Chapter 22: Mark Temple Part 1
Remnant, Continent of Sanus
POV: White Fang
Premise: Temple evens the teams, the Reds and Blues put their plan with Jacques to action.
"CONTACT!" a WF goon shouted, as he was under fire from Coalition forces
"WE NEED BACK-AH!" another WF goo shouted until a black ribbon wrapped around his neck and pulled him away.
"Huh!?"
The first goon looked up to see and a purple armored soldier with black accents delivered a punch to his face, knocking him out cold. Several other goons were taken down by a series of glyphs and rose pedals. A yellow flash proceeded to tear a WF paladin to pieces.
POV Change: Mountain Glenn
Grimm ran through the debris of the desert settlement as pink grenades reigned down on them. Metal objects were thrown at them in every direction before they were all slashed by a green and white blur. Coalition forces proceeded to march through the remains of Mountain Glenn, victorious.
POV Change: Beacon Academy
The Reds and Blues all watched as RWBY and JNPR performed well on the field. It was only two days since they gave them their own armor. They were certainly proving themselves worthy of their gift.
"Alright, I'm gonna be the first to say this." Grif spoke up, "10 bucks says they can kill 1000 Grimm in one day."
"I'll take those odds." Simmons replied
"We are not making a bet on our students!" Glynda hissed
"Aw man." Grif groaned
Ironwood then spoke up, "Sorry to spoil your fun. But we still have to deal with the potential of Jacques getting on the Atlas Council."
"He's right." said Wash, "The longer we waste time, the sooner Jacques gets what he wants."
"But there's no way we land a finger on him." Locus intervened, "Jacques Schnee is head of the largest dust corporation in all of Remnant. We go after him, it'll put a black mark on us all."
"And then people will start to leave the Coalition by choice." Doc added
"So we find a different way." Kai suggested, "We beat him at his own game."
"Kai right!" Donut shouted, "The only we can stop him is politically."
You mean...win the election?" Caboose questioned
"Of course." Ironwood caught on, "We could endorse a candidate for the election and the people will approve."
"There are quite a few people running for the Council seat." said Ozpin, "I find a list for you to look at."
"Actually." said Carolina, "I already have a suggestion: Robyn Hill."
"Robyn?" Ironwood questioned, "Are you sure?"
"Where have I heard that name before?" Grif muttered
"Robyn Hill was the woman on TV you saw on the day we met Ozpin." Carolina explained, "She showed her approval of us after the breach in Vale. I did some digging, and found out that she is quite the people person."
"So if we just announce her endorsement." Doc added, "The people should follow on."
"So let's get our asses to Atlas, and tell everyone." Sarge announced
"I'll prepare the Prowler." said Grif
"I'll get some snacks for the trip." Donut added
"And I'll bring the comic relief!" Caboose shouted
Just then, RWBY and JNPR entered the room. They all noticed most of the team was preparing to leave.
"Hey guys." Weiss said to them, "What'd we miss?"
"Eh, trying to find ways to stop your douchebag of a father from getting on the council." Simmons shrugged, "So you know, same old same old."
"Works for me." Weiss replied
Ruby then walked over to Caboose, "Hey Caboose, ready for date night tonight?"
"Uh…" Caboose trailed off, until he saw all of Beacon in flames. Cinder standing nearby with flames in her eyes.
"Caboose?" Ruby said to him, "You there?"
"Huh? Yeah! Sorry! Blanked out for a moment! I'm ready for tonight!"
"Sweet!" Ruby replied, as Caboose walked off. Ruby then walked over to Tucker and Wash.
"Hey guys, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure." Tucker replied, "What's up?"
"Is there something wrong with Caboose?" she asked
"Well, what isn't right about?" Tucker quipped
"What do you mean Ruby?" Wash questioned
"Well, the past few days Caboose kinda started to blank out for a second everyday." she explained, "I thought it was normal for him, but everytime it happens, he seems off afterwards."
Tucker and Wash looked at one another before speaking.
"Look, Caboose hasn't been getting enough sleep lately." Tucker lied, "Lots on the table right now, and it's taking a toll on all of us."
"Yeah." Wash added, "Maybe date night will ease his mind a bit."
Ruby nodded, "Alright, yeah. You're right. Thanks guys!"
"Anytime." Tucker replied before turning to Wash, "When are we gonna tell them?"
