Chapter 6 - Dreams
Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY, all rights go to their respective owners.
Arc 1: An Altered Reality
Destruction.
That is all my path leads to. That is all our paths lead to. The pure and utter annihilation of everything and anything.
That is all that awaits me at the end. That is what awaits them at the end. Time and time again. Our curse to walk through time has tormented us. Never ending, never stopping for a second. When one is finished, another begins.
What is it that always leads us to this? Why do we do so much good, only to destroy all that we have built?
…
Why are we cursed to bear witness to this, over and over?
Why can we never achieve the ending we seek?
Why… why must we always perish on that hill?
Why are we cursed to repeat it over and over and over again?
W͜h̠͡y̺̹͓wh̜̬̭̜̭̙͞y̵̳w̧̰̖̬͈̥̟h̗̺̣̺̠̞̕y̟͕͙̯̞͢ͅw̺h̼̺͙͓̖̮y̧̞̗͖̭͔w̷̰͉̮̱̤̞͕h̩̱̤̜y̮̖̰w̻̹̘̱ͅh̡̥̝͔̣y͇̝̫̟̙w̧͔̦ͅhy̴̜̻̫̣͍̫̣w̧͍̭͈̩̻͓̜h͇̭̳̥̰̫̙y̷͚͖w͙̺͓̰̦͕̘h̛̠y͔̩̙̳̥͙w̜̱̤̞̘h̼͉͕̼̼͠ͅyw̛͇͍h͖͚̫̞͍y̲̭̻̯̘w̠̼͝h̥͚͙͟y̶̱w̥̤̱͖̮͙ͅh̵͔͚y̞w̮̹̤̻ͅh͈̲͈͍̭̼y͜w̢̦͓͔h͎̻̯͙̘̺͘ͅy͎̝̮w̢̼̘̯͉̖ḩ̮̮̗͖̼̜y̨͎͉̯̪̝w̖̰̘̩h̙̙̻̤͇̭y͉̱w̬̱̗̣͎͘h̭̖͇̬ỳ̗͓̬̙̣͍̫w͏̫̱̹h̠̤̻͔̞y̵̼̜̞̣̠̙̲w̬͇̱̘͎̰h͓͕y̷̜̰͈̻̻̻ͅw̴͓h͈̟͚̟͉̠̹y̳͉̜̖w̱̮̺̻̲h̵̞̟y҉͖̩͍w̰̲͇͚̭̫̮h̫͇̠̻̕y͉̮͞w̭̭̺͔͇͖h̞͕̲̠̤y̺ẉ̢h͖̣̙̬͟y҉͙w͍̠̰͍̻̲h̶̼̬͈y̺͇͓͉̰̥̜͠w̶̻h̯̳̺̕y̻̝͚͈̠̘̦w̗͓̠̬͓h̪̠͕̖̗̕y͍͉̰̲̦͖̥͟w̝̟͚̲h͟y̰̣̺̯̬̞͎w̮̭̫̮h̹͍y̩̝̬̹̩w̞̪̲̹͞ḩ̲y͏̞̖̥͈wh͘y̯͔͇̫wh̤̬͕͚̳̗͔͡ýw̷̰͇̱̮h̙ý̖̰̮͎wḥ̡̳̩y͚͜w͏ͅh͇̯̫̖͈̬́yẁ̼̺̪͙͇h̩̹͔̙͕̺y̛w̟̘͎̮̮͈̠h̝̮̥̼̰ͅy̷̺̗̺̬̣͉̜w̡͎͙ͅh҉̺̬y͙̼̞̦̗̬w͈̺̣̳͉ͅh̼͍̝̦y̜̭̬w͓̳h҉̦͎̹y̖̙̗͖͉͜ͅͅw͇h̵͍̟͍̤̖͕͙y͙̲̥͚͞w̟̣̬͖̘͕h̖͍̻̜̯̠͠y̮̣ͅw͚̘͎̗͉h̰y̝̱̻͉̺̮͜w͔̯̤͙h̛̫̜y̡w̤̖̲̗h̘y̕w̳̻͚͞h̫͓̞̜̫̬̼y͜w͇̠̹h̞͍͉y̹͔̜̕wh̷͓̲̩̣͖̩yw̷͉͖̼̫h̰͉͢y̷͓̩̘̝̲͍ẉ̬͉h̬̟̼̯͎̩y̳̝̜͇̙̤͜ẉ̢̠̘ḫ̮y̝?̵͓̬̝̳͓!̸͖͓̗̼̤̘?̮̗̘̯!̨̬?̫͡
Dreams.
