[Nujabes – Battlecry (feat. Shing02)]

残り:四の影/ Remnant's Four Shadows

Volume 4, Episode 13: Pragmatism Party

Yuki could only sigh in disbelief at what he was told. Ivory had friends that Yuki could have just make a portal or teleport all of them to.

"In all fairness, I forgot and so did you!" Ivory pointed out.

"We still have to investigate the dimensional disturbance from that town in Pine Valley." Peach remarked.

The group were back on the road the next day with Adam the knight riding on the back of Ruby's ATV. Ruby, at least, offered him a seat first. Yuki had Serena on trying to contact Chronoa with no success.

"If I know someone from Pine Valley, I could just…wait…this is going to really dumb or brilliant?" Yuki said before drifting a stop.

He returned his bike to the micro-cube before focusing his energy and vanishing. He quickly returned a few moments back redfaced.

"What's wrong? Did it work?" Ruby asked.

"It is. I just teleported to him while he was….having some alone time." Yuki said with a sigh. "I'll make the portal!"

With Wilt, he cut a portal and walked through.

"I'm sorry for the interruption, Oscar. I teleported to you because I need your help." Yuki said seriously. "And I won't tell a soul about what I saw."

Oscar nodded as the others came through the portal having returned their vehicles to either micro-cubes or dissembling them back into her body if one was Peach. Dorothea was in for a shock to see she had guest just portal their way to their son. Brodsky calmed her down by explaining who Yuki was.

"What, did Kelly not tell you who I am?" Ivory asked.

"Oh, you're the tall one she was on about?" Brodsky said as she rolled her eyes. "So, what brings you to Pine Valley?"

"A distortion in time occurred in this place several months ago. I'm here to investigate what came out along with getting to Mistral. I actually guessed right that Oscar lived here. Don't ask how I could do that, that's classified." Yuki said seriously.

"You must be referring to us." Ilia said as she and Niko came in the room.

Her jacket wrapped around her waist, her torso only had her straining sports bra as that was somewhat soaked from the water she was drinking. Oscar politely tried not to stare, but Ivory and Niko were less subtle about it.

"Hello good-lookin'." Ivory purred. "I already like you more than our world's Ilia."

"Figured as she was a scrawny and creepy bitch." Ilia said with a pained sigh.

She had fully looked into her counterpart's past thanks to Brodsky doing research. She felt bad for her other mostly for the past that led her to become the shit person she was.

"Well, this is a pleasure surprise. I get a good Adam and a good Ilia. All I need is a good Cinder, what…" Yuki said as it was Niko's turn to sigh.

"We did not come alone. We know you killed this world's Cinder…and ours followed us. She's kind of immortal." Niko said as Yuki's eye twitched.

"Please explain!" Yang demanded.

Niko and Ilia would paint a picture of a Remnant that bore the consequences of Salem's suicide attempts succeeding, but it damaged the world enough to make it a wasteland.

"Grimm? Practically an endangered species, instead the threat was mutants formed the ruins of waste dumps. What our world had as sources of power were the two Fable Stones of Truth and Ideals. I had the Truth one and the psycho Cinder of our world had Ideals. I was on the run with my lover here, trying to banish the stones but then the portal sucked us up." Ilia said before clearing her throat.

"Next thing you know, we're out of our world to yours along with Cinder. However, whatever brought us here destroyed the Fable Stones. Cinder is still a threat, but she won't be able to maintain an immortal form unless she has a source of consistent magic." Niko said taking over. "Her pool is limited and slowly draining. She flew away in a rage…and we haven't seen her."

"Like the Relics or the Maidens." The team thought.

Adam was thinking about Lazuli worriedly.

"Oh, that's just lovely. A Cinder who actually is a problem. I swear to Chronoa herself that Cinder Fall is a damn leech that just don't die!" Yuki said with his temper flaring.

"She's not in the original timeline, is she?" Ivory and Peach asked.

Yuki just beat his head on the wall before letting out a miserable whine.

"Oh, come on, what the hell? Are any of the villains dead in the original timeline dead?" Ivory asked.

"Well, I'm not done sifting through the latest upgrade. But I can confirm Hazel's dead…but that was pretty much suicide…." Yuki said exacerbated. "At least Emerald changed sides…even if it way too late."

