(Early Authors Note: A-HA! Didn't expect a new chapter so soon, did ya? I said I would make up for being gone for far too long, and this is how! After all, we have to see how this battle plays out, eh? Also, I took a look at the views, and saw that the prologue got 10,019! Amazing! I can't thank you all enough for taking the time to read this growing story.

To Merendinoemiliano: Don't worry. Ruby will be giving Lupio the sternest talking-to since he was chewed out by Karl Franz himself. Also, having Norscans attack Atlas sounds like a grand idea! Thank you ever so much!

Now, enjoy!)


"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YES-YES! MURDER KILL-KILL!"

*sigh*... Thanquol was very happy. Almost everyone seemed to be up at that floating-thing, leaving the whole city defended only by measly no-furs with barely any armor. They may think their guns are useful, but the Skaven have a far more deadly arsenal. Skaven were pouring in through the hole they burst from, and already many spots were well entrenched, waiting for the retaliation.

Of course, Thanquol wasn't much of a rat to take chances, so he called out for the Rat Ogres to just go crazy through the whole city. Stormvermin spear-rats were placed in shieldwall formations in areas like the main roads and within buildings, so as to hold off any major attack while they get picked off by Warplock Jezzails up on the roofs and in high buildings. Poison Wind Mortars were placed behind the Stormvermin to launch devastation from above.

The Skaven were making very good progress in their invasion so far. And yet, for some reason… Thanquol doubted it would last. Maybe it was from all the failures of his past plans and schemes, maybe because of the apparently constant meddling of Gotrek and Felix. Or because of plain old bad luck.

It's rather funny, because more than once Thanquol has gotten extraordinarily good luck as well. So really, he just always seems to be between high hope and low despair.

A real thinker, isn't it?

That aside, Most of the northern side of the Industrial District has been taken and Skaven forces are now spreading across the city. However, the river separating them from the southeastern side is becoming a rather annoying problem. Not very many boats or seacrafts were brought along with the army, and those that were brought were sloppily made (and therefore soon sank). Some tried to swim, but they either drowned or chickened out and swam back.

But, that didn't stop the verminous ratmen from grabbing what junk and bric-a-brac they could to form a makeshift (yet stable) 'bridge' between the north and south sides of the Industrial District. All in all, things were looking way up.

"Scitter-flee! Metalmen and no-furs! Many-many of them!"

*Sigh*...

Nevermind. Thanquol's high horse was soon to be toppled anyways. Guess this world was just trying to be a little fair to him.

Already Atlas robots were arriving onto the scene and trying to break through defenses, while up above multiple airships were sailing down releasing all the students from the colosseum. Even worse, a voice Thanquol hated hearing rang out and said "JNPR, take the right flank! RWBY and CFVY, the left! EA, with me down the center! We'll pincer these rats back into their hole!"

With the teams taking their positions, they were able to push back the Skaven that had made it across the river (some of the EA brought their mortars and made a sport out of sinking the retreating Skaven boats). As that was happening, Atlas soldiers and other students had landed on the other side and were pushing the vermin from the Upper Class and Commercial Districts. Thanks to the Auras, they were able to push deep despite the flying bullets and blades (except the robots). With Neon Katt's speed, she was able to zoom right past and knock out many of the waiting Clanrats while also getting to the top of buildings to throw down the Warplock Jezzail snipers.

"Whoo! This is kinda fun! Oh, there falls one rat. And there goes another! Hahaha!" Neon said as she speed-skated from roof to roof.

Her teammate Flynt Coal (of team FNKI) was also a big help thanks to his Killer Quartet Semblance. With it, he was able to blast apart all of the Skaven defenses. Many Skaven were already starting to flee this way and that as the good guys closed in around them. All the while though, Thanquol was smiling to himself.

The foolish man-things hadn't seen anything yet.

They haven't yet reached the center stage.


"Come on! We can do this everyone, just keep pushing and keep your heads - DOWN!" Lupio yelled as he and the other crossing the river suddenly ducked amidst a barrage of Ratling Gun fire. That, and increasing Poisoned Wind Mortar bombardments made the charge pull back thrice already. Lupio would not retreat again. He looked behind him and saw that their own cannons, gunmen, and mortars were all lined up and ready to launch their own volley. With a wave of his hand, the artillery teams fired and the gunmen fired their bullets.

