"And so, Crom Cruach bites the dust…" Sammael chuckled as the chess piece representing Crom dissolved into ash. "Literally."

The Seer on the table in front of him projected an image of Kriegar. "Reporting as ordered, sir."

"Crom Cruach is no more." Sammael leaned back in his chair. "It seems he chose to devour himself over being imprisoned again. What's your status, doctor?"

"Proceeding as planned, sir. The original Dr. Kriegar's backdoor to the Grey Agency's files is still in place and I've already established a link to Clovis Bray's private files." Kriegar proudly answered. "With any luck they'll be made public by the end of the day."

"Good, good." Sammael praised with a satisfied smile. "So, Clovis Bray, Project YoRHa and the Grey Agency crippled all in one day with the likely apocalypse prevented. Crom Cruach was more than just a challenge in this case. He was our literal spark to light the fire."

"If I may ask, sir. How were you so sure that Crom was going to be defeated? He was powerful enough that I was unsure how anyone, even you could have stopped him." Kriegar could not help but say.

"Powerful yes but Crom failed to grasp the bigger picture. In his bid to force the world into worshipping him he effectively united them all against him. While it is possible that Shepherd's Cane was kept in a place that would have prevented him from destroying it he still overlooked the possibility that it would have found its way into the hand of someone who could use it." Sammael mused. "Unfortunately for him he allowed the staff and Cu Chullain to make their way to him at the worst possible time and he chose to start his Eternal Night in a way to terrify the population rather than just doing it. Theatricality has its uses but only at the right time. Now, see to it that all the information is spread across the Sky Web and make sure it's on all the news channels. I don't want just Sebben and any of the opposition to know, I want everyone to know." Sammael chuckled as he stood up, slowing pacing around the table. "I want it on the news, I want it in newspaper, I want it on radio, I want it screaming to every corner of the globe."

Sammael stopped and leaned over the table, looking directly at Kriegar's image. "I've learned there is no news like the news that galvanizes the paranoid and the fearful who hears all the worst conspiracy theories in the world."

"Coming right up, sir." Kriegar said with a grin.

Xxx

"Okay. We're on the boat. Now I just need to say the special incantation and we'll be at Avalon."

Juniper Lee braced herself, knowing this would probably be the biggest fight of her life. After all, she was going up a god, or a demon masquerading as a god. The myths and legends all get cobbled together and confusing after a while.

"And here we…" Jasmine Lee stopped, her eyes widening as she looked up. "What the-?"

Juniper turned and watched the many tree roots covering Orchid Bay City grow rotten and then break apart into dust, leaving the city absolutely fine. "Uh…Is this the next part of the evil god's evil plan?"

"Somehow I don't think so." Monroe commented, sitting at the steering wheel. "In fact, it's almost like the bad guy was stopped before we got there."

June and Jasmine shared a look. "You don't think…"

"Well, there might have been other heroes." Jasmine shrugged.

"But…" June's eyes widened as she realized what this might mean. "Wait…All this time we were getting ready and someone else defeated Crom instead of us?!"

"Easy, June." Jasmine calmed her granddaughter. "We should still make sure the city is all right after everything."

"You mean I'm on clean up duty now." June sighed as she discarded her armor. "Do I even need to erase anyone's memories of this? The whole world will be remembering that an evil god tried to take over for a long time."

"It wouldn't be hard to write it off as a natural disaster or a villain trying to take over with a weather machine." Monroe pointed out.

"Great. So pretend it never happened." June grunted as she turned around. "I was pulled back here to deal with a mad god and someone did the whole job for me."

"June, I know this is…annoying." Jasmine sighed. "But this is what comes with the job."

"And while we were here what was happening back in Gravity Falls with that triangle guy? Why was I called back if someone else could do it?" June complained, becoming slightly upset that she had been expected to help deal with the threat only for it to be taken care of. "What's the point of being the one everyone counts on if there are other people to help deal with it?"

Jasmine couldn't say anything else as her granddaughter marched away, leaving her and Monroe on the boat.

"You know…She has a point." Monroe said after a moment of silence. "Were the elders at least considerate of the possibility that some threats could be stopped by others?"

"The elders maintained that no one was to know about the magical guardian outside of the family." Jasmine sighed as she sat down. "At least with heroes like Valhallen and Miss Spell it can be overlooked, especially when they keep their origins secret to everyone but their closest friends."

"But the elders decreed there would only be one magical guardian." Monroe said, saying what both were thinking. "And that magic was to be kept secret from the rest of the world for fear of war."

"And because the existence of magic to people outside of Orchid Bay could bring greedy and dangerous people to it." Jasmine continued. "June thinks we can simply stop being guardians…But we're forced into this because magic is not a gift or a link to the past when things were different. It's a reminder…"

A reminder that Orchid Bay was one of the last few placed on Earth with anything remotely connecting humanity to the great powers that had been gifted to them by higher beings.

Xxx

With the curse of Van Rook's magic broken, everyone who was turned to gold began to return to their natural state, cracks from the gold surface spread across their bodies as the victims now freely moved once more. Unable to recall what happened, Steven brushed the gold pieces off him when they faded away while agents came in to help everyone up as Pearl and Garnet came to him.

"What happened?" Steven asked.

"I think, the last thing we remember was fighting Van Rook." Pearl replied, slowly remembering what happened.

Ross broke free from his gold prison and saw both Superboy and North get up after being turned to gold. "Everyone alright?" He asked to check and saw Yara and Amethyst help Bunny Bravo up.

