Hello once again my ever lovely peeps!
So here we go with a new chapter, the next part of this epic battle and possible might be able to finish what i really, truly want for this chapter to be. Might have to make a part three but honestly i might not.
Who knows.
But i do have to remind everyone that this IS a Nightmare sequence and more then likely this chapter will delve into Xero's psych. Whatever happens here will defy the norm of reality, as this may be a memory but it will become a nightmare soon enough. Cause that's what this all is, a slow ride down to Xero's own personal hell.
One that no one is going to see coming till it was too late.
I wanted to do more, show everyone more but you have to remember, this is a nightmare and as such, things change right at the last moment before you see something very good or terrible, as again, this is a nightmare after all and with everything Xero has done, he's got plenty of nightmare fuel his mind can chose from.
Lots of nightmare fuel and plenty of PTSD to make things even worse for the teen.
A recipe for disaster if i'd ever see one, but i don't think many fic's or stories really nail down the mental trauma the Grand Order would cause a person. Magus or not, going through all that hell will leave someone with more then a few scars. Especially Xero's Grand Order, as there will be much more then just cannon for this story.
Big time.
At least i'm going to try anyway, as i intended for this chapter to be the final one before the truth of his and Gudako's past is revealed. The Grand Order, the Singularities, the Lostbelts, Miria, everything.
At the end of this chapter is something that WILL rock everyone's world and change the pacing of this story forever. Something not many other stories have, if ever had. I won't say what it is, only say this:
The Curator is neither good nor evil. It is not his place to interfere or decide what course should be set, merely to watch and record the stories behind told from the world.
ALL worlds.
Including alternative worlds like..."The Beast Of Beacon" one, written by one of my all time fav writters, Coeur Al'Aran. One of the best in my opinion and there is a reason why CA is mentioned in story. You want to find out, read it. As always i own nothing.
So please read, review and "What the fuc-BOOM"
Chapter 16: A Decisive Battle Part 2 And The Strongest Magus
"Am i just jealous of Mazoku? Is that why i can't stop insulting him at every chance? Because he has everything i've strived to achieve all my life and is barely older then i am and is superior to me in everyway possible?"
By the brothers, the teen was even prettier then HER! Healthy pale skin with a slender but well defined body and exotic eyes put her small figure to shame. He was nicer, stronger, faster and more well liked then her with his own reputation that would also put her own to pure shame.
It wasn't fair.
Weiss was fully aware she wasn't exactly the easiest person to get along with or deal with. As Yang would so simply put it, she could be a bit of a bitch at times and very judgemental too and very demanding too. She wanted, needed to be prefect in EVERYTHING she did. Be it from her appearance, her manner of speaking, to her grades, her sword play, Dust play and especially her grades.
Everything needed to be prefect, cause she was a Schnee and the Schnee's were the embodiment of prefection.
At least, according to the man she once really, truly called Father.
Her sister, Winter, had taken a much younger Weiss aside and explained that while Schnee's weren't prefect, they could not let the public known that. For if they knew, then they would know the Schnee's were just as human as everyone else and like anyone else, they could be killed. With all the enemies their father made and let's not forgot Schnee public enemy number one, The White Fang.
Weiss honestly couldn't remember a time when she wasn't fearing for her life against the Faunus.
It might be wrong to blame ALL Faunus, thinking they're all in cahoots but more then seventy percent of the Faunus if not ALL Faunus hated the Schnee name. But can anyone really blame the poor girl?
Having to constantly fear for her life, looking over her shoulder every five minutes, having any and all mail, food and even fucking rides checked for anything that could kill her. Would all that be considered overreacting?
She didn't think and what's worse, she had nothing to do with it!
She didn't have a choice to be a Schnee, she was born one. Much like how she didn't have a choice in who her father was, as she would rather have a Faunus for a father then that bastard, anyone would be better then Jacques, in Weiss's mind. Cause everything she did, had to be prefect.
No, beyond prefect.
Always.
No ifs of buts about it. If it wasn't done at a 120% then it was worthless and not worth the effort she put in. Every spot, every inch, everything must be prefection and beyond it.
Always.
Didn't matter, if Weiss Schnee did it, then it must be prefect or else.
It wasn't fair!
It wasn't fair, because no matter how much she looked at it, no matter WHERE she looked at it, She and Xero were THE SAME!
Both had been born into a lap of luxury of a very wealthy and powerful family in their respectable worlds. Both parents were very powerful and influence in there own ways because of the multi-billion dollar company's they own. Not to mention, their respectable families were not only a big part of history, both were in a sense, royalty. As the SDC mined and purified the bloodline of Remnant, while SI(Stark Industries) had created many weapons that helped defeat the Nazi's in WW2 and then some.
After being kidnapped by terrorist, using his own weapons no less, Stark had decide to shutdown the more profitable business and switched to a more helpful but less profitable side of business. Something father had called Stark a fool on, a lucky fool cause no company could have survived such a shift in things but a fool never the less. Something Jacques made sure to beat into Winter's head, despite her not being his heiress anymore.
Her sister had called Weiss, trying to warn her of their father threating to get HER to seduce the black haired Monster in teen form.
"Not like it'll amount to anything."
Cause clearly Mazoku was already married, several times over and no matter how much it got on her nerves, neither Winter nor she stood a chance to even see the Reaper without one of his 'wives' or 'husbands' being right there with him. Nor could she match any of them in terms of beauty. Either in body or mind and clearly they were all dangerously loyal to Mazoku and Mazoku alone.
Not like Winter, who's loyalty was to Atlas and general Ironwood.
It was clear to Weiss that Mazoku had trust issues and in a lot of ways, just like her. Weiss had to fear for her life against the White Fang simply because she was a Schnee. The same way Mazoku feared for his own life against people who believed magic was evil and believed all Magus or magic users had to die, simply because they have magic to begin with. He was hated for something out of his control.
Just like her.
Many people wanted to use him, to get to his father for the family business and fortune.
Just like her.
The Faunus wanted her dead, simply because she was not only born a human but the greatest sin, in their eyes, was the fact she was born with the last name Schnee. While on the flip side, many people wanted Mazoku dead or wanted to use him because he was born with magic and his last name was Stark. Much like the Schnee name, the Stark name was known all over the world, original as a deadly weapons company that could create weapons of mass destruction with no one to rival them.
Just like her.
She and Mazoku were so similar in so many ways, the glaring differences were baffling.
For one, Mazoku's father, Tony wasn't a cold business man that would do whatever it took to get ahead of everyone else. Unlike Jacques, Tony clearly did not care for what the public thought of him, as Weiss's father had ANY type of bad PR, no matter how small it was. Tony didn't care what anything or anyone thought of him, as he acted however he wanted, whenever he wanted and did everything with a smile on his face.
Not like one of Jacques's fake smiles always put on for all to see but a true, genuine smile.
Then there's the fact Tony was an actually superhero, who cleaned up his own mess once he realized the damage he caused, while Jacques would have just sweep it under the rug and continued on with whatever he was doing. Probably even make more money from it and wouldn't spare a thought to the people he hurt in the process.
Jacques didn't care about people, he cares about winning.
Heck, while Weiss had one big scar(Really medium size but large enough to be the first thing people notice about her face) over her eyelid, while Mazoku not only had a tattoo over the same eye as her, he had scars all over his body.
Battle scars.
Jacques could barely stand the one scar on Weiss's eye, seeing it as a mockery to their families perfection and her wound was a stain on their families honor. To see all those scars on Mazoku's body was...humbling, to say the least.
Weiss knew the people of Earth didn't have aura but to see someone her own age not only have so many scars but clearly old scars too boot. Weiss could see the skin that had healed over time and seeing as scars take nearly over TWO YEARS to heal, that said something. It also made Weiss realize how lucky she was just to get one scar, as opposed to his numerous scars.
