(Heads Up: The last two chapters to take place in 2021 is finally here.)

[Opening: Project M Theme]

FusionFall Infinite

Season 6

Chapter 45: November Novelites


[Neo Bayview, Outer Towns]

Thanksgiving. The one time of year where everyone slows down to gather together to celebrate family, get stuffed full of food, and get drunk while watching television. It was no different for the Blackthorn family, as members of the family all gathered at Ryker's place for spending the holiday together except for Ace (who he and his family were still locked off from the multiverse), Kaneda (who was stuck on Earth because of COVID), and Katsumi I (who was also stuck on Earth). Ace was missed, but the other two were…not so much. Peridot, Lapis, Aiko, and Bismuth also had not shown up due to their cut ties, so the rest of Jade Company came instead. Gwen and Kevin had opted to join their family for Thanksgiving dinner. Steven, Greg, and Connie had decided to come after all. Dimentio and his family had save for Dymmi who was still in the hospital. Dimensio had not been invited.

"It's so good have everyone here together…except for Ace." Genevieve said partly glum.

"We will be reunited with him in time, okaasan." Evie said gently.

"Regardless, we still have our grandchildren to spoil." Akira said as Ryder smirked.

"Let me introduce them in order. Ruri, Yaro, and Yukio." Ryder said as the three children were around him with the youngest in his arms.

Ruri was the oldest at the about Rai's age. She had several of her mother's features, namely her lilac hair worn long in a hime cut. She wore a simple floral black yukata with a pair of sandals. Yaro was the second oldest being a year younger. He had his mother's light brown hair cut short and grey eyes. He wore a blue jacket, a white shirt with black accents, blue shorts, and red hi-top sneakers. Yukio was the youngest being about three having a mop of light brown hair of a colder shade but had his father's eyes. He sported a white men's kimono with long sleeves and brown sandals. All of them sported a light brown skin tone.

"Misa's, Yashima's, and Akitsu's." He said cheekily as Akitsu took her son of out of her arms.

"Who's next?" Kenji joked.

"Not telling." Ryder said firmly. "That's between me and them."

Raven put a hand on her shoulder grateful for that.

"Congrats on the growing brood, Ryder." Dimentio said. "But I noticed that Dimensio was not invited."

"That was Kenji's request and he takes precedent over him so…you know I had." Ryker remarked.

"Yeah, screw that prick." Kenji thought happily.

"But let's get back on topic and let me introduce you guys to the wives. Yashima, Shi, Akitsu, Harley Quinn, Raven, Benitsubasa, Hai'hane, Uzume, and Miya." Ryder said confidently.

"How do you even keep all of them happy? This idiot over here can't even keep three happy." Stewie said gesturing to Brian.

"Clones and a lot of stamina." Ryder said as a few shuddered.

Rai was happily chatting up with his cousins. Joshinari simply chuckled congratulating Ryder on the big family.

"I'm surprised you're even here, Joshinari. What with…being an evil dict-"

"He's a great military leader of his people." Delia said defensively. "A guiding light for his people."

"Weren't you running a sex trafficking ring among other illegal activity?" Miya asked as Ryker was whistling nervously.

"Oh was I? I believe that was all unfounded hearsay. Ryker was accused of running a brothel." Joshinari retorted. "Isn't that right, Ryker? It's all bullshit."

"Yeah, it was." Pearl said quietly. "After all it's not heroic of us to do that."

The former 'Crystal Squadron' members of Jade Company all looked to hide the guilt in being involved in that line of work and Ryker was continually kicking himself for it. Of course, the accusation for them never went anywhere given that Ryker shoved it off to Joshinari. Akira and Genevieve eyed their second son warily but let it go when Rai asked if the food was ready. The poofing of clones could be heard.

"It's ready!" Akira said.

"Finally, I've been dying to eat." Wilhamena said.

The group that gathered around the table. Merch was the one to roll out the desert and the drinks for everyone. Genevieve, Akira, and Ryker had served out the food. Given the Saiyans in the family, it was a massive buffet that several of the non-Saiyans were seeing as leftovers to tide them a few weeks. Those three took their seats as the Blackthorn matriarch put down on a framed photo of Ace on the table.

"Ace, my first starchild. Wherever you are, I hope you're having a happy Thanksgiving with your family." She said gently before looking to the others. "But let me to say to the others here. I'm grateful for you coming here. Whether apart of Jade Company or friends of the family…you're all welcome."

With a bout of telekinesis, she got the bottles of apple cinders to pour out in the glasses for everyone to take one a glass. Akira and Genevieve both already had a few meals packed to hand over to Desmond and the Knights of Ryujin as an offering of goodwill.

"To the end of this shitty year and hope for a better one." Akira said as everyone raised glasses.

It was a relief to get into the food and relax after having spent most of the month dealing with the fallout of the Chris-Chan cult's attacks on this and neighboring countries in this universe. Katsumi II was flat out burnt out from having to plan attack strategies to repel the cults' activities from across the multiverse. Considering Rendo Nexus was a far greater threat alongside the robotic Elvin still being out there. It had been far past a year, and it was radio silence on that end which scared her and the others.

