Prologue: The Warring States
The world is never silent, much less for the country of Japan, where the Sengoku Period has come, bringing about the great flames of conflict.
Armies of yellow and black clashed against each other, as the emblem of the Tokugawa and the emblem of the Toyotomi are the most prominent on the battlefield. The clash of blade onto weapon could be heard on every part of the land, as they duelled among a flat lowland of rock, as the battle was locked in a stalemate between the two forces.
However, on a small mountain not far from the battle of the main forces, the destiny of the battle was about to determined by a single strike.
On the very top, there stood two men, facing each other, as they were both calm and serious, as they knew that they were enemies, and were to fight each other to the death.
The first was a man clad in a red cuirass shaped oddly like a jacket, tied together by a white sash, by the middle of his chest, with his black tunics visible under his armour, as his arms and legs were covered by heavy red gauntlets and black shinguards. His hair was grey from age, and his hair was formed into a mane parted towards the back of his head, with a large bang of hair by the cheek on either side of his head, and his face was that of a hardened warrior, shown by his bulky and large figure, as his red eyes gave a steely gaze that would pierce his opponent, if gazes were like blades.
His opposite was a younger man, who was clad in much less armour, as he bore a yellow jacket, with shoulder-pads that bore the Tokugawa emblem, and under it, was merely a yellow scaled breast-plate that only covered his breast, leaving his neck and abdomen to be seen by all. His attire also consisted of large long haidate in the same yellow colour as his uniform, with red cotton lining around it, and baggy yellow jeans with black boots. His head was covered by the hood of his jacket, as his short spiked black hair was mostly hidden under it, as his eyes of yellow met that of his opponent, and his body, both slim yet stocky with abs, proved he was no mere warrior to stand before the leader of his enemy's army.
"Humanity... There is nothing more powerful than the will of the people united for a cause." The younger man spoke, as his voice was filled with determination and will. "Hideyoshi Toyotomi. If you continue to force your will upon this land..."
He then took off his hood, as his eyes burned with righteous spirit. "I will stop you!" He declared, as he revealed the steel gauntlets that covered his hands. "This land will be joined by the bonds of peace!"
Hideyoshi merely remained silent, as neither of them made a move towards each other, as the air around them became more and more intense, as the winds picked up around them.
As soon as they simultaneously took steps towards each other, clenching their fists for the duel between generals, the ground shook with a ring of dust and earth around them, made by the sheer force of their steps, as they rushed at each other, and their fist clashed...
Near their 'ring', was a fast-approaching swordsman, clad in light steel armour, silver all around his body, as he had purple coat-tails flickering in front of his chest, and his back bore a purple cape that was parted into strands like that of a dandelion, and his leggings were long and sharp, almost as if they were linked to his silver steel boots. His gauntlets were made in a shape that it made his arms look like that of a demon's. His silver eyes radiated a sense of fanatic loyalty, and his silver was styled like a duck-tail. He wielded a large slender sword, with the sheath in his other hand.
He roared, as he did a aerial crescent slash onto the Tokugawa troops approaching him, as they were either killed or dreadfully cut apart by the blow.
"Die, in the name of Lord Hideyoshi." He spoke in a grave tone.
When he heard thunder echo from the edges of where Hideyoshi and the Tokugawa general clashed, he turned and gasped.
"Lord Hideyoshi!?" He roared, before he then growled, as he dashed towards the confrontation as fast as could.
When he came up to the location, he saw that the only one standing was his nemesis, not his lord, who was laid on the ground, defeated and most likely slain.
The loyal warrior was shocked by the state of matters, as he breathed heavily, before then letting out a cry of rage, before he charged at the yellow pugilist, with his blade drawn.
Just before he could reach him, the young fighter immediately jumped, as he landed onto a large man covered in heavy and bulky armour that resembled that of a war machine, as he was flying from the thrusters on his back, leaving behind a trail of smoke, as the flying duo retreated from the battlefield.
