A/N: EDIT: Well. Flames all over the comments for this chapter and nary a review to be found.
As ever, reviews keep me writing. Without them, I lose all inspiration. So by all means, speak up!
Call that what you will, but I write for feedback; that, and the joy of chatting with you all. That's the long and short of it. Now more than ever in this hectic time, its fun to bandy ideas back and forth, respond to fan mail and just interact with you all.
Silence...silence hurts more than words.
Now then, lets answer your burning questions, comments, and concerns!
Q: Wait, so thanks to Sasuke's eye, Naruto can do everything HE could do, right?
A: Ayup. Now what else could Sasuke do with that eye of his?
*grins*
Q: What will you update next?
A: Suppose that depends on you? What would you like to see next?
Also! Effective immediately, the updates for The Gods Must Be Crazy, Rags to Riches, and All things Must Die are pushed back until further notice. They're not ready yet. Sorry for that, but I'm incredibly busy and I won't stand for short chapter anymore. People bash the hell out of me for writing anything under 3,000 words, so I'm trying to avoid that...
Q: When will we see the White Fang Schism? Naruto's accelerated it, right?
A: Can't speak to that, its crucial to the plot.
Q: Well, Glynda's getting corrupted. Pretty sure that could go either way. We all know her to be a good person, but her past...
A: *zips lips* sorry, can't say anymore on that front.
Q: ...so, how screwed is Ironwood right now? Because he shot an unarmed man, illusion or not, and if Neo recorded that...which you hinted she did...
A: There will be consequences, yes. That's what this story's all about. Consequences. Butterfly effect. A ripple in the pond creates far-reaching waves elsewhere.
Alright then, I've kept you long enough.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes.
Hope you're prepared; because this is where the story takes off.
"Eh? What's that? Why do I follow him?
Alright. Fair enough. Let me put it to ya this way, Red.
He never kills anyone who doesn't deserve it. Conversely, he never SPARES anyone who needs to die.
Simple, right? But in the same vein, he's always willing to talk, and never sends someone to do something he wouldn't do himself. That makes him a good leader.
~Roman/Future.
Partners in Plotting
Mountain Glenn was alive again.
In the days that followed, Naruto and his associates worked hard to breath life back into the dead city; a slow but steady resurrection that gradually brought the once desiccated ruin back from the brink. Its recovery was not instant. Like all good things, it took time. Dedication. Hard work.
He wasn't idle in that regard. Nor were his allies.
Roman brought men to hasten construction. He didn't ask from where, so long as they behaved themselves. These men brought their families, and in time, commerce. For her Sienna was as good as her word and diverted much-needed resources to the city. He would later learn said goods came from SDC convoys. If they didn't hate him before, they certainly did now. Neo...well, her help often proved a bit unconventional, but he wasn't about to refuse the money she was bringing in, so long as she targeted the corrupt.
All in all, the Glenn's new defenses were coming along splendidly.
It wasn't so much a decision to focus on those as it was a necessity on their part; like it or not, the city was vulnerable. Her walls had been breached by the Grimm, her automated defenses destroyed, shields eviscerated, survivors all but scattered to the winds. She'd needed protection beyond the occasional shadow clone or wayward warrior to keep her safe. Soon she would have all that and more.
Really, it was amazing what you could find outside the walls these days; provided you were willing to risk the Grimm for your treasures.
"Aaaaand that's the last of them!"
Naruto wiped a bead of sweat from his brow as he set another bulky generator down, the ninth of which he'd managed to secure this week alone. A single spark from his hands kickstarted the rickety old thing one after the other, providing much-needed power to another part of the camp. He eyed them for a moment, making certain they'd keep running, and heaved a sigh of relief. This was just a stopgap measure while they struggled with the main grid. Soon it wouldn't be necessary at all. Just a little longer now...
"Back from the wilds again? You've got balls of steel, boss."
Curious compliment that, but Naruto accepted it all the same.
"Thanks, I think?" the wayward warrior stifled a small smile he turned to face his second. "Anything change while I was gone?"
He received a halfhearted shrug.
"Nothing much. Bunny's sulking, Sienna's talking about some big meet, and the kids're rowdy as ever. Really, its a miracle. Speaking of which." Roman turned to regard the dark portal he'd left open behind him, "That's a handy trick. How do you do that?"
...its nothing."
"Looks like a whole lotta something to me."