Ivory and Peach just blankly walked out of the house before letting loose a string of curses. Yuki just sat at the table looking tired.

"But we have a new ally." Ruby said trying to find a positive.

"Yes, I guess better late than never. With how shit being thrown, I should be happy I can prevent all of that shit from happening." Yuki said being hopeful. "Maybe I've been a negative Nancy because I'm afraid of my decisions in changing the future. I get to see the original timeline distort and bend to give the most insane and stupidest of ideas to work when in a rational world, they'd never do."

"If it helps, you did change things for the better. I didn't lose my arm to end up the version of me that you clearly hate." Yang said assuring him.

"Maybe we can get you something to raise your spirits, Mr. Azure?" Brodsky offered. "You seem to have a lot on your mind?"

"Yes, preferably something sweet." Yuki mused.

[-o-]

[Cues: Metroid Prime 2 Echoes OST – Dark Samus Approaching]

"I sense it another distortion, but I was too late. I need power….I need to be strong…I need to be feared….for I am the Grimm Empress!" Cinder roared to no one in particular. "I am in need of a follower."

She was the cold mountains far off Atlas and Mantle on the tundra. The snow crunched under her boots as she walked.

"The Grimm here are weak and pathetic. Worthless to make my minions and I can't just use the Grimm Pool of this world…not unless this world's Salem is dead!" Cinder snarled. "And that fool who fought me yesterday flee from our fight by kicking him in my womanhood! Who does that?!"

She felt a presence and her blackened aura flared as her scowl grew.

"I heard you needed a follower."

She calmed down only to meet the cold eyes of Gen who soundly grabbed Cinder's skull and kneed it breaking the infernal being's nose and sending her back first into the snow.

"I am not impressed..." Gen said planting his foot on her skull getting a snarl of pain out of her. "…by a human playing Grimm dress-up."

He kicked her aside right towards the feet of Alexa and Merlot. Alexa managed to get herself a new clone body…out of the several other Cinder clones he made. Dying still hurt and getting a new body ruined your muscle memory.

"Oh, how fascinating. You're going to make for a perfect test subject…Gen, administer the incapacitating agent." Alexa said with a wry grin.

"Wha-"

Cinder was stomped repeatedly on the head by Gen until she was unconscious. Not too far away, they were being watched intensely by a lone figure.

"This one…this one managed to overwhelm what I could not."

The figure had fought Cinder and she had nearly overwhelmed the figure several times forcing the figure to flee…by kicking below the belt. The cloaked figured watched as the three dragged Cinder into their ship. As the ship departed, the wind blew the cloak's hood back revealing him to be Jase.

"This does not bode well…" Jase said to himself.

[Cues: Metroid Fusion OST – Sector 5]

He deftly walked across the tundra brooding. This brought nothing of concern for himself and for Yuki. He wanted his epic match, but the actions of the Grimm King were ruining it. With the Grimm King around, Yuki would not spare him a moment to fight. He mulled in his throats before sensing a presence.

"You're a hard man to find, Jase."

"Elsa." Jase said as Elsa flew down to greet him. "I figured you were off on your crusade against humans."

"I've had time to think and to train. And my time with you has made me realize that trying to subjugate humans would get rid of people who understand…like you." Elsa said gently.

"Oh, so you missed the nights we had?" He said as Elsa rolled his eyes. "So, did I, Haban. Faunus and Humans have a common enemy…the Grimm."

"Who ironically don't discriminate." Elsa said. "But what's with the look?"

"You have heard of the Grimm King?" He asked her as she nodded. "I just saw three of his guys attack a fighter that I struggled against yesterday. They beat her and they took her. I don't know what…but I can sense she's still alive."

"What are thinking about?" Elsa asked.

"The Grimm King seeks Yuki Azure to combat him believing him to be his great challenge. And he denies me the right to fight him." Jase said as Elsa raised an eyebrow. "I thought you had a grudge too."

"I did…but I realized I'd be a total hypocrite if I applied sin of the father to him when the whole reason, I ended up like this was sins of the father." Elsa said with a bitter laugh. "Why do you even want to fight him?"