He grit his teeth in sheer hatred at the escape of his lord's killer, before then turning to his lord, as he fell on his knees, before he then grabbed Hideyoshi onto his shoulder, as he gave a venomous gaze at the lingering trail of smoke.
"Ieyasu..." He hissed with rage, before taking a strained breath. "I will... KILL YOU!"
He roared the last words into the sky, as the rain fell from the skies from the black clouds of the battlefield, like the gods weeping for the loss of a great warrior.
In the blue skies far from the battle, Ieyasu merely remained still, with his arms crossed, standing above the mechanised warrior that carried him out of danger.
"Through the bonds we make between warriors." Ieyasu spoke in a solemn tone. "We will know peace again, no matter the cost."
Meanwhile, in a unknown aerial fortress, hidden in the space between worlds...
Among the purple void, there lied a massive aerial fortress, fashioned to the shape of a space-made carrier, with the usual complement of a docked bridge, various pulsing engines on the tail, and armed to the teeth with both long-range and short-range defences against all kinds of threats, except it had a few specific features, such as bearing a white and red colour scheme around its nose, as it formed the religious symbol of the yin-yang from the two colours, and there was an aura around the ship that made it seem more than just mere technology.
Inside the ship, right within the main meeting room of the ship, where a circular table, equipped with enough seats for a entire council and audience to sit on, and a hologram projector for use in presentations, the members of the Unmei Force filed themselves in, plus an new addition in Elma, who was decked in her usual clothes, as she seems to be no longer limited by the medical stand that was feeding her medicine through the needle, now replaced by a large staff with a head forged by two snakes intertwining their entire length against each other.
The members all took their seats, as they were all unmasked, due to the fact that they were in personal space, and in a place far from the typical observer's eye, nigh all-seeing or not, as Richard (Pangu) took the frontal seat, reserved for the current leader of the meeting.
"Considering the matters, we have good news and bad news." Richard opened up the discussion. "All in favour of hearing the good news first, so that the bad news won't cause some people to faint? Raise your hands, or voice your agreement if so."
All but Gunther(Heimdall), Reimu (Mammon/Yoku), Meiling(Ryu-Onna) and Reisen(Inaba) raised their hands.
"I see, it's the usual lot." Richard replied, with a smile. "Good thing there's always some opposition to my agreements, or I really would think I'd done something wrong. Still, I'm surprised you agreed this time, Velouria. Something wrong?"
"I rather just look to the bright side for once. I'm sick of all of this bad news coming over and over. It reminds me every time of what could go wrong everytime." Velouria (Fenrir) huffed.
"Point taken." Richard answered back with a nod. "Alright, good news as promised. It seems that we have increased our effective combat power, after that skirmish against Trillion. It's both good and bad in a sense, since she's there to remind us of where the cut-off point of being strong enough or too weak is. Good thing the training we have done has vaulted us over that point for now. Remember, new reality, new limits. Don't go trying to be a hero, because we don't know who the hell is here. Maybe some omnipotent god who is extremely territorial? A multiversal war raging through this entire place? Who knows? Just be careful about what you do, and don't hesitate to contribute towards each other's efforts, if it will help make ending this voyage faster. What's more, we have a new member, Elma, and we also gained a lot of new allies in the Underworld. It's a good start, since we got at least a few people behind our backs for now."
Marisa (Aeon) came over to Elma, and roughened her hair a little with a hand, as she had a cheeky smile on her face. "Don't you worry, ze." She said. "Richard's a really good guy when you get to know him. He might be all mighty and powerful, but even he needs the help of his friends. So do your best, and we'll make sure that we get through this all together."
"T-Thank you, Marisa." Elma smiled. "I'm glad you're willing to care for me on behalf of Dear Brother."
"Don't worry, he's just a summon away." Richard added with a assuring smile. "And I'll make sure that we work together to give anyone who tries to give you a hard time hell. After all, I did promise that back then."
