Dragons in Remnant-34
Scythe walked out to the barren wasteland of Mars's surface. He looked around and found his only option in terms of a path was to go down.
"This is gonna hurt some." Scythe exclaimed.
"Shock absorption at 75%." Alpha stated before Scythe jumped down, landing on the ground.
Once he was down, he began trekking his way through the terrain, and turning every now and then to his sides, to see if the enemy was coming from any of his blind spots.
"Keep moving, in this environment, standing still is death." Scythe exclaimed, remembering what the game actually said.
"Scythe, I'm detecting a large horde of Demon-Grimm out a ways." Alpha stated.
"Well, this is the only path we can take, so I guess we've got no choice but to fight." Scythe sighed.
Up in the corner of the visor's screen, Scythe had the digital copy his photo of him and Ruby pinned to where he could see it, but it wouldn't obscure his vision.
"Scythe, do you really think the Brothers Grimm will keep their word?" Alpha questioned as they neared the source of the large Demonic-Grimm Energy.
"I'm not sure, but if they don't I'll do whatever it takes to get back to Ruby, even if I have to ask the help of Fiore's deities." Scythe exclaimed hiding behind a corner ledge.
"I'm picking up another armors energy, it's active, and it's farther towards the facility." Alpha exclaimed. "It's the same wave length as the original Armor of the Fallen."
"No way. How can that be possible? Wilhelm and Jacob said I was the first and only to unlock Jacob's gift fully."
"You weren't, your grandfather, my creator, had also unlocked the gift, but unknowingly." Alpha stated appearing on Scythe's shoulder, only looking much different.
"Uh, Alpha, why do you look like that?" Scythe questioned.
"Like what?" Alpha asked.
"You look, and sound, like Ruby, only six years older, and your chest is… well… how do I say this without sounding like a perv?"
"Bigger than Miss Xiao Long's?" Alpha asked.
"Not to mention you look like you're wearing the Caliburn armor without Ruby's helmet, cloak and hood, just the body suit with no weapons." Scythe stated blushing a bit.
"I thought that taking this form might help motivate you to return to her, while also taking the form of what I predict Ruby's future figure will look like at the rate her entire bodies growth spurts were progressing." Alpha explained.
"I appreciate it, but…" Scythe's request was cut short as and Imp-Geist came out of nowhere, and threw a ball of black fire at him. "Crap." Scythe stated, rolling to the side avoiding getting hit.
Scythe took his shield from his back and threw it, decapitating the Imp-Geist instantly, before it bounced off several rocks and back to him.
"Well, the sound of bells obviously alerted them of our presence." Scythe groaned as he rushed the path, jumping into the fray of the fight.
"Might I suggest we retreat?" Alpha asked sitting on Scythe's shoulder.
"No Alpha, if we retreat, it's an automatic fail." Scythe exclaimed firing at two Imp-Geist.
"I suppose that makes sense in a test like this." Alpha exclaimed. "Coming up from behind."
Scythe turned and held up his shield, blocking a hit from a Hell Razer with Griffon features.
"Guess we can call this one a Hell-Griffon." Alpha exclaimed putting the category down in her database.
"Its weapon seems to be powerful to." Scythe exclaimed.
Timing it right, Scythe jumped to the side, allowing the laser to go past him, and kill several Imp-Geist and Possessed-Beowolves.
"To your right." Alpha exclaimed.
Scythe turned just in time for a Possessed-Alpha-Beowolf to send him flying with a back hand.
"Guess we know what the Possessed-Soldiers are now. Alpha Beowolves." Scythe groaned picking himself up.
Taking his shield, Scythe blocked the Possessed-Alpha-Beowolf's smash as he fell to his knees.
"Scythe, your body can't take much more of this things strength. You don't have any of your magic." Alpha exclaimed before something in the helmet went off. "Scythe there's an incoming transmission."
"If it's Hayden I swear I'm going to lose it." Scythe stated swinging upwards, knocking the Possessed-Alpha-Beowolf off balance.
Scythe jumped on its chest, knocking it to the ground before decapitating it with his shield, by slamming it through the Demonic-Grimm's neck.
"Bring up the transmission." Scythe stated turning to the remaining horde of Demon-Grimm.
"Hello Scythe."
"Jacob?" Scythe questioned, recognizing the voice of the younger deity brothers.
"I noticed that since we put you up against the entire realm of hell on the hardest setting from the game you've been having a bit of trouble. So here's my way of helping."
Scythe felt a surge of energy rush through him as a bright red glow rushed through him.
