Kanius' A/N: Whoa, wait? Another chapter? What happened to just monthly updates? That's still in effect. For the remainder of the Dimension Missions arc, this fic will continue to see once a month updates (while since I'm still juggling between other fics), but this double update is an exception to the rule.
The reason: Ford1114 was gracious enough to put together a chapter written by him and edited by yours truly.
While the previous chapter and this one lack the usual DFK/DBZ style action, I hope it'll make up for interesting character interactions. I do apologize for misleading y'all into thinking this is a GT and/or a Super adaptation, but no need to fear there'll come the expected DFK flare, and the arcs after this will return to more DFK/DBZ-level action (though, you kinda already got bits of that in Chapter 3 with three Ascendants). Though, to be honest this beats the Black Star Dragon Ball Search in GT and retelling movies into story arcs like Super. At least this is new stuff. These anomalies will eventually tie to the final villain of this whole story.
Anyway, if you're reading my Resurrection B fic (which as of this story's original release was up to chapter 6; Update: that story's been finished since August 2016), you're getting the DFK/DBZ fanfare there.
Nonetheless, this chapter will show the Guilty Crown: The Lost Kingdom protagonists on their dimension missions. Wonder which worlds they ended up in? You're about to find out!
Ford1114's A/N: Hey guys, here's Chapter 5 that shows the Guilty Crown LK's journey to other worlds. There's two, so let's look.
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(Cue Birthday Massacre – Trinity)
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Cross Generations
Arc I: Dimension Missions
Chapter V: Guilty Dimensions
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Written by: Ford1114
Edited by: Kanius
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(Cue Owari no Seraph OST - 1hundredknight: M)
"The name is Shu Ouma, and today is so intense traveling to other dimensions.
First, I went to the High School DxD dimension. Yeah, Issei Hyodo is a pervert but a decent guy. Together, we defeated a fallen angel, Raynare, who was revived by the same anomalies affecting other worlds. Then, we left for the Final Fantasy Type 0 world, in which I used the students' voids to turn the tide against another anomalous enemy. Other worlds we went into: No Game No Life and Noragami.
During my experience, I heard that Madoka and the magical girls are visiting the Monster Hunter dimension to explore its wondrous world. Man, I honestly want to see these monsters up close. Not only that, but Madoka and her friends went to this specific Kamen Rider dimension where they meet Kouta Kazuraba. Both Kouta and Madoka have similar destinies. In return for her help, he bestowed her and the magical girls some power-ups.
Anyway, Inori and I are about to another world."
(End Theme)
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A Titan's Heart
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Universe: AoT-09/Fields and Forest
(Cue Attack on Titan - Reluctant Heroes)
This is the world that is part of outside the walls. These trios of colossal walls are presumed to be made 100 years ago by humanity to protect themselves from man-eating giants called Titans. Aside from their name originating from Greek Mythology, no one knows where they come from. All that's certain: these Titans mindlessly eat humans for sport.
Humanity resorted to defending themselves with three military branches: the Garrison Walls that guard the walls and basic stock troops, the Survey Corps which scout the outside borders and fight the Titans, and the Military Police which are bottled in the inner walls guarding the king. They exterminate the Titans by cutting through the nape of their necks as their sole weakness. They do this with the 3D Maneuver Gear, also known as the Omni-directional Mobility Gear.
But at the same time, the humans wonder where their origins come from. These secrets have yet to be told.
Today, the Survey Corps riding on horses is having a skirmish finding and killing any Titans nearby. They are led by Commander Levi, which the scouts consist of Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, Armin Arlert, Jean Kirstein, Connie Springer, Sasha Blouse, and Krista Lenz.
As they scout through a forest, they saw a few numbers of lumbering Titans.
"Just what we needed," Jean scowled.
"Well, you know what the captain said," Armin concurred to his friend.
Levi then ordered his younger comrades, "Alright team, let's clean up this scourge!"
With the commander's orders, the 104th Trainee Squad took action as they used their gears to glide through the trees. Only Armin and Krista stayed behind on their horses.
Sasha happily screamed out as she and Connie team up to take down a Titan. The giant attempted to grab them, but the humans easily dodged as they sliced through the fleshy neck to kill the Titan.
Mikasa and Jean leaped through the trees and sliced through some of the Titans' necks. Mikasa remained cautious protecting her adopted brother, even though Eren can handle himself.
Likewise, Eren was backing up Commander Levi to help fight off the Titans. Eren used his ferocity to cut through one Titan's neck while evading another Titan's grasps. Levi non-verbally reminded him to stand on his guard.
Just as the scouts slay a few numbers of these monsters, more hordes of Titans stormed their way. The Scout Regiment are about to be outnumbered obviously, as they began to regroup. Eren, on the other hand, can't take it anymore as he got off his horse and glared at the Titans.
"Eren!" Mikasa cried out in concern.
"Stand back Mikasa, I'll handle this," Eren replied to his adopted Oriental sister.
"Feh, this outta be good," Jean sarcastically quipped.
The scouts watched their trump card on their hands. Eren prepared to bite his thumb as the Titans closed on them.
(End Theme)
Before Eren does so, an unearthly beam suddenly blasted to the ground out of nowhere. The surrounding aura of the beam backed off the Scout Regiment and the lumbering Titans much to their surprise.
"W-What is that light?" Krista muttered, feeling something inhuman.
