NA: Enjoy and be merry!

~oOo~

Dorothy Base

"I demand you release me you insignificant worms!" Prince Castor Vesuvius, next in line to the throne of the Empire, battered the metal door with his hands. "I am royalty, you are all nothing… I demand that you release me this instant!"

"How long has he been screaming at us?" an military policeman asked his fellow partner, both whom have been unfortunately assigned as guards of the every so noisy prince, the same prince taken prisoner after the Empire's attack on the town just a few miles away from Dorothy.

"Several hours I'm guessing?" the other MP shrugged, "The guy's got superior lungs, that's for sure. Activate the sleeping gas, it's time for him to shut up for today."

"Roger."

"Do you think you can hold me!?" Castor roared, "I am… I am… thhhheeeee… ssssuperiorrr…"

*THUD*

~oOo~

Imperial Capital City of Merdeia

"THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! IMPOSSIBLE!" A senator roared in anger as the rest of the senate were giving out their own voices of displeasure, "An entire legion wiped out by small numbers of plebeians!"

"Yet we have received reports of these 'plebeians' armed with weapons that shoot fire and metal, along with their iron elephants that serve the same purpose as well. None of our legionnaires got close enough, they even outranged our archers." A young woman with long blonde hair sat beside an elderly man sitting on a throne. There was no doubt this man was the emperor of the Empire.

This young woman in particular was Princess Pina Vesuvius, the Emperor's youngest child and only daughter. Out of the two children with Castor the eldest, she was the most intelligent and the most level headed, but with the absolute annihilation of one of their legions, she had been rendered utterly speechless and horrified the moment she received the scout reports. The Empire and its legions was the best military this world had to offer, and now this unknown 'Ghost Army' had completely decimated an entire legion in less than an hour. What was left of the legion was immediately turned into bandits and raiders… so the word was given out to hunt them down as they had become a disgrace to the Imperial name.

'An entire legion.' Pina grimced, 'How did we let this happen? What of my brother, what has happened to him, did he fall in battle as well? We will need to end this war or we will face annihilation.'

Emperor Vesuvius tapped his armrest lightly, somehow earning the undivided attention. He turned his head to look at his daughter and finally spoke, "Pina… I want you to personally go and meet this… 'Ghost Army', and I want you to send them a document saying that we wish for no war with them."

"Your highness!" one of the senators gasped in shock, "Surely you jest! We believe our military can still defeat these… newcomers!"

"SILENCE!" the entire senate had closed their mouths shut when the emperor's voice thundered, "Pina… will you do this?"

"I will." The blonde nodded, "I will not fail you… I will bring an end to this war."

Blacklight: Ascension

Chapter 10: There is politics, and then there is aggressive politics

Dorothy Base

A few miles from the town of Nerinia

"Are these assumptions correct?"

Brad nodded, "Thanks to the information the townsfolk gave us, there is no doubt in my mind an imperial royal carriage is headed this way. I'm assuming they wish to know what happened to their loveable prince."

Naruto exhaled softly as he looked at the surveillance footage, "Have a Badger approach it… carefully, and have it escort the carriage and its escorts directly to Dorothy, no need to have it pass through the town. Best avoid an incident if we can help it."

"Yes sir."

"See to it, son." General Sattim added before returning his gaze to the young lieutenant-commander, "We still haven't received any word on those CIA operatives, they are dug in deep and we can't just blurt out to everyone that they sent agents here. The US will deny any involvement to that and will claim it's a rogue element."

"So we are to deal with the problems ourselves?" the blonde asked.

Sattim nodded, "But we'll have to go about this carefully. So for now we just keep a close eye on them without having them notice us. For now we have that royal carriage to worry about."

"Shall we increase security sir?"

Sattim stood there for a second, no doubt thinking about the question the blonde asked him. In the end he nodded, "You go do that, no harm in being too careful."

"Jawohl."

