Chapter 11: I'm a Monster, I'm a Killer...
"Ziz, madam, may we have a word with you?"
"Sure, what is it you two want?"
"Ah, thank you. What it is, Sure-Shank and I, just want to discuss about is... the mission for your children."
"What about it?"
"... We feel as if it won't be appropriate for them to be sent down there, in the structure."
"..."
"..."
"... I'm sorry, did you fucking mean to say 'safe'? Is that what you meant?"
"Well, no, what I mean is that this might not seem to be a suitable mission for the boys to go on"
"Suitable? I'm pretty sure it's fine enough for them to take. They get to explore the ruins, learn some shit about archaeology or something- I don't know, and it'll be good practice for them when they go escorting clients. Not like there's really anything down there to harm anyone to begin with."
"Ah, but they're training to become hunters, Ziz. So wouldn't it be better to have them take a mission-"
"-No, no, shut up Sure-Shank. I think I fucking know what's going on here now."
"..."
"..."
"You two, both of you, are worried about the fucking shit going down there, huh? Come on, am I right?"
"We... Ziz, madam, it isn't about what's happening down there, we just-"
"-Bullshit, it fucking is and I know it. Ever since we discovered that place, you two turn into utter fucking pussies whenever you go down there with me. It fucking pathetic really, especially for you, Richard. Aren't you suppose to be the skeptical type? The one that doesn't believe in religion, ghosts, monsters, demons and shit like that?"
"... People's opinions... they can change, Ziz."
Hohoho- Oh my fucking God! Are you kidding me?! I-I can't... just-"
"-Ziz, please just listen to us! Sending you kids down is-"
"-Is fucking what? Tell me Shank! Tell me!"
"IT'S THE DUMBEST THING YOU COULD EVER DO! You don't fucking they've been through enough already?! Dove, Sky, Russel, losing their fucking parents, only to be adopted by you, and join up with Cardin to be abused for their lives up until they left for Beacon! Do you fucking think sending them down into... that place, is gonna do them any good? You've fucking heard shit yourself down there! You saw the shit that happens down there! Do you think they won't be traumatized once they're sent down there?! Don't you?!"
"..."
"..."
"... Shank, those boys, my boys, they're not pussies. They're not people. They Disownians, like you, like Richard, like me. They were already traumatized before I adopted them. And I made them into callous men, men who aren't scared away by noised in the dark or apparitions. I fucking raised them to be fearless in the face of Remnant. And by God, they will be fearless when entering the underground, and discover what else is down there."
"..."
"..."
Another day to come, another morning of going through Port's ramblings of his misadventures. Another lesson of history with Oobleck, and another session of slumber during Peach's teachings of science. It all would have ended, to CRDL's preferred taste, peacefully, with little to no conflict. But boy did the lord above love to toy with them to his delight.
Last night, after having braved to the outside hood-less, Cardin had finally found the courage to go back into Emerald to go about his business with the grimm, armed with his mace this time, just in case he ran into that foul creature once more. Much to the Winchester's gratitude, he did not even catch a glimpse of the monster among the thicket of trees around him. And as such he came back home to Beacon, with a belly full of hearts.
The occasional image of Coco would occupy him from time to time though, thinking of if she had totally lost interest in him. Admittedly, if he could, Cardin would tell her everything he did, everything he was responsible for doing in Emerald, just as an effort to rebuild the bridge between them. But for his own sake, and his mother's- despite her poor treatment of him- Cardin knew it was far too risky to do so. So as such, Cardin felt he would need to come to terms with the possibility of never getting to be involved in a real relationship with her.
When he returned to his room, to sleep in the little hours he had left, Cardin had woken to find himself a stomach aching, having disturbed after days of not consuming burning meat to grow his power. Cardin would end up rushing to their bathroom, puking out the same old black, steaming, gooey liquid out of him, and into the porcelain throne.
"Dude, are you okay?" Russel would ask.
And Cardin would reply. "W-What d-does it fucking look like, asshole?"
"I mean, shit, Cardin. I just want to know if you're gonna be able to go to class today or not."
"F-Fuuuuckk... yes. I'm- GAH! I'm... gonna go." Cardin shivered out, lumbering out of the bathroom to put on his school uniform, untucked and crinkled, pretty much acting as a reflection of how Cardin felt today.
None of his brothers protested, mostly due to believing Cardin had gotten the worst out of him in the bathroom. And if the urge to vomit were to come up again, they knew Cardin would take responsibility and go to the bathroom to throw up in there, maybe even parish while doing so.
Oh but how foolish they were to think Cardin would be responsible.
