[Opening: FusionFall Legacy Theme]
FusionFall Infinite
Season 4
Chapter 29: Plan Out Tactics (Part 3)
[The Creek, Herkleston, Outer Towns, CN-Zen Kuro]
[Cues: Bugseed – Spanish Flower]
Gracefully, a figure landed on top of a rather tall tree in the woods as the wind blew. A sigh escaped his lips only for a bat to hit his face causing him to fall into the pile of leaves on the dirt.
"Damn it, Wilhamena!" Kaze said getting up to his feet. "You ruined the mood! I was trying to get in the zone."
[Cues: Naruto OST – Fooling Mode]
Said bat transformed back into the motherly vampire who helped him up. Kaze explained he was setting the mood considering he upgraded his costume to what called 'Costume Beta' which featured a completely black bodysuit that features a kanji '影' outlined in gray with claw markings on his waist and shoulders lined in a dark purple, an ash-gray utility belt that features a silver gray skull buckle, a pair of serrated ash-gray gloves that feature dark purple outlines around the "serrated" portions with his left glove that had a hole for the Hero Watch, on the back of the hands were a purple 'X', a pair of dark purple boots that feature an ash-gray outline around the edge of the soles, a short-sleeved long dark grey haori which closed in the front by a thin, purple rope, the arm that did not have a watch had a metal arm guard, a dark purple facemask under a 'porcelain' mask, and a Sedge Hat. The porcelain mask had dark purple and black markings around the eyes, sides, and mouth. The haori was decorated by dark purple cloud like pattern at the ends. His Hero Watch had been modified from blue and gold to gray and silver to match up with his color scheme and his duffel bag on his back. He still sported Warped Razor but had started referring to it as Metsu Tengu feeling the name more fitting. Even if his stepson thought the old name was better.
However, while he fancied himself to look intimidating…it was sort of lost with Wilhamena.
"Sorry about that, sweetie." Wilhamena said kindly.
"It's nothing. Thanks for at least coming with me on this mission. I know you're not a member of P.O.I.N.T, but…" Kaze explained.
"Nonsense. You're a good friend of Enid's and a darling to our family. Besides, it's best Carol stayed home to look after little Kaio. How is he?" She asked.
"Sick. It's not too bad, but he has 'power sneezes'. Trust me…you don't want to be in the way of that." Kaze said dusting himself off.
"So, what exactly is the mission and where are we?" Wilhamena asked.
"This place is a recent addition to the planet, a little town known as Herkleston. Apparently came in around a few days before Octoboer…and so far only the KND have made a move towards it for a 'foothold' of sorts. According to intel, it's adjusted all right enough…the townsfolk are just going on with their lives as normal…as much as they can." Kaze remarked. "Our mission is to receive intel from a KND member living in said town. I wasn't given a name as a safety precaution from the KND. They'll find us…and on that note, I asked you wear mission ready clothes. Not what you usually wear!"
"Calm down, Kaze. I bought clothes for the occasion." Wilhamena said opening her bag. "I just wanted to surprise you. As a lawyer, you can't have all your cards open on the table."
"You're a lawyer?" Kaze said checking his phone to see if that was canon only to see it was. "Oh…attacking lawyer or working for the defense."
"Oh, I dabble in both. I usually deal with juvilene cases and the like." Wilhamena said as she began to shed her magenta dress leaving frilly black lingerie.
"You're just going to change out of the open?!" Kaze sputtered.
"What? Not like you've haven't seen me in less and you can sense if anyone is around." Wilhamena said nonchalantly.
Sad part was she was right. Kaze had seen plenty considering him and Carol would often join her and Benard for game night and double date night which would devolve into swinging and fooling around. Kaze knew Enid would kill him and Carol if she ever found out. Much to his and Carol's embarrassment, they may have enjoyed doing it…and were not exactly trying hard not to say no. Kaze's eye wondered being reminded exactly why he was a fan of Enid.
"No Kaze! You can't think like that anymore! You're a reality warper…and your married. Just shove that Enid and Wilhamena sandwich out of your head." Kaze thought as he shook his head to get those thoughts out.
"Something wrong?" She asked him.
"No, just silently brooding." Kaze said walking a few steps away to check his phone. "I'm going to check on if anything's new on streaming."
As he was laughing at an SMG4 episode, Wilhamena stated she was ready, and he turned around to see she was more than ready. She sported a magenta and black spandex suit with metallic arm guards, fingerless gloves with a metallic plate on the back, her boot had dark purple soles, a belt with a bat design on the center, a dark blue facemask, a grey double breasted trenchcoat, and a flak jacket.
"Enid sent home some of the things she got on her travels. I helped myself to some of it." Wilhamena said fluffing her hair. "Who knew being a ninja was so fun and frightening?"
[Cues: Sonic OVA OST – Into the Land of Darkness]
Kaze gave her the thumbs up as the two began sprinting across the woods. After all, they were burning afternoon daylight. Raising his speed, Kaze leapt up to swing on a branch to launch him up to leap from branch to branch. Wilhamena proved herself to be rather acrobatic in keeping up with Kaze with ease. They did not expect tripwire traps launching shuriken and kunai at them which they had to dodge.
"Someone's clearly protecting this place. Who's turf we're intruding on?" Wilhamena asked.
"If I had to guess and hear rushing water not too far away, I'd say Ninja Kids territory." Kaze said catching a Fuma Shuriken flying at him. "I didn't expect that they get actually ninja weapons though…but this is the multiverse so go figure."
