Opening File: The Battle of Nowhere
Some believe the Battle of Nowhere to be the start of what could only be described as the Second Spiral War, a title given in the wake of battle outcome, named after the mythical war of the Connected Era that led to the Great Cataclysm, followed by the Forgotten Age.
The Battle of Nowhere consisted of several stages:
The Infiltration of Van Kleiss' fortress.
The Siege.
The Awakening of the Guardian
The arrival of GOLB.
The battle ended with both sides suffering heavy losses but with the assistance of the Spartans, the clans of Scotland and US army, the number of Grimm kills were a staggering high number to the point it is believed that Grimm numbers will be low for a considerable amount of time. However it should be noted that many believe this battle was only the beginning of a new war that threatens not just Earth…
But the entire universe.
Mayor Phil Ken Sebben, formerly General Phil Ken Sebben was the commander who devised the plan to infiltrate Van Kleiss' fortress and coordinated the allied forces against the Grimm during the Siege. It was made clear that though it had been a century since his time in the army, Phil Ken Sebben has retained the military experience and mindset that was needed to coordinate military personnel and Huntsmen into working together against this common threat. Sebben was set to receive full honors but declined to attend the ceremony.
The forces under his command included:
The Justice Friends
Team SEKR
Team REYN
The SWAT Kats
Genki Sanban, working with SAM-R-I(File Restricted)
Several unidentified but deputized Heroes/Huntsmen
The US Army
The 300 Spartan Division
The Roman 501st Battalion
All of them gathered near the remains of Van Kleiss' fortress and immediately using the mountains for cover, forcing the Grimm, Vehicons and Badniks to bottle themselves up as they attempt to invade all of Nowhere Mountains…
Battle Details: Classified
Close File
Xxx
Both husband and wife moved into strike as one and Gentle-Jim moved his sword to his right while holding his left hand to seemingly block Genki's sword and made a slash with the hand holding the Wind Dust crystal.
SLASH!
Pushing us towards the edge.
SAM-R-I grunted, feeling the invisible cut slashing through his electric aura, and again leaving a slash mark on his chest armor. 'How is he doing that?'
Genki narrowed her eyes as she performed a horizontal slash at Gentle-Jim, forcing him to take a step back as he parried her sword. Genki immediately sheathed her sword again and pulled it back out, now colored green.
They attacked again and this time, Gentle-Jim blocked SAM-R-I's sword with his sword while performing a slashing motion at Genki as she performed a vertical strike.
Surprisingly, there was a blast of wind that forced all three to step back but Genki suffered no slash wounds on her body.
SAM-R-I and Genki shared looks before nodding and prepared to attack.
BLAST!
BLAST!
BLAST!
Both Huntress and Hero turned to see Cycle-Drones and Robotnik's machines approaching with Grimm behind them, ready to attack with the forward drones already firing.
Gentle-Jim scowled. "It seems my allies have no understanding of a gentleman's duel."
A golden blur shot out of Nowhere, grabbing Genki and SAM-R-I and whisking them away as the ground they stood on was scorched.
BOOM!
Gentle-Jim turned his head, watching as the golden blur shot away from the battlefield and headed straight into the mountains. "Another time then."
Xxx
It has only been less than two weeks.
Still, the Battle of Nowhere, or perhaps Genki should say the Battles of Nowhere weighed heavily on her mind and for good reason.
The infiltration of Van Kleiss' fortress.
Saving the entire multi-verse from being infected by nanites.
Escaping Van Kleiss' besieged stronghold just as the Grimm arrived.
And then preparing for the Grimm as they literally gained a head start.
Genki was a veteran Huntress who had been in more life or death situations than she would care to count or remember.
But what happened in Nowhere…
And then there was the fate of her ward.
On the lower and darker levels of the Fortress, a door was kicked open as Tibuorn, Samedi, Genki, Mars, Li, and Albert made their way into the next dark concrete hallway in that order. The group started walking down the concrete hallway to two large metal doors on the other side of the hallway.
"Do you have any clue how many people that their experimenting on?" Albert asked as he looked over the wall computer, trying to bypass the security codes.
