Hello Everyone, Happy Halloween.
It has been a crazy couple of weeks for me. I can't go into all the details, but I got a job transfer at work. It was the kind I could refuse, but by refuse, I mean be laid off. So, I had to move again.
Thank god for relocation assistance.
Now if they can make an air mattress that doesn't either burst full of holes after a week or feels like sleeping on rocks.
I'm not going to promise I'll update more often after what happened last time, but I'll at least promise to try.
Chapter 17: Planning, Scheming, and more foreshadowing.
In his long, long life professor Ozpin had seen many things, and countless more when he wasn't 'Ozpin', but this was a first. There had always been a rowdy student, or a student who could rip an Ursa asunder with his bare hands, but shrieked like a little girl over getting stitches, or team STRQ that one-time Qrow and his sister had gotten into a drunken brawl after drinking contest consisting of his tribe's own home-made moonshine- eighty-nine percent pure alcohol if he remembered correctly. But never before had he ever had to sedate someone this much. Beacon was a school in which students faced literal monsters so naturally, their medical budget was enormous. However, in recent years, Beacon's funding has been on the decline, even so, their strict accounting had kept them out of the red. And yet now he looked at the list of the inventory used to sedate Mr. Beorthwulf. Aura relaxants, muscle relaxants, morphine, and fourteen tranquilizers meant for large animals.
He wasn't even willing to ask why his nurse carried animal tranquilizers…or a blow dart gun that doubles as a cattle prod. Probably best not to ask.
That wasn't even counting the almost lethal levels of isoflurane, propofol, etomidate, ketamine, fentanyl, lorazepam, and midazolam. By all accounts, the young man should be dead or, at the very least, in a nearly permanent medically induced coma from all the sedatives they had to give him before he stopped transforming. Whatever the Grimm did to William's body has allowed him to surpass the biological limits of even those who pushed the boundary beyond even huntsmen.
And of course, there was also the two beds William's thrashing, spikes, and claws had destroyed along with some of their new equipment. Yet, strangely, his clothing didn't have a scratch on it.
William's attendance at Beacon was going to be expensive, Ozpin knew that the moment he deceived everyone, minus Glynda, about the funds to support him. They had at one point had a fairly large fund for those aspiring huntsmen and huntresses who lacked financial means, but budget cuts had done away with that some time ago. As for the young man's part-time job, well given the potential gain Ozpin had explained to Plum while William was visiting his mother's grave, it had been a fairly easy task to convince him to split his grant money and pretend it was William's pay.
It seemed like a large amount up front, and to many civilians, it could probably allow them to live for a few months on just the necessities, however for a budding Huntsmen, it would only cover the minimalist of huntsmen gear and supplies. He would have to be conservative in his equipment and his Dust consumption. Ozpin thought looking at the package sitting on his desk. He would have to return it to William when he got the chance.
Now it was becoming harder and harder to support the young man. That wasn't to say Ozpin would discard him, no he had already gone as far as to reach deeply into his personal account to try and balance out the difference. Fortunately, Glynda, Bart, and even Peter were there to assist.
Nevertheless, something had to be done, he still needed to report this to the council regarding Beacon's finances. He could hide it for a few more months until the end of the year, but he would have to eventually disclose Beacon's spending when they went back to ask for more.
Not to mention he still had to explain what happened to their brand new medical equipment the Council of Vale had "gifted" to them. Most would not count something as a gift if it requires them to send students on missions to supplement Vale's police and military forces. But that was just the nature of things he supposed.
Taking a long sip of his coffee, he looked at his monitor as a bleeping appeared moving around the parameter of one of the buildings.
She's back, again. He thought to himself with a sigh.
The dot continued to circle the building for several moments, not even deviating from its course in the slightest. He looked at the clock on his computer seeing it read 6:30 A.M.
"Right on schedule." He chuckled lightly knowing that it was still a reason to worry. Why had she not made a move yet? She was never the "shy" type, so what is stopping her he wondered.
Whatever the reason, he had a bad feeling about this.
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Winter Schnee had a bad feeling about this. General Ironwood was no fool when he considered someone or something dangerous, it was dangerous. All the more reason she was taken off her usual Monday duties to accompany him.
All the more concerning was that the entity classified as Warg was contained near less experienced combatants. She tried to rationalize it, to think that it just spoke of how much they had progressed along to the point that their superiors deemed their skills sufficient in neutralizing the specimen if need be.
However, she was well aware that was not the case. After witnessing their team's combat ability in their most recent exercise and the briefing the general had given her and all other available specialists, it seems the team was not adequate in defeating the beast should he become compromised.
The thought alone had her squeezing the handle of her saber, ready to draw it. Only to relax when the general noticed her distress. "Relax specialist", he softly ordered as the elevator brought them to the floor the specimen was located on.
General Ironwood was very clear in the briefing that despite his seemingly docile nature, that all care should be taken to treat the entity as dangerous. However, it was even more heavily stated that under no circumstance should the entity be approached while bearing any negative emotions. Its Grimm-like ability to sense negative human emotions coupled with a near human-level intelligence allowing him to interpret said emotions made the subject very difficult to ambush and any negative thoughts might provoke it into attacking.
She needed to be calm and collected. An efficient and taciturn specialist not tethered by any sort of emotional hindrance. Like the soldier, she had been trained to be.
She needed to be clear-minded, analytical, and at all times be ready to attack the entity's vital points multiple times. They had discussed formations to allow for massive and repetitive trauma to multiple vital points. From the general's research, that seemed to be the most effective means of neutralizing the creature's unnatural regenerative ability that supposedly allowed it to even regrow severed limbs. If they did not hit the creature with all they had immediately, things could quickly turn away from their favor.
As they approached the subject's designated containment an adjacent room door opened and one of its occupants stepped out. "Oh, hello Winter. Are you here to…pick…William…up…?" her sister dragged out examining general Ironwood and herself.
"Oh, um, yes we are." She smiled for her sister.
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General Ironwood approached William's door and knocked rather forcefully, given how even neighboring rooms opposite William's opened in response it would be fair to say he used a sufficient amount of force. Enough to even merit the glower and probably impending cursing from the students, still in their nightwear, waken early only for them to retreat upon seeing the origin of the sound that broke them from their slumber.
So undisciplined to not be awake so late in the day. Winter felt her shake her head. By the gods, it was already 7 am.
"William Beorthwulf, I've come to get you." The general called in a commanding voice through the door as Weiss and her team filled out of their dorm room.
Winter noted that the blonde teammate, Yang, if she remembered correctly from little Weiss' letters, fixed a disapproving look at the general. And to a lesser extent so did her partner…the faunus.
At first, there was no sound and as the general opened his mouth to call again, there was a considerable thump. As though a large mass had struck the floor followed by someone, the Warg in all likelihood, saying something that could not be made out through the door.
"William, I am coming in." The general spoke with greater force.