The duo arrived at the waterfall.
[Music Ends]
"Halt!"
Said ninja kids made a dramatic entrance them sporting a different ninja weapon. Zatch sported a pair of nunchucks, Prynda had a pair of sai, and Yustice sported a pair of live ninjato. With their clothes sport a bit more ninja armor, Kaze took them seriously.
"No one who is not worthy to enter leaves here unscathed." Zatch said swinging the chucks.
Kaze removed the kitsune mark and said, "Chūdan shite sumimasen. Michijun ga hitsuyōdesu."
Prynda shuddered with a grin at Kaze's accent and Zatch dropped the chucks.
"Oh my gosh, you speak the language. That's so cool…" Zatch said starstruck.
Yustice cleared her throat and asked where Kaze wanted to go.
"I would prefer the major hub of the Creek, Miss." Kaze said humbly.
Yustice would give him the information in exchange for a selfie with him to with he agreed while putting the mask on.
"Who are you exactly?" Zatch asked.
"I am…the Grey Shadow, one of P.O.I.N.T. premier heroes and ally to the Japanese Hero Association." Kaze said with a bow.
With the information in hand, Kaze took his leave through classic ninja fashion…a smoke bomb.
"I love being a reality warper!" Zatch said before Prynda had a fangirl faint.
Cutting through Horse Girl Meadow, Kaze looked his Hero Watch as he fiddled with it.
"You know, I never tested it after I put it on aside from altering the color. It did have to pull a bit of a soft reset and there were new DNA samples added." Kaze said clicking the button as the small core came up.
"Is a vampire in there?" Wilhamena asked.
"Well in Ben 10, there is an alien vampire." Kaze said as Wilhamena came over excitedly.
She accidentally activated it as Kaze was consumed in a bright gray light right as the Horse Girls came up. As the light died, Wilhamena took one and started to laugh while the Horse Girls looked at Kaze with admiration, confusion…and hunger. Kaze discovered he had been transformed into an Equestrian Unicorn. His fur was a light shade of grey with a black mane and tail both with purple ends. His horn was white with purple. His mane was styled with a wolf's tail as for the clothing was just the top half of his outfit with his ultity belt. His porcelain mask was gone leaving with the facemask and his haori was also shortened to half it's size. His four hooves had his boots on them much to his relief and his Hero Watch symbol was on his chest in middle of two purple sashes. The cutie mark was bizarrely enough, a yellow Metsu Emerald. Basically, he was a ninja unicorn and he suddenly uncomfortable the way those little girls were looking at him…three of the four drooling at him like he's a piece of horsemeat.
"Girls, we have to catch it and brush his hair!" Mackenzie, the leader, said with a brush in her hand.
"We need to calm him down. He looked terrified." Marie, the only sensible one of the group, said getting in front of Mackenzie.
"I want to ride it!" Maney said excitedly.
"I want him to ride me." Melissa, the horse fanatic, said suggestively.
Beat.
Wilhamena stopped laughing, Marie looked mortified, and Kaze…poor Kaze's eye twitched. It did help that Maney and Mackenzie did not bat at eye at this that irksed to scream bloody murder and run.
"After that beautiful stallion!" Melissa said as the Horse Girls gave chase.
Marie was trying to stop her friends from traumatizing that pony as Wilhamena had to transform into her bat form to catch up.
"So, sorry about the laughing." Wilhamena said perched on his head.
"Damn it, they're persistent little shits." Kaze groaned. "If only I could go…Ultimate. I'll just go Ultimate and…I don't have hands…son of a bitch!"
Wilhamena returned to her humanoid form now on his back reaching for the symbol asking for Kaze's instruction.
"Turn it right and slam it down, now!" Kaze said as she did so. "Ultimate Form, engage!"
Consumed by the light again, Wilhamena fell off of him as the Horse Girls all came to a stop. The Ultimate Unicorn form was actually an alicorn form with a regal and taller appearance looking like he worked alongside Princess Luna and Celestia. His jaw was chiseled, his mane fully forming, and his eyes sharp as he realized he had a more armored appearance now. His cutie mark went from a regular Metsu Emerald to the Master Metsu Emerald. He radiated power flapping his new wings as Mackenzie fell to her knees.
"It's beautiful." Mackenzie said in awe.
"Please ride me!" Melissa pleaded.
"What is wrong with you?!" Marie snarled.
"I'm out of here." Kaze said flying away with Wilhamena flying after him. "Wilhamena, I feel so dirty."
"Well, to be fair, I am a bit curious about being ridden myself." Wilhamena said as Kaze shot him a look. "Ok…ok…I take it back!"
"Ugh, I really want to return to my human form." Kaze said as his Hero Watch returned him to the Unicorn form before being back to human. "Oh, thank God."
Spotting the Trading Tree, the duo floated down spooking Kit. The Trading Tree saw better days thanks to the influx of technology and valuables due to a certain warper visiting her and offering an alliance. Suffice to say, Kit now sold a lot more stuff and swam with a lot of money to spend. With the money and raise of status, Kit had to get means to protect herself aside from her own weapons. Thus, came her 'pets', a Persian and a Feraligatr.
"Welcome to the Trading Tree, strangers. What can I do you for?" Kit said adjusting her glasses.
A rumble of Kaze's stomach brought a laugh from the girl of trades.
"If you're hungry, I do sell snacks and microwaveables." Kit offered.
"I'm actually looking for information. I'm looking for someone who lives in this town, apparently KND agents." Kaze said smoothly.
