Warning Alert!
As of 16:07 PM, it has declared the residential forests in the southern parts of Japan is to be restricted due to the countless deaths that have occurred there by the Hound. Those who live near the area are being warned against entering the forest and to be very cautious.
Huntsmen are being deployed to scout and to potentially battle the Hound. The police have also advised many who are watching this to not allow any children below the age of thirteen to see these images which can be highly disturbing and graphic.
Thank you for your time.
It's been a dull day for E-Male. Nothing much to do here in the Hall of Justice, but at the least was still prepping himself up for the battle that was apparently coming. Like oh say, a massive swarm of Grimm heading toward Nowhere. Which is why he was training a bit and loosening those joints. He didn't need a muscle cramp out there when the battle came.
While doing some basic movement, E-Male then heard a vibrating sound. Looking around, he then saw it was coming from his bag. Quickly going towards it, he picked it up and saw it was from...the government in Japan? Blinking, E-Male picked up the call.
"Yeah, what is it?" He then zipped to the waiting room and seconds later returned to the training room in the exact spot only with a cup of water. "I'm busy."
"Then I suppose we'll make this quick. We're calling because we need your help." On the other line, it was some woman he didn't know. Must be someone from the Huntsmen Association from Japan, as he recognized Japanese. Still, what could they need?
"Explain?" The woman did.
"Have you been seeing the news in Japan?" E-Male was gone in a flash but was soon back with a tablet. There it showed some top stories. Like some new graduates, a weird and rather ugly Kaiju Grimm made of...garbage, and then finally a tragedy.
"Ah. the Hound is it?" E-Male said as he looks at the coverage. Another gruesome attack and murder. Per usual, no survivors. The woman on the other end sounded tired.
"I'll be frank, we're at our limit hunting this thing down." She tells him while E-Male checks the coverage. An attack on a Ranger's station. The rangers, civilians, and the few Huntsmen there all ripped to shreds. But more importantly, there was a number down below. "The Hound is starting to get out of control. Even worse, it's kill count has just hit over a hundred. A hundred."
"Okay, I can see that." Not to mention whoever the sicko was who posted the video feeds of the Hound tearing some dude's head off while chomping on a woman's stomach.
"Then you know how bad this is getting?" The woman on the other line told him. "The Kaiju were one thing, but we have those Shinkalions at the least giving people hope against them. The Hound is doing the opposite. It's constant killing spree is making people panic and it doesn't help when some sicko keeps posting it's killing all over."
E-Male frowned. He knew the Hound situation was getting bad. Kaiju Grimm were a terror in Japan, and were a dark symbol. Yet it seems the Hound was becoming its own symbol of fear as while it was not as strong, big, or dangerous as the Kaiju, it's constant weekly killings and the way it just massacred people were freaking people out. Grimm attacks were rising in the cities it was spotted near because people irrationally assumed it was coming for them. Combined with it's rather fearsome appearance and the way it brought down some Huntsmen didn't help matters.
"In other words," E-Male spoke. "You need a real man to take it out."
"...yes." The woman admits. Though clearly not amused by his attitude. "This thing has been free to do as it pleases long enough. We've lost too many against it, and those not scared are asking for blood with trust on Huntsmen dropping."
"Makes sense. If a bunch of machines or whatever can take down giant Kaiju Grimm, then why can't Huntsmen who are trained to take down small Grimm, can't even do their job." Granted the Hound was no ordinary Grimm considering how it's kill list included some good Rank 3 Huntsmen and even a Rank 4 here and there, but still. The people were now wondering why the Huntsmen couldn't do their job.
"Which is why we need someone to kill it. And considering your speed, we believe you can find it, kill it, then resume the mission on Nowhere you seem to be on." E-Male smirked. It seems the Huntsmen Association in Japan was making the smart move. So he only had one answer to give them.
"I'll be there soon enough." Time to kill a Hound.
