“Degrees of Separation” - A Project: Demonhunter Side Story

Author's Notes:

- I don’t own what I don’t own (but I do own Project: Demonhunter, it’s associated characters, concepts of mythological figures, and settings), and I don’t actively look for other stories and plots, so if you see something familiar… just remember that by this day and age, everything’s been done to death. This is just my take on a span of time with the events therein, and it’s really for the development of my characters. It’s just easier for me if they go play in worlds that are already established.

- The Hell Council is made up of leaders of the Underworld from around the planet and cover the majority of major belief systems. I mean no harm in any which way if anyone is offended, but I would appreciate if some research was done before flames are passed out.

- If you would like to see any illustrations done to go with these stories, or images of the characters from Project: Demonhunter, please visit the links on my user page.

- STORY SPECIFIC: I am trying to keep constant with as many timelines as possible. Please understand that if two bots from differing shows appear in this, that I’ve done enough research to know who would be on the planet at any given time. If I give a name of a ‘bot who shouldn’t have that name at the time, it is due to my need of their presence, but not having a way to identify them otherwise.

Deep in the Underworld, there stands a place that not many people talk about… largely because they don’t know it exists. This is the headquarters of Supernatural Control, lead by the Hell Council. It’s members have long since stopped the war between Heaven and Hell, and have come into some semblance of a decent working environment. Gone are the days of epic temptations and salvations, pious heroes and sinful villains… that is not to say that these things do not still exist, but it is now on the shoulders of Supernatural Control to guide the balance between darkness and light.

Earth – March 2004 C.E.

“Good evening Junsui!” A robotic catgirl in a maid’s uniform smiled as she opened the door of a mansion in the German Black Forest to reveal a blonde catgirl on the other side. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”

“Hey, it’s the least I can do for my favourite group of ‘bots.” Junsui entered the house, following the robot down into a technologically-advanced workshop in the basement of the house. “You know I’d have come even if you didn’t need me, Tetsu-chan.”

As the girls entered the room, a huge red and gold centipede-armoured ‘bot looked up from the seat that he’d taken next to the smaller chameleon-styled unit that was laying off-lined on one of the workbenches.

“How’s Switchblade doing, Armageddon?” The catbot asked, leaving Junsui’s side to check the computer hooked up to the prone robot.

“He’s been pretty stable.” The huge ‘bot shrugged. “I’m still trying to figure out what in the Pit he was thinking when he climbed up on the roof.”

“Probably that you should have cleaned the gutters like you were supposed to last week.” The catbot crossed her arms.

“Hey, it’s not my fault that Namida’s got so many jobs for me to do, Tetsuneko.” The red bot threw up his hands.

“Maybe you should get back to them then, ‘Geddon.” The catbot raised an eyeridge, jerking her thumb towards the passageway to the main floor.

“…Fine.” The large bot rose and headed for the door, turning as he ducked his head down to miss the lintel. “Call me when he wakes up, will ya?”

“I’ll think about it.” Tetsuneko shooed him from the room, turning back to the catgirl that’d moved to examine the fallen robot.

“Are you sure that he fell?” Junsui looked up from her inspection of Switchblade’s armour, removing the loupe that she’d mounted in her eye. “There’s barely any damage here.”

“What can I say… he’s bouncy.” Tetsuneko shrugged. “Normally he’d just get up from a three story fall, but I think he damaged something internally.”

“Well, I’ll see what I can do, but I’ve gotta tell you, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do much for him without calling in a robotics specialist.” Junsui shook her head slightly. “I mean, it’s not like I’m up to snuff on circuitry and the like… especially when it comes to you three.”

“What are you talking about?” Tetsuneko tilted her head slightly. “You rebuilt me. I thought you would have picked something up by now.”

“Hey, that was just your superstructure… and it was with extremely outdated Earth technology.” Junsui chuckled. “Speaking of which, you never did tell me what the deal was with this whole undercover scheme.”

“I thought I had.” Tetsuneko hopped up on the table next to Switchblade’s feet. “Besides… sometimes the less you know, the better off you are.”

“Innocence is bliss, not ignorance.” Junsui chided, unhitching the chameleon-bot’s facial armour to inspect his cranial plate. “You have to tell me what the loop is about if you want me there, kiddo.”

“I suppose.” Tetsuneko nodded. “Well, you know the general consensus… we were built by Namida-sama to help her out around the house. What we’re not telling people is that we’re hiding out from some very nasty individuals.”

“You must have done something pretty bad yourself to be pursued all the way here then.” Junsui looked up slightly from the circuit she was poking at.

“Not unless you count trying to peacefully end a war that’s been going on for over nine million years that has rarely showed signs of slowing.” Tetsuneko shrugged.

“Ooh! A political drama! I love those.” Junsui grinned, popping her head up again to make eye contact with the catbot. “Tell me everything.”

“… I suppose. But I don’t want any of this getting out.” Tetsuneko wagged a finger at the catgirl. “We don’t need any unwanted attention.”

“They’ll have to pry the information from my cold dead body.” Junsui held a hand to her heart.

“Okay.” Tetsuneko giggled. “I know this sounds cliché, but a long time ago…”

A/N: All right, there’s a few unfamiliar faces showing up, but they’re definitely eclipsed by the familiar ones. Bear with me.