A/N: Warning! There is graphic violence to children in this chapter. If this bothers you, please feel free to skip to the first horizontal line.
The sounds of war cries and gunfire echoed into the night as the Grimm poured in the camp. Though the attack was certainly sudden and came with no warning, the members of the Branwen Tribe had practiced extensively for this very situation. Almost as soon as the attack started, the adults divided into two groups. One group went straight to the front line to occupy the Grimm while the other group went to round up the children and move them out of harm's way via their planned evacuation routes. The children of the Tribe were the most important things to them. Their safety was paramount to everything else. However, this was much harder to do due to having a sizable chunk of their force being with Raven and Yang. As such, Grimm began to slip through the cracks of the line and started attacking the second group. This forced the adults to divide their focus between fighting the Grimm and getting their children to safety.
Flamingo grunted as he bludgeoned down the tenth Ursa. The man felt something rush right past him. A child's scream filled his ears. Turning, he saw the thing that had managed to rush past while he was busy recovering from dispatching the Ursa. It was a Sabyr. His eyes wide with fright when saw how it had snatched one the children in it's jaws and began to slam the poor thing around. He quickly turned his mace polearm into it's gun form in an attempt to save the child, but it was too late. The Sabyr had already sank its fangs into the poor girl and placed a paw on her legs and pulled up. Effectively tearing her in half.
Flamingo pulled the trigger. The bullet entered the Sabry's head as the girl's intestines dropped out on the ground. Before he could briefly lament the girl's horrific end, a pair of Manticores came into view. One landed and clawed at a little boy. Turing him into a mangled corpse. The other swooped in from the air with its jaw open and bit down on another boy. Killing him instantly. Parts of his body fell from the sky as the Grimm ground him up with its fangs.
"Dammit!" He roared. Tears coming down his face as he watched their precious children being torn apart. He opened fired on the Manticores. Purposefully letting out all of his negative emotions in an attempt to attract the Grimm to him. It worked. The Grimm started to target him. He quickly turned his weapon back to it's melee form at let loose a mighty scream as he swung his weapon down atop the damnable creature's head. It reeled in agony as the mask broke apart. Switching back to his gun mode, he pulled the trigger. The bullet effortlessly dug into the soft black bits that were underneath the bony structure. It dropped immediately.
He jumped over the stinger of the one. It tried to swipe at him with it's claws, but Flamingo turned into his avian form and flew up to avoid the strike. Turning back into his humanoid form, he switched his weapon again to its melee form. The Grimm was confused. One moment he was there then the next he wasn't. Keen to take advantage of its befuddlement he dived down to turn himself into a humanoid bullet. He raised his weapon over his head. Once the Manticore realized what was happening it was too late. Flamingo slammed the spiked head of his weapon right on top of the Manitocre's head. His own strength combined with the momentum of his descent caused the entire head of the Grimm to explode. Not too dissimilar to what would happen if a large object fell onto a melon.
Flamingo walked over to the remains of the children he failed to protect. Falling to his knees, he began to weep. He failed as an adult. He failed his duty. He failed as a man. He failed as a member of the Tribe. "Fuck's sake dammit!" He shouted as he slammed his fist into the ground.
Eyes wide, he spun around to face his opponent, but the large Beowolf just standing completely still right behind him. A moment latter, it split in two and dissipated into black smoke. Dove was standing behind it. Her weapon at the ready. She looked Flamingo in the eyes with a hard gaze.
"Now's not the time for mourning Flamingo! Now's the time to fight! We will have plenty of time to mourn afterwards." Her gaze shifted to the dead children. Rage twisting, contorting her face into something that promised agonizing death. "Stand up Flamingo. You're part of the Branwen Tribe."
Walking over and grabbing his arm. She pulled him up. "The Grimm are starting to get pushed back. We must press our advantage. Now use that pain and anger to fight!"
Flamingo wiped his tears. Centering himself, a hateful glare etched itself in his eyes. "You're right Dove. Thanks."
Dove nodded. "Good. Now, help me get the rest of our hatchlings out of here."
"Cinder. We need to hurry up! These guys are starting to win!" Mercury pressed.
"Honestly, I heard these folks were good, but I didn't expect them to be this damn good." Emerald said as she watched one of the warriors take on ten Grimm and masterfully dispatch them. The green-haired girl held a look of worry on her face as she continued to walk her partners under the veil of her semblance.
"Emerald, be quiet and focus. If your concentration slips and we are revealed, then we die. So shut it." After hearing Emerald gulp, Cinder turned her attention to Mercury. "You think I don't know that Mercury? I'm well aware of our Grimm being pushed back, but we also need to be careful."
"Look, I get that. However-"
He was cut off by the sound of young girl's battle cry. All three turned to the source and spotted a teenage girl fighting off waves of Grimm all by herself. They watched as the girl went into the air and came crashing down on group of downed Sabyrs. A red explosion engulfed them. Once the smoke settled, there was only the girl left standing. Cinder smirked. They had found their target and alone at that.
"Well, It seems we found what we were looking for. " Turning to Mercury she asked. "You have the gun Watts made yes?"
"Sure do." He reached around his back and produced a large, sliver breech-loading revolver. A pair of magnets sat behind sat behind the rear barrel. All in all, it was a handgun that was far big and bulky to be used for combat.
Mercury handed it over to Cinder. Along with a tranquilizer dart that held a powerful sedative inside. Powerful enough to ensure the girl would not wake up for quite some time.
