Opening File: E-Male
E-Male is a superhero from Japan who is described as Japan's perfect upgrade of man and electro-cellular micro net enhancements. He is said to circle the globe in precisely 7 seconds. He has a rivalry with Living Bullet and became Japan's top hero after the retirement of SAM-R-I and has tried to gain even greater fame in his predecessor's absence but may find his position challenged soon.
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Opening File: Down Unda Mate
Down Unda Mate is a top level Huntsman from Australia and an associated member of the Justice Friends.
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Opening File: Mushu Gai Man
Mushu Gai Man is a Huntsman from China where he sports a red outfit and a Chinese military hat. Mushu Gai Man has super-strength when he channels into the collective manpower of China.
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Opening File: Mucho Muchacho
Mucho Muchacho is a swashbuckler-themed superhero from Mexico who is described to the 'most machismo for your peso.'
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Opening File: Ya-Mon
Ya-Mon is a lion-masked superhero from Jamaica who is described to be the Caribbean Crusader and nicknamed the 'Atlantean Lion.'
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Opening File: Mandingo
Mandingo is a superhero from Africa who is the 'Sentinel of the Savannah' and 'Africa's monarch of might.'
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Xxx
The Bifrost opened up onto the roof of the Hall of Heroes, leaving Valhallen standing in the middle of a large mark but that was easy to clean. He immediately headed down to the conference room of the building, finding the others there along with a paramedics and Major Glory at the screen. He also noticed a large gathering of professional Huntsmen and heroes from other countries that he knew of and had worked with over the years. E-Male was sending a small glare to SAM-R-I who ignored him, simply choosing to remain silent. Down Unda Mate was talking with White Tiger while a few others were actually taking with the Digimon.
Big Ben and Krunk were having an arm wrestling contest but Valhallen noticed the bandages on Krunk's arm, having heard that Krunk had actually been injured in the fight against Crom. It probably didn't help that Krunk hadn't fully recovered from the battles against the Diamonds on the Gem Homeworld. At full strength Krunk could stand against deities but even he could still be defeated if his regeneration was pushed to the limit.
"Hey guys." Valhallen greeted as he entered the room, all eyes falling on him. "So things are as bad as I heard."
"Valhallen." Major Glory turned around. "I'm glad you made it back from your meeting with Odin. We're going to need all the help we can get."
"I got a clue to what happened on Asgard when the Voice of Avalon sent out a call for help. All of the Fae, even the Odin from there have been captured." Valhallen replied, walking around the conference table.
"The Odin from Avalon?" Major Glory raised an eyebrow. "You mean to say there is more than one person named Odin?"
"Yeah." Valhallen nodded, looking to the others as they gathered around the table.
He saw many old friends and colleagues with new ones such as the Legendary Warriors and the Grimm Slayer himself.
"Avalon and Asgard reside on different planes which you guys here call dimensions but we've kept ties for centuries. I first met an ambassador from Avalon when I was century old thanks to the time differences. And yes, there are two people calling themselves Odin because one is a Fae and the other is a Aesir. The people on Midgard started referring to the Fae with the names of the Aesir they met and the Fae simply adopted them."
"As fascinating as this all is what does it have to do with our current situation?" The interruption came from the newly arrived Japanese hero E-Male.
"Because Avalon has been taken over by Crom Cruach." Valhallen answered.
The rest of the room became silent after that.
"Crom has taken over Avalon?" Major Glory asked.
"Yep. Avalon called for help not long after because Crom has been draining its magic to strengthen his own powers. That's why he was strong enough to take on you and everyone else." Valhallen nodded. "And I get the feeling it is just the beginning."
"What do you mean?"
"Avalon exists in another plane where magical energy flows through it and that makes Crom a lot stronger than almost anything in the world." Valhallen explained. "It'd be only a matter of time before he's powerful enough that he could affect the entire planet and spread out to the other realms."
"So how do we stop him?" Glory asked.
"First off, we need to figure out where he's imprisoned the Fae. Take away his source of power we have a chance to stop him." Valhallen answered, holding up a finger.
"And the goddess he already captured."
"A goddess?" Valhallen looked confused now. "What goddess?"
Xxx
"The first step to Crom's domination of the mortal world has begun." Crom declared as he entered the throne of Castle Avalon. "Already the mortals should be feeling a drastic increase in heat."
"A brilliant example of your power, Lord Crom." Banshee said, bowing to the god as he sat on the throne.
