Chapter 32 Honey I'm Home
Character Marion
"So your not a cat," Marion said again to Jinx as they sat in the dinning hall.
"Do I look like a cat," Jinx replied.
"No you still act like a cat though," Marion replied, "Anders would have loved you as that cute little kitty."
"No reason that he still wouldn't like me," Jinx replied as she finished off the salmon that Grif had cooked up. "Hmm you know for a fat Spartan he isn't a half bad cook."
"Those two teams have been the most surprising of us all I think," Marion added, "Caboose is a decent mechanic, Tucker can actually fight, Church can snipe with that laser, Sarge is actually good at reading the battle field, Simmons is a good electrician, Grif can cook, Doughnut is amazing with grenades and Doc is actually not that bad at on the fly treatments. Not to mention their robotic friends."
"Ladies," Tucker said as he walked into the hall.
"Tucker," Marion greeted, "What brings you here so late?"
"My laptop died so I figured I would get something to eat while it recharges," Tucker replied as he headed into the kitchen.
"And they are always hungry," Jinx added. Marion laughed before falling back into her quite demeanor that she had adopted since the announcement of their return to her home. "What is troubling you," Jinx asked, "Your not normally this quite."
"And your not normally a cat," Marion replied, "Its going home... I've no idea what I'm going to find there. I've kept myself going because of the hope to return to Anders again but now that the event is imminent I find myself worried that he, or anything else, may not be there to return to."
Jinx looked down to her plate and played with some fish scales before replying. "Marion, if something had occurred do you doubt that Storm would have told us about it?"
"I don't know," Marion replied, "We've known Storm for a long time but if she kept her own mother's existence from us what else has she not told us about."
"Well I've know Storm for only a little while, since Serra," Jinx said, "She has always seemed to direct us in the most favorable direction we could take. I trust that we will get to Kirkwall, we will find your Anders, and he will sweep me up in a great big hug."
"Well probably not the hug part anymore," Marion said both surprised and comforted at Jinx's surety in their mission, "I did say that when you were still a cat."
"I can still be a cat," Jinx replied, "If I want to."
"Anders would be able to tell that you are a succubus," Marion stated, "He is also Justice, together he and this spirit are Vengeance."
"Sounds like Tyreal," Tucker said as he sat down next to Jinx and across from Marion. Without his helmet Tucker's face was brown, round and clean shaven, a not too bad looking man, even by Marion's book. Yet the Spartan had never found a wife or really even tried to look for one other than the half-joking passes he made with his notorious 'Bow-Chicka-Bo-Wow.' Maybe the whole had an alien baby eat its way out of your chest had turned him off to long term partnerships.
"Yeah pretty similar situation," Marion replied, "Or from what I understand of Tyreal's story."
"You know I got to wonder how people like us got mixed up with beings like them," Jinx mused.
"And you aren't a 'being like them' how," Tucker asked. Before Jinx answered however Doug broadcast to Dragon Company that they were in orbit above Kirkwall and were ready to disembark.
"Well here goes," Marion said as she got up from the table.
"Grif lets go," Tucker called as he put his helmet back on.
"So us four then going out to find your Anders," Jinx remarked, "Should be interesting."
"Things always are with you around," Marion replied. Grif joined them and the four headed to the hangar. They met up with Adam, Star, and Qui-gon on the Pelican as Grif took the driver seat.
"Ok looks like I'm going to drop you three off at Riza's base near Kirkwall and then we will head across the ocean to get Anders and friends," Grif said, "Hold on to your seats this is going to be... well never mind."
Marion looked at Tucker and they all grabbed hold of something as the Pelican was dropped from the Pestilence and Grif fired up the thrusters. Marion had gotten used to the falling sensation that these drops had but Tucker apparently had not as he curled into a ball in the corner of the Pelican as he tried not to puke. They leveled out and started the descent which was more kind to Tucker but long for Marion. She still had worries about Anders, like why they were having to go across the sea to get him. They dropped Adam, Star and Qui-gon off with Adam remarking that he would miss her crossbows covering his back, then they were headed to Fereldan, Marion's original home country.
"So where are we going," Marion asked.
"Or-za-mar," Grif replied, "I think I pronounced that right."
"The Dwarves," Marion said surprised, "What is Anders doing there?"
"Don't know," Grif replied, "But that is where Storm told Doug he was at."
"Told you," Jinx said.
"Don't do that you might jinx me," Marion said.
"Very funny," Jinx replied with a purr.
"Uh I hate riding in these things," Tucker said, "Give me a motorcycle any day but not these."
"You ride," Jinx asked, "that is unexpected."
"What just cause I don't do well in Pelicans," Tucker said, "Eh whatever."
"Ok we should be above this place," Grif said, "But I don't see anything, I'll put us down so we can look around."
Once outside it was evident that this was the entrance to Orzamar, there was just no one around to operate the gates. In fact the once massive doors were now sealed shut and formed on massive wall that prevented entry from any outside force.
"Well," Marion remarked as she looked around the snowy mountain side, "We could always try for a back door."
"Do the dwarves tunnel," Jinx asked.
"Why yes," Marion replied, "Why?"
"The Dwemer of my planet built doors almost exactly like this," Jinx said, "I wonder if they did find out how to travel through dimensions and space as it was theorized..."
"You think the ancient lost race of dwarves from you planet may have ended up here and these are their descendants," Tucker said, "Isn't that a little crazy even for us?"
"Maybe," Marion said, "Maybe not. The dwarves do claim that their forefathers were born of the rock. It could be a legend of how they got here."
"One way to tell," Jinx said, "An old trick I picked up about these Dwemer doors, if you know how their locks are constructed you can manipulate them from outside without a key." Jinx walked up to the door and used her voice on it. The door flashed green for a second before Jinx smiled and pulled out a simple lock-pick from her pouch she carried on her hip. With a few deft movements her endeavor was greeted with the successful sound of the snick of the lock and the slight opening of the door. "Quickly the door will close again in a few moments," Jinx said as she ushered them inside. Just as she had said the door snicked again and closed behind them.
"Ok that was a little too creepy to be coincidence," Grif said, "How did you do that?"
"The Dwarves are the Dwemer," Jinx replied, "Only explanation I can see. If we could find the device they used to travel to this world..."
