"What the fuck do you mean I'm pregnant?!"
Korra took the news better than you expected honestly. You had decided to dismiss your servants for the team meeting, ordering them to enter their Astral forms so you could properly introduce them to your team later. In truth, it was mostly because Scathach and Yoruichi wouldn't stop glaring daggers at each other… between Yoruichi rubbing her face against your thigh like a lazy cat, of course.
"I mean, you're pregnant. You accept I can get strong enough to beat our Sensei in under a week, but you draw the line at pregnancy detection? Besides, it's not like we've been especially careful."
That seems to catch your muscular teammate off-guard for a second. Whether it's being confronted with the truth of your unnatural abilities like a sledgehammer to the face or the fact that she is pregnant actually being a proper shock to her system, you aren't sure. Either way, Sombra takes the opportunity to butt in. She was always a bit of a pragmatist, and it shows as she saunters her way behind you. Her smooth dexterous fingers massaging your shoulders as she whispers in your ear.
"Does that mean I'm the only one on the team you haven't knocked up yet? Heh, you have no way of knowing why, but that's a little hilarious~"
She'd whisper with her signature 'I know more than you' smirk, her tone of voice being just low enough to come across as sultry and smug at the same time. It was infuriating how well she knew how to push your buttons. You could turn it around on her, of course, but you have a feeling that's what she wants. She can play coy and smug, but she's just as addicted to you as Korra or Sensei. Speaking of which…
There was no way that Yoruichi actually got fucked so stupid that she's acting like a cat. You're tempted to call her out, but honestly you'd prefer to save that for later. Besides, the reactions on your teammates face every time she purrs and nuzzles up against your leg while shaking her butt like a needy kitten is priceless.
Still, this wasn't the time to get distracted by your sensei's horny pet act. You have two teammates to manage, and three super-ghosts to explain. You've mostly danced around the topic of the gacha with them. Mostly, you've written it off as 'things you can't explain' and 'stuff they wouldn't believe'. You mostly kept that up in case Yoruichi was a problem. You doubt she will be one anymore. Even if her horny pet act is fake, all your social skills tell you she's been pretty firmly subverted at this point.
Which means it's finally time to come clean.
"Sensei, as sexy as I find your slutty little pet roleplay, and as funny as these two's reaction to it is… I think you may want to put your serious face on. It's about time I tell the three of you everything."
Like a kunai being let loose from its sheath, your Sensei's change is lightning fast. One moment she's 'subtly' trying to rub her face against your crotch, the next she's staring down at you with those amber eyes boring a hole into your soul and demanding answers. You doubt her breasts bouncing as she jumps to her feet is intentional, but you wouldn't put it past her.
"Oh really? You've been keeping it a secret for so long just to come clean the moment I spread my legs? You're making me regret waiting so long to jump you, Sōkotsu~"
Her voice was a throaty purr, and she tried to put some flirtatiousness in her tone, but her eyes were still two steely golden pools that demanded answers. Answers you were happy to provide, now that you were practically sure of her loyalty.
You told all three of them everything. The moment you got the Gacha, how it changed you so fast. How it helped you survive encounters with Orochimaru, and how it seemed almost tailor made to rapidly accelerate your growth during something like the Chunin Exams. Even a normal exam period would see a user go from a mediocre one-trick pony like you had been into Jōnin material. In a special circumstance like this exam, with people like Orochimaru skulking about? Your growth being 'explosive' was almost an understatement.
You left out some details, like how it seemed to reward you for corrupting and impregnating Kunoichis, and your fears of them turning you over to Kumo high command before you could pull that same 'corruption' trick on them. Some things were better left unspoken, after all.
By the end of things, both Yoruichi and Sombra looked contemplative, hell, they practically looked shell-shocked. You had just shared some rather world shaking news, after all. They had likely expected something that would make sense. You being an Orochimaru experiment gone rogue, a strange bloodline interaction, or even you being an unnatural prodigy. Anything would make more sense than some strange omnipotent lottery system hijacking all of your lives.
Thankfully, you had one person on your team who had no trouble rolling with the punches.
"Wait a second… Does that mean you've known I was pregnant since the moment you got a stupid notification?! And you kept it to yourself? You little…"
Korra was completely nonplussed with your changes being explained away by a force she couldn't punch away, or rather, didn't need to punch away. If anything, the fact that you weren't snatched away in the middle of the night and replaced by a sexy doppelganger, and actually just became a super sexy fighting master was all she really needed to hear. Well, that and that you knew about her pregnancy days before telling her. Then again…
You know just the way to make it up to her.
Korra's glare could've split stone. She stood, hands on her hips, shoulders flexing under her sleeveless top, and eyes frigid and sharp like icy daggers meant to pierce through you.
"You knew." Her voice was low, almost dangerous. "You knew, and you didn't tell me. Do you have any idea how—"
You cut her off before the momentum could snowball into a full-blown avalanche. You didn't need a furious Korra, especially over something so (relatively) minor. You needed her grounded and back to earth before you could make it up to her.
"—how much I care?" You rose to your feet, meeting her head-on. Your words were calm, steady, but your presence swelled like the tide, pouring through the Lovers trait as naturally as breathing. "I didn't keep it from you to hurt you, Korra. I kept it because I wasn't sure if you'd believe the source of the info was even real. Or if you were ready for it if it was."
Her jaw tightened, but she didn't step back. That was Korra, she's a wall of muscle and willpower, daring the world to try and push her so she could push back harder. You changed tactics. Your hand rose, not to grab or to try and restrain her, but to rest on her head. Greater Headpat activated. A soft touch against all that stormy defiance to instantly snuff it out.
Her breath caught just a little. The tension in her shoulders eased, even as she tried to hold on to the fire in her eyes.
"You…" she muttered, her voice losing just a fraction of its sharpness. "You can't just pat me on the head and smile your way out of this!"
"Apparently he can," Sombra snickered, her fingers still lazily kneading your shoulders from behind. She leaned down, lips brushing your ear. "Mmm. You really are disgusting sometimes, Sōkotsu. Such a womanizer too. I like it~"
Korra growled, but the sound was more embarrassment than rage at this point. Yoruichi, of course, was watching with her arms crossed, now back to radiating smug cat energy since the tense moment had passed.
"Well," your Sensei purred, that dangerous seriousness still simmering beneath the surface in case the conversation took a less lighthearted turn, "at least now I know what's been fueling you. A pervert lottery beyond mortal comprehension. Fucking... well, it could be worse. At least you aren't a flight risk, or at least not more of one than any other high level shinobi."
Her words carried weight, but her eyes… those steely gold pools had softened as she gazed upon both of your teammates making goo-goo eyes at you. It was safe to assume Kumo wouldn't need to bother trying the honey-trap route to ensure your loyalty.
You let your gaze sweep across them, from Korra's half-broken fury as she did her best to hide her head's needy wiggles beneath your palm, to Sombra's smug amusement, and Yoruichi's wary pride in both your honesty and power. You'd told them the truth, more or less. The seed of trust was planted. Now it was time to water it.
