Chapter 29: Truth Be Told
"So that's what all this is about." Anton said. He and Qrow were standing in the Vault under the school in front of what Qrow explained as the Fall Maiden in a Cryo Tube of some sort.
"That's right, right when we got there it was already to late, She had already began to steal her power. But how she did it, is beyond us, Ozpin was hoping Jarvis knew something and went to go talk to him." Qrow mentioned.
"So what's the plan?" Anton asked as he walked up to the girl.
"If nothing else we're hoping we can transfer her powers to one of the students." Qrow explained.
"And how do you plan on doing that, no one can just obtain them naturally, it wasn't even a natural transfer to begin with." Anton mentioned. Qrow sighed hoping he didn't have to say this next part.
"We're going to cram her Aura into Pyrrha Nikos." This gave Anton a shocked look.
"You're saying what I think you're saying are you?" Anton asked as he turned to Qrow.
"Sadly yes." Qrow said as he put his hands in his pockets and slumped against the wall.
"Even if it were possible, the transferring of a soul from one body to another that already has one, the science and magic behind all this would be impossible." Anton said as he tried to comprehend what he was just told.
"The worst part is we've come to the same conclusion you have, we don't know what will happen, we're just hoping that when we do it he powers will transfer back and go straight into her." Qrow explained.
"That's not going to work." Anton said as he threw his hands to the side to show his anger. "Even if you successfully transfer Amber's Aura into Pyrrha, The Fall Maiden's Magic was stolen, and magic is unpredictable. Maybe only half will transfer back, maybe none at all, is there a chance of it working, yes but those chances are like being born, when a baby comes into this life it takes a one in a trillionth chance, are you really willing to risk that chance having two souls in one body fighting for control where neither have access to unimaginable power?" Anton questioned.
"You talk like you've seen this before; tell me did you always have the ability to know everything before even knowing yourself?" Qrow asked.
"No but I can make an educated guess out of the books I've read as a young boy, from the tales I've heard from others on my travels, and time spent as an assassin for a dying creed." Anton stated. Qrow just smiled at the boy as he got up from the wall and walked up to him.
"Then we've come to an agreement." Qrow said as he walked past him and stood in front of Amber.
"That this is wrong and we should be finding a better solution." Anton said as he kept his eyes on the old man.
"That we should take the fight to our enemy instead of messing with a fire we don't understand." Qrow said. "Let me ask you something?" Qrow asked as he turned to the boy and looked him in the eyes.
"You talk of experience as an assassin and you make threats like you mean it, but you've never actually killed anyone have you?" Qrow questioned. Anton just looked at the man straight in the eyes with sorrow and regret.
"… … … No, and because of it I lost everything dear to me." Qrow just gave a grunt at his answer before getting out of his face and began to leave as he dropped Anton's coat on the floor.
"You're no killer and that's something to be proud of, don't take shame in the choices you made, but simply learn from them." Qrow said before he got in the elevator and left. Anton just looked down at his coat, he went to go pick it up before he stood in front of Amber and began talking to her.
"I'm going to be honest, and truth be told I should do it more often. But I know I'm not a killer, yet every time I go out there, every time I fight I can feel it, the rush, and the joy in the fight. I try to avoid it as much as possible and I tell myself I don't want to be a monster but that's what I run to when it gets tough, but this I know this isn't right so I do I feel I have no other choice?" Anton asked as he put his hand on the glass. "I need some guidance, something to show me the way."
"You really think talking to her is the answer." A familiar British voice said. Anton turned around and saw Passerby standing behind him.
"Passerby?" Anton asked as Passerby put up a hand and walked up to the girl.
"Yes what they are doing is wrong, but think about it from their perspective, they are will to sacrifice one person than to let the world fall into despair. If you were given a similar choice what would you choose, one or all?" Passerby mentioned before he faded away. Anton just turned to Amber before looking down at his coat. He sighed as he walked away as he put on his coat before walking into the elevator. He found himself wondering the halls of Beacon before he saw his team in the cafeteria eating away and looking like they were having a good conversation but he let his head down and walked away. He just kept walking until he tripped on Jaune.
"Ow." Jaune said from the floor as Anton hit it.
"What the, Jaune?!" Anton said as they got up.
"Hey Anton." Jaune said in a rather depressed tone as he dusted himself off. Anton taking note to his current mood he finished dusting himself off and put his hands in his pocket. Judging by the cracks in the wall he could tell something bad just happened.
"Everything alright Anton asked.
"Is it that obvious?" Jaune asked.