Elma nodded at that, as Antonio(Hermes) then stood up to interrupt.
"Right, and that's the good thing done." The hedgehog replied. "What's the bad stuff? I hope it's not going to affect us badly."
Richard then sighed at that, as his smile dropped. "If you consider being annoyed a bad enough effect to qualify, then I hate to break that hope." Richard responded.
He then activated the machine, as it revealed the blue crystal that they have picked up, which was a round gem with a white insignia of a monster claw.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are now on a MacGuffin hunt. The bad news is that this may lead to some outcomes we really do not want. Unwanted attention, a lot of questionable stuff... But as much as I hate to believe it, it's our only choice here." Richard explained the bad part of his reports. "And worse... Unlike most damn heroes, we don't have a hidden compass that will guide us to them. Only luck here is to roam the worlds, and hope we find something significant that would hint towards the involvement of one of these things."
"What!? Seriously!?" Hermes cried out, as he slumped back down into his chair. "Of all the damn things we have to do, it's a wild goose chase!?"
"Unfortunately so. When I had the best of my kappa researchers and scientists on the case, the lab almost blew to pieces when they tried to merely TEST the thing for a wavelength for a second." Richard accepted the fact. "I don't think these 'stones' like being prodded and tested, and they only have synergy with living beings. Problem is, we can't seem to tap into it, while Trillion could, which caused her to be stronger than I anticipated."
"This does raise a few questions..." Sanae (Jirachi) added. "It's like to us, they're the usual 'collect x and unlock the secrets of the universe' stuff, and to the baddies, they're literally power cells that make them super. I have a feeling that they're more sinister than they are supposed to be..."
"I cannot deny or confirm that kind of fact." Richard answered back, as he shook his head. "I do not have any clue as to what those things could do, when they are brought together, whether it summons a eldritch horror, or help us rid ourselves of the reality glitches in our home reality, but it's the only hope we have, and I will take it, no matter what."
"Then if we are without any way to determine our path to continue, then what will we do?" Fox (Jackal) asked. "Sitting on our bottoms here is not an option."
"Indeed it's not. That's why I have already determined the next destination for us." Richard replied.
The stone hologram changed into a screened live-feed of the battle on the plains, as they watched the battle.
"If you know where we are going, Sanae, amuse us with what you know." Richard told Sanae.
"This world... There's no mistaking it... It's the Sengoku Basara universe." Sanae replied. "That kind of battle, and the forces involved, it's definitely on the dot. And I could barely see where the generals are. If I'm right..."
"Hold on a moment. What exactly is the 'Sengoku Basara' universe?" Meiling (Ryu-Onna) interjected. "By the looks of it, it bears much similarity to that world where we lived through an alternate take of the Three Kingdoms Era."
"Ah, yes. Meiling." Sanae replied, before she then recalled her knowledge about the world. "If I remember from the many times I played the games set within it, it should be based off the Japanese Sengoku Period, during that time. History is a bit elastic there, as it's kind of 'anything happens, anything goes' around the range of an entire history. Anyone could become the uniting shogun of this place, so long as they have the power and will to influence it, and so realistic history is not really strong here, and events could go the other way in contrast of the history we know. And I'm certain that battlefield is the time where Ieyasu and Hideyoshi clashed against each other with their armies. Hideyoshi should be losing right now, which would trigger the next chapter of this historical timeline, which I personally dub the Rise of Two Powers, where Mitsunari Ishida and Ieyasu Tokugawa begin to conquer lands in order to amass their armies for the inevitable decisive battle in the fields of Sekigahara."
"It's exactly as Sanae said." Richard agreed. "Which means that I will have to make a drastic rule that I must place in effect immediately. From now on, expeditions will be done only with specific members, that will fit in the world as perfectly as possible to avoid suspicion, and contain skill-sets and traits that will be proven most effective and useful in the world."
