Hey everybody! Quick AN here. I wanted to address the pairing for Alec. I have had a few suggestions that i could see happening its just where I am in the story, I honestly have no idea how to get them together. Now i have touched apon Blake and Alec which at first was going to be the main pairing, but i have plans later on down the road. But if you are ok with Blake and Alec then i could change it around before we get to that point in the story. Someone suggested Nora and i will admit, that is a cool idea but i just don't see Alec, a socially deprived person going with someone who is the exact opposite.
But alas there is still time for all that stuff. Right now we are just getting into some juicy details, so lets continue! Please review and leave any comments you have, good or bad they are appreciated!
Chapter 12: The Machine
(continue from last chapter)
Alec was currently making his way back to the lockers to put Soul away to keep her from prying eyes. When he reached his locker he heard the doors to the large room open along with the clanking of metal. Alec opened his locker and placed Soul inside. When he shut the locker door he turned to see who had entered. A tall man was leaning against the wall. He wore silver and black along with matching pants and boots. His ankles had some type of shotgun shell wrapped around them. Alec met the man's eyes. This mystery man had silver hair along with a large cocky smirk. Alec thought to himself for a second and remembered he was the same guy from the training room earlier who disappeared.
"Howdy." The mystery man finally spoke. Alec kept watching him, something felt... Off. "Well it seems you don't talk much, I just came to say congrats on your win." Alec opened his mouth to speak but stopped when he felt his mask shift on his face. 'I never took it off..' Alec trailed off in his thoughts. The man stood up and walked past him, as he did he spoke up. "My names Mercury by the way." Alec turned his head and met eyes with Mercury. He was no longer smiling. He held a blank expression. Alec squinted his eyes slightly, still feeling something off about this guy. "Alec" His voice came out deep and scratchy. 'I need to change the voice module on this thing.' Alec thought. Mercury smirked again and walked out towards the arena. "Nice conversation!" Alec just watched him leave not wanting to strike up a real conversation.
Suddenly Alec felt a wave of nausea hit him like a truck. He nearly collapsed on the spot but held him self up with the help of his locker. Another wave of nausea hit him causing him to double over. He tore his mask off and puked in the nearest trash can. He heard the door to the locker room open again. But this time he heard heels clicking on the tile floor. Before he could stand up and recover a third wave of nausea hit and caused him to puke again.
Pyrrha rounded the corner to get ready for her fight with Mercury which was surprising for someone to challenge her of all people. What she didn't expect to see was Alec leaning over a trash can, holding onto it with a death grip. She gasped in surprise and ran over to him. "Alec are you okay? What happened?" Alec groaned in response and slowly leaned against the nearest wall and slid down to his butt. Pyrrha watched with worried eyes, hoping something wasn't wrong. Alec noticed and leaned his head back. "Its okay Pyrrha, its just a side effect of having two semblances."
Pyrrha went wide eyed at this. Sure she had heard of people having two but she did not expect this to be the case. "You have two?" She asked and knelled down next to him. He shook his head slowly. "Yep, my clone is one, and my teleportation is another. There are side effects of using them so close together. As you can tell." Pyrrha nodded still in disbelief. The last recorded person having two semblances was over a hundred years ago. And boy was he special.
She noticed his nose started to bleed and quickly grabbed a paper towel. She wiped the blood from his nose. "If you knew this would happen, then why risk using them both?" Alec watched her as she threw away the bloodied paper towel. "I just wanted to destroy Cardin for what he's done to others. What he did to me." Alec slowly looked down at his lap in shame knowing how much blood he had to his name. Pyrrha put her hand on his shoulder and smiled at him. Alec looked up with a surprise expression. "Alec, it doesn't matter what others think of you or even what you did in the past. What matters is you are here and have friends who support you. If you think you are a killer then why were you so nice to me when you arrived?"
Alec stared into her emerald eyes which seemed to be glowing. He slowly started to smile and nodded. "Your right, I've just been letting this all go to my head." She helped him stand which made his head feel light but he pulled through. "You should probably get to your match, I'll be okay." Pyrrha smiled and nodded. She started to walk away. "Don't pass out on the way back okay?" Alec let a small laugh escape from him for the first time in a long time. "I'll try not to." Pyrrha smiled and exited the locker room grabbing her weapons on the way out. Alec grabbed his mask and headed for the bleachers.
