Opening File: Project Freelancer
Project Freelancer was a research program set up to study skilled agents with experimental A.I. and was responsible for the conflict between the Red and Blue teams in the Universe dubbed HALO by Van Kleiss during his studying of it. Project Freelancer is a Special Operations program created to study soldiers with A.I. implants during the war with the aliens. The main mission of Project Freelancer, as said by F.I.L.S.S., is to ensure the survival of humanity in a hostile galaxy. While the Red and Blue armies are fighting each other, in what is a massive experimental simulation, Freelancers are competent enough for actual conflict with the aliens.
Their designation as Freelancer would appear to be only a ploy to further fool the Red and Blue soldiers, as every Freelancer still abides by the objective of, or still takes orders from a superior of, subsidiary of, or directly from those who trained them, with the exception of Agent Maine (The Meta) and to an extent Agent Wyoming, a bounty hunter. It is unknown if the Meta is acting on its own volition or if its actions are driven by its numerous implants. As a result of the Meta's actions, the program was shut down.
Freelancers are set apart from their Red and Blue counterparts by their armor enhancements, artificial intelligence programs (for those who have them), and their proficiency in actual combat. As far as members of the Red and Blue armies are concerned, Freelancers are merely guns for the highest bidder - as described by Tucker. In the seemingly pointless war between Red and Blue, Freelancers were allowed the use of only one artificial construct, the "smart" A.I. Alpha. However, to gain more information on how AIs work with the soldiers they were implanted in, Alpha was split several times, resulting in the creation of the other Freelancer A.I., such as Gamma, Delta, Sigma, Theta, Epsilon and Omega.
The copies seem to have become obsessed with Alpha; Washington comments that they could spend entire debriefings talking about Alpha, while other Freelancers attempted to break into its storage facility and steal the Alpha. After these attempts the Alpha is hidden further to protect it. It was later revealed that Blue Team leader Church was not a ghost, but the Original Alpha A.I., explaining why he agrees with Delta (his logic), why he didn't feel different when Omega (his rage) entered his head, and why he can jump from person to person and control their actions. Furthermore, the other A.I. were forcibly split from Alpha by repeated torture from the Director. Each time the Director tortured it, Alpha would forcibly eject an aspect of its persona to save itself. Then the Director would use an imprisoned alien (known as a huragok in the main series) to 'fix' the broken persona creating a new A.I. Epsilon was created when the Director lied to Alpha, implying that Alpha's failure to complete a certain task quickly lead to the 'deaths' of Agent Washington and, more painfully to Alpha, Agent Texas.
Thus, Alpha ejected it's memory in response to the overpowering mental strain, thereby creating Epsilon. Following an investigation by the UNSC, Project Freelancer was forcibly shut down and its Director was arrested for unethical conduct (his torture of Alpha). However, it is revealed that the Alpha is copied off the mind of the Director, whose real name is Leonard Church.
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Opening File: Prince Ulraj
Ulraj is a Kumari and prince of the Kumari people who also becomes the friend of Zak Saturday. His father was killed in a secret plot by V.V. Argost and the Satyra to orcistrate a war between the surface world and the Kumari kingdom. Due to his upbringing, Ulraj has grown to be rather entitled and arrogant. He tends to treat people as subjects by default but once someone has earned his respect Ulraj has no problem treating that person as an equal.
Ulraj is also very competitive and a show-of but despite his many childish traits, Ulraj is a wise prince and later a wise king. He is an excellent leader and quite compassionate.
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Opening File: Catra
Catra is a cat Faunus and member of the Satyra. Catra was born in what was once part of France that had been taken over by the Rodigan kingdom. Catra was born as a slave because of her Faunus heritage and orphaned when her village was wiped out by the Grimm. The only survivor besides her was a girl named Adora and both were taken to the castle of the Rodigan royal family. Catra became a servant while Adora was trained to become a Huntress to the royal family.
Despite their differences Adora did not share her people's prejudice towards Faunus and Mobians and treated Catra as a friend rather than a servant. The two would become best friends with Adora putting on a front for her family to not arouse suspicion, always sneaking Catra food from the kitchen, teaching her how to read, write and all other things that Adora's tutors would teach her. This ultimately culminated in Adora freeing her friend, and helping her escape Rodigan, though she herself stayed behind.
Catra wandered for sometime before she was picked up by a scorpion Faunus named Scorpia and brought her to the Satyra, a group of Faunus and Mobians fighting for the equality and freedom of all their people. Seeing them as a way to bring down Rodigan, free others like her and possibly save Adora Catra willingly joined them and quickly rose to become one of their top agents.
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Opening File: Vexus
Vexus, formerly Queen Vexus was the reigning monarch of Cluster Prime, a planet inhabited by a race of living machines. A cunning and cruel robot queen, Vexus is bent on the enslavement of the human race. Vexus and Dr. Wakeman have been opponents for what must have been quite some time, and Vexus was likely the inspiration for Jenny's creation. XJ-9 typically can outwit and outperform Vexus, but regardless, Vexus has the resources of an entire planet to call upon.