"Look," you said, voice firm, shoulders squared. "Whatever this Gacha is, I don't care. Because it's given me the strength I needed to keep us alive. To win. And I'll use it. Not for 'the future of my clan', not for Kumo, not for Orochimaru or anyone else who wants it."
Your hand slid down from Korra's head to her shoulder, squeezing gently. "I'll use it for you. For all of you."
For a moment, there was just silence. Then Korra snorted, shoving your hand away with a push that lacked any real bite.
"You're still an ass," she muttered. But her cheeks were tinged pink and the fight had completely left her gaze.
Sombra smirked wider. Yoruichi finally let out a laugh, one that was low, throaty, and dangerous.
And just like that, the storm in the room had shifted.
Fitting, considering what you planned to do next.
Even if Korra's scowl was gone and she'd already forgiven you, that didn't make your actions right. Pregnant. Changed forever. And you'd kept it from her. It was far from the worst thing you'd done, but it struck closer to home. You didn't want to become the type of person who hurt those closest to them.
You weren't going to placate her with words alone either. Not this time.
"I do owe you something, beyond an apology, I mean" you admitted, drawing your hand away from her shoulder and into the air. Your Chakra flared, and with a thought, the card you were thinking of surfaced from your palm and into the open air.
It was a golden rectangle of pure power, shimmering and sparking with faint arcs of lightning and depicting a woman made of clouds on its front with a symbol of the Gacha on the back. The Storm Elemental Card you rolled quite a long time ago.
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[Image]
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Sombra's hands stilled on your shoulders, briefly forgetting her little game trying to seduce you. Even she hadn't seen this trick of yours before.
Yoruichi's eyes narrowed, her golden irises catching the flicker of lightning as if examining it for a threat. She was still a Jōnin, at the end of the day, one responsible for all three of you.
Korra, though, Korra just leaned forward with her eyes wide, as if she could feel the raw pressure radiating from it. The power held tight within its grasp, begging to be unleashed.
"What the hell is that?!" she asked in a whisper-like yell, her voice low and wary.
"Something I should've given you earlier." You extended the card, the surface pulsing with the light of the storm held within it. "Consider it an apology gift. The Gacha isn't limited to just empowering me, Korra, it gives me ways to change others too. To strengthen them. To strengthen you."
She stared at you, then at the card, then back at you again. Her hands twitched at her sides, fists clenching and unclenching as she warred with herself. Free power was every Shinobi's dream, only fools would scoff at it. Just like only fools would believe 'free power' actually exists. But seeing was believing, and you had been getting stronger thanks to Gacha right in front of your team's eyes for quite a while at this point. If there was some sort of catch, you hadn't found it yet.
"You're saying…" She licked her lips, eyes flicking to the lightning that danced across the card's edges. "If I take this, I'll…"
"Gain the potential of the familiar bound inside of it, in this case, that would be a 'Storm Elemental'," you finished for her. "Based on the description the Gacha gave me, it should grant control over clouds, wind, and lightning. I thought it was a good fit for you."
Her jaw tightened. She glanced at Sombra, who just raised her brows and smirked, and then at Yoruichi, who gave a lazy shrug but never stopped watching like a hawk. They both weren't going to discourage her from it. They likely already ran through a scenario like this for themselves. Honestly, you had been planning on giving this card to your sensei, but you had other potential gifts for her. Besides, Korra might need it if she wants to show off during the exams.
Finally, Korra looked back at you. "And you're giving this to me… why? Just as a bribe to get me less mad about getting turned into a broodmare? Pull the other one."
"Because I trust you," you said simply, Lovers guiding your words as your honest feelings escaped for the first time since you received the Gacha. "Because I believe in you. Because I kept something from you that I shouldn't have, and I need to prove that I'll never treat you like dead weight, or like someone I have to coddle ever again. You're my teammate. My woman. My partner. And I want you to be strong enough to stand beside me, not behind me. I want that for all three of you. You were there for me before all of this. I want you to be there for me after it too."
The words hung in the air, heavy and sharp. For a long heartbeat, Korra said nothing. Then, with a slow exhale, she reached out.
Her calloused fingers brushed the card's surface. Lightning leapt from it into her skin, a spark that made her gasp, but instead of recoiling, she just grinned. That wild, reckless grin you'd fallen for a long time ago, even if you didn't have the courage to make a move.
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[Image]
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The card finished dissolving into motes of light, sinking into her chest. Her body shivered, hair lifting slightly as static electricity filled the air. The room darkened, and thunder rumbled in the distance even though there wasn't a cloud in sight.
Yoruichi's eyes widened, she was impressed, it wasn't every day you saw such a jump in power for a veteran Chunin tier fighter, after all. Sombra's smirk faded into something more calculating, her gaze lingering on Korra with sharp interest. She's definitely gonna ask for a power-up of her own later.
Korra clenched her fist, arcs of lightning dancing along her forearm before she grunted and changed, her skin turning lightning blue and her clothes being replaced with dark storm clouds. When she looked back at you, her grin was all teeth and promises of the 'reward' you'd be getting for this.
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[Image]
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"You're not off the hook," she said, voice buzzing faintly with stormy resonance. "But this? This helps."
You chuckled, tension bleeding from your chest as you leaned back. You were definitely off the hook, she just didn't want to admit it. "Good. Because we're going to need everything you can do."
The lightning still crackled faintly around Korra's newly enhanced body, arcs of electric power snapping from her fingertips to the floorboards below, but that's when you felt the tension in the room shift.
Sombra leaned against the wall now, arms folded, lips pursed in thought. She was masking it with her usual smugness, but you knew her well enough, her eyes were tracking Korra like a chessmaster seeing the board rearrange itself. She was planning moves and counter-moves, all with the end goal of earning a power-up of her own.
Yoruichi, though… her stance was different than usual. No jokes, no teasing purrs, and no subtle attempts to rub herself against you. Her arms were crossed and her golden eyes were as sharp as twin suns, locked on Korra like a predator evaluating a new rival. Then she would huff, even with Korra's power-up, she still didn't stand a chance against your sensei. Still, there was something lingering in her gaze.
It was admiration. And maybe a little envy. You should probably nip that in the bud before it could become a problem. She was a future mother of your children just like Korra, after all.
You made a quick gesture, pulling from your stored Gacha items again. This time, what emerged wasn't a card, but a blade.
Titan's Thunder.
The weapon was large and oddly shaped like a lightning bolt, forged out a magical metal that was infused with the power of thunder and the perfect weapon for your lightning wielding Kenjutsu mistress of a sensei. The air around it hummed, the ozone bite sharp enough to sting your lungs.
Yoruichi's eyes widened despite herself. "That… is not the kind of trinket you should be able to just pull out of a toybox, brat. The fuck have you been up to to get so many toys to share?"
