A/N: EDIT: Added some more content for ya'll. Hope you like it~!
Holy crap, we're nearly at 2000 reviews?! Never thought I'd see the day...
That said, I took Wednesday off -no update that day- to work on some stories, so you can expect rapid fire updates pretty soon.
As ever, the Embers rule Remains; sad as that may sound, its the truth. If folks don't like this story...well, it won't be continued. Most likely, I'll delete it if it comes to that. I haven't the time to write something folks don't like. Two jobs keep me terribly busy as such that I have barely any time to write.
And still, I try my best to persist with the daily updates. Why, you ask? Oddly enough, it keeps me sane.
I really can't write without feedback, sad as it sounds. Sorry to bother you...T_T
Now for a few questions. Lets keep it simple this time around:
Q: Timeskips when, damnit!
A: Timeskips now! I told you they were coming.
Q: When you doing those requests?
A: Oiiiii! Lemme update my other stuff first! And now I'm getting stuff for Jujutsu Kaisen!
*looks at the Request Folder* Take this latest one for instance. An adult Naruto and Sasuke reincarnated in Remnant as kids with their full memories intact during Ozpin and Salem's little cold war. Naruto as Ozpin's son, and Sasuke as Salem's. Naruto would act like Gojo while Sasuke would essentially be a more mellow version of Sukuna.
Wait, wouldn't that be a triple crossover of sorts?
EDIT: I've written it, and its finished, but I ain't publishing it. Not unless folks want to see it.
Q: Are you still writing alone?
A: I don't "always" update daily these days, but usually if I can, I will.
Help trickles in every now and again, but its mostly me these days. Dylan and G28 have contributed a time or two, same with Agurra of the Darkness and the like. My sister has been known to help me out on occasion; we bounce ideas off one another. These days, I'm editing her stuff, too. She's trying to write an actual trilogy, already got three books written at that; its just a matter of getting 'em published, and make no mistake, they ARE getting published.
Can't say anymore than that, don't want to spoil her big debut~!
Q:...you enjoy writing Roman, don't you?
A: Yup. He's one of my favorite characters. Its downright criminal the way RWBY wasted him. Criminal, I say!
Though apparently he may be making a comeback in the next season? How?!
I've only heard rumors, nothing concrete...
Q: When will Naruto hit his next target?
A: Ask and you shall receive.
Q: Have the shipping wars begun, m'lord?
A: In earnest. And don't worry. Roman's getting a gal of his own down the line, though I'll not say whoooo~!
Alright, I've kept you long enough.
You came here for a story, didn't you? Don't mind the rambling of sickly man.
As ever, I own no quotes, references, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one! Hope you enjoy!
"Peace is a funny thing. I find it works one of three ways: One! You manage to talk the other party down.
Two! You leverage something or someone your adversary wants in order to attain said peace.
Three! And this is my personal favorite! You speak softly and carry a big stick."
~Roman.
Partners in Peace
Three months later, the Grimm came for Mountain Glenn.
Their approach was met with a great wave of cleansing ebony fire. Black hellfire swept forth from the recently-repaired walls of city; dark flame surging down-then-across fertile fields to swarm over the horde that marched on its gates. At a glance, the blaze appeared to incinerate all before it. Crops, construction, Grimm alike. Yet for all its heat and intensity the dark inferno did not consume everything. It chose its targets like a living organism, slipping harmlessly over half-made buildings, avoiding crops, sparing their hard-earned harvest the wrath of those burning embers.
The Grimm were not so fortunate; for while the Flame ignored that which was of the earth, it actively sought out the monsters.
Beowolves burned. Ursa died in droves; suicidal charges faltering as they fell clawing at themselves, flailing now against the eternal fires clinging to them. Those that escaped soon wished they hadn't. The flames were never meant to kill them, only hobble them. Slow them, for what was to come. Behind that initial volley came all manner of focused fire; rockets, esoteric semblances, even flung boulders in some cases. Beneath such a withering barge the Grimm stood no chance.
