Getting in a better groove, now just starting off that the fact that Roman Torchwhick and Reginald Wyoming are a couple is for two reasons. First, it may seem unnecessary to do, but they actually contribute to the story as their relationship wasn't accepted a lot in Atlas except by someone. Lastly, I kind of got the idea from another cute gay couple from Borderlands, I think y'all know which one I'm talking about.
Anyway, let's get to it.
[The Grotto/ 5:39 am/ Caboose's room]
In dreamland, Caboose had the most pleasantly vivid dream he's had in a long time, since he came to Beacon. In his mind he was on a warm, relaxing beach, the sun kissing his face as he wore sunglasses. He's never been to one before and not many other faunus left his bear sloth, but from what he's heard they were like his beach. Golden sand as far as he could see, exotic and bizarre trees at his back with the blue ocean in front of him.
It was a beautiful dream until he heard a loud knock at his bedroom door and he was back at the grotto. He slipped on some pants as he started responding, "Y-yeah?"
"Hey, Reggie's cooking for us, how do you take your eggs?" Church asked as he opened the sliding door.
"Oh, uh scrambled." Caboose answered as he got up to stretch any follow Church out.
In the kitchen Wyoming had eggs on a pan as Church passed by him and took a seat on their futon as he waited for his eggs ask well. Caboose came in after him, he was met with the beautiful smells of a delicious breakfast in the making. The sound of ham sizzling with it's salty, hearty smell of it's greasy juices. Crackling of light pepper entered his nose to add flavor, along with the sound of chopped spinach in the background from Wyoming's partner in crime, Torchwhick. The aroma and symphony of eatery sounds had distracted Caboose from his current task, get fuel for his hunger.
"Can I please have scrambled eggs?" Caboose begged.
Wyoming smiled as he turned to Caboose, "I don't know, can you?"
"Can I?"
"Can you?"
"Can I?
"Can you?"
"Can I?"
"Can y-"
"Reggie, just give the boy a plate for the love of Gods." Roman demanded ask he helped take the hand off the stove.
As Miss Goodwitch came out in a nightgown she yawned as the pilots came in behind her. She had been greeted with stares as Church placed a fork full of eggs and ham into his mouth. Curious as to what his gaze was about, she questioned him, "Is there a problem Mr. Church?"
"No Ma'am, just seeing you in a different light." Church replied, immediately averting his eyes, "Very unusual to witness."
Tucker had made it his mission to imbed this image of Ms. Goodwitch's long legs out of those boots and walking around. Her large breast held back by her black lingerie bra and her tight dark thong cupping and lifting her ass. This was the sight of many students at Beacon had dreamed especially with a beautiful woman like Glynda Goodwitch, and Tucker was living it. Nothing could be better until Neo had entered the room passing Tucker who rested his back against a corner pillar dropped his jaw. Neo had walked by wearing white and pink striped panties and a large brown T-shirt that covered her buttocks for the most of it. As she walked by she gave Tucker a wink, he looked down at his crotch to confirm his full arousal.
Church rolled his eyes as shared an exhausted glance with Roman who was almost like Neo's big brother. Despite his best efforts she turned to this life in his footsteps, after the events in Atlas transpired. He's done his best to care and guide her with the help of Reginald over the years but she was still her own person after all.
The female pilot who was assisting her co-pilot get his food and drink had begun to wonder since last night, she desired to learn the truth, "Excuse me, I hate to ask how did you two meet?"
Church smiled as he leaned back in his spot, "Love this story, one of my favorites."
"Alright, well best to start at the place where it happened." Wyoming began, "Many years ago, I belonged to a wealthy family who's earned a substantial fortune over the years. And Roman worked his heart and mind to become a respectable business man, which earned him a spot at the same university that I was to attend. Now we both knew how to work, however we had two different skill sets."
"Where I learned how to provide cold hard facts and truths to provide buyers with little option, not fraud, but instead I explained to them the costs of not using the product." Roman admitted as he poured two glasses of whiskey neat, "Reggie learned how to appeal to the customer and present them the benefits of the product we sold. We were matched together for several projects, later we became business partners at a well respected business to this day. Then one day we started realizing that... we knew each other so well... we started to date."