On his way up to his usual seat Dr. peach pulled him aside. She gave him a stern look. "Can we talk after class?" Alec nodded. He knew she was trying to put on a show to make it seem like she was angry but Alec had dealt with Goodwitch before. No ones glare was as scary as hers.
By the time Alec sat down team CRDL walked in, except for Cardin. Alec smirked to himself. 'Oh he WILL feel that for a while.' Each member of the team gave him a glare. He winked to them which caused each one to grow even angrier.
The fight between Mercury and Pyrrha was nothing special. Mercury tried to hit her but was countered or dodged each time. He was able to disarm her which was a little surprising but that was it. He gave up just after it started. Peach told him to choose his battles carefully which he just smirked and walked off. Everyone knew the outcome, but it still irked Alec. He wanted to fight her, but gave up when he couldn't land a hit. Something was going on but he just couldn't place it. When Pyrrha and Mercury returned to the stands Peach stood in front with her scroll.
"Now there is not enough time for another match but there is enough for me to inform you there will be no more fighting through out this week." Some groaned others let out a roar of happiness until Peach took it away. "Instead, you will have class work." This time everyone groaned. Alec just smirked. Though he was disappointed about the work he was still excited to get to work on his sheathe.
When the bell rang Alec was able to catch Ruby before she bolted out the door. Weiss gave him a glare while Yang and Blake left in a hurry. Alec dismissed the ice queen and turned to Ruby. "Hey Ruby, you you be willing to help me with something later tonight in the training building? Something involving a gun." He could have sworn her eyes turned into literal stars as she jumped up and down at the mention of a gun. "Yes i would love to help!? What time!?" Alec thought for a second and looked back to the over joyed rose. "When ever you can, I'll be there most of the night." Ruby smiled and gave a thumbs up. "Yes sir!" And just like that she was gone. The only thing left behind were rose pedals. He blinked a few times and walked over to Peach.
She turned to him and pulled out her scroll. "I have a few questions on your semblance Mr. Clarke if you don't mind." Alec shook his head as she tapped on her scroll. "Now i want you to tell me everything about both of your semblances." Alec smiled a little.
Later that night
Alec was currently staring at the blueprints of his new sheathe. He decided on having it shift into two weapons, but he had no clue on how to do it. There were many things that Alec knew about. Guns, were not one of them. He knew how to shoot them and all the basics but when it came to building one that shifts into another, that was a whole different ball game. Luckily he was getting assistance from the biggest gun nut in the school.
Ruby busted through the large metal doors to the training room. She was excited Alec was finally talking to her. Ever since he showed up Ruby was determined to talk to him. But any time she was going to she got nervous and felt like it was the first day of school all over again. But her dream came true! HE asked HER for help! As she looked around she spotted him in one of the weapon repair shops. With a burst of speed she was at his side. Usually when she did that to someone they were scared half to death. Alec just stood up straight and smiled down to her.
He had a pencil stuck in between his ear and head. He had his jacket laying off to the side. His silver necklace shined above his black T-shirt. He looked like he was covered sweat, probably from a work out. Ruby stared at his spiral necklace. Apparently he was speaking, but she was too busy admiring his shiny jewelry. Alec waved a hand in front of her face and brought her out of the trance she was stuck in.
Ruby blushed a little when she realized how dumb she must have looked. She recomposed herself and beamed up at him. "So what did you need my help with?" Alec looked over to the blue prints and shrugged. "Well, i had a few ideas on how i could improve my range, but I'm terrible at making guns. Especially one that can shift into two different weapons." Ruby looked over the blue prints and let a toothy smile come over her. "So you want your sheathe with a cylinder dust chamber shift into a lever action shot gun as well as a bolt action sniper?" Alec rubbed the back of his necked and smiled nervously. "You think you could help me?"
