Trigger: N/A
Warnings: N/A
Important Stuff:
Small OC Cheat Sheet
Spirits:
Zephyr -The wind spirit that Reborn met in the Spirit World.
Kamikawa - The origami spirit that Reborn exchanged information with.
Engetsu - Silver kitsune that Reborn met in the Spirit World. Knows Ayame.
Meishi - A green falcon that lives in the Sawada Household
Farran - the woman who challenged Fon
Others:
Hibari Koumei - Kyoya's Father. Interpol Agent.
Honjo Tier - Ayame's soulmate, dear friend, deceased
Kazakami Asher - Ayame's soulmate, dear friend, deceased
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-last time-
Signal Start!
Tsuna woke to darkness. That in itself was odd. He reached out, quickly hitting a wooden surface. "What is this?" he asked, pushing at it.
The wood easily moved, pushing open like a door.
Tsuna sat up, looking down on the lush red material he had been lying on. His heart clenched, recognizing the shape of the box. A coffin.
What happened and where was he?
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Bad Feeling
Tsuna didn't need Hyper Intuition to tell him something had horribly gone wrong. His stomach twisted and flipped, churning uncomfortably as every instinct was screaming at him. Why a coffin? Why did he wake up in a coffin of all places? It was a sick joke and he doubt any of his friends would have done something so cruel.
The sound of someone approaching had him scrambling to his feet. Tsuna tensed, on guard for anything. Only for Hayato to appear.
Except it wasn't him. It couldn't be him. Tsuna felt the blood drain from his face, the ringing of Hyper Intuition clamoring louder. This person looked like Hayato, just much older, easily around the same age as Neesan and dressed in a black suit. But there was no mistaking that silver hair and green eyes.
"Hayato?" Tsuna asked, dumbfounded.
Hayato looked at him, stunned. "Juudaime-?"
There was a poof of smoke. Hayato, the Hayato Tsuna knew, took his place.
"What's going on?" Hayato asked, carrying his toothbrush.
Tsuna reached out to pull Hayato into a hug, relief replacing the confusion he felt. Things were still wrong; Hyper Intuition still shrieked like a wailing banshee, but at least Hayato (the right Hayato) was here.
Hyper Intuition rang and Tsuna swiftly pushed Hayato behind him, his Flames ready to spark and ignite. This time, a blue-haired person wearing a cloak came out bushes.
"Welcome," the woman said. Her cloak parted, revealing the armored gauntlet she was wearing.
Tsuna didn't let her finish. Hyper Intuition was still screaming at him, their surroundings were unknown, and she was armed. As far as he was concerned, she was threat until more information could be found.
His Flames ignited, coating the entire area in Sky Flames. The woman fired several bullets from her weapon gauntlet. Hayato reached over Tsuna's shoulder. His red Storm Flames surged, creating a wall that stopped the bullets in its tract.
"Normal bullets don't work, huh?" the woman said. "And a higher control over your Flames than expected."
Tsuna's swords materialized, flashing into existence, above the woman's head. They circled, gathering light at their tips. She didn't notice. Tsuna lifted his arm. "Hametsu no Hikari," he said, dropping his arm.
"Who are you?" Tsuna asked, as the light died down.
The woman was kneeling, clothes smoldering and breathing heavy. "That was new," she said, holding her hands up. "Much better than expected from, Vongola Decimo."
Tsuna faltered. "What-?" Why… Why would she?
"I am Lal Mirch," the woman said, removing her goggles. "I will explain to you what's going on."
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Improbable
Tsuna felt numb; his mind spinning as Lal Mirch explained to him in detail what was going on. Next him, Hayato frowned, throwing looks of concern at Tsuna.
This was the future. Impossible. Utterly impossible. Except the trek to Vongola's base, the surrounding Namimori scenery, unfamiliar or dated, the tech in the walls, the sense of familiarity, Takeshi looking older. It all pointed to the truth.
But it made absolutely no sense. Decimo. Lal called him Decimo, said he had been leading Vongola in a private war against Millefiore. She described how Tsuna's future counterpart fell to a sniper, how his Guardians scattered. Tsuna's blood ran absolutely cold as Lal clinically delivered how Byakuran murdered each of the Arcobaleno with poison, fingers twitching, trying to resist scooping up his version of Reborn into his arms.
