Opening File: Ruby
Rubies are another type of soldiers and nearly the lowest-ranked Gems of all. They also filled the roles of escorts and bodyguards as well as scouts. Due to their numbers individual Rubies are considered expendable foot soldiers or cannon fodder and much of their worth come from fusing.
Rubies have almost no differences in appearances and are not supposed to have different personalities.
Close File
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Opening File: Jasper
Jaspers are a subtype of Quartzes mostly shown to have tangerine skin and red-orange markings though some were different colors, shapes and sizes depending on the kind of Jasper they were. Similar to other Quartzes below Agates, they act as either soldiers or guards. One particular Jasper, created from the Beta Kindergarten on Earth is hailed as the ultimate Quartz. Jasper is a bully in the truest sense. Deep down, she's afraid there's something wrong with her, so she has to feed her ego. She has to put other Gems down to stay on top. Who she is and where she's from gnaws at her all the time.
She has a fantastic reputation, she's considered the greatest Quartz soldier produced on Earth, and that might impress other Gems, but it will never be good enough for her. She will always feel held back, and she'll always feel the need to go further to get ahead. The Gems live in a society with a very rigid social order and caste system, and Jasper has completely bought into that, and her self-worth is attached to it. Because she loves honor, fighting, making her mark, and winning the battle, she'll actually go against her programming a little bit just to be the winner.
So she can be self-destructive at times. She is tragically obsessed with proving her superiority.
Close File
Xxx
"We all have something to prove at times. We all want to show our worth, to be good something people will respect us for. But you need to remember is that the most person you need to respect you is the person you see in the mirror every day. When they look back at you, do you feel worthy of their respect, do you believe that the smile they give you is genuine and most importantly do you believe you can help them get a bit better every day?" TOM asked the files closed. "I suppose in the end we'll all find out that answer sooner or later."
Xxx
"HA!"
BOOM!
"TAKE THAT!"
BLAST!
"AND THAT!"
SMASH!
"AND SOME OF THAT!"
Within a matter of seconds an entire group of Beowolves were annihilated by Jasper in her new ghost form. The Gem-Ghost hybrid could only laugh as the black smoke from the fading Grimm surrounded her as she looked at her hands.
"This power…" Jasper clenched her fists. "It's everything I could have wanted and more. Who needs a fusion when you can keep the power to yourself?"
Ever since she first broke free of the Earth's crust Jasper had been told she was perfect.
The Ultimate Quartz.
The strongest Gem to come from Earth.
But it was not enough.
It could never be enough.
"So, enjoying my gift?"
Jasper didn't bother to look behind her as the decimated forest around her turned grey and froze. "What do you want?"
"Now is that any way to greet the guy who gave you those powers?" Bill Cipher remarked sarcastically. "Come on, Bulky. Loosen up a bit, relax that thick skull of yours. You might give yourself a headache." Bill laughed. "Get it? Because you like to hit people with your head?"
Jasper scoffed. "I don't have time for this. Get out of my head so I can get back to training."
"And what will you do then?" Bill hovered around the ghostly Gem.
"Find those uplifted flawed Gems and their leader, Rose." Jasper clenched a fist as it glowed with purple energy. "And then I'll beat them into the ground, shatter them and take all of their shards back to Homeworld."
"Sounds like a plan but first you have some unfinished business." Bill stated, stopping in front of Jasper who gave him a dark look.
"And what is that?"
"I give you those powers so now you have to get something for me." Bill held up a blue flame that morphed into a suit of armor. "See this battle armor? I need you to find it and smash it."
"And why would I waste my time? I don't need to do anything for you. You are not my Diamond, you are not even a Gem. Just some freak that keeps popping up in my mind." Jasper pointed at Bill in the eye. "And I don't do dirty work for some low class mental abomination."
"Oh, you sure know how to flatter a guy, Stripes." Bill dispelled the image. "But remember, we had a deal. I help you by giving you those powers and you help me in return. Don't tell me that the mighty Jasper is above honoring her end of the bargain. And FYI, I'm my own class act, baby."
"I still fail to see why I should bother." Jasper crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.
"How about this?" Bill snapped his fingers.
Jasper suddenly glowed bright red and fell down to the ground screaming. "GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Bill snapped his fingers again and the red light faded along with the pain. "Get the picture now, Stripes? You're under contract with me and until I say so, you do what I SAY until the job is done."
Jasper looked up at Bill, snarling as her red eyes glowed with hate and rage.
"Good, I like that anger in your eyes. Really clears up the mind and keeps you focused on your priorities." Bill chuckled. "Now, you do a few errands for me and I'll consider our bargain over and done. Then you can go and tear apart those rebels and their dear little pink thorn."
