A/N: Hey everyone, can you believe it?! We have finally reached the finale to the Volume 5 arc! Can you believe it? We have reached this far and now finally showing how this arc will end. As you may have noticed the story's rating has already been changed to M for reasons, and other things. You will find out soon but right now let us rejoice and begin the finale to the Volume 5 arc!
NOTE: IF YOU HAVE NOT READ REMNANT OF DESIRES, READ IT BEFORE YOU START READING THIS STORY.
NOTE 2: RATING HAS BEEN CHANGED TO 'M'
Third Person View
'Thought'
Greeed/Yummies
The boat ride to Mistral was audibly busy as everyone was getting ready for the eventual arrival to the mainland. Some were nervous but had to build up the courage of the eventual confrontation. It was the necessary thing needed to go against the White Fang.
Ilia could only watch as others were preparing themselves. Her eyes trailed to the Bird Greeed who was barking at people to be ready. Given he taught everyone who volunteered, there were no excuses. Then her eyes trailed to the Beast Greeed who happily ate food from a bucket he brought. The said gray Greeed was also idly giddy of 'playtime'.
Something told her playtime was his way of fighting. She remembered the bodies he left behind in the Belladonna residence. He may be a childish brute but he can be a tanky killing machine that has the strength of a gorilla, durability of a rhino, and leg power of an elephant.
She shuddered slightly at the grim memory and held the towel close. She was still drying from having to get out of ocean waters after Poseidon attacked them.
"Everything okay?" Blake called to Ilia as she sat next to the Ex-White Fang member.
"Y-Yeah… just…" Ilia chewed her lip. "Blake, how can you… accept it?"
"What do you mean?"
"Them." She pointed to the two Greeed. "They're-"
"Monsters or how Enrique called them occasionally 'kaijins'."
"Kaijin…?" She recalled the Rider explaining his origins. The countries had various languages.
"Monster in another language." Blake translated. "But I know what you mean." Her amber eyes drifted to the said two. "Ankh and Gamel being monsters who were just simple creations for a greedy purpose. People can be afraid of them but they don't seem to care." She murmured. The Greeed were not that different from the Faunus. They held animal traits but the homunculus were made for a purpose. They were used to fulfil a mad king's goal. Eventually they learned of their own capabilities and decided to fight back - an act of rebellion and retaliation.
"They don't care? That Gamel killed-!"
"To protect my mom and Pyrrha." The Cat Faunus cut her off. "I didn't like it either, Ilia. I was mad yes but Ankh… sometimes he really is a prick about being right…" She was starting to make similar remarks like her boyfriend. "It isn't always fair… but… it's how the world is at times. Cruel…" she murmured and clasped her hands tightly at the bitter reminders.
"I just hope this is enough for most of this bloodshed to end…" Ilia said, lowering her head with shame and worry. The White Fang had committed many things since they resorted to violence. And now the guilt that built up in her from years of trying to believe in Adam's lies, as well as lying to herself was taking its toll on her. "Will this plan work?"
"It will." Blake relaxed herself and planted a hand on the Chameleon Faunus' shoulder. "We just have to have faith. We have to look ahead instead of looking back."
The brunette looked at her friend then at her hands. She remembered stopping Corsac. Then saving the young Multi-King from drowning while stopping Poseidon. Those were acts her heart wanted to follow. A real path. Her fingers curled into her palms and her eyes focused.
She will help retake the White Fang and rightfully take it back onto its right path.
Remnants of Desires: After the Fall
Chapter 17: Arrival, Battle of Haven, Longtime Reunions
It had been an hour or so since Poseidon attacked us. While we were glad he was temporarily dealt with, it didn't change the fact he can control Grimm like his damn pets. If that was his full potential then there is no telling if he could control a more dangerous Grimm next time. We had enough problems to deal with already.
Now, I was getting myself prepared for our arrival to Mistral as I adjusted my coat. Tucking my arms into the sleeves, I tugged the cloth before plucking Upgraded Medajalibur from the counter to place onto the magnetic clasp on my back. Then my eyes met the O-Calibur. Picking up the ancient blade, I saw the bright crystal blue edges show my reflection.
"Always look ahead…" I murmured to myself and placed it into the sheath on my hip.
"You seem ready." Blake said, standing in the doorway with a soft smile.
"Everyone else is. I have to do the same." I sighed. I reached for my locket but paused. I briefly panicked and quickly patted my pockets until I saw Blake raise her hand, showing the said accessory. "Thanks." I said as I quietly sighed in relief.
"Ilia had it when you two were in the water no thanks to Poseidon."
I reconnected the links and placed it over my neck. While the keychain was created from a fragment of the desire of my family during the dreamworld incident, the locket was important as well. As a keepsake and a reminder of my life on Earth.
I was about to walk out but I stopped when Blake's arms slipped over me and rested her head on my shoulder from behind.
"Just feel like we both could use a slight boost from this…" She said with a content sigh.
I grasp her hand and I'm reminded of everything that led to this.
"Will you be alright?" She asked quietly.
"Are you?" I asked back. "We all know who we will be dealing with."
"Slightly scared… but I have to believe this will work." she responded. "Retaking the White Fang is what we have to do."
"Yeah… Otherwise what was the point of all of this?" I nodded in response, agreeing that we have to believe this will work.
We jumped slightly when we heard the boat's horn in which the both of us immediately walked out of the quarters to make our way to the port. I had to use my hand slightly to see ahead and sure enough, we saw our upcoming destination.
