[Dragon Ball Super OST – The Earth's Fate]
残り:四の影/ Remnant's Four Shadows
End of Remnant, Episode 5: Change of Plans
[Vale] |Day 1 – 88 Hours Remain|
Peach was asleep on the lab's couch. A few tools on the table and a few completed gadgets scattered about. Yuki was also sleeping on the couch with his face on Peach's chest spooning her from the front. His completed Midnight Mortis lay on the table. Serena woke them both up as the computer came with an alert.
"Rejuvenation process near completion for Subject 2." The computer said. "T-Minus 1 hour, 30 minutes."
[Cues: JPDE OST – School Life]
"Yuki…you're um poking me." Peach said gently.
"Sorry…" Yuki said getting off the couch.
"Yuki, we need to talk." Serena said sternly.
"I just got up…and you got that 'I have to lecture you' face." Yuki said annoyed.
"Yuki, you are stressing a bit too much. You're just have been hyper focused on working without making much time for leisure. Thankfully, it's not been because we have Ironwood's semblance on file to which we do not. Speaking of…have you looked into Volume 8?" Serena said as Yuki looked stone faced.
[Music Ends]
"Why bother?" Yuki asked. "Considering that timeline is…Ruby and I didn't see the point in…"
"I know but watch it. Trust me. You'll feel better and I promise you that it will be pure catharsis." Serena said. "Trust me."
So, he buckled down to watch as he and Peach had breakfast. To say Volume 8 was terrible was an understatement, but Yuki had a different reaction. Laughter. He was on the ground laughing being unable to take any of it seriously. Of course, he was horrified by what occurred, but he had a hard time taking any of it seriously given stupid decision after decision. All his worry on the choices he made…was lifting.
"I don't really see the humor in this…" Peach asked.
"Peach, don't you get it…I've been fretting over loss when without me around, they ruin a Kingdom. The one with the most technology and means to fight Salem. They practically shot themselves in the foot and Salem didn't even have to do much." Yuki said as he calmed down. "I…I could have done a lot worse. I don't want to downplay the loss I had though."
"Loss in life happens at times in our line of work. When we can't prevent it, we minimize it." Peach said putting a hand on Yuki's shoulder. "I never did ask if you made peace about your parents."
"Peace? I did in part to killing the two pricks who had a hand in their hands, ruining their organization, having their leader under my thumb, and making a nest egg out of it. Their murders were avenged, and I sleep well at night." Yuki said cheekily before turning serious. "What happened in Vale still haunts me a bit. I can't just murder the Grimm King for it because technically…him coming back was the fault of the Church of Salem. I can't even hate the Grimm King given he's put Salem out of the way and isn't even really playing 'direct antagonist'. At his worst, he's an anti-villain! I…"
[Cues: JPDE OST – School Life]
"Releasing Subject 02."
The privacy screen went up as the fluid within the tank was evaporating as the tube opened up with a hiss of steam. Fria opened her eyes and stumbled out.
"Fria, how you feel?" Yuki asked clearing his throat.
"Like I had a long steam bath." Fria said blinking. "It's been so long since I sounded or looked like this."
What was old was now youthful once again. Wrinkled skin gone for smooth and supple skin. Her hair was back to being platinum blonde with plenty of evidence of a natural blonde. He politely kept his eyes off her body…or at least tried to.
"Well, are you going to get me some clothes or are you going to keep staring. It is impolite to stare at a Maiden." Fria playfully chuckling as Yuki looked pensive. "But I supposed you got me my youth back…and you look capable…"
"Old enough to be his grandmother, Fria…" Peach said…thought somewhat hypocritically.
"Tempting, but you'd be a bit overly fertile now. So, I suggest if you need sexual release, toys for a week until your body 'calms down'." Yuki said. "But let's get your new clothes. Peach and I made them."
Fria found herself in a long white coat with silver pauldrons, light blue boots, a gunmetal grey belt, fur-lined brown gloves, and a pair of dark trousers. Under the coat was a compression shirt under body armor. The coat was had ice blue lining as it was dust woven with ice dust. Her hair was done up in a professional bun with fringe on both sides of her face thanks to Yuki. He even went the extra mile to do Fria's nails before she put on the gloves.
"Surely, you make an old woman feel and be young again." Fria said before ruffling Yuki's hair. "Thanks, kid…"
"Might not want to call me that, you're physically near my age now." Yuki said. "Peach, take her to the Dragon Den."
