Disclaimer: I do not own any of the material appearing in this story. The OC's belong to their respective owners.
While the Galarian Star Tournament Is Underway
Several Beowolves approached a young couple, snarling and licking their chops as they tried to fend them off by throwing rocks and sticks at them, but it didn't deter them that much. The worst part was that there was no ? Block in sight that would help them out in this predicament. The young couple embraced one another as they screamed while the Beowolves lunged at them, ready to make a meal out of these Toads.
However, something cut through them like butter as the young couple saw them disappearing, and saw the one who executed them without mercy. "Are you alright?"
The male Toad smiled. "We are now! Thank you, General Esdeath!"
Esdeath smiled at them. "You're welcome. Now, I suggest you spend your date somewhere else. This particular spot has been a popular hot spot for the Grimm."
"Right!" The female nodded as they took off running.
Esdeath put her sword away and took a deep breath. "As much as I'd like to see this tournament myself… I still need to take care of the Grimm." She let out a chuckle. "You invite them over to the Mushroom Kingdom and they get called over to some Star Tournament." She said. "Still, I'd rather they enjoy themselves and not work themselves over."
She looked up at the twilight sky before looking down and seeing some Grimm approach her. She unsheathed her blade and got into her stance. "Bring it on." She said as she rushed over and slashed them efficiently. An Ursa roared at her as it tried to swipe at her, but she gracefully backflipped and then impaled it in retaliation. She then aimed her hand at some Grimm and froze them over with her ice, then snapped her fingers to shatter them.
In the corner of her eye, she would see several Boarbatusks and Nevermores rolling/flying toward her as she turned around and got ready to fight them and when they got closer, she was ready to swing her sword at them… but something else slashed through them with one fell swoop. "Huh?!" Esdeath said in surprise as the Grimm evaporated before they could hit her.
"Thought you could use an extra hand."
Esdeath looked to the source of the voice where she would see Sephiroth approaching her. "Who are you?" She asked.
"I am just a simple everyday swordsman and I am known by many names. My name… is Sephiroth."
"Mmm…" Esdeath clenched her fists. She didn't know why, but something about this man sent a chill down her spine. His voice, his demeanor, that look in his eyes… something about it sent chills everywhere. "Well met, Sephiroth… I was handling myself just fine." She said.
"I can tell."
"Let me ask you something… what reason are you here?"
"I am looking for someone."
Aren't we all? Esdeath snarked in her head. "Who is this someone you are looking for?"
"I have heard tales of a woman who is stronger than they looked, and that they are not meant to be taken lightly. Her name is Esdeath."
Another chill ran down her spine. What did this Sephiroth want with her?
"What do you want with this… Esdeath?"
"That is for me to know and mine alone. Do you know where I can find her?" Sephiroth gave her a smirk.
"You can find her in Atlas."
Sephiroth raised an eyebrow with an amused smirk. "Oh? I can find her in Atlas?"
"Yes."
"Hmm, to think that the Esdeath I've heard so much about… is a horrible liar."
Esdeath's eyes widened in shock. How did he…?!
"You look just like the woman that artist at the Mansion was painting... Vince was it? He was the one who made mention of you to me."
So much for getting away from this man… Esdeath thought. "Then yes, I am General Esdeath. What exactly do you want with me?"
"I have been searching for you, because I want to see if what they said is true… If you are the most powerful ice queen in this world."
"So, you want me to humor you… is that it?"
"That is correct."
Esdeath closed her eyes, smirking. "Well now… I'm not one to back down from a challenge." She said, jumping back and readying her sword. "I accept this duel."
"Very good." Sephiroth said, unsheathing Masamune.
Esdeath took notice the length of the sword and let out an amused chuckle. "Compensating for something, are we?"
Sephiroth let out an amused chuckle this time. "You're not the first who asked me that. I blame that jester for starting this unusual trend." He said as he raised his hand up in the air, where Esdeath would notice dark clouds circling above them. "Now, shall I give you despair?"
"We'll see about that." Esdeath said, getting in her stance as did Sephiroth. Despair, huh… I see he's one of those people.
BGM: One Winged Angel (Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children)
The One Winged Angel - Sephiroth
"Show me your strength."
