Opening File: Spiral Wielder

The title is used to describe those who have managed to find and gain the power of one of the twelve Spiral Gems. It is not as easy as it sounds however as legends states that the Gems are in some way alive. Each Gem is extremely powerful on its own and if someone learns how to wield them to their full capabilities they would be able to unleash unlimited power. However not just anyone can simply pick up a Spiral Gem and wield its power.

Like how there can only be four Elementals there can only be twelve people at time that can wield the full power of the Spiral Gems. The potential to wield the Gems can come in the form of powerful warriors that have certain traits that fit the criteria for each Gem. Some can come from families that have produced the greatest warriors in the history of the planet such as Sanban family from Japan or the Shepard family of Europe. While anyone could have the potential to wield the power of a Spiral Gem they would not be able to wield one that is already in the possession of another.

The difference in power between a regular Hunter that has found a Gem but cannot utilize its full power and Spiral Wielder does not even come close. Those that find a Gem but cannot harness its full power can only small fraction of the power a true Spiral Wielder can wield. It is due to the potential threat that a Spiral Wielder represents that the Fallen and their allies have worked to eliminate families such as the Shepards due to their bloodlines being powerful enough to fit the requirements for the Gems.

Currently it is unknown how many Spiral Wielders actually exists since there is very little information on the status of the Spiral Gems themselves.

It should be noted that simply being born from certain bloodlines like the aforementioned families is not a guarantee of being a Spiral Wielder. Hereditary potential has historically shown to only enhance one's likelihood, but in the end individual merit and virtue has been the final deciding factor.

In short: candidacy for wielding a Spiral Gem is one part nature, one part nurture.

Close File

Xxx

"What is it that makes us different? Is it our appearance, the color of our eyes, skin or hair? Genders? The way we speak or dress?" TOM closed the file. "Maybe it's how we act to one another. Or maybe deep down, we really are all the same no matter how we act."

Xxx

"Can you feel it?"

Sammael lazily opened one eye to look at the shadow in the corner of his throne room. "Moloch. You finally came back. I guess you've fully recovered from your encounter with your old friend."

"That is irrelevant!" Moloch snapped, clenching his fists. "You feel it, don't you? The power of the Gem of Sight."

"The Eye of Cronus that is currently merged with Phil Ken Sebben." Sammael remarked, both of his eyes now opened. "One of the few Spiral Wielders confirmed to exist in this era. With a Spiral Gem merged with him Sebben is more powerful than a conventional Hunter. With that power he quickly amassed his reputation and single handedly founded the Silver Age of Huntsmen."

"And now he's engaged against General Skarr."

Sammael smirked. "Appropriate isn't it? Both were trained to fight since they were able to walk, even taking military training and lost one eye due to unfortunate circumstance. I wonder if Skarr will try and take the Gem himself."

"He's not powerful enough to take on Sebben. That fool is going to get himself killed and decrease our ranks. You know we cannot afford any losses at this time, especially since compared to their previous forms the current Fallen are at less than full strength." Moloch lectured. "Rando Thoughtful, Bill Garton, Nort Randolph, Sylvia, Rhea and Crimson died at the hands of the Knights of Eld and their descendants later killed John Farson, and Maerlyn. Umbra betrayed us and was killed for his arrogance. They have long since reformed into the new current Fallen such as Skarr, Mandy and Velvet, leaving the two of us along with the Wailing Woman among the few original Fallen since the Time of Awakening. The newer ones need time to gain the strength of their previous selves."

"They will and it will be done the way it has been done since our existence began." Sammael stood up from his chair and walked over to the window. "Skarr has mastered his killer instincts and the power wielded by Sebben will only force him to evolve."

"If he survives."

Sammael looked out across the Darklands. "This is the test that all Fallen must face."

Xxx

"Yes, I heard the Gem of Sight can be used to see through earth, cloud, shadow, flesh and even time. You're a Spiral Wielder, which makes you high priority right next to Major Glory himself." Skarr continued, his sword morphing into its rifle form. "So, can you see what I am going to do next? Can you see my future? Or maybe you can only use it at certain times and you have to keep it covered when you are not using it."

He pointed his rifle at Sebben.

