Rise Of The Grimm Reaper

by BlackDragonDevilGod

For ever path traveled in one reality, another one is taken. In one version of the world, Loki's invasion failed and his allies fell. But in another, the invasion still failed but Loki's Servant attempted to spite the Avengers and as a result, two worlds have become one. How will our heroes fare in this new world of bloody evolution.

3. Chapter 2 (Revised)

Hello my lovely peeps!

So here we go and i have to be honest. This will probably be the LONGEST chapter i have ever written so far. Really, the sheer size of it, had probably shocked you all as much as it had me. I tried to get everything out there and keep it simple, but the ball just keep getting bigger and bigger and BIGGER!

To the point iv'e added other characters from other animes to cover some of the more important parts of the story.

Another thing, i known i should have said this long ago, but after is started creating previews for my story, i should tell you now, that they may or may not come to be. As i tend to change my mind all the time, as i create new chapters for my stories. It's simply due to the fact i have no plan for my stories and make them up, as i go along.

Best way to write a story with a general idea. Letting it write itself, as the story comes along.

So, this ice storm wasn't nearly as bad as i thought it would be but it was certainly enough to prevent me from going to work today. Good thing about this, i have been able to finish the first chapter of this story and FUCKING HELL! This is my LONGEST chapter i have ever created and i would have made it longer but i just want to get this posted, before something terrible happens.

Like something happening to my labtop and at worse, DELETING ALL MY PROGRESS!

I would lose my shit if that happen. So, as always i don't own Marvel of Fate-series.

So please read, review and "What the fuc-BOOM"

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Chapter 1: Aftermath

Two Weeks After The War Of Worlds

"...information is still coming in and circling around the new hero group known as 'The Avengers' who saved New York from alien invasion. It is believed that the one responsible for our world to merge with another, was an ally of the invaders named Loki. Yes folks, THAT Loki, the brother of Thor and God of mischief from Norse mythology and his brother Thor the god of Thunder, is a member of the Avengers. It's now been confirmed that the lost son of Tony Stark, Xero Stark aka the Grimm Reaper and his adopted sister, Ritsuko Stark are not only a part of the Avengers, but the oldest Stark child is in fact the leader.

"Having caught a lot of footage during the battle in New York, many have wonder what kind of power the younger Stark was using, to summon the worlds greatest heroes back from the grave to fight for us. As impossible as it may seem, we have eye witness reports and footage, of legends like King Arthur, Jack the Ripper, Mordred the Knight Of Betrayal, Medusa Gorgon and even the holy saint herself, Joan D'Arc fighting in the battle. Is it some kind of unique power, magic of kind or some type of advanced technological device, that has allowed the siblings to summon heroes of old.

"As unbelievable as it may be, it's all true. Scholars from all over, have verified that the people and sudden army that just appeared in New York during the invasion, are indeed the heroes of legend. However all attempts to reach the young Stark have failed, as he hasn't been seen since the battle of New York. Some believe he has locked himself away in Stark tower and no one has been able to verify if this is true or not. However despite this, we have been able to confirm what caused the sudden combining of two worlds.

"From a secret source, we have been able to confirm one of Loki's allies, a man known as Gilles De Rais a knight and lord from Brittany, Anjou and Poitou, a leader in the French army, and a companion-in-arms of Joan of Arc had aided the mad god in his plans. He used HYDRA's secret weapon, an item we only know as, Tesseract to merge our worlds into one. It is unclear how he did it, all we known is that he did something to cause all this and change our world forever. But with a new world, comes new threats that we never imaged could have existed until now.

"From what we have gathered, the black creatures with the bone armor and glowing red eyes are known as the Grimm. Hailing from the world called 'Remnant' the Grimm are attracted to negative emotions. Even though we haven't received much information, it is clear they are an enemy to all of humanity and what's more, a new race of people have appeared with Remnant called, The Faunus. A race of humanoid people with a single animal trait and characteristics of said animal with heighten senses. If that wasn't shocking enough, many of these people are apart of a terrorist group, known as the White Fang. Details are still coming in about this group at this time.

"But sources from Remnant have told us, it was an organization that protested for Faunus rights, not unlike how black people and even woman protested for their own rights in the 1900's. One could even go far to say, the Faunus are like the mutants of our world, being feared and hated for something beyond their control. While our world still has plenty of racism problems, Remnant takes it a step further. From the reports we have been able to dig up, it is recorded the Faunus were once hunted down by humans and if not killed out right, kept as pets and or tortured simply for being different. In many ways, the Faunus are just like how black people were treated by whites, during the founding of this great country.

"But that is merely the tip of the iceberg, as talks between the four kingdoms, the United Nations and even the USA are going well. With the new threat to our world created by the creatures of Grimm, we have learned of a new type of super soldier that are the defenders of Remnant, The Huntsman. As much like our own world's version of Huntsman, they are the ones who hunt the apex predators known as the Grimm. Fueled by what they call the power of the soul, Aura, the Huntsman protect the people of Remnant from the terror of the Grimm. While many would call them heroes, many here at Channel 5 wonder if they are nothing more the glorified mercenaries.

"Unlike the leader of the Avengers, people have to pay for Huntsman's protection. While it is understandable, as Huntsman not only have to protect people but they have to pay for their homes, food, tools, equipment and even the power source that powers all of Remnant known as Dust. Unlike our world, Remnant does not run of fossil fuels, oil or even gasoline but the strange crystalized rocks of Dust. Dust otherwise known as 'Nature's warth' in Remnant, is not only it's lifeline but is always one of the main weapons against the creatures of Grimm. We don't know why or how Dust came into begin, not even the people of Remnant itself but most if not all the Dust is beginning mined by the Schnee Dust Company or SDC for short.

"In the confusion of everything that has happened, we have now received information on how this new world has merged with our own and it has done so, in the most unusual ways. Ways where the creatures of Grimm are becoming more and more problematic for, not just the USA but a number of countries like Russia, Europe, Mexico and even Austraila. Right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean the four kingdoms of Vale, Vacuo, Mistral and Atlas once known as Mantle appeared on our world. Vale and Vacuo however mass so closely towards our own country their practically in the USA's backyard in the northern states. Vacuo on the other hand, lands more closely to the southern states and Mexico. On the other hand, Mistral's location is somewhere between fitting between Europe and Russia. All the while Mantle aka Atlas has appeared at the far end of the world, closer to the North Pole then any other place.

"When our worlds merged, it is unclear how but someway the world itself has expanded. The ocean where these kingdoms appeared, for all intents and purposes, should have connected many countries together by land mass alone. However, scientist have discovered the entire WORLD itself has doubled in size. If our world wasn't big enough for you before, then it certainly is now. Moving on the SDC itself was founded and is run within Atlas itself and is run by a man known as Jacques Schnee. We don't have all the details but the SDC is one of the main targets for the White Fang. If that wasn't enough excitement, New York has been suffering from it's own unique changes.

"For the past two weeks, since the truth of their abilities have come to light, many people are demanding answers. If that wasn't enough, our reports have seen all attempts have failed and what's more, some have gone so far, as to KIDNAP the two teens and force them to be in their organizations. But all have ended in failure thankful but we haven't gotten the chance to get a comment from the Avengers have also ended in failure. We have however learned that Xero and Gudako Stark have been summoned to Washington, D.C. to attend a Senate Armed Forces Committee. We have reason to believe the committee intends to force the two into the armed forces and possible, asset their threat level to national security. With the recent battle of New York, just how dangerous are the Stark children, let alone the Avengers themselves?

"Because of their 'abilities' to summon the dead back to life, many religious leaders and groups are calling for their heads. Stating how the Stark children's abilities are 'heretics' that must be destroyed for playing god and even accusing the oldest Stark of 'Defiling the Holy Maiden'. Some how gone so far as to call the duo 'Devils' and their have been reports of a small group of people attempting to set Stark tower on fire but these attempts have been thwarted by the combine forces of the New York police and even members of a new government sanctioned group known commonly as Survey Corps. Even though we believe this is not the true name of the group, that is what Channel 5 has learned of them.

"The suspects have been brought in and claiming they were doing 'god's will by getting rid of these unholy usurpers.' Because of this a number of people have fought against this, claiming Xero and Gudako are heroes, that they are doing 'God's work' by summoning his right hand woman and many others to defend our world. In a shocking display, as many would expect churches from around the world to call for their heads, many of them are actually supporting the pair. While the church leaders and pastors have declined to comment on why they support the Starks, all we known for certain is that they do. This in turn, caused a surge of supporters for the heroes of New York but many are questioning this decision and their silence on the matter has also caused of surge insurgents against the Avengers themselves.

