Chapter 29

Kolbe and Team SKID stood on the sidelines cheering at team RWBY's victory, Kolbe standing with both arms up in fists, letting out a roar of a cheer out with the crowd, with the team cheering with them before walking to the exit, leaving team SKID in they're seats for the next match.

"That was amazing" Samantha said with a clap, making Kolbe and Isaac grin before Kolbe's scroll beeped, making him open it up to see the insignia of Wakai, making him frown before said summons appeared on screen.

"Is it on… yes I'm in, We've got the entire network on watch for any hacking, we're good to go" Wakai said with Isaac speaking.

"Wow, you sure are working over time aren't you?" Isaac questioned with a smirk, getting a shrug from the summons.

"Not so much, I can handle all the monitoring, it's finding the virus' and such that are way easier, some are kind of difficult, so far I've neutralized fifteen hacks" Wakai said before he sat up, smiling he spoke.

"Seems you're the next match" Wakai said with Kolbe looking up, frowning at seeing team SKID's emblems on the screen.

"Huh, we're next" Samantha said with Isaac and Diana nodding.

"Well, Let's get ready, stock up on any ammo or supplies you'll need" Samantha said with Kolbe nodding, standing up he noticed the screen showing them getting up, and then zooming to a group of humans and Faunus cheering louder then the crowd, making the team blink as they all wore similar armour to the White Fang, only they had no mask's of grimm, letting they're features show to the world, making Samantha place a hand on his left shoulder.

"Seems your inspirational to anyone" Samantha said with a smile, making Kolbe smirk before they went to the locker bay, well, team SID did, Kolbe went straight to the arena, where the crowd cheered as he stood in wait.

Holding his ears as the speaker rang up.

"HEY, SOME OF US HAVE SENSITIVE EARS!" Kolbe shouted with Doctor Oobleck giving an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, that was my fault!" Oobleck's voice rang over the stadium.

"But anyway, I am proud to welcome Team SKID of Beacon Academy" Oobleck said as the rest of the team came to Kolbe's side, with Isaac and Kolbe bumping fists.

"Well, your time to shine" Isaac said as they turned to the team from… Mistral?

"Oh for the love of-" Isaac said as Kolbe smacked his head at the full team of girls, the colours being red, purple, blue and grey.

"Well, this will be interesting" Diana said with Kolbe cracking his neck in anticipation.

"I hope I don't get hated for hitting girls" Kolbe said with the teams turning to him, making his head turn to everyone.

"What, I'm not as bad as Isaac"

"Oi!" Isaac said with Kolbe shrugging.

"Had to be said" Kolbe said before they stood as the arena began cycling through environments, one side stopping on the forest, the other side…

"Oh boy, looks like we're gonna get hot real quickly" Samantha said as they stared to a real hot desert terrain.

"I have to ditch the coat" Kolbe muttered as the coat shrunk into his shirt and pants, leaving him in black jeans and muscle shirt, looking at his arms he shrugged with arm guards forming from ash.

"FINALLY, HE TOOK THE COAT OFF" team SID shouting with Kolbe flinching.

"Alright we get it can we get to the fighting" Kolbe muttered before they took a stance.

"Slingshot, or diskus?" Kolbe questioned with Samantha smiling.

"Slingshot" at the words the members of SKID held hands before Kolbe spun, swinging the members three times before they let go, sending the three members feet first into they're opponents, leaving Kolbe against the one who was sent flying with his teammates, staring at the girl he grinned playfully, lifting a hand up he gestured to come at him.

"Give me a fight" Kolbe said with the girl gulping as she readied a cutlass.

"Go team SKID!" Ruby cheered beside Yang and Weiss, who clapped happily with a smile.

"For victory" Blake said with a flag.

"Kolbe seems to be happy" Blake said with a smile, getting a nod from Yang.

"Yeah, maybe it has something to do with those groups" Yang said with Blake frowning, turning her head she noticed the reverse styled group of Faunus cheering for team SKID.

"Who are they?"

"They've been in the news, apparently they're defectors from the White Fang"

"What made them Defect?" Ruby questioned with Weiss and Blake turning to Kolbe, who blocked every strike from the sword, forming his own sword from the ash.