Sam came in and when she saw him not gold like everyone she runs into his arms and smiles before pulling him in a kiss. "Just glad to know this ain't a dream." She said and was going for another until she saw Yara holding up a tablet causing both her and Ross to blush. "Hey!"

Yara snickered alongside Amethyst who was watching. "Hey, least you know it's not a dream…Unless you two are planning a vacation."

Jerry saw the spies and was relieved to see everyone back to normal. "Good to see you all not harmed."

A young blonde woman in a red bodysuit similar to Sam's walked over to him. "Much as I love some bling, I'd rather not be made into one by a curse thanks very much. Alex is checking on the other agents."

"That's good to hear, Clover. I think something must've happened while we were all turned to gold. I'll contact the Director of what happened." Jerry took his leave to report to his superiors but not before he noticed Clover taking a glance at Doyle and sighs by her usual look. "Oh, dear." Knowing her usual habit of meeting an attractive male since her teen years, Jerry simply chose to walk away.

"Hi there! I don't believe we met, my name's Clover." She said, giving a dreamy expression to the red-haired guy who was slightly startled by her sudden approach.

Sam and Ross's moment was interrupted when they saw what she was doing and rolled their eyes. "Ah, Clover, before you try anything I think he's taken." Ross told her while holding Sam in his arms.

"Uh, flattered but he's right. Don't think Erika's the sharing kind." Doyle didn't want to be rude and let down on her gently. Plus, he'd rather keep his body intact.

Yara groaned and held her head up. "Man, felt like I was unable to think but can now. Ugh, wait 'til I get my hands on that Van Rook."

"Oh, don't you worry, dear; first we need to help ourselves first before we do anything." Bunny assures her and then noticed someone missing. "Hold up, where's Johnny and Rossweise?" She asked, worried for her boy and feared he might be in trouble

"And where's Erika?" Doyle found out she was missing and searched for her until he suddenly remembered. "Wait... Van Rook was going for her!" He didn't need to know what his former mentor was on about in Celtic and must've taken her.

But before he let his anger get the better, his tablet vibrated and picked it up. "Hello? Erika? Oh, man, thank Odin! You ok? Wait, hold on I"ll need to get this on speaker or a screen." He turned to the agents. "Hey, does anyone have a link I could use?"

"Uh, sure." Sam came over and helped link up to show a screen revealing Erika. "There you go."

"Glad to see you are all back to normal." Erika commented.

"Where are you?" Doyle quickly asked. "And is Van Rook with you?"

"The answer to the second question is yes and the first question…Apparently I'm in Avalon."

"Huh?"

Xxx

"Yep. The real Avalon." Erika said, looking around and watching everyone recuperating from the battle against Crom and his Harvesters. "And the answer to the second question…"

Van Rook and Shego who were previously the Harvesters of Riches and Night were currently handcuffed and being carried away by Capital G and Action Hank to be handed over to the authorities. Goliath and the Gargoyles had volunteered to take Demona back with them, arranging with Xanatos to create a special prison for her. SAM-R-I had volunteered to take Danielle home while Raven, while wanting to speak with Danielle had been informed that the ghost girl had no recollection of her past life in the dimension she had come from or how she ended up here. As much as Raven wanted to speak with she decided now wasn't the best of times, considering they had just survived fighting a demon god and decided it would be best to try later.

And so with that said and done everyone began packing up and leaving Avalon with Cu Chullain and Rolf staying behind a little longer.

"He's here but he's not in gold armor anymore. I think when that axe was destroyed he lost his powers." Erika finished.

"Okay, we'll come and get you."

"No go on that one, Doyle. We're leaving soon so I'll meet you guys back in GrimmFall." Erika replied back. "I'll talk to you later."

She ended the call on her tablet after, taking a deep breath.

'What a day.'

Meanwhile Cu Chullain held the lamp that Crom had used to absorb the magic of the Children of Oberon and the goddess Yeshmiyek. "You ready?"

Rolf nodded.

"Good. Crom's lantern absorbed magic but your staff," Cu Chullain changed back into Rory. "Was made to manipulate magical energies and turn Crom's own power against him. That was how your ancestor weakened Crom to the point that he needed to absorb magic to regain his strength. Now that he is gone there is one last thing we must do."

Rolf nodded and held the Shepherd's Cane up before swinging it down and shattered the lamp. There was burst of light that shot up into the air, dozens of glowing orbs swirling around before landing around the two and taking the shape of the Fae who were absorbed by Crom. Rolf watched in awe as the goddess Yeshmiyek appeared before him and quickly bowed.

"Rise young Shepard. You'd need not bow to me." Yeshmiyek said with a soft smile as Rolf stood up. "Well done, young one. You have defeated Crom and fulfilled the vow of your ancestors."

"Rolf is honored to have play a part in the defeat of the evil one, She-Who-Is-Honored-Yeshmiyek." Rolf said, holding the Shepherd's Cane out to the goddess his people worship who calmly pushed it back to him. "But it is over. Rolf's ancestor's pledge has been fulfilled."

"Keep it." Yeshmiyek insisted. "It is your birthright and you may need it again."

In the meantime Rory watched as Oberon, King of the Fae stood before him with a composed look on his face. "Lord Oberon…"

"Cu Chullain." Oberon greeted, pleased to be free but at the time galled to have a human to thank for his release. "I see that Crom is no more. Pity. I would have wished for a chance to pay back the humiliation he had given me…But I will settle for punishing his helper."

