Chapter 7 Who Guards the Guardians?
Character Sgt Johnson
"Chief," Johnson called into the dark room at the center of a Forerunner structure on Harvest. "Chief, Arbiter, are you two here?" Johnson had returned with Cortana, the Spartans of Blue team and Cassius and his team of Elites.
"Chief come on it's us," Fredrick called into the darkness from Johnson's left.
"Over here," Arbiter said as the Elite's armored form materialized out from the shadows around one of the server rows. "We shut down the power here to conserve the energy in this place so Cortana could take a look at some of the data about the Guardians that this place has."
"So you're the Arbiter," Kelly asked, "I thought you would be bigger..."
"Ha and you didn't think I would be a Flood," Johnson said as Cortana walked past him to see what the Arbiter had for her to sift through. "Come on let's go see what all this is about."
"This place is extraordinary," Cassius said, "I and my team will head back to the surface to start cataloging this ruin."
"You guys be careful," Linda said, "For elites you are not half bad."
"That's the nicest thing you've said to us," Cassius remarked, "I'll take it as a compliment."
"Johnson," Chief greeted as he floated over to him, "Kelly, Fredric, It's good to see you again. Good work Linda."
"You know me Chief," Linda said, "I always get my marks."
"You look different," Kelly remarked, "You look more like Cortana in her metal body than a human in a suit and I don't recall any variant of armor that lets you fly."
"It's a part of this place," Chief said, "We've been digging around in the files here and I've learned a bit more about my Forerunner powers."
"So that is true then," Fredrick asked, "Cortana said you were Forerunner but seeing you now I actually believe it."
"Yeah a lot has happened since we've been gone," Johnson said, "And now we've got these Guardian things that Chief is certain will cause destruction on a galactic scale."
"And he'd be right," Cortana said as she walked back over to them, "What you have discovered here is not a server room but, a connection to a server of some sort."
"A connection, so the server is off site," Kelly asked.
"You could say that yes," Cortana said, "Like on another planet entirely off site."
"Okay so do you know where it is," Johnson asked.
"All I have is a name," Cortana said, "It translates to Genesis. I do know that the Guardians are all recalled to Genesis before full reactivation. So we find a Guardian we can ride it to Genesis."
"Then we find a Guardian," Chief said, "Did you come across any location for them?"
"I did indeed," Cortana said, "One of them is on Sanghelios."
"I believe I know what you are talking about then," Arbiter said, "There is an ancient temple that resides above some ruins which stretch underground for miles. If you are going to find a Guardian on my world that is where you should look."
"Well sounds like we need to get a move on then," Johnson said, "If we can't learn anymore from here then we need to get to this Guardian."
"Once we are at the Guardian how do we activate it," Linda asked which caused everyone to go silent for a bit.
"I could access it's commands from the Domain," Cortana said, "That is the server that is on Genesis but to do that I would have to disband this body and travel through the remote connection to it's home."
"No," Chief said, "We will find another way. Once we are at the Guardian, between you and me we can get it moving or at least get the coordinates for Genesis."
"Yeah it's to dangerous to let you go off like that," Johnson said, "Besides you wouldn't know when to activate the Guardian if you are not with us."
"We may not have the time for you to figure out how to activate the Guardians," Linda said. "I've been getting reports that colonies are disappearing. What if some of the Guardians are already being activated?"
"Then that is all the more reason to head to Sanghelios quickly," Johnson said, "Cortana we need to be flying again."
"If we are heading to Sanghelios then everyone head up to the surface and get in," Cortana said, "I'll meet you in the ACU." With that Cortana dispersed her physical form and returned to her ACU.
"And you married her," Fredric asked.
"So," John replied.
"Yeah you're definitely the craziest of us," Kelly said as Blue Team headed back out. Johnson and Arbiter followed as did Cassius and his team.
"A moment Sergeant," Arbiter said as they walked back out of the center of the structure.
"Sure what's on your mind," Johnson asked.
"These Guardians," Arbiter stated, "Cortana said that all Guardians are recalled to Genesis before full reactivation."
"Uh huh," Johnson said.
"If just them being recalled wipes out a colony what will they be capable of once they are fully active," Arbiter asked.
"I imagine something similar to the Halo rings only more controlled," Johnson said, "This is a Forerunner super weapon after all."
"How was all of this created so long ago and yet it still seems to come back to haunt us now," Arbiter remarked, "No matter we will stop these Guardians."
"Hey come on you two," Linda called back to Johnson and Arbiter. The group had arrived at Cortana's ACU and were waiting for Johnson and Thel to catch up.
"Yeah well you're not inside yet," Johnson said as he grabbed Arbiter in one of his tentacle arms and jumped to the head. "Now who's slowing us down?"
"Don't do that again," Arbiter said as he went inside.
"What I saved us some time didn't I," Johnson replied as he followed Arbiter in and the others rode up on the gravity lift.