Up in the air and across the field, as they came hurtling towards the Skaven weapon and artillery teams (along with Stormvermin shieldwall), everyone looked on in awe at the power the Empire held. Once the attack landed, the whole Skaven lines shattered and their foes cheered. "FORWARD!" Lupio shouted as his forces already swarmed the other side of the river.

Even Cinder and her 'team' were helping, though they always made straight for where the leader of the Skaven no doubt was. It was they who actually made it there first, overpowering the Skaven and causing others to break and flee.

"So, I take it you are the mastermind behind this grand attack of yours?" Cinder asked. Thanquol (a little nervous) said "Yes-yes. I am Thanquol! Grey Seer and greatest of Skaven! This whole world will-will be for the Council! Our Great Horn-ed Rat will emerge from here, yes-yes! The stories of the Relics say-tell so-so."

At this, Cinder was shocked yet tried to play it off by saying "Hmm… so you know. And yet, there is something that those stories that you speak of don't tell you. To get the Relics, you must open the vault in which it is in. But they can only be opened by its corresponding Maiden. And I actually know where and how we can get one."

Thanquol perked his ears at this. "We-we?"

(Mercury chuckled at this, but was elbowed by Emerald to "shut it".)

Cinder (taking no notice) said "Well, of course. We both want the same thing, and we both have the same enemies from both worlds. Should you fail in this attack, escape and find me in a small dell within the Forever Fall Forest, outside of the city. If you get to a high vantage point, you should be able to see it from here. See you soon."

With that, Cinder and her lackeys left as quickly as they came.

Soon after, the rest of the good guys forced their way through and surrounded Thanquol and his Stormvermin guards by the way they came into the city. Ironwood called out to them from his ship and said "Attention, ratmen! Surrender now, or else you won't be returning back to your own world. This city has dealt with enough attacks, and this is the last one! Leave, or you'll all be exterminated."

To this, the Grey Seer just stepped aside and out lumbered a horde of Rat Ogres led by an absolute monstrosity. A Hell-Pit Abomination.

Its sagging body moved across the ground as all around it swarmed Skaven beasts of all sorts. Wolf Rats, Rat Ogres, even nasty little Throtlings. They all rushed straight into the fray, regardless of the bullets in their bodies. All those on the front lines broke and scattered in fear as the ravenous hordes of mutants and ratmen chased down all who fled. Only rapidly shrinking knots of resistance were remaining. Most took refuge in buildings or shot down on the fiends from rooftops, but even they weren't safe.

Lupio looked around him.

Death. Fear. His friends cut-off from each other. "No… NO!" he yelled. This would not be his end! His magic was greatly drained from using the Comet, but he still had a little left in him for just a couple more spells. With his right hand engulfed in flames he shot forth a powerful blast of fire that eviscerated all Skaven in his path, clearing the way for other pockets of resistance to band together. With a sizable force, Lupio pushed forward towards the Abomination. Kill their greatest beast, kill whatever passes for 'fighting spirit' in these rats. He turned and saw Weiss and said "Hey! I need you to use your Dust and freeze that monstrosity in place! Do that, and it'll be a sitting duck for our weapons!" Weiss nodded and sped off at full speed, her Dust revolver already spinning to Ice.

Now standing in front of the beast, Weiss scrunched up her face and said "Ugh. You smell worse than team GRYN." before speeding past like a bullet and freezing its entire lower body. It screeched and roared as it flailed its upper body all around, trying to hit anything. "Yang, Coco, Nora, Yatsuhashi! You're all up!" Lupio called.

Taking it as the call to finish off the brute, the four students attacked the beast all at once. Coco pelted it from the front with her MG while Yang punched it all along its back over and over, Nora and Yatsuhashi jumped up to cut off its arms and beat it down. And while they greatly injured it, it still wasn't enough. One of the Abomination's arms smacked Yatsuhashi. Even worse, it was the arm that had a Warpstone mace attached to it. The explosion of Warp lighting knocked down both Nora and Yatsuhashi, and the ice holding the monster in place soon broke, allowing it to turn around and smack Yang to the side (while she was in mid-air, no less). Coco could only just dodge getting crushed under the smelling sag of dirty flesh and… were those wheels?

Lupio and Ruby soon charged forward, but Ruby used her Semblance and sped straight into one of the beast's flailing arms, knocking her back. Lupio ran up and saw that the Warpstone seemed to have greatly weakened her Aura. "So… it's rather effective against the people of this world." he thought as he looked on in concern. He used a healing spell on Ruby, and lo and behold!, it seemed to negate whatever damage the Warpstone caused. With Ruby handed off to Yang, Lupio considered retreating to the Upper Class District since it would give them and uphill advantage, but didn't have time to voice the idea before a familiar voice called out.

