Soul Calibur Fan Fiction

Timequake

A ninja from the past meets a polymath from the present. Can they work together to save their future, or is the world doomed to be bathed in blood by the thirst of an evil sword?

Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC(s)

Chapter 1

29 October 2021 – Rodolfo's POV

It was near dark as my father's car pulled up outside my house, identifiable by a hanging green and pink ball of flowers outside the front door along with a brass bell (an actual bell, complete with chain and handle) which one could ring. The Moon was shining in the Sky, and I was looking forward to Greenwich Mean Time making a return this Halloween (why does this bullshit practice even exist!?). I had, as per usual, a million things running through my mind: my games, my stories, my Spanish language studies…a whole lot of bullshit. My musings were vaguely interrupted by a bass voice calling my name. Turning around, I could see a Hispanic-looking man with spectacles, reddish-grey hair and a slightly weathered face – this was my father, Isacco. The 3rd of 10 children with an age gap ranging approximately 20 years from oldest to youngest, I never liked his seeming lack of empathy when it came to real pep talks… and this was no different, despite me being a third of a century old. 'Well, you're home, Rodolfo.' He began. 'Enjoy the weekend… not that it matters much.' I caught onto this and I turned to face him, my round, shiny bald head and bespectacled face almost a mirror image of his own likeness. 'Seriously… think about getting a job. I know there's a pandemic going on and you've got these particularities with social anxiety and poor people skills, but we're not going to be here forever.' He added. He never did know when to back off, much to the dismay of my mother, Sofia.

'I'll find a job that I know I'm passionate about, unlike my older brother, Ruggiero, who's neck-deep in shit and debt. Until then, I'll stay on disability and what little employment benefits I get.' I paused to emphasise my irritation with him – to be honest, I was afraid of his reaction (have been since I was young), but I felt a bit more confident with my mother present. 'You're the one who's afraid if you ask me.' With those words, I got out of the car and gathered my things, entering my house. I didn't even bother to wave my mother and father goodbye. Entering my very orange house, I sighed as I examined my light blue sweater and dark blue sweatpants, sitting down to relax. A little black portable recorder stood before me – this was my trusted Zoom H2N, a modern-day porta-studio. Activating it, I decided to record some notes for a story I wanted to pitch to a movie producer (if I could get the script into their bloody hands, that is). 'Hello, my name is Rodolfo Gasperini, and it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you a time travel story for the ages… one that will bring the past, present and future together with the power of love.' I paused, cringing internally at my own pun. I stopped the recorder and played back the audio file… it sounded OK, but I knew it needed work. The wind rose around me. Did I leave the windows open again!? My mind screamed. Before I could react, a bolt of green lightning began to strike various items in the house, sending my computer into a state of batshit crazy chaos! I tried to yell in panic but could not. I tried to move away but could not. The green lightning changed its target – yours truly – and before I could react, it struck me with a rather loud ZAP!

5 September 1591 – Taki's POV

I had no choice but to keep on running, having exorcised the demon of gluttony that young man's obese body. I only prayed to Amaterasu that he would recover, but for now, I had more pressing matters to deal with – namely, my personal safety. I ran and jumped for what felt like a lifetime, nothing I hadn't done before, but it would be nice if I could take my time every once in a while… but for as long as evil is present, I can never rest. ZAP! I saw a bolt of green lightning in the distance, accompanied by an unusual sound. When the smoke cleared and dust settled, I could vaguely make out the shape of a man… a man with a round, bald head and wearing a very light shade of blue, possibly cyan, like the kind I saw on one of my travels in the Middle East. He was very strangely dressed, wearing eyeglasses and some unusual legwear. He could be a demon, Taki… be careful. I thought to myself, and against my own better judgement, I approached the man carefully. He looked around him, scanning his whereabouts – he was clearly not a skilled fighter. I could tell by his stance and the way he walked. He said something in a language I could not understand as he fell flat on his face. Approaching him, I decided to stand over this strange man, looking at him cautiously. He looked up at me, adjusting his eyewear.

'Hey… do me a favour and help me up, will you?' He spoke another strange tongue. He must be possessed. I thought to myself, but something told me to stay put and let him speak. 'I can't seem to get a good balance here.' The man continued as he held out his hand. I hesitated, knowing I could get possessed from physical contact… but I took it anyway, helping him up. 'Thanks.' He said… and he looked at me, visually inspecting my attire as I tried not to blush, my crimson red skin-tight catsuit the source of his admiration. 'I don't think we've been properly introduced.' He said, this time in Japanese, surprising me! He didn't seem like the type to speak the language of the Far East. 'I'm Rodolfo Gasperini… my friends call me Rudy.' He held out his hand again… this time I shook it willingly, knowing he wasn't a threat.

'They call me Taki.' I finally spoke to him. 'Rudy-san, what are you doing here?' I asked, keeping my guard up, even though I have to admit, he was quite easy on the eyes due to his strange choice of colourful attire.

'That's what I'd like to know.' He replied. 'One minute I'm at home and the next I'm here. This has got to be a dream.' He continued before making an unusual request. 'Taki… can you do me a favour and pinch my face?' The strange man asked. I complied by slapping him across the cheek instead. He was clearly starting to get on my nerves with his oddities.

'Is that better?' I asked him with just a hint of annoyance. He nodded.

'Perfect… thanks.' He responded. Before I could continue questioning him, he disappeared again in another flash of green light with a ZAP!

29 October 2021 – Rodolfo's POV

I fell to the floor… scrambling to pick myself up, I found myself back home again. My computer was on and running, my recorder was undamaged, my synthesiser… all was well. I couldn't have dreamt all that, now, could I? I thought to myself as I put my hand to my cheek… the pain from that slap felt real enough all right. My favourite sweater was a little dirty, but nothing a few scrubs with a sponge couldn't take care of. Something had clearly transpired, real or not, and my gut feeling told me that the mysterious ninja I had encountered could very well be the key to all this.