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RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth
Chapter 13: The Enemy of My Enemy
To say the following week was boring, wouldn't necessarily be wrong. Then again, it also wouldn't necessarily be right. The way to best describe the week would be...routine. Of course, that could be summed up to the meeting on Saturday. Other than that, there was little of note to pay attention to.
Keep in mind that routine does not necessarily mean unproductive. Quite the contrary, Dorian's week was quite productive. He was still getting up very early in the mornings to train with his shifts. The current main shift he focused on was that of the partial intangibility given to him by a Geist injection. They focused on trying to maintain the intangibility without having to dissipate Altdor's power. They were making little progress; however, they didn't need to focus so much on maintaining the power spread throughout Dorian's body. Other than that, nothing really happened during his early morning training sessions.
Other parts of his routine included adjusting Nevermourner. This was one of the more enjoyable parts of the week for Dorian. The main reason being that he was able to spend time with Ruby. Then again, the constant presence of Altdor made it a little less enjoyable than those time probably could have been. The way he egged Dorian on about taking out Ruby before, after, and during these sessions certainly didn't help. If Dorian didn't know any better, he would have thought that Altdor had fallen for Ruby himself, but Dorian did know better. Of course, dating would have been one of the last things on Dorian's mind when they were working on a deadly weapon. The problem they mostly worked on trying to fix was getting the magnets to sync. It was proving to be far more difficult than Ruby and Dorian thought it should have been. Frustration at his weapon was building, but they kept at it. The power of the magnets were similar, but he needed them to match. Again, a difficulty that they couldn't quite get perfect.
The only other things of importance to note were two incidents and two observations.
The first observation Dorian noted was towards him. He figured it was due to his arm. Since he could no longer hide it, his Grimm arm was there for the world to see. Most students who saw it, backed up in fear… well, most human students anyway. Quite a few of the faunus students didn't back of in fear...them and anyone who truly knew Dorian, such as Teams RWBY and JNPR. Altdor figured the lack of fear from faunus was gratefulness. This was probably due to Dorian's second observation.
Due to his unique hybrid nature, he had become the subject of ridicule from the more racist students. The faunus students who were the previous victims of racism found this to be a small mercy. Then again, they weren't completely free from racists. Most of the racists were simply too afraid to approach the new subject of ridicule. The most notable example being Team CRDL. They still remembered Dorian's treatment of them in the previous semester. Thus, he became the subject of verbal abuse rather than physical. Dorian didn't mind, mostly because he didn't care.
The incidents that were notable were of a completely different matter. The first was of a dance that was apparently approaching. The incident was just an announcement, but it still had a rippling effect through Beacon. A general feeling of happiness could be felt through the halls. Nothing else much had been said on the matter, then again, Yang's presence didn't help. She seemed almost as determined as Altdor to set him up with Ruby. The only difference being that she had the strength to physically force him into more awkward situations.
The second incident actually happened after one of those awkward situations. Team RWBY almost unanimously decided to start their own investigation into the White Fang. The original plan was to begin their investigation this Saturday, but with the upcoming meeting with the Overlord put those plans on hold. Interestingly enough, Dorian noted Roman knew about as much as they did. That is, pretty much nothing. It seemed like someone had found out he was giving up information, but he was still too integral to their plans to off. That, or they just played their hand with their cards really close to their chest. Nonetheless, information was lacking.
That led to Saturday. Dorian was just sitting in the dorm, reading, and conversing with Altdor. Blake was reading as well, while Weiss was studying. Ruby and Yang had left half an hour earlier to do some "sisterly bonding", as Yang put it.
'So, you're getting cold feet?'
No, I just did some thinking and determined that revealing that we are one would not be the most conducive to our plans at this current point in time.
'Is that really it? Or do you fear another betrayal like how you died originally?'
What do you mean?
'Come on, Altdor. You know exactly what I mean. I am not as...durable as you. You don't want to lose your host and you fear that if people learn that the Overlord of the Grimm is sharing a body with some nobody from the wilds, that they will kill me, and you will lose your host. All of the power you gathered will be lost and the process will have to start over.'
