A/N
RIP Kobe Bryant and his daughter. You will sorely missed and forever be remembered as a legend.
Man, 2020 just keeps getting better and better huh?
On a less depressing note, I hope I didn't take too long. Hopefully this chapter will cheer you guys up. We're back! And I hope we could keep up with the usual weekly or at least 2-1-2 schedule as per norms.
"Haaah!"
CLANG
"Heh. Not bad." Yang grinned cheekily as the end of my blade met her gauntlets. Metal screeched against metal. "But not good... Enough!"
Her knee barreled into my stomach, causing my eyes to widen and instinctively lower my wrist to block my solar plexus.
"Hah." I smirked. "Gotta do better then-"
My voice died in my throat as she raised her flaming fist and brought it down upon my face.
My forearms were raised to the side of my face right in the nick of time. Ember Celica barked and fired a buckshot that took a huge chunk off of my Aura. That of which, did nothing for the momentum it carried along by firing 12 separate pellets in point blank range.
The force sent me flying, bouncing off the floor a few times like a pebble skipping over water, and dragged my body on the side until I slid to a complete halt.
"Urrrgh..." I groaned from where I was as I coughed and gasped for breath. "Was that really... necessary?"
"Hey, you were the one who said not to hold any punches."
"Right..." I groaned again as Yang strode to my side with a grin, lifting me up by the shoulders and patting me down off any dust. "Thanks."
It's been more than a whole month since I've woken up from my bedridden state.
My Aura had worked wonders on my body, mending both broken bones and torn ligaments like it was child's play.
Weird how it took only the span of 2 weeks. Even with my huge Aura reserves, I was still nowhere close to being a tank like Jaune, Yang or Nora was, and I honestly expected to go down fighting in the Fall of Beacon.
Yet, getting back up to fighting shape after another 2 weeks after that debacle? That was a bit too soon, even for someone as experienced in Aura as Qrow or Raven.
From my time being idle, my muscles were deteriorated and are definitely in need on some proper sparring.
And right now Yang is helping me... Rehabilitate, as she puts it. Funny how I'm in the other shoe, since she was the one who was supposed to be rehabilitating.
My body was strained, not to the point of falling apart if I try to pick up something heavy or being completely malnutritioned, but definitely noticeably slimmer compared to my huntsman in training physique that I once had, due to mass muscle tearing and lack of movement for a certain period of time.
At least, that's what I assumed.
"You've gotten stronger." Yang complimented as I shot her a defeated look. "Faster too, so don't feel too bad."
"You're talking to the guy that saved Beacon from a Grimm incursion." I replied with a distraught sigh. "I could've done better."
"With the help of a self-mutilating armour that increases strength, speed, stamina not to mention, take away fear, pain, fatigue and doubts." Yang pointed out with a deadpan, causing me to wince and shrink under her gaze.
"I guess I just expected that after going through all that, I would be able to at least be on par with you, or any of you for that matter." I mumbled under my breath as I regulated my breathing and nodded my thanks whilst Yang tossed me a bottle of cold water, and took a quick swig while I felt the sweet cold liquid trail down my throat.
No such luck of even being close to their level so far.
Ruby was hanging out with Penny somewhere in the facility as they try to re create her Cresent Rose. I still feel guilty about it till this day, but the Berserker Armour didn't really come with any ranged options in mind. Evans and I did built it with the intention of going crazy, and having ranged weapons that could potentially misfire was never an option.
Weiss was back in Atlas just like in canon, and...
Blake was... being weird. She's been acting... distant, more then the usual. Which was confusing, given she'd genuinely forgiven me.
Or did she? I asked myself.
It's Blake.
You can never know what's going on inside her mind. If any word describes her, it's complicated.
Part of me felt like she'd backed away because Ruby had basically confessed openly in front of the trio and out of the kindness of her heart, wanted to give her a chance with me. As to my response, I hadn't given an answer and as of today, hasn't been brought up yet, even in private.
Ruby didn't seem too keen to remind me of it, being the shy little leader she was, but that was besides the point.
There was this niggling sensation that that was only the tip of the iceberg as to explain Blake's actions.
In fact, the more I got better in terms of health, the more concerned she seemed to be for some reason.
I caught her giving me worried glances, biting the nail off her thumb or her lower lip, even her other pair of ears flicking back and forth even though there was no wind. They were small and subtle signs, but I've known her over a year to know that something was on her mind.
Not that asking her would do any good of course. She'd probably work her way around it or avoid me entirely.
Once I got into walking condition, it got worse.
Worried glances evolved into dangerous and suspicious glares when we passed each other down the corridors, and it feels like I was never really alone.
If I glance back quickly enough, I could see the remnants of her shadow at the edge of my peripheral. She wasn't as stealthy as she'd claimed.
"Don't feel that bad," The blonde brawler cut into my thoughts with a loud chuckle. "We had years of huntsman training and practice, not to mention we had our dad, who is a teacher at Signal, as our tutor." Yang's shoulder rose and fell. "At least you're improving, and rapidly, might I add, for a guy that went from zero to hero."
"I told you not to call me that." I frowned as I looked away, refusing to give the pleasure of her seeing me blush at her compliment.
"What's wrong?" She strode over to me with a smug smirk. "I thought you'd like being the center of attention."
"Only when necessary." I sighed as my shoulders slumped. "The subtler we can do things the better."
"Yeah well..." Yang stretched some kinks out of her arms with a satisfying pop. "A little too late for that isn't it?"
"I guess so." I sighed.
The media hadn't been kind.
