Fear the Heavens

"Look out, mother!" her unborn daughter whispered in her mind. "Behind you!"

Frederica spun about to see reality twist open, and three men step onto the roof. One was dressed in a flowing white lab coat, and had short- cropped silver hair. He was flanked by two men in black uniforms and helmets that concealed their faces.

"Hello again, Frederica," the one in white smiled, glancing around. "Goodness gracious, I leave you alone for just a second and look what sort of trouble you get yourself into!"

"You..." Frederica said quietly. "I know you, don't I? Your name... it's Professor Callum, isn't it? You're the one who..."

"Come now. The little game of hide-and-seek is over," Callum smiled. "It took me no end of searching, but at last I've found you. It's time to go back to the laboratory. There still many more tests to run, and quite a few more treatments, to ensure your baby is born healthy and happy."

"Villain!" Frederica breathed, standing up straight and raising her sword. The flames all around reflected in its gleaming blade. "You toyed with my life - gave me a child without my permission!"

The men in black instantly snapped up metal contraptions, but Callum motioned for them to stand back. "Don't be ridiculous, my dear. You call me a villain after I've saved you? Think of all the work it took to regenerate all of your vital organs and skin tissue after finding you in that state. And what is wrong with blessing you with offspring? You should be thanking me, not threatening me with pointy sharp objects!"

"Don't listen to him!" her daughter whispered. "Your life means nothing to this bastard!"

"We don't have time to waste," Callum continued. "Your baby will soon be born, and with it, the hopes of all interdimensional humanity. Don't you see - can't you understand what's at stake here? Through an untold infinity, we humans have been nothing more than helpless pawns in the games of supernatural beings. But if we can tame the power of Happyman, we need no longer tremble in fear, cowering before the heavens! The Multiverse would be ours to command, at last. You've spoken to her, haven't you? You've seen what she is capable of!"

"Listen to yourself! You sound like a jackass," Frederica said. "Ours to command, indeed! You're playing with things you understand nothing about. You think this is all some kind of strategic wargame?!"

"Please Frederica, be reasonable," he smiled, extending his hand. "Come back with me, and I can make sure you return home after the baby is born. Wouldn't you like to see your Sir Gunther again?"

Frederica drew in a sharp breath. Memories of Gunther flooded her mind - of his handsome face and easy smile, and his warm, kind sense of humor. His long hair flowing like spun gold in the sunlight, as he sat so commandingly astride his horse, no other knight in the realm a match for either his sword or lance. And then there was that one time Frederica had espied on him without his shirt, his rippled muscles shining in the...

"Yuck!" her daughter gagged. "I don't like the direction your thoughts are going, mother. Please don't go back with him! He's evil and insane, and no match for the likes of Spectre."

1. "You're a fool if you think I would give up my daughter to you," Frederica said fiercely.
2. "Any more running is pointless," Frederica sighed, lowering her sword.
3. But just then, a cannonball crashed into the roof, sending them all flying.

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