Chapter 4: The Past Returns
The mysterious girl continued her charge towards Mana. Mana only stood there paralyzed by both fear and the mysterious force draining her strength. Everyone was trying desperately to move to save Mana but to no avail. Right as the girl was about to deliver the killing blow, Ryu shoved Mana out of the way and brought up his sword to take the impact. Upon impact Ryu was sent sliding back due to the force of the strike but manage to remain standing. The girl was a little shocked that Ryu had managed to knock Mana out of the way and take the impact. She smiled.
"I'm impressed Ryu, I heard you were a skilled warrior but even that shouldn't have allowed you to break out of my drain ability." the girl complimented.
"You know me got a trick for just about every situation." Ryu replied.
"So it would seem," she stated.
Ryu stared down the mysterious girl.
"I see those rumors were true about you then," Ryu stated. "Grim Reaper."
"I guess they were," the girl replied.
She smiled. She stuck her scythe in the ground. Ryu gave a confused look. She cracked her knuckles.
"I think I'll enjoy myself it's not every day I run into a person able to counteract the effect of my semblance," she explained.
Ryu smirked. Ryu place his sword on his back and took up a fighting stance.
"Let's see how long you can last," she stated.
The girl charged at Ryu with surprising speed. She aims a punch straight at him. Ryu crosses his arms to block. The impact sent Ryu flying through some trees knocking them down. He slowly began to rise blood running down the right side of his face. Before he could finish standing the girl sent a strong knee straight to his jaw sending him again into the air. Before he flew far enough she grab him by his leg and threw him back towards the temple. Upon landing he manages to stand back up. Before he could respond she appeared next him and sent him flying with a powerful spin kick to his head. He crashed into the temple causing it to crumble around him. He pushed the stones off of him and got back up blood streaming down his face. He spat out blood and smirked. The girl again charged at him and continued to mercilessly beat him to a pulp. She threw him back towards the group, all of which were still frozen. Ryu again got back up. He wiped the blood off his mouth. The girl continued her assault. She punched him straight in the face. She grabbed his shirt to prevent him from flying to far. She pulled him in and punch him out a few times until his shirt tore. He was sent flying back a little ways. He again got back up. He took off his now torn up vest and threw it to the side. The girl gave a surprised looked at the sight of Ryu's multitude of battle scars.
"I'm quite surprised at least this answers how you can survive my attacks despite your aura being at zero. You truly are a fine warrior." she stated.
"Thanks," Ryu replied.
"It's unfortunate that I have to kill you though." she stated.
"If that's the cause then why not let me live?" Ryu questioned.
"Orders are orders," she stated. "The bitch must die."
Mana got angry at the statement. Ryu took up a fighting stance.
"One not gonna happen and two don't call her a bitch," Ryu stated.
The girl was about to charge forward when several aircraft flew overhead of them. The two looked up to see Ozpin, Glynda and many other teachers. They Looked back at each other.
"Looks like you lucked out Ryu," the girl stated before vanishing along with her scythe.
Ryu spit out blood. He looked down. He smiled and clenched his fist.
"Still further I can climb," Ryu stated.
Everyone else felt their strength return and were able to move again. They all breathed a sigh of relief.
"What the hell just happened!" exclaimed Iris.
Mana looked down.
"Me... she was after me," Mana stated.
"Well we figured that but why?" Tala inquired.
"Cause I'm with the White Fang and she's likely with the Night Hunters," Mana answered.
"Well okay but who was she?" Sun asked.
"She's known as the Grim Reaper," Ryu explained. "A legendary assassin from the war. It is said she never failed an assignment."
"Well looks like she failed her first," Luz pointed out.
"By choice though," Ryu pointed out.
The aircrafts landed. Ozpin and Glynda got off one of their aircraft.
"Well it looks like you all are very lucky to be alive," Ozpin pointed out. "Especially you Ryu. I'm quite impressed."
Ryu smiled.
"Thank you sir," Ryu replied.