"From what Sebben said, they were people from other dimensions. All of them possessing unique abilities, even unique to us." Tiburon answered. "They were all brought here to be experimented on and for Van Kleiss to find a way to take their powers so he can become stronger."
"I can confirm that. One of the people who were brought here, she's been living with our family for quite some time. Though she has suffered amnesia and can barely remembering anything about her life from her home universe." Genki nodded in agreement. "We have pieced enough together to understand she is an orphan."
"That's right. She's the ghost girl, right?" Samedi recalled. "The one who helped take down Billiam Milliam and the Ice Queen. Dani Phantom."
"Danielle Fenton, though her surname comes from the name of the one she was cloned from." Genki stated, knowing enough of Danielle's past.
"How is she?" Tiburon asked.
"Recovering from learning a new power." Genki said with a small smile. "She has formed a close friendship with my daughters…To the point that after this if we cannot recover her memory or find a way to return her…"
"Genki?" Tiburon asked slowly, looking to the woman he used to have feelings for.
"…We're considering asking her if she would like us to adopt her." Genki confessed, surprising the group.
"Really?" Samedi and Albert both asked.
Genki nodded. "Really."
"That is wonderful." Li said with a small smile. "If her heroics are anything to go by, I'd say you have been a good influence on her."
"She was like that before we found her; my husband and I have only tried to help her find what she has really needed." Genki confessed. "Like I said, she's an orphan and she has helped to save us from many troubles, including Billiam, that mad god Crom and even saved my daughters from the Ice Queen without ever asking anything in return. If anything she's scared of somehow overstaying her welcome, even though she'll never owe us anything for what she has done for us."
Tiburon noted the look on Genki's face. "You've come to care for her, haven't you?"
Genki looked surprised but nodded with a small smile. "She is quite the kind and helpful little girl and a very brave one at that. We've all grown to care for her, not just because she is a recognized hero but because of the kind and sweet child she is and that's why we're here now. Not just to stop the madness Van Kleiss is causing but to help her."
"And what happens if she decides to return to her world?" Tiburon asked.
"…It's her decision and we will respect it." Genki admitted, frowning a bit now. "Even if she will be greatly missed."
Genki had to admit; it had been easier to say it back then.
Now she just had to see what Danielle's answer would be.
She came back home and was greeted with a pleasing sight.
"I got you!" Danielle laughed, having snuck from behind Kuki and tagged her, earning a surprised cry from the girl.
The girls were in the middle of a game of tag and now Kuki was it.
"I'll get you, Dani!" Kuki called out.
"You'll try but you can't catch me! I literally walk through walls!"
"Hey! No ghost powers!"
"Like you don't use your Semblance! I know that's how you track me when I'm invisible!"
"And you flying up to hide in trees doesn't count?"
"I don't fly up trees, I'm a natural climber."
"Yeah right."
Genki could only shake her head, looking on the children fondly as they played while having a little 'spat' without actually fighting.
They were really acting like sisters.
Something she was proud of.
Now what would they think of becoming actual sisters?
Xxx
"So, it was this portal that gave you the powers of a ghost, making you half-man and half-ghost. A being who is both alive and dead."
As a demon of the Moon, Tso-Lan could safely say he's seen and experienced many crazy things in his long life.
Battling Grimm and Immortals.
The power of deities shaking the very foundations of the Earth.
Objects of great power.
Titans rampaging across the world.
But this…
A man who is a hybrid of flesh and spirit, life and death joined together co-existence?
This was new, even for him.
"Yes. The ectoplasmic matter of the Ghozt Zone fused with my DNA, transforming into a hybrid and granting me all the powers of a ghost." Vlad answered, slightly grunting from the force Tso-Lan's gravity magic immobilizing him.
"And yet, you made a deal with the dream demon Bill Cipher that transformed you into a Gem." Tso-Lan noted.
"I didn't know what he would do, and I was desperate." Vlad retorted. "I didn't know what he was."
"What he was, Mr. Masters, was a creature of pure insanity, chaos and destruction, even by the standards like me and my siblings." Tso-Lan rebuked. "Bill Cipher only ever benefited himself and laughed gleefully at those he fooled. I suppose it is fortunate that he no longer plagues this world, given that you had changed back, and I no longer sense his presence on Earth. I never thought it possible, but it seems the mortals still living there have somehow defeated him."
