeling like this was a massive design flaw if people just…lose themselves for all Eternity just to be something they technically aren’t. “And again…the Mother says it, it must be right? Like you said…”

“It's a sacrifice, Button. Plane and simple. No loopholes to exploit or abuse. This sacrifice needs to be permanent. Less the newly created time break, and reality collapse.”

“Then what’s the point then?” I asked, now confused why I would need to sacrifice myself and lose everything I know and love just to…make Time exist properly?

“A selfless act, to give up yourself, your freedoms and happiness for a role meant to make creation whole. The point? Who would you rather take on the role? You, or her?”

…

“...Honestly no one if the point is to become a dumbass for Martyr for…basically no reason.” I typed up, as Time hasn’t existed for a super ass long time so far so why throw away your life for something that so far hasn’t been needed?

“Then you'd be alright living your days here on Armageddon then? Your children and grandchildren generations from now? Til Madness takes you? Them? What Tiara is doing is to ensure you remain free. For yourself and your family. Yes, existence will keep on existing even if no one completes this quest. Doesn't mean you'll be happy here. This place is Dark Gray’s playground. Safety and happiness will only be ensured once the cage door has opened.”

“And yet everytime I say I’m doing this by my own rules I keep getting yelled at because of it…” I typed up with a huff.

“It's playing it by your rules that leads to you becoming the Second Mother.” David said. “Tiara has seen all the outcomes. All your choices. You would carry a burden if it prevents others from doing the same. A stubborn, selfish stallion so willing to throw himself to the tide just to prove he can swim. Her words. Funny thing really. The more one tries to deny or fight against something the more they are likely to end up where others wanted them to. Fate’s a bitch like that… Dark Gray is cruel enough to set it up.”

“So…again, my life has been preordained and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it…”

“That's why Tiara is trying to keep you here. Take your place in Dark Gray's game. From the moment you came here he's had his eye on you, knew you'd be bold, rash and violent enough to charge head first at everything he throws at you. Tiara is trying to keep you away from his game by taking your place and fighting him and his chess pieces before you. The only way not to fall into his traps, is to not fight him.”

“That’s not fair…none of this is fair.” I typed, as this entire thing was just bullshit with its ‘final self-sacrifice’ for no reason…

“No one ever said the path to becoming the Second Mother was a reward. As a Time Walker, Tiara is doomed to be forgotten and fade away from existence once she dies, forgotten by all even you. By becoming the Second Mother, she not only saves you, but at least you'd have your memories of her still. The only thing of her you'd be able to keep.”

“What? Why does there need to be a Second Mother to begin with at this point when we just want to get off planet? And why the hell would she fade from Existence?”

“Because time doesn't exist. She's bound to something that currently doesn't exist, so when she dies, there's only an empty hole in the memories of everyone because without time existing, properly, Time Walkers can't be remembered. After all, if something that dies is then forgotten, did it even exist? Without Time here, Time Walkers and so much more will forever be bound to be forgotten and have, basically, never existed. Pecator is a cruel bastard.”

“So just more people playing games with people's lives for the fuck of it.” I typed, the TTS not portraying the bitterness I felt.

“Dark Gray controls evil in this reality. Pecator leads the Time Walkers, but is known to be a bad person. I wouldn't be surprised if they did this on purpose for the hell of it.” David sighed. “So, what will you do Button? Keep picking up the sword? Or leave it behind?”

“I'd like to do my own thing, but I'm not allowed to.” I pointed out. “No matter what I do…it's always by someone else's design…”

“Such is the cruel fate of those who come to Armageddon. Of those Dark Gray takes interest in, and here you are stuck wanting to help but if you do, it's a fate ending being lost in yourself and to be taken away. Maybe when it's all over and Tiara ends this, you'll be free again.”

“Cause there's no other way, in a world of Free Will and Choice you're only allowed to do what your masters and overlords tell you to do.” I typed, my sarcasm and building anger not being able to be fully displayed but…all I felt is tears in my eyes cause this isn't fair.

“Ain’t that the truth…” David sighed as I saw him tap over his mark. “Freedom is only for those who just want to live day to day… not for the ones like us who get involved with matters like this… care for some advice from someone who's been through too much?”

“Sure…I'd like to know some advice while hating how this reality just wants boring 9-5’s instead of what it advertises constantly…”

“Find your peace… not everyone has to or wants to explore the unknown. If you want to explore, go for it… just… remember what makes you happy, who makes you happy. Just avoid the Main Quest. Heh… no offense but… I think I'd be sad if you were the one to kill me.” He chuckled, tapping his Assistant and pulling out several Code Keys. “For your Breeders… and Yuri. Given your state, best to not risk it.” He said as he put them on a nearby table.

“Thanks…but I know not everyone wants to, but this…it feels like the people in charge want it to be everyone.” I pointed out, still hating how I can't put inflections in this.

“Maybe, but ain't that the bitch? Free will to choose and many choose to do nothing? Maybe that is upsetting, but hey, who are we to judge?”

With that, David vanished before my eyes, just gone.

