Tales of The Wanderers (D.A.M. Adopted)
Chapter 03 Dreams of You.
Bold for Flashbacks
"For speaking"
Thoughts by characters
(Three Days Later/ Northern Vale)
Wiess pushed forward with Winter, Jen and Ruby each tearing the lesser Beowulfs apart. reminding Ruby of the time she visited her mother's grave before heading to Vale where she would first meet Ozpin. Blake, Neon and Flynt fought the standard Beowulfs Flynt's Used is Killer quartet to stop the approaching Grimm as well as to increase Neon and Blakes speed allowing them to both gain easy kills on the beast. Ren distracted the Alpha while Nora proceeded to attack it from behind sending it forward allowing Milo to glide thru the soft spot of it under jaw.
Yang, Jade and Jenova could only stare at the area before them as The Wanderer had left a swarm of crippled and dismembered Grimm. Downed Beowulfs cluttered the forest clearing as well as a single Ursa, an Alpha Beowulf ran at The Wanderer. He turned forward allowing his left side to be exposed to the Alpha who's claw dug into the Sode. He then lifted a small black dagger to the Alpha and threw it puncturing the Grimm's left eye and then pulled out a small Atlesian Military pistol and fired at the soft unarmored armpit of the arm Grimm. The Alpha's arm slumped to the ground, he then straightened his right arm out horizontally and from his sleeve the 7 foot black Bo Staff known as Ebony's Dawn slid out. he grabbed 2 feet from the center and pulled revealing what appeared to be a pitch black Ninjato but with an unusually long 5-foot blade. A high pitched noise came from the blade that he amplified with his aura as the tip left the sheath. All the Beowulfs begun to shake and whimper as the blade 'howled' as soon as it stopped the blade disappeared. The Wanderer walked past the Alpha now on the ground unable to stand without its hind legs. The majority of Beowulf turned their attention to the masked Hunter and rushed in on him Wiess begun her Glyph only to have Winters hand touch her shoulder and nod against it.
He sheathed Ebony's Dawn as the grim closed in and took a stance Ruby remembered her Uncle using. A single click was heard as the Ninjato Blade flew out the side turning the weapon into a rather beautiful Scythe and then proceeded to 'howl' as the Beowulf entered the perfect range, with a single long horizontal swing 7 Beowulf fell the black blade begun to glow red at the tips he threw another swing and a red wave spewed forth from the blade ripping apart 8 more of the Grimm
The Scythe returned to its Bo Staff form and he ran to the remaining three lesser Beowulf the furthest of them roared and just as quickly the staff entered it maws before bursting out from the back of the head. As the Beowulf stayed suspended in the air The Wanderer wasted no time before swinging the Bo Staff in a full half circle thru the impaled Grim colliding with another Beowulf knocking it away into a tree. The next lesser Beowulf lunged forward at The Wanderer's back only to be shot by the pistol in the collar causing it to flinch, The Hunter did a low spinning sweep but before the Beowulf could hit the ground Ebony's Dawn slammed square into its chest suspending it against a tree before it could roar Ebony's Dawn's blade emerged forth from the end of the staff blooming from the other side of the thick oak. No quicker than that he pulled out the pistol and fired 3 energy blast into the remaining weakened concussed Grimm's hind legs as well as left arm crippling them.
He just as quickly held out Ebony's Dawn and the Staff condensed to half its length appealing to be a baton before sliding back into his sleeve. And turning he walked past the many growling downed Beowulf walking clear past the wide eyed Yang, Jade and Jenova and stopped before Lily. He held the gun out to her. Lily looked up to The Wanderer with a serious expression and took aim it took her 27 shots but all 16 Beowulfs begun to dissipate she took the small dagger Ebony's Dusk from where it's victim Alpha once was and placed it into its sheath returning it to its baton form. As she got closer she placed a small heavily used cyan dust crystal in the single slot and the pulled out Ebony's Dusk. With a now reformed ice blade she stepped a foot from the Ursa the eight-year-old held the cold pale blade with both hands and then stared straight at the grim and inhaled upon exhaling she opened her eyes. Blake and Neon swearing she had silted pupils. She stabbed straight thru the center of its forehead almost sliding thru its boney head with a force no child should be able to manage the grim spasmed as the Ice covered its entire body the girl looked straight at the Ursa.