"Ah, those days. I still remember an equally ambitious salesman who convinced me that we should enter into a partnership, seeing as we were the best in our class." Reginald remembered as he finished the last serving and poured some tea into his cup.
Just as Wyoming was taking a sip of his tea their morning was interrupted, loud gunshots were heard outside as everyone hit the deck to scrounge back into their rooms back for their weapons. After finishing his sip Wyoming sighed, "One morning here, I'd wish the locals would respect privacy." He said heading to the door, where the hat, coat and umbrella stand held their equipment.
While the couple were putting on their attire, Roman turned to his cousin, "Neo could you please make sure that the ladies do not leave their rooms, please." Neo had nodded and went to the rooms where the ladies had retreated to gear up. As they went outside Church had fetched his hat, his overcoat and vest and loaded up his rifle to join the two hunters as they went outside.
When the hunters made it outside they were met with another gathering of hunters. They were all male, wore green cloaks and covered their eyes with a black eye paint across. Their weaponry consisted mainly Vacuon made assault weapons, large pikes connected to electric generator satchels and their horses.
Wyoming stood patient but with an itchy trigger finger, "What brings you this way, Siriso Society?" Wyoming asked one of the men.
A man wearing a crown and a mask walked forward to look up at Wyoming. His voice was deep, and his eyes were grey and cold, "A transport ship was shot down, however when we went to the crash site we found no survivors."
"I don't suppose you would be the shooter?" Roman accused.
"Anything that enters our territory is trespassing, as well as fair game." The leader argued, "That is not the only reason we are here."
"The other would be...?" Wyoming paused for the answer.
"The Gargantuans, we've spotted them. I have two of my scouts claiming they found three of them." The Leader of the hooded men declared.
Wyoming smiled while Roman grew a headache from the conversation they'd have later, "Well thank you, I'll be sure to inform you all about the tale at a later dat-"
"I'm afraid we won't allow you to hunt on your own. Siriso has been hunting large monsters since the Great War, however you and yours are more than welcomed to join. I also see you've gotten more people to join, perhaps they may be interested..." The Siriso leader offered.
Wyoming could smell this man's true intentions as Caboose and Tucker came out with their weapons. Sighing off his puzzled brain he turned to his group to whisper, "We can't leave these guys alone but we can't go with them."
"What do you want to do?" Caboose asked.
"I'll go with them, you all get the defenses ready if and when they try to come back for you."
"No." Roman objected.
Wyoming stared at his partner, "I'd rather know you lived than go to where I'll be going later."
"Roman's right. You got to be the one who prepares the defenses and traps. I'll do it." Church said as he checked his revolver.
Wyoming shook his head steadily, "Out of the question. These men might leave you behind to give them time to escape. Or worse."
"I'll cross that bridge when I get to it." Church noted as he was about to step forward.
Caboose took a step with him, "We'll go with you."
"No..." Church demanded, "Trust me Caboose, if shit does go south, I'll need you guys to rescue me. You got a flare gun?"
Roman disappeared from the porch to grab one of the emergency flare guns to hand to Church, "Stay safe cowboy."
After an agreement amongst the five men there, Wyoming spoke first, "We've come to an agreement, Church will join your hunt. Consider this a test for him, see how well my training and teachings have paid off for him."
The leader examined Church through his masked eyes, observing this specimen of a faunus. He could tell with just one look he'd be a very powerful fighter, now one could deny it. With a wicked smile, the Siriso Society leader saluted for Church to come down. A horse, that was left unmanned had been brought forth.
As Church lept onto the steed he looked up at his party and tilted his hat towards them. With that serving as a farewell Church rode off with them to the grasslands where the beasts were said to have seen.
[5 minutes ago]
Glynda was in her temporary room about to grab her riding crop to protect her students. Who knew who these enemies were, they fired first so it only natural to fire a bigger warning shot. She had learned this lesson from a colleague earlier in her life.
When she turned around she came face to face with Neo who had pricked Glynda in her stomach. As Glynda about to retaliate she felt weak and dizzy, she had been drugged, she could no longer keep her balance and fell backwards onto her bed. Unconscious and unaware of the events that had transpired.
[10 Minutes From Then]
The Huntress finally awoken after being attacked by Neo, her stomach had a band-aid where she had been poked. As she got up her head still rang with a dizzy feeling, she got her footing and leaned up against the wall to steady herself. Limping her way to the main area of the Grotto, Glynda had found her students, pilots and others accounted for.
