Archive of Our Own ^beta

My bouncing foot echoed in the silent Time Theater, that Mobius guy in front of me studying his files well. It’s a strange, bureaucratic ritual, my mom told me before. It’s a trick to make me scared, so I hand over the information they want.

“Your mother is willing to do anything to protect you, including destroying the fabric of time. That’s quite a strong bond you two have.” His speech cut off my brain, bringing me back to now. 

I stuttered over my words. “It wasn’t just for me. She… wanted my dad and I to meet, to be a happy family in a safer place.” Shit, I just revealed something I’m not supposed to be saying… don’t lose your cool…

“I’m not supposed to be talking to you people,” I looked away as I heard him come closer to me.

“Do you wanna go back to the cell?” I closed my eyes as he threatened me.

“…no sir.” He sat back down and I opened my eyes, upset at how their tactics were getting to me.

“It’ll be best for all of us if you comply.” 

If you’re actually feeling scared once they start talking, deflect with anger.

“What else is there to say? Yes, my mom has plans to break the timeline in order for us to be a family again, there’s not much else for me to add onto!”

“Why?” Did he just ask why?! He has files on both of us, he should know why!

“My dad’s death was broadcasted to the entire world against his will and you tried to prune her after she had a mental breakdown! What else could be why?!” I stood up and yelled at him. 

“I thought you would’ve been nicer, but you don’t care about me, you don’t care about the TVA, you’re just doing this for yourself. Instead of torturing me in that box, you’re torturing me here!” I slammed my hands on the table and I was brought back into my seat, I was confused for a second before I felt my neck, that damn collar.

“This is what she taught you, hm?”

My eyes focused on him after his tone shifted. “What?”

“All those years on the run, never comply, never trust, the only person you could ever need is me.” 

They only tell lies, don’t believe a word they say.

“You’re old enough to know better, your mother can’t be trusted and you know that.” 

Alora, I’m not exactly a good person… but I’m not exactly a bad person either, I don’t know how to explain it.

“No… I- stop-“ I covered my ears and lowered my head.

“You’ve stuck by her side, no matter how many innocent people she’s killed only because you’d have no one else to lean on, because you don’t want to be alone.” 

He… he was coming after me, I had no choice!

He doesn’t matter, what matters is that you’re safe.

All heroes kill for the greater good, and you are my greater good.

Someone opened the Time Theater door and called out. “Mobius, it’s time.” 

.

Renslayer let me out with guards surrounding me, we stopped in front of gold elevator doors, my mom next to me.  “Are you okay?” She tried to comfort me, but nothing felt real at that moment. 

“It’s okay, baby. I got you.” Can I even trust her anymore?

“The Time-Keepers want to see them one-by-one, come Alora.” I stepped forward and Renslayer opened the doors. We stepped inside and my mom looked scared, but she took a deep breath and smiled at me.

“I love you more than Blookies.” She said, the doors closing afterwards. It was something I used to say to her, when I was so much younger and knew no better. 

Maybe I know better now.

.

We stepped out of the elevator, the Time Keepers sat on their thrones just like imagined, pompous weirdos. “A child born of chaos, forged in chaos, destined for chaos.” I stood by myself, surrounded by four guards in different corners. 

“You exceed your mother’s power tenfold, and she holds the Power Stones of every multiverse.” I smiled at the compliment.

“With the wave of your hand, the universe could be your stage… and it’d be dumb of us to not end you here.” My eyes widened and I looked up at them.

“What…?!”

“We cannot guarantee the Void will kill you, so we must do it ourselves.” Before this, I never thought if I was scared of dying, I always thought my mom would be there to protect me.

“Please, no! I’m just… I’m just a kid, I don’t want to be like my mom!” As the words left my mouth, I worried that my last words were lies. 

“Your fate is one we cannot change.” The guards in the corners moved in closer, their weapons drawn. I was stuck all alone, no powers, I couldn’t run.

All I could do was scream out for my mom.

.

.

.

Ravonna and Ivy sat silently in the elevator. “You’re next.” She blurted.

“I don’t believe any word you say, don’t you know that?” Ivy turned to her and scowled.

“Oh trust me, you’ll believe me.” She turned back to the elevator door as it opened. The four guards congregated in the center moved back to their corners. All that laid was a corpse, the corpse of her child.

“No… no, no, no… NO!” She ran towards Alora's body. Ravonna didn't activate her collar to keep her in place, she smiled as she watched Ivy hold Alora's lifeless body in her arms, begging her to wake up.

“Baby, open your eyes, please…?” Her clothes became stained with her blood as she tried to save her, checking for any sign of life.

“Can you hear me…?” Her voice trembled, she looked up at the Time-Keeper's guards, blood stained the sharp edges of their batons. A sob slipped out and she fell apart, crying into Alora's shoulder.

“Her power can’t be greeted with mercy, Ivy.” She looked up at the Time-Keepers, her glassy eyes met their lifeless ones.

“You more than anyone know this to be the truth.” Her arms squeezed Alora tighter, anger making her teeth grit together.

"I know the truth... and this isn't it." She lied her back down on the ground and balled her fists. "She was never the villain."

Her eyes began to glow a striking purple. "I am."