"Wait, wait, wait. Run that past me again."
"The concept is simple: Lisica's grown her ninth tail and become a lesser Shinto deity known as the Kyuubi no Kitsune, which, roughly translated, means Nine-Tailed Fox... so, basically, Lisica's fully grown now, and I was thinking of throwing an impromptu 'Coming of Age' party in celebration."
"A God?" Weiss asked, incredulous.
"No, no. Kitsune are more akin to... spirits, or Fey creatures like elves, fairies, changelings, and other assorted cryptids. Kitsune serve Inari, the god of prosperity. Kyuubi are so powerful that occasionally you'll see someone offer worship to them, seeking boons or whatever from the foxes." I explained.
"I'm lost" Yang said.
"It's simp- well, the message has been muddied a bit. The short version is, Lisica's hit full maturity for Kitsune, and we were going to throw a small party to celebrate that, like a 'coming of age party', and we were hoping you, as friends, could come along." I clarified. "We've got snacks, and I'll grab a cake once I've mentioned this to JNPR."
"We've got to plan out the Formal." Yang said.
"Liz and I were going to ring the whole thing in the 'traditional' manner for Coming of Age ceremonies." I mentioned.
"What does that mean, traditi- oh." Weiss said.
"Yes."
"Well, I don't know about Weiss, but this is one opportunity I'm not going to miss." Yang exclaimed cheerfully.
"But we still have so much to do!" Weiss protested.
"I can loan a Mr. Handy or two to get everything up to snuff... they're handy like that." I offered.
Weiss was somewhere between grateful and wanting to strangle me for the joke.
In the end, she just punched my chest half-heartedly.
"So, anywhom, I've still got errands to run, like passing on invites to JNPR, and Blake -since Ruby's already up there helping out- and grabbing the cake, so now might be a good time to test out those VIP access keys I gave you. Just a little pulse of your aura, it has to be yours, the cards are keyed to you to prevent theft, on the metal bit and you should find yourself-"
Yang vanished in a gold-coloured distortion in the air.
"So, yeah, basically that."
As I carried cake through the doors to the VIP commons, I saw teams RWBY and JNPR, as well as Ravaora, who somehow made it up here, were all up and the party had indeed started... unfortunately CFVY couldn't make it, as they were away on a mission that would run overtime.
However, instead of the nine guests and four homebodies (Liz, Charles, Lily and Ray), I counted a few extras.
I stashed the cake and drew my Storm Bolter in the same action.
"Who the fuck are you, and how did you get in here?!" I asked, making no secret of my hostility.
The figure was surprisingly calm. She, which I could only really tell from the clothes (a long red kimono with very wide sleeves, detailed with stylized white-and-black cherry blossoms), and was obviously a Kitsune of some sort, though the black fox ears and long hair that reached to her lower back clashed with the pure, snow-white fox-tails spread out in a fan behind her, the tips all pointed at me.
"Calm down, calm down." the stranger said.
I quickly counted the tails. Then I counted them again. Now very confused, I counted them a third time.
"Impossible." I said.
"Oh?"
"A Juubi? It only goes up to Nine unless- ...no." I said, narrowing my eyes. "It couldn't be."
"Oh yes, very much so." The being smirked.
"You wouldn't happen to be... Inari Okami, by any chance?" I asked.
"I'm glad to see you've done your homework" Inari said. "Yes, it's me."
"What's a shinto god doing all the way out here?"
"I'm here to join in the festivities" Inari replied with a smile
"Well, I'm sorry about the hostilities... uh, sir."
"It's no bother. I should've called ahead, really, but I thought that it would be such a wonderful surprise." Inari said.
"Well, I can definetly say I'm surprised."
"I thought you might."
"If I may, I'm... er, 'opposed' to a group of individuals in a sort of 'cold war' that's about to go hot. This organization possesses mostly unknown capabilities... so-"
"You want to know if I'm the 'real deal'?" Inari surmised.
"Yeah... god knows if one of those bastards is a shapeshifter or able to mimic, say, Liz." I said.
Inari's palms glowed for a moment before reaching and putting them on my temples.
I saw... everything, for a brief moment, the sheer rush of information made it confusing, and headache inducing, but... powerful. I spent a good while after the contact ended trying to put it all together.
"That's... that was omniscience... a second of seeing everything in the world at once." I said. "...I'm inclined to believe that you're who you say you are. My apologies for the gun, I'm not used to uninvited guests in my fortress that exists outside reality."
