Chapter 47
Gaia. That is it's name.
It is the will of the earth, and is a high-order that aided humanity at certain times, but also killed them when needed. It is the will of the planet to survive.
Gaia protects all creatures on Earth by using its own 'Servants' so to say like the Nature Spirits and certain creatures of the Earth. This once included humans, and Gaia didn't hate them in the beginning. Even allowing them to grow while aided them by getting rid of the Phantasmal Creatures so they can prosper. Yet things began to change as mankind became independent, becoming reckless, creating their machines. Gaia soon realized humanity was literally destroying the environment, which meant they were attacking Gaia indirectly.
Now humanity was a threat, and Gaia decided to respond by culling their numbers as a warning. For it didn't wish humans to be extinct, but it wouldn't allow this to continue. It produced the Primate Murderer to eliminate humanity at an exceedingly fast rate. Even made an alliance with the True Ancestors who are great Faeries modeled after the Crimson Moon, introduced by Gaia to rule over mankind.
But time and again humanity found a way to survive and continue their slow destruction with both their own will and Alaya.
Then it felt it. Something Gaia never felt before.
Another will.
From beyond the stars, to another world entirely, a strange connection was made to Gaia. Not Mercury, Mars, Venus, or even the other planets in general. It was a planet called Remnant, one that was angry, very angry. Gaia listened.
According to the will of Remnant, it told Gaia that numerous powerful beings were in its world, beings that shouldn't belong there. Beings that could cause destiny, its order, and prosperity to fall into ruin. Despising these 'Servants' that came and instantly began cutting off their power.
Ensuring they no longer got mana from whatever source they came from, vastly weakening them to something similar to human level. Attempting in its own way to be rid of them. Yet they still survived, why? Because even if the Gods-the only beings with higher authority than Remnant-had left years ago, pieces of their remaining power live on. Had it not been for the remaining ambient mana in the atmosphere however and Dust, these 'Servants' would have long since disappeared.
Gaia asked a few questions, Remnant answered.
Gaia then had an idea, and spoke of how possibly the two could help each other.
Remnant listened.
It was here the two wills would make a deal, one that benefited them both. Remnant disliked the Heroic Spirits messing on its world, stating it already had enough problems with the Grimm. Gaia wanted the humans punished for constantly destroying the environment, but couldn't deal with them properly because of other forces. The two talked more, and made a compromise.
Gaia would give Remnant a few...leftovers from the Incineration and Lost Belts. Beings that could stand up to the Servants since the warriors of Remnant, while strong, were no match for the supernatural. In return, Remnant would give Gaia a little gift to cull humanities numbers while also unburdening the stress Remnant had on them. Even better the Counter Force would be unable to do anything as this gift wasn't something it would even understand, and would be perfect for giving humanity a warning.
With that, the two wills then went back on their usual way with Gaia sending the leftovers to Remnant while getting the other worlds gift. Granted, for a moment Gaia did feel something disturbing the transaction, but gave the equivalent of a shrug and not caring. Believing it wasn't important.
Not then, Gaia then focused on the most dirtied environments in the world, getting ready to unleash the gift it received. Also deciding to hit areas like Fuyuki City where an old disaster happened and other locations such as the Mage Association and anything it deemed a threat.
Time for humanity to learn the phrase, 'Mother Nature's Wrath', at its fullest.
"Well, that was a thing." It's midday now, and around the time the sun would set, the final battle in Vytal would begin. Though why they would continue after what that blonde chick did to that bubbly redhead girl, he assumed its so people could ignore that and instead focus on something else. I mean, ouch. To think that girl Neo met would have punched that Penny girl making her leg twist super weirdly. Even worse being that wires were sticking out and junk.
'Must be a prosthetic.' Roman thought as he recalled the sight of Penny's knee collapsing and showing sparks and metal. Still though, to think Atlas improved their tech skills to make prosthetics looks so real. It was honestly impressive, even more so when the girl Penny showed no pain-thought that makes sense-and punched that blonde bimbo in the face.
Neo got a good laugh at that.
Still, regardless it seems to have made the entire city go into a slight panic, and undoubtedly that girl was going to face a lot of trouble. However, that's not what Roman was worried about. Instead he only feared something else. Cinder.
Or more precisely, the plan Cinder Fall was going to conduct. For as little as he knew of her end game, he was at least told some things about her plan. All of which involved making the city burn and bleed with the White Fang, Grimm, controlled robots, and so on. All for what, he didn't know. The only good thing came that it seems the White Fang weren't as good allies with Cinder as they were before. His contacts told him that they seemed to be no longer doing crime, at least involving Dust.
So seems Cinder lost more allies. However...why did he get the feeling he wasn't going to stop at all?
As Roman nervously wondered what that witch was planning, he then felt a tap on his shoulder. There was Neo, who had noticed his tension, and decided to break the mood by giving him some ice cream.
"Oh...Thanks." Roman thanked the girl who smiled as he took the cone and began eating it. Thanks to his partner-in-crime, thoughts on Cinder were now temporarily gone. Instead focusing on the now. Particularly two things.
"Mmm." Jack and Abigail, who were on the couch watching some cartoons. With ice on their bums with their expressions being that of pleasure of the cartoon, but hurt from the big spanking with their faces having traces of tears from earlier. Roman couldn't help but flinch at that.
"Think we went too far?" He asked Neo. Though instead of her answering, it was Cursed Arm instead who came into the room.
"A bit, yes." Cursed Arm looked at the criminal duo with Serenity entering next. "However, your reactions, while a bit exaggerated, are understandable. Due to...circumstances, these girls have seen grown-women wearing little clothing which has caused their own perception of outfits to be rather...warped."
"It also doesn't help that the Masters encourage their outfits with compliments." Serenity added.
"Are they perverts?" Roman asked with Neo also interested. Wondering if they should be worried.
"Not even close." Cursed Arm says. "They are normal people with decent to great skills in leadership. Though...admittingly like the girls, they have gotten desensitized to women with little clothing, and likely, even if unintentional, see nothing wrong with children with such outfits."
"What kind of sick place do they live in?" Roman asked with a slightly disgusted expression. Neo herself now thinks if this place housed perverts and deviants. Cursed Arm and Serenity saw this, but made no comment.
If they were being fair, Chaldea wasn't exactly a place full of perverts-sans a few Servants. If anything, those outfits were just from the era the Servants were from. To them, it was normal. As such, Chaldea respected their choice of clothing and didn't argue with everyone else agreeing. Sadly, it made the Servants and by extension the Masters forget that if Servants were to go outside where they were dressed like that, especially the women, then trouble would be knocking.
In a way, it's a good thing the female Servants that came to this world weren't those with such risque outfits. Including the women with rather young bodies, as they'd be arrested for public indecency.
"Let's just say it's a place where one can be expressive." Is the answer Cursed Arm gave.
"Just give those two ice creams and be nice to them, and things will get better." Serenity also advised. "I admit, we two were also forgetful that people from the outside would react appropriately to their outfits."
"Okay," Roman decided to just forget asking what kind of weird place they came from. Deciding to just respect their privacy, as they did with him. "Maybe the yelling and ten minute spanking was a bit much."
Neo nodded, as after ten minutes their butts were so bright red they may as well have been tomatoes. She then made hand motions with Roman understanding easily and agreeing to it.
"Good idea Neo. Some toys and a big bucket of ice cream will turn those frowns upside down. Like with you." Neo nodded, remembering the good old days. Though as he reminiscence , Roman realized what he had just said. Toys...Ice cream...Oh shit! He's acting more like a dad and less like a criminal mastermind. Nononono! He's not becoming a full-time father. It'd be weird.
"A change of plans actually." Roman then took out a wallet from his pocket, and then gave a good chunk of Lien to Neo and began walking off. "You get the stuff they want, while I rob some people. Been too long since I did thieving myself." Then like that he left the room.
"Oh." But then popped in one more time. "Call me when the finals are about to start. Always loved it when kids beat up kids. Hahahaha!" Then like that he was gone for real. Leaving behind the three adults with all four kids who were busy watching cartoons. Oh well, not like they had anything important to do today.
As they all went to relax with Neo prepping to go out later to buy the stuff, they decided that today would be a relaxful day. While the threats of Cinder and who knows what else was out there, none of the people and Servants inside decided nothing bad would happen today.
Oh how that tune will change later today.
"Sir," Winter said to General Ironwood, speaking on a holographic line. "We have received reports of the Grimm's activity, with our ships even detecting movement from the Goliath at Mount Glenn." An image then showed the Goliath pausing their usual movements and looking at Vale. "However I am fortunate to say they have not moved to Vale aside from the few younger Grimm."
"I see." Honestly, Ironwood could see that happening. After what happened between the fight with Yang and Penny, and how the world saw the girl of Beacon just brutally attack Penny after she had won...Speaking of which, "How is Penny?"
"Fine sir." Winter reported dutifully. "The damage wasn't too bad, and was limited to the left knee and ankle. Can be easily fixed with her father sending instructions. The only pain Penny feels is losing and uncertainty why Miss Xiao Long attacked her when trying to shake her hand."
