It would seem, that there cannot be a Guardian rising, without the Masters of the Universe rising shortly thereafter. It has always been that way. But Jaune gathered those chosen by Destiny to defend not only this world, but the fabric of the universe itself much quicker than any He-Man before him. I do not know at this time if that is a testament of his ability to draw great heroes together… or a warning of something coming far sooner than even I can foresee… - Sorceress of Grayskull
Chapter 4: Blake's Homecoming pt 1 Battle of the High Seas
It was late afternoon when the passenger ship left southern sea-dock of Vale.
The two teams and Guardian were given three suites with a connected commons area, where most of them had gathered.
"Awe, who's a sweet puppy?" Ruby cooed as she and Nora scratched War-Hound's belly, as he laid on his side for the girls. "Who's a sweet puppy? You? Yessss you are! Yes, you are!" they cooed as Ren casually looked at the animal's armor.
He-Man smiled as he reclined on a bench watching his partner being babied.
"What's the matter, Weiss?" He-Man asked, noticing the silver haired girl starring out of the window, idly watching Neon making laps around the ship's deck.
"Just thinking about Jaune," This caught the attention of Pyrrha who was standing by the doorway.
"Jaune?" Pyrrha asked, blinking in surprise.
"Yeah," Weiss said, glancing back to her friends, "He got a little cut on his cheek after he … spoke with my father…" she explained.
"So?" Ruby asked, and the others all waited for her to continue.
"So, it healed, with aura…" Weiss said, starring back at Ruby's blank stare, "He's not supposed to have aura anymore…"
"Oh…" Ruby nodded slowly. "So?"
"YOUR Uncle," Weiss sighed, "Said that his aura was burnt out and he couldn't be a huntsman anymore. But that wound healed up super quick. It seems like the new Headmaster and Jaune are lying…"
"They wouldn't do that!" Ruby said, none noticing Nora and He-Man sharing awkward glances.
"How else would you explain it?" Weiss pressed.
"Perhaps Mr. Arc or Headmaster Branwen can explain?" He-Man offered, "I'm certain there is a logical explanation."
"Hm" Pyrrha murmured before turning and leaving the room.
"Jaune is still a sore subject with her…" Ren noted.
"Maybe I can talk to … WHAT THE?!" Ruby said standing up, but cut herself off when Yang walked in, leaning slightly against the door frame… wearing only a pair of hand towels barely clinging to her chest and waist. The group stared wide eyed at the blond who was eyeballing the Champion of Grayskull, except Blake who stared a moment before a drip of blood ran from her nose before she felt backwards.
"YANG?!" Ruby gawked, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! PUT SOME CLOTHES ON, WOMAN!" She cried, covering her eyes.
"Oh… I took a shower, and these were the only towels I could find…" Yang said in mock innocence, swaying her hips as she walked past He-Man, to her clothes she conveniently left in the commons. "My bad…" she said as Ruby repeated over and over softly 'can't be unseen'
"Blake, do something!" Weiss cried out, but the faunus just sat there staring while ignoring the drool and nosebleed.
"Miss Xiao Long… I'm uncertain of this appropriateness…" He-Man stuttered.
"Oh, it can be… depending on the perspective, big guy…" Yang winked at him, as she bent over to grab her clothes.
The awkward moment was interrupted by Pyrrha flying through the wall. "Pyrrha!" He-Man said, gently moving Yang out of the way and moving to the dazed huntress' side.
"Hey guys, we got a thing out here!" Neon Katt called out, sticking her head through the hole Pyrrha made.
"Duty calls, Team RWBY!" Ruby called out, "YANG, HURRY AND GET YOUR DANG PANTS ON!" She said as the group followed He-Man and War-Hound outside to the deck.
"Coming!" Yang said, hoping out the hole wearing her tank top and trying to shimmy into her pants. "Stupid Grimm…" She grumbled.
He-Man drew the Sword of Power as the group glared up at the sea-dragon like Grimm. "It's a Sea Feilong," Ren stated, "very rare, very powerful…"
The monster took a dive for the group and they all jumped out of the way but He-Man who attempted to throw a Thunder Punch. The beast dodged the attack and smacked him with its tell sending him flying.
