Opening File: The Ritual of Heroes
When one writes their name on the Declaration of Independence they begin to slowly gain the power of the spirit that was created to becoming America's greatest hero. It begins small as the spirit's power would overwhelm and possibly kill the new host if all its powers were manifested. The previous hero is charged with training their apprentice to slowly accept the new powers over time. The current hero would retain all of their powers if they have had the spirit long enough but when the spirit is officially passed onto the successor the previous hero's reserves would slowly begin to decline the more they are used.
The current holder of the American Spirit is Major Glory who officially gained full control and access to the spirit's powers when he was young and has since honed and mastered its powers to perfection with his body in perfect condition to handle the full power.
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Opening File: Sentient Semblance
Semblances come in a variety of many forms, listing from mental, physical, conjuration, alteration and conversion but even then there are unique forms that are difficult to classify. An extremely unique Semblance is one that can conjure an entity that is capable of independent thought from its wielder but still bound to the soul that creates it. One example would be Dee-Dee's own Imagination based Semblance in creating Koosland and its guardian Koosey but even then there are Semblances capable of creating special guardians such as summoning a defeated opponent that is either Grimm or mortal, creating a mental construct of someone close to you in some way or many other ways.
These Semblances are rare and extremely powerful in the right hands.
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Opening File: Robo-Dexo 2000
The Robo-Dexo 2000 (also known as the Giant Dexo-Robo) is Dexter's giant fighting robot and one of his most used and famous inventions. It is a giant robot designed to look like Dexter. It has a white and black color scheme, blue visor-like 'glasses' where the cockpit is located, a square white head made in the image of Dexter, white and black boot-like feet made to resemble Dexter's own boots and large purple hands that resemble Dexter's gloves. Its main weapons are its rocket-launching hands and its "PEZ" missiles stored in its neck.
It can also fire various lasers from its eyes, hands and chest. Despite being a 'giant robot', however, the Robo-Dexo is often dwarfed in size by its opponents, similar to Dexter's short stature. Dexter was inspired by shows featuring giant robots as a child and drew up the designs for Robo-Dexo a few years prior to his journey to Gravity Falls. He programmed the computer at Dex Labs to begin creating and building the machine to his specifications which caused the company to halts production of products for several months.
Unfortunately he programmed the computer to lock out attempts to disable its instructions until the job was finished much to the annoyance of his grandfather and uncle. Despite this setback it was clear that the Robo-Dexo series would be a complete success, having been built with the same hydraulic systems that was discovered in the Death Crab walkers that appeared during the Second Great War. With reluctance Dexter Senior allowed it to be complete but kept it stored away until Dexter had proven responsible enough to use it.
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Xxx
"So can you send someone to come and get me? Thanks, Uncle. I love you too. Bye." Dee-Dee hung up the pay phone she managed to find and was thankful she had the appropriate money.
Who knew pay phones were still a thing in this day and age?
"Now I wonder how long it will take them to send someone-"
"Dee-Dee!"
The blond haired girl jumped the mention of her name and spun around to see… "Major Glory!"
The hero of America and the symbol of Justice himself!
"What in Uncle Sam's name are you doing all the way here in Washington?" Major Glory asked. "I got a call from your uncle, telling me you were kidnapped and then you were here of all places."
"It's a…long story."
Xxx
"What is going on?!"
The King barely had any time to collect his thoughts with the threat of Hookocho literally hanging over their heads.
But now some sort of…invisible phantom had broken into the armory and was using the forge to create armor and weapons.
"We have no idea what it is, sire." The captain of the guard reported.
"See if we can find it when it's picking something up."
"Wait!"
The king and the guards spun around, spotting Koosy coming out from behind a curtain.
"Koosy?" The King raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, I told you to never show your face around here or we'd mess you up." A Trollbe Tooth threatened. "We're a little busy to deal with you."
"Your Majesty, just please hear me out." Koosy said, ignoring the threats and focusing on the king. "The person using your forge is not with Hookocho and is not a threat. She just wants to make armor and weapons to help us stop Hookocho."
