Chapter 88 - Life is strange 3

I'm not sure if this is good enough. I hope it is. If not then hope you guys still enjoy it.

Anyway, it might take a while to finish this arc if you guys want a plot.

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Life is strange.

Tuesday, October 8.

9:00 Am.

Max's curiosity about Morty's understanding of time grew, and she couldn't help but ask.

"Morty, what exactly do you know about time? How does it work?" Morty leaned back in his seat, considering her question carefully before responding.

"Time is a complex concept, Max." Morty called her name and confused her.

"Wait, we haven't told you our name? How come you know it?" She asked somewhat unnervingly.

"Ah, I've been listening to you since the beginning and overheard your name." Morty said and Chloe chimed in.

"Alright, Mr. Mysterious. You were going to explain what time is." Morty nodded and continued.

"Well time, It's not just a linear progression from past to future. It's more like a continuum, with multiple timelines branching off from each moment." He gestured with his hands, illustrating the idea of branching timelines.

"Every decision we make, every action we take, creates a new branch in the timeline. And while some events are fixed, others are malleable, subject to change based on our choices." Max listened intently, absorbing Morty's explanation.

"How does that fit into the equation?" Morty nodded, his expression serious.

"Well, that's where things get interesting. Unlike you, Max, I'm immune to the effects of time alteration. I exist outside of the timeline, in a state of constant presence." He explained further.

"This means that even if someone were to alter the past, it wouldn't affect me. I would remain unaffected, as if nothing had changed. I'm like a fixed point in the universe, immune to the fluctuations of time." Max's eyes widened with realization.

"So, you're saying that even if someone were to kill your past self, it wouldn't erase you from existence?" Morty nodded solemnly.

"Exactly. Killing my past self wouldn't affect me because I exist independently of the timeline. I'm not bound by the same rules as everyone else." Chloe chimed in, her skepticism giving way to fascination.

"That's some heavy stuff, Morty. But if what you're saying is true, it could be a game-changer for us." Morty smiled, a glint of determination in his eyes.

"It's all about understanding the rules of the game, Chloe. And with my knowledge and your abilities, we might just have a fighting chance against whatever's coming our way."

Chloe's curiosity peaked as Morty spoke of his experiences, but she couldn't shake the nagging question: how did Morty know about time manipulation and Max's ability?

"So, Morty," Chloe pressed, her tone laced with skepticism.

"You're telling us you've seen people mess with time before. How exactly do you know about this stuff?" Morty took a moment to collect his thoughts before responding.

"Well, you could say I have a unique perspective on things. I'm not your average guy. In fact, I'm something of a genius." Chloe raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced.

"A genius, huh? That's quite a claim. And what's with the whole 'I've seen things' routine? Are you some kind of dimensional traveler or something?" Morty's eyes widened slightly, surprised by Chloe's intuition.

"Actually, yes. You could say I've had my fair share of adventures across different dimensions." Max leaned forward, her eyes wide with fascination.

"Different dimensions? Like, parallel universes?" Morty nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Exactly. I've traveled to worlds beyond your wildest imagination, seen things you wouldn't believe."

Chloe and Max exchanged a look, both intrigued and slightly skeptical of Morty's claims.

"Okay, Morty," Chloe said slowly.

"let's say we believe you. What does any of this have to do with me and my powers?"

Morty leaned in closer, his expression serious. "Because your powers, Max, they're not just some random accident. They're a part of something much bigger, something... cosmic. And I believe Nathan Prescott and Mark Jefferson are tangled up in it somehow." Max's eyes widened with realization, the pieces of the puzzle starting to fall into place.

"You think they're connected to the strange events happening in Arcadia Bay?" Morty nodded gravely.

"I do. And I think if we're going to uncover the truth, we need to work together. We can't let them get away with whatever they're planning."

Chloe and Max exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them. Morty's words resonated with them, stirring a sense of determination and purpose.

"Alright, Morty," Chloe said, her voice steady.

"If what you're saying is true, then we need all the help we can get. Let's do this together." Max nodded in agreement, her resolve firm.

"We won't let them get away with this. Not if we have anything to say about it." As the conversation delved deeper into the intricacies of time and dimensionality, Morty reached into his pocket and pulled out a small device, a sleek bracelet with intricate circuitry.

