Hello readers. Last chapter was really sad, wasn't it? So I'm gonna do you all a favor. This chapter will be action packed... maybe. What, you'd think I'd give it away?
Yang: You actually have to. Otherwise there wouldn't be a fanfic.
...Touche. But I will let them read it anyway.
Ruby: Yeah Yang, no spoilers!
Yang: But I wasn't giving it away, he was!
Weiss: Would you just be quiet?! Let him get this over with!
...Um, is Weiss in a bad mood or something?
Ruby: Yang flushed the toilet while Weiss was in the shower. Twice.
Ah. Well then, let's just leave it at th-
Blake: Here's the chapter... Hmm. Talking in these feels weird.
Beacon Infirmary, Late at Night
Dan woke up slowly, yawning quietly. He looked around in almost complete darkness. He got up slowly as well, feeling sore in his left shoulder. He rubbed the shoulder, and felt the new arm.
Rough, he thought to himself.
Well of course it is, kid. How else could it block that huge scapel?
Okay, so my thoughts aren't private anymore?
Kid, you're like a small house for me. And you're the guy who's on the speaker. I think anyone would hear everything you think.
Good to know. Now, can I do all of what you did before?
In theory, yes.
In theory?
Your Semblance is a rare thing, kid. I ain't seen anything like it before. Since I am what I am, I didn't have much of a problem. But you have much less aura then I do.
Gee, thanks for the confidence.
Kid, most people don't even have a pecent of my total aura. You have a whopping amount, though. Around five percent.
And that could be better in 95 ways, don't you think?
Aaaaaaand that's where our deal comes in. You see, think of me as a charger. And your a battery. But I'm special, since I can extend the limits of said battery. Once you go through so many charges, you'll end up with more aura.
And how long would it take?
Depends on the person, but most end up doubling every couple years or so.
Enough talk, or thoughts. It's time I get out of here.
And do what, kid?
Take down Mr. Grimm.
Beacon Courtyard
Dan had just gotten his gear ready to go and equipped when he reached the entrance of Beacon. He stood a few feet from it, and stopped. He pulled out his sword and drove it into the ground.
Where I'm going, a sword won't help me. After all, I'd like to keep the remaining arm.
Kid, you should know that thanks to you contract with me, you will regorw your arm. I gather up enough by saving up a small percentage of my aura. This'll take around five to six years, though, so get used to that arm for now.
Well, either way, we are losing time. We're going.
"Dan? What are you doing?" He freezes, hearing Peach's voice. "You shouldn't be up and about, let alone in combat g... You're leaving." Her voice couldn't have sounded sadder.
"... I need to do this, Ms. P. If he's the creator of Souless and has all that Black Dust, then it has to end. And it's only natural that do it since his first victim was..." Dan gets out before she hugs him close. His nose is assaulted by her smell, calming him.
"I know... Just promise me one thing? Don't leave this world before I do. I couldn't stand it when they died, I don't want to feel that again."
Dan smiles sadly. "... I won't. And once this is all over, we'll have a picnic. Like we used to have. You promise with me, Ms. P."
She giggled. "Alright, Dan. I promise."
He hugs her tightly, and whispers something in her ear. He runs off, using his semblance to teleport when he was halfway across.
She stood there in shock, but it soon turned to calm happiness as she walked away. She planned on telling Ozpin in the morning that Dan had gotten away from her using his runes. No need to tell him where he was going, since he would only try to force Dan back. She knew Ozpin was a stubborn man, but she would do it anyway.
After all, a mother would do anything for her child.
Ozpin watched from his office, a small smile on his face. Goodwitch, however was the opposite.
"What point was there in that fight if you were going to let him go anyway?! Honestly, if you let him go earlier..."
"It wasn't in the plan for him to get this power, Glynda. I had no idea such beings existed, otherwise he would've stayed."
She stayed silent for a moment, then shiok her head. "He can't handle this Ozpin! Not alone, at least! Send the rest of them to..."
"To what? His teleport makes him much faster alone, and we can't really consider him alone in the first place."
"Alone with a being that easily took out a Souless and a huge Grimm, who we have no information on? I wonder at the possible ways for him to die!"
Ozpin chuckled. "Azmodeus, as he liked to call himself, can be trusted. After, why give him an arm if he wanted Dan dead? Besides, from what I can tell, Dan recieved more then an arm from him. No, I think we are the ones we should worry about."