"Thank you for the lesson."
She pulled Ebony's Dusk back and the instant the hilt left contact with the Grimm's body both the Ice blade and frozen Grimm Shattered. She Placed Ebony's Dusk back in its Baton sheath and removed the dust crystal. Just as soon she heard the satisfying click of the Ebony Blade reattaching to its hilt Then she turned back to the cloaked Hunter and ran back smiling. "Did I do good Daddy." Lily than stopped as if she realized something turned to The Wanderer with an apologetic look as she reached the man. The Wanderer chuckled and placed his hand on her head rubbing it, stopping every few seconds to scratch her ears. An act not unnoticed by the other two Faunus.
"Just remember to call me Father next time."
Lily looked up and smiled. "Okay Father."
At first the group was shocked to see the Lily killing Grimm the Wanderer disabled. She even had her own weapon. As the days past it begun to make more sense why else was she traveling with The Wanderer if not to train. It had been three days since they began they're long walk to Dracova.
(Third Night/ Northern Cove of Vale)
As they surrounded the beach campfire the hunters and huntresses at they're canned rations thou only producing a rather plain soup thankfully Blake and Ren new of plenty of herbs to flavor it.
"I still can't believe we're traveling with The Wanderer!"
Yang smirked at Ruby deciding to tease here a bit as anything would be better than downing anymore of the soup. "At this point I'm surprised you haven't confessed you undying love for his weapon sis, I'd thought you'd already would have kidnapped Ebony's Dawn."
Ruby looked at Yang in shock. Before rubbing the back of her head and giggling.
"Still I can't believe Lily has a weapon as well, she's only 8." Wiess meant no harm of hostile intent at the words she was just genuinely surprised about Ebony's Dusk.
Winter regarded her baby sister. "Well while I admit it was odd for him to suggest training her so early I understand Dracova is not as pleasant as the other kingdoms even at the tail."
Yang looked to Winter, she was still trying to figure out Wiess's older sister. She was good enough for Iornwood to acknowledge and had fought her Uncle Qrow even being good enough for him opt to use his Sycthe form meaning she was stronger than herself something Yang was still getting used to.
"So Mama Winter, why the cute nickname?"
Winter huffed and turned her head upwards as to instill the idea that her words hadn't phased her thou her light pink upon her pale cheeks said otherwise. Yang grinned noting the interesting reaction.
"Could it be you and Mr. Wanderer are an Item? Scandal. Winter Schnee…To be honest I always figure you and my Uncle would tie the knot by now."
One slight Quiver of her lip was all Winter gave before Glaring at the Blonde with a fierce scowl only to be matched by the redness of her cheeks. "Branwen is 16 years older than me!"
Yang smiled happy she took the bait. "Oh I didn't hear any denying about Mr. Wanderer."
Winters eyes narrowed before turning away from the brawler scoffing before returning to her rations. "Please if I wanted to date someone as old as my sister I would have just cradled robbed a student back at Atlas."
No sooner had she said the words than she froze realizing the implications of what she had just said. Thou it was too late the teenagers surrounding her stood gasping at the implications of her statement. Yang could not believe it the same age as Wiess he was only 19 how? She had figured he was at least as old as her dad. Hell before she ever actually met him she had thought The Wanderer was a women I mean it made sense the guy did use a voice change But 19, Freaking 19! The same age and he had beat her so easily not just her, them.
(Flashback/ Three Days Ago/ Atlas Head Master Office)
"Because Your eye's are as red as my scarf and her pout is cuter than yours. Wouldn't you agree Hero boy?"
Ruby stared completely awestruck as if looking at her hero which she was. Thou the rest of the teens eyes locked on him as well except for Blake who had a maintained serious expression.
"What was that about The White Fang?"
Team Ruby and PNR snapped out of their state of awe and looked to Blake, Neon soon walked up as well.
"Something about the eastern side of Dracova"
Those word shocked Wiess.
"Sister could that be they're main base of operation?"
