Opening File: Ranking System
Due to the power and skills Huntsmen have shown throughout history a tier system was established around the time of the Huntsmen Academies being established. This system has been used in ranking the many Hunters and Huntresses that have walked the world and over the years was updated to include the many feats the most famous Huntsmen have done or the many crimes of ones that have gone rogue.
Ranks:
Class I Trainee: This rank describes all young Hunters and Huntresses-in training that have yet to attend one a Huntsmen Academy. They are usually trained by veteran Hunters such as a parent or perhaps a teacher in training class.
Class II Rookie: This rank describes Hunters and Huntresses that have trained enough to be allowed to enter Huntsmen Academies, having passed all the physical and IQ testing and presented a weapon that they have knowledge on how to use in combat and repair.
Class III Combatant: This rank describes Hunters and Huntresses who have completed over a hundred missions in the field. This rank is usually attained during time spent in the academies when students are given missions but will start under the supervision of more experienced teachers until they have shown competence and maturity under pressure.
Class IV Veteran: This rank describes Hunters and Huntresses who graduated and attained years of experience, battling Grimm and various rogues. People of this rank are skilled enough to handle missions alone and their experience leads them to being constantly hired by clients both benign and the ones who hire rogues for dirty jobs.
Class V Elite: This is the highest and rarest rank in the system, describing Hunters and Huntresses who wield such skill and power that one of them could take on a small army of Grimm or even other Hunters with little effort. An Elite's skill in combat combined with the evolution of their Semblance is what sets them apart from other Huntsmen with one example being Scotty Blake of Clan Blake in Scotland. A rogue Elite's skill is considered an immense threat to any place without Hunters of at least Veteran Rank.
This ranking system applies to all form of skilled fighters, including criminals and rogues along with the usual bounties placed on them depending on the crimes they are accused of.
Close File
Xxx
"Social structures have been used to define how we fit into society centuries. You got the rich, the poor, nobles, commoners, the workers, builders, scholars, artists, apprentices and so much more. But we've seen there's more to life than just mere rankings. We use it to try and bring order because without order all we would have is madness and chaos." TOM said, closing the Ranking File. "Ranks lend perspective in certain matters but they do not define you. So never be afraid to branch and see everything life has to offer."
Xxx
"Finally, after hours of looking." Vlad muttered, setting his sights on the massive monster that was chained to the bottom of the sea.
The creature seemed unconscious or perhaps even dead and yet Vlad doubted it was actually dead.
"Time to see what this creature is." Vlad said, flying straight at the creature and phased into its body.
Xxx
When ghost usually overshadowed a human they instantly gained control with absolutely no resistance from the host's mind.
But in this case Vlad was in for a surprise.
He emerged into a strange looking place with a dark green background and a glowing dark sea foam aura, making Vlad's body appear teal.
"What manner of mind is this?" Vlad wondered.
He had never seen a mindscape like this before.
Then again he had never encountered what were possibly literally extraterrestrials before either.
"AH!"
Vlad stopped, seeing a figure in the distance and flew in the direction, coming upon the blue skinned and blue haired woman that had changed into the monster with the giant orange skinned woman.
"Well, this is truly becoming fascinating." Vlad remarked, floating down in front of the woman, surprising her.
"What?!" The woman exclaimed as she looked up at Vlad, showing a heavily exhausted looking face. "Who are you?! How did you get in here?!"
"My name is Vlad Plasmius, my dear. As for how I got in here I have a certain gift." Vlad floated around the woman, seeing the water chains formed around her hands. "Fascinating mindscape and even more fascinating are those chains."
"Get out of here!" The woman shouted, struggling against the chains.
"Trying to break free, are we?" Vlad asked stoically, having no fear of the woman's demands since he didn't believe she could hurt him. "How fascinating. I've never encountered such a being before. Two such beings, literally fusing into one and this place must be the being's mindscape, with you representing one half."
"Why…Are…You…Here?!" The woman grunted, struggling harder against the chains.
"Curiosity at first. You may not know me but there are a lot of people hunting me and I need to find a way to protect myself." Vlad landed in front of the woman. "Perhaps you can help me."