"We finally made it to Mistral." I felt relieved that we made it.
"All we have to do is get to Haven Academy." Ankh drummed his talon of his Greeed arm across his human arm. His nose twitched slightly and his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Ankh?" I noticed his sharp gaze on something.
"Nothing. We better get ready." He walked back but backhanded Gamel to remind him of the preparations.
The Faunus gathered but I knew someone had to motivate them one last time before the mission. Blake nudged me slightly in which I nodded and made a block of ice to allow Blake to stand on as elevation.
"Everyone, I know most of you are nervous. But we must pull through to stop the White Fang from committing this action." Blake spoke to everyone. "As long as we stand together, we can and we will stop them. We can't let another repeat occur nor let Adam achieve this grevious act! I ask you, one last time, are you all ready to help?"
"Yeah!" They chanted.
"Good." We noticed Ankh who came back as he popped his neck slightly. "Remember your training! Either stand and fight or stand back and face cowardice! Tch...you all have learned from my explanations and lessons, and I won't say this to you again! Redeem yourselves or let the next course of your future be gone forever!"
"Yes sir! Thank you for everything!" They said in unison, as well as thanking him for his assistance, as they were grateful for the help.
Ankh huffed and adjusted his jacket. "Gamel, you know what we have to do."
Gamel dropped the bucket of food and nodded with a fumed look. Whatever they talked about earlier, it must be something serious. Ankh looked at me and jabbed my chest. "You and the kitty cat will go with everyone else. Gamel and I have something to look for."
"Alright." I nodded before the boat arrived at the docks. I took a deep breath and grasped the keychain on my belt and looked up at the shattered moon.
"Semper fidelis…" I remembered my dad's saying. The promise I made to them. My gaze hardened and I breathed out.
We all exited the boat as we all rushed out in formation. Ankh gave all of us suggestions to the plans and we know what Adam planned to do due to the Scroll. This was it
"Sun, you go with Kali to warn the authorities and get their support. The rest of us will head to the academy to stop the White Fang" I insisted.
Sun nodded and gave a salute as he ran. "You got it! Good luck you guys!"
I looked at Blake and Ilia along with everyone else that gathered. "You had this plan, Blake. You'll lead this one." I insisted.
Blake nodded as she took point, leading us two to the rooftops as we began to traverse. Luckily, we noticed a plume of smoke in the distance that didn't seem like someone cooking or crafting. We quickly knew this was where Adam would be at as we headed off towards the smoke.
'Let's hope we made it on time…' I grimaced in my thoughts.
The plan was as planned. To lead our group to Haven while Sun and Kali warn the authorities regarding the attack. I followed Blake across the rooftops while Ilia moved away from the group given she was told by my girlfriend to check for anything out of the ordinary around the academy.
I sent a glance at Blake who looked determined to take back the White Fang. This was the moment to change things for everyone.
Her cat ears twitched slightly and her eyes hardened. She increased her pace and landed onto the next rooftop. Sure enough, I was given a view of the grand Haven Academy.
It gave off oriental vibes due to the architecture and the clearing in the center was the quad of the school. A large spacious area but that wasn't the reason it stopped Blake. It was who she saw below - Adam Taurus and the White Fang.
Though, what she also saw made her heart sink and frown in disgust. She soon pointed to the tower, as I had to squint a bit to see. But what I saw also made my heart sink. Along the entire tower and academy were several bombs, each one being set up.
This madman was going to blow it up alongside anyone else who was inside. It would explain why Blake wanted to send Ilia ahead.
My eyes noticed someone else amongst Adam and the White Fang. It was a middle-aged man who was tall and muscular, taller than Adam himself. Who was that guy?
"ADAM!" Blake called out.
The redhead, the White Fang, and the unidentified man all turned to Blake who shouted. I remained hidden to assess the situation and waited for the rest of our group to mobilize.
"Stand down!" She demanded.
The White Fang soldiers aimed their firearms at her but Adam stopped them. Upon ordering his men to lower their weapons, he laughed evilly. "To think that I went through so much trouble to find you, only to have you deliver yourself to me."
The cat Faunus frowned and replied, "This isn't what's right for the Faunus! Stop what you're doing and we can end this peacefully."
"You're wrong, Blake, and you can't stop us."
"No, I can't. Not by myself."
"For she isn't alone!" Adam and his group turned to their right to notice Ghira and other Faunus who bore shields that held the old White Fang symbol.
"What?!" The Bull Faunus growled.
"And we will stand united!"
"Brothers, Sisters. Please, do not do this. Going the way of the vile and hateful route will not bring any peace to this. We should show we can be better than what they believe in. As well as show a better way to go through this than simple death and destruction." Ghira called to the other Faunus in the White Fang, trying to go a more peaceful route, hoping this would work for almost all of them.
Adam and his followers looked all around them, assessing the situation. He seethed before he barked at his comrades. "Make no mistake, brothers! They are our enemies! And we will not let them-!"
He was interrupted by a shine of light from above. My eyes looked up and grinned slightly. They alerted the authorities just in time.
"Adam Taurus, this is the Mistral Police Force! Lower your weapons and surrender peacefully!" The PA announcer.
The arrival of the police was one factor Adam didn't foresee. Looking around, his masked eyes directed to Blake who landed on the ground. "How?! How did you do this?!"
"Adam it's over." Blake proclaimed.