"One thing at a time," Marion said, "And you may want to take up that cat form you say you still have, it would be less threatening to any that we meet."
Jinx obliged and morphed back into the white cat that Marion had first encountered in the underbelly of Char. Looking around Marion could see the figures of the Dwarven statues to their Paragons, they had entered the main hall that led to the Orzamar commons. The only oddity was that there was no one in it other than them.
"No people," Tucker said, "Not a good sign."
"Storm said Anders was here," Marion replied, "Lets head farther in." As they proceeded to the commons they started hearing signs of habitation, the din of voices was coming from a massive amphitheater that was in the middle of the city. The Proving she recalled was held in the chamber and from Vern's tale the structure was much larger than it appeared as it stretched all the way down to the molten core of Orzamar. As they approached they were greeted by six guards, all of which had their very nasty looking axes ready and aimed at the four.
"What sort of demon be you that you were able to enter here," the Captain, as denoted by his heavier armor, asked.
"Anders," Marion replied, "I'm his wife, Marion, and I understand that he is here."
"Aye he is inside," the Captain replied, "But you failed to explain how you got in with the doors all barred."
"I opened them," Jinx said. Her intervention drew the guards' attention.
"So it was with a demon that you got in," the Captain said, "What else would cause a cat to talk. I shouldn't have expected any less from that one though, Spirits, Dark-spawn and now you this demon and those two metal golems. Curse Azmodan and Belial but we need all the help we can get... I'll let you in."
"Dark-spawn," Marion asked, "What do you mean?"
"I'll let your husband fill you in on that," The guard replied as he opened the door to the chamber and waved them through, "Now I've got to get back to work."
"Well he seemed nice," Jinx said, "For the descendant of a Dwemer."
Marion looked out over the chamber that they had been ushered into, she saw Anders first, with his distinctive coat and the glowing eyes. She then saw Vern next to him, and a massive man beside Vern. Behind them all however was the most imposing figure, that of an Arch-Demon.
"I told you already," the large man said in sync with the Demon, "The Dark-spawn are mine to command you can see the proof of our tail withing these two Wardens if they vouch for me why don't you listen to us?"
"If there was more to your story that could be verified like this DC, Kirkwall's independence, or even another from your group here to attest to the validity of these statements," Balhen a hard Dwarf who was also the king of Orzamar due to Vern's 'help' a while back, said, "Then we might be more inclined to go with you but as it stands you are just as grave a threat to us as the demon outside our walls."
"Well what if I can give you that proof," Marion shouted out from behind the mass of Dwarves crowded in front of her, "Hi Honey, I'm home."
"Marion," Anders yelled back, "Ah-ha its good to see you and you brought some of our friends I see, and a cat. I do like cats."
Marion and company made their way to the front of the assembly. They received astonished looks from the dwarves they passed but none more so than Balhen himself. Marion embraced Anders as they met, Grif and Tucker tried to ignore them and Jinx hopped up on Anders' shoulder.
"By the stone you were right," Balhen muttered, "Vern it seems I owe you and your...associates an apology."
"That will not be necessary just your help is all we ask," the Arch-Demon/Man replied.
"I... you understand that we can not be comfortable with this," Balhen replied, "But... we can abide it for a while."
"Thank you," Vern said, "That is all we ask."
"So what are you all doing here," Marion asked, "Well ok Anders, Vern what are you two doing here and who is that?"
"Forging an alliance with the Dwarves to help give us better grounds to fight Azmodan and Belial," The Man-Demon replied, "I am Wolfgang or Wolf."
"You're an Arch-Demon," Jinx asked, startling everyone, "I like you."
"A talking cat," Wolf speculated, "No... not a cat, oh. Well it might turn out that I like you as well."
"Marion why is the cat a Succubus," Anders whispered to her.
"Long story," Marion replied, "Now lets get back to Kirkwall and meet up with DC there are much worse things approaching than these two lesser evils."
"Worse," Anders replied, "That doesn't sound good."
"It isn't remember those lasers that almost destroyed Kirkwall," Marion continued.
"Yeah," Anders said, "What about them?"
"We're about to find out where they came from," Marion finished, "Oh and fix a time wound that we created."
"Do you have transport," Anders asked.
"We can," Marion replied, "Grif get on the radio tell Doug that we will need a lot of transports."
"Right," Grif responded. After a few seconds the distinctive beep of the radio came on and Grif sent their request to Doug.
"I hope you know what your doing," Wolf said, "I would like to make it to seventeen."
"Wait your only sixteen," Marion said, "How... but... what?"
"Don't ask," Vern said, "Its really complicated. Now while we wait for transport why don't I introduce you four to the rest of my team."
"Sounds good," Tucker said, "Lets go."
Character Spyro
They had set down outside of Kirkwall near the caves they used last time they were at the city. Within moments Cortana and Riza had established a base and were funneling resources and information to their partners. Spyro and family were suited up and were acting as the vanguard for their forces. Which meant they were doing all the fighting while the Commanders set up for unit production.
"Everyone's shield ok," Spyro asked as they finished off a troop of Fallen and their Over-Seers.
"We're fine," Fiona replied. She was acting as the tactical information coordinator for them as they patrolled the area outside Kirkwall. "Shields at eighty percent and charging."
Spyro nodded, he had seen several of them take hits from the mobs of enemies but didn't have the full info on the group's shields as Fi did. K landed next to them and nodded for Spyro to come over.
"K," Spyro asked as they met.
"Azmodan and Belial shouldn't have this many troops," K said, "I drained their armies to fuel mine. These demons we fight, they are not even real demons just forms controlled by some other force."
"You think that this force is controlling Azmodan and Belial," Spyro asked.
"Possible or they may have actually been able to control it," K replied, "Either way banishing them will allow us to head back in time and fix the events of Kirkwall's past."
"So two targets," Fi said, "How hard could they be?"
"Depends on how powerful this other force is that is helping them," K replied, "I know what your thinking and I agree, we need strike teams."
"The way you two think is almost eerily similar," Spyro commented, "But I have to admit I've had the same idea run through my head. How do we approach this?"
"Belial is a deceiver, Azmodan is a battering ram," K said, "Counter their strengths with our own."