"Perhaps you could use some more magical assistance, Lupio?"

Balthasar Gelt came charging in upon a Luminark of Hysh and was followed close behind by fresh reserves of Atlas soldiers and robots. The Abomination spotted him and mindlessly charged, but Gelt just said "Perish in the light, filth." and the Luminark fired a deadly sharp beam of pure light. It went right through the monster's head, cut through many other beasts, before crashing into a ruined factory. At last, the Hell Pit Abomination was dead. "It's not dead yet." Balthasar said. He then pointed his staff (glowing a metallic color) and the whole body turned to metal. As it was happening, Skaven tried to climb out of the body, fearful of joining it as an amalgamation of metal bodies. It was a rather sad and terrifying sight, watching nearly two-hundred ratmen fail to flee the husk before forever becoming a part of it, and soon rusting away.

"Now it is finished." the Supreme Patriarch said. Lupio nodded and moved onward to further assist the battle.

With the Abomination dead, most of the remaining Skaven just fled back the way they came. Thanquol nearly made it, but Yang had reached him, yelling "Get back here, you rotten monster!" however, a massive shape soon got between the two and grabbed Yang's arm, then slammed her into the ground.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Then finally throwing her into her friends, knocking some down as they tried to catch her. Thanquol laughed and gloated about how 'Bonecrusher' here could destroy them all before they ever laid a finger on him. "You-you will all die! This is only the beginning-start!" he yelled as he fled into the tunnel.

Some tried to chase after him, but Bonecrusher collapsed the hole, sealing them underground.

Many crowded around the sealed hole, hoping to find a small crack to widen and give chase to the Skaven, but nothing could be found. Those rats quite literally covered their tracks well. "What now, Lupio?" Jaune asked the thoughtful boy. Lupio didn't answer for a time, he just stared, trying to think what plan Thanquol would have in a completely random attack such as this. Only when Nora gave him a light punch to the shoulder did he snap out of it.

"Huh? W-what were you saying…?"

"Jaune had asked what you thought the plan was for these ratmen." Ren repeated.

Lupio just shrugged and said "Heh. I wish I knew. Those Skaven always have something planned… but this time, it feels like they didn't plan at all. I'm not sure yet, but I feel as if this is only the beginning of something else."

After shaking his head, Lupio then said "But that aside, we must rebuild. A quarantine must be placed around the Industrial District, and the southern parts of the Upper Class and Commercial Districts. Who knows how many diseases and other plagues those vermin were carrying. As a matter of fact, everyone (that isn't a robot) who took part in this battle must take a bath at once."

Seeing as how Lupio was experienced in battling these Skaven, everyone followed his orders and executed them at once.

As everyone dispersed, Balthasar walked over to Lupio and gave him a pat on the back while saying "And to think I once thought this world wouldn't have any more surprises in store for us."


As this was happening...


While explaining the peaceful friendliness of the Lizardmen was tough at first, Ghira managed to calm the Faunus of Menagerie. Ten'cha got up on a tall stool so as to be seen by as many Faunus as possible. "Faunus of… er, Menagerie! Yes, it was Menagerie… a-anyway, hear me! The Old Ones have sent us to your world to cleanse it of the taint of Chaos that ruins it so. Embrace our teachings! Become one with the Winds of Magic, and perhaps all will be better again. All who wish to see the light, need only see me or, if you truly wish to be enlightened, head to the New City within what was once the desert land of this island."

Understandably, many Faunus were immediately skeptical about the whole thing. Magic? Taint of Chaos? This has to be some sort of joke, right?

Of course, it wasn't. Ten'cha saw which way the wind was blowing and with a glowing green finger, touched the ground which then erupted with grass and trees. Life anew seemed to have just been created. From a finger! With this proof, many Faunus crowded around the Skink while others ran off towards the desert to find this New City. After everyone had been put into order, Ten'cha prepared his lessons.

In the background, the Albain brothers watched.

"Magic seems to be real after all." Corsac said to Fennec.

"Indeed. This will further our cause exponentially. With power such as this, no human could dare to stand against us. Of course, I doubt this little lizard has the exact power we need. Life seems to be his only trick. Useful for healing harms, but not what we need now. " he replied.

