Delsin sat on Najenda's flying manta, Akame leaning against him fast asleep as they flew to a new location to act as their headquarters. He looked beside him as the woman who claimed to be his daughter. She was flying next to the manta with her pink Video Wings, her drone flying beside her. She smiled at him and he waved back. "Is she really your daughter," asked Mine as she and Tatsumi sat across from him and Akame.
"That's what she claims," replied Delsin. "And she has too many similarities to me and Fetch for it to be a coincidence. Also, she calls her drone Koro."
"Like Seryu," said Tatsumi. "How is this possible?"
"I think this was part of Kessler's plan. The 'tunnel' the rifts are connected to is beyond time and space. We don't know what's possible with them."
"Or how much power he has over them," said Cole behind him. Delsin turned around to face the Demon of Empire City. "Do you trust him?"
"Kessler? Not really, But I don't have much of a choice. Unless I can master your power, he's my only chance of getting home."
"Which reminds me. How the hell do you have my power?"
"Kessler opened small rifts and allowed me to absorb power from you and your friend, Lucy."
"So you've got Ice powers as well. You're a regular power sponge, huh?"
"Yep. Smoke, Neon, Video, Concrete, Paper and now Lightning and Ice."
"If you want, I could show you a few tricks."
"I think there're a few things I could show you, Old Timer."
"Hey, I'm not that old, alright."
"Can we please cut the chatter," asked Reggie from his spot at the very center of the manta's back.
"What's the matter, Reg," asked Delsin. "Having Angel flashbacks?!"
"Just… don't talk to me. I couldn't get off this thing fast enough last time."
"Angel flashbacks," asked Lubbock.
"Back in Seattle, in order to find Eugene, Reggie got the bright idea to pose as a Conduit and get abducted by one of his video Angels. Gave him the ride of his life."
"And thank you for blasting me with smoke during that, Dick," muttered Reggie.
"Hey, kid," said Cole. "Mind giving me a recharge? This lack of electrical outlets is giving me a headache."
"No problem." He held out Gaea and produced lightning from its open slots for Cole to absorb.
"Thanks. Kessler neglected to tell me the entire world was a Dark Zone. Hey, why haven't you had the same reaction as me?"
"I don't know. Maybe because I'm only a Mimic, and not a full Lightning Conduit like you?"
"Some guys get all the luck." Delsin turned to Reggie.
"How are you alive?"
"Really, Delsin," asked Reggie. "You're asking me this now?!"
"Yeah, why not?! I mean we're both here! And you can't run away or avoid the question!"
"Delsin, I'll tell you as soon as we get back to the ground!" Leone chuckled.
"A badass man made of metal and he's afraid of heights!" She laughed and rolled around on the manta.
"Leone," said Mine. "You should be careful or you're going to…" Leone cried out as she fell off the manta. "…Fall off."
"I got her," shouted Regina as she dove for Leone. She brought her back up and dropped her next to Reggie before getting back to her spot.
"How are you so much better at maintaining those things than I am," asked Delsin.
"I've had this power since I was thirteen! You and Uncle Geek taught me how to use them!"
"Ok, starting to believe she's my daughter even more now. That's Fetch's nickname for Eugene."
"How are those two," asked Reggie, momentarily forgetting how high up they were. "Last I remember about them; they were held captive by Augustine.
"They're doing fine. They managed to get free, no thanks to me. After you fell, I brought down the platform in a fit of rage."
"What about the people on that platform, Delsin?"
"The cages were empty and the only other people there were the Dups. Those that weren't killed in the initial fighting were rescued by authorities or swam to shore."
"Good. At least they got out."
"Since you're in a talking mood, can you explain what happened?" Reggie sighed.
"When I fell, I held my breath for as long as I could. Which wasn't for very long because one moment I'm deep underwater, next moment, I'm in freefall. I remember plummeting to what seemed to be my death and then there was a bright flash that swallowed up me and half of Seattle. I woke up about three weeks later in the hospital. Turned out that bright flash was…"
"A Ray Sphere," said Cole.
"Yeah. Figures you'd know about it. You were at the center of the one in Empire City."
"All thanks to Kessler and his fucking mistake."
