Authors Note:
Hello, once again, I had planned on getting at least two chapters out last month, I'm sorry for that. This chapter is Huge, I think it's the longest to date. I'd like to thank everyone again for liking this story. In truth, it's the first story I've ever taken seriously when writing. I've learnt that writing Fanfiction isn't easy (if you taking it seriously), I've studied RWBY religiously. I've developed AU lore that I've fused with the Official Lore. It's all really taxing. But, that's besides the point. Thank you all. I hope you enjoy this chapter which is one of two parts.
Small Question:
Should I add inspirations to my official statement before each chapter? Or is it ok? I've created a lot of new stuff, but I've been inspired by a lot of things. Umbra for example, has been inspired by Countless fictional characters.
Mistakes:I forgot to put a paragraph right before Umbra thought about the stuff Atleasians did in the last chapter. I fixed it. I also forgot to put in the paragraph where Glynda came in on the Bullhead. I fixed it as well. Bothe of these mistakes were because I used Google Docs to write this story till this chapter. I'm sorry for my mistakes, this is unacceptable by me. I'm going to try to be more fleshed out.
Reviews:
Genatools:
Thank you. I'm glad you caught on to the Red eyes thing, pay attention to characters that have them. I'm glad that my romance is good so far, I'm trying to go for a classic Love-Hate relationship that turns into something else.
"I don't own any of the series I write FF of. I only own my OC's and my unique aspects added to the story. All credit of Rwby goes to RoosterTeeth."
Chapter 6: A Shadow in Beacon Part I.
Ruby Rose woke up in her bed at 8:06 on a Thursday morning. Her muscles feel strained from the fight with that boy last night. She sat up slowly and rubbed her tired blurry silver eyes. She then looked at her sister, she was still asleep. Then Blake, also asleep. Finally, she peaked her head over bed down at Weiss, still asleep. Realizing she had the shower all to herself, she plopped down to the floor and got to it.
"Ruby," Weiss said tiredly, "Can you please be more quiet when you get up?" Ruby sighed. She turned and looked at her partner, who looked at her with light blue eyes in annoyance.
"I'm sorry," She tried to whisper, "I'm just going to take a shower." She then heard the groans of her sister and her partner.
"Rubes," Yang looked over the bed down at her, "Why do you always get up early on days when we're doing nothing?"
Ruby shrugged, "I don't know." Then she smiled, "Since your all up, we can this free day started!" The rest of her team groaned in agony. After they all got ready for the day, Ruby got her teammates to converge on her. "Alright, we have the rest of the week to do whatever we want. But first, I think we should go visit team JNPR and see if they're all right."
"I agree, Jaune and Ren didn't look too well last night." Blake said. So then the four girls went to see their friends, unaware of the twist of fate that this day had in store for them.
A Misty Void.
Umbra walked through the foggy darkness, panicked and with no clue where to go. He was without everything except for his pants. Every step he took echoed the sound of fleet slapping against a wet floor. He looked all around, fear present in his eyes. In the perpetual darkness, he could see faint silhouettes and hear slight steps.
"Um-Bra!" He sang and taunted, in a manner one would towards a pet, "Um-Bra! I know you're there. Come on, let's play!" He turned around and ran for what seemed to be forever. Then, the voices started to condemn him.
"Why did you let us die?"
"Why didn't you die?"
"It's all your fault, why don't you kill yourself?"
"Everywhere you go, death follows."
"Why did you fail us?"
"Because that's all he knows how to do."
"Murderer..."
"Monster!"
"Freak!"
"Demon!"
Umbra ran as fast as he could, tears streamed down his face. He failed them, he lost everything, he is an monster. When he came to a stop, he turned around. Fire, fire was everywhere. Screams and the sounds of flesh being cut emitted from the darkness. He closed his eyes, and cried out in anguish. Then, the sounds stopped. He opened his eyes and looked around, it was clear.
"Um-Bra!" The voice came from behind him, in terror he turned around. A crimson sword pierced his abdomen, blood spewed from his mouth. The thing smirked. It was shirtless and had only pants on. It's red eyes bore into Umbra's. Umbra only looked down in pain and despair. Tears streaming out of his eyes and blood his mouth. The thing raised his left arm and patted Umbra's right shoulder. "Umbra, better wake up now, old friend."
Beacon Academy Tower, guest rooms.
Umbra raised up fast, panting as his heart thumped in his chest. He looked around and pinched himself hard to ensure that this was not another follow up dream. He shivered in terror, it was one of those dreams. The worst kind. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and sighed.
"Let me guess, he toyed with you again?" The Sword asked.
"Yes," Umbra looked down, "That bastard took control of my dreams again."
"You know, he is quite annoying."
"You're telling me, at least you don't share that sword your in with something else. This piece of shit wants control over my body." The Boy sighed, "And he's torturing me through my dreams, which are already bad enough."
"Are you sure it's "My" and not "Our". After all, he is apart of you, Umbra."
"A part I wish I could cut out. If there is something I wish I could kill as much as Him, then it's this demon." The Swordsman put his hand on his face and smiled a false smile, "Heh, maybe when this is all over and that man is dead, maybe I'll send us both to the void."
"Don't say such stuff, my friend. Why would you cast your life away after you get justice?"
"Because there's nothing else for me. Everything that meant something to me is dead and rotten. And as long as I live, the world has to fear that demon taking control." The Shadow looked up and frowned, "And I'm so tired of seeing their faces mangled and torn. I'm tired of seeing them dead and broken. I'm tired of bearing the guilt that it was all my fault." He looked down again, the image of Her laying on the grass with blood coming out of her mouth and tears running down her face came to his mind. The Reaper held back his tears and bit his lip, "She...wanted so much in life...but they, those bastards took her away from me along with my family and my best friends. I don't how long it takes me, I'm going to kill every–single–person in the Last Legion."
The boy looks at his sword, Tyrfing. "Even if it means I'll bathe the whole wide world in a ocean of blood along the way. After that, I don't care anymore, I'm leaving this forsaken world and all the shitstains on it."
"Umbra, I agree with the "Kill them all" thing, but you need to try to find something or somebody else. You can't go on living the way you live, you're ruining yourself." The boy bursted out laughing.
