[Opening: Project M Theme]

FusionFall Infinite

Season 5

Chapter 38: Welcome Back to the Fold!

Maylene was still piloting the replica of Hacker's ship glad to re-enter the atmosphere of Home Sweet Home. Enid was grateful to be home and the moment they were in the skies of Zen-Kuro, the three bid their goodbyes.

"It was a pleasure to fight with you, Enid." Maylene said as she opened the hatch. "See ya, ninja witch."

"Later, watch girl." Enid said before jumping out of the hatch and flying into the distance.

"Steven, Herkleston's…"

"I know, but I need back to Neo Bayview for my things anyway." Steven said as she closed the hatch.

[Original County, Outer Towns]

Enid did not mad that her parents crushed her in a bear hug with her brothers. She was just glad to be back home, and Red Action was waiting for her to welcome her back.

"So how was it?" Red Action asked.

"It was pretty insane. What happened while I was gone?" Enid asked.

"We got a bit of an issue namely with a cult trying to weaponize fusion matter. Everyone's been fighting back, and we have busted footholds. The group is in civil war right now." Bernard said. "And your mother became a superhero…"

"Wait." She said flatly as her mother spun around to reveal herself in her costume. "What?!"

"I'm the Vampire Ninja, the Crimson Fang." Wilhamena said striking a pose. "Being a ninja is so fun…we have to go fight crime together. I even made you a little costume."

"I should go see Kaze!" Enid said dragging Red Action. "I'll be later!"

They were out the door and one could hear Enid's car peeling out of the driveway.

[Neo Bayview]

Saki had his daughter in a tight hug just glad to have her within his sight even if she was not his little girl anymore. She joined them for dinner where she learned what was going on.

"About time, you and Mandy got married. I was hoping you'd find love ahead…and you'd get a second chance at fatherhood." Maylene said as Mandy blushed bright red.

"We're not ready for kids yet." Mandy insisted. "Maybe after this cult's dealt with."

Saki waved Maylene off while having his own.

"Don't worry about that Lenelene. Just unpack and relax for now." Saki said a bit embrassassed.

Maylene left with her plate to the living room as Saki simply flashed a small smile.

"So, you do want to have kids?" Saki said. "I had otherwise earlier."

"I told Maylene that to get her off my back. I'm still considering it." Mandy said between bites. "But us having a child of our own isn't all too bad of an idea. If you do get me, I'm finding a time chamber to speed the pregnancy."

"And I wouldn't ask for anything less." Saki said as his phone rang. "Hm?"

He put it on speaker.

"Speaking." Saki said tersely.

"Saki, you didn't hire the Red Phoenix Pirates to murder Overhaul, didn't you?" Gwen asked.

"No…" Saki remarked.

"Apparently, they did and everyone thinks they were hired to do it. I just want to make sure you didn't have anything to do with this." Gwen remarked.

"No, Gwen. We have to deal with the rats' nests that are the cult. I wasn't waste cash to hire some pirates to kill a person that personally I would have killed myself." Saki said rolling his eyes. "They think somebody hired them?"

"Wasn't the leader a TND agent?" Mandy said raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, but considering who he and his crew killed…I highly doubt the KND is going to kick him out or hunt him down. A slap on the wrist at best…and an increase in bounty." Saki mused. "But why would just kill Overhaul and bounce out Zen-Kuro? Something about this is fishy."

As the Fusion Force kept talking, Steven was walking along to what was basically Ryker's home now. Of course, he passed by his father's. Greg was doing well…and Steven was not even surprised that he had three Pearls all over him. Greg could always attract Gems. He walked up the stairs entering the house to see Ryker and a few others chatting.

"Steven? Welcome back, man. I hope your trip with Bishops was interesting." Ryker mused.

"Certainly was. You got my text?" Steven asked as he was tossed his duffel bag. "Thanks."

"Steven…" Pink said getting up and putting the drink down. "I have something I want to give you."

Pink Diamond came out with a Serrated Falchion in a sheath to give to Steven. He took to it wordlessly nodding at her before he waved goodbye to everyone before leaving.

"So…about these pirates? Should we investigate?" Pearl asked.

"I want to say no, but I don't want chances if in the case whoever hired them is associated with the cult. So, we're going to have outsource." Ryker said as everyone groaned. "Yeah, I know. But Garnet and I have a kid, and all of us need to be here to defend the cult."

Pearl pulled up the list of group members who could go out on active missions off-planet.

"We just need one. Before I ask the other members, I wanted to ask if any of you guys if you want to take up the mission." Ryker asked.

"Pearl?" Tsubasa asked.

"I'm not sure if I want to go through with this. I don't want to be away from Jewel…" Pearl said before turning to Amethyst. "Amethyst?"

"Pass. Considering I'm trying to be the liaison with the new Madame President, I'm needed here." Amethyst said bitterly. "I'm still pissed she initially threw us all under the bus."

"I'll do it." Pink Diamond said looking serious. "You just need confirmation. Besides my rank and reputation will be enough to ward off any dumb bastards from hunting my bounty."

"Works for me. Pink, ready your mission gear and good luck." Ryker said looking hopeful. "Butters, I hope you ready some weaponry."

"I can try. FusionFall tech is very wonky…but I should be able to make a few things. I assume you want to do light." Butters asked focusing on Pink.

"Yes, how quickly can ready me?" Pink asked.

"With some help, tonight." Butters said everyone looked ready to help.

[Williams Home, Herkleston, Outer Towns]

"Thank you for the meal, Mrs. Williams." Connie said finishing dinner.