"What did you just do?" Scythe asked.
"Well Scythe, I just returned your Sage Magic. Should be a good boost."
"But I have to remain still in order to absorb nature energy or my body will literally explode from the imbalance of absorption." Scythe stated slamming an Imp-Geist's head against his knee.
"No you don't. You still have your Guardians tattoo, which means…"
"I still have the Kyushu running through my system and connected to my skin." Scythe smirked backhanding a Hell-Griffon with his shield. "Thanks Jacob, I owe you one."
"You can pay me back by surviving through this challenge. Another thing. Wilhelm wanted to keep this from you, but I think you deserve to know the truth."
"I'm not the only one to fully unlock the gift you left?"
"How did you know?"
"Alpha's sensors picked up another Armor of the Fallen Signal, my grandfather unlocked the gift didn't he?"
"As did the one who created that armor. He's stuck in the actual realm of the demons, so Alpha's sensors can't pick up his signal until you get there."
"But why put them in the game?" Scythe asked as, he glory killed the final Demon Grimm in the area. "Neither of them were around when the game was created."
"Wilhelm thought it'd be funny to see the three of you fighting alongside one another if you ever met up. I hope for your sake you do." Jacob explained.
"Why help me, aren't you the brother of chaos?"
"Well if everything I did were to be predictable, I would be known for chaos anymore, everything would be natural to those who know me."
"That somehow makes sense, strangely enough." Scythe exclaimed as he sat on a boulder for a breather. "What would happen to me if I were to absorb the demonic energy?"
"Hard to say really. But since Wilhelm is checking in on Remnant for a while longer, let me move you ahead." Jacob stated, sounding amused.
"What do you meaaaAAAAAAAh?" Scythe shouted as everything became blurry for one second before he was back inside the building, in a separate part of the facility.
"Welcome to the Foundry Meltdown Level of the game." Jacob stated.
"Won't Wilhelm be mad if he finds out you helped me cheat?"
"Oh, I didn't move you up like that. I took temporary possession of your body, and beat my way through the last two levels for you. So Wilhelm will be satisfied with this."
"So when everything went blurry…"
"You were temporarily trapped within a time bubble that lasted a few seconds. Don't worry, your body still went through the physical training, and experience, it was just without using any of my Godly stamina."
"Alright, Alpha, can you still track the other Armor?" Scythe questioned.
"It is just a couple levels above us." Alpha exclaimed.
"Alright, I guess this wasn't the type of reunion gramps was wanting, but it's gonna have to do." Scythe exclaimed before noticing he felt a little heavier. "Alpha, what's with the extra weight?"
"Oh right, I forgot, I picked up a couple of weapons and some of your magic while I was controlling your body." Jacob stated.
"Okay, seriously, why help me?" Scythe questioned.
"Well, if I'm being honest… I've never like the creations my brother and I made, but you're that one special acception, you're like a mini me, only cooler, and a little more badass. If you were to see my true form, I think you'd agree." Jacob exclaimed.
"Wow, praise from a deity, I'm honored."
"Shoot, Wilhelm is returning in five minutes, good luck to you." Jacob exclaimed before ending the transmission.
"Well Alpha, let's get going." Scythe sighed.
"Scythe… he's moved… the second armor has changed locations faster than I could track." Alpha exclaimed. "I don't even know if it actually is your grandfather in the armor with how fast it moved."
"To where?" Scythe asked before he heard the familiar pull of a firing pin on a pistol right behind him. "Never mind."
"Freeze dirt bag, move and I put a breathing hole through your head." A gruff voice exclaimed as Scythe raised his unarmed hands. (Imagine Father/Van Hohenheim's voice from FullMetal Alchemist Brotherhood.)
"Well f…
…
Within the halls of the Schnee Manor, Weiss walked through the empty halls, not looking forward to seeing her criminal of a father. She lifted her head and looked at the window, her eyes a little wide with shock.
"That's strange, I swear I heard something hit against the window." Weiss exclaimed.
Weiss continued walking down the hall, finally reaching her father's officer, or rather her office once she turned eighteen next year.
"Good afternoon sister." A young man's voice exclaimed. "A pleasure to see you out of your room for a change."
"Hello Whitley." Weiss groaned. "You're in a cheery mood today."
"Klein made crepes for breakfast."
Not believing what her younger brother was saying, she rolled her eyes.
"What do you want?" Weiss asked. "And don't even thing about pulling that gun out on me. The one you have tucked away under your shirt, behind your back."
"I heard father shouting with someone in his study earlier." Whitley stated.