"Lapis!"
Both Vlad and the woman spotted a boy appear behind them.
"Steven!" The woman apparently named Lapis cried out. "Why do you keep coming back?! I can't get distracted, I've got to us down with the weight of your planet's ocean…I've got to keep her-!" She grunted as she struggled against the chains that started pulling her down.
"Wait!" The boy cried out. "Lapis, tell me where you are! We can help you!"
Lapis stopped struggling for a second to look at Steven but that allowed the force she was struggling with to double down and she had to refocus her energy. "I told you! No!"
"I-AH!" The woman screamed as she was pulled into the water.
Vlad stared down the water, seeing the woman vanish and contemplated on whether or not to go after her. His thoughts were interrupted by a loud splash and looked forward to see the giant orange skinned woman emerge from the watery ground, her hands bound in chains like the blue skinned woman.
"Oh…Now I see. You two are fighting for dominance of this 'fused' being you have become." Vlad remarked, floating closer to the large woman who looked up at him with gaunt yellow eyes.
"You…" The woman reached out to grab Vlad but stopped when she saw Steven.
"Jasper!" The boy named Steven cried out.
Jasper started crawling towards Steven. "You! YOU! YOU!"
"Guh! NOOOOOO-!" Jasper struggled against her restraints before being dragged back to where she came from.
"Do you need a hand?" Vlad chuckled at his own joke, watching as the orange skinned woman was pulled back down.
"Who are you?" Steven asked, looking wary of Vlad.
Vlad smirked. "Just an observer."
Another splashing sound from behind alerted Vlad to the return of the blue woman, emerging from the water ground with wings made of water sprouting from her back. Her clothes were tattered and she collapsed, grunting and gasping.
"A truly fascinating battle of wills." Vlad remarked, floating back towards the blue woman. "The one who stands on the surface is the one in control. But it seems to be taking everything you have just to hold your counterpart back."
"Lapis!" Steven shouted.
The woman panted slightly, glaring at Vlad. "Leave this place!"
Vlad shook his head in disappointment. "I'd hold back that temper if I were you. You need all your strength just to remain in control. But perhaps I can help you."
"I don't need help!" The blue woman shouted as her water wings extended out and swatted at Vlad but he turned intangible to avoid being hit. "What the Diamond?!"
"Impressive, isn't it?" Vlad asked as he became tangible. "A nifty little power of mind that allowed me to enter this place. In fact it would allow me to control if you I wished."
"You will not control me!" The blue woman shouted as she began sinking back into the water. "I can't hold it back anymore!"
"Hold what back?" Vlad asked.
"MALACHITE!"
"Lapis! No!" Steven shouted as the woman sank into the water and for a moment all was silent…
And then a massive hand made of glowing light shot out of the ground and Vlad watched in fascination as the giant monster he had entered appeared out of the water as it rose, engulfing the two of them.
The massive four armed beast turned its head to Vlad and Steven, showing its four eyes, the upper two looking angry. "GO!"
Steven disappeared while Vlad grunted from the sound of its scream but steadied himself and charged up his ghost rays. "You will have to do better than that, my dear."
The massive monster named Malachite lunged at Vlad but he teleported behind the beast and slammed a purple glowing fist in the back of its head. Malachite grunted as she spun around lashed out with one hand and the water around Vlad began crushing him. Vlad grunted as he turned himself intangible to escape the massive pressure that threatened to tear him apart and split himself into four duplicates that surrounded Malachite and attacked her ghost beams. Malachite screamed as the ghost rays scorched her body and the Vlads quickly created ecto-tethering around Malachite before electrocuting her with ghostly stingers.
Malachite screamed and her screaming created a powerful underwater shockwave that cancelled the ghost tethering out, slamming into Vlad and his duplicates.
Vlad grunted as he was thrown back by the sheer force of the shockwave. "I've never encountered such a powerful being except that time with the Ghost King."
