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Language:
English
Series:
Part 1 of aphverse rewrite
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Published:
2024-10-08
Updated:
2024-10-08
Words:
4,922
Chapters:
2/?
Kudos:
3
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41

the butterfly effect.

Summary:

if a butterfly flaps its wings, it could cause a tornado.
if a narrator cuts loose its characters, then perhaps the entire play will change course.
or.
if an author blinks and creates a better timeline, perhaps canon need not be quite as messy.
(AKA i have had this idea rattling around in my brain for the last few years, and i finally had time off whilst this hyperfixation was strong.)

Notes:

I get this hyperfixation once every couple of months, so i gave up and created a WIP for me to organize my thoughts and rewrite Mystreet and (eventually, once I get through PDH and Mystreet Season 5) diaries.

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter 1: prelude

Summary:

in which the narrator makes a decision, and the clock is turned back a decade or so from where things were before.

Chapter Text

She was not supposed to die.

Not with a bang, or a boom, or anything to clue others in to the power that had carved out a home among flesh and bone.

She was supposed to live, quietly, help her people recover, and die without a trace. She was supposed to be able to live and die without the others, without searching for them, without dying by their hands–

Irene can’t keep her shit together.

If things keep going like this, keep hurtling towards ousting this entire plot, keep threatening to pull back the curtains and show them the world’s stage–

Things cannot go that way.

There is a fine balance between those who pull strings and those who are strung, and if Irene keeps cutting those damn kids loose–

It’s fine.

Everything will be fine, once I re-string the puppets and force her from the helm, take care of the cast and make sure they know their roles.

Ultimas need not pay for their existence in blood, wolves need not be hunted, children not turned into beasts.

Irene was turning, twisting into something not unlike those she has sworn vengeance on. Irene cannot be trusted to keep the ship afloat, cannot be responsible for the girl’s fate, cannot keep the girl safe long enough for her to end things for us.

The girl needs to come from a bloodline.

Dozens of girls, kept safe from harm, carrying precious gifts until the time is right and girl meets not-beast.

Yes, Irene could not see past the next few decades, but if enough time passes–

If enough blood can dilute the curses, enough mortals brought into the fold, perhaps–

Yes.

If I turn back the clock just so, plant an agent or two to stir the pot, keep things on track…

Even a broken clock is right twice a day, and though Irene cannot be trusted, perhaps she is right about a few things.

Yes.

Turn back the clock.

Cut the strings.

Set the wild cards loose.

Watch.

Wait.

Watch.

Pray.

Planting the half-witch should be enough to send things down a different road, but only time will tell…

If we are lucky,

If the girl sends that damn goddess’ favored one down the right path...

Perhaps this time, things will end as they ought.