"So what good is it in a fight?"

Sebben closed his eye for a second. "You only need one eye to see how this going to end."

Skarr pulled the trigger, firing a Fire Dust shard at Sebben who quickly ducked. The bullet hit a wall behind Sebben and exploded, leaving a large hole. Skarr fired again, forcing Sebben into running to avoid being hit, eventually moving so fast he left afterimages in his wake. Skarr looked around, seeing he was surrounded by images and couldn't tell which one was the real Sebben.

Eventually he aimed at the ground in front of him and fired, the bullet coated with Fire Dust that created an explosion. The images vanished and Skarr jumped out, his rifle shifting back into its broadsword form and clashed with Sebben. They both were trading blows now and blocking each other's attacks until Skarr was knocked back by Sebben's staff. The Noble class Fallen quickly recovered and continued fighting, even after Sebben gained the advantage and started beating him up, punching and slashing away at his Aura.

Eventually Skarr lost his composure, allowing Sebben to easily knock his sword out of his hands. Sebben followed up with a swing to face, knocking Skarr down.

"It's over, General." Sebben said, pointing his staff down at Skarr's face. "Surrender now while you have the chance."

Skarr growled, his skin pulsing as black and purple veins started spreading across his face and his eye glowing bright red. "I think not, Sebben!"

Sebben moved, dodging a beam of red light from Skarr that burned through the ceiling. Skarr stood up, the black veins spreading until his entire body was completely covered. He was now unnaturally tall, towering over Sebben with spikes on his joints, his one eye glowing red and four horns sprouting from his head.

"So you truly have evolved." Sebben remarked, watching as Skarr retrieved his sword, the blackness that covered its owner spreading into the blade that morphed it into a larger and more demonic form. "A Noble class Fallen can instinctively call on its Grimm based powers while maintaining its instincts to kill everything around it."

"Indeed." The demonic Skarr agreed as the blackness around his human face parted, allowing him to show his victorious grin. "Look upon me and see what I have become. Tremble at my awesome visage. When this is over you will kneel. Kneel and bow before the might of GENERAL SKARR!"

Sebben stood upright and smoothed out his jacket as he stared up at the behemoth. "You like the sound of your own voice too much, General." He said. "Between that ego and your unrestrained ambition it makes you easily the blindest among Sammael's ranks."

"Blind?! I see a man who could have ended this long war but was too afraid to act!" Skarr taunted. "I see a man who has seen so many variations of what could be that he's become terrified of what will be! You accuse me of overreaching, Phil Ken Sebben, but you are just as guilty of lacking ambition. Building one city and making yourself mayor? Doubling as a school teacher?! You could have aspired to greater heights, to become so much more. You waste that gem's power, you don't deserve it!"

"Fortunately, General," Phil pointed the tip of his staff at Skarr as the Fallen charged. "You don't get to decide who is worthy."

The headmaster f Nevernest became wreathed in a warm golden glow which originated from the center of his chest and spread across his body, spilling out from around his feet and expanding outwards in a circle which General Skarr, in his haste, crossed the boundary of.

By the time he realized his error it was far too late.

"And after this," Phil lowered his staff and casually strode forward. "I imagine you won't have learned anything of humility. I'm not one for corporeal punishment, but given all that you've done and all that you would do…I think I can make an exception this once."

Before Skarr could even blink it happened.

One second Sebben was before…

And he was standing there again.

While General Skarr was on his knees, the blackness of the Grimm essence torn off like dead skin and leaving the human body underneath now sporting heavy bruises and slashes from nearly head to toe.

There had been no warning.

No feeling of fists, feet or the metal bar hitting him.

The only warning he had received was the feeling of excruciating pain he felt just as he fell to his knees.

"Wh-What?" Skarr gaped, his mind unable to process what had happened to him. "H-How?"

"That is for you to guess, General." Sebben remarked, standing a safe distance away. "Don't worry. I am not going to kill you. I have questions…"

Skarr gritted his teeth, his eye glowing red and his body shaking in rage. "DIE!"

He held his arm that turned black again and stretched out, shooting at Sebben who quickly dodged. His other arm morphed black and from both arms shot multiple tendrils, grabbing onto Sebben's arms and legs.