Those of the Glenn had seen their fair city fall once before. Never again.
Roman tutted softly to himself, took a long drag on his cigar, exhaled, popped another brace of rounds into Melodic Cudgel, and unloaded into the dark mass below with a gleeful grin. At this range it was impossible for him -or anyone really- to miss their targets. Not a single monster was spared, nor a single round wasted. From the east, the bulk of the horde were set upon by a swarm of armed clones; hacked to death under a living river of blazing blades.
"Nothing quite like a little fire and brimstone in the morning...
It was, in a word, death. And the best part? The world would see it all firsthand; they would understand that this fledgling colony was a colony no longer. Power came to those who took it. That was the ugly truth of this world. Roman knew it for a fact. He'd seen the true face of the underworld, and all the rotten filth that every city's criminal underbelly had to offer. When it came to crime, Mistral wasn't that different from Vale, nor Vale from Vacuo, or Atlas, and vice versa.
Because you see, this was the real world. The real world was cold; it didn't care about spirit. So you had to make it care.
They were Flame -no matter how much the Boss hated that name- here to bring a bit of warmth back into the world. Really, it wasn't the name he would've chosen for this organization, but it worked. The people of the world wouldn't give a damn until they were made to; until you ripped the pretty little veil off their eyes and showed them just how ugly the world really was.
What was the old saying? If you wanted something done right, do it yourself. Yeah, that was the one. And daaamn if it didn't work.
"First line, retreat and reload!" Naruto's voice boomed a command at his flank. "Second line! With me! Forward!"
Roman flicked a glance down the line. "You heard him! Move!'
Gradually, the Fang's formation retreated, offering spotty fire as Grimm clamored onto the wall.
Guns fell. Melee weapons were drawn. The time for bullets was over. Now came the hour of the sword and the ax.
Junior's boys stepped in to fill the gap left by the firing squad, led by the man himself. Red Axes swung. Grimm fell. Heh. Who knew a bunch of would-be-terrorists and gangsters could be useful?
Seeing her chance, Neo leaped over their shoulders; the little hellion flinging herself into the horde with a sadistic smile. Naruto waded in after her, sword swinging, flames blazing, hollering orders as he went. Where his hands waved, giant eldritch arms of violent violet lanced out, swatting the invaders from the walls. Amaterasu flashed out time and time again, burning only enemies, and never allies.
An angry Ursa lunged at him, only to be summarily snatched up and crushed in a skeletal fist.
Naruto laid out three more with a glance; not killing but stunning them into a stupor. By the time he turned away they were flinging themselves at their fellows in a frothing rage. Huh. He'd forgot about that little trick of his. Damn eye was bloody overpowered. Just another reason to stay on his good side. Another swooped down at his unprotected back. Melodic Cudgel barked and the creature fell with a hole through its torso.
A familiar chained whip flashed over his head and took its life before he could finish it off.
"Hey!" Roman rounded on the responsible party with a hiss. "You stole my kill!
"Secured~!" Sienna purred, stalking past him. "I secured your kill."
Roman watched its mangled corpse tumble away with a wince.
"So uncivilized." he saw the crumbling corspes behind it and scowled. "That still only counts as one!"
A furious cry filled the air and a Berringel blasted by, missing most of its lower torso. He glimpsed a pair of angry, arched ears as Satin Scarlatina rode it to the ground and stomped down on its skull, popping it like some great overripe grape. Her eyes met his for all of an instant, then she threw herself back into the fray; landed on the shoulders of a Beowoulf, locked her legs around the back of its neck and twisted her thighs. Even from Roman heard the pop as its neck broke. Satin vaulted off it in search of a new victim.
Alright. Don't mess with the bunny. Seemed someone had taken their training seriously.
"Apathy!" The fatigued cry came from further own the line. "Three of 'em!"
Roman tensed, seeing a trio of spindly figures climb up over the wall.