Long, short, straight, horizontal the list goes on and if Weiss wasn't careful, she could end up like him in that regard. Jacques would lose his mind if he ever had to see all those scars on one of his children, let alone the tattoo.
Not because it would mean his child got hurt badly but because it would be a PR nightmare.
Bastard.
But it was clear to her, Tony did not care. He didn't care what anyone thought of him or how bad the PR would be for him, he only wanted to help his son and was willingly to do whatever it took to help him. The kind of reaction that any father should do and react, when their child was hurt. Truth be told, it made Weiss incredibly jealous of Mazoku and now seeing the first battle of the Dead War unfolding, caused Weiss to come to a hard, painful fact:
Outclassed.
She was outclassed.
She, Weiss Schnee, heiress of the Schnee Dust Company and future best huntress of Remnant was completely and utterly outclassed by Xero Mazoku the Magus. Something that should have been impossible yet it happened.
Then again, the impossible happened when her world, Remnant was merged with another one.
It was a very hard pill for her to sallow and no matter how much she wanted to deny it, Mazoku would trample her like a pebble. But that didn't mean she would admit out loud and even her sister, one of THE strongest people she knew, didn't stand a chance against that Monster.
That was with a capital M too.
"And all i'm doing is running my mouth, sooner or later it's going to get me hurt or worse, killed."
A very small, tiny part of her wanted to be comrades, possible friends with Mazoku, she really did. Not many people could understand her situation and those that did, often wore mask to hide their true, two faced nature. Mazoku...Mazoku didn't, he clearly said what was on his mind, told it like it was and did not care for anyone's opinion of him. He had no need for wealth, between his own families fortune, so he wouldn't want the Schnee's fortune.
Which was most if not, all the reasons many tried to 'woo' her.
But the part of her that wanted to be friend with him had been pushed that part away by the rest of her and buried it under cold, cruel logic.
Weiss knew Mazoku wouldn't but just the sheer difference between the two, their power, personalities, beliefs and the simple fact was that Mazoku was not a huntsman. As a huntress, Weiss was one of the strongest people on the planet and had a lot of special privileges, despite only being in training. Logically and by culture, Mazoku should follow HER lead.
The weak follow the strong and there was no one stronger on Remnant then huntsman and huntress.
SHE was suppose to be one of the strongest people here as she was a huntress with years of training and aura unlocked. Yet here is someone, without aura doing things not even the greatest huntsman and huntress could even dream of pulling off, basically mocking everyone who trained hard to reach that level of power. It was very insulting to those, who had given their lives to protect humanity and they can't even reach the same level Mazoku has was damn near sacrilegious in her mind.
Especially when those 'Servants' were wasting both their time and power on someone like him, when someone like her. Someone that could put their skills to be better use for the betterment of humanity and not some killer sociopath!
One that has also broken numerous laws, both normal and international! Despite people hailing him as a hero, he was still a criminal in Weiss's mind, one that could not be trusted.
Mazoku was not fit to be a hunter, while he was strong, he did not have the right mentally for it. Hence why Weiss wanted to offer them a chance to serve someone better but after getting brutally rejected, the feelings of bitterness and being one-upped again by Mazoku, left Weiss having mixed feelings about him. Even if he was obviously a warrior bathed in a trail by fire, he clearly didn't know what he was doing, as all those scars proved he wasn't smart of fast enough to get out of the way to whatever caused those scars.
The lack of aura defense was quite obvious, meant she was a much better option in terms of fighting. Besides, that brute did not have the fitness nor the diligence a huntress had and that would get him or others killed because of his arrogances.
He was nothing special, not like her. They'll see, those Servants will all see, Weiss is always right.
"All i can do now is wait and let this plan out, maybe they'll all see what i see."
That Mazoku was someone who would lead them all to ruin.
CHAPTER 6: NIGHTMARE SEQUENCE FINALE:
A DECDECISIVE BATTLE PART 2:
THE STRONGEST MAGUS
"Once before, i wanted to be the strongest person in the world, so i would no longer be weak, cause i know what it's like to be powerless. I couldn't stand it, because i lost everyone i love. Now that i am at the top, i realize being the strongest isn't enough anymore. Got to be smart about it, otherwise i'm dead and not just me but everyone else too. But even then it's not enough, cause you see, it's not about over powering you're enemy. It's about taking what power they have away. Tsk, easier said then done that's for damn sure."
Xero Mazoku, 2023, March 14
It was there, crawling, moving just beneath his skin, he could feel it.
The Yoma within him, stirring from it's slumber or maybe it was finally awakening. How and why it was seemly trying to get out, like a monster trapped in a cage at this moment, he didn't know for certain.
"Of all the goddess damned times for it to start acting up, why does it have to be right NOW?!"
"How interesting, yet something else i don't know about MY son. Tell me, Mash, how many other things i don't know about my only son?"
Normally Tony wouldn't resort to such a dirty tactic, it wasn't his style but for the love of all that was good and holy, he has had enough of secrets! Just, just enough is enough. Enough the secrets, he wanted no needed to help his son but he can't do that, if he didn't know anything!
The Servants wouldn't tell him anything, his daughter in everything in blood wasn't talking either, leaving the genius in a very pissy mood. Which is very understandable and nobody called him out on it, even as Mash looked anywhere but him, before finally speaking.
"I, you don't want to know how many answers that question has."
"...No. I don't."
Tony said slowly, no emotion in his voice, as he slowly turned his head back to the screen, his mood unreadable. A small whine escaped Mash's lips, unable to say what the man wanted to hear, as her loyalty to her master outweighed her loyalty to anyone else. She wanted to tell Tony, badly. Oh so badly she wanted to tell Tony, if only to relive some of the burden on him.
On everything!
The Dead War, the Witch Hunters, the Cultist, his secrets all the stuff that has been crushing down on her senpai's shoulders for so long will finally be able to be lifted off. If only somewhat, as Tony wouldn't actually be able to do anything on the magical side, what Xero's father could do is relive some of the pressure.
Hopefully her senpai would let them, he was stubborn like that.
Wanting to do everything on his own, so the people that did help him don't become targeted. Noble but ultimately foolish and very selfish of him.
"That won't end well. I know Xero kepts a lot of his past to himself, but you'd think he'd tell his old man about it."
Ororo nodded at Neena, the younger man didn't say anything about his past and they didn't ask. Everyone had their own regrets and there was no real reason to press on the issue.
Was it because of the excess amount of mana filling up his body, doubling up his power and basically jump starting his yoki the same way Miria did for him? When his body was trying to tear itself apart, Miria's blood, her yoki helped stabilize his body and awakening the yoki, the YOMA within his body.
"Dying?"
Mash felt sweat roll down the side of her head, as Tony gave her a hard stare at the word "Dying". Thanks to his constant Rayshifting during the Grand Order, her senpei's body had destabilize as a result and begin to break his body down. Because Xero is a natural born hybrid, all he needed was the original's blood to stabilize his body once again.
As Mash understood it, because of his body begin shifted from one point in the timeline to another constantly, it had basically worn down his cellular structure that kept his body together. The barrier between human and yoma slowly became undone in his body, causing the two sides too duke it out in his body. His human half saw the Yoma within him as an "infection" and the white blood cells attempted to get rid of it like it does when a person is infected with a virus.
Because he was a natural born hybrid, his body had created a natural barrier between the two sides that would allow them to co-exist, without one side overpowering the other. But the stress of constant rayshifitng had destroyed said barrier.
The only way to save him, was for Xero to get a blood transfusion from the only genetically-compatible donor but it would only work with Yoma-human blood draw from the original source:
Miria.
In doing so, it did more then just save Xero, the resulting blood transfusion had jump-started his yoma and allowing him to access more yoki then any Mazoku had in many, many years.
And made her senpai stronger for it.
In simple terms, Xero's body had basically lost a pillar that kept his body together due to constantly jumping back and fourth between the past and present. That pillar was worn down and finally destroyed, causing them to seek out a new pillar to keep his body together, which lead them to seeking out Miria. Once they got the new pillar so to speak, her senpai became stronger then ever, as his body was renewed with new energy from it's original source.
