Opening File: The Burning of Paris
During the centuries as the Grimm Horde spread across the world many kingdoms were destroyed while others managed to hold out and in time fought back against the Horde, pushing them back and eventally reestablishing themselves.
The country of France sadly suffered greatly in those times.
As knowledge of Aura, Semblance and Dust was shared by the Emperor not everyone was as accepting of the power as the Emperor and the many allies were. In Paris 1482, Judge Claude Frollo, a deeply religious man who later be remembered as the Mad Priest used his position to inflict great suffering upon the Faunus and Mobian populations, believing them to be Demons along with any demonstrating the use of Semblance, Aura, and Dust, as dark magic and witchcraft, and if he had his way any Huntsman or Huntress would have been burned at the stack for practicing dark magic. Eventually driven mad by his beliefs and his secret lust of a woman named Esmeralda, Frollo began plotting to burn all of Paris to the ground in order to purify it. Eventually his actions of course drew the Grimm in droves to Paris because of all the negative emotions.
It was on this dark day that Paris was ravaged by the Grimm Horde and it was only through the actions of a few that the survivors managed to make it to safety. Many claimed it was a hunchback named Quasimodo('half-formed') who somehow faced down the Grimm with great powers and pushed them back alongside Captain Phoebus, the former captain of Frollo's guard and a woman named Esmeralda along with two mysterious Hunters with one dressed like a ladybug and the other like a black cat. It is said that the survivors were forced to either flee outside the burning city or even underground, taking refuge in a place known as the Court of Miracles.
As the city of Paris burned and the Grimm slaughtered the innocent the last string of Frollo's sanity snapped. He laughed gleefully exclaiming how the monsters of hell had come to claim the wicked, and that this world shall be reborn in fire.
This was until former Captain Phoebus beheaded Frollo where he stood.
To his dying day Phoebus was haunted by guilt- not for killing Frollo of course, but for his failure at not stopping priest's madness when he had the chance, and for failing to all those innocents that died that day including Quasimodo, who in Phoebus eyes was more of hero than he would ever be. He kept a journal, detailing the events of the dark days that were later published. The land that Paris sits on and is surrounded by to this day hasn't been reclaimed from the Grimm, labelled as a danger zone with only Huntsmen and Huntresses with Class IV and V skills allowed to enter on special authority. France suffered greatly that time and would continue to suffer.
Thanks in part to Frollo's actions, and the fall of Paris, the Rodigan royal family of the small country of Rodigan at the time, smelling blood in the water, manipulated events and took the chance to seize and grow in power, eventually leading to the fall of France, and the rise of Rodigan. Though growing greatly Rodigan faced a great war with the King of France that ended with splitting the former country in two. France would become a shadow of its former self while Rodigan managed to hold on to whatever land it had seized.
Since that time Rodigan has remained cut off from the rest of the world while France is forced to rely on Britain and Russia for protection from both the Grimm and Rodigan. Due to this France was unable to build and maintain its own Huntsmen Academy like the other countries have, instead relying on an army of trained warriors to protect its borders and what land the King had managed to keep in the aftermath of the war. As for the other side it is said that Rodigan is an extremely harsh country to live in especially if you are born a Faunus or Mobian. Lately the Satyra has used Rodigan's treatment as justification for their terrorist activities and most of the world condemns the Rodigan royal family for their actions.
For their part it seems the royal family cares very little for the opinions of outsiders.
Close File
Xxx
"The thing about big stories is that they can take you to a lot of places." Deep down in the depths of the Absolution TOM watched as the file closed inside the media room instead of the bridge like he usually did. "Luckily you got us to fill in the blanks. And we're not just talking about just one story here."
On the media screens appeared images of various important figures in the GrimmFall universe. The first screen showed images such as Nigel and Abby fighting each other in the tournament followed by Malachite Plasmius facing down the Crystal Gems.
"First you got GrimmFall, showing our favorite characters and their place in the verse as they live in a world of monsters, demons, and great powers." TOM brought up another screen, this time showing Joseph Matthews, AKA Dracon facing down foes like General Skarr and I.O.N.E.S.C.O. "Then we see the story of a young man turned machine, finding his way in the verse in GrimmFall: Dragon's Rising."
A third screen showed a white armored warrior facing down Grimm.
"Then we get a visitor to the verse from the digital frontier lost in a new world in GrimmFall: Tales of Many." TOM then pointed to the next view screen, showing multiple custom made cars in what appeared to be appeared to be a race. "And if you got a need for speed, check out GrimmFall: Wacky Races and see how sports are handled in this crazy verse."
