Chapter thirteen: Surprise visitors and corruption...
Italics= character thoughts
Winter briskly walked through the Atlas research center she had been in around a week ago and sighed. Dr Polendina had sent her a short message two hours ago which consisted of him simply saying 'Go to the meeting room you where last with James in.'.
"Uhh, I have actually work to do you know." she sighed as she opened the door to the room.
Winter stopped dead as three women who were sitting in the room turned to her.
"Eugh, finally. We've been sitting here for two hours now ya know. The balding guy just dumped us in here and said wait." A faunus wearing a kimono-esk outfit complained.
"Yeah, I was sooo about to go looking for someone, then I'd bring them back but I'd probably…" A blond girl began to rattle on and on.
Winter looked over the three as the third woman turned to her and stared with closed eyes. Then Winter saw that all three had those blue crystals in their chests, but the 'faunus' girl, her crystal looked like it had blood red stains in it.
Oh...fantastic…
"Well then, I have a lot to discuss with you three from the look of it. First, some introductions would be nice. My name is Winter Schnee, Specialist of Atlasion army." Winter announced walking into the room and sitting down at a chair.
"Hmm, okay then, my name's Nia, that blond girl that won't shut up is Kora, one of my blades." Nia said leaning back in her chair and putting her feet up on the table.
"My name is Brighid, a blade of Inquisitor Morag of Mor Ardian. Although...I still don't know where she is…" Brighid whispered the last part.
"Morag? Black hair, brown eyes, blue military outfit with metal on it. Does that match her?" Winter asked.
Brighid shot to her feet.
"Yes! Do you know where she is?!" she yelled, opening her eyes, her bright purple eyes unsettling Winter slightly.
They didn't look...right. Winter shook away the feeling.
"Yes, an experiment performed around a week ago lead to three women and an android to appear where there was a large explosion from an unstable dust experiment. Currently, the four are in the Kingdom of Vale with General Ironwood."
"Wait wait wait. So, Atlasion, Vale? Never heard of any of this stuff. And I also guessing dust isn't the dirt kind." Nia interrupted.
"YYYYes, this is where things get a little complicated." Winter said hesitantly.
Winter finished explaining everything from the last experiment up to the four leaving with Ironwood. Nia looked confused and a bit concerned, Kora had tuned out around halfway through but had gotten the important bits and Brighid...she looked relieved. After a few seconds, Winter cleared her throat.
"So, as I explained, the now seven of you are in bit of trouble. Along with the fact that you three of you are here and the others are on the other side of the world. And I don't have time to babysit you three." Winter said rubbing her temples.
"Hey, I'm not a child you know!" Nia yelled, annoyed.
"Well, you aren't an adult anyway, you're only like 8 years or something right? When did you sister awaken you?" Kora asked leaning over.
"Oh, I'm not gettin' into that Kora. Anyway, you're one to talk, I awakened you like two months ago." Nia shot back.
"Nu huh, I probably was around before that, I doubt you were my first Driver. You lack…" the two began to shout and argue.
"Does this happen often?" Winter turned to Brighid.
"Depends on who is talking to who. It was mostly Mythra Kora argued with. But she isn't here, and hopefully won't get brought here."
"Hmm, oh yes, Nia?...NIA!" Nia jumped and turned, Kora shutting up too "Do you have any of the cores that make Blades?"
"What…? Hmm." Nia stood and began rummaging in a pouch on her hip "Give me a sec…" A flash of light engulfed Nia as orbs of light shot out of a white figure of light before flying back in, Nia reappearing, albeit a bit shorter, wearing an orange jumpsuit and her ears more cat shaped but directionally inverted.
She continued to search through another pouch, pulling out a pen-like device that glew a pale blue with a spike on its head.
"No, that's the overdrive protocol...ahh, here we go." she muttered pulling out a Core Crystal and holding it out in her gloved hand "You wanna try for a Blade or somethin'?" she asked.
"No, not at all. I wanted to know if you had one and if you did, keep it away from everyone. We don't need another Blade running around."
