[Cues - Far Away (遥か彼方, Haruka Kanata) – Asian Kung-Fu Generation]
残り:四の影/ Remnant's Four Shadows
Volume 2, Episode 7: Sunday Sessions
(Sunday – Day 7)
A week had finally passed, and Yuki was getting used to Beacon. He was hard at work finishing the projection sphere on the kitchen table early that morning. Lapis was off dealing with Jaune, Kelly was cooking breakfast, and Peach and Ivory were arm wrestling on the table with Team RWBY watching intently.
"Not bad for a nerd." Ivory said straining a bit. "But you are going to lose, Peach. How much do you even lift?"
Peach only smirked as her arm formed metallic parts on it before slamming Ivory's fist to the side to the light warrior's shock. Peach's hand returned to normal.
"I lifted you, didn't I?" Peach said with a chuckle as Ivory held her sore hand as Team RWBY was laughing over this.
"Oh, by the way, Yang. I sort of promised Junior that you'd work off your debt at his club." Yuki said lasering parts together.
"What?!" Yang exclaimed.
"Look, I already paid for a good chunk and we made a deal. You just have to work there for a week. You'll have to go see the twins about a dress." Yuki said. "And before you ask, yes, I'll give the all-access pass if you do the week without complaint."
"Fine." Yang said with a sigh. "At least I don't have to apologize."
"Who says they won't make you?" Weiss piqued up as Yang facepalmed.
Their door was opened, and it walked on Ozpin, Glynda, and two unfamiliar people behind them. Of course, Yuki was in a panic recognizing one of them as the woman from before.
"Ozpin. I have a feeling you're not free to join us for breakfast." Kelly said finishing the omlets.
"No, but if you are offering…" Ozpin said only for Kelly to snarl. "Never mind."
"Morning, Professor." Ruby said innocently. "What brings you here?"
"Oh, I'm here to bring Dr. Harleen Quinnzel and Dr. Toriel Dreemurr here for Team YUKI's group therapy sessions." Ozpin said as Team YUKI all turned to glare at Ozpin.
"Wait a tic, weren't you blocking the Vale Mental Health Unit from having sessions with anyone in your under and or tutelage?" Yuki said darkly.
Peach got up glaring holes into Ozpin's glasses. Harleen only chuckled at this, and remarked that if he wanted them in therapy, she had to have a session with Qrow.
"Why does my uncle need to see a psychologist?" Ruby asked.
"I don't know. Maybe because of his rampant drinking." Ivory said sarcastically.
"I figured that this could be good for you to face some of your underlying issues." Glynda said trying to ease the tension.
Yuki's gaze was on Toriel as he knew that was the woman he saw earlier. She was in a suit now, but she still radiated that power. Kelly had stars in her eyes at the sight of Toriel as she stepped out from behind Ozpin.
"Oh my gosh, a real Ebottian fanus!" Kelly said excited.
"I'm assuming that they are different from regular faunus because she is huge!" Weiss said having to rise her little neck just to look at her.
"And fluffy!" Ruby said holding her arm. "So soft!"
"Ruby!" Blake said snatching her back by her cape. "I'm so sorry."
"You're used to it. Let's just say it's good for giving hugs." Toriel said with a mirthful chuckle before noticing Yuki's gaze.
"So, someone's going to explain what an Ebottian faunus is?" Yang asked.
"Allow me. Ebottian faunus all come from Mt. Ebott, a far-off snowy mountain in Atlas. It is said that faunus were living in the Underground of it not far off from a human settlement on the surface. The history of it is fuzzy but it is known that Ebottian faunus take a more beastlike appearance, tend to be much larger than the average human or faunus, and rumored to be users of magic." Kelly said clearly being solid in her research.
"But there's no such thing as magic." Weiss remarked.
Nothing but flat looks.
"We live in a world where we all have superpowers, aura, and the Grimm! The Grimm aren't even explained well, and you're telling me you can't believe magic exists!" Lapis said flustered.
"To be fair, magic is so rare that it's hard to believe it used to exist." Toriel said. "But that's old history. I'm here as a psychologist here specifically to give Yuki and Lapis a session."