"How are you sure?" The King asked.
"I know her." Koosy answered truthfully. "You see me talking to air all the time? I was talking to well…people like her."
"What?"
"It's true. There are a lot of them out there that I've made friends with." Koosy continued. "They'd all help if they can."
"And why can't they?" The King asked.
"….Because right now there's only one of them and Hookocho wants their home too." Koosy answered. "Please, your Majesty you must believe me."
Xxx
"And this is the Lincoln Memorial."
"Wow."
Frankie Foster smiled at the star struck look on his adopted son's face. Ever since she had found in that alley years ago she had worked to give him as much a stable live as someone with only a small house and a van for a home could manage.
The smiling look on his face was the only to know for sure at times.
"Want to go take a closer look?" Frankie asked her son who nodded affirmatively at her. "All right, let's go."
As Frankie and Mac walked up the stairs Frankie noticed the blue outline behind her son and quickly looked around to make sure no one was looking.
This was Mac's Semblance: Bloo.
Since they were on the road a lot odds were that they would run into trouble so Frankie had Mac's Aura awakened and spent a few hours a day training him to help look after himself if they should become separated.
Not that Frankie ever planned on that happening.
Xxx
"That kid has a special power."
"Think the boss will approve."
"He'll have to do."
Xxx
"And that's the whole story."
Major Glory tapped his chin in though as he processed Dee-Dee's whole story. "It does match up with what your uncle told us and the security footage he showed."
"So can you help us?" Dee-Dee asked hopefully.
"I will try." The hero gave a solemn nod. "First we must return to this Koosland."
"Koosy's not letting me come back." Dee-Dee replied with a saddened face. "Why won't he let me help?"
"He believes he is protecting you." Major Glory offered with a look of sympathy.
"But I know I can help. Hookocho wants me and he'll do anything to get me. This started with me so I should be the one to fix it." Dee-Dee gestured to herself before a look of realization appeared on her face. "Major Glory…"
"Yes?" The hero slowly answered, unsure what was going on in the girl's mind.
"You said when I became your apprentice that I would gain the same powers as you." Dee-Dee recalled.
"I did." Major Glory slowly nodded.
"So can you-"
"No."
Dee-Dee gaped. "Why not?!"
"Dee-Dee, the source of my powers takes years to hone and master. I can't just grant you super powers so you can run off to face this demon." Major Glory replied. "Powers alone won't help."
"So what am I supposed to do? Sit on my butt for Hookocho to come find me again?" Dee-Dee threw her arms up.
Major Glory was about to reply when an explosion was heard, followed by a scream.
"MAC!"
The hero was on the move, flying up and spotting smoke coming from the Lincoln Memorial. "Desecrating a national landmark? Not on my watch!"
He flew down, spotting four strange figures with one of them holding a small boy. "Halt villains!"
They did nothing of the sort.
Sawtooth Cecil rocketed up, slashing at the hero with buzz saw arms, forcing him to dodge while Jib changed into…
An exact copy of Major Glory.
Before the hero could react Jib decked him in the jaw.
"Finish him off!" Salty Sam shouted, holding Mac in his arms.
Baron O'Beefdip opened his mouth, gathering energy while Sawtooth Cecil's arms changed into cannons while Jib's eyes glowed.
Major Glory only had a chance to look before all three launched three energy attacks that converged into one, blasting him into the ground.
"Let's go." Salty Sam summoned the portal once he was sure Major Glory was down and immediately entered, followed by the others.
The portal vanished just as Major Glory flew out of the crater. "No!"
"That was them!" Dee-Dee called out, having watched the entire fight. "Those were the guys who tried to kidnap me!"
"Mac!" Not too far away a woman with red hair was kneeling on the ground, staggering slightly as she looked around frantically. "Mac, where are you?!"
Major Glory narrowed his eyes. "They took him…Just like that."
Dee-Dee could see the desperate look in the woman's eyes, feeling like it was her fault that the boy had been taken. "Major…we need to save him. Please, let me help. I know where he is and I can find him if you let me…"
Major Glory glanced at the girl he had chosen as his apprentice.