That's right. It was a fine match. In all honesty people loved it and both Yang and Penny fought at their best. Why, Penny's father even called him during the match and bragged a bit at how strong she was going. What a dutiful man.
Which was why it was a shame when Penny lost. To be fair, Yang was good, but Penny was much stronger. She was equipped with some of the best great, made of powerful metal, and had strong ornaments. Unfortunately powerful didn't mean invincible as Ironwood found out. With Yang having discovered that Penny's swords were also attached to her with small and nearly invisible strings.
Through sheer instinct and some luck, Yang pulled hard and this caused Penny to fall out of bounce. That she would lose because of something like that was rather embarrassing. Still, she did her best, and made a good was why it confused him when Yang attacked her unprovoked, then later angering him.
"*(^7Ui&^R+i." Thus why it scared him when after seeing that, he felt his new...arm, move more than whenever he tried and heard some kind of voice. A voice from the arm, that he was certain of. Even worse, in that cast he swore it was still moving. Less now compared to when Penny was hurt, but still moving.
"-ir? Sir?" Ironwood then shaked his head, snapping out of his thoughts. Rubbing his forehead and instantly looked back at Winter, putting a tough front.
"Apologies Winter. Just in deep thought." She accepted the explanation. "Those Goliath don't do much these days, and I don't think they'll head to Vale when they can see numerous flying ships." The Goliath were smarter than that. "Keep an eye on them just in case of course, and any other Grimm. While I have no doubt Grimm activity will rise, we can't let the people panic."
"Understood sir. Until next time." Winter then logged off and the holographic screen went dark. Sighing, Ironwood leaned back and grabbed a nearby water bottle and drank the whole thing down in one go. A small amount of sweat was coming off of him. His eyes looked at his cast, where he could see a ringling movement.
Taking a sharp breath of air, Ironwood decided that he should check on some other things. If only to ignore what was happening with his newfound limb. Oh how he wished he could tell someone about this, but he couldn't. Because he got the feeling something bad would happen to the person he told if he did.
Ironwood quickly first checked the status of the men he stationed outside the city. They were all fine and the drones were active and doing their programmed duty. The ships were still okay, and patrolling Atlas troops have found little to no criminal activity happening at all in the kingdoms. In other words, things were going pretty well. Not even a hint of the White fang either or Roman Torchwick. Both of whom had caused much chaos during their stay in Vale. Why, not even that fool Jason was around.
'I suppose that should give some sign of relief.' The only problem one of his men encountered and reported was about some tiger faunus with a giant lance with a tiger claw on the end of it. Something about finding two bulls. Weirdo.
Now that the intel on patrols were done, Ironwood quickly checked the reports on his latest new recruits. One who was accepted on Sigurds recommendation. And while that man wasn't exactly...capable of even simple things like reading, his judgement in people was good alongside battle capability. So he accepted the one called Astolfo, a junior officer at the moment. Unlike Sigurd, he was making this one start out in the bottom.
So far he seemed to be doing fine. He seemed incapable of reading though, like Sigurd for some reason. Also having no history, like Sigurd. 'Though these two aren't the only ones with no history.'
Because it seemed that every person he met back when Sigurd met his wife, all decided to wish to join the Atlas military. With the exception of Astolfo, he put the rest on hold. Checking their names which were Brynhild, Sieg, Siegfried, and the Valkyrie sisters. He was wondering what kind of parents named their kids this, but then again, maybe it wasn't a parent.
'But an organization.'
Because like Sigurd and Astolfo, all these people, even Sigurds daughters, had no real history. It was one thing if it was one or two people without history. After all, those from villages and towns didn't have much papers identifying them when Grimm ruined their place of home. Yet all of them had no identification.
It was then Ozpin told them his thoughts when Jason was involved.
According to Ozpin, he spoke with someone called Sanzang, who came from the same place that Jason and his lot came from. While she didn't get into the deeper tales and history, she did tell Ozpin that they were all with an organization hidden in the cold mountains. Where they were pretty much stuck there all the time and told to never leave, and only went out to solve major problems and nothing more which wasn't too often.
In other words, slaves of sorts.
'And I get the feeling Sigurd and the other people he recommended to me are from there.' It would certainly explain why they lacked common sense. Though he pondered why this organization didn't teach them to read. Plus, was this place in Solitas, or maybe some other part of the world where there was snow.
I guess this would be what Ozpin would say, to little answers, to many questions.
Deciding to forget it, instead Ironwood decided to re-focus on the Vytal Festival. Even if the major Grimm won't attack, with the recent event of what Yang did, people panicked and Grimm will come. Luckily, the men he had on guard could handle a few minor Grimm. Yet despite all this, why was it Ironwood felt a sense of forewarning? As he then decided to get a meal, for a moment he felt the new limb on him laugh.
As if taunting him for not knowing what was going on.
"Oh man. This isn't good."
"What's wrong?"
Inside Beacon Academy in one of the faculty rooms, Qrow is sitting back with his usual flask while Ana was eating some cookies. The old Huntsman looked a bit sad. He then looked at Ana as if it were obvious, but she didn't know with Qrow sighing.
"Yang." He said. "I knew she had a bit of a hot streak...but attacking an innocent girl after victory." He didn't think Yang did it on purpose. However, he wasn't blind about her rather provocative temper. Getting angry a bit too easily like her mother. Though if there was a difference, Raven at least could keep it in check, something Yang couldn't do so well.
"I see, that blonde girl." Ana nodded, having seen the match earlier. "She seems like the type to get angered easily."
"Like you wouldn't believe it." Qrow muttered. "This will definitely get on her record. Though maybe it'll be a good thing." I mean, Yang always got angry a bit too easily. Heck, he wouldn't put it past it that she got mad and during her anger, hit that girl Penny without even realizing it. Even if she did it by instinct, that didn't make it any better. I mean, she destroyed the girl's prosthetic leg.
So maybe after this, she'll try to better herself by not allowing her temper to rule her all the time. Because if she continued with that, then there may be problems in the future.
"I suppose you care for her." Ana says while nibbling on more cookies, reminding him of Ruby in a funny way. I mean, scythe, cloak, loving sweets.
"Course I do." Qrow responded. "Sure she has the tendency to go angry at a dime's notice, especially her hair, but she's a good kid. Though honestly, I am hoping this will make her realize that her temper can get her in trouble. The only regret there is is that this incident won't be leaving her for a long time."
"Well, incidents like these are best to make people learn though." Ana wisely tells him, making him wonder how she feels so grown-up. Heck, because she's rather mature for her age. Unless her sisters are involved, then she acts like a kid. Oh, and also sweets.
"I guess...makes me wonder how Tai is doing though." Which was now becoming worrying to him. I mean, no calls here either. He understood if it was back when he was travelling, but now? Oh man, this was actually kinda unnerving. Maybe when the situation with Yang is over and the Vytal Festival done, he should check on his brother-in-law. Because this wasn't normal.
'On the bright side, at least not all things are bad.' Like with the situation with Amber. Ozpin explained how he took the corrupted magic out of her system and then used some magic-jumbo to heal her all up. While he questioned the reliability of magic, seeing as he barely knew much about it, the fact Amber was walking meant it worked. Still, that didn't mean their problems were solved.
The girl who took out Amber, and stole half her power. She's still out there, and had that power, which meant she could still unlock the Vault to Choice. Not a good thing. Luckily, Ozpin stated he was taking measures already to prevent that. Qrow didn't know what it was, but it had to be good.
For now though, he had other business. He already finished talking with Yang, and later on he would visit Tai to see what was up. So he'll just relax for the moment and watch the Vytal Festival. "Hey Ana." He then called out to the small faunus girl who looked at him. "Wanna see the final battle of the Vytal Festival. I got cookies."
"Of course." Ha. Easy. So the two then sat on the couch with the television turned on. It was already getting dark, and later on fireworks would happen. So far this has been an eventful year, and Qrow bet this Vytal Festival will end with a bang.
"Why hello everyone." And with Oobleck and Port commenting, it was finally about to start. "Here we are at what is the finale of this fine festival. And why not do so with our final contestants. So get ready-"
"-and have a blast." From the commenters position cheers could be heard all over. Being viewed by millions, by faunus, humans, and even Heroic Spirits. Each watching for their own reasons.
"So sit back, relax, and get a beer men." Oobleck himself then said quickly. "Because this will be a match to remember."
Suddenly the arena lifted up, where two individuals could be seen.
"After all, here we have our finalists." Already people were cheering their names. Forgetting about the little incident from earlier today. Now focusing on what they hoped was a much more cleaner match. The two finalists stood still but waved to the crowd and their friends.
"From Beacon Academy...Pyrrha!" Oobleck announced revealing the image of the Invincible Girl herself, who waved shyly to the people and her friends.
"And from Haven Academy...Mercury!" Port answered with the darkly dressed teen smirking while giving a small wave and a wink here and there. Throwing a kiss to the crowd, though especially to his green haired ally who rolled her red eyes.
"These two have fought their way to the very top." Port resumed while bellowing. "And here they stand, ready to show us all just what they are."