The only reason why Gudako never feel the same type of pain, was because Xero Rayshifited far more then she ever did. Even if it did stunt her ability to age, Gudako would live a much longer life then any normal human ever would. But that didn't help Mash, as she heard Tony grunt and look back to the screen, as Fou padded at her side.
Oh goddess, she wanted to tell him but she promised her master, she wouldn't.
No matter how much it hurt and even if she was a terrible lair, she would do it for Xero's sake.
Mash could see many wanted to question her on this 'awakening' thing but once again, it was not her place to say. They wouldn't understand and she feared many would take on the same attitude the humans of Miria's time had towards the Warriors.
Hate and fear.
An image of Mikasa and Velvet appeared in his mind, making Xero shake his his head mentally.
"It doesn't matter, worse comes to worse and i DO awaken, then it might give me the edge i need to win this fight if everything goes to hell. If i was a man-made hybrid, i'd be worried about losing myself to the Yoma but since i'm a natural hybrid, i don't think that'll happen."
Hopefully.
It was a very risky gamble but then again, this entire thing was nothing short of a desperate gamble in on itself. Everything was riding on winning this battle, at the right moment, at the right time.
"Right now, i've got enemies on all side...good."
(Play: SNK S3 OST- YouSeeBIGGIRL)
"He's got something planned."
Ren said, as everyone nodded with the normally silent boy, as both Alex and his older version laughed out a loud, belly laugh.
"Of course, what did you think? That he would allow himself to be surrounded so easily? Ha, you have to be stupider then you look. That boy's always got a reason for everything he does, even when the enemy thinks they have the upper hand."
Cinder and Adam narrowed their eyes at this. The teen was completely surrounded on all sides, with little to no hope of escaping. Even if he did, he wouldn't escape unscathed, just what trick did he have up his sleeve?
"Oh this is tense."
Nora couldn't help but grin, as the powerful music with the scene got her blood pumping and not just hers but a good number of people being to feel the same thrill of excitement rush through their veins.
Something big was coming and it was coming fast.
"What is this? How can a human, let alone one without aura have so much power?"
Well, not everyone was excited or amazed, as one Adam was feeling very, very afraid at the moment. Not that he'd ever admit of course but in the safety of his own mind, he could admit, this human, Mazoku, was far beyond anything he ever encountered. Not even Fall, who's powers were otherworldly, could even begin to match up to the sheer amount of power Mazoku had.
How can one human have so much power?!
No matter how he looked at it, no matter how righteous his cause might be or how his hot his anger ran, Adam was a realistic and in that moment, the second Mazoku entered this 'Ultimate Lighting Force State', when he felt his power even on screen, he knew:
The White Fang, he Adam, did not stand a chance against The Grimm Reaper.
"Even if i DO get the chance to strike him at full power, would it even be enough?"
For the first time, in a long time, Adam didn't know if he trump card would end a fight or not. Even if he could, he could see Sienna going for it, as she DID promise to support the Avengers and by that extension, Mazoku. If he dared attack, if he put one toe out of place, he and all his followers would be booted out of the Fang faster then you could say Grimm.
Even if he made a deal with Cinder, she was holding a sword to his throat with her power.
"Maybe...if Seinna DOES make an alliance with Mazoku, i can use him against Fall."
Yes. That idea had merit, as much as he hated humans, Cinder was the type of human he hated the most. Cocky, arrogant and complete disregard for the lives of the Faunus, while Mazoku was clearly married to a few Faunus himself. While he wanted nothing more then to destroy Beacon academy, to show the humans of Remnant that the Faunus would no longer take the abuse, he could wait.
No matter how galling it was, he could wait and if Mazoku took out Fall, made Atlas look fools and stop the Dead War, all the better. His plan could still work, he'd just have to adjust them accordingly. He saw the way Cinder looked at him, Adam knew that look in the arrogant woman's eye:
Fear.
She was afraid of him, even if it was only for a split second, he saw fear flicker in her eyes and knew, between two monsters Mazoku was the bigger one. A Monster that kills other Monsters, an apex predator among predators.
The prefect counter to Cinder, that was proven true, when Torchwick and his little helper openly sided with the boy, openly defying Cinder. The woman wouldn't let that slide unless there was nothing she could do. When she didn't, Adam knew he found the prefect counter balance to Cinder, even if said counter didn't realize it, he would be the one to end that arrogant human.
"I'll just have to bid my time till then."
Besides, if there was any grain of truth to the Dead War being real, then the world dying would not be good for the Faunus. Let the humans deal with them, so when the smoke settles, the Faunus will finally earn their rightful place in the world with zero casualties.
On the Faunus side, not the human side.
Xero silently smirked to himself, as he equally silently texted Levi:
"Captain, get ready and get to cover. It's about to become hell."
"Understood."
"That sounds ominous, just what does Xero-chan have in mind?"
Hange wondered, as she rubbed her chin thoughtful, while the scouts wondered the same. Armin however went wide eyed, as he noticed the red lighting sparking around the sky.
No way, was he going too...
"Well? Any last motherfucking words, motherfucker?"
Xero just smiled at Zed, as he spoke slowly, red/black lighting sparking all around him causing his enemies to tense, even as he raised his hand towards the sky as if to ask the Heavens for aid, magic swirling around him as his words that would tip the tide of battle in humanity's future:
"Lighting Storm."
And the Heavens answered in kind, AS LIGHTING STRUCK DOWN EVERYWHERE!
KA-BOOM
"AAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!"
Many screamed with the lighting, as a massive explosion shook the entire room, despite it being on screen, everyone felt the hairs on the back of their necks stand up. Well, the humans and Faunus at any rate, as the Servants(And Gudako) merely cheered or laughed at the site of complete destruction of several miles of land.
And monsters.
Undead Kill Count:
3,424 soldiers
8 Sentinels
9 Butchers
12 Flamers
11 Gunners
16 Suiciders
12 Snipers
9 Grenadiers
45 Creepers
5 Undead Tanks
7 Undead Half-Tanks
"Hmmm, maybe i over did it a bit."
When the bright light and dust settled, Xero spoke to himself as he floated up high in the sky, admiring the sheer destruction he just caused with just two words. The land would forever be scarred for by what he did, as several craters littered for several miles, ash and blood laid where the monsters once stood.
"HE CAN FLY?!"
Winter nearly gagged on her own spit, unable to believe what she was seeing. How? How as this possible?!
"Holy hell, how is boss doing that?"
Connie was godsmack, along with the rest of his comrades, since when can Xero do that?! Naturally, seeing and hearing everyone's disbelief had caused the world's oldest poisoner merely laughed, as she held a hand to her mouth in a ladylike manner.
"You all fail to realize my husband is more then just muscle, he IS a genius and very proficient in using Magecraft. Even if it was a tab bit tricky, my dear master was able to learn a little bit of gravity magic. What he is doing right now, is using his magic to in essence, have zero gravity around himself and using wind magic to lift himself up into the air, allowing him to 'fly' as you say. But he had to kept his center of gravity as well, the same way the scouts do to use you're ODM gear, to kept himself from spinning out of control."
"That sounds really complicated for something so simple."
Sasha rubbed her head, already feeling a headache forming just from hearing what Xero had to do, in order to fly. The Assassin merely smiled at the huntress confused face,"Indeed it is but it's nothing our master can't handle."
"Why am i not surprised that Xero can control gravity too. Even if it is just to make him weightless, there is no telling what else he could do with it."
Clover wasn't a fool, for someone like Xero to use such a talent 'just to fly' wouldn't be the end of it. Oh no, he must have learned more to what he can do with gravity control and the possibilities painted a very dark picture in Clover's mind.
