Chapter Text
I wholly admit, waking up in what looked like a typical middle management office for corporate America, after being pretty well pancaked in a grocery store parking lot on a random Monday in September was not on my bingo card for this year. I winced as I vividly remembered the squeal of tires from the out-of-control Ram 1500. Then the rest of the moment caught up, and I remembered the screams of horror and alarm in the background from random patrons in the lot as the truck plowed into me, then the Grand Caravan I was putting groceries into, and the stab of agonizing pain just directly under my ribcage before everything had gone black. Taking a deep breath, I glanced around to get my emotions under control and to gather what few bearings I could.
Ok, more than likely I’m dead, I mused to myself. If I was alive, surely I would remember a hospital, or ambulance, physical therapy, something. Didn’t hit my head, so it’s a remote chance this is amnesia like that Sandler flick. I suddenly felt a ball of dread swoop through my insides. Fuck. Dead at 27, single, with no kids or even pets, and a run of the mill software job. God, my obituary is going to be positively dire. After wallowing in self-pity for a moment, I mentally slapped myself. Well, good news is we didn’t get sent directly to the hot place. It looks like talking in the movies all those times didn’t send me to that lowest of places, I mentally cheered myself up. Looking up, I began to pay attention and noticed that the desk I was sitting in front of was curiously blank. Suspicious, I looked around more closely, and realized that there was nothing in the room, save for a standard metal and pressed board desk, and two chairs. The ball of dread began to grow heavier in my belly.
After a few more minutes, a door suddenly opened. While quiet, the turn of the doorknob nevertheless sounded like a gunshot. A woman, who embodied the term “average” in every way, walked into the room with a stack of files in one hand and a glass with lilac colored liquid in the other. Moving to the chair behind the desk, the woman brusquely sat, each movement economical and precise. After a moment of getting everything sat on the desk and situated to her liking, the woman took the topmost file and opened it to the first page, then looked up, her clear grey eyes making direct eye contact with me.
“Are you Renee Marianne Collins? Born June 29, 1989? Died September 17, 2016?” the woman asked.
Hesitating slightly, I nodded before verbally confirming “Yes, that’s me.”
The woman nodded, then said “You can call me Andi.” The newly named Andi leaned back in her chair, studying me for what seemed like hours. The corner of her mouth rose the tiniest degree, the abruptly she said “You seem like a smart cookie. I’m sure you’ve figured out that you’re dead.”
I snorted. “Well, my last clear memory was becoming wallpaper to the outside of my used mini van, so I would assume so.” Mimicking Andi, I leaned back and studied her. Average facial shape, neither plain nor beautiful. Black hair and grey eyes that did nothing to hide her clear intelligence. Average body type, neither fat nor thin. Long, graceful fingers that were idly tapping on the arm of her chair. Trying to act nonchalant, I tried for a tone of levity. “So, was I a decent enough person to get my own personal heaven, or do I get to spend eternity in the hot box?”
Andi’s lip ticked up a degree higher. “Right to the heart of the matter, huh?”
I shrugged. “I’m apparently already dead. Not a whole lot I can do about things in the past. Best I can do is own up to my life and get on with it already.”
Andi leaned forward and looked down at the file open on the desk. “Renee Marianne Collins, age 27. 4 brothers, 1 sister, all younger than you. Never married, though you came close once, and no children. You went to college to teach Calculus to high schoolers but ended up getting a job working for a software company. You had good relationships with your siblings and parents, regularly brought your next-door neighbor who should have been in a retirement home to their doctor appointments and to the hair salon, and were considered a good, loyal friend to many people.” My eyes began to water at that, knowing that I would never see my family or friends again.
“I tried,” I whispered.
“What’s interesting, Renee, is that in every universe where you exist, you are often thought of as such. It’s rare that occurs, that a person, regardless of their upbringing, socioeconomic status, or opportunities is so consistent.” Andi’s voice was pleasant, but most of what she said was lost to me as I focused on one thing.
“I’m sorry, I think I misheard you. Universes? As in, more than the one I was in? There are others of me?” I nearly shrieked. To give her credit, Andi barely blinked.
“Yes, there are many universes, and many worlds make up each universe.” Andi kept a steady gaze as I began to freak the fuck out. She continued “Have you ever heard of the Many Worlds Interpretation?”
