Disclaimer: I do not own SMG4, any Crossovers and Overlord (2012). They belong to their respective owners.
Enjoy.
_
Meanwhile, in Nemesis' new home...
Said home appears to be a rather cozy looking home with the stunning view of the sunset upon the horizon as well as having a large swimming pool outside with the tanning chairs and a whole lot of things that appeared for anyone who would want a dream house like it.
"Isn't this nice, Seth..." Nemesis said, now no longer in his armour as he is now wearing a black shirt and a white coat upon his white jeans as he carries his new friend in his arms where Seth responded with it's high pitched growling sound, "I never have a home like this before. Before, it is nothing more than an overcrowded apartment where I can barely make ends meet but with this, though..."
Nemesis can only breathe in and out as he gives a sigh of relief as he let go of Seth who then scurry around the room as he saw that he isn't the only one living in his new home.
His armies of Animated Breath, as well as his Mistresses of Flames, are busy tidying up the place as Nemesis watched them do his bidding while Seth is following beside him.
"Good job, you guys..." He said, giving them a thumbs up, "Keep up the good work."
"We shall follow what you commanded, My Master..." Ignis said as she started to stick herself onto the surfaces of the house as she dust off the webbings, "We obey your command."
"Indeed, Master..." Efreet said as she manipulate her flames to wield lots of cleaning appliances as she tidy up around her, "And of course, you wouldn't mind if you can give me a reward, right?"
"Uh... maybe later, Efreet..." Nemesis said as he blushed at the suggestion, "How is Phoenix and the rest of the Animated Breath?"
"They are diligently obey your command of guarding your home, Master..." Ignis reported to him, "Whatever threats they will face, I shall inform you that Phoenix shall handle such a threat as efficiently as possible."
"That I don't have any doubt about it..." Nemesis said as he nod at her comments, "Now, I'll be waiting outside after you guys are done with the renovation. I just want to relax for a bit. It has been a really long while."
"Relax as much as you want, Master..." Efreet suggested to him, "It is what you deserve for one as great as you."
"Hehehe... Yeah... Thanks for the flattery there..." Nemesis said bashfully.
"Anytime, Master." Efreet said as she continued her cleaning duties while Nemesis then get out of the living room as he yawned before lying on one of the folding chairs.
As Nemesis take his break while Seth is now lying upon his lap, he thought about the whole experience he has about his new life such as meeting the very characters from the shows he watched, the video games he played or the comics he read, noticing that he has become like his Avatar by being an overpowered character and of course, may perhaps have the possibility of getting a harem or something.
Yeah, yeah...
Nemesis is basically in a life of a stereotypical Isekai anime although replaced medieval fantasy with fictional characters and credit where it's due, Nemesis doesn't go out of his way to flirt with all females although knowing Isekai luck, he might get the feelings of any girls he would likewise have the standard of empathy to commence such and even be oblivious at that.
Like, give him a break...
As if Nemesis knows how girls work and furthermore, while he is overpowered, there is no denying that the people he will be facing are all badass, rather than weak blowhards and while one would think that it is frustrating on how difficult the fight is, to Nemesis, fighting is such an awesome sense of cathartic euphoria and an absolute pump of adrenaline where Nemesis is starting to enjoy it.
And meeting against two other players such as Purity Brown, a Kalashtar Paladin with her Quori Spirit, M'strom and Ragnar, a Dragonborn Warlock means that Nemesis isn't alone in this world and there are other people from YGGDRASIL that are just as savvy and self-aware as he is.
And of course, there is a catch.
Although, he doesn't think that being a lapdog to Smegfor would actually be a catch as he finds him to be a great guy to deal with although he still has no idea who he is or what he is other than that he is god but with a small letter 'g', is just as much of a self-insert as he is and only cares about making content on YouTube while also having a twin brother known as Smegtree that he only created because he is lonely.
No, the true catch is the fact that for just coming into this world in such a short time, he now has a main villain he will be facing in the form of Tomas de Torquemada, a Nazi general of science fiction take of imperialistic fascists who also have demonic powers that equal to him in scope.
But does he find such an occurrence to be stressful? Well, maybe...
But does it make his new life now more fun and less boring? Absolutely...
Now, as Nemesis is busy relaxing on his lawn chair, basking upon the sunset upon him, a shadow is now looming all over him as this made him feel irritated.
Opening his eyes, he saw what just covered him in a shade.
It appears to be a space ship with the hull being painted bright red and what seemed to be lots of what is jutting out of it's hull that are pointed outside alongside it's windows being opaque and gold in colour.
Nemesis recognized what kind of ship that is as he thought, 'Isn't that the ship from the Metroid series? Where Samus piloted it? If so, why is she-'
Suddenly, something dropped from the ship and plunged into the pool, making a huge splash that almost make him wet as he quickly got out of his chair to avoid the water coming at him, "What the hell!?" He freaked out in shock, while also holding Seth in his arms.
"Sorry about that. Want to try the pool, you know? Thought it would feel nice if it's yours." Nemesis heard the familiar voice of Samus and he look at who is coming out of the water as his eyes widened and his face blushing.
What he is seeing is Samus wearing a green bikini that did nothing to hide how voluptuous her body, especially by how he can see her breast jiggle with each movement and her lower bottom did nothing to hide the thickness of her legs and because she is soaked in water, it only adds to the overall beauty of who he is staring at, being stunned by the great beauty in front of him.
"Like what you're seeing, Nemesis?" Samus teased, which made Nemesis break out from his trance as he shake his head and blush.
"Huh? What? I-I... I'm sorry... It's just... I haven't done with my home yet and I haven't prepared for someone so pretty as you... Eh... I mean..." Nemesis stuttered nervously at the sight of such a beautiful and sexy woman like Samus right in front of him and in his home, no less.
"Don't worry about it. It's no problem for me..." Samus assured him, "Sorry for barging in. Got to know where our new guy is living after a hard fought battle like that." She said as she then get herself out of the pool and sit her shapely ass upon the bench itself with Nemesis mesmerized at the sight of her back.
