3
Nightmares /The City of Vale /Touchdown on Remnant
Firebase Korus, Phobos, Mars
As always, Fireteam Jackknife was in deep shit.
Kevin slammed the Taken Psion out of his way before blasting it backwards into a group of its clone buddies with one shotgun blast. Staggered the group was still fighting even as John and Hestia put them down with precision fire and well placed grenades. The Taken had no sense of preservation, just the dogged fanaticism instilled into their mind by their new master.
John turned and fired his Hawkmoon right just as a Taken Phalanx lowered its shield to roar a challenge at Jacknife. The bullet tore into its head, then it screamed as it was sucked back into whatever dimension it came back from.
Kevin didn't care, so long as they don't come back. He turned his shotgun on the next target, blasting the Taken Psion back to whatever hell it came from.
"Timer until our ships arrive?" Hestia muttered even as she loaded a fresh magazine into her Suros Regime.
"Two minutes and thirty seconds." Martellus piped up.
"Then we need to move." John said gesturing. "Jingles get me-get us a waypoint out of here."
"On it." The Ghost answered.
A waypoint appeared on John's HUD. "Okay, Jingles. Could you explain why we're going through a rather dark hallway?" He asked, sounding a bit tired but they all were. The Taken were without number and they just killed and killed and killed until they somehow managed to stem the flow of enemies.
"I'm sensing Taken throughout the Base, John." Jingles answered. "This seemed to be the best bet of getting us all out of here."
"Fuck." Kevin muttered.
"Language!" Hestia told him. Even if she felt that the expletive was the best way to explain their situation right now. Jackknife moved as one and killed as one even as the Taken began to overtake the base. Predictably, as they took their first steps into the dark hallway, the Taken appeared. Twitching, pained Psions. Maddened Centurions and Phalanxes. God there were so many. All of them raised their guns in unison.
Kevin raised his own weapon as he looked to his two companions who did the same thing. They all grimly opened fire on the Taken Horde.
There was no way any of them were going to end up Taken. No way.
LIGHT! GIVE YOUR WILL TO ME!
/
Presently, Beacon Academy Dorms
Kevin rubbed his temples, even as he tried to banish the horrors in his dreams.
"Sparky." He said, his voice was collected but the Ghost knew the Warlock was shaken. "Yeah, sorry. Did I talk in my sleep?"
"Somewhat." The Ghost replied. "But you were tossing and turning. You should probably take the day off, Kevin. Try to catch up on sleep. You've only gotten two hours of sleep for three whole days. That's not good."
"I'm a Guardian, Sparky." Kevin answered. "I'll suck it up somehow." He rubbed his eyes. "Besides I got a test in History today. Wouldn't want to disappoint anyone."
The Warlock got up to take a shower. It was 0700 in the morning.
/
0830.
Kevin blinked tiredly, looking at his coffee mug before rubbing his eyes and downing his coffee. He yawned as he felt someone sit next to him.
"Hey, you alright?" Ruby Rose asked. "You look horrible, Kevin!" She was right, his eyes were hollow and tired. He looked gaunt.
"Mm..." The Warlock shrugged his shoulders before looking at his empty coffee mug. "Just need some coffee."
"You look like you haven't been sleeping at all Kevin." Pyrrha remarked as she looked the Warlock over with concern. Jaune didn't say anything but he did push his tray towards Kevin, the guy seemed like he needed it more.
"I'm fine. I'm just studying a lot." Kevin answered shortly, his voice was low and tired. "Jaune, if you can get me a salad and more coffee I'll be back on my feet."
Jaune opened his mouth to say something. He then shook his head. "Kevin, I think you should take a break and sleep you know? Before you fall over and die." But he did go and get the Warlock some more food and another cup of coffee.
Kevin laughed, it was a hollow frightening sound. He wouldn't die easily that way. Yang turned to look at Ruby and Blake as they watched the Warlock look back into his cup. He seemed to be staring right through it with a blank expression before yawning, covering his mouth.
Yang scowled. She didn't want to pry into whatever business Kevin was involved in but there was just no way she was going to sit there and do nothing about it while he suffered through whatever issues he was having. That was what irked her about Kevin, he was sociable sure but he mostly distanced himself from other people and usually was seen alone.
Heck, if someone was more sociably awkward than Ruby then maybe something had to be done.
/
It was raining by the time he was out of Oobleck's classroom. He decided to take Sparky's advice and got some rest. He lay down in bed looking up at the roof, counting sheep. He had only seen the animals once during a little stroll through the streets of the Last City. Cute, fluffy things...
Kevin idly shoved that thought out of his head before Sparky noticed. The Ghost was currently on standby, patrolling the area in front of his door. The Warlock took a deep breath and just focused on the storm outside, just like he did when he took his first steps as a Stormcaller. Except this time he was more focused on getting some sleep.
He was snoring within five minutes.
/
"Um, Yang?" Ruby asked as they headed down towards Kevin's room. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"What?" Yang smiled at her sister. "We're just gonna go see if Kevin wants to hang out with all of us on the weekend!"
"I'm pretty sure he's still a bit tired, Yang." Ruby said uncertainly. "Maybe we should let him rest..."
"Yeah, he does." Yang agreed, confusing Ruby just a little bit. "Which is why we're going to ask him! Look, I even swiped his Scroll!"
Ruby looked at said Scroll in abject horror. "How..." She began.
"He dropped it!" Yang cheerfully explained. "So, technically it isn't stealing but come on Ruby! He needs to learn how to relax!"
Ruby shook her head. "You know, you're doing a lot for someone you don't know too well."
The remark was spot on. Ruby smiled as Yang's face turned a pretty shade of red briefly before the older blonde laughed and scratched the back of her head. "What's wrong with that Rubes?" She asked. "I mean...he just seems to be the guy that needs a hug."
