Lady Spike's Story

As the three of them left the lab, security in tow, Jack heard a voice he hadn't heard in centuries, yet it still rang clear and unmistakable.

"Dr. Warmoon?!" Jack smiled as he turned to see Vitas standing there, still as young looking and beautiful as ever. She was dressed all in red, must have been her favorite color. He ran up and gave her a big hug. He then pulled away so that she could get to Spike.

"It's been a long time, at least for me, not sure what the time difference is in this dimension yet. I ran into Spike here when I was pulled into this dimension. She took a door to the face, she wasn't fighting or anything. She was actually on her way to come find you." Jack explained when he saw the look of worry on her face when she saw Spike.

Jack was happy to see at least one person that he knew in this high-tech place. He was also glad to have technology again, things being pretty low-tech in Ulternarealm. He was actually looking forward to exploring this planet and all the unique things it had to offer in terms of tech and magic and the way people had integrated them into their lives.

"Huh?!?!....that was, surprisingly easy?"

Seeing the spectacle unfold before him he was quite shocked. After all, while these sort of plot elements happened quite a bit in real life it seemed, he literally just pulled Spike out of an Interdimensional Wormhole made with magic and science. However, as expected of a prince, he was able to pull himself together.

"Nice to see you again. What are you doing here?"

Acara was surprised to see that the person Spike was looking for, that he sort of knew, was there right in front of them to be sure. After all, he was absolutely certain there was no way for her to be alerted to this.

"Also, can we do this as we go? We still need to get them registered as having arrived, or else there will be huge hassles with legality. Even if they had passports, without directly reporting these things it will get seriously annoying...also, is that the new Nanofabric made from the Kukarian Spiders they found on the Dark Continent?!"

ANd somehow, Acara got distracted by Magitech stuff after saying himself they needed to focus on the objective...

Wolfbrown eyes went wide, it had been a year since she last saw Jack Frost, setting the boy free and shutting down the institute was one thing in and of itself, but to see him again. Without thinking she hugged him close. The words came in a rush but she nodded, most of it going over her head like how the Mirror Dimension worked. Not easy to explain if that. "The last I saw you was a year ago" Vitas said simply. "It is good to see you still alive, Master Frost" she pretty much gave him a title right then and there.

turning to Spike as Jack explained the situation she went thoughtful for a brief moment before nodding, it made sense. "That's one of the reasons I am here, a week ago on Denon Spike got sucked into a portal. I knew that this academy has prestigious mages to make portals of a certain strength so I came here for help on how to get Spike back." She stepped closer to the group and stood next to Spike, The outfit was intact, thankfully so, just colored differently. No matter, Vitas could fix that if Spike wanted her to do so.

Then she saw the condition of the womans wings, red was nice for feathers for sure! But when that red was blood.... "Not to worry, Second Prince. I think a derlay can be in order. If we rush, trouble may arise" Sure she spoke words of wisdom but sometimes that wisdom when taken literally, lead to more trouble. "Besides, in her condition, do you think Customs would want to see her ?" She meant Spikes injury.

Vitas held out a hand, a stream of steamlike energy stretched from her hand to Spikes ruined nose and began repairing it. Splintered flesh and cartilege was rebuilt as time reversed upon the wound. "It seems, Second Prince, that you aided me without thinking it.... Thank you" Vitas said to Acara.

There came a soft grunt from Spike as she started to wake up, her face tingled as Vitas healing magic and reversing what time did to her in the first place. bright eyes snapped open. "Did anyone get the number of the truck that hit me ?"

"Good morning sleepy head, you gonna sleep in or do you want a late brunch ?" Vitas asked

Jack was in amazement at the sight of Spike's nose being rebuilt in front of his eyes. He chuckled a little at the comment she made about the truck hitting her.

