Metal walked into the bar that the auction was being held. He saw many different displaced from different franchises and a few other creatures. A few stared at him when he walked in before returning to their drinks. Metal pulled out a stool and ordered a cocktail, placing his credits on the counter which were swept up by the human bartender. Not wanting to attract attention he calmly sipped at his drink and played it cool.

As he was about to take another sip the announcement of the auction starting interrupted him. All eyes turned to a small stage with a podium that had a glass container that held the portal shard. Looking around slowly Metal studied the others in the bar. 'What would a displaced want with a random portal shard anyways?'

A man in a sharp suit and long blonde hair walked onto the stage with a microphone. "Good evening ladies, gentlemen, mares, colts, androids, displaced and other creatures of the multiverse. We have a special treat for you tonight, what you see here may seem like a regular old portal shard from the distant multiverse. However, with careful scanning and analysis we have discovered that the universe that this portal belongs to is the home of a displaced of Marx!" The crowd cheered and others growled.

'So it's about something that Marx did, interesting.' He took another sip of his drink and turned away from the auction. As bids were placed Metal suddenly heard a loud crash and yelling.

"I SENSE THE PRESENCE OF AUTHOR!!!" Yelled an ogre-like creature screamed, catching everyone's attention. Many of the creatures started looking around with a scowl, trying to pinpoint the location of their supposed enemy. All eyes fell onto Metal who just calmly took another sip of his drink. The ogre stormed over to him and slammed its fist onto the counter, spilling Metals drink. "So, Author has sent one of his goons to scope us out has he?!" The creature yelled in Metals face, spit flying everywhere.

Metal wiped of the spit from his face and turned to his spilled drink. "A pity, I was enjoying that." He then turned to the ogre. "I don't know what your deal with my displacer is but I'm here on my own terms, so I suggest you don't get in my way." Metal got off of his stool and started walking over to the man on the stage. "That shard belongs to a dear friend, would you mind handing it over before I cause some serious amounts of damage and take it by force?" He asked politely.

The ogre growled and charged him. Metal merely stepped out of the way and tripped the monster onto the stage, destroying it and sending the shard flying. Metal quickly caught the shard and put it in his storage.

"I've got what I came for, I'll be leaving now." He was about to walk out when a group of displaced blocked his path.

"Ohhhhh no you don't! Author really messed things up for us, we want some revenge!" Yelled one Mario displaced causing the others to yell in agreement.

"Oh I am going to enjoy kicking your ass the most fat ass." Mocked Metal with a confident tone. One by one the displaced charged at him, only to be kicked, punched, blasted or stabbed by the metal hedgehog. "Seriously, how can you guys be considered displaced? You aren't even trying." Getting bored of the repetitive onslaught Metal began to glow red. "Chaos...Blast!" The entire bar was caught in an explosion.

Further down the street the girl from before witnessed the blast. Watching as Metal emerged from the flames that were created she quickly hid in an alleyway. Metal looked in her direction before turning and walking away. As he took a few steps the Mario displaced grabbed his leg. He picked up the injured plumber Metal shoved him into the burning oven and shut the door. "Man that felt good." He then teleported out of the area.

The girl pulled out a tablet much like Metals and dialled a number. A shadowy figure answered. "Hello? Carrie?"

"Shard, we have a problem."

"What kind of problem?"

"One of Authors displaced has entered the backstreet territories and is gathering those portal shards."

The figure went silent then burst out laughing. "That's not a problem, that's great news!"

"What?"

"Oh right I never told you. My displacer is Roden Godswell. Tell me where this displaced is and what he is, I want to meet him."

"Um,, he's a Metal Sonic, he teleported out of the area. I think he's going to the Hall of Gates to enter a universe."

"Well I'll just have to meet him there. Shard out." The figure ended the call and Carrie groaned.

"He only tells me this now!? That was important!"

Metal approached the huge gate that led to a long hallway of gateways. There is a rule in the multiverse that cannot be broken. To enter a universe the creator has to allow you access. So no random evil doer that is bellow the power of a God can enter a universe.

Metal stood in the middle of the hallway and closed his eyes, trying to sense one of the portal shards but to no avail. "Excuse me, Metal Sonic!"

Metal turned around to see one of his favourite models of Metal Sonic approaching him. Unlike him this Metal Sonic was black, had five quips instead of three, his left hand was an arm cannon and he had a yellow stripe on the top of his head. He also had a mouth and a red gem on his chest. "I'll admit I never expected to see a Metal Sonic 3.0 displaced here, although I'm guessing you prefer to be called Shard."

"You'd be right there my friend. A little birdie told me that you were one of Authors displaced."

Metal took a defensive stance. "You aren't going to try to fight me are you?"

"No no no, I have no quarrels with Author, I am actually one of his allies displaced. Tell me, what brings you to the backstreet territories?"

Metal decided to trust him, as he could sense no lie from the displaced. "I am here to recover the shards to my friends universe gate, I take it you've heard of Lisa the Slenderwoman?"

"That lovely lady has lost her home?" Shard asked with genuine concern, Metal nodded. "Now that won't do, tell ha what. Me and my friends will help ya with your search."

"Well, ok then." Metal resumed his walk, his new companion at his side.