Mission type: Retrieval Part 1

Living in Evolto City is a strange experience one that's hard to fully wrap my head around. Everything here feels so advanced, yet oddly familiar, like a dream I've only half-remembered. Even the simplest things are different. Take the vending machines, for example. In most places, they just dispense snacks and drinks. Here? They can give you anything food, tools, books, even random trinkets from other worlds. I once saw someone pull out an entire battle gauntlet from one, and no one even batted an eye.

And then there are the people stranger than the machines, yet somehow more welcoming.

Yariam is one of the first I noticed. He towers over nearly everyone, a giant among giants, yet there's nothing intimidating about him. Every morning, I see him escorting a group of children to the daycare, and every afternoon, he's there to pick them up. He's gentle, patient, and always smiling, as if the world itself isn't big enough to trouble him. But how did he grow so massive? I've never had the courage to ask.

Then there's Cavian, the owner of the daycare. She radiates warmth in a way that's almost unnatural like a mother to everyone she meets, no matter who or what they are. She's so kind, so effortlessly nurturing, that I've found myself thinking about my own mother my nonexistent mother. If I had one, would she have been like Cavian?

And then there's Pascal. Out of all the people I've met, he's the most peculiar. A simple copper-colored robot, always telling stories and playing with the children. He's friendly, easy to talk to, and yet… something about him feels out of place. As if he doesn't quite belong, like he was meant for another time, another world. I can't explain it, but every time I speak with him, I get the sense that he's holding onto something some memory, some truth he won't share.

Evolto City is full of wonders, but it's also full of mysteries. And I can't shake the feeling that I've only scratched the surface.

During those two days, I discovered something new every day. Evolto City never ceased to surprise me. One of the most fascinating places I found was The Sanctuary a vast reserve filled with creatures from across the multiverse. It was a place of wonder, where people could interact with beasts both majestic and terrifying, studying them, bonding with them, or simply marveling at their existence.

For most, visiting the Sanctuary was a positive experience an opportunity to witness the impossible up close. But for me? Not so much.

Somehow, I found myself wandering into the Venomous Insect Sanctuary.

The moment I stepped inside, a wave of unease washed over me. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and something faintly acrid, like the sharp tang of poison. Massive, multi-eyed creatures skittered across glass enclosures, their chitinous bodies glinting under the artificial sunlight. Some were as small as a finger, others the size of large dogs. And then there were the ones that weren't behind glass free-roaming, their many legs tapping against the ground in a rhythmic, unsettling melody.

I took one step forward, and a Hollowfang Widow a spider-like creature with translucent skin and fangs that glowed an eerie blue turned its many eyes toward me. Slowly, deliberately.

I did what any reasonable person would do.

I turned around and walked out immediately.

Evolto City was full of mysteries, yes, but some mysteries? Some mysteries were better left alone.

Not only that, but I learned about something even more fascinating the Bonding Ritual.

In Evolto City, children are given special eggs, each containing a creature that will hatch and grow alongside them. These creatures aren't just pets; they're lifelong companions, evolving and changing to match their owner's personality, abilities, and even emotions. No two bonded creatures are ever the same, as each one is shaped by the life and choices of the person they belong to.

But the most incredible part? The Bonding Ritual itself.

Through this ritual, the connection between the creature and its owner is solidified, allowing them to share power, communicate telepathically, and even merge into a single form in times of great need. Some people gain heightened abilities when their companion is near, while others can temporarily fuse, combining their strengths into something far greater than either could be alone.

I even saw a demonstration a teenager and his bonded beast, a massive, six-winged drake, fusing together in a burst of golden energy. When the light faded, what stood in their place was something new—an armored warrior with draconic wings and glowing eyes, radiating power.

Evolto City was unlike anything I had ever imagined. Every corner, every tradition, every discovery pushed the limits of what I thought was possible.

And yet, I had the strangest feeling…

This was only the beginning.

I was contacted by Zalthorion and instructed to head to a specific location. When I arrived, I realized it was the Grove one of the most sacred places in Evolto City. Calling it crowded would be an understatement. The entire area was overflowing with people Dendrites, humans, Ogryns, Cilians, and other species, all gathered for the ceremony.

