[Nujabes – Battlecry (feat. Shing02)]

残り:四の影/ Remnant's Four Shadows

Volume 4, Episode 14: Laugh Before You Cry

"Yuki, I want you to get me in contact with the time goddess." Ruby said to him. "I want to become a herald like you."

Yuki could only sputter before she grabbed by the collar of his jacket.

"I can't let you bear the knowledge and the burden on your own! If they're anyone who deserves to see how they screwed up, it's me!" Ruby said crying and choking on sobs. "Yang may not want to know, but I can't stand by let you deal with that stress alone."

"You're not going to be the same if you do…you could risk having some serious self-loath-"

"You don't think I could hate myself given from fact that your whole team is here because we royally screwed the pooch on the things!" Ruby said wiping her tears.

"To be fair, it's not really all you and your team's fault. Everybody's got a hand in the stupid department. The adults got plenty to be blamed for." Yuki said as Ruby calmed down. "If you want to do this, I'll call her up and train you myself. It will be a road you go back from. There is NO turning back."

"Ivory said it best, no gains made without a spot of pain. I'll do whatever it takes." Ruby said adamant.

[Menagerie]

Team LABW had their run on Menagerie after Gen and the scientists. They had to aid with Little Miss Malachite and her gang settling into Kuo Kuana and…the matter of Kelly's father who Lapis made her opinion evident…that she wanted to maim him. But, it was nearing the day that they were readying to leave for Mistral. However, there was a bit of an issue. Namely the matter of holes in time opening and dumping Grimm into the world. To which LABW was about to encounter one.

"We need to run one last perimeter check. Yuki had called yesterday to let me know that portals have been opening and heaping out Grimm…not native to our world." Lapis said worriedly. "Thankfully, Chronoa's investigating but we're treading in fresh water."

"I still am stunned you can just call the Goddess of Time by her name just so casually." Sun said hands in his pockets.

"Isn't that one of the guardsman?" Jaune said pointing to one ragged looking one on his back.

Lapis ran up and asking what happened.

"Grimm. It caught me…but it didn't kill me. It wanted…it wanted…"

"Your soul? Your blood?" Blake asked.

"No…my semen."

The team facefaulted.

"Are you fucking with us?" Lapis said bluntly.

Something rising from the water quickly got their at attention, a female something. Her top half was of a woman with an hourglass shaped body with large breasts. She had dark skin, peach colored eyes, her was platinum blonde with a black ombre, she had black 'lipstick', dusky brownish-grey nipples, and little Salem-esque touches to show that was clearly Grimm. Her hair only come down to her shoulders making her chest bare which Sun tried hard to keep up his eyes off them given their size. However, the bottom octopus half was a sobering and more blatant reminder 'she' was a Grimm.

"Holy shit!" Sun said jumping back.

"It looks like the Grimm I'd see in Ivory and Blake's books." Lapis said unsure.

"My body isn't ready!" Blake said right out of left field.

"…Blake?" Lapis asked confused.

"Do we…fight it?" Jaune asked.

"Actually, I rather you not."

LABW froze. Lapis had no idea about the Hound Grimm being able to talk yet, but even then…this Grimm in front of them spoke in a full sentence.

"Did that Grimm just talk?!" Sun said horrified as she came close.

"Aren't you cute…I already had my serving of dick, but…I'd like an extra-"

Gambol Shroud's ribbon found itself around her neck choking her as Blake glared at her to back off to which she did before letting her go.

"By the sea spirits, you could have just said she was taken! I can take a hint, asshole!"

"Ok, I want answers. What even are you?" Lapis said as she used the ocean water to trap her. "And if you don't talk…well…sucks to be me an aquatic creature to be under my mercy. Now sing."

"Fine…I'm a Tentapuss Grimm. It was freaky…I shouldn't even be able to speak this well, but portals sucked me and my coven up and spat us out here. And I have a name, it's Renee." Renee said squirming. "Now let me…"

"How many was in your coven?" Blake asked.

