Hello everyone, how are you doing?
This is my favorite chapter so far, I hope you like it. I am trying to include lots of things in one single chapter and hope they turned out well.
Apologies for the notifications spam to everyone who follows or favors the story- I reuploaded chapters 1-5 trying to give them a more pleasant to read look.
As always, thank you so much for reading the story. Have fun until next week!
Blake took a deep breath, gently rubbing circles in Ruby's back as the girl finished her telling of the horrible nightmares that had been plaguing her.
"How many times has this happened to you?" she asked after the girl took a breath to calm down. "Four; one at the bullhead, one at the boat, one before I woke up at the shore and one now."
"And are they all so… vivid?" Ruby nodded "every time they become more and more lively. The first time she was simply whispering to me while I was on a shore, but… the last one was…"
She shivered, making the faunus give her some water. Ruby took a few sips. "So, what do you think? Am I going crazy or not?" she gave a restrained smile.
Blake rolled her eyes "they have a few similarities with mine, like the pain they inflict on you or their extremely realistic nature. But…there are two things that bother me Ruby."
"Like what?" "They are moving very slowly… nightmares like that tend to be a representation of our inner psyche, you know and usually reflect the way our fears and anxiety surfaces."
"Em, I am not sure I got that…" the faunus closed her eyes smiling before she continued "simply, the fact that your dreams turned worse and worse so rapidly is totally unnatural- as well as their context."
"You mean what I am seeing?" Blake nodded "you didn't see Jaune, us getting killed, or anyone of our enemies; Grimm, Alizar or the weird masked woman."
"Yeah…" she admitted, still a little confused "…I only saw Cinder killing me twice…" "And that is very weird, unless you have combined all sorts of traumatic experiences with her in your mind."
Ruby bit her lip "I wouldn't say so… I mean, I hate Cinder for sure, but nothing like this had happened until now, not even during the war."
"And that's my point" Blake opened her eyes again, staring at the younger girl. "What could have happened these last few days that gave birth to such an abnormal state of mind?"
"Jaune was abducted, but my nightmares didn't start until we…" Ruby pondered for a few minutes "… we…" she stopped, her eyes lighting in recognition "…until we came to Nanko!"
"I agree" the black-haired beauty solemnly said "which is why I believe that your nightmares are caused from an outside influence." The redhead closed her eyes in mock pain "the nightmares were like the sailors'…"
"Indeed they were. And seeing as all of them have something to do with the sea, I think you have been infected with the Seamen Disease."
"How… how stupid!" Ruby face palmed. "How did I fail to notice it until now? The sailors, the polluted air, everything… it makes sense…oh I feel so dumb!"
"Don't be harsh on yourself; you were under a lot of strain after all." The redhead exhaled in disappointment "still that was pretty amazing, Blake! You were so cool, like a detective or something!"
The faunus scratched her hair in embarrassment "it is just a lucky guess I made combining the few things Weiss told me along with what I know about you, as well as this."
While speaking, she picked out of her clothes a vial and gave her to Ruby who examined it. "Bromosapan?"
Blake let off a small laugh "It's Bromazepam, Ruby. A strong sleeping pill, like the ones they gave me when Sun was hospitalized. It is used to treat insomnia due to extreme mental stress."
Ruby looked the pills in disgust "thanks Blake, but I don't think I need pills…" another small laughter followed "these have expired. I took it as evidence." "Evidence? For what?"
"I found them in a drawer in the floor below us. As well as in the other five houses I managed to check while trying to find us a shelter. And before you ask; no it's not normal for so many people to be taking it."
"Or to have sleeping problems… and we met a very powerful Grimm here." Yellow eyes narrowed "something very bad happened in this place and it still persists, if it can make you feel like this."
She gave the vial back to Blake "we have to rest. And then find the others. And then get Jaune. And while we are at it, maybe we can take down whatever thing is behind all these."
"I agree. So rest, I will take first shift." Ruby smiled "thanks, Blake. By the way…" the faunus turned around "yes?"
