Academy City, 20th century, 1990s
Adira looked at her watch, she was sitting inside her hotel room, in her nun's outfit without the habit of course. She was supposed to recieve the letter for her next job at around this time.
Over all she had considered this a rather bad week. Two of her targets, both Level 4s, had all been killed before she could even reach them.. all by the mysterious assassin that people were starting to call Death Reach.
The Arch Bishop didn't consider this a threat, nor did she consider this a sign of Adira's incompetance in any way.. just that Death Reach was a far more experienced assassin then a battle nun who had spent most of her life training as a body gaurd to church officials rather then a target killer.
In fact, the Arch Bishop had given the express order to assist Death Reach if need be.. as it seemed more like this assassin was targeting those associated with the Science Side.. and none else..
Adira hated it though, she was afraid that the one she had sworn she would never kill.. her rogue brother Eolas Stuart, would at some point be killed by Death Reach. She wanted to be sure she could actually reach and take care of her targets before this assassin so that she could do what she wanted to do with Eolas before he was killed.
It was already apparent that this fighter bore no supernatural powers, yet somehow her skills were enough that she could take down Level 5s like Impulser with extreme ease. She was the most deadly and skilled assassin in the entire world, and the world itself had only known about her existance for a total of 2 weeks.
Adira knew that the letter she was waiting for probably wouldn't come for another few hours, so she took her large Faith Pillar, slung it to her back and jumped out the window..
Adira didn't fear damage from heights much at all.. from time to time, she could take the faith imbibed within her pillar and extend it to other parts of her body, like her legs for instance, increasing the durability and shock resistance of those body parts to extreme levels.. though not as strong as the pillar.
Adira landed in the street lightly, using much of her training to allow the magic in her legs to completely absorb the vibrations of the landing and make minimal noise.
She liked it when people thought she was still in her room as she went out for her walks.. she found the lady at the front desk rather over motherly. She would come into Adira's room while she was sleeping and put several more layers of blankets over her, organize her closet, and other strange things.
As Adira walked along.. she came across a rather strange man, he was quite short, only being around half Adira's hieght, with a mustache and blonde hair.. the man's hair had some gray, and it appeared he might have been in the process of going bald.. he wore a strange looking white coat with the back of the coat baring a strange symbol.. it almost looked like a bird... or was it a fairy? Anyways... the man looked to be about in his late 50s
"Every time I visit this world.. I get lost." the man muttered. He then noticed Adira and waved cheerfully. "Yo!! My name is Markarov!! You wouldn't happen to know where the administrative building is around here would you?"
Adira shook her head. "My apologies, I am quite new to this town as well.. I am just out for a walk.. I could use the company, perhaps we can go together, and maybe find this administrative section together."
Markarov began to laugh heartilly.
Adira raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny?"
"It figures.. I recognize that outfit now.. you're from one of the churches in this world, that explains why you're so much more friendly to me then most of the people in this town hmm? You were taught humility and servitude to others as a way of life..how very nice.. it's wonderful to meet such devoted youngsters.."
"If I may ask... what did you mean just now about.. THIS world...are you from another world perhaps?" asked Adira.
"W-well!!" Markarov looked slightly bewildered. "Er.. no!! Of course not!! How silly of me!! Ah well, you know what they say about old age eh?... by the way, don't you dare call me old!! I've still got plenty of youth left in me- OUCH!! my back!!"
Markarov bent over, clutching his back and limping around. "Of all the times I had to.."
Adira smiled and knealt next to Markarov, she gave him a strange systematic massage.. and there was a popping sound as Markarov stood up straight, looking much better.
"Now that was heavenly!" said Markarov cheerfully. "A beautiful woman has wonderous hands as I always say! ahahahahaha!!!"
Adira giggled. "My.. you're rather nice for an old man.."
"I'M NOT OLD!!" Markarov exclaimed. "Jeez.. everyone back at the guild seems to think me old.."
"Guild?" said Adira. "Are you part of some organization..?"
"Why yes.." said Markarov. "Now.. perhaps we could discuss it with a walk my dear.." Markarov held out a hand to Adira.. blushing slightly as he grinned.
Adira chuckled. "Aaahh.. I see now.. you're an old man and quite a pervert.."
"Wha!? Me!? A pervert!? Hahahahaha...heheheh..!" Markarov rubbed his head sheepishly. "mmm.. Porlyusica would beat me up if she saw me now..nnn...well about that walk!"
Adira gave Markarov a polite bow and held his hand as the two walked down the narrow street. As they walked for a while.. Adira could feel a slight chill going down her spine.. somebody was following them.. several somebodies..
Adira tightened her grip on Markarov's hand. "Sir.. Markarov.. I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to hide somewhere nearby.. there's.. something I need to take care of."
Markarov raised an eyebrow. "Hmmm? I see... well.. I'll leave you to it..but if you don't mind.. I think it's a little too late to hide."
Markarov was right.. already, several gangsters that looked like they were in their twenties were already surrounding the twosome.. all of them grinning maliciously.
"Now now.. a pretty catholic girl and her grandpa walking down this neighborhood all alone." said one man. "What a sight!! You must not know who owns this neighborhood..."
