The Kaleidoscope.
The multiverse.
Theorized that we aren't the only world out there, not in the universe one lives in, but another entirely different universe with its own occupants of their own. With thoughts that this 'parallel' world will be similar or different to one's own current world. Something that while scientifically unproven, is used for media and entertainment. Yet there are some that know that the multiverse is indeed true and all too real. For the better or worse for reality.
A multiverse that is usually referred to as a tree, with the branches being considered different timelines. Some could be the same or different, as mentioned before. All these timelines that each branch out to their own different future, each considered their own version of Proper Human History.
…but not all branches have a chance to grow out.
Cut off from even being part of the multiverse theory, are timelines that have deviated too far from what is considered 'proper' by the world. A timeline that is vastly different and holds of unnecessities that the Counter Force itself deems unneeded. As such, like any branch that gets too long these 'branches' of reality are cut off. Pruned.
Forgotten.
Nobody would know of this. Nobody even bothered with this. To many, they didn't even realize that their own reality could be just as easily cut off if their timeline didn't satisfy the world. Otherwise, the Counter Force would deem their reality a waste of energy and make it so that their timeline doesn't even exist in the first place. As they could not have prosperity and have made the supposed wrong choices compared to the proper ones made by the greater history of mankind.
Thus was the fate of those who have hit this 'dead end'.
A dead end that now forces itself to continue onward.
"It is time." A dead end ruled by a powerful entity, who stood before many individuals. Each frighteningly powerful beyond the common sense of man. Wielding powers and capability that would make many trembles in horror and fall to their knees. An act that would either save them or kill them, depending on the fickle mood of the Gods.
Inside a certain room, which held these absurd beings all in one place.
"A revelation is upon us. A revelation is upon us." A beautiful woman then spoke up. While not necessarily a God let aside a strong one, she held importance as she gathered the attention of those in the room. Who heeded her words as she is the one who speaks for their mighty leader, the ruler of them all. "Here be the words of the one who has won the machia and wields the Kronus Crown. All hail Zeus."
Lightning then filled the room and the individuals inside paid greater attention. As their leader has come to grace them with his presence.
"I have come." A muscular figure with features of an old but strong man. Wearing ancient clothing yet radiated an imposing aura. A being that is no man or a mere God at all. One who wields the power known as omnipotence and has defeated those who opposed him and his ilk.
The God of Thunder Zeus. The Lostbelt King of the formerly pruned timeline of the Atlantic Lostbelt. Where, paying attention to him are his fellow Gods, Demeter and Aphrodite, with his concubine Europa, a terminal of sorts for Hera, alongside his children who wield the title the Dioscuri Twins, Castor and Pollux. Now all are in his presence, with it, the words he must speak to them as their ruler of what they needed to know.
"Here me, my fellow Olympians." Zeus spoke softly but loudly, all not wishing to mishear a single word. "I have come with important news, that may just shake the quota of our world and all who live in it." Important news. Now this caught their attention, seeing as this meeting must hold great relevance to get Zeus to gather them all here.
"Well then," Spoke a beautiful woman with blonde hair and a futuristic tight outfit of green and gold, representing her title as a mother Goddess of the earth itself. "To bring us more news, this must be important. And I notice your allies little…friends are not here." Everyone knew who she spoke of.
Of the man, a powerful one at that, who came with an assortment of other beings who came to represent their own God. A foreign one at that.
"This meeting has no need of them, let aside the pawns of that Foreign God." Zeus declared, making it clear that the Disciples of the so-called Alien God were not to be allowed here. Including that man, if only because this meeting wouldn't hold much meaning to him. As it's more important to them than him.
"My, my, my. To not let your human friend know must mean this matter is for the Gods only." A very entrancing woman with a beautiful voluptuous figure spoke. Having bright red hair and an outfit that revealed her fair body in many ways with wings on her back, grins a little. "And this must mean the news brought to us Gods affects only us, correct?"
"Is that true father?" Questioned a youthful blonde figure, who while smaller than the rest like his near-identical twin sister, is just as powerful as he spoke aloud. Like the rest, subordinate to the great Zeus. "Does this news affect us?"
