Somewhere along the Coast of Patch, Two Weeks before Cobalt heads to Beacon
A man dragged his small boat onto land, so it wouldn't drift away. He had spiky, silver hair, wore a dark blue, long sleeved shirt with matching pants, and a crimson red vest with a matching mask. A saber was strapped to his back and around his waist pouches. He turned in the direction of the smaller lab and took off into the forest.
Star Village's Docks
An older man with medium length hair, as white as snow, and a dark blue suit with red trim stepped off the boat. He carried no visible weapons, yet he had by no means looked like a civilian.
He was followed by a young man with short, orange hair. This young man wore a white T-shirt with blue jeans. He would look rather normal if it weren't for the sword on his back. It was large and had bandages wrapped around where the hilt should be.
"So, this is where this guy, Cobalt, lives?" The orange haired man asked.
The white-haired man nodded. "That is correct Ichigo."
Ichigo raised an eyebrow, "You're sure this guy is good enough for the team, Mr. Snow?"
Snow chuckled. "There's more than one way to judge someone other than how many official wins they have besides he was trained by my mentor. The Lloyd Grail. Speaking of which, here he comes now."
Lloyd stopped before Snow and the two clasped hands in a comradery manner. "Snow, it is good to see you. It's been what, seven years now. You know, you used to visit me every year before you got busy."
They parted, and Snow shrugged. "Oh, you must understand, right Master Lloyd? Children require a lot of attention, and I have four while you only have one."
"True; however, you are here now, so surely you can spend one night to catch up after going to see Cobalt." Lloyd smiled. "Or, I should say after he refuses to join your group."
Snow smiled, "That sounds lovely, but you can't know for certain he'll refuse. You know the old saying. 'Nothing ventured. Nothing Gained'."
Lloyd handed Snow the same directions he gave Cobalt. "I would love to accompany you, but I'm currently in the middle of training my guards. You two just need to follow the directions, and you'll find Cobalt."
Lloyd left.
"He may be old, but his Aura is monstrous." Ichigo mused.
Snow smiled. "Believe it or not, his Aura was three times the size in his younger days. Anyways, shall we get going?"
Ichigo nodded. "Yes, I believe I'm now looking forward to meeting this Cobalt since someone like that trained him."
Snow said, "Then let us be off."
Smaller Lab, Clearing…
Cobalt was working up a sweat as he kicked at the stumps he had set up. "198…199…200."
Cobalt walked to the side of the lab and picked up one of the rocks he'd fashioned into a glass with his dust. He leaned forward and dumped the water over his head. He then took the lid off another hollowed-out rock and removed some jerky he'd made.
The apprentice took a seat in the shade of building and began eating. "I think it's time I move up to the next set of clothing. 150 pounds for shirt, vest, and pants, and 50 pounds for wrist bands and boots… Hm… I'll have to work hard if I want to master them by the time grandpa comes to get me."
Cobalt rolled to the right as three shuriken imbedded themselves in the wall of the lab. He then sprang to his feet, having removed his vest, creating two shields from his earth dust. He closed his eyes and waited.
As he expected, more shuriken came at him from behind, so he blocked them. Once he had an opening, he exchanged the dust used to make the shields, turning them to lightning dust, before throwing them both in the direction the knives came from.
He made the shields explode causing lightning to course through the area. The assailant jumped out of the woods coming to stand before Cobalt. He had spiky, silver hair, wore a dark blue, long sleeved shirt with matching pants, a crimson red vest with a matching mask, and had a saber sheathed on his back.
"He's not wearing armor like that lady and he has no visible Faunus features." Cobalt thought. "So, why are you trying to kill me?"
The assailant didn't answer instead his right arm's veins glowed yellow and lighting formed in his hand. His pupils changed from black to red. The assailant ran at Cobalt moving at incredible speeds straight for the apprentice.
"Chidori." The assailant declared.
Cobalt formed a bow from his lightning dust and pulled the string back causing electricity to spark around the bow until a continuous stream of arrows came at the assailant. The enemy dodged the arrows by rapidly moving right and left as he drew closer.