Taking the gun, Cinder pressed a small button on the side. With revolver opened, she loaded the dart and snapped the gun shut. She aimed at Robin while holding down a different button with the thumb of her firing hand. The magnets behind the rear barrel began to hum to life. A soft, yellow glow let Cinder know that the weapon was ready to fire. The Fall Maiden focused her vision on to her target. Once the girl was still, she pulled the trigger.
The head of a Ursa Major came flying off its shoulders as Robin's blade cleaved through its thick neck. Once it fell, she was immediately set upon by a pack of Sabyrs. Robin only had just enough time to raise her bladed gauntlet to take the bite of the Grimm. "Boy, I'm glad I got you Shivaji. You just saved my arm."
The Sabyr snarled at her. The sound of fangs grinding against metal screeched painfully in her ears. Anticipating the other members of its pack to attack her, she jumped up and landed on the back of the Sabyr that was latched on her. Doing so allowed her to avoid being pounced by the rest of the pack. From this position, it was easy for her to apply the right amount of torque on the Grimm still holding her to release her weapon. The snapping of the large front fangs was accompanied by pain filled roar.
Taking aim, she drove the point of her weapon straight through the base of the Grimm's skull. Killing it instantly. Getting off the dead creature, she kicked it's still smokey corpse at the charging pack. It crashed into them and tangled up their legs. Causing them to trip and fall over. Grinning, the black blade slid back into the gauntlet. A soft, barely visible red glow emanated from the opening where the blade once was. Then, a red blade popped out. Robin wouldn't deny it. She was absolutely taking a page out of Raven's book with this.
Charging, she roared as she leapt into the air. Driving Shivaji into one of the downed Sabyrs, an explosion of red burst forth. Incinerating the Grimm around her. Once the smoke died down, Robin smiled at her victory over the Grimm. However, before she bask further in her victory, she felt something instantly pierce her aura and knock her down face first on the ground. All of a sudden, she felt very weak. Her vision started swim as the sounds around her began to become muffled. Shakily, she reach to the back of her neck and grabbed an object. Yanking it out, she pulled the object to her to find that she had hit by a dart.
"Fuck." Was the last word she breathed out into a whisper as her world turned dark.
"Right. Got her nice and secure Cinder." Mercury said as he hefted up an unconscious and bound Robin on to his shoulder. He worriedly eyed how the Grimm were now rapidly dying. "Now, let's get the hell out of here before we get caught."
"Agreed." Cinder nodded. Eyeing an opening, she jerked her head towards it. They made it a point to walk as fast as they could through it and into the forest. She could tell Emerald was starting to strain greatly trying to keep them concealed. The faster they put distance between the Branwen Tribe and themselves, the sooner the poor girl could rest. After all, she was useless to her if she was too worn out to do what she needed her to do.
Once they were sufficiently far away enough, Emerald released her semblance. She crashed on to the ground panting heavily. Droplets of sweat streamed down her face as she desperately tried to calm her own body.
"You alright Emerald?" Mercury asked.
"Ye-yeah." She said in between breaths. Bringing up her hand to wipe away all the sweat from her face. "I'll be fine. Just need a few minutes is all."
"We rest here until Emerald is well enough to continue." Cinder ordered.
Nodding, Mercury gently laid Robin down. Taking out a canteen, he placed it in her hands. "Here, all that sweating is gonna leave you dehydrated."
"Thanks." Gulping down the water ravenously.
"I believe you have more pressing issues than dehydration children." A dry voice croaked out.
The three of them snapped their heads in the direction of the voice to find a wrinkly, bearded old man. Mercury stepped forward.
"I don't know how you found us, but you must got some kind of death wish old man."
The elder laughed. "Hohoho. When you've spent hundreds of years learning to listen to nature, it becomes easy to find what you're looking for."
Mercury didn't really appreciate how easily this old foggy just brushed off his threat. As if he was saying that he was nothing to be afraid of. Nothing to take seriously. A deep frown set into his face. " Are you listening geezer? I'm going to kill you. What part of that didn't you understand?"
"Ha!" He laughed as he tapped his cane up and down the forest floor. " Oh, I heard you boy. It's just that, a threat without merit is no threat at all." He cast a pointed look that bore into Mercury's eyes. "Especially from those who aren't nearly as strong they believe themselves to be. So they project themselves due to some insecurity they have."
That was thing that set young man off. He jumped towards the old man. Landing in front of him, he threw out a roundhouse kick at his head. Only for him to lean slightly back. Mercury's foot barely missing him. He was stunned. His opponent moved with such finesse, that it wasn't perceivable. It was abundantly clear that this was no ordinary old man.
"Not a shabby kick boy. However, your aim was somewhat off." A mischievous grin spread across his bearded face. "Unless of course the air was your target. In which case, good job!"
Mercury's eye twitched. "Don't play stupid you old fart! You dodged that attack. I don't know how you did, but you did. You're not ordinary." He growled.
"Hohoho. At least you're not as stupid as you look boy!" Cackled the old man. He dodged another kick. This time by balancing himself atop his cane with his feet. When another came, he leaned off to the side. Allowing gravity to make him fall off his cane, he landed on his feet to the left of his opponent.
Mercury felt the old man had made a mistake. Thinking that the elder would need time to recover from landing, he pressed his perceived advantage. Lifting up his left leg, Mercury loaded up all of his strength. He pivoted his hip and body sideways and then extended his leg out.
Just when he thought his kick would connect, he felt his leg shit upwards. The sudden shift of weight put him off balance and he couldn't resist the act of his body falling back. Mercury hit the ground with a thud. A loud, obnoxious ringing filled his ears as the back of his head hit the ground. Mercury groaned as he sat back up while holding his head.