Behind Rory stood the Banshee in her human disguise, Molly.

"Banshee, you betrayed your kind. Refusing to attend the Gathering is one thing but this…" Oberon narrowed his eyes. "This is unforgivable."

"Wait, Oberon." Rory spoke up, standing in front of Molly. "Banshee was the one who led me to the Shepherd's Cane that stopped Crom and freed you. If not for that Crom would be alive and likely ruling the world with all you all still trapped in his lamp. You owe her that."

"You dare to-"

"And you owe us for defeating Crom when you could not." Rory continued. "Therefore, I request as payment for our service, you release Banshee into my custody."

"Your custody?" Oberon snarled.

"Yes." Rory nodded. "I will keep an eye on her and ensure she causes no trouble. Banshee may be a Fae but she has despised being forced to serve under you and Crom. She was allowed freedom in Ireland by her mother, Danu before they departed to the Other World and you decreed all remaining Fae were your Children with her having no say in the matter."

"Of course she had no say. Oberon is the lord and master of the Twelfth Race." Oberon stated hauntingly.

"And yet if she stood with you against Crom she'd have shared your fate and thus never could have led me to the staff that saved you." Rory pointed out.

Oberon looked furious before his wife Titania stepped forward, placing a calming hand on his shoulder. "Given the circumstances of this debacle we could at least consider that Cu Chullain is right that Banshee's action helped lead to Crom's defeat. Perhaps a lesser penalty than the one I know you would give if she was a full traitor."

"Lesser penalty…I can think of one." Oberon looked at Molly. "From this day forward and for all days, Banshee is banished from Avalon with her powers sealed. She can never use that voice she treasure so much to enchant or torment the mortals as she did before."

Molly seemed calm as Oberon's law was decreed and his magic trapped her in human form.

"Take her and go." Oberon turned away, seeing the devastation brought to Avalon. "We must tend to our home."

Molly looked to Rory with a grateful look as they headed for the beach. "Thank you."

"You are glad to be mortal?" Rory asked.

"Please. I was a singer as a human. I do not need magic to sing as I did before…" Molly replied with a mysterious smile. "I am sure you remember. Besides, I'll take this over being trapped here with Oberon and the rest of his brats."

Rory sighed but smiled back. "Very well but I'll be watching you in case you cause trouble again."

"I am counting on it, o great hero of Ireland."

Xxx

"And the heroes save the day again."

Sebben's eye was closed again as Clovis Bray continued to speak. Short of actually punching him or telling him to shut up it was the most effective manner for dealing with him.

"Of course if not for Project YoRHa's assistance along with POINT the damage to GrimmFall would have likely been much, much more considerate. I hope you will remember that in the future and remember why this is necessary." Clovis stated smugly, strolling idly around the office as if he owned it. "Perhaps you would consider a partnership with us so we would be much more effective."

"I believe I'll pass. I have a career to think of and I must be careful of whom I consider partnering with." Sebben coolly replied, opening his eye. "We just managed to avoid worshiping a demon god that wanted everyone bowing to him. The last thing I need to do is to partner with a man who ego matches said demon god to the point that you tried to control one through illegal technology."

"It's hardly an ego when my methods have proven beneficial. You act so high and mighty but whether you admit it or not, the world needs people like me, Foxtail and Epsilon to keep you ahead of the enemy. Your little crystal eye can only do so much when looking for the single perfect possible future in a sandstorm of bad outcomes." Clovis stated, stopping in front of Sebben's desk. "You can't stop us, Sebben. We're going to keep this up and we're going to do whatever it takes to stay on top. We may have had a setback in controlling Crom with the SIVA nanites but if properly used they can turn the enemy into the next ally and you need all the help you can get."

"The SIVA nanites are and will always remain both illegal and abhorrent and if I or any of my friends end up having to clean up your mess like we did with Crom I will not bother with the law. I'll come to you myself." Sebben said, standing up slowly and looking Clovis in the eyes. "If there is one thing I cannot stand is the kind of people who act as though they are above cleaning up the messes they make. And I assure you, Clovis one day you will not only be caught in the very mess you made…You'll drown in it."

Clovis glared back. "I don't allow threats, Sebben. Even from you."

"It's not a threat." Sebben sat back down. "Just a feeling."

"Glob help us all if all we had to rely on against the enemy was your…feelings." Bray sneered and turned to the door. "My services don't come cheap, Sebben. You can expect a very pricey bill very soon."

Clovis slammed the door, heading to his personal airship.

"The nerve of that man." Callie Briggs snarled once he was gone. "He really thinks he's above and beyond reproach. That he can do all he wants and never be questioned."

"Up to now he has been." Sebben sipped a glass of water. "Funny isn't it?"

"Sir?"

"We were fighting against a deity, demanding us to worship him and love him as though he was the best thing to ever happen to this world."

Xxx

"Wow."

"So it's a magic cane?"

"Looks like an ordinary piece of wood."

"So cool!" Ed gushed.

Rolf was showing the Shepherd's Cane to his friends from Peach Creek and GrimmFall, feeling a little prideful to have the most prized relic of his ancestors.

"So, welcome to the club of magic users." Abby joked with a smile that caused everyone to chuckle.

"But it's never that simple is it?"

Xxx

"It's human nature to question everything around us, even rules that have been set in place for our protection. It's no surprise that we would even question the gods we believe in at one point or another."

"Papa!"

