(Koriand'r, Princess of Tamaran POV)
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Her existence was miserable. Abused and used, tortured.
Until suddenly it wasn't.
Her tormentors were in a state of terror. Someone or something was tearing them apart. Breaching every attempt to block them through sheer physical power based on the scattered voices she'd heard through the communications. The sound of death outside her cell made her wonder if this would be her end.
After everything they'd done to her.
She'd be okay with that.
The door in front of her exploded, but she didn't feel heat or shrapnel hit her.
She looked up to see a large muscular man before her. He was surrounded by a powerful energy field, his hair a wild green.
''Come with me, Princess. Let's get you out of here.''
''If you take me, my world will burn.'' She endured this for Tamaran.
The beast of a man snorted.
''Already dealt with that. By tomorrow, the Citadel will be no more. You're mine now, princess. You and your sister both.'' Kommand'r? What did she have to do with this?
The man shattered her restraints with one hand and, with said hand, picked her up and pulled her close against him. He felt so warm and soft despite the hardness of his muscles. He touched two fingers to his forehead, and she felt them disappear.
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(POV Shift: Broly, King of Tamaran)
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He'd gone in, got Koriand'r out, gone back in and gotten every other slave out, and now, it was time to destroy these fucking slavers. Their Redemption arc was irrelevant. For using Koriand'r, hurting her, they'd all die. And the first law of his empire would be that selling people into slavery within the borders of his empire was a mandatory death sentence. The excuse that Kori was his was admittedly flimsy.
But that was hardly the point.
He was making a statement.
First rule: Don't touch what isn't yours.
Second rule: Slavers deserve death.
With Koriand'r safely away, he'd gone in, gotten every single slave out, not because he detested slavers, but because it would score points with Koriand'r. The more willing she was to join him and Komand'r, the better. And honestly? You give a slave their own collar off their neck and into their hands? You've earned that person's loyalty for life, but if you put a weapon in their hands, they'll fight harder for you than anyone else. These slaves would form the first rung on the ladder of his elite forces. But unlike most revolutionaries, when these ones were done fighting, he'd give them that out. There'd always be more slaves to free.
Until there wasn't.
It started with Apokolips.
And it would end with it, too.
Except he'd win.
''Supernova!'' Technically it was Frieza's technique… well, him and Cooler, but the technique served his purposes.
Wiping these cunts off the face of the galaxy.
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It wasn't lost on him how Komand'r was using sex to try and ensure that Koriand'r didn't replace her. As soon as he returned from destroying the Gordanian planet, it dawned on him… this would complicate matters.
But he wasn't in this for being a hero. Darkseid needed to die.
Might as well be him to do it.
He really hoped this didn't cause him too much trouble; it was technically genocide. But if there is at least one hill he's prepared to die on, it's that no slaver is worth giving a shot at redemption. Rap*sts, serial spousal/child abusers, racists, kid touchers, slavers,... mandatory death sentences for every last one of them. Every piece of weapons tech he ever made had a killswitch and an override. And every single override and killswitch was inside of a chip implanted in his brain. There was no safe way to remove the chip, since it also had a failsafe implanted into it. If anybody cracked open his skull with anything other than their bare hands, if they tried anything metallic, the chip would fry itself. Give him a killer migraine, but otherwise completely harmless.
As he finished inside Komand'r, he rolled to his side and felt her cuddle up to him.
''What's next? For my sister?'' He didn't miss the insecurity in her tone, faint as it was.
''I marry her. She gets Tamaran, you get…everything else. The reality is, Komand'r, your people will always choose her. So we let them have her, and by marrying both her and you, I ensure that Tamaran has more than sufficient reason not to breakaway. They get their favored queen, their unfavored Queen rules over them with me. Giving them Koriand'r before they make their demands makes them more pliable and amenable to joining us. We use your sister to better our position, besides… rescuing her was the objective, rescuing everyone else wasn't in the mission plans. Going off-book like that gives your sister something to hold on to. It's manipulative as hell, but we want her to fall in love with me. Because it will make our plans go all the smoother.'' He explained.
''And what is the plan?'' Asked Komand'r.