While it wasn't exactly said, gravity Dust was extremely hard to control as just one, TINY slip up could lead to complete disaster. One wrong move could get you killed and using something as brittle and quite frankly, unstable as gravity Dust meant you were either very skilled or very foolish. All other kinds of Dust had some idea of what would happen if you screwed it up but gravity Dust was a wildcard.
There was no telling what would happen if it became too unstable and Brothers knowns, what'll happen next.
It could kill you, wound you or just flat out crush everything around you.
The point was that Clover knew gravity in on itself was very dangerous element and you couldn't fight against it, how could you? It's not a thing you could grab or attack, it was like trying to catch smoke. It couldn't be done.
Out of the corner of his eye, Clover could see Xero's father, Tony, gripping his hands tightly, as his eyes narrowed at the screen. His best guess, that this was one of the many things the son kept from the father. At this point, Clover wouldn't be surprised, Xero seemed to be the secretive type of person.
"Oh my god, i knew he Xero was strong but not THIS strong? Honestly, are we actually helping him or are we just getting in the way?"
Despite being known as one of the greatest soldiers of all time, Steve knew that in a straight up fight, he would lose horrible against his young friend and leader. There was no denying that fact, even the rest of the Avengers wouldn't have much of a chance against Xero if it came down to a fight. A lot of Xero's past was shrouded in mystery and during Loki's invasion, Xero showed them just how huge the gap between their strength's was.
Even Gudako would be hard pressed to fight against him.
"Hahaha."
Cu, the Lancer version, just laughed at Steve's question as he looked at the blonde man,"What do you expect? Teach is the one who taught him how to fight. Doing things half assed just doesn't fly with her, either he gives it his all or he dies, simple as that. Master certainly took those lessons well, as he's still standing today, that should also be a warning to you huntsman: Just because master doesn't have aura, doesn't mean he'll be an easy target for you. If nothing else, it's you who's got to look out, cause that aura of yours blocking all the damage made you lazy and weak. It don't mean much if you're little power doesn't block actually attacks."
The blue haired man laughed, as some of the more proud hunters growled at him but they were cowed by the sheer power behind Xero's attack on screen. No one, not even the headmaster or Nora could have survived such a powerful blast of lighting.
"I have to agree. As a dragon, my hid is much thicker then a normal animals and my scales are the equivalently to ultra high hardness steel. My mate fought me one on one and was still able to defeat me. This aura of yours does sound useful but would you actually be able to survive if you are fully crushed under something."
Like a dragon claw.
It went unsaid but Ursula's point drove home, as some aura users paled at fighting either of the monsters before them. Even those that hated Faunus, seeing Ursula and her sister as Faunus, didn't dare open their mouths to insult the pair. Not only were the pair very tall with viable muscles on their slender bodies, dragon Faunus were unheard of.
No one in recorded history had ever seen one in real life and many in Remnant speculated that a Faunus dragon would be the strongest of them all and essentially a god to them. But again, no one has ever seen a Faunus dragon to being with, so it was pure speculation.
Till now.
Nobody had seen Ursula actually fight, other then screen shots of her flying over and burning many of Loki's soldiers. But they didn't need to see her fight, to feel the raw power her presence seemed to just flow out of her naturally. Not like magic or aura, just raw power.
Like a dragon.
Ozpin would have noticed if the dragon woman had magic, had it not been for the fact his sense had all but been blinded by the youngest Starks, Xero and Gudako. If Gudako was a large well of magical power, then Xero was an ocean of mana.
Their power flowed out of them in spades, leaving all those who could feel magic or sense it, a bit breathless at the sheer amount rolling off the duo. Hell Oz could even sense the magic coming from the Church trio with Father Vincent's power being a bit higher then the younger girls but no less powerful. Only those with magic would notice the influx of power rolling off the two and Ozpin knew Qrow, Raven, even Summer felt it to a certain extent. Hell, Ozpin was certain even someone like Mr. Schnee, his son and the Council members could feel it too.
But that wouldn't stop some of the more stubborn and foolish of those in power doing something that could possible lead to war, James included. As direct and forward as the general was, if he saw what he believed to be a threat to Atlas or Remnant as a whole, he want something done about it, often his way in doing things.
Ozpin feared James would make things worse and that wasn't even mentioning what Jacques would do to ensure he and the SDC remain on top. With a whole new world, came a whole new company that could rival his own and clearly, Stark Industries is a multinational industrial company and the largest tech conglomerate in the world. One bigger then the SDC.
Something Jacques would not stand for, neither would Atlas.
"It wouldn't even matter if the world ended tonight, Jacques would do whatever it took to make sure he remains the most powerful man in the world."
Even if that meant to foolishly go after someone, clearly more powerful and very much needed. Not just for Xero's power but his knowledge of what was to come. The Dead War, the Six, the Umbrella Star and probably a whole lot more. Jacques pride would not let anyone be better then him or his company and that damnable pride would doom them all if he wasn't stopped.
And he and the council's would push James to act, something the general would be more then happy to do against a possible threat. The fact was that even if it was just starting the young man was proving himself to be too dangerous to be left alone. Ozpin knew his type, if they kept pushing, Xero WILL retaliate and he has damn good reason to be wary of those in power.
"If you keep pushing, you're going to make him an enemy James. Don't let you're fear lead us all to ruin."
"Man, am i glad boss is on our side. If i had seen him do that, i'd be half way across Manhattan by now."
Connie said with a shake of his head, still have a hard time believing what he just saw and couldn't believe how awesome it was. Damn was he glad Xero was on their side!
"Manhattan? I'd be halfway across the USA."
Sasha laughed, as did Connie, while Jean grinned,"Forget that, i'd be half way across the world by now."
That got a collect laugh from the rest of the 104th as the bantered with one another. With all the dark shit, doom and gloom going around the theater room, it felt good to start laughing. Even if it was only at themselves, laughing felt good to do again.
"SHIT!"
Xero had to bring his monster of a sword back up again, blocking another, equally large sword against his own.
But all good things must come to an end, as everyone's attention was tore back to the screen, all eyes widen in shock.
(END OF OST)
"Why am i not surprised that they bring you back...Ophelia."
The only reason he was still in one piece was thanks to his training and instincts, alerting him at the very last second to block the sudden attack. Along with feeling that twisted yoki, that could only belong to ONE person. Miria's worst enemy:
Number 4, Snake Sword Ophelia.
"Just looking at her, you can tell she's bad news."
Levi narrowed his eyes at the dangerous woman, seeing the madness and insanity in her metallic sliver/golden hue eyes,"Hange, her name, Ophelia. Do you think-"
"That the same Ophelia Xero told us about? Yes, i do believe so."
The brown haired woman said, eyes narrowed at the warrior on screen. She looked just like Xero described, pale skin, braided sliver hair, pointy ears and an unnatural blood lusting aura around her.
"Yes. That is most certainly Ophelia alright, she's got that look in her eyes."
The eyes of a predator and one that enjoyed the hunt almost as much as the kill, maybe more so. The huntsman and warriors nodded in agreement, as Glynda spoke,"That woman...she's dangerous."
"Very."
Erwin nodded, eyes narrowed, this wouldn't end well.
The insane warrior grinned,"I'm not the only one."
Xero's eyes widen, as he dropped, narrowly dodging a spear aimed at him. Only for his head to wipe around, as he felt a ANOTHER enemy coming towards him, causing him to twist around just in time to dodge a sudden strike of lighting that wasn't him own. As he landed on the ground, his metal arm shot out, grabbing another blade, aimed at his head.
"GET. OFF."
Grabbing the blade, he threw it and it's owner into Zed, who caught them, as Xero glared at the new comer.
"Who are you?"
The person he grabbed, was a woman with pale skin, with wavy blonde hair tied in two pig tails and-
"Shit."
Sliver eyes.
"Another warrior i presume."
Erwin asked Artoria Saber, as the blonde nodded,"Yes. If you thought Opheila was bad, this one is a hundred times worse."
"Who is she?"