"Indeed my friend. Now is the time to go full out and let these future Huntsmen show us all what they've learned." Oobleck nodded while adjusting his glasses. "In position!" The two teens then looked at one another getting ready. Pyrrha herself looked rather excited, believing Mercury will be a fine foe. The boy himself is just ready to get this over with and show the people something they won't forget.
"Now then, get set-" The two looked at one another, straight in the eyes. "Ready-" Both had every intention to deal a good blow. "And-" Yet both of their goals were vastly different. "Go!"
And the world will soon find out.
Sooner rather than later.
"Okay, here's a plan. We do it right, and we won't be killed in the bang." Under the stadium, which was getting very loud, is Jason and his fellow Argonauts. All of whom were seriously hoping Jason will have a plan to let them escape this time. Because being on all fours was becoming a pain. And felt degrading too.
"Yah, yah. Just hurry it up already." Castor angrily says as he looks at his hands. "Being like this is mentally tiring."
"Why can't we just absorb the Dust again?" Aclepiuse asked the obvious.
"Because it'll cause a displacement and risk a chain reaction." Atalanta answered the good doctor. "But I'm seriously considering doing it because I hate being in a position like an animal." As a kid she did this all the time. As an adult, not as much and more mature.
"Then be glad." Jason smiled. "Because we'll be doing exactly that, only controlled." Now this got everybody's attention. "As you see, for these last few hours we got into this comfy position." Everyone looked at themselves then at one another. Through Jason's orders they all moved in a type of circle position. Took a hell lot of slow walking and pain, but they did it. All of them near one another and pretty close by.
"Okay, what about it?" Caenis questioned.
"Simple my dear, simple." Jason continued on. "See, we'll be absorbing Dust alright. Although by we I mean Hercules!" Yep...they should have realized Hercules would be the linchpin of the plan. Still, over ninety-percent of his plans that involved Hercules succeed, so they'll listen to what he has to say.
"Alright, get it over with." Atalanta muttered.
"Sure." Jason grinned. "See, as mentioned before, with so much Dust if we absorb it we'll just get blown up since we can't absorb it all at once. However," Jason turned to face Hercules. "He can absorb a bit more quickly than us. Not to mention as he absorbs, he grows both stronger and durable."
"Alright, so?" Pollux asked, confused.
"Let's just say if we act quickly, none of us will get hurt." The leader of the Argonauts grinned. "Of course we'll have to wait until the people above leave and-"
"Hell no!" Castor angrily argued back. "I am not going to wait here on all fours like a dog! That's something only a human would do."
"Hey!" Jason then shouted back with a frown. "I'm civilized! It's Atalanta who did this stuff!"
"You little!" The worst part was, Atalanta did walk on all fours once upon a time. As a kid thought, when she was a child living with Lady Artemis's animals! Now she walked on two legs like regular people...unless she was alone and wanted to remember the good old days. 'And they'll never know.' She gritted her teeth.
"Whatever!" Castor responded back with a snark. "The point is, I'm not gonna wait around just so we don't be seen by some idiotic humans and those humans with animal parts!"
"You mean faunus?" Medea (Lily) asked.
"Ah please." Castor scoffed. "So what if they have animal parts. At the end of the day they're no different from regular humans." Maybe a bit better than them, but still no different. I mean, the fact that they blew up the streets showed they could be as violent as humans. Honestly, racism was stupid. After all, any species can be violent. In that sense it made humans and other sentients truly the most dangerous of them all. "And stupid." He sneered.
Jason and the rest of the Argonauts just rolled their eyes with Pollux looking away in embarrassment. "Anyway," Jason continues on. "I've seen Hercules absorption rate. When he starts absorbing, those of us without invulnerability will jump onto him. Thus where he takes the main blow."
"I assume I'll also be taking the blunt." Caenis growls not sure if she liked that. "You do realize ever since we got here, our powers have been out of whack. Heck, I don't think I'm as invulnerable as I used to be."
True enough. While Dust can help out, they always ended up losing their mana, sometimes even when they weren't fighting. Not to mention the fact that they lost mana a bit quicker than back home. Because of this and other circumstances, Jason also had confirmation from Asclepius that apparently they weren't full Servants, but a split version somehow. Fragments that came to this world while the main body was back in Chaldea, thus explaining one of the reasons they were weakened.
'And that still doesn't explain how we Rayshifted here.' Talk about a freak accident. "Well get over it." Jason told Caenis. "Medea (Lily) and Pollux aren't as tough as you, so they'll take cover on your back. Just absorb as much Dust as possible."
"Whatever." Caenis growled, but relented since she was durable. Heck, her skin was tougher than even Hercules. The only difference between them was that he could adapt into something stronger given the circumstances. Though only when he died.
"Medea (Lily)."
"Yes hubby?" The Caster asked excitedly.
"Cast a spell on us that'll ot only give us full health, but also strengthen our durability. Extra on Caenis and Hercules." He told her.
"Aye!" With her fast-pace chanting, everyone then felt like they had a full green bar. Kinda like a video game with an increase in defense (durability). While Jason might be creeped out by her, even he knew she was good with magic. One of the best there is.
'And yet she's like this.' What a shame.
Regardless, everyone was soon ready and good to go. Now all they had to do was wait for a bit for this tournament to end. By early morning they'll be good to go, even if it meant enduring their current positions. All they had to do was simply wait and nothing more.
"Warning! Warning! Incoming Grimm attack in progress! Threat Level 9! Please seek shelter in a calm and orderly manner!" Or maybe not...as suddenly screams could be heard with the stamping of feet and yelling heard above with a massive caw. That couldn't be good.
"On second thought," Then in a moment Jason looked more serious. His eyes narrowed while slightly surprising his team as they realized he just got serious. "I think we should accelerate this."
And we're done...not! Just a small joke, but seriously, no time for stalling or waiting. I think it's time we get this party rolling readers. So read on!
Alarms could be heard, screaming all over. Even worse, Grimm could be seen now, having been noticed coming from the forests outside the kingdoms. Even worse however, was that some managed to even enter the city itself. Using the old tunnels that led to Vale, and forced their way in by using brute strength. It would seem that this night was about to become something horrible.
"Hra!" Not if certain people could deal with it.
Running in a flash is Sigurd himself, where nearby is his wife Brynhild and her sisters. All five of them worked together to defend the people of the city as Grimm came rampaging about, with numerous machines aiding them as they shot at the Grimm. To think this all happened because that girl Pyrrha killed that boy Mercury...or at least what many thought.
'This isn't normal.' Sigurd thought as he cut down another Beowolf, deciding to refrain from his using his heart as there was nothing threatening him yet. 'The Grimm, they attacked far too soon. Like they struck seconds after what the world saw.' And he had a feeling that the woman's voice who spoke after Mercury's death was connected to it all.
"Sigurd," Brynhild then threw her spear which crushed the skull of a massive snake Grimm. "I have your back."
"And I do too." Sigurd then rushed and split a few dozen Creeps into tiny pieces from pouncing onto his wife "However, I think we have other problems." He shouted at her with his wife nodding as she heard his voice despite the hailing gun fire and roars. "You can sense it, can't you!"
"Yes!" Normal people wouldn't have sensed this. But Heroic Servants like them could. For just moments when the warning started, Sigurd and the others in the bar room watching the fight gone wrong then sensed it. Mana. Lots of it. Instantly being unleashed somewhere in the city in many spots with one big surge around the center of the city. When the screams started and the howls were heard, the five Servants wasted no time getting out of the bar and helping the people.
However, their eyes were peeled onto the strange source they felt. One that worried them a lot. After all, it was clear this world's users didn't have any mana, in which case it was a Servant releasing it. And there was only one person Sigurd could think of doing this.
"Caster." Sigurd whispered as he bisected an Ursa from top to bottom. And he wasn't talking about Edison either. No, but the depraved Caster who murdered innocent boys and girls. Gilles.
He wasn't exactly that good of a Caster if he's being honest. However, that didn't mean he was no threat. Having a rather sizable amount of mana, a mana reserve in fact in the form of his book Noble Phantasm book. Capable of summoning abhorrent demons that targeted and killed people with no mercy. And he was the one after all who had every single Servant who was summoned teleported away, as his wife told him.
Just what was that man up to?
Of course Sigurd couldn't ponder for long as suddenly he got a message from his Scroll. While still not good at it, he was capable of doing the basics like answering a call. One that he was getting now, and quickly slid the message button to talk while throwing a dagger into a Creeps eye. "Hello? What is it?" He wasted no time.
"Excellent, I'm glad I got you." While Sigurd didn't know who this was, the fact that they called him personally must mean there's trouble.
"Is there a problem?" He asked while the Valkyrie sisters began grabbing humans and faunus and dropped them onto the roofs of buildings. Then began blasting away at the Grimm trying to climb up.
"Indeed." The man replied while yelling could be heard in the background. A quick look above showed the ships from Atlas firing onto the hordes of flying Grimm at a constant rate. "We've begun detecting some kind of wave of enemies. But, they're not Grimm."
"What do you mean?" Sigurd cut down another Grimm.
"That's the thing. Our field agents at the walls say a few look like Grimm, but others appear as machines and so on. In fact, a few should be in your area now, and we want you to deal with them." Appearing like Grimm? Machines? This was likely the group who started this entire mess. A force they had in reserve.