Ruby pulled out Crescent Rose as it shifted into full form, the blade slamming into the ground. She smiled at him. "I think i can make it work. Give me a few days to get the materials and write up some stuff. I'll call you when I'm ready. Are you in a hurry to get it?" Alec shook his head. "Alright! That will give me more than enough time. I can have it ready by the weekend okay?" Alec nodded and smiled. Ruby sped off leaving rose pedals in her wake. Alec went to grab his jacket when she appeared in front of him again.
Alec looked over to her as she looked down at her shoes. "You, okay Ruby?" She looked up to his necklace again and smiled. "Does your necklace mean something?" Alec took his necklace into his hands and looked at it. "Yep, it used to be my mothers. She gave it to me when I was a baby. Along with her sword." He grabbed Soul from its sheathe and held it in front of himself. Ruby went wide eyed when she saw it up close. "Can I touch it?" Alec smiled and nodded. Ruby ran her fingers down the blade, amazed that it was made of the rarest metal on the planet. "I cant believe your sword is made of aurium! I have only heard of small amounts of this stuff ever being found but enough to make a sword of this length!? Where did your mom get it all?"
Alec thought for a moment and replied. "It was very plentiful where I used to live. My grandfather made the blade for my mom when she was a child. He was a great weapon smith. He made other weapons with this material but they were destroyed when our village was burned down. This blade is the last aurium blade around." Ruby stared in awe that this blade was so rare. Aurium was known for being very durable and could cut through most things. But that was just small pieces. She looked down to Crescent Rose, thinking of how strong her scythe would be if it was made out of the same metal.
"I could take you there some time, but you would have to keep it a secret." Ruby looked up and stared into his multi colored eyes. "I promise to never show anyone." Alec smiled. "I didn't say that, just don't let people you don't trust know." Ruby was about to explode from happiness. "You trust me with this?" Alec nodded. "Of course, your my friend." Ruby squealed in joy and hugged him. She mentally tallied another friend onto her board. She let go of him and blushed. "S-sorry, i just got excited." Alec patted her head. "Its good to be as happy as you are Ruby." She stood tall and saluted to him. "I promise to make your weapons awesome!" With that she sped away. Alec sheathed his sword and grabbed his jacket and walked back to the dorms with a smile on his face.
A few hours later
Alec set down he screwdriver and placed his mask onto his face. He pulled his right glove and tapped his index finger and thumb together. When he did his mask made a small click. He said a few sentences getting used to his new speaker. Now instead of sounding dark and scratchy he sounded more clear. A little muffled but clear. He switched back to the dark voice and laughed. He smiled to himself. "Oh it never gets old." He spoke out loud with the dark voice. His scroll rang pulling him from his little moment. He pulled off the mask and answered. Ozpin was on the other line. "Alec, we have a lead." He immediately pocketed his scroll and grabbed his jacket.
Once Alec reached Ozpin's office he saw a video feed playing on a huge screen. On the feed multiple white fang members were raiding a dust supply depot. The workers were all lying in blood, riddled with bullet holes. Alec furrowed his brow and put on a slight frown at the sight. Roman Torchwick entered the frame along with a small girl which only could be Neo. From the reports he had read she was dangerous and a very experienced fighter. Roman turned to the camera and smiled tipping his hat to it then blowing it up with a shot from his cane.
Alec clenched his fists with a growing scowl. Ozpin turned around and looked at Alec. "This was recorded two days ago at the northern air harbor. Since then other harbors have been hit. we believe the next one to be hit is the docks on Wednesday." Goodwitch tapped on her scroll then looked up to him. "We believe Roman will be there as well. Though you are trying to stay unknown, this must be done. We can not risk normal students to fight and the authorities are split thin as is." Alec nodded and sighed. "I have a plan on how to get close to him. Don't tell the authorities of my involvement at beacon. Just tell them to be ready." Ozpin nodded and sipped his coffee.