It was always assumed the White Fang where based in Menagerie or Vacuo Blake had given both Ozpin and Iornwood all the Information she had but they always turned back empty handed. They had assumed the White Fang had relocated by Dracova. It was insane even edging on impossible but, that's why it made so much sense. From the dragon shaped continent they could get to Atlas from the wings Vale thru the relatively safe tail and Vacou by just heading south. No one would think to look in Dracova the powerful Grimm there would deter any thoughts of establishing a city or even village much less a full scale base of operation housing a small army of terrorist. At least until The White Knights showed that you could. Not only had they pushed back The Creatures of Grimm from the Tail but had even established a few towns and even the City of Shalo to its southern side. If four incredible Huntsman with only a few other hunters could accomplish it. Than why couldn't the entire force of the White Fang.
"That's enough questions girl."
The teams look to Ozpin about to retort before Iornwood stepped in.
"See as how you figure out anyways" Yang loved that Iornwood understood team RWBY so well. "Our friend here was just asking for some assistance from his former teachers on a mission involving the White Fang on behalf of The White Knights"
Blake stepped forward looking to The Wanderer and spoke.
"Your comrade Paladin alongside Iornwood saved me and brought me back-" Blake looked to team RWBY." To my Family. Now I want to pay back my debt."
Before The Wanderer could respond.
"And if you refuse me I will still go."
Ozpin and Iornwood knew two things about Blake number one she was stubborn and number 2.
"If Blake goes I'm going too."
Yang will always have her back. No sooner did the rest of team RWBY surround them as did the rest of the teenagers. Jade looked by The Wanderer and recognized a petite but rather tall looking women with long blonde hair with scarlet highlights as opposed to her sister's Jenova's blue ones.
"Jen?"
Jen Arc looked to The Wanderer and then back to Jenova and Jade before speaking.
"Well Qrow already said he has to pass because of his injuries and Ironwood can't just up and leave at a moment's notice." She looked to the group. "maybe the nine of them can pick up the slack."
Yang didn't like the way she phrased that essentially making the ten of them the clearance option.
The Wanderer looked at them before to they're surprise Lily jumped from Qrows and held unto The Wanderer clinging to him he looked down to her and then back at them.
"Fine."
The group gave a silent cheer before the next terrifying words left his mouth.
"If they can gain my approval after a quick match."
The teens froze except for Yang who grinned she always wanted to fight a hero although she had hoped it'd be King.
"I'll go first."
The Wanderer turned around and begin to leave for the training room.
"No First" he looked to Yang and said something she would never have expected. "All 11 of you at once."
As they walked to the Arena the entire group of Hunters and Huntresses-in-training were fuming how could anyone so vastly underestimate them, Pyrrah was the Mistral Regional Tournament Champion four years Running and Yang had reached the single rounds of the 40th Vytal Festival Tournament, Ruby was a bonafide Genius, Wiess was a master of dust, Blake was the former partner of the leader of the White Fang, Nora was one of the most overpowered people anyone of them knew and Ren seem to be like a man who leaped straight out of a Kung Fu film. Not to mention they had Jade and Jenova two warriors of the Arc Family. The team of ten reached the open ceiling arena and noticed that quite a number of students had gathered the team readied all twelve of their auras appearing on screen.
Glynda singled to begin and The Wander let his Aura flare out as bright as possible blinding them when Yang opened her eyes she was face to face with him. His palm just under where her ribs centered at the chest and launched her up past the open ceiling.
"Yang!"
Blake couldn't even process what was happening looking up to try and find Yang. The Wanderer launched towards her his foot launching at her head only for it to phase thru her 'Shadow'. She hadn't counted on a double attack as his Bo Staff launched forward and struck her square in the forehead knocking her out immediately as her aura reached just short of zero. Nora appeared above slamming her hammer into the ground shattering a small amount of the Floor He jumped back from her and launched forward Nora smiled and switched Magnhild to Grenade Launcher mode and fired. The Wanderer didn't flinch or try to avoid. If nothing else, he sped up towards her and placed his hands a foot near the center of the Bo Staff before drawing out a Ninjato and cutting the grenade in half and jumped as the grenades hit the floor exploding using the force of it to launch at Nora slamming the blades hilt into her stomach. Ren Launched at The Hunter alongside Neon the Wanderer ducked to avoid Ren's open palm strike and Neon's glowing nun-chuck and then did a low sweep causing both Ren and Nora to begin to descend before both were slammed into the ground by a strike to the center of the chest. Ren by the Sheath end while Nora by the hilt both leaving a slightest imprint into the tiles of the arena and both passed out. The Wanderer looked to Flynt who inhaled and was about to blow his trumpet Neon placed herself in front of him readying herself to be propelled. The Wanderer wasted no time he gave two horizontal swings and one diagonal before sheathing his sword back into its Bo Staff form three crimson waves headed towards Flynt and Neon. Neon jumped the first only to be hit in the abdomen by the second before the third hit her straight center launching her across the room while both horizontal waves seem to glide through Flynts Sound wave before striking his knees and head Flynt fell back knocked out. The Wander Turned around blocking Milo as spark flew as the weapons Xiphos form tried to tear into the Staff Pyrrah looked to the Wanderer who seemed to have sad regretful eyes within the slits of his mask and did little to push back.
