Chapter 55 - Hearts and Minds
Beacon Academy - RWBY World - One day after the end of the previous chapter.
(Arturia's P.O.V)
"Hey Mom, can I ask you a question..?" I hear my adopted daughter Sakura say, making me look up from some of the paperwork I am filling out in order to officially work out the details of getting the Refugees from Kuo Kuana to more suitable temporary lodgings now that the White Fang Civil War is over and there are no more threats to take care of.
While many faunus would prefer to leave for their liberated home, the state of the city it is in currently means that for now, the White Fang's new leadership appointed by Ghira has decided first to repair the city enough that it is habitable by their former residents with the aid of Vale and Atlas, something that has had the additional consequence of bettering ties between human and faunus due to the joint effort to rebuild.
Meaning Pendragon Security has been requested by Headmaster Ozpin to assist with securing the residents of Kuo Kuana some better accommodations than the tents and portable showers, toilets, and sinks. What surprises me is just how accustomed I found myself to filling out paperwork before I was hit with more memories of my life as Artoria Pendragon of having had done similar bureaucratic paperwork even if it wasn't so…modern like it is here.
Regardless that's enough internal musing as I turn to Sakura and respond by saying.. "Of course Kiddo, what's on your mind..?" My daughter pondered how to word her question for a few sections before she finally ends up asking me...
"If I recall from Auntie Morgan's lessons, Morale is important to both military and non-combatant forces so I noticed that lately the people that came from the city you saved seem rather restless, as such I thought well….maybe we can do something to make them happier, like put on a show..?" I ponder my daughter's words as she does have a point, although I should probably ask what Morgan is teaching the kids during magecraft lessons..
In the end, I can't help but feel a sense of pride thinking of how Sakura is growing up to be a kind young lady, so I pat her head and smile before saying.. "You know what Kiddo, you're right although I'll have to run it by the Headmaster to see if there is something we can do.."
The warm, gentle smile my dear daughter gives me due to my approving response just makes me feel warm and I can't help but return the smile myself, soon looking at the paperwork and ultimately deciding to finish it later, swiftly picking up Sakura and heading towards a nearby window.
"M-mom?" Sakura says in surprise as I smile and respond by saying… "I'm just taking a break to spend time with you, so wanna fly with mom on her back..?" The eager smile on Sakura's face makes me chuckle as I bend down so Sakura can wrap her arms around my neck, once she's secured I grin and jump out of the window, briefly falling before channeling my Ki to fly, keeping the speed low so Sakura isn't disorientated from the sudden shift in direction.
I soon hear Sakura giggling on my back as I fly over Emerald Forest, turning my head back towards my daughter on my back I soon ask… "Anywhere you wanna go..?" Sakura ponders the question for a moment before pointing towards the sea. I grin and blast forward towards the Sea, keeping a steady pace before we're soon flying over the sea, allowing me to slowly go down to the water and gently place my hand into the sea…
To think I've used this ability purely for combat for so long that I've forgotten the wonder that comes from being able to fly on your own, to just fly through the air with no fear of falling down, it is a real shame that it's almost exclusively used as a tool to help fight otherworldly beings in Dragon Ball Z and it's later series...
Seeing the wide, joyous smile on my daughter Sakura though makes having such an ability all the more wondrous as I share that smile, soon flying up and away from the sea as I get an idea in my head…
"Hey Kiddo, wanna see something cool from mom..?" I ask Sakura who looks at me and nods eagerly, making me grab Sakura off my back and into my arms before saying… "Alright, I'm gonna throw you in the air, but I will catch you ok….can you trust me sweetie..?" My tone is soft and caring as while Sakura is hesitant, she trusts me enough to go with what I'm planning to do
After that, I steel myself and after counting down briefly, toss Sakura into the air and close my eyes ever so briefly, using Sakura's signature to keep track of her as I soon open my eyes with the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan blazing as the surge of dark blue flows around me, Sakura soon landing in the palm of the now formed Perfect Susanoo as its wings extend with a flourish…
It's funny what one can consider doing when they're taking into account their loved ones and their happiness, the awestruck look on my daughter Sakura's face. Madara Uchiha would have never condoned such frivolous use of the Perfected Susanoo, nor would Goku Black have allowed a mortal young girl to fly on his back to give the said girl a warm smile...
But I am her mother, despite not being her birth mom though I will do what it takes to ensure she is happy even if it means I use my abilities for her enjoyment and entertainment...
Speaking of entertainment actually, I think it would be interesting to see if we can do more than the movie marathons we've been doing to keep the refugees happy, even though Lucia has been asking to mass-produce our library of anime to let the rest of Remnant enjoy such mediums of entertainment on their own terms.