"Alright students you may take anyone of the aircrafts back to Beacon," Ozpin explained.
"Sweet!" Iris exclaimed.
"Let's get going," Luz stated.
The group began to move to towards the aircraft but Caesar remained still his eyes still widened with surprise. Luz noticed Caesar.
"Hey Caesar come on," Luz called out.
Caesar remained still. Everyone turned towards him.
"Caesar?" Luz stated.
Caesar suddenly collapsed on to his hands and knees.
"CAESAR!" Luz cried.
She rushed to his side.
"Caesar… hey Caesar, what's wrong?" Luz pleaded.
"That girl… that girl… was… was," Caesar began.
"Was what?!" Luz asked.
"Was Luna," Caesar stated.
Ryu's eyes widen with surprise.
"Your sister?" Ryu stated.
Caesar slowly got back up.
"Yep it was her I wouldn't forget those eyes," Caesar answered.
Caesar paused for a minute. Before tears began to stream from his face.
"I thought she was dead… gone forever," Caesar stated. "But… what's happened to her she was nothing like that when before?"
"We'll find out later we just need to go now." Luz answered.
Caesar looked to Luz. She gave him a warm smile.
"Right let's go," Caesar stated.
The group got on the ships and returned to Beacon.
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After some rest everyone went to the ceremony to officially have teams formed. One by one teams were formed.
"Luz Silve, Iris Ager, Holokai Storm, and Tala Gale." Ozpin called up.
They all went up.
"You four have retrieved the white rook pieces from now on you will be known as team Light (LIHT)," Ozpin proclaimed. "Lead by… Luz Silve."
"Wahoo!" Luz shouted as she leaped into the air.
The newly formed team LIHT exited the stage.
"Caesar Lumen, Shinku Ryu, Mana Whero, and Sun Qiangdu," Ozpin called up.
They all went up.
"You four have retrieved the white knight pieces from now on you will be known as team Crimson (CRMS)," Ozpin proclaimed. "Lead by… Caesar Lumen."
Caesar's eyes widened in surprise.
"Wh… wh… what?" Caesar stuttered.
"Congrats man," Ryu stated patting him on the back.
"I'm the leader?" Caesar questioned.
"Great Job!" Luz cheered.
The newly formed team CRMS left the stage.
"Things are shaping up to be quite interesting," Ozpin stated.
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The group of friends reconvened after they checked out their dorm rooms in front of the school. It was approaching twilight.
"Hey I'm a head into town I hadn't gotten time to look around," Ryu stated.
"I'll come with you I want to see what's around town," Caesar stated.
"Mind if I come along?" Sun asked.
"Nah you can come," Ryu answered. "Mana?"
"No thank you I'm going to the dorms and sleeping," Mana answered. "I had enough excitement for one day."
"Oh come on," Ryu retorted.
"Hey I had a hard day," Mana retorted.
"Oh rreeaally you had a hard day," Ryu remarked. "Let's see who got the shit beat of him… oh right… me."
"Shut up I'm going to bed," Mana replied.
She walked away grumbling.
"Anyways, anyone else care to join us?" Caesar asked.
"Nah I'm a follow Mana's lead and hit the hay," Tala answered.
"I'm good," Holokai answered.
"No way I've had enough trouble for one day," Iris answered.
Ryu sighed.
"Really you've had enough trouble for one day?" Ryu brought.
"Shut up!" Iris shouted before storming off.
"Well I'll tag along," Luz answered. "I've lived here for five years now so I can show you around."
"Sweet," Caesar replied.
"See yalls later," Tala and Holokai stated.
"Later," Ryu replied.
"See ya later guys," Luz replied.
"Later guys," Sun replied.
"See ya later," Caesar replied.
Tala and Holokai went back to their dorms.
"Well we best be off," Caesar stated.
The remain group went off into Vale.
