Kingdom of Vale
Click.
So. Today's the day I get released from the hospital. I suppose it's gonna be the last time I do a recording like this. Hmm. Maybe, maybe not. I actually kinda like it.
I got some news about all the shit that went down after I fought Ferris, too. Right on time. I was starting to wonder what happened there.
Avalon was taken into Atlesian custody, and is facing a lightened sentence for cooperation. Said something about selling out the rest of his gang in exchange for clemency. He's owned up for the kidnappings, and he made sure that all the victims got home safe and sound. That's good, at least.
Tobias was commended for his help with Avalon's takedown, so he got off with probation and public service. From what I've heard, I think he's gonna be working at Beacon for most of that.
Sig and Khi's teams only had minor injuries. Kira and Niko too. They've been at Beacon doing who-knows-what. I'm not sure, but I got a hunch that cake's gonna be involved when I get back. It'd better be.
Taiga got new arms. She's taking it all pretty well, I gotta say. I guess her moms helped her out with that. Professor Xiao Long lost an arm to a psycho killer at a Vytal Festival too, if memory serves.
Niko was reunited with that "Ari" girl he mentions every now and then. Turns out the big guy had a fiance! That was a surprise. I guess they marry young over in Vacuo.
Hmm…
Ferris. His body vanished. Nobody has any idea how or why. Who knows, maybe he's a zombie now! Eh, more likely a Grimm just dragged it off. Anyhoo, serves the rat bastard right.
Oh, right! I kept his chain. I have an idea or two for some upgrades to the Lockjaws. Combine that with some features from these new mechanical eyes, and I'm gonna tear shit up later!
Ahem.
Back on track.
The new semester's gonna start up soon. I'm pretty excited, not gonna lie. Wonder what crazy shit's gonna happen. Hopefully we don't lose any more limbs!
Click.
Wren's voice emanated from a handheld memo recorder. He glanced at it, prosthetic eyes hidden behind dark glasses. He pocketed the device, sitting up in his hospital bed.
"Mr. Branwen." a voice called from outside the room, accompanied by knocking.
Time to go, he thought.
-XNTW-
Beacon Academy, Kingdom of Vale
Hot damn, this place is still bright! Wren thought as he hopped out of the airship. He reached into an inside pocket and procured his sunglasses and his Scroll.
Congrats on your recovery, Wrenny! I'll meet you in the courtyard! -K. He pocketed the Scroll and glanced around.
"Courtyard?" He took a few steps forward. He heard other students chattering around him, but he paid them no mind.
"Which courtyard?" He asked aloud, sounding slightly annoyed. He continued forward, looking around as he did.
"Kira! Slow down! You'll-" a husky voice called out.
Suddenly, Kira appeared from seemingly nowhere, glomping Wren. The two of them tumbled to the ground.
"-hurt someone. Kira…" Taiga pinched the bridge of her nose, accompanied by a quiet sound of servos.
"Aww, but he's finally back! Aren't you happy too?"
"Well, yes, but still. That's no way to treat someone fresh out of the hospital!" Taiga yelled.
Wren chuckled. "It's good to see you guys again, too.
"IIINCOMIIIIIIING!" someone yelled.
Wren flipped up, crossing his arms in front of his head just in time to block a diving kick from Sig. His suit appeared far more armor-like than it had before, the previously scant plating now more prevalent. It also included a visored helmet now, in addition to a shoulder cape.
Sig pushed off Wren's arms, leaping backwards. From underneath his forearms, two rifle barrels extended.
"I got some upgrades!" Sig shouted.
"So did I!" Wren yelled back. "Check this out!" His eyes flared from under his glasses, appearing as two glowing green dots behind round black lenses.
He shot an arm forward, a slim metal chain with a blade on the end shooting out from the wrist of his gauntlet. It careened towards Sig, stopping just before it hit. Wren withdrew the chain.
"Taking notes from Ferris, are we?" Niko said, almost disapprovingly, as he walked up to the group.
"Pretty much, yeah." Wren responded.
"Well, by the looks of things, we'll need the extra help. Avalon's scheduled to give testimony tomorrow. In theory, he'll be revealing his co-conspirators all over Remnant." Niko said.
