GrimmFall

by Lord Maximus

FusionFall-RWBY Fusion. In one universe the Grimm ran rampant on the world of Remnant and in another planet Earth was invaded by Planet Fuse. But what if in another the Grimm appeared on Earth, created by the evil that originally created one of the greatest villains in the CN universe? What changes would that bring to the world and its people, heroes and villains included?

237. Chapter 237

Opening File: Terminators

In his quest to ensure his rise to power Van Kleiss would peer through multiple realities and gather a large amount of knowledge. Curiously one reality he came upon happened to be a popular science fiction action franchise in several realities but upon seeing the design was quick to adopt the machines in this franchise for his own use, seeing their potential for instilling fear into all of his enemies. The machines were cybernetic organisms; an ultra-hard metallic endoskeleton surrounded by living tissue. They are equipped with databases filled with knowledge on fire arms and battle techniques.

Nicknamed Terminators, these machines are unstoppable weapons of destruction. Van Kleiss currently has three in cold storage, using them for security to stop potential intruders.

Close File

Xxx

"We all can appreciate a little security in our lives. The thought of knowing that the comfort of our everyday lives being protected and sheltered, allowing us to go about our daily schedule without worry or distraction. Of course there is such a thing as too much security and eventually a little security becomes a full prison if you are not careful." TOM said as the file closed. "Take special care of yourself and those around but not at the expense of their personal freedoms. Let them crawl at their own pace and you will be genuinely surprised."

Xxx

"The nerve of that thing saying such things about Rose."

"Pearl hold up!"

Pearl barely paid attention to Amethyst calling out to her as she kept stomping through the middle of Nowhere. "Rose risks her life to save this planet and this is the thanks she gets?!"

"Rose did keep secrets." Garnet said from behind the pale Gem. "You know that."

"Or did you already forget about Bismuth?" Amethyst asked, making Pearl stop. "So why is it so surprising she met up with a human and a robot behind our backs?"

"Stop it!" Pearl spun and faced the two. "I don't want to hear this!"

"Oh, so this is about you now?" Amethyst asked, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes. "Rose hept another secret from you and you can't handle it."

"Amethyst, don-"

"So she lied again! Is it that big of a deal?" Amethyst threw her arms up. "She lied to you about Bismuth, she didn't tell you about Lion. Is it really that big of a leap?"

"She wasn't supposed to lie!" Pearl shut her eyes as she trembled. "We would have been there for her…I would have been there for her…Why couldn't she just let me in?"

Garnet walked up and placed a hand on Pearl's shoulder. "You were in, Pearl. You were with her at the beginning of the Rebellion and you stayed with her the entire time."

Pearl kept her mouth shut, a pair of white glowing eyes flashing in her mind. "But it wasn't enough for her…Nothing was ever enough for her."

There was a moment of silence…

And then a dark cloud rushed past them.

"What in the stars?!" Pearl was suddenly pulled out of the way by Garnet.

The three Gems watched as four…skeletons on horses galloped past them, brandishing deadly weapons, without even glancing at them.

"What are those?!" Amethyst exclaimed, watching the four…things as their forms grew more distant.

"Trouble." Garnet answered, shuddering a bit. "My Future Vision showed me…endless destruction and death."

"What do we do?" Pearl asked, forgetting her most recent troubles.

"…We need to get back to GrimmFall and Steven."

Xxx

"And here we are."

Steven, Connie and Peridot could barely believe.

One second they were waiting in Beach City…

The next they were back in DexLabs, meeting Fergle O'Reilly who showed them the drill was complete.

"Wow…That was amazing!" Steven said in pure excitement as he turned and looked up at Living Bullet. "How did you do that?"

"Every hero has his secrets, kid. But I have to hurry back to the Hall of Heroes and let them know the drill is finished." Living Bullet flashed a two fingered salute. "I'm sure we'll see each other again very soon."

And like that he was gone.

"Well, now we just need the other Gems." Fergle said, barely blinking at Bullet's speedy exit. "But we should make preparations to move the drill to the appropriate location. We can't sit around waiting for the world to end you know."

Xxx

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"

Eustace and Double D had finished the repairs on Stan Pines' car so they were all ready to return to Gravity Falls. However the three were understandably uneasy about leaving Eustace, Muriel and their dog Courage in the very farmhouse where demonic specters had appeared after their windmill had been destroyed.

"No thanks, kid. This is my family's farm and I decided long ago it would be the place I would die in." Eustace shook his head, wrapping an arm around his wife's shoulders.

"But those things might come back." Dipper pointed out. "We can't leave you here to be killed. Isn't there someone you could stay with?"

"You are a sweet boy, Dipper." Muriel knelt down and patted the boy on the head. "But my husband is right. This is our home and the only place we can stay in. As for those things, we'll just have to wait and see if they come back."

Mabel shivered. "You guys are so brave…I wouldn't want to be living here after seeing them and we see a lot of weird things with our Grunkle Stan."

"I'm sure he'll be happy you are home." Muriel handed Mabel a box of cookies. "Here's something for the road."

Double D waited for Dipper and Mabel to get into the car before looking back at the elderly couple. "You sure about this? Leaving someone to die…it would be morally unacceptable on my part to not do anything. Isn't there someone you could at least call?"

"Kid, we're too old to be on the run." Eustace said, waving a finger. "When you get to be our age death is nothing but an old buddy you invite over for a drink."

Xxx

"Don't mind if I do, mon." Grim smiled. "I'll have a root bear please."

Xxx

"The point is we're flattered but given where you might be going we're no safer there than here." Muriel continued. "The only difference is that we own this home here and would rather not trouble anyone with a place to stay."

Double D could see there was no convincing them to come with them so he just nodded. "Very well…But please do consider finding a temporary haven. I might even make a call when we return to Gravity Falls just to check in."

"We don't need a babysitter." Eustace said, earning a smack on the back of the head from Muriel. "Ow! What'd I do?"

"We'll be happy to accept a call…on our Tablets of course. The land line is out with the power." Muriel reminded the young genius.

Double D nodded as Armatae activated and covered him in its armor mode. "Very well. Thank you for your hospitality."

Double D turned around and walked over to the car, picking it up with the use of Armatae's enhanced strength feature and took off, returning to Gravity Falls.

"Better get dinner started." Muriel said as she went back inside. "Can't deal with monsters on an empty stomach."

Xxx

"Okay, the kids are on their way back. So we got to hurry and make sure the portal is up and running before they are home."

Stan Pines had already shared with his granddaughters his plan to have the portal finished.

"So what do you need?" Zoe asked.

"You any good infiltrating a power plant?"

Zoe smirked. "Did Frida pick pocket that Soos guy's wallet five minutes ago?"

"Really?" Stan looked at Frida who held up a twenty techno bill. "…All right but don't do that all the time. Half my money comes from pick pocketing Soos when I pretend to pay him."

Xxx

"And so there it is ladies and gentlemen. You have the option of working with me and you can reap the reward of a lifetime or perhaps a dozen lifetimes or you can try and strike out on your own and see where that gets you."

Van Kleiss looked at the gathered members around the table he had set up, confidently grinning in his ability to convince them to join with him. He had already updated them on where they were what kind of world this was and his proposal. He even took the time to show them images of the Grimm and the heroes and warriors that were made to fight them.

"You say you can help us conquer not just our reality but many more." Grodd spoke first, deciding to speak for the rest much the chagrin of a few. "You spin a good tale, Van Kleiss but even if with the handful of fighters you have now that's a tall order."