Occasionally she does gain the upper hand, typically through trickery and sabotage. She possesses the ability to transform, but typically for means of disguise, compared to the multitude of battle forms that Jenny typically uses. Her known forms are as the sneaky android, photographer , the robot nurse named Vee, a flirtatious teenage robot girl named 'QT-2', and even the transfer students Vicky and Violet. It is later revealed that Queen Vexus has a daughter named Vega. During the course of the movie, Queen Vexus is dethroned by Jenny and Nora Wakeman (with Sheldon's help) and Vega takes the leadership of Cluster Prime for her own.
She was left abandoned on a garbage asteroid, her personality becoming that of a madwoman.
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Xxx
"Royalty, nobility, the gentry and even the rabble. What are these words meant to describe? Leaders, rulers, politicians, people born into wealth and power, commoners and even considered even less than the common man? There is a great difference between these group labels but they all have one thing common: the description of power." TOM said as the files closed. "Royalty and nobals are considered to have wealth, influence and power while the poor, the common man and the so-called rabble have none of these. The rich need nothing and the poor have nothing but is that what our world is meant to be? A system that labels those who have everything and want for nothing and those who have nothing but could have everything? Can it all be changed with just the right mind and attitude?"
Xxx
"You're an amazing girl, Danielle. Full of potential even without your powers. Do you wish to become a Huntress, a hero simply because of your powers or is there a genuine desire to do good in this world?"
"I…"
It should have been an easy answer.
But it wasn't.
Did she really have a reason for wanting to be a Huntress?
She thought she made up her mind after the Golden Castle Mess but now…
Genki could see her questioning was troubling the young girl. She had not meant for her questioning to cause this but she wanted Danielle to be absolutely sure this was what she wanted.
"I don't believe I ever told you or my daughters why I chose to become a Huntress." She spoke, deciding to throw Danielle a lifeline.
The ghost girl looked up, glancing at the woman as she sat back down. "Why did you become a Huntress?"
"…Primarily it was for money."
Danielle looked surprised to hear that, not that the Sanban matriarch could blame her. "Money?"
"Wasn't what you were expecting to hear, was it?" Genki asked with a small smile. "I became a Huntress for money and now I run one of the most important business companies in Japan, my husband is Prime Minister and we have this large house to give our daughters, you and anyone visiting a five star treatment. Surprised it was not always like this?"
"Well…" Danielle trailed off. "I wasn't sure how to best ask."
"It's all right." Genki closed her eyes and let out a sigh. "Things have not been easy here. From the Time of Awakening when the Grimm first appeared here, in the homeland of my family and spread across the world. I am sure you can imagine there were many times that the Grimm made living here extremely hard, to say nothing of times of poverty when the last few generations suffered. As the Grimm spread out any land they took was less land for us, meaning there was less room and more mouths to feed. It was clear that everyone had to do something or they would die from either starvation or by the Grimm."
"And that's why you became a Huntress?" Danielle timidly asked.
Genki nodded. "Wouldn't have been my first choice if my parents had anything to say about it but desperate times called for desperate measures. I gathered what money I could find, tracked down the nearest blacksmith and paid him to teach me how to make my own sword, then I sought out anyone willing to teach me how to wield my sword, to awaken my own Aura, my Semblance and then I poured my heart and soul into learning everything I could so that I could become the best to enter Yamanouchi Academy. I was…very different back then." Genki chuckled a bit. "I was so driven to be the best it made socializing with others…difficult. Then I heard rumors of someone who was so powerful, so skilled that no one who had faced him lived to tell the tale and me, being the arrogant, competing fool I was back then I sought him out. Only I had a little company with me at the time."
Xxx
"You just want to fight this guy?"
Genki didn't even bother to dignify that question with a response as they approached the lake. Why bother when they had a more pressing matter on their hands?
To reach the person they were both looking for they had to cross the lake but this was no ordinary lake.
There was a powerful force, possibly Gravity Dust at the bottom of the lake and unless one's legs were always touching the ground they would be pulled to the bottom where they would drown. So they needed a way across.
Fortunately her…associate found a way from a group of monks that lived on the island.
The woman named Drew, seeing her question would not be answered took the first step into the lake and put her hand on the water.
SPLASH!
SPLASH!
SPLASH!
With a light tap of her hand she splashed at the water, sending out ripples across the beautiful lake. Genki watched in confusion and slight frustration, believing the white haired woman was now wasting their time.
Only she wasn't.
Something rose up from the water, a giant turtle like creature only it was not a turtle. A mass of tentacles surrounded its mouth that was kept under water, bulbous green eyes stared at the two women as it approached shore. It looked like a giant insect.
"What is this?" Genki asked, staring the creature in one of its eyes, feeling awe, interest and a slight revulsion at the creature.