"Here I am, getting life advice from a sword, have I gone insane? Is the last few years been nothing but delusions? Am I really in Beacon Academy or a asylum?" Then he heard a knock at the door. Out of Instinct, he grabbed his sword and walked over to the door, ready to draw his blade on any assassin that might be there. He slowly went to grab the door knob, and in lighting speed he opened the door and grabbed his sword handle.
"Is that anyway to greet someone, Mister Redson?" It was the Headmaster. Sighing in relief, he moved his hand that was on his sword handle to the back of his head.
"Sorry, I'm just used to people trying to kill me." Umbra nervously said.
"Well, you don't have to worry about anything like that here. Come, there is much to be done. Do you want breakfast?"
"No, not really. Maybe a glass of water, but I really don't need much food."
"That is fine, however in order for you to attend my academy, I need three things to be done."
"What three things?" Umbra asked suspiciously.
"You're personal information needs to be filled out, you need a check up and you need to complete a initiation." Umbra was confused by the last one.
"Why do I need to go through a initiation? I'm already skilled." He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Because one, every student must go through a initiation. Two, because I know you handle people rather well in a fight, but I want to see you fight Grimm. And three, it's how your team will be determined."
"So my team is going to be randomized, great. Knowing my luck, I'll probably be put with with a bunch of idiots..." He thought as he followed the headmaster to the elevator.
"First things first, you must fill out some transcripts." He told you. Umbra groans in response. When the elevator stops at his office, they both walk to his desk and sit down. He pulls out a packet of paper and gives it to the Dark Swordsman. Umbra looks over the packet and fills out the basic information, most of it false, that is until he gets to semblance. He sighs once again in aggravation.
"Um, Ozpin?" He asks the Headmaster.
"What is the matter?"
"What would you call my semblance?"
"What do you mean?" Ozpin raised an eyebrow.
"Well, I don't really have a name for my semblance..."
"Hm, what is the basic function of your semblance?" He asked inquisitively, Umbra sighed.
"Draining other people's aura to fuel my own aura and power."
"Well just write down Aura Drain or Soul Drain."
"Alright." He wrote down Soul Drain. After about fifthteen more minutes, he was done and put the papers down. "What next?"
"Next, we get you physically evaluated."
Beacon Academy, Infirmary.
Jaune Arc woke with a splitting headache. When he opened his eyes, everything was blurry. "H-Hello? Where...am I?" He said delirious. Then a red blur came to him.
"Jaune," The female voice said as she clasped his right shoulder, "Are you ok?" The blur cleared up to reveal his partner, Pyrrha.
"Pyrrha," He said a little dazed, "What happened? Why is my head throbbing?"
"You were knocked out last night, remember, the fight?" Suddenly it came back to him, he reached his head and felt the bandages.
"You have an ocean of Aura, Jaune." Crack!, "But no skill."
"Yeah, I remember, I failed everyone." He looked down with a frown, "I was the first to fall, I'm pathetic. He was right, I have no skill." Pyrrha lifted his head up to her.
"You're not pathetic Jaune, that boy was a hard fight. Everyone had a hard time against him." He looked up into her green eyes.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"See for yourself." A familiar male voice responded, Jaune turned his head to his left to see Ren in a bed too, Nora at his side. His chest was covered in bandages.
"Ren, what happened to you?!" He asked his friend and teammate worriedly.
"Me and Nora were fighting that boy, he got us into a certain position and then he tricked Nora into hitting me in the chest with her hammer." He told Jaune. Nora hanged her head low in shame. Jaune look around at his teammates.
"Did we get him?"
"Team RWBY managed to apprehend hi-" Pyrrha said as the door opened. A woman dressed in medical clothes entered with Team RWBY in toe.
"Ah, so I see your finally up, ." She said, "And these four wanted to visit you all to see how your holding up." Ruby waved at her friends.
"Hi, are you feeling better Jaune and Ren?" She asked with a kind smile.
"My head feels like mush." Jaune said rubbing his forehead.
"My chest feels sore." Ren motioned to his chest.
"Well, about that. Seeing you're both awake now, I need to tell you both your medical prognosis." The Woman looked at her clipboard, "You two should recover fast, but you should thank your aura. You both suffered blows that would kill ordinary people without aura. Mister Ren, you would have had a caved in chest and would have died on impact, but you got cracked ribs instead. Mister Arc, you would be brain dead or in a coma, instead you experienced a slight concussion." The boys and the girls eyes went wide at hearing this. Nora looked down at her own hands in horror.
"You both should be more cautious when on a mission. Though I can understand this time was because of a violent confrontation, your team needs to be ready for such things." She looked at Pyrrha. "You did well in your handling of them. But Miss Nikos, you should have done more to support your partner." She then cast her gaze at Nora who recoiled with guilt. "And you need to be more focused, Miss Valkyrie. I understand from the report that your target tricked you into hitting your partner with your weapon, but that shows a need for focus." She then turned around and went to the door before turning back to them. "All in all, you students will be alright, but you should take notes from your mistakes on this mission to try and prevent them from repeating." With that, she left.
"Well, that was a mouthful." Yang commented.
"I'm a failure." Everyone looked at Jaune, "I failed my team, I failed you all. I have failed my very position of being a leader." He looked down in despair, "I was the first one out, because I am weak." Ruby went towards Jaune.
"Your not weak Jaune, everyone had a hard time with with Umbra. I mean, me, Yang and Blake were even knocked out for a bit."
"Woah, Yang got knocked out?!" Jaune eyes went wide, he had not seen Yang ever get defeated in combat class, well against Pyrrha she did, but he thought she would be standing the whole fight.
"Yeah, I was for a bit. Only because of his weird semblance." Yang told him.
"What did he do?" Nora asked her. Yang just shook her head.
"He grabbed me." Team JNPR was perplexed, "Whatever he did, it burned, it was like my aura was turned into fire dust and used to fuel a stove." She raised her right arm and looked at it. "I'm surprised that my arm actually wasn't burnt, that's how painful it was."
"What is that boys semblance?" Pyrrha asked, boggled.
"His semblance was like a mishmash of abilities." Weiss added, thinking about last night.
"Yeah, Weiss, you were the last one standing against him. What did he do?" Blake asked her. Weiss looked down, Jaunes eyes widened with amazement realizing she had been the one to stand against him the longest.
"We fought."
"No duh." Ruby said, "What happened when you two fought? What did his semblance do?"