"The alpha leader said we had went past 1000 recently." Renee said as LABW looked horrified.

The idea of 1000 of her was enough to drive for Lapis to use her fire and water to make a big circular 'fishtank' to trap Renee, who clearly looked terrified. Lapis carried the capture, while Jaune dragged the guard back to the city. Reactions were…certainly mixed.

[Cues: Dragon Ball Z Kai OST – Bubble's Dance]

"So, this is a Grimm…it can talk…and it doesn't want to kill people. Why did you capture it then?" Kali asked.

"There's 1000 of her in the waters of this place!" Lapis said in a panic. "I didn't know what to do so I brought her to you."

"Hey, we only want some dicking…or maybe some pussy. Some of us can go either way." Renee said as Lapis glared causing her to flinch. "Can't we talk about it…just speak to the elder one."

Lapis looked to Kali and Ghira.

"Do it, if they're intelligent enough to talk. Negotiations would be best." Kali said crossing her arms. "Besides I rather not have a war we don't need. And will the guards stop staring!"

The guards, both male and female, turned away with blushes. Lapis released Renee from the glass case to have a leash of water around her neck.

"I don't like where this is going…" Renee said before she was dragged out.

The team followed along with Ghira and Kali out to the docks. The sight raised eyebrows for certain.

"Do I even want to ask what the hell is going?" Lil' Miss Malachite asked sipping out of a fruity drink.

"No, your import/export isn't going to be an issue. However, I found a part of a new problem. This is a Grimm…but it's more interesting in getting off than harming anyone." Lapis said annoyed.

"Well that explains why my people keeping coming back from Mistral all ragged and smiley. Ugh…and look at it." The former mobster said. "People on the island been talking about young people going out for swim and coming back run ragged and smelling of octopus."

"Big talk coming from you, tubby." Renee said which scaring plenty.

"It can talk?!" Lil' Miss Malachite said spitting out her drink.

"And she's going to call out for the elder." Lapis said as Renee sigh. "So Renee…"

[Cues: L'indécis - Soulful]

Renee gulped and begun to sing a melodic tune. One by one, Tentapusses rose up on the water all sport various shades, shapes, and features. Some could pass for adults or teens…both younger and older. Several of them joined in the singing before a spot in the water begin to bubble, a fairy large one. Out from the water rose one that make Renee look like a shrimp. She was much taller and larger than Renee. One could describe her upper form as near perfect to a human. Her hair was mint green with a sea blue ombre and ends which falls to her thighs. She was buxom sporting a very curvaceous yet fit hourglass figure with large breasts and wide hips. Her eyes were a mint green, her tendrils were minty green, and her skin was flawlessly pale. Unlike most of the Tentapusses, she wore clothing. Pure golden bracelets, gold laces on her short wine red kimono with a design of a white streak pattern across the top and white coral (with the kimono tied low to show off plenty of cleavage), a dark purple haori, pink lipstick, conch shell stud earrings, sea blue nails, and a laurel wreath made of gold on her head. When she was fully revealed, the underlings stopped singing.

[Music Ends]

"She is huge. Has to be about eight feet…" Lil' Miss Malachite stammered.

"My body is ready!" Several people screamed.

Lapis let the water holding Renee evaporate before shoving Renee into the water and boldly glaring down the elder.

"Elder one…I had to call you because of this huntress." Renee said frightened.

"It is not of consequence, little one. We clearly are not a world that we knew. I am the grand elder of this coven, Theiatena Venus. And you are?" Venus said.

"The person going to shove my foot up two of my teammate's asses when I'm done with this." Lapis said flustered.

"Ooh…kinky." Several of the Tentapusses said.

"Ok, let's get back on track." Blake said coming back. "Where did you come from?"

"We are clearly from another world. In ours, there were plenty of Grimm that were…more humanlike and some not interested in harming humans unless provoked. The portals that be that took us give us all the ability to properly speak. My people merely wish to get their rocks off to any willing man or woman once or twice a day. I supposed we can work out a deal. An offer of protection in exchange for a few partners here and there." Venus said.