They can mean an assortment of different things. Some dreams can predict the future. Other dreams show our deepest desires or our worst fears.
Other dreams are forgotten. They're thrown out. Left to rot in the recesses of our minds.
We do not remember them simply because we are not allowed to remember them. They won't let you, they won't let us. They taunt us. Showing us these dreams, dreams that show us the truth and laugh as they tear them away. We won't even realize we're playing their little game until we die.
Showing us those dreams, tearing them away, and laughing as they watch us struggle.
Perhaps it's better this way, perhaps without remembering, we could remain sane.
Sane huh? It's a bit too late for me at this point. Nothing about my current situation screams sanity to me.
I mean, Jaune and I had literally traveled back in time. I don't think that's perfectly sane thank you very much but I digress.
So, imagine my surprise when I woke up in a bed. Judging by the light streaming in through the windows, the sun had already been up for a while. Squinting as the sunlight hit my dreary eyes, I groggily sat up.
Thinking back on the day before, I could've sworn I never got to a bed. Then someone carried me here.
…
Jaune was passed out already so…
Wow… nice job being a respective guest Zach, I sarcastically congratulated myself. Where did Heather sleep last night? Don't tell me she didn't sleep at all. I mean she owns this place. If Jaune and I made ourselves at home, we would've been ridiculously rude to her hospitality. I have standards alright? I'd rather not be a bother to the host if possible.
"Ah, you're finally awake huh?" Heather said as she noticed me walking into the living room.
"Is that Zach?" came Jaune's voice in the kitchen.
"Yup!" Heather called back.
Jaune then emerged in the entrance to the kitchen wearing his hoodie. On his hoodie was the bunny.
I know, I've seen it already alright? Besides, it was some form of normalcy I could cling to since… well… we did travel through time and probably space.
"What?" he frowned as I kept staring at him.
"… Since when could you cook?" I asked.
"I had to deal with seven sisters remember? I had to at least help out with house chores. Besides, it's not like I'm some master chef, I can cook just basic stuff," Jaune shrugged.
"And you didn't think to mention this to me because…" I blinked.
"Well, you never asked," Jaune shrugged. "Anyway, I should be done with the next plate soon. Hope you like bacon and eggs."
As Jaune returned to the kitchen, I sat down at the table Heather was at.
…
Well, this is awkward…
Come on Zach, think! Have to break this silence soon or otherwise it'll just be too difficult to even interact with each other.
"Um," I began awkwardly. "I hope we didn't impose you last night."
"What are you talking about?" Heather asked.
"Well, Jaune and I took the couch and the bed so, where did you sleep?" I asked.
"Actually, I woke up right after you fell asleep and Heather put you in bed," came Jaune's voice from the kitchen. "So Heather was able to get some sleep on the couch."
That was probably supposed to make me feel better but it did the opposite. I winced as I heard that. That meant that Heather could've had the bed and I the couch but instead, it was the opposite.
"Don't worry about it," Heather said sensing my growing distress. "Besides, you looked like you needed it."
"Um… thanks," I said a little embarrassed.
Thankfully Jaune came back again with a plate in each hand.
"Thanks," I said as a plate was placed before me. Taking a bite, my taste buds exploded with nostalgia. This… this was so similar to how Sam used to make them. As I thought this, I repressed the urge to let my grief show. There was no point in worrying about the past. All that matters is the present.
That is all.
With breakfast out of the way, Jaune and I tried to figure out what to do about Merlot Industries. Heather had left to a meeting with the other Huntsmen in Mountain Glenn concerning the Grimm attack yesterday.
"So, what do you want to know?" I asked.
"Well first of all, what was that machine in the cave?" Jaune asked.
"That… that was a Rift machine."
"Rift machine?"
"I should probably start from the very beginning. But what you hear from my mouth must never be told to anyone, anyone with power especially."
"Okay? What's with all the secrecy."
"Tell me Jaune, do you know about the multiverse?"