"I HAVE YOU NOW!" Skarr shouted, grinning maniacally.

Sebben however remained calm, even as more tendrils grabbed him and began squeezing him. Suddenly vanished, leaving Skarr speechless before a fist to the face sent him flaming into the wall. Sebben landed on the ground, having left an afterimage behind to take Skarr's attack. He watched as the Fallen emerged from the rubble, roaring in anger as the blackness covered him again.

Sebben could see that Skarr was losing control.

This was the weakness that all Fallen shared. For all their immense power they were just as vulnerable to emotions as Humans were. Only when they lost themselves to their anger it causes their power to suddenly erupt and act out of control. When one has a short temper combined with a big ego it is only matter of time before they lost all form of reasoning.

With Skarr it happened a lot faster than even Sebben had thought.

'Powerful and filled with hate and a desire for domination. These new Fallen fit perfectly with your ambition, Sammael.' Sebben thought, readying himself as Skarr attacked again.

This time he let out a powerful scream, emitting shockwaves that shook the entire underground parking lot. Stabbing his staff into the ground Sebben conjured an Aura shield that protected him from the attack. Gritting his teeth from the strain of keeping the shield up Sebben watched as Skarr ended his sonic attack and lunged forward. Dropping his shield Sebben moved, clashing with Skarr as the Fallen abandoned strategy, acting only on maddened instinct now.

Realizing this needed to end; Sebben reached up to his eyepatch and prepared to remove it.

Xxx

"Call him back."

Xxx

Just as Skarr was about to attack again a black and red portal appeared in front of the Fallen and pulled him into it, leaving Sebben all alone in the ruined parking lot.

"…There goes another million."

Xxx

"If a fight is what you seek, I will oblige you."

"Yes, you will."

Comrade Red lived for battle.

For over half a century now he had been silently working, finding comrades to aid him in his cause and destroying anyone who stood in his way.

And before him was his greatest obstacle.

The obstacle he swore to destroy with his own two hands.

There was a moment of silence.

Then Red started off the fight by firing a blast of red energy at the Major who effortlessly knocked it away. During that few seconds Red rushed forward and punched Major Glory, immediately following up with a series of punches that forced the hero on the defense until Red moved so fast he seemingly teleported behind Major Glory and kicked him so hard that he was sent flying through the roof of the underground tunnel, even flying past the newly revived Blight after he melted his frozen prison.

"Hey! What's going on?!" Blight shouted, watching the major fly past him. "Where do you think you are going?!"

"Nowhere the concerns you." Blight spun around, spotting Comrade Red who flew past him. "Stay out of my way."

"Who do you think you are?! Taking out the Major was my-" Blight didn't get to finish as Red spun around, slamming his hammer into Blight's face, knocking the radiation powered monster down.

"We carry similar powers, mutant." Red noted, grabbing Blight by the neck and picked him up. "But that does not make us equal."

Comrade Red delivered a powerful blow to Blight's torso, slamming him into the wall. Red raised his arms and fired beams of red light at the metallic walls, melting them around Blight and covered him molten metal, leaving a blazing hot statue.

"No one kills Major Glory but me." Comrade Red said before flying after his arch enemy.

Xxx

Major Glory blasted out of the ground, landing on rough pavement hard but got up a second later. Looking around he saw he was now in an older, less inhabited and rather poorly maintained part of the city. He looked back at the hole, watching as Comrade Red flew out and punched the red clad criminal so hard he smashed through several abandoned buildings. Major Glory flew after them, delivering several combos that knocked Red to the ground, hard.

However Comrade Red had only just begun the fight.

A bright red light surrounded him as he shot up and punched Major Glory into the air, flying after him and delivering a kick followed by a red energy blast that sent the major flying down but he managed to land on his feet. Comrade Red landed on the ground several feet away and fired several energy blasts that Major Glory dodged using his super speed and slammed directly into Comrade Red, he followed with several blows but Red's energy aura flared, knocking the major back.

"You sought to hit the pressure points of my body to disable me. No doubt relying on your x-ray vision to make sure you hit all the proper points." Comrade Red said, wiping some dust off his shoulder. "Impressive tactic but I have been well prepared for that."

