Hey everyone! It's your boi, the Universal Writer back with another chapter! I decided to change my name on FF because my old name didn't roll off the tongue like I thought it would. So now, I'm now known as the Universal Writer till further notice! Jacques is going to be in hot water with a certain Ultimate Life Form and we'll get into Shadow's origins! Hence, this is ARCHIE Shadow! Not game or IDW Shadow! But a hint of game lore in it. Without further ado, let's get into the chapter!
Disclaimer: All music, characters, and etc belong to their respective creators!
The scene opens to Oscar Pine sitting on his bed in his room, reading a book by the light of a lantern.
(-Music: Mystic Land [ Hunter x Hunter ]-)
"Oscar, supper's almost ready!" The voice of a woman yelled from another room.
"What're we having?" Oscar inquired.
"Doesn't matter! You're eating it!"
"I never agreed to these terms!" The Farm Boy jokingly states with a chuckle.
"It's part of the "living under my roof" contract! Read the fine print, then come wash up!" The woman replied back in the same manner.
Oscar closes his book and stands up. He is walking toward the door when a voice resounds, causing him to pause.
"We have to leave." Ozpin's disembodied voice reverberated in his head but it seems that the Farm Boy is still insistent in staying on course. "Oscar. Oscar!"
Oscar is about to grasp the door handle, but holds back. "I've decided you're not real, so you might as well give up."
"I understand how you're feeling. I went through the same panic and confusion." The deceased Headmaster of Beacon reassured the young man.
He turns around and looks at an open book on the floor. He bends down and shuts it, talking aloud as he puts it and the one next to it away on a shelf. "It's not real. It's not real. It's not real."
Oscar stands to see his reflection on his window.
"I can assure you, you are perfectly sane."
"I'm talking to a voice in my head."
"I didn't say you were normal. I said you were sane." Ozpin says as Oscar proceeds to leave his room. "There's quite a significant difference between-"
"Shut up! You think this is funny? It's not." The Farm Boy hissed as he started to get annoyed at Ozpin.
"We are in complete agreement on that matter, I promise you. Believe me, I wish this weren't the case. But as I've told you, our Aura, our souls are combined." Ozpin states.
The Farm Boy looks up at the ceiling without really focusing on anything but clearly showing his disgust. "I'm done listening to you."
"Have you ever been to Haven?"
"I told you I'm not going, and I told you I'm done listening."
"Do you think you could describe the Headmaster's office?"
"No. Why would I know that? I've never seen-"
"Try. Right now."
"It's probably... It's…" Oscar's eyes widen and his face slackens as the visual pans around his head in a circle as he continues to speak. "It's autumn-colored... with a large mahogany desk. There's a small table with chairs in a corner for guests, with a tea set that... I... I gave him."
The pan stops when Oscar refers to himself in the first person. He puts his hand to his head, disconcerted.
"Why did I say that? Why did I know that? Why did I say that?" Oscar becomes increasingly bothered and he starts backing up, dropping his hand.
"Because I helped build that school, and the tea set was a gift to the man running it now." The deceased Headmaster said as the Farm Boy sits on his bed and holds his head, groaning. "If you don't believe me, you can look it up. If I recall, your aunt has several books on Mistral downstairs. I'm certain you could find a picture in one of them."
Oscar straightens up and lowers his hands as he sighs. "That... that's right, I must've seen it in a picture."
"Oscar…"
He stands upright, tightening his fists at his sides. "Stop talking to me!"
"I have a grave responsibility to uphold. We both do." Ozpin said grimly.
Oscar fell to his knees. "I never agreed to anything."
"No, you didn't. And neither did I, at first. But you do have an opportunity."
"For what?"
"Greatness, hopefully. Greatness in knowing that, when the world needed help, you were the one to reach out your hand. It won't come without hardship, without sacrifice, but I know you don't want to live the rest of your life working as a farmhand in Mistral."
Oscar had his hands on his head again with eyes wide. "So you just decided to read my thoughts?"
"I... well. They're our thoughts, now."
The Farm Boy groans. "Get out of my head!"
"Oscar! Supper time! I better see clean hands!" Oscar's Aunt called him.
Oscar looks toward the door, but remains silently on the floor.
(-Music Ends-)
(-Music: Into the Abyss [ Sen no Kiseki ]-)
Weiss Schnee sits on her bed in her room with her head bowed and her hands folded in her lap. Jacques Schnee paces in front of her.
"Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable!" Jacques suddenly stops, then turns and points at her. "Do you have any idea what your stunt cost us?!"
"I-"
"And don't think I'm just talking about Lien here! Our reputation! Our... our…" Jacques sighs angrily and holds his head, unable to come up with the words to finish expressing the gravity of her mistake. Weiss waits for a moment before speaking.
"I want to leave."
"I beg your pardon?"
"I said I want to leave. I don't want to stay here anymore. I don't want to stay in Atlas anymore!" Weiss pleaded with her father.
"Young lady, I don't give a damn about what you want! This isn't about you. This is about the Schnee family name and your apparent insistence on dragging it through the mud!" The Schnee Patriarch said with venom in his tone.
Weiss stood up with an angered look on her face. "I have done nothing but fight to uphold the honor of my family name, a name that you married into!"
(-Music Stops-)
(-Music: Awaken Dark [ Shadow the Hedgehog ]-)
Jacques's hand was close to impacting his daughter's cheek till he heard a sickening crunch as his face scrunched to a look of unbearable pain as he lets out a pained cry as the camera shifts to a livid Shadow Yaminagi whose eyes had a malevolent glow was gripping Jacques' hand in an iron grip as the squirming man tried pulling his hand away but failing helplessly.
"Now listen you insignificant worm… you WILL never lay a hand on her! You're NOT worthy of the kindness that your daughter-no Weiss gives! She PLEADED with me not to end your paltry life! On the first day that Ironwood gave me my task to watch over her, I wanted to end your life! But she made me swear not to kill you! If your hand actually hit her, I would've broken my promise and I prefer to keep my promises!" Shadow said in a distorted voice as his black and red Aura surged to life to make his presence all the more intimidating and frightening.
"SHADOW! STOP IT!" The Schnee Heiress screamed as she gripped his arm that the hand was crushing her father's hand. "You PROMISED!"
Shadow's glowing red eyes stared into Weiss' light blue eyes as he briefly saw a blonde girl's face. His eyes widened as he looked away as his Aura dissipated but he didn't let go of the writhing Jacques who was still trying to get his hand free. "Why Weiss…?"
"Why what?" She asked.
"Why do you insist on letting this… waste of human blood live?" He inquired to her as his eyes glared back at the Schnee Patriarch. "He's nothing but a poisonous leech on your family that NEEDS to be extinguished. He's divided your family! He made your mother into an alcoholic that HARDLY leaves her room! And now he's corrupting your younger brother's mind and he'll be just like this piece of scum here! So why?!"
(-Music Ends-)
(-Music: Gazing at the Flickering Flame [ Sen no Kiseki ]-)
Weiss stood firm with an undeterred expression on her face. "I'm doing what I feel is right, and that does not include wasting my time up here… with these clueless people in Atlas. The Schnee family legacy isn't yours or his to leave. It's mine, and I'll do it as a Huntress. And no one can't stop me. I'll fulfill my own destiny whether anyone likes it or not!"
"Your presupposition that you can simply have whatever it is you want is a clear sign of our failure as parents. But from now on, I'll be giving you the full attention you require, starting by keeping you where I can see you!" Jacques said with narrowed eyes at his daughter, then to the Ultimate Life Form. "I'll see to it that you'll be dealt with! I'll make your life a living hell!"
"You're not going to do anything welp." Shadow said darkly as his face got closer to the Schnee Patriarch. "Weiss will be under my protection. You'll have NO involvement with Weiss' development. Besides, I've been training her in secret. Aiding her to control her newfound power that is similar to my own. You should be grateful for my intervention. That place would've become your tomb. Once the time is appropriate, her and I will be taking our leave from this town of fools to where she truly belongs. And there will be nothing that you can do to stop it. This will be my first and final warning Jacques Schnee. A single step out of line will result in your permanent end. Farewell."
"WHY YOU-"
Jacques didn't finish as he was teleported out of the room. Shadow took a deep breath as he looked at Weiss, who looked back at him as the two had a silent conversation. Then he proceeds to the door.
"Wait!" She called out to him, making Shadow stop. "Why did you stand up for me?"
He was about to open his mouth till the Schnee Heiress did a "zip it" gesture.
"And don't give me that "It's my mission" drivel. Be honest with me Shadow."
The Ultimate Life Form closes his eyes as he remains quiet for a few moments before opening them. Shadow sighs while he takes off his shades and placed them in his pockets.
"Since you want to know my motive for why I have been having a protective gaze over you, I'll tell you." He begins before approaching her. "But be warned, my origin is not meant for the faint of heart. And before you make any assumptions, just listen. Can you do that?"