…
'That ladies and gentlemen, is called hitting the nail on the head.'
Yeah.
'However, I do see the logic. We won't reveal that secret just yet; however, we still have to lead our team to the meeting place. How will get out of there without raising suspicions?'
We can use some half assed excuse to get out of there. That reminds me, we do need Mortem there.
'Right. We could say we need to work on Nevermourner.'
No, Ruby would be suspicious. Since she started helping, you have not worked on it without her, except that one time.
'Fair enough. You have any ideas?'
Provenance?
'What about him?'
Let him lead the team into the clearing. That way, at least they will have protection.
'Provenance doesn't like me. I don't think he would agree to that.'
He will, he will listen to me.
'How do we get out of there?'
You could use the black-market contracts.
'Fake a contract?'
Sure. Why not?
'Could work. I guess that's a plan then.'
Yep.
The conversation effectively ended, Dorian returned to his book. Chemistry was a fascinating subject to Dorian, but nothing was really going on. Nothing would happen until the sun was almost down. Yang and Ruby returned, and Dorian set his book down.
"Glad to see you guys are back. Did you survive, Ruby?" Dorian asked with an easy-going smile on his face.
Ruby just nodded, slowly as Yang snickered in the background.
"Great." Dorian responded. "I dare think that it is a good time to head out."
Blake and Weiss looked at him as he stood there ready.
"Head out to where?" Weiss asked. "It's not dark yet."
"True, but it will take a fair amount of time to reach the clearing that we are meeting my friend at." Dorian answered.
"Clearing? Where are we meeting your friend?" Ruby asked.
"There is a clearing deep in the Emerald Forest. It is a blind spot in the surveillance system that Ozpin has in the forest." Dorian explained. "It just so happens that main path to this clearing follows a series of blind spots that Oz's cameras have throughout the forest. Honestly, I'm surprised that Ozpin hasn't fixed it yet."
"How deep into the Emerald Forest are we headed?" Yang asked.
"Deep." Dorian hesitated. "...Deep. I will explain it on the way. For now, I will be waiting for you at the courtyard."
Dorian grabbed the rest of his gear and stepped out of the room. He walked through the halls and towards the courtyard. He watched as the sun slowly descended. He could faintly make out the mental voice of Altdor ordering the Harpsiclones. After a few hushed orders, silence fell upon Dorian's mind.
'What was that about?'
Change of plans. The Harpsiclones are just going to lead Ozpin and Glynda out here. They will be traveling with our team. I also sent an order via Harpsiclone to Provenance. He knows the plan, that should put you at ease.
'You know, just because one of your subordinates knows the plan, doesn't mean the others do. Heck, the only one I would trust right now are Mortem and Cyclone.'
Why them?
'I think Cyclone actually likes me, or at the least respects me. And Mortem is a former faunus and she's your mate. I don't think she would be as willing to kill me as any of your other subordinates.'
You worry too much.
"So, shall we go?" Ruby asked as the team approached.
"Not yet. There are two missing from our party." Dorian responded looking back at the building.
"Who are we waiting on? I thought it was just us that your friend wanted to meet." Blake asked.
"It would seem that you are waiting on us, Miss Belladonna." Ozpin said as he approached the group. How none of them noticed the headmaster would stupefy for them for quite some time?
"Ozpin, Glynda." Dorian greeted the two as they approached. "Glad to see you were so willing for a change in plans."
"It was unexpected, but like Miss Belladonna said, we were not aware that your friend wanted to meet with us alone." Ozpin said.
"I would not have expected him to want to meet with students." Glynda commented.
"Yes, well, plans were originally that he would meet with each of you separately, but extenuating circumstances have denied him the luxury of time. As such, he will be meeting with the six of you tonight. There are two more that will be joining this rendezvous as well." Dorian explained. "Now, let us be off."