Xxx
"Sire, this boy seems to have a small bit of power resembling that of the Conduit."
"Excellent work, Sam." Hookocho grinned as he took a sip of red wine. "You and the others have assured our victory. Today, we celebrate the fall of Kooseland and then the REAL WORLD!"
Hookocho's four lieutenants cheered in unison. "ALL HAIL LORD HOOKOCHO!"
"Having captured Peepers and a substitute for the Conduit we utilize their powers to destroy Kooseland and then take over the real world. No matter what powers lie there once we have captured the true Conduit and use her to amplify our powers we will be stronger than any being in any universe." Hookocho announced.
He turned to see Peepers still trapped in his machine and screaming as his body was growing and mutating into something…unnatural with Mac in a similar one, looking very frightened.
Hookocho stood up from his throne and approached the two captives. "Well, now that the grand festivities are out of the way we shall finish off Kooseland immediately. Begin the transfer!"
Jib pressed a switch and Peepers let out another scream as his body started to grow even bigger and convulse.
"You feel it, don't you Peepers? The reversal of your powers." Hookocho grinned. "What was created from pure happiness and kindness will be twisted into something dark and evil. And then we just need one other thing."
He looked to Mac who was trembling in fear.
"I'd hoped to have the real Conduit here but you will do. If your Semblance is what I think it is it will provide a suitable portal back into the real world for me, my armies and all the power I have assembled." Hookocho turned away from the two captives. "Launch the final assault."
"As you wish." Salty Sam nodded with an eager bloodthirsty smile.
Xxx
"Wait, so the Declaration of Independence is not in the National Archives?"
"No but we're very close." Major Glory answered, entering the elevator with Dee-Dee behind.
She watched as Major Glory pressed for the ground floor which they were already on, followed by several floors…
Wait, Dee-Dee recognized the pattern.
Ground Floor meaning one, followed by seventh floor twice and then the sixth floor.
1776.
The year the Declaration of Independence was signed and ratified.
"The one held in the Archives is a copy created by the Founding Fathers to keep the real one safe from anyone looking to find and gain the power of the American Spirit. They went through a great deal to make sure no one would suspect the two were switched."
The elevator went down past the basement and seemingly went deep underground.
"How deep does this go?" Dee-Dee wondered.
"So deep it would take years to dig by hand or machine to reach. No expanse was paid to make sure nothing would reach it. They made sure any kind of Grimm that specialized in tunneling underground would find it." Major Glory answered before the elevator finally stopped and the doors opened.
At first there was darkness but as Major Glory entered lights turned on as the hero walked forward, revealing a massive vault door that was heavily locked. The hero stopped in front of the door and a circle appeared around his feet before traveling up his body. Dee-Dee could see it was a security system and one that likely only would recognize the hero whose came from what the vault was meant to hide. Once the circle of light traveled up his body it vanished and the sounds of gears twisting was heard as the vault slowly began to open.
Inside was a single light shining down on a single document protected by a glass case.
Dee-Dee's eyes widened when she recognized it. "Is that…"
"Yes it is." Major Glory nodded and stepped forward. "The security system would only allow one with the powers of the true American spirit to open the vault. You can enter with me, Dee-Dee. It won't harm you."
Dee-Dee quickly followed after the hero as the glass case was lifted up and a quill was lying down at the bottom of the document.
"Now, we begin the ritual." Major Glory picked up the quill and held it out to Dee-Dee. "This will be what you use to write."
"Okay, where's the ink?" Dee-Dee asked, accepting the quill.
"You need to prick your finger with it. The ink will be your blood." Major Glory answered.
Dee-Dee stared at the quill, holding in a gasp. "Isn't that…"
"It's the only way." Major Glory sighed. "Your blood signifies the link you will have."
Dee-Dee hesitantly brought the quill to her left index finger, holding in a gasp of pain as the quill felt really sharp as it pricked her finger. She could blood coming out of the small cut in her skin and flowed onto the quill. She looked to Major Glory who nodded and gestured to the blank line at the bottom of the document where she was supposed to sign. Nodding Dee-Dee brought the quill to the line and signed her name on it.
