Welcome back guys, enjoy the new chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY or Unleashed (THERE, I SAID IT! NOW LEAVE ME ALONE YOU BLOOD SUCKING LAWERS!)
Sorry I had way too much coffee and energy drinks again.
Chapter 10: The New Ren
All the audience members including the new arrivals made themselves comfortable after they finished discussing among themselves and watched as the screen came back to life.
(on screen)
Ren and Ozpin were once again grocery shopping and Ren was currently tapping a melon like Ozpin had taught him to determine if it was ripe or not.
(tap)
(tap)
(tap)
"Not ripe" he said to himself and selected another melon.
Meanwhile the visually impaired Ozpin was talking to the manager Maddie at the front of the store.
"How's the lesson's going?" she asked curious at how the boy was taking in the skills he was being taught.
"Oh he's growing by leaps and bounds" replied Ozpin with pride. "What's this you got here? Is this…?"
His question was not answered as a man frantically burst into the store as he desperately tried to evade two other men who were chasing him.
(off screen)
Everyone looked on in worry at the situation that was taking place. If by some chance the men accidently confronted Ren and removed his collar, there was no telling what would happen. Ironwood and Winter who remembered what they were shown and how brutal the seemingly docile boy could be when his collar came off also had looks of concern and could only hope nothing bad would occur.
(on screen)
"Too ripe" said Ren to himself after inspecting another melon, oblivious to the chaos that was happening around him, his focus was completely on finding a ripe melon for Ozpin.
The man who was fleeing managed to evade one of his pursuer's but got cut by the other who gave him a devastating kick to the gut that sent him flying back into one of the fridges, breaking the glass and spilling all drinks inside.
The downed man was then picked up and tossed into a table full of cans and was knocked out as the cans dropped on his head.
The two men quickly fled the scene leaving a bunch of shaken and terrified customers, except for a certain collard boy who casually walked up to a worried Ozpin with a melon in his hand.
"This one's ripe" he said with a big smile and Ozpin could only stare incredulously at the nonchalant behaviour Ren was showing.
(off screen)
"It's as if he didn't even see them, he was so focused on the melon nothing else registered in his brain" a shocked Winter said in worry.
A worried Ironwood nodded in agreement "His mind has been so meticulously conditioned it's like he can only focus his current task and tunes out everything else. The person that did this to him was very thorough in how they went about it."
The student's, Nora in particular seethed in anger at the thought of what Roman did to their teammate and comrade to make him something he is not.
"If I ever see that cigar smoking weasel again I am so breaking his legs" thought Nora as she imagined herself with Magnhild in hand standing over a downed Roman, raising her hammer high and bringing it down with a satisfying (crunch) as both of the criminals legs were broken.
Not noticing their teammates almost evil smile, team RWBY and JPR resumed watching with the others following their example.
(on screen)
Ozpin and Ren were now back in the apartment's kitchen and Ren was attempting to prepare dinner while Ozpin was going through the events of the store in his head, deciding to get some answers he started to question Ren on his lack of reaction to the altercation in the store.
"Ren, do you remember when I said that Nora and I were not too big on asking questions. That we thought when people were ready they'd give their own answers?" asked Ozpin.
Nodding his head while mixing the food in the pan, "I remember" he said.
"After today in the supermarket, I need some answers and I don't think I'm going to get them without asking questions. Is that alright?" he gently asked.
"Ok" was the simple reply.
'Nodding at Ren's acceptance Ozpin began his questioning. "Ok, so…in the market those men, they were fighting. You knew that, right?" he asked carefully.
"Yes" replied Ren simply.
"But that didn't bother you?" questioned Ozpin with some curiosity.
"No"
"You weren't afraid?" was the next question.
"No" came next simple reply from Ren.
"Normally people find themselves in situations like that, they get afraid" said Ozpin in hopes of getting more answers.
"They weren't fighting me" Ren said as if it explained everything.
Seeing that he was getting nowhere, Ozpin decided to ask one last question. "Ok, one more question. When you first came to us, you were hurt pretty bad. How did that happen?"