As the light faded away, it revealed two figures standing there. One revealed to be a brunette-haired boy with a light blue scarf and a black trench coat. The other is a beautiful girl with long artificial pink-hair and wearing a white dress.
The scouts noticed the two strangers.
"Who are you?" Eren questioned the visitors he and his comrades have never heard.
The brown-haired stranger turned to Eren and the Survey Corps, "Don't worry, I came to help."
(Cue Attack on Titan - EMA)
With that said, the stranger's right hand glowed, revealing a black crown symbol. He placed his hand on the pink-haired girl's body and grabbed something inside her. He pulled it a longsword, roughly the size of a javelin. The stranger turned towards the Titans, as they begin to attack.
"What kind of power does he have?" Armin's eyes widened.
The pink-haired girl responded to the Caucasian blond-haired boy, "He simply just uses me."
The brown-haired boy then leaped at the mass of Titans without fear, which elicited intensive surprise from the scouts. The giants attempted to grab the boy to devour him, but the scarfed stranger evaded their grasp as he landed on one of the Titan's shoulders and sliced through its neck, killing one.
The boy then used his sword to jump and easily beheaded another Titan like butter, further impressing the Scout Regiment. Deciding that they no longer stand idly, Levi led his team to help out the stranger.
Krista approached the pink-haired girl, "Are you going to help out?"
Just then, an abnormal Titan appears behind the two much to Krista's shock. Before the frenzied giant reached them, the pink-haired girl conjured some sort of crystal tendrils to ensnare the Abnormal Titan, and then she utilized the crystals to trap the Titan, turning it into dust.
"Yes, I am," The mysterious girl said to the surprised Krista.
Meanwhile, as the skirmish battle waged on, Eren Yeager appeared beside the brown-haired boy. Both stood on a large branch.
"Seriously, how did you do this?" Eren questioned the stranger producing the void-like sword from the girl.
The brunette-haired boy turned towards Eren, "Would you like to demonstrate?"
Eren felt unsure about it, "No, that's not what I meant."
"Don't worry, this won't take long," the young man reassured the brave soldier.
Eren gulped about him playing the part of being the stranger's mere weapon but accepted to see its worth. The boy then shoved his right hand inside Eren and began to utilize his void.
Once he does so, the stranger then started to glow as a lightning bolt zapped him, making Eren take cover as he glided to another set of branches.
As the smoke cleared, Eren and the Survey Corps are shocked at what that young man did With Eren's thing inside him, he gained the ability to become some sort of, Titan Shifter!
"No way," Jean muttered. Levi glared at the man's Titan appearance on the other hand in suspicion.
The young man's Titan form looked similar to Eren's, except there are pale-teal green lines on his arms and legs, and has tendrils around his neck similar to an organic scarf. He then gave an earth-shaking roar like a Tyrannosaurus rex. Eren's description is what it called, the Titan's Heart.
The stranger's Titan form rushed and delivered blows to the Titans. He swiftly charged at one Titan in headbutting it and then tore its head off. Titan!Stranger beat down another Titan while giving another giant a flying uppercut. The guest delivered a karate chop, chopping through the flesh armor of a Titan's neck.
The carnage the Survey Corps witnessed left them awestruck. After a few seconds of doubt, Eren snapped out of it and immediately decided to help. He bit his thumb so hard and instantly felt the bolt, invoking his Titan form. Mikasa and Armin witnessed their sole hope coming from Eren. The Rogue Titan gave a beastly roar before charging.
"Two Titan Shifters at the same time! What in the world are we living?" Armin pondered aloud.
"I don't know, but this person is giving us the edge!" Mikasa replied to her meek friend.
Titan!Stranger sensed that Titan!Eren appearing to back him up. With both agreeing to team up, alongside the fact that this mysterious boy is 'using' Eren with responsibility, the Titan Shifters punched through a flood of Titans without a sweat. Most of the hungry abominations are no match for the two Titan fighters.
"Let's finish this, people!" Levi firmly ordered his comrades to help Eren and the stranger.
The older commander and the younger scouts backed up the two Shifters with their blades cutting through Titan's necks. They distracted the Titans enough, allowing Eren and the stranger to finish them off. The pink-haired girl also supported her allies by shooting crystals at the Titans to destroy them.
The Titan!Stranger spotted one Titan, one with a purple aura and glowing red eyes, and bumrushed it.
Found him! There's the anomalous source that's infiltrated this dimension! The Titan-Stranger dove at the anomalous!Titan.
As both Titans clashed, the Titan!Stranger won decisively by knocking off the anomalous!Titan's head clean off its shoulders. The headless monster collapsed in a heap of the other slain Titans.
The skirmish battle pressed on until every Titan in the area was exterminated. It was a day to remember for humanity.
(End Theme)
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Fields
In the aftermath of this skirmish battle, the Survey Corps never expected to receive help from two guests. Just who are they? What power does that boy wielding these things coming from people's hearts have? The real eye-opener was using Eren to make himself a Titan Shifter to turn the tide of the battle.
At the plain fields near Wall Rose, the couple was being questioned by Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Krista, Sasha, Connie, and Levi. Both Eren and that young man are back to normal from their Titan forms as the latter returned the 'thing' back inside Eren.
"We know why we're here talking," Levi stated with his arms cross, "Though you two helped us from the Titans, we demand to know about your identities."