I scanned the crowd, searching for Zalthorion, but the sheer number of bodies made it nearly impossible to spot him. Then, suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. The murmurs faded, and a hushed reverence settled over the gathering.

The crowd parted as Dendrite couples began their solemn march toward the Grove. They moved gracefully, their bark-like forms swaying with an unseen rhythm. Each pair stepped onto the sacred ground, standing side by side, their hands intertwining like interwoven roots.

Then, without warning, a stage rose from the ground, forming seamlessly before the Grove as if the land itself had prepared for this moment. And standing atop it, commanding the attention of all, was Zalthorion Veilstryx.

He took a step forward, and in a voice that carried across the entire gathering, he spoke.

"For eons, the multiverse has been a place of chaos of war, destruction, and loss. Countless civilizations have risen and fallen, their legacies scattered like dust upon the Divide. But here, in Evolto City, we have built something greater a sanctuary, a refuge, a home where all may find peace."

"At the heart of this sanctuary stand the Dendrites the first to plant their roots in this soil, the first to call this city home. When others saw ruins, they saw potential. When others feared the unknown, they embraced it. It was through their hands no, through their very essence that this land was shaped, nurtured, and made to flourish."

"And so, today, we honor them. Not just for what they have built, but for what they continue to build. The Seeding Ceremony is more than tradition it is a promise. A promise that life will always endure, that love will always take root, and that no matter what challenges may come, Evolto City will never wither."

"Now, let the cycle continue."

As his words echoed through the air, a radiant glow began to emanate from the Grove.

The Dendrite couples, still holding hands, began to fuse together, their forms merging into massive, towering trees. Their bark shimmered as if infused with raw vitality, and their leaves glowed softly, releasing tiny motes of light into the air. The Grove breathed, pulsing with new life, and the crowd watched in awe.

After the ritual concluded, the crowd gradually dispersed, leaving the Grove in a serene glow beneath the newly formed luminous trees. One by one, the onlookers departed, their whispers fading into the evening air. As the last few stragglers lingered, I followed Zalthorion back to the tower.

Inside, the atmosphere was as quiet as ever, the soft hum of unseen mechanisms filling the space. We sat across from each other, the city stretching out beyond the windows. Without a word, Zalthorion placed a document in front of me.

I picked it up, scanning the title. Mission Briefing: Retrieval Operation.

Evolto City - Classified Retrieval Mission

Mission ID: 0021-RTRV

Objective: Recovery of the Molecular Disabler Field Generator (MDFG)

Assigned Agent: Nyxia

Supervisor: Zalthorion Veilstryx

Mission Overview:

During an experimental test, the Molecular Disabler Field Generator (MDFG) was unintentionally pulled into a dimensional rift, transporting it into an alternate universe. This device is highly volatile, capable of disrupting molecular cohesion on a large scale. If left unchecked, it may cause unpredictable anomalies, potentially destabilizing the entire reality it has landed in.

Our tracking systems have located the MDFG within an Earth-based reality, one infamous for its erratic, nonsensical storytelling and heightened dramatization of mundane events. The locals refer to this universe as "Riverdale."

You are to locate and extract the MDFG before it becomes irreversibly entangled in this world's chaotic narrative structure.

Mission Parameters:

Time Limit: 2 months(before the MDFG activates)

Threat Assessment:

Low direct combat threats, but extreme unpredictability due to contrived plotlines.

Individuals may act irrationally based on story-driven impulses.

Avoid direct involvement in romantic subplots, murder mysteries, and cult activities these can spiral into multiseason conflicts.

Potential Complications:

The MDFG may have been absorbed into the storyline, making extraction more difficult.

Local factions including teenage vigilantes, mafia families, and inexplicably competent high school students may interfere.

The universe follows drama-based physics meaning logic is secondary to emotional tension.

Preparation & Resources:

1. Department of Mediocrity:

Study the structure of Riverdale's reality to anticipate inconsistencies.

Identify key figures and locations relevant to the search.

Learn how to navigate forced narrative tropes effectively.

2. Medical Department - Dr. Dietrich Wagner:

Request specialized equipment for this mission, including:

A narrative disruptor to shield against plot entanglement.

A temporary cover identity to integrate with minimal disruption.

Psychological support if prolonged exposure to melodrama causes cognitive distress.

