SHONEN ALLIANCE
RE:BIRTH
OPENING THEME: HOLOGRAM (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
When the smoke cleared, the stranger had dropped to his knees.
"I… have failed…" he lamented.
"And that's game!" Jaden declared, smiling triumphantly, "that was fun. Let's duel again some time!"
"Duel again?" the stranger asked, visibly confused, "what are you…?"
"I was trying to explain to you before," Yugi revealed, "I don't know who Obelisk Force are, or what Duel Academy they come from, but Jae isn't with them.
"Not with them? Damn it, I suppose it should have occurred to me that there might be a Duel Academy of Hyperdimension. I was careless."
"Hyperdimension?" Yugi repeated.
"So…" came a voice from behind Yugi, ending any further questions about what Hyperdimension was. Edward and Alphonse Elric were standing behind Yugi's crew, beside the girl the stranger had identified as Zuzu Boyle. "Is anyone going to explain what the hell is going on, or why the hell you look like the Colonel!?"
"Huh? Oh, we're from other worlds," Luffy replied, nonchalantly, further irritating the Fullmetal Alchemist.
"Other worlds? So what, you're aliens? Give me a break!" he shouted, clearly not convinced by Luffy's frankly pathetic attempt to explain the situation.
"I'm not an alien," Luffy fumed, grabbing his cheeks and stretching them, "just an ordinary rubber man, see!?"
"Uhh, Luffy, I don't think that really counts as any kind of 'ordinary' in most worlds," Ichigo commented.
"Wait, is it not?" Naruto asked, "I kinda thought powers like that must be pretty common in other worlds."
"I'm pretty sure Luffy's the only one with that specific set of powers!" Ichigo shouted, his patience wearing thin.
"Piccolo has that specific set of powers," Yugi admitted.
"Wait, seriously? Why haven't I ever seen him do it?" Ichigo asked, confusion dousing his temper.
"Besides, Goku can pop a planet like you or me'd pop a balloon. Rubber powers ain't even close to the weirdest power people from other worlds have!" Naruto declared emphatically.
"That's less 'weird' and more terrifying, but I guess you have a point," Ichigo relented.
"What the hell… you guys are serious?" Edward stuttered, clearly trying to absorb everything he was being told.
"An Alliance of Heroes," the stranger observed, rising to his feet, my dimension had something similar."
"Your dimension?" Yugi repeated, "who are you."
"I suppose there is no harm in revealing the truth. It is difficult to claim you are not already involved. The first thing you should know is that Zuzu Boyle and I, as well as the Obelisk Force soldiers invading this world, do not originate in this Hyperdimension. Zuzu originates from the Standard Dimension while I and Obelisk Force originate from the Fusion Dimension."
"Hold on, so different dimension's are a thing to?" Ichigo questioned, by now as desperate to piece together what he was being told as Edward was.
"The multiverse is vast," the stranger admitted, "even with the technology necessary to pierce the boundaries between them, had an unexpected occurrence not resulted in Zuzu Boyle piercing the boundaries between Standard and Hyperdimension, we likely would have never known there were even more than 4. You observed that I resemble the man you call Vine," he addressed Ed, "my designation is V1-N3. I am a duel android designed and created by the great engineer of our world, Dr. Isara Gunther. In her world, Fusion Dimension's counterpart to this very world, the Imperial Alliance used Valkyrian flame to burn Europa to ashes. The Gallian Valkyria, Alicia Melchiott, fell to the Imperial Valkyria, Selvaria Bles, in combat. The Darcsen alchemist called Vine stood alongside his fellow State Alchemists in the final siege of Central. Imperial Prince Maximilian ordered the entire city be burned away. It was a complete and utter slaughter."
Edward looked dumbstruck, like someone had just stood over his grave. A possibility that, as he was currently trying to process, was very possible in this "Fusion Dimension".
"Dr. Gunther and a small force of resistance fighters from Gallia and the Atlantic Federation quickly became the only opposition to the Empire in Europa. Their hope had been to hold out until aid could arrive from across the sea. This hope died when the United States were also put to Valkyrian Flame. In time, only Dr. Gunther remained."
"So… what? Dr. Gunther built you, hoping the machines you summon could beat a Valkyria?" Ed asked doubtfully.
"No. Dr. Gunther's decision to create me only came after a greater threat then the Empire made itself known."
"Obelisk Force," Yugi concluded, prompting V1-N3 to nod in confirmation.
"Their first victim… was actually another dimension. They struck the XYZ dimension with horrific speed and brutality. Many of XYZ dimension's protectors were slain before the danger had even fully come to light. The dimension fell completely in a matter of days."
"But why?" Yugi asked.
"We never learned the full reason," V1-N3 admitted, "however, by interrogating captured members of Obelisk Force, we learned one thing. Though they knew not why, the duelists of Obelisk Force had instructions to abduct 3 particular young women, one from each of the three dimensions Duel Academy had set its sights upon."