"That sounds…"

"Brilliant!" Papyrus said as Lapis groan. "Think about it, Ghira! We'll have intelligent Grimm protecting the island, what country can say that? Plus, think of the tourism. People would pay a fortune to be fucked by one of them!"

The shitty part of it was…he had a point.

"Of course, for me…I could only accept sex with the leader of the island, of course." Venus said.

"What if he's married?" Blake asked.

"Then I'll fuck both husband and wife. It is only fair we give both of them pleasure to solidify our alliance." Venus said as Kali sputtered red-faced.

"Well…I made I would have to put to a v-" Ghira said before seeing plenty of people raise hands in support. "You have got to be kidding me. Are you just thinking with your genitals?"

"We do it all the time." Renee joked.

And that was how Menagerie got their major alliance in Tentacinder Coven and how Papyrus was going to make more money. Menagerie was soon to get tourists…Team LABW would leave for Mistral the next day. Blake had her face buried in her hands. She did not need to see her parents double-teaming Venus…or the Tentapusses that wanted to get in her pants…or Sun's…or both of them.

"When we get to Mistral, I'm kicking Ivory's teeth in." Lapis said fuming.

"You and me both. Menagerie is fucked." Blake said in disbelief.

"It's not that bad." Jaune said assuring them to little success.

"Jaune, you don't and are not from Menagerie. You don't have to come back to see people fucking a Tentapuss or live with the fact that one or both of your parents are fucking one themselves!" Blake roared at him. "I have to live with two Tentapuss guards now!"

"At least, Mengearie is better protected." Sun said as Blake sighed.

"Yeah, and Kelly's asshole dad is going to reap in the success with a slice of the profits. Kelly is going to be pissed." Lapis said looking at the sea. "I wonder how's going to handle that."

"Oh, excuse me." The captain said. "I know you were planning on going to Mistral, but there's a bit of shift in plans. Due to Mistral's coastal lockdown, we're going to have to take a roundabout route to Vale."

Lapis said nothing, but the left side of body sparked out little flames.

[Atlas]

The next two days were a bundle of stress for Team KKSC, especially Kelly. A Voyden Grimm person calling itself the Shifter was harassing her by shifting into various people…just to troll her. Not harm her, just straight up trolling. Adding to the stress was dealing with two former villains and Ironwood put her temporarily in charge of them.

Two days prior…

"So kid, what do you think of our new looks?" Jase said coming into her office with Elsa.

Jase had his dark hair slicked back and ended in a wolf's tail. He wore a black shirt under a dark grey coat with gold buttons, a long red scarf, a dual-buckled belt, and serrated ash-grey gloves, and blue military boots (with buckled belts around both). His new emblem of a skull with one eye glowing gold with a sledgehammer behind was in a white circle outlined in black.

Elsa did not change her hair, but she wore an outfit that she clearly retrofitted and stolen from Harriet's spare uniforms. A sleeveless dark grey double-breasted vest with gold buttons and black accents. The vest had a black and dark blue-collar and a dark blue tank top underneath with mesh armor. She also wore black shorts modified for her tail. Her hands now had dark blue fingerless gloves with metal plating on the knuckles and the back of her hand. For footwear, she wore dark gray hi-top sneakers with black accents and a white stripe accompanied with red socks. They were also armored slightly. She also has white calf pads and dark blue knee pads as well. There are also dark blue straps fastened around the top of her vest. She still wore her usual earrings but sported blue eyeshadow. Her emblem, an Eastern Dragon breathing out frost-fire, was on her back outline similarly to Jase's.

"Fan-freaking-tastic. But don't call me kid, I'm your superior!" Kelly said trying to do paperwork. "Can't believe Ironwood is putting me through doing paperwork for your asses."