Malachite curled into a ball and shot towards Vlad and his duplicates like a spinning rocket. The half ghost and his duplicates fired ghost beams at the incoming behemoth but to his surprise Malachite in her spinning form actually blasted through the ghost beams and slammed right into all four Vlads at once. Vlad's duplicates were instantly destroyed while Vlad himself was slammed back again, stunned from the sheer force that had slammed into him. He was sure that if not for the durability his ghost form gave him he would have instantly died and have been torn apart.
Vlad grunted as he regained his bearings and glared at Malachite. "Since we're going for fancy spinning attacks let me show you mine!"
Vlad shot at Malachite and spun, creating a tornado that instantly gathered the surrounding water into it as he slammed his ghost tornado into Malachite. The Gem fusion grunted as she was pushed back by the blow of the attack but easily batted it away, sending Vlad flying away again.
"ENOUGH!" Malachite screamed, summoning her Crash Helmet as she reached out and grabbed Vlad. "THIS ENDS NOW!"
Vlad gritted his teeth, unable to accept the idea of this monster defeating him. "If I can't defeat you on the outside let's see how well I do on the inside!"
He turned intangible and phased into Malachite's body, attempting to control the unstable Gem fusion from the inside.
Malachite's eyes flashed red as she convulsed, the water around her boiling and the mindscape shaking so much it was like a literal earthquake.
Xxx
Back out in the real world Malachite's eyes, now glowing red shot open as she let out an unholy scream that caused the ocean to shake.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Vlad attempted to overshadow Malachite but the sheer will of Lapis Lazuli and Jasper fought against him and each other. As the three minds fought for dominance and control but no could have predicted what would happen next. Malachite's body began to glow, seemingly splitting apart…
And then came back together, its body starting glow a pale light.
Its skin was now colored a shade of pale green, its white hair literally blazed into snow white flames. Its ears became pointed and her teeth became fangs.
The creature lashed out with its arms, shattering the watery chains holding it down to the bottom of the sea and let out another scream that shook the ocean again. "RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Xxx
"And so history repeats itself as it so often does." Clockwork, the Ghost of Time said as he watched the events from his lair in the Ghost Zone.
This new creature was formed by the three minds inside it:
Lapis Lazuli and her desire to protect Steven.
Jasper and her desire to become strong.
And Vlad Plasmius who desired to find a way to survive.
Both Jasper and Vlad wished to become powerful and the megalomaniacal desires both shared overwhelmed Lapis, forcing her to the dark corners of the new monster's mind.
Jasper and Vlad then fought for dominance, both motivated by revenge.
Revenge on the Crystal Gems for Pink Diamond.
Revenge on Danny Phantom and his father for ruining his life.
Revenge on the entire world for the Rebellion.
For taking away his happiness.
Jasper's will won out but the evil and power of Vlad Plasmius merged with and turned Malachite into something more than a Gem Fusion.
Vlad Plasmius, a being that could shift back and forth between human and ghost had no idea that the Gems, a race of beings made of light and energy could naturally fuse with each other.
And neither had the idea that by combining the foreshadowing ability of a ghost and the fusion ability of a Gem an entirely new being would be created.
Malachite Plasmius.
An unstable monster created from the abusive relationship of the Gems that formed Malachite and the evil of Vlad Plasmius.
A threat to the entire world and one beyond even the threat of the evil being Danny Phantom was once destined to become.
And it was created in a similar manner as well.
"What a mess, huh?"
Clockwork didn't react as a large man with blue skin appeared behind him. "Indeed. Once again we see a threat to the future. Only this time it's not one world in danger."
"A being so dangerous and powerful not even the Ghost Boy you protect would be strong enough to fight." The man sighed. "And I thought dealing with Aku's mess was tough. What exactly can we do against this?"
"What indeed." Clockwork remarked, looking over the time stream, mophing into an old man. "Time is absolute and yet so fragile."
"Can we skip the lecture?" The man asked tiredly. "We don't exactly have time for that."
"Time?" Clockwork smiled as he morphed into a child. "On the contrary, Guardian. We have all the time in the world."
The Guardian sighed at Clockwork's dramatics. "Can we please discuss how we are going to deal with this mess?"
"Sadly I am not responsible for watching for watching over the future of young Dani or the future of this world." Clockwork morphed back into a man.