You know Dorian, I would suggest not mentioning that we are leading them deep into Grimm territory.
'Or that the path and clearing are blind spots in the surveillance network around the forest?'
No, that is fine, you already ruined that by talking to the team. No, just don't let them know how deep into the forest you they are going until it is too late to back out.
'Duplicitous.'
I try.
The group followed Dorian in relative silence for a good while. When they reached the edge of the forest, Glynda would have voiced her concerns about wandering the Emerald Forest at dusk, but Dorian didn't even pause. He led them straight through. After a few minutes of walking they came across a fallen tree that looked like it had been cut down. The slice was so clean that had to have been from a very sharp weapon.
"Hey, Rubes. Is that the tree you cut down during initiation?" Yang asked.
Ruby grinned sheepishly. "Yeah." She replied. Dorian just chuckled as he led the group deeper into the forest.
"Dorian, how far into the forest are we going?" Ozpin asked.
"Deep." Dorian replied as he kept walking.
"Deep?" Glynda asked.
"Yes, deep." Dorian responded.
Realizing that he would say nothing more on the matter, the group fell back into silence. They continued walking. Half an hour into the trip and the sun had fully descended. The moon shone brightly overhead, negating the need for light sources. However, the night was still making them uneasy.
"We shouldn't be out here this late." Weiss stated.
"I agree, Grimm attacks are more common at night." Glynda concurred.
"My friend assured me that we would be fine." Dorian stated as they continued deeper into the forest.
Soon enough, they came to a familiar clearing. The ruin that they were supposed to reach during initiation lay in front of them. Dorian strode straight to the middle of the clearing and looked northward. The group caught up with him and looked in the same general direction. None of them noticed the change in his demeanor.
"I would suggest you cover your ears." 'Dorian' said.
Inside their mind, Altdor grinned as he watched the team and professors plug their ears. Satisfied, he whistled and extremely loud ear-piercing whistle that shattered the silence of the night. It couldn't be recognized as anything less than a call.
"ARE YOU CRAZY?" Weiss yelled at him. "DO YOU WANT TO CALL THE ENTIRE GRIMM POPULATION IN THE FOREST TO KILL US?!"
"First off, you are being just as loud." Dorian deadpanned. "And secondly, I just wanted to call him."
Dorian pointed to the northern edge of the clearing where a massive Beowolf strode through the clearing. It's size alone was enough to shock them, especially since it was the size of an Ursa Major. Then there was the fact that they could just barely make it out in the moonlight. The could see its bone plates were not white, but blacker than the night sky on a moonless night. The only mark of color on the massive beast was an odd red crosshair over its right eye. A crosshair, Ozpin noted, that looked remarkable like the one that Dorian hid under his eyepatch. As Ozpin, Glynda, and RWBY watched it approach, they knew that if they were to fight it, they would die, nonetheless they drew their weapons and prepared to fight.
Their thoughts of a fight for their lives were cut off when Dorian spoke.
"Put your weapons down. He's here to escort you, not fight." Dorian said.
"Escort us? That is the biggest freaking Beowolf I've ever seen!" Blake exclaimed.
The Beowolf had reached the group and was clearly relishing in the fear he elicited. Dorian turned back to him and addressed him. The group was even more surprised when the Beowolf responded to Dorian. Of course, Altdor spoke up as well.
"Provenance." Dorian greeted.
Greetings Provenance.
"Gin." Provenance replied in his own ancient almost rasping voice. The others also noticed the undertones of growling as he spoke.
"I was told you would be their escort." Dorian said.
"As per the orders of my lord." Provenance responded. "Unfortunately, the humans and faunus are to remain unharmed."
Dorian rolled his eyes as Provenance spoke. He almost missed the wolfish grin the Beowolf gave him.
"Very well." Dorian turned back to the group. "Provenance allow me to introduce to you my team: Ruby, Weiss, Blake and Yang. Along with Professors Glynda and Ozpin." Dorian pointed at each of them as he introduced them. "Team, professors, this is Provenance. A subordinate of my friend. He will be escorting you to the meeting place."