"I asked for a piano" answered Ren stoically, almost finished with the meal.
Now curios from the answer Ozpin continued, "You asked who for a piano?"
"My uncle"
"Oh you do have family?" said the blind man in surprise.
"No" replied Ren coldly.
"But you just said you had an uncle" a confused Ozpin reminded.
"He's dead" stated the boy in tone that said he was done answering questions.
"Oh…" was all Ozpin could say at that revelation.
Now finished preparing dinner, Ren held up the pan of food for Ozpin to inspect. "Is this good?" he asked hopefully.
"That's wonderful" was the soft reply.
(off screen)
"You are so cooking for us when we get back Renny" said Nora as she salivated at the thought of Ren making delicious meals for her and the rest of the team.
Knowing it would be useless to resist, the green clad shinobi just nodded in agreement while Jaune and Pyrrha gave him looks of sympathy but also decided to give in their requests.
"I'll have a double bacon and cheese burger" ordered Jaune while Pyrrha requested a healthy salad and Nora obviously wanted pancakes.
Team RWBY, overhearing, decided to throw in their orders as well. Ruby ordered a plate full of chocolate-chip cookies, Weiss mirrored Pyrrha and requested a salad as well. Blake's order was made up of two helpings of tuna and ramen with tuna toppings which caused her to drool at the thought of the delicious meal and finally Yang ordered spaghetti and meatballs.
"You think you handle all that, Ninja boy?" asked a smirking Yang.
Ren suddenly had a mad glint in his eyes as he pulled out a notebook from nowhere and jotted down everyone's order in speeds that would make professional waiters jealous.
"I'll start on your orders once we return" a completely serious Ren said to friends who looked shocked that he would actually cater all of them.
Giggling slightly to herself, Nora decided to explain "Ren takes preparing meals very seriously and won't stop until all your orders are met."
The teams immediately told Ren how grateful they were and that they wouldn't make him cook for them regularly but he just waved them off and said it was not a problem.
Smiling to themselves, everyone turned back to the screen and watched on.
(on screen)
It had been a few weeks since Ozpin's questioning, afterwards he never brought up the topic again. Ren was now almost fully integrated into their small family and they couldn't be happier. Ren was now once again picking up Nora from school and was patiently waiting for her at his usual spot at the bottom of the stairs.
Coming down the stairs, Nora quickened her pace after seeing Ren waiting for her. Coming to a stop in front of him she asked, "Ok, you ready?"
Her answer was Ren pulling out two ice-cream cones from behind him but misjudged how fast he did it and one of the cones slipped and nearly landed on the startled girl who jumped in surprise.
"Oh god!" she shrieked but then smiled as a sheepish Ren offered her the cone that didn't slip from his grasp, which she gratefully accepted.
After that debacle, the two of them made their way through town and simply took in the sights. Suddenly getting an idea Nora somehow persuaded Ren to get into a canoe with her albeit with a life jacket.
"You're acting ridiculous. It's not that bad" deadpanned Nora as gently paddled the canoe while a petrified Ren clung to the sides as if his life depended on it, he even jumped slightly as the water splashed near him.
(off screen)
" .OUM! That is the funniest thing ever! He can fight off ten men at once but is scared of a little water! HAHA!" Yang was clutching her sides as she laughed at the ridiculous scene in front of her.
"Hey lay off, blondie! He probably was never taught how to swim and has never been so close to deep water before. So shut ya trap!" thundered Nora, coming to the defence of her longest friend.
Yang immediately quieted down and apologised sincerely with Nora accepting instantly as if she was never mad in the first place.
(on screen)
After canoeing, Nora took Ren to the local cinema and the two were watching a new horror movie that made Ren jump more than once and unconsciously grab Nora's hand into his own, not that she minded.
Later in the day Ozpin joined them and they made their way the dentist and the two men were waiting in the waiting room when suddenly Nora emerged the operating room and gave a dazzling smile that showed her teeth were free of braces.
The trio ended their day by standing together near a fountain where Nora set up a camera with a timer and after they posed together with Ozpin pulling them both into a hug with his arms, the camera went off and the new picture showed all three of them smiling happily.