Ruby decided to just follow Yang's lead for this idea of hers and hoped nothing bad happened. Yang put up Kevin's Scroll to the scanner on the door. She stopped before hearing someone snoring. "Oh gosh, he's asleep." She said, and shrugged before opening the door.
Kevin's room was dim but both sisters could see he was lying on his back, partially covered by a blanket. He had his right forearm over his eyes and he was snoring lightly.
Yang turned to Ruby grinning as she went over to pinch Kevin's nose.
A horrific mistake.
The Warlock reacted with speed and brutal precision as his eyes opened and he went for Yang's throat with his off hand. Yang's martial arts training was the only thing that saved her throat from being caved in, she caught his hand with a surprised expression. Ruby gave a loud gasp as Kevin tackled Yang, trying to wrap his hands around her throat. The blonde had grabbed Kevin's hands yelling.
"Kevin! Kevin it's me!" She struggled against the Warlock's attempt to close off her windpipe. One mistake and this day would be over permanently. "Kevin!"
Kevin blinked then his eyes widened as he realized who had gone into his room. He recoiled from Yang silently as he looked at his trembling hands briefly. "Shit." He muttered.
"What was that about!?" Ruby asked hysterically. "Yang, I told you this was a horrible idea!"
Yang sat up gasping for breath. "No...No it wasn't a good idea at all, I'm sorry Kevin." She looked apprehensive as she rubbed her hands together.
"How did the both of you get in here anyway?" Kevin asked softly.
"You uh...dropped your Scroll." Yang said offering the Scroll back sheepishly. "I forgot I still had it. Really sorry."
Kevin looked at her blithely before leaning his head back and sighing. "Look, I'm not mad. Just...don't sneak up on me like that while I'm asleep. I...startle easily as you can see." He told them both then got to the question he was looking for. "So...what did you sneak into my room for?"
"You wanna go out to the city in the weekend?" Yang asked directly. She was still shaky but it was getting better. It was her fault anyway but no biggie, she'll work on being more careful with Kev. "You know, just to look around for a little bit?"
"Um." Kevin didn't really have any plans apart from sleeping in for the whole day...Oh wait, damnit that's right his Jumpship.
He'd have to settle for another time, he supposed. That plus if he continued to just brush people off then he might get some unwanted attention. "So...we're just gonna look around the City and stuff?"
"Yeah, I mean if you want to. Unless you've got plans?" Yang asked.
Kevin shrugged. "Not really."
/
The City of Vale.
Kevin looked up tiredly as he saw volunteers start prepping for the Vytal Festival. The Warlock was disguised in civilian clothing, wearing a baggy pair of cargo pants, a faded black t-shirt and sneakers. All in all he looked very ordinary, except for the fact that he could kill someone with a well aimed palm strike.
The Vytal Festival was a celebration of Remnant's four kingdoms, involving dances, a parade and a combat tourney. Just like an old civilization long before the Traveler made its arrival in the Sol System.
Kevin wasn't one to complain, when in Rome do what Romans did. But he wasn't there to go fight in a tourney. The Iron Banner was more than enough of a pissing contest for him, he was more interested in learning the culture of Remnant's people. Reading it in a book was very different from experiencing it firsthand. In addition to his fighting skills, the Warlock was also a scholar and no scholar would willingly miss the chance to learn something new.
He was sitting on a nearby bench just waiting for the girls to finish up at the bookstore. Yang had complained but she did lose the rock-paper-scissors game to Blake. If her luck continued then she'd lose to Weiss next.
He felt bad but he hoped Weiss won this bout. He was not looking forward to going into a club or somewhere with extremely loud noises. Unless of course, Vale had some awesome Metal Bands who were going on a tour. Then he'd consider getting a ticket.
"Kevin?"
Kevin turned his head to find that Ruby was checking on him. "Yeah?" He asked.
"You want something to eat? Yang said she was hungry." Ruby spoke, trying to be careful. The Warlock didn't understand why. He wasn't some fragile thing to be coddled. He was a Warlock for the Traveler's sake...
Kevin exhaled through his nose banishing his discomfort. "I'm fine, but where are we headed? Does it have coffee?"
"Yeah, it's just a little cafe." Ruby said. "I heard it was pretty good, at least Weiss said it was."
"Oh. Well I guess I'm not getting anything then." Kevin snarked. "I might as well flush all my money down the toilet. It might be cheaper."
"Yang said the same thing." Ruby giggled. "But Weiss says it's not very expensive."
"Not very? You don't sound too confident."
Ruby puffed her cheeks. "Hey, come on! Have some faith in Weiss! She's trying."
/
The cafe was small but the coffee and the pastries were great. Kevin sat next to Ruby and Yang while Blake and Weiss sat on the opposite side. The Warlock cradled his mug of coffee, looking into its contents before downing his second cup.
"You drink just as much coffee as the Headmaster, Kevin." Weiss commented. "I'm not sure that's healthy."
"You should probably give that advice to Professor Oobleck." Kevin said. "I want to know how that man has not exploded yet with all the caffeine in his system."
Blake snorted behind her book. Kevin noted the title. "Ninjas of Love?" He said. That was when she started blushing before closing the book promptly to pick up another one. "Isn't that the really cheesy romance novel everyone talks about?"
"It's not that bad..." Blake murmured.
"Oh come on," Weiss scoffed. "I'm pretty sure it's all smut-" Blake's yellow eyes locked onto hers and the heiress quietly let the comment go. Blake then turned to Kevin who had an eyebrow raised.
"I'm not gonna judge." Kevin said simply. "Because I could have sworn I saw Professor Goodwitch reading the same thing the other day." That had been an extremely awkward moment.