Nia stuffed the core and pen back into her pouch before sitting down.
"How did you do that by the way?" Winter wondered.
"Me changing you mean? It's something I learned I could do after becoming a flesh eater. It's a long story, not gettin' into." Nia stated dryly, cutting that line of questions off.
"Okay, well, I'm going to go call General Ironwood for advise on what to do. I'll be back soon." Winter stood and left the room quickly, pulling out her scroll.
After a few seconds, Ironwood answered.
"Ahh, Winter, how are you? Made much progress on those Grimm reports?" Ironwood asked.
"Yes, some, but General, a problem has occurred."
"What's wrong?" Ironwood's tone changed to a more serious one.
"Well, Dr Polendina has had results with his replication of the experiment with the warp dust. There are three more Blades now, brought over from that other world. One of which supposedly belongs to Morag." Winter explained.
"I...see."
"So General, what do I do with them?"
"Well, Winter, did you know that Beacon has a dance on Sunday?" Ironwood asked.
"General, I don't have time to fly to Vale for a dance." Winter replied, unamused.
"When was the last time you took a break?"
"Hmm, around a year ago I believe, to visit Weiss and check on her summoning glyph."
"Winter, why don't you take a long weekend, leave tomorrow, return on Monday. And if you so happen to bring a few friends…"
"General…(sigh) fine, fine. I guess I can go see how Beacon is treating Weiss. And see her team, especially this 'Ruby' she talked about. I'll go tell them I guess." Winter hung up and sighed "A vacation that's technically work...seems about right."
Winter turned to see Brighid standing behind her, making her jump.
"Trouble?" she asked.
"N-No, just, (sigh) work never ends…" she walked past her.
Ironwood scratched the back of his head.
"The end is never the end."
The city of Vale, the next day
Weiss and Nero rounded a corner and came to a stop.
"Well Nero, here we are." Weiss gestured at the black building with dresses and suits on display.
"Umm, Weiss, why are we here?" Nero asked.
"Because we need to get you a dress Nero, you aren't going to the dance in that."
"But I was just going to stay in your room and read."
"Come now Nero, you're going to the dance. We're already having trouble getting Blake to go, you are not adding to that."
"Myself and Miss Belladonna have very different reasooons?!" Weiss suddenly grabbed Nero's sleeve and dragged her into the shop.
"No complaining."
The shop smelled of perfume and animal fur. A young red headed woman walked up to them.
"Hello you two! Welcome to Elysium Hills! Can I help you with anything?" she gave an obviously rehearsed line with a semi-forced smile.
"No thank you, we're just looking for a dress for my friend here. I believe I can handle it." Weiss said.
The woman looked over Nero, her eyes locking onto Nero's markings.
"I see, well, my suggestion is something to cover up those...ha, tattoos." she sneered walking away.
Weiss gave an annoyed glare before walking over to the women's section of the shop, Nero following.
"Well Nero, this is for you, so do you see any you like?" Weiss asked.
Nero looked over the dresses and her expression shifted to one of confusion.
"Ehh...Weiss, I don't really know...I'm not good with this stuff. I kind of just like my clothes." she stated, shrugging.
Weiss sighed before turning to the dresses and glancing through them. Walking along and among the racks and hangers, she stopped suddenly. She pulled out a dark blue one-piece dress. Weiss turned to Nero.
"I think this one, any objections?" Nero shrugged "Okay then, then go try it on." Weiss pointed to the changing rooms.
Nero nodded and walked into the small room and closed the door.
After five minutes, Weiss knocked on the door.
"Nero, are you okay?"
The response she got was Nero opening the door slightly, Weiss instantly noticing she was naked.
"I...umm...don't know how to put it on…" Nero replied meekly, embarrassed.
Weiss' face reddened instantly as she quickly jumped into the changing room.
"Nero! You don't have to get completely nak…! Umm...you know...uhh! What's wrong."
"My outfit is simply, put legs in shorts, put top over head, all that. This dress is weird."
Weiss just rolled her eyes.