With that in mind, I use the Shadow clone Jutsu to summon a shadow clone so it can grab Sakura while I dispel the Perfect Susanoo, knowing I most likely have been spotted creating such a massive construct but ultimately I don't care right now as I merely wanted to give my dear daughter a glimpse of the opportunities that await her when she's older and ready to join the family business...
Preferably when she's another…Five or so years older, although I do have to look into exactly what Morgan is teaching her behind my back as to how she worded her question to me felt a bit too formal for an 11-year-old, and as irrational as it is, the fears of my past life as Artoria are warning me that She may be planning to turn her into Mordred 2.0.
Impossible to be sure, but it's something my mind having the memories and experiences of both Artoria Pendragon and the lion King can't exactly ignore so I will have to talk with Morgan regardless after we return.
Regardless it is time to return to back to Beacon, I place Sakura back on my shoulder as I fly forward toward the Huntsman academy itself and internally I hope that no one important really saw that…
Pocket Dimension of Arturia Morgana Pendragon - Two hours later
(Older Ritsuka's P.O.V)
"Open wide Mashu!" I say with a grin, holding out a spoonful of chocolate pudding as my adorable Kohai/girlfriend giggles and opens her mouth, allowing me to deposit the chocolate pudding in her mouth for her to enjoy!
Mashu closes her mouth and begins to savor the delicious, sweet-tasting pudding as she gives me a warm smile, my cheeks blushing slightly as I share a smile of my own. After the intense finding of the last two days, it's nice to finally be able to relax and just get some well-deserved rest, especially if you do so alongside those you love!
"Can I have some too Big Sis..?" I hear from behind me, turning around to see my younger incarnation looking at me with hopeful eyes. Smiling I nod and share some pudding with her, putting some on another spoon and giving her a nice mouthful.
Since there are technically versions of the same person, some of the girls have taken to call the younger me Gudako which ended up sticking, much to Sister Arturia's strange sense of dread at the name.
Although I have a feeling it may be due to Gudako's innate affinity with curses as I also get the feeling it's not just that either. Whenever I try to ask Arturia exactly why she acted so strangely though, she just clams up and tries to steer the conversation away…
I've even tried to ask Fu about it but she only gives cryptic hints about a carnival phantasm and leaves me to try and figure it out myself, much to my own frustration. Still, what could be so bad about my younger self that they're all hesitant to tell me, it was something truly malicious I think sister would have told me so it's not that…
"Hey Big Sis, mom let me start playing Fate/Grand Order..!" Gudako says with a bright, cheerful smile as a strange feeling of dread comes over me and Mashu briefly but I don't know why though either way, I gently pat the younger me and promise to guide her through the first singularity while offering my own direct perspective on how things went for me.
Soon Gudako leaves us alone as she pulls out a phone she got before we left the Highschool DxD world and begins to play that Gacha Game Version of my own experiences, something that despite everything I know for years now, still feels uncanny to know that you're a character in a video game to most people…
My musings however are broken by a loud shout from Jeanne Alter's room, a loud shout from Jeanne Alter herself as what she shouted out is rather interesting if not surprising for Sister Arturia to ask of her as what she said was…
Pocket Dimension of Arturia Morgana Pendragon, Jeanne Alter's Room - Moments Earlier
(General P.O.V)
"YOU WANT ME, ME OF ALL PEOPLE, TO SING?!" Jeanne Alter shouts as her eyes widen, completely caught off guard as what Arturia just asked of her was something she never expected the Blonde Goddess to ask her...
"That's right Jeanne, specifically I want you to be the main vocalist for the song I have in mind, it was something I heard online recently and I figured you'd be perfect for this sort of song.." Arturia says with a sly grin with her arms resting under her massive bust, Jeanne Alter feeling apprehensive as she asks...
"It's not some church choir thing at all is it, because you can knock it off if that is the case!" Arturia shook her head as she pulls up a laptop and loads the video of the song she had in mind for Jeanne as she turns to leave, but before she does however, she does say one thing…
"Just give it a listen and see if it's something you're willing to do, if not I'm pretty sure I can convince Mordred to do it in your place.." With that Arturia leaves Jeanne Alter's room, giving the platinum blonde-haired woman to ponder the offer, the Avenger-class servant shrugging her shoulders and at least choosing to give it a listen and if it's not her thing she'll just turn it down.
However, Jeanne Alter's thoughts of actually turning the offer down soon disappear as she listens to the song and realizes that she does actually want to sing this song as it strangely resonates with her in an unusual way…
She's soon browsing Youtube to find all relevant versions of the song so she can see if she can pitch a particular version of the song to sing at this music event that Arturia seems to be planning, finding herself getting quite into the idea of singing and perhaps have something that makes her more her own person rather than a duplicate of the original Jeanne.