"Wait, how can we trust it?" Weiss asked.
"And what about you?" Ruby said.
"You can trust it because he wouldn't dare disobey his lord." Dorian said as he turned to glare at the massive Beowolf. "As for me, well, I am not welcome among the circle of subordinates my friend has. But I will be here when you return. Is that agreeable?"
"That is agreeable." Ozpin said before any of them could argue. "Let us be off then, Provenance was it?"
Provenance nodded and led them back the way he came. The group started walking but Ruby lagged behind.
"You should come with us." Ruby said as she stopped next to Dorian.
"I can't. Do you not trust Provenance?" Dorian asked.
"Well...no. I don't." Ruby admitted.
"That's fair, he may be massive, but the cold front he puts up is mostly for humans and faunus. At least that's what I'm told." Dorian responded. "Look, if you can't trust him, at least trust me and my friend. He promised me that none of you would be harmed for no reason. I trust him. Can you trust me?"
Ruby thought about it for a second, before nodding. Dorian smiled and Ruby gave him a quick hug before racing off to catch up with the team.
When they were gone, Dorian started walking east. Altdor quietly let him know the directions to Mortem's nest.
So, you do like her.
'I have never denied that.'
I don't know, the way you respond to me whenever you two are working on Nevermourner, begs to differ.
'Oh, shut it. How do you think their reaction to Torchwick and his ward will be?'
Interesting.
'Interesting?'
Yes, I think it will be a most intriguing interaction involving ideally integral instruments for each side of this war.
'WILL YOU STOP WITH THE BLOODY ALLITERATION.'
No.
Dorian didn't bother responding as they kept walking to Mortem's nest. Soon enough they drew near where Altdor said it was. Dorian, resigned to his fate, took a vial of his blood and drunk it, retching at the revolting taste of the blood from his Grimm arm. As the shift took over and Altdor took full control, they approached the nest. When the Overlord reached Mortem's nest, he looked like himself. If he had a visible face, you could have seen him smile. He reached a hand out and stroked the feathers on the head of the giant Nevermore in front of him.
"Mortem, it's time to wake." The Overlord said as the Nevermore stirred.
One of her eyes opened and looked at the Overlord standing next to her.
Grimm?
"Yes, my dear." He responded. "It is time. Provenance is leading the Huntsman and Huntresses to our meeting point and the thieves are being led by one of the Harpsiclones."
Oh, good. Then I have you to myself for a little while.
"That you do. Want to go for a flight? Make a rather dramatic entrance?" The Overlord asked.
Mortem's beak contorted into what could be considered the bird equivalent of smile and the Overlord climbed onto the much larger Grimm's back. With a single loud caw into the night, Mortem took off. As they flew, the Overlord relished the feeling of the wind as it whistle over his armor. Sadly, the flight was relatively short, however, he enjoyed it for what it was. He looked down at his arms. The darkness that seemed to flow from them, it still posed a small worry. His form was still unstable; however, it was not as bad as it had been. It would service for the night.
They flew over the forest and soon a clearing came into view. The clearing was large enough for Mortem to land in. However, what caught his sight was the apparent three-way standoff happening in the clearing.
"How about we extend this flight a little longer, I want to see this." The Overlord said.
Mortem readily agreed, she loved flying, and the Overlord was her man. Any time she could spend with him was cherished. Thus, she flew silent circles around the clearing.
Inside the clearing were a multitude of characters. The most obvious of which were Team RWBY, the professors and the thieves. It seemed that team RWBY were standing off against Roman and Neo. The professors had the students back. Their weapons were raised in some threatening manners. Neo however just looked confused. The Overlord almost laughed at the sight of Provenance just standing off to the side watching the confrontation. A great many other loyal Grimm could be seen on the edges of the clearing as well. They appeared unsure of what to do as Provenance was doing nothing.