"You were saying," asked the girl who was sitting beside Najenda. Delsin hadn't caught her name yet. The most noticeable features about her were her hair, eyes and the lollipop she had in her mouth.
"Right," continued Reggie. "Well, as it turned out, I was sent to an alternate world through, I'm guessing one of the first rifts before they started popping up everywhere. In this world, the Ray Sphere was detonated in Seattle instead of Empire City. When I woke up, I noticed I didn't have a scratch on me, despite falling from a mile up. And the concrete that had crept up my body had shattered on impact with the ground. We didn't have a plague like Empire City did. Instead, Seattle was under martial law because of terrorist attacks."
"Let me guess," said Cole. "Fist Sons?"
"Yeah. They wanted the progression of the human race and had recruited some mercenary outfits to help them achieve their goals."
"That's a lot different than Kessler's First Sons. They didn't become terrorists. They were just scientists, some with some questionable pasts. But they didn't resort to terrorism."
"Then how'd you figure out it was them?"
"The Ray Sphere. It's what activated Conduits in our timeline and Kessler's. He shared information with me that the First Sons were the reason his Ray Sphere went off. He escalated the production of our Ray Sphere to make me what I am."
"So, this means you're from our Earth?"
"Maybe. I'm not entirely sure. What happened to me in your world."
"You fought the Beast in New Marais," said Delsin. "Used some device to defeat him, sacrificing Conduits in the process."
"Yeah, that sounds about right. Now for my side of the story. I did use the RFI. It was going to be a one way trip, but I had to stop John. He was turned into the Beast by the Ray Sphere back in Empire City. Anyway, when the RFI went off, something weird happened. I found myself in a tunnel, looking at myself before being pulled to another world."
"You must've gotten swapped with another Cole," said Reggie. "And he died in your place while you were sent to… wherever you came from."
"A world a lot different from ours, I can tell you that."
"How so," asked Tatsumi.
"Well for one, no Conduits. I'm the only one of my kind."
"Must be lonely," said Mine.
"It was, at first. But old habits die hard. Didn't take long before I found myself helping out people in danger. This caught the eye of a few people who took a great interest in me. Now I'm part of a team. I'm also married and have a kid on the way."
"So you've got a home to get back to," said Delsin.
"Yeah. And as much as I'd love to head back to our Earth, my family needs me back. As soon as we beat the Beast, I'm heading back to that Earth."
"What should I tell Zeke," asked Delsin.
"You met Zeke?"
"Not personally, but I helped him out a bit. He's currently with my friends trying to find a way for me to get back home."
"When you see him, just tell him I'm alright. I think I heard him a while back. I wasn't sure if I was hearing things or not. But it sounded like he was worried about me."
"He was your best friend, wasn't he?"
"We were more than best friends. We were like brothers. My 'death' must've hit him hard."
"Not hard enough to not help fight the DUP."
"What is the DUP?"
"Department of Unified Protection," said Reggie. "A government organization that was hunting down and imprisoning Bio-Terrorists. Their name for Conduit."
"How are there still Conduits, anyway? I thought the RFI wiped us all out."
"It wiped most of us out," said Delsin. "Eugene had a theory that evolution played a part in our survival. Conduits who hadn't been affected by the initial blast who had genes that would evolve without reacting to the Ray Sphere or the RFI."
"Huh. Hadn't considered that as an option."
"To be fair," said Reggie. "It is a pretty far stretch."
"We're here, guys," said Najenda. Reggie thanked whatever god watched over this world and didn't even wait for the manta to descend. He jumped off as fast as possible. Delsin chuckled before picking up Akame bridal style and jumping off as well. Cole sighed and followed after his fellow Conduits as Regina flew down next to the manta. Delsin looked around as he spotted the heavily forested area.
"How far are we from the Capital," he asked Najenda.
"We're a long ways away from the Capital. The Revolutionary Army recon unit is trying to find us a better hideout near the Capital, but until then, we'll remain here and train."
"Good to know." Akame began to stir and Delsin set her down.
"Are we there?"
"Yeah."
"Good."
