Tommorow's Way: Jan's autobiography (incomplete)

Dramatis Persone


Jan Hakura IV: The only male heir of the Hakura Ruling family (Starting in Jan Hakura I), Jan is unsure of himself,, having returned from a teaching job in Hong Kong to the Naruto World. The specializes in Magus Studies, but is also thoroughly devoted to his holder sister.

Aoi Hakura: Jan’s sister and the temporary leader of the Hakura Clan. Physically frail and being confined to a wheelchair (as a result of all the bones in her leg damaged), she nevertheless has a strong will. However, she cares quite a lot for Jan and will go out of her own way to help her. When she wishes to fight, she usually employs the Quincy Rasentongai technique to allow her some mobility, although she is a Jounin-leveled opponent even in a wheelchair.


Miyuki Hakura & Kazuya Hakura: Jan's mother and father. Miyuki Hakura was the daughter of Mizuki Hakura nad Kirei Hakura. Kazuya was married into the family. Kazuya nad Miyuki were both killed by Akatsuki in seperate occasions.


Kuroi: The killer of Jan and Aoi’s mother, Miyuki Hakura, and daughter of Kagami, the Crimson Serpent of Sound. She is part of the intertwining of the fates of house Hakura and the House of Orochimaru. She has surpassed her mother in skill, and can hold off a kage in combat with relative ease, shown when she kills the kage of Cloud in a single battle. She is not, however, evil.


Patricia McDowell: A Rich Magus from Georgia who was Jan’s mentor in marksmanship. She is considered a “genius Magus” by the association and is a master in Gun Magic. She is from Georgia, but she was raised in New York and trained in West Point, and dislikes Britishmen (Which is Ironic, as all Hakura speak with a London or Scottish accent)


Kiri Hakura: cheerful twin of Kiri. While she is incapable of using handseals, she is a good housekeeper for Aoi, She IS, however, skilled in poisons.


Siri Hakura: Nonidentical twin of Kiri, and the more quiet of the two. Reserved, Siri is excellent at swordsmanship and clumsy with just about everything else. She is Aoi’s bodyguard.


Lucius Harkins: Jan’s British friend in the university and Jan’s voice of reason. Very feminine in appearance, he is also an excellent cook and a costume fetishist.


Serra: an exorcist for the Black Order. She, like her master, specializes in musical instrument—typed innocence.


Xu Ling: Pontifex of the Holy Church. Chinese, but is considered the fastest Hirenkyaku user in all history. He has a weakness for sweets, especially lollipops.


Zeke: He appears later.

Prologue

Hong Kong, 1924

“Soul Society’s flagrant indifference with technology has caused it to fall behind in the exploration of the new world, and in years past, a war fought against the Holy Church resulted in its defeat and the death of three captains, punctuated only by the Holy Church’s defeat in all areas in Africa save Ethiopia. Tomorrow, I want a two-page response on the wars among Soul Society, the Holy Church and the Magus Association. Tests on Thursday. Dismissed.” Jan Hakura IV sat down wearily on his chair as the students filed out. Damn it, that was tiring… the classroom was empty as he slumped onto the chair. “Sleeping again?” Jan jerked to wakefulness at the head of almost feminine-looking golden hair reflected the lamplight. Lucius Harkins smiled wanly, sipping from the massive mug of tea (Earl Gray on weekdays, Green on weekends) that he carried around. “Yeah…I read that the average 15-year old needs at least 8 hours of sleep.” “Heh…are we average 15-year olds?” Lucius was even more drawn out than Jan. Actually slightly younger, Lucius had deep shadows under his eyes, and his once-youthful (not to mention girlish) face was now drawn out from approximately three ours of sleep and copious amounts of caffeine. “Well, in any case, Jan, you’ve got a letter.” “A letter? I get letters everyday.” “It’s from the other world.” “So?” “From your sister.” Jan’s head snapped back up like a mousetrap. Since he was eight, he had been raised by the Tohsaka Family. A prestigious line of Magus, Jan had lived in London, Nuremburg and then Hong Kong for around seven years. He and Lucius were one of the many “Genius Chidlren” chosen by the Holy Church and Magus Association. As a preliminary training, they always were teachers at universities, in hopes that it would help their home country in years to come. Mail from his older sister was unusual. “Can I have it?” “Sure.” Lucius handed over a scroll. Jan scanned through it quickly. Lucius watched worriedly. The two had known each other since when Jan had first arrived from the other world, and the two were considered by many to be like brothers. Jan finished, putting the scroll down silently. “What happened?” “The temporary leader of the Hakura Clan, my Grandfather, died. Since my sister…isn’t physically capable of leading, I’m going to have to take over.” He didn’t seem too happy. “…uhhh…isn’t that a good thing?” “…Their world is, to say the least…barbaric. I don’t even know why the Magus Association doesn’t just declare war.” “…You come from there, you know.” Jan looked out the window. “Family name means nothing…I serve the British Empire…this place…this world…is my home…it’s where I belong.” Lucius put a hand on his shoulder and grinned wearily. “Jan…it’s your family…go, I’m sure you’ll like it. I’ll see if I can visit you later.” Jan grinned back unsteadily. “Alright…”