Adam gave one last frustrated look at the Faunus of Menagerie drawing close. He soon quickly grabbed the remote detonator for the bombs as he quickly raised and pulled the trigger….. Yet nothing happened. He looked at the bombs before back at the remote in confusion as he began to pull the trigger several times.
"What are you doing? You trying to get us killed too?" One White Fang member questioned with shock.
The redhead Faunus angrily grabbed the White Fang soldier by the collar. He said, "I am making humanity pay for WHAT THEY'VE DONE!"
"By getting us killed? You did not promise we would be corpses for this cause!" The member said with annoyance. "I'm starting to think that maybe this wasn't for--"
Adam harshly shoved the Faunus and yelled in frustration by charging towards Blake with Wilt. Just as he tried, Blake used her Semblance to avoid it and knocked him down, causing him to lose his grip on his weapon.
"Gah!! I will make you suffer for all of this, Blake Belladonna!" Adam howled in anger before turning to his 'followers', "KILL THEM ALL!!"
Upon his command, the White Fang began their assault against the airships above to shoot out the lights from the Mistral Police and the Menagerie Faunus. It became a Battle of Haven Academy.
My eyes wandered to the battle, my mind recalling the Battle of Beacon. I shut my eyes and kept my head into focus. I took deep breaths to calm the rapid beating in my heart and focused on Adam who grunted.
My fingers curled slightly and I gripped my buckle to put on my waist. I paused for a moment, reminded of using it against him in the beginning.
No, I shouldn't use it this time. My eyes saw him slowly pick up his sword in which I decided to finally act when Blake's ears perked to voices she heard from whoever was inside the school.
I rushed ahead, reminded of the trials I faced and the challenges that are still ongoing. A few White Fang soldiers were in my line of sight and I gritted my teeth. I felt the cold air coil around my arms, even my legs. It felt like my soul was reaching out and adapting. I ducked from one gun and punched the Faunus to the side, an icy gauntlet forming on the said limb, hardened like steel. The other White Fang soldier tried to pull the trigger but it exploded when it froze in ice. I jumped and gave a solid punch with the other arm, allowing it to cover in ice from the fragments left behind.
Just when Adam had the chance to attack Blake, I immediately launched a spin kick across Adam's ribs, sending him rolling and reeling from the blow.
I skidded across the ground and used the ice to ease my momentum.
Adam stood up and growled. "Who are you supposed to be, human?!"
I maintained my stance. It was time I told him who I was given he only saw me in the armor. I said, "The same guy who dealt with you a year ago in Beacon Academy. The one who cut off your arm."
Adam's brows furrowed under his mask before I saw them move up the moment he noticed the O-Driver around my waist. I swore his eyes dilated but it was immediately replaced with fury based on his body language.
"You…." He seethed viciously. "OOO!!!!!!"
Glancing behind me, I said to Blake, "Go help anyone that is inside the school, Blake." I stated. "I'll handle Adam from here."
My lover noticed how serious I was before nodding. "Be careful." She quickly ran inside the school to help whoever was inside.
Looking at Adam again, I grabbed both blades and pulled them out of their sheaths then plunged them into the ground. I wasn't going to need them for this.
Adam reached for his fallen sword, only for it to be frozen solid in a block of ice. He clenched his teeth and turned to face me.
My punch slammed into his cheek, sending him reeling. He staggered a bit before recovering, glaring daggers at me. He noticed my swords were planted onto the ground across from me. I wasn't going to use them against a disarmed opponent.
"No weapons or semblance," I challenged. "Just you, me and our fists."
"Fine then, OOO," Adam spat as he rolled up his sleeves. "If that's how you want to play it."
We charged at each other and Adam threw his cybernetic fist at me. I sidestepped and buried my fist into his stomach before landing a left hook. He retaliated with a punch to my face, his metal fist loosening some teeth in my jaw. I clenched my jaw and slammed my forehead into his, cracking his Grimm mask.
Our Auras flickered as we took our blows, protecting us from any major damage. But our Aura protecting was finite, and it was going to take much more to break through them.
Roaring, Adam tackled into me, throwing his arms around my waist as he threw us both to the ground. He was on top as he started throwing punches while I blocked with my forearms while trying to throw him off. I caught him by the wrists and we rolled around the ground, exchanging blows roughly.
The way we fought was barbaric, animalistic, and I think that was how our confrontation was meant to go. The fights I've seen so far have been flashy displays, but my fight with Adam was more like wrestling.
I was on his back as I gripped his horns, pulling his head back painfully.
"Say uncle! Say uncle!" I shouted.
"Argh! Let go of my horns! Get off me!" Adam shouted as I pulled harder.
The Faunus managed to slam his elbow into my arm, causing me to release the hold as Adam quickly kicked me away. He rubbed his horns as he glared at me.
"How dare you touch my horns with your filthy human hands!" His foot landed on my chest, sending me staggering before I avoided his next strike. Once avoided, I caught his arm before pulling him and landed a solid punch to his face.
The impact caused the Grimm mask to crack further, on the verge of shattering.
"It's over, Adam," I stated. "Just admit it, you lost. The faunus of Menagerie are against you and are fighting with the humans you despise. Your plans have failed."
The redhead Faunus was seething in rage. After everything he planned, it was all for nothing. All because of Blake and OOO!!!
"So stand down or I will make sure you are stopped like before." I warned him.
"DAMN YOU, OOO!!!"