"Kind of. It's basically a different world right?"
"In a sense yes. But that theory is a bit flawed for us. The way I see it, we are in a dimension with multiple universes with multiple worlds. The universe of multiverses if you will."
"Okay?" Jaune said gesturing for me to continue.
"Well, this whole universe is embroiled in a Shadow War: a war being fought secretly between the forces of Light and Dark."
"You do realize how cliché this sounds right?" Jaune asked with a disbelieving voice.
"I know," I responded. "But it's the truth. This war is being fought by warriors of high caliber on both sides. Whenever they clash, whole planets are destroyed."
"When are you going to start telling me the truth?"
"I am. After all that Rift machine, the Grimm, they both have relations to the Darkness Army in one way or another."
"'Darkness Army?'" Jaune asked.
"The Dark faction if you will."
"Oh."
"Anyway, this war has been going on since… well, forever I guess. All I know is, neither side wants to surrender and neither side cares about who gets killed in their conflict."
"And you fit in how exactly?"
"My name, my birth name was Zachary Julius Revol, heir to the Throne of Darkness, son of the current Lord of Dark."
"Wait you're a bad guy?!" Jaune exclaimed.
"There are no good or bad sides to this war. And besides, I thought you didn't believe me?"
"Well, I don't really."
"So why the sudden outburst?"
"Well, the Darkness Army or whatever are the bad guys right?"
"If you believe that, then you've been reading too much Light Warrior propaganda. Neither side is good, and neither side is bad. They're both at fault for even having this war."
"But—"
"Darkness is always portrayed as the bad side right? Well, that's not necessarily true. You see, I've seen both sides of the war. I was born into the Darkness Army but I was raised to be a Light Warrior."
"What?"
"My, 'birth parents'," I said with air quotes. "Decided to make me their weapon. So after a few extensive experiments, they decided to send me to a planet own by the Light faction in case I was too volatile."
Seeing Jaune's disturbed expression I said, "I know, lovely parents huh?" I said sarcastically.
Continuing the story I told him about Mulberry and the eventual fate of everyone there. I told him everything, I told him about how the Harte's took me in when they found me as a baby abandoned in the woods. About how I befriended Diana, Sonata, and Ellie. I told him about Sam and Cal, my mentors. I told him about Maddie, someone whom I teased with all my might. I told him how the two factions sent warriors to other universes, other worlds, other timelines, to exert their dominance. I told him how the Rift machine was created for this very purpose: to make travel between worlds much quicker. I told him about Shadow Mist and Light Aura.
… I told him about what happened to me after the destruction of the planet I was raised on. I told him about the harsh training I was put through.
At the time, I didn't realize tears were falling down my face until I noticed a wet feeling on my cheek. I told Jaune everything, I didn't even mean to I just couldn't stop talking once I began. Once I was done, I took a deep, shaky breath to calm myself.
"So," I said facing downward, my voice a little hoarse from talking so much. "Do you believe me now?"
"…"
No response. Looking back up I saw Jaune looking at me worriedly.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked," he said quietly.
"No," I shook my head. "It's fine, besides, it's unhealthy to keep those types of things bottled up too long."
"So, what's your connection to the Grimm?" Jaune asked. "That is if it's not something too painful for you to recall."
"No, that one's easy," I said with a small smile. "You know that black stuff the Grimm are made out of? Well, it's a similar substance to Shadow Mist. Both are fed by negative emotions, anger, fear, you know the usual."
"So you're basically a Grimm in human skin?" Jaune said trying to lighten the mood.
"Har Har. Don't get any funny ideas about hanging me up as an alarm for Grimm now alright?" I said.
Jaune and I chuckled, the tension from earlier dissipating.
"Anyway, Merlot Industries is pumping out a lot of negative energy. It's no wonder the Grimm attacks are so brutal. They're attracted to negativity like moths to a flame. If this keeps up, Mountain Glenn will have to change its to 'What Once Was Mountain Glenn'."
"That bad huh?" Jaune stated the obvious.
"Well, the Grimm'll keep coming so long as whatever's pumping out all that negativity is still active. We have to destroy it or shut it down or whatever. It just can't be working by the time we're done with it."
"So… what now?" Jaune asked.