With this, the two decided to head towards the New City to find the magic they need. However, they didn't get far until a White Fang grunt ran up to them and said "Corsac! Fennec! He's here! Says he wants to talk to you." with that, he ran off. The brothers looked at each other and detoured towards their base.


"Well. More freaks from another world are here, huh?"

And sure enough, it's none other than Adam Taurus.

After greetings, Fennec said "Yes. Though if I may say so Adam, could we not greet them more as otherwordly kin? Already many of our cold-blooded brothers and sisters are trying to be on good terms with them. Furthermore, these Lizardmen are greatly sophisticated and claim to do magic, of all things. Already many other Faunus are swayed to follow their teachings of these beings they call the Old Ones."

Corsac then added "They also say they are here to cleanse Remnant of what they call the Taint of Chaos. Their intentions so far don't seem ill, and since they are like us… in some ways, at least… perhaps we could sway them to our side?"

Adam thought for some time before saying "Hmm… yes, these Lizardmen could be persuaded to help us. If they know about those empire fanatics over in Vale, then I'm sure they'll join us. In the meantime…" and here he put on a smile.

"Let's learn some magic."


Later, in the dark of night over in Vale...


In the Forever Fall Forest, Thanquol started to feel lost. He had Bonecrusher with him, but he was still worried about an ambush.

"Ah. You came, very good."

But he seemed to have found the right meeting place. There waiting for him was Cinder, Mercury, Neo and Emerald. "Why-why am I here now? Bonecrusher could murder-kill you now. You traitor-spies to other man-things if you want to talk-treaty with me-me. I could be hero-savior. Hehehehehe…" Thanquol said, curious as to why they wished to meet him.

Cinder just shook her head and said "Please. I doubt they'd believe you either way. Besides, I called you here so we can form an alliance of sorts. We both want people in Vale dead, but the Grimm I hoped to bring here are all but gone. The White Fang are too few, and I heard they seem to have something going on back at Menagerie. So… that leaves only you, Thanquol. You can bring thousands of Skaven in… what? A few weeks? We'll need you. My master can reward you greatly in exchange for your service. So, what will it be?"

Looking around him, Thanquol thought for a moment. Finding out who the master of these traitorous no-furs could prove useful. And maybe they could help him make a portal back to Skavenblight. Then, when the countless hordes of Skaven pour through, they would all drown in the Vermintide… yeah…

"Hey, ratman, you listening?" Mercury said.

Thanquol snapped out of his thoughts and siad "Oh, yes-yes. I'll help-aid you. But don't betray me-me. I have my own friends-helpers."

"Fair enough." Cinder said with a wave of her hand.

The two groups parted ways and each came up with their own plans. Even as they parted, Adam and the Albain brothers were traveling towards Ulha'up, Azhag and Nagash passed through the Marshes of Madness back in their own world, and the Daemons had their own agendas with some of the players in this great game.


Back within the bowels of Skavenblight...


"Do-do you understand? I send-task you with this so as to give Clan Eshin the power-might it will need over other clans." Grand Nightlord Sneek said to his favored right-hand rat. Ever since Thanquol and his forces vanished completely, the Council was unsure whether or not they even made it to the world to which they were tasked with going, or if they just vaporized. With that (supposed failure), the Council and many Skaven clans all either worked alone or together (which always ended terribly) to make their own gate to the new world.

But above all, Clan Eshin was in the lead.

With hundreds of spies, buyers, and saboteurs, they managed to stay ahead of the rest and had built a Skittergate as best as they could from Thanquol's original blueprints (which they 'liberated' off of the hands of a Clan Skryre engineer). With all of this, Sneek ordered Snikch and his elite rats, Visktrin's Death Squad (led by Visktrin, of course), along with Iksha's Triads, and his most sneakiest and silent Skaven. With all of them gathered, and Snick's orders given, they activated their Skittergate and stepped through.


It was rather odd-feeling, travelling though the gate, but when they emerged they saw shocked Skaven faces and the face of one particular Skaven Snikch couldn't help but feel annoyed about.

Tretch Craventail. Chief-Master of the Deep Warrens.

"Hmm? How-how are you here?!" Snikch asked, confounded. Last he checked, Tretch wasn't anywhere in the crowd of Skaven who were teleported away. The fact that he's here at all really might give all the dtories about him some legitimacy. Tretch just did something akin to a smirk and said "Oh. It happened-started back a long tim ago now..."