"I think the question is are we gonna tell them." said Wash
POV Change: Evernight Castle
Cinder stood over a balcony of Salem's fortress, flanked by Emerald and Mercury. THey all watched as black-colored UNSC Falcons, and Pelicans were flying around the sight. After Temple and Salem had come to a deal, the latter had Watts construct a more 'functioning' teleporter for them to transfer resources from the Blues and Reds' dimension. Goons that worked for the ex sim-troopers were there as well. Most wore the classic red or blue armor with a green visor. Others wore black armor with narrow white visors. The Blues and Reds explained that they were mercenaries who had bad blood with Reds and Blues like they did. So recruiting them was easier said than done.
While it was a sight to behold, Cinder instead was sneering at it in anger. The plan to attack Beacon was her mission, not theirs. And their newfound power over her was starting to get on her nerves.
"Enjoying the view?"
The trio turned around to see Temple standing right behind them. He was decked out in brand new armor. It was very similar to the Reds and Blues' new armor, but with some differences.
The visor was now a light blue, the cobalt stripe was now bright red, the 'UNSC' logo was replaced with 'BvR', and the logo on the right shoulder was reversed and with a blue visor.
"Do you like the new threads?" Temple asked them, "I definitely do. All of my men got the new armor. Much lighter, could complain out the groin plate but eh, watch gonna do?"
Cinder just growled at him and turned away.
"What's with her?" Temple asked her disciples
"She's pissed at her failure at Beacon, and doesn't like you one bit." Mercury replied
"Well, I have that effect on a lot of people." Temple muttered, "So I can't complain."
Cinder the twirled back around and jabbed a finger in Temple's direction.
"You are just a waste of time for us!" she yelled, "Another pawn I'm going to use for my victory! No little army is gonna help us at all!"
"Cinder, calm down." Emerald said to her, "I'm sorry she-"
"No no." Temple cut her off, "I get it. You know...Salem told me what your little plan was. She told me what makes you tick, Cinderella...and I'm starting to see that she's right."
Cinder grit her teeth in anger even more as Temple continued, "So, due to your…'extreme failure' in Vale, the loss of the Fall Maiden powers, and your attempt to look past the danger of the Reds and Blues...She had put you under my command."
Cinder's eyes widened, "What!?"
"All of you, as a matter of fact." Temple added, gesturing to Emerald and Mercury as well, "Oh and don't worry! I'll make sure to keep you on a very, very tight leash."
"Temple!"
The cobalt soldier turned around to see Salem standing behind him.
"It's time."
POV Change: Grimm Pools
Salem led Temple, Cinder, and the Blues and Reds to a barren area just outside Evernight Castle. Pools of a strange dark substance were surrounding them.
"What is this place?" Gene asked
"Is this your pool?" Buckey questioned, "Cause this way beyond my tastes."
"Buckey, please." Temple hissed at his peer, "Why'd you bring us out here Salem?"
Salem smiled before turning to face him, "To honor our deal of course."
She then held up the vial of Sarge's blood in front of everyone, "I used this blood to find you people. Now, I will use it to revive your fallen brothers. You team...will be one again."
Temple stared at her before responding, "No."
The Blues and Reds all looked at him funny.
"What do you mean no?" Cronut questioned, "We can get Surge and Loco back."
"[Seriously, what the fuck.]" Lorenzo added
Temple then explained, "Surge and Loco did their duty. Surge died in what he believed in, and Loco...he knows what he did. I want something new."
"And what might that be?" Salem asked
"Someone tactical." Temple replied, "One who's suffered a defeat by them. One who wants revenge. And the other, I want an animal to control personally. A monster, a brute...a meta."
Salem smiled evilly before turning back to the pools of dark liquid. She took the vial and opened it, before dropping two teardrops of blood into two separate pools. Dark red veins appeared in the water before the liquid was covered in a black caramelized surface.
The Blues and Reds, and Cinder looked down in confusion until one of the pools cracked, and four black fingers emerged.
"Jesus!" Gene shouted
"[Holy shit!]"
The carmelized surface of the first pool continued to break, when the second began to do the same. After a few seconds two figures emerged from the pools. Each had the same color of armor, black with red and white accents and a yellow visor. First was around the same height as the all of the Blues and Reds, and had a narrower visor. While the other guy stood taller, and had a visor that covered most of his helmet. Both stood up and looked at their surroundings. The big one then set his sights on Temple and grabbed him by the throat.
Buckey reached for his sidearm, but Salem told him not to.
"No." she said before looking at Temple, who was struggling to get out of the big man's grip.
"You control him, remember?" she muttered to him
Temple nodded slightly and stared at the man, "Meta...release me...now."
The Meta grunted slightly before releasing Temple, who began to wheeze tremendously.
"You know...some people might actually need their windpipes for something." he muttered
The shorter one then spoke up, "Where am I? Who the hell are you?"
"Gates." Temple said to him, "Issac Gates, codename Felix. Is that correct."