Emerald watched in disbelief at the set of events that were playing out in front her. Irritation over her partner's bumbling incompetence began to take hold of her.
"What the hell are you doing Mercury!? It's just a stupid old man." Hollering angrily.
"Shut it Emerald! The old fart is a lot more than he seems!" He shouted back.
"You may try as much as you like boy. However, you will never be able to defeat me. Not with how weak and sloppy you are." A disappointed look formed. Like a grandfather catching his grandchild doing something they weren't suppose to do. "A shame really. You hold a lot of promise, yet you squander your talents working for that Witch."
Cinder's stoic face broke for brief moment at the word. The old man had now made this personal for her. She wasn't going to let someone insult the woman who took her in and raised her as if she were her own daughter and get away with it. Insulting the person she saw as her mother was the greatest insult to her. She stepped forward.
"Enough Mercury! Fall back to Emerald." Positing herself between the old man and her subordinate. Orange flames flared out of her eyes as she activated her Maiden powers. "The old codger is mine!" Growling as fire sprayed out of her mouth.
"My name is Owl. Not geezer, codger, or fart!" Owl crossed his arms and huffed. "I swear. Children these days."
"I don't care what you're name is. As far as I'm concerned, the dead have no need for names." Cinder charged as she formed magical blades in her hands.
Owl narrowed his eyes. This one he would have to take seriously. He parried the first strike with his cane. Ducking under the second, he thrust his cane up at her sternum, but she swiftly dodged by blasting fire from the soles of her shoes. Sending her into the air. He was instantly set upon by her once again. This time however, she stayed off the ground. Owl knew what she was doing. On the ground, he was somewhat restricted in how he could move. Cinder though, had no such restrictions while being aerial. She could twist and bend as she liked. Moving any direction as she pleased. This increased mobility would be a problem.
However, Owl had some tricks up his sleeve. A green glow gently washed over him. A large root shot out from the ground. Cinder didn't even have time to process what was happening before the root slammed into her stomach. Flashes of orange enveloped her as she let out a silent gasp as all the air was knocked out of her. The root then spread out around her waist. Once it secured her, it lifted up slightly and came crashing down to the forest floor. A loud bang echoed as she was slammed into the ground. A sizable crater was formed from the force of the impact.
For a few moments, nothing happened. Emerald and Mercury feared that he might have actually killed Cinder. Owl, however, was not fooled. He knew it would take a lot more than that to put down that stubborn girl. He also knew that he wouldn't be able to keep up at her pace for long. He needed to end the fight quickly. There was only way to do it. However, he would need time to gather enough energy to perform what he wanted to do. And he sincerely doubted that his enemy would allow him the luxury. So he needed to keep her busy and distracted.
Jumping back, he narrowly escaped the Fall Maiden's swords from eviscerating him. Multiple roots shot out and hit her. Pushing her far away from him. He would need the distance. Throwing down his cane, he clapped his hands together and began to concentrate. The green glow of his aura encased the outline of his body. It began to pulse rhythmically.
In his concentrated state, he could feel the trees cry in pain as Cinder burned and cut away at the wave of roots coming at her. "I'm sorry my friends. Please bear it a bit longer."
Cinder was getting sick and tired of dealing with these roots. She had a mission to complete and a man to kill. She didn't have the time to be dealing with this. Large plumes of orange fire began to form around her as she gathered large stores of magical energies. The roots grabbed and wrapped around her as she concentrated. Eventually, the roots created a large wooden sphere in the sky in an effort to contain her. Fire instantly burst out. Incinerating the roots around her. Aiming down at her target, she zoomed towards. The roots desperately trying to stop her descent, but were burnt up once they got near her.
With the old man now within striking distance, she brought the point of her sword in front of her. However, before her weapon could connect with its target, a green light flashed.
As the light dissipated, Cinder's eyes widened in shock. A large, feathered hand with talons was gripping her sword. Her eyes followed the up the muscular arm that put Hazel's to shame. Looking past that, she found that there was no small old man standing before anymore. It was now replaced with a mountain of some kind of humanoid bird creature. It towered over even Hazel it was so large. She noticed that there were now a pair of absurdly large gray wings on its back. All of this was so alien to her. However, the thing to stood out the most was oddly long nose and red face.
"Ah. It has been quiet sometime since I had last done this." Owl looked over himself and frowned. "Seems I don't quite have enough in me anymore to complete the form." His eyes settled upon Cinder. "But it may be just enough to deal with you."
Cinder felt him pull her up, She tried to resist it, but she was far to weak to do so. A fist smashed across her face. Her magically conjured weapon disappeared as she was sent sailing into ground. Building more and more dirt behind her as she continued cutting through the ground. Her aura flashing the entire way. Once she came to a stop, she slumped forward. Breathing heavily, she looked up to see that she had been punched so far that her opponent was barely visible. Impossible she thought. It didn't make sense to her that this old man was hiding such a power. And had he said something about not being to complete the form. It was then she felt a familiar shiver run down her spine at the thought. Fear. The very idea of the power of the completed form struck fear in her.
Cinder was brought out of her thoughts as she heard something land in front of her. Looking up, it was the old man. Growling, she sent fire through the ground in an attempt to burn him from beneath, but he jumped away as if he already knew she was going to do that. His wings flapped and he came speeding toward her. Fire bursting from her hands, she intended to propel herself up to get away, but she felt something grip her ankle. The next thing she knew, she was being slammed into the ground again and again and again. Her aura flashing with each slam.
