Disclaimer: The following is a fanfiction, so I don't own any rights other than my concept. The respective shows referenced and used belong to their respective owners, please support their official releases. Given that Craig of the Creek is among the golden nuggets of animation, give it some love. It's growing the beard in quality at the moment. This fanfiction functions as a spin-off to 'FusionFall Infinite'.
Rated T this time…however do expect something a bit dark for Halloween. *cues laughter* Note, if you are a FusionFall Infinite reader…you can skip ahead to the non-italicized text. For those new readers curious about the full chapter, FusionFall Infinite Chapter 29.
Defenders of the Creek
Chapter 1: Radical Recap
Kaze was simply sitting on the ground taking it in the breeze as it looked through some the forms that his Hero Watch had available.
"So, on my first ring of transformations…thank god it's in sets of 10, I got Equestrian Unicorn, Pyronite, Namekian…"
"Isn't a Namekian transformation…kind of useless to you seeing you're a Saiyan." Wilhamena asked between eating her sour worms.
"Meh, I could use it to grow into a giant. Moving on, there's Ectonurite, Irken….wait, what?! Why do I have Irken DNA?!" Kaze said mortified. "Next, you're going to tell me I have Vree…oh no…no…no."
Kaze wondered if the others had to put up with this shit. Ironically, Ben would discover he had Vreedle in the watch not long after.
"Excuse us, but I believe you want to speak to us." J.P. said coming up. "Numbuh 2012 at your service. The swordswinger is 2010 and our leader is 2008."
Kaze noticed the trio functionally looked similarly to their canon counterparts just sporting a bit of FusionFall equipment. Craig merely replaced with his usual shoes with Beta Blacklight Shoes and now carried a S.C.A.M.P.P. along his usual staff and purse. Kelsy was considerably the most changed outfit change having taken advantage of what she could get to make herself look more like a real warrior, or at least one of urban fantasy with her Blue Battler Breastplate, Blue Battler Greaves along with a pair of Basic Olympia Mid-Boots. She still sported her cape and her PVC sword alongside her new bokken. J.P. had not seemed to change his outfit but carried a Subatomic Meta Mace.
"You must be Craig, J.P., and Kelsy…along with Mortimer. Call me Grey Shadow." Kaze said as the wind blew behind his haori dramatically.
"Must you be so dramatic, Kaze." Wilhamena asked dryly.
"Grey Shadow when I'm working, Wil." Kaze said dryly.
"Do I need a codename while helping you on the clock? How about the Monroe Maroon?" Wilhamena said as Kaze playfully rolled his eyes.
"Moving on, you're the people the Supreme Leader sent to get the information from us." Kelsey said crossing her arms. "We thank you for coming all this way. I always have respect for a swordsman."
Kelsey and Kaze shared a quick bow as Mortimer bowed as well.
"We should get inside. After all, we got a lot to talk about it." Craig said walking up to the stump.
2x4 Technology was something Craig found to be a major blessing considering the expansion of the stump's underground base and making it easier for them to get in and out…even though the trio kept the chair for a novelty purpose. Kaze was impressed with the handiwork the KND on expanding on the place. The trio even had their own rooms in it for when they slept in base on weekends and holiday weekends.
"Welcome to Sector CH's humble base." Craig said pulling a chair for Kaze and one for Wilhamena.
"Thanks, kid." Kaze said taking a head. "I'm glad that you're taking being dragged into the multiverse well. Going through it must have traumatic."
"It is…then I realized I could get my hands on actual swords and learn to be a real warrior." Kelsey said taking a seat. "Sure, life is never going to be mundane, but…there's a lot of possibilities."
J.P. opened the fridge looking for drinks.
"Craig, we need to go on a juice run. All we got is a six pack of sparkling water from the Tea Timers." J.P. said taking one of the big bottles out.
"Take the strawberry flavored one. We can all share it and talk." Craig said as J.P. lumbered over.
"Before you spill any information, I may as well go first to give an idea of what we're dealing with." Kaze said getting out his laptop. "But…you got a screen I can plug this into?"
HDMI or VGA?" Craig said pointing to the monitor and the plugs.
"HDMI will do just fine." Kaze said setting it up.
Kaze woke his computer from sleep mode breezing through his lock screen and password to his desktop. Ignoring the snickers from Wilhamena in having a Meta Runner themed wallpaper, he opened up the Powerpoint he made of the intel. He figured it would easier to explain as he put it on presentation mode.
"Ok, here's the lowdown. We have a cult of insane nihilist who are worshipping Fusion Matter as something holy." Kaze began before going into detail.
Kaze wanted to quickly get the point of the Cult of Fusion and what Fusion Matter was across quickly. After describing how the cult members could look like, Craig had a worried look at his face.