"Wren!" Khione tackled Wren, knocking him over for the second time that day.
"Sis!" He flailed around. "It's not like you didn't see me while I was in the hospital!"
"Yeah, but you were still blind then! It's not the same!"
"Fine, I'll give you that one…"
"We've got some catching up to do. You missed a bunch of classes, you know." Azul joined the group, with Trace, Summer, and the rest of SLFR following shortly afterwards.
"Don't even start, sister-fucker." Wren snapped back, grinning. The three teams walked into the school building together, laughing and chatting. The worst of their troubles, it seemed, was finally over.
…
…
…
-XNTW-
Kingdom of Atlas
Seraphi sat in a cold yet well-furnished cell. Avalon's voice had stopped speaking to him, but he still felt the stolen Semblances inside him. He sighed, hugging his knees. This is my life now.
I only hope I can finally make this right tomorrow.
…
He heard the tapping of footsteps from outside the door. It swung open, revealing a mechanized guard carrying a tray of food.
"Ah… thank you."
The droid stiffly nodded to him.
Before it turned around, though, there was a loud bang as a silenced gunshot rang out through the block. The droid fell over, a hole fizzling and sparking right where its optical sensor used to be.
Behind it stood what appeared to be another droid. Its combat vest had the sleeves removed, showing its sturdy mechanical arms. It had two bright red eyes instead of the single optical scanner of most Atlesian droids, a hood casting shadows over its metallic face. Two holsters hung at its hips, one empty.
The gun in question appeared to be a rail-pistol with two smoking barrels. Its wielder strode into the cell, tossing a small, flat disc onto the ground.
It expanded into a dark circle, and from it, a hand burst forth.
It grabbed the ground as another hand emerged, a dark, shadowy figure emerging from the portal. There was a rattling of chains as two glowing, milky white eyes met Seraphi's, sending a shiver down his spine. Despite the loosely-wrapped bandages partially obscuring the figure's face, Seraphi knew exactly who this was. He'd recognize the messy silver hair anywhere.
"You… you're supposed to be dead…" Seraphi's voice shook.
Ferris chuckled.
"I'm supposed to be a lot of things. Rarely ever am, though." His voice was bitter, gravely. Almost like he hadn't used it in years, despite only being dead for a few months. The chilling smirk had faded, now replaced with a cold scowl. He raised his right hand. There was a sickening sound, like a mixture of wet squelching and bones crackling, as a dark, jagged blade emerged from beneath the pale skin of his forearm. It hung loosely at his side.
Seraphi winced in disgust and terror.
"Do you know why we're here?" he asked the whimpering Seraphi.
"Yes."
"We can't have you blabbing about her to Atlas." he continued. "It's our job to shut you up."
He brought his face close to Seraphi's.
"For good." His glowing eyes were steady.
He straightened his back, revealing a charred, gaping hole below his ribcage.
"You didn't really think we'd let you say anything to Atlas, did you?"
"N-no…" Seraphi shuddered.
"Good. You're smarter than you look."
"But… Those kids… even if I'm dead, they'll be able stop you… as long as they can find you. They're stronger than anyone I've met! You Grimmwraiths don't have a chance if you-" Seraphi was cut off by gunshot, then another, and another, and another.
"Well, why'd you have to do that!?" Ferris yelled at the droid. His partner silently turned to him.
"Getting bored. You two wouldn't shut up. And…" it looked around. "In case there are cameras. Can't have him saying 'Grimmwraith' out loud." The droid's voice sounded deep and neutral, filtered through its faceplates.
"But you just- ah, never mind." Ferris grumbled. "Getting real sick of you people calling yourselves 'angels.'"
"If you're sick of it, you could refer to me by my model number, AT-M300, instead of 'Archangel.'"
"No thanks. Let's get out of here. Ink and Rust are waiting."
"Acknowledged."
A/N: Hello! I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Dun-dun-dun! This is the end of the first story arc of RWBY: XNTW! I hope you liked this series. I have plans to continue it (obviously) so I hope you stick around. If any of you have any guesses about the significance of one of Archangel's quotes, tell me!
I'll be awaiting your responses.
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Thanks, and I'll see you next week. Cyber, out!