"Jaune, there is literally a small crater in the wall and I found you on the floor. No it's not obvious at all." Anton joked. Jaune managed to let a small chuckle escape him as he put on a small smile. "So what's up?" Now Jaune's smile turned upside down.
"It's Pyrrha, she was looking down, and I tried to help her out, but then she started saying things that didn't make sense so I thought encouraging her would help but next thing I know she pins me to the wall and runs off crying." Anton took a moment to let Jaune's explanation sink in as he thought about what Qrow told him. "Did I something wrong?" Jaune asked.
"No if anything you weren't fully understanding what she was trying to tell you. What did she say to you that was making sense?" Anton asked. Jaune took a moment to recollect the clearly painful memory.
"She said something about fulfilling a Destiny and not knowing what to do." Jaune said. Anton thought for a moment before he began to walk away. "Uh Anton?" Jaune questioned, stopping the boy. "What should I do?" He asked. Anton turned to him as he put on his hood.
"Give it time, give it space, make it up as you go while being you and life will give you lemons, but gather the tears for water and the joy for sugar." What Anton said clearly confused the boy as he let out a 'huh'. Anton sighed before explaining his words. "Basically nothing, talk to her next time you see her yes, but don't expect too much while making do with what you get. I'm sure this will pass soon."
"Oh ok right. Could you do me a favor?" Jaune asked. Anton just chuckled to himself.
"Sure what do you need?" Anton asked.
"Tell her I'm sorry when you go talk to her." Jaune suggested. Anton just looked questioned.
"How did you know I was going to talk to her?" Anton asked.
"Because that's what you do, when you see a friend in trouble, you take care of them." Jaune mentioned. Anton looked down thinking about what he said before putting on a smile and placing a hand on Jaune's shoulder.
"Thanks Jaune, you're going to go far." Anton said before turning and leaving. He kept running as he activated his Eagle Vision and began to follow the footprints of the person he was looking for. He found her just outside the court yard near the docks … crying. Quickly he ran up to her as quickly and as quietly as he could, once he was close enough he slowed to a walked and continued until he was right behind her. "Let me guess, don't know what to do?" Anton asked as he put his hands behind his head. Pyrrha turned to him as she wiped her eyes to clean the tears.
"You wouldn't understand." Pyrrha stated. Anton just but his hand under his chin.
"Hmm let me see, the power of the Fall Maiden was stolen and by shear hope and chance in secret they hope to give you those said powers by stuffing another soul into you." Anton said shocking Pyhrra as she stood there. "I know."
"So what have you come here to tell me that I should go with it, that I should have them fill me with another soul not knowing what could happen to mine?" She asked. Anton let his hands down as he walked to the edge of the docks.
"No, I think you should do what you think is right. This is your choice, your destiny, it's up to you weather you want to become the strongest Huntress by your own sweat and tears, or to become the greatest legend at the cost of yourself." Anton said as he looked out to the horizon.
"But I don't know what I should choose, If I refuse then there could be a war yet if I say I could lose myself and-"
"Stop." Anton said cutting off Pyrrha as he turned to face her, she looked at him with confusion. "Just stop, Stop the thinking, stop the discussing, stop asking what should you do, start acting what you want to do. They've given you a choice who cares if you say yes or no, Say yes commit suicide for the good of the people around you or say no and work to save everyone you see, I personally think you should say no and shove it in their face by saving everyone with your own hand." Anton explained. Pyrrha looked at him unsure of what to say. "If you really wanted my opinion there you go." Anton said before he started to walk away. Pyrrha just watched him walk away towards the school.
"Anton!" Anton turned his head to the voice calling his name and was founded by a flash of white light. "Oh Sorry." After his vision cleared he saw Ruby standing next to another girl with brown and black armor but what caught his attention was the bunny ears on top of her head.
"Oh hey Ruby, how's it going?" Anton asked as he walked up to them.
"Oh you know it's fine, Thanks for helping out Yang though." Ruby said. The other girl looked at the younger with question.
"Wait I thought he was the guy who took her into protective custody?" She questioned.
"Oh no Velvet, Anton tried to help her. Wait did you find anything?' She said before questioning the boy.
"Not much but what I did find were traces of mercury in her blood stream, so that probably caused her actions." Anton explained.
"Mercury, you mean the guy she was fighting?" Velvet asked.
"No like the element the stuff used in thermometers, anyways when it makes contact with Human cells it can cause hallucinations." Anton explained. Ruby began to think as she placed her hand on her chin.
"So what are you saying that someone here is trying to ruin the tournament?" Velvet asked.