The entity was quick to reply following another thump, "NO! NO-no, that's okay! I'll be out in a minute!"
The general's brow furled, she knew from firsthand experience that the general had the same disdain for undisciplined behavior as she has. Ozpin may allow such lack of continence, but the general would not. With that, he pressed his scroll into the lock and opened the door…only to reveal a naked faunus trying to put his pants on….
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Yang could not stop herself from chuckling. The general's agape expression combined with Weiss' big sister's face turning beet red was priceless. It. Was. Hilarious.
Will managed to salvage some of his dignity by quickly transforming and stretching his arm, slamming the door. Not that anyone tried to stop him.
Thankfully, Weiss managed to block Ruby's view. She was too young to see that kind of stuff.
On an unrelated note, it appeared like both Blake and William preferred having a full bush. I wonder if that's a faunus thing? Eh, was that racist?
Before she could ponder that thought further, William emerged from his room in his school uniform, looking like he hadn't slept. The bags under his eyes looked like they could actually hold water. What happened last night? When they saw him when they dropped off the food, he was sleeping soundly.
At least from what she could tell before the general and his men all but pushed them out of the door. 'It's for your own safety.' Yeah right.
Will looked around, even his eyes themselves seemed to have less life in them than possible, "I'd like everyone to forget you just saw that…please." He asked receiving a few blushed nods.
"Uhum," the general cleared his throat, "William, will I will not tell you what to do with yourself on your personal time. Please consider your health and sleep with at least some underwear on." The tall man suggested, not making eye contact. There was a just slightly noticeable hint of color on his feature.
The formerly naked faunus yawned. Yang noticed the look he got from Weiss's big sis. Apparently, that scowl was hereditary. Who knew?
"With all due respect general, when I sleep like that, I grow a full fur coooooaaaatttt" he yawned again.
The general expression was initially a realization William could actually do that to something to confusion. "Are you okay? You seem tired." the way he asked seem less out of concern and more to just inquire.
His eyes screamed 'gee, I hadn't noticed' or something to that effect. It was the same look Qrow gave dad when he made a comment about him being hungover. "I am." He answered, his voice coming out like dried dust, almost lifelessly. What happened to him?
There was a lot she didn't know about William's powers- Some of which she was certain she didn't want to know- but she could tell they took their toll. He was near indestructible physically, or at least able to heal from just about anything given the time. However, his mind she wasn't so sure on. When it came to the effects his Grimm power had on his mind he always seemed to try and downplay it. Her gut said he was honest and yet…
Did Jaune swapping spit with Pyrrha really cause that much of an uproar? I mean yeah it was all over the evening news. And Pyrrha practically got in a screaming match with her parents so loudly she could be heard through the door.
Honestly, Yang had no idea that P-money could get angry.
Suddenly the door to team JNPR's room opened up with their leader; the lovable blonde goofball turned lady killer and envy of every teenage boy who didn't devote themselves to the church of Yang the awesome, himself stepping out first.
It was probably telling that Jaune, of all people, wasn't even phased by the Atlesian soldiers standing in front of Will's room. It really was becoming commonplace.
Though he was, to say the least, very phased by the Grimm coated fist that connected with his face and sent him flying back into his room. The impact of Grimm against aura, flesh, and bone resounded through the hall. "That was for yesterday!" William shouted, not even seeming concerned with the specialist drawing her weapon before Jaune's face fully separated from his fist.
"Stand down!" The bigger ice queen drew her sword pointing it at Will's throat. The general looked like he was reaching for his weapon as well.
Yang saw her partner, girlfriend, lover, and lap pillow run between the specialist and the other faunus who seemed beginning to wake up. The fact his eyes were red probably didn't bode well for how this was going to go.
Huh. Time to be the big sis. She thought, moving to join the fray.
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Neo sighed contently as she lay on William's- now her- bed basking in the faint and refreshing aroma of their late night still clinging to the sheets and the air. While she liked when a man took charge, she loved taking it away even more. The sight of William on licking her boots looking up at her so submissively just sent a burst of lightning up and down her spine. She couldn't get enough- and given what William had been so compliant with, she doubted neither could he. Regardless of any 'objections', he might have had at the beginning. It was safe to say they were now completely gone.
A full night of dominance will do that to a person. Particularly, when it's done by a topless hottie in latex thigh-highs.
She couldn't help but grin.
Last night may have started out as punishment, but it certainly didn't end that way, for her at least. Nothing felt more right than having a Were-Grimm for a plaything. Especially, since he could heal injuries that would remain even on professional huntsmen. She hated seeing her canvas wiped clean so quickly, but boy did she love filling it back up again and again.
The cherry soaked in brandy topping on her sundae was the fact she managed to pull one over on general Ironwood himself. By the gods that expression was priceless, she forcibly stifled herself.
William may have woken up in a panic, but she was prepared. It only seemed fitting to finish up his punishment with another bit of morning fun. So, she turned off his alarm clock, removed the soundproofing- well forced fed it to Will last night as part of his punishment, he really can eat anything- and applied a small application of her semblance to Will's lower half at just the right moment.
Gods was that a great way to start the day.
Though, sexual gratification and catharsis by proxy aside, she did enjoy the distraction. Yet it was still just a distraction. She hated being around Cinder and her two lackeys. Ever since they burst onto the scene out of nowhere a little over a year and a half ago, they have been nothing but trouble.
Sure, at first it was simple jobs; gather information on the council, find old blueprints for key facilities, occasionally take out a detective or PI that was getting too close. Usual stuff. Then a little over a year ago, things started getting weird. White Fang activity changed from a bunch of thugs to an Atleasian-like military enlistment campaign. Every criminal in Vale was forced to either work for Cinder or else. They even forced her to go to Mistral and become a student there- under the threat of immolation of course.
If there was one thing Cinder loved to do, it was turning people into smoldering piles of ash. Roman's former five best, now just Neo, can attest to that.
She had never been so happy to miss work due to getting sick from mixing an ice cream sundae deluxe with Menagerie coconut spice rum and Vaccuo hard brandy. So good, but so destructive. She reminisced, licking her lips only to remember the next day when Roman showed her the security camera footage as he explained to everyone who their new boss was.
Neo knew she, Roman, and all of his men were criminals, a fact she had long since accepted. They could be arrested, badly injured, or simply killed for any reason under the sun, but what Cinder did to Rocco, Bone, Clyde, and Keith…even thieves deserved better than that.
In the criminal underworld you only have a few options when dealing with someone stronger than you and as dangerous as Cinder; run and gather your forces to strike back, set them against someone even bigger and stand clear, or if that didn't work, be indispensable.
Running was out of the question, Tukson and a few others were Roman's canaries in the coal mine. Sadly, none survived, either killed by the White Fang or by Cinder's lackeys. Or that one time they made her do the job.