In the end, he needn't have worried; because Naruto whirled, inhaled deeply, and spat. Molten fire burst from his lips to strike the humanoid grimm head on in a roaring inferno. Death was instant. Where the fire struck, nothing survived. Naught remained of them. Not even ashes. Roman found himself whistling at the sight. Well, that was a new trick.
A cry went up. "For the Flame!"
Roman saw Naruto's face twitch and hid a smile of his own.
When he didn't protest, the defenders rallied around him; and that, as they say, was that.
As mighty as they were, the Grimm weren't limitless; at least this horde wasn't. They fought on and on, as the sun crept higher in the sky.
Roman wasn't sure when their numbers began to thin, only that they did. He brained a Beowolf with his cane, kicked an deathstalker off the wall, then whirled in search of another, only to find none. Behind him the last of the Grimm were being mopped up. Below, most of the horde had succumbed to the flames.
A faint beeping from his Scroll had him checking his aura levels. He blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Thrice, now.
'Not even in the yellow. Holy hell. All that training really paid off...
He found Hei propped up on his club some yards away, heaving for air. Old bastard had taken a nasty wound to his right shoulder, nothing aura wouldn't heal, but his arm would be out of commission for awhile. Didn't stop his boys from clapping him on the back.
"Still alive?"
Junior's glare promised pain as he limped over. Sonuvabitch...you didn't tell there'd be this many!"
"Didn't expect this many." And he hadn't; this was easily thrice the number since the last incursion. Their numbers were going up. "How many did we lose?"
Hei smirked. Huh. Didn't know the bugger had it in him. "...none."
His left eye twitched. "Whaddya mean, none?!"
"We've got out fair share of injured, sure," the older man hefted himself upright. "But we're alive. Those drills came in clutch."
They both knew it for a lie. The heavy hitters had carried the day.
"You mean he did."
Both men turned in time to find Naruto helping a weary Neo to her feet. The mute hopped once in place, arms spread wide in a clear gesture. He couldn't see the kid's face this far away, but he saw the blond move his lips and mutter a few words. Whatever it was had Neo lunging at him, squeezing his chest for all she was worth.
Satin bulled in on his side, stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. Naruto sputtered.
Sienna saw it, raced over, grabbed him by the face, and smooched him outright.
Glynda scowled at the four of them from afar.
Roman knew that look. It was war.
Heh.
Little miss Goodbitch wasn't the prim and proper lady she depended to be. He saw through her. Turns out having an actual huntress on call was pretty damn handy. Not only did her semblance allow her to hurl massive chunks of rubble with ease, but she'd proven herself a boon to the construction efforts over these last three months. Word of her involvement would get out of out course -ridiculous mask or not!- a semblance like hers was fairly distinctive. For now, she seemed to revel in relative anonymity among the, well...populace. She'd already gathered something of a following among the Fang thanks to her no-nonsense-attitude and strict adherence to dignity.
Whether she knew it or not, Glynda was going native. Didn't take much to see why.
...lucky bastard." Junior muttered. "Just look at him. He's got them eating out of his hand."
"Kid's a good leader." Roman tacitly chose to dodge that bullet. "Knows how to motivated the troops." Sensing an opportunity, he waggled a brow at his old friend. "Any chance he could "motivate" you and yours to set up shop down here?"
"Nope." Junior tried to cross his arms, winced when his wound protested, but denied him all the same. "Not happening."
"You sure?" Roman jabbed him, drawing a growl. "The kid can be mighty persuasive."
"Don't swing that way. Torchwick. You wanna bugger him, be my guest."
He slapped his back with a hearty laugh. "Screw you too, Junior."
They shared a laugh.
And why shouldn't they? They were alive. At the end of the day, that was all that mattered. But the boss was headed their way; Junior took the chance to escape, leaning on one of his boys for support, and Roman found himself tossed to the wolves once more. He put on a winning smile and peered over his shoulder. The girls were busy bickering; small wonder the blond had taken his chance to scarper.