Flashback...


"Hrrgg! I want to go-go to! They think they can forget me-me?! I'll show them!" Tretch said as he stuffed himself in a bag. He had very much wanted to lead (or at the very least be a part of) the rats going to this other world, yet they don't choose him! He wouldn't take any of this and so managed to get a spy in the army who would carry him in through the bag.

Long story short, they succeed and now Tretch is stuck with Thanquol in Remnant


Flashback end


Snikch just stared long and hard at the Master of the Deep Warrens.

...

...

Great... just great. So not only is Thanquol still alive, but Tretch snuck his way into the trip too. This is gonna take a lot of work. But, maybe he can make it work. "Listen-hear, Craventail. The Council has grown impatient, and already they-they and others are build-making Skittergates here. I-i must be ready to stop-halt them and make Clan Eshin strongest! But... I need help-aid."

"PPFFTT HAHAAHAH! The great-mighty Snikch needs help?! Hahaha! Wait until Thanquol hears-listens to this!" Tretch sterted saying, until Snikch pulled out his blades and said "Spea of this again, you die-die."

He nodded and the two then talked plans.


The next day, back at Vale


A new day dawned and while everyone was still on edge, things seemed to finally be under control. Lupio had his EA do multiple partols and then he lined them all up to give them gratitude and… medals, apparently.

"Wear this medal and know that you survived a great threat to our future lands. Those who have fallen in defense of this city will forever be remembered as the heroes they are. Hail the victorious dead!"

"Hail!" the EA yelled.

Afterwards, Lupio simply wandered around and surveyed the damage done by the Skaven. "They never seem to get any more destructive…" he said before noticing what looked like a… red blur? It was far away so perhaps it was nothing. Even so, it seemed to be getting closer.

And closer…

Wait… that's Ruby?!

Lupio tried to run, but he was soon tackled by the red blur that soon became Ruby. "Heh. Gotcha." she said. Lupio just got up and tried to get her off his leg while saying "And what could you want from me, Ruby? I really hate to shrug you off, but I have somewhere to be." however, Ruby just shook her head, grabbed his hand, and sped off down the road. She didn't seem to be going anywhere in particular, just finding somewhere secluded. "Oh boy, are we really getting to this already?" Lupio couldn't help but think. Of course, his thoughts were thrown out the window when Ruby stopped in what looked like a nice little garden area. Lupio looked around and wondered. Had they really gone that far that fast?

*SMACK*

Suddenly, a slight sting on his left cheek made him look at Ruby in surprise before saying "What in Sigmar's name is wrong-?!"

"What's so great about your god?" she said, in barely a whisper. "Is your Sigmar so important to you that you'd throw away your friends? Your own EA? Is all you care about just turning Remnant into your special little empire? Don't you think what you did during your match was too much? Don't you?"

Lupio (more than a little uncomfortable and actually nervous) replies "...I will admit I do think I might have gone overboard. I never really intended for them to get hurt terribly, or die for that matter. I'm sorry, Ruby. I really am. Of course, that doesn't mean I'm gonna go and immediately turn a 180 on my view of Faunus, but I suppose your friends can be an exception." Ruby just looked at him long and hard before saying "Why? Why are you so against Faunus? What could ever get you so bent out of shape about them? I mean, yeah the White Fang are jerks, but not all Faunus are like them!"

"But they aren't helping the case."

"Doesn't matter! Just… please try to tolerate them. Or is there a reason? Every time you or others in the EA talk about Faunus, you mention these Beastmen. Do they look alike? Or are these Beastmen all you see in Faunus just because they are part animal too?"

Lupio wasn't sure at first how to respond. He can't remember the last time he was given such a talking-to. The last time was with the emperor himself (and even then, it was only about accidentally blowing up the gunpowder foundry). But, he can't just brush her off. He walks forward and wraps her in a hug (causing a slight yelp of surprise from Ruby) and says "I've been known to always stick with my ideals, whatever they may be. But… you might actually be on the right track to changing one of them. Just, uh… don't tackle me in the middle of the day in the street, okay? People are gonna talk."

He then let go and walked off.

Ruby felt heat in her face, but then she said "Lupio Von Schwatz! I, Ruby Rose, will do everything I can to change your views on Faunus! Also, the 'von' in your name sounds just so cute!"

