Not Even Aura Can Heal All Wounds
By wildstraydog
Chapter fourteen: Industrial Bloody Evolution
Beta: Super Saiyan Cyndaquil
I'm proud of myself for consistently delivering new chapters of my other new story, which will continue as I try to find time to restructure The Victim. RWBY vol.5 is coming out and I'm so hyped, it's always invigorating in a creative sense when new episodes come out. The Heat has about two arcs left before its completed, so that will be the next story I actually complete, and then onto a new one!
By the time they made it back to the village the sky took on an orange tint, the sun descending behind the large mountains that overlooked the region. Like clockwork patrons swarmed the inn and indulged their hard work into the bottle, the waitresses rushing back and forth with swaths of food on their plates. Jaune enjoyed the laid back atmosphere it presented, a snapshot of how regular people went about their lives regardless of the Grimm threat that lurked over the walls.
Professor Goodwitch led them pass the noise and into the back of the inn courtesy of Natsuhiko. She demanded they have privacy, which he was happy to deliver after a swift kick to his lower parts. Since his adoptive mother looked at the emblem Blake picked up in the forest she was distressed, remaining silent toward most of their questions. Whatever Merlot Industries represented, it was enough to put Professor Goodwitch at unease.
The sense of the unknown somewhat frightened him.
"Alright children, I need you to sit down, you're about to receive a brief history lesson." No one challenged the order, finding seats in the ragged meeting room that Natsuhiko lent them.
"Is this about Merlot Industries?" Blake asked.
Professor Goodwitch nodded. "Yes, it was a company years ago that you might not be familiar with." She pulled out a flat device and projected an image onto the wall.
A dossier on a Doctor Merlot pixelated on the wall, many of the lines in the columns redacted with black ink. The profile was blurry, yet his face was clear enough to discern. He looked to be an old man in his sixties with messy gray hair that matched the color of his beard and long mustache. A high collared gray jacket hid the red shirt underneath, but what made him stand out to Jaune, was the glowing red eye. He didn't know this man but it gave him an unhuman-like presence.
"This is Doctor Merlot," Professor Goodwitch stated. "He was the founder of Merlot Industries and a distinguished scientist when Mountain Glenn was made into a settlement." Jaune perked up at the name, remembering something in his textbook a few years back about a mountain.
"Mountain Glenn was a failed settlement correct?" Blake asked, her eyes focusing on Dr. Merlot.
"That is correct, it was an expansion in the southeast of Vale. The kingdom wanted to reach beyond the walls and boasted a detailed transportation system below the planned territory... yet that didn't stop the Grimm from invading. The incursions were light, but eventually Mountain Glenn was overwhelmed, and people were forced to evacuate." Professor Goodwitch's expression turned sympathetic.
"So, everyone got away, right?" Jaune asked with hesitance.
Professor Goodwitch paused. "No, most of the survivors evacuated into the tunnels until help could arrive from the Vale military. Overnight the Grimm swooped in and killed most of the people." Jaune blanched at the reveal - so many people cut down for nothing.
"I'm familiar with Dr. Merlot," Weiss revealed. "My father use to do business with him until the company went under – but how is he connected to this story?" Professor Goodwitch let out a sigh and turned off the projection.
"Listen to me children, what I'm about to tell you classified. Against my better judgment and without Headmaster Ozpin's permission, I choose to tell you this because of what you observed in the forest." Classified information? This was getting to be too much for him.
"Wait, really, that's awesome!" Ruby and Yang both chimed in.
Jaune chuckled at their enthusiasm yet faltered at learning anything beyond his scope. Since their fight with that strange girl, he was shaken, almost in awe of her strange power. This... wasn't what he signed up for, not saving the world from mysterious forces. Yes he wanted to save people's lives, and if he could fight to do it by all means, but he wasn't a hero, not like Blake and the others. Maybe it made him sound hypocritical in the end, wanting strength and not using it when it really mattered. Still, he was years behind them.
"Girls this is no laughing matter. You're already making me reconsider my position – this cannot leave the room!" Yang and Ruby shrunk at her authoritative shout.
"Don't worry Professor, I'll make sure they stay in line." Weiss assured her, directing a glare in their direction. Blake let out a sigh and relaxed in her wooden chair, if it was even comfortable.