"It's... It's okay... I'm more worried about Phoenix and my Animated Breath guarding the place..." Nemesis can only scratch his cheek and said, "They're very zealous when it comes on following my orders."
"Really? Well, don't worry..." Samus assured him, "I can handle myself just fine and as if I'm going to be scared of an army of fire monsters attacking me."
"I don't doubt that..." Nemesis said, not in denial, "I'm more worried about my home. I got this for just a moment and I don't want it gone to waste."
"No promises..." Samus said cheekily as she swing her legs across the pool.
"Anyway..." Nemesis said as he sit on his lawn chair, "What are you doing here, Samus?"
"Well aside from what I have already said..." Samus stated, "I thought about giving you a tour of where I am going, alongside Yoko for her new rifle. And I thought about giving you your first time being in New Donk City."
'New Donk City?' Nemesis thought, 'Once again, another location from the Super Mario franchise.' Then he gives a grin and said, "Are you asking me on a date?"
"Don't get coy with me, kid..." Samus quipped back, "Just wanted to give you this store from where mercenaries, both new and old, would go there to buy stuff and thought that you'll find something what you're looking for. So, you're in?"
"Well..." Nemesis look to the side, rubbing the back of his head at such a new event he will be partaking in and even if she said that it isn't a date, the implications nonetheless speaks for itself.
Technically, the only city he once meet is the city where he is chasing Smegtree of the content he stole from Smegfor and of course, meeting with two additional players from YGGDRASIL.
Now, he'll be having a great time with meeting the bustling cities that he will embark himself in.
And beside someone like Samus and Yoko, two of the hottest girls he knows.
Shaking the perverted thoughts in his head, he then said, "Samus, I am honoured to-"
"INSOLENT INTRUDER..." Phoenix yelled out, interrupting what Nemesis is about to say as she wield her dual katana in hand and declared, "YOU DARE TO ESCAPE FROM THE GUARDIANSHIP AND SANCTITY OF MY MASTER'S ABODE! LET I SHALL MAKE SURE YOU SHALL PAY IN BLOOD AS I SHALL CLEAVE YOU UNTIL THE ONLY THING LEFT ARE YOUR ASH WASHED UPON THE HORIZON AND-"
"Phoenix..." Nemesis called out to her, stopping her rant as she looked at him in shock in contrast to his deadpan reaction, "It's alright. There are no intruders. Now..." Nemesis gives a shooing motion to Phoenix as he said, "Guard my abode, please?"
"Y-Y-YES, MASTER!" Phoenix saluted as she disappeared in flames with Samus looking at Nemesis with a quirked eyebrow and Nemesis can only chuckle awkwardly at that.
"So..." Samus stated as she said, "Zealous, huh?"
"Yeah..." Nemesis awkwardly stated, "Sorry." He said apologetically.
_
Meanwhile, in the bustling city known as New Donk City...
The city itself appears to be similar to that of a stereotypical city of New York with the whole modernized design of its buildings and old style vehicles driving amok as people mind their own business while also, a lot of billboards are plastered all around the buildings, showing whatever is it for whatever advertisements they do.
If they aren't cash grabs, that is.
Nemesis, who is standing in the middle of sidewalk and waiting for someone while wearing the clothes out of his armour and Seth clinging to his shoulder, can only look around in awe at the sight of it all.
To Nemesis, it is a city that he knows are before his own world has become a desolate world of corruption and pollution, where everybody needs to wear gas masks to actually get outside and everyone and everything is in a state of misery and damnation made by corrupt elitist.
But here, in this new world, he looked at all in stunned amazement, seeing how peaceful and prosperous the city is without any dangers are ahead.
'Once again, my Isekai situation isn't so bad. Although, what will happen if I'm in a world where I'm not in my own Avatar and my only power is time looping, a world where I was given the weakest stats and a bad publicity or even a world full of edgy cringe? Man, I don't know if I can actually handle that.' Nemesis thought, wanting to know on what plans would that be if he is in that kind of world.
"Hey, Nemesis..." Nemesis heard Samus talked to him, "Sorry for the wait."
"Oh, hey, Samus. It's all-" Nemesis is interrupted when he witnessed what is in front of him, "Woah."
Standing before Nemesis, appears to be in a much normal outfit, consisting of a blue jacket upon her white shirt and black jeans and hugged her lower half nicely.
Nemesis stare in awe at her which Samus seemed to noticed and smiled as she teased, "Like what you see?"
"Hehe... M-maybe?" Nemesis awkwardly stated, rubbing his cheek at his answer, "To be fair, you just look nice in any outfit and even one that is so normal, you still look good in."
"Awwww, thanks Nemesis..." Samus said cheekily, "Who knew that you are such a flirt?"
"Well, I do want to be polite..." Nemesis reasoned with her, "So, where are we headed?"
"Just some back alley in this city..." Samus answered to him, "Don't worry, thought. It's harmless."
Nemesis just rolled his eyes and said, "Oh, please. As if creepy alleyways scare me. In fact, if there are idiots coming in my way, they would think twice if they do something stupid." He said in a daring tone.
"Cocky, are you?" Samus said in amusement, "Well, come on, then." She said as she motioned her head for Nemesis to follow her as they continue on their walk.
As Nemesis is walking beside Samus, he looked around in an awed expression, looking at everything in amazement as Samus noticed his expression, "First time in the big city?"
"Not really..." Nemesis admitted, "More like, first time in a city that is peaceful, actually. One that is safe to walk outside, though."
"Really?" Samus said in a quirked eyebrow of interest, "What's it like there?"
This made Nemesis grimace as he look down, looking bitter at that, "I... I'd rather not talk about it."
"Oh, sorry about that..." Samus said apologetically at him, noticing his tone and crestfallen expression, "Anyway, we're here."
Nemesis shakes out his crestfallen stupor as he look to see the alleyway that Samus showed him.