"Because his potential, I sense a great power within. Our battle would be legendary, but the Grimm King has his focus. There's only one thing to do….we…or I must lend my aid. With the information I have…I can secure our freedom from ever going back to that jail ever again." Jase said with a cackle.

"You want to help them?" Elsa said laughing. "Well, let me fly you there."

[Music Ends]

[-o-]

[Atlas]

"So, I want to hold this meeting this evening to call for a small celebration. While the Grimm King is still a threat, we're managed to improve the state of Mantle and Atlas." Ironwood said as the attendees clapped.

"General, I want to say thank for hosting me for the past few months. It has been a pleasure to serve with you." Kelly said politely.

"Don't be so modest, kid. You were golden…especially when you keyed a dick on Robin's car." Harriet said with a laugh.

"That was you?" Winter said glaring at her.

"Oh, come on, Robyn deserved it." Weiss admitted.

"Total bitch." Camilla said with no filter.

"Regardless of Miss Hall, I wanted to show my appreciation with some ca-Kelly?"

Kelly got up sensing an incoming presence, something everyone else was picking up on. The window was broken as Jase and Elsa landed in. Weapons were drawn, but the two did not draw theirs. Jase put his sludgehammer on the table as Elsa crossed her arms.

"What the hell is this? An ambush?" Kelly asked.

"No. This is an offer for our help. We have information on the Grimm King…and I'll hand it over and even help you all to defeat him in exchange for a cleaning of our records." Jase said seriously.

"And why should we trust your asses?" Flynt said as Kelly lowered her gun. "Kelly?"

"Because Jase isn't stupid. His goal is to fight Yuki, but the Grimm King prevents his goal. So, he wants to team up to get his eventual goal." Kelly said sagely. "As for Haban, why are you doing this?"

"I have no desire for revenge anymore against Azure. It would be a waste given the Grimm King is around. I'm doing this to support Jase." Elsa said taking Jase hand.

"Is it weird if I say that I could totally see this as a ship?" Neon said innocently as Kelly facepalmed.

"All right, say I believe you. What's the information?" Kelly said.

When she was told, Kelly immediately called Lapis. Lapis had contacted her and Ivory a month prior to tell her about meeting Gen and the scientists.

"Kelly?" Lapis asked.

"Things may have hit the fan. It's gotten to where Rustblade and Haban are siding with us. Gen and his science mother and father got their mitts on that psycho version of Cinder. The one with the Grimm powers I told you about." Kelly said a dire look. "They captured her, and I have no idea where they are or what they want."

"This isn't good. We don't even know wh-Wait, isn't Yuki back into play now? He may be able to help." Lapis remarked. "He could get Chronoa to give us some answers."

Kelly decided to try to call him and Ivory to which she got them both.

"So, the team is back together." Yuki remarked.

"I wish this was a happy reunion, Yuki. But it's not…" Kelly said before everyone got him up to speed.

"Ironwood, I'm glad you're leading the charge to better both Mantle and Atlas. I was reading up on recent news on your recent push for people to learn IT and programs to help those interested get the funds to study it. Kudos." Yuki remarked.

"Thank you, Yuki. I'm pleased to see you've recovered and you're back in action." Ironwood said as Yuki sighed.

Ironwood, despite what Yuki saw in canon, was one of the few characters he cut a lot of slack for. Given he knew why Ironwood went off the deep end, Yuki was focused on making sure he was for the most part honest and straightforward with James.

"The same. I do have intel…about that Cinder. Apparently, she's from another alternative universe. I hate to admit it, but that timeline had an eerie mirror to the state of Atlas in the original timeline." Yuki said concerned.

"What happened to Atlas?" Winter asked.

"….It fell." Yuki said to everyone's horror. "It wasn't even because of Salem…no the original timeline has proven that Salem is a complete joke and confirmed my and my dad's theory that her immortality is her only saving grace."

"Then who or what caused Atlas to fall?" Weiss said as Yuki went silent. "Yuki!"

"Weiss, I'm not going to say. It's better you don't know how the timeline in full…because I told Yang this earlier, if you knew…I'm pretty sure you'd want to raid your mother's liquor cabinet." Yuki said in a tone that left no room for argument. "End of discussion."

"Yeesh, Yuki. A little harsh, there?" Kelly said as Yuki held his face trying to calm down.