Chapter 1

4 days later, Clock Tower, London

“Damn it, I hate traveling…” Jan unsteadily dragged his giant bag. It’d be so much easier to fly… H elooked nervously around. It was too much to hope that nobody would notice a 15-year old boy suddenly take to the sky on a broomstick, especially in an Anglican country like England. He may as well put on a satan mask and walk around muttering incoherently in front of a bishop. Behind him, Lucius followed, pushing another trolley of luggage up the steps. “Wow, Jan…do you really need all this? I mean…why do you need 42 packs of Pencils and a Springfield Rifle?” “They don’t have those things in the other world, do they?” “Well, yeah, but what’s with the the violin and the pocketwatch?” “Just come on.” The “Gate” to the other world was completely surrounded by technicians and British Soldiers. It resembled seomthing transplanted from the Hermit Kingdom (Japan), a prayer gate or something like it. Jan turned to Lucius. They had not lived any more than 4 miles from each other since birth. “Iguess this is goodbye then.” “Yep…well….good luck.” Lucius waved as Jan walked into the gate, determinedly not looking back. He closed his eyes as he neared the gate. Jan felt something glowing brightly—and then he opened his eyes. Sunlight was streaming through an oriental-looking window. Three people walked in that Jan recognized from the encyclopedia as “Shinobi,” basically Ninja with magical powers that had overthrown the previous Samurai government. Cowards, that means… Dressed in heavy, green robes, they both bowed slightly. “Welcome back, Master Hakura.” “Uhhhh…Jan will do.” They walked forwards much more like jailers than escorts from the gate, where a bespectacled girl was waiting in the traditional clothes of a Victorian Maid. “Are you Jan Hakura?” Jan nodded. “Good. Then welcome home, Professor. My name is Kiri, and I’ll escort you to meet your sister.” Jan mentally thanked her that he wasn’t called “Master”. He had been known by “Professor” for some time, and he thought it fit him better. They went down another corridor and entered an oriental dining room. Someone spoke from across the table. “Welcome home, Jan.”

Aoi Hakura smiled brightly. She had the same face as Jan—good when plain but somewhat marred if affected by cosmetics. She wore the same robe, but also a long dress that Jan knew obscured the bandages on her legs. Behind her wheelchair was someone who resembled Kiri, down to even the glasses. Aoi motioned to the girl. “That’s Siri…and obviously you’ve met Kiri. Like I said, welcome back to your home.” She wheelchaired over. And I left her like this… He still remembered the last day here well. no matter…she looks far stronger now than she did six years ago. Two years older than Jan, Aoi had the more mature side of the Hakura family (Their grandfather, Kirei, had used to insist that their grandmother’s side was more dominant in Jan). She had broken her legs when Jan had been seven…