Fury just had to ask, unable to take his eye off the newcomer, feeling a new sense of fear run down his spine. Which was surprising, as Fury had seen A LOT of shit in his time as a SHEILD agent but he knew, when this feeling hit, it wasn't a good thing. It wasn't a good feeling but damnit, it had saved his ass more times then he cared to admit. He couldn't show fear freely as he was the director of SHEILD and needed to put up a strong front.
"Her name is-"
Number 1: Roxanne of Love and Hate
"Love and hate? The fuck is that suppose to mean?"
Mercury asked, still a bit bitter at having his ass so easily handed to him. It was just like his bastard old man and he most certainly didn't like the feeling of being powerless all over again.
"Master told me about her once."
Otika Alter spoke lowly, as she lowered her head,"Roxanne was the number 1 warrior of her generation and the eight strongest warrior to ever live. She is known as 'Roxanne of Love and Hate' due to her volatile relationships with fellow warriors, and, according to the Organization leaders, her troublesome behavior."
"So she was a trouble maker?"
One of those ambassadors asked, making the dark skinned Servant frown,"No. It goes beyond just that, Roxanne was a scheming, sadistic, and manipulative, displaying sociopathic tendencies that can rival Opheila, beyond it even. Once, while on a hunt, she simply watched as the being tortured and eventually killed one of her teammates, who happened to be Claymore No. 35 and a close friend of Cassandra. After discovering the circumstances surrounding her friend's death, Cassandra, in her grief, attacked an amused Roxanne, who killed her with a twisted grin on her face. That isn't even the worst of it."
"I seriously fail to see how much worse she could get."
The president said, very disturbed by what he was hearing and he wasn't the only one, as everyone displayed the same emotion. Even Cinder and Co. Otika Alter however just smiled grimly,"It wasn't known before her death but Roxanne would also befriend warriors she admired and take advantage of those connections to learn their skills. Roxanne herself would go into Extreme Methods to successfully copy these skills for herself, She allowed her own eye to be gauged out,thereby blinding herself the same way the then Number 9 Neideen in order to master her sensory and sword skills, This was also true when she soon became infatuated by the then number 1 Cassandra, where she stalked and followed her around for months for the sole objective of seeing her battle and copy her secret fighting style. However, as she became more powerful, she would come to hate both her imitated abilities and their inventors, deeming them "ugly." Coincidentally, each of her "friends" would mysteriously die in Yoma hunts soon after she mastered their techniques, but Roxanne never expressed any sadness. It is implied that she was directly involved in their deaths, evidenced by the timings, her apathy, and the nature of the deaths of her former "Friends". Her resulting reputation seems to be the reason she was nicknamed "Roxanne of Love and Hate."
Silence.
Once again, everyone was shocked into silence at the information they just listened too. The more and more they learned of either Xero's past or the Warrior's past, it seemed to do nothing but make natives of both Earth and Remnant feel disgust.
And anger, with a healthy dose of shame too.
"She sounds like a grade A Bitch, with a capital B."
Of course, that didn't stop Levi from speaking, getting a few laughs, as Medea smiled,"Indeed she was captain. When she died, you can understand why no one shed a tear for her. It just goes to show that some people just need killing."
"That they do."
Blake felt her breath hitch, as her nails dug into her palms. Again with the killing, seeing it as a means to an end, when no one has to die at all! What was wrong with letting someone go, even if they did try to kill you? If you kill them, then not only are you not any better then them but this endless cycle of killing just keeps on going in an endless loop.
Why?!
Why couldn't everyone just get along and focus on the real threat, that was the Grimm?!
Why do the Faunus have to suffer, simply by being what they were and how did Mazoku ENSLAVE those Faunus, when there should be no Faunus on Earth? How and why did those girls allow it to happen and seem to enjoy being enslaved?!
What the hell was wrong with them?!
While Blake stewed in inner turmoil of why her Faunus "Brothers and Sister" would willingly serve a human as ruthless as Mazoku, Father Vincent coughed into his hand, as he tugged his collar,"Yes, well that certainly explains why Lord Mazoku was so reluctant to take Xenovia and Irina in as his apprentices and even demanded we do psychology profiles on them."
"Because Lord Mazoku didn't want to train another Roxanne."
Clover said in realization, it made quite a bit of sense. From the way Otika Alter spoke, Roxanne was an evil woman who had no problem with killing those she called 'friends' and it gave Xero all the more reason, to not trust anyone. Roxanne was a prime example of what happens if you trusted the wrong person and Opheila showed you, just how bad people could go, if they were pushed to that.
"Was she even pushed to that or was Roxanne just naturally evil?"
Clover had no way of knowing, as the woman lived more then thousands of years ago and he highly doubted Xero kept any record of the woman on hand. Even if he did, what good would it do Clover.
The general tasked the Ace-Ops with ensuring Mazoku doesn't become a threat to Atlas but with the sheer amount of power he wield, Clover knew he couldn't be left alone. He was just too powerful and far too dangerous to be left alone. It wasn't even the possibility of Mazoku becoming an enemy of Atlas, it was the fact that the White Fang and Salem wouldn't care to ask him nicely to join them.
They would do anything to get ahold of his magic and his Servants magic too. Not to mention he had not one but TWO Maidens together, which would put him on Salem's radar without fail and Earth simply wasn't ready to wage war against the Grimm like Remnant has done since it's founding.
Clover didn't mean to be insulting but that was the truth.
Earth may be bigger but they didn't have the type of weapons Remnant had or the experience in fighting the creatures of darkness. Also, didn't Xero already have his hands full in preventing the Dead War, the Cult, Baron Umber and the Umbral Star?
The young man, teen, would be overwhelmed at this rate and that wasn't even including everyone else that would try to forceful take his power. Even if he had good reason to distrust anyone and everyone, he would need allies to help him and not just his Servants or family.
"And that's not even including how many people, towns, countries and nations will fall to the Grimm either."
Unlike the four Kingdoms, Earth didn't have the chance to grow use to the Grimm, grow stronger from it and create the defenses Remnant had against the creatures of darkness. Many cities didn't even have the natural defenses Vale had, the year round winter cold that freezes everything after dark that Atlas had, the swell of huntsman Mistral had or even the massive, barren wastelands of Vacuo.
No one liked Vacuo, not even the Grimm.
"...and besides, Xero trained me with little complain about training me."
Clover blinked, as Spider-Man's voice broke through his thoughts, as Gudako spoke simply,"That's because you don't have an evil bone in you're body. You wear you're heart on your sleeve Spider, anyone with two brain cells can see you're probably the purest person on this planet. Well, next to Mash of course, but it's a pretty damn close race on who is purer. Oni-chan knew you'd take his teaching and use them to help any and all those in need, even those who don't deserve it."
"Aww, that's sweet."
Peter Parker put a hand on his heart as a gesture of happiness, which made Gudako smile brightly at him.
"You should be proud, my husband doesn't trust easy and if he trusted you enough to actually train you, is an impressive feat on itself. Just be sure to not abuse or break that trust."
Berserker Morgan said, a small smile on her pretty face, making Spider-Man blush behind his mask and nodded his head at her. There was no way he'd betray his friend and mentor's trust.
Ever.
"Oh no, it's gotten worse."
Historia whined through her teeth, as she saw the final new comer, next to Zed. It was-
"Hello little brother."
His older sister, Frieda.
"SISTER?!"
Mouths dropped in shock, Xero had a sister?!
The woman on screen certainly looked like Xero, the same colored hair, pale skin and most importantly, her eyes. They, like Xero's, where the deepest amethyst color. Just like the Grimm Reaper's eyes.
"Okay, since when and how does Xero have a sister, one i might add, have never heard of before?"
Tony demanded, as the Servants stayed silent. They didn't really known themselves and really couldn't tell their master's father too much, cause they couldn't really say that may be wrong. With the timeline so drastically and everything so different then how it used to be, there was no telling if Frieda was the same woman or if she had completely changed.
Like Eren did.
