Hello, hello, hello, hello once again my ever lovely and loyal peeps!
So here we go again, only you've all kinda seen this chapter earlier, during Christmas in fact, the scene where Xero fights the Ace Ops. Yeah, this is where it all comes to head and we all get to seen an epic smackdown.
If anyone remembers my Christmas present from last year, then you all already have an idea of what's coming. Many of you are probably wondering what happened and why are they fighting? What caused this and why is it being allowed to happen? After all the strides made, everything that has happened, why now?
Welp, this chapter will answer all you're questions and make you realize an important fact, one thing you should NEVER do. Not unless you want to leave in one piece.
And without broken bones.
One that i am personally looking forward too, as i haven't gotten to show off Xero's fighting style and it isn't what you'd think it is. I mean, this guy and Gudako are use to fighting people much, MUCH stronger then them and surviving to live to tell the tale. Which is no easy feat, especially when their actively trying to kill you too.
With insanely overpowered and very deadly, magic infused weapons that can kill you with one cut.
With just one tiny cut.
Could be poison, could be a curse, could be instant freezing, burning, who knows whatever it could be, only that it would be very fatal. Anyway enough of that, this will be the first part of the chapter, so enjoy. As always i own nothing but my OC.
So please read, review and "What the fuc-BOOM"
Chapter 18: A LESSON IN HUMLITY
GRIMM REAPER VS. ACE-OPS, Part 1.
"Hey Mazoku, i challenge you to a fight!"
Those were the first words he heard, when stepped out of the meeting room and met the angry eyes of Harriet. Seeing as she seemed like the prideful, arrogant type that couldn't stand someone being better then her, Xero gave her the best response for someone with an attitude problem like her.
"No."
Yes, the best answer.
"Why? Ya sacred you'll lose to a REAL huntress?"
"No. Just that i've got nothing to prove to anyone or anything, let alone own them shit either. You can take that shit and go somewhere else with it before i put in a formal request for a 'return to sender' card."
The proud woman growled at him like some sort of anger animal and she said something, not that he was listening, as he turned on his heel, walking away from the angry dog barking at him. He wasn't in the mood to deal with her or her team.
"It's too bad i can't just zap them away like i did with that Cinder woman and that bull headed moron. Along with their lackeys. Logically i should have ended them then and there but for ever action, there is a reaction. Something bad might happen, this Salem woman might get a leg up on me but then again, it might send her into a panic, causing her to do something stupid. I doubt it but hey, a guy can dream can't he?"
Besides, he was certain that his King and Knight's holy swords like Excalibur and Excalibur Galatine pure, holy energy should be more then enough to drive the creatures of Grimm away.
Especially since Glatine's is the sword of the sun itself.
He had read from Chiyome report on the Grimm, there more active at night then they are during the day. Looking at it from an animal's point of view, it looked like nothing more then basic instinct. They're entire fur, skin was black and it would make sense to blend into the environment to hunt their prey, which in this case, the Grimm hunting humans.
But negative emotions send them into a frenzy, causing them to throw all logic and instinct out the window, to attack.
But that was beside the point, after the reveal of his past and finally understanding just what the fuck was going on with those who reeked of negative emotions, he was able to get the Curator to zap them away.
Along with Raven and her little tribesman, as Xero doubted he be able to stop himself from killing those arrogant assholes.
Not for long at least.
He would abide by the rules the Curator set fourth in his repository but that didn't mean he had to like it. Sienna promised to deal with Adam and his followers after this was all over but Xero didn't put too much stock into it. Not because he didn't trust Sienna to keep her word but the fact he knew that look in Adam's eyes, the tone of his voice and poster.
The signs of a zealot and fanatic both rolled up into one twisted bag of evilness.
"And a fanatic's ideals are like a plague, they spread quick and fast just like wild fire in a dry forest. Almost as fast as a greedy business man, when they find something to exploited to the fullest."
Which was why he was very happy to see the Curator also send Jacques and his son on his way.
Thankful.
The man refused to see the truth, even when it was presented in high HD. All evidence, all proof, everything meant nothing cause clearly he, Xero, was just a nutcase playing with unimaginable power and was a threat to all of Remnant, needing to be contained in a 'secure facility'. That the scars on him and Gudako were nothing more then fakes, despite their authenticity and genuineness.
Nope, everyone was wrong cause Jacques Schnee said so and that was that.
The only person Xero had ever had THIS arrogant was Gilgamesh but even he would relent after hearing hard core evidence to the contrary. Not to mention Gilgamesh, either Archer or Caster would never willingly involve innocent people in his affairs or threaten just because he didn't get his way.
Jacques did.
The man even threaten war if he didn't get his way in seeing Xero and Gudako 'committed' to his facilities in Atlas, so their power could be 'used for the betterment of humanity' shtick.
Sadly for him, his father was no moved from his position and he had to be zapped away, with his son, least he say something or did something that finally got him killed by either one of his friends or family.
Though Xero was certain Ironwood would have paid good money to see it happen and even more, to have a recording of it. Though Qrow did bring up how sending them back now would give them a chance to cause even more problems before the 'good guys' got back to their world. The Curator's response:
"Not to worry, as you ALL will be back in your world at the same time they come back. Seeing as revealing Xero's past or the main points of his past, will take at least a couple of days to reveal it to the entire world. Therefore, you will all be back by the time everything is said and done. I wouldn't worry about someone making a power play, Lady BB will have the entire world's attention with her hacking the entire network of the world, to play his past for all to see. Thus making it impossible for ANYONE to twist it to their benefit. Nothing but the whole and complete truth will be viewed by all, which will prevent anyone from twisting it in anyway."
While that took care of one possible problem, it wouldn't change the fact many people may see him as nothing more then a mass murdering, world destroying Magus. Something Xero learned to deal with.
It was true after all.
"Where do you think your going you bast-"
"Move."
Harriet tried to block his path again, really she needed to learn not to be so clingy, only for Medusa to seemly appear between the two and without missing a beat, grabbed the annoying woman and tossed her aside, causing her to smack dead into the nearby wall.
Hard.
True be told she was lucky, if it was Kiyohime, she would have burned the arrogant soldier so badly not even goo would remain.
"Harriet, stand down now!"
Clover ordered, he and the other Ace-Ops with Ironwoody and the Snow White knock off came down the hallway, as miss fast bitch pulled herself up, glaring at Xero like it was his fault somehow.
"Fuck no Clover! This bastard owns me-"
"Nothing."
Artoria Saber, ever one for good timing, also seemly appeared out of thin air, to stand beside her queen as she glared at the soldier,"My queen doesn't own you or anyone else anything. If nothing else, it's you all who owns him."
The woman just growled again, going for her weapons, forgetting she didn't have them, as Marrow and Elm did the same at seeing their teammates under 'distress' and in need of help. Clover and Ironwood however tried to defuse the situation,"Hey listen we can just-"
SLICK
Only to find an ice sword at his throat, making his eyes widen as he looked at a pissed off Mikasa, eyes a light with the Maiden's power.