"Understood." He told the man at the other end, hanging up on the Scroll. "Brynhild." He then said with his wife looking at him with a nod.
"Go on Sigurd." She shows absolute trust in him. "Do what you can and must." With gratitude in his eyes, Sigurd left in an instant. Using a bit of his own heart's power to run faster, faster than any person should possibly be capable of. Becoming nothing more but a blur and going at speeds where the average person's own bones would be slowly crushed at this speed. Of course he also used his deadly momentum to run through a few Grimm here and there, literally turning them into dust.
Though Sigurd of course did stop a few times to help people. After all, he wasn't all too keen in seeing civilians being eaten whole or ripped apart. Still, as sad as it was, he couldn't save everyone and had to continue moving forward. At the very least to stop the group who did this before they did anything worse. Yet as he moved on he was wondering something. Wondering, just what is all this about?
'The woman talked about shots being fired and an ally may be an enemy. Yet it's clear she only did that not for some extreme justification or revolution, but to make people feel fear.' Plus this attack, it was all organized. While destruction is always easier than creation, that didn't mean certain types of destruction can be done just like that. Stuff like this, happening now, required months to years of planning.
This entire thing, this city being attacked, it was attacked for a reason. But for what?
Even with the glasses his wife gave him, the wisdom, could not say. For wisdom only aided him in the path of knowledge and answers, but while not a weakness per say, the glasses were incapable of giving him answers head on. For he knew little of what was going on.
"But once I find this group, a few well placed cuts will get them talking." Sigurd then felt mana. Lots of it. His eyes began narrowing down. Was this a Servant? But it didn't feel like one, not to mention the numbers. Quickly Sigurd ran faster and soon he found a collapsed building. Jumping over it, he landed on the rubble and looked over what he saw.
"No." Where he then saw something he couldn't believe.
"The Tsar. For the Tsar." What appeared as Grimm with bird-like masks and gun shooting people down. But it wasn't just them either. Doll like automatons. Goblins. Chimeras. Oriochis. Efreets. Homunculus, and other monsters that he recognized from earth were here. All of which were wreaking havoc alongside many Grimm. One of which was like a hydra and attacking with an Alpha Beowolf on its head and appeared to be leading other Grimm.
Admittingly, Sigurd was worried. Because no way Gilles, or any of the people of this world let aside Servants could have brought what may as well be an evil reunion of Chaldeans many enemies. Sure they weren't strong particularly, but they were still a threat and whoever or whatever brought them here, brought a lot. Enough to probably bring this city down, as he saw magical Wands, evil Edison drones, and even a few giant Nobu attacking people and pushing down buildings.
His mask was now on, his armor appearing over the regular clothes from earlier. The high-quality sword he got from a weaponsmith out and ready. It was no Gram, but it'd get the job done. His heart then began beating within his chest, a surge of magical power going into him. Fueling not just his Saint Graph, but his muscles, tendons, nerves, coordination, and everything that made him a Servant. His own power is getting an explosive growth.
Before he had the power of what this world would consider a fully trained Huntsmen with a strong aura. Now, he was back at being the level of a Servant. Maybe not at one-hundred percent, but he was certainly over seventy-five of his usual power. Of course this instantly caused all the monsters he faced to then look at him, detecting his awesome might. He gave a smirk behind his mask.
"We slayed you once," He got into a stance. The horde of enemies glaring at him with even the non-sentient ones angrily staring at him. "And we'll do so again," His sword hummed with power. Having placed a Primal Rune of Reinforcing on it. "As such," The monsters then ran at him. "Time to die once more!"
Then faster than a speeding bullet, Sigurd leapt at the horde of beasts and Grimm with his sword held high.
Click.
All while being unaware of a grinning man with two pistols grinning at him, waiting for the right moment.
"Eat this nerds!" Blackbeard shouted as he then rammed his hook into a Grimm's skull, collapsing it. As he then went to attack more Grimm, nearby Emiya Archer shot down the numerous hordes of Grimm crawling from seemingly everywhere.
'Whoever planned this, was good.' Goes to show humans can be real bastards when plotting to kill their fellow man. Not that Servants were any different, as the red Archer has seen his fair share of twisted Servants among his time as a Guardian. I mean, Gilgamesh himself did try to cull humanity so only the 'worthy' would survive using Angra. The golden bastard probably forgot that 'worthy' might also include real pieces of work that wouldn't bow to him.
As he then summoned a white and black blade in his hand and cut two Beowolves in half, Emiya looked up and saw numerous Grimm attacking the Atlas ships. Tch. Whoever the mastermind was, they really planned for everything. Even worse, they likely had Servants by their side, because he could sense mana which shouldn't be here.
Already he had a good idea who did it.
"Watch out Emiya!" Blackbeard yelled at him as suddenly numerous sharp-toothed octopus-like monsters then began coming out from the ground with their maws opened wide. Lesser demons and familiars. In other words, Gilles.
'So that's the one who released that massive mana from earlier.' The Archer thought as he rushed at the lesser demons and quickly sent them to whatever hell they crawled out of. His blades cut them in two, and then threw them at those from a distance and struck their cores. However Emiya knew this method was not appropriate, as there were too many. Even with Blackbeard the two could only do so much against these weak but many foes.
"We need to find a way to deal with these things!" Emiya shouted at Blackbeard, wondering if the man had an idea. He was a captain once, and led many men against countless foes. So maybe he had a good suggestion despite his otakuness.
"I do have one." Blackbeard actually revealed, having a goofy grin on his face before punching one of the demons in the face. "But it will cause quite the amount of damage to this city."
Emiya shot an arrow at one of the demons, saving a little boy with the older brother then taking him away. "Do it!"
"Got it man!" Blackbeard laughed. "Just need to do one thing first." Quickly Blackbeard went to a nearby shop where he punched the wall down with ease. As concrete fell, it revealed the inside of the shop. One with Dust in it, making the pirate grin. He then instantly began grabbing it, and began absorbing the Dust into him while then grabbing more and more. Emiya saw this and went wide eyed.
"Wait, how, when...you knew we could regain some of our power!?" Blackbeard just looked at him with a smile. Still absorbing more Dust while becoming even more powerful than Emiya. His hair and beard glowing yellow while it was at it, like a Super Saiyan.
"HA! That's just the way this world works. The power of Dust!" Then in a great flash the entire building shone and went boom, where soon an entire ship came out. Queen Anne's Revenge to be precise. "All aboard!" Suddenly many of his ghostly crew came and began loading the cannons and shooting them to kill off the demons.
"..." Emiya himself just watched in surprise as the Servant both saved people while causing what may as well be millions of Lien in property damage. With a sigh, Emiya then decided to hop onboard and shoot from the ship. It would also help as any heroes that entered would power the ship more.
As he got on, Emiya began sniping any of the lesser demons, but also tried using his Clairvoyance to find if Gilles was anywhere. Though it was pretty clear that the chances of finding that deranged maniac would be difficult. He was likely hiding and commanding his army of monsters elsewhere. However, maybe he could get someone else on the line.
He quickly took out his own Scroll-from a mugger-and made a call. As he used one hand to throw Traced daggers at the enemy, his Scroll dialed. It was then picked up by someone he knew.
"Hi-yo!" It was Astolfo. "Hey whoever this is, but I'm kinda busy." Howls and roars were heard. In the background. "Yeah, really busy. Busy being a hero!"
Emiya just groaned. Putting aside his slight annoyance, he just started talking.
"Astolfo, it's me." He shot down one of the tentacled demons that tried getting on board. "Listen, I want to know where you're at, and if you know where Gilles is?"
"Where I'm at huh. Well-"
"Kinda high up at the moment." More like in the sky above even the Atlas ships, attacking the flying Grimm and using his trusty Hippogriff for the ride and his sword to cut down the Grimm. Then stabbed a Griffon mockery of his steed making it fall down to the earth below. "Very high, why?"
"Because at the moment this city isn't being attacked by just Grimm, but countless of that monster's demon friends" Oh, that wasn't good. Would explain the mass amount of mana he felt earlier. "And I'm wondering if your bird eyes view, if you can spot anything suspicious."
Astolfo looked down, while killing any Grimm that came to close. Unfortunately while he can see stuff, it mainly consists of Grimm, building lights, a few stars as its night now, and of course fires. "Nope." Astolfo replied. "Wherever Gilles is, he's hiding pretty well." He then saw a massive flash of light, where it appeared as a summoning circle about one-fourth of a mile wide. "Or not."
"What do you see?" Emiya asked urgently.
"Something not good." Astolfo watches the ominous red light. "I'll head over quick. Maybe if I-" Whatever the Paladin was about to say, he couldn't say as suddenly from nowhere something big rammed into him. "Woah!" The impact caused him to drop the Scroll into the city itself. "Aw man." The Paladin moaned. "That was a new Scroll I got from Atlas! Okay, who did that-ahh!"
It was then Astolfo saw just what rammed into him.
"How are you here?" He said in shock.