As she pointed her riding crop at Neo, who was playing 'find the lucky lady' with Tucker and Caboose, the two gentlemen who let them stay there blocked her path.
"Easy, easy. I understand that you'd be upset, however allow us to explain." Wyoming began calming her down.
"She drugged me, knocked me out, what could possibly be explained?!" Glynda warily accused.
Roman put an arm on the woman's shoulder, "To protect you. Those men that came by, the ones that shot up our home. They would've killed all of us except you women. These men are savages. They would've kidnapped all of you and do... unspeakable things."
"Seriously?" Glynda asked, immediately receiving a sincere confirmation, "I... I apologize. Thank you, for keeping all my students away from those men."
"Well, about that." Wyoming halted.
Miss Goodwitch raised an eyebrow as she rechecked the room, "Where's Leonard?"
Wyoming and Roman refused to answer as their eyes avoided Glynda's contact. She became more impatient, "Where's Mr. Church?"
"He went with the hunters." Doc snitched, earning him several disapproving stares.
"What?!" Glynda shouted, she ran to her room to grab her boots and came back out ready to go, but was met by everyone blocking her way, "Let me pass!"
"Don't worry Ma'am, Church told us he'd be safe." Caboose tried to reassure.
Roman patted Caboose's shoulder, which was over his head, "Yes and if anything were to happen he'd signal us with a flare."
"Like that one." Caboose pointed out as he looked out the window.
When the party looked over to where Caboose was pointing and their faces sunk with worry when a bright red glow rose from a distance. Wyoming stared at the light as he spoke to his husband, "I'll get the weapons, you and Neo get the wagon ready."
"Got it." Roman acknowledged as the three rushed off. Immediately after the rest of the group split up to grab their supplies. Caboose rushed to his room to grab his sack of belongings and then to Church's, considering he wouldn't be there to pick them up later. Tucker and Doc were in and out of their rooms as fast as possible, considering they had the least amount of stuff with them. Glynda was with the pilots and helped carry the injured one down the steps of the grotto's ladder.
As Wyoming climbed down the ladder with Behemoth guns he rushed to the finished wagon with it's horse and began cursing out loud, "Blasted, I was hoping Church could handle this situation."
"Especially because this has happened before." Roman added as he grabbed Wyoming's hand to help him in the shotgun seat.
Caboose looked at the conversation, "This has happened before?"
"Yes, but now is not the time." Wyoming said as he loaded his rifle.
"Does it have something to do with the 'White Death'?" Caboose asked making Neo, Roman and Reginald freeze in their place.
As everyone finished putting their gear on the wagon Reggie turned to looked at Caboose with an intimidating expression, "How do you know that name?"
"Some dick tried to knife Church, some kid named David... David... Wash-" Tucker began explaining.
"Washington?" Roman finished.
Caboose now remembering how Church's attitude changed when he heard that name, similar to their reactions. He needed to know, "Why did Church have that name?"
"Get in. We'll explain on the way." Torchwhick pleaded. When everyone finally hopped onto the cart he began the tale, "Ever wonder why Church is so tough?"
[6 years ago]
Church was only twelve when he earned that name. Such a young age to receive a terrifying name. The name that all of Atlas fears, especially the military.
Church was a cadet who enlisted into the Atlas army at the age of 11. His training was no tougher than the usual cadet, but he soared given his young ambition. He was optimistic, scared of nothing and believed that everyone in the military and Atlas would be both friend and soon family. Reality soon slapped those emotions out of him.
When Atlas cadets reach a certain point in their training They shadow real soldiers into combat in a mission while documenting their experience. It's every Atlas soldier's ticket into full service and soon graduating with a medal and plaque. Church was honored to follow his squad leader, for the moment.
As they spent a week in the Atlas wilderness they gave Church a nickname, 'kitty'. For the time he thought they were just busting his balls. He thought all their jokes were just friendly antics; how blind he was. He did everything for them, fetch their food, cleaned their weapons, polished their boots, but he was used.
Then the night came, they were tasked with clearing out a Sabrecats nest. The team including Church were over the edge of the cliff, having a high vantage point. The leader grabbed Church by the neck and threw him off. The leader named Washington, Thomas.
