It has been one week since the battle of Nowhere. To say things had changed, would be an understatement. But life had to move on regardless of the aftermath. For those who lived to continue what they wanted to do.
"No! You're an idiot!"
"Yeah right, idiot!"
Or in this case, a simple cat fight.
Out in the Wilds, fighting in a childish manner, Emerald and Catra were seen slapping each other, pulling one another's hair, and outright name-calling the other. Emerald grabbing Catra's tail and pulling on it to Catra's embarrassment and anger while she pulled on Emeralds' cheeks.
Watching, Mercury was just enjoying the show. Chuckling. "I guess this is kinda hot."
"I suppose a guy would feel that way." Rolling his eyes, Mercury turned to face none other than Scorpia. Man was the woman huge. With muscles that would put Marcus Black to shame. Not to mention that tail of hers. Honestly, was it not for her rather kind personality, Mercury would have been more fearful of her. Not that he wanted to get on her bad side either.
For Scorpia, she just found amusement in how her partner was cat fighting with the new girl. "So," Scorpia looked at Mercury. "How did this start?"
"In the most stupid way possible." Mercury then recalled a nice memory from five minutes ago. "The two were talking about…their little crushes."
"Pth." Scorpia had to hold back a laugh. Snorting a bit though as she couldn't hold it entirely back. "Y-Yeah, that'd do it." Catra always did get embarrassed about any love talks. Especially when it involved her. Despite being a high-ranking member and always calm and collective, Catra always turned into a slight mess whenever that girl was brought up.
"At least she isn't a bitch like yours!"
"Screw you!"
And also very protective against anybody that might insult said crush. Scorpia shook her head as she saw Catra now biting Emerald who pulled at her ears. Scorpia then reminds herself to bring this up in the future. Thinking it was cute whenever Catra acted like this. So adorable.
"Oh brother." As for Mercury, he just smirked as he continued watching.
It's been a…strange week since the reunion with Cinder and the others. After the events of the whole plane incident and the military, everything else after that hadn't been much note worthy. Just the Hound flying them across land for hours with the Geist until eventually, they finally met up with Cinder and everyone else.
'For the better or worse.'
Flashback.
"Is that…a town?" It's been hours since the fight, and already Mercury was sick of being carried like luggage. Emerald looked a bit red, as she needed to use the restroom. Mercury couldn't blame her, because no person wanted to do it while in the air, something he had to do. Thankfully, it was just number 1, so easy to deal with. That, and because he's a guy.
Thankfully, that was all about to change soon as Emerald then spoke which caught Mercury's attention. Looking forward, the young assassin saw that Emerald was right. There was a town up ahead. One with buildings with actual lights.
"Oh damn." Mercury then thought that with the Grimm all around, there might be a chance another fight was going to happen. With the assassin not wanting to deal with another massacre just after the first one. He might be apathetic to people dying, but even Mercury wasn't a psychopath who just wanted everyone dead.
Emerald must have felt the same, as she looked queasy. Though before the two could do anything, they then heard the Hound roar and fly downward. Both then braced themselves, believing that a fight would be inevitable. The Hound and the two Geists that carried them swooping down for another carnage.
Or at least, that's what they had assumed.
Because once they all got close enough to the town, where one can see people, it was then that Mercury realized the people below didn't look scared. No running, no screaming. They just looked up, saw the Grimm…and continued on like this was normal. Even more crazy, the Grimm didn't go after them, including the Hound. Instead, it just led them all to the biggest building in town to an open 9broken) window.
After a minute, the Hound then landed through the window and onto the floor, where the Geist came and dumped Mercury and Emerald onto the ground.
"Ugh. Couldn't have done it any softer." Mercury growled while the Geist just flew away. "Tch. Jerks."
"They're Grimm Merc." Emerald chuckled. "Though…where are we?" She then looked around, Mercury following suit.
"No idea. But it is weird."
"What is?"
"You know, the Hound and Geist not killing these people." Mercury pointing out the obvious. "I mean, the only thing we saw that not happening was when-"
"You were with me." The two then froze. A voice, a familiar voice, coming from in front of them. The Hound itself, getting on all fours with its head bent low. The Geist also bowed, which made the two realize just who is with them.
"Oh." Now it made sense on why everyone is so calm. As Mercury and Emerald then witnessed Salem step out of the shadows, with Salem smiling.
"Now then," She began. "Tell me just what you two have been doing."
Flashback Over.
After that, Mercury and Emerald spent the next few days explaining what they've been through. From entering the portal to traveling into another world. Wandering around, finding Grimm, facing soldiers, being on the run, losing to a powerful Huntress, their plane hijacking and so on.
Now, here they were with everyone else.
Hazel, Tyrian, Watts, some new recruits like Bandit Princess, then of course Cinder.
'Though,' Mercury looked at Emerald, his eyes narrowed. 'Looks like she wasn't as happy at meeting Cinder than I expected.' Oh yeah, while Emerald seeing Cinder did bring a smile on the former, Mercury felt it was more subdued. Though, maybe all this traveling wore her down. Or more specifically, all the death she saw. As mentioned before, Emerald wasn't exactly a killer killer. And considering how the Hound's victims usually ended up…mutilated, well, Mercury was certain something in Emerald died a bit.