Thankfully they didn't have too, as Historia spoke,"Frieda...is Xero's older sister because she's MY older sister. His mom, Lilith met my father, Rod Reiss and had a one night fling with him. I don't know the full details but i think Xero, no, big brother say that Frieda was banished from the Mazoku clan. So she came to live with my mother and me on the farm. How and why i don't know, but i saw no signs of her being a Magus in the time i knew her and honestly, i don't even know if she's still alive or not."
"So that's why you call him 'big brother.' Because boss is essentially related to you through Frieda."
Ymir eyed the blonde as she spoke,"So you don't know if she's alive or not?"
"No. I even had director Fury see if they could locate her."
"But we found nothing. Nothing in the date base, FBI, CIA, ICE, pretty much every date base possible and we found nothing. She's basically a ghost in the system."
"The same could be said for us."
Father Vincent cut in, a frown on his face,"I do not know how but Freida has dropped off the face of the Earth, hidden from both Magus and Non-Magi people. If she is alive or if she was ever alive, we have no record of her anywhere. Lady Gudako, i don't suppose you have any idea, do you?"
"I'm afraid not, neither does Oni-chan. The only reason we even knew she existed, is because of Avenger Xero's memories, he didn't even know WHO she was until then. So if she is alive, we don't know where she is."
That was concerning and worrying. Cause the woman on screen didn't look like she was brought back to life, not like Opheila and Roxanne. She looked alive and well, if Frieda really is alive, why is she siding with the enemy?
Xero glared at his, very much alive sister,"Frieda, just what the hell are you doing? You do realize you're siding with an enemy that wants to wipe oit all life on this planet, right?"
"I do."
"Then why are you doing it then?!"
Frieda sighed, like she was talking to a young child,"You would not understand little brother. I won't bother explaining cause i know you can't or rather, you won't accept what i have to say, so what's the point? Even if you kill me, defeat my allies and win this Dead War, do you really think that'll be the end? That you'll get some sort of happy ending? No, you won't foolish little brother. You shouldn't have stopped Solomon little brother, all you did was prologue the suffering."
"Solomon? The suffering? Just what are you hiding Xero?"
Pepper idly wondered, seeing the look of defeat and registration on the older girl's face. It wasn't like Ophiela's or Roxanne's faces, this was a look of a woman who didn't want to do this but knew she had to do it regardless of what she wanted.
"Hahaha, ya see boy. Even you're pretty as shit sister realizes the truth and decided it be better then to try and fuck with what can't be fucked. So, ya wanna give up now and i can make it quick or would you rather i kill you slowly, while making you're equally pretty wife and daughter suffer for you're fucking arrogance in being something more."
Zed grinned a corky smile, readjusting his jaw, as Xero noted how Opheila and Roxanne were in position to flank him, regardless of where he went.
"Damnit, Levi and the others need more time. Guess i've got no choice, i'll have to dragged them all into my Reality Marble. Going to take a lot of magical power but that's what using the Moon Cell's power is for, for something exactly like this."
"There's that word again, Reality Marble. What is that exactly?"
Cinder knew she was treading on thin ice, having to be very, very, VERY careful on what she said and how she phrased her questions. So far everything that had been revealed was proving just how big a threat Xero was, not just to her plans but even Salem herself. The woman was immortal sure but would that be enough to stop the Monster that was Xero? She didn't know and she had to gather as much information as she could before she even dared to think about making a power play. Knowledge is power after all.
Thankfully this one was going to be answered one way or another, so it shouldn't set off any alarm bells.
Hopefully.
The Servants all looked to one another, before the large, red haired/beard man shrugged before speaking,"A Reality Marble is magic that actualizes the internal landscape of oneself. If it's activated, the surrounding space is changed to a completely different landscape. In essence, when one is being used, it brings in all the surrounding people or anything living or non-living into what is basically a person's inner world, their mid-scape so to speak. A world that isn't exactly in the person's mind but not on this plane of existence, a new plane of existence that is only accessed by the one who can create a reality marble. It's very rare for a modern day Magus to have one, not to mention it take A LOT of magical power to actually use it but as per-usual my master likes to break the states-quo with his own brand of madness. Hahahaha."
Iskander let out a jolly laugh, as everyone slowly absorbed the information that was being told and after everything else they've learned, everyone had no idea that this was only the tip of the iceberg. They had no idea how strong Xero or Gudako really were and what power they could wield, but they would learn soon enough.
But right now, they had to contend with this new information and reacted appropriately.
"WWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTT?!"
Yes, very appropriately indeed.
Many laughed at the reaction, as did Gudako, even as Medea Lily motioned for the Curator to get the 'movie' going before people could begin asking questions. They'd be here all day if they did and master wouldn't be back, till this was over.
"No choice."
Flaring his magical power once again, the force of said power caused the wind to pick up, making his enemies block their eyes from the view. With a smirk, Xero planted Black Rose into the ground,"Now then, since you changed the rules Zed, i'll just have to-"
WA-BAM
Suddenly Xero was punched back by a powerful force, sending him through several pillars.
Wait, pillars?
"Wait, what just happened?"
Annie was the first one to notice the drastic change in scenery. Unlike the ruined, battered battlefield of Paradis Island, the Xero on screen was now in some kind of wasteland, with ruins all around him and the sky had changed from red, to a dark, hue blue oddly enough.
"It's beginning..."
Medea Da Vinic Caster said lowly, her normally jolly attitude gone, replaced with solemn, registered looked on her face. All of them, even Phantom and the Gil's all had those looks, all knowing full well what was coming.
This was going to get bloody, quick.
"Ah, shit."
Xero groaned, as his head throbbed in pain,"What the fuc-"
"YOU WERE SUPPOSE TO PROTECT THEM."
(PLAY AOT S1 OST: XI-TT)
Blinking and feeling his vision swim, Xero looked up to see...himself?
No, AVENGER Xero. He was the same as the last time he saw him. Sliver hair, golden eyes, ripped cloak and two metal arms with a ripped black sleeveless shirt, pants and combat boots. A heavy looking chain was wrapped around his left metal arm and the spikes on the chain made it look very intimidating. As did the viable veins on haggard, sunken eyed face.
"Oh my...he looks horrible."
Kali's comment caused many to nod. Despite clearly being the enemy, Avenger Xero did look pretty bad but the aura around him just screamed trouble. The look in his eye, it was the look of a man who had lost everything over and over and over again, no matter how hard he tried to save those he loved. Avenger Xero had the look of a man, who had nothing to lose and had nothing left.
Nothing but rage and hate.
"My son..."
Tony however took the appearance of the new Xero the hardest, looking like he aged ten years as he sagged into his seat with a look of despair on his face. His hand clenched into a familiar motion, gritting his teeth at seeing how far his son could fall. It made him sick to his stomach and it made his blood boil at the scene of his only son be reduced to this sorry state.
"...Why is it always him?"
"Believe me Mr. Tony, i've been asking myself that question since the first day in Chaldea."
Mash said sadly, as Fou let out a few sad 'Fou's' as he curled up into the purple haired girl's lap, as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Then we'll just have to make sure this horrible future never happens."
Shirou spoke with his usual smile on his face, as Tony and Mash nodded,"You got that right Fake Priest."
"Now here comes something you won't be able to forgot anytime sound."
Tony felt his blood run cold at the Counter Guardian's words, what did Kiritsugu mean? Seeing Morgan's eyes narrow at Ms. King, as his son's first wife lower her head in shame made Tony worry more. What was about to happen?
Groaning and standing up, Xero had enough time to see Avenger Xero stab GRAND Black Rose into the ground and APPEAR RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM!
Suddenly and without warning, he felt a metal fist connect with his head, sending him into the ground with a very painful 'crunch' as his entire body seemly flopped against the ground, his lower half now up in the air, as his upper half was slammed into the ground. Then, Avenger Xero delivered a very painful looking kick to his younger self's face, sending him flying.