"Mother?"
"No, she's already drinking in the garden. I think it was a man." Whitley stated. "And how dare you accuse me of attempting to assassinate you."
"I have the senses of a Dragon Whitley, I can smell the lightning dust emitting from the back of your shirt." Weiss stated. "Not only would you be arrested for murder. But you'd be arrested for killing a Guardian, father would be taken in, because he's most likely behind this, and all of Remnant would hate you for killing a Guardian, not to mention the Atlesian Government would execute you for killing a soldier."
Whitley looked nervous as everything she just said registered to him.
"On that final note, the entire Schnee Dust Company and everything related to it would go directly towards Natsu." Weiss stated.
"And who exactly is this Natsu?" Whitley asked, getting angry at hearing who the company and family throne would go to if Weiss were to die.
"That would be me."
Whitley turned around seeing the pinket sitting on the ledge of the window with it wide open, and his left knee raised up as his foot rested on the ledge, a smile on his face as he sat there in a black vest, his black leather pants, a pair of sandals, his signature scarf around his waist like a belt, and a new tattoo on the right side of his face, a wingless dragon with the body of a snake, and scales as crimson as Scythe's with obsidian black spikes along its back. His pink hair was combed back, and tied in a small ponytail at the base of his skull, with his bangs still spiked up and back.
"Who are you and how'd you get in here? We're on the third floor." Whitley stated.
"The name's Natsu Dragneel, I'm your sister's boyfriend and battle partner in the Guardians." The pinket smiled as he stood up. "As for how I got in here. Well, Happy flew me up." Natsu explained as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Aye sir." Happy stated as he hung himself over Weiss's left shoulder.
"It's good to see you again Happy." Weiss smiled petting his head with a smile.
"Weiss, call the guards, these two are obviously here to rob us. Can't you see the way he's dressed?" Whitley questioned. "He's obviously lying."
"Oh course he's not lying Whitley, Natsu and I are dating, we had our first day before Beacon fell." Weiss stated looping her arm through Natsu's.
"You can't be serious. He's a ruffian."
"He's the prince of Fire Dragons." Weiss argued.
"I'm actually the king now. My old man has been dead for quite a while so I figured I might as well accept the fact I inherited the throne." Natsu stated. "So who's the pipsqueak Weiss?"
"This is my annoying brother Whitley. He's willing to do anything for the Schnee family throne and fortune." Weiss explained scowling at her pesky little brother.
"Really now?" Natsu asked turning his attention to Whitley. "Listen here you little punk. If I ever find you even thinking about touching Weiss with harmful intent, I will gut you like the pig you are."
Whitley nearly screamed as he ran off, scared for his life.
"Did you have to be that intimidating with him?" Weiss asked snickering.
"Hey, it's not my fault he's such a wuss." Natsu smiled. "Now I'll lead you to where you were off to."
"My father's study. He requested my presence." Weiss explained.
"I see." Natsu sighed looking at a door across from them. "I believe we're already here."
It was another minute of silence as Weiss stood there, nervously, her arms still hugging Natsu's.
"Hey Natsu? How did you get to Atlas?" Weiss asked.
"I came with General Ironwood. I explained to him about our Aura unification, and he had no questions, even seemed like he would be honored to have me join him." Natsu stated.
"Yeah, the flight attendants even gave most of their attention to him. Getting him whatever he asked for as long as it was in stock." Happy chimed.
"Well you did help with stopping the Fall of Beacon before it could actually go through completely. It should be repairable as long as they manage to get that Dragon Grimm to die." Weiss smiled before she frowned.
"I'll be waiting right out here for you." Natsu smiled. "C'mon happy, we should let her go in by herself."
"Aye sir." Happy said, sounding dejected.
"I'm not talking about the good of my company I'm talking about the good of Atlas! Our entire kingdom." Jacques's voice echoed through the door.
"That is a load of garbage and you know it. And I believe you mean your daughter's company." Ironwood stated, his voice clearer as Weiss opened the door.
"I beg your pardon? This is my company, not Weiss's. It has been and it always will be." Jacques stated.
"Jacques, will you please just hear me out?" Ironwood questioned.
It looked as if Ironwood had seen better days, and smelt like it to.
"You are a trusted friend and ally to this family James. But what you're suggesting is absurd." Jacques stated putting his drink down.
"You are blowing it out of proportion." James stated.
"The council will never agree to it!"
"You forget, I hold two seats on the council. Now one of the seats belongs to Natsu Dragneel, a member of the Guardians."