"Okay so if we're heading to Sanghelios I'll need to get us passage on another ship, the one we used to get Fredrick and Kelly disembarked an hour ago." Cortana said as she warped about the control room pulling data about as she went. "Hmm it looks like there is a Dreadnought in port... The Authority. We should be able to fit into one of it's hangars.
"The Authority," Cassius asked, "I know that ship. It's special operations. It was the one that dropped my team and I off."
"Anything special about it," John asked.
"It is run by an advanced AI," Arbiter said, "It was our solution to Cortana."
"Aw how sweet," Cortana said with a smirk, "I really did throw you all for a loop didn't I?"
"Well you did break up the Covenant," Johnson said, "It only makes sense that the Elites would try and come up with an answer for our technology."
"Last I heard The Authority was supposed to be back on Sanghelios for maintenance," Cassius said, "What is it doing out here again so soon?"
Everyone looked between each other at that then Arbiter spoke, "Cortana can you pull up The Authority's docking records?"
"Done," Cortana said as the ship's logs were displayed on the screens around the control room. Johnson instantly saw something that was off, everything in the records was in Forerunner Symbols.
"That's not right," Linda remarked, "The Covenant revered the Forerunner sure but they didn't use their language."
"This … these logs say The Authority was at Genesis, warped there by the slip-space drive of a Guardian," Cortana said, "If I can get access to that ship we can go right to Genesis. Perhaps stop the remaining Guardians from taking off at all."
"Send out a hail to The Authority," Arbiter said, "Tell them I am requesting to come aboard."
"Done," Cortana said, "Let's see what they say."
The response was a garbled static screaming, it sounded like the Prometheans. Johnson checked his shotgun before saying, "Arbiter it looks like we have a ship to recapture."
"Get us to that ship," Arbiter said.
"Hold onto something," Cortana said as she took off in a burst of speed. Johnson grabbed a hold of the wall to keep from being thrown into Chief during the violent take off. "Alert! The Authority is attempting to take off, this is going to be close."
Johnson rolled his eyes stating, "When isn't it?"
"Ha just like old times eh Chief," Fredrick said as the Authority came into view over the horizon.
"Yeah it is," Chief stated, "Cortana open the door."
"Chief you are not going to," Johnson said but as Blue team lined up at the opened door Johnson knew he was going to jump. Cortana flew above The Authority and did a barrel roll to let Blue team jump out and onto the ship's hull. Johnson jumped out with them and grabbed an extra sniper rifle on the way out. "I really got to teach that boy not to jump," Johnson thought as he flipped over and landed beside Chief.
"Cortana trail us as best you can," Chief said as they warped through slip-space.
"Sgt. nice of you to join us," Fredrick said as he clapped Johnson on the back. "Kelly how long till we have an entrance?" An explosion going off indicated that Kelly was done with their entrance.
"You all just have to jump don't you," Johnson asked.
"You didn't have to come," John said.
"Like I'd miss this," Johnson replied with a laugh as he dropped through the opening in the ship.
"They jumped into empty space," Linda said as she looked up from her wrist mounted nav-tool.
Inside the ship all the lights were off and even the vital support systems were offline. The five were in a hangar which their flashlights soon revealed to be completely empty.
"Cortana what was supposed to be in here," Chief asked as the five spread out through the hangar.
"Yeah there looks like there was enough room in here for several Wraiths and accompanying Ghosts," Johnson said, "Where did it all go?"
"Good call," John said, "Cortana confirmed there were at least two Wraith squads in this ship. Wherever they are now we can be sure they are not here."
"There are no life forms on this ship either," Kelly said. "Just..."
"Prometheans," Johnson said as drew his shotgun. "We've got to get control of this ship so Cortana can get on board."
"The bridge then," Fredrick said, "But this ship isn't laid out like a normal Covenant vessel."
"Tana," John asked via radio. "Okay I've got it, follow me and keep your guns up." Chief headed over to a maintenance door and pried it open. The team followed him inside with Johnson taking the back of the line. Inside there was only room for one person at a time so the five had to navigate slowly through the damaged interior.
"This ship is a wreck," Kelly remarked.
"Not a wreck," Linda said, "sabotaged. This damage was done to anything that had to do with the electrics. Access panels smashed, wires ripped out of the walls, even the floor has been ripped up where there should be wires."
"The Elites that crewed this vessel were trying to stop the Prometheans," Chief said. "Destroying the electrical paths would hamper their movements."
"Wouldn't we have seen Prometheans by now if they were here," Johnson asked.
"We should have yes," John replied as he pushed aside a beam that was blocking their way forward. The floor rocked as the beam broke off and clattered to the ground. Blue Team jumped forward as the walk way collapsed behind them and Johnson jumped backwards but in the confined space there was not enough space for him to avoid falling down to the lower decks of the ship.
"Johnson," John called down from up above as Johnson picked himself up.
"Yeah Chief," Johnson replied, "You go on ahead I'll find a way to you." Johnson looked around and saw that the damage in this part of the ship was far less evident than where they had just been. "Besides it looks less busted up down here maybe I can find out what this is all about. Do your radios work in here?"