A new screen showed images of Jim Lake battling evil Trolls and Grimm alongside his friends and allies.
"Next up is the story of a young man who saved his town from invasion of mythical creatures aside from the ones we already know about in GrimmFall: Trollhunters." TOM then gestured to a final screen, showing himself in a fight. "And finally, we cover how yours truly ended up here and started sharing the story with everybody in GrimmFall: Toonami Rebirth."
TOM turned away from the media room, closing the door. "All these stories, covering characters well known and others that came into their own existence as a result of this crazy universe. I am pretty sure there are plenty of other stories out there waiting to be told and we'd be glad to show them. In fact we might have one more to add at the end so stick around."
Xxx
Callie Briggs entered Sebben's office, spotting the man himself looking across the city from the giant window of his office. "Is there an emergency?"
"Not exactly." Sebben turned around and gestured to his desk.
Briggs looked at the desk and noticed a circular board sitting on it. The board was divided into four colors: icy blue, slimy green, flaming orange and sweet pink. The slimy green part of the board was glowing along with the icy blue and sweet pink parts, informing Briggs of something very important.
"The Slime Elemental has awakened." Briggs looked to Sebben who nodded. "That's the third Elemental to awaken and in a year as well. That leaves only one Elemental unaccounted for."
"Fire." Sebben looked at the only part of the board that was not glowing. "Odds are this Elemental will awaken soon and like us they will be noticed."
"Three Elementals here in the same country. I thought we'd be looking all over the world for them." Briggs mumbled, looking back down at the board. "If three are here there is a chance Fire is nearby as well."
"And there is a chance Fire is far away as well. The Elementals reincarnate after every one hundred years but the last time any Elemental sighting was recorded several centuries ago." Sebben pointed out thoughtfully. "The Ice Elemental Queen Elsa, the Slime Elemental Quasimodo, the Candy Elemental Nicholas St. North and the Flame Elemental who was a young woman named Mulan who happened to become China's first Huntress. Queen Elsa and Quasimodo were both killed in the burnings of Paris and Arendelle while Mulan disappeared into the wild. We know that the burning of Arendelle was brought about by Drago on the orders of Sammael and that the Grimm attacked Paris thanks to the work of the Mad Priest Frollo who we know so far had no connection with the Fallen. Mulan perhaps fled because she believed the Fallen and others might come after her while Nicholas headed north and was never heard from again."
"And since then all the Elementals have remained hidden or so we hope. There should have been rumors of their sightings over the centuries but this is the first time anything remotely connected to them has happened since those times. Could it be something forced them to wait longer to reincarnate and is forcing them to awaken in this cycle?" Briggs pondered.
"A great many things could be forcing them to awaken. The situation with the Fallen, the possibility of future attacks by the Gem Homeworld and other threats like Vilgax. Perhaps it is all these forces that are awakening the Elementals and that could mean there is a chance of great change in the future. The question is whether that change will be good or bad…for any of us." Sebben looked back out the window. "We'll keep a close eye open and be ready for when Fire is awakened. When all four Elementals are awakened the Fallen will no doubt begin making their move."
"I find it odd Sammael hasn't done anything about the Elementals aside from sending Drago after Ice and Candy." Briggs folded her arms. "And how do we know he won't go them or Slime?"
"He might not need to." Sebben grimaced. "I have a feeling this time he's waiting for them all to awaken."
"But why?"
"I have a good hunch of what he wants and he along with the other Fallen will need the Elementals, including the Anti-Elemental." Sebben's eye flashed.
"The Anti…Elemental?" Briggs echoed in surprise. "But isn't it just a myth? I know the Elementals are real but we have no evidence to support-"
"The Anti-Elemental exists." Sebben spoke calmly. "And perhaps holds the key to either the Fallen's defeat…Or their victory."
Xxx
"Just what is this supposed to be?"
Dipper and Mabel Pines had been up in their room when Hoagie and Dexter entered with the former reading the author's journal again while looking at a board with several notes attached to it, all of them centered on a crudely drawn picture of an owl and the latter was playing with her pig. Both siblings perked up at the sound of Dexter's voice as he came up with Hoagie.
"Hoagie, who is this?" Dipper asked, putting his journal down.
"Dipper, Mabel, this is Dexter. He's one of the contest kids invited up here like me." Hoagie introduced Dexter who merely adjusted his glasses.
"Cool! Is he a genius like you, Hoags?" Mabel asked, holding up her pig.
"I am more than a genius. I am the grandson of the founder of DexLabs and his successor." Dexter answered proudly.