She made sure Irving didn't feel anything. That was the only comfort she could give him. Especially since she had to run his corpse through a wood chipper and pretend she did it to him while he was alive.
Cinder, the mad pyromancer she was, was already setting herself up against the most powerful forces out there; the four kingdoms. And surprisingly, doing it quite well. From just what she and Roman could glean, that witch had backup plans with three more sets of backup plans. She had the White Fang, facilities that allowed her to give away entire cases of super expensive Dust, technology that exclusive to top-ranking members of the Atlas Military, and more moles in Vales governing body than a deluxe game of whack-a-mole. Alerting the authorities would be only an inconvenience for her and a charbroiling for her and Roman. So that option was gone.
That just left becoming indispensable. Roman tried to drag his feet to find a way out, primarily with his aforementioned canaries. However, Roman being…Roman had his face as a professional thief to think of. In a profession and literal sense.
After finding out he would be tasked with driving a fucking train into the city and releasing countless Grimm, the charismatic thief did all he could to try as slow things down to find a way out; scrutinizing every minor detail to stall, hell, he even played around with Ruby Rose, keeping her breathing, just on the off chance her team would finder her and stop him.
Though if she was being honest, he probably did get some genuine joy out of playing with her. If not for all the men and headaches she cost him. Junior's cronies were no substitute for his old guard.
Ultimately, his plan crashed and burned just like the train. Roman got arrested and now she had Cinder's undivided attention. Great.
Neo had needed to attend class, stay in their dorm room, etc. etc. The only time Cinder let her out of her sight was when it regarded doing something for her. Right now, she was supposed to be scouting out a way to get onto Ironwood's personal command ship.
Thankfully, Will was more than happy to gripe about the general. Including a very helpful complaint regarding the fact that the flagship was damaged, and the general wasn't too keen on hiding his concern that a large portion of the security system was damaged, beyond what they could repair in Vale when he tried to contain William. This coupled with her own investigation that every night, while the general is sleeping, a few of his men take a small airship on a coffee run.
Not that she couldn't blame them. Apparently, the good general only keeps Atleasian Black in stock. That stuff tasted like roofing tar and smelled twice as bad. She had even once used it to literally torture a man. Granted most coffees could be used as a torture instrument when applied heated to the eyes, nose, and genitals. But she digressed.
She had to play her part, but that didn't mean she was her lapdog either. Neo knew it was only a matter of time before Cinder set her sights on Will. He was a walking, talking, Grimm-eating machine. Causing chaos with him would be all too easy.
That was something she couldn't allow. Will was her's and her's alone. She might have suggested Will switch sides, but that just to get him out of Cinder's path of destruction. She needed to find a way to save both Will and Roman.
Given where she thought Cinder's plan was going- even if she didn't know exactly what her plans were-, this meant her best bet would require Will to be locked up on the general's ship. Why else would Cinder want her, of all people, to look into how to get on to Ironwood's ship and where to locate Roman.
Given general Ironwood, that could probably be arranged pretty easily. She just needed some guy to provoke Will.
What was the name of the asshole who's fingers I broke for cheating at poker again? Neo pondered her potential sacrificial lam- assistant.
Before she could actually remember that guy's name the entire room shook. The sound of a small explosion from her experience. Fire Dust with a sprinkle of gravity Dust for that extra bang for your lien. It even gives off a pretty pink mist if you mix it right.
She gentle and covertly went to open the door, beforehand camouflaging herself with her semblance.
Tempted as she was to see what was going on, Neo halted when she heard a man clearly yell, "Glynda! No wait!" before another explosion went off. Or that might work. She grinned as she looked at the remains of the hallway.
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"Oz, I really think you're giving Jimmy too much leeway," Qrow stated taking a sip of his flask to numb himself at the shit storm that would hit Beacon as its deputy headmistress was probably already three fifths of the way there after learning James Irondick was going to pick up Oz's latest pet project.
Gods how he wished he could watch it.
"He means well Qrow." The ancient wizard answered seeing the man opposite him not even believing that was an answer. "Even if he is rather cold in his judgment, he isn't heartless."
No, no he wasn't. As much as Qrow would never admit it, the cyborg genuinely cared about keeping people safe. Even if he was an egotistical hard-ass who wouldn't listen to a good opinion that didn't come from himself or someone who worked for him.
"I still think it's a bad idea. We both know he and that kid go together like baby necks and Beowulf jaws." He smirked at his own analogy. Fairly accurate if he did say so himself.
Ozpin took a sip of his coffee, probably from one of his thousand or so hidden stashes scattered across Beacon. "Despite my disagreements with the man, I truly do trust him. Same as I trust you or Glynda. James may be overzealous at times, and despite past mistakes but he knows better than to put students in harm's way."
Before Qrow could open his mouth to reply, his semblance, in all likelihood, answered for him as an explosion was visible from the tower. If he missed his guess, which he hoped he did, it was from the same area as Ruby and Yang's dorm room.
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Beacon was abuzz with students from the four kingdoms, staff, and of course a few family members of both. Since it was a day of rest for those participating in the Festival, it meant everyone was planning on how to liven things up. It truly was as if the joy of the world was emanating from the campus itself… well, except for one place that was.
Ozpin sighed with a hand on his forehead. He so wished the coffee would work its magic soon. The headmaster had not imagined things would go this way. For even Glynda of all people to let it escalate to this…by the gods he should have done what Qrow suggested and replaced his blood with coffee. Who cares if it was a joke, he needed it. "So, let me review. To make sure we are all clear." He breathed as the ground in front of him stood at attention.
"Upon seeing Mr. Arc, Mr. Beorthwulf punched him in the face as retaliation for yesterday's…activities." He summarized looking at the two young men next to each other. Their teams lined up behind them. His two colleagues standing separated by the two young men in front as Winter Schnee stood next to the general.
Qrow was standing behind Ozpin to his right, smirking like it was birthday and Christmas rolled into one. William could feel the contempt radiating from Winter, and to a lesser extent, general Ironwood. It was obvious to all the two Atleasians would be hearing about this for days.
"Y-yes sir." Either of them stuttered. Ozpin didn't even look up or care for that matter who it was.
"-and that punch happened to knock Mr. Arc into a pile of Miss Valkyrie's grenades she had been doing maintenance on last night as part of her preparations for the Vytal Festival?"
This time Nora answered, "yes sir." Her usual volatile exultation restrained. William could barely gleam her emotions from this distance but got enough to know Ozpin wasn't like this when it came to dishing out punishment. Something Nora was all too familiar with.
"And by doing so, set off a chain reaction that damaged team JNPR's room, and the resulting explosion led your specialist to believe it was Mr. Beorthwulf's doing. So, she attacked him?" the general tried his best to maintain eye contact. "Yes."
"To which Yang Xiao Long and Blake Belladonna were the first to try and de-escalate the situation."
