A/N Okay, so Volumes 1-2 play out basically the same way, with a bit of additions here and there. Those of which are going to be added to show off what has occurred and what has changed.
Walking along the stone pathways, he let out a low hum. Humans' always had a way of making things, yet they also held a single quality that he enjoyed, hope. Something so easily created, by right this world was his, even without mother his purpose would be fulfilled, and he would return to her. But the heart and soul of this world was sealed away within a few choice locations. After locating one such location he found a door, one which he could not break open. So now he was at an impasse, he could not break open the vaults without the humans help, and thus leads him to this location.
Looking up at the statue before him, it showed a man and a woman standing above the soulless ones, those outside the cycle of the planet, he let out a hum at such a depiction as he began to walk into the auditorium he slowly looked around, many others were gathered and not one piqued his interest, finding a spot near the back he stared forward and waited listening... Ozpin the headmaster of this 'school' gave a short speech and then they were sent off to the ballroom, where all first years were meant to stay the night, walking out of the auditorium he pushed many out of his way as they attempted to file out as quickly as possible, ignoring the humans who kept shouting at him he made his way into the ballroom, upon entering they were told to set up then begin the tour of the facility. While many talked among themselves he silently followed along, four years was all the time he had to find out how to open the vaults, once he learned how it was reaching them that posed the largest issue, slaughtering a school takes time after all.
"Excuse me." a voice came from his right, slowly turning his head towards the human he looked them up and down it was a young girl with black hair and sliver eyes she stared up at him and seemed to be quite intimidated "You... you're standing in front of my locker." she explained and he slowly looked away from her back towards the teacher, she too was of little importance
"Hey, dude. Just move out of the way, we all gotta put our weapons away." a new voice came, it was fiery and demanding, looking down at the girl she seemed easily angered, taller than the last girl she had long blond hair and purple eyes that seemed to burn with unknowing determination, unliable to be hammered into a useful weapon. Leaning down to her level she stared into her eyes a small smile growing on his face
"That girl, will never be worthy of attention." his voice came cold and commanding, it froze her to the core to hear such a lifeless voice but her frozen heart was thawed by the fire in her hair and eyes "So I awarded her as such." he finished straightening once more as the girl cocked her arm back to strike
"Yang, it's fine. I'll just... come back later." the worthless girl said grabbing Yangs' arm stopping the strike
"No it's not! You cant let people like this push you a-"
"He is way stronger than both of us, it's fine." she said that earned a glance from Sephiroth he knew that Ozpin could tell how powerful he was but this girl was different... perhaps he misjudged. The sound of slow footsteps earned their attention turning around they watched the man walk away slowly and predatory-like
"That guy is so creepy." Yang commented as he turned the corner a chill running up her spine, Ruby on the other hand just opened the locker and placed her weapon in it
"Yeah... but there's something... … familiar about him, like I know him from somewhere." Ruby said staring at the ground the sight of something fading away catching her eye as it was replaced with black smoke that quickly disappeared, shrugging it off she and Yang began to make their way along with the rest of the group to hear more about the school, she was so excited to be here!
(o)
Watching as the human's he stood silent, watching as they either talked, tried to sleep, or just tried to show off. Turning around he stared out the window at the black sky, mother was out there, and he would return to her. Closing his eyes he began to count, being one with the lifestream stripped him of many human failings such as a need for sleep and hunger. The only thing he hungered for was the removal of humanity from his world, and now that wish had spread to this world as well. Waiting quietly he eventually opened his eyes to the sight of the morning sun, the night passed rather uneventfully. Turning on his heel he began to walk towards the door leading towards the building that housed all the weaponry, as he walked past many of them were roused awake by his movements and quickly began to dress to join him.
(o)
the girl and Yang were talking quite feverishly the red girl seemed to be unable to talk openly as her friend, watching her much closer now he noted that her movements were casually but prepared, as though she was subconsciously prepared to fight at all times. Hugging her weapon she began to happily skip her way out of the room, following after her Sephiroth made note that her eyes kept flicking over to him from the very corner of her eyes, she was watching him too.
Making their way out onto the cliff side they were all positioned on platforms, closing his eyes he listened to words of interest, picking up on the requirement for them to reach the north-eastern side of the forest, acquire a relic of his choosing, and return. Simplicity itself.