"Don't even think about it."
"Go ahead, just try and see what happens bunny girl."
Cu grinned, as he aimed his blood red spear at Harriet, while Chiyome held her blade at Elm's throat, in a reverse grip. Ironwood, Vine and Winter all tensed, seeing three of their comrades down and ready to be killed at a moment's notice.
"You really need to learn to control you're soldiers general."
Fury, followed by Tony and Steve appeared, as they also left the meeting room, once they heard things go silent. The one eyed man gave a blank stare to Harriet, as he spoke,"Especially when their actions can cause an international incident by picking a fight with the wrong person."
"Yeah, i know you Atlesian have a massive ego, bigger then my own, which is shocking cause i have a pretty big one but to openly cause an international incident? Whoa, seriously what gives? Are you just jelly my amazing kid is a million times better then you have been or ever will be?"
Tony mocked the last part, making Harriet glare at him from under the spear,"Fuc-"
"She is afraid of my master."
Medusa's clam, collected voice broke the tension in the room, making all eyes turn to her in shock. Well, original shock but that turned to anger when Harriet glared death at the Rider,"The hell am i! By the way, you're 'amazing' kid is a psycho and killer! A fucking freak of nature!"
"BREE! STOP IT!"
Ironwood yelled in a booming voice, unable to believe what he was hearing but Harriet wouldn't listen, too hopped up on adrenaline, fear and the humiliation of being so easily outclassed by a teenage boy that didn't even have aura. Her pride, both as a huntress and special operative couldn't take anymore. It wasn't suppose to be this way, she and the rest of the Ace-Ops were the BEST, the best of the best and no one should be able to so easily outclass them!
It was impossible!
SHOULD be impossible!
Harriet wasn't going to let some upstart disrupt the natural order of things and was trying to goad the Mazoku into a fight. To show him and everyone else, that no one was better then the greatest kingdom in the world!
But the bastard was STILL ignoring her insults and, what the fuck is he cleaning his ears?!
"Seriously, can you not take two steps outside without pissing someone off, Zee?"
That Archer, Barton or something like that, asked as she watched her target flick someone off his finger,"Not my fault this bitch can't take a hint and by bitch, i mean a female dog. Ya know, cause of all the barking she does? Like the rest of her 'top country men' all bark but no bite. Pretty sad really."
"Heavens me, i never image a dog could bark so loudly and so madly, shouldn't you're master, oh i'm sorry i mean 'general' put a muzzle on you or something? Threating my husband is a fast way to get six feet under ya know?"
Despite asking it as a question Harriet could see murder in the eyes of Tamamo, as she appeared behind Xero, grinning a sly, demonic fox like smile on her face, eyes sharp and teeth sharper. The fox woman wrapped her slim arms around his body, setting her chin on his shoulder, as her wicked smile never left,"Or maybe i should just do the good general a favor and neuter the bitch. What do you think darling?"
"I think you shouldn't waste your time on something so trivial and just let the bitch, i mean, female dog get herself neuter by someone else. Sooner or later she'll bark the wrong person and they'll do it for us."
His answer only made Harriet anger, if that was possible, as she tried to strike him only to be held back by Clover and Elem.
"Let me go! I'll teach that fucking freak a lesson!"
"Harriet, for the love of the Brothers, SHUT UP! You're making things worse!"
Elm all but yelled, unable to believe how her teammate was losing herself to her fear. Not hate, fear.
The taller woman knew the shorter one was scared of Xero, who wouldn't be? After hearing everything he went through, the enemies he had to face and what is to come would terrify anyone. It all sounded so...so surreal. Unbelievable in so many ways and honestly, it wasn't easier to understand how Salem exists and how to the Grimm came to be made sense. Sort of but it does make a certain amount of sense and had proof of it being real too, but all this?
Everything Xero told them?
Time travel, multiverses, the Servants, Demon God Pillars, The Lostbelts. Baron Umber's insane plan...it was too much.
Too much! It was all insane! Crazy even, the entire thing was beyond the realm of possibility and believability but...but what if it was true? What if such monsters like Focalor; Furfur; Halphas; Malphas, Goetia, and Tiamat were actually real?
"Alright, Xero, Stark, Captain you handle this. I need to brief the president and the world's leaders on this and try to stress how important it is that we FIGHT the Cult and NOT help them, no matter what some people think. HYDRA was able to infiltrate our highest position of power everywhere, even in SHEILD and with this new intel, i think we need to be clear just how dangerous the Cult really is."
Fury left the not so small group, as Ironwood stood in front of Harriet, glaring down at her,"Bree, i won't say it again: STAND. DOWN. NOW!"
The huntress flinched, finally breaking out of her rage/fear induced state, as she stopped trashing in the arms of her teammate. But that didn't stop her from glaring at Xero, who had his back turned and was walking away. The woman wacked her brain for ideas, someway she could get the brat into a fight and be compete legit, without his Servants helping him. Then she could show everyone just how weak he really was and that Atlas was still the best, even compared to other worlds! She'll show everyone that the so called 'strongest Magus' was nothing compared to a huntress!
But she needed him to fight him damnit!
Insulting him didn't work. The boy was much thicker skinned then she realized, as people his age often go off the handle once you insult them like that, calling them weak and cowardly. But he didn't, he just stood there completely unfazed and unruffled.
Something that annoyed Harriet.
This bastard acting like he was above such things, meant he also believed he was above HER!
That son of a bitch! Who the hell did he think he was?! Looking down on her, no one did that!
NO ONE!
"I'll show him, i'll show him who is better and superior! All i need to do is to get him into a controlled arena, where no one will dare interfere and prove to the world that he is WEAK and i'm still the STRONGEST!"
But how?
Suddenly a memory popped into her head and her mouth moved before her brain could catch up to her words.
"FINE! GO, WALK AWAY YOU COWARD! NICE TO SEE WHAT YOU'RE DEAR OLD MOTHER DIED FOR! A WORTHLESS, COWARDLY PIECE OF SHIT, WHO'S APPLE PROBABLY FELL RIGHT DOWN FROM THE TREE! IT'S A GOOD THING SHE DIED WHEN SHE DID, SHE DID EVERYONE A FAVOR AND REMOVED HER WORTHLESS GENES FROM THE POOL! YOU REALLY ARE JUST LIKE HER, A WORTHLESS, COWARDLY FRE-"
"FOR THE LOVE OF BROTHERS HARRIET BREE, SHU-"
"What did you just say?"
Cold.
Ice cold.
Everyone froze, as the temperature in the room plummeted at an alarming rate. Even Harriet, for all her bluster and rage felt like ice water from the Artic was dropped on her head, as everyone, yes everyone the Servants froze at the now freezing hallway.
"You shouldn't have done that."
Jeanne whispered in horror, eyes wide and unblinking as she stared at the back of Harriet's head, unable to believe the level of stupidity of some people or that someone would willingly poke the eye of a sleeping titan like that.