"DexLabs?" Dipper perked up. "I've heard of it. You are part of the contest too?"
"And I am sure to be the winner." Dexter smiled. "My family has the greatest geniuses in the world."
"How come I've never heard of you then?" Mabel questioned.
Dexter frowned. "I might have a few ideas."
Something about the way Dexter spoke made Dipper frown and think of Gideon when he heard the so-called genius' voice.
"So your uncle owns this place?" Dexter remarked, looking around.
"Yep, Grunkle Stan, Man of Mystery!" Mabel nodded proudly.
Dexter raised an eyebrow. "Grunkle?"
"It's short for great uncle. Really saves the trouble." Mabel explained cheerfully.
'Oh great. Another Dee-Dee.' Dexter rolled his eyes which Dipper saw and only annoyed him even further, having a good idea what the red head thought of his twin sister.
"And we have been solving mysteries all around town thanks to the journal Dipper found." Mabel continued, pointing at the journal in Dipper's hands.
"Journal?" Dexter looked over at Dipper who sighed and held up the journal, opening it for Dexter to see.
"Yeah. I found this journal I have been studying it since day one." Dipper said, watching as Dexter looked it over and waited for his response.
"This is all fake."
Well, he probably already saw that coming.
"Whoever wrote this was an obvious lunatic. Gnomes, merman, this is obvious fantasy." Dexter scoffed, turning away. "Obviously this author was delusional and wrote down his whacky imagination. Either as a form of therapy or just as a call for help."
Dipper's eyes narrowed. Knowing had not helped to brace him for the pang of indignation he felt as he took the journal back. "We've seen plenty of the things in this journal for ourselves."
"Oh really? Then I suppose you have some empirical evidence to back up this claim." Dexter crossed his arms and fixed Dipper with a skeptical stare.
Dipper raised one hand and opened his mouth…only to falter as the answer came to him. "Not…in the immediate area, no. But stick around Gravity Falls long enough and you'll see it for yourself!"
Dexter gave derisive 'pffft'. "I'll eat my shoe if I do."
Behind the boy genius, Mabel held up a bottle of ketchup and winked at her brother.
"You don't wear shoes, just those…weird zip-up boots." Dipper motioned to Dexter's feet. "And a lab coat…outside of a lab?"
"Not as out of the question as wearing a summer cap inside a house." Dexter countered.
Both boys gave one enough a narrow eyed stare as the air in the room became tense.
"…did this room just get colder?" Hoagie asked.
"He-e-eck yeah it did!" Mabel stifled her laughter behind one hand. "This is what happens when you put two Dippers in the same room."
Both boys turned and shouted while pointing at one another. "He is nothing like me- what?! Hey! Stop it! No, you stop it!"
"You see?" Mabel whispered. "It's like they're on the same wavelength."
Hoagie chuckled a bit but stopped as both boys glared at him. "Maybe I should have stayed with grandma."
Seemingly putting up with grandmother's temper and her cane felt safer than being the warzone that was Dipper and Mabel's room with Dexter as a guest.
Xxx
"So you faked your own death and you took your brother's name to save him…From what exactly?"
Stan grumbled, trying to keep himself from saying the wrong thing and getting Lydia mad. "Look, it's personal Lynds. And I got to do it on my own."
"Unbelievable. You haven't even changed a bit. When we found you on the streets I was forced to waste my time training you to better look after yourself this is how you go about it." Lydia shook her head. "What Sebben saw in you I'll never know."
Stan stiffened. "Look, I never asked for any favors from you or Sebben for that matter. He only offered to help because of some weird stuff my dad was involved in. I never took the oath to be a Huntsmen like all those other suckers he tri-OW!"
Lydia whacked him over the head again. "Don't make light of us, Stanley."
Stan grunted, considering himself lucky that no one inside could hear them and that Wendy had been too busy on her earphones to listen. That was perhaps the one time he was thankful for her lazy attitude.
"You conned your away around the county, biting off more than you could chew and it was only thanks to us so-called suckers you are even alive now." Lydia scolded. "Now I find you again and evidently you spin up the story of your brother missing in a town in some contest which I already suspect to be something else entirely."
"Look I am not lying, Lynds." Stan said. "I don't know what the Northwests want but I mind my own business as long as they mind theirs."
"And something tells me it will not be just their business for long."
Xxx
Edwards watched as the gate hummed with power, creating a portal in order to summon his master's servant which did not take too long. Out of the portal appeared an alien with white skin and black markings, wearing a black robe with red marks in the middle. A fin protruded from his head with black markings surrounding his red eyes.
