[Dragon Ball Super OST – The Earth's Fate]
残り:四の影/ Remnant's Four Shadows
End of Remnant, Episode 3: Day One Disaster
[Mistral]
[Cues: Final Fantasy VI OST – The Phantom Forest]
The morning came early and bright for Team AYRI and their associates. Adam was on his way to Vale to reunite with Princess Lazuli, leaving the team and Peach to deal with bandits. Now they were walking through the woods led by Shay D. Mann to the Branwen hideout. Yuki and crew discovered them harassing a group of travelers and promptly dealt with them. Shay was the only one among the four who was able to walk…let alone consciousness.
"All right man, no need to point your guns at me! I'm leading you!" Shay said. "It's five against one!"
"Yeah, I know my mother and her tribe are a pack of snakes. So just keep walking." Yang said surprising Shay.
He stopped to face her getting a good look of her.
"Well shit, Raven's your mother. Then why aren't you in the tribe?" He asked.
"It'd be a waste of my talents, and Raven can't parent for shit." Yang snarked. "Now walk."
"You're walking to a trap, Raven has the S-"
[Music Ends]
"She doesn't have the Spring Maiden, dumbass. She IS the Spring Maiden, that Vernal twat is a decoy. A bad one considering she could stand to wear my green." Yuki barked as they were walking again. "I…EVERYONE GET DOWN!"
With Emerald's semblance, Yuki made everyone vanish as two black streaks in sky were flying not too far away. Once those two airborne were out of sight, Yuki dropped the illusion before sensing ahead. People were dying in that direction and asked Shay if they were on the right way to Raven's camp. When Shay confirmed, they sent out their vehicles (or Peach's case, used her semblance to create her hoverbike build). Shay was put on Peach's ride as they were raced for the camp.
[Cues: Final Fantasy VI OST - The Empire Gestahl]
What they arrived to…was ruins. The camp was torn apart with blood, body part, and the smell of burning metal and death. Shay feel to his knees, Ruby and Yang felt sickened, Ivory was aghast, Peach was stoic, and Yuki…just starting robbing the corpses for dust, pistols, and anything of value.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Don't you have respect for the dead?" Shay roared.
"Yeah, the pack of vultures is telling me not to rob the dead." Yuki said rolling his eyes. "Piss off."
"Not like they're going to need it." Yang said taking some.
"I only sense two people alive…" Ivory said cautiously.
"And one's a Maiden, so Raven is definitely alive." Yuki said with a sigh. "A bit of a 'gift' Amber left behind, let's me sense magic."
They moved up to the largest tent to find Raven bleeding out and Vernal with her lower legs sliced off.
"Oh, how the mighty have fallen." Yuki said coming up.
It was clear Raven was using her Maiden powers to keep herself alive…given her heart was torn out of her body.
"Fuck…you!" Raven coughed out before seeing Yang. "Yang…"
Ivory noticed a gun on the ground…one that matched Suki.
"Ryuhime." Ivory remarked taking up the gun. "At least this is in one piece…"
Raven protested only for Ivory to kick Raven's face in.
"You're very lucky I don't blow your brains all over the floor. Not like anyone will care about you dying, you loathsome sack of shit." Ivory said taking the holster from Ryuhime. "You murdered innocents justifying it because you hated Salem and Ozpin's war…"
"I have to ask…you wanted to say out of the war…but why did you become a Maiden?" Ruby asked her. "You had a point…but everything else is just dumb."
"Look, if I wanted to be given a lecture, I'd go to Oz. Why the hell are you here?" Raven asked.
"Well, to wipe your tribe after we caught a group of yours trying to attack a caravan. But it seems someone else did it." Yuki said with a sigh.
"So can I go?" Shay asked. "My tribe's gone, and you don't need me…"
"Leave. I suggest you walk away from all this…and if I do see you as a bandit again…well you won't live another day." Yuki said as Shay scurried off.
"What happened here? How are you even still alive…" Yang asked.
"Maiden magic and as for what happened. Two Voyden pieces of shit show up, caught my tribe in a surprise attack, and I wake up to that asshole tearing my heart out! The bitch he came with sliced off Vernal's legs. They mentioned they need my heart to merge with some pearl to make something…" Raven said between coughing up blood.
"Any indication of where they were going?" Yuki asked.
"What's in it for me?" Raven asked as Yang aimed her gauntlets at her. "Oh, daughter dearest, you know that's not going to work…I'm already one leg in the grave."
"We'll heal you and only you. In exchange, you tell us what you know." Yuki said as Serena materialized.
"You will also hand over your Maiden powers to me." Serena said glaring down at Raven.
"What about me?" Vernal protested.
