Earth-01

Earth-01 

Episode 1: Origins

(As ABDO 2.0 continues his quest for the Shockwave Gems, he sets his eyes on his next target, Earth-01. As his airship enters the dimensional gateway, he sets his eyes on quite an unexpected sight: a desolate, abandoned world, devoid of life.)

ABDO 2.0: Huh? That was… unexpected indeed. Hmph, I’ve got no time for this.

(ABDO 2.0 scans the area for its Shockwave Gem, but to his surprise, he doesn’t receive any signal of the presence of the gem; this universe has no Shockwave Gem.)

ABDO 2.0: (baffled) No Shockwave Gem? Impossible. I’ve detected a Shockwave Gem in every dimension. Why not here? (To his Hardcores) Return to airship. I will go on ahead.

(The Hardcores nod and return to the airship, leaving ABDO 2.0 to delve deeper into the deserted, advanced city ahead. As he ventures the places, he appears to be shocked by how technologically advanced this city is, with technology surpassing even his understanding.)

ABDO 2.0: (with a hint of reverence) This place… it is indeed wondrous. Unbelievable technological innovation… in fact, it is truly a shame this world never got to prosper further. (regaining focus) Still, I shouldn’t allow myself to be swayed by what I’m seeing. I need answers.

(ABDO 2.0 then starts to meticulously investigate the scene, searching for any clues. He realizes how largely undamaged the area’s infrastructure is, which only raises more questions.)

ABDO 2.0: Hmm… the infrastructure appears to be largely undamaged. That was no war or natural disaster. Whatever it was, it was efficient. Precise. Thorough in ending the population. Poison? A biological weapon? Viable possibilities indeed, but then again, quite inconclusive, and I can’t form a verdict on mere speculation. Wait… there must be some footage somewhere, perhaps a database. That might contain some much-needed evidence.

(ABDO 2.0 sweeps the area looking for a computer room, and eventually, he finds a massive, futuristic, white palace, a true marvel of engineering that mixes regality with technological innovation.)

ABDO 2.0: That palace… it appears to be one of royalty. Whoever ruled these lands must have had records of critical information. That may be worth checking out.

(ABDO 2.0 enters the palace — a largely undamaged, advanced, and well preserved palace, only mildly damaged. He sweeps the place for a master computer, somewhere where the ruler of his area would keep important records. Eventually, after some searching, he finds the computer room.

ABDO 2.0: Very well then.

(He manages to successfully hack it, activating it afterwards and getting his hands on quite a lot of information. However, when checking the last time the database was updated, he’s shocked by the result.)

ABDO 2.0: Last updated 2 million years ago?!

(He uploads the necessary information into a USB drive and departs. After a long while, he returns to his airship, lots of paper, documents, and a USB drive in hand.)

ABDO 2.0: (to his Hardcores) I will be busy with a matter for some time. The operation resumes as planned.

(ABDO 2.0 then heads for a dimly lit room with a small desk, a chair, and a computer. He takes a seat and uploads the information into the computer, finding a lot of footage, documents, photos, etc.)

ABDO 2.0: There it is. Now to figure it all out. Let me start from the top.

2 million years ago, a prosperous, expansive civilization thrived in Earth-01, dubbed ‘Zenith’. Zenith was the dominant force in this world, last ruled by a powerful queen. The city has gone through peaceful times for long thanks to a single young man’s efforts, who led a massive army to spread Zenith’s rule all across the world, toppling several nations along the way. He was quite the youthful leader, one people look up to. He was known as Aiden.

(Earth-01 was bustling with crowds of content people going about their day when a hooded figure sneakily walked past. He was allowed into the palace and went on to meet with Queen Lisa, who didn’t really welcome him warmly.)

Queen Lisa: (sneering) You know you don’t need to make such a scene, Aiden. In any case, whaddaya want?

(The man takes off his hood and reveals the face of Aiden, now much older since the days of the Great War, his thick beard, disheveled hair, and gritty facial expressions contrasting heavily with his once youthful appearance.)

Aiden: (taking off his hood) Councilman Adam has been eliminated.

Queen Lisa: (smirking) Good. I was starting to worry about him.

Aiden: (bitterly) Hmph. So you want all who crave the throne eliminated? In that regard, this city would be a bloodbath. And you dare call this a time of peace?

Queen Lisa: I sense some disdain.

Aiden: We both know how you ascended to the throne, which I helped you in.

Queen Lisa: If you despise this so much, then why are you still allying with me?

Aiden: Because none have convinced me they’re worthy of the throne. All seek it for their own gain. And just so you know, I never killed anyone for your sake, only because they deserve it. However, if I would go as far as killing you, I’d have to make sure you’re expendable first.

