I'm not the best writer nor can I say I'm proficient at it. Though there're story ideas that I wish most people would expand upon so I wished to take it for a whirl. I don't own any media that I use, they belong to their proper authors and companies. Any feed back is appreciated. Enjoy~
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Anime.
Games.
Movies.
Comics.
Shows.
What do they all have in common? A plot? A cast? A world? Or even a universe? No. What they all have…
A Author and Consumers.
A author is one who create a world, a universe, a idea and make a platform for it to be shown, heard, seen. A consumer is one who take time out their day to critique, savor, hate or even love the work of a author. Never one emotion, never one reaction, never one satisfaction. Now why is this important?
You see consumers might love or hate a authors creation and decide they wish to add on or take the creation in a form of a idea of their own inspired or a alternative path of creation.
And this is one of them. Do you understand…Cobalt?
"What the fuck are you talking about? Where even am I!?" Shouted a young man. In the vast void of white and emtiness stood a five foot, 11 inches(about 155 centimeters for the other system), skin that like mocha. His face had some baby fat he could never lose, but eyes a deep amber, just how his mother loved.
"ARE YOU NARRATING ME!?"
He wasn't thin nor chubby, carrying a basic frame with light muscle from his days as a warehouse worker. He currently is wearing said uniform of a heavy navy blue hoodie, a pair of brown cargo and brown boots.
"Stop ignoring me!"
Cobalt at the age of seventeen had been chosen by a consumer to be the main point of a alternate path. A alternative universe you can say.
"Who?"
Cobalt.
"Yeah who? Who the hell is Cobalt? Isn't that a metal?"
Cobalt is you.
"Last time I checked, I'm a human."
I know.
"So?"
Your name.
"What about it?"
It's now Cobalt.
"The fuck-no it's not! It's-."
Cobalt.
"No its-."
Cobalt.
"STOP INTERRUTING ME! IT'S-."
Cobalt. The name of the anomaly chosen by the consumer.
Cobalt eyes blinked. "Consumer? Wait are you for real? What is even going on? I didn't ask for this." His frustration now growing and fear blooming.
Yes, you have been picked to be a anomaly of the alternative of not one creation but multiple. A anomaly who's existence is too support who you want to support, destroy who you wish to destroy, give hope to those who deserves hope.
Now Cobalt became even more worried. "B-but I'm no one special. Come one man, I still got to finish work so I would appreciate going back home. Come on this isn't funny."
I'm afraid to say you cannot. It seams you refuse to grasp the new reality placed on you. Allow me.
Before the young man could respond the world around him warped and bended. A myriad of colors assaulted his eyes as his body, mind, and soul were flung through space, time and matter.
Then it stopped.
Shakily his eyes opened to witness a sight he wouldn't wish on any other. A sight that made him fall on his knees despite floating above the scene before him.
The familiar warehouse he grown accustomed to was set ablaze. Smoke of ash and destruction permeated the air creating a veil of storm clouds yet not a single drop of water would fall.
In the chilly winter as of december 15th, the warehouse Cobalt worked it suffer a electrical fire that set of near famable material, creating a chain reaction of devestating proportions. Firemen rushed in and out, ambulance blaring their sirens, police holding back the locals from getting to close. Body after body dragged out. Some suffering from smoke inhalation, others 2nd to 3rd degree burns. Until a familiar looking guy came out.
His eyes dulled and tears fell with no sound. Cobalt watched a mirror. The mirror of his own reflection with glassy eyes and half his body charred.
It was his turn you know? His turn to manage the forklift and move stuff around. His turn to make sure everything was ready to be packed and shipped.
He was the closest to the material. The first to experience the chain of events. The first to feel the intense heat against the chilly cold. The first to taste ash and blood. The first to be pushed by a blast.
Yet the only one to perish.
"Shut up."
The last to be found.
"Shut up."
The only one…
"S-stop."
To die.
"Ah". Cobalt couldn't help utter a single sound of disbelief. Watching a nightmare he couldn't wake up from.
He died.
He died at work. Huh.
He didn't expect to die in such a way. It was something you see only in movies or games. Damn.
His mom his gonna be devastated. His dad would cry. His brother would despair. All because…a-all because….
Cobalt cheeks bulged before throwing up what he ate. A bread filled with cream cheese and a lemonade. He let out a broken chuckle. What's a shitty final meal.
