Author notes:
Merry Christmas to all of you. I couldn't let you people wait until New Year, I love you guys (heterosexually).
Also, I know this isn't the real Christmas day, but solstice seemed like the perfect day to start this arc.
Now, before I put the notes here,
destinyTail0, thanks for your comprehension and support as well as of the rest of the readers.
Vieltrien, I agree that the characters must be named after colors. Truth to be told, team VLNT is following this, but it isn't as explicit as team RWBY. For example: Luna's name has the easiest reference to figure out, while Tracy's has the hardest.
Now, for the notes:
This chapter marks the start of Team VLNT Onslaught arc, which will last about three more chapters.
During these, the humor and romance part will be toned down a little or put in the sidelines. However, by the end, Jaune's harem will be expanded (no, not by Tracy or Luna) and Nora will approach Ren even more agressive than she already does. So, I hope you people look forward to it.
Now, for the chapter:
Chapter 7: Ren's Search
Still night...
Team RWBY's room:
Nora was tied in the corner of the room while the other five girls continued to question her about the date:
"Yeah, Ren actually got super luxurious tickets to watch it. Like, the guy who received them said: 'over here, young master'. And we got to the VIP area with free meal and stuff".
Yang was very surprised at all that happened:
"I didn't know Ren made such big plans".
Nora nodded:
"I guess most oblivious boys try their best to meet up with expectations. Anyway, the date didn't go much well after that".
"Why?" Asked Blake. The girl in black was very curious as to what happened.
The atmosphere got tense in the room as Nora spoke:
"Those bitc- I mean... Two girls appeared in the VIP area. Malachite sisters or whatever and started hitting on Ren".
"Oh my god" Yang's attention grew to dangerous levels. "What happened then?"
"Well, I said that I was his girlfriend. Them they said they would be better, then he defended me" Nora blushed. "Saying that they would never reach my level. Then we fought!"
Ruby asked:
"But... At the movie theater? In the VIP area?! Oh my god... That's so cool!"
Pyrrha felt Nora's evil grin and asked worried:
"What happened... To the Malachite sisters?"
"Well..."
In the past...
Ren defended the two claws simultaneously with his bladed guns and shot them to the ground.
The girl had to support her body with the hands in the fall, but at that moment...
"You are mine, bitch!"
Nora came over with her hammer aimed at her fingers...
'My god...' Weiss was scared by Nora's vicious nature. "May I ask... What happened to the other one?"
Nora's cheerful answer:
"Broke her legs!"
"Of course you did..." Muttered Pyrrha.
"Then..." Blake pieced the facts. "The reason the date didn't go well is because you were sent out of the movie theater due to the fight?"
"Nope!" Answered Nora. "We kind of became heroes there, but everyone wanted to talk and interview us and stuff, so we went away".
"Wait... That's it?" Yang was unimpressed. "Just that? You didn't even kiss?!"
"Well... I did kiss him on the cheek... And I planned to kiss his lips right after and claim his heart, but them you appeared and kidnapped me".
The six girls looked at one another and simultaneously said:
"Sorry!"
Nora didn't care even one bit:
"Can you let me go now? I may still have a chance to get the kiss".
Weiss blushed:
"Don't think you are being... A little too much aggressive in the first date?"
"Oh, please! Took years for Ren to actually ask me out. Oblivious boys don't do that often! I need to use this opportunity while I still can!"
"Wait! Stop!" Blake intervened. "About that! How did you make Ren ask you out?"
All the girls were killing to know how Nora did so:
"Yeah!" Said Ruby.
"Tell us!" Said Yang.
"I am just curious! Just that!" Said Weiss.
"It's just research" said Blake.
"I just..." Pyrrha didn't even know what to say.
Nora averted her gaze and awkwardly laughed:
"Ehehe... About that... I don't know?"
All the girls fell to the ground at the same time.
"What do you mean?!" Weiss got angry.
"I seriously don't know what I did!" She answered the truth. "Well... I planned to make him take me to the movies tomorrow, but out of nowhere he came to ask me out".
Blake got closer and shook Nora's shoulders:
"There must be something you did to get his attention. Come on! Remember! Did you do anything this week? Something! Spill it!"
"Blake..." Ruby tried calling her, but received a murderous glare. "Nothing..."
"I don't know, okay?!" Nora got dizzy. "I mean... I have..."
Pyrrha knocked Blake away and started shaking Nora in her place:
"Something, Nora! You did something to get him interested in you! What did you do?!"
"I think..." Nora started to see stars. "I have been helping him out when... He got injured or needed support... I also have been forcing him to take me to date-like places..."
"Wait, that's it?" Asked Weiss. "May I ask how exactly?"
"I just have been... Asking him to take me to Dust Cafe, Dust Amusement Park... Stuff like that? Sometimes I played to have him think I forgot where such places were to let me take him..."
Pyrrha stopped shaking her.
THUD.
Nora fell to the ground and was still too dizzy to get up.
"Then... To get an oblivious boy's attention... We have to force them to take us out? And show concern if they get injured?"
"Did you injure him some of those times?" Asked Weiss.
Yang noticed she was hiding something:
"You are noting it down?!"
Weiss swiftly hid it:
"Please, as if I would do such a thing... Now, did some of those times you injure him?"
"... No... At least not on purpose..."
Blake noted it down and spoke:
"Did you also make food for him any of those times?"
