Author's Note:
Hah, the new chapter is kind of earlier than I originally planned. In fact I plan to release the next one by the end of this week. The following chapters will take the recent revelations into account, with the appropriate changes involving this stories own history.
Anyway thanks for the reviews and follows...again don't own any franchises referenced here.
Chapter Eight: The Entrance Exam
Ohhh boy…today is the day then…and I find Taiyang in the embrace of Jayleen.
Ignoring the strange pang in my heart I forcefully separated them. A quick once over told me Taiyang had no say in this. Actually now that I'm taking a better look, I can see what looked like a sticky rope of some kind. "Did you get pranked." I asked him with a raised eyebrow and exasperation in my voice. He nodded unable to meet my eyes. I alchemically removed the residue of the glue, and decided to wake up Jayleen.
I gave Tai a little kick and he scurried out of the room in a real hurry. Now let's wake up our little fairy. I jumped onto the bed, crawling into her personnel space. I ended up straddling the girl, snickering all the while.
Poke. Poke.
Poke.
"ghhh…leave me alone…" I giggled at Jayleen's cute sleepy mumble. I poked her mushy face a few more times but when she didn't stir I moved on to a new tactic. I flipped my blonde buddy onto her back, and my eyes honed in on her rising chest.
Poke. Poke.
Her eyes fluttered open, and silver met ocean blue. I grinned, and Jayleen smiled back.
Her smirk widened as I rested my elbows on her chest. "Do you really need to grope us all the time? Besides you can just ask if you want a feel. And you do have your own." I shrugged with pink dusting my cheeks if the widening of her smirk wasn't any indication.
I did have a tendency to occasionally cop a feel whenever I gave a hug to any of my friends. Not anything serious of course and the first time I did it was because I was half asleep and one of my hands groped where they shouldn't. I mainly did it because of how they reacted. Umber and Cassin let out adorable squeaks, while our two blondes yelped and turned as red as tomatoes.
I got off of her, and pulled her out of bed so we could get ready. She yawned, rubbing her eyes as she woke up.
"It's time." She went still and examined my face for a moment. When she got the answer she needed she blurred and an avalanche of clothing impacted me. Jayleen frantically searched her closet for what to wear, filling her bed and the floor
"Shit, shit, shit, shit SHIT!"
Today was going to be a good day.
I fidgeted under my cloak as the bullhead gently swayed in the wind. We had taken an air ride to Vale for the Entrance Exam that's typically mandatory for Beacon Students unless they receive a recommendation from a trusted authority. It reminded me a lot of some of my faded memories of Hero Academia. Though in this case it was for college age students and the goal was to train people to hunt Monsters instead of fight Villains. Though Huntsmen are less heroes and more sanctioned mercenaries than anything else.
Who knows…someday I might get sent on a mission to bring down a rogue Huntsmen. Unfortunate that I would likely have to kill them if they don't willingly surrender…
It's a fact of life but Huntsmen are absurdly dangerous to people with locked Aura or poorly trained. As had been obvious and even referenced in various RWBY fics, a single Huntsmen could slaughter villages on their own. The gulf in power was too wide for any other outcome to happen. Maybe…I should lay off the heavy topics for now, I'm bumming myself out.
Now…when I meant we, I was talking about the little group of friends I had made in Patch largely by accident, though a fortunate one. They helped a lot with my adjustment to this world and I was grateful for their help over the years.
Even when I still haven't told them my biggest secret…
"Hey we're here!" I was knocked out of my funk when Tai gave me a nudge. On my right stood Tai and Jayleen, and to my left Umber and Cassin. And in front of me was the city of Val—
"Holy shit…" the first time I had gone to Beacon I had been playing a Scroll game so I never saw the city in person.
The city was enormous spanning from horizon to horizon for as far as my eyes could see. The city has to be the size of a small country if my eyes weren't deceiving me. My friends had the same dumbfounded look of awe on their faces.
The bullhead shuddered as we dropped down onto the landing pad. My stomach lurched at the sudden stop, and I shoved another pill into Jayleen's mouth to make sure she wouldn't throw up. Turns out she shared Jaune's propensity for air sickness, if that little noodle incident from a few months ago wasn't answer enough.
Please don't ask…
"So…" I probably looked like the Cheshire cat as my excitement got the better of me. "Shall we?"
"Yes."
"Yup."
"Yeah."