Adam came at me and I let him have it with an uppercut straight to his jaw. The attack was swift and the Faunus fell onto the ground with a possible broken jaw. The redhead Faunus groaned, trying to move himself onto his feet.
"And that's strike two on your loss, Adam." I panted, wiping my lips with the sleeve of my coat. "Don't let it become strike three."
"It's all because of you… Ever since you came into existence, you have been nothing but trouble, grief and pain for me!" Adam hissed, "I swear, I will kill you and eat your heart!!"
"It's over Adam. Look around you." I frowned. "The White Fang are giving up already. I came to understand the Faunus during my time in Menagerie. You know what I saw in them? People with lives. People with a future. People who are just as equal as us humans. But you..." I pointed at him. "All I see is a damn mirror of what I would have ended up as. What my future would have been. All you do is lash out and it will get you nowhere."
I avoided his punch as the ice slid me aside. "A mirror that reminds me of what I could have become." I gripped the keychain on my belt. "But you know what? I am not going to lash out like you are doing to humanity!" Ice circulated across my limbs.
"What in the…" He saw me rush to him and I delivered an icy punch to his mask, finally displaying its cracks and damaging the markings it held.
"You are only a man full of rage and hatred. That is all I see. Not a Faunus who is fighting for a cause."
The redhead gripped the dirt tightly, his chest heaving with his breath and slowly stood up. "Everything… all because of you, OOO." Adam growled, his cracked, masked eyes glaring at me with hatred, rage, and anger. "You ruined my plans, my chance to remove all that deserved to die! It will never happen until I have your head for my plans to succeed!!!"
From the trees, a blonde young man grinned. 'Perfect' He flicked the Cell Medal towards Adam.
Adam froze as others heard a clink. The Bull Faunus slowly looked back albeit staggering, seeing Kazari in his human disguise lazing on a tree branch.
"Hey bull boy. Looks like you've failed." Kazari hummed.
"Kazari… what did you… do…?"
"Oh? Well you see." His predatory eyes glimmered. "Partnering with you is the only way to fuel your desire, or is it desires?"
I tensed in horror.
Kazari knew Adam had not just a dark desire but different desires. In other words… Kazari practically found the perfect vessel for a Yummy.
"And your desires will fuel the Yummy."
The Bull Faunus clenched his teeth, seeing bandages on his arms. "Y-You bastard…!" he began to scream in agony as cell medals and bandages began to wrap around his body.
"Everyone get back, now!" I shouted.
When it dissipated, it revealed a unique Yummy. Its form was mixed between a lion but also with armor of a rhino, and a hammerhead shark's head on its back.
"The Yummy was instantly fueled by his desires, immediately granting it a form instead of having to appear in its initial form." I uttered in horror.
"Bingo~!" Kazari mused. "And now? The real fun begins."
I grimaced.
The human disguised Greeed landed next to the Yummy, cell medals clinking around his body until it revealed his Greeed form.
Oh shit. Not good.
I quickly brought out three Core Medals and slid them into the buckle. "Henshin!
TAKA!
TORA!
BATTA!
TA-TO-BA! TATOBA! TA-TO-BA!
I kicked my two swords off the ground and held them tightly in caution. While the Yummy hauntingly approached, Kazari paused and hummed upon seeing the O-Calibur.
"Oh? So you drew His sword after all. Guess that means…" Kazari raised his knuckles and the claws extended. "I will make your death quick and painless."
"Ah fuck…" I grimaced. Like a bull seeing red. Now I definitely cursed my luck on this.
"RAAAH!" Kazari felt an impact as a pair of arms tackled him to the tree. Being slammed to the trunk of wood, Kazari shook his head before noticing who it was.
"Gamel? You're here?"
"Kazari, you big traitorous meanie!!" Gamel roared. The brute lunged, prompting Kazari to block the attacks.
Kazari evaded the Beast Greeed's punch. "Gamel, why are you fighting me?"
"You made Mezool die!"
"I told you, Gamel. OOO did it." Kazari lied.
The gray Greeed shook his head furiously. "Ankh and Pyrrha, they told me!"
"And you trust Ankh for the bird he is? Don't you remember what I told you back in Kuo Kuana?"
"I trust friends, not traitorous MEANIES!!"
Kazari blocked the attack, sensing the Core Medals within Gamel. While Kazari owns five along with Mezool's Core, Gamel owns six while the recent earnings of Cell Medals allowed him to stay on even ground.
However, Kazari rolled away to avoid a shortsword held by Ankh. "I thought that the stench of Core Energy was familiar. You were here in Mistral." Ankh mocked.
"You really are an obnoxious bird, Ankh."
"Tell that to the talon and this time." Ankh reversed his grip on both blades while Gamel pounded his chest in fury. "We both have a score to settle with you." The Bird Greeed glanced at me. "Separate that Yummy from the Bull Faunus! We'll handle this conniving punk!"
"Thanks Ankh!" I nodded and went for the Yummy.
Kazari tried to chase me but Ankh and Gamel got in his way.
"You will pay for what you did to Mezool, Kazari you meanie!!" Gamel roared in fury.
"If that's how you two want to play it… then come and get it."
Ankh and Gamel rushed towards him, leading to a fight others had to immediately avoid. Kazari slid across the ground to avoid Ankh's sword but reeled to the brute attack of Gamel's fist.