"Storm would work great against Belial then," Spyro said, "I don't see how he could deceive her."
"She would need a team," Fi added, "Tyreal would be ideal as would Auriel and Hadriel."
"That leaves Azmodan," K said, "Fight fire with fire, the Primes can go after him... I'm sure they would enjoy that."
"So we just need their locations," Fi remarked, "I'll bet Cortana has a pretty complicated information grid up by now, we could use that to find likely spots for these demons."
"Four each," Spyro contemplated, "I'll go with Malafor, couldn't hurt to have some extra fire power in case this other power shows up."
"You know Mom will go with you," Fi said.
"True," K replied, "Terrador and Zora can go with Storm. Two groups of six, more secure than four, but not so many that we will alert the Demons to our plans."
"Cortana," Spyro called through the communicator in his suit, "We need to use your omni-grid to hunt down Azmodan and Belial."
"I'll patch your team into the info-stream," Cortana replied, "Adding you now."
Across his visor came up a map of the areas Cortana and the other ACU Commanders had radar and visual coverage as well as sonar for the oceans and waterways. "K you getting this," Spyro asked.
"Yeah Doug is keeping me in the loop," K answered, "Look for anomalies in the patterns of deployment, that will be our indicator for Belial and Azmodan will be in the thickest mass of demons he can gather."
"The city of Denierum was lost to the demons but it looks like there are no demons there," Fi observed.
"True and the largest mass of demons is... across the mountain range directly East of us," Spyro said.
"Then you know the deployments," K said, "I'll have Grif reroute his course to add some extra hands over on the other side of the sea. Spyro your group can call in reinforcements from here if you need us."
"Right, And you'll get the Primes" Spyro said as he pulled Cynder, Storm, Terrador and Zora into the call.
"Spyro what do you need," Terrador asked.
"We are heading out to take down these demon lords," Spyro said, "Storm you your parents Tyreal, Auriel and Hadriel will head to Denierum to face Belial. Cynder, myself and the Primes will head East to face Azmodan. K and the rest will provide back up for us and keep those who are alive from harm while we are busy."
"Anyone tell Tyreal and friends," Zora asked.
"Mom, really," Storm said, "I already told them to meet us on the other side of the sea."
"Oh right sorry," Zora added, "I am still not used to your ability."
"No one is," Terrador remarked, "Except Blitz I think. Right we're on it," Terrador said, "See you one the other side."
"And you," Spyro replied. Then he turned to K and asked, "well are the Primes ready?"
"When aren't we," Baal replied as he, Diablo, Mephisto and Malafor walked through a portal K had summoned.
"You know we really should have seen that coming," Cynder remarked as she walked over to them and Fi went back to the line.
"One would think," Malafor said, "But it never gets old."
With that comment K ushered them off to be rid of Azmodan. Diablo elected to ride on Spyro's back as he was the only Prime who couldn't fly. With the additional power of the suit Spyro didn't even notice any strain from the added weight of the not to light Diablo. They flew up over the mountain and as they broke through the clouds could see the true vastness of the army that had gathered on the other side. The demons arranged on the plain below ranged from massive behemoths that could crush Kirkwall with their feet to the tiniest Fallen. The mass was a dark blot on the land for miles in all directions. They ducked back up into the clouds before any of the monsters spotted them.
"Ok how do we spot Azmodan from here," Cynder asked.
"Oh we will feel him," Diablo rumbled, "We've been waiting for this for a long time."
"Just point the way," Spyro said.
Diablo obliged, giving instructions on which direction to head until he announced, "We should be right above him now."
"Not to crash this party but he still has a horde of demons with him," Malafor said, "Can we trust that they will turn to our side once Azmodan is dead?"
"No but I trust that we can kill them all if need be," Cynder said as necromantic glyphs light up around her for a second.
"Necromancy," Mephisto muttered, "Always a nice back up plan."
"Well lets go then," Baal said as he folded his wings and dove through the clouds.
"And he calls you the impetuous one," Spyro commented to Diablo as he followed Baal through the clouds. Diablo's dismissive grunt turned into a snarl as they broke through the clouds and saw Azmodan for the first time. The demon walked on four spear-like legs, was as wide as he was tall, had two massive arms, one of which was throwing a fire ball at them, and a mouth that was formed of three lower jaws and an upper jaw. He also had four blazing, yellow, eyes.
"I thought I felt you Primes," Azmodan challenged, his voice a deep rumbling like distant thunder. "Now die." Azmodan punctuated his statement with another fireball. Spyro dodged the fireballs as he continued to dive towards Azmodan, Diablo jumped off of him, landing on his rival, and the two began to tear at each other. Malafor went to Diablo's aid as Spyro circled around for a pass at Azmodan with his breath attacks, Cynder was doing the same thing. Baal and Mephisto had added their strength to Diablo and Malafor's so when Spyro and Cynder's attacks hit Azmodan the demon commander was in bad shape.
Despite having lost a leg, most of his scaly armor and his spikes to their attacks Azmodan simply pushed himself off the ground and summoned a portal. Through the portal came a flood of energy in the form of what looked to be dust, Spyro could tell its power since it smelled a lot like the crystals of his home world. Azmodan absorbed the material energy and regenerated his form.
"You see," the demon rumbled, "I am unstoppa..." Spyro rammed into him before he could finish the sentence. With the enhancement of the suit, Spyro's already considerable strength was even greater than the Primes' and he ripped an arm off of Azmodan as he kicked the demon into his hoard that was converging on them. Azmodan opened another portal and the dust flowed through it again, but this time there came eight figures through it as well. The dust flowed by them and into Azmodan, who's back was to the new arrivals. Of the eight six were woman and two were men. "Break this form all you want," Azmodan yelled, "You can not stop hurg..." The smallest of the eight, a woman with silver eyes, red hair, a black robe and slacks and with a red, hooded, cape had seemingly teleported to the top of Azmodan's head and had a scythe that was at least twice her size pulled up tight against his neck. Then a gunshot rang out and Azmodan's head rolled off his shoulders and the demons body began to collapse in on itself. The woman then landed back with her friends and the two groups looked each other over for a moment.
"Ok," Spyro said, "That was... different."