She needed to get out of his grasp before he turned her into paste. Calling her fire, she attempted to cover her body flames, but before she could so, a foot was planted firmly into her chest. Once again she went flying across the forest. Bouncing up and down around a dozen times or so before she finally came to a stop.
"How!? How does he know what I'm going to do!?" She shouted mentally as she struggled to raise herself up. Panting heavily as her body was desperate to replace all the air it had lost from being smashed around like a ragdoll.
"You're not the first Maiden I've fought girl." He answered as if reading her mind.
"What!?" Cindered coughed. She watched as Owl gently lowered himself to the ground. His wings folding behind him when touched ground.
"I have lived for hundreds of years girl. In my youth, during my travels, I actively sought out strong fighters to test myself against." He slowly walked to her. "Though I have to say, I have never fought a Fall Maiden that could use fire. However." He towered over her as he crossed his arms. "Not a single Maiden has been able to best me."
Cinder growled. She had a trick up her sleeve. Literally. Her left arm shot out and stretched to impossible lengths. Her claws aiming for his throat, but they stopped short. She yelped in pain as he began to crush her arm.
"Ah. So that's what you were hiding underneath your sleeve." He pressed his foot on her stomach. He pushed down with his foot and pulled at her arm at the same time. "You didn't think I would be amateurish enough to not keep an eye on your left arm did you? It was pretty obvious you were hiding something."
"AHHHHHHH!" Cinder screamed in agony as she felt the Grimm arm begin to tear.
"What a shame. You have so much potential. So much promise. Yet you waste it serving under that foul Witch." A wet snap echoed as he held the arm above his head. He threw it behind him.
Cinder howled in torment. Tears streaming down her face from the immense pain and panic.
"Oh well. I guess that's just how things are." He raised his fist up and started to punch down at her.
Her cries interrupted by the constant strikes to her head. Gargled gasps rang out from each strike. She was starting to lose consciousness. However, before the darkness could envelop her vision completely, a flash appeared before her. Suddenly, she was a child again. Tears streaming down her face, she curled into a ball in a desperate bid to protect herself as the adults surrounded of her village surrounded her. Kicking, punching, and striking her with various different objects.
"Kill her! Kill the damn witch!" one adult yelled as he brought down a pipe on her arm.
"It's your fault they're dead! You and you're damn fire!" A woman said as she kicked the back of her head.
"There ain't a damn semblance that makes fire like that! That's gotta be some kind of magic! You gotta be a witch! I swear, she even attracts Grimm!" Another said as they punched at her.
"Please stop. I didn't mean it! I swear. I didn't even know I could do that. I don't even remember what happened!" Cinder cried. She couldn't understand why they were treating her like this. Whatever happened, she had no memory of it. The only thing she remembers is that she was playing with her doll alone while sitting on a tree stump. Then a bunch of the village children came by and snatched it from her. She tried to get it back, but some of the children held her down. All she could was watch helplessly as they began to tear it apart.
It was an ugly, torn up thing, but it was the only memento she had of her parents. Cinder still had no idea what happened to them. Only that they were there one moment and then there was only the charred remains of her home the next. So, needless to say, watching the only connection to her family being callously destroyed was rather distressing for the girl. Everything went black for her. Then she wakes up to find only burnt corpses around her.
"I knew we shouldn't have taken in this little rat of an orphan!" His boot found her chin. Bringing Cinder out of her thoughts and back to the present. Blood splattered across the ground from her mouth.
"AHHH!" Cinder cried as she felt her bones breaking. Tears streamed down her face. It mixed with the blood seeping from her mouth as they stained the ground. Darkness began encroaching from the corners of her vision. It felt like she was dying. She felt her strength start to leave her body as the physical trauma accumulated to a lethal degree. All she could was twitch under the harsh blows.
Before death could claim her, she felt a surge of power rush through her. Heat waves came off of her body as the temperature rose exponentially. The villagers were forced to back up to keep themselves from getting burned. Cinder slowly rose to her feet.
"No more." She whispered.
"No more." She said again slightly louder.
"NO MORE!" She roared as orange fire exploded out from her.
"NO MORE!" Yelling at the top of her lungs. Her Grimm arm instantly grew back and dug itself into Owl's stomach. It didn't break his aura, but it did pierce it.
"Argh! W-what?" He groaned painfully. His face contorted as he felt the claw tightening its grip beneath his skin. Owl cursed internally. He had no idea she could regrow her limb. Eyes widened as he felt something hot on him. Immediately, he slammed his hands against the Grimm arm. He tried to move away, but the ball of fire that had formed in that hand suddenly exploded. Owl was sent through several trees before he started bouncing across the ground.
He groaned when he finally came to a stop. Smoke rising up from him as he struggled to get up. His aura hadn't even been able to cushion the blast fully. It broke as soon as he was hit by the explosion. So there was nothing to protect him from hitting the trees and ground. Getting up on one knee, he started to cough violently. A green light flashed around him and he was back to his elderly form. Owl fell back to the ground as he continued to cough uncontrollably.
He felt a shoe strike across his face. Sending him flying back several feet. He landed on his back. His coughing grew even more violent. Feebly clutching his chest in a hopeless bid to stop it.
"You said no Maiden has ever beaten you." Cinder taunted as she stood above him. She smirked as blood trailed down chin. "Well, guess there's a first time for everything old man." Cinder frowned as she heard Owl began to laugh and cackle in between coughs.