"Three dimensions?" Ichigo repeated.
"XYZ Dimension was only the first target. A stepping stone towards attacks on Standard and Synchro Dimension. However Duel Academy faced an obstacle they had not anticipated. Their world was not alone in its dimension."
"As it happened, the crossing of the boundaries between dimensions drew attention. The Gameindusti Oracle, Histoire, was the first to detect the breach and identify the threat, bringing the incident to the attention of Fusion Dimension's goddess, Lady Nepgear. They quickly discovered the atrocities Duel Academy had committed in XYZ Dimension. Reaching out across the Dimension, they found heroes, ready and willing to oppose Duel Academy and prevent them from inflicting XYZ Dimension's suffering onto another, but alas…"
/\/\/\/\/\/\
Isara Gunther wondered, not for the first time, whom the lab she was now working in had once belonged. Nestled inside the Planeptune Basilicom, it hadn't escaped Isara's attention that, despite showing clear signs of loving upkeep and maintenance in a bygone era, before she had begun working here, a thick layer of dust had settled over much of the equipment, indicating it had been quite some time since they'd seen any use.
She supposed that was a question for Lady Nepgear, but it was a question she wasn't sure she dared to ask. The goddess was polite enough, but gave off a bitter air that ensured even her two attendants, IF and Compa, and her Oracle, Histoire, seemed to always be on edge when she was around.
Isara supposed that was understandable. Histoire had told them all a bit about the goddess' past, after all. About how an evil entity called Arfoire had laid siege to Gameindustri, how Nepgear's closest friends, the CPUs and CPU Candidates of of the three former nations that had once comprised the world, had been slain, one by one, and how ultimately, Nepgear's older sister, the previous goddess, Neptune, had fought through a fatal injury, managing to to slay Arfoire before dying in Nepgear's arms as the final surviving goddess could only powerlessly look on and sob.
Isara probably knew better then anyone how Nepgear felt. The sight of Largo, Rosie, and Alicia being burned down by Selvaria Bles' Valkyrian flame, the news that Amestris had fallen, and that Vine had perished in the failed defense of Central, powerlessly watching on as Welkin was executed by Prince Maximillian, these memories were a few years old now, yet felt as fresh, and as painful, as the day after they had happened. She knew, all to well, how it felt to lose your entire world.
Just like the innocent people of XYZ Dimension.
"I thought I'd find you here," a kind voice said from behind her, startling her. She hasn't heard anyone walking behind her. She learned why when she turned to see a very tiny woman sitting on a floating book, the last surviving Oracle of Fusion Dimension, Histoire. "How's the work going?"
Isara stepped back to let Histoire look over her work. A suit of power armor stood, glaring lifelessly at the two women with red, glass eyes embedded in a full, armored helmet. The armor was designed to be worn by a human, and Isara had colored it with the same blue patterns as a Gallian militia uniform, complete with the sigil of Squad 7 carefully painted over the front of its heart. Attached to the back of the machines right shoulder was a cannon, like that of a tank.
"Just finished. Say hi, V1-N3," Isara invited.
"AI V1-N3— STATUS: ONLINE. EDELWEISS MARK II—OPERATIONS STATUS: 100%," came a synthetic voice from the armor.
"Edelweiss Mk 2?" Histoire repeated the name curiously.
"That was the name of the tank Welks and I piloted in the war," Isara admitted, "the Edelweiss. Without it, I doubt I would have lasted this long."
"I don't recall ever seeing your tank," Histoire recalled.
"It was… destroyed," Isara admitted sadly, "the Valkyria crippled it during one of the final battles of the war. I thought we were dead, but Vine tunneled under the tank and evacuated Welkin and me through the bottom. We escaped underground while the Empire's cannons destroyed my tank. That was only a couple of days before Vine got recalled for Amestris' defense."
"I… see," Histoire replied, lamenting the fact that she had brought up the topic. In a lot of ways, the young, Darcsen woman reminded her of Nepgear. Both had lost so much, yet held on through it all, and both worried Histoire immensely.
"Hopefully, this'll tip the scale in our favor," Isara declared firmly, "I was surprised. All the tools and materials here were a big help. Whoever owned them previously must have really loved working with them."
"She did," it was Histoire's turn to reply with a voice thick with sorrow, "this was Nepgear's workshop. She used to build everything from handheld electronics to toys to mecha in this place. Sadly, I don't think she's even stepped in here once since Neptune…" the next word died on Histoire's lips turning instead to a sorrowful sob. It was Isara turn for regret.
"I… guess we both have painful memories," Isara lamented.
"Yes, but… there are happy ones to. They help ease the pain a bit," Histoire acknowledged, "so it's ready?"