"And yet our purpose is to monitor the time stream for threats like this." The Guardian pointed out, staring at the image of Malachite Plasmius as it rose up from the sea. "This is a threat that can't be ignored."
"And it won't be." Clockwork said simply.
The Guardian could only sigh in annoyance at Clockwork's cryptic way of speaking. Both were protectors of time but in their own ways.
The Guardian protected the passage of time and space from all who were unworthy.
Clockwork protected the past, present and future from threats that endangered the Ghost Zone and the world it was connected to.
Only the Guardian's was more simplistic.
"Perhaps I can lend a hand."
Both beings glanced behind, watching as a man dressed in lab coat appeared.
"Paradox." Clockwork greeted neutrally, shifting to his old man form. "What bring you to us?"
"The same reason the Azure Guardian is here." Paradox said, nodding to the Guardian. "I agree with the threat Malachite Plasmius represents."
Xxx
"How…Extraordinary."
Sammael's eyes glinted red as he watched the Gem fusion that had been forced to the bottom of the ocean became something else.
A fusion of Gems and a Human/Ghost hybrid.
Such a creature had never existed before and to see one come into existence was enough to make Sammael actually feel awe at the sight of seeing such an imposing creature be born. Its negative emotions were so thick that he actually had to order the Grimm in the sea to not touch it more than once. He had ordered the Gem fusion be left alone when he sensed the half ghost chasing after it and wanted to see what would happen.
But even he could not have predicted such an outcome.
Like the Grimm Sammael was able to sense the negative emotions coming off the creature in wave.
Fear.
Anger.
Hate.
Despair.
Pain.
Sadness.
Rage.
The negative emotions he sensed from the creature made him feel like he was tasting water for the very first time in the middle of a hot desert.
"Do you feel it?" He asked, glancing to the shadow with glowing eyes as it appeared before him.
"Yes." The shadow nodded. "A creature of pure despair, hate and all the negative emotions that are causing the Grimm in the sea to gather around it. It's becoming hard for them to ignore your orders."
"Indeed it is." Sammael noted as he sensed all of the Grimm approaching the new hybrid in the sea. "But it is too valuable to destroy. The negative emotions from it are so…Intoxicating. And there are two more beings like the one that merged with the Gems. One of which survived an encounter with Nevermore and the other was with the ones who escape Van Kleiss and recently Jujunga."
"What are you thinking?"
"If one can merge with a Gem fusion to become even more powerful this makes them all the more interesting." Sammael noted. "The cybernetic one escaped the Nevermore but the other one, but we know the little girl is still with the others. Would you be up for such a mission, Obsidian?"
"You know I do not like that name."
Sammael chuckled. "My apologies but it was necessary to hide your true self. After all, simply going by Beast would gain unwanted attention."
"If I am to have a name I prefer…Moloch." The shadow said before vanishing into the darkness.
"Of course you do."
Xxx
"We shall begin the twelfth match. Whoever wins will face the remaining contestant in the final match." Rothchild announced.
Round 12
Nigel Uno vs Abigail Lincoln
The two contestants shared looks with each other before grinning and approached the ring.
"Oh dear." Monty closed his eyes.
Jennifer smiled softly. "We knew this was possible."
"They don't seem too upset to be facing each other." Eddy commented.
"Why would they be? They could have ended up facing each other now or in the last round." Wally shrugged. "Besides, this'll be fun to watch."
"What makes you say that?" Nazz asked.
"Those two have known each other forever and they've even trained together under Nigel's dad and my uncle." Wally answered. "Trust me; we're in for a big fight."
Abby and Nigel both stepped onto the ring and face each other.
"Both of them facing each other." Monty remarked quietly. "Well, they've spared plenty of times before."
"May the twelfth round begin!" Rothchild announced.
Nigel decided to start the fight off by launching a punch with his fist covered in Frost Fire. The icy flame blasted from his hand and shot towards Abby who flipped backwards, avoiding the blast that turned the ground she had been stand on into ice. Abby landed perfectly on her feet and cart-wheeled to the side as Nigel fired another blast. Abby watched as Nigel placed his hands on the ground and knew what he was about to do.