Adira's eyes flashed dangerously as she reached for her large pillar. "Are we supposed to know? Or are you just harrassing us for the sake of irritating others?"
"Oh, this ones got spunk." said the man. "You know.. I can't wait to take you home, and have ya decorate my bed.. if ya know what I mean.."
Suddenly.. there was a feeling of deep setting ominous anger, as Markarov began to glow with some sort of power. "Hmmm? Speaking to a young girl that way.. with such malicious intentions?"
In an instant, Markarove's arm grew to massive size as his fist came crashing down on some of the gang members like a ginormous hammer, causing the very street to crack.
"Wh-WHA!!? WHAT'S WITH THE GEEZER!?" shouted one gangster.
"YOU DARE CALL ME AN OLD GEEZER!!!?" Markarov roared as his eyes glowed with light, and the entire area trembled with power.
The rest of the gangsters ran off, crying out with fear.
Adira stared at Markarov for a minute. That was magic alright, but not like any magic she had ever seen.. What exactly was this guy?
Adira bowed respectfully to Markarov again. "Thank you.. I admit that had I fought them, they might have come out a little worse for wear, I am a bit sloppy."
Markarov waved hand cheerfully. "It's no trouble, not when I'm helping a fellow magic user, as you so obviously are.. you know.. I think I might be able to find the administrative area now that I've cleared my head with a good walk.. ta ta for now.."
As Markarov walked off, Adira shook her head. This city was just full of strange individuals.. As Adira continued her walk.. she was met suddenly by a white pidgeon that fluttered onto her shoulder and dropped a letter into her hand..
She opened the letter.. and found something rather strange.. according to the Arch Bishop.. her target was no longer an Esper... but.. actually.. something called a Quincy...
"Giselle Gewelle.." Adira read. "What? That is a strange name.. and what in the world is a Quincy?"
Adira read the note further down.. and found a name scribbled down.. as if in a hurry. "She might be using the Spark Liner esper Osamu.."
Other then that.. there were no other clues to what kind of job this was..'
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Present Day..
"Wait.." Mikoto said. "Th-that's it!? Isn't there more!? That's all!?"
"I'm afraid you are correct about that." said Agnese. "To be honest, part of Adira's journal was stolen and destroyed, so any more records of what she's done against this Giselle Gewelle, as well as her actions involving the Spark Liner.. but I do know that things got extremely bloody after that.. supposedly.. and not many people know this, but Academy City was soon afterwords attacked by Zombies.."
"Wait.. ZOMBIES!?" said Gray.
"Don't mind Gray." said Lucy. "He's a horror nut.. he's played all three Dead Space games and not even flinched."
"Hey! Accelerator liked them too!"
"Accelerator's a psycho though!" said Natsu. "Seriously Icicle Nerve, what kind of sick guy likes to play Alien Isolation and not even flinch once!? Happy was hiding under my bed for a month after he played that game!!"
"We're getting off topic!" said Erza. "So.. you said actual undead zombies attacked Academy City!?"
"It sounds outlandish I know." said Agnese. "I didn't even believe it at first.. but Laura was pretty insistant about the fact that nearly a hundred different Espers were killed and reanimated somehow as full blown mindless zombies.. And it was through niether magic or scientific powers.."
"It has to be spiritual then." said Erza. "As Nodt, Bazz B and Bambietta are all called Quincies according to Mikoto.. and their powers stem from spiritual abilities."
"Osamu said they're a tribe of extroardinary humans who slay hollows.." said Mikoto. "Other then the fact that they tend to use bows as weapons.. I really don't know much.. and even so, Bazz-B's the only Quincy I've ever seen use his spirit bow. As Nodt's got those weird thorns.. And Bambietta just throws around those reishi globs that turn anything it touches into bombs.."
"So Quincies are like Soul Reapers and Hollows?" said Charle. "This definitely seems relevant.. but what does this have to do with that Osamu fellow?"
"Maybe..." Natsu said. "Osamu is actually.. A ZOMBIE!!!"
"WHAM!!!" Mikoto punched Natsu in the head. "Does he look undead to you!? Stop joking around!!"
"But think about it!!" Natsu exclaimed, rubbing his head. "He wears all black!! And he walks all stiff!! He's a zombiiiieeeee!!!!"
"This entire conversation turned from Original Level 5s to Zombies in an instant." said Elli. "Hey Mikoto.. isn't that kind of strange?"
"Well.. now that I think about it.. we've dealt with dragons, interdimensional demons, people from seperate Omegaverses, hollows, and a whole bunch of other crazy, crazy, stuff.." said Kuroko. "At this point, zombies just seem tame..."
"Are you sure there aren't any other records on the events?" Asked Erza. "Anything at all?"
Agnese shrugged. "I don't know..I'll let you know if I find anything.. though, other then that, all I know is that my uncle Brenard decided to work for Death Reach at that time... anything else.. well I've got nothing.."
Mikoto sank into deep thought for a minute. That meant.. there was only one other person with information.. and that meant doing some extremely dangerous investigating..
"Guys.. let's go find Death Reach.."