"Welcome to Earth, Pysphon." Edwards greeted the alien who brushed past him, hovering out of the room.
"What is the status of my lord?" Pysphon inquired, not even looking at the human who followed after him.
"He is recovering quickly." Edwards answered stoically.
"For your sake, human he better be." The two reached the doors to Vilgax's chamber and upon them opening Pysphon was immediately bowing to his master who was still recovering in the medical tank. "My lord Vilgax, I have come as you have ordered and I am ready to serve."
"As expected." The raspy voice of Vilgax said through the breathing mask over his mouth. "What is the status of my empire?"
"All worlds, including your home world have remained in line since you left me in command." Pysphon stood up.
"Good and the candidates?"
"All of them here and one of them is even from a world you have conquered."
"Good. Bring them to me."
Several minutes later the warriors were assembled before Vilgax for his inspection. The first was humanoid, wearing a high-tech circlet and full-body armor colored in varying shades of blue and bluish-gray. The next was a woman who had maroon hair, pale skin, and wore a gray and red bodysuit with a helmet. The third had goldish brown-colored armor, a sideways mouth, four scythe-like legs and a large, powerful pincer for a left hand, resembling a fiddler crab with orange lines running down its body with its eyes having the same color.
The fourth had armor with purple pads covering his central joints, a belt, and four central lines on his helmet to provide outlines for his face. The final wore a grey suit that had a black helmet, which housed a green triangle on the front. This triangle was also on the center of his utility belt, and there were markings resembling it on either shoulder-pad.
"Five warriors, Six-six, Kraab and Tetrax serving as the best bounty hunters in the universe along with former Princess Mira of Andulvia," Pysphon smirked at the first candidate who clenched their fist. "And finally, Rojo of Earth. She has done services for your minions here."
"Indeed." Vilgax uttered, looking the five over. "A dethroned ruler, three so-called top bounty hunters and a low life criminal."
Six-six grunted in his language before Kraab spoke up. "I can't speak for them but no one escapes my pincers."
"That is what I hope to see for I have a job for all of you. You will be tracking down a device of great importance to me. Succeed and you will be rewarded with enough money to never work again. Fail…" Vilagx's red eyes flashed for a mere second. "And finding your next client will be the least of your problems. Pysphon, see to it that they are prepared."
"Yes, master." Pysphon bowed.
"Now then, aside from the former princess you are all dismissed." Vilgax settled his eyes on the armored warrior named Mira. "I want a word with you."
The rest of the group quickly left, leaving them alone with Mira staring at Vilgax who glared at her. "Take off the mask."
The bounty hunter removed her mask, revealing orange hair, big grey eyes, and large lips. She scowled in defiant at Vilgax who simply stared back.
"Princess Mira, former ruler of Andulva before you fell in combat against me." Vilgax said, his voice filled with mockery. "So this is what you have become."
Mira seemingly trembled but kept her composure.
"I must admit that I am amused by your presence here. When I issued the Conqueror's Challenge to your world you were the one to answer. You fought with all you had but you were no match for me. Now you are before me as a bounty hunter, offering your services to me." Vilgax mused. "And what is it you hope to be your reward?"
"You know what I want." Mira finally spoke.
"The return of your home world." Vilgax narrowed his eyes. "And what makes you think I would even consider it?"
"Because I know what you are after." Mira replied. "You are looking for the Omnitrix."
Vilgax's eyes narrowed even further. "And how do you know?"
"I still have my sources. Whether I gain the Omnitrix for you with a team or not if I bring it to you the reward I want is the independence of my world restored." Mira requested. "The Omnitrix will give you the power to take rest of the universe. My people will continue to remain loyal to you and give what you wish but without the need for your armies to enforce order."
Vilgax venomously stared down at the former princess. "I will consider it but only if you are the one to retrieve the Omnitrix and bring it to me. No assistance from the others."
Mira bowed. "As you command, Lord Vilgax."
"Yes, as I command."
Xxx
Team MSKR (Massacre)
Members: Mira, Six-Six, Kraab and Rojo
History: Assembled by the warlord Vilgax to hunt down and take the Omnitrix Team MSKR is composed of three intergalactic bounty hunters and a criminal who was given dangerous technology by Flame Keeper's Circle. The leader is Princess Mira of Andulva, a planet that was conquered by Vilgax to gain its many resources who hopes to one day free her planet. The others are mercenaries hired by Vilgax to defeat Ben Tennyson and any Huntsmen who stand in Vilgax's way.