"So basically, we're sortieing according to the situations that we encounter." Ares (Link) pondered. "I guess that would be suitable at times, but it would come with problems... Who's going?"
"As for this world? Only Me, Gus, Sanae and Reimu." Richard bluntly answered the question.
As soon as Richard finished his answer, several of the members immediately objected in utter outrage, as they were not happy with such a decision.
"You can't be serious! Have you abandoned your own principle that we should stay united together as a group!?" Ares cried out. "What you're doing could cause problems worse than what we had with Trillion!"
"Besides, this isn't the time to be picking favourites, Richard! At least take me with you, so that I can use my speed to help you guys out in a sticky situation!" Antonio (Hermes) added.
"Come on, Richard, ze." Marisa complained. "You can't seriously be leaving all of us here with nothing much else to do. I rather be in the Underworld training, if you're going to place us in such a circumstance! We can't do much here, with all the annoying rules and restrictions you placed on us. Sure, we'll pass the time, but you can't always do it like that!"
"I refuse to be left behind here, when there are so many precious treasures down there!" Velouria cried out. "You can't be so cruel to leave me without any of their treasures, when I could barely scrape up one from the Underworld! You know that I can't bear to let treasure be mishandled for a long time in the hands of some savage or uncouth warrior!"
"So I see. Settle down all of you, and take a deep breath to calm down." Richard answered back in a peaceful tone.
However, his words had no effect on them, as they continued to bicker and argue about the matter, annoying Richard further, until he couldn't take it anymore, and he slammed his fists down, and gave a enraged glare at them.
"I said, SETTLE DOWN! NOW!" Richard roared, as he was unaware of his release of mental pressure onto them, as they felt the presence, and immediately quieted down, having realised that they are on Richard's nerves, and is close to blowing his top in rage.
After a moment of silence, Richard then took a deep breath, as he placed a hand on his head, rubbing it to keep himself calm and collected as a leader.
"Alright. I get it. You four are not happy with what I have to say, and maybe the rest of you do object to my statement, except you aren't as outraged as the ones who complained. I understand that." Richard replied. "I did promise that I would place your needs and opinions first, as I will treat my friends and allies with utmost respect, care and kindness, or any combination of any of them. But I ask return that you consider that I have more solid and beneficial reasons to do so."
"Then tell us then. Why would you only allow such a small group to enter?" Fox gestured for his leader to continue.
"Like I said, although I know we barely scraped by Trillion with all we have done. But however, do know that our first priority is trying not to have our identities exposed, as it will cause long-terms problems that will linger by us. In order to counter this, we will have to swap out teammates, and only use them multiple times, if the situation and world deem it necessary. Even as leader, I will abide the rule myself, taking a mere support role of providing important information and data about what our objectives and our mission parameters will be." Richard expressed his reasons with clear hand gestures. "As for why only us four? I and Sanae are the only people here who are the ones who know most of the fandoms that we travel to, due to our 'interest' in it. And thus, we would know the world there almost like the back of our hand, persons of interest, places, events and all else. Reimu herself is a suitable choice, because she's a shrine maiden, and her magic capabilities would be suitable when reliable magic in battle and other important priorities is a boon that only a fool would deny, and don't forget, she's one of the best fighters in Gensokyo, when it comes to fists or magic. Gus is with me, as second-in-command, making him a suitable replacement leader, should anything happen to me, that would affect my capabilities to lead our team through the world. As for you, Velouria, if it will bring you some hope, I can promise that I'll find a suitable treasure for your likings, so that you won't have to cause trouble with your hoarding habits."
Most of the opposing members considered his words, as Velouria didn't even do that, as she nodded, and sat down quickly, with a satisfied expression like a dog being praised for its efforts.
"And in order to maintain anonymity, I will have to ask that you have to take up your new identities for the moment." Richard added. "You're fine to act as your usual selves, as long as you don't deviate from your role. Myself, however... Don't be surprised if I'm a little different."
"Seriously? You're acting at a time like this?" Reisen asked.