Yang snorted then covered her mouth as she tried to hide her laughter. "Wait. Really?" She looked at Kevin curiously.
"Considering that Professor Goodwitch could flay me and you alive with her mind, I will not bring up the subject Yang. It's good for everyone's health."
He certainly did have a point.
The conversation eventually centered on him personally, on his likes and dislikes. Surprisingly Kevin enjoyed being the center of attention for once because he wasn't getting shot at. Invisible to the naked eye, Sparky checked on his Guardian as he usually did. Had he the ability to smile, he would have done so after seeing his friend remove his cold apathetic persona.
The Ghost kept his eye on the Guardian briefly before floating up to his original position to keep an eye out.
For the girls, they learned that Kevin was a fan of metal, rock and post rock. His favorite genre of books and movies was sci-fi. Although his some of his selection seemed out there...
Yang had never heard of "Plan 9 from Outer Space".
/
"So why are we headed towards the docks Weiss?" Yang drawled. "Do you enjoy the smell of fish?"
"No." Weiss said. "The Vytal Festival is coming up and I want to greet our fellow competitors."
Kevin would have called her out but Blake beat him to it. "You just want to spy on the competition Weiss."
Weiss had the decency to blush. "W-Well there's certainly nothing wrong with getting an early advantage."
"Not in a tourney." Yang said.
"Semantics." Kevin spoke up. "You can wash away disgrace with results. There's no rule against wanting to win."
Yang shrugged. "I don't know...what's the point in winning if you don't have fun while doing it?" She asked. "I heard that you weren't participating Kevin."
Kevin again shrugged his shoulders. "It's not really my thing to be the top frog of the well." He said quietly.
"But you're really, really strong Kevin." Ruby said. "I'm sure you'll do real well in the tournament..."
"Sorry, but I'm not here to make a name for myself." Kevin said. "I want to learn all that I can before going back home."
"Oh." Ruby closed her mouth.
"You never really did tell us where you're from Kevin." Yang spoke up suddenly. "What's it like?"
Kevin looked into his coffee cup. He could tell them the truth, which was something that Sparky had advised against. It would just...confuse them. Or turn them against him for hiding who he truly was. Then again, he'd been lying to people for a year. So he smiled sadly and decided to leave the important stuff out.
"It used to be nice." Kevin said. "It's way out in the...wilderness." He pointed in a general northern direction. "My people travel frequently to fight off the Grimm so we usually never see each other again." A technical lie. Guardian Fireteams were close knit but the attrition rate fighting against the Darkness was high enough that some never come back to the Tower. There were a lot of funerals with empty caskets but Kevin attended whenever he could.
It was a solemn fact that many have accepted and few get used to.
"So...You must have lost a lot of friends then." Blake asked hesitantly.
Kevin bowed his head slightly but he nodded in the affirmative. "They died in the line of duty. That's all I can really say."
"That...That's all you can say." Ruby said, sounding outraged. "Really? Are you telling me that your teachers tell you to just suck it up and move on?"
"We are taught to channel our anger and grief into purpose, Ruby." Kevin answered. "I grieve for those who have died but to wallow in despair only gives insult to men and women braver than I who gave their lives for my people's future." But he could understand why Ruby was angry. He'd heard the same speech every time he had to attend services for those Guardians killed in action.
The words sounded well meaning but they were hollow when you've lost a lot of friends. Kevin soldiered on, like he always did. But sometimes, sometimes the sacrifice was worth it. The destruction of the Heart of the Black Garden, the slaying of Atheon and Crota, the breaking of Skolas and the House of Wolves, the death of Oryx and the current action to hunt down his Taken wherever they may hide. Many sacrifices were made to be sure, but each one ensured that the Last City would stay standing and that one day a Second Golden Age could be reached. A lofty hope but one that gave purpose to all who dwelt under the Traveler's shadow.
Yeah, Kevin could understand why Ruby was upset.
/
From Dust till Dawn was still closed. Judging from what the two officers were saying, it had been hit a second time by the White Fang revolutionary group. Their activities were apparently speeding up, which meant bad news for Vale and for him specifically. Kevin had no time to get involved in a potential war that he had no stake in.
The only stake he had in Vale's safety was getting enough materiel to get his ship repaired and to go home.
"Seems bad." Sparky commented over private link. "You know for times of peace, there really isn't much peace at all."
"People tend to do stupid things when the shit isn't up to their necks." Kevin returned. He looked at Team RWBY. It looked like Weiss and Blake had gotten into an argument over something.
"The White Fang had noble ideals, it's because of the SDC that they turned to violence!" Blake argued.
"Really!?" Weiss threw up her hands as she glared at Blake. "So that gives them the right to murder innocent people that had nothing, nothing, to do with their current predicament?"
Kevin exhaled through his nose as he glanced at Ruby and Yang who were trying to figure out just how to intervene in the argument. They were drawing a crowd. The Warlock sighed irritably, he had a low opinion on both groups seeing that their stupid war was making it harder on everyone who got caught in the middle. Kevin thought that Remnant was lucky, while they had the Grimm and the White Fang to deal with the planet was practically untouched.
They didn't have to deal with the Darkness. They didn't have to face extinction. It irritated him that these humans and Faunus were so focused on waging war on each other when they could accomplish so much more united.
"Guys..." Kevin started when a Faunus pushed past him, being chased by a couple of cops.
"Stop that Faunus!" One of them yelled.
"Quickly we must observe him!" Kevin heard Weiss cry and what followed was a mad dash that Kevin had no choice but to follow, one because shit may still hit the fan and two he had nothing else to do.
Three because Yang dragged him with her.
The chase abruptly stopped when Weiss collided with an orange haired girl and sent her to the floor.
Kevin stopped in his tracks.
"That girl is not human. Or Faunus." Sparky said. "I'm detecting no organic signatures in any part of her body. Is she an Exo?"