"Oh please give us your answer, mighty Zeus." The sister of the two also asked. Castor and Pollux wish to know as much as everyone else in this room. Something Zeus, as their leader is willing to abide by.
"Do not worry, I will answer all inquiries for this meeting." Zeus told them all. As the news he had will indeed affect them all and their mighty yet miniature world. After a brief period of silence, he spoke. "As you all know, our world is grand. A place truly befitting of the Gods, since we have educated the simple humans to our name. Creating a true utopia for all."
Everyone smiled. Affirming this statement. The fact is, compared to the Greater History of Man, their world is indeed a utopia befitting both the Gods and even the human masses themselves. With their guidance and rule, the Olympians ensured humanity actually knew their place while raising them right. Making a world where there is no hunger, war, poverty, conflict, anything harmful that has long since been forgotten concepts. Making a world where everyone doesn't need to work, create culture, with smiles on their faces while singing their praises.
"Yes." Zeus knew what they were thinking, as he thought very much the same. "Our Olympus is a true Utopia. The goal that Proper Human History has failed to reach time and again. And yet…" With narrowed eyes and the slightest of frowns, Zeus said, "We had been pruned."
Pruned.
What a simple word. A frightening one at that. One that made the Gods all frown while Europea looked down.
Nobody was willing to admit it but Zeus. Yet all knew it either way. Told to them by those disciples and the great human mage, their world had been pruned away. Despite how perfect their world is and the joy even the humans felt, it seems the world deemed them unneeded. Simply because the world couldn't handle that they made a utopia for all to enjoy. A fact that made the Gods less than pleased when they found out.
"A sad truth. One that we must acknowledge however." Zeus told the remaining members of the once mighty twelve Machine Gods. "It is only thanks to the Tree of Emptiness, given to us by that Foreign God, do we all exist today."
High above them all, upon their great mountain, is the Tree of Emptiness now renamed as Atlas. The very linchpin that held and ensured the Atlantic Lostbelt existed today in the bleached world formerly known as earth. One that will fight the other Lostbelts in due time for dominance on who became the true Proper Human History. A fight that Olympus intends to win.
"Have those dreadful Disciples come to tell us something new?' Aphrodite asked with annoyance, never having liked them at all. With her far from feeling the same towards them, especially that man who twisted an entire Lostbelt for fun.
"No. This doesn't involve them, for good reasons too." Zeus then turned around, his back shown to them as he continued talking, "As you all know, we only continue our existence thanks to the Tree of Emptiness. Without it, we enter the void and back into non-existence. As such, the only way for us to ensure we exist alongside our rule is through defeating the other six Lostbelts…or two of them anyway."
When this all started, there were at first seven Lostbelts. Seven that would fight with the victor being the new Proper Human History, no longer being pruned with the world known as Gaia, let aside the Counter Force, able to do anything about it. Yet here they are, hearing there are only two Lostbelts left.
"Chaldea." Castor spat with indignation. Normally such an attitude, even if not directed at Zeus, would be given a small warning. This time though, it was let go as everyone else felt very much the same.
"The poor children." Demeter wept just a bit. "All wiped away by those Chaldeans. Who refused to accept they had lost."
"A bunch of fools who think they can defy us, the Gods." Aphrodite sneered. "Well, when they come they'll see we are not push-overs like the other residents they have faced."
"..." Europa said nothing.
"I concur with you Aphrodite." Turning around, the mighty Zeus agrees fully with the Goddess of Love. "The other Lostbelts, while some of them did have…potential. They all fell short against mere humans. Had things run normally, when they came here I would have had Odysseus dealt with them like so."
"Had things run normally?" Europa then tilts her head confusingly. "Whatever do you mean, oh mighty Zeus." At her question, Zeus then gave a grin. A genuine one, rarely seen by the others which made them realize something has changed.
A monitor then showed up, revealing a chamber of sorts with two beings inside it.
"You all must understand that while the Tree of Emptiness sustains our Lostbelt, we are also at its whim." One would find such wording strange, however, there is a reason the mighty Zeus told them this. For he spoke no lies at all, only the cold facts. "When this tree blooms fully, we will win. Yet the matter is so will that foreign God who lent it to us for their own purpose. To descend upon the earth." The God of Thunder's eyes narrowed. "This world has no need for other Gods."