While Jack was still intrigued by the way the portal worked and he wished to talk more to the prince about it and all the advanced technology around here. He had spent the last five centuries using his powers to fight a war he shouldn't have been a part of, and now he was somewhere he wasn't sure he belonged either. At least here he would be able to use his powers for something other than fighting. It was kind of funny, the way Vitas had given him the tittle of Master Frost. If she only knew how much he'd been through and how he had earned the tittle of Master in the last realm he was in. His mind briefly drifted off to the night he had infiltrated Santa's castle and stole the Winter Diamond, essentially making him the master of all cryogenic based magic in that realm, and that was only the first of the elemental diamonds he had to steal.

He pulled himself back to reality and smiled as Spike woke up.

"I guess we really should get to the immigration office, I just know there's gonna be a ton of paperwork to fill out."

"I see...well, she kind of just popped out of a Magic based Wormhole portal I was trying to create..." Acara started in his explanation. "Even though there was a less then .0001% chance rounded up of someone or something coming through, it happened. I guess clichés are real. Anyways, the injury came from us getting hit by a door vigorously..."

"We are really sorry about that!"

"...and now, we were just leaving to get them registered. Since, those people will get really hardcode if you neglect this stuff, and as a prince, I do at least have to try and act princely and enforce such things".

Acara really did not sound, or at the moment look, like a Prince of the royal family though, but that was just his nature. In truth, currently the entire Royal Family could be considered oddballs. Acara was also someone who was said to be a hero, or have the potential to be one, or something.

"And, your welcome Vitas".

Ending with that, as the others spoke Acara gave it some time before he said something else.

"Well, there is a diner near the offices, Lazlo's Grill Out. We could eat there..."

Acara said that as his stomach growled, and he realized he didn't remember if he had breakfast or not...

"Sometimes the best ressults are from experiementation Second Prince. In doing whatever you did, you brought to me a friend I sought for a week now!" Vitas said happily as she helped Spike get to her feet. Spikes nose nearly finished rebuilding the destroyed cartalige and the skin begain regrowing upon it as if no damage had occured.

Spike smirked, running into a door, it wasnt the first time she had done that, nor was it the first time she had a door knock her out when it was opened into her face. She had to resist rubbing at her nose as time was reversed on her face. "What a rush though. Vitas, next time you make a portal to Nirn. Dont have me in the room." Not that she didnt like Skyrim, four years there was not her plan of events.

"Its not my fault it sucked you in to it when I wanted to go through myself." Vitas grumbled in a strange langauge. Now that she knew how to get to Nirn she could make a portal there easily, but could she get home ? There came a beep from the computer as Spikes wristphone finished charging, without thinking it Spike raised a hand, the device unpluged as if of its own qaccord and flaoted to her waiting hand, she slid it onto her wrist where it belonged.

Vitas turned to Acara. "I think a meal should be in order first. customs can come later." Vitas could pull some strings if it came to it to rush the two through immergration, Jack seemed horrified of paperwork and Vitas agreed, it was a hassel she could avoid pretty well just magicing it up out of nothing. "Or do we want them to starve waiting for paperwork ?" Vitas had a point

Then she saw that Acara was suddenly fixaited on the cloth that Vitas had on at that moment. Silk, satin and cotton mix, along with some fleece for warmth, it got cold some nights. Vitas looked towards the security team. If she had to she coulld magic a path out for Spike and Jack, but she didnt come to the academy to start a fight, no, she came to learn how to get Spike back where she belonged.

Jack loved the idea of getting food. He'd been so worried about getting the all the stones, that he couldn't remember the last time he ate. The mention of the grill made his stomach rumble loud enough for the others to hear it.

"Food sounds like a great idea, and yeah, not looking forward to the paperwork." Jack chuckled.

He followed the rest of the group, gazing on in amazement at the high tech things he saw as they walked to Lazlo's Grill. Even though he had lived through a few centuries on earth, Origin was far more advanced than anything he was used to.

"Well fine then. I mean, I don't like paperwork either, but I am told it would be bad if I don't enforce some stuff like this".

The way Acara worded it seemed oddly dangerous in a sense, but he was also hungry as he forgot to have his last meal so he also wanted food. He then took out a cell phone, and explained some things as they began walking towards their place of eating. Actually, in truth when they were done eating the paperwork was already going to be simplified since Acara would have his scribes handle most of the hasslesome stuff.