"Very well... Dr. Merlot was a brilliant man, and a leading scientist into the study of Grimm. But this fascination of his turned into obsession, and Headmaster Ozpin warned of his attempts to go further. Personally I and the staff were not fans of his experiments or what he believed in, but our hands were tied as his research did benefit Vale at times. Sadly, when one is consumed by the pursuit of knowledge, they can forget their humanity in the process." From what the professor described, he would have liked to meet him, or at least glean some information about the Grimm if possible.
"So what happened, he go insane or?" Yang interrupted.
"I'm getting to that," She tersely responded. "Merlot Industries was originally in the business of genetics and working on artificial intelligence, yet Dr. Merlot wanted to push this further, setting up a facility in Mountain Glenn. This is when his practice took a dark course... he was experimenting on Grimm and making them bend to his will, at least temporarily." He didn't understand, why would someone want to control them? They had no aura and lived only to kill humans and feed off their negative emotions.
"Wait a minute," Blake finally broke her silence. "How can the Vale government not have imprisoned this man for his illegal research?" Professor Goodwitch said nothing, looking away in embarrassment.
"That's because no one knew about it... not until the Grimm invaded. Dr. Merlot, attracted Grimm to Mountain Glenn for more specimens. I believe you know the rest." One man was responsible for the loss of thousands of people?
"And you think he's developed some way for these people to communicate with the Grimm?" Weiss asked.
"Correct, which is why our mission is done." Blake snapped her neck to look at the professor, a look of complete disbelief overtaking her expression.
"We're just leaving? What about the people?!"
"Miss Belladonna, don't think I take this situation lightly, none of you are prepared for this caliber of opponent." Blake didn't find the answer satisfactory, gritting her teeth in a show of anger.
"So we just abandon the village like that?"
"Nothing would be abandoned, but I would send professional Huntsman to come and do the job. This is too much for Beacon students." Blake huffed at the answer and whispered under her breath.
She walked out of the room and almost slammed the door, not taking notice of Professor Peach. He would have chased after her, but there were too many questions to ask. Ever since the encounter in the forest he wanted to speak with Professor Peach and get some insight.
"Well someone is pissed." Peach stated with a giggle.
"Miss Belladonna is not happy that we are leaving." Peach nodded in affirmation and cleared the table in the corner of the room.
"Professor, I wanted to speak with you."
"Oh yeah, what's up?"
He found it amazing yet baffling that Professor Peach could just ignore the tension in the room. "It's... kind of private actually." Peach let out a chuckle and smacked the table with some odd polyhedral device.
"Ah ok, well that's gonna have to wait for a bit," Peach quickly answered. "Glynda, I might have some good news, I heard about your little run-in with those Grimm-Talkers." Everyone looked at the professor dumbfounded.
"Grimm-Talkers, what are you talking about, and how do you know about?" Peach fiddled with the device on the table, each point lighting up in a bright red color that projected a sequence on the ceiling.
"Oh... guess I should have told you earlier, one of those creeps tried to ambush me in the forest while I was gathering samples. Said his name was Burgundy, weird, made me thirsty, anyway he tried to take me down with a few Ursa and a Death Stalker but probably underestimated me." Professor Goodwitch's mouth was agape.
"You fought him, what happened?!" Yang asked in excitement.
"I chopped his arm off, didn't seem too happy about that." Yang burst out into laughter and slapped her knee, while Professor Goodwitch shook her head in disapproval. She was truly a character for the history books.
"You... killed him?" Ruby asked, her expression darkening.
Despite her skillful use of a scythe, Ruby was innocent in all aspect of the word. He could never imagine the girl cutting someone down, and in that they were alike. Jaune was still not sure he could ever raise his sword against someone, even with all the training Weiss planned to give him. But these people, they were a real threat, and if they tried to kill one of his friends, or even Blake... could he do it?
"Oh don't give me that look, I didn't kill him, besides it was self-defense! The only reason I've been nonchalant about the whole thing is because I have something really important to tell you guys!" She continually pointed to the ceiling with a slight twitch.
On the ceiling was an image of what looked to be a strange bug-like creature. Its face bore four red eyes like those of the Grimm, while its shell was completely white and covered in strange markings. The six insectoid legs reminded him of the Arachnids that poisoned Blake, the mandibles sharp enough to tear through skin.
"Can you explain what this Peach?" Professor Goodwitch asked.
"Hmm, sort of, mostly just theories I've come up with... but it's a parasite, a new type of Grimm, definitely not one I've seen. They were too attached to the stomach of the Grimm-Talker I fought – by the way that's what he referred to himself as." Parasite Grimm? Jaune took a mental note.