"Alright," said Najenda. "I believe it's time to introduce our newest members. First I'd like you to meet…" She gestured to where the red haired girl had been standing, only to find her missing. "Huh?" Delsin found her beside him and Akame examining her hair.
"I already knew you were cute, but you're adorable from up close, Akame!"
"Why are you touching me," asked Akame. Delsin chuckled slightly at the blush on his girlfriend's face.
"Oh, yes. My name's Chelsea. Since we're going to be killing people together, I hope we all get along!" She held out a lollipop to Akame. "Here! This is for you!" Delsin saw Akame start to drool and swipe the candy from Chelsea.
"Welcome to the team!"
"Did she just win her over with a lollipop," asked Tatsumi.
"That long flight and nap must've made her really hungry," exclaimed Lubbock.
"Ease up, guys," said Delsin. "We really didn't have time to eat before we needed to leave the compound. My Radiant Sweep, Cole's Lightning Storm and Regina's Orbital Drop would likely have attracted a lot of unwanted attention. Not to mention we'd been fighting for over ten minutes with only a little bit of sleep. By the way, what happened with that girl that was with Stylish?"
"Celia took her to her personal hideout," said Najenda. "She was going to stay behind with Sayo and inform Seryu about what just happened."
"Oh, how did I miss that they weren't here?"
"Because you're dense," said Mine with a smug look.
"I'm sorry, I have a buzzing in my ear. I think there's a weird pink gnat around me."
"Why you…!"
"Somethings never change, huh Delsin," asked Reggie. Delsin chuckled before walking to Reggie.
"You know me, bro! If someone's annoying, I just tune them out."
"Like me?"
"Now you're getting it!" Delsin grinned and clasped his brother's hand, absorbing his power. The Rowe brothers woke up a few minutes later, Reggie shaking his head.
"Give me a warning next time!"
"Ah, come on! You'd never give me this power otherwise!"
"Double dick! How are you going to use my powers, anyway? I thought you needed Blast Cores."
"I figured out a new trick when we caught up with Celia before I came here."
"Celia… Penderghast?"
"One and the same. I already knew her life story, all I had to do was look at her memories of her powers instead."
"Aren't you still underpowered without Blast Shards to power you up?"
"Hold on," said Cole. "You can absorb Blast Shards?"
"Yeah. Part of my natural Conduit ability."
"I thought it was limited to just me."
"Apparently not." Thor yawned from Delsin's jacket pocket. Delsin pulled him out and set him down to let him stretch and go to a tree to relieve himself.
"What's with the blue and yellow dog," asked Reggie.
"Thor's a wolf, Uncle Reg," said Regina. "And more than that he's a Lightning Wolf Danger Beast." She knelt down as Thor walked back and held out her hand to him with a smile. He sniffed her hand before leaping into her arms. Regina smiled and turned to her drone. "Koro! Picture, please!"
"Arf!" A camera lens appeared from a slot in 'Koro's' chassis and it snapped a picture of her holding Thor. She grinned before turning to Delsin.
"So," said Reggie. "You're the daughter of Delsin and Abigail?"
"What gave it away? Me being a mirror image of my mom or having my dad's powers?"
"More like the sarcastic personality. It's like your all the annoying parts of Delsin combined with Abigail's sass."
"And Dad claims you're a bad Sherriff!"
"He what?" Delsin held his hands up as Reggie turned to him.
"Future me! Future me!"
"Can we get back to the introductions, please," asked Najenda.
"Yeah, sorry, Boss!" She cleared her throat as she gestured to the man who wielded the large bludgeoning weapon.
"As for this fellow, Command has entrusted him with me as well. Everyone, meet The Lightning Fast Susanoo. He's my new Imperial Arm." Delsin looked Susanoo over and saw he had blue hair with two horns sticking out of his head and was wearing a white jacket over a black shirt.
"He's a biological Imperial Arm like Koro," asked Delsin as he circled Susanoo.
"That's right." Delsin held out his hand to the Imperial Arm.
"Nice to meet ya, dude." Susanoo stared at him for a second before removing his jacket. "Hey! What the hell, man?!" Delsin watched as he skillfully repaired his jacket from the damage it took from the fight with Stylish's army. Delsin took it and looked it over. "Wow. Thanks, man."
