Chapter 2: Kindred souls, familiar faces.
A gentle voice started to boom in the household.
"Magenta! Come down so you can have dinner soon!"
"Coming mom!"
I quickly ran down the stairs and to the table, motivated by the smell of mother's cooking.
6 Years have passed since I was reincarnated in Remnant. I decided to make most of those 6 years, reading books (unfortunately limited to picture books and fairytales that had to be read by my parents. It did progress my intelligence and wisdom, albeit only a little bit), meditating to try and hasten the period in which my aura will be unlocked (devolving into simple 4-hour naps and gaining nothing), and training my body (which was only achieved through the years by running around the back yard like a baby on a sugar high. I managed to gain a bit of Dex and Vit from running for a long time…. And falling every 6 minutes or so. I swear the body of a toddler has no sense of balance).
Alas, all I could achieve was simply being a toddler that was only a little bit harder, better, faster, stronger than the rest of my peers.
I was pretty content with my superiority, though.
Hell, I was pretty content with everything for the past 6 years. The loss of my past memories certainly allowed me to enjoy my new life unrestrained.
…
Was that weird? Not being bothered by the awareness of my past life, yet having no way to actually remember it?
I guess I accepted my past life was in the…. Well, 'past'. Especially so when I decided to sign that form to be reincarnated.
I guess I decided that moving forward was the best decision.
To be quite honest, it was the only decision. Hell, now that I think about it, I was lucky that Mr. Abel gave me a choice in the matter.
…
Was I moving on too quickly though?
…
I don't think so. Otherwise, Mr. Abel wouldn't have been giving me that form and sending me here.
…
Mr. Abel did say that I used to be a stand user. Maybe I just got a strong will to move on.
Congratulations!
The knowledge that you were once a stand-user, added to your strong will passing over to your new life, have created a synergy to develop a new Mantra!
Mantra: Ougon no Seishin
Level: 5
-"I'm not just after the result. When all you want is a result, you start taking shortcuts. You might lose sight of the truth. You'll become less motivated. I think the most important thing is the will to find the truth. As long as you have that, even if the suspect gets away this time, you'll get them eventually, right? Because that's what you're after. Don't you think so?" - Nameless Cop.
Effect: You may not have a golden heart yet, but you have inherited something of equal strength and importance from your previous friends and families: A golden will.
Fear resistance: 50%
Insanity resistance: 50%
Pain resistance: 50%
+30% to Int and Wis
Increased control over your own soul (Vajra + Aura)
You have gained the 'effects' of 'Determination': So long as you are motivated, you have the strength to 「STAND」 up and fight after taking hits after hits.
[Locked: Ougon no Seishin's level is too low!]
[Locked: You have yet to have unlocked your control over Aura!]
[Locked: You have yet to have unlocked your control over Vajra!]
Oh.
My God.
What the fuck did I do in my past life? Who did I kill? Who did I save?
…
Was I part of the Passione gang or something?
This shit was higher than my 'Observe' Mantra!
By 2 levels!
Who was I, to unlock a Mantra about souls and wills that started at level 5!
….
I mean, Mr. Abel did say I was a pretty damn good Stand user.
….
…. Will able to reawaken my stand?
I mean, even without the stand arrow, I could try.
In fact, I remember notable characters simply gaining their stands naturally.
Like… Noriaki Kakyoin, Muhammad Avdol, Jeane Pierre Polnareff, Tonio Trussardi.
….
Could I really?
Would Mr. Abel allow it?
….
God, this is actually driving me insane.
"... Sweetie…"
Hm?
"... Sweatie? Are you ok?"
I turned to look at my parents, realizing they were talking to me.
Both had a bit of a worried expression, and I realized I had been looking at them with a blank expression, with an open mouth.
…
I simply shrugged.
My father turned to my mother and whispered.
"Honey, do you think something's wrong with Magenta?"
Oh, the contrary father. At this point in life, nothing can go wrong.
Mother looked at me for a few seconds, before turning back to Father
"I'm sure he's just daydreaming again, dear. I mean, he doesn't look tired."
"But what if there's really something going on, and we're just passing it off as something as something mundane?"
"... I'll try to see if what our boy's showing is a symptom of something. For now, have faith that our child is fine."
Oh Mother, It is a symptom of something. A symptom of something more than fine
A symptom of something truly amazing and…. Dare I say it
「Bizzare」
….
But that's a story for another time.