Jasper got up, gritting her teeth but managed to snarl out an answer. "Fine. Where is this armor?"
"Glad you asked."
Xxx
"Did I come at a bad time?"
A bad time was a bit of an understatement.
Major Glory was panting slightly as he put the mop away. "Bullet decided to check on his family. Though I am sure he came up with that on the spot when he saw the mess."
The cafeteria was still a mess but Major Glory had gone to work to clean it up while everyone else finished what little meals they had left before drawing their attention to the new visitor.
Phil Ken Sebben smiled as he stepped forward. "I heard there have been quite some intense matches here."
"That's one word for it." Valhallen said with a smile. "We haven't had action like what's been going on in the ring for a good while now."
"Well, I decided to come here and throw my hat in the ring." Sebben stated, surprising almost everyone in the room.
"You? You want to join in the sparring?" Keanu asked.
"I may be mayor but I am also Headmaster of Nevernest Academy. Do you think I keep in shape by sitting at my desk all day?" Sebben asked rhetorically, reminding everyone he was also a Huntsman. "But I also believe we should add a few changes to the upcoming matches."
"Like what?" Doyle asked.
"Up until now the matches have been one on one. That's good and all but I am sure that doesn't help with learning one of the most important skills we look for in Hunters." Sebben stated.
"And that is?" Rino asked.
"…Teamwork."
Xxx
"A Tag-Team?"
Once everyone was back in the Sparring Chamber, Sebben outlined his latest idea.
"That is right." Sebben answered with a nod. "Teamwork is something we stress greatly to all Huntsmen."
"Aren't most of us already on teams?" Yara pointed out.
"Yes, on your teams." Sebben held up a finger. "Teams made of your closest friends and comrades you've made over the years. Team REYN, you know of Team SEKR but never met, right?"
"Right." Ross nodded.
"And I remember that Team SEKR was until recently broken up." Sebben continued. "So you could use some practice in fighting together as a team. As for everyone else…" His eyes fell on the Legendary Warriors, Connor, Artemis and Raven. "I am sure you all have experience in teamwork and you have worked with the respective teams assigned to help you. However given the potential threat we all face it is important that you are able not to work along your oldest friends, the teams helping you but everyone who will be involved."
Everyone shared a look, understanding what Sebben was trying to tell them. It was true, most of the newcomers were no strangers to teamwork and even worked with the Huntsmen teams assigned to them.
But that could not be said for all of them.
The Legendary Warriors were teammates but they barely fought alongside the others. Sure they spared with Valhallen, Major Glory and other members of the Justice Friends and gone on a mission or two with them but that wasn't anywhere near close the kind of comradeship the Legendary Warriors had with each other.
"So for the remaining members, I suggest we pair them up in tag team matches." Sebben continued. "Similar in a manner we use for special tournament matches."
"You want us to be paired at random to test our abilities with a partner." Ross surmised. "That's a pretty interesting idea."
"A logical suggestion." Extor nodded.
"Sounds fun to me." Rino grinned.
"So how will this go? Will it just be just be random choosing again?" Keanu asked.
"Actually I had something a little more tricky in mind." Sebben answered with a light smile. "The computer will select one on one like before but the chosen participants will choose their partners. The only condition is that it would be someone who has not yet participated."
That threw everyone for a slight loop.
"That's right. As many of you know most hunters are out in the field as they hunt down Grimm and other threats. During that time they are usually forced to partner up with others who might be there on the same mission or by pure coincidence. These interactions can lead to the new acquaintances becoming new partners, friends or they down right hate each other." Sebben slowly explained. "Regardless of how they feel what comes down is the fact that if they do not learn somehow get along they are likely to die in the field. Up until now these matches have gauged you strength, cunning and determination but I believe it's time we take it a step further. By seeing how you can handle being in the field with a partner and see if you can work together with them."
Now everyone understood what Sebben was saying and he had a very good point. When it came to survival out in the wilderness cooperation was vital. It did not matter if the person and their partner hated or loved each other, if they could not get along when it came facing down the Grimm or other situation involving life and death they would surely be in the latter category.
The previous matches were live fire exercises in one on one combat.
This would be testing not just their skills but their commitment to protect themselves and whoever their partner would be.
"So are there any objections?" Sebben asked, waiting to see if anyone would indeed object and smiled when no one did. "Then let us begin."
"Wait!"
Sebben stopped as Rolf stepped forward, holding the Shepard's Cane. "Yes?"
"Rolf would like to join this passage of warriors." Rolf stated.