They left for the dining hall that morning, Cardin still feeling drained, groaning as they traveled for their breakfast. Just like yesterday, CRDL's leader had earned the wandering glances of several students, whom he was to sick to even notice to begin with. Cardin would end up filling his tray with all sorts of breakfast meats, despite feeling like utter garbage, and would force himself to eat more than he should have. His three brothers resorted to persuading him to stop his over-consumption of food, successfully. But the damage was already done.
After having stuffed himself, the Winchester giant followed his team as they left for Port's class, whom had to slow down and wait for the bloated, sick slob to catch up with them two or three times, teeth chattering the whole time they were outside. Getting inside didn't help much either, what with Cardin's deep heaving filling up the halls for all to hear.
The rest of CRDL had regretted letting Cardin go to class now. The rest CRDL would then however express absolute joyous humor when they entered into Port's class.
"Ah, Cardin! You aren't wearing your hood." The bombastic man stated, staring at their leader, glad to see he him back- having thought Cardin as sick for the past days- and aslo surprised to see the brute's face for the first time, as they entered the class. "Has something happened to it?"
"Yeah, I- Mmmppght" Cardin however, would end up puffing his cheeks out, in anticipation of puking yet again, feeling the burning bile fill up his throat.
Port would take notice of the visible condition Cardin was in, along with several students who had been looking on at the four. "Oh, Cardin, you're still looking quite ill today. Are you sure you'll be able to participate in my class today?"
He was met with a sickly visage, eyes baggy and face pale. "Y-yeah, I'm gonna be fine." Cardin waved off to Port, trotting along to sit with his team, laying himself down by Russel's side. Three minutes to pass, and when having been so, and the last few students entering, Port would clear his throat before beginning his lecture.
It was delayed however, for Cardin, sitting still for the next ten minutes or so to pass by, sweating and grimacing, yet trying to rely on his grit, would round up vomiting yet again. The black liquid, seeping through his fingers in the beginning, transitioning into a full-on cascade of stench-inducing, sticky waste. It would have just coated the desk, and the seat below in front of him, had there been no student sitting there.
But there was one student, Pyrrha Nikos, who had taken that seat for herself, with Blake by her side. As such, she had found herself in the unfortunate predicament of almost her entire backside splattered by the puke that spilled from Cardin's insides. At first, for a flash, she was confused by what warm feeling was coming upon the back of her.
In the next second, the realization took her over, as her emerald eyes widened, frozen in place, as well as her body in general, still as a statue, her face deadpanned, completely wanting to refuse to believe Cardin's bile had came upon her. Blake meanwhile, jumped away in her seat, positively repulsed by what had just happen, as the rest of the class turned their attention, sympathy and horror taking hold of them.
"Ohhhh, Cardin. Oh dear..." Port groaned, watching CRDL's leader head pull back, exhausted from the excess liquid that had left him; Sky and Dove had both found utter shock and amusement from all of it, covering their mouths to muffle their laughter, as the tears of joy streamed down their cheeks. Russel on the other hand, remained still, like Nikos, but was smiling. Though it was a smile of disbelief that Cardin had just thrown up all over JNPR's heaviest hitter. "Cardin... gah- just leave for the rest of the day. And I'll... ugh- call the custodians."
Cardin weakly nodded his head, understanding Port's wishes, clumsily pushing himself onto noodle-like legs. Russel, without saying a word, volunteered to help Cardin with holding himself up, as the two walked themselves out of class, with Port silently allowing Russel to travel by his brothers side, soon bringing his attention to Pyrrha, wondering what dreadful thoughts must be running through her head as of now.
"Miss Nikos, you may leave to clean yourself up." Just like the Winchester, she nodded, thought in thanks, unlike him. She quietly left the lecture hall, hearing the dying sound of muffled Sky and Dove, being the last thing she heard, bouncing withing the walls of her skull as glorious rage started to build up within her.
The two of them would stop eventually, having earned themselves some fresh contempt from the other students for their apparent joy of watching a student be coated by puke.
And so, Russel assisted Cardin back to their dorm room. With his arm draped over Thrush's shoulders, the two slumped their way over to the building, Cardin, much to Russel's chagrin, reeking of his own puke on the whole way there. When finally reaching their room, Russel told Cardin to shower and stay in their room for the rest of the day.
"Okay, okay." Cardin lied to Russel though, and ended sitting out the next class he had- Oobleck's history lecture- and went for the third class, science. Russel was admittedly miffed when seeing his brother go against his own request. But he did nothing to make him go back. If Cardin wanted to go to the rest of his classes today in his sorry-state, fine, Russel was not about to go and take Cardin back himself for a second time.
