Warning: I do not own RWBY, that belongs to Oum & Rooster Teeth
Bold: other speaking
Bold: other thinking
Hi: normal thinking
Hi: normal speaking
If you guys like the chapter then leave a like and review while your at it (please)
Reviews:
Eternity456: Thanks for the reviews. And while what WBY did was wrong they were still scared. I mean learning that the greatest threat in the world as their best friends mother is not something to easily accept.
Luine Mercury LWG: That does come with fear
Shiranai Atsune: Thanks
Connor Worsnop: Oh, and why so?
digreg: Well it technically wasn't their job at all, it was Qrow's
Greer123: I mean would you not?
MISTRAL, OUTSIDE OF THE KINGDOM ,UNKNOWN AREA
"So where to now? Should get off the roads and just ... go somewhere?" Nora asked.
"Maybe, I say let's at least find a town, maybe they know a place we can stay that's small and not well known" Ren offered "Better then going face first into Grimm territory."
"Maybe, besides, one more hot meal before we leave society for good" agreed Jaune "~sigh~ I hope RWBY understands ... I'll rather not run into to them again."
"Jaune, we still have each other and whoever comes is going to deal with us, together" Pyrrha promised.
The blonde nodded, eventually, the four of them reached a town. Or what was left of it, the town was ruined as the houses either looked in disrepair or were burnt to the ground, black markings were the only remaining sign of their existence. The four of them walked into the town.
"Looks, kinda of ... recent" Ren muttered, narrowing his eyes.
"Yeah, guys think their bandits destroyed this town, or was it Grimm?" Jaune asked.
"I don't think bandits would destroy a village like this ... why would they want to destroy a town in the first place. Don't towns provide food to them, or something close to that" replied Ren.
"Yeah, sounds about-"
"AHhh ... oh god ... sssshhhh" another voice hissed.
Near to the water fountain was a huntsmen, gripping a nasty wound that punctured his armor and stained it dark red.
"By the brothers, are you alright!?" said Jaune as they ran up to the man, placing his hands to the wound he began trying to heal the wound.
"... what are civies ... ru ... run ... nu-nuc ..."the man muttered his eyes rolling back. Jaune tired to pour more magic into the wound, but it was in vain. The wound wasn't healing, he was dead seconds later.
Putting his hands down he turned to his siblings "I think we need to leave"
"Your right, let's-"
*CRACK*
...
*CRRSSSKKK*
*NEEEUUUGGHHH*
The ground rumbled underneath them as they slowly turned their head. Hiding among the damaged buildings was grimm. It's bottom was a entire horse while it's upper body was conjoined with a human body. The human body was extremely frail and looked heavily malnourished, it's grimm mask looked humanoid with two curved horns on the top.
It's baleful red eyes snapped to the siblings. Hot visible breath exhaled from the horse part.
The siblings took a step back
The grimm took a step forward
...
...
Jaune and Pyrrha clapped their hands as the grimm roared, magic shimmered around them in golden hexagonal barrier as Pyrrha launched a massive fireball towards the grimm.
The nuckelavee jumped to the side as the fireball sailed past it. Grabbing nearby rubble the monster threw at them. They bounced off the barrier as a small bead of sweat dripped off Jaune's brows. The grimm wailed as it reached it's back, pulling on the two spears lodged in it's back.
"It can use weapons, a grimm using weapons?" Jaune gaped. Never before had anyone heard of a grimm used a weapon, and why would they? Only humans used weapons and that was used to equal the playing field.
The horse part of it cried as it charged at the barrier. It's spears sailing through the air as the barrier crackled. While the human portion was stabbing it's lower portion raised it's forelegs, pounding at wall of magic.
"Nora, Ren, get it's attention from us" he ordered. They both nodded, Nora's arms became covered in lighting and dark green mist covered Ren's. Both raced out as lighting shot out of Nora's arms, hitting the black flesh, baking it and rendering the flesh underneath liquid.
Ren's magic raced across the nuckelavee's as the grimm cried in confusion, it's senses becoming overwhelmed.
"Pyrrha, now!" the grimm was lifted into the air before shooting into the town's walls, causing the wall to crumble and fall on it. Before the grimm got out a torrent of ruby flame exploded, covering the monster in hot fire as even more lighting was thrown at it. The monster's cries were covered by the roaring fire.