~oOo~

Kehlsteinhaus

Bavaria, Germany

"Protests are still continuing as Humanity First supporters are still standing in front of LIMB clinics, demanding that augmentations cease. Meanwhile Purist attacks are still continuing all over the country, although they have seemed to stop in Europe. It is possible that the United States could go into a state of chaos if this continues."

Kuroka exhaled lightly as the state of the world was further deteriorating; she had no doubt in her mind that the Vatican is secretly supporting the Purists and their attacks. Tentions between the Euro-Russian Alliance, the US and China was slowly rising ever since the appearance of the Gate and the confirmed sightings of CIA agents in the other side. America is building an army loyal to them by recruiting locals in the other world.

It did not help that the Olympian gods are the secret rulers of the United States, and their king Zeus is especially thick headed, and filled with hot air.

Every day, more and more unclaimed demigods are either joining Khaos Brigade or migrating to Europe. Majority though had to be rescued and evacuated due to poor living conditions, which of course has become a norm for unclaimed demigods as of late. Ever since the discovery of demigod children Blacklight has been doing their best locating and extracting these young children, bringing them into Europe and placing them in proper homes, it was only right.

"So it's still getting hectic in the US huh?" Naruto asked as both husband and wife spoke to each other through video phone.

Kuroka nodded, "At least Europe is safe… for now, it's only a matter of time."

"I know."

"Promise you will come home safe and sound."

"I will baby… I will."

Holding Alicia in her arms while Bolt was in the living room watching cartoons with Kunou, the toddler waved, "DADA!"

"I will see you all soon, I promise. Just one more month and I'm coming home."

"A month is still a long time for me my heart." Kuroka smiled sadly. "I love you."

"I love you too, I love you all."

~oOo~

Underworld

Gremory Manor

Rias Gremory, wife to Issei Gremory ne Hyoudou, he had decided to take the name of his wife's family since it was required to do so due to Rias being the heiress to the family. She was now over eight months pregnant, a month away from giving birth to a baby boy whom they had all decided to name Lucian.

She had been married to Issei for five years and were extremely blessed that she had been confirmed pregnant after trying for five years. There was no doubt in Issei's mind that once she gives birth she'll be wanting to have more kids.

Right now she was just sitting in a gazeebo located at the middle of the family garden, eating a myriad of snacks placed all over the small table. Ever since she got pregnant she was required to eat more than usual due to the baby needing a lot of nutrients. Of course there were moments where she got over emotional because she felt fat, causing Issei to try and calm her down – most of the time he managed to calm her down, the rest… well it's best not to describe what happened.

"Look at this!" Rias openly talked to her pregnant belly as she read an email, "Daddy says he's coming home in a month! That means he will be able to see you once you're born! Mommy can't wait!"

She looked out and watched the sky and the clouds moving, smiling brightly as she rubbed her swollen belly, "I can't wait to see you again, my Issei."

Blacklight: Ascension

Chapter 10: This is only just the beginning

Dorothy Base

This place was simply amazing, only housing a few thousand men, it was – no doubt in her mind – the most heavily fortified place in the entire world. Princess Pina Vesuvius was left utterly speechless the moment the carriage she was in passed through the gates of the fortress. These people were nothing like she had ever seen, they were all wearing black armor and helmets, and some of them had painted what appeared to be smiling teeth on their faceless masks. All in all it even gave her bodyguards shivers down their spines that these people managed to defeat an entire legion so effortlessly.

The sight of the iron elephants that the people have been calling them certainly did not help.

As the iron beast that intercepted them halted, so did the carriage. Pina looked out to see an elderly man wearing similar armor flanked by a young blonde man to his right. Seeing as these were probably the men that were going to meet her, she stepped out, followed by her guards getting off their horses.

~oOo~

"An all-female honor guard, that's a first." Naruto muttered, earning a snicker from the general.

"You don't see that in some 'Roman Army'."

"Well they aren't exactly Roman… herr general." The blonde reminded him, "But I am surprised they sent a woman to speak with us… in a society like theirs I would expect a male."

"Probably a bit different here, woman are probably allowed to be in the military here."