"I feel like I forgot something important...eh, oh well. It should be fine".

As Acara also said something dangerous like this, it was the leader of the security forces that remembered.

"Hey! Quickly! SOmeone go contact the Second Prince's Royal Guards! He is wandering off without them again!"

Actually, Acara had fighting ability himself that was exceptional, as he knew a lot of ancient magic. However, the Royal Guards were actually even tougher in some areas, and were considered the best warriors on the planet, if not some of the best in the entire universe.

And despite being a prince, Acara really had a tendency to...forget to act like one, but in a way that also made him popular with the people. Instead of being all worked up on formality, he was friendly, kind, casual, and easy to talk to and approachable. The Royal Family were oddballs this generation to be sure, but in a way that actually made them even more liked.

Spike was simply overjoyed to be with her boss, and best friend of all people, who seemed to know the boy, Jack Winters quite well, so when the suggestion of food was given Spike was all for it as her stomach growled, she felt like she could eat a horse, then again that was really all she ate in Skyrim, Horsemeat, wolf meat, and fox meat.

However it was the calling for the guards of Acara that got her undevided attention once again as Vitas ensured Spike was healthy and in one piece which she was, Spike, who before Vitas triggered her wings to grow in with magic, had a very slender build, ut with the addition of her wings, her body had to adapt in certain areas for balance, therefor, Spike was already well endowed before her wings, now greatly so

But that didnt matter at the moment. Spike then recalled that Acara had introduced himself as a Prince, but somehow she found it funny; the guy was a Prince of all things, yet.... he wasnt acting like one at the moment whatsoever. walking off without his guards for example. It made Spike snicker, about time she saw and spoke with a royal who actually didnt care to be such thing. Moast of the Jarls she met up with in Skyrim were stuck up stiff necked fucks that needed lessons taught to them. Like for example, Maven Black-briar.

Just thinking of that stuckup bitch made Spike inwardly growl and begin plotting, Vitas noticed the outward change in demanor however, though as Spike tried to remain polite she still ended up with a almost too good to be true look on her face. "What is it ?" Vitas asked her

"Its nothing just.... someone I remembered from Nirn, someone I.... want as a toy." Spike said in reply. Maven Black-briar.... as target practise. However her mind then refocused on food. and the fact that Vitas put something in her hand. Lifting the item she smirked, trust Vitas to always have the desired paperwork. Spike smirked again, her old Passport. she needed a new one apparently, the date was soon to end on it. "Im gonna need a new one of these" Spike murred softly in Arabic to her friend. Vitas just smirked.

Then she spoke up with a question "Is that BBQ place still on Eid Street ?"

Jack's eyes lit up at the mention of BBQ.

"I haven't had BBQ since I was back on Earth. Lantern had made something similar, but he never got the sauce quite right. It always lacked the right smokey flavor." Jack recalled as he remembered trying to describe BBQ to Jack O. Lantern. But it seemed to Jack that, unless it involved candy or pumpkin, Lantern wasn't really into it and he didn't consider it to be a Halloween food.

"Then after that we can get going to get the passports and stuff."

Jack followed closely to the group trying not to get too carried away watching everything around him. There was so much he could learn here, so much that he had missed the last 500 years and he was looking forward to staying here for a while if for no other reason than to hone his magic skills.

As the royal guards were currently running from behind to catch up with them...

"Yeah, I think that place is still there. I think I got lunch from it last week..."

Actually, Acara was so busy with an experiment he lost track of time. In truth what he just mentioned was his dinner.

"Although there is also the noodle place on Destara Lane, and then of course there is a few places on Labyrinth Street...but that place is weird, people get lost there all the time. And I think a minotaur wanders around there on occasion".

With that conversation being had, as the group went forward...

"Wait, hold on" he said, looking at Vitas. "Where are your body guards anyways?"

Says the one who forgot about his own.

