Chapter four: Vytal Festival
To Neo, the Vytal festival was something both exciting, and overwhelming at the same time. The energy, the pageantry, the sheer amount of things going on. While all of it was more than she could bear, she could at least experience it at her own pace. A few days before the festival started, she was put on crutches. This did have its own hurdles to overcome, but she finally has some agency in her own life… and some dignity.
"Alright Neo, we have to get ready for our match. If you find Team JNPR in the stands, you'll find your seat." Ruby said chipperly.
Neo nods happily in response, typing, 'thanks again for… all of this…'
"By the way, you'll have to keep an eye on Zwei." Blake said, nervously looking around for the Corgi.
Neo stifles a giggle, not wanting to offend the cat girl, but also unable to deny how funny it was. Right on que the black and white Corgi appeared at Neo's feet.
"Here's his leash." Yang said, handing it to Neo so she could grab hold of it.
Neo raises an eyebrow, typing, 'how am i supposed to keep ahold of this leash AND walk with my crutches? You didn't really think this through, did you?'
As if he was training for this moment, Zwei made a mighty leap, and landed belly first on Neo's head.
"Does that answer your question?" Yang asked.
Neo simply pouts in response.
With that everyone parted ways and Neo, with her 'hat', made her way towards her seat. Though the stadium stairs were a new and interesting challenge, she finally saw the heads of Team JNPR.
Socially inept as always, Neo happily plops her patootie down between Ren and Nora, sipping on a box of apple juice.
"Oh my god they are so cute! Ren, can we keep them! It's a two for one bargain!" Nora yelled happily, crushing Neo in a hug and causing scared mute noises to come out, while Zwei panted happily.
"Nora, no. That's illegal." Ren bluntly replied.
"When has that stopped anyone?" Nora asked.
"Nora. Are you really sure that's a good idea?" Ren asked, raising an eyebrow.
"My point still stands." Nora said and continues to forcibly snuggle the poor mute girl.
"Nora, if you don't stop this, I'm pretty sure she is going to die from lack of oxygen." Ren answered bluntly.
"You're no fun…" Nora said in a huff, finally releasing the car crushing grip.
Neo gasps for air like a fish out of water. Zwei then hops into Neo's lap and curls up. Jaune was about to say something, but for fear of what will happen to his legs refrained from speaking.
The tiny, scared, ice cream colored mute girl catches her breath, and decides to break the ice by offering Ren a sip of her juice box.
"No thank you…" Ren said with a hint of nervousness leaking through.
Neo, curious, cocks her head adorably, and types, 'You sound nervous, are you really that worried about the fight? I'm sure you'll do GREAT!' Neo pumps her arms to emphasize the point, trying to be encouraging.
"Sorry, I meant no thank you about the juice box…" Ren answered, again the nervousness leaking a hint from his voice.
Neo looks extremely befuddled, no idea why he's avoiding the topic, Neo types, 'I wish I could be of more help! I'd offer to train you if I knew the first thing about combat.'
"Maybe if you remembered a thing or two…" Ren muttered before realizing exactly what he said a hint too late.
Neo, a bit surprised and confused, narrows her eyes slightly, typing 'Care to expand upon that? Is there something you want to say to me, Ren?'
"Come on Ren, you really think she's got anything left in there after being in a train crash?" Nora asked her friend.
Confused, neo types, 'Train crash? I woke up in the street, I don't remember a train….'
"Of course you wouldn't remember the train silly, it hit a city at like mach 2. I'm surprised you still have a head!" Nora said surprisingly chipperly.
Neo rubs her temple, typing, 'Ughhh, my head hurts worse than a human who gets hit with Nurgle's afflictions…'
"Is that a kind of pancake? If so, I want it." Nora said, a hint of drool coming from the corner of her mouth.
"That's not a pancake Nora…" Ren said, a visible shiver going up his spine.
Neo, suddenly remembering what he had said, types, 'You never answered my question….'
"Forgive me for… being skeptical…" Ren said, giving into the fact he was caught.
"Do you really think she would act like a little baby girl just to avoid getting chucked in the big house?" Nora asked.
"You have a point…" Ren said, bowing his head a bit in defeat.
Neo, confused, typing, 'Seriously, what kinda flippin person was I before!?'
"We will talk about it when you're older. Okay little baby girl." Nora said as she patted Neo's head like a puppy.
At that, Neo crosses her arms and pouts adorably.