Only the Olympians are needed, nobody else. Other Gods were a threat that had to be taken care of. With that they all agree to.
"Yet great news and an opportunity has come." With his smile returning and jovial tone, Zeus then decided to reveal what he knew. Of a change in plans that could allow their world to truly be freed of that damn Alien God and the Tree of Emptiness. Allowing Olympus to be what it is without the intervention of others pests.
Another monitor showed up, revealing video footage of two beings. Similar but appearing a bit different than the ones in the chamber. Along with information and a clip revealing none other than the battle between them and a threat that even Zeus would consider a mighty challenge.
Beast II Tiamat.
"This is footage provided to me by that vixen fox. Ignoring her for the matter, it's the contents here that are of any importance here." Waving his hand, Zeus pointed it at Tiamat, one of the Evils of Humanity. "As we all know, despite their arrogance Chaldea are at the very least, different from most of the humans we have guided."
"Destroyers of worlds and even a few Beasts." Castor scoffed a bit. "So they ended up being a bit…lucky, admittingly. Even if they do possess more spine than the average human trash." To ensure her brother didn't get in trouble with his attitude, Pollux quickly spoke up.
"Correct. The Chaldeans do possess an adequate amount of willpower to face the Beasts. Even though they themselves needed countless help which they then allowed to die to get as far as they could." Everyone around seemed to agree with this. While there's no denying the Chaldeas, including the last Master, do have more courage than most humans, in the end they only got as far as they could thanks to luck, convenience, alongside many Servants to help them out. Otherwise, they'd have died easily. Plus, this also made the Olympians see said Beasts and other Lostbelt Kings as pathetic compared to their superiority.
"You're not wrong." Zeus agreed with them entirely. "Still, at the very least, as mentioned before I had already ensured that the Chaldeans wouldn't have arrived here. To try and attempt to cut down our Tree of Emptiness." A grin then came onto his face. "That plan is unneeded anymore."
The monitor then zoomed in on two females inside the chamber.
The first, viciously pounding on the chamber is a pale skinned young lady in her early teens. She has dark purplish hair and light purple eyes with dark veins around her and has fair features due to her half-English background. Her outfit is an unbuttoned purple dress, revealing her chest and more reddish veins on it.
Besides her being a taller young teenager having medium long golden hair and silver eyes, she appears to be very beautiful and wears her a yellow-silver jacket, white blouse with shorts and stockings.
Both also had horns on them, ram horns sticking out of her head with the latter having antlers. With each radiating either a purple and golden light. Light that is being taken away from them with neither capable of doing anything to escape their current situation.
"These two I discovered both through that video and with the help of my ally Kirschtaria Wodime, capturing them both. And make no mistake, neither are ordinary beings." A new monitor showed itself. This one allowed one to see the energy regulation of Olympus itself. One that is above average than usual, an impressive feat considering that Olympus had a near limitless supply of energy already.
"These two," Demeter raised a brow while the Dioscuri Twins smirked. "Are they…Gods?" She wasn't even in front of them, yet by instinct it was as if she already knew. The two being in a chamber is connected to durable tubes that lead to the ground and ceiling with the delivered energy transferred to different sources. Being very well secured with automatons already on guard while a system was set up to oversee the captives. Said captives were in the center of the room within a clear chamber that appeared to be glass. Though the pounding of divine strength showed it was far from normal glass and could contain a demonic beast if necessary.
One Zeus gladly affirmed.
"That they are." It was confirmed. With the God of Thunder explaining himself of what he knew to them. "They are known as the God of Light and Dark, the Brother Gods." Nobody really mentioned the fact that they were female, since Gods in general could change genders. "And thanks to luck, these two have been captured for the purpose of furthering our wonderful city with their energies." Not to mention use them as the new source for Zeus's hidden plan for Olympus, giving himself more power. "So rejoice, for their wonderful contribution."
Everyone began clapping. Not a single one of them even bothered asking if what Zeus did was consensual or not. Or why he did such a horrible thing and treated it like it was normal. After all, what he says goes. What's done is done, where no voice of opposition rose against him.