In the past 6 years, I have experienced, I learned more about my parents than I realized at first.
My mother was the tougher one of the pair. Headstrong, confident, and dare I say it to the face of my mother, tomboyish and a bit flirty to my father.
Didn't mean she was gentle and caring. Hell, she was one hell of a cook.
Took care of me like I was a precious artifact made of glass.
I guess I was something much more valuable to her than that, though.
On the flip side of the coin, Father was calm and versatile. He cleaned, he sewed, he built my tricycle, he built my slide, as well as the fences. He was just as confident as my mother, and other than his skill in cooking, he was just a superhuman.
One time, when the kitchen burst into flames due to a faulty fire dust, I saw my father take care of it without a hint of panic or fear.
….
That is, until he found out I was simply sitting on the counter as everything around me burnt to ashes and dust.
Father seems to have had a minor heart attack when he realized my predicament. Mother didn't look better either. In fact, I'd bet a few Lien to say that my mother looked absolutely dreadful and guilt-ridden.
For the next 2 years, Both of my parents exerted every ounce of their will in trying to keep me in their arms (father especially).
…
It did help me increase my Str, Vit, and Dex while I was struggling free.
….
I'm sorry for scaring you like that, Mother. Father.
"Magenta?"
I turned to look at my mother.
"What do you think about going outside without Mom and Dad tomorrow afternoon? We could go to the mall and park!"
I was already interested in the idea, but my father decided to add an incentive.
"And, well….. I think I might buy you that Grimm Rider Web toy you wanted, since you have been behaving well."
Now that motivation was unneeded, but not unwanted.
…
Speaking of motivation…..
Magenta Valentine
Age: 6
Title: [None]
Level: 1
Hp: 230/230
Aura: [Locked]
Vajra: [Locked]
Str: 18
Vit: 16
Dex: 18
Mnt: 10
Int: 36 (28 + 30%)
Wis: 36 (28 + 30%)
Chr: 11
Those improvements, made every limit of my toddler body that I pushed, worth it.
I mean, look at those Int and Wis, and keep in mind that I was only 6.
…..
….This was some Stewie Griffin levels of bullshit.
…..
...Guess I'm just mature for my age.
Suffice to say, that very afternoon was an immensely memorable afternoon.
...
And not because of the Grimm Rider: Web Toy.
"Ugh!"
It all happened when I was walking around the mall with my parents, when I suddenly felt my back being struck by something soft. I heard the groan behind me as I stumbled, but managed to stay on my feet.
I turned back to see myself surprised by who the instigator was.
Ruby Rose
Age: 4
Title: Little-Silver Eyes
Level: 1
Hp: 200/200
Aura: [Locked]
Vajra: [Locked]
Str: 8
Vit: 10
Dex: 18
Mnt: 2
Int: 15
Wis: 15
Chr: 14
Ruby Rose, the chosen child to lead the fight against Salem.
Leader of team RWBY
The 「Grimm Reaper」
…..
Sprawled on the floor, stomach down.
I was quite…. taken aback with this.
….
I guess even a king was a Toddler when he was born
"... are you ok?"
The girl quickly got up from the floor, cheeks red with embarrassment
"Yeah! Yeah, I'm… I'm fine"
She seemed to have found the ground more interesting, as she never took her eyes off the floor after being… sprawled across it.
"... sorry…. I should've looked where I was going."
She quickly looked up, but I saw her face darken when she saw my blank expression.
I guess she thought I didn't look at her with very high regard.
"Don't worry. Mistakes happen to everyone."
Ruby's complexion brightened a bit after hearing my easy forgiving. I snickered a bit
"Though I am more worried about you. I wasn't the one that rebounded onto the ground."
Her face reddened once more. Quite frankly, my pride would've made my face red as well if I was in her shoes.
My father crouched down to whisper in my ear
"Come now Magenta, that's no way to talk to a lady."
"Sorry, dad."
I reached out my hand to Ruby.
"Magenta Valentine. Nice to meet you."
Ruby's smile grew as she accepted my hand without hesitation.
"Ruby Rose! Pleasure to meet you!"
I saw her look at my waist, and I saw her eyes sparkle.
"IS THAT THE GRIMM RIDER WEB BELT!?"
My eyes widened as I looked back at my toy, then back at her.
"You know of it?"
"KNOW OF IT!? I'M A FAN OF IT! ME AND YANG WATCH IT EVERY SUNDAY MORNING!"