That was impressive, shocking and concerning all at the same time.
To think, mere mortals, be they Human, Faunus, Mobian or otherwise could defeat Bill Cipher, the one who would tear down the rules and very foundations of reality itself, who made dimension and universes his playground, and the one to end everything in fire…
As much as Tso-Lan prided himself for his power and status as the Moon Demon, he knew not even he could have stood up to Bill Cipher if he had somehow managed to break down the shackles keeping him from spreading his madness all across reality. To believe mortals actually stopped him made Tso-Lan consider the age-old belief of mortals being inferior beings.
And what humans had managed to create.
"The question now is what do I do with you?" Tso-Lan pointed at Vlad. "You intrude in my domain and threaten my sovereignty."
"I can…I can offer a way for you to gain more power." Vlad quickly stated. "You know I am a Half, half-man, half-ghost. What if I show I can replicate the process?"
Tso-Lan raised an eyebrow. "And why would I need more like you?"
"You may be ruler of the moon, but I get the distinct impression that you are hiding from the rest of the people on Earth." Vlad mused, seeing Tso-Lan narrow his eyes. "I've been around long enough to see that this Earth is vastly different from the one I remember. Strange creatures plaguing the world, humans with animal traits, animals that looked human and of course, the vast majority of them all blessed with special powers. You, the so-called Moon-Demon with your powers over gravity, I suspect you are a big fish in a rather large ocean."
"I see…You truly are not from this World and thus not familiar with its history…and dangers." Tso-Lan stated. "It is dangerous for you to assume you know anything about me or believe that your powers could tip any form of power balance."
"Maybe so, but I am willing to wager that they would be a boon to you, if the people you have as subjects here all had powers like me and willingly pledged themselves to serve you." Vlad pointed out. "Allow me to show you the full extent of my powers and decide for yourself if I am useful to you or not."
"And what do you gain from proving any worth to me?" Tso-Lan asked.
"…A place to call home." Vlad admitted with a look of both sadness and anger. "I am no longer welcome on my Earth and nor would I even find refuge in the Ghost Zone. If I were to ever return I would be hunted down, thrown into a prison specifically designed for ghosts and more than likely dissected by those who would want to learn the secret of my powers. Being abducted and brought here, is both a blessing and curse for I am free and yet I can never return to the world I come from. At the very least, being here is a chance for me to start over."
Tso-Lan considered Vlad's words carefully before he waved his hand and the gravity spell holding Plasmius was dismissed.
The half-ghost floated down before the Moon-Demon who brought his hands together. "I can see you are being truthful in your words. Perhaps you have a place here if you can prove to me you are indeed worth my time."
"And if my powers impress you?" Vlad asked.
"You will be allowed to stay, if only so I can keep an eye on you." Tso-Lan turned away. "General Lunaris."
A blue skinned humanoid entered the throne room. "Yes, Great One."
"Find a suitable quarters for our guest. I require time to consider his proposal." Tso-Lan gestured to Vlad.
"As you wish." Lunaris nodded and turned to Vlad. "If you'll follow me."
Vlad walked past Tso-Lan, briefly glancing over his shoulder before leaving the room. He then followed Lunaris, noting the gold Roman style armor he was wearing.
Tso-Lan folded his hands together as he pondered this new development.
Po Kong the Mountain Demon is dead. She ended up becoming a meal for the Grimm.
After Atlantis was destroyed and that damn dragon Dojo was imprisoned Bai Tza, the Water Demon feeling like a failure as ruler wondered the seas destroying any Grimm that crossed her path. She eventually became a legend/myth, about a fearsome mermaid/sire that protects ocean travelers from the Grimm.
After being defeated in battle by her, Dai Gui the Earth Demon had sworn loyalty to Sartana of the Dead.
Tchang Zu Demon Sorcerer of Thunder along with Xiao Fung Demon Sorcerer of the Wing imprison thought not in the Demon Netherworld.
Last he had heard of Hsi Wu Demon Sorcerer of the Sky was turned into a statue.
And the less he had thought of Shendu, the Demon Sorcerer of Fire the better.