Some people like Lisa Lavender herself was playing it safe due to politics being a thing, being neutral and not choosing sides. Others however, called the 'Dark Presence' a sign of the end. An omen that the Grimm were not on top of the food chain and that there was this new 'Hybrid' man thing on the lose eating unborn babies.
Sheesh
Yeah... not the memes I really wanted to spread.
Fear was supposed to be implemented to Salem's faction, and them alone. The public was supposed to see me as a symbol of hope or protection, but alas, most saw me as retribution against mankind.
Hell, some even started a cult based on me, praising me to spare them their families.
"Anyway," Yang chuckled as she slapped my back. "It's good to see that you'd finally found the perfect getup to settle on," She eyed me up and down. "All while doing something different for your boring haircut for a change."
"Boring?" I raised my brow at her. "Also, you still owe me a jacket."
"Hey! I said I was sorry!"
Flashback
"Actually, I think I might be able to use my feet now." I claimed as I slung both my feet over the edge of the bed, and wince at how numb they felt due to being inactive for a certain period of time.
"You sure?" Yang asked as she raised her brow. "I could help." She offered. "A shoulder to lean on perhaps, if you want."
"That would be highly appreciated." I smiled. "But first..." I held my hand out.
Yang blinked owlishly.
I cocked my neck and raised my brow.
"Uhh..." Yang slapped her palm down on my hand.
"No not that." I palmed my face with my other. "My Jacket."
Yang blinked again.
"What?"
"My Adidas jacket." Yang blinked a third time. "The one I lent you in the Fall? I sorta need it back if I'm gonna go out."
"Wait... you didn't give it to me as a memento?" She questioned with a raised brow.
"Would you give me your brown leather jacket as a memento?" I returned her confused expression with one of my own.
"Touche. Uhm..." She chuckled nervously.
A bit too nervously.
"Yang..." I sighed as I retracted my hand, pinching the space between my eyes. "Where is it?"
"Yeah... about that..." She ran a hair through her golden locks and refused to meet my eyes, seeking the walls instead. "It sorta... exploded."
My face twitched.
"How...?"
"It was in the Amity Arena when it went down okay!" She flung both hands in the air and actually managed to look apologetic. "You gave it to me and, after the shocking news that you 'died', making sure to bring it with me wouldn't be the first thing to cross my mind!"
"I-"
As if on queue, a shrill scream echoed throughout the hallways, causing me to shoot up to my feet, and winced at the pain that shot up my thighs.
Nobody else knew of this facility but us and Doctor Polendina.
"That sounded like Ruby!" I exclaimed, gaining a nod from Yang as she took my signal for what it was, and rushed out the doors to seek her sister.
I grabbed the crutches Evans had used on his time here, and limped as fast as I could to find the source.
"Ruby!" I shouted as I caught sight of her as I turned a corner down the corridor, Yang beside her, comforting her by rubbing the small reaper by her shoulders as she sulked. "What's wrong?"
"T-they..." Her eyes were locked to the floor. "Look at what they've done!"
My eyes trailed to what she was holding in her arms as tears trailed down the sides of her face.
Ah...
It was nothing but a jumbled ball of wool and linen.
A red jumbled ball of wool and linen.
A huge, familiar jumbled ball of wool and linen.
"Rubes..." I tried to comfort her as I grabbed onto Yang's shoulder for support, before lowering myself down on one knee. "Don't worry, we'll get you a new one, okay?"
"B-but!" Her red rimmed eyes met mine. "This was the last gift from mom before she-"
"Rubes." I chided, tone almost as stern as Weiss. "I want to help you. Trust me, I do, but I can't sew it together and promise the exact carbon copy. We can fix it." I added as she opened her mouth to complain. "Maybe even improve it by making the material stronger. You know they only did that so that they could save your life, right?"
Ruby shuddered as one hand instinctively went to the large scar in her naval, reminding her of what could've happened had Evans not arrived on time.
Slowly, she nodded.
"I'm grateful you had it with you. In a way, your mom helped save your life."
"Y-yeah..." Ruby sobbed. "I... I guess..."
I nodded to her sister.
Well... I thought, scratching the back of my hair as Yang helped Ruby up to the washroom. I guess it was time for a costume change anyway...
Shift
I looked into the mirror as I shaved off the last traces of my unkempt facial hair that grew while I remained bedridden.
Splashing some cold water off my face to get rid of the remaining shaving cream, I observed my body, ridden with battle scars and a grim reminder of what I had done.
"Man..." I ran a towel down my scraggly hair as it splashed down and covered my ears. "I could use a haircut."
The doors slammed open.
"Did I hear someone say... haircut?"
"Jesus!" I covered what little I could. "Kevin! Privacy!"
"Oh please." He waved off. "I've seen worse. Now, what's this about getting a haircut?"
"I think I can handle it on my ow-"
"Did someone say... haircut?!" Amber backpaced a couple of steps while her eyes gleamed at the opportunity.
Her eyes met Kevin's, and they nodded in agreement as a silent conversation was exchanged between them.
This is not gonna end well...
The evil smirk the two shared proved my point.
Not at all...
Shift
"Okay." Kevin patted my head and ruffled my hair.
In any normal circumstance, that'll be disrespectful, but if he was so determined to snip a little off me...
"I'd better not come out of this bald."
"Intriguing." He said as Amber rubbed her chin to no doubt mentally imagine what that'll look like. "But not what I'm aiming for."
"You sound like you've already made up your mind."
"That, I have." The rotund man admitted. "Let's see here..."
He didn't have a pair of shears at hand, or an electric shaver, which begs the question.
"How are you even planning to cut it?"