Chapter 2

8 years ago

Miyuki Hakura, wife of Kazuya Hakura, watched the battle below. Their son, Jan, was nearby. Her red eyes gave testament to what had happened…but I need to remain strong…Jan is the heir to the Hakura Line. The Hakura, a clan of forest spirit, had for a long time dwelled in the forests, but it was now one of the noble families in the church of St. Justica. Jan was the fourth of the name, after the first Jan Hakura, a famous shinigami, Kage and Pontifex who had the Quincy back on the path to greatness. Jan’s older sister, Aoi, watched over Jan. At six, she was physically frail, but far more mature than her age, with as strong will that constantly put her sickly body to her limits. An officer walked up to her. “Ma’am, Konoha is under attack.” He sounded cheerful—apparently, he did not know that the two countries had just signed a cease-fire. “Well, put us on course to Konoha…and get all landing units prepared to launch.” A voice spoke out from behind them. “You looking for us?” Instantly, Miyuki flew into action, firing the signature quincy pistol that was the Hakura noble house’s weapon of choice. Compressing the power and speed of the bullet, the gun functioned like a Senrei glove—but it was not fast or powerful enough to avoid being blocked by a sword of pure white—as white as a bone. And in fact, it was. “Sosuke Kaguya, Akatsuki,” introduced the black-robed man, the red-clouds rippling as he gestured. Miyuki looked on. What do you want?” Sosuke grinned. “Your life.” Miyuki stuck her revolver suddenly into a sheaf, twisting it and withdrawing it. A metal bladelike attachment now gave the revolver the function of a gunblade. “Will you give yours in return?” “I’ll think about it.” They clashed, sparks flying as the vibration from the gunblade allowed it to cut into the bone. Sosuke suddenly extended another blade out of his hand, and Miyuki unsheathed her revolver, shooting the bone off directly. The two came apart, as a barrage of fireballs shot past the bridge. Instantly, a lance of blue light shot out from somewhere on board the airship, and the source of the fireballs was suddenly nothing more than a smoking hulk of fire. However, the four people onboard could not hope to care while they fought. Leaping to a nearby rack, Miyuki grabbed a Naginata, swigning it as she turned. Leaping over it, Sosuke deftly slashed, just as Miyuki also slashed from her other hand with her gunblade. The two leapt aside, looking at the small cuts at each of their throats. They both regarded each other with a grudging respect. “I expected less.” Sosuke bowed. “So did I…but we must do our respective jobs.” They crossed blades again, sparks raining as the vibration from the gunblade on hardened calcium grated with a loud whine. Miyuki and Sosuke both happened to use Soresu, a adefensive-based style, so the battle was somewhat awkward as both attempted to use defense for offense. Suddenly unsheathing the blade from the revolver, firing. Striking the hull, the wall blew apart, exposing the compartment to air pressure. Emergency lights began to blaze as the cabin depressurized. The two circled each other, crossing swords—and then Miyuki stabbed forwards, striking Sosuke in the chest. At that moment, though, he raised both his fingers—and his fingertip bones drilled like bullets, knocking Miyuki back—out the gaping hole. Sosuke turned around unsteadily. He looked at the two bone swords coming out of his hands in distaste. “I hate killing children…but the contract said specifically for no witnesses.” He swung his hand back and suddenly threw it. The two blades moved in a scything motion towards Jan—Just as Aoi rushed forwards. Sosuke’s eyes widened as he saw the cross in her hand. A Quincy Cross? However, the two attacks struck her legs, causing her to fall—but she fired a single shot—right through his chest. He took a step back—out the hole…

Chapter 3

The Hakura residence, in the village of Glacier, was situated in the woods. They were in the warm season—meaning about 5 degrees Celsius at best. House Hakura was one of the four founding houses for the holy church, the first organization to discover this world. Also a powerful family in Glacier, the Hakura Family was in a constant feud with the house of Orochi. This had began in the time of Jan’s grandmother’s time, when she and the daughter of Orochimaru had been good friends. However, in one night, the friend, called Kagami, almost single-handedly destroyed the headquarters of the church—and so they were now enemies. Kagami’s daughter, Kuroi, had killed Mizuki and Kirei’s daughter (and Aoi and Jan’s mother), Miyuki. The feud was still ongoing. Being the head of the Hakura House would have been a grueling task if Jan had not spent that much time teaching in Hong Kong. There was paperwork that would have been difficult for even a 40-year old, and the residence was large. Jan also got to know the servants. Siri, Aoi’s bodyguard, was an expert in the use of weapons and jutsu. However, if left with a single plate, she would break it within two minutes. Siri, on the other hand, could not use Jutsu, but was the general housekeeper. Jan finished his letter to Lucius, folding it and sealing it with wax. Somebody knocked on his study. Opening it, Kiri bowed quietly. “Your sister wants to talk with you.”

Aoi turned on her wheelchair to face Jan as he entered. “How od you like it here?” “It’s…errr…good” Aoi suddenly became businesslike. “The Holy Church and Konoha has requested our help in attacking Sound…they’ve also asked to meet our new leader…which would be you. You’re to meet up with the Merchant’s Guild armies with a small unit…will you be going?” Jan shrugged. “Was there ever really a choice to that?” “…True enough. Kiri will go along with you to Snow.” Siri bowed. Jan sighed. “…Alright…this is a bit annoying…” Aoi smiled. “It’ll get you used to leadership.”

Cathedral of St. Justica, Snow

Pontifex Xu Ling watched as Musketeers loaded their muskets and flasks of gunpowder onto wagons, their blue tunics flowing, the white cross on their backs. It’s finally time for Payback. Soul Society and the village of Sound as well as most of the Shinsei Alliance, had, for a long time, fought against the Quincy, the Holy Church and the Merchant’s Guild for decades. They had recently defeated the colony at the coast. However, with Glacier, Frost, Bount and House Hakura on their side, the odds would be stacked against Shinsei and Soul Society, even with their clandestine Akatsuki. Airships, brimming with weaponary, and large cannons were also waiting. For all those deaths… He looked at the stained glass window. Destroyed in the time of Xu Ling’s father, it had been lovingly restored in greater glory, now showing the signature image of Saint Elysia and Saint Orun defeating the Snake, but also the two who had destroyed the stained Glass, Mizuki Hakura (Dressed in rather biased terms in white) and Kagami (Xu Ling had heard from his father that Kagami had never looked that snakelike or repulsive, but it was all propaganda). May we triumphed over them as Mizuki did…Just then, an aide came in, dressed in the somber uniform of the Black Order (in black, of course). “Sir, the Hakura Delegation has arrived.” Xu Ling sat down on the table and sipped on a cup of tea. “Let them in.” The Aide left, quickly returning with a boy and a woman hardly any older. The boy was not dressed in the stole of the Church or the green robes of the Hakura, but the blue long coat of the Magus Association. He held out his hand. “Jan Hakura, pleased to meet you.” Xu Ling looked at the hand perplexedly. “What am I suppoed to do?” “Shake it.” Xu Ling grabbed the hand and vigorous shook it. Jan looked alarmed and relieved when they came apart. “Well, we brought a unit…” a unit was an understatement, judging by the green-robed soldiers and the gatling gun (Was it illegal?). “Errr…well, thank you.