The guilty couple was taken by the stern commander's words.
After a few seconds, the brown-haired boy introduced himself alongside the pink-haired girl. "My name is Shu Ouma, and this is my lover, Inori Yuzuriha."
"It is nice to meet you all," Inori politely bowed to the scouts.
"I see. My name is Eren Yeager," Eren introduced himself while thanking Shu's assistance back then, "And the group I'm with is called the Survey Corps. Our job is hunting down and killing Titans."
"That's interesting to know," Shu commented.
"Hmm, I take it that you two are from the outside world?" Armin wondered, theorizing the connection between Shu and Inori. He and some of the others are also curious if Shu and Inori are similar to the near-extinct Orientals.
"No, we just came from another world different from yours," Inori calmly answered.
"Likewise, Inori and I were briefly summoned to this place as some way to help out people from other dimensions," Shu stated and chuckled, "Well, we don't want to interfere too much. We're just guests."
"There are other universes? Intriguing," Armin said in surprise upon learning it, as if knowing the world outside the walls was enough.
Connie then interjected, "And how did you do those 'things' like you did with Eren? That Titan form of yours is phenomenal!"
Shu sighed a bit in responding to the bald boy's enthusiastic curiosity. He then answered, "They are called Voids. The hand I have inside is this Power of the Kings. It draws out people's essence and uses them as weapons and other things as a way to support me in battle. It ties something with friendship."
"Cool! I wonder what mine looks like?!" Sasha happily cried out.
"Are you so eager to try?" Shu asked the brown-haired ponytail girl.
Sasha nodded by giving the 'uh-huh' expression. The scouts observed more of this Void power since the experience with Eren's Void. Shu then used his right hand to grab something from Sasha's body as she cried out. Her own Void revealed to be a potato for the viewers to see.
"What the heck?! A potato?!" Sasha gasped.
"Haha! Isn't it obvious?" Connie laughed, knowing that is her favorite food.
"But that means I'm not that special!" Sasha sadly cried out.
"Relax Sasha, you're doing fine just now," Connie cheered the energetic girl up.
Shu then put Sasha's Void back in her body while she sighed to herself.
Next, Krista quietly decided to volunteer as the group watched Shu drawing out Krista's own Void, it turned out to be a flute.
"Yours is pretty special despite being a beautiful instrument," Inori commented to Krista. "I believe you might play a big part at some point."
"Really, I just..?" Krista doubted herself.
"You will find out someday," Inori reassured.
Shu then put back Krista's Void before he turned to the Survey Corps, "Anyone else for those that are under 18? Okay, that's part of the rules when I'm using its power."
The younger scouts speculated among themselves in case.
"I bet Jean's Void looks like a horse," Eren joked with the rest of his friends laughing at the compliment.
"What the hell is that suppose to mean?!" Jean angrily shouted at Eren.
Before they can further get acquainted with Shu and Inori, a white light suddenly appeared in front of the group. Shu and Inori sensed this familiar feeling as it began to take the appearance of a young girl's spirit, kinda like how a white rabbit is formed. She has brunette hair kept in two red bows and brown eyes.
"Hare Menjou," Shu muttered, recognizing the seemingly deceased friend. Eren became mesmerized seeing the innocent beauty characterized by this girl.
"Shu, I'm glad to see that you and Inori's time here is going well," Hare smiled being a heavenly messenger. "It's time for us to go soon."
"I understand," Shu replied to his former high school classmate.
Eren then interjected and addressed Hare, "Your voice feels familiar. Is it someone named, Annie Leonhart, or is someone else?"
Hare smiled and giggled at the Caucasian boy, "Don't worry about it, someday you'll find someone special."
"R-right!" Eren replied to the spirit before turning to Shu and Inori, "I guess you two are leaving, huh?"
"Yeah, we have other priorities to explore, but we're glad to assist you and your friends," Shu said to his new friend.
"I'm glad my Void paid off in slaying those Titans, Shu," Eren smiled at the foreigner.
Shu smiled back as both he and Eren shake hands as a sign of their friendship. "No problem, you helped me out as well."
"It's good to meet you, if only I like to know what my own Void power is like. My feelings for Eren are strong," Mikasa stoically said.
"This is more incentive to learn what's going on outside these walls!" Armin cried out, letting curiosity grab him.
"We'll make sure we support our world with dignity," Levi stated to Shu and Inori.
"Good luck with your journey, man," Jean casually said to them with Sasha, Connie, and Krista having the same response.
"Bye," Inori simply said her farewells to the Scout Regiment.
With that said, a bright light from the clouds surrounded Shu and Inori with Hare's guidance. The trio made their departure from this dimension. The light then disappeared.
As the brave Survey Corps watched the skies above them, they wondered about the laws and endless possibilities of these other worlds. Eren himself had his determination since he's gotten to know someone similar to himself, igniting his idealistic purpose for the world.
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Nexus Dimension
At the Nexus, Shu, Inori, and Hare meet up with Madoka and a young boy named Jun Samukawa. Both the deceased Hare and Jun are now messengers to Madoka herself.
"How's your time so far, Shu?" Jun asked.
Shu can only smile, "It's really interesting, I made a new friend I can relate to."
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(Cue Owari no Seraph OST - 1hundredknight: M)
"Gai Tsutsugami reporting. Me and Mana's time in other universes have gone fairly decent.