3. Extraction Protocol:

Once the MDFG is secured, activate the Multiversal Transition Device (MTD) to open a controlled rift.

Ensure no lingering anomalies are left behind to avoid permanent corruption of this universe.

Final Directive - From Zalthorion:

"This universe is absurd, but do not underestimate it. The laws of logic bend to drama, and people there survive situations that would annihilate lesser beings. Do not get caught in their conflicts, and if someone begins a dramatic monologue leave immediately. You have three days to prepare. Make them count."

End of Briefing.

"Should I be worried?" I asked.

Zalthorion didn't even look up from his documents. "Yes. Yes, you should. Most of our agents refused the mission the moment they read the word Riverdale."

That... was not reassuring.

"The Department of Mediocrity is five floors down. Just turn left."

I hesitated. "And they'll brief me on what to expect?"

Zalthorion finally looked up, his expression unreadable. "Oh, they'll prepare you. Whether you'll survive is another matter."

That was even less reassuring.

I followed his directions, stepping into an office with flickering fluorescent lights, the walls lined with stacks of untouched paperwork. The moment I entered, I was greeted by the sound of quiet sobbing.

A man sat in the corner, curled up, rocking back and forth, his arms hugging his knees. "Make it stop... make it stop... please, make it stop..." he whimpered.

"Um… hello?" I called out cautiously.

The man flinched, then looked up at me with hollow eyes. His face brightened unnaturally. "Hello! Are you my replacement?"

"Uh… no, I'm here for a mission. Something about retrieving a lost device from a universe based on a TV show called Riverdale—"

The moment the word left my mouth, his expression collapsed. His shoulders slumped, and he let out a long, soul-crushing sigh. "Of course you are."

Without another word, he stood, shaking like a man who had seen horrors beyond human comprehension. He gestured for me to follow him down a dimly lit corridor into a small room with two chairs and a TV.

He motioned for me to sit. "Do you want the full breakdown, or just the basics?"

"Just the basics," I said, thinking it couldn't be that bad.

The man gave a dead-eyed chuckle and rubbed his temples. "Alright. Buckle up."

Alright imma go on a rant

"Riverdale is not a town. It's not even a setting. It's a sentient nightmare that defies all logic, consistency, and reason. It started off pretending to be some kind of dark, edgy reimagining of Archie Comics but then it spiraled into an incoherent fever dream where nothing matters and everything is chaos.

First, let's talk about Archie Andrews. The writers can't decide who the hell he is. One moment, he's a high school football player. The next, he's a singer-songwriter. Then suddenly, he's an underground boxer. Then he's training to be in the military, but before you can process that, he's leading a vigilante gang fighting criminals in the streets. One day, he's a high school student; the next, he's going to war against a cult. And somehow, through all of this, he still finds time to take off his shirt every episode.

Then there's Jughead Jones, who started as the quirky, food-loving outcast but eventually became some kind of noir detective... before becoming a gang leader… before becoming homeless… before becoming a best-selling author… before faking his own death. Also, for some reason, he's an alien conspiracy theorist at one point, and that's considered normal.

Betty Cooper? Oh, you mean the girl who was once a normal overachiever but turned into a serial killer profiler in high school, then joined the FBI as a teenager, then developed psychic murder detection powers? Yeah, no big deal.

And let's not forget Cheryl Blossom. She went from being a mean girl to a cult leader to a witch yes, a literal witch with actual magic powers. At some point, she was possessed, then exorcised herself, and then she somehow became the embodiment of the Scarlet Witch from Marvel.

And then there's Veronica Lodge. She's supposed to be a rich high school student, but she somehow ends up running a speakeasy nightclub, an illegal casino, and a criminal empire—all before she even graduates.

And don't even get me started on the adults. They are the worst. The parents in Riverdale are more involved in organized crime, murder, and general villainy than their children. You'd think they would have some authority, but no half of them are dating teenagers, forming cults, or running entire drug cartels, and everyone acts like this is completely normal.

Then there's the town itself.

One season, it's a corrupt small town with a drug problem. The next, it's under siege by Gargoyle cultists who worship an RPG game. Then, suddenly, it's got actual superpowers floating around. And at one point, there was a serial killer gene—yes, they literally made it canon that some people are born to be murderers.