"He never lets me do the food..." She started regaining her normal senses. "Last time I did it blew up... But I plan to make some..."
Pyrrha asked:
"Did you try helping him by-"
"Can someone please untie me?! I have a kiss to steal, y'know?!"
All of the girls blushed at Nora's will to get Ren.
"Okay" Ruby got closer and untied her. "You can go..."
"Yay!" She got up and ran out of the room.
Yang was still impressed when the door closed:
"She sure is eager to get him".
Nora opened the room's door.
"Aww, c'mon" she muttered.
Only Ren was already there, but the boy was calmly sleeping.
While Nora found it kind of cute, she wasn't happy at losing her opportunity. 'I needed him awake to give the good night kiss too... Team RWBY and Pyrrha, I will remember this night...'
Unknown:
"... Pretty please?" Pleaded Luna with puppy eyes.
"Whatever!" Responded the red-eyed boy. "Do it!"
Tracy was dumbfounded. Luna said:
"Yay!" And ran out of the room.
Tracy (still surprised) turned to him:
"Vlad, did you try thinking this through?! Luna may destroy the entire school in her crazy plans!"
Tracy wasn't exaggerating. She felt the girl could really do so. But Vlad answered:
"I will solve any problems regarding Luna and Neo later. First, I need your help".
"In what?" She asked.
"It's about the mission".
"Wasn't it over?"
"No" he closed his eyes. "It was a failure. Every information was wrong. So, I need your help to figure this out for now. Later we deal with Luna and Neo".
Morning...
Normally, by 9:00, classes would start. However, Team JNPR members received a different message:
TO ALL OF TEAM JNPR's MEMBERS: YOUR LEADER IS AT THE INFIRMARY. YOU ARE ALLOWED TO SKIP THE FIRST AND SECOND PERIODS IN ORDER TO VISIT HIM.
"Oh my god..." Pyrrha was surprised at what she read.
The girl had been concerned with Jaune's disappearance during the night and the fact that he was still gone by the morning. But, while she expected the worst, she didn't want to believe it would be real.
Ren noticed the girl's reaction and said:
"Pyrrha, calm down..."
But the girl ran away before he could finish.
He turned to Nora and she asked:
"Should we..." He nodded. "Okay".
As soon as he opened the door, he found team RWBY running alongside Pyrrha to the infirmary. 'She is quick' he thought. Pyrrha had managed to drag an entire team in mere seconds.
'Wait! If you go... It means that I... Just the two of us...' Ren turned to the side.
Nora smiled at him and said:
"Let's go, Ren" she hugged his arm and dragged him with her.
Embarrassed, he tried talking his way out:
"Ugh... Wait just a bit, Nora... Please..."
But she didn't listen to him and they continued like that.
Infirmary.
Their leader was sleeping on a bed covered with a white blanket. He had bruises and a few cuts, but a calm expression.
"Jaune..." Pyrrha started crying.
The girl buried her head on Ren's chest. He didn't get embarrassed due to the serious situation.
Nora didn't get jealous, as she knew about Pyrrha's crush for Jaune. But, while still sad, the girl also took advantage of the situation and did the same as Pyrrha.
"It's okay..." He muttered. "He should be fine..."
After some time in the infirmary, a nurse came and said that from that time forward only one person could remain for the time.
While the girls agreed to keep changing turns, they were still discussing who would remain with him during the first one.
Just when he felt the discussion would become a fight, Ren intervened:
"Enough! Neither of you will remain here until you control your emotions. I shall take the first turn".
The girls obviously tried to protest, but a look at Ren's eyes and some words from Nora were enough to leave him and Jaune alone at the room.
Ren sit at the chair and asked:
"How long do you plan to fake your sleep?"
Jaune opened his eyes and took a look at Ren.
"I waked up by all that noise" his voice was weakened.
"Jaune... What happened?" Asked Ren while deeply concerned.
"Nothing much?"
"You are terrible liar".
Jaune had a small calm laugh:
"I guess I am, huh? But... No worries... I am fine now..."
"What happened?"
Jaune averted his gaze.
"I... Was attacked..."
"What?!"
"Shh!" Jaune started to whisper: "You are the calm one, act like it! I don't want many people to know, okay?"
Ren nodded and said in a low tone:
"Okay, but how did this happen?"
"I don't actually know. I... Look, you were right, Ren... I have been taking things too desperately... I barely had any aura left when that happened..."
"What exactly?"
"I... Didn't get to see him... But he said my name. He knew me. He released some sort of green spark. And then 'boom'. Next time I knew I was at this office..."
Ren started to think and piece the facts:
"Do you think it was the same person team CRDL referred the other day? That he may be linked to the locker incident?"
Jaune started to understand Ren and opened his eyes by surprise.
"Maybe... Bur still... If someone planned to sabotage other students before Competition Moon, targeting me doesn't make any sense..." Jaune got angry at himself. "Darn it! I can't believe I was so careless! And now I can't do anything!"
"Calm down".
"How?! Someone is running wild. Maybe the next one is Pyrrha, or you! I need to... If I have means to research, I can find out about it".
Ren looked at Jaune in the eyes.
"I told you to calm down, Jaune. You can't do anything in this state... Or rather, if you try to get involved, you might end up dying".
"But then-"
"Don't worry. I won't tell anybody about what happened. I will search for the culprit alone. Once I find information, I will contact you, okay?"