That, my god forgive Jeanne for her language in this case, bloody damned to hell fool!
"Oh my, my goodness, Mikoen! You didn't just say that, did you, you damned fool?"
Tamamo had lost her wicked look, one replaced with worry, as did Medusa, who for the first time actually showed emotion. It was only when Mazoku turned around, did Harriet finally understand just what a huge mistake she made.
Gone was the look of obnoxiousness, sassy and mockery with controlled annoyance.
Now in it's place was a look of cold indifference, had it not been for the fact his eyes were glowing that Yoma gold and anger veins spreading across his face, showing barely restrained fury behind it. Not to mention his body was starting to grow in size, indicating his Yoki was reacting to his anger.
"Let me make this very clear: You have ONE chance to apologize for what you said about my mother or not only will i beat you into the ground, your entire team will suffer the consequences. Your choice."
Apologize?
Her?
Hell no.
Atlas never apologized, cause Atlas was never in wrong and as a soldier of Atlas, she represented her kingdom, which means SHE could not apologize. Cause to admit you were wrong, would mean you were weak and Harriet Bree was not weak!
The woman snorted, despite feeling a shiver run down her spine, her pride would not allow her to take the easy way out,"Fuck no! She was weak and a freak like you!"
Hard way it was then.
Looking to Ironwood, Xero spoke with the upmost coldness in his voice,"I'm afraid general Ironwood, you are about to lose your best team. Do not bother to order this dog to apologize, it must be done of her own free will. Otherwise, the stain on my mother's honor remains and while i normally do not care for what people say about me, you do NOT. INSULT. THE DEAD. This must be done between us and it will only end, when Bre-ITCH gets on her hands and knees, begging for forgiveness."
"Like that'll ever happen."
Harriet snorted, as Ironwood finally had enough.
"Specialist Bree, you are here by put on probation and suspended from the Ace-Ops until further notice."
Both Winter, Harriet and even Marrow looked surprised at the general's sudden decision, as he looked at Xero and spoke in a more respectable tone,"Lord Mazoku, i do apo-"
"Don't. You, General Ironwood have done no wrong. Br-ITCH on the other hand must pay for what she said. If she will not apologize, then as head of the Mazoku clan, this insult against our clan must be rectified. One way or another, if fighting is all she understands, then fighting it shall be."
"Wouldn't that be giving her what she wants?"
Xero looked at Vine, titling his head in confusion,"Oh? You think so, Mr. Vine? Well you're wrong, this is assuming she and the rest of your team will win. You won't, as i have no choice but to win and as such, Harriet will be getting the X-special, being beaten within an inch of her life."
"Like hell you'll win."
Harriet growled, which went ignored as Xero looked at Medea,"Caster make sure no one...interferes with our little bout. Asia, you may heal the Ace-Ops only to the point where they can move on their own. I won't have you're lovely talents go to waste on some worthless dog that got her team beaten bloody."
"Er, yes Xero-sama."
Asia squirmed a little, as Xero turned back to Clover, jerking his thumb towards, what Clover assumed was an arena of sorts,"I'll give you ten minutes for you and your team to sort their affairs. Just in case i put too much power into my strikes, this aura thingy of yours make you all ideal punching bags and i don't have to hold back as much as i normally do."
"That is assuming you win."
Winter finally spoke, her tone taking a slightly hauntingly tone,"The Ace-Ops are the best team in Atlas, not even i can't beat them all on my own. It's clear you don't know how truly skilled they are."
The Ace-Ops all straighten up, chests puffed out in pride, as smirks adored their faces, save for Vine and Clover. Which was broken, as Emyia snorted loudly, leaning against the door frame, with his hands crossed over his chest with Cu beside him, leaning on his spear, a mocking smirk on his face.
"And you all severely underestimate our master."
Cu smirk grew, as he compacted on what his friend/rival said,"Yep. Despite the red bastard being, well a bastard, he is right on the money with this one. I'm guessing you all went to one of those fancy academies right? Where you all were trained in a nice, safe place yeah? Well, that's not what happened with master. Unlike you high class people, master had to learn on the job. While yes he got some experience three years earlier before the Grand Order started but even then, most of his skills and ability comes from a trail by fire. Having to always push himself to the max, while juggling so many things around it ain't even funny. That's not even including the fact ever mission was not only a suicide mission in on itself, we had no back up. Nope, it was just us and our enemies only got stronger and stronger as time went on. You all may have better equipment and aura on you're side, it means very little in the a REAL fight. Where even just one, tiny little mistake could cost you, your life. Not to mention master has had quite literally the best teachers, the entire history of our world has to offer. Can you say the same?"
They couldn't.
As galling and annoying as it was, there was no doubt in anyone's mind that Xero was by far, the most experienced fighter in the room. With only Gudako and Ozpin coming close to matching his history. Maybe more for Ozpin, but he only survived on Remnant, as the master pair had to travel across history itself, even going into deep space.
So in sheer experience, Ozpin has them beat only by a little, due to the master duo reliving the lives of their Servants in the Dreaming cycles.
That fact only hurt Harriet's pride even more and made her even more pissed, as she felt cheated.
Cheated at the fact no matter how hard she trained, no matter what obstacle she and the rest of the team over came, it would mean nothing. Nothing at all, as they would never be able to do half the things Xero and Gudako did. It certainly didn't help that she and the others have come to a realization that their beloved kingdom's government might be more corrupt than they ever realized.
In Harriet mind, if she and the rest of the Ace-Ops could defeat Xero, 5 to 1, then it would not only prove their strength to general Ironwood and the rest of the world leaders, it would prove that they can handle the darkness manifesting in Atlas.
And it would also prove that Remnant did not need a damnable "Hero".
It needed soldiers, real huntress and huntsmen, not some vagabond that thinks he's above the law, just because of a few crazies.
"Whatever you say."
Harriet snorted at the duo, glaring at them,"We're the Ace-Ops, no one person can-"
"Your doomed."
Medea said simply, as she rubbed her arms as if she was shivering,"You fools have no idea what you've done."
"Oh yeah and just wha-"
"What do you mean Caster?"
Pepper asked, as Medea closed her eyes, while Gudako answered, having an equally fearful look on her face,"This is going to end badly. Xero isn't going to fight, he's going to destroy them."
"Oi, what are we chopped liver?"
Elm asked, a frown of annoyance on her face,"Look we may not have the experience he has but we're huntsman, trained and thoroughly experienced. He's strong but we're the best in Atlas, like it or not, he's not going to win."
Rather then look offended or scared for him, Gudako merely shook her head as Emyia muttered to himself,"Idiots."
"So...we missing something? Cause we're lost."
