KS: Man, V5 has dropped and it is looking spectacular... so far. It's still got like, what, 13 more episodes to go on (provided we're not always stymied by those insufferable WoRs again)? But anyway, I am looking forward to the next episode, and watching the first inspired me to write some more of this. If any of you still want ot read it, now's your chance.
RNJR and Lilac continued on the path, not saying a word to each other. That is, until Nora started asking more questions about their new companion.
"So Lilac, how long have you lived in Mistral?"
"Since I was little," the violet haired man replied.
"Do you have any favorite foods?"
"Well, I have a lot, but anything sweet is my absolute favorite."
As the Q & A between them continued, Ruby took the time to speak with Jaune, who appeared more sullen than before.
"You have to admit, Lilac seems like a nice guy," she said.
Jaune let out a sigh. "Yeah, I guess so."
Ruby took note of his depressed tone and knew she had to do something. "Jaune, did you and Ren have a fight?"
At the mention of Ren, the swordsman turned away spat out, "No."
"Then why won't you even look him in the eye?" Ruby asked.
Jaune sighed again. "He's got this stupid idea in his head that I'm unfit to lead."
Ruby had a good idea as to why Ren would assume such a thing, but she needed more information to be sure. "Is it what happened to Pyrrha?"
Much to her surprise, Jaune abruptly stopped walking. The others stopped as well. He clenched his fists started to breathe slowly.
"What, now you think it as well?" he said slowly. "Do you also believe that I would be so hung up over Pyrrha's death, I wouldn't be able to lead properly?"
Ruby was almost hesistant to ask more questions. "Jaune, I never implied that-"
"Then what are you implying?" he snapped, surprising her. "Tell me Ruby, if you're not implying that I can't lead right just because of what happened to Pyrrha, then what are you implying?"
Jaune visibly upset. Whatever repressed emotions he had are finally coming to the surface. Although, they were in the worst place for that to happen.
"Jaune, please calm down," Nora pleaded, having a feeling of dread grow in the pit of heart.
"No! I won't calm down!" he yelled. "I got enough of this crap from Ren, and I don't need it from anyone else! I'll only say this one more time... I'm fine."
That did not sit well with Ren in the slightest as he walked to Jaune... and belted him across his face, causing him the fall down.
"I thought I told you not to lie," he said lowly.
Jaune got annoyed and quickly got up, returning the same notion to Ren, only even harder.
"What the hell do I have to do to convince you I'm not lying?" he growled.
Ren got up, his expression matching Jaune's as he got up in his face, growling lowly.
"It's been written all over your face since we left for Mistral. Face it, Jaune, you're still hung up over the death of Pyrrha and dragging all of us down," he hissed.
Jaune grabbed him by his shirt and aimed his fist towards Ren, ready to strike him if he said something that didn't sit well with him.
"You leave Pyrrha out of this!" he shouted. "Quit using her name as reason for how I've been feeling, you prick! It's really staring to piss me off!"
Ruby seperated the two, knowing full well the deadly repercusions that came with negativity in an open space. "Knock it off, both of you! We're not going to get anywhere if you two keep going on like this!"
"But-" Jaune started, only for the redhead to cut him off.
"No buts!" Ruby said, putting her foot down. "Whatever disagreement you two have, save it for when we get to Mistral. If you do it here, we'll attract unwanted attention."
Nora widened her eyes in horror. "Uh, Ruby?"
"Yeah?"
Nora pointed behind her. "I think we attracted some unwanted attention."
Ruby turned to where she pointed and paled. Standing before her and others was a pack of Grimm. Not a large amount, but enough to end the life anyone dumb enough to wander outside of the kingdoms unprepared.
"Oh... this looks bad," she said, taking out Crescent Rose.
Nora did the same with Magnhild. Jaune and Ren followed and armed themselves, feeling somewhat responsible for bringing the horde to them.
"Now, now, you don't need to worry your pretty heads about this."
They all turned to Lilac, who calmly walked towards the Grimm with a bored expression.
"Lilac, are you crazy?" Ruby snapped. "They'll tear you to shreds! And you don't even have a weapon!"
Lilac turned to her and chuckled. "Oh, Ruby, I always have my weapon. I just like to keep it in a safe place."
Ruby was confused by what he said. She was about to ask, but went silent when a blue glow began to surround the man, followed by small lights circling around him. The sight was enough to make the Grimm stop and stare.
"What's he doing?" Jaune whispered.
"I don't know," Nora shrugged. "But it looks weird."
As the glowing continued, Lilac closed his eyes started to mutter.
(Bayonetta OST: Fly Me To The Moon –Climax Mix-)
"Hear the pleas of a lost soul. Grant power to decimate all sinners. At times of great importance, an immortal sword will cut down those of ill intent."
Lilac opened his eyes and stared at the Grimm with absolute fury.
"Awaken, Arondight Sigma!"
(Bayonetta OST: Fly Me To The Moon –Climax Mix-)
As soon as the words were uttered, two glyphs appeared beside Lilac. He reached into them and pulled out a pair of silver pistols with lilac insignias engraved on both of them. Once he had them in his hands, Lilac pulled the trigger and shot down nine Beowolves. The rest of the Grimm took that as an act of hostility and charged towards them.
"Is that the best you've got?" Lilac joked, decending to the ground. "You must not think every highly of me."