"I'm sorry."
He grabbed Pyrrah's wrist pulled her into his embrace she didn't have time to think only blushing as she noticed how hot his breath was as she pressed against him she dropped Akouo and Milo and rose her hand to the sides of his mask and begun to lift it. Without thinking she pressed her face forward, she felt a pressure on the back of her neck and closed her eyes and slumped forwards into him. She had been incapacitated at 100 percent aura. He gently laid her against the ground and jump back. Before he could look up the sound of rifle fire hit his ears he spun his staff in circles blocking Ruby's fire. He could do nothing when Wiess struck the ground sending a sheet of ice forward freezing his legs in place he shifted the still spinning Bo to block Jade's Bastard Sword Waning Emerald and Jenova's Broad Blade Fortis Luna whiling simultaneously blocking Ruby's gun fire.
"AHHHHH!"
Jade and Jenova jumped back as Ruby stopped her fire as to not hit Yang who was descending with her right arm gearing up for a downward overhand punch eyes red and hair glowing. Just before she made contact he looked up she could swear she saw white irises within the slits of the mask. He straightened his Black Bo Staff pointing it straight up in Yangs Direction and slammed it into the ground shatter some of the Ice beneath.
A Single Shockwave erupted from the collision Yang smiled despite having to close her eyes from the force of the attack re was all too familiar with the sound of metal braking apart she knew she shattered his weapon and smiled.
"Sorry hero, but I wi-"
Yang looked into Grimm mask of the Wanderer less than a foot between them as sting of electricity hit the right side of her cheek. Thru the corner of her eyes she saw she hadn't destroyed his staff. It did indeed loss over a visible foot but only because it had impaled her synthetic arm between her knuckles.
"A-Aura Reinforcement."
The Ninjato blade had sprung from the tip off the staff inside the elbow and emerged out half way in her upper arm. She never thanked Monty more that she opted to have her entire arm replaced when Ironwood suggested it. before the five remaining Huntresses could react he retracted the blade from Ebony's Dawn's Naginata form and pulled out his Bo Staff before grabbing Yang by the hair and Slinging the still shocked brawler into Jade and Jenova. He rose the Bo Staff again and was pushed by the force that was Ruby Rose and Crescent Rose she fired a round hoping to overpower The Wanderer with sheer force. She was mistaken he jabbed at her stomach and at the first sign of a lesser force from the weapon he pushed her away and allowed Ebony's Dawn to reveal its Scythe form. Qrow Smiled and leaned forward with Ozpin.
"This oat to be interesting."
Ruby didn't have time to be in awe of the weapons fourth form. Her, Wiess and the raising Jade and Jenova were brought to their knees by the 'howl' of the Blades. Ozpin looked impressed. "He can use that noise to disable opposing people."
Qrow looked to him a bottle in hand. "Yep he forces his Arua into the Blade making it vibrate and 'Howl' the best part is he controls the noise."
Glynda looked to Qrow. "You mean he can choose who the noise affects?"
"Not only who but also what. It works just as well on Grimm can even kill with it though that takes more of his aura."
Ruby could barely fight while the Wanderers scythe continued to 'Howl'. Ebony's Dawn Collided with Crescent Moon the straight Ebony blade was only a sixth the weight of Crescent Rose and he utilized this fact with incredible efficiency. For every block of the blade the staff end slammed into her and countless jabs. Ruby had, had enough Switching her Scythe to its Alternative form she launched forward and just as quickly he parried it and delivered a powerful blow to her. Ebony's Dawn than ceased its 'Howl'. He then slashed the blade just before her allowing the red aura wave to hit at point blank range rendering her aura near zero she fell back while not passed out she couldn't move.
