"Thoughts"-Italics

"Speech"-Regular

"Past/Flashback"-Bold

A Difference In Strength

"He's not ready."

"Do you understand pain?"

"What is your name?"

"Don't leave me..."

"ASH!"

"They'll bring the end..."

"War...So much war.."

"The power of the maidens."

"Free me."

"Tell me do you know of Ge-"

"ASH!" A loud voice erupted, shaking the entire room.

"Erghh..." Ash grumbled sitting up and rubbing his eyes tiredly, "I'm up..." he mumbled as he stared around the room in a slight daze. Stella stared strangely at her leader while keeping her hand on her hip, "Are you okay?"

Ash rubbed his head and nodded, "Yeah...Yeah I'm okay." he said looking out the window, "Just a dream..." He said with a frown, "Or something like that."

-On the outskirts of Vacuo-

"CINDER!" A voice yelled out in concern. Quickly tossing and turning Cinder grabbed at her head before grimacing, "I-I'm awake Emerald...It's okay."

Emerald's eyes were filled with concern, "It's breaking through isn't it?"

Cinder was half-lidded, "Even the powers of the maiden can't block it out much longer..."

"That means he's getting close...If he awakens then Salem..." Mercury called out from behind Emerald. Cinder looked down with and frowned, "If he takes that step then they'll be no telling what will happen...And knowing my brother..." she whispered, "Come, let's hurry. There's no telling when he may awaken. If it's too early we won't be able to stop her."

-With Qrow and Winter-

"KRAAAAAAAAAA!" A crow screeched as it landed on the shoulders of a gruff man who had graying black, spiky hair, with a red, tattered cloak, wears a gray dress shirt with a long tail, black dress pants, and black dress shoes. He also wears a ring on his right index finger, two other rings on his fourth finger, and a necklace with a crooked cross-shaped pendant. Next to him stood a tall, regal, young woman, with pale skin, white hair and medium-light blue eyes. Her hair is tied up in a bun at the back of her head, with the exception of her bangs, which are brushed off to the right side of her face, and a small lock of hair that reaches below her left ear.

"She's here alright..." he said, his voice coarse, reaching behind his back he pulled out a flask and took a quick swig causing an eye-roll from his partner.

"Are you ever not drinking Qrow?" she said with a silent sigh.

"No." Qrow responded bluntly, "You got a problem with it Winter?" he said closing his flask.

Winter gave him a cross stare before rolling her eyes, "Forget it, what did your little bird over there tell you?"

Qrow grunted before looking out into the distance, "They're moving into the ruins..."

Winter's frown deepened, "What could they possibly want from there, it's ancient."

Qrow sighed and stroked his chin, "Hell if I know, I've caught them jumping to ruin to ruin, she's looking for something..."

Winter gave him a curious gaze, "Do you think it involves Ash?"

Qrow frowned, "I do...I don't get it though."

"Still thinking about the attack?" Winter questioned.

Qrow paused, "I don't understand why she would attack Vale so soon, she knew me and Raven would be there...she didn't even attempt to bring enough manpower to take over Vale."

Winter frowned again, thinking of the incident, "I wasn't there so I can't make a proper judgment myself...speaking of Raven have you seen her lately?"

Qrow shook his head, "She came of her own interest and left as soon as it was over."

"You weren't shocked to see her?" she asked with a raised brow.

"No. She's always been that way though, stubborn." Qrow said with a snort.

Winter withheld a scoff, "You're one to talk Qrow."

Qrow shrugged, "Runs in the family. Her, myself, Yang."

Winter looked onward, "Has she spoken to Yang?"

Qrow shifted around before settling for a sigh, "Some things are best handled personally, even if I did drag her back kicking and screaming which I'm not sure I could. I don't know how those two would even interact. Put it this way would you interfere between your father and sister?"

Winter looked down, "I see...in any case we should get moving. If we can catch them before Ash joins us it would be optimal."

Qrow silently agreed, "Who would have thought it would come to this...Ember..." he thought with a slight grimace.

Team ASHS and ACID trudged through the snow together with Ash and Adonis leading the pack. Following behind them was Claret and Stella, then Haden and Dahlia, with Sabin and Iris together in the back. The two youngsters both diligently followed their seniors with focused gazes, Sabin looked to Iris who was looking forward with a blank face. Shaking his head he turned back forward and stopped as they came to a ravine, Sabin's nose twitched as a stench hit his sensitive sense of smell before he covered his mouth in disgust.

"B-blood?" he said gaining Adonis's attention.

"Yes, blood." Adonis said, "It's all apart of the plan after all."

Ash gave a disapproving look towards Adonis, "So this was your idea then...all from the fort it destroyed then I assume?"

