Constipated Genius: Thank you so much for the kind words. I am glad you've been enjoying my portrayal of events. I can't give away any spoilers…but I hope you enjoy what is shown in the chapters ahead. :D
Jwebb96: That probably was one of my favorite parts to finally go into in this story so far. :)
Lelouch of Zero: It is nice knowing our favorite robot girl is working alongside her father xD. We'll have to wait and see…Ember and Tyrian are hot on their trail…
bookwrym321: I am glad you liked that detail, we know Qrow specified that he recognized a Maiden in the battle, but they never revealed exactly how. I hope this didn't take too long, a thousand apologies if so. XD
Eytan: It is so good to see you with a full account! I hope to never disappoint as I continue…especially with Roland and Yang's story ;)
Amelia: I always felt the same, it's too bad her actual father wasn't even half the man Klein was. It always means so much that you've been enjoying my interactions between Cinder, Ember and the other villains. You are probably right about canon Cinder…good thing we have Ember to help rekindle her repressed humanity! It won't be too long now…Tyrian is quite good at finding what he sets his mind on for his goddess.
And with that…onto the show!
Yang and Pyrrha were lounging on the couch in the living room of her home in Patch during a break between their daily activities. Roland was upstairs dusting while Tai had gone out for news and supplies. They were currently flipping nonchalantly through the various channels still available with the CCT Tower crash, the options were quite limited. They could only seem to find news broadcasts going over the status of the kingdom since the attack.
"And Vale continues to ban all air traffic that does not have a direct correlation with evacuations of Grimm-infested…
Yang clicked the remote.
"Rumors continue to circulate on who was behind the attack on the Vytal Festival. While no one is certain, officials have confirmed that high ranking White Fang member Adam Taurus was…"
*Click*
Pyrrha had claimed the remote, turning off the television upon noticing Yang's eyes widening at mention of the man responsible for maiming her in the fight.
"Yang…" The huntress started with concerned eyes. "If there is anything you want to talk about…"
"There isn't okay," she brushed her off, looking away towards the stairs. "I'm doing okay, you don't have to worry."
"How can you be okay? You lost a piece of yourself; it won't help anyone to just bottle it up. We are here for you, to talk."
The blonde brawler glanced over, sighing heavily after seeing Pyrrha's own leg. There had been no real improvement despite everything. If there was anyone who understood, it was her.
"I have to get used to this," she asserted. "It beats the alternative."
"Alternative?" Pyrrha did not understand.
"Roland…offered to restore my arm," she finally admitted, causing the Mistral champion's eyes to go wide in amazement.
"He can do that?"
Yang nodded weakly. "His semblance is incredible apparently…but if he does, it'll take his arm in return."
Pyrrha's mouth dropped open but no sound came out, she had no idea how to respond to that.
"He offered, that selfless idiot BEGGED me to take his arm without the slightest hesitation, he was…" She sniffled back her welled up tears. "If I don't get used to this, then I might have a weak moment, I NEVER want to make him think that is ever an option. What is with the two of us and liking guys who don't think enough about their own safety?"
Pyrrha allowed a brief smile to flutter across her lips, remembering Jaune's words at his departure.
"Must be a weakness," she let out a single quick laugh.
The soft patter of socks on wood behind them caused the two to quiet down; realizing Roland must be done with his chores upstairs.
"I swear dust accumulates out in the countryside WAY more than the city," they heard him remark, coughing through his words almost for emphasis.
"That's nature for you, dirt everywh…" Yang froze as she spotted the member of Team HERO almost at the bottom of the steps. Her eyes watered again, only this time in restrained laughter.
Roland was wearing a baggy pair of yellow cargo shorts a few sizes too big, a familiar-looking brown vest over a beige dress shirt. Pyrrha looked confused until realizing her source of amusement. In that moment, Roland was dressed nearly head to toe in her father Tai's clothes.
"Wh-what happened?" She stuttered to withhold her guffaws. "D-did Vale start a cloning program I was unaware of?"
Roland raised an eyebrow quizzically at first before realizing where she was staring. His expression dropped into mild embarrassment as he fluffed the vest outward.
"I didn't bring any change of clothes with me!" He rationalized. "I had to ransack a wardrobe, it was either his or yours!"
Yang leaned back, finally releasing her raucous laughter at his defensive statement. Despite his embarrassment, Roland could not have been more pleased to see her so happy even at his expense. Pyrrha realized the shift back to her previous sense of humor and just started giggling, joining her in the merriment.
"Y-you don't have the stomach to pull mine off," she continued to attempt in vain to restrain her laughter. "And I think I'd have to burn them if you tried on my shorts…"
She was laughing so hard; Yang swept her legs sideways, accidentally clipping a nearby lamp. The large vase-like body fell to the ground and shattered into a hundred pieces with a loud crash.
Roland's previous joy crumbled as he saw Yang start to shake, her pupils dilated as before at the sound. In a flash, she scurried back against the couch, her breathing became erratic as she started glancing left and right as if looking for a way out.
"Yang…YANG!" Pyrrha called out, gripping her shoulders securely. "It's okay, we're here, we're both here…"
Yang locked her gaze onto Pyrrha's refusing to look anywhere else. Roland could not have been completely certain, but she seemed to grow more apprehensive when she had briefly glanced at him. Her shakes were only slowly receding.
"Roland," Pyrrha called out, noticing her refusal to look at him. "Perhaps you could prepare lunch, it is getting quite late. I will clean up the mess and sit with her."
