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RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth
Chapter 3: A Nevermore to Remember
Morning came quickly for Dorian. He felt rested, and Altdor appeared to have fallen asleep. His new pet praying mantis was still on his shoulder. The day was starting out well. Although, the change in scenery was a bit odd, not that he was complaining. Altdor must have taken them here earlier this morning. Beacon did have a nice dining hall, and with no one there to disrupt the silence, it was peaceful. If only it could last.
Despite it being early, food had already been prepared. Breakfast that morning was pancakes. Unfortunately for Dorian, this is why the peace was disrupted. Right as he sat down with a single pancake and a small glass of water, the door to the dining hall was thrown open. In walked a rather eager orange haired girl followed by a stoic looking boy with a strange pink streak in his hair. The girl was literally dragging him over to the food. It sounded like she was rambling the whole way. Dorian just rolled his eyes in annoyance and finished his food. He was enjoying the peaceful quiet morning.
With his food finished, and a couple of hours to kill, Dorian left the building to wander the courtyard. His wanderings brought him to the cliff, which left him with a lovely view of Vale. With no one around, Dorian started removing the bandages and tape from his right arm. The secrecy may have been necessary, but that didn't make it any less comfortable. With his arm now free, Dorian inspected his hand. Red markings had begun appearing on the back of his hand. They weren't too noticeable...yet.
The curse of the Overlord, as he called it. Until Altdor had his full power, Dorian would continue to turn into a Grimm. It had been slow, painful and terrifying. He didn't want to be a mindless beast, he already experienced it once before, and it was not pleasant. Lying to Ozpin about it didn't make him feel any better. There was no fix. Removal wasn't an option, either. It never was. The only way for it to be cured was for Altdor to be removed...or death.
How he missed the days when he could walk through town with nothing to fear. The days when people wouldn't stare at him oddly, or the days when he didn't have to hide his arm. Those days had long since passed, now he even had to hide his eye. At least the patch was cool, and it didn't hinder him in the slightest, just hid his eye, or rather the markings around his eye. He could pass off the eye that was slowly turning into a Grimm eye as a genetic deformity or something of the like, but that bloody crosshair couldn't be taken as anything less than unnatural.
You know, reminiscing about the past will only hasten its retreat.
'Sorry, I miss being fully human.'
I know, but it can't be changed. Remember what I taught you when we-
'DON'T SAY IT!'
When that event happened. Learn from the past, but…
'Live in the present and prepare for the future.'
Exactly. It doesn't help to think of what could have been, or if we could change it.
'Yeah…Ok. So, what do you want?'
Straight to the point, ey? I just had an idea. I think that we should make the mantis-
'Harpsichord.'
...Yes, him more combat viable.
'Really, how do you intend to do that?'
Let's make him a kindred spirit. Give him his forelimb back. What do you say?
'NO! Remember the last time that happened?'
Yes, but that was three years ago. I have more power now than I did then. He wouldn't even be a full-sized Grimm, just look the part. Plus, the more I stress my power, the more strength it gains, and consequently, the sooner you can return to your sad pathetic human life.
'You just like to insult me, don't you? Fine, just try not to kill this one.'
But of course, I just need control.
Dorian felt Altdor take control and start to focus his power. He moved Harpsichord onto the palm of his left hand and focused the power of the Grimm through his right arm. The pain of doing this was excruciating, but he kept at it. Dorian could feel his arm trying to tear itself apart. It even looked like it was dissolving, similar to a dead Grimm. Black smoke slowly curled off his hand and toward the praying mantis. The smoke reached the insect and flowed into it. Harpsichord slowly turned black, with his missing limb regrowing and both forelimbs getting the white bone armor. His eyes turned into a strange mix of red and gold. In seconds, though it felt like hours through the pain, the little praying mantis had become a Grimm. It certainly looked deadlier. Some small details had been changed, the legs had become jointed bone spikes, similar to Dorian's hand, and the claws that run along the inside of the forelimbs had turned bronze. On each of its forelimbs, though hard to see, was a symbol. Unlike the Grimm crosshair, it was the same symbol as the one on his eyepatch. A Beowolf in the torch (he really needs to name that crest).
There, now he is a whole lot deadlier.
'How so?'
For one, it will take a lot more than someone's boot to kill this little guy, and those bronze claws, just like with a Deathstalker, hold a very potent venom.
'That is severely cool. And as much as I would love to continue to hear about our new friend, we do have an initiation soon. You keep talking while I take us to the lockers and wrap up the arm. Is there anything else interesting?'
Actually, there is one strange characteristic when compared to other Grimm. He isn't loyal to me.
'What? Why?'
Apparently, his loyalties lie with you. His way of saying thanks for helping him.
'But you are the Overlord, shouldn't he be loyal to you?'
