I'M ALIVE! I'm sorry for the long wait for this chapter, I know my GF has been waiting very patiently (Love you babe) but I've recently fallen into a Mass Effect/Dark Souls hole and have been trying to claw my way out. Anyway lets get started!
"I don't like it, it just doesn't make any sense." Sephiroth spoke to himself as he stared at his scroll while leaning against the wall of Ozpin's office. "And we have no ideas as to who could be responsible?"
Gabranth shook his head as he sipped his coffee from his chair across from Ozpin. "None that make any sense."
"An entire Vacuo geological survey outpost slaughtered in a matter of hours. No reason the blood shed and no discernible gain from the act, just thirty civilians and ten security guards brutally murdered." Aaron added sitting in the chair next to Gabranth. "Their records say they authorized an emergency landing just before final broadcast with their main office in Vacuo city, do we have any information on who landed?"
"No, it was an unregistered VTOL that wasn't flying any specific colors. Any and all security camera footage was destroyed by a virus uploaded into their systems. This outpost offered nothing in any tactical sense, there was nothing valuable stolen, we're in the process of running background checks on everyone killed to see if any had possible connections to any group that may do this, though so far nothing. Both humans and faunus were killed so we can rule out race as a reason, honestly if it wasn't for the facts that the anti grimm turrets surrounding the outpost were fully operational and the victims were all clearly killed by human or faunus hands, I'd likely guess this was the work of grimm." Ozpin spoke grimly going through the information on his scroll once more.
"So I get how it's spooky and grizzly and all, but what's it got to do with us? A massacre all the way in Vacuo at some out post is hardly Vale's problem." Aaron brought his gourd.
"Indeed, at the moment I can't make any link to anything that could involve us or our groups of interest. That being said, I can't shake the feeling I've seen something like this before, the method that is." Pulling up a larger image at the center of the room of a large pillar of ice encasing what looked to be a charred man. "I don't know, it just feels familiar. Anyway that's everything for now, thank you for coming, you may go and get some rest for now. You do have that field trip tomorrow."
Without out any further delay the to younger men nodded and made their way to the elevator leaving Ozpin alone with Gabranth. "What are you thinking Cid?" Gabranth looked to the headmaster.
"Like I said, I'm not quite sure yet."
The next day
"And each of you are to fill up one jar and return return here in three hours, have fun and try not to get yourselves or others killed." Glynda instructed the teens who each went off with their respective groups. Sephiroth look to Auron who had taken a seat against a tree and made himself comfortable, Glynda had pulled up several future assignments on her scroll that she was tweaking, that left him to do his own thing.
Turning Sephiroth began walking into the forest, as he walked he breathed in deeply the forest air filling his lungs. He continued walking until he came upon a large clearing filled with flowers, each step he took was careful to not step on any of them. Standing at the center of the clearing he closed his eyes and just stood with his face to the sky, the peace and stillness around him brought a smile to his face. "Zack, Angeal, Genisis, everyone. Have I done well?" If one were to ask him why he was speaking to the ghosts to those not of this world he wouldn't have been able to answer, nor would he no why he had tears streaming down his smiling face. "Have I begun to make up for my mistakes?"
"I think you have buddy." A hand clapped onto his shoulder, the voice of the young raven haired SOLDIER spoke in his usual happy tone.
Whipping his head towards the source of the voice his eyes didn't find anything, he was alone in the field as flower petal were picked up by the wind. The surprise filled look on the silver haired boys face soon returned to a calm smile. "Thank you, all of you." He whispered.
"Hey Schnee!" He heard his name called and looked over to the group of four boys standing at the edge of the forest.
Sephiroth gave one last look around before recomposing himself. "I'll make you all proud, I swear it." He said before he began walking towards team CRDL, nobody noticing the three SOLDIER first classes standing among the flowers watching him go with smiles only to disappear as a small cloud of flower petals blew past.
Walking over to the four he nodded. "You okay man, you looked like you spaced out over there?" Russel asked the taller teen.
With a smile Sephiroth nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. I was just thinking about some old friends of mine." He answered.
Cardin chuckled slightly. "You're starting to sound like an old man Schnee."
This earned a light chuckle from the group including Sephiroth himself, the silver haired teen grinned at the four around him. It had been almost two weeks since Sephiroth had taken to helping the team of boys and along with their noticeable improvements in combat he'd also noticed several other affects. They had begun to grow closer as a team, where he'd noticed friction before he now saw cohesion. Then there was the fact that people didn't openly scowl at them when they entered rooms anymore. Finally and most notable to the former SOLDIER, they had begun treating him as a friend which was a rather new experience for him. Sure he saw Weiss as his friend, but his love for her as his sister was different than the bond between two friends. Blake was a similar case. After thinking about it, Sephiroth hadn't actually had any male friends since his days in SOLDIER with his two former comrades. Auron was also a special case as the two teammate's relationship originated from the desire to keep an eye on the other, and while it had grown into a friendship after awhile he didn't really express camaraderie the same way normal people did.