"I'm sorry, it's a friggin' mess. The time I watch the original timeline…the more I wonder how Chronoa hasn't lost her mind because of the Brothers interference…" Yuki said in disgust. "So why are Rustblade and Haban here?"

Kelly quickly explained.

"Alright, if this is the case, then they can be trusted for now. Besides if Rustblade wants a repeat of my father's asskissing through me, I'll gladly fight him if he helps us." Yuki said as Jase raised his mace triumphantly. "As for Elsa, I trust Kelly to keep her in line."

"I'm actually surprised you'll willing to work us, didn't they ki-" Weiss said before Kelly shoved a piece of cake in Weiss's mouth.

"What about getting in contact with Tempus?" Kelly asked.

"I haven't tried in a long while since I awoke. I may have to try tonight." Yuki said.

"Please do." Kelly said before he and Yuki hung up.

Weiss swallowed as Kelly looked pensive. The mood for celebrating…was not exactly there too much.

[-o-]

[Pine Valley]

Yuki sat on a rock in the Pine Firm brooding as Ivory, Ilia, and Niko.

"Yuki, right? I heard what you did to my other…thanks for that. It'll make settling into this timeline much easier." Ilia said as Yuki cracked a smile.

"You're welcome." Yuki said. "Ivory, you wanted something?"

"Yeah, you. You need a load off." Ivory said kindly. "And the Pines TV just went kaput…"

Yuki got up and went in the girls. Ruby, Yang, Adam, and Peach sat around with the Pines as the TV was nothing but static.

"Peach, you could have fixed the TV." Yuki commented.

"She wanted you to get out of your funk to do it." Yang said.

"Oh fine." Yuki said putting a hand with it.

"Dual Tech." Yuki said as his outline flashed with one of himself and Peach's.

Blue circuitry lines consumed the old television reforming into it into a more modern television about the same size. It hissed a bit of smoke as it was fresh off the line. Peach let out a small mewl from seeing it in action. Oscar got the remote and turned it on. As Yuki took a seat, he sensed something.

"Yuki, what's wrong?" Ivory said. "Did you se-"

Serena flashed to life in front of them.

"Urgent message coming in from Chronoa." Serena said before hijacking control of the television to show visual.

[Cues: Kevin MacLoed – Ghost Story]

Chronoa looked worse for wear and clearly hurt. The room around her was a bit of a mess and she looked just gratefully to be breathing.

"Are you ok?" Ruby asked worriedly.

"No…no I am not. And I fear that this universe is in danger." Chronoa said. "An old mistake has come back to haunt me…."

"A former champion of yours?" Yuki spoke up.

"How…"

"The Grimm King. He made it clear to me that we are not the first champions of yours." Yuki affirmed.

"And he is right, but for the reasons you think. Time as a concept is endless…only split by clusters of universes with a similar thread. There are an infinite number of times with a few clustered under a Chronoa and the Brothers." Chronoa said everyone looked shocked except for Peach, Ivory, and Yuki.

"So, multiverse theory even applies to Gods." Peach said writing that down.

"The point of this…alternatives you see are all from sister timelines on my watch. I was so focused on trying to one up the brothers for their arrogance that I missed a detail. Before you and your team, I did have a champion. Her name was Towa…the Brothers had ravaged her home timeline. She was the only survivor, and I took her in. I raised her with the goal of making her my successor and she excelled…" Chronoa said as a few tears spilled. "She was like the daughter I never had."

She took a photo of a younger Towa though at the angle she held it…the others could not see it.

"But there was darkness in her heart. A hunger for power, a hunger for control, the trauma of what the Brother Gods did to her, and a good helping of a growing sociopathic tendencies I did not realize until it was too late. She tried to usurp me…she wanted to rule over the universes with them in her own twisted image. My mistake that I carry to this day and will haunt me forever…was that I did not ensure she was erased from time. I had thought I did so…but she pulled a fast one managing to separate her mind and soul from her physical body. She escaped to a timeline to hide…and from I can see…she's been parasitic leech on the minds of the people's she has invaded. She's lived numerous lives as different people. Biding her time and working to unseal her power…which she succeeded. She regained her original physical form…but it's clearly unstable…she thought she could go after me and my champions after she's just gotten her body back." Chronoa said clearly getting more and more livid.