The apprentice dispelled the bow and reinforced his skin thrusting his right arm forward. The lightning covered hand contacted Cobalt's metal encased hand. It lessened the damage, but he was still pushed back while the assailant was left unharmed.
"Those eyes must be his Semblance and he has lightning dust in his veins allowing him to do… what was it called? Chidori… Is that old Mistralian?" Cobalt thought.
The apprentice created twin, wind dust long swords that he held backwards. Cobalt then ran at the assailant and attacked him moving as a dancer would; however, none of his strikes made contact.
"I think I'm starting to catch onto his Semblance. His eye must allow him to react faster than normal. That explains how he was able to avoid my arrows when he was running so fast before. It also explains how he's avoiding me now." Cobalt thought.
"Getsuga Tensho!" A voice declared.
A blast of black Aura, in the shape of a crescent, slammed into the assailant pushing him away from Cobalt. The apprentice looked to his right as two people stepped out of the brush. One of them was an older man with medium length hair as white as snow.
He was wearing a dark blue suit with red trim. Next to him, there was a young man with short, orange hair. This young man wore a white T-shirt with blue jeans and carried a large sword that had bandages wrapped around the area where the hilt should be.
"Sorry for intruding, but I thought it best to lend a hand." The man declared. "I mean, that man you're facing is the renowned assassin Shade."
"Shade, I've heard that name before." Cobalt thought before addressing the men. "Thanks. I could use some help."
Shade ran at Cobalt again, so he created an ice sword and imbedded it in the ground. Ice spread forth, but the assassin jumped over it. He aimed a kick at Cobalt. The apprentice formed a long sword from his fire dust and touched the ice turning it to steam.
"Getsuga Tensho!" The orange haired man declared.
The blast of aura came through the steam heading straight for the assassin, so he formed lightning in his hand once more.
"Chidori." Shade declared.
He thrust his hand into the blast shattering it on impact, but that didn't stop the aura bullets from nailing him as he landed safely on the ground. Ichigo and Cobalt, armed with a red great sword, ran at Shade slamming their blades into him. The assailant flew straight into a tree cracking it.
The assassin got to his feet. "This is not over."
He withdrew some smoke pellets while Cobalt and Ichigo ran at him. Shade threw the pellets on the ground as the two young men got in close blinding them. Snow sighed and tucked his revolver away. The assassin was nowhere to be seen once the smoke cleared.
"Sheathe you're blades. Shade is already gone." Snow declared.
"That guy was clearly holding back, but if that's the case, then why did he leave." Cobalt thought.
Star Village
Lloyd had been watching the battle unfold. "Jacques Schnee, you have gone to far." He walked over to the training guards. "Training is over for today. I have an important matter to attend to."
The three newest guards looked amongst each other wondering if they should ask why, but the two guards, who survived the fight with the Soldiers months ago, stopped them.
"Lloyd has clearly been enraged by what his cameras showed him." The first guard began.
The second guard nodded in agreement. "It would best to let him handle his business without intervention."
Small Lab
Cobalt and Ichigo walked back over to Snow. "I believe introductions are in order. My name is Snow, owner and trainer of Team Limit, and this is the team's leader, Ichigo."
"I would introduce myself, but I'm betting the two of you didn't come out here hunting Shade." Cobalt stated.
"You are correct. We actually came out here to find you because I have a proposition for you." Snow stated.
Cobalt nodded. "Right, come inside, and I'll hear you out. It's the least I can do."
Snow smiled. "Yes, thank you."
Living Room, Some Time Later…
Ichigo and Snow sat on the couch while Cobalt sat on the ground before them after making tea.
He took a sip. "Alright, I'm listening."
"Ichigo, it's all yours." Snow said before taking a drink of the tea himself and finding it rather good.
"Right, I'll start at the beginning. Mr. Snow is a Hunter who learned how to use his Aura for more offensive purposes. In the last seven years he's been traveling trying to find those with strong auras to join his team and learn how to use their Aura as he does.
As it stands, our actions over the past three years, of our total time existing, have granted us certain rights. One of those being that we will be declared official Huntsman and Huntresses upon our 21st birthdays." Ichigo began.