"You said it was attached to him... the girl I fought had one too." Weiss added, cupping her chin in thought. But how did Professor Peach get so much information?
"I suppose you just happened to snag a couple of pictures with that device while you fought?" Jaune leaned in to get a closer look at the object, noticing a few tiny cameras where the red lights were emanating from.
"Anyway, my theory is that this so-called parasite is transferring brain waves to the other Grimm, and that's how these kids are doing it. We rip those suckers out and they won't have the abilities anymore!" That was... quite a theory, but it strangely made sense.
"I didn't understand any of that." Yang dryly said.
"Basically its telekinesis, mindreading, etc. Though I feel bad for those kids, they don't realize its killing them..." Jaune looked up at Peach.
"It's killing them, how?!" Ruby asked first, climbing over Yang with a look of sadness in her tiny silver eyes. Did they even know?
"Let the professor speak please!" Professor Goodwitch said.
Peach let out another chuckle. "Um, yes... the parasite, if what I believe is true, it's sucking the aura from them, slowly taking away their life force as sustenance. Again, this is all theories, but based on the data..." Professor Goodwitch let out a sigh.
"Then we need to tell them, they might not attack us if they knew, right?!" Ruby suggested with a naïve smile directed toward Yang.
"Good luck with that," Weiss said with a huff. "You just heard they tried to kill Professor Peach, and don't forget about what happened in the forest!" Jaune wanted to agree with Ruby, that perhaps they could listen to reason, but...
"Hey, she's just making a suggestion ice queen!" Yang retorted.
"Not a very intelligent one – besides, we're leaving tomorrow." Ruby became disheartened at the realization, having forgotten the professor's earlier announcement.
"But, they could die..."
"They still have a chance to live, we just have to take those parasites off them fast. But listen kids, old Glynda is right about yall not being able to handle this." Peach gave Ruby a soft pat on the shoulder.
"Night is drawing, we'll leave first thing in the morning. I suggest you all get dinner and sleep well, put your worries to rest. I promise that I and Professor Peach will not allow this travesty to go unnoticed." A calm silence followed her speech, and she left promptly.
Yang remembered that Jaune wanted to speak with Peach alone and dragged Ruby along with her. Weiss hesitated, looking back at the polyhedral device that powered down and then back to him, eyes shimmering in worry. The sound of her heels became a distant sound, and she closed the door, leaving him and the eccentric professor alone.
"So you wanted to talk with me Jaune?"
He sat down back in a chair opposite of the table and shifted, avoiding eye contact with the professor. The subject was raw and he wasn't sure how to broach it. Should he just admit his fear and see what she says, or voice his concerns about what happened in the forest? Jaune released a deep sigh and finally steadied his gaze onto the professor, a goofy smirk still present on her face. She always found a way to make the best of anything depressing, even her constant setbacks years ago.
"Do you ever, become scared on the battlefield?"
Peach's eyes widened. "Oh, so that's what this about, hmm, is this related to what happened in the forest? Are Grimm still scaring ya?" Jaune shook his head, allowing blonde locks to obscure his expression.
"No... I mean the Grimm are still terrifying in their own way but, I'm talking about people – I, don't want to hurt anyone, it's just not in me." Peach's smile left, replaced by a thoughtful glance.
"Is this all too much for you, the Grimm-Talkers and Merlot?" The hesitation to respond was his answer. And that begged the question: if he continued to follow team RWBY, would he go further down the rabbit hole?
"Jaune, look at me," Peach almost demanded. "This is why Glynda is sending you kids home, so you don't have to worry about this. You were trained to heal people, and just because you're taking up the sword, doesn't mean it has to be directed at another human being, no matter how hypocritical it might sound." She flashed a reserved smile and gathered up her device on the table. He missed such advice from his mother.
"Thank you, I think I can sleep easier now."
"But you should tell everyone, don't keep it a secret – no one will judge you for being honest with your feelings." Peach left with those words, humming a small tune as she exited the room with a skip.
The porch outside of the inn was surprisingly peaceful compared to the shouts and drunkards that paraded about inside the establishment. Blake enjoyed the cool air against her exposed legs and sat back to admire the last dip of the sun before it vanished from the sky. She never meant to leave in a huff during the meeting but she felt it was wrong to just leave the people of this village to those monsters. And then everyone just sat back and agreed with it!