You smiled faintly, hefting the sword with both hands. Even with your monstrous strength, it was still slightly heavy in your grasp before its power flowed through you and enhanced your immense strength even further. You were skilled with all manner of swords, and you were pretty sure your Sensei was the same. This weapon would take her from deadly to the kind of threat even you wouldn't be able to take lightly.
"Exactly," you said, stepping closer and lowering the blade until it rested across your palms. You held it out to her, like an offering. "I already got two swords, and you're way better at Lightning Jutsu. I'm more of a brawling berserker type anyways, so I'm curious what someone like you could do with a weapon like this. I'd probably just use it for the free strength boost."
Her gaze darted from the blade to your face. Her eyes were filled with suspicion, curiosity, and temptation in equal measure.
"You're serious? Wait, what do you mean free strength boost?" she asked, her voice low, guarded.
"Completely," you said. "I trust you with it and I want you to have it. Because if Korra needs a new trick, then what you need—" you tipped the hilt toward her "—is something to take your tricks to the next level. You've already got all the skill and experience you could ever need, you just need something to help it pack that extra punch."
The silence between you stretched. Then, in a blur faster than most men could track, Yoruichi reached out and took the hilt.
The blade sang the second she gripped it. Lightning flared from the strangely shaped blade, arcing up her arm, bathing her in crackling yellow light. For an instant, her silhouette looked almost divine: golden eyes glowing, violet hair rippling in the electric wind, and her lean, predatory frame crowned with the sound of rolling thunder.
She swung it once, just to test its edge and get a feel for the oddly shaped design. The air cracked like a whip. A jagged streak of lightning carved across the room's far wall, the brick work sizzling. She at least had the decency to look sheepish at the unintended devastation she left in her wake, unlike Korra.
Sombra actually whistled at the result. "Well. Guess you've both been properly armed and are extra dangerous now. Lovely."
Yoruichi lowered the sword, staring at it like it might bite her. Then she looked back at you, her usual smirk curling her lips again, but now it was sharper. Hungrier.
"You're reckless, Sōkotsu," she said, her voice a smoky purr undercut with real weight. "Giving away power like this. Something like that storm form to Korra, thunder sword that rivals the legendary Kiba blades to me. Do you have any idea what the implications of something like this is? What might it look like?"
You didn't flinch. You just met her eyes, your gaze steady and steely. "It makes us look unstoppable. Probably necessary, since right now I think I'm the only on the team that fits the description, unless that sword ends up being a bigger boost for you than I imagined."
Korra snorts, electricity still dancing along her muscular arms as she shifts back to her normal form. "Tch. Don't get too cocky, Sōkotsu. I'm still going to kick your ass if you try to lord this little gift over me."
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[Image]
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Yoruichi's grin widened, baring her teeth as she watched the byplay between her adorable genin. It almost made her feel nostalgic. "I'd like to see you try, little storm. I think Bone-Boy needs to get humbled before his head gets too big."
For the first time in a long time, the tension between the team wasn't subtle and hostile, it was back to its usual competitiveness. A constant struggle to see which of you would come out ahead, only this time, you were the clear frontrunner.
You just sat back down, letting the crackle of thunder in the air wash over you. The air was still heavy with ozone, Korra practically sparking with every breath while
Yoruichi's new blade hummed with restrained thunder. But there was still one pair of eyes in the room, sharp, calculating, and totally unamused by the turn of events. A pair of eyes that was starting to feel awfully left out.
Sombra.
She leaned back against the wall, her arms crossed and head tilted. Her smirk hadn't faded, but it was thinner than usual. Quieter. She looked like a cat about to drag a dead rodent in front of its owner as a reminder of their existence.
"Well," she drawled, voice smooth as silk and just as sharp. "A storm goddess, a thunder queen, and me? What do I get, Sōkotsu? A pat on the head and a 'come back when you get knocked up' rain check?"
Her tone was teasing, but her eyes were locked onto you, probing for cracks. She'd never say it aloud, but if you gave power to the others and left her in the cold, she'd never forgive you. She'd also probably start riding your dick until her womb was bruised.
You smiled faintly. "I haven't forgotten you, Sombra."
From your palm, two more cards emerged. The first shimmered faintly, translucent like smoke, Wraith. The second pulsed with dark fire, an elegant figure in crimson embossed on its surface, Troupe Master Grimm.
Sombra's smirk faltered. Just a fraction. She was genuinely surprised you were including her. She expected there to be demands, or at the very least, some negotiations. She still didn't understand you.
"What are these?" she asked, her voice softer now.
"The first," you said, holding up the pale card, "is subtle. A wraith, the gacha called it, not much in a fight, but practically invisible. Perfect for scouting, watching, slipping where no one else can. The ultimate spy. I figured it'd be a good fit for you. I also figured you'd want a little more firepower for your upcoming fight."
Her eyes lit up, just a little. That one was speaking her language.
"And the second?" she asked as you turned the crimson-black card between your fingers, the flickering outline of Grimm's mask seeming to leer at the room. "This one is more dangerous. A living nightmare, with powerful flames and a dream-walking power. A master of illusions, with the ability to teleport around the battlefield. Something to really make that Uchiha work for the win she's probably expecting to be easy."
You extended both to her. "Together, they're not really about brute strength, even if the second has plenty of it. They're mainly about control, information, illusions, and tampering with the enemies' heads. All the things you already excel at, only amplified."
For once, Sombra didn't have a ready quip. She stared at the cards, her pupils dilating as if she could already feel the weight of them, the promise of what they offered.
"That's… wow," she murmured.
"I try my best." You stepped closer, closing the space until you could press the cards into her hand. "You're the eyes and ears of our team as it is, Sombra. This just makes sure you'll be better at it. It also makes sure you can stand your ground against anyone who expects the Genjutsu user to not pack a punch."
She swallowed, lips parting, then they curled back into a smirk, though it wavered at the edges. "Tch. Giving me ghosts and nightmares while the other two get the power to shoot lightning bolts. You really do know how to spoil a girl."
The cards dissolved into her skin, light sinking into her veins. Shadows rippled around her feet. For an instant, her body flickered like a glitch, her skin darkening before she was swallowed by crimson flames. When she reappeared, her eyes glowed faintly with those same flames. Wisps of smoke curled from her fingertips.
A wisp of fire danced across her palm, twisting into the shape of a mask before fading away. Then, as a sign of her new power, purple flames would be summoned to her hands as she used the leader of the Grimm Troupe's powers to summon a 'follower' as a little test.
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[Image]
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Korra stared, thunder buzzing on her arms. "The hell was that?"
Sombra twirled her hand, fire and shadow sparking in equal measure. Her smirk was back in full force now, sharp as a knife.
Yoruichi eyed her with faint amusement, resting Titan's Thunder against her shoulder. "Heh. So, Sōkotsu gave you something the Konoha brats won't see coming. Good. The Raikage won't let me live it down if you three lose after getting this far."
Sombra's grin widened, sly and dangerous as she was swallowed by crimson flames again, and this time, she didn't dismiss her new form. She basked in it, a bony white mask on her head and skin turned to an inky black void. "Oh, Sensei…They won't stand a chance."