"So, you wish for me to join your team. I'm flattered, but I have my heart set on going to Beacon." Cobalt declared.
"Are you sure there is nothing we could do to change your mind?" Snow asks. "I mean, Lloyd has spoken highly of your skills and Aura. I would hate to lose them for Team Limit."
"Wait, Lloyd has spoken to you… Oh, you must be that Snow… one of his past students." Cobalt smiled sheepishly as he rubbed his head. "Sorry, my grandfather has a lot of friends that it's hard to remember everyone." He nodded. "I'm sorry, but I still wish to go to Beacon."
Snow smiled, "No, it's quite alright on both accounts. It was an honor to meet you regardless of your refusal, and you have been most hospitable." Snow placed the rock glass on the ground. "I am hoping you wouldn't mind being a little more hospitable."
"What do you need?" Cobalt asked.
"Tonight, your grandfather and myself shall be catching up, so I wish for Ichigo to stay here with you. We've traveled quite a bit, and it's rare that he spends time with those his own age outside of our team." Snow inquired.
"Would he be okay with that?" Cobalt asked.
Ichigo replied, "I would. Honestly, him meeting with old friends tends to be boring."
"I'll agree… On two conditions." Cobalt offered.
Snow raised an eye brow. "They are?"
"One, I want you to truthfully answer three questions. Two, you are most likely aware of my Semblance, so…" Cobalt began.
"You learned Ichigo's Getsuga Tensho and wish him to instruct you." Snow stated. "Agreed, to both conditions. Ask away."
"These names… Ichigo and Getsuga Tensho… They're rather odd. Do they mean something?" Cobalt asked.
"In Team Limit I have made it customary for its members to assign a name to their main Aura move and to rename themselves. Of course, some Hunter just like to name their attacks. Anyways, both Ichigo and Getsuga Tensho are old Vacuo names. Getsuga Tensho means 'Piercer of Heaven' while Ichigo means One Guardian." Snow explained.
"Those are some pretty impressive names." Cobalt nodded. "Team Limit… is that spelled a certain way or…"
"Team Limit is spelled exactly how you think. It was a name I came up with because they will be the ones to break through not only their own limits, but also the limits of what Aura is capable of." Snow explained.
Cobalt looked at the ground. "Last question, my father… did you know him?"
Snow removed a photo from his pocket and looked at it slightly saddened. "Team S-M-O-K. Smoke. You're mother Sakura Blossom, Your father's late best friend Marcus Black, Your late father Onyx Stone, and my late daughter Kobe Snow."
He handed the photo to the apprentice. It displayed a team that looked to be about the same age as Cobalt indicating that they were most likely in their first years at Beacon. His mother had shoulder length pink hair, blue jeans, and wore a bright red shirt with a lighter red over shirt.
The next person, Marcus Black, was smiling with his arm around Cobalt's father, Onyx. The two seemed like good friends. Marcus had short white hair and blue eyes. He wore black pants with a silver, short sleeved shirt. Onyx was giving a thumb up at the camera.
He had a head of spiky, dark blue hair and yellow eyes like Cobalt's. He was wearing black pants with a matching shirt. Over that shirt he wore dark blue armor with black trim. He was the only one with a weapon. A familiar looking black sheathe which contained a katana.
The last person, Kobe, had a straight face, long, slightly messy, black hair, and was wearing spectacles. She wore simple black pants with a matching shirt. On her left shoulder there was a strap which connected to a scroll holder on her right side.
"That was the first thing my daughter sent me, and it was taken shortly after their initiation. She wasn't one to show it but having those three as teammates and eventual friends meant the world to her." Snow confirmed.
Cobalt nodded and attempted to hand the photo back, but Snow smiled. "No, you should keep it."
Cobalt looked at the photo once more. "Are you sure?"
Snow nodded, "I have many photos of my daughter, yet you have none of your parents. Keep it." He withdrew a card with his scroll number on it and handed it to Cobalt. "Take this as well. If you ever want to hear any stories about Team SMOK then I'm your guy."
Cobalt smiled, "Thank you Mr. Snow."