There was one arrival that did surprise the Overlord. As it was, he didn't think he would see him again for quite some time. Cyclone was making his way around the edge of the clearing. The giant DeathWalker didn't seem phased by the silly humans in the center of the clearing.
So, how do you want to enter?
I think I gather the darkness around them. Let them know that I am here, and you land right next to Provenance. I dismount and then I meet them officially.
Must you be so dramatic with your entrances?
Mortem, who would I be without my dramatic entrances?
The same Grimm Overlord that I fell in love with all those years ago. If you remember, when we met, you never did one of those for me.
True, but I did sweep you off your feet.
And transformed me into this giant bird.
Yeah. Do you wish to be a faunus again?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
Well, if you do, I have been trying to understand the science behind Dorian's ability to shift. If it works, I could restore you to the faunus body you had so long ago.
Then I could hold you in my arms.
And I you.
And we could properly mate.
I… don't… know… how to respond to that…
You don't have to. Now let's freak them out.
Yes, lets, before this conversation gets anymore awkward.
Mortem just laughed as the Overlord used his power to move the shadows on the ground below them. The abundant darkness of the light shifted in front of the humans and slowly swirled around them. When it stopped a massive shadow appeared. This time, of a bird. They looked up just in time to see a giant Nevermore land right next to Provenance. The giant raven Grimm lowered its head to the ground and an absolutely massive man jumped off. Well, he looked like a man, but when he turned to the group, they saw his face. If a black void with two red dots can be called a face. The height on the giant was astounding, he looked to be almost as tall as Provenance. The cloak that was draped across his back only served to make him more intimidating. They also noted how wisps of darkness flowed up and off his body, almost as if his body were smoking.
All in all, the image of the giant human like Grimm standing next to three other massive grimm was quite imposing. Ozpin was the first one to speak.
"Are you the friend that Do-" Ozpin paused. "Gin, was supposed to introduce us to?"
"Yes, Ozpin. I am. Although, I have a feeling that you already knew that." The Overlord said. "As for who I am, I am the Overlord of the Grimm."
His voice was a deep baritone that reverberated with power through the clearing. The group noticed a strange distinction between his voice and that of Provenance's. The Overlord's voice could be heard, not only in the clearing, but it also sounded as if it telepathically spoken directly into their minds.
His name had another effect. Most of them were surprised. The Overlord was supposed to be a myth, and yet here he was. A myth made material. (I must apologize. It appears Altdor's alliterative actions are affecting our anecdotalist's accurate articulation…damn it.)
"May I ask how you know my name?" Ozpin inquired.
"The same way I know all of their names. Gin. He is the bridge between us, is he not?" The Overlord explained. "However, my time here is limited. Let me explain why you are here. I have an enemy. Someone who is rather high up on the food chain. I wish to propose an alliance between the Huntsmen and Huntresses and my Grimm forces."
"Hold it. You want us to ally with the monsters that are trying to destroy all of humanity?" Weiss asked.
"No. I want you to ally with the monsters that are trying to destroy the monsters that trying to destroy all of humanity." The Overlord answered. "The Grimm who are loyal to me aren't necessarily bad, just a necessary evil."
"It's been a long time since I heard someone refer to the Grimm as a necessary evil." Ozpin murmured. "What Grimm qualify as yours?"
"Look for the signs, Ozpin. Each of these Grimm hold one commonality with each other. One that I am sure you have seen on Gin." The Overlord stated as he motioned to each Grimm.
"The crosshair?" Ozpin inquired.
"Yes. The loyal are marked by a crosshair over one or multiple of their eyes. Gin has one as well." The Overlord said.
"He knew what you were? Gin knew that you were a Grimm? Why didn't he tell us?" Ruby questioned.
"Of course, he did, little huntress. Who do you think helped him learn to control his Grimm form? And why would he tell you he was allied with the most powerful Grimm of all time? Would that not seem suspicious?" The Overlord explained. "If you must know, it was my request. I have been hiding from the Usurper for a long time now."