"Have a little faith."
"Don't worry." Amber reassured. "He's got this."
Sighing, I closed my eyes and prepared for the worst.
It wasn't even 5 minutes and I heard him claim that he was done.
When I made to open my eyes, it was to see my hair over my face.
"The... fuck Kev?" I asked as I brushed his hand away, approximately sensing the distance from where he'd last ruffled my hair. "How am I supposed to fight like this?!"
"You're not." He responded nonchalantly.
"Okay, what are you playing at-"
...
...
I shot up from my seat and gelled my hair up to remove any and every trace of it covering my eyes as I shot him a furious sneer.
"Not. Funny." I stated as I saw their smug grins.
"Ah..." Kevin held both hands defeatedly. "I see you are a man of culture as well."
RWBY is considered an anime.
And the only male characters in anime with hair covering their eyes are... Well, that doesn't need to be said.
"You guys are dicks." I sighed as I brought up my hands to my locks and tied my hair back, barely enough to form into a small wolftail, while letting the remaining hair in front to trail the right side of my face as I combed it into locks.
"Going for something of Hanzo's haircut eh?" Amber teased as she looked at the mirror. "Not a bad choice."
"Well." I rolled my eyes, partly paying attention as I shaved my sideburns off, along with whatever hair ran along the sides. "It's a damn sight better than the old one. It was growing too long to comb to the side anyway."
Later
"What'cha think I should get?"
"A mask, that's for sure." Evans said through Amber as I pulled a simple dark red tee over my body. "There's no way in hell you would be walking outdoors exposed when it's public knowledge that you're dead."
"Doesn't have to cover your whole face if you're uncomfortable with it." He added when I made to groan.
"What kind of mask would look great with this haircut?" I asked as I pointed on top of my head. "I swear if I ended up looking like Purple Hood Derrick..."
"You won't." Amber snorted. "You won't use an executioner's mask now would you?"
"Then what other options do we have?" I asked him honestly. "There's a phantom mask, but that defeats the purpose as it only cover's one fourth of the face. We could go for the full one, yet it might draw attention. There's a masquerade mask, but that'll look out of place in a fight, and it shatters easily, being made out of porcelain."
"Scream?"
"Do you want me to get torn in half?" I deadpanned. "Ruby's gonna grab Myrtenaster and run a hole through me before I could even say it's me. As if I don't have enough holes on my body already."
"Tactical?"
"Barely could see through those visors." I snorted and shook my head. "They get foggy over time."
"Plague Doctor?"
"Same problem."
"Then use the one with the top half exposed." The Maiden replied. "Basically, a respirator."
I looked at her as if she was insane.
"Look, I get that it isn't convenient," Amber admitted with a sigh. "But if you could think of something then I'll listen. I'm just offering you what options I had in mind and thought available. They might be good ideas, maybe not. But you do agree with the problem at hand right? That you couldn't go walking as Vale's resident ghost. The whole world thinks you're dead except for those who fought with us."
"I guess..." I sighed back as I palmed my face and kept it there for some time.
Being kept incognito had been... taxing to say the least.
A vast majority of Vale had been repaired, or so I was informed by the boys who went out to get food and drinks, Dust, and other stuff that needed to be resupplied. The girls were also green if they want to leave or hang out, get some fresh air and all that. But me and Amber?
We're stuck here.
Me for obvious reasons, while Amber, more specifically her body, was more for her own safety.
We never know if there could be other members of Salem's faction blending in with society, hiding in plain sight.
"Oni?" Amber continued her suggestions as she attempted to cheer me up. "Bottom half of it as well if you can't see through the eyeholes."
"Not my style." I answered with a sigh and I pinched my nose ridge. "How about just a simple black scarf around to cover the bottom half of my face? Like a bandit or ninja."
"Or an outlaw." Amber pointed out.
"Or that."
"Depends on whether Atlas has facial recognition technology or not." Amber admitted as she rubbed her chin, considering that it could work. "If it can capture facial contours you're fucked."
"True." I sighed again, shoulders slumping. "But I don't think we'll have to worry until we actually get there," And even then, I was planning to inform Ironwood of my presence. Winter should be able to help me explain to hopefully ease the tin man's worries. "So I think I'll take the risk."
"Anywho," I continued. "I think we should get me some new clothes yeah?" I asked.
"What happened to your old one?"
"Didn't you hear?" I raised my brow. "Yang destroyed my one and only jacket."
"What's wrong with going with a simple shirt and jeans combination?" Amber asked back. "Jaune does it in a hoodie, and Qrow technically does it with an addition of a cape. The only ones I see with super fancy stuff that stands out is your team, but then again they sorta are the main characters."
"Pyrhha wears bronze and leather armour." I pointed out.
"Okay, one of the main 8. Besides, wouldn't standing out just defeat the point? You are supposed to avoid attention not draw it."
"I don't know." I admitted. "Just sorta feel... incomplete without it. This," I gestured to my torso which had a red shirt and below it, navy blue jeans. "Feels too simple. Too general. Just doesn't feel right."
"Alright." Amber sighed and rubbed her nose ridge. "I'll grab you something. Just don't complain to me if it doesn't fit."
Later
"Heads up."
I spun right in the nick of time as a huge plastic bag was tossed into my hands.
It felt... heavy.
"What the heck...?" I rubbed my forehead where a hard surface had impacted me.
"You asked for something, and so I got you 'something'." Amber said nonchalantly, before the edge of her lips curled up into a smirk. "Open it." She said, crossing her arms and leaning on the door frame.
