The Big Damn Fight

In the original course of events, Nova had been convinced to step down from the ledge by the boy. He taught her to accept herself, and told her that he would love her no matter what she was. She listened to him, but the limited experience of youth allowed for an interpretation was different from the intention of the boy’s words. The resulting betrayal was Nova’s one true shame.

“Though a shoe in to win, Alex Albright did not attend the finale, instead she-”

If this was being broadcast home, it would destroy her. Everything she and her people had been working to accomplish. She couldn’t let that happen. Instead Nova did the only thing she could think of to change the narrative. She stepped off the ledge. As she neared the pavement, she wound back her arm smashing it milliseconds before she made contact.

She broke through the ceiling and fell into another stage, and “ooohs” and “awws” resulted. It wasn’t the American Talent one from her memories. The audience was made up of many more forms than just humans, and behind her were the words “Multiverse’s Got Talent”

Host walked up to Nova, turning towards the audience. “Well usually I walk the participants out onto the stage but it looks like this one couldn’t wait.”

The audience burst out laughing.

There was a panel of four judges in front of her. One judge appeared Howie Mandel’s character from the film Little Monsters, in a seated pose floating above his chair by half a foot. Inexplicably, Raime and the princess sat in the second and third judges chairs. Raime’s placed her head on the table next to the sponsored coca-cola cup that every judge was required to keep in view. Raime winked at Nova, and gave a little wave.

The last judge was instantly recognizable as Simon Cowell, but at the same time, disturbingly different and indescribable. At a single glance Nova knew there was something unnatural and powerful going on with him, but the more she stared his direction the less it made sense. It was as if this Simon was the nexus of all Simon Cowells in the multiverse, linking them all through a single-minded purpose; judgement.

“Well.” Said Cowells “You’re some kind of singer?”

Nova took the microphone which had been placed out for her. “No. Im the voice of a generation.”

The blue horned Howie Mandel chimed in “She’s got attitude, that’s for sure!”

“I could have told you that from experience!” Said Raime.

Princess Eris “I like her!”

Cowells chimed in, already annoyed. “Let’s hear this ‘Voice of a Generation’ before we make any judgement on talent, please.”

The Princess scoffed at Simon, clearly annoyed that he felt he had any right to tell her how to conduct herself.

“Is there any way I could get-” Before Nova could finish the sentence, a piano was carried out onto the stage by two thousand armed men. “Thank you.”

She sat down. Her fingers touched the keys, and music began to flow.