It was a twisted form of irony that Camilla was able to 'twist her arm' into joining the Atlas military. She had plenty jobs for the Fabled Division…and it led to this. Sure, Kelly was an 'independent contractor' alongside her team, but Ironwood basically got exactly what he wanted…and she groaned in annoyance.

Harriet kicked open the door.

"Who the fuck sto-You bitch!" Harriet said snarling at Elsa. "You stole my clothes and then you ruin them! I'll kick your as-"

"Kelly suggested it." Elsa said before flying out the windows.

And that's how Kelly ended up having to strangle Harriet into submission. Jase was going to tell her that Penny's father was working on upgrading their weapons, but opted to leave.

Harriet was still salty about that and the Shifter was still an asshole to her. However, she felt nothing else could possibly go wrong. And then Weiss came with the newspaper looking concerned when they were all meeting at the National Courthouse for a breakfast meeting.

"Weiss…what's with that look?" Kelly asked.

"It's about your father." Weiss said.

That got the Ace-Ops, Winter, the rest of Kelly's team, Ironwood, Puce, Jase, Elsa, and the council concerned as Kelly took the paper and looked at it. She read it from cover to cover before closing it and going to the cabinet…the liquor cabinet. She took out a bottle of whiskey but glared at it before putting it back. She simply went to the table of food, stuffing her plate before going back to the grand table, and started to eat without a word. Ironwood took the paper and looked it over before patting Kelly on the back. Kelly did not respond to that and poured some honey on her biscuits. Neon thought turning the television would fix the mood…only for it to be on the news and talking about it.

"Oh shit, that is screwed up of your dad. I'll give him props, that's a hell of a way to stick it to you." Jase said as Elsa nodded.

"And there's a small protest outside being done by the Happy Huntresses right outside the Natio-"

She had been monitoring their internet activity after Robyn ended up the hospital way back then. The anger towards them had been boiling and it was ready to blow.

"Are you fucking with me, right now?!" Kelly roared before getting up.

Jase and Elsa had grins on their faces, because someone was going to their ass kicked. She came up to the protest to see Robyn Hill and her Happy Huntress holding signs that said 'Daddy's Girl'. Frankly, Kelly was done talking.

"Kelly, wait! Don't do and say something you'll regret." Puce said coming out with the others.

"What do you want? She doesn't have to. Ironwood needs to answer for giving Team YUKI their licenses!" May ranted.

She went on with her words, but Kelly just heard white noise. All the pent up anger welled and bubbled within, but then the Shifter decided make an appearance appearing as a clown. The Shifter smacked her in the face with a pie…to which Fiona innocently laughed at.

"Hey, I got a joke for everyone here. How do you get rid of clowns?" Kelly said with a forced grin. "Vampires."

"But that makes no….AAHHHH!"

Kelly, with her fangs, was finally able to bite out on the Shifter's throat forcing the Voyden bastard to the ground. Everyone either screamed or looked at in horror (or amusement), as the Shifter screamed rapidly shifting numerous forms before returning to his original form.

[Cues: Dragon Ball Z Kai OST – A Moment for Shuddering]

Blackened blood sprayed out as she could feel the essence of the Voyden Grimm coming into her….a surge of power welling within. The Shifter would let out a scream before becoming blackened flames that went inside of her before fizzling out. The black blood dribbling down her face, she turned to the Happy Huntresses who began to realize that Kelly was done with the nice act. However, Kelly promptly went back inside much to Jase and Elsa's disappointment.

[Music Ends]

Kelly dragged everyone who was in the meeting room back in there and slammed the doors shut. Camilla frankly had enough and looked to Ironwood who had a worried look on his face.

"General, I want the Happy Huntress to go on burn notice. Considering the amount of crimes they have committed, we can do it." Kelly said. "Seeing that you don't want to arrest them."

"Unless you can make for a convincing reason to 'burn' them, Robyn is going to spin the people of Mantle against us." Ironwood said until Jase had an idea.