The Feline Greeed clicked his tongue in annoyance before he focused on a portion of his power and blasted a yellow cyclone at the two opposing Greeed. Gamel got in front of Ankh and brought up his arms, allowing the cyclone to hit him instead. The Beast Greeed grunted in pain.
"You made the wrong choice of siding with Ankh and these people, Gamel." Kazari mocked. "Mezool will be disappointed."
Just the mere mention of her made Gamel growl. "Don't talk!" His bandaged arms glowed and roared, the gravitational shockwave shoving the cyclone back at the Feline Greeed. "ABOUT MEZOOL!!!!"
He charged at Kazari like a mad rhino which shocked the Feline Greeed. The yellow kaijin planned to avoid the tackle but Ankh didn't allow it as he tossed a fireball at him, sending a wave of disorientation at the scheming Feline.
"Gah!" Kazari howled in pain and was immediately tackled into one of the buildings. The Greeed growled angrily and slammed both fists onto the grey Greeed, knocking him down. Then, kicking the childish brute across the quad, not while rubbing his foot upon the kick landing on Gamel's sturdy head.
Wait, he didn't spot Ankh. On alert, he turned around and stopped Ankh's claw from digging into him.
"Guess you finally learned huh?" Ankh sneered.
"Damn you, Ankh. How far are you willing to protect these humans and Faunus?!"
Ankh glowered at Kazari, his talon enveloping in flames. "I made many mistakes, Kazari. I am not making anymore mistakes for the shit we have done to these people centuries ago." He shoved Kazari's limb and delivered a burning palm strike.
Cell medals spilled from the enemy Greeed's hide and it caused Kazari to kneel.
"Face it Kazari, you may think the pieces are in your play but I play my cards carefully to make sure you are dealt with." Ankh gloated.
For a moment, Kazari was expressing a lot of anger at those words. It frustrated him to see Ankh and Gamel in his way and the latter helping the humans and Faunus after learning the truth. Gamel may be childish but he is still bothersome.
With a scowl, the feline-themed kaijin managed to get himself back up. "I won't forget this, Ankh. Say what you want but you know as much as I do their desires are endless. Will it drive them forward or into their destruction? Just watch and see what will occur for both sides of that coin." He leaped onto the rooftop, sending one last glance at the scene then away, avoiding the searchlights of the airships.
"Get back here meanie!" Gamel planned to give chase but Ankh stopped him, "Let him go, Gamel. He'll get what's coming for him next time. Right now, we are saving our energy."
The gray Greeed looked at the now gone Kazari and slowly nodded. "We'll beat him! He will pay for hurting Mezool!"
I clawed the dirt to slow my skidding after the punch earlier. Seeing the Hybrid Yummy, I quickly ducked before planting my hand on the ground to allow my body to move up and deliver a swift kick to the Yummy's throat, pushing it back.
Spinning around, my feet slammed the Yummy a few times but I got more than I can chew for when it grabbed my ankle. "Oh shi-" I was cut off when the Yummy threw me to the dirt behind it then in the front. "Damn!" I grunted from the slam. "It!" My helmet kissed the dirt again before throwing me across the battleground, causing the others to disperse in fear of the monster. "That… really freakin hurts…"
"It is time to kill OOO! Destroy everything for the pain brought by everyone!" The Yummy bellowed.
I grimaced before the fist was evaded. This Yummy really is strong. Adam's desires were fueling its power.
Perhaps it's time to use the Invincible Combo. If his desires made it strong, then the best solution is to nullify it.
Ducking, I focused on my Aura as my lenses turned purple for a moment.
"Those lenses!! Don't tell me…!"
I flick my wrist, the three Cores now between my fingers and my lenses return to the original green color. Removing Taka, Tora, and Batta, I replace them with my Purple Cores. Tilting the buckle, I scan the Medals.
PTERA!
TRICERA!
TYRANNO!
PU-TO-TYRA NO ZAURU~!
The crests aligned before slamming onto my body to form the PuToTyra armor. The ice spread before shattering to reveal my violet form. I plunged my fist into the ground and pulled out the battle axe. It has been a while since I last used this form.
It must have inherited the anger of that moment. I used this to cut off his arm as the Yummy roared in rage. He rushed at me like a mad bull. I planted my feet on the ground and held one hand out. I braced for it and its head slammed against my armored palm. We skidded across the quad, the Faunus having to avoid it until my back hit the light post.
Focusing briefly on the power, I felt the Yummy repeatedly punch my armor brutally and viciously. I winced a few times but thankfully the violet armor's power nulled the damage and pain but I still felt the strength of the punches.
I gripped the Yummy by its shoulders and slammed my helmet against its forehead. It staggered slightly before I used my Medagaburyu to strike it several times across the torso, allowing Cell Medals to bleed off its hide.
Picking up the Cell Medal, I opened the weapon and slid the coin into the Medagaburyu.
GULP!
Aiming the weapon, a ball of energy began to grow within the barrel.
PUTOTYRANO HISSATSU!
The moment I pulled the trigger, the energy shot towards the Yummy. The antithesis came in contact as it blasted through, separating the Yummy from Adam, the former pushed further and further before the kaijin exploded in a burst of cell medals.
I panted and deactivated my armor after making the Purple Cores return to my Aura. It was a rush but it was done. Adam painfully looked at me as he gruntled in defeat.
"It's finally over Adam… you lose."
Adam saw his followers were raising their hands in defeat, some willing to surrender as they dropped their weapons.