Jaune didn't like that idea the slightest, but he couldn't disagree with Ren and knew he would do so anyway.
"Okay, fine! But still, you sure about this? You have to this alone, Ren. Involving more people will just place them in danger, you sure you will do this?"
The boy in green calmly smiled:
"I guess this shall be my training for Competition Moon" Ren got up. "Don't worry, Jaune. I will find who did this to you and the rest of the school and bring him to justice".
Jaune smiled, but quickly got worried. He felt something bad would happen. Something big that was happening and they knew nothing. As if the few clues of what happened was leading in the opposite direction right into a pit of darkness.
When Ren was about to exit the nurse office, Jaune called him:
"Ren!"
He calmly turned:
"What?"
"Watch out for anything, okay? And... I won't wish you any luck. Unlike me, you don't need it".
Ren smiled at him:
"Sure... Oh, and watch out too, okay? I think that Nora will be the next one to keep you company".
Jaune awkwardly laughed when Ren exited the room.
Ren sent Nora in, much to the displeasure of 3 known girls and walked away.
'I have to think... Normally, I would search for the place in which the incident happened, but... Team CRDL knew about the culprit. They somehow traced him... I guess that I should find them first".
Ren checked his scroll for the hours. Soon the break between classes would happen and he would be able to talk to them.
'Wait a moment... Only team JNPR could skip classes, which means...'
Ren felt danger. By his side Glynda Goodwitch was walking in the direction of the infirmary.
'I guess they will get quite the surprise'.
Ren walked away and could have swore to have heard Ruby's cry for help.
Break between classes.
Ren approached quite a strange situation...
Velvet Scarlatina was desperately searching in her locker:
"C'mon, it must be here somewhere... Please, I need it!"
The one who got close to her was none other than Cardin Winchester:
"What's the matter, freak? Lost your notebook or something?"
"Cardin..." Velvet didn't look at him in the eyes.
"Hmph" Cardin took out a pencil and handed over to her. "This is for you to sign your way out of this school" he proceeded to open his own notebook and rip some pages. "And this is for you wipe your tears, weakling".
Cardin walked away from her in the direction of his own locker. Velvet looked confused to him and back to the pages and pencil he gave her.
Ren was just as confused: 'what kind of bully did he become? Either he is really dumb, or he actually wanted to help her...'
Velvet looked at the pages again and muttered:
"Thanks?"
Ren approached Cardin from behind.
"Maybe I should also give her an eraser?" Muttered the strange bully.
"Cardin?"
"Oh my god!" He turned surprised. "You think it's funny scaring people like that, pink eyes? I will show you who is the best! Just wait for the test week!"
'My god' Ren thought to himself. 'He really changed after Jaune saved him! What kind of bully proves his superiority through tests?'
"Sorry for scaring you".
"I wasn't scared! Just surprised! Now what do you want?"
"Well... I heard that you figured out who was responsible for the locker incident...
"Yeah?"
"Can you tell me about it?"
Cardin froze as if he saw a ghost.
"Cardin?" Ren got a bizarre concern for him.
"The girl with silver hair... I don't even want to know what she would do to me if I told you..."
Ren didn't understand anything:
"What?"
Cardin wrote down in a square of paper and handed it over to Ren before walking away:
"Mind your own business! I am not helping another loser!"
Ren looked as Cardin walked away and then read the paper. It was the address of a store. If he remembered well, it sold books, varied food and had a jazz band in it.
'Guess I will go there after classes...'
But he stopped. Suddenly, Ren felt an abnormal danger. It was presence that was somehow displeased and could kill to feel better.
Ren turned and saw eyes that were red as blood.
Jaune was surprised.
Nora was actually very dependable. Or rather, way too dependable. It was as if the girl could predict what he was going to need and do to help him.
'No wonder Ren likes her...' He thought.
Nora was, however, still very talkative. Soon she came over and handed Jaune a basket full of apples.
"Wow".
"I know you are hungry. I would try to find something else, but I didn't have time to cook. Also, Ren always says that fruits help in the recovery".
"Thanks a lot, Nora! The hunger was already killing me".
Jaune took one of the apples and bit it.
At that moment, the girl swiftly took her scroll and took a photo of him without him noticing.
"Oh, sorry. It's Pyrrha's time. I will be going".
Jaune was still chewing the apple, but he nodded.
Nora got out of the room and encountered Pyrrha.
"How is he-"
Nora smiled at her:
"He is fine. And alone. All yours, hunt him down".
Purrha blushed.
"I wasn't thinking abou-"
But Nora pushed her into the room and closed the door.
'Now' she thought. 'It's time for my revenge for costing me Ren's lips'.
Nora took out the scroll and looked at the photo. Jaune was cutely and suggestively biting the apple. One could say he was natural at that.
The girl sent the message with 'YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO' written on it to Yang.
First step of Nora's revenge plan complete. The apple of chaos was handed to the goddess of teasing.
The boy... His age was something Ren couldn't guess.
He could be fifteen, but Ren knew he was wrong. He was as tall as Ren.
He had pale skin and black hair. He wore a long high-collared coat, black on the outside, red on the inside. He had a large black backpack on his back and wore a scapular at his left wrist.
His eye color was what creeped Ren. Those red eyes emitted and ominous feeling. But the fact that the person was wearing spectacles somehow relaxed him a little.