"He didn't really even use it during our fight, we just battled with our weapons." Weiss sighed, "It was a very back and forth struggle, I would've been at that savage's mercy if you, Yang and Blake didn't save me." She raised her right hand and continued, "And his mouth was perhaps the foulest I've ever heard. That murderer had the gall to insult me and my efforts? What has he accomplished other than finding him a spot in one of the kingdoms maximum prisons?"
"The thing I can't get out of my head was his mix of emotions." Blake spoke, everyone looked at her and remembered. "When we fought, he was sadistic and cocky. When he surrendered, he tried to act tough, but there was defeat in his eyes." Yang and Weiss just scoffed.
"He realized he bit off more than he could chew with us. He may have hurt me with his dirty trick, but in the end I knocked him on his ass." Yang proclaimed with a smirk.
"I know Yang, I'm just saying he is an enigma. I just wonder what made him that way." Blake said while reflecting on that photo of those boys. Umbra reminded her of her old partner, her old lover. She wondered if he had a similar background as Him. Ruby sat down on a stool and brushed her hair to the side.
"I agree Blake," She said frowning, "I mean, what could drive people to do things that he did. You all remember the stories, right?" Blake looked down in frustration.
"He wasn't fazed by killing, he seemed proud of what he did to those bandits. The people he may have killed weren't exactly the best, but still, what he's done is horrible and hypocritical." She sighed, "Lets just forget about him, like what Weiss said, hes going to spend the rest of his life in prison-if they don't give him the death penalty." Yang then sighed.
"Such a shame too, he was pretty hot." She said smiling, everyone else rolled their eyes, except for Weiss. That moment came back to her mind, that feeling, it killed her. She rubbed her face in anxiety.
"I am parched," She stated, "Does anyone perhaps know where a vending machine is?"
"The vending machine is near the front lobby." Pyrrha told her. Weiss smiled and gestured to her.
"Thank you, Pyrrha." She turned and went to the door, "I'll be right back." When the Heiress was out in the barren hallway, she was relieved. She needed air, that barbaric boy was still being discussed and thought about. She needed time to clear her mind of that criminal. She began walking and reflected on team JNPR. She may not like Jaune very munch, but she did feel sympathy for him, and to a extent, everyone else. She thought about Nora, the girl that usually annoyed her seemed broken. That boy had used her to get Ren and to extent her, out of the way. She was happy that the thieving-murdering boy would never see sunlight every again. When she about to turn the corner, she heard Headmaster Ozpin talking to someone.
"Now I know that your not used to medical examines, but we need to know if there is anything wrong with you physically, biologically and mentally. It's just procedure." She wondered who he was talking to, fate seemed to answer her.
"Well, I can already tell you I'm not doing good mentally." She froze. Her heart thumped in her chest. She slowly peaked her head around the corner. Sure enough, Ozpin walked with steaming coffee in one hand and a cane in the other, beside him was a hooded figure in a black trench coat. A sword was strapped to his back.
"Mister Redson, if you need help, I can get you a therapist." Ozpin asked him.
"No, I am alright. Let's just get this over with."
"Okay then," They stopped at a door, "Here we are, while this goes on, I will go talk with Professor Goodwitch. She doesn't know of our little deal."
"Oh that'll be a sight." The boy said as he pulled down his hood to reveal a scarred face and messy hair. He looked at Weiss's direction just as she hid behind the corner.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, I guess I'm paranoid." He kept his eyes in that direction. "Well, I'm going in, so what's happening after this?"
"I think I'll send miss Goodwitch to come fetch you. Remember, prepare yourself." With that the Silver haired man turned and left. Umbra looked at the edge of the end of the hall. A familiar aura came from it, he didn't have time to focus and find out who. He knew if it was a spy or assassin, especially from the Last Legion, they wouldn't strike right now. He turned slowly and went in. Weiss just stood there dumbfounded.
"Why is he still here? What is Ozpin doing with that murderer." She thought. She turned and calmly walked back to where her friends were.
Team JNPR's Infirmary room.
"So when do you two will be able to get up from these beds" Ruby asked.
"Seeing the scope of our injuries, we'll probably be good to go either Sunday or Monday. The rest of this day, tomorrow and Saturday we're going to unfortunately spend here." Ren answered.
"That's unfortunate, we all have the rest of the week off from classes." Jaune groaned at this.
"Awwwww maaaannnn!" He whined, "I would rather do anything than stay here all weekend."
"It's ok Jaune, I mean, you both are being attended to." Ruby tried to lighten his mood.
"Why can't I leave, my head is the only place injured." He asked.
"Because Jaune, your aura may have lessen the blow and cut your recovery time by ninety percent, but you're still hurt." Pyrrha told him, "You need to rest so that your back in shape before next week."
"Fine." Jaune agreed begrudgingly. Ruby smiled.
"Well, I'm thinking of having some quality team time out in Vale these few days." Blake and Yang moaned in agony. Just then, Weiss entered the room. "Weiss! Did you get your drink?" The Silver eyed girl asked. The Heiress was calm.
"That Boy is here...in the infirmary." She said calmly but with a tinge of suppressed anger. Everyone else was confused.
"What? What do you mean?" Yang asked.
"The Dark Swordsman is here, I saw him and Ozpin talking." Everyone was a little shocked, besides Blake who rubbed her chin. Yang didn't know whether to feel angry or not. Ruby was intrigued as to why he was still here. Pyrrha and Nora were enraged, while Jaune and Ren had mixed feelings.
"Why the hell is he still here, that monster should be in prison!" Pyrrha blurred out.
"I believe I know why we were sent to get him." Blake announced.
"What?" Everyone else seemed to utter.
"Ozpin wanted this boy as a agent. I bet that is why he is still here, he was probably given a deal. Work for him and his crimes would be cleared."
"I heard Ozpin saying something about a deal, you're onto something Blake." Weiss said with malice leaking out in her voice.
"What would he need with a boy like him?" Ruby asked.
Umbra in the examination room.
The Shadow sat on the examination table, waiting patiently for the examiner. It has been a while since he's been to the doctor as a patient. "Was it a spy for the the Last Legion?" He thought. He looked around the clean room, there was cabinets above and below a sink. There was posters strung all around on the walls about health. There was one that talked about Aura and another one that talked about dust, a familiar snowflake symbol was on its corner. He grit his teeth and narrowed his eyes. "Those damn Schnee's..." He got up, took a dagger out and slashed. Slowly, the snowflake corner fell from the poster. He grabbed it and threw it in the trash.