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[Image]
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The room thrummed with energy; with Korra's storm-aura buzzing, Yoruichi's lightning infused blade humming faintly in her grip, and Sombra's new crimson nightmare flames flickering like a heartbeat in the shadows.
But this was only part of the truth that you wished to share with your team. It was also the easy part, since it came with a little carrot for each of them. Even if you were sure of their loyalty at this point, it didn't hurt to butter them up with a little bit of good news before what could be construed as bad news.
In other words, you still had one last veil to pull back. One last card to play.
You inhaled slowly, letting the weight of the moment settle before speaking directly to the three women in front of you, your three women.
"Now that you all understand what the Gacha has the potential to give to you, to us…" you begin to say, your voice steady as your lead towards the conclusion, "... it's time I introduced you to another part of it. Part of its gifts to me. My… companions."
Sombra arched her brow, and she was already smirking again. "Oh? Finally going to introduce us to the mystery girls hiding under your bed, Sōkotsu? You really don't quit."
Yoruichi tilted her head, golden eyes sharp. "Companions?" she echoed, her grip tightening subtly on Titan's Thunder. She seemed to have a better grasp of the connotations here. You didn't use some power to beguile foreign Kunoichi. The Gacha could give people to you. Not that surprising in the grand scheme of things, but still a clear escalation in stakes.
Korra just crossed her arms, sparks dancing across her skin. "After dropping a fucking pregnancy and then bullshit lottery powers on me, this better not be another bombshell, Sokotsu."
You just chuckled softly, not even bothering to hide your amusement at Korra's playful threats. Even with her power boost, you had rapidly eclipsed both her and Sombra at this point. "Oh, it's a bombshell, alright."
With a snap of your fingers, your chakra pulsed as a 'signal' for your Servants to return. The shadows in the room deepened for a moment before she coalesced out of them. What a show-off, you know that she can just manifest 'normally' out of those weird blue particles, so this is definitely some type of 'test' for your team. Fitting, considering who decided to answer your summons first.
Scáthach, the woman intent on becoming your 'Teacher'.
She stepped into the room with the grace of a queen and the presence of a demon, a pair of blood red spears glowing menacingly in each hand. She was tall, deadly, and shapely (though you may not share that last one with her in ear shot), her gaze swept across your teammates with the same appraisal she'd once given you. She was measuring, judging, and dissecting them for faults. Her crimson red eyes narrowed for a moment, as she seemingly found whatever it was she was searching for. The aura of a peerless warrior filled the room, and forced the amiable atmosphere to become tense once more.
She stopped at your side, folding her arms beneath her chest. Her spears shimmered faintly in her grasp before disappearing, as if she wished to remind the three that she could've gutted them from the shadows before they even knew she was here.
"Team," you said, your voice cutting through the silence. "This is Lancer. My first and probably strongest Servant. Lancer, meet my team."
The tension was immediate.
Korra's eyes narrowed, her stormy-aura flaring instinctively. "The hell do you mean servant? She doesn't look like anyone's servant to me!"
Sombra, to her credit, didn't flinch, even if she found the undead warrior queen's presence to be disturbing. She simply tilted her head, smirk sharpening to a razor point as her eyes betrayed a flicker of unease. "So this is the last of your secrets, hm? I'll wait for the full explanation then, I'm sure it'll be good."
Yoruichi though, she didn't move. You immediately realized the problem the second her golden gaze locked onto Scáthach's scarlet pupils, predator meeting predator. The air between them was taut, a silent clash of wills. A challenge neither voiced, but both understood. It'd be enough to even stun you into silence… if you weren't the prized goose they were getting ready to battle over the grooming rights to.
Scáthach finally spoke, her voice rich and resonant, cutting through the room like a spearpoint.
"This one," she said, nodding to you, "is my Master. I serve him as blade and shield. Any who threaten him, threaten me. Those were the conditions of my summoning from my world's afterlife, and to be allowed to serve as his 'Servant'. We are similar to Familiars, though I think the term 'Summon' is more popular here. Though there are some obvious differences, but I digress." She had nearly slipped into teacher mode there for a moment. Still, her gaze slid back to your team, lingering just a second longer on Yoruichi. "You are his women. You are also his comrades. Should any come to threaten him, then you will have my spear at your side. This, I swear on my honor as a Queen, and my pride as a teacher."
Korra bristled, fists tightening. "Tch. Like I need some dead bitch's approval."
"Careful, little girl," Scáthach replied coolly, a faint smile curving her lips. "Do not misunderstand, to be qualified to become a 'Servant' in my world one must leave their mark on History. Most come out of the process stronger for it. I am the rare exception. This form can barely contain my power."
Korra's storm crackled louder at the unspoken threat in Scathach's words. Yoruichi's blade hummed as her hand rested readily on its hilt. Shadows behind Sombra flickered with ember-eyes and she happily summoned a familiar bony mask into her hand.
On one side of the room were three women armed with new powers they barely understood. On the other stood one queen of shadows crossing her arms and smiling, like she wanted to goad them into letting her prove her point.
In the middle was you, standing between them all, feeling the tension mounting as tempers started to run hot, especially on the side of your team. You could tell Scathach wanted them angry at her, but you didn't have a damn clue why. You could make guesses, but you weren't arrogant enough to assume that she was already starting to act possessive over you.
You lifted a single hand, cutting off the staring match before it could ignite into a clash.
"Enough. She's with us. You'll all meet the others soon, but Scáthach comes first because… well because she's probably the easiest of the three to deal with. Also the fastest one to get here. Luck of the draw I guess."
Your words carried the weight of your Lovers trait, woven with the intent of getting the two sides to focus back onto you instead of glaring at each other. The sparks of confrontation eased, though only slightly.
Scáthach just glanced at you, lips curling faintly. She even had the nerve to come up behind you and pat you on the head! "Hmph. Bold, as always, but also measured. You handle command well, though there's still things I can teach you there."
Wait, was this all a test for you? The nerve of this-
"Mother! You wanted us?!" Your thoughts were interrupted by a sudden heat-seeking glomping projectile from the ceiling. Scathach didn't react, but your already stressed team looked ready to murder the adorable white haired girl happily pinning herself to you and refusing to let go. With a sigh, you got ready to introduce the next of your servants, though you could already feel the judgemental looks from the moment she called you 'mother'. Especially once they saw her 'unique' appearance.
You barely managed to keep your balance as you looked down at the bundle of pale hair and bright, sparkling green eyes who was now plastered to your body like a barnacle.
"...Of course." You sighed.
Scáthach didn't even flinch, her expression remained as neutral as ever, though her crimson eyes narrowed faintly at the intrusion. Your team, however, had far less composure, as would be expected from the half of the room who was unaware of Jack's… Jackness.
Korra blinked twice, jaw slack, before breaking into loud, uncontrollable laughter. "Hah! Mother?! Are you kidding me?!" Wayward sparks leapt off her shoulders as she bent over, clutching her sides as she didn't even try to hold back the uncontrollable giggles and guffaws coming from her.
