Outcasts and Outlaws

Chapter 6

The Outcast Meets the Outlaw

I'm back! I've finally returned to write more chapters! Sorry for the delay but I had trouble getting to a computer and so couldn't upload chapters but the good news is that in that time I've written the drafts for all 18 chapters of this volume. Some of the details in them might be changed or removed, but for the most part they are done. I've also got access to computers now so chapters should be coming out more regularly. I've also been working on a Naruto fan fiction that I might upload. Anyway, to the story.

Connor stood in the centre of the vale plaza, awaiting the arrival of Ruby's team. Is shirt now had only one sleeve after the other was cut off to stitch his shoulder wound and he hadn't bothered to fix it. He wasn't any good at that kind of stuff.

He was looking forward to the day ahead. It was the first time anyone had invited him out and it had raised his spirits significantly. Kane however was being his usual grumpy self and wanted nothing to do with it.

Connor heard someone calling his name from somewhere and turned to see Ruby, Yang, Weiss and Blake walking across the plaza towards him. Ruby smiled cheerfully all the way whilst Yang looked cautious of Connor and Weiss and Blake looked bored, as if they really didn't want to be there.

"Hey, Connor!" Ruby greeted when they all reached him. "How are you feeling?"

Connor moved his shoulder around, testing it and then replied, "A lot better thanks."

Before the two could continue their conservation, Weiss hurried over and poked Connors torn sleeve, pouting furiously.

"What is this?!" She complained. "You cannot walk around town like that, I won't allow it! We are all going to go and look for something for you to wear!"

Weiss then stormed off in the direction of the nearest clothes shop, Blake reluctantly following. Connor didn't like Weiss' bossiness, but he didn't have any other choice, and he needed a new shirt anyway. He and Ruby soon followed, walking side by side whilst Yang watched from closely from behind.

Oblivious to Yang's stare, Ruby commented, "I liked that shirt, it's a shame."

"Yeah, it is." Connor responded, secretly glad Ruby liked his fashion style. "But I've been wearing the same shirt for years; I could use a new one."

Yang followed the two closely as they spoke, eavesdropping on their conversation. So far Connor seemed like a fairly normal person, so she supposed she could try to be nice and maybe learn a bit more about him, but she couldn't shake the feeling she'd heard his name somewhere before.

Much to their surprise, Yang then approached Ruby and Connor and put her arms around their shoulders, acting friendly. "So what are you guys talking about?" She grinned, pretending to be nice to learn more about Connor.

Connor instantly saw through her deceit however, and casually remarked, "Why are you so cheerful all of a sudden?"

Yang tightened her arm around Connor, slightly cramping him and whispered into his ear, "Ruby is off limits, understood?"

Connor didn't immediately understand what she meant but after a quick notification from Kane, got what she was saying. "Don't say that!" He replied. "We're just friends!"

Leaving Ruby confused by the whole exchange, Yang let go of the two of them and patted Connor on the head as if disciplining him and then ordered, "Keep it that way." Then sped off in front of them to rejoin Weiss and Blake.

Before Ruby could ask Connor what that was all about they had arrived at the front of the clothes shop, and in the front was an extravagant black cloak on a mannequin. Weiss saw its glory and cried out, "This one is perfect! It'd look great on you!"

"I do think it would suit you." Ruby agreed, making Connor want to check it out. He walked up to the cloak and checked the price tag, then frowned.

"It's pretty expensive." He commented, disappointed by the high value price tag of the cloak. Both he and Kane both liked the look of it.

"That's all right, we'll pay for it." Ruby suggested cheerfully. "We can all pitch in!"

The three other girls looked annoyed by this, but didn't want to upset Ruby and since she was their team leader, they had to obey her. They all handed their money over to Ruby who handed it to Connor in turn. Connor couldn't believe it. Nobody had ever been so generous towards him before, he was happy but also questioning why they were being so nice.