I sputtered “Not as such.” Nodding, as if she expected this, Andi began to explain.
“Without going into quantum physics, the basic idea is that every decision a person can make will create a new, parallel universe. As an example, on the day you died, you decided to stop at the grocery store after work. In another universe, occurring at the same time, another you decided you were too tired, and just went home. In that universe, the driver of the truck still had a seizure, the truck still went careening through the parking lot, but your car was not there, and the truck instead ran into another car. That universe will continue, and as more decisions are made, more branches will be created.”
“So. You’re telling me, there’s a universe out there where I’m still alive?” I choked out.
Andi brightened. “Oh yes! There are millions of universes where you are still alive. There may very well be universes out there where you live to be 103. It just so happens that this universe was one where you died at 27 in a grocery store parking lot.”
I sat in silence for a few minutes as I pondered the information given to me.
“So, now that I know there are potentially billions of me’s out there, what happens now? Do I get sent to a room with all the other Renees that died young, and wait for the last one to die before we all converge into one Super Renee?” I asked, a hint of snark in my tone.
Andi’s face never changed expression, though her eyes gained a touch of irritation. Calmly, she said “No, actually. I’m here to make you an offer.”
I perked up at that. Maybe I get to go home! Maybe I’m not really dead, I’m just in a coma, or on an operating table somewhere, hovering near death? “Oh? What kind of offer?”
Andi laced her fingers together, “Prior to me giving you that, there is more information to share.” At my nod, she continued.
“Let me first ask you this: how do you think storytellers think up the worlds and characters they write down and share with the universe?” Startled by the out of nowhere question, I could do no more than shrug helplessly. Andi sighed, then began to speak and completely rocked my existence.
“When a world totally unrelated needs to be introduced to another, a writer or storyteller is given the idea by direct intervention. This is often given by the Muses, though others participate in this as well. That means that every book, movie, TV show, play, or poem has been directly given to the storyteller, and is an actual universe. These stories are literally their own worlds, and are also subject to the Many Worlds Interpretation”.
Stunned, I sat there for several minutes, before stating “So, you mean to tell me that there is REALLY a world where Bilbo Baggins exists? And it’s not just on paper in a book?”
Andi let out a delighted laugh. “Yes. Furthermore, there are worlds where Bilbo did not decide to join the quest, worlds where Thorin did not go mad, Kili and Fili did not die, only one of them died, and worlds where all three survived the battle of the Five Armies.” Leaning forward, Andi lowered her tone and shared in a conspiratorial manner “There are even worlds where Bilbo stayed at the Lonely Mountain, and married Thorin, though are also worlds where Bilbo stayed at the Lonely Mountain but he and Thorin were ‘only ever friends.’” At this, Andi rolled her eyes as though this has been a point of frustration for her for years.
“This is the greatest thing I’ve ever heard,” I laughed. After a moment, I shook myself and said “I love that this is something I now know, and trust me, while I will probably spend eternity thinking about this, I’m not quite sure…” I trailed off.
“You’re not quite sure where you matter in all this?” Andi said gently. I nodded, feeling embarrassed.
“As I said previously, you are an in many, many universes. With that comes the understanding that you would be included in the universes that you would think of as books, TV, movies, and so on.” At this, I couldn’t stop myself from interrupting.
“Wait, does this mean that there’s a world where I exist and Captain America and Iron Man are also real and not just comic book characters?” I squealed.
“Yes. That does not mean that you would be someone that would be a superhero, or a villain, or even someone mentioned in the stories. It just means that you would also exist within that world,” Andi explained.
“Don’t care, somewhere out there, there is a chance I could one day run into the Winter Soldier or the Black Panther and stare in unabashed shame at their glorious asses,” I said dreamily. Andi snorted.
“As I was saying” Andi said pointedly, bringing me out of my daydream. “In some of these universes, the you in that world has died already. This is where my offer comes in.”
I suddenly straightened in my chair, any trace of levity gone. “Oh?”
“There is a particular universe where you should have been born, but due to a car crash that occurred when your mother was heavily pregnant with you, led to the Renee of that world being stillborn. The strain of your death led to the breakdown of your parents’ marriage, and they divorced, leading to your siblings never being born. That universe, while horrific in many, many ways, is nevertheless a critical universe, with its main world and parallel worlds boosting a significant part of the universe.”