"Well, you have yet to see-"

"Boss!" Skalamander shouted, entering the room. "We got company."

"Send the Terminators to hunt them down." Van Kleiss scowled as he waved off the unwelcome information. "Or do it yourself. You and Biowulf must be going mad from being cooped in here by now."

"Not that kind of company but yeah, we kind of do." Skalamander muttered.

"What are you babbling about?" Van Kleiss pinched his forehead in annoyance.

"He means me."

Eyes widening Van Kleiss spun around, watching as the space in between Skalamander and him was distorted, revealing a Seer as its crystal orb/head shattered and a black mist surrounded its corpse. A humanoid figure was formed in the mist, showing a pale face with red eyes, blood red hair and had veins colored back and purple traveling down the face. Everyone jumped from their seats, watching as the new misty figure surveyed them with a calm gaze and yet some such as Copperhead shivered when the newcomer looked at them.

"Sammael…" Van Kleiss muttered in complete surprise. "You…Surprise me. I was not expecting a visit."

"Yes, I heard about your new acquisitions and decided to see them for myself." The astral projected image of Sammael spoke. "And I see you have been busy."

The only ones who did not shiver were Piedmon, Grodd, Goblin and Vexus. Whether it was because they were better hiding their emotions or fearless no one knew. They did however sense a great but dark power surrounding the projection with an air of ruthlessness around it that was matched by their own. His appearance alone was unnatural to them all, even to those who had seen the strange appearances of certain Meta-Humans.

And they could already tell this was someone who unnerved Van Kleiss.

"Have they been updated on their whereabouts?" Sammael asked the Pack Leader.

"They have." Van Kleiss nodded.

"Good." Sammael smiled. "In that case I bid thee welcome to this new world and the answer to your unasked question is yes, I am a denizen of this world and one among many who have been working to take over and remake it in my own…image."

"Oh great." Shade leaned and whispered to Copperhead. "I see what this is."

"What?" Copperhead whispered back.

"He didn't bring us here simply to help us. He wants to use to take that guy out." Shade said, keeping his voice quiet so that neither Van Kleiss nor Sammael heard them. "Just look at him. He's not happy at all that this guy is here."

Indeed, many at the table could see just how much Van Kleiss resented Sammael's sudden appearance, especially in the middle of his own grand speech as he tried to convert them. In fact Van Kleiss was wondering how long that Seer had been here and why he never noticed it.

Could Sammael have cloaked the Seer somehow?

"We're in for a ride here, Copper. And we barely survived our own coup against Luthor." Shade muttered.

Copperhead shivered at that. "We're so dead…"

If Sammael had noticed the discomfort of Van Kleiss he did not at all he did not acknowledge it as he continued to address the newcomers.

"Hopefully we have a beneficial partnership in the near future." Sammael finished before looking at Van Kleiss finally. "Keep up the good work."

With that the spectral image faded, leaving no trace it had even existed. Van Kleiss clenched a fist, knowing Sammael had picked this exact moment to introduce himself to the potential members of his new Pack and undermine him in front of everyone.

"So it seems you are not as high up on the food chain as you would have had us believe." Piedmon remarked with a sadistic grin.

Van Kleiss cleared his throat. "I was planning an introduction…"

"To the man you want us to help you overthrow." Grodd stated with a grin. "I know that look in your eye, Mr. Kleiss. I've seen that look in the mirror so many times myself, especially very, very recently."

"Don't we know it?" Shade said sarcastically.

Grodd threw a look at Shade who pretended not to notice before looking back at Van Kleiss. "The question is what's in it for us if we chose to sign up with you? Maybe we should sign up with your boss instead."

"Associate." Van Kleiss corrected icily. "And how long do you think you can last before Sammael finds you no longer useful and gets rid of you?"

"Oh, so we already have something in common." Piedmon remarked, twirling a knife in his hand. "We both get rid of things that are useless to us."

"A part that is unable to serve the whole is best cast aside and destroyed." Vexus stated.

"I have a weapon that will not only make me the most powerful in this universe but in all universes. Grodd, you should be familiar with this." Van Kleiss said as he projected the image of his android to the potential recruits.

Grodd's eyes widened as he recognized the android. "You built an A.M.A.Z.O.?"

"And I've been rather busy. For those of you who don't know what it is, A.M.A.Z.O. is a highly advanced android capable of copying the powers and abilities of everything it sees. That includes Digimon and robots." Van Kleiss said, casting a look at Piedmon and Vexus. "I've been able to scan and copy the abilities of powerful beings from your worlds and a few others, giving my A.M.A.Z.O. an arsenal powerful enough to make it a weapon that could potentially destroy this solar system and more. In fact it is downloading a source of great knowledge from a reality related to yours, Grodd that will grant me not just ultimate power but also ultimate knowledge."

Grodd scowled, remembering those words from Luthor which made him dislike Van Kleiss even more. "You still haven't answered my question. What's in it for us?"

"Oh, how about power, the chance for revenge and as an added bonus you are all still alive when you would have died before I rescued you." Van Kleiss retorted. "But if you need a demonstration how about this? I show you what I can do in one of the realities I rescued you from and you can sit back and watch the carnage and mayhem that is caused to your enemies and you can decide if joining is in your best interest."

Everyone was silent as they considered this proposal.

"In the meantime…" Van Kleiss looked at Skalamander. "You said we have company?"

"That Rex kid and Six are combing the caves of the mountain." Skalamander nodded. "You still want to deploy them?"

"I think it's time Rex sees a taste of what I have in store for him." Van Kleiss smiled darkly.

Xxx

In another section of Van Kleiss' underground laboratory three pods resided in a cold storage room. A series of locks unclamped, allowing the pods to open and three figures stepped out. They were identical, resembling three muscular men with brown spiked hair and cold blue eyes. Their eyes flashed red as they examined the room.

Receiving Orders...

1. Obtain assigned weaponry and clothing

2. Locate Intruders

3. Terminate Intruders

The three men walked over to three storage lockers on one side of the room, opening them and found clothing inside. The clothing in each locker was the same: black leather jackets, brown denim pants, black combat boots, black fingerless gloves and sunglasses that covered their eyes. They then turned to the crates and opened them up, picking up a series of rifles, shotguns, and even grenade launchers.

Objective 1: Obtain assigned weaponry and clothing – COMPLETE

Now that they were properly armed they looked like the ideal killing machine which is exactly what they were.

Now to proceed to their second objective…

Xxx

"So how did Van Kleiss take to your sudden visit?"

Sammael smirked as he walked past Moloch. "As well as could be expected."

"Now that he knows you had a Seer watching him he'll be extra paranoid. Even wanting to know how you slipped one in without him knowing."

"He might use his machine to try and see if the Seer had somehow been placed in a shadow dimension…Which it was." Sammael admitted. "I figured the time for playing I Spy with him was over. I have all I need from him."

"Oh? He promised us warriors but in reality he wants to create a Pack to help him take over this world, his own world and perhaps more. And we may have given it to him in the form of that android he built." Moloch pointed out.

"That android can only copy certain abilities and luckily ours aren't one of them." Sammael said, walking through dark hall, lit by torches lining the walls. "Besides, I want to see it in action for myself…It would be a rather…good workout."

"Nothing seems to bother you, Sammael." Moloch commented as Sammael opened the doors at the end of the hallway.

On the other side was an arena, the sparring chamber and inside were members of the Invisible Hand, training.