"I'll let the authorities deal with you." I said.
"Grr!! What are you doing?! Fight you lousy animals!" Adam shouted to the White Fang, demanding they fight and kill anyone against them.
"Adam, wake up it is over now and the White Fang is going back to its true roots." I argued. "Just stay down." I turned my back on him.
"RAAAHH!" I saw his sword from the corner of my eye before I evaded and used my own. We both skidded to a halt and waited. Then a small thud was heard. I glanced and noticed what it was.
A horn. Adam's left horn.
The redhead Faunus slowly reached to the clean cut of the now missing horn on his head. "Y-You…" Adam snarled. "First you get in my way… Then I lost my arm… Now my horn? You are nothing but human filth!!!"
I gave a calm look towards him. "I was once a nobody but at least I feel alive." I countered. "Call me what you want but you know how this is going to end."
"Remember this, OOO! I won't ever stop until you are dead, you hear me?!" Adam threatened. "You will pay for everything!!"
"Then I will be ready for you, just like the last time." I taunted him. "You lost, and you have no one left to work for you after this."
Adam bared his teeth before he retreated, leaving me satisfied to see him meet his second defeat. He was now a battered, defeated man. Looking at the academy, I think it's time to check on Blake.
I rubbed my shoulder after the ordeal of a fight against Adam and the Yummy Kazari created. Come to think of it, I briefly saw him leaving while Gamel and Ankh were satisfied by the results. Guess they gave him a good beating if they made him retreat. Then again, Kazari will have more plans in mind the next time he comes back.
Entering the building, I traversed the hall and noticed signs of a fight. It didn't look recent as it was early until I got to the center of the place. It looked completely wrecked and things looked to have been handled from here if there was no hostilities.
I froze mid step and felt my heart stop for a brief second when I noticed Blake wasn't alone. With her was the rest of Team JNPR… Yang, Weiss, and Ruby. They were all here. My family was here.
I took a moment to breathe to calm myself down. It has been a full year since I last saw the others in person. While I left several messages to Ruby and the others, it has been a long while since we last were together as a family.
I stepped back to allow this moment to continue as I saw them all together again. I leaned against the wall but I felt something run down my cheek. I used the sleeve to wipe away the tears that fell down my eyes.
A full year I haven't seen them but they were all here. I don't know if this was a coincidence but it didn't matter right now. I was happy to see them. I really was.
Watching Blake reunite with her team, I smiled. I decided to wait and let them enjoy the reunion. Then, I watched Blake grab Pyrrha (who has been in her Proto Birth Armor since our arrival) and tug her to the rest of former Team JNPR. It was best for Proto-Birth to reveal who she was.
"Guys, meet the new Rider, Proto-Birth." Blake said to them.
"Wait, you mean Ankh is actually wearing this?" Jaune asked.
"No." Blake gave a nod to the Rider who removed the Cell Medal, the armor vanishing. The moment the armor vanished, the remnants of Team JNPR along with Yang and Weiss were shocked to see who it was.
"Pyr...Pyrrha?" Jaune uttered in shock as he saw the redhead, as were the former members of Team JNPR.
"Hello again," Pyrrha waved awkwardly. "I'm back."
Nora interrupted her, "Pyrrha, is that really you?"
Jaune put a hand on her shoulder and then another against her cheek. Pyrrha looked up to see tears welling up in Jaune's blue eyes. She saw the tears stream down his cheeks.
"Pyrrha..." Jaune pulled her into a hug. "Pyrrha, you're here. You're really here."
"Ah, yeah! Team JNPR is back together!" Nora cheered.
"Wha-Wha…" Weiss and Yang were surprised.
"It's a very long story." I made my presence known, earning their attention.
"Enrique!"
I smiled. "Still here and kicking." I said as the two teams ran to me minus Blake and Pyrrha but also Yang. I nearly lost air from the embrace as my new family was back together again.
"You sure have changed Enrique," Weiss noted, seeing my appearance.
"You guys too." Originally I saw them when I talked to them via Candroid but in person, it clearly showed they changed a lot over the past year.
"And you clearly have cut your hair back to the way it was. It looks better now." She compared how my hair was when I called her.
I chuckled as I rubbed the back of my head. I kinda did let myself change a bit, especially when it covered my left eye at times over the past year. At least now it wasn't like that anymore.
"Yeah, it does look better." Ruby noted with a nod of approval. "We… didn't expect you or Blake to be here."
"Well, we're finally here now aren't we?" I chimed slightly.
"True." Ruby smiled as she was the first one to come up and hug me.
My eyes soften, reminded of the brief memory of my little sister before pushing it down. To move forward with my new family and protect them. That is the promise I made. I won't go back on it.
"I'm back, Ruby. This time…" I looked at the others. "This time, I'm not leaving behind my family. I swear it."
"I'm glad you're back…" The scythe wielder sighed with content. And before long everyone else, Weiss, Jaune, Ren, and Nora, came towards me and I felt all of them embrace me. I felt as though tears would fall from my eyes again, but I held them back for now and hugged all of them back.
"I thought it was you given I saw brief flashes of ice outside."
My attention was diverted towards a familiar man I met during the festival. I moved away from the others and approached the Huntsman.
I shook Qrow's hand. "Good to see you're still alive, Kid." Qrow said. "And still sane, thank Brothers."
"It's been awhile, Qrow." I acknowledged. "But yeah, I am still me even after a year of having this." I shook the Driver slightly before pocketing it.