“Wait, what do you mean by that, boosting the universe?” I interrupted, becoming distracted for a moment at this new information.
“The entire universe is made up of energy. Energy can be made up of a variety of different things. In some universes it’s magic, in some it’s souls, and in some, it’s violence and the strength needed to protect your own life and the life of others. Each universe and its subsequent branches produce this energy, and it supplies it’s part of the overall universe. Should a main world be at a tipping point, where enough energy is not created, then it collapses. If enough worlds collapse, the whole of existence ends.”
“Holy shit.” I breathed.
Andi gave a grim smile. “The critical universe I mentioned is the one that you were a stillborn in. Basically, that universe has had so much death, that not enough energy is being generated, as the conditions of that world are not good enough to sustain active births to replace the population to continue to create energy.
“And you want me to go there.” I stated.
“Yes.” Andi said simply.
I stood, and began to pace, rapidly reviewing the information given.
“Ok, so what’s the offer?” I asked, wanting to hear what Andi has to say before deciding anything.
“I can drop you into this universe approximately three years before the main events, as you would know them, would start. You would have all official documents with your name, social security number, credentials, and basic amenities to get you to where you would need to be. You would have a bank account with unlimited funds. Basically, you would have carte blanche to get started. Your goal would be to keep as many people alive as possible for as long as possible, and have a sustainable population to continue to generate that energy.”
I blew out a breath. “That seems to be a lot for one person to do.”
Andi scoffed. “You are not the only person who would be sent to do this. There are others who would have also been part of the world but for a variety of reasons were never born or died early, and another version of them are being asked to do the same. Some have taken the offer. Others chose to pass. This offer is being given to you, and I am authorized to grant any means requested to make this happen, within reason.”
I sat back, and started to think about this. Ok, so, I go to some god awful death universe- fuck I hope this isn’t a Mad Max world, that would suck ass, no matter how hot Furiosa was- and I basically create a village, town, settlement, whatever, and make sure that it remains sustainable, with enough babies being born to keep up with the -holy mother of fuck- other people in the world being killed on the daily. I can ask for anything, within reason- probably not gonna give me the death star, but… hmm.
“Ok, can I ask questions to make my decision?” I asked, chewing my lip thoughtfully.
Andi waved airily, “Of course, I would expect nothing less.”
“Okay. First, what universe is it that I would go to?”
Andi grinned a shark like smile. “Noticed I didn’t give that information, hm? It would be the Walking Dead universe.”
It was quiet in the room for a moment, then I yelled “WELL, FUCK!”
“Yes, that was quite a similar reaction to the others as well,” Andi stated.
I rolled my eyes, then said quickly, “Wait, the TV Show or the comic?”
“TV show.”
“Well, at least that means that Daryl would exist, which is always a plus,” I muttered. “How far back would you be able to send me to prepare?”
“I can send you two years prior to the virus’s creation, which would be three years before the outbreak begins,” Andi said calmly.
“If I succeed in pulling this off, what happens to me after? Do I just one day disappear, or do I live out my life until I die in that universe?”
“Once you are placed in that universe, you stay until you die. Doesn’t matter when you die, you will not me removed in any way.” I hummed in acknowledgment of Andi’s response.
“When you say unlimited funds, just how much are we talking?” I then asked curiously.
Andi stared at me unimpressed. “Money means nothing to those like myself or the various pantheons of gods. By this point in time, it’s essentially a string of ones and zeroes on computers, not actual coin. When I say unlimited, I mean exactly that, though to be more specific, when you first open your eyes in the universe, you will be able to go to your bank and confirm that half a billion dollars of the country’s money will be in your account. Should you use all of that in the three years, the exact same amount will be added to your account the next day, with no suspicions mounted at any banking institution or accounting, including the IRS.”
“Well hell, that makes everything a helluva lot easier. Money doesn’t buy happiness, but it can buy a shitload of supplies to prepare for a fucking apocalypse,” I said to myself as I continued to pace once more.