Eddie said simply, as Venom wondered the same thing, as Medea finally spoke,"I've only seen that look on master's face once before. It was back when Gudako took on her first mission with my husband, when she vanished. What we didn't know before, was that she simply ran off and purposely shut off her tracker, so she could prove she could handle it on her own, with her own Servants. To prove herself to my husband that she was capable and that she wouldn't be dead weight for him on missions. One of our enemies at the time, a Roman captain, well known for his twisted brutality methods, especially towards female enemies. He foolish bragged about, mocking him as he told master, how do you say 'taking care of the cute redhead bitch' and implied she died screaming for his help. My hus-master, didn't take it well."
She felt a tremor of fear run up her body as she remembered the look of pure rage and hate on his face. The feeling of both his mana and Yoki coiling around his body like a serpent made Medea want to curl up in a ball. Never once in her life had she ever felt such fear from her master and thank the gods, she never saw that look return.
Until now.
"How bad?"
"Have you ever seen a man burned...from the inside out? Not the fast burning but slowly cooked from the inside, to the point where your organs and bones turn to liquid, when it's over it comes pouring out of your mouth before the body completely burns?"
"N-no."
Clover winced as Medea's seemly dead eyes met his,"Neither then have i. Not until that moment."
"Eh, just on a scale of one to ten, how screwed are we?"
Marrow asked, his instincts screaming at him to run away and it was only because of his pride as a Atlas soldier that prevented him from doing so.
"Very."
Artoria said simply, face devoid of emotionless, as Venom actually whimpered within Eddie's head,"Eddie, don't piss Xero off. Ever."
"Yeah, that's a no brainer right there."
"Oh come on, he's just one man! We can win this!"
Harriet was not deterred however, as she had ever intention of beating that kid's ass into the ground and swore to NEVER apologize.
Ever.
Ymir, overhearing all this couldn't help but burst into laughter, leaning on the wall as she smacked her fist against it,"Hahahahahaha. Y-you think, you losers stand a chance against boss, your more delusional then we thought. Ahahahaha!"
"While i don't usually agree with her, i do have to agree with you. You picked a fight with boss and now, whatever happens is your own fault. Maybe this will teach you not to bite off more then you can chew."
Jean spoke, making Harriet glare at him too, as the brown haired man held his ground against the powerful huntress. Yeah, after dealing with those vampires, Annie on her period and Loki's army, one woman's glare wasn't going to effect him.
"Tch."
Harriet tsked, finally having enough and walked off to get ready, muttering to herself,"Just you wait. We'll beat your 'boss' and show him the power of the only REAL army this world has."
Everyone who heard her sighed, stubborn fool.
"Can things get any worse?"
Oh Ironwood, you should never ask that question. Murphy's law is compelled to prove you wrong.
Ten Minutes Later
"Oh man, they're really going all out in creating an old fashion fight."
The arena, as it turned out, was a large, Roman gladiator type of arena. It even had the high, acrylic circular display stands, stone made and it was created around an actually stone built arena. With water surrounding the arena.
One might wonder where the ever living fuck this massive, Roman gladiator style arena came into the Curator's repository but the answer came as quickly as the question was asked:
Magic.
Enough said.
Everyone had spread out in the massive arena seats, on the far right side of the massive arena, near the entrance where the Avengers and members of SHEILD. Namely the Scouts and the 104th cadets, the commanders and captain. Fury and the rest of the world leaders, both from Earth and Remnant were seated in the center section.
Funny enough, the leaders from Earth and their ambassadors weren't looking fearful or afraid. Rather, they looked deep in thought, as if they were presented with a complex yet simple problem that they knew the answer yet they weren't sure if they wanted to answer it or not.
Worse, Fury actually looked Smug.
Very smug.
Were pigs flying?
Armin mused on that, as he took note how Xero's band of Servants sat near the barracks of the arena, as they waited for boss to come out. The Ace-Ops were already outfitted in their weapons and gear, while Medea stood atop the scaffold(Oddly enough) as she acted as referee.
It made sense, Medea was a well known witch, one trained by the goddess Hecate and it stand to reason, that her magecraft abilities was on a completely different level of power. So in case something happened, it was best for her to handle quick interference.
"Why is this even happening?"
Armin couldn't help but sigh to himself, causing his wife to raise an eyebrow at him,"What's wrong?"
"This, everything, it's all so..."
"Stupid?"
Armin nodded, as Annie's frown deepen,"What do you expect? When an a prideful animal is faced with an even bigger, stronger animal that is clearly superior to those who are used to be superior, will do anything to see their superiority returned to them. Even if that means fighting a meaningless fight that serves no purpose, other then to boaster their own egos."
In other words, Xero had made the Ace-Ops or rather, Harriet feel powerless and weak even if he hadn't done anything to her. Now she wanted that power back and was willingly to go to any length to get it back.
Armin wasn't the only one to find it stupid, as Sasha threw her hands up in annoyance,"Oh come on, are they for real? This entire thing is ridiculous and stupid! Don't we already have enough problems without someone trying to heal a bruised ego?"
"Cause they like having egos and anyone that attacks it, is an enemy to them."
Jean spoke simply as he gained a grin soon after,"Not that it matters. Boss is going to lay them all out flat, destroy their oversized egos and teach them not to insult the dead like they dead, especially one that gave her own life for her son."
Like any mother would.
It went unsaid, all the Scouts were actually pretty pissed at Harriet for insulting their boss's mother. Many of them had lost their own mothers, such as Mikasa and Armin, who had lost both parents to criminals, human traffickers and otherwise. Connie had lost his own mother when her shivered up legs finally gave out and she snapped her own neck, attempting to stand up. Jean and Reiner had lost their mothers in similar ways, both killed unjustly by criminals in a hold up, when they attempted to be heroes.
Many soldiers within the 104th had lost either one or both parents, causing them to join SHEILD in attempt to prevent the shit that happened to them, from happening to anyone else.
"By the way, boss also assigned Potato Girl as a personal guard to Asia too, given certain factors involved."
Connie nodding towards the pair, over in the Servant section of the ring, with Asia talking animatedly to Sasha. Reiner tried to smile but it came out as a small grimace instead,"Yeah. Knowing our luck, what is supposed to be an easy mission will turn into a cluster fuck of epic proportions."
Everyone nodded at that, all falling silent for a moment, till a certain goddess broke it.
"Mikasa went with Tony and Pepper to try and talk big brother out of it but i don't think that'll happen. He looked like he had some sort of plan in mind."
Historia offhandedly said, pouring on what her brother in all but blood was planning and trying to break the tension. Despite his sassy and loud mouths attitude, no one could say Xero was dumb, the man was a genius. Everything he did, ever move he made was always calculated and measured in a way that he would always benefit from it.
Always.
"Yeah, Boss looked like he had did have a plan."
Eren agreed with the little blonde, as Armin nodded, waiting for what was to come.
