A logo of the following words: VNN flips around like a coin with a classic news tragic music in the background.
As it flips, it reveals a broadcast station with a women who's also known as. Lady Lavender adjusting her tie.
She takes out a few neatly ordered document list within some categories for it to spread. "Are we live?"
One of the camera man nodded and gave a thumbs up.
Lavender nodded. "Alright. Hello everyone with the local news from Vale News Network here to report an incident that took a very dramatic turn in one of Vale's famous Clothing Shop that had a sale going on. Yes it would be fights here and there, but this isn't like that today."
She gulped. "There was a Beringel everyone, a Grimm that somehow got inside Vale has caused a major damage to the area surrounding other places."
People listening to the news gasped and fear has suddenly increased slightly.
"What?!"
"A Beringel? Here in Vale?!"
"How's that possible!?"
A recording pops up to her left with the few wounded people away from the used to be shop, ladies have all mourned for the loss of clothes while others were glad to see each ladies okay.
But, this did cause a sudden increase in fear, that of which is a bad sign resulting what could be destruction soon enough.
Lavender grimaced. "Witnesses said that there was a big drama between two ladies, one being a student in huntsmen training, while the other has been known as a criminal for all the things she's done. Lavana Magoril, her semblance is capable of masking herself and anything. But the downside is her temper that makes it hard to keep control."
Ironwood raised all brows as he didn't even know she was here in the first place. "What happened back there...?"
The news lady frowned deeper as she had to take a deep breath for the next. "But as of recently, both the Beringel and Lavana Magoril has been killed at Vale's Clothing Shop."
Ironwood's eyes widened. "Someone killed both the Grimm and her?" He hummed interested. "But who...?"
A sudden image appeared as it covered the broadcast to reveal...Ace in Level 0-3.
Ironwood stopped what he was doing and bit his lip slightly. "Looks like I'm going to have to discuss with Headmaster Ozpin again with this matter."
Ozpin raised a brow but yet look stern, looking at the clear frame of the young man in armor. "...This is going to be complicated." He sighed. "To think he could do such a thing after our brief meeting with General Ironwood."
Lavendar can only nod as she knows people are shocked. "This image has been sent from a witness who was both glad but yet shocked to see a Hero killing a life at the instant."
"But let it be known that it may not have been the right thing to do, it was for the better. She's been murdering, injuring lives. And we finally found someone who stopped that endless cycle." She said.
The crowds started to act both happy but yet worried what would happen next if this repeated.
"She has a point..." A man with facial hair nodded with another friend next to him who looked deep in thought.
His friend nodded. "Yeah, Lavana nearly killed my girlfriend and I back when she wanted to find a matching dress for whatever reason."
The facial hair man look shocked hearing that. "Really dude? Damn that must've been hard to cope with."
"It did, but I'm glad to hear she's gone for good." His friend said.
Kuroto simply drinking his coffee spat out liquid when he saw the news and image. "He killed two of them? Hmm..."
Poppy gasped as she looked at Ace's grimms sleeping. "Everyone isn't going to like it when he comes back and they are going to demand answers from." She said but also frowned. "I do too...Emu wouldn't have wanted that."
Kuroto scoffed. "Of course Emu wouldn't, he's a doctor. He would save and change the live of a patient with his two hands instead of killing them."
Poppy's dark look intimated Kuroto behind. "Ho? Is that so...?"
Kuroto gulped and raised his arms in defense. "I-I mean, that's what I would say but Ace knows better than that!"
Poppy's eyes narrowed. "Kuroto...don't you remember what you and Emu talked about?"
He rolled his eyes with a frown. "No matter what or who they are we should save them and help change their lives." He quoted.
"Kuroto why don't you care more about everyone's lives than us?" Poppy asked.
Kuroto laughed as he hit his right lap. "Why?! It's because I'm GOD-!"
Poppy suddenly took out her bugvisor zwei and pressed a button that sucked Kuroto inside hearing him squeal. "You haven't changed..." She said with a frown. "After what you've done..."
"Man, it's been a week now after Ace went missing." Jaune said.
Pyrrha nodded. "I'm sad to hear his grimms have been waiting for him to come back now."
Nora lazily on her bed yawned. "I dunno, maybe it could be some sort of secret mission he went to?"
Ren continuing his next of many books. "It's not our business whatever he's been doing. He'll come back in time for the trip Ms. Goodwitch has for us."
Jaune sighed. "You know that he's been there for me and Pyrrha after what happened."
Pyrrha looked away. "I'm still surprised that he found out what was happening with you and Cardin when you didn't tell me why." Her gaze softened. "But, I still forgive you for what you've been thinking at the time and his attempt of blackmail."
Nora pouted. "I still want to break his legs..." She grinned." Sure Jaune here got in Beacon easily, but he's going to need plenty of training for those little muscles of his to get strong!"
Ren smiled a little there. "It's good that you told us, it means that you're opening up and with trust we shall hold this secret."
Jaune smiled warmly. "Thanks everyone, that really helps me."
Pyrrha neatly fixed her bed. "Remember Jaune, you're going to be training with me and doing all the exercise you can to improve in the festival."
Jaune groaned. "Right..." He hummed. "Since we still have time before that trip starts, wanna check up on his grimms?"
Nora jumped off her bed and zoomed close to Jaune. "Yeah! I wanna snuggle wuggle with Taurus wowe~" She cooed and left the room happily.
Ren sighed. "She's been thinking about that little Boarbustusk of Ace's to hug him to death." He gulped. "I'm not quite sure how strong would her hug be to that poor grimm."
Pyrrha chuckled. "I do find it nice but yet odd he's able to tame Grimms." She smiled. "They're actually quite adorable once you pet them."
Jaune laughs nervously. "I'm uh, still scared of how they changedinstantly after he saved me back when Cardin shoved me into a locker and sent to the Emerald Forest."
Ren nodded. "Small, but yet dangerous when growing into what should be after many years of their form."
Nora slammed the door open. "Are you guys coming or what!?"
Jaune jumped a bit due to the major sound. "Alright alright, let's go guys."
Everyone agreed and went off to visit Ace's room for the time being.
Once opening the door, Team JNPR saw Poppy and Kuroto inside the room quiet while Ace's grimms were asleep still.
"He's still not here huh?" Jaune frowned. "What happened to him?" He asked to Kuroto and Poppy just standing there.
Kuroto and Poppy looked at each other unsure of what to say when they saw Team JNPR casually opening the door.
While Nora's trying to calm down Taurus with her motherly tone, due to the mention of Ace they woke up.
"You haven't checked the news?" Poppy asked.
A simple shake in their heads answered her question. "Well, It's about Ace..." Poppy said.
Jaune took out his scroll and searched for any recent events quickly.
Pyrrha sighed. "It can't be good if Ace is in the news."
"Found it..." Jaune said quietly.
Kuroto crossed his arms waiting for his team's reactions. "And so it begins."
After watching the news about Ace involved with a Clothing Store that had a 50% going off in sale, mentioning of a grimm and a murderer who disguises herself and caused major injuries to people inside.
All of that was a pretty big shock to Jaune and his friends.
"Why, why did this happen?" Jaune asked.
Kuroto shrugged. "You'll have to find Ace and ask him yourself."
Poppy smacked Kuroto's head with a pout. "We're going to try and see if there's anyone who was with him in a few more minutes after you go to your trip."
Pyrrha tilted her head. "Do you think he'll be in the Forever Fall with us later?"
Poppy nodded. "Maybe, I know he wouldn't miss this field trip."
Jaune sighed. "Guess all we can just do is wait."
"Attention students, for everyone participating in going to the Forever Fall for collecting saps for Dr. Peach. Head to the bullhead area immediately once an hour pass by." She announced with her professional tone.
Nora whined. "But I wanted to take care of muh wittle Taurus!"
Ren shook his head. "You can do that after we find Ace."
"Fiiine." Nora said.