As Lupio walked off, Ruby stayed by the gazebo and leaned on one of the pillars, smiling to herself. She soon started to smile more (and rather goofily) before snapping out of it and saying "Right! The tournament's gonna be on hold for a bit, so I have plenty of time to help Lupio with whatever he has going on! Mission accepted!" She then also walked off.

Soon no one was there save for a sneaky gobbo hiding in the bushes.

Yaklak was as giddy as a git in feathers. That hothead Yang won't like any of what she's gonna hear. He soon finds her alone and as he runs up, she looks at him and says "Oh. It's you. Well, what do you want, Yaklak?" the goblin just smiled wider and wider before saying "Oh, ya won't believe it, Yang! Dat git, Lupio, e's gone and been all huggy wuggy wit ya sis! I saw! See, I wus takin' a dump in the bushes, when those two appear outta nowheres! They get to talkin n' the next fing I see is dem huggin'! Like, really huggin', ya know? Then when that empire git leaves, the other gi - oh, er… I mean ya sister, she's still there, but lookin' real goofy. She den says she'll be helpin' out Lupio wit' somefing. Can ya believe all o' dat? Er… hothead?"

But Yang, eyes red and blazing, simply punched Yaklak away as he yelled "I'll take dat as a 'I'm angry!'"

Now, Yang has no intentions of hurting Lupio. Not seriously hurt, at least. Besides, she has to get back at him for doing what he did to Blake and Velvet. But, she's also Ruby's elder sister, so of course she'd be protective (but she's also secretly jealous that Ruby's closer to getting what may very well be a boyfriend before her).

"Still plannin' on guttin' dat git Lupio?" Gorlasg asked as he lumbered up. Yang looked at him shocked before saying "No! Just maybe pull a Nora-move and break his legs. That should be enough to get the desired message across." Gorlasg just shakes his head and says "Youz finkin' 'bout all o' dis the wrong way. Neither of us like 'im. But there ain't too much we can do. But I has a plan. After da tournament is over, that's when we'll get 'im."

"Why when the tournament is over?"

"Hehehehe… I'z got somefin' for him that'll be ready when that time comes. Dontcha worry, we'll both give him a krumpin' he won't soon forget."

Elsewhere, on a few of the small islands dotted about the coast of the city, construction was underway. Empire forts were being built so as to protect the city from any seaborne attacks (and, had the EA known it, to get them out of the city in general, since they've eaten a lot of the city's food). A couple were already completed and stationed, while others still had some work left. Amidst it all walked Winter, Weiss, and Balthasar. "I must say, Mr Balthasar, your EA are efficient builders." Winter said, impressed. Weiss agreed. While the EA are no doubt... difficult at times, they sure are handy with stuff like this. Balthasar nodded and said "Yes. Each man is skilled in what must be done to survive in an unfamiliar land. I would also like to... apologize on behalf of Lupio. You have to understand he's been raised by the empire, so of course the ideals and beliefs of his land would be his own. Besides, he's also been through a lot. I truly hope you harbor no ill feelings towards him?"

"No, not really. Besides, Ruby went off to find him and talk to him about it, so it's basically water under the bridge now. Blake and Velvet are feeling much better and should be able to fight in matches again. But, I have to know… what was that power that Lupio used?" Weiss asked. "Indeed. That looked like no Semblance I have ever seen." Winter added.

Balthasar sighed and made to answer, but an EA member who overheard laughed and said "What do you think, ice queen? Magic! Not this 'Semblance' nonsense, but actual, useful, magic!"

Taking no notice (though still irked at the man's rudeness), the two Schnees awaited an answer. Balthasar then said "He is right, you know. What he did was magic. In our world, anything and anyone can do magic." At this, Weiss suddenly remembered that giant thing Rotgutt had summoned during his team's initiation. "Wait. If that's true… then what I saw Rotgutt do during…" she couldn't finish because she already figured the answer.

"No doubt it was his race's own odd magic." Gelt confirmed.

Then, Weiss had an idea. "Do you think… do you think it's possible for people of Remnant to learn your world's magic? I mean, since your this 'Supreme Patriarch' then surely you could maybe teach m-"

*SMACK!*

"Don't think for one second you can weasel your way out of summoning practice!" Winter said as she bapped Weiss on the head (causing her to nearly fall forward). "We don't even know if this magic is safe for us to use. Besides, if you are going to give up on summoning so easily, then maybe you should just return home to Father. I'm certain he'll give you a good job as a receptionist."

"I don't need, or want, his charity." Weiss said obstinately.

