Chapter 26
Morning. The sun was rising, the day looked all nice and bright.
"-and so I left the Fang after it became too violent." To bad the conversation was far from bright. In a small shop elsewhere inside the city, two people were sitting down having some tea and milk.
"Apprentice! Look-look-look! This strange crystal is falling apart in my hand! Look! Look! Look!" Okay, make that three. A woman that called herself Sun's master with Blake not sure how this woman is so cheery. She had to admit thought, she was really pretty, and as Yang would call it, 'Curvy in all the right places'. Wearing clothing that revealed her body.
'For some priest or whatever she calls herself, she certainly shows off a lot of skin.' Particularly the chest and thighs. Blake knew some Huntresses did that, though it seems this woman did it simply for comforts sake and didn't care what others thought. Plus, despite her rather bold choice in clothing, there was another trait she had.
"Man this place is funny." That she was so childish to the point where Sun himself pretended that he didn't know her with Blake doing the same. Though it wasn't easy with all the stares at them. Sun will deal with her later.
"So." The monkey faunus began while grabbing Sanzang's head and pushing it back. Wanting to resume their talk before losing focus. "Have you told your friends any of this?" He then just asked if her pals knew of her past and history. Though her look said it all. "Oh boy."
"They...don't need to know. Not yet." Blake told him unconvincingly. "At the least, I need to prove to them that the White Fang aren't behind these robberies."
"Robberies?" Sun looked confused, before then getting a lightbulb over his head. "That's right. I heard this city was being plagued by lots of criminals. Some guy with a cane, an idiot with blonde hair, the White Fang, and a little girl with knives." Blake doesn't recall the knives part, but it was probably nothing. Just as the White Fang who supposedly stole Dust was actually nothing.
"It can't be them." Blake stood up and began walking. Wanting to leave to prove herself that the White Fang wasn't behind this.
"Ahem." Only to be stopped by a large human male who just stuck out his hand. She forgot the check. Grumbling she just got out some Lien and paid the man before continuing on, Sun and his so-called Master following. Blake then resuming where she left off.
"The White Fang doesn't need the amount of Dust that's being pilfered. It must be someone else. Because even I can't think of any reasons they would need this much Dust" I mean, they only took the proper amount. Not enough to fuel an army.
"Maybe they just want shiny things." Sanzang helpfully suggested, much to Blake and Suns deadpan eyes. The former looking at Sun who just shrugged. He was already getting used to her antics.
"Okay, so you say they don't need the Dust. But...what if they did?" Blake frowned, though he continued on anyway. "I mean, if they want this Dust so much, then maybe they'll go somewhere. Somewhere where there's a lot of Dust. But if they're not there, then, maybe it's not them like you said."
"Aha!" Sanzang then said. "So we go to the place where all these crystal thingies that you all call Dust for some reason and see if they come for it. That will prove if they are guilty or not! The Buddha will judge them!"
"I guess." Blake admits to the idea. Believing it as the best shot to prove her old group's innocence. "But, I wouldn't even know a place with a lot of Dust. And I doubt it'll be the stores."
"Then how about the docks?" Sanzang said.
"Docks?"
"That's right. Docks!" Sun slammed his fist into his open palm. "When Sanzang and I stowed away on the ship to get here, we overheard some stuff. Some guys on the ship saying a bunch of Dust is going to the docks after being shipped in from Atlas. A huge amount."
"Really?" Blake thought over this information for a moment. "How huge?"
"A lot." He just said.
"Bigger than even Hercules!" Sanzang added even though the two didn't officially know the guy. Though Blake did recall seeing Hercules on screen once, and he was big for a human.
Okay. Looks like they were getting somewhere. 'And now I can prove that the White Fang aren't behind this.' They were already framed for that break-out at the prison. They didn't deserve to be framed for this too. Time to catch some bad guys.
"So these are the docks huh. Eh, I've seen better." Flying very fast in the middle of the night, a Bullhead was closing in the Vale port in a few minutes. Inside it being none other than Jason himself in all his glory. By his side is Atalanta, Hercules, and Hundred Persona. On another Bullhead close by is where Roman is. With a smirk, he then turned to face his team.
"Okay gang, looks like it's time to get our game faces on. We're gonna be rich!" He tells them all while rubbing his hands greedily.
"Let me guess." Hundred Persona said in a sarcastic tone. "You're gonna try and rob Torchwick."
"What! No!" Jason said looking shocked. 'Damn. She found out so fast.'
"Or are you going to try and take more Dust for yourself?" Atalanta then butted in.