"Are any of you guys worried about Elvin, Jigoku, Shadlyn, and Yuu being back?" Katsumi II said picking at her food.

"I am." Ryo admitted. "I have gotten into contact with Pearl…the Majin, not the Gem, and asked if she's seen hair or hide of them. Nothing. But telling them they were back as robots…give her a scare. A bad one. She's actually considering using learning the Warper Secret to protect herself."

"Speaking of that, how did things with your Time Patrol career?" Ryker asked.

"Considering I'm here…and an angel now. Not like the plot of Xenoverse 2 can really happen." Towa said with a chuckling putting her hand on her husband's. "But we did go to aid in some basic assistance with parallel quests, training, and teaching."

"You're a teacher?" K.O. asked with interest.

"Yes, I am an instructor for the Time Patroller Academy." Ryo said. "But I should be introducing my prized student and assistant barkeep, Dawn Berlitz."

The Pokémon Trainer shyly said hello before continuing to eat.

"But it's part-time work before my passion is the bar. Speaking of the Tori Dragon Palace, I wanted to announce that I now own the place!" Ryo said excitedly getting claps all around. "And trust me, I'm going to be quite active in in 2022."

"Someone has to be." Ryker said under his breath before asking about Gwen and Kevin.

"They wanted to patch things up with Ben and the family so they're with them along with the Nercofriggan brood." Saki said sharply. "I wish they were here."

"I know the pain of clinging to what's left your past…" Ryker said bitterly. "But I had to let go to move on…things are changing."

Hums of agreement were there.

"Summer and Roberto are already off on their own…it's gotten me with a near empty nest. I never thought I'd admit to missing her." Beth said gently.

"You want to tell them or should I?" Merch remarked.

"You're pregnant, aren't you?" Bonnie said as Merch and Beth glared at her. "What? I noticed she wasn't drinking and you two have been awful cuddly."

"Yes. She is." Merch said with a pout.

"Congrats. About time you popped out an heir for the throne you've made." Akira said jovially. "I want a nephew of yours to spoil as well."

"Right…well anyone has any good news?" Merch asked.

"I'm out of the hole financially thanks to claiming V-2406. The income means my ship is fully repaired and I can go back to adventuring." Kenji said. "So, after this dinner, it's back on the road. And me and Megan are going to try for another kid."

"I'm sorry about the miscarriage. That must have been horrid to go through son." Genevieve said gently.

"We're over it." Megan said reassuringly.

"At the very least, that's a good sign." Tsubasa said ruffling his daughter's hair.

"Truly, you'll find your nest with a new child soon enough." Mimi said encouragingly.

[-]

Despite the festivities of the holiday, there was a somber tangent in the air. The Beatles home could feel it despite the Thanksgiving feasting. They missed Abigail, of course, but they could not exactly call her before that call could be traced.

"Ugh, the president is such a pompous pile of rocks." Numbuh 86 said with a scowl.

Kuki and Wally just shared a look. They could even laugh at how ironic that statement was. They missed the former president. The current one was basically placating and throwing people under the bus to keep her own rating up.

"Peridot basically the Supreme Leader under her heel. How did it get to this point?" Numbah 362 said as she looked up Kuki and Wally.

"It's complicated." Wally summed it up.

"It's crap. That's what it is." Kuki said getting up to walk over to the window.

[-]

[Unknown dimension, Unknown Universe]

[Cues: Samuel Kim Music - Rick and Morty: Evil Morty Theme (For The Damaged Coda) | EPIC VERSION [Season 5 Finale Music]]

"Is it done?" Kotetsu said to his scientists.

"Yes, sir. It's been completed." Dr. Wily said with a grin. "But what shall we do with the four?"

"They'll be useful for the distraction squad. To keep all our enemies busy while we go after the real prize." Kotetsu said icily.

"But how are we even going to get to said prize with the Blackthorns having the Metsu Emeralds and going after the Sol ones with their allies." Gendo asked.

"Simple. We don't need them in our possession. We only need them gathered to make it easier for us…to collect something from them." Kotetsu said before looking upon the other 'distractions'.

Each one targeted to go after a target to keep his foes busy for the time being. He wanted keep them as busy as possible to keep them blissfully unaware of his real intention. Kotetsu moved towards his own quarters where he looked upon what he was creating, armor cannibalized from the parts of the four robotic shells.

"To think those fools still think Elvin and his motley crew are still a threat…when they're now merely suicide bombers." Kotetsu said mirthfully. "But the day is coming…when I will step into the light. Leading my army of chaos."


(A/N: About time I made up for lost time, by taking several things I did and had not had the chance to do streamline it with Kotetsu as a central overarching villain. However, with his distraction plan, it means I can have varying villains in other fanfics (The Geist Within and Our Anti-Hero Academia). I also wanted to show the status of the Blackthorn family as of now. For those curious, I am going to do a Sekirei Blackthorned one-shot to show what's going on with the cast. This chapter onward takes place after the upcoming You Shall (not) Win This Time chapter that completes the Episode 10 Quadrology. Considering the ties to OAA, elements of these chapters will be mentioned in the upcoming OAA chapters. Next chapter closes Season 6, due to circumstances I'm cutting it short.)