"Well then." Sattim straightened himself, "Let's go meet this princess."

~oOo~

Pina and her guard captain Sayla stood a metre away from the three men and lightly bowed, "Greetings, I am crown Princess Pina Vesuvius of the Vesuvius Empire. I am here on behalf of my father and the senate to bring an end to the hostilities that had begun between our people a few days ago."

"I am General James Sattim of the European Federation, to my right is Lieutenant-Commander Naruto von Reiger of Blacklight Special Forces, and the commander of the small unit that defeated your legion not too long ago."

Sayla's eyes widened at the blonde man before, this young looking man was the one who defeated one of their best legions. And by the fact that he's part of a unit called Special Forces, she deduced that they were an elite unit.

"I am sorry…" Pina spoke up, "What does special forces mean?"

"They are THE elite." Sattim explained, "They are the best of the best and deadliest soldiers the European Federation has to offer. They answer only to a select group, including me who is their overall commander AND the president of the Federation, our leader… or in your words our empress."

Pina's eyes were the next to widen, 'A group of elite soldiers who answer to only their leader… is this why our legionnaires were so badly beaten? Are their elite soldiers really that skilled? And this commander, I can feel a certain aura of authority, strength and confidence, it's unlike any of what our generals have.'

"Perhaps we can discuss more inside." Sattim lead them into the command centre. Inside the metallic looking building, it showed the women more dark metallic walls with what appeared to be boxes of light with words and maps in them, at the centre of a room where they saw people working, they spotted a table with a lifelike map of the region.

These people were far more sophisticated than they thought.

Further down the hallway, they were brought into a conference room with a U-shaped table. Sattim and the two other men sat on side while the two women sat on the other.

"Is it live?" Sattim whispered the blonde.

Naruto nodded and whispered back, "All of Europa is watching, herr general."

"Alright then…" Sattim placed both elbows on the table and laced his fingers, "Let's get started. So what issues do you wish to talk about first?"

"I wish to know the fate of my brother if he did fall in battle, Castor Vesuvius."

"Rest assured young lady." The general said, "He's in a holding cell as we speak. And per laws of our country he is a prisoner of war."

"Although his incessant screaming and hollow threats do get annoying." Naruto dryly said.

Both women started sweating, if word gets out that the crown prince who happens to be also next in line for the throne is being held prisoner, the senate will call for war just to get him back. Pina didn't know what to feel knowing that her brother is alive, to be perfectly honest they weren't particularly close due to his obsession for collecting female slaves for his pleasure, she hated the practice as it completely degraded women. If she were ruler she would have abolished the practice right away.

"I see." Was all the princess could say while Sayla kept her mouth shut. It wasn't exactly a good idea to start hurling accusations during peace talks. "Will you be considering releasing him?"

"Maybe." The general gruffly replied, "For now we will be holding him, his idle threats could turn real the moment we release him and start attacking him once more. He seems pretty adamant about enslaving not only the townsfolk of Nerinia but my people as well."

'Dammit brother, how can you be so foolish?' Pina had to inwardly curse, it was so like Castor to start hurling threats and insults to his enemies, but knowing that his army was so easily crushed he still has the audacity to think that his armies are superior.

"Right now we only wish to end the hostilities and hopefully create a lasting peace between our people."

'Smart girl.'

The general nodded, "Very well…"

"I brought the necessary treaty with me if you wish to sign it, signifying the end to this unnecessary war." Pina produced a rolled piece of written paper from her pocket and placed it on the table.

"Then let's get signing."

~oOo~

Official end to the hostilities between the Vesuvius Empire and the European Federation has been signed through a treaty, trade agreements are now currently underway.

In part of the agreement the princess wanted her guard captain Sayla to stay behind and learn from them, how they function as a unit and how they are so efficient and professional compared to their forces. It intimidated the 23 year old young woman, how all of them functioned as a single unit, and now she was to join them in an operation: Eliminate insurgents located north of a village several hundred kilometres from Dorothy.