"Your Dust embargo has already cost me millions. I can promise you I have not forgotten."
"While you broke my trust in you when Scythe revealed the true identity of your employees." James stated. "I wouldn't be here if I had any other choice. But I don't. Always making it about you, I'm actually glad, you're going to be sent back to prison once Weiss turns eighteen."
"Those Faunus are nothing but mindless animals and you know it. What else are they good for if not free labour?"
The door closed, and alerted them to Weiss's presence in the room.
"Ms. Schnee. My apologies, I should have been gone by now." Ironwood stated.
"It-it's okay." Weiss stammered. In all honesty, her expression, was more from the relay of hearing Natsu was now one of the council members controlling the Schnee Dust Company.
"We'll continue this, at another time." James stated.
"Indeed. Klein can show you out." Jacques stated sounding much calmer.
"Hmph, don't worry. I know the way." James chuckled. "Oh one more thing before I go."
"Hmm?"
"Natsu Dragneel, he's going to be staying here in the manor, he is Weiss's partner in the Guardians after all." James stated. "And that is something that's not up for discussion. By order of the Atlesian Military."
James left the study, leaving Weiss and her father alone.
"Did you forget your manners while you were away?" Jacques asked.
"I think I'm entitled to enter any room within my own home, seeing as I own it and the company." Weiss stated.
Ignoring her statement, Jacques went to his desk.
"Can you believe there are still people in the world that blame Atlas for what happened to Beacon? To Vale?" Jacques questioned.
"Well, they weren't there." Weiss stated. "Plus Scythe had managed to give the people of the city peace of mind before he went into battle."
"It's a wonder Ironwood wasn't stripped of his rank!" Jacques stated.
"The council trusts him. As do I and the rest of the Guardians." Weiss stated.
"Thanks to him, Atlas is forbidden from exporting Dust to other kingdoms." Jacques stated.
"As long as you're running the company until I turn eighteen." Weiss stated.
"He calls it a precautionary measure, and will keep it up until he's certain no one is going to declare war. How anyone could possibly call that sound logic is beyond me."
"It is sound logic. I have trained and fought with two military men, one of whom was a general himself before he became a student at Beacon."
"How old is this former General?"
"He's seventeen father." Weiss stated, not happy Jacques was questioning her about Gajeel's past.
"The Schnee Dust Company will be holding a charity concert in the coming weeks." Jacques stated suddenly forgetting about the previous topic. "To show our good faith, and loyalty in support to help Vale recover from the incident it suffered."
"You want to show the people of Remnant that Atlas is on their side, that we are all victims of what happened at Beacon." Weiss exclaimed, a bit of disgust in her voice.
"Exactly my daughter. You will be singing a song at the charity, one I hope will show our elegance and position above the rest of the common folk."
"I'm guessing this performance of mine isn't voluntary." Weiss stated.
"No my daughter, it is mandatory."
"Fine, but I'll be singing a duet instead of a solo. I choose my singing partner, and I choose what song to sing."
"You will sing the song I choose, as for the duet thing, go ahead. Just be sure they memorised the lyrics in time for the concert, and are actually good at singing." Jacques stated.
Weiss turned to leave, before she got a sneaking feeling and a chill run down her spine.
"One more thing Weiss. I require you to sign these." Jacques stated sliding papers over to her.
Weiss turned and looked at the papers, not liking what they seemed to be explaining.
"These are papers saying I give full owner ship of the company back to you." Weiss stated. "Why the hell would I sign these?" Weiss questioned holding them up.
"Because if you don't, your little boyfriend outside will have a bullet in his head." Jacques stated.
The sound of gunshots rang out from behind the door, before there was what sounded like a miniature explosion. Jacques seemed to think Whitley had done his job, only for his expression to harden when he saw Weiss showed no concern.
"Hmph." Weiss smiled. "You dangerously underestimate the power of a Dragonslayer."
The door opened up, and Whitley fell on the ground, beaten and bruised, his weapon destroyed as Natsu stepped on his back, and walked into the study.
The papers in Weiss's hands lit on fire, startling Jacques, but not Weiss. Natsu remained at the door, his foot and weigh holding Whitley down as he held his hand like a gun and his two fingers emitting smoke.
"Jacques Schnee, you and your son are under arrest for attempting to murder a member of the Council and the Guardians." Weiss stated covering the remains of the papers in ice, no longer seeing the two white haired men as family, only as strangers and criminals. "As well as breaking your parole on bail."
"You have no proof of this." Jacques stated.