"You're welcome," said Susanoo.
"Biological Imperial Arms are autonomous," said Najenda. "So he should be able to use his abilities and it won't be too draining," said Najenda. "Even with my injuries, I'll be able to use him."
"So you're going to join us in the field from now on," asked Tatsumi.
"Only on occasion when it looks like we'll need to use Susanoo's trump card."
"Ok," said Leone. "So what exactly is his primary ability? Does he only use hand to hand combat?" Najenda chuckled.
"Allow me to demonstrate that for you." She raised her hand. "Try to contain your excitement. Susanoo! Proceed!"
"Understood." Delsin stood back and watched as Susanoo rapidly cut down trees before starting to build a building from the ground up while also managing to wash the clothes of the girls and cook a meal using ingredients Akame 'saved' from the kitchen.
"Ok," said Lubbock. "I'll admit that does look impressive. But… what is he doing?"
"It looks like… chores," said Tatsumi. Delsin looked at Najenda who had a smug look on her face.
"Wonderful, isn't he?! Susanoo's original purpose was to protect royalty and others of status. Not only can he fight, but he's equipped with a broad range of cooking and cleaning skills, so he never has to leave his masters side. He can do it all! And the best part is, his menu includes a thousand dishes!"
"How is any of that gonna help us in a fight," asked Mine.
"He's a glorified maid," exclaimed Delsin.
"Actually," said Reggie. "He's a guy, so he'd be a butler."
"Didn't need the correction, Reg."
"Now, now," said Najenda. "I'm sure you'll come to appreciate it."
"Quick question," said Cole as he leaned against the new building. "What the hell is an Imperial Arm?"
"Did Kessler mention anything about powerful weapons before sending you here," asked Delsin.
"Yeah. And he was vague about what those weapons were."
"They're basically weapons that can rival a Conduit. Or in my case, increase a Conduit's prowess in combat. Gaea, here can create any natural element. Like you saw on the manta when you got your recharge. Pretty much everyone in Night Raid has an Imperial Arm. Well, except you three and Sayo."
"Got any available," asked Reggie.
"No, fresh out bro. They were made a long time ago and there were only a little over 40 made. The ones that don't have an owner are locked up in the Imperial Vault under the Palace."
"So, the odds of us getting one are…"
"Slimmer than you think. You have to be compatible with it. You can't just use it at will."
"What'll happen," asked Cole.
"A number of things," said Chelsea. "From losing your mind to horrific disembowelment."
"That's a pretty picture. If you'll excuse me, I'm gonna do some running."
"Take Thor," said Delsin. "Drain him a little when you feel your headache coming on."
"Alright. Come on, Mutt." Thor jumped down from Regina's arms and followed Cole. "He's pretty smart, huh?"
"And he knows what 'mutt' means. Call him that again and he'll bite ya. Lubbock found that out the hard way." In response, Lubbock unconsciously rubbed his hand.
"I'll keep that in mind." Delsin looked at the sun before turning to Regina.
"If I were to fly, how long would it take me to get to the Capital?"
"About five hours. But you can't sustain your wings long enough."
"No, but I can try."
"Dad, it's not a good idea at this time. I know you want to check up on Mama Seryu, but…"
"'Mama' Seryu," asked Reggie.
"Dad's dating Mom, Mama Seryu and Mama Akame."
"Uh huh. Delsin, a word."
"Uh oh. I know that tone." Regina mouthed 'sorry' at Delsin as he followed Reggie behind a few tress.
"Three women, Delsin?!"
"Fetch said she was ok with it."
"Did she now?"
"Yes. Well, I don't know. It was over the radio, I only heard the last part of what she said, and Seryu claims she was hinting that she was ok with me bringing another girl into the relationship. I personally couldn't tell is she was joking or not."
"And yet you still chose to date two other women without her knowledge?"
"I'll tell her when Kessler reconnects our world with this one."
"And how long will that take?"
"Honestly? I don't know."
"Delsin…"
"Hey, everything is going to work itself out. Alright?"
"Of all the irresponsible things you've ever…"
"Hey, I care about each of them, ok! I'd never do anything to harm any of them intentionally, and if Regina is any evidence, I never will."