The only one not smiling or looking happy is Europa, the divine bride. Nonetheless she clapped her hands like all the others nor spoke against the mighty Zeus. It would be a sin to do so. As such she simply watched the monitor as she saw the two Brothers pounding against the chambers that stole their divine power, used for the sake of Olympus and nothing more.
Such was their fate to be, as decreed by Zeus.
Where the mighty God himself now knew the possibility of his victory is closer than ever. His plans for the 'reconstruction' underway while ensuring the Foreign God will soon have no hold over his world. The time table is already sped up, just one more week and by the time Chaldea gets here, they'll be long too late. All that stood in his way was any interference from those Heroic Spirits who got here and finally, the last battle between him and his friend, Kirschtaria Wodime.
Truly, the only human that was of any worth to him than the mindless reeds down below his beloved city. A shame that all of them will have to go, but a necessary evil. He'll be sure to at least remember them when the time comes. For now, though, best to kill the last of the God Destroyer Alliance and then Zeus's ambitions will be fulfilled.
Nothing will stop Zeus.
One week later…
The world of Remnant has suffered a great catastrophe. One that has affected all four kingdoms across the planet. Primarily, the invasion of Vale and fall of Beacon Academy.
Granted, many people in Vale are still alive. Not to mention the Huntsmen there are doing very well in culling the many Grimm that had invaded. Even so, that didn't change the fact that the invasion of Vale has affected the world with many revelations. Primarily, from how what appeared to be students harming one another, a hidden robot girl made for potential war, the White Fang actually participating in such violent terrorism with the Grimm and so much more.
These things have caused the people of the world to feel unsafe, uncertain. Atlas has already closed their borders without giving reasons for why their machines turned other than it wasn't them. Mistral is reporting a nose dive in actual Huntsmen to defend themselves. Vacuo is rumored to be dealing with an unknown terrorist group. There were even words that for the past week and so, a strange hole would appear in Vale where Grimm went through it like magic!
This naturally made all of Remnant more worried than ever, fearful even. Fear that brought the Grimm from across the planet. Creatures of Darkness that are attracted to such emotions, making them assault the people further. For a time, this made everyone wonder if things are only going to get worse.
Not a single one realizing how true those thoughts were, even if coincidental.
With the region of Anima about to have the first taste of this, seeing as they are the first witnesses and contact to what is occurring. Primarily, the falling city that is clearly descending, badly at that, towards the surface of their world.
"Just what is that!?" On the road now, since traffic stopped the bus, Oscar is just running while also keeping a close eye on the air. Particularly, the falling debris falling out of the descending city. It ranged from small stuff to an entire building that crashed into a grocery store.
This of course caused everyone to do their best to escape the chaos while wondering just what the hell is even happening. Such questions going unanswered seeing as everyone is worried about dying now from being crushed. Where within the very soul of Oscar, the ancient warrior and soul known as Ozma couldn't help but feel the same as everyone else.
"Oscar, watch out!" While also doing his best to guide Oscar as the boy then felt a compulsion to go left.
A wise move seeing as slamming down next to him is a metal pillar.
"By Oum!" Oscar screamed as he fell on his butt. Other people moving past him as they did their best to survive. "Ozpin!" Oscar shouted as he got up again and ran, very much wishing he stayed on the farm now. "Please tell me you know what's happening?"
"How would I know?" It hurt but Ozpin couldn't lie. Because even in his long life, seeing a falling city isn't one of them.
"I was afraid of that!" Oscar screamed as he then jumped where a tree slammed down. Not everyone was as lucky as Oscar though, as while many people managed to escape unharmed, if a little bruised up, some got hit dead on. Like a piece of metal stabbing a poor man through the chest. Perhaps some weird orb machine thing crushing another sap into paste.
The debris falling from the city ranged from harmless things like dirt to the heavy stuff like metal all the way to small but still durable buildings. Where anybody beneath the city or within a few hundred meter radius of it risked being hurt to death.
So it came as a surprise to Oscar and Ozpin when something fell in front of them.
"Ahhhh!" Or someone, as Oscar and Ozpin saw, what had been a person is now a disgusting red paste with armor on.
"My word." Ozpin said as he realized something horrible. "It's not just items falling out of the city." It's people as well. Maybe not as much as the debris, but if one looks very closely when not in imminent danger of being crushed or skewered, you could actually see small flailing screaming individuals in the sky. People who had the misfortune of falling out of the city.