"You alright there, ladykiller?"
Naruto swatted his head. "Not one word about that."
Roman's hat, already battered and full of claw marks from the battle, crumpled with a flat sound.
His eyes flicked up at it as he made a mournful sigh. "That wasn't very nice. I do believe you killed my hat. What's on your mind?"
"You're my partner and my advisor." Naruto raised his hand, ready to chop him once more. "Now get your head outta yer ass and tell me what you think of this."
The Grimm, he meant. Never one to mince words, his boss.
"You want my opinion? Something's attracting the beasties here." he took another cigar and exhaled a ring of smoke. "And it ain't us. Morale's been good lately. Ambushes aside, everyone's been in good spirits. No way we're drawing this many on negativity alone.
Naruto pursed his lips, but didn't argue the point. "What're you suggesting? Out with it already."
"We should take a team into the mountains." he didn't miss the latter's wince. "Find whatever's causing this and kill it stone dead."
"You know I can't leave that easily...
"Then round up some volunteers." a selfsame smile and a shrug. "Shouldn't be too hard. Just don't include me in that number."
A blond brow quirked. "Why not?"
Roman looked left. Roman looked right. "Preeetty sure this place would fall apart without the two of us. Three." he amended quickly lest Neo overhear him and swear revenge. "Maybe send the cat and the bunny with Neo for good measure. Should be a good bonding exercise.
And a chance to get them out of their hair!
"I don't like it. We should be focusing more on Vale, not the Grimm."
Another thing he liked about the Boss. He listened. Now if only he'd stop second-guessing himself, that'd be great. He supposed that was the mark of a good man.
Maybe someone oughta nip that in the bud. Might as well be him.
"You've changed things, kid." he stepped up and slung an arm around his shoulder. "There's no going back. See, to them, you're just a freak. Like me, like Neo, even the little bunny over there." he flicked a thumb over his shoulder toward Satin, Velvet's mother even now clamoring down the wall to join the others. So own it. EMBRACE it."
"What about Glynda?"
"Watch those provisions!" The harsh crack of a weapon filled the air. "Put your backs into it!"
Another bullet to dodge. "She's settling in. Let her be."
"Someone's a workaholic." Naruto muttered to himself. "Hmm? Yeah, tell me about it."
...who are you talking to?"
The wayward warrior rolled his eyes. "Just a parasite."
"Oi!" Roman could've sworn he heard a voice just then. "PARASITE?! Apologize!"
Nah. Probably his imagination.
With the last of the Grimm dispersed, the gates were opened once more. Riders were be sent out to tend the fields, and civilians with them. All under heavy guard of course. They weren't stupid.
Sienna would be down there with them and...oh. Ohhhh, he didn't like the look of that.
There were people approaching the walls. His hackles rose at the sight. Hey, they might not be bounty hunters. Could be refugees from one of the outlying villages for all they knew. Danger was inevitable once you found yourself outside the walls of Vale, and Mountain Glenn was a sore sight closer than the main city. This far from proper civilization anything could happen. No peace lasted forever, least of all in Vale. Roman knew this to be an indisputable truth.
A scream went up.
Naruto's head whipped in that direction. "Satin!"
Then he was gone, tearing away from Roman and hurtling down into the madness below.
Glynda looked fit to fling herself down the wall after him, he grabbed her shoulder and hauled her back.
"Stay!" Roman snapped a finger at her when she tried to protest. "You're not supposed to be here in the first place. Don't let yourself be seen."
His message delivered, he took three sharp steps back, gauging the distance. Kahn was already down there, and he wasn't about let that kitty-kat show him up. 'Sides, his aura could tank a fall like that. He'd almost been a huntsman, once. He still remembered initiation.
'And then your team died here.' a nasty little voice needled him. 'Well, most of them. Wonder how old Bart's doing?'
He shoved the stab of guilt aside and leaped.
"Geronimo...!"
A hand closed around his jacket.
