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Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Jan 15

“The rest of the saying is ‘satisfaction brought it back.’”

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Reposted by Ekko.

Claggor @ofzaunbrawn.bsky.social · Jan 14

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Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

"A hex crystal? Is that the same as a hexgem?"

I reach into my pocket and remove the glowing gem from Jinx. "One of these?"

There's no guarantee that the hexgem power of this world would interact the same as the power source that this Ekko is used to. But the prospect gives me a new burst of hope.

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

"At least," I confirm. It's clear that I had been concerned about doubles. Multiples definitely doesn't settle my nerves.

"But you have something? A 'Z-Drive'? You can get us back then. I haven't done any of this type of multiverse travel before. I don't know how to get back."

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑶𝑾𝑳 @theruthlessowl.bsky.social · Dec 29

' You're not from here either? '

He let out a loud groan, damn it. At least he wasn't the only one though.

' Great, so there's at least three of us running around? '

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

"Yes, but..."

There's no point in hiding the truth. This multiversal convergence throws a lot of rules out the window.

"There's something you should know. This alternate reality you're in...I'm not from it either."

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Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

The excuse should work. I nod in agreement and appreciation.

"And you'll be okay there? Sleeping outside?" I wonder if that's where she normally stays. This is a big room.

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

They're fighters. Soldiers. Warriors.

I'm just a man.

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

"You sure that's okay?"

I guess since he's missing, this room is technically unoccupied.

"I'm not going to have to pretend to be him, right? For his gang?"

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

"In my defense, she found me first."

𝐄𝐊𝐊𝐎 @theb0ysavi0ur.bsky.social · Dec 29

' Why have all of myselves met my wife- '

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

"Is now a bad time to mention I've also met your wife...?"

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

"Is now a bad time to mention I've also met your wife...?"

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

"Yes, but..."

There's no point in hiding the truth. This multiversal convergence throws a lot of rules out the window.

"There's something you should know. This alternate reality you're in...I'm not from it either."

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑶𝑾𝑳 @theruthlessowl.bsky.social · Dec 29

He gave one quick nod, feeling the weird resonance between the two of them. That practically confirmed what he was thinking.

' And you're me. '

But from a better world. . . he thought, why did he draw the short straw with his timeline?

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

I'm not battle torn at all. The only marks on my skin are from experiments gone awry. And even then, they're nothing compared to the aged wounds on the face I'm staring at now.

"You're Ekko?"

I know it's a dumb question. If the face isn't enough evidence, there's a strange resonance between us.

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

|| Although technically, Alt!Ekko stranded in this universe trying to get back to his home is the beginning of his own odyssey...

Surely it's not poetry because it repeats...

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

|| This exactly!

Reposted by Ekko.

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑶𝑾𝑳 @theruthlessowl.bsky.social · Dec 29

( evelyn. )

cough cough-

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Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

After a moment, I release her and step back. My hand lingers on her arm.

"It's okay. You can't change the past. But it's alright. Everything that's happened has led you to who you are today. And..."

I gesture to my current circumstances. "And I, for one, at least am glad you're here for this."

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

|| I guess I'm the "I Can't Help but Wonder" version.

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑶𝑾𝑳 @theruthlessowl.bsky.social · Dec 29

( evelyn. )

The inspiration for this character, oops.

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Reposted by Ekko.

𝐄𝐊𝐊𝐎 @theb0ysavi0ur.bsky.social · Dec 29

Wow, that version of me is. . . Harsh.

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Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

I'm not battle torn at all. The only marks on my skin are from experiments gone awry. And even then, they're nothing compared to the aged wounds on the face I'm staring at now.

"You're Ekko?"

I know it's a dumb question. If the face isn't enough evidence, there's a strange resonance between us.

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑶𝑾𝑳 @theruthlessowl.bsky.social · Dec 29

' You think I know? I was messing with my Z-Drive and it blew up on me. '

He huffed, rubbing his head over his mask.

' Now I'm here. '

How could this be him. . ? He looks so normal, less battle torn.

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

I can't help it. I flinch at the sight.

I've met my other version. The one that belongs to this universe. At least I thought I did.

Does this mean that there's another other version of me?

"You're...you're..." I try to form a complete sentence. "How?"

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

She isn't Powder. She knows this. I know this.

But instinctively, I wrap my arms around her. I can hear in Jinx's voice Powder talking about Vi. The sadness, the guilt, the weight is there.

"I'm sorry," I repeat. My hug is tight, but I'm half-expecting to be pushed away in a split second.

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

"How are all the other one's of me so...

Am I fighter in every other universe?"

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Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

I can't help it. I flinch at the sight.

I've met my other version. The one that belongs to this universe. At least I thought I did.

Does this mean that there's another other version of me?

"You're...you're..." I try to form a complete sentence. "How?"

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑶𝑾𝑳 @theruthlessowl.bsky.social · Dec 29

He gave him one last glance up and down, before letting out a word in a low growl.

' Liar. '

He pulled off his mask to reveal a scarred face, glaring at him.

' You can't be me. '

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

I'm not sure exactly what I'm looking at.

The masked figure in front of me sounds familiar but their voice is muffled by the armor. This must be one of the Firelights of this universe?

"I'm Ekko." I say, pretending to be my otherworldly counterpart: The Boy Savior.

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

Zaun's Royalty.

The Boy Savior.

And now, The Owl?

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Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

I'm not sure exactly what I'm looking at.

The masked figure in front of me sounds familiar but their voice is muffled by the armor. This must be one of the Firelights of this universe?

"I'm Ekko." I say, pretending to be my otherworldly counterpart: The Boy Savior.

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑶𝑾𝑳 @theruthlessowl.bsky.social · Dec 29

Ekko looked his clone up and down.

' Who in the hell are you? '

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

"Who else could be gone?"

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

- shoulder. My thumb rests on a baby blue cloud.

"I'm sorry. I...I don't know if you two were close, but where I'm from..."

I trail off. Maybe it's different here. I keep forgetting.

Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

I swallow the lump in my throat and take a deep breath. It feels like I'm on autopilot. As I take a few steps, I don't know what I'm going to do in that moment. Yell? Demand for answers? Run away from her? Just fall and mourn?

It turns out I don't do either. I reach out and I put my hand on her -

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Ekko. @alternateresonance.bsky.social · Dec 29

Imagine if he said "was it you?" right here.

That would have been insane.

Right?