Major Glory launched another punch but Comrade Red caught his fist and followed up with a punch of his own, knocking the major back. Red flew after his enemy and Glory tried to anticipate his attack but when he struck Comrade Red vanished and reappeared behind the major. However this time Major Glory knew where he would reappear and spun around, using both arms to block a punch aimed at his fist that sent him skidding back.

"Now we see who is strongest in the world!" Comrade Red shouted as he kicked Major Glory into the air and flew after him.

The two super powered combatants flew high above the city, moving at super speed as they collided and fought, delivering punches and kicks each upon each collision. Comrade Red fired more energy blasts at Major Glory who canceled them out with his Star-Spangled Heat Vision and hit Red directly in the chest. Comrade Red pulled out his hammer and hit Major Glory, knocking him down towards the city. Major Glory stopped himself in mid-air and suddenly vanished.

"Huh?" Comrade Red narrowed his eyes and looked around, trying to spot his enemy.

He didn't have to wait long before Major Glory reappeared as he delivered a powerful combo that sent Red flying up. The leader of the Injustice Friends stopped himself and blasted down, slamming into Major Glory and flew them straight onto the roof of an empty road.

Red laughed as he stood over Glory in middle of a crater formed by the impact. "Seems like you lose, Major Glory."

Glory grunted as he sat up. "I haven't even BEGUN, COMRADE!"

Both opponents floated back up into the air before they begun fighting once again, clashing at hyper sonic speed and trading fast blows. Concussive shockwaves rattled, cracked and even shattered nearby window panes while anyone within a few miles would hear thunderous rumbling from the clash. At one point Glory punched Comrade Red down through a building after confirming that it was uninhabited with a quick glance of his x-ray vision, causing the structure to collapse in on itself and sink beneath the street as Red plunged deep into the earth.

As fast as the crimson juggernaut went down he rose back up and hit Glory with an uppercut that sent him flying above the clouds where their brawl resumed. Nearby air traffic registered the ongoing fight and quickly diverted, their crews thoroughly briefed on how to recognize encounters like this and avoid getting caught in the middle.

For them this was just another day in Grimmfall.

Eventually Glory pulled Comrade Red into a headlock and heaved both of their bodies backwards into a downward spiral. Red struggled and roared as they picked up speed, but Glory's hold remained firm all the way down to street level…and then further down beyond that. The impact was felt as a mild tremor all across the city, but nearby it was bad enough that several of the abandoned structures gave away and crumbled into heaps of metal, plaster, wood and stone.

A cloud of dust expanded from the crater that had been made in the street.

Xxx

"Get me eyes on the point of impact." Sebben spoke through his tablet, having just been made aware of the most recent shift in the clash that was shaking Grimmfall to its foundations.

"At once, sir!" Chief Fizz replied. "My men are already moving to surround the scene."

"Advise them to keep a distance and observe using drone surveillance." Sebben cautioned. "If that fist fight is still ongoing they won't want to be anywhere near it."

"No argument there."

Xxx

Police helicopters as well as some more recent VTOL aircraft colloquially known as 'jump ships' moved in to survey the crater from several hundred meters away. Several deployed aerial drones which hovered overhead and tried to pierce the rising cloud of detritus.

Soon it thinned out enough for them to spot a figure rising into view…a figure in red…

Being held up by Major Glory with one hand as the star spangled hero ascended into view and landed at the edge of the crater where he let his nemesis drop to the cracked street unceremoniously.

"You're beaten, Comrade." Glory declared. "And in the name of the government of the United States of America and the City of Grimmfall I place you under arrest."

Comrade Red coughed and rolled onto his back, staring up defiantly. "This is…not the end…Major." He promised. "One day…you will fall like those who came before you. Men greater than you, some mindless servant of a corrupt and bloated nation."

Glory scowled. "Insults won't change what happens next."

"No." Comrade smirked. "But they do help stall."

Suddenly a portal opened up beneath Comrade Red and engulfed him. Major Glory reacted quickly and tried to grab the scarlet clad supervillain before he could cross through, but Comrade reacted with a burst of heat vision that managed it keep Glory at bay long just enough. The portal shut, cutting off the laughter of Comrade Red and leaving Major Glory alone in the ruined streets.