And looking at it, it is creepy with only a visible light showing a door upon it.
"Come on..." Samus said to him, "There might be something that you can buy from his store."
"Anything that I would like to know about him?" Nemesis asked her.
"Nothing much..." Samus admitted, "Even I don't know who the seller is or what he is. All that you know is that he is called, The Merchant, sell weapons and artifacts that someone ordinary wouldn't get their hands on without getting theirs dirty and of course, has an accent that felt like he is a pirate or something."
Nemesis thought on the description given by Samus and thought on who it is such as how he is described as only called, The Merchant, sell stuff that are out of the ordinary and finally, has a pirate accent?
Now, who could have-
Before Nemesis could continue on his thoughts, he and Samus were then get inside the other side of the door as Nemesis looked around to see that they are in a sort of large storage room that can be typically found in a warehouse and Nemesis can see dozens upon dozens of weapons, whether medieval, fantastical, modern or technologically futuristic in their varied design.
Then he saw who, The Merchant and he can almost let out a chuckle at who it is...
'Of course, it's that guy.' Nemesis said, almost cracking a grin on his face for who he is seeing.
He appears to be a man dressed, head-to-toe in full leather coat and hood while carrying a backpack that are shown to be too heavy for him to carry alongside a cloth mask of blue with white designs upon it while he just pulled up his coat to reveal a startling collection of weapons and ammunition inside it.
Nemesis can only grin at who the Merchant is and thought, 'Of course, why didn't I make two and two together? It's the Merchant from the Resident Evil franchise, specifically the fourth installment. And now, he's here too? Man, I hope I even meet the Duke as well. Wonder if they are just acquainted as it is theorized.'
Nemesis noticed that the store isn't alone, looking at Yoko and Mando are also in it as they discuss something with the Merchant.
"Hey, Yoko, Mando..." Samus said, waving at them, "Fancy meeting you here."
"Oh, hey, Samus..." Yoko said, waving back at her, "You too."
Mando, however, just grunts, not wanting to take his priorities off.
As Samus is about to meet them closer, Nemesis heard the high-pitched snarl from Seth beside him as he stared at something, "What is it, Seth?"
Nemesis then look to where Seth is looking at and looking down, he can only almost resist the urge to squeal at the sight before him.
Looking down below, he sees none other than an infant of such short height who wears thick robes and having green skin, large ears, big eyes and a sliver of white hair upon it's head.
All in all, standing in front of Nemesis is none other than Grogu himself.
Before Nemesis could think of anything that gushes how adorable Grogu is, Seth quickly jump down from his shoulder and land in front of the little baby alien itself.
And before Nemesis could try to stop Seth from doing anything harmful to the cute little tyke, Seth just sniffed at Grogu as the little alien cooed at the now baby Ruined Lord in front of him.
Seth just stands completely still at the baby alien as Grogu leaned it's little hands towards his snout and touches it, getting the feel of it as Grogu cooed while Seth huffed at the touch.
'Awwww...' Nemesis thought in his head, squealing at the sight, 'How can I seriously not ignore this?'
"Ahhh..." Nemesis shakes out of his thoughts when he hears the pirate accent of the Merchant is discussing something to Yoko, "I've got just the new weapon for you, Yoko Littner. I got it... right..." The Merchant seemed to dig something below the counter and picked up something from it, "Here."
It appears to be a rifle of sort although it has something of a rather blocky design alongside alongside the scope being long and also blocky, and somewhat futuristic in design yet also comes across as rather militarized and spartan, showcasing how whatever designed the weapon, it is more form for practicality rather than quality.
"This here is the Linear Motor Rifle or the LMR80 for short, built by Vindicator Defense Force that value versatility over speciality as you can change it's setting from firing at high rate to just as useful for long range combat as you want it, Missy..." The Merchant seemed to give a sympathetic tone as he said, "I'm sorry that we don't have the exact same rifle you have. But I assure you that it may not have the power as your old weapon but maybe with your skill, you may start to warm it up."
"Thanks, Merchant..." Yoko said, taking the rifle in hand as she gripped on it before huffing and said, "And please, as if this won't stop me from cracking heads like that easily."
"Hehehe... Love your enthusiasm there, Missy..." Then the Merchant noticed Nemesis in his store and said, "Ah, a customer. And a new one at that..." The Merchant said, being unfamiliar with him, "So, what'cha buying?"
"Oh... Uh... No need for that..." Nemesis said, politely declining him, "I'm just here with Samus and that's it. No need to sell me something."
"Ah, no need to be shy..." The Merchant said, assuring him, "Here in my store, I sell anything to all those who know the price of greed and battle is in the blood of their veins. Don't be afraid to tell me what you want."
Before Nemesis could politely refused again, Samus then said, "Don't worry, Nemesis. I'll pay it for you, on the house if I have to."
"I... I don't need to trouble you." Nemesis reasoned with him.
"As I said, don't worry about it..." Samus said, assuring him again, "And besides, you'll be surprised by what he is giving cause I swear..." Samus look at the Merchant and said, "You do seemed to know something, don't you?"
"One who runs a business must never reveal his secrets, Missy..." The Merchant said to her, "And I assure you that I am as honest as I am willing to do business."
"Right..." Samus said, rolling her eyes, not exactly believing him.
"So, I ask again..." The Merchant said, looking right at Nemesis, "What'cha buying?"
Nemesis mulled on what he wanted from the Merchant as he then explained, "Can you give me some magical artifact or something? Cause I'm not good with guns and I don't do technology. Plus, I don't like it when something exploded in my hands."
"A magical artifact, you say?" The Merchant said, sounding surprised, "That is tricky but not as difficult for someone like me. I'll be back." The Merchant said as he walk back to get something.
As they both waited for the Merchant to come back, they all heard the cooing sound of Grogu and they all looked at the little baby alien is riding on top of the flying Seth, who snarled happily as Grogu cheered cheerfully.