We started with the Soul Eater dimension. It's cool spending time with Soul alongside his partner, Maka Albarn. Other realms we went to: the worlds of A Certain Magical Index, Blue Exorcist, and Seraph of the End. The last one, I got along well with Guren and this kid named Yuichiro.
As we speak, we're about to head to another universe."
(End Theme)
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Universe: FFXV/Forest
This is a fantasy world with elements of realism. It is something that felt more human rather than the blend of fantasy and science fiction.
Upon the news headline, the people mentioned a civil war between two crime families: the Kingdom of Lucis and the Empire of Niflheim. In real life, it reminded fandom of the movie called The Godfather.
On the other hand, nature ignored human society. The vast forest gave an emerald vibe to this calm location. A river was heard streaming the clear waters with fish swimming. The grass remained as light green as ever, as there was small fauna such as mice and lizards seen.
Somewhere on top of a tree branch, a majestic bald eagle prepared to fly off to the mysterious skies.
Now, a skirmish adventure was set to begin.
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Episode Duscae: Versus Quest
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Gas Station/Inside
It started inside a gas station that's located on the outskirts of the road. There are roads where cars can be used for our road trips and other destined places.
Four young men wearing designed black outfits sat at a round table Here they are seen as childhood friends.
One has spiky black hair with a hairstyle that looks like a familiar Uchiha character and blue eyes with a black glove on his left hand. His name is Noctis Lucis Caelum.
Another is a tall man with dark brown hair straight to his back, amber eyes, jaw beard, and a long scar on his left eye. He is Gladiolus Amicitia.
Next is a man with short light brown hair in front of his hairline and green eyes. He is Ignis Stupeo Scientia, the advisor to Prince Noctis.
Lastly is a young man with blue eyes, light freckles, and unruly blond hair named Prompto Argentum.
They relaxed while their car was being fixed. While Noctis and Gladiolus are leisurely sitting, Ignis held some kind of a wanted poster.
Prompto took a peek at the poster, which revealed to be a picture of a bull-like monster with a scarred eye and a missing horn, "Ah, so we're going to hunt that Behemoth, right?"
"Yes, the Dread Behemoth's name is Deadeye," Ignis sighed while explaining, "This monster is rumored to be feared in this designated area."
"That's why once we think of something to kill it, we can get 25,000 gil enough to pay the repairs. Can't wait longer," Prompto smiled playfully.
"Look, we have yet to come up with a strategy to tackle that Behemoth," Gladiolus warned the young man.
"As much as I hate it, he has a point there," Noctis agreed in a cool tone.
"Not to mention keeping our highness in safety," Ignis added in concern about the prince.
Noctis respond to Ignis with a deadpan tone, "You know most of us can fend for ourselves even if we stick together."
"Yes, but it's just to reassure your chances to reclaim the family throne," Ignis said to Noctis.
Prompto put his hands in the back of his head and groaned, "It's such a bore!"
"Just hang in there," Gladiolus muttered.
Before they can talk more, the group noticed a couple near the counter ordering something. One is a young man with long blond hair, blue eyes, a black mercenary uniform with a red middle stripe, and small coffin insignia on the left side. The other is a young woman with long pink hair, reddish orange eyes, a black dress, and barefooted.
That is strange, Noctis and his friends wondered who these two are. Are they travelers or something? Nevertheless, the prince decided to get off his chair and approached the couple.
The mysterious couple turned to see Noctis.
The blond-haired man addressed him. "Who are you?"
Noctis sighed and firmly answered the stranger, "Me and my friends are wondering the same thing."
The pink-haired girl took notice and simply smiled, "Aw, you don't have to feel modest about it."
"No, it's not like that," Noctis muttered to the cheerful girl in embarrassment. Ignis then stood up and interjected into the conversation.
"Forgive our highness' shyness, allow me to do the introductions," The glasses man requested.
"Go on," The blond-haired man stated.
Ignis cleared his throat and greeted them, "My name is Ignis. Our highness here is Noctis, and the other two companions are Gladiolus and Prompto."
"So that means you're a prince?" The blond-haired stranger asked Noctis.
"Well, yeah I am," Noctis answered about his family lineage, "But I was still wondering about your names?"
After a few seconds, the mysterious couple decided to answer the prince.
"Gai Tsutsugami," The blond-haired man stated.
"And my name is Mana Ouma," The pink-haired woman added.
"Wait, your surnames seem to be foreign," Noctis commented and wondered. "Does that mean you two are from somewhere far away?"
Gai then honestly answered, "Well, all I can say is that we're not from this world."
This reply surprised Noctis and his friends, especially with their outfits.
"Does this mean that you come here due to the Goddess of Death?" Ignis questioned Gai and Mana. He referred to their home dimension's goddess Etro.
"Hmm, let's just keep this one a secret. We're just travelers," Gai replied.
Mana then saw the wanted poster in Ignis' hand and pointed to it, "Oooh, what is that you're holding?"
Ignis looked at the Behemoth poster and turned to Mana, "This is a poster of a monster we are planning to kill."
"And that's the Behemoth he's talking about!" Prompto positively cried out.
The beast's name garnered Gai and Mana's attentions.
"Quiet, Prompto. We don't want them to get involved!" Ignis chastised the younger man.
"Actually, this creature does pique our interest," Gai pondered about the group's mission.