"Toriel is quite famous as a psychologist who specializes in young people." Ozpin said kindly.
"Quinnzel's semblance. A form of telepathy where one could see the true desires of a person by reading their thoughts and "hearing" them though people's speech." Yuki said turning to Ozpin. "Ozpin…."
"Don't fret, kid. I'm not exactly using it on her, plus I am not a goon of Ozpin's. You and I have history…" Harley said kindly. "And please call me Harley."
"Wait, you do?" Glynda asked confused.
"Of course, you got rid of my abusive boyfriend years ago. He was a hyena faunus in the White Fang…" Harley explained.
Yuki remembered the creepy hyena faunus and shuddered at the thought. The world was better off without him around. Team YUKI agreed to the session if only to get it over with, but not before giving Team RWBY a few tasks at hand which sent Blake and Weiss to the gym for a work-out session. Ruby and Yang had to practice katas with Peach. Glynda was convinced to join them.
-R4S-
Toriel had chosen to do her session in an empty classroom but trying to talk was a bit hard to do. After being called into this, Lapis was not exactly one to open up about her childhood. Yuki was at least willing to talk, but it was more of fear for Toriel and the power she gave off. Serena was desperately trying to get a read off of her.
"Yuki, it seems Lapis is mostly forlorn." Toriel said noting her silence.
"Lapis…doesn't like to think of her past. It's ironic…because she'll open up on mine, but I tend to open up for her. She doesn't really any childhood to speak of…in a way, she's only been truly living for six years." Yuki said gently.
"Ok, I see. Now I don't need to bring up your parents, Yuki. Lapis, on the other hand…." Toriel said as Lapis twitched.
"I don't have any." Lapis said speaking up. "Those two merely brought me accidentally into this world…without any love or care. Mother sold me off for their drinking. I don't even know who my sperm donor is, and I don't care to do."
"I'm so sorry, Lapis. No child should grow up as you did. Everyone deserves a loving parent." Toriel said as Lapis cracked a bit.
"It hurts. I wanted a mother who'd take me into her arms and comfort the aching pain. What I got was a drunkard unrepentant in her drinking." Lapis said holding back tears. "I lost so much…"
"Lapis. This advice might be a bit controversial. Maybe you should consider finding your father. According to the records I got, he is unidentified. You could find, confront him, and get some closure on your life." Toriel suggested.
Lapis was quiet having not considered the idea. She had no idea if her father knew she existed or that her mother was pregnant. She looked to Yuki for a bit of advice.
"Lapis…that isn't a terrible idea. You could confront him to close this chapter on your life and move on." Yuki said quietly. "I'd do it…"
"I need time to think it over…I already have so much on my plate." Lapis said with a sigh.
"We can take a break from…" Yuki said only for Lapis to cut him off saying, "Absolutely not. Not with what's at stake. This can be put to the side…for now."
-R4S-
"So, Miss Usagi. I can tell you have some words you really want to say to Miss Viridian." Harley said to her.
Ivory turned to Kelly and the animal shifter just sighed. She did not want to admit it to give Ivory a big head for her deeds. Ivory really wanted to know, but Kelly refused to say it.
"No, Miss Viridian. I can't reveal she wants to tell you. Not the right time." Harley said.
"Damn!" Ivory spat.
-R4S-
"Underlying issues? You're so full of shit, Glyn." Peach said as she and Glynda were sparring in the school's amphitheater as Ruby and Yang had stopped to watch.
Glynda dodged a high kick returning with an elbow strike.
"So, you're saying they don't need some form of therapy?" Glynda argued.
"Not if Ozpin was trying to pry their minds in how to manipulate them. He's only unlucky because he can't bend Toriel to his side or get Harley because she knew Yuki already." Peach said blocking Glynda's next punch. "Those four have enough on their plate without Ozpin having to mess it up. And I don't see you trying to spend time with your "godson"."
"It's complicated. Try living with the fact that you end up leaving the one link to your past on his own for eight years." Glynda said.
"I had to face the fact oblivious to the fact he was all alone! You screwed him over by letting Ozpin halt the investigation. You let the White Fang get away and fester!" Peach said as they end up punching each other forcing the other back.