As Church landed a full 20 feet down he looked up at the laughter of mockery and hate in their faces. Church looked around and discovered something horrible; he wasn't the only one to fall. There were bones and decaying corpses of dead cadets, specifically faunus cadets. He wasn't the first to be thrown off, as the Sabrecats swarmed him he vowed to be the last.
With bare hands, claws and teeth, he fought like hell. He slashed and tore his way out of that pit. When his hands ached from the punches he'd throw he curb stomped and kneed those vicious Grimm. When his eyes were covered with their blackened blood he swung frantically and viciously. The rage fueling the Grimm were great, but the fire in Church's gut burned greater.
What happened next should be obvious. If you had the anger as Church from someone who was betrayed and left for dead you'd do the same. So Church followed his betrayer's scent to a bar. From later police reports, everyone in that bar was ripped to shreds, shot up, or exploded. The leader's corpse was later found by the same spot where the rest of the faunus corpses were.
Those who knew Church say that he came home with several cuts and bruises as well as bullet wounds. Those that knew him best knew a piece of him died that day in the wilderness. Those that hated him gave him the name, 'White Death'.
It's used to scare everyone now: children who misbehave, soldiers that fall out of line, even adults started to avoid faunus because of fear. That fear is what made Atlas terrified to be prejudice. The same fear meant to oppress others was now used against them. Earning Church several enemies to this day.
[Present]
After hearing the tale the group was silent with fear, shock and disbelief. Their mysterious gunslinger companion was actually the legend to a horror folktale. Even Miss Glynda Goodwitch, a veteran huntress was left bewildered by what she just heard. Despite the news they took it well, as well as anybody could.
"I think I'm gonna throw up." Tucker announced as every one inside the wagon remained silent.
Glynda shook her head with folded arms, "Are you telling me that one of my students is the reason for those Atlas tales? I refuse to believe that he killed someone at the age of 12."
"Believe whatever you wish to believe, we've no reason lie." Wyoming answered as he loaded his Behemoth rifle.
Caboose stayed quiet to let the information sink in; his friend, a killer. He needed to be sure, "Are you sure this was Church?"
"I saw it with my own eyes. He came to his home with blood on his hands, face and other limbs. For a moment I thought he was a new type of Grimm." Roman added as he held the reigns of the horse.
The rest of the ride was short, but the uninterrupted silence made it feel much longer. When their ride had come to a halt at large wide grassland area everyone but the two people upfront rushed to get off. When the rest got off, except the pilots, they became frozen with disgust.
The entire field had corpses scattered across the green grass and brown dirt. Red chunks were everywhere, so much so that anywhere you stepped you might have stepped on a former Siriso Society member. The smell... the smell was so gut wrenching it made Tucker, Doc and even Neo up chuck.
Before anyone moved forward they all placed improvised masks over their faces to protect themselves from contracting any airborne disease from the body parts. Flies and crows cleared away from the traveling party with each step that they had took into the mess. As their eyes wandered their minds plagued with a heavy question, 'Did Church do this?'
"Anyone find any trace of Church?" Wyoming questioned.
Caboose pointed to the group's far right side, "Is that him?" Caboose asked pointing at a slouched back, standing Church, covered in black wet goop. His face was expressionless, his guns weren't on him and his body seemed still and calm, despite the scene around him.
As the group finally came to Church, Wyoming observed a long metal structure near him, "Hmm, is this..." The structure was a large broadsword, but it was the size of a streetlight. As he glanced around he saw large footprints and even another equally large weapon. His face lit up with joy as he put the pieces together, "My word. I do believe that Church and the Siriso Society had come into a battle with the Gargantuans."
Church fell to his knees as he came down from his blood high, coughing he looked to Wyoming and Roman, "Not... not both of us. They... am-ambushed me... I killed the big ones."
Church's confession finished as Caboose picked him up and began walking to the wagon. Wyoming then turned to the teacher and lead huntress, "I'm very sorry my dear. I would never want to put Church through something he couldn't handle. I know that my words will not be enough but perhaps my actions might."
"What do you mean?" Glynda asked as she grew skeptical.
Wyoming pulled out a key attached to a pair of wings key chain, "We'll fly you and yours out of here. We have a private aircraft that we use to get here. Please, it is the least that we can offer."