"Seriously?"
"He's a kid."
"Do you know what you are asking?" Doyle asked, stepping up to Rolf. "This ain't a simple playground fight. You saw all the other ones, right?"
"Rolf did and Rolf is confident in Rolf's strength! Rolf has gone through similar trials back in Rolf's village." Rolf replied, banging his cane on the floor and stopped as it glowed for an instant. "Such trials were important in the journey to manhood."
Sebben considered this for a moment. "Normally I would refuse but I remember watching you challenge Crom Cruach himself in a one on one match. You not only fought bravely but lived to tell about it and I understand that you with special help nearly sealed Crom away before he chose to kill himself."
That detail silenced any and all protests the rest of the group might have had. Almost everyone had been present to watch Rolf challenge Crom Cruach himself to a fight…or a barbaric dance, depending on they thought of it. The mere fact that Rolf not only challenged an evil godlike being and lived to tell about it was an extremely impressive feat but Rolf took a step further when he and his magical cane almost sealed Crom away before he chose to devour himself.
"And I know you have your Aura and Semblance awakened." Sebben nodded as he continued. "Do you understand how dangerous this might be?"
"Rolf does." Rolf nodded.
"Then unless anyone wishes to object…" Sebben saw there was no objection. "Very well. Mr. Rolf will be added to the roster. And now let's choose our next contestant."
The computer screen randomly shifted through the names, finally settling on two.
Kazemon verses Phil Ken Sebben
The Legendary Warrior's eyes widened when she saw she was picked next and against Sebben no less.
The Mayor of GrimmFall remained composed as he looked to her. "I'll allow you to choose your partner first. Remember, it must be someone who has not yet participated."
That meant she could not pick Lowemon or Agunimon.
As much as she would have preferred to pick her oldest and closest friends she also understood why Sebben had made such a change. She not only needed to show she could be strong but also show she was dependable to anyone she is paired with.
The question is who should be her partner?
Since her fellow Legendary Warriors were out she had to pick someone else:
Omnimon was out since he was still recovering from his battle with Blue Diamond, Gentle-Jim, Boris and Crom.
She looked over to the Justice Friends and looked them over.
Krunk had been more tolerable since he met She-Thing and her views had softened when she learned of his origins and that he was basically a child trapped in a giant's body, full grown but still maturing. Still she didn't want to risk him getting distracted.
Major Glory was certainly strong as he proven in his own sparring matches with her, Lowemon and Agunimon but she felt she'd basically asking for protection from a hero as strong as he was.
She would have preferred Miss Spell but she was out on a mission with Phan-Tone.
Tiki-Torch had already gone through his own match so he was out.
Capital G volunteered to be the referee and even if he could step in she didn't know him as much as the others.
That left White Tiger or…
"I choose Valhallen." She said, pointing to the Viking God of Rock.
She had forged a friendship with Valhallen since her arrival here, enjoying his stories along with his sense of humor and his music. He was also very kind and considerate to her, treating almost like a little sister of sorts.
The rock hero smiled as he stepped up, standing next to her. "Ready to put on a show?"
"As I'll ever be." Kazemon answered.
Sebben nodded, looking to the rest while lightly patting his eye patch. "I chose…Yara Quill."
"Whoo-Hoo!" The engineer of Team REYN stepped forward. "Finally, my turn!"
"He's choosing a kid?" Doyle whispered to Erika who promptly but lightly elbowed him in the stomach. "Ow!"
"That kid is perhaps the smartest member of our team. She's a mechanical genius who has kept my ship together through countless perils." Erika scolded.
A moment later both double member teams were facing each other in the ring as the screens came on, choosing the selections for the environment. Yara was holding her hover board before she set it down, smiling as it floated a few inches above the ground while Sebben held out what appeared to be a custom made cane, holding it with both hands in front of him in a gentleman pose.
"Is that cane Mr. Sebben's weapon?" Nigel asked.
"Why a stick?" Wally asked before getting whacked on the head by Rolf. "OW! Hey!"
"Do not underestimate the weapon of the Shepard, fist-throwing Wally!" Rolf scolded.
"Indeed." Extor adjusted his goggles. "That is no ordinary cane. In fact it is unique as Scotty's sword." His Semblance allowed him to analyze Sebben's cane. "The handle seems to be made of adamantium alloy, one of the most indestructible forms of metal and a few other alloys I am not familiar aside from titanium. This perhaps makes the metal on that handle the strongest metallic alloy, hybrid or not in the world. As for the wood, it contains a form of Aura inside. I can only surmise it comes from an Aura tree."
"An Aura tree?" Nazz questioned.