"Alec are you planning on attending the dance this Friday?" Alec shrugged. "I never thought about it. Should I? I mean with the students knowing who I used to be don't you think it would be awkward? I'm sure they want me gone." Alec trailed off and looked down at his feet. Ozpin smiled and closed his eyes. "Actually, no one has come to me or Ms. Goodwitch about you being expelled." Alec looked up surprised. Goodwitch nodded. "I believe that they don't mind you. I also think that you being here is good for them. Everyone deserves a second chance, as you would say." Alec thought back to when he first met Ozpin and Goodwitch when he was in the fang. That was the only thing he said when they offered him help out of the fang. He smiled looked up to her.
"Yes, you are right Ms. Goodwitch." Ozpin smiled while Goodwitch was taken back by him actually addressing her like a student should. "Now, if you both will excuse me. I Have plans to make." Ozpin nodded as Alec went down the elevator. He looked over to Goodwitch who gave him a rare smile. "I told you he would open up." She just nodded and walked away.
The next morning
Alec was walking away from the food line in the cafeteria. He reached into his pocket and pulled out two white dust bottles. He had requested for appearance changing dust so his plan to take Roman by surprise would actually work. He was pulled from his thoughts when he heard his name being called. he quickly shoved the bottles back into his pocket looked over to who called him. Ruby was waving at him and motioning for him to come over.
When he approached he was greeted with a good morning from everyone except Weiss who just glared at him. "Hey Alec, why don't you sit with us today instead of being a loner huh?" Yang was smiling at his and making a "Come here" Motion with her finger. Alec smiled to himself when he saw an open spot next to Weiss. Said Heiress was glaring daggers at Yang. He shrugged and walked over and sat down next to Weiss. "I guess I could make an change in my usual routine." He could see Weiss straighten up when he sat down and started to eat his oatmeal.
As everyone talked he could see Weiss glance at him every once and a while. Alec slowly leaned over and whispered into her ear. "If you want me to leave i can if it makes you uncomfortable." Weiss looked over to him with a surprised look on her face. Alec was about to leave when Yang looked over. "Are you trying to ditch us already Blue?" He was about to speak but Weiss beat him to it. "No, i just asked him if he could get me a napkin." Everyone looked over to her in surprise that SHE asked him to do something that wasn't cruel. Yang smiled and crossed her arms. "Aw, is the ice queen's heart melting finally?" Weiss blushed and nearly through a fork at Yang. "No! You all said i should lighten up so i am! Happy!?" Alec sat down and handed her a napkin. When everyone looked away Alec whispered to her. "Thank you for bailing me out." She just huffed.
"Sooooo who is ready for the dance on Friday?" Yang said out of no where. Nora jumped up and smiled. "Ren is gonna take me! But not like together-together cause we are just friends but like really good friends. But not really really good friends cuz then we would be together-together when were not." Ren just sighed and nodded. Weiss smiled and sat up. "I am going to ask Neptune to the dance." Yang gave her a toothy smile. "Oh you like the stud huh?" Weiss just huffed and looked away. yang looked to Blake and winked. "Didn't monkey boy ask you Blakey?" She looked up from her book and sighed. "yes.." Yang let out a satisfied grunt then set her sights on Alec. "What about you Blue? You need a Date?" She winked and folded her arms under her busty chest. Alec looked into her eyes trying not to stare at her large chest. "I don't know yet. I have a project i am working on."
Yang dropped her smile and huffed. "Oh come on, its a not of relaxing. you should go. I bet you'd look awesome in a suit." She winked at him causing a small blush to cover his cheeks. "Plus there is going to be a live band!" Alec shrugged. "I'll think about it." Yang smiled and looked to Ruby. "So, what about you little sis?" Ruby shrunk from her gaze. "I don't like dances, or a lot of people, or high heels." yang shrugged and looked to Jaune. "Well if you need someone to hang out with who is just as socially awkward as you, there is always Jaune." He stood up and pointed a finger at her. " I am not socially awkward!" Yang smiled and kept staring. He eventually sat down and huffed. "Okay maybe just a little."
The bell soon Rang starting off the day.