Kani smiled as his two daughters rushed over to him upon entering the house, giving him a big hug which he happily returned. Danielle was off to the side but was smiling as well as Genki followed after the girls, giving her husband a hug of his own while the girls hugged Danielle.

Xxx

"We can be bullied, we can be intimidated, we can be bribed and we can even be deceived."

Juniper Lee was sulking in her room, looking at her bracelet. She should be heading back to Gravity Falls to help with the Bill Cipher problem but at the moment…

She just wanted one moment to not care.

Luckily Jasmine was considerate enough to give her granddaughter some time to sort things out.

Xxx

"But at the end of it all, it only takes one person to ask the right question. Like a seed planted in the ground it takes time but eventually that seed grows into a flower that blooms."

Clovis Bray was lounging in his seat as his personal airship landed on the helipad atop his corporation's personal headquarters and when he stepped out he was expecting to be greeted with his associates and business partners ready to help continue his work.

What he didn't expect was the angry mob gathering outside his headquarters along with various police officers and the very military Frames his company made, greeting him as he stepped out. "What is going on?"

"Clovis Bray." The lead officer stepped forward. "You are under arrest."

"Under arrest?" Clovis asked, looking outraged. "On what charges?"

"Multiple counts of conspiracy, blackmail, fraud, obtaining and use of illegal technology banned by the United Nations and Huntsmen Association, murder through unsanctioned missions. There is also the matter of a will that was left concerning the matter of the machines used in what is called Project YoRHa and your complicity in using them in said missions."

Clovis Bray's eyes widened as he was cuffed and the officers moved to take him to police headquarters for booking. "You can't do this to me! You can't do to me! I am protected! I'll have all your jobs!"

Xxx

"That single flower can be the foundation for great change."

"Erika!"

The Viking Huntress smiled as Yara ran up and hugged her. "Hey."

"So you made it back okay?" Ross asked as the rest of Team REYN along with Artemis and Connor walked up to meet their valued comrade.

"Yep." Erika nodded and smiled as Doyle appeared behind the group.

They all parted and allowed Doyle to walk up and give her a hug.

"Next time, be sure to bring us along." Doyle whispered.

"I'll try to remember." Erika whispered back.

Xxx

"Changes like these can shake the very foundations of the world."

Though they were not exactly complicit in Crom's schemes, Shego and Van Rook were still considered criminals for their past crimes and immediately taken away to await trial. They spent the night in GrimmFall prison but were then placed on an airship to be taken to the underwater prison in the North Pole. Given the recent troubles all over the world only two jets were able to provide escort to the airship containing the prisoners. Van Rook was complaining about the quality of the cages they were kept in while Shego was silent.

The memories she had as the Harvester of Night were enough to render even her sarcastic tongue still while Van Rook simply decided to complain away his troubles. Suddenly the two escorting jets were shot down and what looked like a rocket sped around the airship. Before the pilots could react there was a yellow light and they were almost thrown out of their seats when the airship was stopped.

"Attention pilots. You will be set down on an island below and allowed to leave. Take what you need to survive and call for help. You will only have thirty seconds to leave the airship or I will be forced to eliminate you." An electronically enhanced voice boomed.

Shego perked up at the sound of the voice but remained silent as the airship was forced down onto the island it spoke of. As soon as the ship was set down, the yellow light disappeared and the pilots immediately vacated.

BOOM!

A hole was blown into the hull of the ship, forcing the two prisoners to cover their faces. When the smoke cleared a blond haired woman entered.

Shego's eyes widened in recognition upon seeing the person. "Adrenna Lynn."

The Daredevil Huntress herself walked confidently up to Shego's cage, placing a small explosive on the lock. "Long time no see, Shego. Still green with envy I see."

Shego glared but said nothing as the Huntress stepped back, detonating the explosive that blasted open the cage. Adrenna walked in, producing a small pistol that she aimed and shot at Shego's chains, freeing her.

"Well?" Adrenna asked, holstering her pistol. "Are you going to move or do I have to pick you up and carry you out?"

Shego stood up, walking past Adrenna who threw a look at her for the lack of gratitude.

"Hey! What about me?" Van Rook called out as the two women headed for the hole.

"Sorry, big guy. I was only paid for greenie here." Adrenna replied.

"I can pay you! I have several off shore accounts from my work with V.V. Argost!" Van Rook said quickly. "You know Argost? Super rich celebrity?"

Adrenna stopped at the hole while Shego jumped out. "…Go on."

Shego landed on the ground and looked up; watching as a familiar hovercraft slowly came down and landed in front of her. Dr. Drakken himself stepped out, opening the front door and stepped out, stopping in front of Shego who simply stared back. He held out his hand to hair, a possibly concerned look on his face as he noticed the strange look on her. Shego stared at the hand…And then walked past it. She got into the hovercraft and sat on the passenger side.

Drakken followed in, sitting next to her on the passenger side just as Adrenna stepped out with Van Rook.

"Hey! Don't forget my pay!" Adrenna shouted.

"It's been forwarded to your account already!" Drakken hollered back as the hovercraft took off into the air.

Xxx

"They can leave lasting impressions."

Kim Possible was hugged not only by her father and mother but also by Ron and Rufus when she stepped out of the car in front of her house. Feeling so glad to be home Kim closed her eyes and hugged them back. She had been through a lot in the last twenty four hours and though she was shook up…She was okay.

And she knew she was going to get through this.

Step by step.

Xxx

"For some they can be deep wounds."

Demona howled as she attempted to break free of the special prison funded and created by Xanatos who watched with Goliath and the rest of the Manhattan Clan.