"They would be happy knowing that their bodies were put to use to stop this monster after all~" Adonis said shooting Ash a smile. Stella face scrunched up before looking away from the Ravine, "You're sick..." she bit out before walking away. Ash's eyes seemed unsurprised and simply glazed over as he peered downward, Haden simply looked away, Claret seemed genuinely saddened but stared nonetheless, Dahlia took in a deep breath before a small smile appeared on her face, while Iris continued to peer into the ravine. Sabin took a step forward and felt his lunch shoot up from his stomach, slapping his hand over his mouth.

Death. Nothing but death. The smell of rotted flesh, blood, and corpses. It was a ravine of crimson, marred with the corpses of the dead. Sabin stumbled backward and fell onto the floor as flashbacks of the past shot forward. Sabin recoiled as the stench permeated his senses, feeling a strong grip on his shoulder.

"W-what the hell is this?" Sabin asked with an almost disgusted look.

Ash sighed, "Dahlia's ability is called Bloodborne, she has the ability to control any blood exposed to air. These hunters are probably from the previous battle with this aberration if I were to guess."

"This is sick..." Sabin underneath his breath.

"This is war." Adonis said unsympathetically, "It's us against Grimm. You out of all people should understand this constant struggle."

Sabin frowned but didn't argue, Ash gave Adonis something akin to a frown before sighing again, "Is everyone ready?" Ash asked looking at both Claret and Stella. A nod was shared between them before they disappeared in a flash of light and loud boom respectively. Before Ash said a word Haden and Dahlia both dropped down into the ravine. Ash and Adonis both casted a glance towards one another before Ash jumped over to the opposite side of the ravine.

"Ready?" Iris said casting a small glance to Sabin who was shaking ever so slightly.

Sabin looked at Iris before clenching his fist with a small discharge around his fist with a small smile, "Nope!"

Iris despite herself smiled ever so slightly, "Are you stupid?"

Sabin grinned before an inhumane scream tore through the sky, a beam of light shot through the ravine causing an explosion to erupt from behind them in a giant pillar of light. Gusts of wind rippled around the two teams, Sabin and Iris had to gather themselves as Adonis returned his funnels. Sabin turned to Iris with a more serious look, "What the hell was that?"

Iris frowned, "It's coming." she said as two blurs skidded to either side of the ravine, Stella slid to a stop, her body crackling with electricity. Stella twisted around to stare down the monstrosity chasing behind both her and Claret, leaning on her rapier which was jammed into the ground.

"Stella!" Sabin said in concern looking at her form of exhaustion.

"Stay focused!" Stella said waving off his concern as another wail tore through the sky, it was a cross between a bestial roar and an ear-piercing scream. The aberration tore through the ravine, smashing from left to right as it wailed and roared. Time froze as it turned to stare at Sabin, Adonis, Stella, and Iris. A light started to gather near it's face, red eyes glowing behind its mask, as it started to form its body suddenly began to squeeze together as wires entangled all around it. In an instant its face was forced upward and the energy released into the sky, erupting in a fiery explosion that caused the clouds to part and gusts of wind to shoot downward. In the bottom of the ravine Haden stood with her hands crossed, her wires cutting ever so slightly into her hands, gritting her teeth as she pulled a wire tighter with her mouth, her green aura resonating. The aberration roared and tried to force its foot to crush her but a wall of solid crimson cut off it's direction. Dahlia flashed a grin although it seemed somewhat stressed.

"Sabin!" Ash said giving a signal whilst diving into the ravine, flipping upside down with his bow ready. Sabin ran forward and flashed a look towards Iris, Adonis looked on in interest as Sabin lept forward while spinning into a corkscrew with a bit of static surrounding his body. His legs were tucked into his chest and in an instant Iris planted her feet against his own, a light hue of purple surrounding her. Adonis smiled as his funnels moved into position surrounding the aberrations core from multiple angles, "Not bad at all pup." he thought cracking a small smile as a sonic boom erupted in the ravine, echoing throughout the sky.

Sabin shot towards the enemy like a shining bullet, a crash erupted. A wail resonated. The aberration teetered downward. Iris, Adonis, Claret, Dahlia, Haden, Stella, and Ash all moved in fluid motion. Dahlia shifted the blood in the ravine, creating a wave that carried Haden over the falling monster. Haden rode the wave with a wicked grin, releasing her grip on her wires, in a singe moment of release both Claret and Stella dashed by at mach speeds, grabbing the wires in their hands, twisting the aberration in opposite directions. Ash held his breath and took in everything, the timing had to be just right, the bandages on his arm came off as he started channeling his aura and his eyes flickered amber for a moment, his brow furrowed, "Just a little bit..." He all but growled out before closing his eyes.

Ash opened his eyes and noticed he was no longer in the bloodied ravine surrounded by his friends but alone in a simple room, all the walls were the same expect for one. There were bars that cut him off, staring across from them Ash clicked his tongue before walking towards the bars.