''Millions of years ago, a mortal was blessed with abilities and immortality. His sons and he beat back Darkseid's invasion, however primitively, but Darkseid was intrigued, and an agreement was struck. But I interrupted that recently. Took it over. I will unite half the Galaxy, Darkseid will unite the other. When we are the only two factions remaining, we fight until a victor has been determined. To the victor, the spoils. My offspring will be the Galaxy's strongest, but only our offspring will stand to inherit the full empire. But here's the best part… Darkseid doesn't know everything. I know just enough to ensure he dies. I know how to find the thing he's after, and it will mean that we have an edge.'' I spare the Motherbox on the dresser a glance. I was fairly certain that the living computer would relay that to Highfather, but that was the point.
If Highfather believed he knew how to find the Anti-Life Equation, which technically he did, it made the alliance between the two of them all the more vital for New Genesis. He palmed Blackfire's supple backside and used Ki sense.
It was faint, but he knew life-force when he felt it. Yeah, she was pregnant.
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(POV Shift: Beautiful Dreamer)
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Her assignment just became a whole lot more complicated.
She opposed using the Motherbox as a surveillance device, especially considering her assignment was currently engaged in Carnal pleasure. There was such a thing as common decency not to monitor someone engaged in such a thing without consent. But it had picked up something interesting.
Her assignment claimed to know how to find what Darkseid was looking for. That could only mean one thing. The Anti-Life Equation was in play, and the bad news was they didn't even know. But the good news was that neither did Darkseid. She was well aware of what her role in this was. But by Metron, did she wish she that she didn't have to do it. Somehow, she needed to get him alone, away from Barda and the Tamaranean.
Easier said than done.
But the Tamaranean's sister might be the way in. Her traumatic ordeal would be met with derision by Barda, which meant that the Apokolipton had precious little interest in being around when Dreamer would inevitably be called in to help her overcome the trauma. This was almost too convenient.
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(POV Shift: Broly, King of Tamaran)
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He was also hoping it got back to Metron.
That Professor X wannabe needed to die. The Mobius Chair was wasted on such a man, and besides, it would make his plans easier, because his capital could be more easily be found with it, and his General and next queen could be more easily recovered with it, assuming sitting in it would make him immune to the inherent dangers of where the latter two were. He had a couple of options for his General, but only one would suit him. It wouldn't be an easy sell, but again, only one would suit his needs.
He left the room he shared with Blackfire as the Queen's husband. Technically, they'd not been married yet, but the accord had been struck and agreed and already consummated. So as far as Tamaran was concerned, he was King, and they were married. As he arrived at the table, he nodded to Dreamer and Barda.
''Dreamer, please see to Koriand'r, help her through it. Barda, you and I will be dealing with the Citadel today. Initially, the Citadel will form the vanguard of our forces until we bring Thanagar into line and deal with the Reach. I've sent word to Qward, the Thunderers are on their way, as are the Weaponers. We bring the Citadel into line today, and tomorrow, we deal with the Dominators.'' Dreamer looked as if she wanted to say more, but nodded as she departed for Kori's room. Leaving him with Barda. ''Speak your mind.'' He ordered.
''The Weaponers while… formidable, are beneath you.'' She said.
''Perhaps, but their talents are useful. Once we've brought the Dominators, the Citadel, and the Psions into Line, we're going after Metron.'' He said, well aware of the risk he was taking. ''If I'm to safely get the people I need, then I must have access to the Mobius Chair. Darkseid can have Metron if he so wishes, but I require the Mobius Chair.'' It was a gamble, but Metron was Darkseid's only equal in terms of patience. So it could be years before Metron chose to come seek him out.
''I will relay this to General Steppenwolf.'' She said, and Broly grunted, before pulling her up against him, and Barda went rigid.
''When the Dominators are brought into line, you will start to fulfill your other, more personal duties to me.'' His tone left no room for argument. She was well aware of what her role was to be aside from the Apokolips representative and one of his soldiers. To be very blunt, she would be a broodmare as far as Darkseid was concerned. But Broly would never actually call her as such to her face; he'd been raised better than that, before DC. Thinking it's one thing, calling it out was a problem for him.