"I think the woman I saw that night was Ari. Same hair, same weapon. She just wasn't wearing a mask when I saw her." Craig mused as Kaze twitched. "It was near the sewers. She was using a bit of water to get something off of her mask. She was carrying something aside from her katana. It was a canister of green ooze that I think may be Fusion Matter."
"Ok, I know I'm not a tenth rank warper with time to pass on geek culture, but don't you a precious object from a notable person to make a fusion." Wilhamena asked as Kaze looked to the kids.
"How anyone tried to steal anything from you recently?" Kaze remarked. "Even if it's small."
Craig shook his head, Kelsey gave a no, but J.P. remembered something.
"Eliza of the Tea Timers was complaining about her tiara stolen the day before. She whined about it and then got a new one later." J.P. remarked. "You think it's related?"
Kaze drank down his sparkling water and gave J.P. a wistful look.
"I don't know but call her. We're going to need to insure it's not." Kaze said as Craig sighed.
"We don't have her number and she refused to join the Creek Discord Channel. She says it's beneath her." Kelsey said sourly.
"How charming." Wilhamena said sarcastically. "So, we're going to this rich brat's hangout?"
Kaze put off his laptop before putting back in the capsule and in the duffel bag. Nobody wanted to go out there, but they had no real choice.
[Cues: Teaching Feeling OST – Brilliant Red]
After traveling to Tea Timer's Base of Operations
Kaze found the Tea Timers' set up to be rather nice to actually visit. Eliza, who slurped her tea, turned to see they had visitors.
"Jane, it seems we have riffraff from the Creek washing in…and a handsome stranger." Eliza said seeing Kaze up and down.
"Ahem, while I'm pleased with the compliment, I'm happily married to a wonderful woman." Kaze said trying to ease the mood.
"Besides, he's here on business about your stolen tiara." Craig said worriedly.
"That old thing…the lady has already replaced it." George said dutifully.
"Yes, it is of no consequence. Why are you so worried? Is he a cop?" Eliza asked.
"No. Professional hero of P.O.I.N.T., miss. I'm in a joint operation investigating a cult of sorts. I just need to ask you a few questions concerning the theft. Namely, did you see what happen?" Kaze said intensively.
"Why yes, I did. It was dreadful. I go out to pick some flowers only to get my tiara snatched by some woman in black wearing a mask." Eliza explained as Kaze pulled up a photo on his phone to show to her. "Yeah, that's her only with less green marks. I tried to chase her, but she was too fast for me."
[Cues: Teaching Feeling OST – Ivory Fiber]
Kaze only had a quiet and worried look on her face as Wilhamena and the Stump Kids blanched in fear. Something that the Tea Timers caught on it…and Eliza wanted to ask two things. Was the woman in black in that cult? And what were they doing to her tiara? Kaze, at the least, explained what the woman could possibly do with it to make a Fusion.
"But there can only be one of perfection!" Eliza hollered.
"It'll be worse than that. They can sound similar to their original…" Kaze remarked before getting up. "I need to report this."
He knew the others were not going to like this news…and he was right after he called Saki and Mandy. Saki had suggested that Kaze could stick around the Creek, but he declined citing his family and that someone younger would blend in better. Suggestions were thrown around with little success.
"Saki, I'm sorry. I was going to tell you after the meeting, but Ben got in the way. Crusher, Marie, and Taeko are off-world…and it may be permanently. Apparently, Taeko was a hit at the Hoenn Battle Frontier. He got an offer to take his trainer career to Galar, but seeing this world doesn't have a Galar region….you can do the math." Mandy explained.
"It's not your fault. Taeko should follow his dreams, and I won't let him get in the way." Saki said trying not to sound bitter. "Crusher always did want to see worlds beyond."
"Don't you have anyone else? What about Frankie and her kids?" Kaze asked.
"Nada. She's been reducing her mission load, and there's no way she'd accept leaving Foster's Home 'unguarded'. She's terrified of Elvitallix, and she's growing paranoid." Saki remarked. "And I really don't blame her seeing we have no idea where the psycho is. Look, we'll think of something. You've done your part. Go home to your family."
The couple hung up as Kaze did not exactly want to leave the place unguarded and decided to call Ryker about it. Results yielded a bit better for him as Kaze took a sigh of relief. He turned to Sector CH as he hung up to which they were in the midst of a call they had themselves.
"I have some good news. I got word that Connie of the Crystal Squadron as agreed to move into your town for the short while to handle things." Kaze said relived. "She'll be here by tomorrow. And I suggested to her that she could maybe train you three if you want."
"Training from an experienced warrior. Count me in!" Kelsey said excitedly.
"That's a relief." Craig said with a nod. "I'll make sure KND command is aware of this…and on the other note, thank you, Mr. Grey Shadow."
"You're very welcome." Kaze said using a bit of warper energy to produce a clump of white flames in his right head.