Goodwitch sighed. Why even bother argue against him when he's like this. "Then we should increase our defences. Perhaps even prepare for a siege? Either way, we lack one thing. Information. We need more info on Souless, since our recent encounter..."
Beacon Arena, morning after Dan's departure
"Class, today we are sparring to determine a special group. Since yesterday's attack proved a single is not enough, this group will instead defend. MNZ of DMNZ had stayed behind to lead the group." Goodwitch motioned toward said group, the Z hacking away at a thick log, already dented and broken in half. The MN were sitting off to the side, joking around.
"Anyone who can hit Ms. Jones with their team will join the group for training. Otherwise, you will run around Beacon five times and go back to regular class schedule. May the first team enter the arena!" Zeta walked into the circle, still breathing heavily.
"First match, Zeta Jones versus Team SNTI!" Four differently colored people in full body tights walked into the circle, and when then finished walking, they posed.
"Red Sting Ranger!"
"Navy Blue Ranger!"
"Tantalizing Pink Ranger!"
"I-" was all the fourth guy got off before Zeta had smacked the sheath into him, continuing onto the other three. She knocked them all out of the arena with that one hit."Next." Zeta growled, causing the whole class to shiver.
"Next." He growled, causing the whole class to shiver.
Which was understandable. He had just tricked the entire team into standing in one spot, which he used to great effect, smashing them with his giant spell arm.
"Yeah, no. Let's give them an easier time than that, Dan." Jack said with a smile.
"An easier time doesn't mean they win." Dan said. "If they don't like it, they can just beat me. Or not challenge me. Preferably the last one. Actually, that might be their only choice, considering how bad they are." He waved his hand in their general direction.
"They'd get better if you let them build up some confidence. You know, let them block a few hits, let them graze you, things like that that don't matter to you could save someone's life."
"So does not fighting, but here we are. Now, next."
Jack sighed. "You're only like this because you heard a rumor that Alice was getting bullied by someone in this class, dude. Calm down."
Which was answered by throwing Jack out the door, and a calm "Next."
Peach was giggling at the sight of Zeta fighting the students. Goodwitch only sighed at the small pile of Team SNTI bodies. Ozpin was expressionless, watching every move. When he suddenly jumped down.
"As you students can see, Ms. Jones can effectively defeat whole teams with ease. You must be prepared and cautious of such opponents, otherwise..." he gestured towards Team SNTI. He drew his cane sword, holding it in his left hand.
"Ms. Jones, at the ready, if you will." Zeta held her sheathed blade with both hands.
"3...2...1... Go." Ozpin said, disappearing on one. She raised up the blade, blocking his strike. She was sent backwards a few feet, and then she flipped, dodging Ozpin's next cut. Swinging with all her strength, she smashed downwards, aiming for his legs. He backstepped, her blade now stuck in the ground. He kicked her, seperating her from her weapon. Kepping calm, she adopted a boxing stance and charged. Ozpin sheathed his sword, and backhanded her.
After regaining her balance, she threw some jabs at him. He dodged with ease, and disappeared again, reappearing behind her and readying a heel kick. He hit her head, and uppercut her into the air. She tried to rearrange herself in the air, going for a body slam. He simply smiled and pushed a button on his cane. The floor readjusted itself into a fist, flying straight up towards her. She crossed her arms, trying to block it, but was instead sent flying into the air even more, breaking through the roof.
"Every move is essential in a fight, students. Every foot of ground is even more so. If you wish to be as skillful as Miss Jones..." he said, stepping forward a few steps. A few seconds afterward, many phantom swords fall and stick into the arena, landing right where Ozpin was. Zeta fell shortly after, landing on the ground with ease. She grinned at Ozpin, picking her weapon back up.
"...You would do well to remember it."
Peach's Classroom, after class.
Zeta had just walked in, wanting more tea. She loved the stuff ever since she was introduced to it before.
"Ms. Peach, I'm here for our little tea party thing. Where are you?"
"I'm in the back, dear. If you want to come back here you can."
Zeta walked back towards said room, and when she entered, she saw many pictures hanging from the wall. They were all of four small children with Peach. One in particular looked familiar.
"...Woah, so that's what that idiot looked like as a kid. Ms. Peach, who are all these children?"