"As it'll ever be," Isara replied.
"I see. I just hope the same is true of us," Histoire sighed, her tone heavy with worry.
"What about that really powerful warrior you were talking about? Did you ever find him?" Isara inquired, hoping for good news.
"You mean Trunks," Histoire sighed, shaking her head, "sadly, it seems he was killed by an unknown assailant who sought to steal the time machine he had used. That world no longer has any heroes who could help us now."
"I see," Isara sighed, deflated, "then… we'll just have to make do. We have plenty of strong heroes to help us, right!? I'm sure we'll be okay!"
"I hope so," Histoire replied, trying to sound certain. Not for the first time, she found herself wishing they had reached out for help across the dimensional barriers. There were still heroes in XYZ Dimension who stood against Duel Academy, and surely there would be champions in Synchro and Standard Dimension who would join their cause. Sadly, it was to late now.
After all, by now, nearly 80% of Gameindustri had been decimated by Obelisk Force.
Whoever directed Obelisk Force's actions, they were as well informed as they were dangerous. No sooner had Histoire begun the task of gathering together an alliance of Fusion Dimension's heroes, when Duel Academy had launched an all out assault on them.
Gameindustri held on by only a thread. The capitol of Planeptune, where the Basilicom was located. Histoire was inclined to believe this was a deliberate choice on Obelisk Force's part. A show of strength to make clear how outclassed and overpowered the heroes were.
"There isn't much time left," Histoire lamented, "it's only a matter of time before they attack the Basilicom to finish us off."
"And we'll be ready when they arrive," a confident, masculine voice declared from the entryway, drawing the women's attention.
No matter how many times she laid eyes on the man, Kenshiro's visage always managed to strip Isara's breath away. He was an absolute mountain of a man who certainly dressed the part of a post apocalyptic road warrior. The seven, distinct scars carved into his chest only served to increase his intimidation factor, not that the stoic martial artist needed help being intimidating. The man was so powerful, that Isara had difficulty believing any warriors actually existed who were actually stronger, despite Histoire's assertions to the contrary. Apparently, a warrior had once existed in Fusion Dimension who was so powerful, an errant strike from him could reduce a planet to space dust, but unfortunately, all that strength hadn't prevented a dangerous heart virus from taking his life.
"Right,"'Histoire declared, her voice more confident, "there's to much at stake for us to lose."
"Let's check everything one more time," Isara suggested, "make sure that we're as ready as we can possibly be when the attack begins," Isara suggested.
"Very well," Histoire conceded as she nodded her head.
Before they could even begin, however, the roar of an alarm halted them in their tracks.
"No… not now," Histoire cursed.
"Does this mean…" Kenshiro asked. Histoire nodded, knowing what he was asking before he had even finished the question.
"Obelisk Force is preparing to attack the Basilicom."
/\/\/\/\/\/\
As she slipped on her new armor, Isara found herself wishing she had had more of a chance to test the suit beyond simply running simulations. After all, simulations could only do so much to help catch unforeseen problems.
Then again, the need for the armor, in and of itself, raised another question. Why her? Ultimately, she supposed desperation had driven Histoire to find anyone willing to help. Kenshiro certainly brought a lot of power to the little alliance, as did Lady Nepgear, but they were really all they had for heavy hitters. There was Izuku Midoriya for a start. He packed an impressive punch, possibly stronger the Kenshiro's, but unfortunately, that power was held back by a body that lacked the durability to consistently use it without breaking. Still, he had plenty of incentive for the battle ahead, considering that Obelisk Force completely devastated his own home.
He wasn't the only one, either. Ruby Rose and Yang Xiao Long had also watched friends and loved ones be taken from them by Duel Academy's elite conquerors.
The team was rounded out by a swordswoman named Tashigi. She had once been a marine in her home world, but her comrades had also been decimated by Duel Academy.
All in all, their's was a small crew, and even if more then half of them had an axe to grind with Obelisk Force, it would take more then a thirst for vengeance to win this fight. It would take a miracle.
The tension in the air was palpable as Planeptune's paltry remaining forces stood firm. They didn't have much choice, as, with Obelisk Force surrounding the city, there was no where to run.
Histoire quickly scanned over the Obelisk soldiers, hoping not to see one particular face. Unfortunately, her vision came to rest on a purple haired young man whose violent looking eyes had an almost psychotic glint to them.
"Yuri," she cursed, "I suppose it was to much to hope he wouldn't be leading them.
"Do you think this is the part where they tell us they'll spare us if we surrender without a fight?" Isara asked.
"No," Histoire replied, shaking her head, "Yuri would never risk losing a chance to satiate his bloodlust."
Yuri proved Histoire's information gathering to be entirely accurate.
CLOSING THEME: NEVER GIVE UP (Dragon Ball Z Kai: The Final Chapters)