"The same could be said for the Avengers as well, since as we haven't been able to contact any of the Avengers and the silence is causing unrest within the population. As if their silence wasn't daring enough to make many questions who side their on, we have gotten new information on how our world and another became one. This information has revealed, while unclear how, it was Xero Stark that caused the merging of our two worlds into one. The public demands answers and have asked, if Xero Stark isn't guilty, why has he locked himself in Stark tower? Why does he and the rest of the Avengers hide at a time like this if they are not guilty? Was this on purpose or was it an accident? Many have wondered where he is and-"

"Turn that shit off, would you? I'm sick of listening to those vultures disrespect my husband and if i hear anymore of this crap, their claims that we're enemies of humanity are going to have more merit to them."

CLICK

Tony Stark shut the TV off, a frown on his face, as he looked at his daughter in law, Shiki Ryougi.

One could call the black haired woman, from a first glance, a cold, and aloof beauty. Many would assume, at a first meeting that she was cold and distant to anyone and everyone. But they'd be wrong, as after a while, Tony could see the layers behind her cold persona and see the kind and caring woman underneath. Though, you had to look deep.

The two where in Xero's room, as the younger Stark was seemly asleep, with his chest steady rising and falling.

"They're just going to pin all the blame on my husband and the rest of us aren't they?" Shiki asked, as Tony let out a grunt of annoyance before he said.

"The public opinion is very fickle, which is why i simple don't care what they think. One minute they're loving you and kissing the ground you walk on. The next, they turn on you like a pack of hunger wolves."

"Don't let Lobo hear you say that, he'll take offense to that and might want to take a bite out of you."

Tony only snorted but smiled at the woman's witty remark, while said wolf merely sat and watched unblinking in the corner of the room. His brown eyes however never left his son's still form, as this was pretty much all he did for the past two weeks. Simply sit at his son's bedside and waited for him to wake up. Like himself, the massive wolf was laying down, like he didn't have a care in the world, but Tony knew better.

The wolf's eyes never left his master's sleeping form, much like Tony. Only Tony had to eat, sleep and move so he wouldn't get too sore. Lobo and his rider however? Didn't even twitch a muscle.

Not once.

Nightingale had explained to him about the dangerous of "Mana exhaustion" and while Tony hardly understood most of the voo-doo shit, he got the general meaning.

Mana is basically Xero's fuel and his body is the car. Run out of fuel and the car won't work.

Bit of a crude comparison but that's one way to look at it. However, unlike a car, where you merely fill it up with gas again and it runs, Xero didn't wake up even after his magical core filled back to it's top form. Unlike a car, Xero was a living person and simply refueling the tank after it's gone empty, wouldn't be enough. The teen would need to awaken on his own accord.

A fact that drove Tony all kinds of mad.

Not mad as in anger. Mad as in, worried sick about his only son. Of course, some Servants never left their masters side, hiding just within the shadows, ever vigilant of anything and anyone they would believe to be a threat to their slumbering master.

"You know, this is why master wanted to remain hidden." Shiki said suddenly, making Tony look at her weirdly. The black-haired woman, despite her eyes never leaving her master's sleeping body she continued, "Humans will always fear the unknown and what they cannot manipulate, they will seek to destroy. That's simply fact, one you and i both known to be true. Of course, that is assuming there won't be any witch hunts now that it's been shown my husband can use magic. People can be pretty stupid and there is a very good chance, some will try to burn him at the stake or worse."

"You are right on the money with that they're going to have to get through all the Avengers, an army of Servants, those SHEILD STRIKE teams, a tiny healer that's really a witch doctor all things considered that's borderline a yandere, an honest to god dragon woman, a very possessive super soldier girl who's specialty is cutting into flesh, a short Gremlin with the strength of a hundred men, three death squads and myself if they want to get MY son."

Tony all but growled angrily, a dark look overcoming his face. Despite agreeing with the elder Stark, the Assassin did raise an eyebrow and ask,"Borderline yandere?"

"Asia might be very sweet and innocent, but that girl's got a screw lose in her head. Let's just say, there is a reason why i keep nails and hammers away from that girl, a very GOOD reason."

The short haired woman blinked and silently look up at the ceiling and ask out load, mostly to herself,"Why does my husband have to attract the weirdo's?"

"Maybe because my son is a weirdo himself? Maybe that's why he gets so well along with those SHEILD agents under Erwin's command. Cause their all weirdo's themselves?"

Ah yes, one of the few people that Nick Fury trusted and that honor belong to a man known as Erwin Smith. Someone that has proven he was loyal to SHEILD's mission in protecting the world and understands, if you want to change the world you need an iron will with equally iron nerves to do the unthinkable. To known and understand the need for sacrifice, for without sacrifice, nothing can ever change.

Despite his position, he is a kind and understanding man.

One that Tony's son got along with very well. Like Xero, Erwin had to make some very difficult and harsh choice's in his life, to help the common folk. Both were leaders and have order those who followed them to their deaths or caused their deaths. As someone who was a non-Servant, it was rare to find someone like Erwin that wasn't his enemy and it felt good, to find a like minded individual.

Another leader, like himself who understood very well, what it meant to be a leader and the burden they carried.

An equal you could say.

Someone that could understand the younger Stark and the fact he was still human, from his own time period no less, made him feel oddly warm inside. Xero didn't know why finding someone like that made him feel better and it may have, just the fact he found someone that remind Xero, he was still human. Despite all the things he had done and many of them being inhumane at the time.

So yeah, regardless of what he felt, Xero was just happy to find someone he could relate too. One that wasn't a Servant, as Erwin had no real obligation to be comrades, let alone be friends with someone like him.

If it works, then it works.

"Hmmm, probably both." The Assassin muttered to herself, already accepting that simple fact her husband/master was a weirdo himself, complete with his own quirks. There was no escape, so no point in fighting that truth. Just then, a new voice cut her out of her musings.

"Xero-dono is still out?"

The Servant and father of Xero looked at the entrance to the room, to see a woman with long, disheveled shoulder-length black hair, a Greek nose and relaxed dark eyes. She wore a white T-shirt and blue jeans, that hugged her lean and slim body, showing while she wasn't busty as many of the woman in Stark tower, she wasn't petite either.

This woman was called Pieck Finger.

An odd name, for an odd woman. Like many of the others Xero had met during his life, he rescued the woman from captivate. She and her entire village were raided by an old foe of Tony's:

The Ten Rings.

A terrorist group, one Tony believed he finished off during his first days as Iron Man. Not only did was Xero and the others able to save Pieck from there clutches but they discovered another group was secretly funding them called Advanced Idea Mechanics or AIM for short. Even though there was no record of this group anywhere in the databases, even SHEILD was in the dark about them, Tony couldn't help but feel like he had heard of them from somewhere before.

The same with Pepper and even Happy but no one could remember where they had heard of them before. A fact that worried them greatly, as it was a nagging feeling in the back of their minds. They knew who it was but every time they try to remember, ever time they got close to the truth, it slips away.

It was maddening.

Despite this, they tried to pick up AIM's trail after hacking into the databases for the Ten Rings. But whoever they were made sure to cover their tracks very well. All the Avengers and SHEILD managed to get from the computers, was that whatever AIM was, they were well funded, smart and very dangerous. If they kept doing business with the Ten Rings, they would be able to unleash untold destruction without anyone being able to challenge them.

Something that could spell disaster for the rest of the world, if they decide to try and pull a Red Skull.

However they wouldn't be able to grow to that point, as Xero, Gudako, their Servants with Clint, Natasha and even Steve helped destroyed what was left of the Ten Rings after they killed everyone from Pieck's village, when she refused to make weapons for them. The woman, after learning that looked like her entire world was shattered and Xero made sure to get vengeance on them for what they did. As it turns out, Pieck was a prodigy in making unique and deadly weaponry.

While yes, Tony could do better if he was given enough time that wasn't the point. Ever since he got out of the weapons manufacturing games, people have been scrambling to either find or be the next "Tony Stark" in terms of making the best weapons on the market and or their customer. It was either finding them on sale or looking for someone that could rival or beat Stark in terms of weapons.

Which sadly, Pieck didn't realize until it was too late. She was a proud woman and a bit prideful, so she proudly showed off her skills as a weapons smith. That is what drew the Ten Rings attention onto her. She had no idea what kind of hell she would unintentionally unleash, due to her pride.

A fact that left a scar on her heart.

Truth be told, it was honestly a bit naive of the elder Stark to believe, after he stopped making weapons, it would stop the bad guys from getting weapons. At the very least, he hoped it would slow them down at the very least and it did, which saved many innocent lives.

And more importantly, their blood wasn't on his hands. It wasn't his weapons being used, so by default he wasn't accountable for said lives, being lost.

Tony knew the bad guys will always look for bigger and better weapons, but to kill an entire village simply because one woman refused to make weapons for them, made him sick to his stomach. He knew he made the right choice in stopping his company from making weapons, he just didn't realize how desperate it would make them.

Desperate enough to raid a village and hold it hostage, trying to force a weapons prodigy to work for them. A part of Tony felt like he was at fault for what happened and that the villagers blood was on his hands, as well as the Ten Rings. After all was said and done, some in SHEILD wanted the dark haired woman to work for them but Pieck just stuck to Xero's side.