The boy opened his mouth to speak and Ren noticed the canine teeth were bigger than the rest:
"I guess an introduction is needed... My name is Vladimir Tepes. I am a student of the second year. You can refer to me as 'Vlad' if it's too long".
He bowed while introducing himself and then extended his hand.
Ren accepted the handshake and replied:
"Lie Ren. First year".
Vlad nodded and said:
"I suppose you would know where I can find the student named 'Jaune Arc', am I correct?"
Ren was distrustful, but kept his calm face:
"What do you want with Jaune?"
The boy with red eyes slightly smiled, as if he acquired what he was searching for.
"An apology".
"What?"
"Forgive me for the confusion" he took his hand to the back and revealed a sword in white sheath.
"Crocea Mors!" It was Jaune's sword. "How did you-"
"It is quite old, if I can say so myself. A piece of art that must be recognized" Vlad looked at Ren in the eyes. "I came here to return it to it's rightful owner".
"How did you get it?" Ren was distrustful and Vlad averted his gaze. "Your teammate... He is the one responsible for-"
"Yes" Vlad cut him off displeased. "I suppose so..."
"You do realize he may get expulsed".
Vlad had a calm response:
"I'd rather think that an accident happened".
Ren kept his calm tone, but was starting to get angry.
"An accident? My leader was wounded".
Vlad looked at Ren in the eyes:
"And you would believe at your teammates until the end. I am no different. I'd rather think that whatever happened wasn't his purpose. Still... Many things are happening at once. I came here to return the sword and apologize in his stead".
"..." Ren nothing said. His words seemed to be true, but he couldn't trust the person in his front.
"I am scarce on time" Vlad handed Ren the sword. "If I might ask, I want you to return the sword and my sincere apologies for any problems my teammate has caused".
The strange boy started walking away. Ren could have swore he saw the backpack shaking on it's own, but contained his surprise:
"Wait".
He stopped and slightly turned:
"Yes?"
"I want a name... The name of the one who did this".
His red eyes seemed to shine briefly at the demand, nevertheless, he spoke:
"I too, am researching what happened. If you are to have his name, you must promise that you shall not reveal it to anyone from school, nor turn him in by any means until his guilt, or innocence, is proved".
Ren bit his lip. The boy realized such conditions were enough to make his search harder. It was clear that Vladimir knew he had a sense of honor that wouldn't let him do it the easy way.
"Those are my conditions" he said.
Ren closed his eyes and then opened while releasing his breath:
"Very well, I promise I will comply with your terms. However, this will only apply until the next incident happens".
Tepes nodded:
"Fair enough. I will assure you, however, that there won't be any more incidents. My teammate's name is Newton Stein. Now, if you excuse me, I have important matters to attend to" he started walking away, but then he suddenly stopped: "Lie Ren, remember to deliver my apologies".
Ren observed as he walked away. The boy finally felt calmness.
"Newton Stein..." He muttered.
But just the name wasn't enough. Ren needed to find information regarding the incident. And he knew just the place, as he checked the paper Cardin Winchester handed to him.
"Jaune trusts him... So will I".
During the second period, Ren returned Crocea Mors to Jaune while speaking about his encounter. At such time, he didn't mention the name, but the address Cardin gave him.
Jaune again told Ren to remain alert if he were to proceed and both decided that it was best to go after classes.
Classes were already over and Nora was walking back to her team's room when she encountered Ren.
"Ren!" She got closer in attempt to hug him.
However, Ren easily evaded and said in a serious tone:
"Sorry, Nora. I will be busy today, tell Jaune that I am on the lead".
Nora dropped her shoulders dejected.
"Okay... I... Will wait for your return..."
After their detention was over, team RWBY was walking back to it's room.
Yang was already bored with their discussion. Blake and Weiss were trying to decide the time each of them would visit Jaune.
Ruby tried to intervene:
"Girls, the school treatment will cease tomorrow. There's no need to have such concern".
But she stopped when she received murderous glares from both of them.
Weiss though: 'that's right, you dolt! I only have today to take on this opportunity':
"You are too sloppy! You even made Pyrrha drop the soop on him!"
Blake thought: 'why do you try to stand in my way? Regardless, if the treatment completes, I won't be able to take care of him':
"What about you? I am quiet enough to not disturb him while you keep talking about how you are the only one who can do stuff!"
Yang sighed.
While Ruby still didn't get it, it was pretty clear that both Weiss and Blake were fighting over Jaune.
'Guess it's time to use this...' Yang took out her scroll and smiled.
"Girls. I hope it isn't for this that you want to keep him company".
Both Blake and Weiss blushed when they saw the image and understood what Yang was implying.
Ren could have swore he heard an explosion coming from school when he departed.
Regardless, he already had arrived in Vale and was following the address toward the store.
At the front, there were stylized glowing letters naming it:
THE SOCIETY OF THE BLACK FEATHERS.
Ren soon realized the true place where he had arrived. It was one of the stores associated with team MDNS' cult. Not only was it a book store, a fast food, a bar, a cafe, but also a club of bounty hunters and freelancers.
Ren opened the door and encountered everything he was searching for and more.
Apparently, the store was divides by glass walls. One sound proofed from the other. The lighting also varied accordingly to the place, with the food store being the most illuminated.
At the end of the corridor, there were four stairs with different signs:
1 - BAR
2 - MISSIONS
4 - RAVE
5 - GMC - GRIMM MAY CRY
Ren was still surprised with the last one. Rumors had it that the one in charge was a hybrid of human and grimm. Regardless, he decided that the first place to check was the bar.