Naruto felt his face darken in a rare blush as he bound Sasuke's eye once more and closed the tear behind them. That particular...ability was one he'd hoped to keep under wraps awhile longer, but he hadn't been given much choice in the matter. A quick exit from Vale had been needed at the time. Wouldn't want to set too many hands against him after all, and using Susanoo would do just that. It had proven useful enough since, good for crossing vast distances...so long as he knew where he was going. Better than slogging through a long, lonely walk home.
"Speaking of lonely," Sasuke's specter walked past him, "You've got company."
A door ahead of them burst open. It was the only warning Naruto received.
Then the horde fell upon him.
"Dad!
"Papa!"
"Oomph!"
Breath burst from his lungs as little Emerald and Velvet crashed into him. Caught in midstep he didn't even have a chance to defend himself. They bowled him right over. Funny thing about Mountain Glenn. The ground here was just as hard as it was back in Vale. He learned that lesson the hard way when the back of his head kissed the pavement.
Adam followed at more sedate pace, stoic as ever. "Welcome back, sir."
Well, his greeting could use some work, but at least he was here. And really? Sir?
"Don't be callin' me that." he groaned where he lay. "Makes me feel old...
Two kids and a...what was Adam? His student? An apprentice? Kid was far too intense for his own good. The girls might be able to help with that...once they stopped crushing his ribs!
"Are you alright?!" Emerald yanked up his right arm, inspecting it for injuries.
"You were gone for days this time!" Velvet did the same with his left.
"Did you miss us?" the younger girl all but headbutted him.
"We missed you!"
A less "cool" parent might've said nope and teased them. He just didn't have the heart for it. With a laugh he gave up and pulled them close.
"Alright, alright,I missed ya, now please stop crushing me...
Roman sniggered into the palm of his hand.
The laughter died a moment later. Naruto soon saw why.
Satin Scarlatina was waiting for him when he finally looked up. She didn't look much pleased.
"Um...hey?"
Her right foot tapped against the ground at speed, rather reminding him of an agitated hare. An incessant thump-thump-thump that could not, and would not, be denied.
"Uh-oh.
Roman took one look at her thunderous expression and backpedaled.
"Alright, kiddos!" He plucked Emerald Velvet up by the scruffs of their necks. "Lets give mommy and daddy some alone time, shall we?" Adam lingered and he doubled back, all but slinging the surly lad over his shoulder like a grain of flour. "You too, redhead.
Just as well too; because Satin bulled forward.
"Hey, bun-bun." Naruto raised his arms to ward her off. "What's wrong-
She grabbed him by the collar, yanked him to his feet, and smashed her forehead against his.
"You. Me. Words."
Alright." he shrugged. "Your tent, then?"
And why, oh why, did he smell alcohol on her breath?
(.0.0.0.)
"You cannot be serious!"
Ozpin -damn him!- didn't flinch in the face of her fury.
"I'm afraid I am, Glynda." he at least had the good grace to appear contrite. "I have no other choice."
She couldn't countenance this madness. And yet here it was, unfolding before her all the same. She'd feared this, dreaded it in her heart of hearts, but to think he'd actually go this far...? Was he doing this of his own voliton? Had someone forced his hand? She suspected the latter, but she ha d
"Sir, while I understand your position on this, you cannot simply-
"Place you on leave? I believe I can." his eyes narrowed. "Are you with me, Glynda?"
She bridled. What kind of question was that?! "I am."
"Are you?" he spun his Scroll toward her. "Eyewitness accounts say you were seen with him, that you allowed him to escape."
A spot of high color rose to her cheeks. The images within were damning, more than she'd intended.
"I was acting under your orders, trying to bring him in. Sway him to our side."
Ozpin tilted his head just so. "By letting him escape?"
She bit her cheek to stifle her reply...and failed.
"Sir, I think we've misjudged him. He's not who you think he is-
"Regardless of how you may feel, the die has been cast." his hand came up, silencing her with a wave. "I'm placing you on leave until this is resolved. That said, James is a friend and I will not allow his name to be dragged through the mud over a single mistake." An actual spark of anger flashed through his eyes. "I have my best man on it-
A bird pecked at the window. Ozpin turned toward it.
"Speak of the devil."
He pulled it open and said bird flopped inside, transforming quickly.
"Qrow? What news?
"Nice to see you, too.." the old drunkard flashed a tipsy wave. "If you're talking about damage control its a bit late for that." He held out his scroll. "Look at this."
Ozpin looked. Glynda leaned over his shoulder to see as well. "Oh, dear...
The headmaster buried his head in both hands.
