Chapter 10:
"How much longer do we have to be here?" asked an annoyed Mercury.
"I already told you, we wait until they show up!" snipped back Emerald.
"Why?" asked Mercury as he leaned back in his chair.
"Huh, you are such a child!" said Emerald.
"Thank you," replied Mercury.
"That wasn't a complement!" screamed Emerald as she got up and slammed her foot down on the ground. Mercury just laughed as he watched Emerald march out of the room, clearly agitated. He and Emerald had been in the remains of the Vytal Tournament Coliseum for the past five days. Cinder had the Coliseum moved into the middle of the woods, about fifty miles outside of the industrial super city of Haven. Why were they out there exactly? Well from what Cinder had told them, Salem had wanted them to lay in wait for team RNJR to show up. After they did Mercury could only assume that they were to kill them.
Good, its been a while since I got to kill anyone, Cinder's been hogging all the kills to herself. Mercury got up and decided to walk around a bit. He was sitting in the announcer's booth that looked down on the fighting ring. Since it had been moved, they had repurposed many of the stadiums features. All the seats had been removed and were now replaced with slick smooth walls so nobody could escape the ring. The announcer booth had become a sort of control room that could operate the lights, cameras, and other electronic devices. Then there was the camera room. It had originally been used to monitor all the angles of the fights, and air it on T.V, now however it served as an escape pod. It still had all the cameras and T.V.s in it, and was as Cinder called it "Phase Two" of the trap. Whatever the fuck that means thought Mercury. As he walked down towards the fighting ring, he noticed Cinder in the center, training. He watched as she eviscerated the practice bots that would try and attack her, but none could even get within ten feet of her as her Fall Maiden powers would disintegrate them. Those poor bastards don't know whats waiting for them.
Salem was standing in her throne room looking down at an orb that showed Team RNJR. She knew of the ambush that she had ordered Cinder to set up, and was confident that she would accomplish her goal. However, that still left three variables to which she had to deal with. And their names were Lie Ren, Nora Valkyrie, and Ruby Rose. Her ultimate plan would eventually take care of Ruby, which only left Ren and Nora. She knew how close the two were, but was prepared. She knew that if she was to succeed in her ultimate plan, she would need to dissolve the trust between Team RNJR, just like she had RWBY. And she had just the person.
"Incubus, come forth." Declared Salem
Suddenly, a black cloud began to form in front of Salem. Soon it began to take a distinctive shape. Soon, a figure was in front of Salem, kneeling. "Yes my lady." Said the figure.
"Rise Incubus," said Salem. Incubus did as she had commanded and stood to reveal his impressive size. He stood nine feet tall, with a very muscular build. He wore a tan dress from the waist down, reminiscent of what a King in Ancient times would wear, with a pair of pitch black bracelets. But that was not his most impressive feature. Instead of the head of a man, he had the head of a Jackal, with pitch black fur and razor sharp claws. But his eyes were different; they did not express that of a savage beast, but instead that of a being with a superior intelligence.
"Incubus, my Black Bishop and Rook, the time has come to fulfill your role in my game of chess. I need you to go and destroy the unity of Team RNJR. I assume you know what you have to do?" asked Cinder.
"Yes my lady, it shall be done. And after that, I shall be free?" asked Incubus.
"Yes Incubus, fulfill this task, and you shall no longer be my pawn." Replied Salem.
"Then they shall fall," said Incubus as he brought his fist to his chest and bowed before he turned into a black cloud again and flew out of the room. A wicked smile crept across Salem's face, "Now, lets see just what my second most powerful pieces can do."
"Alright, we'll set up camp here for the night," said Jaune as he put his backpack down. The others followed his lead and started to settle in for the night, unaware of the threat that lied amongst them. They went about their usual routine, eating dinner, chatting, and eventually turning in for bed. Ruby took first watch as the others fell asleep. Ruby had been standing guard for about two hours when she suddenly noticed something odd. She saw what looked like a black mass moveing slowly towards her. She readied Crescent Rose as it got closer. However, as it got closer and closer, she noticed that it wasn't a Grimm, or other creature, but rather a puff of black smoke.
"What the heck?" asked Ruby as she lowered her weapon. She watched as the smoke began to swirl around, when suddenly it flew into her nostrils and mouth as she took a breath. Her eyes widened in surprise, but before she could do anything, she felt her consciousness slip away and was soon sprawled out on the ground. The smoke exited her body and moved to Jaune's tent. And just like Ruby, as he took a breath in, the smoke flew into him, and soon exited. Then it went to Ren's tent, and then Nora's. Soon all of Team RNJR were under Incubus's spell. Soon, the cloud broke into four separate entities and flew back into each of the teenagers. Their night had just begun.