"Alright guys, let's go before Ms. Goodwitch punishes us with her..." Jaune shivered. "Whip."
Poppy waved a goodbye to Team JNPR departing.
Kuroto face desked. "This is going to be one annoying trip."
"Why's that Kuroto?" Poppy asked.
Kuroto took out his Dangerous Zombie gashat and found it glowing softly. "It's sensing that Ace is using Dangerous Zombie's power."
Poppy gasped. "What's he doing...?"
The streets of Vale is pretty interesting, considering how each structure and main building has. It truly is a big city.
Knowing how well it's almost time for the field trip sure is going to be exciting. Except, I don't plan on coming back. Why should I when I've been wondering about this forest? It's great to feel that my level's rising for each grimms I've slaughtered here.
Although it's hard to keep leveling up when you kill some being alone instead of their packs. It would be a great feeling of essences flowing inside your body.
But again, there hasn't been many Ursa's lately even though they should be here with Beowolfs. Doesn't matter, I'll find one eventually and tame it as my own.
AAAAGH! How could I earn more experience instead of these little shits?!
This makes me frustrated. Damn memory keeping my focus away from my goal.
My goal is to get stronger, that's obvious from the start. But, if you want to know what level I am.
...Level: 40.
After reaching this peak for a week now, I can do everything I normally do boosted up to what I can say is at least a level higher than what a huntsmen would be.
Inexperienced yes, but not the mere professional ones.
I only say this as a test holder in case if I do run into 'em. They would likely see me as an enemy due to Genm's reverted color of Emu's.
Here's the thing, I haven't run into any at all. After...killing...nevermind.
GROWL!
I quickly took out Gashacon Sparrow, using Dangerous Zombie's power to power the blades with darkness. "Can't you see I'm busy!?" I yelled as I slashed two grimms behind me.
I peaked a bit more to find the two beowolfs I killed in half, my body absorbs the grimms slowly gaining power once more. Great, little exp's, joy. Sigh, damn annoying puppies.
I take out my scroll to find the time being the afternoon now. That's likely the time they're supposed to go to the Forever Fall trip. But if I walk there then it'll take hours to reach.
If I go to a new location then maybe I'll get better EXP there instead of here.
Fucking hell, canon sure tries to make me stick with the gang. Whatever, I'm only going to do it for the grimms and hide.
After pressing Dangerous Zombie's lever I put it back in after using more of its power. Reviving the very transportation available grimm to go.
DANGEROUS ZOMBIE!
The eerie guitar sounds pulsed around my field, a big tombstone came up from the ground. The tombstone itself had a statue placed, it had a similar appearance to the only bird-like grimm I've killed.
ERRGH! REVIVE! STRONGER! FASTER! IMMORTAL!
NEVERMORE!
The dead nevermore that RWBY and I killed rises from the grave as it cawed so loud, the winds went violent around it. It flies up high, then faced me as it bowed.
"Take me to the location called: Forever Fall. If you may." I demanded kindly.
It obeyed by turning away and ready to fly. when I jumped on its back, it started soaring through the sky as it cawed.
Shouldn't take long to reach my destination then, and I hope I don't have to run into those annoying kids.
Kuroto felt Dangerous Zombie's gashat emit an intense aura. "Dammit, this thing keeps shaking for every time Ace abuses his power."
Poppy's worried increase tenfold. "It's not too late to save him Kuroto, all we need to do is wait."
Kuroto pinched the bridge of his nose. "After a week, who knows how much stronger did he level up."
Poppy sighs. "Then what do we do?"
Kuroto got up from his seat and took out a silver case underneath Ace's bed. "Looks like we're going to ask one of his friends, or his crush really." He takes up two gashats with him that can't be vividly clear which one's specifically.
Poppy's eyes changed to hearts. "Ooooh who could his crush be?!" She awed. "Young love~"
Kuroto scoffed. "Lucky for him, now, let's find this Velvet person."
Poppy nodded. "Who knows, maybe she's his girlfriend?~" With Poppy skipping away from the room, humming happily.
Kuroto started sweating nervously. "I don't think she knows about the recent interview..."
After both Kami and Poppy left the room and closing the door, there's a chain with rope stuck in the middle of the opened windows.
Grunts and struggles once getting to the top room, we see four similar young men smiling as they saw every decoration and took it down, ruining it slowly. The shadows casting them were revealed to be Team CRDL.
"Well, well, well, It looks like we found ourselves a jackpot huh, team?" Cardin smiled when he found a silver case underneath Ace's bed.
The rest of Team RDL started holding each gashats it had remaining, there was only three gashats so Cardin could just do is watch. And that's not bad of a plan, all he would need to do is wait until Ace gets beat up miserably by his daddy's little toy.
"Hold on Cardin, didn't those kids Jaune's friends with say something about these things being bad to use?" Russel said.
Cardin sneered. "What? You actually believe what they're saying?" He grabbed Russel's collar. "It's not going to kill us, so what's the problem?"
Sky peaked at the details of the gashat he's holding. "So why is it just three?"
Dove nodded. "Could be because him and his father took the rest."
Russel shrugged. "Well it's whatever. I bet we'll beat their asses once we show them how it's done!"
Cardin nodded. "Oh, don't forget about those 'freaks'." He yanked out a white bag and slowly shoved some of Ace's grimms inside. "They feed on negative so I gotta act all happy. But I'm actually happy for once, ha!"
He dialed his scroll to Jaune's number and smirked. "Hey Jaune, if you don't want your friend Ace's grimm dead. You'll listen to what I have to say." He said as he took a picture of Aero's face next to the bag.
"Aaand send." Cardin smiled. "Alright, let's go back before Ms. Old hag finds out we're not there."
The rest of his teammates nodded and put the silver case back to its place and left.
From having to search for a simple faunus it's been quite troublesome, people Kuroto asked where she is have no idea where Velvet could be.
Poppy tries to grab attention by singing, and you know how bad that went. But no progress whatsoever, and surely time's running out.
Kuroto grumbles. "This Velvet person is a pain to find, I need someone to give me the damn answer already!"
Poppy smacked his head with a paperfan. "Language Kuroto!"
He whined. "Still, I can't get nothing. If only Ace's grimm Aero would wake up and help us. But they're still asleep!"
Poppy shrugged nervously. "Maybe we need to find one of her friends?"
Kuroto smacked himself and stood up. "Right!" He cupped his hands to his mouth. "Whoever's this Velvet faunus friends with come here and help us!" He yelled with a little grin that made Poppy worried. "Answer me!"
"What do you want with Velvet?" A deep feminine voice said, surprising Poppy. Sounds of klank can be heard as if it was a minigun close to firing instantly.
Kuroto smirked. "Ah, and you would be?"
"Coco Adel. Now then old man, answer my question." Coco pumped her weapon up once more.
Kuroto simply acted smug and crossed his arms. "I will if you lower that silly weapon of your's."
Poppy went between the two and raised her arms. "Please forgive Kuroto, we're just looking for your friend because she may know someone that we're looking for. He's about uh, this high messy black hair, black and white clothes just like Kuroto here."
Coco's eyes went down. "...It's Ace isn't it?"
Kuroto was going to say something but Poppy nudged his side to be quiet. "Yes, he's been missing for a week now and we don't have any clues where could he be."
Coco raised a brow. "And how do you know him exactly? He never mentioned you two before."
Kuroto spread his arms. "Because I'm his creator! A God who will need his prophecy-!"
Poppy pressed a button from her bugvisor that sealed Kuroto up and literally. "I don't blame him, since it's supposed to be a secret from anyone to know."
Coco gestured her to continue.
Poppy twirled her hair a bit nervously. "He's a part of the family...?"
"...What?" Coco's sunglasses almost dropped down had it not been her catching it. "So are you two husband and wife?"
Kuroto etched in disgust. "No, he's my prophecy. A clone you could say, meaning that I'm his father and Poppy here's his grandmother but also sister."
Whenever a record could scratch so hard it instantly destroyed itself.