Now I can see how far I've come after all these years…
I tapped the plating of my armor as I waited for the first section of the Entrance Exam to start. For all of extents and purposes it did look like a spartan undersuit, just more form fitting and lighter built. There was one minor difference however, a long skirt that served to make me look a bit more friendly than some emotionless super soldier. Turns out some of the reasons that Hunters dress so…oddly is so civilians aren't completely disconnected from their protectors. Hunters aren't meant to be faceless soldiers. Another reason to forgo the helmet in the test though I still planned to use it in my career. But we're getting off track here, let's focus on what we're doing.
Now for the Exam there were six different categories that would all be assessed to evaluate whether we had the right to join the prestigious ranks of Beacon Academy.
This first section was in Agility. The goal was simple, we had to cross to the end of an obstacle course in the least amount of time possible using any means necessary. Though points will be deducted based on damage to equipment, which makes a great deal of sense. The reasons as to why should be rather visible.
From the corner of my eye I saw the various teachers judging us for our performance, including Ozpin who was sipping some hot cocoa from what my nose picked up. Thank you my precious semblance.
The test starts with no warning and I flip Gungnir around for a propulsive shot. I rocket into the air, hitting a 100 meters per second in the blink of an eye. No ounce of aura wasted for getting me up to speed. Something I should have figured out years ago. Providing an even greater amount of recoil than Crescent Rose, I could fire a propulsive shot, adding even more momentum to my spear thrust. For now I didn't have to do that, I just need to avoid the obstacles. As I flew over the field I remembered some of the small errors I had corrected over the last few years.
While the recoil of a gun can be modified by aura and routinely is, the basal recoil is still 24300 newtons for something like Crescent Rose. From what I can tell Dust propellant and aura augments the mass of a round, so Dust bullets are only somewhat faster than smokeless powder. Based on my more informed estimates, a Huntsmen grade anti material rifle is the equivalent of a 250 gram round fired at 1400 meters per second. My gun is much more powerful but it's round is lighter and shot out at higher velocity. Though again aura takes care of that for me.
Especially since the recent revelation about the true power gulf between me and a trainee Huntsmen. A week or two before the Entry Exam Gilda showed me a technique many elite Huntsmen had developed.
Aura Suppression.
Most Huntsmen were able to hide their aura to reduce the chance of alerting a Grimm as well as for efficiency purposes. Not wasting unneeded energy for nothing. Her true aura levels were quadruple the level she had when I first fought her with Gungnir. The amount she had made me feel like Gungnir was a mere peashooter for what little it would do. If…my calculations were correct it would take a hundred rounds to break through her aura with Gungnir without aura.
The sense of inadequacy was tempered by the fact that I had long since figured out how to use Gungnir as the conduit for my aura. I still wouldn't be able to keep up speed wise but it was better than before.
Okay focus back on the race.
My eyes narrowed as two red and black blurs raced, outpacing most of the dozens of other candidates. Who those two people were…well if things haven't been changed enough, it'd probably be Qrow and and Raven.
Should probably go…faster
SHOOM!
I was propelled forward by an explosion adding even more speed as well as air time. I fell down in an arc, and at the last second slowed myself with another propulsive shot, crossing the finishing line with a bang.
I finished in fourth place and pat Umber in third place. At the front stood the red and black blurs with their backs turned to us.
Yup…definitely Raven and Qrow though my attention was caught by three pats on the back. Everyone else had caught up with Jayleen in fifth place, and the boys being more middle of the pack in terms of speed. Which made sense, they weren't speedsters like any of us. Even if I haven't used any leg muscles for this course.
Uh…onto the next test!
Now onto the Aura test.
It's mainly just a demonstration of how much control we have over our own aura. The tests are rather draining since the tests are often rather intensive and in depth.
To be honest in my case I think I have this test in the bag due to my aura levels alone. My aura level was half an order of magnitude above the levels of the lighter and more ninja like builds among us. Though the gap would decrease as they became more experienced. So I'll have maybe double the average for a Huntsmen? Anyway my skills with the various aura movement and combat techniques have won me a few points. Mainly the more obscure and less used ones like skating, flying, and shockwaves. I had even developed a spear specific form of aura slash. Not the most potent move however…
Though my skills in aura paled in comparison to what Umber and Jayleen were capable of. Jayleen due to the complexity of her semblance, and Umber due to her lack of a semblance.
I suppressed a yawn, my energy draining itself slowly as the day dragged on. Though I suspect the drainage of my aura had a greater effect than anything else.
Taiyang had a wide smirk as he finished the test, as did Cassin which told me all I needed to know about the next test.
Now the Strength Test.
Now it should be obvious what this will test. Our strength without the use of our weapons. A variety of devices were distributed across the hall to measure us up. Punching machines, weights, and whatever else would be needed.