Snow stood. "Ah, don't mention it." He then looked at he orange haired man. 'Ichigo, meet me at the docks tomorrow at noon. It's time we return and begin preparing the team for the Vytal Festival."
Ichigo nodded. "Right."
With that, Snow left.
Main Lab, Living Room
Lloyd sat across from the screen as a younger man than himself picked up. He had gray white hair, including a mustache, pale skin, and cold, blue eyes. He was wearing a pure white, double-breasted jacket with a red handkerchief in the breast pocket, underneath which he wears a blue shirt, vest, and a gray-white tie.
"Ah Lloyd, what a…" Jacques begins sounding completely fake.
"Shut up Jacques. I thought we worked this out ages ago, but now I find out you went after my grandson." Lloyd snapped furious.
Jacques smiled. "I do not know…"
"I'm going to make this simple. You attack my grandson, village, or business again, and you will regret it. You may think me a beast below your consideration. A mere animal that should work for you… I'm more human than you ever have, could, or will be.
My genius can go toe to toe with anything your people come up with. That's not opinion. I will destroy your business if you try anything again. I have the knowledge to do so. I will hack every computer and withdraw every bloody deal you've made." Lloyd threatened.
"You can't do that. You wouldn't do that. Just sign your dust mines over to me, and this will all end. You grandson will be left unharmed." Jacques warned.
Lloyd pulled out his scroll and got to work before Jacques eyes. It wasn't long before he'd drawn out a memo with Jacques' signature.
"The payment will be transferred to your account upon Cobalt Sky's death." Lloyd stated.
Jacques opened his eyes wide and they remained open when Lloyd walked up to the screen presenting the memo to Jacques.
"This took mere minutes to access. You can try anything you like to rid yourself of things like this, but I'll always find them. You seemed to forget who you were dealing with, so let this serve as a reminder.
You try anything underhanded, and I'll send every dirty secret I can get my hands on to every government of Remnant. The only reason I don't do so now is because I respected the heck out of her father. Am I clear?" Lloyd threatened.
Jacques gritted his teeth. "Crystal."
"Good." He began working on his scroll. "Now, I have a lot of work that I must attend to."
The screen went dark and Lloyd left the room.
Outside the Small Lab
"Take a seat." Ichigo ordered. "We're going to begin with a lesson." Cobalt did as he was told. "We'll begin with Offensive Aura vs Defensive Aura. Defensive Aura is the default for all Hunters. It protects against damage and can heal wounds so long as you have Aura to spare.
In addition, your Aura is used when you use your Semblance. For instance, yours is Mimicry. A Semblance that is always active and constantly drains your Aura; however, this is countered by the drain being miniscule.
It also refills faster than you use it provided you aren't using your Aura, for other means, or other Semblances. Offensive Aura is different in that you must willingly move Aura, in some way, shape, or form, and project it out. Will it to cause damage.
You must also keep in mind your total Aura. Use too much. Go beyond your limits of Aura, and you run the risk of passing out. You could even die." Ichigo sighed. "Of course, dying is only predicted to happen, and as of yet, has not come to pass."
"So, I must manage my Aura effectively. Not too many Getsuga Tenshos, or other Aura moves, beyond what I can handle while still maintaining my defenses. If I run out of Aura, then I become susceptible to Grimm or other enemies." Cobalt summarized.
Ichigo drew his blade and began collecting his Aura. "Very good. Now Offensive Aura is different from Defensive in that you can train to lessen the cost of Aura; likewise, you can focus more Aura, in whatever way, to make your Aura move more powerful. Like so."
He slashed his blade at the forest and the black crescent of energy sliced through a couple of trees knocking them down before dissipating.
"So, in all cases it's like a feeling." Cobalt nodded. "I think I get it. It's like other Semblances. Each one has a different feel to it, and to utilize a Semblance correctly, I must get that feeling down."
Ichigo smiled. "Exactly. You must also visualize your Aura moving. Now stand up and begin putting into practice what we have discussed."
The apprentice nodded and did as he was told. They would spend some time on this with Cobalt getting a good grasp on the technique before Ichigo had to leave the next day. The apprentice would finish out his last week, of training, working on this new technique.