Coco's eye can be seen twitching with a weird look, pointing at the two bugsters. "You're telling me that this Kuroto here's Ace's dad but also his clone, and you look like around my age, is his grandmother and sister?"
Poppy nodded with nervousness. "Yes...?"
Coco crossed her arms as everything said just right now sounds unbelievable and crazy. "...Could it be because he's a bugster?"
Kuroto narrowed his eyes, getting out of the bugvisor zwei by himself somehow, which is both shocking and worrying for Poppy. "How do you know what a bugster is!?"
The fashion lady put her weapon back into her purse with the intense stare at Kuroto's way. "Well that answers that." She pushed her sunglasses up. "I'll tell you, but only because you're his parents and you should know what happened."
Poppy sighed in relief. "Thank you."
Kuroto pouted childishly. "No thanks from Kami's help." Poppy looked at him with a face that could make anyone be afraid of that shut him up.
"Well, when Ace said he's free for our clothing store. We went to the store that was in the news, and then..." Coco stopped for a minute before she started reminiscing the event.
Poppy put her hand in Coco's shoulder. "Deep breath Coco."
Coco nodded. "That's where Lavana, a women who both Velvet and I didn't think we'd meet in person. She had a big bodyguard that turned out to be a Beringel."
Kuroto hummed. "Beringels are one of the grimms that resembles a large gorilla yes?"
"Yeah that's pretty much what a Beringel is." Coco said.
Kuroto put his arms to the back of his head lazily. "How was it able to enter in Vale? It's supposed to be said it has securitiy's capable of preventing any to come."
Coco's fist clenched. "It's because of her semblance, something to do with masking a person's appearance. Depends on her weakness: Her mood."
"And so that grimm destroyed every part of the store, leaving people injured after she unintentionally dropped it because of her mood?" Kuroto concluded. "So you three fought against the two?"
Poppy looked down. "What did Ace do there...?"
Coco felt nervous after she mentioned him. "You two might've already watched the news but, you never knew that he...snapped."
Kuroto raised a brow. "He snapped? You mean he didn't get angry?"
She shook her head. "No, it was a mix of being...different than what he's usually is." Coco said. "Why?"
Poppy snapped her fingers. "If he was angry then...Dragon Knight Hunter Z would've disappeared!"
"Exactly!" Kuroto said with a menacing smile. "That specific gashat is somehow connected to him, as if it's his trigger for the anger hidden inside! Oh the powerful dragon's anger and Ace himself are the perfect match!" He started to cackle and close to laughing, not before Poppy slapped him again with the paper fan.
Coco tapped her heels impatiently. "What are you two talking about?"
Kuroto raised his non-existent glasses. "It's none of your concern." He dodged another hit. "Ha!"
Another hit to his head that can the two clearly see there's a bump already but much bigger. "Ace is...different than what we are but. Please continue why he snapped." Poppy said.
"Alright. Ace killed the Beringel with some sort of robotic arm on his right...?" She mumbled. "But after that, I saw Lavana masking as Velvet. I wanted to tell him it's not her but I couldn't focus at all. I was pretty banged up from fighting her and Velvet barely had enough strength to stand up." Coco said. "But I realized I didn't need to."
"Huh, why?" Poppy asked.
"Because Ace knew it was her and..." Coco winced from seeing something in front of her that bloody. "He killed her with a straight right punch to her..." She closed her mouth and gulped.
Kuroto hummed. "That's not exactly why he snapped huh?"
Poppy turned to Kuroto. "Eh?"
"Ace saw that Coco here and that Velvet person has been injured, and he knew that the famous killer Lavana was masking as his friend/crush at the time. It was as if she was mocking him when clearly he's been through enough of that." Kuroto went into a thinking pose and stared at Coco who's shaking. "But, you're not exactly telling us the key to that trigger."
Coco went silent. "...When he was fighting the Beringel, Lavana was about to stab Velvet."
Poppy gasped. "No..."
"And he used himself as a shield for her, that was to be expected." Kuroto interrupted.
Coco put her beret down. "When he did, the gorilla took that chance and punched a hole to his body."
Kuroto coughed. "A hole?! He lost a life then!" He said. "And that's it?"
"We didn't think he'd come back after that powerful punch, he came back good as new." She said gripping her beret. "How's that even possible?" She muttered.
Poppy was going to answer but Kuroto stopped her. "It's because he has 99 lives, or now 96. We could explain more of why he's different, but not right now."
Coco wanted to force him to answer but she stopped. "Fine, once he did come back. He charged towards the Beringel and lost his left arm when it chopped it off, but instantly regenerated."
Kuroto smirked. "The immortality of Dangerous Zombie..."
"And that's all I can remember." Coco said.
Poppy's both shocked and worried for Ace, having to endure such awful attacks and see his own friends hurt. "What was her reason for doing that?" Poppy asked.
"Ace has been hit with a target on his back." Coco answered. "There's going to be more looking for him, and said he doesn't want us to be near him. Some are going to look for him just to get money, blood, anything."
Kuroto's eyes widened. "He's been marked, and he only has 96 lives?" He snickered. "He's not going to die anyway!" He suddenly laughed, causing Coco and Poppy stare at him in shock. "Remember, Ace has Dangerous Zombie's immortality! He just needs to go deeper and deeper to surpass...ME! KAMI!"
Poppy uses her bugvisor zwei to suck him inside, but that left off the area quiet. "...I'm sorry, it's just that he has a god complex..."
Coco turned away. "Even when you say he's Ace's dad, I don't see any resemblance, and I'm glad they don't." She glanced at her. "I appreciate you're doing your best to stop him for his actions, but I know one thing it's not going to be enough for a crazy man like him running around freely." She walked away from the scene.
Poppy saw Kuroto quiet and tears can be seen from her eyes. "Why don't you understand that every lives are important...?"
"Are you girls, ready!?" Ruby asked with a jar on top of her head.
Silence, a pretty awkward time to mention about what's going to be both a chore and a dangerous task. Especially while they're holding jars.
"Eh, I don't know about that Ruby. We have to fill in all these jars with saps Ms. Goodwitch told us about from Professor Peach." Yang said.
"Well, it's something alright." Blake said.
"As long as we don't encounter any grimms for these saps." Weiss said.
"Oh I wouldn't mind some grimm beatdown when we're here in Forever Fall~" Yang smirked. "But we've been together in groups like vomit boy and his team."
Pyrrha stepped in. "Um, Jaune's been missing after we landed here."
Ruby tilted her head confused. "Why's that?"
Nora surprised them as she's on top of a tree branch drinking some jars with her. "He never told us why, he just got a message from his scroll and left us off in a hurry."
"Didn't Jaune and Pyrrha make up?" Ruby asked putting the jar down. "Ace did get him out of Cardin trying to blackmail him right?"
Pyrrha nodded. "Yes he did, but I think there's something else going on."
Weiss humphed. "Whatever it is, it doesn't excuse him from leaving you three, he is your leader."
Ren saw Nora chugging more due to the drips of liquid came down on his face. "Nora, if you can stop drinking jars for the whole trip. I'll make you double the pancakes."
Nora's eyes changed shape into stars. "With maple syrup~?"
Ren sighed. "Yes, with maple syrup."
"Oookaay!" Nora agreed and got down.
"Actually, speaking of Ace. Found him yet?" Weiss asked.
"Not at all." Pyrrha said.
"Nope~" Nora said.
"We checked his room this morning, but only Kuroto and Poppy was there." Ren answered. "What about you four?"
"He wasn't in the cafeteria." Ruby said.
"What makes you think he's been there for a week?" Weiss asked.
"Because he eats every meat like a zombie! Duh!" Ruby said. "I thought that he stayed there and loved every juicy meat there!"
"Sis's got a point there." Yang agreed.
"He's usually in the library to study or learn more about here." Blake said. "He wasn't there though."
"No, nothing really to report much about." Weiss said.