With little hesitation I lowered into a stance to unleash my not so tiny fury onto the padding of the punching machine. I rolled my eyes as some of the scruffier and more unruly eyes followed my movements. I was 90% sure those pervy bastards were staring at my ass.
Fuckers…I'll show what happens if you mess with me.
SMASH!
The machine creaked as I threw as much force as I could muster within reason. No need to strain myself too much. Most of the males behind me paled and with a cheeky grin I lifted a finger, gesturing a punch toward it. They all avoided me like the plague and I laughed quietly making way for Taiyang. I memorized the score before he took his turn.
"Did you have to do that?" I nodded as Taiyang got ready.
Fifty four sounds low but this machine measures in tons of force, so around 480,384 newtons of force in one punch. Not as impressive as what the boys can do, but better than most of the other candidates who are basically just mooks.
"HYAHHH!" Tai roars, his fist denting the poor machine as its hit with the force of a small artillery barrage. I held my snicker back as the machine smoked and sputtered and I took the score for him.
"200" He beamed.
"A good way to show off what I can do right?" everyone's dumbfounded expressions was a good answer to his statement.
Now…next test!
God dammit I won't even bother to describe the Endurance test.
The Pacer test is a—
"Please kill me…" I groaned as I gently slammed my head into the wall. Cassin patted my back gently as I complained.
"It's going to be okay…" Tai took Cassin's place rubbing my back to take away the damn aches.
Ughhhh. Whhhhyyy?
"Your semblance please?" The proctor asked with a serious tone and I straightened up, focusing my attention. This was among the most important tests, having control of your semblance provided a sizable advantage above other candidates. Luckily I've taken some time to figure out what to call it.
"Alchemical Manipulation." A bit on the nose but I felt that it was a good name for my semblance. The proctor raised an eyebrow at the name but let it go just as quickly.
"What can it do?"
I cleared my throat and then answered. "It's a form of telekinesis of sorts. I can manipulate matter and energy on a relatively limited scale. Usually manifesting as runes for the more…complicated uses."
"Care to demonstrate." I gave her my assent and focused my soul and—
BOOOMM!
A firestorm erupted from my right hand, while the left emitted ice and wind. I sapped the fire of its energy by generating a vacuum and then pressed my hands together, several tons of earth following my command and then thrown with the energy of a small car.
More tests followed after that. Generating bolts of lightning, shooting off short range heat rays by manipulating light, forming metallic weapons from the ground. Though the limitations became obvious later on. I could only learn so much about Alchemy while learning aura at the same time.
Most of my expertise lies in biological and elemental alchemy and I dabbled in some others as well. Though I suppose that was all I really needed for combat.
The test came to an end and we moved onto the next one.
"Skills huh?" I muttered as I entered the room I was going to use. It was primarily to test what I was good at. In my case that was long range combat, as a sniper and my use of grenades I had a great amount of range as well. At the same time Taiyang was excited and we gave each other a mutual nod.
Demonstrating my overall combat style was going to be great. I would hope anyway.
"Summer Flamel Rose?" I followed one of the proctors voice, entering into a much larger room. Several of the examiners were in the room watching me closely, their critical eyes making me a little nervous.
"That's me." The examiner asks me how my weapons works and I end up going into a long spiel. After a few minutes of gushing he raises my hand to stop and I take a breath. While Gungnir's mech shifting isn't as complex as that of the newer generations of weapons. It's still a real marvel and I feel pride in managing to create such a beauty.
"A lovely weapon. You must be proud of your work." I shrugged and he gestured for the simple simulation to start. "Now since you're weapon is built for long and close range combat in mind that is what the test will be focusing on."
The room opened up and multiple targets started to open up. They were solid holograms in the form of Ursa. They moved…
BANG!
I scored a headshot punching through it. Another pops up and I put it down just as quickly. I fire and hit again. Three more show up at the same time and I shoot them all down. Several holograms show up in close and I switch to halberd mode, cutting through two holograms, and aimed for a few more shots.
Four targets down…
Headshot. Headshot again. Overhead strike. Spear thrust. Grenade launch, six targets down. The simulation only gets faster and faster and a wild grin pulls at my lips when I got the idea. The targets were swarming me, I needed to use that mode. A small flick and…
I held the trigger down for a mere two seconds. In those two seconds I brought down nearly a hundred targets. I let out a breath as the buzzer sounded, ending the test. I placed Gungnir into its appropriate holder on my belt and yawned.
"So how'd I do?" I couldn't keep the bemusement from my voice at their shocked expression.