Felix stuttered, "Uh, yes."
"I'm Temple." Temple continued, "I have brought you and the Meta back to...the mortal realm for your assistance."
"What kind of assistance?" Felix asked
"Dealing with the Reds and Blues, obviously."
The Meta growled in anger, while Felix replied for him and the brute, "We're listening."
POV Change: Evernight Castle
The Blues and Reds walked down the halls of Evernight Castle, with Temple and Felix at the front. Trailing in the back was Salem and Cinder.
"So…" Felix began, "They made a deal with this Oz guy and screwed these people over?"
"Big time." Temple replied, "Now we are simply picking up the pieces and assisting them in their campaign. The deal is very simple, we get to kill the Reds and Blues and they get to destroy Beacon and all it stands for."
"So what do we get?" Felix asked, for himself and the Meta
"Well you get to live again, obviously." Temple quipped, "You will be rewarded in the end and given ships to depart anywhere you want."
The Meta growled lightly while Felix nodded, "Ok, we're in."
"Splendid!" Temple replied, "We can now commence our plan!"
"What is your plan exactly Mark?" Salem asked
"Why its simple my dear." Temple explained, "The first part isn't all that difficult. We're just gonna give them a good old slap in the face. They did the same to you during the breach in Vale. The second half is your plan of course, destroy Beacon by attacking the Vytal Festival bla bla bla. I'm still working on the details for that one, but we're getting there."
"So how are we gonna get back at those idiots?" CInder demanded
Temple's gaze tuned to see Mercury watching something on his scroll.
"I have the perfect plan."
POV Change: Beacon Academy
"So you guys aren't leaving for Atlas until tomorrow?" Ozpin asked Donut
"Nope." Donut replied, "Grif accidentally 'tapped the bumper' if ya know what I mean. Repair shouldn't take too long."
"Well that's good to here." said Ozpin before Ironwood took it from there
"I've already informed the council that you'll be going to Atlas soon." the general said to them, "They're eager to hear who you're going to endorse for the Council."
"Trust us." said Donut before leaving, "They're gonna be shocked when we endorse Robyn Hill."
Donut then left the room, leaving Ozpin, Glynda, and Ironwood in the headmaster's office.
"Things are finally going our way." Ironwood sighed with relief, "With Jacques gone, hopefully we can let Vytal Festival run its course nad people can be happy. Right Oz?"
Ozpin didn't answer.
"Professor?" Glynda asked him, which caught his attention
"Uh? RIght. Sorry." Ozpin stuttered
Ironwood looked at him, "Something on your mind? You haven't been yourself since the parents were here the other day. You were even worried when Tucker gave RWBY and JNPR their own armor."
Oz sighed before talking, "How do...both of you feel about the Reds and Blues?"
Ironwood and Glynda looked at him funny, as if he was telling them riddles.
"I don't understand." Glynda replied
"Their personalities." Ozpin further explained, "Their motives. How they're running this war."
Ironwood stood deep in thought before speaking, "Well, I think they're doing what they believe is right. None of the Kingdom's have done reforms since the end of the Great War, mostly du e to the bureaucrats on top. But the people now know what's going on, and I think that's a good thing."
Ozpin nodded slightly while Ironwood continued, "There hasn't been this much positive feeling ever in all of Remnant's history. I've come to suggest that the Reds and Blues have done the impossible. As for their tactics, killing is quite a...gray area for me but its justified."
"I see both of you in them actually." Glynda spoke up, "The Reds and Blues know that they can't fight Salem head on, so they operate in the shadows, like you Professor. But they still fight for justice, they remove the corrupt, the evil, and criminal, and anarchists. Anyone who would or become part of her faction. Kind of what you would do James."
"I guess they all taught us a lesson to say the least." Oz chuckled
"We were both right and wrong Oz." Ironwood assured him, "Let me guess, you think with all the power they have in their hands, they'll just push us out?"
Oz nodded lightly.
"I understand your worry, we all do." Glynda said to him, "But right now, I think we need them more than ever."
Oz nodded again, "You're right. I have now idea what I was thinking."
"Maybe we should talk to them." Ironwood suggested, "Explain our worries about them. Maybe they'll understand."
"Perhaps." Ozpin replied, "But for later."
Just to let everyone know, no Ozpin will not betray the Reds and Blues. He's just having a difficult time dealing with their methods and tactics. He doesn't want to fight a war, yet the Remnant Wars are still being fought by The Coalition, two of his best huntsmen teams are working with the Reds and Blues. Its just a lot on his plate.
Also a message to Combine117, you don't have to eat a sock. :)
See you all in the next chapter!
- ParkertheAceMan42