"Destra Lane,.... isnt that where that one tattoo shop is at ?... Err... was at ?" Vitas mused, the look Spike gave her made the woman in red and black smile something of a goofy 'I didnt do it' smile. "No matter there" She then snickered at the mere thought of accidently blowing up a tattoo parlor. Because it WAS indeed entirely accidental. Some rumors float still but one rumor was put down flat out that someone gave her an orgasm in the place. Which was not true in the slightest due to certain events proving something else happened there.

Spike snickered then at the memory, however the mention of one of her favorite places to wander still standing "Is that tea house still in the middle of that ?" She meant the Maze Tree Tea House, something of a bar, grill and all around mosh pit when certain sports games were happening. It was built directly in the dead center of the maze itself.

On the subject of her bodyguards Vitas smiled as she said simply "Oh you mean them ?" She inclined her head slightly towards four black garbed helmeted figures at the four way intersection, they stood at attentiion, their outfits had all black, edged in what appeared to be dark blood red light in strange patterns, each one carried a polearm as long as he was tall. Their helmets were smoth, no visible seams. Seemingly made of digital components the four sentinel guards stood at attention and only moved into formation around even Prince Acaras guards

"Would you rather I have more or ?" Screw it she simply blinked, a good six more also appeared, equal in number to Acaras own ten guards. "Nevermind, i think we'll need them all at some point, unless this is just a lunch date" Vitas said, She saw how Spike was avoiding a certain stack of books Acara had brought along, literally keeping the boy between her and the seven forboding tomes.... "Though something tells me this wont be a simple lunch date now will it ?"

She said some of that quietly in a strange langauge, a langauge that Jack was sure to understand thanks to his alternate earth adventure for five hundred years. Egyptian was a fun langauge to speak, Spike snickered and rolled her eyes "Do I want to know ?" Vitas asked her best friend quietly

"No, unless you want Chulthu to hunt you endlessly in your dreams...." Spike replied. Vitas smirked softly, but her eyes went wide as Spike withdrew a Elder Scroll from her hip pocket. How her friend could pack such items into the thing so easily only Vitas knew, she had after all, given her friend that bag of holding to begin with. Holding the Elder Scroll, the one with the blood prohecy on it, out to her friend she said "I think you might find a use for this other then reading, according to a Moth Priest the Elder Scrolls can be made into powerful armor, or even better weapons." A flick of the wrist and Vitas opened a portal only large enough to transport a item, in this case the Elder Scroll {Blood}, as well as the other two {Sun} and {Dragon}. Once the three scrolls were secured by her magic the winged woman turned to Acara "If the noodle place is still there, and the BBQ place is still there, along with the tea house still there. What about the Taco Place on Life Spire ?"

Life Spire was the beach area

Jack was beginning to feel like a fifth wheel and all the talk of food was making him incredibly hungry. He remained quiet as they talked about body guards and Vitas pointed out the ones she had all around them watching from a distance.

He blushed a little when Vitas spoke in Egyptian. Though the dialect was a little different, he recognized the language from his time in the Sandman's domain. He had spent about three decades there trying to talk sense into a man who had gone insane with grief and engulfed an entire kingdom in sleeping sand. It wasn't a fun time for him. He chuckled a little under his breath when Vitas mentioned being haunted in Spike's dreams.

At this point he didn't really care where they went for lunch, as long as it was soon. His stomach made an audible gurgle and growling noise as they walked along.

As various things were said, and various people were mentioned....

"GRUMGLBBLGLGDGRRR".

A monstrocity could be heard. Or at least, that was what it might sound like...

"Ah, actually lets just go to the first place, I think it is closest. I think I forgot to eat breakfast this morning".

It was actually Acara's stomach. He rubbed his belly area now that he realized he was hungry, having already stored anything he might need to carry in an interdimensional pocket storage magic or just left back at his lab...with his Royal Guards who had now successfully caught up and taken covert positions around them. Enough that it wasn't even possible to know their exact number, but they covered both the direction they headed and the space behind them.

They were Royal Guards after all, the best of the best.

