Child of Grimm Ch. 12
It was the fourth day after he had the dream, and things were finally getting better. He hadn't had a nightmare, and his school work was going along better then he ever anticipated. He was still undefeated as a fighter, and his time as being studied as a Grimm in Port's class had decreased. The only thing he was beginning to get frustrated by, was the fact that his team hadn't yet been called away on anything. We have to initiate the fight, and not the other way around. He was about to close his eyes, but he decided to take one flight before bed. He quickly did so, and something caught his attention. He quickly landed, and walked up to what he saw.
"I figured you would find me soon enough," someone said from the shadows. Derek drew his sword, and raised it in the direction of the voice. Someone in a mask stepped out from the shadows, and Derek recognized that uniform. "Yes, I figured that you would recognize the uniform of a White Fang."
"Who are you?" Derek asked.
"No one important to them, so therefor not to you. I'm merely here to deliver a message. I'm sure that we'll face each other soon enough."
"Tell me the message and I won't kill you."
"No need to be so threatening. The message is quite simple, expect something more soon."
"Now what is that supposed to mean?"
"I can honestly tell you that I don't know, but expect the answer tomorrow." The White Fang turned around, and ran away. Expect something more soon? Would they attack the school? The White Fang doesn't have the resources to do so. No sense in pondering about it. Derek flew back to his dorm, and went to sleep.
The Next Day: Grimm Studies.
"And so that is the best way to kill a Taituo," Port finished. This is something I already know all too well. "Although, it appears that our friend Drake didn't receive this particular weakness."
"That was the idea," Derek grumbled. Monica elbowed him slightly, causing him to just shuffle slightly away from her.
"Now," Port boomed. "For the next part of class." A loud ring could be heard from Port's scroll. He walked over to it, and checked to see the message. "The next part for all but the members of team DRGN. Professor Ozpin is calling you to his office." They all nodded, and picked up their books. This must have something to do with the message from last night. They all walked, the other three members of DRGN buzzing.
"We might finally see some action," Nathan said enthusiastically.
"Calm down wolfy," Gwen told him. "We will get to see some action, but I'm more concerned about the what."
"Probably nothing big," Monica added in. "I mean, we haven't seen any active duty as a team yet. What do you think Derek?"
"I don't know," Derek replied. "It seems to me that Monica is probably correct, but there is nothing that we can do until we get there."
"You mind giving us a ride D?" Nathan asked him.
"Yes, very much so." The walked on in silence after that. They finally reached Ozpin's office, and Derek opened up the door. Ozpin was sitting in his desk, with a scroll next to him. Derek noticed that RWBY was also there.
"Good," Ozpin said. "We finally have the remaining team."
"I wasn't informed there would be another team involved with this," Derek said.
"Will this be an issue?"
"I'm just more curious as to what you deem worthy of two teams, and two of your higher rated first year teams for that matter."
"Take a seat you four and I'll explain." DRGN pulled up four chairs, and sat in anticipation. "We have some very inconsistent reports from a small town. The location is up on your scrolls, and I want you eight to investigate."
"What do you mean?" Ruby asked.
"I'm with you," Derek contributed. "This 'inconsistent reports' thing has me a little concerned."
"There have been reports of a Grimm attacking a town, but no one has been able to find it. No one knows what is going on. I thought that RWBY could provide the resources to interview the villages while DRGN scouts out the area. You four will be in charge of calling for assistance." The two teams nodded, and checked their scrolls. RWBY and DRGN stood up, but Derek remained seated.
"You seven go ahead," Derek called out. "I'll catch up." They nodded, and Derek looked up at Ozpin. "Is this the reason you wanted me on this?"
"I knew that you would recognize this town," Ozpin said.
"Serpent Ville," Derek said in a slow voice. "Snake town in English. Or the place that I grew up."
"That's the main reason I want you on it. I need you to guide RWBY into town and familiarize them with it's inhabitants before you leave."
"I will." I guess I'm going home.
Serpent Ville
"Don't freak out you seven," Derek said. He had stripped down to just his armor, to try and make the inhabitants feel a little more comfortable. "That will only get them more no edge. As you can imagine, not a whole lot of people come to this town. It's isolated, out of the way, and most humans aren't going out this far into these woods. Let me talk to start, and then DRGN and I will split off from RWBY." Everyone nodded, and Derek stepped out into the light. "HEY!" Derek called out. Several people in the town looked his way, and some of them pulled out weapons. "No, don't be alarmed. I used to be a serpent faunus, but now I'm like this. I used to live here." Some of the people relaxed a little bit. One person stepped out from the others. He seemed slightly older then everyone else.
"What is your name?" He asked.
"I don't know. My parents first names were Stephanie and Marcus." The man stood up a little straighter, and smiled.
"What is the name you use?"
"Derek."
"Well then Derek, it's good to have you back with us."