Bloodshot eyes filled with nothing stared into nothingness once more. All sound gone. The smell of smoke and ash disappeared without even a linger. The taste of vomit remained.
"So. What do you want."
Whatever do you mean?
His voice was dead. Not a trace of his previous vigor can be heard. "You wouldn't make up something like this to manipulate a guy to do your bidding. You would promise them power, wealth, bitches whatever." He looked up as if staring at the being speaking.
"If it was a threat you would word it as such. This consumer…picked me cause I'm simply a fresh dead soul for it to use for its machinations. Right?"
Quite perceptive. 7/10.
"Hoh? Not a full mark?"
Indeed not. You see you got it worked wrong. You assume just cause I showed you how you'd die you are a fresh soul from death. That is incorrect. You are a soul that was picked from the vast lands of limbo. Pergatory. A soul who got lost on the way to heaven or hell.
Cobalt made no reaction. His eyes staring straight unblinking.
Yes you died in 2017. It's been a quite some time since you death. December 15th, 2017. I simply reminded you your state of being.
Cobalt tilted his head toward o the side. "Hm."
Next is the so called machinations. The definition of machination it "a plot or scheme." It is neither. The consumer wishes to use you not for its own plot or some malevolent scheme, but to give you a second chance.
A spark of something lit up in his eyes. Something sparked inside him but died out. "Second chance? You said it yourself it's been years, for who knows how long. If I go back, half my body is a burnt brisket, I'm probably in a coffin with no organs and body locked in rigur mortis. Hell I can be a fancy vase on a shelf for all I care."
Second chance? What a joke. Let's say you do come back from the dead. Body fully healed and not in a coffin for some reason. In the eyes of the government your dead and if you prove you are someone who was dead, legally speaking you either don't exist anymore and or you can get arrested for faking your death or brought in for experimentation.
A man survived a nuclear accident and came out alive but as a chemically destroyed body with pretty much his skin gone and organs barley working.
They hooked him up in machines and didn't let him die due to his family insistence. Suffered for 83 days before finally dieing.
Half his body was more charred then charcoal, while it probably won't be as bad as that guy it would be better to lets things lay. He's pretty sure his organs were cooked and blood boiled. Then he comes back as if it never happened?
No thank you.
Ah but you see Cobalt that's where the final point lies in. The why. While its impressive that you deduced my intention but you missed the part on what you been brought in for. Yes it's true bringing you back from the dead is not a ideal situation for you. Especially when it's considered heresy in the eyes of the world and religion, so you would instantly be destroyed before even returning. While reincarnation on the other hand would be acceptable it's still not why you were brought back. Tell me Cobalt, what was the first words I said?
Cobalt thought back when this all started. Something about different media platforms…wait. Wait. WAIT!!
All thoughts about death and despair were pushed back when he finally pieced what's happening. He eruptly stood back up with eyes finally showing emotions of confusion and awe.
Anomaly.
Alternative path.
Consumers.
MULTIPLE CREATIONS!?
Yes Cobalt! Your so close to figuring it out! Allow me to share more! You are given the chance to participate copies of authors works to change the narrative. Not one but many. Not one live but multiple. A anomaly who's existence is too support who you want to support, destroy who you wish to destroy, give hope to those who deserves hope.
The once warehouse worker whole perception has shifted. His death was not recent but a past. His souls lost but found. A chance to continue! A chance to be-
"A dimension travel-."
A shopkeeper!
.
.
.
.
.
.
"BITCH WHAT!? WHAT THE HELL YOU MEAN SHOPKEEPER!?"
Hehe! Yes my boy! A shopkeeper! Oh how exciting! In the space between you have been chosen to manage a shop of all. A shop connect to all!
Cobalt excitement vanish. His expectations gone. Hotel trivago.
"THATS NOT WHAT I WAS THINKING!!"
Hehe! You see Cobalt while dimensional traveler would also be a ideal choice you were picked to a anomaly of multiple worlds not one at a time. The only way for you to be in multiple worlds is by either splitting you into pieces or having access to them all! The consumer wishes to alter a copy of timelines of the original works of creations but multiple at a time not a single.