"I have an idea" Blake said with a soft smile.

"This is taking a bit long" Kolbe commented as he watched his teammates winning while he, held his unconscious opponent on his shoulders, watching Isaac and Samantha winning while Diana knocked her opponent out, getting another cheer from the crowd as the rest of team SKID followed suit.

Getting another cheer with Kolbe smiling

"Seems our little dog likes the fame" Mercury said as he sat beside Emerald.

"A little too much, and the Faunus here cheering for him and his team, they may cause a problem to our allies" Mecrury said to the thief who eyed the faunus group with a frown.

"Yeah, I guess" Emerald said with a frown as the team carried their opponents off the arena floor, Kolbe being kind enough not to drop his one.

he simply lowered her gently onto the medics stretcher, standing up he turned to where his coat was, walking to it he retreived, upon it being in his grasp it broke into ash and formed over his torsoe, making the teen blink in surprise.

"Well... that's a first" the teen muttered before rejoining his team.

walking into the stadiums seats he was greeted by Nora leaping into his arms, kissing him passionately those watching the sight smiled at the two, putting her back down team Rwby came up to them.

"So, how does victory feel?" Yang questioned as she gave the Fuanas a one armed hug, purposely placing his face on her left breast.

"Really exhilerating" the teen said with as much enthusiasm as the blonde brawler gave off.

making her squeal in surprise at his lingering hands, which held Nora and Yang.

"Hey, no touching... until my match" Nora said with the last bit a whisper, making Kolbe smirk as he released the two, before being dragged away by Isaac and Diana, allowing team RWBy to ready for they're match.

"Sit down lover boy" Samantha said with a smile as she sat down beside Isaac, Diana between Isaac and Kolbe, who gained a serious frown as his eyes lowered to his hands, making him blink at the black veins spreading slightly, making him clench his fists tightly, unknowigly making his eyes glow golden.

"Hey... you alright?" Diana questioned worriedly with Kolbe looking up from his hands, letting the glow in his eyes dim.

"Yeah, just feeling wierd"

"I should know, You've been more agressive than usual, even bold in groping your girlfriends in public" Isaac said with Samantha nodding, making Kolbe look away in thought.

"I don't know what's happening, i mean... I always get this random migraine whenever I'm in a fight, ever since Torchwick injected me with that sedative..."

"Let's not think of that, you nearly died back there if not for your kids coming out, by the way... has Wakai found any sign of this... Queen hack yet?" it was at this moment Kolbe grinned, bringing out his scroll a video played.

"Yep, and we know who she'll target, right now Ironwood is keeping an eye on this Mercury Black" Kolbe said before hearing team RWBY called to the arena, making him smile proudly as they walked on to the arena.

an hour later

team SKID sat at a food stall around the festival, Kolbe finishing his eigth bowel of Chicken soup, causing many passer bys to watch in surprise by his team mates eating small meals, Isaac lightly banging his head on the bench in defeat, the stall owner smiling at his defeat of the food contest the two had.

which ended when Kolbe let out a belch and a sigh, placing the bowel down he cheered.

"I win, first to eight, pay up" Kolbe said with Isaac slamming his wallet out front, getting out what was due to the vendor who took it with a sympathetic look to Isaac as he was dragged away by Kolbe, following Samantha and Diana.

"So, have you been approached by that group yet?" Diana questioned with Kolbe tilting his head in thought.

"I have been thanked by a few human and Fuanas, so... yeah, i havent" Kolbe said before stopping at the sound of a loud growl of the stomach, making team SKID turn to see team RWBY and Emerald, sneaking away from Ruby, making Kolbe raise an eyebrow before seeing Fuyu in civilian clothing, a leather jacker and jeans, boots aswell, look as normal as a guy can be with fire for hair, standing behind Emerald he snatched the wallet from her hand quietly, raising an eyebrow while the girl gained a sheepish look, walking up to Ruby he tapped her shoulder lightly, making the girl turn to see her wallet.

"This is yours Mrs Rose" Fuyu said with team SKID joining them, Kolbe giving Emerald a look, making the girl smile shyly.