The boy descended though the stairs and sat in one of the chairs near the bartender.
The man covered in shadows looked at him as if analyzing him while he was making drinks.
Ren put lien on the table and said:
"Tea".
The bar was actually quite quiet. The lighting was bad, but Ren theorized that was intended. A man sat near him and looked at him in the eyes.
"You are a student from beacon".
The bartender put a glass of green tea near Ren. The boy drank a bit and looked at the stranger:
"Maybe I am".
"Hmm... You wouldn't happen to know Nero, would you?"
Suddenly, all of the little noise that the bar had was silenced. This was followed by a series of murmurs.
The student was confident in his skills. He knew that he could either flee or defeat an entire bar, but knowledge wouldn't be acquired either way. As such, he needed to play safe to get information.
'If Cardin recommended, is because he managed to get what he was looking for here...' He thought.
"I don't actually know him. All I know is that his team leads this store. Am I right?"
"Yes".
Ren turned surprised, but keeping the calm face. The one who answered was the bartender and he continued:
"Do you have any animosity toward team MDNS?"
"No. I came here looking for information regarding another person. Someone who releases green electricity".
The entire bar got silenced again. A new person, a woman, sat at the right side from Ren and said:
"Oh... You search for Stein... What are you wanting? To prove he was a culprit like the last one?"
"No" his answer seemed to surprise the man, the woman and the bartender. "I will only make conclusions when I am 100% sure".
The bartender looked at the man and the woman and both walked away. He then said:
"Our society is more than happy to help someone who desires knowledge for it's rightful use. You have proved your worthy, how may I be of your service?"
BOOM
Nora got used to such explosions.
It wasn't because she was trying to make some food, but rather due to the conflict that was happening between Yang, Blake and Weiss.
Her guess? They wanted the photo.
The girl laughed at that while trying to cook. And soon focused on it.
'Okay, concentrate now, Nora. You can't eat the ingredients, you can't explode anything. You are trying to make food for Ren. Then maybe convince him to take you to another date... Then kiss him on the cheek... Then, on the lips... Then...'
"Nora?"
Nora dropped the pan in surprise. "Oh my god!" She turned and saw Pyrrha entering their team's room. "Pyrrha? Don't scare me like that!"
"Huh... I am sorry..."
Nora got her composure back.
"Wait... Why aren't you with Jaune?"
"Well... Time was up... I had to go" Pyrrha pointed at the table on the middle of the room with cooking utensils. "Why are you cooking here?"
"Well... I supposed I would end up blowing the cooking room again. Also, Ren's utensils are better than the ones they have".
"What?" Pyrrha started understanding. "No, I mean, why are you cooking at all?"
"Well, you see, Ren seemed pretty tense after noticing how Jaune was. So, I plan to make something for him to eat. Then, I may try another approach. I am thinking of maybe getting him to own me one, so I will say something like 'you can take me in another date', then..."
"Wait! Wait wait wait!" Pyrrha interrupted the talkative girl. "Nora... Don't you think your approaches are a bit too aggressive?"
"What do you recommend me to do then?" She asked curious.
"I don't know... Maybe just making him food, but not forcing him to take you on a date? I mean, won't it be a bit too much for him?"
"Pyrrha, I will tell you something" Nora, in one of her rare occasions, spoke seriously.
"W-what?"
"During the entire date I had yesterday it seemed to be too much for him. That's how oblivious boys are, they are awkward, cute, dependable, tenacious, handsome, concerned, beautiful, but they don't get any signs at all! But still, it also means that they barely refuse. Initially, Ren never thought that when we went to places together we were going on dates. So, unless we, women, force them, they won't make any move at all!"
Heretic note: remember that, technically, Pyrrha was the one that forced Ren to go out with Nora.
"..." Pyrrha was impressed at Nora. One of the only occasions she spoke seriously and she displayed knowledge far ahead than the one she had on oblivious boys and how to deal with them. As such, she said: "may I cook too? And also, can you teach me about how to deal with oblivious boys?"
Nora had a cheerful smile:
"Let's get 'em!"
Back at the bar...
"Why do you want to help me now?" Ren asked the bartender.
"We are but followers. And you boy, are just like Nero... Soon you will find out why, but it's a honor for me to witness the story of our leader repeating..." The bartender seemed to be moved to tears and about to cry. "It's so beautiful..."
Ren couldn't help but feel that the situation was getting weird. He decided that discussing about team MDNS wouldn't do any good for now and held down his curiosity. Then, he asked about what was on his mind:
"So, can you tell me more about him? About Newton Stein?"
"Sure" the bartender put another glass of tea in front of Ren.
"I didn't..."
"Don't worry, this one is on the house. Now, about Stein..."
"Yes" Ren nodded. "What can you tell me about him?"
The shadows that covered the bartender seemed to have gone darker:
"Newton Stein... He is a second year student of your academy. He comes from an overseas unknown kingdom".
"What? Unknown?!"
"Yes... According to the rumors, the kingdom was hidden in a forest in an island. However, one night the creatures of grimm attacked and most of it was destroyed. The boy was one of the few survivors. His weapon is also a mystery, seems to be based in ancient technology, which surpasses our everyday one".
"This story..." Ren couldn't help but feel something strange to it. "It's false, isn't it? The kingdom wasn't destroyed by grimm".