This was completely wrong. How was this his future? Where was Ayame? What happened to Ienari? How did he go from having nothing involved with Vongola to leading it? Who was Byakuran?
So many questions, he was drowning.
"Tsuna," Reborn murmured, placing his small hand on Tsuna's leg, the gentle humming of their Flames intertwined, allowing Tsuna to ground himself. Tsuna took a deep breath. "What happened to Ienari?" he asked.
If nothing else, the fact that Tsuna was Decimo was what didn't make the most sense. Morbidly he could picture a world where Ienari had died and Vongola came back for him. Even if that was the case, the title of Decimo should not be his. Unless Ienari died before he was crowned, in which case, Tsuna was going to do everything in his power to prevent it. If Ienari failed to inherit Decimo, it meant he died young.
(Ienari was still his brother.)
"Who is Ienari?" Takeshi's older counterpart asked.
That knocked the wind out of Tsuna. He stared at Takeshi in disbelief. How could Takeshi not know Ienari? Of all the people in the room, Takeshi definitely should have known who Ienari was. Unless...
"How long have we been friends?" Tsuna asked.
"Since we fourteen, when you saved me from doing something stupid on the school roof," Takeshi answered, bewildered.
"Who gave you your silver bat?" Tsuna asked.
"Reborn."
Hayato twitched and Leon crawled to Reborn's open hand.
"Kyoto Spring Trip," Tsuna said.
Takeshi blinked. "We went on one when we were about twelve? I think."
Relief washed over Tsuna. His legs wobbled as he cradled his head. Thank every god above.
"Imposter!" Hayato roared, bombs appearing in his hands.
"No, Hayato," Tsuna said, placing a hand on Hayato's arm and shooting a sharp look at Reborn who was equally armed.
"Tsuna?" Yamamoto asked, eyes narrowed. His grip on his sword tightened.
"Parallel dimension," Tsuna said, almost breathless with relief. "This isn't our future. You're not my version of Takeshi."
"Neesan, you describe planes as moving up and down. What happens if you go left and right?"
"In theory, parallel dimensions. Reality is frail in my opinion and there's probably some ridiculous amount of power required to break the boundaries, so it's not something I'm really interested in testing. To generalize, parallel dimensions are dimensions that look similar to ours but have minor or major differences. For example, there's probably a dimension where you're an only child, a dimension where Ienari is an only child, even a dimension where you and I didn't meet."
Tsuna had no idea how they got here, or why it even worked, but a parallel dimension. He was so thankful that he didn't become Decimo, as terrible as that probably sound. The relief was almost overwhelming.
"Ienari is my twin brother," Tsuna explained as this version of Yamamoto frowned, grip tightening on his sword. "We've been friends since we were ten when I stopped you from doing something stupid on a bridge. Neesan is the one who gave you your silver bat and we do not talk about the Kyoto Spring Trip, ever."
A parallel dimension explained all the differences. It explained why this Yamamoto felt like a solid rainstorm instead of that whimsical airy damp feeling like a light shower. Even Namimori felt less, that vibrant energy Tsuna contributed to spirit energy, lacking.
It was a bit worrisome. Did that mean he never met Ayame in this dimension? If Ienari didn't exist, it certainly explained why he was Decimo, but the other impacts that Ayame helped create that was missing.
"Well… it's not like we understand how you got here," Lal said with a frown. "Still, there are plenty to worry about."
Tsuna looked over at the older version of Yamamoto who was still frowning. "Don't worry. We'll still help out."
"But," Yamamoto said, uncomfortably.
"Even though I'm not your Tsuna and you're not my Takeshi, we're still friends," Tsuna said. He may not understand why they were here, but he wasn't going to leave this version of his friends high and dry.
"Byakuran is targeting the Vongola Rings," Reborn said. "So, we should be fine as Tsuna and his friends don't have our dimension's Vongola Rings."
"There's that at least," Lal said. "I don't know how they'll survive without it though."
"Actually…" Tsuna said. He pulled out his necklace, pulling out silver ring with an orange gem out.
Hayato held out his hand, revealing a matching ring with a red gem.
"... Those aren't the Vongola Rings," Reborn said.