"Blast it all...
(.0.0.0.)
Satin had a powerful grip.
He'd never really noticed it before. She wasn't anywhere near as strong as him, but it was surprising all the same. Her palm was soft against his, her fingers warm. She refused to speak so much as two words to him until they were alone, and even then he wondered if she was going to start shouting rather than speak at all.
She all but dragged him into her tent and for lack of any other idea, he let her.
He barely had time to take in the sparse furniture- little more than a single bed and a worn table with a pitcher of water atop it- before she rounded on him. Her ears drooped just a little, hanging low over her head. That should've been clue enough, but the stubborn set of her jaw spoke for itself.
"S'not fair." she hiccuped. "Why them?"
"Eh?" Naruto released her hand and stepped back. What's not?"
This time there could be no denying the way she swayed on her feet. She'd put on a brave show in front of the kids, but here, away from prying eyes, it was impossible to hide. There was a faint flush to her cheeks that hadn't been there before. Her eyes were glazed, and he didn't much like the way she was looking at him.
"You and that huntress! AND that damn dirty cat!"
"Cat? You mean Sienna? I don't understand-
"Yes!" her finger stabbed into his chest with intent, "That! She's being too damn smug! Just because she snagged one of your clones!"
"Wha?"
Satin thumped her right foot.
As luck would have it, the cheeky bastard dispelled himself at that moment.
Naruto blinked and tried to sift through the sea of crazed memories left behind by his doppelganger. They came all too easily.
Her tan body sprawled beneath him, breasts bared to the world, breath escaping her in little mewls of pleasure as he-CEASE! He tried to ram the brakes on that train but it was too late; it derailed and he felt every instant as keenly as if it were his own.
"Not fair." she whined, pressing against him. "I was first. What do they have that I don't...?"
In Sienna's case? Several things. Trained fighters. Resources. A libido as large as she was tall. To say nothing of Glynda's stubbornness, perseverance and huntress training. Both could likely handle themselves in a fight, and Glynda wasn't even on their side yet. He could have listed any number of things, but something told him Satin would take it poorly.
Wisely, he chose another path.
"Satin, you're drunk. Tipsy at the least."
...am not." she snatched the bottle off the table. "Not yet." before he could stop her she rammed it to her lips and drank deeply. "See?" she waved it in his face. "Still...*hic*...still standin'...!
Not water! Not water at all!
"No, but she's certainly thirsty-
"Out!"
"No fun...
Marshaling the last dregs of his resolve, he pried the bottle from Satin's grasp and steered her toward the bed. "Who gave you that?"
"Yuma." Stain giggled and swayed a little. "Said it would help me feel better." She hiccuped. "I think he was lying."
...this was actually happening, wasn't it?
Naruto lowered himself to the bed and she plonked down beside him. Her head came to rest against his chest. They sat together in silence for a moment. She shifted restlessly, her hip brushing his. Her hand sought his, fingers twining restlessly with his. She mumbled something under her breath that he couldn't quite hear.
He didn't have the hear to push her away.
"I want to be of use to you." he heard her whisper. "Not just a lookout or a spy, but someone who can help you. Stand beside you; repay the kindness you've done. me. To do that, I need to be stronger. So...train me." she looked up at him through long lashes. "Please?"
Urk.
Naruto looked away.
"Sure, I guess can do that...
He turned to face Satin and found her sound asleep against his shoulder.
"Jeez," he reached out to pet her ears with a fond smile. "What am I gonna do with you..."
(.0.0.0.)
The Council of Atlas was many things.
Strong, stubborn, stoic, other unflattering words that started with the letter S. But they were not kind. No. Never kind. They ever acted in their own self interests, and rarely for the good of the people they were sworn to protect. Such was the price of power, and the corruption it brought. James Ironwood was learning this terrible truth the hard way; Through a conference call of all things!
Arrayed before the holographic images of the council-of which he held two seats!-he could do naught but clench his fists as his fellow tore into him.
"You shot an unarmed man!
"With all due respect," the general grit his teeth , "It was self defense. And he was an illusion-
It was a flimsy defense and he knew it.
"And if he had been real? Do you even realize what you've done?!
"It was for the safety and security of Vale!"
"Was it, now?" one of the councilors reared back and though he couldn't see the man's face through the call, his voice was like thunder. "Unfortunately for you, history will not see it that way. The "video" in question has already made the rounds online despite our attempts to eradicate and otherwise discredit. "Thanks to your oh-so-foolish actions, the integrity of Atlas is being called into question! The people are questioning us, General, all because of your folly."