(o)
slowly dropping from the sky at the center of the ruin he looked around, no one had arrived yet. Closing his eyes he waited... and waited... and waited, for a few minutes he heard some movement around him and talking, after a while the familiar blond girl arrived
"And there he is, when did you get here? I didn't see you get launched, you must be pretty light." she said as he slowly opened his eyes and they drifted over to hers
"You were slow. But I am not here to wait for you. I'm here for the other one." he said his tone causing both girls to shutter a bit out of fear
"What other-... do you mean Ruby? I thought she wasn't 'worthy of attention'." she commented her stance getting more hostile
"She wasn't, until she saw what you didn't. There is a familiar... aspect about her, one which I wish to confirm. Should I be proven correct..." he let out a dark chuckle "Then my goal here would be two fold."
"Okay, creepo I'ma tell you this once cause I'm nice like that, you go anywhere near my lil sis, and there'll be more hell to pay then you could handle." she warned causing his smirk to twitch upward a bit
"Noted." he said unfazed by her words slowly looking upward he hummed "Perhaps I will only have to study a bloody stain on the ground." he commented causing Yang to follow his gaze upward towards a streak of red she barely identified as Ruby moments before hitting the ground she was struck by a streak of blue and the two went flying into a nearby tree
"RUBY!" Yang cried running towards the tree, slowly following her movements with his eyes his expression was unchanged as Yang made her way towards Ruby the sounds of trees breaking earned his ear though, slightly intrigued he slowly turning to watch a red haired girl flee from a large scorpion, many of these children were not worth the lives they have, how they could be so idiotic and still survive this long was beyond him. As the red haired girl collided with the ground before him he stepped over her and began to walk towards the large scorpion
"Your existence is pointless, disappear." he ordered and with a snap of his fingers a small flickering ball of light flew towards the creature colliding with the beast he turned and began to walk back towards the group as the beast exploded into smoke causing all spectators jaws to drop as he slowly walked his eyes going up towards the flying creature swinging his blade a wave of purple energy few through the creature splitting it in half causing the white haired girl to fall with a scream of fear she nearly collided with the ground but was caught by the blond boy who then slammed into the ground with a groan, the girl quickly stood up from him with a growl as she immediately locked onto Sephiroth
"YOU! HOW DARE YOU! I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED!" she shouted in outrage storming towards him, he barely even acknowledged her as he walked back towards the relics and grabbed one of the pieces at random then turned and floated up into the air before rocketing off towards the cliff
"I... um... cool semblance." Ruby said grabbing the white knight piece "C'mon guys! We gotta go. On my way down I saw tons more coming this way." she added gesturing for everyone to move forward, before bringing up the rear.
(o)
Landing on the cliff lightly as ever he slowly looked over to Ozpin and his assistant, both of which stared back
"So, what piece did you retrieve?" Ozpin asked holding his hand out to the taller man, Sephiroth held his hand out and dropped a singular object in the waiting hand, the black pawn.
"Hm, any particular reason?"
"The pawn can become any other piece. In it's essence it is greater than any other piece." he answered as though he was reading from a sheet of paper, which admittedly he basically was, back while in SOLDIER he spent most days sharpening his mind and body, and chess was one such way to reach success.
"That is true, but it represents much more. Not just all other pieces but also a marker for all beings, where one stands doesn't define what they can do, what good they can accomplish." Ozpin said earning a hum from the man who soon began to walk away barely acknowledging either of the teachers
(o)
Days passed as normal, while the others acclimated themselves to their teams he was preparing for four years of mediocre work and study, all the information given in each class was worthless due to him already knowing it, or deeming it not worth his time.
Today though, he had something that actually interested him.