"How have our members held up thanks to little enhancement pills I gave them?" Sammael asked, taking a seat.

"Quite well. The Quintessence in those pills increased their Aura reserves exponentially as well as enhancing their own bodies, dealing away with cellular decay. They could be useful for another eighty years with the miracles of ancient and modern medicine." Moloch stated. "Imagine if they find out what happens when someone were exposed to an unending amount of it…I wonder if they would believe if anyone ever survived such an encounter…Like a certain someone."

"Good." Sammael grinned. "I was not kidding when I said becoming part of the Invisible Hand was just the beginning. With the increase in their Aura reserves it will allow them to use their Semblances more frequently and the more they train and fight, the greater their power will become."

"Powerful enough to stand against the Justice Friends and Van Kleiss?"

"You know me well enough to know, Moloch that I prefer to have both quality and quantity on my side. Power is nothing without the skill to control it." Sammael remarked, continuing to watch as the Invisible Hand members trained against the Grimm being released into the arena.

They were making short work of the Grimm in a well-practiced manner that had been choreographed countless times.

"I did say I would bring in more powerful Grimm for them to train with." Sammael snapped his fingers and four doors opened.

Out came a Nuckelavee, a Miasma Hulk, a Freakosaurus Rex and giant Grimm resembling a toad with a miniature volcano on its back.

This was a Volcano Toad.

Four powerful types of Grimm that no Hunter would dream of engaging alone.

Against all of the Invisible Hand.

"Let's see how they handle this." Sammael leaned back and watched the show.

Xxx

"Brothers and sisters of Kumari Kandam, troubling news. The surface man and woman escaped during the night."

Argost made sure to add the necessary dramatic flair for maximum effect and the crowd shouting in concern told him he had delivered just the right amount. In the meantime Catra and Scorpia were waiting off to the side, both listening to Argost's speech.

"Now is the time for war! War on the enemies of the great Kumari Kandam! War on all the surface men! WAR!" Argost shouted, throwing the entire crowd into a bloodthirsty frenzy.

Perhaps he should have been an actor.

He was sure he'd a won an Oscar or two by now if the crowd's cheering was any indication.

In the meantime Catra's sensitive ears picked up something in the crowd. "We can't let this happen, Doc!"

At the same time she also heard voices from above….and someone moving underneath Argost.

"Scorpia, we got company!" Catra said immediately and pointed at Argost. "Move him!"

Up above, Zak Saturday swung down with the use of his Claw just as Scorpia shot forward.

"What?!" Argost turned around as Zak landed on the ground and aimed a Cortex Disruptor at him. "Huh?!"

He immediately fired by Argost dodged as Scorpia jumped in and pulled him out of the way as a wooden spike shot out of the ground. The disruptor blast hit a woman dressed in Kumari clothing but her helmet fell off, revealing her to be Drew Saturday.

"Aaah!" The woman screamed before slipping into unconsciousness.

Zak's eyes widened in horror. "Mom?"

The wooden spike changed into the green skinned woman and she moved to attack Argost as Scorpia and Munya faced her.

"Drew!" Doc shouted, rushing out of the crowd.

"Mom!" Zak shouted, dropping the Cortex Disruptor.

Catra rushed over and picked it up. "Giving guns to your kids now? Even for a high tech gun that's just bad parenting." She smirked as she aimed at the green skinned woman. "And that's coming from me of all people."

"They attack already. Strike now!" Argost shouted, pointing at the intruders.

Scorpia in the meantime attacked the woman who had knocked her out of the airship the day before. She lashed out with her clawed/hands and even with her tail as the woman tried to get around her to get at Argost. Munya tried attacking her as well as more Kumari guards surrounded her but she was too fast and skilled to be pinned down. Argost, seeing his minions were failing threw seeds on the ground around her, causing vines to sprout out and wrap around her.

She placed her arms on the vines and they ceased their attempt to grab her. "You cannot use nature against me-GA!"

Catra aimed and fired the Cortex Disruptor, not at the woman but at the vines. The blast traveled through the vines and let out an energy discharged that blasted the woman down the stairs.

"When in doubt, improvise." Catra said, twirling the disruptor in one hand before tossing it away. "And that's why you don't trust kids with guns."

The woman grunted as she looked up, seeing the Kumari guards surrounding her. Seeing she could not win or even escape in her normal form she closed her eyes…

And her form dissolved into a whirlwind of leaves.

Seeing that they had escaped Argost turned to address the Kumari people. "Great Kumaris, let us stike a blow the surface men will never forget! We move for land! And war!"

The crowd once again cheered in jubilation from the motivation Argost had given them.

Perhaps after he conquers the world he would give acting a try.

He could just order every Oscar in existence to be given to him without having to lift a finger.

But first he had a prince and certain medallion to find.

Xxx

Of all the stupid things that child could have done!

The leaves she had dispersed herself in located the boy and his father as they boarded the airship. Deciding to give that boy a piece of her mind she fluttered in through the vents and into the medical bay where the boy along with a Kumari boy and shark Faunus were speaking.

"Hold up!" Tiburon pulled out his club. "We've got company."

Everyone watched as the leaves entered the medical room and formed into the green skinned woman most of the group knew.

"Hey! Huntress Wizard!" Zak exclaimed.

The woman raised an eyebrow while the rest said. "Who?"

"I…Thought up the name for her because she's like a Huntress but with magic. I know Wizard ain't exactly a title used by women but witch seemed so demeaning." Zak shrugged before looking back at her. "You made it out."

"No thanks to you." The woman now named Huntress Wizard snarled. "The very weapon you used on your own mother was also used on me when I tried to strike that mad man down."

Zak flinched a bit. "Oh….sorry."

"Wait." Doc stepped in front of Zak. "I am his father and his actions are my responsibility."

"I come not for blame, scientist…" Huntress Wizard stumbled a bit, leaning against the wall. "Your air balloon was the only safe haven where I could recover."

"Is she an ally?" The Kumari prince asked.

"At the very least she is against Argost." Doc said, holding out a medic kit for the injured woman.

"And she saved me from the scorpion lady." Zak admitted.

Huntress Wizard accepted the kit and looked through it. "You humans and your…medicine. You are awfully focused on curing symptoms rather than the disease itself." She took a deep breath and sat on the medical bed behind her.

Everyone watched as her wound started to heal faster than what would have been expected.

"How is she doing that?" Zak asked.

"It's a healing trance." Ulraj answered. "A meditating technique that mentally forces the body into focusing all its attention onto healing wounds."

"Mind over matter." Doc stated. "I am sure Drew would love to see this if she were awake."

Now fully healed Huntress Wizard opened her eyes. "Fortunately the wound was not as severe or I would have fallen deeper and needed assistance to wake up." She stood up and stared at the people before her. "Now I have to finish what I started."

"Wait. You cannot go after Argost alone." Doc stared.

That was when the alarm started blaring.

Everyone rushed up onto the bridge, seeing the city of Kumari Kandam starting to move.

"What's happening to the city?" Zak asked.

"It's war." Ulraj answered. "Kumari Kandam is moving."

"Moving how, exactly?" Doc asked, glancing at the prince.

The answer came in the form of a giant sea like serpent with a dragon like face that let out a roar as it surfaced.

"That is how." Huntress Wizard answered, narrowing her eyes.

"Whoa." Zak marveled.

"I cannot allow this madness!" Ulraj stated. "My people need me."