"What happened?" Ivory asked.

"She came to fight me again, but I got a shit vision about the canon timeline to which she used for a cheap shot. I managed to blast a hole through her heart, but she pulls that same shit from years ago and escapes. She can't do to your universe just yet because she needs a new body…and the sneaky bitch is laying low. What she had was wrecked some universe causing holes in this one. That's why you're seeing alternates. Their worlds were brought to ruin…some of them by her hand." She explained as Adam cleared his throat.

"So, is it not possible to return us to our timelines?" Adam asked.

"Hold up. In my humble opinion, I think I rather stay in this timeline. Yes, my world's Cinder came with us…but without the Fable Stones, she's dropped in threat. Plus, this world isn't a horrible wasteland. I have been dealing with nothing but desert." Ilia said standing up.

"We've always wanted a place where we can settle and be together without too much worry. This is fine for us." Niko said sweetly taking her lover's hand.

"But…but…I…I can't even say I want to go back seeing our kingdom fell." Adam said miserably. "Chronoa, is there any hope for my world?"

"No. Salem's pretty much ruined it. If it helps, the Grimm version of RWBY turned on her and now they rule the world…with Salem as their punching bag and slave." Chronoa said as Adam did not even look pleased by the news. "If Towa finds a way to get to your universe, she'll go after the relics."

"We are already going to deal with the relics…so there's that." Yuki mused.

"Look, the most important thing is that you get the relic from Mistral and store it in Atlas' vault with the staff. As you are aware, Yuki, Mistral's vault has a weak point that can be exploited. I can't stay for long…I need to start recovering, but I can give one piece of advice. Ensure that anyone that Towa could use against you is out of the picture…Good luck, Yuki." Chronoa said as the signal cut out and Serena vanished.

[Music Ends]

Yuki stood up looking rather thoughtful.

"I know that we got some major truth bombs dumped on us, but we can talk about it in the morning. I'm calling it a night." Yuki said. "Ivory, that friend of yours that we met when we met you. Syn? She worked at the strip club where you did."

"Oh shit, Syn! I haven't contacted her since…well practically everything. I don't even know if the Red Dragon is still open." Ivory said as Yuki pulled up a screen in front of him. "What are yo-"

"Locating and getting information. The Red Dragon is still operational, and I'm just doing a look through on public records for Syn cross-referencing the place. And….got her. Sandra Yin. Seems she's no longer works there, she's now married…and she's a councilwoman now." Yuki said surprised.

"Shit…I missed out. That's a big leap up." Ivory said. "Just let me call her before you portal to her."

"You guys ready your things? Yuki, you still got the lava lamp transporters?" Peach asked as Yuki got them out of his bag.

Peach took one to activate before giving it to Oscar explaining what it does. She suggested he put in a closet or room out of the way.

"We'll be back tomorrow to further investigate. Thank for your time." Yuki said with a bow before closing out the screen.

"Thy cake was amazing." Adam said humbly.

Dorothea let out a hearty chuckle as Team ARYI, Peach, and Adam left the farm.

"I don't even know if she still uses this number, but here goes." Ivory said using her scroll to call her.

It rang for a bit but it was picked up.

"Ivory…"

"Oh my gosh, Syn! You're still using this number, how are you?" Ivory said excitedly.

"It's been close to two years since I saw nor hair or hide of you. Your parents showed up at the Red Dragon a few times a month or so after you left Mistral to look for you. But damn…I didn't think you still had this number. I'm practically a different person." Sandra remarked.

"Look Syn, I need your help. My friend has a semblance that lets him portal or teleport to anyone as look as he knows their face. You're not doing anything….like being in the shower or something. Because we really need to a quick way to Mistral." Ivory said as she could hear Syn move.

"Ok, you can portal to me now." Sandra said as Yuki slashed opened a portal with Wilt.

"Let's go!" Yuki said as they all left through the portal.

[The City of Mistral]

[Cues: Pokémon D/P/Pt OST – Pastoria City (Night)]

Syn…or Sandra now…had changed drastically for Ivory since when she last saw her. She still had that 'banging body' Ivory knew, but she sported a much more modest hairdo and wore a skirt suit and heels.

