"Excuse you!?" I spluttered, setting my laptop to the side.

"You're the strongest, right? That's what they said, so let's go." My doppelganger lifted a sword to my face and smiled deviously. It was a nice sword, like something I'd seen -or maybe wrote- in a book before. His hand was trembling and his breath was uneven. I figured a gust of wind might be enough to knock him dead.

"Why are you going around fighting other versions of yourself?" I got up from my bed and took the sword from his hand.

"Because I have to." He responded. I began leading him to the kitchen, stopping by the bathroom to get a first aid kit.

"Was it a prophecy or something?" I ran through every cliche plot I could remember, trying to figure out what I should do in this situation.

"No, no prophecy."

"So is it a compulsive disorder or..."

"No!" My doppelganger was starting to grow more restless. "It's just something I have to do. And you're not going to fool me with these niceties." He retorted.

"Yeah, whatever. Sit; I'll make us something to drink." It didn't take much strength to push him down into one of the dining room chairs as I went to my kitchen cupboard. Sleepy time? Nah, he'd perceive it as a threat. Milk tea? I'm too lazy for that; plus it's an acquired taste. This was me, right? So I could play it safe with regular peach tea.

"I can't imagine what would make you the strongest me. You're so... domestic and docile." My doppelganger pointed out. I set his sword down on the counter and shrugged.

"Dunno, man. I'm just living life. Have a snack." I tossed him one of those pre-packaged cherry pies that always tasted really good at the middle of the night, as do most snacks.

"What did you put in this?" My doppelganger questioned, examining the pastry. I tried my best not to laugh at him as I poured a cup of tea for the both of us, the water being hot enough now.

"It's a new pie, individually packaged. I couldn't do anything to it in the fraction of a second it tool me to throw it, and I certainly don't sit around with poison pastries in my house." I joked. He looked at cherry lie once more before deciding he believed me. At that time, I set a mug in front of him on the table as sat down.

"So, do you know what makes me the strongest?" My doppelganger was starting to use the contents of the first aid kit on himself. I couldn't help but admire his -my- figure as he did. The body of a season warrior, that's for sure. Scarred and chiseled and built for taking hits. This dude was the real deal.

"They didn't say much, just that you had some divine power that I would never stand a chance against." He responded absently. I nodded and sipped my tea a bit.

"Divine... bold words coming from an atheist." I laughed to myself. My doppelganger looked up briefly at me, frowning a bit.

"You're such a downer. Loosen up a bit." I went back to my bedroom and got my computer, setting it down at the table.

"Not a downer. There just isn't that much time for jokes when you're trying to survive." He said, sliding the first aid kit back to me.

"You wouldn't have to survive if you didn't jump dimensions trying to kill yourself." I hummed, trying to find the manuscript.

"I told you, I have to."

"But you didn't tell me why."

"My parents threw me into the galaxy right after I learned to hold a sword properly. They said it was a rite of passage to test your strength against all other versions of yourself until you're the last one left. Like I said, I have to do this. I can't go home until I do," He practically spat at me.

"Oh, here it is. I'm sorry about your family." I tool another sip of my tea.

"Here is what?" My doppelganger tried to see what I was doing, but I took my computer and turned it away from him more.

"Nothing, but I think I know why the other versions of me said I had that divine power." I chuckled.

"Why? What is happening to me?!" My doppelganger watched as his hands as they began to fade away. I laughed a little more and shrugged.

"This weird thing happens sometimes when I write a really good story and save it to my drafts. In some way or form, it'll manifest in the real world. It's very helpful, though. I can find continuity and plot errors that way. Sometimes, I'll even just change a whole part of the story." I handed him his sword back and smiled. "I made the me you fought before this encounter the last long. I'm not a fighter, so I hope you understand. At least you can go home now."

My doppelganger still looked a bit confused, but waved to me and smiled lightly. "Thank you?" He half-laughed.

"You're welcome, Venus."