Both Samus and Yoko were all cooed at such an adorable pair and Nemesis just smiled, seeing it cute.
As for Mando, he can only look blankly as he watched Grogu is riding Seth happily and can only sigh, not believing that at the time, Seth was once the Ruined Lord that almost destroyed the Mushroom Kingdom into another Ruined Kingdom, if what he is told are an indication.
"Here it is, my new customer..."
All heard the Merchant is coming and Nemesis look at what he is holding.
It appears to be a floating two ringed shaped golden artifacts that seemed to be spinning together, around and around while also dotting with a lot of eyes upon it's solid surfaces and all the while, some sort of tiny flaming crown appeared above it.
While everybody looked in wonder at the sight, Nemesis can only look in shock at what he had just seen.
"W-where did you get that?" Nemesis asked, still sounding shocked.
"Ah, you seemed to recognize this artifact, do you?" The Merchant speak up in one of intrigue.
"You know what it is, Nemesis?" Yoko asked him.
"I... I do..." Nemesis admittedly said, knowing that it is an artifact from YGGDRASIL, "The Crown of Ophanim. A magical artifact that grants the user the ability to... well..."
"Well, what? What does it do?" Mando said, sounding impatient yet nonetheless sounding interested as well.
"I believe words cannot do justice on what it can truly do. Come..." The Merchant waved at them to follow him, "Let me show you it is done."
The Merchant walked off, being followed by the others while Seth is still flying with Grogu upon it's back.
As they finally find their destination, they all looked at where they are going, which looked to be where the store houses a lot of robots.
Said robots are all designed to be humanoid in shape yet that's where the humanoid shape ends as they have an abnormally large and bulbous body and a head with some sort of bulb-like shape upon it's body.
And of course, they come all types of variations, ranging between a fire fighter variant, a medical variant, a security variant and of course, the more generic variant as they all stand perfectly still, just as they are autonomous as they are robotic.
Mando look at them and said, "Great, droids..." Mando said as he crossed his arms bitterly and said, "Why am I not surprised?"
"Now, now. No need for that attitude..." The Merchant said as he displayed his rows of Protectrons upon them, "Now, my new customer. Why don't you show us what your new weapon can do?"
Everyone watched as Nemesis wield the Crown of Ophanim in his hand as it continues to float up in his very hand as Nemesis then walked towards one of the Protectrons.
Nemesis then showed off the Crown in hand and as he seemed to be concentrating on it, the Crown then embedded itself into one of the Protectrons as Nemesis is then suddenly slumped on the floor, becoming unresponsive.
"NEMESIS!" Both Yoko and Samus ran towards Nemesis as they all watched over him.
They then see that Nemesis is as it is already stated to be unresponsive as no matter how much he is being shaken, he can't wake up.
Mando look at Nemesis before turning his head towards the Merchant, "What the hell happened to him?" Mando said, growling at him.
"It's alright, everybody..." They stopped their panicking as they saw the Protectron that had been embedded by the Crown, not sport that same Crown on top of it's head as it turned around before slowly walking forward while everyone look shocked at him, "I think this is how the artifact work."
"Nemesis..." Yoko called out, looking closer at the Protectron with the Crown on top, "Is that you?"
"Yup, that's me." The possessed Protectron that housed Nemesis, said in it's synthetic voice which still retain the same tone of Nemesis, "Amazing, right?"
"That is correct..." The Merchant stated to him, "The Crown of Ophanim allows anyone who uses it to possess anyone that the user shall used it upon, possessing their mind and body as well as their skills, powers and weapons for the possessed to use as they please." He explained it all of the Crown's power.
"Unfortunately..." Nemesis said in a grim tone, "This comes at the cost of the fact that my body will be left vulnerable since it's soul is gone so if you weren't careful... well..."
Everybody seemed to take a grim look, noticing the implication at that.
The now possessed Protectron then takes it's Crown out it's body, returning it back to Nemesis who gasped for air as he quickly stand up, "Holy shit... t-that... that is a feeling, alright..." He said, once again gasping for air at such an experience.
"Well, now that you all have finally found what'cha buying..." The Merchant then rubbed his hands and said, "How much are you paying, then?"
_
"Bye, Mando..." Nemesis waved at him, "It's nice meeting you."
"Yeah... You too, I guess..." Mando said, sounding kind of awkward at that.
Grogu and Seth are seemed to be hugging out as the little baby alien rubbed it's tiny fingers at the now baby Ruined Lord once again while Seth just huffed it's breathe from it's nose and licked his face, making Grogu cooed happily at that.
"Come on, Grogu. Let's go..." Mando said, picking him up as the little baby alien tried desperately to reach Seth, "Appreciate you taking care of the kid. I'll be off now." He said with a nod as he picked up Grogu over his shoulder.
Grogu seemed to coo something to Mando as he responded with, "No, have enough pets."
Seth snarled at Mando and Grogu before he was picked up by Nemesis and put him back upon his shoulder as he gripped it steadily.
"Well, I'll be going too, you two..." Yoko said, waving them back, "Gotta do something first." She said, ending her expression with a sad and downtrodden look as she walked away from them which is noticed by Nemesis.
'What's wrong with her?' Nemesis thought of her downtrodden expression although by his knowledge, he would likewise know why, although to what extent as what that is, 'Come to think of it. Wonder what character still lives or dies from Gurren Lagann here?'
"Come on, Nemesis. Let's go continue our date." Samus said with a tease.
"Yeah..." Nemesis said before he realized what she just said and say, "Oh, so now you think it is a date."
"Well, considering that you're with someone as beautiful as me, how can you called it?" Samus playfully asked him as Nemesis just smirk and just walk with the Galactic Bounty Hunter in tow.
As Nemesis and Samus are both walked around the city with Nemesis comparing it to his own home, he then saw another shop called, The Duke's Humble Abode, in his sight.
"The Duke's Humble Abode?" Nemesis says the name.