"Remarkable." Kevin marveled. "She might be an Exo, Sparky but we should definitely check this out when we can. See if you can find any files in the CCT."
If the girl truly was not human then she may be made from advanced technology. Something the Cryptarchs would like to know about, they abhorred ignorance after all. Could she have been made from a Golden Age schematic these people have found? Were there any traces of Golden Age explorers on this planet? So many questions, so little time...
"Salutations!" The girl said to them all in a loud chipper voice. She was still on the ground however. Her emotions were...far too extreme.
"Um..." Yang started asking. "Do you need a hand?"
Team RWBY plus one Warlock took a nervous step back as the girl suddenly popped up on her feet with a speed bordering unnatural. The girl's movement was very stiff, disturbingly enough it made her chipper attitude rather terrifying. Kevin wondered if she was created for assassination and terror operations. He speculated that Atlas, which was the most technologically advanced nation on Remnant, was the one that created this girl. Although he really didn't know what Atlas would need a Terminator for.
He felt Sparky's questioning glance. What, so he liked the classics...
"Nope!" The girl said dusting off her clothes. "Are you all friends?" She gasped childishly hiding her mouth behind both hands.
"Er...yeah?" Ruby tried uncertainly.
"That is wonderful!" The girl nearly smacked Yang in the chin as she threw her arms up in the air excitably but the blonde had moved backwards just in time.
"Would you like to be my friends then? We could talk about boys, put on makeup, do our hair..." The girl listed things off.
"Um, we never did get your name..." Ruby interjected before the girl began another tangent and increased the possibility that they would be here all day.
"Oh, I apologize." The girl cleared her throat. "My name is Penny! Nice to meet all of you!"
Kevin thought that Nora was enough madness for one person. If these two ever met up he feared for anyone they chanced upon.
/
That night...
Sparky heard a door slam and saw Blake Belladonna heading outside. She seemed terribly upset. The Ghost followed her, disappearing from view in a quick flash of light. The little construct trailed her and in doing so alerted Kevin that something was up. The Warlock had just left the library after finishing up some research and was already headed towards Sparky's direction.
The Ghost followed Blake in the meantime making sure to avoid being seen by the night staff or bumping into them and causing a scene.
"Kevin, you'd better be on your way."
/
Blake saw Kevin sitting down by his lonesome looking at the statue in the main avenue of Beacon Academy.
The Warlock was dressed in his casual clothes. He was facing away from her. Blake hesitated. Did he know what she was arguing about with Weiss? His dorm was just down the hall from theirs so he could have heard something.
As though sensing her inner turmoil, Kevin turned his head to look at her. He didn't seem surprised to see Blake there at all. She winced as his eyes pierced hers, there was no way she could hide anything from that somewhat accusing stare. She heard about what he nearly did to Yang after she and Ruby sneaked into his room, he had his own issues that he hadn't told anyone but he just sucked it up and soldiered on through his day.
Blake wished she had that kind of strength.
He waved her over.
Blake hesitated but she sat down next to the Warlock who was looking at the statue.
"Couldn't sleep?" She asked him.
Kevin shrugged. "Not really, no." He said. "I don't fall asleep too easily."
Blake looked down at her hands. "I...I have to leave." She told him. For some reason she felt better, just letting this off her chest. "I can't stay here."
"I heard your arguments." Kevin remarked not looking at her. "I understand. You don't have to tell me much. What Weiss said to you was upsetting."
Blake winced. So he did hear..."I guess you're saying that means you know what I am."
Kevin sighed. "Kind of yeah," He said. "You were involved with the White Fang."
"That I am." Blake nodded her affirmation. "Are they...Are they active where you come from?"
Kevin shook his head. "We've...gotten rid of some injustices." Was all he said.
Blake wanted to believe him, but there as just no way a place like that could ever exist on Remnant.
"Do you need help?" Kevin asked. It was a simple question but Blake knew that whether she said no or yes, he would say nothing to her teammates about what she was going to do. Blake wanted to trust Yang and Ruby. But Kevin?
"Yeah." Blake said. "I need your help."
/
The next day...
"What do you mean he's gone!" Ruby asked Jaune who shrugged.
"He went with Blake." Jaune said. "I was heading back from the bathroom when I saw him talking to her. They looked rather serious about something."
Ruby looked at Yang and Weiss.
"He does live down the hall from us." Yang commented. "He could have heard you and Blake arguing, Ice Princess."
Weiss crossed his arms. "I know I upset her." She said. "But I stand by what I said about the White Fang. We should go to the police."
"We're not trying to get Blake arrested Weiss." Ruby looked at Weiss seriously.
"She was involved with the White Fang!" Weiss exclaimed.
"Was." Yang said. "She's with us now. I bet she's going to need our help before long. Although I wonder what Kevin has to do with it?"
"Either way, we're going after them." Ruby said. "Weiss, if you want to stay behind that's fine with me."
"No. I have to go with you." Weiss told her. "Because she's my teammate too."
"You changed your mind quick." Yang quipped.
"Like you both said," Weiss shook her head. "She's my teammate, even if she hid a lot of things from us."
/
Sun Wukong didn't know what was going on but one thing was sure.
He really was starting to freak out, especially since he couldn't see the human's face...and the fact that he was holding a handgun to his head.
"Uh...Did I do something to offend your boyfriend here?" Sun laughed nervously. "Because I thought you were single-EEP!" He heard the human cocking back the hammer on his handgun.
"Kevin," Blake said stoically. "It's fine. He wasn't threatening us."
The human, Kevin, lowered his handgun. "Landing on my shoulders wasn't the smartest greeting." He told Sun who shrugged.