While the grimm burned JNPR watched with relief.
No way the grimm could survive that, fire from Pyrrha and lighting from Nora was deadly combination.
GRIMMLANDS, SALEM'S CASTLE
Salem's mind was assaulted, images of fire, lighting, and magic flowed into her brain. To a normal person they would be clutching their heads in agony from sensory overload. But she had been connected to the grimm for centuries if not longer, she was used to their unique method of communicating.
No, what surprised her was what it was showing.
Her children, her heart almost skipped. She saw her descendants as they battle the grimm, but Ozpin's new huntress were nowhere to be seen. Could it be that they died, or maybe they finally abandoned them.
No matter, she would not question good fortune.
Grabbing onto that grimm presence she forced her will into the grimm as her real body froze and slacked. As her mind begin taking over her new senses were overwhelmed with intense pain.
This nuckelavee was dying ... that could not be allowed. Reaching into her soul magic flowed out repairing and replacing melted muscles. Her new skin was enhanced and made resistant to magic. It had been some time since she had taken over a nuckelavee, but she would adapt, for her children she would.
As the magic healed her body she began to remold this grimm's body to her needs. Causing it to grow larger and strengthening it's muscles. The humanoid half had it's marks spread turning into her personal symbol while becoming more feminine. Magic rumbled underneath her skin and veins.
Opening the newly repaired eyes, she turned to them, there faces were etched with shock, horror, and fear. In time those looks would change, but for now bringing them home was a priority.
Her 'lips' smiled and greeted them
MISTRAL, UNKNOWN AREA
"And so we finally meet, though not in most desirable circumstance" a feminine yet rough voice spoke.
The four dared not speak. Before their eyes the grimm that they had so confidently defeated was now restored and made better. Now it looked full and healthy, muscles clearly seen with it's female shape. And the marks on it now covered it's entire upper body. But the magic it was spewing out was what shocked them.
A grimm using magic
And said grimm was talking to them
"I assume my 'body' is quite shocking. Do not be afraid to say it, you are not the first one to think so I won't judge you" said Salem.
...
"W-Wh-Who are you?" asked Pyrrha.
"Ah, forgive me for my manner. It has been so long since I've been able to talk to ... equals" said Salem "You may call me Salem, Queen of the Grimm, once ruler of remnant, and your mother."
...
...
"Y-Y-Your S-S-Salem" said Nora.
"In the flesh ... or as close as I can come at the moment. Truly, I have been waiting for this day a long time, my children"
"... Why ... why are hunting us!" Pyrrha demanded to know. "Why have constantly attack us at ever moment since we left the kingdom?"
"Hunt? My daughter-"
"Don't you dare call me that" she spat, her magic flaring.
"... Pyrrha, is that you call it now, a hunt? I do not have any desire to hunt you four, what I want is to bring you home ... with me."
"With you? You ... You made our lives miserable, your people have attacked us at every corner we take, and you have put those we care at risk. You, You destroyed our lives!" she spat.
...
"I am sorry Pyrrha, that you and your siblings truly think of that" Salem spoke "But what I do is not to make your lives miserable, from the contrary, what I wish is to protect and give you all a safe future."
"Tell me, I see that you have knowledge about me, and what about team RWBY? Do they know about me and out bloodline?"
...
"Ah, so they do know. So then where are they? I can not sense them with my magic, unless you had hid them ... or they had left. Did they look at you with fear, hate, disgust, did they see humans or grimm?"
The grimm Queen saw the shuffling of their feet, the puckered lips, and shifting eyes. Her anger grew from the sight. Ozma that fool what in the world was he thinking of, entrusting a team of children to protect them.
As expected, Ozma's tools let fear rule them and so they turned and fled.
How predictable.
But her children were more hurt by there abandonment then she had hoped. Abandonment was always a bitter pain, one that rarely healed with time. No, she will see to it that RWBY's lives are made a walking nightmare, a fitting punishment for them.
"No ... we ... we left ourselves" said Nora.
...
Oh, that was unexpected. Perhaps team RWBY had more stronger willpower then she expected.
