Omni Verse – Episode 15
Leonardos slowly opened his eyes.
For a few seconds, he understood nothing. All he could see was a pure white ceiling above him. The light was too strong, forcing him to squint. He blinked several times, trying to focus. A sharp medicinal smell filled his nose. His entire body felt heavy, as if every muscle had been torn apart and stitched back together.
Leonardos spoke in a weak, dry voice.
Leonardos:
"…Am I… alive?"
The blurry shapes around him slowly became clear. Standing around his bed were familiar faces. Pugo was the closest. Behind him stood Stardust, Luvo, Lino, Mariana, Luka, Solom, and Pegas. All of them were watching him in silence.
Pugo released a deep breath.
Pugo:
"You finally woke up."
Leonardos turned his head slightly.
Leonardos:
"The battle… what happened?"
Pugo answered without hesitation.
Pugo:
"We won. The Dough Universe is safe now."
Leonardos closed his eyes. A long breath escaped his chest. A faint smile appeared on his face.
At that moment, Stardust crossed his arms and leaned forward with his usual mischievous grin.
Stardust:
"Well, well… look who's back. The Flame Warrior himself. You know, they almost turned you into bread."
Leonardos frowned.
Leonardos:
"Stardust… shut up."
Stardust ignored him.
Stardust:
"I can't. Especially since you were snoring when you fainted."
Luvo burst out laughing.
Luvo:
"No way! Seriously?"
Leonardos tried to sit up angrily, but his body refused. Pain surged through him, forcing him back onto the bed.
Leonardos:
"You're lying!"
Stardust shrugged.
Stardust:
"Ask Pegas."
Pegas smiled awkwardly and nodded.
Pegas:
"Just a little… but it was there."
Leonardos buried his face into the pillow.
Leonardos:
"One day… I'm going to burn all of you."
Everyone in the room laughed. Even Solom allowed a small smirk to show. The tension completely faded.
Mariana stepped forward, her tone calm but serious.
Mariana:
"Jokes aside, Leonardos. Your body was completely exhausted. You pushed yourself far beyond your limits."
Luka spoke next, his voice firm.
Luka:
"But the determination you showed in that battle… it was not ordinary."
Solom crossed his arms.
Solom:
"The fact that he's still breathing is proof enough."
Leonardos slowly turned his head.
Leonardos:
"Then… it was worth it."
Hours later, Leonardos was finally able to stand on his own, though still weak. The group left the hospital together. The people of the Dough Universe watched them in silence, some bowing, some whispering words of gratitude.
They boarded Luka's spaceship. As the ship rose into space, the Dough Universe slowly disappeared behind them.
Pegas stared out the window.
Pegas:
"My home… saved once again."
Stardust placed a hand on his shoulder.
Stardust:
"And many more will be saved."
Just as the ship was about to jump to light speed, Mariana's wrist device beeped.
Mariana:
"A message just came in."
Everyone fell silent.
Mariana:
"New mission received… destination: Animal Universe."
Lino's eyes lit up.
Lino:
"Animal Universe? The transformation one?"
Luka nodded.
Luka:
"Yes. A universe where humans can become animals."
Moments later, the ship entered the Animal Universe. The sight below stunned everyone. Entire planets were shaped like animals—lions, eagles, wolves, whales. Even the cities followed animal anatomy.
Stardust pressed his face to the window.
Stardust:
"This might be the strangest universe we've ever visited."
Pegas smiled.
Pegas:
"But it feels warm."
After landing, they witnessed the transformations firsthand. People changed into animals mid-conversation and returned to normal as if it were natural.
Luvo pointed.
Luvo:
"That guy just turned into a bear."
Solom responded calmly.
Solom:
"Here, that's normal."
They met with the president of the Animal Universe. A long discussion followed. They learned about balance, transformation rules, and the harmony that kept the universe stable. Everything seemed peaceful.
While exploring the forest—
"BOO!"
Stardust jumped back.
Stardust:
"HEY!"
A young boy stood in front of them, laughing loudly.
Jamie:
"Haha! That was perfect!"
Pugo looked at him carefully.
Pugo:
"Who are you?"
The boy puffed out his chest proudly.
Jamie:
"I'm Jamie. One of the protectors of the Animal Forest."
Jamie was eleven years old. His front hair was long, the back short. His brown eyes were full of energy. He wore protective gear similar to Pugo's.
Stardust crouched.
Stardust:
"You scared us on purpose?"
Jamie grinned.
Jamie:
"New record."
Luvo laughed.
Luvo:
"Small but brave."
Jamie stared at the Warriors with admiration.
Jamie:
"Are you real heroes?"
Leonardos nodded.
Leonardos:
"As real as it gets."
That night, they stayed in the Animal Universe. Everything was silent.
Too silent.
Then—
BOOOOOOM!
The ground shook violently. The sky turned blood red. From outside the village emerged a gigantic three-eyed monster. Every time it slammed its hand into the ground, massive explosions erupted.
Jamie screamed.
Jamie:
"This isn't a normal monster!"
The Warriors stepped forward immediately.
Solom, Luka, and Pegas sat down nearby.
Stardust:
"You're not helping?"
Solom:
"This is your trial."
Leonardos drew his sword.
Leonardos:
"Let's move!"
The battle exploded.
Leonardos unleashed powerful flame attacks.
Pugo froze the monster.
Stardust rained star-based strikes from above.
Luvo vanished with ninja techniques.
Lino shifted into multiple animal forms and attacked relentlessly.
The monster staggered… then suddenly turned RED.
A violent surge of power erupted outward. Trees were ripped from the ground. The Warriors were thrown back, their bodies crashing into the earth. Pain burned through every muscle, but none of them stayed down for long.
Pugo struggled to his feet, breathing heavily.
Pugo:
"…This isn't the end."
His eyes began to glow.
Pugo:
"Time Technique… a new level."
The world froze.
The wind stopped.
The dust hung in the air.
Pugo:
"Magnificent Time!"
Ten phantom images appeared behind him. Each one moved slightly ahead of reality itself. As the monster attacked, each image struck nine times—precise, fast, unavoidable.
In the final instant, the real Pugo dashed forward with overwhelming speed and sliced cleanly through the monster's heart.
Silence fell over the battlefield.
Pugo collapsed to the ground.
As the dust slowly settled, the forest of the Animal Universe fell into an unnatural silence. Broken trees lay scattered everywhere, their trunks cracked by the monster's explosive attacks. Smoke still rose from the scorched earth.
Jamie stood frozen, staring at the empty space where the monster had once stood.
Jamie:
"…It's really gone."
Leonardos stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Leonardos:
"You didn't run. That takes courage."
Pugo forced a small smile from the ground.
Pugo:
"That's what makes a protector."
Villagers slowly emerged from hiding—some human, some half-transformed. When they saw the fallen Warriors, whispers spread.
Villager:
"They fought… for us."
Luka watched quietly.
Luka:
"Pugo didn't just evolve… he sacrificed."
Solom nodded.
Solom:
"He stepped ahead of death."
Pegas floated closer.
Pegas:
"He always carries everything alone."
Lino clenched his fists.
Lino:
"And that's why we carry him."
They lifted Pugo carefully and began walking toward the medical center. Along the path, glowing animals gathered silently, watching their saviors pass.
Jamie followed behind them.
Jamie:
"One day… I'll fight beside you."
Stardust smirked.
Stardust:
"Careful, kid. Training with us hurts."
Jamie smiled anyway.
As the hospital doors closed, peace returned to the Animal Universe—
but not unchanged.
Far above, in the silence of space, unseen eyes watched.
A shadow moved.
And the Omni Verse continued to turn.
End of Episode 15