"For my plan to deal with the Rotten World, i'm am going to have to do the impossible: Untie humanity and i mean TRULY unite. Stopping the Rotten World's essence won't be enough but as we stand, if we were to invade now, we would be finished. For all my power, my Servants power, it won't be enough. Bad as it sounds, we need bodies and weapons to throw at the enemy Armin. I won't lie, we will have casualties, A LOT of casualties that i predict will possible be in the thousands if not millions. Sad fact i know but that's why i wanted to summon Kingprotea. We have no idea what's on the other side but i do know the Rotten World has assimilated countless worlds, enough to where if you combine the losses from WW1 and 2 together, i doubt it would even put a dent in their numbers. If we are to do this, we need EVERYONE possible fighting the same fight. At least long enough for me to finish the Six off and destabilize the planet's core. We get only ONE shot at this Armin, it needs to be prefect. But to do this, i may even have to introduce Programable Matter into the mix, no matter how dangerous it could be if it fell into the hands of our enemies, we need everything we can get our hands on. Even if i have to open a potential Pandora's Box but then again. Phin went through it back in Avenger Xero's timeline, i don't think she'll mind it. So long as i don't allow Roxxon get their hands on it and make sure Rick doesn't die because of Krieger's greed again. Here's to hoping we can fix that damnable fatal flaw, otherwise, a lot of people are going to die for no good reason, other then the fact i admitted defeat by being unable to fix one flaw."
Just what was Xero planning?
With Xero
"MOTHER THIS IS INSANE! PLEASE LET-"
"Mordred!"
The blonde stopped her pacing as her beloved 'mother' yelled, causing her to look at him, as he strapped the stainless steel, rune laced vambraces, tighten the belt on his arms,"Normally i wouldn't do this but that damned dog INSULTED. MY. MOTHER. I cannot, will not, allow her to get away with that. I'd love to unleash you or one of my more enraged Berserkers but i can't."
"Because it's a matter of honor, right?"
He looked at his first husband, Arthur with a blank look,"No. It's a matter of honor AND pride. Pride in not just myself as a Magus but mother giving her life for mine and to make matters worse, that bitch also insulted mom Pepper too."
"Wha? What do you mean?"
In the room that Xero was changing into his battle attire, he was around his Servants in the form of Mordred, Artoria Alter Rider aka Maid Alter, Arthur, little Altera, Gawain, Olga, Tamamo, Baobhan Sith and Berserker Morgan. The humans consisted of himself, Pepper, Tony, Mikasa, Summer, Roman and Neo.
Xero had switched out of his civilian clothing into his battle attire.
Namely the black sleeveless shirt with red belt buckles on his shoulders, a black belt and pants with combat boots to complete it. In addition, Xero had donned on his "Reaper cloak" the tattered hood that really, truly made him look like the Grimm Reaper itself. To complete the outfit, Xero was looking to see which mask he would put on.
The old weathered one, that looked like the same mask Corvo Attano from Dishonored wore, which looked a tab bit more "Junkie" as it had wires poking out and uneven steel plating. He molded it too look like Corvo's mask but made it more rougher to make him look more...deranged, scary, fearful.
Dangerous.
The other mask was as sleek as can be. Unlike his rough, near broken looking mask, this one was a pitch black mask as opposed to the gray and sliver mask. The new mask looked similar to his father's face plate, only it had actually eye holes, only it's right "Eye" looked like it was wrapped up by metal, while the other eye hole had a red tint to it. Unlike his other mask, only his eye hole was viable, giving him a seemly faceless demon look, as the right eye appeared to be giving people an eye smile, despite it being a dark, bloody, glowing red.
No mouth, no nose, no ears, nothing.
Only an eye.
Which one would be more intimating to those so called huntsman and huntress? After learning a little bit of Remnant's history from Chiyome's report and Roman's own account, the only one TRUE huntress was Atalanta.
Both Berserker and Archer.
Back to the point, part of him wanted to take his on his old mask. Purely just to show those technological giants that his tech was superior despite how rough it looks, just as a show of pure mockery to those arrogant fucks. Or should he go with his brand new and much more sleeker mask?
One where it looks like he could barely see out of it, where's in reality, he could see out of BOTH eyes perfectly.
Oh choices, choices.
"Personally i'd go with the faceless one boss, makes you look more scary that way."
Tapping his finger on the desk, Xero raised an eyebrow at Roman's sudden suggestion but smiled never the less, trying to repress the rage he felt under his skin,"Oh? And how do you figure that candle stick."
"Watch it."
Roman half-heartedly glared at Xero, as Neo silently laughed, knowing his new boss was only teasing and not actually mocking him. Not like that damn bitch Cindy and her two little bitch followers. He for one was happy to see them go and felt more then secure to act like he usually did and was happy to know his new boss was nothing like his old one.
Mostly that Xero wouldn't bite his and Neo's head off, unless he did something beyond unforgivable, rather then doing it on a whim. The sword that was hanging over his and his daughter in everything but blood heads was gone forever and damnit all, if he wasn't going to enjoy his new found freedom.
That and being treated like a human being, rather then a pair of throw away shoes was also nice too.
"Anyway, if it were me, i'd go with the one eyed mask. Just looking at is, is giving ME the hibbe jibbes."
"I should hope so."
Xero slowly ran his hand down the one eyed mask,"I was going for the intimidation factor, something that all my enemies would learn to come to fear, when they bear witness to this terrifying visage. Seriously, what kind of moron wouldn't be scared, once you see THIS coming at you?"
"Yeah, that's why i chose this mask, over that one that looks like it came out of a garbage suit? Seriously, is that thing even still useable boss?"
"As a matter of fact, it is. It's appearance isn't a mistake, i meant it to look that way. If the one eyed one is going for the scary factor, then the messed up one is going for the deranged angle. So tell me, do i look like a nutcase?"
Xero held his Reaper Mask M1 up to his face and looked at Roman, causing the man to look it over as Neo bobbed her head up and down,"Yep. You really do look like a fucking psycho killer boss."
Neo gave him a thumbs up.
"Why thank you."
"Father! Pay attention."
Sith, tired of being ignored, finally yelled and grabbed her father's shoulders, glaring at him with all the anger she could muster,"This isn't a joke!"
"Indeed husband, you-"
"Need to make those Atlas shit stains regret the day they were born!"
Morgan barely held herself back from sighing, as her dear daughter begin to smile sadistically as she shoot of some ideas how to not only break the "pussy, bitch Ace-Ops" and how to humiliate them so badly, they wouldn't be able to show their faces in Atlas again, military or otherwise.
Or anywhere on either Remnant of Earth for that matter!
Morgan's sighing only got worse, as her other self's brat grabbed ahold of her husband's arm and dragged him away from her daughter, only for Sith to grab the other one and being to tug Xero right back to her,
Sibling rivalry was never a pretty sight, least of all one where it was between Servants.
"Hands off my MOTHER Red!"
"Screw off you flat chested bitch! FATHER is mine! You can't even get his gender right!"
"Gender means nothing!"
"Clearly, cause i can't tell if you're a girl or boy! Not with that flat chest of yours!"
"You wanna go bitch! I'll cut you and your stupid lumps of fat you call boobs to pieces!"
"Please, you wouldn't even reach me thanks to my magecraft flat chest! You can't even cast a spell right!"