"Hey Emerald, where's Neo?" Kolbe questioned, making the teams turn to the girl.

"She's around, in a new attire, all black two pony tails" Emerald said after walking to the teams, keeping her voice low as possible, making Kolbe frown before his ears twitched to a stall, seeing Mercury looking at the merchandise.

"I best be off, keeping security up is quite taxing, less social more business, why did you make my personality on those?" Fuyu questioned Kolbe who gained a look of thought.

"You know... I never really thought of that" Kolbe said with a shrug before having a double take at seeing Mercury sniffing a shoe, followed by everyone else as Fuyu left.

"Socially awkward act i take it?" Kolbe whispered to the girl who gave a slight nod.

"So yeah, looks like Merc and i are gonn be movin' on to the double rounds. what about you guys?"

"Isaac and Kolbe" Diana said with the Kolbe cracking his neck in anticipation, Isaac did the same with his knuckles.

"I say bring em on" Isaac said with Kolbe chuckling as his eyes melted to golden isis'

"Give me a challange"

"We put it to a vote" Weiss put in for her team.

"We voted for Weiss and Yang" Blake said with team SKID gawking at them.

"What?"

"We put it to rock paper scissorss" Samantha said with Kolbe smiling with a half hearted shrug.

"I won agains tthem all for fun" Isaac said until Kolbe gave him a look of annoyance.

"Yeah after a ishoved a cake in your face"

"One that i was allergic to" Isaac said with Kolbe patting his back in sympathy, before the two stood up.

"Well, we'll be off, i'm gonna go look for Nora" Kolbe said with the teams seperating.

"So, did you put a voice tracker on...?"

"Didn't need to, she took it with a nod"

"Some master villain this Cinder fall is, didn't think of two fo her followers to be so defective" Samantha said with Kolbe shrugging.

"Well, I'm off, judging by the scent of Nora she's... meeting up with team RWBY" Kolbe said with a sigh.

"Well, go get em lover boy, we'll contact you when we're up" Isaac said with Kolbe nodding, following the scent he found the two teams at the ramen stand, making him chuckle at Nora's mighty burp he walked up behind her.

"So, we meet again, team RWBY" Kolbe said while hugging Nora, making her giggle before seeing Jaune sitting his head on the bench.

"ughhh... if i barf, I'm blaming you."

"Oh! aim it the enemy" Nora said with a cheeky smile, making Kolbe raise an eyebrow.

"even if that enemy might be me"

"No, you're a special case" Nora said while hugging his right arm, making him chuckle before kissing her forehead.

"Jaune, be sure to go to the bathroom before fighting... and... please don't use those fighting names"

"Oh come on, they have names" the blonde said with team RWBY speaking.

"That's because our fighting style matchs"

"yeah well... ok yeah i see your point" Jaune said with Kolbe patting his back.

"So... have you and Pyrrah broken the cherry?" his response was a metal plate to the face by a red faced Pyrrah, making the teen chuckle as he sat up.

"I'll take that as a yes"

"NO!"

"Maybe" Nora said with her dodging a metal plate to her face, giggling as she used Kolbe as a shield, which used his arms to catch the plate.

"Nora" her boyfriend said with the girl giggling nervously.

"Good luck out there" Kolbe added before kissing the girl as team JNPR left after an announcement from Port and Oobleck on the intercom.

leaving him with teamRWBY before he waved them off, leaving him at the stand alone before he felt someone sit on the stool beside his, turning he saw noone until reality shattered like glass, showing Neo in her disguise, making Kolbe take notice to her green eyes.

"You really went overboard with the black" was his only response to his second girlfriend, making her blush with her green eyes shifting colour, showing her real ones.

tapping her neck she spoke.

"You can't talk, puppy" Neo said with Kolbe mock laughing at her, looking up to the TV to watch JNPR fight.

an hour later

"Holy cow Nora can take a hit" Neo said with Kolbe nodding calmly, before his ears caught the sound of a ship flying over towards Beacon, making him lean out of the stall to see a ship with flags.

"That's Schnee's ship" Kolbe said calmly, turning to Neo he found her gone, making him look around before seeing a note on the table, picking it up he read it before chuckling, placing the note in his pocket he then let curiosity gain the better of him.