Then, the door opened and women in scrubs entered. "Hello, Mister Redson, I am Doctor Aubergine. I will be doing your medical examination." The lady had dark purple hair and crystal yellow eyes. The Swordsman Just sighed.
"Lets just get this over with..." And with that, the woman began the physical. He removed his gloves, sword, jacket and chest piece. But he refused to take of his shirt. She could infer why, scars covered the exposed areas of his arms, and he showed discomfort when she looked at them.
"You've been in a lot of fights, have you?"
"To many to count." He said coldly. They then did all the things one would do in a physical. After thirty minutes, they were done.
"Ok...you seem to be ok physically. Have you had a history of sickness or any illnesses that family members have had."
"I've never really have been sick at any point in my life. I've coughed every now and then, but I've never been "I'm about to die" sick."
"Ok, I have one final thing to ask you." She looked at him seriously. "Do you have any mental illnesses?" The boy laughed at that.
"I wish."
"I'm being serious."
"I don't."
"Ok then. I know that you have had a rough past, the Headmaster told me about your home. If you ever want to talk about it, I am also the schools Psychologist and Therapist." Umbra felt anger boil under his skin.
"Listen here, Doc. I don't know how much Ozpin has told you, but my past is more complicated than you may think. I don't want to talk about it, and if I did, I wouldn't talk about it with you." He said harshly. She sighed and walked towards the door.
"Well, we're done. Wait here for Miss Goodwitch." She opened the door and walked out. Umbra just rubbed his face.
"Is it worth it?" He thought, "Should I try and escape? Am I just wasting my time here?" He pulled out his satchel and open it. He then pulled out one of many wrinkled photos. "You guys would want me to come here, she would have wanted me..." He sighed and put the photo away. A part of him felt guilty and cowardly. He made a oath, a promise that he would avenge them all. Straying off this path felt like betraying that promise. But there was another promise he made, one he felt he couldn't and never will fulfill.
"Promise me," She had said, "That no matter what, you'll be happy one day after this..." He never understood how she could ask him to be that with what was happening all around them. She was someone who looked more to the future than the present. He had not fulfilled that promise. He may chuckle or laugh, but that wasn't true happiness. Just a crude substitute.
Ozpin's Office, forty minutes prior.
Headmaster Ozpin drank out of his coffee mug and gazed out over his academy through the clock window of his office. Something that he did a lot when in his office. Why? Because he refused let himself to forget about the beauty of the outside world. He wasn't doing what he used to do and just sit inside all day. Someone once showed him that instead of being gloomy and locked up, that one could enjoy the world around them. So he constantly looks out windows when inside, but most times he walks around his Academy, so that what she told him never fades. He was waiting patiently for Glynda to arrive at his Office.
"She is going to be upset..." He reminded himself, "How am I going to explain it to her..." Then suddenly, the elevator door opened up. Miss Goodwitch entered the office, her cape flowing behind her.
"Headmaster, what is it that you need?" The Woman asked. He sighed and turned around.
"Glynda, I know you questioned my motives yesterday and it was reasonable to do so. But we needed this boy."
"Ozpin, is he in prison?" She asked.
"No, he-"
"Why isn't he in prison?!?!"She asked angrily. Ozpin kept cool.
"Because, I want him to attend our academy." Miss Goodwitch's face looked like she had seen a Eldritch horror.
"Why would you even consider that? He Injured two of Our students." The blonde haired lady said.
"Because for one, he didn't kill them. For two, there was a reason we need him."
"Why do we need a killer?" She demanded to know, "Have we become like Her?" Ozpin twitched at that.
"If you would let me finish," He stated, "It's because of the power the boy has." Glynda seemed to calm down a bit. "The boy has the power to be our salvation or our damnation. I've sought him out to ensure his safety and to try and direct him on the right path." He got up. "It's no coincidence that he would show up at this moment in time. The White Fang committing terrorism. The Crime rate in the Kingdoms soaring. She's been making big moves and plans. And then, there's the Last Legion..." Glyndas eyes widened.
"What do they have to do with this?" She asked.
"I didn't mention yesterday that besides criminals, the boy has been attacking the Last Legion."
"Why would he be after them, let alone know about them? To the public, the continent of Dracus is nothing but a deserted wasteland infested with Grimm."
"Because Miss Goodwitch, his family was killed by them." Glynda froze, the memory of her fathers death returned to her mind. She remembered her sister holding her and her brother still in the closet. She remembered the cloaked man stabbing her father with a dagger. "Death to traitors. For the Legion." That man said. She remembered his face. The blind right eye, the scar on his lip. She remembered that moment when he looked at the closet and gave them a look that said "I know you're in there, but I'm not going to kill you." He left them alone in that house, with their father lying dead on the floor.
"I...I understand." She stood there stunned.
"Well now, Miss Goodwitch, we can continue this later. Can you please go fetch him from the Infirmary, he was being checked. We're doing the Initiation." She nodded and left. Her mind was too occupied. Ozpin breathed in relief. He would tell her more later.
Beacon Academy, Infirmary, Umbra.
Umbra sat there waiting patiently. He was writing in his journal, something he's been doing every since six years ago when he got the big leather bound book. Luckily, he has not needed to change it because he writes in it sparingly. He wrote about what has happened in the last two days. He also drew pictures of Sarah, Sally, Dilan and the two teams who he fought just last night. He drew the Schnee the best though. All these thoughts about what happened has left a good image of the Bratty girl in his mind. He couldn't help but think about her. Hopefully, when he gets a team, that they'll not be in her social circles.
Suddenly the door opened, Professor Goodwitch came through. "Would you please follow me." He jumped up and walked to her. They went out to the hallway and made their way to the Lobby.
"Just so you know, I've come to terms with you being a student. But when in combat class, which I'm the teacher of, you better not hurt no one bad. Now, are you hungry or thirsty?" She asks him stopping by a vending machine.
"I'm thirsty, but I'm not hungry."
"How can you not be hungry? From what I know, you've not ate in two days."
"Listen, when you travel the roads of Remnant, you learn to go without. And besides, my semblance makes up for it." She didn't want to discuss his semblance right now, so she just kept quiet on the last part. He took out a card of Lien and bought a bottle of water. By the time they were out the door, he had drank it down. As they walked around campus to their destination, students gawked at the hooded boy in black walking with Miss Goodwitch.
