Ty sat on the edge of his bed, bewildered at the thought that he had caused his
foster brother to regress in puberty. As he sat and pondered how any of this
could be possible, he didn't notice the dazzling light which filled the opposite
side of his room. He remained oblivous as from the light appeared a large
anthromorphic lion with pure white fur and brilliant blue eyes. It wasn't until the
creature stood directly in front of him and cleared its throat loudly that the young
boy was awakened from his thoughtful stupor and turned his attention to the
strange apparition.
"Hello, Tyler," the personified feline greeted him.
"W-who are you?!" Ty jumped back into the furthest corner of the bed in a fetal
position, his eyes wide with terror and befuddlement. "How do you know my
name?"
"Peace, child," the creature said soothingly as it sat on the edge of the bed. "I
am sure you are afraid and confused; I understand. However, I am here to
explain things to you, so please control yourself."
Ty regained his composure and released himself from his self-created cocoon.
However, he did not move any closer to the lion.
"I fear that my true name would be much too difficult for you to pronounce," the
creature chuckled, "so why don't you think of something to call me?"
"I don't know," Ty said, "Aslan? That's pretty cheesy, but I'll remember it."
"Aslan? You're right, that is rather cheesy. But it will suffice. Now, I am here to
explain to you many things. You must pay close attention to what I am about to
say. Understand?"
Ty nodded.
"Good. You see, Tyler, this world is but a small part of a large universe. There
are many other planets and solar systems out there with life on them far
different from yours."
"So you're an alien?" Ty asked.
"No, let me finish. There are also many universes parallel to this one. Many
different planes of existance exist which have different physics and laws. And
beyond these there is a special place called the Order Space. It is both visible
and invisible; tangible and intangible; everything and nothing; all at the same
time. It is the dimension where all of the others connect. In this Order Space
reside super-powerful beings that look over their respective worlds and insure
they remain stable. I am responsible for this planet. Now, if I haven't fried your
brain already, I will tell you your part in this."
Ty nodded in shocked wonder; was he really going to be a part of something so
grand?
"When one of us decides it is time, we relinquish our powers to one of the
inhabitants of our worlds. We teach them everything we know so that they may
take our place in the Order. I have chosen you. You will inherit my powers and
become the new keeper of Earth."
"But what if I don't want to?" Ty asked.
"It is too late, you have already been given power. But I do not believe that you
would rather stay here with an abusive foster family than become a super
being."
"This is true," Ty admitted. "So what will I have to do to become part of this
Order?"
"It is quite simple, really. I'll bring you to the Order Space where a council of the
most powerful super beings will judge you. If you are deemed acceptable,
which I am sure you will be, I will give you my full power and transfer all of my
knowledge to you. Once that is done, I will be placed back into the time stream
where I was taken out by my predecessor and you will take my place among
the Order."
"Okay," Ty conceded, "So when do we go?"
"We are already there."
Ty looked around to see that his bed was now floating in an indescribable realm
of alternating appearances. It seemed that the place was constantly changing
from one landscape to another; most were strange and alien, but a few familiar
or similar to Earth. Ty's mind was having difficulty taking in his surroundings, so
he tried to focus on Aslan.
"It is quite overwhelming for the first time," Aslan chuckled, "But don't worry,
you'll get used to it."
The bed seemed to be stationary, but Ty saw other objects floating by in the
endless space. He couldn't tell whether they were moving, or he was. But his
attention was now drawn to a huge structure coming closer and closer. As they
neared it, Ty saw that it was an enourmous judge's stand whereat sat seven
large creatures. Each of them was the same pure white as Aslan, but they were
all different creatures. The one in the middle, and clearly in charge, looked like
a dragon, but with human arms and legs, a wolvish head, and great antlers that
stretched beyond his snout. To his right sat a muscular nine-tailed kitsune and
to his left a busty gryphon woman. The other judges were apparently creatures
from other universes as Ty couldn't recognize, or even describe, any of them.
Aslan stepped off the bed, but remained floating in the semi-void. He suddenly
grew to the size of the other creatures leaving Ty feeling small and alone.
"Keeper of Earth," the dragon thing stated in a booming voice, "You have filed
your resignation with this council. We will begin your hearing for your potential
replacement. Keeper of Ytlüng, you may begin."
The gryphon woman stood up, her breasts bouncing a bit and making Ty feel
weird. She adressed Aslan in a soft but powerful voice.