Agnese's jaw dropped. "Wh-what!? YOU WANT TO GO FIND THE MOST DANGEROUS ASSASSIN IN THE WORLD!!? One whose so deadly, she could cut down a Level 5 in 3 seconds flat!?"
"Yep.."
"Well.. Mikoto's finally lost it!" said Happy. "Everybody hug a fish and hope for the best!!"
______________________________
Academy City..
On top of one of the taller sky scrapers of Academy City.. a ripple in space began to shake and tremble in the air, before it tore itself open like a giant mouth.. a Gargantua..
Out of the portal to Hueco Mundo, stepped a familiar figure, with his cold lifeless stare, his pale gray skin.. Ulquiorra Cifer looked down upon the world he hadn't seen in around 2 months.
As the Gargantua closed up, Ulquiorra continued to stare out into the night for a minute.. another figure appeared on the roof.. his blue hair waving silently in the wind.
"So.. I'm here." said Jellal as he walked over to join Ulquiorra. "Quite a meeting place, couldn't pick a nicer place? Like a diner or something?"
"You know well that this world is currently overly cautious towards anything considered Arrancar, Hollow, or otherwise." said Ulquiorra. "It would be unwise to meet anywhere else that wasn't secluded."
"True.." said Jellal.
Ulquiorra gave Jellal a photo which he took.
"She was sighted in the city this morning.." said Ulquiorra. "She was asking around for Mikoto Misaka. And not only that.. but I'm pretty sure she works for a particular someone who I find rather troubling."
"Who?"
"Diablo Etwatia.."
"Impossible!" said Jellal. "Diablo is lightyears away... millions of lightyears in fact.. the Numensapiens themselves said that their fight with Diablo was no longer our battle. After all he's not exactly interested in Earth anymore.."
"Is he?" Ulquiorra said. "Mikoto Misaka now bears all the former memories she had as Fulguras.. she remembers.. and therefore, it is safe to assume she now hasn't lost any of her former attatchements to her old life.. Amor, she see's as her mother.. Nebulosos, she sees as the planet she grew up on.. Diablo knows this, that with these memories, Mikoto Misaka might feel obligated to interfere along with the rest of the Numensapiens.."
"So he must have heard that she's slowly regaining her powers." said Jellal. "So are we sure that this person Diablo sent is really dangerous enough to warrant such a meeting?"
"She was recently involved in an invasion of Soul Society that happened a month ago.. " said Ulquiorra. "An entire army of Quincies.. led by the King of Quincies Yhwach.. Ywach made it as far as the Soul Palace, defeating the entire Royal Gaurd just barely.. however, he was defeated by Ichigo Kurosaki.."
"So she was involved in that incident?" said Jellal.
"Yes.. she's strong enough to stand against a Captain Class Soul Reaper.." said Ulquiorra. "She ended up killing Kensei and Rose...two more Captain positions that need to be filled.. according to Kurosaki, it was a complete fiasco.. Captain Genryusai Yamamoto is dead.."
Jellal stared at Ulquiorra in shock. "Impossible.."
"He fought against Ywach to his last breath.. his bankai was unleashed.." said Ulquiorra.
"So.. I guess I'll be keeping a lookout for this individual then.." said Jellal. "What's her name..?"
"Giselle Gewelle.."
_____________________________
The street in District 7 was empty... all except for Ruiko Saten, who was heading back to her dorm after shopping for her lunch.
Ruiko was currently on the phone, talking not paying much attention to her surroundings...
"Natsu! Just tell her I found a new clothing store I think she would like." said Saten. "Honestly, it's not that bad.. I tried calling Mikoto's phone earlier, but I don't think her service is that good in Fiore..honestly, this whole interdimensional thing is sometimes so confusing.."
Saten smiled. "Oh, and how are things going with Lucy? Eh? You can act all you like.. I know you two have SOMETHING planned for a date night..okay.. later..."
Saten closed her phone and sighed.. she was just about to turn a corner when she heard strange singing..
There was a figure standing in the middle of the street, humming with an eirie tune... It was a girl.. wearing a white trench coat, with black leggings, and a cap on the side of her head.. she turned to look at Saten with a frightening echoing giggle. "Oh... hello.. I didn't see you there.. "
"Uh..." Saten stammered. "I don't know you... so I'll just be going now.."
There was a sudden flash, and the girl was standing right in front of Saten, blocking her way. "Whoah whoah!! What's the rush!? Oh.. look at you, that expression is making me so wet.."
At those words, Saten KNEW she didn't want to be around this person any longer then necessary... but that speed.. Saten had a feeling that it could only be associated either with a Soul Reaper's Flash Step.. or an Arrancar's Sonido... but this girl didn't look like either..
"I-I need to go.. so excuse me.." Saten began.. right before a bunch of clammy, gray skinned hands grabbed her from behind.
Saten turned her head with fright to see multiple ordinary students.. all of them staring with blank expressions, drooling and moaning as their now clammy discolored skin seemed to give off death..
Saten screamed as the the zombies began to gather around her..
"Oh.. it's good to hear the screams of other little girls.." Giselle Gewelle as her blue eyes went wide with a freakish lust. "It makes me so wet..."