"A moment, Your Highness." Doc stopped the prince from leaving. "What if that's exactly want Argost wants?" He suddenly realized what was happening. "He started this war to draw you out into the open. He's never cared about Kumari Kandam at all. He wants her king…Or something only the king can give him. Your royal medallion, where did it come from exactly?"

Huntress Wizard's eyes widened when she sat the medallion Ulraj pulled out.

"It is an heirloom from Kumari Kandam's trading age, a gift from the Sumerian dynasty of Ur-Nammu." Ulraj answered.

"Sumerians?" Zak asked. "That means…"

"Kur." Doc finished, realizing the connection.

"It is the Breath of Kur." Huntress Wizard spoke, earning their attention. "A vessel for a small piece of Kur's powers. I'd say destroy it but releasing something with the power of Kur…It can only be destroyed by the hands of its master."

"Meaning…" Zak asked slowly.

"It means that you are in possession of a very dangerous artifact, Your Highness." Doc said. "Will you trust me on something?"

"It if means stopping that madman. Anything." Ulraj answered.

"Fine by me." Tiburon crossed his arms. "I've been wanting a shot at that freak for a while now."

"You will after I have had mine." Huntress Wizard said, returning the glare Tiburon sent her way.

"Fiskerton," Doc glanced to the hairy Cryptid. "You're coming with us."

Fiskerton gave her a salute.

"Zak, that leave you to stop the Kumaris from reaching land." Doc said to his son.

"You want me to take on a gigantic sea serpent by myself?" Zak asked, surprised that his father would even consider the idea. "That thing may be a little out of the league of my Cryptid powers."

"I know." Doc picked up his own Cortex Disruptor, noting how Huntress Wizard stepped back and glared at it. "You're gonna need one of these, probably several, bundled together and focused through some sort of-"

"Huh? Whoa." Zak held up his hands. "Dad, I know you're the one who wanted to have a disrupter in the first place, but-"

"What I wanted was a way to teach you responsibility." Doc clarified. "But now the responsible thing to do is to try and make it right." He handed Zak the disrupter. "It's up to us to finish the job."

Zak smiled and nodded.

"Just be sure to keep that and anything like it away from me." Huntress Wizard muttered, eyes narrowing at the sight of the disrupter.

"Right…" Zak moved it away from her. "So what will you be doing?"

Xxx

"Her skin is turning blue!"

Kuki and Mushi were starting to tear up with worry as Danielle's skin began changing color, a sign that her body temperature was still going down. It had become bad enough that they had to put more Fire Dust crystals into the tub to heat the water as it started to freeze and turn to ice. They poured extra hot water into the tub and a scooped up a bucket, gently pouring it over Danielle as ice and frost formed in her hair while making sure it wasn't overwhelmingly hot. The ghost girl let out a gasp as the water traveled down her hair and face, granting a few seconds of relief before the cold returned.

This was hard, especially on the Sanban sisters who were becoming increasingly distressed at seeing their friend's worsening condition.

"Kuki, Mushi." The sound of their mother diverted their attention as she stepped in. "How is she?"

"It's getting worse, Mama. Her skin is blue!" Kuki tearfully pointed at the ghost girl.

Danielle's skin was indeed blue and she was shivering badly now. Genki could see how distressed and worried her daughters were becoming and it wasn't easy on her, even as she managed to steel herself with a mother's resolve.

"Danielle, I think I have found someone who can help." She said soothingly to the girl who managed to open one eye.

Thankfully the frost and ice had not covered her eyes and forced them shut.

"R-R-Really?" She asked in a desperate and hopeful voice barely heard over her shivering and teeth chattering.

"Yes but I need you to trust me." Genki stated. "The help you need…It's not here. We have to move you somwhere else."

"It's-It's a….lab, isn't it?" Danielle asked, rubbing herself to try and stay warm.

Genki couldn't fault the young girl for that. The few times the family doctor had looked over her, taken a blood sample or two Danielle was very uncomfortable. The few memories Genki had seen, showing her in a lab, strapped down on a table…

A vampire ghost laughing as he pulled a lever…

Dani screaming as her body begins to melt.

The few glimpses in her past was enough to show Genki that Danielle, even if she couldn't exactly remember had a deep rooted fear of laboratories, especially the kind that are made for dissection. They had further cemented her hate for Vlad Masters, the man who created her and then tried to kill her and it didn't help that she received word that he was now on the loose in America. Fortunately, despite Danielle's unique status Genki and her husband had stated in absolutely no terms that Danielle was to be taken to a lab to be studied for her unique hybrid abilities. The girl needed people she could trust, people who could comfort her and give her help in trying times like this.

The girl needed a family.

"No, it's not a lab but there is someone coming that can help stabilize you." Genki said truthfully, scooping up some water and gently dropping it over Danielle's frost covered hair. "The place I have in mind belongs to someone with similar…abilities. It's not in Tokyo but it's also not in a lab, I swear to you."

Danielle glanced at Genki, still shivering. "P-Promise?"

"I promise." Genki nodded. "You're not being sent to a lab and you won't be alone."

Danielle could tell she was being truthful so she nodded, seeing no other way. "O-Okay."

"All right. First off we need to have you moved without freezing the entire house." Genki pulled out a black skin tight outfit. "This can help keep the cold from spreading. I just need you to try and stand up for me."

Danielle reluctantly did so, turning her back to Genki who worked to slip the suit on while trying to hold still and not make it hard for the Sanban matriarch while her daughters helped as best as they could. Surprisingly the ice stopped spreading from Danielle once it was completely on. Her entire body aside from her head was covered but frost and ice still continued to appear around her face.

"All right. We'll move as quickly as we can but don't feel the need to strain yourself." Genki said gently as she and her daughters helped Danielle out of the tub. "We'll move nice and slow at your own pace."

"O-Okay." Danielle replied, shivering still as she struggled to keep from slipping.

With that they slowly left the bathroom and Danielle's room, heading down the hallway and stairs to the door where a large tube shaped tank was waiting for them.

"Is that…" Danielle trailed off, seeing the tank.

"It's a defrosting unit, capable of being moved and used for transportation." Genki knelt down and placed her hands on Danielle's shoulders, making sure to avoid her hair and exposed head. "This is where I need you to trust me."

Seeing she had no choice Danielle nodded and approached the tank, stepping inside and allowing them to slip a breathing mask over her mouth and nose. The mask covered the lower part of her face, leaving only her eyes and hair expose as the tube was closed. A warm liquid filled the tank a moment later and Danielle took a deep breath from the mask as she was submerged.

And slowly she felt the coldness of her body fade away, leaving a warm sensation washing over her.

"It…It works!" Danielle spoke out loud, releasing she could speak through the mask and actually it.

The mask had been built with an intercom and with her ears also covered she could speak to and hear anyone outside the tank.

"The liquid is filled with a special drug that inhibits the flow of Aura." Genki explained, after turning on the intercom. "We had no way of knowing for sure it would help since your ghostly powers would be different but they operate along a similar nature."

"Really?" Danielle asked, managing to relax inside the tube.

"From what our doctors learned Ectoplasm is a conductor for energy while your core, basically your soul provides the power in a manner much similar to Aura. You awakened Aura during the end of the Golden Castle incident and manifested a ghostly form of it during training so we gambled this would work." Genki continued with a relieved smile. "Sure enough your ice powers have seemingly been suppressed by the liquid. This will keep Aura from being channeled through your body and since no energy is being channeled through your ghost DNA I am positive, at least partially it will prevent your ice powers from going out of control."