"Delsin, the future isn't set in stone."
"But if we know certain things are the way they are for Regina, and things haven't changed, wouldn't that mean her future is the one that will happen?"
"We don't know that for certain."
"Reg, can't you be happy for me? I care for them. No, more than that, I love them. I've gotten to know each of them and have gotten close to each of them. I started dating Fetch back in Seattle and in the months I've been here, I've worked closely with Akame and Seryu. I know all of them."
"Delsin, there's a difference between love and attraction."
"Don't you think I know that, Reggie?! I'm not some hormonal teenager, god dammit!"
"Delsin, I just want to make sure you know what you're getting yourself into."
"Reg, I appreciate it man, I really do. But this is my love life. And I'd appreciate it more if you let me handle it, alright?" Reggie opened his mouth to say something before thinking otherwise and sighing.
"Fine. But when this blows up in your face…"
"If it blows up."
"When, Delsin. Because stuff like this never ends well."
"We'll make it work. Trust me on this." Reggie sighed.
"Just don't come crying to me when it doesn't." Delsin sighed and walked back to the group, spotting Chelsea teasing Mine.
"Oh my god," exclaimed Chelsea with a grin as Mine growled at her. "You're flat as a board, aren't you?!"
"Shut up," shouted Mine. Meanwhile, Lubbock was sizing up Susanoo while Regina was messing with 'Koro' and speaking with Akame.
"Something tells me there will be no more peace and quiet for a while…"
"That went out the window when we got attacked," said Tatsumi.
"Guess you're right."
"I still can't believe your brother's alive!"
"I know. I almost don't believe it either. But here he is. Wait till we get back home. The tribe is going to freak."
"Delsin, does he want to go back?"
"What do you mean?"
"He's spent the time since you last saw him in another world, right? Wouldn't he want to stay there?"
"That world was destroyed," said Reggie as he walked over to them. "The Beast found his way there and devastated it. I fought him a number of times and barely escaped each time. The last time, Kessler pulled me here. I think by now, the Beast has leveled everything."
"So you fought him," asked Delsin.
"Yeah."
"So did Hank."
"Hank Daughtry?"
"Yeah. The team back home is working with the new DUP director to help me get home. They recruited Hank to try and find me a while ago. He dropped off my charger and a few gas grenades to use in combat."
"And that was when you spoke with Fetch. Got it. What happened?"
"We don't know. All we know is on his way back, he took longer returning than he did to get here. When he got back… he said he'd fought the Beast, that he was coming. We don't know what state he was in. We just know it was probably bad."
"Damn. I never thought Hank would fight the Beast."
"If it meant potentially protecting his daughter, he would." Delsin cast a glance at Regina before turning back to Reggie. "He was the strongest Conduit I met out of all of us."
"Hey," said Cole as he came back, Thor panting beside his leg. "I'm standing right here." Delsin turned to him.
"No offense. But you didn't see how strong Hank was. I'm sure out of the three of us, you can wipe out, what? Two dozen soldiers and the same amount of Conduit enhanced soldiers?"
"Fair estimate, yeah."
"Hank took out more, all to get to his daughter. And I followed his path of destruction. Every time the Dups faced him, it was in an area with very few smokestacks, giving him limited ammunition. And he still devastated them. That's how strong Hank is."
"Damn. Guess a father will do anything for his daughter."
"You're one to talk," said Reggie. "Isn't Kessler another version of you?"
"I… don't have a comeback for that."
"And that being said." Reggie turned to Delsin. "What are you going to do about Regina?"
"I… don't know. On one hand, she's my daughter, and I don't want anything to happen to her. On the other hand, it looks like I already had a say in what she could do. Look at her, man. She's probably just a little bit older than I am at this point in her life. She's in the army. I can't tell her what to do, she's an adult."
"But still…"
"She can make her own decisions, Reggie. I'm not a father, not yet at least."
"...How do you know?"
"Excuse me?" Reggie turned to Regina.
"Regina," called Reggie.
"Sup, Unc?"
"What year was it when you went through the rift?"
"Not supposed to tell you!"