"Rodger that," Fredrick's voice came through Johnson's earpiece. "We'll keep in touch."
"Understood," Johnson said as he started looking around in the lower deck. Johnson began to notice a pattern to the damage in the ship. Not only was it on the electrical systems but it seemed to be worse on the outer edges of the ship. The further in he ventured the more pristine the condition of the ship became. "This is nuts," Johnson thought with some amusement as he entered a room with a holographic table in the center of it. The table and everything in the room surprisingly still worked. "It's a point of origin for the ship being not damaged. Like a reverse bomb." "Chief Ifound something here, a working room, holo-table, lights, everything."
"Check it out," John said, "We're almost to the control center. We may need to rout power from there if the control center is offline."
"I'll look around and see what I can find," Johnson said as he walked around the table and looked over the graphics on it. Suddenly all the light in the room dimmed and on the table an image of an Elite rose up. Johnson took a step back at first before muttering, "Well well now what do we have here?"
"Language, Sangheili. Language, Human. … Language, all." The Elite spoke. "Species, unknown. Status, potential threat... are you here to destroy me?"
"You must be that AI that Arbiter mentioned," Johnson said to the hologram.
"Correct, I am project ID number 23576412, classification, Glory," the AI replied, "Arbiter sent you?"
"Not precisely," Johnson said, "He's with some of my friends that are trying to board this ship but it keeps jumping through slip-space and they can't get in."
"Yes the other one has taken control of the ship," AI Glory said, "I am restrained to this room due to his firewalls."
"Other one," Johnson asked, "the Prometheans?"
"Yes but he is just one," Glory replied, "Guardian Warden. Warning he has activated... the bridge is in trouble if we do not stop him from draining even more energy."
"Is there some way I can take you with me," Johnson asked.
"Carrying device is plugged into the table," Glory said, "I shall place myself in storage so you may take me with you and I may guide you to the bridge." Glory flickered out and a sphere in the center of the table lit up with the same red light that the AI had projected himself with. Johnson picked up the orb and heard Glory's thoughts in his head.
"Take door 3A then left you will find an incline that will take you to the bridge," Glory thought to Johnson. Johnson shook his head at the odd feeling of having someone elses thoughts in his brain but quickly followed the instructions. The incline was a spiral ramp that went up through the middle of the ship. Johnson sighed and started up. "Advisement, something is battling Guardian Warden with equal strength please avoid getting crushed between their powers."
"Thanks for the heads up, that has to be Chief,"Johnson said as he arrived at the door to the bridge. He grabbed it and slid it open to reveal that a massive warrior like construct was looming over Chief who was in a contest of strength with it. The rest of Blue team were floating helplessly around the room, suspended by the Warden as it battled with Chief. Johnson saw a spot on the Warden's back that was not armored and quickly put a clip of sniper rifle ammo into it. The Warden howled as it dissolved and Blue team dropped to the ground.
"Johnson," Chief stated as he straightened up.
"You're welcome," Johnson said as he held out the orb with Glory in it, "I got you a present."
Chief took the orb and looked at Johnson, "The AI of the ship?"
"Yeah," Johnson said, "Let him back into his home will you maybe we can get underway once he has control again."
Character Storm
Storm and Blitz were waiting for Bad Company to join them on the Ark. The mates were sitting atop a cliff with a water fall off to their left and looking out over the mountains where K and the Primes had their final confrontation.
"You know how to pick beautiful spots," Blitz remarked.
"You know how to appreciate them," Storm said as she looked over to Blitz. He looked over to her and their eyes met. Storm savored the moment as no one other than Blitz could look her directly in the eyes due to her time-mind.
"Hey you guys whats up," Haggard exclaimed as he and Bad Co came in on parachutes from Flynn's chopper.
"Looks like you four are at the moment," Blitz said with a laugh.
"What do you know rock head has some quip after all," Redford said as BC landed.
"And you all must have been spending to much time with Ray," Storm said with a smile.
"What he's a cool guy to hang around with," Preston said.
"That he is," Storm agreed, "Haggard do you remember when I told you that K would have to find himself?"
"Yeah that was at Krista and Geysers wedding right," Haggard said.
"Correct," Storm said, "It's time he found himself."
"Okay... what does that have to do with us," Sweetwater asked.
"Simple," Storm said, "You four are the catalyst. While K has renewed his faith and has grown to become more of a leader to DC than ever before. It is not who he is. K is and always has been a father before anything else. Leading DC has taken all of his time, now though we have some who are more than ready to lead DC."
"Who," Haggard asked.
"RWBY," Storm replied, "Even K has not led DC alone, he has C and Doug and RWBY will still have Doug. They are already doing what K does, hunting down the demons and striking them from creation all that we need to do is basically make them realize that they are doing what K already does. Then K will resort to the only thing he knows... being himself again and not the constantly aloof leader that he has been."
