Chapter 16: Chapter 16 - Learning the benefits
Nicholas was amused by what he had learned by approaching The Anchor. While in proximity his power increases exponentially. He can create barriers, can alter the environment, and even generate music. More importantly, any soul that directly touches the anchor becomes bound to it.
That means Cassie and Jacqui had become guaranteed his. The ambush had led to a real smackdown. With the exception of D'vorah who ran into The Hillbilly's chainsaw on the backswing. The others laid there unconscious. After having placed the artifact briefly in their hands, Nicholas learned that whether through death or destruction of The Anchor, Cassie and Jacqui would be joining him when he left.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard a voice say, "You have been rather busy." Nicholas turned to see Kronika and her daughter, Cetrion. He didn't say anything. Kronika continued, "I must admit, I honestly had no idea you were here. For some strange reason I just accepted your interference as part of the natural order. At least until your power became more prominent."
Nicholas just stood listening to Kronika, he was trying to see what she wanted. He wanted to know if he could have them. The problem was considering their power, he couldn't drag them kicking and screaming. Kronika continued still, "Which brings us to why me and my daughter are here. After a single glance I could tell you don't belong here, and what's worse is your actions have ruined any chance of my son escaping without my direct intervention."
Nicholas remembered what Kronika's ultimate goal was and knew how to take advantage. He said, "Well since Shinnok has no interest in helping you achieve your goals, Kronika, I think I did you a favor."
Kronika was left stunned, she quickly recomposed herself and asked, "What could you possibly know about my goals or my son's allegiance?!"
Nicholas smiled and said, "As for your goals, you want the impossible golden balance of good and evil. And as for Shinnok, he desires to erase everything, yourself included." Kronika looked annoyed, Nicholas continued, "However, I know how to achieve what you desire, the problem is it can't be achieved by you."
Kronika looked suspiciously at Nicholas and asked, "How can you achieve something I can't?" Nicholas answered, "I can't, but to get what you desire, you must give your power to the winner of a free-for-all rumble."
Kronika laughed and then asked, "How would such a preposterous ideas achieve my goal." Nicholas not missing a beat, answered, "It's all in the set-up. If you bring the past and present together, and tell them to the winner goes the spoils, and their timeline will be erased if no winner appears. They will fight each other tooth and nail. The resulting energy from such conflicts will effect the hourglass. And every possible outcome, will exist at the same time. If, your desire for a golden balance has ever had the remotest chance of ever being, this is its only chance."
Nicholas's casual mentioning of the hourglass had Kronika intently listening as he continued going over everything she would need to do. Honestly, with there being no need to convince the participants, it wouldn't take her long to implement. A few days for her at most.
When Nicholas was done, Kronika looked thoughtful for a minute and then said, "Well, you've peeked my curiosity. I will try it your way. For now." Then she turned and whispered something into Cetrion's ear and left.
Suddenly the unconscious bodies disappeared and were relocated back to their prospective homes, Nicholas showed no signs of reacting, mostly because Cassie and Jacqui were still hooked and he could pull them whenever. His attention became focused on Cetrion. She approached him, and began removing her clothes, she said, "My mother has instructed me to take care of you until her return. Considering your past proclivities I thought my body might keep you sufficiently occupied."
Nicholas wasn't going to argue, mostly because this was an opportunity to see if the elder goddess of life and creation could be influenced by his power. If not, he could smash The Anchor and escape with his already acquired treasures.
...
Raiden was unsure what was happening. Suddenly younger versions of Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, and Jax Briggs had appeared before him. But it wasn't just them, Shao Kahn, Shang Tsung and many others. Some he recognized others only vaguely. One thing was certain, they were all fighters. Raiden then heard a voice coming from behind. "Hello Raiden."
...
Kronika made the necessary arrangements. The whole process took only a few days, it was easy since she didn't worry about her usual preference of perfection. Everything was setup to be a final battle royal, where the last one standing would be the new keeper of time.
She made her way back to the Outworld arena. She wasn't sure what to expect. She practically offered her daughter to the mysterious traveler. Now, either he dominated Cetrion or Cetrion killed him. Either way she'll be satisfied with the result.
As she approached, she felt something odd. Energy was surrounding her, it felt like her daughter's, but different, corrupted. Then she laid eyes on the man who instigated everything. He was just sitting there, next to the odd object. She spoke first.
"It appears that you somehow have absorbed my daughter's power."
He looked at her and said, "Yes, it was one of many things I've come learn recently. We can go over the others later, for now, you have a choice to make." Kronika looked at him suspiciously. He continued, "Your power is such, that I can't take you unwillingly, but if you have no emotional attachment to me then you will never have any real influence in my realm. However, my time here is nearly at its end."