"I'm not here on a personal trip. Come on out guys." The remainder of DRGN and RWBY stepped out into the open. All of the inhabitants backed up slightly, but Derek held up his hand. "These are my friends. We all attend Beacon academy, and we're here to investigate about the Grimm attacks you've been having."
"I see," the man said. "My name is Arthur Scales. Will you eight please follow me into my home, and I will assist you with your investigation." The other seven looked cautious, but Derek nodded enthusiastically. They followed the man, and he walked into a small hut. They all followed him, and a set of guards closed the door. They both wore armor that was identical to Derek's.
"Okay Derek," Arthur said. "I know that you are going to Beacon to seek vengeance. All I want to know is, how much did Ozpin tell you?"
"You know about Ozpin?" Ruby asked.
"Of course. Derek?"
"He said the reports were inconclusive," Derek replied. "No one could find the Grimm, but there had been reports."
"Then he told you what we know."
"He told me that myself and Nathan should lead two teams to try and find the Grimm, and my friends here will be conducting some interviews."
"I see. Well, will you tell your friend in the bow to remove it. Our villagers can smell the cat on you, and they'll feel insulted."
"Am I the only one who couldn't tell?" Nathan asked angrily.
"Yes," Derek said simply. Blake removed her bow, and her cat ears stood up. "Thank you Arthur, we will conduct our research. Do you mind if I talk to you afterwards?"
"Of course," Arthur replied. Derek went over to the door, and exited the building.
"Nathan and Gwen, you should be a team. Myself and Monica will be the other team. RWBY, I suggest you go without partners. The others will feel more comfortable without a show of force." The seven of them nodded, and separated. Derek walked into the woods, and held his arms out for Monica. "Let's go Moni." She climbed into his arms, and he took off. "Keep an eye out for anything that looks like a Grimm, or even a person. Anything that might lead to our mystery Grimm." This place is filled with people to fight. What could have them afraid?
Serpent Ville
Blake was walking amongst the snake faunus, trying to pick one out that looked like they might know something. Finally, she saw someone with a decently large scar across their chest.
"Hey," Blake called out. The person turned to face her, and she walked up to him. "Hi, my name is Blake. I'm one of the people that is investigating the Grimm. Is it okay if I ask you some questions?"
"Yes," the person replied.
"What do you know about the Grimm?"
"Not a whole lot. I saw it, once. It seemed different from the other Grimm."
"Is that how you got that scar?"
"It is. What did you say your name was?"
"Blake."
"Last name as well?"
"Blake Belladonna. Why are you asking me that?"
"So you're the one who they talked about. You're friend is in for one hell of a ride." The faunus turned around, and ran off. Blake stood their confused, and then something clicked in her brain.
Derek and Monica
Derek finally spotted something on the ground. It was someone in a gray hood, looking up in the sky at him. Derek pointed his tail in that direction, and Monica nodded in understanding. He took them to the ground, and looked over at the person standing there. He was facing them, but his face was concealed.
"Hello," Derek said. "My name is Derek Flame, and this is my friend, Monica Rogue. We're here to learn about a few reports of Grimm in the area. Do you know anything about it?"
"That depends," the guy said quietly. "You said your name is Derek Flame, I don't think you're telling the truth."
"I don't know my actual name, but I can tell you my official name is Drake Flame."
"Good. My name is Scorpio Venom, and I do know something about the Grimm." Derek's eyes widened. He quickly turned to Monica.
"MOVE!" The man raised his head, revealing his eight gray eyes. He quickly ripped off his jacket, revealing white plating that covered all of his body. A large gray stinger was at his back. He pulled out a sword that was lined with some form of green slime. He rushed forward at Derek, and slashed his sword at his neck. Derek only just got out of the way, but the green slime dripped on his scales. He could tell by the feel of it that it was some form of venom. He swung around his sword, and it bounced harmlessly off of his plating.
"So Mr. Flame," said Scorpio. "It appears that our swords aren't useful against each other. Shall we ditch them and fight with what we both have?" Drake nodded and tossed aside his sword. "I take it that you must be Drake right now?" Drake nodded again. "Good. I never would of have wanted to face an inferior opponent." Drake flew up into the air slightly, and Scorpio readied his tail. Drake spit out a column of flames, and Scorpio dodged it easily. He then spit out some of the green slime that coated his sword. Drake flew to his side, and avoided it. He spit out some flames in front of Scorpio, who backed up cautiously. "Well then Drake, I guess that you have made it difficult for me to get to you. Sadly, I have a great leaping ability. Now, why don't AAAAA!" Scorpio suddenly seized up, and then fell over. Drake looked over and saw Monica standing behind him, her spear cracking with electricity.
"Thanks," Drake said. He flew down, and readied some bindings that he had prepared.
"Don't mention it," Monica said. "That much electricity will keep him out for a while. He said something about fighting with what you have?"
"His name," Drake said slowly. "His name is Scorpio Venom. My name is Drake Flame. Death Stalker and Venom, Taituo and Fire. He's like me, a Child of Grimm." Monica nodded very slowly, and tried to pick him up. She quickly realized that she couldn't, and Drake walked over and slung him over his shoulder.