Xxx

"For others, the start of something new."

Macbeth was happy to be back at the Empire City University, collecting notes when a voice stopped him. "Excuse me? Are you Professor Macduff?"

He turned around, facing a woman with long orange hair and green eyes with a face so familiar that he dropped the notes. 'Gruoch?!'

It couldn't be her!

He of all people knew it couldn't be her!

But this woman…She looked so much like his deceased wife.

"Oh sorry!" The woman bent down and picked up the notes, giving him time to regain this senses. "I have a bad habit of surprising people. I am trying to work on that."

"Oh, it's no trouble." He accepted the notes back. "And you are?"

"Emma Wright." The woman introduced herself. "I am a new teacher who transferred from Scotland. I was a guest about your lectures the other day and you seem to know so much I wanted to meet you. You speak so much of Scotland history as if you were there."

"Oh, it's just a matter of knowing your history." Macbeth laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "Transferred from Scotland you say?"

"Yes and…Pardon me for being so bold." Emma produced recording on her tablet. "There are rumors of a visitor during the Crom crises."

Macbeth looked at the picture, seeing himself when he returned to Scotland, asking for help from the warriors against Crom.

"I believe this might be the legendary King Macbeth and he looks a lot like you…I don't mean to pry or accuse…" Emma trailed off a bit. "I just…Wanted to meet you and say…Thank you." She finished with a smile on her face. "And maybe ask you a bit more about Scotland's history and your stance on equal rights for everyone, including Gargoyles and Faunus."

The way she spoke, it was so similar to his wife when she was young and the intense intellect in her eyes balanced by kindness seemed to draw him to her.

He did believe in love at first sight.

It happened with his beloved Gruoch after all.

So with that, taking a leap of faith he smiled to her. "Miss Wright, I'd be glad to offer insight to a fellow colleague…How about over lunch?"

"That sounds great!" Emma smiled, a little too enthusiastically and took a deep breath to calm herself. "Sorry, I can get a little excited at time."

"It's no trouble, Miss Wright. I know a little café around the corner." Macbeth offered an arm which Emma grabbed. "The meals they make are so well done from scratch you'd think you were dining at the finest establishment in town."

With that: the former King of Scotland, now a teacher and ascendant warrior walked off speaking to his new friend.

Hope had never burned so bright in him in so long.

Xxx

"Others, a sign of what may yet come."

"What do you mean Ed's mom is in an asylum and his sister is missing?!"

Ed was completely silent the two officers from Child Services told him and his friends what happened at Peach Creek.

"His sister is missing and the mother was in a depressed state. She was taken to be observed but so far there is no evidence to suggest that she was in any way responsible." The officer reported. "For now, is there anyone Mr. Hill can stay with?"

"Rolf shall take in the Ed-boy." Rolf offered, holding the Shephard's cane.

"And where's Jimmy?" Nazz asked.

Xxx

"Are you sure about this?"

During the whole Crom crisis Jimmy took the chance to slip away from the Hall of Heroes when no one was looking. Sitting on his shoulder was his new 'best friend', a creature like Agunimon that was called a Digimon.

Its name was DemiDevimon.

"Positive, kid." The bat like creature said. "Trust me. I can make you strong but the deal goes both ways. You got to help me get strong too."

"How do I do that?"

"Let's get far enough from all the goodies and I'll tell you."

Xxx

"And maybe to an important decision we all eventually have to make."

As soon as the Crom crisis was over, celebration spread across the world but there was an extra reason to celebrate in Japan.

SAM-R-I had returned.

Kani Sanban along with the rest of his family and their charge returned to the temple in Ishimura but he did not return the helmet to its original resting place.

There had been a price to pay for putting it back on.

'If you wish for my assistance then there will be a price. You have seen the new dangers appearing. SAM-R-I must return. Either take up the mantle again or find someone who will.'

The problem was it's going to be difficult to either juggle his responsibilities as Prime Minister or SAM-R-I or to find a replacement. Sure, his wife took on occasional Huntress duties but only because she often left the matters of Sanban Industries in the hands of those she trusted and were closest to her. This was much different.

"Mr. Sanban?"

Kani looked up from the helmet, turning to watch Danielle walk onto the balcony with him. "Danielle. Shouldn't you be celebrating with the others?"

"I think everyone celebrated enough for the day." Danielle looked at the helmet. "So…That turns you into a super hero."

"Yes." Kani said bluntly.

"…You really looked like a hero wearing it." Danielle commented. "I can see why everyone looked up to you."

"They looked up to SAM-R-I, not me." Kani replied. "I retired because I wanted to be there for my daughters as best as I could, even after my political career."

"And you've made it count." Danielle said.

"But now I am at a crossroads. When I put the helmet back on a contract was made." Kani continued. "I either have to take up the mantle to protect Japan again…Or I find someone else to succeed me."

"It can't be hard. Japan has had the largest number of Hunters in the world." Danielle pointed out.

"It's been cut down in the last few years because of the Kaiju Grimm and I have to be careful about who I choose." Kani remarked.

"…Was I considered?"

Kani looked at Danielle. "What?"

"Were you ever considering me?" Danielle asked, glancing at the helmet.

"Danielle…It's not that simple. When you put the helmet on, your soul is bonded with the spirit inside it. It allows you to access the spirit's memories and abilities but you can only take off the helmet through a contract with the spirit and breaking it can be very dangerous." Kani looked back at the helmet. "I would never ask you to put it on. You are too young for that and even if your powers make you strong enough to be worthy…It's hard to tell if the people who gave me the helmet would approve. You shouldn't offer, this is not your problem to fix."