Weiss nods. "You have my word."
(-Music: Heartbreak [ Sen no Kiseki ]-)
"Back in Mobius, every Mobian, Overlander or human, and every other creature were created by the natural process of procreation. But for me… I was artificially created. I was created for two different destinies that I didn't have a voice for. An agent or a defender." Shadow said with Weiss getting a shocked look about him being an artificial being. He looks at her before looking back at the window. "I was created by two beings. One was Professor Gerald Robotnik or Kintobor. And the other, the leader of an alien race of conquerors called the Black Arms, Black Doom."
"What?!" Cried a dumbfounded Weiss shook her head in disbelief but she stopped herself as she recalled her vow to listen. "S-Sorry Shadow. C-continue."
"The time of my creation was 50 years ago back in Mobius in the Space Colony ARK. A large orbital research center created by the Overlanders as part of their Hundred Moons of Mobius project, if you're curious about that; then go ask Sonic, though at some point control of the station was transferred to G.U.N. and the United Federation. It served as the workplace and home of Professor Gerald and his granddaughter Maria Robotnik." Shadow said before looking at Weiss again. "If your eyes were a darker shade of blue and your hair was blonde, you would've looked like her minus the scar… Professor Gerald saw this opportunity as a way to create a cure for Maria… an opportunity that soon came to my creation."
"If you don't mind me asking, what happened to Maria?" The Schnee Heiress inquired.
"Maria was diagnosed with a rare terminal disease called NIDS when she was born on the ARK. It stands for "Neuro-Immuno Deficiency Syndrome". The disease left her frail and weak, Maria needed constant attention, which meant she could not leave the ARK's hospital, leaving her confined in space. Despite getting medical help though, Maria only grew weaker over time…" He solemnly answered as Weiss lowered her head in sadness for Shadow. "She was raised on the ARK and she didn't even have the chance to go to the planet due to her ailment thus she grew and developed an interest in it and longed to go there. Maria was everything to Gerald. All his attempts to develop a cure had failed as his frustration and desperation grew until he received contact with Black Doom. Gerald made the deal with him, not knowing of Black Doom's true intentions, to create something that would solve both of their ambitions. An agent and originally a cure for Maria. He used the genetic material of the Black Arms, mainly from Black Doom to create what is known as "Project: Shadow". A creature that is immortal, immune to disease and, thanks to Black Doom, highly attune to Chaos powers. Me."
The Ice Princess' eyes couldn't be any wider as she listened to Shadow's story. She couldn't fathom it. Standing in front of her was an immortal creature disguised as a Faunus. His crimson eyes saw her rising shock making him close his eyes as he mentally braced himself to dive deep into the memory that he tries to forget. A memory that brought him great pain and anger.
"Of course, Black Doom thought he covered his tracks but he underestimated how sharp Gerald was. He found out about his plans for Mobius and me, Black Doom planned on using me as an agent for their return to conquer the planet. So he planned to make me be Mobius' ultimate defender. But then… the government agency that I now serve, G.U.N., had a similar mindset, they only saw me as a weapon, so this made them raid the ARK, seeking to apprehend me and destroy all knowledge of the project. Gerald ordered Maria and I to escape the soldiers. We were so close but… Maria died by a gunshot from a GUN Soldier. She was 12 when she died. The only memory I had left of Maria was her dark blue eyes and the smile she had on her face… she used her fading strength to make me promise… to protect Mobius… to protect everyone's happiness… that's a promise I'll keep and fulfill for ALL eternity…" Shadow said as he struggled greatly to keep his emotions in check as a tear fell from his right eye. His hands turned into fists.