She watched as the iron elephants they call tanks roar to life with the whirring sounds. The one named Naruto as she identified was at the front standing atop his vehicle his tank. It slightly disappointed her though that he was already married with two children to an extremely beautiful Cat Sapient or what they call Nekomata in their world.

To the right of Naruto's tank was Sattim in his Badger infantry fighting vehicle relaying orders to everyone that they are moving out in a few minutes. "Sayla, you're riding with me, everyone else get to your stations, we're moving out!"

~oOo~

12 hours later

Outskirts of the village of Pliskin

*BANG*

*BOOM*

*RATATATATATA*

The sound of deafening gunfire and explosions littered the area around a large bridge, Sayla was currently with the general and she was extremely shocked that these insurgents were armed with weapons similar to that of the Europeans. Armed with weapons called assault rifles, machine guns and mortars, the division was somehow being held up by a poorly trained militia firing at them.

"It's been confirmed, the insurgents are armed with American made weapons."

"American?" Sayla tilted her head.

"United States of America." The general informed her, "Another country that has been wanting to get their hands on the fresh land of your world. No doubt in my mind that they're already spewing Anti-Imperial propaganda to them."

She ducked her head once more as an explosion went off nearby their position.

A part of the first division along with Disciple met up with Colonel Dowdy and the rest of the division who were currently being held up at the bridge that led into the large village.

"With the resistance we're seeing." Dowdy began as they walked up to the bridge, "I'm concerned that initiating movement-"

Sattim on the other hand frowned, "My question is why the fuck am I standing here looking at a fucking bridge that don't have my men rolling across it?"

Sayla was a bit taken aback by the choice of words the general used, but wisely decided not to voice out on it as the general was clearly upset.

"Sir…" Dowdy tried to reason, "We're 30 kilometres from initiating the armored assault to engage the enemy along the MSR through the village. Our problem has been-"

"Now only 'NO' colonel." Sattim snapped, "But 'FUCK NO'. I don't give a rat's ass about the resistance in this village. YOUR mission is to punch THROUGH this village and put RCT (Regimental Combat Team) north of where our objectives are." He then walked up and pointed to the several vehicles and soldiers standing there returning fire, "This is just a fucking side show!"

Naruto looked down to see his men and his tanks firing at the enemy.

"You have several hundred Kommandos who have been ready to go for the past twelve hours, and you've been standing here with your foot in your dick." Sayla flinched once more at the choice of language, and now she knew that he was really upset, "No check that- not YOUR dick, MY dick!"

'He's really scary.' The blonde woman started to sweat, the stress of seeing how their people fight first hand along with the explosions and an increasingly upset general was starting to get to her.

"Reiger."

"Yes herr general?"

"Hold your men back for now." The general ordered, "When Colonel Dowdy sees fit to unfuck himself and push through this fucking shithole I'll turn Disciple loose."

Naruto nodded as his snipers started opening fire, "That would be my Charlie Company taking out their spotters, I would expect this mortar fire to stop shortly, sir."

Sattim nodded before turning to the woman, "Miss Sayla."

"Y-Yes General?" the woman could not help but stutter when the Mad Wolf spoke to her.

"I hope this isn't causing you duress."

"N-No!" she shook her head, "Of course not, I am glad that I am able to learn from you and your subordinates."

~oOo~

Unfortunately the fighting kept on for another good few hours, it was only until Dowdy was relieved of his command AND the ammunition to his sidearm that Sattim took full command of the division. If there was one thing that James Sattim did not tolerate… it was hesitation. So once again, they were on the move, pushing through the village and rallying at the designated point where they will be attacking an insurgent stronghold.

At 0500 hours, the artillery barrage commenced, showering the enemy fortress with dozens of high explosive shells and rockets.

"They're not holding back, that's for sure." Ray whistled as he drank his strawberry milkshake, of course the drink was also spilling out of his mouth.

"For fuck's sake Ray!" Issei frowned and had a slightly disgusted look, "Can you at least drink properly and not have shit coming out of your mouth?"