"So am I supposed to just stay in this tank for who knows how long?" Danielle asked.

"No. You are just needed to remain in there until you have been transported to the person who can help you." Genki shook her head.

"Where is that?"

"The Shiga Highlands in the Japanese Alps."

Xxx

"Seriously, Six. We've been at this for a few days now. Is there any faster way to find Van Kleiss?"

Six remained calm as he and Rex journeyed through the mountains of Nowhere, searching for any possible clues to locating Van Kleiss.

"Maybe we should start digging. I have a feeling Van Kleiss is likely underground." The agent replied.

"Great. He never makes things easy."

Six spotted a red light on Rex's chest. "I wouldn't say that."

"Wha-GAH!" Rex grunted as Six shoved him down. "What-"

BANG!

BANG!

BANG!

BANG!

The two rolled out of the way as gunfire littered the spot they had been standing at. Looking up they watched as three men, looking identical to each other and wearing matching clothes came out, all of them sporting a deadly array of weapons.

Objective 2: Locate targets – COMPLETE

Beginning Objective 2: Terminate Targets

"You're right, Six." Rex said as he stood up, the nanites in his arms creating giant metallic fists. "He did make it easy."

Xxx

Azmuth had been monitoring Garfield Logan's condition since his long distance chat with Raven. Right now he could see that the Omnitrix copy Van Kleiss had created was modifying Garfield's body as he, allowing the virus to full alter his DNA much as it was intended only without killing the boy. Still, even though he decided he would not intervene in these matters he had no intention of allowing an Omnitrix to fall into the hands of someone as dangerous as Vilgax.

So with reluctance he used the Omnitrix's frequency to contact Garfield Logan.

Even though the boy had been forced into a coma by the Omnitrix Van Kleiss had created with his android Azmuth could still use the Omnitrix to download all the necessary information into Garfield's mind so he would understand what was happening.

The mental readings of the boy's mind indicated that the animal instincts of the Earthly animals he could already become were being overwhelmed by the instincts of the millions of aliens that the Omnitrix had access to.

That was not good.

If the boy was overwhelmed by these instincts he would potentially become a walking hazard to the entire planet.

As much as Azmuth didn't want to get involved he had no wish for his Omnitrix, a copy but a real one nonetheless to be responsible for the destruction of an entire planet because of the idiotic ambitions of a mad man.

"I don't have the discipline to help stabilize a mind as unique as yours, Garfield Logan. But I might know who does."

Xxx

Jessica was getting impatient by the time she heard a slithering sound and looked up at the vent. It was broken open by a snake that slithered down onto the floor. The snake then suddenly began to grow, as if it was being inflated like a balloon before its skin started to peel off to reveal the form of Tassin Ostium who grinned at the sight of the doctor strapped to the table.

"Well, well, well." Tassin grinned as he slowly approached the terrified doctor. "It sssssseems our rolesss are now reversssed."

"Tassin, wait-" The doctor tried to speak but Tassin covered his mouth.

"I believe it'ssss my turn to play doctor and ssssmother you with giftssss." Tassin said as he picked up a scalpel. "It'sssss…payback time!"

Just as Tassin was about to cut the doctor's open with a chest there was a sudden sound that stopped him.

"Wha-"

SMASH!

The wall was smashed open and in charged North in his Black Beetle armor, knocking Tassin down and freeing the doctor. Jessie and the other Black Viper aimed their guns and fired but North's armor shrugged off the bullets.

"NO! He must die!" Tassin shouted, pointing at the doctor. "Babyblue must die!"

North had no idea what the snake Faunus was talking about so he just bashed Tassin in the back of the head as he tried to attack. In the meantime Ross rushed in, disarming Jessie and knocking her and Belle down.

Erika stepped in, seeing the Black Vipers were down. "I checked around the place. The prison's been mostly cleared. It looks like the prisoners in the inner levels are gone."

"That means Chuck Hector must have come and gone with people who wanted to join up with him." Ross said before he turned to the doctor.

For a doctor he was a gigantic, muscle bound man in blue overalls, a white and blue stripped shirt with blue hair and blue beard.

"I am Ross Noften and this Erika Ahlberg and North." He introduced himself and his team. "We responded to a distress signal that was sent from here."

"Oh yes." The doctor stood up and straightened himself. "I am Dr. Oxford Oceanica. I work with the medical staff here."

"What happened here?" North asked his armor receded.

"Him." Oceanica pointed at the downed Tassin. "There was some sort of break in and he broke out, caused a prison riot in the process."

"Do you know what happened to the other prisoners?" Erika asked.

"Gone. We had some interesting ones too. Duke Nukem, a living creature that can absorb radiation. Elmer Sglue, a boy who was turned into living paste and a few other gifted prisoners."

North raised an eyebrow at the way Oceanica spoke about the other missing prisoners. "What do you mean gone?"

"Gone as in they escaped. They went with that man who freed them." Oceanica answered frustratingly. "And I was so close! I was almost ready!"

"Ready for what?" Erika asked.

"Ready…to help them…" Oceanica became oddly silent.

Warnings went off in Ross' head as something about Oceanica became apparent. "I think we should-"

Suddenly Oceanica pounced on North, slamming him into the wall and pulled out a syringe which he then stabbed into the ape Mobian's neck.

"North!" Erika lunged forward, pulling out her sword.

Oceanica spun around; catching Erika's before throwing her into the wall with a loud thud. She slid down as the mad doctor faced Ross who pulled out his swords. However Oceanica grinned as he pulled out a rod that extended into a staff with a buzz-saw on one end and a cattle-prod on the other. He used this staff to block slashes from Ross and struck him with the cattle-prod, electrifying him.

"I don't mean to be rude as I really am grateful to you for saving my life." Oceanica said as he slammed the side of his pole into Ross' head. "But I can't let anyone get in the way of finishing my work."

Xxx

"Look... I made you a fantastic toy, now we can be friends... Right?... Right? But, d-d-don't worry! There are many more where that came from! Hehehe... You can be my friend, and you will NEVER, EVER leave... Ugh... Do not look at me like that, scared... S-so scared... WHAT DO YOU THINK I AM!? AM I PATHETIC TO YOU!? JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH!?"

"But... Bu-B-B-BUT!... You don't HAVE to be afraid! I'm-I'm offering you these gifts to show t-t-t-that I'm not such a bad guy... In fact! You're lucky to be selected for one of my 'transformations'! I-... I have always seen people as being sooo... Imperfect! So angry, so sad, so fat, so thin, and some just too... WEAK! But, don't worry! When I'm done with you-you will be... Better... Stop crying... I SAID STOP CRYING!"

"Just, hold still and I can inject the morphine... So, it can be a lot less- AGH!"

"I-I didn't want to do this, but you left me no choice! I will turn you into a flawless puppet! A perfect human! Even better than before! But if you don't want morphine... T-that's okay, I'LL RELISH IN THE SOUNDS OF YOUR SCREAMS! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-AHHH! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!"

Ross groaned as he opened his, seeing a bright light. He tried to move his arms but found that they were strapped down. When his vision cleared he saw he was in a private lab with him, North, Erika and Tassin strapped down onto tables in the middle. A series of cages lined the dark ceiling of the lab and he could hear snarling noises inside.

"Well hello." Oceanica leaned forward into view, wearing some sort of damaged doll mask that was tightly stripped to his face. He hovered over the leader of Team REYN as he brought a surgical knife close to his face. "Hehehe... Well, well, well, look who is awake."