Russel was only more pissed as he watched his leader just fall asleep in the middle of Peach's lecture, whom herself had actually noticed. She also noticed that Cardin looked so sickly that she took pity on him, and for once decided to just let him sleep during her lecture, just as long as he did not snore.
As the bell ringed throughout Beacon, CRDL got up to head for their last class, not expecting much to happen for them since they've been excluded for pretty much the past few weeks or so, mostly due to there being so many students that not everyone can spar at least once a week, unless they were to go about it during their own time. Which, CRDL never really did, or not at least actively, instead choosing to spend their free time eating, watching T.V., or using their scrolls.
Anyhow, the four Disownians were not expecting to happen for any of them during this class. Simple and foolish that was though, for not thinking Pyrrha wouldn't seek vengeance, although to give them credit, they all expected her to be the type of person to not seek reparation for something so frivolous as Cardin throwing up on her.
Yet again, no one appreciates being thrown up upon at all.
"Alright, to begin our session today, I'll be taking volunteers to start our sparring. Is there anyone who would like to participate in the fist spar of the day?" The blond professor would inquire all of the class, and immediately, Pyrrha answered to her call, volunteering herself for the first match of the day. CRDL pay little no mind of it, again not believing Pyrrha to be the one who harbors desire for punishment.
"Well then, is there anyone who would like to volun-"
"-Actually, Professor Goodwitch, I have someone in mind already." Russel furrowed his brows, being the first to feel the fret encroach in his mind.
"Oh? Who is it then?"
"Cardin Winchester."
Russel groaned worryingly, as he, Sky, and Dove looked over to their leader, as other students around did the same, to see the Winchester just as he brought his head up from a slumping position, clutching his stomach as he spoke. "W-what? Someone say my na..." He would gaze down over to see Pyrrha, staring back at him, stone-cold as ever before. "O-oh, okay. I see."
"Mister Winchester, do you accept Pyrrha's challenge?" Goodwitch was, as everyone else, able to tell Cardin was having one of his weakest days. She could tell he was going to have a difficult time sparring in general, let alone against one of the finest first-year students like Nikos. Yet still she gave him the choice to accept Pyrrha's challenge, knowing that Cardin was most likely trained by his mother to put up decent fights when suffering from a sickness.
"Now hold on!" But Dove had a different opinion. "Excuse Professor, but Cardin isn't in any condition to fight. He's been sick for the past week and has still yet to make a full recovery." Again, another lie to come. "It wouldn't be a fair spar."
Pyrrha, on point, would fire back. "If it's not going to be fair for him. Then why don't you three go fight by his side against me." A wind of whispers, did Pyrrha really just challenge all of CRDL to a fight? The challenge had stirred up commotion and anticipation, while the brothers of Cardin just stared at Pyrrha, baffled by her audacity.
Then Cardin bellowed, coughed, heaving, as he just laughed at Pyrrha, soon to be joined by his brothers in a symphony of cackling that grinded the ears. "Ha ha ha haaaggggh! Ho God! Ugh- you-you arrogant bitch- CAAAAGGGH!" A little bit of black goo seeped into his mouth, to which he spat out. "Ho ohohoh... if you want CRDL, Nikos, then you'll get CRDL. We accept the challenge." Pushing himself, Cardin stood up, joints cracking while he stretched his neck, his brother following their lumbering leader as they left for the locker rooms, Pyrrha staring on as they left, feeling her heart uneasily thump, ever so, thinking what she was to do against them.
"Uh, Pyrrha," Jaune, concerned for her well being, snapping her out of her head, "are you sure this is a good idea? I mean if you want, we could just make it us versus them if you want."
She wouldn't look at him, she just clenched her fists. "... No, I'm gonna do this Jaune, I'm going to beat all of them." Arc almost wanted to tell her that this was too much trouble to go through just because Cardin threw up on her, he really did. But the tone, the sound, the weight of her voice hitting him, why, Jaune felt fearful of criticizing her at this moment. Thus, he let her walk away without protest, as he, Ren, Nora, and RWBY looked on at her, knowing well the mistake she made. Even if Cardin was sick, he still had his three, ruthless brothers fighting by his side, three of which- excluding Sky- whom semblances have been completely unknown ever since they came to Beacon.
They held the element of surprise on Pyrrha, the strength to overpower her, and the numbers to flank her on all sides. But yet again, Pyrrha was more of a tactician than any of them, and her semblance- unknown to CRDL as well- was going to give her some advantages on her side. But even if she was one of the strongest first-year students at Beacon, that fact would pose little of a dent against the one of the strongest first-year teams at Beacon; this will be anything but easy for her.
"So, how are we gonna go about this?" Sky questioned his pale leader, as he adorned his armor.