Cobalt can see and not see the logic. "So the best option is to run a dimensional shop? Wouldn't a training center or a library for knowledge work best? Hell I'm pretty sure just this void can work. Besides what do I sell that can affect timelines?"
Ah but you see Cobalt your thinking one dimensional. Lets say instead of a shop you did a restaurant. A restaurant for multiple worlds. Having access to these world you now have more option of dishes to sell. Can you think of what can alter a timeline in such a way? Think back on all the games and shows you watched.
Cobalt grunted and glared ahead. His mind filling in blanks. "A sitrus berry from Pokemon. It can be eaten to heal a Pokemon and in the anime and manga shown to be safe to consume by humans. Are you saying if I were to serve such a dish with sitrus berries it's healing affects can be used on human?"
Yes! You see Cobalt! That way of thinking is why you were name such! A metal that can be shaped and bend, a metal to create energy, used for safety, a foundation for machinery, said to be used for even treating cancer! Now think about the shop!
Now following along, without realizing he began to let out a smile. "In Naruto, Rock Lee couldn't use chakra due to his abysmal levels. To compensate he focus all on taijutsu. But what if…in Kingdom Hearts, you can boost Sora's Magic with magic boost. In One piece you can eat a devil fruit. In Dark Souls are souls to increase your stats. Pokemon has items to train Evs in specific stats! If I can make a human version-."
Yes! Yes! Your finally getting it! You see Cobalt not only can you manage items of multiple worlds but even alter them to be more effective! But it will take energy. Energy you can increase with currency of all worlds!
Cobalt nodded as ideas of various items, skills, powers flashes through his mind. "A shop that can offer anything. A shop to support, destroy or give hope. But to gain I must build up money. In turn to make more. I'm named Cobalt for its many uses to help people."
He reminded himself of what he saw. The heat, the pain, he remember now. "I can't be the guy I was before. He's dead and his family no doubt moved on. I remember now." He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath and let it out.
"Fine. I accept."
Then say it young one. Finalize your role and start anew. Become what you are named. Oh! Silly me I forgot! I was suppose to give a speak about your role and kinda lost track with the whole death thing.
"Gee, thanks. Good to know my 'death thing' was a side track."
Your welcome!
"Get one with it!"💢
Ah yes ahem.
Cobalt. Your have been given a chance to become a anomaly in many worlds created by authors. The consumer wishes for you to do as you believe is right. Be good, be evil but never forget your purpose. To destroy who you believe should be destroyed. To support whoever you wish to support. To give hope that you believe deserve to have hope. Do you accept this chance to be the to one up for the task.
If you asked Cobalt this when he was as alive, he would called you high and to lay of the crack. But for who knows how much time had past for him here and the emotional roller coaster it has been. How the hell can he say no?
"I accept." Around him the myriad of colors return but slower and more harmonious then last time. He watch in as as the world around soon was filled with colors of all. Mixing to create new, morphing to change into others.
To finalize your role. Name your shop. Name the the dimension it'll be held. And call out your name as its owner. Be careful now, you only get one of each. No takes backs.
A name? A shop where everything he wishes can be had as well for others. A place where he can give those unfortunate a chance to shine brighter then what their original counterparts were. Finally the dimension of where this shop of dream is home to.
A bright smile erupted on his face. "My name is Cobalt! Owner of Shooting Star in the world where stars can always shine! Sidereum Nox!(C-der-a-m Nox)
You cheesy nerd! You would go for Latin! I approve! Note I'll no longer be 'narrating' as you call it but I'll be watching! When you wake up you'll be given a manuel on your new arrangements. I trust you read carefully and not abuse the gift given to you.
Cobalt nodded as a wave of exhaustion hits his like a truck. The world warpped and changed. The floor gaining matter.
Goodbye Cobalt! Be the shooting star you believe you can be! You cheesy nerd!
"You…jerk." Was the last words he said said before falling asleep. When he wakes up, it would start a new chapter in his life. Who knows? Maybe in others too. Let's watch shall we?
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Let me know what y'all think. I like it but can see it's a bit cheesy and maybe edgy but I based it on how I would feel as realistically close as entertainingly possible. Not everyone would say yes to be plucked from your daily life with no warning without causation and hostility. But that's just me:
Let me know what you would name a shop and the world it's in! I want to know what other people would think of if given the opportunity!
Have a good day~