Now back home, Nora placed the new picture in the cabinet that held all the other's.
"That looks like it belongs there." She stated.
"Where is it?" asked Ozpin
"It's right there" said Nora after guiding the man's hand to the photo.
"Oh yes! It belongs there." Grinned the happy blind man.
(off screen)
Everyone felt their hearts warm as they watched Ren finally begin to live the happy life he deserved. There was bigger reaction from Ren and Nora though. Ren couldn't get the dazzling smile his childhood friend gave out of his head and as much as he wanted to deny it, he would really like to see it much more, especially from this worlds Nora. Speaking of the girl, she was currently replaying the 'date' her and Ren's 'others' went on and blushed as she recalled them holding hands in the cinema and wondered if her and Ren would ever do something like that.
"What am I thinking, he would never want someone like me. He would have said something by now" she sadly thought to herself.
"Would being with her be so bad? We've been through so much together; I can't imagine her not being by my side but would she feel the same?" Ren's thoughts were in turmoil as he glanced in Nora's direction and noticed her downtrodden look and was immediately concerned.
Making his way over to her, he got the attention of everyone who wondered what the pink streaked boy was up to.
Ignoring everyone else Ren crouched in front of his longest and closest friend who stared at him confusedly.
"Are you ok Nora? You look like something's bothering you." He asked in concern.
"N-no! Nothing's wrong! I'm perfectly fine, see" she hurriedly said while putting a fake smile on her face.
Ren immediately saw straight through her smile and was now even more concerned, "Don't lie to me Nora, I can always tell when you're hiding something, so please tell me" he gently pleaded with his friend.
Her friends were all looking at the two of them in concern and worry, so after thinking it over she decided to confess her feelings.
"A-alright I'll tell you what's bothering me" stuttered Nora nervously. Taking a deep breath, she continued, "It's just that, after watching our counterparts spend time together and enjoy themselves I started wondering if the two of us could ever be together like that, but iknowthatwillneverhappenimeanitwouldruinwhatwehavenowandidontwantustohateeachotherforthis-" she started to ramble uncontrollably.
Her rambling was cut off by Ren who raised a finger and thinking he meant she should shut up, she closed her mouth but got a massive surprise when he placed his finger softly on the tip of her nose.
"Boop" was all he said with a small smile.
Nora's eyes widened as tears of joy fell, leaping from her seat and into Ren's arms the girl hugged him with all her strength and Ren despite his spine creaking in protest returned the hug.
Pulling back from the hug Ren gently cupped Nora's face and placed his lips gently on hers in chaste but no less loving kiss.
"So we're 'together-together' now?" asked Nora after the kiss ended.
"When were we ever not" replied Ren which got him another kiss.
Suddenly they were aware of the other people in the room and blushed in embarrassment.
The silence was then broken by Yang who hooped and hollered in congratulations, while the others weren't as loud they still expressed happiness to the new couple.
"Ok everyone, I know you're all excited and happy, but there's still a scene left to be viewed so get to it, oh and congratulations you two, I know you'll be happy together"
Blushing at being so caught up with their friends becoming a couple, the students sat down in their seats with Nora now sitting in her boyfriend's lap.
(on screen)
Ren was now sitting in his bed playing the keyboard as usual but unlike before he was actually playing a tune that sounded like an actual piece of music and not random notes.
A knock on the door interrupted his playing and Nora suddenly entered in her nightgown.
"Where'd you learn that?" she asked curiously.
"Learn what?"
"That piece of music you just played."
"It's what I hear in my head" he replied.
"Do it again" encouraged the girl.
Ren obliged and played the tune again.
"It's hard, someone had to teach it to you" said Nora, recognising the tune somewhat.
"You don't remember?" she asked.
Shaking his head "No" he answered sadly.
"Maybe in your other life. The one you had before us" she inquired.
"I don't know" he said quietly.