Kit's eyes took a hard look at him.
"Mind if I ask why?" Kit said watching him carefully as her Persian circled him.
"I can't go into detail, out of protecting the information. But I can ease your worry by showing you my hero license." Kaze said getting it out. "I am the Grey Shadow, the phantom ninja of the night."
Kit took a quick glance before using her phone to search this up. Once she got the confirmation, she handed it back as her Persian relaxed.
"You might be a hero, but you're paying for that information. 500 Taros." Kit said with a grin.
"Fine. I'll also take two of those microwaveable mini-pizza. Wilhamena, do you want anything?" Kaze asked getting his wallet.
Wilhamena had a bag of sour worms in her hands to which he paid for it all with his card. As the pizzas were in the microwave, he turned to Kit.
"Alright, I paid up. I need that information." Kaze remarked taking off the animal mask to clip on his side.
"You're looking for Stump Kids; Craig, Kelsy, and J.P. Their turf isn't far from here, but I think the three are over at the Splintery Butt." Kit said cheekily as Kaze facepalmed.
"Those buttholes at the KND couldn't just tell me in the main three that were the agents. Protection of identity, my pasty ass." Kaze snarled under his breath.
DING! The pizzas were done. Kaze would scarf those down looking all the sourer before asked for the direction towards the stump to which Kit pointed in the right direction. As the two took off, Kaze was thinking of ways to deck Kuki and Numbuh 2020. Kit locked up shop to head to the Splintery Butt with her pets. It had not changed all too much only getting a waterproof cordless vending machine once it was out of drinks to sell was programmed to fly back to be restocked before being sent. It was a rather odd piece of tech, but the kids dug seeing it fly when it was out. The Stump Kids were on a beach playing poker with the 10 Speeds.
"Hah, royal flush. Read it and weep." Kelsey said showing her hand of cards.
The 10 Speeds groaned realized Kelsey won back the earlier losses and then son as Craig pulled the winnings over to their side.
"Craig, you know anyone from P.O.I.N.T?" Kit said walking up.
"No…why?" He asked confused.
"Because someone from that organization is in the Creek looking for you three. He was just at the Trading Tree, said something about government business with you three." Kit said concerned. "Something I should be worried about?"
Before they could answer, Craig's phone blipped with a notification from Discord. Craig noticed it was from the Supreme Leader who directly messaged him directly.
"Well no. He's supposed to be getting information from me." Craig said as he and crew got up. "Still at the tree?"
"No, at the Stump." Kit said before the three took off. "Hmm…I wonder what's going on."
She decided she had to follow…from a distance.
[Cues: Kenichiro Nishihara – Kingyol]
Kaze was simply sitting on the ground taking it in the breeze as it looked through some the forms that his Hero Watch had available.
"So, on my first ring of transformations…thank god it's in sets of 10, I got Equestrian Unicorn, Pyronite, Namekian…"
"Isn't a Namekian transformation…kind of useless to you seeing you're a Saiyan." Wilhamena asked between eating her sour worms.
"Meh, I could use it to grow into a giant. Moving on, there's Ectonurite, Irken….wait, what?! Why do I have Irken DNA?!" Kaze said mortified. "Next, you're going to tell me I have Vree…oh no…no…no."
Kaze wondered if the others had to put up with this shit. Ironically, Ben would discover he had Vreedle in the watch not long after.
"Excuse us, but I believe you want to speak to us." J.P. said coming up. "Numbuh 2012 at your service. The swordswinger is 2010 and our leader is 2008."
Kaze noticed the trio functionally looked similarly to their canon counterparts just sporting a bit of FusionFall equipment. Craig merely replaced with his usual shoes with Beta Blacklight Shoes and now carried a S.C.A.M.P.P. along his usual staff and purse. Kelsy was considerably the most changed outfit change having taken advantage of what she could get to make herself look more like a real warrior, or at least one of urban fantasy with her Blue Battler Breastplate, Blue Battler Greaves along with a pair of Basic Olympia Mid-Boots. She still sported her cape and her PVC sword alongside her new bokken. J.P. had not seemed to change his outfit but carried a Subatomic Meta Mace.
"You must be Craig, J.P., and Kelsy…along with Mortimer. Call me Grey Shadow." Kaze said as the wind blew behind his haori dramatically.
"Must you be so dramatic, Kaze." Wilhamena asked dryly.
"Grey Shadow when I'm working, Wil." Kaze said dryly.
"Do I need a codename while helping you on the clock? How about the Monroe Maroon?" Wilhamena said as Kaze playfully rolled his eyes.
"Moving on, you're the people the Supreme Leader sent to get the information from us." Kelsey said crossing her arms. "We thank you for coming all this way. I always have respect for a swordsman."
Kelsey and Kaze shared a quick bow as Mortimer bowed as well.
"We should get inside. After all, we got a lot to talk about it." Craig said walking up to the stump.
2x4 Technology was something Craig found to be a major blessing considering the expansion of the stump's underground base and making it easier for them to get in and out…even though the trio kept the chair for a novelty purpose. Kaze was impressed with the handiwork the KND on expanding on the place. The trio even had their own rooms in it for when they slept in base on weekends and holiday weekends.
"Welcome to Sector CH's humble base." Craig said pulling a chair for Kaze and one for Wilhamena.
"Thanks, kid." Kaze said taking a head. "I'm glad that you're taking being dragged into the multiverse well. Going through it must have traumatic."