"Oh i'll cast a spell alright...By shoving Clarent up your slutty ass and seeing how well i can make you a living lighting rod! Seriously just how short do you need that skirt to be?!"
"S-slutty?! Ever heard of 'Pot met kettle'?! Have you LOOKED at your outfit blondie?! Your barely wearing anything at all!"
"Still better then you, you redheaded, knife eared bitch!"
"Why you-"
"ENOUGH! BOTH OF YOU!"
The two Servants flinched at their parent figures anger, causing them to look away from his anger face but didn't release him. Sighing, Xero tried to wertch his arms out of their grips but the red head and blonde did not let go, making him sigh even deeper,"I need my arms girls. Time to let go, so i can beat a damn bunny eared bitch into the ground and not in the fun way either."
"I still don't like this my queen, you could be hurt badly or..."
Killed.
"I can't believe i'm saying this but you tend to do the impossible husband, but i agree with my brother on this one. This is a bad idea and how do we know it's not some sort of trap to get rid of you or figure out your weakness?"
With the combined might of the legendary king Arthur and his sister, a legendary witch that was on par with king Solomon himself, almost any force or person in the world would crumbled under their shared power.
"I'm not an idiot my dear wife and king. I am more then prepared and honestly, if things go as i think they will, we will gain a new ally and not only knock miss bunny bitch but give Atlas a black eye as well."
Well, almost everyone.
Xero however was not like everyone else and was very much different from the norm. Something that became clear, when his two "children" on his arms tried to change his mind.
"But mother, father is more then strong enough to mop the floor with those asswipes easily!"
Well Mordred did anyway, Baobhan Sith was egging him on and giving him many neat ideas.
"Be that as it may, this is my queen's choice to do this and as such, as Servants we will abide by his choice."
Xero smiled at the Rider's words. At least someone had a little fai-
"At least until he fucks it up, like he does many things and i have to step in. God knows my queen would be lost without me."
Never mind.
Xero sighed again, even after all these years the core base of her personality didn't change. Namely the fact she treated him somewhere between a baby and a soldier in training. She couldn't say something nice, without insulting him at the same time. Like many other Servants, she didn't make much sense at the best of times but meant well enough.
Even if she had a horrible time showing it, just like Jalter or any other Avenger class Servant.
"Alright enough of that, now Xero, what did you mean they insulted me? I'm pretty sure that woman was only talking about Lilith."
"Oh, she meant too but in doing so, she insulted you too."
Pepper face screwed up in confusion,"I don't understand."
"It's simple really. It's cause i see you as my mother too, nothing says i can't have too mothers and if something does, then why do i care? You know it's near impossible for me to trust anyone that i don't already know in a sense and even then, it takes time for me to warm up to them, let alone to considered them family. In my family's history, our clan has mostly been a matriarchal clan."
"Because of the yoma blood in your veins, coming from Miria's side of the family, 95% of your family is female with the rare expectations like you being born a male. I remember Xero."
"Good. As such, the women of my clan are highly revered as a result and because of our yoma genes, we are pretty much ageless. Because of that, we naturally have thick skin and honestly kinda lose policy when it comes to people insulting us, calling us freaks and what not. Cause really, if we attacked everyone who insulted us, half the planet be dead right now. Still that is beside the point, as i said, one does not insult the dead and to do so, is nothing sort of sacrilegious in the eyes of the Mazoku clan and as leader, it is MY job to ensure this insult to our clan is recertified."
"In other words, my husband has no choice but to response or else and we can't do it in his stead, otherwise it would show the Mazoku clan is weak. Heavens me, what a mess."
Tamamo's ears flatten against her head, as Xero rubbed her head and smiled,"It'll be fine. That woman is far too arrogant to believe i'm an actually threat and when her pride allows her to actually see it, it'll be too late."
"So you aren't going to fight them head on?"
Tony finally said, having stayed silent for a long time, like he was in a coma and finally woke up. His son nodded, as he tighten the straps of his greaves on his arms,"Quite. They think i'll be stupid enough to fight them head on, in a fair fight but they're wrong. It is not because i'm strong or scared but it's because i am weak. The strongest Magus in the world, they might call me that but i am as human as anyone else. Without my Yoma genes and Avalon inside me, one bullet to the head and centuries of power, knowledge and the history of the Mazoku clan will end in an instant. I've learned the hard, brutal way that a so called 'fair fight' means nothing in the real world. I have to rely on every dirty trick, move and action in the dirty book in order to win. Why? Because the world isn't black and white, because the world doesn't care about fairness and it's those that are victories that decide what is written in history. By normal standards, i am stronger then any normal human in the world but compared to the enemies of my past, i am weak. My body, it's...broken in a way, from the very beginning. The odds have always been stacked against me and even now, standing atop the mountain, i am still weak cause i have always been this way. My bones are brittle, i've been scared beyond what many should be able to endure and i couldn't even trust my own father at first, simply because i was afraid of what would happen if i let him in. But the true reason why i am weak, is because i can't bear to lose any of my Servants, if not for their combat ability, then for the simple fact i'd lose my mind without them there to kept me on the right path. Mentally and emotionally. "
"But father, you have grown stronger in the past near three years and that's what Servants are for, to fight their battles for their masters. Our strength, our power is a representation of your own father. There is no shame in leaning on others for help, we've all done the same to you and now, now it's time for us to do the same for you. Even then, it's remarkable you decide to even trust anyone at all, given how Avenger Xero was betrayed by humanity after you won the Rotten World. Anyone would be rightfully cautious."
"Maybe that's true but there's more to this then that, Xero is going up against five elite and fully trained huntsman with very advanced weapons."
Pepper pointed out, as the Knight of the Sun merely smiled, patting a chest to his chest, voice full of confidence,"Perhaps but huntsman and huntress have become horribly laxed in terms of fighting. Thanks to their aura, they pretty much tank most attacks and even if it's on a subconscious don't take people without aura seriously and will hold back, if only to make sure they don't kill them. That, with father's sheer experience will win him the fight."
Gawain, ever the selfless and chivalrous knight would not let Xero feel sorry for himself for too long but at the same time, point out the reason why he would win. The teen sighed, as he put the mask on and pulled his hood over his head, causing his voice to take on a deeper, more demonic tone,"I know better then to argue with you Gawain, which is why i plan to resort to every dirty trick i have and given my history, i have A LOT of tricks up my sleeve. Goddess will it, i will only have to resort to one."
"I still don't like it and as your knight in shining armor, i really can't say i approve of this plan."
Xero snorted at that. Yeah that was Arthur in a nut shell, to describe him would be describing him as a prince from one of those fairy tail stories he read to Jack and the rest of the child Servants.
Arthur is what one might call your typical prince charming, goody two shoes, actual knight in shinning armor, and the 'nice guy' but he's taken it up to the next level after he married the man. Also bit dumb and a himbo, but not in a bad way. The man meant well even though he wasn't that good with tech like he was but then again, Xero's IQ is 200.