Connor took the money anyway and brought the cloak, putting it on as soon as they left the shop. The cloak was very long, its tail extending down to his knees and its collar sticking up over his neck, but he liked it and so did Kane. Afterwards, Weiss announced that she was going to the dust shop and Yang and Blake left for the bookstore. Ruby said she wanted to go to the magazine shop and Connor went with her. Once there, Ruby immediately grabbed a weapons magazine and started flicking through the pages enthusiastically. Connor went over and saw a magazine cover with a picture of a wanted poster on the front and opened to the indicated page for a read.

Beware citizens! A murderer walks the streets! Brook Phobos! A member of the dying group of rebels known as the Outlaws, known for once almost causing civil war between the state and the Outcasts of society, has been spotted in Vale! If you catch sight of this villainous scum, stay away! He is armed and is known to have psychopathic tendencies! He will kill you simply for seeing him! If you spot this fiend call the Vale Police Department immediately!

Connor took one last look at the front cover of the magazine, making a note to remember the face, and then placed it back down. Ruby was already paying for her magazine and Connor began to walk over to her.

He stopped and stood still when he heard glass smashing. The skylight of the shop had been broken and a man in tattered clothing was jumping down through the hole. The intruder landed in between Ruby and the shop keeper and smashed the till with his weapon, intent on vandalism rather than robbery.

When the attacker looked at Connor, he instantly recognised his face. He was bald with many scars all over his face and his arms ended not in hands, but in rusty metal work hooks, sharpened to their peak. It was Brook Phobos, the madman murderer from the wanted poster.

"Ruby, run!" Connor yelled urgently, knowing she wouldn't be any help without her weapon. She heeded his warning and bolted out of the door looking for Yang. Brook lunged Connor, who flicked out his wrist blades just in time to block the sharp hooks. Brook pushed hard against Connors defence, his strength was unbelievable. Connor requested a boost from Kane and he got it, allowing him to push Brook off.

Connor felt a sudden burst of rage from Kane that forced him forward, tackling Brook towards the window.

Meanwhile Ruby stood on the plaza, Yang rushing towards her after receiving a message on her scroll. Ruby quickly explained what had happened and the two rushed back to the magazine shop, but before they reached it, Connor and Brook barrelled out of the window in each other's wrestling arms.

Brook cut Connors recently stitched shoulder open again they tumbled onto the concrete. Connor winced from the pain but gritted his teeth and quickly started to stand up. Before he could however, Brook was already upright and stuck a hook into Connors left eye.

Ruby screamed Connors name as he writhed in pain, blooding seeping from the wound. Brook looked Connor in the eye and maliciously whispered, "Pleasure to see you again, Kane." Followed by a mad laugh.

Connor flinched as his opponent said Kane's name. How did he know about Kane? Who the hell was this guy? Before his questions could be answered, Brook tore the hook out of Connors eye, spraying blood everywhere and leaving a nasty scar.

Ruby whimpered as she saw blood flowing freely from Connors eye and his consciousness wavering. Brook laughed maniacally again and declared, "Now, I'll take your other eye!" He swung his hook down towards his other eye, but it was deflected by an invisible barrier. Brook stepped away from Connor knowing what was happening, knowing he was too late claim his kill, as a black shadowy aura formed around Connor.

Ruby didn't know what has happening. She watched as the shadowy aura surrounded Connors entire body and lifted his head, snarling.

His eyes were pitch black.

Connor, or rather what was left of his mind, quickly rose and shot a dark ball of energy at Brook, who was hit by it and disappeared. The Brook Connor had hit had just been a clone that Brook had used, in order to get away.

Because he knew he was no match for Kane.

Connor turned to Ruby, the shadowy aura now fading and collapsed.

Thank you for reading this chapter! It's quite different to the original draft so hopefully it is still long enough, sorry if it isn't. Hope you liked the first look at the new character of Brook, and I assure you all he will be making a reappearance soon, and you will learn more about his back-story. I will hopefully have the next chapter up in the next couple of days. Until then, Bye-Bye!