Gladiolus shot a dark stare at the light-hearted Prompto while Noctis facepalmed at their standoff exchange. Noctis' group was concerned about their trust towards Gai and Mana, and they questioned whether the couple was capable of active combat.
"So that means you are coming with us?" Noctis asked the two.
"Yep, me and Triton here can help getting rid of that dirty, meanie beast," Mana smiled, making light of the monster with a playful name.
Prompto chuckled at the compliment, "Heheh, this girl digs my style."
"Maybe I can show you my skills to prove my worth," Gai offered.
"Hmm, perhaps we can let you assist us for a bit," Ignis made his decision to the blond-haired man.
"We better let Cindy know first," Noctis reminded his friends and the two guests.
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Gas Station/Outside
Outside of the gas station area, a few random civilians are seen either filling up their automobiles or just simply resting like Noctis' group. Speaking of them and the two guests, they met the person Noctis mentioned.
A spunky young woman with short curly hair, olive green eyes confronted the group. She wore a red cap with yellow outlines and a logo, a yellow jacket that revealed her midriff and an orange bikini top with deep décolletage, jeans shorts with a brown belt hanging around her hips, thigh-high black stockings, white high boots on heels, and brown gloves.
Her name is Cindy Aurum, to which she spoke with a southern accent, "Hey! So you're all heading to the outdoors?"
"Yeah. We're ready to find that Behemoth to have enough gils," Gladiolus answered.
"And we'll do our best to succeed with some new allies," Noctis said, introducing Gai and Mana.
Cindy walked towards the guests and stared at Gai. Then, she turned and examined Mana before backing off a bit.
"You folks have some strange people," Cindy commented about the two.
"Hey, I'm already weird myself as it is," Mana responded to the female mechanic's words.
"We're just supporting them so long as we don't get in the way," Gai honestly said to Cindy.
"You best take care of your girlfriend here as well, you hear?" Cindy grinned at Gai.
Gai stoically wondered a bit, but Mana held her beloved Triton's hand in letting him know that they'll stick to one another.
"Alright, then we're heading off," Noctis announced to the group.
"I'll lead the way, your highness," Ignis offered to lead everyone into the outskirts.
With that said, after Cindy waved her farewells, the group ventured to go outside for few reasons: to gain some experiences and to hunt down the Behemoth named Deadeye. At the same time, they used the spare time for their car to get fixed by tomorrow once they have enough money.
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Outside/Fields
(Cue The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim OST - The Gathering Storm)
At the vast plain area, the sun remained bright as ever with some clouds. At a lake, two gigantic Sauropod-like monsters, called Catoblepas, with heads that looked like a cross between a bull and a boar are seen grazing peacefully.
Then, the grass moved at the sound of footsteps, only to get louder as people arrived.
Across the fields, six figures wandered as one party: Noctis Lucis Caelum, Gladiolus Amicitia, Ignis Stupeo Scientia, Prompto Argentum, Gai Tsutsugami, and Mana Ouma.
After a few moments, Ignis stopped and halted the group in advance.
"What is it?" Noctis asked the glasses man.
Ignis turned to Noctis and answered, "Well, I believe we should train Gai Tsutsugami and Mana Ouma."
"Training, huh?" Gai raised an eyebrow in his curiosity.
"Yeah, maybe Noct should spare with you to see what you're capable of," Gladiolus commented.
Noctis recalled the times of his training session with his childhood friends, to which it paid off well in real combat.
"I'll accept the challenge," Gai responded, "But I won't fight with a 'weapon' yet, just my prowl instinct."
"You seem to be confident," Noctis acknowledged the blond-haired man's decision.
(End Theme)
Prompto advanced on Mana and smiled at the pink-haired girl.
"Hey there, how about we can watch the scene together?" Prompto asked somewhat trying to be nice.
However, Mana gave a playful smirk and ignored the blond-haired man. "Sorry bug, you know I'm taken."
This left Prompto disheartened as he humorously teared up. At the same time, Noctis and Gai faced each other on opposite sides. Noctis wielded a standard sword called the Avenger.
(Cue Final Fantasy XV: Episode Duscae - Daytime Battle Theme)
And then their duel started. Noctis charged at the unarmed Gai with his sword, only for Gai to dodge on the right side and landed a quick kick at Noctis. The black-haired prince saw it coming and jumped away a bit.
Noctis then switched weapons to holding a Wyvern Lance, in which he performed a Dragoon Jump and lunged at Gai at the next turn. However, Gai's keen senses allowed him to evade the lance.
"I bet you've trained enough to meet difficult challenges," Noctis commented.
"Heh, and I thought you're holding back," Gai smirked.
"We'll see about that," Noctis responded to Gai's taunt as he switched weapons to a great sword called the Zweihander, known in German as the 'two-hander' sword.
Noctis cried out and attempted to attack Gai by doing a few slashes, but Gai evaded the blade each time. The black-haired prince delivered another one, only for Gai to block with his bare hands and hold the Zweihander.
"Remarkable!" Ignis said in amazement while fixing his glasses.
"How in blazes did he do that?!" Prompto cried out in wondering.
"Tehehe, Triton is just being Triton. This is nothing," Mana gave a taunting, yet light-hearted smile at Prompto.