"Ah." As for Scorpia, she mused on something before turning towards the building. "It's a shame really. Was hoping I could comfort Tyrian as he recovers." Mercury shivered. Apparently, this girl has some kind of crush on the scorpion faunus. He didn't want to know why.
"Well, you know." Shrugging, Mercury just wanted to change the conversation. "A-Anyway, just out of curiosity, saw some guys dressed similarly to you. They're your friends?"
"Nope." Scorpia replied. "But they are Satyra members. They must have found some stuff to take back home."
"I'm just surprised this place has anything actually good. Looks like a dump."
"The Wilds is full of interesting things." Is all Scorpia told him, with Mercury accepting it. From what he heard, this place actually had some hidden treasures here and there, with Satyra nabbing them in exchange for Dust and some technology. Checking back at the building, Mercury then wondered what tech was exchanged.
Beep. Beep.
It was then Mercury, Scorpia, Catra and Emerald received a message on their phones and scrolls.
"And done." Watts told Tyrian, who grinned. "It took a bit, but you now have a fully functioning arm again." A prosthetic one. One that was made to look almost exactly like Tyrian's original arm, aside from being just a bit more shinier.
"Excellent work doctor." Tyrian giggled as he moved his new limb. Rolling the wrist with ease while wiggling his new fingers. "It's like a brand new toy."
"You should thank the technology we received then." Watts huffed while turning away. "I must say, the prosthetics of this world are a bit more advanced here than ours." To a degree anyway. After Tyrian lost his arm, Salem had him make a replacement, with some of the tech Satyra offered them.
From what Watts learned, public prosthetics weren't all that different from Remnant's own. But when it came to prosthetics for those in the military or Huntsmen, well, it seems science has come a bit extra. With Watts greedily taking in the information and using it to make Tyrian's new hand. Now, not only did it function like his old one-
Shing.
"Oh my!"
-it even came equipped with a built-in Queen's Servants weapon. Tyrian laughed as he realized his hand is a weapon.
"Yes, Salem did want you to be equipped and ready."
"And I will." Tyrian said before his eyes narrowed. A slight frown on his face. "And I'll ensure that the pussy cat doesn't make it out alive next time." The pain. The humiliation. Even worse, how he came to his Goddess in disgrace. Katz would pay dearly for that.
As for Watts, he just huffed. If anything, he wasn't sure if Tyrian facing that cat was a good thing. Then again, facing just about anybody didn't feel like a good thing. This pastime being marooned here on this planet has made Watts realize that the power gap with these heroes and Huntsmen outclassed a good chunk of the foes they faced on Remnant.
The video with the battle with Van Kleiss and Sammael outright proving it as everyone (aside from Watts, up until later) watched the great battle with awe and fear. That wasn't even mentioning the past heroes and Huntsmen they faced. Such as the Gunslinger who easily dealt with everyone, all the way to the great coordination the heroes back in Denver showcased.
'Which is why we need to be more ready than ever.' Especially when Tyrian at least managed to get what he needed. Information. Watts grinning at what he got and all the juicy knowledge that he filled his brain with. While that man ended up dead, there was no denying that Van Kleiss was a genius.
'And now I have some of his fine work. Including these nanites.' A quick look showed that in Watts lab was a jar that seemed to sparkle with unknown liquid. Inside it, thousands of small nanites were floating within the jar.
While some files were heavily guarded, others were a bit easier to break through the encryptions. In this case, files of nanites that could enhance a person's strength and durability. Nothing as impressive as a person transforming into a powerful E.V.O. as the files called them, but these nanites could be very useful. Along with the other projects he had.
While Watts thought of the nanites and other projects he pilfered, for Tyrian, he continued looking at his new hand. While he loathed the cat, at the very least Tyrian could acknowledge that the bastard was good, really good, in a fight. It had been somewhat even, but Katz proved to be just a bit better than Tyrian in battle. In that case, Tyrian will just train harder to surpass him.
These nanites the doctor spoke of had good promise. And while Tyrian was reluctant, fearfully, about this, he decided to…uhhhh….accept some training from Scorpia. The woman made his tail shiver, but she knew how to fight well with the muscles to prove it. She might not be as swift as him, but she had the strength and aura-training ahead of him.
'Plus…' Tyrian focused a bit on his prosthetic hand. Where, closing his eyes, he had his aura slowly wrap around the limb. Aura. It could be used for many things, primarily, as an armor for the body. But as those who trained learned, it could also be used to reinforce items a person grabbed and picked up. Why, one could even turn a loaf of bread into a fine weapon.
So why not his new prosthetic. Mentally wrapping his aura onto his new prosthetic, until for just a second, his metallic right hand briefly turned purple on the palm. Then vanishing away just as fast.