"Mind if I take a guess?"
"Go ahead!" Reggie turned to Delsin.
"What year is it back home?"
"2015," said Delsin.
"Wha… really?!"
"Yeah, why?"
"I spent four years in my world."
"Remember, not every world will experience time in the same way," said Regina. "Time dilation is a bitch."
"Right. I'm just gonna save my brain the headache and just do some basic math. She looks about, what? 25? 26?"
"I'm 24, if you're wondering!"
"…She's the same age as you."
"A year younger. You, uh, missed my birthday, by the way."
"I'll get you some paint sets when we get back home."
"Paint sets?! What am I, three?!"
"With the way you're acting," said Reggie and Regina. She smiled at her uncle's surprised and proud look. Delsin grinned at Reggie.
"Believe you're related now?"
"I'll admit. There's a slight possibility she could be a Rowe."
"Screw possibility. She thinks like us. She has my eyes. She looks like Fetch. What else do you need?"
"Hold on, let me think Delsin."
"The year you're looking for is 2039, by the way." Delsin turned to Regina. "Hey, are you from the year 2039?!" Regina just smirked and blew a bubble from the gum she'd been chewing. "Wait… 2039? That'd mean…"
"Holy shit, Delsin," said Reggie. "Is Abigail pregnant?!"
"I…" Delsin chuckled slightly before fainting. Regina sent 'Koro' to catch him before he hit the ground, already knowing it was going to come. She smiled.
"Dad's so predictable."
A few weeks later, Delsin walked into Seryu's family home and looked around. "Seryu must be on patrol."
"Delsin," called Seryu from the kitchen. "Is that you?"
"Never mind. Yeah, it's me!" Seryu walked into the foyer and smiled. Delsin kissed her and grinned as she seemed to purr before blushing at the sound she made. Delsin chuckled as she smacked him. Koro yipped at her feet and hit Delsin as well.
"Is everything ok? The other day, me and Ayumi heard a few loud noises and I spotted some weird lights in the distance coming from the compound."
"It's been… an eventful few weeks. Starting with Stylish attacking the compound."
"How did he find it?!"
"Remember the lack of criminal activity we had?"
"Yeah, Ayumi said that their investigation led them to Stylish's personal lab. They found a known fugitive in there being operated on. Budo seems to think Stylish was altering the appearance of criminals and sending them back out on the streets."
"Sounds about right and makes what happened at the compound more believable. He came at us with an army. They were all lobotomized and couldn't feel pain. More than one of them had to be part of the gangs we'd been taking down lately. All of them put back out into the streets as his private army rather than executed. When I took the plans for the Ray Sphere from him, he must've started getting paranoid and ordered his army on standby to sack the Capital."
"He must've seen them in your pocket during the hunting party…" Seryu smacked his shoulder. "I told you to leave them at the compound!"
"I couldn't risk the chance we'd get attacked and the enemy could make off with them!"
"That doesn't mean you keep them on you!"
"Ok, ok, you were right."
"At the very least, you should've burned them."
"I would've but I've been extremely reluctant to use smoke recently."
"You don't need to use your powers, Dummy! Any simple flame will do!"
"I… kinda forgot about that fact."
"It's obvious!" She smacked him once more before hugging him. "I'm just glad you're ok…" Delsin hugged her back with a sad smile.
"Me too. How much time do you have off?"
"Two days. Budo wasn't taking any chances."
"Come on, then. I'll take you to the new base."
"Alright then." She took his hand in hers and the two left the Ubiquitous manor. The trip to the new base took roughly 3 hours, Seryu memorized the route they took and filed it away for when she needed to deliver news to Night Raid. Instantly, she spotted two men having an arm wrestling contest. One she recognized as one of the Imperial Arms from the book. The other she couldn't believe what she was seeing. He was a man entirely made of metal.
"Ok, who egged them on?"
"Leone and Lubbock," said Akame as she walked over. She greeted Delsin with a kiss and Seryu with a smile.
"Somehow, I'm not surprised. Excuse me, ladies." He went over behind Reggie, grabbed a large piece of 2x4 and wound up for a swing.
"Who's Imperial Arm is Susanoo?"
