Chapter Text
It’s fascinating how many similar universes there are. On a surface level they look different, but when you peel back the layers you slowly start to see patterns. Rules and laws that transcend reality.
Two worlds could be used as such an example, especially the link the two will soon share. Not that anyone would see it coming.
One is an ancient realm, created by two brothers. Together they created, destroyed, and later abandoned their masterpiece to teach their creations a lesson. Magic was striped from the realm with only remnants of what once was. Now pledged with monsters, leaving humanity with no one to turn to but each other.
Though of course, darkness can never truly be banished. Even the heroes of this realm have their own agenda. An immortal witch and wizard? Huntresses and Huntsmen protecting Four kingdoms and powerful relics?
And of course, four maidens with the powers of the seasons. It’s a wonderful world of fairytales and tragedy, withering roses and sharpened iron. A world of never ending violence.
Meanwhile another world awaits. One that had started over a few times already, though the history long forgotten. Or at least, that’s what they want you to believe. It’s a world full of pirates, adventure, and mystery! No one had ever fully explored it in its entirety, a world map a long sense dream. Pirates and marines alike sail across these waters, the feeling of adventure buzzing even in the air.
However just like the first world, darkness pledges this one as well.
Slavery, monsters, and a forgotten history. Once there was a god of liberation, a god of the forest, and a god of the ocean. What happened to them? What became of the old world? No one knows. All that remains are stones with ancient text that only one woman can now read, Devil fruits with odd and mysterious powers, and an entity shrouded in shadows with piercing red eyes. Their gaze destroying anything or anyone that may reveal the truth of this world.
Both worlds are in a secret war, both worlds are faced with uncertainty.
And yet, a smaller, more honest soul, is the key to saving both worlds.
But that is a story for later. Neither the huntress nor pirate have reached the power needed in order to shake their worlds. Their stories have only just begun.
Though in another world, another timeline, a man would have met his end today. Hunted and burned from the inside with his face plastered across the world. A mix of cries and cheers would echo throughout the lands while an injured king-to-be wailed for the loss of his brother.
But like I said, that’s another tale. A different path.
There is a theory that a single change could redirect the future, no matter how big or small. The smallest rock kicked a little further. A butterfly flapping its wings causing the air to shift ever so slightly. Just a small change could completely change the future.
Maybe it was a shared energy. Maybe it was fate? Or perhaps just another great mystery added to the pile of unknown. But on the day of his death, everything went horribly right.
At the same time, two things happen in these two worlds.
A war of the best, powerful pirates and marines alike fighting to the death. Powerful devil fruits and will-power gathered in the same place, and among them, a sleeping god.
In the other, a maiden is attacked by three unknown assailants who work for an immortal witch. And for the first time in history, the leader of the group tries to drain the maiden's power to make it her own. However she won’t be able to finish taking all of it.
In a matter of seconds, a static shock vibrates through the air.
A brother bursts into flames, jumping in front of the younger to take a deathly blow.
A dusty crow with bad luck jumps in to disturb the process of stealing the maidens' powers.
And then it happens. The change.
The younger brother's eyes flash red, a scream on his lips.
A large sword cuts down on the connection between the maiden and the woman’s Grim glove.
With the blade cutting the connection and splitting the maidens power into two, and a blood curdling screams of a god, the world shifts.
One second he sees his brother's terrified face, accepting his imminent death. Next, the world flashes to white. An explosion of colors and sounds morphing and stretching around and inside him. A burst of pain washes over his back hotter than his own flames.
And then darkness.
His ears ring, eyes open despite being unable to see anything. All of his senses were completely shot. I’m his haze of unknown there is the faint sound of gunfire beyond the static.
And slowly from the shock and acceptance of his death, Portgas D. Ace faded from consciousness. A small smile on his lips.
Everything was going horribly wrong for both sides.
As per usual, Qrow’s semblance was going full force. If he had shown up seconds sooner, the uncertainty of the spring maidens future would be a question asked much later. Instead, he finds himself arriving almost too late.
Amber was on her knees, held by a green haired girl and a grey haired boy. And in front of her was a woman with a glove, a black web-like substance sticking out of a bug grim and attached to Amber's face. The glow of the Spring maidens power sapping out of her and into the woman.
Without a second thought Qrow leaped into action, moving faster than a typical human with his years of experience as a huntsman, slicing into the black web and cutting off the connection.
What he didn’t count on was a shock wave to hit him and the three attackers. The four launched back as a flash of white flashes from where the web had been cut.
Qrow winced, his aura flickering from the sheer impact the power displayed. For a second his vision was hazy and a slight ringing sound sang in his ears.
When his senses came back both the teens were knocked out cold on the ground and the woman was kneeling, panting heavily. He doesn’t get a clear look at her face as she uses the magic she managed to absorb to blur her features.
He turns his attention towards where Amber should be and paused for a moment. He squinted.
…Was that….why was there a man laying next to her suddenly??
The woman makes a slight motion to move towards where the man and Amber's out-cold bodies laid, but Qrow had already leaped forwards to grab both of the unconscious adults. With a smirk the attacker holds out a hand. He barely has time to react as the ground below him swirls and turns orange, exploding just as he jumps out of the way.