It seemed her children were more sacrificial then she expected. Wanting to sacrifice themselves to protect others, seems they had taken more from Ozma then she had expected.
"Is that your wish, to hide in the wilds. From me?" Her children's shocked looks confirmed it.
That could not be allowed, she would not let them become hermits wandering in fear of her. They will be the rulers of this world, not scared men & women running from in fear.
"... If that is your wish, then I can not allow that. Your destiny is not run in hide in filth, hoping that the end does not reach you. Your destiny is with me, your destiny to rule this world" Salem declared, her voice ringing on the air as it grew heavy.
"I can not allow to happen, you are more important then the whole world ... I can't allow you to squander it"
...
...
...
"Then we can't allow you to capture us" Jaune declared. His arm was covered in frost as a ball of pure ice came out. Salem cried in pain as ice exploded and permafrost coated the front of the grimm.
"Ren, summon! Everyone keep Salem busy" he ordered.
Nora and Pyrrha raced to the sides as they peppered the sides with bolts of raw magic. A wave of red magic came out of Salem as they pushed the two girls into the ground. Salem reach for the girls as a spear of golden energy pierced her flesh.
Jaune hands were coated in gold energy as he began weave magic, he waved his arms the bright golden light became a fiery red.
A red serpent shot to the grimm, wrapping itself around Salem's legs, tightening itself and causing the whole body to fall to the ground. It's body transforming into hot red chains as they began dig into the flesh, burning the flesh as steam began to rise.
Salem arm's pointed to Jaune as they began to grow, quickly reaching over and grabbing Jaune.
The blonde gasp as he saw red energy coming from the main body and straight into his own body. It was the exact same feeling from before but now more intense, the feeling of warmness started to squash his own magic.
It was far more intense then before, for a brief moment he thought he would be consumed by the sheer potency. Only Nora's lighting stopped the flow of magic and gave him the time for him to expel Salem's influence.
"Oh brothers, that was ... that was intense" he gaped. Holding his chest as his body searched for any trace.
"Jaune, are you ok!" Nora called out.
"I-I'm fine, jus- WATCH OUT"
The other arm swung over to Nora, taking her up as she gasped and struggled to get out of Salem's grip. Salem clutched the orange hair women close to her chest. As Nora's body slacked, her eyes dilating as they show pink and red clashing within her.
"Ssssuuuhhhh, accept Nora. Everything will get better dear" Salem promised. She saw Nora's eyes suddenly becoming dearly her body few forward into her chest.
Before Salem could simile her back exploded forcing her to drop Nora as she turned around. Right to see a furious Pyrrha looking at her.
"What did you do to her!" Salem did not respond "ANSWER ME!"
...
"Hazel was right after all" Salem spoke "So it was passed down along Isabella's line."
"What the hell are you saying!?" Salem merely pointed to her arms. Confused she looked down. Only to gasp in horror at what she saw.
They were stark white and back veins were forming. The curse was spreading inch by inch. The magic ceased and instead she gripped her arms, closing her eyes she tired to force back the grimm powers down.
"Fighting it will not stop it Pyrrha. Believe me, I have tried"
"Shut up!" her hands clutched "Just, shut up, shut up, shut up."
"Pyrrha ..." her hands reached for her daughter. She may not have a bond with her but the sheer effort she put into suppressing her grimm powers was painful to watch. What she was doing was hopeless, you could not hope to live a life like that.
"Stay away from her" Jaune roared as he used his magic to jump onto the grimm. Before Salem could react Jaune decided to give the queen a taste of her own medicine, yellow magic entering it's body.
The nuckelavee's body started to twist and turn, muscles withering before growing back again and Salem's own symbol receding before coming back. Within the grimm Salem's mind fought against her son's magic as they tried to push her out of the nuckelavee.
Red magic and Yellow magic clashed, wrapping in each others form before pushing away.
As the battle of magic went on the grimm's body spasmed as it arms started to fail around and crushing the nearby buildings. Pyrrha herself barely gather the strength to push Nora's body out of the way.
Sadly while Nora was safely away Jaune was not. The grimm threw the blonde off as it's arms hit him in the side and throwing him into a nearby building as the roof crumpled and fell down on him.
...
...
...
"J-Jaune ..."
There was no response.