''Yes, King Broly.'' He wasn't entirely sure if she was faking the blush in her cheeks, but was ninety percent sure she was faking it.
''We leave momentarily.'' He said, releasing her.
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(POV Shift: Complex-Complex, Citadellian Overlord)
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Something wasn't right. All contact with the Tamaran System had ended. Trying to connect his systems to the Tamaranean part of the Citadel Defense Grid or Communications grid had failed for more than forty-eight galactic standard hours. Additionally contact with the Gordanians was similarly lost twenty-four galactic standard hours ago.
He didn't know what, but something was coming.
He was proven to be correct when his sensors detected a Boom Tube above the homeworld and someone opened a communications channel directly to his mainframe.
''This is the Weaponmaster of Qward seeking a dialog with Complex-Complex.''
Well now…
That was curious.
''I'm curious as to how you knew I existed.'' He responded.
''Always known to be honest. Even if I hadn't, my technology would've told me. As it stands, I have taken Tamaran and wiped out the Gordanian species. I offer you a deal. Join me, and I will cure your clone's sterility and ensure that the other defects they possess are gone by the next generation. You can remain in charge, but when I deal with the Dominators they'll be beneath your people. Fight against me, and your reign is over. The Dominators will continue to rule over your people, and I will personally dismantle you. Your people will serve as disposable shock troops as opposed to valued soldiers and their lives will be significantly shorter.'' His database confirms that the voice did belong to the Weaponmaster, and honestly it's a good deal if any of it's true.
''Why would I ever agree to such a deal?'' He asked.
''Every piece of technology sold to your species by my people came with an override and a killswitch. Which I have just uploaded to the Planetary Defense Grid.''
His sensors detected the breach before the alarms sounded and he prevented them from sounding, though he sent several alerts through his subroutines to prepare for battle.
''You're not bluffing.'' He said.
''No, I was not, and really the only question is whether or not your people will join the Gordanians in Antiquity or the Tamaraneans in the Future.'' Says The Weaponmaster.
''Can you truly cure the defects of the Clones?'' Complex-Complex asked.
''I can, my abilities extend beyond mere weapons. I am a master chef amongst other things, a geneticist and cloner amongst them.'' The Weaponmaster informed.
''You have a deal, Weaponmaster.'' He didn't really have a choice and he wasn't losing much. He stood to gain a little more than he stood to lose.
''You may dispose of your current puppet, announce me as the Saiyan Emperor, the ruler of the Citadel. I will begin working on subjugating the Dominators next, once that's done, your people will be fixed.'' Says the Weaponmaster. ''Oh, and I've stopped blocking your sensors, look at your atmosphere. You'll see me and one of my Concubines. I think you'll blow a fuse when you run her.'' That confused him.
But the Weaponmaster wasn't wrong.
He did blow a fuse.
Several.
The Apokoliptan Big Barda? Leader of the Female Furies? A concubine? A willing one? If he still had his mortal body he'd have swallowed thickly and audibly.
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(POV Shift: Broly, King of Tamaran)
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Shortly after his return to Tamaran, the Weaponers and Thunderers had arrived. They brought with them the trans-universal technology he'd helped recreate along with the individuals to make it.
The Tamaranean's panicked initially when the fleet arrived in the atmosphere. But they were quickly calmed. Broly set the Weaponers to work quickly. The Engine was brought to the planet's surface, and would be used to improve Tamaran's infrastructure. Meanwhile massive Orbital Rings would be constructed around Tamaran with Habitation Modules installed as well as an Orbital Anchorage, Orbital Shipyard, Planetary Defense Guns, Planetary Defense Batteries, Planetary Defense Hangars, Climate Optimization Stations, Stratospheric Ionization Elements, Orbital Logistics Systems, an Orbital Shield Generator, and Orbital Embassy Complex. Eventually the Engine would be taken to the Rings to accelerate the construction, but for the moment as things stood they could take it slow.
They'd just placed the Engine into the primary power conduit when a Boomtube opened up and out came Metron.
''Figured this would get your attention.'' He said to the New God.