"I wonder if Qrow still has that grudge against Winter" Kolbe said before running to Beacon.

Beacon academy

Upon arrivel to Beacon's Port he took notice of Ruby and Weiss talking to Winter, making his way to them he was unnoticed by the robots or Winter, seeing Ruby push a bump in Weiss' hea dback down he winced, reaching for his own head he looked at the scenery, the many students from all over gaining his attention... along with the very few groups dressed like him he frowned in amusement.

"Kolbe!" Kolbe heard loudly before being tackled by Ruby, making him stagger slightly before chuckling, turning his head as was greeted by a small kiss, letting the girl drop to her feet she then dragged him to the Schnee's, standing him up like a statue he and winter blinked.

'When did this little girl have such strength' the two mature ones thought before Kolbe shook his head.

"Winter"

"Croft, and that's Lieutenant Schnee to you, even if you are dating my sister, and the few others" the woman said with Kolbe shrugging

"Anyway, since I'm early, why not give me a tour to your quarters" Winter said with Kolbe looking to Weis.

"Did you mention those Bunk beds?" Kolbe questioned before being frozen by his white girlfriend, making him chuckle before simply breaking out.

watching the sisters and atlas robots leave he stood beside Ruby.

"We'll catch you later" Kolbe said with a raised hand, getting from from Weiss who smiled widely before regaining her composure.

"She's gonna get an earful once she tells you and weiss had that intimate moment" Ruby said with Kolbe freezing in place, maaking his eyes widen.

"You had to say that now, didn't you?" Kolbe said before running off after them, stopping at seeing... a familiar man, walking by Weiss.

"Qrow?" Kolbe said before taking notice to the lone crow flying off, walking to Weiss, before hearing Qrow spoke.

"I heard Ol' Ironwood finally turned his back on Ozpin" Qrow said with Kolbe feeling his anger spike, stopping among the crowd he paid full attention.

"If you won't hold your tongue, then I will gladly remove it for you" Winter said with venom, unsheathing her sword it Made Kolbe stand at his teachers defense.

"Alright then... come take it" Qrow said before moving the bangs of his hair back, making Kolbe widen his eyes before moving in a blur, appearing before Winter he summoned Wakai's armour, covering his own body for protection he turned his head to Qrow.

"Your drunk again aren't you?" Kolbe growled out with the man blinking.

"Kolbe?" Qrow questioned before Winter was shoved a few feet, allowing the armoured Kolbe to speak to Qrow.

"When did you get back, and what's this i hear about Ironwood turning back from Ozpin?" Kolbe questioned with a worried tone of voice.

"The council, when i meet Ironwood I'll bring you with me" Qrow said before he was forced to dodge an attack from Winter, seeing this Kolbe sighed.

"Oh i hope Weiss forgives me" Kolbe said to himself before vanishing, startling those by the sonic boom he appeared between Qrow and Winter, holding they're blades at bay he spoke.

"I take it you know about this as well?" Kolbe questioned Winter who scowled.

"That is classified"

"I'll take that as a yes" Kolbe said with a growl before throwing her back, making her blink by his strength she gulped at the red electricity dancing around him.

"And since you've attempted to attack my teacher" Kolbe said with a sword handle materialising in his right hand, forming a blade it held three rings, ending with a tipped edge.

moving it to a reverse grip Kolbe moved his left foot forward, seeing Weiss and Ruby in the crowd the faceplate morphed into an apologetic look.

"Sorry by the way" Kolbe said before moving with a sonic boom, making Winter forced onto the defensive, barely being able to block she was sent back by a backward kick, making Kolbe turn and walk to her he stopped with a stagger, falling to one knee with the red lightning turn pitch black, the faceplate flickering into a skull laughing before it vanished to normal, making Kolbe suddenly cough, violently, making Qrow worry as he and Ruby ran up to him, Ruby hesitantly reaching for him before he held up a hand, which for a second looked skeletal before it vanished, followed by Kolbe's breathing regulating, forcing him to shed the armor and blade he inhaled deeply.

