Black beasts 5
I had to change a bit of stuff last chapter first, so now we'll be getting back to the BBs, but first, a bit of a note here.
Thanks a bunch for my beta reader/collab partner Mystech Master for helping me out with this fic. I do hope he'll help out in the long run, but just in case, Be sure to like and review both this story and his stories as well.
The criminal group known as "The Black Beasts" had been traveling for a few days now, trekking through wilderness having reclaimed most of the world during the Dark War, and evading Seithr Beasts, en route to their next destination: The 13th Hierarchical City of Kagutsuchi. This would be a big event for many parties.
For one, it'll be the first branch that the infamous group tackles together instead of individually, which terrifies even the most seasoned of NOL officers, who compare it to having a volcanic eruption, earthquake, tsunami, and tornado all coming at you at once, but for those who are aware of the truth, the looping state the world is in, it is the beginning of the end, or the end of the beginning. SO many loops have ended at this location, on the new years eve of 2199, Ragna the Bloodedge does battle with Prime Field Device Number 13 "Nu" which results in his death and subsequent transformation into the very Beast that ravaged the world a century ago.
But this time, things will be different.
He isn't alone, and he isn't as weak as he was. He has new strength and allies to help him carve out his own destiny, and nothing will stand in his way.
The team of Eight continue walking through the untamed wilderness, supposedly unaware of a certain one-eyed Beastkin tailing them, Jubei of the Six heroes had been keeping track of them ever since he reported back to Rachel and Kokonoe.
He still couldn't fully wrap his head around what was happening, the ominous aura Ragna now gives off, topped with his new allies, one of which having a VERY similar face to his late wife not doing his confusion any favors), and his new professional personality made him want to wonder what exactly has happened to make Ragna like this.
The One-Eyed Lotus tries to calm himself as he continues to keep at a leisurely pace, enough to here he wouldn't disturb the area and alert them to his presence, but making sure he doesn't lose them. Soon he'll need to confront them, it may as well be on his terms.
(Play "Hollow" BGM ( /dLEeihhKg28))
The SS-Class Criminal Sect eventually notice through the canopy of trees, a large mountain with many lights coming from it, this way their destination. Ragna turns to address his team. "Alright, we're here... anything else before we start entering the city?"
"I've had my familiars do recon around the immediate area and have identified Vigilante Carl Clover, Just as expected he is en route to Kagutsuchi, all is going exactly as predicted" the white haired "Nine" addressed.
"Alright. how's our time?"
"I estimate we are exactly 2.58 minutes ahead of schedule. Although if we continue at our current pace and not meet much opposition, all events will transpire as predicted." Dahlia replied.
"Hmm... and how long if we do end up getting delayed?"
"3.58 minutes, a very insignificant amount."
"Alright then, let's get moving." knowing this might be his only chance to stay on their trail, Jubei stared intently at the group. Suddenly, the entire group advanced forward to the city in a swift manner, but with Jubei's eyes on them, Jubei silently followed suit.
when the group slowed to a halt a few minutes later, Jubei had just enough time, and control, to hide himself once again. Everyone else, save for Ragna, Sebastian and "Nine" who were too focused on the road ahead to see jubei, were slightly winded from the trek.
"Man, i'm never gonna get used to that..." Dahlia said, almost vomiting afterwards.
"I know right?" the red themed black beast agreed.
"I told you,Seraph still needs to get to know Sylpheed a bit more for my teleporting magic to function perfectly." "Nine" stated, a green and a white wisp like orbs orbiting around her.
"Cheer up, sis." Sebastian added. "At least we're here." Ketsueki meowed in agreement.
"You're not the one puking up their lungs here, you health nut." Umbra mumbled, ready to drop to the ground.
"We're here..." Kaguya stated, pointing at the 13th city streets in front of the clearing they were in.
"alright everyone, you know what to do." Ragna said, not even looking back as the seven Black Beast nodded.
"search around for clues of the NOL branch." Dahlia said.
"then find the cauldron's PFD and destroy it." Sebastian finished.
"right. everyone, scatter and find info. we'll meet back at the docks."
at this, most of the Black Beasts scattered, however before they could, Ragna held them off. "wait. before you go..." when he said this, he turned towards Jubei's general direction and whistled loudly, startling the Cat-man.
"... Come on out. I know you're hiding somewhere over there." Ragna yelled nonchalantly.
"show yourself now and we won't make a scene." Sebastian added.
Jubei was at a loss for words. he was completely invisible to their detection. how did they manage to find him so easily.