Blake looked at the headmaster, "That was just before the explosion, there was a small lag between William punching Jaune and the explosion." She calmly explained.
"I see thank you for clearing that up."
The headmaster then turned to his deputy, "Upon seeing specialist Schnee attacking Mr. Beorthwulf, you used a Dust cannonade to break them apart?!"
It was the first time any of the students, minus William, had seen Ms. Goodwitch embarrassed. "Yes, sir." Was all she said, head hung low.
"Glynda", he exhaled looking a mix of anger and stoicism. "I expect these things from students. I expect them to a lesser extent from still green specialist." That one earned some ire from Winter, "Buy you? I would have never expected something like this from you."
William saw her lower her head. Ms. Goodwitch prided herself on being the voice of reason and level-headedness. It was absolutely mortifying to her that she was the one that ended up destroying the hallway.
"It wasn't her fault. It was mine." William spoke up causing those in the room the take pause. Even William himself.
"This all started because I couldn't let what happened yesterday go." He continued.
What was he saying? Why was he saying it?
"I know Jaune and Pyrrha didn't mean it, and I'm happy that their together. I just- no I should have done that. This whole thing was my fault. If I hadn't thrown that punch none of this would have happened…sir." He added, his breath coming out somewhat tattered towards the end. This wasn't like him. Why was he saying this?
Ozpin raised an eyebrow, "So you want me to put all the blame on you, Mr. Beorthwulf?" the young Were-Grimm froze. He could never read Beacon's headmaster. Even in his less than optimal state, the man's mind was completely indecipherable. And he basically gave such a man a blank check to decide his fate. DAMN YOU BRAIN WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING?!
"Um, yes….?"
Dammit brain, why aren't you working? His mind was freaking out. You've doomed me!
Ozpin took a deep drink from his mug-seemingly longer than there should even be coffee in the mug.
He let out a breath of relief, "I see, very well then. Mr. Beorthwulf", he spoke, his voice listless as it was contrasted with the gentle smile on his face. "As it so happens, the other night Ms. Goodwitch and I had a rather lengthy chat about you some time after your match with Pyrrha." The bewilderment of where this conversation was heading was palpable. "I know Ms. Goodwitch has been wanting to find the right time for this, but you know how hard she works."
William could almost taste his guardian wanting to say whose fault that it was that she needed to work so hard.
"As such, I will be absolving Ms. Goodwitch of all her duties for the day, and to a lesser degree in the following days, so that she can properly train you."
It took almost two minutes before everyone's brains caught up with the conversation. William turned to his guardian, "Is that okay with you?" he asked still processing. Is this a punishment? He wasn't feeling his best after last night, but he wasn't exactly about to turn down spending time with her either.
"Um, yes. I am completely fine with the arrangement. Please do not assume I will go easy on you. This will be an exercise in developing proper form and combat tactics." She informed him, returning to her more common taciturn way of speaking. With just the faintest of a smile on her features.
"On that note," Ozpin continued, "I believe this belongs to you." He said holding out a long brown cardboard box.
William stepped forward opening the box, taking out two silver kilijs with a trapezoid-like slot for Dust crystals connected to black handles with elongated triggers.
"So awesome!" Ruby let out a high-pitched whine. She was already in full weapons nerd mode. "So cool." She purred, drooling a little.
"What do you call them?" Weiss asked appreciating the finely crafted blades.
William could only smile. "Solar Winds." He beamed holding one of his swords in the air basking in its radiance as the light hit the side. "This is going to be a good day."
*One hour and thirty-five minutes later*
"Bwahaha-MMPH." William coughed as Glynda Goodwitch kick connected with his, now probably bruised ribs. Apparently, to compensate for over-dependence of long-range combat, she trained herself to be able to take down an Ursa Major with her bare hands. Ha, bear hands. Oh gods, he was hit so hard he's becoming Yang.
"You adjust to my rhythm well, but in that same way, you let your opponent set the pace. If your opponent realizes your reliance on an adaptive style, they can control what you will do." She lectured as he tried to pick himself up. She had made that point clear by continually hitting that same five or six spots over and over again each time she "controlled" the flow of their spar.
Even with aura, he was really feeling it. Most huntsmen in training at least knew basic aura control such as how to condense and flare up their aura to counter incoming attacks allowing them to mitigate the damage and conserve their limited supply of aura. William on the other hand, having spent most of the time others spent learning aura control, had relied on his Grimm powers to get him through. Probably why she had forbidden him from using his Grimm powers while they were sparing.
Also probably why she decided to spare with him in the garden as opposed to the gym- grass and dirt are softer than wood and cement.
Sure, he knew how to fight, even if it was mostly improvised and small swatches of scraps of fighting styles he had faced and could mimic mixed with underhanded tricks. However, the young huntsmen had never learned the basics. Opponents like Weiss who fight in a flashier and ceremoniously or formally trained manner or even opponents like Pyrrha who are accustomed to rules and restrictions in fighting granted him some kind of foothold or opening, discounting actual skill. However, with someone who is all about precision and practicality, backed by experience, there was barely any hope for him. He had to rely on his aura or it would hurt- which it did.
Unlike the students William had fought at his entrance exam, he didn't have the luxury of being more experienced and having a wider breadth of knowledge on how to counter. In fact, it was the exact opposite. His sparring partner had more than twice his lifetime in experience and knew every trick he could think of before he thought of it.
The older woman was by all accounts strong. She could probably take down even Yang and Nora in hand-to-hand. Not through brute strength, but due to skill and experience. That wasn't even counting her semblance. He thought Pyrrha was tough, but right now Glynda Goodwitch seemed like the invincible one.
Yet, that wasn't his only disadvantage in this situation. The first being his stomach. His semblance allowed him to eat just about anything he could get his mouth on, but that didn't always mean he'd want to eat it.
It was like that for most people he supposed, most have one or two things they can eat, but choose not to because it makes them sick. In William's case, it was synthetic materials like plastics. He could eat metal just fine, even enjoyed the taste from time to time, but plastics always made him queasy. However, that put him in a tight spot as he had no intention of revealing he wasn't feeling well because a diminutive dominatrix on Vale's most wanted list force fed him half his weight in noise canceling foam last night.
No matter what Neo is wearing I am not letting her force me to do that again. He mentally lamented. His stomach gurgling in agreement. Even if she wears those tight leather gloves that feel so smooth or those glossy thigh-high boots that accentuate her luscious legs leading all the way to that sweet succulent ass-oh no, stop! Stop! Think of anything else! He stopped himself before walking would become awkward…well more awkward.
Speaking of awkward, there was the other reason. Glynda Goodwitch, despite her age, was a very beautiful woman. The young man would admit it, as weird as it was that he looked at his guardian like that. Unfortunately, or fortunately for some, she had decided to don the appropriate work out attire. This meant foregoing her usual dress for a skin-tight white unitard with an equally tight pair of purple sweatpants that hugged her thighs in the most distracting way possible each time she kicked him.