"Let me get this straight. You want us to convince a group of girls in their early to mid twenties that they should run an inter-dimensional organization," Redford asked.
"She's not asking Red," Haggard said, "This is Storm remember, she only tells."
"Well great," Sweets stated, "You know since you are getting us into this you might as well help right?"
"That is precisely what we plan to do," Blitz stated as he stood up. "get on and let's go meet with RWBY."
"No," Haggard said as he stared at Storm. Oddly Storm felt as if the renegade demolitions man was drilling down into her eyes. "You told only me all those years ago about K's nature. It's time you and me sorted it out. No need to get them involved. Because if I know K, and I think I do. A change in his nature does not come without violence, even if it is unintended."
Storm actually backed up from Haggard as she realized he was indeed drilling down into her eyes, like he was searching for something in their depths. "I would prefer it that way myself," Storm said, "But they won't allow it."
"Like Hell they won't," Haggard said, "You've been seeing the future for over twenty years. Now I'm going to change it. Take me to RWBY and to K."
"Storm," Blitz stated.
"No, it's fine," Storm said as she realized that Haggard was indeed changing time as she knew it right in front of her. "You stay with the rest of BC we'll be back soon."
"Hags be careful," Sweetwater said, "We'll wait here but call us if you need us okay?"
"Can do Sweets," Haggard said as he climbed onto Storm's back. "Lets go."
Storm took off and headed to one of the teleporters that would take them to Remnant. "Haggard," Storm said as they flew, "what you're doing is changing time..."
"Yeah well last I checked that's how DC gets stuff done," Haggard said as he lounged back between Storm's wings. "Heh that or a humongous explosion!" Haggard flailed his arm out to expound on the explosions part and almost fell off. Storm reached back and steadied him with her snout.
"You are something else you know that," Storm said irritably. "Messing with time, being reckless, you're almost fifty! As a human you should have moved past that point by now."
Haggard got his grip on her back again and just nodded. He didn't speak again until they touched down at the teleporter. "You know what makes people human is their lifespans," Haggard remarked as they waited for Doug to calibrate the teleporter. "With immortality we've all changed but maybe not matured much. Like your kind. I'm only fifty, you're over a hundred and you are still young by your standards. But even the dragons of DC will come to a point where their natural lifespan has run out and they are still going... what will any of us be like at that point I wonder?"
Storm was surprised by Haggard yet again by his depth of thought. Which was in itself surprising that she could be surprised anymore. Then again Haggard was altering time with each passing second so Storm had no clear idea of what would happen next. "Of course I knew that Haggs would be...disruptive to things when I picked him so many years ago. I guess this is where my faith gets tested..." Storm thought as she formulated a reply to Haggard's statement. "I'm not sure Haggs... I really am not sure. I don't want to look that far ahead to find out either."
"Probably for the best then," Haggard said as the teleporter fired up. "Man these things always make me tingly." He stepped through and Storm followed him. On the other side they had arrived in the backroom of Marco's expanded Smithy. It had now grown to where it took up half of the park and the teleporter was used to transport goods and materials back and forth but it also worked to get Storm and Haggs closer to RWBY than if they were to arrive in the Atlas teleporter.
"Hmm seems no one is in right now," Storm remarked.
"Uh huh yep," Haggs said as he shook off the tingles from the teleporter. "Ah that tickles so bad... Okay I'm good lets go find RWBY. Where do you think they are?"
Storm just smiled as Marco silently came up behind Haggs. "at least this part is going as expected..."
"I can take you to RWBY," Marco rumbled as the smith stretched his back.
"Whoa gah... don't do that," Haggard said as he jumped around the room like a scared monkey. "How is someone as big as you that quiet anyways?"
"Long time spent hiding for my life mostly," Marco replied with a wink as Storm suppressed a few quite chuckles.
"You knew about that didn't you," Haggard said as he looked at Storm.
"I did and I'd say I'm sorry but if I was I wouldn't have let it happen in the first place," Storm said, "That little chicken dance is just so funny."
"Oh ha ha," Haggard said, "Okay I'll admit it was a little funny. Marco you said you know where RWBY is?"
"Yup just down at Club RWBY," Marco said, "I figured your seer would know that though."
"It seems there is a lot more that I don't know than what I do," Storm said, "At least with Haggard around that is."
"Thanks for the tip," Haggard said as he and Storm made their way out of the smithy and into the park. "Well Club RWBY, there's a dragon sized entrance on top isn't there?"
"That there is," Storm said as she stretched out a leg so Haggard could climb up onto her back. Once he had a hold Storm took off and headed into the city. She spotted the club easily enough as it was the only building with a massive dome shield generator on top of it and SAM turrets all around. Storm rolled her eyes at the sight thinking, "Cortana can be so gaudy with her decorations sometimes..." Storm came in for a landing via the roof entrance and found herself in the middle of a knock down drag out brawl between Mephisto and Qrow. "Oookay... this was not something I saw before..." Storm thought. Part of her knew that they should find RWBY as fast as possible but Storm was also captivated by on of the few events that she had not previewed via her Seer ability.