"No, No, No, NO. Not again, please not again" Her heart stopped, fear gripped her thought as she and Ren waited for Jaune to speak. Seconds passed and no word came out of the house.
...
"Kill her ... kill her" something spoke in Pyrrha's mind. The corruption started to spread out of her arms and now coated her chest and nearly all of her lower body.
"shut up"
"Kill her"
"Shut Up"
"Kill her/KiLl HeR/KILL HER" three voice now demanded.
"I said, shut up!"
"KILL HER/KILL HER/KILL HER"
"Shut up, shut up, shut up, just SHUT UP" she clutched her head. The voices, they were getting louder every second as it became harder to feel her body. She felt the euphoric sense of power in her body, but at the same time this power was making it harder to feel her body.
Like she was slowly giving control to someone or something else.
...
"Please ... stop it ... I don't want to hurt anyone, I just want to get out ... I'm the one in charge so stop it dammit!"
"Why do/YoU aLwAyS/DENY US ... She was/ThE oNe/WHO TOOK HIM"
"Please, just st-"
"Accept us/AcCepT uS/ACCEPT US, Accept us/AcCepT uS/ACCEPT US. Accept us/AcCepT uS/ACCEPT US. Accept us/AcCepT uS/ACCEPT US."
"ACCEPT WHAT WE ARE/ACCEPT WHAT WE ARE/ACCEPT WHAT WE ARE"
...
...
...
"Pyrrha ... my poor daughter, I weep for your ignorance" spoke Salem. Pyrrha turned to see Salem standing over her, having regain control of the nuckelavee. The red head did not resist as she was picked up and now in front of Salem.
...
"Understand, what happens next will make you only stronger. Be strong my daughter, because I know you will"
Red magic trailed into Pyrrha.
She suddenly started to cry.
The voices, they got louder, it was now even louder then her own private thoughts. But worse, it felt like she was in quick sand and someone just pushed her further in.
"No ... stop ... the voices"
"Only a passing pain dear"
"No ... pleas-not here" the edges of her eyes darken as the curse closed in on her eyes.
Was ... Was this the end? In the end it seemed her fears about Salem were true after all, she would indeed force the curse to take over her. A small part of her whimpered, she had hoped that Salem would-No, it was hopeless dream.
Salem only wanted her to become a monster.
She did want it, she didn't want to take that dark power. It terrified her, scared her beyond belief, as it would take a single mistake and be lost in it forever. And now she was being pushed beyond that edge, ever slowly thanks to Salem.
She tried to grapple with Salem's magic, but she was too strong and it didn't help that she didn't stop it in the beginning.
"Please ... somebody ... help ... Ren" her eyes turned to younger brother. Poor child was frighten by the sight, his body tensed and unable to move. To scared to even help his older sister.
Using what magic that wasn't squashed underneath Salem. She moved to her bond with Ozpin, pushing what she could. Immediately a brief glow of green energy came out
One that was violently squashed by Salem.
"Oh Brothers please ... no, can't die yet ... come magic ... give me ... strength ..."
...
"I ... I need ... you ... I" she felt ready to vomit and cry with what she spoke next.
...
"I ... A-Accept ... you ... I accept you"
...
...
...
"What is/YoUr/DESIRE"
"Stop it ... the paaaiiinn-" The last safe haven in her mind fell as her mind went black
...
"Then/yOuR/WISH is/GrAnTeD/PYRRHA"
xxx
Salem watched as her eldest daughter finally fell to her power. She felt somewhat exhausted, overpowering one magic was a tiring thing to do. But it was now over and all that left was Ren.
And there he stood, horrified by the sight, his siblings one by one fell to Salem. The queen herself was ready to reach out for the boy.
Until she was thrown out the nuckelavee. The last sight she saw was ... herself?
Clad in Pyrrha's clothes was a carbon copy of her, down from skin, to the veins, and small jewel on her forehead. But the only difference she knew were two thing.
One, the magic coming out was Pyrrha's was far more violent
Second, the sheer hatred eliminating from her eyes.
"AAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH"
The girl let a great roar as the blackish/red magic funneled into herself ... and it was too much for her to handle. So she was ejected out. of the body.