"Spyro now might not be the time to mention this but his demons don't seem to be turning to our control," Mephisto said.
"So who are you," said another of the women. She had golden hair that hung down to her knees, and blue eyes, a yellow shirt with a deep V cut, that allowed for her orange scarf, and a back piece that flowed down to just blow her hips and brown shorts.
"I'm Cynder," Cynder said as she flipped her visor out of the way for a moment, "I suggest we either kill all the demons coming up behind you or fly out of here before we go through the full introductions."
"We can always fight and talk," one of the other women said. She was clad in a black vest and white top with white shorts and black stockings that came up to her shorts. Her hair was shoulder length and black, her eyes were amber, "I'm Blake."
"Well flying out isn't an option," Spyro said as he pointed up with a wing, "The demons control the sky now." Above them hundreds of flying demons were swarming around them. "Cortana get us some back up here."
"What type," Cortana responded.
"AA," Spyro replied as he cut off the comm channel and ducked out of the way of a massive snake-like horned demon that had erupted from the ground and started spitting out more demons. These were of the mid sized semi-draconian variant that wielded large maces and axes with their prodigious strength.
"Weiss, glyphs. Nora, Yang, distractions. Jaune, Pyrrha, Ren, take left. Blake with me we've got right," the woman in red said. "You six seem decent enough, seeing as you haven't tried to kill us yet, and two of you are dragons, nice armor by the way. I'm Ruby if you don't mind do try not to get killed we can make quite a mess when we get going."
"Uh," Spyro started but by then the eight had already plowed into the demons. They were fast, amazingly so. Soap was faster than the eyes but these... Ruby appeared to be in several places at the same time as did Blake, Nora and Yang were slugging it out with grenade hammer and flaming fist. Jaune and Pyrrha were in the thick of the demons shields and weapons, a sword and spear/rifle respectively and Weiss was blasting demons with energy while amplifying her team's already considerable prowess with her glyphs.
"Hahaha now those humans can fight," Malafor remarked, "Come on lets give them some air coverage."
Spyro and Cynder followed Malafor into the air as the three Primes waded into the fray with the new comers. Spyro had to start dodging almost immediately as the winged demons homed in on him, Cynder and Malafor. The air was so thick with demons that Spyro lost sight of the ground as the three started putting down the pack.
"Cortana where is that AA," Spyro called.
"On its way," Cortana replied, "Come on it can't be that bad for you."
"I'm not worried about us," Spyro said, "We've got... what the?"
Spyro left off on the channel as Ruby, Yang, Blake and Weiss seemingly appeared in front of him and started shredding through the demons. Weiss was hovering on a glyph while firing off bolts of energy from her sword. Blake was using her gun/kusarigama to grapple and swing from demon to demon as she brought them down. Yang was using what looked to be fireball shooting shotgun gloves to keep herself afloat by punching demons downwards. Then their was Ruby, using the recoil of her sniper/scythe to dash from demon to demon in mid air while slicing off wings, heads tails etc. It was the most graceful display of acrobatics that Spyro had seen in a long time. The combined attacks of the seven of them in the air and the seven ground bound combatants they cleared the demons out before Cortana's AA units even arrived. As the last demon fell from the sky Ruby landed on Spyro's back along with Blake. Yang landed on Cynder and Weiss used her glyph to stair step down to the ground.
"Cortana we won't be needing that AA," Spyro said.
"Of course now you call to say that," Cortana remarked, "Well it looks like the attacks were a success the demons are dissolving. Head on back."
"Ok but we've got friends with us," Spyro added, "Eight of them, human I think."
"You think," Cortana replied, "I must say I look forward to meeting them."
"Nice work," Spyro said to Ruby and Blake, "I've rarely seen such acrobatics even from dragons."
"Oh it was nothing really," Ruby remarked shyly.
"Nothing," Spyro commented, "Well sounds like you at least have the skills to survive this mess you gotten into."
"What exactly have we gotten into," Blake asked.
"A universal war between immortals," Malafor said, "Kalathanon is our leader, and he was the leader of our foe. That was before Jesus though. Now we all, no matter our backgrounds fight against the sin that K created... it the least we can do."
"You believe him too," Spyro asked.
"Why wouldn't I," Malafor replied, "Shouldn't we all have something to hope for someone to have faith in, especially us."
Spyro was silent as he contemplated Malafor's words. Ruby interjected her thoughts however.
"Jesus who's that," she asked.
"According to K he is the Creator, or His Son," Spyro said, "Jesus is the one who beat K, the one who removed him from Hell and through his, that is Jesus' own power saved all creation, future, past, dimensions and parallels from the sin that originated with K."
"Sounds worthy of investigation at least," Blake remarked, "You've not looked into this?"
"Not really," Spyro answered, "It seems that more and more of DC is believing it so I guess there could be some truth to it."
"Every legend is based in truth," Ruby said, "Maybe this K has a book or something that could help explain his beliefs."
Spyro looked back at them as he recalled a book that K had given to Tom. There was something in his head that clicked at that moment, "I'll take you to K then I'll introduce you to Tom one of them should have some info on this."
"Hey sis check it out we're riding dragons," Yang called from Cynder's back.
"Yeah and your friends are riding the Primes," Spyro said as Baal, Mephisto, Diablo and the other five humans joined them in the air.
"I feel like a giant pony," Baal commented as they caught up to Spyro.
"Well you don't look like it," Spyro said, "Other than the riders."
"Yeah you could never be a pony," Nora remarked, "No hair, or main, or hooves or anything pony-ish."
"I don't think pony-ish is a word," Ren remarked.
"It is now," Cynder said, "Around this group if you say it and we understand it it counts."
"Oh great now I will have a never ending stream of insufferable," Weiss started.
"Weiss," Pyrrha warned.
"Oops sorry," Weiss said, "Corporate leader coming out there."
"Corporate," Mephisto said, "Just how old are the eight of you?"
"Well I'm only nineteen the others are twenty-one," Ruby said.
"What the blarg," Spyro exclaimed, "You learned to fight like that in only nineteen years?"
"We have to otherwise Grimm would have overwhelmed us all," Ren said.
"Grimm," Diablo said from Malafor's back, "I've read legends of Grimm... if you've been fighting it, there is more to you than meets the eye."