"That matters not." The emotionless voice of one of many Mass Produced Mecha Eli-chan said. "Ou will die here." Then from below more of the same machines came out. Unlike the two Eli-Mark 1 and 2, these versions were nothing more but emotionless machines with only obeying in their mind. But what really made Astolfo worried was how they were even here on Remnant, as they weren't even Servants.
"Gah!" Something he and his precise Hippogriff had to not think over since suddenly missiles were being launched from their dresses. His loyal beast avoided them as best as he could while Astolfo tried his best not to die.
This wasn't good. How these guys from Chaldeas' past are here is unknown, but even worse, Astolfo got the idea that these guys weren't the only ones. He then heard a roar and was proven right as at least two Spriggan far down below in the city moving and clearly toppling buildings. Hell, Astolfo bet that there were probably more enemies that weren't Grimm here attacking. The true question was however, what brought them here?
And just what kind of chaos could they cause?
"All people, get away now!" Crawling out of his dropship, Ironwood pushed aside the bent metal and got out of it. He had been on Vytal Amity, told the students to either fight or evacuate, then...got shot down! As he got out of the ship, he heard shouting and both Vale and Atlas forces doing their best to get people away from the attacks of Grimm. Smart move.
As he got out, he looked down and saw his clothes were ripped and exposure of his cybernetics were revealed with the only thing untouched was his cast covering his new limb. As he then blinked, he looked around where he then got the full force of what was going on. The screams of people running away. The roars of the Grimm. The constant shots of gunfire. The explosions of Dust and buildings being destroyed. The sound of metal meeting metal. Claw meeting flesh and blood being spilled. A man with a bloody shirt with spikey blonde hair and a maniacal Grimm coming at him with a dagger-wait!
"Hahahaha!" Quickly Ironwood lifted his one good hand and blocked the attack.
"Gr!" Yet that simple movement still sent him flying back with his own back slamming into the wall. His aura is flickering a bit but still good to go. Yet he wasn't at his best considering he did fall from the sky. But that wasn't important right now. Right now, he had this man to worry about.
Men, women, even criminals were running, yet this man was attacking. Either he's just a loon taking advantage of this horrible situation, or he's part of this mess. Considering how three Ursa Grimm just went past him only made his second thought more prominent.
"Who are you?" Ironwood demanded, making a fist.
"Me." The man grinned sadistically. His red eyes peering at the general. "Just having some fun. After all, with Hyde gone and the others doing their thing, I figured I can do my own thing."
"Killing people." Ironwood growled.
"Yes." The man laughed. "And you're next!" Then with blinding speed the crazed man was onto him. Were it not for his training, Ironwood would surely have perished. Instantly falling back as the man's dagger slammed into the ground and made a large crack. This man was stronger than what his lanky figure suggested.
Fast to as once more he was right in front of him. His grin reflected from Ironwood's eyes as he did his best to dodge any attacks the man made. It took full concentration to do so. Which wasn't easy considering he just survived a crash, and had to keep an eye out for any Grimm that wanted a bite out of him.
"Come on man!" The man laughed obnoxiously as he kept trying to stab Ironwood. "Play with me! I wanna see you scream."
"Tch." Ironwood took out one of his personal guns and shot a bullet of Gravity Dust at the man. He easily dodged of course, but Ironwood did his best to keep him back. Not noticing movement coming from his cast.
As for the man, Jekyll, he felt interested in this stranger. After all, he was the first human he's seen with producing mana. May as well eat his soul like the other humans he did, with the only difference being this big guy might actually fill him up a bit more. 'But he keeps on moving.'
Jekyll was fully aware he wasn't at his best condition. Ever since he got here, he felt weak, very weak. While still stronger than any pathetic human, he was a bit miffed by how this guy was dodging him. He must have some training with this Aura thing he was told about.
Otherwise he'd be dead by now.
"Ah whatever!" He then yelled, deciding to use the mana his new Master has given him with that contract. "Let's kick it up a notch!" Then faster than a bullet, he kicked this fool in the human side where the ribs were. Hearing both the man's aura going down and a nice crack.
"Ahhh!" And a good scream as the tin soldier then hit the side of a car making it go crunch.
"Now that was nice." Jekyll giggled as he held his dagger high. "Now then, time to dine in."
Ironwood grunted. Watching as this crazed man was about to end him here. Uh, pathetic. To think this is how he would die. Either at the hands of a mad man, or one of Salem's pawns. Neither was particularly good. Even worse was that his rib was broken all right, and pretty sure it pierced his one organic lung as he was having a bit trouble breathing. While he could move, it'd be a bad idea since even the smallest of shifts he felt his left side feel pain.
In other words, one wrong move and he would be bleeding from the inside.
'To think...this is how I go out.' As he closed his eyes, Ironwood awaited the end. He wouldn't sniffle and cry, nor beg for mercy. If he was going to die, then he'll die with his dignity at the least. His only regret being he couldn't do any more to protect Atlas and the rest of Remnant. Hoping Ozpin and the others could stop these mad men before any more life is lost.
Jekyll got closer, his mouth turned to a grin.
Ironwood accepted his fate.
"No0." Something else decided to take the third option instead.
Without moving Ironwood's body, the cast on him instantly ripped out. Elongated long orange fingers ripped through it and outstretched itself until it grabbed Jerkyll's own neck. The deranged Berserker and Ironwood himself were both surprised by this. The latter especially since he knew this wasn't his doing.
"Wa?" Jekyll choked a bit as he dropped his dagger. Realization came to his eyes as he recognized the skinless limb. "Crs Ar?" That was all he managed to say as instantly the limb decided enough was enough and threw the Servant at a very far distance away. So fast that the Servant actually hit a building and went right through it.
"..." As for Ironwood, he could only stare at the limb, as it then faced him like it had eyes. Then without warning, it went right at his chest where the fingers went through the skin. Ironwood hissed in pain, but refused to scream. For a moment wondering if he was about to die by whatever damnable thing attached to him.
Crk.
Instead he felt himself able to breathe better, and some pain went away as the fingers found the broken rib and actually positioned it better from no longer pressuring on his lung. Of course he still felt pain, and would certainly need a doctor later on. Yet as he looked at the arm he suddenly felt a chill as he felt some form of communication coming from it, like an intent. Whatever this limb is, it wasn't normal. Clearly originating from the lost art of magic as Ozpin told him, but of what kind? Because he's certain the Headmaster never spoke of sentient arms.
'But I'll have to ignore it for the time being.' Getting up with a slight wobble, Ironwood looked up and saw his ships being under attack. No time for relaxing, Vale was in trouble, and he needed to do his part. Even if it was just helping people.
He could fight, but with his wound and broken aura not at close-range combat. His gun and his...arm would have to do. In fact, he could 'control' his new limb no longer feeling the strange presence from before. It was still there of course, but it felt as if it were giving him control.
"I'm going to have to talk to Ozpin about this." Ironwood moaned as he began moving and readying his gun. Instantly turning and shooting a Creep that was aiming at him without effort. Ironwood had his part to do, and he'll do it no matter the cost.
That's what a hero does, right?
Because otherwise, a hero would just fall.
"Oh shit!" Or in this case, a villain.
Running through the streets is Roman himself as he dodged an attack from-some magical wand! Beams of light coming from it as he grabbed a person and let them take the hit while he kept on going.
'What the hell is happening here!?' The thief thought as he saw what felt like the end of the world. Or in this case, the end of Vale as he saw Grimm crawling all over along with other crap that wasn't Grimm. Pretty sure he saw transparent women and even skeleton-like ghosts attacking the people. Hell, he even saw a giant floating eyeball that looked like a pumpkin shooting lasers.
'Is this Cinder's doing? But where could she have gotten these freaks?! What are they?' So many questions, yet no answers. All Roman knew was that Cinder was definitely behind this, but the how was something he couldn't figure out. All he knew was that one moment he was getting some food for him and the rest of the gang, then Cinder's voice was heard and things falling apart from there.
A Beowolf came into his vision and he lifted his cane and mercilessly shot some unstable Fire Dust which exploded on impact. It didn't kill the Grimm, but distracted him long enough to keep on going. Though even he cringed when he heard the Beowolf then attack what was clearly a child's voice.
'Don't look back! Don't look back!' He uttered to himself over and over in his head. Yet he couldn't help but feel horrified at all of this. Sure he was a bastard that caused misery and the occasional kill here and there, but this, this was too much. He might not have much in morals, but he still had some. Which is why even if he tried avoiding it, he couldn't help but feel guilt that he played a horrible role in this.
Because as he ran a part of him told him that this was his fault. A whisper telling him he helped cause these deaths, by giving Cinder the Dust and making the city scared with his constant stealing and assaults. He pushed it down and kept running, deciding to confront that whisper another time. Right now he needed to get to Neo and the others and quick.
"Gra!" Lest he become food for some colorful giant cat of yellow and red with a huge mane like a lion. Yelping, he turned away and crashed into a nearby shop. Unfortunately for him the giant cat leapt in after him. Roman tried shooting at it, but his attacks did little in harming the beast. At best singed it while making it growl louder and revealing its many sharp teeth.
Roman grabbed one of those mannequin dummies and pushed it between him and a maw of teeth. The poor figurine did not last even ten seconds as it was instantly chewed on and fell apart into many pieces.
