Let's goooo. Chapter 9 kicks off with Rick discovering he's literally worshipped in some corners of the multiverse... and it's all thanks to a lost shoe, a misunderstood prophecy, and the worst fan club in history.
Location: Universe 319-B – Otherwise known as "The Funky Timeline"
Rick wasn't planning on visiting another timeline today. He really wasn't planning on becoming the subject of worship.
But plans are for people who don't fight fate with fists.
It all started when Lucky warped them into a weird timeline where gravity wore a mustache and buildings politely apologized when you bumped into them.
They were supposed to grab a multiversal breakfast sandwich.
Instead…
Rick saw a cathedral.
A big one.
With his face carved in gold on the front wall.
The Holy Sole of Rickdom
Inside, dozens of robed figures were gathered around a pedestal.
Upon it: a worn, beat-up, left shoe.
Rick blinked.
"Is that…?"
Lucky nodded. "That's your shoe, my dude."
A high priest with glowing pink eyes raised his hands and chanted:
"All hail the Left Shoe of Violence!All hail Rick the Unformatted!May chaos bless us with kinetic impact!"
The crowd cheered and started breakdancing in slow motion.
Rick slowly turned to Lucky. "I lost that shoe during the Kraken Fire Festival…"
"Apparently," she said, smirking, "they found it and built a religion."
Enter: Alternate Rick
A ripple in space opened with a sound like a duck burping backwards.
Through it stepped Rico Wyllis, Alternate Rick.
He wore the right shoe.
He had long hair, glowing tattoos, and a trench coat made of paradoxes.
And he was mad.
"You ruined my cult, Rick!"
Rick squinted. "I didn't even know I had a cult."
Rico pointed at the sky.
"I worked hard to manipulate these people into worshiping the Shoe of Reckoning! I monetized belief, bro!"
Rick stared. "You monetized my old shoe?"
"Faith-based merch line. Deluxe sandals of destiny. Even got a podcast."
Lucky whispered, "Honestly? Kinda genius."
A Battle of Belief (and Punches)
Rico summoned glowing scripture blades, powered by misinterpretation.
He wielded faith like a hammer.
Rick countered with pure, dumb chaotic intent.
He yelled, "YOU'RE NOT EVEN LEFT-FOOTED!" and charged.
KRAK—ZAP—WHOOSH.
Believers scattered as the two Ricks clashed in a whirlwind of divine uppercuts and heretical roundhouse kicks.
Lucky threw popcorn and took bets.
The priests screamed, "THE PROPHECY FIGHTS ITSELF!"
Rick caught Rico's punch midair. "You want a cult, man? Take mine. Just stop being a self-important dollar-store prophet!"
Rico growled. "They believe in you more than me!"
Rick grinned.
"Then maybe you should believe in a better punchline."
He knee'd Rico in the metaphysical dignity.
Rico collapsed in glitter.
The Resolution
The believers gathered around, confused.
Rick stood on the altar, wiped his nose, and said:
"I'm not a god. I'm just a guy who solves problems with fists, friends, and food.Your faith? It's real. But don't base it on me.Base it on being loud, chaotic, and always helping people—violently, if necessary."
A hush.
Then…
A cheer.
The cult immediately rebranded as The Temple of Tactical Friendship.
They donated the Left Shoe to a museum of improbable artifacts.
Rico was given therapy and a coupon for redemption arc lessons.
Meanwhile, in the Shadows…
A robed figure watched.
Eyes glowing like corrupted constellations.
Whispers swirled around him: "The Fool rises. The Pattern frays. Sequence Eight endures."
It was the Heretic of Order, a cosmic entity bent on purging unpredictable variables.
He smiled as his fingers shaped a curse made from canceled timelines.
"Let's see how you handle your own story, Rick."
Back in Rick's Timeline
Rick lounged on a floating couch made of dragon fur.
Lucky laid beside him, sipping something purple and probably illegal.
"You just ended a religion," she said.
Rick shrugged. "Wasn't a very good one."
"You're getting stronger, y'know."
He flexed. "Yeah. But it's weird. Every fight makes me feel more… connected. Like I'm leveling up or evolving or something."
Lucky nodded. "You're becoming the heart of your Sequence."
Rick stared up at the sky.
"Hope that heart can take it."