And here he was, Tso-Lan the Demon of the Moon, having ruled over this hidden kingdom for thousands of years.
The Earth had become too chaotic for his kind in the wake of the Grimm awakening from the Pool of Darkness. They had spread like a plague across the world, battling against not just mankind but demon kind as well. He along with his siblings fought against the Grimm in the beginning but the Grimm grew not just in numbers but in strength.
Then came the others:
The Gems
The Racing Drones
And the now deceased Bill Cipher(Good riddance)
It had been humiliating to retreat from those abominations but even Tso-Lan could recognize the valor in retreating from a losing battle. So, he took his kingdom to the one place he knew the Grimm could not follow him.
The Moon.
And now this man, this ghost had literally fallen into his lap.
In the old days, Tso-Lan would have used the potential use of this man to regain his rule over Earth, but he was no fool. Vlad Plasmius may be powerful, but he was just a big fish in an ocean and one mistake could undo the years of hard work he put into building and protecting his kingdom. He could tell that Vlad was both ambitious and vengeful, the kind of traits he and the rest of demon kind attracted.
But Tso-Lan was wise.
He might be tempted by the idea of more power, but he knew that Vlad would try to use and dispose of him when he was no longer useful.
So, he would have to wait and see what this man/ghost would do and if he presented a danger to his kingdom and people, Tso-Lan would show him why it was not wise to cross a demon.
Xxx
"So, you are from another universe that has its own planet Earth?" Lunaris asked, leading Vlad down a golden hallway.
"Yes." Vlad simply nodded, wanting to keep things light.
"And does Earth have its own Planet Moon?"
Vlad raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Yes, we have a Moon but why do you call it a planet?"
"Because that's what it is." Lunaris answered like it was simple.
"There are some people back home who would disagree." Vlad stated.
"And who are they to decide that? Do they live on the Moon? Do they know if there is truly life on the Moon or not? Or is because they think that just because the Planet Moon circles their planet that does not make our home a planet?" Lunaris stopped by a window overlooking the city. "Sounds like typical Earther arrogance to me."
Vlad stopped next to Lunaris, staring out at the city. "This sounds rather personal to you."
Lunaris held up his scepter that projected an image of Earth. "See that rock? My father General Meridian was terrified of it. Claimed to have seen mysterious objects launched of it. He was so afraid that he and Tso-Lan drove us into hiding underground which allowed the mites to become a problem in the first place."
"Mites?" Vlad asked.
"Moon Mites." Lunaris clarified as the image of Earth was replaced by a creature that had a grey, vaguely arachnid appearance with a massive cephalothorax, four relatively small legs, four eyes and cuttlefish-like mouth parts. "They eat our gold supplies that we use to build our city here in the Sea of Tranquility. This place, it is meant to be a form of protection, but it has only been a place of stagnation and cowardice because of my father and Tso-Lan."
"Fascinating." Vlad mused. "I take it you disagree with their philosophy."
"NO, I will not spend my life in fear of the Earth like my father. I would much rather prefer for the Earth to fear me." Lunaris grunted.
A small smile appeared on Vlad's face. "Perhaps we can help each other out then."
Lunaris faced Vlad with a skeptical look on his face. "You would offer to help in spite of my goals against your planet?"
"It's not my planet. As I said, I am from a different universe. This Earth means absolutely nothing to me." Vlad answered. "If you were willing to help me return to my Earth, I can perhaps be persuaded to help you in showing this Earth that your…Planet Moon is the top dog in this solar system."
"Is that so? You'll understand if I want to verify your sincerity?" Lunaris questioned.
"By all means." Vlad replied with a smile. "In the meantime, can we have a talk about finding a shower around here?"
Xxx
"You wanted to see me, Genki?"
Genki looked up and smiled, seeing Danielle and Kuki at the door with an unsure look on their faces. "Yes, Danielle. Come in."
Danielle did so, closing the door behind her and Kuki.
"Have a seat, both of you." Genki gestured to the two chairs in front of her desk.
Both girls shared a look before sitting down.
"Now, Danielle, you have been living with us for a while and unfortunately all attempts to find any relatives have shown any results." Genki began.
Danielle looked uneasy now, leading Kuki to grasp her hand. Genki could tell both girls were nervous now but gave a small smile to help calm them.