Both were panting as Ruby and Yang both looked uncomfortable watching them glare at each other.
-R4S-
The two teams and Peach were back in the Dragon's Den with them looking a bit drained. Yuki was finishing the projection sphere in silence, and Peach was helping being rather quiet as all.
"Yuki, are you and Peach all right?" Blake asked uncomfortable with the silence.
"I wouldn't ask. After I watched Peach through Glynda into a wall, I don't want to direct her anger at me." Ruby squeaked out.
"I at least think it's nice that Ozpin got a therapist to help you guys." Weiss said earnestly.
"I'd say the same if I didn't smell ulterior motives from it." Lapis said before Yuki put the last component in.
"It's finally close to completion. I just need one more thing." Yuki said excitedly taking it up. "A spark of aura."
"Can't you just use your own?" Ruby asked as Yuki shook his head, "I did, but it needs a double layer. And I know exactly who can help."
Yuki tore open a portal and Peach followed him out.
"Does the fact he can just leave like that annoy you?" Yang asked.
"Not really. He has to come back to us anyhow." Kelly said stroking Cinnabon's fur.
It was with that Jaune and Nora had entered the room panting prompting Lapis, who was not the best of moods to deal with either one, to lift both up with water constructs.
"You have five seconds." Lapis growled.
"On the news, it's all over. About the case with Kelly…" Jaune sputtered as Lapis let them as Kelly turned the television.
What they knew caused jaws to drop. The trial was a vicious one and, despite the video evidence, the defense lawyers tried everything they could. Crapping on Kelly's reputation, her parent's reputation, and Puce. Kelly was mortified to learn there were attempts on her life, and had she never told her. Kelly would have been willing to go back to Atlas if she had been told. But it came down to the verdict. Whitley had declared not guilty, and Kelly fell to her knees nearly dropping Cinnabon.
"How?! They had the fucking video of him, the dress with his prints on it, Puce's testimony, and my father's testimony!" Kelly snarled out.
Apparently, the jury was deadlocked.
"Please look after her for me." Kelly said in monotone as she gave Cinnabon to Ivory before leaving the room.
Kelly walked into her room and let out a bloodcurdling roar before a punch could be heard only to turn to sobbing. Kelly came out only to get two bottles of bourbon and go back into her room to drink them while crying. Jaune and Nora soundly made their leave.
"And it seems the Schnee family is suing Puce for defamation." Jaune said as Weiss went to her room to make a phone call.
Right as Yuki returned with Peach, Penny poked her head though.
"Thanks for the help, Pen." Yuki said kindly.
"And thank you both for giving me optical laser vision. It's going to be fun showing it off." Penny said before pulling her head in. "Bye!"
The portal closed and the two were informed of what went down.
"I'm not even surprised. The Schnee family either bribed someone on the jury to keep it deadlocked or blackmailed them into doing so. Of course, the legal system in Atlas is a shitshow so…" Yuki said with a sigh. "Guys, let's just Kelly to grieve. She needs this."
"At least her scumbag father is going away…" Ivory spat. "A small victory…"
Yuki needed a drink himself but restrained that desire. He got the project sphere activating his semblance. His eyes glowed and the sphere levitated glowing fiercely. A light formed out of it taking sphere as Glynda walked into the room with a box of donuts.
"Yuki, I saw what happened with…" Glynda said only to nearly drop the pastries.
For two seconds, the construct took shape of someone familiar to Team YUKI and Glynda before shifting to another shape and floating down. It was of a young woman about Yuki's age standing at his height with a slight neon blue tint to her. She had fair skin, honey hair that was a bit of a long ponytail with a half-shaved side, and silver eyes with bluish spark to them. She wore a black jumpsuit done up as a spy catsuit with all the trimmings.
"Yuki, you lying dick. And you said you didn't like big boobs." Ivory teased.
"That was just to get you to shut up." Serena spoke.
"Welcome to Remnant, Serena." Yuki said as Glynda stammered.
"Who's Serena?" Ruby asked awestruck.
"Glynda, get your jaw up and lock the door." Serena said sternly as Glynda obeyed.