She wants that much at the very least to call her own…
Beacon Academy, Headmaster's Office - Two Hours later
(Arturia's P.O.V)
I am just silent as I watch two cane-wielders enjoy coffee together in comfortable silence, Neapolitan next to me as her eyes just flicker back and forth from the bizarre scene. To quickly recap I had brought Roman up with Neo with me as I had intended to persuade Ozpin to allow me to have Roman be a lead vocalist for the song I wanna show off for the quickly forming music festival I'm organizing with Ozpin's help and approval...
I had intended to speak on Roman's behalf in order to ensure Ozpin isn't going to try and put him in jail when I did essentially give him and Neo my protection, what I had not anticipated however was the two not only complimenting each other on their choice of weaponry, sharing the finer points of using canes as weapons and when Ozpin suddenly offered to share his coffee reserve with Roman...
Well, it led to the current bizarre situation where the two Cane-wielders have been silently enjoying Coffee like this as if the two have been long-lost old friends, making me wonder if there was at some point in the original script before Oum died that there was going to be some dialogue between the two that never made it into the final product…
Either that or Roman's own silver tongue saved me the trouble, although I have a feeling Ozpin not calling security is also due to him trusting my judgment a lot which may be a factor as well, still, I need to start getting the discussion going already so I ask...
"Guys, can I please get you to focus on what we were here for originally..?" My tone is slightly frustrated as the two turns to me and Roman gives me a sly smile as he soon says... "Why Lady Arturia, I thought we were here to make friends and all that!" My face went into a deadpan expression at that remark as Roman sighs, grumbling about boss ladies and their need to be stick in the muds at times…
I just roll my eyes at the grumbling and turn to Ozpin before saying… "I intend to have Roman here be one of the two vocalists for a song I have lined up for the Music festival I have been setting up for tonight.." My words make Ozpin frown as he looks at Roman carefully before he makes a very valid observation and says...
"I take it you intend to have him fully disguised during the event then since I doubt you'd overlook his current status as a wanted criminal…" Making me nod as I pull out a photo that Fu managed to grab from the internet just before I came to see Ozpin and show it to him..
"...It would be quite effective, considering the looks of the man you have in mind…." Ozpin says, finding the choice of disguise particularly interesting. As Ozpin is examining the Photo more closely though Roman suddenly speaks up and says...
"Woah Woah Woah, hold up boss lady, I'm a Master Thief and not some sort of singer of any kind!" Making Neo rolls her eyes as she soon flatly retorts his words by saying... "Roman, you managed to competently disguise yourself as a lead singer for one of the Atlas Council's ball events when we were robbing the vault under the council hall.."
Roman looks at Neo with an expression of bewilderment as he soon says.. "Yea, but it was a disguise I can't actually sing that good..". However once again Neo dismantles his arguments by saying... "Roman you expressly told me that if you didn't think your true calling was that of a thief, you'd be a professional singer right now…"
Roman sighs as he sags in his seat before he dejectedly said... "Sometimes I wish you were still mute.." This makes Neo smile mischievously as with a smug tone she says... "It's a good thing I am able to speak now because I can call out any of your bullshit for everyone to hear, not just you anymore!"
I just chuckle at the antics as I turn to Ozpin to see if he's willing to allow it, while I can always rely on RED Spy if not, I'd rather at least give Roman a shot of being more than just what the story set up for him to be…
Ozpin sighs and nods as he says… "Very well, just be aware that Mr. Torchwick is to keep to his new persona and not commit any acts of larceny during the event.." I simply nod as Roman seems to perk up as his role in the upcoming music festival tonight is established he soon asks…
"So who am I gonna be disguised as since you didn't tell me yet..?" I chuckle and simply show Roman the photo, both his and Neo's eyes widen as I soon say… "Why it's a fellow cane-wielder who has a thing for poetry and while you don't have the black hair he has, a bit of hair dye and some glamour magecraft will do wonders for tonight Roman Torchwick will be replaced by…"
Beacon Academy Grounds - 4 hours later, 2 hours before the Music Festival Begins
(General P.O.V)
Yang walks to the place she was told to go by Kali as she intends to confront someone she had been promised answers from. Soon enough she arrives at the training ground where Kali and her intended target were training before the Civil War…
As she had hoped, there she was with her back turned as her grasp was on the handle of her blade, Raven turning to look at Yang with a solemn expression with her old Grimm mask on. As the Spring Maiden takes off the mask her red eyes lock with lilac ones as Raven simply says...
"Yang…we have a lot to talk about…" As the two stare at each other with silence reigning over the training ground for what feels so long for the two of them before Yang finally breaks the silence as the blonde soon asks...
"Tell me….why did you leave dad….and uncle Qrow…..and me..?" Yang's expression reveals just how vulnerable she is feeling right now as she asks that question to the one person who could actually give a concrete answer…
Raven sighs as she breaks eye contact, turning her head away before softly saying… "If I truly had to be honest, I was afraid Yang….Afraid that this shadow war that Ozpin until very recently had been fighting would consume me, consume all that I cared about….and in the end, I just…ran away from it.."