"You bet big guy," Yang said.
"Oh don't get her started," Jaune said, "If she starts singing..."
"I'll join in," Weiss said.
"Well you are a singer," Pyrrha added, "I could play the piano."
"You're serious aren't you," Spyro remarked, "Any of you have an audio device?"
"Just my MP3 player," Ruby said, "Why?"
"You could plug it into the suit and play whatever you wanted through it."
They all looked at each other before Jaune said, "Why do I even bother."
"At least three of our groups and several members from a few others are musicians," Spyro said, "Any new music is interesting to us."
"How long is the flight," Blake asked.
"Oh it only took about an hour to get here," Cynder said, "And we've been flying back for fifteen minutes now."
"Music coming up," Ruby said, "Blake your song or mine?"
"Red Like Roses is a good a song to start with as any," Blake replied.
Ruby plugged in her device and the gentle tune of the song started up. The trip back was a blur of conversation and music as Yang introduced them to her favorite bands and argued with Blake about the fine points of music. Weiss, Ren, Malafor and Diablo were engaged in conversation about the finer points of combat. Jaune, Nora and Pyrrha were laughing with Baal and Mephisto about something that only the five of them found funny. That left Ruby, Cynder and Spyro to talk on the way back. Ruby turned out to be infatuated with weapons and they spent most of the trip telling her about their mech-suits.
"Wow and Sarge built all of them," Ruby said in awe.
"As far as we can tell," Cynder said.
"Took him twenty years but since DC members are immortal due to our Leviathan presence it wasn't like he was getting any older," Spyro said.
"Whoa," Ruby said, "Twenty years? That's older than I am. That means I'm the youngest one... again! Wait immortal?"
"Yeah," Cynder said, "None of our members have aged since joining up with us."
"So you fight monsters, redeem demons, and make mortals immortal," Ruby said, "That is impressive... makes you wonder about this Jesus that K seems so interested in."
Spyro and Cynder looked at each other before Spyro said, "When you put it like that... perhaps it was foolishness to ignore this change that K has gone through."
"Hey what is that," Blake asked as they came in sight of Cortana and the Pestilence.
"That would be our friends," Spyro said, "The ship is Doug's Pestilence, and Cortana is in the giant suit."
"Well that is a thing," Yang remarked.
"Look at those guns," Ruby exclaimed in the fan girl voice she adopted when talking about new weapons.
"Uh Ruby," Blake said, "Ears."
"Sorry I just get so excited about new weapons," Ruby replied.
"Well wait until you see the armory," Spyro said, "You could probably get lost in there for hours."
"The waaa," Ruby stammered, "You'd let me into the armory?"
"I don't see why not," Spyro said. He then got a hail from Ivan.
"Spyro K is creating a portal to get us back to the first battle of Kirkwall," Ivan said, "Only thing is none of us except Qui-gon and Starkiller can go through, unless you were not there the first time."
"Well there are several of us who weren't there the first time," Spyro said, "I say lets send them any extra hands are always a good thing right?"
"My thought exactly," Ivan said, "Hope those eight friends of your are ready to fight some more."
"Hey you eight ready to fight more monsters," Spyro asked, "Warning though most of us won't be there with you."
"I'm in," Yang said.
"Yeah we are too," Nora said for herself and Ren.
"We work as a team," Ruby said, "We'll go if you need us to."
"You won't be alone," Spyro said, "I can think of several people who will go in with you. Ivan They're good with it."
"Glad to hear it," Ivan said, "Meet K over on the other side of Kirkwall the other group is already back you'll want to meet their new friends as well."
"Sounds like there are a lot of new comers to this planet," Blake remarked.
"I left the speaker on didn't I," Spyro said, "Yes sounds like it, that was Ivan on the radio he is another ACU commander."
"There are more than one of those mechs," Ruby gasped, "That is soooo cool."
"You really do like weapons," Diablo observed, "That is a pretty impressive piece of craftsmanship you have, where did you get it?"
"Get it," Ruby said insulted, "I didn't get Crescent Rose I made it."
"Made it," Spyro asked, "Actually never mind, there is K so I guess we will part ways for a bit. Still something to look forward to perhaps?"
"Sure," Ruby said, "Who is going to go through that portal with us?"
The portal she was referring to was an immense span of green that portrayed Kirkwall as it was twenty years ago, during the battle. Surrounding it were Shepard's crew, the Vault Hunters and their friends, Blood-Raven, Xarle, and Tom, Qui-gon, Starkiller, and Ignitus.
"All except K and Ignitus," Spyro said as he indicated each in turn. "I'll let you off by K, he won't be going through either but you can expect to see all of us on the other side."
"Crossing your own time stream," Blake said, "No wonder you can't go through."
"Spyro come over here I've got some news," Ignitus said.
"I'll be there in a sec," Spyro said as he landed next to K and let Ruby and Blake off, "K this is Ruby and Blake two of the new comers. Ruby, Blake do try to make it back I already like you two and we've only know each other for an hour. I'd like to see you all join up with us."
"Count on it," Ruby said, "Besides you said you'd show me the armory."
"Hmm," K muttered. He was in his human form, as he inspect the new arrivals, "Interesting... silver eyes?"
"What about them," Ruby asked, "Ozpin remarked about them also."
"Ozpin," K said, "I don't recall that name... If he was then I would know of him, your time line is concurrent with ours isn't it?"
"Hey sorry we're late," Ezio said as he, Lyndon, Beth, Lilith, Lil, Inarius, David, Nikki, and Leah walked over, "Hey who are the new ones?"
Blake walked over to Lyndon and introduced herself as the rest of her friends started to mingle with their new partners. Spyro and Cynder headed to Ignitus to see what the news he had for them was.
Character Ruby Rose
Ruby had immediately found Gaige once Spyro left. Gaige was just a year younger than her, which made her happy to not be the youngest one, but Gaige also had a self constructing robot that she could summon from her mechanical arm and Axton.
"Wow that is awesome," Ruby said as Deathtrap appeared.
"I know right," Gaige said, "Other than Ax I've got almost no one to talk tech with, well cept Scooter but he is... odd."
"Hey I heard that," Scooter said from Gaige's hand.