A little while later: Serpent Ville
The members of RWBY, Gwen and Nathan were waiting on Monica and Derek. They had gotten a message saying that they had found something big. Finally, they both walked out of the forest with someone slung over Derek's shoulder.
"Hey," Nathan said. "What's going on with him?"
"Wait until we get to Beacon," Derek said. They nodded, and jumped into the airship that was nearby them.
Beacon Academy: Ozpin's Office
Ozpin was sitting in his desk, waiting on the two teams to return. The door opened up, and Ozpin turned to see not only DRGN and RWBY, but one more person with his face shielded.
"Hello you eight," he said. "What did you find." Derek threw the person into the chair, and pulled back his hood, revealing his eight eyes. Derek lifted something up from behind him, and a stinger was just visible. "What is this?"
"They're back at it," Derek said. "He's one of me. A Child of Grimm. I want to talk to him, but I need you present." Ozpin nodded, and Derek spun around Scorpio. "Hello Scorpio. I know that you won't talk to any of them, so just talk to me."
"It doesn't matter to me," Scorpio replied. His face was also visibly covered in the white plating that he had seen earlier. "If they are here, then they can learn about what we are."
"When did they do this to you?"
"A while ago. I've only just been cleared for combat."
"What did they tell you?"
"They told me that a group of hunters had killed my parents for being scorpion faunus. They gave a chance at vengeance, as long as I agreed to this. They only recently told me about you."
"How many others?"
"Three. A Nevermore, the name is Orni Sonic. An Ursa Major, Ouru Spikes. Finally, a Beowolf named Lupa Claws. All of them have similar back stories as myself."
"Scorpio, please listen to what I'm about to tell you. You four aren't the first, and neither am I. They brought in two others besides myself by attracting faunus that are afraid for their children. They told my parents they could get rid of the faunus in me, and my parents agreed not wanting to see their kids go through the struggles that they did. When my parents found out, they tried to rise against them. The White Fang, the people responsible for this, killed them, as I'm sure they did with your parents."
"Why should I believe you?" Scorpio challenged. "What should make me believe you over them?"
"Because I didn't make you a monster. Think of it Scorpio, how much of your physical abilities were greatly enhanced, and on top of that, what did they teach you to do."
"All of them, and to fight."
"We're their heavy artillery. They feed you lies to get you to become a monster. I am a monster, they succeeded with me. However, I know better. They made the mistake of killing my parents in front of me." Scorpio seemed to hesitate at this. "Scorpio, I can't promise that some of the people here aren't dicks, and that they won't discriminate against you. But I can promise you a chance at revenge for your parents. Ozpin, is any team down a man."
"No," Ozpin said. "We don't have anyone down a member, and it's to far away from the next initiation. We have made exceptions in the past, and we can get you in."
"Good. Scorpio, I suggest you pick a new name and join the school. Trust me, I'm one of you. I don't expect you to trust anyone here, I didn't at first." Scorpio was dead silent for a very long time.
"What if they come after me?" He asked. "What if I learn to care for someone here and they take them away from me too?"
"That won't happen. You see these seven behind me? There's even another team, and I care for them. The difference between my parents and these people, they are all excellent fighters. Please, Scorpio, I want to help you." Scorpio was quiet for a while.
"I'll take the name of Stephen," Scorpio finally said. "I'll help you as far as learning what happened to my parents, then no promises."
"Welcome to Beacon Stephen," Ozpin said. He extended his hand, and Stephen hesitated.
"Ozpin," Derek said calmly. "Switch your hand please." Stephen recognized what he was doing.
"No, he can know," Stephen replied. He lifted up his hand, and showed off a decently large claw. "I just think he'd rather shake my other hand." Ozpin quickly switched his hand, and shook Stephen's.
"From what you told me," Ozpin started. "You are more then prepared. You can be the fifth member of DRGN. They're most suited to welcome in a Child of Grimm." Stephen nodded, and looked at Derek.
"I guess I'll stick with you," he said. Derek nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. Three more Children of Grimm. They got to work fast. However, I need to accommodate Scorpio.
Elsewhere
"Sir, they convinced Scorpio. He learned the truth."
"How did they capture him?"
"The girl. The one that we see with him so often, her spear is electric and he was distracted."
"I wasn't expecting that. I thought he would kill Scorpio. No matter, ready the next Grimm. The girl won't be able to interfere. Set a high priority target for her. I want to get rid of her as quickly as possible."
"Understood sir. I'll inform Orni of her task."
"Good. Let's see if we can't convince him."
"Sir, Roman Torchwick is here."
"Tell him to come up. We have much business to discuss."
End: So I wanted to fit all of this into one chapter, and not split it up. Questions, comments, and feedback is appreciated. Before it gets asked though, Derek didn't meet with Arthur because Scorpio became a priority.