“This isn't fucking fair…” I thought bitterly.

“Come on Button, there's no need to be all pouty about this.” Tina said.

I frowned as I looked at her with a deadpan expression. I'm officially two months old now and Tina is still mothering me like she birthed me. The bunny outfit I was in being the newest onesie she's gotten and put me in.

“Why the bunny onesie?”

“Because it's adorable and you're too cute not to dress up.” Tina said.

“Don't worry… she does this with all her babies.” Lovely chuckled from her side of the bed. She pat my head with her hoof gently. “And she's not wrong, you are adorable.”

I pouted more.

“Not fair.” I typed.

“You know Button, I was thinking… technically you didn't finish school back on Equestria. I can probably enroll you in some early development classes.” Tina said.

“... Tina, he's not a baby baby…” Lovely frowned.

“I know that, but Button had a… lonely childhood… foalhood? Eh. Either way, if this is his second childhood, He should enjoy it and get all the proper experiences. Friends, education, sleepovers, the works.”

I hated puberty the first time… dealing with it again is gonna suck! More so now that I'm a Nokori… fuck it's gonna be different this time too… but I won't lie… learning all kinds of stuff via the schools here might be useful.

“You're lucky that some of this is okay…” I typed, my bitterness only held within my sadly adorable pouts.

“Even so, I think Button needs to be like, a year or two first for any of those classes.” Lovely said.

“I know, I'm planning ahead.” Tina said with a nod. She then picked me up, cradling me in her arms before putting me back into her baby holder she now wore almost 24/7.

“... Are you alright?” Lovely asked.

“Yes… no…” Tina sighed.

“We’ll find your family, I promise.” I typed up.

“It's not that…” Tina said as she pulled me out enough to have my head pop out. “I just… Don't know if I can keep doing this…”

“Keep doing what? Fighting or babying me?”

“Oh I can and will baby you for as long as you stay or regenerate back to this adorable little form.” She cooed, gently scratching my head. “It's the fighting… trying to fight only to be out powered and… for fucks sake I brought a child to deal with what was basically a variant of the Scarlet King just because I was too weak and panicked and… I know it worked out for the best in the end but… against that monster, I couldn't do anything. Against the fucker that made it… I couldn't do anything… I keep building myself up to just get… hit with a reality check that I can't do it…”

“I mean, Kid is literally the one being that was destined to face the Scarlet King.” I pointed out. “And…yes, I understand it sucks, it really sucks when this is all by design…”

“In my head, I know that but… does it make it right to put them in that position? Especially when they're still just a child?” She shook her head. “I do want to still help… but I can only help in what I know I can do… so, I'll do what I can but… for the most part, I'll be here at the home base doing what I know I can do. Be it caring for cute babies like you, or simple missions.”

“If you want, and Tiara has one of the kids she's ready and willing to throw at problems… the kids are the key to solving things sadly, that's not going to change…”

“... So we should go to her level then?” Tina asked, some anger in her tone.

“Them's the rules made by complete psychopaths that enjoy watching people suffer, if you do your own thing you're just playing into their hands, if you don't do anything the strong will take and take and take and there's not a thing you can do about it.” I managed to type that all out, but yawned after it…ugh, curse you baby stamina!

“... They should be kids… just a little while longer…” I heard Tina say before I fell asleep.

…

…

…

I woke up with a yawn. I was still in Tina's baby holder, keeping me firmly in this little nest of cloth against her top most cleavage. My TTS was missing. Guess she took it out after I fell asleep. Can't fault her, no one wants a tablet laying on a baby nor their own chest like that.

Based on the rocking, she was walking. Noise and such told me she was in town.

I hugged Tina. “Ba.” I managed to get out.

“Oh! Heh, spooked me Button.” Tina chuckled. “I'm just gonna have a talk with Romero and them at the bar.”

Huh.

I spelt out ‘Why’ into her fur the best I could. “Why would we need to see Romero?” I thought curiously.

“Heh! That tickles! But I felt what you spelled. I just want some updates regarding… Alex…” She said.

I nodded, nuzzling into her fur a bit as she walked. I heard a door open and a familiar bell ring. The smells made me drool. Damn I wish I had teeth! I miss eating solid food…

There was a shake as I assume Tina sat in a booth.

“Usual?” I heard the waitress, Trish I believe, speak out from somewhere.

“Yes please, and some cherry soda.” Tina replied.

I could hear the sounds of cooking from the kitchen. Muffled in my warm and cozy surroundings. The hoof steps of the waitress.

“Ah, you're already here.” Romero said. I heard him walk and I think take a seat on the other side of Tina. “And I take it Button is… also present?”

“Yes.” Tina said as I felt her nod. “He's awake too. Just too cozy to get out~” She added with a coo.

“... Right…” Romero sighed. “Well, in regards to the news about Alex… he's already gone. Place of address, workspace and all that. Empty. Clean even. Think he just showed off by cleaning it before leaving.”

“Shit.” Tina huffed. “And the kids he… ‘cared for’?”