She took a deep breath and she started to blush pink.
I myself was taken aback by how loud she could be.
"Y-Yang's my sister… sorry for the outburst..."
I smirked a bit.
I opened my
"... WHAT?"
"Hmm?"
"... I didn't hear that, what did you say?"
I went closer to hear, putting my hand near my ear to mimic the act of trying to strain my hearing.
Ruby looked scared at my sudden act of disability
"Oh no, I made him deaf!"
I chuckled at her
"Nah, I was just messing with y'ah."
My dad promptly gave me a light chop over my head. Not enough to hurt, but just enough to tell me that messing with a girl 2 years younger than me wasn't the best idea.
Not in front of him, at least.
"Which Grimm Rider is your favorite? As you can see, mine's Web"
I displayed my belt, full view, with pride.
Ruby snickered
"Isn't he a villain?"
"Atatata, anti-hero."
Ruby looked at me with confusion
"What's the difference"
"A villain is someone who's evil. An anti-hero is someone who's not like a standard hero: like, they may be good…. But not nice, or they may be a hero, but they're not…. Good."
"Then won't they be evil, if they aren't good?"
"No, not being good and being evil may be similar, but not the same."
"Then what's the difference between not being good and being evil?"
"Not being good means just that: not being good. You could be a guy that-
-I beat the crap out of people, more than I have to. Some are even still in the hospital. I've had idiot teachers who like to talk big, so I taught them a lesson, and they never came back to class. If I go to a restaurant and the food's bad, I make it a policy to stiff 'em with the bill.-
-... Is like a bully. You know, pick fights, don't listen to your parents….. Stealing."
"I don't know, that sounds pretty evil to me."
I started seeing static around my eyes, and for the briefest moment saw that I was in another place. Ruby wasn't in my sight.
I saw that it was a Japanese School infirmary, Kakyoin Noriaki in front of me, holding his wooden puppet.
I quickly turned to look to my right. Kujo Jotaro was bleeding from his limbs.
Still 「Standing」
I saw myself not looking any better. Few bits of emeralds were embedded in my arms.
I heard Jotaro shout.
But, even a bastard like me... can spot true evil when he sees it! True evil are those who use the weak for their own gain, and crush them underfoot when they're through! Especially an innocent woman! And that is exactly what you've done, isn't it!? And your Stand gets to hide from the victim, the law, and the consequences! That's why... I will judge you myself!
Then Jotaro turned to me
Ⓐ𝔰𝒹𝐊𝕍ј𝔲αv ⓞ𝔸𝓎ùⒼØᖇ, are you just gonna「stand」 there like a bitch and take this!?
Before I could even react, words were already coming out of my mouth
Hell no! I don't know what these things beside us are, but if they're the only way to stop any more people getting hurt, then I'm not afraid to use this, or die trying!
I saw Jotaro's lips stretching thin, curving at the corner of his mouth. He brought out Star Platinum once more, and I brought out…
… Brought out what?
Who?
Kakyoin started to fire the emerald splash at us.
"... genta?"
Hmm?
"Magenta, you ok there?"
I saw myself back at the mall, Ruby started to look worried
"Oh my god, I really did hit him that badly!"
"No, I'm fine. Sorry, I was just… daydreaming."
"Oh, thank goodness…"
"But… as I was saying…. Evil is something completely different. Evil is those that use people that are too weak to stand up for themselves, who discard them like they're not even people after they're done. Not like a bully, no. On a much worse scale. Like Grimms, who do nothing but tear away at the innocent."
Ruby looked like she was suddenly taken aback. I felt my face hurt a bit and realized I was tensing and frowning.
"Oh…. I think I get what you're saying ..."
I tried to relax my face muscles.
"... At least that's what I like to believe evil is. To be quite honest? To each their own."
Ruby smiled
"I think I like your explanation more."
I smiled, and looked to the corner of my eyes
I saw my mother smiling at me.
But I could tell that both of my parents were deeply concerned about me.
…..
It's definitely the speech I just made.
I doubt a 6-year-old would know anything like this, right?
….
I mean…. Maybe they did in superhero shows?
Let's just hope they think so too.
But to a much more concerning subject….
…. I think what I saw was….
…. A memory of my past self…
…. But…. why?
I'm sure Mr. Abel wouldn't have let something faulty like this through…
…..
….. Right?
"Ruby!"
I heard a voice in the distance calling for the girl
Ruby looked around and started jumping.