Jaune raised a brow. "Yang?"
Yang twirled a hair a bit nervously. "Well, I found someone who was there with him when he went missing but..."
"Why haven't you told us?" Jaune said.
Yang shook her head. "They told me that I can't tell anyone but him when we find him." But I'll tell you guys later if we do."
"If it's something personal, then I can't do nothing then." Jaune said.
Leaving that conversation off, Yang groaned in both laziness and bored. "Maaan he's really been missing out on the fun we had!" Yang whined.
"We had to study for tests in the weekend Yang." Ruby deadpanned.
"I mean, the awesome fights we had?" Yang said with a nervous smile.
"Uh huh." Ruby said. She raised the jar up high again. "Let's start this with a bang!"
"I prefer starting it with a 'Yang'?" Yang said, others groaned from the awful pun. "Eh? Eh? Ehh?"
"Please don't ruin the mood Yang." Weiss said.
"Says the Ice Queen!" Yang retorted.
Weiss stopped extracting saps from the nearby tree. "Hey! Why does everyone call me that?!"
"Because you are one!" Yang answered.
Near some of the forever fall's trees, there's Cardin and his team smirking at how good the details are about the gashats each hold.
"...What do you want?" Jaune asked as he starts walking towards them.
Rest of Team RDL hid their gashats and looked at their leader who's carrying the bags of Ace's grimms. "Oh cheer up Jaune-y boy. We're good friends, I wouldn't dare to hit these precious little pets of Ace's."
Cardin got up and shoved Jaune boxes that sounds as if there's bees inside, and along with carrying several jars of the saps collected. "I've been working my butt off to get these, and normally I would do it myself but..."
Russel narrowed his eyes at Cardin. "You mean that we-"
Cardin punched him away. "What you three were doing was just watching me do the hard work." Sky and Dove wanted to back up their own friend but left it like that.
He looked at Jaune with a menacing smile. "It wouldn't be much better if they all got humiliated by their own friend, ay Jaune-y boy?"
Jaune clenched his fist. "You..." He was about to hit Cardin but he brought up the sleeping grimms.
"Ah ah ahh Jaune, you wouldn't like it if you interrupted their beauty sleep right?" Cardin coo'd. "Now hurry up and follow my plans along, and I will let them go as promise."
Jaune looked down and obeyed. "Fine, you win."
Cardin smirked. "Good, let's go then."
Russel checked his cheek of the punch delivered and scoffed.
The five men then proceeded to follow track of RWBY and the remaining members of NPR talking, having fun.
Cardin spits nearby a tree. "They make me sick, I'm glad Ace isn't here otherwise this would be a backfire to my plan."
Jaune saw the gang and tried to take a step back but he was dragged from his collar. "So, what is it?" He asked nervously.
Sky smiled. "Why, you're going to make them follow you. Act as if you found something interesting."
Dove only nodded.
Jaune frowned. "Alright." He cupped his hands to his mouth. "Hey guys!" He waved them far away, they waved back and went to his direction. "Now what?"
Cardin grinned. "And now, you drop these jars to them where I'll open the box of these killer bees. Next, we laugh."
Russel hesitated on pushing Jaune down so he can 'accidentally' drop it. "I don't think this is right Cardin..."
Cardin's eyes narrowed. "What did you say?" He grabbed Russel's collar. "I'm your leader and you'll do what I say." He let go and jabbed a thumb to his center. "Got it?"
Jaune didn't want his friends to get betrayed, he left without them just maybe to save Ace's grimms. He knows that Ace treats them as if they were his pets. But he couldn't risk everyone getting hurt too.
"I'm not doing it." Jaune said.
Cardin looked at him weird. "What?"
"I said...I'm not doing it!" Jaune yelled as he threw away the jar far from the team, but Nora grabbed it and drank every part of it.
Ruby saw a box Cardin's holding and took out her crescent rose, switching it to sniper and shot it away from him. But after shooting it, triggered the bee's inside and went for her.
But Yang stepped in with her semblance activated immediately, burning the bees due to her fiery aura.
Cardin punched Jaune, causing him to roll away. "You idiot! You should've followed my plans!" He yelled grabbing Aero's peak and pulled out his mace.
Sky, Dove, and Russel each readied their weapons to kill the remaining grimms inside the bag.
"Guess Ace will have to miss his own bird then because it's all, your, fault!" Cardin then swung his mace at Aero's head, but before it could hit him.
"You're not going to kill my grimms you bastard!" A voice loud enough for everyone to hear.
GASHACON SPARROW!
Gunshots were heard, hitting Cardin behind the back making him flinch in shock, letting go of Aero's peak.
Jaune realized that it sounded like a game effect, he saw the shots being made from darkness. He saw the one and only man who held a dagger bow hybrid.
The noticeable footsteps made it obvious, by looking at the man's face. It wasn't friendly, it looked dead set on killing someone.
"...A-Ace?" Jaune stuttered.
Ace still in his clothes, but it looked like he was put into a serious battle due to the injuries he has. "...Jaune." He said coldly.
Ruby raised her arms. "Oh Ace you're back! We missed ya!"
Yang smirked. "Yeah! You've been gone for a week. What were you doing anyway?"
Ace's cold looks left them feeling a chill behind their backs. "None of your concern."
He kicked Cardin away from Aero, gently laying him to his shoulder. His murderous stare made him shiver in fear. "You just signed your death warrant."
Weiss saw something deep inside him that sounded like he was frustrated but yet sad. "Did something happened...Ace?"
He shot without looking at Weiss, nearly at close to her tree. "Again, none of your concern."
Yang's eyes turned to crimson. "Hey! What was that for?"
Ace stared at her eyes and frowned. "Annoying."
Yang closed to snapping off, Blake stopped her. "What?"
Blake took a few steps further. "I can tell what's going through your mind. You're angry, sad, confused, everything!" She said. "I know that feeling too well, but we're here. You said it yourself, you aren't a monster but yet we want to help you know that!"
Ace growled. "Shut the hell up!" He shot another arrow at her, but she dodged. "Do you know how it feels to be put into a curse!? Not having that one thing every single being has?! A heart?! I'm not even close to a human or faunus!"
Blake flinched from his sudden attitude and aura increasing.
Yang has had enough, he's yelling at his own friends the people who care about him. "What's your problem!?"
Ace's sudden sadistic smile made them back away a bit. "My problem? MY PROBLEM?! HAHAHA! I have many lives to spare while you and everyone here only have 1. 1!"
Ruby started to get scared. "Ace...this isn't you."
Ace looked at Ruby with his stoic face. "Damn right I'm not. I used to be a human being, now I'm not. I suffer greatly from this power, immortality." He aimed again. "I'm jealous, jealous how it felt being alive. You people have that, while I suffer, and will continue to suffer every damn day knowing how much of a monster I am!"
He shot another arrow at Ruby, Yang ran and used her gauntlets to block the dark arrow. "That's it! I had enough of this!"
She charged in with her fiery right hook at Ace, nailing it perfectly that sent him crashing towards other tree's. "The Ace we know is someone who's fine with that, the person that will still find happiness, or are you just going to be a hypocrite and let that all go through your numskull head?!"
"Shut the hell up..." Ace's dark aura made everyone stand frozen, his eyes staying changing back from monochromatic to crimson. "I SAID SHUT THE HELL UP!"
He pulled out two gashats and slotted them together.
GASHATTO!
"Grade X-0!" He yelled, pulling the pink lever.
GACCHAN! LEVEL UP!
MIGHTY! ACTIOOON! X!
Once Ace transformed into Level 0 first, the ground was shaking as the grimms inside the bag were going wild. The roars and cries of each ones made it all frightening. The rest of Team RDL ran away as they saw each parts growing. Peaking near a bushes that don't want to fight their changed forms.
Ace's limp body standing there as if he was shut down, he raised his head with what looked dead in his eyes. "Henshin..."
A GACCHA!