"But you do need his money."

With that low blow fired, many who heard went "Oooohhh!" before quickly getting back to work after a stare from Balthasar's blank mask. The wizard then put a reassuring hand on Weiss's shoulder and said "If this Rotgutt you speak of has already done magic, then it means our worlds are starting to come together. I'd say it's only a matter of time before people in our world use Auras and Semblances. But for now, regarding your training, perhaps a more beneficial solution would be to train in mastering both. You would be a mighty warrior indeed if armed with both magic, Aura and Semblance. If Ms Winter agrees, we can begin at once."

With the two looking at her, Winter sighs and agrees. "Just don't get too disappointed if you fail in this magic."

"Of course not. I've already seen it happen before. I've no doubts I myself can do it too." Weiss replies.

"Then let's get started." Gelt adds.


Around the same time...


Back at Grimgoria, Skarsnik is happier than he has ever been. And that's saying something, if you think about it. Thanks to some… 'outside sources'... he's just gotten his hands on something that doctor Merlot is gonna love (maybe even Grimgor too). "Oi, oi! Doctor git or whateva'! Iz needs ya to lookit this right 'ere and see what you can do with it, got it? This little shiny humie is gonna be helpin' us from now on!" The goblin then hands the doctor the pad and waits for his answer.

"Hmmm… this is a really well-thought out piece of engineering marvel! Of course, it shouldn't be anything I can't handle. Hm, yes… I see… well, I can get us in control of it easily enough. Leave everything to me!" Merlot replies, excited at the challenge of such a task set now before him.

Amber, curious as to what could have the two in such a buzz, walks over to the pad the doctor set down. It showed a bunch of schematics and information on something…

"P.E.N.N.Y… huh, must be some robot they have somewhere."

Elsewhere in Grimgoria, Grimgor himself was conversing with someone on a scroll. He was having a few difficulties, though.

"Eh? Say it again, I couldn't hear ya. Oh? Dem ratties attacked n' failed? Hmph. Wot else ya heard there? The empire men are buildin' forts and such, eh? We'll crush 'em like we did back in our own world. Don't worry 'bout anything. We got ladz in dat Arcturus boat that'll be freed, and with them, we'll give Vale a right good scrap. Now, enuff o' all of that. Who's scrapin' next in da tournament? Wot?! It stopped cause of them ratties? But it's the singles rounds that're next, yeah? Ahhh… the yellowhead an' dat silver git that Mulldar faced, is it? Well, that'll be interestin'. Keep reportin' in and let me know when da redhead fights. It's time to speed things up. Now hang up before you're caught!"

With that, Grimgor closes his scroll (but does it too hard, resulting in it being crushed, then thrown onto the pile of other crushed scrolls) and slightly chuckles to himself. Soon everything will come together and he'll have his greatest scrap yet.

Speaking of, where did Azhag say he went off to?


Meanwhile, amid the sands of ancient Nehekhara...


It's been many weeks in his own world, but Azhag has finally reached his desired goal. "At last, we've finally reached this zoggin' city! The power that'll lie within' 'ave been put there for me, by Mork himself! We'll go into dis lost city, but remember, this is a cursed place. The shamans don't like it. So, no messing with stuff you don't understand. If you summon somefing from da void, you'll 'ave ta deal with it yourself!"

With that, the Slaughterer steps forward and walks towards the Black Pyramid of Nagash.

Though the whole thing is floating in the air, there seems to be what looks like a teleporter that'll get him and his ladz inside easily. He soon steps on, and in the moment it takes him to blink, Azhag finds himself in a dark, wide, empty space.

"Very good." that same stinking voice said. Soon the shade of the ancient and most greatest necromancer himself appeared again, floating from pillar to crumbling pillar. "My ancient stronghold… yes, my power will rise again from here. Come, Azhag. The power we seek is further within…"

Azhag ventured on alone and told his ladz to stay put (anf to tell the rest down below to not touch anything or be idle). Having said that, he journeyed on alone in the long dark of the Black Pyramid. Ruined architecture, ancient bones of long-dead armies, Azhag saw many things that were left behind in this floating fortress. The shade took no notice, he just floated onward, monologuing about how he once ruled the entire kingdom of Nehe-whatever (Azhag could't fully pronounce it) and was in the end overthrown by a simple prisoner.