Maybe, but like you, he is a hybrid. The Grimm I usually create are not formed from another creature. I just use other creatures as inspiration.
'Fascinating. Wait, if he's a hybrid, how can you speak to him?'
The same way I speak to all Grimm. I should teach you how to communicate with the Grimm at some point.
'Yeah, and when this is all done I can be an ambassador to the Grimm.'
Well…
'Altdor, that was sarcastic. I am at a school that is supposed to help me train to kill Grimm. Of course, the loyal will be safe.'
It was just a thought. We need to get our weapons. Locker 452.
Dorian made his way down the rows of lockers, ignoring the other students. He found his locker easily enough. Inside, his blade, gun and belt were stored neatly. Grabbing them, he sheathed the sword on his back, holstered the gun and fastened the belt. Satisfied that he wouldn't be losing anything, he made to exit the room.
Spear on the right!
Dorian spun out of the way and caught the bronze spear that was hurled his direction. He barely even noticed Jaune, who was connected to the weapon as he reached out and caught it. People were staring at him. The person who threw it wasn't hard to find. The red headed initiate that threw the weapon was dressed in a garb similar to that of an amazon and was sheepishly rubbing the back of her neck. Dorian slowly stalked over to her and held out the weapon.
"I would advise you watch where you aim your throw, miss..." Dorian said while holding the weapon out to her.
"Sorry." She replied. "I'm Pyrrha."
Dorian raised an eyebrow. The famous Mistral champion had chosen Beacon. Altdor, was enjoying the scene before him.
"It's no problem, Miss Nikos." Dorian replied. "My name is Dorian, and please just don't throw your spear, or another student at me again. Have a good day."
Dorian left the building and headed toward the cliffs where initiation would be starting. A slight breeze had picked up, perfect weather for flying.
Ozpin and Glynda were already there. Dorian nodded in greeting and headed over to them.
"Ozpin, Glynda." Dorian greeted them.
Glynda merely looked at him while Ozpin gave him a polite nod.
"Dorian. How are you today?" Ozpin greeted.
"Doing well enough. I have a question. How will you determine which team I join, considering our arrangements?" Dorian asked.
Ozpin thought for a second. "I suppose it would be easiest if you follow the same rules as the other initiates, just with a pair instead of one person."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Dorian asked.
Ozpin smirked, "You'll find out."
Dorian shrugged and went to stand on one of the gray pads that other students were moving towards. He ended as the fourth student from the far end from Ozpin.
"For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." Ozpin began.
"Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of teams. Well, allow us to put those rumors to rest. Each of you will be given teammates today." Glynda continued.
"What?" Ruby asked clearly shocked.
Altdor chuckled at her in amusement. Dorian just tensed, ready for something to happen.
"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So, it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well." Ozpin continued.
Ruby groaned at that. Dorian joined Altdor in his chuckling.
Hehehe, something tells me she's a bit introverted.
'A bit? No kidding.'
"That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years." Ozpin was still speaking.
"Whaaaat?!" Ruby yelled, looking ready to collapse from fright.
'I guess that means we get with the first group of partners.'
Makes sense. Hey, I just thought of something.
'What?'
Why do you humans talk so cryptically when it comes to simple matters?
'Honestly, I have no idea,'
"After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path... or you will die." Ozpin paused. "You will be monitored and graded through the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene. You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path containing several relics. Each pair must choose one and return to the top of the cliff. We will regard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?"
This will be interesting. Prepare a Grimm injection.
'What should we use?'
Dorian looked to his right as he heard what sounded like an air cannon going off. The first student in line had just been launched.
Based on that, I would suggest Nevermore or Boarbatusk to the neck.
He withdrew two vials labeled NM and BB. The Vial labeled NM held significantly less blood than the vial label BB.
'Boarbatusk, single injection, neck. Take note.'
Alright, reason?
'Low on Nevermore. I'd say we have enough for two more injections, or one transformation.'
Dorian stabbed the needle from the vial into his neck and had just enough time to secure the vial before he too was launched. The air flying against his face would have felt lovely, if not for the intense pain coming from his back as the Boarbatusk blood took hold. It felt to him as if each of his vertebrae were being shattered and replaced. In a way they kinda were. The reaction brought about by the Grimm's blood rapidly formed incredibly thick bone plate armor along his back. As he fell, Dorian rotated himself so that he would land on his back. The Boarbatusk armor would absorb and reflect the impact into the ground.
The moment he hit the first tree, Dorian knew he had made a mistake. The impact caused him to start rotating in the air and hit the ground at an odd angle. The bone armor had protected his spine, but not his right arm. A loud snap was heard as Dorian hit the ground. He slowly stood up, groaning as his arm screamed in agony. Slowly, he moved to withdraw a vial of human blood, when he noticed that Harpsichord had not only stayed with him through the whole ordeal but was holding the vial out for him. Altdor was slowly regaining his own senses.