She trusted him, as he made sure she was fine. Made sure she had everything she needed and showed genuine care to her, when Pieck lost everything. Her home, her friends and family.

Even her purpose in life.

Xero gave her a new purpose, a new home and even family, when he could have easily let SHEILD handle the situation. For that, she would forever be grateful to him, for all that he had done for her. Pieck was no fool, she knew there were more then a few within SHEILD and some of their "Friends" would use her talents to reproduce weapons of mass destruction, regardless of the loss of life it would cause.

The younger Stark stopped that by vouching for her and taking her under his protection(Which meant she was under the protection of Tony Stark), ensuring they couldn't force her into anything she didn't want to do. The fact he gave her a new family in the process, while unintentionally made it all the more sweeter. The situation she was in, was a very bad one and she got the best deal out of it, all thanks to Xero.

Which is why she even started calling him "Xero-dono".

Much to the annoyance of many and Tony's amusement. His kid was a trouble magnet and always seemed to draw more people in, as a result. Which seemed to land him into even more trouble.

So with this in mind and her unique skills, Tony gave Pieck a job at Stark industries, much to the anger of Fury's superiors. But that didn't stop her from making the ODM(Omni-Directional mobility) Gear for Fury's new STRIKE((Special Tactical Reserve for International Key Emergencies) teams, after the previous ones were "KIA".

Official anyway.

In reality, they were quietly killed off by Xero's Assassins, after learning they worked for HYDRA. Though with the STRIKE teams destroyed, it left some pretty big shoes to fill in and the WSC(World Security Council) not only threw a bitch fit over the loss of said teams, they tried to pin the blame on the younger Stark with no evidence to back it up.

Even though they were right, they couldn't prove it.

Naturally, this is when Nick Fury saw a golden opportunity to not only, stick it to HYDRA but really do some good in the world.

After the disaster with the previous STRIKE team being all HYDRA agents, the chaos within the world caused by them and many criminal organizations around the world, Fury decide to create a entirely new division within SHEILD. One that would uphold the principles of it's founders and to be more then just a shield to protect the people.

You cannot protect people with just a shield, you need a sword to smite evil with. Which is why the director of SHEILD had named one of the few people he trusted to handle this new division. That man is none other then Xero's new friend, Erwin Smith.

While the Avengers would fight the battles, the world could never do. Meanwhile the new divison, the Wings Of Freedom would be the ones to help the Avengers and protect the masses. Not only would it lighten the load the Avengers would have in protecting the world, it would put the common folk at ease, seeing normal people doing incredible things with nothing more then just advanced gear.

The sad fact remains is the Avengers can't be everywhere at once. They can't always suit up in time and at times, by the the time they arrive, it'll be too late. The Wings on the other hand, are basically a fast response tactical team. They can quickly arrive, deal with the threat and within record time. Fury didn't doubt Xero could do the same, as could any of the Avengers but here's another sad but true fact.

The Avengers, as amazing as they are, won't be around forever.

The Wings Of Freedom aren't here to replace the Avengers, but be they're partners. People who can help gods among men and do just as much good, as they can without amazing power. Only showing the power of humanity as a whole.

While the Avengers fight the big baddies, the Wings would secure and protect all those not involved, while offering assistance when needed. Their first, real test of this teamwork happened during the battle of New York and introduced the Wings to the world, alongside the Avengers.

Partners in heroics.

It also helped to show everyone, that the Avengers did answer to someone and weren't just a bunch of vigilantes that ignore the law. The haters would lose ammunition to use against them, while improving public opinion of them to boot. To ensure no one would try to use the Wings for their own selfish gain, Fury had this newly created division to report directly to him and to a certain extent, Erwin himself.

In doing so, nobody would be able to make them do their dirty work. Like how HYDRA used the previous STRIKE teams as their personal death squads.

To ensure this didn't happen again Fury and Erwin appointed Levi Ackerman to put together his own team, his own squad within the division to ensure there were no HYDRA sleeper agents hidden among them. Despite being short, the man was deadly as hell and had superhuman abilities, thanks to his families lineage. His unique talent and skills with a sword had earned him the nickname:

SHEILD'S Strongest Soldier.

Many would compare the man too Clint and Natasha, as like those two, Levi used unconventional weaponry(Like Clint and his bow that has bested everyone he has faced) and doesn't take shit from anyone, beating anyone that comes his way(Like Natasha and her unmatchable skills in hand to hand combat). The only difference between the three is, while Clint may act like a clown at time and Natasha would be the stoic but kind beauty.

Levi was neither of these things.

He was the short, irritable, quick tempered, stoic and a clean freak of the highest order.

But that didn't mean he didn't care about anyone. It was in fact, the opposite actually. You see, Levi personally believed he was cursed, as everyone he gets close to, be they friends or dare he say, family, they all died horrific and brutal deaths.

All the while, he wasn't even there for them but he was certainly there to see the results of said deaths. The man was broken, that was an open secret to everyone in SHEILD, as he rarely lets anyone in but when he does, you can count on him to have you're back. Back before he joined SHEILD, no one knew the full story of who he was or what he did.

All they knew, was Erwin dragged the short man to SHEILD, kicking and screaming the whole way.

On his first mission, he lost two people he cared about and ever since then, Levi has trusted Erwin and his judgement ever since. Since Erwin trusted Fury, Levi did too but had no problem with making snarky comments to their superiors and just anyone he didn't like in general. No one dared to strike back at Levi, for fear of getting every bone in their body broken as a result.

It just wasn't worth the pain they would feel, for a couple of seconds of satisfaction.

Now back to his bloodline, it wasn't well known and honestly could be considered a closely guarded secret but doctor Erskine had used his "Super Soldier" serum on a third party.

One not connected to the Red Skull or Captain America.

The Red Skull was the first and the good Captain was the final product of the serum. So that begged the question:

Who was the middleman between the two?

It was shortly after the Red Skull was created, did Erskine realize the evil he had unleashed and in his desperation to make amends, he went to an old friend. That old friend was named John Ackerman, a sickly young man that was on death's door with a very rare genetic disease that killed members of his family for generations. John let Erskine use an imperfect formula on him, simply because in his own words:

"It can't make it any worse then it already is."

The results were...shocking to say the least.

John was not only healed of his disease, but his body while it remained small and sickly looking, had the strength and power of a hundred men! No that was wrong, as his strength had grown to the point, he couldn't even be called human anymore, the power in his muscles were inhuman!

But it didn't stop there.

Whatever he did, he could do it like a seasoned veteran and no matter what he did, he did it with skill that could only be acquired from years of training. The man was even smarter and more focused but as a result, like a machine. But he become more stoic and closed off.

His attitude became that of someone who did his job, without thought or complaint and only getting emotional under extreme circumstances. If such a situation were to arise, then the man would become a beast, destroying anything or anyone in his way. In addition the families mental capacity both heighted in many aspects but also made it a bit troublesome in others.

The Ackerman's have a tendency to become...VERY attached to their loved ones. Once you've gained the loyalty of an Ackerman, you have it for life. While many would confuse loyalty with friendship, the Ackerman would more then likely chose the one they are loyal to most of all, over everyone else.

Friend or not, thus making them very dangerous.

After all, the serum enhances everything, so good became great. Bad...became worse.

It was because of this success, that Erskine was able to prefect the serum but kept John's involvement a secret, for fear of people coming after him and his family. It had worked, as very few knew the secrets of the Ackerman clan and the truth behind their super human abilities. Fury was one of the few that knew the secret, as did Xero, which is why he suggested to the older man, he make Levi and Mikasa apart of the new STRIKE squad.

Hell she became apart of the new division altogether.

Although he knew better, when Xero learned that Mikasa, the last of the Ackerman clan(Baring Kenny and Levi) had been sold into sexual slavery at a young age, the younger Stark used the machine they used in Chaldea to fix the Singularities, in order to pin-point the location in the timeline and change it.

Yes, it was reckless, irresponsible and even impulsive too a certain degree but he did it anyway. Unfortunately Xero got there a second too late to save her parents, so he could only save Mikasa from the slavers. But the pain of losing her parents in such a brutal fashion and Xero coming to save her, had helped unlock her hidden power. Knowing he couldn't take care of a young girl, even though it was only 13 years into the past, he had to leave her behind. He already screwed with the timeline enough as it was and while he was more then happy to screw it over to save an innocent life.

He had only one go around and had to make it count.

That and Mikasa was too young and would never survive ray-shifting, as it tear her body apart. She wasn't even a Magi by blood, so she was unable to rayshifit. So before he left, Xero made sure Mikasa was left with good and loving foster parents, the Jeagers, Grisha and Carla. And their young son, Eren.

But he had to convince the girl first, as Mikasa originally refused to leave his side for a second. She cried and begged the master of Chaldea to take her with him, breaking Xero's heart even more. She only relented when he promised, they would see each other again in the future. Well, not him promising but more like Mikasa swearing she would grow bigger and stronger, so she could find him again and stay by his side, as in her own mind, she believed she was "too weak" to save her parents.