"YANG! MOM! UNCLE!"
Hearing her shout, I naturally looked over her shoulder to see.
I guess Qrow came as well.
In the distance, I saw 3 people running over.
There was Yang, with shoulder-length gold wavy hair.
Summer Rose, in normal civilian clothing
And the person next to her was…..
…..
…
That wasn't Qrow.
"Ruby!"
They all shouted once more. My parents took notice of the individuals and their eyes widened.
"Summer, Vienna!?"
Vienna?
"Orchid, Lily?"
Both adults from Ruby's family exclaimed
I didn't know our Parents knew them.
I took the moment to 'Observe' this new individual.
Vienna Rose
Age: 28
Title: Brother of Summer Rose, The Thorns of the Family
Level: ? (Observe level too low!)
Yang ran to her sister first
"I told you not to run off like that! We were worried!"
"Sorry about that….."
Yang then looked at me.
"Who's the guy with the pink hair and blank expression?"
"Oh! This is Magenta, I… ran into him while I was running and…. Well, I guess we're friends….?"
She turned to look at me expectantly. She looked like she was hoping I'd say yes.
I smiled
"I would certainly hope we were, after all that commotion and talking."
I saw Ruby smile widely
But before Ruby could introduce Yang, Yang spoke first.
"I'm Yang, Ruby's sister! Nice to meet you Magenta!"
She extended her hands towards me, and I gladly took it.
"Nice to meet you too."
Yang looked at my waist as well, noticing the metallic-plastic toy
"Whoah, isn't that the Grimm Rider Web Belt?"
"It sure is!"
"Isn't he the Villain?"
….
Yang Xiao Long
Age: 6
Title: The little rising sun
Level: 1
Hp: 220/220
Aura: [Locked]
Vajra: [Locked]
Str: 18
Vit: 14
Dex: 12
Mnt: 2
Int: 15
Wis: 10
Chr: 16
"... At least that's what I like to believe evil is. To be quite honest? To each their own."
"You're wise beyond your years, aren't you?"
I simply shrugged at Yang's remark.
My Parents, all too happy to meet Summer and Vienna, decided to take us to the park. The adults decided to catch up with each other while keeping an eye on us.
Turns out, Vienna Rose was their teammate, forming the rival Team of Team STRQ, named Team OLIV.
I guess their dynamics were like RWBY and JNPR.
"So yeah, I'm gonna have to go with Grimm Rider Rose as my favorite"
"Bit too obvious there, RWBY"
"... Is it really?"
Yang and I snickered.
"Well, my favorite is none other than Grimm Rider: Blaze! Tough, strong, and definitely got the strongest punch of Remnant!"
"... Didn't he die in Episode 16?"
Yang froze in a pose, and slowly looked at me.
"... What?"
"... Didn't you watch last Sunday's episode?"
Ruby was the one that answered
"... We all went on a family trip, so….."
"... Oh, boy…."
I saw Yang's eyes turning red.
Oh, so that wasn't a semblance.
It was like those Kurta tribe thingies in Hunter x Hunter
"... Did you spoil something for us…."
"... I would like to say no."
She slowly raised her fists
"I'm giving you 3 seconds."
"Give me 5."
Your constant running, coupled with the need to go faster than normal, allowed you to create a new Mantra!
Mantra: Dash
Level: 1
-"I have one last card in my sleeve. I saved this one for last. Look at his legs. They were blown to smithereens and haven't healed yet. I'll use my own leg!
NIGERUNDAYOOOOO, SMOOOKEEEY!" - Joseph Joestar, the cheater of Death and Fate.
Effect:
Increase movement speed by 30% for 10 seconds
Debuff in movement speed by 30% for 30 seconds after 10 seconds.
Cooldown: 2 hours.
"COME BACK HERE, YOU PINK HAIRED CLOWN!"
"WHO YOU CALLING A CLOWN!? YOU TOLD ME YOURSELF THAT YOU WERE A FAN OF IT, SO I THOUGHT YOU WATCHED ALL THE EPISODES!"
"EXCUSES!"
Congratulations!
It seems that, through sheer luck (or careful planning), you managed to meet and befriend Ruby Rose and Yang Xiao Long!
This friendship will go far. Very far. And who knows, they're people too! Maybe you guys will get closer than you can expect right now.
Although right now, survival seems to be the current objective if you're keen on seeing where this friendship takes you.