Many thought he was a mercenary or a huntsman. Some thought he was with the Atleasian military because of his boots. Others thought he was a graduated student that came back for old times sake. And a few thought he was a new teacher of combat class. Whatever it was, the boys were intimidated and the girls were curious. Umbra just tried not to pay attention to them, he fears that when this is done that he'll be gossiped about by everyone in this school.
Eventually, they made it to a cliff where Ozpin was waiting for them.
"Mister Redson and Miss Goodwitch, nice to see you've both made it here hastily." Ozpin said, "Now, let me tell your objective, Mister Redson."
"Lay it on me." His voice was cocky.
"Alright, your goal is to get to the ruins at the northern end of the forest and extract a Relic and bring it back here before dusk." The white haired Headmaster explained.
"Heh, sounds like fun." Umbra said smug.
"You will encounter enemies on your way to and from there."
"Well you see, that's the "Fun" part." The Red eyed boy said sarcastically.
"Well then step on the platform." Umbra looked at the weird squares in a row along the cliff with a raised eyebrow.
"What are these?" He asked.
"They're launch pads that will propel you in the air and down to the forest." Umbra took his clean pinky finger and cleaned his ear.
"What? Can you repeat that again?"
"These pads will eject you to the forest."
"Ookaayy." The Shadow said drawn out, he stepped on the platform and readied himself. "Well, I guess there's a first time for everything." He thought to himself.
"Remember, you will need to develop your own landing strategy. Now then, good luck. We will be watching." Umbra's eyes widen farther.
"Landing strategy?" He opened his mouth to ask a question, but then the platform beneath him sprang up and lauched him in the air. "WHHHAAATTT THHEE FUUUCCCKKKK!!!!" Echoed threw the sky. Ozpin stood there with a smile as he took a sip of his seemingly endless coffe.
Beacon Academy, Infirmary, RWBY.
Team RWBY walked out into the hallway, Weiss took long-angry-strides. "Weiss, wait up!" Ruby said behind her, but she didn't listen. She turned the corner and walked straight to the room the boy entered. There was no one there.
"Damn it!" Weiss spat as she closed the door. As her teammates approached her, she clenched her fists and calmed down.
"Weiss, let's all go get lunch in the city. Maybe that take your mind off this." Ruby sudgested. Weiss sighed.
"It just makes me mad. That criminal should be rotting in jail."
"Come on Weiss, just Chill out." Yang said, Ruby and Blake face palmed.
"Shut up! I'm not in the mood for your distasteful puns." Weiss growled.
"Jeez, let's just go to Vale already." The four girls walked out of the Infirmary to the rest of campus. As they traveled, they heard people talking about some man or boy that looked like a mercenary. The girls eventually got to the docks and got on a bullhead for Vale. Weiss was quiet and depressed looking.
"Um, Weiss?" Ruby spoke to her.
"What Ruby?" She says agitated.
"Why do you hate that boy so much? I mean, we're not going to deal with him anymore."
"I hate him because of what he is- a murdering theif. About one year ago, in the northern region of Mistral, one of my families facilities was attacked." She looked out the window, "When my father reviewed the tapes, he was enraged. That boy killed all the guards at the facility and destroyed most of the dust there."
"But, he didn't do anything to you personally, did he?" Yang asked.
"It doesn't matter, a attack on something of my family is an attack on me personally."
"I don't know...that doesn't match his behavior." Blake said. Weiss looked at her furiously.
"What do you mean?!"
"That boy just doesn't sound like the type to massacre a bunch of people without cause. He probably saw something there that made him enraged."
"What would he have seen to make him do that? All that was there was Dust!"
"As far as you know. Who knows what really went on in the warehouse?"
"Are you accusing my family of harboring illegal things in our warehouses?"
"No, but that doesn't mean your employees aren't."
"Why you-"
"Come on guys, let's just forget about this." Yang interrupted them.
"Yeah, we're do you all want to eat?" Ruby asked, hoping to defuse the situation.
"I don't know." Weiss said, going back to being quiet and look out the window. They flew over the Emerald forest. Weiss just thought back on that moment. Why was it eating away at her? It was like they had met before. She rubbed her face in anxiety, and thought back on that day her father had found out about that incident. She remembered the face of absolute annoyance when she had tried to talk to him.
Emerald Forest.
Umbra flew threw the air at top speed. He was flailing around, panicking. He had never flew threw the air with such speed. "Shit, shit, shit!" He screamed as he was fast approaching the ground. He tried to focus so he could teleport to the ground, but it was to no avail. "Fuck!" His life flashed before his eyes, was this it? Was everything he's done been pointless? Was all that blood shed for nothing?
Then filled with sudden determination, he pulled out Tyrfing and slung it in a frenzy against the trees he was about to hit. In what seemed like seconds, he was on the ground, ok. Behind him was half a mile of destroyed trees, cut to pieces. "Ozpin, you damn madman." He got up breathing heavily and looked behind him. "Well, at least I know what to look for on the way back."
"Now that was close Partner, we were about to be paste." Tyrfing spoke through his mind once again.
"You're telling me, I've never been flung threw the air like that before. It was the first time I truly panicked in a situation like that." Umbra said out loud. He calmed himself down and turned forward. "Alright now it's time for Fun." He walked forward and already he could hear the Beowolves run through the woods to the source of the fear that he just experienced.
"Finally, now remember Umbra, the Older the Better."
"Yeah, yeah, I know your spiel." He unsheathed Tyrfing and twirled it in his left hand.
Out of the woods came five Beowolves, all of them rushing for him. He grinned as he slung five times and their are bodies cut in half. He began to walk as another came from his left with its claws. He ducked and severed its legs from his body. As it fell forward, it pushed itself up with its arms. But Umbra came back and stuck his blade through the back of its head and out its eye. Then another came from his front and he dodged the swipes of its claws and percened to cut its hands off in two slings. It screamed in rage as it brought its jaws forth to bite him, but he just side stepped to the right and cut its head off.
"Now that is pathetic." He stated. He turned and kept walking. His sword absorbed the essence of the creatures, it's Crimson glow gleaming under black muck and fog. He felt himself get more powerful. Before he could completely leave the scene, he stopped when he heard growling. He turned to see an Alpha Beowolf crawling out of the woods. "Oh look Tyrfing, looks like it's our lucky day." The Dark Swordsman says cockily, "Come here Old Dog, it's time to put you down." The Alpha Beowolf knew better than to charge the Hooded boy. It began to move to side slowly to encircle him. Umbra just stood still, his sword leaning on his shoulder.