"Here, Max," Morty said, holding out the bracelet to her.

"This device will help regulate your time displacement abilities. It's designed to stabilize your temporal fluctuations and prevent any inadvertent ruptures in the space-time continuum." Max's eyes widened with surprise as she reached out to take the bracelet from Morty's outstretched hand.

"Wow, this is amazing! Where did you get it?" Morty shrugged nonchalantly.

"Let's just say I have access to some advanced technology from my travels. This bracelet should provide an extra layer of protection for you, Max, ensuring that you can use your powers safely and responsibly." Chloe leaned in closer, studying the device with keen interest.

"So, how does it work exactly?" Morty began to explain.

"The bracelet contains a sophisticated algorithm that monitors your temporal energy levels and adjusts them accordingly. It acts as a buffer, absorbing any excess energy and redistributing it harmlessly back into the environment." Max nodded, a sense of relief washing over her.

"That's incredible, Morty. Thank you so much for this." Morty smiled warmly, his eyes reflecting a genuine sense of camaraderie.

"No problem, Max." Morty said, taking a sip of his coffee.

Chloe's mind raced with the implications of Morty's revelations, her thoughts drifting to the possibility of alternate timelines where her father was still alive. She couldn't help but wonder if there was a reality out there where she hadn't lost him, where they were still a family.

Morty noticed the turmoil in Chloe's expression and immediately recognized the direction of her thoughts. "Chloe, I know what you're thinking," he said gently, his voice filled with empathy.

"But you have to understand that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. While it's natural to wonder 'what if,' dwelling on alternate timelines can lead to a cycle of regret and longing that ultimately detracts from the present moment." Chloe looked up at Morty, her eyes searching his face for understanding.

"But what if there's a chance to change things? What if we could find a way to alter the past and prevent my dad's death?" Morty shook his head solemnly.

"I wish it were that simple, Chloe. But tampering with the past comes with its own set of consequences. Even if you were able to change one thing, it could have far-reaching effects that you can't predict or control. And besides, the past is immutable. We can't change what's already happened." Chloe's shoulders slumped with disappointment, the weight of Morty's words sinking in.

"So, what you're saying is that I'm stuck in this reality, with no way to change what happened?" Morty placed a comforting hand on Chloe's shoulder, his gaze steady.

"Not necessarily. While we can't change the past, we can choose how we move forward from it. We can honor the memories of those we've lost and strive to make the most of the time we have in the present."

Chloe is unsure why but a brief moment her memory lingers to the past thinking about the things she wished could have been but a voice thought about how her father would say to her and the things she's been doing.

As Morty's words settled over Chloe, a profound sadness washed over her, but with it came a sudden realization. She looked around at her friends, Max's comforting presence by her side, and felt a flicker of hope stirring within her. Max reached out, placing a comforting hand on Chloe's shoulder.

"I'm here for you, Chloe." She said softly.

"We'll get through this together." Chloe nodded, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Thanks, Max. I don't know what I'd do without you." Morty watched the exchange with empathy.

"It's never easy to let go of the past," He said gently, his voice filled with compassion.

"But it's not impossible to move on. Sometimes, it just takes time." She nodded, a sense of resignation mingling with a newfound sense of acceptance.

"I guess you're right, Morty. Maybe it's time to stop dwelling on what could have been and focus on making the most of what is." Morty smiled warmly, proud of Chloe for facing her reality with courage and resilience. He can easily influence a person's heart because of his charisma.

"That's the spirit, Chloe."

Afterwards, Chloe suggested taking them to her secret lair, excitement bubbled within her. With a mischievous grin, she led Max and Morty outside to her car, a beat-up old pickup truck that had seen better days.

"Alright, buckle up, guys," Chloe said, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"I'm about to show you something really cool."

With Max in the passenger seat and Morty in the back, Chloe revved the engine and drove off, the sound of tires crunching against gravel as they made their way to their destination.

After a short drive, they arrived at the American Rust Junkyard, a sprawling expanse of rusted cars and twisted metal. Chloe parked the truck and hopped out, gesturing for Max and Morty to follow her.

"Welcome to my secret lair, the American rust." Chloe declared, spreading her arms wide.

"This is where I come to blow off steam ."