"What about you?" Peach asked with no sympathy.
"You can't leave me bleeding out like this..." Vernal said pointing to her legs.
"You're right. We can't…" Ruby said before looking to Yuki. "Should we?"
"We should. Ruby look for a corpse…a woman preferably. I might be able to get Vernal new legs." Yuki said before turning to Raven. "And get Raven a new heart. Peach, can you help me?"
[Cues: Final Fantasy VI OST - The Empire Gestahl]
Peach got her kit. Ruby and Yang found a few corpses mostly intact and dragged them back.
"This is messed up." Yang said under her breath.
"Hey, Yang. You okay? I know you're upset about Raven." Ruby remarked. "You want to talk about it?"
"Ruby, I need to be honest. You've been looking into the original timeline…is Raven worth a damn?" Yang asked.
"Yang, I love you with all my heart...but Raven is a total piece of shit," Ruby stated bluntly making the blonde wince at her tone. "Maybe if she actually took her head out of her ass, she would have had a sliver of a chance but at this point she's not worth the effort. I'm sorry sis, but you're better of forgetting about her and just moving on with your life."
"Shit…I don't know how you put up with that time stuff." Yang asked.
"Frankly, I'm scared. I'm scared of becoming like Yuki. He's admirable, but I wouldn't want to be like him. Because the world needs an optimism as much as they need cynicism. I think even he knows this…and why he was so hesitant to let me in on it. But I needed to see the original timeline…I hate my canon self, but I could learn to not be like her." Ruby affirmed before spilling into a bit of a rant. "As for Raven, if she wanted to be away from the way, why take a maiden…why team up with Cinder…why even be a bandit? She literally could have retired from all of that and be a civilian if she did not want to get involved!"
"When this is all over…we're going on vacation. It'll be you, me, Weiss, Blake, and our friends out living it up. With Salem out of the way, it's only the Grimm King…" Yang said as they dragged the bodies.
"A vacation sounds nice. Far away from the kingdoms and Grimm." Ruby said dreamily.
They returned with some corpses and the whole had to help in what was the maniac process of surgery. Ruby had to slice the corpse's leg for Yuki to use Kelly and Lapis's semblances combined to meld and alter the legs to reattach on Vernal like she never lost them.
"So I bet you're wondering why I left you behind, Yang." Raven said trying to start a conversation.
"No, I stopped caring. I don't want a sob story why, Raven. I already knew you were a piece of shit…and frankly here we are, saving you." Yang said disappointed. "You had my dad who loved you, you had a team that cared for you. And you junked it for your bandit tribe…well look around you, they're all in the gutter. Forgotten to the sands of time."
"And at the moment, after we're done healing and we get what want, you're on your own. Because I highly doubt Vernal is going to want to stick around considering you were using her as a living meat shield." Yuki said working on Vernal's knees. "For someone who commands a tribe, you're a real coward when you're ready."
"Oh, and just let Salem know I'm the maiden." Raven snarked.
"Funny, Salem's not even an issue. And the Grimm King doesn't give two shits about the Maidens." Yuki remarked. "So, your point on there is no beating Salem is moot."
Peach used her builds to work on extracting the heart. Yuki finished Vernal's legs and helped her up on them. She stumbled, but was able to stand.
"I…I can walk again! I…thank you." Vernal said.
"You're welcome…" Yuki said tossing her weapons to Ivory to hold. "You'll get them back when we're done."
[Music Ends]
Peach, Serena, and him got to work on Raven which Yang loading her bio mother on painkillers. The silent only ebbed on Raven's mind and inklings of guilt poured in. Ruby's disappointed glare reminded her way too much of Summer. Did not help that Raven was stripped naked and put on raised platform of light by Ivory.
Yuki and Serena followed on connecting and melding artery lines while Peach used a build to make her arm into a taser to keep it pumping. It was a bloody mess and blood had soaked Raven's bare chest.
"For what it's worth…I think your father would be proud of you. He always did see the good in people…even if there…was not much." Raven said breaking the silence.
"My father wasn't pleased you left Yang behind." Yuki said dryly.
"Judge me all you want, but I never wanted to be a parent. Yang wasn't planned…she was an accident. Of course, abortion was not an option because of Summer giving me shit for considering it. Honestly, after learning about Salem, you think I wanted to be a kid into this world. I…" Raven said before looking more tired than before. "Taiyang was over the moon to see you born. He was geeked to start a family…but I wasn't. I couldn't raise a kid…"
Peach looked surprised and so did Ruby.
"Not to piss on your mother's grave, Ruby. But your mom was capable of being a real asshole behind closed doors. She is a good person, but in no pure hearted saint." Raven said earnestly.