Sombra pressed a hand to her mouth, trying, and failing, to suppress a snicker. Her other hand lifted, miming typing at a phantom keyboard. "Oh, I am never letting you live this down. Mother Sōkotsu… heh, that's rich."
Yoruichi just rolled her golden eyes, leaning back against the wall with Titan's Thunder resting lazily against her shoulder. She had been the one most ready to respond to what might have been a threat, but she recognized Jack for what she was, competition. "Tch. Figures. One brat attracts another."
"...I don't want to hear a word from any of you," you muttered flatly, already bracing for the fallout. The girl nuzzling into your chest only clung tighter, ignoring the judgemental stares and amused reactions from your team. "She's barely younger than me."
That defense landed about as well as you expected.
Korra roared louder, her laughter cracking like thunder. Sombra's shoulders shook as her suppressed snickering broke into open giggles. Yoruichi's smirk grew, a lazy little half-grin that screamed you've lost this round, brat. Even Scáthach's lips twitched, just barely, as though she was fighting the urge to smirk at your attempt to turn the tables.
But beneath the embarrassment, you couldn't help but smile. This was your own little family, after all. One you had worked hard to build yourself. Murder-gremlins and antagonistic teachers from the underworld included.
"Jack, be a good girl and introduce yourself."
The little white-haired girl froze at your words, still clinging to you like a limpet. Slowly, she peeled her face away from your chest and turned to the room. Her glassy green eyes shimmered unnaturally, too sharp and too old for her tiny frame. There was still that tell-tale innocence to her, but it was twisted. She was like a child idly musing which limb they should rip off of a bug.
Korra's laughter died mid-breath, caught in her throat. Sombra straightened, her smirk faltering into something more wary. Even Yoruichi's grin cooled, golden eyes narrowing in cautious appraisal.
Jack just smiled back at them, her wide childish grin was sweet, innocent, and unnerving in all the wrong ways.
"We're… no-one, we were no-one, then we had Mother," she said in a singsong voice, humming gently to a tune you didn't recognize. Her tone was cheerful, childlike… but every syllable carried a heavy weight that was impossible to place. "Servant Assassin. Mother loves us here, so I'll be a good girl and protect them forever and ever."
She tilted her head, the smile stretching just a little too wide, and giggled. The sound was light and airy, and she could almost be mistaken for a normal child despite her peculiarities. Almost.
Korra took an instinctive step back, sparks flickering over her forearms. "What… the hell is she? I get that you're summoning ghosts and shit but she feels more like a demon"
Sombra leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing as she scanned Jack up and down like she was trying to look past her and determine which part was real, the sweet little girl or the bloodthirsty killer. Unfortunately for her, she probably wasn't looking for the correct answer, which was both. "For once I'm on Korra's side here, she even had me tricked into thinking she was a normal kid at first…" Her voice trailed off, sharp suspicion bleeding into it. She was probably more upset Jack had genuinely fooled her than she was properly worried about the threat the little girl posed.
Yoruichi's expression hardened into something closer to her "Sensei" mode, arms folding as she regarded Jack with cool calculation. "You've got some nerve, brat. First you go and find yourself another teacher, and now you invite someone calling themselves 'Assassin' into our room without even running it by me first?"
Jack's gaze flicked to each of them in turn, unblinking, the smile never wavering. She didn't react to the suspicion, or the judgment, or even the hostility simmering in the air. She just squeezed you tighter, as if daring any of the three of them to try and pull her away from her prize.
You sighed, running a hand through your hair.
"She's not what she looks like," you said firmly, before deflating at the skeptical looks you got in return. "Okay fine, she's exactly what she looks like. But she's also a Servant, one who is bound to me through both my energy and the Gacha. She's an Assassin, yes. Yes, she's also dangerous… but she's mine. And that means she's on our side."
Korra's jaw clenched, still visibly uncomfortable. "She's… a kid. Like, academy age. And you're saying she kills people?"
"She's almost definitely older than me, and we all know how my first mission went," you countered flatly. "She's just… trapped in a form like this. A spirit given flesh. Don't let her looks fool you."
That didn't help much. Korra still looked uneasy, Sombra's eyes still gleamed with suspicion as she tried to determine which part of Jack was an act, and Yoruichi's lips twisted into something halfway between disdain and amusement. Everyone knows part of Shinobi life is turning children into murderers, but no one likes being confronted with it.
Jack brightened at your defense of her, giggling again as she snuggled tighter against you. "See? Mother understands. Or thinks they do. And so does the scary lady with the spear, or she would have said something. The rest of you will, too. Someday."
You exhaled slowly, happy that things didn't go worse. It was almost a miracle that they didn't, to be honest. "That's two down. One more to go."
The looks your team gave you at that were… less than thrilled.
On the bright side, they'll probably go back to giggling and making jokes once they meet Saber. That and the judgemental stares, of course.
-x-X-x-
--- Warning, some gay ahead ---
Jack had barely finished giggling into your chest when you felt the tension in the room climb again. Korra still looked like she wanted to punt the white-haired girl through a wall, Sombra's smirk had returned in full force even though her eyes kept flicking back to Jack uneasily, and Yoruichi just pinched the bridge of her nose like she was developing a migraine.
Scáthach's crimson gaze flicked toward you, one brow rising. "He should be here soon."
You sighed. No sense dragging this out. "Yeah. He shouldn't be too much of a hassle either. Jack was always going to be the hardest one to explain. The next…"
You clapped your hands once, chakra sparking from your palms as you sent one last burst of your 'mana' to get your most flighty servant's attention. You hope the airhead doesn't make you waste a command seal on making sure he shows up. The air shimmered, then parted like a curtain as your trick worked and the last of your servants arrived.
A tall, slender figure stepped into reality as blue sparks of light coalesced into his body, every movement so flamboyantly extra that it was impossible to miss the sudden shift in atmosphere compared to the dreadful aura Jack unconsciously brought about. Pink hair spilled over his armored shoulders, a proud smile curved his lips, and his hand rested casually on the hilt of a sheathed sword that glowed faintly with pink magical light.
"Astolfo! Saber-class Servant, at your service, Mastah!" he declared, striking a pose so dramatic you almost swore there were sparkles in the air behind him. Then, he'd trip over his own feet and end up face-down and ass-up, wiggling his butt in the air for a second before jumping back to his feet. "Ouch, no-one said cool entrances were so hard…" He'd mutter under his breath as he rubbed at the bruise on his forehead.
Korra blinked. Once. Twice. Then slowly dragged a hand down her face. "…You've gotta be kidding me. Please tell me you didn't fuck this one."
Sombra actually laughed out loud, her voice sharp and amused. "Oh, no, no, no… this is perfect. Look at this guy! He makes our little Sōkotsu look restrained. Besides… he definitely fucked him, why do you think he saved him for last?"