Once Gai grabbed a hold of the greatsword much to Noctis' brief surprise. He pushed back and delivered a swift punch at Noctis's face. Noctis backed off before calling off his weapon.
(End Theme)
After the training settled, Ignis distributed healing potions to Gai and Noctis. Gai and Mana noticed these potions are a sort of healing item during a traveler's journey.
"That's some nice reflexes you've got there," Noctis acknowledged Gai's skills.
"Gotta hand it to you, you're not half bad," Gladiolus added to the results.
Gai gave a cool smile to the two young men with arms crossed and closed eyes. Mana walked to stand by her beloved's side. This is indeed the chance in gaining Noctis and his friends' trust.
xxxxx
Thirty minutes after the sparring match, a great marsh is seen with mud covering much of the ground. The traveling party continued walking since Gai's sparing with the prince of the Lucis kingdom. Just then, they came across something surprising.
"Whoa guys, check it out!" Prompto cried out while pointing at something on the muddy ground.
The blond-haired man is right to get his friends' attention. They see a large footprint that seemed similar to a giant monster leaving a mark after rampaging a nearby town.
"It's so gigantic!" Mana blinked while staring at the large footprint.
Gai coldly stared at the footprint with arms crossed and inferred, "So this is the sign of the monster you're looking for?"
"Indeed, Deadeye the Behemoth is a menace between these territories," Ignis answered Gai. "We seem to find the first clues in tracking down the beast."
"Well, I'm not afraid of that beastie," Mana commented.
"I think you honestly are for a girl," Prompto joked.
"Please don't make fun of me being the only one with an all-men-cast!" Mana joked back at the blond-haired gunner.
Just then, the group heard some low bellows and wolf-like growls. These roars came from two kinds of monsters. The first group looked like slender brownish-gray wolves with reptilian teeth called Sabertusks. The second group is large mammoth-like creatures with brown woolly fur and light gray faces called Garulas. The monsters turned their attention to the party.
"Guess we got company!" Gladiolus muttered.
"Alright, about time to … for once!" Prompto smiled, readying his firearm.
Noctis turned to Gai, "Are you ready for this?"
"Yeah, always," Gai nodded at the prince and prepared for a real battle.
(Cue Final Fantasy XV: Episode Duscae - Daytime Battle Theme)
The party charged at the Sabertusks and the Garulas with their weapons and attacked them with Mana providing support for the young men. Mana surprised Noctis' group by conjuring crystals.
Mana's 'innocent' voice filled in the scenery while the battle noises are heard in the background. "Hi everyone, this is Mana Ouma! I had a great time with Triton and these boyfriends. Well, that blond-haired guy with the gun did attempt to woo me over, but I rejected him. This Noctis person reminds me of my little brother who I once fell in love in the past. Don't blame me, blame that corrupted rock back in our home dimension. He is some kind of a prince of my dreams, but I digress. Okay, why the heck am I mumbling random stuff while I'm helping out these guys against these filthy beasts? We're almost done cleaning the mess."
Eventually, Noctis and his cohorts finished off the remaining beasts before finding a safe passage at the end. They immediately ran towards that path. One battle to get some exercise is good for them, especially for Gai and Mana's prior battle experience.
(End Theme)
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Rocky road
It was near the sunset on a rocky road in an open forest. The skies became a mix of blue and light orange.
After previously defeating the bestiary, Noctis, Gai, Mana, Ignis, Gladiolus, and Prompto reflected on the battle. Noctis' group couldn't believe what they just saw: Mana Ouma's ability to harness crystals from her body.
"Whoa, you're on fire today, girl!" Prompto complimented Mana.
"Explain how you're able to do this?" Ignis queried the pink-haired girl.
Mana smirked and ignored him until Gai quickly stepped it.
"I'll take care of this," Gai whispered to his mistress and addressed Ignis, "It's a long story. In our world, she received it from an unknown circumstance that forced me to get involved to save her. Although I sacrificed myself to do so."
Noctis and his friends are briefly stunned by this revelation, especially the part of the implications that Gai and Mana were once dead before.
"That means you guys are revenants or something?" Gladiolus questioned.
"Sorta," Gai answered.
"What kind of world are you from?" Noctis asked the couple.
"It's something post-apocalyptic, and not an easy task for a former Undertaker," Gai answered the Lucis heir.
"And as of now, I can do more than just fire my crystals, but you boys will have to find out," Mana vaguely warned young men.
Prompto whistled at Mana's words in mind. The party continued to keep walking until they reached some sort of tunnel. They stopped for a moment, but they heard a faint air and a low sound inside.
"Did you hear that, folks?" Ignis quietly warned.
"Yeah, I'm hearing it alright, Iggy," Gladiolus responded.
The low sound then slightly rose to some kind of an animal-like growl.
"That must be the Behemoth," Noctis realized upon hearing the sound closer.
"Whatever it is, we have to go in," Gai suggested.
Taking the blond-haired man's words by heart, the group decided to enter the tunnel.
The tunnel's interior was made of rocks and roots like an underground rocky path, but as the group kept walking, they saw the ruins of debris buildings and stones. As the sound of the monster got closer, Gai and Noctis' group passed right through the right corner of a tunnel made of metal debris.
A large bull monster with a tough purple hide, longhorns (part of his right horn is missing), tufts of hair covered his neck, and a scar on one eye stood sniffing the top of the debris to find food. This is Deadeye the Behemoth; the one the party has been looking to kill.