Yang had begun to come out of her stupor before looking up to see four things Jade and Jenova fighting The Wanderer and obviously losing as he slowly wore them out Striking and countering with his Bo Staff. Her Synthetic arm dangling uselessly to her side. 7 of her friends down and out including her sister and Blake. But most importantly a strands of blonde hair. She remembered and begun to stand, glaring at him she gripped her Synthetic arm at the shoulder and pulled it off.
"Wiess!"
Wiess struggled up look to Yang Quizzically.
"Radiant Fury"
Wiess's eye narrowed and then closed as she focused her aura. A white and blue Ursa Major and Alpha Beowulf appeared rushing in to assist the worn Jen and Jenova. A large and complicated Glyph appeared were Yangs right arm had been pulled off as a radiant white oversize knight arm begun to appeared and condense to Yangs size. The Wander didn't waste a second be grabbed Crescent Rose and slashed into Jade finally downing her then he launched forward duel wielding the two scythes shredding the Alpha Beowulf apart. He slammed Ebony's Dawn into the ground and ran to Jenova placing a hand on her shoulder preforming a hand stand on her. He pressed his arm down and then pushed as if doing a push up and just as quickly the Ursa Major swiped Jenova away and into the crowd.
The summoned arm's fingers moved signaling she now had control. Yang rushed forward crushing the ground beneath her she gripped the handle of the forming great sword while letting lose a frightening war cry. The Wanderer noticed the Buxom Brawler and turned Crescent Rose into Sniper rifle mode and fired hitting Myrtenaster out of Wiess's hand causing the girl to jump back with a Glyph in shock. Just like he wanted. He then switched Crescent Rose back to scythe mode and spun down anchoring the Weapon thru the Ursa's skull and fired round after round into Wiess until she finally fell. He didn't waste a second as he ran at Yang. She swung the great sword and the Wanderer slid beneath it looking at the reflection of the blade. Ruby could swear she saw a faint yellow in the blade. he grabbed Yang's offending arm and flipped the enraged blonde over and quickly making an arm bar and then proceeding to shatter it releasing small specks of light in its place. Yang Xiao Long's aura completely depilated. The Wanderer still at 100 percent Aura.
(Nurses Room)
The Teen awoke in the medical bay to see Winter, Jen and they're assaulter and a very worried Lily. All of the injured Hunters/ Huntresses-in-training looked down ashamed of their loss.
"Lie Ren you need more stamina. Coal you need better reaction time. Valkyrie the thing about being unpredictable is that you may not know what you'll do next, but to anyone that can read your body movements you're an open book. miss Belladona your 'Shadows' aren't perfect remember that. Neon try to make your next move less obvious. Schnee never focus on one thing in battle. Arcs learn to read the flow of battle. Rose never rush in when impaired. Nikos learn to adapt and Xiao Long"
The Brawler look to him.
"An ego if left unchecked can be a worse enemy then any Grimm or Hunter and is only made more so when one can be enraged so easy." He walked to Yang and placed the Synthetic limb in her lap looking completely new.
"You're lucky it can repair itself with aura."
While it was true aura could repair it required a vast amount so much she would pass out repairing a half the damage it had received. How had he? The Wanderer stood up and begun to walk to the doorway and stopped.
"Still if you all had attack at once instead of underestimating my power and overestimating your strength you would have won. Flynt, Neon and Team Rwby gather your things, Pyrrah, Nora and Ren fallow me."
Winter, Lily and PNR walked away with The Wanderer while Flynt, Neon and team RWBY rushed away to ready themselves to go. Jade a Jenova looked down allowing they're hair to cover their eyes as tears came forth. Jen notice this and worried for her sisters Jenova yelled. "Whats Wrong! We weren't good enough! He saw value in taking everyone else but us why?!"
Jen look perplexed. "What do you mean."
Then her eyes widened as she began to giggle until she just straight out laughed. "You idiots I said nine didn't I? why do you think I called you here? You were coming from the get go, but you just insisted on fighting alongside them all. Now come on."
The two stared at they're sister completely shocked and just as annoyed.
(End Flashback)
All of the Teens looked to the ground coming to terms with the rather annoying news. Learning how truly vast the gap between them and the Wanderer was.