"What…What have you done?" Ross looked over, seeing his teammates were awake and Tassin was struggling to break free, his skin gone pale in absolute fear. "…That's…That's why he wanted to kill you. You were torturing him."

"Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no... NO! I'm just trying to FIX him... He has so many flaws; human beings have TOO MANY flaws…To make them, PERFECT!" Oceanica denied, shaking his head.

"You're crazy..." Erika said with a glare.

"Thank you for noticing!" Tassin shouted. "Babyblue was experimenting on us! Me, the others, all of us!"

"Oh... OH! OH! OH! OH!... NO I AM NOOOOOOOOOT-...Well then..." Oceanica, better known as Babyblue as he grazed his hand over to a large bloody axe on the table. "Then maybe ALL OF YOU WILL BE FINE SUBSTITUTES!"

Babyblue picked up the axe and pointed it at the group, wondering who he should cut up first. Luckily their saving grace came in the form of a blue portal and out shot Yara on her board, slamming into Babyblue, knocking him down.

"Yara!" Ross called out.

The blue haired girl quickly rushed over and undid the straps holding her teammates. "I find out what is going on. The prison riot, who caused it and what was-"

"We know." Erika got up, glaring at the mad doctor as he got up. "He did it."

Yara nodded as gave them their weapons. "The tracking devices in your weapons led me to them. I had to do a little guess where you all were."

"Good work." Ross said as he took his swords and looked at Oceanica. "Give up now."

"The other people are in there... I don't want to fight you all at the same time; I want to kill you off one by one... And I KNOW you really want to save those people." Babyblue said as the group just continued to stand there. "...Huh, okay then."

The insane man pulled out a remote and pressed a button on it that lowered cages on chains from the high dark ceiling with angry growling things in there.

"My beauties will help me..." The maniac said as the cages opened up and men and women jumped down from the cages and stood in front of the group.

They were shaven with scars on their heads, their eyes looked like these ex-people were dead inside, they had several mutilations on their faces like missing lips cheeks, and noses. They were wearing hospital gowns and many of them had their hands replaced with buzz saws, mechanical claws, chainsaws, and many more horrifying creatures.

The team stared in horror at the mutilated people, until Erika aimed her pistol at the masked man. "I will kill you for what you've done!"

Erika let out a few shots as Babyblue ducked for cover and the brainwashed people attacked the group.

"Remember! Those are still people! Don't kill them!" Ross shouted as he was slashed at by a mutilated person with a buzz saw for a hand.

As the group was fighting, North looked over as he saw Babyblue trying to run away. North broke away from the group as he jumped in front of the hulking psychopath.

"What? Mutilating helpless people is fine but when you're facing off against a group of seriously pissed off Hunters you just can't fight back?!" North asked, holding his staff in a ready position.

"Actually..." Babyblue said as he punched North so hard that he went flying back into a wall. "Did I mention I experimented a little on myself? They made me much stronger."

Babyblue pulled out the axe that he was carrying behind his back as he raised it up over North and brought it down. Luckily North rolled away in the nick of time as the axe was implanted in the ground. As North got back up Babyblue just brought his axe back up as he started swinging it at the ape Mobian like the deranged lunatic he was. North didn't even have enough time to fight back as he was dodging and jumping out of the way of the constant blows as Babyblue accidentally cut through the walls and chains that were hanging around, computer panels, other medical tables, and much more.

As Babyblue swung his axe once more he slashed North across the shoulder splattering blood across the wall as North grabbed at the open wound on his shoulder. But as Babyblue swung again, he missed North and implanted it into the wall so deeply, that he had trouble pulling the axe back out the wall. That's when North dashed in and started savagely beating Babyblue back with powerful left and right hooks. As he then kicked the madman back several feet through the air and into a table nearby breaking it.

North slowly walked over to Babyblue with his Ruby Dragon out as the mad scientist slowly picked himself back up. He looked down at the table that he landed on and broke in half as he grabbed one half of it and threw it at Babyblue who sliced it in half with his weapon, but he wasn't prepared as he saw Babyblue charging right at him. North jumped out of the way of the charging giant and he jumped on the maniacs back and started beating Babyblue over the head as the maniac was still charging.

But that's when Babyblue stopped as he grabbed North from his back and tossed him into a wall breaking it.

BASH!

Babyblue then walked over to the wall with the hole in it as he grabbed a large butchers knife that was on the ground and walked over to the hole but was taken by immediate surprise as North jumped out of the wall with his bo-staff out while yelling.

"RAAAAAAAAAAWWWW!" As he leaped at Babyblue, the maniac tried to defend himself with his butcher's knife, but North just shattered it with his weapon as he managed to slash Babyblue several times across the chest and jab him in the gut with a heavy strike.

"AAAAAAHHHHH!" Babyblue screamed in pain as he smacked North back and stood there bleeding with the club in his chest.

As one of those brainwashed and mutilated people tried to attack Yara with buzz saws that replaced his hands. Luckily the brainwashed person merely shattered the buzz saws upon contact with Yara's board and she knocked him out with a single punch. Yara then heard the screams; she looked over to see the hulking Babyblue walk over to North who was on the floor.

Without hesitation, Yara rocketed over to Babyblue on her board and started pummeling the maniac, savagely cracking the mask with each blow as the sounds of bones cracking with each hit could be heard. Yara then activated her board's forward cannons and blasted Babyblue back and into a wall.

CRASH!

As Babyblue lied down in the rubble, Yara turned around and helped up North.

"Thank you, my friend." North said to Yara, before both turned their heads back to where the maniac was thrown at.

They saw Babyblue had picked himself back up as he started to limp his way over to the two.

"You've... R-RUINED EVERYTHING! AND NOW! YOU WILL PAY FOR WHAT YOU DID! I WILL CUT YOU INTO SO MANY TINY PIECES! THERE WON'T BE ENOUGH OF YOU TO FIT IN A MATCH BOX!" Babyblue yelled as he walked closer. "And after that... I-I-I will- UGH!"

But Babyblue didn't finish as North and Yara could see that a blood stained blade was sticking out his chest. Babyblue gagged and breathed heavily as he placed his hands to his chest, as the blade was pulled out. And he fell on his knees and fell face first on the ground. Behind where he was standing, stood Erika with her sword out as she stared at North and whipped the blood from her blade with her hand, as she then placed the weapon back in its holder. She stared silently at the corpse with a look of contempt before she turned around and walked back to the middle of the lab.

Yara followed her as North stood there another moment, looking down at the slain man on the ground. As he gave one more look he turned around and walked back over to the group who took care of all of the brainwashed people who were on the ground.

Ross hovered over them as he was inspecting them.

"Are they..." Yara asked.

"They're still alive... But whatever that man did to them, I don't know if it can be reversed... He dissected them and turned them into whatever these things were." Ross said sadly inspecting the brainwashed people.

Everyone stood there as they looked down at all the people who were transformed into mutilated monsters under the hands of a maniac.

"... Yara, you and North are going to find a way to help get these people out of here while Erika and I are going to go into the next room and save everyone else. Can you two do that?" Ross asked as Yara and North were crouching over the unconscious bodies who then nodded.

While North and Yara assisted the mutilated and hurt, Ross and Erika made their way through the doors to see dozens of rows of people who were in glass cells in white clothes with numbers on them. The cells themselves had numbers on them as all the prisoners looked over at the two Hunters as they started to talk amongst themselves.

"Who are they?"