Maybe professional Huntsman or Huntresses could deal with it, but how long would that process take; weeks, days, maybe even a few months. Dr. Merlot chose this location because it was isolated, and now they knew he was here. If he was brilliant as Professor Goodwitch said, he wouldn't stay here long, probably gather a few more specimens and leave.
Her trail of thought was cut by the arrival of Jaune, who approached with caution. She released a sigh and moved over for him to take a seat next to her. Judging by his expression, he was unsettled about something, but he still wore a smile as if to put at her ease.
"I'm sorry for marching out of there."
"Uh, it's okay, I know why you're mad, just - can I tell you something Blake?" She caught the hitch in his tone and craned her neck to look over.
"Are you... okay?"
"I am now, to be honest Blake, I'm glad we're leaving, this is something I'm not ready for. People that can talk to Grimm?! It's fascinating and all, but not if I have to bring them back in a body bag... I can't kill someone, even if it was possible against someone so strong." Her mouth parted to rebut, but she fell silent, unaware of how he was feeling all this time.
She was proud he killed a Grimm, but he could never do what she had done in the past... and she didn't want him to.
"I'm such an idiot," Blake dropped her face into her palm. "I always rush into things without considering everyone's opinion. Not like I can convince Professor Goodwitch anyway." Jaune released a chuckle and rested a hand on her shoulder.
"We should rest, especially back at Beacon, I could use a night of relaxing." Blake nodded in agreement, a night of not fighting Grimm sounded fun.
At the door to the inn, Weiss observed from a distance. She caught Jaune's conversation with Peach and berated herself for thinking that he might be ready for such an ordeal. She followed in hopes of discussing it with him, to assure him that she would not allow such a circumstance to take place while he trained under her. Instead he ran to Blake, the stubborn girl who wanted to rush into battle and save the village. A noble effort, but one pass their expected skills.
Why did it upset her that he went to Blake?
"Screw that bitch, I'll kill her, you all hear me, that bitch is dead, every limb is coming off!" Burgundy screamed in pain as Dr. Merlot operated on his severed arm.
He lie on a makeshift operating table with mechanical gadgets and parts strewn about the room. An IV tube ran from his other arm and trailed across the ground near where Sherry and Pinot sat in annoyance. Merlot was proud of their work, but a few unexpected setbacks threw a wrench in an experiment that was planned for weeks. But what joyous ones, to think there were opponents that could test his subject's abilities to the limit! It made him thrilled, and they were perfect to round up his results before delivering to the queen.
"Please hold still Burgundy or I can't attach this prosthetic to your nerve endings. Pinot, can you fetch me some anesthetic from the other room?" The youngest of the three nodded, always the obedient one, though his snide remarks could use some working. He followed Sherry around like some child, becoming insulted and angered when he talked down to her.
"He shouldn't have gotten it cut off in the first place." Sherry giggled, doodling some illustration on a notebook he gave her.
"I told you to engage them, not come back with injuries. How many were there, you said they were strong?" He connected a filament into the first nerve, Burgundy letting out a curse by his ear.
"Six, the kids were students, well the male had a weird uniform. The real trouble was the professor, she had blonde hair and used some gravity semblance." Merlot hesitated in the next connection and hummed in delight.
"Glynda... is she really here?"
"That pink-haired bitch called herself Peach," Burgundy rasped with gritted teeth.
Once the final connection was in place, Burgundy collapsed on the table, panting at an erratic rate. Merlot wiped the sweat from his brow and took off the sanitized glove. "This changes everything, we can use this opportunity presented to us. You three should realize how fortunate you are."
"Here you go doctor." Pinot emerged from the other room and politely nodded. He took the bottle and filled up a sterilized syringe before inserting it into Burgundy's arm.
"You should be able to move the prosthetic by tomorrow, its resistant to most Dust types." He ignored the curious gazes of his subjects and walked over to his monitor, bringing up a folder from long ago.
"Is something troubling you Dr. Merlot?" Pinot asked.
Oz... I've waited for this day, for us to meet and realize why you and those dogs of the council were wrong. The only thing that could attract your presence just fell into my lap, and I'll take that chance.
"Burgundy, Sherry, Pinot," Merlot ordered. "Unleash the Geist I prepared, its finally time." They stood in fear at his smile, a grin that could break the hearts of anyone looking into the eyes of a madman.
Just to let everyone know, this is not an adaptation of Grim Eclipse the RWBY game, only the background information about Merlot which is canon in the universe is included.