And the musical episodes. They don't even make sense. The characters will be in the middle of a crime scene, covered in blood, and then suddenly start singing and dancing like it's Glee.

There's no logic. No consistency. No sanity.

And the worst part? The writers don't care. They just throw anything at the wall and call it a plotline. Time travel? Sure. Alternate dimensions? Why not? Witchcraft? Of course. The moment you think you've grasped the story, it changes not because it makes sense, but because they just felt like it.

And that's why you should be worried."

I sat there, stunned, staring at the screen as the man buried his face in his hands.

"Do you understand now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

I hesitated. "How bad can it really be?"

The man slowly turned to face me, his expression hollow. "You don't know what you're saying. You think you'll just be a background character. But Riverdale doesn't allow that. The moment you step in, the world will warp around you. You'll suddenly have an entire backstory that was never written, relationships you didn't choose, and plotlines that make no sense. You might wake up one morning as a high school student, the next as a crime lord, and by the end of the week, you could be leading a revolution against a fascist musical dictatorship."

I blinked. "That's... oddly specific."

He stared into the distance. "I was Principal of Riverdale High for three seasons. I don't even know how it happened."

Silence filled the room.

After a moment, I stood up. "Well… thanks for the briefing."

The man nodded slowly. "Good luck. And… if you hear Jughead start narrating your life… run."

I soon left the Department of Mediocrity, my mind still reeling from the Riverdale briefing. If half of what I'd just heard was true, I was about to walk into something far worse than a simple retrieval mission.

Shaking off the unease, I made my way to the Medical Department. The moment I approached the front door, I heard it.

Maniacal laughter.

"YES! YES! ZE MACHINE IS VORKING! YES!"

I paused.

That was not a reassuring sound.

Steeling myself, I pushed the door open, stepping inside. What exactly had Zalthorion signed me up for?

Inside, a man stood hunched over a workbench, clad in a long black doctor's coat. A large medical bag rested at his side, and in his gloved hands, he held some kind of device humming ominously with energy.

At the sound of the door opening, he turned to face me. The first thing I noticed was his mask a sleek, unnervingly well-maintained plague doctor mask, its dark lenses reflecting the dim light of the room.

"Ah! A new patient!" he declared, his voice thick with a German accent. "Velcome! I am Dr. Dietrich Wagner. How may I assist you?"

Something about the way he said patient sent a shiver down my spine.

Dr. Wagner led me to a metal table, where a sleek, featureless suit lay neatly folded. He picked it up and held it out to me.

"Here! Ze perfect suit for your mission!" he declared proudly. "It changes form to fit your body perfectly, repels many dangers including poison and, most importantly… it smells wunderbar! Smell ze lavender! No more foul odors! It even cleans your body, so no need for showers, my friend!"

I hesitantly took the suit, giving it a sniff. Sure enough, it had a faint but pleasant lavender scent. As strange as Wagner was, I had to admit this was impressive.

Before I could say anything, he held up a sleek metallic bracelet.

"Und zis… zis is your MTD Multiversal Travel Device!" He placed it in my hand, tapping it lightly. "It vill allow you to jump between seven universes before needing to recharge. Use it visely!"

I examined the device, feeling its smooth surface. Seven jumps. Hopefully, I wouldn't need all of them.

"Now!" Wagner clapped his hands together. "Anything else? Perhaps… therapy? You vill need it after Riverdale, ja?"

"Um no thank you" i said

Dr. Wagner grinned beneath his mask and handed me a small envelope.

"Vunderbar! Here is your fake identity!" he announced. "From zis moment on, you are Jake Magnio, a simple resident of Riverdale! Und your house… ah, yes " he pulled out a printed document and tapped the address at the top.

23 Blackwood Drive, Riverdale.

"It is a modest home, fully stocked vith supplies und everything you need to blend in. You vill find your key inside ze envelope."

I took the envelope, feeling the slight weight of a key inside. Something about the way he handed it to me made it seem… ominous.

"Now!" Wagner continued, clapping his hands together again. "If you need further medical assistance or, let's be honest, psychological support after zis mission ³do not hesitate to return! I am alvays here!"

Somehow, that wasn't as reassuring as he probably intended.