"Yeah, well maybe you should take it easy buddy. It was a joke!" Sun said, trying to sound like he wasn't about to have his head ventilated by a high powered sidearm.
Kevin gave a grunt before letting Blake take over. "You were at the docks yesterday."
Sun was feeling a lot more comfortable now, but he eyed the human in the strange getup cautiously. "Yeah I was." He told Blake cheerfully. "You got questions?"
"For you maybe," Blake said. "You seem to know who I am."
"Nah." Sun answered. "But I do find it interesting you'd hide your ears behind that bow of yours."
Kevin kept an eye out before letting his helmet de-materialize. He gave a yawn and covered his mouth before following Blake and the Monkey Faunus out of the alley and towards a coffee shop. Kevin attracted some attention but one look from him made any onlookers move their gazes to something else.
Blake appreciated his talent with intimidation, even if it worked too well. The cafe barista who was working the bar did a double take seeing Kevin in full gear. He just simply ordered some coffee for all three of them and that was that.
All three of them sat at a secluded area of the cafe. No one was going to bother them, not when they had someone like the Warlock around.
"So...uh, who's your scarily lethal friend?" The Monkey Faunus asked Blake while eyeing Kevin carefully.
"His name's Kevin." Blake said. "And...And I asked him for his help."
"Oh..." Sun said then smiled exuberantly once he realized that Kevin wasn't here to hurt him. He offered his hand to Kevin. "I'm Sun, Sun Wukong."
"Kevin Holden." The Warlock answered, not smiling but he did shake Sun's hand.
Blake sighed. "Okay, I might as well get started. Kevin, I truly am sorry for dragging you into this."
Kevin shrugged his shoulders. "You asked me for help, it would be a dick move if I said no."
Blake smiled at his joke. "I'll start with the White Fang," She said.
Kevin and Sun listened. It was hardly surprising that humankind had considered the Faunus as second class citizens. Due to the sanctions placed upon their people, the White Fang was created as the voice of the Faunus.
Blake smiled sadly as she related her involvement. "I was at every rally, I participated in every boycott. I actually thought I was helping to make a difference." Her laughter was bitter. Sun frowned.
"Then, five years ago. The Fang's leadership changed. And everything just went so wrong. We replaced peaceful protest with organized attacks. We hit businesses that refused to serve Faunus or use them as slave labor." She shook her head. "The funny thing is, we were treated as equals out of fear. So I left."
"You can't make a revolution with silk gloves." Kevin remarked looking into his coffee mugs.
"You agree that they had to use force?" Sun asked looking incredulously at Kevin. Blake was shocked too.
Kevin looked at the both of them glumly. "Their cause is just but their methods aren't." He said. "Which is why we must make a stand against them."
"But...But they're misguided!" Blake argued. "I'm sure that not all of them want things to continue as they are!"
"Will they listen to reason Blake?" Kevin asked her sincerely. "Because the way I see it, everything will end in tears for both the White Fang and humanity if things keep going downhill."
"I understand your reasoning for defending the White Fang." Kevin continued when Blake could give him no answer. "But if they continue as they are, they will only face more opposition. Can you convince them, Blake? To sue for peace?"
"I..." Blake hesitated to answer. "I don't know..."
Kevin shook his head. "Then we better hope that someone else can." He did not need to tell her what he would have done in her place.
Supporting the complete and total annihilation of a group you were once loyal to could be difficult for her after all. For Kevin, if someone threatened the lives of all humanity then they were something to be excised and destroyed.
Kevin knew Blake would disagree. But still, it helped to have a gun in case negotiations turned sour.
/
"Ugh!" Weiss complained. "Where could she be!? And how hard is it to find Kevin anyway!?"
"It's hard because they both barely even talk." Yang said. "They don't really announce their presence."
"How?" Ruby asked. "Kevin has an awesome looking set of armor and Blake has a really big bow on her head."
"True." Yang nodded.
The trio walked the streets of Vale, looking for their intrepid teammate who left the dorm room last night. They asked anyone but to no avail. No one had seemed to have seen Blake or Kevin head into the City proper. It was already late in the afternoon and the hope that they'd find the pair before sundown was starting to look bleaker at every passing second.
They did meet up with Penny once more. The girl waved at them from the end of the street. Ruby looked to see that Weiss and Yang had already ditched her in order to look for more traces of Kevin and Blake.
Ruby sighed as she turned to regard Penny. "Hi Penny, we're looking for a couple of friends..." She started to explain their situation, eventually Ruby ended up ranting and Penny listened.
"You're still friends right?" Penny had asked her.
"Yeah, but I just..." Ruby sighed. "I just want to help her, but I don't know what to do or say..."
"If I were you, Ruby." Penny said with a smile. "I would listen to what your Faunus friend had to say. Because that's what friends do right?"
Ruby nodded, already feeling better. "Wait." She stopped. "How did you know she was Faunus?"
Penny tilted her head. "Didn't you?"
Ruby realized that she hadn't paid attention to Blake for a while. Then again, she did remember that the more stoic girl had a liking for tuna fish.
/
That night, Vale Docks
Kevin was on lookout duty. He had his Black Spindle propped up on his shoulder as he overlooked the area. He checked in on Blake and Sun over their Scrolls. "You guys doing okay?"
"Yeah, we're fine." He heard Blake's voice over the link. "See anything?"
"Docks, docks and more docks." Kevin said as he surveyed the area. "Sparky?"
"Aircraft at two o' clock. High." Sparky put a red waypoint on the location of the incoming aircraft.
Kevin sighted up on his sniper rifle as the Bullhead touched down at the docks. He flashed Blake on the comms."You guys seeing this?"
"Yeah, I see it. Come on Sun." Blake's voice echoed over the comms.
Kevin chambered a round into the Black Spindle and waited. "Alright Sparky, looks like the party's about to start."