"So… anyone wants to place bets who's gonna get knocked out first?" Jaune asked nervously.
"Really, Jaune?" Pyrrha asked, "You're just saying that to get a peek at Weiss."
"No… maybe…" Jaune nervously answered.
"Busted!" Nora yelled.
Neo grins, typing, 'I got 50 Lien on the white haired Adonis.'
"I raise you 100!" Jaune jumped at that.
"Down boy." Pyrrha said simply.
"You do realize Adonis is to refer to men, right Neo?" Ren asked.
Neo giggles, typing, 'Think you might have competition for Weiss's hand, Jauney boi!'
"I will eat you." Jaune said, eyes squinting.
"Jaune just stop." Pyrrha said.
Confused, neo types, 'At least buy me dinner first….'
"Enough both of you. The match is about to start." Pyrrha said sternly.
At Pyrrha snapping, neo starts crying.
"I'm sorry Neo…" Pyrrha said softly, then turned to Nora, "Nora, if you could."
"On it!" Nora said and resumed the forced snuggling of Neo.
Neo gasps for air, unable to breath, before passing out. Zwei, sensing this, jumps up and begins licking her face till she finally regains consciousness.
Meanwhile in Ozpins Office
As two Atlisian knights sat now "Free" and uncuffed Emerald into her seat, she then realized who she was on the opposite of. Headmaster Ozpin. She felt a feeling of dread and uncertainty wash over her as the telltale sound of Heels on hardwood flooring could be heard. She jumps a bit and looks behind her to see Glynda with a platter with both cocoa and cookies.
"Refreshments?" Ozpin asked.
Without another word, the criminally malnourished Emerald began to devour the plate of cookies and cocoa like a starving wolf. Crumbs flew everywhere as the green haired girl set a new food eating record. Glynda looked on horrified as Qrow in the corner took a swig of his flask.
"Seconds?" Emerald asked through a mouth full of cookies.
"Of course." Ozpin said with a nod and Glynda left hastily.
"Now then down to business." Ozpin said.
"What business?" Emerald asked, fear leaking into her voice.
"Nothing against your will my dear. You have complete control over what your fate is." Ozpin said calmly.
"And what are my options then?" Emerald asked.
"You can freely go. No surveillance, nothing." Ozpin explained.
"And what's the other one?" Emerald asked, raising a suspicious eyebrow.
"You are allowed to remain here free of charge and of scrutiny." Ozpin said, "and there will be no more chances of enhanced interrogation…"
"Torture." Emerald cut in.
"I prefer my term better." Ozpin answered simply.
"If it means no more torture… fine I'll stay." Emerald said, trying and failing to hide the desperation in her voice.
"Very good. Qrow, show her to her room." Ozpin ordered.
"Do I gotta?" Qrow asked drunkenly.
"If you don't, I'll send you the bill for my stash of whiskey you drank." Ozpin said bluntly.
"Alright kiddo… Right this way…" Qrow said as he staggered to his feet and out the door.
Emerald, too scared not to, swiftly follows and closes the door behind her. Ozpin clasped his cane in his trademark manner and smiled. All according to plan.
Meanwhile in Salem's Tower
The Grimm Queen known as Salem sat in her meeting place with the rest of her faction. There with her were the mad scorpion Faunus Tyrian Callows, the big and beefy tank of a man Hazel Rainart, the half-Maiden Cinder Fall, and Mercury Black, the son of the deceased top assassin of Remnant Marcus Black. Cinder was looking especially nervous at this moment, due to her failure to cause an attack on Beacon. Especially knowing that her failure had been predicted.
Salem smiled an unnerving smile and slowly clasped her hands together on the dark colored long table they were all sitting at. Though Cinder may have failed, her failure was not unpredicted. In fact, she had more than accounted for it and had plans for just such an occasion. Now was the time to implement the next phase.
"I believe you are all wondering why I summoned you all here." Salem said calmly.
"Oh, of course your grace! We eagerly await your orders!" Tyrian giggled with mad glee.
"Your grace… a-about my failure at Beacon…" Cinder began nervously only to be interrupted by her master.
"Failure? What failure? It was all according to plan…" Salem replied with disturbing levels of calm and cheerfulness, her smile never leaving her face.
Cinder, Hazel, and even Mercury all felt chills go up their spines at that. She… had planned for that? What could her plans entail if she had expected Cinder to fail?