"Syn, you stopped dying your hair?" Ivory said as Syn's hair was back in black.

"Didn't really have a reason to be blonde and black anymore." Sandra said adjusting her suit jacket. "It's good to see you again, Ivory."

"I didn't expect you to be a councilwoman. I thought you hated politics." Ivory remarked.

"Well, after the antics of your team. Things in Mistral have changed. Lionheart being exposed as a traitor caused a councilmember to quit, the Spiders Gang fleeing to Menagerie led to another councilmember arrested for taking kickbacks, and then the Grimm King revealing himself to the world caused the last councilmember to blow her brains out. Mistral was chaos because by that time, we need councilmembers. Sienna ended up snagging a seat on the council because she was the headmaster, our old boss got the second seat, and I got the third in a landslide victory." Sandra explained.

"At least, it's in better shape than canon Mistral." Yuki thought.

"Wait, old man Slate?" Ivory said surprised. "Oh man, this must be awkward because I heard you got married."

"Not really…considering the guy was a regular at our club and then become a bartender there before." She said sheepish.

"You married Bao? I could see that." Ivory said getting Twilight Trader out of her micro-cube. "As much as I want to stay and chat more, I really need to go."

"Stay safe, Ives. While you made the city safer, there's still the matter of bandits. Because of the Spiders gang leaving the city, many crooks have taken to bandit tribes or starting their own. There's also the leftover cultists, but…that's better an issue." Sandra said before waving her goodbye as the heroes took off.

"Wait, what's the Red Dragon?" Ruby asked innocently.

"It's a strip club that me and her used to work at." Ivory said shamelessly. "I was their star stripper."

Yang balked at the sheer gall she had in saying that, Adam did the same, but Peach laughed it off. Yuki had Serena deal with securing them a place.

"Damn, it seems we're low on option to stay for the night." Yuki said as Serena reported to him.

"Wait, isn't Ivory from Mistral? Can't we just ask her par-" Ruby said before cut off by Ivory's glare.

"Fuck no. I refuse to see those two. End of story." Ivory said firmly. "Can't be just ask Sienna for a favor?"

"Actually…we may not have to." Yuki said having an idea.

[Cues: GTA CW OST – Chan Jaoming's Theme]

The group stood in front of what was Miss Malachite's old home, a rather decent townhouse with a garage. Yuki looked around for a key and the others helped out.

"Found it." Adam said tossing it to Yuki. "It looks they dropped this months ago."

Ivory just tried opening it…and the door was unlocked.

"Well shit." Yuki said as they all went in.

It was clear the place looked abandoned and that the people who lived here were in a hurry to leave. Yuki sensed out the area before closing the door behind everyone as Serena ran a scan.

"No one's here. Power's still operational…as is water. Though we'll have to run the pipes for a bit before we can use them just in case." Yuki said. "I'm going to head up to a bedroom and call it a night."

Yuki tossed the lava lamp to Ivory.

"Activate it and put it in the living room, please." Yuki said going upstairs.

"Yeah, boss." Ivory said.

"He has a lot on his mind." Adam affirmed.

"Yes, he is a herald…and gets to see events of the original timeline. To be honest, I don't think I could handle that." Ivory said putting the lava lamp on the living room table before activating it.

"Link established." It said.

Adam opted to stay in living room to sleep as the others made moves to explore the house to find a place to sleep.

(A/N: Yes, Towa was planned. The Grimm King is the enemy of Remnant, but Towa is a grand threat for the multiverse. I did have to complete the Xenoverse reference, now if there's a Mira? I'll consider that. Otherwise, I'm streamlining things. Namely, Jase and Elsa. Basically, I did tease the idea of that being an issue, but I decided against that. I want the focus for major threat on the Grimm King and his faction with Towa being built up in the shadows. And yes, Watts is still around…and still alive.)

[Secondary A/N: I wanted to inform all of you that I did have edit some older chapters for obvious spelling errors and grammar issues I missed. Those chapters were the finale chapter of Volume 1, episode 5 for Volume 2, episodes 2 and 8 of Volume 3, and episodes 4, 8, 9, and 11 of Volume 4. I will try not to have this get that bad again.)