By Luca Nobleman
“You’re saying if we don’t stop Dorian from activating these paradox portals, then the entire multiverse will collide into one timeline and destroy reality?” Phezz asked, his bushy tail flicking.
Miriel turned to the squirrel-like Xintixa. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“What would that accomplish?” Harmony’s implanted short-term memory processor spoke for the young girl, imbuing her with a British accent.
“Dorian thinks,” Alice answered, “that by merging the timelines into one, he will combine his multiversal selves into one great being, gain his body back, and become a god.” The newest member of the Timekeepers smothered her cigarette and blew a smoke ring between wrinkled lips—a trick she’d learned from a caterpillar in a multiversal anomaly called Wonderland.
“So, how do we stop Dorian?” Phezz asked.
“Find the Oracle,” Miriel whispered.
***
Ebenezer sipped his congou tea as he peered out the starboard window. The black hole Leviathan thrummed in the distance.
The sitting-room door hissed, and a tall mechanical Iotatron entered.
Her eyes glowed a welcoming blue as her digital voice echoed, “Good morning, Oracle.”
“Is that what you call this? Morning?” Ebenezer raised an eyebrow.
“In accordance with your circadian rhythm… yes,” Iotatron said.
“My circadian rhythm has been off ever since—”
“Your Awakening?” Iotatron guessed correctly.
He glanced out the window, his reflection revealing an aged face. He barely recognized himself—the greed and selfishness washed away.
“Your niece contacted us.” Iotatron rested her hand on his shoulder.
“Alice?”
“Affirmative. She wants our expertise, but I’m not sure why.”
“How do you not know?” Ebenezer asked. “You are the Ghost of Times Yet to Come.”
Iotatron didn’t answer.
“If it involves Miriel,” he said, “then we’ll need the Ghost of Times Past.”
***
“Are you sure?” Miriel asked, a lump settling in her throat.
“Iotatron’s influence on my mind doesn’t allow for falsehoods.” Ebenezer poured a cup of tea for Miriel. “Together, we see all potential outcomes.”
“You didn’t see Dorian inoculating the universe with the virus he created to clone himself,” she countered.
“It was an outcome that we predicted but didn’t expect him to accomplish. Thankfully, that Civaran, Therrus, modified it, diminishing its impact.”
“People were still infected.”
“Yes, but their offspring did not express his traits as he planned.”
“True…” Miriel fidgeted with the scars on her hands.
“It’s the only option,” he repeated.
“I’m not saying I’m not ready… It’s just…”
“Difficult… I know.” Ebenezer rested his hand on hers. “Dorian can’t see beyond his attempt at immortality.”
He squeezed her trembling hand. “You, Miriel, can see outside yourself. This is the power you have over him.”
***
Metallic tendrils retracted from the panel’s digital screen into Dorian’s cyborg fingertips.
“It’s finished,” he whispered to himself.
He stepped back, admiring his handiwork. The massive reflective lattice chamber surged as red energy pulsed at increasing intervals through each mirrored wall.
Dorian turned to assess the other portals but came face to face with a familiar, white-haired woman instead. Her dappled gray eyes stared calmly into his.
“At it again, are we, Dorian?” Miriel sighed.
“Miriel.” Dorian grinned. “So glad you could finally make it. I was getting worried.”
“It’s over,” she said. “There’s nowhere for you to run.”
“Oh, ye of little faith,” Dorian shook his head. “I do not need to run. My time has come. My ascendancy is at hand.”
He spread his arms wide, urging her to look around. “My creation is finished.”
As they both glanced about, unexpected images caught Dorian’s eye. Each mirrored wall no longer reflected the universe it led to. An image of a three-foot-tall squirrel bearing knives stood at one. Another wall reflected a girl carrying a ukulele. His old friend Alice appeared in another, wearing her soldier’s uniform. The last mirror revealed a frail man overshadowed by a tall robot: Ebenezer Scrooge and the Iotatron.
“You think you’ve figured this out, have you?” Dorian sneered. “Not even the Oracle can help you now. These friends of yours can’t alter the course of my nexus machine. I locked each portal with my original genetic code. I am the only one who can turn it off. And since I am a cyborg now, not even that is an option.”
“Is that so, Dorian?” Miriel kept smiling.
Suddenly, the Timekeepers stepped away from their portals, each replaced by a familiar handsome man of varying ages and hairstyles.
Dorian’s mind lurched. They were different versions of him.
“Those are your other selves, Dorian. From across the multiverse.” Miriel pointed at each wall. “And they don’t agree with your plan.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Dorian clenched his fists. “I have the fail-safe in here. They can’t reach it.”
“Maybe you should’ve thought twice about allowing me in, then.” Miriel’s eyes glinted in reflected light.
“Why? I wanted you to witness it all!”
“Well, maybe you shouldn’t have tried to clone yourself by spreading your DNA across the galaxy.”
“Is that so?”
“I’m from the future, Dorian.”
“Aren’t we all?”
“Your genetic virus infected my elvish father and nymph mother. I am part you.”
Miriel’s eyes erupted with a blue energy as all the other Dorians uncoupled their nexus portal.
In a flash, Miriel slapped her palm against the panel and yelled, “Disengage!”
“No!” Dorian lunged at Miriel, but a blinding blue light erupted from her eyes, knocking him back. A sudden swirl of energy coalesced around her and then exploded, taking Miriel, Dorian, and his machine with it.
***
Ebenezer uncovered his tear-filled eyes as the blinding light faded. The portal disintegrated.
Miriel did it. Her selfless love for others finally ended Dorian’s rampage.
“She saved the multiverse,” Iotatron whispered. “How’d you know she’d succeed?”
A different light materialized behind the two, casting their shadows before them. Ebenezer turned, taking in the expected ghostly figure—a white-haired woman with dappled gray eyes.
“Because Miriel was always the Ghost of Times Past.” Ebenezer smiled widely.
“Hello, friend.” Miriel’s ghost stepped forward. “I told you it would work.”
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I never would’ve guessed Alice as Ebenezer’s niece, but the idea works.
Thanks, Pamela! Yeah, Alice was “born” roughly ten years after A Christmas Carol, so… luckily fiction allows for such coincidences!
I’m a little surprised by the ending. Why? Think about it: We have a “Dr. D” with plans to take over the “tri-state area” (a subset of the multiverse) who has created an “-inator” which prominently features a “self-destruct button”. So you’ll understand that I was surprised when Miriel saves the day instead of Perry the Platypus.
Well, the timekeepers are just an offshoot of the O.W.C.A. -AND- Dorian is Dr. D’s nephew. This also took place in the tristate area. Very astute!
Phineas reading this story be like “Hey, where’s Enza?” 😂🤣😆
It’s a good story sir.
Haha, I originally had him written in, but weirdly enough the publisher said it could only be a 1000 words. 🤣 Ethel is probably feeling the same way. Thanks!
This was a great combo of all the characters from the season! This was a fun ending!
Thanks! Thought it would be fun to have a full reunion.