Focusing on it, the flames petered out to reveal a photo of Kaze in the Gray Shadow getup. He promptly autographed it, before writing something on the back before giving it to Craig who winced as the photo was a bit hot.
"Sorry about it. First time, I actually got that to work." Kaze said putting back on the porcelain mask. "Be seeing you, kid. Be careful."
FWOOSH! A smoke bomb and both he and Wilhamena were gone…along with several of the triangle sandwiches on the table.
"Hey!" Eliza whined. "I want an autograph too!"
Craig took up the picture looking at the back to see a phone number with a little message, 'Just in case you need urgent help'.
"Craig, I want that picture." Eliza said looking at him. "How much? Name your price!"
Craig promptly bolted with Kelsey. J.P. took the rest of sandwiches and then ran as Eliza screamed for them to come back.
-=o=-
[Crystal Squadron HQ, Neo Bayview]
"Yes, Steven. It seems we have a development in this mess with the cult. Seems we have two groups in the bankrolling of that cult. Elvin's in the mix. Listen, if you and Desmond are on the way to get the Metsu Blade from Rey, forget about it. Focus on helping gather the Metsu Sol Emeralds, I don't think we need Elvin or his cronies getting a single one!" Ryker said firmly while on the phone.
"I'll make sure of it. Last thing is Elvin is getting any power back. But are you sure you want to leave Rey with the Metsu Blade?" Steven asked.
"It's risky, but it's better to cut from the ground up. Ensure the Metsu Emeralds are secured and safe. Eliminating the cult and making sure neither one of those assholes get an army of Fusions or Fusion Monsters." Ryker remarked.
"How's Connie doing, by the way?" Steven asked.
"She's moving out of Neo Bayview. While it's for a mission, she's been using it to get some space and get her life together. She swapped to online schooling day after you left." Ryker said to him. "She's hoping you join her when you return to back to Neo Kuro."
"Everyone seems to be splitting up from the Squadron. My dad left, Akio left, Priyanka left…is Connie thinking of leaving?" Steven asked worriedly.
"She isn't, but Lapis and Peridot are. Even though she dropped out the presidential election, she wanted to continue a career in politics and Lapis wants to continue their business." Ryker said thoughtfully. "Running to get into congress."
"I wish her luck. Give Connie my regards. Steven out." Steven said before hanging up.
Ryker put his BlackTab going over to Steven and Connie's room seeing Connie was in the midst of packing her things as Pearl watched from outside. He joined Pearl watching Connie pack quietly thinking back on the good times with her. Both of them pleased with her progress. She had gotten respectably strong and looked the part.
"Hey, Con." Ryker said getting her attention. "Figured I joined Pearl in just thinking how proud you are. I'm sad that you're leaving the team for a bit, but you got to leave the nest."
"You've done masterfully in your training. I'd excited to see that you will be teaching others." Pearl said as Ryker ruffled Connie's hair. "I wish you the best."
"Connie, I want you to have something." Ryker said producing an item out from BlackTab's storage. "A bit basic, I figured you want a simple ninjato. Ki-conductive metal and a hidden tanto blade in the handle. Think of me when you use it. It's name is Radiance"
"Ryker, you and Eastern swords. The composition in European swords is superior which is why I have a falchion to replace Rose's sword." Pearl said giving said sword to Connie. "I call it the Peacekeeper."
"You really have to ruin the mood. Eastern swords are for graceful movements and the like." Ryker remarked as Pearl sighed.
"Fair enough." Pearl said before they all shared a hug before breaking it up. "Be seeing you, Connie. Be safe and be careful."
Connie got on her backpack, duffel bag, and her pair of swords at her side.
"By the way, did you call your mom about this?" Pearl asked.
"Yes, she's fine about this. From what I hear, her contract with her client is about to expire. Her client is desperate to keep her…and she wants to charge his behind double for hazard pay. Something about one of his client's teammate going on a roid rage and throwing her through a window. She's all right, though." Connie said looking at the time. "Either way, I need to get a move on. I need to get the shops to get a few things before I go Herkleston."
As Connie took her leave, Ryker went down to check on his son. Rai cooed as he brushed his hair.
"You know, I worried that I couldn't be a good father when I have kids. But I think I may be a good one, Rai." Ryker said kindly.
"Ryker, Ruby and Sapphire are here to take their grandchild and their goddaughter for a walk in the park." Garnet said as Ruby and Sapphire walked in to scoop up Rai.
"Aren't you just precious?" Sapphire said sweetly.
"Don't stay out too late." Ryker said concerned.
"We won't." Ruby remarked "And Jasper's coming with us."
(A/N: The goal is for five chapters, the recap chapter, three short chapters with each one focusing on the Stump Kids (J.P., Kelsey, and Craig), before the final chapter which will delve into the real horror. This fic is going to try to do something I have…brushed over a bit. Speak a bit about being self-aware and some of the horrors.)