Hakura Residence

Siri sighed as the smoke alarms activated, sprinklers sending jets of water onto the library where she was reading. As the pages curled and the ink smeared, she ran outside—to where, predictably, Aoi had tried to cook. Stopping to grab a wet rag to filter out the smoke, she ran inside. “…Well, at least you tried, Ma’am…” Aoi grinned. “That was fun…it would have worked if I hadn’t mixed up the salt with the sugar…I forgot that salt doesn’t burn, while sugar does.” Siri looked at the mess of flaming ash. “errr…I’ll clean it up.” Aoi stooped down to get it—and promptly fell off her wheelchair. She thrashed about. “Can you get me my cane?” My God, I should have went with Kiri.

Kuroi watched the battle. Radio Operators yelled orders and received them as Sound and a few scattered Akatsuki forces slowly encircled the Merchant’s Guild Mercenaries. Merely hired from the North, these mercenaries were far from as well trained as the Merchant Guild’s own troops. Not very well-organized at that. Finally, a unit of crossbowmen finished off the mercenaries. Another victory…but a meaningless one. The Merchant’s Guild had an almost infinite amount of resources, and so could in a blink buy thousands like it as long as there were people willing to chop others for money. The Main force will arrive soon… An officer saluted as he walked up. “We’ve taken the port. Should we move our fleet?” “Yes…we’ll surprise them when they try to land.”

Chapter 4

M.G.S. Pride of Tommorow

The Pride of Tommorow had been supplied from the northern country of Shan Guo, and was a falt-bottomed boat capable of landing. However, it still boasted cannon, ballistae and light weaponry. “It looks pretty clear…” Indeed, the coast seemed completely clear, with the flag of the Merchant’s Guild (A winged ships steering wheel) flapping. Most of the landers headed straight for the shore, while a few more cautious ones began to move into broadside position, but still moving forwards. For a moment, the first troops landed—and suddenly, a barrage of cannonfire, volley guns and arrows suddenly rained down. A nearby ship, the Venture, was hit, bodies literally flying in the air. The troops charging up the slope were cut down. Jan narrowly avoided being hit by a narrow, which thudded near his position. Behind him, the more cautious troops now unloaded broadsides, and the port burst into flame. Jan shuffled his bag for a rifle, carefully pointing at a volley gun operator. With a roar and a tongue of flame, the man slumped down onto his controls, the volley gun suddenly stopping. Seizing on the opportunity, the troops aboard the Pride of Tommorow hid behind a snow-manufactured truck that had been shot up with Kunai. Suddenly, the Shinsei Battlefleet also came out of a cove, destroying several shiprs with a withering blaze of fire. Meanwhile, mercenaries and Merchant’s Guild troops also swarmed up—and suddenly, the heavy battleships began to glow with a blue light that almost defied the natural dawn. Suddenly, several ships were connected with blasts of blue light. Jan could see the structure crumbling—and then an explosion as the concentrated blast of Chakra ripped through the battleship. Next, they began to connect with the land fortifications. However, blasts of fireballs came back in response. The land troops, though, were in no position to worry about it. Jan took a deep breath and leapt into the open. “Flāns Saltātiō Pulverea (Blow Forth, Dancing Dust)!” A blast of wind temporarily blew off the kunai, as crossbowmen opened fire—and then, for an errie moment, all the guns fell silent—and then Shinsei Shinobi and troops came in. Plunging a hand into his jacket, Jan drew out a Revolver. Standard-issue for the British Army, the gun had been modified, shown when bolts of blue light shot into the horde of soldiers. A weapon signature to the first Jan Hakura and the head family, this weapon combined a Quincy Cross with a revolver for a highly compressed shot that was powerful enough to overpower a Senrei glove. As a soldier leapt in front of him, Jan’s gloved hand burst off, revealing a completely pitch-black arm. “Innocence, Activate.” A visible blade of wind cut through the man, and Jan cut another man with a calvary Saber. Suddenly, a man in a black robe with red clouds leapt in front of him. He felt a surge of rage—Akatsuki. His body reacted instantly, firing twice with the revolver. However, the man jumped aside and kicked at him, forcing him to backflip, clawing with the blade—only to have it knocked aside. The two crossed swords—and that moment, a blast of blue light slammed into the Shinsei lines from the sky, followed by blast after blast. In the sky, emblazoned with the blue cross of the Holy Church, Country of Snow Airships rained destruction onto both Shinsei ships and land defenses, many of which were incapable of firing upwards. As the main force moved on land, the shinsei forces moved back. Jan panted from the short but tiring fight as Kiri ran up to him. “Are you alright, sir?” “Fine, fine…”