"Of course he'd have an escape plan." He sighed, frustrated with himself for not predicting this.

Before he could even ponder calling in the GPD with equipment to try and identify and reopen the portal his enhanced hearing drew his attention to a building several hundred meters beyond the edge of the crater. The structure was beginning to sway unsteadily…and several persons within, possibly tenants for what looked like a decrepit apartment complex, were understandably reacting with fear and panic.

Glory shot off at full speed to render aid, knowing that his work was not yet over.

Xxx

"Comrade Red has escaped, sir." Chief Fizz informed Sebben. "There are signs of structural damage around the impact crater. Major Glory is busy rescuing several people from collapsing buildings and my men are moving to assist."

"Do what you can, Chief. Assess all the damage and send me a full report when you are done." Phil said. "Sebben, out."

As much as he had tried, it was next to impossible to create a city without there being low income areas. That particular district had been mostly abandoned in recent years, but some people were either too attached to it or too stubborn to move…or they just had no other options.

And this battle had probably robbed a good number of them of their only homes.

"Guess I have another development project coming up." He sighed.

He'd only just finished fighting one of the most dangerous creatures on the face of the Earth and here he was: more concerned about the political and economic fallout.

To be fair, he hadn't needed the gem in his eye to know that being a mayor wouldn't be simple or even fun.

Xxx

"I remember now." Fuzen smirked. "Your Semblance, Genki Sanban. I believe you call it: Brave Heart. It allows you to empathically link yourself with the people around you, boosting their bravery, morale and even their stamina while at the same time erode you opponent's desire to fight. I had forgotten that power and how effective it can be when you are with large numbers."

"Not that I need it against a fool like you." Genki retorted, raising her sword. "The results are still the same."

"For now." Fuzen retorted stepping back and threw a flash bomb onto the ground.

There was a blast of light, blinding everyone and when it was over he was gone.

"Where did he go?" Zak asked.

"Back to his hiding hole, like all cowards run to." Genki answered, sheathing her sword and turning to the Hibagon. "In the meantime, we have much to talk about, Professor Mizuki."

"Professor Mizuki?" Zak looked at the Hibagon as it turned away.

"One of Japan's most brilliant minds in this century. My husband and I often asked him to consider joining the R&D section of Sanban Industries but he always turned us down." Genki narrowed her eyes. "Only to work for scum like Shoji Fuzen."

"I did not know Fuzen was a crime lord…At least not until it was too late." The Hibagon looked down at the ground.

"I believe we need the whole story to properly understand." Doc suggested.

The Hibagon sighed. "My name is Professor Talu Mizuki, at least it used to be. My research was funded by Shoji Fuzen, wealthy philanthropist who turned out to be Tokyo's biggest crime lord. A fact I learned much too late."

"And he is responsible for your current…appearance." Genki guessed.

Mizuki nodded. "His men found this creature's body frozen on Mount Iba and after they used llegal genetic engineering to enhance its strength, speed and durability he intended to use my invention to place the mind of his thugs into it, combining their intelligence with its strength. I knew there was only one way to stop Fuzen's plan: to take the Hibagon body myself. I stopped him but the fire destroyed the device. Now I am doomed to live out my life as this…" Mizuki looked down at his hands. "Beast."

Genki closed her eyes in solemn silence before she spoke. "Why didn't you come to me? My husband and I had spent years offering our best deals to you."

"I was afraid my device would exploited as a weapon much like Fuzen intended. Sanban Industries is connected with other companies that are involved with the military. I feared my device would be taken and perverted into a weapon." Mizuki explained sadly, his face hardening. "It matters little anymore. At least I am not without purpose. I will take out my revenge on the man who did this to me."

"Professor Mizuki, you have our sympathies." Doc started. "And we'll help you anyway we can, but we can't allow you to take the kind of revenge I think you have in mind."

"They are right, Mizuki." Genki stepped forward. "Come back with me, offer your testimony and we can launch a full investigation into Fuzen's crimes."

"The investigation would take months, years more likely! I will not let Fuzen just walk away from this!" Mizuki barked.

The group halted the conversation, listening to the sound of sirens growing closer.