"Serena, it is part of my ultimate use of my semblance. Remember I said that semblances can come in levels. Well she breaks the scale for me. She is my personal A.I. and a complete soul. Considering the core I had, basically Penny if she had my technopathy." Yuki explained.
Glynda was floored as she had realized that the nature of Yuki's semblance was a lot more than anticipated. She thought the power copying was bad enough, but that was just the tip of iceberg. The command of technology. What would be a pathetic power in ancient times is basically a godsend in modern day. No wonder Yuki was so secretive, most would kill for a power like that.
"Yuki, your semblance does all this. It boggles the mind…it's…." Glynda stammered only for Peach to finish, "So marvelous! The possibilities of what it could do! I think I'm in love…"
Peach had hearts in her eyes and Serena and Yuki realized it came full circle.
"Please control yourself, Rita." Serena said awkwardly.
Glynda groaned as Peach snapped back to her old self slightly embarrassed.
"Still the power behind all this is insane…" Yang said gob smacked.
"All the more to say on our good side. You see, Penny was made to be ultimate combat droid. I basically make Penny look like a prototype." Serena said wirily. "But enough of that. Glynda, why are you here?"
"I wanted to bring some donuts as a peace offering." Glynda said holding the box. "Because I heard about the mistrial."
"Kelly's not going to want any." Yuki said taking a chocolate. "She's going to need liquor…and a lot of sleep."
"I understand. I'll make sure that she's given time off." Glynda said getting up to leave. "It is the least I can do."
As she did, Ozpin came up to the door. Serena vanished along with the sphere and Team YKI looked to Ozpin.
"Good afternoon, I came to offer condolences for what happened." Ozpin said earnestly.
Yuki relaxed and said simply that Kelly wishes to be alone for a while as she's coping.
"The timing of this is rather untimely as I do have a mission for your team to take." Ozpin said producing a folder to give to Yuki who took it up.
Yuki's eyes had widened at the content inside.
"[This is the stuff for the Breach! But it's early in the game! What is he getting at?]" Serena said shocked.
"If you can't acc..." Ozpin said only for Yuki's face to relax.
"No, we can accept. If Kelly is unable to join us for this, we can make calls for a fourth." Yuki said quietly.
"Provided you also take Team RWBY along…" Ozpin said leaving the room as Glynda followed.
"Something about this stinks something rancid." Ivory said flatly.
"Doesn't matter. We're taking this mission." Yuki said darkly before going inside his team's bedroom.
Kelly on her bed laying on the back looking up at the ceiling blankly, and Yuki noticed she barely drank much of one of the bottles.
"Kelly, I…" Yuki said sitting down on the bed.
"I heard everything. Congrats on bringing Serena to the world." Kelly said as Serena blipped up next to her stroking her hair. "And the mission, when does Ozpin want us head out?"
"According to the mission file, we're being deployed to investigate by Thursday." Yuki said looking it over. "Seems we'll be dealing with the Fang before the dance."
"What about Team SICC?" Kelly said concerned. "They'll be here for Tuesday and we'll be prepping for a mission."
"I have an idea in mind about that. Considering they'll be seeking information on us, I'll have Junior bait them. Considering it's the Breach we're going to be dealing with, they likely to get mauled by Grimm." Yuki said in a calculated tone. "But if they are not, they'll just be our final boss. But I need to ask you, can you come with us?"
Kelly wiped her face and nodded saying that the world needs all of Team YUKI. She was however going to start drinking the bottle now to "self-medicate". Yuki left the room with Serena and Weiss came of her room completely livid pulling at her hair.
"I assume your call didn't go well?" Yuki asked.
"Obviously. I can't believe my father doesn't even care that Whitley was guilty of doing that! He has the nerve to ask me to congratulate him for getting off scot-free, and said it was unbefitting of a Schnee to not support them. Now, I'm going to be swarmed with the media asking me my opinions." Weiss said exasperated. "I wish I could just change my look and hide!"
"I can help with that." Ivory said comforting Weiss. "I can't help you hide, but I can completely change your look. You won't even look like Weiss Schnee."
The two would leave, and Yuki cleared his throat.