Jan sat by the fire, looking at the photo of him and Lucius. I guess this is kind of Gay-sounding, but I do miss him…“Is that your girlfriend?” Jan jumped as Kiri peered at the picture, sitting down with a tray in her hand. “Don’t’ worry, I won’t tell anyone…” She grinned. Jan returned the grin unsteadily. “Uhhh…Lucius is a man.” Kiri blinked, and then looked at the picture carefully. “Either you’re right, or he’s a really flat-chested she…wait a minute…is he your boyfriend?” Jan glared. “No.” Kiri sat down brightly and passed a bowl of soup to Jan. “So…tell me about her…errr…him.” “Well, we met when I first went toWales for the academy. He never told me what his past was.” “Oh. How does he act?” “Well, he’s certainly more sincere and kinder than I am…but he’s a costume fetishist (one who enjoys dressing up others or oneself in anime costumes), and he does have that shocking tendency to be able to pass off as a woman. On our first to japan, we gave him a Kimono and told him that Japanese men wear it—he got asked out as soon as he left the embassy.” Kiri seemed skeptical—but also slightly smitten. Jan took a taste. “This is really good cooking…reminds me of Lucius’s.” Kiri grinned. “I’m the best cook in the Hakura Mansion…” “What about Siri?” “Siri’s a much better fighter than me, has a stronger will, and has a better bond with Lady Aoi…but I really should have stayed…you see, Siri is a terrible cook.”

Aoi looked with well-concealed repulsion at the wreck of a dinner on the table. Siri personally looked closed to tears, so Aoi put on a cheerful face while Siri gloomily read the recipe to see where she had messed up. “uhhhh…2 cups brown sugar, bake for 15 minutes….”

Yokohama Harbor

“2 cups brown sugar, bake for 15 minutes, or until golden brown, then serve…” Lucius cheerily swept around, his apron swinging as he removed the loaf of bread. As if anyone could get that recipe wrong… Outside, british, American, French and German merchants intermingled with Japanese businessmen, conspicuous with their extreme tidiness. Despite being in the 20th century, Yokohama was a comparatively modern place, even with its old blockhouses. Lucius swept outside to pick up the mail, looking around cheerily. Walking down the street with a Hakama, he did indeed look somewhat feminine as he made a purchase. He saw someone staring at him at the corner of his eye. Looking down, he saw a little girl in rough straw clothing around ten staring at him unblinkingly. How can she stay that long without blinking? “Are you hungry?” The girl just stared. “Come along if you do,” Lucius said airily, walking towards his inn. The innkeeper stared at the amount of dirt on the straw robe, but did not comment, for the sake of not insulting the foreign woman. Lucius cut half the loaf and handed it to the girl—who finished it in the space of time it took for Lucius to go to the outhouse and return. She stared back levelly. He could already mentally imaging hundreds of different clothes he could dress the girl in…

(Author’s note: Lucius is not a pedophile, since he doesn’t care about the changing of the clothes, merely of the wearing it. I got bored of the typical Lloyd or Lucius Archetype, and this whole fanfic has influences from Shingetsutan Tsukihime, so Lucius was designed to be slightly similar to Lloyd, and yet a costume fetishist)

Chapter 5

The aide hurried into the tent in a panic. “Sir, sir…” Then he looked at the Pontifex. Speaking around a lollipop in his mouth, Xu Ling looked up, seemingly as prepared for always, albeit with the lollipop. “Yes, Lieutenant?” “Soul Society has begun moving in.” With skill and precision born of experience, Xu Ling suddenly shot the lollipop out of his mouth in an arc, catching it on the stick. “Then we must get ready.” Outside, musketeers were already loading new bullets—deathstone bullets. Made of a rare synthetic material, Deathstone had no effect on regular humans. When it touchs a spiritual body, though—that’s a different story. However, every bullet was somewhat expensive, and it was only the Merchant Guild’s massive fortune that allowed them such expensive weapons. Suddenly, with the sound of fabric ripping, something shot into the tent—a kunai with a small, burning piece of paper…”Hirenkyaku!” The Aide’s eyes widened as Xu Ling shot past, grabbing him in the stomach as the tent burst into flame. Fireballs leapt toward the ammunition carts, hitting some, as Musketeers, grenadiers, ninja and snipers all ran for their positions. Xu Ling grinned. “So they’ve come…” And then his arm seemingly burst into a cross of blue light—and then Quincy arrows began to pour out with a speed far faster than a machine gun. Nearby, the other leaders also leapt into action. The country of the Seaport’s Kage, Demon, charged forwards as a dragon of water slammed into the attacking Akatsuki and Sound units, followed by a black Ice dragon from Jan Hakura. Suddenly, XU Ling jumped back as a smiling man in black robe with red clouds crossed swords with him. Akatsuki. XU Ling realized as he threw a small, glass vial. Haizen! A blast of light speared at the Akatsuki member, who leapt aside, the two clashing quickly four times in succession. Dammit, he’s not easy…