"Kolbe!" the voice of Ozzpin echoed as he walked out of the crowd with Goodwitch, kneeling down Kolbe looked up to shock Glynda and his father figure, as both his eyes were black with blood red iris'.

"Ozpin?" Ironwood questioned worriedly.

"Take him to the med bay, something isn't right" Ozpin requested with Qrow lifting Kolbe onto his shoulder, getting help from Ruby while Weiss and Winter watched in worry.

"Schnee" ironwood said with Winter standing at attention

"What did you do?"

"Nothing sir, in fact he was the one putting me on the defensive, it was when the... lightning, turned red"

"And that skull?" Weiss questioned with Ironwood frowning.

"I do not Know" Ironwood said before following Ozpin, leaving Glynda to asset any damage, making her blink at the sight of a hand print in the ground, cracks spreading out from it violently.

"Hmm" the teacher said before waving her wand, fixing it she turned and followed.

the next day

Kolbe sat on the roof of Beacon's tower in conflicted silence, the migrain he gained from the power did not just stop at a head ache, voices came with it... violent voices, wishing for pain, violence, blood, flesh, it went against all thoughts Kolbe made as he awoke from the small coma. heck Fuyu, Terragon and Wakai felt the sudden hatred in his thoughts, unnerving them and himself, the story Ruby and Weiss told him when he was about to fight Winter unnerved him, a skull, black lightning.

all this dark thoughts scared him.

"Kolbe, are you alright?" the voice of Ozpin snapped him out of his thoughts instantly, turning to his father figure he waved slightly, enjoying the rising sun of the morning he spoke.

"Yeah, just... thinking on what Weiss and Ruby saw" Kolbe said quietly as the Headmaster of Beacon sat down beside him, carefully not to fall off.

"So i see, and the fact your gazing at a calming sight isn't helping you"

"So-so, It's helped by me thinking a new day is a new beginning, but, the voices in my head, keep haunting me" Kolbe said before feeling Ozpin place a hand on his shoulder.

"We don't know what is happening to you, but when we've questioned Fuyu, he told us to ask... the one known as Zecromac... he says that whatever brought them to existance through you... is creating something else, they refuse to share the name of whatever is in your mind but, they said it was for... some kind of failsafe should you once again go into a death like state, that's all he's said so far, so do not worry, he's said it will pass" Ozpin said with Kolbe sighing, moving to get up Ozpin added onemore thing.

"Wakai has also managed to isolate the Queen's hack, when Mercury is selected, you will be his opponent" Ozpin said with Kolbe frowning.

"But, I missed Isaac and I's match yesterday, won't the public be enraged?"

"Actually, it was the public who called for you, so we're lucky" Ozpin said with the teen chuckling.

"In only a matter of days"

"And your already a celebrity of the Fuanas, humans joining them in praising you is also a very large feat" Ozpin said with Kolbe smiling.

"Maybe, just maybe, humans and fuanas will live in coexistence in a few years"

"Which also makes you a large target to those who don't want that" Ozpin said in warning, making Kolbe sigh

"Yeah, figured much" Kolbe said before dropping into the office, followed by Ozpin who had his cane in hand.

"Kolbe" Ozpin called to the teen, turning he saw a genuine smile in the headmasters features.

"Make me proud" Ozpin said with Kolbe smiling back.

"I will"

Vytal Festival

Kolbe stood with team SKID and RWBY in wait, standing at the arena entrance he took notice to those cheering for him, making him smile.

"Good luck out there alright" Isaac said as he joined his side, nudging his left arm the two shared a smile.

"We were being going to be forfeited from the match, but due to the public being here for you you got all of us a lucky break" Samantha said with yang smiling.

"You better win this, and make sure the prick gets it" Yang said with Kolbe nodding.

"I will" Kolbe said before the intrcomm rang out with Ports voice.

"May Kolbe Croft of Beacon academy and Mercury Black of Mistral ready themselves on the arena" Ports voice rang out with Kolbe smiling at the man's enthusiasm, taking a deep breath he went to take a step out until he heard Nora.

"Kolbe!" turning he saw his girlfriend running to him with Ren, watching her walk to him she stood there smiling.