It has been about an hour since Ironwood and the others were placed in here. An hour of waiting and doing nothing at all. Which is why it satisfied them when a clicking sound was heard from the door. Everybody stood up, aside from the still unconscious Mermaid Man, and stood attentive. Not that they were dropping down their guard of course. As such, hands got ready to attack or grab their weapons just in case.
The door soon opened up, and out came a man who wore simple black suit. No weapons were seen on him, though he himself noticed their weapons. Not that it worried him, as he then spoke calmly. "No need for fear. I am not your enemy."
"Then who are you?" Ironwood asked.
"I will gladly explain...to you alone." The others got ready to move but a single hand from Ironwood held them back. No need for a fight right now.
"Just me?"
"Yes. But don't worry, we have no intention of harming your allies." Suddenly two men came out, with the man then looking at Mermaid Man. "Though we will need to take him. It'd be rather problematic if he stays here."
"Then go ahead." Ironwood didn't entirely care for Mermaid Man. The man then making a gesture to the two men who went and grabbed Mermaid Man while sighing. While a part of him would wish to put him in jail, as good intentions or not Mermaid Man has assaulted some people because of his prejudice towards humans, it'd make problems with the Mobians at the sea. Best to just toss him back there and hope they don't deal with him another day.
Once Mermaid Man was gone, the man then nodded toward Ironwood who nodded. While doing so, some people came in with some food. While they tried not to show it, the Ace-Ops alongside Pietro did look at the food with some hunger in their eyes. It has been a while since they've eaten properly.
In the meantime, the man took Ironwood away and the two walked down the halls. The few people around watched them, particularly Ironwood who did the same. Who saw humans, faunus...and...other beings he didn't know. Some that looked like those creatures from earlier, yet did his best not to show it. The man walking with him narrowed his eyes as he now grew a slightly better understanding.
Eventually the two soon entered a room that was primarily empty, with only a desk and two chairs across from each other. Ironwood scoffed. "Trying to...interrogate me?"
"Not really." The man says. "See, I just need to know where you're from and all."
Ironwood rolls his eyes. "From Atlas." He then glares at the man. "Listen. I'm grateful for you and you're...people, helping us. But how does pretending not to know me help you?"
"Because I don't know you." The man says. "Listen, let me just ask you this. Humor me." The man sat down on one of the chairs. "Just where do you think you are?"
Ironwood sat down. Unsure why this man is playing this strange game, but humored him. "Perhaps somewhere in the seas of Anima maybe. Though it was cold a while back, so Solitas maybe."
'Yep. Different dimension.' This was really getting annoying. Van Kleiss, and he was certain the portal at sea was connected to him by eighty percent, kept screwing around to much with space-time. For a genius, he kept unleashing tears that was messing everything up like this. Because now he had to deal with another group of interdimensional beings not of earth at all. 'This is going to be tough to explain.'
"Listen, general...I don't really know how to say this to you, and quite frankly I doubt you'll believe me." The man then walked near the only window of the room and pointed outside. "Tell me, does the sky seem different to you?"
Ironwood walked up to the window and looked out. Then, unamusingly said, "No. It looks the same as always."
"..." Huh? Does he...not see the broken moon? The man quickly checked and saw it was still there. Maybe he just didn't see it. Trying again, he asked, "Does the moon not seem different to you?"
"No."
"..."
Okay, this was just getting embarrassing. Either this man is blind, or maybe, just maybe, while very low...their dimension also had a shattered moon. If so, then best to show undeniable proof. Instantly the man took out his phone and then accessed his galler. Images of the Grimm came up.
"Then do you recognize these creatures?" He asked.
"These are Grimm."
"..." The man then tried changing the pictures and showed another thing he felt would work. "And this?"
"Dust."
"..." At this point, the man was realizing he was just making a fool of himself. However, this did tell him one thing even if it did come at the cost of this man now seeing him as a loon. 'Wherever he comes from, must mean that it is very similar to our world.' Just in case though, he wanted to test something else. "Do you recognize this?" He then revealed his aura shining brightly.