"The monks called him the Guardian of the Lake." Drew said as she climbed onto its back. "He can take us to the center of this mystical place."
Deciding she had nothing to lose Genki climbed up and sat next to Drew. Once they were on its back the creature stood up, showing its long legs as it turned around and walked in the water until it was again submerged up to its torso.
"So this is how it travels the lake. Its legs stretch all the way to the bottom." Genki mused. "How could the monks have tamed this creature?"
"They didn't tame him." Drew answered in slight scolding. "It was his generosity."
Genki threw a small glare back but said nothing.
"So you want to face this so-called Guardian of these ruins. Why? Wondering if he's good boyfriend material?" Drew asked rhetorically.
"I don't see how my motivations are any of your concern." Genki softly retorted.
"It kind of did when you agreed to be my partner on this excavation. I'm only here to help in seeking out any ruins or artifacts to give to the museum who hired me. They hired you because they wanted a Huntress to make sure I made it back alive with whatever I get to make them lots of money." Drew countered.
"Assuming there's anything to find." Genki said as the Creature of the Lake took them not to the island but to what appeared to be mountains.
Sharp dangerous looking mountains that did not appear safe for any human to travel through.
Once they were close the creature let out a loud bellow. "BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Both Drew and Genki covered their ears from how loud the creatures was and when it finally stopped all seemed quiet…
Until something literally popped out from behind one of the mountains.
Both Genki and Drew were stunned to see a giant red crack like creature traverse down the mountains so easily, approaching the Lake Creature at the shore.
The Creature of the Lake turned to the two women. "He will take you now."
If seeing this creature and the Mountain Crab was not enough, hearing him talk was enough to almost knock them off its back.
Xxx
"They could…talk?" Danielle could not help but interrupt. "Like literally talking like you and me?"
"Yes, like you and me." Genki said with a smile at Danielle's question and her stunned face. "That face you make was the same one I and Mrs. Saturday made when we first heard them talk. But that was nothing compared what was next."
Xxx
For half a day the Mountain Crab carried the two women on its back through the mountains that would have been too dangerous if they made the attempt themselves, even if any and all safe equipment they had brought along. After reaching a narrow cliff side, a trio of shadowy monster emerged from a mist that suddenly surrounded the Mountain Crab.
"What are these?" Drew quickly pulled out her sword.
Genki had no time to answer as the Mountain Crab grabbed them and threw them at the shadow demons. Swinging their swords the two women easily defeated the shadow demons who immediately vanished as soon as they were defeated.
The fight was over in a matter of minutes and Genki glared at the Mountain Crab. "Have we passed your test?"
"Yes." The Mountain Crab answered.
There was a screeching sound and both women looked up to see a huge pterosaur-like creature that had just announced its presence.
Genki's eyes widened and she nearly dropped her sword. "…The legendary…Sky Dragon."
Xxx
"The Sky Dragon?" Danielle could not help but cut in again. "A literal dragon?"
"You sound so surprised, Danielle. As a girl who can turn into a ghost is seeing a dragon so surprising?" Genki asked rhetorically and smiled at seeing Danielle flush a bit. "But yes, the Sky Dragon, a mythical creature to most is not only real but I was one of the few to ride on its back. It was…unlike anything I had ever experienced before."
Xxx
That was an understatement.
To sit on the back of a legendary creature at all but stunned Drew and Genki into silence as it flew them over a vast, empty land. Genki had no idea how such a land could remain untouched by the rest of her home while Drew used her camera to take as many pictures as she could.
Then the Sky Dragon flipped itself over and dropped them both into a large and empty field.
Both women landed on their feet and watched as the Sky Dragon flew away but they did not bother to call for it.
For the strange glow in the center of the field gained their attention.
Standing in the center of the field was a glowing obelisk and standing in front of it was what looked like a man.
Only both women could easily tell it was anything but a mere man.
He was tall, bald, muscular with bright cyan skin. His attire consisted of a jet back suit with red circular sunglasses.
He did not speak as they approached.
He did not move.
It was hard to tell if he was even breathing.
Drew decided to take the initiative. "Hi, my name is Drew. We've been led here by…the creatures of this mystical land. We've heard legends of a great power here, dating back thousands, millions of years. Is this what we've been looking for?"
"Yep." The man simply said.
Genki glanced at Drew who shrugged before continuing. "What is its purpose? Is it true it can be used as a passage in time?"
"Yep."
The way the man was speaking was a little off-putting. It was like the idea of some great power behind wasn't cause for some great response.
Perhaps that was because he was the Guardian.
"If so, may we prove this is really a time portal?" Drew continued asking.
This time the man laughed before returning back to his stoic visage. "Nope."