"With that said, my husband and I have been talking and in light of everything you have done for us, from saving us during the Golden Castle Incident, protecting Kuki and Mushi during the Crom Crises and then rescuing them both from the Ice Queen," Genki continued. "How would you feel if you were officially adopted into our family?"
Danielle's eyes went wide as dinner plates, and she stuttered. "Wh-Wha-Wha…."
Kuki on the other hand had a big smile on her face. "YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!"
She reached over and hugged Danielle tightly, pulling her off her chair and dancing around the room. Danielle just had a shell-shocked look on her face as she looked at Genki, managing to stutter out. "Re-Really?"
"Really." Genki nodded with a smile. "You've more than earned a place here and as you can plainly see, I think both Kuki and Mushi support the idea of you officially becoming family here."
"YES!" Kuki rapidly nodded. "YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES!"
Danielle could only hug Kuki back, a smile growing on her face. "If I say 'Yes' will you calm down?"
"YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES-YES!" Kuki went on saying.
Danielle just laughed before looking at Genki with a grateful smile. "…All right. I would love to be part of the family."
"Officially." Genki corrected as she walked around the desk, knelt down and hugged both girls. "If anything, I think Kuki and Mushi adopted you long before today."
Danielle could only smile and hug both Genki and Kuki back, beyond glad to be made part of a family.
Xxx
TICK-TOCK!
TICK-TOCK!
TICK-TOCK!
TICK-TOCK!
TICK-TOCK!
TICK-TOCK!
"And so, one chapter ends and another begins."
Far away, in a parallel dimension, a spectral being in a blue cloak and glowing red eyes gazed upon the image Danielle accepting being adopted into the Sanban family.
"From a change perpetuated by someone who was never supposed to exist, reaches out and touches more worlds in ways that should not be possible, creating new outcomes that change the course of the History That Was To Be." The specter changed from a man into an elderly man. "The History That Was, altered by now the Time That Now Is, influencing that Future That Is To Come."
He shifted into a childlike form as the image changed.
"At long last. I can return to the Ghost Zone and leave this world behind. And with my new armada, not even Daniel will stand a chance."
A tall ghost wearing black armor and emitting purple flames bowed to a large throne. "My king, I have news."
A pair of green eyes opened. "Speak."
"The ghost menace will never go away. We must remain ever vigilant."
"Dani Phantom can be a valuable ally to us. But that might change if her memory returns."
"She does not belong with you! You took her memories!"
"He walked out on us!"
"Only because we expected him to keep on being this amazing hero! You wanted him like that and when he couldn't find them you got all jealous on him to the point he couldn't stand you anymore!"
"I want you to be with me. You say they looked after you, but they took your memories. I know what it's like to be betrayed by family."
"He is our king and thus you are our princess."
Danielle, wearing a white princess dress blinked as the Fright Night bowed to her. "Rrrr-ight."
"Trust me." Mabel Pines leaned and whispered to Dani. "The whole Princess thing ain't what you'd think."
"Is it true? Did you really wipe my memories?" Dani frantically asked.
"No, it wasn't them." Dani turned around, facing a remorseful Kuki. "I did it. I am the one responsible."
"How could you spend all that time smiling and laughing at all the silly things we did while keeping this from me?" Dani turned away from Kuki.
"They only stayed with me for my powers. When I wanted a normal life they couldn't accept that and guilt me into taking them back. Then people crowded me, liking me only for being a hero with powers to the point I could not stand it anymore. My so-called friends and family refused to understand why I couldn't stand it anymore." The king held out his hand to her. "Come back with me, Dani. I know how you feel, and I promise you'll never have to fear from betrayal or lies ever again."
"If I didn't have my powers would you still have taken me in? Would you still consider me…part of your family?"
A giant castle floated in the sky over Japan.
"By decree of the Phantom King, the human and spirit worlds are to re,ain separate. All ghosts here will turn themselves to us…or face punishment by his His Majesty: The Phantom King, ruler of the Infinite Realms." The Fight Knight declared as an army of green glowing skeletons marched behind him.
"Time may change." Clockwork said as he returned to his prime form. "But Time never forgets."