Peach walked in from her kitchen, with tea on a tray. "What's that dear?... Oh, yes, those children were Dan's first team. Jack Hue, Clara Rosenburg, and Alice Jace."
"Wait, Dan's first team? I thought Dan was a loner, and to think he's got girls like this on his arms!"
Peach smiled sadly, sitting down and pouring tea. "Oh, if only it was like that. No, Clara and Jack are dead, dear."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Um, you don't mind me asking..."
"Clara died in the first Souless attack, while Jack was turned into one. Dan had to handle both watching and making a friend die, or that's how he feels, anyway. He swore to me the night he killed Jack's Souless that he would never be in a team again."
"But if he really feel like it's his fault, why did he try to push the blame on Ozpin then?"
"He was trying to get us to hate him. As he got Alice to leave with the same method, he felt it would work. We never could, though, since we raised him. He could never trick us like that."
Zeta looked at the pictures, feeling that she understood Dan a little better.
Forever Fall, sunset
So, where we going? Azmodeus asked for the umpteenth time.
Same as last time, no idea.
Kid, are you directionally challenged? I've seen that tree six times already!
Shut up, that could be any old tree. After all, this is a forest. There's bound to be trees that look the same.
Yeah, and I bet that there's a dead Grimm next to those trees too?
Sure enough, the Beowulf corpse was laying the same way the last five passings. Yeah, alright. I'll admit it. I'm lost. Help me.
Kid, it's a good thing you have me around. There's a house in this direction, hopefully they'll help out.
This direction? That's... He got off before he felt a mental tug.
Kid, I could say the actual direction, but you would probably get lost some more. So just follow the tug.
Whatever.
Dan sighed, and began walking again. He also started practicing using his newly improved semblance. He was soon able to control five runes at one time, impressing Azmodeus.
Kid, you got some talent. Who's your parents?
The Kitaris. Although I don't remember their names since they died when I was young.
Hmm... They shouldn't have had a kid with a semblance like yours. Or your aura amount. Eh, whatever. There's always a rare prodigy somewhere.
Um... no there isn't. Otherwise it wouldn't be rare.
Shut up and keep walking.
When screams filled the air. Dan charged towards the screams, hoping he wasn't too late.
A half dozen Beowulfs growled, moving closer towards the mother and child bunny faunus.
"Stay away, beasts!" Came from the mother, shielding her daughter.
"If only that worked, then things would be different." A young man's voice appeared behind the pair. They turned, looking at a hooded man.
"But don't worry, since these aren't a problem." He disappeared, but the noise of his sword cutting through the Beowulfs proved his point. They fell over, one by one, before he reappeared.
"Thank you, hunter! We were getting some of the sap when those Grimm appeared. If there is anything..."
"No need. Anything that I want is probably gone already, never to return." He turned towards the child, noticing their brown hair and tall ears. He grinned despite the situation.
"So, kid, be sure to keep your mother safe while you two get back to town." She responded by hiding her face in her mother's arm. Dan laughed, sheathing the sword quickly.
"Well, stay saf..."
"I-i-i-i'm Velvet. W-what's your name?"
Dan turned around, his back to the mother child pair.
"... I'll tell you when we meet again, Velvet. That I promise you." He disappeared into the night, leaving them speechless.
Kid, that was cruel. We both know you have no intention of avoiding every person until we deal with this Souless mess.
I plan on finishing the whole deal next time we meet Mr. Grimm. Why spend time trying to name myself? No, and besides, it's not like we'll meet again.
...True, but still. Ignoring the people in this world can make for a bland life.
My life turned upside down when I lost my friends. I really don't care if my life is bland or not. So why make another chance to lose a friend?
Is that why you left? So those others don't get involved? Because that's nice, but that may have failed when they FOUGHT him back at Beacon. But whatever floats your boat.
... Dan stayed silent, eyes watching the forest.
Kid?
Where's the house you said existed, but clearly doesn't?
...Yeah, I suck at directions, too.
...I'm tired of these trees already.
That's a wrap. Yup, not that much action. I lied. No worries, there will be more, so there can still be more action. On that note, it is now almost 2 in the morning. The girls are sleeping, and so should...
Ruby: And so should you! Everyone needs rest!
Ugh. Go back home Ruby. Night all!
~DarkJester420 and Ruby