The reason why her savior wouldn't take her with him, was simply because she was too weak, to follow him. Xero tried to discourage that line of thought but the young girl remained stubborn on the matter and wasn't going to take "no" for an answer. Ultimately, he just drop the subject and with tearful goodbyes, he returned back to his own time.

...But not before he went and made sure to destroy the slavery ring, killed all the would be clients and buried Mikasa's parents.

Though during the week he stayed at the Jeager home. While waiting for his Assassin's, Riders and even Archers to track down the slavers, he met Eren's only friend, a boy named Armin Alert. If he wasn't answering the boy's many, many questions, he was dealing with his "Little duckling" as Carla called Mikasa. Seeing as the girl would follow him everywhere he went, she was like a baby duckling following after her mother.

It was cute as hell.

If that wasn't enough, during the week the small girl would sneak into his room in the dead of night and cling to him in his sleep. She looked so peaceful and content, he just didn't have the heart to tell her no. The little munchkin had been through hell and back, Xero just couldn't deny her that small mercy. Not that he could, little Mikasa was an adorable Mikasa.

He knew that there would be some blowback for screwing with the timeline but he just didn't give flying fuck at the time. He wouldn't let those bastards disgrace the good doctor's life works, nor let an innocent girl to rot in hell, simple because a few ripples would cause change.

So, fuck history.

True, some history should remain the same, as that is what caused the whole "Grand Order" to began in the first place. But there are some points in history that could be change without any major blow back, Xero just had to be careful about it.

Saving Mikasa wasn't the first time he had changed history permanently.

After all, he already made one major change to the timeline.

In the year 2006, May 13th, Thursday, when he posed as a Marine solider, in order to get entrance into his next trail. These trails, once they began would temporary strip him of his magic, enough so he couldn't summon his Servants or use any kind of magical enhancement or spells. He had to face and overcome these trails using his own skills and strength to win.

If he couldn't do anything without his magic, then he didn't deserve it.

As a result, he had completed three of the Eight Trails Of Magic, proving himself worthy to carry the Mazoku name and symbol. Naturally the trail itself, was held in the form of Sumerian mythological demon Pazuzu aka The House of Ashes. These trails were leading him onto a greater understanding of magic, one that allowed him to learn a lost art known as:

The Voice.

But that tale is for another time.

Of course it was only now, did Xero understand that he had become Mikasa's precious person and while she was loyal to her squad, her friends, her comrades, her cousin Levi, her adopted brother Eren and by that extension SHEILD. She joined because it was to look for him and protect the reamining family she had left. One may not believe it, but she was a protector at heart.

However that attitude had it's own draw backs, as if she had to betray both in order to protect the younger Stark, she do it in a heartbeat. When her parents died, Xero could see it in her eyes, the light had gone out. When he found her, all he found was a broken, porcelain doll that held no will of her own.

Mikasa had lost the will to live, after her parents brutally death.

It was only by sheer, dumb luck was Xero able to reignite her will to live. But like everything else, that came with a price as the outgoing, cheerful and happy girl that Mikasa once was, is dead and gone forever. In her place was a strong, stoic woman with a body of steel with an iron clad will but a heart made out of fragile glass. To gain something you have to lose something.

Law of nature.

An Ackerman's love is a scary thing and one, who's loyalty could surpass that of Diarmuid Ua Duibhne without his sense of honor.

Which was both a shocking and scary combination. It made it worse, with her ability to master everything she touched and her skills were unmatched by anyone, save for Levi.

Bloody monsters.

In any case, with the high success rate in the field of the ODM gear, Xero proposed to the dark haired woman to allow the NYPD to have it, forming their own special unit. Yuri and Janet were all for the idea, as Pieck liked the idea. She wanted her weapons to be used for good and New York city was basically an iron jungle. With many tall buildings and structures as far as the eye could see. All of them very big, thick and easy to grapple onto.

The prefect environment for ODM gear.

The best part is, the bad guys wouldn't be able to just steal the gear and use it for themselves. Each and every single one was specially designed to fit their users. That was of course, not mentioning they were trained in using the gear and the aptitude test, that determines who can use it effectively. The test, tested a person's ability to keep their balance, as it was essential in using the gear.

Some simply have it and others simply do not.

Pieck wanted her weapons to do some good in the world and after almost being forced to work for terrorists, she got her ass into gear to fulfill that goal. With the crime rate going down even further and emergency response teams having a higher success rate, due to them being able to cut past traffic proved to the raven haired woman she did good.

Barely a month of the equipment being introduced and used by the police force and EMS's, it has already well proven it's worth. While yes, the ODM gear is pretty much useless on level ground, New York had plenty of things to latch onto. In a lot of ways, the gear could have been based off of Spider Man and how he use's his webs to get around town so quickly.

Xero had arranged a meeting between the two and needless to say, they hit it off.

Funny enough, it was Peter swinging around New York on his webs, that gave Pieck the inspiration to create the ODM gear. She had watched the footage of Spider Man moving so fast, so quickly throughout the city of New York, doing impossible feats within a short time period. The only way he could have done half of it, is because of his web swinging around the Iron Jungle.

So Pieck had a thought, if one man could do all that good, what would happen if many more people has access to the same method?

Naturally, Peter was fine with it. While many would be offended and maybe, even anger, Peter wasn't. He wanted to protect New York, his home to the best of his ability but he was just one man. He couldn't be everywhere at once and despite his speed, he can't be in two places at one.

But now he didn't have too, as specially selected members of the NYPD were chosen to be fitted out and trained on how to use the ODM gear. The crime rate, which was already low, had dropped so much, New York was considered one of the safest cities in the world. The City That Never Sleeps, was no longer safe for criminals, not even a pick pocket could steal something, without getting jumped by either heroes or police.

Though, after the battle of New York, several officers, Wings and soldiers lost their lives. Many of which will be missed and will be honored as heroes for centuries to come.

While yes, there were shocking enough no civilian casualties, they did lose quite a few good men and woman as a result. This fact really skyrocketed the Avengers and Wings Of Freedom popularity. Those who were against the Avengers being created, now keep their mouths shut, as to go against them now would basically be nothing short of political suicide.

But that didn't stop certain elements from trying to take a strike at them. All eyes were on them and while they've got amazing PR, it also made it easier to turn everyone against them. While it would take work, it wasn't impossible.

After all, the higher you climb the ladder, the further you fall off it.

For the most part, Pieck was laid back, relaxed and if not, a little silly at time with a brilliant mind. She is able to deduce a situation quickly and realize just how big the consequences be they good or bad. She had a strong sense of justice and knew, sometime to do good things, you need to do bad things. But the girl was quick to defend her new found friends and family.

Naturally she did it, with a witty and sharp tongue that would tear anyone apart with words alone.

But she was a kind, if not an eccentric woman and that fact made her right at home with the newly formed Avengers. The fact Tony got ANOTHER smart person in the tower, as his son, Bruce, the two Da Vinic's and even one of SHIELD's top researcher in biology and tech, Hange Zoe when she came back for their thoughts on certain topics.

Sometimes she ever brought her newly acquired protege, which turned out to be Mikasa's childhood friend, Armin. Despite learning under the less then sane woman, Armin was a polite but shy person. He doesn't have much confidence in himself, Hange was working on building it up. Despite this, the boy was a growing genius, much to Tony delight to met ANOTHER person that could match him in terms of brain power.

It was something very rare for him to find and ever since he met his son, more and more seem to keep popping up. Something Tony was very happy about, as he had people that he could talk to on even ground.

After all, two heads are better then one.

Or in this case, five heads are better then one and when Armin came with Hange, six heads proved to be are then one.

Back to the present, the drowsy looking woman looked worried at the comatose form of Xero. Behind her, was the ever stoic Mikasa, who looked like she could be related to Pieck, with the same skin tone and dark hair, only it was cut in a tomboy fashion. The woman was a fairly tall, physically fit, and well-toned woman with muscles lined throughout her arms, legs, and abdomen. She is of partial Asian heritage, with pale skin, gray eyes, shaggy black hair that was long until she cut it to chin-length and of course, the red scarf Xero gave her so long ago. It looked to be very old but well maintained and cared for, over the years.

There is a small scar below her right eye, which was due to an injury delivered by an mortar round that she barely escaped from. It was during her first mission, when she first joined SHEILD and long story short, she was the soul survivor of her team, who were killed in a botched operation. Despite doing everything she was suppose to, it still haunted her to this day.

Yet another scar on her fragile heart.

Though a piece of shrapnel had found it's way to her face and she was very lucky to only get a small scar from it.

Because of the riots and a great many of people demanding answers from the Avengers and a good number of them actively trying to kill the younger Stark, Fury had assigned the STRIKE teams to guard him. Because of this, Mikasa is wearing a black SHEILD uniform, which features a breastplate with an emblem of two wings, one white and the other blue, encircle each other.