"Good. Rather not hear the worst and you become like that King." Qrow noted. "Is that Birdbrain still around?"
"It's Ankh, you drunk asshole!" We all turned to the broken window, seeing Ankh perched on it. "Either correct yourself or I'll shove that flask of yours down your gullet."
"Yikes." Jaune cringed at the image of it happening.
I chuckled before I noticed someone I wasn't familiar with beside Qrow. He looked to be close to Ruby's age, sharing the same hair color as my own while having tanned skin and his outfit looked like he came from a farm.
"Um...who is he?" I asked Qrow as I observed the boy I had never seen before.
"Oh right, you never knew."
Ankh stared before his eyes widened. "You gotta be shitting me…" He realized.
"Ankh?"
"The boy has two souls. His own and the stupid old man."
"Wait...he has Ozpin's soul?!" I gawked, looking at 'Ozpin'.
"U-Um...my name's Oscar. Ozpin's currently resting."
"So wait, you are Oscar but at the same time, Ozpin as well?"
The red Greeed facepalmed. "You remember that book Blake read?"
"Yeah, and?" I saw his stare, giving me the obvious look. "Ohhh…"
"Took you long enough… moron."
"Hey!"
The others watch the bickering between the two. "They still never change with each other." Jaune chuckled.
"Every day we have to keep them from arguing, mostly Ankh."
"I heard that." Ankh frowned.
"Aw, no funny arguing?" The seven jumped and saw a familiar grey haired man munching on a bucket of food.
"It's that Gamel Greeed!" Weiss and the others were prepared but I immediately waved my hands in defense.
"Wait, don't hurt him!" I exclaimed in panic. "He's with us!"
"... Say what?!"
"Yeah, Gamel is on our side and I'm watching over him." Pyrrha explained albeit with embarrassment.
"Um...what happened?"
"Blame this idiot." Ankh pointed at me. "He had the idea to bring him back, suggesting Gamel would be helpful."
"And it worked didn't it?" I pointed out.
"Gamel is a child-minded numbskull, you moron!" He reminded me.
"Hey!"
"Okay, no fighting you two." Pyrrha intervened.
"Sounds like you all went a lot since."
"You have no idea." I admitted. "You guys won't believe what we had to deal with."
With a moment of respite, we all had to talk about how things were for all of us. Especially when Pyrrha is brought back into the picture. When I told them about an incident involving her revival, this was their reaction.
"Wait, Pyrrha was revived as a homunculus by Gara?!"
"Yes but he is long gone." I assured them.
"Wait, as in… dead? Poof? Gone? Fully dead?" Nora asked.
"He's dead." I presented the three unique Core Medals, Super TaToBa. "This helped me. The power of the Multi-King."
"New Core Medals?!"
"Super TaToBa. It allows me to move as fast as time and space itself, everything I see slows down due to the Combo's power."
"That's amazing!" Ruby beamed in awe. "How did you get it?"
"That Kougami had it this entire time." Ankh stated. "Smug old bastard."
"And during our days in Menagerie." I presented the O-Calibur. "We found this in an old temple outside of the town."
"A temple?"
"It was a remnant of the Multi-king's presence. The O-Calibur is one of the few items the bastard owned." Ankh said, tossing aside his finished ice cream.
"Yes, and it's very powerful. I was completely surprised when I first used it."
"Please, we saw how your Medajalibur cut through reality." Nora waved off.
"O-Calibur can harness the power of Core Medals, not Cell Medals and the damage left behind in the temple? Enrique here blew it and its surroundings to ashes."
All eyes went to the sword. "I stand corrected then, it's badass."
"What else did you guys do back at Menagerie?"
"We uh…" I swallowed. "We met Blake's parents..."
Nora laughed at my nervous reaction. "Let me guess, Blake's dad was the overprotective type?" I shrink into my seat, giving the obvious answer. "Hahaha! I knew it!"
"It is not funny!" I exclaimed. "How do you think I felt?!"
"Sweating through the whole meeting?" She guessed.
"That is what I said too!" Sun said, the two high fiving.
"You two are so cruel…" I grumbled.
"Can't help it!" Nora chirped.
Weiss rolled her eyes and added, "But really, it is good to see you again. What else happened?" I grimaced as did Blake, "Poseidon."
"Huh?"
"A few months after Beacon fell, Gara attacked us with the use of his own buckle. He became Kamen Rider Poseidon."
"WHAT?!"
"But when I dealt with him, I thought it was all gone now." My hands clenched. "Until we learned Gara's desires and his negativity towards me unleashed an abomination. With the Poseidon Cores and the Black Core Medals that were made from Grimm, it created a Greeed that is also a Grimm. Unlike Grimm, it seeks to kill me and become a god; even acting to its own accord, not like other Grimm but like any person."
"Y-You mean… a Grimm Greeed?"
"Yes…" Blake nodded. "We haven't seen it since it tried to attack us on the way here."
We could remember Poseidon attacking the boat when he dragged me into the water. If it wasn't for the ShaUTa combo and Ilia's help, I would have drowned. Last I remember was knocking out Poseidon in the water. However I know it wasn't over due to his inherited grudge.
It won't be over until one of us is permanently dead. The thought made me grimace mentally. How long is the question of whether our fight will last. Days? Months? Or even years? It was troubling.
But I won't lose to Poseidon.