Then, it tried it's luck. It ran towards him and swiped one claw diagonally at him. He tried to dodge and attack but the other claw then went at him. He blocked both strikes In a quick motion and jumped back. "Not bad, Fido, but you're going to have to do better than that." The beast leaped at him and he brought the pommel of his sword down on its boneplated face, cracking it. The Beowolf got back as far as it could dazed. The Shadow then sighed, "You're starting to bore me, do something clever ya mutt." As if listening to him, the Beowolf started to howl for reinforcements, but found a red sword thrown into its chest. "Sorry, I don't have time to play with more players right now." Umbra then flashed forward with teleportation and grabbed the handle of the sword. The Old Grimm incapacitated, only shook from its nevrous system experiencing shock.
"This is going to hurt." He said sadistically as he push the sword down through its guts and then up through and out its head. Black blood and mist washed over him and his sword. He smiled and turned around and went on to his destination.
The Cliff over the Emraled Forest.
Ozpin and Glynda watched the tablets with care. Glynda was shocked to see that the boy defeated the Grimm so casually and the Alpha Easily. She also noticed the Black Mist covering the sword and the boy. "Ozpin, what's happening to him." She asked.
"He's absorbing their power."
"What?" She asked wide eyed.
"His semblance allows him to absorb the energy of other beings to fuel his power. Aura from Humans and Darkness from Grimm." Ozpin then looked over to the blonde woman. "This is but one of the things of his abilities. He also can gain power from others emotions and his own. He can also gain power from pain."
"I-Is he connected to Her?"
"No, but she will want him dead."
Vale, downtown.
Team RWBY walked through the lively streets of midday Vale, looking for somewhere to eat. Weiss didn't really like the idea of eating at some low end restaurant, but she didn't have a choice. Ruby and Yang had been bickering ever since they arrived on where to eat. Blake had just been following along quietly with the group.
"Come on! McGreenes has the best fast food in Vale!" Yang bellowed.
"No! Andys is the best!" Ruby countered.
"Yuck, I don't want to eat at either of those low quality unhealthy establishments..." Weiss thought.
"McGreenes!"
"Andys!"
"McGreenes!"
"Andys!"
"Stardust." Blake said, making her teammates look at her. She pointed to the place right beside them on the street. Yang and Ruby grinned and raced inside, Blake calmly following them. Weiss sighed as she went inside. They took their seats and ordered their food. Ruby ordered sweets, Yang ordered a sandwich, Blake and Weiss just got coffee.
Yang and Ruby talked about all sorts of stuff, most of which didn't matter to the Ashen hair maiden or Ravenette. They were both silent and reflected what has happened. Blake was making the comparison between Umbra and Him over and over again. Weiss frustrated, came to accept the idea that he was simply Ozpin's agent now. They both drank their drinks slowly and were slightly annoyed with their sister-teammates.
"So, what do you all want to do after this? And tomorrow too?" Ruby asked her team.
"After this I think I want to go back to the academy and read some more." Blake said while reading a book.
"I agree, I want to go back to the academy and spar."
"I just want to go back to our dorm and get extra sleep." She said while rubbing her eyes, "Last night really exhausted me."
"Well...ok, but tomorrow we're going shopping!" The Red Reaper said while jumping up, finger pointing in air. Blake and Weiss sighed, Yang saw somethings weird outside.
"Guys, look out the window." She said, they looked out to see two SUV looking cars pull up and park at the sidewalk. Men in black suits and sunglasses got out and opened the doors for three men-also in black suits. One man looked to be about in his mid thirties, he had a sly smile and handsome features. He shook the hands of the other two guys motioned for them to follow. One guy looked to be early forties was also handsome, but he had a scar on his neck of three long scratches-something that could only be caused by Grimm or Faunus. The last was a significantly older man with a balding head and swullen wrinkly face. His right eye was blind and there was a scar on his lip.
One of the guys who opened the cardoors opened the doors to the restaurant for them. They marched in and took seats in the corner booth away from everyone in the restaurant. The only people in said restaurant was the staff, the girls and a early twenties couple. Weiss and Blake had a perfect view of them, Blake the only one able to hear them well. Ruby and Yang went back to talking, trying to mind their own business. But the Heiress and hidden Faunus observed the men, Blake blocking out all sound but them.
"Servus, Solis, how is it? I'm sorry for bringing us to such a...impoverished establishment. But time is short for all of us." The sly man said relaxed.
"It's of no importance to me, our CEO is making some big deals in Vacuo. And he's sent me here to do some in his stead." Said the Claw Scarred Man.
"Ah, I see Servus, the Bigman is making business then." Servus nodded. "And what about you, Solis the Invictus?" The oldman looked at him sternly.
"I've been sent here to help whip your men in shape Ferro." He said bluntly. "Loki has been spotted on Sanus." The sly man face showed considerable discomfort at those words. They were approached by a man in a suit who gave them the water they wanted.
"Thanks, dismissed." He said to the man, "So Loki has left Anima?"
"Yes, and he left our businesses infrastructure there a mess." Servus said, "And we fear he is heading for Vale. Our CEO does not want to have to rebuild our foothold in Vale again. We've just fixed what's was broken in Atlas and Mantle, now we have to rebuild our Stores in Anima and Mistral."
"So, what are we going to do?" Ferro asked worried.
"Our CEO has already dispatched some of our best after him. I'm just here in case they fail, and to give your security a fighting chance."
"Who so happens to our guys after him?"
"Hmm, Carnageman, Lightingbolt and Bloodbat." The blind eyed man said. At this, Ferro eased up.
"Then there's nothing to worry about. Those guys are in our top twenty best Workers. I think you're the one that trained them Solis, right?"
"Don't underestimate Loki, he's took out some strong ones already. Like Flax Mortis." Servus interjected.
"Ah yes, our dearly departed Head of Gardening. I remember that, it was such a devastating loss." He just sighed, "Let's remove Loki from our thoughts right now. How's our influx of workers, Servus Regem?"
"We've been getting a lot of Applicants from rural communities like always. And now, thanks to you. We're starting to get more Urban workers back."
"That's good, how about you Solis?"
"The latest batch show promise of skill, but few show potential to be taken under my wing."