"Nope?" Drew raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"Ain't for you to use." The Guardian said simply. "This time portal exists to be used by only one man. For eons, I have guarded this magical power of time travel. All have been denied, from the mightiest of giants to the tiniest of warriors. You see ladies, only one man has been prophesied to defeat me and that man is the only man who can use this time passage. And you, my fine woman…ain't that man."
Genki smirked as she stepped forward. "Fine by me. When I heard we were searching by some mystical object I wasn't that interested. I was more interested in the so-called man guarding it."
"Oh?" The Guardian smirked. "And why's that?"
"My goal is not to use a magical portal. What I seek is to become the best Huntress in all of Japan, perhaps one of the greatest in the world." Genki said as she placed a hand on the hilt of her sword. "I'm currently one of the top students at Yamanouchi Academy but studies and training is not enough. You say you've taken down enemies for eons then I challenge you here and now."
"Seriously?" Drew asked, grabbing Genki by the arm but the woman shoved her back. "We came here for knowledge, not for a fight."
"You came here looking for a mystical object. Well you found it but he won't let you look at it. So if I defeat him we both get what we want." Genki retorted. "Besides, by his own admission he's guilty of killing anyone who has come here so you really think he's going to let us go?"
The Guardian let out a loud laugh, silencing their argument. "Well, this is a first. Everyone comes for the portal but you two…One wants to 'gain knowledge' and the other is just looking for a fight."
Both women fell silent.
"Still, wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't stretch my legs every now and then." The Guardian said, grinning at Genki. "So you want a fight? Show me what ya got."
Genki unsheathed her nodachi, settling into an Iaido stance.
"Going old school on me huh?" The Guardian's smile widened as he seemingly reminisced for a second. "Well I got me one of those."
The Guardian reached over his shoulder and pulled out a katana. Drew stepped back as Genki and the Guardian faced each other down. Genki's face was stoic while the Guardian flashed a gleeful smile…
Then she rushed forward…
Xxx
….
"So, did you win?" Danielle asked after a moment of silence.
Genki shook her head. "No. In fact I lost so fast against him I could barely even believe it was real. During the fight, Drew stepped in to help…"
Xxx
Genki cried out as a single punch from the Guardian sent her flying back.
"So am I tough enough for you?" The Guardian asked, his grin still present.
A flash of light caught his attention and he quickly blocked a slash from Drew who had drawn her Tibetan Fire Sword when she saw witnessed Genki getting brutally beaten down. His grin still present the Guardian obliged Drew's challenge and his sword clashed with hers. Only the heat from Drew's sword melted his katana, forcing him to step back.
The Guardian let out another loud laugh. "Fancy. Okay, let's see how you do against…" He pulled out a pair of sais, twirling them in his hands. "These."
He then leapt forward, stabbing at Drew who hastily dodged and slashed back but the Guardian effortlessly dodged each fiery slash. Genki got back up and rushed in, trying to slash at the Guardian while his back was turned but he stepped aside and Genki ended up colliding with Drew instead. Both women tumbled across the ground while the Guardian looked on with a mocking smile.
"Would it kill you to stop and think for a few seconds?" Drew shoved Genki off of her. "Seriously, I am giving you a hand here while risking my own neck."
"I never asked you to." Genki stood up and faced the Guardian. "I made the challenge. So this is my fight."
"And I'm supposed to drag your broken body back?" Drew stood up next to her, holding her sword in both hands. "Yeah, I am sure I won't somehow be blamed for it."
"You know you girls could learn a lesson in teamwork." The Guardian cut them off. "Here, let me help."
He then pulled out a large, advanced looking machine gun and immediately fired at them. It was not just with bullets but also rockets that caused the two to move even faster. Drew spun her Fire Sword, creating a shield of fire to block the bullets and when the next pair of rockets flew at her she jumped up and spun, lashing out her feet as she kicked both rockets away…
Back at their source.
The Guardian blinked before both rockets slammed into him and exploded.
BOOM!
For a second all was silent…
Then the smoke cleared and to the shock of the two girls, the Guardian was still standing and looking very unhappy.
"That…Was my favorite suit you just ruined." The Guardian said, his grin replaced by a scowl before he let out an enraged bellow. "AGAIN!"
Eyes widening Drew leapt out of the way as a giant blue fist slammed into the ground where she had been. Spinning around she unleashed a fiery blast at the Guardian but the fire had little to no effect on him. This cost her the time she could have used to evade the next hit, which shattered her aura and flung her straight up. Before she finished her descent the Guardian's hand closed around her neck and held her up, slowly squeezing the life out of her.
"DREW!" Genki leapt over the Guardian and swung down, aiming to sever his arm…but her katana barely broke the surface of his skin, sticking in place and leaving her hanging awkwardly from the hilt.
"Tough, but undisciplined." The Guardian shook his head with a 'tsk' before his other hand came around and grabbed one of Genki's legs before swinging her around, up overhead and then down flat onto her face, making a shallow depression in the ground around her. "Reckless. Arrogant. But not without a sliver of compassion."