"Ruby Rose, verse Sephiroth." Glynda said causing his eyes to slowly open, rising to his feet he began to walk down the stairs and up onto the stage still dressed in his uniform "Sephiroth, do you wish to battle in your uniform? If you end up getting dirty or damaged you'll need to change clothes." she advised
"I know." he said as Ruby reentered the room a massive scythe resting on her shoulder, looking him over she dropped into a ready stance, a low hum soon permeated the room raising his left hand and closed his fingers around something causing a massively long blade to appear from thin air, slowly lowering it to his side he stared her down, Rubys' eyes watched him closely
"I'm giving you a chance to prove me wrong about your worth. Do not disappoint me." he ordered as Glynda counted down from ten, just as the final number left her lips Ruby had crossed the distance and attacked causing a loud ring to echo, her arms began to struggle against his weapon, easily guiding the weapon upward he twisted Masamune up and slammed the pommel of the blade into her cheek, stumbling back she twisted her scythe around and blocked a strike from him causing her to slide towards the edge, looking back at the edge she gasped as to how easily he began to pressure her, diving to the side she avoided a stab from the man as well as getting knocked out of the arena and counterattacked, bringing her Scythe up towards him as he drew the blade from the ground and blocked the strike, swinging wide he tilted the weapon allowing the blunt to move across the girls face, a resounding smack echoed as she fell to the ground, rolling over she sat up only for him to kick her in the gut causing her to gasp and drop to the ground, stomping down on her hand she let out a scream of pain as he cocked his leg back again and kicked her sending her into the wall, rolling around a bit and holding her hand she whined in pain, the sound of slow moving footsteps earned her attention and she sprang into action, diving forward into a roll she barely avoided a stab from him, looking around she caught sigh of her weapon. Running forward she grabbed the weapon then spun around-
Rising into the air she gripped the weapon that tore through her aura, letting out a gasp of pain as she kicked her feet trying to get him to lower her he smiled
"Tell me, does this pain remind you of anything?" he questioned and with the flick of his wrist sent her flying into the ceiling, shattering the light fixture above she dropped back down landing on his blade again this time it shattered her aura and cut through her shoulder, letting out a scream of pain he tilted his arm downward holding her equal enough to keep her hovering, staring at her face he hummed a bit and tilted his head, the smile on his face caused fear to shoot up she spine, yanking the blade free she fell to her knees, leaping back he avoided a strike from the blond who was glaring at him with burning eyes
"Bastard!" she shouted and rushed him only to be frozen in purple light before her strike could land
"Miss Xiao-Long, While what happened is regrettable you shouldn-"
"No, I wish to fight her too." Sephiroth cut in earning a look from the teacher
"You've already injured one student, while it was an accident, I do not believe a grudge match between you and miss Xiao-Long would serve any purpose." Glynda reasoned floating Yang back towards the stands as she struggled violently against the restraints
"Look at her, she is consumed by rage." Sephiroth said with a small smile biting at his lips "She will request a match later, if not tomorrow. I say we let events play out. Besides, there is still a long way to go before class ends." he explained walking over to Ruby who was nursing her shoulder, kneeling in front of her he leaned in and whispered something in her ear while placing his hand over her wound, turning he walked back to the center of the arena allowing his blade and hand to rest at his side lazily, not even adopting a stance
Glynda was speaking quite quickly to Weiss and Blake, both of whom were listening with wrapped attention, Yang was glaring at him quite a bit too, with a smile he held up his blade and whipped his hand along it leaving it stained red with Rubys' blood.
Her eyes widened and she attacked, crossing the distance between the two in mere seconds swinging faster than she ever remembered being able to, but still he dodged with ease. Again and again she struck and it was to the side or just short, leaping into the air she brought her fist towards his jaw only to be stopped by his blade hitting her feet sending her twirling through the air and slamming into the ground with a loud thunk. Rising to her feet she rushed in again but this time he crossed the distance first and grabbed her by the throat and slammed her into the ground, bouncing a bit she felt two powerful strikes one to her stomach and the other to her lower back, slamming into the ground the ringing in her ears seemed to never ended pushing herself up on hands and knees for a few moments she felt all of her strength vanish and everything went black.
Turning from the blond he looked up at Glynda "Now she will have a reason to grow stronger." he said floating off the stage as his weapon faded from existence
"An unauthorized battle, injuring a student, as well as half a team. You will be talking to Professor Ozpin for this." she said glaring at him, which he promptly ignored in favor of closing his eyes and relaxing listening for the planet but still heard nothing.
(o)
"I mean seriously! Who does he think he is! Smug prick." Yang complained as she re-wrapped Rubys' shoulder, this was the fourth time this weeks she had complained about Sephiroth stabbing her, and considering it's Wednesday that was a lot of complaining, looking over her shoulder she found that Sephiroth had once again, just like every day for the past month sat alone, eating slowly his eyes closed.