(-Music Ends-)
(-Music: FAIRY TAIL メインテーマ -Slow ver.- [ FAIRY TAIL ]-)
Weiss' heart couldn't be more shattered as she fell to the floor as her tears began hitting the floor. She felt many things at this moment but mainly pain and admiration. Pain for the tragic life of Shadow and the loss of Maria. The girl barely even had a life of her own due to an ailment that took the privilege away from her and she died before her 13th birthday. And here was Weiss, a girl who had everything and could get everything she ever wanted. She felt unworthy. Admiration for the amount of strength that he had to keep going forward. His strength was greater than Winter's. He was the embodiment of strength that she NEEDED. Her thoughts were interrupted as she felt his arm around her. She looked at him who had his shades on, hiding his eyes but she could see that he was in emotional pain. Then Weiss remembered all the pain and misery that her own home had dealt her in the form of her father. Then she remembered Winter Schnee, her mother, and Whitley Schnee. Then in front of her eyes saw Ruby Rose, Blake Belladonna, Yang Xiao Long, Sonic Takamaki, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles Kaji, Jaune Arc, Pyrrha Nikos, Lie Ren, Nora Valkyrie, and Neptune Vasilias. Weiss lifts her head and tightens her fist, a determined look in her eyes. She stood up and walked to the window and pulled the curtains shut. She moves her bed over several feet, pushes a desk and kicks aside a low glass bench at the foot of her bed. A wide shot shows the furniture askew. A cushioned stool is on its side on the floor, and a long white box marked with the Schnee snowflake symbol rests on her vanity. She approaches the box and opens it to reveal Myrtenaster and Dust vials inside. She lifts her weapon and poses with the blade held vertically in front of her face.
Shadow only smirked as he knew what this meant. "Training is in session."
(-Music Ends-)
"Sup Qrow." Sonic greets the alcoholic Huntsmen with a cocky smirk on his face.
"Hey Blue." Qrow greets him back as he gets Harbinger in hand, ready to battle against Tyrian Callows.
"As I live and breathe, Qrow Branwen." Tyrian mock bows with a maniacal grin on his face. "A true Huntsman has entered the fray!"
Ruby gets up and sets Crescent Rose on its end as her uncle glances back at her. "I don't know, this guy's weird."
Qrow then faces the psychopathic Faunus. "Look, pal, I'm not sure who you are, but you need to leave my niece alone."
Tyrian chortles in amusement. "Why, friend, my name is Tyrian. And I'm afraid that is not possible. My assignment from Her Grace was to retrieve the blue haired speedster. So, that is what I must do. One does not upset the Queen."
"Queen?" Ruby inquired.
"Salem…" Qrow uttered underneath his breath.
"Who?"
"Hmm, I think we've had enough talk now, don't you?" Tyrian inquired as he assumed a crouching position.
"You took the words right out of—"
(-Music: Armed and Ready [ RWBY ]-)
Tyrian rushes Qrow before he can finish voicing the thought and the two begin fighting. Qrow blocks two strikes with Harbinger, then slashes at Tyrian who jumps trying to pierce Qrow as he lands. Qrow dodges then swings but Tyrian back-flips away and rushes back in. The two clash as Tyrian goes flying, he comes to a stop digging his weapons into the ground. He ducks to avoid a slash from Qrow then leaps aside to dodge a horizontal strike. He follows up with a slash, using the force to transition into a kick that Tyrian slides under, then the Faunus tries to strike his back but it is stopped. Tyrian attacks again as Qrow parries several thrusts of his tail. As Tyrian blocks a downward strike pinning him on his knees a roof gets damaged by the shock-wave and Tyrian uses The Queen's Servants built in guns to get free. As Qrow blocks the shots with Harbinger Tyrian circles him firing a steady barrage, Ren and Nora join in, but Tyrian catches their sneak attack and dodges then easily knocks them away. He moves to chase them as the two land back near Jaune, Pyrrha, and Ruby, but Qrow intervenes to hold him back.
"Don't come closer!" Qrow commanded them. "That goes for you too Sonic!"
"Who said that I was going to listen to you? I'm just waiting for my turn to smack Crazy Pants Tyrian." Sonic retorted as he sheathed Caliburn with a grin on his face. "I know the perfect technique to send him packing!"
Sonic starts spin dashing in place as Qrow blocks a jab from Tyrian"s tail then counters, Tyrian parries before retaliating with a slash followed by a kick. Qrow ducks before swinging three times as the Faunus avoids them all, before using his tail as a spring to gain altitude as he opens fire again. Qrow blocks the attack then fires a shot of his own then dodges another thrust. Tyrian manages to use his tail to disarm Qrow, flinging the sword away as he rubs his wrist. This slows things down enough for Ruby to repeatedly shoot at him from the roof, but after the first shot misses an amused Tyrian just deflects each with his tail. Qrow curls his hand into a fist then switches to punching Tyrian in the face. He groans in pain backing up before Qrow lands a few more hits. With a final kick, he manages to send Tyrian flying and casually moves to retrieve Harbinger from where it is embedded in a wall. A frustrated Tyrian waits crouched until Qrow has his back turned before striking, but Qrow merely leaps on top of his own weapon and partially changes it to scythe mode. Using the gun barrels he propels himself to a rooftop, Tyrian follows as their battle continues. They appear evenly matched until Qrow notices a damaged beam. He tricks Tyrian into landing on it and the Faunus descends into the building and uses his tail to drag Qrow down, too. As the two land, the remaining roof collapses inward. This is enough to make Ruby decide to no longer stay back. Staring at the dust cloud in concern she descends to street level. Just as she reaches the building, Qrow comes crashing out through a wall, his body bouncing. He tosses Harbinger which lands with its blade in the ground, and Qrow perches atop it. Red flickers of damaged Aura move over his body twice. Tyrian comes out of the floating dust and grime inside the building, purple flickers moving across his body. As the two begin to strike again, Ruby jumps in between and deflects Tyrian's blades with Crescent Rose.