"What the," Ruby questioned.
"Oh that is just the omni-tool," Gaige said as she activated the device. Scooter appeared as a hologram in her palm. He was kind of ruffled and stained with grease but Ruby thought he looked kind of cute. "See we can talk to each other with it, use it as a weapon, unlock and build things with it," Gaige continued. "You can get one from Shepard over there."
"Hey Gaige who is the cute one with you," Scooter asked.
"Oh yeah and he can see us too," Gaige said as she went to turn it off.
"No wait," Ruby said but Gaige had already turned off the omni-tool.
"What you wanted to talk with him," Gaige asked, "You'll probably regret it but I can give you his frequency and you can get a device from Shep over there."
"Ok thanks," Ruby said, "I'll see you on the other side of the portal?"
"Yup," Gaige said, "Me, Ax, DT, and the rest. Oh and if you haven't met that new Wolfgang kid he is quite something."
Ruby nodded as she got the frequency from Gaige and headed to Shepard. Shepard was a man with an odd comb over, of reddish hair in contrast to his blue suit. He was next to a woman who had backwards facing knees and slightly glowing eyes.
"Hey there," The woman said, "I'm Tali, this is Harold, or Shepard whichever."
"Hi I'm Ruby," Ruby greeted, "I was told you could outfit us with omni-tools?"
"Sure can," Shepard replied, "How many do you need?"
"Eight," Ruby said thinking of her friends.
"All right," Shepard said, "Let me have Adams bring some out."
"So your going in with us too," Tali asked, "You, your friends, Gaige, they all remind me of when I was young and I first met Harold."
"What is with your legs," Ruby asked curious.
"Hmm, oh nothing," Tali said with a laugh, "I'm a Quarian, this is how we are."
"Another species," Ruby said, "How many different ones are there in DC?"
"Lots," Shepard said as he walked back over to them with a handful of devices, "Now these little devices sting when they go in."
"When they what," Ruby asked.
"They attach to the nerves in your wrist so you can control it mentally," Tali explained as Ruby accepted the little, square devices.
"Oh so how do I put it on," Ruby asked.
"Just flip the switch on the side and place it on your wrist it does the rest," Shepard said.
Ruby looked skeptically at Shepard but did as he said. "Yow," She cried as the omni-tool slipped into her wrist. "You weren't kidding now how do I oh. It has a built in tutorial. Well thanks Shep, later."
Ruby walked off to give the devices to her friends. Weiss activated her's with a hiss and Jaune yelped but the others just grimaced as they connected themselves with the DC communication network.
"You would think that with such advanced tech that process could be less painful," Yang said.
"At least it healed where it went in," Pyrrha commented.
"Now lets see if this works," Ruby said, "Calling team RWBY."
Blake, Yang and Weiss' omni-tools lit up and as they answered each popped up on Ruby's palm.
"That is useful," Ren remarked, "I'd say it was worth the pain."
"Now we can signal each other from anywhere," Nora exclaimed, "Purrrrrah Purrrah!"
"That's not what a sloth sounds like," Pyrrha said.
"Hey did I hear a sloth," Scooter said as his hologram popped up on Ruby's palm.
"Ha told you," Nora said, "So who is he?"
"Oh hey you must be them new kids," Scooter said, "I was told to let you know that you can get a ride at my shop in Torgue's ship if you need one."
"A ride what kind," Yang asked.
"Well now that I've scanned in DC's rides my Catch-a-Ride can create just about any vehicle you can think of."
"Motorcycles," Ren asked
"Sure can," Scooter replied, "We are parked just outside the city why don't you come by and pick up some rides after you get back from that portal thing."
"That sounds good," Weiss said, "You know I think I can get used to this crew after all."
"Well you got used to me," Ruby said.
"Hey you don't need no getting used to," Scooter said, "Yeah I'm still on the channel. I'll probably watch you on it the whole time your on the other side of that portal."
"Uh ok why," Ruby asked.
"Cause we are taking the ships through," Scooter said, "We've got a whole army in orbit."
"Oh. That explains why the portal is so big," Nora remarked.
"Yeah we're about to head through you all better get with the rest of the group," Scooter advised, "Wouldn't want to hear that you got lost or eaten or something. Specially you Red your a sweet one if I've ever seen one."
"Uh thanks I think," Ruby said as she cut off the omni-tool.
"Way to go sis, already making waves with the guys," Yang said, causing Ruby's cheeks to redden.
"No need to be embarrassed," Jaune said, "I was just as straight forward when I first met you all."
"Yeah but your attention was on me," Weiss said, "Until Pyrrha captured your attention."
"Sure that's great for you all but I don't even know how old he is," Ruby said.
"No more than Ax I'd guess," Blake said, "Just be careful..."
"We can tell you like him," Ren said, "Its on your face."
Ruby gave a little smile and shrugged as she said, "What do you think is on the other side of the portal?"
"My guess," Nora said, "Demons lots of them."
"I wonder what we are going to be doing," Jaune commented.
"You eight will be with us," said a man with shoulder-length, brown hair and a fuzzy beard. "I am Qui-gon Jin. The eight of you will be with Starkiller and me as we redirect a laser bombardment from space."
Ruby and her friends looked at each other then Ren asked, "A what?"
"High powered explosive lasers," Qui-gon said, "I see that doesn't mean anything to you. Its a lot of explosives."
"Oh," Yang said, "Well that sounds bad."
"It is," said another man who walked up beside Qui-gon. He was slightly shorter and had black hair, buzz cut, black eyes, and a full body black jumpsuit. "I'm Starkiller or Star if you don't mind, I'm trying to put my past behind me."
"Ok so we just protect you so you can stop an attack that already happened," Pyrrha said, "That doesn't seem possible."
"Well we are already on the other side of the portal," Qui-gon said, "We diverted the lasers then to hunt down our enemies Void and Despair, now we are going back to then bring about the destruction of the force that sent the lasers in the first place."
"Oh I see, you only did half of the job the first time so now if you don't go finish it then poof no now," Jaune said.
"I guess you did pay attention in class," Weiss remarked, "Impressive."
"Well lets do this," Blake said.