~Nailed it~
Despite my self confidence the two week wait was still rather agonizing. For all I know I might get rejected anyway, whether there's some better recommended student or just a lack of room. I huffed, my hands gripping tightly onto the just recently received letter.
Fuck it let's open it!
I ravenously tear into the slip of paper not even bothering to keep the exquisite lettering intact. I read the letter with glee.
Dear Miss Summer Rose.
We at Beacon Academy have taken notice of your talents and—
Is that someone squeeing or is that just me?
"EEEEEE…" Just to make sure that I wasn't hearing things. But the sound keeps coming anyway so I cleaned out my ears a few times just to make sure yet the sound was still there as annoying as ever.
"What the hell?"
"EEEEEE!" I tried to flee but by then it was futile as I was glomped by a brown and white blur. I pried off the excited rabbit faunus that was Umber, the girl bouncing from foot to foot thumping the ground with every step.
"So you got in?" Based on the elated look on her face that was a foregone conclusion.
"Yes! Yes! I did it! Mom is going to be so proud!" I was glomped a second time, this time I wrapped my hands around her thin waist reciprocating the hug. I could appreciate the size difference more easily now. Ignoring her ears, Umber was nearly a half foot shorter than me at 5'6. And she wasn't heavily built either so in comparison to me she was like forty or fifty pounds lighter. And my armored combat boots weren't doing her any favors.
So adorable…
"You got in too?" I nodded with a quiet hum as I looked at my surroundings. The signs of the coming fall and winter were clear to all. The leaves of the forest were slowly turning a shade of orange and red meaning it wouldn't be much longer. Maybe around two more weeks before we enter into the first semester in November.
"It's going to be great! I can earn some respect for the faunus by joining and get the needed income to support myself and my mom." That was a good reason to join, the only counter was the unfortunately high attrition rate of Huntsmen. Though some recent analysis I had made brought up that once a Hunter has a few years under their belt, that the rate of death drops substantially. Especially if they stay together with their teams, and apparently it's recommended to start retiring around the time humans start slowing down, in our 40s? Though I have heard things about people with aura having higher lifespans than regular humans.
"Yeah it's going to be great." I dropped out of the hug with a small affectionate smile. But my smile faded as I thought about the future.
I'd been putting it off for a while but I knew about the future pretty well by now. My memories of V1 to V5 are pretty clear and I might remember a few episodes about V6 but I can't be sure…
I…couldn't trust Ozpin…he's too paranoid for my liking and honestly I get that. How many times have people said to trust them only to betray him later. It was clear he was never the best candidate to save the world, it's a job forced upon him for thousands of years.
After a while it must grow tiring and overwhelming…and don't get me started on how much must be on his mind. Though to be frank the sheer sloppiness of his later years could be due to senility for all I know. He's a dead man walking and when I've talked with him or played a game on the rare occasion I could convince him to relax. I could see how fundamentally broken he was.
"Is there something wrong?" I faked a smile at Umber's concerned face.
"Nah, everything's fine…I'm just thinking" I felt relief as my friend took me by my word. "It's actually really exciting isn't it? We're going to Beacon!" I tapped my feet against the ground, my excitement getting the better of me.
"Yeah…we will." Umber turned, her dark eyes twinkling. "Do you think we'll be able to make a team together?"
I rolled my shoulders, getting a satisfying crack. "Well, maybe but if what my sister says is correct the choice of your teammate is random." Her ears drooped at my reply and I patted her back to make he feel better.
"Don't be sad, we'll still be friends even if we are on different teams." Her smile came back at my genuine belief.
No matter what, we would be friends as long as possible…
"Hey, real quick is it alright with you if we go that new marketplace…err mall they've built? I heard their selling some good quality Dust and I want to pick up some."
I don't see any not.
I swiveled my head, taking in the sights of the many new stores placed in the burgeoning town. If it wasn't obvious before it was definitely obvious now. The world was already changing substantially, hell I was even hearing some plans on taking back Mount Glenn, but in this case it would be a wide scale mining operation instead. Some machines capable of sensing differences in gravity picked up a gigantic deposit of Dust.
I imagine if they had known before the city would have been more heavily defended. Dust is some powerful shit. The density does seem to vary depending on the quality of the Dust, but even in the worse case scenarios, Dust has a density of around 2160 megajoules per kilogram. So ten times more energy dense than metallic hydrogen.
So yeah…it's why the current chemical based rocket industry is only a tide over until they can figure out how to sustain Dust in space.
"Summer," I snapped out of my inner monologue, Umber had picked up her Dust and was storing it in an armored briefcase. "I've got the Dust, there anything you want?"
