Chapter 12
Kagutsuchi City Expansion Construction Site- Morning
"Heal your wounds. I have much to do. For me… and for the two of you."
And with that, Rachel disappeared.
"So um… Who was that girl just now? How did she teleport us like that? And Captain Hazama…" Asked Noel, frantically.
"And you. Why… did we meet in the past?" Asked Noel as she lowered her head. "I don't have any memories as a child, or rather, they are a blur." She looked up at Ragna. "But why? Why do you look so familiar?"
"Hell if I know." Said Ragna sitting on the ground, with a cold voice, without even looking at her. "We've never met before today."
Ragna was telling the truth, but he had some ideas of who, or what she was.
'Either it's all a coincidence, and she just happens to look like Saya, or... she's one of those.'
"Now get lost! I don't have time for some stupid Library brat."
"Stu… stupid? How could you say that to someone you just met? Fine!" Said Noel, angrily. "Just forget it!" and then stormed off.
After Noel was out of sight, Ragna spoke. "She's gone. You can come out now."
Cinder was shocked. It was a coincidence that she ran into them and decided to spy on them. She didn't think he would find out.
'Might as well show myself.'
Just as she was ready to come out of the shadows, two people appeared from behind Ragna first.
'A boy… and a mannequin?'
A boy with a tall purple hat and cape, seem to be no more than twelve, thirteen at the most, beside him stood the large purple female shape mannequin.
"So the other mouse is just gonna stay where they are, huh?" Said Ragna, looking in Cinder's direction.
"Oh. Is there someone else here? Well, they'll just have to wait their turn." Said the boy.
'That mannequin… it can't be… Deus Machina: Nirvana? Why are there so many Noxs here?' Thought Ragna.
"Bounty Hunters?" Asked Ragna, standing up and facing them.
"Yes, but… I'm more interested in your Azure Grimoire, Mr. Ragna the Bloodedge."
'More competition! Damn it!' Thought Cinder.
"Sis." Said the boy to Nirvana, and she walked in front of the boy.
"The Azure Grimoire will be mine!"
"Take a number!" Roared Ragna as he drew his sword.
Kagutsuchi- Novus Orbis Librarium Headquarter- Intelligence Department
Hazama, or rather Terumi, was sitting behind his desk, peeling hard boil eggs, and putting them in small little cups. The door opened, and Relius walked in, with a metal case.
"Enjoying yourself? Hazama?" Greeted Relius, and put the metal case on the table. "I had finished the Armegis you requested."
"Relius! It's been too long." Said Terumi with arms opened.
"Ah, so it's Terumi I see. That means it worked. No. 12 is the new eye."
"Yes." Terumi pulled out Noel's file, and showed him the picture. "Isn't she a darling?"
Relius looked at the picture and said nothing.
"Oh, that's right, You don't judge people by physical appearance. How boring."
"Terumi, what was the point of involving Remnant? What are you scheming."
"Scheming? There is no grand scheme! I just do stuff! And then see what happens! If it works in my favor, great! If it doesn't, I'll just off Raggie!"
"And the Marshal Invictus?"
"Hazuki? He's just using Remnant to tilt the scales, hoping to regain some power. He only knows that someone usurped the Imperator. He knows nothing else. Did you know he actually found a distant relative of Tenjo and now trying to sacrifice him as a decoy to restore the Amanohokosaka dynasty? Of course you do, you're the one who created prosthetics for the boy. Poor kid, a sacrificial lamb on the altar of power. That Hazuki, so old fashioned, so obsessives with bloodline, I mean, get with the time already."
"Why is he still in power in this timeline?" Asked Relius, who waited quietly for Tarumi to finish.
"Why not? He never does anything meaningful anyway. Besides, keeping Mr. Marshal around frees up work for us."
"So all this is just so to make things interesting for you."
"And what's wrong with that? We've seen the same hundred years movie for seven fucking hundred and twenty-five times with the same fucking actors! It's about damn time to spice things up a little! It's always the same four beats! tat-tat-tat-tat! My soul craves eight beats! Tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat! You might not care, because you're boring, but I'm going out of my mind here! And Hazzy, don't tell me "but Mr. Terumi, you're already crazy", well crazy people can get bored out of their minds too!"