"...is there someone else I can talk to. Preferably someone sane." With Ironwood's eyes revealed he knew what aura was and was now looking at the man like he was a clown with his face just spelling 'really' and not thinking any of this was funny. "I don't know what game you're trying to pull," He then walked closer and the man admitted he felt a bit intimidated seeing Ironwood's tall stature and size going toward him. "But I have a kingdom to defend, and I don't have time for jokes."
"I agree." The man says as he walks backward, at the very least glad that he now knows more of this man and his world than ever even if it is costing him his image. There was just one last card he could pull, and see if maybe his suspicions are correct. It was a risk, but it might be worth it. 'Plus, Sebben and the others are telling our other dimensional friends of this worlds greatest secrets, so why not me.' He then clicked an image of the phone and got ready to show it to Ironwood. "Do you know...this."
He then revealed the image of none other than Sammael himself with his white pallor skin, veins, and clothing. Where he then saw Ironwood, for the first time showing something other than a serious expression as his eyes widened and gasping. Then a clicking sound is heard where the man found a pistol near the side of his head locked and loaded.
"Let me ask you a question now." Ironwood stares at him coldly, not joking at all with the man slightly worried now as clearly Ironwood must know something to react like this. In his earpiece, he could hear one of his fellow workers telling him help was coming as they were watching him. Only for the general to lean down and take the earpiece away while crushing it.
"You may ask." The man nodded, showing no fear but knew he had to play this right or his friends would be cleaning his brain off the window. Or what remained anyway.
"Are you working with this person?" Ironwood asked. The gun is ready to shoot if needed. The man answered honestly.
"No." Eyes staring at Ironwood, neither backing down. Just watching each other in silence. Then...the gun was lowered away.
"Tell me everything you know then." Ironwood demanded.
"I was going to ask the same to you." The man replied as he made a small unnoticeable gesture to the hidden camera watching, so that nobody interrupts and ruins this moment. He needed this man's trust and vice versa. Nothing can be accomplished if they're at each other's throats.
He then stepped away from Ironwood and said, "Listen. I understand I seem like a fool to you right now. I don't blame you. However, after seeing your reactions I believe I know what's going on and how to help both of us."
"Really now?" Ironwood says, not looking convinced. "And how so?"
The man smiles. "Let's just say I believe it's time to return you home and tell you just where you truly are right now." He then walks to the door and opens it, gesturing to Ironwood to follow him. "You don't realize it now, but your world just got bigger."
"I suppose we'll see."
"Indeed. But first, a little show." The man then took out his phone and made a call while he then walked near another window showing the blue sea. "Hello, this is me. I need a favor." He then has Ironwood stand with him near the window and say one thing. "Take us high above."
Ironwood felt the entire ship shake a little, recognizing it as the vessel gaining altitude. He then saw the ship going higher above the sea. It kept going and going, even above the clouds. Nothing unusual there. But as a few minutes began passing, he realized something. 'How high are we going?'
It was only when he saw the clouds getting smaller along with the sea, did Ironwood realize what was going on. Grabbing the man and pulling him towards him yelling, "Fool! Dust can't let us go this high above the atmosphere."
Is he trying to kill them?
"Hm. Same applications, huh." The man whispered before staring at Ironwood. "And yes, Dust can't go past the planet's atmosphere...Dust anyway." Shaking is felt, and Ironwood turns to the window. Where he saw more clouds soon passed by and everything looked so small. Yet despite the fear he felt, he also felt something else. More so as he saw the shattered moon getting closer, and to his amazement...the planet itself.
"Impossible." Ironwood whispers, as he sees none other than the planet itself. Or at least a good chunk of it's surface, with the man next to him chuckling as he placed a hand on Ironwood's shoulder.
"I believe we have much to talk about." That they did.
Time for Ironwood and everybody else to finally discover the truth. And the Hound will be hunted by E-Male for a boost of fame. Though is he hunting prey like he thinks, or is he walking into the jaws of a predator? Guess we'll find out later.