"Ow, my head," said Ruby as she slowly stirred back to life. When she tried to move, she found she couldn't. She looked down to see she was tied to a chair. As she looked up, she could see the rest of her teammates in a similar position. They were about ten feet away from eachother and where set up as though they were each in a corner of a square. "The heck? What happened, all I can remember is seeing the black cloud and then," said Ruby to herself when suddenly she was interrupted as someone else began to stir.
"I don't want to get up!" said a drowsy Nora.
"Nora! Wake up!" cried Ruby.
"Wha? Ruby! Where the heck are we?!" asked Nora. Ruby looked around and took in her surroundings. They appeared to be in a white nothingness. She couldn't see a wall or shadow, or anything that would indicate that they were in a room.
"I don't know where we are Nora," said Ruby, fear in her voice. Soon Ren and Jaune also woke up.
"So, either of you two know what happened?" asked Ruby.
"No," said the boys in unison.
"Ah, you're all awake, good. Now we can begin," said a voice.
"Who are you!?" cried out Jaune.
"Allow me to show you," replied the voice. Suddenly a black smoke began to rise in front of the four teens. It quickly took shape looked directly at Jaune. Jaune looked at it in fear and said, "W-what are you?"
It smiled and said, "Not what, but who Mr. Arc. I am Incubus, one of the disciples of Salem." Its response defiantly rattled Jaune, not just because it spoke, but how it spoke. With a calm and cool demeanor, while also giving the impression of it having great intelligence.
"Where are we?" asked Ruby. Incubus turned and faced the young Reaper.
"You are in my dream domain Miss Rose," answered Incubus.
Ruby gulped and asked one more question, "Are you going to kill us?"
Incubus gave a small laugh, "No Miss Rose, I am not going to kill you. Even if I wished to I couldn't, this is not a physical plain of existence. I have brought your conscious minds to my dimension. These are not your physical bodies, but rather your collective consciousness."
"Who with the what in the where?" asked Nora.
Incubus turned and faced her and said, "Its like a giant dream the four of you are sharing Miss Valkyrie."
"What do you plan to do to us then?" asked Jaune.
"Simple Mr. Arc, I am going to show all of you your deepest secrets and fears," said Incubus.
"So it's not physical torture, but," started Ren before Incubus cut him off.
"Psychological torture, that is correct Mr. Ren." Said Incubus.
"How do we know that you're really going to tell the truth, and not just make these things up to try and turn us against one another?" asked Ruby.
"Excellent question Miss Rose. You see in my domain, one cannot lie, even if they try. For example Miss Rose, how do you feel about your teammate Weiss Schnee?" asked Incubus.
"I think she is the most beautiful girl I have ever met and I wish that she held the same feelings for me that I hold for her," said Ruby. Her eyes suddenly lit up after she heard what she said.
"So you are a lesbian then Miss Rose?" asked Incubus.
"Yes," said Ruby, pain clearly on her face as she admitted one of her deepest secrets. One she had not even told her sister yet. The others just stared at her in shock.
"As you can see Miss Rose, I am not lying when I say it is impossible to lie. All the things I shall show you shall be true. Now let's begin. I think I'll begin with fears, Miss Rose, you've already had one secret revealed, so let's start with you. Are you ready?" asked Incubus. Ruby just continued to stare at the ground in shock, small tears rolling down her cheeks. "I'll take your silence as a yes." Incubus snapped his fingers and a black smoke began to rise from her body and an image began to form above her. Jaune, Ren, Nora looked as the smoke took the shape of Ruby weeping over the bloody beaten body of Weiss.
"Its all my fault," said the smoke Ruby. "It's all my fault. I never should have brought her here, I-I'm sorry Weiss." The smoke Ruby began to bawl over her fallen partner before the smoke dissipated.
"I would appear that Miss Rose's worst fear is losing her partner. Not surprising after the revelation she gave us not five minutes ago. Now then, lets move on to Mr. Arc." With another snap of his fingers, a black cloud began to rise from Jaune now. Ren, Nora, and Ruby who had finally stopped staring at the ground looked at Jaune and the image that began to form above him. They saw a tombstone, and Jaune weeping over it. The stone said, Here lies Pyrrha Nikos. The Invincible Girl.