Then there was the fact it was unseasonably hot out and she wasn't wearing a bra.
So, to review; relying on next to no real aura control against what is essentially the definition of a pro huntress while dealing with an upset stomach and a boner making it difficult to run for his life.
By the gods was this really was a punishment. He thought as he rolled to the side dodging incoming purple energy balls which could be compressed air, pure aura, or- for extra fun- infused with some of the Dust she kept hidden in the handle of her riding crop. Running for your life while trying to keep an erection down was not an easy thing.
Seeing she had predicted the course he would take Ms. Goodwitch had already launched several more blast coming his way as she moved towards his blind spot. If he dodged, he loses sight of her and his ribs couldn't take much more even with aura. But on the other hand, focusing on her meant losing sight of the blast of energy she could apparently manipulate like deranged missiles.
Guess there's only one choice. He grinned. Taking one of Solar Wind he held down the trigger as he swung the sword releasing a blade of pure wind into the air taking out several of the shots in one go as he moved away from Glynda, determined to not let her get too close.
At least that was the plan until the ground under him erupted sending him into the sky as helpless as a lamb into a shark tank.
William was barely able to use the wind pressure his swords produced to propel himself in midair to dodge several attacks, but not all of them. For everyone one he dodged in that seemingly eternal second of falling two more struck him, bursting on impact and spinning him in midair.
As he continued to lose track of where up and down were desperately floundering to right himself. He managed to pull himself out of a spiraled nose dive, grazing his abdomen on the topsoil, and sped towards his opponent. Using both blades held down crossed-armed he achieved an improvised state of flight as he rocketed towards his opponent.
He realized that this way he was faster than her. If he couldn't settle it far away, he would just attack her up close faster than she could respond, fall back, and repeat. He flung his left sword to send a blade of wind at his opponent to force her to dodge. It was never his intent to hit her, just keep her from firing off shots while he closed the gap.
The added benefit was that she stumbled on a protruding root and fell. He could feel her lamenting her folly. This would be the finishing blow. Or so he thought it was.
As he sped past the row of trees near where she fell William noticed too late that one of the larger branches were bent unnaturally.
He only realized that she had been faking her mental bewailing before the branch was released from her semblance sending him doing flips in the air before face-planting onto the building behind her.
"If you are going to insist on using those weapons to propel yourself, you need to become more accustomed to aerial combat, develop your vestibular better, and learn to observe and anticipate your opponent's actions better. If you can think of a counter for your moves, then so can they." She offered, helping him up. "Your ability to sense negative emotions can be the key to discerning what is a feint and what is not, but if your opponent is aware of this ability then they can use it against you." She smiled, obviously happy to finally have some "hands-on" teaching with William.
"Yes." He groaned realizing that the people who had hunted while he was trapped in the Valley of Grimm may not have even been actual huntsmen. Or if they were, they were bottom of the barrel. If this is what a real huntress is like, he might have actually stayed dead.
She took her position again and William stumbled to keep standing. "Now let's go again."
Ozpin I will hate you till the day I die.
/-/
The three men in the office looked at the screen displaying one of the countless hidden cameras scattered across Beacon and the Emerald Forest.
"Ozpin, I still think this is a bad idea. He's too unpredictable and too dangerous." The tall standing man in white argued to himself. The others had more or less stopped listening to him as both grunted and ooed as the image showed Glynda not holding her punches, or kicks rather, sending her ward to land crotch first into a tree.
"I thought you would be happy Jimmy." Qrow remarked leaning over a seated Ozpin's shoulder. "Glynda's practically kicking the crap out of the kid while dressed all sexy. What more could you want?" the drunkard jabbed.
"That isn't the point Qrow."
"Yes", Ozpin spoke up, "I wasn't aware you saw Glynda in that light Qrow." Ozpin smirked at the stunned look on his face.
He puffed his chest, "While I try to keep things professional", the two other men were imagining air quotes around the word 'professional', "…and if it wasn't for the fact I'm pretty sure she'd rip my spin out and beat me with it I, like any other red-blooded man, can appreciate a woman's form."
"I'll remember to tell her that." Ozpin teased as Qrow grew three shades whiter.
Panicked he tried to turn the tables, "So did Glynda O.K. your little op?"
Ozpin looked at the man, "Unfortunately, she was quite vehement about it. Despite your usually unshakable loyalty and ability to see the big picture, she has even threated to stop the operation before it can begin if we try it."
The two men looked at him, and then to each other and back to him. Glynda Goodwitch was a lot of things, but of them all, she was probably the most loyal to Ozpin and his cause. It was for that reason, along with her skills, she was assigned as his replacement for Beacon when his current body eventually gave out.
"They say maternal instinct is a frightening thing, but damn."
"I concur. This may take a fair bit of convincing on Glynda's part. I was hoping to have her connection to William be the thing that ensures his loyalty to us should Salem ever come for him." He said as all three men envisioned similar images of William becoming their enemy.
As he was now, he was no real threat they couldn't deal with if they hit him hard enough. However, ten years down the line, hell just five years from now they all knew he could become a force to be reckoned with.
Maybe playing it safe and raising him as their alley would be better. There were ways, convoluted as they may be to achieve the same goal but did not require William to be in as much danger. Except it would still take time. Time none of them were sure they had.
"We might just have to bring this to William himself." Ozpin mused to himself.
Both of his general's looked at the man's back, "Oz, you can't honestly be considering bringing him into our ranks?" the cyborg spoke up.
More surprisingly was Qrow agreeing. "I don't like it Oz. The kid's too much of a wild card, even to himself. Sending him against the witch might be like giving a Beowulf a gun and teaching him how to use it."
Taking a sip of his coffee, Ozpin continued to look at the monitor, "Just a thought gentlemen. Just a thought."
Suddenly the elevator pinged.
As the doors opened to a large, almost obese, man with a white lab coat and plum-colored tie came running in as fast as his short legs would allow. His obese form swaying as his short stature sped towards them. He was tightly clutching a brown folder and a clipboard in front of his chest.
"P-professor Oz-Ozpin-n." The man wheezed, struggling for breath. "He was right, he was right!" the man came to rest a few feet in front of the three.
"Calm down Richard." He tried to calm the man down "Who was right?"
He took in a few deep breaths, "William. He was right about the sword. The incident Friday evening, my assistant. I didn't listen to the warning he gave you and it nearly cost us." His speech broken with each huff.
The two headmasters shared a look before turning to the sweating scientist. "Care to elaborate?"
"Oh, yes. For the past few days Clayton, my lab assistant, - well former assistant-, had been acting a little strange, we'll stranger than usual. At first, I thought it was just enthusiasm- I mean who would be excited about the possibility of infusing Grimm into weapons. I mean the possibilities are endless; Goliath Tanks, Nevermore bombers, why you could-"
"-Richard!" the two men snapped in unison.