"Just hold on guys! Just a bit more!" Sonic thought as he was still charging up.
"Ruby! Be careful!" Pyrrha said to her. But then a cyan glow caught her eye as she saw Sonic's spin dashing form being imbued in a cyan glow.
"Do you wish to be taken too my little rose?" Tyrian inquired, feeling eager to take the silver-eyed girl too.
"No! But I won't stand by and watch someone get hurt!" She replied with her eyes glowing slightly in defiance.
Both Qrow and Ruby move in to attack Tyrian who parries both weapons and the three clash. He kicks Qrow away then shoots and jabs at Ruby with tail, she blocks and tries to counter but the blow is knocked aside. His eyes purple again, Tyrian closes in and almost gets her with his stinger, but Qrow blocks it.
"Ruby! What did I say?! Get back!" Her uncle told her as he glanced at Ruby's way.
"This is my fight, too!" Ruby argued.
She attacks Tyrian while he's still locked blade-to-blade with Qrow, but his legs arch away from the swing of Crescent Rose.
"No, it's not that. It's—"
Ruby attacks again, and Tyrian moves to her. He flips and sends her back with a two-footed kick. She slides closer to the building and gains her ground, but the wooden beams near the roof have been shaken up too much and a heavy one breaks and descends upon her. Qrow slices it in half so it falls in pieces to either side of Ruby without touching her. She smiles at him in gratitude and affection, and he raises his head from his stance to look at her, only to gasp in pain as he is immediately cut in the abdomen by Tyrian's stinger. Tyrian chuckles while everyone but Ruby pauses in shock. She, however, immediately cuts off the stinger from the rest of Tyrian's tail. It bounces, spurting purple liquid, to the ground. Tyrian reels back and cries out from the pain. Standing, he whirls to face Ruby, infuriated.
"YOU BITCH!" He screamed.
Sonic was finished charging up as he had a fiery cyan Aura. "I heard that! I'll wash your mouth up with my strongest technique! ライトスピードアタック：ソニック弾幕 (Light Speed Attack: Sonic Barrage)!"
(-Music Ends-)
(-Music: Team Ultimate: Sonic [ Team Sonic Racing ]-)
Sonic became a cyan flash that knocked the crazed away at a very high rate of speed. Then the cyan flash sent Tyrian upwards and back down with a kick to the face with his Aura flickering. Sonic then did multiple strikes with his sword under a second and then punched the Scorpion Faunus back from the forest back to Oniyuri heading through a house. There he laid in the rubble dazed as Sonic's cyan glow and Aura disappeared as he skids to a stop next to everyone.
(-Music Ends-)
"Way to go Sonic! Way to kick butt in style!" Nora cheered being in awe by Sonic's display of power.
"Hope you didn't kill him. We need answers for what's going on." Ren says, looking at the blue hedgehog Faunus.
"He should be knocked out. Going nowhere." He answers as Sonic approaches Qrow, who had still been upright with his weapon at the ready, collapses to one knee and clutches at the wound, panting heavily. "Take it easy dude!"
"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby cried, rushing to his side.
"I'll be fine. He just grazed me." Qrow tries to reassure his distressed niece. He pulls his shaking hand away to show the blood on it as the other four approach him.
"Who was that guy?" Nora asked.
"How did you get here?" Ren inquired.
"Why are people after Sonic?" Jaune asked this time.
"Uncle Qrow? What's going on?" Ruby asks with tears welling up in her eyes.
"Yo guys chill out! Qrow is injured! We'll-"
Qrow's heavy breathing stopped Sonic as he clutched his abdomen again. "What's your favorite fairy tale?"
The scene cuts to black with Qrow's groan echoing in the black void.
[ To be Continued… ]