"Wha-Neo?! Oi! Wait just a second! I don't need-
Too little, too late. She grabbed him. The world blurred.
(.0.0.0.)
Bounty hunters.
Why was it always bounty hunters?!
Naruto swept his blazing blade forward, warding it before him like a hot bar of iron.
Really, their timing was impeccable; they must've followed the horde, waited until they thought he was spent. Really, it was a good plan. Attack your enemy when they were at their weakest. Use the terrain and hostages whatever you could, to your advantage. He was almost proud of their ingenuity...and relieved that he'd spotted them so quickly.
A full two dozen men and women, armed to the teeth.
More than he felt comfortable taking on with so many civilians around.
"You never learn, do you?" he raised his voice, snarling at them as the farmers and the Fang retreated behind him. "How high is the bounty on me these days?"
No response. The hunters shifted and shied away, realizing he wasn't easy prey.
"Nothing to say?" He stepped forward, brandishing his weapon in an overzealous flourish; the move useless, but designed to intimidate. "Well?!" another step and some of them shrank back. "Who wants to go first?! Come on then! I'm feeling generous today!"
Inwardly, his mind began to race. Bluff. Stall Give the others time to draw back.
He could already hear Sienna barking orders behind him. Everyone was exhausted after that last battle, and those who weren't were busy tending the wounded. Who was left to fight? Him? Roman? Sienna had her people to look after, and Neo wasn't in much better shape.
Satin slipped past just then, stumbling a little. His eyes snapped to a scarlet stain on her upper torso. In the time it had taken him to get down here, she'd taken a dust round to her stomach. Aura had bore the brunt of the wound, but he could see blood trickling through her coat as it dribbled down her leg.
"M'fine." she muttered blackly, sensing his gaze. "Just a scratch. Don't worry about me...
"You're bleeding!"
"No, really?" Her ears drooped with a selfsame smile. "This is nothing compared to what you saved me from." he tried to pivot and she shoved him back. "Go! Kick their asses. For me, yeah?"
Then she was gone, vanishing back into the retreating crowd, leaving him to simmer.
"What did I tell you?" Sasuke's specter swept past. "She's got spirit."
Naruto heaved a sigh. "You're trying to corrupt me, aren't you?"
His old friend smiled. "I prefer the term...enlighten.
The silence proved telling.
"I'm not going to betray you, Naruto. I meant that." he waved hand through the air, fingers ghosting through another fleeing civilian. "I can't take control of you; I wouldn't, even if I wanted to. Although...
"Although?"
A smile. "I'm not above giving you advice."
His brow furrowed. "What did you have in mind...?"
"These targets you're considering," his lone eye swept back to them. "What do they all have in common?"
"They're dead men?"
"Points for spirit, but no. Look at them." A hand swept out. "They're all unusually equipped, even for Huntsman and Huntresses. Look at their weapons. Brand new. Not a spot of wear or tear on them. Same goes for their armor. That's Atlas tech right there. They're all armed with it. What does it tell you?
...that said dead men are far from home." he amended.
"Think deeper. Would Jacques Schnee outfit men to kill you? Possibly. But this kind of hardware...
A greying veteran with blue hair stepped forward before he could finish. He noticed the telltale white and blue coat.
"Its nothing personal, son." he spoke slowly around the reed in his mouth, hand on one, "This has to be done. Surrender."
"Bah. Not personal, he says." Naruto bit his lip to stifle a sigh. "Feels pretty damn personal to me...
"Your criminals, the lot of you. Come quietly and we can avoid any...unpleasantness."
He stepped forward. Weapons came up.
"Right. Criminals." His right eye began to twitch. "Sure, just paint everyone with a broad stroke, why don't you?" No point in explaining himself to this lot. He'd tried before. "How much am I worth these days, anyway?"
The leader named the price on his head.
"Daaaamn boss." Roman whistled, informing him of his presence. "Sure we can't turn you in and have you break out again?" he turned to find him and Neo stalking his way. The latter looked bent on murder. "That's not a small sum...