"Another gunfight...yeah that's wonderful." Sparky quipped. "Are you sure about getting involved Kevin?"
"A Guardian protects the innocent." Kevin said. "That's what we're supposed to do right? Even if it means we have to kill other people to do it."
"I'm sure Blake would argue with you." Sparky told him.
"She can't argue with a bullet to the head can she?" Kevin's voice was solemn. "Because if I'm correct membership in the White Fang isn't exactly one where you're free to leave."
Sparky turned back to the Bullhead not answering. "Well, well..." He said. "An old friend."
Kevin turned his scope onto the ramp of the Bullhead just as he saw Roman Torchwick. "Son of a bitch." He chuckled, a hollow sound.
"Blake, I have Torchwick in my sights." Kevin whispered. "Whatever you're gonna do, you better do it now."
He heard a breath before the sound of Blake's footsteps over the Scroll.
Kevin made sure to keep his crosshairs on Roman and his buddies. He saw Blake sneaking in between freight containers to get into a closer position. Sun was on her six. Kevin exhaled as he watched Roman order the White Fang goons to spread out, one group to secure a perimeter the other to start grabbing...whatever they were sent here to grab.
Gradually another Bullhead landed and deposited another group of White Fang onto the docks.
"Damnit, Blake." Kevin muttered. "What the hell are you doing?"
/
Blake silently put the edge of Gambol Shroud's blade up to Roman's neck.
"What the-" The criminal started. "Oh for fu-"
"Brothers of the White Fang!" Blake called out as the White Fang began pointing a meaty amount of weapons at her. "Why are you working with this scum!?"
"I don't think you got the memo, darling." Roman said. "But me and the White Fang are collaborating! It's a little business venture!" As he said those words, a couple of more Bullheads made their appearance, allowing Roman to slam the tip of his cane into Blake's stomach to send her backwards.
That was when Kevin opened fire. One White Fang member died without a sound as a solar infused round from the Black Spindle ended his life, punching through his body with a spray of blood. Blake ducked her head as Roman fired his cane at her, which was when Sun joined the fray.
On the roof of the warehouse, Kevin took aim at another White Fang member as he tried to get a bead on Sun. One shot later and he was sprawled on the floor, gurgling from a shot to the throat.
Kevin loaded a fresh magazine into his Black Spindle and continued to hunt for targets. This, he mused, this was far too easy. He saw Roman directing his little goons to spread out.
Kevin took aim and fired at Roman.
/
"Whoa!" Roman ducked as the unknown sniper took potshots at him. This was serious, he'd been shot at before sure but whoever this guy was he was certainly a wicked shot. The master criminal scowled. He'd been lucky so far but if this fight dragged on any longer he'd be joining the dead goons on the ground.
"Well, these kids are certainly getting weirder." Roman muttered holding his hat.
As he stood up to make some kind of getaway he was stopped by Blake as she put down to White Fang members in one fell swoop.
"You're not getting away." She told him.
"Says who?" Roman smirked raising his cane.
/
The Warlock slung his Black Spindle and made the switch to the Lyudmila as he saw Blake engage Roman Torchwick. Sun seemed busy with the White Fang goons. Kevin chambered a round as he left his perch to engage the White Fang.
First guy he saw rushed at him with a blade. Kevin put him down with a burst to the chest. His second and third victims opened fired on him with submachine guns. The Warlock pushed forward, the rounds chipping at his shields, firing as he did. The one on the right took a burst to the face and the second one screamed as the Lyudmila took him down with a burst to the stomach.
More White Fang were headed to his location. Kevin took cover as the fire picked up. He kept shooting, each precision burst ending the life of a man or woman. Anyone with a weapon died. There were some that threw down their weapons and fled. The Warlock let them run.
He was blindsided by one bastard with an axe. Kevin dropped the Lyudmila and grabbed the haft of the axe. Struggling with the burly brute, Kevin suddenly unleashed a Thunderstrike straight into the man's chest, stopping his heart. Kevin threw the body aside and picked up his Lyudmila and kept going.
Kevin reached a shipping container, he leaned out of cover then kept moving as a Bullhead's nose turret began peppering the area with heavy caliber rounds. The Warlock took a deep breath then sprinted to another shipping container.
He then heard an explosion as one of the Bullheads was...cut in half!?
Kevin turned to see Penny on the rooftop of another warehouse, manipulating something. There was a flash and then Kevin saw another Bullhead get taken out.
"What the hell..." He muttered shaking his head.
"Well, we can confirm that she's definitely not human." Sparky said.
"Yeah, definitely a Terminator." Kevin shook his head. "Shit."
They both saw Roman Torchwick escape into the cargo bay of the one remaining Bullhead. Kevin raised his weapon before realizing that he was out of range. Roman Torchwick had the luck of the devil with him. The Warlock was patient though, someday the criminal would get his.
Kevin let out a breath and de-materialized his helmet with a thought before mag locking his rifle to his back. He saw Team RWBY, plus Sun, reconcile. Blake and Yang saw him standing there and not approach. Kevin didn't belong with them but he gave them both a polite nod. It was for the best after all that they didn't get too close.
"Kevin, get over here." Yang said.
The Warlock hesitated but she had walked over and proceeded to drag him towards the group. "Good, now that you're here. Blake wants to say..." The blonde looked at Blake expectantly.
Blake rolled her eyes but she did smile gently at Kevin. "Thanks for the help."
Kevin just nodded his head. "I do what I can." He said stoically. "Don't hesitate to ask for help."
/
In Orbit around Remnant
Two spacecraft suddenly warped into empty space and the inhabitants inside were shaken up by the sudden deceleration of their craft.
Warlock John Holden shook his head. He tilted his head as he waited for the...voice to come back. He couldn't explain how it sounded familiar but the presence he felt...