"Keeper of Earth, you have chosen your replacement. Would you please inform
the council of how long you have monitored him?"
"I have watched him since his birth 15 Earth years ago, or 1.5 Order years."
"Very well, and how is his character?"
"He is kind-hearted, but he has been with an abusive family for the past four
years. He has had some troubles, but I believe him more than capable to rise
above them."
"And what of your power and knowledge have you already given him?"
"I gave him power enough to perform one change and have told him a basic
overview of the Order's existance and purpose."
"You will now leave this court," the dragon creature picked up again, "so that
we may evaluate your replacement."
"Yes, Keeper of Gœral," Aslan nodded and disappeared from sight.
"Earth child," the dragon addressed Ty, "Please rise."
Ty was afraid to leave the bed, but he was more afraid of the creatures in front
of him. So he took a leap of faith and stood up off of the bed. He was amazed
that he did not fall, even though he had seen Aslan do it not long ago. He stood
there in the huge realm and looked high up to the creatures at the stand.
"Keeper of Fencøql, you may begin evaluation."
The kitsune stood up and passed through the stand. As he approached Ty, he
shrunk down to the size that Aslan had been.
{Human, I will be evaluating your potential to become a member of the order,}
came a telepathic voice from the kitsune. {In order to do so, one of my tails
must connect with your mind. Please do not fight it. Just relax.}
Before Ty could even consider what this meant, the kitsune thrust forth one of
his nine tails and it touched Ty on the forehead. Suddenly, Ty was taken to yet
another realm, this one was a simple black void which pulsed a pure white
periodically. Ty and the kitsune were the only ones here and could see each
other even when their surroundings were completely dark.
{This is the Plane of Truth,} the kitsune explained. {In this place, we are
stripped to our bare selves. No, not your clothes...}
Ty had reacted to the word stripped and checked to see that his clothes were
still there. Just because these creatures were unabashed in their modesty didn't
mean he was.
{...I meant your character. Within this realm no lie can be told, no prejudice can
exist. We are simply us and will be judged on that alone. I sense your fear and
nervousness. Be calm, you can come to no harm here.}
Ty tried to relax, taking deep breaths and closing his eyes.
{Much better,} the kitsune reassured him. {You are a kind and generous
person. Your spirit is that of a child who only wishes for accpetance and love.
You do not like your current foster family, but you bear no grudges against
them. Your anger towards them comes from frustration, not hate. You wish that
they could see their faults and change, you do not wish them harm.
Forgiveness is important to you, as well as morals and justice.}
The two were back in the Order Space in front of the council.
{You pass.}
"Very well then," the dragon stated. "Keeper of Earth, you may return."
Aslan reappeared as the kitsune returned to his former size and went back to
his seat.
"Keeper of Earth, this child's character has been established as accpetable to
replace you. The council will now vote aye or nay to permit or decline his
accpetance. Keeper of Ytlüng..."
"Aye," the dragon voted.
"Keeper of Fencøql..."
"Aye," said the kitsune.
The rest of the council voted in unanimous ayes and the dragon stood up.
"This coucil has found your replacement acceptable. Child, do you agree to
become the new keeper of Earth?"
Ty had been fighting a mental battle with himself while the council had voted.
When the time came for him to answer, he had finally decided to say, "Yes."
"Do you understand that you will be responsible for the well-being of your
planet?"
"Yes."
"Will you uphold the sacred task of keeping order within your jurisdiction?"
"Yes."
"Do you understand that you cannot leave this position unless you are
banished or have served a term of 100 million Order years, which would be 1
billion Earth years?"
"Yes."
"Then, by the authority of this council, you are hereby decreed the new Keeper
of Earth. Ràcságædäm, you may relinquish your knowledge and power to your
successor."
Aslan shrunk back down to Ty's size and took his hand in his paw. He
positioned their arms so that it looked like they were about to arm wrestle. A
bright light enveloped the two of them and Ty felt his mind surge with infinite
knowledge while his body flowed with unlimited power. As the light faded, so
did Aslan, and Ty then grew to the size of the other super beings.
"Congratulations, Keeper of Earth. Before you may begin your duties, however,
you may choose to alter your form. Whether you do or not, you will become the
pure white which signifies you as a member of the Order. You will also be
required to relinquish your clothing, as Order members are required to have
modesty and simplicity. This will also be an exercise for your new power.
Proceed."
Ty knew that the form he chose would be the one he was stuck with; at least
for this realm and for the next billion Earth years. After a long consideration, he
chose to be...