When the smoke and debris clears the attackers are gone.
Qrow grunted. ‘So the queen has decided to make her move.’ He thought grimly.
He gently laid the two bodies down to assess the damage done. He first looked over Amber, her well being his priority.
From a quick once over he could tell she had taken some heavy hits. The skin visible was covered in blooming bruises and drying blood from what Qrow assumed was a mix of the attackers and her own. And with how her body reacted when he had set her down it was safe to say a few ribs had been fractured. Most concerningly though, was the news scars that now Weber over her face.
‘Definitely left from that grim glove, must be one of the newest toys she cooked up.’ The raven haired man thought. He checked her pulse. He cursed.
He pulled out his scroll and called Ozpin as he turned his attention to the unconscious man. Half a ring later the call was picked up.
“Qrow.” Ozpin greeted. His usual affable tone had a slight tension to it. It was like he could tell something went wrong.
“Oz.” Qrow answered. “I got Amber. She was attacked by three assailants, Salem has made another move.” He informed the professor. “She’s in critical condition and needs immediate media assistance.” He said as he adjusted the unconscious man to look at him better. So far there weren’t any life threatening injuries. He was covered in bruises, some new and others days old. Most of his skin was covered in soot, blood, and small cuts. And with the man only wearing shorts Qrow could see almost every injury. He carefully rolled him over onto his side to get a look at his back.
There was a tapping sound from the scroll. “Sending air ships to your destination now, I’ll send a distress call to the nearest town to start the treatment. As soon as the air ships get there, head straight to Becan.”
“…tell them to send enough for two critical patients.” Qrow muttered, the words falling out of his mouth before he even processed the thought.
“Qrow?”
The man took a shaky breath. “There’s a kid here. I don’t know why it happened or how he got here but he’s not looking too good.”
There was no confirmation, just more taps. “The ships will be there in four hours. Local medics will be arriving shortly.”
“Thanks Oz.” Qrow breathed. “I’ll try to keep them stable till they get here.
The call ended and Qrow carefully picked up the two and took them over to the shade of trees to lay on their sides. He didn’t want the wounds to get infected or for them to choke.
The older man sat on a rock. Close enough to protect, far enough to stop his semblance from affecting them. He pulled out a flask and took a long gulp.
He was used to things not going to plan. He’s trained with his semblance for years and yet it backfired against him every now and then. He was especially used to it since he joined Oz’s mission in taking down Salem. This wasn’t the first time the witch had targeted one of the maidens. Though this situation was incredibly…unique.
And that wasn’t even with the unknown kid that appeared out of nowhere. Where this kid fit into all of this, Qrow had no idea. But what he had seen…
Qrow glanced his way.
The kid was lying facing him. Despite being covered in grime and wounds the kid slept with a smile on his face, one that reminded Qrow of his Niece. He hadn’t realized how young the boy looked at first due to all the debris covering him. If he had to guess the kid was probably somewhere in between late teens and early twenties.
Which is why it was even harder to see it.
His gaze trailed down to where the kid's abdomen was exposed. It was covered in the same cuts and bruises as the rest of his body, except for the very top where his side was. Blisters peaked over the edge, creeping up from his back. Qrow didn’t have to see it, the images of burnt flesh embedded in his brain.
A large circular burn covered most of his back. It didn’t look deep but there was no doubt that his organs had been damaged. He probably needed surgery.
Qrow’s seen a lot of shit. As a huntsman it comes with the job. Still it’s hard to see this kind of gore on people so young.
He took another swig from the flask, the whiskey burning his throat.
“Stay strong.” He said out loud to the two unconscious bodies. They didn’t hear him but there was an urge to reassure them. If it was for them or himself he couldn’t tell.
Later the medics would arrive. Qrow would barely acknowledge them and give the bare minimum of information medical wise only, claiming it was bandits. He would watch over the two as they were hooked up to life support. They would examine the bodies and list their findings for the surgeons that would take over when the air ships would arrive.
But for now there was nothing but the smell of whiskey and wheezing breaths.
Marines and pirates alike stood in shock. A wave of confusion and fear floated above the battlefield like a nuke about to go off.
One second Admiral Akainu had shot his magma fist forward to Portgas D. Ace who was shielding a frozen Monkey D. Luffy. The next, a scream and flash of light echoed through the battlefield like a shock wave, once again halting everyone present.
Now, Akainu stood in the same place with his arm stretched forward, like his fist had met its target. In front of him kneels Luffy, now alone. There was no trace of Ace, only ashes flaring in the air where he once stood.
Luffy stared blankly. His bright onyx eyes were now dull, shaking in pure shock. He clumsily reaches forwards to where his brother was, Ace’s vivre card burning only a few inches away. It was gone in seconds.
At first there was nothing. Just shock. And then, it hit like a typhoon.
The food gates opened. His pupils shrank till his eyes almost looked completely white, like his eyes had rolled back. A mix of a wail and a blood curdling scream sounded and touched the hearts of allies. He screamed and cried as he mourned the loss of his big brother. Even Ace’s crew mates couldn’t hold themselves back as a mix of guilt and remorse rotted into their chests.
And yet the war continues on, ignoring the loss. The Marines won, but there were still enemies on their territory.
Justice will prevail. But not today.