Still groggy, I emerged from what was apparently a live burial in hay. I looked around and found myself surrounded by horses in some kind of barn. It didn't make sense why I was here. I had always been a city girl, I never had any interest in a country life. I had even been accepted into a prestigious big city college to cement my interest in urban jungles.

I felt a small sense of relief that I wasn't amnesiac enough to forget my love for the city life. I mentally continued going over other details about myself in order to confirm what else I could remember.

My name is Ashla Salma. I am turning 18 next month. I will be studying business at that college I mentioned earlier upon my high school graduation in three months. I never knew my mother, but my father has raised me, encouraging my dreams to one day start my own corporation. He also taught me how to hunt, which is one of my favorite hobbies, the one thing I do enjoy about the country. I have had multiple invites to my senior ball, and I am still trying to figure out which one to accept. Oh, now I think I am remembering how I got here....

My dad eloped a few days ago, and I just met my new "mother" shortly after the fact. She is in her 30s, about 10 years younger than my father. Her name is Kari, and despite her ditsy, friendly personality, I felt like there was something off about her. This was confirmed when she drove up to me while I was walking home from school, offering me a ride. I declined it politely, preferring to enjoy the weather and exercise from a quiet suburban walk. She then got out of the car and punched me in the stomach, leaving me breathless. She threw me into the backseat, and I saw my father approaching the vehicle from a distance before a blindfold went over my eyes. I had no way of warning him due to the breath being knocked out of me, and something being injected into my arm stole what was left of my remaining consciousness.

So here I am, in this smelly barn, likely far way from the life I want to partake in. Despite feeling weak, I mustered as much resolve as possible so I can find out where I am, rescue my father if I'm not too late, and give my evil stepmother the boot. My senses were getting stronger, and I could now hear arguing outside. The voices belonged to my father and Kari.

"You won't take her away from me Kari! She's my child, and mine alone!"

"Liar! I am taking her away from you, monster!"

I emerged from the barn and found my father pointing a gun at Kari. Kari's only defense was a black dress that seemed to be all that she ever wore. I felt some relief knowing that my dad was OK, but it wouldn't be over until this vile woman was out of the picture.

"Dad! Are you alright?" I shrieked.

"Of course honey. I'm so sorry I couldn't get back to you sooner. But don't worry, I won't let anyone take you from me ever again."

"Ashla, your father isn't who you think he is!" Kari cried out. "I did what I did to hide you until I could stop his scheme against you!"

"Scheme, what are you talking about?" I asked heatedly. "That's rich coming from someone that punched me in the chest, threw me in her car, then blindfolded and drugged me! So how could my father, whom I have known my whole life, possibly be the one out to get me?"

"Because that's the problem, you haven't known him your whole life Ashla." Kari replied sympathetically. "Your father is a creature that craves the taste of humans. He stole you from your real family when you were too young to remember, and raised you until you were old enough to devour as well. Whether you choose to trust me or not, you have to get out of here!"

My father laughed at Kari's plea before turning back to me.

"C'mon kiddo, you can't possibly believe this ridiculous story! If I was really a sinister people eating monster, why would this woman marry me?"

"It was how I could get close enough to put an end to your plot." Kari explained. "And besides, by us being married I could get the legal responsibility to watch out for Ashla once you are out of the picture."

"Not going to happen you nasty homewrecker, I won't let you damage my family any longer." My father said before handing me the gun. "Go ahead baby, this should be your kill since this woman kidnapped you and made you go to the country without the option to hunt. Well now you can hunt. Stop this vixen from terrorizing any other innocent families in the future."

"Ok." I stammered, pointing the gun at Kari. "Leave us alone, or I'll shoot! But if you leave now and vow to never return, I'll let you go."

"No honey, you have to shoot the evil lady!" My dad protested. "She will just come after us again!"

"Your fake father is right Ashla." Kari smirked. "I'm not going to back down, so you're going to have to pull that trigger if you want to get rid of me."

I had shot plenty of animals in my hunts, but never another person. Still, this one had kidnapped me, and her delusions would remain a threat to my father and I. Feeling cornered, I pulled the trigger.

The bullet hit Kari's chest, then it fell to the ground. My father and I stared at her in disbelief as she gave us a triumphant smile.

"Have either of you ever heard of Hugh's Hero Network?" Kari asked us.

"You mean the organization led by the alien that looks like a human, and his heroes that wear dark helmets that give them access to body armor and weapons that can appear by thought? Also, do they send threats to a place called the Reflection Dimension, where those threats have the opportunity to reform and become productive members of society?"

"Very good, you are well informed." Kari told me. "The way you phrased that leads me to believe that this is what you were taught in school."

"Maybe I was." I said with resolve, while also fearful of what this apparently bulletproof woman was going to do next. I also wondered why she was even bringing up Hugh and his famous network to begin with. Was she a member?