"No problem, Connie. You've been working so hard to train my son and his friends…along with helping us out. The fact I can move around washing machines or the fridge with ease now making cleaning a breeze." Nicole said kindly.

"Plus, flying home from work is flat out fun. I bought a red cape so I can pretend I'm Superman." Duane said as everyone chuckled. "What?"

"If I had a dollar for everyone who did the Superman pose after learning to fly….I could buy a country half the size of the US." Connie said jokingly.

"I got a familiar." Jessica said excitedly before revealing it. "It's a peregrine falcon! I call him Gao."

"So, it's magic?" Benard W. said raising an eyebrow.

"Yup, I can summon him and de-summon him whenever I want. Plus, it can grow in size to carry me around so now I don't have to learn to fly. If he's slain, I can de-summon him to bring him back down as new." Jessica said before dramatically saying. "Gao, get me a soda!"

Gao flew to the fridge pulling it open before grabbing the drink and tossing it to Jessica. She caught him and he closed the fridge.

"Ok, I want a magic animal." Duane thought.

"Do you have to fed it?" Nicole asked worriedly.

"Only when I summon him." Jessica said as Gao picked at Jessica's leftovers.

Connie and her fellow energy sensers picked up an energy closing in on them. Craig was tense, but Connie had nothing but a wide grin as she went to the door to open to see Steven land on the ground. She hugged him before pulling him into a gentle kiss all without words.

"Oh…nevermind." Craig said putting his staff away.

"So, I heard you're teaching others to fight. I'm really glad you found something you're passionate about. I hope there's room for me." Steven said as Connie play punched his shoulder.

"Of course, there is." Connie said before turning to Craig. "Sorry to eat and run, but my boyfriend and I have a lot to catch up on."

Craig and his family bade goodbye as Connie drove away in her hovercar with Steven.

"So, mind catching me up on what's going on? I noticed Ryker's place has a different flag with an emblem." Steven said as Connie looked impassive.

"The Crystal Squadron officially went defunct since the new year. They reformed as the Jade Company, and they expanded business since you left." Connie remarked. "They merged with Fusion Force too."

"So, are you like a crime family now?" Steven asked raising an eyebrow.

"Ryker's taken things seriously getting stakes in the car garages around Neo Bayview and stakes in several other companies. With Annabelle Morbucks bankrolling them and with Fusion Force joining them, they'd be fighting off the Cult, running imports for Merch, and doing jobs for who'd pay well. So, to answer, no, more like Lagoon Company." Connie explained. "They got a few gems working under as surbodrinates running business our friends own now. I've even just a few jobs for them…pays well."

"Must have been a crazy time. So, where are you staying?" Steven asked as Connie pulled up to the woods near the Creek.

"I got a capsule house not far from here." Connie said he and her got out.

She capualized the hovercar as the two young adults walked up to it with her letting him in. Steven put his things down as Connie lifted Steven's chin as she had a teasing look.

"Steven. You in the mood to break in the bed?" Connie said in a whisper.

"You have no idea." Steven whispered back.

The woods were certainly echoing with screaming that night.

[Neo Bayview]

Pink Diamond took one last swig of whiskey looking up at the night sky before heading in. She packed her gear, weapons, and two emergency bottles of red wine. Outside, the team was waiting with a Saiyan Attack Ball.

"It's basic, but I managed to get my hands on making a tracer. After I found what universe Cree and Lydia were from…all I needed was to snag DNA off Hoagie and Abby to make them. So, it's geo-locked to trace any and all from that universe." Ryker said as everyone looked at him. "I had to pay those two 2,000 each for a DNA sample and to keep their mouths shut about this. Judge me for the actions after the results."

"Anyway, the pod is outfitted with a stronger coltan plating. Its weapon system isn't complex, but you activate a plasma feature makes the pod into your own wrecking pinball to smash through anything in the way." Butters said as he opened it up. "Even loaded with air conditioning."

Pink got in looking back at her supportive teammates.

"Thank you, Butters. I'll be sure to get you a sourvenir." She said activating the pod.

It closed and blasted off into the stars. Something that was noticed by few people.

[-o-]

[In Space]

"So, you've obtained what I requested?"

"Yes, Kai Chisaki was killed. His quirk taken with the device you gave us. We collected the data, the quirk erasing bullets, quirk-erasing drug, the andiotes, DNA samples of Eri, and the blueprints for Nomus." Fenix affirmed.

"It was a high-risk job. Way too close for comfort." Amandee said icily.

"I had to outsource. Frankly, even with your small team, I knew you would succeed. Three of you are Big Mom spawns and they are feared for a damn good reason."

"Regardless, we're on the way to deliver the package. Have our payment and we'll have no issue." Fenix said sternly.

"I will. I'm not one to break a deal…plus I'm going to need you around for a while for a few more jobs. You'll need a place to stay after all, Mr. LaNico."

Fenix chatted with his crewmate because turning to face their client.

"Ms. Sugardust, we humbly accept your offer." Fenix said.

"Please…call me Kyu." Kyu said laughing.

"I find me really ironic. That you had rob a Japan to help another Japan. Aren't they going to take issue with this?" Sugarnose asked.

Kyu laughed at that.

"Oh no, let's just say…the anti-heroes I do business with will be more than happy to use any advantage to fuck over their enemies." Kyu said with a giggle. "See ya there soon."

(A/N: Looks like we're have something coming to my more recent fic 'Our Anti-Hero Academa'. After updating and fixing a few chapters here, I'm feeling a good groove going on. I'm glad to be getting into the story and having fun with these characters. Next chapter will come after The Geist Within is updated….)