"Pin them as associates of Watts. The moment the people find out she tied to one of Salem's people, that love the people of Mantle have for goes down in flames. And you'd be able to convince the people seeing her repeated interference." Jase said darkly as Camilla cackled.

"And with Watts using them for distractions, it wouldn't be a hard sell." Camilla said looking around.

"The thing that bothers me is the fact that Robyn is still harassing Kelly after she saved her life." Neon said looking visibly upset. "But mom, what's a burn notice?"

"A "burn notice" is an official statement issued by the government stating that a person or asset is unreliable for one or several reasons and must be officially disavowed…and terminated if the need so arrives. This also strips a person of their citizenship. Watts has one after it was revealed she was alive courtesy of the council." Camilla said professionally. "Ironic that Kelly is asking for one considering she was almost given one herself after killing her mother. Had it not been for the fact you left Atlas when you did and Ironwood's bleeding heart, she would have."

"You voted for me to burned?" Kelly asked.

"Ha, no. It was considered, but we did not want to put you on notice considering Puce went to bat for you. She risked her freedom for you, but she won out." Camilla said. "But…on the matter on here, the council is going to take a vote on 'burning' the Happy Huntresses."

"I vote for it." Sleet said quietly. "I'm done with them and their repeated harassment. Ironwood, you're going to need to come down on them. Mistral's opinion be damned."

Ironwood looked around and sighed knowing regardless of what choice he made…someone was getting screwed over. However, he resigned himself to it knowing it was a war…there were casualties of them. And Robyn Hill was going to be among the many.

[-R4S-]

Nighttime in Mantle was peaceful…the Happy Huntresses were sitting in their base of operations having Mistralian food.

"Robyn, May, I think we may have crossed a line." Fiona said nervously. "Did you not see what she did to that Grimm?"

"Maybe we should back off before she does something crazy to us?" Johanna said as May and Robyn laughed it off.

"And what exactly can she do to us without risking having her polarized reputation ruined?" Robyn asked as Fiona got a message from her uncle on her scroll. "What's wr-"

"We've been put on burn notice!" Fiona said terrified.

That got May to choke on her food and Robyn dropped her chopsticks. Robyn demanded Fiona to not joke about that only for Fiona to pull up the notices. Johanna looked at Robyn with a look of dryness.

"Robyn, try not to choke on your fucking foot!" Johanna snapped. "You do realize Kelly will have free rein to kill us all with no consequences!"

"Association with Salem's former henchmen, Arthur Watts and Tyrian Callows! That's bullshit!" Robyn snarled.

"But it's enough to push the people on their side…considering that despite that being false…all the other reasons for burning us are true." Fiona said flustered. "We can't stay in Mantle! Every hunter, solider, or bounty hunter in Atlas is going to be after us!"

"But…but…"

"Robyn, considering people in both Mantle and Atlas were clamoring for her arrest and execution…even if she is supposedly immortal…they're going to wait to go other any and all even linked to her." Johanna said shaking her head. "And unlike Watts, we don't exactly have the means to hide seeing that we're public figures. To add insult to injury, considering our 'protests', she blames us for not being able to capture Watts or Callows. Trying to prove we're not guilty of it isn't really going to help seeing that people are going to be busier wanting to kill us."

"They can't do this to us!" May clamored as Fiona was packing her bag. "What are you doing?"

"Leaving. Robyn, I'm sorry but I won't put myself at risk. I can't and won't for my uncle and his family at risk…not for you." Fiona said tossing a travel bag over her shoulder and raising her hood up.

"You're just going to leave the Happy Huntresses? After all we've been though." Robyn clamored. "What about loyalty to the cause?"

"Loyalty? Loyalty?! Robyn, you can't run for council anymore! Our reputations were literally torpedoed into the gutter! Can you protect my uncle from everyone wanting my head on a pike? Can you even protect me if Kelly decides to kill us all? NO, you can't. So frankly, fuck your loyalty!" Fiona said before leaving.