"Only choice I have. As leader, everything can be traced back to me, and I can be traced to everything the organisation contains and covers." Richard replied. "If my identity is found, it won't be long that you guys will be traced along with me. Now... about those alternate identities..."
In the fields near the Saica lands...
Ieyasu Tokugawa was watching the skies above, as the men behind him were preparing themselves for battle, arming themselves with weapon and armour.
"Tell me, are the men ready for action?" Ieyasu asked one of his generals, who was wearing a helmet with a massive golden sun symbol on top, and a mask over his face.
"Yes. We await your command, my Lord." The general replied with a composed tone.
"Very good. We are going to ally ourselves with the Saica faction." Ieyasu declared. "Those who wage war at their side know only victory..."
"I see, my lord. They say that the Saica Faction never align with any, except warriors of the greatest prowess." The general responded to his lord's words.
"True. Our task will not be a simple one. That is why I summoned you, Tadakatsu!" Ieyasu called out for his personal bodyguard.
The very same armoured robotic man that carried Ieyasu out approached him, before letting off a rush of air from his internal pistons.
"I'm at your service!" The general replied, before bowing and leaving the two of them.
"Our paths has been a rocky one." Ieyasu looked out to the fields, as he clenched a fist in determination. "Yet we cross the miles unbroken. Never will we know defeat. I swear it! Mitsunari... Surely I'm not alone in feeling so emboldened."
A messenger then approached Ieyasu, as he knelt to the ground.
"My Lord! There are men approaching our camp!" He announced. "They have stated that they have come with business to ally with you, my liege! They state that they are not of any faction, but are prominent warriors and maidens for battle!"
Ieyasu seemed surprised that he would gain allies so suddenly, before he could make his name gaining the allegiance of the Saica faction, and so the arrival of new warriors struck him odd.
"Let them come. I welcome all those who would pledge their service to helping me bring the country together once more, and allow there to be long peace." Ieyasu ordered him.
The messenger acknowledged the order with a nod, before sprinting off, before coming back with the current Unmei Force team, who have changed their attire greatly, to fit the era they were in.
Richard was clad in a swordsman's robe, with red and black shoulder-guards, as well as having his black hair dyed brown, as it was stroked to the right into a slight curl, as he wore the standard light metal haidate and suneate, except they were partially leather to allow him more agility in battle, and his feet were only covered by geta. His back is armed with the twin swords that he used.
Gus was forced into a long robed tunic, with short sleeves, as his lower arms were covered by silver gauntlets, with flame symbols over his garb, and his suneate the only visible armour on his legs, along with leather brown warrior shoes. On his back was his personal great-sword.
Reimu and Sanae were dressed in shrine-maiden garbs, except they both had unique features to their clothes. Reimu was dressed with a red bow on the front of her hakama, and the lining of her clothes were lined with various small yin-yang symbols, ranging from red-and-white to the standard white-and-black versions, and she had no fabric belt to keep her clothes together, as they fluttered lightly in the wind. Sanae's was a more green clothing, as her robe was decorated with both snakes and frogs, in a deep-green colour to show that they were of the sacred nature, and she had a long skirt that had the symbol of a tall and mighty mountain on one side of it. Both of the girls were decked in their own weapons.
"So you are Ieyasu Tokugawa." Richard spoke in a bold tone. "Perhaps the things that they say about you, do hold a weight of truth. A man with the face of a kind saviour, and the heart of a man who values the bonds above all else."
"Who are you, brave warrior?" Ieyasu Tokugawa asked.
"I?" Richard pointed at himself, before sheathing the golden sword in his right hand. "I am Miyamoto Musashi. Great Swordsman below Heaven, and the Undefeated Dueller, and the strongest pupil of the Yoshioka-ryu school."
The name seems to shock most of the troops around him, as the men around him tensed up, as some dropped their weapon.
"M-Miyamoto Musashi!?" One of the soldiers blubbered. "The greatest swordsman, is coming for our services?"