Nigel's hands lit up and ice started spreading along the ground towards Abby. The young Faunus quickly dodged again, knowing that she was in trouble.
One thing she had learned in the many spars between her and Nigel is that with his Frost Fire Semblance he was able to specialize in long range fighting while Abby was better suited to close range combat. That was why Abby needed to get in close. She vanished from sight, letting everyone know she was using her Semblance. Nigel steadied himself, tightening his guard as he looked around for the first sign of Abby.
"Wow. Those two are really going at it." Eddy commented.
"They're not even trying to hold back." Nazz said.
"Why bother? They've fought each other enough times to know their moves." Wally stated. "No point in holding back. Plus they're still playing smart."
"Indeed." Rolf nodded in agreement. "When one has faced an enemy enough times in combat they learn how to counter any attacks by instinct."
Nigel remained on guard, knowing that when Abby made her move she'd have to drop her Semblance since she couldn't use it while fighting.
"Looking for me?" A voice asked behind him.
Nigel spun around, launching a punch that only hit air and left himself open to a kick from the right. Abby appeared back into view as Nigel fell over and followed up by aiming another kick at Nigel who quickly rolled out of the way. Quickly jumping to his feet Nigel launched a kick that fired another frost blast at Abby who ducked under and slid forward.
She spun and tried kick Nigel's legs out from under him but Nigel jumped over and tried to punch Abby while she was down but Abby kicked her legs up, batting Nigel's fist away and somersaulted back, landing perfectly on her feet. Nigel fired another frost blast which Abby dodged and fell back, vanishing as she jumped into the air. Nigel brought his guard back up, looking around and trying to guess where Abby might strike.
'Front, back, sides, up or…down!' Nigel slammed a blast into the ground in front of him, creating a blast of snow and ice that shot up.
Just as the ice and snow shot up, Abby slammed both her feet into Nigel's back and the both of them ended up rolling through the snow. Nigel grunted as he wiped the snow out of his air as him and Abby both stood up, wiping the snow from their eyes. Both them started to size the other up, trying to see what move the other would make.
"Wow…" Nazz marveled at how the fight had been going.
"Took the words right out of my mouth." Eddy admitted quietly.
Rolf gazed at the two, feeling a bit of respect for their skills. "Hat Wearing Abby and Sun-Glasses wearing Nigel are waiting."
"For what?" Eddy asked.
"To remove what you call…Kid-Gloves."
Wally had to smirk, silently admitting that he was a little jealous at being out of the game and would have liked to be in the fight, going against the two of them. Despite how strong the other contestants had shown themselves he had hoped to have the chance to go up against either Nigel or Abby who he looked up to as both friends and rivals.
"They both are still holding back." Monty remarked. "They know each other so well that so enough one will make the first move and they will bring out everything they have."
Jennifer sighed. "I hope they don't hurt each other too much."
Abby and Nigel stared each other down, both waiting for the other to make the next move.
"This has gone longer than our other spars." Nigel suddenly said.
Abby seemed surprised but didn't lower her guard. "…Yeah."
"Should we make this quick then?"
Abby smirked. "You think you gonna win, boy?"
"You tell me." Nigel said; bringing his hands together and his Frostfire Semblance flared around him. "Let's end this, Abby!"
Abby watched as ice and snow formed on the ground under Nigel's feet and couldn't help but grin excitement.
"The true battle has begun." Rolf said, recognizing what was happening.
The two had chosen to hold nothing back.
Nigel jumped forward and released blast of Frostfire from his feet, propelling him straight at Abby who moved to meet him head on. They both collided and started fighting more viciously than before. Nigel mixed his punches and kicks with his Frostfire while Abby relied on her agility and kicks to catch Nigel by surprise. Nigel on the other hand was relying on his attacks that were heightened by his Semblance to throw Abby off her game, his Frostfire numbing Abby's arms and legs.
Both were giving it their all.
Both had known each other since they were very young.
And both wanted to see each other become the best.
All it took was one blow.