"Okay…I was just asking." Danielle said, accepting the explanation.

"You'd do better to put it out of your mind. I spent the last decade putting this off." Kani said reassuringly. "In the meantime, there is something my wife had something to say."

"Really? What?"

"Dani!" Before Kani could answer Kuki rushed in with an excited look on her face. "Mama has a big surprise for you."

"A surprise?" Danielle stood up with a confused look on her face.

Kuki eagerly nodded. "Yep. You'll never guess what it is. Go on, try to guess."

"Kuki, it's been a long week. I am not much in the mood for guessing games." Danielle relied, still a bit tired out from the whole evil god trying to take over the world problem.

"But that's the fun part of surprises. You never know what it is. I guarantee this one will make you faint." Kuki giggled.

"Yeah, sure it will." Danielle said sarcastically.

"Oh?" Kani could see the evil in the grin Kuki was now sporting and had a bad feeling she had something planned for poor Danielle. "Is that a bet?"

"Kuki." Danielle sighed.

"Come on. What's the harm? You say you won't be surprised or faint so you're okay." Kuki said innocently.

"All right. All right. I'll take the bet." Danielle relented. "What's the stake?"

"You have to clean our room, our parent's room and every room in the temple wearing whatever outfit Mushi and I pick out for you for one week and when we get home you have to clean our rooms there too without ghost powers for another week." Kuki answered, pointing at Danielle with a grin so evil it looked like her teeth turned razor sharp like a demon.

Kani actually paled a bit.

Danielle rolled her eyes. "Okay, can we go now?"

Kuki changed back to her innocent persona as she grabbed Danielle and dragged her out of the room.

"Oh, that poor girl." Kani sighed once they were gone. "I should have warned her."

There was a reason why his wife was named Demon Blade of the East and her daughters, especially Kuki had shown to have inherited those traits even if they were still just children.

Heaven have mercy on poor, ignorant Danielle.

Xxx

"Mr. Bunny is buying that rock I found in the ocean?"

Okay, it was surprising.

But not enough to make her faint.

"That rock is genuine Red Sea glass. I trust that Genki-san explained to you how they are made. They are practically the Holy Grail of sea glass collectors." Genki's business partner, Bugs Bunny explained and continued when Danielle nodded. "So when found they can be fashioned into jewelry and red happens to be one of the rarest colors so that makes it very pricy."

"How pricy?" Danielle asked skeptically.

"Well, given the size and shape of it along with the rarity and the idea of what I can make out of it." Bugs offered up a check to Danielle. "We're willing to offer you this much."

Danielle's eyes widened when she saw the exact number on the check. "Wha-Wha-Wha-WHA?!"

"I think this can help cover your tuition fee for applying to Yamanouchi Academy." Bugs said with him and Genki looking amused at the shocked look on Danielle's face. "I was just talking to Genki-san about setting up an account for you to make sure you are covered in Japan and America."

"Wha-Wha-Wha…" Danielle couldn't believe how much she was being offered.

She was being offered that much over a rock?!

"Kuki, catch her." Genki quickly said, knowing what was about to happen.

Kuki immediately got behind Danielle as she fell back, falling into her arms rather than on the floor and was completely knocked out.

"Was the price not high enough?" Bugs asked innocently.

"I think it'll cover all the immediate concerns." Genki said as Kuki placed the unconscious Danielle on the couch. "I believe she'll accept as soon as she wakes up."

Danielle woke up about ten minutes later, numbly accepting the check and was still unable to believe she was getting.

All over a rock!

"Well, this is has been one surprising week hasn't it?" Genki asked, sitting next to Danielle on the couch after Bugs left.

"Yeah, no kidding." Danielle leaned back on the couch. "I keep wondering if I hit my head back on that island."

"Well, let me assure you it's real." Genki smiled, patting Danielle on the shoulder. "I know you were a bit worried about lacking the means to support yourself but you shouldn't worry about that, Danielle. You are a child, not a full grown adult. That responsibility is left to me and my husband."

"He talked to you about that?" Danielle asked, glancing at her.

"Not entirely but I picked it up. I'm good at reading people." Genki admitted but kept her smile. "But I stand by what I said, even though you are more responsible than any other child I know of. Take the time to enjoy yourself now while you still can."

Danielle offered a small smile. "Okay…"

"Besides, you might be earning your pay sooner than you think." Genki's own smile turned slightly evil.

"Huh?"

"Oh, Dani!" Kuki and Mushi called out together.

Danielle paled slightly, remembering the bet. "…Uh-oh."

Kuki and Mushi rushed in and grabbed Danielle by the arms, dragging her to her feet. "Come on! You lost the bet so now you have to try on what we agreed!"

"What is that exactly?" Danielle asked hesitantly as she was dragged off into their room, followed by Sayoko.

Genki smiled, sipping her tea and simply waited. When the door opened she saw what Kuki and Mushi had chosen for Danielle. They chose a traditional shrine maiden uniform with a red hakama, a white kosode and her hair was tied back in a low pony tail by a red ribbon and a red sash tying the entire outfit together.

"Isn't she pretty?" Kuki asked her mother while Danielle looked embarrassed.

"She is indeed." Genki nodded, quickly taking a picture with her tablet. "So she has to clean every room in the temple?"

"Yep and no super powers." Kuku said, raising a finger and pointing in between Danielle's eyes. "We'll know."