"Tch." His ability, Aura Disruption, allowed him to bypass one's aura temporarily. It worked by his aura on his arms altering the aura in his hands into something that somehow disrupted aura. How the actual mechanics work, Tyrian didn't know nor cared. What he did know was that even if it was a prosthetic, it seems Tyrian can still use his semblance. Though it wasn't as strong and needed training again.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
"Hm?" Watts then checked his scroll, nodding when he saw the message. "Ah. It's time." He then got up from his chair and moved. Tyrian doing the same as he received the same message. Both ready to do what needed to be done.
"Man. Things are weird around here." Funny how some time back, Bandit Princess was just robbing regular people with her crew. Now. She's with some Grimm woman, ended up being grouped with some Satyra members, not to mention watching as some of her members get their asses whooped by Cinder. The girl kicking them down with ease.
"You know," Bandit Princess called out to her. "Not like you beating them is going to make you stronger."
"And I told you, it's called training." Cinder growled at the laid back mobian. "Maybe you should give it a shot."
"Eh. Maybe later." Whenever she felt like it. Not like Bandit Princess cared too much about getting stronger. Though she did still excessive to keep herself in shape. But not like she'd tell her that.
"Ugh." Cinder scoffed. Still, it wouldn't stop her from doing what needed to be done. While annoying, with the Maiden powers gone, Cinder would have to keep her skills honed. While she hated to admit it, seeing those heroes and Huntsmen, particularly those who didn't use flashy powers or had inhumane strength, fight with swords and their own skills made Cinder feel….inferior.
Which is whyyyy, she decided to focus on her bladework and body movement. Memory of the Gunslinger still filled her mind at how he defeated her. Not to mention how Catra could handle her as well. If she wanted to face these powerful men and women, then Cinder would need to train herself to their skill level.
Though from what she heard, the doctor was also willing to give everyone a boost in power through these nanites. Aside from Catra and Scorpia, everyone else accepted it. While Cinder wouldn't neglect her training, she didn't see a problem gaining more power through other means.
Beep. Beep.
The two woman then heard the noise. Nearby on the ground, both their devices beeped to tell them they each received a message. When Cinder went to pick up hers, she checked it and saw who it was. "Come on." She told Bandit Princess. "It seems Salem wants us."
It has been one week since the great battle in Nowhere.
A fight where only the very best participated in.
Heroes. Huntsmen. Those who represent the pinnacle of their kind, with the men and women, even machines, showing why they could be considered the greatest.
With Sammael and those with him showing why they could be considered the worst against the heroes.
Powerful. Charstmic. A sense of fear and awe.
If Salem had not detached the idea of love, she would admit that Sammael would have easily captured her heart. But even without the idea of romance, Salem witnessed the might Sammael possessed which was as intimidating as it was incredible.
'And considering the foes he faces, it's now wonder he is so powerful as the heroes are.' Remnant was a ruined world. A world that stagnated. Back in the era where the two Brothers were around, while humanity still relied on magic, they did put efforts in doing more.
In modern day, not as much.
Oh, yes, Ozma did ensure humanity was guided well under his subtle manipulations. Not to mention technology itself was a lot more impressive compared to back in the past. With the modern day not being entirely horrible.
But thanks to the Grimm, culling humanity everyday, the potential any Huntsmen and Huntresses had was culled and removed. Something earth was able to avoid. Although this in turn seemed to have created stronger Grimm. Even if these Grimm weren't as numerous as Remnant, they made it up with more unique variants. And if Sammael is anything like Salem believes, then he likely had a hand in making some of these powerful Grimm.
"At this point, it seems I may need to up my game." The desire to return home is still there of course. While there is some temptation of remaining, the fact is that if she chose to, then she'd have to give it all up. Her plans, her schemes, everything she devoted to Remnant would be reduced to nothing. All she sought unaccomplished. Her goals, unfulfilled.
This is why Salem wanted to return home. Because everything she wanted to bring down is back on Remnant. Not this planet. Remnant.
'But going home won't be easy.' The good doctor had already explained that even with his expertise, he couldn't just make a dimensional portal so easily. Especially since they lost the ring, the main crux of the dimensional portal.
But with the new information and schematics Tyrian brought them…well, that changed things. Not to mention it would be easier than going back in Japan where the portal Mercury, Emerald, and the Hound went through.
Speaking of the Hound, it was right near a broken window. Keeping a wise distance from Edel, sensing her true nature. But still on guard. Salem smiling as the Hound could be considered one of the few successful Grimm she's ever made personally. Granted, there were flaws in the experiment. According to Cinder's little minions, they stated the Hound continued to kill many times, even beyond mere self-defense.
'Thinking on it, it also awakened a bit early.' Salem had kept it incubating in order to stabilize its mind. Most likely while it was capable of thinking, the Grimm instinct to kill had yet to be suppressed as she intended. Still, it did its job well with Salem having a nice asset.
As Salem thought this, suddenly, the door opened up. Entering is Hazel, looking much better from his recovery with the Gunslinger and giving a nod. It seems it was time.