"Well, who needs you? You'd think she'd not want to act like a stereotype and be skittish." Robyn said as Johanna went in the bedroom.

As Fiona went out, she shivered. Despite the Mantle being warmed by vents, it somehow all felt so cold to her. She had take backstreets and alleyways hoping she was not following. She went down the alley behind her apartment building before hearing a noise…and she turned to see it was a can rolling to the side. Fiona sighed turning around to see a green furred rabbit standing there.

"Wait, rabbits aren'…." Fiona said before realization hit her.

She turned to run only for Elsa to fly down cutting off. Jase was coming in the alley cutting off the other method of escape. Kelly returned to her normal down as Elsa shoved Fiona into her hands and knees.

"You lost, little lamb?" Kelly asked as Fiona shook in fear. "I have to thank your boss…"

"Ex-boss." Fiona corrected. "I actually quit the Happy Huntresses not long ago, but that probably isn't going to stop you from murdering me. All I ask is you don't go after my family…and make it quick and painless."

Tears soaked the alley as Kelly came down to lift Fiona's chin to which her teary eyes met Kelly's cold ones.

[Cues: Dragon Ball Z Kai OST – An Agonizing Choice]

"Dry your tears, Thyme. I got a deal for you." Kelly said with a twisted look. "All my life, I've been screwed into deals I couldn't stand. A deal with the devil, really? Well, now the gun's on you, Fiona."

"What do you want?" Fiona asked.

"You have two options. You're going to provide me the means to get to the other Happy Huntresses by selling them out. For if you, I'll remove the burn notice on you, provide with the cash reward on the other three's heads, and I'll pay for means for you to travel wherever you want. You'll be credited in assisting in the kills. The second option is you get to take a trip to a special prison…Oxford. Trust me, it's not serving your sentence that's the biggest issue." Kelly said.

[Cues: Dragon Ball Z Kai OST – A Disastrous Spectacle]

"The guards didn't exactly torture us because we were both too tough and they were afraid of us getting free. YOU? Well…let's just say the guards are going to make an absolute plaything out of you." Elsa said as Fiona looked terrified. "Considering the guard Jase and I did leave alive are pretty pissed that they're getting a big pay cut."

"That's even if you can even endure the sterilization of being put in a room of boiling water known as disinfect and sterilize. Can you handle heat? Or having your aura cut off from you for years at a time?' Jase asked Fiona.

"I thought you weren't supposed to be your father." Fiona said only for Kelly's arm to turn into Grimm-like arm grabbing the sheep faunus by her throat to slam into a wall.

"Like it? That Voyden bastard had one boon, a real upgrade to my semblance. Shapeshifting into anything or anyone I want." Kelly said staring into Fiona's eyes. "But the different between me and my father is…he is a snake focusing on his own gain. Notice this deal, the only person who really gains is you before either way, you get to keep your life. I end up with more to lose because I have to put up with the paperwork either way. So…what is it going to be? A or B?"

Fiona found her nerve and made her decision.

[Music Ends]

"A. I may as well just wash my hands of it all." Fiona said as she was released. "Our base has a two factor entry system. A keypad code and a card. The number is 0703."

Fiona tossed Kelly the card.

"Not like I need it anymore." Fiona said dryly rubbing her throat before giving up the location.

"Elsa, I need you to make sure Fiona is packed and ready to leave this country. Make sure she doesn't get any cute ideas." Kelly said pocketing the card. "Jase, secure the drop point. No doubt, Watts is going to figure out we're in Mantle soon enough. And Fiona, I'll need your coat."

Once she had it, Kelly shapeshifted into a peregrine falcon and flew away. If there was another boon to the Voyden enhancement was shapeshifting forms allowed for complete storing of clothes or anything on her person which meant she could use smaller forms with no worry at all. She was not sure it was of the Shifter's natural technique or a lesser from of magic. Regardless, she would have Yuki research it when they met. She just enjoyed being able to fly in this form.

She soon found the warehouse that served as the base of operations for the Happy Huntresses.