"I can't believe how easily he beat us."
Wiess's fist shook before Yang looked up. "Sorry guys if I had kept cool…"
"Then you still would've lost."
"What was that Mama Winter."
"Did you not hear me? I said you still would've lost because all of you made plenty of obvious mistakes."
Yang's eyes reddened. "So your saying we never had a chance?"
"Quite the opposite actually." All the team looked to the older Schnee.
"If you had stayed together and covered each other. A group as small as that of three of you could have won."
The bushes begun shift as The Wanderer stepped out a boar over his back. Jen held a basket of berries and Lily happily holding three small fish of which she shared with her fellow Faunus while The Wanderer Cut into the boar.
"So what's the plan Wander boy?"
He looked to the Buxom Blonde before glancing at Winter and sighed seeming to understand the situation.
"we're heading to Riverdale a fairly new city but first we'll be stopping at a trade port to meet up with a few friends."
Team Ruby perked up at his word 'Friend'. The action of the girl was not lost on The Wanderer he looked to them.
"He's third in command under King Ro-."
"Rook!"
Yang looked to her little sister. "Who?"
"Rook he's a member of The White Knights a really big fully armored warrior."
Ruby was positively excited. The prospect of meeting Rook was amazing if not slightly terrifying. The Wanderer eventually smothered the flame and while the rest of her team fell asleep Ruby stared at him she had hoped to be the first to see his face however after an hour of waiting the young Huntress fell asleep. The waves clashed against the glistening sand as a single pitch black feather rubbed against Ruby's nose. She slowly opened her eyes only for bright rays of light to penetrate her pupils she blocked the sun away ready to yell at her sister and Wiess for waking her up at daybreak. Before she saw them asleep and above them the shattered moon. She turned back to the light curiously. She stepped towards it. As she walked closer she could make out the outline of a man. Messy shoulder length blonde hair and the faintest shadow of facial hair, in his right hand was a blade she had nearly forgotten. It was plain and even had a few nicks an old blue handle and a golden cross-guard. In his left an Ivory shield with the familiar golden twin crescent moons on it 'Crocea Mors'. She inched closer scared. Not of being caught, but of being wrong that he wasn't there again. Imagining he was here when she knew he couldn't be. No matter how much she wished he wasn't coming back. She didn't care she ran to the figure. Wishing she could see her fellow leader again. hear her first friend's voice again…Hug the person who had put out they're hand to her when she needed it most. But she already knew. Knew he wouldn't see her. Knew he wouldn't hear her and knew he couldn't embrace her ever again. She may have accepted his death in her mind but she couldn't in her heart, no in her soul, but that didn't matter. She would touch him and fall thru and wake up in tears wanting nothing more than to cry her day away. But she was against his outline and pressed forward. She stopped. Her petite body against his she felt his warmth. She couldn't speak but she did manage to look up and stare into his blue eyes. Her hand lifted her palm against his cheek and he smiled.
"Ruby."
His voice permeated her soul. He embraced her and she was loss in the moment. Not caring if it was fake if this moment was a dream.
"I'm sorry I left you there!"
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry we left Vale, I'm sorry we couldn't find you. That I didn't find you!"
She fought more tears only managing a whisper.
"So please, don't vanish again."
his hand came and wiped her tear Corcea Mors not in sight. He looked to her with those eye. The eyes he cast when he held his hand to her that first day. As if she was all that mattered to him at that moment and smiled.
"It's not your fault."
From everyone else those four words were venom. She felt true anger when her father and Yang had told her that, But from him. The words released a burden long place on her heart. His eyes slowly turned a deep beautiful gold and the world seemed to slow. She didn't think as her hand rode up his hair. She tipped on her toes and leaned herself as deep into him as she could manage and rose her lips to meet his.
"I'm Sorry Ruby…"
The corners of her vision begin to darken. Hand she tightened hair hand into the weakest fist in his hair.
"But…we'll all…together…I promise"
'… Juane.'
Ruby's eye opened.
'Another dream.'
She bit her lip leaving a scarlet line. Just as she was about to cup her face and cry a small light gained her attention, in her palm between her fingers, the light reflected off a single golden hair.
I hope you enjoyed Chapter 3 Ebony's Dawn and Ebony's Dusk took a good minute to come up with anyways hope you like the next Chapter Progenitor