This was the symbol of the new division, the Wings Of Freedom.

It was only thanks to them and SHEILD's involvement, they are the only thing that is keeping the army and various other parties that would simply kidnap the Magi's. That and it was an open secret but if the Servants didn't fuck you up first, it would be Mikasa that would fuck you up.

That was a hard lesson learned, when General Thaddeus E. "Thunderbolt" Ross attempted to take Xero and Gudako. But it was only thanks to the Special Ops Squad aka The Levi Squad, with Fury claiming the Avengers did he back off. The older man had been called by the president of the USA and the the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, Veterans Affairs, and the Attorney General.

Despite the fact Xero and Gudako COULD pose a threat to not just the USA but the entire world in general, the fact they've worked so hard to save it is what caused them to back down. The younger Stark had earned the public's love by protecting them from criminals and now that he's leading a group that protected the world from a hostile alien army, with America's poster boy aka Captain America at his side, it be beyond stupid to try and attack him.

He was practical a national hero because of this and all his deeds had earned his waves of public support. But that wouldn't stop the normal people from asking questions. Yes, the people would be demanding answers from them but Fury could at least made sure, Xero and Gudako would get a chance to defend themselves.

However what the younger of the two Stark children told his enhanced agent had left him speechless:

"It doesn't matter what we do, we have magic Jess. We're guilty on that fact alone and no matter what we do, they will always find someway to try and screw us over. The rich and powerful do whatever they want and will twist whatever they want, regardless of how many people suffer for it. After all, what's one person compared to millions more? The only thing protecting us right now, is the fact Tony is one of the most richest and most powerful person on the planet, that'll only make it easier for them to frame us in a bad light.

"We're now well known and everybody loves a scandal more then the truth itself. Sure, the public loves us right now but their opinion is too flick, one wrong move and suddenly, we're the evil monsters that need to be brought to 'justice'. The truth doesn't matter, as those assholes in power, who want a power that will never be theirs, will twist it in anyway the want and in the end, we suffer for it. Why do you think Magus stay hidden? The last time we we're widely known to be actually magically, we we're pushed to the brink of extinction, simply because we refused to be living weapons. So sorry Jess, but tell Fury while we may trust HIM, we DO NOT trust his boss's. It's only a matter time before they have tanks rolling up, trying to either capture or kill us. Fate has never been too kind to me, Xero or our people. I guess you could say, normal people have pushed us to become what we are today, but i guess it doesn't really matter. It is what it is and now, we wait for the inevitable. Some people, hell many might accept us and leave us be, but others will not. It's just the way things are. After all, the world is a cruel place."

In all honestly, Fury didn't know what horrified him more. The fact a girl, barely into her teens had such a dark and cynical mindset or how TRUE it was. Both Magi and Fury knew, Gudako spoke the truth to Jessica Drew and that is what caused him, to assign the Levi Squad to ensure they were protected from anyone who dared try and take them.

Fury had explained this to his superior's and hoped that would cause them to back off.

Most of them took his words to heart but naturally, Ross simply didn't care. Something Fury saw coming a mile away and was there, when Ross attempted legally kidnapping. Claiming the Avengers as a SHEILD team and getting orders from the President himself, made Ross back off, even though he looked like he had sucked on a lemon.

That should have been the end of the issue.

...At least it should have been, as despite this one of Ross's soldiers attempted to force their way in but was quickly cut to pieces by Mikasa. The poor sucker didn't even get to blink, let alone an inch closer to the tower before the Asian woman cut off his arms, legs and head in one fell swoop. It didn't help no one saw her move, as she did so.

One minute, they were a good couple of feet apart, the next?

The nameless soldier was all over the place. The next words she spoke, sent a chill down everyone's spine, with a dark promise of never ending pain and torment should ANYONE try again.

"My specialty is tearing through flesh and I'd be more than happy to demonstrate that technique. If anyone tries to take Xero or Gudako, gets to taste my steel."

This had nearly set off all of Ross's soldiers and almost shot the woman, had Fury simply told them, she was under orders to not let no one into the Stark tower. If she had to kill them, be they a criminal, civilian or even soldier then she was to kill them. Ross had to grit his teeth and back down, cause he knew the director of SHEILD was well within his rights to do so and the woman was merely following her orders.

The only reason they even got away with this, was because of the fact Xero and Gudako had massive targets on their backs. Not only was their world merge with a new one altogether but they both had many enemies. If not for what they've done, it because of what they can do and the fact, they are the children of Tony Stark aka Iron Man.

Many would pay a king's ransom to get back at Stark and god knows what else. So, Fury and Mikasa were able to get away with killing one of Ross's soldiers in cold blood, under the guise of following orders.

But everyone knew she would have done it regardless of orders or not.

Many of her fellow SHEILD agents believe she wasn't even human and Levi would admit, both of them were freaks of nature. Thanks to their inhuman skills, many didn't dare give them any shit and those that did...well, last time a newbie had tried to grope Mikasa's ass about a year ago. Last anyone heard, the newbie was still in the hospital, eating through a straw.

Best to steer clear of them and do everything you can, to stay on their good side.

To finish her outfit, there are many belts to accommodate all the different gear; support rods around her chest for the gas canister; and tall black boots. She also carries guns, thunder spears, an additional gas tank, and canisters running vertically down her legs. Within the canisters were also swords, for close combat and she wore an armor breast plate.

All and all, the woman looked ready to wage a one-woman war on the world.

A true war machine.

Despite this, Tony couldn't help but think Soldier Girl, looked like a fragile woman trying to care for her lover that was on death's door. It was no secret Mikasa could be a bit...obsessive when it came to his son. For many years, her goal had been to grow stronger and find Xero again, to show him, she could stand by his side again.

To feel that same warmth he had given her, oh so many years ago. Then two, almost three years ago, he suddenly pops up and starts making a name for himself. Mikasa was shocked to see he had not change, hadn't aged a day since she last saw him. She used every resource SHEILD had at it's disposable to track down her loved one again.

But sadly, every time she got close to finding him, he end up on another continent before she could touch down. Mikasa didn't want to admit but she felt her heart break a little more, each time Xero slipped from her grasp. It was like he was avoiding her deliberately, even though she knew that wasn't the case.

The Asian woman figured Xero knew he was being tracked and did the smart thing, staying one step ahead of the tracker. You could never be too sure, as the one tracking you may not have pure intentions, like she did. Personally she liked that, as her savior wouldn't be taken or tricked so easily by anyone with less than pure intentions but it made it all the more harder for her to find him.

But she finally caught up to him and their reunion went as good as it could go. With some joyful surprises and the trust between SHEILD and the newly created Avengers grew even stronger. If Mikasa wasn't on a mission, she was usually within the tower, spending time with Xero and catching up on how the two have been. Armin and Eren, both fully grown and having joined SHEILD with Mikasa, the four had quite the pleased reunion.

Personally at this point, Tony didn't even bat an eyelash when he heard this. Considering how crazy his life has become, he half expected shit like this, to keep happening.

Though Tony was surprised to see Armin had a wife, named Annie Alert once Leonhart.

It wasn't the fact Armin had a wife that surprised, it was the woman herself. Despite having only met Armin a couple of times before, Tony could describe him as smart, cheerful, optimistic and a bit insecure. His wife, however was the opposite. Annie was cold, a realist and everything she did, she did with complete confidence in herself.

Fire and water.

You couldn't get any more different but they do say, opposites attract.

Groan

Tony was ripped from his thoughts, as everyone looked to see Xero finally waking up, groaning as he put his hand to his head and said, "Fuck...did Shuten trick me into drinking her special brand of alcohol again? I swear, if she did-"

"XERO!"

He was cut off, as Mikasa wrapped her strong arms around his neck and pulling him into a hug, as Tony did the same only around his waist. The teen groaned again, only this time it was because of his bones breaking under death hugs.

You'd figured he get use to them by now, since he's already gets one at least once a day.

"Okay, uncle, uncle, I'll talk just stop crushing me." Xero wheezed out, as he felt his bones cracking under the combined hugs. Merciful they do so, though reluctantly Mikasa slowly let go, as Pieck merely smirked and spoke.

"Good to know you're sense of humor is still intact Xero-dono."

"And you're still as obnoxious as ever Pieck." Xero said without missing a beat, settling back into the bed and said, "What happened? Did we win?"

Everyone smiled, as Tony patted his son's shoulder, "That we did kiddo, all thanks to you. If you don't believe me, ask wolfy over there."

"Grrrr." Said wolf growled at Tony, while his headless rider gave Xero a thumbs up, making the dark haired teen smile. He looked around to see all those in his room and asked.

"Where is everyone else?"

Before they could answer, Artoria Alter Rider aka Maid Alter appeared through the doorway, with a tray of food in hand, "All the Servants believed it would be better for you to awake without being completely overwhelmed by everyone my queen. Don't worry, sooner or later everyone will dogpile you soon enough."