"Maybe he just doesn't know how to make friends? Or he was raised in a weird family situation." Ruby offered "I don't work well with people either, maybe he just prefers combat to people, like I prefer weapons." she offered earning a glare from her sister
"He stabbed you! There's no two ways about it, he is an asshole." Yang reasoned earning a deadpanned look from Ruby
"I was there." she said resting her hand on her own injury "And that doesn't matter, maybe we started off on the wrong foot, you were the one who said I should make friends anyways, maybe he's more willing now." she offered earning an eyeroll from Yang, while she was rolling her eyes Ruby stood and began to walk towards Sephiroth who was now watching her. Reaching his table everyone around them fell silent, intent to hear what was said
"Hello." she greeted holding her hand out to him, his eyes were still locked onto hers, it was hard to look away given the beautiful color of his eyes, they almost had a faint glow to them "I- I was wondering if you'd like to... hangout some time? Maybe... train... together. I could learn quite a bit from you." she questioned awkwardly trying not to look him in the eyes, even if there was something alluring about them, she had to stay on her toes. Staring her down his eyes drifted over to Yang for a few moments before returning to Ruby
"Maybe. It depends on how your 'friends' take it." he said earning a raised eyebrow from Ruby, his tone let nothing pass, it was completely blank of emotion.
"Well... I'm sure they wouldn't mind. Besides, I know you're not as mean as Yang makes you out to be. You just prefer fighting to talking, right?" she said with a quick chuckle
"Possibly." he avoided rising from his seat suddenly towering over the girl once again causing her to flinch a little "Sunday, arena six, noon." he added walking away his eyes locked onto Yang the whole time, though Ruby didn't notice as she made her way back to her team and their table, and plopped down next to Yang again as the cafeteria went back to conversation
"What is wrong with you!?" Yang quickly questioned shaking her sister a bit
"I just wanted to give him a chance, besides I'm sure it would be a ton of help, clearly I have some catching up to do in the combat department."
"Just cause you have a fifty-six percent win rate doesn't mean you need to ask him to get better!" Yang commented earning a nod from Ruby
"Yeah, and he had a one-hundred percent win rate, that is significantly better than fifty, and just about everyone else, except Pyrrha." Ruby countered the two continued to argue ignoring the others at the table watching them.
(o)
Entering the arena Ruby found Sephiroth standing at the center his weapon in hand and eyes closed, he was standing still as a statue too. It was a little creepy
"Hey! Sephdog-"
"Don't." he warned quickly causing her relaxed additude to vanish
"Alright... so I guess were gonna be training?"
"Correct. Experience will make you stronger, but know this; unlike last time I will put forth more effort." he warned raising his weapon next to his head and gripped the hilt in both hands as she lowered her stance and widened her grip as the weapon extended
Running forward she swung and he causally guided the attack to the side, ducking and dodging around his eyes following her the whole time, leaping back he landed quite a few feet away rushing forward she attacked as soon as she got in range and he dodged back again, giving chase she raised her weapon and attacked this time he waved his hand and a barrier of small transparent honey-comb pattern blocking the strike her eyes widened in surprise as he scoffed "I like the look on your face." he commented and with a wave of his other hand the barrier shot out sending her rolling away.
Quickly getting onto her feet she stared him down after a few moments she rushed forward again leaping over the barrier he created this time and landing behind him, twisting around she swung up at him but found that he was already back at the center of the stage, chasing after him he snapped his fingers sending a shockwave out pushing her away, rolling back she twisted the weapon around her waist and brought it up parrying a strike from the man who didn't even seem to be fazed by the sudden action, so she leapt away making distance but as soon as her foot touched ground she found herself sailing into the air her arms numb from pain looking below her she found that he was gone feeling a sharp strike to her back she slammed into the ground and quickly rolled out of the way of another downward stab and fired her own weapon which hit the barrier from before which shot out and struck nothing as she rolled back, righting herself she found a blade inches from her face, looking past it she found Sephiroth smiling down at her, but it held no emotion, the sound of a few shots earned both their attention leaping back he avoided two shotgun blasts from Yang, who had revealed herself from behind a few desk
"Yang? Are you here to stop us?"