"Thanks, little buddy." Dorian said, smiling at the Grimm mantis.
First off, let's all just agree that was a poor decision.
"Yep. Let's not do that again."
Also, Harpsichord says your welcome. Now, can we please look at our arm. Something broke.
Dorian uncorked the vial of human blood and took a swig. It was the one thing he would never get used to when it came to his semblance. The iron-y taste as the blood rushed down his throat was revolting, but necessary. The bone plates on his back rapidly disappeared back into his spine. Dorian stretched his back and felt it pop.
He sat down and slowly undid the bandages, while taking note of the black spot by his elbow. When he removed the wrappings and let the bone spines extend, he noted that three of them were broken, the tips of the spines landed in front of him. The third spine was lodged in his upper arm.
"That explains the pain." Dorian said to himself as he gripped the bone lodged in his arm.
With one strong pull, the bone came free. He withdrew an empty vial and started letting the blood flow into it as the wound closed. His aura may not have been protective, but it could still heal fast. The vial was half full when the wound fully closed. Dorian rewrapped his arm and put the vial back on his belt. He grabbed the three spine ends, and also clipped those to his belt.
"Waste not, want not." Dorian said as he got up and started walking away, his arm still throbbing.
What are you even going to do with those?
'I don't know, probably weaponize them. They could come in handy.'
Dorian started walking north. The forest was peaceful, if boring. The Grimm were probably dealing with other students at the moment. The sound of a crashing tree drew Dorian's attention. He saw a tree falling and headed towards it, assuming there would be people there. As he drew nearer, he heard the sounds of combat. He withdrew Memento Mori and prepared to engage. He exited into a clearing and saw Ruby and Weiss finishing off a group of Beowolves.
Ruby had just kicked one over to him. He took quick note of the lack of crosshair on its eyes before decapitating it. The sound of his blade being sheathed drew the attention of Weiss and Ruby. Ruby smiled and waved while Weiss just glared at him.
Over eagerness and the Banshee. Could we have gotten anyone worse!?
"Huh, it could have been hyperactivity and silence." Dorian said. The girls looked at him confused. "Sorry, it seems we are a group now."
"What? But Ozpin said for us to be partners with the first person we made eye contact with." Ruby said, clearly confused.
"He told me to join the first set of partners I found." Dorian responded nonchalantly. "So, shall we head off."
Ruby shrugged and Weiss started walking in a direction. The wrong direction, but Dorian was not one to argue.
I have a feeling we were going to be on her team the whole time.
'And what makes you say that, Altdor?'
It just seems cliché.
'How so?'
Think about it. A being with more power than they should have is on a team with a student much younger than them and charged with training the youngling.
'But we aren't here to train her.'
Still, an interesting thought.
'I would say it is more odd than interesting.'
Here's another odd thing, how did we find her?
Dorian looked up, and there was a giant sleeping Nevermore in front of them. The mask had a crosshair on its right eye. Ruby was already walking toward it, while Weiss stood by, a bit apprehensive about approaching. Dorian just stared in awe at her magnificence. Altdor spoke to her.
Rise from your slumber my beautiful creation. Hear the call of your Overlord.
Ruby had climbed on to its back as it woke up.
My lord?
Yes, I ask that you allow us to ride to the ruins in the north of this forest.
As you wish.
You must act aggressively, I don't want the humans to know of me yet, nor should they know of loyal Grimm.
Of course, sire.
Thank you.
'Never heard you talk to a Grimm like that before.'
I'll explain later.
Dorian climbed on after Ruby, and Weiss followed quickly after some convincing. The Nevermore crowed in mock indignation before taking off. The three were barely able to hold on. Once they had reached optimal height, Dorian slowly rose to his feet, carefully balancing on the massive Grimm. Altdor took over and laughed a deep booming laugh in pure ecstasy. Harpsichord was hanging on to Dorian's shoulder for dear life.
As the drew closer to the ruins he overheard Weiss and Ruby yelling at each other over the wind.
"I can't believe you talked me into this!" Weiss yelled.
"It was the fastest way, you didn't fault my logic." Ruby responded in kind.
"I hate to ruin such a heartfelt moment, but we are nearing the ruins!" Dorian yelled at them as he drew the vial labeled NM.
So, you learned?
'Yep, but I have to know, what will happen to her? We will be expected to kill her.'
Simple, we don't kill her. I can feel the presence of another Nevermore on an intercept path. We jump off and she will flee. We just need to pass off that the other Nevermore is the one we rode on.
'Won't it be after this one though?'
No, I think it wants us!