"I'm just enjoying the wonders of life LT!"

"That doesn't even make any fucking sense!"

Ray laughed, "It's not supposed to."

Rudy shook his head as he started cleaning his sniper rifle, "Few more weeks and we go home."

"Rias is giving birth soon." Issei whispered with an elated look, "I'm going to be a dad."

"I can't wait to be back in the loving arms of my beautiful wife." Naruto added as he placed a map on the table, "Alright, once the barrage stops, we go in carefully, and make sure to check your flanks. Even with the barrage, expect some form of enemy resistance, no doubt the keep is still intact."

"No use of bunker busters sir?"

"No." he shook his head, "That is most likely where they keep vital information, information that we want. There's a chance that at least one or two agents from the CIA is in there, so make sure to be ready."

While they were discussing the plans, Ray, the ever loving idiot that he is, started urinating on a bush while singing Sk8er Boi.

He's just a boy, and I'm just a girl.
Can I make it anymore obvious?
We are in love.
Haven't you heard how we rock each other's woooooooooooooooooorld!

"Get to your posts." Naruto ordered, obviously ignoring the idiot. "We move in in an hour."

~oOo~

Resistance within the fortress was a bare minimum, the rest of the militia were just too shellshocked after the artillery barrage, many of them resorting to kill themselves with a bullet to the head. Within the keep that was barely touched by the artillery fire, Discple was first to move in and successfully capture the information and data they needed. The CIA agents though got away before they could destroy the evidence.

"I was at least expecting some fireworks." Ray pouted as he checked the bodies for any more info, "Nothing on this guy."

"General this is Disciple, data secured."

[Roger that Disciple, good work.]

"This is what happens when the US Army uses poorly trained people to fight commandos." Brad commented, "An entire fortress filled with the dead bodies of overly idealistic kids barely in their twenties."

Issei frowned, "So the US is condoning the use of child soldiers now?"

"Not officially."

"Wonderful…" the brunette muttered, "So what now commander?"

"We get out of this dump."

~oOo~

"Looks like the CIA was planning on turning this place into a forward base of operations, but we put a stop to that."

"Does not mean that they won't try again, sir."

Sattim grunted, "Typical of them. One more thing…" he gave a piece of document to the young officer, "You're going home early, Bavaria happens to be at the border between Germany and Italy, you're being recalled. Looks like something big is going to happen back home."

"Yes sir." The general could tell how happy the blonde is right now,

~oOo~

Kehlsteinhaus

Bavaria, Germany

*DING DONG*

"Who could be here?" Kuroka wasn't expecting any company today and was wondering who could be here at this hour. "Is there anything I can-"

"Hey honey…" her loveable, blonde haired, blue eyed husband was standing in front of her, "I'm home."

Without wasting a second she flung herself towards him, wrapping her arms around his neck and smothering his lips with hers, "You're early."

"I am… gonna be here a while this time."

"Good." She then resumed kissing him, slipping her tongue and making out with him at the front door.

"Ewww… cooties!" Bolt walked in on them kissing and started sticking his tongue out, obviously disgusted by his parents kissing.

"You're gonna start doing this when you're older Bolt." Naruto said with a chuckle, earning a glare from his gorgeous wife, "What, I'm only speaking the truth."

"Girls are yucky!"

"So you don't like your sister, your mom and Kunou?"

"They're different!" Bolt pouted.

Kuroka rolled her eyes before giving her husband a certain look, immediately pulling him into the house and bringing him into the bedroom, leaving Bolt to his devices who simply shrugged and went back to his Playstation.

~oOo~

Gremory Manor

Down in the Underworld, Rias lovingly kissed her husband who had returned safely and was also a month early. "So glad you're back early."

"Me too." He knelt down and kissed his wife's swollen belly, "Daddy's home, Lucian. And he's going to here for quite a while."

"So you're here for good?" Rias aske with a hopeful look.