Weiss removed the clip in her bangs and pressed it before their voices echoed from it.
"These are papers saying I give full owner ship of the company back to you. Why the hell would I sign these?"
"Because if you don't, your little boyfriend outside will have a bullet in his head."
Jacques's eyes widened in horror and shock as Weiss walked up behind the desk and froze him there in a block of ice from the neck to his waist.
"Natsu, call security, tell them that we've got two prisoners waiting for them." Weiss smiled.
"As you wish Weiss." Natsu smiled.
"You can't do this to me? What about your mother? Your sister?" Jacques questioned as Weiss walked to the door.
"Mother will get the best rehabilitation Atlas or anywhere in Remnant can offer. Winter will be getting her allowance back, and a raise in it as well." Weiss exclaimed as she froze Whitley to the ground. "Don't worry, I'll still be singing at the charity concert. The upside is you and Whitley won't be attending. You'll be busy finding Prison Wives. But get this through your thick skull Jacques. The Schnee Legacy isn't yours or Whitley's to lead, it's mine, and I'll do it as a Huntress."
"A little advice Jackie, don't drop the soap." Natsu smirked after putting his scroll away.
As security came and took the two criminals away, Klein came over and gave Natsu a slight smile.
"Everything has been prepared like you requested Sir Dragneel." Klein smiled.
"Yeah, everything is good to go." Happy chimed sitting on Klein's shoulder.
"Thank you Klein, Happy." Natsu stated.
"Natsu, what did you have them prepare?" Weiss questioned.
"Well, come and you'll find out." Natsu smiled.
Weiss followed Natsu, Klein, and Happy with a curious, yet smiling expression on her face, before Natsu went behind her and covered her eyes.
"We're almost there Weiss." Natsu smiled. "Okay now."
Natsu uncovered her eyes and she gasped at what she saw.
All around the dance hall, there were decorations, and streamers hanging from the ceiling.
"Natsu, what is all this?" Weiss asked.
"Well, we never got to have… our dance at the party, because of what Sting had to tell us about Scarlet and Crimzon." Natsu stated blushing a bit. "Klein was more than willing to help try and recreate the dancehall from that night. So, while you were busy talking with your dad, he put this all together. Drinks, snacks and everything."
Weiss looked over and saw that there were multiple bottles of Mt. Dew and a bowl of Cool Ranch Doritos, the soft drink and chips she had grown to love during her time at Beacon.
"Look up there." Natsu said pointing up a little higher.
"Is that a camera?" Weiss asked.
"It is, Klein told me about your mother, and I thought that maybe seeing how happy you are, would help her with her drinking problem." Natsu smiled waving to it. "She can see us right now."
"Oh… Natsu." Weiss smiled as she began to tear up before wrapping her arms around his neck. "Thank you."
Natsu put his hands at her waist, as Happy went to the DJ music table, and put on a certain song, the two had wanted to dance to.
(Que Music… Heaven: Bryan Adams)
"Is this…?"
"Yep, it's the song you requested but we never heard at the dance." Natsu smiled as they began to slow dance.
Natsu took Weiss's right hand in his left, and began to lead her in the dance. They both slowly began to move side to side, picking up the pace a little, but not enough to where they weren't dancing with the tempo of the music.
"Natsu, why do all this for me?" Weiss asked.
"Because you're worth it Snow-Fairy." Natsu smiled spinning her a bit.
Weiss smiled as tears of happiness began to fall down her cheeks, as she felt the warmth of how caring Natsu was.
"Natsu, my entire life people have treated my differently because of who I am. But you're the first person to treat me normally, not caring of where I'm from." Weiss exclaimed.
"It was the same with Jaune and Pyrrha, she liked the fact he didn't know who she was, and that he just treated her like a normal person." Natsu smiled.
"I miss them." Weiss stated as she hugged him again.
"Me to Snow-Fairy, me to." Natsu sighed wrapping his arms around her.
Weiss held onto him, as his embrace was what she needed at the moment.
"Natsu, can this moment last forever?" Weiss questioned as she smiled warmly.
"I wish it could my Snow-Fairy, but we do have responsibilities to take care of after our dance." Natsu smiled.
"Well, maybe we don't have to do only one dance, we could do another after this." Weiss stated, thoughtfully.
"We'll see what DJ-Blue-Fuzz has planned after this song and then we'll see if it'll be worth a few more dances." Natsu chuckled.
"Natsu."
"Yes my Snow-Fairy?"
"Thank you." Weiss smiled before kissing him softly.