"I should have been there," said the smoke Jaune. Tears began to streak down real Jaune's face.
"So, it would appear that Mr. Arc has already lived out his greatest fear." The smoke began to dissipate and Jaune just sat there, tears streaming down his face.
"Now then, lets move onto Mr. Ren." said Incubus. Ren put on a brave face as Incubus snapped his fingers and the smoke rose from Ren now. As I took shape they saw as Ren wept over the body of Nora. Nora's jaw dropped and fear filled her eyes.
"So, Mr. Ren's fear is also losing a partner. Lets see if this pattern shall persist shall we?" said Incubus as he snapped his fingers and the smoke rose from Nora. She looked at the ground, shaking with fear. As the smoke began to form, the three teens saw a very different sight. As oppose to her weeping over the body of Ren, I instead showed the two of them sitting in rocking chairs, in front of a house, significantly older. They didn't see them holding hands or having wedding rings thought.
"What the hell?" asked Ren as he looked at the cloud in confusion. Nora just looked at him, fear still visibly in her eyes.
"Haha, it would appear that Miss. Valkyrie's fear is also a secret," said Incubus.
"What is it?" asked Ren as he looked at Incubus with determination in his eyes.
"P-please! NO!" cried out Nora in protest.
Incubus smiled and looked at Ren, "It would appear her biggest fear is her ending with only you Mr. Ren. Or to simplify it, she is afraid she won't find anybody else and only end up with you."
The normally stoic Ren looked like his life had been shattered. He looked down, shock and pain in his eyes. The smoke soon dissipated, but Ren and Nora hardly noticed.
"Now then, we've seen your worst fears, now let's see your biggest secrets. Miss Rose, we have already learned one of your biggest secrets, so let's see the other one shall we. However, I think I'll have you go last; you've been first the past two times. Let's begin with Mr. Arc." Said Incubus. And with yet another snap of his fingers, the smoke rose from him and a pair of papers took shape.
"What are those? Transfer papers?" asked Nora as she looked at the image.
Jaune went pale as he realized just what Incubus was showing.
"You are exactly right Miss Valkyrie. It would appear that Jaune's biggest secret has to do with his transfer papers to Beacon. Care to tell us what it is Mr. Arc?" said Incubus.
Jaune began to shake as the words left his mouth, "I used fake transfer papers to get into Beacon."
"What?" cried out Ruby.
"It would appear that Mr. Arc used fake papers in order to gain admittance into Beacon Academy. And that would explain a lot, wouldn't it. His lack of skill, how he didn't appear to have any sort of knowledge of Grimm and Aura. It would seem his entire Hunter Career is based on a lie." The other three just looked at him, with looks of disgust.
"We've been listening to you all this time. Helping you, all because of a lie!" cried out Ruby in anger.
Jaune tried to put up a defense, "Even if it was based on a lie, look at all we've accomplished! The fights we've won. How far we've come!"
"We could be farther if you weren't holding us back," spat out Nora.
Ren looked at Jaune and asked him one question, "Jaune, I only want to know one thing. Did Pyrrha know?"
"Yes, yes she did know," said Jaune.
"And how did she react?" asked Ren.
"She told me that she didn't care, and that she didn't think it mattered how I got there, all that mattered is where I went." Said Jaune as he thought back to that night he almost ruined his relationship with Pyrrha.
"I forgive you."
"What?!" cried out all three teens. Ren looked at Jaune and said, "Jaune, I forgive you despite the lie. I won't lie and say that I'm happy you withheld this information from us, but I think you had good intentions. And if Pyrrha can forgive you, then so can I."
"Thank you Ren, thank you," said Jaune. Nora and Ruby just looked at Ren in shock.
"Well, that's all toughing, but lets continue shall we? Miss Valkyrie, let's do you next." Incubus snapped his fingers and the smoke formed once more. The picture took the form of multiple boys, ranging from young to her age. The other three looked at it in confusion.
"Care to explain who these boys are Miss Valkyrie?" prompted Incubus.
"Those are all the boys I've ever dated," said Nora.
Ren, once again looked shattered, "Y-you dated behind my back?"
"What would it matter to you! You only like me as a friend!" cried out Nora.
"I still had a right to know!" snapped back Ren. Jaune and Ruby were a little surprised by his sudden outburst.
"WHY WOULD YOU CARE REN!" screamed Nora.