Once he was able to calm himself, he looked his enemy in the eye. "Proud of yourself are you? Ha. Congratulations girl. You defeated an old man. An old man you struggled against." She kicked him again, but instead of letting out a cry of pain, he continued to laugh.
"Stop laughing you old codger!" Cinder seethed. How could he be laughing when he had been beaten? How could he be laughing knowing she was going to kill him?
"Why should I?" He countered. "After all, you only won because I was so old. Had I been at least fifteen years younger, that little blast you did wouldn't have affected me nearly as much. And I wasn't even in my prime then either."
"You're going to die old man!"
"We all are girl. Death comes for us all eventually. I have practically reached the natural conclusion to my life already. I was dying before we even met girl." Owl grinned as he watched Cinder angrily glare at him. "Besides, the fact that you struggled against me the way you did tells me one very important thing."
"And that is?"
Owl set a steely gaze. "You are no match for Raven Branwen. She will tear you apart."
Grinding her teeth, Cinder seethed as she raised her hand. A sword formed in it and started to bring it down. However, she stopped halfway. This wasn't worth it. This was a waste of time. Cinder had a mission to do and she was on a time limit. What point was there to spending the extra time and effort kill an already dying old man? There was none. Besides, if one member of the Tribe found her, then that meant they weren't far enough away. She needed to leave. Now. Before they find out their elder was missing.
Cinder waved away her weapon and made her way to Mercury and Emerald. Once she was beside them she folded her arms. "We're leaving. Now." She waited for Mercury to pick up Robin and for Emerald to get back on her feet before continuing to Haven Academy. She smiled. Aside from this little distraction, they were still good for time. Yes, so far everything was going to plan.
Once they had made it back, Yang watched as her mother become a blur as soon as they touched down on the ground. The older woman came to a sudden stop. Curious, Yang ran up behind her mother. Once at her side, she froze. The sight of the torn bodies of children set a terrible, heavy feeling of despair in the pit of her stomach. Images of the boy she found in that underground lab came flooding back to her. Her legs began to tremble and she felt her heart racing. Her eyes settled on two particular corpses. Well, what was left of their corpses. A girl ripped in half and boy who only had his head and few limbs left.
She recognized these two. It was Mengqin and Niao. The memory of the incident in the lab begin to continuously flash before her. All of it was starting to become too much as she began to hyperventilate and was forced to hold her head in both hands. Just as she was about too collapse and look away, Yang felt a strong hand grip her arm. Keeping her standing.
"No. Stay on your feet Yang. Keep your eyes on this. Burn this into your mind."
Raven's strong, stern voice cut through the miasma of that horrid memory. The fog that of panic and despair was blown away by her. Yang tried to steady steady her breathing, but it was proving to be difficult. The memory of the fall of Beacon came flooding back as well. It was if all of her traumas were now just starting make themselves known to her. To remind her, they were still very much so present in her psyche.
"Now's not the time." She heard her mother say. The woman kept her stoic gaze on the sight in front of them. "You're not in a position to be this way now Yang. Many of our people are going to look to you to help lead them. Now, more than ever, you need to be a pillar of strength for them to lean on. Let this give you even more fuel to keep the fight going."
Yang saw families of the dead break down in tears. They cried and screamed for the loss of their loved ones. Her mother was right. There would be a time to let out all these feelings, but that time was not now. Others needed her and she needed to be strong for them.
"I'm gonna go help them with their dead."
Raven nodded. Letting go of her daughter. She would have to do the same. Afterwards, she would need to prepare the pyres for the dead. Then conducting the funerals for them. It was her duty as Chief to do so.
"You will pay for this Salem." She whispered as she clenched her fist.
As Yang was helping to move the dead and debris, she heard a commotion. Setting down a destroyed crate, she made her way over to the source of the noise. Slipping through the crowd, Yang gasped. There, on a makeshift bed made from crates with several blankets covering them was Owl and beside him were Dove and her mother. The elderly man was barely breathing, with blood seeping from his stomach and burns covering him. She made a mad dash to him.
"What happened!?"
"The damn fool went off on his own to fight Cinder and her entourage!" Dove raged. The doctor started to pull out her tools, but was stopped by a shaky, wrinkled hand.
"Don't waste your time Dove." He coughed and wheezed weakly. "There is no helping me. I'm too far gone."
"But-"
"Dove, you know a dead man when you see one. Those supplies would better used for people who are much younger and who have a better chance of survival." He began to shake as he struggled to catch his breath. Each breath he took supplied him with less and less air.
Dove knew he was right, but she wanted to try with all her might to at least try to heal him. Tears streaming down her face as her arms started shaking. Cursing her helplessness.
"Besides, you know as well as I that even if, by some miracle, you were able to heal me, my illness would claim me by the end of the year."
She brought her hands up to her face. Sniffling as she cried into them. "You stupid old fool!"
"You're...you're dying?" Yang asked tentatively.
"Yes little bird, I am, but please, do not weep for me. I have lived a long, long life child. Truthfully, I was already dying, but at least this way, I can die on my own terms instead of waiting for this disease to take me."
"I don't want you to die. I still wanted to spend more time with you. I want to show you when I finally master that technique you taught me." She spoke quietly as her eyes began to water.
"I know Yang. I know. I wanted spend more time with my precious great-granddaughter." He smiled up at her. Owl brought up his right hand and began to caress her face. "Do not cry for me. My time is over. Yours has just begun. It's time for the old to leave the world to the younger generation. Know that I will always be watching you. Before I go, I want you to promise me something."