"It is…then I realized I could get my hands on actual swords and learn to be a real warrior." Kelsey said taking a seat. "Sure, life is never going to be mundane, but…there's a lot of possibilities."
J.P. opened the fridge looking for drinks.
"Craig, we need to go on a juice run. All we got is a six pack of sparkling water from the Tea Timers." J.P. said taking one of the big bottles out.
"Take the strawberry flavored one. We can all share it and talk." Craig said as J.P. lumbered over.
"Before you spill any information, I may as well go first to give an idea of what we're dealing with." Kaze said getting out his laptop. "But…you got a screen I can plug this into?"
HDMI or VGA?" Craig said pointing to the monitor and the plugs.
"HDMI will do just fine." Kaze said setting it up.
Kaze woke his computer from sleep mode breezing through his lock screen and password to his desktop. Ignoring the snickers from Wilhamena in having a Meta Runner themed wallpaper, he opened up the Powerpoint he made of the intel. He figured it would easier to explain as he put it on presentation mode.
"Ok, here's the lowdown. We have a cult of insane nihilist who are worshipping Fusion Matter as something holy." Kaze began before going into detail.
Kaze wanted to quickly get the point of the Cult of Fusion and what Fusion Matter was across quickly. After describing how the cult members could look like, Craig had a worried look at his face.
"I think the woman I saw that night was Ari. Same hair, same weapon. She just wasn't wearing a mask when I saw her." Craig mused as Kaze twitched. "It was near the sewers. She was using a bit of water to get something off of her mask. She was carrying something aside from her katana. It was a canister of green ooze that I think may be Fusion Matter."
"Ok, I know I'm not a tenth rank warper with time to pass on geek culture, but don't you a precious object from a notable person to make a fusion." Wilhamena asked as Kaze looked to the kids.
"How anyone tried to steal anything from you recently?" Kaze remarked. "Even if it's small."
Craig shook his head, Kelsey gave a no, but J.P. remembered something.
"Eliza of the Tea Timers was complaining about her tiara stolen the day before. She whined about it and then got a new one later." J.P. remarked. "You think it's related?"
Kaze drinked down his sparkling water and gave J.P. a wistful look.
"I don't know, but call her. We're going to need to insure it's not." Kaze said as Craig sighed.
"We don't have her number and she refused to join the Creek Discord Channel. She says it's beneath her." Kelsey said sourly.
"How charming." Wilhamena said sarcastically. "So, we're going to this rich brat's hangout?"
Kaze put off his laptop before putting back in the capsule and in the duffel bag. Nobody wanted to go other there, but they had no real choice.
[Cues: Teaching Feeling OST – Brilliant Red]
After traveling to Tea Timer's Base of Operations
Kaze found the Tea Timers' set up to be rather nice to actually visit. Eliza, who slurped her tea, turned to see they had visitors.
"Jane, it seems we have riffraff from the Creek washing in…and a handsome stranger." Eliza said seeing Kaze up and down.
"Ahem, while I'm pleased with the compliment, I'm happily married to a wonderful woman." Kaze said trying to ease the mood.
"Besides, he's here on business about your stolen tiara." Craig said worriedly.
"That old thing…the lady has already replaced it." George said dutifully.
"Yes, it is of no consequence. Why are you so worried? Is he a cop?" Eliza asked.
"No. Professional hero of P.O.I.N.T., miss. I'm in a joint operation investigating a cult of sorts. I just need to ask you a few questions concerning the theft. Namely, did you see what happen?" Kaze said intensively.
"Why yes, I did. It was dreadful. I go out to pick some flowers only to get my tiara snatched by some woman in black wearing a mask." Eliza explained as Kaze pulled up a photo on his phone to show to her. "Yeah, that's her only with less green marks. I tried to chase her, but she was too fast for me."
[Cues: Teaching Feeling OST – Ivory Fiber]
Kaze only had a quiet and worried look on her face as Wilhamena and the Stump Kids blanched in fear. Something that the Tea Timers caught on it…and Eliza wanted to ask two things. Was the woman in black in that cult? And what were they doing to her tiara? Kaze, at the least, explained what the woman could possibly do with it to make a Fusion.
"But there can only be one of perfection!" Eliza hollered.
"It'll be worse than that. They can sound similar to their original…" Kaze remarked before getting up. "I need to report this."
He knew the others were not going to like this news…and he was right after he called Saki and Mandy. Saki had suggested that Kaze could stick around the Creek, but he declined citing his family and that someone younger would blend in better. Suggestions were thrown around with little success.
"Saki, I'm sorry. I was going to tell you after the meeting, but Ben got in the way. Crusher, Marie, and Taeko are off-world…and it may be permanently. Apparently, Taeko was a hit at the Hoenn Battle Frontier. He got an offer to take his trainer career to Galar, but seeing this world doesn't have a Galar region….you can do the math." Mandy explained.
"It's not your fault. Taeko should follow his dreams, and I won't let him get in the way." Saki said trying not to sound bitter. "Crusher always did want to see worlds beyond."
"Don't you have anyone else? What about Frankie and her kids?" Kaze asked.
"Nada. She's been reducing her mission load, and there's no way she'd accept leaving Foster's Home 'unguarded'. She's terrified of Elvitallix, and she's growing paranoid." Saki remarked. "And I really don't blame her seeing we have no idea where the psycho is. Look, we'll think of something. You've done your part. Go home to your family."