"But Crom wants more. Crom wants them to cower and beg for mercy. To fall to their knees cry out to the skies for Crom to not burn them." Crom clenched a fist. "Avalon's magic and the Fae's powers sustain Crom but Crom knows that in order to take over this plane Crom must have power over all dominions. The other realms such as Asgard will to thwart Crom and that Crom will not allow."
"What do you wish, o-mighty one?" Banshee asked.
"Crom will carry out this Eternal Night you have explained Banshee but Crom will not simply wave his hand and block out the sun. No, no, no. Crom must keep all of his power for when Crom spreads out and takes over the realms." Crom shook his head. "It must be done in a dramatic fashion; worthy of Crom's taste…Crom requires sacrifices…Four virgins!" He stood up, clenching a fist. "Four virgin maidens sacrificed to Crom and their souls will power the ritual of the Eternal Night. All of them first born like all children whose sacrifice will please Crom. Come to me, my Harvesters!"
Immediately the four Harvesters appeared before Crom, immediately bowing their heads. "Hail Crom."
"Go forth and find me four maidens. They all must be virgins, first born daughters." Crom explained as he sat down. "And they must be special. Perhaps even maidens of magic. Those who have magic do so by bridging their souls to the planes of magic and gods. They would be perfect for the ritual so bring them to Crom!"
"Yes, Lord Crom!" The Harvesters complied before vanishing.
Crom sat back in his chair, grinning at what would soon be his ultimate triumph.
Xxx
"Everyone here brings something different to the table. Strength, speed, stealth, anything. But we're all equal in at least one way: Each of us is willing to make the sacrifices a hero and hunter needs to make, even the ultimate one. As of now we stand on brink of what can perhaps be the greatest crises of this century or at least the worst one yet." Major Glory addressed the crowd. "The enemy has given us a day to surrender or will block out the sun and bring the Earth into a new Dark Age. As of now, Mayor Sebben is ordering all civilians in the city to head to the emergency shelters and put out a general call for help from all allied countries. Once the civilians are cleared, Valhallen will help us enter Avalon and we'll take the fight directly to Crom. As long as we can keep him distracted he cannot carry out his threat."
Valhallen stepped forward to address the crowd next. "All right, I don't know much about this Crom myself but I know one thing: if he's not stopped now he'll spread beyond this realm and move to take over the other realms. So if we can to stop him we have to work on destroying his power source."
The computer showed a picture of Crom during the fight in front of City Hall.
"Last time you guys fought head on and against any normal enemy that would have worked. Problem is we're not dealing with just another god. We're dealing with a god that has stolen the power of a goddess and race of beings made entirely of magic so that makes a lot tougher." Valhallen said as the computer zeroed in on the lamp around Crom's neck. "I've been told he imprisoned the goddess in this lamp. So that's his weakness. We take out the lamp we take out his source of power and even if he still standing we'd stand a better chance. The problem is he is going to be stronger on Avalon since it's a plane where magical energies flow more naturally than in Midgard so it's better we try to fight him on our turf instead of his."
"So how do we get him to come to us?" Big Ben asked, crossing his arms.
"I have a plan for that." Major Glory said, taking the lead again. "All that matters right now is that when Crom is lured out into the open, everyone is ready to strike. Unlike before Chief Fizz will not bring the police in to help as last battle proved to be an absolute disaster. Instead we've called in the help of Project: YoRHa and…Clovis Bray."
"You're kidding." E-Male cut in.
"He isn't." SAM-R-I replied.
"That man is an insult to heroes and Huntsmen everywhere." Ya-Mon protested.
"He purchased technology that nearly wiped Australia." Down Unda Mate called out. "That scary nanotech those science girls working with Xanatos made."
"I know, I know." Major Glory said, trying to calm everyone down. "Trust me, my feelings for Bray are not much better than yours but he has the only fighting force that can stand with us without forcing our allies to lose the police and hunters protecting them."
As Valhallen joined the group Kazemon leaned over to him. "Who is Clovis Bray?"
"The head of a multi-billion company much like DexLabs and Sanban Industries only Clovis Bray has spent the last decade building and selling weapons to the military. There have been rumors that he's been involved in a secret project that was originally started by his father; creating special androids that he believes will replace all Huntsmen and heroes as the world's protectors. These androids not only resemble humans but they act like them to the point it's almost impossible to tell the difference." Valhallen explained quietly. "It's only known to the top branches in several countries, Justice Friends included but he has support in almost all of them. Any attempt to come forward with this information is denied and he makes sure no proof is shown and he'd even try to discredit anyone who accuses him. So yeah, he's not exactly popular around these parts. It doesn't help that guy thinks so high of himself he makes everyone around him sick."