"S-sure," he replied, trying to not show how much it hurt that she couldn't even bear to look at him. He headed to the kitchen; Pyrrha knew full well he could barely work a microwave, that had always been his mother's domain. Perhaps he could find some frozen dinners to warm up…
She was doing so well, was it the crash of the lamp that set off the attack?
Roland considered the ramifications, redoubling his resolve to make sure she had all the time needed to get better. He'd just have to start watching out for loud noises, even if sound became his enemy he wouldn't lose.
On the open sea…
"RED ALERT!" The lookout screamed in fear at the colossal Grimm that loomed over their ship. It had not attacked yet, instead choosing to instill fear in all onboard before it struck.
It's almost as big as the dragon…
Klaxon warnings alerted all passengers to seek shelter below decks, crew members sprinted to their battle stations. With Grimm attacks on the rise, such ships were determined to prevent themselves from being easy prey.
Esmerelda drew her blade, immediately extending it to the length of a halberd. To her relief, Sun leapt forward, the shimmer of his staff emerging from beneath the cloak.
He is armed.
The black-haired woman had taken action first, lunging towards the serpent-Grimm. The auburn-haired huntress gasped in surprise as the fighter suddenly duplicated herself, giving her a full look at her identity.
"BLAKE?"
The faunus member of Team RWBY was wearing a long white coat, tight black pants and boots with a midriff-bearing vest. Esmerelda hadn't recognized her at first glance without her bow as it had been removed, allowing her black cat-ears to stand proud and tall. Despite being unaware of the others aboard, she did not hesitated to lodge her Gambol Shroud into the Grimm's neck. Using it as leverage she swung around its body, emptying her clips into its head with seemingly no effect. After realizing the futility of her attacks, she bounced back towards the ship with a graceful landing.
"We have to help her!" Sun shouted, but Esmerelda held him back.
"Wait until the first salvo!" She warned him, well aware of the armaments of the vessel.
"Salvo?"
On cue, an entire line of cannons emerged from port and starboard openings built into the ship. The two covered their ears as the firing line started a concussive barrage towards the enemy. The monster shirked back, still unharmed yet the cannonballs were clearly felt as it pulled away to a safe distance.
"It's on the run!" One of the crew called out in premature celebration.
Once a sufficient distance, the creature reared up high in the air, arching its body with a sickening crunching sound. Within a matter of seconds, an enormous pair of wings sprouted from its back and it took to the sky with a roar, easily avoiding the renewed barrage.
It IS a dragon…
The ship was armed with a dozen light guns on either side and a single heavy cannon atop which had finally been revealed and opened fire. Unfortunately, as a consequence of its larger caliber ammunition, it was slow to aim and fire, giving the sea-dragon more than enough time to avoid its shells which could pop the head off a Goliath. None of the rounds were even coming close against an airborne foe as streamlined and agile as it was.
"How many clones can you make at once?" Esmerelda asked as they ran towards the bow where it was currently encircling.
"Easily? Two."
A pair of magenta-clones of Esmerelda's naginata, Amenonuhoko, shimmered over her head, drifting down into Sun's hands.
"Use them!" She shouted after sprinting past Blake who only then noticed her.
"Ezzy?" She barely had time to comprehend her presence before she felt a weight on her head as another friend from Beacon used her body as a springboard to leap high into the air. "SUN?"
Esmerelda jumped high, though not enough to reach the airborne enemy. Once at the apex of her leap, a new weapon appeared, grasping it tightly, the gravity-defying blade dragged her towards the dragon. It swiped its massive tail towards her which she dodged despite feeling the force of the winds as it rushed by, finally landing atop its spine. With a grunt of effort she buried her weapon into its back to secure her position, using her real blade to slash repeatedly at its thick scales.
While the young woman had it distracted, Sun took action, clasping his hands together with a grin; a pair of light-clones burst to life and followed his path slamming into the Grimm's forehead. Both clones claimed a single naginata copy and lodged them into the snout of the dragon, causing it to shake furiously in pain. Even after Sun's clones dispersed, the long bladed polearms remained securely within.
The Grimm roared in anger, opening its maw as a powerful crackle of energy formed within. With an exhalation, a beam of pure electricity burst forth in a vain attempt to hit the monkey-faunus currently riding it. The blast scored a hit on the side of the vessel, obliterating the entire starboard line of light cannons as it cut across the surface.
Blake continued to fire her weapon towards the flying Grimm, screaming in her head why the two of them were on the ship. Angered, the sea-serpent performed a barrel roll, ripping Esmerelda from its back and depositing her back on the boat as she crash landed next to her faunus friend.
"Hi Blake, what are the odds?"
"What are you two doing here?" She shouted in frustration.
"Oh, you know…" Sun replied casually far in the distance despite being in the process of holding on for dear life while riding the bucking sea-dragon. "Just uh…hanging ooouuuut!"
"You look good, not now, later," Esmerelda hurriedly replied. "We need to go for the weak points, wings, eyes, perhaps even the…"
As she formulated a plan of attack, the colossus snuffed a burst of electricity through its snout, causing Sun to lose his grip. With a flex of its wings, the young huntsman was sent hurtling towards the nearby rock formations. Blake did not hesitate, using her weapon's cord to slingshot towards him, barely catching Sun before he would have crashed into the rocks below.
"My hero!" He gushed, flicking a hand off his chest as if he were a blushing damsel in distress.