"We- cooooghh! Oh God- we're gonna... we're just gonna be absolute cunts."
"What?"
"Cunts, Dove. What I mean is that don't stop attacking her, always make sure there is one of us biting at her ass. Keep her on the edge the whole time." Cardin, silent with the occasional choking on puke, continued on with equipping his armor.
"... Is that it?" Russel started, "The plan is to just not give her any breathing room at all?"
"Uh- hofh! Y-Yeah. That's it Russel. If it takes us more than five minutes, or if one of us is s-somehow eliminated, then that's when you and Dove start using your semblances, understand?"
"Yeah."
"Yup."
"..."
Cardin, with his golden, baggy eyes, looked over at Thrush. "Russel, it's not like there's any other way to go about this."
"... Well, there probably is. But... can't we just use our semblances when we go out there?Like when the match starts? This is Pyrrha after all, not just some schmo that we could overpower easily. That doesn't mean we can't, but... it seems like we'd be done with this much faster if Dove and I used our semblances right as the match starts. We'd take her by surprise, and just absolutely obliterate her."
Cardin, Dove, and Sky, brought their eyes from Thrush and onto each other, taking in his suggestion for a second or two to pass by, before the halberdier commented on it. "I mean... we can. But that just seems to be a little mean honestly."
"A little mean? Pyrrha asked for this, Sky! She wants to fight the four of us! So why not give her the goddamn best that we can do?!"
"Well, Russel- caugggh- it's just that I... I-I don't know anymore," he rubbed his forehead, stomach churning against the meat, "God- fuck it, yeah, do it. I j-just want to be done with this as fast as possible honestly." Cardin pulled his mace out of the locker, noticing the trouble he had with carrying it efficiently in one hand with his current condition. "Damn- you also know what to do Russel, right?"
"Tch," the Thrush creaked with annoyance, knowing what Cardin was talking about, "I know, I know."
"Good, 'cause I want you to do it when the match starts."
"... Why?"
"It'll catch her off-guard, baffle her, shit like that." Carding flatly stated, as Russel gave an "oh," understanding his point. "Oh, and do it slowly too."
"... Dude, you know how much it fucking hurts?"
"Yeah, I know, but it'll add to the trauma Pyrrha has when she sees it."
"... Fucking fine."
"Welp... I guess we're ready. Let's go do it."
"Yeah, let's go bully Pyrrha." Sky exclaimed gleefully, being the last in line as the brothers left the locker room.
Dove responded to his masochistic brother. "We're not going to bully her, Sky."
"Well, it's four-against-one, Cardin, this isn't going to be a fair fight for her."
"The other students probably think otherwise." Bronzewing mumbled quietly, finding him with his brother in the lower area of the amphitheater, the raised stage before them. Strolling up onto the platform, Pyrrha stood still across from them, her face aloof, staring down the four ruffians, at their scarred face, grinning sadistically back at her, save for Cardin, grimacing in all of his painful existence.
The blonde battle teacher inquired of the boys, "Are you four ready?", and they responded with an affirmative nod of their heads. "Miss Nikos, are you ready?" As she stared daggers, specifically into the slumping leader of CRDL, she silently nodded her head too, tightening her fingers, holding onto Milo and Akouo, biting her tongue, relishing for the lights to go out.
"Then you five may begin." The surrounding lights vanished, leaving the five to face each other in surrounding darkness. It was a few seconds after this that Pyrrha's detached expression broke in befuddlement. So too did every student up in the stadium as well, watching Russel undressing himself, while his teammates stood aside and watched him to so, looking a tad bit annoyed as they waited for him to finish.
He would stop after taking his pale-green shirt off, showing off some actually decent abs- not as impressive as Sun's, staring at his brothers, absolutely confused. "What the fuck are you all doing?!"
Sky answered, giving a small smile as he spoke in an innocent manner. "Nothing, just waiting for you, that's all.-"
"-Fucking go fight her!" He shouted, his face reddening, irritated at the jackassery of his family, while they started to snicker; Cardin ended throwing a coughing fit though.
Nikos, having enough of this dicking-around, yelled at CRDL, her face also becoming crimson from the sight of a half-naked Thrush, "Why the hell is he undressing himself?!" To which Cardin, annoyed by her question, responded with a request, as Russel resumed with taking his belt and pants off.
"Shut the hell up, Nikos!" Ziz's son, using up all the strength his current state could muster, twisted his arms back, holding his mace, and flung the weapon into Pyrrha's direction. It gave her about a second or two to activate her semblance and gently push the weapon down, seemingly making appear to only land short, clanging as it skid to a stop at the redhead's feet, having been looking at it until so, before looking back up at Cardin, looking as if he had lost hope in his own capabilities, while Sky gave a thumbs up.