So, I need to buy as much land in one parcel as I can get. I need to purchase an epic shit load of tiny homes, trailers, and RVs. Ooh, that’s going to suck getting plumbing and solar energy going, though I guess water wheels and windmills can always be installed in three years. Dumping RV septics are going to blow though. So will getting proper nutrition, and gas to run farm equipment; I can’t store diesel for years on end, so gonna have to figure out a way to get it all on solar. Damn, if only I could use the expansion charms like Hermione did on her purse to store supplies in Harry Potter, that would make everything so much easier!
I stopped pacing as an unorthodox idea took hold. Breathing out slowly, I ran the basics of the idea through my head, then turned and sat in my chair.
“Just how much can you tell me about other Renee’s that have died?” I asked, suddenly nervous to overstep my bounds.
Andi looked startled for a moment at my question, but after a moment of hesitation, she said “I can share basic information about the other Renee’s, but not exact, precise details.”
“Would yes or no questions be easier for you?”
“They would.”
“Okay.” Sighing, I slowly began to ask my questions. “You said that there were Renee’s in worlds that I would have seen as entertainment. Was there a Renee in the Harry Potter world?”
Andi seemed to catch onto where I was going with my idea and barked out a quick laugh. “Yes, there was.”
“Did that Renee have magic?”
“Yes, she did.”
“Did she go to Hogwarts?”
“No. She went to Ilvermorny, as there are very few universes where you are not an American,” Andi said.
“How old was that Renee when she died?” I asked, dreading the answer.
“19. That Renee was considered a no-Maj born, and died in a plane crash.”
“Well, that sucks,” I muttered. Taking a deep breath, I asked the most crucial question. “Why was that Renee not asked to take part of this offer, instead of me?”
Andi smirked. “Bravo, asking the tough questions. That Renee is too young to be taken seriously in the Walking Dead world, even if her talents would be incredibly useful to the world in question. Even if that Renee were placed as far back as we could, she would still barely be 23 when the outbreak begins, two years younger than Glenn Rhee. She would be dismissed if she tried to lead a group of survivors to a safe place. If we were to drop you in at your current age, you would be nearly 30, or just over, when the outbreak starts. And ageist though it is, you cannot deny that your counterparts would take you more seriously at 30 than at 23.”
She raises a damn good point, I thought ruefully.
After a moment, I then asked, “Is there a way for an already dead version of me to share particular talents or gifts with another version? Basically, would that Renee be able to share her magic and knowledge with me?”
Andi pursed her lips. “No. However, we could copy her magical core and place it in you. Because you are older, the core would rapidly mutate to change to be applicable to your age and what Magical Renee’s experience and core size should be at 27.” Andi was quiet for a moment, then added “We could also place a copy of her magical knowledge in your head. It would be entirely up to you to strengthen your magical core and knowledge base if you were to go that route.”
I widely smiled at this knowledge. “That’s fan-fucking-tastic!” After running through my knowledge of that universe, as I had been a big Harry Potter fan in life, I then asked, “Is there anyway that I would be able to go to the Walking Dead universe with stuff from the Harry Potter universe?”
Andi frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Well, if I were to stretch my core to fit 27-year-old me, practice magic, and all that, I would want to be able to practice all aspects of it, even the stuff that Magical Renee didn’t know. Would I be able to say, have a multi compartment trunk with one dedicated to books from that universe, a compartment dedicated to magical plants, one for magical animals, one for storage, a wand, that kind of thing?”
Andy sat back in her chair, stunned at my question. After a moment, she closed her eyes and chuckled lightly, then said “I knew you were the right person for the job. Yes, we can do that. However, you would have to be very specific as to your questions. For example, you can request a wand, but if you just say a wand, then any old one will go with you. If you ask for a wand that would be perfectly tailored for Renee, you may get an identical copy of the wand that Magical Renee had when she died. If you ask for a wand that would suit you best, as you are now, with a magical core, then a wand within those specifications would be given. Do you see what I mean?”
I sat back in my own chair, surprised at the revelation. Makes sense. A wand that fits 19-year-old Renee when she died may not be a perfect fit for me. Best ask for a wand that will perfectly suit me after a magical core is included, and one that will fit me best for me and the task I have before me.”
Andi and I sat in quiet contemplation for a brief time, before a random thought invaded my brain.