Three against twelve; he liked those odds a little better.
But there were still people here. Any of his broader techniques -his or Sasuke's alike- would set this entire place alight. Just a little more time.
"Whatever they're offering you, I'll match it." Naruto countered quickly. "Just step aside. There's no need to do this here."
The hunters looked among one another.
Someone spoke near the back. "...that you, Roman?"
The criminal perked up, green eyes narrowing. "I know that voice!"
Heavy boots clanked against the dirt.
An older man stepped forward, breaking ranks. His armor was different than the others. Older. Worn. Dusty leather framed by a trenchcoat, gauntlets, and a menacing pair of dust-pistols at is side. A brown wide-brim hat completed the ensemble and concealed his face, but he raised it now, revealing deep blue skin and vivid red eyes. When he smiled it was a death's head grin, sharp and full of teeth. Armed to it, too. Naruto glimpsed a keen wit lurking that aging face, a determination the others lacked. Not armed in Atlas gear either. A freelancer, then.
They broke off from the others and strode -stalked!- towards them before pausing only a stone's throw away.
"Cad?" someone called out after him. "What're you doing? Get back here!"
"Shut your hole, Damian." the stranger didn't even deign to look back, "Let me handle this."
And yet, he didn't look at him, but Roman.
...seems you did well for yourself." he said at length; his voice was a low drawl. Naruto couldn't place the accent. Mistral, maybe? "Not bad, kid. What's your angle here? And if it ain't little Neo. Still short was ever, I see." The dainty girl flipped him off for that, drawing a throaty chuckle. "On second though," Red eyes swept to the fortifications, and the guns even now being remounted atop them, then back to the trio. "Nevermind that." he planted one hand on his right hip and spoke again, voice low, for their ears alone. "You hirin'?"
Roman's elbow hit Naruto hard enough to bruise his ribs. "Say yes! I'll explain later."
Naruto dove on it. "I am. Pay's pretty good, if I say so myself."
The gunslinger grunted at that. "Benefits?"
"Negotiable." he fired back.
There was a pause.
And then.
"Fair."
Twin pistols ripped free of their holsters as their owner pivoted and unloaded with wicked speed that even a shinobi would've been hard pressed to match. Naruto leaped forward-only to realize his mistake a heartbeat later as his feet skidded to a halt. Not a single shot hit them. He stowed his blade, the danger past.
Because you see, Cad hadn't been aiming their way.
Behind the gunslinger, nine men dropped as one unit, holes in their heads. The rest jolted as their weapons fell apart in their hands.
One of the Hunters yelped, suddenly finding himself unarmed. "Bane, what the hell?!"
"Nothin' personal." the man -or Faunus?- spun his guns and holstered them with a long sigh. "I'm loyal to lien, not some prick in Atlas. Can' rightly collect if I wind up dead." Just as quickly, he turned back and tipped his hat to Naruto. "Cad Bane, finest gun in Vacuo, at your service." Those thin lips pursed. "You better keep your word or we'll be havin' problems."
Naruto smiled and reached up to his. "Oh, I will...Roman."
Torchwick gulped. "...yeah, boss?"
"You can tell aaall about your friend later. For now?" He uncovered his once more. It shone in the dim light. "RUN."
Clouds rolled in overhead.
"Running~!"
Behind them, Satin startled a little as a black portal opened behind her, dark as the void itself. Roman snatched up Neo. Together they dove through. Sienna limped after them with a grimace, but hesitated at the last. For some she couldn't bring herself to enter. Perhaps she was worried for him. Maybe she was afraid. Who could say. He gave her a nod and winked.
"Go on." he smiled for her sake. "I'll be along in a minute."
Reluctantly she did as she asked. Naruto kept smiling until he was certain she was safe.
Bane lingered.
"You're not going?"
He received a shrug. "Figured I'd stay and see the show if its all the same to you.