"Ack!"
The screen zoomed in on Xero's face, eyes and mouth open wide in a silent scream, as blood flew from them.
Fuck that looked painful.
Yang prided herself on being one of the strongest people her age. Sure, she had nothing on P-Money, nor could she beat Nora in a competition of pure strength. Seriously, the shorter girl used a war hammer for crying out loud!
Ever since she started at Signal academy and unlocked her semblance, Brun, she had been at the top. Her semblance allowed her to take damage, grow stronger from it and give it right back, almost making her invincible.
Almost.
Against real huntsman like her parents and Qrow had proven, as strong as she was, she still had a long way to go. In terms of being a real huntsman anyway but as far as her peers went, the only one of her generation that could topple her was Pyrrha. Which was no real surprise or blow to her ego. She was strong sure, but Pyrrha didn't win those tournament by her pretty smile alone.
She was strong, skilled and humble too. Aside from Pyrrha, Yang was certain she was the strongest person of her generation up to date.
Until she came to Earth.
She suddenly found herself down on the totem poll of being the strongest person her generation. Suddenly people like Spider-Man, Gudako aka Mage and the big man himself, Xero aka the Grimm Reaper had shown her just how weak she really was. She tried to deny it for a while, believing that someone without their aura unlocked was weaker then her, till she couldn't no more.
After watching what Xero can do in several years, Yang realized she could never hope to reach his level of power.
As much as it galled at her pride, the same way it did for Weiss, Yang was forced to acknowledge that Xero was indeed stronger then her. Both in terms of power and strength. Seeing everything now, even if they've barely gotten started, Yang knew she stood no chance against Xero. At least, the future version of himself but as of right now?
She had no idea.
Compared to Xero, Yang knew she was weak.
Weak.
A word that you didn't put in the same sentence unless the word "isn't" is in the middle but right now, at this very moment, Yang knew she was weak compared to Xero. Someone the same age as her, with no aura or hunter training was light years stronger then her and no matter what she did, Yang would probably never be able to beat him.
It was humbling, as it was frustrating.
"By the brothers, this...this sucks!"
Yang Xiao Long was strong but no matter how strong she got, there will always be someone else out there, even stronger.
Always.
Xero was once again sent flying, skitting across the ground till he slammed into the, Black Rose? Groaning, he looked behind to see his family's sword and the advancing Avenger coming for him. Gathering what strength he had and pumping both Yoki and mana into his limbs, Xero grabbed his sword just into time to block Avenger Xero's fist.
The force of his attacks, caused the other Xero to skit back again, as the Servant version merciless attacked!
SLAM
SLAM
SLAM
SLAM
SLAM
"I mean no disrespect Mr. Stark but i'm afraid you're boy is on the back foot and unless he does something soon, he's going to lose."
Port said sadly, twisting the ends of his mustache around his fingers, as Tony merely said,"I'm aware. But i have a feeling this is one fight, he isn't going to one."
"He won't, my husband's Avenger self is clearly much stronger and seeing as he's fighting a Servant, i can't help but wonder where his 'protectors' are. It is clear he is back in his younger body, before he left Chaldea, so where is his help?"
Despite it being phrased as a question, the underlying accusing tone was aimed directly at her sister, Artoria.
More specifically, Artoria Alter Lancer, the king of Storms. Something the Lancer picked up on easily, making her glare hard at her sister but ultimately said nothing, as her pride as a king was burned badly that day.
The day all of Chaldea was blindsided and her beloved queen was stolen away then left for dead on a whim of a broken man.
"Fucking hell, this is really hard to watch."
Eren cringed at the sound of bones breaking and blood flying everywhere. He and the rest of the Scouts could only watch in horror at seeing one of the strongest people on the planet be reduced to...this. Armin wasn't much further behind his friend in the cringing department, despite logically knowing that no one was invincible, it was jarring to watch the savage beat down.
"But if this really is a memory, why is his Avenger self attacking him so brutally and viciously? It be so much more simpler to cut boss's head off or crush his heart, why drag it out?"
Unless he had something else in mind.
The unending assault caused Xero to back up several feet, trying and failing to find his footing as his Avenger self relentless attacked him.
"That's it."
Gritting his teeth, Xero took another powerful strike and used the momentum of being hit so hard, allowing himself to be forced to jump back a couple of inches, using his wind magic to allow him to spin around and-
CLU-PING
Hit him?
Xero's eyes widen at seeing the edge of his blade sink into his other self's flesh...by a half inch.
His attack barely cut him.
"Uh-oh."
Suddenly, the blade was WETRCHED out of Xero's hand, as his Avenger self gripped the massive blade easily, grabbing both sides of it and did the impossible.
SNAP
Broke the legendary blade in half.
"Holy shit! Dude that's, that's insane! How did he do that?"
Sun nearly choked on air, unable to believe that a sword that size and make was snapped in half so easily, as the Avenger broke it over his knee, like snapping a tree limb in half. He made it look so easy.
"That shouldn't be possible. A blade of that size and make, it's, it's-"
Ruby tried and failed to make sense of what she just saw. Being a weapons expect, she knew all weapons inside and out, thus knew a claymore built like that, shouldn't have been broken THAT easily. Of course, that just made Logan sigh at the young girl.
"Welcome to our world little girl, where Xero and Gudako do the impossible. Never underestimate the strength of a Servant, not even E-ranked. You won't live to regret it otherwise.
Xero was so shocked, he was doing his best impression of a fish, as a metal hand grasped by a metal hand and-
WHAM
With the speed of a jackhammer, Avenger Xero repeatedly punched his original self in the face, sending blood flying everywhere. The sickening sounf of bones cracking was heard, if only barely as the sound of metal smacking against flesh was heard clearly. Bones crushing, teeth being broken, along with his nose, Xero suddenly felt his world spin, as the Servant reared him up and-
"AGH!"
Slammed him onto the ground, hard enough to create spider cracks on the ground and a very faint impression on said ground. Head looped to the side, Xero gasped for air desperately, as blood ran out of his nose, as it was bent at an odd angle, one eye looking like it was ready to burst as blood also seeped out of his eye sockets.
Everyone, even those that didn't like him, cringed at the sight of the badly beaten Xero, even the Servants. As a few of them clenched their own fists in anger at their own powerlessness to help their master, when he needed them the most.
"YOU WERE SUPPOSE TO PROTECT THEM...AND YOU FAILED!"
Grabbing his younger self, Avenger Xero lifted him up, above his head.
"Oh no, oh fuck no. Don't tell me."
Tony gasped in horror, as did a good number of people, knowing full well what the Avenger was about to do.
"I can't watch."
Gudako hide her eyes away from the screen, looking ready to burst into tears, as her loyal and loving Lancer wrapped his strong arms around her, eyes hard. God, seeing one of his greatest failures was painful for Diarmuid. Seeing his beloved wife/mistress in pain over it, over his own failure hurt even more.
God, why was he so fucking useless?!
Damnit!
"Man, this is brutal to watch."
Logan agreed with Bucky's assessment, as he felt the hairs stand on the back of his neck stand. Good lord was this hard to watch, seeing someone as strong as his young friend get so brutally beaten in just a few strokes. He'd seen the younger man in action, so to see what was happening right now was nigh impossible in his mind, it just didn't make any logic sense.
"Then again, he's fighting what is a literally an evil clone of himself from an different timeline. Pretty sure logic took a leave and is never coming back."
Yeah, with magic involved, logic could go take a hike and never come back. But when Xero was involved, logic and reason died a slow, painful and very ugly death.
C-C-CRUNCH
Xero's mouth opened in a wordless scream, as he felt his back snap in half, as his Avenger self pulled a 'Bane' move on him...By snapping his back in half.
EVERYONE winched at the sound of the teen's back being snapped in half, more then half straighten up on pure insticnt.
"NOW I'M GOING TO DO WHAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE THE FIRST TIME AROUND."