DEE-DEE O'REILLY
As soon as she signed her name she watched as it glowed briefly and then vanished into the paper. There was a flash of light on her finger as well, healing the small cut and the remaining blood evaporated.
Then came the sudden rush of something tethering itself to her core, her very soul. Major Glory watched as Dee-Dee's form emitted an aura of pure light that temporarily lifted her off the ground.
What the girl was feeling…
It was beyond anything she could put into words.
Her rainbow colored Aura surged with such power she almost thought she was going to faint.
Xxx
Hookocho's eyes widened as he felt a surge that was coming from the machine…
It was the Conduit and her power was linked with Peepers.
"What is happening?!" Salty Sam asked as Peepers let out a powerful yell as the power being drained from him changed.
A power of pure light.
"This is…" Hookocho narrowed his eyes. "The Conduit has gained access to a new form of power and since Peepers was her first creation…Increase the containment field!"
"Sir-"
"That girl has turned Peepers into a transmitter that's going to reveal our location!" Hookocho faced his lieutenants with his fists sparkling.
"We can still capture her, my lord." Salty Sam pointed out.
"You better for all your sakes. Now go and prepare. No one invades my castle!"
Xxx
Koosy looked down at his stomach, seeing the heart drawn on his belly starting to glow. "Dee-Dee…What is happening?"
He felt a surge of power unlike anything he had ever felt before.
He felt strong.
Strong enough to do anything…
Including saving Peepers and the rest of Kooseland.
Xxx
Dee-Dee looked at her hands, seeing the glowing light and feeling the great power within her. "Wow…"
"Dee-Dee, this is the power of the American Spirit. As time passes and with proper training your body will grow used to it and you will be able to better channel it." Major Glory stated. "But for now, we need a way to go after the people who took that boy."
Dee-Dee looked up at the hero. "I think I know how."
Xxx
"So what do you think the leprechaun has to say?"
When Steven and the other Gems were freed from their golden prison they immediately returned to DexLabs, seeing that no help could come from Global Justice in the wake of what had just happened during the Crom Crises.
Strangely enough Fergle O'Reilly had called them with news about their missing friends: Bismuth and Dee-Dee.
"Amethyst, he's not a leprechaun." Pearl scolded as they along with Steven entered the lobby of DexLabs. "I'm sure any news he has regarding Bismuth and Dee-Dee would be helpful."
"Like me being back?"
There she was.
Standing in front of was Dee-Dee, dressed in her Diva Dynamite costume but it looked less like a simple costume and something more real.
Major Glory and Fergle were standing behind her, watching expectedly as she greeted them.
"Dee-Dee?" Steven gasped. "Is that you?"
Dee-Dee nodded with a smile. "Hey, Steven. I heard you got turned to gold."
"Yeah I…What happened with you and Bismuth?" Steven shook his head and quickly asked the main question.
"Bismuth saved me but we got separated. She's back in Koosy's universe and Hookocho's kidnapped another kid, a boy." Dee-Dee answered. "We need your help to save them."
"How?" Steven asked.
Dee-Dee smiled. "I have an idea."
Xxx
"Your brother built that?!"
Dee-Dee laughed a bit at the surprised look on faces of her friends. "I said he was a genius, didn't I?"
The way she said sounded like any other little boy could build a giant robot.
"Dexter got the idea of being a hero by using a giant robot to fight evil one day. He got a bunch of smaller robots together, programmed grandpa's computer and factory to make the parts and then put it all together." Dee-Dee explained. "Grandpa was so mad because it stopped him from making new stuff for a whole month. He grounded Dexter and told him he couldn't take it out until he was a little more responsible."
"So you know how to work it?" Amethyst asked with an eager smile.
"Yep. And I know how to get back to Koosy's universe." Dee-Dee then whistled. "Oh Koosy!"
A second later a swirling vortex of pink colored light appeared in front of the robot and out stepped Koosy. "Yes, Dee-Dee?"