Not that it stopped Roman from grabbing whatever he could to buy himself even a second longer. Clothes, more mannequins, basketballs, cases, even a cash register.
Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!
Nothing even slowed the oversized cat down. Roman was running out of both room and things to throw. His own instincts telling him the end was near. Yet he refused to die by the hands of some cat. With a roar Roman raised his cane and shot without holding back. Using all his ammunition and into the mouth of the beast.
Naturally despite having a good pain tolerance, the giant lion, also known as Ugallu, couldn't handle the burns hitting it; tongue, throat, and uvula. The Fire Dust scorching it's precious little flesh parts, something it's not used to. With a wailed screech of pain, it then turned back and ran to find the nearest source of water to help cool it off.
Leaving behind the panting thief who still clicked the mechanism on his cane, even if he was out of ammunition. "Well," Roman chuckled. "That was close."
Then he felt something hit him right in the back, his aura taking a dip near the red and he was soon launched out of the shop and landing onto the road, his aura flickering as it was now closer in being broken. Didn't help that a few Creeps then ran right over him chasing a few people, leaving him groaning.
"Grr." Then that groan turned to fear. The thief turned onto his back and saw what had hit was big, brown fur, antlers, a red snout, and wore festive clothing with a ribbon covered bell and carrying a giant candy cane with revealed muscles. A giant reindeer man that seemed super.
"...You've gotta be shitting me." At this point, he'd take the Grimm. Because these weird enemies were just too colorful and off.
"Raaaa!" Though that didn't make this thing any less scary as it lifted it's candy cane and whacked him hard. He felt his chest burst in pain and the street under him actually crack. That single hit instantly took out both his aura, cracking a few bones, and hurting his pride a bit that he was beaten down by a giant piece of candy.
Well this was humiliating. Killed by a literal animal on steroids dressed for winter and ready to kill him with candy. Not exactly the way he thought he'd die. He only prayed that when Neo discovered he died, that she'd believe it was him fighting the law in an epic battle to the death and not like this. He didn't need his headstone saying, "Beaten to death by Super Reindeer Man".
That's a horrible way to go.
"Gr!" Roman flinched as the giant reindeer lifted it's candy cane ready to strike him was going to be a sucky way to die.
"Jaguar Punch!" Then in a way he considered just as ridiculous as his near-death, a faunus wearing a onesie tiger suit while holding a stick with a tiger paw came and gave a drop-kick to the reindeer. Yet amazingly but disturbingly the kick made the head explode into blood and gore.
Neo would have been proud.
As the body slumped-then like the Grimm dissipated in a golden light, his strange savior looked at him. A goofy smile on her face as she then gave him a thumbs up and a wink. "I have saved you civilians. No need to thank Jaguar Man!" Then in a flash she jumped away as if she was some kind of hero while punching a small wyvern in the face.
"..." Roman simply sat up, and watched the ridiculousness that was Jaguar Man leave. What the hell is this world coming down into.
To some, it would be hell.
"Protect the faunus!" Adam shouted as he and hi White Fang began firing onto the legion of Grimm and strange creatures that looked like faunus. Only instead of being human-like with animal parts, it was the reverse of animals with human stances and postures. He's pretty sure he saw giant reindeer men, werewolves, snake-women, and so on working alongside the Grimm.
"What the hell are these freaks?" Perry cried out as he threw a grenade at the nearest groups of Werejaguars. Not caring if his words were just a bit racist. Though then again, considering they were under attack no one bothered to correct him.
Because the way some of these guys were dressed certainly made them freaky.
"It doesn't matter!" Adam shouted as he then blocked an attack from a Werewolf and then cut him down. "Just keep on fighting!"
"Raaaaa!" Asterios agreed as he fought at his best as well. However, inside he was confused. 'How? Why are enemies...Here?' These were all enemies Chaldea faced, yet they should be defeated. Not here in Remnant.
But it didn't matter. Asterios would help both the faunus and the people. Because as soon as these foes from the past came, he, Adam, and the White Fang began fighting these enemies. Doing their best to help the people escape while they held the line. As he fought, Asterios then heard Adam growl while hearing him say, "Cinder."
That woman. Could she be involved? Asterios remembered her, and knew she was a bad woman. Mean and cruel unlike the Masters he knew. Yet that didn't explain how she brought so many of Chaldea's past enemies.
"Watch out!" A female White Fang member shouted at Asterios, who looked up and saw something land near him. Without hesitation he swung his weapon to decapitate whatever was near him.
Clang!
It was then he felt his attack being blocked. Suddenly a chain came out and he barely dodged it. Yet even then he felt his skin being cut, making him surprised.
"Asterios!" Adam then glowed blood red and swung his weapon. There he unleashed his semblance releasing his devastating power which then ended up hitting whatever tried attacking his friend.
The figure jumped and landed, where they then then saw...a shadow?
"Gr!" Growling, Asterios knew what this was. "Be careful!" He then told Adam. "That...Shadow Servant!"
"Shadow what?" Right, he didn't know what this was.
A Shadow Servant. A being that was a variety of a Servant that is incomplete, degraded, or false. There are any number of circumstances that bring them about, such as a bad summoning, or blackening. While they were much weaker than a true Servant, they were still dangerous beings tougher than a human.
However, that was of normal humans of his world. Adam and the others should have an easier time, but it won't be easy.
"You...Ready..?" Asterios asked his friend as he lifted his weapons.
"Ready as I ever will be." Adam smirked as the two and the many White Fang members watched the army of Grimm, Demi-Humans, a few Shadow Servants, and other things in the mix face them. They were the only people between them and the innocents behind them.
'Hah.' Adam thought as he prepared his fortitude. 'To think before I wanted this city to fall...yet now I'm trying to save it, even the humans if only as an afterthought.' How life really was strange. Still though, he couldn't stop now. And he certainly wasn't going to die from these freak shows. He pondered where Cinder even got them from. Questions for later he supposed. Because he had a mission to do.
"Crush them all!" With a roar of agreement and weapons taken out and Dust being fired, Adam, Asterios, and the rest of the White Fang with even Atlas men and androids in the mix as all attacked as one. Any animosity one had for one another forgotten as they needed to face these enemies together.
For the fate of Vale was in their hands.
Along with the hands of other heroes.
"Hra!" With a bust of powerful magic, the former man once known as Ozma, now called Ozpin, struck with lightning at the group of Grimm. Releasing a torrent of flames and ice at any of the Grimm that came at the Academy. Once the attack had started, he broke through the windows of his tower and fell into the masses of Grimm and wasted no time attacking the Grimm , harming his students.
"Is that the Headmasters semblance?"
"How is he so strong?"
"No way that's a normal power."
"Rock on!"
"Let's help him out."
'I suppose I might have gotten carried away.' The Headmaster thought as he then summoned a magical green hand and crushed a Deathstalker with it. Then squeezed and the Grimm became a mangled mess before turning to mist.
Oh well, nothing he could do about it now.
If anything, he was worried how bad things would be after the battle. Even at this distance, he could see fire coming from the city all the way here at Beacon. Salem clearly made a perfect plan, and his blindness in seeing it caused all this to happen. All the people died because of his mistakes.
'And I won't stand idly allowing it.' Without hesitation he then unleashed more magical energy of spears and arrows which ripped and tore through the ranks of the Grimm.
"Mother of the Brothers." He then smirked as he heard a familiar voice. A navy Grimm then cut in half by a familiar Scythe. "Ozpin. Were you holding out on us." It was Qrow, who had come quickly during the initial panic and was also clearing through the Grimm and helping the students. Glynda at the moment also in the west-side of the school helping the other children alongside Peach while Port and Oobleck were still at the coliseum.
"I told you Qrow," Ozpin then sent a burst of energy onto a King Taijitu that then caused it to fall into pieces. "I have regained my power, and am capable of what I once was."
"I know, I know. But it's just hearing it and seeing it well," He then used Harbinger to shoot a Nevermore down so the students could finish it off. "Hehe, still having trouble believing."
"I suppose so." Ozpin smiled before releasing balls of lightning that then made local Grimm burst into pieces. "Even though I admit it's been quite a while since I've used my former power."
"I'll say, you can probably best a Maiden now." Qrow laughed as he then turned into an avien crow and then snuck past a Major Ursa, turning back into a human and stabbing it in sword mode. "Seriously, I knew with magic you were tough, but not this tough."
"I must agree with Qrow." Then from the sky came Ana, who landed on the ground making it crack, and unleashed a torrent of chains that pierced through the heads and hearts of Grimm, killing them. The chains retracted and she faced the two adults while leaving the students in awe how someone so young could kill under half a dozen of Grimm at once.
"While my fellow Servants would be above you, compared to the mages of my home many would fall to your power." She then threw her scythe which mowed down many Grimm, then came back to her hand like a boomerang. "Even the Masters I served, their magical power pales in comparison to your own."
Ozpin looked at Qrow who shrugged. Not like the Huntsmen knew much of what Ana spoke about unless it was her sisters. As they fought though, Ana narrowed her eyes before widening them. She then moved like a blur and pushed both Ozpin and Qrow off their feet.
