Behind the Legends

The Keys to Success

                                             ~Takes place During the Most recent Episode of LOTB~

          Death and Collapse were very, very bored. Of course they had been very, very bored over eight million years ago, after the first few hundred thousand years of being in this one room. They could technically also go into the hallway, which they sometimes did. But at the end of the day, it was just a hallway. A long, long hallway. It's not that they didn't like being there, because they did. After all, they were the two safest people in probably all of existence at the moment. It was just a very bland life... although, that may be changing soon.

          Not so long ago, maybe around three to five years ago, a Light Steve and a wolf had found and entered the cave, gone down the hall, and entered the room. He had only stayed for a few minutes, but it had been quite odd to actually talk to someone again, or at least someone who was actually there. They had been told that someone would be coming at around a specific time, and of course, he had shown up exactly at that time. It wasn't much of a surprise, seeing as *#%&$ had never been wrong before. He knew of everything, which is how they knew pretty much everything. The best parts of their days were getting the updates and stories of the most intriguing and important events of the day. And not just in this universe, multiverse, or even omniverse. They got to hear about everything. It was quite a good deal for having to stay and watch over these pedestals, if you asked them.

          "It's almost time." A voice said, causing the two Steves to become alert, looking to the source. As expected, there stood (*&^$, being ever so slightly transparent. He was there, but not there. It had taken them a bit to fully understand it fully, and they still had a few questions about it. "We now need to wait around a month, so it be best to start the real preparations." His arms were folded behind his back, as he stepped up the giant black pit, gazing into the swirling black energy and mist stretching upwards into the matching hole.

          "I thought they didn't have all the keys yet?" Death asked, in his usual rough tone. The last thing they had been told was that they had actually returned two keys to other wielders. The blue cloaked figure hadn't been very happy about that, but seemingly got over it qite fast. He'd raised his voice for maybe five seconds, and even then, it hadn't been a full-on yell. More of just exasperation. 

          "They're in possession of the two they gave back, even though one is only a temporary wielding." He said, as if reading his thoughts. The two were pretty certain that he could do that. "On top of that, they're in close proximity to some. That only leaves one... technically two to be accounted for." Death and Collapse nodded, although they were a bit confused. They had not been told what the keys were, only that they were all weapons.

          "So, is this last month the time they'll obtain the last ones?" Collapse asked, looking to his brother. Death seemed intrigued, which was no surprise. Any situation that could lead to conflict had always made him livelier. 

          "No, not quite." The figure responded, still looking into the infinite yet confined expanse of nothingness. "One key needs to be fixed, although they are capable of doing such on their own. They have most of the pieces, that last one residing with a few other keys. And for the last one... they'll end their journey here with it, despite not starting said journey with it." That... sounded odd. But if he was saying it, then it had to be right. He had literally never been wrong before, had never given a reason to doubt him in all of the millions of years being under his protection, and receiving his teaching. "Yes, the Light Steve will be the one leading the group who bears the keys." He added, just as Death had opened his mouth. He definitely could read their minds.

          "Hm... ok. So, is it really as simple as welcoming them upon arrival, and pointing out the pedestals... what do we tell them to make them do it?" Death ended up asking. To Collapse it was a good question, one that he himself had thought about quite often. Why on earth would whoever is supposed to be coming just do what they suggest for them to do? &#$^% suddenly appeared next to the only pedestal that had a key already in it; one of Cinder's blades. He reached out, grazing the sword's hilt with his cloaked hand, seeming to be in a deep though, as he often ended up when appearing to them. It took him nearly a full minute to answer them.

          "Don't lie to them." He said, still just focused in on the pink and black blade. "Just don't tell them it fully... this will fix what happened to Dest, what happened to Brine... what happened to this universe- no, what happened to everything." Death and Collapse traded a glance, before looking back to him. His tone held so much weight, and so much authority... there was no way they could not follow him, knowing what the goal was. "Once it's done, you both are free to do as you see fit, as long as you don't try and destroy the world." He went on, turning to them before appearing right in front of them both, and holding out his arms. "These keys... they will fix my only mistake. And once they do... the wrong can be righted." With that, the figure was gone, the two Steves once again "alone" in the cavern.

          "Well, at least we get to go out to greet them. It'll be nice to see the sun again." Collapse said, shaking out the chills from his limbs. 

          "And to see Life." Death added, shaking his own arms out. "I don't wanna destroy the world, just wanna have some fun for once. Once I'm satisfied, I'll be done. No long-term damage done." Collaspe nodded, looking into the dark spiral of nothingness. Soon, they could go out into existence, with all the knowledge only they had. Neither of them could wait. But after this long... one month wasn't so bad.