DANGER DANGER! DEATH THE CRISIS! DANGEROUS! ZOMBIE!
The bag was torn apart as every grimms figure changed, evolving to their final forms, with Ace going into Dangerous Zombie immediately after. His shaky cold breaths, the area for the game pulsed suddenly put the atmosphere tense.
Aero was seen ascending from the skies to his evolved state and guarding Ace as he was flapping his wings.
Taurus with his fully armored state and body growing in size next to him.
But the two newcomers of the his latest team changed into something that makes you shudder.
Specter's claws changed into what a human skeleton would be, but his mask cracked an other eye next to his big pupil one, a cloak can be seen barely from its misty look. A large black bone scythe appears as he's wielding it with his right arm.
Nero's had its silver stinger still, while everything looks the same. They didn't had four pincers from the Grimm's, every students have studied about, spitting out black toxins with a creepy smile.
Jaune saw the ground shaking once more, but he saw the things he didn't want to know. "...Those...are a lot of grimms, and aren't those...?"
And right he was, the big army waiting against them with zombie bugsters with carrying crowbars and any other available weapons each carried.
Shock can be written by everyone's faces all over, the fear being big enough attracted other grimms not from Ace's side, neither the graves that some have risen.
Ace looked at the ones coming in, he sighed in frustration. "...Kill the outsiders."
Every grimm obeyed his command with roars and zombie moans.
It was a big battle, and a scary quick win indeed. Some beowolfs have clawed each outsiders powerfully but some have died as a result, the Zombie bugsters all hopped in and severely damaged others, but fading away in pixels quickly.
The most gruesome and most horrible sight of watching a war like this happening so close but yet so weird.
Grimms versus their own kind, but also along with Ace's Zombie Bugsters.
After the battle ended, every essence started to go towards Ace's body, he laughs as his body gets stronger and stronger. "Finally! I've reached the level I needed for now." He smiled in his helmet looking at his new stats.
Yang's aura burst much wider. "You, you've changed, you made us watch what a monster would do. But we don't want that for you Ace!"
If she thought Ace heard her, she's right but. "Good, there should be no distractions aside from those three Ursa's." Ace hummed, ignoring Yang's remark. "Better yet, I think I found my next candidate." He said as he took out Dangerous Zombie gashat and slotted it to Gaschacon Sparrow's finisher.
KIMEWAZA!
When he aimed directly at the two grimms close to the alpha, he pulled the trigger.
DANGEROUS! CRITICAL FINISH!
Dark arrows spewed rabidly at the two, homing attack only at the lower grimms. Leaving the alpha alone by itself.
He started to walk towards it and put his hand at its mask. The dark glowing effect made everyone shock. "You're now in my team, Ursa. I shall now call you, Orsen."
His team he's tamed, Aero, Taurus, Specter, Nero all stood there surrounding the three bullies that are quivering in fear, celebrated a member joining with a roar.
Ace watched the gang and turned away. "Leave me alone." He points the scarred team to his grimms. They nodded and readied their attacks. "Do it."
"A-Ace...stop this! Everything!" Ruby cried out to him.
A high pitched battle cry entered their ears as Yang was at full speed, using both her fists at Taurus and Nero. The big shock wave made them crashed near Ace. "I'm through staying here and letting you do what we didn't want you to become!"
Jaune nodded, raising his weapons together. "I can't stay and see my own bro suffer from his own words."
Pyrhha joined with him. "Even if we have to stop you, since words won't go through you. If we have to fight, then so we will!"
Nora looked down at her armor then back to Taurus. "I'm sorry that I'm going to have to hit you with my hammer, but I want you to go back being all sguiggly! Oh and Ace to get his senses back together!"
Weiss frowned. "I can't believe you're going back to your words just because of what happened to you. I'm going to have to clear that dumb head of yours too."
Ruby's body trembling, but she couldn't shake it all away. That's why she has to do what every huntsmen do, to save everyone from any threat. Even if it's one of her friends. "We're not going to let this pass Ace, I can't be scared anymore from all this. It's only been a month and yet, I never got to know more of you. The Ace we all smile and have fun with."
Ren sighed. "You and I both enjoy quiet company, but there should be others around you even if they're loud." He glances at Nora who's grinning. "Trust me, I know."
Ace's hand shakes, he doesn't want to do nothing against them but yet he wants Cardin and his team to know how it feels about pain...
"Ace don't!"
"I shall not let my own prophecy kill his followers!"
That second voice made everyone fall off comically, but they got back up anyway.
Kuroto and Poppy come in with what looks like they're worried about Ace's friends, seeing them being alive and okay. They sigh and relief, although one of them already mistakes them as his followers.
Poppy saw the remaining grimms and his evolved ones. "...Aero? Taurus? Specter? Nero?" She saw the new member join the rest. "Did he just tame that Ursa?"
Ace jabbed a thumb to Orsen. "He's been added in the Team, now his new name is Orsen. But sadly he didn't evolve because I just tamed him after I went into Dangerous Zombie."
Poppy shook her head. "No, that's not why we're here. Ace, Kuroto told me what he knows and you should realize that Emu wouldn't have wanted this!"
Ace waved it off. "Emu? I'm not like him at all, not even one bit."
Kuroto crossed his arms. "That man aside, it's a shame to see that my prophecy has finally learned all about his semblance, but yet you didn't use it when you were fighting that Lavana person and the Beringel."
Ace flinched. "...So Velvet told you."
Poppy took out her Bugvisor Zwei and a gashat that neither Team RWBY and JNPR saw. A gashat that had a pink color all over, except the details for the cover. It had a girl who had a similar look as her but with no polka dots, just what a simple girl would wear in a high school.
Tokimeki Crisis.
"It wasn't her, it was Coco." Poppy said.
Kuroto showed a bored look. "You tell yourself that you're guilty of what you've done, just for killing someone who was going to keep killing until the day she died." He scoffed. "That's pathetic, you've gone up and acted like you were going to die, but you can't."
Yang's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
Kuroto's smile made her even more angrier. "Why, it's thanks to his Dangerous Zombie's immortality you little mortal. He's close to being a god, just like me. Now all he needs to do is just finish it all by calling his grimms to kill-!"
Poppy smacked her own son with such force. That sound shocked everyone, including Ace as it sounded pretty hard. "Why can't you be serious for once!? Ace needs support, he needs to be close to everyone who care about him! You, me, team RWBY, JNPR all care!"
"Kuroto, please stop trying to prove you're a god. Show us why you're the one who can calm Ace down!" Poppy yelled with tears running down. "He's a part of our family. So please, let's help him..."
Kuroto looked down away, he feels the cheek he's been slapped. He tightly squeezed his fist as little drops of tears can be seen. "...So be it."
No one knew what to say from this sudden parent-child confrontation. But he remained still, and watched them ready to go.
"If you all want to help so badly, then listen to what I'm going to say." Kuroto said.
He takes out his Gamer Driver and puts it into his waist. "We fight together, but I'm the one who has the ability to make him weak, so distract him too when I'm close to him." He muttered quietly to what he knows only Blake could hear due to her bow twitching.
She may not know, but he does. Blake whispers her team and passed it along to JNPR. They got back up, making their stances as quiet ensures.
Kuroto and Poppy both pulled a trigger from their gashats.
TOKIMEKI! CRISIS!
MIGHTY ACTION X!
"Let's do it, Kuroto." Poppy said to Kuroto with a smile.
"Alright Poppy, Grade 0." Kuroto said looking away again, but closely there's a small warm smile showing.
"Henshin!/Henshin!" Poppy pushed the red slider after slotting her gashat into the bugvisor, Kuroto pulls the pink lever once again.
GACCHAN! LEVEL UP!
MIGHTY JUMP! MIGHTY KICK! MIGHTY ACTIOOON! X!
Kuroto transforms into level 0 as well and stays quiet, while Poppy stands on a red heart on the floor with pink sparkles appeared in the background.
BUGGLE UP!