From the way Valhallen spoke Kazemon could tell he immensely disliked this Clovis Bray. Valhallen was often one of the most laid-back members of the Justice Friends, usually always the first to try and keep everyone calm and always having a relaxing smile on his face. He even was able to keep on smiling as he fought such as the times he sparred with Lowemon no matter how many times he had been hit. For him to express great dislike or disgust for someone was enough to tell her exactly what he thought of this Clovis Bray.
And to be honest from she had heard she'd begun to have a bit of dislike for him as well.
"And he's coming here?" She asked.
"To meet with Sebben to discuss how Project YoRHa can help defend GrimmFall from Crom. Not that it will do much good." Valhallen answered.
"Why's that?"
"Crom's not interested in just one city. He wants the whole world and from Avalon he can strike anywhere on the planet at any time. Bray may think his machines are up to the task but unless we can pin Crom down and take out that lantern all of us, including Bray's androids are just fodder." Valhallen explained. "And that's not our only problem."
"More problems?"
"With all this happening the Grimm are bound to attack in packs anywhere that Crom decides to attack. The fear he'll spread will attract the Grimm and it'll be a war on three fronts." Vahallen continued sadly. "Even if we make it through this we'll have one big mess to clean up with the entire country in shambles. I only hope we can actually hurry and stop Crom before it gets too big for everyone to handle."
Xxx
"And that's not even taking into account what the Grimm's masters will be up to."
It was raining heavily in GrimmFall as civilians were being led by police to the emergency shelters. The atmosphere was a fearful one for the citizens, even as the police worked to keep everyone calm. So preoccupied with working to get everyone to safety no noticed a man in a dark coat and umbrella calmly strolling through the warehouses of the Steam Alley, better known as GrimmFall's industrial sector. He carried a bag with him as he walked up to a warehouse and entered it.
"I, Am, I know you're both here. Come on out." The man called out, lowering his hood and revealing himself to be Dr. Kriegar.
The twin Mobians landed in front of him, grinning at him with azure eyes.
"How nice to have the good doctor here." I began.
"A break from all the gloom and fear." Am finished.
"Come on." Kriegar said, gesturing for the twins to follow. "We can't stay here."
"But what about Justice Friends?" I asked.
"What about the police?" Am asked.
"What about Bray?" The twins finished together.
"If we're going to blow the whistle on Project YoRHa we can't do it in a warehouse. The city is being cleared out as we speak and with everyone focused on Crom we'll have a little more room to move." Kriegar explained, stepped out of the warehouse.
"And what if we are seen?" I asked as the twins followed the scientist.
"Not to worry. We're not going out in the open." Kriegar said as he stepped out into the alley and pulled out a small key with a button that he pressed.
A long dark car drove up and the back door opened, allowing Krieger to slip in, followed by the twins. Inside the back of the car was rather spacious with leather seats, a red carpet and an armchair that folded out into a miniature table. On the back of the driver seat was a large computer monitor showing a map of GrimmFall.
"The tinted windows will keep us from being seen by any cameras." Kriegar explained as the car began to drive. "It's important we stay mobile. As you said, with the Justice Friends, the police and YoRha out there now we can't afford to operate from a hideout. With Clovis Bray involved it's likely P.O.I.N.T. and Epsilon will not be far behind. So we'll operate out of this."
He pressed a button and a compartment opened up, revealing various drinks and snacks.
"This vehicle has been designed for the best comforts. It's likely to be better than even a five star suite." Kriegar remarked proudly as the Mobian twins pulled out bottles of milk. "Built in transceivers to intercept and decode transmissions coming in and out of the city."
He then opened his bag, revealing a dozen tablets that he then placed on the mini table.
"It even comes with state of the art computerized equipment for direct access to my private network. Radar and infared sensors." Kriegar proudly continued. "It's even been built with military grade equipment for offense and defense."
"And how will all this help us?" I asked, sipping out of the bottle.
"We are supposed to expose Bray's secrets. Not nap on a fancy miniature bus." Am finished, linking his lips.
"Good luck finding a bus that offers you foldout beds." Kriegar rolled his eyes, stretching his fingers. "We'll stick the alleys and back roads for now until we can track everyone in the city. Once we know where Bray's sending his machines we'll track them down. If one of them is damaged or destroyed in battle it works in our favor."
"Say the word and we will find." I started.
"A robot head to tinker with in your time." Am finished.
"Hardly necessary. Clovis Bray thinks he has the best cyber protection money can buy. Only I don't work for money." Kriegar replied while setting up his equipment as the car drove off into the depths of the city, remaining out of sight for the battle to come.