I'll be honest... I did not like how this chapter turned out.
Pardon my grammar.
Hellboy 2 - The Story of the Golden Army
"Not all fairy tales have happy endings, Ruby." Blake told her team leader, "Sometimes people change things to make them a little bit… Err, happier."
"Yeah, like a children's story." Yang nodded.
The room darkened.
"It's starting," Ren said.
The scene starts off with an old gentleman known as Professor Trevor Bruttenholm, or Professor Broom; retrieving a wooden box from his stash. He placed it down and opened it, revealing an assortment of charms, candles, and trinkets. But what he was truly after was the large ornate book that was strapped on the inner lid.
Sitting not far from Professor Broom is Hellboy himself. A young boy with crimson skin and two horns, one of which has been reduced to a stump.
"Is… That a faunus?" Velvet hesitantly asked the Hosts. Coloration aside, the young Hellboy could pass off as one.
"No. This one is not a faunus. This one is half-demon, half-human."
Port raised an eyebrow, "Demons?"
"Correct. Demons from other planes of existence, but we shall not discuss that for the time being."
Hellboy sat patiently on a stool holding his puppet, waiting for his father to read the story of the Golden Army for this special winter night. The professor carefully took the book out of its box, sat down, and started reading an ancient story long forgotten by mankind.
"It is said that at the dawn of time – man, beast and all magical beings lived together under Aidlin, the Father Tree." As the professor read on, Hellboy turned and stared at the fire crackling in the small metal furnace of their residences. "But man had been created with a hole in his heart. A hole that no possession, power or knowledge could fill. And in his infinite greed, man dreamt of expanding his dominion over the entire Earth."
The camera slowly zoomed into the fire, letting the red flames flicker, transitioning the audience into a stark world. A world whose tale was told through puppetry.
"That certainly brings me back." Port twirled his mustache, remembering the wooden puppet shows his grandfather would bring him to watch. "These are meant to represent humans?"
Ozpin agreed with Port. This certainly brought the ancient wizard back in time when the CCT did not exists. Puppet shows were the only entertainment that could even come close to it.
"Correct. The featureless, plain puppets are humans."
Thunder roared across the sickly clouds above a featureless wooden puppet representing a human. The human stood attention, straightening up along with several identical wooden puppets. They emitted a low, guttural sound as they raised their spears into the air, slamming it down with a solid thud.
On the other side, a large wooden puppet representing an ogre growled and turned to face the oncoming human army. It stood amongst the ranks of many magical creatures, preparing to defend their lands against the encroaching humans.
"I'm guessing that those guys are magical beings." Coco sat back in her seat.
"Correct."
Blake silently watched, drawn to the tale of conflict between man and magical beings. It reminded her of the issues between humans and faunus. Knowing what the Hosts said, this one might have a good ending.
"Looks like there are several… Different species amongst their army. Do they have a single name they unified under?" Ozpin asked.
The ancient wizard knew that magical beings existed. The Brother Gods, the Relic of Knowledge entity known as Jinn… It was interesting to know that there were other beings that were supposedly magical. Ozpin idly wondered what they were capable of.
"They call themselves the Sons of the Earth or the Bethmoora Clan."
A large swarm of humans came charging wildly towards the column of heavily armed magical beings. Their battle cries filled the air, declaring to the magical beings that they, the humans, will not be stopped here.
The magical beings let out a united grunt, projecting their pole weapons out towards their enemies and braced themselves as the humans came charging in. Their battle cries echoing as the two armies clashed together, cutting to black.
Winter frowned, "They charged straight into a wall of spears?"
"Eh, lighten up Ice Queen." Qrow wagged a finger at her.
"Hey!"
"Not you, Ice Queen Jr." Qrow took a swig from his flask. "Look, Ice Queen. It's just a story told with puppets. Did you think they're going to reenact an actually, tactical battle?"
"I'll give you that." Winter sneered.
It fades back to the aftermath of the battle, shredded banners swaying in the winds, wooden puppets representing different species laid motionless as corpses. The dead piled amongst one another, packed tightly till it was but a hill of corpses.
"A mountain of corpses. The price of war." Ozpin quietly said, remembering the Great War that occurred nearly centuries ago.
"A symbolic representation of the lives lost in battle." Neptune grimly mused.
"Nerd." Sun scoffed.
"Intellectual." He corrected.
"The blood of many elf, ogre and goblin was spilled in their war with man."
Standing atop of mountain of corpses was a lone tree and a regal puppet, decorated with a craved crown and a cloth cloak. This puppet represented King Balor, the elf king. He surveyed the field of carnage with sorrow and placed one hand over his face in grief.
"And King Balor, the one-armed king of Elfland watched the slaughter in dread and despair."