"Is this black blouse with red poppies and the ladybug-themed pair of trousers mine?"
-o—
The abandoned shipyard was filled in debris and the remains of what once must had been half a dozen boats. Yang noticed quite the amount of scattered planks around the front yard, accompanied by the obvious signs of gunfire.
She sniffed the air and grimaced as she stood in front of the bullet filled wall of the main building. There was no smell of gunpowder or any traces of fire, but the immense humidity could be the cause behind the lack of clues.
Suddenly, her lilac eyes spotted a small, red-stained mass in the entrance of the building. She quickly took a peek at Weiss who was kneeling next to a large crater a few meters away and opened the half- destroyed door.
Under the light of her lamp, she saw a few bloodstains the rain hadn't reached to wash away, just next to the main entrance. A few blood soaked white stripes of cloth were left nearby, along with an empty needle.
Used bandages and a painkiller; someone was hurt; thank Dust the blood doesn't seem too much. Her heart heavy with anxiety, she walked around the abandoned building for any traces of her partner or her sister.
Her search proved fruitless however. Except for the fungus-covered remains of the unlucky workers and a destroyed pile of barrels and crates, nothing else of importance came up.
Torn between her relief for not finding any tragic remain and her growing anxiety for the fate of the other girls, she stepped out the exact same moment Weiss had picked up something from a bullet hole in the wall.
"I found bandages and an SHU syringe- someone got pretty trashed in whatever battle happened here" she tried to sound as professional as possible.
"Well" Weiss replied in a more positive manner "I am glad to say that whoever was it, she wasn't alone. I found both Envelop's and Cresent Rose's cartridges around the area. Blake and Ruby were together here."
Yang's face lit up "so the injured one got treated by the other." Her girlfriend nodded in a comforting smile "and probably got carried away to a safe place by her."
The blonde released a breath she had been holding for quite a while "I feel I can breathe again. Geez, all these are bad for my heart."
The petite girl put the shells in her pocket and looked around; the night was full upon them and despite the lack of fog and rain at this point the total desolation of the island limited their vision quite a lot.
"My guess is they went to the town- if the injured one was not badly hurt, they would try to find a dry and safe place to spend the night. I think it would be safer to follow their example."
Yang didn't reply; instead she focused her eyes on the main gate of the yard, staring at the deep darkness as Weiss continued "… and we wouldn't be safe here, as we don't know what attacked them; are you listening to me?"
The blonde didn't turn to look at her. She only replied in a flat voice "something is coming."
The ex-heiress drew Myrtenaster as Yang let her lamp on the ground and got her bracers ready to fight. She gulped, remembering Winter's teachings 'only two kinds of things walk out there in the night, Weiss- the predators and their prey.'
A few seconds passed, tension rising in both girls' blood before a figure appeared. It walked slowly yet steadily, its bone-skull face with the sardonic smile and devilish horns the first thing visible as the lamp's weak light hit it.
"A Nuckelavee" was the only thing Yang managed to say as the figure walked closer, revealing its full form before stopping a few meters away from them.
Surprise was the first thing that hit them, followed by recognition and then anger. That thing was no Nuckelavee; as a matter of fact it was not even a Grimm to begin with!
In front of them, standing in leather brown boots, was a woman wearing a floral-patterned kimono that tightly hugged her lean body. In her arms was a mechanical green Naginata with a shining silver blade.
She was wearing a horrifying mask resembling the dreadful Grimm, with fluffy cherry hair falling behind it. A pair of orange fox ears stood on top of her head. From her neck a large ornamental talisman resembling the head of a Leviathan was hung.
"You are the masked lady from Beacon Hospital; the one who abducted Jaune" Weiss announced menacingly "and killed those poor people."
"What, do you want me to atone for my sins, Ms. Schnee?" her voice was youthful and clear, but powerful determination laced her words. "They raised their weapons, so they should have been expecting the outcome."
"Like Jaune?" Yang asked. "What did he do; turned around on your feet in his coma? Oh, let me guess, you actually didn't care about that."