Yang grits her teeth as her lilac eyes flash red, stomping over to her mother and, without warning, Raven gets punched in the face by Yang, sending her flying onto her backside as the blonde looks pissed as all hell with Yang soon screaming at her, saying.. "I LOOKED FOR YOU, FOR YEARS….I WANTED YOU TO COME BACK TO ME, TO DAD…..AND YOU RAN OUT FROM US!"
Raven grimaces as she rubs her bruised cheek, that's twice she's been punched by her own daughter regarding her past actions only now, she doesn't have the excuse of a mission to avoid giving her the answers she needs.
"I know I said this before Yang, but I wish I could go back in time to undo the actions of my past self….even so I am sorry for being such a coward before…" Raven says, slowly getting up as Raven's apology echoes through Yang's mind, forcing the blonde to calm down...
"You said something about a shadow war that the headmaster started, what sort of Shadow war..?" Yang asks as Raven begins to explain to her daughter exactly what Ozpin has been facing for a very long time, the whole thing about her being able to turn into a Raven (Which makes Yang amused briefly) and how her status as a Maiden ties into all this which very quickly has Raven revealing the truth about the story regarding the four maidens…
Yang patiently listens to the explanation and after all, is said and done, she asks only one question... "So….you're here to stay now right..?" something at which Raven shakes her head in a negative fashion, making Yang grow emotional as she doesn't understand why her mother won't stay with her and dad…
It's then that Raven pulls out a very familiar ring, the same ring that Raven herself has on as well, and ties her to the Pendragon family itself, a Tempest Jewel Ring. It was prepared in advance by Arturia who had noticed Raven heading out in order to talk to yang and gave her one so that Raven can pop the question in her place…
"I have joined up with Arturia to join her on her adventures into the world, meaning I won't be staying in Rem–I mean Vale…but if you want to come along with me, summer, your sister, and the rest of your team, all you have to do is put on this ring and in three days you'll be initiated as one of us.." Raven says as Yang's eyes widen, hearing that she and her dad will be left behind, however, if she were to wear this ring that her mother is presenting to her, she could come along…
"What about dad, can he come along…?" Yang asks, hoping to not leave her father behind but to her dismay, Raven shakes her head as she soon responds by saying... "Unfortunately your father will not be able to join us unless he is willing to give up the life he currently has.."
Yang grimaces as she knows that her father has grown quite attached to his home in Patch and she somehow doubts he'd be willing to abandon it, with that in mind Yang soon asks the following question...
"Will I be able to come back and visit dad every now and then..?"
Raven ponders the question for a moment, before coming to a decision as she draws her blade, shocking Yang due to the sudden and seemingly unwarranted action before Raven swipes it in the air and creates a red portal…
"I can create portals to those I hold close to me as my semblance, using it I can bring you back to your father whenever you please…" Raven says, indirectly confirming that she could have returned at any time but chose to stay away regardless because of this one demonstration.
Despite the revelation of Raven's semblance, Yang focuses on the offer itself as she comes to a decision and grasps the ring in Raven's hand that is still held open towards her before putting it on her.
"Mind opening a portal to my dad, I wanna talk to him before we leave at least one more time in person.." Yang asks her mother, who simply nods and closes the current portal before opening one directly to Tai Xiao Long..
"Do what you must Yang, I shall come with you so I can explain myself to Tai as well.." Raven says, knowing that things are going to be quite awkward when she heads through. Regardless both mother and daughter soon enter the portal and head inside for a long-awaited reunion…
Pocket Space of Arturia Morgan Pendragon, Warehouse district/home of RED Team - An Hour before
(General P.O.V)
The entire team is scrambling to complete the tasks assigned to them earlier today, especially the tasks of four members in particular, Demoman and Pyro, who have been assigned to the Pyrotechnics role of the music festival while Demoman is also the one on the drums for the song that Arturia is having be the start of the Music Festival…
And Sniper and Engineer have been selected to play the electric guitar roles of the song in question, with the two of them have been working on their instruments for the last few hours in order to ensure they got their part down despite the small amount of time they have to work with.
It's not long now before the music festival starts and with their song being the opening gig along with other musicians from across the four kingdoms being flown in by the fastest bullheads available thanks to the cash flow of Arturia and Ozpin at the same time, a fair amount of pressure for something that they haven't done before as mercenaries...
But despite being out of their usual comfort zone, the entire RED team is treating it as more of a break from the entire civil war, although it's one they're throwing themselves in with as much effort as any of their usual jobs at least.