"No if they wanted to do that, they would've done it by now, if anything with all the evidence I have gathered someone is trying to cheat to win the match, but I can't come to a full conclusion just yet there are still pieces of the puzzle missing." Anton mentioned.
"Well we were just about to go watch the next fight, maybe we can find some more while that's happening?" Ruby suggested.
"As much as I would love to Rose I have to go report to Ozpin and the General." Anton said before he turned away and began to walk away.
"Still the bounty hunter aren't you?" Ruby called out.
"You know it." Anton called back as he waved behind him. He walked into the elevator that went straight up to Ozpins and found both him and the General there.
"Ah Anton so good of you to join us." Ozpin stated as Anton walked up to the desk as he put up his hood.
"Jarvis will join us soon so we were just having a discussion about the current events." Ironwood stated. Anton just stayed silent as they waited. Ozpin and Ironwood looked at each other before looking at him. "Do you have something to say?" Ironwood asked. Anton just threw the gun he had onto the desk and pointed Vibre at Ironwood. Both men showing no emotion as Jarvis and Glynda entered the room with shocked looks while Ozpin just took a sip from his mug.
"Tell me how long did you think you could fool me before I realized? You had wanted this to happen, you planed my route and ordered that soldier to give me his gun, from the start you have been using me like a mouse in a maze. Qrow already told me your plan with Pyhrra, so it leaves me to wonder what do you have planned for me?" Anton questioned. Ironwood looked at Ozpin who nodded.
"You're right Anton, we've been using you from the start, since the moment you first entered Vale. We gave you the resources and equipment you need for this job." Ironwood said.
"What!?" Jarvis called out as he looked at Glynda who only looked down in shame.
"As you know things have happened to make us go through drastic maessures to ensure the safety of our people, We have been looking for every advantage we can get, researching, studying, everything about everything, and we thought we were prepared for it all." Ozpin explained.
"But then something happened, we discovered this." Ironwood said as he placed his scroll on the desk and a map of Remnant showed up in the middle of the room and began to zoom in towards center Vale and sure enough there was red dot there. Anton walked up to it and pointed at it.
"What's this?" Anton asked as Jarvis walked to him.
"That is Judgment." Jarvis stated as it zoomed in closer and showed a spinning Octahedron shaped structure. "Legend says that on the finals days of the universe Judgment will be set upon the living as it decides the fate of the universe before leaving in a blaze of glory."
"We tried destroying it but every attempt failed, not every the most unstable of dust explosives could penetrate it so we did the only thing we could." Ironwood said.
"Let me guess study, research and observation?" Anton asked.
"No, we waited." Glynda said finally pitching in. Anton just looked at everyone like they were crazy as Jarvis just facepalmed.
"Don't you realize what you dug up, if that thing wakens then it's the death of us all?" Jarvis stated.
"More like when at this point." Glynda stated. Both Anton and Jarvis turned to her.
"What does that mean?" Anton asked.
"We believe that the Maidens and this Judgment are connected somehow, the legend states that when a Maiden has fallen to darkness, the world will be judged by its character where it will be released into glory and sent into damnation." Ozpin explained.
"If what you say is true then that means." Jarvis said in realization but couldn't finish.
"We counting the days we still stand before the fall." Ironwood said. Just then Anton's gauntlet started ringing. He held it up to so he could see that it was Ruby calling him.
"You guys said our enemy is here right?" Anton asked as he began to think.
"Yes, we but we don't know what they want or what they're up to?" Ironwood stated.
"What if, after all this time, they were under our noses, what if they've been playing us from the start, what if they were the ones in control and made it look like we were?" Anton asked.
"Well then I'd say we've been made for fools and we may owe Qrow an apology." Glynda stated right before Anton hit the send button to answer the call.
"Anton, it's Mercury, he's here at the Coliseum, I need back up, warn the others-" Just then it went to static. Anton then put on his serious face before he went into action as he pressed a few buttons on his gauntlet before walking to the window.
"Jarvis get our team and pick up Qrow, Yang, and anyone else who's available. Ozpin and Glynda monitor the fights see if there's anything or anyone suspicious. General Ironwood I advise you to get back to your ship and have your troops ready to go." Anton ordered as he opened the window.
"Oi and what are you going to do mate?" Jarvis asked. Anton just turned and smiled.
"Something very stupid." He said before he dropped. He spun around as he fell before Bone Flier came in the nick of time to pick him up before he became a pancake. Anton strapped himself in as he began to fly to Coliseum as he questioned himself and everything he had learned today. He hoped to whatever god was listening that everything was going to be alright. Only to have his fears come true as he entered the Coliseum.