"The boss. Command gave her the go ahead to use him."
"And the other guy?"
"That's…"
"Akame," called Chelsea from the kitchen. "Cole's about to burn dinner!"
"Not the meat… Excuse me, Seryu." The Imperial Guard blinked as Akame ran towards where she assumed the kitchen was as Chelsea walked over to her.
"You must be our secret informant in the Jaegers."
"That's right," said Seryu as she saluted. "Sergeant…"
"Oh my gosh! You salute like a little soldier I know! That's so adorable!" She squeezed Seryu's cheeks slightly with a smile, making the auburn haired girl blush.
"Stop teasing her, Chels," said Delsin as he walked over, Reggie right behind him.
"Whatever you say, Dels."
"Ok, you know what…"
"Delsin, you started it," said Reggie as he dropped his armor. "Apologize."
"But I didn't even…"
"Delsin…" The Mimic Conduit sighed before turning to Chelsea.
"I'm sorry for using a name that bothers you. God, it's like elementary all over again…"
"Thank you."
"Oh, I don't mind the name. I just know you don't like your name shortened like that," said Chelsea.
"Another thing like elementary, a girl with a crush on you teasing you to no end." Chelsea blushed darkly as Seryu turned to Delsin.
"Are you going to introduce me," she asked.
"Oh right, this is Seryu Ubiquitous." Seryu smiled and shook Reggie's hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Arf," said Koro from her other arm.
"Koro says hi too!"
"And Seryu…" Delsin smiled as he clipped Reggie's badge to his brother's jacket. "This… is my brother. Reggie Rowe." Seryu stared at Delsin in shock before turning to his brother.
"Nice to finally meet the third woman in my brother's life," said Reggie.
"Did you have to put emphasis on 'third'?"
"Yes, because I still think you dating three women at the same time is a very bad idea."
"We've been over this!"
"Wha…" started Seryu. "How…? Delsin said…"
"That I fell to my death, right," asked Reggie. Seryu nodded, numbly. "Well, when I dropped into Seattle Bay, I found myself in a different version of our world. One where the Ray Sphere was detonated in Seattle instead of Empire City. That's how I survived."
"Turns out," said Delsin. "The rifts have been opening up for a while, they just never opened where people noticed."
"So," said Seryu. "You're actually…"
"His brother, yes. From the same world. And a Conduit."
"My brother," said Delsin. "A man of few words and even fewer luck scoring a date."
"Ok, time out!"
"Hey, it just occurred to me. You only dislike the situation I'm in because you're jealous of me."
"Jealous of…? Delsin that's ridiculous. You're ridiculous."
"I don't know," said Chelsea. "Any man would give anything to be in Delsin's position right now…"
"Yeah, until they actually get it. Then they find out how ludicrous and absurd it would be to try juggling three women at once in their lives."
"He's speaking from experience," said Regina above them. Seryu looked up and spotted a woman floating with what seemed like pink wings coming from her back.
"Regina…"
"Wait, wait, wait," said Delsin. "What are you talking about?"
"Spoilers… just ask him…" She floated off towards the kitchen.
"Who was that," asked Seryu.
"I'll explain during dinner. You've already met Chelsea. She's another person sent over by Command as reinforcements."
"Nice to meet you," said Chelsea.
"You as well," said Seryu.
"Hey, big guy," Delsin called to Susanoo who had just finished picking up the splinters of the broken 2x4 Delsin swung at his brothers back to make Susanoo lose. "Come say hello!"
"You know," said Reggie. "I had him on the ropes."
"Yeah, and I'm the Queen of England. Susanoo, this is Seryu."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Susanoo," said Seryu with a smile. She hesitated slightly as he stared at her as a breeze wafted over them. "Is he ok?"
"He's a neat freak. Dude'll obsess over the smallest thing until he fixes it." On cue, Susanoo messed with Seryu's hair until it was moved back into place in her usual hairstyle.
"There, that's better," said Susanoo.
"Oh, thanks…" Susanoo nodded before Leone called from the kitchen.
"Hey guys! Food's ready!"
"Come on," said Delsin as he wrapped his arm around Seryu's waist. "I'll introduce you to everyone else that's joined."