"What-" he was interrupted by her embracing him into a passionate kiss, not even noticing the crowd cheer louder team RWBY, SKID and Ren took notice of the big screen showing Nora and Kolbe kissing, making them smile before the two seperated.

"That was for good luck" Nora said while leaving the dazed fuanas who shook his head to snap out of it, blinking he smiled widely, turning to the arena he saw Mercury waiting with his arms crossed.

walking forward he frowned.

"Enjoy your sweet kiss?"

"Heh, your just jealous i have a beauty" Kolbe said before his scroll buzzed, confusing him as he quickly answered the message

'Ignore his tuants' shrugging Kolbe pocketed the scroll he took a running stance.

"One of your other girlfriends?" Mercury questioned with Kolbe smirking.

"If you'd like" Kolbe said with Mercury chuckling, also taking a stance.

"Are you all ready?" Port yelled out with pride.

"Of course they are" Oobleck said with Kolbe chuckling, waiting for the buzzer they stood in wait.

when the buzzer went off Mercury rushed forward, leaping with a spin kick Kolbe caught the leg before it could hit, making him frown by the metallic feel the limb held he tossed the teen overhead, watching him land gracefully he narrowe dhis eyes as Mercury rushed forward once again, making Kolbe grin as he rushed forward as well, startlign Mercury with his speed he ducked under a high kick, spinning he tripped Mercury's other leg and delivered an uppercut, sending Mercury up into the air he flipped in mid air and landed on his feet, rubbing his chin he spat out blood.

"Bit your lip?" Kolbe questioned with a worried look, making the teen chuckle, moving his let hand in a fifty fifty motion.

"My tongue" Mercury said before he rushed forward, stopping he kicked the air twice, shooting two bolts from his boots to Kolbe who ducked under the first one but moved to the side to avoid the other one, lookign forward his face was assualted by a dropkick to the face, sending him flying due to the shots added to the attack, leaving Mercury standing he watched as Kolbe's face healed from a third degree burn, rolling off his back Kolbe went to stand, but winced as the voices began to return, making him look at his hands as the grey veins began to spread on his hands, clenching his hands tightly he let out a growl, but it wasn't the normal growls he gave off, this one... sount more bestial and savage, looking up his eyes were blood red, startling the crowd as the camera got a good view before Kolbe Gripped his face tightly, hearing the voices assualt his thoughts Mecrury spoke.

"Oh my, so there are more freaks among Fuanas" Mercury said with the voices stopping, allowing Kolbe to regain his senses, turning his head he was kicked in the face viciously.

"Come on, we all know you have just a sliver of hatred for human kind, you have every right to let it all out" Mercury said with hisarms raised getting boo's from the crowd as Kolbe grabbed his face once more, feeling the voices return he felt his right eye twitch, looking up he stopped at the sight of a worried Nora among the crowd, making his thoughts stop as he focused on her and her alone... and that's when Kolbe noticed it, the complete silence, no voices, no cheers, nothing, all becuase of her, feeling his body regain itself he smiled to her, making her look on in worry as he stood up, looking at his hands the veins began to reced into nothingness, making him take a deep breath before speaking.

"You, racial bastards among our society may call us freaks of nature" Kolbe began with Mercury frowning as the crowd went silent, to hear his words.

"It's because of bastards like you that our kind is struggling each day and Night for recognition, acceptance, love, companionship, friendship the list goes on for what we want what we need to feel normal, it's people like you that have created the violent White Fang, the criminal empires the lawless underworld beneath this one.
But there is always one thing I think of when i have these thoughts" Kolbe said with his eyes turning bright golden, turning to Mercury with a victorious smile.

"I may never be normal among my kind, But I've learnt to deal with all the looks i get whenever i take form of a beowolf, I see it as a sign of change, and with Change for me, they'res definitely change for Fuanas in total, so your insults your tuants... they will have no affect on me, beacuse I'm a freak and Proud... JUST LIKE THE REST OF US!" Kolbe said with Faunas all over the globe cheering for him, and Cinder Fall stared in shock by the cheers, making her scowl at the teen who made her day more hard.

"So with that out of the bag, Mercury Black... Show me what a fellow huntsmen can do with those cybernetic legs of yours" Kolbe said with Mercury's eyes widening.