"You're not supposed to be here!" She was livid with him, yet a hint of concern for how close he had come to injury hid behind it.
"Yeah?" He countered while still in her arms, sticking his face close. "Well, it looks like you could use all the help you can get. Three on one are better odds!"
In the distance they could see Esmerelda bouncing around the ship, dodging swooping attacks from the beast while trying to keep pace. Blake sighed heavily in defeat as she unceremoniously dropped Sun to the ground. "Just shut up and fight!" With that final word she rushed back to the ship.
"Yes ma'am!" The leader of Team SSSN replied while casually lying out across the flat surface as if he were posing for one of Horatio's portraits.
A few moments earlier…
Esmerelda watched Blake spring off towards Sun's rescue, the Grimm ignoring her as it focused on the ship, opening its maw wide. Terror slowly etched itself into her features as she realized the buildup of electricity within…aimed squarely at the bridge. It continued weaving around so quickly no further cannon fire could land a hit. Team HERO's lancer leapt high, summoning eight clones instantly as a beam of pure energy burst forth from its mouth. She quickly formed the copies together, commanding them to spin rapidly until each individual one could not be made out by the naked eye. She rotated them into a wall as she had done at the docks of Vale so long ago…
I miss Roland's shield.
The blast of electricity impacted her barrier, splitting the beam around her and shattering two copies. A few rays cut into the hull, however most were thankfully redirected harmlessly into the sea. Sparing one of her extra blades, she commanded it to break off and fly straight for the sea-dragon while it was stationary and focused on her. The javelin found its, mark, piercing the left eye.
The beam cut out in synch with the roar of pain, enraged the serpent dove for her, forcing her to leap from the roof, barely scraping over a claw. It was fast for its size; she barely had time to stab another magenta clone into its back where the wings emerged. As she landed, it readied another blast, she couldn't recover in time.
A split second before she would have been hit, he was there, Sun emerged before her, twirling his staff expertly. It was too fast to tell, but it looked like he succeeded in scattering the energy harmlessly into the deck all with that lovable goofy grin as if it'd taken no effort at all. Blake dropped down beside him.
"Huntsman! Huntresses!" The Captain called out behind them. "If you can clip its wings and draw it out towards the bow, we can take it!"
Sun looked back towards the huntresses, shrugging his shoulders.
"Well…you two have the swords."
The winged serpent did not give time to coordinate, enraged by the loss of its eye and the instrument responsible continuing to send surges of pain within, it swooped down. The three jumped again, Blake risking a sprint along the length of its body to shred its left wing while Sun cracked the Grimm hard in the snout with his staff, using the momentum to propel himself to safety as its head dented the bow of the ship.
A clawed hand found Esmerelda, locking her in its grips like a vice. Her aura sputtered under the pressure, it was so strong. Fire burned in her gut even through her flickering defenses; with a growl of defiance she wedged her real blade along with a half dozen others into its wrist. Between the pain of its clipped wing and slashed arm, the sea-dragon released her, causing Esmerelda to slump to the deck weakly. She did not get back up.
Meanwhile, Blake had leapt from the tail upon completing her run just it flicked to the side, throwing her towards the nearby boulders. She prepared and braced herself for a rough landing.
Her impact never happened as the ever present monkey-faunus appeared out of nowhere, catching her in his arms in an identical fashion to how she had done for him not long before. He was still smiling.
"This is the part where you say it," he remarked, tilting his head upward as if to await her reply. Blake could only groan at his enthusiasm though could not resist the hint of red rising to her cheeks.
Before she could reply, the rocks started to cave out beneath them as the dragon slammed into it full force. It had abandoned the defeated quarry on the ship, now seeking retribution for its lost wing leaving it waterlogged.
"Maybe later!" Sun cried as the two scattered, jumping to every outcropping and land mass they could find in a mad dash to avoid its teeth.
No matter where they jumped, dove or hid, the immense Grimm stayed on them, destroying all in its path. Sun leapt a moment too slow, nearly being devoured were it not for Blake swinging in to save him at the last moment. They did not remain safe, however as Blake's line grew taught, swaying them to a stop just as the dragon got a bead on them, opening its maw to fire…
Suddenly, the Grimm jerked downward in an awkward fashion as if being dragged. The change in direction caused its devastating beam to miss the helpless faunus and disperse harmlessly into the sea a split second before the cruise ship slammed into it at full speed pinning it to the rock.
Esmerelda was kneeling upon the prow, hands raised with a vein throbbing in her forehead as if under incredible stress. She had reached out to the numerous copies of her weapon still lodged within the Grimm. Using all her strength she had pulled them harshly, succeeding in adjusting the serpent's aim if ever so slightly and was currently holding it in place at great effort.
"FIRE!" She heard the captain shout from the shattered windows of the bridge.
The heavy cannon erupted, the shot so close Esmerelda could hear ringing in her ears, but the pain was worth it. The shell exploded, blasting even the dragon's head apart above its claws, leaving the decapitated body to slump into the water as it disintegrated into a great plume of black smoke. Esmerelda finally released her hold, allowing her copies to disperse as she collapsed to the deck exhausted. It was over.
Over on the rocks, Sun cheered, completely oblivious to Blake's look of annoyance and anger at his presence now that she had a moment to relax.
"Alright!" Sun cheered as he raised his hand high expecting her to reciprocate the gesture. "Up top!"
Blake turned on him; she was absolutely fuming as she raised her hand. Sun realized too late it was aimed as his cheek rather than the outstretched hand.