It felt like it was looking out for him and Hestia. The Traveler...Yes, he was sure that was its voice guiding him and Hestia to wherever this place was.
John shook his head, now was not the time to speculate.
"Jingles." He said. "Scan for any Guardian frequencies."
"I'm on it." Jingles replied. In a few seconds she had something. "I've got contact, a distress beacon coming from the planet with the ruined moon. I'm also detecting a lot of life forms on that planet as well, John. We might have to deal with the locals."
John looked onscreen at the unknown planet and shivered at the ruined moon. There was only one reason for it to look like that. "Any Hive signals Hestia? Martellus?"
"Negative." Was Martellus' answer. "There's nothing at all."
"No..." Jingles said. "But...I can't feel the Traveler."
That made John's blood run cold. And judging from the silence over the comms it looked like Hestia was listening in. "So we're out of the Sol system?"
"Yes..." Jingles answered. "But, John. I still feel a lot of Light. It's coming from the planet."
John exhaled. "We'll deal with it when the time comes." He told Jingles. "Lock onto that Guardian signal, I hope it's Kevin."
"Roger." Hestia's voice was calm but John knew the Titan was as worried as he was. If Kevin was long since dead...
John refused to even think about that possibility. He would have known. "We're going in."
The two Jumpships descended onto Remnant, bearing two Guardians and two Ghosts who were very far away from home.
/
Abandoned Schnee Quarry, Forest of Forever Fall, 2200 hours
John and Hestia had their weapons raised the moment they made planet fall. The Warlock held the Red Death in hand while Hestia held an Arminius D. The Titan's helmet swiveled from left to right. "We're clear let's-"
A low growl alerted them both. Something came out of the bushes from the left flank. In unison The Sunsinger and the Defender turned on the possible hostile. The bear like creature emerged from the brush, its head masked in a skull white visage.
It looked terrifying. But for two veteran Guardians, it was just another target.
The Red Death spoke first, a burst of three heavy caliber rounds punched into the bear creature's torso knocking it back a step. Roaring in defiance and pain the creature started to advance when the Arminius D, a Hakke Auto Rifle with a high rate of fire, opened up on it. The two Guardians fired in earnest.
The creature didn't even get a chance to register the fact that it was dead before it fell over. The corpse began to smolder on the ground. John and Hestia put another salvo of rounds into the creature before confirming it was dead.
The night was still once again.
"What was that?" John approached the smoldering corpse while Jingles started making scans off of whatever was left. She made an unhappy noise.
"Scans are incomplete. They don't hold any life in them that's for sure. It's all...negative energy." The Ghost explained.
"Darkness?" Hestia leaned her rifle against her shoulder.
"Could be, here Martellus." Jingles started trading her scans with Martellus. "I'd like to see what you can make of it."
"Getting too big for your britches, Jingles?" Martellus bragged.
"I am physically unable to wear any human garments, Martellus." Jingles replied with a solemn dignity. "That joke is-"
"Before we get into any arguments about Ghosts wearing clothing, could you both tell us where that Guardian signal is?" Hestia interrupted both Ghosts before they started arguing like a married couple. "And don't give me ideas Martellus, I still have to catch up on my knitting." She was serious, it was a hobby she picked up.
John snorted before whistling innocently as Hestia turned her gaze on him.
/
The waypoint eventually took both Guardians to the remains of a Jumpship. Already there was some brush growing on it. The distress signal was still sending out its automated message. But John was more concerned about his missing brother. The Warlock clenched his fist as he approached the wreckage of the ship.
"Kevin..." John exhaled. The Sunsinger started looking through the remains. "Damnit, Hestia he has to be around here somewhere." He kept looking around the ship for any sign of his twin brother. His movements were desperate. Hestia knew he'd spend a whole century looking for any sign.
The Titan followed him and took a look inside the wrecked ship. She saw signs of the escape hatch being detonated. She confirmed it later by seeing the panel of armor that had been blasted off a few meters away. Hestia reached for the pilot controls, ripping off a panel before grabbing the black box.
"Martellus, analyze this for me. Let's see what we can find."
/
They took a break to assess the situation.
"He could have found civilization you know." Jingles said even as John lit up a camp fire. Primitive, but he'd seen Hunters do the same. There was just...something about a good old campfire that made things feel better. "I'm sure Kevin is alive John."
"Yeah," John poked at the fire. "Yeah, he's still alive." The Sunsinger wiped his nose. "Still, I don't think we should stay here after tonight. Call Hestia."
The burst of an automatic weapon greeted the two. "Sorry, just a bit busy clearing our perimeter." Hestia's voice was collected as she usually was. "Did you need something?"
"Nah, just checking on you." John said sheepishly. "Sorry."
Hestia was quiet over the link before saying. "John, you know I won't leave you for anything right? I thought we settled this on our first date."
"Right, right." John blushed. Good thing she couldn't see his face right now. "Um, yeah. So...how's-how's the night?"
"John, it's quiet and I've already completed my circuit. I'm heading back. Stop fidgeting."
John silently agreed. Hestia was forceful if she wanted to be. The female Titan emerged from the brush, dusting herself off. She had mag locked her rifle on her back. "I saw a new variant of the bear creature we killed." She took off her helmet and yawned.
"Oh, great." John said clearing his throat and trying to ignore how...adorable Hestia was at the moment. "So what did you find?"
"It was a thinner variant, a bit weaker." Hestia answered calmly as she took a seat next to him. "It died when my fist broke through its sternum. No biggie."
John nodded sagely. He wasn't going to argue. "Dissolved?"
"Yes." Hestia took a breath. "Martellus?"