The couple hung up as Kaze did not exactly want to leave the place unguarded and decided to call Ryker about it. Results yielded a bit better for him as Kaze took a sigh of relief. He turned to Sector CH as he hung up to which they were in the midst of a call they had themselves.
"I have some good news. I got word that Connie of the Crystal Squadron as agreed to move into your town for the short while to handle things." Kaze said relived. "She'll be here by tomorrow. And I suggested to her that she could maybe train you three if you want."
"Training from an experienced warrior. Count me in!" Kelsey said excitedly.
"That's a relief." Craig said with a nod. "I'll make sure KND command is aware of this…and on the other note, thank you, Mr. Grey Shadow."
"You're very welcome." Kaze said using a bit of warper energy to produce a clump of white flames in his right head.
Focusing on it, the flames petered out to reveal a photo of Kaze in the Gray Shadow getup. He promptly autographed it, before writing something on the back before giving it to Craig who winced as the photo was a bit hot.
"Sorry about it. First time, I actually got that to work." Kaze said putting back on the porcelain mask. "Be seeing you, kid. Be careful."
FWOOSH! A smoke bomb and both he and Wilhamena were gone…along with several of the triangle sandwiches on the table.
"Hey!" Eliza whined. "I want an autograph too!"
Craig took up the picture looking at the back to see a phone number with a little message, 'Just in case you need urgent help'.
"Craig, I want that picture." Eliza said looking at him. "How much? Name your price!"
Craig promptly bolted with Kelsey. J.P. took the rest of sandwiches and then ran as Eliza screamed for them to come back.
[Music Ends]
[Original County, Outer Towns]
Kaze was relived to be walking up to his home. He had changed out of his costume to his off-duty silver tracksuits with the boots and haori from 'Costume Beta' along with blue fingerless gloves. He smirked at the fact that his haori hid his Saiyan tail. He noticed Carol sitting outside cycling through what she had in her Ultimatrix. Much to her (and his) relief, it no longer rested on the back of her hand. Instead, appearing like the second version of the Omnitrix…only red. Much to her ire, she could not change the color and getting aliens added to it required mod support from the internet after the hard reset she had to go through to get it to work.
"So, how's the Ultimatrix going for you?" Kaze asked. "And how's K.O. doing?"
"He's better. He'll be able to go to school tomorrow at least." Carol said with a sigh. "As for the watch, I only have twelve forms to work with until Kevin can get me a proper patch to get the other forms back. He's having trouble dealing with the U.I. for these one and he promised to call when he figures it out."
"That's why I don't well with Albedo's creations. The Ultimate forms were the only good thing he's made." Kaze snarked playfully.
"Speaking of which. Ultimatrix, scan mode." Carol said as the Ultimatrix shot out a red laser that scanned Kaze. "At the least, I'm glad for these features to be available. And besides, unlike everyone else….no time limit and I can say in alien form as long as I want. And seeing that I now have a new form."
Carol activated before triggered her new Saiyan transformation before consumed in red light before coming out in her new form. Her hair was now a blackish-blonde being rather shaggy reaching her shoulders. Her skin was unchanged, but her figure was a bit more muscled. While Carol was no slouch in her human, this transformation made her look like she was fighting all her life. She now wore black boots with purple borders and red-striped toes, red form-fitting pants, black armbands with purple ridges, a black form-fitting sports bra under red Saiyan chest armor with a black midsection and shoulder pads. The Ultimatrix symbol was on her right shoulder.
"Holy shit." Kaze stuttered.
"Now Kaze, test to help me with a test run?" Carol said looking as Kaze who took a stance.
"Don't think you're going to win easily." Kaze said as Carol took a stance just like him.
-=o=-
[Crystal Squadron HQ, Neo Bayview]
"Yes, Steven. It seems we have a development in this mess with the cult. Seems we have two groups in the bankrolling of that cult. Elvin's in the mix. Listen, if you and Desmond are on the way to get the Metsu Blade from Rey, forget about it. Focus on helping gather the Metsu Sol Emeralds, I don't think we need Elvin or his cronies getting a single one!" Ryker said firmly while on the phone.
"I'll make sure of it. Last thing is Elvin is getting any power back. But are you sure you want to leave Rey with the Metsu Blade?" Steven asked.
"It's risky, but it's better to cut from the ground up. Ensure the Metsu Emeralds are secured and safe. Eliminating the cult and making sure neither one of those assholes get an army of Fusions or Fusion Monsters." Ryker remarked.
"How's Connie doing, by the way?" Steven asked.
"She's moving out of Neo Bayview. While it's for a mission, she's been using it to get some space and get her life together. She swapped to online schooling day after you left." Ryker said to him. "She's hoping you join her when you return to back to Neo Kuro."
"Everyone seems to be splitting up from the Squadron. My dad left, Akio left, Priyanka left…is Connie thinking of leaving?" Steven asked worriedly.
"She isn't, but Lapis and Peridot are. Even though she dropped out the presidential election, she wanted to continue a carrer in politics and Lapis wants to continue their business." Ryker said thoughtfully. "Running to get into congress."
"I wish her luck. Give Connie my regards. Steven out." Steven said before hanging up.
Ryker put his BlackTab going over to Steven and Connie's room seeing Connie was in the midst of packing her things as Pearl watched from outside. He joined Pearl watching Connie pack quietly thinking back on the good times with her. Both of them pleased with her progress. She had gotten respectably strong and looked the part.
"Hey, Con." Ryker said getting her attention. "Figured I joined Pearl in just thinking how proud you are. I'm sad that you're leaving the team for a bit, but you got to leave the nest."