However, they are soon visited by Roman Torchwick who has gotten his disguise and new persona all set up and ready and it's one that scout, having had time to play the Pendragon family's PS4 at one point, recognizes as he says...
"Hey Roman didn't think you'd pull off the lanky look of V as ya do now!" RED scout's smirk is on full display as Roman rolls his eyes, his chosen persona being V from Devil May Cry 5 as the glamour work of Medea and Merlin makes him look practically identical to the cane-bearing demon summoner of DMC 5.
"Well at least I get to keep my cane, even if it had to be modified to fit the motif that the Boss Lady was going for, still it is actually the best disguise work I've had to use to date so…yea you're not looking at Roman Torchwick, Master Thief Extraordinaire but V the singer.." Roman says, moving towards the team in a dramatic fashion as he twirls his modified cane.
"You're not the only singer Roman, do keep that in mind…" A female voice says from behind him, making the disguised thief turn around and chuckle when he spots none other than Jeanne Alter in her Shinjuku outfit, his eyes very briefly drifting to her bust like any hot-blooded male before he drags his focus back up to the golden-eyed avenger's face and suavely says... "Oh I know, I just hope you're just as good at singing as you are at fighting my dear..!"
Jeanne Alter rolls her eyes as she soon walks forward and says.. "Alright, we got an hour for rehearsal, let's get make use of the time we have to spare before we are set to be the opening song for the music festival.."
The RED team and Roman nod as the entire group head into one of the warehouses in order to begin their hour-long rehearsal, knowing that they only have one chance to get it right and they want to make damn sure it is as perfect as it will ever get…
Beacon Academy Grounds, Site of the Music Festival - 3 minutes before the opening act of the Music Festival
(General P.O.V)
By this point, many of the refugees have filtered over to watch the event being hosted on the grounds of the academy, with many of the students and even plenty of attendees from vale itself coming to watch…
While there were initially a small number of negative incidents brought on by those not happy to be among faunus and vice-versa, the incidents are very swiftly handled by the various members of the Pendragon family, even so, though it's making everyone attending restless for the music festival to begin…
Arturia herself is doing some last-minute inspections of the entire make-shift venue and checking the list to ensure everything is up to par in terms of health and safety despite her lack of knowledge regarding modern regulations for such things, she makes up for that in both her like as Artoria Pendragon and what counted for health and safety back then….and just general common sense stuff as well…
"Alright, everything checks out…" Arturia says as she looks around before using her Tempest Ring to call Jeanne Alter, the ring's green light turns blue to signal the call is connected as she soon says… "Everything is ready for you all to come up now Jeanne, I've made sure that Pyro hasn't decided to add more than the designated maximum amount of pyrotechnics to the stage so I'll begin my opening speech soon.."
Jeanne Alter thanks Arturia over the call and soon sees Jeanne Alter open a portal with Jeanne Alter herself, Roman Disguised as V, and the band members from RED team all walking out as even RED spy comes out just to be additional security in case something happens…
While they are getting ready, Arturia checks her ring to see what the time is and sees that she has to get up on stage now to begin her opening speech to the awaiting crowd. She takes a deep breath to calm herself before the suit-wearing Arturia grabs a microphone and begins to stroll up on stage…
Almost immediately those attending notice her walking up on stage with the busty blonde walking up to the front of the stage and doing a very quick mic check before she puts on a smile and soon says… "Good evening everyone, I am glad to see everyone here is patiently awaiting the admittedly very quickly put-together event, and with any luck, we might make this a yearly event…"
The crowd listens patiently as Arturia takes a small breath before a solemn look on her face forms as she soon says… "Many of you here have been affected by the very recent Civil War in Kuo Kuana, be it directly or indirectly and so this event I dedicate for those we have lost, and for those who yet remain to carry on their legacy into a future, with the hope that we will never again see the tragedy that occurred only days ago.."
The crowd is filled with expressions of sorrow, frustration, and even resolve by the end of the speech, even those who do not look favorably upon the faunus as a whole feel as if Arturia's words struck a cord inside their souls, the benefits of Rank B Charisma coming full force to help make the message make it's intended landing...
"And now while we do have established Remnant musicians preparing their act for the festival, who have generously accepted the offer to play a part in this event, I wish to start this off with a bang using my own people so…Please enjoy the opening act everyone, I can't wait to see this plays out myself..!" Arturia says as she begins to walk off stage as the entire stage goes dark…
[ Insert Music OST: Find Your Flame (Acapella Intro) ]
From the shadows of the stage, a female voice echoes out into the crowd as it begins to sing…
"Will the whole world know your name
When we dance with destiny?
I've been there, and I've seen it
I'm never gonna stop believing
You'll find your flame"
As the guitars kick in, the stage comes to light to reveal both Jeanne alter and "V" on stage alongside Demoman on the drums, and Sniper and Engineer on the guitars, V picks up from where Jeanne Alter left off as he picks up the next part of the song...