"We got reassigned, apparently something's going down in Italy and the Mediterranean is going to be at the thick of it." he told her as he leaned in for another kiss, "Don't worry, we're doing our best to try and prevent a war."

"I don't want to talk about that right now." The red head said and pulled him closer, resting his head upon her soft breasts, "I'm just happy you're here."

~oOo~

Berchtesgaden

Bavaria, Germany

Down below the Kehslteinhaus, Brad had received an invitation from Yasaka to join her and Kunou for some dinner. But instead of being greeted by a little fox, she was greeted by the voluptuous and gorgeous fox lady that is Yasaka.

"Hey."

"Hey to you too." Yasaka smiled, a little bit to seductively, she glanced at the bag she was holding and immediately spotted the Juggs magazine. Grabbing it and throwing it in the trash can.

"Uh… about that."

"Just shut up and kiss me." She ordered him, grabbed his collar and pulled him down into the most passionate kiss he had ever gotten.

Brad was caught in a daze as a woman whom he thought was one of the most beautiful women he had ever met, passionately kissed him. "Yasaka… what was that for."

"I love you." she bluntly said with her cheeks reddening, "I've loved you for quite a while now."

"Yasaka…"

"Please Brad… give us a chance." She pleaded, "Kunou needs a father and I believe you're the perfect one to fill that role. And I need you to fill that void in my life…"

He took a deep breath, staring into her beautiful eyes golden eyes. Letting out a small smile, he leaned down and kissed her, "Okay… I'll give it a try."

~oOo~

Blacklight Base

"Is there another reason why we have been called back, grandmother?"

Marlene smiled at her grandson as she led Naruto and his squad into the deeper parts of the mountain base, "There is, it is something only and your men are qualified to participate in, a new project that will catapult mankind into a golden age, further surpassing the supernatural beings and making us equals."

Naruto narrowed his eyes, this was certainly ambitious of her, "And what exactly is this?"

"The revival of the full usage of and amplifying Chakra energy." She explained to them, "But without the ancient handsigns. We have already begun the augmentation and cybernetic aspects of improving ourselves. But this time, we are delving deeper into both biological and spiritual aspects of our being. Biotics, through this we will gain the ability to manipulate gravitational forces and can simply tear objects apart by simply willing it."

"Biotics… you're reviving that project."

"Yes…" Marlene nodded and smiled as they were led through a massive door, "Gentlemen, I welcome you all to Project Ascension."

"So uh…" Ray raised his hand, "Does this mean I'm getting a raise?

To be continued…

NA: Welcome to Project Ascension! Yes it is just Biotics from Mass Effect but I thought it would fit since we are dabbling into the arts of energy. This should be fun.

Yes that is it for now, but it is not the end! Look out at the Fall for Blacklight: Ascendency, the next part of this wondrous adventure will commence there!

Happy summer everyone!

And now for a small preview of Blacklight: Ascendency

Walking through the ruins of what appeared to be Konoha, a soldier clad in black stepped into the scene with his assault rifle in hand. "All hail the conquering hero. Let us remember him as their protector, and not the one who gave them..." he stops and looks around, gesturing to the ruined buildings and smoldering ruins, "...this."

"As their savior!" He looks up and sees what appeared to be a monument of multiple faces of men, but he pointed to the the one on the very far right, revealing a man with spiky hair, "And not as their demise."

"Let us see him forever as you..." he looks at the man's face again before pointing down to the wounded man before him, one of blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a white jacket a blue jumpsuit, and a green flak vest, "... and not as you."

"All hail the conquering hero." The soldier continued once more, slinging his assault rifle over his back and taking out his sidearm, "The one who was supposed to save his people."

The wounded blonde man, whose face was exactly like the one on the mountain, looked at the soldier with guilt and regret.

"But now..." the soldier pointed the gun at the wounded man, "I must save them... from you." the soldier's helmet opened, revealing it to be none other than Naruto von Reiger, his eyes glowing with power as he flaired his Chakra mixed with Biotic energy.

"Let me ask you one last thing... was the sacrifice all worth it in the end... father?"