"Now we shall enter the next phase. Hazel, you are to 'get in touch' with our friend in the White Fang and take Cinder and Mercury with you. His time to take control has come. Be sure to… 'assist' him in his efforts." Salem told them calmly.
Hazel nodded as he, Cinder, and Mercury all stood and bowed. "Yes, your grace…" Hazel replied.
The four then turned and left as Tyrian giggled a bit. "Have fun! And tell our 'friend' we said hello!" Tyrian cackled as the three left.
Later in Sienna's Throne room
Sienna Khan, the leader of the White Fang, sits calmly on her throne. As she did, she couldn't shake this feeling she had. A terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach. Something bad was about to happen.
It was then that one of her guards suddenly burst through the doors, looking cut up and exhausted. This sudden intrusion shook Sienna from her musings, putting her on high alert.
"High Leader Khan! We're under atta-" The guard starts only for a single black colored blade made of glass to burst through his chest, killing him instantly.
Getting to her feet, Sienna instantly grabs her Cerberus Whip, a chain whip with three pointed Dust blades at the end, and prepares for battle as a flaming glass arrow goes whistling through the throne room, narrowly missing the High Leader's head.
Sienna narrows her eyes as she unravels her Cerberus Whip. "Who dares to attack us!?"
As soon as she demands to know this, Cinder walks into the room followed by Hazel and Mercury. Cinder has an unnerving smile on her face as she speaks. "Hello, High Leader Khan. Or, should I say, former High Leader Khan…"
"Who are you to attack the leader of the White Fang, human filth!?" Sienna snarls out, the blades of her Cerberus Whip coming alight with Dust.
"The ones who are gonna help put the White Fang under new management, lady." Mercury replied lazily.
Hazel sighs at this. He doesn't like it when people die unnecessarily. In his eyes, this was one of those times. But, if he wants to get what he desires, he has to follow orders.
"You can try, humans! But you'll soon find that the High Leader of the White Fang is not so easy to kill!" Sienna roars as the two sides rush in at each other.
As soon as they get in close enough, Sienna lashes out with her Cerberus Whip. The three are forced to dodge as Mercury rushes Sienna. He prepares to attack with a kick only for Sienna to dodge and slash him with the blades of her chain whip.
Forced back, Mercury fires a barrage of wind Dust shot from his greaves. Sienna dodges around them and lashes out with her chain whip as Hazel pulls out two Dust crystals. He then stabs the crystals into his arms as the energy from them runs up his arms. Hazel then charges in and unleashes a barrage of punches, most of which are dodged by Sienna. However, one punch hits home and sends her flying back.
Snarling at her opponents, Sienna readies her chain whip and deflects three flaming glass arrows fired by Cinder. Getting in close, Cinder slashes with two flaming glass swords as Mercury unleashes a barrage of kicks from the opposite side. However, Sienna narrowly dodges the attacks and lashes out with her chain whip, knocking Cinder back. She then turns on her heel and kicks Mercury away, surprising the young assassin with the force of her blow.
Hazel then leaps at Sienna and tries to come crashing down with a haymaker. Sienna, however, backflips backwards to avoid the rock breaking blow as Hazel cracks the ground with his herculean strength. Sienna then lashes Hazel multiple times with her chain whip, forcing the not-so-jolly tan giant to block to protect his face. After taking several lashes, Hazel reaches out and grabs the chain whip before using his grip on it to pull Sienna in. Twisting in midair as she's pulled towards the hulking bear of a man, Sienna manages to hit Hazel with a twin legged flying kick to the face, momentarily staggering him as he lets go of her weapon.
Landing in a crouched position, Sienna lashes her whip as her eyes drift from one opponent to another. She tries to keep all of them in her sights at any given moment to avoid being surprised. Cinder smirks at the female tiger Faunus as she manifests a glass bow. Nocking three arrows, the bastardized version of a Maiden prepares to fire.
"Say goodnight, little kitty…!" Cinder says with a condescending tone as she fires.
Twisting up into a standing position, Sienna spins her chain whip around her like a barrier of steel links to deflect the arrows. Glaring at Cinder for the racist comment, Sienna charges at her and lashes with her weapon. Forcing her to dodge, Cinder feels some of her hair be cut off by the blades of the whip as she narrowly avoids getting hit. As Cinder looks at the hair that falls, realizing how close she got to being hit, she's unable to avoid a second lash that hits her hard.