Inari just smiled at me.
I stashed my gun and drew my cake.
"Well, I brought cake. Anyone want cake?" I asked.
After we'd all had cake and passed judgement that Caramel Mudcake was awesome, things kinda wound down into enjoying the music, or having a go at Guitar Hero, including the other Kitsune, who were alternating between fawning over Lisica (which was making her decidedly uncomfortable), and looking at all the interesting things I had in the living space up here.
Meanwhile I cornered Inari.
"So, what brings a Shinto god all the way out to my little slice of Remnant?" I asked; cordial, but straight to the point.
Inari laughed "Why, you and Lisica of course."
"I'd kinda figured that. Why? And why now and not earlier?" I questioned.
"You expect me to not be at least curious when one of my children connects to me from another world?" Inari asked.
"So you only just became aware of Liz?" I asked.
"And you." Inari added.
"Through the spirit bond or-"
"Mostly through that... Of course once I reealized she was out here, it didn't take me long to see you."
"What does that mean?"
"With your lifeforce bleeding so heavily to sustain Lisica, and with such a close bond... well, you've surely noticed it by now." Inari said cryptically.
"Noticed it- you don't mean these do you?" I asked, removing my sunglasses and gloves so Inari could see the mutations.
"Yes, those exactly... why do you hide them?" Inari asked, sounding genuinely curious.
"Same reason Blake hides hers; because faunus aren't particularly well liked in a bunch of places. It's best most people don't know." I said.
"Blake? Ah, I see, the one with the bow. Interesting."
"Yep, that's her."
"Well that's no good then. I presume they don't take this lying down."
"Nope. There was a big war for faunus rights not too long ago... there's still some lingering resentment about that, and there's one or two organizations that're active today... One of the organizations I've got myself pitted against started off as such, in fact. Mostly peaceful protests until a change in leadership to a rather bloodthirsty moron led to protests becoming riots, boycotts becoming vandalism and much more... now, they're about to take the leap from vandalism and organized crime to big-league terrorism."
"I see... I might have to do something about that then. Seems that there is much justice to mete out."
"Before you do, why are you here?"
"Do you know the difference between a Kitsune and a Nogitsune?"
"The Nogitsune are *ahem* 'No Good'?" I asked.
Inari laughed. "I like you already."
"Heh, I call 'em how I see 'em... but in all seriousness, if Kitsune do the Robin Hood thing, then the Nogitsune are common bandits, preying on the weak and faithful as opposed to teaching humility to corrupt tyrants and the like."
"That's the major difference, yes"
"The other would be that the Kitsune serve you while the Nogitsune are 'wild'." I added "...which means you're here to officially swear her in, aren't you?"
"Precisely."
"And, of course, your powers as a Kami mean that this promise is going to be unbreakable as well."
"Of course... and you've assembled a nice number of witnesses as well, for you and your 'sister'."
"Me?"
"I doubt you'll actually become a full Kitsune, your potential lies elsewhere, but it's hard to imagine you staying as you are right now."
"I suppose I'm not opposed to the Paladin's oath. Upholding Justice and the like.
"Begging your pardon, Sir and Madam, but the snacks are ready." Charles suddenly interrupted
"Oh, right, of course. I'll be right there." I replied offhandedly.
"Snacks- is that what I think it is?" Inari asked, sniffing the air.
"I never tried this stuff before today... and if the smell's anything to judge by, I've been missing out." I said.
Inari just smiled.
"Well, now that you're finished demolishing that sushi, I believe we can begin." Inari told us
"What?" Ruby asked.
"I had a chance to ask a few questions earlier. Apparently Inari wants to swear us in as official members of the clan." I said
There were a few surprised gasps.
"The best part is that Inari was hoping you'd be here to witness it." I informed them. "Not sure who'd call this sort of thing into question, but it's there, y'know?"
"You?" Weiss asked.
"Apparently."
"Right, so I need each of you to put forth one hand and repeat after me" Inari began "I-"
"I Cobalt-"
"I Lisica-"
As the oaths came to an end, the swirling bands of magic around my outstretched hand tightened, and I felt the magic suddenly clamp down.
It felt like I couldn't breathe.
"It'll be difficult at first." Inari said.
"I- I can barely breathe." I said.
"That'll wear off." Inari added.
"You- I-" I said before focusing on simply getting air in my lungs.
Lisica was having an easier time of it, the sensation like she was wearing tight clothes rather than having a vice around her chest... I chalked it up to Lisica being a Kitsune and my being mortal.