"Is that all you've got," Qrow called to Mephisto who had just unleashed a string of slashes with his whip-arms. "Come on my Nieces hit harder than you."
"Well that's true," Melanie added from the sidelines. All around the dance floor turned fighting arena were the patrons that were cheering on their favored fighter. Mephisto seemed to be the crowd favorite.
"Ah that guys is a pushover," Haggs remarked as he slid off of Storm's back, "back when DC was just a few of us we beat him by pushing him around."
"On Serra right," Storm said as she watched Qrow blast away a frozen orb from Mephisto with a shotgun type attachment which was hidden under his Scythe blade.
"Yup," Haggard said, "Oh that's clever." Qrow had coxed Mephisto into lashing out again with his arms only to slice them off at the shoulder as the nimble Qrow jumped to Mephisto's shoulders and transformed his scythe into a large sword and put it to Mephisto's neck.
"What are you going to do now," Mephisto asked, "Slice my neck... oh wait I don't." He was cut off as Qrow rapped his jaw with his sword causing Mephisto to howl.
"No but I can do that all day," Qrow said. "Seems painful enough." Qrow was cut off as shards of ice started raining from the ceiling, causing him to jump off of Mephisto and out of the way.
"Boys," Storm interjected bringing the fight to a halt.
"Storm," Mephisto acknowledged, "and Haggard."
"Oh come on you are not still sore from when I blasted you are you," Haggard asked with a laugh.
"Hey DC what brings more of you to my city," Qrow asked.
"RWBY actually," Storm said, "We want them to take up command of Dragon Company." At that all conversation in the club ceased. It was quite as a grave until Qrow laughed.
"Ha ha ha," Qrow laughed, "So DC finally realizes their best members huh?"
"K has known about them for a while actually," Haggard said, "Ruby herself just didn't feel comfortable taking over when she first met us all."
Qrow stopped chuckling at that and looked at Haggard, "Wait you want just my niece to run DC?"
"No we want team RWBY to guide DC," Storm said, "K wanted Ruby Rose to run it. Kalathanon has always looked at DC as having him, a sole person, as it's leader. He's wrong though, without Celantra or Doug or Spyro, Jackson, Haggard, John Cortana, Fenix, Fiona, Diablo, Ignitus, Tyreal... DC is a myriad of leaders that all followed K's lead when he made specific decisions. We want team RWBY to lead DC because they are not that... they are unified in purpose but each have a different way they would prefer to use to accomplish that goal. United by love and friendship but with very different personalities and experiences. They embody everything that DC is in their one team."
"K's no fool he wouldn't have chosen Ruby Rose if he didn't think her capable," Mephisto said, "Why does your vision say otherwise Seer?"
"Because when K asked Ruby all he was basing his offer on was her soul," Storm said.
"Her soul," Qrow repeated as his sword slowly began to turn into the scythe, "Her Soul? Tell me this Seer. Did he know?"
Qrow's question was vague but Storm knew that he was asking about Summer Rose's death. "No K did not know... he didn't put those pieces together until he had been on Remnant for some time," Storm replied. This seemed to make up Qrow's mind and he collapsed his weapon and put it on his back.
"Well big guy guess we'll have to continue this some other time," Qrow said to Mephisto, "I'm going to go get my Nieces a new job."
"Ha ha of course you will," Mephisto said, "I'll be waiting."
"Oh come on we had a good round of betting going on this round," Miltia said.
"Well give it to big guy there," Qrow said, "It's the only time he will win against me."
"Qrow, stop being antagonistic and go get RWBY from the back for us please," Storm said.
Qrow smirked and walked into the back as the patrons exchanged money... and words. Over the 'results' of the match.
"You always stir up trouble you know," Melanie said as she joined her sister at the bar.
"It's more like trouble is always being stirred up and we like being there when it happens," Haggs said.
"Hey you called," Ruby greeted as she and RWBY came out from the back of the club and over to the bar. Qrow followed them over and took a seat at the end of the counter.
"Yeah we did," Haggard said, "We want your help to help K."
"K needs help," Weiss asked, "I find that hard to believe... I mean we've all seen what he can do."
"What does he need help with," Blake asked.
"Himself," Storm replied. "K is leading DC because he believes he is the only one who is willing and able to do so... and as of this moment he is correct. However there is a team that is capable of leading Dragon Company. The question we have come here to resolve is are you all willing to do so?"
"This again," Ruby asked with a sigh, "K already asked me and I said no, I'm just not old enough to lead people as experienced as all of you."
"They are not asking you Ruby and I don't think it's K that is asking this time," Yang said, "You're asking us, Team RWBY to lead Dragon Company. Why?"
"Because while K makes a good leader for getting everyone to work towards the same goal. He is not open to sharing that goal with others or considering multiple goals," Haggard said. "Don't get me wrong he's a great guy really. I mean I've know him since DC started but, there have been times when we could have done with some insight into what he was planning, how he was going to accomplish it not just instruct as we go like he loves to do."