Esdeath rushed at Sephiroth and slashed him, but he blocked the attack easily and then parried the attack as he slashed her a few times but she was able to barely block the attacks. The length of this sword… I don't think it's just for show. Esdeath thought as she slashed at him again, but Sephiroth blocked the attack easily and then slashed her that sent her back a few feet. Esdeath's hand glowed an icy aura as she threw out a wave of ice at her but he swiftly cut the ice in half as Esdeath rushed at him.
Sephiroth slashed at her, but she rolled out of the way and slashed him at his chest a few times, before delivering an icy uppercut that knocked Sephiroth back a few feet. Sephiroth responded by slashing at her but she swiftly dodged the attacks as she even ducked before rushing at him and delivering a few stabs that struck him as he took a step back and snapped his fingers, as Esdeath was caught in a few Shadow Flares surrounding her.
What is this? Esdeath wondered as the Shadow Flares struck her, causing her to be sent flying back a bit but she shook it off as Sephiroth disappeared from view, only to teleport in front of her as he grabbed her by the collar with a smirk, but Esdeath ice punched his gut and then delivered a few kicks to knock him back. She then rushed at him while forming two ice swords as she slashed at him repeatedly as he was able to block her attacks and gave a few swings that she was able to avoid and then slashed at Sephiroth a few times but then Sephiroth jumped back and did a Blade Dash that sent Esdeath flying into the air as Sephiroth teleported above her and slashed her down.
Esdeath landed on her back but she recovered as she rushed at him while throwing ice knives at him but he deflected these and snapped his finger to give her a Shadow Flare, but she was able to slide underneath and delivered an icy kick to knock him up in the air as she jumped up and summoned an ice sledgehammer and then swung it down to have him slam into the ground as she clapped her hands together and shot out small sharp snowflakes to hit him, striking him in the chest as Esdeath landed behind him and snapped her fingers as the snowflakes exploded. She glanced over behind her and saw that his body was gone from the mist. What?!
Esdeath would turn her head, only to get skewered in her shoulder by Masamune. Sephiroth smirked as he held her up as the blade went through her shoulder blade. She let out a grunt before grasping the blade and started to freeze it, attempting to freeze Sephiroth while she was at it. Sephiroth quickly removed the blade from her as Esdeath put her hand on her wound, using her semblance to freeze the wound. "Impressive, but this is where it ends." Sephiroth said as Esdeath rushed over at him and slashed him a few times, but he would block and then parried the attack as he charged up a Flare spell and then threw a Gigaflare at her, where it would explode right on contact.
Pause BGM
"Hmph." Sephiroth smirked as he turned around and walked away from the fire. However, he stopped and let out a smirk. He quickly turned around and swung Masamune, deflecting a few ice arrows as the smoke cleared where Esdeath was still standing while Sephiroth would see an ice statue of Esdeath, where it crumbled to bits. "Impressive." He smirked as he got into a stance. "I believe now it's time to get serious." He said as his one wing popped out.
That wing… Esdeath thought as she got in her stance again as she let out a smirk. Haven't had this much fun in a while. She thought while forming an ice halberd.
Resume BGM
Esdeath rushed over to Sephiroth as she slashed at him repeatedly but he swiftly blocked and used Octoslash to send her flying, but she quickly recovered as she punched the ground as ice stalagmites rose from the ground as she jumped on them and ran over to him, but a flame appeared in his hand as he unleashed Firaga on her, melting the ice but Esdeath jumped over and slashed him down, but he blocked as both of them clashed as they looked at each other in the eyes, then Esdeath delivered a sweep kick and then ice punched him away.
She then ran toward him as Sephiroth waved his hand forward as a wall of fire got in front of her. Esdeath smirked and aimed her hand at it, freezing the flames as she snapped her fingers to shatter the fire, but she noticed Sephiroth wasn't there as she looked up to see him floating in the sky as he raised his arm and threw meteors at her. Esdeath swiftly jumped away from the meteors as they crashed into the ground where Sephiroth emerged from the smoke, flying directly at her and slashing her, but she swiftly blocked the attack and counter attacked, sending him back as Sephiroth snapped his fingers as a Thundaga struck her from above.
"Aaaagh!" Esdeath cried as Sephiroth rushed over and slashed her repeatedly to knock her down. He then angled his sword and attempted to stab her, but she rolled out of the way as she rushed over and slashed him repeatedly with the Halberd, but then Sephiroth summoned Scintilla right Esdeath swung the halberd, striking the barrier as he snapped his fingers, where Scintilla struck back as she was knocked back, wincing. He then threw an Aeroga at her that sent her flying into the air, but Esdeath quickly summoned an ice phoenix as Sephiroth landed on the ice phoenix, forcing Esdeath to jump back a bit, switching from a halberd to two short swords as they clashed on the phoenix, both of them swinging their blades until Esdeath saw an opening and parried the attack, then swiftly slashing him in the chest repeatedly and then slashed him off the phoenix where it shot a beam of ice that struck him that sent him crashing into the ground as a block of ice.