The nuckelavee itself was thrown meters away, tumbling away. Crashing into the walls. Falling onto her knees 'Pyrrha' snapped to Ren.
"You/WilL/FINISH IT" Pyrrha collapsed to the ground.
"P-Py-Pyrrha?" He tried to reach with his magic. There was no response "No, this can't be happening."
All around him his siblings were defeated, for to watch Salem defeating one of them at a time. And then at the end seeing his elder sister become consumed by the curse.
While he his here, trying to get magic to summon an elemental king.
From the rubble the nuckelavee burst out, hissing and lashing out anything close to it, from losing it's master spirit to the amount of magic running through it. The grimm was insane and the only fought it had was destruction.
And it's first target was Pyrrha.
The horse howled as it charged at the downed girl.
A massive slab rose up and crash against the monster stopping in it's track. Before it could do anything else a shadowy hand ripped past the earth and started to choke the grimm.
As the earth crumbled it was Ren, his arm covered in shadows.
...
"You ... You tried to kill them all" Ren hissed "And now you want to kill us all"
"ARRHH-" Ren put more pressure on it's throat, now the grimm was trying and failing to pull off the arm.
"DON'T ... Don't think you can run. I ... I'm ... I'M GOING TO KILL YOU" His eyes now shone red, his hair grew out, his overall features became more grimm like.
Pulling himself closer his other arm became coated in shadow. He punched the grimm in the face as it nearly fell over from the hit. Grabbing the skull he began to repeatably hit the creatures face till cracks began to form. He then used the damaged mask a spring board to jump back down.
A small ball of fire formed in his hand as he threw it, the ball exploded and bloomed into a larger version. Burning and baking the grimm's skin as the smell of chard grimm wafted in the air.
From the fire the grimm grabbed Ren and was about to crush him.
Right before a red blur sliced it's arm off.
Said red blur raced to the now falling Ren, picking him up and safety bringing them back down.
"... R-Ruby?" In front of Ren was none other then Ruby Rose. Said reaper gave him a simile.
"Well duh who else would I be silly?" she said "Sorry it took so long to find your guys, we really had to push ourselves to get to you."
"You-Nnngh-shouldn't be here" He grunted. Ruby shook her face.
"Nope, sorry Ren but we can't do that. Besides, you guys look like you've been in the grinder or something."
"Salem ... she ... she was here" Ruby's eyes narrowed at that. "I don't know ... if she will be-"
"Ren ... don't worry ok, If Salem is here we'll take care of it. We're not letting her take you" said Ruby "And don't give me that look, you said it yourself that she isn't here yet. So let's focus on taking care of the grimm."
...
"Keep it away from me for a few minutes"
Ruby a thumbs yep "Alright girls, keep the grimm occupied." From the other buildings the rest of team RWBY appeared. Each of time began firing at the grimm and pushing it away further from it.
"Geez, looks like you all did a number on it" Yang commented as she dodged the strike coming after her "Burn, scars, and a limb cut off, it must be really pissed off by now."
"I think that's an understatement Yang. Clearly it doesn't look like it has much life left" said Weiss, jumping away and freezing the grimm's legs.
"I think we should worry about getting those three out her girls" Blake voiced out, grabbing the downed Pyrrha.
Yang nodded as she went into the crashed house as seconds later came out with Jaune in her arms.
Weiss using her glyphs to life Pyrrha off as Blake threw Pyrrha at her. Gently placing the girl far away from the fight.
Blake herself threw gambol and stuck into the side of the nuckelavee, she swung herself and leaped to Nora. Grabbing her she raced back to Ren's side.
"You done yet? I don't know how long we can last before that thing gets out of control" Blake warned.
...
"Done" Clapping both his hands a massive burst of magic erupted out of Ren.
...
...
...
"Ren, where is-"
"Watch" Ruby tried to speak up, but as she was about to her clothes became damp.
"What the, my clothes is becoming damp?" She pulled her cloak, which was becoming ever more wetter. Even her brows became damp as droplets of sweat formed. The air had become more humid.
"Hey Ruby I think you should look up" Ruby turned around, only to see a massive body of water. Her hand craned up as she realized that said body water was in the shape of an eastern dragon.
The dragon was large as the elemental king of fire. It's biggest feature, well outside of the body, was it's bright yellow eyes.