"I don't understand." Ozpin said within Oscar's mind while occasionally telling him what to avoid at times. Not wanting the boy to die like this. "This isn't Atlas, the design is off. Yet I've never seen such a city like this before, as such, just where did it come from?"
Such a question that Ozpin craved for an answer. Something Oscar wouldn't know or anyone else for that fact. Their feet are too busy trying to run alongside everyone else in the town. To think, he had just finished one catastrophe only to enter another one with panic all about.
Weeeee-oooooohhhhhhh!
Panic that is bringing the Grimm isn't as well defended as the main kingdoms, most towns at least had guards and patrols with sensors to detect Grimm. Obviously with a falling city creating anarchy down below, this has caused the Grimm to be set off as they undoubtedly sensed the fear everyone felt. This means at the very moment Grimm are attacking the town walls. While the local Huntsmen and militia force should hold them back, for how long can they do so?
After all, these men must have loved one they'd wish to see to safety. Not to mention with how wild the Grimm are, sooner or later they'll overwhelm the Huntsmen as Ozpin has seen this before. Of men valiantly fighting yet overcome by how vicious the Grimm were in their assault to kill humanity.
"Oscar. We need to get out of here." Ozpin told his current host who is more than happy to agree.
"Got it! But where?" Oscar spread his hands out while occasionally making sure nothing is going to fall on him while bumping into people. "Last I checked, nowhere is safe!" The boy is right. This strange city is massive, where its descending point is at or very near the town. While it seems to be slowing down, that didn't mean anything once it hit the earth.
After that, well, even if comics and shows exaggerate how a falling city will just explode, considering how there actually is a falling city it actually might blow up on impact. If not, then the shockwave will hit everyone and during this the Grimm will pick off the survivors one by one. It was a no-win situation.
'And it's not as if I have enough magic to fly us away.' Hah. The flying Nevermores would probably capture them anyway. In other words, unless someone had the semblance for vast teleportation, they were all doomed.
The city itself is getting closer and closer. Those who weren't screaming their heads off actually stopped running. Some wept, others cursed, a few just accepted what is likely to be their end. As Ozpin himself thought, everyone realized that no amount of running will get them away from being crushed by what's likely a million tons worth of metal. As such, those who accepted their deaths simply prayed and hoped their deaths would be quick and painless.
Even Oscar himself stopped with Ozpin preparing for the worst.
Then, just before the looming city which enveloped their vision of the sky crushed them all, suddenly, a sound came out.
The sound of a hundred storms and thunder with a bellowing echo all across the horizon. Whatever it was, people assumed the worst and knelt down. Those that stood their ground and watched however found something else to their view.
"No way." Oscar said with others feeling the same. The reason?
Because the city had finally stopped descending. If anything, it seems to stop entirely, as if gravity no longer had an effect on it. Then, to everyone's amazement and joy the city began moving upward slowly. Granted, some stuff is still dangerously falling down the floating city that could kill them, but now, nobody is in danger of being reduced to a pancake.
Even so, despite the imminent happiness everyone felt at not dying, that still didn't change one thing? Just where did this city even come from? Not to mention just what caused the city to look so damaged in the first place?
The immortal didn't know, yet a feeling of dread filled the two minds and souls as they couldn't comprehend what was even happening. All they knew was that they needed to meet up with their allies and fast. Considering the portal is now closed, it's safe to say that this massive super city is here to stay. And while Ozpin and Oscar still had many questions to be answered, there's one question that suddenly came to both their minds.
This city being here…what did it entail?
Such a question would go unanswered to them.
But for two bright lights, falling towards the once abandoned world, had the answer already.
A crash is heard, somewhere far from the kingdom of Mistral and where the floating city is. Where, crawling out of this hole is one being.
"Hahaha! Suck it Zeus!" Despite the strange feminine appearance, this person is indeed the God of Darkness. Maker of the Grimm, an immortal deity eons old with immense destructive capabilities.
