Time Of Relaxing And More Trouble Awaits.
A couple of days has passed since the team returned with new visitors. Li Fen was handed over to Chun-Li right away, who was beyond shocked but also relieved that her adopted daughter was now safe with them. Camilla and Elise reunited with the rest of their family, which did wonders to keep the older sister calm. And Raven was placed in stasis until they could figure out the best way to deal with her mental damage. After that, missions were put on hold until everyone has had the chance to recover enough to head out again.
Right now, Lucina was keeping herself busy. Normally she would train, but she decided to try something new... By trying to figure out this strange objects called, Technology. In her quest to learn and understand it, she was currently trying to learn how to use a phone. She had been at it for over an hour, and she hadn't even learned the basics yet. Lucina was a very patient woman and most of the time, never lost focus... but this damn phone was pushing her over her limits very quickly, tempting her to just throw it to the ground in frustration.
"Why did their world even bother making this? Was it really that hard just to send messengers?" Lucina asked out loud.
"I know it's frustrating at first, but I can promise you these things are far more useful than sending a messenger" Came a familiar voice that made Lucina look up.
"Oh, hello Corrin. Finally managed to get away from Camilla?" Lucina asked.
"Until she find me again, I needed break from her. It was good to see her in this realm, but she can become very smothering at times" Corrin said as she walked up to Lucina "Wow, you haven't even learned how to unlock the phone yet?".
Lucina grumbles a little "No. This thing is impossible".
"Here, let me" Corrin said before she effortlessly unlocked the phone.
Lucina blinked several times "How did you know?".
"Well I haven't been sent on a mission yet, so I needed something to pass the time. So I decided to give this technology a chance, and with some help from the, what were they called... nerds? I was able to learn it" Corrin explained.
"Nerds? That sounds like an insult" Lucina admitted.
"Depends on how they take it. It can be an insult or just a simple jest" Corrin said.
"If you say so. Now what makes this "Phone" so impressive?" Lucina asked.
"Well you can send messages or even talk to someone despite being nowhere near them. I even heard if the connection between two phones are strong enough, you can speak to someone from the other side of the world" Corrin said.
"That does sound incredible. But how do I even do that?" Lucina asked.
"By typing the number of another phone and then hold your own phone to your ear" Corrin answered.
Lucina rubbed her head "Our worlds are so much simpler".
Corrin giggled a little "Can't deny that, our worlds are a lot more primitive than most of the other worlds. I am still awed about the fact other worlds exist, and in some of the other, Universes as they call it, there worlds among the stars, and they can travel to them as easily as we can travel between settlements".
"I see what you mean. They are thousands of years ahead of us" Lucina said.
"And despite us being from such different worlds and such different timelines, we still managed to find a way to fight together against a common foe" Corrin said with a smile "It's honestly reassuring".
"I agree. Though this realm already looks like it has been ravaged by war... the same kind of war that destroyed my world in the future" Lucina said.
"You too huh?" Came a voice which made Lucina and Corrin look and they saw a red head girl "Name is Hope Summers. Sorry to intrude, I just happened to overhear".
"It's alright. I think I heard about you. You are Cable's daughter, right?" Corrin asked.
"Yes, he took me in when I lost my mother. Like you, Lucina, I am from a dark future" Hope said.
"What happened in your world?" Lucina asked.
"It's a very long story. But the short version is this: I am a mutant, and my kind have been victims of human hate for years, all because we happened to be different. One thing led to another, and before you knew it, some witch went insane and wiped out nearly the entire mutant population, mostly through depowering them. I was the first mutant to be born after that, and such I was viwed as a mutant messiah, destined to bring my people back from extinction" Hope answered.
"Oh. I am sorry to hear that. In my world and evil dragon destroyed everything I loved, including my parents. I was sent back in time with my friends to make sure the future I grew up in never happened" Lucina explained.
"Several mutants I know did that too. Sadly, messing with time can lead to an even worse future" Hope said.
"I am aware, which was why I made sure to only alter the events that directly lead to my horrible future" Lucina said.
"If only my mission was that straight forward. I was tasked with bringing my people back, while being hunted by humans for all kinds of reasons. Some want me dead because they hate mutants and want to do anything they can to keep mutants from making a come back. While some think I am a danger to the human race and wants me contained" Hope said before letting out an annoyed sound "Some of them are even with us in this little army of ours".
"Who?" Corrin asked.
"The Avengers" Hope answered.
Lucina looked confused "But I was told they were the world's mightiest heroes".