"Lets see why, shall we?" said Incubus with another snap of the fingers. The cloud formed over Ren, and the shape it took told the whole story. It showed Nora, with a large heart around the outside of her.
"No," said Nora as she looked at the secret in horror. Ren just put his head down in shame.
"Well children, my time with you draws to an end. Now for my final reveal, Miss Rose's secret." Said Incubus. With one final snap of his finger, smoke rose from Ruby. The picture that formed showed a collage of Jaune and him in multiple situations. One was of him with him sprawled out on the ground, another was of him standing next to Pyrrha, and another of him with his semblance activated.
"What the hell?" asked Jaune as he looked over the scene before him.
"Oh my, Miss Rose, care to explain what this is all about. Ruby looked painfully at the ground, trying to fight the urge to tell.
"Miss Rose, explain, now," said Incubus.
"I'm jealous of him!" Ruby finally cracked.
"How so?" asked Incubus.
Tears were streaming down her face, "He's had it so easy! Whether he got in by cheating, or having a championship partner to save his ass! I'm jealous of how easy it is for him!" Jaune just looked at her, sadness and betrayal in his eyes. Ruby didn't dare look at him.
"Well children, it's been fun, but I have to go. Good Luck fighting Salem. I genially mean that, and, I'm sorry for what I have done, I had no choice in the matter." Said Incubus.
"Yeah I'm so sure," said Nora.
"Do not forget Miss Val-, Nora, in this realm, nobody can lie. Goodbye children." Said Incubus with a sad smile as he turned into smoke and disappeared. Suddenly, the white light of the room increased to a blinding level.
RNJR awoke with a start to find themselves back in their camp, the sun just rising over the horizon. All four walked to the center of their camp, contempt and distrust running rampant.
"Come on, let's pack up and go, we're a day and a half's journey away from Haven." Said Jaune. Nobody acknowledged Jaune and just went to go collect their stuff. After twenty minutes, they left, none speaking a word to one another.
Salem was sitting in her throne when the black cloud of Incubus appeared before her.
"It is done," said Incubus.
"Good, you have fulfilled your part of the bargain." Said Salem.
"Now fulfill yours," replied Incubus.
"Why of course," said Salem, and with a snap of her own, the two bracelets fell off of Incubus's wrists.
"Good, and before I leave, I have one final thing to say." Said Incubus as he rubbed his wrists, "I hope those children succeed in destroying you, you monster."
"Oh Incubus, how you hurt me, and here I was thinking we were friends." Said Salem with a smile. Incubus just glared at her. "Besides Incubus, I don't think I need to worry too much about those children anymore after the fantastic job you did. Now, go on and live the rest of your retched life." Incubus gave her one last glare before he opened a portal home. After he left Salem got up and went into her chess room. With a wave of her hand the black rook and other black bishop evaporated into thin air. Salem looked over and moved the white pieces as well. No longer did they stand next eachother, but now were separated, scattered all over the board. Allowing for the last of Salem's pieces to surround one of the white pieces… the knight.
Ozpin watched the orb with great sadness. He looked over to the sleeping form of Pyrrha and slightly smiled. He was thankful that despite not needing to, she was following RNJR's sleeping pattern as a way to try and keep a part of her old life. It was because of this that she did not need to witness the destruction of Team RNJR with her own eyes. Ozpin had seen the entire event unfold and had to watch in agony as he saw some of his star pupils go from being bright, happy go lucky kids, to hard, bitter and angry adults. A silver flame of remorse shone off Ozpin as it reminded him of the falling out he had with his own family. He did not look forward to having to explain to Pyrrha what had happened to her friends while he sleep, but he also feared for just what Salem had in store next, because he knew one thing. This was only the beginning of RNJR's pain.
Hello! Now I know this is a bit later than I said I would upload it, sorry that's my bad. I extended my vacation for another week and forgot to update. I got back the first of September, and have been occupied with the first week of college. But now I have an opportunity to post! So, if you all couldn't guess, Incubus was based on the Egyptian God Anubus. Next chapter will be up at some point in the future. However, I want to hear feedback from you guys. What do you prefer, the occasional chapter every couple of weeks, or the large time gap with several chapters? So be sure to leave a comment (that includes you none guests who monitor this story, you know who you are). I'll be uploading a chapter in the near future, but after that it will depend on what you guys vote. And also be sure to allow a little more time between uploads as I am also finishing up my Gravity Falls Fanfic. So, until next time, see you soon, and don't be afraid to favorite, follow, and review.