Yoruichi tilted her head, golden eyes narrowing in amusement as her lips curved into a lazy grin. "Well, well. Pink hair, gaudy armor, and more misplaced confidence than that Taki 'Jonin' who tried to hit on me in that stupid tower. I like him already."
Jack tilted her head against you, blinking innocently at the arrival of your final servant. "I don't see what's wrong with Mother liking him. He's pretty, right Mother?"
Astolfo beamed at that, practically skipping forward to put himself center stage. "Of course I am! After all, I'm your loyal knight. Brave, beautiful, and always ready to save the day!" He spun once on his heel, cloak flaring dramatically before bowing with exaggerated flair. He'd nearly tip over for a moment, wobbling precariously on one hand. You'd offer a hand to steady him, and he'd happily grab you by your crotch to get his balance. Tch, you don't know what you expected. "You can all rely on me, because I'm Astolfo, one of Charlemagne's Twelve Paladins!"
Scáthach, ever the stone-faced queen, just exhaled through her nose and muttered, "Hmph. He's even more foolish than I remember… but I suppose he's not a complete liability." Her crimson eyes flicked toward you. "At least you'll be able to take him around with you as a bodyguard. I doubt any of this world's fighters will take him seriously."
"And ruin my reputation? Don't bet on it," you muttered in response. Maybe you'd take him around with you occasionally, but you'd prefer keeping Scathach and Jack around in astral form. They're more reliable, and less likely to be an unintentional cock-tease.
Korra groaned and rubbed her temples. "First you give storm powers to me, a god-sword to Sensei, the powers of a nightmare queen to Sombra, then pull a murderous kid out of nowhere, and now you pull this?" She jabbed a finger at Astolfo, who just smiled brighter while fondling your chest, squeezing your muscles with sparkles in his eyes. "What even is your life, Sokotsu?"
"I guess you could say it's… chaos," Sombra cut in smoothly, smirk widening at her own awful joke, getting a groan out of you and Korra both..
Astolfo, meanwhile, ignored their skepticism entirely and finally stopped sexually harassing you so he could march right up to Yoruichi, hand extended cheerfully. "Hello! You smell like Cats and Mastah's cum! Let's be friends!"
The look she gave him was halfway between I'm going to strangle you and why is this my life. Then, the dam finally burst. Korra keeled over and had a bigger laughing fit than she did when she first saw Jack, rolling on the floor and nearly passing out from the hysterics your final servant sent her into.
The introductions had left the air buzzing with both tension and hornyness, after Astolfo decided to get involved. Korra was practically sparking just from glaring at Jack, Sombra was smirking to hide her panic at the introduction of so many new powerful people, and Astolfo was still sniffing around Yoruichi and trying 'befriend' her by mentioning how the two of them had a lot in common. He wasn't exactly incorrect, but that didn't seem to earn him any friendliness points with your sensei. Seems she only had room in her heart for one annoying brat.
Before it could spiral further, Yoruichi stepped forward, Titan's Thunder resting lazily across her shoulders. Her golden eyes scanned the group, her usual smirk curling into something sharper. She knew this sense of unsteady calm wasn't likely to last either. So she proposed the obvious solution. Punching each other… but in a way that wouldn't leave any grudges.
"Tch. Enough standing around," she said, her voice carrying the easy weight of command due to her vast experience as a Jonin. She was a legend back in Kumo, and sometimes you forgot that with how lazy she could be, but it was moments like this that reminded you. Your sensei was a bit terrifying… which made it even sweeter that she was all yours now. "You've all been handed new toys, but toys don't mean a damn thing if you don't know how to use them. Out there", she jerked her chin toward the treeline, "Orochimaru or whoever else is planning something won't wait for you to figure things out. Your opponents during the finals certainly won't. So, we test them. Now."
Korra grinned, flexing her hands as lightning crackled between her fingers, taking on her Elemental Form once more. "Finally. Been waiting to see what this storm stuff can do."
Sombra tilted her head, melting back into the shadows of the room with a sly grin. "Mm. Trial by fire? Works for me. I'll be watching then. I think these Wraith powers might be even better than the Nightmare ones. Teleporting and Fire are nice, but I've got a better non-detection jutsu than the 2nd Tsuchikage."
Astolfo's eyes lit up like festival lanterns at the announcement, eager to join in and prove himself as a worthy knight. A bit of a surprise, but not too unexpected. He is still a hero underneath all those bizarre mannerisms, you suppose. "A sparring session? Glorious! I'll dazzle you all with my brilliance!" His sword was in his hand before anyone could blink, cloak flaring dramatically in the wind… and flashing his ass as his skirt flipped up.
Jack just clung tighter to your sleeve, tilting her head up at you like a child begging for sweets. "Can I play too, Mommy?" That… was a horrible idea. Probably. You trusted Jack to restrain herself so long as everyone else kept their cool, but in a combat situation, even one meant to be 'safe' like a Spar? Well, you had a feeling the little Assassin would live up to her name.
Yoruichi's smirk widened as she rested the blade of Titan's Thunder against her shoulder. She still saw the other purple headed woman as the biggest threat out of your three servants. Then again, she clearly had a soft spot in her heart for white haired murderous midgets. "If you can keep up, brat."
Minutes later, you were all gathered in a scarred clearing near the edge of the Forest of Death, where you could still see its massive containment fence and the dense foliage it contained on the horizon. Broken trees and churned earth made this the perfect makeshift arena for getting your teammates and sensei adjusted to their new toys.
"Alright," Yoruichi said, stepping forward and twirling Titan's Thunder once in her grip. The air hummed faintly with faint traces of static, her chakra pulsing through the blade and becoming amplified. In your hands that blade would've been just another trick up your sleeve, in hers, it practically turned her into a force of nature. "No rules. No safety nets beyond the obvious of not actually killing or maiming each other. Just show me what you can do"
Her words were the spark that kicked off the explosions throughout the sparring ground, as prospective opponents launched at each other eager to prove their worth, and to get used to their new toys, in the case of your team.
Korra slammed her palms together, and with that quick gesture storm clouds spun into being overhead. No hand seals, no long overdramatic declarations, just thunder booming overhead as lightning raced across her arms, her fist punching the ground and sending a shockwave blasting outward. Dirt and roots erupted, and the air filled with ozone. Briefly, one of Sombra's masked creations flickered into existence before being destroyed by the shockwave. Proof that your smarter teammate has already started to adapt her new abilities to her combat style, rather than the other way around.
"Ha! Now this is my kind of power!"
Yoruichi was the next to move, vanishing in a blur before reappearing behind your pink-haired servant. It seems like she found the boy's 'friendliness' more annoying than she let on. Titan's Thunder carved a blazing arc across the air, and a tree in the distance exploded into splinters as the boy expertly dodged the attack, his clumsiness seemingly forgotten the moment blades were drawn. "Not bad," she said, smirking. "But if all you can do is dodge me, I don't think you stand a chance."