"I see the gears turning in your head, so I will answer your unspoken question. I am not a member of Hugh's network. I am actually opposed to them. But we'll get to that later. The reason your gun didn't hurt me was because a warlock gave my body the same abilities that one of Hugh's helmets provides to one of his flunkies. So my skin is as strong as their body armor, and bullets won't break me. I also can store weapons within myself as if I was wearing one of the helmets, which I can summon by thought anytime. Here, I will show you."

A gun appeared in Kari's right hand. A laser shot out of the gun and blasted through my father's chest. Before he fell dead to the ground, his body transformed into the form of a fanged humanoid coyote.

"Father? Daddy?" I asked in shock, as tears streamed down my face. Kari walked over and embraced me, and I sobbed uncontrollably in her arms.

"I'm sorry child, that monster was never your father." Kari said tenderly as I continued crying. Once I finished letting out some of my sorrow, Kari continued to speak to me.

"That beast took on my husband's appearance.... my real husband. That is how I knew he was a fraud. We were able to uncover his real nature, and learned that he has been stealing children from their families after snacking on them, then posing as their parent and eating them once they grew up. This cycle has gone on for years, but today my dear, we put an end to it."

"We?" I asked. "You said you were against Hugh's organization? Who are you with?"

"A group that will put them out of business, permanently. My name really is Kari, but I also go by the name Anti-Hero, because I stand against the fraudulent heroes from Hugh's network. Because of them, my sweet husband is trapped in the Reflection Dimension. They aren't really protecting anyone. After all, have you seen anyone from their network here to help us tonight? We are going to eliminate them, then we will act as heroes that truly save others, including good kids just like you Ashla."

It was true, I had learned much about Hugh and his hero network in school. Yet I had never once seen anyone from his worldwide network, even though I lived near a big city. I had been groomed into becoming a meal by a beast that was pretending to be my dad. And the one that rescued me was Anti-Hero, not a member of Hugh's network. Worse of all, this monster had done this to multiple families, and Hugh and his team never did a thing to help any of them. I didn't know all of Kari's story, or even much of anything about this group that she belonged to. But her actions tonight made me a believer. I wanted in.

"Kari... Anti-Hero.... mom? Will you take me with you? I want to help you all destroy Hugh and his fake heroes. Teach me, and I'll help you all get it done!"

"Yes my child. Welcome.... to your true family."

"Mitch, how much further to Aplonica?"

"The GPS says another 4 hours Rick." Mitch replied as he drove the rental car. Rick sat beside Essie in the back, while Cerissa was up front.

"We'll save the townspeople there, and maybe learn about Glicko as well." Cerissa smiled hopefully.

"Yeah." Essie added with a sweet smile of her own, which made Rick blush just like it always did. "We will be one step closer to getting Rick's parents home safely, Cerissa and my memories back, and Petunia cured as well."

"All thanks to the best crew I could hope for!" Mitch said enthusiastically. "I've got all of your backs, always."

Essie smiled and laid her head on Rick's shoulder, peacefully falling asleep. Rick grinned ear to ear before clonking out as well.

"That was quick." Cerissa giggled at the sounds of their snoring comrades. "Although it's good that we squeezed in some more practice in the Training World before we set off. We don't want a real world loss like we experienced in our mock battle with Tate and Wasila."

"Agreed." Mitch said warmly. "That fusion spell in your book was worth learning through our mutual training session, and it'll no doubt make for a good tactic. Rick told me that he and Essie also learned something worthwhile when they practiced together in their own simulation."

"Essie told me that too, and I don't think she minded some one on one time with Rick." Cerissa smiled.

"They're good for each other, and their bond will make them a force to be reckoned with as well. The same can be said for us, although our dynamic is not quite the same." Mitch chuckled.

"True." Cerissa laughed once again. "I may not remember my past yet, including my family. But having a father figure like you eases that burden Mitch, and that connection between us will remain even after I regain my memories from Glicko."

"Yes, having never had children of my own, I am grateful to be able to call you a daughter, Cerissa."

A call then came through on Mitch's phone. It was none other than their new client, Tamma Aplonica.

To be continued....

This story is based on the Reedsy.com prompt "Write a story about someone who receives — or makes — a life-changing, anonymous donation."

https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/

Leftover entered the throne room at last. The walls, ceiling, floors, and furniture were all made of gold - the throne itself the most sparkling and gaudy of all. On that very throne sat this dimension's version of Hugh, who was fully armored, much like the Hugh of Leftover's world. This Hugh did not wear a dark helmet though, but a clear see through one that showcased his malicious smirk.

"Ah, we meet again Lenny Overature from another dimension! I thank you for traveling the multiverse to see me. I look forward to killing another version of you on this day."