The only person who could beat his own brain power was surprise, surprise, Da Vinic herself, having an IQ rated about 220.
"I don't like it either and i should be there, fighting with you."
Ah, there was Mikasa putting her own input into the argument and now he had to deal with it. Looking at her, Xero spoke,"Maybe i would, if it wasn't for the fact i know you can mop the floor with them easily. Besides, despite the massive progress you've made in mastering the Maiden's power, it's still too soon to actually try in combat. Sparing or not, if your like the Mikasa from Avenger Xero's timeline, then i know how dangerous you can become, when you feel your loved ones are threaten. Don't deny it, i know you'd 'accidently' kill that Bree woman if given the chance."
Mikasa said nothing, merely looking off to the side, neither confirming nor denying it.
"They wouldn't be able to prove it."
"I know but we're in a good position right now and if my plan is to work, we'll be getting a new ally soon enough."
"What is your plan anyway? Flash bombs, illusions, traps, just pure flashing?"
The viable red eye seemed to glint under his tattered hood, as Xero eyed smiled at his father,"Divide and conquer."
"Praetor, you cannot fight without me!"
Xero sighed at the sight of a certain Roman coming his way full speed. Right, first he had to take care of this, then he'll start kicking some serious ass!
"Hmm, to that end if my plan is to work, i'll need to do my best Doflamingo impression or maybe i should go with Madara? Either one should do the job, as both persona's will be sure to unnerve them or just flat out insult them, just like it does to everyone else."
Five Minutes Later, Within The Ring
"About time you got here, figure you run off scared."
Clover fought the growing urge to smack his forehead. Not for the first time today, did Clover wish that woman learned to control her temper and her arrogance was showing too.
In all honest, Clover respected Xero.
The young teen(psychically anyway) had done more then most could do in several lifetimes. He fought against impossible odds and did so, with the weight of humanities future on his shoulders. Not an easy burden to carry.
No matter how insane, no matter how crazy his story sounded, Clover believed Xero. There was just too much evidence to the contrary that proved it, one of those pieces was the love and loyalty his Servants openly displayed without shame. One of the reasons why Harriet was afraid of Xero, no matter how much she denied it he knew she was afraid, was the clear loyalty the Servants had for Xero. The kind of loyalty that could easily borderline to a zealot level, the kind you see in those crazed Faunus's eyes of the Taurus's White Fang members.
That same loyalty was also clear in Mikasa's eyes too.
Mikasa Ackerman aka the new Winter Maiden.
The same Winter Maiden that could easily sneak into Atlas and bring the kingdom they all swore loyalty too, to come crashing down on the people of Mantle before anyone even realized what was going on. Not to mention, now many power people, including Jacques, knew what the Relic's were and that the Maidens were real.
Xero was too, as the man was-
"Sorry but i had to be pulled away from doing something better, since having to neuter a dumb dog is below me. Much like you and your pathetic, Uruk wannabe kingdom that can't win, unless it's on the backs of enslaved people. Seriously, it is a wonder the kingdom still standing, given how everyone is of the same mind as i: Atlas sucks Grimm balls. I think, do Grimm have balls for you to suck but if they don't, what exactly are you sucking on? Beside the blood of every man, woman and child to survive like a parasite i mean. Like, one of those over grown ticks that you just think are ugly to look at and on one wants anything to do with them, much less then butt-ugly females."
A man trying and succeeding in riling his team up, save for Vine and even Marrow. Even though clearly the dog Faunus clearly didn't want to fight, being of the same mind as him, not wanting to fight over something so stupid. But Hare just couldn't keep her mouth shut nor stop her mouth from insulting the Magus and now Clover had a feeling they would pay the price.
Xero smirked under his mask, seeing the irritating woman ready to throw caution to the wind and do something reckless.
Truth be told, Nero wasn't the only one he had to convince to let him fight. That including his two self proclaimed body guards, all the Artoria's, a certain Goddess of Death, her all but useless sister, both versions of the Knights of the round/fairy table, an annoyed Jalter, Jeanne(Both versions, Ruler and Archer) Raikou, Boudica Tomoe, the child Servants, the four Valkyire's, Dantes, Cat, Drake, Mary, Anne, Diarmuid, Lang, D'Eon, Astolfo, Charlie, Cu and of course, Emyia.
There were a lot more that didn't want him to fight alone and had to be convinced otherwise.
His teacher, the queen of the shadow land just told him to go for it and "make the arrogant soldier regret challenging him".
But the children?
The child Servants were the hardest to convince and only relented when he allowed Jack to...help him.
Not necessarily fight per say but that didn't mean she couldn't help in other ways. Jack was an Assassin class Servant, not good for a straight up ut good at causing chaos among the enemies ranks.
Something he needed if his plan was to work.
"Remember Jack, the moment Medea says begin, use you're fog but don't attack."
"Okay mommy!"
He said he'd fight them one on five.
He didn't say anything about playing fair and even if he did, all he was doing is...evening the odds so to speak. One might be surprised at him doing this, knowing he like to be direct and get it down quickly, Xero knew better then to take unnecessary risks. Despite this being a matter of grave importance, attacking an relatively unknown enemy with no certain to how his attacks will react to their auras, was foolish and reckless.
Despite his style, Xero ultimately preferred to air on the side of caution. Despite seeing how easily Sia's ice bypassed that green haired girl's aura, there could be a number of reasons why her magic did so and his probably won't work on the five before him.
Mostly due to the fact she was younger and more then likely not as experienced in using aura for defense as the five soldiers before him.
No, it was better to be safe then sorry, as they say.
"Of course, i don't want her to do it too soon. First things first, i don't want to actually hurt a potential recruit too soon. Unlike the rest of his team, even that Clover and Vine person, Marrow isn't blinded by national pride, not to mention his teammates mock him all the time. He is a prime target for mockery, if not for the fact he is a Faunus, a dog Faunus no less everyone mocks him for his so called 'soft attitude' and nobody respects him."
From Danzo's and Chiyome's reports, Marrow was often the butt of everyone jokes and constantly looked down by his peers and outright hated for simply being a Faunus. His position within the Ace-Ops was also targeted by his fellow soldiers, who were either wanting the position for themselves or again, just racist because of what he was.
The worst part was that none of the Ace-Ops none his superiors did anything to stop it, even when he was beaten so badly during a "Sparing accident". Accident his fine ass!
Yes, Cu and sometimes Fergus teased him that could be labeled as mocking but there was never any malice behind it. Yes, Scathach was his teacher, often beating him till he couldn't stand up anymore and bloody but never once did she ever beat him just for the fun of it, she did it, so he could not only build up his pain tolerance to ungodly levels but to get better.
That meant pushing him beyond his limits but not enough to be needlessly cruel, unlike those that beat Marrow bloody.
"Not to mention BB was able to pull some footage of Harriet mocking Marrow ever chance she got and you can easily see the look of annoyance that flash's on his face, when she isn't looking at him."
Or anyone for that matter.