''You are the one that has both New Genesis and Apokolips scrambling?'' Even though it was a question it felt less like a question as opposed to demand.
''I am. My name is Broly, one of my unique abilities is being able to visit alternate universes and timelines beyond our multiverse. I can acquire new talents, new skills, technology, and people. This is the Infinite Engine, The Engine's power allows it to manipulate energy and create anything that is desired, from air to food or shelter, and given enough time can create new Galaxies if so directed.'' Says Broly.
''I wish to study this.'' Says Metron, but as he moves to take it from his seat on the Mobius Chair, the rooms seals itself and weapons are activated.
''Only I am able to determine who gets the Engine. I am its master, and nothing - not even my death - will change it. However, I can offer a compromise. I can send you as an observer to alternative timelines I haven't touched. In these timelines exist other Infinite Engines as well as great technological feats I intend to recreate here. If you so desire, I can do this. I can even create a device that will function as an internal version of your Mobius Chair.''
Metron glanced at his Mobius Chair before standing and removing himself from the chair.
''The chair deems you my successor. Which means it's time for me to go to new multiverses. Create your device, implant it within me, and the chair's yours.'' He looked at Metron gobsmacked.
''My time was always finite, there was a price to creating this chair. One exacerbated by using it before the chair was perfected. I was required to seek out a worthy successor eventually. But there is a possibility I could find a cure for my illnesses in these worlds and timelines outside the multiverse you speak of. The choice between knowledge and death was always going to be a simple one, and even if I fail to find a cure. A new Multiverse is an opportunity I cannot afford to pass up as a seeker of Knowledge. Though, I originally expected a Metahuman speedster, not a trans-multiversal Deity of Mortal Birth.'' Broly swallowed thickly.
Metron knew what he was, which made him more sure of using the Chair and upholding the bargain instead of killing him.
''Watch. Cortana, begin creation of Mobius Implant X-117. Scan Mobius Chair, download relevant details, and incorporate into the Implant.'' Says Broly as Cortana appears.
Yes, he absolutely did recreate Cortana and he did go to Halo.
''Impressive, I've never seen an AI quite so advanced.'' Metron says.
''Cortana is unique, she combines the best of multiple multiverses. I have a chip in my brain that aside from housing every schematic I've ever made and ever will make, also houses a part of her. It ensures I never lose my connection to her and thus my networks.'' He replied, handing Metron a sliver of Adamantium.
''Promethi– Wait, no, not Promethium. Very Similar, but much stronger and heavier. And completely unbreakable.'' Metron replied.
''Cortana, make sure to include a cyclical teleporter in the implant. Once every fifteen thousand rotations, transport the bearer to an alternative multiverse. The first new Multiverse will be 1610.'' He added, turning back to Metron. ''That silver is Adamantium, you'll be sent to a universe adjacent to the primary universe of the Multiverse this comes from, there's not a lot of deviation there.'' He told the New God as Cortana finished the device and an operating table rose from the floor.
''Please lay down.'' Cortana instructed.
''Cortana is programmed to have most of my skills including first aid and surgical skills. You're in safe hands, I won't sit in the chair until your satisfied I've fulfilled by end of the bargain.''
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(POV Shift: Metron, New God)
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He had been awake for the procedure and the foreign god kept his word. With a thought he opened a Boom Tube and closed it just as fast, he could see into past, present, and future, and he was still cosmically aware. The Mortal God was a God of his word. And as the God opened a portal for Metron, Metron gave the god a single nod before walking through it to a new Multiverse.
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(POV Shift: Komand'r, Saiyan Empress)
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In the span of less than a week, she'd gained independence, become the first of a new empire, lost her home crown, but gained a galactic empress crown. Her husband, or the man who'd become it shortly enough, in that time he'd forced the Citadel to serve him, and he'd annihilated the Gordanians, all before he began revolutionizing Tamaran. Now as he entered the Throne Room atop THE MOBIUS CHAIR of all things, she knew with certainty, she'd made the right choice. In the grand scheme of things, Tamaran, though significant, was incomparable to the true prize Broly offered her.
''Shall we christen it?'' She needed him as enamored with her as possible.