Combat class
Alec was currently standing in front of s screen which displayed all of his statistics. His aura, state of mind, height, weight. Dr. Peach was explaining the class to everyone. "Now the reason Mr. Clarke is standing up here is not because of he is being singled out, no there is a much bigger picture. As you see his aura bar looks normal here. But compared to everyone else's." Other aura bars appeared in a list of greatest to smallest. Alec was at the top while the person below him only had half of his bar. everyone gasped in shock. "As you see, Mr. Clarke's aura is ginormous. Topping even Mr. Arc's. Now students, have you all heard of the Jaeger?" A few students raised their hands. Peach smirked and pulled up an image of a man in heavy armor covering most of his body. His helmet looked like it was covered in scales while two horns protruded just above the eye slits. The armor was covered in different symbols.
"This man, is the Jaeger. Jaeger means "hunter" in a old lost language. Now you might ask why this man is important. He is important because he helped clear a Grimm army so the first kingdom could flourish. Vale." A picture of the Jaeger came up showing him covered in white flames. "This man was a force to be reckoned with. Not only did he have a huge aura pool, but he also was the first recorded person to have two semblances. Now there have been others but their second semblance was just a slight change. His two semblances were completely different. One of them was he could control white flames and disintegrate anything in his path, while his second semblance could create large barriers made of aura. These abilities, combined with aura manipulation made him unstoppable.'
"Now you may ask, how does this effect Alec here. Well believe it or not. Alec has two semblances. he has already showed them to you all." A few clips from His match with Cardin played. Alec stepped forward and looked toward the crowd. "My first semblance, is teleportation. I am able to teleport to things i have marked with this symbol." Alec raised up his right hand which showed a glowing blue version of his necklace." If this symbol is touching on anything, then I can choose to either teleport things to me, or I can go to it. I can also teleport anything I am touching directly."
He lowered his arm and closed his eyes. "My second semblance is creating a exact clone of myself. We think, act, move like each other." Alec opened his eyes and snapped his fingers. When he did a clone appeared next to him. "I can chose how tough this clone is. If i pool a lot of aura into him then he can take a few hits. But it wont after those hits." Peach walked over and held her hand up. "Now, aura manipulation is a tough thing to master. as you can see, i am only able to project my aura into my finger tips, while Alec can muster up enough to make a clone." Alec high fived his clone then did a series of handshakes and fists bumps. " we have the same mind set. He knew what to do since I thought about it before he appeared."
"When it disappears, I learn anything he learned while it was around." The clone walked up to Ruby and squatted next to her. She looked over confused. The clone looked up with its slightly glowing blue yes. "Show me what color sock you are wearing." She did then the clone disappeared. Alec looked over to her. "Ruby is currently wearing black socks with roses on them." Ruby nodded and smiled while everyone else gasped. Peach started to walk down the hall. "Follow me students, i have something to show you."
When they reached the next room they were greeted by two longs pods with a helmet in each. The helmet had wires running from the top of it to the machine. Peach turned on the pod and a large screen lit up. "These machines are Atlas training tech. In the machine you can set up simulations for you to fight. The way it works is your body is set into a dream like state where your mind is being used as the power source for your simulation. When you are in the simulation everything feels real. But your body is still here laying down. Say you were break an arm. In the simulation you would feel it. But when you exited the machine, the pain that was once there is now gone."
Everyone was watching with wide eyes. Peach shut down the machine and turned to them. "Tomorrow you will be able to see it in action. Right now the bell is going to ring." As she finished her sentence the bell rang and everyone exited in a hurry.
On the way out Emerald and Mercury broke off from the group and called Cinder. "Have you made progress on Alec?" The two smiled to each other. "We just had all of our suspicions about his semblance confirmed." Cinder smiled and let out a happy sigh. "Good, the plan keeps moving forward." mercury hung up and looked to Emerald. "This is almost too easy." Emerald nodded as the two headed back to the dorms.
Chapter end
Okay i will admit i got some inspiration from Sword Art Online for the Atlas machine. But they aren't going to get trapped inside i promise. There were some other references but i wont name them, but if you get them good job!
next chapter will have some much needed action. It gets boring only typing about people talking, but I must push through. Anyways i hope you enjoyed the chapter. I sure did! Also we hit 1,000 views! That's crazy!
Yukas, signing off