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The group had decided to walk around the Commercial District first. The walk from shop to shop checking out the merchandise. As the group walked by a shop called From Dust Till Dawn Ryu spotted a familiar face.
"Well I be damned," Ryu exclaimed.
"What?" Caesar questioned.
"Old war buddy of mines in that shop," Ryu explained.
Caesar looked to see a faunus buying dust inside the shop.
"Ahh…" Caesar responded.
"I'm a go in a say hi be right back," Ryu stated.
"Kay," Caesar replied.
Ryu headed into the shop.
"Well well what do we have here Martin Quill long time no see," Ryu greeted.
Martin turn to face Ryu.
"Ryu my brother how ya been man?" he greeted.
"Been good man how have you been?" Ryu replied as the two embraced in a hug patting each other on the back.
"I've been good man," Martin replied as the two pulled back apart.
"I haven't seen you since the war ended," Ryu pointed out.
"Yeah tell me about it things with the White Fang have been eating up my time," Martin stated.
"I bet," Ryu replied.
"So what are you doing here I heard you left home after the war?" Martin asked.
"I'm enrolled at Beacon Academy," Ryu answered.
"Really you're going to combat school?" Martin brought up. "You took on 500 guys at once."
"In a narrow mountain pass and besides there are already a few people who are pretty strong," Ryu replied.
"Really now?" Martin inquired.
"Yeah two of them are waiting outside for me," Ryu explained pointing to the trio waiting outside. "The girl and the large dude."
"Ahh I see," Martin replied.
"The two guys are actually on the same team as me," Ryu further explained. "The one in the armor is my team's leader."
"Nice," Martin replied.
"Yeah well I best get going nice catching up with you quick Martin," Ryu stated.
"Same here and hey Sage is town by the way," Martin replied.
"I'll have to catch up with her at some pointed." Ryu stated. "See ya man."
"Later," Martin replied.
Ryu went back out with everyone else.
"Enjoy your chat?" Caesar asked.
"Yeah," Ryu answered.
"I keep forgetting you don't mind the faunus," Luz stated. "It's always weird to see you talking to them so casually."
Ryu shrugged off the comment.
"Wait what about Mana you talk to her casually," Ryu pointed out.
"Well yeah we're both girls and plus she has really cut wolf ears and tail." Luz stated.
Ryu rolled his eyes.
"Anyways where to now?" Sun brought up.
"Don't know," Ryu replied.
"I know a nice cafe a little ways down." Luz stated.
"I say we head there," Caesar stated.
"Fine by me," Sun stated.
"Same," Ryu stated.
The group began to walk down a towards the cafe. After traveling a little ways, suddenly man with a hood on came running out of an alleyway with a cat faunus on his trail. The faunus was a young women with an overarching color theme of red, black, white, and silver. She wore black short shorts with silver trim and she had a white tank top with a red open vest. Her emblem was an orange bird on her shorts. Her hair was multicolored with white, black, and red. She wore silver combat boots. She wore a waist cape that was see through and black. She also had a belt over it that is silver trimmed.
The man ran towards the group.
"Please save me!" He cried.
Everyone but Ryu took up a fighting stance ready to defend the man. Ryu walked out of the group. They all stared at him as he walked towards the man. The man neared him.
"Oh thank yo…" The man began before being cut off by sticking his arm out catching him by surprise.
The man fell onto his back and laid there in a daze.
"Ryu what the hell!" Sun shouted.
Ryu looked down at the man. The young woman caught up and looked down at the man.
"Thanks for helping me catch him Ryu," the woman stated.
"No problem Sage," Ryu replied.
"Wait you know this woman?" Caesar asked.
"Another old war buddy of mine," Ryu answered.
"Names Sage," Sage stated.
"So what did ya want with this guy?" Ryu asked.
"Take a good look at him I'm sure you recognize him." Sage answered.
Ryu removed the man's hood to get a better look at him.
"Oh hohohho… well, well, well..." Ryu began.
He picked up the man by his shirt's collar.
