Chapter I: Shinsou
January 7th, 2200 / 13th Hierarchical City: Kagutsuchi
Ares
Ares stepped into the fading sunlight, feeling the biting cold even through his airtight armor. Glancing around aimlessly, he realized that he was higher up in altitude than he expected, but not beyond the point where trees no longer grew. In front of him, further ahead on a simple road, was a city built atop a mountain on the other side of a forest. Reminds me of what Oz used to say about ancient man. Building cities in impossible places to hide from the Grimm. Taking a deep breath, he sheathed the blade at his back and began to walk towards the city.
As he walked, he absent mindedly drifted his eyes toward the blade's handle which protruded over his right shoulder. He missed the man who owned this blade before. He shouldn't have died the way he did, but fate is a cruel mistress.
Still, Qrow's Harbinger was in good hands. So he told himself, at least.
I am Ares, he thought to himself. The End has come.
January 8th, 2200 / 13th Hierarchical City: Kagutsuchi
Ruby
The doctor's office was quiet as the group slowly settled in to wait. Ruby knew none of them, except for her own team. Weiss and Blake opted to sit patiently on a nearby bench and whisper amongst themselves as they speculated and made plans going forward. Yang stood at a nearby window, uncharacteristically silent as she stood with her arms crossed, her brow troubled. This left Ruby to stand and pace awkwardly, actively avoiding getting too close to the blonde man and the blonde woman in the room. It didn't help that the two of them seemed to not get along at all, and as such had taken up residence on opposite ends of the waiting room. Though, thankfully, the man in the solid white armor and mask left, muttering something about the Dark One as he left.
Ruby looked to Weiss and Blake for help, but the two simply met her gaze and gave her an uncertain shrug. We've got nothing, they seemed to say. She turned to her sister, but on the rare occasion that Yang became a recluse into her own mind, it was usually best to leave her to it for the time being until she felt ready to talk. Again, this left Ruby with the other two occupants in the room. Ruby swallowed her fear and approached the man, who was leaning up against the wall. Hearing her come, he turned his gaze to her; his eyes were cruel and uncaring. "What?" he asked before Ruby could get any closer.
"Ah," she began, uncertain how to continue. "I was just...wondering...what's up, I guess?"
His eyes narrowed. "You can't be serious."
"Oh, no! No, not like, 'wassup', or anything, eh, dumb, like that. I just meant...you know...what's going on? No one ever explained anything to us yesterday. My team and I have no idea where we are or how we got here."
"Hmph," the man grunted. "A foolish question."
"Look, guy, we're just lost and confused, okay? Don't treat me like an idiot simply because I'm late to the party."
The man crossed his arms and continued to lean up against the wall. "I have nothing more to say to you."
"Major Kisaragi," the blonde woman began.
"Shut up, trash. I am not here to listen to your miserable voice." Ruby was appalled.
The woman was visibly hurt by the remark, but seemed to fight back tears as she continued. "I was just going to say that it's okay to admit when you don't know something. We're just as confused as they are, Major."
"I don't need you to tell me that. Need I remind you that I outrank you, Lieutenant Vermillion?"
"Ah! Y-yes, sir."
Ruby looked between the two of them and mentally kicked herself for starting with this Major Kisaragi. Turning on her heel, she made her way to the woman. "Miss, uh, Vermillion? Are you okay?"
She wiped a tear from her eye and gave Ruby a weak smile. "Noel is fine. And I'm...okay, I suppose." She held out a hand to Ruby. "Sorry, it's been so hectic since yesterday that I haven't properly introduced myself. I'm Noel Vermillion."
Ruby smiled and accepted her hand, giving it a friendly shake. "Ruby Rose."
Noel nodded and glanced around to the rest of team RWBY. "Things are looking pretty bad for us, but for you four...I can't imagine."
"It's...different. I just wish we could figure out where we are. Or how we got here."
"I don't know how, but I know where."
"That's a start," Ruby said with a smile.
"You're in the 13th Hierarchical City: Kagustuchi."
Ruby stared at Noel for several passing seconds. "That...wasn't as helpful as I'd have hoped."
"How so?"
"What's a Hierarchical City? I've never heard of that. Where on Remnant are we?"
"Remnant?"
Ruby sighed. Great.
"I believe I can be of some assistance in that regard," came a new voice. Everyone in the room, startled, turned to face the newcomer that had appeared out of thin air; a young girl in a black lolita dress, carrying an umbrella that resembled a cat and ribbons in her hair that reminded Ruby of a rabbit.
Major Kisaragi's eyes narrowed, his brow furrowed, and his tone got even harsher. "Rachel Alucard."
"Hello, Mister Hero," she replied with a smile. "I see you've finally made some friends."
"Hmph. What do you want?"
"How rude. Perhaps I shall teach you some manners?" She shrugged before turning to Noel. "And you, you moron."
"Oh," Noel said sadly.
"What on Earth were you thinking? Thanks to you and the Eye, Terumi has been observed. His link to this realm is now stronger than ever. He'll be that much harder to stop now that you've gone and made this terrible mistake, but you just couldn't stop there. No, now you've awakened the Murakumo Unit inside of you and given Terumi the chance he needed to destroy Takamagahara. Do you have any idea what that means?"