The Guardian was saved by Blake's Gambol Shroud. She pulled the hero back to the ship. And the hero glanced to see the Hunters trying to fire their weapons at the beast, but they couldn't pierce its hide. It was a smart one too it seemed, it had already destroyed the ship's defense weapons that could have possibly made a difference.
"It's too fast, I can't put my power into my strength and speed at the same time with enough force to stop…" He stopped when he glanced at Yang. "Yang! I need your semblance!"
"What?" Yang asked.
He-Man leapt between Yang and Ruby. "Your semblance, you take the force of attacks against you and turn it into offensive power, right?"
Ruby's eyes widened when she realized his plan. "Yay! Teamwork! Yang, he's going to hit you, you block it and take the power from his blows, you get his strength, WITH your speed!"
"And then I throw you at this thing," He-Man nodded.
"Crazy, but it's what we do," Yang said, crossing her arms, as He-Man threw a thunder punch with enough power to give her a boost, but not hurt her.
Her lilac eyes turned red and her hair began to glow as she pushed back against the blow, "Oh… harder, Daddy…"
"Oh Gods…" Ruby covered her face, as He-Man rolled his eyes and gave her several more, making her hair and aura glow brighter and brighter, fire and electricity began to spiral around her and her violet eyes turned a crystal blue.
"Yang?" Blake asked in concern, as she glowed brighter than ever.
'Cause we're warriors… we are unstoppable …
He opened her almost glowing blue eyes and smiled.
Nothing's going to get in our way… oooooooh
"I HAVE THE POWER!" She cried out as she reached out and grabbed He-Man's hand and he began to spin her around.
We must be strong
We must be brave
We gotta find every bit of strength
That we have and never let it go
He spun her around and around, gaining more and more momentum, before he released and let her fly toward the Grimm.
We must be strong
We must be brave
She reared back her fist, as spiraling energy in the form of fire and lighting trailed behind her, her eyes focused on the monster before her.
We're gonna reach inside
Stand together and fight
"I…" She began softly, almost against her will, "… am…"
Never let it go
The punch connected with the monster's face and a bright flash later, the Grimm exploded drowning out whatever she was unconsciously saying.
We must be strong…
-H-
After much celebration and thanks from the ship's crew the heroes continued their journey to the Faunus Island of Menagerie.
To the relief of everyone, Yang was exhausted from the near overuse of her semblance and spent the rest of the trip asleep, which made it much more uneventful.
As the ship docked on the small island the group began to disembark, War Hound patting happily as he carried the group's luggage on his saddle and walked behind the group.
"Gotta admit," Ruby stated as everyone gave them clear passage through the crowded streets, "traveling with a real-life superhero and a giant wolf has it's perks," She shrugged.
"It is really crowded… must be popular…" Weiss commented on the crowded street.
"It's not by choice…" Blake said gruffly.
"Huh?" Weiss blinked.
"They don't have a choice," He-Man said, his own eyes hardened at the living conditions. "It's obvious they're doing the best they can… their reward for helping win the Great War… was given this island to call home, with only one third livable. An entire population, condensed into small settlements barely the size of Vale…"
"That's terrible…" Weiss whispered.
"Yeah, and it's why the White Fang was able to gain momentum," He said, "Push people into the corner long enough, they start pushing back…"
Blake stared at the champion for a moment, he caught her eye and nodded. Causing the young faunus to blush and nod. "I'm sure you know the way, Ms. Belladonna?"
"I still don't know…" Blake whispered, "I ran away from home. I'm scared… what if…"
"Whatever happens, you're not facing it by yourself," Yang said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"It's ok to be scared," He-Man said, "Courage is when you face what you fear despite it all."
"Then let's get this over with…" Blake took a deep breath and began leading the group through the town.
Yang and Nora quickly made a game of trying to guess which of the houses was Blake's. which she always responded with a 'nope' with a small playful smirk.
Finally, she stopped at the edge of town, and pointed to a large mansion surrounded by fields filled with horses. "That's it."
"Whoa…" her friends gasped, and He-Man patted her shoulder.
"Let's do this…"
The rest of the walk was in silence as all eyes were on Blake. What seemed like only a moment she found herself standing before a very familiar door. With a trembling hand, she reached up and knocked.
She waited a few moments, and slowly the door opened, and a tall powerful looking man opened looking curious. "Yes, can I…" he froze as his eyes landed on Blake, and He-Man and the others prepared to jump to her defense.