The mask tilted at its side a little before the girl replied "if you have any complains, talk them with Alizar. I am merely following the plan. And for the record I hate it as much as you."
"That makes me feel so better; you know what? If you hate this plan that much, then do something real about it. Tell us where this brother-of-a-bitch is and maybe we can call it even. I will even talk on your defense at the court."
"Betray my allies? Go to court?" she scoffed "you are getting ahead of yourself, Xiao Long." Yang took one step forward "looks like you know us; we don't know you however. Not that it-"
"Itazura. Cherry Itazura is my name" she then raised her weapon and turned around. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have business to attend to; I have to find Ruby Rose."
Yang and Weiss' eyes opened wide at the declaration and the blonde charged "AS IF!" she screamed at the girl who jumped back away from Yang's landing.
Without wasting any time, Cherry thrust forward with her weapon. The speed of her repositioning and counterattack was so great; the brawler was forced to use her metal arm to grab the blade instead of avoiding it.
"Gah!" Yang gritted her teeth as she absorbed the impact. The girl kept pressing on, forcing the blonde to grab the oversized weapon with both arms. I am getting pushed back? How strong is this chick?
Weiss wasted no time in assisting her. Carving a path with her glyphs, she stepped behind Cherry and sliced in order to-
Suddenly both girls found themselves airborne. Yang got pushed away and landed on her back a few meters far from the mask-clad girl, while Weiss crashed on a nearby boat with a heavy thud.
Without even taking one step, the faunus flipped her weapon, splitting the handle in half, revealing a two-barreled shotgun. Not allowing Yang to recover, she started shooting at her.
The blonde rolled on the ground avoiding the first shot. The second was deflected by her metal arm and then she took one step forward, but was shot back from another one.
Weiss got up, her head throbbing. What was that? Some sort of telekinesis?
She shook her head and grabbed Myrtenaster once more. Yang was being peppered with gunfire, but that meant their enemy was focusing on her.
Silently, the Schnee created a time dilation glyph below her. A shooting glyph array was crafted behind her small frame. She changed the chamber to lighting dust, happily feeling Myrtenaster sizzle with energy.
Weiss took a deep breath. Lightning Stinger- the combination of gravity, dilation and lightning dust, was one of her best moves. Moving at the speed of sound, her enemy wouldn't even be able to realize what hit her, even more defend against it.
Yang suppressed a smile between her groans of pain as she saw Weiss lunge forward. Moving like a living thunderbolt, the ex-heiress covered the distance between her and Cherry in a heartbeat-
And then slammed on something. As soon as she entered the girl's range, Weiss felt a powerful repelling force withstanding her charge.
Weiss' thoughts were filled in helplessness as she felt her body freeze mid-air for one single second as the barrier absorbed all the kinetic force behind her attack.
And then the masked girl turned around towards her, opened her palm and Weiss was thrown away like a projectile. She felt her lips and face hurt as she rolled on the muddy ground.
An explosion from Ember Celica sent Yang on Cherry. She punched the girl's face, but she deflected it with the back of her pole arm. Yang kicked her legs, but suddenly found her body losing balance and falling forward.
What is this? SO heavy! The sensation immediately vanished, but Cherry had already moved. She performed a horizontal slice with her Naginata, aiming for Yang's neck.
The brawler didn't block. Instead, she shot a missile at her enemy's stomach. The impact shocked the faunus, forcing her a few meters away, while she used her blade to maintain her footing.
Yang shot three more missiles at her, but then Cherry raised her left arm and the projectiles stopped midair, before being flown away in all directions, showering the area around them with explosions.
"What the actual heck" Yang said panting. "Do you have a connection to Pyrrha somehow?" The mask didn't reply, but the girl was sure she could see a wide smile beneath the open jagged mouth of the Nuckelavee.
"It's not polarity" Weiss announced as she carefully stepped closer to her girlfriend. "She pinned you on the ground before and she tossed us around like we were light as feathers."
She looked at Cherry who merely shrugged her shoulders in a playful manner. "Plus she easily pushed away your missiles- I hope I am wrong but I think she can control gravity."