Peach nodded.
o-O=O-o
[Music Ends]
Cael paced around in the Dragon's Den. He had tried to call Yuki, but he was not answering. Ruby sat and meditated. Despite her desire to be moving, she kept still and tried to focus. Of course, Yang, Ayla, Lunitan, and Sulfur watching television did not help. Cael was fuming to be just booted out of the lab and no one could help him get back. Serena had apparently given orders for them not to be disturbed.
"Is it weird we're just watching television…" Sulfur said as Ivory returned with Shampoo.
The two came with supplies aside from the bottles of the Wine of New Wellness. Throwing knives, dust laced shurikens, smoke bombs, bombs of various dust types, knifes with blades of dust, and homemade adrenaline pills. And right out from the bedroom came Peach and Fria.
"We're back." Peach said Cael and the others turned to see Fria.
"Well, I'll be damned, his science sweat did the trick." Lunatin remarked.
The Winter Maiden felt recharged and overflowing with energy having a hard go at keeping it under wraps. As Fria stepped through there was a break in Cael's expression, a moment of apprehension before he collected himself again to give her a brief wave as she too returned the greeting with a warmer smile.
"Any side effects?" Cael asked.
"Eyes a bit sensitive, but other than that, I'm fine." Fria said eager. "And eager to enjoy life. When this is over, I want to do a bit of traveling and definitely leave Atlas for a time."
"Given Salem's out of the way…the Maiden's aren't really in danger anymore." Ivory mused. "And considering you can take care of yourself now."
"I take back most of the things I was thinking about Yuki." Cael remarked. "Most of them."
Through the doors to the den came Ironwood and Winter who were taken aback to see a young Fria.
"Fria." Ironwood said curtly.
"James. It's good to see you again, but I will have to object from handing over the Maiden's power. I'm an old doe back in a young fawn's body, and I'm eager to get back in the fight." Fria said clenching her fist before bowing. "I thank you and your military for the care, but it will no longer be needed."
Ironwood was grateful to see her back in top form.
"Glad to see you back and capable." Ironwood said formally.
"I expected your Council to object to this Colonel, but considering Yuki I doubt they had much of a say in it. Not that I'm complaining." Cael sharply.
Of course, unknown to Cael and the others, there was someone in Atla's council who was keeping tabs on Yuki and rather interested to keep Yuki in their corner.
"Right now, we have a bigger issue. Cael, I am willing to put aside issues for the moment. The council will frankly have to hold their breath on this one." Ironwood said just as sharp.
"I just find it ironic, you're all buddy-buddy with Team YUKI. Oh General and your faithful commandant, a bit surprised to learn how involved you two were. Especially giving them special access to your resources. My parents would be envious of such a relationship... but we must be just as big of a surprise since we're working with Isis, right?" Ayla remarked.
Winter gave an eye-roll before glaring at her.
"Jokes aside, we all have a common enemy." Winter said fiercely. "Griseo's going to pay in blood for what he did to Weiss."
She was glad Weiss was alive…but her being into the Grimm King's care did not help matters. Ivory cleared her throat to get everyone's attention.
"The Amazons sent over some supplies." Shampoo said sternly. "Cologne and a few of our warriors will be fighting the army."
"Old fashioned with a modern twist." Cael said admiring the handiwork as Ironwood did as well.
"I can't believe Yuki's going for the wellness wine, but desperate times call for extremes." Shampoo said.
The bottles were half-sized being about sixteen ounces labeled with a symbol in the lost languages of the Amazons. Ivory took hers up. She knew the risks, but her friends needed her. For all the issues, she knew Kelly would fight tooth and nail for her and so would Lapis. She put one aside for Yuki and gave up to Fria.
"Yuki asked for extra to make sure the maidens get one. We already got one to Amber and Isis." Shampoo remarked taking up a bottle for herself.
"How are they handling it?" Ruby asked.
Amber had to be put into the machine in Beacon's basement to be put into a medically induced comatose state. Ozpin was just glad that she stopped screaming. Isis, on the other hand, took to a meditative state slowing her breathing and heart rate. She was in pain…seeing her life flash before her eyes, but if she did not move…the pain did not hurt as badly.
o-O=O-o
[Cues: JPDE OST – School Life]
Back within the laboratory, Serena gently took off the headphones while Yuki was jamming out to music to let him know that Maria was done. He wiped his face as tube was emptying out and letting Maria out. He already knew Maria was a total fox in her youth, and he respectfully tried to keep his eyes up on her face. Maria wordlessly looked at her reflection at the tube's glass through her silver eyes once again unsure how to feel. Yuki was glancing on her toned backside.
[Cues: Dragon Ball Kai OST – Courage Fills the Heart]
"Kid, I know I should happy I can stand up on my own two feet again. That I'm in my prime, but it's just been so long since I…" Maria said pausing before finding the words. "…was the Grim Reaper. I know you believe in me, but I need to believe in myself."