"Can I try swinging the new sword, please~?" Ruby pleaded with puppy dog eyes.
"Nope." I plucked O-Calibur from her hand.
"No fair…" She pouted with puffed cheeks.
"Still the same weapon otaku I knew at Beacon." I teased.
"And still the armored hero boy I knew as well." She teased back.
"Yea-" I paused. "HEY!"
The others laughed at the interaction but nonetheless it lightened our minds.
"Oh, you should hear what we did during our trip to Mistral!" Ruby said.
"Really? What happened?"
"This may take a while," Jaune scratched his head.
Well, I clearly missed a lot of things when we separated for a year. Ruby and the others dealt with problems during their travels, Weiss dealing with her little troubles when she was in Atlas, and also the fact that the four (Ruby, Nora, Jaune, and Ren) fought a giant Grimm. A Grimm that had a connection to Nora's and Ren's past. I didn't expect a Grimm to be involved in an incident in Ren's home village but from the mention of if, it brought painful memories for Ren. Although it made me learn, Ren was able to cast a unique camouflage to hide from Grimm and Jaune's Semblance awakening that enhances the Aura's healing process.
However what surprised me more was the name of the Grimm.
"Did you say Nuckelavee?" I asked, surprised by the name.
"Yeah, why?"
I rubbed my neck, my eyes looking to the side for a moment. "You see… in my world, the Nuckelavee is a mythological being in a country called Scotland."
"Wait, you mean there is a Nuckelavee in your world?!"
"It is only a myth in the books," I corrected Jaune. "But I am glad you guys killed it. Ren especially since your explanation made me realize he found some closure."
To face his past and conquer that fear. I knew that feeling well.
"Guess we all had to face our personal demons sooner or later." I sighed, reminded of my endeavor in the dream world.
"Everyone has to face their demons at some point. Otherwise, we can't grow and move forward." Ren said, giving out another wise moment once more.
I relaxed against the wall and held my hands together. "We all made it this far huh?"
"We all have." Weiss agreed. "Though, not sure about… him." She leaned her head to point at Gamel who was busy digging his hand into the bucket. "Are you sure he won't turn on us?"
"Considering he and Ankh beat the hell out of Kazari and helped us on more than one occasion in Menagerie, does that sound evident enough?" I inquired.
The heiress paused for a moment before closing her mouth. "If you say so."
I stretched and hopped onto my feet. "I don't know about you guys but right now, I think we all deserve to get some rest. We do have a new task right?"
"Oh right!" Ruby was the next to stand on her feet. "We do! I can tell you more of what we did during the year! There is so much more to tell you!"
I began to listen to Ruby's cheerful chattering before I briefly noticed Yang who stared at me before averting her gaze and walked off.
… Guess there were still some things I needed to fix.
The one thing right now though… I feel happy.
I finally reunited with everyone again and we will be ready for the challenge ahead.
I paused and quickly looked down the vacant hall.
"Something wrong?" Ruby blinked.
I stared hard at the end of the hall before shaking my head. "Nothing. Just thinking of something is all." I followed everyone as I listened to Ruby regarding her excitement.
Whatever I felt, it felt like something was watching me.
Within the dark chambers of Salem's stronghold, the Seer had displayed what it had seen for her.
"The young OOO…" She murmured with a sliver of frustration. The otherworlder was still alive and now around the Relic she had sent her pawns after. Alas, Cinder failed and the Rider was around.
She had seen his growth and now the way he reacted showed he isn't one to call a boy but someone who is grasping their way closer to the ultimate, almighty power of OOO.
Not a chance she will allow him to change the world as the late Multi-King once tried to do. She had already been told much about the young Huntsman of his otherworldly origins and reasons.
The only thing she had in mind regarding OOO?
He will perish one way or another for there will be no Multi-King like it did 801 years ago.
He will meet his end as even the mightiest kings always perish in the end.
CURRENT MEDALS:
Blazing: Taka (x2), Kujaku (x1), Condor (x1)
Scorching: Lion (x1), Tora (x2), Cheetah (x1)
Strongest: Kuwagata (x1), Kamakiri (x1), Batta (x1)
Legendary: Kobura (x1), Kame (x1), Wani (x1)
Water: Shachi (x1), Tako (x1), Unagi (x1)
Gravity: Sai (x3), Gorilla (x1), Zou (x2)
Invincible: Ptera (x1), Tricera (x1), Tyranno (x1)
Ultimate King: Super Taka (x1), Super Tora (x1), Super Batta (x1)
(NEXT TIME)
"Then why?" Her lilac eyes were becoming the familiar crimson color. "Why did you go with her and not Ruby and the others? Why?"
"Ruby, I am sorry for not explaining much of my sister to you. Back at Beacon, there were times I saw my sister in your place. It wasn't easy to realize how similar life is for some people." I closed my eyes for a moment. "Lord knows I haven't done anything right since."
"Isn't… that the point right now?" Blake asked, her tone soft as the wind.
Next time: Closure, Rekindle, Bonds
A/N: With that, Volume 5 arc is complete! I hope you guys enjoyed the reunion as well as the fight between our protagonist and Adam. Oh, don't worry you will expect another fight between the two but can't tell you when. Don't wanna ruin the big fight between them now. And also you guys will expect more development regarding our companions but also the challenges that wait ahead for them all.
Hoped you all enjoyed this chapter and look forward to the next one! Don't forget to leave a review, favorite, and follow! See you later!