"Yes, right. Well, at first there was no discernable changes in brain activity when exposed to the sword, so I thought he was mistaken or just being overly cautious. But when Clayton tried to blow us all to oblivion," He paused looking down into the folder in his hands, "I reexamined his notes." He explained taking out a yellow notepad with writings going several different directions overlapping each other and placed it on the desk in front of him. Much of it illegible, except for the phrase "KILL PLUM KILL THEM ALL" written several times in lines upon overlapping lines. Not much room for interpretation there. The young man's attack was meant to kill the research team.
"After seeing this," He continued, directing the two back from the notepad, "I decided to go over the evidence from team JPIT (Jupiter)'s room." He said presenting a picture of one of the team's presumed beds. The indentation in the sheets suggested a small individual, most likely Topaz Silica.
"And?"
"Look next to where she was sleeping." He pointed to a smaller indentation, almost as long as the bed's intended occupant.
Qrow raised an eyebrow before taking a swig of his flask, "And…?" he led on.
"She was sleeping with her sword next to her."
"So?" he asked again not seeing any significance.
"I theorize that William's warning was indeed accurate. It would seem that exposure to Grimm, for a prolonged period- in this case, a few weeks- acts much like a drug. It alters the person's mental state, turning them towards there darker more aggressive thoughts while making them more drawn to it; perpetuating the cycle."
All three men seemed to realize what that might imply, but it was Ironwood how showed the most reaction and his stoic face turned to a harsher scowl, "We NEED to bring William, and any others exposed into custody." The general slammed his fist on to the table.
"Clayton was the only one I had assigned to study the weapon- I was too preoccupied with William-, well him and Sunil worked together.", before the general could say anything he continued, "However, Sunil died in the explosion."
"Then we need to apprehend William. If you are right then we need to arrest William right now! Your research assistant was exposed to Grimm for three weeks, William's had a decade."
Actually general," The shorter man perked up, "I think you have it backward. The Grimm particles William emits and those emitted by the Claymore are very different. If anything, William's particles are pure and stable, while the swords are incredibly volatile. Probably due to the fact he has integrated it into his biology."
"How is that possible?" the cyborg asked to no one. Only to regret it as the doctor before he began to smile like his jaw would break off.
As doctor Plum took in a big breath Ozpin raised his hand to stop him. "First, doctor I would like to say thank you for working so many all-nighters. I know it must not have been easy." He commented noticing the dark bags under his eyes. Though, he did suspect the doctor had been staying up researching longer than he had been assigned.
The round man waved it off, "Not a problem. A chance to examine something like this, until meeting William, would never have happened even in my wildest dreams." He chuckled.
"So then, please tell me your findings-but calmly." He added as a precaution.
His smile deflated a tad, but continued all the same, "To explain it best we need to first look at William's encounter with the Deathtalos over the weekend." The man straightened himself and brought his clipboard before him. "At first I couldn't believe that I was seeing an actual Grimm corpse. Albeit an incomplete one, but beggars can't be choosers." He chuckled again seemingly himself being the only one to find something amusing.
"Ahem, yes." He began again once he noticed the telltale look of 'get on with it already' he had become accustomed to seeing, "Well, after analysis of the remains I found that every injury to it was coated in the same enzyme William produces in his saliva. But more corrosive than normal. At least to Grimm."
The seated grey-haired man's eyes narrowed. "How is that possible?" He had seen the forest camera's footage of the event transpire live. He never even so much as saw William take a bite out of the beast.
"And what does that have to do with these Grimm particles you mentioned?" Ironwood barked turning up his intimidation factor a few more notches.
Plum just looked at him with a plastered smile, "I'm getting to it I assure you", he waved off the imposing figure before him. Those who willingly study deadly monsters are not easily intimidated by mere humans. "I initially thought William had just spit on the Deathtalos or something to that effect, but after I examined the sheets from his infirmary bed I believe it is something more amazing." He shook with excitement.
The headmaster had seen many individuals, more than most would realize, get excited about their work, but this was the first time he had ever seen a grown man almost prancing in place like an excited child.
In truth, it was actually very unsettling. "His bed sheets?" he asked, not even wanting to know how he got William's bed sheets.
"Yes. His sweat has the same exact enzyme as on the Deathtalos!" The man went from prancing to practically dancing. His belly would have been fully swinging with each movement if not for it testing the tensile strength of his shirt.
Again the general was the one to raise his voice. "Why has this only now been discovered?"
The man's eyes lit up like he was a child on Christmas morning, "That's the thing, when I took a skin sample when I first met him. It was normal skin. And now it's not! This means his body changes as he needs it to."
"…"
"In situations when a person is under great stress things like superhuman strength manifesting, semblances awakening, aura activating on its own and instinctually focusing on the source of impending trauma are all common things. But William isn't common. No, his body adopted an entirely new enzyme that not only prevents Grimm from disintegrating but also incorporates both an acidic property as well as the same phenomenon described by researchers who introduce the Humbert Aconitum to Grimm to weaken their structure!" the man finally gave in to a chuckling fit. "his enzymes turned the unbreakable shell into foam peanuts!"
This was the news that had Ozpin's attention. Even doctor Plum stopped his little dance to marvel in the rare and elusive surprised expression of his employer. In his twenty-odd years of employment at Beacon, this was only the second time he had actually seen it. The first time being that strange student some years back appeared with the semblance that could control the weather. What was her name…Amber something?
Anyway, he could see the headmaster's eyes ask 'how?'
"My theory is that William subconsciously adapts to each new situation as a means he learned to survive. His body had already been exposed to the herbs Lie- I mean that break down Grimm", he corrected remembering his prior talk with his employer. "I suspect that his semblance allowed his body to absorb its Grimm harming characteristics after he consumed it. Allowing him to not only replicate it via his semblance while producing antibodies for it. Somewhat, in the same way, our bodies adapt to vaccinations. Albeit, his was of a much greater risk/reward situation." He was grinning from ear to ear at this point. Ozpin felt a bit of joy and worry that his old enemy had never recruited Plum for her nefarious plots.
The gods only know what terror that could have brought if they worked together.
"Of course, there is another possibility." He continued, "In testing his semblance, we asked him to replicate material he had only recently eaten. We had never once considered seeing if he could replicate material he had consumed, but not manifested. It is possible that he can 'store' the things he consumes, possibly indefinitely, in his body. If my theory is correct, then he not only manifested the 'stored' Humbert Aconitum genes but also integrated them into his physiology as a way of using them without harming himself."
"I see." The headmaster took a sip of his coffee. "Richard, I want you to give William another exam. If he asks why, tell him that you lost the file or something like that."
"With gusto." He saluted. So eager that he didn't even bother to ask why for the headmaster's orders.
"I want you to see if there is any way to replicate the effect, or at least to determine its true nature."