"Hmmm?" Samus stopped herself as she looked at Nemesis who saw the shop that he curiously look, "Oh, yeah. That shop. You want to get in?"
"Uh..." Nemesis said nervously, "I don't want to trouble you."
"Nonsense..." Samus said, assuring him, "My treat, okay? And besides..." Samus then opened the door as she said, "You'll get used to the Duke. He's friendly to basically everyone here."
"The Duke, huh?" Nemesis said as he followed Samus in, wondering if the Duke himself is the same person he knows.
As Nemesis followed Samus in, they were then finding themselves in a pretty ordinary shop, albeit look more like a storehouse than a shop, much like the Merchant with his weapon store, "Hey, Duke? You in here? Gotta give something to the curious rookie here."
"For you, Samus Aran, I would love to give something rather interesting to your new friend there."
Nemesis heard the familiar voice of a character from the Resident Evil franchise, specifically the one from the eighth installment.
He followed Samus to whom is basically the Duke and his eyes widened, recognising who is he.
The person he is seeing appears to be a large and heavily obese man with grey hair, puffy cheeks upon his face and wearing clothing that seemed to be medieval in design that looks like it can barely fit upon the girth of the man that wears it.
Before Nemesis could think of the one and only Duke in front of him, Samus then waved at the Duke and said, "Hey, there, Duke. I would say 'long time no see' but..." She just shrugged and said, "You and I ain't going anywhere."
The Duke seemed to give a hearty chuckle and said, "Once again, Samus Aran. Your tongue are as sharp as both your wits and your humorous qualities. Then again, what do I expect from the famous bounty hunter in the galaxy."
"Awww..." Samus said, being playfully flattered at his tone, "Who knew that you're such a charmer? Anyway, Duke..." She then showed off Nemesis as she said, "This here is the new guy. He's curious about your little shop and want to know what you have."
"Well, allow me to oblige on such a request. For what kind of shopkeeper am I if I refuse a customer and their curiosities..." The Duke playfully said before looking at Nemesis, "Greetings. To what do I owe the pleasure in The Duke's Humble Abode?"
"Yeah..." Nemesis began his introduction as he said, "Name's Nemesis the Warlock, if you need to know." Nemesis would have prepared for the Duke to call him 'having issues' but instead, he doesn't as he said, "What? Not calling me out on my name?"
The Duke just laughs uproariously and cheerfully as he said, "Oh, dear boy. When you meet many individuals with their own sense of identity, you should need to be open minded about who they truly are. Although..." The Duke just leaned his face upon his meaty hands and said, "I hope that the one who hold your previous name isn't as lacking in manners as you are."
This comment made Nemesis curious, wondering if what he says is even possible, "Well, now that we are acquainted, I should ask..." The Duke then says, "What cha buying? Ah, a phrase I heard continuously from an old friend next door."
"Well..." Nemesis mulled in his thoughts, wanting to know the full extent of the Duke's products before suggesting, "Do you sell literature?"
"Ah, an avid reader of sort..." The Duke said, sounding interested, "Well, what kind of literature do you want?"
"Well, how about the ones that almost makes me cringe hard on how bad it is?" This made the Duke and Samus look confused at his preference, "What? Just want to know how far you have here."
"Well, what a strange and bizarre request you have given to the Duke..." The Duke then beamed and said, "Yet, sometimes. One could see some charm in the absolutely horrid quality of anyone's work. I'll see it right..." The Duke then picked something from under the counter as he finally finds it, "Here."
What the Duke showed appears to be a large box of sort titled, 'So bad, it's cringe' as the Duke blow the dust away and opened it's contents.
Nemesis look inside to see a lot of books although the most common being, 'Union Academy'.
"Union Academy?" Nemesis said in confusion which made the Duke shuddered at the mention of it.
"Ah, yes. That book..." The Duke said, his expression changed to one of disappointment and disgust, "I must warn you, dear customer. If you read it, you would realize how... ghastly of such a storyline that is."
"Well, I'll take your word for it. I mean..." Nemesis said as he opened the book, "I mean, how bad can it be?"
_
It has been, like twenty seconds has passed and yet such a second doesn't stop Nemesis from groaning on the ground, hugging himself in a pose of a rolled up pill-bug as Nemesis is surrounded by the many books about 'Union Academy' and many others while Seth is just snarling on his head, trying to get his attention.
"Wow, that bad, huh?" Samus said, pointing on Nemesis and his meltdown.
"Exactly. I mean, what the fuck am I reading?" Nemesis yelled out hysterically, "I mean, what the hell kind of story is this? It's not a story. It's just some idiot trying to be so edgy and bleak that I don't even know what's the point of it all. I mean, okay so, MC got himself into the titular 'Union Academy', he gets bullied because he has no powers, he wants revenge, gets powers and..." Nemesis can only laugh sardonically and said, "I don't know where to start. I just can't take it seriously when the main MC gets bullied and neglected by practically everybody that it comes across less like some tragic backstory and more like it is a story that tries and fails to be tragic and just did it for the sake of shock value and a failed attempt at giving the main MC some dramatic plot device. What's worse..."
Nemesis then showed a lot of the Union Academy books around which has different titles but still has the same 'Union Academy' title in front as he then explained, "It's all the same in each and every book, just with the MC having different powers at that. MC with no powers goes to Union Academy for... reasons, he gets bullied because he has no powers, Union Academy are corrupt with little character development and depth, MC becomes overpowered by the awakening of some inner power or whatever and-" Nemesis can't take it anymore as he groaned in frustration and said, "It's cringe. Too cringed. Like, what is the author even doing with making these?"
"Technically, dear customer, the Union Academy books has been created by different authors, each with different tales to make and yet..." The Duke can only cringe and said, "It is not art. It is just garbage that is made to only hate and that's it. Nothing more and nothing less."
"Oh, come on, guys..." Samus said, chuckling at how dramatic they are, "It can't be that bad?"