Dorian looked ahead and saw a new Nevermore approaching rapidly. Ruby and Weiss appeared to not have noticed. Dorian jammed the vial of Nevermore blood into his neck and felt his shoulder blades reacting to the change. A pair of beautiful Nevermore wings had started growing.
"When I say jump, we jump!" Ruby yelled followed a second later by "JUMP!" and she promptly let go and fell to the planet below.
"Are you insane!" Weiss yelled as Ruby fell.
"NO Weiss, I'm completely nuts!" Dorian yelled with a laugh.
Weiss looked up at him and saw a pair of brilliant black wings that shone in the sunlight. He laughed and grabbed her before jumping off the black bird. She screamed as Dorian dove toward Ruby. She was yelling at the people on the ground to look out. Dorian grabbed her and redirected her momentum into a slight upward climb to land safely on the ground. They appeared to be the last three too arrive. When they touched down, the others at the temple looked in awe at his wings. Together, they had a total wingspan of twenty feet.
Dorian took another drink of human blood, as he greeted the group. His wings slowly dissolved. The caw of the Nevermore above them and the shriek of a Deathstalker in front of them caught all of their attention. Altdor made note that it too wasn't loyal.
"Great, now we can all die together." Yang said sarcastically.
"Not if I have anything to say about it." Ruby said as she unfurled her scythe and ran at the Deathstalker.
I think she has a death wish.
'No, she doesn't. Let's go Altdor.'
Ruby's blade just bounced off the Grimm's armor. She bounced back with hit. The Nevermore crowed again and launched its steel feathers at Ruby. She was able to get out of the way, but one caught her cloak. Yang called to her sister in worry, but Dorian was already running toward her. The Deathstalker approached menacingly, and before anyone could react, a wall of ice erupted in front of it as Weiss rushed past to block the scorpion's stinger.
Dorian didn't hear what they had to say because the ice holding the Deathstalker was cracking. He ran past Ruby, grabbing the feather in her cloak and allowing Altdor to take over on his way to get in front of the stinger. He crossed the feather over the cross guard of his blade and intercepted the Deathstalker stinger. He was straining to hold the stinger back, but the scorpion wasn't giving up.
"Less talking, unless it's to help!" 'Dorian' grunted as the Deathstalker tried to push past him.
Altdor's strength allowed him to hold his own against the Deathstalker, but not even he could hold out forever. Weiss nodded and froze the scorpion again, so they could escape.
"What do we do now?" Jaune asked.
"Run." Dorian panted.
"He's right, Ozpin said to get a relic and return to the cliff. He didn't say we had to fight." Ruby responded.
The group grabbed their relics and took off toward the cliff. They had just reached a bridge crossing the chasm when the Nevermore and Deathstalker also caught up to them. The group readied their weapons. Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Yang and Dorian focused on the Nevermore, while the rest took care of the Deathstalker.
While the girls were focusing on the Nevermore, Dorian took cover and started charging his MPC. Looking for the bird, he noticed that Yang was standing in the beast's mouth and firing down its throat. Each attack made Dorian and Altdor wince. After five shots, the Nevermore crashed into the bridge they were standing on. As Dorian fell with the bridge, he aimed and fired his gun. The concentrated magnetic pulse from the gun slammed into the Nevermore and sent it careening toward the cliff. Dorian shouted in triumph, before realizing he was still falling.
His downward momentum was abruptly stopped as Blake had caught him, and they were swinging back up the tower. They landed at the top just in time to see Ruby running up the cliff along a path of glyphs and decapitating the Nevermore.
Dorian whistled, impressed at the sight. He looked across the bridge to see a dead Deathstalker with the rest of the students there as well. He removed his vial of Nevermore blood and injected the rest into his neck. When his two wings were grown in, he spoke.
"Well, that was fun. Blake, thanks for the save." Dorian said to the black-haired girl. She nodded in response. "Now who would like a ride?"
One hour and a few flights later, the initiates were all standing in the Beacon auditorium. Ozpin had just announced Jaune as the leader of his own team, team JNPR. Ruby, Blake, Weiss and Yang were called on stage.
"Team RWBY, led by Ruby Rose." Ozpin said to the crowd. "RWBY stay here. Our last initiate is Dorian Gintus."
Ozpin motioned for him to join them on the stage.
"Dorian is here under special conditions, as such he was given the option to join a team. I told him that he would join the first group of partners that he met. As such, Dorian is to be a member of team RWBY, but their name shall not change." Ozpin explained.
Dorian went and stood next the girls and waved at them. Ruby and Yang appeared happy he was on their team. Blake seemed indifferent, and Weiss looked angry.
'Altdor, this is going to be an interesting year.'
Indeed, Dorian, indeed. Soon enough we'll be ready to take on the usurper.
'In time, but for now let us rest. Tomorrow is the start of the final stretch.
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