"While most of us in DC are indeed older than you all DC has only been together for on average ten years when you even the time out over the members that are in it." Storm continued, "Even the Core, Haggs, myself, those who started DC have only know each other for at the most thirty years. For a good portion of that time K was not really leading us either, Doug handled most of it and he will support you four just as much as he supported us and K."
"But why us," Ruby asked, "There are many other teams you could ask, Delta, STRQ, the Prime Council... why us?"
"Because you don't just know how to work as a team you know how to get teams to work as a team and how to use everyone's skills in the manner that best suits them," Haggard said, "You know that there is more than one way to achieve your goals and you're not quick to shed blood. Look at Roman, Emerald, Mercury, Cinder, Neo, Adam, the White Fang... look how you've turned your enemies, be they a person or an organization, into your friends and allies. You still have the drive to do that... K lost that drive when he got Lucifer and the other Wardens back. You are what Dragon Company needs now and I think you're the only team K would allow to take the position."
Ruby worriedly looked at Yang, Blake and Weiss. Yang looked undecided, Blake looked thoughtful and Weiss, Weiss was smiling. "Come on Ruby, I know you've always wanted to be able to save the world... With DC at your back you could, not just this one but all of them."
"We could bring equality through understanding to every race," Blake added.
"How better to protect our DC family than by leading them eh sis," Yang said as she smiled.
Storm looked at Ruby who still was obviously thinking it over in her mind. She looked up and smiled, "K gave us the complete tale of the Cross Bearer... I can never repay him for that but I most certainly will try. He was here about an hour or two ago so you just missed him..."
"Not to worry Ruby," Storm said, "Seer remember? K is at Beacon with Ozpin and Ironwood trying to convince them of his next targeted demon... A more fitting place for you all to take command I can not think of."
Character Kalathanon
K was getting a little, tiny, bit annoyed with Ozpin and Ironwood. The two were normally easy to convince about his ideas but this time the two old friends had joined up against him. K never liked it when people disagreed with him.
"No, you are not going to tear through one of the most dependable companies on remnant to find one demon," Ironwood said, "The Guild has it's issues but without them and their infrastructure all the kingdoms would be hurting to supply their people with weapons and tools."
"And if you let them continue to secretively build an arm for this Magog then we will all be in trouble anyways," K said. "C you may want to get over here, I'm loosing my patience here..." K's thought was cut off as Storm flew into the office with RWBY, Qrow and Haggard on her back.
"Well it seems we have some unexpected guests," Ozpin said with a sigh, "Let us attend to them and return to this unpleasantness later."
"Certainly," K said. It always cheered him up to see RWBY and members of his original DC team. Storm however was another matter. K never knew exactly what she had in mind and, while he only admitted this to C, Storm was one person who he wouldn't want on his bad side... or any of RWBY for that matter, but Storm was more aggressive when pursuing her time-line agendas than RWBY. "What brings you all here my friends?"
"What always brings us to you K," Haggs said with a laugh, "You do."
K shared a chuckle at Haggs reference... "I was the reason DC got together in the first place... well me, Adam, and a very large explosion.."
"Care to elaborate," Ironwood asked.
"Right," Ruby said, "K do you remember when you offered to let me lead Dragon Company?"
"I do," K said, "It's still an open offer if that's what your here for."
"It is but with a bit of an alteration," Ruby said, "RWBY will lead DC not just me."
K frowned at Ruby's statement and he looked at Storm. "She knows something more is going on here..." K thought before he spoke. "DC has only ever been led by an individual, Myself or Doug not a committee, not a partnership not a team a person. What makes you think you can come to decisions quickly enough to meet the ever changing needs of DC?"
"Because we've been making split second decisions as a team for years," Weiss said.
"Good ones at that," Yang added.
"Like following that dust through Cinder's portal and finding you all," Blake said. "Split second decision and all of us and JNPR made it on the fly."
"And as a team are you tenacious enough to stick to a task to the exclusion of all else until it is finished," K asked.
"Absolutely not," Ruby said, "Family and friends are more important than chasing after ghosts. Besides with the four of us we wouldn't have to, we can rotate in and out if we need to."
K's face softened into a smile as RWBY responded to his questions. "Hmm it seems every Rose is unique and every RWBY it's own jewel. What if I were to allow this? What part would I play in your operations?"
"We're all already like your kids," Haggard said, "Why not be a dad? Though you would certainly have one rowdy family."
"I am a dad," K said as his face darkened again with echoes of pain. "I am so bad at it that my son was killed and my daughter lost to me for more years than can be counted..."
"Ever heard of second chances," Ruby asked as she put her hand on his shoulder.
"If I'm dad then C is DC's mom," K said as he felt Ruby's peace seep into him. It was by far her most unique ability... to convey feeling and emotion through touch. "C are you on your way," K thought.
"Almost there dear you haven't … you already feel better what changed," C replied.