"I was on the verge of conquering the world. The world! And yet that accursed man who once thought himself king ruined me and my designs! But I'm still here! I still have my power! Yes, here it is, Azhag. The doorway to our victory."

They had stopped in front of two great double doors that were slightly ajar. Just wide enough for Azhag to slip through. When he did, he saw a single, circular room lined with niches. Each niche had a statue of some sort of creature with four arms, a human head with the sharp horns of a goat, a human torso, and a snake-like lower body that (as one looked down) soon seemed to diverge into three separate spiked tails, but wrapped around each other as if they were one. Two of the hands each held a sword, while the third held a bow, and the fourth held an arrow (which looked to be from an arrow quiver next to the fourth arm). When he looked up, Azhag saw that the entire room, from floor to ceiling, had these statues all lined around it. Each one made of obsidian and deathly cold.

In the center of the room stood a single pedestal upon which was a big, black book. "Yes… yes! Behold, one of nine of my sacred tomes. This one I have always kept close, should the need arise. That need is now. Read it, Azhag! Read it and restore to m - to us the might and strength we need to win the world of Remnant!"

Azhag went over to the book, opened it all the way, then looked for the required spell. Once the shade pointed it out, Azhag began reciting it (but he couldn't pronounce even half of those words right). But then, the shade seemed to fall into Azhag's shadow and suddenly, he could correctly recite the incantation. He said it mightily and without pause. All around him, rumblings and clatterings were heard throughout the ancient stronghold. Even the statues in that very room began to move.

When the final word was spoken, the purple glow in Azhag's eyes vanished, and the shade came out of his shadow. All the statues in the room soon jumped down from their niches and all bowed to Azhag (though, had he looked behind him, he would have known they were bowing to the shade). "Good Azhag. Good. Now, leave this place with a greater army at your back, and let us both take what should be ours!" he said. The orc nodded and the group left, though as they did, Azhag saw all the many thousands of bones and statues we passed before now stand to attention and follow after him when he passed. When the returned to the outside, they saw an army of the dead facing down his Green hordes.

At the head of this undead host was a skeletal being of great power. His attire was rich and yet dark and evil. His staff of bones hummed and shone with dark death magic. But the thing that made him stand out the most, was the shade saying "Arkhan the Black. So you are here at last."

The necromancer stepped forward and kneeled towards the shade and said "Nagash, my lord. I have come to serve you once more. Your power has grown, yet still trapped and used by…" he then looked at Azhag with utter disgust and said "...that."

"And who're you looking at like that, bonehead?" Azhag threatened.

However, before things got ugly, Nagash stepped in and said "Enough. Both of you. This is no time for petty squabbles and useless fights against each other. I have gotten too far for all my work to be lost in infighting! With our combined armies, the world of Remnant will fall and we can then focus on step two. Now, follow me."

As the horde of green and undeath wandered back to the Green Gate, Arkhan spoke with Nagash some ways away from Azhag. "My lord, why keep the brute around? You have your army, so destroy him and his lackeys and let us be rid of them!"

"You forget I am bound to that accursed crown. As long as it remains on that Orc's head, I am stuck with him. But it doesn't matter. We'll need his armies. He has proven useful so far, I know he will continue to do so. Have the Necrotects and Liche Priests already begun creation of our own gate to Remnant?"

"Yes, my lord. They began as soon as we departed. But, I must ask… what is this world of Remnant you speak of?"

The shade of the evilest of all necromancers just chuckled before replying "You will see soon enough. Just content yourself with knowing that it is a world that will soon hail a new king."

With that, Nagash turned back to look at the countless legions behind him, and smiled.

"Hahahahah…"


(Ending Authors Note: Hmmm, the plot thickens! Now, I know I glossed over both Tretch and Snikch, but I couldn't think of them doing anything else. At least not at the moment. Besides, I really wanted to do the part where Azhag and Nagash get their new army part done right, and done well. But rest assured both of those two Skaven will play big parts later on. Now, Ruby gave Lupio the talk he needed, but there seems to be a more bigger story. Not only that, but what does Gorlasg have planned? Why is Yang really helping them? What could Nagash and Arkhan be plotting behind the scenes? But most importantly, who was Grimgor talking to? Next chapter shall be more about stuff each of our characters do during the wait for the tournament to start up again, so be ready for that! Now, I hope you all enjoyed, and I'll see you all next time! Don't forget to please review, follow, favorite and share with others!)

P.S: I really wanted to put that 'summon somefing from da void' line. It's just so good!