"As amusing as this is, we really should get this on master, many want to watch you show these pricks their place."
Medea smiled under her hood, as Harriet shot her a glare but said nothing, muttering about showing her master HIS place and what not.
Dumb fool.
"As it stands, this is your last chance to back out and apologize Bree. If you do not, i will see to it, your entire life is ruined beyond all recognition, this is your final warning."
"Can't we talk about this, there is really no reason-"
"Either she apologizes to my mother or this happens, there is no one way about it."
Xero cut off Clover, not moving an inch but the older man could feel the younger ones eye burn into his skull,"This is your last chance. Either take it or your teammates suffer as well but i will say this: I have no quarrel with any of you but that bitch your seem so intent on protecting. Step aside now and you'll be spared. Don't...well, i don't think it takes a genius to figure that out."
"Do we really have to do this Harriet?"
Marrow tried to be the voice of reason, speaking directly to the woman,"Really you are the one that was out of lin-"
"Shut up dog boy, if you don't like it, you can leave this arena and the Ace-Ops. We don't need weaklings like you here."
Harriet barked out like the very dog she was mocking, making the youngest Ace-Ops flinch, while the rest said nothing. Something Xero quickly monopolised on."Marrow was it? As i said before, i have no quarrel with you or any of your teammates, save for Bree. If this is how they treat you for being the smart, it's a wonder why Mantle is looking for a reason to start a war with it's own country men. But your clearly the only one with a working brain, so let me make this offer right now, join my crew?"
That got several blinks and looks of disbelief, as Harriet laughed.
"Wait, you want that wimp on your team? Hah, i know you were desperate but for someone who is supposed to be one of the 'smartest man in the world' you sure are dumb. Who would want to-"
"Kept putting up with constantly being ridiculed and mocked by people who are supposed to be his teammates and friends? It's been my experience that people often jump ship when they feel they are expendable and not wanted by his own people. Tell me Marrow, did Ironwood even fire your trainer for letting all the so called 'accidents' that happened, while you were just a wee recruit, let alone actually punished those who had deliberately targeted your tail, knowing full well that the animal traits are a source of pride for the Faunus? How about the ones that mocked and even BEAT you to near death, simply because your a Faunus? Where any of them punished, told off or even arrested for their clearly RASCIT crimes? Well?"
Marrow flinched, looking down in shame, as his tail curled around his stomach. The youngest soldier clearly didn't like talking about it but he answered never the less,"...No. No they didn't. They didn't even get a slap on the wrist because of it."
His teammates looked shocked, as did general Ironwood, the eldest Schnee and even council member Sleet.
"Marrow, why didn't you-"
"CAUSE NO ONE CARED!"
The dog Faunus sudden outburst caused Elm to flinch back, as he glared at them,"BECAUSE NO ONE GIVES A SHIT ABOUT FAUNUS AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE FOUGHT BACK, NO MATTER HOW HARD WE TRIED TO GET JUSTICE THE RIGHT WAY, NOTHING CHANGES! NOTHING EVER FUCKING CHANGES BECAUSE, BECAUSE-"
"Because no one cares enough to change what is clearly a broken system, am i right?"
Xero finished for Marrow, who was trying to find the words he needed to finish his sentence. He knew he was right, when Marrow nodded, his body shaking with viable anger at the shitty system that had forced his kind to endure hell.
"I thought when i became a soldier, when i joined the best unit in Atlas and prove myself, things will change. But they didn't, they never do."
"And your teammates, the ones you trusted and even the sheer loyalty you showed to your general, it didn't change nothing. If nothing else, it only got worse didn't it?"
"Yes."
Marrow growled, subconsciously rubbing a scar on his arm, remembering when one of his trainers no so accidently, attempted to cut his dominate arm off. In an attempt to bench him permanently.
"So what?"
Suddenly all eyes went to Harriet, who growled out,"If you can't take the heat, then you can get lost dog boy. We don't need weaklings on this team, like i told you before. All you are is a replacement for Tortuga until we can get someone better. If you want to whine about how hard training was, then you might as well get lo-"
"Harriet! By the brothers, what is wrong with you?! Marrow is our teammates!"
Elm yelled but Harriet scoffed,"What? It's the truth and you know it. The only reason he is here, is because of his unique semblance nothing more and nothing less. He's easily replaceable, just like any other Faunus. The fact that he is a Faunus only make it-"
"HARRIET SHUT THE FUCK UP!"
Clover yelled, trying to stop her from saying something she'll regret. But by the look on Marrow's face, it was too late. Shaking with anger again, Marrow grabbed his scroll and smashed it on the ground, before Harriet's feet, as he looked at Xero,"Lord Mazoku, does that offer to join your crew still stand?"
"Go find Jeanne or Nat. They'll help you get settled and you might want to resign from the military. Otherwise some of your FORMER superiors might mark you as AWOL, probably on the excuse to mark you as some sort of White Fang spy or something else equally ridiculous. Ya know, being a Faunus and all. Trust me Marrow, you won't regret this."
"The only thing i regret Lord Mazoku, is trying to change what can clearly not change."
With that said, Marrow ditched his specialist coat and threw it onto his broken scroll, before Harriet's feet, who was in shock as were the rest of their teammates at just suddenly losing one of their own.
They couldn't even say anything, as Marrow made his way out of the arena, leaving the rest of the Ace-Ops shocked. At least, until Harriet spun around and glared at Xero,"Your going to regret that."
"Regret what? I did nothing more then prove a point and this mess is your own fault. You and your own arrogance in treating your teammates like some sort of thing to replaced, like an old hat. Now that everyone knows about how easily expendable they really are too your people, i do believe you'll be having a mass resigning from the military."
That caught them off guard, what did he mean by-
Without warning, Xero waved his hand in from of him as the 3D lightening from his Focus was suddenly projecting a screen of his face. It looked like some sort of recording, with a small red dot in the corner with a word that just damned Harriet.
"Is that, was this entire thing..."
"Live?"
Came Xero's cheeky smile, as he nodded,"That's right everyone. This entire thing, your little display and what you just said has been live streamed to all of Remnant and Earth. Good luck getting back your rep, cause i just shitted all over it."
The realization of her own actions, her own words that looked very damning to everyone watching was just live streamed to everyone in the world, was the last straw for Harriet, as she exploded in anger, with semblance enhanced speed, she raced towards him.
"DIE!"
Done.
And yes, i know, i know this isn't complete chapter and i swore i'd get the fight between the Ace-Ops and Xero done this chapter but things change, just like how you saw with Marrow. I decide to have him join the Avengers, seeing as Faunus are looked down in Atlas, including the military and decide to go a bit further with it.
The next chapter will have the fight, i swear.
So until next time everyone and the next chapter should be out much sooner, i promise. Hopefully, things at work aren't going very well, do to the fact we are running out of room for our shit and what not. And yes i did make a call back to Marvel's Spider Man, Miles Morales. If any of you have played the game, then you known what the "Major flaw" in the programable matter is.
Devil out!