“Andi? When you said within reason, would requesting that other persons from a specific world join me be under that umbrella?” I hesitantly asked.
Andi groaned, then exhaustedly demanded “Explain.”
“Ok, you said that there are parallel worlds for every choice, and that’s every universe. I’m assuming that, in certain universes, there are choices that went so badly that eventually some of the branch’s kind of… imploded. Right?” Andi just stared at me. I then hurried on with my explanation. “Is there a branch of the Harry Potter world, where say, Voldemort won after years of struggle in the second war, and the Light lost, with most of the Order of the Phoenix dying?”
Andi glared at me, before slowly saying “Yes. What is your point?”
“Well, you also said that the universe is made up of energy. What if, in one of those branches where Magical Renee died, and the Light lost, some of those people were asked if they wanted to come to this world? They could help protect humanity as well, and if it doesn’t matter how energy is created in a particular location of the universe, so long as it’s being generated, then wouldn’t having a bunch of magical users, who can fight and protect the natural inhabitants be a good thing? They could help with population as well!” I said quickly, desperately hoping I would get sent to the hot box for daring to ask some of my favorite characters from one of my favorite book series to join me.
Andi gaped at my request, looking as if I’d hit her with a shovel. She then sat back and huffed, saying irritably “You’re an audacious little shit, aren’t you?”
I sheepishly shrugged my shoulders, mumbling “It’s worth asking, right? Worst that can happen is you say no, and we move on, or you decide I’m worth too much hassle and pick someone else.”
Andi stood gracefully, closing the folder in front of her as she moved. “I honestly don’t know if that’s something we could do. I have to run this by my higher ups and see if individuals from a parallel branch with the right age range and qualifications could be included. Don’t count on others being able to join,” she warned, as she moved towards the door. Andi then abruptly stopped, then moved back to the desk and opened a drawer. She removed a notepad and a pen, handed them to me and grumbled “While I’m gone, make a list of the things that you would like to have from the requested world for your use. I’ll see what I can do to get them for you. You may get some, or none of your requests. I’ll be back soon.”
I collapsed into my chair, blowing out a huge breath.
“Well, Renee, you didn’t get blinked into non-existence. That’s something at least. Now, do what you do best: start making lists.”
~~~~~~~~~~WD~~~~~~~~~~
While Andi was gone, I got to work on my lists. After thinking for a while I began to write.
ITEMS REQUESTED
- Magical core that would be most appropriate for Renee Marie Collins at age 27 and for the task that I have been requested to complete.
- A wand, and at least 3 back up wands, which are specifically made for Renee Marie Collins at age 27 with a magical core that will assist in completing the requested task.
- A wizards tent large enough to sleep 12 people.
- A backpack with an unbreakable charm, and an undetectable expansion charm, permanently placed, and tied to my core so that in the event it ever gets taken or lost, it returns to me within 8 hours.
- A 7-compartment trunk, with unlimited space in each compartment
- One compartment with unlimited ingredients and supplies for potions- every ingredient in the magical world should be included, and all needed accoutrements to make the potions.
- One compartment filled with every magical plant in the Harry Potter universe.
- One compartment large enough to house several breeding pairs of every magical animal in the harry potter universe- understandable if some animals cannot be included, then request to have some of the potions ingredients from those animals (dragon’s blood, Nundu fur, unicorn tail hair, etc.)- if this can be done, the compartment should be big enough to house all animals comfortably, in the environment they are most comfortable in
- One compartment with basic farmland/wooded areas set up- needed for crops, greenhouses to be set up later, animals caught in the wild we want to protect like deer- as big as possible.
- One compartment as big as possible for staple goods
- One compartment as big as possible for chilled/frozen goods
- One compartment with a copy of every book re: magic in the Harry Potter universe
Just as I finished writing out my list, Andi came back. She sat down, not saying a word. I then noticed that she looked a bit shell shocked.
“What did they say?” I timidly asked. My voice seemed to bring Andi back to herself, as she quickly focused on me, her grey eyes wide.
“They are going to give you what you asked for.” Andi said, her voice filled with disbelief.
“So, the list, or the people?” I asked, feeling that I was pushing my luck by asking for clarification.