"Are they working for the mad man too?"

"What do they want?"

"Are they going to kill us?"

"Are they going to rescue us?"

The two looked around, before nodding at one another and dashing over to the multiple cells. Ross pulled out his sword as he sliced through the electronic locks and Erika punched through the electronic locks.

"All right, everyone. I am not sure what happened here entirely but we are to rescue you and you will be treated for whatever harm the mad doctor caused you." Ross said as the prisoners slowly walked out. "I ask you to please remain calm and I promise you that you are safe now."

Xxx

"I see…Good work, Ross. We're sending transports to help now."

Once the call ended Sebben sat back in his chair and sighed. The reason contact had been lost with Iron Heavens was because one of the doctors working there had gone mad and began experimenting on the prisoners.

'This will not look good for P.O.I.N.T.' The mayor of GrimmFall thought.

The Iron Heavens was a P.O.I.N.T. prison ship. Once it was learned that one of their staff had been involved in brutal experiments it would cast a great deal of doubt on them and its members.

The question is did P.O.I.N.T. actually know about the experiments and authorize them before things got out of hand?

With criminals like Duke Nukem and Elmer Sglue on the loose now it stands to reason that P.O.I.N.T. could have had them transferred to the Iron Heavens to learn about the secrets of their powers.

Would P.O.I.N.T. actually go that far?

"We need to get our house in order." Sebben looked out the window. "Almost everyone is ready to go after Van Kleiss. Miss Spell and Phan-Tone should be in Gravity Falls by now to stop Bill Cipher and we're moving the drill to the point where we will to reach the Cluster."

This was going to get very mess before it was over.

Xxx

"We'll reach the mainland within minutes, my king."

Argost allowed himself a chance to relax on the throne. "Splendid. Order your men to strike immediately upon arrival."

Their eyes turned to the doors when the sound of them opening was heard.

In walked Prince Ulraj.

"Highness! You're alive!" The general stated.

"I wish to speak with Argost and his servants." Ulraj said, getting right to the point.

"Certainly, Your Majesty." Argost said with a pleased voice.

"Alone." Ulraj clarified.

"Even better." Argost said, dismissing the guards.

Only Catra, Scorpia and Munya remained as Ulraj approached the throne.

"I know why you've come here." Ulraj said, stopping in front of Argost. "And soon, all of my people will know."

"Oh, I do find that hard to believe." Argost replied.

"And why is that?"

"Because in ten seconds, you're going to be much too terrified to say anything ever again." Argost answered, bringing his hands together. "Munya, if you would be so kind."

Instantly Munya tore off his uniform to reveal his true spider like form with a loud roar.

"What a hunk." Scorpia sighed dreamily.

"What a horrific image." Catra shuddered, fighting the urge to barf.

Munya picked up Ulraj and his spider legs peeled open the prince's shirt to reveal…nothing.

"What?!" Argost gaped, seeing the medallion Ulraj was supposed to have was gone.

"You didn't really think I'd hand you another clue to finding Kur?" Doc, Fiskerton and Tiburon jumped down from the upper floor. "Now, I believe you're sitting in this young man's chair."

"Munya!" Argost called out.

Munya tossed Ulraj to his master to engage the intruders, followed by Catra and Scorpia.

Xxx

The woman Zak had called Huntress Wizard had opted to simply watch as the boy tried to tame the great serpent that carried the city.

'Father, why did you give the boy your hand?' She wondered. 'Was it something you sensed, even when he was an infant?'

She watched with complete attention as the boy used those…weapons to disorientate the serpent to stop it from attacking the humans.

'He's brave, inventive with an impatient streak.' She thought. 'Just where did that power to connect with Cryptids come from?'

She felt a surge of power from inside the palace, a feeling of great darkness and evil. 'They brought the medallion!'

Xxx

"Tell me where the medallion is."

Argost was running out of the patience and the vines holding Ulrag grew ever tighter as if to emphasize that point.

Reaching into his back pocket, Ulraj pulled out the very medallion he had been asked to leave on the ship. "Right…here."

"Ulraj! I told you to leave that in the airship!" Doc called out.

"Medallion, Dr. Saturday tells me how you hold great power. If so, show me now." Ulraj held the medallion up. "As King of Kumari Kandam, I command you to strike down the man who killed my father!"

From the medallion came a great glow that shook the entire throne room. From it came red demonic specter, a red horned devil like monster that let out a loud and terrifying roar. Argost stepped back in fear as the specter turned to him. It grabbed him and threw him down, ready to carry out its command.

Only Ulraj was now terrified of the medallion's powers. "Dr. Saturday! Tiburon! I can't stop it!"

Doc rushed up and knocked Ulraj down, causing him to drop the medallion and fell down to the ground…right near Munya who opened his eye.

The spirit vanished and Argost fell on his knees, weakened but still alive.

Munya jumped up over them with the medallion around his neck, picked up Argost and jumped up, climbing up the wall behind the throne to make their escape.

As they fled, Doc took a quick picture of them with the medallion.

Argost may have gotten another clue to finding Kur but Doc intended to be right behind him.

Xxx

"Ah-Mah."

Jasmine Lee look up from her garden, seeing her granddaughter enter from the front fence. "Ah, Juniper. You have your stuff ready? We'll need to hurry fast back to Gravity Falls. I was must making sure everything was still in order."

"Ah-Mah, I have a question." Juniper said. "It's about someone I heard about."

"Oh and who would that be?" Jasmine asked as she used a clipper to get rid of some dead leaves.

"…Sammael."

Jasmine's eyes widened and she dropped her clipper. "..Wh-What did you say?"

"I am asking if you have heard of anyone named Sammael." Juniper said louder.

Jasmine turned around and walked up to her granddaughter. "Where did you hear that name?"

"It doesn't matter. I want to know why I was never told about this guy. I heard he was as dangerous as Bill Cipher and Crom so why wasn't I told?" Juniper replied.

"June, listen to me." Jasmine placed her hands on June's shoulder. "You have to tell me where you heard that name."

"What is the big deal, Ah-Mah?" Juniper asked, growing frustrated. "I've dealt with enough threats to be allowed to know the name of every troublemaker on this planet. So who is Sammael?"

"Don't say that name!" Ah-Mah hissed. "The magical elders have forbid the saying of his name."

"Why? What is he?" Juniper prodded.

Jasmine sighed and stepped back from Juniper. "He is…He is…He is the King of the Grimm."

…

…

…

"W-What? "Juniper's eyes widened in shock. "King of the Grimm? But the Grimm are mindless monsters."

"And his mind along with those like him are who direct and control the Grimm." Jasmine stated.

"But that's impossible…How can someone like that even exist?" Juniper asked. "And why wouldn't anyone know about it?"

"Through dark and disturbing means, June. As for why most people wouldn't know it is because they don't want to know or even think about it. That the Grimm, a race of creatures we know to be mindless killing machines are actually being controlled by an intelligent and deadly person, if he even can be called that." Jasmine said darkly. "A dark creature, infested with most dark powers to ever exist out there."

"Powers…so he can use magic." Juniper put two and two together. "So why then hasn't the Te Xuan Ze-"

"Don't even finish that sentence, Juniper!" Jasmine barked but backed down when she saw her granddaughter flinch. "…The elders forbid the Te Xuan Ze from facing Sammael for the single reason that the best of us tried to face him…and failed."

"What?" Juniper was confused.