"We won't back down
We won't!"
V takes a very quick sharp breath for a brief few moments, Demoman himself going steady on the drums while a brief locking of eyes occurs between both Sniper and Engineer, giving the subtlest of nods that the two of them are ready before the long verse begins..
"I'm here to go beyond my limit, not to compromise
And you can tell me if I mean it, looking in my eyes
Cause I've been waiting for my moment to strike
So come close, let me show you what it's like
Yeah, you can try to stand in my path
But you're gonna regret it
I'll be the one who laughs last
While I'm making my exit
Cause this is only for the strong of heart
Not if you get it
And no matter what the outcome
You better accept it"
Demoman grins as one of the more fast-paced parts of the song is coming up, the one-eyed merc getting into the groove as he watches V form an angry expression in order to get the tone just right as the disguised thief begins to immediately song-scream out..
"I can cut right through steel
I can bury thе pain
So go down for a second
Just get out of my way (Out of my way)
You cheat and you steal
I'm not lеtting it go
So take this as a lesson
Cause it's all that we know"
V's eyes subtly flick to Jeanne as she moves forward to take center stage as the crowd's eyes focus squarely on the pale-skinned, platinum blonde-haired woman as she grips the microphone with both hands as memories both old and new flood her mind before she begins to sing the chorus once more..
"Will the whole world know your name
When we dance with destiny?
I've been there, and I've seen it
I'm never gonna stop believing
You'll find your flame
Oh, we can save the day!"
V soon moved up to the front of the stage for his part as he can see the crowd starting to really get into the song, Sniper and Engineer grinning wildly as they begin to lightly jig on the spot, enjoying their own music as V sings out his own part of the Chorus...
"We won't back down
We won't!"
V begins to tap his right foot as his left hand taps the butt of his modified cane, grinning as he starts the next verse with a wild smile on his face, briefly spotting Neopolitan in the crowd as he sings...
"It's like I'm seeing double vision
Take a seat, I'm on a mission
We got everything to gain
To become everything you're not
You just give it all you got
And take the pleasure with the pain
Yeah I can feel my fire awaken
No time for being complacent
There's a dream on the horizon
You know we gotta chase it
And when we get to where we're going
Then we start the invasion
Best me? Naw, you must be mistaken
You know I'll turn you into rust
Grind you right down to dust
You thought you were the best
Well, you haven't met us
I'll bring the fire and rain
Call me the hurricane
I'm not letting it go
Cause it's all that I know"
Once again Jeanne Alter steps forward to the now energized and ecstatic crowd with V taking a step back, eyes upon the crowd itself as the disguised thief revels in the crowd's anticipation and is honestly enjoying his role as a musician, idly wondering if things had been different, he would have been one of Remnant's greatest singers..
Regardless It's now Jeanne Alter's time to shine as Demoman, Sniper, and Engineer are all getting ready for the long chorus about to come as Jeanne Alter begins to sing once again…
"Will the whole world know your name
When we dance with destiny?
Yea, I've been there, and I've seen it
I'm never gonna stop believing
You'll find your flame!"
While many expect V to pick back up from there, the crowd is very briefly surprised as Jeanne Alter continues her part albeit with a brand new verse with her involved but the crowd is enjoying the music itself way too much to really care much about that…at least until they hear the verse itself as Jeanne Alter sings…
"Now here we go, it's the end of the show
Hear them, they're calling your name
Cause in the end
It's you and your friends
You'll find your flame (Go!)"
With the shout of Go from both Jeanne Alter and V, Sniper grins as he begins the song's guitar solo with Demoman on the drums accompanying the solo, sweat coming off the lanky Australian man's body as he concentrates on ensuring he gets the guitar solo just right and only once it's finished, does the final verse of the song begin with both Jeanne Alter and V taking center stage as the two begin to play off each other's assigned roles in the verse with Jeanne Alter going first...
"Now here we go, it's the end of the show"
"Hear them, they're calling your name"
"Cause in the end"
"It's you and your friends"
"You'll find your flame!"
As the song finally ends, the entire group on stage is sweaty and exhausted but with smiles born from adrenaline all around, the crowd cheering as the song was able to both resonate and sound truly fantastic to the ears of the attendees…
Now that the song is over though, the Pendragon Band is now able to leave the stage so it can be readied for the next musician or band coming to the event, although as the five of them are leaving the stage they can see the looks of respect coming from some of the other musicians in the crowd with them now all too eager to step up to the plate as well.