"Uh n—ohhh!" I stuttered as a small weight crashed into my stomach. Umber giggles and my eyes drifted down to a small and adorable figure.
She was a small white haired girl of Atlesien descent wearing a small blue and white patterned dress. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail and she cocked her heart shaped face as her ice blue eyes met my silver ones.
Oh my god she's adorable! I want to give her a hug!
No, don't hug the random adorable little girl. Don't want an angry parent to run you off. I frowned as the girl withdrew from me, her eyes were darting about the crowd as if looking for someone.
Oh.
"Uh…looking for your parents little one?" The girl nodded and shock climbed up my spine when I saw the Schnee symbol proudly displayed on her chest. Winter Schnee huh? She's a cute kid…regardless of her drunkard mother and her greedy father.
"Yes? I need sohm assistance, can you help me find them?" My arm twitched as the compulsion to hug her came back in full force.
My god she was the cutest little thing in the entire world! But I must hold back, otherwise I might get tackled by an armed guard. Though depending on who they were I may or may not be able to easily beat the ever living shit out of them.
"Yes I can help you find them. Do you mind if my friend here can help too?" Umber shyly waved, though her sweet smile became strained as the winter themed girl shrunk back.
"H-Hey don't be scared I'm not going to hurt you." The look on Winter's face was heartbreaking. What had her father beeng teaching her to make her this way? What had faunus rights extremist done to make her this way. Umber's bunny ears drooped sadly, her left ear covering her left eye. She looked dejected at the distrusting expression on the little girls face. "But I just want to help…"
"I-I'm sorry please don't cry!" I was startled as Winter spoke up, the panic on her face sparking some hope. "It's just daddy said I shouldn't trust…" she slowed her roll there and the slight widening of Umber's eyes told me all I needed to know.
"I understand…but I won't be a problem. I'm training to be a Huntsmen you see?" Winter's eyes twinkled and she was suddenly at our side instead of standing apart from us.
"Really that's so cool!" At our amused look her excitement cooled. "I mean that is an excellent line of work." I held back an eye roll at Jacques terrible parenting skills. Trying to raise a little automaton instead of raising a human being.
"I know." Umber was preening at the girls slight praise. "But first we should be looking for your parents yes?" Winter hesitantly agreed and scanned the crowd, Umber tapped her head and the girl parked up. With a smirk she pouted to her ears and the appendages swiveled as they picked through the noise and babble of the crowd. "With these I'll be able to find your mom and dad, animal ears are pretty useful when you want to find someone."
"That's cool too…" Umber tilted her head and walked in a certain direction. I followed her and after a few moments of mulling it over, offered my hand to the frightened girl.
I squeed internally as the young girl took my hand, her delicate little hands swallowed up by my rougher and larger hands. A sharp contrast that belied the difference in our lives.
I guess no matter what life I live or what I look like. I would positively think kids are adorable…
This is taking longer than I was expecting. Apparently they're moving around pretty frantically and we've had to go around in circles to track them down. In that time I ended up buying an almond soft pretzel for Winter. Checking for allergies beforehand so I wouldn't be accused of assassination of an heiress.
Eventually some faunus noticed our plight and pointed us in the right direction. Surrounded by an armed guard, I could see the couple looking around worriedly. Jacques Schnee was tapping his foot against the concrete like he was going to break out into dance. But it was only miss…Willow Schnee who showed any real concern, her husband only seemed to think of it as an inconvenience rather than a disaster.
I felt a strange protective rage against him. Everything about him disgusted me…his business practices, his greed and from I've dug up, his debauchery.
I don't have any issues with having a kinky sex life that's their business and not mine. But what I've heard paints him in a bad light, much less when it's clear that his wife has no participation in his "activities". If I ever get married or in a serious relationship they ain't gonna sleep with other people unless it's decided between us.
Now if it wasn't for all his immoral shit I probably wouldn't care too much. Running a business is cutthroat, but his near complete disregard for common law is a good example of the deficiencies of the kingdoms. The way corporations operates and are given free reign reminds me a lot of what it was like in the United States.
Now I liked my country but I have to admit their laws were pretty fucked in a number of factors. I actually had some respect that the European Union had the balls to actually take their own companies into account to at least some extent. Their strong worker protection rights were definitely a plus too, and the difference in their economic growth wasn't even that different.
But I'm not here to talks about politics right now.
"Those your parents?" The little ice princess nodded and this time she was dragging us instead of the other way around. I kept my breath steady as the guards encircled the two important rich folks. Winter's father sneered as Umber in particular drew close, but his disdain for me was easy to see too. Winter's breath became shuddery and I squeaked her hand gently.