Reluctantly coming to the defense of his boss and mentor, Mercury runs out and kicks Sienna in the stomach. Being knocked back, Sienna lashes out with her chain whip and hits Mercury in the face, momentarily stunning the silver haired assassin. Mercury staggers back as Sienna unleashes a barrage of lashes. Mercury tries to dodge most of them, but takes some hits as Cinder prepares to fire more flaming arrows.
Letting them loose, Cinder's attack forces Sienna to break away from the young man to dodge. Sienna then lashes at Cinder with her chain whip, forcing the witch in the red dress to dodge as well. Cinder takes some hits from the weapon as she manifests flaming glass swords and tries to deflect the attack, feeling her Aura drain a little more with every hit.
Mercury tries to kick Sienna from her blind spot, only for Sienna to duck under the kick, spin on her heel, and kick the young assassin hard enough in the gut to knock him back and break his Aura. Realizing that he's defenseless in a fight alongside someone he doesn't even like, Mercury breaks away to rest and recover, narrowing the fight down to a two on one.
Smirking like a shark that smells blood in the water, Sienna feels her Semblance activate. With her now increased power and speed, Sienna charges in at Cinder and quickly lashes at the false Maiden with her chain whip. Cinder, not expecting the increase in speed, tries desperately to dodge and block each incoming lash, getting more and more desperate by the moment. Finally, Cinder takes a lash to her side that breaks her Aura.
Her predatory grin growing, Sienna launches one of the Dust blades on her whip at the red-dress wearing fake Maiden. The electricity-coated blade hits Cinder in the eye, causing her to scream in pain as she collapses to the ground.
"Gah! You bitch! Damn you!" Cinder shrieks in agony and rage as she clutches her now ruined eye.
Coating another Dust blade in fire Dust, Sienna slashes with her chain whip as the flaming blade hits Cinder's other eye for good measure. Blinded and in agony, the false Maiden wails in agony and unyielding rage as she rolls onto her stomach, trying to muster up the strength to get up. Smirking viciously, Sienna prepares to deal the killing blow only for a punch to the side of her head to send her flying.
Flipping through the air and landing in a crouch, Sienna glares at Hazel, the owner of the fist, as he cracks his knuckles before cracking his neck. Hazel gives Sienna a sad look as he prepares to fight more.
"It's nothing personal, High Leader Khan. I'm just following orders." Hazel tells her.
"Don't make me laugh, human scum!" Sienna replied with a ferocious snarl.
The two then take off at each other. Sienna lashes at Hazel with the remaining dust blade on her chain whip, dodging and ducking around his thunderous blows. She may have gotten a power boost, but she knows she can't take many more of those hits. Whittling away at Hazel's Aura, Sienna thinks for a moment that she can win.
However, in a moment of overconfidence, she missteps and takes a lightning dust empowered blow to the face hard enough to break through a cement block. Sending her flying, via the electrified hit, Sienna is momentarily dazed. Hazel then rushes in and unleashes a barrage of punches to Sienna's midsection with the last punch finally breaking her Aura. Panting and trying to stay standing, Sienna takes a punch to the jaw that rattles her brain before taking a blow to the chest that breaks her rib cage.
With the dark skinned tigress falling to her knees, gasping for breath and feeling pain with each one taken, Hazel stares down at her with sad eyes. Using the last of her strength, Sienna glares defiantly at the titanic brawler.
"You were a worthy adversary, High Leader Khan…" Hazel tells her before unleashing one last thunderous blow to her head, resulting in her limp, lifeless body falling to the ground.
Next morning in Ozpin's office
Ozpin sat in his comfy chair, coffee in hand, and was about to pick up the morning paper when Qrow, miraculously sober, rushed in. This caused a raised brow from the perpetual being.
"Good morning Qrow. To what do I owe the honor?" Ozpin asked.
"Chief, we got bad news…" Qrow said panting.
"And what is it then?" Ozpin asked.
"Sienna Khan of the White Fang is dead." Qrow answered.
"I fail to see the issue with that…" Ozpin said before Qrow cut him off.
"She was replaced with Adam Taurus." Qrow said ominously.
"That bitch…" Ozpin muttered under his breath, his horror dripping from each syllable, "That was not something I accounted for. Why is she so determined to spite me?"
"What?" Qrow asked.
"Nothing. Its merely something I didn't take into consideration. Go and get some rest Qrow, I have a lot to think about." Ozpin said.
Without another word Qrow left, and Ozpin turned around in his chair. He then stared off into the morning sun, pondering just what the future now held for Remnant.