"We do not negotiate with terrorists."
"If said terrorist can swat our ships from the sky and run circles around us, then perhaps we should."
This wasn't happening. Jame's felt his world lurch beneath him. "Everything I have done has been for the good of Atlas!"
"So you say. But be that as it may, you have unleashed a demon upon us. Someone must pay the price. And you fired the first shot."
He listened to what followed with one ear, already knowing his face. Bureaucratic bullshit aside, he knew they'd already made up their minds. Their tone made their intentions clear. His career was going to sidelined at best, ruined at worst. And for what? Trying to silence a criminal? For doing the right thing? Fools, the lot of them! They were blind. They didn't see. No, perhaps they simply didn't want to see!
Someone must pay for this.
They would pay.
PAY.
(.0.0.0.)
"Did you have fun?"
"That depends." Naruto made a pointed effort not to look at Sienna as he slipped out of Satin's tent. "Did you have fun screwing my one of my shadow clones?"
"Yup." Her smile was nothing short of incorrigible, as she settled into step with him.
"Sienna!"
"What?! Can't a girl have a little fun? "In all seriousness, I've been trying to get in contact with you for days now." Her smile fizzled out as he met her gaze. "Ghira and Kali want to meet with you."
The Belladonas? Leaders of the White Fang? She'd mentioned them in passing; in all honesty, he'd not given them much thought. Sure, they were important, but Menagerie was so far away and Sienna was right here, all too happy to offer him her aid. Why would he dwell on two people he'd never meet? Yet something in her tone alarmed him all the same.
His brow furrowed. "I thought you had that handled."
She looked away from him. "I did...until the news got out."
"Well, they can well come here or call me if they want to chat." he turned away from her with a huff as he pushed into their shared tent. "I'm not going to Menagerie. I've got a city to run, people to help, bastards to kill...
He made it all of three steps in before a heavy hand settled upon his shoulder. His momentum died instantly.
"Yes," a low masculine voice intoned in his ear, "We'd like to speak with you about that."
Naruto stiffened. Flicked a glance at Sienna. "They're right behind me, aren't they?
Sienna palmed her face. "You didn't give me a chance to warn you."
Against his better judgement, Naruto turned to face his doom.
Truth be told, Ghira and Kali didn't look that scary on the surface. He took them in at a glance, their dark hair and bright golden eyes. Ghira's tall stature, Kali's petite frame. They seemed nice. At a glance one might even think they were happy to see him. Their smiles said otherwise; he could see it in their eyes, the way they all but looked at him as though he were some dangerous animal, a fox that might bite at the slightest provocation.
"So you're the one Sienna's been gushing about." Kali beamed at him. "So nice to meet you, dear. Now lets talk."
Naruto felt Ghira's shadow looming over his shoulder.
"I'm not going to enjoy this, am I?"
Sienna sighed softly.
"Neither am I...
A/N: Aaaaand there we go.
As ever, reviews are the fuel to my fire, without them, I can't write a word.
Not to much to say this time, I let the chapter speak for me.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review, Would You Kindly?
Here, have preview!
Future ones, at any rate.
Been watching Invincible as of late. Its given me...ideas...
(Previews)
The meeting was every bit as torturous as he'd expected.
Well, it did have one bright side...
"Blake?!"
"Adam?!"
Aw. Two kids hugging each other. They looked so happy...
Neo couldn't laugh.
She had a wicked sense of humor, make no mistake, she simply couldn't vocalize it. Most of the time she settled for body language, the occasional sign when wanted, or even her scroll when she was feeling impish. But no, never laughter. Such a shame really; because if she could laugh she would be absolutely cackling right about now
Instead she settled for a smile as she skipped through the streets of Vale and listened to the sirens wail. Music to her ears.
A hand tugged at her sleeve. "Help...!"
She sighed. 'Not another one...
Naruto's sword met the skull of a Beowolf in a whirl of red plasma, effortlessly bifurcating the beast. From there he moved on, a red riot that cut the creatures apart like wheat from chaff. They fell before him in droves. None could stand before him.
Perhaps there was a better way to describe the slaughter that followed, how he fought, his flips and ripostes, the graceful arcs of his blade as he scythed the enemy down.
Adam was just a child. If there was a better way do describe this massacre he couldn't find it.
He wanted that power. More than anything, he wanted to learn from him.
A power like that could save everyone.
R&R~!