"Come on! Let's go find her a broom!" Mushi said and ran off, followed by her sister.

"This…" Danielle looked over her outfit. "Is going to be a long week."

"Don't worry. I'll talk the girls into having you just clean their room and your rooms back home." Genki reassured the ghost girl. "But the outfit stays for a week."

"I can handle that." Danielle sighed. "Cleaning up our rooms and dusting the front porch here for a week and then back at the Sanban house."

"Assuming…" Genki snickered. "That outfit is the same one they've picked for home."

Danielle looked confused so Genki clarified. "The bet was you wear whatever my daughters picked for you and I have two. So who says they only picked one?"

Danielle's eyes widened and she paled. "Oh no…"

Xxx

(The End)

(Credits: The Chosen One by A2 Starts to Play)

Written by Lord Maximus

Special Thanks to ArchPsion, EndeavorT, GREAT-CELESTIAL-DRAGON, RothPrime

I can't remember

Anything at all

I've been turning it all around

I'm sorry

Oh so sorry

Is this what I have become?

Wish I may

Wish I might be someone else tonight

Sometimes I wish I was never born at all

And I'll try to save the world

'Cause in the end I know

I'm the chosen one

I'm the chosen one

I can't remember

What I used to be

Something's turning me upside down

You made me

I love you

But I can't change the things I've done (I'm the chosen one)

Wish I may

Wish I might be someone else tonight

Sometimes I wish I was never born at all

And I'll try to save the world

'Cause in the end I know

I'm the chosen one

The chosen one

...

Wish I may

Wish I might be someone else tonight

Sometimes I wish I was never born at all

And I try to save the world

'Cause in the end I know

I'm the chosen one

I'm the chosen one

The chosen one

The chosen one

(The Chosen One by A2 Ends)

Xxx

"We'll be back in the morning, Blinky. Everything okay back there?"

"Actually, Master Jim we may have a problem."

Jim raised an eyebrow. "A problem?"

"Something was spotted in the sewers of Hoboken. It was wearing armor and it attacked a few Trolls already."

"Attacked?" Jim stood up. "Was anyone hurt?"

"No but I have a feeling it was waiting for you, Master Jim. The armor and sword….It's not a Gum-Gum by any means but it could be trouble."

"We'll be there in the morning, Blinky. Keep clear of the sewers until then." Jim said and then hung up, watching as the airship meant to take him, Merlin and Claire back to New Jersey landed.

Xxx

When Sebben heard word that Bray's secrets were released a public outcry had immediately started. He heard that the Russian government seized control of the Bray Corporation and arrested Clovis Bray II, no doubt good making sure that no one learned that they were supporting him. He looked at the Russian article displaying an image of Bray being taken away by military Frames that his company made for the Russian military and thought it ironic before he returned to his video call.

"And the government is asking for you to take over the company Anastasia?" Sebben asked.

"Yep and I'm afraid I don't have an actual choice in the matter." The screen showed a 25 year old woman of Asian descent. This was Anastasia Bray the adopted daughter of Clovis Bray II. "It's no secret to the public that I never agreed with how my father ran the company so the government wants me to take over so the company can maintain its old business partners and bring in new ones who I have connections with."

"All to please the masses I suppose. The Russian government knows that they need the Bray corporation for their space program, Frame combat units, weapons, and any other new invention." Sebben said.

"And since my sister Elsie was admitted into psychiatric hospital after she used a device she invented to look into the future and instead saw multiple futures and went insane I was the only one available." Ana said with a bored expression. Sebben had heard that Ana was free spirited and adventurous, she even received Huntress training and obtained a PhD in psycholinguistics. Having to take over her foster family's company was definitely something she didn't want to do.

"When they temporarily took over they discovered some alien tech dad had secreted away my guess is he was using it to be assimilated into the tech he was making." Ana said. "Now they want me to do the same."

"Any idea what it all does?" Sebben asked.

"We were able to identify a few of them one is some sort of energy source we named Arc energy and another is some sort of FTL drive we're calling jumpdrive. It can send a spaceship anywhere for example it can send a ship from Earth to Pluto in a few minutes." Ana said.

"Sammael was no doubt behind this little stunt. He may have been hoping to bring down YoRHa and the Bray Corporation all at the same time or to make them choose a side that wasn't grey." Sebben said.

"Well he certainly got his wish." Ana said. "I'll be tightening the security in the Bray network. I can contact my girlfriend Camrin and ask her to send some of Owl Sector's best programmers to help improve Bray Corp's cyber security to make sure this doesn't happen again. Goodbye Sebben."

"Goodbye and best of luck to you, Ana." Sebben closed the connection and exhaled before an incoming call immediately broke the silence of his office. "…strange, I didn't see that coming."

He answered the call. "Phil Ken Sebben here, who may I ask is calling?"

"Sebben?! Oh man, I finally got through!"

"X?" Phil's one visible eye blinked. "How did you get this number? I thought you were black listed from this network."

"Nevermind that! I'm in trouble, I'm in it deep up to my neck!"

Phil sighed. "Calm down and explain it to me. Is this connected to Crom?"

"Croc? Who the heck is- oh, nevermind." X sighed. "Everyone else will forget him by next week anyways. Listen: I'm in the mirror dimension. I got punted here by some show stealing hack! Actually I may be in the Puppet Dimension too. I have three sets of eyes and two of them are having a tea party with Hoss Delgado…and man, he has not been doing well there, let me tell you."