"Does... Does this make me... some sort of p-…. Paladin? or a warlock?" I asked between deep gasps for air.
Inari paused for a moment.
"A mortal champion dedicated to executing my will upon the land in my stead..." Inari mused "Well, since you asked so nicely, I give you my blessing."
"Wait, wha-"
With the combined blessings of the Spirits, Humanity and the Gods, and by swearing an unbreakable holy oath of fealty to the gods you have become a Paladin.
You have gained the following spells as boons of your Deity:
Akasic Teachings: The sight of and control of Ki energy. Experienced practitioners can use Ki energy to project bolts of force and project shields, heal wounds and move objects without touching them.
Meditation: The ability to clear the mind and focus inwards on one's inner energies. This skill increases mana regen, and with practice will allow for simultaneous tasks to be performed, with greater levels allowing greater complexity of the task, in addition to greater mana regeneration
Elemental Magic: There are thirteen basic elements and learning to control each allows one to perform many great feats.
You have been granted limited control of Four elements: Fire, River, Celestial and Music
The following Spells are now available:
-Kitsunebi: a Kitsune specialty, the ability to create and control fire, though at a short range.
-Lifewaters: the River is a lifegiving element, and controlling River allows one to cleanse impurities and heal injuries.
-Mandate: By using the Celestial element, which represents magic and the power of heaven, A Celestial mage can call upon magical creatures with a divine mandate to lend assistance.
-Bardic Song: By manipulating the Music element, a caster can sing to increase the morale of nearby allies and demoralize the enemy.
Feng Shui: This is the study of Geomancy. Sites of power, and ley lines are a large part of this magic. With this, a person can find out the best way to build on a site, creating a location of power, or a means to tap into a leyline or a nexus. This allows someone to travel the Dragon Lines (ley lines) to get from location to location, and also allows them to tap the line for power.
Ju-Fo: This is runic magic. With this, a mage can write the words of power, or call them out to create magic effects. These are also good for warding places, banishing or controlling spirits, and binding sites.
"Thanks... Thanks a thou- A thousand times." I said.
Inari smiled, obviously used to such praise.
"No, really... this might just... just be what my... what my magic ne- needed." I said.
"Omniscient god." Inari reminded me.
"Still bears me- mentioning... I need to go... go lay dow- down." I said.
"That's probably for the best." Lisica said, helping me walk, stiffly, to the bedrooms.
As Lisica returned, she found Inari waiting for her.
"Now, this is a gift I offer all my Kitsune." Inari told her.
"Omniscience." Lisica said "It's the one ability I should have as a Kyuubi that I can't use."
"Correct. That's because I give it as a gift to all the Kyuubi." Inari replied.
"There's a catch, isn't there."
"I see all that Intelligence Cobalt purchased is being put to good use. Yes, I know about that. The 'catch', as you put it, is that you would become my handmaiden."
"And I couldn't spend time with Cobalt any more?" Lisica asked
"This place exists in a pocket dimension, something the Kitsune can not only enter and exit with ease, but also duplicate in it's entirety." Inari said "You would not be so restricted as to never see your 'brother', as I hear he puts it, but you would be beholden to me in the spirit realm.
Lisica carefully considered the offer.
"No."
Inari raised an eyebrow.
"Cobalt and I have worked hard to put this place together, to produce it's inhabitants, and to prepare for the coming storm. Maybe, once this fight is done, and Cobalt and I have banished the Grimm, maybe when he and I have completed our life's work. But, for now, I'm afraid I'll have to decline your generous offer. There's simply too much riding on this to swear into non-intervention."
Inari smiled.
"I see. I know of what injustices Cinder and her fellows will cause, and I can see that their wickedness must be punished. Go forth then, my daughter, and see that they meet justice."
Lisica bowed "I shall."
When Lisica stood up straight again, Inari presented her with a sheathed katana.
On the scabbard was the Kanji for Justice in gold lettering on the black sheathe which had been polished to an almost mirror-sheen.
it didn't take a genius to figure out what the sword's name was.
Lisica shot a deadpan look at Inari.
"I'd expect something like that from Cobalt." She said.
"Let it never be said I don't have a sense of humour." Inari replied as she disappeared suddenly in a flash of golden light.
Lisica blinked the spots out of her eyes for several moments before considering the Katana before her, checking that Inari hadn't handed her half a katana or a bokken disguised as a katana, before sheating it and stashing it in her inventory.
"Fuck this, I need a beer."