“I let them know that you were writing out a list as we were speaking. I was informed that you would be given everything that was on your list by the time I came back. Anything left off is left off. They will ensure it is ready for you by the time you are sent to the Walking Dead World. As for the people, it was decided that, anyone on your requested list would be given the chance to come to the Walking Dead world. They were able to find a parallel world that ended after Voldemort won, where the Light was exterminated, and the Wizarding World was found out by the Muggles. As you know, Muggles do not do well when they find out about magic, so eventually the entire world was destroyed after the governments there began to bomb locations where they found or assumed magical persons to be. It eventually led to nuclear winter.”
“Holy fuck,” I whispered.
Andi nodded in agreement. “While the main world in that universe didn’t have that happen, the parallel world nevertheless did. It was essentially the worst scenario of all worse scenarios. Anyway, they will allow for any who want to go with you to join, though anyone requested has to have been an individual that died prior to the first bombings by Muggles. I don’t know why that was a requirement, it just was.” Andi seemed frustrated by that last bit.
“I wasn’t expecting that many,” I admitted.
Andi snorted. “When I brought up your proposal, and the idea of powering this universe using magic, they were floored. The others who are going to be speaking with the magical persons are even going to offer an incentive to the magical members to join you.”
My curiosity was peaked at this point. “Well don’t hold out on me, Andi!”
Andi let out a laugh, then dropped the bomb on me. “To make sure that magical babies will be born as well, since magic users would be huge for the universe, anyone who has magic babies with the inhabitants of the universe there will be guaranteed that their children, grandchildren, and so on, for at least 5 generations, will be guaranteed to be magical. This was never a guarantee in the magical world, that your family for numerous generations would have magic. They, and Lady Magic signed off on it, will never have to worry about a squib for at least 5 generations. Additionally, any fertility issues and curses on a person who goes will be lifted, ensuring that children will be born.”
I whistled. “Damn! Is this basically so that they make sure that no pureblood mindset follows, and that everyone pairs up with someone not of the magical world?”
Andi nodded, and said “It can’t be guaranteed, but it’s a hell of an incentive. Granted, some of them may already be married to other magical, so it won’t be every person who goes I’m sure, but it will be enough.”
I hummed in agreement, and said “Also, there will be some who already had children who I’m sure won’t join if they can’t come as well. I don’t see Bill and Fleur Weasley coming if their kids can’t join, same with Harry Potter and Teddy Lupin.”
Andi inclined her head. “True. Ok, lets work on the list of people you would like to ask to join you in this.”
Though I had only ever read about these people in books, I still thought I did pretty well in coming up with an interesting mix of people to join. Obviously, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and the entire Weasley clan were included, but I also requested Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, the entire Gryffindor Quidditch team from the first three years of the books, Lavender Brown, the Patil twins, the Creevey brother, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnegan, Cedric Diggory, Cho Chang, Sirus Black, Remus Lupin, Tonks, Teddy Lupin, Severus Snape, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Amelia Bones, Susan Bones, Hannah Abbot, Theo Nott, Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, the Greengrass sisters, and Draco Malfoy, but only if he was no longer a blood purist who would look down on those with no magic. The list was enormous, and I felt like I was naming pretty much every character that was named in the series, but I felt like I was requesting enough people so that if some said no, we would still have options, which would make my task significantly easier in the long run.
Andi reviewed my list, and gave a long, exhausted sigh. She stood up once more and took my list of potential immigrants to the new universe and supplies in hand. She then looked me up and down for a long minute before she said “We’ll get started on this. Your magical core will be added to your person as you are moved to the universe. Fair warning, it’s going to hurt when you wake up. Your trunk and supplies will be in the front pocket of your backpack, which will be beside you when you land. If anyone decides to join you, they will also land in the same area as you, at the same time. I suggest you take some time to get to know them before you start on getting ready for the apocalypse. Fair warning, while these people may be joining you in this universe, it’s entirely up to you as to whether or not you succeed or fail. There are going to be a lot of people who want to take over, and think that they know better. Make sure that you don’t make way for other people’s agendas, or you will never get done what is needed.”
And with that final statement, Andi left the room. As the door closed, my body began to feel heavy, as though I had weights attached to every square inch of skin. A bright red light took over the entire room, and I only had enough time to think to myself Oh, fuck this is going to suck before I knew no more.