"I see. I do know your name from my men." Ieyasu responded to 'Musashi'. "What has brought you here into my services? I have heard rumours you served the Toyotomi in the wars."
"Mere rumours." Richard stated with a frown. "The Toyotomi lack any sense of honour and justice. They terrorise the common people, and those who would oppose them. A swordsman, who would follow the way of the honoured, and treat his opponents as enemies that deserve respect and recognition, like me, would never work with such savages."
"So that is your way then." Ieyasu replied. "Then I see we have a thing in common, to fight for the oppressed and the common people. I will seek to let all hold hands, and fight no more in the unification of the lands."
He then turned to Gus, and the two shrine maidens.
"And may I ask your names?" Ieyasu questioned them.
"Munemori Yaygu, my lord." Gus answered back. "I have come to serve you, for I believe that you have the most right to conquer the land, and bring peace to the people of Japan."
"Akashi Hakurei." Reimu replied, as she bowed her head. "I have come as Musashi's personal shrine maiden. As his spiritual guardian, I only remain with you, to ensure that his legacy does not end on the battlefield."
"Rikiya Moriya!" Sanae cried out, as she was at the edge of fan-girling at the sight of Ieyasu. "I'm a shrine maiden like Akashi, and I want to be with you, because I believe that you deserve to unite Japan, with your great heart and mind!"
The soldiers sweat-dropped at Sanae's bland reason, but Ieyasu seems to be satisfied with their reasons of joining his armies.
"Very well. Then I shall welcome you into the Tokugawa army, where you will be treated as a part of our large family of bonds." Ieyasu declared with a smile.
"I see then. But I have one more thing to ask of you." Richard said, as he raised his sword, pointing it at Ieyasu, before adopting a more serious and solemn tone. "Know my words to be not a threat, but a promise I will keep. If I find that you have proven that you are not worthy of my services, I will just leave with Munemori. That is only a small punishment you will have. But if I find out that you have betrayed your values so willingly, the values of friendship, honour and mercy, know that I will strike you down, no matter how many men are between me and you, for it will be Heaven's will that your head will be offered to the gods above Heaven, in order to sate their desire to avenge such a great betrayal. Knowing this, do you swear on your heart and soul that you will never turn on your values, Tokugawa? You may reject me, and spare yourself the trouble, but I will kill you, if you merely only speak of your ideals, and not follow upon them."
Tadakatsu immediately noticed the threat that Richard was giving off, as he was about to lift his massive drill-spear hybrid to attack him, only to be stopped by Ieyasu, who raised his hand to forbid such an action.
"I see you are very determined by your words." Ieyasu answered back with great spirit, as much as to counter the cold aura Richard was giving off with his words. "Very well, I shall swear it on the gods, that I shall never stray from the path of the just. I would sooner die a dishonoured death, than let myself do the same to anyone else!"
There was silence, before Richard then smiled boldly at the answer he was given, as he knelt with his left fist clenched over by his right hand, as the others followed after him.
"Then, we shall serve you with all of our might. And you will be victorious indeed, for you have the greatest swords of the land, and the power of the twin shrine-maidens by your side to help you." Richard declared. "May your rule and conquest be fulfilled by the will of the gods."
The Tokugawa men cheered, as they seemed to have their morale boosted by the coming of 'Musashi Miyamoto' and more prominent warriors to join their cause, as Ieyasu smiled.
"Truly, the fates smile upon me." Ieyasu declared, as he thanked the heavens for the miracle that he has just received.
A/N: A long-needed disclaimer for the story. This story has been inspired by the Dimensional Heroes, and its branching stories, Spirit Force, Heroes Coalition, Brave Adventurers and others, by jexithehunter, Hope the Victor, Ace Neptune and David Ishihara. The Unmei Force is set within the canon universe, starting a few weeks after the merging of the universes, as hinted in Dimensional Heroes: Sun and Moon.