He dropped Drew at his side and careful removed the katana embedded in his arm. "Maybe one day you could pull it off. But it ain't today, little girl." He said as Genki slowly got up on quivering legs. "Do yourself a favor and go home."
"No…" Genki coughed and turned to face him. "I never…give up…"
"Not a bad policy." The Guardian nodded…and then raised one foot over Drew's head. "Unless you got someone to look after."
"Leave her alone!" Genki shuffled forward. "I challenged you…not her!"
"And she came to your aid, because she saw what you refuse to." The Guardian smirked. "You've never had to worry about anyone else before, have you?" His foot slowly came to rest on Drew's head, not pushing down but barely making contact. "You're a real lone wolf, or you try to be. If you intend to carry on this fight, might be I'll have to show you the consequence of dragging your friends into trouble."
"No!" Genki stopped and held out a hand.
The Guardian's words weren't far off from the truth: she hadn't had to worry about others. That was what she ran away from, yet she had brought Drew with her into this mess…and now Drew was about to get her head crushed for it.
"I…I give up." Genki relented. "We'll leave. Just…don't hurt her, please."
"Hm." The Guardian looked over his shoulder as the time portal behind him gave off a loud hum, briefly projecting a brighter light than normal. "Interesting."
He removed his foot from Drew's head and stepped back. "Alright girl, you and your friend get a second chance. Don't waste it." He crossed his arms and watched as Genki hurried over to Drew.
"Drew?" Genki leaned down and found a pulse and a breath from the woman, who was already beginning to stir. "Oh thank Glob."
Drew coughed and spoke in a strained voice. "Oh great…I'm in Hell, aren't I?" She gave Genki a light slap on the face.
"I…deserved that." Genki sighed.
"My thoughts…exactly." Drew coughed again.
"Yo, girls." Both looked to the Guardian as he let out a loud whistle.
The Sky Dragon flew back down and landed in front of them.
"This was a bit fun. I admit that so if you ever feel like having a rematch." There was a flash of light from the obelisk the Guardian's black suit was restored. "You know where to find me."
They were both silent as they collected their weapons, in Genki's case the remains of her sword and climbed onto the back of the Sky Dragon. With a loud screech it took off back into the air.
The Guardian glanced at the time portal behind him. "You girls are both destined for great things…Looking forward to see if it works out."
Xxx
"We spent a whole week in the hospital after that. Our statement was that we ran into some deadly Grimm populating the area to keep anyone else from going there." Genki said at the end of her tale. "The thought of being responsible for Drew's death shook me enough that I couldn't bare to look her in the eye, even as I offered dozens of apologies."
"Did she forgive you?" Danielle curiously asked.
"Eventually. Fortunately we were both somewhat hot-headed, though I was the more obvious of the two. We agreed not to speak of the Guardian to anyone outside of those we trusted." Genki took a quick sip of her tea. "I made a terrible mistake that day and it almost cost someone their life. It really forced me to look at myself and wonder if my goals as a Huntress had changed and not for the better."
"So…is that what you are worried about with me? That my powers might cause me to make a similar mistake?" Danielle questioned, trying to understand why she was being told all of this.
"Truthfully Danielle, you are much different than I was back then. I rushed head first into battle because I wanted to be the best, because being the best meant more missions and the more missions I succeeded at the more money I would gain for my family. I am not accusing you of being like me at all but like me you have shown worry about your financial history and even when you don't go looking for a fight you've never turned from one either." Genki took a deep breath. "I am not trying to discourage you or say that your powers make you arrogant or complacent. I do admit, your tendency to rush into trouble when you see or hear it concerns me, especially since there is almost no one like you and that can make it hard to understand what you could be going through at times, especially if the burden feels like it is becoming too much to bear. It was unavoidable with Billiam, you saved Kuki's life when that red demon came for us which I am grateful for but even if Hidekazu was still a human he is still very dangerous."
"I…I get what you are saying there…I found out that Dust can hurt me as a ghost, even when I am intangible." Danielle sighed. "Kimiko had to save me while I was down."
"I suppose that makes you both even." Genki placed a hand on Danielle's shoulder. "Perhaps I am being overprotective but you have become very close with my daughters and our family, Danielle. Close enough that I only want the best for you and my daughters."
Danielle nodded with a small smile. "I understand…I guess with lots of Huntsman and Huntresses around I shouldn't be expected to rush into every fight."
"Not unless you want worry us all enough that we prematurely turn grey." Genki said with a returning smile. "Thank you for understanding, Danielle. I know you will go far in whatever you decide, just be careful no matter what."
"Right." Danielle nodded again. "…There is one question I have though."
"What is that?"
"This Guardian…Was that the last time you saw him?"
Genki shook her head. "No…He made an offer to be a sparring partner that day…And I accepted."
"Even though he almost killed you?" Danielle tilted her head a bit.