"Peter Smith… It's been far too long you bastard," Ryu greeted.
"Ehhahaha… hey Ryu I was ahhh… kind of hoping you wouldn't recognize me," Peter explained.
"Oh well that's too BAD!" Ryu shouted has he slammed Peter against a wall nearby.
The act shocked Caesar, Luz and Sun.
"Hey no need to be so hard," Luz pointed out.
"Oh I could think of a lot of reasons why I need to be this hard but I won't go into them. Anyways any particular reason you chasing after this idiot?" Ryu asked.
"I need to find the Night Hunters hideout," Sage began. "I was thinking our good friend Peter might know."
"Well Pete do ya?" Ryu questioned.
"uhhhh… well…" Peter began.
Ryu slammed him even harder against the wall.
"Peter!" Ryu raised his voice.
"I don't know anything I swear," Peter blurted out.
"You swear?" Ryu questioned.
"I swear I know nothing, Versailles just asked me to relay a message," Peter stated.
"What was the message?" Sage asked.
"Three moth's wings for two birds to fly." Peter stated.
"I see Sage write that down." Ryu ordered.
"Got it," Sage responded.
"Three moth's wings for to birds to fly?" Sun inquired.
"The hell is that suppose to mean?" Luz asked.
"It's a coded message in case this happens." Ryu stated.
"Well what does it mean?" Sun asked.
Ryu sighed.
"If I knew I wouldn't have had Sage write down the coded message." Ryu answered.
"Plus it be a pretty stupid code if you could solve it easily," Caesar pointed out.
"Alright thanks pal," Ryu stated. "Anything else I might want to know."
"Well… uuhhhhh..." Peter began.
"Peter!" Ryu raised his voice.
"Okay Okay," Peter began. "I overheard a meeting for some of the Night Hunters at a warehouse here in Vale."
"Go on," Ryu stated.
"I didn't hear specifics but supposedly it's the warehouse on the westside of town farthest from the docks tonight." Peter finished.
"Anything else?" Ryu questioned.
"Nothing I swear," Peter exclaimed.
Ryu glared at Peter.
"I swear I know nothing else," Peter stated.
Ryu let go of Peter causing him to fall to the ground.
"Fine, the info you gave us is good." Ryu stated. "Now scram you spineless coward."
Peter ran away from the group as fast as he could.
"Anyways I'd like to stay and chat but I gotta get going to try and figure out that message." Sage stated.
"Alright send me the message I'll see what I can do to help," Ryu requested.
"Sure I'll do it now." Sage stated.
She opened up her scroll and sent Ryu the message.
"Alright thanks see ya later Sage," Ryu stated.
"Later," Sage replied.
Sage ran off back into an alleyway.
"Geez what is this veteran's reunion day," Sun exclaimed.
"It is weird that we've met a lot of people Ryu knew from the war," Caesar pointed out.
"No kidding," Luz stated.
"Anyways now what do we do?" Ryu asked.
"Well we could hmmm…" Caesar began. "We could check out that Night Hunters meetup."
"I'm fine with that," Ryu stated. "But why do you want to?"
Ryu turned and faced Caesar.
"Well…" Caesar began. "I need to know, what is this organization, what are there plans and why is my sister apart of it? I have to find these answers."
Ryu smiled.
"Together," Ryu stated holding out his fist. "Right partner?"
Caesar chuckled.
"Right partner," He stated as he bumped fists with Ryu.
"Hey don't forget me," Luz stated.
"You're coming with?" Caesar asked.
"Of course what kind of friend would I be if I didn't." Luz answered.
Caesar smiled.
"And what about you Sun?" Caesar asked.
Sun smirked.
"Hmmph… Do you even need to ask, of course I'm in." Sun replied. "I'm not one to sit idly by and just let some organization destroy a group of people who are innocent."
Caesar looked around.
"Thanks everyone," he stated.
Everyone smiled.
"Let's get going," Ryu stated.
"Right," Caesar affirmed.