"Ma'am." Catching her attention, Salem turned to see Edel. Ever expressionless, pointing. "The rest are here." Salem still didn't trust her. But she didn't need Edel's trust. Just her cooperation, for now. Until the spy was captured, Salem had Edel watched whenever she spoke to the others about something important.
"Excellent. Stay here for now." Edel nodded, with Salem leaving her. But not without having a small Grimm watch over her, just to be safe. Along with the Hound itself going near Edel which growled at the girl. Clearly it didn't like her for more reasons than one, yet backed away regardless due to Edel's ability to drain life. Even life as twisted as the Hound.
As Salem exited the room, she saw everyone was here.
Cinder. Watts. Hazel. Tyrian. Catra. Scorpia. Bandit Princess. Mercury. Emerald. All brought for one purpose only. "Come." With those words said, everyone followed Salem. Entering an elevator where Hazel pushed a button.
The elevator soon dragged them upward. Taking them to their position. Though seeing as they had time, Salem decided to ask something. "Catra, Scorpia, are you certain you don't wish for the nanite infusion? From what I understand, the doctor believes them to be safe."
"Which they are." Watts said smugly before Bandit Princess butted in.
"You mean like how you thought trying to find an open panel for that chimera mech freak was a good idea. Only for you to run screaming when it fired missiles." Everyone aside from Salem then began chuckling, Cinder the most, with even Hazel cracking a humorous smile.
"Why you little-!" Before any arguing could happen, Scorpia quickly gave her answer.
"Thanks, but no thanks." She told Salem. "Catra and I are good."
"Plus, we don't want the risk of turning into one of those freaks." Catra added, while Watts grumbled that the nanites were perfectly safe.
"Very well." Salem didn't ask further. It was their choice. She won't push any further. Though she did wonder if their answer came because they genuinely didn't desire it, or perhaps, because they had something influence their answer. Primarily, a bit after the great fight, Dark Kat called.
Flashback
"Salem, I see you have been keeping up with the events in Nowhere." Dark Kat stated as soon as his image was projected in his 'seat'.
"More or less." Salem admitted.
"Then let me get straight to the point, if you have any plans to take action regarding Sammael or the Fallen it will be done without Satyra's assistance." Dark Kat stated, causing everyone at the table to look at 'him'. "This is a direct order from His Eminence and this applies also to Scorpia and Catra."
Salem raised an eyebrow. "I take it your leader knows about Sammael."
"Indeed he does. In fact he told himself that he and Sammael go back a long way. They reached an agreement to not interfere in each other's affairs…Unless one of them was sure they had the upper hand." Dark Kat answered. "Sammael's reveal in Nowhere has caused His Eminence to accelerate our own plans but the truce remains in effect until said otherwise. I am not sure what you might do with the knowledge of what you have seen in Nowhere, whether to seek out Sammael to either join him or to attack him but it will not be done with anyone affiliated with Satyra."
Catra and Scorpia shared a look. 'His Eminence knows Sammael?'
"What you decide to do with this knowledge I leave to you." Dark Kat said before ending the transmission.
Flashback Over
It seems the major players of the criminal underworld knew Sammael, and the power he wielded.
Ding.
Well, might as well make a move of her own to handle herself.
The elevator doors opened to reveal the rooftop of the building they're on. Where in the center in front of them, is none other than a machine that Watts had built that looked eerily similar to the portal from Remnant.
"Is that…" Hazel slowly spoke, with the others from Remnant realizing the same. Watts, smirking, stepped forward.
"It is. Behold!" Dramatically raising his arms, Watts smiled with pride. "An interdimensional portal!" For a moment, everyone actually looked amazed. Then, Watts coughed. "...somewhat."
"...what?" Cinder then turned to him, with everyone else doing the same.
Salem stepped in and spoke. "It seems the technology isn't perfected, from the reports the doctor told me." She then allowed Watts to explain.
"Using my memory from the one I made, along with the fine knowledge of the recently deceased Van Kleiss, I managed to recreate the dimensional portal. With an added bonus of it being powered by a certain hero's energy." Krunk's energy. Just a fraction of his power, siphoned and now placed into a new confined battery, capable of powering this machine.
Catra whistled. "Dimensional portal. Alright, that's pretty cool."
"But you said 'somewhat'." Hazel said.
"Yeah." Bandit Princess crossed her arms. "Is there a catch to it?"
"...unfortunately, yes." With a sigh, Watts explained, "To give a heads-up to the Satyra members, before this portal used another method. A type of…ring."
"Ring?" Scorpia tilted her head.
"Truthfully, no idea what it actually was." Watts admitted. "Other than that, it was advanced technology of unknown origin, with no method to reproduce. Only stabilize." And long gone. "Which is why I needed Van Kleiss's work to help speed things along."
"Also helps that the man was a greater genius." Tyrian giggled with Watts snorting in anger. Still, he kept his cool and continued.
"Ahem, anyway, the catch is simple." Walking towards the machine, Watts then began inputting some commands into it. The device glowing briefly before sparking to life. The circular apparatus then glowing brightly as a portal opened up. One that then showed-
"It's time…to d-d-d-d-d-d-d-duueeeelllll!"