Once the pain eased in, I shot her a glare before snapping the stapler clip that had kept the edges of the bag together.
My eyes widened.
"Like it?"
"Wow," I said as I held up what appeared to be, a sleeveless leather vest. It was jet black in color, covering all the way down a little over my waist. I flicked it open to unfold the rigid thing, and noticed how the zipper was positioned asymmetrically to the right side. It had a few pockets, 2 in front where people usually slip their hands into, and one breast pocket which you can zip close.
"It's... great." I mused as I flipped it around to get a better view of the back.
Slipping it on, I stared in the mirror, rotating my body to see how it suited me.
With the light grey shirt I wore underneath, it contrasted perfectly with the dark vest. I hooked the end of the zipper to cover myself up completely, and thought the better of it and left it open.
"Casual." Amber whistled impressively as she looked me up and down. "I like it."
I couldn't help but agree. I definitely looked better compared to the usual Adidas jacket that I rolled up to my elbows. This getup looks more...relaxed. It was my old style, one that I would definitely miss, but definitely not a bad change.
"It's also body armour."
I gaped.
"Body armour?" I ran my finger on the outer and inner layer and felt that there was indeed, some thin form of hard surface sewed within, but the padded extrusions were barely visible on the outside. "How? When?"
"Modified it." Amber shrugged. "You're gonna be facing more than just Grimm after this, might as well get you something dual purpose for a change."
"Right." I thanked him, then after a moment of thought, I added. "How about you?"
"What about me?" The maiden raised her brow.
"You're still in your green and white striped shirt and pastel brown cargo pants." I said. "You aren't gonna change?"
"Probably will, but I'm not in a rush to change anytime soon. What matters is that you don't die again."
"Oh come on, I'm not that much in a rush to kick the bucket." I replied as I dug my pockets. "Think this'll blend?"
"All you need is a ten-gallon hat and you'll have a look of an outlaw." He read my thoughts as I wrapped a scarf around my mouth, matching the dark red cloth drawn up to my nose.
"I don't think I want to go Clint Eastwood just yet." I teased with a smirk as I eyed Amber through her reflection. "But this'll do just fine."
"Now wear that for the rest of the next 3 Volumes why don't you?"
...
"I hate you so much right now..."
Present
"Definitely an upgrade compared to the old one." Yang grinned blatantly in her bright orange tank top, the same one she'd used when she was depressed and stayed cooped up throughout Volume 4, but wore the same, thigh length light brown shorts as she always did. "So I think I just did you a favour."
I just gave her a deadpanned look as she held up both hands, scratching the back of her hair in defeat.
The moment I woke up, and after a bit of back and forth discussion, Ruby and Yang had agreed to go back to Patch to reassure Tai Yang Xiao Long that they weren't kidnapped or worse, dead. However, before they left, they made an agreement that Blake was always there by my side so I couldn't do something 'stupid'.
Our resident cat faunus was all too happy to agree, making sure I didn't leave the room and guarding the cubicle like her life depended on it, as if the toilet itself could transform into another self harming weapon.
Sheesh
And I thought Weiss was strict.
Little did they know I destroyed the damned armour in the process, being way too damaged to use again, especially after forcefully extracting the core to finish off the Dragon Grimm.
A week or two after, they made it back with duffel bags packed with their clothing.
How they made it back here without a fuss? I have no idea. But knowing the siblings and what comes out of their mouth, I got a feeling I'm gonna give Mr Xiao Long a hell of a first impression.
Considering he hadn't burst down the front doors and castrated us yet, this location is undisclosed. We were safe... for now.
"Anyway," I groaned as I popped my knuckles. "I think it's about time we head for dinner or something, don't ya think?"
"And I thought this," She gestured around her. "Was your typical idea of a date." Yang teased with a smirk and placed her hands to her hips. "You almost had me fooled."
"Please," I rolled my eyes while I stretched my hands. "As if you'd go on a date with someone like me. Also, I don't think the Yang Xiao Long would've preferred a one sided match. You'd usually be the type to take up a challenge."
Yang looked away, seemingly flustered as she muttered about something indecent in the locker room.
"What was that?" I questioned with a raised brow.
"N-nothing." She replied not meeting my eyes. "A-anyways, that reminds me." She said as she inhaled slowly, letting it out while she found the courage not to shrink under my gaze. "We should probably talk about that thing you have with Ruby."
Gurk
Right.
"You said you wanted to talk about it when this whole thing is over. And now." Yang gestured around the room. She looked a bit saddened as she said it for some reason. "It is."
A promise is a promise.
"Yeah." I agreed. "We probably sho-"
"Louis!" Ruby burst into the room.
"Ugh..." Yang groaned as she palmed her face. "Or... Not, again."
I mentally heaved a relieved sigh.
I haven't given Ruby an answer yet, for a good reason.
I don't know what to do.
I'm literally not ready for something like this and, to be honest, neither is she.
It's just the hormones. I tried to tell myself. She's young and naive. The only reason she 'confessed' was because I was that close to death, or thought that I lost my ability to listen or comprehend what she's saying.
She would've been to shy to come out with it otherwise.
"... Weapon and it's soooo cool! Look!"
"Hmm... what?" I shook my thoughts away.
"I said," Ruby pouted and stomped her feet when she realized I was only listening with half an ear. "We finally did it. We recreated Cresent Rose!" As if she expected me to not pay attention again, she twirled her scythe and it clanked as it mecha shifted, it's blade embedded between my feet. "Just like brand new, don't you think?"
I marveled at how uncannily accurate the details were, down to where the bolts were screwed into place.
Every nook and cranny was on point, making an almost identical copy to her signature weapon.