"A rare form of tree that can only be created by one with a Semblance based around controlling, manipulating and growing plants with the proper training and conditioning. Constant exposure to Aura would cause the plants or trees to create special seeds that would grow into trees containing their own Aura reserves." Extor explained. "I know of a special order, the Foodian Order that would know how to create such a tree."
Agunimon perked up at the mention of the Foodian Order but remained silent.
"Due to the nature of the wood's origin I can accurately say the wood in that cane is enhanced to the point it can withstand a great deal of punishment, especially if it is reinforced by the same metal alloy in the handle." Extor finished his analysis. "The Aura wood can also be used to channel a great deal of power for offense and defense."
"Aye. That little stick could stand up to my sword." Scotty nodded in agreement.
"Any bets on who might win?" Rino asked with a small grin.
"It is hard to say at this point. On one side there is Phil Ken Sebben, a veteran Hunter and Headmaster of a Huntsmen Academy. He has plenty of experience under his belt, especially considering he is much older than he looks." Extor adjusted his goggles as he looked upon the mayor of GrimmFall.
"Much older than he looks?" Raven glanced at Extor.
"Well, I will not confirm or deny this but rumor has it that Phil Ken Sebben is old enough that he was actually a young man's age around the time of the Second World War." Extor answered. "I am sure we would notice if he was that old however."
Everyone was now staring at Sebben as he remained calm and composed. He had the appearance of a man in his early to mid-thirties, much too young to have been alive during World War II.
"Add in to the fact that it was Sebben who helped set up the current Huntsmen system, starting with the creation of Nevernest Academy and then rose up to become mayor of GrimmFall. He has great political connections, stretching from here to all around the world and as high ranking figure in the Huntsmen Association he is connected in some way to almost all of them, including us." Extor continued. "As I understand, Sebben was the one who gave Rino a full pardon with his previous crimes of theft being sealed away when Scotty first recruited him."
"Yeah, he did do that." Rino nodded in agreement.
"The gist of this is that Phil Ken Sebben is somewhat of a celebrity among Huntsmen with the skills to back it up. Then we have his partner, Yara Quill." Extor looked at the blue haired girl next to Sebben. "A high ranking engineer, judging by the appearance of her board. I understand she was a student from the San Fransokyo University of Technology before joining team REYN after she graduated. The mere fact she was a student of one of the leading schools in engineering and technology in the world is enough to tell what kind of skills she should have."
"She modified my bow and arrows." Artemis agreed, remembering the modifications Yara had made and even produced a manual for them. "She's probably smarter than anyone I've met aside from a handful back in our world."
Raven briefly wondered what would happen if Cyborg met this Yara.
"We can expect her board to be modified for flight and as a weapon." Extor continued before looking to the other side. "Then we have Miss Kazemon and her partner, the Viking God of Rock himself. An Asgardian who happens to be the son of Odin like Thor."
Rossweisse nodded in agreement while Johnny watched on with an eager smile. "Sweet."
"As an Asgardian Valhallen is much stronger than a human, even one trained as Hunter. There might be only a handful that can take him on and hope to actually survive. If he is anything like Thor he can pretty much handle anything they throw at him." Extor then looked at Kazemon. "As for Miss Kazemon, it's obvious she's light on her feet and her wings allow her to fly. I expect her to be highly maneuverable and if the title Warrior of Wind is anything to go by it she must possess wind based powers."
Agunimon and Lowemon nodded in agreement with Extor's analysis. While confident in her abilities they both wondered how she would fare against her opponents.
"Let the next match…" Capital G held up his and then brought it down. "BEGIN!"
Xxx
"It's an Emerald class battlecruiser!" Eyeball shouted with a big smile on her face. "We're saved! Over here!" She tried waving her hands get the ship's attention. "Hey! Hey! Help us!"
The ship made no effort to turn towards them, continuing on its path.
"Where is it going? Is it going to Earth?" Steven wondered.
"It must be. Earth is the only habited planet in the entire system." Connie said before correcting herself. "Right, the Moon habited too but they don't know that."
The cruiser turned away from Earth and seemingly was headed in their direction. Eyeball was shouting gleefully but in her moment of joy she jumped up, intending to land back on the bubble…
And then remembered there was no gravity in space.
The kick from Eyeball's legs sent the bubble Steven and Connie were in spinning further across the vast emptiness of space as the green ship moved in their direction…
As another ship appeared right behind them.
"What is that?!" Steven exclaimed, blinded by the light.
"It's another ship." Connie closed her eyes. "I think it's-"
She was cut off as a blue beam of light caught the bubble and pulled it on board.