Avenger Xero raised his blade above his head, making the badly hurting one eyes widen but couldn't move from his spot on the ground, still gasping and panting from the sure amount of pain he was in. Especially when A-Xero tossed him to the ground, like he was the afternoon trash.
"He's in shock."
Ymir shook her head, as Historia held onto her tightly, worried for her 'big brother'. Hell, even a bitchy bitch like her was worried for the man she saw as her leader. This was painful to watch and even more painful to known there was nothing they could do to help him.
This fucking sucked ass!
"Guess it really goes to show just how useless you and the rest of YOU'RE Knights are sister, mine would have never let that happen to my husband."
"My queen..."
The King of Knights barely heard her sister's obnoxious taunt, unable to tear her eyes from the sight of the man she had swore herself to, get beaten down so badly. A sense of powerlessness and frustration welled up within her, making the Saber bit her lip so hard, she drew blood.
"I'm sorry, i was too weak to protect you. Please forgive me, my queen, forgive me for my weakness."
"There's nothing to be forgiven, my king. My Avenger self was just too powerful and it was like fighting the TX barehanded, you're not going to win."
That soothed Artoria's aching heart, if only a little at hearing Xero's voice through their mental link. If only a little, as she still blamed herself for not being able to protect him, Avenger Xero was just too OP to beat.
At least directly anyway.
No one, not even Gilgamesh, Ozymandias, Arjuna and even KARNA alone or together could defeat the powerful Avenger.
"I-I can still save th-them."
Avenger forze, before his eyes seemed to glow even more, as he grabbed the younger Xero by his neck and hoisted him up to eye level,"SAVE THEM? THEY'RE ALREADY DEAD."
Forceful turned to bare witness, Xero heart dropped as the scene changed again.
"No..."
Rather then be in his Reality Marble, he was suddenly standing on top a building, with an army of undead on all sides. But even among the sea of dead, he could easily make out familiar faces. Mikasa, Velvet, Clem, Levi, Erwin, Dyral, Rick, Connie, Jean, Sasha, Eren, Armin, Annie, Karl, Sophia, Boris, Jun, Loria, Dale, T-Dog, Adenela, Esdeath, Mike, Reiner and one that really struck how out of all of them was Gudako.
"I...i can still sav-"
"YOU CAN'T SAVE ANYONE!"
Avenger Xero bellowed out, making him flinch,"IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU THAT THIS HAPPENED! EVERYTHING! EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED, EVERYTHING THAT WILL HAPPEN, IS ALL. YOU'RE. FAULT!"
"N-no, it's not too late. The future can change, it, it can!"
"NO. YOU FAILED, HUMANITY IS DEAD AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, OUR FAMILY IS DEAD. NOW, IT'S TIME TO PAY FOR YOU'RE FAILURES!"
With that said, Avenger Xero tossed the younger Xero into the crowd of dead, causing him to land painful on his back, wind knocked out of him. But before could even move, the dead forms of his friends and family were upon him!
"AAAAAGGGGHHHHHH! FUCK, STOP!"
He could only watch in horror as his 'friends' started tearing his body apart, pulling his limbs off, as zombie Clementine ripped into his stomach.
"Oh my god fucking lord."
Bruce looked away, swallowing hard as bile rose up in his throat, as he was forced to listen to his young leader scream as he was more then likely ripped to pieces by the very people he tried to save and ultimately failed to do so.
He wasn't the only one to feel bile rise up in his throat, as many others looked ready to vomit or were already doing so. Not that he could blame them.
"GODESS, STOP, STOP IT! SSSSSSTTTTTTTOOOOOOOPPPPPPPP!"
Xero lurched forward, sweat going down his head, eyes blurry with tears as he looked around.
The scenery had changed once again, to reveal the castle, Berserker Morgan lived in, in the sixth Lostbelt.
"Oh thank god it's over."
Laura wiped the bile from her lips, unable to hold her lunch, as her father and Bucky rubbed her back in a helpful manner.
"Oh woah, the room is so pretty."
The room he was in covered pristine white floors, black and white in color. The walls were a pale blue with tall, marble white pillars and even had a massive, throne like chair by the end of the wall of the room. Xero sighed, wiping said tears away as he slowly got up, looking down at himself as he realized, he was YOUNG AGAIN!
Everyone did too, unable to believe what a younger Xero looked like, as Connie said the first thing that came to mind.
"He's so tiny! How did someone so small get so big?"
The master slowly made his way towards the balcony and sat down, so his legs dangled off the edge, as the wind blew through his hair. He closed his eyes, as he heard someone approaching him from behind, as they came to a stop behind him.
"Been a while since you last called me here."
"Hello to you too...mother."
Purple eyes opened up, to see similar colored eyes, ones that belonged to only one person:
Lilith Mazoku.
"Alright, that's it."
Tony suddenly stood up, as the screen came to a stop between the young Xero and his mother, as Tony glared at Saber Artoria and Mash, making them flinch,"I am sick and tired of living in the dark with my son's past. I have tried to be patient, i really have. I tried to be understand and respecting of his personal space and secrets but no more. I've had enough."
"Mr. Stark i-"
"NO! You, shut up Mr. Prince Charming."
Tony glared at Gawain, as the Knight back down, weathering his queen's father anger,"I am NOT letting this go on any further without some answers. I've had to watch Xero work himself damn near to death for almost two years now with little to no answers or even a hint as to WHY he felt the need to work himself to the bone or why he worked so hard, he'd pass out from lack of sleep. I have watched as my son is constantly plague by nightmares, ones he won't even tell me about and i have to go on my day, without knowing how or why my only son is so badly scarred. I didn't say a word and have waited for him to tell me on his own, of his own free will. But despite waiting so long for him to come to me, everyone here seems to know more about my son's past more then me, his own FATHER no less. I don't even know what he's done for the past sixteen years and a half. Enough is enough. No more, i'm fucking done with all the secret bullshit. Erwin, Artoria, Arthur, Karna, Armin, Ursula, Mash you, oh fucking fuck it. The hell with it, i'll even take Fury or even Phil, i don't care. One of you is going to tell me what i want, what i NEED to know, RIGHT. NOW."
"You will dad but first, i need my own answers Ozma, you good sir have a lot of explaining to do. As does general Ironwood."
The name made Ozpin's blood freeze, as everyone looked to see Xero return with his little group. In one arm was Jack, holding onto him like a baby would with a bright smile on her face. In contrast, Jeanne's normally bright face was set in stone, a certain amount of fire in her eyes, as Xero's face held so much anger caused the Servants to flinch at it.
The only time they've seen their master that anger, was during the Sixth Singularity and they quickly saw why.
In his other hand, gripped very tightly was a black book. A book that had a serious of crescent shaped arcs on it, colored in a rainbow manner and one word written in what looked like blood, on the front of the book.
The word, appearing to be the title of said book is:
NULL
UH-OH!
So not much happening during this chapter, other then Mt. Tony finally erupting and some POV's.
Now you all have to remember, this started after Loki's invasion in the Marvel world and V1 in the RWBY, not before Forever falls but after the first day of Beacon, where Weiss and Ruby bonded for a night. But Jaune hasn't stood up to Cardin yet nor has he blurted out his little secret and you can bet you're ass, that it won't happen now.
You can bet you're ass that there WILL be repercussions for finding that book.
SEVERE repercussions i will add, that will alter the future of this world forever. Not to mention we have seen Zed not only bring back two very powerful and very dangerous warriors, he even brought Xero's older sister into the fold. How, why and where is she now?
Who can say?
Now you can see one of the main reasons why i brought the Curator in. It's because his job is to record ALL worlds in the multiverse, including ones like Null. How did Xero find this book and did the Curator put him up to it? After all, to find THIS particular book is a very dark one, one that paints all of Remnant in a bad light due to reasons you should know, if you read it.
Remember it was by Coeur Al'Aran, it is a very good but very dark story.
Read next chapter to find out!
Devil out!