*SMACK!*
Shion Village…
Dead…everyone was dead.
Ember and Tyrian had finally reached the village of Shion, it appeared the word of bandit trouble had been accurate. The devastation was clearly the work of a combination of human greed and Grimm ferocity. Ember checked the pulses of the first dozen they found, but realized soon enough it was pointless. He could not help but stare at the destroyed sentry tower, scorched black from an incredible weapon. Tyrian on the other hand appeared to be absolutely entranced by the carnage around them, his near-manic expression of fascination never fading.
"Do you want…to ask one of them for directions?" He giggled in an unsettling manner.
"If you can find one who can speak," Ember replied quietly, closing the lids of a woman who had died running, her eyes wide open in fear. She had been slashed in the back by a bladed weapon; no Grimm claws could have made the wound. "Someone was here recently though."
"And here I thought I was the tracker," Tyrian looked almost insulted until he noticed his armored companion pointing ahead.
Near the center of town there was a small unmarked stone acting as a grave marker, the ground recently disturbed around it. No doubt remained that a body had been buried beneath.
"Hmmm, yes," Tyrian almost scurried over, looking at the grave with a calculating gaze. "Done by the attackers? No, no if they had that conscience they wouldn't be here or would have done it for everyone…"
Ember looked away in disgust as his eccentric companion began to dig up the grave with his bare hands, enough to get a look at the body within. He immediately broke out into laughter.
"A huntsman!" He continued to cackle. "Of course, of course, someone came by but was in a hurry so they made a bit of time to spare burying one of their own. And look, they were even kind enough to leave us some bread crumbs."
Tyrian referred to the scuffled footprints no doubt belonging to the ones responsible for the impromptu grave. They were all over the place around the grave, yet became clearer the further they got leading away from Shion.
Ember's nose caught a strong scent; leaning closer to the unmarked rock used as the tombstone he took a whiff.
Alcohol? A bit of drink for the dead? He briefly considered they may be following a group other than Ruby's unless one of them picked up a bad habit since Beacon. Nevertheless, it was their only lead.
"See, I told ya they'd send more."
Salem's trackers turned at the words, behind them a dozen ragged-looking men and women in various casual clothes started surrounding them. They were all armed with simplistic weapons ranging from machetes to pistols. Only their leader appeared to have a weapon of any note.
"Oooooo, what a development," Tyrian sneered though managed to maintain a modicum of self-control, standing up with a stretch of his shoulders. "I presume you were responsible for the party?"
"Our tribe does good work," the largest in the front answered. "The Grimm moved in a little too quick for my taste, didn't get a good look at everything there was to see."
"So you came back," Ember clenched his armored hands in anger. "For seconds?"
"And thirds and fourths until they stop sending huntsman for easy pickings."
"Uh, sir," a blonde woman behind him wielding an antique shotgun muttered. "He looks tougher than the last ones."
"Bah, he's all bluster in that tin can," the lead bandit assured her and the others. "Surround and tire him out, the other looks a few marbles short of the set."
Well, technically he's not wrong…
"You were oddly courteous with him," Ember motioned to the grave.
"Not our work."
"Another group of Huntresses?" Tyrian's face lit up at the source of information that had walked into his clutches. "Perhaps a delicate little one in red?" The bandits stared blankly without replying.
"Tell us who came through here," Ember started. "And we'll let you leave."
The collected group started to laugh at the surrounded travelers. None save the first woman seemed to be worried of Tyrian's unsettling gaze, Ember's armored form or the black tube he carried on his back as tall as he was.
"That armor looks nice, dibs on the helmet," the leader called as he pointed his rifle and fired.
Ember did not move in the slightest, the weapon was a high-bore firearm capable of punching holes through an Atlesian Knight. The shot rang off a shoulder, ricocheting harmlessly into a nearby wall. He didn't even have to use his semblance, so thick was the armor provided by the good professor. The bandits finally showed some sign of worry at the complete ineffectiveness of the attack. Tyrian was reveling in their growing fear, barely containing himself.
These are the ones…they doomed this village. Humanity has enough to worry about with the Grimm, yet there are still those like this who prey on their own. Monsters come in many forms.
Ember's mood darkened at those thoughts, his Maiden would have been proud. He glanced back at Tyrian, his visage still hidden behind the imposing black helm.
"We need them to talk, do hold back won't you?"
With only a slight frown of disappointment the man shot off to the side faster than could be followed though half the bandits attempted to with their guns. At the same time, Ember lowered the hefty cylinder on his back to the ground, he wouldn't need it yet. The outlaws opened fire at the speedy hunter, their bullets not even coming close to touching him.
As they were distracted, Ember started running towards them at a full sprint. Three of their sword-wielders ran up to bar his path, swinging their blades towards his arm and shoulder joints. Clearly they were used to fighting armored opponents. Looks of shock and fear spread across their faces as, despite striking the supposed weakest part of his ensemble, their poor-quality weapons shattered into fragments that rained across the stonework. Horatio reached over, grabbing one with each hand and slamming their heads together. They slumped to the ground and did not get up. The last had no time to move before the armored knight seized his collar with a wound up fist waiting.
It just doesn't feel right fighting humans, they barely have any aura.
"K-kill him!" The leader shouted again, firing three more rounds, each one just as unsuccessful at piercing his suit as the last. "I said k…"
Only then did he realize his band was being picked apart behind him. Already two were lodged through the sides of buildings, three were flat on the ground and the last few were frantically trying to follow the swift attacker, barely able to keep from aiming at each other as he circled them like a predator toying with its meal. They did not last more than a few additional seconds.