The Ghost popped up beside her head. "Yes." He said. "I managed to get a bit more data but it's still woefully incomplete. The species is completely composed of some kind of negative energy, it's...much like the Darkness really. I can't really confirm a connection. This planet may have been visited by the Darkness or it might not have. Too little information to form a good theory."
John stared intently at the Ghost as he processed that information. "Let's assume that Martellus's theory is correct. If the Darkness has been on this planet then the Traveler may have been here as well. It could explain the readout of Light that Jingles found."
"It could." Jingles affirmed. "But I would need more time for a more accurate scan."
"We'd have to search high and low." Martellus remarked. "And that takes time we don't have. Kevin still needs our help. That should be our top priority."
"Right," John said. "Jingles, you found any civilization near this area?"
"We can find some answers a few kilometers south of our location. I'll give you guys a mark but I really do suggest leaving in the morning." Jingles suggested. "I'd rather not find any more of those creatures in the dark. Especially if they get bigger..."
"Bigger?" Hestia asked, eyebrow raised.
"You'll never know, Hestia." Jingles replied. "Our luck seems to be quite horrible in situations like this."
/
The next morning, a few kilometers away from a local settlement
"Thanks for jinxing us you bloody idiot!" Martellus yelled at Jingles over the comms as Hestia threw a suppression grenade that sent several bipedal wolf beasts into the air.
"Martellus, shut up!" John snapped as he fired the Red Death at another beast, its skull mask exploding into fragments as the three round burst punched into its head. He kept covering the young girl with the horns growing out of her head. He checked on her wound. "Where did she say she came from!?"
"Settlement! South! A few klicks from our position!" Jingles replied. "If we hurry, we can get her first aid!"
"Alright! We need to move! Hestia, pick her up, I'll clear a path!" John said and let the Light within him gather. Hestia picked up the injured girl, switching to a Havoc Pigeon sidearm as she prepared to move. John then raised his hand as his body was bathed in Light. Radiance. A Sunsinger was capable of area denial and support. They were also a symbol of defiance, for there were flames that not even the Darkness could extinguish.
Solar Grenade after Solar Grenade stalled the creatures' advance, their snarls and whines of pain echoing through the red leafed trees. Their bodies burned, purified by the Light. John ducked a blow meant for his head and lashed out at the wolf like beast with a Solar infused punch. It only gave one short lived whine as its body turned to ash.
Behind him Hestia took potshots at the creatures with her sidearm. It was not a glamorous job but she had an injured person to escort. The Titan turned and put a flurry of bullets into the next beast that crossed her.
"I'm sorry," She heard the girl whimper in pain.
"Don't be." Hestia grunted as a claw strike sent sparks flying from her armor. She kicked the wolf beast away from her, giving time for John to riddle it with rounds from the Red Death.
"Come on, come on!" John waved Hestia forward as more and more beasts howled and rushed them. John fired his Red Death into them, killing a few to thin their numbers before running after Hestia.
"Two more klicks, there should be-" Jingles spoke. "Oh great, a wall!"
John saw that there was indeed a walled settlement at their destination. The gates were closed. Already Hestia was smashing her fist against the gates, demanding that the gate be opened. Their injured ward was leaned against a boulder. The girl with the horns was getting weaker from blood loss and the makeshift bandage they put around her sides was already looking frayed.
John heard the howls of the creatures behind him and knew that time was not on their side.
"Hestia." John said as he made a switch to a Fusion Rifle, Long Far Gone. "Hestia, we have problems."
Hestia ceased her attempts to open the gate and immediately reached for her rifle. "I know John, I know. Let's clean this rabble up first." Her voice was all glacial calm. John grinned. Hestia was dependable, he was sure of that.
John aimed his Fusion rifle, holding the trigger. Already the Arc energy within the weapon's energy cells charged up. The first creature made a lunge, a scrawny bipedal wolf thing. It died in seconds as Long Far Gone discharged the bolts of energy from its muzzle.
The creature of Darkness disappeared, annihilated by the Arc blasts that punched into its body. The next creature to die was slain by a long tearing burst from Hestia's auto rifle. Another died, then another and another. There seemed to be no end to the damn things.
John ducked a blow that had every right to take his head off and then jabbed the Red Death's bayonet into the wolf creature's throat. As it gurgled, John pulled back then kicked it into two of its buddies. Both creatures shouldered the corpse aside only to met with an incoming Fusion Grenade.
John watched the explosive detonate with some satisfaction. A grunt of exertion alerted the Sunsinger to Hestia, who had thrown a boar creature at another wolf. There was a squeal then the sound of bones breaking as one monster met another at terminal velocity. Hestia then turned and punched another enemy with a vertical strike. The wolf creature's face met the ground, and then it died messily as the Titan's stomp cracked its skull open with no remorse.
John heard a loud creaking and the gates to the settlement opened up, revealing a human wave of fighters. All of them brandishing sharp implements.
"Now, they open the damn door." Hestia muttered as she loaded a new magazine into her rifle. "They suck as hosts."
"Better late than never." John answered, the Red Death barking in his hands as he covered the settlers.
When things died down John and Hestia met with the leader of the settlement. A burly man in his middle years, with a salt and pepper beard. A machete was sheathed on his back, in his hands was a sawed off double barreled shotgun.
"Didn't really expect Vale to send Huntsmen to help." The man's tone was a low growl. "Name's Bolton Brown, I don't like to say that I'm the mayor of this little place we got here but I was selected for the job."
John and Hestia looked at each other briefly. "We're not from Vale sir," John said. "My name is John Holden, this is my teammate Hestia Munroe. We're both on a secret mission, sir. It is best if I do not discuss the parameters further."
Hestia looked at John incredulously. What kind of angle are you playing, John?
John just looked at Hestia and shrugged. The Titan rolled her eyes underneath her helmet. It looks like he was just making it up as he goes.
Again.