“Good evening, sir.” Rufus Shinra looked up as a Turk entered, his hair in an elegant pigtail. “Aren’t you meditating at this time?” Polite, punctual and gentlemanly, Tseng could be relied on to be never a minute off where he planned to go. Despite Tseng’s imperturbable face, only something great could rouse him out of his routine. “The WEAPONs…they have escaped.” The teacup fell to the ground, shattering “They’ve escaped? How many casualties?” “Only the troops at the storage facility. You see, they escaped…through a dimensionhole…to one of the other 13.” “The other 13 worlds?” “…Yes.” Shinra stood up with difficulty. “Get me on the line with the Magus Association. We’re dispatching all the SOLDIER and turks available. Send orders to Elena, Reno and Rude. Tseng, please represent me and attend the inevitabke meeting in London.” Tseng bowed respectfully as he walked for the door. “Of course.” As soon as Tseng left, Rufus plunged his head into his hands. What’s going to happen now?

“Hyoi Gattai into sword, Oversoul!” In a ribbon of yellow light, another soldier fell, as Jan’s arm then returned to its regular size. “Alright, it’s cleared up…” Xu Ling also fended off his opponent. “Damn it, we can’t win this war like this, fighting for every step.” Suddenly, Jan saw a flash of movement. What the… “Bankai, Kusarihebi.” Jan prepared his chinese Jian. “Shinigami!” In a barrage of blue arrows, the Quincy present let fire—straight into a barrier cast by a lieutenant as a shinigami in captain’s uniform leapt out. However, at that moment a unit of musketeers fired a barrage. The bullets shot through the barrier, straight into the Lieutenant, who jerked, spasmed and then died. The shinigami captain flash-stepped across the ground, closely followed by Xu Ling’s Quincy Cross. Jan leapt upwards to fight the captain, his Jian on the Japanese Katana—and then a figureless Marionette shot at him. Leaping out of its way, Jan squeezed off a revolver shot—to no result, as the marionetted dodged and returned to its owner, a brown-haired man. “Kirei Asano, captain of the 6th Division.” “Jan Hakura, Leader of the Hakura Clan.” The two crossed blades, Asano’s sword actually two swords connected with a chain. Wrapping around Jan’s blade, it tugged, but Jan slashed with his innocence arm, forcing Asano to relinquish the length and leap back. “Not bad.” “Not at all…” Suddenly, the marionette grabbed him from behind—and suddenly began to distort. Out of the ugly, wooden scalp, black hair began to sprout, and the clothes became the blue coat of the Magus Association and the white uniform of the Quincy. In a few moments a copy of Jan Hakura stood before Jan. “Hmmm…my eyelashes aren’t that long.” And then the Marionette slashed with its arm, sending a familiar blade of wind at Jan, who sidestepped and stabbed it in the arm—and at that moment, Jan felt a pain in his arm as, in a sudden burst of blood, a cut simply…appeared. A voodoo doll? Kirei calmly watched. “Any damage you do to it applies to you, too.” Crap…so we’re exactly the same? The two crossed swords, Jan holding his palm out. “Oversoul, Emiya!” A blast of wind pushed the marionette back. So it can’t duplicate my oversoul? But that doesn’t help unless I can get that thing to lose its form. What is a Zanpakuto again? The physical manifestation of one’s soul…which means… He ejected the current bullet in his revolver and inserted a fresh bullet. He waited until the marionette was right in front of him that he fired. Jan could feel the sharp pain in his side, but he smiled inwardly. The marionette was spasming—and losing its form. “A Zanpakuto is like a shinigami and his gigai. Even when the gigai breaks, the soul is still there, because it’s the body that rlies on the soul, not the soul on the body, which is also why Zanpakuto can withstand shattering. However, Deathstone destroys soul organisms. While I did get hurt from the power fo the bullet, your Zanpakuto, basically a part of your soul, was badly damaged. That means you’ve lost ½ of your Zanpakuto…do you intend to fight?” Kirei suddeny appeared in front of him, smiling dangerously as they tried to force each other back. “To the death.”