"Funny, I thought you might make good practice for when I face my own universe's Hugh." Leftover replied confidently as he summoned his yellow helmet with the toothy smile design into his hand by thought. He donned the helmet, which generated body armor of his own. He then summoned his sword, and charged at Hugh to destroy him and his throne.

"You seem to have forgotten how I killed the real you earlier." Hugh snickered, as an orange tentacle popped out of his back and began chasing Leftover. No matter how far Leftover fled, the tentacle seemed to stretch endlessly.

"Thanks to the modifications my brethren made on me, I have a weapon that will target you until you have been impaled. My tentacle will cut through any material, including your armor. And even if you left my castle and travelled across the ocean, the tentacle will keep pursuing you."

"Nasty, yet impressive." Leftover commented coolly. "And if I remember correctly, the tentacle also carries a deadly poison as well?"

"You remember that, eh? Your mind is almost as sharp as the former king's, although you would have been better off running away and not getting involved, as you will soon share the same fate: death by impalment or poisoning."

"And it would appear that you lack the sharpness of the Hugh from my own world, which believe me, I hate to admit. You seem to have forgotten what I did to your tentacle before. It may be able to cut me down, even with armor. But I also cut through it before, and will do so again."

Leftover sprinted over to Hugh's back and sliced off the tentacle. Hugh screamed in pain, then grinned sinisterly at his foe.

"You may have stopped my modification, but I will regrow it soon enough. Face it Lenny, no version of you in any world will defeat me!"

"Wrong. I will destroy you, the you from my dimension, and any Hugh that threatens a better world. I will bring about a world where the innocent are truly protected, and your death will be the first step toward that."

Leftover and Hugh clashed swords rapidly and aggressively. Both were highly skilled, but Leftover had the upper hand in the duel. Once one of his strikes knocked Hugh's sword out of his hand, Leftover quickly punched Hugh's clear helmet. The helmet shattered and Hugh's armor disappeared, leaving golden robes as his only protection. Leftover shoved Hugh to the ground, then pointed his blade at his neck.

"In all honesty Hugh, this was disappointing. I hope the real you back home gives me a better finale, but I'm not expecting much from him either."

"Who said it was over?" Hugh smiled, despite the perilous situation he was in. "Actually, the timing is perfect!"

Before Leftover could make the finishing strike, he felt his body falling, as if he had been pushed. Where he was standing previously Willy now stood, an orange tentacle impaling him in the chest. Willy gripped the tentacle just outside of where it had torn through him, causing the tentacle to revert back into Hugh. Hugh screamed as his arms and legs also disappeared into his body, and his body shrank and thinned out until he was nothing more than a worm.

"Grab the worm before he escapes!" Anti-Hero screamed, who was standing by the entrance alongside Janet and Hypnorc. Leftover raced over to the worm version of Hugh and scooped him up while the others attended to Willy.

"Willy...." Anti-Hero sobbed as she supported him in her arms. "So you were the one that had to give their life in the end."

"It was worth it, to free our kingdom from Hugh's treachery." Willy smiled weakly. "As long as he is trapped in that form, I will be his last kill."

"Willy, I'm sorry." Leftover lamented. "If I had fought better, I would have stopped Hugh before he had the chance to use his modification again."

"You did fine, my friend." Willy grinned. "You had Hugh distracted enough for Janet to toss me between you both while I was in my worm form. One touch was all I needed, and you gave me that opening."

"Everyone was part of this victory." Hypnorc added. "Willy, Anti-Hero, and myself were paramount in taking care of Hugh's soldiers in order to get this far. Janet even came back to us, and helped me to survive my own battle with Nostrel."

"I thought I was alone and had to submit to being Hugh's tool." Janet reflected. "Anti-Hero, who I know as my best friend Kari, and everyone else here showed me that I could not only break free, but could also become part of a movement that would make a difference."

"So listen to everyone here Lenny, no matter what you think, you won today." Willy continued. "You trusted us and joined our cause, and we took down the tyrant. I hope you can do the same with your own allies when you go home."

"I will Willy, I swear it." Leftover vowed. "But first, we celebrate your sacrifice today. I will make sure Prosperity knows what you accomplished."

"No thanks." Willy laughed weakly, his time about to run out. "Just give the whole team credit, and that will be enough of an honor to me. Kari, Janet, Hypnorc.... take care of this beautiful country for me...."

Willy died with a smile on his face, and the party spent some time mourning his departure before exiting with his body. They returned to the forest where the body of their Lenny Overature had been hidden, and they gave both of their fallen comrades a proper burial. Once this was completed, a portal pulsating vibrant colors opened before them.

"This would appear to be my ride home." Leftover smiled. "I will accept the donation of this pet worm, and remove his stench from your dimension. He can witness me when I defeat the Hugh of my world, with the help of my allies that you have all inspired me to entrust once again. Don't tell your people that he is technically alive, as they will never see him again anyway. All you need to say is that Hugh is gone, for good."