"It's the Loud House! It's the Loud House!"
"Godzilla…Kong…Let them fight."
-multiple worlds, which made Watts grunt. "Apologies." He then slammed a button, making the portal then show another world. One that revealed a world with a shattered moon. Home. "For some reason the portal just shows random worlds without cause."
"...was that a giant gorrila in one of them?" Hazel then spoke.
"Pretty sure we also saw some guy playing a card game like the world is at stake." Catra rubbed her forehead. "What was that about?"
"The multiverse is apparently a strange place." Is all Watts told them. Van Kleiss actually kept files on some worlds. Some that were useful as they were unique. Others that were so dangerous that he filed them off. And finally…some that were just plain weird, aggravating, annoying, irritating, and all the above. Watts having even discovered a cluster of worlds known as 'isekai', where most of them usually involved a young man who becomes overpowering and ends up with a multitude of woman and making a harem.
Talk about creepy and overdone.
"Alright. But what does that have to do with this catch?" Bandit Princess got back on topic.
"To put it straight, we can only observe the different worlds, and at best, get an item or two." Watts gave the rather disappointing news. "Not to mention the portals are more like windows, which lifeforms cannot enter through while once we get something, depending on what we take, the portal will need time to recharge."
"Talk about lame." Tyrian booed.
"It seems Van Kleiss really was the better scientist." Cinder scoffed. "So much for a ticket home."
"I dunno. This place is alright in my books." Mercury could see himself fading in the background and living in a nice town. Stealing and being hired as a mercenary. That's life.
"Eh. Personally, I wouldn't mind just seeing other worlds. Could be neat." Not to mention awesome. If anything, Scorpia felt it'd be like watching television, only better.
"Alright. So, it isn't complete garbage." Emerald can't judge the machine, since it's way more complicated than she understood. "But all in all, what's the point of showing us this if it can't even get us home?"
"Because it can still be of use." Salem answered Emerald. She then turned to everyone else. "As we've seen during our time here, the dangers and threats of this world are quite…higher than what we've seen in Remnant." Words that were tough to swallow. But forced to anyway, as everyone couldn't deny that the heroes and even the villains here were a lot better than most of the garbage back home aside from Ozpin, his allies, and maybe a few others.
"And the battle in Nowhere one week ago has definitely proven this." Everyone then shuddered. Even Catra and Scorpia gave a slight wince. They knew a lot about the heroes and villains who fought, and just watching the power both sides showed made the two glad they weren't anywhere near that mess. It now made sense to them why his Eminence and the rest of Satyra were told not to deal with Sammael and the Fallen. Until his Eminence fulfilled his plans, it wouldn't be wise to face the Fallen until his Eminence gained the upper hand.
With Catra and Scorpia well aware that they themselves wouldn't last against some of Sammael's allies at this current moment.
"As such," Salem continued. "I decided to see if I can gain an advantage. Doctor, if you would."
"With pleasure." With a few buttons pushed, Watts then shifted the portal to show the same world, but a different location. A location featuring a ruined wasteland full of Grimm, with a castle seen under the red blood sky.
Salem then smiled. "Now then." She slowly lifted her arms, as her eyes glowed blood red. "It's time to call upon our new asset." One that while will cause the portal to be shut down for months, lest Watts find a new power source, will also bring a great advantage for Salem and her forces. It was then everyone watched as the portal began to glitch a bit. A whirring sound is heard, as the machine undergoes immense stress.
"Ughh…what's happening?" Mercury asked while taking a step back.
"Something big." Tyrian howled with a grin. Proven correct soon after, as a large rumbling could be heard on the other side of the portal.
"...Perhaps it'd be best if we all stepped back." Hazel advised, with everyone listening and promptly stepping back. Because the portal then darkened, where another rumble could be heard. Then, all everyone saw was an orange glow.
The Grimm, the bandits, the animals and whatever lived in the Wilds saw it.
A blue beam coming from the town and going up into the sky. Brightening the area as the beam then flashed and dissipated.
"Scree." Many birds then flew off along with the animals. As a loud noise then emmates from where the beam hit, followed by the sky literally ripping open where a massive portal is then seen.
"Wrrrrrrrrr!" Followed by the sound of an apex predator. As the animals scrambled away from absolute fear, the Grimm reacted differently. The Beowolves, Ursas, Nevermores, whatever lived in the Wilds, all stopped to stare and look up and the great portal in the sky.
Then, they all kneeled and bowed their heads.
Because coming from the portal, it came out. A Grimm that was unique and didn't exist on earth. While not as powerful as the legendary or Kaiju Grimm, by no means was this Grimm not a threat. If anything, what it lacked in power and sapience, it made up for with sheer absolute size.
"By Glob!"
"Shit!"
"The fuck is that!?"
The bandits on the ground fell on their butts with jaws dropping. But not as much as the ones who saw it come in the first place.