Ozpin felt sympathy for King Balor. One of his previous incarnations was the King of Vale, witnessing the Great War raging throughout Remnant.
"The world is cruel and unforgiving." Roman scoffed.
"So, who's winning this war? The humans or these magical beings?" Mercury causally asked, feeling slightly bored.
The Hosts didn't answer.
The scene cuts to a stocky, crown-wearing puppet limping towards King Balor's throne. It was the master of the goblin blacksmith. The goblin halted a few feet away from the stairs before the throne and bowed to King Balor.
"But one day, the master of the goblin blacksmiths offered to build the King a golden mechanical army. Seventy times, seventy soldiers that would never know hunger and could not be stopped."
Ironwood perked up at that, "That sounds interesting."
"Indeed." Ozpin nodded.
"Why didn't they do that earlier?" Jaune asked. If they could have built an army like that during the start of the war, why didn't they do so?
"And why limit the number to seventy?" Plot holes always irked Weiss. Especially certain fairy tales whose entire plot seemed to revolve around something that could easily be solved.
Qrow shrugged, "We may never know."
A detailed wooden puppet representing Prince Nuada leaned closer to his father, King Balor, and whispered into his ears, while his twin sister; Princess Nuala stood behind them.
"Prince Nuada begged his father to agree."
Blake did not know why, but she could feel the 'Adam vibe' coming off of the Prince Nuada puppet. She could somehow see the projection of King Balor as her father and Princess Nuala as herself. The puppet characters on screen, the conflict… It was somehow relatable.
King Balor nodded to his son's request and walked down the flight of stairs, standing over the goblin.
"Build me this army." The King said.
The goblins set to work immediately. Ominous gears turned and grind against one another as the goblins worked tirelessly. They hammered and forged the metal bodies of the golden mechanical army, sending showers of spark into the air. Within time, seventy golden mechanical soldiers lined the room.
"Aw, I was hoping to see more stuff at their workshop." Ruby pouted.
"And what will a puppet show teach you what to build or inspire?" Yang teased her little sister.
Ruby responded by sticking out her tongue.
"So, a magical crown was forged that would allow those of royal blood to command the Golden Army if unchallenged."
"How do they know if the wearer is of royal blood?" Jaune asked, "What counts as royal blood. Is it like actual blood?"
"Well, it did say magically. So, I supposed that the crown will magically know somehow?" Pyrrha put out.
The master of the goblin blacksmith presented the royal family with a golden crown. Prince Nuada gently took the crown from the goblin and placed it over King Balor's head. After successfully mounting it over the old king, Prince Nuada stood back as his father rose from his throne.
"I am King Balor, leader of the Golden Army. Is there anyone who disputes my right?"
"And in his throne room, no one challenged his word." The golden army raised their swords in the air to greet their leader.
"But wait," The story was suddenly interrupted by Hellboy who was brushing his teeth. "What if someone could challenge him? Would they have a fight?"
"That's what I was thinking," Raven grumbled.
Qrow snorted disdainfully, "You're always gunning for the leadership, Rae. But you never challenged Summer's after she –"
"I still have pictures of you from our initiation." She threatened her brother, still keeping a picture of Qrow wearing a skirt and getting launched by a launch pad during Beacon's initiation.
That shut him up and piqued some interest from his nieces and comrades.
"Well, most likely, a challenge must be answered. But do you want to hear the end of the story or not?" Professor Broom looked slightly irritated.
"Yes, please." Hellboy nodded and resumed brushing his teeth.
The professor huffed, "So… The world was changed, and next time the humans marched,"
The scene fades back to the puppetry presentation. The human army proudly marched with their shields, weapons, and banners in the air. Undaunted and fearless.
"They felt the earth tremble beneath their feet –"
Their leader raised its hand to halt their march, feeling that something was wrong.
"They're doomed." Neo's sign read.
"and saw the sky darken with monstrous shapes."
The humans glanced up as they saw the Golden Army marching towards them. The mechanical soldiers towered over the humans many times and were impervious to their weaponry.
"Whoa, they are larger than I thought!" Jaune was taken aback by the size of a single mechanical soldier.
In fact, most of the audiences were also surprised as well.
The Golden Army raised its gigantic sword with one hand and began slaughtering the human army with ease. The humans futilely raised their shields, but the raw strength of these mechanical beings crushed their defenses. The mechanical roar of the Golden Army echoed as they laid waste to the human army.
The screen cuts to black.
"What goes around, comes around," Maria said softly.
"A wise quote." Ozpin agreed.
The next scene showed a field filled with human corpses. A lone survivor painfully crawled towards a spear sticking out of the field of corpses, reaching out to it. A giant sword stabbed the human through its torso, killing it instantly.
"No mercy." Said Raven, who also favors the same tactic under most circumstances. "Not that these giant robots know what that means in the first place."