''No, not while you're pregnant.'' Her eyes widened.
''What?''
''I am able to sense Life-force, there's more than one growing inside you.'' Twins? That was rare for a Tamaranean. But was seen as a sign of being blessed.
''I will return shortly, I have a General to acquire. Mobius Chair, take me to General Dru-Zod.'' The chair beeped in response and a Boom Tube appeared, as Broly entered it atop the Chair formerly belonging to the New God Metron.
Komand'r walked to the balcony located at her private chambers. She looked out across Tamaran, but it was The Grand Chasm of X'Hal that captured the attention. The Grand Chasm was adjacent to the Capital City, and a massive Space Elevator was being constructed there. She'd talked with some of the Weaponers who'd claimed that the Space Elevator had amongst its more mundane features would serve as Cargo/Freight transit from the Orbital Rings to the planet's surface, population/personnel transit, and would serve as a crucial source of Solar Energy.
A transit line for freight was also under construction, and to the relief of the people of her world, the transit line would not disrupt the beauty of the surrounding areas or the flora and fauna that called it home. She was made aware that after the Orbital Rings were completed, something called the Star Forge would be constructed.
Tamaran was quickly going to become a Galactic Superpower….
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(POV Shift: Broly, Saiyan Emperor)
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As the Boom Tube opened, Broly arrived at the Phantom Zone. As he'd hoped, the Mobius Chair granted him immunity to the effects of the Zone.
''Mobius Chair, Retrieve the pods of General Dru-Zod, Ursa Zod, Faora Hu-Ul, and Kara Zor-El.'' At his instructions, the Chair pulled the stasis pods to it and shrunk them, placing them in a kind of storage space, before awaiting more instructions. ''Locate Non, transport his pod directly into the sun of Tamaran, then locate Astra In-Ze's pod, and retrieve it. He would need a chief scientist separate from the Psions which Astra would be able to fulfill, and she would be able to help him indoctrinate Kara.
Plus, Since the Destruction of Krypton was a Fixed Point in time. Taking Kryptonians from the second prior to their destruction to the present was of little consequence. A great carrot to dangle in front of Zod and Astra, but he wouldn't need Non for it, to be fair to the man, he had his uses, but he was willing to enslave a race and he was extremely stubborn, rude and vindictive, even to his family.
That's a problem Broly can do without. And it would be simple to blame Non's disappearance on Metron. Something that Broly was alright doing as he watched the pod of Non get Boom Tubed directly to the sun, the Mobius Chair protecting Broly himself.
First rule, Slavers get a Mandatory Death Sentence.
The Mobius Chair confirmed Non was dead, and went to retrieve Astra. He'd wake Zod up first. Though which Zod remained to be seen.
It might be worthwhile to wake Ursa up first, though that was questionable. Recruiting General Zod first, would ensure that Ursa, Faora, and the Kryptonians he planned to recruit at the moments of their death would fall in line.
Ah, to be decided later. He had one last stop to make, but the question was whether or not he should do it without General Zod.
…
…
…
…
…
No, he'd not. Taking Zod with him would be far more worthwhile than doing it now. Besides, he also needed to oversee the transition of Tamaran into the dominant power of the Citadellian Empire. That would take more than a day, and he'd need to be present for it.
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(POV Shift: General Dru-Zod, Kryptonian Exile)
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The Phantom Zone was a truly terrifying existence. Aware of everything, yet frozen and incapable of doing anything. So when a man retrieved him, he was grateful for the escape.
That man released him from his pod, introducing himself as Broly, King of Tamaran, and the Saiyan Emperor.
Followed by a couple of days, Zod learned that Broly, was a highly respected craftsman by the Weaponers of Qward, and he'd reviewed the footage of Tamaran's liberation. Broly was a warrior, like him. To hear Broly speak of his origins, he was exiled by his planet's ruler for simply being born stronger than the man's son. Zod could sympathise, it was similar to his own situation, not the same, but similar.
They were both exiled for having strength others lacked. Broly offered him a place at his side. It was tempting, as Broly claimed he would bring the Kryptonians who died back. He hadn't said how, but with the technological skills he'd seen thus far, it didn't seem out of the realms of possibility that a time machine might be possible.