Sombra disappeared entirely, her laughter echoing faintly from the treeline. She still summoned flashes of red fire to launch at Korra, but actually pinning down where she was proved to be a challenge, as she always seemed to be gone by the time the attack was launched. Shadows danced across the clearing, and with a voice so smug you could practically hear the grin on her face, she popped out of the treeline. "You won't be able to keep up moves like that forever Korra," she whispered before disappearing into nowhere once more, shadows being her only calling card. "Meanwhile, I've barely even tapped into my Chakra."
Astolfo countered Yoruichi's next strike, his sword crystallizing his legend managing to clash with the legendary blade you gifted to Yoruichi, its blade blazing with radiant light. He spun through a dazzling flourish of strikes which your sensei either countered or evaded, scattering light in every direction. "Marvelous, isn't it? The brilliance of the great Astolfo can't be matched! I can do far more than just 'dodge' you!"
And in this chaos, Jack fluttered about like a ghost, one moment at Yoruichi's back, miming cutting her throat, then the next at Korra's flank, her small dagger poised at her kidneys before vanishing again in a puff of mist. "I'm really good at hide-and-seek, Mother," she giggled. Thankfully, she seemed to understand that she wasn't allowed to kill her Mother's friends. Things could've gone wrong quite easily if she hadn't.
"I would've stopped her. Your teammate likely wouldn't have escaped unscathed, but I'd be able to repair the damage as long as they still lived." Your thoughts were interrupted by your last servant, who was observing the fights just like you. You had half-expected her to join in. You know you wanted to, but it wouldn't have been fair to the rest of them. Astolfo was probably the weakest of your servants (Well technically Jack would be the weakest in a fair fight, but you doubted the Little Murderer would ever allow a situation like that to come about) and even he was keeping pace with Yoruichi fairly well.
You stood at the edge, arms folded, watching your team tear into the training ground and each other with reckless abandon. Divine lightning cracked, summoned thunder boomed, unnatural shadows twisted, and crimson nightmare flames danced. Astolfo's radiant flourishes cutting through it all like stage lights as he seemingly got cocky enough to challenge all three of your team, and got humbled for the experience. He was good, but Yoruichi on her own could probably keep pace with him now that she's got her new toy.
Beside you, Scáthach observed in silence, her crimson eyes tracking every movement with surgical precision.
"Your Sensei is skilled. She would've made a fine warrior during the time of my greatest pupils. Your teammates are more… raw, but still talented. Hmm. I suppose I should join soon, before they think me a coward." She'd say before drawing her spear, manifesting the bloody red lance in her hand without a second thought. She didn't seem to care much for spectacle beyond that, calmly approaching the chaotic battlefield the scrap had turned into.
"Good luck!" You call out as she leaves. She merely scoffs though, before manifesting a spear and tossing it towards you. "Save your wishes for your team. They need them more." She'd say, before gesturing down to the spear. "Pick that up and go through your motions. Get used to the feel of it in your hands. When I'm done with your team, I'll be coming back for it. Your objective is to keep me from disarming you by any means necessary." With her instructions towards you given, she'd continue to walk forward before making eye contact with your Sensei.
"You," she said, her voice low but cutting through the chaotic storm of the sparring field like a blade through grass. "Golden eyes. You've been measuring me since I arrived. Let's stop pretending."
Yoruichi's smirk sharpened at that, her grip tightening on Titan's Thunder as she kicked away Astolfo to Korra and Sombra to finish off, they had already mostly exhausted him anyways. "Tch. Finally. I was wondering how long you'd just stand there glaring at me."
The two predators locked eyes, the air between them snapping like taut wire. You could feel the pressure as they closed the distance, step by deliberate step. On one side was a grim hound of war, her bloody red spear and the runes along its bladed tip glinting as if they thirsted for your Sensei's blood. It was nearly enough to make you glance at the spear in your own hands nervously, before you remembered that your favorite Katana had a literal thirst for blood. Besides, bloodthirsty weapons were cool!
Still, it didn't look like your sensei shared your enthusiasm. She was a wary cat ready to pounce. Examining her opponent for a single sign of weakness, an opportunity for her to seize whatever advantage she could get. She'd be needing it, after all.
"Don't hold back," Scáthach murmured, lowering her spear into a ready stance. "I'll know if you do."
Yoruichi rolled her shoulders, Titan's Thunder crackling with electricity as she lifted it to her side, ready for battle. "Heh. Same to you, spear-queen. Though it is a bit shitty of you, challenging me after I've already dealt with my student's pet twink."
Scathach merely raised an eyebrow at that. She heard the indirect challenge in Yoruichi's words, something like: 'If you win, it's only because I was tired'. A childish notion, one Yoruichi wouldn't even vocalize aloud. Still, it was more meant to tear at Scathach's ego and force her to make a mistake. "Tch, if you have a problem with the conditions just say it. I am happy to take whatever handicap you wish." She'd grunt out. Eventually they decided on a simple set of rules. Scáthach would restrict herself from using her runes, since Yoruichi was already low on Chakra and wouldn't be able to use as many Jutsu as she normally would.
After the rules were established they didn't explode into violence right away. They circled each other, every twitch of muscle and shift of weight being cataloged to build a mental profile of the other fighter. Added to a list of possible tells so they could dodge whichever strike came first. If they weren't careful, the first strike of this duel could be its last.
Scáthach struck first, a sharp thrust of her spear, more a question than a killing blow. Yoruichi slipped aside with a blur of motion, the blade of Titan's Thunder whistling past Scáthach's ribs in retaliation. The perfect answer to the warrior queen's question. It showed that Yoruichi had more than just speed and skill, she had the proper instincts of a warrior, ones that could only be earned through a lifetime spent on the battlefield.
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[Image]
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Steel rang against steel as Scathach's spear shaft caught the blade of Titan's Thunder, the impact sending sparks and lightning scattering. Both women leapt back, eyes narrowing, and Yoruich's smirk growing wider as she seemed to gain the upper hand in that clash.
"You're fast," Scáthach acknowledged, twirling her spear with lazy precision. "But you lack reach with that blade. Its not the same length you are used to."
Yoruichi chuckled, her golden gaze gleaming. "Strong. Observant too, but are you gonna be able to keep up with me once I actually get serious?"
She vanished in a burst of speed, reappearing behind Scáthach with her blade descending in a crackle of thunder, lightning surrounding her form as her blade empowered her limited form of Lightning Armor. The spearwoman spun, haft intercepting the strike in a flash of sparks. Yoruichi had good instincts, but Scathachs were legendary, and she wouldn't be the first faster opponent the legendary queen of battle had defeated. Still, the ground beneath her feet cracked from the force of Yoruichi's blow, and the Lancer was forced to retreat backwards.
Yoruichi's grin widened. "Heh. You've got tricks don't you? Bet you wish you hadn't given me that handicap"
Scáthach's lips curved faintly, the closest thing you've seen to a smile on her face since you decided to break her with your cock. "You haven't seen anything yet."