"I suppose I do, have you four already filled your jars?" Sephiroth asked the group.
"Nah, we've got hours to get it done so we figured we could chill for a while. Have you filled your's?" Sky answered for the group.
"No, I had a similar mindset." He replied.
"Then let's chill!" Russel shouted before jumping up high enough to grab a branch in the tree above them and pull himself up onto it making himself comfortable. The others each finding spots to sit as well.
Sephiroth figured he had nothing better to do than join them, taking a seat at the base of the same tree Russel sat in he leaned back. "So Schnee, I was wondering. Is it true that your family are the real ones controlling Atlas and it's military?" Dove spoke up earning a chuckle from the heir.
"As much as my father would love to believe such a thing no, you'd be hard pressed to find an issue that he and the government of Atlas actually agree on." This earned a nod from the boy.
"By the way, I saw you out with Belladonna last night." Cardin gave him a grin. "I was out refilling my canisters of dust after our training when I saw you and her come out of that fancy restaurant."
Russel gave a whistle. "Damn man, you caught a fine one."
"Your sister is on a team of nothing but lookers." Sky pointed out. "Even that Ruby girl is drop dead cute, and don't even get me started on that Yang girl."
"I honestly don't mind when she kicks my ass in combat class." Dove added earning laughs from all. "By the way, is your sister seeing anyone?"
"You got a death wish? Asking him something like that." Cardin smiled raising an eyebrow.
Dove held his hands in defense, though Sephiroth just smiled at the good natured jabs being thrown around. "Sorry to burst your bubble Dove, but your not my sisters type."
"Shot down and you didn't even ask her out yet, that's gotta sting." Russel taunted from above. "Though out of curiosity, what is her type?"
"I could tell you, but the information could get you killed if it got out." Sephiroth warned them in a low voice.
Russel just shrugged. "But how about the Adel girl?"
"She's actually already dating that Auron guy I think. Your his partner, isn't he seeing her?" Cardin looked to Sephiroth.
"I believe so. Though I think his sister is free." He didn't know why he said it, it mainly just slipped out.
"Seriously? That knock out?" Everyone sat with their mouths agape staring at the one who spoke, even Sephiroth's eyes had widened. After several seconds Cardin realized what he'd said before dropping his face into his hand.
"Well that's surprising." A new voice spoke up causing all five to look to the source, Auron stood leaning on a tree flask in hand and a giant grin on his face.
Elsewhere
"Finally, I was starting to think we'd never get here." An annoyed voice called as the side of a VTOL opened up and a ramp extended. Cinder stood with her arms crossed and a scowl etched on her face, both of her followers stood nervously behind her wary of her foul mood. They also looked skeptically as the person who caused this anger began descending the ramp. "Oh Cinder it's been far to long, I haven't had a headache since you left." The mans voice noticeably changed tones half way through speaking.
Cinder glared at the man in front of her, oh how she hated this man. He was by any description a jester, he wore mismatched colors with pokadots, stripes, and every other hideous design one could ever imagine. Face paint, capes, all he was missing was a big round red nose. "Kefka, I believe you were instructed to remain under the radar while on your way here." She seethed at the man.
Leaning over onto his side he lifted his feet into the air and miraculously just appeared to float in place, he rested his head on his hand. "But I did, no radar in Remnant could detect us with how low we were flying." He let out a manic laugh.
"You damn clown. You slaughtered an entire Vacuoan outpost!" She shouted in a rage at the jester.
"Hey that wasn't me it was the other guy, you know the one. The guy that cares." His eyes furrowed at the woman before him, his demeanor took on a much more threatening feel. "I don't take orders from little brats who think their something special like you girl." His voice was laced with enough malice to shake anyone. Turning to Emerald, Kefka regained his smile. "Do be a dear and grab my bags, and you." His eye fell on Mercury who almost flinched at the man who was arguably more terrifying than Cinder. "Come with me, I'd like to look over the prosthetic legs I built you." As he began to walk into the White Fang controlled warehouse he let out a loud series of laughs that would likely haunt all who heard it in their dreams for months to come.
So I know you guys probably hate me as much as my girl friend for keeping you all waiting this long, but know that I still love you. Leave me a review and tell me what you all think. Till next time.