DREAMING GIRL! (WOW!) KOI NO SIMULATION! OTOME WA ITSUMO TOKI! MEKI! CRISIS! (WOW!)
Once the transformation sequence stopped, Poppy's armor resembles the same high school girl wearing a yellow dress. Pink heart shapes as her shoulder guards, also keeping the pink hair with her that's tied in a gold heart clip, her blue eyes sparkling.
"...What?" Jaune pointed at Poppy nervously. "Will she be able to fight Ace like that?"
Yang shrugged. "Ask his crazy dad?"
Kuroto looked at Jaune funny. "Tokimeki Crisis is a dating simulator game, where you would have to fill her love to win." He scoffed. "But she's strong because her level is the X variable too."
Jaune slumped. "Oh."
Ace struggling to focus as he tries to shake off his sudden memories. "She would be yes, but with a week and this day gone by for me..." His life bar and level displayed at the screen.
ACE - Lives: 86
"I've changed." He said.
ACE - Level: X-50
"Level: 50!?" Kuroto exclaimed. "All in one week, you've been using your power?!"
Ace only nodded.
GACCHAN!
Poppy took out her bugvisor zwei and changed it to chainsaw mode. "What Emu would say if he was here...your fate's in my hand, so I'll clear this game with no continues!"
Kuroto put his hand up and flicked the first profile weapon displayed.
GASHACON BREAKER!
He then switched it to sword mode. "You just challenged your own father, Dan Kuroto. Prepare yourself!"
Ruby saw her teammates running, she holds her scythe and grips it tightly. "Go!"
Ace's remaining army of grimms howled, running straight at them as he watches.
"Putting your pets at me?! Ha! They're all going to die by my own hands!" Kuroto said, pulling his gashat out and slot into the finisher.
GASHATTO!
KIMEWAZA!
He focuses on the blade and sends out a massive 360 slash towards a few grimms that were surrounding him. The essence's were being absorbed into his body as he laughs silently. "Level 5 eh?" He smirked under his helmet.
Jaune blocks a swipe and kicks one out, then throwing his blade up and using the kicked grimm as a support and slashes it down. He sighs and squeaked a bit from another trying to lunge at him.
But a bronze shield stopped it from doing so and got pierced from a lance that had some sort of buzzing noise as it returns back to Pyrrha.
Poppy humms as she decimates every single target coming from behind by her chainsaw mode. "How many is there...?" She snaps her fingers with a bright light bulb showed over her head.
She put her bugvisor zwei back to the silver buckle and pressed the B button twice.
CRITICAL CREWS-AID!
Poppy puts out heart shapes with a lovely hum out and sends energy-musical notes where other beowolfs were near Team JNPR. "Come on! You guys can do it!"
Nora grinned, swinging her hammer down causing a quake to rise, knocking some away.
Ren jumps up into the air and pulls his dual blades out, cutting one's leg and focusing his aura to finish it off with one punch.
"HAAA!" Ruby activates her semblance mid-way becoming a tornado when she started running, along with spinning with her weapon. Killing off more grimms needed.
Weiss uses her fire dust and sends out several fence pokes the one standing in front of her and the right position as her time glyph together for a much sharper and precised attack.
Blake's shadow appear once she dodged a hit, but with ice dust as the replacement froze an ursa as she slashes and sheathes her blade back.
Yang readies her stance as she yells slamming her fist down erupting flames from the upcoming grimms.
Kuroto sees more coming back but knew there was something going on. So he took out his own Dangerous Zombie and pulled the lever. "I'm supposed to be a god, when even I didn't know this could work."
Ace raised a brow.
The game screen's itself opened, showing violent sounds erupting where it was a void that sucked the not so wounded grimms back into the gashat.
Poppy looked at Kuroto crazy. "Why didn't you do that earlier?!"
Kuroto ignored her and sighed in frustration. "I know you could summon them, but remember that I could put them back again."
Ace growled, he saw that his team were sucked in as well. "Kuroto...!"
Yang cracked her knuckles. "It's time we do that plan of your's now crazy guy."
Kuroto scoffed. "Kuroto is my name, now all you and your friends have to do is just immobilize him so I can start that."
Poppy skipped up and went serious, stopping Yang from even punching Kuroto. "Trust me, it'll work."
Jaune nodded giving Nora a thumbs up.
She knew what he meant and switched her hammer to a grenade launcher. Shooting out the pink vial, releasing clouds that blinded Ace's view.
Kuroto saw the bricks moving to his way, he punches each brick before noticing the second part of his plan.
A tan medal flipped to his side where he catches it, absorbing its power-up and shrinking down to the size of an ant.
SHUKUSHO-KA!
"Huh?" Jaune said.
Kuroto's mini laugh made everyone question this but he kicked Yang's leg which caused her to hiss. She picked him up and close to strangling him. He pointed at Ace, she got it and grinned deviously.
"Fooork!" She pitched him to Ace with a hard throw, letting him land close to his chest and silently crawled to Ace's back in case if he didn't notice.
"Now let's try and wear him down!" Ruby said. She changes her crescent rose's scythe to shotgun sniper mode and readied up her fire dust ammo.
Weiss changed her dust to Ice and used her glyph, she stabs mysternator to the ground trapping Ace again.
Or so she thought, once the pink cloud faded. Ace's aura looked grey, he puts his focus around the area. That's where Weiss's glyphs stop again as she fails to summon it once more.
"It's his semblance!" Jaune said.
Yang's fist clenched. "So he was just playing with us..."
Ace's footstep being loud and clear, his anger starts to rise again. "You thought you can beat me!?" He roared. "Guess again!"
Ren shook his head. "We already bought enough time for Kuroto, so we wait."
Ace presses the pink A button separating the two daggers, slotting in Dangerous Zombie.
GASHATTO!
KIMEWAZA!
Kuroto realized what he's doing where he sees RWBY and JNPR tired struggling to move. "You fool!"
Poppy runs forward, leaving everyone to watch her shield them by herself. "You wouldn't hurt your own friends Ace! Stop this please!"
Ace stopped what he was doing for a short minute there, but he felt another memory appear as he tries to prevent it from hurting him. "G-Get away from me!"
Kuroto saw Ace pushing the trigger. "Don't do it!"
DANGEROUS! CRITICAL FINISH!
Ace letting out one several slashes toward Poppy, but Kuroto yelled where the Shrink power-up ran out of time. He pushed Poppy out of the way before ending up getting severely damaged from the finisher.
He drops down on his knees and fade away in pixels.
GAME OVER!
Poppy saw Kuroto's game over screen with his pixels dissipating. "Kuroto!"
Yang suddenly felt guilty but a new respect towards the lunatic, he at least admits he cares deep inside by sacrificing himself for them. Just like what Ace did for her little sis...
"They might be related after all." Yang muttered with a soft chuckle.
Ace saw his hands and began to cry, not knowing that he just did all of this. But they wouldn't leave him alone, he doesn't want them to get hurt but also doing it himself. "I just...want no one to die because of me and my damn immortality!"
"Stop acting like a damn child and move on dammit! You're trying to push us away when we know you don't mean that!"
Kuroto jumped up from the violet continue pipe and smirked. "It's my pleasure to knock that head of your's to understand." He points at Ace with a cocky grin. "I know you're going to say that I'm too weak to face you but...guess again!"
Kuroto's live goes down one.
KUROTO - LIVES: 88
Ace raised a brow until he saw his status appear in front of the crowd. "How?!" His eyes widened in disbelief.
ACE - LEVEL: X-0
Kuroto's triumphant laugh can be quite a good thing to hear. "It's all thanks to my own plan, now we can finish what we started my little prophec- no, Ace."
He growled as a roar started emitting from his mouth. "You and I both know what happens next!"
"I wish I hadn't but in situations like this, I would have to accept it for now." Kuroto replied. He took out his Dangerous Zombie gashat and pushed the trigger.
DANGEROUS ZOMBIE!