"Ok, I only got a one hour window before Watts' hacks around Mantle will pick up I'm here. I need to pick off these idiots quickly. I'm done to 40 minutes." Kelly thought before landing nearby.

[40:00]

Kelly shapeshifted again to appear like Fiona and deftly came down. With the upgrade in semblance, Kelly was able to go for wearing different clothes which came in handy for tonight. She threw on Fiona's coat and came up to the door using the code and card before going in. Ground level was a garage with vehicles, a few of them military ones the HH stole among their personal rides. Kelly moved to plant charges under and in the engine cavity of each one.

[35:00]

The last one was armed she moved to the stairs only to see Johanna came downstairs.

"Hey, you're back." Johanna said.

"I figured I would see Robyn when I calmed down." 'Fiona' said demurely.

"Well, she's stewing. Frankly, if you ask me…I'm considering leaving myself." Johanna said opening the hidden panel in the wall. "And I'm taking a severance package."

She took one of the duffel bags which Kelly assumed was lien lined up before Johanna went to her car.

"Before you go, I need your number again. I accidentally deleted it." Kelly said as Johanna took her the number.

As Johanna was getting her personal car, Kelly stuck two more changes on the back of it before moving up to bid Johanna goodbye. Johanna had driven out of the warehouse…and Kelly waited five minutes before calling her.

[30:00]

"Hello…who…"

"Hello, Johanna." Kelly said using her real voice.

"How the fuck did you get this number?!" Johanna snapped.

"Why…you just give it to me? I just waved you goodbye." Kelly said with a laugh.

"But that was…"

"Fiona sold your asses out." Kelly said activating the charges on Johanna's car. "Later, dipshit."

"You bi-"

Kelly could hear the explosion before the call disconnected. She put away her scroll and went upstairs sensing out the area. May was in the bedroom and Robyn was further up…on the roof. Taking the form of her normal self as colorless gas, Kelly looked at her hands to which she could see a faint outline.

"May first." Kelly thought before going through the walls.

"Ugh, that Mistralian food give me the shits." May said zipping up her pants before flushing the toilet.

As May sauntered to the sink to wash her hands only to see Kelly in the reflection. May did not get to turn around as Kelly slammed her head into the mirror before throwing her into the wall.

"Oh dear god, how did you get…ACK!"

Seer Grimm tendrils shot out of Kelly's back grabbing May by the throat to choke her.

"May Marigold, I'd make a joke before I kill you, but I don't want to be a dick about it." Kelly said with a laugh.

"You bi-" *CRUNCH!*

The tendril coated in Armis had simply snapped her neck and Kelly tossed her aside. Kelly spat on her corpse…and blinked at what she did.

"Damn it, I picked up some habits from Ivory." Kelly said returning to her normal form and shedding Fiona's coat. "I wish she was here to rib me for it."

Kelly left the bathroom checking the time seeing nineteen minutes left. She could have gone up and have a final epic showdown with Robyn.

"What the fuck am I doing? She doesn't deserve that." Kelly thought before taking out a Fire Dust Crystal. "I wonder, though."

She held it focusing on it and she could feel it. Her forearm was now made of fire dust. Part of her was pissed that the Shifter just wanted to troll her all the time…as he could have been a serious threat if he tried to be. Kelly decided it was his lost, and she would be willing to be that threat. However, there was something she had to do first.

[10:00]

On the roof, Robyn was on the phone.

"Look…you're the reason they burned me and my group in the first place! You think that will convince us to work with you! You can kiss my ass then, Watts!" Robyn said hanging up. "Damn it! This day can't get any worse."

"It already has." Kelly said kicking her off the roof sending Robyn smack into the wall of another warehouse.

Kelly floated off before activating the charges which only made the fire she started in the building insult to injury. Robyn got her in realization she did not have her weapons and they were in the burning building.

"Nowhere to run, bitch. You wonder how I got in your base and killed Johanna and May. Well…I had help." Kelly said tossing Fiona's card on the ground. "Sold you three out to save herself."