"It's okay sweetie everything is going to be fine, I promise." She relaxed, and her neutral expression shifted into a wide eyed smile. I ignored Umber's knowing smile, a hot blush my only visible reaction.
Damn parental/maternal instincts…
I felt a twitch as the guards came in aggressively until Jacques pulled them back. I relaxed and poked Winter, gesturing in the direction of her parents. Her eyes widened and she gave me a polite and thankful nod. I grinned affectionately as she squeezed my hand two times before letting go and slowly walking to her parents. Her mother moved to embrace her but Jacques gestured for her to stop.
I wondered what he wanted?
The businessman faced the both of us and I nearly raise both my eyebrows as he offered…a handshake? After a few moments Umber was the first to take the initiative shaking the man's hand with mild confusion. I took his hand next and I felt my skin crawl at the way he looked at me. The look left him, as a realization struck him. He paled and took his hand back.
At least I don't have to worry about that.
"I must thank you kindly for returning my daughter. We've been very worried for her safety."
"It was no trouble man." I winced as the phrase came out unintentionally. I was thinking about Scooby Doo for some reason, and it slipped out. "I mean she is just a child and as a Huntress in training it is kind of the right thing to do." His lip upturned for a moment as if amused.
"Of course… regardless!" I jolted up as he placed his hand on my shoulder, giving me a light pat. "If you ever need any assistance then…" he passed us each a number. "Call this number." I nodded absently and when the man turned his back I flitted my eyes to his…rather sexy wife in question. She shrugged, her own expression utterly baffled.
"Thank you…" Despite her husband's strange behavior the women still appreciated us helping them out. This is a little embarrassing but I might have been watching that…incredibly sexy women rather closely. Her blue-white dress sinfully cling to her figure, and I couldn't help but find something in me…stirring for a few moments.
I licked my lips, and shook my head getting the dirty thoughts out of my system. It only got worse when I noticed that the older women was giving me a sly smirk. My eyes followed the sway of her hips for a few seconds before I forcibly tore my eyes away from them.
I blushed when Umber placed her hand on my shoulder, a wide smirk on her face.
"So," oh god kill me now. "Didn't know you were into MILFs"
"I hate you…" Umber wrapped an arm around me with a smug smile.
"No you don't hate me. You love me and you know it. We're best friends remember?"
Heh.
Heh.
Heh.
Well she's not wrong we are best friends I would think.
But I wonder why Jacques was suddenly so friendly with the two of us? Well…whatever it was I hope it isn't for anything perverted or I'll snap his neck…
…
…
I should go back to the house and relax…still wonder what's going on? But I'm sure it'll all come to a head soon. If Ruby inherited protagonist fever from me, I'll end up being a trouble magnet soon enough.
Unbeknownst to the otherworldly human with silver eyes, powerful forces both sinister and otherwise were waking up after many tens of thousands of years. Across Remnant they found willing hosts to bind themselves too, or unwilling slaves to spread their chaos and tendrils into the material plane.
Personally I think it a foolish endeavor to possess humans. I have no need of assistance in this particular realm. In fact my job is easier without the meddling of those foolish "god" brothers.
Hmm…for now let us see which of my kind have chosen their hosts.
A certain businessman smoked silently from a cold balcony looking at the broken moon of Remnant with a critical eye. The Schnee was exhausted from a several hour long meeting after a recent scandal due to his acquired businesses lack of safety regulations. With the current racial climate at the time he thought he would be able to get away with the harsh conditions for at least another decade or two.
But the recent Gravity Dust explosion resulting in crushing a mine in a 1000G environment was too much even for him. His inner greed told him he could easily pay off the government but another voice told him there would be long term consequences that would come to bite him.
The voice had become more and more prominent and the man feared he was going mad. Until a new Schnee built aural sensor picked up a source of energy surrounding him. After some careful and discrete digging up of information he learned what was haunting him.
"A smart man…have you finally decided to form our contract? You've gotten your lawyers to work out the details yessss?" Jacques nodded and held back a shudder as a scaly body slithered around his body. The being resembled a green garter snake; though its upper body scales had the same pattern as a tuxedo of all things. A pair of glasses covered its eyes and it hung in midair waiting for the Atlas native's response.
"After much time I've reconsidered my previous opinion after further study of your kind, Spirit."
The spirit smirked despite lacking the muscles to do so. "I would think so…after that little incident. I told you your cost-cutting would lead to consequences. Ones you can not hide from forever. In the short term the profit is excellent but in the long term…the faunus may resort to more…violent approaches."