"WARNING INCOMING GRIMM ATTACK THREAT LEVEL 9 PLEASE SEEK SHELTER IN AN ORDERLY FASHION!"
Anton had little time to react as a Nevermore was striking the roof quickly he flew through the Coliseum in a frantic search for Ruby.
"ANTON!" Anton turned to see Jaune calling out to him as he waved his arms franticlly. Anton landed in front of him and folded his wings in as they faced eachother. "What's going on, why is there a Nevermore on the Coliseum and what was that message?" Jaune asked.
"What message, I just got here, what did it say?" Anton asked.
"Something about not know who's right or to trust between Ozpin and Ironwood, also there was a chess piece?" Jaune mentioned.
"What chess piece?" Anton asked.
"A queen." Ren said as he Sun and another girl came up to them. Anton turned around in wonder as Hunter from all over the Coliseum either ran out of the Coliseum or towards hims.
"What's happening?" Sun asked. Anton turned to him with a look of dread.
"We've been played, someone has infiltrated the school, The White Fang was just a distraction, The robberies were to arm their forces now it's all making sense." Anton explained.
"So what do we do?" Ren asked. That's when Anton put on a smile.
"What do you think? You're hunters now, so go be one. Get the people to safety and fight off the Grimm." Anton said. The girl walked up to him with question.
"You know that's easier said then done, what makes you think a bunch of kids like us are ready to fend off a Grimm invasion of this size?" She said.
"I'm sorry but what was your name?" Anton asked.
"Coco." She said.
"Well Coco it's simple really, because now's a chance to prove how far you've all come, do you seriously think that all that training is going to do you any good without putting it to use, plus would you really give up the chance to kill a horde of Grimm?" Anton asked putting a smile on Coco's face.
"That's what I wanted to hear?" She said as she lifted her glasses before she turned her purse into a minigun. "Come on boys, just like the man said." She yelled before running off with a crowd of hunters behind her.
"Jaune, Sun." Anton called out to the boys before they walked up to him.
"Yes sir?" Jaune asked.
"I need you two to make sure the people get to safety as soon as possible." Anton ordered as they began to run off. "Jaune." But Anton stopped him as he put a hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah?" Jaune asked.
"Find Pyrrha, she could be useful in the assist." Anton suggested.
"Anton I don't think-"
"Then give her a reason to help." Anton said before he turned around and flew off as his gauntlet started ringing. "Ruby where are you?" Anton asked as he answered the phone.
"Oh she's fine, for now, and if you want to keep it that way, then meet me in the maintenance room not too far from your location." A male voice said before the line was cut. Anton then flew to a nearby corridor before opening the maintenance door to find Mercury holding Ruby by the hood.
"Anton." She called out as she tried to run up to him but was pulled back by Mercury.
"Why are you doing this Mercury?" Anton question as he closed the door behind him.
"Why do you think? Did you really think that we had any other choice; the people like us are the people who never mattered, the people who were never listened to. We thought you would understand. We were used just like you and we grew tired of it so we took action." Mercury explained.
"And look where that Action has brought you, is this really what you want, why is it that everyone's answer to being mistreated is to bring war and continue the cycle?" Anton asked.
"Because it's the only thing that works." Mercury said before he threw Ruby to the side and charged at Anton. Anton simply blocked with his right wing and used the momentum to fling Mercury down the hallway. With the time he had Anton grabbed Ruby and flew out the roof.
"Anton what's happening?" Ruby asked as they flew through the air.
"Basically, Grimm attack." Anton said as he landed at the in the courtyard.
"So someone did play us!" Ruby stated as Anton set her down.
"Yes but are you ok, did anything happen specifically that trigged this?" Anton asked as he grabbed her shoulders. Ruby just stayed silent as she tilted her head, letting some tears run down her face. Anton was about to asked if she was alright but was interrupted by the sound of Airships coming in for a landing.
"Oh what now?" Anton called out as the doors opened to Adam Taurus shocking our poor boy and the girl next to him.
"Bring them to their knees!" Adam called out as another Bullhead came in and dropped off a Grimm Bear. Quickly Anton grabbed Ruby and flew straight up as he headed for Ozpins Office. Anton felt all hope come out of his body as he looked across the devastation on the city. Airships being shot out of the sky, Nevermores clawing at the people on the ground, fire every where he looked, darkness consuming everything.
"ANTON!" Ruby called out for seemed like the third time. Anton looked at her who point up where Anton saw the roof closing in. Quickly he leaned back just in time to miss the roof as he continued to back flip but lost focus again as he looked back at the city before he blacked out as they crashed through the window.