She finished with a small smirk, making Xero groan, already feeling his bones ready to break all over. Seeing the food, Xero nodded his thanks, as he began to eat into it. Tony looked like he wanted to say something but held himself back.

His kid just woke up and there was no need to tell him about the news on how those assholes in DC wanted to basically do the same thing, they did to him before. Namely taking his suits to turn them into their own personal weapons. Now they more than likely wanted to do the same thing to his son, as Ross already tried once before. Just because they failed once, doesn't mean they won't try again.

It was just a matter of time now.

"Hopefully..." Tony thought to himself, looking at his son with a sad smile, "things will finally start to get better. They won't dare do anything to him or Gudako, while the public supports them but that doesn't mean they won't try. Not to mention this new world order bull. Things are going to get interesting that's for sure."

But for now, Tony would just let sleeping dogs lie. Let the happy mood everyone had remain, before shit hit the fan.

"AAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!"

Or not.

The happy atmosphere was broken, when Mikasa dropped to her knees and clutched her head in agony, screaming out.

"Mikasa?! What's wrong?!"

Despite nearly tripping over his legs, Xero quickly got to the loyal raven-haired woman, as she whimpered on the ground, still clutching her head.

"It hurts, it hurts, it hurts..." Mikasa just keep repeating that same line over and over, as her eyes screwed shut in sheer pain. Everyone gathered around them but keep enough distance, to allow freedom of movement, as Xero propped the woman up. Grabbing her pale hands, he forced Mikasa's head to look towards him, as he spoke.

"Mikasa look at me. Open your eyes and look at me, can you do that?"

"Y-yes."

Clutching her beloved hands tightly, Mikasa's beautifully colored gray/blue eyes opened, shocking everyone who could see them. Around her eyes, were light blue flames. Xero didn't know how or why but suddenly, he could sense Mikasa had magic.

How and why, he didn't know. All he did know, was that she was in terrible pain and she needed his help.

"Just hold on Mikasa, let me try something." As he did this, the tall woman had ended up in his lap, so he could use his own magic to try and temper the roaring, raging magic that was violently introduced into her body. Growling a little, hearing her whimper made him anger. Not at her of course, but himself for not being able to dull the pain she was in. So, he looked at the Altered Rider version of the King Of Knights and yelled,"Artoria, go get me some mana repressors! I don't know what this magic is doing to her, but at the very least we can do, is stop it from ripping her body apart!"

The Rider nodded and left without a word. As a Rider class Servant, her speed was second to none and was the best choice to get the items he needed to help Mikasa. The master then focused on the whimpering woman in his arms, as she buried her head in the crook of his neck, wrapping her arms around his back in a tight embrace, while he rubbed her back in an attempt to soothe the pain.

Xero didn't know what kind of magic she just got but he knew, it was related to why flames were around her eyes but nothing else. There was a certain elementalism feeling to the magic but this one was unfamiliar to him. Just what the hell is going on and why did Mikasa of all people, bare the blunt of it?

Unknown to everyone in the room, they've all been roped into a new shadow war.

One that has been raging for many years. As Mikasa's eyes weren't just the eyes of a woman and warrior, not anymore. For you see, hose were the eyes of The Summer Maiden.

Line Break

"This is a bad idea Oz."

"Maybe Qrow, but we can't let such an opportunity pass by us. You saw the footage, the same as us. We cannot allow HER to convince this young man to join her. It will spell the end of us all, otherwise. Therefore, we have to convince him to join our side, no matter what. He could be the key to change the tide against Her and if not him, then the Avengers themselves. But more than likely, they will listen only to him so we simply must have young Stark join us. James, please tell me the talks are going well?"

"Things are tense right now old friend. It was only by sheer, dumb luck the satellites in space, were on the same frequency as the CCT(Cross Continental Transmit System) allowing us to make direct contact with our new...neighbor's. I fear things might have gotten much messier, if we didn't have that small mercy. Now, while i wouldn't say they are bad, things could be better. But that doesn't guarantee well be able to enter the USA, let alone New York and talk to the Avengers directly. Many want to try and get the Avengers under their control. If not them, then they want Mr. Mazoku/Stark and his sister most of all, willingly leaving the rest of the Avengers alone, so long as they can get those two. Since they not only have magic but can summon legends back from the dead. To be honest, i wonder if their abilities are somehow similar to the Schnee's semblance, since they can summon fallen enemies as well."

"Snort. Oh yeah, Ice Queen will be REAL happy to hear, someone is copying their semblance, only theirs got a huge upgrade over her's. How much you want to bet Jacques would try to use this fact, to screw over Stark and the rest of the Avengers?"

Even though it was phrased as a question, everyone in the room knew it was a statement.

"Yes, that is another factor. Jacques has been most...vocal on trying to bring the Avengers under heel and under Atlas's control. Or more specifically his control. He has made it no secret, once he see's something he can profit off of, he'll do everything he can to obtain it. Despite it only being barely a month, he has an eye for good business and golden opportunities. That should go without saying, that's one of the reasons why he was able to take control of the SDC so easily."

"Even if that means risking war with a newly found country?"

A deep sigh was heard, as a gloved hand ran through dark hair, "Jacques might be a bastard, but he's a smart one and a businessman first. He hasn't risen to his position by being a fool, he knowns how to work the system. Not to mention he literary controls Remnant's lifeline in Dust, making sure everyone who wants it, has to go through him first. He also understands that many others are after the same prize and won't let them get it, not without a fight. But his greed will destroy countless lives, if he has his way. He doesn't care who he hurts, so long as he can profit off it and while he may have gotten away with it in the past, he won't be able to do so now. It doesn't matter if he has powerful friends or connections, this situation is very delicate and if he gets his way, it may very well lead to a second great war."

An eyebrow was raised in disbelief at that, "Are you serious? Even though we've barely known about the new world for barely a month and already, he wants to bring a foreign power under his control, even if that means risking war with another country. Is he THAT arrogant, he believes he can get away with it?"

"Normally push comes to shove, he'll just pin the entire thing on someone else and get off, scot-free. But that won't work this time, as it reflects badly on ALL of us, as a whole. That will only hamper relationships with the rest of the nations and the White Fang are already making things difficult in that regard. What's worse, the technology the Starks have, the Iron Man suits and that new one, the Reaper Armor is making many in Atlas nervous and envies. Nervous, cause if it turns to war, the Starks could easily outclass us in terms of technology and weaponry easily. Envies, because the Starks hold a power Remnant has never seen and as much as i hate to say it, they don't take to amazing power NOT under their control well. What's worse, the council is pushing for our greatest minds to reproduce and best whatever design it takes to make the Iron Man armor look obsolete, so Atlas can still look as the most advanced kingdom in the world."

"But Stark's tech, makes yours look old and obsolete, right Jimmy?"

Another sigh was heard, "Yes Qrow...it does, they can't make heads or tails of it. A fact that makes things worse, as many in the council won't take that lightly, like i already told you. I will admit, some of our own technology is far more advanced than their own. But the Starks can beat EVERYONE in terms of advanced tech and the council won't stand for it. Worse, i believe they will try to steal the armor itself and more than likely, pay someone to do it. Which would cause already bad tensions to outright break and cause war, even if we do hide any involvement. The fact will remain that Huntsman, who are supposed to protect the people of Remnant, where not only on foreign soil but were committing a crime to boot. This will reflect poorly on all of Remnant. But i highly doubt the council and Jacques won't give a damn. They don't care if their actions hurt everyone around them and often don't realize, those same actions hurt themselves. By the time they realize that fact, it will be already too late and in this case, war will break out. They can't strong arm the Starks or the USA by withholding Dust, as they don't use it and i do not believe threats will work either."

The large man took a deep breath and continued with his face harden, "No matter how much they'd disagree, Atlas is no longer the world's strongest kingdom anymore. This new world has opened up many new places, technology and powers as well. People who use Dust vs those who use alternative means for energy outnumber it ten to one. In fact, the kingdoms may very well turn to these alternative means of energy, just to spite Atlas or just Jacques most of all. A fact they won't take laying down and sooner or later, i fear they may be too bullheaded to care about the consequences and launch a military strike against them. Whether they're in the right or not."

A coffee mug was sipped from, as the owner sighed deeply, like his friend did earlier, "As much as i would love to disagree and say James is merely being paranoid but i fear he is right in this regard. Atlas has always been the leader in technological advancements and will not allow anyone else to upstage them. Not if they can help it. Honestly James, you surprised me, i figured you would want to look at the technology and learn their secrets just as much as they do."

"I do old friend. But unlike them, i'm not willingly to risk another war, just because i couldn't be patient. In fact, i respect Tony Stark for the choice he made in stopping making weapons. Once he realized he was doing more harm than good rather than simply pass the buck and let someone else do it, he chose to deal with it personally. That, i can respect."

"Indeed. Despite his attitude, Mr. Stark isn't as bad as many believe him to be."

"That doesn't change the fact he helped kill hundreds of innocent people Oz."

"Summer...we cannot change the past and Mr. Stark has already pay the price for his arrogance."