My shoulders drooped. "That's just it, I don't know. Merlot Industries is clearly well known here. If we were to raid it on account of something like my sensing negative energy, we'd get thrown into jail faster than Ruby can finish a cookie."
"What about Heather?"
"Heather… well, I'd rather not be in her debt."
"I think we're even after the whole Grimm attack."
"Yeah well, I don't think so. So until I'm satisfied then I'm in her debt."
"I don't think that's how it works."
"It is for me so shut up."
…
"What do we do now?" Jaune asked.
"Well, we need to set up camp somewhere in the city. Unless we find another Rift machine, it's going to be difficult getting back to our time," I said. "You think Heather will allow us to crash at her place?"
"I thought you said you didn't want to be in her debt?" Jaune asked.
"I don't, but I'm going to be either way so," I shrugged.
"Again, I don't think that's how it works."
"Aw shut up."
"So they want to meet us?" I asked once Heather got back from the meeting between the Huntsmen.
"Yep, apparently you two made quite an impression on them," Heather said.
"Well we did cause a huge Aura Explosion," Jaune said.
"Yeah, I wonder whose idea that was," I said.
"It was yours," Jaune shot back.
"But we're not even fully-fledged Huntsmen, are they going to be okay talking to two Huntsmen-in-training?" I asked.
"That is the problem. A lot of their pride is going to take the hit. I don't think they'll be too happy to know that a few upstarts outperformed them. That's the sad truth of life, even though you two practically saved everyone in Mountain Glenn, you're still Huntsmen-in-training."
"Great, so what do we do?" I asked.
"My advice? Go back to Beacon, and lay low," Heather said.
"Besides that?" Jaune asked.
"Well, you could just stay here and lie low here instead."
"Wait really? You'd—"
Gunshots in the distance interrupted my sentence.
"Looks like the Grimm are back," Heather said grabbing her gear.
Looking over a Jaune, he nodded. The two of us picked up our gear. For Jaune, his armor and Crocea Mors, for me, my cloak and black broadsword.
"We're coming with you," I said.
"I—"
"Sorry, non-negotiable," I cut Heather off.
Letting out an exasperated sigh, she reluctantly allowed us to follow her to the bloodbaths known as Mountain Glenn Grimm Attacks.
"Woohoo!" I shouted in excitement as I flew through the air on a Giant Nevermore's back. My sword was currently planted in the thing's neck acting as a steering stick of sorts. I was just basically dive-bombing the Grimm using said Nevermore, bowling them over again and again.
The Nevermore began to shudder. Uh-oh, I think it's about to and yeah it's falling. Wrenching my sword out of its neck, I leaped off its back as it crashed into a pack of Ursi. Rolling as I touched the ground I found myself surrounded by Creeps.
"Hi is this the reception for the all-you-can-kill Grimm buffet?" I asked the Creeps.
Their response was to lunge at me. "Huh," I said step-siding one and cutting it in half horizontally as it flew past. "Guess not, if you don't mind I'm just going to go."
Setting my body into a comfortable stance, I charged towards the Creeps. With my blade becoming a blur as did my body, I cut through the Creeps as though they were butter. Well, to be fair, I was literally put through Spartan training back at the Palace so… yeah, I don't think mindless creatures of darkness are going to be too difficult for me compared to conscious creatures of darkness.
Each strike I made was chained to another. This was my preferred style of combat. A constant motion, like water flowing down a river. My situational awareness was at a level not many could reach without being put through years of the most demanding training yet. Granted, when facing just one opponent, I would have to be more focused, but when faced with a mob, I could let my consciousness float. After all, there were enough of them that no matter where I swung my blade, I would still manage to hit at least one.
A gunshot rang out. Spinning around, I saw an Ursa fall flat, dead. The person who shot it, Heather was standing close by with her revolver out.
Nodding to her in thanks, I turned my attention to back to the hey where are you all going?
The Grimm I had been facing had suddenly gone off towards a building… Crap.
Running after them, I cut them down from behind, trying to reach the head of the pack. There must be someone in there! There just has to be, there's no reason why the Grimm would suddenly change course like that.
Entering the building, I froze. There were robots escorting larger robots with crates of Grimm. On the side of the crate was the same logo Jaune and I saw in that cave in the Emerald Forest.