"Indeed but he spared us that day when I repented my mistake…While I was no longer as foolish as I was back then I saw in him a way I wouldn't make that mistake again." Genki leaned back against her desk. "I sought him out, we sparred, I would lose and I would lose badly. He would never hold back but as time passed we would also socialize before and after our matches."
Xxx
CLASH!
CLASH!
CLASH!
Whenever she would have the time Genki would seek out the Guardian and would spar with him. The Guardian easily accepted, seeing it as a way to get rid of boredom in his job. Genki's main weapon would be her nodachi which she reforged and upgraded over the years while the Guardian would start with a sword but he would also mix it up with various other weapons.
When she lost her sword Genki would pick up any weapon nearby, from spears to knives to even a few sharp rocks.
When she lost all her weapons she resorted to hand to hand combat which the Guardian happly obliged.
"Come on, girl!" The Guardian said as he caught her fists. "Stop trying to hit me and hit me!"
He then kicked her away before she had a chance to react.
Xxx
"I could never beat him but it soon became less about beating him and more about seeing how long I could keep fighting him. A few minutes, then nearly twenty, then almost an hour but I got better and better… Before I had to stop seeing him." Genki smiled. "Wouldn't have done me good to keep fighting him when I had a child on the way."
Danielle's eyes widened as she realized what that meant. "So is that why you are so good? Why you're one of the best?"
"Pretty much." Genki chuckled. "I am not sure if my skills remain as sharp as they were the last time I saw him…But I am not in a hurry to find out. Now, I've taken enough of your time and I'm sure my girls are waiting for you. And could you please not speak of what I have told you until after I have told them?"
"Oh, okay." Danielle headed for the door but stopped for a second. "Lady Genki?"
"Yes."
"Thanks…For looking out for me." Danielle said before leaving the room.
Genki smiled at the close door. "It's been my pleasure, Danielle."
She looked at her nodachi hanging on the wall. She had reforged and modified it since her encounter with the Guardian all those years ago but she never forgot.
Now she had to deal with the matter of her husband…
She pressed the intercom on her desk. "Sayoko, see to it that the children are looked after. I will be looking for my husband."
"Yes, Genki-sama."
Xxx
As soon as Danielle was back in her room, the Sanban Sisters quickly dog piled her with Sayoko waiting behind. "Wha-?!"
"Come on, Dani!" Kuki pulled the ghost girl into the room. "Mushi picked out the outfit she wants you to wear this week!"
Danielle sighed, knowing this was going to happen sooner or later. "I'm a little tired right now. Can't this wait?"
"Nope!" Kuki said before she blindfolded the girl. "And no peeking!"
Sighing Danielle was lead into the bathroom and the door was closed. Once inside the girls and the maid removed her clothes, even though she protested to them dressing her up like a doll. Danielle had a little more concerns this time as they dressed her in the outfit Mushi had picked out, hoping it wasn't too humiliating.
She almost wished she was being forced to be dressed as a Shrine Maiden again for another week but Kuki picked that outfit.
Mushi picked the second outfit in the bet.
"Okay, take a look!" Kuki pulled the blindfold off.
Eyes widening, Danielle could honestly say she missed being dressed a Miko. "Are you kidding me? I'm a maid!?"
"A cute maid!"
This was even worse.
She wore a black off shoulder dress with a white apron and frills with straps on her arms and a collar around her neck. She had dark grey stockings and black high heels on her feet while wearing white gloves on her hands. To complete the look she wore a white maid headband over her head.
"Oh you look adorable!" Kuki and Mushi gushed.
Danielle's left eye twitched. "No way! It was one thing as a Shrine Maiden but you two have gone too far! How do-WAH!" Danielle slipped and fell on the ground after trying to walk. "How am I supposed to walk for a week in these high heels?! How do you even walk in them at all?!"
"I will help you, Danielle-san." Sayoko said as she helped the ghost girl to her feet. "Learning how to walk properly is an important step after all."
Danielle grumbled and threw a dirty look at the Sanban sisters. "I'll get you both for this."
They simply giggled back.
Xxx
"And how goes our dear patient?"
Van Kleiss was smirking at the cryo-tube and the unconscious Valerie inside it, a white suit resembling a straight jacket keeping her arms and legs bound while an oxygen mask was placed over her face to allow her to breathe inside the stasis gel that filled the tank and several tubes were attached to her skull and spine. As soon as she was brought into this dimension he had her sedated and placed inside it, keeping her in a state of suspended animation. With her now dormant he was free to begin his experiment based on what he had gathered from several universes he had studied through his drones and AMAZO. The suit she wore was symbiotic and was tuned to her bio-signature but that was fine.
He planned on upgrading her along with it anyways.
"Beginning phase one: nanite injections." Van Kleiss said as he pressed a button.
Nanites flowed through the tube into the cryo-glass tube, entering Valerie's body and causing her suit to appear and wrap around her, merging with it, reprogramming it and dissolving it before entering Valerie's body. The girl reacted in discomfort but remained dormant as Van Kleiss continued the operation and began recording.