Yuki did not need Robyn's semblance to see she was being honestly.
"I figured that. She's my mom and I'd see her on a bit of a pedestal." Ruby said mirthfully. "But she did what she could…"
"For what it's worth, I was secretly coming around in my bird form to check up on what was going on. I figured Summer was there, and I didn't need to come into your life. Hell, I'm pretty Taiyang hates my guts." Raven admitted.
"I pretty much do, considering you murdered the one person who cared about me when my parents barely did. Here I am helping to save your feckless life and it hurts that I can't make you suffer for what you did!" Ivory said as tears were spilling down her face. "Damn it, that Voyden asshole basically took my idea of slaughtering your tribe!"
Raven was not one to apologize and she did not because she was sure that would make Ivory pissed at her. It was a long torturous few hours, but the job was done. Yuki closed her up and Raven could function without the Maiden powers being a lifeline.
"No scars…it was like I…" Raven said before Ivory let the platform vanish which had the naked bandit fall on her ass.
Raven did not protest that. She let Ivory had her little revenge and she got dressed.
"Ahem. I believe you owe us." Serena said.
"You can hold Maiden powers?" Peach asked.
"While I am part of Yuki, I have my own soul. Plus, thanks to have Amber's conscious within Yuki's mindscape, I was able to study the magic. I have come to conclusion that I can hold Maiden powers as it was thanks to me Yuki was able to have Amber in his mind." Serena explained. "I can pull the Maiden power from Raven, she just needs to give me a hand."
"Take it. I…I don't need it anymore." Raven said offering her hand as Serena.
Serena took her hand as they both glowed as the Maiden energy left Raven's being and rushed only to Serena's.
"It will take time for the effect to kick in. Raven will have residual power left over…" Serena said quietly.
"Spring was the start of a new beginning. Suits you perfectly." Yuki said as Serena vanished back into the mindscape.
Yuki molded the air around into water to clean the blood off everyone and dry them off.
"That's that." Yuki said. "Now about the information."
"Griseo. The prick's name was Griseo." Vernal spoke. "He was a real piece of work. He had come with a woman, Kukudi or something…while he was going at making the pearl…they had spoke about some things. She mentioned something about sinking a cruise ship…and he said he said sure that those heiresses never made to Vale."
Yuki went pale immediately. The others did not catch on, at first.
"Wait…oh shit!" Ivory said in realization. "Did Blake call you guys to say she was on a cruise ship?"
Yang and Ruby balked, but Yuki looked frightened. For all his abilities, he could not be everywhere. His team were his everything, his family. Jaune? He had even began to see him as family as well. Blake was his student and he had been slowly burying the hatchet with her and Weiss was a joy to be around. Sun was also in mind. His precious people…
Ruby was on not much better. Serena materialized to let him that she tried called Lapis and Kelly…but no luck. Ruby tried to call Weiss, while Yang tried to call Blake or Sun. Nothing. Jaune was a dead end…
"No…no…no, this can't be happening." Ivory said sweating.
Then Ozpin called Yuki. Yuki could tell Ozpin did not want to tell him the bad news.
"Yuki, I'm sorry, but…the cruise ship that Team LABW was on…was attacked and it sank. We don't have any confirmed survivors. And the ship that Kelly and Weiss was piloting was attacked…a distress signal was last pinned at the island of Vytal. We…haven't found anything. We don't have any leads." Ozpin said bitterly.
"You do now. I just learned the name of the fucker. Griseo, and he's a Voyden Grimm." Yuki said seething. "And when I FIND him, I am going to personally kill him and all his associates. NO ONE fucks with my precious people and lives in peace!"
He hung up. He was tempted to go after Griseo, but Serena reminded him that it would be wiser to go after his teammates. He turned to Vernal and Raven before giving Vernal her weapons.
"Congratulations, you two are coming with us." Yuki said as both balked. "I'll need all the help I can get, and you can redeem yourselves in our eyes."
Raven agreed…partly because she was afraid Yuki would kill her if she refused.
"We have a bullhead…we stole it a long while back. It should still run." Vernal said getting new boots.
"Then let's go!" Yuki said.
[O=X=O]
[Unknown location]
"Alqadr, so you failed to kill Team CASL." Griseo remarked unimpressed.
"The little purple haired bitch got to me. I had to retreat…besides I got two hearts and what you sent me for." Alqadr said revealing a small sundial. "You had raid some temple for this? Why?"
Griseo took it up snickering before breaking out into cackling.
"Because this and the Voyd Pearl I made will lead to our army and the worlds we will consider." Griseo said as the special Voyd Pearl glowed. "And she will lead me to the path of godhood."