''General Zod, Emperor Broly requests your presence.'' He glanced at the… what did broly call it? HK-51? Something like that. It was a robot, an Assassin and Protocol unit specifically. Apparently the secret AI master of the Citadellian Empire had had its consciousness uploaded to the robot, and it now served Broly after capitulating without a shot fired.
His rescuer was an interesting one. He was diplomatic where applicable, but he wouldn't hesitate to use lethal or military Force. An ideal Kryptonian.
''I'll be right there.'' Zod replied as he followed the robot to Broly's location.
Unlike he usually was, Broly was not sitting in the Mobius Chair. He was looking at the nearly completed Space Elevator.
''You called for me?'' He stood beside Broly.
''I need advice.'' That caught him off guard.
''In what regard?''
''I was going to go after the Scions next. Bring them over to our side. But the Mobius Chair changed the game. I can now acquire the planned capital for my Empire. I can go there, take it, and be back before dinner. And taking it would put me in an excellent position.'' Says Broly.
''What's stopping you?''
''Nothing. More of a question. If I broadcast it no one would realistically dare stand against me. But depending on the outcome, it may be more prudent to record it and later broadcast it.'' Says Broly, and Zod gets the distinct impression that Broly will make a grand statement one way or another.
''Without knowing the target, I can't suggest what's best.
''Then come with me.'' Broly offered.
''Very well.'' Broly sat in the Mobius Chair which projected a bubble around them.
''Mobius Chair, take us to the Warworld please.'' Zod's widened considerably.
The Warworld?
What the hell was Broly planning to do?
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(Author's Note:)
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I was originally going to end it on recovering General Zod, but once again I figured why not keep it going? Also this is one of the last chapters in the old POV shift format. Anyways if you all think Metron gave the Chair up too easily then you're absolutely right. We'll get into it eventually,for now we'll cover the fight with Mongul, and the broadcast reactions. After that we'll see, but for right now I'll see you guys next chapter.
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Thanks to Mitchell Howard, David Martinez, ROGUE505 Saver, Mathew T Linderman, Luck George, Kyle Diano, Julien, Morgan Sinn, Tom A, Nicholas Berenguer, Arimar26, Robin Kristiansen, Dragon emperor87, Daniel Setchell, James Fleming, Zero 12995, Rowdy_Rich, Beastmode2003, Birhaledin, Blood For The Blood God, Dymarkus Tillman, Lorra Thorsdottir, Parker Kessinger, Ryan, Jacob Hixson, Kazim Zaidi, Luci Alarra, and Robert Hernandez for their support on P-atreon.
And also a big thank you to Cody, TJ Cruz, Kunta, Availon90, Gavin Barclay, Dragonslayer29, Jacarya Robinson, Nathan Just, Francisco J Guzman, Axlii, Reece Hutton, Ken Harris, Zeldris Wrath, Duy, lonelynib _, Austin, D3EATH707, Cutler1812, Aleksander_402, Lewis Wilson, Profound Magician, Arzard, HxC 740 VxD, Attila Kovács, Ruby Uzumaki, Mudit Chadha, Maciek, Joao Goncalves, Dwhateverprof, Jibreel Kamal, Luis, Luis, Zeca, Bent, Jason, Solus 1994, Evil King, Manuel, Benoit Valtin, Craig Butler, Joseph Brann, Cristobal Ahumada, Nathaniel Lessord, GGbeejee, Trey-Way, FisherKing711, Calvin Ellis, adrian szydlowski, James Lloyd, Ryan, Meet Parikh, Kyle Santora, Toros Silver, Vlone_Icy, reikon aijin, weird song, Cameron Krueger, Nattapat Attachat, Natalie McCowen, and Spencer Davidson for their past support on Patreon.
The next five Chapters are currently available on my relaunched and rebuilt P-atreon, to access simply search the following link, but without the dash between the P and A, Two tiers with the same benefits but different contexts. The chapters on P-atreon will be published when the chapters following them are done and dusted and ready to publish over here on this site.
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