Hope scoffed a little "Yeah, for humanity that is. But they've done next to nothing for the mutants, other than letting some mutants join their ranks. But they were only protected because they were a part of the Avengers, and the Avengers look after their own. But what bothers me about them the most is the fact they are not that different from us. Just like us they posses powers that can hardly be called human, hell, some of them aren't even humans at all. And yet they are hailed as heroes, while my people are being hunted down like animals".
"That... that isn't fair at all" Lucina admitted.
Corrin sighed "For what it's worth, I am pretty familiar with that feeling. My people were also targeted of hate".
"So you are not human then? I mean sure, your pointy ears were a clue, but then what exactly are you?" Hope asked.
"I am part human, part dragon. Silent Dragon to be precise. Silent Dragons govern over water, manipulate peoples' hearts, and have the ability to see into the future. Silent Dragons breathe vapors of fetid air in order to damage its foes. Those abilities are exclusive to Anankos due to the fact that he's the only pure-blooded Silent Dragon to appear. Descendants of Anankos may have the ability to transform into a dragon, but they won't fully be a Silent Dragon" Corrin explained.
"Are you one of his descendants?" Hope asked.
"He was my father" Corrin answered with a sigh "Truth is, I am not really related to any of my siblings. My mother married the ruler of Hoshido, there by making his children my step siblings. But when I was a child, I was taken to Norh where I was raised as a member of their royal family. But I arn't related to any of them by blood".
"That is pretty confusing. Then again, I'm not one to talk, given Cable adopted me after my mother was killed" Hope said.
"Seems like you have a lot in common with both of us" Lucina said.
Hope couldn't help but to smile "Yeah... I guess I do. Want to hang out?".
Lucina and Corrin shared a look before Corrin answered "Sure. What did you have in mind?".
"I was on my way to the hot springs before I overheard your talk" Hope answered.
"Wait, this place has a hot spring?" Corrin asked, sounding excited.
"It was recently built. Stark wanted to give us something that could help us relax. He was even nice enough to make two separate hot springs" Hope said.
"Two?" Lucina asked.
"One for men and one for women, they are located pretty far away from each other to make sure no one tries to peep" Hope answered.
"Is there a mixed bath?" Lucina asked.
"No, why you you ask?" Hope asked.
"In my world, hot springs have mixed bathing. Heard it was a good way for people to bond without any secrets" Lucina answered.
Hope blushed "Well, in my world only the really bold would bathe together with the opposite gender. Unless they are in love".
"Well, let's head over to the girl bath then. I could use a good soak" Corrin declared.
"Alright, let's go" Hope said and the three girls headed to the hot springs for a nice bath.
Meanwhile, at a camp, Peni was sleeping on Edelgard's lap. They had been walking for a long time and decided to stop and rest for a while. Edelgard was resting her eyes, but sleeping in a place like this was far from easy. Not only could it be unknown dangers around every corner, but the memories of her painful past was forever fresh in her mind. Edelgard heard something and opened her eyes to see Black Knight standing over her. After his clash with the Death Knight he had been more silent than normal. But now it was clear he wanted something.
"You and I need to talk. Now" He declared.
Edelgard carefully removed Peni from her lap and stood up "Alright, lead the way".
Black Knight and leads Edelgard a safe distance away from Peni. Far enough for her to not hear their talk, but also close enough to rush back in case danger arrives "I think it's time you told me what you are really doing, Lady Edelgard".
"What do you mean?" Edelgard asked.
"Don't play dumb with me. I can see it in your eyes, and the way you watch the area. You are not just seeking for a way back to your world. You want something from this place. And if I had to make a guess, I would say you are after it's power" Black Knight said in a knowing tone.
Edelgard narrowed her eyes "You are very observant. Very well, I will tell you. But only under the condition that you will not tell Peni any of this. I am not certain that she will understand".
"Very well, I've kept things from her about myself as well. There are some things she is better of not knowing" Black Knight agreed.
Edelgard sighed "You are right. I am looking for power. But I need power if I am going to realize my dream".
"And what dream is that?" Black Knight asked.
"To create a world where crests, race and tittles holds no power. Where people will be judged by who they are and not by their blood line" Edelgard answered.
"And what motivates this goal?" Black knight asked.