"Best be quiet while we sneak through," Ignis whispered to his cohorts, knowing they can't attack head-on straight away.
The group took turns sneaking and crawling the Behemoth's scent. Ignis went first, then Gladiolus, and after them next Prompto. They made it to the other side. As Noctis prepared to move, the Behemoth smelled through the debris, but his poor eyesight deterred him from properly looking for the intruders. As the Behemoth moved away, Noctis crawled safely to meet up with his friends.
Now it was Gai and Mana's turn, in which both decided to go together. The Behemoth's scent then felt something odd. Deadeye's scarred head reached through to find the source. Gai and Mana moved back a bit while the former covered his lover, masking Mana's presence from the monster. Noctis and his groups' initial concerns were raised but soon waned as Behemoth left the area. Gai and Mana safely made it through nevertheless.
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(Cue Final Fantasy XV: Episode Duscae - Enemy Approaching Theme)
A few minutes later, the party stormed outside as a mist shrouded the area.
"Aw man, I can't see!" Prompto complained while looking around the mist.
"But that was a close one, right?" Gai muttered.
"Yeah, we still have to track down the Behemoth, wherever it is," Gladiolus said to Gai.
Suddenly in front of the group, they heard footsteps heading back to their destination. The party hid beside one of the boulders and peered to see Deadeye wandering about.
"It's heading back to its lair," Ignis whispered.
"Then we should follow it without being notice," Noctis added.
They followed Deadeye back to its lair. Suddenly, Gai felt something subtly off about Behemoth, which drew Mana's attention.
"Triton?" She asked him worryingly.
"Let's keep moving, Mana," Gai muttered. "I think we might have found the one nested here."
(End Theme)
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As the party continued walking, they devised a plan to spring a trap on the Behemoth. Gladiolus prepared to shoot at its blind spot.
(Cue Final Fantasy XV - Omnis Lacrima)
After shooting Behemoth's blind spot, Gladiolus shot a gasoline canister, which exploded and unleashed fire on Behemoth. Behemoth took damage from the explosive blast, giving Noctis an opening to go for a sneak attack. Mounting the giant's back, Noctis stabbed the creature's back. This only enraged Deadeye.
"Damn!" Ignis cursed.
Prompto yelled frantically. "Um, a little help!"
Noctis gritted and stabbed the beast again until it started shaking him off its back.
"Ready, Mana?!" Gai beckoned her.
"Uh huh!"
(End theme)
(Cue The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim OST - Unbroken Road)
Gai used Mana's Void, the Dancer's Sword, to help his allies.
Noctis prepared to summon Ramuh, only for Mana to intervene. She summoned a crystal monster. It resembled a Spinosaur called Oxalaia, whose name originated from the African deity Oxala (the Sky Father and creator of human bodies). This is one of Mana's three Spinosaur constructs named Judas.
"She was able to produce a summon! The likes of which I've never seen before!" Gladiolus shouted.
Gai noticed a dark purple aura glowing around Behemoth. He and Mana recognized this aura as the residue emitted by anything possessed by the anomalous sources.
"You see that, Gai?!" Mana called out to him.
"Yeah!" Gai replied to his lover. Just as a suspected! It's a malevolent source, but it hasn't fully matured! "Everyone, get ready to eliminate it!"
"What is that purple light?!" Ignis yelled out, seeing the mysterious glow.
"Noctis! We have to take it down now before it recovers!" Gai commanded Noctis.
Nodding, Noctis summoned Ramuh. Ramuh and Judas promptly attacked Behemoth. The sage unleashed a thunderous bolt from his scepter and blasted Behemoth with it. Judas fired crystals from its large spine, which penetrated into Behemoth's body. Judas then bit down and maimed Behemoth's left arm. Behemoth roared in pain while shaking off and slamming the crystal Spinosaur into the wall.
"He's all yours!" Mana called out.
With that, Gai and Noctis attacked the distracted Behemoth. Noctis slashed at Behemoth. Gai drove his Dancer's Sword into Behemoth, landing the decisive blow that ended Behemoth and vanquished the anomalous source.
The group united standing victorious for vanquishing Behemoth.
(End Theme)
"Yeah! This is our ticket in getting our car back!" Prompto cried out in joy. "I think I'm having a moment…"
"Yeah, we'd uh... need to get some rest before heading to Cindy's tomorrow," Gladiolus concurred.
Noctis turned to Gai. "Mind telling me what that whole deal was? That dark glow?"
Gai sighed. "It's complicated, but had it remained it would've caused bigger problems for us."
"I see."
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Outside/Nightfall
Hours later, it was nightfall as the skies transitioned from the yellow evening to the blackish-blue skies filled with stars. The full moon was seen as well, which reminded people of the wonderful memories of camping, especially in the summer.
(Cue Final Fantasy XV: Episode Duscae - Camping Theme)
In a forest, the party set up a campsite within and tents are already been put. A campfire was set in the middle for people to cook up food. Gladiolus and Ignis sat on a bench preparing the accustoms while Prompto was being the usual slacker. Mana sat on the ground, smiling at the night sky.
Not too far away, Gai and Noctis sat on a cliff watching the skies. They then turned to face each other.
"Long day, is it?" Noctis asked his new guest.