She had never been so exasperated than ever before in her life.
"That was pretty good, Cardin. I'll give your effort a... light three." Dove sighed, shaking his head at Lark and Winchester, moving onto closing his eyes, focusing all of his energy into the center of his forehead, the mark of the bullet, as Russel finally stripped himself to his boxers. He rubbed his hands vigorously, mentally bracing himself as he began his transformation.
His breathing turned into harsh, disturbingly loud panting, that soon transitioned into hoarse screaming, scratching groaning, as he fell onto his knees and hands, with the sound of bones breaking, sounding ever so loud with crisp snaps. Two spots on his shoulder blades bulged, growing bigger and bigger. The same happening for the front of his skull as well, until the skin exploded, blood spewing out all over the floor, making way for a large, angular-sharp, yellow beak, rowed with small white razors.
His torso gained more in bulk, as his legs stretched, feathers sprouting out from the roots of his skin, appearing mocha-brown. His wrists, his hands, his feet and toes, breaking apart and forming talons, clawed into he floor below, still being stained as his human body shed its skin. His muscle, rippling against one another, coated in brown, his eyes, brown turning into pure black orbs. Finally ending with the wings, magnificent in size, as long as Cardin is tall, burst from within to spread, for all to gawk at, in shock, awe, and disgust, having just watched a bloodbath take place before them.
In the end of it all, with the screeching coming to a halt, Russel's fallen form rose, standing a good three or four feet over Cardin, glowering over towards their opponent. As it all took place, Dove meanwhile, having stayed quiet in peace, despite all the horrid screaming, finished with his mental ritual.
The bullet scar of his forehead, taking shape of a glowing eye, blasted his sword, Sky's halberd, and Cardin's fists with a bright, white, cosmic glow. A sinister grin etched itself on the Winchester lips, seething with his black bile as he coughed.
Pyrrha, on the other hand, was not pleased at all. Never in her life has she felt this much demoralization, at the sight of Russel morphing into a a great beast, while Dove seemingly enchanted everyone with God-knows-what. Her teams, her friends, every students who wanted to watch CRDL get the asses handed to them, all stared on, their confidence in Pyrrha having been shot in the head and thrown into a fire, to cinder and flame, to ash.
What has she gotten herself into?
A slaughter, one would reply.
"Well guys," with one step forward, Cardin spoke through chattering teeth, "go get her!" He, to the left, Sky to the right, and Dove in the center, charged in a chorus of battle cries, in pincer formation, as with tense muscles, Pyrrha stanced herself, slowly stepping back with her shield raised and spear forward, slowly focusing her attention on Dove, who was closing in on her the fastest.
Russel, however, with an ear shattering screech, launched himself into the air. As Nikos quickly looked up, just at that moment, Thrush flapped his mighty wings, sending himself straight at the redhead. In total horror of the sight, Pyrrha jumped back ten feet or so, as Milo shifted into its rifle form, barely getting away as he came crashing his talons down into the stadium floor, creating hair-line crack that reach to her. She'd soon pull off a few good shots, hitting into Russel's skull, deflecting off of his aura.
Dove took advantage of Russel landing before him, sprinting as fast as his pudgy body was capable of. Closing in, he ran up the hunched over bird-beast's back and jumped, holding his glowing blade over his head. Seemingly to Pyrrha, he wasn't going to reach her. A foolish thought however, as when the brunette landed, slamming his sword onto the floor, a body-wide line, of the same cosmic glow, formed and reached even pass Pyrrha.
Not waiting for a microsecond, her heart skipped as she immediately rolled to her right, once seeing the floor brighten beneath her feet, just in time to watch it explode into an everlasting glory, reaching up several meters high before dying down.
"HYAAAAAA!" There was no time to rest, as Pyrrha hear Sky scream behind her, turning 180 to see him, twirling like a madman, holding his energy-infused halberd out as far as possible, heading right her. Yet instead of retreating, Pyrrha did the opposite, running towards, taking the risk of attempting to parry the insane brother.
CLANG! And success had come, as the halberdier found himself stopped, while Pyrrha used her semblance to keep the halberd down for a second or two. With haste, she brought of the rifle against the bottom of his chin, forcing the infuriated bluenette's head to crane back as she pulled the trigger. Skull, skin, blood, brain, and eyes flew out, as Sky's body fell back to repair itself, temporarily giving Nikos one less man to worry about.
"You bitch!" Cardin! How could she have forgotten him, as the brute came and slammed his foot into the back of her knee, just a second after she had just blew open Sky's head for students to cringe at.