And so the Vale Music Festival has begun with its opening song having hit its intended stride with all attendees no matter their race now all too eager to see what comes next. However if one were paying attention, one would notice that Arturia had left the crowd long after the song ended and had headed toward the Academy…
Pocket Space of Arturia Morgana Pendragon - 30 Minutes later
(General P.O.V)
Salem sits on a window-side chair as she gazes up at the moon in the sky above the Pendragon Manor, her gaze slightly wistful as she is still trying to get used to seeing a fully intact moon after centuries of seeing a broken, crumbling moon in the sky above Remnant…
It's been almost two days since she accepted the Blonde Goddess's offer, her gaze briefly drifting down to the ring on her finger as ever since her plans had quite literally crumbled around her and came to be confined in this room, she's had time to think and go over what she could have done differently had she been aware of Arturia sooner…
It's right then that she hears a knock on the door as that same Goddess's voice speaks out from the other side of the door and soon says… "You have a visitor Salem, someone I think you'll be quite interested to talk to.."
Salem thinks for a moment as before long she realizes there is only one person who could want to speak with her and she chuckles with bemusement on her face as she soon says… "If you brought him here, then by all means let him in…"
The door to Salem's room opens and through steps both Arturia and none other than Ozpin himself. The two gaze at each other with complicated expressions appearing on their faces as Arturia closes the door behind her before walking into the room and saying… "I'm just here to ensure the conversation between the two of you doesn't ever turn violent so other than that, let whatever the two of you wish to say to each other be said in my presence.."
There is silence in the room that is Salem's temporary prison as there is tension in the air for both Salem and Ozpin with neither saying anything before at long last, Salem finally says… "Ozma…It is strange to see you here of all places, it must be an incredibly bizarre sight to see me just…sitting here by the window rather than plotting the downfall of humanity as you might put it.."
Ozpin grimaces, both at being called his original, true name as well as being called out for his prior secret-keeping regarding herself and what she is truly after. Ozpin however, can't help but agree with Salem on the fact it is truly bizarre to see Salem just sitting there so calmly and basking in the light of a full and unbroken moon…
"It was one thing to hear it from Lady Arturia, but to see you before me calmly awaiting your time to be bound to another be completed is…..truly something…" Ozpin says as he can see no indication of aggression in Salem's posture, nor in her eyes or expression.
It is then that Salem asks a question Ozpin had never expected her to ask him now of all times as she asks… "Tell me Ozma….why….why did you try to take my children away from me all so long ago…?"
Ozpin grips his cane as his mind returns to that moment so many centuries ago as he sighs deeply, his expression is of deep emotional pain as he soon says… "You were being corrupted by your new powers more and more, I didn't notice it at first due to my love for you but….as time went on and the warnings from a higher power had echoed in my mind….I worried that you would eventually harm our children….and then when you proposed that plan.."
Salem appears calm, but the minor changes in her expression and demeanor reveal the deep anger and just how hurt she feels at Ozpin's words, gritting her teeth as she lets out a shuddering breath before she says… "I may have done much in the pursuit of our goals Ozma, dove deeper into the corruption in order to have the strength to unite the newly born humanity we lived in at that point, but would never bring harm to my own children…"
Ozpin is silent as his grip on his cane grows all the tighter as the weight of his mistakes and the grief still yet not resolved begins to unbalance his emotional state as he soon says… "Salem, tell me one thing, looking back with our combined hindsight, can you honestly say you would have never once considered it…"
Salem looks away just ever so briefly, but it's that brief breaking of eye contact that gives everyone in the room the silent answer that yes she had briefly considered it once before and it seems to be something that Salem is not at all proud of…
Salem then sighs and turns back to Ozpin, looking emotionally worn as she soon says… "Ozma, had I never considered the plan to replace humanity with our own species, would you have stayed at my side…would our daughters have lived…?"
A tense few seconds pass after Salem asks that question before Ozpin slowly nods, the anger sliding off of Salem's expression as there is only grief and regret now, something that Ozpin himself holds upon his own expression.
It's right then that Arturia makes herself known once more to the two as she soon asks… "Have either of you actually had the chance to give them a burial of sorts..?" when both of them shake their head in a negative fashion she walks over to the door and places her hand on a very specific point of the wall next to the door…
She pushes a slight amount of her Divine Ki, Chakra, and Prana into that spot and the protections surrounding Salem's room and preventing her from leaving disappear temporarily. The action catches both Ozpin and Salem by surprise as she motions for the two to follow her, leading the soon following duo as she leads them outside to a spot not far from the manor…
Arturia then activates her Sharingan and forms four shadow clones, each of them rushing through a set of incredibly simple hand signs before they stop and Perform…
"Earth Style: Tombstone Slab Jutsu"
"Earth Style: Tombstone Slab Jutsu"
"Earth Style: Tombstone Slab Jutsu"
"Earth Style: Tombstone Slab Jutsu"
All four Shadow clones perform the same Jutsu as four grey square slabs jut out from the ground in this secluded spot, the clones disappearing as she kneels down to one of the stone slabs, a very small amount of Ki no bigger than a chisel end and just as sharp forms on her index finger as Arturia, without even looking at the confused duo behind her, asks… "What are their names..?"