The bartender nodded:
"Yes... Nero had the same conclusion as yours, boy. Regardless, Stein's semblance is related to electricity. The boy has a natural gift at tampering with machines".
"Where... Where can I find him? Not once did I see him in my school. I don't even know how he looks like".
"He has scars".
"What?"
"Also, he frequently visits the scrapyard. If you go now, chances are high that you shall find him. I am sorry, but those are all the information I will be able to handle you".
Ren thought for a while the information he acquired before saying:
"Thanks. I will put your help to good use".
"Wait" the bartender stopped Ren before he got up and handed him over a ticket.
"What is..."
"There is a book store upstairs. Give them this ticket and maybe you will be able to understand more of what is happening around you".
Ren received the ticket and nodded:
"Once again, thank you".
The boy walked away.
A girl who was sitting on a table covered by the shadows observed the boy in green walk away.
She got up and stepped into the light, revealing herself.
Orange eyes filled with mischief. The girl wore a long sleeved blue hooded jacket and a black shirt with a silver crescent moon in it. She also had fingerless gloves and orange shorts. He most remarkable trait? The hair. Shoulder-length and silver as the moon itself.
She smiled, revealing her canines were slighter bigger than the rest of the teeth, and approached the bartender.
The girl slammed lien on the table and said:
"Milkshake".
The bartender handed her over a glass of it and asked:
"What do you think, Miss Lycaon?"
The girl drank all of the milkshake at once:
"I think that he is perfect. A shining knight wounded and his dear friend seeking for a way to help or avenge him... You did a good job too".
The girl slammed her fist on the table:
"Gimme another hound!"
"You think you can handle it?" Asked the bartender concerned.
"I am a grown woman! I can handle anything!"
Back to Beacon...
Team JNPR's room
Nora and Pyrrha were sitting with their backs supporting each other and breathing heavily.
"Nora... I didn't know... That making advanced cuisine was so hard..."
"I agree... Ren and Jaune are... Really modest..."
"And Ren... He makes it look so easy when he throws the ingredients and slices and mix them in the air! We..." Pyrrha face palmed. "We should have asked them to teach us once..."
Nora smiled tired:
"Trust me... I tried... But Ren is really stubborn... He never lets me touch his utensils..."
"And Jaune always said that it was nothing..."
Pyrrha and Nora at the same time:
"Boys..."
Suddenly, the portable microwave ringed. This time no smoke came out.
"Pyrrha..." Nora called her with her eyes sparkling. "Do you think that..."
"It can't be..."
Pyrrha approached the microwave and Nora fell to the ground without her support, but the girl quickly got up and followed.
Pyrrha opened the microwave and was almost moved to tears:
"It's more beautiful than I ever imagined..."
"And the smell... It's perfect..."
Both girls were smiling dreamily, but they soon returned to reality. Pyrrha said:
"We are only going to test one".
"Half by half" Nora agreed.
Ren was walking through the scraps. Piles and piles of metal and junk covered his vision, even the sky seemed to have gone metallic.
What he received at the bookstore? A present. It was clearly a book, but he decided not to open it for now. At the moment he was still trying to know whatever he could.
All that he knew about Stein was the he was shrouded in mystery. However, the fact the he was one of the few survivors of an incident might have caused a trauma that led to his recent attacks.
Nevertheless, such information was pointless for now.
The only one he could rely on was regarding his skills. As far as he knew, Newton must be good at remaining stealthy, his semblance must have something to do with electricity, and his weapon was powerful.
The last info wasn't much of an help actually, as students from Beacon possessed the most dangerous weapons ever designed (with one blonde exception).
Suddenly, the boy in green heard the distinct sound of electricity and started running in it's direction.
Ren hid behind a pile of scraps and observed the boy.
He had ''X'' shaped pupils and electric green eyes, shining as if they were neon. He was wearing a black shirt with a green circuit-like pattern, jeans, black boots and fingerless gloves. The hair was messy and medium-length, being mostly black, but a portion of the right was white.
How Ren knew he was the one he was searching for? Scars.
The arms and neck of the boy were covered by scars. His face had a diagonal one across it. Also, the boy was constantly emitting green electricity while tampering with the metal.
"C'mon..." Muttered Stein. "I can fix it... It has to work..."
Ren tried spying on what he was doing, but at that moment...
Green sparks were emitted from the machine, startling Newton. He backed off as the robot rose and attempted to strike him, but the boy was faster, took his sword and decapitated the robot.
The sword was mainly black, with the extremities being green.
"Darn it!" Shouted Newton as he punched the ground. "Why doesn't it work anymore?! Who could have destroyed most of my creations?!"
'Wait' Ren started piecing the facts. Jaune had mentioned something about fighting killing robots before. 'This guy... He was the one who made them?!'
Suddenly the boy stopped. And Ren swiftly hid:
"Who is there? I know that there's someone here!" Newton got up. "I will find you..."
But before he could do anything, a scroll ringed. To Ren's surprise, it was not his, but Newton's.
"What is it, Tracy? What? I am busy right now... No! Why do I have to? You know more than anyone that... Ugh... Fine, I will go... Okay, I will... Seriously, I am coming... Goodbye, Tracy".
More electricity was released from him when he put the scroll in his pocket and started running away.
Ren waited until he was out of his sight to approach whatever he was tampering.
It was a machine. One of the many robots scattered across the ground. When Ren touched it, planning to analyze the design, but then...