"Not enough. It doesn't change the fact he still gave the bad guys the means to hurt others for their own gain. Plus his son is a murder Ozpin."

"To be fair short-stack, the people that kid DID kill, honestly had it coming and were the worst of the worst. Plus you cannot deny, by killing those miserable excuse for a human beings are the worst of the worst. Hell, i would have helped him if i knew about it before but that's just me. So, who cares if he killed them or arrested them?"

"So? SO?! They should have been arrested and charged then, not killed!"

"Maybe, but that doesn't change the fact, Mr. Mazoku/Stark does more than Ozpin here. Unlike your old friend, he doesn't wait around for disaster to strike. He takes action, something we SHOULD be doing in order to prevent HER from gaining anymore foothold."

Glynda Goodwitch, an accomplished, a powerful huntress in her own right and the deputy headmistress of Beacon Academy considered herself to be a reasonable, good and rational person. Despite her job in training the next generation of Huntsman and her other...duties.

It was in her name after all, Glynda Good-witch and she did her best to uphold her namesake.

If it wasn't the youngest, the next generation of huntsman and huntress to defend Remnant and worrying over on how she was going to guide them properly or even helping ensure Beacon was running to its fullest, it was her duty in protecting Remnant from the evils that many don't even realize exists. That fact didn't help, when she was teaching the next generation and often believed to be a cold, uncaring bitch.

Was she strict?

Yes.

But not because she didn't care, oh no sir, it was in fact the opposite.

Glynda was strict and disciplined her students harshly, because she cared very much. She was strict, because she wanted nothing but the absolute best from her students. In doing so, would raise their survival rate all the more higher, if she pushed them so hard and then some. She was the type of woman that wouldn't regret hearing that her student died on a mission, just because she didn't push them hard enough.

Oh no, if they failed, then sadly it was because of their own short comings. She will not felt guilt for their deaths, as she trained them into the ground and then some. Her students would not die, simply because she failed to train them.

No sir.

Glynda pushed her students to be the very best they can be, so when the day comes to judge them, to see if they were indeed worthy of the title "Huntsman" she could proudly say, "I did my job right."

Sadly, there were those she couldn't help, no matter how hard she tried.

But hey, what can you do?

One of those students, just so happened to be in the room right now. Summer Rose is the definition of a huntress, someone who fought for what was right and for all intents and purposes, was incorruptible. But sadly, that might because of her black and white view of the world that allowed her to be the best huntress she could be. Ever since she attended Beacon, she held this view of the world, bad was bad and good was good.

No middle ground.

Truth be told, Glynda had a morally grey view of the world. Unlike Summer who failed or more than likely, refused to see the world for what it truly was, Glynda knew the world wasn't all black and white.

It was a vary shades of grey.

Something the younger Stark seemed to live in.

So it was no surprise, that Glynda found herself getting a headache from listening to Summer. Many times, she thought the woman was still a girl in a grown woman's body. She was mature in many aspects but her ideals were, for a lack of a better word:

Childish at best.

While they don't disagree most of the time, Glynda couldn't agree with Summer on this one. Rather, she saw it from the normal people's perspective and can see what they saw in the leader of the Avengers. Someone who was willing to do, whatever it took to protect the innocent from those who would happily destroy people's lives without a second thought, merely to make a quick buck.

A sickening thought.

But someone who hunted those people down like animals, ripped them to pieces and made sure to destroy whoever supported them was okay in Glynda's book. Yes, on some level she did agree with Summer, on the fact they SHOULD have been arrested, she knew they're type.

The types that would get off free, while the innocent suffered. The Grimm Reaper didn't let any type of red tape stop him, from protecting those who couldn't protect themselves. He must have known some people would think he is a monster for what he's done and yet, he just keep going, despite the risks. Not to just himself, but the people he loved and his friends.

Those he hunted would no doubt, try to use his friends and family as leverage and while that might have stopped many in their tracks, it didn't even slow the boy down. He merely killed them, before they could kill either him or one of his loved ones.

If nothing else, all it did was drive the younger Stark to ensure they all died before they could cause harm. If it wasn't him, then it was said "Friends" and "Loved ones" that are all powerful and strong in their own right. Sure they're were a few that were physically weak but attacking them would open up a can of worms, Glynda highly doubted anyone wanted open.

It just wasn't worth the effort.

So they tried to attack Xero Mazoku/Stark directly and so far, all attempts have failed. But how would that last, she wonder? How long until they just decide to say, what was the phrase? Oh yes, she believed it was "Say fuck it" and go down swinging.

While trying to drag down a good number of people with them.

"Sum, are you sure you don't like him, because...well, ya know."

"No i don't know."

Glynda was knocked out of her thoughts, as she returned to the real world, seeing Summer having a rare look of anger AND a glare of all things, pointed directly at Qrow. Normally, such a thing would be normal, Qrow being glared at that is, just Summer was not normally an anger person. She hardly ever got anger but when she did, as childish as she was, then you've done it.

An anger Summer Rose was a very, very, VERY scary one.

But the Branwen knew this needed to be said, otherwise any chance at an alliance would be doomed to fail, thanks to the R of team STRQ.

"Even in Mistral, you're still causing me headaches sis."

Qrow thought to himself, as he hardens his resolve and held his ground at an angry Summer, "Because the kid looks like a male clone of Raven."

"I have no idea what you're talking about Qrow. I just don't like the idea of working, with a confirmed mass killer." Came Summer's flippant response, eyes still holding anger in them and a new emotion:

Sorrow.

Anger at Raven leaving the team, ultimately leading to team STRQ shattering without the R and sorrow for her leaving in the first place. Now here was someone that was the embodiment of everything she stood for but morally, he was everything she stood against.

A true paradox.

Summer at one point couldn't decide on what to think of the Grimm Reaper but upon seeing what he looks like, must have finally tipped her into...strongly disliking the younger Stark.

"Ms. Rose-" Ozpin tried to reason with the mother, but she quickly bites back.

"NO! No Ozpin! I won't be a part of this! If you do recruit him, leave ME and MY FAMILY out of it. Qrow, if you have any sense, you'd do the same. Until then, when you all get your senses back on trying to trust a killer, call me. Until then, you can lose my number!"

No one dared to try and stop the sliver eyed warrior from stomping her way towards the elevator. Nor did they dare to try and stop her, as she left the room with heavy tension in the room.

"Well, that could have gone better." Qrow said with a sigh, as he reached for his flask. Ozpin equally sighed, as he slumped back in his seat. Ms. Rose was always the most emotionally, most morally driven of his secret group. While he could admire that about her dedication to truth and justice, most of the world did not care for such things. What made her very unique and strong, always weakened her at the same time.

Ironic.

"Indeed it could have Qrow. James, please inform me when you can speak with the Avengers. They can turn the tide of this war and no matter what happens, we cannot allow them to fall into Her hands. If they do, then do what needs to be done. New world or not, we all swore to protect the world from threats they don't even know about. I liked to think the Avengers could be a great help to us but if nothing else, we HAVE to get Xero Mazoku/Stark and his sister on our side. They may posse powers or abilities that can end this war once and for all."

Everyone nodded, as they all went about their business, but James Ironwood however didn't leave. This made Ozpin look at him questioningly, as the general/headmaster sighed deeply and spoke, "Oz, i need your advice on something."

That caught Ozpin's attention. As both the general of Atlas and headmaster of its huntsman academy, James had rarely ever came to him advice. Half because of his position in power, so he was used to making hard choices and the other half, was due to his pride. The man was very prideful, in both his own powerless on the battlefield, his large army and his faith in Atlas's soldiers.

So, for the man to come out and say he needed advice from a friend, he often butted heads with over on how to approach certain situations, was certainly a surprise indeed. However, Ozpin had a feeling the advice James wanted is the kind that would prevent all-out war.

Which was never a good thing.

"What is the problem James?"

Ironwood took a seat and looked at his old friend, speaking, "The council and Jacques have been adamant about unlocking the secrets of the Starks, both their technology and their magic. I think they want the secrets of their magic more, simply because they can BRING THE DEAD BACK TO LIFE, OZ! That kind of power...some say it is the power of god. To be able to bend the laws of nature to his will and even enhance their abilities to superhuman levels, beyond it even. Do you have any idea how many people would KILL to get their hands on that kind of power?"

"Quite a few people James. Quite a few, but i am not hearing what the problem is."

James silently looked around, making sure no one was here and since Ozpin already did a bug sweep before starting the meeting, Ironwood spoke but in a low, hushed tone of voice, "I think...people within Atlas, hell everyone everywhere really, are planning on kidnapping the two Starks. I didn't say this earlier as i believe it should be for your ears only, since you won't overact and make things worse."

"Worse how James?" Ozpin asked with practice patience, while James took a deep breath and spoke.