It is Ozpin who is the first to pick up on what Arturia is doing as he goes stiff momentarily, letting out a shaky breath, and soon says… "Ava….Dawn…Aurelia…Noelle..". Arturia nods calmly and begins to carefully write the names of the four daughters of the two from so long ago as Salem herself now realizes what Arturia is doing, shocked that someone would even care for someone dead so long ago, let alone that same person being a Goddess…
As Arturia finishes, she turns to the two and simply says.. "Salem, the protections will automatically restore themselves in three hours, please be inside there before then…until then, take all the time you need…"
With the Blonde Goddess Kai Kaing away, the two gaze upon the four gravestones of their long-dead daughters and for the first time in centuries, the two grieve together over those they had lost due to their own mistakes…
While the two have lived too long having fought each other to ever be lovers again, the two take comfort in each other in their shared grief over what could have been…and what happened in its place…
All while Arturia herself watches from afar, giving the grieving duo time alone while she keeps a close eye. However, it is the moment that the Blonde Goddess can see that Salem, even without fully being bound, has begun to change…
Only time will tell if Salem will be more than who she was in the show, for better or worse…
Author's Notes
- The Author slowly opens the door that hasn't been opened in almost a full month with a sheepish look on their face -
Well, this is embarrassing, I had intended to have a chapter out long before now at least for all three of my stories, and well, a myriad of IRL problems, massive writer's block, and my mojo for story writing being bone dry until very recently.
Even so, I feel I must apologize for the long wait and hope the myriad of recent content releases happening for all three stories at the same time will go a long way to mending the gap that the long time between content releases has created.
It is here before I get into the plot points of this chapter that I make an announcement regarding my stories.
First of all, I am moving Sentient Wrath to a monthly release schedule as much as it pains me to admit, I have overestimated my ability to handle that particular medium and as such have moved it to a once-a-month release schedule as well as asked for aid from someone who knows Honkai Impact 3rd far better than I do in terms of lore and world mechanics in order to ensure that Sentient Wrath can continue despite the disadvantages I am facing regarding the story.
Secondly, regular chapter releases of A Golden Goddess and Wrapped in Shadows will resume next week as I have no intention of moving either of those to the monthly schedule…
And finally, I am announcing I will be releasing a new Waifu Catalog story, some of those who I have been talking to in the Waifu Catalog and Waifu Catalog Interactive discords may know what story I am referring to which will be working on a once-a-month minimum irregular release schedule.
In short, I am back in business everyone!
Now to begin with the story plot points discussions as per usual!
Short but Creative(?) Bonding time with Sakura.
Like Arturia had hoped to do during the end of the last chapter, she's been able to at long last get some time with her daughter and use her abilities to entertain and make Sakura, her dear adopted daughter, smile and enjoy herself alongside her mother.
While also giving Arturia that brief moment of irrational wariness regarding what Morgan may be teaching her behind her back with hints of memoria's effects intensifying the wariness a tad more.
Resolving the Older and Younger Ritsuka Problem
I decided to ultimately start referring to the first Ritsuka, the Super Saiyan Goddess Ritsuka as well….just Ritsuka after this point with the younger Ritsuka now getting the name Gudako (Although I have a feeling I've made that choice before and might have forgotten it for a while, oh well)
The Long set-up for the Music Festival
Hoo boy, this is gonna be a doozy to go through, so here we go…
The idea came to me during my case of Massive writer's block and it was just an idea at first until I finally got my writing mojo back and figured out how to actually make my idea a reality with the aid of Tigerboltsniper from the Waifu Catalog and Waifu Catalog Interactive discords.
It was perhaps the biggest source of delay for me after getting my mojo back due to conflicting time schedules between me and Tigerboltsniper but it finally got finished at long last, it is something I hope you all enjoy to the fullest even if it is a bit tacky to some.
Ozpin and Salem's talk
This entire segment came about from me repeatedly listening to the Ozma: I'm Tired Video on Youtube by Landwardrake Edits. I simply felt that the two needed at least one non-confrontational interaction with each other to finally air out their grievances.
The entire plot of RWBY started with the tale of their love, and perhaps it is best that the true end of the RWBY arc of this story ends with the two finally burying the hatchet and parting ways…
There will be a transitory chapter before we finally enter into Kingdom Hearts in order to allow most of Sona's Peerage to return to the DxD world as well as briefly revisit prior worlds in order to see how everyone is doing there before we take the plunge into Darkness filled world of Kingdom Hearts during the very first game.
So, next time on A Golden Goddess: Peerage Sona's departure, picking up Miyu Emiya and visiting the Z fighters
See you all next week!