(End Song…)
Weiss broke the kiss when Happy chose to play a more upbeat song next.
"What's a dance without a little lively moves?" Natsu smiled.
…In the Gardens…
A woman in her late-forties, early-fifties, sat on a bench, her martini glass empty, but the pitcher still full, as she looked at the scroll pad in her hands. The odd part in terms of this was, she would have finished more than half the pitcher or martinis already.
"Klein, what am I watching?" She asked the butler as he brought her a glass of seltzer water.
"Ms. Schnee, you're watching your daughter Weiss with her boyfriend Natsu, dancing, smiling, laughing, and enjoying herself for the first time in such a long time." Klein smiled seeing she hadn't touched the pitcher she brought out earlier. "She's happy because her no good egotistical father and brother are on their way to prison as we speak."
"Klein." Ms. Schnee said, shocked at how Klein was speaking of Jacques and Whitley.
"I'm only speaking my mind madam. They are no longer my concern so I am free to speak of them however I want." Klein stated as Ms. Schnee began laughing at his reasoning.
"True, I should have divorced that man years ago, I was just so afraid of how it would have affected my children." Ms. Schnee sighed as she was mostly sober.
"If I may madam." Klein stated. "I think Weiss and Winter would have been happy to have been free Jacques's harmful rules over their way of living."
"What about Whitley?"
"I'm afraid he would have most likely stayed with his father." Klein sighed. "He does follow closely behind in his footsteps."
"What of this Natsu boy? Do you know what his intentions are with Weiss?" Ms. Schnee asked.
Klein smiled, happy to see his mistress showing more authority in her role as a mother.
"Natsu is a brilliant young man, who holds a seat on the council, youngest man to ever do that. His heart is pure, while his emotions are strong. He is a Guardian, as well as a dragon. He will do everything in his power to protect Weiss, even at the cost of his own life."
"Does he plan on marrying just for the family name?" Ms. Schnee asked.
"Ma'am. Take a look at the footage a little closer." Klein sighed, understanding why she was skeptical of Natsu. "You see the way they're both smiling, that they're both laughing and dancing with one another? Natsu doesn't care about fancy names, or rich titles like the Schnee name, he cares about her feelings, and how she's treated. Weiss has even told me that he entered a level of power that nearly killed him, when they were both fighting on the train that crashed through Vale Central Park a week before the Vytal Festival. All because she was being attacked and nearly died. If it weren't for him, and his black flames, Weiss would have surly perished."
"Is that so?" Ms. Schnee questioned seeing the two begin to slow dance again.
"If he does decide he wants to marry her, I'm sure he'd allow her to take his name, and vice versa." Klein smiled.
"If Natsu really is as noble as you say, then I think I'd be fine with him continuing his relationship with my daughter." Ms. Schnee smiled. "I know it might be a longshot, but I hope that they go through an Aura Unification just to prove how pure his intentions are for her."
"Ms. Schnee, they went through one during the Fall of Beacon." Klein smiled. "It was recorded by the camera by a young Miss Scarlatina, for her blog dedicated to the late Scythe Khan, and his team the Guardians."
"Oh my, then I have no doubt that he's right for my daughter." Ms. Schnee smiled.
…Back in the Dancehall…
"This is nice." Weiss smiled. "Though I should get to my study, and figure out where the Grimm Metal formula is being kept."
"Speaking of which, those paladins we fought might smell and look like Grimm Metal, but the recipe for the alloy is a cheap knockoff." Natsu exclaimed as the dance ended.
"Where is she, I demand to speak with Weiss Schnee." A voice shouted from behind the closed doors.
"I recognize that voice." Natsu stated before the professor burst through the doors.
"Professor Polendina, what seems to be the trouble?" Weiss asked.
"My department just received notice that the Schnee family will not be funding our research anymore." Professor Polendina stated looking more than a little mad. "I demand to know why."
"Hm… let's see, one, illegal experimentation on humans, Faunus, and children, two, genetically recreating soldiers from DNA of a now dead hero of Remnant, which desecrates his memories, and three, you intentionally stole more of Scythe's DNA during the Vytal Festival, the garbage bag full of his shedded dragon scales in his dorm." Natsu stated. "Seriously man you're like a literal creep."
"Atlas needs soldiers who are willing to die for our cause, your father saw the reasoning in my methods Ms. Schnee, and the results outweighed the consequences. I demand to know where your father is." Polendina stated.
"On his way to prison. He broke his bail agreement, with my former brother as his accomplice." Weiss explained. "I run the Schnee Dust Company, and family legacy now. So either one of two things is going to happen right now. One, you're either going to leave peacefully and calmly, or two, my security will throw you out and keep you out."