'Famous last words.' Both Nemesis and the Duke thought together as Samus picks up one of the books and began to read it.
_
Meanwhile, as of twenty seconds have passed...
"WHAT THE FUCK AM I READING?" Samus yelled out as she throws the book away in disgust.
"See, I told you it's bad." Nemesis said, nodding at her understatement.
"That is an understatement." The Duke said, drinking a glass of champagne on his hand.
"THAT'S NOT WHAT I AM ANGRY ABOUT!" Samus yelled out in anger as she picks up another one of the Union Academy books, flip it's pages in anger as she read it quickly and yelled, "TEAM RWBY ACTING LIKE A BUNCH OF UNLIKABLE BITCHES!? OZPIN BEING A GREEDY SOCIAL DARWINIST MANIPULATOR!? THE TEACHERS LIKE AIZAWA, ALL MIGHT AND MANY OTHER'S I KNOW ARE BEING ASSHOLES! AND-" Samus then looked at one of the pages, read it and then yelled, "WHY AM I TURNED INTO SOME AIR-HEADED BIMBO WHO CRIES A LOT AND BE A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS? LIKE, WHAT THE FUCK!?" She throws the book behind her in disgust, being angered at such a disgusting display she had mistakenly read.
"Ah yes..." The Duke said in disappointed tone, "The character assassination of what the author had used... especially when using real life people, that's what?"
"Wait... So the characters in the book are actually real?" Nemesis asked as he thought, 'Holy shit. In this world, RWBY, My Hero Academia and finally, Highschool DxD and many other anime I know does exist here. I swear, it feels like this is a dream for the biggest otaku yet. And I've just won the lottery.'
"Oh, they are real. Just not as horrible as whatever this books have made out to be. I mean, sure Team RWBY has their fair share of troubles and Ozpin is being shady and Glynda is still felt like she has a stick up her ass but they're nothing like this corrupt exaggerated caricatures of themselves and it feels like the author either just has a lot of hate on them that this is how he perceived them, which just means there is something wrong with their perception or just reused too many of the same characters because they don't know anything original, anymore." Samus said, likewise throws it once again in disgust.
"Indeed..." The Duke said as he shakes his head in disbelief, "It is such a terrible thing that is brought upon by the most depraved of authors for creating such a thing. Honestly, such a travesty that they squander their creativity for more hate and spite. As if the world has enough of such a ridiculous notion."
Nemesis just chuckles as he said, "Well, I guess that one is all on me. I wanted to read something that is so bad that I cringe and I got what I ask and payed the price for it."
"Well, I hope you remember it because..." The Duke just gives another hearty laugh and said, "While the works there are absolutely horrendous, it has been bought by other, more talented authors who only read it just to know that they are better with their writing skills in literature than whatever disgusting pile that comes from." The Duke said as the box he is holding now has the books that had been piled outside, are now inside it.
"Wait? What the hell?" Nemesis said, looking in confusion.
"Don't think about it too much." The Duke said, acting as his affable and professional self possible to his customers, "Now, with that out of the way, are there anything that you want to buy?"
Nemesis would have said that he no longer want to buy something but he can feel Seth is trying to get his attention as his tongue is out, indicating that he is hungry or something.
Nemesis then said, "Uhm... how about a treat for Seth, here?"
The Duke's smile shows that he does.
_
"Well, that was something there." Nemesis said as Seth is still perching on his shoulder, snarling happily as the Warlock rubbed it's neck tenderly at that.
"Yeah. Thought you want to buy another weapon or something. But I guess giving food to your new friend here is okay..." Samus said as she smiled, watching Nemesis being with Seth still perching on his shoulder, "Still, to think that people would write something like that is so disgusting. I mean, what they did is just dreadful at how they are tarnishing the reputation of the people that are saving them from them and this is how thank them? Making them turned into straight up perverted piece of shot selves that are just borderline..." Samus just groan in frustration and said, "Ugh... like, what is wrong with people this days?"
"Probably people that thought heroes are cringe and they should make them be cartoon villains with thoroughly unlikable traits to the point that it was thought to be cool and then have people followed it because it is cool but really..." Nemesis can only cringed hard and said, "If they think that heroes are cringe, they they're cringe for creating stories about it. I swear, people this days have no creativity except making hate and spite out of anything."
"I know..." Samus said in an understatement, "I can't bare to see how far people would go for their stupid self-entitled bullshit. I mean, Twitter is being filled to the brim with freaks and jerks who cares only about their opinion while hating on stuff that are 'stupid to them', asshole fans being entitled with what they want for a game company that they should know is fictional, that country who attacked a celebrity because 'they are his biggest fans' and the one time that president guy want to banned anime or whatever."
"No? Really?" Nemesis said, sounding shocked.
"Yes, really. Thanks to two guys that save anime with a speech that-" Samus is interrupted by her own chuckling, much to Nemesis' look upon them.
"Something that I want to know?" Nemesis asked him.
"I think words couldn't find justice on what those two guys said. It's just... Can't believe they worked despite how all they talk about are... you know... it's too vulgar to take it seriously yet it actually worked." Samus said, laughing in disbelief at that.
"Heh... Well, okay then." Nemesis said, putting both arms behind his head as he noticed the sun rise, "Damned... I think the sun is setting down."
"Hmmm, yeah you're right..." Samus said, noticing it, "Well, I guess this is goodbye. I would say that I want to end in dinner but unfortunately..." Samus then walk away, waving her back as she said, "This isn't a date so... goodbye Nemesis. Be seeing you at the guild."
"You too, Samus..." Nemesis waved at her as now, he is all alone.
Before Nemesis could summon his Dragonfire Bird for him to ride home, he then saw Yoko walking by who is still holding his new rifle while also looking crestfallen at that, "Huh? Is that Yoko? Wonder what she's doing? And..." Nemesis noticed her expression as he stated, "Wonder why she's so sad."
Nemesis then followed where Yoko is going, passing through the traffic and the crowd of people around as he tries to reach Yoko.