Yuki snapped out of it to speak up.
"The time is now, and honestly I'm scared myself. I got doubts if I can, but I won't back down. I was all for fighting Salem even if she was immortal. Maria, if you trust in me, I can trust in you." Yuki said handing her new clothes and her weapons. "Now suit up. We got work to do."
Maria took them and he left the room to get himself freshened up.
Yuki went off to another room to shower and getting suited up in fresh clothes. He looked at himself at the mirror rather thoughtfully.
"Don't forget who you are, and what you're fighting for." Yuki said to himself. "For darkest night and blackest souls, for our eyes light the way when all seems lost. To fight tooth and nail. We…"
[Music Ends]
He was cut off by a knock on the door. He walked to the door to see the Grim Reaper. The mask was slightly redesigned.
"The mask was made from your old googles. Vision for thermal reading, night vision, and making precision shots." Yuki said as Maria rolled his eyes. "Let's get you some breakfast. My treat."
Yuki and Maria used the lava lamp teleporter to return to the Dragon's Den to sense Ruby's aura in distress. They came out of the bedroom to see Ruby in pain with the empty bottle of Xīn Jiànkāng on the ground.
"Damn it, I feel like my nervous system is on fire." Ruby screamed struggling to stand. "It's like needles are in all parts of my body!"
Yang helped her to the couch.
"Wait, is that Xīn Jiànkāng? I pity you, I had a bottle of that when I was young…I spent six hours screaming, five hours petering, and one hour on the toilet." Maria said surprising Yuki. "You don't think I don't realize you're an ally of the Amazons. The purple haired one had to be one of Cologne's."
Maria turned to Yang.
"You'll need to get her fluids. Soups, water, milk. Maybe energy drinks." Maria remarked. "And I assume you're giving most of us drink it."
"I asked to get enough for the maidens, Peach, myself, Team CASL, Ruby, and Yang. I assume Shampoo has one, so any extras would go to anyone willing to take the risk." Yang said taking his bottle.
Yang took two bottles, CASL all took theirs, Peach took her, and Fria took hers. Yuki took one for himself.
"We're going to need someone to look after us while we down these." Yang remarked.
"I will make arrangements." Serena remarked.
"I just wish we had more time to prepare." Ruby said as Ivory had an idea.
"Of course, we have time! Can't we just ask Chronoa for more? She's the Goddess of Time!" Ivory remarked as Yuki took a breath.
His time meditating in the ruins had given him plenty of exposure to temporal energy. He cleared his mind of all distracting to focus on the flow of time as his aura began to glow. Ticking could be heard as the clocks around them had glitch about as a bright gold portal with a clock motif formed.
"Guess he's going to see Chronoa now." Ivory said calmly as Serena vanished into Yuki's mindscape.
Yuki walked in.
~EoR~
Chronoa, despite being a goddess, did have to put up with a lot of crap namely in her bullying pair of the 'Brother Gods'.
"I said no, I'm not giving you a blank timeline to mess around with!" Chronoa said. "You can't keep impeding on me and my work just for shits and giggles."
"But we want to make another timeline focusing on Jaune." GoL said.
Yuki had arrived only to immediately see she had bad company. He hid.
"Again, Adrik? Don't you have enough timelines to live out your sick fantasy? Aloak, please I…"
The God of Light glared at her.
"That sounds like in you're being defiant again." Aloak said. "And we just 'hate' to punish our inferior."
Yuki snarled watching what they did to Chronoa. He had noticed she had bruises, but she never explained where they came from or claimed it was training. He knew though if she had told him, he would have gung-ho to try to fight the brothers…which is not a bright idea. It was agonizing to which the two bully her. Chronoa was thrown into the ground with Aloak planning his foot on her throat.
"No, we do not have enough. And just for that, I might just destroy a timeline of yours." Aloak said glowing with an aura.
Yuki had long learned that there were multiple types of aura. The one that Chronoa had thought him and his team further in was Godly aura (or Aura of the Gods). Learning to sense it was difficult, and they never got around to learning to use it. She claimed they were not ready, but he had a feeling now that was in hopes to protect them from the brothers. The two brothers delighted in pummeling her until she caved to give them what they wanted. They left her on the ground and left her realm. Yuki came out of hiding to help her up and she was trying not to break down.
"What are you doi-How did you…I?" Chronoa said before he shushed her.
"Save it for after I heal you." Yuki said honing his aura. "Blue Dragon."
The air around his hands before water with aura amplified as he worked on healing her bruises and injuries.