"… Are you done?" Asked Relius, who waited patiently.
"Yes. Quite. It's good to let it all out once in a while. Oh! And check this out!" Terumi said as he pulled out another file in front of Relius. "Isn't she just adorable? Like you just want to squeeze the life out of her?"
"Ruby Rose…" Said Relius, looking at the folder. "Silver eyes…. Why would you bring something so dangerous near you?"
"What? Those eyes? Hey, if that girl's eyes are my weakness, then every sharp object is yours. Why don't you round off every sharp edge in your house? Stupid."
"This is more akin to playing with fire."
"Because Relius my boring old chap, playing with fire is exciting, and what is exciting is fun."
City Expansion Construction Site
Nirvana's right arm outstretched, hand spinning, becoming a drill, Ragna immediately knocked the arm away with his sword, But Nirvana just raised her left arm and drilled down and Ragna, without a choice, grabbed her left arm with his right hand, pulled down and sent her drill hand into the ground.
'Damn!" Thought Ragna. 'I can feel the wound on my back reopening! Fine! I'll take some of his life!'
While Nirvana's hand was still stuck in the ground, Ragna turned towards Carl-
DEAD SPIKE!
And fired a Dead spike at Carl, but the boy dodged with ease. However, that was just a diversion, Ragna anticipated Carl's dodge's route and was now in front of him, Ragna reached for the boy and grabbed his cape, but then, mechanical arms with sword and spearhead, came from behind the cape, and attacked Ragna, forcing him to back off.
'Of course! his cape, and maybe even that top hat of his, he wears them to hide hidden weapons! I underestimated him because he's a kid!'
'He's slower than before,' Cinder noticed as she watched.
VOLANTE
Nirvana fired an energy ball at Ragna, and clashed with Ragna's Dead spike, the shockwave shook the whole ground, and unbalanced Carl a little, Ragna moved in on him but he wasn't fast enough and was blocked by Nirvana.
'Damn! My body feels like lead! I can't keep this up! No choice…'
Raising his sword high, Ragna poured almost all of his remaining power into the sword, Carl backed off a little, and Nirvana stood in front of him, but instead of attacking Carl or Nirvana, Ragna attacked the flood!
"What are you do- Oh no!"
Carl immediately jumped into the air and Nirvana followed him, as the construction flood beneath their feet collapsed! Taking Ragna with them.
'NO! The Azure Grimoire!' Thought Carl and Cinder.
?
A bright white room. Rachel is surrounded by three chairs, at first glance, there's no one sitting on them, but the shadow on the floor suggested otherwise.
"Rachel Alucard, Why did you use Tsukuyomi?" Said Takamagahara A, the voice in front of her.
"Why did you stop the erasing of the irregularity." Said Takamagahara B, the voice to the right of her.
"I am not obligated to give you an answer."
"Incorrect. What you did affects us." Said Takamagahara C, the voice to the left of her.
TA: "We can not understand. You are an Onlooker. Why did you interfere? Why did you protect Ragna the Bloodedge? To go so far as to even use Tsukuyomi. What value does this man have, that was worthy of that kind of sacrifice?"
"I do not think his value is something you will ever understand."
TB: "Ragna the Bloodedge may be the Central Fiction, but it is impossible that he has greater value than this world's stability."
TA: "We cannot allow a Continuum Shift."
"So you freed Terumi from his prison in the Boundary, just to stop Ragna."
TC: "Correct. We will use Terumi to control the distortions and destroy any irregularities."
"You think you can control Terumi?"
TB: "We do."
TC: "Correct. There is no measurable risk to him."
TA: "And if the occasion calls for it, we will merely reinitialize him."
TB: "Rachel Alucard, an Onlooker shouldn't interfere with the events of the world, do you want to relinquish your role as Onlooker?"
"That is none of your business."
TA: "Rachel Alucard, You are not irreplaceable. The world can always have another immortal to replace you. Like that Ozpin."
"Yes. He does like to get others to clean up his own mess, just as you do, and will also inevitably do so again when you lose control of Terumi. I'm sure you two will get along swimmingly."
TB: "Your warning is noted."
"Are we done?"
"TC: "Correct."
