Prologue

ISYANA: The Old Gate

"TERUMI!" Jubei shouted as he charged the traitor, his sword gripped firmly between his tails. The hooded man deflected the katana with a knife and gave a sadistic grin.

"Aw, look who's here. Welcome to the show kitty!" He said in a sing-song voice. "It's nice to see you again after all this time! How have things been with the kid and Nine? ...Oh right, I just put her and Trinity into the boundary for good… AKWAAAAAAAAARD!"

"You pathetic scum!" the one-eyed lotus shouted, ready to charge again and claim blood.

"Calm yourself, cat," a powerful commanded. The White Susanooh, Hakumen, walked to Jubei's side. "We may not stand a chance otherwise."

"But Nine-!"

"Will be avenged, I promise you," Hakumen assured his companion. "If we're to stand a chance you need to-"

"TOO LATE ASSHOLES!" Terumi shouted as he sent out a blast of jade green energy. The energy shot Jubei completely through, severely wounding several of his vital organs. The hero fell to floor.

"DAMN YOU!" Hakumen shouted as he slashed Terumi across the body with his sword. Terumi was severely injured from that attack, and the snake knew a lost cause when he saw one.

Hakumen reeled his sword back for another attack, one that would finish the snake for good… but Terumi flung himself over the Cauldrons edge.

"Not a bad show Haku! I'll be back later for my encore! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Terumi's laughter echoed his entire fall into the boundary.

"Nine…" Jubei rasped out. "Koko…no…" With that, he fell still, never to move again.

Hakumen regarded the body of his long time friend and companion saying nothing. He'd grown close to Jubei all of the years the two had spent trying to stop the black beast, but now that was over. Hakumen sheathed his sword and grabbed his friend's body to give him the proper burial outside the city. When Hakumen looked at the completed tomb, he again said nothing. Any words would have fallen on deaf ears.

*The church of Celica A. Mercury*

Why couldn't things have been different? Hakumen thought to himself as he watched Celica cry, her sobs echoing throughout the church. No, I can't let myself by held by this. "Celica, I know this will sound unfair after what you've just heard, but I need a favor from you."

Celica stopped crying for a moment before nodding.

"I need you to watch over this place. Terumi swore he would return; I intend to be prepared for that."

"I can always watch over this place, but what about Kokonoe?"

"Jubei had told me that the she was being watched by the Librarium." Noticing the concern in her eyes, he decided to elaborate. "Rest assured, I will check on her regularly… in secret, of course."

"What are you planning on doing to prepare for Terumi?"

"I must finish Nine's work. Hunting the Nox Nyctores has now become my foremost priority…" Hakumen made his way to the door. "Again… I am sorry. Farewell."

"I know you don't get along well with her… but you could go to Miss Rachel for help. Please, do it for Nine and Jubei."

Hakumen paused before nodding.

Sometime later, he encountered a boy and his two siblings. Inside the boy, he sensed the power of the Black Beast. He knew that one day he would have to end him… but in the meantime he would be useful for luring out Terumi. He left those children in the church with Celica. Much time passed…

*Castle Alucard*

"It seems that even you could not find them all." Rachel was uneasy with her worry as Valkenhayn poured the tea. If Hakumen had trouble obtain the Nox, then there was little they could do.

"… We have the Muchorin; that is not for nothing," Hakumen assured her from where he leaned against the wall. "If I were to go after the others, we would alert the NOL. I think we do not need to make our reappearance just yet."

"I suppose you are right…" Rachel paused. "How is Kokonoe?"

"The girl is fine; she and I have grown used to each other during my visits… She seems just as strong headed as her mother." A small, low, rumble was emitted from Hakumen, surprising everyone, including the source. Had that been… a chuckle? "At any rate, I shall take my leave. Farewell, Harlequin."

"Of course," Rachel said exasperatedly. "You just have to attempt insult at me every chance you get. Do you get off on that by chance? "

"Somewhat," Hakumen admitted, chuckling again.

*One month later*

I sense of foreboding darkness. It seems that the time has come to return to the church. The Hero knew what he had to do. Take the Black Beast, the very thing he'd been charged with killing, bring it out of hiding, and use it to lure out the most dangerous being in the world. It was a long shot but it had to work. Once it did, the child form of the Black Beast would be extinguished as well. Hakumen's mind was clear as he approached the church area, before he felt the darkness again, but closer and… focused.

"NO!" he shouted as he sprinted towards the church. Terumi couldn't have returned! Not yet!

His pleas went unanswered as he saw the burning husk of the village. "Celica!" he called out, before he saw the body. It was bloody and bent at a terrible angle on a wood beam, her face filled with agony. Hakumen took the mage's body down and buried the body, something he was become more familiar with these days.

Now she has fallen due to my failures as well. Terumi now has all of the children. All hope is lost. Hakumen started to make his way out of the ruble as he again felt darkness. He first thought it had been the feeling of death, but then it was focused; focused, but weak. Or… is it?

(Cue Kingdom Hearts: Ven's Theme)

He did not have to search at all to find what he was looking for. The Harlequin was already there, overlooking the child. The BlazBlue had attached itself to where Hakumen had assumed the child's right arm had been. Ragna, he thought to himself as he remembered the name Celica had called him by. Rachel looked towards Hakumen.

"I cannot and will not stand in your way. Do what you need to," she said sadly.

Hakumen unsheathed his Okami, the blade reflecting the light of the crimson fire. He positioned the blade so that it was right over the child's chest. His only gift would be a clean death. He brought the blade back… but paused. This child had gone through the most traumatic experience of his life, one that would continue to haunt him well into adulthood. Could he really go through with killing him while he suffered the most?

I'd be putting him out of his misery, Hakumen assured himself. He tensed as he prepared the killing blow.

"J-Jin…"

Had Hakumen a human body, that one word would have caused it to shiver. Can he know?

"Sa-Saya…"

Apparently not; he's only delusional with the pain. Hakumen brought the blade into ready position once more before swinging it.

"I'm so-"

The blade stopped; a hair from the child's body.

"s-sorry… I c-could have… s-stopped him… all of this… It's a-all my fault… I'm sorry…" the child's voice was little more than a rasp.

Hakumen did nothing but stare at the child.

"Don't be cruel mister Hero," Rachel scolded Hakumen. "If you're really going to kill this child, then do it quickly to end his pain."

Hakumen moved the blade away from the child. "No… I will not kill him." He sheathed the sword on his back.

"Then you intend to simply let him die?" Rachel said narrowing her eyes. "I'd known you to be harsh, but cru-"

…

…

…

No words could explain Rachel's surprise as Hakumen took young Ragna under his arm and carried him.

"I WILL TRAIN HIM."

A/N: I don't own BlazBlue.

*Sigh* What am I doing giving myself an even busier schedule? At this rate I might have to start doing tri-weekly.

Anyways, not the twist you were expecting? *Grins* Get ready for a story you never thought possible. This is going to be one hell of a show!

Anyways, rate, review, and check out my Fire Emblem story A Reaper's Awakening while you're at it.

Ciao.