VRWWWOOOOOONN
All of them released green sparks as they were simultaneously activated.
Ren controlled his emotions and took out StormFlower. His new objective was to take one of the robots back to Beacon in order to fully analyze it and it's purpose. As such, he needed to...
"Come at me and fight" he said calmly.
Pyrrha and Nora were both dreamily tasting the food they made.
The red head said:
"It's... So delicious..."
"So hard... To resist more..."
"You know, Nora? I think your idea was pretty good".
"I have my moments..."
Pyrrha noticed that Nora was about to grab another one and slapped her hand:
"Ouch!"
"Resist it, Nora. Resist your instincts!"
"I can't! They are so delicious... So beautiful..."
Pyrrha grabbed Nora's shoulders and looked at her in the eyes:
"You have to resist it, Nora! For Ren!"
Nora (dizzy and dazed): "For... Ren... Okay, thanks, Pyrrha. I will resist!"
Luna Lycaon observed the fight while sitting on a pile of junk, at a destroyed chair.
She felt like some sort of emperor, looking at a gladiator fighting in an arena.
The boy in green was able to hold on very well as he alternated between long and close ranged combats, but the opponents kept coming and attacking from the junk. It was clear that he was surprised.
'He has to be' thought the girl. 'After all, not even Neo knows that I repaired the other robots. Too bad he only found the broken ones, but oh well...'
How the robots kept appearing out of nowhere and attacking Ren? The girl was activating and coordinating them, using her scroll as a mean to control the commands and shape up her semblance.
The girl of silver hair had control over sound waves. She was often selected in tracking missions due to that, as she could be a living sonar, but most people didn't know her powers weren't only limited to that.
'C'mon, boy in green... Show me what you got. Let us see your power... Ohh! He knows kung fu! Cool..."
After some more minutes...
'Hmm... He is doing very well... Well, I need him to at least have some power left, but... Too bad, I wanted to watch more. Guess I will have to release him now'.
The girl sent all of the other robots away, in order to hid them, and also left only three fighting Ren.
'Let this be your gift for impressing me, and...'
Luna had intercepted the message Neo had received and knew exactly where he was going. 'Sorry, Neo. You'll have to be one of my pawns too...'
Ren destroyed two of the robots and carefully shot the third one in the head, as he didn't want to have one of them too damaged.
He approached the last robot and started to disassemble the pieces in order to take them with him in the backpack back to Beacon.
As soon as he has finished, he received a call of an unidentifiable person:
"Who is it?"
The answer came in a serious girl voice:
"I advise you to go back to Beacon as soon as possible, young warrior. The villain is on it's tracks for the next strike".
"What?!" The call was finished. "What do you mean?! Villain... Next strike? Wait... ! She meant Stein?!"
Ren got his backpack and started running full speed back to beacon.
"Yang? Is that you?" Asked Ruby.
"Oh! Hey, sis!" Replied Yang.
"What are you doing here?"
"Oh, well... It's a long story..."
Yang was currently tied upside down by rope to the roof while at the same time frozen against the wall outside beacon. Ruby was looking at her through the window.
"Blake and Weiss?"
"So worth it" she said while smiling. "Can you help me? Just... Got to the roof to pull the rope, okay?"
"Sure... But what happened?"
Yang mischievously smiled:
"I will tell you later".
Ren had already arrived in Beacon and was still running when he received a new message.
Without stopping, he risked a glance at his scroll. The message read:
RUN, LITTLE WARRIOR. THY OPPONENT SEEKS TO ELIMINATE WHAT CONDUCTS THE SOUL OF EACH HUNTER.
Ren understood the words. He couldn't trust whoever was sending him that information, but he needed to check for if the worst would happen.
The message was meaning that Newton planned to eliminate all the weapons. At that time, all of the students that were in Beacon had their weapons stored in the lockers.
If Newton planned to repeat his past strike, he would have learned from his mistakes. This time, the lockers wouldn't be found. All of the students would lose their weapons.
'How did this...'
Ren was still surprised at all the events that were happening. He took his scroll and sent a message to Jaune: THE MEMBER OF VLAD'S TEAM MIGHT STRIKE AGAIN. I SHALL KEEP AN EYE ON HIM. WATCH OUT.
Ren heard the sound of electricity and the lamps the illuminated the corridor briefly shone green before returning to normal.
'This is bad!'
The boy in green dashed and opened the locker's room door:
"Stop right there!"
In the middle of the room only one person was standing. This one turned, surprise across his face, and at that moment...
BUZZZT
A green lightning was emitted from his chest in Ren's direction. The boy quickly took his guns and applied his aura on them at the same time he shot and blocked the lightning with his blades.
Newton evaded the shots and his anger was obvious. Ren said while pointing his guns:
"Drop your weapon and come with me to the office".
Stein looked at him in the eyes and answered:
"I won't. I did nothing wrong".
"You are the one responsible for the locker incident last week. You are the reason my leader was sent to the infirmary. You just shot a lightning at me".
Ren's opponent gritted his teeth, but nothing said. Ren continued:
"I promised Vlad that I wouldn't turn you in until the evidences proved you guilty. But I can't keep my eyes off you any longer. Either you come with me by your own will, or I shall take you by force".
Newton was surprised, but them he reversed to anger:
"Curses... Vlad again..." He looked Ren in the eyes: "I cannot refuse a warrior's determination... However, you made a grave mistake by choosing to fight after being obviously weakened".