"Grade X-0, henshin!" Kuroto said as he closed the pink lever in and slotted DZ in, then opening the screen once more.
GACCHAN! LEVEL UP!
MIGHTY ACTIOOON! X!
A GACCHA!
DANGER DANGER! DEATH THE CRISIS DANGEROUS ZOMBIE!
Kuroto laughs as he transforms to Level X-0, leaving the area with silent. He walks and walks, Ace does as well and charges forward.
A big shock wave sounded with both fists colliding, leaving everyone surprised at how much power this could've been if Ace still was Level: X-50.
"Ho? Even if your level has been lowered, you still have some strength kept inside." Kuroto smirked. "I see..."
Ace headbutted Kuroto leaving the two at a respective distance. "And you're level 5 right now because of my grimms right?"
Kuroto grinned sadistically. "Yes, thanks to you Ace." He runs again with his hands making a fist again. "So I'm stronger than you for now!"
Ace blocked Kuroto's right fist with his shoulder guard, turning him stun for a while. "Knowing how the armor works I doubt that." His eyes glowed once contact has been met.
Kuroto felt the hallucinations effecting him where he feels the nasty headache entering his mind.
Ace swung his fist at Kuroto's chest where he would spit out data if it wasn't for his helmet, knocking him down.
Kuroto gasped for breath, his smirk leaking down to a menacing one. He sweeps Ace's legs causing him to fall down and kicking him straight to his body.
Ace struggles to get back up, he swings Gashacon Sparrow's dagger mode but Kuroto easily dodges the slashes due to his unwell balance.
Kuroto flicks a weapon profile after kicking away Ace's weapon and slices him in a diagonal path, and another back with a hard grip.
GASHACON SWORD!
"Remember, I have the three weapons I gave you too!" Kuroto yelled. He presses the icy blue B button three times triggering a guitar sound going louder by the second.
He prepares his stance as he jumps up in the air and unleashes a powerful rolling fiery blade, Ace not having the chance to dodge cross his two arms in defense to take it.
Ace couldn't handle more of the fire he deals the swords blade many times. He yells in pain with the fire effect making him hiss at his life gauge going down.
Kuroto smirked. "Had enough Ace?" The answer he recieved wasn't a good response not due to Ace's groan in pain, but his aura reaching higher than before.
Ruby saw something behind Ace, knowing the glow and hearing the roar she knew instantly what it was. "Kuroto it's-!"
"RAAAAAAH!" Ace's roar made her shut up immediately knowing that he's going mad right now.
A shiny glowing object shined upon Ace, circling around him as he feels the power, his anger summoning Dragon Knight Hunter Z has appeared.
Once it did however, it forced him to revert back to his casual clothes where he's shaking with excitment. Ace's cold breaths and his eyes changing colors under his helmet. "I-I need your power...!"
Kuroto sighed but alas he laughed, Ruby watched him going crazy again. "I knew you would summon that gashat, your anger is its calling after all! A connection between you two is endless."
"But..." Kuroto stopped, taking out both of his gashats and closing the pink lever.
GASHOON!
Kuroto's aura changed just like Ace's and slowly, reveals a gashat similar to what the golden dragon's cover is.
It has the black color every Proto gashat have in the outer detail, but the shape at the end has the same dragon head with the very crimson eyes glowing. The cover itself having the same dragon as the mascot and the logo title of the game.
Dragon Knight Hunter Z.
"You're not the only one who has the same power of a dragon!" Kuroto laughed. "Look's like I'll have to teach you in some manners my little prophecy!"
Poppy didn't know he had it, but yet she never knew how did he have the silver case with him too. "How...?"
"Right...I remember...clearly, there's another...Dragon Knight Hunter Z. But the proto version of it." Ace said in between breaths where his eyes glowed with a smile creeping on his face. "Let's see...which one is stronger!"
Poppy looked at the two's auras clashing and saw Team RWBY and JNPR trying to step in. "No! Only Kuroto can do this now." She goes down in one knee. "I wish I could too but I'd be in the way..."
Jaune stopped his tracks, seeing the now mayhem that was bound to happen. "Why did he have to go this far...?"
Both rider's eyes changed to crimson at the same time with the very same smile Kuroto shows. "RAAAAAAAH!/RAHAHAHAAAA!" They both roared at the top of their lungs. Pressing both DHKZ at the same time.
DRAGO KNIGHT HUNTER! Z!/DRAGO KNIGHT HUNTER! Z!
The game field pulsed as sounds of dragons roared in the background.
The two riders growled. "GRADE X-5!/GRADE X-5!" slotting their own gashats at once and pulling the pink lever. "HENSHIN!/HENSHIN!"
GACHAN! LEVEL UP!
DANGER DANGER! DEATH THE CRISIS! DANGEROUS ZOMBIE!
A GACHA!
DO-DO-DRAGO! NA-NA-NA-KNI~GHT! DRA-! DRA-! DRAGO KNIGHT HUNTER! Z!/DO-DO-DO-DO-DO! KOKURYUKEN! DRA-! DRA-! DRAGO KNIGHT HUNTER! Z!
The two's red aura pushed back the gang and along with Cardin's Team. Two similar Hunter Gamers appeared shooting each other, one being inverted while the other with colors.
The same Hunter Gamers separated its part and combined with their own rider. They both growled as explosions, and static scattered everywhere.
Ruby's eyes wide in shock. "O-Oh no..."
Poppy hugged Ruby close to her. "We have to believe in him..." She gulped. "For what's going to be a dragon's rampaging duel."
"Rahaha..." Kuroto's shivering smile inducing looks at the armor and roars. "I can feel the anger reaching through me. Just telling me to go on a rampage!"
Ace didn't reply but waited, his back down as he looks like a creature waiting for his prey to move.
Kuroto shrugged. "I suppose you're now under the influence of the anger as well. But too well indeed." He shoots Ace point-blank, where the young rider dodges.
Ace growls as his stomps cater the grass field, his head up and shoots out a flamethrower burning some trees near Kuroto. His wings grow and soaring through the sky and targeting Kuroto with his sword part straight.
Kuroto takes his ground and swings his as well. Creating a sparking clash with static. "Yes, this power is magnificent!" He laughed as both got knocked away from the force.
Ace uses his gun part to his head, but Kuroto moves his neck to the side and does the same with a critical hit. Angered, Ace went back up to the sky and roared.
"Fine by me!" Kuroto replied. His wings grow and flew up high with Ace.
The winds blowing as their wings flap, the intense stare down increase the tension for RWBY and JNPR, along with Poppy who's amazed at how powerful the two are.
Instantly they disappeared and reappeared repeatedly, the speed showing one of them flying through each other several times. Kuroto's falling down but he stops mid-air and focuses on his right sword part that started shining, he unleashes a slash that Ace stopped with his own.
The explosion blew once the two waves came together, Kuroto shoots out many energy bullets with Ace firing his breath melting the bullets. He holds the gun part as the small ball of energy grew bigger and bigger.
He sent out the sparking blast, but Kuroto also used his fiery breath and made his own charged shot. Cancelling out each other's attacks and surprising Yang how cool this fight is.
Ace crosses his arms and sours down while spinning, a golden tornado heading straight to Kuroto.
Kuroto puts both his arms in a two way direction and spins, copying Ace and following the attack with fire spinning around the silver tornado.
Another big impact set off, temporarily blinding everyone from the flash. When everyone opened their eyes, they saw Kuroto and Ace back down on the ground close to being tired.
Once more charging towards each other they focus both parts and attempt to slash, but neither have been damaged where their wings flapping hastily. The violent winds pushed Poppy when she tried to reach them.
But Jaune caught Poppy barely, falling down when he couldn't hold her again.
"GHK!" Ace yelled out in pain as he vomits data inside his helmet, feeling a sharp stab to his chest pierce through.
Kuroto didn't laugh, but he wanted to so bad because of his soon to be victory. "Almost there!"