"Hell!" Catra felt a bit of sweat crawl down her cheek as she saw it make its appearance. "That thing…it's enormous."
"...pretty sure that enormous is an understatement." Scorpia told her.
"S-Since when did Grimm get that big." Emerald shivered with Mercury stepping closer to her.
"No clue, but man….Salem wasn't kidding about this advantouge." By a lot.
"Hahahaha!" Tyrian shirked happily. "Our Goddess has done it again!"
"Well…I was getting tired of living in the middle of nowhere." Cinder whispered, a bit impressed by what she's seeing.
Hazel grunted. "Until we find a proper way home….I suppose this will make it more difficult for any heroes and Huntsmen to get to us."
"Undoubtedly." Watts grinned.
Darkening the entire town, along with much of the forest, a thundering roar is heard from the sky. Floating above the town, a Grimm of great power made itself known. Taking the form of a sperm whale-like Grimm, exponentially dwarfing Nevermores and Sphinxes. Its head lacked eyes and had an orange glow, similar to that of a Seer, with a whale's skull visible on the interior. Having giant purple crystalline spikes and gray rocks on its upper and lower body and was shown to have five pairs of red bat-wing-like fins, allowing for flight. The purple crystals on its body were composed of Gravity Dust, which allowed it the ability to fly
The Monstra has made its appearance. Which will now serve as the new mobile base for everyone in the town, where within it hundreds of Grimm were already within along with many rooms and pools of Grimm inside.
"Everyone. Let's move in." Salem told everyone who nodded.
This world has shown her much. And while she and her members can survive, to thrive they needed to up their game and work harder. Alliances will have to be made, including more beyond Satyra and the Chaos Witch as this Nyx called herself. Not to mention gaining new methods of power to help them adapt against the strong foes if they were ever targeted by hero or villain. Learn of any unique artifacts that could serve them, while gathering more subordinates beyond mere bandits.
Until Watts perfected the dimensional portal, they will be trapped here in this world until that time comes. But just because they were trapped, didn't mean they couldn't make the best of their situation.
While uncontrollable, Salem already had ideas on using that mechanical chimera abomination as a weapon of force. Thanks to Tyrian, he gathered many unique files and blueprints that Watts was already using to make them new equipment. Not just the nanites that will enhance her members strength, but also create weapons and gear such as this 'Venom' Formula for Hazel, and power armor for Watts himself, and so much more.
Once they got back to Remnant, Ozma wouldn't even know what hit him. 'Ah.' Salem then thought while smiling. 'I wonder how you're doing, Ozma?'
And done. We reached the end. A bit of a shame, but all stories must come to an end. And I wanted to make this story end with a bit of a bang. In this case, have the Monstra itself come to earth. It's no Kaiju or Sammael's own pet dragon, but the Monstra will still serve well seeing as how its a lair of freakin death. And now, Salem's group will live in it, making it difficult for the Huntsmen to get at them.
Thank goodness the Gunslinger took a lot of information though, which will be useful.
And yeah, Watts managed to finish his portal. But because he doesn't have the ring, or having Van Kleiss's portal utilizing Breach, while he was able to make a decent dimensional portal it can't take them home. Being imperfect, much to his ire. But he managed to get a lot of good stuff from Van Kleiss's lair thanks to Tyrian as a bonus.
DC's deadly Venom from Bane, which will be given to Hazel who's already dang strong. Stolen blueprints for basic nanites to increase everyone, sans Catra and Scorpia's, strength and durability. Along with other goodies like laser weapons and whatever else he pilfered from Van Kleiss's files.
And now, Salem is going to be a bit more proactive on earth. Oh yes, she'll still try to stay out of public sight and won't just attack a city. But after seeing the battle in Nowhere and realizing how strong some of the heroes and Huntsmen are, she realizes that if she wants to survive and thrive, she needs to be active. Meaning she'll start getting a bit more involved on earth compared to what she did on Remnant, up until Volume 8.
What they'll do now, who knows. Whether they succeed in getting back home or getting beaten, only time will tell. Especially since none of you should count on me making a sequel. Fun as this was, I have other projects to work on. But thankfully, despite the new advantage Salem's group has, that doesn't mean everything is going to go well for them. After all…don't we have a few heroes here?
Up in the sky, a ship was finally coming down. This ship had taken time to arrive all the way to Grimmfall city. Whereas it landed, many people came out looking excited.
"Finally!" Harriet Bree zipped around back and forth. "Enough space to move."
"And explore!" Marrow excitedly said. "Maybe even do a little shopping. Wait! Do they even accept Lien?"
"No." Vine told his comrade. "Though they did give us money, and the organization even got us an apartment we can share."
"Well that's nice…and a little suspicious." Elm then crossed her arms. "Any reason why they're doing that?"
"Because they are defenders of humanity and wish to help people who are lost like us." Penny gave a simple, honest, and rather pure answer. Believing in the best intentions that the organization helped them out of the goodness of their hearts.
"I thought it was because they wanted to take use of us." Clover, not as much. Not that he believed the strange organization that picked them up was going to use them for evil or anything. But more like, they scratch their back, with them doing the same.