"You lie! " Robyn roared.

"Why would I lie to you? I owe you the truth before I kill you." Kelly said looking down at her. "Any last requests?"

"Fight me with your bare hands, then." Robyn said determined. "That is unless…"

Aura Piercer through the right leg and a kick to the jaw had Robyn on the ground.

"Yeah, no. I'm not going to be stupid for the sake of giving you a fair fight. You don't get that privilege." Kelly said getting on top of her to choke her. "No…I got something special for you. Let me put burn in burn notice."

Kelly had her hands that she could choking her turn to Fire Dust and squeezed searing Robyn's throat and getting her to scream out as her aura desperately tried to hold her burning. Tendrils shot out of Kelly's back restraining Robyn's hands as she choked her.

"I hoped you'd changed! That you would come to a realization of how shitty you were, but no you had to double down and just piss everyone off! I didn't want to have to resort to this…you could have helped us fight the good fight. But no…" Kelly said before letting go just to punch her in face repeatedly. "You had to be an ignorant and impulsive sack of shit! You think I enjoy that I have to stain my hands with you and your friends. That I had to channel my father's snakelike behavior to get Fiona to squeal! I could have been doing better things….I could have hunting Watts! Do you even have any last words?"

Despite the injuries and her hoarse voice, Robyn used the last strength to get one last dig.

"You really are your father's daughter."

[0:00]

[Cues: Naruto OST – Grief and Sorrow]

Kelly left the area feeling hollow. She took no pleasure in what she did, and Robyn's last words got under her skin. It also cemented the lack of pleasure….or the lack of any satisfaction from doing the deed. Frankly, it was all a waste. She had basically made a mess of body before blowing it up. The rain would come down as Kelly went over to May's car which she loaded with the money the base had and drove away disguised as a random civilian. She called Jase and Elsa for confirmation and got it.

It was a solemn drive in the pouring rain…not even the radio cheered her up. At the very least, the plan was going forward. When she got to the drop point outside on the tundra, she noticed that the others were waiting including the rest of KKSC. She came a stop and returned to her normal form.

[Music Ends]

"How did it go?" Weiss asked.

"I don't want to talk about it." Kelly said walking up to Fiona. "Fiona Thyme, for your hand in the execution of your former associates in the Happy Huntresses, I award you the bounty, your burn notice's removal, and exile."

"I got an airship she can pilot to get out of the country." Winter said tossing Fiona the keys as Camilla give Fiona the reward money.

"How's the public going to handle this mess?" Fiona said loading up the airship.

"I actually decided to slide blame for all that chaos onto Watts." Ironwood remarked. "If it can rally the people, then so be it."

"You can suggest he could have something to do with the fire at the base or Johanna's car blowing up." Kelly said tiredly. "To be honest, I need to get out of Atlas. I need to see my teammates and so does Weiss. I would like to request for Weiss and me…"

"Consider it approved." Ironwood said without hesitation. "You've soon plenty service for Atlas and Mantle."

"Kelly, don't forget we have to pass in Vale. Glynda requested we do this if we're going to reunite the teams. She and Ozpin want a status report in person and Glynda wants to evaluate my progress." Weiss remarked.

"That's fine. As much as I want to see my teammates, I look like shit and I wouldn't to be portaled. I swear those portals always give me a weird chill." Kelly muttered.

(A/N: Yeah, no more Happy Huntresses. Good riddance to bad rubbish. Even when he's not physically around, Papryus's effect on Kelly is still evident.)

[Secondary A/N: I wanted to inform all of you that I did have edit some older chapters namely Volume 2 Episode 4. A bit of a goof as Elsa is supposed to be based off an Eastern Dragon, thus have no visible wings. And to explain the boon, dragon faunus (either Western or Eastern) can fly as easily as breathing: costing them no aura to do so. Both the previous episode of this volume and V4E2 were edited for errors.)