"I've been meaning to explain that," Tsuna said, blushing red. "Neesan… may have figured out how basically depowered the Vongola Rings and make new versions? So, while they aren't Vongola Rings, the power that made the Vongola Rings so powerful, the Trinisette, it's anchored to these new rings. The Vongola Rings that Ienari has are pretty much empty husks. Still powerful, just not as powerful as before?"
"You can't just "remake" the Vongola Rings," Lal said baffled.
"It's Neesan," Tsuna said with a shrug.
"You have no idea how valid of an explanation that is," Reborn said with grit teeth.
"As long as Neesan doesn't show up, the complete set won't materialize in this dimension if the trend of replacing us one for one continues," Tsuna said. "She's holding onto the Lightning Ring because Lambo is too young."
"Lambo? Not Haru?" Reborn asked.
"Well, taking account of Element synergy, who got the rings became clear once Kyoya-senpai claimed the Cloud Ring in the battle royal," Tsuna said. "They caused so much damage."
"Ah," Reborn said, pleased. "You knew about that."
"More importantly," Tsuna said, "we need to find the others, especially if we are about to be swapped. Where is everyone?"
"We have been tracking Hibari for a while," Giovanni said. "He has been hunting down information regarding Millefiore."
"And where is Ryohei-nii, Chrome and Mukuro?" Tsuna asked.
Everyone from this future stared at him.
"What now?" Tsuna asked.
"No, it's just surprising to hear you talk about Mukuro like that," Yamamoto said. "We don't know where Mukuro and Chrome are but Ryohei-senpai was out looking for them after Chrome last contact."
"Ah," Tsuna said, mildly put off. He really didn't like this dimension at all. Mukuro was his.
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Underestimate
Kyoko knew something was wrong the minute the smoke cleared from her view. A warehouse; that was new considering she had been in her room, getting ready for the day. Her guns materialized as she cautiously looked around. A black sign with the words White Light printed on it, several wooden crates and boxes, piled high and someone who prickle her senses, just hovering out of her range.
"Found you!" a pink haired man shouted, diving down.
Kyoko fired.
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Steal My Future
"Hahi, I think we found Kyoko-chan," Haru said, eyes wide as a blast erupted from the warehouse in front of them. In her arms were I-pin and Lambo; the green sparks of Lightning Flames flickering around her. Haru had been displaced, she wasn't anywhere near this place -she didn't even recognize this place- this morning. I-pin and Lambo had said similar things, that they were having breakfast with Nana before landing here.
"Haru!"
She turned to see Tsuna, Hayato and was that an older Takeshi (how did that make any sense?), running down the street.
"Hahi!" Haru said. "Tsuna!"
"Tsuna-nii!" Lambo and I-pin cried out, jumping out of Haru's arms and into Tsuna's arms.
"Is Kyoko with you?" Hayato asked.
"Found you Vongola!" A dark-skinned man flew at them.
Yamamoto drew his sword, taking a protective stance in front of everyone. "I'll handle this," he said.
Neither the man nor Yamamoto were able to do anything, before another attack exploded out of the warehouse. A ball of red, orange and black energy sniped the man, exploding and vaporizing him into ashes.
Kyoko strolled out the warehouse, still armed and bloodlust glowing in her eyes. The wisps of smoke and ash clinging to her like a cloak.
Yamamoto stared at his disintegrated opponent. "What was that?" he asked. "Kyoko?" Then a pink cloud of smoke engulfed him and he was replaced with his younger counterpart.
"Hahi, I'm so confused," Haru asked.
"Tsuna?" Takeshi asked.
"What is going on?" Kyoko asked, temper snapping.
Tsuna looked at them wearily. "Let's go back. We have a lot of explain."
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There are pieces
Reborn didn't like what he saw. He didn't like the way (his) Tsuna's shoulders were tight with tension. He didn't like the way (his) kids pressed close to each other, guarding each other's back, even though they were (supposedly) among allies.
He definitely didn't like the way this dimension Tsuna had turned out. It… spoke of a true mafia don. It also spoke of a very Tsuna mindset. He purposely sent his Guardians across the globe before going to that meeting that would result in his death. But not before laying the groundwork that would lead to this mess.
There was no proof but Reborn's instincts told him that this dimension Tsuna was reason why they were here.