/-/
William limped down the hall to his room. Ms. Goodwitch had offered to help him, but after a total of five hours of intense training, he just didn't have it in him. It was all he could do to keep his distance without seeming rude or distrusting.
As a wolf faunus, smell had arguably more meaning than it did for humans. And it was safe to say Ms. Goodwitch had worked up a sweat-not the bad kind, more the don't get an awkward erection in front of your adoptive mother kind.
The last time he got aroused in public he had felt the negative and mocking emotions of it for all day. He wasn't doing that again. Especially with Ms. Goodwitch of all people.
To top things off was the fact he still had to find some way to get Neo's boss capture by Ironwood or Ozpin without Neo getting hurt.
Well, that means helping general Ironwood- feels really weird to say that one. Probably including professor Ozpin since he runs the huntsmen academy and dispatches the huntsmen of Vale for the big stuff. So what do I know that can help?
William pondered that thought for several minutes while slowly limping down the hall.
By the time he reached his room, he came to one conclusion…he didn't have anything. Other than what he gave the general, he had absolutely nothing.
Clearly, he still had Neo, but since he didn't want to get her in trouble- by which he meant executed by general Ironwood- he had absolutely nothing. Great.
Wait, he did have something her team! Her team…which he had no idea if they were even involved…crap. That one deflated quickly. Then again, it was a start and since William now knew of Neo's 'secret identity', it wouldn't be weird to ask her about them.
He could totally do this, all he needed to do was covertly ask Neo about her teammates and boom evidence to get them arrested.
What could go wrong? He reasoned before two small hands grabbed him and pulled him into his room the moment he unlocked the door.
/-/
Neo dragged the wolf faunus to her level as her lips embraced his. She loved how he always melted when they kissed.
And how he let her take control of his tongue so willingly.
After a few moments of bliss she let him up, "I don't mind being greeted like that from now on." He smirked with a goofy grin. Still feeling the elation from her make out skills.
"I don't mind", she played innocently, even going as far as to put her hands behind her back and toggle side to side slightly. Never missing how the angle she was leaning at coupled with Will's height gave him a tantalizing view of the girls. "If you don't mind doing something for me."
"S-sure." Too easy sometimes.
Neo sauntered up to William making sure to sway her hips enough that he notices, but not enough that he doesn't suspect something. Stopping just in front of him she begins to trace her finger along his chest.
"Mind if I stay the night?" She asked in a mix of sultry and cute. William started chuckle before grabbing Neo in a hug and lifted her up.
The short girl instinctively struggled like a cat trying to get out of a bath. At least until he stopped in front of the bed. She looked at his smiling face. "Sure. You'd sneak in any way." He said before kicking off his shoes and flopping himself and Neo onto his bed as Neo pouted. 'But thank you for asking." He said in such a sappy voice that she could help but giggle.
"Nice try with the act by the way." He teased.
"Laid it on too thick, huh?" the ice cream themed girl posed as she snuggled into his arm.
The wolf faunus pulled her closer, "Just a tad. But I still liked it." He kissed her forehead.
"Will?"
"Yes Neo?" He looked down only to see Neo moving away.
Her eyes did not meet his, "Can you take a shower before we cuddle."
It was then that William got a creepily-cute smile, "Care to join me?"
As much as she would, and she really would, she knew it would be a bad idea. The last time Will was at her place proved she couldn't keep her illusions up and she didn't want to risk someone seeing her. Pink hair, even in Vale, tends to stand out. "Sorry lover boy no can do. Gotta lay low."
"You know you don't have to." Will said with an unusually straight face. This made Neo sit up and look at him.
"Come again?"
"You. Don't. Have. To." He stretched out his sentence taking care to punctuate each word.
Neo had to hear this one. "Really?" she asked sarcastically, "How?"
"You could always just turn on your employer."
Neo gave the wolf faunus a deadpanned stare, "Will if I could kill her, I would have done it ages ago."
"That wasn't exactly what I meant. Though on that note, do you think the two of us alone could take her?"
More of the same expression, "Will, I love you, but your jokes need work."
That made his ears droop a little, "Is she really that strong?"
Neo clutched her arm. At this distance, William could feel the remorse and dread she was feeling seeing her colleagues burned to death by that bitch.
"I see." He said solemnly. "I'm sorry for your loss."
Neo didn't look up. "I know you want to help, but you can't." the short girl shook. William moved to comfort her, but she slid back, "She's too strong."
"Then how about we get someone even stronger."
"NO WILL." Neo looked up, her usually cutely mismatched eyes were now crimson red. "You can't stop her. Just don't even try."
That was when he took her by the shoulders, "How do you know? The way it seems to me, you gave up without even try-" he was cut off as Neo's dainty hand swung across his face causing into to release her as he fell off the bed.
"Don't you DARE say something like that to me! You don't know what its like. What she's like! I can't protect you if she kills you!" the short girl sobbed.
It was then that William felt all her worry, fear… everything she had been bottling up. Lose of loved ones, fear of death, of the unknown like a great darkness barreling towards her. It was crushing, how he had not realized it sooner. As he looked up from the floor to see tears starting to form in her eyes it was when it clicked.
The Were-Grimm got to his feet, "Of course I don't" he began, his voice had lost all its heat, "you don't tell me anything. If you want to protect me." He paused thinking over his words. "Then I want you to include me in your plans. Tell me what it is I'm missing so I can avoid it." He acknowledged.
This caught Neo off guard. Usually when conversations escalated to yelling hurling furniture and stabbing people followed. This was…new.
"I can't tell you about her." Neo finally said, albeit still taken aback.
Will just looked at her, "You don't have to tell me about her. Just what it is you want to do and anything else you can tell me."
There was no deceit in his words. Nor any anger. Just a somber melancholy. "Aren't you just going to pass that info on to Ironwood like before?"
"You heard that?" William asked nervously.
She let off a small huff and a smirk, "I'm good at what I do." The faint smile morphed into a more focused glare, "Now answer the question."
"Only if you want me to." He defended. "You don't need to do this alone. Even if you don't tell me who your boss is. I can't still help in some way. I just need you to talk to me." He sat on the bed next to her. His eyes seemed to gleam. This, this was another reason she loved him, those beautiful starry pools. So calm and pure.
"Okay", she admitted, "But you need to do exactly what I tell you."
"How is that any different from last night." He snickered as the two joined in a good laugh.
Neo hugged her big goofy faunus, "I love you Will." He hugged back. "I love you too."
"Just one thing before we get started." Neo broke off.
The young man couldn't think of anything they had missed, "What would that be?"
"Well", she scooted closer, putting her hands on his chest, "You really need a bath." She smiled at a puzzled wolf faunus before she pushed him off the bed for the second time. "So, get going stinky." She teased.
/-/
William made his way to the men's showers, making sure he was alone. It was still too early for most to be returning to Beacon from their day off. This was good for him as he let off a series of curses and rants. "What the FUCK is wrong with me today! I could not have gone more off the plan if I tried." He hissed.