"RWBY is stepping up to lead DC," K answered, "What do you say do you want to be mom to a few hundred rowdy kids that run about creation chasing and stopping Magogs?"
"Seeing as a few of them are our kids/grandkids/great grandkids," C responded, "I don't see why not. See you in a few love."
"It would be nice to have parents for once," Blake said as K's 'head conversation' took only a moment.
"Or more like grandparents perhaps," Ruby said, "Summer is always mom to me."
"I think we can work with that," K said, "What about it Oz, General … Qrow? How's it feel to know four of your own are in charge of DC?"
"Right," Qrow said.
"Peaceful," Ozpin said as he nodded his head in agreement with K's verdict.
"Well earned," Ironwood added, "Though I will not stand for such a casual switching of the leadership of Remnant's most powerful ally. We need an announcement a ceremony and a celebration I think."
"You always have to have your rituals don't you," Qrow stated, "But if they have drinks with them then... count me in. After all it's for my family." Qrow hugged Ruby and Yang. "Let's go find your dad he should be here for this... I swear I can never keep track of that man."
"Usually because he is being swarmed by students," Yang said. "He's like you used to be, everyone's favorite teacher."
"I'll contact Father, Mother and Winter so they can assist you with the ceremonies," Weiss said as she gave Qrow an eye roll and muttered, "Rituals are for savages..."
K noticed Storm and Haggard walk back out to the balcony and Storm motioned for him to follow. "What are you two planning," K asked as he joined two of his oldest friends outside.
"It just happened," Storm said.
"Yeah Storm dragged me into this whole thing twenty years ago," Haggs added. "K you need a break you've been going full speed for longer than I can comprehend. You needed this back when you started DC and yet you made it through anyways... Look we just want to say, take a break now you and C and the rest of the family okay, rest for once and maybe pitch in when you feel like it not because you think you have to."
"Ha you two," K said, "Storm I assume you did more of the planning part than Haggs here did."
"Correct," Storm said, "But Haggard did his part very well. Do take some time for yourself... we've got a much longer set of universes ahead of us."
"Of that I have no doubt," K said, "It will be different being more of an adviser or teacher than the tip of the spear so to speak. Hah why I could probably learn a thing or two about that from Ozpin..." K sighed as he looked over his shoulder to the bustling RWBY and their mentors. "I love those four you know and now I've put them in the most dangerous position in creation..."
"Well it's a good thing they will have some of the most dangerous guards in creation," Reak said as the mech warrior landed on the balcony. "Myself, Raiden, Samuel and Blade Wolf have decided to be the personal guard for whoever leads DC... I'm telling you because we'd like you to be one of us."
"Done," K said without hesitation. "Let's keep this quite though the less people who know we exists as Guards the more effective we can be."
"We'll just take our leave then," Haggs said as he got on Storm's back and the two prepared to take off.
"Take care you two and try not to tell anyone about us guards okay," K said.
"Understood," Storm said as she flew off with Haggard.
"I suggest we do not even let RWBY know we are guarding them, let's just do it by being there for them whenever they are looking for someone to help with something," Havoc said.
"You think like me you know," K said.
"No I think like a person who has been a protector of high level targets for the past twenty years," Reak said with a chuckle.
"Makes someone wonder when you had time to learn to be a story teller," K remarked.
"Another time and another life," Reak replied. Even through the helmet and armor he seemed to sigh sadly at that.
"Well who am I to question those with other lives," K said as he too reflected on all the people he had been over his lifetime. "Tell the others that I'm in but how did you four know about the switch or decided to be guardians in the first place?"
"We didn't know about the switch actually," Reak said, "I heard about it through a source I have."
"Ironwood," K asked.
"Good answer," Reak said, "Either way I heard and came to ask you to join us. Why we wanted to do this is because the four of us are highly adept at securing high level targets and the leaders of DC are the highest that can be secured."
K clapped Reak on the shoulder and said, "Thank you Reak you've brought some ease to my mind in letting RWBY take over. At least I know I will have help protecting them." Reak nodded and then flew off the balcony and into the night.
"K what are you doing out there come on we need you for some of the arrangements," Weiss called out to him with some annoyance. "I know it's not your favorite thing but the people will want a ceremony and for that we will need your input after all you did found DC."
"Well I did do that," K thought as he walked back inside. He felt C land outside as he returned to Ozpin's desk. With a thought K morphed C into her human form and she walked in to join them. C's human form was a towering six foot eleven and fully armored in glistening plate mail. Her silver-white hair flowed down from under her helmet and rested around her shoulders and the massive sword that was holstered across her back. K looked into C's sparkling crystal eyes and she smiled at him.
"So... retirement then dear," C asked as she stood next to K and bent down to the table while looking around at the others in the room. "RWBY, thank you all so, so much."
"Somehow I doubt you two will 'retire'," Weiss said, "But you're welcome."
"True," K said, "So this ceremony then, I sense you have something in mind?"