Max looked around in awe, taking in the desolate landscape with a mixture of fascination and trepidation. Morty raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued by Chloe's unusual choice of training grounds.

Chloe reached into the back of her truck and pulled out a gun, a glint of excitement in her eyes.

"Alright, Max, you ready to put your powers to the test?" Max nodded eagerly, a determined look crossing her face.

"Let's do this." Chloe set up a row of empty bottles on a nearby fence, positioning them at various distances.

"Okay, Max, I'll shoot, and you use your ability to help me hit the bottles."

Max concentrated, focusing her powers on the bottles as Chloe took aim. With a steady hand and a sharp eye, Chloe fired off rounds, each shot hitting its mark with precision thanks to Max's assistance.

Morty watched from the sidelines, impressed by Max's control over her abilities and Chloe's skill with a gun. As the bottles shattered one by one, he couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for his friends' determination and teamwork.

As the shooting session wound down, Morty decided to join in on the fun. With a mischievous grin, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek blaster, its futuristic design catching Max and Chloe off guard.

Max's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze fixed on the unfamiliar weapon.

"Whoa, Morty, what is that thing?" Chloe echoed Max's curiosity, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Yeah, Morty, I've never seen anything like it. What's the deal?" Morty chuckled, twirling the blaster in his hand with practiced ease.

"This, my friends, is a plasma blaster. It's a weapon from one of the dimensions I've visited. It shoots bursts of plasma energy, packing quite a punch." Max and Chloe exchanged a glance, both intrigued by Morty's explanation.

"That's so cool." Max said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Chloe nodded in agreement, a hint of eagerness in her voice.

"Can you show us how it works?" Morty grinned, happy to oblige.

"Of course! But first, let me show you the proper way to handle a firearm." He walked over to a nearby shooting range set up with paper targets and gestured for Chloe to join him.

"Alright, Chloe, let's start with the basics. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, grip the blaster firmly with both hands, and align your sights with the target."

Chloe nodded, mirroring Morty's stance as he demonstrated the proper technique. With patient guidance from Morty, Chloe adjusted her grip and stance until she felt comfortable.

"Okay, now focus on your breathing," Morty instructed.

"Take a deep breath, then exhale slowly as you squeeze the trigger." Chloe took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around the blaster's grip. With a steady hand and a determined expression, she squeezed the trigger, sending a burst of plasma energy flying towards the target.

To everyone's surprise, Chloe's shot hit the bullseye dead center, eliciting cheers of excitement from Max and Morty.

"Wow, Chloe, that was amazing!" Max exclaimed, clapping her hands in excitement. Chloe grinned, her confidence soaring as she realized her newfound skill.

"Thanks, guys! I couldn't have done it without Morty's guidance." Morty smiled proudly, impressed by Chloe's quick progress.

"You did great, Chloe. With a little more practice, you'll be a natural." Max's curiosity piqued, she turned to Morty and asked,

"Morty, how do you know so much about shooting? Have you had experience with firearms before?" Morty chuckled, a knowing twinkle in his eyes.

"Well, let's just say I've had my fair share of adventures, Max. I've been in situations where knowing how to handle a blaster comes in handy." Chloe raised an eyebrow, her skepticism returning.

"Adventures, huh? Care to elaborate, Morty?" Morty hesitated for a moment, debating how much to reveal.

"Alright, I'll level with you guys. I've fought aliens before." Max and Chloe exchanged a look of disbelief, their minds struggling to comprehend Morty's revelation.

"Aliens? Like, from outer space?" Max asked, her voice tinged with awe. Morty nodded solemnly.

"Yep, that's right. Turns out, the universe is a lot bigger and weirder than we thought." Chloe shook her head in disbelief, a mixture of shock and excitement coursing through her veins.

"I can't believe it. Aliens are real!?" Morty grinned, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes.

"Believe it or not, Chloe. And let me tell you, fighting off a horde of space invaders will definitely teach you a thing or two about shooting." Max and Chloe exchanged a glance, their minds reeling with the implications of Morty's revelation.

"Well, I guess we shouldn't be surprised by anything anymore," Max said with a laugh.

"Never expect I'll experience thrilling shit." Chloe nodded in agreement, a sense of exhilaration coursing through her veins.