"Even though it was Jacques who voiced it, many people in the Atlas council want to...cut open the Stark children to see how they can use magic. To see if it could be reproduced and experiment on the two, as if they weren't even human. Just lab rats, waiting for dissection. Even if i don't agree with them, they may go behind my back to do it, set up some bounty for him on bullshit reasons or just demanded him in exchange to either prevent war between nations or have the treaty signed. I don't know what to do if worse comes to worse, how do you stop something like this, without destroying a man, teen really, who has done nothing wrong other then be born with a unique power? It's not just him either, there's also the girl to think about and while Mr. Stark/Mazoku's hands are coated in blood, i don't believe her's are even wet. How do you stop something like this, without it completely spiraling out of control Oz, how?"

"..."

Oh.

Ozpin stared at his old friend, keeping his face in a prefect poker face, but inside, he was mouth gaping. They want to...what? Oh dear, are they really that foolish, prideful, arrogant or just plain desperate to obtain such a power? Are they really that desperate to stay on top, that they'll risk not only war with major superpowers but also piss off one of the newly created superpowers in the world and destroy a young man and woman's future, simply because they have something they don't?

Despite asking the question, Ozpin already knew the answer and it was:

Yes.

Yes they would.

A fact that WILL end badly, no matter how Atlas tries to play it off. Like it or not, the Starks were just as, if not more so, more powerful the Schnee family and they had A LOT of friends. It'll be another Great War but only this time, Remnant may not survive it.

All because of a few people's greed.

That is of course, if young Xero and Gudako get kidnapped, as the Battle of New York showed they weren't slouches in combat. Atlas or any other kingdom might try to use this, as a way to silently take them but he had a feeling, it would only end in disaster.

"What I'm asking Oz, is what would you do in this situation?" James finally asked, all but pleading for the headmaster's advice. The man in question stayed quiet, for the first time, in a long time was truly stumped on what to do, as he stared into his mug. After staying quiet for a few minutes, Ozpin finally spoke:

"Do what you can James. Remnant's future may very well hang in the balance on how you handle this."

Line Break

"Ruby, are you STILL watching that video?"

"Cut her a break Weiss, you cannot deny that it's the battle of the century. We can only watch the aftermath and i can say, i feel my blood pumping just watching it, it's pretty cool. I mean seriously, who knew aliens and gods were actual real? Not to mention, Rubes always wanted to meet a real life superhero, so cut her some slack, would you?"

"You do realize those heroes, are murders right?"

"Eh? You too kit-kat? Look i know their leader has killed a lot of people, but don't you think he might be doing some good out there?"

"You CANNOT be serious Yang!"

"I have to agree with Weiss, Yang. No matter how noble his ends might be, the ends do not justify the means."

"Hang on now a second P-money, i know killing is wrong, but you cannot deny, it's gotten results. Tell me i'm wrong. Besides, it's not like he's killing innocent people, if he wants to kill the worst scum on this planet, i'd say more power to him. Until he starts killing innocent people, i'm on his side. Besides, i'd figure you be anger at him."

A pale eyebrow rose, "Why would i be anger at someone i have never met, let alone heard of, until a week ago?"

"Because his power allows him to not only summon legendary heroes from Earth's history, but it makes you're semblance look weak and pathetic in comparison."

Indignantly noises where heard from the petite girl, as she glared death at her tall, busty teammates, "EXCUSE ME?!"

A laugh was heard, as a hand waved off her anger, "You're excused. Hey Vomit boy, you sure that 'Joan D'Arc' isn't a relate of yours's?"

"I honestly have no idea Yang. I mean, maybe but she's from another world. Maybe one of my ancestors had the same name, but i don't think they're the same."

"I don't know Jaune, she DOES share many resembles with you."

"Well blonde hair and blue eyes is pretty common in Remnant. It could be nothing more than just coincidence."

"And the fact her name sounds like yours? Really, you rearrange a few letters and add "D" to it, you could be a male version called Jaune D Arc."

"I honestly don't know Yang, maybe it's just pure coincidence. She's from another world, so it's not impossible to believe."

"Maybe, but what are the chances of her, having the same name as yours or at the very least, so very closely?"

A tired sigh was heard, as the male blonde groaned, "Well, it's happened."

Let it be known, Ruby Rose was many things. One of things was something, she normally wasn't and that was confliction. The young girl and the youngest huntress to ever get into the prestigious Beacon Academy was very conflicted on what to feel and think about the Avengers. More to the point, their leader, the Grimm Reaper (Which in Ruby's opinion, was an AWESOME code name) she didn't know what to think of him.

Unlike her mother, who believed he was a bad guy, Ruby was leaning forward and backward on it. She, like her mother, had a black and white view of the world only naiver and more childish.

The Reaper, Xero, had pretty much broke every law under the sun. He has terrorized, butcher and BROKE people all over the world. By all rights, he was a monster in human skin and needed to be brought to justice. However, the people he killed where the worst of the worst. Criminals that have destroyed entire families, simply to make a quick buck and Xero, from a certain POV, simply returned the favor to them.

He didn't kill for the sake of killing and more than once, he offered the criminals a chance to surrender. But they didn't and death was the result.

As an inspiring huntress in training, Ruby had an obligation to bring him in for his crimes. But, he has only targeted people who have broken the law and as naive as she is, even Ruby knew that in a court case, Xero would probably be acquitted.

Hell, many hail him as a hero and feel safe, as the teen was willingly to go the extra mile to ensure their safety, by killing the monsters in the night. On one hand, he is a confirmed murdered, with Oum knowns how many allies at his command. He wears a scary as hell mask that resembles a skull of all things, wields a Scythe like herself, uncle and mother. He does not hesitate to kill, when it seems to suit him the most at any given time.

On the other hand, his methods have got criminals running sacred and in doing so, protect the people more efficiently. The crime rate(Something Weiss had to explain to her) had gone down, showing proof that Xero was doing good. What's more shocking, is that he and his father, are slowly upgrading the police with new weapons and armor, to help them fight crime.

How can the poor, young and naive Rose believe he's a bad guy, when he's doing so much good at the same time?

"Ugh, how can someone be a good guy and bad guy at the same time?"

Ruby groaned loudly, rubbing her forehead, catching her teammates and friends' attention. It was lunch time and the two teams of RWBY and JNPR were sitting down at their usual spot.

"You okay Ruby?"

Yang asked her sister, as Ruby nodded and started eating her food, "Yeah Yang, just, ugh this whole thing has got my head spinning. I just want to eat and hopefully, it'll resolve itself."

They all nodded and quietly went back to eating their food. Or at least tried too, as Ruby had a gut feeling that she and the rest of her friends, have a meeting with the Reaper.

And it won't be pleasant

---

Done.

So, here's a preview of the next chapter and let me tell you, shit is going down and going down hard!

Preview: In The Shadows No Longer

"As you may already know, we have received reports of organized attacks all across the country against us. Let me say this here and now, it's all true."

Everyone looked at the short but deadly captain as he looked over to his cousin and said, "Mikasa, since i known you'll do it anyway, i'm giving you this order here and now: Protect Xero at all costs. Our enemies, HYDRA has felt the pressure he has put on them and now that they've been backed into corner, they have disregarded all forms of secrecy. Their bringing this fight out into the open now, no more hiding in the shadows."

"Understood sir. I plan too."

Mikasa said, her eyes darken even though her face stayed stoic. For too long she had been separated from her family and now, these bastards want to take him away from her. Oh no, that was not going to fly.

"And also, don't push yourself too hard or try to use your new powers. We don't know enough about the magic coursing through your body, nor do we known what it can do. Try to avoid any unnecessary fights but if it can't be helped, DO NOT use magic. It's too risky."

Mikasa pressed her lips together and nodded. Her cousin was just trying to protect her, and she knew he was right. The magic she had was too violent and uncontrollable at the moment to use effectively. But it didn't matter, as she didn't need it before, and it would make little difference right now. She would not be a liability again.

So, why did she have a bad feeling? Hopefully it was nothing and just nerves, nothing more

"Sir, if i may ask, why now?"

Reiner asked, his brows furrowing, "These attacks are random and seemed to be just for the sake of attacking. They don't appear to be after something or someone, nor have they attacked anywhere that would be a blow to us. To be frank, it's like their attacking out of sheer spite and nothing else."

"You're not too far off the mark Braun. With the merging of two worlds, the chaos following and the fact the brat has pushed HYDRA into a corner and at this point, they just don't care anymore. They're finished and know it, so the bastards are going to try to drag the rest of us down with them. Our job is to make sure HYDRA is destroyed but we knowing they're going after Xero and more then likely, the rest of his family, all we have to do is wait for them to come to us."

Levi said, as everyone nodded but Eld did speak up,"Yeah, but who's to say, some other organization won't try to make a power play? If i was them, i would do just that with all the confusion around the world or worse, make new alliances with each other."

"Indeed, they will."

Hange said with a grimace, as she walked into the room, with her stead-fast second in command following behind.

"They're bringing this fight out into the open, no more hiding in the shadows. It's time we response to their declaration of war against us."

---

Done.

Devil out.