“We're having the Plague Doc look them over now. So far there's one code script he's found and in his words, it's essentially a Package Bomb.”

“... How bad?” Tina asked. I felt her heartbeat increase.

“Basically it's a fully Code based Nokori Fusion with a randomizer on the creature, item and… if they turn into one like us… or a Volatile.”

“Oh my God…”

“Yeah…”

“Can it be removed?”

“Doc is optimistic. It's what he called a ‘Plug In’ Script, meaning it's not merged into their normal Code it's just attached like soldering mod chip wires to a motherboard. So it can be removed and that's what Tony and Shift are working on learning to do now.”

“... How many kids?”

“... At least five thousand.” Romero sighed. “Maybe more. Any kid from Infection Zone and all New Foundation Settlements is being scheduled to be checked as well as anyone who was within the age range in the ten years he was here.”

“...I'm not sure where Alex's bullshit ends and Tiara’s starts.” I thought, cause…Alex would do this, but Tiara would and has ordered him to do this.

… Tiara… are you that scared of losing me that you'd do something so horrible…

“Fucking hell…” Tina sighed as I felt things shift and get… a little tighter. She must be leaning on the table and rubbing her face. “So… what's the plan?”

“Now that Alex is gone we focus on two things. Removing his bombs and double, triple and quadruple checking to ensure there's not one left. Then we start counter offenses.” Romero said. “Two Admins can only do so much.”

“So you need to try and make more… okay. But aren't those Mother's Blessings items very rare?”

“Yes, but Mantis can easily deal with clearing one. All we need is Button’s Multiplier ability.”

… I felt myself smile a little.

“He's a baby still.” Tina said.

“Yes but Custodians have ways to use an ability and share it among their Custodies. Button wouldn't need to physically be there, just in the Custody.”

I frowned, but fair… can't do much as a baby…

“That… could work.” Tina hummed.

“Plus we're gonna test something else out.” Romero added.

I perked up and poked my head out of the carrier. “Ba?” I questioned cause I want to do a thing cause being a baby is so boring.

Romero burst out laughing.

“Button.” Tina said, gently patting my head with her fingers. “Awh. My cutie is all bored Isn't he?” She asked as she then pulled me out and held me in her arm.

“Pfft! Christ I am so glad the one time I turned into a baby it only lasted a week, and that I don't remember any of it.” Romero said through his laughing.

I frowned at him. Lucky. Was only stuck as a baby for a week…

“Anyway, you were saying about testing something?” Tina asked.

Romero took a moment and composed himself again.”Right, Right. Ehem. Anyway, yes. Have you heard of Core Stones?”

“That's some special gemstones that when put on weapons allow for all sorts of shenanigans.” Tina said.

“Yes, and Advanced Core Stones are that but also better.”

“As one would expect.” She nodded.

“Now, Normally a person who uses a Core Stone on themselves becomes a form of Living Weapon, locked out of Skill Trees and such because of some weird reason… but Nokori are an interesting exception to the rule.”

I nodded, trying to turn into a Void Phoenix cause I remember absorbing a Void Crystal a while ago.

…

…

“Is uh… is he pooping?” Romero asked.

“No.” Tina said, sniffing me. “Think he's trying to do something.

…

Well… this is embarrassing…

“In any case, the Core Stone let's us both gain the abilities and stats of whatever weapon or item the Core Stone absorbs, same as if it were applied to a weapon but doesn't lock us out of the Skill Trees. Now an Advanced Core Stone… that does a little more.” Romero continued.

I pouted, hating how my powers just don't want to work but I nodded along to what Romero was saying.

“What ‘little more’ can it do?” Tina asked.

“I imagine you've seen Rising of The Shield Hero?” Romero asked. Tina and I both nodded. “That, but apply it to a person and…”

“And all those insane forms, stats and abilities from simple fodder would be yours…” Tina said.

“Ba!” I said readily. “I know exactly where this is going!” I thought in excitement.

“So we use Advanced Core Stones plus Mother's Blessings on Volunteer Nokori, at minimum, Hackers, potentially, admins.” Romero said.

“Oh that can work!” Tina said happily. “Are there any volunteers now?”

“Holy volunteered herself. Mantis too. Tony is already an Admin but we're gonna get him an Advanced Core Stone too. The only thing we need now is to get them. They only appear as drops already attached to weapons titled as Heroes ‘blank’. But a Master Craftsman can deconstruct and take it off the weapon.”

“Which Saw’s boyfriend Scotch is!”

“Yup.” Romero nodded.

Holy crap we can… actually start to fight back!

I chirped in joy at hearing that as I waved a talon up to volunteer as well, baby body be damned.

“No.” Tina said, putting my little hand down. “Not till your older.”

“Gonna agree with Tina here. Plus the Core Stones are kind of… big, for your body. Unless you want to Steven Universe it.” Romero chuckled.

I pouted, cause I want to do cool things to.

“No amount of pouting will change our minds.” Tina stated.

I turned up to look at her, giving my best puppy dog eyes sad pout.

“... I'm too experienced as a mom for that to work on me…” Tina said flatly.

… Crap.