"Sure…did you even check to ensure that those bitches you killed are dead or this woman you're working is going to keep her word?" Alqadr asked. "Gardow would be asking the same questions. And what happened to him?"
"He failed me and outlived his usefulness…so I killed him along with Schnee and the Usagi. If the maggot couldn't fight two weakened girls, then…" Griseo said as Alqadr grabbed him by his collar. "What?"
"Gardow was the brains and he was also my friend! You didn't save him?!" Alqadr said furiously as Griseo shoved him off.
"Would have been a waste of effort. And considering you failed your first task, Alqadr, you're next on the chopping block if you fail me again." Griseo harshly said glaring down Alqadr.
Alqadr, however, did not cower and glared back. Kukichi asked if that was wise, but Griseo shrugged it off.
"Now, all we need is four days and it'll be the end of Remnant as we know it." Griseo said with a laugh. "Maybe I can revive Gardow, Alqadr."
"You better?" Alqadr said tensely.
[O=X=O]
[Cues: Metroid Fusion Music -BSL Ambience 1]
[Castle Grimore]
"Is it done, Sazu?" Noire asked as he walked up her.
The two were in the lower depths of the castle across from a room where the healers were at work.
"Yes, they were found injured…we have them with the healers secured for no one to find them. But why send our people for them? Why not kill them?" Sazu asked.
"Can't tell you just yet, but I can say I need them alive…but out of the way. For the time is at hand…he needs to think they are dead." Noire said with a smirk. "He has never lost people dear to him…add on his students, and he's boiling and on the path to explode."
Noire called for Argit and the figure came up nervously. Noire gave him a task and Argit looked terrified at the task.
"Do not worry, I will have someone go with you." Noire said before calling out for his queen. "Sayah, my dear. Gen is still around in the castle?"
"Yes. His scientist minders are busy with that alternate Cinder…and we may have a second Voyd Knight on the way." Sayah said excitedly. "Gen is a good sparring partner."
She called for Gen and he bowed before royalty as he came to them.
"My liege." Gen said humbly.
"Gen, we have a task for you. Take Argit and go with him to Beacon. I need Argit to deliver the information on Griseo, and clear the air to ensure Yuki will not come after me. On that note, Argit…are you aware what the endgame for Griseo's plan?" Noire said thoughtfully.
"He needed two things for the goal, but he did not say what it is to me. All I know is whatever it is…he needed four days to complete it. He's working with some bitch calling herself the new Goddess of Time." Argit said as Noire began to laugh.
"Oh her? Oh ho, this is going to be good." Noire said. "You two can get going. And Gen, you are not to tell the scientists of this nor can you engage Yuki in combat."
The two left as Noire took Sazu and Sayah up to the bedroom.
[Cues: Castlevania 2 OST – Within These Castle Walls]
Noire and two entered as he locked the door before motion to Sayah to get the staff. Sayah went under the bed and pulled out a staff. The end was black with the upper part of the staff was gold with an orange gem that floats in a wide baby blue ring around it.
"What the heck is that?" Sazu asked.
"A relic. Chronoa Tempus is many things…but she is NOT of origin like the Brother Gods…at least not naturally. Apparently, one could say Oum 'adopted' her. This staff…is a relic from her supposed world of origin, and it's able to do so much. I do not yet have complete mastery of it's power, but I have been able to peer into the many possibilities. It's why I keep my oracles close, and why I don't fear Griseo. His plan was foretold, but not his ending. No…but I know I could use it to my advantage for Yuki to ascend." Noire remarked taking the staff up. "This was found in one of Chronoa's oldest temples long before Remnant was formed. In the old days."
"Sire, if I may ask…what was Chronoa's original world like?" Sazu asked.
"Insane. Littered with powerful warriors from beyond the stars…but the Brothers don't realize bits of it have bled in among other things thanks to me." Noire said. "It's why this Remnant is more lively."
"And there will be a big change…" Sayah said with a sashay of her hips. "The oracles are all afraid citing someone big is happening, but we know what that will be."
"You're not going to tell me, are you?" Sazu asked dryly.
"Oh no, my dear. Even we don't know the whole story, just hints. It will be exciting to it all play out!" Noire said excitedly. "Griseo only thinks I'm a battle-loving fool…and his arrogance will lead to me getting exactly what I want!"
[Ending Theme : Sonic Mega Collection - History]
(A/N: Well shit. It seems I've shown more of Noire, ain't he a real bastard? Heh, I've been planning this out. I wanted this twist to add and explain Noire's character. Sayah's name was a nice and unintentional hinting. Now, we prepare the real party to start!)