"Not without me," came a low rolling voice. A man in a black suit with a red flame embroidered on it's cuffs and back and with a hawk-like bone mask covering his eyes appeared from a flash of light. "Blake... I'm sorry."
"Adam," Blake gasped, "How did?" Blake and Adam just looked at each other for a few moments as the silence awkwardly dragged on.
"Hey red hot," Scooter said as he appeared on Ruby's omni-tool, "Some freaky spirit man just showed up asking for you all I gave him directions so expect him to be over... oh I see you met ok well good then, call me or something, you know like later."
"He is not the most eloquent of people is he," Adam remarked as Blake ran over and hugged him.
"I'm so glad you came back," she said.
"Hey you left me remember," Adam said as he pushed her back, "I know what you mean though... Blake I've made a mistake, a huge one. Roman has droids now and has aligned with Grimm."
"Wait the Roman Torchwick," Ren said, "You gave the most powerful criminal in the world droids and now they are all working with Grimm?"
Everyone was quite at that then Blake turned to them and smiled, "Well that is just something to look forward to when we get back."
"I'm sure Cardin and gang can handle it," Jaune said, "And we can't discount Ozpin or Goodwitch."
"We need to go," Star said as he pointed towards the portal. The ships had started passing through it and the other teams had also moved through it.
"If they can keep the enemy distracted long enough we might not need your protection little ones," Qui-gon said, "But just in case they don't I believe in you."
Ruby shared a smile with her friends as they accepted the older man's trust. They then headed towards the portal. On the other side it was a war-zone, demons of the variant they had fought just a little while ago with Spyro beset them almost immediately. Ruby cocked a round into the chamber of Crescent Rose and was about to charge the group when three explosions leveled the demons.
"Hey I got your back like a butt crack," Scooter said over the omni-tool, "Now get to wherever you need to go so we can get out of here."
"That is some powerful over-watch," Adam remarked. "That odd man did say he would be watching our backs."
"Yeah," Ruby mumbled as she looked up to the giant H that was above them. "Lets go, Qui-gon?"
Qui-gon seemed to look inwards for a moment before nodding towards the right side of the city. They had arrived outside the city with the others but the demons army happened to be camped outside the city so their companions were all occupied. The sea was to their left and the mountains were to their right but Qui-gon led them truly as they arrived at the gate without further incident.
"Now to see if the Sith have noticed our presence," Star remarked as they entered the tower that the lasers were aimed for. They were in the main hall which was lined with columns and had a red carpet running its length to the base of a set of stairs
"The who," Weiss asked.
"I would assume them," Ren said as he pointed to at least two dozen armored men in black and red robes walking towards them from side rooms that must have been concealed behind the columns.
"Weapons," Adam asked.
"Light-sabers," Star replied, "Energy weapons."
"Blockable by force fields then," Pyrrha said as her Aura surrounded Milo, her spear/rifle.
"You can generate force fields," Qui-gon remarked, "All of you?"
"Yes," Nora said, "Why?"
"Your not thinking of," Star started.
"I don't see any other choice," Qui-gon said.
"We've got this," Jaune said, "Energy weapons or not we will give you the time you need."
With that Ruby pushed Star towards the stairs of the tower while firing the chambered bullet at the oncoming attackers her attack was so unexpected that the unlucky Sith had his head blown off before he could block the shot. Qui-gon seemed to take note of her shot but continued with Star to the stairs.
"Get them," rasped the tallest of the attackers. Their opponents then each drew a red light-saber, the weapons were truly remarkable with the beam made of pure energy. Weiss, not to be out done charged Myrtenaster, her Dust sword, with the blue glow of ice.
"Hey beautiful I can't help you in there," Scooter said, "Y'all don't get dead now."
"Adam," Blake said.
Adam stepped forward, "Come at me!" He challenged.
"Such hatred," the leader rasped as he approached, "You are powerful."
Adam partially drew his sword, Wilt from its sheath, Blush, which also happened to be a shotgun. The Sith leader swept in like a lightening bolt but Adam was just a hair's breadth faster, Bringing Wilt and Blush up to block the strike form the saber, disabling the blade and charging Adam with a red glow.
"Adam," Blake warned.
"I've got this," he replied as he shot Wilt through the leader then dashed behind the falling corpse and caught the blade out of the air. Blake and Weiss jumped into the fray with their abilities and weapons. Then the rest of the two teams followed suit. The Sith seemed to be able to counter most of the team's attacks, all except Ruby's and Adam's that is or Weiss' area effect glyphs and spells. Whatever force the Sith used to predict their attacks didn't seem to work on Ruby or Adam though and the two of them whittled down their opponents until the overwhelming force of their attacks finished off the last Sith.
Adam sheathed Wilt as Ruby collapsed Crescent Rose and the others similarly put their weapons away, and Ren brushed himself off as he always did.
"We should go see if Qui-gon and Star made it to the top," Ruby said.
"Some of us should stay down here in case more of these guys show up," Adam said, "I'll stay."
"Only a couple of us need to go check on them," Blake said, "Ruby, Yang why don't you two go."
"Ok we'll be back down soon," Yang said, "Come on sis." They arrived at the top of the tower to find Qui-gon and Star in meditative positions and hovering in mid air.
"Uh Yang," Ruby said as she pointed to the sky. It was glowing red and Ruby could start to see the outline of lasers through the clouds.
"Don't worry," Star said softly, "They won't land."
Ruby and Yang looked at each other then Ruby walked over to the balcony and looked into the sky. There was a laser that had stopped right as it was about to touch the tower, then they all disappeared and the sky was lit up with thousands of explosions.
"It is done," Qui-gon said as he and Star returned to the ground, "This invasion fleet is destroyed, but the Sith are persistent they will be back, and I would guess they are arriving around the time we get back."
"Well that was a thing," Yang remarked, "So was that all we were sent here to do?"
Qui-gon laughed, "Yes to stop a planet from being destroyed is all we were sent here for."
"So we can head back then," Ruby asked.
"I think we should," Star said, "The less time we spend crossing our own time-line the better."
They made their way back to the portal, encountering their friends along the way, Qui-gon and Star were able to introduce them to most of the others and those they couldn't were quick enough to introduce themselves. Then they were caught up by K on the other side of the portal and had to tell him about their mission. He seemed quite interested in Ruby and Adam's ability to disrupt the Siths' force sensitivity, but he was called on to hear the other teams accounts and so left them to themselves, well almost.