With a grunt, as she was forced onto one knee, Cardin hastily wrapped his arms around her neck- again, being in a poor condition to fight, into a rather weak choke hold, in the sense that it gave her enough room quickly shift her head and bite down onto an exposed wrist of Cardin's. "Gah- you little-" Instead being sane- when has ever been such a thing- Cardin resorted, as one would expect from him, to chomping down into her neck, overexerting himself to put more pressure into it, as he listened to the Pyrrha blood-curdling screaming, piercing into his head.
What a dreadful sound it was, as it drilled further and further, until Cardin could bare no more. Releasing her from his teeth, Cardin clutched his ears, stumbling back and forth, all round, as his head started to ring. Pyrrha on the other hand was now in full panic, quickly regaining her footing, panting like a dog in heat, as she noticed a monolithic shadow looming over her.
"F-Fuck." The redhead dashed forward, listening as the floor behind her was completely pulverized by the roaring Russel, while keeping her eyes forward to Dove, off in the distance, holding his sword forward. Not wanting to give him the chance release a barrage of bullets upon her, Pyrrha opened fire first, still running as she did so, but now in a circling motion, upon the brunette swordsman.
Yet Dove remained still, holding his left hand forward now to project a rectangular great-shield of the white, cosmic energy, appearing to just absorb the bullets as they struck it, almost like as if it was a doorway. Needless to say, Pyrrha's ire grew evermore, as her heart's own thumping became immense, as she changed Milo back into its spear form, while taking Akouo back into her left hand, preparing to charge into Dove.
"BRRAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Yet the booming beast caught her attention, catching Russel, in the corner of her eye, much to her dismay, and the shock of students watch, literally ripping out a car-sized chunk of stone out of the floor. His feathered biceps swelled, as he lifted the gargantuan slab over his, eyeing up Nikos, who, as she watched the beast perform this feat of strength, reverted Milo into its javelin state, changing up her strategy as she stared right at Thrush's arm, pulling her arm back, ready throw.
But what is this? A glow beneath her feet, that tightened around her legs? A lasso, that of white the same white glow as, "...Dove!" Pyrrha's distraught, yet enraged emotion, manifested itself as she looked right back at Dove, wearing a shit-eating grin. With a violent pull, he tripped Nikos onto her rump, dropping Milo, right as Thrush finally threw the stone chunk, giving no time to lift up Akouo. All Pyrrha could do was activate her aura, and brace for impact, with students, distraught from what they were about to see.
The crash blasted throughout the amphitheater, rubble scattering among the stage, dust, ashy as it spread to wherever it felt. Dove and Russel stood still, watching, holding their breath, waiting, Bronzewing still had his glowing whip wrapped around her legs, not wanting to give her the chance of escaping.
Though he'd forced to do so, as the buzzard rang throughout the arena, and Goodwitch shouting, "That's enough! That's enough!" Bronzewing released the whip, the glowing of their weapon, as the mark of the bullet died out, leaving him to breath in relief, the dust settling before them. He looked around, finding Cardin having regained his composure, yet still coughing out black ooze as he retrieved his mace, then at Sky, his mangled, bleeding, shattered face halfway done with regenerating itself. Dove almost laughed at the sight, watching his partner having trouble with getting up in such a state of disrepair. Cardin would eventually make his way over to help up the halberdier.
Dove would for a moment, bring his attention to the crowd of students, studying their faces. Horrified by the power, disbelief for the lost of Nikos, some even looked amazed by the spar, probably more-so by Russel than anyone else on CRDL, it isn't everyday that one see a human transform into a beastly sight. He managed to catch sight of Jaune's face, that of demoralization at its finest, looking as if he wanted to run down here and check on Pyrrha.
"All right Sky, let's get you up." Groaned Cardin, clutching his stomach while grabbing the blind Lark by his hand, pulling him up to wrap his arm over his shoulder. "Dove, go get Russel's clothes." Sighing, of course he had to do it. Dove, bringing his attention back to his surrounding, began his search for the clothes of Thrush, gathering each piece, as the blond professor helped up Pyrrha from the crate Russel had made. Her aura had protected her from most of the damage, leaving her with small cuts, scrapes, and bruising, nothing that aura couldn't fix.
Dove stopped looking at the beaten champion of Mistral, shaking his head, wondering what on Remnant made Pyrrha think taking on all of them was such a good idea.
"Dove, let's go!" Cardin would shout, not caring if Goodwitch wanted them to stay for her critique on the spar, carrying the recovering Sky, followed by the hulking Russel. Bronzewing hurried up to catch them, leaving the eyes of students just watched them go, with a new-found sense of fear for CRDL having been developed today, while also thinking of how big their ego was going to be after this.