"That's a shame." He looks at his scroll, "Shit. Well Gentlemen, I'm glad we had this quick meeting, but I have to be going."
"So do we, farewell Ferro Cordis."The three got up. Weiss and Blake had observed them the entire time. Blake could tell something was up, she knew coded phrases from her time in the White Fang. Weiss knew something was unusual with everyone but the sly man. They were visibly uncomfortable in suits, like they've hardly wore them before. As they walked, the Sly man caught eye of the four girls and smiled. He stopped and went to the cashier.
"Put whatever those lovely ladies bought on my tab." And with that, they left the building. Weiss and Blake were shocked at that. They looked outside and saw the men with sunglasses stand at attention and put their fist over their heart. The Sly man waved and they stopped, opening the doors for them. Soon, the cars were gone.
"Who the hell were they?" Yang asked Weiss, wondering if she knew.
"I have no clue to who they are, but they were suspicious." The Heiress said.
"They seemed nice to me?" Ruby said, getting her friends to look at her. "That guy payed for our food."
"Ruby, that guy looked like a perv." Yang told her. Blake wanted to tell them what she heard, but it raise questions about her.
"They looked like they were talking about business. Maybe part of some crime syndicate?" She said.
"No, those guys looked too uncomfortable to be Professional Gangsters." Weiss said.
"Let's just forget about it and go back to the Academy, ok?" Ruby said tired and depressed, it's like nothing worked out for her. They got up and left. Blake rethought what she heard.
"What did they mean? Who's Loki? Why did their names sound so foreign?"
The Emerald Forest.
The Dark Swordsman was once again covered in entrails and blood. Beowolves and Ursas laying dead all around him, their bodies slowly evaporating. He smiled, a streak of blood come from his lip. He eyebrows narrowed determined. He gripped Tyrfing with both hands. The Remaining Ursas and Beowolves circled around him. Then, they shot out. A Beowolf leaped at him through the air, but he just sliced it in half. A Ursa tried to swipe him away with its strong claw, but found it was flying in the air separated from its body. Umbra then ducked under it and quickly slit it's throat. Black blood poorer from the beasts wounds.
He then slung his sword and killed two more young Beowolves that ran in his direction. "Seriously, if these were all the only types of Grimm there was, the world wouldn't have a big problem with them."He thought as another young Ursa Minor came at him. He kneeled and rose up in a strike through its chest with his sword. He pulled it out and the monstrosity fell over dead. He turned and saw that the Beowolf with half its torso was still alive, crawling at him with both arms. Umbra just leaned his sword on his shoulder and walked forward. The beast growled at him.
"Well, you look like you've been in a motorcycle accident." He said as he neared it. The beast leaped with what strength it had left. He just simply stepped out of the way. He decided to just be done with it and quickly strides over to it and puts his boot on its back. The Grimm tried to get up and force him off but it couldn't. He then took his right boot and curb stomp it's head in, leaving only a fractured bone black goo mess. He then sheathed his blade and continued his way to the relic. The boy was glad it was so easy, because he sure as hell knew the way back would be hell. He was having a good time though, he could kill lesser Grimm real easy without his extra abilities and he loved hunting Grimm.
After for what seems like twenty or thirty minutes. He stubbled across what looked like a circler stone shrine. He walked forward and what he saw surprised him. "Chess pieces?" Nostalgia and sadness came to him. Then something particular caught his eye. He walked over to on specific chess piece, a yellow knight. He picked it up and and looked at it in his hand. Memories from long ago once again flooded his mind.
A long time ago.
Umbra walked through the streets one Saturday. He wore a black hooded jacket, white shirt, blue jeans and small boots. He approached one Victorian house and knocked on the door. After a few seconds, a woman with Silvery Grey hair and blue eyes answered the door. She look at the red eyed boy in delight. "Umbra! Are you here to see Liard?" She asked cheery.
"Yes, Miss Greyson." He answered.
"Well, he's in his room upstairs studying like usual." She clasped her cheeks and smiled "Oh that's my little boy, the Genius!" Umbra sighed and walked in, and headed up stairs. He walked up to his friends room. He stood in the doorway, his friend sat at his desk reading a book. His Greyish hair unkempt, he had been reading awhile. His blue eyes like crystals. Umbra smiled as he walked up to him and wave his hand in his face, making the focused boy jump back.
"Umbra! What are you doing here?!" The boy spoke with anaccent that said "High Class"Umbra just smiled.
"To hangout with my fellow book-worm friend, of course." His Grey Haired friend had a curious look form on his face.
"Where is Dustin and Stammel?" Umbra frowned.
"Dustin has to help his father with his farm. Stammel and Rolf are having a fuss today. It's because Stammel doesn't want to be a blacksmith and wants to be a Huntsman like Damien."
"Well that's unfortunate." The intelligent boy looked down and put a finger on his chin, a lightbulb went off in his head. He snapped his fingers, got up and pulled out a box. "Well I know exactly what we can do together today." He went to his table set it up. Umbra narrowed his eyebrows in confusion at what his friend was setting up. A black and white board, black and white pieces.
"What are you setting up?" He asked.
"One of the best games to come out of Valen history, Chess!" He pointed to the dark headed boy. "Come my friend, I challenge you to a game." Umbra smirked.
"Well, however this game works, I'll beat you." Said cocky.
"Oh yeah, I should explain it to you first." He pointed to the pieces. "This game, invented in Vale during its rise as the dominant Kingdom of East Sanus, represents the classical conflict of Monarchs. Both side represent a Kingdom, and you lose if your King is captured."
"Wait, Vale wasn't the only Kingdom of East Sanus?"
"Nope. There had been many Kingdoms through the Centuries in the region, Vale was just the only one who claimed total domination in the end." He continued to tell Umbra about chess. After learning about Pawns, Rooks, the King and Queen, he noticed the one in the shape of a horse head.
"What's this one? A horse?" He asked.
"No, no, no. That is a Knight."
"Why is it the shape of a horse?"
"Because in the Age of Kings, they were the Elte warriors of East Sanus. Much like the Vacuon Fāris and Mistralian Samurai. They served their lords and Kings in battle. The reason they are a Horse is because Knights typically were advanced Calvary."
"Why do you know so much history Liard?" The Ravenette boy asked.
"Because Umbra, History is what shapes the future. If we ingore the past, we are doomed to repeat it." He looked up with a great smile, "When I grow up, I want to be a scholar and a explorer. So I can catalog the lost history of many forgotten civilizations."