"Merlot Industries," I murmured.
As a robot began to turn towards me, I quickly hid in the shadows. Pulling up my hood, I was wrapped in darkness. So long as no one bumps into me, has special goggles, or I didn't move, I was invisible. As the robot's head passed by, I let out a small breath of relief.
'Why is Merlot Industries capturing Grimm? Nevermind that, if the Grimm were lured here, then that negativity machine must be somewhere around here,' I thought.
Sticking to the shadows, I moved around trying to see if I couldn't spot the machine or whatever it was that was causing the negativity.
"Grimm are truly fascinating creatures. They're perfect for what I have in mind. Their aggressiveness, their brutality, their mindlessness. It's perfect!" I heard someone say.
The person who said it was a man in a lab coat. His hair was a blueish-grey, clearly showing signs of aging. He had his back turned towards me but I had a sinking suspicion who he was.
"Merlot," I mumbled under my breath. That had to be him, no questions asked. I mean, he looked like a Merlot to me.
"Oz was wrong, we shouldn't have been focusing on robots, Grimm are much better! I can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees just how far I've advanced!" the one I believed to be Merlot exclaimed. Okay, yep that's him alright. I mean, he referred to Headmaster Ozpin in such a casual way. Next time I see Ozpin, I'm going to have to ask what his connection to Merlot was.
"I already have so many plans for my newest test subjects!" Merlot exclaimed with a voice filled with ecstasy. Merlot walked towards one of the Grimm trapped in a cage. As he got closer, the Grimm began to bang on the walls of the cage. "Ah ah ah," Merlot said wagging his fingers in mock disapproval. "I can't have you running off on me just yet."
Distracted by Merlot, I didn't realize that a robot was beginning to make its way towards me. It bumped into me, breaking my cover.
"Who's there?" Merlot said whipping his head around. He saw me but luckily I had my cloak's hood on so he couldn't see my face. Gesturing to his robots, he said, "Kill him. Don't leave any witnesses."
His robots then directed their weapons at me. Gripping my sword in a defensive stance, I readied myself for combat. There were two types of robots as I could see. A red themed on with a glave and a white themed one with a gun.
As they advanced, Merlot and the other robots left through a back door, presumably heading back to Merlot Industries.
Backing up warily, I held my broadsword in front of me. My eyes never left the robots, looking around using my peripheral vision, I tried to figure out a way to get help.
A shot rang out, a robot collapsed, disabled. Then another shot, then another and another. Altogether six shots were fired, all six found their mark. There was only one person I could think of who used a six-shot weapon, Heather.
"Hey there, figured you could use some help," I heard Heather say from behind me.
"Oh really? What gave that away?" I asked sarcastically.
"Don't worry I've got your back, but we will have a talk later about why Merlot's robots are attacking you."
Sighing at the upcoming prospect of a potential scolding— I get that enough from Goodwitch— I leaped into battle.
Bringing my sword down in a diagonal slash, I cut through one robot before following through with an upward diagonal slash on another. Occasionally, Heather would fire her revolver into the group, taking out robots that would've managed to land a hit on me.
Cutting through the robots, I was almost done with all the robots but then a Grimm appeared. It looked different than the rest with luminescent green spikes growing out of it.
Heather tried to shoot it but it seemed to have no effect. All that did was draw its attention over to her.
"Hey Spike heads up!" came Jaune's voice. A blur flew by my head, cutting into the Grimm. As it roared in pain, I noticed that it was Jaune's sword. Jaune had just thrown his sword at the Grimm.
Running up to me with only his shield, Jaune looked at me. "What?"
"I think you've been around me for way too long," I said in a grave voice.
"Gee, you realize that now?" Jaune said.
"Remind me to ask Ozpin to reprogram you once we get back."
"Sure. Wait what?"
"Nothing."
"It wasn't nothing!"
"It was nothing. No compromise."
"Uh, there's a Grimm bearing down on you, you know?" Heather said cutting into our banter.
"It's an unknown. Mind if I handle this?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at the approaching Grimm.
"All your's," Jaune said bowing and moving away.
Gripping my sword tighter, I focused myself. It was the same thing that happened back then with the Beowolf. I admit this is kind of a cheat. But when you're in a life-or-death situation, you kinda don't really care.