"Why are you wearing nothing though?" she asked undoing the back of the dress.
"Because I took off my jacket, top and shorts."
"What about what's under them?"
"Under them?" Nero asked, confused.
"Wha...well, I know what we're buying next. Now, like this-"
After another minute, Nero was in the dress and Weiss was zipping up the back. But before, she stopped. Nero's back had the same markings as her arms, but like how they grew more complex as they traveled up her arms, her back was covered in them, all ending at single point on her back, the symbol 水 at it's center.
Good thing this has a back on it. Weiss thought closing up the back.
Nero turned and looked at the mirror, smiling. But Weiss notice a problem. There was a raised bump on her front from the metal plate on her chest.
"Can you remove that?" Weiss pointed to the bump.
"Hmm? Oh, yes."
With Weiss' help, they got the top half off her, exposing her chest and core crystal. Nero placed her hand on the silvery metal and with a soft click, detached the metal part, leaving the gem behind, still inlaid in her skin.
"Will this help?"
"Let's see."
A few seconds later, the top portion was back on, the bump now barely visible.
"Good enough. Now we just have to get you out of it and as you get dressed, I'll go pay."
"Got it!"
After they left, the red haired girl shook her head.
"What was up with that girl, getting weird glowing tattoos at her age. How did get them to glow?" she commented to her brown haired colleague.
"I'm more interested on why she was with a Schnee." she said.
"What? How'd you know that?"
"White hair, the symbol on the back of her outfit. Play attention."
"A Schnee, with someone like that? Huh, that's something I wasn't expecting." the red haired girl added taking out her scroll.
The two got off the airship, Nero holding two bags. One with the dress, the other with clothes Weiss had told Nero to wear under her top and shorts, for some reason. As they walked onto the square in front of Beacon, Weiss stopped dead. Nero looked at were Weiss was staring and saw an airship off to the side, the symbol of Atlas on its side. Next to it was Ironwood, talking to a white haired woman. As they stood there, the woman looked over and began to walk over.
"Weiss, what's wrong?"
"T-That's my sister, Winter…"
Nero looked back over and found the woman was only a few steps in front of them.
"Weiss, I hope you're doing well, meeting everyone's expectations." she stated firmly, not really even asking.
"Yes Winter, I'm doing fine." Weiss replied stiffly.
Winter's face softened slightly.
"Weiss, relax, you look like you're about to snap in two. You're ridged." Nero whispered.
"Indeed, I've actually come on a mix of official business and to use some of my time off. I'll be leaving on Monday. I've heard you are helping set up the dance on Sunday."
"Yes, of course. My team and Nero have been working on it after classes and training."
"Nero? I'm guessing you speak of this girl…" Winter slowed down and looked over Nero before walking over and suddenly pulling her zip down, exposing her core.
Her eye twitched.
"We need to talk…" Winter finished.
Nia walked behind a man in a white military suit, hands behind her head as Kora looked around the ships metal halls. Brighid briskly walked in front of even the man that was meant to be guiding them, that woman Winter's boss, Ironwood. He turned to Nia.
"How does she know where to go?" he asked, confused.
"Blades have a thing called resonance, they can track their Drivers. Depending on their trust and bond, it could be a titan's length, halfway across the world or in another bloody dimension I guess. So if Brighid could get to the point Morag disappeared from easily, now it should easy." Nia explained.
"Yeah, I could tell where Nia was anywhere on Alrest, expect space, that was a little far."
"You went into space?"
"Now that is not a story I'm gettin' into."
They rounded a corner and the four found a familiar blade in the corridor, who turned to look at them. Herald opened her mouth before closing it, shocked. She inhaled.
"Ether mine?" she asked.
"Yep." Nia answered nonchalantly as they walked past.
"I expected a bigger response." Ironwood whispered.
"Herald's always been stoic, except when she offered to kill herself for her previous life's rampage, or when she is rampaging."
Brighid reached the door and knocked. After a second, Poppi opened the door and stepped back.
"Who is it Poppi…" Morag turned and froze.