"To deal with an "irregularity" you don't understand, you unleashed a monster you couldn't comprehend. You watch everything, yet you see nothing. Goodbye. Takamagahara system, we will probably never meet again."
Bottom Flood, Near Kaka Village
He's still alive. Just before he hit the ground, he deployed a gravity Ars and slowed down his decline, but halfway through, his strength finally gave out and he fell to the ground, hard, and then some of the debris buried him. When Ragna opened his eyes, the first thing he saw, was Taokaka.
"Hello, Good Guy!"
'Of all people, it just has to be Tao. Mast. Swallow. Pride. Ask. Tao. For help…'
But no word came out of his mouth. That was harder than he thought. Or maybe he just didn't have the strength.
"Tao? What did you find?" asked a woman.
Tao: "Boobie Lady! It's Good Guy!"
"Tao, how many times have I told you not to call me that."
"Oh! Oh! I recognize that weapon! I remember now!" Said a young girl.
"You recognize people by their weapons? What am I saying, of course you do." Said a young man.
"Please wait a moment, I'll use my Semblance to lift the debris." Said another young girl.
"You going to use your power in front-" Said the previous young man
"Someone's life is at stake, I have no choice."
'So noisy…' Ragna thought as he lost consciousness once more.
Alucard's Domain- Rose Garden
The moment Rachel teleported back to her garden, Valkenhayn was there, waiting with tea ready.
"The tea and biscuits are ready, Madam."
Rachel sat down and took a sip of the tea.
"Perfect as always."
"You are too kind, Madam."
As Rachel resting on the chair, she noticed Valkenhayn's worried look, when Valkenhayn saw Rachel looking at him, his face turned back into a neutral expression.
"You look like you have something to say."
"Oh no. it's not my place-"
"Please, speak your mind."
"Very well, if the Madam insist. I want you to stop. Every time you interfere, you grow weaker. That is what I wanted to say, but I know you won't, so all I can do is worry, and support you with every fiber of my being."
Rachel looked down. "Sorry. And thank you. For helping me, and for not stopping me."
'I waited long enough. I will end this dream of God. This will be the last cycle. I will risk all that I have on it.'
Kagutsuchi Park
'He doesn't have to be so mean about it…' Thought Noel, thinking back to Ragna. 'But… He looked so… NO! I am a soldier! A Praetorian Guard! Next time I see him, I'll arrest him! First I'll return to headquarter-' Noel looked up. 'First I have to find an elevator to go up. Even if I'm not familiar with the city, as long as I go up-'
?: "Noel?"
Noel jumped, turned around, and smiled.
"Makoto!" said Noel, hugging Makoto. "Makoto, so much has happened, I don't-"
"It's alright. Let's sit down first."
They found a wooden bench, and Noel told Makoto everything.
"That was quite the night…"
"You don't believe me, do you…"
"Of course I do! Who do you think I am? You wouldn't… and couldn't make up a story like this."
Noel thought the last part was a little insulting but decided to let it go.
"And that shaking, whatever it was, it brought down both our and the Atlas' airships!"
"What? It was that serious?"
"Everyone is in an uproar right now, like one wrong move, and we might be at war with Atlas!"
"How… what course the shaking?"
"Don't know. Like even the Intelligence Department doesn't know. Some said that it might be Take-Mikazuchi."
"Take-Mikazuchi? But who could be using it, and how are they using it? I heard it was sealed in space!"
"Who knows? It's just some rumor on the street."
Take-Mikazuchi, the most powerful of the Nox Nyctores, the last time it was used, was in the Ikaruga rebellion. Then the only people who can use it are… the Librarium.
"So… Captain Hazama… you do know he's my superior, right?"
"Yes… but I-"
"No… he was always odd. Stay away from him, okay?"
"I know. When I saw him… I…" And Noel shivered.
"And Noel, I need you to listen to me carefully, like really listen." Said Makoto with a serious tone, with her hands on Noel's shoulders. "There's a warrant out right now. For you and Jin's arrest."
"What!? Why?"
"Is an imperial order. They said you and Jin are working with Ragna the Bloodedge, and… maybe even Sector Seven."
"What! But-"
"Jin's already been arrested and is now in the hospital. Now they are looking for you."
"But…I…"
"Noel. Listen to me. You need to lay low for a while, and… I don't want to say this, but, you need to stay away from Tsubaki."