"The first stage of my own Project: Freelancer has begun." Van Kleiss grinned, deciding to take the name of what inspired this experiment as his own. "My nanites have bonded with Miss Valerie Grey's suit and have begun bonding to her body."
The computer screen showed the nanites and Valerie's body entering her body, spreading out and merging with her skeleton. There was indeed discomfort as Valerie squirmed inside the tube but the cryo-liquids and the drugs kept her dormant and prevented the pain from awakening her.
"The original Freelancer project was aimed at testing multiple equipment on chosen test subjects with an AI to help manage and control the equipment. Fortunately my nanites combined with advanced technology provided by a ghost of all things I believe it can be modified to handle all the equipment with only one AI that I have programmed to keep her under my control." Van Kleiss spoke, grinning at the end. "I have no wish to turn her into a second Meta but I admit that with such a force under my control I see a great amount of potential. Nevertheless I need to make sure her Armor Enhancements don't take too much of a toll on her physically or mentally. I am not in the business of breaking my toys before I get to play."
He looked at the list of armor enhancements he was programming into the armor.
Active Camouflage
Adaptive Camouflage
Temporal Distortion
Healing Unit
Domed Energy Shield
Strength Boost
Speed Boost
Overshield
Hardlight Shield
Enhanced Motion Tracker
Holographic Projection
Electromagnetic Pulse
Bio Scan
Grav Boots
Voice Filter
Voice Manipulate
Voice Amplifier
"By my calculations Valerie Grey will be turned into a one woman army. This is very good, especially for what I have in mind. The AI implant will be programmed to keep her memories and emotions suppressed and make her completely compliant to my orders. I have already planned the perfect way to test her." Van Kleiss finished speaking and ended the recording before looking at Valerie. "Take pride my dear. You are about to become more powerful than ever before. Combined with your ghost hunting tech you might even become more powerful than that ghost boy Danny Phantom."
"Daddy?"
Van Kleiss glanced over his shoulder, spotting Bell standing by the door. "Bell, isn't it past your bedtime?"
"I…I wanted to wish you good night." Bell timidly said as she slowly walked in, stopping to look at Valerie. "Is she my new sister?"
"Hm…" Van Kleiss smirked and chuckled. "Actually, I believe in a way she is. In fact I am making her a friend that will be like you."
"Really?" Bell asked with a curious and excited smile.
Van Kleiss held out his gold gauntlet and an image of a miniature version of Bell was projected in front of the girl. "I believe she would respond better to a girl than an old man. Want to wish your little sister happy birthday, Bell?"
Bell smiled happily as she stared the projection. "She's so tiny…and cute! I love her! Thank you, Daddy!" She latched onto Van Kleiss, giving him a hug around the torso.
"I am glad you like her." Van Kleiss patted her on the back. "Now, go to bed. Your sister will be up and ready to play with you very soon."
Bell nodded floated off the ground. "Okay. Goodnight, Daddy."
She gave him a quick peck on the cheek before flying out of the room.
"Hm…So human." Van Kleiss looked back at the dormant Valerie. "But we will become so much more, won't we my dear? Speaking of which I think I found a few who can help further advance our knowledge and evolution."
Xxx
(Several Days before the Red Cap Raid)
Eerie music played as the next episode of Weird World began. It started with Munya walking up to a coffin and opening it, revealing V.V. Argost inside it while wearing a straight jacket.
"Greetings and bienvenue. I, the incomparable V.V. Argost welcome you to my humble mansion of the Macabre." As Argost spoke Munya took a cleaver and used it to cut off Argost's straight jacket, revealing chains underneath that Argost removed himself.
Argost then moved over to an old looking map hanging from the wall.
"Tonight, we search for the great shining city of Kumari Kandam." The camera aimed down to see something emerge from a secret compartment on the floor. "Sadly this jewel was taken before her time."
From the floor rose small table with a unique city model in the center.
"Ripped from the mainland by a tremendous earthquake. She was set adrift, cast down like that mighty Atlantis to the black and bottomless sea, where the world foolishly believed she would remain for all eternity. Having been entombed several times myself, I tell you this from experience some things somply refuse to stay buried."
And that was a wrap for the day.
Argost glanced at the other end of the room, hearing a clapping sound as soon as the camera was off. "I see I have an uninvited guest."
"Uninvited? Maybe. Guest, definitely not." The person in question was a young cat Faunus.
She had angular features, such as a pointed chin, straight nose, and slanted almond-shaped, heterochromatic eyes; pale yellow (Left) and turquoise (Right). She featured three freckles on her cheeks, and soft curving dark eyebrows. She had retractable black sharp claws on her hands and toes, small fangs, large, black, catlike ears, a long dark brown cat tail, and light brown horizontal markings on her arms and three on her back that resemble a tabby cat's stripes. She also sported wild, spiked, cedar brown hair with two lighter colored tufts behind her ears, held back behind a cat-inspired scarlet red headpiece.