Years of Spartan-like training had caused me to develop this sort of "power". It wasn't so much a power but more like a combat-prowess that exceeded others. All I had to do was cancel out any and all distractions. By that, I mean emotions, thoughts, even senses that I don't need right now.
Take away all that and what are you left with? A Living Weapon.
Jaune's POV
Back when Zach and I first encountered Merlot's Grimm creations(haha get it? Grim creations Grimm creations), it was an unknown. That was Zach's way of categorizing whether or not he should enter that state of being.
Zach confided to me that he despised that state simply because he felt not like himself like he was merely an observer in another person's body. That's why he rarely entered that state unless it was absolutely necessary.
Back with that Grimm, Zach tore it to shreds. I don't mean figuratively, I mean he moved his sword so fast he cut the Grimm to shreds. However, before he did so, he watched, and he observed. This was an unknown, that meant that the more knowledge gained now could mean less misinformation later.
So Zach played a risky gamble. In that state, he was able to create a list of commands.
1. Find out how strong that Grimm was
2. Kill the Grimm
This was how Zach was able to operate in that state. He said it was similar to a machine, that's why he later dubbed that state as the Living Weapon Trance. The person would enter a state in which they would become merely a super-soldier, obeying orders and executing the mission to their highest capabilities.
That's why as soon as Zach entered that state, he gave off a wave of killing intent. After all, his entire being now existed to execute those commands listed earlier.
In the fight, the Grimm didn't slow its charge despite how severely outclassed it was. Zach just stood there, just like he did on his first day at Beacon. It had been several weeks since then, but I never forgot how he looked. He stood there, unmoving, like a statue.
Then the Grimm did something strange, well strange in Grimm standards at least. It slammed its claws that it made into a fist, against the ground. From where it made impact, more luminescent green spike grew out and headed directly towards Zach.
Leaping to the side, Zach touched the ground with one foot and pushed off from there, heading towards the Grimm. He was just a blur. It was no question why the Grimm was unable to block Zach in time. Stopping just in front of the Grimm, Zach's blade flashed.
One second, the Grimm was standing there intact, the next, it completely dissolved, leaving no trace of its existence minus the damage done to the surrounding areas.
Zach stood there, with his sword still gripped in his hand. Then I noticed, he was starting to lose his balance. Rushing up to him, I grabbed him just before he fell over.
His eyes were unfocused. He clearly wasn't doing well after unleashing his fury on the Grimm.
"Jaune?" he mumbled. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be with Cassidy scouting out Sector 23? You know I'll kill you if my little sister gets hurt."
"Woah, easy there old man," I said as Zach tried to push me off. "Come on, I'll help you get back to Heather's place."
Looking over at Heather, I said, "Sorry but can we rest over at your place again?"
"I don't mind," Heather shrugged. "Want some help?"
"Nah, it's fine," I said. Inwardly I thought, 'Is it just me or is Heather looking at Zach like how a mother would?' Seriously, it was creepy. I mean, Zach would've told me if Heather was his mom… right?
Pushing such thoughts away I helped Zach get back to Heather's apartment. Putting him in the bed, I collapsed on the sofa. Stretching I thought, 'Well, this seems familiar.'
That night I dreamt of a battlefield. Even though I've never seen it before, I could easily remember everything. That rock was where Clover squad got massacred, an unexpected player showed up, we weren't ready to deal with him. Because of my indecisiveness, I got Clover squad killed.
That crack never existed before. Our enemy caused a massive earthquake, splitting the ground open, swallowing many of us. Then before they could fly out, they closed the ravine, crushing all who fell. Again, it was my fault for not warning them that the enemy's mages were chanting a powerful spell and to be on guard.
Finally, that lone hill with blades sticking out of the ground.
Talon squad's final resting place. Our final resting place. Our leader got away though. He had to in order to enact Protocol Rebirth. We bought as much time as we could, sustaining thousands of injuries until our bodies stopped responding.
There's also the burnt-out remnants of the Manor, his home. He took out everyone with Protocol Rebirth, including himself. Once again, this war had ended in a stalemate, with both sides dying, leaving none alive. His sister bought him even more time in the Manor, holding back hundreds. But eventually, even she was overrun.