"I must say, Zeus must be quite upset with us by now." Joining the destroyer deity, is the elder brother. Though most would assume sister in this case, seeing as like the God of Darkness, for some reason the God of Light himself also had a feminine form. Contrary to the masculine forms both had ages ago. Why they had these forms, well, there were reasons for this which would undoubtedly be explained in time.
For now though, the two siblings simply watched as Olympus started floating up. But no more was it the wonderful utopia and glamorous home of the Gods that lived there alongside the people. Now, it's just the remains of what was left of the fifth Lostbelt, where the once exquisite city now had cracks, missing parts, with broken pride at this point.
Naturally, the two Brother Gods enjoyed that, seeing as they had been used as living batteries for the Lostbelt King Zeus, who proved to be the mightiest God around. Yet mightiest didn't mean infallible.
"Even though it still hurts, I feel more than happy to see the results of our actions." Dark grinned wickedly as she saw how the once fabulous Olympus now had trouble just flying up. "That's what the bastard gets for messing with us!"
"While I share your feelings, to a degree," Light, speaking more calmly, said, "We should remember that if it wasn't for those two and those Servants, we wouldn't even be here now." The mighty God had them trapped, no hope for them to even escape. Then a certain group came that allowed them to not only escape, but even regain a good fraction of their former power and cripple the entity of Olympus alongside Zeus.
Oh sure they couldn't actually beat the God of Lighting, especially in their current state. But messing with his city, the infrastructure, their Tree of Emptiness…Those were fair game. All possible thanks to the God Destroyer Alliance, who oddly freed them, two Gods, to help them defeat the Gods. Granted, they couldn't kill those Olympian Machine Gods in the end, but causing this much damage and even destroying the Tree of Emptiness probably helped them a lot.
"I wonder how they're doing?" Light then wondered what became of the God Destroyer Alliance. The two brothers having left them once they could get sweet revenge on their captors.
"Those weirdos are probably fine." Dark told her brother. "Hell, I bet their cheering that Olympus has taken such a blow, especially the twins."
"True." Light then narrowed her eyes. "But we now have a new problem. Olympus, while weakened tremendously, are here. You do know what that means, correct?" Dark clicked her tongue but knew. Like their Spirit of Knowledge, Jinn, the two didn't even need to look into the past to understand what Zeus would do here and now. Once he finished stabilizing the remains of his Lostbelt to him, he'll resume his mission. A mission that needed resources.
Their old experiment would be the perfect place for resources.
"I suppose we must do what we said long ago."
"Maybe this time, I'll get the respect I deserve."
Zeus nearly accomplished his goal, then and there just a few hours ago. So close to making it so that his Lostbelt would be victorious while Chaldea would fail. Well, thanks to the Brothers and those of the God Breaker Alliance, the God of Thunder's victory is thwarted but also delayed. To truly stop him, the Brothers, the alliance alongside perhaps all of Remnant needed to do one thing.
"Time to bring down the Gods!" Dark shouted with Light giving a nod. It seems they have an invasion to stop.
Didn't expect me back so soon, did you?
Well I am, and with an immediate sequel to Grimm/Stay Night itself. Of course I will state this that until I can get some stuff done with my job, updates will be somewhat inconsistent for now, at least until I can pull myself together. So don't expect any chapters for a bit.
But moving on from that, this sequel is a bit different as you readers who read my previous story probably know. For starters, no Holy Grail War, no Angra Mainyu, none of that. Just a damn invasion that could destroy Remnant. How did all of this happen, the answers will come eventually. But I left hints that should get you all to figure out.
As for new readers, sorry to say but this is a sequel. However, know this. While this story is preceded by Grimm/Stay Night where some references to the old story are being made, you won't have to read it at all. Because this story will primarily feature Remnant facing off an invasion from a very powerful force we FGO fans know as Olympus. And DAMN are those Gods and their technology terrifying.
But thankfully, Olympus has been weakened. Not to mention there will be new rules at play, with both the Brothers and their new allies about to help Remnant face off against a threat greater than Salem herself. Ozpin, Glynda, Ironwood, even Salem herself and others will HAVE to be united more than ever, because weakened or not, Olympus still has some Machine Gods, their soldiers who are Servant level and their tech.
How can a ruined planet hope to stand against such a great force?
If you wanna find out, then just wait and see. Until Next Time.