Yang held his hand gently to her face. "What is it?"
"When all this is over. When Salem has been defeated. Promise me that you will live as a woman and not as a soldier. There is so much more to life than fighting, killing, and vengeance. I want you to pursue those things. To be happy."
He looked to over to the rest of the Tribe. They had all huddled around him. Many of the children wailing and begging him to not go. While the adults cried in silence. "The same goes for all of you. Do you hear?"
They all nodded.
Owl looked to Raven. "That means you as well, granddaughter."
He smiled as he watched her nod. He felt so tired. "Good." Owl's breathes became shallower and shallower. Images of his life began to flash in his mind. From the days of his rambunctious youth, to finding his mate, to seeing his son born and even to seeing his grandchildren being born. Yes. Owl had a good, long life. Now, it was time for him to rest.
"Know that I love you all. Know that I will always be watching. Live well and goodbye." Were the last words he whispered right before he closed his eyes for good with a smile on his face. Eventually, the final breath from his lungs was exhaled as his chest came to a stop. After about five minutes of the last restart of his heart, Owl was finally pronounced dead by Dove on Wednesday at 2:30 a.m.
One by one Raven set the torch to the pyres. Soon the bodies would turn to ash. She paused at the last pyre. Owl's smiling corpse sat upon it. She studied it for a few moments before setting his body ablaze. Though very few actually died, Raven still considered it a monumental failure. Even if only one person died, she would still consider it failure. It was her duty to lead and to protect. She failed to protect. She failed those who had died. Failed the families of the deceased. Even failing herself for not being better.
As the fires were busy turning the dead to ash, Raven went to the collection of urns and worked to open them. Readying them to be used to collect the ashes. It wouldn't be until dawn when they would be ready to collect.
After the funeral, the sun was starting to peak over the horizon. The first signs of sunrise. Raven had busied herself performing her last duty. A duty that she also saw as a punishment for her failure. She went to every family of the deceased and apologized to them with a deep bow. Though they were appreciative of the gesture, Raven found it difficult to know if they hated her or not. If they did, she would never ask for their forgiveness. Thinking that she had no right to do so. However, they had every right be angry. They had the right to hate her.
Eventually, she came to her final destination. Dove's tent. Even though Robin had not been killed, she had still been abducted. Another failure. She passed through the flaps to see Dove organizing her medical tools. This failure was one of the worst. Dove wasn't just her friend, but also her mother figure for much of her life. The woman had raised her when her own mother died from child birth. And how did Raven repay this kindness? With failure. It shamed her to no end.
"Dove-"
"Stop." Dove interrupted. The older woman turned to look Raven in the eyes. "Don't you dare apologize to me Raven. You have nothing to apologize for."
Raven frowned. She could tell from redness of her eyes that she was crying. Crying and clutching her child's weapon to her chest. "I have everything to apologize for. This happened under my watch. The Tribe is my responsibility. Everyone who has died was my fault. Robin being abducted was my fault. This is my failure. It is my fault. I should have been better."
"It's true, that the Tribe is your responsibility, but it is absolutely not your fault what happened here. It was Salem." Dove raised her hand to silent Raven before she could reply. "No. Listen to me Raven. No one here blames you for what happened. We all knew the risks once we committed ourselves to fighting Salem. All of us knew Raven."
Dove rose to her feet and walked over to Raven once she placed Robin's weapon on her table. She placed her hands on the taller woman's shoulders. "If after hearing that you still think you need to offer me some sort of apology. Then get my daughter back Raven."
"I will get her back Dove. This I promise with my entire being."
"Good. Now go to Yang. You should be with her."
Raven shook her head. "I still have some things I need to do."
Dove let go and frowned. "Raven Branwen. Stop trying to drown yourself in work and go to your child."
Raven sighed. She knew that once Dove had taken that stern motherly tone with her full name that there was no arguing. "Very well." She turned to leave. "I hope sleep finds you Dove."
The sound of a bisected tree crashing on the ground echoed. A black boot smashed into another tree. Causing it to explode into tiny splinter. Raven grunted angrily as she swung her sword in front of her. Causing more trees to fall over. As well as the ones behind them. She was well aware that her grip on the tsuka was far too tight. Normally, she would make an immediate correction, but Raven just didn't care right now. She was far too angry. Perhaps angry was to weak a word to describe the fury that swirled within. Furious would be much more apt.
Raven knew she promised Dove that she would see Yang, but she needed to vent. She didn't want to unintentionally subject Yang to her wrath. That wasn't fair. Yang didn't deserve Raven losing her temper on her. A temper she had been struggling to contain all morning ever since they came back. Even the great Raven Branwen had her limits.
"Mom?"
Eyes wide, her instincts kicked in at the sudden sound behind her. Before looking, she swung Omen as she spun to meet whatever it was that dared to approach her. The sight of golden locks instantly stilled her hand. Raven's heart leapt into her throat when she saw how close Omen was to her daughter's neck. A sick feeling settled in her stomach with the realization that she had almost decapitated her own child. Lowering her weapon, Raven rubbed her face harshly.
"Please don't do that Yang." The strain in her voice was palpable. Her heart was still racing from her near accidental murder of her daughter.
"Heh. Looks like I'm the one who managed to sneak up on you this time huh?" Yang said with a sad smile.
Raven peered up at Yang from her hand. A frown was beginning to form on her face. "I'm not sure you should be joking like that. Seeing as I almost killed you."
"Well, maybe not, but I figured I'd at least try to make you feel better."