Jacques clicked his tongue in annoyance. "So I must accede to their demands and pay them more?"
"Indeed," the man didn't look happy. "However eventually the mining industry will become heavily mechanized and automated and the people will be disgruntled."
"So what do I do?" The man was desperate, his cowardice showing through for a moment.
"You create job opportunities in less laborious fields. Science, the arts, build schools and create neighborhood rejuvenation projects. The more educated the populace is, the more money they make, the more they spend on your products. A large robust middle class is what is needed to breathe life into your company."
"Hmm…I think I'm ready to make this contract." The reptile like spirit covered up their excitement and it conjured up its contract. "But to be sure on my part how much do you believe in your theory Spirit?
"I am a Spirit of Business and Long Term Planning human. It is in my very nature to be correct."
Her life was a rather strange one by the standards of the average native of the world of Remnant. She didn't sleep, she went into sleep mode, she didn't wake up she booted up. She didn't need to eat, the organic sections of her body could be fueled by a solution of sugar and protein. Though she felt fortunate that her father and mother had given her the ability to taste and digest full food regardless.
But even this was a rather strange occurrence for the living machine girl. A figure had entered her room, but her eyes picked up nothing. Only her aural and Spiritron sensors picked up the presence. Her CryFibril muscles coiled under her faux organic outer layers, her aura flared to protect her body, her Energy Dust core switched on to maximum capacity.
The figure lifted it's hand and reality glitched.
The ginger blinked, finding that she was no longer in her previous location. Now she was elsewhere. Her robotic eyes focused in on the room surrounding her. More of a chamber to her eyes. It resembled a vast workshop, spanning for dozens of meters in every direction. Strange forms of metal and plastic worked on each table. The sounds of banging metal and welding echoed across the vast space.
"Please…sit." Penny turned around laying down onto a metal chair. In front of her sat a strange life form. It was a smooth iron being, it's head shaped like that of a spartan helmet. It's lower body was smooth sloping into a two legged stance. Clicks and electronic sounds burst out from its body and Penny tilted her head in curiosity.
"What are you?" Penny had no choice but to ask. Her joint research with her father compelled her to know more about the beings they were studying.
She measured the creature, estimating a height of 267 centimeter exactly. The being laughed for a moment, however her blank and curious expression seemed to tame it.
"I am a Technological Forge Spirit. Born of Atlas." The so named spirit bowed and in respect Penny did the same.
"I am Penny, an android with a soul created by Atlas and Vale." The being looked fascinated despite the lack of a face, their flashlight head lighting up further. Penny felt that it was only fair to share knowledge between themselves. Though she had a number of questions
"You want to know why I have brought you here?" The gynoid nodded after a moment of hesitation and the Spirit leaned back. "Well…you have attracted my attention. I'm not one to be interfere in the affairs of the material plane. No need when we are so interconnected."
"How so?" She had some theories on what the being meant, technology was an important part of humanity. They were natural tool users, their very bodies built with the use of them in mind. A being of such nature would clearly benefit from a species like them.
"You've worked it out already Penny. Humanities advancement is my advancement. Their happiness is my happiness. When they rise I rise with them, and I fall with them as well."
He wanted something, something that she had that he lacked. The Spirit didn't have that sensation of maliciousness that she had picked up from some humans and faunus. But he wasn't human, he was something else entirely.
"Correct again…" The robot like entity stood up, closely examining Penny with an inquisitive eye. "Things are changing, the Silver Eyes has gotten the attention of beings infinitely her greater. We are waking up after a very long time little one. Most of us are aren't dangerous unless found in great numbers but those like me. Well they won't all have humanities best interests in mind."
She followed so far, the Spirits were potentially dangerous and could prove a danger to humanity. Being a spirit created or empowered by technology this is a negative to him. But what did Penny have to offer to a being with so much power.
'Unless…'
"You need me as a vessel?" the Spirit paused at her question, almost surprised.
"More of an Apostle really…I can offer you a mutual Pact as the first humanity once did with our kind when the Gods still inhabited Remnant along with the spirits." Penny filed away the revelation for later and thought about the Spirit's offering.
It sounded like a good deal to Penny. If these other Spirits were a threat to her creators she would have to protect them. But to repel or even destroy them, she would need to be able to hurt them. The power of another spirit should be enough. But how likely was it that she could trust a spirit. There was a not unlikely chance that the Spirit would betray her.
"Perhaps you are misunderstanding me." Penny tensed at his tone and prepared to fight as he pulled out an object from behind him. But instead of what she thought the metal iron giant pulled out a great deal of paperwork. "I am in no rush, I would prefer you read through the fine print first before agreeing to anything."