"Suit yourself, then." The very moment the last civilian was through, he closed the portal, stopped smiling, reached to his belt and drew his blade. A quick squeeze ignited it. Crimson plasma bathed his visage in scarlet glow, casting dancing shadows in the dark. "Alright. You idiots have my attention...and my anger." his smile was all teeth. "Congratulations. I hope its everything you wanted...
With his free hand he reached up and made a single sign. Sparks surged forth from his body into the clouds above.
...because its the last thing you'll ever see."
They'd come to take him at his weakest, when those who followed him were weak and wounded. These were not good people. They were opportunists, vultures come to the slaughter. That they'd been armed by one of his most ardent enemies was simply gasoline on the fire. He'd given him all the chances they were going to get. Cad had listened. The rest hadn't. He couldn't let them live and run back to their masters; not when doing so would give them a chance to strike.
Though it pained him, there could be only one solution.
"Oh?" Sasuke's specter hummed in appreciation as the clouds blazed blue. "Good choice. A fan of the classics, I see."
Someone looked up, saw it and gasped. Another did the same. A third whimpered softly.
Cad turned his gaze to the clouds and offered a low whistle. "I'll be damned."
Naruto's grin grew as the sky began to brighten from on high.
Everyone saw the great glowing beast that emerged.
His hand clenched, then swept back down.
"Vanish with the thunderclap."
And heaven answered.
A/N: Yes, that was a star wars reference in the form of Cad Bane. He's sticking around.
And there we go. Next time: Partners in...?
As ever, the Embers rule Remains.If folks don't like this story...well, it won't be continued. Strange as it might sound, live for reviews and feedback; without them, I simply can't write a single word. So by all means! Speak up! Really, that's no joke. Your feedback is the reason this story continues. Ever bit helps. It keeps me going in these crazy times. So by all means! Speak up! No review is too short or too small!
As ever, read the previews before you review, please.
So In the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review, Would You Kindly?
Now, enjoy the previews.
Also, a warning:
SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
(Preview)
"My life? Worthless? Maybe so. But its never been about me." Naruto wiped a line of blood from his mouth and slammed a fist into the air. "Its been about helping people! Making a difference! Changing the world! Ain't that right, boys?!"
Behind him a hundred shadow clones mirrored him with a roar. "YES!"
"And are we going down without a fight?!"
"NO!"
"So," he snarled, ripping the bandage from his face. "Now I've got a question for ya." Sasuke's eye burned like balefire in his skull as he glared up at the ships filling the sky. "Would you like these clones to use Susanoo or not? Your choice."
Neo did a happy little hop behind him. This. THIS! This was why she followed him.
Emerald had starry eyes.
Bane grunted. "Why's the brat grinning at me?"
Naruto chuckled. "I think she wants marksmanship lessons."
"I was thinking about names for kids. How about Alkaid for a girl and Haseo for a boy?"
"Oi! You're not even pregnant!"
"Not yet, I'm not." came the cattish reply. Warm fingers stroked his chest. "Might wanna work on that."
"SIENNA!"
Summer held up the test.
Taiyang blinked. Once. Twice. Thrice, now.
"Oh, hey." Qrow peered over his shoulder. "Didn't see that coming.
Roman whistled softly to himself while he worked. "Bang, bang, bang...have a nice dream...
"Evil is evil. Lesser, greater, midling. Its all the same. But what we do here, tonight, is not evil!"
You will take no action, James. Do you understand?"
Ozpin smacked his forehead.
"Grey." he muttered to himself. "I don't know what to do with grey. Life was so much easier when everything was black and white, good and evil...
Satin puffed out her cheeks and stomped a foot.
Glynda adjusted her glasses. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend?"
The faunus rounded on her with sparkling eyes. She had no idea what she'd unleashed.
"What do you have to say for yourself?"
She lifted her chin in defiance.
"A pleasure to meet you." the man bowed graciously. "My name is Arthur Watts. I couldn't help but overhear your little...Atlas problem. Perhaps I can be of assistance."
R&R~!