...
"So this is how I'm summoned, brought into a conflict just before sleeping" the dragon spoke. "Hm? Ren, what is wrong with you? You look like you need a tan."
"Just stop that thing please" Ren himself was starting to get a bit woozy from magic lost. Though compared to blacking out like normally it was an improvement.
"Very well" the dragon eyes glowed as the air only got more humid. The water on RWBY's clothing started to contracted and left gripping the nuckelavee till they turned into a tight chain of water. The elemental's tail lashed out the nuckelavee, gutting the creature.
The King lifted it up in the air as two more tendrils came out and crushed the nuckelavee's shoulder. The king himself opened his maw and crushed the horse part, taring the head off as black ichor came out.
Spitting the head, the dragon's eyes glowed. Water from humidity concentrated around on top of the dragon as it slowly descend onto it's head. The nuckelavee began jerking as it drowned and after a little bit the body stopped moving completely.
xxx Later that Night xxx
...
"... une ... Jaune ... Jaune!" His eyes snapped open as he saw Ruby's concerned face "Ruby, what are you-Agh, my rib!"
"Woah take it easy Jaune. We just patched that wound up" she protested and pushed him back down.
"Ah, what happened after I blacked out?"
"Well from what Ren told us you guys fought Salem, who was possessing that grimm, and nearly got yourself kidnapped" she said.
"Well I would-Hey, how did you even get here!?"
"Uh we followed you four, duh"
"Followed us, Ruby you shouldn't be here. If Salem finds about you you're doomed" Jaune urged.
"Says the guy who nearly got kidnapped by Salem" Ruby retorted "Look, we're not leaving you guys and allowing you all to the wilds. We made a promise to get you four to Atlas and team RWBY is going to see it through."
"But Sa-"
"We'll deal with her in time, right now ... I think there is something between your siblings and my partners. Something that should've been dealt with before we go any further. Come on Jaune, the rest of the your siblings as waiting for you at the fire."
Ruby grabbed Jaune's arm and with a little help got off the makeshift bed. She helped him to the fire place where everyone else was waiting. On one side of the fire was his siblings and the others was the rest of team RWBY.
As he was gently placed down Ruby stood a bit away from everyone else.
...
...
...
"So ... you ok there Jaune? You were in a pretty bad shape when I got you out" Yang began.
"Y-Yeah I'm fine, just a little bit of healing magic and I'll be fine" Jaune assured "So yeah, thanks for getting me out the house too."
"No problem"
...
...
"Well come on you guys, just say it already" Ruby tapped the ground annoyed with how slow they were taking it.
...
"We're sorry" Blake said "I'm sorry, about accusing you as monsters. What I said was wrong."
"Understatement of the century" Nora grumbled, only for Jaune to nudge her ribs.
"No, your right Nora. I fucked up, there's no other way to put it and I'm hypocrite of accusing you of that. Back in the Fang hearing humans calling us freaks was common, I stove to stop that ... only say those same things yesterday."
"You have every right be anger at me ... I have no excuse. I let my fears control me and I nearly left you to die" said Blake.
Once Blake had finished, Yang stepped up.
"Yeah ... what Blake said, we messed up real bad. I'm sorry what I said, I was scared. Not of you, but your mother, we had nothing to work besides she was the single biggest threat in the world and she was focused on us. I was scared, for myself, Ruby, my team, and my loved ones, I didn't know what to do I was confused and scared of an enemy I had no idea of
But more importantly your mother ... killed mine. My mother, Summer Rose, died during the a mission to stop a grimm outbreak. When I head of Salem and that you could turn into some grimm form, I just snapped. I thought that you would take someone else close to me.
I shouldn't have judged you, you're not your mother. Salem is the monster that took my mom not you four; And this comes from the girl whose mom is a bandit."
Yang sat herself down as Weiss finally went.
"We had made a ... horrendous error on our part. Call it what you wish but in the end we messed up and because of our actions we nearly allowed Salem to get you four. I apologize for our actions, I had let my fears rule me over; When I heard of Salem I wondered 'What could even defeat her' and had believed that nothing could stop her.