Penny bristled at that but shook it off understanding that so far, all androids like her are soulless and emotionless.
Her friend, Ruby, didn't seem to enjoy Raven's comment and made a pouty face at her.
"The Golden Army had no remorse. Felt no loyalty or pain."
Qrow sneered at Ironwood, "Take note, Jimmy."
"You will address the general by his proper title and name," Winter growled.
"I ain't giving him that honor till he understands why Atlas Military sucks. Your walking trashcans ain't –"
"Qrow!" Ozpin cut off the drunk huntsman, "We can discuss this later."
Ironwood silently sighed. He was confident in Atlas technology but understands that it wasn't perfect. That said, he believes that it would be difficult for Atlas Military tech to be hacked and used against them. Still, it was essential to limit the number of casualties on the battlefield by introducing military androids.
In the 'villain' section, Roman shifted his eyes a bit while Cinder frowned slightly. She wasn't entirely concerned about the possible outcome for the time being. Cinder is certain that she has everything under control. As much as she hates to admit it, when it comes to tampering with Atlas technology; Arthur Watts is the person to rely on.
A lone mechanical soldier stared at the human it had just killed and raised it high into the air with triumph.
"And King Balor's heart grew heavy with regret."
It cuts back to King Balor and his children standing on top of a hill, watching the golden army raised their weapons in a reciprocating motion as if they were cheering. But to the king, there was no cause to celebrate for the atrocities he had committed. King Balor shook his head sadly and covered his eyes, lamenting about the choices he had made.
That hit slightly home for Ozpin, who destroyed a part of Vacuo during the Great War. To this day, Vacuo has yet to recover and Ozpin felt horrible for the lasting impact he made on that kingdom. However, it was a necessary action to take in order to end the Great War quickly.
"This king is too soft." Raven snorted.
"Not everyone is cruel and heartless." Glynda sneered at the bandit queen.
Raven glared back wanting to retort but swallowed it. She would not swoop to their level.
"So, he called a truce and divided the crown into three pieces."
The golden crown split into three pieces.
"One for the humans and two for himself."
Cinder mentally shook her head. That was simply a waste. To have that sort of power at their disposal only to get rid of it.
"He's a benevolent king." Oobleck nodded approvingly. There weren't many people who would give up power like that.
"Indeed." Ozpin agreed.
King Balor and his children stood before the human army. A lone human stood from the rest of the army still holding on to his spear and shield. Behind the human representative, the humans silently observed; their banners calmly fluttering in the wind.
Raising one arm, King Balor gestured for peace.
"You think the humans will agree to the truce?" Sun asked his partner, Neptune.
Neptune nodded since this story seemed to be heading in that direction. "I think they will."
"Peace between two different races is nice…" Blake sighed hopefully.
"ln exchange man would keep to the cities and the magical beings would own the forests."
The human glanced at his spear and shield… And dropped it on the ground.
"This truce would be honored by their sons and the sons of their sons until the end of time."
Roman shook his head, "Yeah, that's not going to happen."
"You're just a ray of sunshine, aren't you?" Maria snarked, "You might as well dye your hair gray or any depressing color to match your personality. And while you're at it, change your eyeliner to something dull to match your depressing theme. You too, little girl."
Roman and Neo stared flatly at Maria.
"She's my favorite now." Mercury laughed.
Emerald giggled, "I know, right?"
King Balor and the human shook hands, agreeing to the truce and ending the war between humans and magical beings. The human army let out a cheer, raising their hands and weapons to the skies and beating on their shields with glee.
"Yay! Happy ending!" Ruby cheered.
"I don't think so…" Blake said quietly.
Oscar silently nodded, having the same foreboding thinking as Blake.
However, not all stories have a happy closed end.
Princess Nuala felt her brother's dissatisfaction and glanced worryingly at him, while he glared at his father and humanity, clenching his fist and turned away.
"But Prince Nuada did not believe in the promises of man. And it is said that he went into exile vowing to return the day his people needed him most."
The prince walked into the sunset, exiling himself. Waiting for the day he would return and save his people from the mistakes his father had made. There will come a day where he will shine and be looked upon as his people's savior. But for now, he is not welcome.
Blake's cat ears flattened on her head. After that train incident where Adam was willing to blow up a train full of innocent people, she knew that he was no longer the person she knew. Should peace be made between the faunus, all four kingdoms and the SDC… Adam would most likely react the same way Prince Nuada had.
Ironwood sighed, "Some people can't move on. I can understand their reasoning, but…"
"We all can't live in the past." Oobleck said, "But that's easier said than done."
One cannot erase the pain and suffering of others or oneself. Resentment, hatred… Those feelings can come and stay for a very long time. And not everyone is as forgiving.
The scene fades to a room filled with deactivated mechanical soldiers being sealed away behind a large door.