"Listen up. Near the end of this week, we are being assigned to a mission to investigate a potential hideout for criminal activity. Well I'm going to be blunt, it is. I have information not in our dossier that points to the White Fang. The White Fang is there, and our job will be to terminate them. Yes, I'm calling for Code 86." Yuki said seriously.
"Code 86?" Blake asked.
"Huntsman speak for lethal force being allowed." Lapis explained. "Before you say anything, he's allowing it out of pragmatism. You are an ex-member and formerly the right hand woman of Adam. Weiss has an automatic target on her face, and then there's us. The White Fang is not going to hesitate to try to axe us, so we're evening the field."
Ruby did not like that she had to, but Lapis had a point. Plus, she was the leader and had to protect her teammates who were targets. If she had to take lives to protect her and her teammates, then she'll power though.
"If it's a must, then I'll do it." Ruby said steeled.
"Good, as you know, I have ties to the inside. So, to ensure this, you are not to engage Roman or Neo. They'll be there." Yuki remarked. "You have all of this week to prepare."
"So, I don't have to go to Junior's." Yang asked.
"No, you still have to go for tonight, Monday, and Tuesday." Yuki remarked. "So, you'll join me tonight because I need to set up a meeting."
"I'll go gather us a cache of dust for our mission." Peach said getting up to leave. "Blake, Ruby, care to accompany?"
The two nodded leaving with her as Lapis was readying to leave.
"I should go as well. Jaune's paperwork needs to be finished up." Lapis said flying out with her water wings leaving Yang and Yuki.
"Yang, I'll need you to join me for a meeting. We can get some training done and get you equipped for your night job." Yuki said kindly. "Care to ride there?"
Yang smirked twirled her keys only asking to wait for her to get her jacket.
|-Hours Later-|
(White Fang HQ – Vale Branch – Medical Ward)
Adam was still held in the medical ward as the medics worked on Adam's new left arm and right hand. Dr. Veau Blanco walked in as Adam opened his eyes to her through the mask.
"Good news. Your new bionics will sync with your body will." Dr. Blanco said as Adam could only grin. "The last components for your arm will be put into your new limbs before the end of the week. You'll be able to join us at Mountain Glenn for Operation Breach once Vale is invaded with Grimm."
"Normally, I would be loathing the fact that we were stuck working for the loathsome fire bitch, but I'm all the happier to help to overrun this kingdom with Grimm." Adam said darkly. "It'll draw out all the huntsman including that odious worm."
"Speaking of him, word through the underground is someone put a hit out on him." Dr. Blanco as Adam's eyes widened under the mask.
"If anyone is going to execute that human, it will be me." Adam said fiercely as some of the medics working on his arm stopped for a second shaking with a hint of fear.
"Well, they are soon to be landing in Vale early Monday morning by private ship. The pilot taking them there is one of us." Dr. Blanco remarked.
"How him redirect whatever they are coming on here. If anything, they can useful to us, and serve as extra security. When I am finally and after he's gotten through…" Adam said using his robotic hand to squeeze crushing the technician working on it to get his wrist squeezed causing to squeal.
Adam's right hand sparked with reddish electricity as the crunch of bone and the slow breaking of that tech's aura was the only noise in the room as blood seeped to the floor. The technician was trying to resist screaming.
"I will make that the Azure line ends with him." Adam said before the hand malfunctioned and opened freeing the technician. "….My grip is loose and you are on your butt instead of fixing that."
"You know what? Fix it yourself! I can't anybody because you busted my wrist!" The technician screamed before leaving the room to get some medical attention.
-R4S-
(Junior's Club)
"Well then, Roman. Thank you for helping me fuck over the White Fang. I've already sent Penny the details for her to make her "first bust" by herself tomorrow." Yuki said gleefully. "You gave them the Atlas prototype, already?"
"Yup, and unlike canon, I won't be there. I'll be sipping drinks and watching the fireworks from afar. As for the Mountain Glenn mess, I got word that Adam might be joining the party late into the mission. He's gaining some new robotics…tech stolen from Atlas. I'll keep you post if they succeed on him or not in time." Roman warned.