Nigel's fist made contact with Abby's stomach, spreading ice on contact while Abby's foot came down on Nigel's head.
Nigel fell to the ground, his vision becoming dark until he finally lost consciousness while Abby was frozen with only her head not covered in ice.
Rothchild looked between the two before making his decisions. "Both combatants are unable to continue. This match is a draw!"
The audience applauded the two for their epic fight, both Monty and Jennifer smiling proudly from their seats.
"Nigel will be fine now…But Abby will need a little help thawing." Monty chuckled lightly. "Good thing we brought her a sweater."
"And Nigel can make himself some ice for that splitting headache he'll have when he wakes up." Jennifer added.
Abby stared down at Nigel and smiled, despite feeling unbearably cold. They had both seen how strong they had become and even though it was a draw she still felt proud of herself.
'We did it…' Abby shivered. 'Maybe we really are ready.'
She knew they still needed a long way to go especially against the people they might face out there.
The Satyra.
Sammael.
Maybe even her sister…
Abby shook her head as the face of her older sister popped in her mind. That was something else to think about for another day.
All that mattered for the moment was how strong they were now.
Xxx
"She's really come far." Valarie whispered, having seen the last of Nigel and Abby's fight. "Good to know."
Xxx
"Since both semi-finalists are unable to compete Olga Astronominov is winner by default!" Rothchild announced, ending the tournament.
Though many were disappointed they had still enjoyed watching the fights and applauded the contestants.
"At least they like us." Nazz chuckled as she waved back to the crowd.
Olga barely paid any attention to the crowd as she simply walked towards the exit, showing no joy in winning or even disappointment at not being able to fight.
Xxx
"Man that was great!" Ben said, clapping with everyone else.
"As crazy as I may sound I actually agree." Gwen agreed.
"It was something to watch." Max agreed before he heard a familiar beeping sound.
He pulled his old Plumber badge out of his pocket and looked at the red light flashing from it.
Ben and Gwen both noticed the concerned look on his face. "What is it, Grandpa?" Gwen asked.
"We may have to cut the celebration short." Max whispered, standing up. "Come on, let's go."
"What's up?" Ben asked, following after his grandfather.
"Trouble."
Rex and Six noticed the Tennysons slipping away in the middle of the applause, both of them seeing the look on Max Tennyson's face.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Rex asked.
Six nodded. "Something's up."
Xxx
Nyx sighed as she opened the door to her room, walked and closed the door before flopping down on her bed. "What a day."
She spent the entire day at the arcade playing with the new kid, Hoagie Gilligan. She smiled a bit as she remembered playing all those games. She had to admit he was good and he gave her a real run for her money which made it all the more fun. Her first new friend she had made in a while now.
Perhaps she should introduce him to her other friends.
"Is dear Nyx developing a crush?" A voice asked behind her.
She sat up and looked at her 'pet', Pericles sitting on his perch. "Don't be so mean, Pericles and don't think I didn't notice you using your Semblance on him."
The bird chuckled as his form changed, showing a scar running down his left eye which was blind. "My apologies, Nyx. I was merely…practicing."
"Sure you were." Nyx rolled her eyes. "Don't be messing with my friends, Pericles. I don't like it when you do that. Messing with their perceptions of your appearance is one thing but changing your form every time they see you is another."
"Of course, Nyx." Pericles bowed his head apologetically. "But what do you plan to do now?"
"I heard Pacifica got into a fight with someone." Nyx lied back on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. "Maybe I'll go check in on her."
"I heard she fought a Fallen." Pericles commented. "A new born but a Fallen nonetheless. We cannot be too careful with their kind."
"Then I better go see how Pacifica is doing." Nyx got off her bed. "You remembered to keep Tamara happy, did you?"
Pericles nodded. "The hypnotic commands I left in your sister will ensure she never knows you were gone."
"Good. You know how I hate to worry my big sister." Nyx said, smiling as Pericles perched himself on her shoulder. "The last thing she needs is worrying about where I am disappearing to."
"Yes." Pericles agreed as they left Nyx's room. "Let us not burden her with all the effort she has made in looking after you."