"You've done masterfully in your training. I'd excited to see that you will be teaching others." Pearl said as Ryker ruffled Connie's hair. "I wish you the best."
"Connie, I want you to have something." Ryker said producing an item out from BlackTab's storage. "A bit basic, I figured you want a simple ninjato. Ki-conductive metal and a hidden tanto blade in the handle. Think of me when you use it. It's name is Radiance"
"Ryker, you and Eastern swords. The composition in European swords is superior which is why I have a falchion to replace Rose's sword." Pearl said giving said sword to Connie. "I call it the Peacekeeper."
"You really have to ruin the mood. Eastern swords are for graceful movements and the like." Ryker remarked as Pearl sighed.
"Fair enough." Pearl said before they all shared a hug before breaking it up. "Be seeing you, Connie. Be safe and be careful."
Connie got on her backpack, duffel bag, and her pair of swords at her side.
"By the way, did you call your mom about this?" Pearl asked.
"Yes, she's fine about this. From what I hear, her contract with her client is about to expire. Her client is desperate to keep her…and she wants to charge his behind double for hazard pay. Something about one of his client's teammate going on a roid rage and throwing her through a window. She's all right, though." Connie said looking at the time. "Either way, I need to get a move on. I need to get the shops to get a few things before I go Herkleston."
As Connie took her leave, Ryker went down to check on his son. Rai cooed as he brushed his hair.
"You know, I worried that I couldn't be a good father when I have kids. But I think I may be a good one, Rai." Ryker said kindly.
"Ryker, Ruby and Sapphire are here to take their grandchild and their goddaughter for a walk in the park." Garnet said as Ruby and Sapphire walked in to scoop up Rai.
"Aren't you just precious?" Sapphire said sweetly.
"Don't stay out too late." Ryker said concerned.
"We won't." Ruby remarked "And Jasper's coming with us."
-=o=-
[Tyriannical Gardens - Galaxy Gardens Infected Zone, Galaxy Garden, The City of the Core]
[Cues: Metroid Fusion OST – Sector 2 (TRO)]
The search across the infected zone was a long and methodical one. Saki knew the zones like the back of hand and was being followed by Mandy, Ben, and Gwen. For Ben, this is the first go at an Infected Zone. He took in not only how tense Mandy and Gwen got, but how serious and calculating Saki got in the zone. Saki's sapphire eyes were hardened and cold.
"I didn't exactly ask why at first, but why aren't the monsters flying around attacking us?" Ben asked.
"Whenever a Fusion monster is slain, some of the Fusion Matter is absorbed into the slayer's body making them stronger. It also acts a ward to keep monsters away. A Fusion Matter is more prone to attack something equal to its strength, weaker than it, or slightly stronger. If there's a clear power gap, they keep away unless attacked first." Saki explained curtly.
"Saki was one of the few who achieved the highest level. The coveted 'Level 36'." Gwen explained.
"It was a lot of work, but it was worth it. He and Crusher fought through hordes, but we defeated Fuse and sent him to hell." Saki said firmly holding his Hog Wild Handgun. "It wasn't easy at all…after the fight."
"PTSD?" Ben asked.
"Yes, but not for the reason you think. Crusher and I met at the Academy for training as recruits, but there's a bit more to the story that you don't know. You clearly haven't read my file. I was apart of a project in DexLabs, Project Temporal, and it…fucked me up." Saki said getting quieter at the last part. "Warper supersanity at least helped to flush that PTSD shit out…most of it."
Ben noticed Mandy had a sympathetic look and Gwen looked guilty. He made note to ask his cousin later.
"Ok, we've checked the area. Now we need to the Fusion Lairs." Mandy asked.
"This place has Fusion Dexter's, Edd's, and Amphabian's lairs." Saki said uniformly. "And if I was a betting man, I'd say Dexter's lair has computer equipment leftover to use."
Saki took off for the Fusion Portal as the others followed.
"By the way, when did you dressing like your future self?" Ben said to his cousin.
Gwen had dressed up to look said 'future self' save for addition of the watch and a short jacket instead of a cape and hood. Gwen still had her long hair though.
"Ben, I'm nearly as old as said 'future self'." Gwen said to Ben's surprise. "To be fair, Andoites don't really age much."
Saki stopped at the portal with a look of concern.
"This portal was used. While all the portals on the zone are usually active, you can tell which one was used, and this one's been used." Saki said as they all got on. "I hate using these."
Before Ben could asked, the green tendrils grabbed all four of them and sucked them down leaving Ben to scream.
[Cues: Metroid Fusion OST – Tension Before a Confrontation]
As they reemerged underground in the lair, Gwen covered Ben's mouth before letting go.
"What the fuck?! You have to put up with that?" Ben said horrified.
"The ones in the future were worse, the tendrils strangled you before dragging you down." Saki said under his breath before telling enough to ready their weapons.
"I hope you brought defensive gear." Gwen admonished his cousin.
"I did. Mesh armor under the hoodie." Ben remarked before revealing a Heatblaster hidden a holster in his hoodie. "I did pick up a few things."
Gwen nodded in approval before pulling out of pair of Beamer Xtermers. Mandy went for the heavy PM-1 Energy Rifle.
"Firearms only. I don't want to give off our position. Stick to the shadows and silencers on." Saki said putting a silencer on his Hog Wild Handgun and tossing Ben a spare.