'These girls are good.' Curse the woman's intuition. "Please ladies. Do I look like a con artist?" Hercules just snorted. "Moving on. We do exactly as planned. Atalanta, once we land keep an eye out while Hercules starts moving these big containers. And I'll be a guard for Roman."
"Whatever." Atalanta said not really caring. "So long as we get some Dust for ourselves, all should be good. Which reminds me." She then turned to the purple haired assassin, who did the same with the lion eared archer. "Does your new boss know why we need the Dust."
"No." Hundred Persona says. "He knows we use it for something. But other than that, nothing more." Like they needed him to realize Dust fueled both their power and existence.
"Excellent." Atalanta moves some hair past her eyes. "We can't have anybody knowing what Dust can do for us. Otherwise we'll be denied it."
"For once I agree with you." Jason actually says. "After all, we need more Dust to help Hercules get back his full strength."
"He seems strong enough to me." As if Hundred Persona wouldn't notice the energy being emitted from the great Demi-God himself. While not at full power, the Berserker Servant was leagues above even the Assassin Class Servants. Just how much Dust Crystals did Jason even give him!?
"Nonsense! He needs more!" Jason rebbutted with the two female Servants sighing. "Either way, this will be a big opportunity with this heist."
"True enough." Hundred Persona nodded. "With all this Dust, we may have enough to get back a good amount of our former powers. Stabilizing our existence."
"Not to mention sending out a message to the other masses." Atalanta added in. "By doing this, we show Vale and by extension, the criminal underworld we aren't to be messed with." Plus they may even attract attention for other Servants to notice them.
"...Uh, yeah. That too." Jason then chuckled. Turning around while pretending to do something important. Not wishing to tell them the 'opportunity' he was talking about was how cool he'd look on television. Luckily, they didn't know that.
"..." Except for Hercules. That man has been his friend for a long time, and has been through thick and thin with him. Particularly whenever he made a mess. So while still in his mad state, the Berserker knew what Jason had really been after.
...How was he friends with him again?
"Alright people, it's almost time." Roman's voice then came out from a nearby radio. The master thief himself called the Argonaut crew. Everne then paying attention to the radio. "As of the moment I'll be landing first with you guys next. I can definitely use your big friend in moving our 'luggage'."
"And then Atalanta will watch for any cops with Persona here keeping you protected from any wannabe heroes." Because for some reason this felt like the scene where some jolly goodie-goodie might pop in. That, and they weren't exactly hiding their presence well with these was only a matter of time before the cops showed up when they got word of unauthorized Bullheads landing near the dock.
"Not to mention." Jason then said with a grin. Looking at his fellow Servants. "If things go wrong, we ditch Roman and become this city's new number one criminals while he rots in a cell."
"...You do realize I can still hear you?" Jason then yelped as he then turned and saw the radio was indeed still on. The others just shake their head at Jason's stupidity. Feeling mad, Jason just grabbed the radio.
"Then, what are you going to do about it?" He arrogantly said.
"Nothing." The thief replied. "Though not like you can escape. I mean, none of you can even drive a Bullhead."
"..." Jason then looked to see the pilot. Then at the dashboard showing all the complicated looking buttons, dials, blinking lights, and other stuff. And since he had no 'Riding' Skill that could work properly in this place, all he would do if he tried piloting it was crashing the ship. Meaning they really couldn't escape. Unless-he quickly turned to see his teammates.
"Don't look at me idiot."
"I will not bother flying for you."
"▂▄▅▅!"
Dang. Looks like unless it was by foot, in which they had to land properly, they were stuck. Curse this timeline for restricting their powers!
"Man that guy is dumb." Meanwhile on the other end of the line, Roman shut off the radio and just gave a little stretch. Today-or tonight-is a big event. He's about to steal more Dust than what even the entity of the underworld itself knew what to do with. Torchwick however got some good ideas why Cinder wanted that much. None of the ideas he thought of were good.
'A lot of it is already going to the White Fang and we still have a ton.' It honestly worried him on what Cinder was planning to do with all this Dust. I mean, this is enough for an entire army. Or, an entire cache of weapons. Cinder did have him make plans for stealing the Paladins from Atlas, which Adam would later on follow. Not to mention schematics on bombs.
"..." He may not mind destruction here and there, but he wasn't one to wish absolute disaster in the making. Uh. Hopefully he'll find a way to escape her clutches. Especially since he got word that Cinder got a powerful ally from somewhere. All he had on the dude was that he used a spear and was a faunus lizard or something. Sounded like a mad man.