He took his black and green sword out of it's mechanical sheath and pointed at Ren:
"Come at me if you desire to prove me guilty!"
Jaune received Ren's message.
"No..." He muttered. "Ren, you can't fight that guy!"
Three shots were sent at Neo's direction.
He blocked the first two with his sword and evaded the third one while closing the distance.
"Rwwooaaah!"
An arc was described. Ren blocked the blade with both his guns and prepared to shoot at his opponent's face, but at that moment...
Neo's blade stretched and twisted itself, blocking both of Ren's shots. Neo twisted the blade again and slashed at Ren's direction.
He backed down, but the blade's range grew again and he was forced to shoot it to evade.
'His weapon' he thought. 'It's... A whip-sword...'
The bladed whip reverted to it's normal size and sword form and Neo gazed at Ren:
"You are good... That Winchester boy didn't manage to block this slash".
Ren nothing said. In battle, his calm demeanor kicked in. Responding was one way to break his concentration.
Neo stepped at the ground and green sparks were released as he proceeded to move forward.
Luna was outside when she saw the green flashes from the windows of the locker room during the sunset.
The girl had prepared everything. No sound would reach the ears of anyone and no one would interfere at that fight, her team included.
'Sorry, Neo. Sorry, green warrior. It's nothing personal. I know, however, that Vlad will believe in you until the end, so... I need to... Take care of him'.
"Rwwoaaah!"
"Raaaah!"
Both Ren and Neo moved forward. Shots, slashes and blasts of electricity were mixed in the attacks one was throwing at another.
At that moment...
Neo's thoughts: 'This is...'
Ren's thoughts: 'My golden chance!'
A shot full of aura, a green blast shining deadly. Both were sent simultaneously, both hit at the same time, both warriors were sent back.
"Argh!" Neo let go of his sword.
"Ugh!" Ren fell to his knee.
Neo had shocked the muscles of Ren's left leg, while the boy in green shot at his opponent's right arm. A delay was brought upon the battle.
Neo held his right arm with his left one, blood was dripping. He was releasing sparks as if he was a broken machine:
"Clever..." He murmured through his teeth.
'So were you' responded Ren mentally.
Ren couldn't feel his leg anymore. Now he was forced to fight at a single spot. But the only exit was at his back, if Neo planned to escape from a window, he would be signing his name guilty.
"... But not enough" murmured his opponent.
Ren's eyes opened wide.
Neo took his weapon with his left arm and displayed skill as the same level of his right one. 'Dexterity at both hands' noticed Ren.
Vlad looked up at the windows. Flashes were appearing constantly, but not a single sound could have been heard.
The red-eyed boy turned to the silver-haired hooded girl:
"Luna... What did you do?"
"I am sorry, Vlad" she revealed a smile. "I just can't let you interfere. I was thinking... I will need your help tomorrow... With or without your concern".
Luna approached and Vlad backed off a single step. The bespectacled boy felt an unnatural fear.
The black and green whip-sword was twisting itself in the air.
Neo was approaching and was prepared to take his victory.
Ren was expecting to fight even wounded. Either he would win, or his enemy would have to fight for his victory.
The first slash came and Ren evaded to the left. The sword was releasing electricity, so backing away was dangerous.
The second slash came from the left while the blade was still cutting the air. Ren blocked it with both his guns and aura, stopping the electricity from coming at him.
The third slash was coming. This one was impossible to escape. Ren realized it as Neo prepared to take his victory.
But he was forgetting one thing: a weapon was still an extension bound to the hunter!
Ren shot at his arm, in an attempt to burn his muscles and stop his attack.
But...
Neo's face was twisted in pain, his muscles in both arms were damaged, but the sword was still coming, as if it was making the arm move on it's own.
'No!' Ren remembered what the bartender had said. That his weapon was of ancient origin. Could it be that such weapon reverted the way of a fight? A hunter being the extension of the sword and not the opposite?
"Aaargh!" Ren groaned in pain as the attack across his chest slashed him and the electricity robbed him of his consciousness.
Ren was knocked at the ground and Neo released his sword when he fell to his knees.
"Ah... Ah... Ah..."
The sparks were still being released from his body, but were weaker. He could feel enormous pain in both his arms and he could barely move them any longer.
"You... Fought well... If you were at your normal conditions... This may have ended in a draw..."
The wounded winner looked around and his gaze fell at his sword, which was carved into the ground.
He muttered in pain:
"Vlad again..."
Outside...
The girl with silver hair observed that the fight was already over.
"Hehehe... Tomorrow shall be a marvelous day... Let me see, shining knight, how you will avenge your friend".
Author notes:
Okay, I may have done this a bit too serious...
But again, this story is humor/romance and shall remain humor/romance. This is just... My way of speeding up the plot. Rest assured, my dear readers, when Team VLNT Onslaught arc is over this will return to how it was in the previous chapters.
I know that someone will ask:
"But, Heretic, you nearly killed off Ren! How do you plan to make this continue humor/romance?"
My answer:
"No worries, I planned this from the very beginning. What Ren received at the book store is tied to Luna's motives. That aside, Ren in hospital means Nora will be there for him".
Anyway, I hope you liked the new chapter, with the introduction of Good Bully Cardin and Aggressive Date Nora.
Your criticism is well received, see you in the next year!
Heretic, out!