"Hey there you are I thought I would find you here," Scooter said as he pulled up in an odd looking truck with a barrel catapult where the passenger seat should be, an extended bed to hold ten people and twin rocket turrets on the last two seats. "I saw that whole fight with those ninja dudes, you all were like hi-ya sho chop." He demonstrated with hand gestures the fighting he was referring to.
"Thanks for leveling those demons," Adam said as he and Blake went over to check out the car.
"Hey no problem," Scooter said, "You like my ride, I made her myself."
"You made that," Ruby asked, "Its awesome."
"Hey thanks I had hopped you would like it," Scooter said, "I'm Scooter I don't think we've officially met."
"Nope," Ruby agreed, "I'm Ruby and these are my friends, Yang, Weiss, Blake, Jaune, Pyrrha, Ren, Nora oh and that is Adam he is new to our team but Blake knows him pretty well."
"Yeah well that's cool I'll need details though," Scooter said, "I've got to make vehicles for you all so I want specs."
"Motorcycle," Yang said, "Preferably compact, Oh, and yellow with black trim."
Scooter looked like he was about to say something when the sky above them split open and a massive rift started pouring spaceships of all kinds out above them.
"Looks like there is no rest for us today," K said as he walked over to them, "You all are new so I'll fill you in as much as I can while we fight this invasion off. Then we are heading through that rift and are hunting down Lucifer."
"Ok," Scooter said, "But I don't make flying cars."
"That is why I'm here," K replied as he morphed from the white haired, black cloaked, human into a magnificent green and white dragon. His head alone was big enough for them to all fit on. Standing forty feet tall, and at almost three hundred feet long and with a wingspan of several times that, K was more than big enough for them all to ride on. "Get on," he said as he extended a paw to act as a ramp.
"Wow," Ren commented as they climbed up to K's back.
"So your a dragon too," Ruby asked.
"I am Leviathan," K replied, "The King of my kind, first of God's creations, I am Judgment. Hey Adam."
"K," Adam said.
"Wait you know each other," Blake asked.
"We have... a history," Adam said, "DC knows most of it already. Blake ever wonder why I am like I am?"
"Adam," K warned.
"Oh come on you never could hurt me before its not like you'll start now," Adam replied, "I... Thank you though, this is preferable to the alternatives."
"Uh what," Ruby asked as K took off into the air.
"You're never truly free of you past," K said, "It is up to God to decide if, when your past catches up with you, you will receive blessings or torture. I've been blessed it seems."
"K," called out another dragon, only this one a radiant crystalline, reflecting every color of the rainbow.
"C," K greeted as they met up and the Pestilence moved in overhead. "You've not had a chance to meet our newest group, they helped Qui-gon and Starkiller."
"A pleasure... K is that," C said.
"Shh," K replied, "Not yet."
"Ok Adam you owe me an explanation," Blake said, "But you can give it to me after we are done fighting for our lives."
"Don't be so dramatic," Adam said with a grin.
"So are we going to fight the whole fleet with just us and one ship," Jaune asked.
"Oh we could but that would waste our time and time is very valuable," C said, "K you have a few armies I believe that can deal with this?"
"My pleasure," K said. He let out a roar that ripped through the very air. His rift started pouring out demons, much more powerful demons than the whelps that Azmodan had, then from space started to descend a vast array of lobster like ships that began to engage the invading ships.
"Massterr," A ghostly apparition hissed, "We arre rready."
"Then go," K said, "Find your own liberation, but take as many of these Sith down with you."
"Thank you," it said as the demons started heading for the triangular shapes of the invading force.
"So these are Sith as well," Ruby said, "But didn't Qui-gon and Star blow up their army?"
"Twenty years ago in this universe," K said, "Yes they did, but that could equate to thousands of years in their universe."
"K," the ship, Pestilence, said.
"Doug," K asked.
"The DC team is accounted for except Scooter and those newest members," Doug said, "You have them?"
"We do," K said, "Let's blow past these guys, You have the remaining survivors of Thedas?"
"They are accounted for," Doug said, "the planet is empty."
"The whole planet," Pyrrha asked horrified.
"Azmodan and Belial were not kind in our absence," C said, "There were very few left upon our return."
"So we leave the Sith a heavily defended but uninhabited planet while we slip past their army and hunt down this Lucifer," Ruby said, "That is actually not a bad plan... I don't guess you can go back and save the rest of the people?"
"No," K said, "We have a great deal of freedom with the laws of time but the last time we were here we created a time rift, the one we are going through now actually, once it is fixed going back to the time before now will be very dangerous. Otherwise we would have all gone back to help with the lasers."
"Right you can't cross over your own time stream near such an unstable event," Weiss said, "It could destabilize the universe around it."
"I assume that we are just going to be passing through this universe to find Lucifer," Adam said.
"Exactly," K replied.
"Ok could someone tell me who this Lucifer is and why it is so important we find him," Yang asked.
"He is my brother," K said, "One of the seven with whom I plotted to overthrow God. We failed of course you can't beat God. Sin however was created from our betrayal, pain and loss and death and suffering exists because of us. Jesus saved me, I think the others can be saved to then only the creations follies will be their enemy, not them and us."
They were all silent for a while as they passed through the battle that was occurring around them. "K," Ruby asked, "Why is there no noise?"
"There is no air in space," K said, "You are breathing because I brought air from the planet with us."
"It's very nostalgic," Nora said, "So many explosions."
"It is odd but it is peaceful in a way," Weiss said, "Like we are divorced from the violence for a while while the world rages on around us."
Ruby smiled at that thought, "K," she asked, "Who will fight Lucifer if it comes to that?"
"I will," K said, "All of me."
"Ruby," Scooter said, "I really like this view, and I really like you, do you think that I can call this a date?"
Ruby partly suppressed a laugh, "Straight forward indeed," she thought. "Why don't we call it the first meeting."
"Close enough," Scooter said, "Yeah first base at last."
Yang elbowed Ruby and winked at her. Ruby rolled her eyes at her sister as they settled in on K's back as they drifted through space.