Sebben pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'll arrange for someone to bring all three versions of yourself back to our dimension as soon as I-"

"No-no-no! Not that! That isn't the problem at all!" X groaned.

"Then what is?"

"Contest of Kings! The heir to the throne who nobody knew about had sex with his aunt, then killed her!" X exclaimed. "And I'm the only one who seems to have a problem with that!"

"…X, are you really calling me over one of the most heavily encrypted channels in the solar system…to complain about a television series?"

"What, you can't not be as upset about this as I am!" X argued. "I mean I thought it was bad when Team Ragnarok got beamed up to Alfheim with Sammael's pet snake but this so takes the cake! And I thought season seven was bad! I swear it went downhill after season four when that dashing prince got his eyes plucked out! And why do they call it Contest of Kings if there are practically no Kings left by the end of it! Seriously, there were so many Queens by the end of it that I think even the creepy little bird boy was secretly a girl."

"Stop-stop-stop." Sebben said quickly.

"Why, am I spoiling it?"

"No, I prefer the books. Everyone gave up after season four." Sebben replied. "What did you say about Team Ragnarok?"

"Yeah, remember that no talent hack I mentioned? Well he was complaining about them sucking so bad that he holds a regular talk show about it! And even though he hates me I was the only one besides that couch potato to even appear on his show!"

From the background came another voice. "You weren't a guest, you murdered my chicken!"

"Hey! This epilogue already has a fourth wall breaker!"

"Focus!" Sebben raised his voice. "Sammael's Pet Snake…tell me that you aren't referring to…him."

"You bet your all seeing butt I am! But hey, odds are the author for that one won't actually get around to it for months so let's not say the name at all and keep dancing around with pronouns to artificially build tension." X suggested. "Unless the idiot with the chicken gives it away. Hey, how'd it taste anyways?"

A gunshot rang through the phone, causing Sebben to lean away a bit.

"That bad, huh?" X sighed. "Everybody's a critic."

"X…I'll see you in a week." Sebben sighed and hung up, fighting off a new headache.

"How could Sammael have gotten him onto Alfheim of all places?" He whispered. "And why there?"

Whatever Sammael's reasons, he could trust that it was all part of the Fallen's grand scheme. No moves were made without some far reaching purpose...

And yet he had no way to warn Team Ragnarok.

"I don't suppose you have any ideas for how to deal with this, do you?" He looked across his desk to an occupied chair which slowly turned to face him.

"Buck-buck."

At the feet of this individual, an electronic translator lit up. "I may have an idea or two. Give me an air ship and the last location of the mercenaries who engaged them in Denver and I'll see what I can do."

"Of course, given that you were able to accurately identify them and this Shirley individual it was very much easy to pin and track them. I suppose Charlemagne's talk-show was good for one thing." Sebben began to transfer the requested information to a tablet resting by the speaker's feet.

"Buck-buck."

"Don't remind me. If I never see that babbling idiot again it will be too soon."

"Best of luck to you in your mission…Colonel Sanders."

Colonel Sanders stepped into the light and lightly pecked at a dish of feed next to him. "Buck."

"I make my own luck."

Xxx

"My, my, Danielle. Don't you look…cute."

Danielle was blushing red as she entered the kitchen of the Sanban estates. One week had passed by already and she was done with the miko uniform…Only to wind up wearing the maid uniform picked out for her by Mushi. It was a black off shoulder dress with a white apron and frills with straps on her arms and a collar around her neck. She had dark grey stockings on her legs and black high heels on her feet while wearing white gloves. To complete the look she wore a white maid headband over her head.

"Mr. Sanban, don't take this the wrong way but…" Danielle took a deep breath. "I think your daughters might be demons disguised as little girls."

To her surprise Kani actually chuckled. "Well, their mother is known as the Demon Blade of the East for a reason and it's not just because of her skills. I should have warned you. So, you're their maid now?"

"Having been sent to pick up real tea for their Rainbow Monkey tea party." Danielle said, grabbing a tray and placing tea cups on it. "So far I have just been cleaning up their room and my room and any room with them in it but…" She shuddered. "I feel like I'm the pawn of some master plan. Kuki's even making ideas for what I can be when she's the head of the Rainbow Monkey Corporation."

This time Kani shuddered. "You poor soul. They are going to pull you into the heart of all evil."

Danielle raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that a little dramatic?"

"Dramatic? Is it dramatic to label a faceless multi-billion dollar corporation that easily sells the same toy model over and over again only with different colors and outfits at reasonably low prices so the parents will be forced to buy each and every one because the children just want catch them all as the ultimate evil?" Kani asked, sounding increasingly distressed by the end of his rant. "…and they may be planning to make you their butler/servant/ninja/baby sitter/secretary/body guard/mascot. Fair warning."

Danielle looked really scared now as she backed away. "O….kay. I think I am going to just take the tea now."

Just as she was halfway out she suddenly felt cold, shivering slightly. "That's…weird…"

She was suddenly overtaken by a sudden coldness as she fell to the ground, shivering now as she curled up.

"Danielle!" A few maids rushed over as Kani stood up and walked over to her. "What is happening?"

A maid yelped when she touched Danielle. "She's freezing!"

A maid quickly picked up Danielle as she let out a gasp of visibly cold air. "Call the doctor!"

Xxx

Inside the Hall of Heroes a certain tear shaped Gem started to glow.

Xxx

A green blob floated in the middle of the ocean, coming to a halt on a beach where a girl with long brown hair and blue eyes spotted it.

"What is that?"