Though, if you were see the face of CRDL, they would appear to be rather miserable honestly. Cardin, still suffering from last night, half of Sky's face was just still missing, Russel, having reverted back into his normal self- naked of course- right after they enter the locker room, looked disappointed in himself, for which he was, mentally ridiculing himself for missing Pyrrha just a few times. Dove, out of all them, was the only one who felt a sense of pride in their victory, having been the one who managed to incapacitate Pyrrha long enough for Russel to hit. Though with how every one of his brothers looked, his mood was brought down to their exhaustive and disappointed level.
"... Well," yet, Dove would still say, "we did it. We beat Pyrrha."
"Yaaaay." Went Cardin, with agony.
"Woooo..." Russel let out, exasperated.
Sky would just make an absolutely abhorrent sound of gargling blood, as it still dripped from his mangled head. Cardin would instruct him to, "J-Just sit down, Sky," to which he complied, letting himself rest on one of the benches, as Dove handed Russel his gear to put on, letting Dove to sit himself down as well, next to Lark. Cardin leaned up against his own locker, letting his head fall to moan, bouncing off the mostly empty room. "I... I feel like shit."
"Yeah, well," Russel finished putting on his eyepatch, "maybe you should have stayed in the room like I told ya. Maybe then, Pyrrha wouldn't have gone and challenged the whole team." His sentence ended just as he face up to Cardin, lifting his head up to scowl at the punk.
"She only challenged us because you pointed out that it wouldn't be a fair fight for me!"
Russel moved himself closer, forcing the Winchester to fully bring himself up, standing tall in agitation. "Oh, are you insinuating that you would have rather fought her by yourself?"
"That's not what I'm saying you CUNT!-"
"-Guys, guys!" Dove put himself between the two, pushing them away from one another, yet still eyeing one another with dirty looks. "Guys! Stop this, okay? We won, we managed to beat Pyrrha Nikos. It shouldn't matter how we beat her, or why we had to fight her to begin with. All that matters is that we won, and brothers shouldn't fight one another after a victory, got it?"
"..."
"..."
"... Tch- c'mere, c'mere, group hug guys, group hug." Dove held his arms out, smiling with a fatherly nature, as Cardin and Russel still shot daggers into one another, their fist clenching, breathing loudly. But reluctance, they accepted the offer, slowly turning to Dove, and rigidly, came into his open arms, all three wrapping one another with brotherly love. "There we go, all good, all good, bring it in."
As they patted each other's back, Sky joined in, bring close to them his curdling, almost reformed face of inhumanly smooth skin, eyeless, with incredibly small lips, stating: "I love you guys." That's when his brothers broke away, visibly gagging when seeing his face invade their personal space, even gagging at the mere sight of the freak. "Ah guys, come on, that's not ni-"
The creaking of doors stopped Sky, yet he could not see who it was that had entered the locker room, leaving his brothers to look back and see Pyrrha, in her broken state, with Jaune by her side, accompanying her to her locker, watched by CRDL, before looking back to their own business, except Cardin. His gaze remained upon the beaten champion, looking, looking, as she sat herself down, Cardin could only how humiliated she must have felt. So pitiful, to be such a prolific figure to the public eye, only to be squashed by four no-names from a former prison island.
Albeit no one, at least as far as Cardin was aware of, knew CRDL hailed from
That is why, after seeing her open her locker, that Cardin decided to trot over to the two students, gaining Jaune's attention first, as he looked to see the Winchester moving in on them. For the second time, ever since Cardin came here to Vale, would Jaune dare to scowl at the brute, getting up to stop Cardin from coming any closer.
"Cardin, just leave us alone." Nikos turned her head when hearing those words, her pained, green eyes looking to see her leader, arms crossed, blocking Cardin from her, as he sighed in vexation of the blond.
"Jaune, I'm not gonna hurt her. I just want to congratulate her." Jaune opened his mouth, about to retort the towering thug, only to stop when recognizing he said congratulate.
"What?" Yet Pyrrha would speak up, standing up to look Cardin into his golden orbs, almost losing herself in them for a second. "What are you talking about?"
"Nikos, you... you challenged the four of us. You stepped down there with us. Fought against us, never looking like you were about to quit. Anyone else would have probably given up once seeing Dove and Russel use their semblances, but you didn't. And for that, I congratulate you on going through with what you say." The two, baffled, took in Cardin's words, finding it almost hard to believe he was being legitimate in this case, as he turned to walk away.
Hesitantly though, Pyrrha replied with a shaky, "T-Thanks, Cardin," out of politeness, still not sure if he was genuine, while earning herself a little nod from CRDL's leader.