"Hey!" Qrow shouted. "What're you-"
Suddenly, moving just as fast a figure came crashing to the spot they had just been on earlier. Clouds of dirt came obscuring their view. Ana didn't let that stop her though, as quickly she released her chains from under her sleeves to attack.
Cling. Ding. Cling.
Only for two blades to send them back onto the dirt where a smiling man came out. Tattoos all over, revealed chest and muscles, a red headband of sorts with barely any armor.
"Angra Mainyu." Ana growled at the enemy she sensed moments ago, with the Avenger-Class Servant himself laughing.
"Yo, hey pipsqueak." He chuckled as he walked out of the cloud of dirt, putting both hands on his hips while giving Ozpin, Qrow, and Ana a predatory stare. "Man it's been a while. Glad the plan has made it this far, you know."
Ozpin narrowed his eyes. Sensing mana from this man, yet also sensing the hidden killer intent coming from him. He played the casual role, revealing many openings, yet showed no nervousness or fear despite being in the heart of enemy territory full of many Huntsman and Huntsmen-in-Training.
"Get him." A fact many students failed to see. A group of third and second years attacked, weapons out and auras shining. Ready to attack when they are recognized as an enemy. Prepared to cripple him.
"No." Ana shouted, her hand outstretched as if trying to stop those students.
"Hehe." It was too late. Before Qrow, Ana, and barley Ozpin could see it, those kids in the air came down to the ground.
Splat.
In pieces. Where seemingly without moving, they then split apart and blood came gushing out. The former students remains now surrounding the man Ana called Angra in a pile of gore. Nearby students who saw turned green with a few throwing up.
Qrow glared angrily.
Ana snarled and gritted her teeth.
As for Ozpin…
"Yikes." He was very, very enraged. Releasing a wave of purple energy which Angra narrowly avoided. But even then he still smiled as he landed, looking at Ozpin. He then spoke something that made both him and Qrow freeze in their places. "Man, so angry for just a few kids. Yep. Salem was right about you after all."
Salem.
An old lover.
A false Goddess.
A human and Grimm hybrid.
Ozpin's greatest enemy.
Remnant's most dangerous foe of all.
He...he knew her.
"You...you work for her." Ozpin deeply looked at him with dangerous eyes, with Qrow getting ready to jump in. Ana stared at the two, confused. Salem? She didn't know who that was, but if these two were reacting with such caution, then she must be dangerous if both a powerful Huntsmen and powerful magus of sorts were reacting like that.
"Course I do." Angra grinned. "And right now, this city will soon fall with everything preciouses to you about to be broken."
"From those who wish to end the threat."
Sigurd cut down Grimm after monster. Taking as many as he could at frightening speed. Yet there were just so many, more than he could handle. An Automaton then grabbed his legs, stopping him from moving. Sigurd readied to cut it down and gain distance when suddenly he felt something hit his shoulder.
"Gah!" Where a spear then came out of it, where standing on a building the smiling Alter shot another bullet.
"And those trying to help the people."
Emiya and Blackbeard kept on firing, with even a few Huntsmen and Atlas soldiers getting on board somehow. One of them being Winter Schnee which actually helped increase the ships power just a bit. Apparently she had a rather decent reputation.
"When this is over, I want to know how you managed to get a ship into the city?" One that made her refuse how they brought a literal ship here.
"Yeah Emiya!" Blackbeard threw Emiya under the boat while giving a drooling grin at Winter. "You better explain how you ex-ero protagonist."
Emiya was going to shoot an arrow at that fool later.
Unfortunately, banters would have to wait. As suddenly the ship began shifting where suddenly the unexpected came.
"Specialist Schnee!" One of the Atlas troops shouted. "We're being boarded by-by-skeleton pirates." True to his word, pirates of the undead came with no flesh or in other cases decayed flesh. An explosion came and somehow another pirate ship came with their own crew, yet unlike Blackbeard's ship was moving!
"You have got to be kidding me." Emiya says as he then tries sniping.
Crack.
"Oh boy." Blackbeard then grabbed the nearby wheel. "It's her!"
"It's what?" Winter yelled.
"The Kraken!" Not the actual kraken, but something close enough. Because suddenly from the floorboards massive tentacles came out, and not the erotic ones as Emiya used to play in his old life in ero-games.
"Ahh!" Because when it grabbed two men and women, instead of clothes falling off, it was limbs and flesh.
"This...isn't good." The red Archer says as another ship then came out with cannons ready.
"Not even your students will be able to handle the awesome might of being known as Servants."
Weiss and Blake aided Team CFVY, Team SNNN, a few other students from the four kingdoms, and Sanzang and Nezha. All of them destroying the Grimm and these strange new machines which Atlas has never shown before.
"Watch out!" Velvet told both Blake and Weiss as she grabbed them while all three avoided a blow. Velvet then helping them by attacking the machine itself. Getting aid from her team and the actual machines from Atlas.
"This is getting crazy!" Sun jumped to avoid another death laser.
"You're telling me." Neptune agreed as he kept firing his weapon. "But hey, at least your two girlfriends are doing a good job at getting rid of the trash."
"Neptune!" While Sun was embarrassed by that comment, his two 'girlfriends' for the matter weren't. Though probably because they had other things to worry about. Like say more of hose cubic machines trying to blast them away.
"How are these things here?" Sanzang punched one of the Atlas Institutes little toys away before it shot it's laser.
"No idea." Nezha used her spear to, well, spear them. "But they're no match for all of us."
"Then how about me." The two Servants' faces contorted as they knew that voice. They moved quickly with both their weapons suddenly blocking a thrown deadly red spear that pushed them back.
"Woah!" Neptune shouted as he then looked at their enemy. "Who is that guy, White Fang?"
"White Fang." The man with a spiked tail laughed as the spear he threw then came back to his own hand like magic. "Na! I'm worse than that bro." He then looked at Sanzang and Nezha, grinning. "Fellow Servants eh. Finally a challenge than those brats from earlier. They had interesting moves, but little skill and no power to me."
Everyone knew what he meant, as blood was dripping from his spear.
"You!" Sanzang then pointed her weapon at him. "Why are you helping with this chaos? What is your goal?"
"Answer before we smite you." Nezha was the same.
"Goal." The man known as Cu Alter grinned, as a deadly aura came around him. "I just wanna have a good fight. And killing you lot will make those who survive all the more stronger." He then twirled his spear and took a stance. "So come on! Give me a good fight!"
Both Sanzang and Nezha looked back at both Sun and the other students.
They looked ready to fight this man, but they stood no chance. Even if he wasn't at full power as a normal Servant, he wielded decades upon decades of skill. They wouldn't even stand a chance.
"Looks like the Buddha has to teach you some lessons." Sanzang grinned.
"Time for you to take a nap." Nezha declared.
"Then bring it." Cu Alter grinned as his own little army of Grimm then came. The forces of his and the Academies then clashing.
"One by one they'll fall. To us or our own forces."
Astolfo tried his best to kill any Grimm or Eli-Chan robot, but there was just so many. Even as fast as his mount was, there was no denying the two factors was that like him, his mount was weakened, and even his Hippogriff couldn't enter that special dimension forever. Not like Astolfo had unlimited mana.
"Hey, to close!" The Paladin shouted as he stabbed another bot in the face, while also hoping the real Eli-Chan won't hate him for it.
"Craa!" Unfortunately for him a Nevermore used this chance to shoot many feathers which Astolfo's Hippogriff barley dodged though getting a few cuts.
"You okay?" Astolfo patted his beloved steed, who gave a small nod. Ignoring the wounds on it.
Shlk!
To bad for them that all their effort amounted to nothing, as it was then a Griffon came and ensured it's beak went right into the poor Hippogriff's hide. "No!"
His long time mount gave a final squawk before dissipating into a golden light. Leaving Astolfo both along and with dozens upon dozens of Grimm and machines, who all chased after him as he fell down the sky below.
"At the end, you'll all quake in fear to our power. Trembling as you look for whatever it is you desire."
"Ruby! Ruby!" Yang shouted in worry, running across Vale with Team JNPR in tow. Though compared to Jaune, Ren, and Nora, Pyrrha was still out of it as she held her lance. While she felt bad, Yang couldn't worry about her now. As she needed to find Ruby in this mess of Grimm and other strange and absurd monsters coming out of the streets, forests, and skies. "Damn it, where is she? Ruby!"
"What exactly should we be doing?' Nora looked to Jaune as they followed Yang, but also looking at the mass chaos occurring all around them.
"I don't know." Jaune admits, but not letting fear get to him. "But right now, we need to help Yang find Ruby, while also taking out whatever is in our way."
"But will it be enough?" Ren asked. "If anything, shouldn't we help those who we can. I mean no disrespect, but Ruby can handle herself."
"Maybe." Jaune says, but looks tense. "But I can't help but feel...something bad is coming." He only wished he knew what it was. That he'd find that answer along with Ruby, as all five continued running in the city now becoming nothing but ruin.
"And nothing will change what's going to happen. Even those destined for greatness."
Ruby huffed as she kept on moving, cutting down any Grimm that stood in her way. Though she was getting confused when she saw magical wands, books, and snowmen coming out. 'But I have to keep going.' Something big was happening in this city, and whatever she was she couldn't let it happen. After the finale, all this happened and she refused to stand idly by as trouble brewed. Thus why she left the coliseum to help out.