Spike had to smile. BBQ it was! With a look towards Vitas, Spike looked ready to take off for the place right then and there, but Vitas kept her anchored, literally. A gentle hand on the other womans shoulder calmed the winged woman just enough for her to get a bearing on where she was. Yes she was surrounded by technology she was used to. Yes Vitas was there. No she was not on Nirn anymore.

So she had to act like she always did, four years was a long time, but to Vitas Spike was only gone a week. So four years of being away, Spike had all but forgotten how to act like Vitas Second in Command.

The group then headed for the BBQ place, Eind Street was not too far away infact, literally it was the corner where Vitas kept her home, and a short half block walk from there to the BBQ place directly. Loe's BBQ Parlour made heavenly BBQ for sure, as they walked Vitas mused over the Elder Scroll Spike had given her. Yes, she could make armor with it. Maybe even use the knowledge contained in the scroll itself to reinforce Spikes only clothing too.

A moment or so later and Vitas was instep with Jack as Spike stayed instep with Acara. As they walked Vitas said to Jack, "Something troubles you, The creature you seek..... Have you found it ?" She meant the creature that killed his sister, the memories of the past they had viewed together when he had stabbed her seconds later. She meant it when she had said helping him find it to destroy it once and for all.

Now that they were moving, Acara could see clearly how well built Spike was. Without her wings, Spike already was quite beautiful, well stacked one would say. But since Vitas had triggered her wings to grow by use of magic, her body had modified itself just enough to accomondate the wings, balancing out so to speak. Offhand she asked simply "Now that you can read those Black Books and not get sucked into their makers realm when reading the thing. What will you do with them ?" No she didnt want them back, she hated the things.

Jack looked to Vitas in response to her question. He wasn't sure how to respond exactly.

"I found someone... In the place I've been. He was that universe's version of the boogy man, but he wasn't the creature that killed my sister. He was the personification of fear, but he just... not the same. The thing that killed my sister was pure evil and darkness." He spoke as his eyes teared up. "She was the whole reason I was able to get back to this universe. But, now that I'm on this world, I don't know if there's a way find that thing short of ripping a hole into the demon dimension where it comes from." He was unaware that the second thing he said was actually a reasonable option on this planet.

He walked along and noticed the way Vitas was looking at Spike with such love in her eyes. He smiled and it dawned on him that the one he had developed feelings for was left in the last universe without him. Jack didn't realize he wouldn't be able to return once he was transported. He wasn't even sure if the source diamond had even functioned properly. He thought it was going to give him mastery of all magic types. When he reforged the diamond and felt the power course through him, he was instantly transported to this world.

"I wonder if there are other bunny-people like Peter in this universe." Jack spoke to himself, not really expecting an answer.

"Eh? Bunny people?" Acara aksed as he zoned back in. He ended up thinking of all sorts of magic related stuff, but began to be observant again. "Do you mean talking bunnies? Or do you mean Bunny Beastment Type people? Because Origin has both. We have humans that have bunny ears and tails and incredible hopping power and agility. And we also have bunnies that can talk and operate like sentient creatures. We aslo have Robo Bunny Wizards, I actually met one. Really interesting guy".

As Acara went on about that, he did notice Spike's build but...as expected of someone who studies magic...

"Ah, most likely study them for their magic, like the whole sucking people in thing and acting as doors for interdimensional travel. Plus, there is a lot of writing there that given the book's habit of sucking people in, no one has ever read before. Lost secrets and arcane mysteries could be studied. Maybe new forms of magic never conceptualized could be discovered....oh by the way, this might interest you but given your body type, you might be able to do wonders if you learned physical reinforcement magic".

Saying that in such a non-chalant way, they continued as they arrived at the BBQ place.

"So, which one of us should get the table then?"

The smell of BBQ wafted through the air on Eind Street. To get a good meal, let alone a good BBQ meal. It was Loe's. Loe's BBQ Parlor was builkt into a nestling of buildings but had a traditional look to it, sure it was in the most technological corjner of the city. Warmoon Estate was across the street.