"There's no shame in losing against a team, Pyrrha. Don't let this defeat get to you."
Wishing to no longer be near them, Cardin left, not because he didn't want to be near. But because it felt like he was standing on needles. Curse this life I was given, Cardin would think in moments like this, and curse those hearts as well. When returning to his returning to his brothers, whom watched him from afar, curious of his action, was met with a question from Dove.
"What were you talking to them about."
"Oh, stupid bullshit about not being ashamed of losing to us, something like that. Anyways, let's... let's just go already, it hurts to stand."
"O-oh." The four, without taking another gander over at the two, left, Sky being guided by Dove, as his eyes had yet to return, forcing him to hold onto his partner's shoulder with his hand. Though when entering the hallways, CRDL found themselves muddled, watching dozens of students as they left the amphitheater. "What... what's going o-"
"- Hey!" CRDL, looking to their back, saw Ruby approaching them, stopping in front of Cardin, "you guys did great out there! You four were the first to ever beat Pyrrha, so congrats."
"..."
"..."
"... Mmm," Russel sucked the air through his teeth, kind of off-put that Ruby was congratulating them on beating her friend up in front of the whole school, "yeah, we are. But it was still four against one, so there's not much to celebrate. But thanks though."
"You're welcome." The petite girl looked back up at Cardin. Just like Pyrrha, she would be slightly taken hold by his eye; such mysterious orbs, that Ruby thought no one could ever be born with such eyes. "I'm glad to see you're all," Cardin turned his head to cough some of his black goo into his arm, "... good, Cardin."
Sniffling his nose, Cardin said, "Thanks. Oh, hey- you know why is everyone leaving all the sudden?"
"Yeah, Goodwitch canceled rest of class today, because... well, you guys made a mess with the arena, to the point where it was unusable."
Chuckling, Sky stated, "Nice, very nice," grinning, at the thought of how much of a mess they left, since he was blinded and incapacitated for a good portion of the match.
Cardin, clearing his throat, spoke, "Cool, well, thanks for telling us Ruby. We'll see you around." With that, CRDL walked around the little leader, feeling relief of getting to go to their room early, relishing the comfort of their own comfy beds.
"W-Wait!" But, irritatingly so, Ruby apparently still wanted to talk to them.
Looking back, Cardin trying his best to not sound agitated, simply asked, "What?"
"I... are you guys gonna... go to the dance this weekend?" Ah, the dance. After having found against Pyrrha such a one-sided spar, they had almost forgotten about it, what with losing themselves with the thrill that comes with combat..
"Oh, uhhh, I don't... I don't really think any of us are gonna go, we don't have any dates, no suits, we don't even like dancing."
"I like dancing."
"Shut up, freak." Cardin ordered Sky, making him whimper like a dog, just the way his leader liked it.
Ruby's large, grey eyes would wander to the floor, as she said, "Oh, okay then. I under-"
"-Unless..." Cardin pondered, thinking, thinking, wondering if he should, and soon concluded, "... you would want to go to the dance with me." Russel, eyes widened, stared up at the back of his leader, as Sky laughed in a rather creepy chuckle, and Dove, standing still, waiting to hear what Ruby said, as he watched her cheeks blush, the corners of her lips slowly reaching for her ears.
"I... y-yeah, sure! I'll go to the dance with you." Cardin, smirking rather than smiling, giving Ruby a glimpse of his pointed teeth.
"Nice, then I'll see you there." With that, now CRDL could finally leave, turning back around, resuming to their room once again, as Ruby was left, staring at those broad shoulders of Cardin's, her face reddening further as scandalous thoughts ran through her head.
"So... you're just gonna forget about Coco then?"
"Yeah... I mean hell, I haven't even seen her for the past few days really."
"I think they were actually sent on a mission."
"Well shit then, she wouldn't even be able to go then. It's not she'd say yes to me anyway."
"Yeah, you're right about that..."
"All right you two, you got your things packed."
"Yes, Ziz, ma'am, Sure-Shank and I have packed the things we'll need for our trip."
"Good, good, by tomorrow, I expect you two to be at Beacon to inform my boys of what their first mission will be. Do I make myself clear."
"Yes, madam."
"Excellent, now go get going, I'll be head to Dion tonight, like always."
"Mm-hm, yes, we'll see you again, soon. Oh, and Ziz."
"What?"
"I... would like to apologize for waking you up this morning with our concerns. I-"
"-Richard, apologies are for pussies. Don't you be one right now. I understand your concerns, I really do. I understand why you are concern, and I respect your opinion. But mind decision is final. It always has been, and it'll always be, remember that."
"... I will, Ziz..."