However, it did come with some noticeable changes. First being that both circular hinges where the end of the blade meets it's folded joint and the pole met the cap each had Penny's Power button engraved into it. The only difference being that it glowed scarlet instead of lime green.
It wasn't just there for show.
After feeling completely 'useless' despite our best attempts to convince her that she's not, Ruby had decided to take her weapon to another level.
Cresent Rose now has a similar function to my Obsidian Nova, though on a minor scale, where the inner edge of her gargantuan blade will glow and cut through anything in a short period of time.
Unlike Obisidian Nova, the StarDust loaded within could only sustain itself for about 3 to 5 seconds at most, before it died down.
Any more than that, and history would just repeat itself and Cresent Rose 2.0 would have a total meltdown.
In her usual recoil based battle style, It would've been all but useless and inefficient, but I'd agreed for her to have that added feature was there not to push the weapon to their limits, but should the situation call for her to get out of a pinch.
"It looks great." I complimented. "Almost like the original."
"That's what I just said," Ruby said as she twirled around, hugging the thing like her life depended on it. It probably did, knowing she doesn't know jack about hand to hand combat. "I can't believe I have my baby back."
"Good to see that you're loving it like your old one." I ruffled her hair.
"It was your fault it was broken in the first place!" She pouted.
"Like it was your sister's fault my jacket was destroyed in the first place." I echoed, getting Yang to huff loudly.
We looked at each other for a moment, before we burst forth laughing.
"By the way..." Ruby rocked on the balls of her feet as she pointed at my waist. "Looks like you got yours back too."
It took me a moment to realize what she was talking about, before my hands settled on the black hilts on my waist.
They rested on my side, strapped to my waist as it always had been, but they were untested. Obsidian Nova had been reforged easily enough, since the one I'd lost in the Fall hadn't been the first copy I've come up with, and after a whole year of tinkering with it? It's recipe is mentally seared into my brain.
But they haven't been used ever since.
"Yeah well, they've just been recreated, it's nothing new." I shrugged off with ease, holstering my new weapon onto my back. "Don't know why you seem surprised."
"Well, I don't get why you need that... other thing." She pointed towards the hilt jutting over my shoulder.
"Oh this?" I took out the greatsword for viewing.
It's name... was Requiem.
A greatsword which was quite simplistic in design. The length of it's blade seemed to be purely made out of dark steel, splitting evenly in the middle into two blades instead of melding into just one. The top half had a somewhat shorter length and girth compared to the bottom half, but that just added convenience in terms of it's weight. Halfway, it's edge became somewhat jagged, extending outwards like a metal maw all the way to the end.
A few crimson patterns rested on the sides like small circuitry indents, mimicking the outer blade's jagged design and shooting all the way to it's thick asymmetrical curved guard that hooked in it's corners, forming some sort of opposite facing claws where the blade meets the hilt. The hilt itself had a small axe-like fin-shaped pommel, though beveled enough not to cut it's user recklessly, but hard enough to bash someone's skull in if used correctly.
Unlike the pseudo-Dragonslayer which was made out of pure steel, it was wieldable by an average Huntsman, being somewhat hollow on the inside. Obviously, it didn't have the same heavy impact, but what's the point on having something that powerful and durable if you can't wield it?
"I was thinking of swapping really," I shrugged innocently. "I mean, Obsidian Nova was great and all, but I can't help but think it left a lot to be desired."
"Why?" The small leader pouted. "All weapons are great and should be loved evenly."
"I don't disagree," I replied as I held out both hands to calm her down, suddenly remembering how passionate she was about weapons and that she was wielding a really big scythe. "I'm just saying that I might need another for versatility. Obsidian Nova can't mecha shift into a ranged form after all. The closest I have being to a range attack is air slashes, and those take a while to travel and will dwindle out."
Ruby mumbled something under her breath, but didn't seem to disagree.
Then she seemed to suddenly perk up.
"So what does this one mecha shift into?!" She asked excitedly. "Shotgun? Rifle? Plasma Beam? Machine Gun?!"
"You'll see in time." I replied as I pulled her newly made hood over her head, with the only difference being the slight discoloration, making it a bit pastel color rather than the usual scarlet.
If anything, the bulletproof material I- or more specifically, Evans, had the local weaver sew into it was worth the cost.
At that moment, my stomach seemed to remind us of the time, causing me to clutch it as Ruby stifled a laugh.
"Have we seriously been training for that long?" I asked with a raised brow.
It'd only felt like minutes.
"Yeah." Yang jabbed a finger towards the wall clock. "Come on, it's time we grab something to eat."
Later
"Your parents didn't ask you anything?" Yang asked as she sat cross legged on the table.
Currently, our seatings were segregated between those from the world of Remenant, and those of Earth.
Not for any particular reason, but quite honestly the short, circular tables weren't big enough to fit all of us.
"No." The red haired champion replied. "And our leader decided that it was best not to write home..." She eyed her boyfriend from the corner of her eye, getting him to wince.
"Lucky..." Yang groaned. "Dad basically interrogated us, especially after we refused to tell him of location."
"I'm surprised you're able to get back at all." I admitted. "I thought he was gonna be so overprotective as to lock you up in your rooms."
"Oh come on, dad isn't that bad..." Ruby waved off and laughed nervously, before she muttered. "Okay maybe he is..."
"He only agreed to let us go after we'd told him we're staying with girls." Yang groaned. "And that together, we were capable enough to stop the Fall of Beacon. Only then did he realize we had strong hunters with us, and agreed once I told him we wanted to see Beacon restored with our very eyes, but assured him we were staying somewhere in the city, and nowhere close to Beacon itself."