Kronika understood the situation. She had no feelings for him, so, she could never have the influence she desired. However, the dice has been cast. She either commits and leave with this man or stays and wait for her replacement to get rid of her.
The choice was difficult, because neither ended in her advantage, but she chose all the same.
...
Nicholas was back at his home enjoying the spoils. The whole thing was quite the learning experience. First, the Alien and Ellen Ripley were both somewhat of a let down. The moment he came back they were both engulfed by his power and folded like a house of cards.
The Alien was obedient and Ripley was so enamored by him she literally threw herself at him. Not that he didn't enjoy her, however, the others were far more interesting. Mileena was the only one to figure out that by not entering his building she wouldn't be subject to his corruptive influence. Li Mei's fear kept her a little more juicy when compared to Ashrah who blindly entered his little apartment complex. Sindel, Sonya, Jacqui, and Cassie also entered without questioning things before it was too late.
Li Mei's fear and Nitara's beat down had a similar affect when choosing their place in the hierarchy. They were above the broken and love struck, but below guardians and queens.
Mileena was the more interesting conquests. It proved easy to win her affection. Just a little flirting and not reacting to her face when she removed her mask. Tanya stood by Mileena's side the whole time, so, Tanya by default avoided the snare.
Sindel was a unique case however. Even though she entered the complex, with Kitana by her side she didn't lose herself in his influence. Instead, with Kitana's encouragement, Sindel found herself being drawn to Nicholas and developing romantic interests. When she entered his bed, it was as a paramour.
Now you might be wondering why he wasn't currently indulging himself in one of the many potential combinations. It was because he was stuck dealing with the new killer. Sorry, killers. Charles L. Ray, aka Chucky, aka The Good Guy doll, and his "girlfriend", Tiffany Loveheart.
Whether it was because they both experienced death repeatedly or some unseen influence, Chucky and Tiffany both had a mouth on them. They were both demanding that he give them real bodies.
Well, Chucky was threatening, Tiffany was trying to use implied innuendo to bribe. The thing was, thanks to both Cetrion and Kronika being recent additions to his collection. Nicholas could actually do what they wanted, he just try to decide if it was worth the hassle.
Chucky, fed up with the situation, said, "Listen here, if I don't have my own real body soon I'll make your life a living hell. Got it!" Tiffany followed up by saying, "Chucky don't be rude. Listen, I'm sure we can come to an understanding, we just need to be human again."
Nicholas responded by saying, "Alright, I've made a decision." Then he raised his left hand and gave a quick snap. Two things happened immediately after that. First, a hole opened up beneath Chucky and he disappeared into it, his screaming could be heard until it sealed back up.
The second thing was Tiffany found herself standing over the doll she was attached to. She was human again, not only that she was in her original body. Tiffany was so enamored by the development that she failed to immediately notice that all she had on was her birthday suit.
When she did notice she realized it was to late for modesty or striking a pose. She looked at Nicholas. With a single gesture he beckoned her to him. She obeyed, she understood what he wanted. She tried to be as erotic as possible removing his clothes. When he was fully naked, Nicholas wasted no more time in enjoying Tiffany. As he sated himself with her body, Nicholas noticed a unique flavor.
Tiffany was the same grade as Li Mei and Nitara, however unlike Li Mei, who was flavored with twinge of fear, or Nitara, who had the pangs of defeat. Tiffany was coated with a sense of being indebted. Nicholas had given her exactly what she wanted, and now she felt like she had to repay him. And she would do so with the body he had given her for the rest of her existence.
Nicholas was once again sitting on the edge of his bed. Surrounded by the unconscious ladies of his collection. He was slightly torn, because he figured out that to keep himself satisfied he would need at least three times what he currently has and they would all need to be at the queen grade. Which was not likely to happen.
As he got ready for his next outing, two things came to his mind. First, he figured out that as long as they were at least a guardian grade he could bring them with him, but only upon his initial departure. Second, and this was the bigger concern. Was that he would never know where he would end up or how long he would be there. The only comfort was, while he was away his ladies would all have a chance to recover, even if they were unaware of his departure.
Deciding not to put it off anymore, Nicholas conjured the door and entered. The room was dark, the only light came from a window. Nicholas was used to low light areas, so he could still see his surroundings. The place was some kind of apartment, from the broken furniture, faded chalk outline, and lack of any noise, expect that which was clearly coming from outside. Nicholas figured that this was an abandoned building.
He walked towards the window, the floors creaked with each step. As he looked outside, it was night as he expected. It looked like a major city, but before he had a chance to ponder where. The unasked question was answered by a spotlight shining brightly into the sky, with the symbol of a bat.
Nicholas realized instantly that he was in Gotham City. With the revelation, Nicholas found himself saying only one word in response, "Shit."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone