Hey there guys and I apologise for being a week late for the upload but I had family things to attend to so my hands were tied. But regardless I am pleased to announce the newest chapter to Remnant May Cry!
Now I might be a little slow in the uploads and might have to cut it close again since I'm getting back into the flow of things but I will deliver! Anyway I hope you guys enjoy the chapter!
Let's Rock!
Mission-3 Part 1: One Step forward…
It has been a few months since the initiation of Beacon Academy and everyone has more or less gotten settled into their new routines for the next four years. However for a certain young Devil Hunter the year could not go any slower for him, at the current moment Zane was watching a fight in the arena. A one sided fight to be exact between the resident bully of Beacon Cardin Winchester, against one of his newest friends Jaune Arc who was looking completely exhausted while Cardin hadn't broken a sweat if the Aura meters on display where any indication.
'How did Jaune get in here if his skills are this bad?' Zane thought to himself as he ran through several possibilities in his head. He then redirected his attention back to the fight at hand as Jaune gathers his strength to charge forward and swing his blade at Cardin, only for him to jump out of the way. Jaune looks back, surprised, as The Executioner sends Jaune's shield - and himself - flying back. Now only armed with his sword, Jaune continued to try and attack, but is blocked by the mace's hilt. Their weapons locked, Cardin forces himself up, towering over a struggling Jaune.
Seconds later, Cardin knees him in the gut, making Jaune drop his sword and fall to the ground in pain. Cardin raises his mace and is about to slam it down on a worried Jaune just when the buzzer rings, the lights come back on, and Glynda Goodwitch's voice causes him to stop.
"Cardin, that's enough!" She comes onto the stage, tapping her tablet. "Students, as you can see, Mr. Arc's Aura has now dropped into the red. In a tournament-styled duel, this would indicate that Jaune is no longer fit for battle, and that the official may call the match." Glynda turns her head to look at the losing warrior as he pulls out a smaller tablet with his low, blinking stats and that of his entire team. "Mr. Arc, it's been weeks now. Please try to refer to your Scroll during combat. Gauging your Aura will help you decide when it's appropriate to attack, or when it is better to move to a more... defensive strategy. We wouldn't want you to be gobbled up by a Beowolf, now, would we?"
'Bit of an understatement there Ma'am'. Zane thought to himself.
"Remember, everyone, the Vytal Festival is only a few months away! It won't be long before students from the other kingdoms start arriving in Vale, so keep practicing! Those who choose to compete in the combat tournament will be representing all of Vale!" Glynda announced as the students around him were excited for said event.
Zane looked down at the arena and saw Jaune upset that he was put on the spot like that, he even looked at Pyrrah who was sitting in front of him had a similar expression on her face which made him raise an eyebrow.
"Hmm". He hummed as he took his leave out of the room like everyone else.
The next day he was in history class with Doctor Oobleck going over a particular subject.
"Yes! Yes, prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution-more popularly known as the Faunus War-" He says as he zooms up to the front of the class and the map covered in papers behind his desk. "-humankind was quite, quite adamant about centralizing Faunus population in Menagerie". He stated as he points at the map of said-area with his stick, then zooms off to the side for a sip of his coffee before appearing in front of the desk. "Now! While this must feel like ancient history to many of you, it is imperative to remember that these are relatively recent events! Why, the repercussions of the uprising can still be seen to this day". Now! Have any among you been subjugated or discriminated because of your Faunus heritage?" He asks the class as several hands are lifted in the air.
Zane notices a Faunus with Rabbit ears that caught his eye.
'Yea she was bullied back at lunch in the cafeteria'. He thought to himself remembering how that went down.
Earlier…
Zane was hanging by his usual spot in the cafeteria which wasn't too far off from both RWBY and JNPR going through his scroll as he had just finished his food until he heard laughing from behind him, he looked back and saw that Cardin and his team were picking on a Faunus by pulling her ears and laughing while doing so.
'And how are they getting away with this?' Zane thought as he shook his head and stood up and walked over to Cardin and grasped his hand. "Take it off before I break it off Cardin". Zane said getting the team's attention. Cardin let go and so did Zane shortly after he did and stood up.
"Well, if it ain't the king of the freaks". He smirked…Zane wasn't impressed one bit.
"Really? Well at least I admit that I'm a freak, not ashamed to admit it". Zane said with little care whatsoever. "Besides I'm still wondering how assholes like you got into Beacon". He wondered.
"What are you talking about?" Cardin said.
"I mean how is it that a dipshit like you managed to get in thinking he can do whatever he wants. Because the way I see it, you just seem like a man with half a brain thinking he's the big bad wolf in this school". Zane taunted.
"You wanna start something punk?!" Cardin growled.
"Nah, you're not even worth picking a fight with". Zane waved off as he began stepping back, but Cardin threw a punch at the young Devil hunter. Only to be thrown over the white haired boy's shoulder and crash into the table opposite of his team. It was enough to knock the wind out of CRDL's leader and Zane looked at the other three with a face saying 'try it…I dare you'. But they did nothing as Zane walked out of the cafeteria with everyone's eye on him not even bothering to acknowledge the crowd looking in his direction.
Now…
'He got off easy'. Zane thought to himself as his attention was brought back to the class at hand.
"Dreadful, simply dreadful! Remember, students, it is precisely this kind of ignorance that breeds violence!" Oobleck states as he takes another sip of his coffee. "I mean, I mean, I mean just look at what happened to White Fang! Now, which one of you young scholars can tell me what many theorize to be the turning point in the third year of the War?" Weiss raised her hand to answer "Yes?"
"The battle at Fort Castle!"
"Precisely! And, who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagune's forces?" Oobleck asked as Zane saw Cardin up to something. He discretely pulled out DEATH and saw him flick a piece of paper at Jaune who was in the front row…but was intercepted by a bullet from his pistol scaring the class as well.
"Mr Redgrave!" Oobleck said a she zipped up to the son of Dante. "What do you think you're doing with a weapon in class?!" He said quickly as Zane wasn't even phased by him.
"Sorry sir, my gun had an accidental discharge. Won't happen again". He said casually.
"That doesn't excuse you having a weapon in class". He emphasised.
"In my line of work I don't go anywhere unarmed. Even if I'm just here for a full year. But Like I said it won't happen again". Zane said as he still remained calm about it.
"As that may be I'd like to see you after class. Moving on". Oobleck said as he looked at Cardin began to try his little trick again and it succeeded hitting Jaune in the back of the head. Zane didn't want to push his luck so it was out of his hands.
"Hey!" Jaune said causing Oobleck to zoom over into Jaune's face.
"Mr. Arc! Finally contributing to class! This is excellent! Excellent! What is the answer?"
"Uhhhh... The answer... The advantage... that the Faunus..." He looks behind Oobleck's focused face at Pyrrha, who coughs and motions to her lips as she gives him the answer. "...had over that guy's stuff..." He sees Pyrrha cup her hands around her eyes and goes for the most obvious answer. "Uhh... Binoculars!" While Jaune looks pleased with his answer, the class laughs at him. While Oobleck sips his coffee. Pyrrha sighs and slaps a hand to her forehead as Cardin pounds his fist on his desk while chortling.
Zane saw all this and face palmed while groaning.
"Very funny, Mr. Arc! Cardin! Perhaps you would care to share your thoughts on the subject!" Oobleck asked the resident bully of the school.
"Well, I know it's a lot easier to train an animal than a soldier." He said.
"It's the other way around dumbass!" Zane said getting everyone's attention. "With a soldier they follow your order to the letter while an animal would quite literally bite the hand that feeds it. And you fit the bill quite perfectly". Zane smirked causing the class laugh.
"Mr Redgrave please". Oobleck sighed.
"I have the answer! It's night vision. Many Faunus are known to have nearly-perfect sight in the dark." Pyrrah said aloud getting Oobleck's attention.
"General Lagune was inexperienced, and made the mistake of trying to ambush the Faunus in their sleep. His massive army was outmatched, and the general was captured." Blake adds as she turns to Cardin. "Perhaps if he'd paid attention in class, he wouldn't have been remembered as such a failure." This got a good chuckle out of Zane as Cardin got up out of seat with his fists clenched.
"Mr. Winchester! Please take your seat." Oobleck says and he noticed Jaune laughing at his tormentor's embarrassment, he zoomed up to him. "You and Mr. Arc can both see me after class for additional readings."
"Oohhhh..." Jaune groaned with his shoulders slumped.
"Now! Moving on!"
When class had ended everyone was walking out besides the three boys who were told to stay behind.
"You two have been struggling in my class since day one! Now, I don't know if it's a lack of interest, or just your stubborn nature, but whatever it is..." Oobleck states as he takes a long sip of his coffee. "It stops now! You've worked hard to gain entrance to this school, and we only accept the best of the best, so I expect you to act like it. History is important, gentlemen! If you can't learn from it... you're destined to repeat it. Pages fifty-one to ninety-one! I want an essay on my desk by next class! Now! Run along." He said to Cardin and Jaune as they began to walk out, leaving Zane and the Doctor alone in the class.
"As for you Mr Redgrave, I am aware of your Parents…job and how they handle things is different from Huntsman and Huntresses. But you should leave your weapon in your locker until they are needed". He explained.
"I mean I have stored weapons in my locker-," "Obviously not all of them!" Oobleck quickly interrupted making Zane sigh.
"Look Oobleck, I get that you're a Huntsman and all but when it comes to the demon killing business you either be prepare for everything, or you're dead, I wouldn't expect you to understand the demon world and everything it has to offer". He stated. "Besides I'm only here for a year, then I'm out of doing what I normally do".
"I am very much aware of that. However I fail to see why your family doesn't teach future generations of the possible Demonic outbreaks. I, I mean think of the knowledge we could-," "Finish that sentence and you'll begin to sound like my uncle Vergil". He interrupted calmly.
"There are things you shouldn't know…it's safer for humanity that way". He said as he stood up. "And if you say that my family should consider Beacon or your little group than forget it. It's not our business". He said as he began walking out of the room.
Zane heard from his father that Ozpin had a little group doing things backstage…but Dante didn't elaborate what they were until Zane was ready to be told. And from the young Sparda's perspective it wouldn't be too long.
"I suppose I can't change your perspective on things and I can't force you to. Run along Mr Redgrave". Oobleck sighed as Zane gave a two finger wave without looking back as he left the room and began to head to his dorm room.
As he was walking back he was getting a call from a family member which made him smile as their picture came up on his scroll.
"Hey how's it going? I heard you just came to town…Yea…just finished classes for the day and I'm heading back to my room now, so what's up? You mean there's more in that area? I think we got a field trip going there in a few days…wait you're coming over to deal with it? I'm already here let me take care of it and save ya the trouble…I'll have you know I beat Ryujin in the Emerald forest and destroyed a Hell Gate there I can handle myself I'm not so inexperienced as you think I am…ok, ok just because it's a client I get it. Well see ya soon". Zane then hung up on the call and sighed. "Family is sometimes the death of me". He said to himself as he continued walking back to his room.
As several days passed Zane was out on the field trip to the Forever fall forest with Glynda leading teams RWBY, JNPR, and CRDL through the area along with him. Zane was fully geared up with all his weapons on his person, he didn't want to take any chances when it came to the Demonic forces.
"Yes, students, the forest of Forever Fall is indeed beautiful. But we are not here to sight-see. Professor Peach has asked all of you to collect samples from the trees deep inside this forest, and I'm here to make sure none of you die while doing so". Glynda stated getting their attention which makes the group stop. Zane noticed Jaune grunting and carrying a large case with six empty glass jars on top, tries to catch up with them and ends up bumping into Cardin. The bully scowls at Jaune, who attempts to feign innocence by whistling tunelessly.
'What' going on with you two?' Zane thought with a raised brow.
"Each of you is to gather one jar's worth of red sap. However, this forest is full of the creatures of Grimm, so be sure to stay by your teammates. We will rendezvous back here at 4 o'clock. Have fun!" Glynda continued as the students then began to scatter leaving Zane and Goodwitch alone.
"Ma'am there's something you should know". He said to her getting her full attention. Zane looked around to make sure no eyes were watching them. "I got a call from a family member saying that there's possible demonic activity here". He said to her which made her eyes go wide. "Just make sure to keep an eye on everyone here while I goo and look".
"Just be discrete about it Mr Redgrave". She said to him.
"No promises, but I can get the job done". He replied as he made his way through the forest and followed his senses towards the demonic presence, however he then walked over to where RWBY and NPR were and had noticed him walk over.
"Zane what's up? You look like something's wrong". Ren asked him.
"There's two things actually. 1 Jaune is hanging out with Cardin of all people which doesn't sit well with me if I were being honest". He stated.
"I'm sure Jaune knows exactly what he's doing". Pyrrah stated with anger present in her voice.
"Ok then". Zane dragged on before continuing. "And 2 I got word that there's a demonic presence here". He said which got the attention of all seven of them. "And before you ask, no you're not coming…you're not qualified".
"And you are?" Weiss said accusingly which made everyone giver a 'seriously?' look. "Right. Stupid". She admitted.
"Look the point is unless you're me or my family, you're not fighting demons. Period, now if you'll excuse me I got work to do". He said as then began walking off towards where he needed to be, all the while shaking his head. 'This line of work is too much for em. Grimm is fine but demons are a whole other ball game'. He thought as he heard people talking forcing him to get behind a tree.
"I don't care what you do to me..."
'Jaune?' Zane thought as he peeked around the tree to see Jaune and team CRDL with said team ganging up on the blonde knight.
"... but you are not messing with my team."
"What? You think talk like that makes you tough? You think you're a big strong man now?" Cardin barks as Jaune just smiles in defiance.
Cardin roars and raises his fist again, but just as the hit connects, a bright light shines from Jaune, and when the white fades, Cardin is crying out in pain as he holds his hand. Jaune looks confusedly at his hands as they faintly glow white and from afar Zane could see his aura glow around his body before fading. However Sky kicks Jaune in the back and gets him on his stomach, but he looks up and glares at the approaching Cardin.
"Let's see how much of a man you really are..." Just as he says this, a low growl is heard, and a surprised Team CRDL turns around and sees a huge Ursa Major. It leaps forward and stands over the terrified students, lifting its head in the air to smell the sap on Cardin's breastplate which the young Devil hunter missed the first time round. It lands back on its forelegs and roars at Cardin while his teammates flee for their lives.
"That's a big Ursa!" one of Cardin's teammates say as they run off leaving their leader and Jaune. Cardin is rooted to the spot when the Grimm swings its claws and knocks him sideways. The Ursa continues to sniff, uninterested in Jaune who was directly in front of it, and following its nose to Cardin.
Jaune watches at it towers over Cardin, who gets his wits together and pulls out his mace only for the monster to swipe it away to Jaune's feet, who looks conflicted, wondering whether to fight or run away.
'Better go save those two before-,' Zane is interrupted as he looks to see Jaune who made his choice and drew his weapon and began to fight the Grizzly Grimm. Cardin is attempting to run from the following Ursa, but it leaps over its prey and claws him away. He tries to get up and crawl away.
He then notices Ruby, Weiss and Pyrrah emerge from the trees ahead of him to see the Grimm bring it's paws down on Cardin only to be blocked by Jaune's shield, Crocea Mors. He struggles to defend a stunned Cardin from its attempts to lean on him, but Weiss lifts Myrtenaster as she prepares to go help.
Weiss prepares herself for the fight but it stopped by Pyrrah.
Jaune takes the shield out from the Ursa's paw and slashes at its stomach, causing it to lash out and try to crush him. He rolls out of the way and jumps over its swipe at his feet, but he is unprepared for when it launches a claw at him in mid-air. He lands far away, yet is immediately back on his feet and passing Cardin as he charges again. He grows angry again and starts to run at the Ursa as it also begins to dash towards him.
But what surprised Zane was that when Jaune went in for the attack he managed to slice the Ursa's head clean off but he then looks at Pyrrah who lower's her hand and it all clicked to him.
'Even after what happened, you still helped out'. Zane thought to himself with a smile. He then felt the Demonic presence was close. He then made is presence known and drew out his pistols and aimed in the direction of the girls and fired several rounds in their direction the girls were too slow to defend themselves but they were never hit. They looked behind them and saw several reptilian like creatures with razor sharp blades on their back running along to the tip of their tail. They were getting back on their feet as Zane was responsible for attacking them.
"All of you get out of here I'll take care of this". Zane said as he holstered his pistols and drew Armageddon.
"What!? Are you nuts man!?" Cardin exclaimed.
"I do this for a living, consider it family business". Zane replied. "Now go!" The Beacon Students followed his order and made haste back to the main group leaving Zane behind. One of the Demons jumped and began spinning like a sawblade and rushed at him but Zane was quicker and dodged it causing the demon to crash into several trees and rocks, tearing them apart on impact before landing on its feet and growled at him.
Barbed Discord
CHAOS
"Come and get me". Zane taunted as all three began spinning and rushed in his direction. "Royal Guard!" Zane snapped his fingers as the Chaos demons struck Zane's defence but he remained unharmed as he continuously stopped their attacks one by one as they then began to slow down and fall over due to exhaustion giving the devil hunter a perfect opening. "Sword Master!" Zane then began slashing one of the downed demons before sending it up into the air.
"Rupture!" He called the Devil Arm to his hands and began performing several uppercuts in Drill mode before bringing his right drill down sending them both back down to the ground breaking the spikes on the Chaos's back rendering it useless. Another Chaos tried its luck but was met with a blast from Dingo-B sending it back and having its spikes get stuck in a tree.
"Gunslinger!" Zane then readied Lady Mary and took aim at the other Chaos and fired a staggering burst into its head several times before it dodged the another burst coming its way and started spinning, it then rushed at Zane and used it's speed to leap off a rock but it was knocked out of this state as Zane fired at it again causing it to crash back down to the dirt.
Demon that was stuck managed to free itself and leapt at Zane who had his back turned was about to land a blow on the young Devil Hunter…but was stopped by a barrage of bullets knocking it into another tree which collapsed on top of it. The attention caught both the Demons and Zane to see the one responsible.
A figure walked out wearing a trench coat similar to Zane's with a red shirt underneath with black pants and combat boots, he also had the same hair colour hair as Zane with some facial hair starting to grow out as well, all the while wielding a sword on his back and holding a revolver in his left hand.
"Been some time huh little cous?"
The Resourceful Devil Hunter
NERO
"Need a hand?" Nero asked his cousin while loading his revolver Blue Rose. Zane however groaned lightly to himself.
"That it has Nero but I got this. Just sit back and wait while I finish this". As the Son of Dante said that, the damaged Chaos leapt at him but he retaliated by releasing all the damage he had built up killing it in one blow. "I'm not a little kid anymore by the way!" Zane then felt the red orbs flow into his body consuming their energy as he then switched weapons to Armageddon as the Chaos that wasn't pinned under a tree switched targets to Nero as it then began spinning in his direction.
"Oh c'mon seriously!?" Zane exclaimed clearly annoyed that the Chaos chose to go after his cousin instead of continuously fighting him.
Nero merely smirked at this and stowed his revolver for the time being.
"Ragtime!" A Cybernetic right arm appeared with a digital clock in the dorsal side of the hand with a triangular band around the wrist with various gears on the forearm. The Chaos then rushed at the older Sparda intending to split him in two. However Nero thrust his hand forward creating a small field which slowed the demon to a crawl. "Stay still!" Nero then pulled out his Sword Red Queen and revved it several times igniting the blade with fire, then he leapt at the Chaos while it was still slowed and struck it with a 'Hard Way' attack smashing the spikes on the demons back and sending it skidding across the ground at Zane's feet.
Zane merely stabbed his sword through the demon's throat and twisted the blade ending it quickly as he absorbed the red orbs it had dropped.
"You're welcome Zane". Nero said as he walked up to his cousin.
"Didn't say thank you". Zane replied as he rested his sword on his shoulder with an eye roll. "I had it handled. Y'know that, right Nero?"
"Sheesh talk about ungrateful". Said Devil Hunter muttered in response.
"Look I'm not ungrateful that you're here real I'm not". Zane responded. "But seriously you guys gotta stop watching over me all the time. I mean you pretty much did all this when you were my age right?"
"Yea but unlike me you have parents who would kill me a thousand times over if anything happened to you on my watch". Nero pointed out. "Adding to that could you at least not be such an ass all the time whenever someone helps out?"
"Once again, much like you were when you were my age". Zane deadpanned.
"How do you know?"
"Dad". Zane answered.
"Well, Dante can be full of shit sometimes just to make his ego bigger you do real-," "And Trish, Lady, Nico and Mom. And possibly Kyrie at one point". Zane interrupted as he was now finished.
"Alright, alright I get it. Sheesh one Dante was enough". Nero muttered but his cousin heard it.
"Take it as a compliment". Zane smirked making Nero's eyes roll.
"Ok let's get back to it the mission at hand ok?" The older of the two stated as the younger one nodded in response. They both heard creaking behind them and saw that the remaining Chaos had managed to free itself from under the tree. "Huh…forgot about this guy".
"I did too to be honest. I'll take care of it". Zane said as he began walking up to the Chaos as it ran at him on all fours and leapt at the young Devil hunter but Zane slashed the Demon on the underbelly, that being it's soft spot and began to bleed out until it died of blood loss and it's power was absorbed into him. "Ok, now can we go?" Zane asked his cousin as they then began to venture into the forest to find the source of the demonic presence.
There we have it...come to think of it I'm going to see a lot of Dead-weight jokes in the review section, I know it. But regardless Nero has joined the fray! And you know when Nero is on a job, a certain someone isn't too far behind. I'd like to point out that Nero is much older than Zane, who is roughly his age in DMC 4. Now part two will be up this weekend so I'll be sure to get it ready for when I do upload it. But I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and be sure to leave me your thought in the review section, a bit of feedback can go a long way. So until then, I'll see ya next time!
Cronus Prime Out!