"you have five seconds, or else... what will we do again?" the red girl asked mid sentence.
"start breaking things." Ragna addresses.
"Or else, we'll force you out!" Sebastian finished, pulling out his weapon and crashed the nearby wall to pieces with it.
"YEAH!" the girl agreed, pulling out a huge two handed sword form nowhere and swung, knocking down and hacking off many small trees, signs, and a street lamp.
"...ah shit." Jubei cursed at the recklessness of the group. before they could cause an even bigger scene, Jubei jumped out of his perch startling most of them.
"Heh, long time no see Master. What brings you here exactly?"
"well, well... i didn' know ya had it in ya to find me so easily." Jubei stated, glancing at the stoic yet wary man in front of him. "ya got some explain' t'do."
"About what exactly?" Ragna replied, not a hint of nervousness on his face, as if this was just a casual conversation.
"but first..." Jubei paused looking at the group behind him. "let's have a change 'n scenery, huh?"
"oh, um... sure thing."
a few minutes later...
Ragna, Jubei, and the Black Beasts Backtracked to the forest that was not too far from their previous location. adjusting to the new area, Jubei started first.
"So... Mind explainin' to me who yer friends are?"
"they're their own people, they can introduce themselves." Ragna stated, nodding at the group. to Jubei, he would've thought that he didn't want to say anything, but unbeknownst to him, that was essentially Ragna saying to them "he's trustworthy."
walking up to the cat man first, Sebastian was about to greet him, but before he could, Ragna held him back.
"wait." He said. "before they do, You have to promise to do two things."
"...fine. what is it?"
"first, that you won't tell ANYONE about who you're about to see."
"why?"
"just promise." Ragna slightly pleaded.
"...ugh. fine. what's yer other thing?" Jubei sighed, he's never seen Ragna so.. so like this.
"okay, the second one is that you won't freak out or get mad."
"...depends on the circumstances."
"Master please." there it was again. the pleading look, the certain tone in his voice. it feels... weird for him to see RAGNA of all people to pull that off. and for some reason... it was working.
"...okay, but I only promise t' try." Jubei stated. getting a sigh from Ragna.
"good enough I suppose." Ragna said, stepping back. "alright, go on ahead."
"Nice to meet you Mr. Jubei. I'm Sebastian." the Boy greeted first, holding out his left arm for a handshake, which Jubei took politely. "I heard so much about you!"
"nice t' meet ya too kid."
"hey guys, should i introduce you too or do you want to?" getting a slight pause as his answer, Kaguya stepped forward and whispered into his ear. "...really?...uh huh... okay then." a second later, Sebastian spoke up. "well, the short one is Ketsueki, Kets for short."
Pausing for a second, Sebastian looked between the two and came to a realization."...hey... now that I look at it, both of you look nearly identical to each other..."
"...what?" Jubei turned in curiosity, only to change into shock when he finds himself, Face to Face, with a nearly identical twin of himself. the only difference would be his color was completely different. Kets spoke a nice hearty meow in response to his shocked expression.
"well now we have three Cat people with us." Sebastian quipped. a slight poke gains his attention as Moka huffed in fake offense.
"Does Iago not count as one? I would assume so otherwise."
"...OH right. Sorry Iago. didn't mean to leave you out."
"no trouble at all Sebastian." said familiar spoke, his head peeking out of Moka's shadow.
"Speaking of which... I do believe you already met Moka." Sebastian gestured the brown haired girl behind him, who walked up to the stunned Cat with a slight curtsy.
"Moka? who T'hell-"
"we meet again, kitten. is the mutt still healing nicely?" she greeted, his attention shifted away from Sebastian to her.
"W-wha? YOU!?" the cat yelped, hand drawing out Musashi slightly.
"Calm yourself, alley cat. I have no intention of hostility this time."
"and then there's my sis Dahlia. hey sis, come here right quick!" Sebastian quipped, interrupting the declining conversation. when he got no answer, he strolled on over to her, picked her up, carried her over, and scratched behind her neck.
"AAH!?" the odd-color murakumo unit squealed, indicating that she was unconscious before... or maybe asleep? Jubei didn't care. what he was focused on was the plain as day MURAKUMO UNIT in front of him.
a murakumo unit that RAGNA has...
and made FRIENDS with...
"WHAT!?"
"Hi there Mr. Jubei!
"okay, you guys wanna do the rest?" Sebastian asked the remaining BBs.
"N-Now settle down kid, let me take all this in first."
"okay then." walking back a bit, Sebastian went off to do something else.