"Qrow didn't rat me out?" I questioned with a raised brow, getting the blonde brawler to shake her head and Ruby to shrug. "Huh, I'd thought him the type to get backup and rescue his nieces."
"Just shows how much he trusts you," Ruby giggled. "Right?"
"Respect and trust are two different things." I said as the door opened, and Blake stepped in. Her shoulders stiffened at the sight of me, but she quietly nodded a greeting, and sat down opposite to where I was. "He respects me for saving the both of you, and the fact that I hadn't laid my hands on you. But trust? After beating the shit out of him twice, each with one hit?" I laughed. "I don't think so."
"If only I could convince him that you're on the side of good..." Ruby mumbled.
"Hey, it's between me and him, you have no hand in this." I said as I put my hand on her shoulder and rocked her back and forth. "Take it easy, would you? Not everything is your fault."
"Just like how everything isn't yours?" Blake finally spoke up.
"Precisely." I shrugged nonchalantly, ignoring the narrowed amber eyes she sent my way as I pretended not to notice. "I didn't save everybody at Beacon. I just try my best to save who I can."
"Even if it means killing yourself." Ruby muttered, causing me to let go.
"Guys, I'm fine." I gestured at my body up and down. "Seriously, are we really going back to this again? It's not as if you guys wouldn't do the same for me when given the chance."
That caused their jaws to clamp shut and look away.
"Dinner's ready!" Amber announced as she placed the giant hotpot on the table bare handed, somehow avoiding getting burnt altogether, probably heating it with her maiden powers or something.
The tension seemed to drain from their shoulders, all too famished and was happy to let their meal distract them.
I stood up to join the others from Earth at the table opposite to theirs.
Nobody tried to stop me.
Man, their characters barely developed due to my involvement. I sighed internally. Still as naive and idealistic as ever. Was I really that wrong to stop the Fall?
...
Everybody at my table was silent, noticing the mood and probably overhearing the conversation on the other table.
"Here you go boys." Amber fluttered her eyelashes flirtatiously, as she settled another giant hotpot on top of a steel frame to avoid the table from charring.
"You know, if you wake up with a sore ass, it's not my fault." Dwiki joked, getting an elbow from Kevin.
Amber shot him a sinister grin in return. "Then it's not my fault if you find your lower half a charbroiled sausage in the morning."
"I did not need that image in my head." Kevin shook his head vigorously. "Especially when we're about to eat."
The hotpot hissed as a stream of white smoke poured out of the tiny vent poked on the side.
All our eyes widened.
Shift
"... Really should trust us more." Yang mumbled.
"We have our eyes on him, so I don't think he could pull something like that again without us noticing." Ruby replied.
"You guys are just really paranoid." Pyrrha sighed as she fished out some tofu with her chopsticks. "He said he trusts you if you'll listen from now on, and you guys agreed. So what's the problem?"
"The problem is, when the going gets tough, he's just gonna repeat this cycle all over again." Blake said in a frustrated whisper as she nibbled on some fish cake. "You act as if you're all innocent. You were about to take the maiden's powers and do the same."
Pyrhha blanched.
"Hey." Jaune warned. "Don't lay this on Pyrrha. Like he said, you all would've done the same for him. He isn't in the wron-"
CLANG
Jaune's face paled while the others winced.
A porcelain disc of hotpot cover embedded the concrete wall behind the blonde knight, missing by mere inches.
"Hey!" Yang yelled as she got up to face the source of the intrusion. "Watch where... you're..."
The others followed her gaze, and their jaws hung open.
A flurry of swish and swoops was all that was audible as chopsticks swiftly swiped whatever they could.
The boys didn't seem to care for the temperature of the food they were consuming, and the speed at which they were digesting it seemed like they didn't even chew the food at all before they swallowed it.
Dwiki seemed to be the only one left out, as when his chopsticks drew near, it was instantly swatted away by either Amber's or one of the boys, they could never tell.
Their hands seemed to move at such inhumane speeds that everything was a blur.
"Hm." Amber smirked victoriously, before consuming a fish cake and already lunging in for another in a span of seconds.
Eventually, it all slowed down to a near halt as only a braised egg remained in the thick, rich broth.
Dwiki's eyes glinted as he lunged, jabbing his utensils forward, only for it to slip out of his grasp.
The slippery egg flew.
Louis then tried to grab it next, only for the same thing to happen. Then Amber, Kevin, Adrian, Derrick did the same, wielding the same results.
Dwiki hungrily eyed the egg, like a predator observing it's prey. In the correct moment, he leapt up, opened his chopsticks in a last-ditch effort to claim what's his.
His hand shot forward...
Only for everybody to do the same, and split the delicacy apart, with only an eighth landing on Dwiki's plate, which he gobbled up greedily.
"That was delicious. Man... I'm stuffed." Amber claimed as she patted her bare stomach.
Dwiki eyed the soup, and pitifully fished out a sheet of seaweed, opening his mouth as his chopsticks drew near.
Sluuuuurp
Without a care in the world, Kevin's face shot forward, his lips puckered and slurped the whole thing until there wasn't a trace of it left on his chopsticks.
Dwiki just gaped at his clean chopsticks as Kevin leaned back on his arms.
"Okay, now that's just mean." Jaune chuckled as he scooted over to make space between him and Ren. "Hey Dwiki!" He called out to the sulking boy. "Over here!"
"Hm?" Dwiki looked behind him as if he expected another man named Dwiki to be behind him. "Me?"