Finally passing through the crowd with some difficulty, Nemesis is now panting as he is holding on his knees while Seth is still clinging to his shoulder as he find himself in the now darkened alleyway of sort.
As Nemesis keeps on walking towards where Yoko is going, he then encounters something.
From what he could tell, it looks like a shop of some sort, not particularly a restaurant but if what his knowledge can be an indication, it appears to be a ramen shop.
And Nemesis saw Yoko is sitting on the chair, looking miserable while a chef is serving her.
And Nemesis can only pinch the bridge of his nose on who the chef.
_
"Again, Yoko?"
"Shut up Naruto and give me your best."
"Alright, fine... Whatever."
The chef appears to be a young man wearing a chef's outfit, notable for blonde hair that is tied to a headband and for the most part, he also has whiskers on where both of his cheeks are.
As Naruto is busy cooking his ramen, he then said, "You know you can't keep this up. I know want to mope all the time but this is just ridiculous."
"Do you want your payment or not? Just shut up and give me your ramen." Yoko said bitterly to him.
Before Naruto could respond to her rudeness, he then caught sight of another customer, "Oh, hello. Welcome to Naruto's Ramen Galore. How can I help you?"
"Nothing much..." Yoko heard a familiar voice, much to her shock as the voice said, "Just a meeting with a friend. Isn't that right, Yoko?"
Yoko turned around to see Nemesis is standing beside her, waving at her as he then sit beside her.
Yoko can't help it as she asked, "Nemesis!? What are you doing here?"
"Oh, you know..." Nemesis nonchalantly responded, "Just in the neighborhood when I saw you. Didn't know that ramen is your favourite food. Also..." Nemesis then looked at Naruto as he said, "Do I know you from somewhere?"
"Uh... yeah... I guess I get that a lot..." Naruto said as he give his grin, "Name's Naruto. Naruto Uzumaki, the Fourth Hokage of the Leaf Village. Believe it..." Naruto introduced himself before laughing and said, "Nah, just kidding. I'm one of his clone, by the way. The real one is just busy trying to juggle a lot of responsibility there, being Hokage and all, having a family and all that..." Then his expression turned sour and said, "Especially one of my kids there..." His expression changed to something cheerful, "Anyway, what do you want?"
"Just your basic stuff. I'm just here meeting with my friend here." Nemesis stated, pointing at Yoko.
"Of course..." Naruto said as he smiled, "Any friend of Yoko is a friend of mine. I'll ready the ramen as perfectly as you want to be..." Naruto then shouted on the other side and said, "Oy, we got a customer. Go on and put your back into it!"
"Oh, shut up..." A voice, probably a Naruto clone if the same voice are any indication, "Do you have any idea how hard it is to juggle this? Huh?"
As the Naruto clones are busy arguing with each other, an awkward situation is happening between Nemesis and Yoko as the Half-Elf can only breathe out in awkward nervousness and Yoko just sit, being silent and stoic at that.
"Uhm... Hey, Yoko... How'd you going?" Nemesis said, trying to break the ice.
"I'm fine... if that's what you're asking..." Yoko said in a bitter tone, looking away.
"Listen... I'm sorry that I butt in on your business but..." Nemesis then let's out another sigh, "I just saw you looking sad and I'm worried about you, okay?"
"I said... I'm fine." Yoko said, empathising her words as much as she bitterly.
'Okay, you know what? Screw being sensitive and take it nice and slow...' Nemesis said as he takes a determined express as he said, "Yoko, you're not fine. You're anything but fine and the only thing fine about you is how much a fucking bitch about it!"
This made Yoko look at Nemesis in an aghast expression with even the Naruto clones were all looking in shock at what he just said.
"You... You..." Yoko stands up, glaring at Nemesis as she said, "What did you just call me?"
"You heard me, Yoko..." Nemesis said as he glared back at her, "You're not fine and you are just being a bitch who just doesn't want to talk their feelings out because they would look weak to anyone who saw them..." Nemesis then said this, "Well, I'll tell you this, thought. You acting like this is the definition of weak and I can't believe you would act like this, after all we had gone through!"
Yoko glared at Nemesis as she said, "What I am acting is none of your business, Nemesis. You shouldn't be involved in this."
"I am now and I don't care if I have the right to be involved in this. Especially when it comes to my friends..." Nemesis explained to her as thoroughly and bluntly as possible, "And I know this scenario, Yoko. I know that the last time someone thought that trying to hold on to how much of a miserable and pathetic piece of shit you are, it doesn't fix anything. And if you can't get your shit together and stop being miserable, then maybe it won't be too late."
"And how would you know about being a miserable piece of shit!?" Yoko yelled out to Nemesis, glaring at him.
"I do, because that's what I once act before when I lost my parents." Nemesis admitted to Yoko, much to her shock with even Naruto looking shocked as well.
"Your... Your what?" Yoko said, sounding in disbelief at what she had just heard.
Nemesis seemed to be surprised himself at what and look away, trying to not discuss that. But the thought that he basically dug himself deeper into somebody's business and his own means that he swallowed whatever pride he has and said, "Yeah. That's right. I was acting just like you when my parents died. I remember when my dad died and this resulted in me being alone with my mom. My mom tried to desperately to get by with everything she has to help me, get me to some cushy position at high society or whatever but unfortunately..." Nemesis then felt like he has a bitter pill to swallow before, "She died because she overworked herself to death. And I didn't anything what to do with myself because I was lazy back then, trying desperately to not hooked on how much of a piece of shit I was that I could have done something... anything... and..."
Nemesis can barely keep on explaining more due to how he can barely hold his tears, "And then I finally faced reality, finding out how much I suck at being independent, can't even able to do like a real adult and just... just..."
Nemesis can't stop flowing his tears from his eyes as the memories from his past are returning into his mind, having remembered why he played YGGDRASIL and role play as a Dragonfire Adept who loved to go to battle, by any means necessary.