"So... You lot 'r Ragna's pals, huh?" jubei started, still getting his mind straight.
"yup, and that's not even all of us." Dahlia spoke, startling the cat due to her close proximity.
"N-not all of ya?"
"Hi! my name's Umbra." the next person greeted. looking over to her, Jubei nearly had a heart attack at the sight.
"K-Kokonoe!? What t' hell is going on!?" he thought, a slight poke on his shoulder brought him out of his thoughts to the second to last member.
"And i'm-" Kaguya started.
"Nine?" He yelped, now gazing into the familiar face of his beloved.
"No, I'm Kaguya. sorry to disappoint." she sighed, internally knowing that something like this might happen.
"Ragna!" Jubei growled, slowly shifting to meet the male's gaze.
"But wait, there's more." the man in question replied with a bit of dramatic flare.
"MORE!? WHO!?" his only answer was Ragna pointing behind him. Glancing back, the One-Eyed Lotus was slightly surprised when was face to face with one more girl shrouded in a cloak of red. a girl who seemed more interested in his sword that the wielder by the look of it.
"Wha?"
"OOOh." the girl exclaimed in wonder. "Is this your weapon? It's a Nox Nyctores, right? What does it do!? Can anyone use it, or only you can? Does it have a mind of its own? Can I see it? Can I Can I Can I!?"
"Uh…" Jubei stammered, stepping back as he was gradually overwhelmed by the petite girl squealing in front of him.
"Oh sorry, i nearly forgot." she said, straightening herself a bit. "My name's Ruby. Nice to meet you."
"Oh, er' nice t' meet ya kid." He said, slightly turning to the oddly grinning criminal. "Now back to before…" he continued, steadily stalking to the titled Grim Reaper. A dark aura leaked from behind him, slightly alerting the rest of the Black Beasts due to the potent hostility it contained. What Jubei didn't account for, however, was Ragna countering his Aura with his own. The feeling was Darker, stronger…. And Frighteningly familiar to the former Hero.
Gulping awkwardly, Ragna gazed into the eyes of his former master. "Well... now that you've met everyone-" Ragna started, trying to ease the tension growing from the silence.
Swing
miss
"huh?" only to be stopped by dodging a hit from the white lotus a few seconds later, which seemed to befuddle the former hero.
"What?" Said Cat voiced, surprise filling his tone.
"Look, now I know there are a few… familiar… faces in the group, but that doesn't mean-"
"RAGNA! I don't know how ya got these kids t' work with ya,or where they came from, but I know fer damn sure that ya didn't play matchmaker t' second I left." Jubei cut him off. "An' don't give me some bullshit excuse either! What exactly happened after we part ways!?"
"Well, I've done some exploring, and I happened to meet them during my exploration."
"I said No Bullshit!"
"I'm not Bullshitting!" Ragna said. "Guys back me up here." he added.
"I doubt they'll agree to somethin' like-" Jubei claimed, but was slightly put off at what was said next.
"He's not lying." Sebastian, Ruby Dahlia and Umbra spoke simultaneously. The four then looked at each other oddly.
"We have encountered each other before, so I can concur with Ragna here." Moka adding on.
"Yup. He's not bullshitting." Umbra finished Kets and Kaguya nodding in confirmation.
"... oddly synchronized an' robotic for an answer, ya think?"
"LOOK. the point is, we're just going to Kagutsuchi and you came in just as we were basically about to get in, so either you have something to say or someone put you up to this." Ragna continued. "Now then Ma- no… Jubei, what brings you to our merry little group here?"
"... Ragna… something changed…. You've change…"
"Well, you're not exactly wrong about that." the ss criminal chuckled.
"But just a minute ago, you were… i don't even know what t' call that, before meeting yer little posse."
"That's because I knew there'd be at least some major reaction when you'd meet them. And I was thinking about a more… negative reaction than this."
"Plus you practically startled us." Sebastian continued.
"After you followed us for a bit." Dahlia added.
"Wait… ya'll knew I was there!?"
"Of course, we just didn't know it was you specifically." Moka answered. "Honestly, we'd thought miss Rachel would sick her pets on us."
"That's why I was surprised it was you; I thought it was Valkenhayn." Ragna added. "Either that or Tager."
"Tager? How'd ya know someon' like him?"
"It's kinda hard to ignore a walking talking fire hydrant in overalls with fangs trying to "stalk" us." Umbra deadpanned.
"...Touche."
"ANYWAYS, unless you have something else to say, we need to be going." Ragna said, standing up.
"W-wait a sec! How did ya get so much…. Like this!?"