"Yes you." Jaune laughed heartily as he tried not to let it bother him. "Have some of ours."
"Really?" The pudgy boy asked.
Louis's POV
"Make sure you don't regret that decision lover boy." I teased as I wiped my mouth with a paper napkin, all the while Dwiki scurried over, all too happy to have his fill.
"Why should I?-"
He got his answer when his eyes trailed to where Dwiki was, then to what he was looking at.
His eyes twitched.
"I don't think it's only the food he's thinking of eating." I chuckled when Dwiki chose to cajole the champion's cleavage that was peeking out of her bronze armour, causing her to cover it with both hands immediately when she realized everybody was staring at her, and more were deadpanning at the rotund man staring.
"Don't say we didn't warn you." Amber snickered, taking the hotpot with her as Jaune choked Dwiki, whose lips had strands of noodles sticking out of it.
"Wffffhhy mheeee?!"
Later
The door slowly creaked open, pouring light into the room.
I couldn't help but smile as I looked down at the black haired girl with red highlights innocently snoring in her sleepwear.
I settled on the side of her bed. Being careful while slowly lowering my bum on the foot of her bed, and being as soft as possible as to not wake the small leader up from her slumber.
If anybody had seen me right now, it would've looked creepy.
But I couldn't help it.
She's adorable... I thought with a small chuckle. I really hope I don't have to see her harden her heart for the sake of others.
She's way too pure for this world...
She shuffled in her sleep, muttering something about cookies in her sleep while she ate at the air.
I tucked the small leader in with a proud smile, causing her to subconsciously return it from the new warmth it gave her, before doing the same to her sister beside her who had all but kicked her blankets to the floor, then finally, to our cat faunus who was fast asleep.
Taking one final look at the 3 of them, I smiled proudly at my team.
It's time...
Quietly, I stood up with a small sigh, before stroking Blake's hair gently and then, slowly walked out of the room with one last glance over my shoulder.
Shift
As the doors clicked shut, amber eyes snapped open.
Louis's POV
Now, let's see if my disguise will hold if I can find a way out of this-
My face slammed into the floor as something barreled into me from behind.
"What th-"
I instinctively unholstered Obsidian Nova, since Requiem was too heavy to carry casually and the fact that we were in a hidden facility, never expecting to be attacked.
How did Salem's faction find this place?! It's hidden!
I felt my arms getting intertwined with each other as the attacker attempted to bind and disarm me, feeling Obsidian Nova get pried out of my grasp.
"Son of a-" I slammed my head up as the back of my head connected to the assailant's chin, and heard a pained grunt that caused him to reel back and get off of me. I kicked blindly to further increase the distance between us, earning a yelp, and I silently hoped it bought me enough time to warn the others.
"Arrrrgh!" I drew both my blades out as I pointed it towards... Towards...
"Blake...?" I asked as the cat faunus clutched her nose. "Wha-"
"Hah!" She yelled as she lunged at me, pinning me down on the floor with both hands to keep me immobilized.
"Blake, what are you mmmfpl!"
Her lips slammed into mine.
She wasn't gentle about it, claiming my lips as if it was hers to take. I felt her breath rush into my mouth, and her teeth teased my lips all the more as her tongue requested entry.
I knew better than to retaliate, having a similar experience with Yang.
I took one gaze at her face. Her eyes were insistent, but hazy and lidded as she insistently refused to give up.
There was no way I was getting out of this.
I opened my mouth, and let her take me as I leaned into it.
Blake closed her eyes. She tasted of dark chocolate and smelled of olives. Her tongue wasn't as rough as I thought it would be, it was in fact, soft and almost juicy.
I felt her body tremble against me as her hands slowly left my wrists, but I made no move to cop a feel.
I can't...
Her tongue danced against mine and won, relentlessly harassing my mouth until it left nowhere untouched. By the time she drew away, if only by her bit, her breath mixed with mine, the hypnotic musk enshrouding her almost causing me to lean up and claim her lips once more.
I stopped myself before I could.
I won't...
Her lips were glossy where it connected with mine, her tongue even more so, and her gaze was almost pleading. It was only then that I noticed that she was in her yukata she wore before the initiation, and where she sat I felt her bare skin rub against my jeans.
I felt my own lips bruise against the rough treatment it was given earlier, but ignored the pain completely.
"Blake I-"
Before I could even get two words out, I felt searing heat against my cheek as a palm imprinted itself on the side of my face.
My head snapped back to look at her confused.
"You... bastard..."
Bitter tears cascaded down the side of her face and splashed down on my chest, drenching my newly acquired vest in a matter of seconds.
"You promised!" She yelled as more tears streamed out of her glassy eyes. "You said you'd talk it out with the team if there was anything!"
I just shot her a confused look as she wiped her eyes with her wrists, sniffling loudly as she crumpled on her knees, applying her full weight on top of me.
"Don't leave!" She begged. "Please! We can solve this together!"
"What are you-"
"Louis!"
Oh grea-
"OOF!"
Ruby's rose petal form slammed into my side as silver eyes shone, as she clung onto my arm for her dear life.
"Don't leave us!"
"What the hell are you talk-"
She sealed my lips with hers before I could even make out to complain.
I took a deep waft of what seemed to be a mix of roses and strawberries, as I felt the soft lips against mine.
Unlike Blake who was committed and certain, she was rather nervous. Her quivering lips was unable to engulf me in a deep kiss and only daring to further bruise the edge of my lips. When she attempted to go further, her teeth only clanked against mine, causing her to draw back in pain.
"Woah woah-" I held both hands out. "What are you guys do-"
"Louis!"