"Yeah, we worked well together taking down that beast," Gai concurred about the effectiveness of their teamwork. "These three friends of yours remind me of my former teammates."
"Who are they?" Noctis asked.
"Their names are Argo, Shibungi, and Oogumo," Gai connected them to Noctis' friends before he sighed, "Besides them, two others. Ayase Shinomiya and most of all, Shu Ouma."
"Shu Ouma?" Noctis pondered before he figured it out, "Wait, isn't Mana related to this person?"
They briefly turned to see their friends hanging out and talking to one another before resuming their conversation.
"Yes, Shu is Mana's younger brother and I was actually a childhood friend of his," Gai truthfully answered.
Noctis was taken aback by this.
"We knew each other since kids, but we haven't seen each other for some time until in our late teen years with different roles," Gai explained. "I was the leader of a resistance group while Shu was a high school student, but he wielded a special power that made him join us. The rest is history."
"I get it," Noctis added. "That old friend of yours alongside his sister reminds me of this young girl named Lunafreya Nox Fleuret."
"Who is she like?" Gai asked.
"All I remember was that she is part of the Fleuret family. We used to have some sort of a childhood connection until political feuds made us distant. I wonder if I fight for her sake, should we meet again," Noctis explained some of his backstory and one of his purposes of fighting.
The blond-haired former resistance leader listened well to what Noctis had to tell.
Gai chuckled and remembered something during his past life, "You know, this reminds me of something I said: A life with no adventure in it is boring. The least a friend can do is stir up a little trouble in your heart."
Noctis took this mind about the sort of adventure he's experienced. As soon as they finish talking, both headed back to the campsite to meet up with their comrades, and to enjoy the rest of the night.
(End Theme)
xxxxx
(Cue Final Fantasy IX - Good Night)
xxxxx
The next day, morning came for the sunrise's light to brighten the campsite. The rest was worth it for the party, giving them plenty to fully recover after yesterday's battles.
Noctis and his three best friends slowly woke up from their sleeping bags and got out of their tents. After getting some fresh air, they noticed Gai and Mana were gone from sight.
"Hey, Noct, where did that pink-haired chick and that guy go?" Prompto asked about their guests.
Noctis didn't answer for a minute as he remembered the last conversation he had with them.
"They wandered off somewhere far away," the black-haired prince vaguely responded.
Despite all this, the party started to miss their new companions. As they wrapped up their campsite, it was time for them to meet up with Cindy.
xxxxx
Gas Station
A few hours later, Noctis and his group arrived back at the gas station. Having enough gils for completing the repairs, their car was refueled and repaired in good shape. The battle proved to be worth it in the end.
Shortly thereafter, Noctis' group made their leave. The black car drove away from the gas station.
"Come back anytime, you hear?!" Cindy called out to her clients, saying their farewells while waving her arm with a positive grin.
xxxxx
Ignis drove the automobile with Gladiolus sitting in the front. Noctis and Prompto sat in the back. The black-haired prince wondered when they will see the two guests again, even though it's impossible to tell.
xxxxx
Elsewhere in the distance, Gai and Mana, both standing on top of a cliff, watched the car drive away. Mana held 'Triton's' hand as they observed the fantasy world surrounding them before walking away and disappearing.
xxxxx
Nexus Dimension
At the Nexus dimension, Gai and Mana reconvened with Homura.
"So, the mission is a success?" Homura asked them both.
"Yes, we eliminated another anomaly," Gai confirmed. "Some have been easier than others, though.
"What he said, Homuhomu!" Mana smiled, giving a playful wink to the time traveler.
Homura rolled her eyes toward Mana's advancements. Gai could say nothing for the matter.
xxxxx
(Cue Neurotech – Compass)
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Next Chapter: Moon Pride
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Ford1114's A/N: Yeah, as you can see, these two parts are actually the same one of these stand alone one-shots I did called A Titan's Heart and Episode Duscae: Versus Quest. This time they have been edited to fit more of the story with dimension travel. This is meant to tie-in Attack on Titan about to have Season 2 next year, alongside FFXV's eventual release in 2016 (which I've been waiting for a long time to play).
Not much to say, hope this chapter is worth it.
Kanius' A/N: While this chapter might not be too eventful, it does follow the Guilty Crown: The Lost Kingdoms main cast's adventures. Compared to the other groups, they're the ones who probably needed a chapter to give readers some more insight on them. And as my colleague already said, these were originally one-shots he's written before that are being repurposed for this story since there's an arc based around multi-dimensional journeys.
All I did was edit and expand a little on the battle scenes. I added the anomalous sources in order to stay the course with this ongoing arc and not shift away from the main purpose of eliminating these anomalous entities. So this chapter doesn't come off entirely filler-ish.
Ok, the next chapter title should give a good idea of what to expect. Yep, it's Sailor Moon-themed as the Senshi from the YYGDM-01 universe team with their counterparts from their Sailor Moon Crystal counterparts. They'll be teaming to fight Crystal versions of reptilian aliens with a leader who's named after a certain three-headed Kaijuu (if you've followed YYGDM, then you'll probably know what I'm alluding to :P).
And, don't expect the next chapter soon until next month. This one was a special exception thanks to Ford1114's planning ahead. We return to the scheduled monthly updates until this arc is done and I've finished the bulk of my other stories (Valkyrie Advent notwithstanding).
Until the next update, send your reviews my way! Stay cool!