The duel intensified after that, each strike faster and sharper than the last. Scáthach's spear carved deadly arcs through the air, each thrust precise enough to pierce the other woman's heart if not for her last minute parries and hasty dodges. Yoruichi blurred and flickered, appearing and vanishing in bursts of lightning-charged speed, her sword flashing with thunderous weight. She was the faster one between the two of them, for now at least, but her chakra was draining fast and she wouldn't be able to sustain this pace for long. She needed to go for the win soon, or she wouldn't be able to get it at all.
Scáthach testing Yoruichi's reflexes. Yoruichi testing the timing of Scáthach's incredible battlefield awareness. Both were predators probing for weakness, for cracks in the other's foundation so they could go for the kill.
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[Image]
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The ground began to crater beneath them with every slight clash as they upped the pace. Trees split just from the shockwaves they sent off. The storm overhead bent along with Korra's laughter as she resumed her spar against Sombra, your two other servants reappearing at your side. Astolfo was a mess, covered in bruises and burns. Jack, on the other hand, looked absolutely delighted.
"I'm the hide and seek champion, Mommy!" She'd say with an eager giggle before joining you in watching your sensei's match against Scatach, enthralled by the sight of violence. Honestly, if she wasn't a magic ghost, you'd start to believe she might actually be a long-lost Kaguya descendant.
And you? You couldn't help grinning as you ruffled your most adorable servant's hair. You'd cast a healing spell on Astolfo too, since his pitiful whines and trembling bottom lip was starting to make him look like a kicked puppy.
You could never let him learn of that thought. He's definitely the type to put on a pair of dog ears and woof at you if he thought it'd get your attention. To dismiss that mental image from your mind, you'd focus back on the fight.
The testing blows were over. Both women had taken each other's measure, and the air itself seemed to quiver with anticipation.
Scáthach straightened her stance, her spear glinting against Yoruichi's blade from every clash but still sharp and ready to land the final blow. Then, she'd pull her hand back, her arm tense as she readied herself to throw her spear, its edge starting to let out an ominous blood red glow.
"Enough dancing, I have a student to discipline for ignoring my instructions," she said, her voice as cool as ice. "Show me your full speed and hit me as hard as you can, otherwise, you might not survive this next blow."
Yoruichi's grin widened, golden eyes blazing as she began to be covered in sparks, readying her blade at her waist in an Iaidō stance. "You asked for it."
Then she blurred forward, faster than a lightning strike. One heartbeat she was across the clearing, the next she was already halfway to Scathach in a single bound, but that was the moment Scathach had been waiting for.
Scáthach's spear moved like water, her arm going even further back and treating her weapon like an extension of her body.
"I suppose I must handicap myself with just one spear this time, otherwise I'd kill you. Soaring Spear that Strikes with Death - Gae Bolg!"
With those words, she'd launch it at the speeding missile that was Yoruichi. Two unstoppable weapons of mass destruction without equals, able to level entire squads of experienced Shinobi. These were the kinds of techniques spoken about in legends, the kind of feats that were given to legendary figures like the 1st Hokage or Madara Uchiha.
"This is over. Scathach has dozens of those spears. If she can just throw them like that, even if she can only do it two times, Sensei won't be able to match her." You'd realize with a start, suddenly much more worried about what she might do to you when she comes to reclaim the spear in your hands. She was apparently capable of turning throwing a spear into an attack equivalent to an S-rank Jutsu, one that was being empowered by one of your bullshit Gacha weapons. What else could she do? Especially since she was still holding back?!
Your worrying could wait, because you lose the ability to think entirely the moment their attacks met. It was a boom big enough that you were pretty sure whatever spies Konoha had watching you wouldn't be the only ones in the Village who felt the after-effects of it. But before you felt a shockwave powerful enough to test even your impressive durability, you saw a beautiful flash of light.
Then the moment passed, and with a single gesture, Scathach's spear would zoom back to her hand in an insane zig-zagging flash of light. Meanwhile, Yoruichi was left in a heap on the ground.
Scatach would calmly walk forward and press her spear's tip against your Sensei's throat.
Yoruichi blinked up at the weapon pressed against her, golden eyes wide… then she laughed, breathless, stepping up and letting her blade lower clatter to the ground.
"Well," she admitted, grinning through the sweat on her brow and the many wounds left on her body, ones that Scathach was already starting to heal with her Runes before you could move to hell, "guess I lost that one. Fuck it, fine. We can share the brat. He probably needs someone like you too keep him in line anyways, at least you'd stand a better chance against him if he needs someone to pull his head out of his ass."
Scáthach withdrew her spear, crimson eyes gleaming like rubies as she savored her victory. "You are strong. Fast too. But raw speed means nothing if it is read. Train more, and perhaps you'll put up a better showing against me. The living have more potential than they give themselves credit for…"
Korra whistled low, sparks crackling across her arms, she had been the winner of her little spar against Sombra, not that anyone had been paying attention to that after the clash between the two deadly warriors in the center of the battlefield. "Damn. That was… insane."
Sombra smirked, though her eyes lingered on Scáthach with sharper interest now. She didn't care about her loss against Korra. She was never meant to be a direct combatant anyways, and while the other girl wasn't the smartest, she's fought Sombra enough to be wise to her tricks. She's probably one of the worst opponents for her in the whole village at this point. "Not bad, bone-boy. You've got yourself one hell of a tutor. Hope you can handle her~"
Jack tilted her head, eyes glittering as she smiled faintly. "Mother's scary lady wins. We… we think we like her. She can protect Mommy and keep them safe."
Yoruichi straightened, rolling her shoulders with a lazy smirk despite the loss. "Tch. Don't get used to it, spear-queen. I'm still the brat's sensei, and I'm only sharing him until I kick your ass and get him all to myself again."
Scáthach's lips twitched upward, her version of a smile. An eager one too. "I'll look forward to your next attempt."
For some reason, you have a feeling she meant it too.
-x-X-x-
-x-X-x-
[Your Gold Roll for rolling Affinity
[Inferno Fork]
|Elite Item|
Terraria - A crimson trident that is taken from the deepest depths of the cursed dungeon. You can release blasts of flame from this weapon by expending your own energy/mana. Using this trident as a focus for Fire and Unholy abilities increases their potency.
Fusion Result: Forgemistress Tionishia
The result of merging the legendary Hewg's skill, the transdimensional "Master Blacksmith Commission" system via the tickets granted by the Gacha, and the ogress warrior Tionishia. This fusion produces a towering ogress-smith, her massive frame belied by surprisingly gentle and calloused hands. She carries within her the remnants of her composite identities: Hewg's dream of forging a god-slaying weapon, now tempered by Tionishia's motherly heart, and bound by the Commission's planar forge-magic.
Her forge is no longer bound to tickets, and is instead a pocket dimension that she can access herself or manifest into the outside world. This pocket reality is essentially her 'inner world' and so she can also summon copies of the weapons she has forged within it, though they will be weakened if their crafting required unique or rare materials that she doesn't have access to. These summoned weapons can only be wielded by her; though, her kind matronly heart often means she'll restrict herself to shields or non-lethal attacks with her weapons when she can, with some obvious exceptions.]