"Hey Red." She then heard a voice. The voice of someone that should be dead. "Nice to see you." Looking up, Ruby's eyes widened. For there she saw three people. Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury.
"You…" Her mind went back to the finale, before all this happened. "But...how? I, we, you were…"
"Stabbed in the chest." Mercury chuckled Recalling how on live air the great Pyrrha 'killed' him to death with her own weapon in front of thousands to millions as he bled out. "Yeah that hurt like a bitch."
"Too bad it wasn't permanent." Emerald rolled her eyes with Mercury just smirking.
"I suppose our fellow Caster was good with his healing and strengthening after all." Cinder ignored the two while taking out two blades. "For now, we have a mission. And taking out one of the last of her kind will be a good bonus."
Bonus? Last? As Ruby starred in confusion, she then saw a big flash of light happening behind some buildings, hearing a massive roar. Her weapon was out and drawn. "What was that?" She demanded.
"Oh." Cinder smiled. "Seems that degenerate is using that massive spell of his. That should certainly take down this city in a flash."
"Yeah, and us if we don't leave in time." Mercury reminded her with Emerald shivering.
"Don't worry, we have time." Cinder told them while then looking at Ruby. "For now though, before I get what's mine and kill that fool Ozpin, let's deal with little red." The two nodded and held their weapons, ready for a fight. Ruby didn't know what was going on, but she knew that these three were part of the reason things were going so bad for Vale Which is why she'll stop them here and now.
"Bring it!" She roared as she went to attack them with Crescent Rose.
"So yeah." Angra Mainyu kept on talking. "You can gather all your little students, even the silver eyes. Even get help from the Servants you have going here. But at the end of the day, none of that will matter."
"Uh." A moan came as Angra then looked down with a devilish smirk.
"Because those on Salem's side are about to win totally." He told the three people he was sitting on, with those who could afford to watch horrified. Horrified as Angra is sitting on their Headmaster Ozpin, famed Huntsman Qrow, and the small child Ana. The three having struck when he was busy monologuing, yet easily dodged their moves as if it were nothing while even yawning. Even worse, while all three were injured and had cuts on them, this dangerous man had no wounds on him.
"H-How?" Qrow utters as he wheezes. This guy, he beat them all like it was nothing. It reminded him of the time he first trained Ruby, and easily won. Now the positions were reversed, with a guy working with Remnant's evil witch instead.
"Im...possible." This man's moves, they were amateurish. All power but no skill, with no knowledge of the battlefield let aside strategy. Ozpin had those in spades and his magic again. Yet he to fell down like it was nothing. Not even Salem could have done this to him.
"..." Ana said nothing, but in her mind it was racing. 'This shouldn't be possible. I get Angra beating these two, as they're humans, but me! He's suppose to be the weakest Servant in existence. Yet somehow he defeated us all without even trying.' While Ana could admit that maybe her shock was due to hurt pride, it's also true that Angra shouldn't have won that battle. Yes Ozpin and Qrow were human, but the former had powerful magic that would easily bypass Angra's pitiful magic resistance stat and Qrow had great skill. Even if they shouldn't have won, they could have stalled long enough for her to defeat Angra. But instead he crushed those two at speeds she's never seen before then moved on into defeating her.
Did something happen to him here?
It was then a roar could be heard, and it wasn't a Grimm.
"What is that!?" A student shouted in shock as bursting from the forest was no Grimm, but something else.
Coming out was a tall creature with a skull-like appearance. It had two massive horns, and tiny blue eyes in the pitch dark sockets. It had red skin with muscles and a tail, with wings coming out of it. It's hands ending in claws. If anything, it looked worse than a Grimm. After all, it's existence was above them. Ana should know, because she recognized it.
"A...Archdemon." She then glared at Angra, accusation in her eyes. Anger in them as the beast then began attacking the students."You...you brought these monsters here?"
"Oh right, that." Angra tapped his chin with one of his reverse blades. "Yeah...I didn't bring them here, it was that thing." Thing? Both Ozpin and and Qrow had no idea what this guy was talking about, only concerned by the new appearance of this creature. Unsure of it's origin. Ana however, had a few guesses, but still needed an explanation.
"What do you mean by thing?" Ana demanded.
"Oh, well, lets just say it wasn't just us Servants that came. Boy is Salem gonna be mad that she has competition, especially if it works against her." Now both Ozpin and Qrow were curios'. Competition, against Salem of all people. What could even challenge her? "Yep. Still can't believe a Pillar came here." While the two of Remnant still had no clue what it was Angra was saying, but Ana did. In fact, it was the first time Qrow saw fear on her face.
"You-you don't mean-!"
"Uh-hu." This time, Angra had a serious look as he sighed. "Seems one of the remnants found us."
And done for real. So yeah...not much of a city will be left after this.
And now some questions of yours may have just been answered. Like the TRUE reason why the Servants are weakened. Yep, it isn't just because nobody knows them and they're but a splintered versions of themselves back at Chaldea, nor because they were a dimension away. Those were factors, but ultimately, it was because the Will of Remnant itself doesn't want them here, and doing what it could to rid them. But failing as naturally the Servants got resourceful and subconsciously absorbed mana from the surroundings.
Like heck they were getting mana from the Fujimaru siblings, they're a freaking dimension away! They just assumed that since they had no other answer.
And next chapter, the mastermind (not Cinder) of this plot, making things even worse than canon, will confront our (sorta) heroes, the Argonauts. Explaining how he got here-bet you know how though. Next time, we're focusing on Jason and his lot. Man this was a long one. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and the next one should be shorter. Check out the Tv Tropes page, and have fun while staying safe outdoors.
Oh, and don't worry. The consequences of what's happening on the FGO Earth will be revealed later on. Until Next Time.
The colosseum of Amity was empty. Made sense, since Grimm attacked it, with a few still lurking around. Thankfully two Huntsmen had aided in clearing out the place and had left to aid the city of Vale. Leaving the place empty of anything.
Boom!
Except for a group of individuals that never cared for the rules before anyway. The entire arena below exploding in a flash of light with metal flying everywhere with Dust showering the stands. If people had been here, they'd be killed immediately from the backlash. The entire colosseum shaking from the explosion, with various mechanisms within being damaged to outright destroyed. The Amity Arena did have quite a bit of Dust below after all.
Thankfully, it still floated and trouble was no longer afoot.
"Finally, where out." Until now anyway.
Crawling out of the massive hole is none other than the Argonauts. Who have decided to finally get the heck out of the arena's undergrounds, but were at least kind enough to wait until they felt the humans above had evacuated. The fact there was none anywhere was just a bonus. At long last Jason and his allies could move their limbs.
"Finally!" Caenis shouted as she moved about in the ruined arena. "I feel like a man again!"
"Shame there wasn't a few human around." Castor checked to make sure. "Would have been nice to see some of them screaming to the end." He said with a scary smile.
"Oh brother." Pollux gives him a deadpanned look.
Hercules grunted, glad he was of use of protecting his allies. Even though he nearly died and and felt numerous elements make his body shiver, freeze, burn, and even made his skin turn green. Anymore of that and he'd have wasted another life.
"Finally, I can stand on two legs." After years of standing on two, while four was nostalgic, it was uncomfortable for to long. So Atalanta enjoyed being back on her regular position.
"Now I can float again." Medea (Lily) floated off the ground.
"Wait, what!" Jason looked at her. "You mean you could have floated the entire time?"
"Yes." The small Caster said innocently.
"Then why didn't you just pick those of us you can lift away to a safer area?"
"...Tehe." Medea (Lily) stuck out her tongue and tilted her head.
Jason immediately smacked her in the head.
"Anyway," Jason moved on while Atalanta consoled Medea (Lily). "We need to get out of here and find out what's going on. Because all those screams and thumping noises definitely wasn't a good sign."
"Not to mention the roars of Grimm." Asclepius reminded Jason as he stretched. "If anything, whatever is happening isn't singular to here, but all over. Listen." Listen they did, as once the team went silent, they could hear it. The caws, screeches, and roars. The screams of countless from below. It made them all tense on just what is happening to this city. Nothing good from the looks of it.
"Guess we have work to do." Jason sighed as he began moving to the exits with the Argonaut's following. "May as well see what legend we can make while saving Vale."
"But why visit them, when we can talk right now." At that moment all of the Argonauts froze, as a looming shadow enveloped them. Each and every single one of them turned around, where they then saw a foe that should not be here. A pillar of flesh towering above them all, with countless red cross-shaped eyes looking at them. It's 'skin' being bright pink and shiny, yet they knew it's bright color only hid the darkness in whatever it called a heart.
"...How?" Jason began, as he thought for certain these were all dead. He heard Medea (Lily) gasp, but not in fear, but in recognition.
The pillar of flesh chuckled despite having no mouth, and it came just a little closer to them as everybody then took out their weapons. "Demon God Pillar Haagenti at your service." It's pupils shrunk as it's magical power grew. "Come. Let us talk oh Argonauts. Before I kill you all."