"Hi, Dad… um… I'm home?" She offered and the two remained still as statues.
Before anyone could react, Blake was enveloped in a bone crushing hug. "Blake!"
"Kali! Come quick!" her father called, and a moment later a woman who looked a lot like Blake came out, covered her mouth a moment before embracing the two herself.
A few sniffles from the gathered heroes but silence remained as they gave the family a moment. But once that moment passed the snap of a scroll's camera broke the serene moment.
Everyone looked to Neon who was holding her scroll and smiling. She glanced at the looks sent her way and smiled awkwardly. "Kodak moment…"
-H-
Castle Grayskull
"They deserve to know the truth," The Sorceress stated as she stared at her masked guard. "It's been hidden from them for too long. You've been hidden for too long."
"Like you can talk, Sorceress," Raven growled back at the cowled woman, she knew she hit a sore spot when her silver eyes narrowed. "Tell you what, you tell your kid first," she stated confidently, "And then I'll tell mine."
"As saintly as you try to make yourself to look," Raven pressed, "You still push the same secrets every single one of your predecessors did. And didn't you say you'd be different?" she took a step forward, "Didn't you say you'd visit home?"
"Didn't you?" Sorceress stared back.
"I don't try to pretend to be anything but what I am," Raven replied, "It's better my way. Is it actually better your way, though?"
Before the Sorceress could respond she glanced away, "Something is coming from the Abyss…" And in a flash Sorceress disappeared.
She instantly reappeared on the tower overlooking the eastern side of the Great Abyss. She narrowed her eyes as a pillar of black ooze rose to her level, transforming into the image of Salem.
"So, you did survive," Salem said to the Sorceress.
"Life is full of surprises," Sorceress replied, with a mock bow.
"I shouldn't have been surprised you would be the one chosen to by the Castle," Salem shook her head, "How does it feel to be the last?"
"If you're implying that you'll be successful and you'll bring Him back, you are greatly mistaken," Sorceress replied, "The Guardian will stop you. As he always has."
"He-Man, The Most Powerful Man in the Universe," Salem mocked, "But he is still just a man, and men fall. This has been a long time coming."
"Even so, even if you succeed in bringing Him back," Sorceress said in the same mocking tone as the empress of the Grimm, "It was the Most Powerful Man in the Universe who destroyed him in the first place."
"Your confidence will be your downfall," Salem stated.
"Perhaps yours will instead," Sorceress stated. "Depending on who has the better hand."
"I hope your Champions are ready," Salem stated.
"Bring your monsters, even unleash your master," Sorceress stated boldly, "You've avoided death, but there are fates worse than that."
"I am aware, Sorceress, and you will learn of them as well," Salem stated, "See you soon, old friend…" she said as the black ooze fell back into the pit.
-H-
"Mistress?" Watts asked as her gathered agents watched as the Grimm fluid drained from her throne revealing Salem.
"He-Man is not at Beacon," Salem stated standing up, "I believe Ozpin's old Qrow has sent him to try to undo our assistance from the White Fang."
"How do you know?" Hazel asked.
"He and some students destroyed one of my children not far from Menagerie," She said, "He's going to speak to the founders of the organization…"
"So, we attack Beacon while it's unguarded," Cinder asked, her two friends close to her side.
"No, you, Hazel, and Turion will sit a trap for him, and then take one of the pieces we need to accomplish our goals." Salem stated.
"Sit a trap where?" Salem asked.
"We have recruited one of Ozpin's to our cause, and he has revealed that a piece is hidden at his school. You will draw He-Man there and you will destroy him, as well as his silver eyed friend."
"But Beacon…" Cinder pressed, but Salem held out a hand to her, then moved to the circular gate in the center of her throne room. "Arise my old friend…" She said, and the sludge rose through floor, coming together to reveal a restrained humanoid demon. "Go to Beacon with my Grimm and destroy it all. Bring back the artifact there."
The monster snarled and snapped his fangs. "And … have fun, my Beast Man."
To Be Continued
Song Credits: Warriors by Aaliyah Rose, and its use may or may not be a hint...
Next Chapter, Family reunion on Menagerie, and back at Beacon Qrow and the teachers have to defend the school from the revived Beast Man and his Grimm Army. Will help come? will I include some Bumblebee? time will tell!