"General." Winter asked Ironwood, who observed his surroundings of the airport they're in. "Did they tell you?"
"...they did." Ironwood responded. "And yes, it's as both Penny and Clover said. They do want to help us, since apparently there have been other people in a similar position like us, who needed help. But they also asked for our assistance, if we volunteered to."
"I don't mind helping out." Pietro shrugged. "Actually, the organization seemed to like some of the programs I made. They were also interested in…" Pietro glanced at Penny. "Well, I don't mind sharing some of my work." Just not all of it.
"I'll say this." Marrow then stretched. "Give us a mission to deal with some Grimm." He and the others have been training, since they had nothing better to do, but Marrow needed a little action. Beating and killing some Grimm should do the trick.
"Later." Ironwood told him. "For now, we go to the apartment, buy some simple supplies, then we can get a little…action, I suppose." While there was still some stress Ironwood had, it wasn't as much after all this time relaxing. His head feeling a bit more clearer. Granted, there was still the problem with going home, and unfortunately, that wasn't going to be easy.
'But maybe meeting this Phil Sebben can help us.' Shame that the man had a busy schedule. Ironwood wouldn't have minded meeting him. But the battle in Nowhere had obviously caused problems that needed to be fixed. Especially paperwork.
'I pity the man.' As a headmaster and general, Ironwood had so much paperwork to do. It was almost as stressful as dealing with Salem. Ugh, speaking of Salem, to think this world has their own variants of the woman. If it wasn't for the fact that Ironwood saw the power the heroes and Huntsmen possessed, along with the awe and charisma they produced when fighting so many villains, Ironwood felt he would have gone mad at how anybody could face these Fallen.
Frankly, it amazed him the government hadn't nuked the Fallen with extreme prejudice.
'...maybe I should take a break from thinking about all this.' Taking Marrow's offer on killing Grimm actually seemed to be a good idea now. It has been a while since he's killed any. Let aside fight on the frontlines. Yes…maybe a little fighting wouldn't be so bad.
Meanwhile, Winter simply looked around this city. Grimmfall, as it was called. Finding it to be quite nice, liking the view. 'Ah, if only Weiss is here.' She then continued on with the others as they walked on.
"And we finally made it." After the explosion, and finding themselves in a forest, everyone had gone back through the portal. Atlas's best minds immediately posted guards to protect the portal while checking up to see if it was safe.
In one week, Velvet's father and those with him have modified the gear of those who volunteered to explore what lay beyond the portal. To get information to see just what was happening. And as for who volunteered…
"Great." Qrow grinned as he looked around, Oscar by his side. While close by are Teams RWBY and JN_R. "First hike through the forest shows that there doesn't seem to be any danger."
"Graaa!" A Grimm then came right at him.
Shing!
Which Ruby then dealt with ease.
"Hehe." Qrow chuckled. "Well, any danger that can actually threaten us."
"Man, this place is neat." Nora giggled while walking alongside Ren. "Where do you think we are? Another planet? A different dimension? A zoo?"
"Pretty sure we're just in another part of Remnant." Ren told his partner.
"I mean, who knows." Jaune told Ren with a chuckle. "Sure the portal could have taken us to another area. But hey, being in another dimension sounds cooler."
"It does." Yang agreed. "Meaning new places to explore, new hair-products, motorcycles-"
"Weapons!" Ruby then interrupted with a laugh.
"And beer." With Qrow following suit.
"-and I guess new friends?" Yang finished, rolling her eyes at Qrow and Ruby's antics. Not that she minded, as some optimism is good for this trip.
"Please." Weiss then said. "Just how would we even be in another world? It would make no sense."
"Neither did a giant robot with an ego problem." Blake shrugged. "Not everything goes the way we expect."
"Well, for now we should see if we can find a town." Oscar told everyone, before pausing. "Like that." He then pointed where up ahead, everyone can see none other than a city. It was then Nora took a picture with her scroll.
"Might as well bring back pictures and souvenirs." She told them. "I mean, bet Robyn would love whatever this place might have." Nora then looked at Weiss. "Maybe you can even get a toy for, uh, your baby brother?"
"He's only a few years younger than me." And Weiss wasn't exactly on…decent terms with him. Actually, she hadn't really bothered going back to the manor to see him, her mom, or Klein since Jacques would be there. "But, we have better things to do right now."
"Checking the city to tell where we are?" Jaune asked aloud.
"I thought we could just hang out for fun." Yang giggled.
"You make a fair point." Qrow wouldn't mind taking a good look around to enjoy himself along with the others. But before any of that could happen, he squinted as he got a good look at this strange city. "Huh. Don't recognize it?" Qrow narrowed his eyes, looking at Oscar who shaked his head.
"It's not unusual for there to be other cities." Within the young former farm boy, Ozpin spoke to his other half. "But it is strange I don't recognize it."
'You and me both.' Oscar agreed.
"Just what is this place?" Jaune asked aloud.