The ginger machine girl emulated a sigh of relief and her eyes scanned the paper reading every tiny word. Her eyes flickered with interest as she metaphorically digested the text.
"I don't need to accept immediately yes?" A nod. "I can inform my father?" Another nod. "Your name?" This nod was more hesitant but the spirit agreed.
"Mendicant Bias…"
"It is nice to meet you."
Penny awoke with a start, her memory banks bombarding her with the events of the previous night. She had much to speak about with her father.
"PENNY! IT'S TIME FOR YOUR TRANSFER TO VALE!" Her father's voice boomed and a wide practiced smile formed on her face. At long last she could become what she wanted to be…She would show to the world that she wasn't just a machine, even if a part of her thought she wasn't a real girl. She would be…
A Huntress.
"Damn it!" A wild haired man screamed to the heavens as a shot rang out, putting down a green oozing Grimm. The monster imploded and finally melted and smoked away to nothing. "Another failure!"
Doctor Merlot was caught in a dead end. All his experiments with the mutagenic substance had failed. His Grimm were either too unstable to function or too violent to be controlled. Years of research amounted to nothing. Yet he persevered regardless of his pains.
A flash of an old mountain came to the forefront of his mind and he flinched.
'My biggest failure…'
"It…doess…nottt have to be." The scientist summoned his armed drone and looked around startled.
"Who is there?! Show yourself foe!" The wild haired scientist scanned the area but found nothing except himself, his Grimm, and the green liquid he had created after finding an ancient text from long ago. A bubbling sound alerted him and he turned to the pool of mutagenic substance. The liquid was forming the shape of a man and he froze in place. After a few seconds the figure was complete and it gave him a melted smile.
"Wha—."
"Child," the thing cut him off and the man shivered at the wrongness in its tone. "I see you have been trying to unleash the Grimm's fullest potential. I admire that. But you are going about it all wrong."
"How so?" Despite his better judgement, the scientist asked the creature.
"These beings of darkness need more than just a mutagen and a control collar to make them yours. They need more…esoteric methods of control. Control I can provide you…if you are interested."
"Truly…" Desperation and isolation quickly convinced the doctor of what he needed to do next. "Can you really give me what I want?"
"Of course…so do we have a deal?" Merlot grinned madly and he opened the door to the pool. He offered a hand and the chuckling spirit took it gleefully. A sizzling sound followed and the Doctor paled.
"What is this?!" He felt agony course up from his hand to his shoulder and he tried to let go. But the being wouldn't let him go and was…laughing?
"Fool! Fool! Fool! Foolll!" It cackled as the doctors skin slowly melted off.
"Please gods stop this!" The man's hair fell out in large clumps and green liquid gushed out from his pores. His skin sloughed off with a wet splash on the lab floor and he coughed, his body shaking and trembling as he suffered.
"Oh? But this is what you wanted right? The power to control Grimm?" The man could not answer, his jaw long since turned into the same serum he had created. His remaining eye widened as the spirit dragged him closer, sporting a grin showing off rows of sharp teeth. "But you never said you needed your body."
"Please…shtaap. H-Help me. Eid ot tnaw t'nod I." His babbling became useless as he was reduced to a pile of mush. For a brief moment the area was silent.
An hour passed and the silence was suddenly broken by the chuffing of a Boarbatusk. It sniffed the pile for a moment and as it tried to move away from the substance.
"OINK!" The pig squealed as the slime came to life, wrapping its tendrils around the struggling pig Grimm. It's fight was useless and the slime seeped it's way into its body and it shuddered, its body crumpling and contorting.
It grew larger, stronger, faster…
It's spikes grew out, and it's armor thickened. It's red eyes turned green, and ooze began to drop out from its fur.
For miles around the only sound anyone could hear was the echoing boom of mad laughter…
I stood up abruptly right in the middle of the night. My room was dark, and I rubbed my eyes to take out the crust that had built up overnight. My strange dreams were fading from my memory and I decided to write it down before I forget, grabbing a sheet of paper and a pen.
Strange machine…orange haired girl?
Snake…Schnee…deal?
Merlot…Island…Grimm…demon's.
"Mom? You there?" My questions stopped a I noticed a flashing and floating screen.
Must be lucid dreaming then…should I look at the TV and see what my subconscious conjures up? Maybe I'll learn something new?
The television flashed on and I tilted my head as a song started to play.
"Stay close. Move fast. The Darkness can not last."
Music? That…I've heard this voice before…
"No hope. No past. But we've got a dream to catch!"
It can't be…right?