Video Playlist: Sun Dust Introduction
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...Playing Video
"And introducing Mayor Phil Ken Sebben."
Sebben calmly walked onto the podium, offering a small wave to the applauding crowd. "Thank you, all for coming. You are all here because the potential of the hard work done here can determine whether or not we have the answers to some of the world's greatest problems. Now before we get on with why we are here, at great risk to myself and giving you all a severe case of boredom I am going to share a story told to me by my father at a young age that seems to greatly suit this new invention we are all here to see."
Sebben took a chance to clear his throat before speaking. "It starts with a man dying and his soul ascends to the afterlife. There he is greeted by his personal angel who congratulates him and says he will take him to what many call Heaven, the Pure Lands, Nirvana, the Overworld and many other places that represent the 'good' part of the afterlife. Before that happens the man asks to see what the Underworld, what many call the Nightosphere or Hell. The angel complies with his wish and takes him to the Nightosphere but it's not what he expects.
Rather than eternal fire and torment there is only a grand hall with a giant table filled with food. The man is surprised and wonders if this truly is Hell. Then the doors open and in rushes people who come to eat. These people look malnourished beyond belief, so much that you can see their ribcages and the only thing they have utensils are three foot long chopsticks. They struggle to get at the food, but the chopsticks are too long and their mouths cannot reach the food.
The man is astounded by how pathetic they look as they fail to get the food into their mouths and walk out crying and starving. The man looks to the angel and says 'Get me out of here'. The angel complies and takes him to the Overworld but surprisingly it is the exact same hall with a table with the finest foods. The man looks perplex and then wonders 'Ah, do they have normal chopsticks here?' The angel answer's 'No' before the doors open and in walk the people from before. They carry the same three foot long chopsticks but instead of using them to try and feed themselves and fail, they use the chopsticks to feed each other and no one goes hungry." Sebben took a sip of his water once he was done. "I am reminded greatly of this tale today as we unveil the Sun Crystals."
The curtain opens, revealing a machine that opens up to reveal a series of Dust like crystals shining brightly enough that some have to cover their eyes.
"Unlike regular Dust, these crystals were made in a lab with a special formula that can create custom made diamonds right down to the atomic level and it would be impossible to tell the difference. Only difference is that have been engineered to absorb light from the sun and store it as actual sunlight. You can feel the heat from them, you can see the blinding light and just like the real sun it can help life grow." Sebben explained as he picked up a crystal. "Imagine being able to grow your own gardens in the deepest caverns or bring light and warmth to the darkest and coldest corners of the worlds. This even has the potential to replace Dust, nuclear energy and fossil fuels as a source of power if used correctly. Ladies and gentlemen, this is your money's worth: the end to poverty and a step into a brave new world."
...Video Ending.
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Satyra had many bases across the world. Some hidden in plain sight, others in secret locations. Here, Catra and Scorpia were in one of the more hidden ones, where both were now walking to meet with their new...partner.
"This is going to suck." Catra then says, not looking pleased.
"Oh come on, it's not that bad." Scorpia tried cheering her up. "At least now we don't have to deal with taking our shifts in cleaning up around here."
"Sure, sure." Catra rolled her eyes. "Instead of cleaning up, now we're going with that creep to one of the most dangerous places in the world, and meeting a woman that can kill us."
"I doubt she'll kill us, especially with this deal going on." Scorpia tells her friend, passing by a break room.
"Tell that to Denver." Catra then points at a nearby television, where the relaxing members of Satyra on break were watching the news. One that shows the casualties in Denver that had occured just a while ago. With images showing many bandits, but with two people that were really familiar to Catra and Scorpia. Two people they met some time back in the Wilds. Two people, who had somehow managed to actually get Grimm inside one of the most fortified cities in the world while also framing a famed hero.
"Shame he wasn't there." Scorpia sighed. "But hey, at least I saw him actually kicking Katz's butt. Haha! Knew he was a catch."