"Nope, I got a score to settle and an ass to kick." she answered rushing forward and diving over the railing she swung a strike at the man soon joined by her sister, swinging at the two Yang leapt back and Ruby dived over it, ducking under her strike he slid across the ground knocking Yangs' feet from under her and leapt away blocking a strike from Blake while at the same time grabbing Weiss' wrist and threw the two ambushes at their allies the four now revealed and grouped in front of him, he smiled, then lifted his blade preparing to fight further, rushing forward Weiss and Yang began to assault him, which he easily resisted and pushed Yang away, while slamming the butt of the Masamune into Weiss' gut sending her flying back, landing softly on a glyph which she used to launch herself back at him, leaping into the air he felt something wrap around his ankle and yank him downward. Allowing the motion to happen Weiss slammed into him sending the two into Yang, the three rolled along the ground then separated, him being the only one to land on their feet, stepping forward he avoided a strike from Ruby who was being quite perfect at covering Blake
"You four make a good team." he commented and with blinding speed was inches away from Blake who yelped and leapt back but Sephiroth followed and slammed a knee into her jaw sending her cartwheeling into a nearby wall, turning around he slashed, again with blinding speed in a circular cupping motion guiding Ruby in front of him and into Blake destroying both their Auras', again vanishing he chased down Weiss and picked her up before slamming her into the ground causing her to bounce up a bit with an upward slash he threw her farther into the air following after her he landed a backslash sending her flying into the stands and destroyed her Aura too.
Slowly looking downward he found Yang still standing against him, slowly floating down to her level he smiled at her as he landed without a noise
not a word was spoken as he aimed his weapon at her causing her eyes to turn red, running forward she began to attack with all the force she could muster each strike harder and faster than the last, but he was still guiding them away or avoiding them, until she over extended. Suffering a violent knee to the gut she flew a few feet but was caught by the ankle and slammed into the ground, quickly twisting around she swung her leg at his, attempting to destabilize him, the strike landed but it did nothing he didn't even budge quickly getting to her feet he smiled as she calmed her nerves. Leaping back she began to study him
Raising his hand just barely above his head, she heard many things around them start to groan and snap, the lights above began to flicker as a few of the light bulbs shattered, the shards of glass never hitting the ground that earned her attention, looking around she noted that benches desks, chairs, shards of glass, and rocks from the arena itself were floating up around her. Looking back at him he slowly pointed at her, realizing what was about to happen she leapt back and began to run away barely avoiding the mass of objects that crashed together where she once stood, as she fled pieces of the mass broke away chasing her shards of glass hitting their mark, the desks shattering on the ground as she barely avoided the cacophony of destruction chasing her, running up the wall a bit she kicked off and barely slipping through a desk and then a bench both of which shattered on the wall the splinters of wood quickly changed direction and chased after her, rushing towards Sephiroth she leapt over him and leaned into him trying to push him into the attack but all the objects passed by the both of them and stuck into the wall, unmoving. Slowly turning around to face him she noted that he was already facing her. Staring her down for a few moments he turned and began to walk towards the exit of the arena
"That's it?" Yang asked through thick breaths "I didn't hear no bell! And I can keep going!" she added the exhaustion really staring to hit her but she ignored it
"Not yet. You can still get stronger, and I would be loathed if you lost your nerve now." he said exiting the arena and then the room. Dropping to the ground she let out gasps for air, she had no idea why fighting him took so much out of her, but then again, she wasn't used to do all sorts of acrobatics in combat, so that probably drained her quite a bit too.
(o)
Could they provide him with the entertainment and joy that Clouds' suffering did? Perhaps. It would certainly make the next four years move quicker. Walking down the hall towards his next class he closed his eyes for a few moments and began to think of mother, the world itself should have been hers, and it will be his. Nothing will stop him, not the people of this world and certainly not Cloud.
A/N I'm not entirely sure how this'll go down, but I will say, weirdly enough I find it a bit weird writing for Sephiroth, sadism is easy for me to right, but he has a certain... calculative mind to him that I struggle to get my own mind into, so until I get the ability to easily get into said mindset he may seem a little off, though I will admit this one is gonna be FULL of suffering. This is the deep end that I plan to drop off into.