CLICK! They walked around the underground passage which was dimly lit. Gwen's eyes glowed pink for a second before returning to normal.
"I sense Fusion Monsters, and three people up ahead." Gwen remarked. "One female and two males."
"Sense them as well." Saki said bitterly. "Sucks I don't have my old NanoCom to get my Nanos."
"Couldn't you just get a new NanoCom?" Ben asked.
"Even if I did, it couldn't restore the Nanos I lost. They were erased by Elvin…they were a part of me I forever lost." Saki said bitterly.
They came across several Fusion Monsters namely Timber Creepers. Saki wasted no time rushing firing off a few rounds into one before jump kicking it into the wall and bashing its face with the butt of his gun. Mandy effortlessly took out three as Gwen had her mana overshadow her guns as she fired. The 'bullets' tracked the monsters down and took them down.
"You didn't leave any for me." Ben said as Saki punched the last one in the dirt.
"Be quick on the draw, Ben." Saki remarked as Ben nodded.
Ben did get to make a crisp out of the incoming Timber Creepers as they got closer to the end. However, once they reach near the end where the Fusion would normally wait, they found the equipment was active and they had company. Before Ben could speak, Gwen pulled him behind the equipment on the side as Mandy and Saki rolled there as well. What they saw was Ani of the Daughters of Aku cleaning her naginata…and one of the two guys.
[Cues: Outlast Official Soundtrack OST - Wernicke Speech]
"Who's the doctor lizard guy walking with Dr. Animo?" Ben asked.
"Wait, why does Animo have this Ultimate Alien appearance. Didn't he mangle himself in Omniverse to mutate his body?" Saki asked confused. "And to answer your question, that's Dr. Viper…one of the SWAT Kats' rogues."
"And about Animo…mutations. It's fucked up how cheap it is to get your body altered." Ben said.
"Not exactly, it's only cheapened if you want to revert to a previous look. From the looks of things, he wanted his muscles back." Mandy said watching intently.
They all said these under a whisper as the scientists worked.
"How long will it take you fools to get the job done?" Ani demanded.
"Woman, you know nothing about the process of science. Not surprised considering all you were trained for was combat." Dr. Animo said icily. "The process of ensuring of the making of purifying the Fusion Matter to make a Fusion is not something you can rush!"
"Don't argue with her, Aloysius. We're speaking to an impundent guard dog." Dr. Viper said putting in the last line of code. "Well, it's ready. We need a 'precious object' to make a fusion."
"I've got something special." Dr. Animo said producing a pair of several heads.
One was human with bluish skin with long greasy black hair and a goatee, and the other was a horrific bug creature. Both of them were the same person though, the former rogue of Ben's known as Clancy.
"Well that explains why we haven't seen him." Ben thought with a gulp.
"Now, where's the Fusion Monster we need as a base?" Dr. Viper said opening up the vat of Fusion Matter.
Ani dragged an Elder Skeeter Spawn before snapping it's neck and throwing it in as the other mad doctor tossed in the heads. What followed was…
[Cues: Outlast Official Soundtrack OST – Surgeon Attack]
Saki, Ben, Gwen, and Mandy could have lived without having to watch a Fusion be born from flesh. The screaming, the tearing apart, the re-configuring, the blood frothing the bloods and mouth. They all wanted to puke, but held it in. Saki's dark brown hair looked more frazzled as his body shook as the screaming of 'Make it stop!' 'It burns!' and 'KILL ME!' resurfaced an old memory of his past. His breathing quickened as his vision blurred dropping his gun.
"I'm not in the future…" Saki mumbled. "I'm not in the future…I'm not in the future."
Mandy took a risk using a rush of her Warper's Will to try to ease Saki's panicked mind. Mandy had to bring him out of his panicked state which she barely was able to do before the screaming stopped. Saki looked his wife before taking back up the gun and looking out towards the scientist.
[Cues: Metroid Fusion OST – BSL Ambience]
The now revived Clancy climbed out….a twisted hybrid of human, bug, and fusion monster. The form actually reminded Saki of Cell from the Dragon Ball series. While appearing human with the bluish skin, that was only for his head, hands, and feet. The rest of his body was parts of the Skeeter's anthromorphized with segmented armor, wings, fangs, and antennae. Dark green stripes now run down each side of his face as he flapped his wings. His hair was now a toxic green as his eyes with now blood red.
"I live." Clancy said with a complete slasher smirk. "Animo, it's been a long while. Last thing I remember was dying after that Negative 10 shit. I'm guessing it's been a long time."
"It has. And I've been repaired your body with some adjustments as an apology that it took me so long." Animo said lying through his teeth. "We can get the Negative Ten back together. Most of them…"
Clancy asked for an explanation.
"Well Driscoll's dead…Charmcaster's working with those loathsome Plumbers." Dr. Animo listed off as Gwen gave Ben a dirty look. "Frightwig's…well a working girl."
"What kind of job employs a circus freak?" Clancy asked.
"Prostitution. All sorts of freaks pay to fuck a form villainess." Dr. Animo said with a shrug.
"Sad part is he's not wrong." Ben thought remembering when he walked in on a Plumber Cadet balls deep in her. "At least she's not committing crimes, but…yeesh."
"Rojo's joining us with her gang. Sublimino…is well…he makes movies. Porno movies." Dr. Animo said sheepishly.
"Of fuckin' course, the hypnotist is doing that." Saki said as Ben had a look of horror.
He had no idea Sublimino was even doing that…and he had a sinking feeling he was brainwashing to get his movies made. Ani, who was not trying to the conversation, focusing on her weapon looked at 'Fusion' Clancy.