She wore a two-toned reddish orange leotard sleeveless top over torn reddish-violet leggings that wrap around her feet, exposing her knees, toes and heels. Additionally, she wore two belts that crossed over each other, the thicker of the pair sporting the symbol of the Satyra.
"Well, well, isn't this a surprise?" Argost mused. "A young but beautiful and obviously confident member of the Satyra graces my presence tonight after she had somehow slipped past all my security….Haven't you heard of knocking at the door before entering?"
"Not really my thing." The woman observed her claws for a second before looking back at Argost. "Just wanted to let you know His Eminence has heard of your little search for the Kumari Kingdom and he's decided to send a little muscle."
"How kind of him but I have all the muscle I need." Argost gestured to Munya who toke a step forward and growled at the Faunus.
The young woman barely even gave Munya a glance as she replied. "This is not a request. Apparently His Eminence has this feeling you might try and steal what you need to find Kur and refuse to report your findings. He has this thing for people plotting behind his back."
"How you wound me, my dear." Argost held a hand over his heart. "You think I would do such a dishonorable thing to his great Eminence?"
The young woman raised an eyebrow. "Does that question even warrant an answer?"
Argost scowled but regained his smile. "What a charming girl you are. So who is this muscle he is sending?"
"Why me and my partner." The woman gestured to herself and bowed dramatically. "My name is Catra and I'm a big fan of your show."
"Charmed." Argost turned around, facing his back to her. "And the other one?"
"Right there." Catra pointed behind Munya who spun around.
"Well, hello big boy."
Munya's eyes widened as he spied a woman…a woman with scorpion claws and a tail that stepped out of the shadows. She had white hair which she wears with an undercut. Finally she wore a crimson and maroon uniform with a Satyra symbol.
"And here I thought any Faunus with bug features were too scrawny these days." The woman grasped one of Munya's arms, holding it up as she inspected and gave him a pleased smile. "But no, you got a lot of meat on these bones. I like it. You really know how to stay in shape, huh? Of course, I got the feeling you're hiding a lot more under this drab uniform."
Argost raised an eyebrow, hearing a surprised but pleased grunt from Munya as he stared at the woman who took in his entire form..
"I am Scorpia, big fan…of you…and your boss of course." The woman introduced herself as her tail moved around Munya, briefly touching his hair but kept the stinger away from his skin. "So what kind of arachnid are you? If you were open to the idea of having eggs have you found any suitable…candidates?"
Munya grunted, seemingly confused but at the same time interested as he stared at her. Whether it was reaction to her flirting or his first time meeting an actual…woman like her it was not clear. Whatever the reason it caused the emergence of new…possible feelings as he took in her form, figure and the way she approached him.
It was without a doubt he was growing very interested in her.
"My dear, as much as it would interest me to see Munya's reactions to your attempts at…courting." Argost briefly shuddered for a second. "He has much work to do for me."
Scorpia pouted but held up Munya's hand and made a quick peck on it. "Maybe next time."
Munya stared at her, seemingly becoming fascinated as he grunted and nodded.
"Apparently the Satyra will let just about anyone in these days." Argost mumbled as he faced Catra. "I just hope you will keep our relations professional."
"Don't worry." Catra flashed a smile. "You are far from any type I might have….And maybe a little old for any hot young kittens."
Argost scoffed but did not take her bait. "Good. Now then, with Kumari Kingdom allied with the Satyra I am sure it will be easier to launch an attack and start a rather large conflict."
"More than that. We'll have a base of operations to launch an attack anywhere in the world." Catra approached the map on the wall. "Personally I hope the first place His Eminence picks is Rodigan."
"Speaking from personal experience?" Argost mused.
Catra looked over her shoulder at the celebrity. "Who doesn't these days?"
"How true." Argost admitted. "Just remember, I want total control until I have what I want. The kingdom will be yours and his Eminence's plan to do with as you wish when I am done."
"Just remember to keep your end and we'll do the same."
Xxx
Dimension ML-TR07
Space
Garbage Asteroid
In the deep reaches of space, far from any galactic civilization, former Queen Vexus was scrounging through the junk litering this asteroid for anything she could use. The only machine member of the Cluster to remain loyal to her were Smythe and Krackus but this asteroid only had room for one so she cut off contact with them.
Not that it mattered to her in the slightest.
All that mattered was exacting revenge on XJ-9 for dethroning her.
There to be a way.
There just had to be.
She refused to spend the rest of her life on this garbage asteroid.
She was the Queen!
She would regain her rule no matter the cost!
She would-
Her musings were cut off as a portal opened up and a golden gauntlet shot out, grabbing her.
"What the-" Before she could say anything else she was pulled into the portal that vanished a second later.
And since she was a criminal hiding in the depths of space no one would ever know.