Catra had to stop herself from slapping Scorpia's head for being interested in that maniac. Though even she could admit, that faunus was definitely good to take on one of the most dangerous serial killers alive and actually live through it. Heck, she and maybe a few other members in the base may have cheered a bit when the freak actually shot Katz in the chest since that dude has killed a few members of theirs before. Though it did come to a surprise when the news mentioned he was actually an ex-member of Satyra.
'And something tells me that isn't true.' Catra thought, not sure if she should believe it compared to the others who thought it was true. Regardless, thinking on that moment and their latest assignment made Catra think back on the little talk she and Scorpia had with someone of great importance just a day ago. Talking with a person, she never thought would ever happen.
Flashback
It had been one full day after they got back to the Wilds, and relaxed after the trip. Once they settled down, changed their clothes, took a shower and ate, Catra decided to send a message to the person in charge of the base. A message that said everything that happened in the Wilds, from who they met, the strangeness of Grimm activity, and none other than that eerie woman that sent chills down her spine. Once she finished typing the message, she sat down on her bed where Scorpia was busy with some light exercises.
Catra then sighed. As she recalled what she wrote and sent. About this woman and how she controlled the Wilds, and willing to make a truce.
Catra wasn't sure when an answer would be made to her message, if any came at all. She wasn't sure if Satyra's leadership would believe her and if they didn't she and Scorpia could be in trouble.
If only-
WHOOSH!
Catra blinked as she and Scorpia suddenly appeared in a giant room with a red carpet traveling from the doors to a shadowed throne with six guards in battle skin tight battle suits, all of them carrying golden scythes flanking the throne. Above the throne was a giant red black curtain with the dragon symbol of the Satrya imprinted on it.
"Scout Commander Catra and Squad Captain Scorpia." A hissing voice spoke from the shadowed throne. One that made both faunus woman stand up more straight while also getting a sense of fear in them "I bid you welcome to the headquarters of Satyra."
One of the guards raised their weapons and spoke in a robotic voice. "Kneel to His Eminence."
Eyes widening, Catra and Scorpia hastily fell to their knees and bowed. Their instincts screamed at them, telling them that the creature sitting before them was an alpha predator, top of the food chain from wherever it came from. The being's presence was as frightful as that Salem woman's presence which Catra and Scorpia didn't think possible but later would learn they should not have been surprised.
Only the top predator could be the leader of Satrya.
"I heard your report on your encounter with a strange woman in the Wilds." His Eminence spoke, raising his hand and the guard lowered his weapon. Catra unable to see his Eminence's face or even body, as it was hidden in the shadows. She dared not even look up as she felt it would be bad if she did. "I want to hear everything."
Catra and Scorpia bowed to the shadowed form of His Eminence, having delivered their report to him in person following their return from the worlds. Ensuring not a single detail was missed nor even tried to alter what they recalled as his Eminence would surly detect such a lie. Once they were done, the leader of Satyra finally spoke after a minute of being told the story.
"So, this woman claims she will give us part of the Wilds in exchange for...a truce?" His Eminence slowly spoke from the dark throne.
"Yes, Eminence." Catra answered, her head remaining down as she spoke.
"Can she be trusted?"
"I...I think so. She could have killed us but she let us live." Catra stammered a bit as she answered.
"That does not answer the question." His Eminence leaned forward. "Does she know about the prototype armor you are wearing?"
"No." Catra shook her head.
"Remove it."
Catra took off her badge and the maroon Aura surrounding her vanished, allowing her true Aura to be seen.
A mix of blue and yellow.
"You are one of the most skilled scouts this organization has ever recruited, Catra. In a few more years of training and missions you could very well be a candidate for one of my top Lieutenants in the Satyra." His Eminence spoke, the badge in Catra's hand floating up and flew into his. "But you must remain vigilant and careful, especially in the presence of dangerous beings like this woman."
"Eminence?" Catra asked carefully.
"The Wilds would be a boon for us but I suspect this woman does not comprehend the dangers of this world and how close the Wilds border one of most dangerous threats." His Eminence mused before returning the badge to Catra's hand. 'I alongside the Lieutenants have considered her offer, and have decided to accept it. In the meantime, you and Captain Scorpia are not to speak of what you saw in the Wilds to anyone, inside or outside the Satyra, as this will be a hidden alliance, iss that clear?"