Turning back, he realized too late that the knight had slipped into melee range. He pulled the trigger once more which struck the helm point blank. It left a smudge mark and nothing more, Ember having used a hint of his semblance to minimize the damage. Gripping the barrel of his gun, he snapped it with a single swift motion.
She was right, with how heavy this metal is I have kinetic energy to spare on command. I'll have to thank her for that again when I get back. Maybe I can find some tulips along the way, she hasn't gotten to leave Salem's realm in so long after all.
"Now," Ember's dark eyes shadowed by the helmet looked into the terrified tear-filled raider who in that moment was regretting all the decisions which led to this moment. "I believe you were telling us about a group that came through here first…"
Mistral Farm…
Oscar yawned as quietly as he could from his hiding place. He had hollowed out an especially large patch of hay near the barn to lie in wait for the chicken thief to make their move again. He had been waiting every night since the last incident but so far it had been all quiet. If it went on, his aunt would be sure to notice the bags under his eyes despite her constant pining for the return of the knight from the other day.
Maybe it was just an animal or lone highwayman too afraid to come near the house, he thought as the night droned on. After all, the opening was big enough for a human hand to reach in, or…
Big enough for many types of smaller Grimm that rely on stealth over size or numbers…such as the rapier wasps, fox hounds or…
Oscar shot up, shaking his head. Where had that come from? The idea that it must have surely been one of a dozen different species of Grimm had just popped into his mind. He couldn't even name two kinds to save his life most days.
A loud bell chime snapped him back to the present, his trap had been sprung! Oscar shot out of his shelter, pitchfork in hand as he raced to the coop.
He arrived to find the clamp he had set over the hole broken on the ground; whoever or whatever it was had freed itself. He had placed a fake chicken of feathers and glue in the opening and all were thankfully accounted for. Nonetheless, a trail of green paint he had set in the opening led away to the woods. The path was made up of splotches with no obvious track or footprint, perhaps the sneak was only partially marked.
I have to stop it, Oscar told himself, gripping his makeshift weapon tighter as he raced after the trail. If the trap hurt them then there was a chance he could catch up to it and ensure their farm was protected.
It would be best to wait for sunrise, when it is…
Oscar ignored the back of his mind; if he waited it would get away and hide for another week or two before coming back. If it wasn't planning to go away, it had to be dealt with immediately. In the dark it was difficult to see but the young farmhand kept vigilant, looking over every bush and threatening shadow as he followed the trail. After several tense minutes he found a larger puddle than the rest as if the thief had stopped for a time and it had coalesced. There was no sign of it or any additional tracks, the trail had gone cold.
"Ah nuts," Oscar sighed, kicking a nearby patch of tall grass. He had put so much time and work into this trap, for it to have failed so completely…
ABOVE YOU!
Oscar looked up at the loud thought in his head, barely catching sight of something small and black dropping from the branches above. He barely had time to stumble forwards, dodging it by a hair's breadth. He could feel a trickle of blood from the shallow cut across the side of his face.
It was relatively small, barely two feet long like some sort of rodent. It vaguely resembled a mongoose with black fur and burning yellowish-red eyes. It was clearly a Grimm but Oscar did not recognize the species.
A Herpesta!
Apparently Oscar did recognize it; he must have seen it in a book somewhere. While small, the Grimm had its teeth bared, face locked in a menacing snarl that sent waves of cold through Oscar. He had never faced a Grimm before. He jabbed at it with his makeshift weapon again and again clumsily, the monster aptly bending and dodging each attempt with ease.
It will try to feint in order to draw out an opening, do not fall for it.
Sure enough, the Mongoose-Grimm hissed, moving forward as if to strike, had it not been for the words in the back of his mind the young boy would have flinched. Instead, something compelled him to hold his ground, causing the Grimm to pull back, disappointed at the lack of movement. It scurried around him; impossibly fast for its size. Oscar could scarcely follow it.
The stalking beast leapt after nearly getting out of sight, Oscar barely had time to swing his pitchfork before its teeth found his neck. The fangs bit through the wood, decapitating the head of his instrument and leaving him standing there holding little more than a wooden stick. The terrified young man fell backwards, collapsing to the ground.
He was completely open; the Grimm struck, leaping for his helpless prey once more.
Oscar's arm moved on its own, sliding the handle until he was holding the tip almost like a sword. In the blink of an eye, he thrust it outward expertly as if he'd done it a hundred times. His arm moved so fast, before the Grimm even neared him, he had jabbed it a dozen times…two dozen? The force of the attack cracked his wooden handle, splintering it while blasting back his opponent, slamming it into the oak behind it with a sickening crunch. Thankfully, the Grimm started smoking, disintegrating into the air at last.
The young farmhand just sat there panting heavily, his arm was killing him, he'd never practiced anything like that, it was like…
Instinct?
"Yea, that," he almost answered the thought in his head. "My aunt will be furious at what I did, but I got it! She is going to be so proud of me!"
Well, proud of us, but you did quite well considering your complete lack of training…
Oscar froze, only then realizing the voice in his head was separate from his own thoughts, speaking of one thing while he was trying to focus on another. He suddenly became fearful, scrambling towards a puddle of water nearby caused by the evening's rainstorm. With a pounding heart and sweaty hands he peered into the rippling depths.