"I'd ask when you were going to say anything, but…I think I know why you didn't. Either way, I need your help." Yuki said. "Noire mentioned Griseo being a threat to the multiverse itself with her help. No doubt it's Towa."
Chronoa immediately went worried, but she had an idea grateful for the brothers gave her an idea.
"I need time to work on it. How much time do you have until zero hour?" Chronoa said.
"Less than four days. 85 hours and counting." Yuki said.
"I can work on something, but please…don't just drop in. I don't want the brothers to harm you." Chronoa said earnestly.
"I'm more worried about you." Yuki said hugging her.
"I'm made of stronger stuff." Chronoa said as Yuki let go. "Now go. I'll contact you when I'm ready."
The door opened and he walked on ahead. He looked back looking worriedly at her before leaving as the door closed behind him. Chronoa wondered ideas only for the door to open. She turned to see a complete stranger come in, more so dressed as a delivery person.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for a Miss Chronoa Tempus."
"Yes, that's me, but who are you and how…" She said before the delivery person stated there was a package was for her.
She just signed for it as the delivery person up and left through the door. She put the box down and took the letter attached to it off.
"Don't ask how I got you this, just listen. I'm risking a lot by even starting my guy to you to deliver this. Regardless, while I wish to get involved in the struggle you and your world will face, I can aid in the aftermath. I know full well that my interference will have greatly aided the Grimm King and his 'master plan'. What is inside will only open for Yuki. But, you DO NOT give it to Yuki until the battle is over. Your ally in time, X.I."
She did not know who that person was. Nervously, she opened the box to see a metallic case with a familiar logo on it.
~EoR~
[The Grimmlands]
Noire did not like this one bit. An outsider was interfering in his chess game. While if anything what this 'X.I.' did gave him an advantage, he still had to adjust the plan. He rose from his throne twirling the staff in his hand and called for Sazu.
"Have our guests fully recovered?" He asked as she nodded. "Good, time to awaken them."
"But sir, wasn't the plan…"
"Plan was adjusted. It seems I can go the direct route…and considering Yuki's cemented hatred of the brothers will make it even easier. I don't who you are, 'X.I.', but you've impacted what will come after!" Noire said laughing boisterously.
Within the laboratory lined with brickwork and metal from the Quibuscaligo to shield it, the defeated heroes were all put into healing tanks quite like the one's Yuki had in his lab. They had no idea they were even there given they were all still unconscious. Dr. Rotertod was being livid to have to help save them, but Dr. Merlot was quite intrigued. Dr. Merlot had quite the interest in Team YUKI, and whatever could get him favor with them was ok in his book. Gen and Cinder had assisted through specific orders from Noire much to Dr. Rotertod's ire.
Noire came in.
"It's time. Wake them up!" Noire said.
"I do disagree with your decision…" Dr. Rotertod said only to duck from an axe made of aura flew near her head. "But I respect it and have complied with your demands."
Gen slammed down on the button as the healing tanks emptied as Sayah and Sazu came into the room. They all awoke rather groggy.
"What the hell? I…YOU!" Lapis said seeing Rotertod. "I…"
"Enough." Noire said making his presence known. "Don't kill my people. I know he's a piece of shit, but I'm using said person."
"She." Alexandra corrected annoyed with her. "I'm stuck as a woman as the original sample of my DNA is corroded thanks to you."
"Trapped in the body of a massive bitch. Fitting." Lapis said noticing she and the others were naked.
"Who took my clothes?!" Weiss screamed covering herself.
"Your clothes and personal items were found and repaired." Sazu said gesturing to the table.
Sun did not bother worrying about being naked, he just walked over to the table to get clothes. He was simply happy to not be dead after all that insanity.
"And I handled loading you up into the healing tank." Cinder said getting sighs of relief.
"She didn't poke around in my things. I don't want her trying any clone shit!" Lapis said pointing at Alexandra.
"Wouldn't let me." Alexandra said with a scowl as the rest of the heroes got dressed. "King's orders."
"Well then, King Noire, I owe you one." Lapis said fluffing her jacket.
"You owe several." Noire said. "But you're already paying me back, you just don't know it yet. Sazu, escort them to the airship. Sayah, my dear, we're going to Beacon."
"Gen, dear. Keep an eye on things." Sayah said as Gen bowed.
He bowed. Sayah and Noire had seen Gen as a surrogate son and had treated him rather well. Being not sparring partners certainly helped.
"Of course, Queen Sayah." Gen said.
(A/N: Who the heck is X.I.? He's someone you met already under another name in another story. That's all the hints you're getting. Now, Noire is on the move and as for Griseo…he and Towa are making deals across the stars.)