"Yes, Your Eminence." Both Catra and Scorpia answered at once.
Flashback Over
And so, the two women alongside a third will be going back to the Wilds to make the deal. Which they didn't mind...until, they learned just who was going with them.
"Hello there." One that made them flinch as appearing behind them with a deadly presence was none other than a large Mobian with red fur, sharp teeth, and a medieval getup. Dark Kat.
Yep. This is going to suck.
"Well, this is a surprise." Mercury and Emerald had a good thing going so far. A nice decent cabin to live in, some food, and nobody to bug them aside from the occasional bug that entered through the cracks. So overall, a decent time here. Which is why during dinner, it came to a surprise when they saw a news report.
While they didn't understand the language of the text written down, what they did get was that apparently some city had gotten under attack by Grimm. What they understood more was when it showed images of those who assaulted the place. Two images in particular that the duo recognized.
Hazel.
Cinder.
"No way." Mercury blinks.
"T-they're here!" Emerald stood up. "Q-quick, where is this? We have to go!"
"Now hold it, hold it!" Mercury tried stopping her. "We don't even know this place, let aside know where they are. Heck, for all we know, they can be on the other side of the continent...At least, I think we're on a continent."
Hard to tell where you were when you're wanted and couldn't read maps.
"B-but we have to go." Emerald says. "To meet up with Cinder and get the heck out of here." Before Mercury could refute her, suddenly, another voice gave it's opinion.
"Yes." One he couldn't deny it's wishes. "Must go. Go. To Salem."
"...okay." Yeah. No way Mercury was going to anger this thing. However, there was still one problem. "We need to figure out where we are, and then a map."
"That shouldn't be too hard." Emerald tells Mercury. "We just need to get someone to help us out." Help them, or in reality, force them.
"In that case." Mercury stood up and cracked his knuckles. "Guess we're going to need to hunt someone down." The Hound in the room growled in agreement.
It's been a long while since it had been travelling.
Ever since Van Kleiss's portal machine exploded, three beams had burst from it and went in different directions.
The first brought Salem and her cabal and then vanished.
The second made its way into Japan, stabilized, and became a permanent portal of a set size where Grimm from the Darklands poured out and entered.
As for the third, it had kept on travelling and traveling, going over the land, then over the cities, then finally, the seas. Where after so long, it finally exploded into a purple light, and like the second, stabilized and created a fifteen meter diameter portal just about twenty meters above the sea. Where for a long while, nothing occurred at all.
"So this is what Pietro found, huh." Nothing on Dimension GF-007 side at the least. As what appeared to be a fishing string came out of the portal of the other side, dipped into the sea, and took out a fish before bringing it back into the portal. Hours later, a sleek ship burst out of the portal, where five passengers were inside it.
Each of them wearing a stylized military uniform of white, blue, and some red. Being four humans, one faunus, and all now looking around wherever they were. Having gotten word from their best scientist of some unknown energy signature, and decided to investigate it.
Inside the vessel, the leader of this group looked at the calm blue sea. Being a man with short brown hair and teal-green eyes. He wore a sleeveless uniform that consisted of a white sleeveless double breasted coat with red and blue accents with ornate detailing shaped to the form of wishbones, broad tail with red lining and a four-leaf clover pin on the lapel. His belt had a rabbit's foot keychain hanging off it. He also wore white pants and covered his hands with brown fingerless gloves. He also wears blue calf high boots with four dark blue straps and silver steel toe plating.
As his eyes scanned the blue ocean, he looked up and saw the broken moon. However, what really interested him was the fact that it was day...when it was night back on the other side. He took out his scroll and saw there was no signal and then said, "Let's go back and tell the general what we saw. He'll want to know this."
So not only will we be seeing the deal between Satyra and Salem's Cabal, but now Mercury and Emerald will start their travelling. But also, that Remnant at long last will get involved. That took a while, and things in canon will change a bit.