"Fine. I'm going, but there's one more thing I need to tell you." Polendina stated. "Your father understood that the Hero of Remnant, couldn't stay dead, that Remnant needed a shining beacon of light once more. So he had me working on a top secret project."
Polendina pulled out his scroll and with a flick on the screen, projected it on a hologram.
"Your father had us working on a clone, though some things went wrong, and it came out the wrong gender. Her DNA is similar to Scythe's, but completely different as well. You could say she's his twin sister now." Polendina explained showing the security footage. "Though, much like her brother, Sapphire is strong, she has all his abilities, but has yet to master them. She has mastered four elements so far, we gave her a neckpiece to help her keep track. Each gem she places in it, represents one element. The ruby stands for fire, the tanzanite represents the air, the topaz represents lightning, and the amethyst represents poison."
Natsu grabbed Polendina's shirt in anger, causing the doctor to drop his scroll and stared him in the eye.
"You created another life in a lab? Do you not remember what happened with Scarlet and Crimzon? How their cells were unstable and Scarlet became Strife when she was revived?" Natsu questioned.
"Sapphire's cells are different, the reason Scarlet and Crimzon's cells were unstable was because they had learned to unlock all their elements at once, right after their creation. Their bodies couldn't handle the strain. But Sapphire has been learning to unlock and master each element one at a time, allowing her body to adjust to each new addition to her power." Polendina said. "Though it doesn't really matter now, she's escaped and is on her way to wherever young Miss Rose is."
"Why would she be going to Ruby?" Weiss questioned.
"Because young Miss Rose is an Etherion Dragonslayer just like her, Sapphire is seeking out someone who can teach her to control all her elements faster than we can teach her. It's basic animal instinct within a wolf pack for example. The Beta will find an Alpha to follow and learn from; in this case, Sapphire's the Beta, and young Miss Rose is the Alpha." Polendina explained.
"Natsu, keep him there while I make a call to Ironwood." Weiss exclaimed pulling out her scroll. "Hello, General? It's Weiss Schnee… Yes I'm glad my father is being processed justly, but this is something else entirely… Professor Polendina has created another Etherion Dragonslayer from Scythe's DNA… From the footage he just showed us, I'd say she's about a foot taller than Ruby, and six inches shorter than Scythe… Yes it's a she… his clone/sister… I want Professor Polendina's lab to be cleared of all Scythe's DNA, and the Grimm Metal formula to be erased from every system… Yes my father somehow reverse engineered it when he held Scythe in the quarry… Though it's incomplete, and far from perfect, it's still strong enough to be called Grimm Metal… Alright thank you General."
"I got one more question for you professor." Natsu said picking Polendina's scroll up off the ground. "What sick, twisted perv, would make Scythe's sister/clone this big?" Natsu shouted. "She's bigger than Erza."
Polendina glared, as he knew Natsu was talking about her chest, so he sighed and just looked at him calmly.
"Sapphire's… endowment… is due to genetics not bio-engineering. Because of Scythe's unnatural genetic muscle mass, the genetics to his incomparable sizes, were shown in Sapphire by her figure looking more mature, than it should at age seventeen." Polendina explained.
"So if Scythe were born a woman, this is what he would look like?" Weiss asked.
"Now you're getting it." Polendina exclaimed.
"Natural genetics, not some scientists tinkering with her body?" Natsu questioned.
"Yes."
"Let him go Natsu, Ironwood should be starting on clearing out his lab of Scythe's DNA and the formula for Grimm Metal."
"What? The DNA is one thing, but the formula for the Grimm Metal is something the entire kingdom can benefit from, reusable rounds, indestructible armor." Polendina stated after Natsu dropped him.
"FYI Doctor, your Grimm Metal pales in comparison to the real thing. I'm able to melt it with my Flames of Emotion when in Dragonforce." Natsu explained.
"Now leave, before security escorts you out in a not so pleasant way." Weiss stated. "The formula, belongs to Scythe, and Scythe alone. He may not have created the formula, but he perfected it."
Polendina left the dance hall, allowing Natsu and Weiss to continue their dance.
"In all honesty Natsu, I'm not much in the dancing mood anymore." Weiss exclaimed.
"If I'm being honest, me either." Natsu sighed. "But it would be a shame to let Klein's hard work go to waste."
"That it would." Weiss smiled. "Perhaps one more dance wouldn't hurt."