He saw a face but it was not his own, it looked like an old man with glasses and all white hair. He was wearing a smile as if to try and placate the boy's fears despite the ridiculous situation he now found himself in.
"Hello, my name is Professor Ozpi…"
"AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"
Patch…
Yang had kept herself busy since calming down with chores. It was dreary, normally the last thing she'd ever want to be doing but at the moment, it was all she could bring herself to do. After sweeping the outside porch she had collected the mail of what few local letters could arrive on a small island like Patch. She sighed disappointedly as if she had actually expected correspondences from one of her teammates or someone else she had known from Beacon.
Pyrrha was out back in the shed, rummaging around with some project she had been working on. Yang couldn't imagine what she could be doing, other than Bumblebee and a few spare parts the equipment inside had no materials to work on. She didn't know where Roland had gotten off to after preparing the reheated meal that had awaited her.
Yang had decided to do the dishes next, it was difficult with only a single arm but she found a way. They wouldn't be as clean as she could get them before, but such details didn't really matter to her. With a dull expression she continued her task, trying to finish up so she could sit down.
Roland looked like him again, she sighed, the feeling of guilt washing over her again.
She couldn't help it, when she heard that lamp fall she was back at Beacon…facing him. Why her wounded psyche chose Roland to personify the one responsible for her dismemberment she couldn't even begin to guess. Hesitantly, she glanced where her right arm used to be, currently obscured by her sleeve tied up tight to hide it. Despite all he had done for her, she didn't think she could see him again, not yet.
It was that sense of lethargy that caused her fingers to slip, releasing the glass to clank off the side of the sink towards the floor. Her eyes widened at her mistake as it neared the floor with no hope to reach it in time.
A flash of yellow entered her field of view as a shape flew past, catching the glass before it could hit the ground. Roland had dove out of nowhere, fingers gripping the drinking instrument and cradling it safely. He could not stop himself and slid into the nearby cupboard, somehow ending upside down with his head spinning.
"Roland?" She gasped, realizing who it was; in that moment her concern overrode any fear. "Are you alright?"
"Never better," he groaned, clearly in pain at his unexpected swan dive. "Photo finish," he produced the pristine glass and held it aloft awkwardly like a prize. "I think you cleaned up before a little TOO well," he rationalized upon stumbling to his feet, cracking his back several times for good measure. "It really mopped the floor with me."
Yang couldn't help herself, his previously upside down state, hair tussled and wet, yet a goofy grin still present on his face caused a soft chuckle to escape her lips. The second time she had laughed that day.
And it's from him…it always seems to be…
He held the cup out to her, it was the last dish she hadn't finished cleaning. Already a large pile of sopping wet plates, bowels and other utensils had accumulated as she washed.
"Maybe…I could help dry them off?"
Yang didn't answer, reaching out to take the glass, her fingers brushing against his as she gripped the cold mug. The same thought ran through both their minds in that moment.
When was the last time we just held hands?
On the open sea…
"Oh thank you huntress…thank you!"
A group of passengers had approached the three after the battle once the commotion had died down and night fell. They could not help thanking them over and over again all the while asking if such an attack could occur again. Esmerelda assured them it was just their duty and that they would be safe the remainder of the voyage. Sun and Blake broke off while she finished the discussions and were having a heated argument of their own.
"I'm not going anywhere near the White Fang," Blake admitted as Esmerelda finally rejoined them. "Not yet."
"Seriously?" Sun seemed so confused.
"I…need to sort things out."
"Then why not do it with your team…your friends?" He stressed, throwing his arms up for emphasis.
"The others were going through so much after the fall," Esmerelda finally interjected. "I saw them at Patch, they were…"
"You two are ones to talk!" Blake snapped at them, first glaring at Sun. "Assuming Scarlet, Neptune and Sage aren't hiding below deck! And you, what about Roland and Olivia? How could you leave them after…after the tower!?"
"Well," Sun started first. "Do you really think we could have tricked Neptune onto a second boat? We sort of blew that chance heading to Vale for the festival. They opted to fly back to Mistral; I'll catch up with them."
"I said my goodbyes at Patch," Esmerelda threw back at her. "They KNOW I am out here fighting. Does anyone on your team know what you are doing at all? Where are you even heading?"
"…Home, to Menagerie."
Esmerelda's harsh expression softened at her answer, she couldn't bear to do anything but tell as much of the truth as she could.
"…Me too."
"You grew up in Menagerie?" Sun asked, greatly confused. "But you're a…you know…human."
"Only a few years," she admitted. "When the White Fang movement started becoming more…violent, my family moved me to the mainland. I couldn't have been more than ten or eleven at most."
"But the island is so small, how did we never meet?"
"My grandmother was…very overprotective," Esmerelda explained to Blake, growing hesitant to continue. "I didn't go out very much. I wanted to see how she was doing."
I don't recall any humans living on Menagerie, Blake pondered, trying to think of who her grandmother could be. But no point in shattering her hopes en route…
"Don't think you two are going alone!" Sun added once there was a long enough pause. "The Grimm are getting worse, that much is obvious. "And just because you aren't going after the White Fang doesn't mean they won't be after you. What kind of guy would I be if I let two beautiful ladies go it alone? And besides…I'm kind of already on the boat.
Esmerelda let a chuckle slip as she just shook her head. What was it about Sun that allowed him to stay so positive despite everything happening around them?