With a sigh, she sheathed Omen back in it's scabbard. "Why did you come out here Yang? Did something happen? Or did you need something?"
"I came out here for you." Yang said with frown.
"For me?"
Nodding. "Yes. I noticed you haven't spoken much and you've been working none stop. So, I got worried."
"While the sentiment is nice Yang, I'm not someone you should worry over."
"Now that's not true. I know you worry about me all the time because I'm your kid. That's what parents do, but it's a two way street Mom. I worry about you because you are my mother and I want to you be well."
"I assure you Yang, it really isn't necessary. I'm fine."
Yang huffed and place her hands on her hips. "I don't believe you. I know you can't really show what's going on inside because you're a leader, but you're also a person! I know you're hurting on the inside. I'm hurting too. I love you Mom and that's why it makes me worry even more when I see you become so quiet and practically recluse. To know that you're just bottling up everything inside. Well, everything, but anger." Yang gestured to their surroundings.
Raven looked around the area. It was a disaster zone. For a moment, a brief pang of embarrassment shot through her. She didn't even notice how out of control she was. When she felt a pair of arms wrap around her, she looked down to see a golden mane resting on her left shoulder.
"You once told me that we all go through our moments of vulnerability. That it wasn't anything to be ashamed of." She tightened her hold around her mother. "So, why do you act so ashamed of it?" There was a quiver in her voice as tears began to trickle down.
"Y-You." Raven started biting her bottom lip. Straining to keep the quivering out of her voice. Even squeezing her eyes as tightly as she could to keep the tears back. When she felt a second pair of arms wrap around her from behind, she snapped her eyes open. Raven recognized those arms. It was none other than Summer. She could feel her nuzzling her head in the middle of her back.
Memories of Salem killing her flashed. The first of her great failures. Images of watching her daughter from afar for years also came forth. The second of her great failures. Seeing Yang missing her arm was yet another great failure. Not being able to keep her own daughter out of the war with Salem is yet another great failure. Now, recently, the death of her grandfather, the abduction of Robin, and the death of various children and adults were all great failures.
Before long, Raven could no longer hold back her tears and sorrow. The weight of her failures and shame were too much to bear. Embracing her daughter as close as she could, Raven choked and sobbed into her shoulder. It was funny really. Every time Raven thinks that she has no more tears to shed, life comes and finds a way to prove her wrong.
Both mother and daughter cried together in each others embrace. They stayed like this into mid-morning.
"In so many ways, you're a lot like her."
Yang tilted her head. "Who? Summer?"
Raven nodded. After they had poured themselves out, both took to sitting on a log. Watching the sun continue to rise from the small clearing Raven had created from her violent outburst. The warmth of the star doing a lot to soothe both of them.
"She had this ability to bring out all of these emotions in me. Honestly, after a while, I think she made me realize that I'm more of a person than I thought. That I was loved and appreciated. She showed me it was ok to feel and to be comforted. That lovely smile she had could always make me melt."
"What about Dad?"
Raven smiled. Fond memories of her and Tai being alone at Beacon came to her. "Your father had this thing about him. He always knew exactly what to say when I was in my more pensive states. The way he was able to completely disarm me with that cute, boyish grin of his." She laughed.
"I suppose I should actually amend what I said though."
"What do ya mean? It's not like you said anything hurtful." Yang smiled.
"Well, because it's not entirely true. You have both of their best qualities. Really, it's actually kind of scary how much like those two you are. Though there are some things you get from me, I'd say you take a lot more after them."
"Does...does that bother you?"
Raven turned her head and smiled lovingly at her daughter. She put her hand atop her head and started to ruffle her hair. "Not at all. Quite the opposite actually. I couldn't be happier."
"Hey!" She tried to swat her mother's hand away. Only to fail every time she tried. Frowning when she heard her mother laugh at her.
"We should go back Yang." Finally relenting from messing with her child's hair. She watched as Yang blew out some air to move a bang away from her face. "We're going to be very busy soon. There is much to prepare for. And there is something I need to tell you."
"Geez Neo. Slow down will ya?" Roman said as he watched her skip along the road to the airship he had procured. "You only just got released from being bedridden. Should probably take it easy like the doc said." Roman chuckled when he saw her pout.
Neo started to make outrageous gestures while frantically waving her arms. Letting her displeasure about being laid out for so long be known. She knew that Roman was probably right, but it just felt so good to finally be able to move around under her own power.
The crime lord lifted up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright Neo. I get it. I guess it must feel nice to move around again huh pipsqueak?" He jabbed playfully.
He laughed when she stuck out her tougne.
"Good evening Roman Torchwick." A cool, even voice came from the darkness of the canopy.
Both Roman's and Neo's head shot up. Try as they might, they couldn't see who the voice belonged to. Though Neo didn't recognize the voice, Roman did.
"Ah. So we meet again mystery person." Catching Neo's confused look he continued. "Neo, this is the person who saved me." He gave a gentlemanly bow. "In case I haven't said it before. I must extend my gratitude for your timely rescue of my life."
He looked up from his bowed form with a smirk. "Though, being the experienced man that I am, I'm going to take guess and say that kindness wasn't done for free and you've come to collect a debt. Yes?"
"Of course. However, I hope I don't have to remind you about what we talked about at great length. Your involvement for what's to come is crucial."
"Of course not. I haven't forgotten about Salem." Roman removed his hat and held it at his waist. "If you're worried that I'll go back on our agreement, then let me put those worries to ease. I'm a man of my word. Besides, this Salem is very much so bad for business. So, she has to be dealt with."