Constantinople, present-day Istanbul

The grim atmosphere in the room caused the sunlight streaming through the windows to be as devoid of warmth as an ice cube. Each of the 14 worlds had been summoned in this meeting, and that implied that the matter at hand was at the utmost importance. Tseng’s expression remained like that of a still pond. One who achieves inner peace can maintain it even in a storm. However, not everybody was as cheerful. The American Magus Association delegate was in a heated argument with the Black Order’s Miles Walker. Finally, the three people at the head banged a gavel. Lord El-Melloi II, head of the Magus Association; Archbishop Jean-Pierre Beaumont, representing the Holy Church, and Lady Sazuka Hikari of the East Asian Spellcaster’s league. “Today, we have come to order over string of unfortunate events that may be connected. Let us begin with Captain Konaru Harushino of Soul Society. Konaru, a blue-haired young man, stood up. “at 2:34 A.M. Seireitei time, we heard of massive Menos Grande activity in Hueco Mundo. On arrival, the task force was almost completely annihilated. Furthermore, dimensionrips apparently accounted for Akuma in Hueco Mundo. There’ve been sightings of Menos in everywhere from Bangkok to Vegas (ahtough the guy who claimed to see them was a drunk stoner, so we’re not sure he can be trusted). Point being, there are thing sfrom the other 13 worlds in any given world at the moment.” Lrod El-Melloi’s eyes moved up and down the tables. “As you can see, even minor demons are already posing a threat—and there are far worse ones. Tseng, you have the floor.” Tseng walked into the space between the tables. Pacing up and down, he began. “the WEAPON were made to defend the world of Gaia. However, at some point, due ote the inteference of Sephiroth, the result were the WEAPON going amok and attacking all. Most were sealed or destroyed—but some survived. Recently, the survivors have managed to escape. We do not know hwere they are as of yet, but the casualties will be in the millions if they’re not taken down and stopped. Therefore, the MCF will dispatch teams of SOLDIER and turks to locate these WEAPONS. The MCF proposes that every world send teams of about ten to locate and help defeat these things with the local citizenry. Not only the WEAPON, Akuma, Heartless and Hollows are also a significant threat. Questions?” A representative for SeeD stood up. “Sir, it was the MCF’s negligence that caused this…should not the MCF clean up its own mess?” Tseng looked at the man. “Just because it is the MCF’s Responsibility does not mean the WEAPON will merely attack MCF personnel. They will attack civilians just as much as they will SOLDIER.” The SeeD delegate sat down, somewhat satisfied. A Hayashi ninja glared at Tseng. “So your troops will just step onto our territory?” “…No, if you insist against it, we will not send troops—but I will hope you do not wait until they are at your gates to change your mind. We need to act now—before too many people start dying.”

Jan and Kirei grinned manically as they fought, their chakra becoming visible for a few moments as they strove to overpower the other. Finally, Kirei’s superior strength won out, causing Jan to take several steps back. Tripping over a stone, he fell backwards. Kirei took a step forwards—and raised his sword as something pinged off it—a needle. “Watch out!” Kiri suddenly pulled the arm of her robe off, revealing a metal device—a needle rack. Pulling back and firing quickly, four needles shot at Kirei. He leapt aside—and then finally leapt back as a bag of purple dust burst on his arm. Jan struggled to his feet. Kiri turned worriedly. “Are you alright?” “Fine.” Grabbing his revolver and sword, he leapt back into the fray. Suddenly, the ground in front of them suddenly churned up—and then a burst of Reiatsu so overpowering both of them suddenly were almost knocked to the ground. This is…? And then a giant, raven-shaped…thing with glowing eyes flapped its wings, sending four airfleet ships in flame.

Chapter 6

“So…have a good summer vacation. Your summer report will be due as soon as we come back…don’t leave it until the last minute.” Lucius sat down wearily. His work had only gotten more intensive after Jan ahd left, and he now managed only 2 hours of sleep and the time in between classes, between teaching and taking care of Chihiro, the girl he had picked up. He took another sip of coffee (augumented with copious amounts of caffeine pills), just as a man in the brown heavy hood and coat of the Magus Association. “Sir, you have orders from the Association. You’re ordered to meet in London for a trip to Hayashi with other groups to find the demons that have appeared all over the world.” Lucius looked at him. “How do you know all this?” “I’m in it as well.” Lucius nodded. “Good luck for you as well…this is going to get pretty thorny.”

Zeke A. Shinra carefully rubbed his disassembled pistol with a greased rag. Nearby, other Turks were reloading their weapons as the military helicopter approached the portal. Their Leader, Reno, a red-haired Turk, yelled over the din. “After you enter, you won’t be able to use anything but handguns and rifles in terms of military technology—not our fault, international regulations—so be prepared for it!” As it hovered close, the experienced turks disembarked. “These will be your unit. My boys will be Wright and Zeke, for unit XIV, to Hayashi. Shouldn’t be that hard, they’re all d00dz with swords and spears…you should be fine.”