Yang turned to Poppy. "I thought he was just going to stop him?!"
Poppy shook her head. "Ace will be fine, he needs to lose a life first!"
"What if he goes back in that armor!?" Ren asked.
"He won't, Kuroto and I know what to do if he's going to try and henshin to Level: X-5 again!" Poppy answered back.
Kuroto gave out a massive cut to Ace, making him struggle back. But purple mists are emitting inside of him, showing his wounds slowly healing.
Ruby's eyes widened. "What's happening to him?!"
"...Could it be?" Poppy muttered. "It's Dangerous Zombie's Immortality recovering his life!"
"How will he stop him?" Pyrrha asked.
"Oh no you don't!" Kuroto rejected such ability to activate, he pulls out Dragon Knight Hunter Z and slots it into the finisher holder.
GASHATTO!
KIMEWAZA!
Kuroto takes his stance where his wings flap to the sky, with a flying kick pose he goes down.
Ace watches him using the finisher, he crossed his arms but was interrupted by bullets and musical notes. Distracting him as he saw everyone's determined faces. His crimson eyes started to revert back to brown under his helmet slowly.
DRAGON KNIGHT HUNTER! CRITICAL FINISH!
"HAAAAA!" Kuroto yells as his kick having flames managed to hit Ace perfectly.
GAME CLEAR!
"AAAAAGGGH!"
When physical contact was made, a big explosion with flames circling around the two which makes the gang ask if he was able to do it.
Poppy put her hands together. "Please..."
The flames died down to reveal Ace on his knees with Kuroto standing tall in victory.
Ruby jumped up with a fist to the air. "He did it!"
The purple mist faded, where Ace's life gauge beeped indicating that he lost a life now. His body turned to pixel particles and disappeared.
GAME OVER!
Poppy got back up and patted Kuroto's back. "You did it Kuroto!"
Kuroto smirked. "Yes, if it wasn't for my ability to be able to reduce his level. Then I don't know what would happen if Yang here hadn't threw me over to him."
Yang playfully punched his shoulder. "Yeah I did!" She looked away and sighed. "Even though you two are different, I can see at least one thing you both have in common."
Poppy smiled. "To save a life."
Kuroto scoffed and walks away from them, making the two grin. But deep down he's glad that he stopped him. "Let's go Poppy." He sees the continue pipe rise inches away from him.
Ace comes back in the ground dead in his eyes with his casual clothes on.
"Ace..."
The young man takes out the game driver and almost puts it back into his waist. But he felt a sudden warm touch behind him to see Poppy hugging him close. "Let it all out..."
Ace tries to shove her off, but she doesn't let go even when he's trying to say words. But tears can be seen falling from him. "P-Poppy..."
Kuroto walks by and pats his head, crouching down with the two. "Listen to Poppy, just do it. Ace."
Ace subconciously lets go of his Gamer Driver and hugs Poppy, his tears running down with his eyes and face down. "I-I'm so sorry..."
Poppy warmly smiled, touching his hair softly. "There there...we're here for you."
The gang smiled to see the three reunite at last, hearing his cries.
"Come on everyone..." Ruby said.
Ace sees them walking to him, he looks down and frowns. "I-I-I..."
Yang hushed him with a finger. "It's fine Ace. If you want to make things up then all you have to do is..."
Weiss raised a brow when she saw Yang's grin. "What are you planning?"
Yang smirked. "You owe us all one favor each!"
"...What?" Ace's eyes widened. "Aren't you going to yell at me, or I don't know, punch me because I made you guys worried? When I also ordered the grimms to.."
Yang cracked her knuckles. "You know I could..." She stopped. "But I get that too, when you see your own friends badly hurt. And I understand, you couldn't do anything but to run and try to save them knowing that you have...more lives then what we have. You did it yourself, just like Kuroto here did."
Ace looked at Kuroto and Poppy with a wry smile. "How did she know...?"
"Velvet told me." Yang answered for them.
Ace flinched. "Right..Velvet."
"Look Ace, when you ask someone out and they don't accept it. You can move on, but could also make a friend too." Yang said softly.
Ace nodded.
"It may take a while for Velvet to see you, but she's sorry that she never saw you that way." Yang said. "She said she had fun with you and Coco. Maybe hoping you two could stay as friends."
Ace sighed in relief. "I can't believe she still wants to be friends after all that. Alright, but what about Coco?"
Kuroto crossed his arms. "She does as well if that's what you wanted to know."
Poppy nodded. "See? Everything's going to be alright Ace."
Ace laughed nervously when Yang was tapping her feet patiently. "I'm going to have to make it up for those two somehow when they come back." He sighed. "Alright, I guess I could do that then. To make it up for everyone because of my actions, I'll do my best!"
Yang smiled, putting her arm over his shoulder. "That's the spirit!"
"I don't want to bother Ace though..." Jaune said.
"But he just accepted the deal vomit boy." Yang said with a smirk.
Jaune slumped.
Ace waved it off. "It's fine Jaune, I don't mind either way."
"Well you heard the man you guys, he owes us one favor each!" Yang said.
"When you said everyone, I hope you mean me too!" A similar voice that sounds tired.
"Ace's Gamer Driver!" Ruby pointed at the missing driver near Ace.
They saw Cardin tired with several cuts can be seen from his body. He smiled when he shows the Gamer Driver on his hands. "I'm glad you're letting me borrow it then!" He snapped his fingers, the rest of RDL came back with the three gashats in their hands.
"How did they get Kuroto's silver case!?" Poppy asked.
Ruby saw the gashats and back to Ace. "You don't think...?"
Ace stood up and saw their hands shaking. "If you pull their levers then you'll die, and I don't want that to happen to you three!"
Cardin grit his teeth. "Like you can order them! Pull their levers now!"
Russel stopped, he shook his head and stared at Ace. "What you're saying is true?"
Kuroto stepped in. "Yes, if you do it now then your body won't be able to contain the virus inside!"
Ace agreed, taking a sharp rock cutting his right arm that leaks data out. "I'm a living virus, so I can contain and use it. But you three aren't, so please let those go before you die from them!"
Dove looked down. "...Alright." He opened his eyes. "I knew there was something bad about these, but I didn't think it was this horrible."
Sky shook his head and threw the gashat he was holding to Ace. Who caught it easily. "Thanks for letting us know, and showing us what you are."
Dove threw his to Kuroto who giggled, having two of his gashats back. "We're sorry for what we did."
Russel looked at the green colored gashat and was about to throw it. If it wasn't for a mace hitting his back. "GAH!"
Cardin was barely noticed due to keeping his breath and punching Russel away. He caught the green gashat and the Gamer Driver. "If you three little wussies aren't going to use it. Then I will!"
"Cardin!" Ace yelled. "STOOOP!"
"I'm getting sick and tired of you trying to boss me around! I'll show you I'm the strongest one there is!" Cardin yelled back as time started to move slower when he put the driver into his waist.
GAME DRIVER!
"DON'T TOUCH MY CREATIOOON!" Kuroto yelled trying to reach for the last remaining gashat Cardin holds. But he was too late.
SHAKARIKI SPORTS!
With Shakariki Sports lever pulled, statics and pulses can be seen from Cardin as he screamed in pain. Letting go of the gashat where his body starts shaking.
Ace's eyes widened, running to Cardin. "NOOO!"
Cardin fell down where he holds his body in pain.
Poppy gasped.
Ruby watching as the tragedy unfolds in front of her, a sudden flashback enters her mind.
Ruby spoke up and pointed at the mysterious belt Ace's wearing. "Oh-oh, what's that!?"
Ace pointed where she's staring with a smirk. "Oh this? It's called a Gamer Driver, you'll see what it can do later."
She squeals in excitement. "Whatdoesitdoandhowdoesitwork?"
Ace's face couldn't be clear as shadow started casting over it. "Never, ever, use this driver. Not even this gashat I have with me." He shows PMAX her, but not letting her hold it.
"Or else, you'll die..."