"Also Blake," he continued. "I always thought you looked WAY better without the bow…"
Salem's Domain…
Cinder groaned in pain as the feeling of insects moving through her left arm intensified, a combination of her scarred throat and drive to never show weakness being the only things preventing her from crying out. She struggled to bring it back under control while her arm sought to command itself as if having a mind of its own.
"Don't fight it girl," Salem quietly instructed. They were within her council chamber, her master in black having summoned her for further treatment. Mercury and Emerald were standing at the entrance as guards. Despite Ember's request, there was nothing they could do to ease Cinder's trials; one wrong word to Salem could be the end of them.
The pale figure had her hand outstretched towards the Fall Maiden, the crawling sensation growing worse as she curled her fingers. Salem was working to acclimate Cinder's new addition to her body and it grew harder to control with each session.
But it's also growing stronger; every time I master it I can feel the power swell. This pain is nothing, I will conquer it and nothing will stop me…
"It can sense your trepidation; you must make it…dread you."
Cinder focused harder, demanding obedience from the rebellious appendage. Each time it pushed back, causing spikes of pain with every attempt at subjugation.
"You were making such progress the other day," Salem's remark bit deep while she strove to strengthen her Maiden. "Whatever could have changed since then?"
Cinder looked away, acting as if the strain of wrestling for control over the arm prevented her from looking Salem in the eyes. It had been cooperating perfectly before…
What changed?
Before Ember had left and they shared their farewell on the terrace, the arm had been completely subservient. She remembered the burning thoughts in the back of her mind, threatening that if it did anything to ruin their moment together she would tear it off and…
Almost instantly as the thoughts reentered her mind, the arm's defiant twitching ceased. She had full control over it once more.
"Ah, excellent," Salem complimented as she sensed her creation withdrawing at the imposing nature of Cinder's presence, though her scowl returned somewhat as she saw Cinder's eye. The slightest change that would have gone unnoticed by any who did not know her heart and soul, she had used thoughts of him to do it. "You cannot keep relying on that boy young one," she warned in a tone akin to a mother cautioning her daughter over her first crush. "As…pleasing as I am sure his presence is, do not forget he is still but a tool."
Cinder gritted her teeth, attempting to feign it was due to the pain that had already faded; otherwise Salem may have taken offense to the disapproving look at her harsh words. Before they could continue, a familiar clicking sound could be heard from the entrance.
A seer, the same that had summoned her to the meeting floated inside, spiked tentacles hovering alongside in a deceptively calm manner. Everyone knew better, even Emerald and Mercury took a step back, eyes wide in restrained fear at what they knew the Grimm was capable of. An ominous yellow light pulsated within its depths; none in the chamber save Salem knew where such a creature had come from. The strange, unsettling clicking noise was the only sound it produced as it made its way over to the table, coming to a stop between Cinder and Salem. The figure in black stared into the light, narrowing her eyes as if annoyed at what she saw within. Suddenly relaxing, she leaned forward to rest her chin on pale hands, the dagger-like gaze bored into Cinder's.
"Cinder, I'm going to ask you this one more time and I expect a CLEAR answer. Did you…kill Ozpin?"
Cinder hesitated at the suspicious question. Turning towards the door, she raised a hand to beckon Emerald to approach and speak for her.
"NO!" Salem boomed, slamming her hands onto the table as her eyes flared red. Emerald jumped and shirked back to the door, only Cinder remained unmoved by her master's show of anger. "I want to hear YOU say it…and none of that sign language you've been wasting your time learning."
Cinder's face softened, clearly straining to work her vocal cords long out of practice. The slightest attempt to speak caused incredible pain, after several seconds she finally forced out a single word at great effort.
"Y-yes."
Salem's stare did not waver, after several seconds she appeared to accept the answer yet immediately had another question.
"And our dear Ember, has he confided in you? Have you learned the secret behind his strength?"
A look of hesitation and concern flashed across Cinder's face for a moment, praying that Salem did not catch it. Unlike the first query, she answered as quickly as her injuries would allow.
"…No."
"Hmmm, that is…a pity. You must be losing your touch young one," Salem sighed in a clearly disappointed manner. "Come forward girl."
She was referring to Emerald who upon realizing she had become the focus of her attention slowly shuffled forward, a little faster once she saw a subtle head nod from Cinder. She stood as close as she could without getting near the seer still floating between.
"You worked…closely with the lad while Cinder was incapacitated. Did he reveal anything to you?"
"N-no," Emerald stuttered, glancing awkwardly between Salem and Cinder. "H-he never brought up his powers or fighting, we just…talked."
"What about? Do be detailed girl; anything could be a clue…"
Months ago…
Cinder still slept, not having woken since the battle. Emerald had not needed to use her powers since the first time as the Maiden's dreams appeared calm and eventless. Mercury served ever to watch and warn should others encroach while Emerald had chosen a more personal position, watching over the woman who had saved her, and he was there too.
Horatio leaned back on the chair, small book in-hand. She had memorized that little book a dozen times over as he continued to read, finish and repeat. Without any other reading material available, save what Salem hoarded, there were few other options. Trays of eaten food rested in front of them, the aptly-named thief had foregone leaving the room for any reason since she had arrived at the keep. It was admirable, but she wouldn't even leave to eat anything. Horatio had taken up the duty, ensuring there was both food on hand for when Cinder awoke and for the girl who refused to leave her side. He was hoping she was warming up to his cooking as it was all she had eaten in days.