"Well, I'm confident that you can do it. Now let's play this game!" He said both honest and impatient. Liard grinned.
"If you wish my friend." After ten minutes of tense-on-the-edge-action, Umbra found his Black King surrounded. "I believe that is a checkmate." Umbra growled.
"You think I'm about to give up? Let's play again, I won't stop till I win." And so they played on, Liard kept winning and Umbra kept losing. But both had a good time.
Emerald Forest.
The Shadow clenched the Knight tightly before he put it in his pocket. As he turned around, he heard roaring. As he walked forward away from the stone ruins with his Relic, a Grimm came out of the forest. It was a Beringel, an Alpha Beringel. Taller and more armored than a young one. It was rare to find them on Sanus, they were more common on Anima. He hadn't expected to deal with any of these, let alone a Alpha. As it beat it's chest, he pulled out his sword. He then ran at it, sword raised. It countered his charge. Umbra dodged it's slam with a slice on the side.
When he was behind it, he went to stab it in the back. He was instead thrown back onto the ground by the Beringel's left arm. He got up fast only to be hit by its right fist into a tree. His sword left where he just was. Getting up again, he found himself then pinned against the tree. The Beringel was trying to break his neck with its right hand. The Gorilla looking Grimm howled with pleasure. Umbra felt power starting to course through him. The Beringel stopped chimping out when it felt the power from its prey. It looked at the boy only to see glowing red eyes with black where it was white.
"Get your stinking hand off me, you Damn Dirty Ape!" He growled, clasping it's arm with his hands. The Beringel's howls of pleasure turned into pain, as it felt a burning sensation where the boys hands are. In reaction, it then threw the boy away, who stopped his momentum by releasing dark energy. He dropped back on the ground on his feet and laughed as he grabbed his sword. "You really are a stupid Ape, you fuckwit." He laughed evilly, "Don't worry, this will hurt, a lot." The Alpha Beringel felt confused and scared. He laughed as he flashed forward and sliced off its left arm. Then he teleported and cut off its right leg. It hardly could keep itself up, the Beringel in all its centuries hasn't ever seen someone, something like this. He flashed in front of it, a smile worthy of a devil.
He stabbed the being in the chest with his sword before grabbing its head with both hands and activated the Dark Grip. The Grimm roared in pain and terror as he drained the very darkness of its being. He laughed insanely, on the verge of losing his control or being possessed. The Grimm then instantly disintegrated, falling apart like ashes. His sword fell to the ground. He laughed still, the feeling of pure Eurphoria flowing through his very being. Pain, Rage, Power. This is what ran through his mind. He released his power, a negative beacon for Grimm to flock. "More, more, I need more!" He screamed. He grabbed his sword and laughed. Then, his left hand formed a fist. He punched himself in the face again, his eyes returning to normal.
"Shit, I couldn't control it. Damn it!" He then heard mighty howling. "Fuck."
The Cliff over the Emraled Forest.
"What just happened Ozpin?" Glynda asked stunned.
"It's quite simple Miss Goodwitch, his Semblance is based on pure power and power can get to people's heads." The Headmaster explained. They could hear the Howling and Roaring from there.
"He's gotten all the Grimm in the forest riled up now, should we help him." She ask, Ozpin just shook his head no.
"Trust me, he can handle it. But we should alert pilots of the activity."
Bullhead above the Emerald Forest.
Team RWBY sat in the Bullhead, they all were reflecteting in their own way. Ruby was thinking about Sarah, Sally and Umbra. If it was true that some Huntsmen and Huntresses stay around the Kingdoms and rarely anywhere else, she wanted to change that. If this really was the case, then it was nothing but a sign laziness that cannot be allowed to continue. She looked at Weiss and sighed, her partner was quiet and cold. Something was bothering Weiss, and it was something else besides her company being attacked.
"Should I ask her?" She thought, but quickly turned down the Idea in her head. Her partner was just still sour about needing help from her and the others. She didn't say so, but Ruby could tell. The Scythe wielder then thought back onto the Initiation and how her partner acted then. How the Heiress behaved now was ten times better than then, of course it began the night of the day she fought the Boarbatusk in Professor Ports class. The Red Reaper pulled out her scroll, it was one in the evening.
She put it up and reflected on the boy she fought with her team yesterday. Kid, that's what the boy called her. That's what he called everybody, and they're all the same age, except for her. She rubbed her eyes. "I've got to do better."She thought, she needed to do better. So that she could make her deceased mother proud. She looked over to her half sister, she was talking away to Blake who just read. Ruby still couldn't believe that her big sister, one of the most strongest people in her life, could be brought down by a grab.
Umbra Redson, that was his name. He was horrible, but something in her pitied him. Under his sadism or cocky attitude, there was something else. Those eyes he had when he realized he lost. It was like a painter whose spent years on a masterpiece, only for it to be destroyed in a fire. Suddenly, the Pilot came up on the Intercom.
"Sorry kids, we're going to have to take a detour. Grimm activity in the forest is extremely high."
Emerald Forest.
The Reaper ran as fast as he could, cutting Grimm down as he ran. Beowolves and Ursa were swarming his position. He needed to get back to that damn cliff. One Beowolf jumped at him, he dodged and cut its left arm off. He continued to run. It was insane, jumping over logs, cutting through bushes, ducking below branches. When he finally got to he landing sight, something was waiting for him. Curled, it bore two heads on its serpentine body.
"A damn King Taijitu!" As he said that, a loud screech echoed through the sky. "Oh, you got to be fucking kidding me, a damn Never-fucking-more!" He said looking up. There in the sky was a giant Raven looking Grimm. He heard growling all around him, looking at there direction, he could see Grimm coming out of the trees, a lot of Grimm. He just sighed. "If you all want a fight, well you got one." He gripped his sword with both hands, and smiled.
Authors Note:
Now, this one was long. This is the first of a two-parter. Umbra's power has been explained a little bit, by Ozpin. Weiss still can't get the previous night out of her head. Ruby is having leadership problems. Jaune is having doubt in himself. Blake overhead some suspicious men. Umbra's having deep conflict within himself and in the outside world. Will our heroes overcome their issues? Or are they doomed? Fine out next time on EdgyBoi Z!
References:
"Damn Dirty Ape" is a reference to the Planet of the Apes.