"... Why do you wanna know so badly?" he replied.
"Because it doesn't make-" Jubei paused, catching the artificial arm… glowing before it abruptly stopped.
"...Did your Azure grimoire just glow?"
"What're you talking about now?" Ragna quickly stated,a bit too quickly, which seemed to all but confirmed the sneaking suspicion Jubei had for a second.
"Dammit Boy, What'd I tell Ya about the Azure Grimoire!?"
"It's not like that!"
"It's Controllin' Ya, Isn't it!? Is it controllin' everyone here!?"
"No it's not-."
"Then Why was it glowin' like that? Explain that!"
"Oh for the love of, we don't have time for this!"
"Ragna." Kaguya interrupted. "Sylpheed and Seraph have fully charged."
"Good. everyone, we're leaving."
"RAGNA!"
"Look, next time we meet, I'll talk a bit more, but here's a tidbit for you." Ragna said, the Black beasts gathering into one group. A green and white glyph formed under their feet.
"I'm not alone in this war anymore." and with that, the entire group disappeared in a flash of light.
Silence befell the lone former hero as he tried to comprehend his pupil's cryptic message.
"Not alone in this war anymore? Where t' hell did he get that from?" Jubei asked in wonder, slightly turning towards the sound of a rift opening up. "An' what's t' occasion this time, old friend?" He asked, looking at the now almost healed Valkenhayn, standing next to an open portal.
"Milady has sent me to retrieve you." the Lycanthrope answered, stepping slightly to the side. "Shall we?" nodding in acceptance, both former heroes entered the portal.
"Well that was close." Umbra said, the group disoriented by the after-effects of the teleporting.
"I felt like that conversation was leading to nowhere."
"Well then, due to that minor setback, we just have to speed up our search." Ragna stated. "That changes nothing."
"...so what next? Do we still split up?"
"Hey guys." Sebastian added, gaining everyone's attention as he pointed ahead of him. "What's that ahead of us?"
Looking at where he was pointing, Ragna smirked at the familiar Portal opening up in front of the group.
A few Minutes prior...
"What the hell do you mean by that!?" Kokonoe screamed, chucking a random object at her father.
"I mean, that something's made Ragna that strong. And I'm Sure t' Azure Grimoire's got somethin' to do with it."Jubei said, side-stepping away from the random object.
"Well, if that's the case, then it's somewhat easier for us." Kagura chimed in, getting stares from both cats.
"...explain."
"If the Azure Grimore's the problem, and Ragna's the only one with the grimoire, then all we gotta do is isolate and flank him." Kagura continued. "I'm sure you've at least have something that can counter siether, or at least an idea."
"Hmm… i'd hate to say it, but Mizuki's got a point. If I can get an approximate measure of his growth in power, then I can make something that should be able to contain it, at least long enough to catch him."
"You lot make it sound like you're hunting the man." Rachel added, gaining everyone's attention.
"...I mean techni-"
"Dear lord, you actually were thinking about it? I know, he's a criminal and all, but even this treatment seems a little bit unfair."
"And what would you rather have us do, Hmm?" Kokonoe snarked. " Last time i checked you were even more curious than i was about his power spike."
"All i am saying is that your plan sounds like you want to kill him, I am still curious, but I'd rather observe him alive for that."
"Then what do you think we should do Ms. Alucard?" Kagura asked.
"I shall dispatch Valkenhayn ahead of me before I attempt to talk to him myself; our teleportation magic should suffice in finding him."
"But if my shitty dad barely got anything out of him-"
"Hey!"
"What makes you any better?"
"I have my methods." was the last thing Rachel said, before forming a portal behind herself. Walking through, she looked back at the group one more time before entering.
"Wanting to continue our previous conversation, do you?" Ragna said, smirking at the now emerging Vampire. "And here I thought you were just gonna sit back and relax in your palace."
"Whatever gave you that implication?" Rachel quipped fully emerging from the portal as it closed with Valkenhayn, Nago and Gii behind her. Slightly looking to Moka, she hid her curious surprise "she really does look like me…" she thought.
"So these are the treacherous Black Beasts i've heard about?" Nago quipped.
"There's so many of them." Gii continued.
"We'd appreciate it if you don't send out your servants ahead of time." Kaguya addressed, "it was a chore tempering with the Lycanthrope's magic."
"...that would explain why he's here with me." looking over to the werewolf.
"Forgive me milady, I tried to pursue them ahead of time, but I wasn't able to make a portal near them until you arrived just now."
"Now that all of you are together now, what do you guys want?" Sebastian said.