"Sir. We've landed." His thoughts were then interrupted by one of the faunus. The craft had landed with the hatch open. The animals are now leaving the craft and ready for a good day of stealing.
"Hey! What's the hold up?" And get some mutts to start doing this right. I mean, come on. They were just standing around acting all pretty for the invisible cameras. Doing nothing. He's pretty sure by this point Adam gave him the rookies instead of his more efficient men. "We're not exactly the most inconspicuous thieves at the moment." He then walked down waving his hand to get their attention. They weren't color blind after all. "So, why don't you animals try to pick up the pace." They just looked at him as if he said nothing at all. Oh how he wished that Hercules guy was here with him. Or even the archer girl. Now those were people who could get these mutts to start moving.
"Hey sir." One of the Fang members called out to him. "What do I do with this?" In his hands was a bunch of cable. Holding it out like he knew nothing about it. "Do I tie it up to the ship like a dog?"
How long until the others arrive here?
"No you idiot!" He then walked to the man with his cane behind him. "This isn't a leash!" What is wrong with them!? Roman was about ready to get this man's priorities straight when suddenly he heard some footsteps from behind him. A second later he then felt a sharp cold piece of metal held against his throat ready to slice his vocal cords.
"What the-" Of course his newly hired bodyguards weren't here to help. Damn! In any case, this weird brat was now holding him at point blank where she then stared at him as the White Fang finally made a move in raising their weapons. Though judging from the small glint in their eyes, they certainly wouldn't be crying if they shot him. Or cut him as another took out a sword.
"Wh-ho. Take it easy there little lady." He said calmly as the White Fang got closer, weapons raised. A little too close for comfort as well. He needs to get out of this girl's grip and fast. Where the girl then put a hand on her bow, and took it off. Revealing a pair of cat ears. 'Huh. Well what do you know.'
"Brothers of the White Fang." She then called out to the tiny group of four if it had meaning. "Why are you aiding this scum!?"
Ouch. What harsh words. Yet it seemed to be working as the faunus began lowering their weapons. Still though, she wasn't all that bright. "Oh kid. Didn't you get the memo." Roman then chuckled darkly. The girl then glaring right at him.
"What are you talking about?" Her blade got a bit closer. Hitting his aura just a tiny bit.
"Well, lets just say the Fang and I are going in on a joint business together."
"Tell me what it is," His aura began flashing a little. "Or I'll put an end to your little operation." Suddenly, much to his pleasure and on time, a sound of wind entered the ears of everyone present. Roman and Blake looking up with Blake's own eyes widening.
"I wouldn't call it a little operation."
On cure multiple Bullheads were now above them. All looking rather menacing under this fine night. Each getting into position and ready to do their jobs.
"▄▅▅!" Then, to everyone's fear, a loud roar could be heard. One that made the criminal smile while Blake felt instant terror. A good reason to as suddenly from the Bullhead multiple figures jumped down from it. It would take them less than ten seconds to land. Ten seconds was all he needed.
"Heh." His cane then positioned down right at the little cat's feet where he pulled the hidden trigger for a low Dust burn explosion. Not enough to cause either of them any harm, but more than enough to make a big boom. Positioning it just right to send the cat flying. The only downside being the loud explosion that may catch other people's attention. Or maybe annoying meddlers. Seriously though, how does one shot make that much smoke? He certainly didn't design it that way.
Not that it mattered though. As he is here.
"Aaaaaahhhh-!"
Splat!
….Okay. Not him. The blonde guy who just landed face first in the ground with his buried face moaning.
"▄▅▅▂▃▃!"
Boom!
Him.
"Oh my gosh! It's Hercules!" One member of the White Fang said in fear.
"He's gonna kill us!" Another cried.
"Calm down you mutts." Roman told the fools cowering while the other individuals including Hundred Persona landed. "He's on our side. Ready to help." Though even Roman had to admit Hercules looked like a monster ready to strange them all. The way he looked, the broken ground under his feet. Hell, thank the Brother Gods he's on their side.
"Now then." He turned to face the cat raising his cane. "Time for some fun." He then got ready to shoot.
"What the hell are you doing!?" Only to get a foot hitting his side. The attack not only took a chunk of his aura, but he landed painfully on the ground. His cane sent flying away from reach.
"Wha-!" He then saw it was that other cat girl Atalanta who looked furious. As he landed on the ground harshly, everyone now looked confused. Roman wasn't happy. "What the hell!?" Was this a double cross after all? Hundred Persona quickly acting as before Atalanta knew it, the purple haired assassin held a dagger toward her throat.