"Hehehehe..." the laughter was eerie and way too joyful for the situation and place they had found themselves in. If anything, their enemy seemed excited.
"Excellent, Ms. Schnee you are 100% right. My semblance is Gravitation. I can enhance or reduce the gravity attraction of a person or object around me at will."
She then turned to Yang "as for you, Ms. Xiao Long that was an impressive maneuver there. I was disappointed I couldn't find Ms. Rose, but allow me to apologize. You are both truly worthy and admirable opponents."
She then raised her weapon once more, her eyes gleaming behind the mask "I am enjoying this so much; I can't hold myself back any more."
"Here she comes" Yang said getting ready "what do we do?" Weiss narrowed her eyes "focus on fighting her and leave her semblance to me- I will give you the chances to strike at her, no matter what."
Cherry stretched her arm and a powerful surge of energy surrounded them. Weiss and Yang fell on the ground, the immense weight pinning them on spot as the faunus charged to them.
A black array pulsed beneath the blonde woman's legs and suddenly Yang was catapulted forward. She met Cherry midway, punching her face with all her might.
The masked woman barely managed to avoid the attack, but her concentration broke. Weiss jumped at her, using her glyphs to maneuver at her weak side, while her teammate spun around and jump kicked the Naginata out of her arms.
A groan of pain sounded as Myrtenaster sliced her arm, draining a good amount of aura. Yang flared her semblance and gut punched-
With unexpected speed the fox-girl punched Yang's stomach, instantly activating her semblance. Weiss managed to score a couple more hits on Cherry's back, but the impact shot the brawler away.
The ex-heiress shot forward and utilized an air glyph, slowing her lover's fall. Yang jumped on her feet and stood right next to Weiss a few feet away from their enemy who simply walked and retrieved her weapon.
"What a freaking monster" Yang said between gasps "her combat skill is as good as mine- and that punch really hurt."
Weiss readied her weapons as the mentioned girl eyed them in caution. "She has admirable control over her semblance too. In addition, she is not as tired as we are."
Cherry, on her part, was ecstatic. They had immediately found a way to counter her semblance and even scored a few hits! Truly the members of team RWBY lived up to their reputation!
She grinned widely, getting ready to attack once more- and was cut off by a loud, mechanical sound. It came from the sea and pierced through the night, echoing across the entire coast.
Weiss and Yang got confused, as the very familiar sound of a siren reached their ears. They looked at their enemy, who, even more confusingly, stowed her weapon away.
"Decided to give up?" the brawler asked, despite knowing there was no way that was the case. "I regret to say that, but our enjoyable battle must come to an end."
"What is that siren?" Weiss asked, glaring at their enemy. "It's the alarm system I have created in the coast. It means the night tide is coming; therefore let me give you one piece of advice."
Seeing her enemies not lowering their guard she continued "the superior predator in this place is neither the Anathema that your friends fought, nor the Fog. It is the sea of Grimmwater and the monsters it brings with it."
"Why are you telling us this?" the pale girl asked. "You are wonderful warriors and I would love to have a chance to fight you again. It would be a pity for you to die to the horrors of the deep."
She then scratched her head "plus, I don't think you will let me go unless you realize in how great danger you are; I advise you leave this place now and run to the village. Find a tall house and hide in its highest floor."
Without anything more to say, the girl turned around and started running. "Hey, wait-" Yang tried to go after her, but Weiss grabbed her arm and stopped her.
"Snowpuff?" Cyan eyes narrowed as she released her. "Even if she is lying, I don't think it's a good idea to chase her. Let's do what she says and go find a place to hide. We can continue our search tomorrow morning."
Lilac orbs narrowed, but it took no more than a couple second for the tall girl to agree. Picking up their lamp from the ground, Yang and Weiss ran quickly to the village.
The tide came, and thankfully for both girls, they were not around to view the horrible forms it carried to land. The silent horde roamed the shore and then retreated back to the ocean depths, leaving only a wet trail in its wake.