Queen Lisa: It’s infuriating, isn’t it? You’re too important to kill and too dangerous to leave alive. Even if I want to kill you, I’m not ready to be a target of yours. Conversely, you can’t go as far as killing me either; you’re not willing to plunge Zenith into chaos. Speaking of which, why didn’t you take the throne for yourself when you had the chance?

Aiden: (turning his back on her) I don’t need it.

(Aiden leaves the room, his footsteps echoing through the hallway as he enters another room and meets up with a group of young early-teen cadets: Sean, Sync, Ricochet, and Sasha.)

Sean: (smirking) ‘Sup, old timer? You’re lookin’ grumpier than usual.

Aiden: (with a faint smirk) And you’re as foolish as ever, Sean.

Sync: So… who’s it this time?

Aiden: Adam. Order came from the queen, and I was to carry it out.

Ricochet: Had it coming. Didn’t really like him.

Sasha: Who does?

Aiden: (sighs deeply) Zenith was never like this. It flourished under the rule of King Denzel.

Sync: (annoyed) Oh, he’s getting nostalgic again. It’s been 50 years, old man. Keep up.

(Aiden glares at Sync, appearing to be mildly angered by this comment, and the latter gulps, having realized how much trouble she’s gotten herself into. Sean tries to break the tension and shuts Sync up.)

Sean: (chuckling nervously) Don’t mind her. She can get a little too sassy sometimes.

Aiden: Hmph. You kids still don’t get it, huh? Zenith had a rightful ruler in King Denzel. He was mighty. He was ferocious. And most importantly, he fought for the people. Now this city filled to the brim with selfish bastards eying the throne of a no-good pretender. Damn it, Denzel. Was a mere progeny too much to ask for, old friend?

Sync: Says the lonely fossil.

(Aiden gives Sync that glare again, and she immediately hides behind Ricochet. The old man sighs and takes a seat, clutching his head tiredly.)

Ricochet: (concerned) Come on, Aid. Look at you now. What happened to that legend we heard stories of?

Aiden: He’s dead. And I made sure everyone believes so.

Sasha: But why? How long will you keep up the act?

Aiden: (after some silence) After the Great War… after Zenith became the world’s most powerful nation and the practical ruler of the world, everyone has grown soft… everyone has grown accustomed to complacency and appalling laxity. Since King Denzel’s death, fights brokered among our own over that damned crown, yet the public are gifted with ignorance about the truth of their peace: how short-lived it really is. Conflicts will arise over the throne, and the hopeful masses will look up to me, even though I won’t be able to do a thing about it. I simply can’t. Initiate an uprising, and people will pay the price; that peace will end; and bloodshed will begin. I can’t let that happen. The least I can do… is the prepare you for what happens. You kids have much more in you than you think. One day… one fateful day, a crisis will arise, and perhaps I won’t be around to witness it; however, you probably will, and you’ll be Zenith’s new hope. That’s the best I can do for this city.

(The cadets appear to be touched by these words, and they salute Aiden, who faintly smiles and salutes back. A little afterwards, Sean remembers something quiet important.)

Sean: (in a panicked manner) We forgot about the expedition!

Ricochet: Oh, crap!

Aiden: What expedition?

Sean: We’ll explain on the way! Just follow us!

(The four cadets hurry through the hallway to the research center, and Aiden begrudgingly follows. When they arrive, they see several state-of-the-art spaceships ready to take off, to Aiden’s bafflement.)

Aiden: That’s the expedition you’re going through?

Sasha: (excited) Yeah! Remember that gem they discovered a while ago? A research team indicates that it’s capable of quite a lot, including cross-dimensional travel! There are other dimensions, right?

Ricochet: I’d like to see that for myself, which I will indeed.

Aiden: And they’re sending you for…?

Sean: We’re chosen to join the discovery team!

Aiden: (making a faint smirk) I see. Well then… good luck.

(The four cadets enthusiastically rushed to a spaceship, excited to see for themselves the wonders of the multiverse. They take their seats and fasten their seatbelts as their spaceship, along with several others, begins takeoff. Queen Lisa shows up as well to announce the launch of the operation.)

Queen Lisa: (powerful) Today will go down as the greatest achievement in science history! Years of speculation are to be rewarded at last! Not so long ago, we were amazed by the limitless possibilities provided by the Shockwave Gem, and now, we are to finally put this power into good use! We are to finally discover the world beyond our own dimension! We are to finally discover the multiverse! Now commence Operation: Odyssey!

(A spaceship gets infused with Shockwave energy, and it opens up a portal. And so, the spaceships pass through the portal, taking off out of this world and into the unknown… into the Anjalverse.)

End of Episode 1