Edelgard closed her eyes "When I was a kid, I found that my father had been reduced to nothing more than a political puppet. Alongside my ten siblings, I was subjected to painful Crest experiments by Those Who Slither in the Dark, who were backed by many of the corrupt Adrestian nobles. Though my father vehemently objected, his reduced influence meant he could do nothing to stop it. As a result, most of my siblings were driven mad from the experiments or died from exhaustion. By the end of it all, only I was able to survive and retain my sanity, leaving me as the only successful subject. As a result, I bore a second Crest, the Crest of Flames, at the cost of my hair turning white and my lifespan being drastically shortened".
Black Knight was silent for a moment "I... see... I admit that is a strong enough reason for you to have such a goal".
"Crests is the source of all the suffering I went through. And not only for me, but many people were disowned and looked down on just because they did not have a crest. I can't stand back and allow that to go on. I will change the world, and make one where Crests don't mean anything and people will be judged equally" Edelgard said.
"I see... I wouldn't mind living in a world like that" Black Knight admitted.
"What do you mean?" Edelgard asked.
"Let's just say I know how it feels to be shunned for being different" Black Knight answered.
Edelgard was not satisfied with that answer "I just told you about my painful past. You owe me an explination".
Black Knight sighed "Fair enough. While I was growing up, I had a miserable childhood because he was a Branded, someone marked with a special brand. This brand is the result of beorc and laguz parentage. Because of this, I was looked down on and hated by my own family. This prompted me to leave home and join the Daein army in order to escape the suffering. I feared being discovered and treated the same way by mt new comrades so I attempted to hide my brand by rarely removing my armor. When U discovered that the brand also slowed my aging, I knew that my time in Daein would not last and I would eventually have to leave to preserve my secret. Branded are often treated poorly by both of their parent races. The laguz refer to them as parentless and generally refuse to acknowledge their existence if a Branded individual stands before them. In some cases, laguz have been known to hunt down the Branded. The Branded are often referred to as Half-Breeds by beorc, leading to harassment and even execution if their Brand is known. Because they closely resemble beorcs, most Branded tend to live among them, though most live quiet, private lives to hide their decelerated aging".
Edelgard was silent for a moment "I see... so you are judged for being what you are. Such discrimination is presant in my world too. Just another thing I need to get rid of. I am willing to do whatever it takes to achieve my goals. Not matter how much I need to sacrifice".
"I hope you succeed" Black Knight said.
"I will. And do not worry, your secret is safe with me" Edelgard promised
Black Knight was about to respond until he noticed something "Peni".
Edelgard gasped and looked to see Peni step out of hiding "How much did you hear?".
Peni looked away "I heard enough... I am not going to pretend to understand what you two have gone through... nor am I going to pretend I know a better way for you to get what you want... But I just hope you realize that the price is not always worth the cost... and I really hope you will be able to see when enough is enough".
Peni walked away, leaving Edelgard and Black Knight to give each other silent looks. Both knew full well that they may have just lost Peni's trust.
Back and Maestro's base, Sephiroth was standing outside, thinking to himself. This new realm had proven really fascinating, and he could feel that Cloud was here as well. As much as he enjoyed tormenting Cloud, there was also a lot more Sephiroth could do in this place. The possibilities were endless. Maestro made a lot of promises, but Sephiroth cared little for them, as his true goal remained the same, regardless of what that green monster might say. Still, his help could prove useful, but Sephiroth longed to kill that bastard Hojo, and the Maestro would not be able to protect him for long.
Sephiroth opened his eyes when he sensed something nearby. Curious, he decided to go see what is could be. Once he arrived he found a woman wandering the wasteland not to far away from the villains base. She resembles her has white hair, a strong face and belt feathers. Her outfit looked like something someone would wear in a warm climate. Or if they were a part of some kind of tribe. She also carried a large sword on her back which could almost match Cloud's buster sword in terms of size. It was clear as day that she was a warrior, and since Sephiroth has not flexed his muscles in a while, he decided to see just who this woman could be. With that he smiled and flies down in front of her, making her stop.
"Greetings. Are you lost?" Sephiroth asked.
The woman narrowed her eyes "I am searching for my princess. If you know anything, then you will tell me".
"Perhaps I will. If you can defeat me in combat" Sephiroth said before bringing out his long sword, The Masamune "You better provide me with some entertainment. Otherwise I can't promise you will survive".
The woman grabbed her own sword "Fine with me. I will get my answers one way or the other. I am Impa, of leader of Sheikah tribe. And I swear on my honor and I swear on my life, I will not lose to you. I will find the princess and I will protect her".
Sephiroth smiled and got ready. Maybe this would be fun after all.
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Tell me what you think.