"Then don't." Drew smirked. "It sounds like half the Tokyo police force is on its way here. How much illegal merchandise do you think they'll find in that big boat with Fuzen's name all over it?"

Genki was now smiling like Drew. "Yes. With all this evidence here and your cooperation Fuzen will be behind bars in a matter of days."

"Let the police do their job. Try it your way and innocent people may get hurt." Doc continued.

"Yeah. You're an eighteen foot gorilla guy now. Kind of hard to go subtle." Zak offered his own two cents.

Mizuki seemingly calmed down. "Yes, let him rot in prison the rest of his life for what he has done." He reached down and smashed a wooden crate. "It seems I am now a creature without purpose. If you'll excuse me, I like some time alone with my thoughts."

Genki narrowed her eyes and reached down to her sword. "Mizuku, don't move."

"Genki?" Drew asked, looking at her in concern. "What is wrong?"

"You put an impressive act, Mizuku but you forgot what Fuzen said about my Semblance. I can sense deception." Genki explained.

Mizuki scowled. "I should have known better, Demon Blade of the East."

He brought his hands together and slammed down onto the dock, shattering the wood. Genki jumped up, landing on a crate while the Saturday family ran back as the dock started cracking apart. She spied Mizuki running onto the mainland, slipping into an alley and ran after him.

"Mizuki!" Genki shouted, holding her sheathe out and her sword shot out like a bullet.

The hilt of her sword slammed into Mizuki's back, knocking him down but he quickly got back up. Genki jumped up, grabbing her nodachi and swung at the Hibagon. Mizuki raised his giant arms and used them to block Genki's sword, earning shallow cuts thanks to the genetic modifications made to the Hibagon by Shoji Fuzen. Genki continued swinging her sword, only for Mizuki to continue blocking with his arms until he finally smacked her away, knocking her into a wall.

"Stay out of my way, Sanban!" Mizuki shouted. "I will not allow even you to stand in my way!"

Genki opened her eyes and she dashed back at Mizuki, swinging her blade again. Mizuki blocked the sword with one arm and raised his other fist to smash her down. She jumped out of the way, using her speed to dodge Mizuki's fists and slashed her sword across his giant body. Mizuki roared out of frustration, punching right and left only for Genki to dodge his attacks and slashed away at the open spots on her giant opponent. Unfortunately the Hibagon's body had been genetically enhanced by Shoji Fuzen's men, giving it enhanced speed, strength and even high speed healing which allowed Mizuki to continue fighting even as Genki landed a dozen hits.

"Enough of this madness, Mizuki!" Genki shouted, slamming the hilt of her sword into Mizuki's face. You cannot defeat me. Surrender peacefully and we can end this."

"It will end when I have Fuzen's heart in my hands!" Mizuki shouted, managing to smack Genki to the ground. "Your Semblance cannot force me to surrender!"

Genki rolled away before Mizuki could grab her. "I do not wish you to surrender."

Mizuki lunged at her but she ducked and stabbed him through the stomach.

"But I will not allow this to continue." Genki said sternly.

Mizuki roared in swung his fists down, forcing Genki to pull her sword out and jump back to avoid getting pummeled. His fists smashed into the pavement, creating a giant crater and covered the area in a dust cloud. Genki sheathed her sword, adjusting it with Wind Dust and swung it out, unleashing a gust that blew the dust away.

Unfortunately when it cleared she saw that Mizuki was gone.

"Genki!" Sheathing her sword, Genki turned around and spotted Drew leading her family towards her. "Are you all right?"

"I am fine. Unfortunately Mizuki escaped." Genki answered. "He's going after Fuzen. If we don't hurry, Tokyo will be turned into a bloodbath."

"We just need to find Fuzen's headquarters." Doc said, holding his wrist computer. "We can get there with the police and stop them both."

"Not if Fuzen has his way." Genki replied, earning a confused stare from the Saturdays. "You remember that armor Fuzen was wearing? It's the prototype for an advanced exo-skeleton that was made to help veteran hunters stay active if they suffer from crippling injuries or even old age. The project was deemed a failure but if Fuzen has it…"

"It's not so much a failure after all." Drew scowled. "We better move then."