Brighid stood in the door smiling before Nia and Kora popped their heads around the door frame.
"Hiya, we came to visit." "Yep!"
Morag placed her hand over her mouth.
"How!" she yelled, completely taken aback.
"I can explain." Ironwood added.
Beacon academy student exchange dorms
In the exchange student dorm, three people sat doing different things. A black haired woman sat sewing a black outfit, a dark skinned, green haired girl lay on her bed throwing a leather satchel into the air and catching it while a grey haired boy read a magazine, clearly bored. After another minute, he leaned back and groaned, throwing the magazine aside.
"What's wrong Mercury?" the green haired asked, uninterested.
"You know the problem, playing the nice guy is boring. It's so much more...quiet." he replied.
"Mmm, yes, quiet...until now."
"Come now, it isn't that bad, the dance is a few days, and I feel that it will be quite exciting." the woman said finishing a row of stitching "By the way Emerald, what is that?"
"This, I stole it from an Atlas specialist around a week ago, I think? It's just a dust crystal, no clue what type though. I did a reverse image search and got nothing."
"You could, I don't know, read a book?" Mercury smirked.
"You could, I don't know, shove your legs up your ass?" Emerald replied.
"May I see?"
"Sure Cinder." Emerald threw the satchel at Cinder who caught it.
She pulled out the crystal, a warmth radiating out of it. She looked over it's pattern, before it began to glow. The light grew stronger as she raised an eyebrow. Emerald sat up as blue energy began to flow out of it, the light becoming blinding. Cinder felt it leave her hand and fly into her, before she was hit by a sudden pain as she felt it ricochet around inside her before suddenly leaving her, the light fading. Cinder leaned forward, vomiting up a blue liquid as Emerald ran over. An orb of light fell to the ground as Mercury jumped to his feet. The three looked at the orb as it grew and warped, changing into a humanoid shape, although it seemed to be having some trouble. After a few more seconds, the light faded and exposed a tall woman who had a look that made her look like her very being was split down the middle. One half was pale...unnaturally white, with black hair, while on her other side, her skin was...burnt brown, all of the exposed skin was scared with a burn. Her hair was brown and shorter than her other side. Her outfit was similarly split, the pale side had a simple long sleeved red and black too with a brown pants. The other half of her top top was white with a short sleeve and pants leg was dark green. The burnt side's clothes where marred with black marks. She lacked shoes. She opened her eyes, her burnt side lacking any iris or pupil, instead leaking a weak flare of energy. Her pale side's eye was yellowy-green. Finally, they noticed a blue gem on her chest, it looked like two shapes mashed together. One, half of a simple hexagon, the other looked like a flame.
"Uhh, that felt weird, I don't feel right...Nah, I'm fine! I feel great!...No, not right…" she suddenly said, her voice shifting between two different voices.
She looked over the three and smiled.
"Hi there, my name Amb-Amb-Amb" her pale side slapped her "Copal. Sorry, I'm feeling a bit off."
She grabbed her gem and summoned one identical to it. She pulled it apart, the hexagon forming a bladed staff made of black metal and the flame forming a saber made of glass. She slotted the two together and twirled it between her fingers.
"Well black haired driver, I'm ready to serve." she smiled producing a black flame in her other hand.
AN: Hey, new chapter!
Okay, so the reason this has taken awhile? Heat, just heat. Seriously, I was slowly writing this, barely making progress due to 36 C (the little o won't stay...) heat when suddenly, a week ago, it dropped to 16, and I wrote most of this chapter. Then it climbed back up. Couple that with internet that would die for hours at a time and it results in me only finishing this after getting home, to more manageable temperatures...sorta.
Also, the dance, next chapter. It feels like every time I go like 'hey, dance in this chapter' it doesn't. It's happening, finally.
And that bit at the end...there was six versions of that. That one up there was a mix of two. The blade seems a little...messed up though. Wonder what caused that.
Next time, explanations! Dance! Foreshadowing!...maybe, sorta!
PM, review, stuff and things.
Anyway, enjoy.