It's a battlefield with no winner, no loser, no end.
Zach's POV
Black hair as black as midnight. I can't remember her face clearly, but I do recall that she always had a smile on. Even when she was scolding me for my behavior.
My sister.
I've only found out about her towards the end. True we may not have had as much time as the others to bond but, we were family.
That's why it pained me to leave her behind to buy more time.
As I ran through the halls decorated with pictures and paintings of happier times, tears dripped down onto the velvet carpet.
This was my home, my fortress, my Manor. Now its time had come to an end once again.
It was all my fault; all the countless deaths, sacrifices made, all of it was because of me. If only I was stronger. If only I could end it here and now.
Entering my vault hidden deep in the Manor, I approached the container with a cube suspended in. It was in the center of the vault, its cyan glow seeming as luminous as when I first found it.
Reaching out a hand, I felt the death of my sister. How? It was something that even I can't really explain. It's similar to the theory of twins sharing a train of thought except we could sense when each other was in danger.
Faltering just a bit as the revelation hit me, I grit my teeth. Then I broke the protective barriers placed around the cube and grasped it in my hand. As soon as I did, an overwhelming heat rolled throughout my body.
The last thing I heard was a massive explosion and the roar of flames. As regret filled me, the world I knew was once again no more.
The next day Heather, Jaune and I sat around a table.
"So," Jaune began. "What do we do about Merlot?"
"Well, we need to see where there Grimm are being kept. I think an infiltration would be best," I said.
"But that'll cost time and security. If, and that's a pretty big 'if' Merlot really has a machine that pumps out negative energy, then there'll be a Grimm attack no doubt about it," Heather interjected.
"That's why I have a stage before that," I said with a vicious smile. "The Grimm have to come from somewhere, a nest maybe. I say we go and clear out all the nests in the area. That way there'll be no more Grimm to attack the city while we're infiltrating Merlot Industries."
"Then why don't we just eradicate the Grimm in the first place?" Jaune asked.
"They're like animals, eventually some Grimm from the Emerald Forest or Forever Fall will make it here and make a nest somewhere else. The cleansing of their nests would only be a temporary solution. The more permanent one would be to commit mass genocide on the Grimm," I said.
"And how do you know that?" Heather asked.
"Let's just say, it was a problem for me in the past," I said referring to the constant danger Mulberry was in from an Orc invasion. Seriously those things were able to multiply I swear they have to be producing babies 24/7 for the amount Mulberry had to deal with. Every time a village is cleared, a new one pops up. Then when that one's cleared the previous village is inhabited again.
"We'll take your word for it," Jaune said. "So, how do we find these, 'nests'?"
Giving a sadistic smile, I said, "Simple, we just go on one of our training sessions Jaune."
A/N: VOLUME 6! Who's ready for plot-holes to start opening up because more lore will be added? I know I am. In all seriousness though, please Rooster Teeth, don't make me scrap ideas simply because you came up with something else. Just give me that for Christmas alright? I'd rather not have to find out that Torchwick is still alive and now I have to redesign Neo! That's an entire arc that I'll have to redo!
Anyway, this chapter came out much later than I expected due to school all of a sudden throwing me into the meat grinder. Every time I think I'll have a breather nope here's more Trig for you oh and a there's going to be a DBQ test when you get back, oh and don't forget about your project. Just AHHHHHHH!
So we didn't really get much in the way of plot development minus yet another Grimm attack(those will be happening a lot since, you know, Mountain Glenn) and Merlot finally being revealed to Zach. Oh, and his robots attacking Zach just gave Zach the perfect reason on why Merlot Industries should be investigated.
This chapter was a lot more… mellow I guess. A lot of things that I wrote here matters towards the ending that I have planned. That's why there were so many dreams this time. Also, Jaune had a dream that was similar to Zach, hmmm, wonder what that could be about. And before you ask, no they do not remember a single thing of what they dreamt. Zach is the perfect example of when they would remember but not in a state that they themselves would, basically sleeping on their feet.
We also see what the Living Weapon Experiment's lasting effects were. Basically combat-robot Zach.
Anyway, remember to Follow, Favorite or Leave a Review because you never know when I'll update this next. As always constructive criticism is preferred over just saying this terrible. After all this technically my first fanfic.