"Mind explaining yourself Atalanta?" She asked coldly.
"He tried hurting a child." Atalanta simply replied. Hercules himself also nodded as if agreeing. Oh great. So he was losing the partnership because he was hurting a child?...Okay, maybe that was as bad as it sounded, but come on! Heck, that kitty cat wasn't even a kid at all! She's seventeen, already past the child limit!
"Time to jump in!" Hearing another voice, everyone then looked up to see a banana peel fall down onto the ground. A second later, another faunus came down with blonde hair and a cherry grin with exposed abs. Landing monkey style with his tail shaking like it was having a party. "Now then," He then looked at Roman and the group with a serious look. "Leave her alone."
"That's right!" Then from the air, came a woman with a nicely shaped body yet such revealing clothes coming down. Seriously, the body is nice, but the outfit? Why the hell is she wearing so little!? Anyway, this weird woman came down with some kind of staff pointed at the group of baddies. "Leave apprentice's friend along or-Atalanta? Hercules? Hundred Persona?"
"Sanzang!" The two females then said.
"Huh?" Roman went.
"▄▄▃▃?" Hercules bellowed.
"...My...face…" Jason then fell unconscious.
"This just got awkward." A Fang soldier said. Indeed he was right. Because now at the moment the follower of Buddha and her apprentice were facing the Argonauts and single Hasan with criminals. Sanzang looked shocked.
"I can't believe it." She said looking at them in disappointment. "I can't believe...You all are here to!"
"Wha-." Roman said dumbly thinking for sure the girl was going to say something about his new allies being on his side. He then just got up...and began walking away.
"Oh man, this is incredible." Sanzang continued despite the awkward air around everyone. Even the newly arrived White Fang were looking at each other unsure what to do. They then saw Roman making some motions toward them, which they then left to follow him. "So you guys really are here!"
"Hold on, you know these guys?" Sun questioned. Sanzang just grabbed him by the shoulder and brought her closer to her. Their shoulders touching alongside their cheeks, much to his discomfort and embarrassment.
"Of course apprentice!" The Caster replied. "These guys are from Chaldea. A place where all sorts of people gather." Good, bad, strange, wacky, weird, and so on. Chaldea was a place of wonder and joy. If you avoided the jerks like Gilgamesh and the constant life threatening battles that came with it.
"Interesting." Hundred Persona stood back facing the monk of Buddha. "Guess there are more Servants here after all."
"Jason did end up making a mess with the launch." Atalanta rubbed her head. "Still. I suppose it's nice to see you."
"That's right!" The monk chippered. "Although," She then turned to see what is apparently Roman with the White Fang moving some crates onto the local Bullheads. "What are you guys doing?"
"Stealing. That's what." Jumping in Blake stood next to Sun and Sanzang, glaring at the thief who was just nonchalantly stealing the Dust while this talk was going on. "All these guys are working for Roman to take this city's Dust! Even the White Fang!"
"That's right." Sun then took out his own red staffed weapon. "All these guys are some of Vale's most wanted. Or as oou would probably say, have strayed from the path of Buddha!"
"No way!" Sanzang cried out in shock. She then looked at the Servants with sadness to see if they would deny it. The two females looking at each other wondering if they should give an explanation on why they're doing this. Sighing, Atalanta took a step up. Ready to explain.
"What are...you fools doing?" Then Jason, still rather dizzy and talking like a kicked mule, had his head raised from the ground he had been kissing Looking at his team. "...Stop messing around...and-uh...steal all this Dust for our own purpose..ow." Then he went back to kissing the ground. Atalanta wondering if she should just shoot her arrow at him.
"I see." Then stopped when she felt an increase in magical energy. Hundred Persona drawing out her daggers with Hercules also raising his deadly axe. Sanzang no longer looked foolish, with even Sun and Blake taking a step back as the monk began glowing a little. "It seems you really have strayed from the Buddha's path. In that case." She then spun the summoned staff in her hand, ending it with pointing the glowing tip of the staff at them. "I'll just have to knock some sense in you."
This was rather problematic. Atalanta didn't know Sanzang that well to be honest. However, she knew the woman was rather stubborn, and wouldn't stop even if she asked her. Which means, they'll have to fight. Her own bow drawn with some new arrows with the tips being made from regular sharpened wood or small Dust crystals that will make a bang. Having decided these Dust things can be useful for attacks. Even Hercules laced a bit of his axe with Dust thanks to Roman before they left.