"I do," Weiss said, "The Unity is the pride of Remnant. DC, while under your leadership helped us build it and we were chosen as captains for it's first mission. We then passed it off to the General here and now CFVY is it's commanders. General Ironwood, if you would be willing would you oversee the transfer of DC command from K to us while we broadcast it from the Unity?"
"I do not see a reason to disagree with the plan," Ironwood said.
"When would we have this ceremony," Ruby asked.
"Also where in the Unity would we have it," Blake asked.
"I'd say a week from now," Ozpin said, "Gives everyone time to make preparations for it. As for where the Unity is in atmosphere right now so we could have it on the upper decks that are outside the ship."
"On the balconies and pavilions," Yang remarked, "that could look amazing if we decorate it correctly."
"Well then I will coordinate with Doug to make the arrangements," K said.
"Ah ah, K let it go," C said, "The ceremony isn't until next week but the transfer happened already. Let RWBY plan this meanwhile we can prepare all the information on the various leads you've been chasing with the Wardens for them to look over later."
K was genuinely surprised by that. "Wow I know that I've turned over control but I guess I never even really noticed how much stuff I was in charge of... This will be nice but it will also take some getting used to." K nodded, "Right I guess I've just gotten so used to running everything that it will take some practice to let it go. Though I guess I'll still be around, after all I am one of the few of us who can summon Lucifer and the Wardens."
"That you are but you're not the only one," Ruby said with a smile. "But we can worry about that later. Right now we need to think outfits. What will we wear for this ceremony? We're not in an army of any sort so we have no formal attire in DC." Ruby looks around the room, "Any suggestions?"
"I'd say our power armor," Blake said, "It is elegant but also protective. This ceremony would be a perfect event for assassins to try and attack us."
"For that reason alone I have to agree," Ironwood said, "DC made you those suits and they would serve as an additional line of defense should you come under attack. Considering that we have yet another enemy lurking in the shadows of our world I can not stress the importance of precautions enough."
"I agree with James on this," Ozpin said, "The power armor is subtle enough to be mistaken as a higher level of Atlas armor but it provides significantly more protection and enhancements to your already incredible talent."
"Then RWBY will be in their armor," K said, "I'd advise that your husbands also take similar precautions. C and I will be in what you see us in here. Green satin cloak and silver armor, don't worry we're much harder to harm than we look."
"Oh we know that first hand," Yang said, "after all who was it who led us into hell itself and brought us back out?"
"As I recall you almost died in that event," C said.
"Eh I could have taken it," Yang said.
"Not without Adam," Ruby muttered as she drew Yang into a hug, "I've never been that scared before and I don't want to ever again. So you stay safe Yang."
"They are too cute together," Blake remarked as Yang ruffled her sister's hair and Ruby responded by playfully punching Yang in the shoulder.
"That they are," K agreed, "But so are all of you, together you four, or eight now, are some of the cutest pairs I know of in DC."
"And you two are okay with us taking over for you," Weiss asked.
"We are," C said, "After all you four are the only ones who actually are strong enough to beat either K or myself and you're the only ones who's faith is greater than our own."
"All of that and you're certainly better people than C or I," K added.
"What about the original DC members," Blake asked.
"Hags helped you all decide to do this did he not," K replied, "He has a way with people and the original team holds him in the highest regard, if they know he helped you all get to this point they will be more than willing to follow you all."
"You know you have a point," Weiss said, "I don't think I've met a single person in DC who doesn't like Hags... I mean even you have those in DC who are... skeptical of you."
"I do," K confirmed, "Mostly the SaDiablos but they have good reason to be wary of me... everyone should in fact. It's another reason I choose Ruby... well RWBY now I suppose. After all if I didn't choose the four of you then you wouldn't have gotten the spot... but I don't know of anyone in DC that dislikes any of you, Cinder and her circle of friends included. You also have reached out to the newest round of members and have started making connections with them, Rewind Inc, Juliet and Nick, Cassity." K laughed as a smile came to his face. "Why I bet you are making more relationships with the DC members than I am maintaining on a personal level right now... I've got Doug, Ignitus, Diablo, The original members and Spyro's family... outside of them I'm pretty sure most of DC sees me as the aloof leader that swoops in and then disappears again once the trouble is dealt with. You all are much more social, much more approachable which I think will be good for DC."
"Yeah we are pretty social but that's mostly because 'DC' is really only about three hundred people and they all frequent Club RWBY so we get to know them pretty well," Yang said as she and Ruby stopped jostling each other and came over.
"Well here's to the bright future of DC under it's new leaders," K said as he summoned a round of drinks from the air. "Ozpin, Ironwood care to join us?"
"I'll drink to that," Ironwood said.
"Indeed," Ozpin agreed as he raised his own cup to the air, "To RWBY, wishing them all the best that the future can hold."
"Cheers," K said in agreement as everyone clinked their cups together and took their drinks.
"Hey this is milk," Ruby remarked excitedly. "I love milk!"
"Well of course everyone got their favorite," K said with a smile and a wink.