"Well everything is new about you now. Your clothes, your hair" she indicated to his new hairstyle which now had a pink streak in it, "your whole life." Suddenly reaching for his collar, "this is the last…"
She was cut off by Ren who grabbed her hand, stopping her from removing the metal restraint.
Not letting him stop her she continued, "I think it's time to put the last thing away. Don't you?" she asked and slowly put her hand on the lock off the collar as the tension grew between them.
(off screen)
Nearly everyone was on the edge of their seats as they watched the 'on screen' Nora about to remove the one thing that kept the boy from becoming a vicious attack dog. What would happen when she took it off? Would he attack her?
"I hope she knows what she's doing" a nervous Weiss said to her teammates who were all hoping nothing bad was going to occur to their friend.
Ren was unconsciously holding Nora closer to himself as he watched what in his mind, could possibly be the riskiest thing she has ever done.
"You won't hurt me, I trust you with my life" she said softly to him after feeling his grip tighten and having an idea on what was going through his head.
Nodding in thanks, he turned back to the screen.
(on screen)
Slowly, Nora pushed the lock on the collar until finally…
(click)
The collar's lock released.
"HA!" A flash of himself fighting and screaming caused Ren to jump slightly which startled Nora a little.
(off screen)
Everyone jumped when the collar was unlocked but didn't relax yet as the collar was still on.
(on screen)
With great caution Nora pulled the collar off Ren's neck which revealed the scars the collar left behind.
Tracing his scarred neck softly with her hand, Nora the cupped his cheek and moved closer to him.
"Everything is new about you now" she said softly to Ren who was frozen stiff at having his collar removed and not getting the order to fight.
Nora moved closer to the boy and looked as if she about kiss his lips, but decided to kiss his scarred neck instead.
"Goodnight" she whispered as left the room, leaving Ren who placed his hand on the spot she kissed and for the first time didn't hear the voice of the attack dog in him after the collar was removed. He finally laid down and slept peacefully through the night with no nightmares to plague him anymore.
(screen darkens)
(off screen)
Everyone let out a sigh of relief as Ren's 'other' didn't lose himself and attack Nora for removing the collar.
"I gotta say, that was really intense" said Ruby who wiped a bead of sweat from her brow.
"Yeah I thought for a second he was gonna attack" an equally relieved Blake agreed.
"My Renny would never hurt me, not matter what!" Stated Nora firmly while latched on to said boy.
"It would appear that spending so much time with people who actually care for his well-being has quelled mister Ren's other personality" said professor Goodwitch while pushing up her glasses.
"I'm just glad he's done fighting and never has to worry about hurting anybody else again" said Jaune happily but his happiness was suddenly taken away by the surprise words from Ethan who flashed in as usual.
"I'm afraid you're mistaken Jaune, Ren's fighting days are not behind him just yet"
This immediately got angry protests from everyone who wanted to know why but were quickly shut down by the room shaking as their host released some of his power, reminding them they were in the presence of someone much more powerful than them combined.
"Now as I was saying, yes his fighting days are not yet behind him, but that does not mean he will return to being 'a dog' again. I cannot reveal too much but I can tell you this, the next chapters are going to be a bit hard to watch so fair warning."
With that he left, again leaving everyone to mull over what he just said and wait for the next scene to be shown.
END.
WAZZZZUUUPPPPP!
Ahem, sorry bout that. Hey everyone I just want to apologise if this chapter seems rushed. I wanted to finish it quickly because I have some personal things happening at the moment. I hope you still enjoyed it, especially that I made RENORA happen, I am still buzzing with excitement that it's canon.
Next a shout out to my followers, I mean I wake up and find that I have 59 followers…..WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE!? I really didn't expect to get any followers with my mediocre writing but thank you all, it really means a lot.
Next is a shout out to reviewers 'keybladelight, crazyg12, Stryker, King king, J0K3R,' for giving suggestions for new crossover reactions. If I don't use your suggestions, it's not personal it's just that I'm probably not very familiar with the series/game/movie etc and would have to first make sure I know everything about it before I use it.
Thank you all again for reading, reviewing and enjoying my story, I'll see you all next time. Ja Ne!