I understand your faith in Ozpin, but he was one man against the greatest threat to remnant and I could not see how he could win. I thought my home and my sister would be killed by her, torture even. When I looked at you I did not see people who accepted me as I was ... all I saw was the instruments of my demise.
That was foolish of me to think so. You may have been her descendants ... but you were never her in the beginning; You four are better then she could ever be" Weiss bowed as she sat down back.
...
...
...
"When you four had said that we were monsters I-We were angry. I personally wanted to give you three a piece of my mind" said Jaune. "Learning about Salem was not something I had dreamed of or even expected."
"It was like somebody had taken my worst fears and turned it to an eleven. I didn't even know I had a mother, or close to it, until yesterday. Knowing that your own mother was the Queen of all grimm and responsible for most of the deaths on this planet ..." Jaune rubbed his hand, taking a deep breath.
"We hate it" Nora continued on "We hate even having any sort of relation with that women. All she as done is nearly killed our father, hunted us down like animals, and nearly kidnapped us. What kind person even does that to begin with."
"Don't forgot about our ... curse" Ren added.
"Oh yeah, that" said Blake "So how is it with you anyway, the whole curse thing, if you don't mind?"
...
"Oily, like something is on your skin but you can't get rid of it no matter what you do. It's disgusting, and I hate having to use that at all" said Pyrrha.
"Anything else?"
"... But, it's addicting, as if you could do anything in that form. And I feel powerful too, my magic is amplified in that state ... plus my emotions. I get angrier in that form, even the smallest thing is enough to set me off, dad's been having my emotional training ever since."
"Wait your father knows about this?"
"Of course he does, he's the one that's been teaching me how to control it"
"Oh ... I never knew" Blake suddenly felt terrible of looking down on Ozpin, here she thought he knew nothing about the curse. But in reality the man was teaching them how to control it, which meant the man knew about their heritage ... and had a plan after all.
...
"So what now?" Ren spoke up.
"We rest for the night" said Jaune "Then you four go back to Vale, well get to Atlas on our own."
"Yeah no, sorry Jaune but that really isn't an option" Ruby spoke up.
"Ruby, you can't-"
"Can't what? Keep you four from doing something stupid, fight grimm, protect you from Salem?" she playfully asked.
"This isn't a game Ruby, you saw how Salem's people nearly killed you all. None of you are safe" he argued.
"And all of you would've been taken already, face it your guys, if you were by yourself you all would be goners" she retorted
"We have magic-"
"And so does Salem and her's is stronger then yours. Those grunts of hers? They have aura and your just civilians. They have years of experiences and can take you guys down in seconds you wouldn't even have time to cast a single spell" Ruby argued.
"If you go ... you won't make Jaune, they'll stop once they know where you are."
"Then what are we supposed to do! Run, hide!?" he snapped, frustrated with the girls stubbornness.
"Let us come with you, we can keep you safe. Give you guys the time needed to cast your spells, if we work together we can get you all to safety; But if we split apart we're all doomed" Ruby explained.
...
"Ruby do you even understand what your saying ... you'll be an enemy of Salem, she will try to destroy you all. She will hunt us the end of the world and the longer your with us the less likely she's going to hold back" whimpered out.
Ruby grasped his hand "Let her come, we don't care about her, your curse, or anything else she throws at you. We will protect you all, we'll become your guardians, I promise you."
Before Jaune could answer back Ruby bended one knee back and looked at Jaune.
"Since your are technically a prince I figured this is appropriate; Jaune, I Ruby Rose, vow to protect you. No matter what threats come at you, no matter who dares to split us apart I will keep you safe. This is my vow Jaune and I will uphold with my life" she declared.
...
...
...
"I ... I see" Jaune wiped his eyes "Well since I'm technically a prince too." Opening his hand a blade of pure magic formed as he lowered the tip down to her shoulder. Tapping both sides.
"Then I accept your vow, Sir Ruby" Jaune declared.
"Hey, don't forget about us either lady-killer" Yang called out, she and the rest bended down, looking at Pyrrha's eyes. "Now I may not have much but if Salem wants any of you I hope she's ready to go through some grade-A Yang and her puns."