"Who knows." Ruby shrugged before smiling. "But only one way to find out."
"Then we better get a move on." Weiss flipped her hair. "Let's see what's down there."
"Can't be any worse than when we were apart." Blake then walked up ahead. "Let's see what we find." Then, like so, the numerous members decide to see just what city they would find and the people in it. Where as they continued to walk, they then found a sign that said one thing.
Grimmfall City ahead.
Drip…Drip…
Silence permutes what had once been Van Kleiss's lair.
There had been many secrets within the base. Technology. Resources. So much that not even the heroes or Sammael's own forces knew everything that the dangerous villain had made. But then why would they. After the great battle, Van Kleiss's lair had been left behind.
Of course, Sebben wasn't foolish enough to just leave it alone. Already the government alongside trusted allies would aid in cleaning up the near destroyed base while confiscating any dangerous weapons and technology. As it was too dangerous to just leave anything lying around where those with bad intentions can find it.
Yet what others didn't know, was of a hidden room inside Van Kleiss's base.
Inside, there were many tubes within. Where floating in the liquid are bodies. Clone bodies, of those not of this world.
Project Force.
While Van Kleiss had primarily used his portal to kidnap others and steal/study different tech, the mad man had also stolen DNA samples of many others. The good, the bad, anybody that he deemed would be useful for his army. Finding people he found interesting across the multiverse, taking their DNA, then growing a clone out of them to make a loyal puppet. A puppet that he improved upon, giving these clones special nanites to make them already stronger than their donors, enhanced auras, muscles build, some built-in cybernetics, regeneration capabilities, and so much more.
The only problem was that these clones would take time to make. Not to mention the modifications he placed on them made them immune to becoming EVO's, not that he minded. After all, Van Kleiss wanted powerful warriors, not monsters. But alas, the clones had still been growing when the battle between Sammael's forces and those with Phil Sebben and others happened.
Where the shockwaves and attacks caused immense damage to the facility in this room. Causing defects to grow within the clones.
One tube held the body of Sonic the Hedgehog. But now he looked deformed, having a blue gut, unnatural human-like arms and legs, actual fingers, and more disturbingly human teeth.
There was also the clone body of a young man known as Link, who battled a great foe that could turn into a demonic boar. Wielding this power of courage while aiding a beautiful princess. His body had no skin, and lacked a face.
That wasn't even mentioning the clone body of a human hero called All Might. Instead of being muscular, his body proportions were displaced. Having a skinny torso, yet a muscular left thigh and chest, with bloated tumors growing out of him.
Yes, all these clones ended up dying before they could even be given proper life. With not a single one surviving their growth process.
Crack!
Except for one.
"...where…am I…?" Through a small miracle, one clone ended up growing perfectly. A lot better towards the other female clone next to her, who hadn't a single limb on her. This clone has long white hair, with unblemished white skin. Her cold blue eyes blinked with her face being that as emotionless.
Looking around, the clone saw nobody around at all. She then stood up, naked, before she then winced.
Aid…d$&-o…*(feat o-...o-^&b…K-Kli*ss!
During the clone's growth process, Van Kleiss also ensured that a special machine would pre-program their mind. Giving them basic knowledge like how to fight, eat, use the restroom, and so on. But more importantly, obey him and only him, while defeating his enemies.
But for this clone, while she managed to miraculously grow properly, the programming of her mind only got to input basic knowledge and what her purpose was with other information. The programming to obey Van Kleiss, corrupted and incomplete. Not helped that Van Kleiss was dead to do anything.
Yet what the clone did understand was that she needed to leave. Her mind, the programmed instructions in her then tells her to go to a city to prepare for battle. To join the other clones and fight against the Huntsmen. In a city called…Grimmfall…
There should be more, but again, the inputting of loyalty and whatever plans Van kleiss had for her and the other clones was corrupted and incomplete. Still, she had her purpose and destination.
Inside this room is supplies to make the trip to Grimmfall along with a small ship. With weapons and food. All she needed now was…
"Clothes." The clone then saw another tube. Inside is a woman with long blue hair, but with twisted limbs and a reverse head. The nameplate saying Esdeath, while near the tube is a small container. Opening it, the clone then saw some clothes. Military clothes. For some reason, the clone liked these clothes and grabbed them instead of checking her container's outfit.
In a moment, the clone put on what consisted of a skin-fitted short sleeveless white dress that fastened on the right side, with a hexagonal cut out on the bust alongside several black straps. She had a white short cape that was attached to the dress. She also wore a gray mesh top underneath that has a black snowflake styled design visible through the dress' cutout and the mesh sleeves were mostly covered with white sleeves that had a black strap on the trim. Sporting a flowing white trench coat cape decorated with various black thorn-like and snowflake designs which she wore draped over her shoulders, light gray tights, and white high-heel pumps. Carrying sky blue sunglasses and wearing a white kepi with black visor on her head.
"There. Perfect." Like that, the clone then left to head for Grimmfall for further instructions. Ignoring the tube she came out of, which held the nameplate that said her name.
Weiss Schnee.