He looked up to see a Nevermore diving towards him, its talons extended in preparation to shred him to bits. Lilac just dashed towards the creature and jumped on its back, using it as a makeshift launch pad to boost him up. As soon as he did, two more Beowolves lunged towards him, but he quickly shot them down.
"Come on, quit giving me the scraps," he yelled, shooting an Ursa. "I want a challenge, damn it."
His wish was soon granted as a Death Stalker charged towards him. He smirked and began to open fire on the scorpion Grimm, but it was uneffected by the bullets. Seeing the futility in his attack, Lilac got out of its way, only to be knocked back a Boarbatusk. He quickly recovered, but one of his pistols slipped from his grasp due to the tumble.
"Damn it all," he muttered. He raced to recover his lost weapon, only to be surrounded by the Grimm. Letting out a sigh of frustration, he used his free hand to grip his remaining pistol and pointed it to the ground.
"I really didn't want to have to do this, but it seems like my options are all but lowered."
He took a deep breath, then exhaled, giving off a wide grin.
"Time to rock the house."
He shoved the pistol into the ground and pulled the trigger. A large blue glyph appeared in the area, causing an upward draft that launched the surrounding Grimm into the air. Lilac took the opportunity to retrieve his other gun. Once he did, he jumped into the air and spun around while shooting Grimm suspended in the air. He fell to the ground and landed on his feet, but the Grimm disolved into smoke when they fell.
"It's curtains for you, freaks," he said to no one in particular.
(End Song)
Team RNJR stood in absolute shock. One man was able to take down legions of Grimm with only a pair of pistol and emerge victorious. Few have attempted such a feat and lived to tell the tale, but they had a front-row seat to the action. And it was spectacular.
"Wow... that was so cool!" Ruby squealed in joy.
"I know!" Nora shrieked in the same pitch. "He took those Grimm down like it was nothing!"
Lilac twirled his guns around before heading towards the group. While he enjoyed the praise Ruby and Nora gave him, his attention was focused towards the ones responsible for bringing the Grimm to where they were in the first place. In other words, Jaune and Ren.
Upon seeing his cheerful expression fade, both of them braced for whatever lecture he had for them. Instead, he slammed his elbows on top of their heads, knocking them unconscious. Ruby and Nora were understandably shocked.
"W-What did you do that for?" Nora asked in shock.
"Those boneheads had to learn in some way," Lilac answered plainly. "The last thing we need is more unwanted attention. Speaking of..."
He swiftly turned around, pointing his gun at the next visitor. He didn't look very impressed.
"You mind telling me why you're point that at my face, kid?"
Lilac was about to answer, but a high-pitched squeal from Ruby cut him off, as the girl dashing past him, causing him to lose his balance fall to the ground.
"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby hugged him tightly, estatic to see him.
Qrow managed to get her off before she inadvertantly cut off his circulation. "Easy there, kid. I'm not going anywhere." He brought out his flask and drank from it before speaking again. "Now, I've got a lot of questions, but one nags at me in particular."
He turns to the violet-haired man. "Who are you? And how do you know Ruby?"
Lilac lowered his pistol. "I'm Christian Lilac."
Qrow scratched his head. "Right. So, Christian-"
"Lilac."
Qrow blinked. "Come again?"
Lilac narrowed his eyes at him "Call me Lilac. That's what everyone else does."
"Why would anyone call you by your last name?" Qrow asked.
"Just do it," Ruby suggested. "I don't really get it either, but he probably doesn't want to explain why."
Qrow looked into his niece's eyes, knowing that she wasn't going to let up unless he complied. Sighing heavily, he turned to the man in question.
"Okay... Lilac. What's your reason for hanging around these kids?"
Lilac grinned widely. "Well, I met them at a village not from far from here. They said they were on their way to Mistral and offered to go with them." He pointed his thumb towards himself. "I was born there, so I can show them all the sights the kingdom has to offer."
"As good as that sounds, we don't have time to sightsee," Qrow said. "There's business to attend to in Mistral, and we can't waste a second."
Hearing that made Lilac fall to the ground in a comedic fashion. He picked himself up, looking at Qrow dejectedly.
"Come on, they can take a breather before taking care of business," he said. "What's work without a little pleasure, huh?"
"I get the feeling you're the type to put pleasure before work," Qrow scoffed.
Lilac tilted his head. "Is that right? Well..."
Without any warning, he swiftly took the older man's flask and waved it around.
"Judging by how you keep this close at hand, we know where your pleasures lie."
"Hey, give that back!" Qrow snapped. He attempted to retrieve his flask, but Lilac flash stepped away from him. He continued to chase him, but he was always a few steps ahead.
"Gonna have to try harder than that, old man," he teased.
Qrow started to get annoyed with his antics. "Why you...!"
As the chase continued, Nora laughed as if she was watching a funny scene from a cartoon. Ruby, on the other hand, let out a sigh of frustration.
"This is going to be a long trip," she said.
KS: Man, Lilac is just full of surprises, isn't he? He's also the type to put play before work, so I think that should balance out his wickedly awesome power... sort of. But anyway, I was thinking about whether I should add the scene when the group meets Lionheart or not. I'm actually a little conflicted on the matter, so I would really like to hear your opinion on it. That is, if it's not too much trouble.