"As far as addressing our people, I don't suppose we could convince you to stay?" Hypnorc asked, resisting the temptation to hypnotize Leftover into sticking around. "We lost our king, and I can't think of anyone that would take care of our country better than another King Lenny."

Leftover felt very tempted by the offer. His multiverse allies were heroic vs their villainous counterparts back home. No one here seemed to mind his silhouette form, which he had to hide in his own world. He wasn't tainted by having to play the role of villain in this world to achieve what he believed to be the greater good. But yet, he knew he couldn't stay.

"I appreciate it, I truly do. But I must protect the people of my own world from its Hugh. Besides, I know this Prosperity is in wonderful hands with all of you. Your world will be just fine, and it is up to me to make sure that my own world shares the same fate."

*****

Leftover found himself back in the movie theater in his own dimension, and he turned back to look at the portal he had just come through, seeing regular exit doors once again. Applauding in the audience of one was the man that had originally sent him through the multiverse, the gatekeeper known as Multan.

"I take it you were entertained by the show?" Leftover said in a tone that was a mix of triumphant and irritated.

"You and the other stars were fantastic." Multan gushed. "However, I would not have recommended bringing the antagonist home with you, even if he is simply a worm now."

"That world will be better off without him, iust like this one will be once the real Hugh is gone. Besides, there is something I want to test out with this one. Now, I have earned a special ability for contributing to the show you just enjoyed, correct?"

"You certainly have." Multan answered warmly. "Step forward and receive your upgrade."

*****

"Welcome home fellas!" Willy sneered as he sat on the throne in the royal castle of the Prosperity Leftover was accustomed to.

"You fool, why aren't you disguised as the king?" Hypnorc snarled. "We are trying to keep up an appearance here."

"Relax, if anyone put up a stink I would just turn them into a worm." Willy laughed. "Besides, my disguise just wore off. CCC left already, said he had more clients to deal with. Tam told me to watch the throne, said he had something to attend to."

"Did he say what was pressing enough to leave the kingdom I was entrusting to him in my absence?" Leftover asked with annoyance, already missing his much more likeable allies from the multiverse. He then remembered that Tam wanted him dead too, and kicked himself for thinking that Tam would be a good choice to leave in charge during his multiverse trip.

"Well, while you two were up to whatever it was you were scheming in the North Pole, your old friend Lifer apparently made a comeback. Tam went to confront that kid that was Lifer before to see if he somehow managed to trick the Reflection Dimension into allowing him to return with his life creating powers."

"Lifer huh, that is unexpected." Leftover pondered. "I suppose that isn't a bad reason to run off after all. You are actually the man I wanted to see anyway Willy. I need you to test something for me. I would like you to touch this worm and see if you can turn him back into his original form."

"Um, okay?" Willy remarked as he approached Leftover and took the worm that he was holding. The worm reverted back into the multiverse Hugh, who smirked maliciously at the trio in his presence.

"Willy, make him a worm again!" Leftover ordered quickly.

Willy touched Hugh again, and Hugh screamed as he transformed back into a worm once more.

"Nice, so although another version of Willy turned him into a worm, our version's powers work the same." Leftover said excitedly. "Fascinating!"

"Was that Hugh?" Willy asked incredulously. "He seemed a lot different from the Hugh around here.... what were you two doing in the North Pole again?"

"Let's all get a drink Willy." Leftover laughed. "I would like to hear a report from Hypnorc about what he was up to, and I also have quite the story to tell."

*****

Prior stories from the "Leftover Levels Up/Multiverse" arc:

- A Non-Hypnotic Suggestion - https://theprose.com/post/475973/a-non-hypnotic-suggestion

- Leftover Levels Up - Part I: Entering The Multiverse - https://theprose.com/post/478758/leftover-levels-up-part-i-entering-the-multiverse

- Leftover Levels Up - Part II: Old/New Friends & Foes - https://theprose.com/post/537607/leftover-levels-up-part-ii-old-new-friends-foes

- Leftover Levels Up - Part III: Multiverse Showdown! Anti-Hero vs Janet - https://theprose.com/post/540731/leftover-levels-up-part-iii-multiverse-showdown-anti-hero-vs-janet

- Leftover Levels Up - Part IV: A Scent of Danger - Nostrel Attacks! - https://theprose.com/post/543741/leftover-levels-up-part-iv-a-scent-of-danger-nostrel-attacks

- Multiverse Allies: A Fairy Tale Trap - https://theprose.com/post/545257/multiverse-allies-a-fairy-tale-trap

Multiverse Allies: Willy's Survival Tale - https://theprose.com/post/641506/multiverse-allies-willys-survival-tale