Esdeath jumped off and landed on the ground, but as she walked away, the ice shattered as Esdeath let out a gasp as she turned around right as Sephiroth used Octoslash, giving her little time to block as she was pushed back. He then raised his hand up as pillars of fire surrounded him, where Esdeath found herself being pulled in as she attempted to get away from these pillars of fire. Sephiroth smirked and shot some Shadow Flares at her, but this time, they formed into dark energy on the ground that exploded. She let out a grunt as she was knocked toward the pillars of fire where Sephiroth was waiting for her. Esdeath let out a short growl as she formed ice blades in her elbows as she let herself get pulled in, then she slashed through Sephiroth, not caring about getting burned.
Sephiroth let out a grunt as he turned toward Esdeath, the latter doing the same as both of them swung their weapons at each other, as Sephiroth teleported behind her and slashed her, sending her back as the blade also cut off the length of her hair as it was now down to her shoulder blades. Esdeath lunged at Sephiroth, not seeming to care about the new haircut as she slashed at him, but he blocked the attack and jumped back. "That's enough." He said, slashing through her as she was enveloped in a bright light. When the light faded, she would see Sephiroth having transformed as Safer Sephiroth.
What the…?! Esdeath wondering, finding herself unable to move as Sephiroth unleashed Supernova on her. "Aaagh!" Esdeath groaned, finding herself dazed once the illusion was over. Sephiroth let out a smirk and floated up in the air.
"Descend… Heartless Angel." He said and just as Esdeath snapped out of it, he struck her.
"AAAAAAAAAGH!" Esdeath screamed as she fell on both hands and knees.
End BGM
Sephiroth landed, seeing Esdeath's aura dissipating. "We're done here." He said, the clouds disappearing as he sheathed Masamune.
"Just… just what was this… all about?" Esdeath asked while panting, "Surely… there was more to it than just a simple battle…"
Sephiroth chuckled as he started to walk away. "I only desire to see what I am dealing with should I bring this world to despair when the time comes." He said, dusting himself off on the shoulder. "It was nice to meet you… Esdeath." He said and then disappeared.
"Ugh… mmph…" Esdeath struggled to get up, panting the whole time as she managed to get on her two feet. "D-damn…" She said under her breath, holding on to her arm. "Well… he's definitely something…" He said as she limped a bit, her breathing a bit labored. "I should get this wound looked at…" She said.
BANG!
Instantly, a bullet struck her in the abdomen as blood was splattered out. "Mmph!" She grunted, a surprised pained look on her face as she fell on her knees. Wh-what… what just hit me…?! She thought.
"Perfect shot." A voice said as Esdeath turned her eyes to her assailant. Her eyes widened when she saw who was responsible. "Hello General, remember me?"
BGM: Fifth Laboratory (Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood)
"Se-…Seryu…!" Esdeath whispered, her strength fading. She immediately saw the new metal arm that she had as it was holding a sniper rifle.
Seryu let out a chuckle. "Word on the street was that I heard you're frequently visiting the Mushroom Kingdom, so I thought I'd stop by and check up on you. All I did was follow the melodious sound of explosions, and then all it took was for me to strike when the battle was over. The moment I saw you getting up after that supposedly fatal strike, I took my chance." She said as Esdeath scowled at her. "What's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"You… that mental institution… it burned down… but I couldn't find your body…"
"Yeah, I escaped, and I'm continuing where I left off… as much as I hate humans, I hate the Schnees the worst. In fact, I left one for dead just earlier! Weiss, I believe." She said as she knelt down, wrapping her arms around Esdeath. "Do you remember what you said to me?" She whispered in her ear. "How I was passionate about my beliefs, yet you told me to focus on stuff like the Grimm, rebellions or whatever just to vent out my frustrations with humans… on the Grimm?"
"I… I thought it would… do you some good…"
"Oh Esdeath… you are so naive." Seryu smirked.