"Tsubaki?"
"You do know which branches Tsubaki is in right?"
The Zero Squadron: Wings of Justice. A…for all intents and purposes, an assassin unit that answers directly to the Imperator.
"You get it now? An imperial decree! Tsubaki has been given orders to capture or kill you!"
"What! But why? The Zero Squadron? Against me?"
Yes, it was odd. Picking acquaintances against one another, with a high chance of backfiring.
"Weird, I know. I don't think Tsubaki would harm you or Jin, but if she saw you, she would have to make a choice! Friendship or duty? And she's not like the rest of us, she's an heir to the Yayoi, and her actions affect hundreds of people! You can't do that to her! You need to stay away!"
"Where… do I go…"
"From now, try the underground, the Kaka Village, and if you must, outside the city. I'll give you some supplies and some money. When things cool down, I'll come and find you."
"Thanks, Makoto."
"And…"
"Yes?"
"No, never mind…"
'I can't tell her…' Thought Makoto. 'I'm the one who is really working with…'
Bottom Flood, A Ruin Site Near Kaka Village
Everyone watched, amazed as Pyrrha lifted the debris with her Semblance.
"Alright, put it down on the clearing there." Said Jaune, guiding Pyrrha with his hands.
"That's incredible." Said Yang. "I didn't know it was that powerful."
"It's not easy if that's what you're thinking." Said Pyrrha, putting the debris down. "And compare to Miss Goodwitch's Semblance, this is nothing."
"It's not nothing. I'm so glad you guys are here." Said Blake.
"We got worried. And then we remembered you talking about the Grimm in the sewers." Said Ren.
Ren saw them left in the night, and when the shaking woke them up, and Nora said team RWBY was not in their room in the morning, they immediately went out looking. But the moment they reunited with team RWBY in Kaka Village, the floor on the upper level collapsed, blocking the entrance to the surface. When they went and checked, underneath the debris, was an acquaintance of Tao, "Good guy".
"Why did the ceiling collapse anyway? It didn't during the earthquakes?" Asked Nora.
"Who knows." Said Yang.
To avoid making things more chaotic, Yang called Qrow, and told him half truths, so he wouldn't rush down here. Yang liked her uncle, but Qrow's Semblance might make a bad situation worse.
"Alright. We're pulling him out!" Said Jaune.
Carefully, Jaune and Ren slowly pulled "Good guy" out of the debris.
"We need a stretcher. Do we make one out of his jacket again?" Asked Litchi.
"No. use my cape this time." Offering Ruby, taking off her cape.
Litchi: "It doesn't look like it's big enough, but we don't have a choice."
"So this is the guy who saved you." Said Jaune, looking at Ragna. "Don't know why, but he looked kinda familiar."
Litchi paused.
"OH! I know!" Said Nora, putting out her scroll and showing it to everyone. "He has the same hairstyle as that Ragna guy!"
"Wow! Easy bounty! I can finally add rockets to my bike!" Said Yang, looking at the wanted poster on the screen, and then at Ragna. "Yeah right. As if! If only we were that lucky."
Litchi let out a sigh of relief.
After they made the stretcher, it was decided that only Tao and Litchi would carry Ragna back, while the others would remain to continue to clear the path up.
"Let's take a break first." Suggested Ren.
Yang: "I hope we can get back in time for the tournament."
"Hey, guys! Look!" Said Jaune suddenly, pointing at his scroll.
They walked over to him and looked at his scroll.
(Atlas' airships crushed near Hierarchical City Kagutsuchi! An attack by the Novus Orbis Librarium?)
"What!?"
"Here's the news for Kagutsuchi's Time." Said Ren. "NOL and Atlas' airships crushed at Kagutsuchi, witnesses said they saw a golden light, and then a shockwave shook the city. A battle between Atlas and the Librarium?" Read Ren.
"Well, at least you don't have to worry about the tournament now." Said Blake.
In the shadow, Cinder looked on. She follow Ragna here, hoping to steal the Azure Grimoire from him, but she got here too late.
'He survived again! That doll's user is a child, but still… it was a Nox Nyctores. Looks like I need to take a different approach. If the north wind approach doesn't work, it's time for the sun.'
To be continued