"So, the Golden Army lay dormant locked inside the earth. Waiting."
The world of puppetry fades to the storybook being closed.
"And there it is to this day – awaiting the day the crown is made whole again. Silent. Still…" The professor leaned closer, whispering the last line. "and indestructible."
"No offense, but we fought and won against a giant military mech." Yang shot a glare at Roman, "And I demolished it with a single punch. Those golden robot things don't look like much."
"Yeah!" Nora pumped her fist.
"Wait, you kids did what now?" Tai gave his daughter a very serious stare.
Yang nervously glanced at him, "Uhm… We'll talk about that later."
"We assure you. None of you here are capable of destroying a single soldier of the Golden Army. The magic that fields their existence ensures that it will remain active."
"So, magic could be used that way…" Ozpin mused.
Cinder also shared the same thoughtful look as well.
"Wait, so… Those things are real?" Oscar asked before remembering who he was talking too. Some god-like entities that can control reality. "Forget about that question."
The farm boy sank into his seat, looking embarrassed.
Ruby patted him on the head, "Don't worry. We all made that mistake before."
Professor Broom got up and began to leave Hellboy's bedroom.
"What does it mean 'industrial?'" Hellboy asked the professor.
"Ha! That reminds me of Ruby when she tried to speak as a baby." Tai fondly remembered those days. Back when… Summer was alive as well.
"Daaad." Ruby pouted.
"Indestructible." The professor corrected him, "Means no one can destroy them. Go to sleep, my son."
Hellboy pulled out his toy revolver. It may seem odd, but he always felt comfortable sleeping with his revolver in hand.
"But it's just a story, right pops?"
Ominous chanting was now audible to the audience, foreshadowing that the Golden Army is very much real.
"Yes. I am very certain..." Raven placed great emphasis on the word 'certain' as she angrily glared at Ozpin and his group. "that it's just a story."
Fairy tales, myths, legends – Many of it were real events that happened in Remnant. The Four Maidens, the Girl in the Tower, the Tale of Two Brothers. Raven hated that she was dragged into a world of giants. She made a choice she regretted, but can no longer take it back.
Qrow eyes flashed dangerously, shifting his eyes to leer threateningly at his sister.
The rest of Ozpin's circle shared Qrow's sentiment, but before any of them could react, the headmaster coughed into his fist.
"Let's not upset our Hosts now."
"Is it now?"
"Yeah, come on. Those guys, they can't be real." Hellboy confidently said.
"Well, my son. I'm sure you'll find out."
The screen fades to black, ending the presentation.
"Just like how all of you will find out." Raven bitterly remarked.
The story had opened an old wound. A wound that started everything: Abandoning her daughter, leaving Tai and the team, returning to the Branwen Tribe, fearing constantly for her life!
Vernal shrunk a bit in her seat, knowing that her leader is in a very foul mood.
Yang eyed her mother with an unreadable expression. There was definitely something that resulted in her mother abandoning her family. This must have been it. Whatever it is. Yang glanced at Ozpin and Qrow. They seem to know the reason behind it. She will have to ask them, or her mother herself.
"Raven…" Tai said softly.
"I don't want to hear it," Raven growled.
"Enough with this." Maria interrupted them. The elderly woman would have been rolling her eyes if she had one. "I don't want our Hosts smiting us over this soap opera drama."
"Indeed." Ozpin casually took a sip from his mug. "There's a time and place for all of this."
Everyone was starting to feel awkward by the situation. Not a single person said a word or risk escalating the problem. Fortunately, the Hosts intervened before things got even more uncomfortable.
"The next screening will take place in an era rife with conflict. Culture clashes and imperialism reigned in this era. An era that was full of exploration and conquering. An era that was full of wars between cultures. An era before the World Wars. Do not fear, this viewing will not be as gruesome as the previous war you had witnessed."
Oobleck pushed up his glasses, "Interesting, but morbid."
"Oh my." Maria frowned, "Is this the world where Grimm doesn't exist?"
"Wait, no Grimm?" Oscar repeated the question.
"That's what I just said, silly boy."
Nora giggled softly, "Silly boy…"
"Indeed. This world holds no Grimm, no aura, no Dust, and no faunus. Prepare yourselves, for you shall be witnessing war once more. For some of you… It will be a first."
"Here we go again." Jaune drew a steady breath.
Coco nodded, "Yeah, no kidding."
For some reason, Ruby was covering Oscar's eyes.
"Um… Ruby?"
NEXT: The Last Samurai - Final Battle
Reaching the point where I will soon be taking requests through the review section and PMs. That said, I will also have others things in-between these other chapters as well.
It's not a promise. I still have a few more chapters to write.
Still trying to find subtitles of Saving Private Ryan, damn it.
Pardon my grammar.