“What the hell is that?” Jan and Kirei watched the giant thing lumber through the lines, indiscriminately flinging troops, weaponary and vehicles aside. Jan raised his revolver and squeezed off a shot—to no affect. Several airship’s gunfire proved to be slightly more damaging, but not enough to prevent the demon from ripping the ships apart. Two Akatsuki members and several Quincy let fly. The demon merely turned its attemtion to them. Oh hell this is not good… He shuffled in his knapsack for another Deathstone bullet. He fired again—and this time the demon howled visibly. So it’s not a physical spirit. He held his palm out in front as the demon flew closer.
“Veniant spīritūs āeriālēs fulgurientēs…”
The thing was coming closer, and Jan increased his pace.
“cum fulgurātiōne flet tempestās austrīna…”
It was right in front of him…
“Jovis Tempestās Fulguriēns!”

A pillar of wind and thunder suddenly extended from Jan’s hand, striking the demon as it closed in. For a moment, both stayed fast in position—and then the spell shattered, Jan leaping to the side from the talons. “Trace: Gae Bolg, Spear of striking death!” Suddenly hurling a red spear from his hand, Jan leapt onto a nearby tree. The spear struck true—but to no apparent effect. however, the pause given by the thing stumbling around howling in pain was enough time for Jan to trace. “Trace: Excalibur.” In a single white beam, the demon’s head kind of…disappeared in a messy splash that left black blood spattering down on the field. Kirei and Jan stared at each other. And then, at once, both blurted out, “Did your guys do that?” Both then responded instantly. “No.” Then they stared at the body. “What the hell is going on?”

Lucius looked around nervously at his unit. Each world had been assigned 102 units, 2 leaders and 50 subuints, each of 10 troops. His unit, Unit XIV, consisted of mostly MCF Turks and SOLDIERs (Their leader, Reno, was a turk), but also a shinobi, two shinigami, himself and an amestrian Alchemist. As they traveled through the countryside of the feudal state known as the village of Glacier, they noticed the suspicious glances at their rifles. Lucius walked up to a man and smiled kindly. “So…this…demon has been attacking here?” “Yes…he has carried off several of the men who went out farming…we found a leg hanging from a tree.” Reno whistled. “Must have been a mess.” Lucius glared. “So…where di this…thing go?” “I don’t know…we never really saw it.” Lucius smiled. “We’ll go with the farmers tommorow and see what we can scrounge up.” The man looked at him, suspicion still in his eyes. “Don’t you try anything. “ Reno grinned. “And what you gonna do about it, old man?” Lucius quickly moved his knee up from behind—right into Reno’s balls. “We promise you we won’t do anything,” Lucius said sweetly, dragging Reno’s gasping body. The SOLDIER and Turks gaped. “What happened to the captain?” “It was aboar…I think I pissed it off, it charged right out the bushes.” Chihiro walked out from behind a soldier. “Alright…we need to find a demon nearby…set up sensors, get ready your weapons.” With professional precision, the SOLDIER and turk snapped new clips into their weapons, pulling back hammers and readjusting sights. The amestrian alchemist snapped on gloves, while the two shinobi drew swords (to derisive looks from the Turks). The magus took out a compass and closed his eyes. For a moment, the compass pointed decisively north—and then it turned in another direction. The Magus was a dowser, one who could track spiritual pressure with their medium. The Turks, SOLDIER and Reno looked on skeptically until Lucius grabbed his staff and followed. “Come on already!”

Kuroi glared across the table at Jan and Xu Ling. She had inherited her father’s blonde hair, and also her mother’s quiet beauty. However, at the moment she seemed less-than hospitable. “Explain why we’re not crossing swords across this table?” “…Because of that thing that ripped up both of our armies, most of your seafleet and a lot of our airfleet before it was destroyed.” Scientests from both sides looked at it. “Tailed beasts…I thought these things were extinct.” The Holy Church scientists examined it. “This is a species not native here…that’s an Akuma, found in the Homeworld.” Jan looked at the scientist. “Have we conducted any experiments involving Kaleidescope technology?” “No, Sir.” Kuroi turned to her scientist. “Were we trying to use portals?” “Not that I know of…” Xu Ling looked at the two. “Assuming both sides are speaking the truth, that would mean that somebody else is letting these things in…and that there are probably more…it may be wiser for a temporary peace.” Kuroi glared at him. “Is hits because you are losing?” “Far from it…we’ve lost very few of our elite troops.” “We can win.” As can we.” Xu Ling stared back calmly, the two finally sitting back down. “Fine.” “In the meantime, I’ll check iwht my superiors.” Xu Ling and Kuroi stood up, shaking hands—they came apart very quickly.