"Thanks for the heads up. If Adam is ready, I'll end it you with him there." Yuki said steeled. "With him gone, I can focus on Cinder."
A knock on the V.I.P. room door before a key was turned coming Junior.
"Heads up, kid. White Fang members, and they're looking for Torchwick on...Cinder's orders." Junior said nervously.
Neo pouted knowing that her game with Serena was interrupted, but Yuki got up as Serena vanished.
"That's fine. It's close to 10 pm anyway. Besides, I can merely change my appearance." Yuki said as he used Kelly's semblance to become Raven Branwen. "And adjust the voice."
"Ok…that was creepy to watch. How did you even…" Junior stammered. "Who even are you?"
"Yang's mother." Yuki said copying Raven's voice. "Sorry my darling daughter smashed your club."
Yuki's clothes even had Raven's color scheme, and he winked goodbye as he left. Neo's eyes were glued Yuki's behind, not as nice as his usual, but welcomed. Yuki quickly found Yang and walked up. Before Yang could say anything, he slushed her while mouthing that it was just a disguise and move to the door. The two made a hasty leave for the bikes before taking off for the bullhead.
"Ok, you want to explain why you're looking like my mom?" Yang asked.
"Roman was being called with the White Fang. Last thing, they needed to see was me there. No one is going to question a woman leaving the VIP room." Yuki remarked. "Besides…it was neither that or turn into Ruby. Yeah, I could pull off the voice, but I'm too dickish for that. By the way, what the twins picked out for you wasn't too bad."
"It's tight…" Yang groaned. "Tighter than my usual top. I feel if I flex, I'll tear it. At least, they didn't mess with my hair."
Yang was put into an off the shoulder yellow mini-dress, black punky jacket, large earrings, and high-heeled pumps with makeup splashed on her dress.
"You kind of have me to take for that. They would have dyed it pink or something. I'm glad that they were willing to forgive at least." Yuki remarked shifting back to his normal self. "How was the shift?"
"There are plenty of people trying and flirting with me." Yang said dryly. "A few cute ones, but yeesh was it was a hodgepodge. So many trying to be handsy, the men were stopped, but those bitches didn't stop the women from trying to grab my ass!"
Yuki feigned being stoic feeling bad for Yang, but a tinge of laughter for how the Twins got their revenge. Ivory probably be torn between laughing and decking the twins, he thought. The two rode in silence back to Beacon, and headed up back to the Dragon's Den.
"We're back, and I…what the hell am I looking at?" Yang said at the sight in front of her.
"The anti-Weiss! Bleiss! Or Weiss Noir." Ivory said cheerful at her "creation".
The new Weiss had her hair dyed completely black, her eyes given red contact lenses, a new helix magnetic earring on both ears, and black lipstick on. Yuki recognized the new outfit was similar to her "Snowpea" outfit only in black.
"So, we got two emos now…." Yang said as Blake fumed.
"I'm not an emo!" Blake hissed. "And by the way, nice dress…going to fight Grimm in it?"
"Tch, don't hate." Yang said flipping her hair and going to her room.
"So, Weiss? Am I going to expect you to be the opposite of yourself? Is Jaune going to find himself a date from you?" Yuki asked humorously.
"He wishes." Weiss said with a pout. "I'm hoping Neptune digs my new look."
"And that's my cue to go to bed." Yuki said walking away. "Ruby, get up early tomorrow. We're training our silver eyes."
Yuki crashed into his bed hoping that the Breach could go smoothly. Serena had reminded him of what the mess it was in canon though, and Yuki drifted off to sleep dreaming a recurring dream of his. Wandering the endless world with his team besides him…as they all experienced hunters of Grimm.
Semblances Copied:
Harleen Quinnzel (will probably be only used for Cinder)
(A/N: Quick explanation, in her A.I. mode (being in Yuki's mindspace), her text will be [Done like so] as usual, but in her "human" form, text will be done so normally considering everyone can hear her. Oh yes, I'll be skipping the White Fang confrontation at the docks. This story needs to be pick up the pace as it is! So, we'll be skipping to the day where they set off! As for Jaune and why Lapis is helping him, I'll be revealing that after the Breach. So, later all!)