"We're here because we require information." she answered.
"Information? For what exactly?"
"About you lot of course."
"For real!?" Ruby yipped. "I didn't know we were that famous!"
"More like infamous…" Ragna mumbled. "Well sorry, Rae-Rae, but we're kind of in a hurry. So if you'll excuse us…" he said, gesturing everyone to go around them.
"W-what? Rae-Rae?" she whispered, a light blush forming on her face. Composing herself, and smacking around a chuckling Gii, she turned to the fleeting group. "Halt. i am not finished with this conversation."
"Indeed!" Valkenhayn continued, ready to halt the group himself. "Come back here and apologize for speaking such-" he was interrupted by a shard of hail narrowly missing his face.
"I'd rather not have to cripple a poor animal again, so i'll let that be your only warning shot." Moka said, lowering her parasol as the whole group turning to the two.
"How dare you!" he snarled, eyes narrowing.
"How dare you, ya mangy bloodhound!" Umbra growled, turning to Rachel. "Hey bunny girl. How about you calm your pooch down?"
"Watch your tongue you Cur!" Nago growled, fangs and claws bared.
"How about you watch yours." Iago hissed, rising out from Moka's shadow with Phi right beside him.
"Yeah, or I'll rip it off!" Phi added. Both servants bared their own fangs and claws.
"Iago, Phi, stand down." Moka sighed. Both servants instantly complying with her order.
"Look, Rachel," Ragna said, regaining the attention. "we really need to continue, so whatever it is, could it wait?"
"Why are you so insistent on prolonging any conversation?"
"Because we know someone's after us." Kaguya answered. "if it's not the observer herself, then it's Sector Seven."
"While you're not exactly wrong, I have originally came with no hostile intentions whatsoever."
"Hmm… How about this?" Ragna replied. "We do what we gotta do first, then when we get some free time, we'll sit down and chat, Cool?"
"..." the Vampire stayed silent deep in thought. After a few seconds, she answered. "Only if you answer my questions truthfully."
"Of course."
"Hmm…" she scoped through him and the rest of his group, trying to detect any form of lie from their claim. After a full minute of inspecting, she silently nods, finding no signs of deceit whatsoever.
"...very well then, i shall hold you to it." she said. "But if you forget, then power up or not, i will punish your neglectfulness." she said, turning away from the group. "Come Valkenhayn." with that, the observer and former hero left in a vortex of shadows and roses.
"Great. Now we have them looking over our shoulders." Umbra moaned. "Can anything go right today!?"
"Hey guys! I found this catgirl in the alleyway ahead!" Sebastian said, the team looking to him a bit of feet away, looking in the direction of the alley in front of him. "I think she's giving me the stinkeye!"
"Sho…*Chew* thish ish… *Munch* Tahokhakha…" Sebastian warbled his mouth stuffed with food.
"Sebastian, don't talk with your mouth full." Kaguya scorned, the aforementioned male swallowed all of his food before mumbling an apology. "That goes to you to, young lady!" she continued this time aimed at Tao herself.
"Sorry booby lady#2!" Tao replied, then got right back to eating.
"So what's a member of the Kaka clan doing in a place like this?" Ragna asked, already knowing the answer.
"I'm hunting Rawrgnya the Bloodedge and his Black Beasts!" she answered, shoveling another bundle of meat buns in her mouth. Unbeknownst to her, or maybe she just ignored it, some of the Black Beasts themselves snickered quietly at this.
"Oh really?" he replied. I know that Tao's not the sharpest cat in the clan, but I feel like this is a bit insulting...
"Just be glad that your disguises work here to the common eye." The (Real) Black beast said. "Lord knows what'd happen if people found out who you are now."
True to the beast's word, the group's attires were drastically different from what they wore before.
Ragna's attire barely changed at all with the only acception being that his red jacket was tied to his waist and fake glasses adorned his face. Sebastian's garb consisted of a simple black shirt under a red vest with black cargo pants to match. Dahlia's clothing was an old looted NOL uniform that was adjusted to her size which seems to have her mistaken for someone else…
Kaguya wore a long violet robe with silver accents, her hat sat off to the side. Umbra wore a black and white striped sweater and shorts, adorned with sandals and gloves. Ketsueki wore a simple Yukata with a Black and gold lotus design.
"Soo…" Umbra started, bringing back the conversation. "What happens now?"
"Well, We kind of have some time to lose… hey Tao." he called over to the Kaka clan member.
"Hmm?"
"You know a place we can go to pass the time?"
TBC