"You're back!" A eccentric voice said suddenly, his double appearing across from the bars, "So...You need my power huh?" He cackled with a slightly crazed stare. Ash didn't do anything but stare, walking towards the bars. His double raised his brows ever so slightly, "Ooooh scary~" He said with a mock shiver, "Big bad Ash come to claim his power~" He taunted before Ash grabbed the bars and began to bend them ever so slightly making his double stop and stare, almost annoyed, "Fine." He said holding out his hand and releasing a light glow, "This should be more than enough weakling..." He said with a scoff before returning to darkness.

Ash let the power flow through him before he let out a breath, disappearing from the room and leaving his double alone. His double stared at the bars before clicking his tongue as a bright orange light erupted from behind him, he staggered backward as it died down, he could only glare at a much larger cage behind him with a figure glowing an immensely bright orange pointed at him, "Your days here are numbered." It said disappearing into darkness. Ash's double closed it's eyes before the room completely disappeared.

Ash opened his eyes, time slowed down, he could see each of Adonis's funnels begin to fire, he focused every bit of energy he had into one point. The moment ended in an instant, the single whistle of an arrow broke through the wind. Adonis's funnels fired, Ash's arrow hit the core, Claret and Stella tore the limbs off, a shriek that pierced through the sky like a dying animal shook the ravine. The core erupted into in a violent explosion, Ash cursed before crossing his arms as we watched the fiery explosion head towards him, a wall of red shot up and buffered the detonation for only a moment before he felt his body violently blow back, then darkness.

Ash stirred and forced himself to sit up, "My head hurts." He said to no one but himself, overlooking his clothes that were drenched with blood, "Ugh." He muttered sitting up and looking at his environment, "Dahlia handled most of the explosion, that's good at least..." He thought getting to his feet, not bothering to bandage his arm again, they were seeping red anyway. Wiping the blood from his face he started to walk forward, he could see Haden with her hands on her knees, her arms were shaking slightly.

"Holding that thing down must have really tired her out..." He thought with a frown as he approached her, "Good job." He complimented, Haden could only smile at him before she staggered forward, landing onto his chest. Ash let out a breath he had been holding in and picked her up bridal style, he could see Adonis helping Dahlia as well, exhausted from trying to handle so much blood at once.

Ash frowned at Adonis, he disliked him, or maybe hated, "These two are completely depleted, Stella and Claret are probably both around their limit too, the only ones who should be fine are Iris and Sabin, like I requested..." He thought trying his best not to punch that damned smile Adonis had on his face.

"Lucky~ Lucky~ That Aberration was way weaker than the last one hmm well maybe not weaker, way slower though, made this plan a hitch wouldn't you say Ashy?" Adonis said with an all too friendly smile.

"Had you been even a little wrong we could have lost these two." Ash glared.

"But I wasn't and you didn't give me much to work with! I mean had you let me use my other two pieces more effectively..." He murmured in a slightly dangerous tone.

"They're not ready." Ash said, "Rather Sabin isn't quite ready..." He thought, "You saw how Iris was the last time we dealt with something like this..." Ash said trudging forward, Adonis walked side by side with him and let out a hum, "That was awhile ago...She's much more prepared now. But I guess those big brother tendencies of yours just don't see compromise does it?"

"Whatever...My part of the deal is fulfilled." Ash responded without looking back at him.

Adonis smiled again, "Of course of course, permission will be granted." He said before opening his eyes a little bit, "Your release was late, had I not adjusted we all could've died. I wonder why you hesitated? Trouble drawing out that power? Or maybe you're slowing down?" Adonis questioned.

Ash paused before turning around, "Maybe I was just trusting in your ability A.O." He said perfectly mimicking Adonis's smile.

"Ooooh scary guy~ If you weren't so interesting I would have killed you already." He said returning to his *playful* nature. Ash turned back around, "I have no doubt..." He mumbled looking into the distance.

"Were here." Emerald said wiping her hand across a few old statues, they had various markings that had an uncanny resemblance to the marks on Ash's arm. Mercury blew some dust off a few of the statues and let out a low whistle.

"This place is ancient." He said poking a few of them.

"Refrain from touching anything, there may be traps." Cinder lightly scolded as they walked through the ancient temple, "Abandoned for years..." She said looking across at the statues, they all stood together dilapidated, markings branding each of them, "This is just a small power of Genesis."

"Genesis?" A voice slurred out from behind them, making them jump back and tense up.

"Qrow..." Cinder said narrowing her eyes, "I should have known, I've gotten too lax."

Qrow smirked, "Don't take it too hard, you're not my first rodeo you know."