"Rrrgh…"
"But… you're not wrong about me being passionate about my beliefs, and I believe I stay true to my beliefs." She smirked as Esdeath would soon feel a semi-automatic pistol pressed against her gut, then she pulled the trigger as five bullets flew into her gut.
"Nnngh!" Esdeath grunted, coughing out blood as some of it splattered on her metal arm. A tear escaped her eye.
"Shhhh, I could have shot you in the head… but seeing you bleed out is justice enough." She said, pulling away as she took her hat, then she stripped her down until she was in her bra and panties. "I believe this will look good on me." She said, kicking her down and then unloading her gun into her gut a few more times. "I'm surprised that bra is holding those jugs together, eh… it's whatever." She said with a shrug, putting her gun away. "Have fun enjoying your last moments~! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Seryu cackled as she disappeared into the woods.
End BGM
"Se-Se-Ser… yu…" Esdeath whispered before her vision became blurry as blood was spilling out behind her as she was in a pool of her own blood.
"I swear I heard explosions out here! I don't think they were normal…"
"No, those were gunsho- HOLY SHIT! THAT WOMAN!"
Esdeath saw two Koopas and a few Toads running to her, everything was getting blurrier by the second.
"Quick… we need to take her to the hos-"
Everything went dark after that.
The next day…
"All they could describe was that they heard explosions… and then when they went to investigate it, they heard gunshots shortly after." The nurse explained. "One of them guessed that Esdeath was in the middle of a fierce battle, but lost said battle. Then her assailant came in to kick her while she was down."
Winter clenched her fists, trembling in rage. "Whoever this assailant was… they'll pay!"
Meanwhile…
"I've finally met the woman that I have heard about from Vince. What I have heard was true, General Esdeath is a force to be reckoned with. Her ice powers is something to behold, and despite all odds, she was able to have me go full strength. I can see why everyone admires her. She is strong, bold, and above all else, fearless. The amount of ice that she can manipulate, not to mention she can use her ice to form it into animals such as a phoenix is awe-inspiring. If I ever meet this woman again, I will know what to expect."
Fight At Full Strength: (These are the ones who I should be wary about should I bring despair to this world.) Donkey Kong, Link, Samus (Zero Suit included)/Dark Samus, Kirby, Ness, Zelda, Young Link, Ganondorf, Mewtwo, Meta Knight, Pit/Dark Pit, Ike, Sonic, Dedede, Rosalina, Palutena, Lucina, Robin, Shulk, Cloud, Bayonetta, The Belmonts (Regrettably), Chrom, Joker, Luminary, Byleth, Shovel Knight, Alucard, Zero, Shadow, Zelgius, Rodin, Knuckles, Ghirahim, Esdeath.
Possible Ally?: Ridley
Under Consideration: (These are the ones who I am still debating whether I should go full strength or not): Luigi, Bowser, Roy, Lucario, ROB, Mii Brawler, Kamui/Corrin, Daisy, Piranha Plant, Min Min, Steve, Velvet, Xena/Dark Xena
Not Worth My Time: (These are the ones who I am not worried about.): Mario/Dr. Mario, Yoshi, Fox, Pikachu, Captain Falcon, Jigglypuff, Peach, Ice Climbers, Sheik, Pichu, Falco, Marth, Mr. Game and Watch, Wario, Snake, Red, Diddy Kong, Lucas, Olimar/Alph, Wolf, Villager, Mega Man, Wii Fit Trainer, Little Mac, Greninja, Mii Swordfighter/Gunner, Pac-Man, Bowser Junior, Duck Hunt, Ryu, Inkling, Isabelle, Incineroar, Banjo & Kazooie, Terry, Ruby, Blake, Yang, JNPR, Jade, Iris, Nyx, Winter, Ilia, Sienna, Guile, Akira, Spring Man, Phosphora, Tiki, Skull Kid, Lyn
Unknown: Weiss, Carolina, Umber, Gloria, Winter Ops, ATMC, Leone, Hyrule Champions
Non-Threat Unless I Have Something To Steal: MAJC
Thirty minutes after Sephiroth's reveal, a friend on Discord suggested "Sephiroth vs Esdeath" and I went "Hmm... I could turn that into a Gaiden!" and then as I was planning this out, I went "Wait, what if Seryu comes in and kicks her while she's down?" and... well, ya know how that went!
I could have tormented y'all and posted a Chibi instead of a Gaiden, but i'm not that cruel. *He says as he did a few evil cliffhangers in this series, pffft.*