He reached down to touch his pacifier. Lal had told him of the Trinisette Poison. How his future counterpart had collapsed, finally giving out just days before their arrival. He mentally snarled the idea that he was trapped here at this base, unable to help. He locked up those feelings, knowing that Tsuna and his friends were looking at him as a calm pillar of strength. Powerful they were, but still young. If Ayame wasn't here, then it fell to him.
It didn't mean he had to like it.
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Dueling Mist and Rain
Chrome looked around, recognizing the broken-down room she was in as part of Kokuyo Land.
"Such a pretty young girl."
Chrome instantly summoned her trident, the weapon Mukuro had taught her feeling the most comfortable. "Who are you?" she asked, staring at the strange man.
The man pushed up his glasses. "I do not know why you much young, Dokuro Chrome of Vongola, but I, Glo Xinia will be the one to capture you and present you to Byakuran-sama!"
Chrome frowned. She didn't like the sounds of that. "You can try," she said boldly. "But you will fail."
Glo Xinia cracked his whip, coated in bright blue Rain Flames. Chrome ducked under the wide swing, summoning up a large panther.
Her illusion leapt at Glo Xinia. He swiped, surprised when his whip actually bounced off the panther. Chrome charged forward, swinging her trident. It slammed against Glo Xinia. He stumbled backwards, clutching his head. He hissed, blood rolling down his face.
"You littl-"
Chrome lunged, stabbing her trident into his shoulder. His whip fell to the ground as her Mist Flames flooded the room, blurring her into the surroundings.
"Don't think you can easily defeat me!" Glo Xinia howled. He struggled, pulling out a blue box. An owl coated in Rain Flames emerged from it.
Chrome frowned. She didn't know what that animal was, but it was probably dangerous if it had Rain Flames.
Until it turned on its owner.
"What is this!" Glo Xinia shouted. He ducked as his previous owl swooped at him.
"Kufufu, you're full of hot air," the owl said.
Chrome smiled as she saw the red eye with the kanji for six in it. "Mukuro," she said. She didn't know why she was here, how she had gotten here, but at least Mukuro was still around.
"Impossible! I killed you!" Glo Xinia said.
"It is Mukuro," Chrome said. She gathered her Mist Flames once more, materializing a copy of Mukuro. She leveled her trident at Glo Xinia, the illusion of Mukuro mimicking her. Her heart was beating rapidly. It was pure bravo on her part, but she could do this. She knew she could.
She wasn't that weak girl that Tsuna had to rescue anymore. She wasn't Nagi. She charged.
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Deep Sleep
Yuni closed her eyes, feeling herself drifting. Soon, her instincts told her. Soon, she could make her move.
Soon this nightmare would be over.
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Moving Out
"We've picked up Hibird!" Giovanni shouted, drawing everyone's attention. He pointed to the screen as the camera picked up a small flying yellow bird.
"Hibird?" Tsuna asked.
"It's the bird that follows Hibari around," Bianchi said, crossing her arms. "It looks like it even has a transmitter attached to it."
"It looks like it's headed towards Namimori Shrine," Takeshi said.
"Should we follow it?" Tsuna asked. "The signal is getting weaker it looks like. We'll lose our window of opportunity."
"It could be a trap," Reborn said.
"I've just confirmed there are multiple Rings present," Giovanni said. "One is a ring of tremendous power."
"Probably Gamma," Lal said. "Those two who attacked Kyoko are from his division."
"Then let's go. Takeshi, Hayato and me will head to the shrine. Kyoko, be careful, but you're on backup. I want the rest of you to continue searching for more information," Tsuna said. "A trap it may be, but better to be aware of it when we spring it."
"Got it!"
Yup, parallel dimensions. Ahaha. So this is "canon's future". There's a reason for that. You'll see. If you're confused about the swapping kids, the TYL!versions are referred by their last name. No general notes this time.
Also, if you enjoy my writing, please consider supporting my kickstarter, Graveyard Shift: Volume 2. You can find more information at www#.#kickstarter#.#com#/#projects/1170238334/graveyard-shift-volume-2
The update schedule is going to be a little wonky going forward. I will try to maintain the once a month posting, but RL is still kinda a mess right now.
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