"The Te Xuan Ze protects the balance between this world and magical realms. The elders maintain the balance and prevent the Grimm from entering this town. That is why Orchid Bay is one of the safest havens on the planet. That barrier also shields our presence from Sammael but he knows we exist because one Te Xuan Ze sought to challenge and defeat him." Jasmine explained. "They went after him but he was too strong and the magical worlds almost suffered for it. He tried to find a way through the barrier but the elders and the magical races here used all of their power to keep him from finding us. If he did, Orchid Bay would have been overrun by Grimm, completely destroyed."

Juniper was silent as she took all of this in.

A King of the Grimm.

The Grimm having a King.

It sounded insane but who was she to say that?

"It was because of that debacle the elders forbid the Te Xuan Ze from ever facing Sammael or his kind: the Fallen. We cannot risk them finding a way in and unleashing the Grimm on the magical world." Jasmine explained.

"What about what happened here with Crom? That wooden guy found a way in." June pointed out.

"Crom was a deity. That is different." Jasmine replied.

"And how do we know Sammael won't find us someday?" Juniper pointed out. "And why not tell me when you've told me about all the other bad guys out there like Cipher? Even if I am forbidden to fight him I should have been told. And if the Te Xuan Ze can't stop him then who can? Do I sit back and wait for someone else to do it like we did with Crom?"

"We didn't sit back. We were late." Jasmine corrected.

"And because of that we wasted a trip back here. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I could help defend the city and my friends from Crom but we gave Bill Cipher time to do who knows what and worst of all we didn't have to be left behind. We could have worked with the heroes and all the hunters who fought Crom." June was now getting upset.

"The Te Xuan Ze is forbidden to reveal the truth to mortals, even heroes and hunters." Jasmine reminded. "Even the magical ones out there keep our worlds a secret."

"By who? The elders? The guys who are afraid of some Grimm boogeyman?" June clenched a fist. "If all those people can work together, fight the fights so no one else has to why can't I be part of that? Why do I have to struggle on my own?"

"But you're not alone." Jasmine said, seeing her granddaughter getting worked up.

"You mean you? You leave town every chance you get and every time you come back I'm no closer to being free than I am aside from a few weeks passing and waiting for me to get married and dump the job on my first kid. Monroe, he's a grumpy old dog who takes the fun out of everything, even the few perks that comes with this job. Ray-Ray and Dennis have no clue how hard it is because they aren't at it twenty four seven." Juniper shook her head. "I am alone, Ah-Mah and the worst part is I don't have to be alone. If there are others out like me why aren't they as shackled as I am? Why can't they help me make this job easier? WHY CAN'T I BE ALLOWED TO BE WITH MY FRIENDS OR HAVE SOMEONE TO HELP ME THROUGH THIS?!"

"June…" Jasmine said but June turned away and headed for the door.

"I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask to be saddled with this job and neither did you. You should be as ticked as I am." Juniper opened the door. "Our ancestors made us do this and we had no say in it at all. Thanks a lot, ancestors!"

She slammed the door, ignoring her Ah-Mah's call. She ran back to her house and headed for her room, avoiding her parents and brothers.

She just wanted to be alone.

Only when she got to her room she saw she had company.

Nyx and her pet bird.

"How's it going?" The Chaos lady asked.

"Oh goodie. A chance to vent some frustration." June cracked her knuckles.

"Now hold on." Nyx held up her hands. "I simply want to talk."

"Make it fast." Juniper growled.

"I know you've got no reason to trust me, but I only want to give you something neither of us we're ever really given."

"Which is?" June prodded.

Nyx answered with a sad smile. "A choice."

"Choice?"

Pericles fluttered his wings as he activated his Semblance and Nyx used her magic to project the image around June.

"The first option is the one they want you take, or as they tell you the only path you can take. Which is staying the course and remaining their little weapon as the Te Xuan Ze. Which personally see two most likely scenarios for how this might play out. The first of which is you despite your skill and power."

June saw an image of her fighting familiar foes such as the Blind Eye Society, Crom's Harvester of Growth, even Grimm, as well as other shadowed figures and unfamiliar forms.

"Facing an enemy that proves too much and claims victory."

Suddenly a scene of a portal forming in the sky with a giant sized Bill Cipher madly laughing and looking down at the illusion June and blasting her with an energy blast from his eye, and leaving no trace after stopping the attack, and laughs an insane laugh that sends chills down the real June's spine as Nyx with a subtle smirk looked at her.

"The next scenario for this path my dear girl is despite the odds against managing to defeat all the foes that your masters send you against." Pericles spoke.

Suddenly the illusion of Bill Cipher is taken by surprise when illusion June appears from behind drop kicking and shattering him into pieces!

"You grow up and follow in your grandmother's footsteps becoming someone she is proud to call her successor."

June sees her illusion growing older becoming an adult woman.

"Of course the day arrives when it time to pass on the mantle to your own child." Nyx said.

June suddenly froze as she saw another young girl that takes after her in appearance, only for magical chains to appear on her wrists.

"Whether you believe or not that the Magical Elders will imprison you behind that Barrier again, do you really think that they will make the same exception and allow your own child and successor outside of it like they have with you, without good motivation that benefits them?"

June remained silent as she saw an all too familiar scene that reminded her of how she first learnt of the barrier. That of her young illusion daughter in tears and anger banging at the barrier at the border of Orchid Bay, while her older self sadly looks on. Till her daughter collapses onto her knees and start's banging at the ground in despair, her adult self reaches out only for her daughters in tears of anguish and anger to slap the hand away, and glaring up at her with hate in her eyes than runs off in despair as older June calls out to her.

The real June suddenly felt her face getting wet from her own tears.

Nyx with a look of understanding and sympathy turned towards June. "Before the Lords of Order allowed you outside the barrier to do their dirty work, you always thought and hoped for the day of one day having a family and one of your children taking your place as Te Xuan Ze." Nyx shook her head with eyes closed as she sighed. "But you never fully thought about or realized what that meant, or how you own child would feel about this arrangement."

June looks sadly down at the ground and Nyx gently tipped her chin up. "Tell me Juniper Lee are you really happy at the idea of one day your own child becoming a prisoner and forced serve the will of masters, who never gave them a choice in the matter?"

June had an unsure look on her but her fists clenched in anger as she whispered. "No."

Nyx leaned back with her arms crossed, smirking. "That's what I thought, but it's your lucky day. Why? Because I want to give you what the Magical Elder and Klarion never gave either of us." Nyx fist clenched in front of her face. "A choice! A chance to take back control of your life, your destiny, just as it always should have been yours and yours alone dictate in the first place!"

Nyx than reached out her hand to June, offering it as a sign of new friendship and alliance, while the Te Xuan Ze stared in silent shock with her hand rising before she even knew it…

Xxx

NEW GRIMM SIGHTED

Name: Volcano Toad

Classification: Toad

Description: The Volcano Toads were forged from the earth and even carry their own small volcanoes! These guys are known as Sammael's blacksmiths since Sammael uses them in his forges.

Abilities: Volcano Toads are large and can hop great distances. The miniature volcanoes on their backs can act as cannons, shooting a concentrated blast of fire and Dark Substance that can instantly anything on contact.

Note: Oceanica and Babyblue are two characters from Rothprime's MisEdventures of Ed, Edd 'n Eddy who has given me his blessing to use his OCs as I see fit. Oceanica and Babyblue were originally two separate characters but both were mad scientists. I decided to make them one since they were both pretty much the same with only one slightly more insane and acting as cannon fodder.