He remembered how he was a spoiled little brat who got what he wanted by his parents and he remembered the news when his dad died. Instead of grieving, he ignored it and while he genuinely cared about his dad, he foolishly thought that as long as he has his mom, it'll be fine.
Woe betide to him when his mom died due to overworking and he lost everything back then, his servants that tended to him no longer work for him, his prestigious position amongst high society is no longer happening as his relatives don't want someone as useless as him anymore, he can barely know how to actually remain independent and even when he finally gets the hang of it, he found out how corrupt and unfair society is, forcing himself to constantly wear a gas mask that he needs to go outside and how every corporate boss that he is working too are nothing but selfish and greedy pricks who only cared about what they want and that's it, uncaring about what they had done to the world as a whole.
It is pretty much this experience that he scrounged his allowance to buy YGGDRASIL and the expenses would have allowed him to buy the necessities but he doesn't care, he only cares more about escaping from reality and be in a more virtual reality, uncaring of how much this would ruin him in the long run.
And that's pretty much what happened to him as he found himself in a world of his favourite anime, video games and movies he watched and played and then more.
After Nemesis let's out a lot of everything to Yoko, he can only stand, looking shocked until his face changed to a more guilt ridden expression as he said, "I... I'm sorry... Y-you're right... It's none of my business so... I'll just... I'll just go now..." Nemesis said sadly as he turned around, walking away.
Yoko can only look down guiltily at the revelation as she finally said, "My friends died."
This made Nemesis stopped in his tracks as he looked at her, "B-Before I found a team in you guys, I once had a team back then. Team Dai-Gurren we called ourselves..." She explained fondly, "Our leader is Kamina and you would have liked him when you see him. He is a stupid dumbass who is too proud of it that I actually loved him for it. And of course, there's his brother, Simone and many other's who are proud to be a member of Team Dai-Gurren..." Yoko said fondly only to look crestfallen as she said, "We were a big team, back then. Hiring themselves to take on worst odds and come out on top. I thought that we were invincible. Then Kamina got themselves into a mission that is too dangerous, even for us..." She said as she clenched her fist, "I tried to tell Kamina that it is bad news. I mean, going to war with an Empire that is million times stronger with Mechs and lots of war machines that I don't think our little team would actually handle is bad news. But I would so stupid to fall how charming he is and gotta admit, the Empire we're fighting are kind of assholes, anyway. I mean, being elitist patriotic assholes who sees the people they conquered as nothing but numbers is just disgusting..."
'Okay, so Code Geass exist here. Does that mean a certain immortal woman exist here as well?' Nemesis thought for a moment until he then said, "D-did you... Did you won?"
"Yeah, we did. But at what cost?" Yoko said, being in tears, "Kamina just had to be the biggest idiot by charging ahead and go to the leader, taking on any of those Knightmares he and Simone fight until they finally reached the big bad. But Kamina is injured and so is his brother yet they can't stop now. Not when they are so close..." She smiled sadly and said, "And we did it. We won. The Empire is gone, we get payed and it is all well at the end. But..." Tears flow from her eyes as she said, "But that doesn't mean that we lost the most important that made Team Dai-Gurren great and work together in the first place. Losing Kamina and Simone is like losing a piece of your soul and... and..." Yoko then dropped down, weeping as she said, "I could've done better. I could've just saved them. I should have known that it a big idea but just because your stupid boyfriend talk big, doesn't mean that the next day was all fine and dandy." Yoko finally said it as Nemesis continue to look over the weeping Yoko.
"By... By then, Team Dai-Gurren has been disbanded, not exactly thrilled when they're leader is gone and we go on our separate ways..." Yoko just weep some more, "And It's all my fault... Me and being blind to that idiot and his stupid... And I miss that stupid dumb idiot who thought my butt is big or whatever..." She said as she continued to weep.
Nemesis can only upon the weeping Yoko as he looked away, looking sad at that.
Then without any warning, Nemesis kneeled down and hugged her, stopping Yoko from weeping as she look surprised but as the shock is finally evaporated, she return the hug, closing her eyes as she smiled.
After seconds have passed, Nemesis then look at Yoko in the eyes and said, "Better?" Which made Yoko nod, making him smiling gladly, "Good, because..." Nemesis can only sigh in despondency as he said, "I don't think anyone would ever try to regret remembering what they had done, no matter how hard they tried as, take my word for it, all that matters is that people should strive for something better and trying to bury the past can only hurt. And of course..." Nemesis then rubbed his hand over Yoko as he said, "It isn't exactly right to basically have to bottled up your emotions. I should know because I saw this situation and it is not worth it... still better?"
Yoko nod happily, wiping the tears from her eyes and said, "Yeah. Thanks, Nemesis."
"Well, if you guys are getting better..." Naruto said out of the counter, "Your ramen is here so... serves up."
Both Nemesis and Yoko smiled as they then sit on the counter as they eat their noodle ramen.
Their eyes widened in surprise as Nemesis said, "Wow, this is so good. It feels all my troubles are wiped away like it is nothing."
"I know, right? It's so delicious." Yoko said as she eat some more ramen noodles.
"Thanks for the compliment, you two. Let's just say that my favourite chef taught me how to make it..." Naruto then pumped his fist upon his chest and said, "Bless his soul, by the way." He said as he nod in respect, "Now, why don't I make you seconds? Don't worry, it's on the house."
As Nemesis and Yoko cheerfully enjoy their meal, Samus is watching them from the sidelines as she said, "Hmmm, who knew that you are such a charmer, kid. If you continue on like this..." She said with a flirtatious smile as she said, "I might fall for you." She said while ending with a blush.
_
You know what? I don't care, anymore. If this story doesn't get favourites or reviews, then why bother hiding what you want to hear about yourself and for the most part, if you guys haven't read the chapter, then I'm not regretting it.
Well, anyway...
If you have any ideas, even if that is all but doubtful, let me know in the comments below for another fiery chapter to bring...
As always...
Ciao...