"Alright," replied Seryu. They followed after Reggie and Susanoo to the kitchen, Chelsea right behind them. They walked in and Seryu spotted a man with a shaved head arguing with Akame.
"Hey," said the man. "Cooked is cooked. Who cares how it gets cooked?"
"You nearly burned it," said Akame.
"Oh, I did not. This new version of the Amp came with retractable blades for the more resilient enemies back home. I sent a few thousand volts into the meat, cooking it from the inside out. I've done it hundreds of times."
"Cole," said Reggie. "Maybe Susanoo and Akame should handle the cooking from now on."
"Fine. No one appreciates my work. That feels familiar."
"Cole," said Delsin as he led Seryu over to him. "This is Seryu."
"Oh right, the second of the three girlfriends. I'd shake your hand, but Delsin told me about the implants in your arms, wouldn't want to shock you."
"Shock," asked Seryu.
"This is Cole MacGrath," said Delsin. "The Lightning Conduit." Seryu blinked before turning to Delsin.
"Ok, what is going on? You said Cole MacGrath died fighting the Beast in your world."
"I would've," said Cole. "But I apparently got swapped with another version of myself. He died in my place. I ended up in a version of Earth without Conduits."
"Yeah," said Delsin. "He still won't tell us what that world is like. And last but not least…"
"O-M-G," exclaimed the girl from before. Seryu grunted as a blur ran passed her and Koro was taken from her arms. "It's classic Koro!"
"Arf," barked Koro as he tilted his head curiously.
"Arf," sounded Regina's drone as it shifted into the visible spectrum. Seryu blinked as it hovered in front of her before it shifted into a mechanical version of Koro and landed on the ground in front of her.
"You didn't say it could do that," said Delsin.
"Well, I normally keep him in his drone form on a mission, which technically I am, but occasionally he shifts into this form for…" Regina seemed to realize who was standing in front of her and gasped before dropping Koro and standing at attention with a Salute. "Mo-Ma'am! Sergeant Regina Rowe, United States Army Special Forces, reporting!" Seryu blinked as Delsin chuckled, turning to Chelsea.
"Now I see what you meant earlier." Chelsea grinned with her lollipop in her mouth as Regina blushed before dropping her salute and smiling at Seryu.
"Hi, Mama Seryu!"
"W-what," asked Seryu.
"Seryu," said Delsin as he stood behind Regina. "This is Regina. She's mine and Fetch's biological daughter and yours and Akame's daughter by proxy in our future."
"She's…" Regina smiled with a light blush and hugged her. Seryu hesitated slightly before returning the hug. Reggie nudged Delsin.
"She took it better than you."
"Shut up, I told you I passed out from exhaustion."
"No," said Regina with a grin. "You fainted, Dad. Though, that was after you figured out Mom is cuurently pregnant with me."
"Alright! I get it, no sympathy from my own daughter. Ungrateful brat…"
"Love you too, Dad!"
"How," asked Seryu.
"Rifts in space and time," said Regina with a smile. "Kessler came to my time to get me to help with the Beast. And when he mentioned I'd be helping out my parents when they were younger, of course I jumped at the opportunity!"
"And there's the Seryu coming out," said Lubbock.
"We'll see the Akame side when she starts eating," said Tatsumi.
"And Delsin if we piss her off."
"With a temper that could only be from this Fetch girl…"
"And she seems obsessed with sweets." They exchanged a look.
"Who's that from," they asked themselves.
"Can we start eating," asked Akame, already drooling as she saw the spread she'd helped prepare.
"Come on," said Delsin. "Let's chow down before these two clear the table before we can get anything." He gestured to Akame and Regina, both of whom pouted slightly before everyone laughed.
(Imperial Palace, Stylish's former lab)
A man with golden eyes and pale lilac hair grinned as he found something within Stylish's hidden files. "Oh, you had this in store, Stylish? Seems simple enough to assemble. And with that alchemist's abandoned workshop, I can get it done in half the time!" Shura, the son of Prime Minister Honest, grinned as he held a hand drawn copy of a strange device as well as maps to Stylish's hidden labs across the Empire.