Weiss looked to Nora "If Salem is willing to start a fight I pity her, I hope she knows that the SDC is not one to lose; She wants to anger the heiress fine, I just hope she can handle every last paper pusher to mercenary the SDC has to offer. We'll drown her in red tape."
Blake looked to Ren "As daughter of the chieftain of Margarine you will have the aid of the faunus and a place to stay. I doubt someone like Salem would look there, so if things go bad Margarine is always open to you; Don't think we're going to let her take our home so easily."
...
"See you guys, we aren't letting Salem get her grubby finger on you. She have to go against the kingdoms, huntsmen academies, Ozpin, uncle Qrow, the SDC, Margarine, all of you are getting back home and we will stop her. I promise you guys" said Ruby.
"Salem will never hurt you guys again, that we vow as your guardians"
[insert things later]
OMAKE #1 Why Ozpin really left Salem
"Salem, what are you even saying?" asked Ozma. Both he and her wife were discussing about what to do next before she brought up this topic.
"I'm saying why should we rule these ... lesser beings. They'll never be what humanity once was and we have no real reason to care about them ... why not replace them?"
"And how do we that" becoming more worried about his wife's mental health by the second.
"Sex, a lot of it"
...
"Ah, of course, how could I have forgotten ... yes ... sex" Salem smiled at his response before leaving him to take care of the kids.
...
"Sex with Salem for my immortal life?"
"Ozma am I fat?"
"Ozma, carry me now"
"Honey I need pickles dear"
"GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE"
"AHHH, OZMA I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"
"Ah, look at her Ozma ... I want more"
...
...
...
"Yeah I should probably leave"
OMAKE#2 Why legal work won't stop Salem
Salem smashed her hand on the desk.
"This is outrageous, this is an insane, you can't keep me from my children!?" Both she and Ozpin were in the Ozpin's personal lawyer office.
"I-I am sorry ma'am but we can't legally give the Ozpin's kids to you" said the man, cowering behind his desk.
The back of her throat rumbled "I'm there mother, there biologically related to me!"
"Well technically there your descendants;And while I don't claim to be a genealogist a thousands years or more is long time for genetics to change. You could claim a lot people to be related to them ma'am."
"So then what's stopping me from taking them?" she growled.
"Well outside of it being kidnapping, your um ... not really allowed to own them legally"
...
"WHAT!?"
"What do you mean I can't even own them legally!?
"I-I mean that by the laws of Vale you are not legally allowed to have them" he said "look!"
Sliding the paper she snatched the paper out of the mans's hands. Reading it over her features became darker, she gently prayed off her glowing red hands.
...
"Who. Allowed. This?"
The lawyer pointed to Ozpin.
"Note that the kids will be very upset when they learn mommy killed daddy. Unless you want to see Nora cry that is" The noose made of magic vanished from Ozpin's neck. Now Salem just growled at the man in barely concealed anger.
"How" she demanded.
"I figured that in case something like this happened I should be prepared, plus it wasn't that hard to put it underneath the pile of laws needing to be passed. Most the council will just rubber stamps 'YES' to everything past the tenth page."
"YOU" she turned back the lawyer "Is there another way for me to get my kids!?"
"Well ... um, you could ... marry Ozpin?"
...
"What"
"That's what I'm saying, if you married Ozpin you could in theory have legal ownership of the kids. If not, well I rather not be here when that happens."
She turned to Ozpin "I'm not marrying you Salem."
"You don't have choice"
"Salem I alrea-"
xxx
"And today we are here to see the union of Salem, queen of the grimm, and Ozpin, champion of the gods." The preacher spoke.
In front of the preacher was smug Salem with a terrified and bound Ozpin next to her. Now normally a wedding would take time to get ready ... but then again having an angry Grimm Queen banging down one's office is a good motivator.
Around her was her own and Ozpin's personal people plus a few grimm to fill up the seats.
"Now, before I announce you two as man and wife does anyone object?"
"MMPHHMMM" Ozpin cried out, begging the man with eyes. You could see tears welling in his eyes.
The priest ignored him
"Well, since no one objects ... I hereby declare you man and wife. You may know kiss the bride."
Salem pulled down the gag as she savored Ozma's defeated look "Well Ozpin, It seems I'm going to be a mother again. But first ... me thinks our children should have some siblings."
Ozma's whimpered.
