THE MOMENT
"You're kidding...," Aurora shook her head at Turbo's idea. She and Turbo and a waitress named Gloria Jane stood outside in an alley behind a cafe. Despite the nearby overflowing dumpster and its odor, it was otherwise a nice day. The sky was blue and the alley was bright.
"I'm sorry, what?" Gloria Jane wasn't entirely sure she'd heard correctly. The cafe she worked at was frequented by supernatural creatures and travelers from other universes. She'd seen her share of unexpected things. Part of her was thrilled that she could still be surprised; it meant she was still normal. She sometimes worried that interacting with demons, fairies, and more would diminish her humanity. Turbo nodded his head in an answer to both of them.
"I'm not kidding; but, I might be wrong," he said. "It might not work at all."
"But, you think it might?" Aurora asked. No matter what he said, she knew that they wouldn't even be attempting it if he wasn't hopeful of the results. Especially given the precautions he already took.
"Yeah," he nodded. "I ran it by the owners. If it works, all good. If it doesn't, nothing changes," he said.
"Can I ask?" Gloria Jane half-raised her hand to get their attention. "How is this supposed to work?" Turbo chuckled.
"Yeah, sorry. I guess I kind of dumped it on you," he said. He looked into Gloria Jane's green eyes and smiled. "You know what you are, right?"
"I'm a 'Gloria'," she used air quotes. "I don't know why that's a big deal though, I'm just a Zero." Both Turbo and Aurora shook their heads at her answer.
"Not exactly," Turbo said. "It turns out you're actually a Myth," he said.
"Huh?" she stared at him in confusion. She knew what 'Myths' were; but, she certainly didn't qualify. Myths were created when humanity believes in something so much it takes a physical form like Santa Claus. She was just a normal waitress and didn't see how she qualified.
"Yeah, that's actually more explaining than we have time for right now," Turbo shrugged apologetically. "But, the point is, you're more special than you think you are. "You are, arguably, the most popular Myth in the multiverse and that's why I need your help," he said.
"Your soul vibrates at almost the same frequency as every other version of yourself. I'm going to use that as a connection; I have another Gloria standing by, of course," he said. Then, he flicked his wrist upward to summon his Slate. The large glass pane appeared in the air in front of him and he put his hands on it to start typing. Seconds after he did, a tall black portal opened in the alley next to them.
"Aurora is going to bridge the two universes and then bring them together using you as a focus," he gestured at the restaurant wall. "Thanks to all the travelers you get the boundaries between the universes are weaker here."
"Oh, okay," Gloria Jane nodded. She didn't completely understand what was about to happen; but, she wasn't afraid of the unknown. "I guess I'm ready?" she shrugged.
"Aurora?" Turbo looked at his friend. The teenager with curly brown hair and blonde highlights met his gaze. He looked into her mismatched eyes, one brown and one green, and smiled.
"I can find another way," he said. "This was just my first idea."
"No," she shook her head. "If this helps me get my dad back, I can help. It's just... been a while," she said. "I'm not sure what'll happen."
"Then, let's find out," Turbo chuckled to try and help her along. Luckily, she nodded. She took a few steps away from Turbo and Gloria Jane. She stood still and closed her eyes for a moment. She inhaled deeply, then relaxed visibly. She exhaled the air and she began to glow with a golden aura. It happened quickly, almost instantly. Gloria Jane had just enough time to realize the teen was glowing before she became two people. It was the strangest thing she'd ever seen so far; it almost looked like a younger, blonde girl stepped out of the older teenager.
The blonde girl had bright green eyes and a broad smile as she eagerly waved at Turbo. The taller teenager kept only the brown curls and now both her eyes were coffee brown.
"Gloria Jane, say hi to Six and 23," Turbo said.
"I'M SIX!" the blonde girl dashed up to Gloria Jane and grabbed her hand to shake it. Her bubbly enthusiasm was contagious and Gloria Jane felt herself get giddy just by being in the girl's presence.
"Hey. We already met, kinda," the taller teen simply nodded at Gloria.
"Okay, Six," Turbo smiled down at the blonde girl. "Go through the portal and say hi to the other Gloria," he said.
"'Kay!" the blonde girl dashed away and vanished into the black hole.
"Feeling okay?" Turbo asked 23. She nodded with a somber expression.
"Yeah," she said. "Doesn't feel like 'me', you know?" she said.
"It'll be over in just a second," Turbo nodded and focused on his Slate again. He nodded once and a translucent red visor appeared over his eyes. Then, his hands began to dance across the surface as he began to type.
"Okay, everything's lined up," Turbo said. Though, he hadn't stopped typing. He couldn't, the universe was always changing and all he could do was keep up. "Go for it," he said. 23 nodded and grabbed Gloria's hand. Then, she walked closer to the portal. She held her node out by the time she reached the black hole.
"Going in 3...," She announced as she raised the node up.
"2...," she straightened her arm.
"1...," She pushed her node into the portal and said her password.
"Oversoul." Gloria Jane was blinded by a brilliant flash of golden light and she felt the earth tremble beneath her. She gripped the hand she was holding tighter and felt a strong, comforting grip in return. She managed to stay on her feet and in moments, the light was gone. She opened her eyes and saw the Aurora she met earlier with golden highlights in her hair and different eyes. On the other side of her, Gloria Jane saw another young woman with forest green hair that resembled her own.
She looked up and saw a dragon flying overhead. A loud clanging sound caught her attention and she looked back at street level to the end of the alley. A large gunmetal mech was walking by where cars had been moments before.
"That totally worked......," Turbo grinned as he typed on the Slate.
"Hi...," The two Glorias greeted each other as Aurora walked to Turbo.
"Now we know it's possible," he said. Aurora nodded. She was feeling hopeful now too. She was a step closer to seeing her dad again.
"Wait...," Gloria Jane spoke up. Turbo looked up and noticed the two green-haired women staring at him. "...so, which one of us gets to keep our job?"