"Good. What about your partner though? Will she be there?"
Putting his hat back he twirled his cane before setting it down to lean on it. "Maybe. It's up to Neo. I won't force her if she doesn't feel up to it. Besides, she only just recovered"
Neo gave him a look that told him that she was going anywhere he was going. She would not be leaving his side anytime soon. Lifting her arm and flexing it, she gave a confident smirk.
"Hahaha. Well, there you have it mystery person. Guess we got an extra hand." Roman placed his hand on her shoulder. "However, just promise me you'll bail if it becomes too much. You just got healed up. I don't want you overdoing it and landing yourself back into a bed. Alright?"
Neo felt heat rising up her face. She smiled and nodded in agreement.
"Very well. Be sure to be at Haven in two days. Make sure to bring your people. We're going to need them."
The sound of a branch bouncing up and down were the only signal they got that told them the voice had left.
Roman looked toward his partner with a grin. "Well, let's go and get the gang back to together! We got a school to save!" Roman laughed at the irony. Who would have thought that the man who helped launch a devastating attack on Beacon would be helping to save Haven? Certainly not him. It was funny how life worked out sometimes.
He would admit that playing the role of savior was something of an intriguing prospect. It would be a way to show up that Lil' Miss Malachite. More importantly though, it was a good way to show that woman he called a mother how far he'd come. Make her regret ever abandoning him. That is if she was still alive. He hoped she was. Just so he could rub his success in her face.
Neo however, was to busy jumping for joy at the prospect of getting the gang back for another romp. She was so happy to be doing this again. Just like old times. Her, Roman, and the gang fighting and making trouble for those they set their sights on. It was so good to have her Roman back.
"What a fucking disaster." Sienna groaned as she sat down on a lone, makeshift bench by a tree. An audible sigh escaped her lips as she put her feet up on a shin high box.
"That bastard Adam has made such a fucking mess. How many more Faunus refugees am I going to find that have suffered under his regime?"
"Well, you're going to have a chance to get back at him Sienna."
Sienna immediately jumped onto her feet with her weapon drawn. She looked up to find her visitor, but the thick foliage of the tree prevented her from seeing them. How did she not hear or smell this person coming up on her?
"Easy Sienna. It's me. The one who saved your life." The voice said from the branches.
Hearing the voice again made her recognize it. Indeed, this was the person who nursed her backed to health. She put her weapon away and eased into a more relaxed state.
"For Dust sake, you could have at least given me some kind of sign you were coming instead of scaring me like that."
"I apologize, but time is of the essence."
Sienna shook her head with an tired sigh. "It's whatever." She waved off. "Anyway. What was this about getting back at that deranged lunatic again?"
"Adam is making his move against Haven. Subsequently, this also means Salem has made her move as well." The voice informed.
Salem. Sienna certainly remembers how they talked about her. If what she has been told was correct, then that woman was a far greater problem than bigotry. Besides, if the Faunus helped to deal with her, then perhaps there's a good chance that her people would finally be treated with the respect and dignity that they ought to be treated with. Helping Haven against Adam's White Fang would also go a long way to achieving equality and peace between the Faunus and Humans.
"Well, you can count on me being there. I won't pass up a chance to put that madman down."
"Good. I understand you're thin on manpower due to your circumstances. I only ask that you bring what you realistically can."
Sienna grinned. "Oh don't worry. I recently got some more hands to help. Both of them went to Beacon, while the other three have defected from Adam once I showed them what he was doing."
"Very well. Make whatever preparations you need to Sienna. Just be at Haven in two days time. Have a good night."
And with sound of a branch in motion, the voice was gone.
Yes, Sienna would have to start making plans. Running into those five kids was certainly looking more and more fortuitous of her. However, she had her doubts about the Belladonna girl. The girl was too flaky for her liking. Sienna wasn't sure she could make the right choices. She feared that Blake wouldn't be able to kill him, even though he needs to die. Sienna chalked this up to fear. Fear that she would become him if she did the deed. Yes. She would have to make plans to account for Blake. Just in case she screwed up.
"Ugh. These are going to be a long two days."
A/N: Been a long ass time I know, but work has made it very hard for me to find time to write. This overtime shit is straight up nonsense. Also, I have been working hard over the past year to lose weight and I can proudly say that I have succeeded in losing 33lbs. Feels really good. Anyway, how about that Metroid Dread huh? I fucking loved that game. I've been waiting so long for a proper Metroid sequel. Ever since Fusion. Yes. I'm old enough to not only remember Metroid Fusion, but was actually there to get it on release day...I feel old. I still wish they didn't make Samus so skinny. Girl is a space warrior goddess, let her have some muscular development dammit you cowards! Also, got pretty addicted to Rogue Legacy 2. Good game that game is.
It's not just work that have kept me from writing as much as I wanted to, but also, a person I consider my brother was going through a real rough patch of his life. Doing things like trying to commit suicide. All because that woman he was with treated him so poorly and had the nerve to cheat behind his back and even more damning she also lied to him about the child she pregnant with was his. After months of this lie, he finally got a DNA test to find out she wasn't his kid. You can imagine how much that destroyed him. Thankfully, after a lot of hard work, me and another friend of mine were able to pull him away from that dark place. So, he's doing a lot better now. Much more like his old self.
So, that's just some things I had going on. I don't know when I will be able to actually sit down and write again. Hopefully soon. I got the holidays. I might be able to swing that. Anyway, I want to thank everyone who has been patient and is still reading this story. Seriously, thank you.