…
"Who the hell are you, and what kind of armor are you wearing? Are you an advocate for the two brothers? Are you behind this messed up crazy world I'm in?" The man aiming the gun at Scythe's head asked.
"I'm not an advocate for the Brothers Grimm, nor am I behind the creating of this simulated world. That's there doing." Scythe stated in a calm manner.
"Turn around, remove your helmet, slowly." The man stated.
Scythe slowly turned himself around, now facing the man who held him at gunpoint.
"You do know that standing still means death right?" Scythe asked the man, seeing his face covered by a helmet, the helmet of the old Armor of the Fallen. "We have to keep moving if we want to survive."
"I'm not taking any of your lies, remove your helmet."
Scythe slowly removed his helmet, not wanting to anger the man who could quite possibly make him fail the training. When he removed the helmet completely, the man gasped a bit, his hand holding the gun shaking, before it fell to his side, putting it in the holster.
"S-Shiro?" The man asked removing his helmet.
Scythe was a little surprised to see his dad's face, only a little older with white hair, and three stripes of grey, with wrinkles under his eyes and around his mouth.
"Not quite." Scythe chuckled softly. "Shiro Khan is my father, damn he's probably in an ocean of grief right now." Scythe exclaimed before the realization hit him.
"You're his son? My grandson?"
"Yeah, nice to meet you in the flesh gramps." Scythe smiled.
"My name is Iida. We met once before, in the delivery room when you were born." Iida smiled. "Is this where you've been all these years, where you grew up? In this hell of a world created by the two brothers? I knew Shiro didn't kill you, I knew he would never kill his own son."
"Not exactly. It's a long story. Alpha can catch you up." Scythe smiled as Alpha appeared on his shoulder.
"Hello Iida, long time no see." Alpha smiled.
"I see you changed her looks, a man after my own heart." Iida chuckled.
"Oh no, I'm no perv, Alpha chose that form herself, I didn't have anything to do with it." Scythe stated putting his helmet back on. "Alpha, wirelessly connect with gramps Armor of the Fallen."
"Speaking of which, why aren't you wearing the Armor of the Fallen, my grandfather created it, and its power seems to be unrivaled." Iida exclaimed putting his helmet back on.
"That is until I upgraded it. I rebuilt it from scratch, keeping all the tech, while slimming it down quite a bit." Scythe smiled before it turned into a frown. "Alpha, activate the mask."
"Understood." Alpha exclaimed, as Scythe withdrew his pistol.
"What's going on?" Iida asked.
"There's a couple of Possessed-Alpha-Beowolves, off down that way." Scythe said as two pieces of metal slid out from the helmet and covered his mouth and nose, connecting with his visor.
"How are you able to detect these things from such a distance with such detail?" Iida asked.
"The sensors in my helmet have been upgraded to detect anything without a soul, instead of just blips on a sonar." Scythe explained as he began running through the hall. "Shape and all."
"What about this world we're in?" Iida asked following close behind.
"The Brothers Grimm created it based off a Video Game made a couple years ago. I completed the entire thing, so I know what usually comes next." Scythe explained.
"You kids and these fangled videos game of yours."
"It's video games, no videos game." Scythe explained.
"Whatever, now let me show you how we fought in my day." Iida smiled as they slowed to a halt.
"Why not let me handle these two my sensors are picking up a Grimm Nest not too far from it." Scythe exclaimed.
"Alright, show me what you got kiddo." Iida smiled.
Scythe turned his head around the corner, and turned back before putting his gun in its holster.
"What the blazes are you up to?" Iida asked. "You need that weapon to win or you're gonna die… again."
"Trust me, I'm the best there is at what I do." Scythe smiled before stepping out into the hall. He stood there, the Possessed-Alpha-Beowolves having no clue of his presence. "Ahem."
The two turned to him, and snarled before making a mad dash for him.
"You two aren't the brightest bunch of grapes are you?" Scythe smiled slowly walking towards them, releasing his claws, before rushing to them.
The three were on a straight collision course for one another, before Scythe dropped to his knees and slid forward, through them. Still on his knees, Scythe stopped with a smile on his face, under his mask, before the two Possessed-Alpha-Beowolves dropped to the ground, their bodies dissipating.
"My word, your fighting-style is impressive my boy." Iida smiled approaching him. "Are those claws part of the upgrades?"
"No, they're a part of me." Scythe exclaimed. "Alpha, retract the arms and gloves of the suit."
"As you wish." Alpha stated.
"Now, let's get down to beating this level." Scythe smirked taking his shield from his back.