But if anyone where to ask for really good BBQ, they'd be told "Go to Loe's BBQ on Eind Street" Or be told "Its the best BBQ on the planet!" And it was, in a way. If Vitas loved it, if Spike loved it, then yeah, it was the best BBQ on the planet.

Outside the building had rented out space for a neck of the sidewalk to be used for eating outdoors, massive windows were open, floor to ceiling glass panels removed to allow air and people through.

As the group showed up, the guards took up posts outside. Allowing a waiter, who appeared to be Loe himself actually, stepped forwards upon recognising Spike by face and hairstyle alone, there was no missing that faded golden purple tattoo around Spikes eyes.

"Lady Spike, Lady Warmoon, a pleasure to see you both again after so many weeks, Master Acara, a pleasure sir, please, your table is ready. Come this way" Loe then turned and lead the four into the establishment. Making their way to the rear of the buiolding where an orante wood staircase was they went up, turned right at the landing, then went up further. A room with tattice walls and a open door was entered, and a well kept room was entered. The table normally set for two was now larger to be set for 6 or more. Loaded with all sorts of wonderful heavenly BBQ. "Make yourselves to home" Loe said simply once their drink requests were taken, Loe took his leave as the four took their seats.

Didnt even need to wait for a menu. Spike of course had snagged a wine bottle, tied off with a pretty cloth on the clay jar she didnt even wait for a cup. She tilted back and guzzled. Then remembered Acaras comment "Reinforcement magic ? You mean like for my clothing ? Vitas normally does that for me, sometimes i do to, but I dont have my Sling-Ring to do it right now." Many eyes turned towards the winged woman, mostly men, more then one smack was heard as said men either were on dates or married and their date was whacking them back into reality.

To Jack, Vitas smiled as they took a seat at the table. "When you are ready to resume the hunt for the creature that took your sister from you. I will aid you in that venture." Vitas spoke truth there, since Mark Wolfe had indeed made her think carefully for her future, and left her for dead only a year before....

Jack took a seat at the large table, and took in the smells of the BBQ food. Much of it looked familiar, but there were some items that looked to be native interpretations of BBQ to this planet. There were ribs that looked like they belonged to an animal far larger that a cow or pig, but the smell was was a heavenly sweet and smokey scent. He thought for a second about what Vitas just offered while he looked over the food set up for them.

"I think that would be a great idea once I get settled. I think I'd like to stay in one place for a little while before I go hunting that thing again. Maybe I can get some more information on what it is exactly and how to kill it. This place seems to be very informed on magic and technology it'd probably be best to do some research and find a place to stay while I do. Probably gonna need a job. I could open an ice cream shop." Jack chuckled a little at the last part.

Jack took a few of the giant ribs and they were even more tender than he could have imagined. The meat seemed to melt in his mouth.

The walk through the streets was uneventful, although perhaps between the normal security and police in that area and the secret and Royal Guards, that should have been expected. Either way, they got to the BBQ place without any of the expected stereotypical events

"Mmhmm. Thanks".

Acara politely replied, although it certainly didn't seem very much like a royal prince. As they eventually ordered and got served, Acara took note of some of the questions and comments that made his way. Notably, he seemed right at home here and was recognized immediately, which would imply just how much he liked to eat out.

Well, the royal family was known for being atypical.

"Ah, well there is that too, but I meant the type used on one's own body. For example..."

Acara used the magic on two fingers and managed to lift up the massive serving tray underneath without any assistance or letting it shake even, with all the food still on it, before putting it back down.

"Well, I am told I am exceptional at magic to a point my common sense is a little warped, so I toned it down from there. It can actually be used at greater capacity. Anyways, it is magic that can also strengthen one's own body. It can make someone stronger, faster, more enduring. Stuff like that. It is extremely useful".

And as he said that, he also brought up something else.

"There are a number of good sources of information in this city even, let alone the planet. There is the Librarium on campus, the Archives in the Governance Castle, the Mages Guild in a nearby city, and maybe you could even try to contact some higher level being. And if you need a job, you could always become an Adventurer. An Adventurer's Guild ID can act like a passport even, as well as proof of identification, so its always good to have".