'Sanzang's tough,' Atalanta thought. 'But even she can't handle all of us. Not only do we have numbers, but Hercules should be a lot stronger than her thanks to Jason giving him all those Dust crystals.' That's right, this is a fight they possibly can't lose.
"Hey!" It was then everyone heard the voice of a young girl. Looking up, they then saw someone with black hair with red edges, wearing some kind of combat skirt with a massive scythe in her hands. The girl driving the scythe into the roof.
'More children?' Atalanta was starting to wonder about the competence of the police here. Did they have to rely on kids to do their work? Pathetic. "Isn't it past your bedtime?" Atalanta called out not noticing Blake's shocked look at her team leader arriving. It was then another person came.
"Ruby, are these people your friends?" Some girl with orange hair and green highlights. Atalanta wasn't sure why, but this girl felt...off. 'Doesn't matter. I can't get these kids involved.' Atalanta then knocked an arrow and fired.
"No!" Blake shouted with Sun looking shocked. Even Sanzang looked surprised. At first glance, it looked as if Atalanta was attacking a kid.
'Not that I actually am.' Except Atalanta would never hurt a child. Instead having aimed it so that it would go above their heads and the arrow with the red explosion Dust in it would set off safely above their heads. This way it may frighten them to leave. Though not that it would have worked for two reasons.
The first was that she didn't know these girls wouldn't leave just because of some explosion arrow. They were much tougher than that. Then there's the second reason.
Slash!
"It seems you must have fallen to attack a child." Cutting the arrow was none other than a man wearing a battle uniform with a demonic looking mask. A man Atalanta knew and cursed, with Hundred Persona also looking worried.
'Sigurd!' The very same man whose stated to match even the great King of Knights! This-this wasn't good. The man bore down at everyone below, his eyes narrowing behind the mask. In his hand was another sword to replace his usual blade after the...incident. This one made with Dust giving it a unique property. One that will be used sooner rather than later.
"Sir!" Penny said looking excited. Ruby just drooling at this newcomers armor and weapon. "Are you here to help?"
"Yes Penny. I am." After all, Sigurd wouldn't allow this group, even these Rouge Servants, to take Dust that Vale could use. That, and he had also been looking for Penny again. He wasn't sure how, but that girl easily escaped his sights one to many times. Good thing the explosion he heard from earlier helped.
"Oh great.!" Roman shouted as he saw these newcomers. "How many more people are going to be here?"
"Enough to kick your butt!" Ruby shouted readying her weapon with Penny pulling out her swords from behind and Sigurd raising his blade. Sun, Blake, Sanzang are also doing the same.
For the side of villainy, the Argonauts, White Fang, lone Hassan and criminal mastermind thief also locked their sights onto the heroes. From behind more Bullheads were coming in locked and loaded.
"Well then," Roman began as he then lit his cigar before throwing it down. "I guess it's time we have some fun." It was then the second the cigar hit the ground, everyone shouted as they charged at each other. Ready to fight to the bitter end.
"...Uh...mommy…" Except for Jason.
Time for the battle of the docks to begin. Who will win, the side of bad, or the side of good? Both sides have their own advantages and new players to fight with. Honestly, it's tough to decide. Until Next Time.
"So...are we sure it's safe?" A young man with black hair asked the genius sitting before him. Wondering if this is even a risk they should take.
"Of course it's safe. I made certain that everyone was right myself!" The great genius assured the young man as she then sent a text to the second Master to get her own Servants to come. "While I'm unsure where these coordinates go to, if I'm correct, and I always am, then we'll find the fractured Servants sent there."
To think such a thing was even possible! Though then again, lots of crazy stuff has happened before. So this wasn't that crazy. Top ten at most. Besides, doing this was a good thing. To help those that may be trapped because of one idiots mistake.
"Plus. We'll be able to see what this strange timeline may have that makes it unique." That, and see what awesome things to take note of. Though safety came first. Honest.
"Still," The young man felt this situation was way too strange. Plus, since they couldn't get a proper grasp on these coordinates, they have no idea just how dangerous this could be.
"I'm here." Entering with nice orange hair is the second Master. "The other Servants are coming later. So, what do you need?" A quick explanation later and the problems of who to send to this dangerous place came down. "I see," The young woman nodded her head. "So we just need to send someone to this place. But who?"
"Move aside mongrels. The king is here." Both the young man and woman heard the arrogant filled voice that belonged to Chaldea's number one jerk. Then they looked at each other with smirks.
"Heh."
"Heh."
They knew just who to send.