"It doesn't look like a traditional fusion." Ani said glaring at them.
[Cues: Undertale OST – You Idiot]
"Of course not, living flesh must have had a mutagenic effect on him. Similarly, alike to that drug from Project Temporal." Dr. Animo said that got Saki to grit his teeth. "Elvin was a sharp one to keep files on the history of the world he conquered."
Dr. Animo snickered before gesturing to the mobile hard drive on the console. Ani seemed interested and Dr. Viper was more so, but before Animo could speak…two shots rang out. Ani slashed through the first one aimed at her only to see one tear through Animo's stomach.
"Who's there?" Dr. Viper said inching towards the exit.
Dr. Viper could not sense energy, but Ani took a sniff of the air.
"We're not alone. I smell…lilac and strawberries." Ani said a bit confused by the scent.
Ben smelled the air and looked to Gwen. Of course, the strawberries were coming from Saki and Mandy who used the same scented shampoo. Saki had enough tossing Mandy and his gun before activating his Omnitrix. A bright flash as Saki leaped into open. Saki, in his anger, did not look at what he was transforming, all he saw was red. What the others saw was that Saki was now a brunt-orange furred, black striped, hulking, bipedal, tailless tiger alien with one grayish-brown claw coming out of each wrist. Saki's now wore a dark green openly hooded robe with black outlines and ripped sleeves; on the back it has the design of "Tiger Titan" outlined in orange, his Electron Shirt was now orange colored and resized to a tank top, his pants were now black boxer shorts with purple flames, a luchador belt, and his boots were black boxing boots with purple outlines. His Omnitrix symbol was on his luchador belt.
"Oh crap." Ben said. "Out of all the aliens, it had to be Rath!"
"Let me tell you fuckers something, Tiger Titans is going to rip out of your kidneys and show them to you!"
And 'Tiger Titan's' voice…was of Abridged Vegeta's voice. Ben came out with his Heatblaster drawn and aimed.
"In the name of the Plumbers, you all are under arrest! Let me your hands!" Ben said professionally.
"Tennyson!" Animo and Clancy snarled.
Gwen and Mandy came out of hiding with Gwen smoothly lying backup was on the way. Mandy transformed into her Spidermonkey transformation Animo got up holding his bleeding wound. Clancy and Ani wanted to fight, but the mad doctors took charge. Animo grabbed the hard drive only to have snatched from him by Mandy's web. Ani wanted to fight for it, but Dr. Viper stopped her.
"You fool. If backup is on the way, I don't want to have risk my neck out for your bloodlust. You were assigned to guard us!" Dr. Viper snapped.
"Tiger Titan is not to be ignored!" 'Tiger Titan' screamed tearing out a machine and hurling it at them.
Ani got in the way and sliced it in two as Dr. Viper got out a spherical device before throwing it on the ground which rolled near Tiger Titan's feet.
"WHA-"
BOOM! The explosion sent Tiger Titan crashing into Ben slamming them both into a wall. Dr. Animo pulled out a smoke bomb blinding Gwen and Mandy allowing the group to make their escape. Gwen hacked and coughed but moved to check on Ben who was in one piece. He had transformed into Fourarms before impact and he was so glad for Master Control.
"This can't get any worse…" Tiger Titan said only see the machinery hiss and the caverns shake. "Well fuck you, Murphy's Law!"
Mandy slapped the symbol on Tiger Titan's belt returning him to Saki, who calmed down. They moved to the warp portal only to see it inert forcing them to run for dear life to the other portal. They would escape in time and get out of the Infected Zone only to see it explode with the toxic matter sprayed all over the place.
[Music Ends]
While it destroyed the lab, it seems made the Infected Zone, for the time being, difficult to traverse. The explosion rattled the ground as police and KND agents rolled up to the scene guns drawn.
"Drop your weapons!" An officer shouted only to see Ben. "Oh…uh…nevermind."
Saki was helped up by Mandy as police and KND agents swarmed the place with an officer and a KND operative questioning the four or at least mostly Ben. Kevin, Kirby, Julie, and Ben's Team arrive shortly after.
"Auntie Gwen!" Kirby and Julie rushing in to hug their aunt. "Are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm fine. So's your father." Gwen said as the others came up.
"What happened?" Kevin asked concerned.
Before anyone could ask, before any one of Ben's team could say anything, Saki punched a tree hard enough to knock it over before throwing it into the air and incinerating it with an energy blast from his hand.
"This is a freaking disaster. They know about Project Temporal. Which means Elvin…he know about Re:Fuse…" Saki said with a haunted look.
"And what is that?" Ben asked.
"A mistake born of desperation." Kevin and Gwen said shaking their heads.
Saki fell to his knees.
"And knowing Animo, he probably has copies." Ben remarked.
"That fucker!" Saki snarled smashing his fist into the dirt. "We need an APB put out for Animo. Let those furballs in MegaKat City know one of their crazies is helping the cult."
Mandy looked to the hard drive in her hands worried for what was to come.
(A/N: Tiger Titan was fun to do. On a side note, I really want to do a potential spin-off focusing on Craig of the Creek. I may just do it and put FFI on pause for a time. As for the villain's gallery this time, expect the unexpected. I do hope you enjoy the CotC parts, they were the best parts for me to write. Also, I had to edit Chapters 1, 2, 7, 11, 25, and 27 for errors which are all fixed, happy reading.)