"You're under arrest." Winter said pulling out her saber making both Emerald and Mercury frown before walking in front of Cinder, both taking stances ready to fight. Qrow cocked his head to the side before pulling out his sword and transforming it into it's scythe mode, Cinder bit her lip, "Not playing any games..." She thought summoning her fall maiden powers.

"Shall we begin?" Cinder said raising her hands as balls of flame gathered behind her.

Ash wasted no time getting to their destination, the less time he could spend around Adonis the better. He carried Haden while Sabin carried Stella, now that they could access private sector they could look for clues about Garnet and Ember but before they could go to the lab Ash had to make a quick stop.

Ash and Sabin climbed up the snowy hills and finally found themselves face to face with a building. Before they could do anything a group of Atlesian knights emerged from the ground and surrounded them. Sabin took a cautionary step back but Ash placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Name Ash Fall, I'm here to see doc." He said to the robots who all paused and waited a moment, after a few seconds their red lights shut off and they lowered their weapons.

"Our apologies Mr. Fall, please follow us." They knight said in a robotic tone. Ash nodded and motioned for Sabin to follow him, the two entered into the building and almost winced at how bright it was. It was almost entirely white in color and had futuristic design and layout, before moving forward Ash adjusted Haden in his arms before poking the knight in front of him.

"Could you find these two a place to rest? The Faunus boy too." Ash muttered motioning to his back, he had been Sabin eyes twitch tiredly after they had continued on a few miles.

"Of course Mr. Fall." The knight responded before taking Haden and turning to Sabin, "Please follow me." It said turning to the left, Sabin looked at Ash oddly who only nodded his head, "Go." He commanded. Sabin didn't question the order and quickly followed behind the droid, Ash let out a tired breath before continuing with the other knight. They came to an elevator and entered in, the knight pressed the lowest floor and they began to descend. Ash watched in silence as he saw floor after floor of scientists working before he they finally reached the last floor.

Ash hummed as he came out of the elevator, no matter how many times he saw the office he was always impressed. Before he could appreciate the extreme futuristic design he was tackled from the side and almost fell over as he caught a blur of hot orange hair.

"ASH!" An excited voice elicited as they grabbed hold of his neck.

"Penny! Relax!" Ash said returning the side hug before Penny released him from her tight grip and took a step back, she smiled with both eyes closed whilst giggling.

"I feel like I haven't seen you in so long!" She said before holding out her hand, "Salutations!"

Ash stared at the girl...robot...android incredulously, Penny had changed a lot over the years as well, with the doctors advance in technology came the advance of Penny's model. Each year she was given a new body with new features as well new more womanly appearance, as of now she had french bun with a long bang framing her face.

"It's only been a month..." Ash said scratching the back of his sheepishly.

"2!" She pouted.

"Right 2..." Ash said biting his tongue making Penny pout more, "You haven't been sleeping properly." She stated, "Dummy."

Ash had to be amused by her phrasing, it took awhile but since Penny had worked so much with him, Ruby, as well as the others, her robotic way of speaking slowly faded and she began sounding more much human.

Ash smiled, he could only imagine how proud the doctor was, "How do you figure?"

She crossed her arms, "Whenever you don't know the date of things it's because you've been staying up way too late, how many all-nighters did you pull in the last 2 months?"

Ash rolled his eyes, "Couldn't have been more than 8..."

Penny looked at him with glowing green eyes, a lights scanned Ash from head to toe, "17 days." She said with a dry tone which resembled him a touch too much.

"I'm fine." Ash said, his eye twitching, "Why does she even have that function..." He thought annoyed before shaking his head, "I need to speak with the doc."

Penny looked at him seriously all of a sudden, "The children?"

Ash wasn't terribly surprised but asked all the same, "He knows?"

Penny looked like she wanted to say something but paused, "I think it's better if you see yourself."

Ash felt a sinking feeling in his chest but he followed Penny down the hall nonetheless, they came to a door and Penny scanned her eye before it unlock a panel and she placed her hand on it, after it glowed green an audio cue came on asking for a password and she gave Ash a look. Rolling his eyes he cover his ears before she spoke a phrase that was inaudible to him, "Always paranoid..." He thought before the two came to a black door, Penny knocked, "It's open!" An old gruff voice barked out from the room. Penny pulled the door open and Ash followed and as he entered the room he saw Penny's father, creator if you wanted to be technical. He had dark brown skin and a big white beard that was connected to puffy white hair...well mostly, the top of his head was balding. Before Ash could say anything he saw several children in the room, all of them had lines tracing over their arms that looked just like his. 2 in particular caught his eye, a young girl with short gray hair and glasses on and a boy with messy blonde hair and green eyes. Ash froze as the girl looked at him before pushing her glasses up to her face, "So you must be Ash, my fathers apprentice...well I guess he would be my father."

Ash mouth opened before closing, "Doc can we speak alone?"

The old man smiled, "I thought you would never ask."