"Apology accepted. I may have misjudged you from the start. I too am sorry. Thank you for your help through all this." Glynda expressed her gratitude with a handshake.
[Minutes Later]
As the group made their final destination, they had arrived at an airfield with overgrown vegetation climbing the walls and towers. The air hangar had paint chipping off with rust coming through the cracks. The blacktop had small but noticable weeds coming through, however it still held.
The only aircraft that there was present, was an old Great War plane called, 'The Avenger'. Similar to the bullhead but instead of thrusters it uses propellers, it's weapons and features have actually been modified with some of today's modern technology, such as; heavy artillery, bombardment doors and even an autopilot feature.
"Honestly, I was expecting something else." Miss Goodwitch admitted.
"Some rusty biplane, perhaps?" Wyoming inquired.
Tucker and Doc loaded the co-pilot in the back where they found a cot on the left wall to place him down. Caboose helped Church limp in as he carried Church's weak side with his right shoulder and all the gear with his left arm. The pilot hopped into the main seat until Neo motioned for her to sit in the back with the rest of the group as Roman and Reggie took their seats.
Before beginning take off procedures Roman spoke in the empty coffee mug that was soon to be filled, "This is your co-captain speaking, we'll be leaving for Vale in a few moments. Please secure all luggage onto the net wall, opposite of the injured co-pilot. In the event of an emergency, put your head between your legs and a kiss your ass goodbye."
Church cracked a smile and laughed as he leaned back in his seat, "You asshole." He joked.
"At Air Wanted, we know we're your only choice. Thank you for flying." Roman concluded as the ship hovered from it's spot and soon took off into flight towards Vale.
[Somewhere south of Vale]
The plane's passengers had been silent and wary of their cut up, bruised and battered brawler known as Church. Even with his weakened state they were unsure of what he'd be able to do. After all after the first tale, the hunter's betrayal and the Gargantuan attack previously. For all they knew Church's power was possibly limitless.
The two pilots must have caught wind of the atmosphere and began collaborating on a way to fix this problem. Neo rolled her eyes as the two up front were useless and made her way to a case in the cargo hold. She picked up a violin and bow, soon making her way to Church.
Church woke up from resting his eyes and saw Neo in front of him, "Can I help you?"
"May!" Wyoming shouted from the cockpit.
Huffing some air at Reginald she turned back to Church to present him with the gift, "Could you play something?"
"I'm not sure, it's been a while." Church replied.
Neo pouted, "Please, you used to play so beautifully."
"Alright, I'll try." Church said as he adjusted their violin to fit to his nature, "Suggestion?"
"Dealer's choice." She answered.
For a while Church began to consider what he could do, then reaching in his bag he picked up his notebook. Flipping through the pages he had found a page that he remembered he wrote while in school after the Cardin incident.
(Play: I'll hurt you by Busta Rhymes)
With his bow going against the strings he made his instrument sing in harmony with his own words.
I'll... shit on a mic and do do my doo doo. You do not have a fightin chance to move you are covered in my poo-poo. Smothered in my manure while I spit saliva fluid do-do-do-do-do-do... g-g-g-goobers secluded you. You don't have a clue as to what we're about to do to you so just sit back and watch somethin you just gon have an a-chew. You just made me sneeze I'm allergic to beats like these. Please excuse me my allergies are actin up thanks a lot Scott. You're probably wonderin why there's thunderin everyone is runnin and duckin up under everything up on the block. Cause Bus a Bus and Flipmode just tip toed into the club with shady quietly tryin not to start up a riot with Doc. But since we always started we might as well have a party, so gather 'round everybody come on let's get our drink on. And you ain't got to do nothin special for this occasion, just reach in the closet put somethin on and get to the club.
Despite his proper violin techniques the use of his verses had been impressive to say the least.
But as everyone was beginning to become more comfortable, something on the horizon had come up. Literally. Wyoming stared off into the distance to where the center of Vale was and saw smoke arising. As he pieced together what it could mean he turned to the passengers, "Excuse me, we have a problem."
[To Be Continued]
Okay had to post this because it's my birthday and I wanted to give all of you guys a gift. Thank you for the follows and reviews. Please enjoy any of my other stories as well.
As always leave a follow, favorite and review. Churchisalive signing off.