"The Usurper? Who is this usurper?" Glynda asked.
"She is the reason I asked to meet with you. The reason for this alliance." The Overlord explained. "I believe that the eight of you will be most instrumental in helping take down the self-proclaimed Queen of the Grimm."
"Salem?" Ozpin questioned under his breath.
"So, you do know her. Excellent. Ozpin, why don't you explain to the absent in the audience. Later though, time is short." The Overlord stated.
"What is it you want us to do? Also Why is he here?" Ruby asked pointing at Roman.
"Hey, Red, I was asked to come here just like everyone else. Unlike you though, I have already agreed to this." Roman explained indignantly.
"He is my informant on the Usurper's side. Tonight, he is here to meet me personally, and you. I want him and you to know that you eight are no longer enemies." The Overlord said.
"How can we trust what you have to say?" Blake broke in.
"You can't. Honestly, you have no reason to trust me. However, you have no choice but to trust me." The Overlord stated.
"Why?" Blake asked.
"Oh, I like you. Asking the tough questions. To answer it though. The game has changed. Salem has plans for power and/or domination. I have yet to truly determine which. However, unbeknownst to her, a third player has entered this game. Without her realizing it, half her side has joined mine, and whether we be friend or allies, your side will join mine as well. We will have a quality and quantity that she can't match." The Overlord explained.
"What do you want to do with her?" Ozpin asked.
"I want her dead." The Overlord declared. "She destroyed my body, took my throne, and my power. But I will have them back."
"Your power? It seems that you have all the power you need right here." Yang said.
"Yes, and we are fortunate that Salem's is nowhere near the level of my power. But she will be destroyed." He said.
"You still haven't explained why we should ally with you." Weiss said.
The Overlord turned to look at her.
"Weiss, you don't realize the scope of the situation, do you? Salem has wants to destroy Remnant and claim it for herself. Without me, you will all fail. However, with me you will survive. The Grimm will never be truly gone, but with her gone, they will revert to a necessary evil rather than a constant threat. This alliance is really only a temporary deal. I am operating under the idea that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. We have a common enemy, why fight each other when she would prove to be the greatest threat?" The Overlord cleared up.
"If this Salem wants to destroy everything we know and love, then I will ally with you." Ruby said.
Gin will be pleased to hear that.
"Ruby, are you sure about this?" Yang asked her sister.
"Yes, Yang, if what the Overlord said is true, then we are training to fight something that can't be beaten. If this is our only shot, then I don't think we have a choice." Ruby explained.
"Well then, I'm with you sis." Yang said smiling. Ruby smiled back.
"He does present a logical case." Blake stated.
"Fine, we'll do it his way." Weiss huffed.
"Ozpin, you can't seriously allow them to agree to this. Heck, we shouldn't be agreeing to this." Glynda exclaimed, exasperated.
"Ruby's right, Glynda, we don't have much of a choice." Ozpin said. The headmaster turned to address the Overlord.
"Overlord, Beacon shall take your side." Ozpin resigned.
"Excellent. For now, this meeting is to remain secret. No one outside this clearing is to know about this until I show myself to Beacon. Is that understood?"
A chorus of yesses were heard.
"Good. We are allies now, your main contact with me shall be Gin or the Harpsiclones. Since you have agreed to aid me in my war, I shall aid you." The Overlord explained. "HOWEVER, that does not mean I will do every little thing for you. Now, we must be off, I have lingered for too long. Provenance, escort the professors and students back to Gin. Cyclone, take the thieves to Vale."
"Yes, milord." Provenance said as he led the Beacon students and staff away.
Cyclone let of a strange series of clicks before leading Roman and Neo off.
That went well.
Yes. We may actually have a chance now.
May?
May. I have learned two very important things in my life, Mortem. One, nothing is ever certain, hence may. And two, overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer. It is one of my faults that led to my death previously.
That is understandable, I suppose.
Hey, before I go back, want to do one more flight around the forest?
Of course.
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