Noel looked guiltily at this girl, Rachel. "W-will you be mad at me if I said no?"
"Tch. Typical. The girl doesn't realize just how important she is."
Blake and Weiss, still in their positions, were just staring in disbelief at the display before them, and Yang was visibly getting angrier and angrier. "Excuse me!" she finally shouted. "Will someone please just tell us what the hell is going on here?"
"Such a mouth," Rachel said with a frown. "You'll get nowhere with that attitude. You're no better than that miserable oaf in the other room."
"Grrr!" Yang's eyes started to turn red, but Ruby jumped in between the two of them.
Ruby put her arms out to stop Yang. "Okay, okay! I think we've started this all wrong! Let's just calm down, okay? Yang?" Yang gave Ruby a quick glance, looked back to Rachel, and then gave Ruby an apologetic look as her eye's returned to their lilac color. She placed her hands on her hips and moved to join Weiss and Blake on the bench.
"Hm, you don't seem much better than her, but you clearly have an air of authority about you," Rachel said.
"Rachel, right?"
"Yes, dear, that is indeed my name."
"Listen, I'm sorry for my sister's behavior, but she's got a point. We're not really a part of any of whatever is going on here."
"Yes, I know. As I said, I believe I can clear some of that up."
"Really?" Weiss asked, a little hopeful.
"Do not get too excited, dear. I can explain where you are and partially how you got here. Nothing more. I cannot solve your predicament for you, nor would I want to if I could. I'm afraid other matters are currently far more pressing."
"That's still better than we were a few minutes ago," Blake stated.
"Very well. Where to begin?"
January 8th, 2200 / Elsewhere
Jaune and Pyrrha
Using his sword, Jaune cut a few tree branched and bushes out of the way as the pair of them trekked through a forest. "Once we find a way out of this forest, we should be able to get our bearings," he chimed as he worked.
Pyrrha had been helping him, but the events leading up to the exploding light had put a toll on her, so Jaune opted to let her rest for a bit. "I'm not so sure, Jaune," she added. "Didn't you see the sky last night?"
"Truthfully, I wasn't paying attention. I was too busy trying to figure out what the heck happened."
"The moon. It looked...off. Like it wasn't the same. I don't think it was the same at all, honestly."
"Well," Jaune added in between swings and heavy breathing. "After what we saw I wouldn't be too surprised. Everything is just...so messed up now." Another swing, and Jaune stepped forward into a clearing.
Inside of the clearing stood a lone man, covered in white armor and a white faceless mask; he was staring at Jaune. "Uh, Pyrrha. I found someone."
"Let me see," she said as she stepped into the clearing. The pair were nervous, but decided to strike up a conversation. "Hello, sir. Beautiful day we're having."
The man slowly turned his head to face Pyrrha, seemed to linger for a moment, before returning his gaze to Jaune. "You are not of this realm either," he stated plainly.
"Uh," Jaune said with a nervous laugh. "I...guess not."
"After my disgrace yesterday against Terumi, I am unfit to pursue justice. Not without some added practice to prepare myself. You, a warrior from another realm, will be the perfect test of skill."
"Pyrrha, I don't like where this is goin-WHA~!" Jaune was on his back, his breastplate having been tugged by Pyrrha's semblance. Where Jaune had been stood, this man now stood with his blade in hand; he'd nearly stabbed Jaune.
"Hm, it seems I misjudged who the true warrior is between the two of you. My apologies." He turned to face Pyrrha. "I shall make a new attempt, this time with the proper opponent." He took a few steps back and took up a combative posture. "I am the White Void. I am the Cold Steel. With blade in hand, I shall purge the sins that cover this world. I am Hakumen, the End has come!"
Pyrrha didn't hesitate as she drew her spear and shield. "I'm Pyrrha, and I'm not in a very good mood right now." She leapt forward, and so did Hakumen.
But as their blades hurdled towards one another, another figure leapt in the way. A massive great sword stopped Hakumen's blade, and a gloved hand held tightly onto the blade of Miló. This new figure looked exactly like Hakumen, but his hair was slightly shorter and more of a blonde color, and his armor was a very flat and gentle shade of blue, as though it were an old, worn down pair of jeans. Though he was masked like Hakumen, Pyrrha felt his gaze upon her. He tightened his grip onto her blade and shoved her back.
Hakumen leapt back, still in his battle ready stance. "Impossible! You bear the Susanoo unit in the same timeline as I! State your name!"
The man turned to face Hakumen, Harbinger in hand. "I am the Sun's Might. I am the Burning Rage. With blade in hand, I will burn away the sins of this time. I am Ares, the End has come!"
"Ah, I see. Another timeline and another dimension. So, it may not even be the same Susanoo. Very well, Ares, I will be your foe. You face Hakumen!"
Song: Shinsou - Daisuke Ishiwatari
AUTHOR'S NOTE
I know, I know: the rare and elusive two chapters in the same day. Once an idea is fresh I can't help myself. Don't worry, it's not a stupid fast story line, I just don't want to dilly dally with the pleasantries, as it were. So, yes, Ares bears the Susanoo unit, just like Hakumen. I'm sure it's obvious who Ares actually is, but, eh, it's fun anyway. :)
Leave a Review or a PM and let me know how you feel about it, guys. :)
Till Next Time~!