"…One of light, one of dark, while they worked together to create humanity it was ever the goal of the dark's creatures of Grimm to destroy them. The reason for this dichotomy has not yet been explained by…"
"MUST you keep going on and on?" Emerald snapped. She had just lost another round of Solitaire and the continued lack of improvement was grating on her.
"Until I have more to read, yes," Horatio replied obstinately. "You said no conversations and no talking to myself…it's either this book or silence."
"Then pick silence."
Horatio finally snapped the book shut, leaning forward in defiance of her commands. She wasn't the only one growing frustrated with the situation. He tried to be cordial despite everything, but he had had enough.
"How about conversation then, you know just about everything about me right?" He was certain Cinder had shared their conversations together or she'd simply watched him. "What about you? How did you meet Cinder?"
"Why don't you ask Mercury his life story?"
"I did, he was just as vague and according to him it was a short tale. But I am asking you YOUR story."
"Back off," Emerald threateningly locked her cold, unblinking expression onto him.
"Unlike Mercury, you're more than just following orders. Helping her like this, your paranoia over me plotting something…it screams admiration and real devotion."
"I could just be trying to keep my boss alive? You ever think about that?"
"I did," he refused to look away. "But then I wondered why you made me think Cinder jumped off a cliff last year."
Emerald's eyes widened at the memory, Horatio caught it instantly as he had not been truly certain until that moment it was her.
"I knew it! I thought I was going insane then, but it was your semblance wasn't it? It drove me nuts trying to figure it out, why would you make me think she had jumped…and then it hit me."
"I said," she growled. "Back…"
"You were testing me, to see if I would leap off after her."
Emerald jumped to her feet, her hand swinging across the air to slap his cheek. Horatio raised his hand, catching her at the wrist. Despite now holding her in his vice-like grip, he felt a sharp sting on his face. His own semblance took effect, causing her blow to not stagger him in the slightest. He knew full well he was not really holding her and it was all part of her own semblance making him see what she wanted, yet he did not falter.
"We both love her," he whispered low in case of prying ears. "So I just want to know what drew you to her, you know me…I want to know you."
"You want to know me?" Emerald looked enraged, it was the first time he realized her crimson eyes were so similar to his own. "I had nothing, living on the streets without a lien to my name, not knowing if I would find or steal enough food to make it through the day! You grew up in your safe little bubble, even after your family died you were protected…I didn't have that luxury!"
Horatio's eyes saddened and his grip loosened at her words which only seemed to cause her rage to bubble higher.
"You want know why I follow her? Why I make sure ANYONE who gets near her is worthy to be there? It's because I owe Cinder EVERYTHING, she has worked so hard to get what she wants and I won't let ANYONE hold her back or get in her way…satisfied?"
Horatio released the illusion of Emerald he was holding, taking a step back.
"I'm sorry, though I hope by now you believe that I only want to keep her safe, her and those important to her." Emerald just stared him down, it was clear she did not yet.
"It's going to take more than kind words to prove that, when I see it I'll believe it."
"You mean like bringing Cinder here for medical attention? When I could have gone anywhere else?"
"Then why didn't you?"
Horatio gritted his teeth, fist clenched which was noticed by Emerald. "Because after what she did and how bad her wounds were, I couldn't risk someone saying no to helping her…not even the CHANCE of it. She never would have survived..."
His thoughts fell to his friends, Esmerelda, Roland, Olivia…Ruby…everyone at Beacon, the look of anger in Jaune and concern on Ruby's face. After what Cinder did, he could not take the risk despite how much he'd wanted to…how badly he'd wanted to.
He held no anger towards Ruby for what she did; he'd stepped in front of the shot after all. Despite that, he could not help but feel a cold sweat forming on his brow at the memory. Cradled in Cinder's arms on the tower, silver light burning the left half of her body yet she stood strong, had she moved the light would have reached him too. And then he saw it, Ruby…with those terrifying eyes…
Everyone, I'm sorry, I guess I wasn't much of a team leader.
Emerald's features softened somewhat, clearly not having considered that before saying her peace. She almost looked regretful.
"If that is true…"
A soft groan interrupted them; a sound the two had awaited for so had interrupted their harsh words. On the bed, Cinder's lone remaining eye fluttered open, her mouth flopping open and closed in a vain attempt at sound.
"Cinder!" Horatio and Emerald called simultaneously, overjoyed that she was awake though afraid to embrace or touch her for fear of exacerbating her injuries. Their argument was long forgotten.
Cinder had no strength and could not get up with barely enough energy to move her head back and forth to tell who stood over her. To Emerald's disappointment, her gaze lingered on Horatio a few moments longer though she could not tell if it was due to contentment or surprise at his presence. Regardless, they did not need words to tell what her face was screaming at them.
"Keep it down, I am trying to rest."
Present…
"I see," Salem nodded once the tale was complete. "The boy seems to have a talent for drawing others close to him, perhaps in time he will become one of my emissaries." Sitting up straighter, she crossed her hands over one another politely before turning back to the seer. "Reinforce our numbers at Beacon, the relic IS there."
The seer bobbed slightly before turning to float back out of the room, Mercury and Emerald made sure to give it a wide berth. Cinder turned back to Salem, noticing she was scratching her chin, seemingly ignoring her as she looked uncharacteristically confused.
"What are you planning?" She muttered into the night, her machinations were going so well…it would be a shame for an unknown to throw a cog into them.
Separated from one another in their trials, yet with friends ever in their thoughts, our heroes push forward. The members of Team HERO continue their struggles across Remnant. As always, Read and Review…but most of all Enjoy! :D