He needed to remain calm. It didn't go as planned…at ALL. But on the bright side, Neo was letting him in on things. That was a plus.
Yeah, yeah, he could make this work. It isn't like Mercury or Emerald don't say hi, from time to time. Maybe with a few well-placed questions, he could glean something. Even if it wasn't about their criminal activities, he could probably just ask some general questions regarding Vale and what not, questions they wouldn't be on guard about because it would seem like small talk. Then he could use his ability to read their negative emotions.
This could totally work.
/-/
As the dim lights overhead flickered and buzzed a tall woman stood there waiting. Her skin was pale with long white hair down to her waist that ended in pink tips. She was garbed in a toga-like dress that started pure white, almost blending in with her naturally pale complexion, and progressing to the last inch of hot pink at the bottom. She wore matching high heels with a woven pattern that extended up her long porcelain legs stopping just short of her knees. Around her waist was a brown leather sash that matched her eyes baring a golden emblem of an Ouroboros with the head resembling a human woman's with flowing hair. Strapped to it was a kopis on her left hip. Her left arm wore a small bronze shield with four spherical Dust crystals embedded in its center in a cardinal formation.
Behind her stood three others. The first and closest to her right was a short young woman covered almost entirely with a green hoodie. Her red boots poked out under the oversized hoodie as a cobalt rifle with gold accents was slung over her shoulder with a metallic sectioned belt. On it was a bronze emblem of a monstrous claw with a spiral pattern in the palm.
In the back of the formation, behind their leader was an average looking young man with dusty blonde hair cut short with a brown and green plaid shirt, faded blue jeans, brown hiking boots, and glasses enlarging his green eyes. In his left hand rested what looked like an Uzi combined with a two-handed battle axe.
The last was a tall lanky young man with a forward drooping purple Mohawk, a gray armored vest with two straps forming an "x" on his chest over a short sleeve black shirt, black jeans and metallic grey mechanized boots. He had several facial piercings with four in each ear, two in his left nostril, and one on his lower left lip. On the outer thigh of his left pants leg was a purplish-burgundy image lit candle with the right bottom swirling into a circle.
"Well, Well Heather, so good to see you." A voice called out through the dark as three more figures emerged.
Her face scrunched for a brief moment before returning to more neutral expression, "Good to see you to Cinder. How have you been? Being a maiden- oops I mean half-maiden must be tough." she asked as haughtily as could be literally looking down at the shorter woman.
Cinder plastered her fakest smile while fire danced on her eyes "Just fine, just fine. How goes your little project? I can't imagine it being easy with so little help."
Heather's brow furled, and a manic glare had Mercury and Emerald take a step back, but not Cinder. No with a master like her's she had seen far worse. "About as well as one would expect when almost half my forces are unknowingly sent to fight Qrow Branwen on your little delivery."
The black-haired woman merely looked all too full of herself, "Well as someone with so much seniority over me", she looked ever smugger, "I would have thought you would be prepared for such things."
Cinder could have left it at that, but no. she had to rub glass on the wound. A wound that had caused Heather many headaches and forced her to beg on hands and knees for her mistress to give her more time. "But I guess age can really take its toll on a woman's mind."
And that sparked it. Heather's kopis was drawn and glowing red ready to carve into Cinder's flesh as the pyromancer's own hands roared a blazing gold. Their respective minions taking a step back and getting into fighting position.
"Enough." A voice coldly commanded causing all six to instinctively disengage. "Honestly, I had hoped you two would have grown out of this incessant rivalry years ago." A menacing and ghostly pale woman's face marred with black vein-like markings appeared in an orb atop of some hovering Grimm jellyfish.
All seven members immediately bowed before the figure. Though still lingering the heat of what was almost a brutal bloodbath for both sides had been almost quelled instantly. Both sides knew all too well what would happen to those that angered Salem.
"Now Heather", the Grimm queen began. Her voice was calm yet icy cold, "regarding Cinder's question, how is the manufacturing process going?"
The tall woman looked up to address her master, "Currently we have managed to produce forty-four Grimm weapons, ma'am."
"That's strange. I seem to recall that your last report stated that you had only forty. Care to explain the slow production?"
The young fox woman in green spoke up, "Um that is becau-"
"I was not talking to you!" the eldritch woman hissed as the seer Grimm writhed in response to its master's anger.
"I'm sorry." The young girl bowed her head. "Please forgive me." The small child seemed almost about to burst into tears as her fear was just that great. Salem was well aware the girl feared her. As she should.
"Please forgive my apprentice. She did not mean to offend you." The tall woman begged, even kneeling she was as tall as the seer Grimm meeting her master's eyes, trembling slightly.
Salem contemplated for a moment, "I will forgive her this once. Do not let it happen again."
"Thank you, Ma'am."
"Now returning to the topic…" Salem lead.
"We've recently developed a prototype gun that uses bullets that work on the same principle as the previous Grimm weapons." This made her master smile brightly.
"I see. Is it ready for an actual battle yet?"
Heather lowered her head and averted her eyes, "unfortunately, we are still having trouble stabilizing the bullets. In sterile settings, they work fine, on the other hand too much movement or rapid change in temperature and they rupture and release the sealed Grimm."
"Interesting. For now, focus on continuing the production of the original type. Once things have concluded in Vale, resume your research."
Heather immediately bowed her head. "Yes Ma'am. Thank you."
"Is there anything else I should be aware of?"
Try as Heather might, both Cinder and Salem caught a glimpse of a smile. "Yes, there is Ma'am. I would like to request that we try to recruit or otherwise capture the Were-Grimm Ozpin has in his possession in addition to our current goals. As a resource, he cannot be ignored, and we have the perfect trap for him already set up."
This news. This had Salem's undivided attention.
Well, if that isn't a Halloween-type of ending right there.
I'm beginning to think William was right, I do love to torture him. Since all characters a person creates are in some way a part of them, what does that say about me as a person?
Who knows?
At least William understands how I feel about making plans and then going completely off the rails.
I really wish I didn't do that so often. Like for this very chapter.
Well did everyone like this one. I was debating if I should release it on the start of the new volume or Ruby's Birthday.
BTW HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUBY ROSE!
But in all seriousness. I saw the new chapter, and I gotta say I like it. I think they could have upped the action a little, but that's just me. Some say it is RT just trying to answer the fans' responses and nothing else. Maybe they are right, maybe not. It seems that the first chapter was a step in the right direction at least. So that is where I am pinning my hopes.
A lot of people, some I know and care about, left the show behind after volumes 4 and 5. Not that I can blame them, and the fandom took a hit. Maybe, just maybe this is RWBY's second wind.
Let's cross our fingers folks.
Oh, before you go. If you like my work, please comment and follow my work. And if you really like me, look me up on P A / jwrite.