"Not you too..." I groaned as the blonde brawler came rushing from the corner. "Let me guess, you gonna kiss me too?!"
"What- no!" The blonde brawler's cheeks heated up furiously. As if snapping out of a trance, she shook her head and gritted it out with crimson eyes. "How could you leave without saying goodbye?!"
"Leave- Goodbye? What?!" I held out both hands before any of them could do anything brash again. I tried hard not to think about what Blake was- or was not, wearing underneath, for the tent in my pants was on the verge of bursting altogether.
Down boy!
It twitched all too happily.
Fuck...
The 3 members of team RWBY just stared at each other dumbfoundedly.
"We know that you're scared of hurting us..." Ruby started slowly, and felt her soft mounds squish against my arms tighter.
Down. Boy.
"But please," Blake begged as she cried into my chest, causing her voice to distort and become muffled. "Please don't leave us again! We could solve this. Together!"
"Woah woah woah." Something was very wrong here.
I felt my blood boil from under my skin, and not just from the lust of having kissed 2 girls in the span of 5 minutes.
I felt really, really pissed that someone misfed my team with bullshit.
"But-" Ruby tried.
"Atatatat. Ap." I held out a finger as Yang made to open her mouth. That seemed to do the trick, for now. "One at a time. Ruby."
"I know you're scared that you have that... thing inside you." She cried. "I know that you want to keep us safe. That's why you build that armour. But we could- no, we will help you, just as you'd helped us andIdon'twantyoutogoaway plea-"
"Blake." I cut the small reaper off, gaining a small whimper as she burried her face in my arms.
"You bloody hypocrite," The cat faunus half hissed, half sniffled as she crumpled on my chest. "You told me to stick with the team and not run away, when you plan to throw yourself into exile just so that we could be safe. It's not fair! You should've discussed it with us and-"
"Yang." I stated, not even bothering to listen to the rest of Blake's statement.
She made to open her mouth, but one glare sent her way silenced her for good.
"Same as them." Yang snarled with crimson eyes. "You were gonna leave us for our safety, weren't yo-"
"Stop." I stated with a dead cold tone that seemed to freeze them to the bone.
Everybody looked into my eyes, a relentless glare replacing the usually friendly gaze.
"First of all, who the fuck said I was gonna pull a Sasuke on you?!" I roared angrily. "I never planned to leave you guys in search of taming or exploring this newly found power. Even if I can't comprehend it and there was a chance that I'd hurt you, without the armour, you guys would still be strong enough to defend yourselves!"
"Louis we-"
"Second of all, is this what it's all been about?" I glared at the cat faunus, causing her to shrink. "Is that why you've been acting weird this past month, ignoring me and spying on me?!"
"You noticed?"
"You were spying on him?" Yang asked with a raised brow.
"And third!" I added before anything could go off track. "While it is true that I am going tonight." I raised my voice at the end when they opened their mouths. "Who said I was going alone?!"
"Eh?" Ruby blinked owlishly, wiping her silver eyes with the back of her sleeve.
"If you hadn't noticed already," I snarled, unable to contain my barely concealed anger. "The rest of the boys are also missing from this compound. We were about to have a boys night out at Junior's to discuss what our next course of action is. That part of town isn't rebuilt yet, and even if there's Grimm, Evans could handle it through Amber's body. Or me with Obsidian Nova." I gestured with my head towards the hilts that were both sprawled on the floor.
"Huh...?" Blake echoed Ruby's actions, gaping and staring blankly at me.
"I thought you said you don't drink." Yang's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"I can if I want to. I just prefer not to!" I snapped back. "Besides, it's not that we don't want to discuss it here, we just want to do so on Earth terms without you guys feeling left out. We were going to go out now because everybody's asleep at this time." I gestured with my head towards the clock, where it read '3:03 a.m'. "So nobody's gonna recognize me even with my mask off!"
"So, I'm gonna ask you one more time..." I growled under my breath. "Who filled your head with this false information?"
"Evans." It was Ruby who answered. "Evans told Blake who told us that you'd leave us when you got better."
...
...
My face went through a myriad of emotions, from confusion back to anger and then being startled, before it settled in a deadpan.
"AhhHHHH!" I tore my hair out as I writhed on the ground. "I should've known... those bloody shippers! EVAAAAAANS!"
Evans's POV
"Something wrong?" Kevin asked as he pulled a barstool to sit on.
He glugged half a bottle of leftover liquor, pouring the rest in an equal amount in the shot cups laid out in front of each of the boys.
"Nothing," She admitted as a chill traveled down her spine, causing her to rub her arms, even use the heat from her maiden powers. "I just... feel cold."
"Must've been the wind," Adrian offered, gesturing at the open roof and the ruined walls around him.
"I hope so..." Amber muttered as her breath came out in a fine mist.
Why... do I suddenly feel like a dead man walking?
A/N
Nothing much to say here. This chap is long, but then again, it's for setups, while next chap might take a while, might not. May be longer, may not, depending on where I choose to cut it. Also, before I forget, Happy CNY to those of you celebrating!
Also also, over 66k views! Thank you guys!
Reviewer Sessions
Paradox0.5white: Glad you liked it. I know I enjoyed writing omakes.
DankAnon: Evans had already upgraded from handholding to a HUG! RuUUUUN! You'd better, it's the omake you came up with. Glad to see you enjoy the rest though, just as how I enjoyed writing them.
Guest: I'm pretty sure a full stream of continuous raw energy from the god of darkness counts as a nuke. Especially if it's able to vapourize Ozma's body in less than 2 seconds...